Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-08-12
The Smyrna AFFAIR.
InterestfaP CorTesp0ndeace bettpeen our American
Charge and Baron BrWek.


Interesting Correspondence bettpeen our American
Charge and Baron BrUek.
We have, by the steamship Washington. the cor
Tespondsnee, which haspassed between the Aus
TITAN Ambassador and the United States Charge
d,Affairs at in relation to the sell
cure of Costa or Kossta, the Hungarian. Mr..
5rown the American Charge. in his letter, of June
9th, to Baron Brcks expresses his regret that in
the atfray at Smyrna a young officer of the Aus
TRAN Navy should have been killed. He consid-
ers, however, he fell victim to the "most incon-
siderate and unaccountable'' conduct of the Aus
TRAN Consul, towards Marlin Costa, the Hunga-
rian, and then proceeds to say:
This person, 1t the present moment incarcerated
on board the Austrian brig of war Hussar, now at
Smyrna, is, believe, one of the Hungarian refu-
gees who had been detained at Kiutayah. To-
gether with Others he was permitted TO leave the
county in 1851 and he proceeded with them to
the United States, where he took the preliminary
steps towards becoming citizen of the U. States;
that is, he made formal Remuneration OF all ale
glance to any other power or sovereign whatever,
and took the usual oath of allegiance TO the Gov
eminent of the United States a few months since
Mr.. Costa came to Smyrna from New YORK, with
the design of again proceeding TO the u States
In the afternoon of the 21st inst, while seated on
the marina of Smyrna, he was suddenly set upon
by some fifteen rufian Greeks, all armed, said to
have been employed for that purpose by the Aus
tran Consulj and, afer having been treated IN the
most brutal manner, was thlown into the sea,
where boat was waiting to receive and conduct
him TO the Austrian brig Hussar.
NJ. Costa, onleaying the United States, received
a legaized copy of the declaration which he had
made there of allegiance to the Government OF the
United States, and which document, under ordinary
| circumstances would recommend him TO the
| friendly aid and consideration of the American
lauthoEities.
| tcannot be conceived here that this individuals
temporary residence in the city of Smyrna could
possibly excite the amnesty of the Austrian Con-
| sui to such degree as TO cause him TO employ a
band of armed ruthans TO attack MN, al moment
when he evidently had no reason 10 apprehend
such an outrage and TO have HIM conveyed in an
| ignom NOUS manner on board an Austrian vessel
1 of war.
1t seems to me rather, thatin case his presence
there accommodated the Austrian Consul, the lat
ter at the most would have called upon the Aus
TRAN authorities to require his departure, and not
| by an act of so outrageous and inhuman nature,
excite the indignation OF the Inhabitants oSnyrna1
and, do not doubt it, also the people of the Uni
4 ted States.
4 Mr. Brown concludes by asking that Al. Bruck
will give orders for the release of Costa, so that lie
may proceed 10 the United States.
NJ. Bruck replied by stating that Costa bad new
er ceased to be an Austrian subject as shown from
his declaration made in presence OF the Consul OF
/ the United Sites at Smyrna. His arrest, conSe-
quenty, says ri. Bruok took place in virtue OF the
treaties which assure the Austrian Government the
full and entire independence of its jurisdiction
over all subjects in Turkey. He therefore con-
cludes it was impossible for him to order his re-
lease.
Mr.. Brown, in his reioinder, enclosed the de-
2 clara:ion which M. Costa made at New York on
the 31st of July, 1852, "renuuncing his alleglance
to the Emperor Of Austria" aad taking an oath OF
Allegiance to the Government of the United States
of America. Mr.. Brown also adds:
:, The right of expatriation and OF naturalization
is recognized, believe, by the Government OF Aus
tria as well as by other Governments, and 1t seems
10 me that the arrest (withnut again mentioning
the means which the Austrian Consul OF Smyrna
used to effect it, of the said Costa, upon the neu-
trail soil of Turkey, alter the act OF allegiance
made by him, will be regarded by the Government
of the United States as being not only very
painful violation of those same rights OF naturall-
cation, but ALSO in consequence OF mYlntetcesSlon,
!. as want of respect and regard towards my Gov
eminent, of which the impression will be removed
with difficulty. i would not leave your excelen-
cy ignorant of the preceding facts; bull rather by
Il communicating them to your excellenxy, releave
myself of all the responsibility which the arrest oil
Costa, and the consequences which may grow out
of it, may leave in the mind OF my Government
q and countrymen.
It was on presenting this declaration to the con-
sulate of the United States of America at Smyrna,
and to this Legation, that The said Costa was turn-
n ished with tezkereh 10 come to Constanhnople,
and to return to Smyrna, whence he was to star
. for New York. Since his arrival at Smyrna he ha
resided in Turkey under the protection of my Gov
q eminent, and it is pleasure TO me to be able Il
state that his conduct has always been irreproach
able. His fidelity to his native land-the onl!
/ crime of winch lie is accused-leads him to de
clare himself always an Hungarian, aud to stat
, that he wishes even to meet his death as such.
a In conclusion Nh. Brown renewed his interces
! sion on behalf of the prisoner, compliance wit
!. which would be learned by TIE President Of tn
United States with satisfaction, and to prevent tn
painful ard extraordinary news of his arrest beinl
again the cause of interruption of those friendl:
feelings between the respective countries which h,
says, he sincerely has it al heart toIeconcle and
, cultivate.
The correspondence here ended.