The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-23
IN. Secretary Of STATE 10 Mr.. Mann.

lcosFIDESTIAL.
DKPARTMEsT OF STATE, 4
Washing ton, June Is, ls49.
sra The President, rePosing entire confidence in
your ability integrity and prudence, has selected
you for an important trust and hopes that you will
accept the confidential appointment now offered,
and lose time after the receipt Of this notice Of
his wishes, in proceeding to Hungary in the dis
charge Of the duties committed 10 you by him.
IL will be proper for you, in the hrst place, TO
pair 10 Vienna and TO confer with Mr.. Stiles upon
the subject OF your mission, and upon the best
method Of accomplishing its objects secretly, and
with despatch. Mr.. stIess intelligence and expe
rience may be useful, and you may, If you think
proper, avail yourself Of his counsel and aid The
principal object the President has in view s TO OBJ
tain minute and reliable information In regard to
Hungary, in connexion with the affairs Of adjon-
ing Countries the probable issue Of the present
dictionary movements, and the chances may
have Of forming commercial arrangements with
that power, favorable 10 the United States
The eventful scenes which convulse Europe have
been watched, from their commencement, with
close attention by the Government and people
Of the United States; and among them, Gas not
the least Interestingly the existing struggle be-
tween Austria and her ancient dependency, Hun
gary Ia this desperate conflict, Russia has chosen
% assume attitude Of interference, and her inn
mense preparations for invading and reducing the
HunRArians 70 the rule Of Austria-from which
they desire 70 be recased-give serious charac-
ter 70 the contest az 10 awaken the most painful
solicitude in the minds Of Americans. This anxi-
ETY. - natural on our part, and u by no means in
consistent with the we'll known and long-cstab-
lished policy Of non -interference in the domestic
concerns OF other nations which has animated
and governed the councils and conduct Of the
American Government. II IL shall appear that
Hungary is able 10 maintain the Independence she
has declared, desire 20 be the very first 10
graduate her, and ~ hail. with hearty welcome,
her entrance into the family Of nations. But the
prospect, fear, u gloomy one at present. II
you shall think yourself, prudence will suggest
he INN nj linz nrfra
tons and circumstances may be such as 10 make
Il safer for you not 60 proceed 10 Hungary at all
OF this, you are 10 Judge.
The great changes that have already occurred
and the still greater which may be confidently ex
pccted 10 take place in European political sys-
tems, are 90 intimately connected with probable
revolutions in their commercial plans and pros
pects, that Il IL impossible for 10 look on AZ
unconcerned spectators We have important In.
terests at stake In the movements u Europe
and IL IL our duty 70 watch over those interest,"
with a wise vigilance, and 20 stand prepared Y
take advantage Of every opening occasion which
may be presented, 70 secure 70 improve friend
ly and useful relations with governments likely q
become instituted, well With those that are al
ready established. Peace and commerce arc tn
noble aims Of our happy land. The former, b,
Gods blessing, we enjoy. Let US omit no e1er
tons 10 the most liberal and beneficial e1ten
sion Of the latter. Hungary, 10 US has been hiih
erto a comparatively unknown region. She ma,
succeed in placing her independence upon an i'm
movable basis and become Chased among the i'm
portant commercial nations Of the world. Our be,
wishes attend her.
Since the revolution Of March, ls4s, Hungaryh la
constituted herself into power separate and ind'
pendent Of the Austrian Empire; and has created
provisional government, at the head OF which No
suth has been placed. The early efforts OF this illu
trious man 10 effect reforms and 70 ameborate u
condition OF his countrymen--to redress grievanc
to free the press from an intolersble censorship
20 extend taxation 10 the privileged classes--to ell
vate from extreme wretchedness the yeonsnry
his country-and TO promote other great neasur
for the good Of bis countrymen-dcseryc and con
mand our admiration. But policy Of immobilit
backed by the bsyonct, was successfully oppos'
20 the stirring spirit Of discontent and insurrecno
and the national movement, which was sustaint
by the energy and public spirit Of the Magyar =
ceived no signal impulse until the expulsion OF Me
ternicb--an event which left them free TO cboo
their own ministers, and accelerated the course
reform and revolution. In vain against the seen
ingly irresistible might OF Austria had Hungary al
pesled 10 Paris and 70 Frankfort.