232 AVES ISLAND. 



Nor did the note of the 31st of March, in which the undersigned made 

 these solemn announcements, take the government of Venezuela by 

 surprise. Five weeks before, on the 23d of February last, the under- 

 signed in a formal interview, sought for that sole purpose, fully ex- 

 plained, with careful exactness, to the honorable minister of foreign 

 relations th-e position thus deliberately and definitely assumed by the 

 government of the United States. In addition to all this, the under- 

 signed, in view of the urgency and grave responsibility of the case, has 

 not ceased to press in every possible manner upon the attention of the 

 government of Venezuela the importance of prompt and satisfactory 

 action in the premises. He has solicited and obtained a special audience 

 of his excellency the president upon the subject, and has availed him- 

 self to the utmost of that opportunity to enforce its urgency. No week 

 has passed since the announcement in question in which he has failed 

 to press the case with the minister of foreign relations. 



It is with regret and astonishment that the undersigned now finds 

 himself compelled to inform his government that the only answer yet 

 received in this case from the government of Venezuela is, that the 

 matter is under consideration. 



This is manifestly a state of things full of peril to the friendly rela- 

 tions between the two governments ; and the undersigned deems it 

 proper to state that he is confirmed in this conviction by instructions 

 very recently received. Just respect to the attitude of the government 

 of the United States in this case demands that the definitive answer of 

 the government of Venezuela, as required in the note of the undersigned 

 of the 31st of March, should no longer be withheld. Should such 

 answer reach this legation on or before the 6th proximo, and that such 

 is the purpose of the Venezuelan government may, perhaps, be inferred 

 from the note of the Hon. Mr. Gutierrez, then it will be fairly and 

 maturely considered with a view to the prompt adjustment of this 

 question upon principles of equity and justice. Should that day pass 

 without such answer from the government of Venezuela, the under- 

 signed, under his instructions, will deem it his duty to proceed at once 

 to the United States and report in person to his government the unrea- 

 sonable delay of the government of Venezuela, and the total failure of 

 his best efibrts to obtain such answer, as constituting in his judgment 

 substantially a defeat of justice in the case. 



The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to renew to the 

 Hon. Seiior Grutierrez the assurance of his distinguished consideration. 



CHAKLES FAMES. 



Hon. Jacinto Gutierrez, 



Minister of Foreign Relations. 



Kbpublic of Venezuela, 

 Caracas, June 2, 1857. 

 The undersigned has communicated to his government the note of 

 the legation of the United States of the 29th ultimo, and the execu- 

 tive power has directed the following in answer. 



