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the fust part, doth covenant and agree, with the said party of the first part, to charter and hire the said vessel, as aforesaid, on the terms following, that is to say— First : T h e said party of the second part, doth engage to provide and fur nish to the said vessel a cargo of mahogany. Second : T h e said party of the second part doth further engage to pay, to the said party of the first part or agent, for the charter or freight of the said vessel during the voyage aforesaid, in manner following—i-that is to say, fifteen Spanish milled dollars, or equivalent, per thousand feet, freight measurement. It is further agreed, between the parties to this instrument, that the said party of the second part shall be allowed, for the loading and dischar ging of the vessel at the respective ports aforesaid, lay days as follows— that is to say, thirty running lay days, to commence alter due notice is given that the vessel is ready to receive cargo ; and in case the vessel is longer d e tained, the said party of the second part agrees to pay to the said party of the first part demurrage at the rate of fifteen Spanish milled dollars per day, day by day, for every day so detained, provided such detention shall happen by default of the said party of the second part or their agent. It is also further understood and agreed, that the cargo or cargoes shall be received and delivered alongside of the vessel, within reach of her tackles, or according to the customs and usages at the ports of loading and discharging. It is further agreed that the captain will aid with his boat and c r e w . T o the true performance of all and every of the foregoing covenants and agreements of the said parties, each to the other do hereby bind them selves, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, (especially the said party of the first part the said vessel, her freight, tackle, and appur tenances, and the said party of the second part the merchandise to be laden on board,) in the penal sum of one thousand dollars. In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. A. C. R O S S I R E & C O . RALPH PLYMPTON. Scaled and delivered in the presence of— W M . H.
TROTT.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,
New York, February 2 , 1 8 3 8 . S I R : I regret that I am unable to afford you any decisive information, on the subject of the brig V e n u s , as the parties who have been engaged in the suits to which your letters refer are unwilling to communicate the proceedings which have been had in relation thereto. I enclose you copies of letters which I have addressed to Mr. Tillou and to Messrs. Rossire & Co., the consignees, and their reply, by which you will perceive, as a condition precedent to giving any information, they in sist that the Department should avow its object in making the inquiry. P r o m the efforts at concealment on all hands, I am satisfied that there is something wrong. I will endeavor to procure a copy of the extended pro t e s t , which will be transmitted to you, together with any further informa-