AVES ISLAND. 129 



urged upon the members of Congress the propriety of a general author- 

 ity being given in such cases. It certainly seems to me proper. 



Venezuela is so utterly indigent and dishonest, (as is proved by the 

 large amount of bonds outstanding and unpaid for years past in the 

 hands of American citizens,) that we have little hope of obtaining pe- 

 cuniary indemnity from her distinct from the restoration of the isle. 

 We fear that the isle, and indeed we have reason to know such is the 

 fact, has been very considerably decreased in value by the abstraction 

 of the guano therefrom since our eviction. For this they should make 

 compensation, and we trust it is not expecting too much for American 

 citizens to expect that their government will exact, by coercive meas- 

 ures if necessary, such just compensation. 



I have deemed it my duty to inclose to you a copy of the memorial, 

 and respectfully request that your efficient aid may be given to accom- 

 plish such end in respect to it as you may deem just. 



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

 servant, 



H. S. SANFOED. 



Hon. W. L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State.. 



April 21. 

 P. S. — Since the above was written, I have, had the honor to receive 

 your letter of the 17th instant. That of the 24tli ultimo was received 

 on my return to New York. 



To the JionoraUe the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 

 States of America in Congress assembled, the memorial of Philo S. 

 Shelton, a citizen of the United States, resident in Boston, in the State 

 of Massachusetts, merchant, in behalf of himself and of other citizens 

 of the United States, his associates, interested with him by transfer 

 from him, respectfully shoioeth : 



1. That in the month of March, 1854, your memorialist fitted out 

 the brig John R. Dow, of Boston, owned by himself, and under 

 the command of Captain Nathan P. Gibbs, also a citizen of the United 

 States, and she sailed from Baltimore on a cruise of discovery in the 

 Caribbean sea for derelict and desert guano keys or isles. 



2. That in the month of April, 1854, said Captain Gibbs, in said 

 brig, acting as the agent of your memorialist, discovered and took 

 possession of a desert and derelict rock or isle in said sea, situate in 

 north latitude 15° 40', and west longitude from Greenwich 63° 38', then 

 known as "Aves," or "Bird Island," now called "Sheltou's Isle." 



3. That your memorialist was then engaged in the guano trade 

 from the Gulf of Mexico, bufrelinquished the same at a great sacrifice 

 for the said isle, which he named '' Shelton's Isle," and forthwith, on 

 the return of said Captain Gibbs to Boston, dispatched said brig, 

 under his command, to said isle, provided with extra launches, and 

 laden with materials for a wharf and houses to be erected thereat, 

 and with implements and provisions and water for laborers, and with 



Ex. Doc. 10 9 



