The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-09-07
n, ON The 81. Louis Democrat


readeFs the following extract which we have
been permitted to make from letter, addressed
BY Passed Midshipman Charles b. stalh TO his
father. John Brady Smith, Esq. Of our city, da-
ted u s. ship ST. LOUIS. Smyrna, July l6, 1853,
giving further interesting particulars in regard
10 the Costa affair:
We arrived at Smyrna on the 23d OF June,
when the American Consul Immediately came
on board and informed Captain Ingrahan that
the Austrian Consul had in most shameful
manner seized upon the body Of Martin Costa. a
hungarian refugee, upon whose head Austria
had set great price.
The young man in question had belonged to
hossnth's suite, and whilst in New York bad
made hrs declaration of intention 10 become a
citizen OF the United States He left the United
States after having remained there about five
months, and came TO Smyrna, where, on the 22d
oil June, whilst sitting in cafe, he was seized
by three Greek hirellngs of the Austrian Consul,
and IN most outrageous manner taken on board
an Austrian brig of war; in the port at the time,
to be taken to Trieste. Captain Ingraham i'm
medlaely boarded the brig and demanded TO see
Costa He was told he was not on board !; he
Then visited the Austrian Consul and told him
ne believed Costa 10 be Anne erican, and if So, he
would see him at all hazards. Captain Ingrahanl
afterwards returned TO the Austrian brig and
saw Costa; lie asked him many questions, some
Of which were as follows viz. when he left the
States why he did so !? if he were American?
To these he replied came To Smyrna TO settle;
am not an American. Nothing then could be
done. Captain Ingraham was not, however,
satisfied with the interview, as Costa held GER
tifcate of declaration of his intention To become
citizen of the United States. He rote i'm
mediately on the subject to our Minister at Cou-
stantinnple, whose answer was duly received.
Captain Ingrdham thought proper, however,
to address him a second letter. On the 30th OF
June letter was sent from The shore signed
Humanftas. praying in the most affecting terms
Captain Ingraham's j erposifion in favor oi
Costa: The Captain bad not then received our
Minister Mr. Browns answer to his SECOND let
ter, and he determined that the prisoner should
not be conveyed by steamer to Trieste until ne
did receive it. We Immediately got under
weigh and stood down, anchoring the Aus
trian brig, fearing thei, unknown 10 us, Costa
might be sent board of the steamer.
1t was our intention ii he should be taken or
board of the steamer aud she should put TO sea
to pursue her and release him-protests against
his removal were made by the American Consul
and Captain lngraham to the Austrian Consul
under whose directions the Captain of the bris
was acting. IN the meantime an Austrian
schooner Of came in. Next morning early
Capt. lngraham received his letter of instruc.
TONS TO take Cosid-it necessary-by force. He
boarded the big mmeda es-demanded to SEE
Costa, who was brought before him. and asked
him "are you sE American?' he replied .
am = do you demand protection Of the Ameri
can flag Il do" We'll, replied Capt. Ingra
ham, you shall have it! This interview tool
place between them aone-befUre, IN the pres
ence Of tie Austrian Consul, when he thought
from Cosia's fighty replies he was lrightened-
Capt. Ingrdham then informed the Austrian zap
tain OF the orders he had received. and told him
lie would give him four hours to deliver up Cos
ia; the Austrian Captain replied il rests with
the Austrian Consul. a 8 O'Clock the American
Consul came on board. AMI told Capt.. Iparaham
TO lengthen the time; whereupon .letler was
sent giving till O'Clock p. NJ. this was on the
2nd of July. At Ii o'clock A. NJ. cleared ship
for action did the Austrian brig and sclioon-
er, besides the steamers. We mounted 20 guns
four 68-lb.. and sixteen 32-lb The Austrian
brig sixteen 80 Id. carronades. The schonner zen
l2-lb carronades, the two steamers each four 2
lb. carronades All preparations were mIda and
thousands flocked upon the shore to witness the
fight. AVe carried 300 men. they had in all 240
men.
A committee of gentlemen ashore not wish
ing TO see blood shed, (and indeed 1t would have
been hard fght) called upon the Austrian con
sui 10 see If the affair could not be peaceablv
ranged. In short time the matter lC1S arranged
by the Austrian consul consuming to the deliver
ing up Of Costa to the care of the French con
sul-he agreeing to be responsible for his safe
keeping. and delivery upon the joint agreement
of the Austrian aud American consuls So the
matter now rests with the two governmens.-
At O'Clock P. NJ. he was landed amid The cheer
ing of thousands for America and Costa Par
ties, and the hosritalties Of the whole town were
extended to us-there were no persons like the
Americans On the evening Of Cnsta's surren-
der, steamboat filed with ladies' and gentle
men came near the ship-sarenading us. and
shouting most daafening cheers for our flag.