Mr. White to Mr. Foster.
London, October 19, 1892.
Sir: Referring to your predecessors instruction, numbered 754, of May 12 last, I have the honor to acquaint you that Mr. Sigmund Ehrenbacher called at this legation on the 15th instant and renewed his application for a passport.
I informed him that the statements he had previously made here with respect to his return to the United States had failed to convince us of any certain intention on his part to reside and perform the duties of citizenship therein, and that I did not see how under those circumstances a passport could again be granted to him.
He at once replied that, since applying for a passport in April last, he had fully made up his mind to open an office next year in New York, and that he was walling to make an affidavit to that effect, which he did. I inquired whether that implied an intention to reside there permanently, and Mr. Ehrenbacher said that it would undoubtedly involve the necessity on his part of residing there very frequently and for considerable periods of time; but that, as he did not contemplate closing his London office, he would, in all probability, often have to return to London.
After a careful perusal of Mr. Blaine’s instruction aforesaid, I decided, in view of the affidavit made by Mr. Ehrenbacher and of the fact that he was born in the United States and that his business is the sale of American hops, to issue a passport to him.
[Page 236]In handing the passport to Mr. Ehrenbacher, I gave him distinctly to understand, however, that its further renewal, at the expiration of the two years for which it is valid, would depend upon the production of evidence satisfactory to this legation of his having at that time established his permanent home in the United States.
I have, etc.,