Hamilton Fish to Baron Lederer, April 30, 1874

No. 23. Mr. Fish to Baron Lederer.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 30th ultimo, informing me that your government has it in contemplation to invite an international meeting, with a view to ascertain whether, according to scientific experiments, the quarantine system furnishes sufficient security against the introduction of cholera, and what measures may be most advantageously adopted to arrest the progress of this epidemic; and asking whether the United States would be disposed to take part in such discussions.

In reply, I beg you, Mr. Minister, to convey to your government the President’s acknowledgment of their courtesy in this matter, and to say that this Government will be disposed to take part in such discussions should the proposed international meeting take place, and will in that event probably be represented by a representative from the office of the Surgeon-General of the Army of the United States.

Accept. &c.