The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-30
Wh~ Owns SOsnbreros


In the number Of the London LHuprated Ne,cs dated
July there is view of the island of Sombrero-one of
the leeward isands-about which, II appears there has
lately been correspondence between the English
government and that OF the United states-the former
claiming British possession and the latter conced
ing the claim
This valuable island has been in possession since
1856, when IL purchased by an enterprising New
York house from who claimed to be its discoverer
Our government notified OF the purchase and OF the
circumstances attending il, and agreed, certain
dons protect the purchasers in the possession One
Of the conditions that all the phosphate Of lmeat
Ames called guano-shouh be sold in and for the benefit
81 this country alone; which condition was complied
market here being cut or the owners were obliged to
send the lime 60 Eng land At length the British govern
ment put forth preensions to the ownership of SOM
hrero and The NeUs be correct have been successful
The following extract from that paper shows the basis Of
sheir claim
The island was FIRST visited by English gentleman
about the yearJS4 and again by him 1875 which latter
sesason report wa. made 70 The British government but
events prove 70 have deserved In 1855 the Americans
exported extent Of 10000 ons Of this yaa,
sSe dsrizs, TO resuscaie he exhausted land: Of The
the attention Of British surveying expedition at that time
Snicsion to the Royal Agricultural soc,sy OF England by
e. a M a wno IN de'eHg ss so SssI
nurehson considers holding the island of sombrero
ssts from British possession with plentiful supply OF
sood substitute for the gssno OF Peru.n
From this Engsh statement the case IL appears
that government have given up this island and its
treasures, claim founded upon visits by
English gentleman In 1914 and 1925 Notwithstanding the
important fact admitted that the British govern
nept paid no attention TO the discovery when II
brought 20 their notice, and permitted the island TO
main unoscuped and unclaimed from 1926 I'LL the open
ing OF the correspondence with government not
great while ago II the right based upon priority Of dis
ussery belonged 70 the English they have lost IL
ny failing 10 take the usual steps canrm aud establish
Their sovereignty A gimple discovery according 10
Vattel, Ia not sufficient when therefore - says he
~ chap xviii sec 207. "a nation finds a couptry unin
hAbed and without master II may lawfully take Dos
~ will In this respect cannot be Deprived OF by
sther Thus nsvigators going the discovery, fur
nished with a commission from their sovereign aud
meeting with ielsnds other desert Countries have
taken possession Of them IN the OF their nation;
and this title has been commonly respectful provided
vas soon after followed BY a real possession 4"
To complete the right Of property, the right the thing
This general law Of property applies 10 the right Of territory
10 less than 20 other rghts.-krrt
Ia difcvlt to see upon what principle this island
has thus been surrendered 10 the English since APP
pears from the only staemenLof the published
that their title not perfected by the usual necessary
formalites There may b. other controlling circuni-
Stances known 10 the public but II the leading facts
correctly staed In the L0,dor IHusrdfed Ners is
hard resist the CONCLUSION that Mr. Seward BIAS reck
lessly and necdlcssy thrown an invaluable treas
ore which would have been 81 irmense advantage TO
cur agricultural Interests.
Our fellow citizens too who have been for years
working this mine win suf!r great wrong as unless
Their rights have been protected this transfer OF eover
eRniy viii necessarily deprive them of the Ownership,
and give the eutro properly 70 the British government
shall await Mr. Soward's explanation Of this matter
IN