Mr. Olney to Mr. Brun.
Washington, November 28, 1896.
Sir: Acknowledging the receipt of your note of the 18th instant, I have the honor to return, duly authenticated by the secretary of state of the State of New York, the certificate you sent me of the naturalization of Jens A. E. Sorensen by the county court of Kings County on the 20th day of October, 1891.
It would appear from your note that the purpose of your inquiry touching the authenticity and competent issuance of the certificate in question is to ascertain the truth of Mr. Sorensen’s allegation of United States citizenship, in view of the charge of violation of the military-service law of Denmark which has been laid against him. While the naturalization of aliens in this country is by the laws here of a function of any State court of record having a seal, a passport issued by or by authority of the Secretary of State is by statute the only certification of citizenship that may be granted by the Federal branch for use abroad in attestation of the party’s rights to protection as a citizen.
It does not appear that Mr. Sorenson has applied to the United States legation at Copenhagen for protection, or that the representative of the United States has been notified of the charge against this man. A copy of your note and of the reply will be sent to the legation in order that it may, upon Mr. Sorenson’s application, issue to him a passport, [Page 118] should the facts establish his right to protection as a citizen of the United States while he continues to reside abroad.
I beg to suggest that in the present instance the proceeding would have been greatly simplified and shortened had the legation been promptly advised of Mr. Sorensen’s allegation of United States citizenship, so that the accused could have duly established without delay his right to protection.
Accept, sir, etc.,