388 AVES ISLAND. 



results than the conciliatory means by which nations are in the habit 

 of terminating their disagreements. 



For your own interest, therefore, even if other high reasons of pol- 

 icy^ which cannot be hidden from the wisdom of your excellency's 

 government, were worth nothing, it would seem to be not improper to 

 expect from it the road of negotiation in this capital. 



The Republic of Venezuela, for its part, is not disposed to accept 

 from any nation, however powerful it may be, the humiliating law of 

 silence, especially when it concerns a right so sacred and illimitable 

 as is that of defense. 



Neither can the government of Venezuela, even if it should prove 

 to be responsible, come to an understanding with the present minister 

 resident of the United States at Caraccas, absolutely incapacitated from 

 continuing the discussion of the question, whether from the hostile 

 attitude which he suddenly assumed on his demand not being satisfied 

 within the term, which he permitted himself to fix, of three months 

 from the beginning of the discussion ; whether from the moral certainty 

 as to the extremes to which he wished to go last year ; or whether, in 

 fine,' from having then exceeded all the limits of moderation and of 

 respect, causing grave imputations to rest on the military officers of the 

 country, and what is more, saying, in one of his notes, that the gov- 

 ernment of Venezuela had ordered a robbery. 



All the reasons set forth make it plain that it is in the well under- 

 stood interests of both nations to start, continue, and conclude the 

 negotiation entirely in Washington, maintaining intact the unity of 

 action on the reclaraation, and if it is desirable to divide, doing so in 

 due time, without impairing the rights which Venezuela enjoys as an 

 equal with the United States in general society. 



To oppose so rational and expeditious a course, the government of 

 your excellency would only plant itself upon an assertion which Vene- 

 zuela denies. 



Your excellency lays it down as certain that the reclamation was 

 presented in March, 1855; and the government of Venezuela asserts, 

 on its part, that such presentation did not take place until the 20th of 

 December, 1856. It is a question of fact. 



Although, yesterday's note, which is replied to, is absolutely silent 

 as to this incident, of much importance in the present controversy, the 

 undersigned will not therefore venture to infer that the government 

 of the United States is not willing to hear the subscribing minister in 

 regard to this subject. It has been said to be of much moment, be- 

 cause, if it is true that the act of presenting the reclamation took 

 place at the date fixed by Venezuela, the determination which closed 

 the discussion at three months from its commencement would be with- 

 out foundation, and there would then be no plausible reason to refuse 

 the full discussion of the affair at this capital. 



The orders which the undersigned envoy extraordinary and minister 

 plenipotentiary has received from his government, are so positive and 

 so formal, that they place him under the necessity of soliciting from 

 your excellency the favor of an answer to these two questions : 



First. Is the negotiation of the island of Aves fixed (taken up) or 

 not at this capital? 



