AVES ISLAND. 43& 



[Translation.] 



Republic of Venezuela. 



Depaetment of Foreign Relatioivs, 



Caraccas, July 1, 1858. 



TKe undersigned, minister of foreign relations of Venezuela, had 

 the honor to receive the note and documents addressed to him hj the 

 honorahle minister resident of the United States, under date of 21st 

 ultimo, in relation to the Aves Island question. 



Although accidentally and very recently charged with this depart- 

 ment, the undersigned, by reason of the interest which that subject 

 deserves from the government, has sedulously endeavored to acquaint 

 himself with it in all its details by the study of the record, already 

 voluminous, which has been formed out of what has already taken 

 place in regard to it up to the present time. Not having been able 

 yet to accomplish this purpose so completely as he desires, the under- 

 signed might well defer to another opportunity the consideration of 

 the matter with Mr, Eames, and this much more, considering that 

 the provisional character of the government, the dangers now threat- 

 ening the internal and external peace of the country_, the mass of labor 

 and business rendered necessary by the meeting of the national con- 

 vention, and all the other difficulties which attend the actual situation, 

 would abundantly justify such delay. But so favorable is the deposi- 

 tion of his excellency the Chief of the State towards the North Ameri- 

 can republic, and so ardent in his- desire that everything should disap- 

 pear from its relations with Venezuela which could operate to their 

 prejudice or thwart his purpose of consolidating more and more the 

 friendship of the two countries, that he has authorized the undersigned 

 to waive those inconveniences in favor of this consideration. With 

 this purpose, his excellency has directed the undersigned to make 

 known. to Mr. Eames his desire to terminate, by an equitable' adjust- 

 ment, the question in relation to the Island of Aves now pending be- 

 fore the government of Venezuela in the form of a reclamation by the 

 government of the United States. His excellency flatters himself that 

 this communication and the further communication that he is ready to 

 devote his attention to the settlement of the demand as soon as the 

 pressing occupations of the moment permit him to do so, will be viewed 

 by Mr. Eames, and also by his government, as indisputable proof of 

 the spirit which animates the government of Venezuela, and of the 

 sincerity which it is striving to overcome the obstacles which oppose 

 the amelioration of its relations with the United States. 



The undersigned renews to Mr. Eames the assurance of his distin- 

 guished consideration. 



MIGUEL FLERRERA. 



Hon. Minister Resident of the United States. 



