The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-02
KEPT ISLANDS FOR SALE.
Novel Method OF Procuring ~ Livelihood.
4 frnitie.s Expedition.


4 frnitie.S Expedition.
One man I'm seaport town seemed to
be entirely alone in his method Of procur-
ing livelihood He discovered Islands
for a living There have been explorers
since the days Of Columbus to these days
Of Henry NJ. Stanley but this man was
not an explorer; he did not tit out an ex-
pcdition or lead party for the enrich
ment Of geographical knowledge. Other
men. being short Of provisions, sometimes
20 out to a stream and east in their lines
10 catch mess for supper or breakfast.
This man. when short Of funds, went out
TO sea and fshed at an island that he
might live of it until he could discover
another When he was sailing the main
It had to DO a very wary and circumspect
island that could eludc his search. HIS
name was Capt Jcnnett. He was Of
french blood. but born in this country,
and at the time the writer met him he
claimed TO have discovered nincty-nine
Islands. and as he claimed TO have OBJ
tanned patent for each island from the
United States government, he was the
owner Of that number Of islands, scattered
around the globe.
When he mentioned in a casual way
that among his uncOnsidcred triilcs he
had so many islands, the writer expressed
his establishment. and said that the fond
est desire of his Heart had always been to
possess an island
Well I'll give you one, said the cap
tain, with all the free heartedness that
characterizcs a sIilOr. Two got moro
than want.
Your kindness almost overpOwers me.
What must do to enter into possession
"All YOU have 10 do Is 10 iit out YES
sci to occupy it and ship the guano on it,
Of which YOU are 10 deliver 70 me one
third Of each cargo. All my islands are
guano islands When find another kind
Of island in my net just let it go /
have too many 10 be bothered with any
that haven't a fortune on the surface
ready for shipment.
lie then produced time worn patent,
issued Nov 30, 1869 by Hamilton FISH,
secretary Of state. which stated that the
gallant captain had discovered tho Island
Of RoucadOr. on the Nuskiteer bank, in
the Caribbean sea and was entitled to
the quano on it if he worked H. \ list
of articles necessary 10 the working Of It
was next produced. in which the exact
number OF picks, shoyels planks, nails.
tents. whcelbarrows, provisions, and, III
deed. everything required was set down
in tabulated form The first load Of guanO
brought 10 market, lac declared, would
pay for all Of these articles and leave
handsome profit besides
Some Of the islands he discovered were
I'm the Pacific ocean some lie near the
banks of Newfoundland others-the
greater portion of the hst-are in the
Caribbean sea. and SOME along the coast
Of Brazil They are not down on the
charts, as the captain cares more about
keeping them for his own profit than for
occupation by the public
Several expeditions have been fitted ont
TO search for the captains Islands and
bring back some of the guano. one went
ont from Norfolk. which is a center for
the manufacture Of fertilizers in which
large quantities Of guano are used. The
expedition went out fully equipped every
item OH the list Of implements and pro
visions being provided The captain was
stationed al the bow to look out for the
island. and after a long cruise in the
Caribbean sea il was found The island
was there. and also the guano. But so
also was the British flag, and the vessel
was warned of and was not allowed to
take pound of guano. The expedition
cost - 500. the captains share Of which
supported him very nicely until he dis
covered another island and another
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