The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-23
NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NAY 49, 1855

slavery and out-Southerned the Sousherners.
But when Flournoy opposes Wise In Virginia,
mark the difference. The old democratic or
gans-all in the interest Of polite ians to be
overthrow by the Know Nothing revolution
suddenly discover that the American party is
tainted with abolitionism. 1t had spent its
strength in trying to defeat free soiler here:
but no matter its opinions were his. Every ex
preston Of sentiment which had emanated from
it was constitutional and anti sectional; no
matter, this was said to delude. Its organs
were the organs of the Unisn and the South,
while its enemies were the constant and bitter
assailants Of Southern institutions; no matter,
this was likewise q trick. And when q parcel
OF crazy fanatics in Massachusetts, consrived to
get themselves elected to the Legislature Of
that State, and passed absurd and unconstitu-
lional laws over the head Of the Governor aud
contrary to the desires Of their constituents
calling themselves, the while, native Ameri-
cane-the old politicians cIutched eagerly at
he chance, and impudently charged the tollies
Of these maniacs on the whole Know Nothing
body. Why did they not say, at once, that the
Know Nothings are universally adulterers and
that Joseph Hiss is their prophet and type?
THE BIRD IsLANDs--THR AMERICAN SET
TIERS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELA
In another column will be found, in the shape
Of q memorial to Secretary Marcy from Mr.
Philo s. Shelton, and others of Boston, a
statement of the case Of the Americans who
took possession of and settled the Bird Islands
in 1854. These islands, as our readers are pro-
baby aware, are merely barren rocks, situated
in the Caribbean sea, in about Is deg. 80
north latitude, and 63 deg. SO west longitude
from Greenwich: The principal island Of the
group (Shelton) is only mile in circumfe-
renee, and had neither soil, trees, heritage of
any kind or human habitations, previous to the
visit of our countrymen at the period we speak
Of The discovery Of deposit Of guano, the
existence of which had not been before sus-
pected, led Immediately to the fitting out of
several vessels by the American merchants,
whose agents had been sent on this voyage of
exploration, and steps were at once taken to
settle the principal island by the erection Of
houses, landing places, wharves, and, curious
to say, even the transportation from this coun-
try Of soil, for the purpose of raising vegeta-
bles, shrubs and trees.
The value thus suddenly impaired to these
desolate and apparently unproductive spots, by
these proceedings, has naturally raised some
disputes as to the title to them. From the
spring of 1854 until the 18th of December last
however, no attempts were made to disturb the
settlers, but on that day Don Diego Dias, a
captain Of Venezuelan schooner. Of war, visit
ed the island, landed some troops there, and
after hosting the flag of his nation, intima-
ted to the inhabitants that they must leave.
The latter not Immediately comply ing with the
requisition, Dias returned to Laguira to pro-
cure additional troops, and on the oath of the
same month returned with them and forcibly
elected the settlers from the island, confscating
ut the same time good deal OF valuable pro
perty belonging to them.
Such are the simple facts Of the case as be-
tween our countrymen and the Venezuelan
government. And now comes the question Of
the right Of possession of these islands. That
they have been known for centuries is not dis
puted, and that they have been visited at differ
ent periods by the ships of almost every nation
is probable. But previous to the period of the
settlement of Shelton Island by our coun-
try men in 1854, there is no trace or record of
any attempt at occupation by any other people.
Now it is we'll established principle of interna-
tional law that mere discovery, unless followed
by occupation, (not necessarily continuous, but
such reasonable occupation as may serve to
identify the rightly confers no valid title Of
the sort claimed. That the Venezuelan author
tiles were themselves conscious that they had
no very clear title is evident from the state
ment of the memorialists that previous to Cap
tain Dias's ejecting the American settlers, he
visited the Danish Islands of st. Thomas, and re-
ceived an assurance from the Danish authorities
there that they would offer no obstacles to the
Venezuelan governments claiming them. But
what confirms this view of the case still more
strongly, is the fact that since their seizure OF
the islands, the Venezuelans have themselves
either been forcibly elected from them by the
Dutch, or voluntarily renowned their preten-
sions in favor of the latter who are now in pos
session of them. Great Britain, with her cha
racteristic rapacity, has also put in her claim
to them, on the ground that an officer of the
British navy had once made a survey of them
Amongst these conflicting claims, all of them
of recent origin and unsupported by presump-
tive, much lees conclusive evidence, there can
be no doubt that the title Of our countrymen
to the property of these islands is the
most indefeasibe Of all, since it is back
ed by the conditions of occupation and set
Element. If therefore, our government has the
least spark of spirit left, it will not only de-
mand from Venezuela proper indemnity for
the heavy losses inflicted upon the Ame-
ricaa settlers by their forcible dispossessiop,
but will put such rights as we may have derived
from the fruits of their enterprise in train of