Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-24
THE sHIpHERO INVESTIGATION.
The Examination Postponed on Account
of Shepherds Health.

WAsHISGTON, March %.
The examination of Shipherd was resumed
before the foreign affairs committee this
morning.
Before any questions were put to him Ship
herd desired to add word, if in order at
this stage, to the testimony given yesterday.
He then stated he would waive the techni-
cal objection he had raised and would state
that the senator to whom lie had alluded was
Henry w. Blair, of New Hampshire.
He further stated that with one exception
there TO other member of congress who
had in any way been interested as counsel or
approached with view to securing his services.
This gentleman, said Shipherd wss asked to
act as counsel and decliued, on the ground
that he might be called upon as member of
congress tospass upon the claims of the Peru
Wan company. With this exception and
that of Senator Blair there was no other in
stance of any effort to secure the services of
any member of either house of congress.
Representative Blount inquired: What
were your reasons for employing Blair as
counsel; was it on account of his relations
with the secretary of state, or simply in his
capacity as Attorney
The witness replied that he would like to
reserve his answer until the committee should
have decided whether this matter should be
gone into at the present time.
Blount then asked What was the induce
ment which impelled him to seek the service
of a member of congress who had declined
whether 1t was on account Of supposed influ-
cnce with the executive, or for the purpose
of obtaining his advice as a lawyer?
Witness-lt was for reasons purely per-
sonal 10 the member himself ms distinguished
from any aid that he might render or was ex-
pected to render in any event. as member
Of congress.
The witness declined to give the name at
present, and demurred to stating details of
any purely personal transactions. Some
discussion on the part of the committee en-
sued. As to whether they should pursue this
branch of inquiry at present.
The chairman stated that Shipherd desr ed
to be excused from further examination, this
morning. on account of the state of his health
and perhaps it would be better to pass on this
request before proceeding with further in
vestigation.
The question was therefore waived for the
present.
The witness produced copy of his wit
ness letter to the President, of Nav 2lst
and explained that it had been sent to him
By his son, who had been requested to make
a copy from his letter book. and that he
Shipherd, after a critical examination of it.
WAS prepared to say that II was correct
copy.
The letter was then read by the clerk.
Ii was quite long, and rehearsed to detail
the claims and plans of the Peruvian Co.
The letter referred to enclosures naming
prospectus of the company. the draft Of an
agreement with Peru. claim of title of the
Peruvian CO., and stated that it was deemed
best to lay the whole matter before the Pres
ident and to avail of such suggestions as he
might deem proper to be made in the prem
Uses that no difficulty was anticipated IN the
settlement of all differences without asking
further government aid than that already in
Dictated. 1t spoke of the magnitude of the
interests involved. and the estimated value
of the guano at a thousand million of dollars.
and indicated that ex-President Grant would
be president of the company that its board of
directors would include gentlemen equally
known and capable.
At the conclusion of the reading Shipherd
said he had been engaged in lively Irritation
with neuralgia which had deprived
him of rest and untitled him for the fatigue
of further examination today, and he would
therefore crave the indulgence of the COM
mittee. and asked to be excused for the dav
The examination was postponed until 9
o clock tomorrow. The committee went into
regular session for general business.