AVES ISLAND. 435 



governments. I need not assay to impress on the government of tlie 

 United States the sound policy of the representatives being so in- 

 structed as to enable them to allow the alleged right of asylum in their 

 residence, or the protection of the American flag only in proper cases 

 to be stated by their own government. 



With respect to the Hispano-American republics, the effects of such 

 course would be most salutary. It would tend to make their public 

 functionaries less unscrupulous as to crime, to which the certainty of 

 impunity under the present practice is an incentive. It would tend to 

 make the government more stable and respectable. It would add to 

 the weight of our representatives in those States, by ridding them of 

 the reproach of intermeddling and taking sides in the domestic con- 

 cerns of such States — for there are instances of their having been ac- 

 cused of plotting with those in power ; and instances have occurred, 

 when a revolutionary party, under the excitement of such belief of 

 intermeddling, as in the case of Mr, Poinsett, in Mexico, in 1826, have 

 committed violations of admitted diplomatic immunities, and insulted 

 the American flag. 



"Mind your own business," is Dr. Franklin's own motto as to indi- 

 viduals and States, It is especially with respect to diplomats one of 

 true wisdom and sound policy, and the interests of his country are 

 never compromitted by sticking to it. 



Lest I may be thought to be violating tbis maxim myself, I would 

 add, as an additional reason for this communication from a private 

 citizen, that heretofore while in the sei'vice of the government of the 

 United States, the changes I have witnessed in the political govern- 

 ments of the countries where I was, produced by revolutionary action, 

 deeply impressed me with the importance of the subject. 



I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient ser- 

 vant, 



H. S. SANFORD. 



Hon. Lewis Cass, 



Secretary of State. 



Mr. Fames to 3Ir. Cass. 



No. 59.] Legation of the United States. 



Caraccas, July T, 1858. 



Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 11th ultimo 

 of your dispatch of 10th May last, (which should be numbered 60,) in 

 relation to the "Aves" Island claim, inclosing an open letter on that 

 subject of the same date, addressed by the Department of State to the 

 Dej^artment of Foreign Relations of this government, and covering 

 copies of your correspondence with Senor-De Briceno. 



I have the honor now to transmit to the department further corres- 

 pondence between this legation and this government in relation to that 



