AVES ISLAND. 187 



and the "inferior guano," not certainly worth the $12 50 

 charged, but shown to be on the isle in addition to that 

 charge, and to be of value. The lowest estimate, by any 

 of the witnesses, of the "first class guano," exceeds the 

 quantity claimed more than thirty per cent., and some of 

 them exceed it sixty per cent, and even more. 



II. The brig John R. Dow was owned by Philo S. Shel- 

 ton, and was registered as of the burden of 197 85-95 tons; 

 but she could carry from said isle to the United States at 



Jeast 280 tons of guano. She w^as on a return voyage from 

 Shelton's Isle to Boston, with a cargo of guano, at the time 

 of this eviction. Her cargo was landed, and preparations 

 made for sending her back for another cargo, and to send 

 provisions, stores, water, and other articles, by her to the 

 isle for our use there, when, January 15, 1855, being then 

 first advised of any difliculty at the isle, she was detained 

 for the receipt of more definite information ; and on the 

 receipt, January 29, 1855, of the tidings of the eviction, 

 her outward voyage was consequently necessarily aban- 

 doned. The expenses and losses encountered, being reason- 

 able demurrage or hire for her for the time she was so 

 detained, and the outlay for the voyage sacrificed by such 

 abandonment ; the losses on the purchases for shipment by 

 her on her outward voyage, and the valuelessness of many 

 of them, and the uselessness of equipments for said vessel 

 in said trade, and the frustration of the arrangements in 

 regard to the employment of said vessel, caused by being 

 forced to abandon said voyage and business, and the loss 

 resulting from her remaining idle and out of employment 

 at Boston till sold in the latter part of February, 1855, are 



estimated to be not less than.. $2^500 



(See depositions before referred to, and other proofs^ with 

 our attorney in Venezuela. See Captain Gibbs, ans. to int. 

 six, p. 66, and eleven, p. 74.) 



III. In addition to the foregoing charge respecting the 

 brig John E. Dow, the claimants state, by reason of the 

 embarrassments caused by the breaking up of their said 

 business, and commercial disappointments and difficulties, 

 the direct consequences thereof, said P. S. Shelton was con- 

 strained to sell said vessel at a sacrifice, being unable at 

 that season to obtain for her, at Boston, but $3,800, when 

 he had been offered in June previously, and had refused, 

 $7,000 for her ; the loss on said sale of said brig being, 

 estimating the ordinary wear and tear and increase of age, 

 at least $3,000, and which amount it is considered is justly 

 chargeable as damage resulting from said eviction 3,000 



(See depositions before referred to, and other proofs, with 

 our attorney in Venezuela. See Captain Gibbs, ans. to int. 

 ten, p. 72; eleven, p. 73; and twelve, p. 74.) 



IV. The ship Junius^ registered at 561 71-95 tons, but 

 she could and did carry from the isle to the United States 



