West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-10
sample orr Old Navy.

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The United States sloop OF war ST. Lou
was the vessel that performed the spiritI
httle caper In the harbor NJ Smyrna, in Al
mander was Capt. ID. N. Ingraham. &
his arrival in the port of Smyrna he learn
that Martin koszta, native OF Hungar.
but claiming TO be n partially naturalizI
American, having taken out his first name
had been seized the day before while on
visitto Smyrna, and taken aboard the Al
TRAN war ship Tiuzzar. on the claim that |
owed military duty TO the Austrian empertI
The captain of the HuZzar put him
chains and imprisoned him In the hold |
his vessel. When Capt. Ingrahsm arrivI
i'm port and learned of the proceeding.
appealed to the Turkish authorities TO
mand the surrender OF Koszta, but the 4
thorities declined 10 have ANYTHING To !
with The case. The St. Louis was anchorI
between the Huzzar aud another Austri
war ship, whose guns bore directly upI
her. Nevertheless Capt. Ingraham MAJ
up his mind With thepromptness and dari
which distinguished the old navy of al
day. He wrote note TO the Austrian co
mander courteously claiming Koszta as
American citizen, and requesting HIS reIeax
The reply 10 this was an emphatic refus|
Further parleying followed, without resuI
and at last Capt. lngraham sent a note p}
emptorily demanding the release of n
prisoner within eight hours, with the third
OF opening fire IL the demand was not col
piled with, He then put his vessel In prod
position, and cleared the decks for acticX
Matters looked serious. The American vi
evidently In earnest. and the authorities n
inhabitants on shore looked for n battle
the quiet harbor. The odds were hea
against the American sloop. She carriI
only sixteen guns, and the Austrian si}
carried twice ~ many. Bnt Ingraham
longed to naval school that did not couX
the guns against IL when duty was TO
done, and the Austrian commander discc|
cred that the American would keep /
word. An hour before the limit expired
boat with Koszta aboard put off from D
Huzzar. carried him ashore and set him fri
amid loud plaudits from the people for D
American triumph.
The Austrian home government promp{
took up the matter, and made n dcmand |
ours for the surrender of Koszta. who h
returned to the United States. and the
Duke OF lngraham. Fortunately for h
country and FOR its adopted citizens our n
eign policy at that time WINS marked by d
same high and determined spirit Will
characterized its little navy, and the SD
department had at its head William
Marcy, OF New York. the ablest secretaI
p,o""uiy, WI" over presided, over 10.
Pierce was president, and, IN addition
Marcy, his cabinet contained las. Guth
In the treasury, Caleb Cushing Tor attornd
general, Jefferson Davis for. secretary
war. James Q. Dobbin for secretary of
navy, James Campbell for postmaster.g
ernl and Robert McCleland for secretary
the interiors; cabinet, which for learnir
ability and patriotic spirit, has never be
surpassed. The administration determine
without hesitation, TO support the claim
KosZta and the action OF Ingraham; NJ
Secretary Marcy. in his. reply 10 the Al
trian demand. expressed this decision In
letter which rang through the world. nj
Following extract is an example Of it's IA
and admirable spirit and expression:
Whenever, by the law of, nations.
individual becomes clothed with our
tional character, be he naiive-born
naturalized citizen, An exile dri,
from his early home by political Cypress
or an emigrant enticed from Il by
hopes OF a better fortune for himself d
posterity, he can claim the protection
this government, and IL may respond to
claim without being obliged 20 explain
conduct To any foreign power; for IL IL
duty TO make its nationality respected
other nations. and respected in every qr}
ter OF the globe"