The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-16
THE MISSING LETTERS.
Investigation of the Chilli Peruvian
Correspondence.
SHEPHERD APPEARS BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE.

WASHINGTON, March 15.-At 10 O'Clock ia
cob r Shipherd, accompanied by his wife, ap-
peared at the rooms of the House committee en-
loreign affairs. Shipherd was sworn and stat
ed that he resides at Richmond Hill Queens
county, New York. He was asked by the
chairman to give general history of his BUSH
ness enterprises the past ten years-not that
the committee would insist upon it, but to af-
ford him an opportunity to make any explana-
nation he might desire to come before the pub
lie. Witness demurred to the question. He
was not aware that he was engaged in any busi-
ness of which he should feel ashamed, but he
had been thrust before the public in manner
to give notorety not of his own seeking, and
he preferred not to put himself before the pub
lie in an any more conspicuous manner than
he could avoid.
The chairman inquired in relation to the
four missing letters, and asked if he wrote
such letters, describing them as indexed at the
State Department, to the Secretary of State.
Answer-"It is my recollection that 1 did"
Witness then stated that he had expected to
prepare copies of the letters alluded to, but
was unable to complete them before leaving
New York. He had copies of the missing let
tiers in his letter book and of all letters sent
and received, and could prepare copies, but as
would naturally wish to look over and compare
the copies he might have made, he would re-
quire some further time.
The chairman made several inquiries in re-
lation to the letters and asked if his subpoena
did not require him to produce his books and
papers, to which Shipherd replied, II was not
aware that it did. I" Witness produced the
subpoena and read from it. 1t required him TO
produce copies of all letters written by him,
also all letters received by him from either the
Secretary of State or from any minister, consul
or other United States official.
In reply TO a question by Mr.. Rice, Mr..
Shipherd stated that as he understood the sub
pnna it would take his secretary at least two
weeks to make copies of the correspondence
called for.
avoided by Shipherd sending for his letters and
books and producing them before the commit
tee Shipherd replied that the books contain
ed variety of private letters and he did not
wish that they should run the risk OF trans
portation. He had no doubt, however, that
they could be forwarded on an order to his
secretary. He desired to know the construc-
ton which he should place ON tho words in the
subpoena "offcials of the United States, and
Mr.. Reed replied'that it was the intention of the
committee that Shipherd should produce all
letters which he had received from the some
what broad class of persons known as United
States officials, as well as from all parties con-
nected with the State Department and other
departments of the government.
The committee then went into secret session,
"Shipherd and wife remaining in the room"
to determine whether the witness should be
permitted to return to New York personally to
superintend the copying of the correspondence
called for, or whether an order should be is
sued directing the letter books to be forwarded
to Washington.
When the committee went into secret session
discussion ensued as to the scope of the in
yestigation under the resolution OF the House
whether the committee should call for all Cor
respondence bearing upon the CALIFORNIAN
affair, or simply the correspondence with the
Secretary of State, Foreign ministers of the
United States and the officials of the State De-
partment. Finally upon motion of Mr.. Kas-
son the committee adopted an order that Ship
herd shall be required to furnish the commit
tee with copies of all correspondence addressed
to any United States minister or official of the
of the inquiry, also all letters addressed to the
witness by such officers and relating thereto,
and all correspondence and copies of correspon-
dence passing between the aforesaid which will
throw light on the subject matter of the in
quiry. and also all other correspondence and
copies of correspondence in his possession
which may tend to show any relation OF such
officers to the business transactions referred to
in the resolution of the House under which the
investigation is being made.
Mr.. Shipherd suggested that it would in
volve considerable time and labor to prepare
the papers involved in the order of the com
mittee and thought he would require until
Saturday to do So Further investigation was
therefore postponed until 10 o'clock Saturday
morning.
Mr.. Shipherd will return to New York this
afternoon TO arrange the papers in accordance
with the decision of the committee.