226 AVES ISLAND. 



able Minister of Foreign Eelations his desire to give just and respectful 

 consideration to every observation, however destitute of foundation it 

 may appear, which has been, in the present attitude of the case, pre- 

 sented in behalf of the Venezuelan government. 



For now it is the duty of the undersigned to announce to the gov- 

 ernment of Venezuela that further procrastination in the adjustment of 

 this claim cannot be regarded with indifference by the government of 

 the United States. The case is one of grave and rash outrage upon 

 citizens of the United States and their property, inflicting upon them 

 great loss and injury. To their government, it appears abundantly 

 sustained by evidence and fortified in principle as regards the right of 

 the claimants to expect redress from Venezuela, 



The undersigned is therefore instructed by his government to press 

 in its name, the demand for such redress in a formal and decisive 

 manner, and to request the determination in the case of the govern- 

 ment of Venezuela. If liability be admitted, a basis of adjustment ' 

 may be fixed without delay. If reparation be refused, reasons for that 

 course, satisfactory to the government of the United States, and not 

 yet assigned, will be expected, especially in view of the stipulations 

 contained in the third section of the thirty-fourth article of the treat}'" 

 of 1836, which contemplates special modes of redress in a case where 

 either party ''considering itself offended, shall first have presented to 

 the other a statement of such injuries or damages, verified by compe- 

 tent proofs, and demanded justice, and the same shall have been either- 

 refused or unreasonably delayed." 



The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to the Hon . 

 Senor Gutierrez the assurance of his distinguished consideration. 



CHAKLES EAMES. 



Hon. Jacinto GtUtierrez, 



3Iinister of Foreign Relations. 



Accompanying this note is a printed paper, entitled ''testimony in 

 case of Philo S. Shelton and Sampson & Tappan against the govern- 

 ment of Venezuela," and containing extracts from the interrogatories 

 propounded to, and the answers given under oath by. Captain N. P. 

 Gribbs. This paper, transmitted to'this legation from the Department 

 of State, is presented in its printed form, with the seal of this legation 

 upon it, instead of a manuscript copy thereof, solely with a view to the 

 convenience of business and facility of reference. A duplicate of the 

 same, printed in the same form, and duly certified by the Department 

 of State to be a true copy of the original on file there, remains in the 

 archives of the legation. 



Mr. Cass to Mr. Fames. 



No. 50.] Department of State, 



Washington, April 3, 1857. 

 Sir : At the request of the claimant, P. S. Shelton, Esq., I transmit, 

 herewith, a certified copy of the statement of his claim against Vene- 



