AVES ISLAND. 101 



aid might tend to expedite the settlement of the case and prevent 

 further delay, and the proffer of such assistance was the sole object of 

 my communication of the 1st February. It is lamented that (as would 

 seem from your letter) a somewhat different impression is entertained, 

 but it is hoped that this explanation will be satisfactory. 



I transmit to the departujent by the same mail with thi's, copies of 

 my letters to the President adverted to, and of sundry other papers on 

 file in the department directed to Mr. Eames with a letter to that func- 

 tionary, which, I presume, the department will have no objection to 

 forward, with its next dispatches, to him. I hope the department will 

 examine these papers and see if they are <;orrect, for I would not think 

 of communicating with Mr. Eames except with the knowledge and 

 entire approbation of it. In ignorance of what has passed between 

 the department and Mr. Eames respecting this case, except the partial 

 information disclosed to me verbally, it would the extremity of self- 

 reliance for me to venture to make suggestions to him in relation to this 

 claim which might be inconsistent to those made by the department, 

 nor could I answer his objections or those Venezuela. The claimants 

 have concluded that until Mr. Eames is heard from, and the present 

 condition of the case at Caraccas is fully, exactly, and truly known to 

 them, it would be useless expense and trouble and inadvisable for them 

 to send a known agent to Venezuela as formerly intimated, and that the 

 claimants can do little else than rely upon the attention of the State 

 Department to their claims. That attention they would respectfully 

 ask as early as the multifarious duties of the officers of the department 

 may allow. 



It is hoped that any omission or deficiency in the proofs filed may 

 be suggested as early as practicable for the reasons heretofore urged, 

 so that the same may be supplied as promptly as possible. 



It is anticipated that the claimants may, ere long, be able to furnish 

 the department with some interesting information, in some degree 

 touching this case, derived from confidential sources at Caraccas. 



I inclose an advertisement of the time of the next sailing of the 

 steamer " Tennessee " from this city to that port, 



I remain, dear sir, with the highest respect, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFORD. 



Hon. W. L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State, &c., &c. 



Advertisement. 



For Laguayra and Porto Cabello, touching at Porto Rico and St. 

 Thomas. The United States mail steamship Tennessee, J. Johnson, 

 commander, will leave for the above ports on Saturday, February 16, 

 at twelve o'clock, from pier No. 2, East River. 



Passage to Porto Rico and St. Thomas $70 00 



'^ to Laguayra and Porto Cabello 85 00 



Steerage passage to the latter ports 25 00- 



