The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-22

thnukeOubly 10 himself or lflenu6 X lS
did not oppose u.s.
Chairman-'"Then II he acted in good
ialth It was your purpose to carry out youI
) part Of such arrangement
Answer-"To that extent, yes"
ShiPhefd was then questioned In regard
to his interview with Secretary Blaine, and
replied that the interview took place al
Blatne's residence in this city, on the even.
ing OF July 26th. II lasted until late
hour, and was resumed the next morning,
The Chairman asked: "Will you please
state who were present at that interview"
Shipherd-1 am met at this point by an
embarrassment because there was present
a Senator Of the United States.
The Chairman replied: 1--WE do not pro.
pose at this time 10 investigate rs 10 any
Senator but we are not disposed to refrain
from inquiring into the interview because
ol the presence OF a Senator,
Mr. Shipherd stated that the interview
was exclusively between himself and the
Secretary, the Senator not being present In
any sense as q participation In the interview.
On being asked how this interview was
brought about Mr.. Shipherd replied
that it was owing to the kind OF offices OF
Senator alluded 10. Mr.. Belmont asked,
Were you summoned TO Washington BY
this Senator| Mr.. Shipherd again suS-
gested that he was met by an embarrass-
ment, not that he had personally any OBJ.
lection, but that he was informed he
should be very careful in the investigation
OF this character in making mention OF
the names OF the Senator's or members.
The Chairman then suggested that he
might give the features Of his interview
with Mr.. Blaine, reserving other questions.
MIR. Shipherd then stated that at the in.
terYiew, which covered several hours, upon
the evening Of July 25th and probably
from 10 till l2 o'clock on the morning OF
the 9th, he, Shipherd, began by giving to
the Secretary full statement OF the claims
OF the Peruvian company upon their
merits. The Secretary listened with what
seemed to Mr.. Shipherd great deal more
than merely courteous attention, now and
then inteJecting questions showing that
he was following every point with care and
precision. lie suggested several difficulties
from legal point OF view; that We Amer.
leans had purchased claim and expected
the United States government to enforce it
against Peru. After II full discussion the
Secretary asked Shipherd TO suggest
what was wanted from our government.
To this Shipherd in effect replied, "At
present we can ask almost nothing We
cannot go into court down there until Peru
denies the claim, and until this is done we
have no right to ask our government to in.
tertere; We can only ask for provisional
remedy, Peru is now shipping our guano
and is about TO make an arrangement to
pay her war indemnity with our guauo.
All we desire is that official Motif.
cation be sent to both Chhi and Peru
that there is an American title asserted to
that guano, and that whoever tlkes it will
do so with notice OF that assertion. The
Secretary replied, "that is not asking
much" After that the matter had been
fully discussed and It was made plain to
tue Secretary the company was not asking
the United States government 10 assert its
claims. The conversation took some other
turn, and was finally closed with this re.
mark by the Secretary, "What
do you want me to do?'
Shipherd replied in substance US before,
and sstated that the government should
send notifications OF American title to the
GRano, and the Secretary replied that he
would do so Mt once. Shipherd added; 81
think the following were the Secretary's
exact words"
THAT you will get, sir. l 20 directly TO
the State Department ! shall make ii my
first business"
Representative Blount asked the witness:
Was there any extraordinary reason for
employing Il United Suites Senator rs an
attorney? Answer-I have never sought the
aid or influence OF any member or Senator,
because they were such. did not seek
the services OF this Senator because he was
q Senator, but rs an attorney, and because
l knew lie was particular friend OF the
Secretary OF State.
Shlpherd stated in reply to an inquiry by
the Chairman, ,thathe had further interviews
with the Secretary on October l4th, No.
vemoer 3rd and November 9Th. On the
f4th witness had two interviews, one at
Secretary's house and the latter at the De-
partment, On November Srd the inter-
view took place ut the Secret0ry's house
and on November 9th the very brief in.
teFview occurred on the train between
Washington and New York.
Representative Belmont addressed the
witness, and said: "You state that Hurlbut
said to you that the Government was sat
iisted as TO the validity OF the claim. Did
he state to You whether the President had
submitted it tothe Attorney General or the
Cabinettor their opinion?"
Answer-Nothing Of the kind. "My
recollection OF the phrase is that the presi-
dent regarded your claim rs valid.
The hearing was then adjourned till to-
morrow.
sHtrnERD's CORRESPONDENCE.