The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
CLAIMS ON PERU.
The Late Minister to Peru and tbs Charge d AZ
flares at Lima in the claim Busines--A
Disgraceful Case Of Corruption.

| The Late Minister to Peru and ths Charge TAi
flares at Lima In the claim Busines.-A
Disgraceful Case Of Corruption.
The Late Minister to Peru ana tue Csarg.
! d'Anaires ut Lima In the Claim Business-A
Disxracefui Case Of Corrup,ion.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. g. 1872.
General Alvin p. Hovey, late Untei States Minis
ter to Peru AMI Henry NJ. Brent, Secretary OF Lega-
ton and Charge d'Anaires OF the United States at
! Lima appear as the principals IN q piece Of dipo-
matte dodgery that oy contrast elevates our Minis
ter to the Court OF ST. james 10 the rank OF bene-
factor OF the English capitalists whose surplus cash
1t was hoped to pool In the Emma silver mine Of
/ Utan The story Is partly told In the printed memo
Iial and exhibits pertaining case No. 6,316 In tho
United States Court OF Claims being the cause en-
titled Charles wete Va. The Uni,ed states, &c. The
rest OF the case Is stated as follows:-
In the month OF April, $685. Charles Weie. o
naturalized American citizen and resident OF New
York city, flied the post Of United States Consul az
Tumbez, IN the republic OF Peru, and mourning the
enmity OF San Patrlcio Sandova, Governor OF the
district OF Tumbcz, by too jealous Ldesirc for the
commercial interest OF certain American citizens In
that district was badly maltreated In person and
property by Don Patrci0 with the ad OF MS hench-
man. Ramon Sanches, justice OF the peace IN that
district. For the Outa0es perpeJrated upon MIN
Consul Weie made pecuniary reclamation from the
central government al Lima, and placed his demand
in charge OF the American Charge dAnaires, Henry
NJ Brent resident OF Washington city and MEN,
Der OF the well known Brent family OF Maryland.
MI, Brent under date OF August H. 1858.
acknowledging receipt OF the papers In his case,
reminds Consul Wee Of the traditional delays OF
diplomacy between two governments, aud ADVISES
the employment OF special agent In Lima the
Consul were ANXIOUS tn realize on his claim speed
ily at rne same time Offering to put the business In
very influential hands for . percentage, provided
Mr.. weiio would he very confidential, In justice to
the Peruvian onicials TO be employed In she raid
upon their own treasury. But the Consul did MOI
at once take the bait thrown out. Like MOST
adopted citizens he placed high value on his
American citizenship, and reminded the Charge
that something more than personal apology and
pccuniary compensation was necessary 10 atone for
the Insult to the United States Consulate, and that
the condIgn punishment OF the Offenders was OF
more consequence to the American nation than the
bare payment Of money to himself thus reminding
Mr.. Brent OF his public duty in the premises. Ir
closed by authorizing the latter to employ
the agent, to namc the pecuniary salts
faction due to himself personally and TO
find the suggested per centage, throwing
himself us stranger at Lima upon the honor Of
the Charge d'Aaires of MS country, to do what was
right by himself. This answer was equally not
agent employed, nor anything done. But rs other
American citizcns had grievances against Peru
which could not be stined. o convention with that
country was concluded by General Hovey, tile new
Minister, anxious, OF course, 10 do something to
sIgnallze his accession to diplomatic honors, and
published by President Grant on The Ctl day OF july
1860. Under this convention a mixed Commission
| met at Lima, of which the American member was
Michael ycdal, an ex Congressman from LOUISIANA,
1 haan fore
seedy onlce,seeker at Washington. Before this
! tribunal Secretary OF Legation Brent, by virtue
OF power or attorney, that only empowered MN to
prosecute the case directly against the govern
ment of Peru. brought the claim OF Consul
Weile aud fixed The damages at $4,000. Senior
! Lucien o. BENJAMIN, the Peruvian commissioner,
fought this clam valiany Tor time, but seeing IL
about TO pass hey ond his control to the umpire he
| agreed 10 a compromise for $4,000. This was on
| February IL, 1870. Nine days thereafter In letter
marked ''stricty confdential,' Secretary Brent
writes Consul wclle, that upon the arrival OF Gen.
eral Hovev the Minister. their affairs had to be
| referred to the commission They were In bad
| way. Much machinery had TO be creased there
was oil. and things looked hopeless, but with the
| advent OF Hovey arrangements were made to set
apart $4,000 for the claimant whose good friend
the writer, Brent had agreed that all above the
named should 90 to nay expenses. He counseed
the claimant to be good boy and say nothing
naughty, as many better claims had . been
grease tine mixed machinery. me Amer.
Sa9 when pos sda1 e cons had Sp
transferred after his mistreatment ut rumbez, and
give him further information. Consul We've took
| alarm ut the character OF this communication. and
| at the remarkable OMISSION which could not have
been unlntentIonal 70 inform him what exact sum
| which he was invited to draw mad been used for
n at a, W.
| questng to be notified OF the amount awarded him
| by the mixed commission. and OF the manner IN
which he was 10 collect II. In this letter he also
revoked any power OF attorney given to Secretary
Brent, and asked that tae legation OF the United
| from Assistant secretary bancroft Davis advising
ham that 200 had leen awarded. but refusing his
request that Mr.. Brent may be informed OF the
! vocation OF the power conferred upon him In the
premises upon the grosnd 1nas 70 was not the
! the private affairs OF ITS citizens.
ment communicate With Mr.. Brent at ALL but
WIN the Uuited states Legation. Nor was this re.
quest at al necessary IN lesa point Of view as
pres-ly stipulated that ali sums OF money awarded
should be paid by the one government to the ornsr
Peruvian Treasury, had no power OF disbursement
81 WITH H. out WAS s IN nus srs
| otherwise directed. Nor had the claimant In the
Whole course Of the proceedings executed .. single
In It's financial business would recognize as confer
ring upon an agent to cSeGt money or his
Gated by the claimant to Minister Hovey, on the
9Th OF June, 1870 and replied to BY
the latter on the 18th OF the same
month In which Mr.. Welc was reproached for his
ingratiude towards Mr.. Brent, and informed that
| the money had been paid to the latter. Various
efforts were then made to induce the claimant to
draw on Alsop 4 Company for $4,000, and receipt
for 1t az In full OF his demand and claim upon the
| Peruvian government, upon Brent and upon all
| other persons on account OF the same. This he
would not DO but offered an acceptance which
reserved all rights not granted away by him, and
Q fair compensation for Brents services whether
Official or personal. There 10 a great deal Of COR
resp0ndence between the claimant, Hoveg, Brent
anu the state Department. wii,cn the Talevrand.
Ism Of the latter Ia beautifully exhibited. Thus, on