No. 234.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. McLane.
Washington, February 1, 1887.
Sir: Your dispatch. No. 346, of the 13th ultimo, in regard to the application of Mr. Richard King (who has made his declaration of his intention to become an American citizen) for a passport has been received and considered.
If Mr. King should, on appealing to this Government for protection, show that he was domiciled in this country as well as an inchoate citizen by virtue of having declared his intention, the question of granting protection would be presented for consideration. But this position does not involve the admission of Mr. King’s right to a passport or special protection papers. A passport can only be granted to native or naturalized citizens, and protection papers are no longer issued by the Department.
I am, etc.,