Mr. Hay to Mr. Townsend.

Sir: The Department is frequently in receipt of information that naturalized citizens who receive its passports suppose themselves to be thereby rendered exempt from the operation of the military laws and laws relating to expatriation of the country of their origin on their return. It has, therefore, been determined to send to each person of foreign birth who receives a passport from this Department a brief and easily comprehended statement, showing what treatment he may expect to encounter if he returns to the country of his origin.

The Department has no information concerning the military or other laws of Belgium as they may affect a Belgian subject who secures naturalization in this country and returns, and you are instructed to furnish a report on the subject at the earliest practicable date.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.