6 
Aug 21, I860—Copy of letter to USGc from C. S. Marshall, Pres. AGO 
(AGO tells USGC to shove it, as they've got the island and won't 
let USGC on) Said AGC would keep USGC off island by force 
if necessary. 
Aug 2?, I860-— Letter from A* G. Benson, Pres* USGC "to W • H» Tresccrttp, 
Acting Sec ®y of State 
States document giving rights to USGC issued Aug 7* I860. 
Relating AGC letter to USGC (see above) and denying any of 
AG6 , s rights. Asks (in effect) that Navy heave AGC .off Holland. 
Affadavit of George E. Netcher—Aug 6, I860 Sworn before commissioner 
of deeds. 
This time —Netcher uwore that 
(a )~~in Aug 6, I860 is 48 yrs old 
fb) he was an active shipmaster from the year 1834 to 1948 
(c) he led a seafaring life from 1821 when he was a boy oi about nine 
(d) he was on whaling voyages all of this time (except one year) 
(e) unde four whaling voyages as a shipmaster. 
(£) on 9 Sept 1842 in command of vessel (unnamed) discovered 1 
naned and landed upon and took possession of Howland*s Island, 
in the name of the U.S. 
(g) exi stance of Howland was mot known to him nor had he heard 
of same before his discovery. * 
(h) In the year I 846 on his return from his voyage in the saM 
vessel left information at the place of William C. Haber a 
dealer in naps and charts of New Bedford. 
(i) He # saw both islands at the same time from the masthead of the 
sa^id vessel Isabella 
(j) Same statement about birds as in ( ) above 
(k) Afterwards on Feb 12, 1848 on another vessel "he again visited 
-the-the said island and landed on same” to gather eggs. 
(l) "that during his aaid last mentioned voyage he with parties 
of his crew repeatedly afterwards landed on the said island" 
(m) "that in or about the month of Nov. 1855 he was informed by 
William W. Taylor of-South Dartmouth in the state of Massachusetts, 
also a shipmaster...that he...had discovered in the Indian 
Ocean...(an island with much guano) 
(n) the two then decided to join claims in a common stock by-. 
only (not written) 
(o) some time £rior to liar 29, 1856 he and Taylor made AGB their 
attorney. 
(p) "that the said Benson afterwards in consequence of his pecuniary 
embarassment at that time, which it was feared might embarass the 
execution of the said trust, conveyed the said rights and 
claims to George W. Benson" (with his and Taylor's blessing) 
(q) stated Benson tried to get AGC to by rights to bow lard, but they wot) 
(r) Stated that he Netcher and Taylor instruct Arthur Benson in 
, ' Oct 1856 to claim island for them. 
