274 AVES ISLAND. 



and tliat a large part of these profits lias actually been paid into the 

 Venezuelan treasury. Taken in coanection with the acknowledged 

 want by Venezuela of any title to the island, (for its suggestion of a 

 title growing out of successorship to Spain can hardly be seriously 

 insisted on,) if these admitted facts do not constitute a clear case of 

 aggravated wrong, and do not urgently require the most prompt dis- 

 claimer and redress on the part of the Venezuelan authorities, it is 

 impossible to conceive how such a case can ever be presented. In the 

 view here taken of the transaction, the conduct of Commander Dias, 

 who led the first Venezuelan expedition to the island, becomes quite 

 unimportant. Whatever may be the character of the paper to which 

 he procured the signatures of Messrs. Gibbs and Lang, and under 

 whatever misrepresentation or misapprehension they may have signed 

 it, it is quite certain, not only that they did not leave the island in 

 consequence of it, but that they never expected to do so. Their evict- 

 ion was only accomplished by the arrival and violent measures of a 

 superior force, and not in pursuance, but in direct contravention of the 

 arrangement which is said to have been made by Dias. If this were 

 otherwise, the introduction of the Dias transaction far from palliating 

 the wrong complained of, could only render it more aggravated, by 

 showing that the occupants of the island were the victims alike of 

 fraud and violence. 



Entertaining these views of the Aves claim, the President cannot 

 consent that its just acknowledgment shall continue to be delayed 

 under any circumstances whatever. While he has the strongest dis- 

 position to maintain the most friendly relations with Venezuela, he is 

 bound- by still higher obligations to maintain. the honor of his coun- 

 try, and to protect every citizen of the United States in the possession 

 and exercise of his just rights. If these rights can be violated and 

 outraged, as they unquestionably were in the case of Mr. Shelton and 

 his associates, without acknowledgment and without redress, no mat- 

 ter by what government the injury is done, the character of an Ameri- 

 can citizen must cease to command respect, and it will be little else 

 than a mockery to invoke the protection of the American flag. You 

 will, therefore, lose no time upon your return to Caraccas in bringing 

 this whole subject to the renewed attention of the Venezuelan govern- 

 ment. You may read this dispatch to the Minister of Foreign Aifairs, 

 or to the President, and, if they desire it, you may give them a copy 

 of it. At the same time you will assure them that a settlement of the 

 Aves claim cannot be further procrastinated without serious injury to 

 the friendly relations of the two countries. The adjustment of dam- 

 ages ought not to occasion any considerable difiiculty or dispute, but 

 these may possibly require some further examination. On the ques- 

 tion of liability, however, you will regard the discussion as closed. If 

 this is not admitted within a reasonable time, the question will be 

 withdrawn from the ordinary channels of negotiation, and the Presi- 

 dent will be obliged to consult with Congress in reference to its further 

 prosecution. You will remain in Caraccas for thirty days, in order to 

 receive the answer of the government there to this dispatch. Before 

 the end of that time, it is confidently hoped that the just claim of our 

 citizens in the case presented Avill be acknowledged by the Venezuelan 



