The New York herald., 1876-01-21
A GUANO "RING."

THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD GIBBS AS MIN
IsrER TO PERU-AN ALLEGED SECRET HIS
ToBY-coLLEcToR CASEY AND OTHERS PUSHING
CLAIM FOR FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS.
WASHINGTON. Jan. TO- 1876
Between the years 1856 and 1872 there resided in
New Orleans. La, a naturazed citizen by the name OF
John c. Landreau, who was at ono period quito
wealthy being the OF valuable plantations tho
vicinity OF Baton Rouge and engaged in the shipping
business. Landreau has a brother J. Theope Ian
dreau who during this time was, and still is resi-
dent OF Peru Being of adventurous disposition he
applied to his brother in New Orleans for funds fit
out an exploring expedition. Tho funds sent from
time TO time TO aggregate amount exceeding $50 000
and J. c. Landreau to share equally with his
brother in al benefits that might from the results
OF the expeditions.
GuANo DISCOVERED.
For five years J. Theope Landreau, who is scien-
tnc well as experimentalst and adventurer,
prosecuted his researches and finally brought to tho
notice OF the Peruvian government his discoveries.
Under tho Peruvian OF 1888 and 1917 the discov
of any natural product the location of which has
not previously been made known is entitled to
third OF valuo from the public treasury. Acting
under these laws Landrcau disclosed to the proper
authorities the location of nine islands lying of the
Of Peru upon which existed deposits of guano
estimated to contain tho enormous quantity OF
OOO0 900 and Of value exceeding $500 600 000
The Peruvian government Immediately took possession
of the islands, and since that time from two of them
has realized from the guano disposed OF
So, oOO,sao.
CLAIM RECOGNIZED BUT NOT PAID
Although the Attorney General OF Peru has decided
as has modern SCIENCE that guano a product
.ha \ lah tor die
covery, and the Treasury officials Lima have also
recognized the validity of his caim he yet
unable to realize dollar. J. Theopile Landrcau is
French subject and has the United States
laws in the matter of urging his claim upon the
Peruvian government but j. &. Landrcau late OF New
Orleans, but moro recently OF Washington, is natu-
razcd citizen of the United States, and, being full
partner OF his brother has claim oncsixth OF the
value of the discovery and right to call upon the gov
ernment of his adopted country to enable him to
the millions justly due him. HIS rights have
been fully admitted at the State Department in Wash
ington as well as the validity of his clam which was
nrst brought to the notice Of the Secretary of State
by himself and his brother who came here from Peru
for the purpose in 1872. Much correspondence be-
tween the United States and Peruvian authorities has
cnsued and vouminous of papers in the is
file at the State Department. IL is said that
Caleb Cushing at one time had the case hand but
much of the testimony gathered by George Cowic,
now OF the Fifth Auditors Office, who performed
large amount of labor on the Al later period
prominent lawyer in Washington, whose name is for
the present withheld, was employed by j. c. Landreau
to aid him in pushing the case to conclusion.
.-.coLLECroR oAsEy.scESrs PREY.
Last year Francis Thomas, then Minister TO Peru
became convinced that the claim u valid one, and
paraeled in these days he resigned his mission and
turned to the United States TO interest in the
claim as counsel for the claimant He joined with the
Washington lawyer and they prepared 10 corporate In
the matter This early in 1875.
About this time, by some means, James f. Casey, of
New Orleans brothcrlnlaw Of the President, learned
the value OF the claim and came TO Washington where
John c. Landreau and his brother then Casey
pounced upon the former and finding him in reduced
circumstances, took him TO Philadelphia, where,
through the payment OF little cash in hand aud the
promise OF regular monthly stipend. Landreau was
induced TO assign his claim to one Havener and John
NJ. Butler The latter is Assistant Secretary OF the
National Life Insurance Company at Philadelphia and
is relative Of Jay Cooke. The assignment to
Havener and Butler made IL is alleged, to
Casey being publicly known in the matter for in
a subsequent arrangement the claim divided by
contract among the ring" that, II Is alleged, was
formed by Casey. stipulation was also made in the
Havener and Butler assignment that John e Landreau
to have $500 900 on collection OF the claim.
The ''copartnershp" formed by Casey includes Hav-
aud Butler, his brother John Casey who Is a bank
examiner; +. f. Hcrwig, Deputy Collector OF the Port
OF New Orleans; Francis Thomas late Minister
Peru; Richard Gibbs OF New York; George Cowic of
the Fifth Auditors office, and several others. The
ring went TO work ard, as is charged, pro-
cured the appointment of Gibbs, who has onetenth OF
becomes apparent when Is known that the claim
can only be collected through diplomatic influence.
The readers OF the HERALD will remember that much
inquiry was made the lime OF the appointment of
Gibbs, in April last TO who he was and why he
appointed Another fact OF significant import been
discovered. IL Us asserted high authority that Gibbs
mentioned lor the position as early as Feb
ruary, 1873 II was desirable that Gibbs should
fail have and hold the comssion for at least few
months so TO guard against the danger Of his con-
irmation beng defeated by the Senate his name
not before that body, but withheld and his
appoin and commission gwen HIM alter the
OF the extra session OF the Senate HIS
pointmcnt OF the date OF April Q, 1875 and he
not confirmed I'LL last month.
rHE PAPERS IN THE CASE
The latest of the ring TO induce Ian
droau to obtain from his counsel IN Washington
a plausible prctcxt, in September last all letters
and papers pertaining 10 the The counsel gave
up portion OF the papers, Of which he retained
copies for his protection IN OF treachery
the part OF the ring" whom he had learned
regard with suspicion. Among the papers placed in
the counscl's hands by Landreau many that
clusivcly showed the plans OF the ring" and among
others letter from John Casey, then in New Orleans,
to Landrcau, in which he stated that Gibbs had
tcrcst the claim.
just about the time OF Gibbs appointment he and
James r. Casey were in Washington together ana on
terms of the closest intimacy and lust before Gibbs
set out Tor Peru Casey TO the solicitor of the
State Department and CLEANED all the information pos
sible in regard TO the Landreau claim.
GERMAN UPTOWN SAVINGS BANK.