AVES ISLAND. 149 



ours, and before it is passed upon, we sliall claim the privilege of 

 furnishing testimony in this regard. 



To satisfy you how little this particular statement of the quantity 

 by them can injure us, we offered, and yet offer, if paid for one half 

 of 50,000 tons— say 25,000 tons at $12 50 per ton, and |28,500 for 

 our property and damages, to waive our right to all the rest of the 

 guano and the isle. But if Lang and Delano's claim is sustained to 

 the guano it decreases our prospect of getting paid by Venezuela, and 

 "we conceive it to be our duty to protect ourselves against any unjust 

 pretensions, which may be, used to contaminate ours and to give an 

 improper coloring and character to what we know is honest and just. 

 Against this being done we respectfully but earnestly remonstrate. A 

 reply to this addressed to Mr. Sanford, Derby, Connecticut, will reach 

 us, as we have advised him hereof. 



We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants, 



SAMPSON & TAPPAN. 

 PHILO S. SHELTOIST. 



Hon. W. L. Marct, 



Secretary of State. 



P. S. We are informed that up to this hour Lang & Delano have 

 not filed a single deposition, or affidavit, or other proof of any kind 

 or character in reference to their alleged discovery, or in verification 

 of their statements in reference thereto. We trust they will be 

 admonished to adduce it ; our just interests and rights authorize us to 



make such request. 



S. & T. 

 P. S. S. 



3Ir. Sanford to 3Ir. Marcy. 



Washington, August 11, 1856. 

 Sir : I have the honor to inclose herewith the deposition of Joseph 

 Herbert, to be filed in the department in the Shelton's Isle case, and 

 copy of which it is desired may be forwarded to Mr. Eames. 



In a few days other depositions will be forwarded. As I jDresume, 

 from the intimation conveyed in your letter to me of the I'Tth ultimo 

 that the department is not yet satisfied with the testimony that has 

 been adduced by the claimants, I should be gratified to learn upon 

 what points further the department would desire testimony. I hope 

 I may be advised as to objections made by Venezuela. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFOKD. 

 Hon. William L. Marcy, 



Secretary of State. 



State of New York, 

 County and City of New York, 



I, Joseph Herbert, being sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth, 

 and nothing but the truth in relation to the claim before the State 



