AVES ISLAND. 75 



hauled on the wind and weathered the reef the next morning and pro- 

 ceeded for Aves — not a hird on Aneyada. 



On the seventh instant at 1, p. m., was up to Bird Key, laid down 

 on the chart as Frenchman's rock. This key lays about six miles 

 from St. Thomas, and is 200 feet perpendicular, the sea breaking 

 against all sides of it. As it was impossible to land — if I could land 

 I could not get upon the top of it— I lay aback two ships' length from 

 it, and done all I could to obey orders. There was not a bird on it; 

 the top was covered with grass; the sides one solid, and bounded up 

 like a sugar loaf; there is no bottom to be seen close to it. ** * 



[For plat see original.] 



11th. Landed on Nevasa, and there proves to be nothing there. 



N. P. GIBBS. 



Mr. French to Mr. Marcy. , 



Washington, June 26, 1855. 

 Dear Sir: I have the lienor to inclose a letter to you from my 

 brother, Henry F. French, Esq., notifying the department that he is 

 attorney for Messrs. Lang & Delano in their claim against the Vene- 

 zuelan government for damages in being driven from the Aves Island. 

 He has already notified the department, I believe, that he is attorney 

 for Wheelwright & Cobb, in the same matter. 



I now act for my brother; after the 1st July I shall act with him, 

 so that any communication on the subject may be addressed to me- 

 here. 



I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,' 



B. B. FRENCH. 

 Hon. William L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State. 



Mr. French to Mr. Marcy. 



Washington, June 30, 1855. 



Dear Sir : I inclose the petition of Lang & Delano, of Boston, 

 Massachusetts, for indemnity in consequence of the outrage committed 

 upon their property and agents at the island of '^ Aves" by the Ven- 

 ezuelan government. 



I accompany it with some views of my brother and myself as attor- 

 neys for L. & D., which we beg you to consider, and we hope that 

 you will, in such manner as may seem to you mo»t expedient, cause 

 indemnity to be made by the government of Venezuela to our clients 

 as soon as practicable. 



In our view, not only the rights of American citizens, but the dig- 



