The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-03-23

Il
| all his (witness' correspondence will
Hurlbut the latter ever minated that h,
desired to have an interest in the Peru.
Wan claim?
Answer: No, sir; he never did. No
officer Of the United States in the din.
lomatic service or otherwise, expressed
any desire or listened to any proposals.
for an interest in the claim of the Peru
Wan Company.
Witness was asked by Kasson: Who
now holds the l.. Andrew claim. and re-
piled: 1t is now held by Americans, b ut
/ could not, without violating private
confidence, disclose the names of thu
parties. As to the legal name CT bis
(Shipherd's) Company, witness stated
J that the Peruvian Company was incor-
/ porated under the laws OF Georgia in
| 1870, and every share of stock is held in
| this country. Witness declined to state
! how much had been paid in for stock, OF
from what parties the claim was pur-
! chased, or whether tie original parties
| were paid for their claim in stock of the
new company; or whether the company
has ever taken possession of any prop
erty In Peru, or whether they have q
resident agent in Peru. The company
have notified Feru of their claim, but
never received any Acknowledgement of
their claims. The Peruvian Company
never had any official correspondence
with the Peruvian government whatever.
| Advices of the company had been re-
ceived from private sources
Representative Kasson explained the
object of his inquiries to be the discovery
whether the allegation on which the in
vestigation is based. that the Peruvian
Company was merely a speculative en-
terprlse, dependant for its success upon
the Intervention Of this government, ia q
true one, and its business such as Amsri-
can citizens have perfect right to en-
gage in.
Shipherd then went iato long ex pla-
nation of his connection with the Peru
Wan Company. It began on March '6l,
when he became counsel for his clients,
who purchased this claim. Witness re-
cognized the magnitude of the interests
involved, and opened negotiations with
Governor Boutwell, with the view Of se-
curing his aid as counsel upon all mat
tiers affecting International questions.
Governor Boutwell, examined the paper,
and after three weeks called upon wit
ness, and stated that the claim was good
President. Several conferences ensued,
as to what counsel should be employed,
but at no time was anything said in favor
of employing any man on account OF his
official station or relations. Witness
discussed with Governor Boutwell, the
question of renewing through the secre-
tary of state negotiations which had been
begun with the executive, and suggested
q
take to open negotiations. About that
time, however, il was suggested that
senator (whose name witness declines to
give the committee), being warm per-
sonal friend of the secretary. would per-
haps be the best person for that delicate
mission. Governor Boutwell, approved
it, and shortly afterwards witness had an
interview with the senator at his wit
ness) Office in New York. lasting about
| four hours, and in which the papers
were submitted to the senator. Witness
| asked him il be would accept q
and the senator replied With vehemence.
mo, siri Under no conceivable cir
cumstsnces; you can readily see this
matter might come before Congress in
some shape for its action. and it would
be manifestly Improper" The senator
added. we had no need of counsel il the
sense I had mentioned; that we had
simply TO lay our case before the Secre-
tary and President, the whole country
was interested and it was his duty IS q
senator to further the interests OF ouT
country. He was then on his way from
his home in New Hampshire let this in
cident there were visible signs OF smuse-
ment in view Of witness repeated refus-
ais to disclose the name ofthe senator) to
Washington.
The witness was asked haw he came tc
take the charter under the laws of Geor-
gia, and explained that in looking about
| for the most favorable conditions, he
beard of charter which had some Time
since been granted Duff Green by the
State OF Georgia. and which contained
such extraordinarily advantageous fes-
lures, allowing the establishment OF
branches at any point in this country or
abroad, that they decided to obtain this
charter. The company is now act
| ing under this charter, and the stock
has been regularly issued, and under
the clause permitting branches they
established headquarters st New York
| City. The witness was sgain asked if be
still had an objection giving the name OF
the senator, and replied: Since so much
has been said in this connection, perhaps
i! would be better I should right here
and now to give the entire history ofthe
connection of this senator with the Peru
Wan Company. have slres 1y spoken
Of his refusal to take retainer at sub
sequent date, having been advised by the
secretary of state and several friendt,
both in the Senate and the House, that
this case could never come befors
Congress, but would be settled
in the state department, the SEN
ator did take ths fee as attorney
for the company, and acted il that capa.
city for nearly four months. His entire
| connection with the case was during the
recess of Congress. Shortly before the
re-assembling Of Congress, 10 December
he had another interview with me, and
stated that he was satisfied the questions
involved In the affairs of the company
would come before Congress in man.
ner involving legislative action, and hi
could not, therefore. reconcile his posi-
ton as counsel for the company, upon
whose affairs ne might be called upon in
the capacity of q senator of The United
States to act. He therefore returned
the amount Of the fees taken, MOI
even reserVing what he had expended
In travelling expenses in the interest o.
the company. From that point all con.
nectlon OF The GenatOr with the affalrs o.