No. 327.
Mr. Blaine
to Mr. Lowell.
Department
of State,
Washington, June 17,
1881.
No. 183.]Sir: I inclose herewith for your information a copy
of a communication to this department from the Commissioner of Agriculture
in relation to the action of the British authorities in condemning many
cargoes of American cattle recently landed at Liverpool to be slaughtered
for the alleged existence among them of foot-and-mouth disease.
It appears according to the statements made by the Commissioner of
Agriculture that the investigations made under his directions by competent
veterinary surgeons have failed to find any traces of the existence of the
disease in the United States, and that in view of this fact he has directed
Mr. Charles P. Lyman to visit England for the purpose of making further
investigations in regard to the subject there. It is added that Mr. Lyman
carries with him proofs of the strongest character relative to the
non-existence of foot-and-mouth disease among American cattle.
In view of the exceedingly injurious effects which the action of the British
authorities at Liverpool, in condemning American cattle to be slaughtered
upon being landed, is having upon an important and growing branch of our
commerce, I will thank you to thoroughly investigate the subject with as
little delay as possible, and after having done so, to make such
representations to. Her Majesty’s Government in regard to the matter as may
be justified by the facts.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 183.]
Mr. Le Duo to Mr.
Blaine.
Department of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C., June 7, 1881.
Sir: Many cargoes of American cattle, recently
landed at Liverpool, have been condemned and slaughtered by order of the
veterinary inspectors of the British Government, for the alleged
existence among them of epizootic aphtha, or foot-and-mouth disease. I
use the word alleged, for the reason that this
disease does not prevail in this country. A thorough investigation, by
competent veterinary surgeons, was recently made under the direction of
this department, in all the great cattle marts of the West, and some of
the cargoes of the cattle condemned were even traced back to the
localities in which the animals were bred, raised, and fattened, without
finding a trace of the malady. The disease is of such a well-known
contagious character, is so easily spread by contact with contaminated
objects, and withal is of such short incubation (a period or but three
or four days), that it could not exist in any section of the country
longer than a few weeks without extending to other localities and
becoming known.
The condemnations in question for a disease that does not exist on this
continent have affected and continue to affect our export cattle trade
unfavorably and materially; and as they are not warranted by the facts,
they demand governmental interference, to protect one of the most
important of our agricultural interests.
Charles P. Lyman, F. R. C. V. S., has been directed by me to visit
England for the purpose of making investigations of this subject. He
carries with him proof of the strongest character relative to the
non-existence of the foot-and-mouth disease among American cattle. This
he will, of course, furnish to Mr. Lowell, our minister at London.
I have thus called your attention to this subject, in order that you may
take such action in regard to it as the case may demand.
Very respectfully,
WM. G. LE DUC,
Commissioner of
Agriculture.
