Mr. Gresham to Mr. White.
Washington , October 2, 1894 .
Sir: The Department is in receipt of your No. 264, of the 13th ultimo, in relation to William Hess, a naturalized citizen of the United States, of Austrian birth, who desires to relinquish his citizenship and become [Page 558] a subject of Russia. He informs you, you say, that in order to accomplish this he must secure a certificate from proper authority stating that the Government of the United States has no objection to his change of allegiance. Finding no precedent for such a case, you inclose a draft of certificate and ask instructions regarding its form and issue.
I am aware of no statute authorizing or making it the duty of a diplomatic or other officer of the United States to give such a certificate, Mr. Hess’s right to abandon his American citizenship, under the laws of this country, can not be questioned. This Government holds that the “right of expatriation is a natural and inherent right of all people” (Rev. Stat. U. S., sec. 1999), and it would seem that by calling the attention of the Imperial Government to that provision Mr. Hess can accomplish his purpose.
I am, etc.,