Noyes to M. Barthelémy St. Hilaire, February 22, 1881

Mr. Noyes to M. Barthelémy St. Hilaire.

Sir: Referring to our conversation of this morning, regarding the decree of your excellency’s government, prohibiting the importation into France of American pork, I beg leave to submit, for such consideration as your excellency may deem them entitled to, the following observations:

The preparation and sale of pork constitute one of the most important industries of the United States, and a vast amount of capital is invested in the same. The maintenance for any considerable time of the decree in question would result in the financial ruin of thousands of our business men. Pork, to the value of many millions of francs, is now afloat, on its way to France, or has already arrived, and is waiting delivery. Bills for payment on account of these consignments have been drawn and discounted, and the drafts will inevitably go to protest in Paris if this decree remains in force. I trust, therefore, that it will not be considered strange that my government and countrymen entertain a deep feeling on this subject.

The decree was issued without notice, and became immediately operative. Therefore, there was no opportunity afforded to provide against the immediate disastrous effects and loss occasioned thereby.

I appreciate fully the considerations regarding the public health, referred to by your excellency in our interview of to-day, and should be loth to urge or suggest any action which would imperil either life or health. But I respectfully suggest that in the United States there are probably fifteen million persons who consume daily American pork, to the exclusion of all other kinds of meat. Thirty-five million more habitually partake of pork, interchangeably with other kinds of meat. No disastrous consequences have followed, and neither life nor health has been endangered. Under such circumstances, and with such unlimited means of knowledge, it seems to my government and people inconceivable that the infection or disease complained of, and which purports to form the basis of the decree, can be so general or extensive as to warrant the summary measure adopted by the French Government; and I respectfully suggest that the disease complained of is not confined to American pork, but is quite as common to that of France and other countries. In American pork it is certainly exceptional, and comparatively rare, as a long and extensive experience has assured my government and countrymen.

Considering, therefore, the interests involved, and the facts to which I have alluded, I beg leave to express the hope that the decision arrived at by your excellency’s government may not be considered final and irrevocable, but that the decree may be at least so modified as to admit American pork into French ports subject to rigid inspection and condemnation of such, if any, as may be found diseased.

My government very respectfully, but most urgently, protests against the decree, as now in force, and urges a reconsideration of the subject, with a view to the revocation of the order and the adoption of some other expedient not injurious to American trade and commerce, and not incompatible with the welfare of the French people.

I beg to be informed, in as much detail as is convenient, as to the extent of the inspection of American pork, upon which the order was based, the relative amount of such meat found to be defective, and as to whether any actual cases of sickness or death in France, resulting from the use of American pork, have been officially reported.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew the assurances of the distinguished consideration with which I have the honor to be, your excellency’s most humble and obedient servant,