Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-12-15

be released from some unnecessary re
strictions, to the mutual advantage o
I both parties. With a view to this OBJ
jeet, some progress has been made il
negotiating treaty of commerce anC
NAVIGATION.
Independently of our valuable trade
with Spain, We have important politica
relations with her, growing out of oul
neighborhood to the Islands of Cubs
and Porto Rico. 1 am happy to an.
nounce, that since the last Congress nc
; attempts have been made, by unau.
thorized expeditions within the United
States, against either of those colonies
Should any movement be manifested
; within our limits, all the means at my
command viii be vigorously exerted tc
repress it. Several annoying occur
rences have taken place at Havana, ol
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 it does,
IN the track of trade between some OF
our principal cities-and the suspicious
vigilance with which foreign intercourse,
particularly that with the United States,
is there guarded, repetition Of such
occurrences may well be apprehended.
As no diplomatic intercourse is allowed
between our consul at Havana and the
Captain General of Cuba, ready ex-
plantations cannot be made, or prompt
redress afforded, where injury has re-
suited. All complaint on the part Of
our citizens, under the present arrange
ment, must be, in the first place, pre-
sented to this government. and then re-
ferred to Spain. Spain again refers 1t
to her local authorities in Cuba for in
vestigation, and postpones an answer
till she has heard from those authorities.
To avoid these irritating and vexatious
delays. proposition has been made to
provide for direct appeal for redress
to the Captain General by our consul,
in behalf of aur injured fellow citizens.
Hitherto the government of Spain has
declined to enter into any such arrange
ment. This course on her part is deep
ly regretted; for, without some arrange
ment Of this kind, the good understand
ing 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
calling the attention of this Government
to a claim for losses 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 admitted, in our diplomatic
correspondence with the Spanish Gov
ernment, as early as March, 1847; and
one of my predecessors, 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 favorable eonsidera
tion by committees of both branches,
but as yet there has been no final action
upon it. l conceive that good faith re-
quires its prompt adjustment, and l
present it to your early and favorable
consideration.
Martin Koszta, Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1850, and de-
clared his intention, in due form of law,
TO become citizen of the United States.
After remaining here 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 confined
in irons, With the avowed design to take
him into the dominions of Austria.
Our consul at Smyrna and legation at
Constantinople interposed for his re-
lease, but their efforts were Intellectual.
While thus imprisoned, Commander In
graham, 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
Costa was entitled to the protection of
this government, and took energetic and
prompt measures for his release. I'm
der an arrangement between the agents
of the United States and of Austria, he
was transferred to the custody Of the
French consul-general, at Smyrna,
there to remain until he should be dis
posed 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 a subject of !
grave complaint. Regarding Koszta as
still his subject, and claiming a right to {
seize him within the limits of the Turk I
ish empire, be has demanded of this gov /
erpment its consent to the surrender of !
the prisoner, disavowal of the acts of j
its agents, and satisfaction for the al q
Ieged outrage. After careful consid- Il
Grafton Of the case, came to the con- T
clusion that Koszta was seized without 6
legal authority at Smyrna; that he was t
wrongfully detained on board OF the a
Austrian brig of war; that, at the time {
Of his seizure, he was clothed with the n
of the United States; and s
that the acts Of our officers, under the
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