Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Blaine.
London, April 9, 1890. (Received April 21.)
Sir: I have the honor to acquaint you that Mr. H. C. Quinby, a resident of Liverpool, has recently written to this legation asking for a copy of the instructions relating to passports for the expressed purpose of [Page 332] writing “a statement of the ease to one of the Boston papers,” the case being the refusal to issue a passport to him on account of his declining to fill up in a satisfactory manner the blank in the prescribed application relating to a prospective return to the United States and resumption of the duties of citizenship there. Mr. Quinby has been informed that it is supposed that he wishes to have a blank application such as was shown him when here, and that, while it would be sent to him with pleasure if asked for with a view to applying for a passport or to writing to the Department of State, I do not consider it proper to send him an official blank from this legation to be used for the sole purpose of writing to a newspaper, as stated by him.
This correspondence has recalled to my attention the subject of Mr. Quinby’s personal application for a passport made at this legation on March 1 ultimo, and which, although at once made known to me, failed to be reported to you in consequence of my absorbing preoccupation at that time.
It had been reported to me that Mr. Quinby had said at Liverpool that he proposed “to make a case,” in consequence of the refusal of this legation to issue a passport to Mr. Samuel B. Oliver, as reported to you in my dispatch No. 184 of the 19th of February last; and when, upon visiting the legation for the purpose, he was furnished by Mr. McCormick with the prescribed blank form of application for a native-born citizen, he at once objected, as I am told, to being required to fill up the blank in respect to his return to the United States. The conversation which thereupon ensued with Mr. McCormick is summarized in the memorandum, of which a copy is inclosed, which Mr. McCormick made at once upon Mr. Quinby’s departure.
Upon the matter being reported to me, I considered there could be no doubt of the propriety of the refusal by this legation to issue a passport to an applicant who, having been domiciled continuously in England for 39 years, expressed his intention of never returning to the United States to resume the duties of citizenship there, and approved the action of Mr. McCormick.
Trusting that it will also meet your approval,
I have, etc.,