Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16

hCi8uooihoOu 10 lnc lSldnQ Oh OuDa ana
Porto Rico. lam happy to announce
that since the last Congress no attempts
have been made, by unauthorized ex-
petitions within the United States, a.
gainst either of those colonies. Should
any movement be manifested within
ou limits, all the means at my command
will be vigorously exerted to repress
it. Several annoying occurrences have
taken place at Havana, or in the vi
cinity of the island of Cuba, between
our citizens and the Spanish author
tiles. Considering tho n1oximity of
that island to our shores--lying, as it
does, in the track of trade between some
Of our principe, cities-and the sus-
picious yigIiance with which foreign
intercourse, particularly that with the
Unitei States, is there guarded, re-
petition of such occurrences may well
be apprehended.
AS no diplomatic intercourse is al
lowed between our consul at Havana
and the Captain General of Cuba,
ready explanations cannot be made. or
prompt redress afforded, where injury
has resulted. All complaint on the
part of our citizens, under the present
arrangement, must be, in the first place
presented to this government and then
referred to Spain. Spain again refers
| it 10 her local authorities in Cuba for
investigation, and postpones an answer
ill she has heard from those authori-
ties. To avoid these irritating and
vexatious delays, a proposition has
been made TO provide for a direct
appeal for redress to the Captain
General by our consul in behalf Of
our injured fellow citizens. llilh-
erto, the government OF Spain has de-
clined TO enter into any such arrange
ment. Thiscourse on her part is deep
ly regretted; for without some arrange
mcnt Of this kind, the good under
standing between the two countries
may be exposed TO occasional inter
ruption. Our minister at Mad rid is
instructed 10 renew the proposition, and
TO press It again upon the consider
alton other Catholic Majesty's govern
ment.
For several years Spain has been
calling the attention OF this govern
ment TO a claim for losses. by some OF
her subjects. in the case of the schoon-
er Amistad. This claim is believed
to rest on the obligations imposed by
our existing treaty with that country.
It's Justice was admitted, in our dlplo-
matte correspondence with tho Spanish
government, as early as March, I847;
and one OF my predecessors, in his au-
nuut message OF tnat year, recommea- !
dod that provision should be made for
It's payment. In January last il was
again submitted to Congress by the
Executive. Ii has received u favor
able consideration by committees of
both branches, but ms yet there has
been no final action uponit. 1 con-
cciye that good faith requires It's
prompt adjustnient, aud | present it
to your early and favorable considera-
ton.
Martin Costa, a Hungarian by birth,
came 10 this country in 1850, and de-
clared his intentions, in due form of
law. to become q citizen of the United
States. After remaining here nearly
two years, he visited Turkey. While
at Smyrna. he was lorcibly seized, tn
ken on board an Austrian brig ofwar,
thon lying in the harbor at that place.
and there confined in irons, with the
avowel design 10 take him into the
dominions of Austria. Our consul at
Smyrna and legation Ut Uonsianlinople
mtcrposcd for his release. but their cf-
forts were Intellectual. While thus inn
prisoned, Commander lngraham. with
u. 5. ship of war 50. Loais. arrived at
Smyrna, and, after iaqulriag iulo the
circumstances of the case, came TO tho
conclusion that Costa was Untitled To
the protection ofthis government. aud
took energetic and prompt measures
for his release. Undor an arrange.
ment between the agents ofthe United
States and Of Austria. hc was trans.
ferred y the custody of the French con.
sal-genera, at Smyrna, there 20 remain
until ho should be disposed Of by the
matualagreement OF the consuls OF the
respective governments at that place.
Pursuant % the agreement he has been
released aud IS now on his way 10 tho
United States.
The Emperor Of Austria has made
the conduct of our officers who took
part IN this transaction subject of
grave complaint. Regarding Costa as
sIill his subject. and claiming n right
to se,ze him within the limits OF The
Turkish Empire, hc has demanded OF
this governments It's consent To the
surrender OF the prisoner, disayowal
of the acts OF It's agents. and satislao-
ton for the alleged outrage After a
careful consideration OF the ease, | came
to the conclusion that Costa was seiz-
ed without legal authority at Smyrna;
that he was wrongfuly detained on
board Of the Austrian bng Of war, that
nc the time of his seizure, he was cloth
cd with the nationality Of the United
States; and that tho acts of our officers
under the circumstances of the case.
were justihablc, and compliance with
thc-seycra demands OF the Emperor of
Austria has been declined.
For a moro full account of this trans.
action aud my views In regard to it,
roiur TO the correspondence between
the charge d'allairs OF Austria and the
Secretary OF Sulto, which IL herewith
transmitted. Tho principles aud pol.
Icy thercln maintained, on the part
Of the United States, will, whenever u
proper occasion occurs, be applied and
eatOrocd.
The condition Of China, NJ This limo,
renders it probable that some iinpor.
tant changes will occur Ia that vast
empire. which will lead 10 a moro un.
renlftated iutorooufaa with IA fpi..