' ' —- 
August 7, 1860, related to Howland Island, and the certifi¬ 
cate to the American Guano Company, dated March 2, 1861, 
■fc. 
covered both Jarvis and Baker Islands. While these 
companies have been dissolved, the Department is not in 
a position to state whether prior to dissolution they may 
x 
not have transferred to others their guano rights with 
respect to the islands. However, in view of the long 
period of time which has elapsed since any guano rights 
have been exercised on the islands, this is improbable. 
While the Department perceives no objection on the 
grounds of policy to properly qualified American concerns 
or individuals being granted the right to min© phosphates 
on the islands, it is believed that any license or other 
permit that might be granted should not give the licensee 
or grantee right to the exclusive possession of the 
particular island, but on the other hand should be in such 
form as not to exclude the use, possession and control 
• X / ... . . ■ -• ; ’ : . 7 .. . . 
generally of the island by this Government. It is pos¬ 
sible the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of 
Commerce may have some views in the matter. 
Sincerely yours. 
For the Secretary of State* 
Enclosures; 
Listed over page. 
it 
l 15 
