The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-02
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Gov. CHASE on THE MASSACHUSETTS AMEND,
MENr.-Gov. Chase has written letter in re-
spouse to inquiries addressed him by COM
mittee OF Germans, regarding his opinion of the
Massachusetts extension Oflthe term of natural.
cation, i'll which he says that it is "almost, if
not entirely, the unanimous Republican opin-
ion, in this st te that no discrimination should
be made, by amendment OF State Constitution
or otherwise, between citizens Of foreign and
native BIRTH" This he declares to be his own
opinion. He refers TO his opposition to a sim
liar proposition in this State, made two years
ago, and handsomely expresses his sense of
obligation TO his naturalzed fellow citizens for
their generous confidence and earnest support
of himself, and for the noble ardor with which
they have opposed the aggressons of the slave
power.
Hon. Humphrey Marshall has declined the
American nomination for Congress, in the
Louisville (Ky.) district.
LOUISIANA PoLITICs.-Ne,o Orleans, Nav
27,-The Democratic State Convention at Ba-
ton Rouge, has after sharp contest of three
days, nominated Thomas Moore, Slidell man,
for Governor.
PAssPoRTs.-As citizens of the United States
visiting foreign countries are liable to serious
inconveniences if unprovided with authentic
proof of their national character, their best
safeguard is passport from the State Depart
ment, certifying the bearer 10 be a citizen of
the United States. Passports are issued gratu-
itously upon application, supported by proof of
citizenship.
This proof need be transmitted but once.
On all subsequent occasions, simple refer
ence to it, and to the period when it was pre-
scented, will be sufficient.
When the applicant is a natice citizen of the
United States, he must transmit an affidavit of
this fact, signed by him, stating his age and
place of birth, and sworn to by himself and
one other citizen of the United States named
therein, to whom he is personally known, and
declaration made by him is true. This atiida-
Wit must be attested by notary public, under
his signature and seal of office. When there
is no notary in the place, the affidavit may be
made before a justice of the peace, or other
officer authorized to administer Oaths.
If the applicant be naturdlized citizen, his
certificate of naturalization mnst be transmitted
for inspection. 1t will be returned with the
passport The widow or the children Of natu
rallied citizen must transmit the certificate Of
the naturalization of the husband or the father,
stating uLder oath that they are such widow or
children.
The application should be accompanied by
description of the person, stating the follow
= feet - inches, English measure;) fore
chin, hair, =; complexion, =; face, =.
When the applicant is to be accompanied by
his wife, children, or servants, or by females
under his protection, it will be sufficient to
state the name and ages of such persons, and
their relationship to the applicant.
Persons who leave the country expecting to
obtain passports while abroad from the diplo-
matte or consular agents Of the United States,
are liable to disappointment, inasmuch as it is
the duty OF those agents not to grant documents
OF this character, except to persons who are
certainly known to be entitled to them and
1T is sometimes difficult. if not impracticable,
to procure proof of this fact la foreign coun-
try.
Certificates of citizenship, or passports, is
sued by State authorities, or by judicial or
municipal functionaries of the United States,
are not recognised by the officers Of foreign
Governments; and by the 23d section of the
act OF Congress approved on the 18th of August
last, it is made penal for such authorities and
flpctionaries to issue such passports.
A NEGRO ACTING AS PASTOR FOR WHITE
PEOPLE.-On Lynn Greek, Giles county, Ten
nessee, there is Hardshell Baptist church,
supported by number of wealthy communi-
cants, who for several years'Psst have had for
their regular pastor negro man named George,
known as " Bentlys Old George" and belong.
ing to one Matthew Bently. George is said to
be a most excellent man and q good preacher.
Some time ago he bad . noted public discus
sion, lasting four days, with waite preacher,
on the subject Of Baptism, fTow WHICH the white
man is said TO have come OF "secQRd best"
The church wants to buy George; but he is un.
willing to be sold out of bis master family, and
is withal regular Southern Pro Slavery Parson.
George is the preacher p charge Of . large
congregation, nearly all Of whom are slayehold-
srs, and who pay him salary of:$60o or $500
for his pastoral service.