The Indianapolis journal., 1895-12-26
DECKS CLEARED FOR KOszTA.
An In stance OF American Grit I'm the
Navy Fifty Years Ago.


Among the Hungarians banished with
Kossuth for defying Austria was man
named Martin KosZta, who came TO the
United States and soon afterward declared
his intention of becoming American citi-
zen. But before he had IN fact become
citizen private business called him abroad.
and y 1sGs found wSe h af seTe he
recognized by the Austrian consul. was
seized by some toughs employed for the
work by this consul and hurried aboard an
Austrian war ship lying at anchor In the
roads and there ironed. Koszta appealed to
the American consul at smyrna, who at
once took up his case. The Austrian consul
held ti.at Koszta was still a subject of that
kingdom; that he had violated his promise
in returning from the United States. made
IL was claimed, at the time OF his expulsion
from Austria. and that Austria's jursdic-
tion over him was complete. Koszta not
only insisted upon his right to american
protection, but pointed out that he was not:
that, moreover he had not come from the
United States. on any political or revolu-
tionary errand.
came into the roads at Smyrna while the
case was up. Captain Ingraham South
Carolin.an OF courage and address, was in
command, and the American consul invited
him into the management of Koszta's case
Captain 1ngraham not only responded. but
espoused Kosztas case with enthusiasm.
and In company with the American consul
went aboard the Austrian vessel and Joined
In the demand that Koszta be turned over
TO the protection of the French consul at
Smyrna pending report home and thor
ough examination of the whole question.
But the Austrian commander and the Aus
trian consul held back, and after Captain
Ingraham had returned TO his shin he got
an ntimation that Koszta was TO be smug-
gled Off that night into Austrian territory.
The American commander met the emer-
gency instantly and like q man. He sent
word TO the Austrian commander that Kosz-
Ia must be delivered on shore 10 the French
consul by 4 O'Clock or he Qngraham) would
lay his ship alongside and take him by
force. Four o'clock came, but no response,
when Captain Ingraham, true to his word,
drew up to the Austrian. with his guns
shotted and his decks cleared for action,
and Koszta was unironed and sent ashore.
The ST. Louis was not at all formidable in
herself. She probably would not have lived
an hour before the guns or the other fellow.
ness about the transaction, the American
flag at the masthead and the grit OF the
American sailor, who was sand TO the CEN
ter carried the day.
There was OF course a great outcry by
Austria. The same MIR. Huselmann who
had appeared for Austria in the Dudley
Mann affair appeared for her also in this
affair, and, characterizing Captain Ingra-
hams action as tantamount TO declara-
ton OF war and an outrage, demanded
that IL be dsavowed by this government.
William l.. Marcy, the Secretary of State
replied in long note, model of its kind
going over the whole case, supporting Kosz-
Ia upon his bare declaration of an intention
10 become an American citizen and COM
mending. rather than disayowing, the course
OF Captain Ingraham. Even Congress took
a hand, fer IL approved OF the conduct of
the American commander by formal resolu-
Ion and presented a medal 10 him. In addi-
reau OF Ordnance and Hydrography of the
Navy Department, and enjoyed distin-
guished attention as long as he remained in
the service