438 AVES ISLAND. 



witli to the government of Venezuela, copies of certain additional tes- 

 timony and correspondence in this case, as transmitted to this legation 

 by the Department of State, in which their originals, furnished by the 

 claimants, are on file. In presenting, however, these papers, a list of 

 which is subjoined, the undersigned, in obedience to special instruc- 

 tions to that effect, makes fully known to the government of Venezuela 

 that the presentation is made only from abundant caution, in order 

 that there may be no doubt nor dispute that the strict letter of the 

 thirty-fourth article of the treaty of 1836, and all other legal obliga- 

 tions have been fully and exactly complied with, both by the claim- 

 ants and by their government, in view of the contingency, not now, it 

 is hoped, to be expected, of ulterior measures unfortunately becoming 

 necessary for the purpose of obtaining, in conformity with law, in this 

 case, the justice otherwise sought in vain. 



Notwithstanding the several conferences in which the undersigned 

 has recently had the honor to press orally the present urgent aspect of 

 this ''Aves" Island reclamation on the consideration of the govern- 

 ment of Venezuela, he cannot close this note without reiterating to the 

 honorable minister of foreign relations^ and through him to his excel- 

 lency the Chief of the State, the profound conviction felt by the under- 

 signed, that in view of the origin, character, and history of this recla- 

 mation, and especially of the attitude in which it is now presented, the 

 weightiest considerations of justice and public policy imperatively de- 

 mand that, without loss of time, the undersigned be authorized to assure 

 his government that it is received by the new administration in Ven- 

 ezuela upon the basis of an admitted claim, and that in such character 

 its details of indemnification shall have consideration and fair and 

 and equitable adjustment with the least practicable delay. 



The undersigned avails himself with pleasure of this first ojiportu- 

 nity to offer Hon. Senor Flerrera, minister of foreign relations, the 

 assurance of his very distinguished consideration. 



CHARLES EAMES. 



Hon. Miguel Flerrera, 



Minister of Foreign Relations. 



List of accompanying papers. 



A.— H. S. Sanford to Secretary of State— May 9, 1856, with speci- 

 fied inclosures. 



B.— H. S. Sanford to Secretary of State— May 10, 1856, with speci- 

 fied inclosures. 



C. — Deposition (printed) of John McCabe. 



D.— H. S. Sanford to Secretary of State— July 15, 1856. 



E. — P. S. Shelton and Sampson & Tappan to Secretary of State- 

 July 21, 1856. 



