142 AVES ISLAND. 



I presume copies of tlie depositions of Captain James Wheeler, 

 Eichard Thornell, and John McCabe, heretofore transmitted to the 

 department, have been sent by it to the United States minister at 

 Caraccas. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFOKD. 

 Hon. William L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State, &c. 



Agreement mad^ and concluded upon this 20^7^ day of June, A. D. 1854, 

 hy and bettveen James Wheeler, master mariner, of Boston, Massa- 

 chusetts, of the first part, and John W. B. Lang and William W. 

 Delano, carpenters, under the firm of Lang dt Delano, both of Boston, 

 State of Massachusetts, of the second part. 



The above parties agree to fit out vessels as may be required for 

 such time as is hereinafter specified, for the purpose of procuring 

 guano. It is agreed that the party of the first part and the party of 

 second part shall have and divide equally in whatever profit or loss 

 may accrue from chartering and freighting vessels and all expenses 

 connected therewith, and from the sale of guano. 



The said party of the first part to have charge of loading all vessels 

 at guano islands, and to aid in procuring vessels when in the United 

 States. The said party of the second part to have the consignment, 

 sale, or disposal of all the guano or other merchandise shipped and 

 receive proceeds of same. 



It is understood the party of the second part shall settle, so far as 

 they can with the party of the first part, semi-annually, or at such 

 time after as may be practicable. 



It is understood, if the parties of the second part think it for the 

 mutual benefit of all concerned, to purchase any vessel or vessels during 

 the absence of the party of the first part from the United States, they 

 are at liberty to do so, said vessels to be owned in common — by the 

 party of the first part one half, and by the party of the second part one 

 half. 



It is also understood and agreed that should the party of the second 

 part be in need of any funds or moneys (during the absence of the 

 party of the first part) for any purpose whatever, they are authorized 

 by this agreement to value on Phineas Coleman, and he is hereby em- 

 powered to advance them on account of the party of the first part such 



sum or sums as they may require, not exceeding thousand 



dollars. 



The agreement to continue in force for the term of — years. 



Witness our hands, this 21st day of June, 1856. 



LANG & DELANO. 

 JAMES WHEELER. 



[Note. — The blanks are unimportant. The context shows the sum 

 was over one thousand dollars iand the term over one year.] 



