The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-30
HISTORY OF PASSPORTS
In the United states From the
Founding ofthe Union.

In the United states From the
Founding ofthe Union.
Washington, July 22.-Nearly everyone
knows what a paspor- is. out few ere &C
quainted with the history of passports
! or with the several varieties of them, or
with the laws, rules and regulations af-
fecting those issued by the Uuited States.
| These topics are treated with consIdera Die
fullness in a monograph on THE Ameri-
can Passport" just prepared by Mr.. Gail
| lard Hunt, chief of the passport bureau
of the department Of state. and soon TO
be issued by the department.
The word passport" is derived from
| the French passes, to pass, and port a
port or harbor. Originally it meant per-
mission to enter or leave a port, but this
was extended to include a general per-
MISSION of passage or travel. In time Of
peace law-abiding American citizen has
| always been free to leave the country or
a foreigner to travel or sojourn here.
During the civil war, however, no one was
permitted to enter or leave the United
States without a. passort- AS a general
rule, it may be said that a passport is
dOSu4AACllI lSSOCQ ny the SECRETARY VI Std le
or under his authority, to a citizen of the
United States, stating his citizenship, and
requesting for him free passage and all
lawful aid and protection during his
travels or sojourns in foreign lands. 1t is
intended only for use abroad, and has no
sanctioned uses in our own country in
time of peace. A special passport differs
from ordinary in describing pa
official rank or occupation of the holder,
and often also the purpose of his travels
abroad, while generally emitting a de-
scription of his person. 1t serves, there
fore, as a letter of introduction, which
may procure special attention to the
bearer in his travels Another document
which, though not having all the force
and effect of special passport, is known
and treated as such, is given to foreigners
of dictinction now and then, though of
late years it has been confined to dip
lomatists accredited to this government
and members of their families Albeit
the special passport probably goes back
for its origin to the beginning of the
government, the first one recorded bears
date of March 2, 1919, and is signed by
John Quincy Adams a secretary of state
1t notifies "all to whom these presents
shall come that
THE bearer hereof, John Henry Pur-
Vance, charged with Public Dispatches
to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States at Madrid upon the voyage
These are therefore request all whom il
may concern to permit the said John H.
Purviancse to pass. without let or Moles-
tation in going, staying or returning;
and to give to him all friendly aid and
Protection as these United States will do
in like cases.
The descriptions Of the occupation or
purposes of travellers bearing these spec
ial passports read quantity at times. Luz
Their Bradish, Esq. is set down as about
to visit different foreign countries with
the view Of gratifying a commendable
curiosity, and of obtaining useful infor-
nation; Peter Stephen Chazotte as
about to visit and explore the southern
part of East Florida with view to meri-
torious and laudable purposes; and the
Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis as having been
appointed professor of Oriental languages
and literature in Washington college.
Connecticut" and as intending to travel
in various countries in the East. "solely
for literary purposes, and with the laud-
able view to charging his qualifications
to perform the duties of his professor
ship" In tbs last case the thraveller
was commended ito the friendly Offices
of the people of all countries in which he
may travel, whether they be Christians.
Jews, or others
A form of passport which wears an !
odd look in these later days IS that which /
began to be Issued in February. 1s25. to |
free persons Of color, requesting all whom |
It might concern TO permit them safely |
and freely 20 pass" Before any such |
passport was issued. the secretary OF /
state required satisfactory evidence thai |
the negro was actually free For exam |
pie, clerk If court could certify that /
"A. B." a bright mulatto man, about . 4
years of age, five feet eight and a half i
inches high. apparently straight and we.I /
PRO portioned. nigh. round so7heai, hazel /
eyes. rather large nose and small mouth
a small mole on the right side OF the fore
head, a scar on the snd OF the fored-ge-
q the lef, hand no other scars Or marks
about him. full face, large features. and
good countenance. Is q free man. as aD-
pears By deed OF u7anu-nission from c .
70 him. fled and recorded this day il Esy
office" etc. As for the rest the influence
which procured the passport was usually
4 batch OF letters from various persons
Interested IN the negro. commenting KIN
10 the department q state
We have become 50 accustomed 70
treating passorts as essentially federal n
origin that = vii perhaps be news Il
Al except the o.der class % readers thai
1ntil the year 80 we had no lsv rest-srt-
ng the granting q passports 70 TIE fes-
sral authority Al art . congress n
SIS 80 proaibit iaie=corse win tae
forbade any citizen o. ress1sn;
= ,hs United Sta-eS 20 cross tAe frontier
n;o the ensuy's territory vsihou; a pass
,o-t FROM soze Authorised e1-os- g: lie