Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.

No. 683.]

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 672, of the 22d instant, I have the honor to inform you that, acting upon a suggestion of Minister [Page 487] von Bülow, I called to-day on Baron Richthofen, at the foreign office, to inquire about the proposed meat inspection bill. During the short interview I had had with the secretary of state for foreign affairs on the 28th instant, he had, of his own accord, referred to this matter, had said that the draft would soon go before the Bundesrath, and stated it as being his opinion that the measure would not only not interfere with the importation of American pork products, but would probably result in increasing the quantity imported. * * *

I have, etc.,

John B. Jackson.