New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-12-14
NARRATIVE OF MARTIN KOSzTA.

The following letter has been addressed to Mr. Pierce by
Martin Koszta who late y arrived ut Washington:
Dir PREHDEST-It is with sentiment OF profound
respect and deep gratitude that have now the honor 10
apICar before your Exceilency. have TO thank you not
only for The support myself but also for the principle
which you have established and which will in future
force spCct TO all those who have the good fortune to be
placed Bbdor the protection Of the American flag Since
noble people az this governed by noble President a
yourself have sanctioned that principle suffering humanity
has ceased fearing oppression and tyranny and millions of
unfounaes conscious that there exists this continental
power evorresdy TO check injustice minge their heartfelt
TO mine for the preervaon Of thar power and their
worthy ruler Accept Mr.. President with my sincere
thanks this hasiy narrative of my history and condescond
10 continue me YOUR high protection.
On the 22d Of June at p NJ, while Twas quietly sit
ting before a coffee house the seaside at smyrna all
a. once felt myself seized By two and as turned to
what their object perceived half dozen more
with their dagges tanned upon me- While IN that attitude
was thrown into the sea. Two boats, with two men in
each av ated to pick up. My other aggressors nme
dietey Jumped Into these boats and came on the sur
face Of the water two vigorous men ZOOS me py Ie nek
and beard and kept in the water alternately pungng
me in ard taking out, while the others we're pulling
pretty fact until arrived the Austrian brig hussar
anchored at three miles off. few minutes before my
arrival board my esptors took Inc into the boat tied
my arms and legs with rope, and on going alongside
was hauled up beg Of merchandise As this was
being done tie Austrian Consul General and Commander
Schwartz of the brig Hussar went to the Governor of
Smyrna and without giving him any notice OF their po.
to kidnap they requested him 10 chase from smyrna
Il tie kutahie refugees who just come oae~ ron
America.
Simultaneously with my arrival board the Austrian
brig and while preparations were made to tie me on
gun Commander SchWaIts returned board aud, AFTER
addressing in harsh language 10 which was going 70
answer that was under the Anne rcan protection, and
recognized in him no right to Ieat me thus he ordered
me not TO utter word threatening 10 punish me with MY
lashes and ordered TO be placed in the hold loaded
with chains in addition to which was closely tied TO
pillar although my and legs were likewise tied In
that position ard with my dresses wet with the sea wer
remained eight hours when, my moral strength yielding
to M physical suffeIpgs, tainted. The next thing
knew that my had been united by the physician
Of the Husssr and medical attendance administered
10 continued to be tied to the pillar until A 81 of
and csrried-uot being able to walk myselfinto the
loon OF The yesse where twelve officers and soldiers at
tended by the Austrian Chancellor were assembled 70 in
torrogaie The Chancellor then addressed several
questions, among which are the following
Q.-"Mby are you here =
Al DO not know
Al know Of no other reason than because you have
appointed asssssins 10 seize and carry me
Q-"By what authority aid we do that
Al 10 not know.
O. Bot where were you born, and what eO1ntryman
Any native land is Hungary Perhaps you think
that that fact gives you right on ne but you have NJ
such right, a. have sbiured allegiance to Austria, aad
declared my intention OF becoming an American citizen
and that actually an under American protection
While this rteIrcgaory being made an officer came
from the deck and whispered few words 70 the Comman
der He again and called the CoHm.nder into
The adjoining cabin where the! oSe of ,s ~.
10 The saloon he sad in so language till then unknown to
ne that seemed 70 be a gentleman and invited me to
sit This compliment in consequence OF seeing Oh the
h.rbor the L s. sloop war The in'eroga'0ry
corfuued sop tire Logger and Il tLen presented to
ne FOR nv signature Afe- reading signed it and was
rstufned 70 he hold where found mattress and chair
Shortly after Capt InyTGham, accompanied cy Ar Obey
listed ne and ssk ID me lhe gues0HgLether was an
Amercau citizen I answered that wes not citizen
that was a Hungarian. He aided, have you claimed
american uroectoni said yes, aid added that had
declared ry intention Of becoming an American ciaz9n
Tfsv her xithdrew remained n the above position III
he scth Il jane In tbs interval Commando schwartz
srrr 10 b asaled b. the people Of Snyrna placed tgo
r,mfd meu by side OF ne and four above M heal Win
orders 10 sloot ne II shouls move On ne j9ih Of June
ras brcrcht again 70 the sacC., where fund tae AS
s,in Corsll CT errl who asked me tie question II
nd aererfs ii amnesty with the means Of returning 70
HvrgaIv or il pref Ired 10 rssnrn - nscal al
swtfec II Is urtess o. asA such question o. a'srs)n
you IoId in clsirs ct q liberty a1 then VIII
u-letv choice IL sCain asked the snns Question ali
- h. irft-l -r-n ny giving by, O. him ihsi