Mr. Gresham to Mr. Vignaud.
Washington, March 2, 1895.
Your telegram of February 26, announcing that importation of American cattle to France has been prohibited, does not state grounds for this abrupt and unexpected harsh action. The Secretary of Agriculture asserts that cattle in the United States are entirely free from contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases, and have been for more than a year, and that our regulations are ample to prevent the exportation of diseased animals. In view of these statements, the President directs that you inform the French Government the United States regards this prohibition as a needless and unfriendly interference with an important branch of legitimate trade, and that you remonstrate against its enforcement.