Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-16
A WILLING WITNESS.
Shipherd, of the Peruvian Company,
Appears Before the House In
Testigating Committee.
And, From the Way He Starts Out. Some
Startling Developments May be
Looked for.

| WASHINGTON, March 15.-Jacob L. Ship
herd, accompanied by his vile, appeared at
| the rooms OF the House Committee on For
| eign Affairs, investigating the Peruvian
| affairs, and was sworn. The chairman IN
| quired in relation to the four missing letters,
| and asked if he wrote such letters (descrlb-
ing them as indexed at the state Department.
| to the secretary of state.
| Answer-It is my recollection that did.
Witness stated that he had expected to pre-
| pare copies of the letters alluded to, but was
unable to complete them before leaving New
York. He had copies OF the missing letters
in his letter books, and OF all the letters cent
and received, and could prepare copies, but
as some OF the letters were quite lengthy,
and he would naturally wish to look over
| and compare the copies he might have made
he would require some further time.
The chairman made several inquiries in
relation to the letters, ard asked If his sub
pena did not require him to produce his
books and papers.
Shipherd replied: 81 was not aware that it
did"
The witness then produced the subpoena and
read from IT. II required him to produce
copies OF all letters written by him to Score
| tary Blaine under specific dates, and copies OIL
all letters written to Secretaries Eyarts and
James G.. aine between June l, 1879, and
February ], 1882; also copies OF all letters
written to any minister, consul or official OF
the United States, referring TO the affairs OF
Peru, Bolivia or Chill, or any matter of con-
sui or property business in which he was in
terested in these States; also all letters re-
ceived by him from either the secretary of
state, consuls or other United States official.
Shipherd stated that as he understood the
subpoena it would take his secretary at least
two weeks to make copies OF all the CORE
spondence called for.
Mr.. Rice suggested that a delay might be
avoided by Mr.. Shipherd sending for his
letter and books and producing them before
the committee.
Mr.. Shipherd replied that the books con-
tanned a variety of private letters and he did
not wish that they should run the risk oil
transportation. He had no doubt however,
but that they could be forwarded on order
to his secretary. He desired to know the
construction which he should place on the
words in the subpoena "Oiher officials of
the United States" conceivably that there
might be correspondence with members OF
Congress and other parties, and he not
quite clear whether the subpsna in
tended to cover that He further insisted to
know whether the intent was TO call for all
the correspondence which might have passed
between him and persons connected with the
government or to limit IT to the correspond
cnce touching Chill and Peru, and finally
whether (if the latter only the committee
desired all such correspondence only such
as referred TO possible official action Of otfic-
ials with whom he had corresponded?
Mr.. Rice replied tn ii was the intention
Of the committee that Shipherd should pro-
duce all letters which he had received from
that somewhat broad class of persons known
az United States officials as well as from all
parties connected with the state department
or other departments OF tue government.
The committee then went into secret session,
ShipheId 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 correspond
ence called for, or whether an order should
be issued directing tn at the letter books be
forwarded to Washington.
The committee in secret session adopted
an order to the effect that Shiphe=d be re-
qured TO furnish the committee with copies
OF all correspondence addressed to any
United States minister or official of the state
department touching the subject matter of
inquiry; also, all letters addressed to witness
by such officers and relating thereto, and all
correspondence and copies OF correspondence
passing between the aforesaid which will
throw light on the subject matter OF inquiry;
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 in
vestigatioa is being made. Further investi-
CATION was postponed until Saturday. Ship
herd will return to New York this afternoon
to arrange his papers, in accordance with the
decision of the committee.