10 AVES ISLAND. 



therein named, to take guano from those islands. This paper will 

 receive proper attention in the consideration of the subject. 

 I am, &c., 



W. L. MARCY. 

 Philo S. Shblton, Esq.; 



Mr, French to Mr. Marcy. 



Washington, May 5, 1855. 

 Sir : I inclose a copy of the memorandum about the Aves Islands, 

 to which I referred during our interview yesterday. 

 With much respect, 



HENRY F. FRENCH. 

 Hon. William L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State. 



March 17, 1835. — Her Majesty's ship Race Horse landed men on 

 Aves Island. They found a party of Danes gathering eggs. The 

 Danes collect them twice a day, and sell them at St. Thomas. 



A hut for egg collectors was found. A tomb was in the center of 

 the island. ''The governor, a person at the head of a party of egg 

 collectors, having died, was buried there." 



The form of the island, oval; length, about 830 paces; width, 116 

 paces. Can be seen only about six miles. Latitude, 15° 40' 56". 



No mention of any other occupants or visitors. 



See the Nautical Magazine, vol. 7,jo. 12, Library of Congress. 



See, also. Blunt' s American Coast Pilot, p. 476, ^' Aves." 



Mr. French to Mr. Marcy. 



Washington, D. C, May 12, 1855. 



Sir : I send herewith evidence of the claim of WJieelwright & Cobb 

 for damages for the loss of the voyage of the brig Panola, by the ille- 

 gal conduct of an officer of the Venezuelan government at Aves Island. 



It is stated in the English papers by the Hermann, just arrived at 

 New York, that the question of the title of the British government to 

 this island has recently been discussed in Parliament, and that it is 

 conceded that the British government has no right of sovereignty over 

 it, but may claim equal right with other nations to take the guano. 



