454 AVES ISLAND. 



than endure a still longer procrastination, or be instrumental, in any 

 way, in producing a rupture in tlie friendly relations of two republics 

 which ought always to be on the best terms with each other. Keep- 

 ing this view of the subject in mind, it is hoped that under the new 

 aspect of the case presented by Mr. Sanford's letter, you may be able 

 to terminate Lhis troublesome controversy without further delay. 

 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



LEWIS CASS. 

 Edward A.- TuRPiN, Esq., <i-c. 



3fr. Sanford to Mr. Cass. 



Washington, January 14, 1859. 



Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith — • 



First, A revised statement of the claim of Lang & Delano for their 

 losses sustained by reason of their expulsion from Aves Isle in Decem- 

 ber, 1854. 



Second. The depositions of George McGeorge^ Charles H. Lang, 

 Captain Samuel Herrick, Captain James Phinney, Greorge Wood Eice, 

 Isaac E. Mills, Nathan N. Bridge, and John H. B. Lang. 



Third. Duplicates of the above depositions with the exception of 

 that of Captain Herrick. 



Fourth. The original charter parties pf the vessels named in the 

 statement having been driven away or restraiiiied from loading at Aves 

 by the Venezuelan forces, as detailed in said statement and the depo- 

 sitions. These papers, with the exception of the duplicate depositions, 

 I desire to have filed in the department for reference in the case of 

 Lang & Delano. 



And I have to request that a copy of this statement of claim, the 

 duplicate depositions, and a copy of that of Captain Herrick be for- 

 warded immediately to our minister at Valencia, with instructions to 

 present them without delay to the government of Venezuala, as com- 

 pleting the testimony in this claim. 



I would call the attention of the department to these depositions as 

 fully substantiating every item of damage set forth in the accompany- 

 ing statement ; and if found satisfactory to the department, as I can- 

 not doubt they will be, I have further to request that Mr. Turpin be 

 instructed so to inform the minister of foreign relations of Venezuela. 



Notwithstanding statements to the contrary insidiously made to 

 those in authority in Venezuela, the deposition of Captain Gibbs, and 

 other witnesses for Shelton & Co., are, so far as they go, confirmatory 

 of the evidence given by Lang & Delano with respect to their losses. 

 The only items specified in the former, were for estimated damages 

 for loss of|fixtures, provisions, utensils, &c., by Lang & Delano, which 

 Captain Gibbs and others thought not to exceed $10,000 in amount. 

 This is what is claimed by Lang & Delano, and what is proved to 

 have been the amount of loss under that head. As to false freights 



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