426 AYES ISLAND. 



You will perceive from the papers transmitted, that before Mr. Bri- 

 ceno received the notice of his recall, he found it necessary to make an 

 explanation to the department of his conduct in publishing a memoir 

 upon the subject of the "Aves" case, which was manifestly a violation 

 of diplomatic usage, and not in accordance with that respect which is 

 due to the United States from the representative of a friendly power. 

 This explanation was received with the greater satisfaction because it 

 was believed that the course of Mr. Briceno was without authority from 

 his government, and because it was not desired to do anything which 

 might embarrass the new administration which had just been organ- 

 ized in Venezuela, Mr. Briceno accordingly was granted an audience 

 of leave in the usual manner. ' 



In reference to the "Aves" case, which was the chief subject of the 

 special mission, there are reasons for supposing that the juncture is 

 not unpropitious to the final and satisfactory removal of it from the 

 prominence which has necessarily been given to it to the exclusion, in 

 a considerable degree, of other interesting matters connected with our 

 relations with Venezuela. One of these reasons is found in the char- 

 acter of the administration now controlling that republic ; another, and 

 more weighty one perhaps, is drawn from the intimation conveyed to 

 you by Mr. Urrutia, in his note of the 24th March, accompanying 

 your No. 48, that the withdrawal of the Venezuelan legation from the 

 United States was justified partly by considerations of economy, and 

 partly because ' ' there will be no difficulty in continuing in (Caraccas) 

 the discussion of the same business which is now being considered by 

 the cabinet at "Washington in relation to Venezuela." 



In communicating the accompanying note to the minister of foreign 

 relations, you will avail yourself of the opportunity to affirm to the 

 government of Venezuela the expectation of the President therein 

 expressed, which it is earnestly hoped may meet with a cordial and 

 prompt response from the present authorities of that republic. If the 

 liability of Venezuela be admitted, (as I trust it will,) it is presumed 

 that no serious difficulty will be encountered in fixing the amount of 

 indemnification . 



Mr. Sanford, the agent of Messrs. Shelton & Co., has expressed an 

 earnest wish that all the evidence transmitted to the legation in sup- 

 port of this claim, should be formally presented to the Venezuelan 

 government, in order that there may be no question as to the fidelity 

 with which the strict letter' of the thirty-fourth article of the treaty of 

 1836 with Venezuela has been observed, preliminary to the resort to 

 the remedy of reprisals contemplated therein. If there has been any 

 omission in this respect, as to the presentation of the proofs forwarded, 

 you will forthwith supply it ; but, in doing so, you must have it dis- 

 tinctly understood by the Venezuelan government that the presenta- 

 tion of these proofs is only made from abundant caution, in order that 

 there may be no cavil respecting the legality of ulterior measures, if, 

 unfortunately, it should be found necessary to resort to them for the 

 purpose of obtaining that justice which has been otherwise sought in 

 vain. 



You are at liberty to retain copies of the accompanying documents 

 for the files of the legation. 



