No. 145.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Morton.
Washington, November 9, 1883.
Sir: Referring to Mr. Brulatour’s dispatch No. 382, of the 1st of August last, in regard to the application of Mr. Eugene Albert Verdelet for a certificate or attestation from this Government that he, the applicant, has maintained his American nationality up to the present time, I have now to state that the question has been carefully considered. The material facts upon which the application is based appear to be that Verdelet père, the father of Eugene Albert, was born in France, resided in this country thirty-five years, and in 1853 became a citizen of the United States by naturalization. In 1859 he returned to his native country, and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred in 1874. In 1862 Eugene Albert, the present applicant, was born at Bordeaux, France. He has always resided in France, has never been in the United States, and expresses no intention of ever coming here to reside, although, he says, property interests may render it necessary for him to visit the United States at some future time.
A passport is the usual form in which this Government attests the nationality of citizens of the United States to a foreign Government, Under the circumstances of Mr. Verdelet’s case it is considered that he is not entitled to a passport, and consequently that he cannot justly claim a certificate in any other form attesting the fact that he has maintained American nationality.
You will inform Mr. Verdelet of the conclusion thus reached by the Department in respect to his application.
I am, &c.,