The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-08-03
EXTRAUT. Mr.. Webster to Isnacio TeIen, N. Y
iDPARTMEsT OF STATE,
WAsIIINGToH, June 25, 1859.

WAsIHEGToH, June 25, 1859.
The respect paid TO any passport granted
by this Department to naiuralized citizen,
subject Of Spain, will depend'up-
on the laws of ihat nation in relationt the
allegiance due it's authority by its native
born subjects. VI that Government recogni.
yes the right OF of its subjects to denatonal-
ize themselves. and asst milaie with the
citizens Of other countries, the usual pass.
port will be sufficient safeguard to you |;
bat il allegience TO the Crown of Spainmay
not legally be renounced by lis SUBJECTS,
you must expect 10 be liable to the obliga-
tons of Spanish subject, 'ifyou voluntari-
.ly place yourself within the jurisdiction Of
that Government.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WAsHISGToNi June I, 1882.
'SiR.: Ihave' to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter to Mr.. Redhall of the 9th ulti-
mo, inquiring'wheiher Mr.. Victor B. Depier.
re, a native of France, but a natuarlized
citizen Of the United States, can expect the
protection of this Government in that coun.
try when proceeding thlther with pass.
port from this Department In reply, have
10 inform you dhat if, as is understood 10 be
the fact, the Government of France does
not acknowledge the right of natives of that
country 10 reuounce their allegiahce,it may
lawfully claim their services when found
within French jurisdiction.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedi.
ent servant, DANIEL WEBSTER,
ToJ. B. Nones, Esq, New York.
The letter from Mr.. Everett, was address,
ed to our Minister at Berlin, under date of
l4th January, 1853, in reference to several
cases which had been presented by III Min
ister.
+" The question raised" Mr.. Everett,
writes, "has received the particular atten-
sion of the President" The following ex.
tracts sufficiently state this doctrine:
If, then, Prussian subject, born and liv-
ing under this state of law, chooses TO emil
crate 10 foreign country without obtaining
the certificate which alone can discharge
him from the obligation Of military services,
he takes that step at his own risk. He
elects 10 60 abroad under the burden of q
duty which tre owes to his Government
His departure is of the nature of an escape
bron her laws. and if, at any subsequent
period he is indiscreet enough to return to
his native country, he cannot complain il
those laws are executed TO his disadvantage.
His case resembles that of soldier or sailor
enlisted by conscription or other compul-
sorry process in the army or navy, If he
should desert the service of his country and
thereby render himself amenable to militia
ry law, no one would expect that he could
return 10 his native land and bid defiance TO
its laws, because, in the meantime, he
might have become natuaralized citizen
OF a foreign State.
For these reasons, aud without entering g
into the discussion of the question of per.
petual allegiance, the President is Of opin.
ion that, if subject Of Prussia, lying under
a legal obligation in that country to perform
a certain amount Of military duty, leaves
his native land, and, without performing
that duty or obtaining the prescribed Ger
tfcate Of emigration" comes 10 the United
States and is natuarlilzed, and afterwards
or any purpose whatever, goes back tc
Prussia, it is not competent for the United
States 10 protect him from the operation o
the Prussian law. The case may be one Of
great hardship, especially if the omission TO
procure the certificate arose from inadver
tance or ignorance but this fact though o
| just ground of sympathy, does not alter the
case. as one of International law.