AVES ISLAND. 83 



thorized by the Philadelphia company, from visiting all guano islands 

 in the Caribbean sea under the jurisdiction of Venezuela. It is taken 

 from the Herald of to-day. 



Shel ton's Isle is claimed hy them to be under that jurisdiction, and 

 included in the contract between the company and the Venezuelan 

 officials, and the Venezuelan government have a military force there, 

 as, in my former communication, I stated to you. The instructions 

 from the Department of State in relation to the aifairs of that com- 

 pany, and to the good offices of the minister of the United States in 

 its favor, to effect an arrangement with Venezuela, were express to the 

 point that nothing should be done to militate against the right of Mr. 

 Shelton to Shelton's Isle, and his claim for indemnity, based on that 

 right; and, in view of this fact, the inclosed notice is a matter of 

 astonishment. 



I have also inclosed a copy to the Secretary of State, whom I ad- 

 dressed yesterday, as well as to-day, in relation to the outrage upon 

 Mr. Shelton. 



I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFOKD. 



The President. 



Notice. 



Office of the Philadelphia Guano Company, 

 December 24, 1855. 

 The Philadelphia Gruano Company having, by virtue of a contract 

 made with the government of the Kepublic of Venezuela, secured the 

 possession and exclusive right to remove the guano deposits existing 

 on all the islands belonging to and under the jurisdiction of the said 

 republic, hereby give notice that no person or persons other than 

 agents of the said company can lawfully remove guano from any of 

 the said islands, and that all cargoes taken therefrom without a permit 

 from the company, duly signed and sealed with the corporate seal 

 thereof, will be claimed by them on arrival at any of the ports of the 

 United States or Europe, and legal proceedings will be immediately 

 instituted for the recovery of the property so taken, in whose hands 

 soever it may be found. 



By order of the board of directors. 



D. LUTHER, 



President. 



Agent in New York, James Lee & Co., 49 Wall street. 



Consulate of the Republic of Venezuela, 



Philadelphia, Deceraher 19, 1855. 

 Captains and shipowners are hereby notified that, there being no 

 ports of entry open to foreign commerce in any of the Caribbean 



