The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-16
Investigation In Detail.

Investigation In Detail.
WARRINGTON, March l5.-This morning
Jacob R. shipherd, accompanied by his
wife, appeared at the rooms Of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs, inyestigat-
ing the Peruvian affairs, and was sworn.
The chairman enquired in relation to the
four missing letters and asked II he wrote
such letters describing them as inde1ed at
the State Department to the Secretary Of
State. Answer-It is my recollection
did.
Witness stated that he had expected to
prepare copies Of the letters alluded to, but
was unable to complete them before leav-
ing New York. He had copies Of the
missing letters in his letter book and Of all
the letters sent 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 copies he
might have made, it would require some
further time.
The chairman made several inquiries in
relation to letters and asked il his
subpGnas did not require him to produce
his books and papers. Shipherd replied-I
was not aware It did.
Witness produced subpoena and read
from it It required him to produce copies
OF all letters written by him to Secretary
Blaine under specified dates; for copies Of
all letters written TO Secretary Eyarts and
James 6. Blaine, between June l, 1870, and
July ], 1882; also copies OF letters written
to any minister, consul or official OF the
United States, referring to affairs in Peru,
Bolivia or Chill, or any matters, property
or business, in which he was interested in
the States; also letters received by him
from either the Secretary Of State or from
any minister, consular or other United
States official. Shipherd stated that as he
understood the subpoena it would take his
secretary at least two weeks to make copy
OF all the correspondence called for.
MIR. Rice suggested that delay might be
avoided by Mr.. Shipherd sending Tor his
letter books and presenting them before
the committee.
Mr.. Shipherd replied that the books con-
tanned variety OF private letters and he
did not wish that they should run the risk
OF transportation. He had no doubt, how
ever, but 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, "Other officials OF
the United States Conceivably he might
be in correspondence with members OF
Congress and other parties, and he was not
quite sure whether the subpoena was in
tended to cover that He further wished
to know whether the intent was to call for
all correspondence which might have pass
ed between him and persons connected
with the government, or limit it to the cor.
respondence touching Peru and Chill, and
finally whether III the latter only the COM
mittee desired all such correspondence or
only such as referred to the possible Off
cial action Of the officials with whom be had
corresponded.
Mr.. Rice replied it was the intention OF
the committee that Shipherd should pro-
duce all the letters which he had received
from that somewhat broad class OF persons
known Gs United States officials, as well as
from all parties connected with the State
Department or 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 bo permitted TO return 10 New York
personally to superintend the copying oil
the correspondence called for, or whether
an order should be issued directing the
letter books to be forwarded to Washing.
ton.
The committee, in secret session, adopt.
ed an order to the effect that Shipherd be
required to furnish the committee with
copies OF all correspondence addressed to
any United States Minister or officials Of
the State Department touching the subject
matter Of inquiry; also all letters ad-
dressed to the witness by such officers and
relating thereto, and all correspondence
and copies OF correspondence passing be-
tween the Aforesaid which will throw
light on the subject matter Of inquiry; also
all other correspondence and copies Of cor
respondence in his possession which may
tend 10 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. Further
investigation was postponed till Saturday.
Shipherd will return TO New York this af.
ternoon 10 arrange the papers in accord.
ance with the decision ot the committee.
Some Of the members Of House Of the
Foreign Affairs Committee are dissatisfied
with theinstructions ofthe committee given
to Mr.. Shipherd to-day in relation to the
production Of his correspondence, and ex-
press the opinion that there is 4 tendency
TO restrict the scope Of the investigation.
Mr.. Shipherd testified very promptly and
intelIigently and manifested apparent will
ingness to give the committee the benefit
Of all his knowledge. In asking what cor.
respondence the committee would want he
intimated quite plainly that he had letters
from some Of the members Of Congress and
inquired II the committee wanted these.
There was an immediate whispered confer.
ence among some Of the leading members
Of the committee, the result Of which was
that the room was cleared for q secret ses-
sion. The committee remained In secret
until II adjourned, and there was, It Is said
On animated discussion as to what CORES
pondence should be demanded Of Ship
herd.
Some members insisted upon calling 10