Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-11-11
RICHMOND WHfG.
isroRrANr DECISION. ~>NEGRo CITIZENSHIP

~ ~ - NA - ~ ~ w III Il VI
IMPORTANT DECISION. NEGRO CITIZENSHIP
Bsaos NJ girs impoiAnt com.aaic.,,-s from the
k.ir Dspaftmsnt In reissesee much vexed question:
the eifcnship Of Tree negroes IL s addressed H. D.
ce Cicr Of Oh. Saperior Court OF New York. through
whom free negroes (serenader-) Who about TO
60 10 b"reP,. made application for passports.
HNAW FtNAt DErsRrNErr SrAre, \
wAsu,SsroS. Nov. 4th, 1850. (
IT. n. Rice, Esq New York City-
b. sI-Yoar letter. the goth ultmo and Sd inst,
received aud directed by the Secretary to inform
you that the papers transmitted by do not warrant the
department In complying with your rcqaa-t
psssport /. certificate that the person to whom Il j.
granted Il citizen the United States, aud ID only
be issued upon proof Of this fact In the papers which
accompany communication, there 10 not satisfactory
evidence ihat persons for whom you request passports
arc OF this description They represented Ia let
ter a 'colo~cd and described In the affidavit black
from which statements u NAV fairly inferred that they are
negroes II this Is there be doubt that they
are not citizens Of the United States The question
whether negroes such ctzn rs not prrsen
ted for the first me but has repeatedly arisen in the all
ininsratou oil both the National aud State Governments
In lsai controversy TO whether free persons
oi color citizens Of the United States within the in
tent and meaning Of the OF Congress regulating Tor
egn and cosstug trade, to be disqualified Ia CON.
mand vessels, and W.. Writ Attorney General decided
that they were not and held that the WORDS
czens Of the United States were used in the acts oi
Congress In the same In the constitution. This
view is also fully sustained in recent opinion OF the pre-
emit Attorney General.
effect La Kcnts Commentaries vol 2, p. 277, IL is sta
ted that ia 1883 Chief Justice Dagget OF Connecticut
held that free blacks citixens within the
Ing OF the term used In the constitution oil the Uuicd
States, and the Supreme Court OF Tennessee, in the
Of the State against Claiborne, held the doctrine
Such being the construction oi the constitution in regard
90 free persons OF color. Is conceived that they be
regarded, when beyond the jurisdiction OF the
enuted tae full rights Of czcn; but the Secretary
directs To that though the Department could not
certify that such persons OF the United States,
yet II satisfied OF the truth oil the facts it would givea
hcate that born in the Uoted States and tree and
that the government thereof would regard its
~ project them wongcd by foreign government,
while within It's Jurisdiction for legal aud proper pur-
pose.
am, sir, respectfully your obedcnt servant
j. A TaoSas, Assistant Secretary.
4. TuE.rRoAL Musical, Sc-rne veteran "Old Joe
Swc-ny hasjast collected troupe OF talented performers
with which 10 make perigrinauoa through Kentucky
--Brvwus Mnstrcs open Cincinnati Monday,
and Bookers Troupe glazing the
Ono ---rhe "Peak Family" advertised "vocallsLs,
harpsts. and Lancashire beringers, have been giving
concerts IN the towns OF Western New York.-The
National Theatre in Boston, veiy shortly-Forrest
cceds the Italian Opera Troupe the Boston Theatre
aud will be followed by townsmaI Edwin Booth, Who
says New York Mirror, "is the equal Of t. Davcu
port motor, with difference, that Mr.. Davenport
has attained his maximum capacity while the other, At
every shows Immensely more IN the promise than ia
what he is" Mr.. Booth has been suil,nug
from sickness at his mothers residence this CITY,
ring the week. We rsret To learn that he has su
centy recovered to proceed to Richmond where he
to appear tonight-Miss Annette luce is present
fll,g highly successful engagement at Pittsbug.-Mr
j. ". Maack, Mr.. =. Barton Hill, ani Mrs Melinda
Jones' ali made tneir first appearance the Norfolk Va
rcts "Wednesday evening, in the great play oi Mac
beth-The ST Louis Theatre closed the Let Instant
Manager DE Bar taking his company to New Dc
lcas, Mr. aud Mr.. W. j. Florence accompanying hun
these iavorte artists appear the Crescent city s
opening night
Chaotic aud Miss Albertine 'starring" in Louis
vile.--The Theatre recently built in Cincinnati
called the Peoples Theatre has been finished and the
innitac John Ovens OF Baltimore, present
ininense houses there.-rhe "Persecuted Dutchuian
:. w. Geun, Of Baltimore concluded a very successful
engagement at Wheeling few days ago, and has since
been ru"ticatng at his home in this city. lie is appear
III Troy, N T. ON Monday evening in 'Jetho Baxter and
"The Serious Family" NJ. q. has but few equals in
Datch aud Yankee cllaracters-MissS Stephens young
lady Of New YORK.. has recently made sery successful
bat at Waacks Theatre. She is represented being "a
little above the medium ght, with darK eyes and hair
very pretty arm, and graceful figure. Her head
pecialy deserving the compliment paid Curinuas-as
having model made OF it--The Keller Troupe
the Walnut Street Theatre. in Philadelphia Char
lotte Crnpton Western actress present play.
ing at Wheeling. Eliza Logan playing at CHI
cago last Week.-Mrs. Davenport has just completed
very successful engagement at Providence. H. III
j. b. Roberts and Mr. Seuter ars at the ROYAL l.,
ceum, Toronto CanadA--Mr Edwin Forrest was in
Philadelphia during the pr esent week aud while there
entered the following plays winch he had purchased from
their authors Tor copyright, in the Clerks Office of L.
District Court viz Jack Cade, Oraoosa Caius Maru
The Gladiator, The Broker of Bogota aud Meramora
Madtme Tourniairrs celebrated blood bay trick horse
Nv ashington, recently stolen from pasture on the
Licking nveT.-The latest European papers ifprin tbs
that Miss Charlotte Cushman play ng IN lgsow Scot
land are pleased 10 learn the OF MUIR
doe, American actor genuine and Complete OH Tia.
London boards -Barhey Williams aud vile continue Ia
draw Immensely, and engaged stock stars at the
Adphi (lonlon) Theatre--Charles Kean ha- Just pro-
duced Midsummer Nights Dream Princess London
--Ii'"o" Of AMe"s has been revived sadlrr'. Wells
-BaH Patriot