AVES ISLAND, 105' 



engaged in commerce have an interest, and that interest is equally 

 respected by the United States, regardless of individuals." 



But you will not, I trust, consider it as improper for me to respect- 

 fully request that the department will take measures, as early as 

 convenient, to procure true and authentic copies, in extenso, of both 

 the first and second contract of the Venezuelan government with the 

 Philadelphia company, insomuch as it is quite probable we may fail 

 in our efforts to obtain them. 



And we deem a copy of Captain Dias's official report to his govern- 

 ment of his conquest of Shelton's Isle, and also a copy of the protest 

 of the British representative at Caraccas, important to us in this case. 

 It is presumed the department could readily obtain copies through our 

 minister at Caraccas, and it is believed they will be material to us in 

 establishing our damages and in other respects. 



A suggestion has been made, that probably after the island had 

 been "skinned" of the guano, a few weeks hence, the mockery and 

 insult of yielding it up may be proposed by Venezuela, but unaccom- 

 panied by any other satisfaction or promise of satisfaction for our 

 injuries. Such offer, without paying, or at least promising to pay, 

 for the guano taken from the island since our eviction, and our dam- 

 ages sustained otherwise, we cannot suppose will be regarded by the 

 department as very complimentary to the United States. If it is dis- 

 tinctly and in good faith proffered as a preliminary to full atonement, 

 as we have heretofore urged should be done, we trust it will be 

 accepted, but in such view only. We will, with the sanction of the 

 department, forthwith resume our possession in such event. 



I inclose a declaration of William P. Gibbs, duly certified and 

 marked M, who was at Shelton's Isle in December, 1854, and proves 

 important facts. He is a relation of Captain Nathan P. Gibbs, the 

 agent of Mr. Shelton. I desire it to be filed as testimony in this case. 

 It was inadvertently omitted to be sent to the department whilst I 

 was absent in Europe last autumn. Captain Nathan P. Gibbs is soon 

 expected in the United States from Australia, and his testimony will 

 forthwith be forwarded. 



I have the honor to inclose you also a printed pamphlet, published 

 within a few days past by the "Philadelphia Guano Company," 

 marked N, which I regard as important, particularly with respect to 

 four points, viz : 



1. It shows that the government of Venezuela and the Philadelphia 

 Guano Company claim Shelton's Isle and the guano on it. 



2. It gives testimony of the quantity of the guano, and the import- 

 ance of the island in their estimation. 



3. It establishes the high quality of the guano thereon, of which it 

 gives analyses. 



4. It shows the current value and price of this guano is, in the 

 United States, from $25 to |40 per ton. 



Neither the Venezuelan government nor the "Philadelphia Guano 

 Company" can ever gainsay the statements in this pamphlet without 

 stultifying and criminating themselves. They are bound by it. I 

 desire it filed as evidence in the case. 



You will notice that Mr. Keefe, the consul of the Venezuelan gov- 



