Hungarian Heritage Review, 1988 (17. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1988-06-01 / 6. szám

------------------- ffiungartan-^mgrtcana............................................................ WHEN THE UNITED STATES WENT EYEBALL-TO-EYEBALL WITH AUSTRIA OVER A HUNGARIAN REFUGEE: THE KOSZT A AFFAIR The United States has had a long and honorable history of protecting the rights of its citizens wherever in the world they might be. It has also established itself as a beacon-light in protecting the civil and human rights of people in general throughout the world. One of the outstand­ing examples of this humane policy is the — at its time — famous, but now little known “Koszta Affair”. This event which took place one hundred thirty-five years ago — during June and July of 1853 — represented the very first time that the Government of the United States actually delivered an ultimatum to another govern­ment on behalf of an immigrant to the United States. Interestingly, the other country involved was Austria. The Origins In a letter addressed to the then Secretary of the Navy, J.C. Dobbin, the commander of the USS St. Louis, Com­mander D.N. Ingraham, informed his superior that his ship had anchored in the Turkish port of Smyrna on June 23, 1853. He indicated that he had learned that an American had been kidnapped and taken aboard an Austrian Brig-of-War, the “Hussar”. The man, one Martin Koszta, was a Hungarian refugee and a companion of Kossuth when the latter had visited the United States. Koszta had obtained a cer­tificate of intention to become an American citizen. Commander Ingraham, accompanied by the American charge d’affaires, went on board the Austrian vessel and demand­ed to see Koszta. They were told that the man was not on the ship. When the two Americans had left the vessel, Ingraham was informed that Koszta was to be taken to Trieste on a nearby steamer. Ingraham loaded his guns and moved his ship to within a half cable’s length of the steamer. A Daring Decision Commander Ingraham, determined that Koszta should not be taken from the scene, found himself confronted by the Austrian brig and a ten-gun schooner MARTIN KOSZTA which had recently arrived. All the ships prepared for action. After several hours of this “stand-off,” it was agreed that Koszta should be taken from the “Hussar” and placed under the protective custody of the local French consul. Here is Ingraham’s statement as to why he acted as he did: ‘ ‘1 know, sir, that 1 have taken a fear­ful responsibility upon myself by this act; but after Mr. Brown (the American charge d'affaires) had informed me that Mr. Koszta had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, and forsworn all allegiance to Austria; that he was an American citizen, and had been under the protection of the legation at Constantino­ple, I could not hesitate to believe that he was fully entitled to protection. It was a case of life and death for if Koszta had been taken to Trieste, his fate was sealed... “Should my conduct be approved... it will be one of the proudest moments of my life, that I have saved this gallant man from a cruel and ignominious death. On the other hand, should the course I have pur­sued be disavowed, I must bow to the deci­sion; but whatever may be the conse­quences to myself, I shall feel I have done my best to support the honor of the flag, and not allow a citizen to be oppressed who claimed at my hands the protection of the flag- ” A Fuller View of the Affair Commander Ingraham’s letter makes the matter seem rather direct and simple. But a later exchange of correspondence from E.S. Offley, American Consul at Smyrna to William L. Marcy, United States Secretary of State, indicates both the determination and the courage of the American naval officer. A letter from the commander of the “St. Louis” to the com­mander of the “Hussar” reveals these qualities: “Sir: I have been directed by the American charge at Constantinople to de­mand the person of Martin Koszta, a citizen of the United States.. .if a refusal is given, to take him by force. ’’ This American demand was rejected, and the Austrian vessel prepared to transfer Koszta to a steamer in order to have him taken from the scene. It was then that In­graham took his daring action, placing his vessel across the bow of the other ship and preparing for action. It is to be noted that by this time the Austrian force was augmented to consist not only of the brig­­of-war “Hussar,” but an armed schooner and three steamers, each of which had several cannons on board. The American show of strength suc­ceeded, for, as we have seen, Koszta was released and sent on shore. Mr. Offley thus recounts the scene: “The excitement caused in town, among the European population and the natives, was very great. He was landed amidst the acclamation of an immense con­course of people, who went to see the man who had been rescued from Austrian bar­barity. and cheers of‘Vive l 'Independence des Etats Unis d’Amerique and her gallant commander... ’ were long repeated by all present. ” All this took place in another time and another place — almost in another world — but the incident illustrates very well the vigorous and determined stance of the United States in defense of its citizens and ♦ friends. JUNE 1988 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 11

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