No. 90.
Mr. Brulatour to Mr. Frelinghuysen .

No. 209.]

Sir: I have the honor of informing you that the persistent efforts of this legation in view of obtaining from the French Government the right [Page 156] for American corporations doing business in France to be considered and treated on the same footing as those of other countries have at last resulted in a measure giving us this long desired satisfaction. A decree dated the 6th instant and issued the 9th, a copy and translation of which are herewith inclosed, grants to American corporations and companies the privileges of legal status in France which had already been extended to nearly all the countries of Europe.

You will notice that this privilege is only granted to such of the American corporations “which have sought and obtained in the United States the authorization of the government.”

It is hoped that this restriction will only be nominal; it is rendered necessary by the law under which the decree is issued, and is attached to all similar grants. But as the French courts have decided that foreign corporations established by authority of the laws of their respective countries, and which have complied with the conditions imposed upon them by said laws, are to be considered as having obtained the authorization of their government, the American corporations have all reason to expect that their legal status will be hereafter fully recognized in France.

It gives me pleasure to add that the advantage just now secured to American interests is entirely due to Mr. Morton. It is through his personal relations with the cabinet officers and other legal functionaries who have had the matter in charge that we have succeeded in obtaining aresult which this legation has for many years endeavored to accomplish.

I have, &c.,

E. J. BRULATOUR.
[Inclosure in No. 209.—Translation.]

The President of the French Republic upon the report of the minister of commerce.

Whereas the law of May 30, 1857, is as follows:

  • Article 1. The anonymous corporations and other associations, commercial, industrial, and financial, which have sought and obtained the authorization of the Belgian Government, may exercise all their rights and have legal standing in the courts of France, upon conforming with the laws of the Empire.
  • Art. 2. A decree rendered by the council of state can apply to all other countries the benefits contained in article 1:
    • Upon seeing the request of the minister of the United States at Paris;
    • Upon seeing the letters of the minister of foreign affairs under dates of August 5, 1880, February 3 and December 30, 1881, January 13 and 27, and June 5, 1882;

The council of state being heard, it is decreed:

  • Article 1. The anonymous corporations and the other associations, commercial, industrial, and financial, which have sought and obtained in the United States of America the authorization of the government, may exercise all their rights and have legal standing in the courts in France upon conformity to the laws of the Republic.
  • Art. 2. The minister of commerce is charged with the execution of the present decree, which will be inserted in the Bulletin des lois, and published in the Journal Ofiiciel of the French Republic.


By the President of the Republic:
JULES GREVY.

By the minister of commerce:

P. TIRARD
.