The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1871-11-29
THE cATAcAzY SCANDAL.
Alleged Statement by the Russia
MlnIater.

| \ correspondent of the New York COM
merciat Adrertiser, gives what purpOrts tC
he the true version OF the difficulty between
| the Russian minister and the administration
at Washington. He says:
| The misunderstanding between MIR. Cat
acaZv and the Government Il. C., MIR. Fish
and President Grant has originated thrOu b
torneys of the Perkins claim. The Perkins
claim, MIR. Catacazy says. is fraudulent OF
| doubtful claim presented by the heirs Of Onc
| Perkins, of Connecticut, tor the payment OF
several hundred thousand dollars on a gun
contract made by Russian officer in Hart,
| ford but afterward Cancelled by the Russian
Government.
MIR. CatacaZy showed the writer several
anonymous letters received from those in
terested in his claim, and written at an early
date. They threatened the official po.
sition and even the personal safety
of the Minister in case he should refuse to
favor the claim. These threats came during
the incipiency of the difficulty, and have
been carried out to the letter.
Mr.. CatlcaZy afiirms that he has always
mentioned Mr.. Fish and the President in
! terms of respect, that nowhere, ard at nc
| time, has he denounced them as capable o
| taking bri5c, though it is his opinion tina,
| several persons who have the confidence O
! interest in this claim CONNER >urate with
| the degreee of success with which it shall
| be prosecuted.
! The scheme has been TO make Mr.. Bodis-
| co, the present Secretary, charge, or iul
minister, In place of My. CatacaZy, Mr.. Il
being committed in favor Of the claim.
How has Madame Catacazy been receiv
ed in Washington" asked the minister.
Charmingly always" answered the
minister enthusiastically.
"Whst. by Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Fish
| too. -
| Yes they have all hpwn hSr distin.
gui>hed courtesy, AMI on all occasions
Why, a few weeks ago. Madame Catacazy
sent Mrs. Grant a portrait Of the Grand
Duke Alexis, and Mrs. Grant sent q mos,
affecliora.e reply. And Mrs. Fish," con
tinued the minister, why, she has alway,
by note and in personal intercourse
shown Madame Catacazy great charm Of
manner and courtly courtesy"
What will be the r.sult of this diff
culty?"
"W,ll, after the Grand Duke returns,
shall also return to Russia on leave of ab'
senca. | shall still be minister. My gov.
ernment, Prince GOrtSch lkpii, and the Car
express, almost daily. full confidence in me.
know am right. and when a full history
of everything is knowa, that your country.
men will be my strongest champions
Will another minister be sent in your
place.
"Nc, the mission will remain vacant until
there shall be such a change at Washington
az that it will be pleasant for me to return.
If could publish full statement of facts,
could put myself right before your peO-
pie. But this 1 can not do. 1t would not
be tignitied. | must simply stand still
where | am. Lies and scandals will die
after awhile. | am in diplomatic posi-
ton. | can addtess your government di.
Dramatically, but it would be very bad taste
for me to issue an address to the American
people. By-and-by everything will he pub
lished. [ can relate nothing through the
public press over my own signature. know
a good many silly stories have been sci
allOat irou some source iii Washington.
They have approached Mrs. Grant and
! Mrs. Fish with these stories; but both these
ladies, dare say, have been uniform in their
courtesy to Madame Ca'acazy."