The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-12-13

Considering the proximity of that Island
to our shores, lying as it does, in the track
OF trade between some of our principal
cities, and the suspicious vigilance with
which foreign intercourse, particularly
that with the United States, is thus guar
ded, a repetition of such occurrences NAV
well be apprehended. As no diplomatic
intercourse is allowed between our Con-
sui and the Captain General of Cuba,
ready explanations cannot be made, OF
prompt redress afforded, where injury has
resulted. All complaint on the part OF
our citizens under the present arrange
ment, must be ia the first place presented
to their Government, and then referred TO
Spain. Spain again refers il to her local
authorities in Cuba, for investigation, and
postpones an answer until she has heard
from authorizes. TO avoid this irritation
and vexatious delay, proposition has
been made to provide for direct appeal
to the Captain General by our Consul in
behalf Of our injured fellow citizens. Hth
erto the Government Of Spain has dec lin
ed to enter into any such arrangements.
This course on her part is deeply regret
ted, for without some arrangement of this
kind, the good understanding between the
{ two countries may be exposed to occasion
nj interruption. Our Minister at Madrid
is instructed to renew the proposition,
and to press it again upon the considera-
ton of her Catho ic Majesty.
For several years Spain has been call
ing the attention of this government TO a
claim for losses by some of her subjects in
the case of the schooner Armistad. This
is believed to rest ton the Obligations i'm
posed by our existing treaty with that
country Its justice was admitted in our
| diplomatic correspondence with the S pam
ish government as early as March, l847,
and one of my predecessors. in his annual
message of that year, recommended that
provision should be made for its payment.
In january last, it was again submitted to
Congress blythe Executive. l. has receiy-
eta favorble consideration by COMMITTEES OF
both branches of Congress but as yet there
has been no final action upon it. con-
celve that good faith requires It's prompt
adjustment; and present it to your ear
ly and favorable consideration.
nj. Ko,zta, a Hungarian by birth, came
to this country in 1850. and declared his
intention in due form of Law, to become
acitizen Of the U. States. After remain
ing here for nearIy two years he visited
Turkey. While at Smyrna, lie was for
clbly seized, taken on board an Austrian
brig OF war. then lying in the harbor at
that place, and then confined in iron, with
a. = -.4- ......l dnsiyr 70 fatn hin, in,o Ans
tina; our Consul at Smyrna. ana Legation
at Ctnstantinople, interposed for his re-
lease, but their efforts were Intellectual. -
While thus imprisoned, commander Ingra-
ham, with the United States ship of war
ST. Louis, arrived at Smyrna, and after
looking into the circumstances of the case,
came to the conclusien that Kozta was en-
titled to the protection of this government
and took energetic and prompt measures
Tor his release. Under an arrangement
between the agents of the United States
and Austria, he was transferred to the Gus
tody Of the French Consul General at
Smyrna, there 10 remain until he should
be disposed of by the mutual agreement
of the Consuls of the respective Govern
ments at that place. Pursuant to the "a
greement he has been released and is now
on his way 10 the United States. Tie
Emperor OF Austria has made the conduct
of our officers who took part in the trans
aclion subject of grave complaint. Re-
garding Koszta as still his subject, and
claiming the right to seize him within the
limits OF the Turkish Empire, he has de-
mapded ofthis Government its consent to
the surrender OF the prisoner disavowal of
the acts ofits agents, and satisliciti for
the alleged OH rage. Aflera careful con-
sideration of the case, came to the con-
cluslon that Koszta was seized without le-
gal authority at Smyrna, that he was
wrongfuIly detained on the Austrian Brig
OF War, that at the time of his seizure he
was clothed with nationality of the Unit
ed States, and that the acts of our officers
under the circumstances of the case, were
Justiiiable and their conduct full approved
by me; and compliance with the several
demands of the Emperor of Austria has
been declined. For more full account
OF this transaction, and my views in re-
gard TO 1t refer to the correspondence be-
tween the Charge D'Adairs of Austria
and the Secretary of State, which is here
with transmitted. f,f as
The principles and p LEY therein main
tanned on the part, of the United States,
Will. whenever a proper occasion occurs,
be applied and enforced. y r4e s8n
The condition of China at this time
recders il probable that some important
changes will occur in that vast empire,
WHICH will lead to more unrestricted in
tercourse with, it. The commissioner of
that country, who has been recently ap-
pointed is instructed to avail himself OF all
occasions TO open and exiend our com
merclal relations not only with the Empire
of China, bul with o,her. Asialic Nations.
In 1852 an expedition was sent to jap 4
an underthe command of Commodore Per
ry, for the purpose of opening commercial
intercourse with that Island. Inlellig, nee
has been received of his arrival and of his |
having made known to the Emperor of Ja-
pan Tie object of his visit, but it is not vet
tsceituned how far the Emperor will be
disposed TO abandon his restrictive policy
and open that populous country to a com
mercial intercourse with the United
States.
- lt has been my earnest desire to- main