Mr. Seward to Mr.
Clay
No. 110.]
Department of State, Washington,
December 19, 1864.
Sir: I enclose herewith, for your information
and guidance, a copy of an order issued by this department on the 17th
instant, directing that, with the exception of immigrant passengers, no
traveller shall be allowed to enter the United States without a passport
signed and vised by an American minister or consul. You will make this
fact known to the Russian government.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Cassius M. Clay, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Enclosure.]
Department of State,
Washington,
December 17, 1864
The President directs that, except immigrant passengers directly
entering an American port by sea, henceforth no traveller shall be
allowed to enter the United States from a foreign country without a
passport. If a citizen, the passport must be from this department,
or from some United States minister or consul abroad; and if an
alien, from the competent authority of his own country; the passport
to be countersigned by a diplomatic agent or consul of the United
States.
[Page 366]
This regulation is intended to apply especially to persons proposing
to come to the United States from the neighboring British provinces.
Its observance will be strictly enforced by all officers, civil,
military, and naval, in the service of the United States, and the
State and municipal authorities are requested to aid in its
execution. It is expected, however, that no immigrant passenger,
coming in manner aforesaid, will be obstructed, or any other persons
who may set out on their way hither before intelligence of this
regulation could reasonably be expected to reach the country from
which they may have started.
