Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-08-12
The smyrna misunderstanding Cortespondencs bs~
4.uee, IN, 4 n Charge md Rarcn Rrucks

T,. sn.vrra MISUNDERSTANDING Cortespondence be-
tween our American Charge aud Barcn Brucl
We have, by the steamship Washington, the COR
respondence which has passed between the Austrian
Ambassador and the United States Charge dAtalres
at Constantinople in relation to the seizure
or Kossta. the Hungarian. Mr.. Brown. the Amerl-
can Charge in his letter of June q TO Baron Bruck
expresses his regret that in the ARRAY at Smyrna
young officer of the Austrian Navy should have been
killed He considers, however, that he fell victim
to the most inconsiderate and unaccountable !"
conduct of the Austrian Consul towards Martin Cos
ia, the Hungarian, and then proceeds to say:
This person, a, the present moment incarcerated
on board the Austrian brig of war Hussar, now at
Smyrna, is believe, one of the Hungarian refn-
gees who had been detained at Kiutayah Togeth-
with others, he was permitted to leave this coun
try in 1851. and he proceeded with them TO the Uni
ted States, where he took the preliminary steps to-
ward becoming citizen of the United States that
is, he made formal remuneration of all allegiance
to any other power or sovere gn whatever and took
the usual oath of allegi to the Government OF
the United States. A few months since M. Costa
came to Smyrna from New York, with the design OF
again proceeding to the United States. In the at
ternOon of the 21st inst while seated on the marina
of Smyrna, he was suddenly set upon by some tif-
teen rufian Greeks, al armed, said to have been
employed for that purpose by the Austrian Consul
and, after having been treated in the most brutal
manner, was thrown into the sea, where boat was
waiting to receive and conduct him to the Austrian
brig Hussar.
M. Costa, on leaving the United States, received
legalized 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 friend
ly aid and consideration of the American authorities
1t cannot be conceived here that this indivdual'S
temporary residence in the city of Smyrna could
possibly excite the luminosity of the Austrian Consul
to such a degree as to cause him to employ band
of armed rufians to attack him, at a moment when
| no had To
outrage, and to have him conveyed In an ignomln
ous manner on board an Austrian vessel of war.
II seems to me rather. that in case his presence
there ncommoded the Austrian Consul, the latter
at the most, would have called upon the Austrian
authorities to requ his DEPARTURE and not, by ar
act of so outrageous and nhumane a nature excite
the indignation of the inhabitants of Smyrna and
do not doubt it, also of the people of the United
States.
Mr.. Brown concludes by asking that NJ Brucl
will give orders for the release of Costa, that h
may proceed to the United States.
}, NJ Bruck replied by stating that Costa had neve
ceased to be an Austrian sub ec, shown from hi
declaration made IN presence OF the consul OF the UNI
ted States at Smyrna. His arrest quently, say
Nj. Bruck, took place in virtue of the treaties which
assure the Austrian Government the full and entir
independence of its jurisdiction all its sub ects
Turkey He therefore concludes it impossible fol-
him 10 order his release.
Mr. Brown in his reioinder, enclosed the declaration
which NJ. Costa made at New York on the 31st July
1852, renouncing his alleg lance to the Empero
of AUSTRIA and taking oath of allegiance 10 tn
Government of the United States of America. Mr.
Brown also adds:
i The right of expatriation and of naturalization i
recognized. believe by the Government of Austria
as we'll by other Governments, and it seems 10 mi
that the arrest (wthOut again mentioning thu
means which the Austrian Consul of Smyrna used It
effect it) of the said Costa upon the neutral soil
Turkey after the act of allegiance made by the Gov
eminent of the United States being not only very
painful violation of those rights of naturalization
but also in consequence of my intercesson, wan
of respect and regard towards my government of which
the impression will be removed with difficulty.
would leave your excellency ignorant of the pre-
cedng facts; but rather, by communicating them te
your exceIlency, relieve myself of all the responsible
ty which the arrest of Costa, and the consequence
which may grow out of it, may leave in the mind o
my Government and countrYmen.
1t was presenting this declaration to the consul
ate of the United States of America Smyrna, and +
this Legation, that the said Costa was furnished witt
teekereh to come TO Constantinope, and return Il
Smyrna, whence he TO start for New York. Sine
his arrival at Smyrna he has resided in Turkey undo
the protection of my Government, and ii is pleasur
TO II be able TO state that his conduct has Away
been rreproachable. His fidelity to his native land
the only crime of which he is accused-leads him t.
declare himself always an Hungarian, and to state tina
he wishes even to meet his death as SUCH
In conclusion, Mr.. Brown renewed his inercessio
on behalf of the prisoner, compliance with whic
would be learned by the President of,he United State
with satisfaction, and prevent The painful and extra
ordinary news of his arrest being again the cause
the interruption of those friendly feelings between tn
respective countries which, he says he sincerely he
; it at heart 10 reconcile and TO cultivate
The correspondence here ended
,