New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-18
MINISTER MORTONS RESPONSE.
THE NIrRATEs AND GUANo CONTRACT

|
Mr.. MORTON SAYS IT WAS MADE IN THE ORDINARY
COURSE OF BUsINEss-HE NEVER THOUGHT OF
USING HIS OFFICIAL POSITION TO FURTHER IT.
| WASHINGTON March 17.-NIinster Morton,
in reply to the announcement that the House Committee
Foreign Affairs had the Shipherd matter under in
vetigaton has municated TO the Secretary of state
what he has TO say upon the subject and the latter to-
day sent communication to the committee, giving the
substance of Mr. MOron's response as follows:
The Minister stated that he has at any time been
associated with any business transactions. needing or
expecting the Intervention of the United States In the
ordinary Of their business Messrs Norton Bliss
& Company had entered into q contract simply for tho
receipt OF ntrates and guano sent to this country and
that the transactions were of the class of business
has been carried by the firm for many years All
prelmaares of the agreement itself were made by
George Bliss during Mr. Moon's absence, AMI before
his departure for his present post Nj. Bliss viii
be happy, If desired by the committee, 10 furnish
ali the details of the transaction. As far as MI suaez
Mr. Randall, who said TO have been agents OF the
Credit Industel concerned Mr.. Morton has had no
communication with either OF them, and does not know
them personally neither does he know any thing of any
dealings they either Of them may have had with the
Governments of the United States Peru, Chill or he
Credit Indusric before the conclusion Of the agreement
between Mr. Randall and Mr.. Bliss. Mr.. Morton has had
10 inmation Of any personal or official action being cN-
pcccd Of him connected with the affairs of Chill or Peru,
or the relations Of either country with the Government
Of the United States OF France.
Mr.. Morton has had conversation with any officer
Of the United States touching business political mat
ters Peru Chilli the relations Of either to the
United states the French Republic. lie has had no
official unofficial communication either Indirectly or
directly with any person whatever having official con
uecton with or serving either the United states tho
French Government in regard to the relations OF Ch or
Peru toward each other toward the United States or
French Governments with the cxcco OF the conycrsa-
ton with President Grevy, which sought by the Gt
ter, which interview Officially reported to the De
partmcnt at the time and called for reply from Mr.
Blaine, which communicated to W. Gteyy and the
reply Of the French President thereto was also reported
by Mr. Morton I'm official form.
Mr. Morton concludes by saying that II has never en-
tered into hS mind that would be possible to use or at
tempt his official position Minister to further
the Objects OF the late contract, and that he has
Contemplated any action with regar 10 the affairs
Of Chill ana Peru except 20 carry ont I'm good tth such
orders this Government may give him III the prem
isus.
The Secretary Of state adds have necessarily com
munlcated only the import of SIR MOrtOns telegrams FOR
the reason that the original being IN cipher the pubca
ton OF the literal would afford clcw To the secret
channels Of telcTaphic correspondence. shall, now
ever be happy 10 let you any members OF your com
uitce the gnal dispatch you desire to do s0'