AVES ISLAND. 135 



powder and ball. Any shipmaster or merchant can judge of the freight 

 out. These things were indispensable to the business. I have no doubt 

 if they had not been disturbed that those who were in possession of 

 the guano would have made an immense fortune out of the island. I 

 reckoned Shelton and Sampson & Tappan would make a million of dol- 

 lars at least, and have no doubt they would if the Venezuelans had not 

 interfered with us. Several of their vessels were disappointed in car- 

 goes, as I heard, by being driven off. I heard that a ship called the 

 J. N. Cooper was driven away in January, 1855. We saw no United 

 States men-of-war out in those parts while we were there, but several 

 of other nations. I think they ought to have been down there. I 

 think Captain Gibbs kept on hand six or seven thousand dollars' worth, 

 at leasts of provisions, stores, implements, water casks, barrows, and 

 other property, besides the wharf and houses, and sheds in his charge, 

 and the boats that cost several hundred dollars, while I was there. I 

 think the hiring of the vessels in the trade cost $250 or $310 at least. 

 When I say six or seven thousand dollars above, I mean the cost in 

 the United States. I have before said out there they were worth ten 

 thousand. If they had not been driven off, I should have gone back 

 there. I know Captain Gribbs was there in the M. H. Pomery. 



EICHAED THOENELL. 



State op New York, ) 



City and County of New York, \^^' 



Be it remembered that on the day and year first aforesaid, said 

 Eichard Thornell appeared before me in person, and was duly sworn 

 as aforesaid by me, and made answers to questions propounded to him 

 on behalf of said claimants, as above stated, and the same were reduced 

 to writing in my presence, and carefully copied, and read and explained 

 to him, and he deposed that the same so subscribed by him were true, 

 according to the best of his knowledge and belief. 

 Tl s 1 ^^ testimonium veritatis I hereunto set my official seal, at mj 

 '- ■ ■-' office. No. 67 Wall street, the day and year first aforesaid. 



JOSEPH C. LAWEENCE, 



Notary Public. 



Mr. Marcy to Mr. Sanford. 



Department of State, 

 Washington, May 16, 1856. 

 Sir: Your communication of the 9th instant, transmitting the 

 deposition of Captain James Wheeler, in support of Mr. Shelton's 

 claim, and your letter of the 10th instant, covering the deposition of 

 Eichard Thornell, and copy of papers from the British Foreign Office, 

 relating to the same subject, have been received. 

 I am sir, &c., 



W. L. MAECY. 

 Henry S. Sanford, Esq., 



Derby, Connecticut. 



