Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-20
BY GRAPH,
Associated Press Telegram. to the Daily
Kennebec Journal
PERUVIAN AFFAIRS.
Letter Of Secretary Blaine to
Mr.. Prescott.
WAsHiSGroS, Dec. 10.

WAsHiNGroS, Dec. IL.
Secretary Blaine, with the approval of the
President, today, gave the following dispatch
to the press
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WAsHI>GroN, ID. C., DEc. Ii. 1881.
VIM. II. Prescott Esq, Special Envoy. San
tago,
Sir-Some erroneous statements, now
being circulated in portion of the
American press. NAV reach Santiago and
create an injurious impression in the
minds of the Chilian government, and
wrote YOU this instruction. from excess of
caution in order that no enduring harm NAV
result. The erroneous statements in the
press. to which especially refer, are those
which represent this government, az in some
way, giving encouragement to the Cochet
claim against Peru. which, being sCknowl-
edged. should enable the United States to pay
an indemnity to Chill and practically TO own
Peru. either secretly or through an associs-
ton of American citizens.
This is the extreme statement and it has
many shadings and variations. You will
take prompt and special care to anticipate
anv evil that might result from this rumor
being circulated in Chilli by n disavowal and
denial of them in whole and in every part
The only claim for which this department has
on the minister at Lima to use his good Off
GERS is that known rs the Laudrrau claim and
this to the extent only of requesting that Mr.
Laudreau should be permitted to have an
authoritative investigation of his claim by
the Peruvian government. and that il il be
good and valid it should be provided for in
any treaty with Chill which might affect the
property TO which it attaches.
The law otticce Of the department of state
as long ago rs 1874. made an exhaustive re-
port on this claim and recommended that this
government should interpose its good offices
in behalf thereof. On the Goth of July. 1874.
my predecessor. Secretary Fish, instruct
ed our minister Mt Lima to use his gond Off
ces with the Peruvian authorities in behalf
of Mr. John {. Landreau with view of
securing from that government n speedy in
vestigation and adjustment Of this claim.
On the 10Th of February 1851, the House
of Representatives of the last Congress
unanimously passed the following resolution.
THAT the petition of John c. Landreau. the
report made thereon hy the committee on
foreign affairs. the accompanying paper. be
transferred to the executive department with
the request that the President take such steps
rs. in his opinion, may be proper and in ac-
cordance with the International law, to Sc
cure to the said John c. Landreau a final set
Element and adjustment of his claim against
the government of Peru. and that. if in his
opinion, it is proper to do so, the President
invite the government of France to cooper
ate with the United States in his behalf
l enclose herewith, for your further infor-
nation, copies of INV instructions to Mr..
Hurlbut on this subject. 1t gives me pleas.
ure to say. in this connection, that MIR. .Hurl-
butts action in regard to the Landreau and
Cochet claims. has been marked by entire
prudence and discretion. While dis ibusing the
mind of the CHILEAN government of any i'm
preston that the Unite States meditates any
intervention on the behalf of private claims
beyond the use of its good offices. YOU will
say that justice to the demand that Lam
dreau should have opportunity to be
heard, in the support of his claim, before a
tribunal in Peru, competent to decide it, and
that if it is decided in his favor, treaty Of
peace, which might cede the territory to
Chill, should not 10 made in disregard of
any rights which MIR. Landreau may be
found, after an impartial judicial investiga-
ton, to possess. Further than this, the de-
partment Of state has not felt authorized to
go, and must express the hope that the gov
ernments of Peru and Chill, to both Of which
YOU are accredited, will recognize the moder-
alton aud justice of the request made by this
government.
!. l am, sir, your obedient servant.
JAMES G. BLAINE.