The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-14

it. Several annoying occurrences have
taken place at Havana, or in the vicinity
of the Island Of Cuba. between our 6itizens
and the Spanish authorities. ls q. slqsssa
| Considering the proximity Of that island
to our shores-lying, as it does. i'd the
track Of trade between some Of our pri6-
cipal cities-and the suspicious vigilance
with which foreign intercourse, particuiaf-
ly that with the United States, iis there
guarded, asfepetition Of such occurrences
may well be apprehended. AssDo adipl6-
matte Intercourse is allowed between our
consul at Havana and the Captain Genef.
al of Cuba, ready explanations caniiot't be
made, or prompt redress afforded. where
injury has resulted. All complaint ON sthe
part of our citizens, under the present af.
rangement. must be, in the 6rst place. pro-
sented to this government, and then refef-
red 10 Spain. Spain again refers ITO her
local authorities in Cuba for investigators.
and postpohes an answer tiIl che has heard
from those authorities To avoid tsess
irriiating and vexatious delays, pfoposi.
ton has been made to provide for 81 direct
appeal for redress to the Captain General
by our Consul, in behalf OF flour injured
fellow citizens. Hitherto tSe govesnsAent
of Spain has declined to enter intoaasy
such arrangement This coarsel 6sspslssr
part is deeply regretted; for, without Some
arrangement Of the kind, the goodHndef-
standing between the two countries mSy
be exposed to occasional interruptien.
Our minister at Madrid is instructedto tore
new the proposition, and to presssit iagsin
upon the consideration Of her Catholic
Majesty's government. sga ssssEs sd
For several years Spain has been CALI
ing the attention OF this GoverIIfpenfsio5a
claim for losses by some of her SUBJECTS,
in the case OF the schooner nAmisfads''
This claim is believed to rest onrthesobli.
cations imposed by Our existing aressy
with that country. Its Justice was sdaaii-
ted, in our diplomatic correspondence witl
the Spanish Government, as early ess
March, I847; and one Of my: Predeces-
sors, in his annual message Of. thasyesr,
recommended that provision should be
made for its payment. In january lashit
was again submiue d, to Congress ebNshe
executive. lthas received a fayonsbleeAn-
sidcration by committees Of both braaches.
but as yet there has been no final aetip9i
upon it. conceive that good aeiih ~
qnires its prompt adiusiment,s end pre-
sent i, to your early and favesatle consiA-
Grafton. u as.s5 isssssT 7srss ssassassfs
Martin Koszta. q Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1885, and ,declar-
ed his intention, in due form Of lAws y
become a citizen Of the United Sfsafs.
After remaining here nearly twoiyears,lin
visited Turkey. WElie ii Smyrna; Be
was forcibly seized, taken on bosrds IN
Austrian brig of war. then lying in the hSf-
Dor Of that place, and there cop6ped.;in
irons, with the avowed design TO take big,
into the dominions OF Austria. Our oes,.
srl at Smyrna and legation al Constants
nople inferposed for his release, but their
efforts we're Intellectual. While thus in
prisoned, Commander Ingraham. with Alse
United States ship Of war ST.. LoHissa saAf-
rived at Smyrna, and. after inquirihg iniD
the circumstances OF thecase, came 10 tlse
conclusion that Koszta was entitled to,ihe
protection OF this government, and toek
energetic and prompt measures for ellis re-
lease. Under an arrangement betyReen
the agents OF the United. States :aud.of
Austria, he was transferred to the custody
there 10 remain until he should be dispos-
ed Of blythe mutual agreement Of the con-
suls Of the respective governments at thst
place. Pursuant to that agree ment he hes
been released, and Is how on his waysto
the United States. - sstss4 .. .ssa.ssiis
The Emperor Of Austria has made the
conduo. Of our officers who took. par, in
this transaction a subject Of grave coma
plant. Regarding Kosz,a as still his suis-
ject, and claiming right TO- seize him
within the limits Of the Turkish empire,
he has demanded of this government It's
consent 10 the surrender OF the prisoner,
a disavowai of the acts Of its agents, and
satisfaction for the alleged outrsge. Alter
a careful consideration Of the case, i
came TO the conclusion that .KosztA was
seized without legal authority at Smyrna;
that he was wronRfully detained on board
Of the Austrian brig Of war; that, at the
time OF his seizure, he was clothed with
the nationality Of the United States; md
that the acts OF our officers. under the cir
cumstances Of the case, were iusti6able,
and their conduct has been fully sppFov-
ed by me, and u compliance with the sew
eral demands Of the Emperor of Austria
has been declined. = ssfs sss
For more full account Of this trepsaor
ton and my views, in regard to it'll refer
to the correspondence between the cbafRe
d'affairs Of Austria and the Secretary ar
State. which is herewith transmitted. Thf
principles and policy therein maintained
on the part Of the United States, will.
whenever proper occasion occurs, be
applied and enforced.
The condition of China, at this time,
renders it probable that some important
changes will occur in that vast empire;
which win lead to more unrestricted in-
tercourse with il. The commissioner 10
that country, who has been recently ap-
pointed, is instructed to avail himself Of
all occasions to open and extend our cona-
mercial relations. not only with the empire
OF China. but with other Asistic nations
In 1852. and expedition was sent 10 ia.
| pan, under the command Of Commodore