1. these are written documents, in due official form, signed and sealed by the proper authority, to convey official information, or serve as a means of protection, and to readily distinguish the american citizen abroad, or to give a permission or authority to go where those not having passports are forbidden to go. the passport conveys authentic information to whom it[259] may concern, to what nation the bearer of the passport belongs; and second, to protect him, and secure to him all the rights and privileges which the government has a right to claim for its citizens by virtue of any treaty of amity and friendship existing between it and the country whither its citizens may go.
the passport informs the world that the bearer of it is a citizen of the united states, and that he travels under its protection, and that it would demand and exact satisfaction of any one who wronged or injured him who bears such credentials.
2. in the united states, the secretary of state is the officer authorized by law to issue passports. he has the authority also to cause them to be issued in foreign countries by our foreign ministers and consuls, under such restrictions and rules as may be designated by the president. this is allowed as a matter of convenience to our citizens who happen to be in foreign countries without them; who need their protection, and who would be subjected to much delay and expense by going or sending home to procure them.
passports are not granted to any other than citizens of the united states, whether issued by the secretary or by any diplomatic or consular agent of our government.
3. besides these passports, which are given only to our own citizens when in foreign countries, or who intend to go there, there is another kind issued to foreigners who wish to go among the indians in the indian territory, or on the indian reservations. indeed, our own citizens are not allowed to go among them without permission. but foreigners cannot go without a passport from the secretary of war, which specifies the route over which the bearer must pass, and the length of time he is allowed to remain among them. this is done to prevent unfriendly foreigners from fomenting mischief, or from exciting unkind feelings towards our government or people. such unfriendly feelings have been created by foreigners, and we have often experienced the bitter fruits of it, especially in times of war.
4. still another kind of passports is used in this country,[260] and should be noticed under this head. they are passports for american ships or vessels. when they are about to sail for a foreign port, the laws of the united states require each to procure one, under a penalty or fine of two hundred dollars upon the master if he departs from the united states for a foreign country (other than some port in america), without it. the passport is prepared by the secretary of state and is approved by the president. this is given to the master by the collector of the port from which the vessel sails, and is one of the ship’s papers, by which her nationality is known, and her protection shown to be that of the united states.
