AVES ISLAND. 239 



three years under an unparalelled outrage upon its flag and upon them, 

 the absolute and positive necessity of exemplary measures to put a stop 

 to such acts by some of those irresponsible institutions called govern- 

 ments south of us, demands a resort to most cogent means. Their 

 administrations continually changing by successive domestic revolu- 

 tions, shirking responsibility for the acts of their predecessors, well 

 nigh takes from them all claim to the benefit of the beneficent principles 

 of the laws of nations that may be extended by a superior power to a 

 feeble nation. Certain it is, that with respect to most of the Hispano- 

 American governments, the records of the department will show that 

 amicable remonstrance, diplomatic correspondence, and negotiation are 

 totally unavailable to procure justice for outrages upon American citi- 

 zens, unless accompanied by use of means of coetsion. 



It is no consolation to these claimants that they are one of several 

 hundred in like condition. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfullv, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFOED. 



Hon. Lewis Cass, 



Secretary of State. 



AN ACT to authorize protection to be given to citizens of the United States who may- 

 discover deposits of guano. 



Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

 United States in Congress assembled, That when any citizen or citizens 

 of the United States may have discovered, or shall hereafter discover, 

 a deposit of guano on any island, rock, or key, not within the lawful 

 jurisdiction of any other government, and not occupied by the citizens 

 of any other government, and shall take peaceable possession thereof, 

 ^nd occupy the same, said island, rock, or key, may, at the discretion 

 of the President of the United States, be considered as appertaining 

 to the United States : Provided, Jiotuever, That notice be given by such 

 discoverer or discoverers, as soon as practicable to the State Depart- 

 ment of the United States, of such discovery, occupation, and posses- 

 sion, verified by affidavit describing said island, rock, or key, and the 

 latitude and longitude thereof, as near as may be, and showing that 

 such possession was taken in the name of the United States, and that 

 satisfactory evidence be furnished to the State Department that such 

 island, rock, or key, was not, at the time of discovery thereof, or of 

 the taking possession and occupation thereof by the claimants, in the 

 possession or occupation of any other government, or of the citizens 

 of any other government. 



Sec. 2. Aiid he it further enacted, That the said discoverer or discov- 

 erers, or his or their assigns, being citizens of the United States, may 

 be allowed, at the pleasure of Congress, the exclusive right of occupying 

 said islands, rocks, or keys, for the purpose of obtaining said guano, 

 and of selling and delivering the same to citizens of the United States 

 for the ]3urpose of being used therein, and may be allowed to charge 

 and receive for every ton thereof delivered alongside a vessel in proper 



