Prologue

Hungary's fight for freedom hit a chord in the Western world: (e.g.) France and Italy, where the industrial revolution and an educated public clamored for democratic reforms. In England and the USA, where democratic forces had been successful, sympathetic publics felt kinship with the continental aspirants. The exiled Kossuth and companions enjoyed sympathy by the freemen of the West. In the USA the recent memory of the revolution planted sympathy for others wishing to free their country from absolutism.

Of note was the voice and influence of the Rev. Benjamin Franklin Tefft DD, a methodist minister. A member of the "Friends of Hungary" association in Cincinnati, which eventually led to a January 29 1850 resolution urging the President and the US Congress to ask for the liberation of Kossuth (in Turkish exile at the time) and to send an "embassy of peace" to the Sultan. Tefft collected his writings into a book "Hungary and Kossuth".

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Pres. Taylor

A further resolution by the Ohio Assembly and a February 9 1950 motion by the US House of Representatives, seeking the release of Hungarian emigres in Turkey persuaded President Zachary Taylor to make diplomatic overtures to Turkey on behalf of Kossuth and associates.

Zachary Taylor did not live to meet Kossuth, since he suddenly died on July 9 1850.

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Pres. Fillmore

His successor, (previously vice president) Pres. Fillmore continued to support Kossuth-friendly policies. A resolution introduced by Senator Henry Foote of Mississippi called on the US Navy to bring Kossuth, family and entourage to the United States. ("By coincidence" the steam frigate USS Mississippi was assigned this task. On his tour of the United States Kossuth visited the now-governor Foote in Jackson, Mississippi's capital city.) While in Washington, Kossuth was the guest of President and first lady Caroline Fillmore

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