AVES ISLAND. 93 



the navigation laws of the republic, there being no ports of entry for 

 foreign commerce at any of the guano islands. 



The Philadelphia Guano Company are engaged shipping guano from 

 Bird Island, and haue a large number of laborers upon it. I am not 

 able at this time to inform you as to the price charged by the company 

 for guano, but I presume Messrs. James Lee & Co. of your city can, 

 as they are agents for the company. The government of Venezuela 

 has nothing to do with the sale of the article^ nor will it until the 

 term shall have expired for which the contract is to endure. 

 I am, dear sir, very respectfully, 



JOSE A. KEEFE. 



Moses Taylok, Esq. 



Mr. Sanford to Mr. Marcy. 



38 Clinton Place, New York, 



January 16, 1856. 



Sir: Since my last upon the subject of Mr. Shelton's demand for 

 the protection of his government to his right to Shelton's Isle, and his 

 application for its interposition to procure him proper indemnity from 

 the Venezuelan government, I have been furnished with the inclosed 

 documents. 



No. 1 is copy of a letter to the Venezuelan consul at Philadelphia^ 

 from Moses Taylor, Esq., of this city. 



No. 2 is the reply of that officer to Mr. Taylor. The original has 

 been sent to the President. 



You will see by the inclosed, that the notice referred to in my two 

 last letters to the President and yourself, was intended to relate, and 

 does relate, to Shelton's Isle, and was at the "instance" of the Ven- 

 ezuelan government, and I am satisfied you will see that my surprise 

 occasioned by its appearance was not entirely uncalled for. 



I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient ser- 

 vant, 

 • H. S. SANFOED. 



Hon. Wm, L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State. 



Mr. Marcy to Mr. Shelton. 



Department of State, 

 Washington, January 19, 1856. 

 Sir: Your letter of the 15th instant has been received. Mr. San- 

 ford also has addressed the department in relation to your claim. 



Copies of these communications with further instructions will be 

 transmitted to Mr. Fames. 

 I am, sir, &c., 



W. L. MARCY. 

 Philo S. Shelton, Esq., Boston. 



