Office of the Historian

Mr. White to Mr. Gresham.

Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, September 13, 1894.
(Received September 28.)
No. 264.]

Sir: William Hess, a naturalized citizen of the United States, of Austrian birth, desires to relinquish his citizenship.

Mr. Hess obtained his naturalization at Buffalo, N. Y., October 25, 1870, by application to Hon. T. G. Marsten, and bears a passport signed by Charles Emory Smith, minister, etc., February 25, 1891.

He claims that the exigencies of his business in this Empire make it desirable that he become a Russian subject, and he finds that to become such he must secure a certificate from proper authority, stating that the Government of the United States has no objection to his change of allegiance.

As I find no precedent for such a case I inclose draft of a certificate respectfully asking instructions regarding its form and issue.

I am, etc.,

And. D. White.
[Inclosure in No. 264.]

Draft of certificate.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that whereas William Hess, a citizen of the United States, has declared by letter his intention and desire to relinquish his citizenship and allegiance to the said United States:

Now, therefore, this is to certify that this legation, representing the Government of the United States, finds no objection to the aforesaid William Hess becoming a subject of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia.