Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-09-07
PASSPORT TO PEOPLE OF COLOR

Mr.. Clayton, Secretary of State, thus ex
plains the course he has taken and will con
tinue TO pursue, relative to passports to oul
colored brethren. We find his letter in thf
Salem Register but it does not state to whom
it was addressed. Mr.. Clayton it appears
VIII adhere to the usage Of the Department
WASHINGTON, Aug. Is, l849.
ours OF the 10th instant, incloses an ex-
tract from the Boston Post, in reference 10
the refusal of the State Department to grant
passports to persons of color. This refusal
was not IN consequence of any new rule or
order made by me,-but in pursuance of what
mas oeen the settled regulation of the Depart
tnent, before my connection with it. The old
ofhcers OF it, among whom is the chief clerk,
VINO has employed in it for twenty years, all
assure me that this is the rule
AS to the two cases cited by the Post,
know nothing OF either, except what the rec
oros OF the Department show. That of Rob
: urVis, IN 034, is thus accounted for. II
seems he applied to Mr.. MeLane, the Secre-
tary OF State, who granted him 10 the first in
etace, only protection as person of color,
and ''denied him the title of citizen of the
niteo States" So says letter on file from
Robert Vaux, of Philadelphia. Mr.. Vaux
adds: "This individuals father was a mer-
chant of great responsibility in Charleston S.
c.; he left him considerable estate. upon
the income Of which he lives as gentleman.
lie was educated in one of the Eastern Collie
ges, and is accomplished in manner and well
instructed. AS TO his African descent. it is
scarcely perceptible in his appearance; his
halr is straight, and many Southern complex
ions are as dark, in which not drop of negro
blood inaparts the tnge. He is about to en-
bark, with his wife, to travel in Europe. and
visit his relations who live in England and
Scotland. On his behalf. l pray leave to So
liclt for him passport, the usual form, to
which, as free-born American citizen, he
considers himsefentitled, from the de partment
OF State" passport was then granted to
Mr.. Purvis, but not as a colored man. This,
therefore, is no case for the purpose for which
1t was cited but was 10 accordance with the
rule
AS TO the other case, of Mr.. Williams, the
only information | can collect about it is from
Mr.. Chew, now Consular Clerk, and who
was IN the office of Passport Clerk, during the
time of If forsyth, his kinsman, was at the head
OF the Department. HIS certificate will |
hope, satisfy you on that subject. Mr.. Red
dell, the present Passport Clerk, who occu
pied che Place under Mr.. Buchanan, states
that Mr.. Buchanan always refused passports
to men of color.
have signed more than two thousand blank
passports in five months. After they are
signed by the Secretary, they are filled up by
the Clerk, who never exhibits them to the
Secretary, unless some question arises.
That the rule Of Department may have
been in some case formerly overlooked, is not
improbable but Of the rule itself ther is no
doubt. But should feel myself justified in
granting protection, in case OF necessity, to
persons ofcolor, which would be equally effici
ent tor all ordinary and useful purposes.
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.