Mr. Adee to Mr. Lincoln.

No. 787.]

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 678, of the 19th ultimo, relative to the restrictions on the importation of cattle, sheep, and swine into Great Britain from the United States, I inclose for your information a copy of a letter of the 13th instant from the Secretary of Agriculture in regard to the subject.

As it appears from the statements of the Secretary of Agriculture that the cattle of this country are now absolutely free from pleuro-pneumonia, you are authorized to make such temperate representations to Her Majesty’s Government in regard to the subject as in your judgment will be best calculated to cause the British authorities to understand how deeply this Government feels the injustice of their restrictive measures in regard to American cattle.

In accordance with the wish expressed by the Secretary of Agriculture in his above-mentioned letter, you are instructed to take the necessary measures to secure the removal of the prohibition of the importation of sheep upon the conditions laid down in Lord Salisbury’s note to you of the 14th ultimo.

I am, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure to No. 787.]

Mr. Rusk to the Secretary of State.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 2d instant, inclosing copy of dispatch No. 678, of the 19th ultimo, from our minister at London, relative to restrictions on the importation of cattle, sheep, and swine into Great Britain from the United States.

I regret to learn that the Government of Great Britain maintains its position that cattle landed from the United States affected with lung disease since August, 1890, were suffering from contagious pleuro-pneumonia. I feel very certain that these animals were simply affected with ordinary pneumonia, contracted by exposure to the inclement weather of winter and spring, the season when these cases occurred. The history of the animals, as well as the appearance of the lungs, bears me out in this view. If this conclusion is correct, then the Government of Great Britain will, if it adheres to the policy laid down in its correspondence, maintain its prohibition against the introduction of American live cattle for all time, as cases of pneumonia from exposure in severe weather must continue to occur in spite of any precautions which can be taken.

The United States is now free from contagious pleuro-pneumonia, this disease having been eradicated by the destruction of all diseased and exposed animals. This Government can not, therefore, rest any longer under the imputation of disseminating the contagion of that plague with its export cattle. We are simply asking for justice in this matter, and unless that is granted such measures should be adopted as are likely to secure it.

As a willingness is shown to remove the prohibition against the introduction of American sheep, I would request that Mr. Lincoln be instructed to make such representations to the Marquis of Salisbury as may be necessary to secure the removal of this prohibition as soon as possible under the conditions laid down in the letter of the Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Lincoln.

I have, etc.,

J. M. Rusk, Secretary.