Ambassador Thompson to the Secretary of State.

No. 54.]

Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the department’s instruction No. 26, dated the 9th instant, and its inclosure, relating to the refusal of the Mexican authorities to recognize federal meat-inspection labels, stamps, and certificates as evidence that fresh meats from the United States are fit articles of exportation to Mexico, etc. I have, as directed, brought the matter to the attention of the Mexican Government by my note of this date, copy inclosed, and transmitted with it the documents to which the same refers.

I have, etc.,

D. E. Thompson.
[Inclosure.]

Ambassador Thompson to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to refer your excellency to the contents of the inclosed copy of a communication from the Department of Agriculture to the Secretary of State of the United States, relating to the refusal of the Mexican authorities to recognize federal meat-inspection labels, stamps, and certificates as evidence that fresh meats from my country are fit articles of importation into Mexico, and to permit the entry of recent consignments of such meats on account of not being accompanied by the certificate required by article 67 of the Mexican customs regulations; and following the instructions of my Government, I beg to ask for your excellency’s good offices before the proper department of Mexico to the end that, if consistent, the above-mentioned or any other impediments be no longer placed against the importation of said articles into this Republic.

In order that your excellency’s Government may acquire the conviction that meats bearing the labels, brands, and certificates of the United States are perfectly [Page 1118] wholesome and free from disease, and that said inspection is strictly enforced by our federal authorities, thus insuring the same degree of safety as is aimed by the provisions of article 67 of the Mexican customs regulations, I inclose herewith copies of various sections of the United States Statutes at Large relative to the matter, and a printed pamphlet of the rules and regulations, and their amendments, for the inspection of live stock and their products.

Trusting that I may receive a favorable reply upon the subject,

I avail myself, etc.,

D. E. Thompson.