Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-18
THE SHEPHERD MATTER.

Minister Morton Furnishes an Empathtic
Denial of Any Transactions by Him
That Would Not Pass Official Scrutiny.
WASHINGTON, March minister Morton,
in reply to the announcement that the house
committee on foreign affairs had the Shipherd
matter under investigation, has communicated
to the secretary of state what he has to say on
the subject, and to-day transmitted the fol-
lowing communication to the committee.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, I
WASHINGTON.
Hon. J. c. Williams, Chairman Foreign At
fairs:-Sir. Advertlng to the letter addressed
to me on the 4th inst. by the clerk of your
committee, expressing your wish that the
United States minister to France should be
informed of the resolution of the house OF
representatives on the Oath ult., respecting
certain allegations Of improper transactions
OF the minister plenipotentlary Of the United
States, and at the same time invite Morton to
make such response as he might see fit, have
the honor to state that telegram on the de-
sired service was sent to Morton on the 9th,
and I have just received from him reply by
cable to the following effect. The minister
stated he has never, at any time, been asso-
ciated with business transactions needing the
intervention of the United States in the ordi-
nary course of their business. Morton, Bliss
& Co. had entered into q contract
simply for receipts OF nitrates of guano sent
to this country and states thereof, and that
the transactions were of the same class of bus
mess as has been carried on by the firm for
many years. All the preliminaries of the
agreements were made by George Bliss, dur
ing Morton's absence, and before his departure
for his present post. Bliss will be happy if
desired by the committee to furnish all details
of the transactions as far as Swarz or Ran
dali, who are said to have been accredited
agents, are concerned. Morton has had no
Communication with either of them and does
know any thing of any dealing they or either
of them may have had with the government of
the United States, Peru, Chilli CT Credit Indus
triale. Before their conclusion of the agreement
between Randall and Bliss Mr.. Nor
ton has had no intimation of any
personal or official action being expected of
HIM connected with the affairs of Chill or
Peru, or the relations of these countries with
the government of the United States or of
France. Morton has never had any converse
ton with any officers of the United States
touching business or political matters in Peru
or Chill, or the matters of either the United
States or French republics. He had had no
official or unofficial communication, either
indirectly or directly, with any person what
ever having official connection with CT serving
either the United states or the French govern
ment, in regard to the relations of Chill and
Peru toward each other, or towards the Uni
ted States or French governments, with the
exception of a conversation with President
Grevy which was sought by the latter, which
interview was officially reported to the de-
partment at the time and called for
reply from Secretary Blaine, which was COM
municated to Grevy, and the reply of the
French president thereto was also reported by
Morton in official form. Morton concluds by
saying that it never entered into his mind that
it would be possible to use or attempt to use
his official position as minister to further their
objects of the late contract, and that he
has never contemplated any connection
with regard to affairs of Chill and Peru, ex-
cept to carry out in good faith such orders as
this government may give him in the prem
Uses. have necessarily communicated only
the important part of Morton's telegram for
the reason that, the original being in cipher,
the publication of the literal text would af-
ford a clue to the sec-etary's correspondence.
shall, however, be happy to let you or any
member of the committee, see the original
despatch if you so desire,
(Sigued) FRED. T. FRELINGHUYsEN, Sec.