The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-07

oy our existing treaty with that country. It's
Iusace was admitted, in our diplomatic cor
respondencc hthe Spanish gov ernment. as
carry as march ls47; and one OF my predeces-
sors Id ms annual message of that year recon
.nenaeo that provision should be made for
ns payment. In january last it was again
submitted to Congress by the Executive II
mas received favorable consideration by
committees OF both branches, but as vet
there has been no final action upon it. 7
conceive that good faith requires its prompt
adjustment, and present il to your early and
favorable consideration.
Martin koszta, $ Hungarian by birth. came
to this country in 1850. and declared his in
tention, in due form of law, to become citi.
zen OF the United States. After remaining
mere nearly two years, he visited Turkey
While at smyrna, he was forcibly seized,
taken on board an Austrian brig of war, then
lying In the harbor of that place, and there
confined IN irons, with the avowed design to
take him into the dominions of Austria
Our consul at Smyrna and legation at Con-
stantinople interposed for his release, but
their efforts were Intellectual. While thus i'm
prlsoned, Commander Ingraham, with the
United States Rtip of war St Louis, arrived
at Smyrna, ard. after inquiring into the cir
cumstances of the case, came to the conclu-
sion that koszta was entitled to the protec-
ton OF this government, and took energetic
and prompt measures for his release. Under
an arrangement between the agents of the
United States and of Austria, he was trans
ferred to the custody of the French consul
general, at Smyrna, there 10 remain until he
shonld be disposed of by the mutual agree
ment OF the consuls of the respective gov
ernments at that place. Pursuant to that
agreement he has been released and ia now
on his way to the United States The Empe-
ror of Austria has made the conduct of our
officers who took part in this transaction a
subject of grave complaint. Regarding
hoszta as still his subject, and claiming
right to seize him within the limits of the
Turkish empire, he has demanded of this
government its consent to the surrender of
the prisoner, a disavowal of the acts of its
agents. and satisfaction for the alleged out
rage. After careful consideration of the
case, came to the conclusion that koszta
was seized without legal authority at Smyr-
ma; that he was wrongfully detained on
board Of the Austrian brig of war that,
at the time of his seizure, he WAS clothed with
the nationality of the United States and
that the acts, of our officers, under the cir
cumstances of the case, were justitiable, and
their conduct has been fully approved by me,
and compliance with the several demands
of the Emperor of Austria has been declined.
For more full account of this transaction
aud my views IN regard to it, | refer to the
correspondence between the charge d'affaires
of Austria and the Secretary of State, which
is herewith transmitted The principles and
policy, therein maintained on the part of the
United States, win, whenever a proper occa-
sion occurs, be applied and enforced.
The condition of China, at this time. rem
ders it probable that some important changes
will occur in that vast empire, which wiz
lead to more unrestricted intercourse with
it. The commissioner to that country, who
has been recently appointed, is instructed to
avail himself of all occasions to open and ex-
tend our commercial relations, not only with
the empire of China, but with other Asiatic
nations.
In 1852, an expedition was sent to Japan,
under the command Of Commodore Perry,
for the purpose of opening commercial inter
course with that island Intelligence has
been received of his arrival there, and of his
having made known to the Emperor of ia
pan the object of his visit but i is not yet
ascertained how far the Emperor viii be dis
posed to abandon his restrictive policy, and
openthat populous country to commercial
intercourse with the u. States.
1t has been my earnest desire to maintain
friendly intercourse with the governments
upon this continent and TO aid them in pre-
serving good understanding among them
selves. With Mexico, dispute has arisen
as to the true boundary line between our
territory of New Mexico and the Mex
ican State of Chihuahua. A former commits
sioner Of the United States, employed in
running that line pursuant TO the treaty
OF Guadalupe HidalgC, made q serious mis-
take in determining the initial point on
the Rio Grande; but inasmuch as his decision
was clearly departure from the directions
for tracing the boundary contained in that
treaty, and was not cOncurred in by the sur
veyor appointed on the part Of the United
states, whose concurrence was necessary to
give validity to that decision, this govern
| ment is not concluded thereby; but that of
Mexico takes different view of the subject
There are also other questions of conside-
rable magnitude pending between the two
republics. Our minister in Mexico has am
pie Instructions to adjust them. Negotiations
| have been opened, but sufficient progress has
| not been made therein to enable me to
speak of the probable result. Impressed
| with the importance of maintaining AMIGA
| BILE relations with that republic, and of Weld
ing with hberality to all her just claims, it is
reasonable to expect that an arrangement
mutually satisfactory to both countries may
be concluded, and a lasting friendship be-
tween them confirmed and perpetuated.
Congress having provided for full mis-
sion to the States of Central America, a min
lister was sent thither in July last. AS yet lie
| has had time to visit only one of these states,
| (Nicaragual where be was received in the
most friendly manner. 1t is hoped that his
presence and good Offices viii have benign
effect i'll composing the dissensions which pre-
vail ameng them, and in establishing still
more intimate aud friendly relations between
| them respectively, and between each of them
and the United States.
Considering the vast regions of this CONT
nent, and the number of states which would
be made accessible by the free navigation OF
the river Amazon, particular attention has
been given to this subject Brazil, through
whose territories it passes into the ocean, has
hitherto persisted in a policy so restrictive,
| in regard to the use of this river, as to OBJ
struct, ard nearly exclude, foreign CONNER
cial intercourse with the states which lie upon
| its tributaries and upper branches. Our min
| ister to that country is instructed to obtain a
relaxation of that policy, and to use his efforts
| to induce the Brazilian government to open
| to common use, under proper safeguards, this
great natural highway for international trade.
| Several of the South American states are
deeply interested in this attemptto secure the
| free navigation OF the Amazon, and it Is rea-
sonable to expect their cooperation III the
measure As the advantages OF tree CONNER
cial intercourse among nations are better un-
derstood, more liberal views are generally
entertained as to the common rights OF all 10
| the free use of those means which nature has
provided for international commniicauon.-