Bancroft Davis to Hamilton Fish, March 27, 1876

No. 79. Mr. Davis to Mr. Fish.

Sir: When I took charge of this legation I found that the system of records of passports which had been established by Mr. Wheaton at a time when few passports were issued was still adhered to. I inclose a copy of a single page of this record, in order to show how meager were the details which it afforded; quite sufficient, indeed, for the time when it was adopted, but totally inadequate for the wants of today, when American citizenship and American protection are sought by so many designing persons, without an intent of residing in America, or of performing any duties in return for the protection.

On reflection I thought it best to abandon the old memorandum-record, and to substitute in its place an original application, signed by the applicant, in which should be set forth all the facts necessary to be known to warrant the issuing of the passport, this application to be taken in duplicate, in order that one copy might be transmitted to the Department of State with the quarterly return of passports, and that the other copy might be retained in the legation as evidence of the issue of the passport, to be bound and indexed when there should be a sufficient number. I inclose copies of the forms now in use, as well those for native citizens as those for naturalized citizens. I also inclose copies of circulars which have been from time to time sent to consuls by this legation, to instruct them in the use of these forms.

The first secretary of this legation, Mr. Nicholas Fish, has voluntarily, and with considerable labor, analyzed the information contained in such passport-applications for the year 1875, and has prepared a series of tables which appear to me worthy of being brought to the notice of the Department for the valuable information which they contain. I therefore inclose copies of them. Mr. Fish’s tables yield some instructive results. The whole number of passports issued during the year was 223, of which 124 were issued to native citizens, and 99 to naturalized citizens.

Of the naturalized citizens, 19 had resided in the United States less than six months after their respective naturalization; 6 more than six months but less than a year; 15 more than one year but less than two years; 5 more than two years but less than three years; 5 more than three years but less than four years; 4 more than four years and less than five years; and in ten cases the length of residence in America after naturalization was not given.

In respect of the length of continued residence in Germany, in two cases it was not stated; in eight cases it was more than ten years; in sixteen cases it was more than five years but not ten years; and in thirty-two cases it was more than two years but not five. The average residence in Germany is about four and a half years.

The names of one hundred and two minors are added to the names of applicants in the passports. Of these, twelve only are children of native-born citizens. The protection of the United States is extended over ninety minors, whose parents are naturalized citizens of the United States residing in their native country. The average residence in Germany of the parents is exactly six years.

* * * * * * *

I have, &c.,

Copy of page 2 in Passport-Register No. 1 of United States legation at Berlin.

Form of application for a passport by a native

Issued ———, 187–.

No. ———.

native.

Applicant, ——— ———.

I hereby apply to the legation of the United States at Berlin for a passport for myself, my wife, and minor children, as follows: ——— ———, born at ———, on the ——— day of ———, 18—; and ——— ———.

In support of the above application I swear that I was born at ———, on or about the ———day of ———, 18—; that my father is a ——— citizen of the United States; that I am a native and loyal citizen of the United States temporarily residing at ———; that I left the United States on the ——— day of ———, 18—; that I am the bearer of passport No. ———, issued by——— ———, on the ——— day of ———, 18—.

Legation of the United States, Berlin, Germany.

Sworn to before me this ——— day of ———, 18—.

——— ———, Secretary of Legation.

Identification.

I, ——— ———, of ———, hereby declare that I am acquainted with the above-named ——— ———, and know him to be a native-born citizen of the United States.

——— ———.

Description of applicant.

Age, —— years.

Stature, —— feet —— inches.

Forehead, ——.

Eyes, ——.

Nose, ——.

Mouth, ——.

Chin, ——.

Hair, ——.

Complexion, ——.

Face, ——.

Oath of allegiance.

I, ——— ———, do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; and that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or law of any State, convention, or legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; and further, that I do this with a full determination, pledge, and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever; and further, that I will well and faithfully perform all the duties which may he required of me by law: So help me God.

——— ———.

Legation of the United States, Berlin.

Sworn to before me this ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—.

Form of application for a passport by a naturalized citizen.

Issued ———, 18—.

No. ———

naturalized.

Applicant ——— ———.

I hereby apply to the legation of the United States at Berlin for a passport for myself, my wife, and my minor children, as follows, viz: ——— ———, born at ——— on the ——— day of ———, 18—, and ——— ———, ——— ———.

In support of the above application, I do solemnly swear that I was born at ——— on or about the ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—; that I emigrated to the United States on or about the ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—; that I resided uninterruptedly in the United States from ———to ———, to wit, at ———; that I was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the ——— court of ———, at ———, on the ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—, as shown by the accompanying certificate of naturalization; that I am the bearer of passport No. ———, issued by ——— ———, on the ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—, and No. ———, which are returned herewith; that I am the identical person referred to in said certificate and passport; that I last left America on the ———day of ———, A. D. 18—; that I have resided in the United States since the ——— day of ———; that I am now temporarily residing at ———; and that I intend to return to the United States on or about the ——— day of ———, with a purpose of residing there.

——— ———, Applicant.

Legation of the United States at Berlin

Sworn to this ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—, before me.

——— ———, Secretary of Legation.

Identification.

———, A. D. 18—.

I hereby certify that I know the within named ——— ——— personally, and know him to be the identical person referred to in the within-described certificate of naturalization.

Description of applicant.

Age, ——.

Stature, ——.

Forehead, ——.

Eyes, ——.

Nose, ——.

Mouth, ——.

Chin, ——.

Hair, ——.

Complexion, ——.

Face, ——.

Oath of allegiance.

I, ——— ———, do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or law of any State convention or legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; and further, that I do this with a full determination, pledge, and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever; and further, that I will well and faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by law: So help me God.

——— ———.

Legation of the United States, Berlin.

Sworn to before me this ——— day of ———, A. D. 18—.

Table showing periods of residence of naturalized citizens in the United States before and after naturalization, time since leaving, age at emigration, and total period in the United States and in Germany.

Table showing the ages of applicants to whom passports were issued.

Table showing the offices through which the applications for passports were made.

Table showing the ages of minors included in passports issued in 1875, their sex, and whether their parents are native or naturalized citizens of the United States.

Table showing the total number of persons included in passports issued during 1875.