AVES ISLAND. 



Boston, January 29, 1855. 

 Sir: The undersigned claim from the government of Venezuela for 

 damages in consequence of the forcible ejection from Islas Aves, or 

 Bird Island, of their agent and his men by an armed force from Vene- 

 zuela acting under orders of that government. 



For the guano on said island, estimated as a minimum at 

 25,000 tons, (probably 50,000 tons,) which, under the 

 ' management of the subscribers, would have produced a 

 net profit of $12 50 per ton, which on 25,000 tons is |312,500 



For false freights on vessels under charter to load guano, 

 that this ejection prevented loading, whereby false freights 

 and damages have to be paid on several thousand tons 

 capacity of vessels, say 20,000 



For loss in fixtures, launches, houses, wharves, &c., which 

 have cost the proprietors a large sum of money, rendered 

 quite worthless by this interruption 8,500 



$341,000 



SAMPSON & TAPPAN. 

 • PHILO S. SHELTON. 



Hon, Wm. L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State of the United States, 



Mr. Marcy to Messrs. Sampson & Tappan and PMlo S. Shelton, 



Department of State, 

 Washington, January 31, 1855. 

 Gentlemen : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 

 29th instant, inclosing a statement of your claim against the govern- 

 ment of Venezuela for the alleged losses you have sustained in conse- 

 quence of the ejection of your agents and men from the Aves Islands. 

 This claim will, at the proper time, receive the attention of this de- 

 partment. 



I am, gentlemen, &c., 



W. L. MARCY. 

 Messrs. Sampson & Tappan and Philo S. Shelton, Boston. 



