Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
No. 337.]
Legation of the United States,
Brussels,
January 23, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, in
translation, as interesting in connection with our own legislation upon
the subject, the provisions of a bill for preventing the introduction
and spread of the cattle plague, which was presented in the house of
representatives yesterday by the minister of the interior.
I have asked our consul at Ghent to collect and send over to you a
complete collection of the laws, ordinances, and regulations bearing on
this subject.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 61]
[Translation.]
Article 1. The government is authorized to
prescribe, by royal decree, such measures as the fear of the
introduction or the existence of epizootique
disease may render necessary, with respect to commercial relations
with foreign parts, in the interior of the country as well as the
frontiers.
Art. 2. A special regulation will fix the
conditions and the amount of indemnity to be given to those having
in their keeping sick or suspected animals whose slaughter may be
ordered.
Art. 3. The penalties for disobedience of
the provisions and regulations established in virtue of article 1
shall be imprisonment from three months to two years, and a fine of
from one hundred to one thousand francs, together or separately.
Art. 4. In case of extenuating
circumstances the penalties of imprisonment and fine can be reduced
to those coming within the category of simple police offences.
