The Portland daily press., 1881-12-20
THE cocHET CLAIM.
Secretary Blaines Instructions to Mr..
Prescott.

Secretary Blaines Instructions to Mr..
PRESCOTT
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Secretary Blaine
with the approval of the President to-day gave
the following dispatch to the press:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Nov. 10, 1881.
William II. Trescott, Esq, Special Enroy, de-,
Santiago.
Sir-Some erroneous statements now being
circulated In portion sof the American press
may reach Santiago, and create an injurious
impression in the minds OF the CHILEAN govern
ment, and I write you this instruction from ex-
cess of caution in order that no enduring tharm
may result. The erroneous statements In the
press to which especially refer are those
which represent this government as IN some
way giving encouragement to the Cochet claim
against Peru which being acknowledged shonld
enable the United States to pay an indemnity
to Chill, and then practically to own Peru
either directly or through an association OF
American citizens This is the extreme state
ment, aud it has many standings and variations.
You will take prompt and special care to anti
climate apy evil that might result from this
rumor being circulated in Chill by disavowal
and denial of them in whole and IN every
part
has instructed our minister at Lima, to use his
good office, is that known as the Landreag
claim, and this to the extent only OF requestinu
that Mr. Landreau should be permitted to have
an authoritative investigation OF his claim by
the Peruvian government, and that if found to
be good and valid it should be provided Tor IN
any treaty with Chilli which might affect the
property to which it attaches. The law of1cer
of the Department of State as long ago as 1874,
made an exhaustive report on this claim, and
recommended that this government should in
terpose its good offices in behalf thereof On
the Goth of July 1864, my predecessor, Mr..
Secretary Fish, instructed our minister at Lima
to use his good offices with the Peruvian au-
thorities in behalf of Mr.. John G. Landreau
with view of securing from that govern
ment speedy investigation and adjustment OF
his claim
On the Goth day of july 1880, the House of
Representatives of the last Congress unanI-
mously adoptedsthe following resolution:
That the petition Of John G. Landreau, report
made thereon by committee on foreign affairs. and
accompanying papers be transmitted to the execu-
tive department with a request that the President
take such steps in his opinion may be proper, and
in accordance with international law to secure to
said John G. Landreau final settlement and ad-
jusmeni OF his claim against the government OF
Peru and that If in his opinion IL is proper TO do so
the President write the government OF france 70
cooperate with the United States in this behalf
enclose herewith for your further informa-
tion copies of my instruction to Mr.. Huribut
on this subject. 1t gives me pleasure to say in
this connection that Mr.. Hurlbut's action in
regard to both the Landreau and Cochet
claims has been marked by entire prudence
and discretion. While disabusing the mind
of the Chllian government of any impression
that the United States meditates intervention
on behalf of private claims beyond the use OF
its good offices you will say that justice seems
to demand that Landreau should have an OPP
portunity to be heard in support Of his claim
before tribunal in Peru competent to decide
it and that if decided in his favor treaty OF
peace which might cede territory to Chilli
should not be made in disregard of any rights
which Mr.. Landreau may be fond, after an
impartial judicial investigation, to possess.
Farther than this the Department of State has
not felt authorized to go and l must express
the hope that the governments of Peru and
Chill to both of which you are accredited will
recognize the moderation and justice of the
request made by this government.
/ am, Sir, Your Obedent Servant,
JAS G. BLAINE.