Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-16
SHEPHERDS EXAMINATION.
He Delays the Examination by Not Pro-
ducing Letters.

WASHINGTON. March -.
At ten o'clock, Jacob X. Shipherd, accom-
panied by his wife, appeared at the room of
the House committee on foreign affairs Ship
herd was sworn, and stated that he resided at
Richmond Hill, Queens County, New York.
He was asked by the chairman to give gen.
eral history of his business enterprises dur
ing the past ten years. Not that the commit
tee would insist upon it, but to afford an OPP
portunty to make any explanation he might
desire to come before the public.
The witness demurred to the question. He
was not aware that he had engaged in any
business of which he should feel ashamed,
but he had been thrust before the public in
manner to give notoriety not of his own seek
ing, and he preferred not to put himself be-
fore the public in any more conspicuous man.
ner 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 department to the secretary of state.
Answer-It is my impression that did.
The witness 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
letters in letter books, and of all letters sent
and received could prepare copies, but as
some Of the papers were quite lengthy, and
would naturally wish to look over and COM
pare copies he might have made, he would
require 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.
Shipherd Replied was not aware that it
did
The witness produced the subpoena and
read from it. 1t required him to produce
copies of all letters written ~ him. also all
letters received by him from either the Sec
retary of state. OF from any minister, consul,
or other L. S. official.
In reply to question by Mr.. Rice Mr.
Shipherd stated that as he understood the
subpoena, it would take his secretary at least
two weeks to make copies of the correspond
ence called for.
Mr.. Rice suggested that the delay might
be evaded by Shipherd sending for his letter
books, and producing them before the COM
mittee.
Shipherd replied that the books contained
a variety of private letters, and he did not
want 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-
tloh WHICH place Ou tUe WOruS
in the subpoena by other officials of the L.
S.
Rice replied that it was the intention of the
committee that Shipherd should produce all
the letters which he had received from the
somewhat broad class of officials known as
United States officials, as we'll as from all
parties connected with the state department
or other departments of the government.
The committee then went into secret ses-
sion, Shipherd remaining in the room, to de-
termine whether the witness should be per-
mitted to return to New York personally to
superintend the copying of the correspond
ence called for, or whether order should
be issued. directing The letter books to be for
warded to Washington.
When the committee went into secret SEES
sion, discussion ensued as to the scope of
the investigation under the resolution of the
House, whether the committee should call
for all the correspondence bearing upon the
Chili-Peruvian affair. or simply the cor
respondence with the secretaries of state, for
eign ministers of the United States. and Of
ficias of the state department.