No. 263.
Mr. Morton
to Mr. Blaine.
Have seen Mr. Gambetta and urged the abrogation of the pork decree. He says there exists serious public apprehension of danger from consumption American pork, which he personally does not share, but finds necessity of some reason for abrogation of decree which would satisfy public, and wished to know if our government could not inaugurate public inspection of meats for export; this would greatly facilitate satisfactory settlement. He understood other governments had made similar suggestion. He expressed himself as convinced of exaggerated character of supposed danger and as personally favorable to friendly action, but also as obliged to confront prejudice which could not be overlooked.