The Virginius affair

General public interest in the Virginius affair, which reached its climax in November and December of 1873, soon died out. The history text-books of today carry only a slight reference to the incident, a reference often relocated to an obscure footnote. The American who prides himself on being well informed in the progress of his country's history, may greet a mention of the ill-starred steamer with a puzzled expression; he has heard of it but the details have faded from his memory. The case of the Virginius is most frequently used by writers on international law as an instance of the right of national self-defense.