The Evening critic., 1882-03-21


met this morning at 10 o'clock, Mr.. j. II. Ship
herd was present. accompanied by his wife.
The former looked pale, and 1t was evident
that he had been sick. He had large black
pockettook with him, which, It was subse-
qucntly learned, contained the copies OF tho
letters in his letter book. Mr.. Shipherd was
sworn, and the chairman announced that he
would conduct the direct examination, mem
bers to cross.examine at will. Mr.. shipherd
was first
Asked About His Illness
and the peculiar circumstances connected
Herewith.
He said. "when my letter was writton l
was at my country seat and II was Impossible
to get an afndavit or physicians certncate.
My wife was in Washington, and only my
children were with me. / was so sick could
hardly lift my head from my pillow, and l
did The best could at the time" Mr. Ship
herd went on further, and explained that
while he knew what the practice was, he had
prccate his condition. He said II certificates |
were needed he would furnish them. The |
chairman read n letter from Mr. shipherd's |
physician, explaining the character of his i'll |
ness, and said that he supposed that and Mr.. |
Shiphcrd's sworn statement would be ac- |
cepted as satisfactory.
1t was 80 accepted, and Mr.. Shipherd was |
the asked TO produce the |
Copies of the Letters
that he had brought, |
The preliminaiies having been satisfactorily |
arranged Mr.. Shipherd took his seat at the |
lower end of the table, opposite the chairman,
and opening the big pocket book took the let
ters out and spread them before him, and at
the chairman's request began TO submit them
in order. The first one called for was the one
dated May 81, 1881.
A Mysterious Disappearance.
Mr.. ,shipherd fumbled around among tho
letters for time, and then said: "Why that's
strange, the letter appears to be missing. l
don't see how that would have occurred. 1
have all the rest here. This was copied in
New York and revised by me and placed In
this enve lope," holding up package. "and
don't see how it could have been misplaced
1t was letter
Addressed TO General Garfield. Not
to Mr.. Blaine.
and II my memory serves me right, Mr..
sasnley Brown promptly & aeknowIeagea hnn, Its
the State Department l can't account for Its
disappearance" Looking over at the chair
man with an air OF apparent annoyance, he
added: "There seems to be
Strange Fatality About This Inves-
tigatiOn.
Mr. Chairman"
Mr.. Belmont: : "Look in the ,ther bundles,
MIR. Shipherd, perhaps the letter is among
them.'
ooh, no." was Shipherds quick response,
81 don't thinl; that is worth while. The letter
was placed in this envelope, and nowhere
else.'
Mr.. Rice" o, we'll, we are wasting time. Mr..
Shipherd can produce the letter when he finds
it, Let's set that aside and go on with the
next
tI.G
verbatim"
The Chairman-"T "Take up the next letter.
This Mr. shipherd produced. 1t was dated
Addressed to the President.
stating that he had forwarded letters setting
forth the plans of his clients concerning the
pension claims to Mr.. Blaine, adding that he
would be glad 10 be summoned TO Washington
to explain the project further, and particu-
larly before Ministers Fitzpatrick and Hurlburt
received their instructions.
The IaDeIS inclOSed were n PROSPECTUS and
other data concerning the Peruvian claim.
The letter submitted was copy of the letter
The next letter was dated May 81, announc-
ing that he had met Hurlburt in New York,
and that their interview had been very salts
factory Hurlburt suggested that
Money Should be Advanced to the
| Peruvians.
which Shipherd said would be forthcoming
when his clients were assured that the United
| States would indorse the scheme. This was
| addressed TO the President.
The next letter, dated June 4, was addressed
TO the President, also conveying further infor-
| nation, with reference to the Peruvian COM
| pany's project. He wrote next, June u, to the
President, exhibiting copy of the letter, in
closing pamphlet giving further ideas on
| the matter. On being questioned he read the
letter of May 26 10 Hurlburt, who was then in
this city, stating that he had forwarded all the
papers to the President and
Duplicates TO Secretary Blaine,
and expressing it the desire of his clients
| to conduct their negotiations with the Peru
| vians with as little diplomacy as possible He
wanted an informal Interview with Hurlbur
and was willing to come to Washington II
necessary; WIS anxious to see Hurlburt Mt
once. The preliIn IN sry correspondence with
opened In April. He had no copies of those
letters. Proceeding, witness said that on the
2Sth of May he received
A Telegram from IEurlburt.
That telegram was missing, but he remem
bered that Hurlburt stated in II that he would
be at the Fifth-avenue Hotel on Sunday ant
Monday, and asked reply stating where ant
ness. Witness replied by letter submitting the
letter 10 the ,eommittee), in which he said h
would meet hurlburt at the hotel on Monday
the Goth, Decoration day, between and IL
O'Clock u. m. He kept the engagement and
Met EurIburt in the Lobby Of th'
Hotel.
Knew him during the war in New Orleans aus
readily recognized him. Hurlburts frs
words were that he had learned of the project
but thought that Shepherds figures wer
enormous. Witness replied that he could no
help that Hurlburt said that he had bee
sent 10 say that
The President Co nsidered Ship erd'
Case "a Strong One,
but the first difficulty in the way was the m
fortunate condition of Peru. II was cruel
| press so large a claim at that time. The bes
| plan would be to put II In such shape tina
| while the rights Of the owners of the It'll
should be respected, proper steps should b
| taken to give Peru an opportunity TO pay II
| war dobt and get out from under tho heel Q
Chill. The commission plan was sugge5te
as n good method. Hurlburt went to sa
that Shepherds friends should be content wit
what they could get.
} | shilhcid replied that his clients were full
, | aware Of all the circu instances, and were vii
| Ing 10 make Il subject to all conditions tn
| United States would provide
! :" asked him whether the Secretary
State had shown Him the papers," the wi
ness continued. No, l know nothing, Hur
= burt answered. 81 am simply stating what
I have been told 10 tell YOU
D BY the chairman" Did he state by
WHOM Ie Had Been Instructed -
/ z Eshipherd-''He made vague preference,
think, to the President. L did not consiru
that he had come direct from the Presiden
knowing that the Secretary Of state hai
right TO spenk for the President
The chairmail-"ln what manner were n
u references yaguoY'
o SWELL" answered tho witness, she said tl
a Government, the United States and used sue
! phrases as that. l asked him II he wante
u copies OF the papers from mo. He eager
:, said That he did, hnd gave them to him.
= lie promised 10 give the matter his cl0
u attention, and gave me his card whore hcou
/, send him more or advise with him furthe
2 | Hurlburt added that time was precious, al
B. organization and that something must
2, In which stated that my Interview wi
Hurlburt had been satisfactory"
He Regards HurIburt as PureIla
q able.
- Mr. Shlpherd was then asked II he resard