The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-15

released from some unnecessary restric
tions, to the mutual advantage Of boil
parties. With view to this object, som,
: progress has been made in negotiating {
treaty of commerce and navigation.
Independently of our valuable trade
with Spain, we have important political
relations with her, growing out OF neigh
borhood to the islands of Cuba and Por-
to Rico l am happy to announce, that
since the last Congress, no attempts have
been made, by unauthorized, expeditions
within the United States, against either of
those colonies. Should any movement
be manifested within our 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 au-
thorities. 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 vigi-
lance with which foreign intercourse
Particularly that with the United
States, is there guarded, repetition of
such occurrence may well be apprehen-
ded AS no diplomatic intercourse is al
lowed between our consul at Havana and
the Captain General of Cuba, ready ex-
plantations cannot be made, or prompt re-
dress 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 gov
ernment, and then referred to SPAIN
Spain again refers it to her local author
ties in Cuba for investigation, and post
pones an answer till she has heard from
those authorities. To avoid those irrita-
ting and vexations delays, proposition
has been made to provide for direct ap-
peal for redress to take the Captain Geu-
eral by our consul, in behalf of our in
jured fellow citizens. Hitherto, the Gov
ernment of Spain has declined to enter in
to any such arrangement. This course
on her part is deeply regretted; for, with
out some arrangement of this kind, the
good understanding between the two
countries may be exposed to occasional
interruption. Our minister at Madrid is
instructed to renew the proposition, and
to press it again upon the consideration of
her Catholic Majesty's government.
For several years Spain has been call
ing the attention of this government to
claim for losses. by some of her subjects,
in the case of the schooner Amistad.-
This claim is believed to rest on the obi
cations imposed by our existing treaty
with that country. Its justice was adj
mitted, in our diplomatic correspondence
with the Spanish government, as early as
March, 1847; and one of my predeces-
sors, 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 by the
Executive. 1t has received a favorable
consideration by committees of both bran
ches, but as yet there has been no final ac-
ton upon it.
| conceive that good faith requires its
prompt adjustment, and present it to
your early and favorable consideration.
Martin Koszta, a Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1850, and declar-
ed his intention, in due form of law, to be-
come citizen of the United States. After
remaining here nearly two years, he visit
ted Turkey. While at Smyrna, he was
forcibly seized, taken on board an Aus
TRAN brig of war, then lying in tee 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 to Constanstino-
pie interposed for his release, but their
efforts were intellectual. While thus
imprisoned. Commander Ingraham, with
the United States ship of war St. Louis,
arrived at Smyrna, and, after inquiring
into the circumstances of the case, came
to the conclusion that Koszta was entitled
to the protection Of this government, and
took energetic and prompt measures for
his release. Under an arrangement be-
tween the agents of the United States and
of Austria he was transferred to the Gus
tody of the French consul general, at
Smyrna, there to remain until he should
be disposed of by the mutual agreement
of the consuls of the respective govern
ments 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
conduct of our officers who took part in
this transaction subject of grave COM
plant. Regarding Koszta as still his
subject, and claiming right to seize him
within the limits of the Turkish empire,
he has demanded Of this government it's
consent to the surrender of the prisoner,
a disavowal of the acts of it's agents. and
satisfaction for the alledged outrage. At