Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.
Port au Prince, Haiti , January 26, 1901 .
Sir: A gentleman by the name of Julienne Guilloid called and requested to be registered on the books of the legation as an American citizen. He not being able to furnish sufficient evidence that such was the case, I have refused, but stated to him that I would call the attention of the honorable Secretary of State to his request.
The evidence that he produced to support his request for registration is a paper issued to his father forty-one years ago by the State of Louisiana, bearing the name of Julienne, a mulatto, and stating that “the bearer was a resident of that State.” Attached thereto was the seal of the State and the signature of the governor, John Whitcliff. In addition to this another paper was produced, bearing the signature of one of the United States consular agents, calling upon this Government to give the bearer protection and the right to move from place to place in the Republic of Haiti as an American citizen. Later there appears an indorsement upon this paper of a similar character, signed by the Hon. J. W. Thompson, at the time the United States minister resident and consul-general here.
I would be glad to send copies of such papers, but Mr. Guilloid refused to leave them without his father’s consent. After a further investigation I find that this gentleman has no intention of returning to the United States, nor has he returned within the time he left, forty-one years ago, during the whole of which time he has been a resident of St. Marc, Haiti (I have reference to the father). The son, who is [Page 280] the applicant for registration, is 23 years of age, has never been to the States at any period of his life, nor was he registered on the books of the legation or the consulate at the time of his birth. As I have stated, I have refused to register him, believing that his father had lost his citizenship, and that the son had not made this request at the time he reached his majority. I do not desire to do injustice to him, and therefore request of the Department to inform me if the action taken by me was correct.
I have, etc.,