No. 205.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Sargent.*
Washington, October 9, 1883.
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence on the subject I have to inform you that in view of the action taken by Germany and several other foreign powers in prohibiting the importation of American pork, upon the ground that it is an unhealthful article of food, this Government has now taken measures for such a thorough investigation of the subject as will, it is thought, leave no doubt whatever as to facts.
To this end the President has designated a commission which he has charged with the duty of making a searching and impartial examination of all the conditions of hog raising and packing industries of the United States.
The chairman of the commission is Dr. George B. Loring, the Commissioner of Agriculture, whose official duties for several years past have made him familiar with the subject now submitted to the commission for formal investigation.
The other members of the commission are:
- 1st.
- Prof. C. F. Chandler, an eminent scientist of New York, who was unanimously selected by the Chamber of Commerce of that city on account of his peculiar competency for the position;
- 2d.
- Eliphalet W. Blatchford, esq., who was nominated by the Board of Trade of Chicago as an intelligent gentleman of the very highest social and business standing, who “is in no way personally interested in the business to be investigated, and is possessed of those characteristics which it is believed will enable him fully, ably, and fairly to cooperate with the other members of the commission in placing these most important interests in their true position before the Government, and through it before the commercial world”;
- 3d.
- F. D. Curtis, esq., of Charlton, N. Y., recommended by the Department of Agriculture as a gentleman who has given long and diligent study to the industry; and
- 4th.
- Prof. D. E. Salmon, of Washington, D. C, nominated by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and well known as one of the most learned and skillful veterinary surgeons in the United States.
This commission will be organized at an early day, and the results of its investigation will be submitted to Congress as soon as practicable.
As the imperial German Government has declined to be represented, it will not be necessary for you to communicate the contents of this instruction to that Government, but you may, when a suitable opportunity presents itself, informally make known to the foreign office the action which this Government has taken with reference to the matter.
I am, &c.,
- This instruction was also sent to the United States minister to France.↩