382 AVES ISLAND. 



patch dated August 31, 1857, of wliicli I have the honor to inclose a 

 copy herewith. 



It will he seen from this dispatch that the government of the United 

 States regarded the discussion as closed on its part, so far as the ques- 

 tion of the liability of Venezuela was concerned, to make a reasonable 

 indemnity to the claimants, leaving the amount thereof quite open for 

 further consideration, and to be determined hereafter. 



The President had great satisfaction, therefore, upon receiving a 

 special minister from Venezuela on this subject, believing that this 

 view of the claim had been conceded, and that it was the purpose of 

 your mission to arrange for an equitable adjustment of damages with 

 the parties concerned, either here or at Caraccas. 



Upon reading, however, the communication from Mr. Gutierrez, 

 already referred to, he regrets to observe that it embraces only an 

 elaborate argument in favor of the alleged title of Venezuela to Aves 

 Island, and against the right of the claimants, Messrs. Shelton & Co., 

 to any indemnity whatever. This communication, addressed directly 

 to this department, and not transmitted through the minister of either 

 country, has, nevertheless, received that respectful consideration to 

 which it was entitled in consequence of its distinguished source, but 

 it has wholly failed to change the views of the President in respect to 

 the liability of Venezuela in the case referred to, or to render it desi- 

 rable, in his judgment, that after a delay of three years, since the 

 claim was presented, the discussion on that point should be renewed. 



Before replying, however, to the communication of Mr. Gutierrez, I 

 shall be glad to see you at the department on Thursday, the 25th 

 instant, at one o'clock, and to converse with you upon the subject to 

 which it refers. Allow me to express the hope that the whole subject 

 may have been intrusted to your care, and that you may find yourself 

 authorized to make arrangements for its adjustment upon the basi's of 

 an admitted claim. 



I avail myself, &c. 



LEWIS CASS. 



Senor M. de Bmceno, (&c. 



Mr. Fames to. Mr. Cass. 



No. 43.] LEGATIOJiT OF THR UnITED StATES, 



Caraccas, February 24, 1858. 



Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith to the department, in 

 oopy and translation, a note addressed to me by the minister of foreign 

 relations of this government, under date of 18th instant, in reply to 

 mine to him under date of 30th November last, a copy of which accom- 

 panied my dispatch No. 42. ■ 



My main purpose in that note was to take the ground before this 

 government, that the special mission which it had then established 

 and announced as about to proceed to Washington with a view to the 

 adjustment of the Aves claim, must be regarded as implying an admis- 



