The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-17
10
LEGATION OF THE U. 8. AT }
CoNsrANTINoPLE, June "a. (

JUuc
Monsieur pInternonce Ihave the hon.
or to address your Excellency on the sub
Jcct OF most unfortunate occurrence.
which l am informed by the Consul of
M Government in SMYRNA, took place
there oa the 23l inst, and which l very
deeply deplorc, inasmuch as it resulted in
the death of young officer Of the Aus
trian navy, who has thus, most probably
without in any manner having been the
cause OF the unwarranted attack made
upon Himself and his companions in Smyr-
ma, been the victim Of the most inconside-
rate and unaccountable conduct Of the
Austrian Consul cf the city towards an
individual named Martin Costa.
This person, at the present moment in
generated on board the Austrian brig of
war Hussar, now at Smyrna, is, believe,
one OF the Hungarian refugees who had
been detained at Kiutayah. Together
with others, he was permitted to leave
this country in 1851, and he proceeded
with them to the United States, where he
took the preliminary steps ;o>vards be-
coming citizen of the United States :;
that is, he made formal remuneration of
all allegiance to any other Power or Sow
ereign whatever, and took the usual oath
OF allegiance to the Government of the
United States. A few months since, NJ.
Costa came to Smyrna from New York,
with the design of again proceeding to
the United States. In the afternoon of
the 2lst inst, while seated on the marina
OF Smyrna, he was suddenly set upon by
some fifteen ruffian Greeks, all armed,
said to have been employed for that pur-
pose by the Austrian Consul and, after
having been treated in the most brutal
manner, was thrown into the sea, where
boat was waiting to receive and conduct
him to the Austrian brig Hussar
M. Costa, on leaving the United States,
received legalized copy of the declara.
ton which he had made there of allcgi-
apce to the Government of the United
States, and which document, under ordi-
nary circumstances, would recommend
him to the friendly aid and consideration
of the American authorities.
1t cannot be conceived here that this
individuals temporary residence i'll the
city of Smyrna could possibly excite the
VI ihC LAuSlIldl SOUSul 10 Sucn
degree as to cause him to employ q band
of armed ruffians 20 attack him, at a mo.
ment when he evidently had no reason to
apprehend such an outrage, and to have
him conveyed in an ignominous manner
on board an Austrian vessel-ot-war.
1t seems to me rather, that in case his
presence there incommoded the Austrian
Consul, the latter, at the most, would have
called upon the Tui ksh authorities to re-
quire his departure, and not, by an act of
so outrageous and inhuman nature, ex-
cite the indignation of the inhabitants of
Smyrna, and, l do not doubt it, also of
the people of the United States.
Permit me therefore to interccde with
your Excellency in behalf of Nj. Costa,
and to ask, if not out of the respect due
for tho Government of the Sultan, whose
territory has been so grossly viola'ed by
the conduct Of the Austrian Consul of
Smyrna, at least out of regard for the
Government to which he has pledged his
allegiance, that your Excellcncy he pleased
to give orders to the comm ander Of the
Hussar for his immediate release, so that
he may proceed to the United States.
| avail myself of the present opportuni-
ty Of renewing to your Excellency, the as
surances of my highest respect, and most
distinguished consideration.
(Signed,) JOHN P. BRowN.