The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-12
M. WEBSTER TO Nh. MARSH.


Mx. WEBSTER TO Nh. MARSH.
WAsHINeroS, February %, 1851
GxoRss p. MARSH, ESQ.,, &C., &C., COnstontinople:
SIR am directed by the President to address
you on the subject of the Hungarian refugees, who
are now in the Turkish dominions.
1t is understood by this Government that Mr..
Kossuth and forty or fifty others, his companions,
are in confinement in Kutayieh, in Asia Minor,
where they have been for year or more, and that
they continue to feel earnest desire to come to
the United States.
BY despatch Of my predecessor you were in
structed to offer to the Sublime Porte to receive Mr.
Kossuth and his companions on board of one Of the
national ships Of the United States to convey them
to this country.
II would have been extremely gratifying to the
Government and people of the United States if this
proposition could have been at that time accepted;
but 1t Ia understood that its not having been COM
piled with by the Sublime Porte did not arise from
a wish on his imperial mnjesty's part to detain
proceed to the United States, but was in conse-
quence of the Sultan's offer to Austria to detain
these persons for one year; at the expiration OF
entered into to prolong their detention they should
be at liberty to depart.
Ifthis be so, the time is near at hand when their
release may be expected, and when they may be
permitted to seek asylum in any part of the
world to which they shall be able to procure the
means of transportation.
1t is confidently hoped that the Sublime Porte
lation with any power for their further detention;
and you are directed to address yourself urgently,
though respectfully, to the Sublime Porte on this
question.
while this Government has no desire or intention
TO interfere in any manner with questions OF pub
lie policy or international or municipal relations
OF other governments, not affecting the rights OF it's
own citizens, and while it has entire confidence in
the justice and magnanimity and dignity of the
Sublime Porte, yet, on matter of such universal
from no other motives than those of friendship and
respect for the Porte, desire for the continu-
ance and perpctuity Of its independence and
dlgnifisd position position, among the nation. Of the
Hungarian exiles may be received by the Porte in
the Same friendly spirit in which they are offered,
and that the growing good feeling and increasing
still further fostered and extended by happy con-
currence Of opinion and reciprocity Of confidence
upon this AZ upon all other subjects. Compliance
the United States in this respect will be regarded
friendly recognition Of their intercession and as
proof Of national good will and regard
The course which the Sublime Porte pursued in
refusing to allow the Hungarian exiles to be seized
upon its soil by the forces Of foreign State, to
arrest and deliver them up itself to their pursuers,
was hailed with universal appreciation, it might be
said with gratitude, everywhere throughout the |
United States. And this sentiment was not the |
less strong because the demand upon the Sublime |
Porto was made by governments confident in their
vast strength, flushed with recent victory, and
whose purposes were not to be thwartcd, or their
pursuit stayed by any obstacle less than tho inter
position Of empire prepared to maintain the in
volatility of its territories and its absolute
reignty over its own soil.
This Government, Jealous Of its own territorial
probation the firm and lofty position assumed by
his imperial majesty at that time, and proudly
maintained under circumstances we'll calculated to
inspire doubt. and against demands urged with
atlch OrAvitv and auDnorkad " IN fOPYnida HE n
array. His imperial majesty felt that he should be
no longer independent prince if he consented to
be less than the sovereign of his own dominions.
While thus regarding the political position and
conduct Of the Sublime Porte in reference to other
powers, his imperial majesty's generosity in pro-
viding for the wants of the fugitiyss thus unex-
selves upon his protection, is considered equally
worthy Of admiration.
On the other hand, il is not difficult to conceive
what may have been the considerations which led
the Sublime Porte to consent to remove these per-
from its frontiers require them to repair to the
interior. and there to remain for a limited time.
great attempt at revolution against the estab
lished authorities of neighboring State, with
which the Sublime Porte was at peace, and with
which it desired to preserve friendly relations had
only then been suppressed. The chief actors in
that attempt had escaped into the domnons of the
Porte. To permit them to remain upon its from |
tiers, where they might project now undertakings
against that State, and into which, if cumstances
favored, they could enter in arms at any time,
governments; and the Sublime Porte, while pro-
tectng them, might certainly also prevent their |
occupying any such position in its own do
minions should give Just of alarm
to neighboring and friendly powers. Their reno |
val to certain localities might also be rendered de-
srablc by considerations Of convenience the Sub
lime Porte itself, upon whose charity and gcneros
ity such numbers had 30 suddenly become depend
ant.
The detention OF these persons for short period
of tmc in order that they might not at once repair
to other parts of Europe to their operations
was request that it was not unnatural to make, |
and was certainly in the discretion of the Sublime
Porte to grant, without any sacrifice of its dignity
or any want of kindness towards the refugees
But at this time all possible apprehension of dan
ger disturbance, to result from their liberation,
has ceased.
ran army surrendered, and the attempt at revou- |
ton, and the establishment of an independent gov
eminent, in which they were engaged, were most |
sternly crushed by the united forces Of two Of the
greatest powers OF Europe.
Their chief associates are, like themselves, in |
exile or they have perished on the field, the
scaffod by military execution their estates are
confscated, their families dispersed, and every |
CASTLE fortress and city of Hungary, ia in the pos
session of the forces of Austria.
They, themselves, by their desire to remove 80 |
far from the Of their late conflict, declare
that they entertain no hope thought of other
similar attempts, and wish only to be permitted to |
withdraw themselves altogether from all European
association, and seek new homes in the vast re- |
gions of the United States.
For their attempt Mt independence they have |
most dearly paid; and now, broken in fortune and
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