Office of the Historian

Mr. Hicks to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Lima, January 14, 1890. (Received February 3.)
No. 70.]

Sir: This legation is frequently visited by men of European birth who have resided in the United States, where they have declared their intention of becoming citizens, but who have never completed their naturalization.

These men are in a state which naturally excites their apprehension, having renounced on oath all allegiance to their native land and not having completed the formalities which entitle them to be classed as full citizens of the land of their adoption.

Unless the Government of the United States can extend some protection, they feel that they are emphatically “without a country.” While they are manifestly not full citizens in the purview of the statutes, it seems to me that they are deserving of some attention as Americans. In the case of one who appealed for protection to this legation, I have drawn up a certificate stating the facts in his case and recommending him to such protection as he is entitled. While the instructions and regulations seem to discourage anything of the kind, I do not see that they positively prohibit it. I inclose herewith a copy of the certificate, which has not been issued, and await Departments instructions on the subject.

I will add that, as appears from innumerable “certificates of citizenship” in the hands of foreign-born residents in Peru, it was the custom of my predecessor in this legation during the war between Chile and Peru to issue “protection” of this kind to all who applied for it.

I have, etc.,

John Hicks.
[Inclosure in No. 70.]
Legation of the United States, Lima, Peru.

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that William Gylling, late of the county of Pima, Territory of Arizona, has exhibited to me the certificate of the district court of the first judicial district of the Territory of Arizona, county of Pima, Territory of Arizona, aforesaid, signed by George A. Chase, esquire, clerk of said court, and attested by the seal thereof, showing that on the 3d day of February, 1881, the said William Gylling declared his intentions to become a citizen of the United States of America and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to all and any foreign prince, potentate, state, and sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the King of Sweden.

Now, therefore, I call upon all to whom these presents may come to accord to said William Gylling the protection and safety to which he may be entitled under the laws of the United States of America.

Done at the legation of the United States in Lima, Peru, this —— day of —— A. D., 1890.