AVES ISLAND. 171 



guano was discovered in Monges Island, on the islet of Pie, belonging 

 to the cluster of Los Hermauos. Some specimens received from the 

 localities have been submitted to analysis in this capital. It is also 

 known that there are deposits of the substance in the north and lee- 

 ward islands of Aves, in Orchila, in the Tortugas, and the Frailes. 

 This knowledge is derived from the statements made by the various 

 agents of the national navy commissioned minutely to explore the 

 archipelago, and to return surveys with all necessary details relative 

 to all that may have come directly under their personal observation, 

 or which may liave been obtained through information supplied by the 

 navigators who visit the archipelago. As to the character of the 

 article, the comments of the press in different portions of the United 

 States, as our consular agents inform us, and the various tests to 

 which it has been subjected by chemists, show that the Venezuelan 

 guano is of variant qualities, tliough the superior kind is found in a 

 favorable classification. 



A circumstance, however, which need not excite surprise, inter- 

 vened to counteract the intentions of the government, even to the 

 extent of making them illusory, just at the time when the data which 

 the former administration could not have had on hand were duly 

 coming in, and when there was an expectation that the information 

 would be supplied in so full a measure as to justify a complete organ- 

 ization and development of the undertaking. So far, indeed, had the 

 matter proceeded, that wonder was expressed that the contractor him- 

 self should have afforded the republic the opportunity for a reversion 

 to it of the free and immediate management of that product, and for a 

 supply, at the same time, for the somewhat reduced condition of the 

 treasury. 



The agent of an association entitled " The Philadelphia Guano 

 Company," which had assumed the rights acquired by Wallace in 

 virtue of the contract made with the preceding administration, reached 

 Caraccas, and, maintaining the existence of the contract on the ground 

 that the present administration had not the authority to issue the dec- 

 laration of the 22d of May, filed in the department under my cliarge 

 a protest for damages, which were set at $500,000, besides the further 

 sum of $50,000, which were claimed for expenses already incurred by 

 the company. The position in which this claim placed the govern- 

 ment was, beyond doubt, painful and embarrassing, for at the very 

 time that it was preferred, two mercantile firms of this city were 

 urgently pressing their claim for $200,000, with 15 per cent., for cost 

 of protests and damages on the bills drawn by Wallace, the contractor^ 

 on the 21st of December, 1854, which they had taken from the gov- 

 ernment for value received, but which were dishonored for want of 

 payment. It is proper here to remark, that in view of such a contin- 

 gency, and for securing the amount outlaid by them, the purchasers, 

 among other privileges, had the right of being absolutely substituted 

 for Wallace, in the execution of the contract, by articles drawn up by 

 them and the preceding administration, on the ITth of January of 

 last year. 



Still, however complicated the guano question and its concomitants 

 turned out to be ; however trying it might have been for the govern- 



