Mr. Blaine to Mr. Phelps.

No. 404.]

Sir: I have received Mr. Coleman’s No. 377 of January 7, 1892, inclosing the passport returns for the quarter ending December 31, 1891.

The application of Alexander Block, No. 1202, apears to be the only one calling for a few cautionary observations.

Mr. Block swears that he was born at New York March 26, 1875, of a father who emigrated to the United States in 1870 and was subsequently naturalized. The applicant further states that he resided uninterruptedly in the United States for about five years, from 1875 to 1880, at New York; that during the latter year he left this country for [Page 185] Germany, and has resided for a period of six years in Heiligenstadt. He is at present at Nuremberg, and expects to return to the United States within five years, with a purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein.

No other particulars are given in Mr. Block’s application. He was 17 years of age in March last and apparently has been away from the United States since 1880, with no prospect of returning, as he states, for a period of five years from October 10 last, the date of his application. “While the Department only requires the oath of those persons who have been born in the United States, yet, in view of the circumstances of this case, it believes that Mr. Block should, unless you already possess the information, give some explanation of his continual residence away from the United States.

If necessary, you may require this report from him through the United States consul at Nuremberg.

I am, etc.,

James G. Blaine.