226 CONTAGIOUS LUNG FEVER OF CATTLE. 



The follovv-iiig is a copy of tlie circular inclosed by the Secretary of the 

 Treasmy : 



[Circular.] 



INFORMATION IN REGARD TO CATTLE DISEASE. 



Treasury Department, 

 WasMtujton, D. C, Fclruari/ 1, 1879. 

 To collectors of customs and others: 



By department's circular of December 18, 1878, it was directed that live cattle 

 eMpped from tlio various ports of the United States might be examined -with reference 

 to the question vrhether they were free ixom contagious diseases, and that, if found to 

 bo fi'co from such diseases, a certificate to that effect should be given. 



By that circular such inspection Avas not made compiVlsory, but the certificate was 

 to be issued only upon the apx^lication of parties iuterfi-.tiMl. 



As the export trade in live cattle from the United States is of vital importance to 

 large interests, every precaiition should be taken <o guard against the ohipment of 

 diseased animals abroad, and such a guarantee given as \rill satisfy foreign countries, 

 especially Great Britain, that no risk will ensue from such shipments of couimiinicat- 

 ing contagious or infectious tliseases to the anhuals in foreign countries by shiiimonts 

 Ixom the United States. 



Collectors of customs arc, therefore, instructed that in no case will live animals be 

 permitted to be shipped from theii- respective ports ixutil after an inspection of the 

 animals with reference to their freedom from disease, and the issuance ef a certificate 

 showing that they are fi-eo from the class of diseases mentioned. 



Notice of rejected cattle should bo promptly given t© this department. 



In order that this department may be fully informed in regard to such diseases in 

 any part of the United States, collectors of ciistoms are reiiuestcd to promptly forward 

 to this department any information which they may bo able to obtain of the presence 

 of contagious or infectious diseases prevailing among live animals in their vicinity. 



It is probable that if the disease prevails to any considerable extent it will be no- 

 ticed in the local press, and collectors are requested to send copies of any such notices 

 to this deiiartmcnt for its information. 



JOHN SHERMAN, 



Secretary. 



The following letter has been received from Prof. James Law, who, it 

 will be seen, has been ordered to the port of New York by the governor 

 of that State : 



AsTOR House, Xew York, Fehruary 8, 1879. 



Dear Sir : I came down here last night in accordance with instructions from the 

 governor of New York to ascertain and report as to the existence of the lung fever in 

 cattle. From what I have seen to-day I have no doubt of its existence in Kings and 

 Queens Counties, but I hope very soon to be able to report on the i^ost-mortem lesions 

 as well as the an tc-mortcm symptoms. 



I hear that the malatly exists in Watertown, Conn., perhaps at Ratonah, Westches- 

 ter County, New York, and around Newark, N. J. The two first places I expect to 

 visit in the interest of New Y'ork, and I shall find out what I can about the vicinity 

 of the shipjiiug yards for the stock exported to Great Britain. Would it be well for 

 me to visit Newark also before returning ? 



I strongly commend the position you have taken in this matter, as the only just and 

 tenable one. If we should ever sulibr from a temporary susiicnsion of the foreign trade 

 in cattle, it will be well expended if it should lead to a thorough extinction of the 

 luflg plague in the United States. 

 Yours, very truly, 



JAMES LAW. 



lion. Wm. G. Le Due, 



Commissioner of AgriciiUurc. 



The following late telegrams, showing the action of the British Gov. 

 erument, are apijeiided: 



THE AMERICAN CATTLE TRADE— NO FURTHER INTERFERENCE EXPECTED. 



London, Februuru 8. 

 A committee of the Cattle Trade Association at Liverpool, in order to avoid inter- 

 ruption to tlio trade, have offered to erect the necessary lairage and abattoirs to com- 

 ply with the requirements of the Privy Council. It is believed, however, that, in 

 consocjucuco of the growing imi)ortanco of the trade to Liverpool, cither the authori- 



