Noyes to Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, June 22, 1881

Mr. Noyes to Mr. St. Hilaire.

Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency that I have this day received an important dispatch from the Hon. James G. Blaine, Secretary of State, at Washington, regarding the matter of the decree of your excellency’s government prohibiting the importation into France of American pork.

I am instructed to say that immediately after the publication of the decree in question the Government of the United States took earnest and efficient steps to ascertain faithfully and impartially the truth regarding the condition and character of American pork as an article of food, with a view to adopting such measures as might be deemed necessary to insure life and health, in case the facts were found to be as set forth in the report upon which the prohibitory decree of your excellency’s government professed to be based. It was apparent from the outset that your excellency’s government had been misinformed, and that in consequence its action had been mistaken and wrongful to the government and people of the United States. Recently, however, a more searching and careful investigation has been made by a most competent officer detailed for this purpose by the State Department, the result of which is set forth in the pamphlet, two copies of which I have the honor to inclose herewith to your excellency.

From what appears in this document, and otherwise, my government is satisfied of the entire justice of the ground it has heretofore taken, in denying the truth of the malicious rumors to which authoritative currency has been given in foreign countries. It considers it absolutely certain that there is no disease or infection pertaining to American pork, rendering it dangerous or injurious to life or public health. On the contrary, my government feels perfectly assured that the pork product of the United States is an innocent and healthful article of diet, in almost universal use, and nowhere with disastrous effects.

The honorable Secretary of State directs me to express the hope and belief of my government that your excellency’s government will consider the subject with the same desire to know the truth, and to act upon the same when ascertained, that has animated the Government of the United States.

The prohibitory action of the French Government has been adopted in other countries, and it is probable that the limit of disastrous effects has not been reached. The action of your excellency’s government is calculated to and does discredit one of the most important of American industries. The revocation of the decree of the French Government would undoubtedly be followed elsewhere as its unfavorable action has been. A serious blow has been inflicted upon American trade and commerce, and, as my government believes, without good and sufficient cause, and it is earnestly hoped that, considering the two great republics of the world, France and America, have so long entertained cordial and intimate relations, your excellency’s government will consider the subject in question in a spirit of friendliness and accommodation.

It is the plain duty of all governments to guard and protect the interests of their people, while recognizing their obligations to neighboring and friendly nations. My government is not unmindful of this duty, and in the interest of the American people it protests against a decree which it cannot but regard as arbitrary and unjust, although adopted upon information believed at the time to be reliable, but which subsequent information has failed to accredit.

Four months have now passed since this decree was promulgated. The loss already occasioned to American trade is irreparable, but the future is important. I therefore beg your excellency to inform me at the earliest practicable day as to what is the final determination of your excellency’s government in order that the government and people of the United States may be left no longer in doubt.

The report herewith inclosed will be translated into French at the earliest moment possible, and copies will then be forwarded to your excellency.

I avail myself of this occasion, &c.,