Virginius Affair, an incident that almost caused war between the United States and Spain in 1873. The Virginius, a vessel owned by Cuban revolutionaries but flying the United States flag, was captured by a Spanish gunboat on the high seas near Jamaica. The Spanish claimed that the ship was bringing men and arms to Cuba, where there was a revolt against Spanish rule.
President Grant, considering the seizure a violation of international law and seeking to defend the American flag, demanded release of the Virginius and its crew. (Ironically, it was later learned that the American registry had been fraudulently obtained.) Before Spain had time to act, Spanish authorities in Cuba executed 54 crew members and passengers, including several Americans. This act aroused widespread indignation in the United States, and for a time it appeared that war could not be averted. After numerous communications between the United States and Spain, the ship and surviving prisoners were released and Spain paid damages to the families of those executed.
