The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 Part 83

THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTRIAN BRIG HUSSAR.

Sir: I have been directed by the American Charge at Constantinople to demand the person of Martin Coszta, a citizen of the United States, taken by force from the Turkish soil and now confined on board the brig Hussar. And if a refusal is given to take him by force.

An answer to the demand must be returned by 4 o'clock P.M.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. INGRAHAM, _Commander_.

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D (p. 357)

_Commander Schwartz to Commander Ingraham._

His Imperial Majesty's brig Hussar, To Smyrna, July 2d, 1853.

THE COMMANDER OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP ST. LOUIS, Present.

Sir: I have the honor to refer you to my letter of the 28th ultimo, in which I stated that I depend altogether upon the Consul General in the matter respecting the prisoner Martin Coszta. I shall send him your letter of this day, and request him to come to an understanding with you himself.

I protest against all violence toward His Imperial Majesty's brig "Hussar," or schooner "Artimesia," and shall consider it as a hostile step for which I would hold you altogether responsible.

I have the honor to subscribe myself, with great respect, your obedient servant, SCHWARTZ.

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E

_S. N. Brown to Commander Ingraham._

To Legation of the United States, COMMANDER INGRAHAM, Pera, June 28th, 1853.

United States Corvette St. Louis.

Dear Sir: I send you a copy of my letter to the Austrian Internuncio (Minister) on the subject of the detention of Martin Coszta on board the Austrian brig Hussar; which will serve to show my views of the transaction better than I could do in a note.

The public here are quite as indignant at the brutal conduct of the Austrian Consul as they were in Smyrna. Mussulman, Christian and Jew execrate the conduct of the Consul, and accuse him as the cause of the bloodshed which resulted from the brutal arrest and treatment of Coszta. The Porte would have been much pleased had you taken him from the Austrian brig, and I regret that it was not done on the ground that he had renounced all allegiance to the Austrian Emperor, and taken an oath of allegiance to the government of the United States.

He certainly is not an Austrian subject, and he as certainly (p. 358) can claim no other allegiance to any other power, than to that of the United States. It is not uncommon for persons having received official copies of their declaration of allegiance to procure an American pa.s.sport stating this fact, in which all protection and satisfaction is a.s.sured them from American authorities. I believe that, under the circ.u.mstances, you have a right to persist in demanding him from the Austrian commander. The Porte would wish to leave the matter open between us and the Austrians, and if we could see the poor fellow carried off and hung to let us take the ignominy of the transaction on our own shoulders. If I thought you would be governed by my instructions, they would be to demand him, in the most formal and positive language, of the Austrian commander, in my name as Representative of the United States, and after having him in your possession, to leave the matter to be adjusted between the two governments. In case of a refusal to deliver him, founded on the pleas that he had renounced all allegiance to Austria, and that having taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, he has a claim upon our protection, I would take him out of the vessel.

Such a course will meet with the most profound applause from this government and from every foreign legation here (except that of Austria), and cannot but call forth strong gratification on the part of our government and people at home.

So abominable an act has excited here extreme abhorrence and execration, and all you have already done has elevated the character of our country and of our navy.

I remain, dear Sir, most truly yours, S. N. BROWN.

Be so good as to allow Mr. Offley to peruse the present. I do not doubt but that he will support you in all you do.

S. N. B.

[_Enclosure from Caleb Lyon of Lyonsdale._]

My Dear Sir: I cordially approve of the measures of Mr. Brown in taking the exile Coszta per force, and do hope you will do so. So far as my humble power goes, I will defend it. He is not an Austrian subject, he has sworn allegiance to the United States.

Sure this is enough to demand our protection, no matter what he says. Do not let this chance slip to acquit yourself n.o.bly, and to do honor to our country.

The Turkish Governor as well as the Austrian Consul have been both dismissed and disgraced.

The eyes of nations are upon the little St. Louis and her commander. For G.o.d's sake, and sake of humanity, stand for the right.

Regards and friendship of yours ever, Caleb LYON OF LYONSDALE.

Mr. Lyon is a member of Congress from the State of New York, and now travelling in Europe.

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_Martin Coszta's Declaration of Intention._ (p. 359)

1852.

State of New York.

_In the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York_:

I, Martin Coszta, do declare on oath, that it is bona fide my intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the Emperor of Austria, of whom I am a subject.

Martin COSZTA.

Sworn this 31st day of July, 1852.

George W. RIBLET, _Clerk_.

Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, For the City and County of New York.

I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an original Declaration of Intention, remaining of record in my office.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, this 31st day of July, 1852.

[L. S.] George W. RIBLET, _Clerk_.

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_Agreement between the Consul-General of Austria and the Consul of the United States of America._

Smyrne le 2 Juillet, 1853.

Les Soussignes Consul General d'Autriche et Consul des etats-Unis d'Amerique, prient Monsieur le Consul General de Sa Majeste l'Empereur des Francais de prendre en depot dans ses prisons le nomme Martin Koszta (Martin Coszta) detenu sur le brick de guerre Autrichien "Hussard" et dont la nationalite et par consequent les relations de protection sont en litige, entre les Amba.s.sades respectives a Constantinople, ainsi qu'entre les Consulats a Smyrne.

Ils prient Monsieur le Consul General de se charger de ce depot aux conditions suivantes.

L'individu sus mentionne sera consigne dans la journee d'aujourd'hui et au plus tot possible par un detachement des soldats du brick Autrichien qui le conduira au debarcadere de l'hopital Francais, ou il sera remis entre les mains de Monsieur le Consul General de France ou de la personne qu'il en aura charge.

Le detenu ne pourra communiquer avec aucune personne du dehors a l'exception des Consuls soussignes et dans l'hopital il sera confie specialement a une personne que Monsieur le Consul General de France designera.

Les frais de nourriture et de maintien que les soussignes (p. 360) laissent entierement a la discretion de Monsieur le Consul General de France de fixer au detenu, seront a la charge du soussigne Consul General d'Autriche.