Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-21
TIE PERU-CHILI INVESTIGATION,
SPICY TESTIMONY OF MR.. SHIPHERD.
HIS INTERVIEWS WITH Mr.. BLAINE AND MR.
HURLBURT.
THE MISSING LETTERS. SAVE ONE. PRODUCED

Mr.. Shipherd, accompanied by his wife, was in
attendance promptly at 10 O'Clock this morning at
the rooms OF the committee on foreign affairs
chairman Williams and Representatives Orth.
Rice, Belmont, Blount, Wilson, Lord. and Walker
were present at l0:l5, when the examination was
resumed.
ORDER OF THE EXAMINATION.
The chairman announced the order agreed upon
by the committee In conducting the examination
that the chairman would first question the witness
and afterwards each member OF the committee
In order would ask such questions as they might
desire That In case or objection TO any evidence
the committee would adhere to the custom OF con-
sulting in secret; but no evidence would be taken
except in open session.
Mr.. sHIPHERD EXPLAINS HIS NoN-APPEaRANCE
Mr.. Shipherd desired to make some explanation
In regard to his non-appearance, and asserted his
good faith in the matter He desired to avoid the
modification OF having another messenger sent to
New York TO discover whether or not he might be
trif1ng with the committed. His reputation for
truthfulneSS was too We'll established. and he did
not desire TO have Ii questioned. lie then sent up
to the chairman the certificate OF his physician,
and desired TO be put on oath as TO the facts.
The chairman explained the position OF the COM
mlttee, and assured him they had now no Suspi-
ci.. .. any Irlillhg or dls 'ouf'eSy on MS part
Mr.. Shpherd then stated the circumstances, and
the chairman read the PHYSICIANS certificate i'm
cOrroboration OF his statement
ALL OF THE MISSING LETTERS, SAVE ONE, PRO-
Mr.. Shfpherd was then requested by the chair
man to produce the copies of the missing letters
of May 2lst, 18th and 31st, and June 4th After
looking through several envelopes Mr. Ship
nerd announced that there must be some
fatality about it; he could not hnd the letter OF
the 2lst of May The others mentioned were
1ound and after some delayit was decided to take
up the other letters and allow Mr. ShiDherd 10 OBJ
tain copy at some 1uture time. MIR. Shipherd
Stated that the letter OF May 2lSt was addressed
70 the President and as he had been informed by
apIn prov
referred to-the State department.
THE LETTER OF MAY 18th
was then read. 1t was as follows:
MAY 25TH, 1SS1.-Sir: On the 2lst instant trans
mitted to the President duplicates OF the present
enclosures which presume have been or will be
referred to the Department OF State. / enclose
these for Minister Hurlburt. TO be handed him in
your discretion and at the proper time.
The copies to the President were accompanied
with letter OF explanation. / shall be glad TO be
summoned to Washington In due course before
Gen. Hurlburt and Gen Kilpatr1ck's Instructions
are prepared. Very respectfully, .
To Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE, Secretary OF State.
Mr.. Shpherd was then asked in regard to the
enclosures alluded to i'm the letter. and stated that
ne had not made copies of the enclosures, as the
ORIGINALS were In the Stale department. He be-
nr'nt evsa tne me majorty II not all OF tnem were IN
prospectus of the Peruvian company. The other
enclosures were then identified by Mr.. Shipherd
as they appeared in the printed volume OF the
reSpOnGence.
THE OTHER LETTERS.
The letter OF May 31st was then read. 1t was
also addressed to the President and alluded to en-
closures which were also found i'm the printed cor
respondence and were identified by Mr.. Shipherd
The letter of June 4th was addressed to the
President and simply called attention to the en-
closure, which was the IL page letter to Minister
Hurlburt, {already published)
MI. Sh1pherd was asked by the chairman: 'Did
you have an interview with Minister Hurlburt be-
fore he left for Peru?"
Answer.-"I did"
Mr.. Shpherds letter to Mr. Hurlburt. I'm which
ne asked an interview, was then read, and Mr.
he received
A TELEGRAM FROM MR.. HuRLBURT,
the tenor OF which was: 81 Will be at the Fifth
Avenue hotel, Sunday and Monday. State when
an interview with you can be had (Signed)
S. A Hurlburt."
MIR. Shipherd's Interview with Mr.
HurIburt.
Mr.. Shepherds letter to Mr. Hurlburt arranging
for an interview Monday morning, May 3Oth, was
read. Mr. Shipherd then stated that he met Mr.
Hurlburt about nine o'clock, as arranged, and
after some interchange OF courtersieS Mr. Hurlburt
began the conversation with the abrupt remark:
"But Mr.. Shipherd, your figures are enormous /
replied. said Mr.. Shlpherd: General, I'm not
responsible for the figures or facts" Mr.. Hurlburt
then stated to me that he had been sent TO me to
tell me that the President regarded my case as
strong in law and equity as it could possibly be,
but that it was unfortunate that Peru should be
in sucn deplorable condition. He added that the
Consent to act would be that the claim should be
put in such shape that IL would not impose hard
snip upon Peru, but should be remedial
nifty and get out of her trouble Wi with Chill Chill.
II that could be done the government would heart
must not be pressed upon Peru in any Shylock
spirit lshipherD replied that we expected the
ans S seS 70 assist st ONLY If the affair could
asked him II the Secretary of State had given him
the papers had alluded to, and he replied, "No,
telling you what have been instructed to do" In
speaking he never used the term secretary OF
State but always used the somewhat vague term
States" He desired as full an account in writing
OF your plans as could give him. and he would
ought to have help at the earliest moment, and /
hope you will press your plans as rapidly as pos
MR. sHIPHERD THOUGHT MR. HURLBURr GOULD BE
PURCHASED.
Mr.. Shipherd then made general statement to
the effect that he {Shipherj) never imagined it
would be necessary to buy any man. and never in
tended to do so. He did, however, feel that it was
necessary to prevent Mr.. Hurlburt from taking
any position which might be violently opposed to
Mr. shipherd was asked, "Did you think Mr.. |
% aurlout could be purchasedf' and replied, 'Aost |
Chairman.-And you proceeded to purchase him.
Answer.-No, sir; simply to prevent him from |
setting himself viciously and determ;nedy against
sary to assure him that it would In the future
result adyantageously to himself or friends II ne
Gid not oppose US
Chairman.-Then II he actee in good faith it was |
your purpose to carry out your part OF the ar |
rangement?
Answer.-To that extent, yes.
The Interview with Secretary Blaine. |
Mr. Shipherd was then questioned In regard to /
hts interview with Secretary Blaine and replied:
The interview took place at Mr.. Blafnes residence
on 18th street. in this city, the evening OF July
18Th 1t lasted until late hour, and was resumed |
the next morning. The chairman asked: "Will /
you please state who were sent at that inter-
vieW2"
Mr. sHIPHERD'S EMBARRASSMENT
Mr.. Shfpherd.-I am met at this point by an en- |
barrassment, because there was present Senator |
of the United States.
The chairman replied.-We do not propose,a this /
point, TO investigate as to any Senator, but we /
not disposed TO refrain from inqulrng into the
interview because OF the presence or Senator
Mr. Shipherd stated that the interview was L
exclusively between himself and the Secretary,
the Senator not being present In any sense as 4 /
participator In the Interview. On being asked /
how this interview was brought about, Mr.. Ship
herd replied that it was owing TO the kind offices /
Of the Senator alluded to.
Mr. Belmont asked: "Were you summoned 10 l
w c1,3v hy sbi sau