1^34. J , FAWCLAJ^D ISLANDS. . 487 
tenth, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine — the circular of Vernet 
the seizure of the vessels, and the imprisonment of American 
citizens, &cc. 
A few days after the date of this last note, Captain Silas Dun 
can arrived at Buenos Ayres, in the United States sloop-of-war 
Lexington, and, as it would seem, addressed a note to the consul, 
with a view to obtain information respecting the transactions at 
the Falklands. The evidence and documents were furnished, and 
Duncan then determined to proceed there " to protect the citizens 
and commerce of the United States engaged in the fisheries," and 
particularly to relieve the seven men who had been left on Staten 
land without the means of subsistence : this intention he commu-. 
nicated to the consul by note, and requested him to transmit a 
copy of the note to the government of Buenos Ayres, to prevent 
misunderstanding with respect to his visit to the islands, " and in 
conformity to the open and candid mode in which the affairs of 
the United States were conducted." This communication was 
dated December first. 
On the third of December, the minister of foreign affairs re- 
plied to the consul's communication which contained the protest, 
refusing to receive it, inasmuch as the authority from his govern- 
ment to offer it was not shown, and the governor did not consider 
that a consul was authorized to protest against any act of the gov- 
ernment ex officio, " much less when it was indubitable that the 
government of the United States had no right whatever to the 
aforesaid islands, or to fish upon them ; while that which upheld 
the republic of Buenos Ayres was unquestionable." 
■ On the sixth of December, the minister of foreign affairs ac- 
knowledged to the consul the receipt of the copy of Captain Dun- 
can's letter of the first. 
On the same day, the consul addressed another communication 
to the minister, informing him that Captain Duncan would delay 
his departure until the ninth, to receive communications from the 
government of Buenos Ayres, having reference to the suspension 
" of the exercise of the right to capture" the fishing-vessels, and 
the restoration of the Harriet and her cargo, and to place things 
as they were previous to the seizure of the vessels. He informed 
him, that the anxiety of Captain Duncan to relieve the seamen on 
Staten-land, and to prevent future captures, was the cause of 
