Mr. Day to Mr. White.

No. 462.]

Sir: I have to inform you that the passport applications which accompanied your dispatch of December 31 last have been received and examined.

It is observed that a passport was issued (No. 144, October 22, 1897) to Albert Foy, who was born in England, emigrated to this country, and was naturalized before “a court at Boston on or about the year 1874.” He produced no naturalization certificate, nor is there any statement from the embassy showing that other proof that he acquired citizenship was produced. In proof of his identification the embassy accepted a circular letter of instruction, but such a letter is not evidence of citizenship, nor does it usually contain any statement that the holder is an American citizen. It contained no such statement in this case. People in Mr. Foy’s class are the very ones whose applications require close scrutiny. Growing up in the United States and identified with no other country, they imagine they are citizens, and even in many cases perform functions of citizenship although they have never legally acquired it.

Respectfully yours,

William R. Day,
Acting Secretary.