Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-13
THE SMYRNA AFFAIR.

The following correspondence between Mr..
Brown, acting as Charge dAfaires at Constan-
tinople in the absence of the American Minister,
and the Austrian Minister, Baron BRucK, belongs
to the history of the late events at Smyrna
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES AT CoHsrANTINoPLE
JUNE 81.
MONSIEUR LIYTERNoScE have the honor to address
your Excellency the subject Of most unfortunate
currence, which am informed by the Consul of my Gov
ernment in Smyrna place there the 23d instant
and which very deeply depore nasmuch as it resulted
in the death of young officer Of the Austrian navy, who
has thus most probably without in any having
been the Of the unwarranted attack made upon him
self and his companions in Smyrna been the victim Of the
most nconsiderate and unaccountabe conduct of the
Austrian Consul Of the city towards individual named
MARTIN COSTA.
This person. at the present moment incarcerated on
board the Austrian brgof.war Hussay, at Smyrna,
believe, oneNf the Hungarian refugees who had been
detahed at Kutayah Together with others. he per-
United leave ths country in 1851, and he proceeded
with them to the United States where he took the prel-
minary steps toward becoming citizen Of the United
States that is he made formal renuneation Of al ae
glance to any other Power Sovereign whatever and
took the usual oath of allegiance the Government Of
the United States. A few months since M CosrA came
to Smyrna from New York, with the design of again pro-
ceedng to the United States In the afternoon of the
2lst instant, while seated the marina of Smyrna he
was suddenly set upon BY some fifteen ruan Greeks all
armed said to have been employed for that purpose by
the Austrian Consul and after having been treated in
the most brutal manner thrown into the sea- where
boat waiting to receive and conduct him the Aus
trian brig Hussar
NJ. CosTA on leaving the United States received e-
gazed copy of the declaration which he had made there
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 authorities.
1t cannot be conceived here that this individuals
porary residence in the city of Smyrna could possibly
cite the anmosity of the Austrian Consul to such de-
gree as to cause him to employ band of armed ruans
to attack him. at moment when he evidently had
reason to apprehend such outrage and to have him
conveyed in an gnomnious board Austrian
vessel Of war.
1t seems to rather that in case his presence there
incommoded the Austrian Consul the latter the most
would have called upon the Austrian authorities to
qare his departure and not by act of outrageous
and inhuman nature excite the indignation dthe inha-
bitantS of Smyrna and do not doubt it, also Of the peo
pie Of the United States
Permit therefore, to nercede with your Excellency
in behalf of NJ Costa and to ask if of the respect
due for the Government of the Sultan whose territory has
been grossly violated by the conduct Of the Austrian
Consul of Smyrna at least out of regard for the Govern
ment TO which he has pledged his allegiance that your
Exceency be pleased to give orders the commander Of
the Hasar for his immediate release that he may pro-
ceed TO the United States.
avail myself of the present opportunity Of renewing
to your Exceency the Of my highest respect
and most distinguished consideration
JOHN P. BROWN.