AVES ISLAND. 279 



the government of Venezuela did, that it was occupied by a party of 

 American citizens, who had established works on it, and were export- 

 ing its guano under the protection of the flag of their country, for 

 that government to send out an armed force to pull down the American 

 fl.ag and substitute that of Venezuela^ to drive away the occupants of 

 the island and destroy their business, and to establish in their place a 

 new company, from which Venezuela expected to derive large profit, 

 and to do this without notice to the American government or the 

 American minister at Caraccas^ was a wrong to the United States and 

 their citizens who occupied the island, which appears so entirely mani- 

 fest, that it is difficult to understand how a friendly government, like 

 Venezuela, could have authorized it in the beginning, or can hesitate 

 now to acknowledge it. Certainly, it cannot remain much longer un- 

 adjusted without imminent danger to the amicable relations between 

 the two countries which now so happily subsist, and which, it is earn- 

 estly hoped, may never be interrupted. On this point you are already 

 in possession of the views of this government^ as they have been given 

 to you in a personal interview^ and as you will doubtless communicate 

 them to Venezuela. It is believed that the wrong committed against 

 Mr. Shelton and his associates is too clear to justify any further dis- 

 cussion of it, and it is hoped, therefore, that your government, re- 

 garding this point as settled, will proceed at once to investigate the 

 damages which the wrong is alleged to have occasioned. These may 

 require to be carefully examined, but the United States feel it to be 

 due to their self-respect that the forcible injury done to their flag and 

 to their citizens should no longer remain unacknowledged. 



I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, sir, the assurances of 

 my high consideration, 



LEWIS CASS. 



Senor Florencio Ribas, 



dc, dc, (&c. 



Mr. Rlhas to Mr. Cass. 



[Translation.] 



Legation of Venezuela in the United States, 



New York, September 18, 1857. 



Excellent Sir : I have had the honor of receiving your note of the 

 11th instant, through which you have been pleased to answer mine of 

 the 4th instant, in relation to the departure of Mr. Eames from 

 Caraccas. 



As I have received no instructions from my government for any 

 other purpose than that of submitting to the government of the United 

 States the slight cause which Mr. Eames had for requesting his pass- 

 port, whilst the minister of foreign relations was preparing satisfac- 

 tion for the claims preferred by said Mr. Eames, I am not now in a 

 condition to state to you anything in reference to your note of the 11th 



