, 1854-02-18

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that subject.
A commission for adjusting the claims of
our citizens against Great Britain, and
those of British subjects against the United
States, organized under the convention Of
the 9th of February last, is now sitting in
| London for the transaction Of business.
1t is in many respects desirable that the
boundary line between the United States
and the British provinces in the northwest,
as designated in the convention of 18th Of
June, 1916, and especially that part which
separates the Territory of Washington from
the British possession on the north, should
be traced and marked. therefore present
the subject to your notice.
With France our relations contirde on
the most friendly footing. The extensive
commerce between the United States and
that country might, it is conceived, be re-
leased from some unnecessary restrictions,
to the mutual advantage of both parties,
With view to this object, some progress
has been made in negotiating a treaty Of
commerce and navigation.
Independent of our valuable trade with
Spain, we have important political relations
with her, growing out Of our neighborhood
to the island of Cuba and Porto Rico. ]
am happy to announce that, since the last
Congress, no attempts have been made, by
unauthorized expeditions within the United
States, against either of those colonies
Should any movement be manifested within
our limits, all the means at my command
will be vigorously exerted to repress it.
Several annoying occurrences have taken
place al Havana, or in the vicinity OF the
Island Of Cuba, between our citizens and
the Spanish authorities Considering the
proximity Of that island to our Shores
lying, as it does, in the track Of trade be-
tween some Of our principal cities,-and
the suspicious vigilance with which foreign
intercourse, particularly with the United
States, Is there guarded, a repetition of
such occurrences may well be apprehended.
As no diplomatic intercourse is allowed be
tween our consul at Havana and the Cap
tain General Of Cuba, ready explanations
cannot be made, or prompt redress afforded,
where injury has resulted. All complaint
on the part of our citizens, under the pres
ent arrangement, must be, in the first place,
presented to this government and then re-
ierred TO Spain. Spain again refers it to
her local authorities in Cuba for investiga-
ton, and postpones on answer till she has
heard from those authorities. To avoid
these irritating and vexatious delays, Of
proposition has been made to provide for a
direct appeal for redress to the Captain
General by our consul, in behalf Of our in
jured frllow citizens. Hitherto, the gov
ernment Of Spain has declined to enter into
any such arrangements. This course on
her part, is deeply regretted; for, without
some arrangement Of this kind, the good
understanding between the two countries
may be exposed to occasional interruption.
Our,minister at Madrid is instructed to re-
new the proposition, and to press It again
upon the consideration Of her Catholic
Majesty's government.
For several years Spain has been calling
the attention Of this government to a claim
for losses, by some Of her subjects, in the
case Of the schooner Amistad. This claim
Is believed TO rest on the obligations im-
posed by our existing treaty with that
country Its justice was admitted, in our
diplomatic correspondence with the Span
ish government as carly as March, lS47;
and one Of my predecessors, in his annual
message Of that year, recommended that
provision should be made for its payment.
In January last it was again submitted to-
Congress by the Executive. 1t has re-
ceived q favorable consideration by COM
mittees Of both branches, but as yet there
has been no final action upon it. con-
ceive that good faith requires its prompt
adjustment, and present it to your early
and favorable consideration.
Martin Kostza, Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1850, and declared
his intention, in due form Of law, to become
citizen of the United States. After re-
naming here nearly two years, he visited
Turkey. While at Smyrna, he was forci-
bly, seized, taken on board an Austrian brig
Of war, then lying in the harbor of that
place, and there confined in irons, with the
avowed design to take him into the do
minions Of Austria Our consul at Smyrna
and Legation at Constantinople intcrposed
for his release, but their efforts were inef-
fectunl. While thusimprisOned Commander
Ingraham, with the United States ship Of
war st. Louis, arrived at Smyrna, and, af-
ter inquiring into the circumstances Of the
case, came to the conclusion that Koszta
was entitled to the protection of this gov
ernment, and took energetic and prompt
measures for his release. Under an ar
rangement between the agents Of the Uni
ted States and of Austria, he was trans
fcrred to the custody Of the French consul
general, at Smyrna, there to 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 in the United States. The Emperor
| of Anstria has made the cnndnct of nnr