Mr. Thieriot to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, November 26,
1900.
No. 55.]
Sir: I am very sorry to have to state that in
spite of numerous interviews with the minister of foreign affairs,
letters and remonstrances, this Government has decided to refuse
permission for the sale of Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, Sarsaparilla and Ague
Cure.
I take the liberty of inclosing a copy of my last letter to the minister
of foreign affairs, dated 20th of November, 1900, as well as a
translation of the last letter to me from the foreign office.
Messrs. James Cassels & Co., Oporto, have been informed of this
news.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Thieriot to
Mr Arroyo, minister of foreign
affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, November 20, 1900.
In addition to the petition made to your excellency on the 22d of
October, 1900, I have the honor to say that I am requested by the
firm J. C. Ayer & Co. to state that they have no objection to
show the formula of their Sarsaparilla, which is not a patent
medicine, but approved of by all medical men.
The composition of Pink Pills was made known to the “Conselho de
Sande e Hygiene,” but not to the public. The three medicines which
the firm in question now begs permission to offer for sale are,
then, the following: First, Sarsaparilla; second, Cherry Pectoral;
third, Ague Cure.
These three medicines have been admitted for sale by all nations, and
the Sarsaparilla has the largest sale of any medicine in the
world.
Requesting of your excellency the favor of a speedy decision in this
matter, I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Mr. Arroyo to
Mr. Thieriot.
Foreign Office,
Lisbon, November 23,
1900.
With reference to the permission asked for by the firm J. C. Ayer
& Co. for the sale of their pharmaceutical preparations, and in
reply to your excellency’s notes on the subject, I have to acquaint
your excellency that the general board of public health has informed
this department that by a ministerial decision permission has been
denied for the sale of the medicines denominated Ayer’s Cherry
Pectoral, Ayer’s Extract of Sarsaparilla, Ayer’s Ague Cure.
I avail, etc.,
