No. 259.
Mr. Morton to Mr.
Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Paris, May 13, 1885.
(Received May 26.)
No. 774.]
Sir: Although I have not recently communicated with
the Department in regard to the prohibition in France of American salted
pork, I have not neglected the matter, and have availed myself of every
occasion to press the settlement of this question.
As I informed you, a bill is now pending before the Chambers which cancels
the prohibitive measures and substitutes a general system of inspection
applicable to all countries.
As this law, although not as liberal as I could have desired it, satisfies
the French importers of American meats, I have urged its passage, and
expressed to both the minister of foreign affairs and the minister of
commerce, my earnest desire of being enabled to inform you, before my
departure, that the French Government supported it, and would endeavor to
secure its passage at an early date.
In reply to these representations, I have received a communication from Mr.
de Freycinet, a copy and translation of which are herewith inclosed.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No.
774.—Translation.]
M. de. Freycinet’s
note to Mr. Morton.
Sir: You were good enough to express to me the
interest that the Government of the United States attached to the prompt
removal of the prohibition affecting, upon entry into France, salted
meats of American origin, which withdrawal is inscribed in a project of
law pending before the French Chambers. At the same time you acquainted
me with your desire to be able to take with you, at the termination of
your mission, the certitude that this question was settled, at all
events in principle.
[Page 368]
As you are aware, it was after a formal vote of the Chamber that the
preceding cabinet was obliged to withdraw the decree of November 27,
1883, authorizing the introduction into France of American salted meats.
The project of law which was afterwards laid before Parliament has for
object the opening anew of French territory to the importation of
American salted pork; in establishing at the entry a service of
inspection. The commission charged with the examination of this project
has decided in the same sense. At the present time it is for Parliament
to decide, and the Government can only endeavor to hasten a settlement
of the question.
I have recommended in a special manner this matter to my colleague, the
minister of commerce, whose duty it is to come to an understanding with
the reporter of the commission in order that the project may be shortly
discussed. A solution must, therefore, soon be arrived at, and I take
pleasure, sir, in giving you this assurance, to reply to the desire that
you were good enough to express to me.
Receive, &c.,
