Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-12-19
BY COVER & GOLDSMITH
Independently Of our valuable trade

II
that since the last Congress, no attempts
have been made by unauthorized expe-
ditions within the United States against
either Of those Colonies. Should any
such movement be ma infested within
our limits, all the means at my command
will be vigorously exerted to suppress it
Several annoying occurrences have ia
ken place at Havana, or in the vicinity
of the Island of Cuba, between our citi :
zens and the Spanish authorities. Con-
sidering the proximity of that Island TO
our shores, lying as it does, in the track
Of trade between some of our principal
cities, aud the suspicious vigilance with
which foreign intercourse, particularly
that with the United States, is there re-
garded, repetition CT such occurren-
ces may we'll be apprehended.
AS no diplomatic Intercourse is allow :
ed between our Consulate at Havana
and the Captain General of Cuba, ready
explanation cannot be made, or prompt
redress afforded when injury has result
ted. All complaints on the part of our
citizens under the present arr angement,
must be, in the first place, presented to
this government ana then referred to
Spain. Spain, again, refers it 10 her 10
cal authorities in Cuba for investigation,
and postpones an answer until she has
heard those authorities. To avoid these
irritating vexatious delays proposition
has been made to provide for direct
appeal for redress TO the Captain Cen
eral, by our Consul, in behalf of our in
iured fellow citizens. Hitherto the gov
ernment Of Spain has declined to enter
into any such arrangement. This course,
on her part, is deeply regretted, for
without some arrangement of this kind,
the good understanding between the tw 0
countries may be exposed to occasional
interruptions. Our Minister at Madrid
is instru cted TO renew the proposition,
and to press it again upon Her Catholic
Majesty's Government. For several
years Spain has been calling the atten-
ton CT this government to a claim for
losses by some OF her subjects in the case
Of the Schooner A rmistad. This claim
is believed to rest upon the obligations
imposed by otlr existing treaty with tn at
country. ITS justice was admitted in
our diplomatic correspondence with the
Spanish government as early as March,
l847, and one of my predecessors in
his Annual Message that year, RECON-
mended that provision should be made
for its payment. In January last it was
again submitted TO Congress by the Ex-
ecutive. 1t has received favorable
consideration by committees of both
branches, but, as yet, there has been 10
final action upon it. consider that
good faithrequires its prompt adjustment
and [ present it to your early and favora-
bic consideration.
Martin Koszta, Hungarian by birth
came to this country in 1860, and de-
clared his intentions, in due form of law
to become citizen of the United States.
After remaining here nearly two years
he visited Turkey, and while at Smyrna
he was forcibly seized. taken on board
an Austrian Brig of War then lying in
the Harbor of that place, and there con-
fined in irons with the ayowed design
to take him into the dominions of Aus
tria. Our Consul at Smyrna, and lega-
ton interposed for his re lease, but their
efforts were Intellectual. While thus i'm
prisoned Commodore Ingraham, with the
U. S. Sloop of War ST. Louis, arrived
at Smyrna, and after inquiring into the
circumstances of the case, came to the
conclusion that Koszta was entitled to
the protection of this government, and
took prompt measures for his release -
Under an arrangement between the "a
gents of the U. S., and of Austria, he
was transferred to the custody Of the
French Consul General at Smyrna, there
10 remain until he SHOULD be disposed of
by the mutual agreement of the Consuls
of the respective governments at that
place. Pursuant to that agreement he
has been released and is now on his
nay TO the United States.
Tie Emperor of Austria has made
the CONDUCT of our officers who took
part in tbi, trssaction, the subject OF
great complaint regarding Koszta as still
his subject, and clsimiEg right to seize
him within the limns OF the turkish
Empire, and has demanded OF ms gov
eminent its consent to the susrenaer Oh
the prisoner and disavowal of tie ac.s
of its SCENTS, and satisfaction for the 81
legged outrage. After careful consid-
Grafton of the ease, | have come to the
conclusion that Koszta was seized with
out legal authority at Smyrna; that he
was wrongfully detained on board the
Austrian brig Of war; that, at the time
Of his seizure, he was clothed with the
nationality Of the United States, snd
that the acts of our officers, under the
circumstances of the case, were justin
able. and their conduct has been fully
approved by me, and compliance with
the several demands of the Emperor OF
Austria has been declined. For more
full account Of this transaction and my
views in regard toit, ! refer to the cor
respondence between the Charge DAT
fairs of Austria, and the Secretary OF
State. which is herewith transmitted
The principle and policy therein MAIN
tanned on the part Of the United States
will, whenever proper occasion occurs
be applied and enforced:
The condition of China at this time