The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-11
THE PERUVIAN COMPANY.
Another Day of the Shipherd Ex-
animation.
HE TALKS NOW OF GRANT AND
CONKLING.

of Shipherd was resumed be the foreign af-
fairs committee this morning, Chairman Will
liams presiding. Representative Blount con-
Quoted the examination.
The witness desired to answer fully any d.
rect qustions, but wished to avoid the appear
ance of volunteering anything in regard to
Mr.. Blaine or any one else.
Question-When you wroteEto General Hurl-
but September % that you would ask that no
change be made at Lima in the event of
change of administration, did you mean to in
timate TO him that the Peruvian company could
nse its influence in his behalf?
The witness replied at length that he was no
politician and approached General Hurlbut as
business man believing that 1t was properly
part of his official duties as an American min
lister to forward American interests.
Mr.. Blount then quoted from another letter
Shepherds words "If now you can see your
way clear to work with us, you will find me
partner" and asked "Did you not in this in
lend to influence his official action?'
The witness insisted that it meant what the
entire letter would imply, that Hurlbut should
cooperate in general way in matter which
was expected to subserve the interests of the
entire American people.
Again Blount quoted from another letter
and asked, "What was meant in your express
ion speaking pof General Hurlbut-'He will
find in us a helpful friendship so long as he
lives. Did not this mean that he might
expect to be taken care of so long as he lived?"
The witness attempted to dodge the direct
issue and claimed that he was frank man
and always said what he meant He thought
turning his letters inside out as they were be-
ing done that the committee might see In con-
nection with his evidence here that he was
frank man. The word partner" the witness
larry profits but only in the liberal sense in
which every American would have an interest
In the formation of so great an undertaking.
By the term "You have deserved Peruvian
confidence" the witness said was meant that
Hurlbut in general way had befriended Peru
in his official relations.
Blount-What did you mean in your letter to
Hnrlnut by the words Grant is now one of
us?''
The witness had regretted the use Of that
term, but it was written when he (witness) was
in great hurry. He would desire just here
to state precisely what their relations were. In
September he (Shipherd) had talk Of an hour
with Gen. Grant in discussing the affairs of
the Peruvian company. Con. Grant was the
principal talker and expressed his views freely
and at length I told him our people desired to
put him at the head of the company. He
frankly stated his position in about these
words: 81 shall not at present consider any
proposition to become pecuniarily intere Sted
in your company, but will not hesitate to give
you my views upon your case as understand
it." After some further discussion he remark
ed, "Mr. Shipherd, it will make no difference
whether am stockholder or not. should
do nothing for you whether were stock
holder or not other than to help you in secur-
ing from the government that cooperation
and aid to which you are Justly entitled"
In reply to further inquiry the witness said
that Grant never was q stockholder, but feel
ing that they could count upon his offices even
more than il he were q stockholder, he (wit-
ness) In his letter TO Hurlbut had spoken OF
Grant in that way as being "one of u.s.
The witness was asked in regard to Conkling
ing his name as counsel, and replied that it
having been decided to tender to Conkling a
retainer, Senator Blair wrote to him and made
the tender. Afterward Judge Lord wrote a
second letter to Conkling and received reply
that he had received Bair's letter and docu-
ments. Judge Lord afterwards saw ConkliDg,
who told him that he had received Blair's let
ter and had examined the papers, and saw no
reason why he should not accept retaine or.
The witness subsequently saw Conkling who
received him very cordially and discussed with
him the affairs OF the company. The witness
told him there was at that time no occasion for
his professional services, but as soon as such
occasion arose he (witness) should tender him
retainer: 10 this Conkling replied pleasant
ly II shall be pleased to accept it,
Witness was then asked, twas any retainer
ever rendered VIM. E. Chandler"
Answer-At the time that the letter was
written it was thought best to tender him re-
tsiner but this was afterwards reconsidored
and no retainer was ever offered him.
Reading further from Shepherds letter to
Mr.. Hurlbut, Mr.. Blount asked, "Who were
the parties with whom you say you were hold
ing confidential correspondence"
Witness declined to answer intimating that
the committee were exceeding the range Of
their investigation and obtruding upon purely
private matters Witness stated that he was
first introduced to Senator Blair by ex-senator
Cragin, but declined to state whether he was
advised by the latter gentleman to employ
Senator Blair. he lShiphord) had several
reasons for desiring to secure Mr.. Blair as
counsel, primarily because he believed Blair
could induce the Secretary to give the matter
prompt attention.
Witness was asked, "To whom did Senator
Blair expect you to quote the Secretary when
he told you to quote him strong?" and replied,
Having no access to the Senator's mind can
not state. My correspondence shows to whom
l wrote and in what way spoke Of the Secre-
tary. Witness here took occasion to make a
general defense of this correspondence assert
ing with emphasis that he dealt only in facts
and v 18th absolute candor; that he was willing
to make his correspondence part of his sworn
evidence and stand by its truthfnlnsss. Wit
ness declined to state what sum was paid as a
retainer to Senator Blair. The exact amount
was returned by him (Blair) early in Novem-
bar. several weeks before the assembling of
Congress-
Representative Blount then asked If the wit
ness had anything further to offer in justifca-
ton of his charge that Mr. Hurlbut had been
influenced against the Peruvian Company by
the Credit Industriel
Shipherd replied at some length, to the ef-
feet that he had already been charged with
pursuing an attack upon the reputation of a
dead man and he did not care to go further or
say anything that was not directly. in the line
of bis own justification He had read from
newspapers, and had heard from others, re-
ports connecting Mr.. Hurlbut with the Credit
Industriel and these reports he (Shipherd) had
repeated to Secretary Blaine at their. interview
of Oct. 18th.
Witness was then asked to give the names of
parties from whom he had heard the reports
and replied that he would do so privately to
the COMMITTEES il they desired to summon them
as witnesses but he must decline to give their
names to the country through the reports
The question was not pressed and the commit
tee adjourned at II 10 till tomorrow morning.
MIR. Blaine to Appear Before the Com
mittee.
Mr.. BIaine's friends intimate that he will
appear before the committee and completely
dispose of the Peruvian guano company and
3hinherd'a vArhoae afnriaa ahout it