Mr. Cramer to Mr. Bayard.
Berne, June 20, 1885. (Received July 6.)
Sir: Hermann Blümeling, a German by birth, was naturalized in the court of common pleas of Hudson County, State of New Jersey, on the 24th of October, 1870, as will appear from a copy of the inclosed certificate of naturalization.
[Page 806]Said Hermann Blümeling was married to Margareth Job at Hoboken, N. J., on the 10th of June, 1862. On April 16, 1872, a son was born to them at Elizabeth, N. J., who was baptized in St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church of that city on May 4, 1872, receiving the name of Carl Henry Felix Blümeling.
On the 3d of May, 1873, said Hermann Blümeling died at Elizabeth, N. J.
Mrs. Margareth Blümeling, his widow, for the purpose of improving her health, went to the canton of Grisons, Switzerland, accompanied by her son, whose name is mentioned above, having no other official document of legitimation than her husband’s certificate of naturalization, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.
She has since then become weak-minded or insane, so that she was placed in an insane asylum at Pirminsberg, canton of St. Gall, Switzerland, where she is still. The police authorities of the canton of Grisons made application in her and her son’s behalf to the United States consul at St. Gall for a passport for herself and her son, referring to Article IV of the treaty concluded between the United States and Switzerland in 1850.
The United States consul at St. Gall referred this application to this legation; but, as stated by said police authorities, Mrs. Blümeling being insane and her son being a minor, they are thus unable to comply with the requirements prescribed for the purpose of obtaining a passport. As this legation has no authority to modify or suspend these prescribed requirements, it sees itself unable to issue a passport in this case. I therefore take the liberty to refer it to the Department, with the respectful request for instructions in what mode or form a passport may be issued to this unfortunate lady and her son, who is a minor.
I have, &c.,