Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-12-14


jeot. A commission for adjusting the claims
Of our clizeDs against Great Britain and those
Of British subjects against the United States,
under the convention Of the 9Th Of
February. is now sitting in, London for the
transaction Of business.
II is In many respects desirable That the
boundary line between the United States and
the British Provinces in the North West as
defined in the convention Of 18th of January
1886. especially that part which separates the
Territory of Washin yton from the British Pos
sessions on the north, should be surveyed and
marked; and therefore present the subject to
your notice.
With France our relations are on the most
friendly footing. The extensive commercial
intercourse between the United 8 ates and that
country might, il is conceived he released from
some unnecessary restrictions to the mutual
advantage both patiies. With view to this
object, some progress has been made in nego-
tiating treaty Of commercial navigation.
Independently Of our valuable trade with
Spain, we have Important political relations
with her, growing out Of our neighborhood to
tie islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. am hap
py to announce that since the last congress,
no attempts have been made by unauthorized
expeditions within the United States against
either of these colonies. Should any such
movement be manifested within her 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 vicinity of the Island
Of Cuba, between our citizens and the Spanish
authorities. Considering the proximity OF that
Island to our shores, lying as il does in the
track of trade between some Of our principal
citiea;aNd tho suspicious violence 18th which
Ioreign htsFcoufse. particularly thai with .he
United States is there regarded, repetition of
such occurrences may well be apprehended =
As no diplomatic intercourse is allowed be.
tween our Consulate ut Havana and the Cap.
tain General of Cuba, ready explanation can.
not be made or prompt redress afforded, where
injury has resulted. All complaints on the
part of our citizens, under the pre- sent arrange
ment, must be in the first place presented to
this government, and then referred to Spain.
Spain again refers it to her local authorities in
Cuba for investigation. and postpones an an
swer until she has heard those authorities.
To avoid these irritating and vexatious de.
lays, a proposition has been made to provide
for direct appeal for redress to the Captain
General by our Consul in behalf of our injured
fellow citizens. Hitherto the government of
Spain has declined to enter into any such ar
rangement. This course, on her part, is deep
ly regretted. for without some arrangement of
this kind the good understanding between the
two countries may be exposed to occasional
interruptions. Our minister nt Madrid is in.
struc' ed to renew the proposition and to press
it again upon Her Catholic Maiesty's govern
ment.
For several years Spain has been calling the
attention OF the government to claim for los
ses by some of her subjects in the case of the
schooner Amistad. This claim is believed to
rest on the obligations imposed by our existing
treaty with that country. Its Justice was ad-
mitted in our diplomatic correspondence with
the Spanish government as early as March ~
and one Of my predecessors in his Annual
Message that year recommended that provis-
ions should be made for its payment. In JAN
uary last, it was again submitted to Congress
by the Executive. II has received ia yorable
consideration by committees of both branches
but as yet there has been no final action upon
it. consider that good faith requires its
prompt adjustment, and present it to your
early and favorable consideration.
Martin Koszta, Hungarian by birth, came
TO this country in 1856, and declared his in,en-
ton to become citizen of the United States
After remaining here nearly two years, be visi-
ted Turkey. While at Smyrna, lie was iorci.
bly, seized, taken on board an Austrian brig of
war, then lying in the harbor of that pace and
then confined in irons. with the avowed de.
sign to take him into the domin ions of Austria.
Our Consul al Smyrna and Legation interposed
Tor his release, but their efforts were neffectu-
al While thus imprisoned, Commander In.
graham, of the U. s. sloop of war st Louis. ar
J. Re Gaze he eaa Is heo sas S5
sion thai koszta was entitled to the protection
OF this government and took prompt measures
for his release. Under an arrangement be.
tween the agents Of the United st ates and of
Austria, he was transferred to the custody of
the French Consul General a, Smyrna, there to
remain until he should be disposed of by the
mutual agreement Of the consuls of the respec.
tive governments at that place. Pursuant to
that agreement he has been released and is now
on his way to the United States.
The Emperor of Austria has made the con-
duct Of our officers who took part in the trans.
action the subject of grave complaint. Re-
garding kosz,a as still his subject, and claim.
ing right to seize him within the limits of the
Turkish Empire. he has demanded of this gov.
ernrnenti:s consent tn the surrender of the pris-
oner, and dsavowal OF the acts Of Its agents
and satisfaction for the alleged outrage. After
a careful consideration of the case, | came to
the conclusion that Koszta was seized without
legal authority at smyrna; that be was wrong
irni :" detained on board the Austrian brig of
war. .Hat at the time Of his seizure he was
c'o,bed It'll the nationality of the U. States;
and that IN e ,cts Of our officers, under the cir.
cumstances Of, he case. We're justifiable, and
their conduct has ben fully approved by me.
and compliance wiz .he several demands Of
the Emperor of Austria has been declined
For more full account OF THIS transaction,
and my views in regard to it, i'efe 20 .:e cor
respondenoe between the Charge .raires OF
Austria and the Secretary of State, Mhl."h Is
herewith transmitted. The principles ana pct
icy therein maintained on the part of the I'M
ted States will, whenever proper occasion oc.
ours. be applied aud enforced.
The condition of China at this time renders
1t probable that some important changes will
occur IN that vast empire, which will lead to a
more unrestricted intercourse with it. The CON-
missioner to that country who has been recent
~ appointed, is instructed to avail himself of
all occasions to open and extend our CONNER.
cialFe!attons, not only with the empire OF China
out with other Asatic nations.
In 1852 an expedition was sent TO japan nm
der the command Of Commodore Perry. for the
purpose OF opening commercial intercourse
with that empire. Intelligence has been re-
ceaved OF his arrival there, and OF his having
made known to the Emperor Of japan the OBJ.
lect OF his visit, but it is not yet ascertained
how far the Emperor will be disposed TO aban.
lous country to a commercial intercourse win
the United Sta,es.
1t has been my earnest desire to maintain
friendly Intercourse with the governments up
on this continent. aud to aid them IN presery-
ing good understanding among themselves.
Win Mexico, dispute has arisen as to the
true boundary between the Territory of New
Mexico and the Mexican State chihuahua. A
former commissioner, pursuant to the treaty Of
Guadaloupe Hidalgo, made serious mistake
in determining the initial point on the Rio
Grande, but inasmuch as his decision was clear
~ departure from the directions for tracing
the boundary. contained in that treaty, and was
not eoneurred in by the Surveyor appointed on
the part If the United States whose concur.
renee was necessary to give validity to that de.
Cision, this government is not concluded there.
by. But that of Mexico takes different view
OF she subject.
T. ere are also other questions of considera.