Mr. Blaine to Mr. Lincoln.
Washington, May 12, 1892.
Sir: Your dispatch No. 659 of the 29th ultimo, relative to the application of Mr. Sigmund Ehrenbacher for a passport, has been received.
This is one of those cases in which the residence abroad is not in the country of paternal allegiance and no possibility of a conflict of jurisdiction is imminent. The applicant has been assiduous in retaining the evidence of a right to protection by renewing his passport every two years during his twelve years’ sojourn abroad. While the circumstances of his stay in England may not be inconsistent with a floating intention to return to the United States as soon as circumstances permit, it is lacking in that definiteness which is desirable. Indeed, the personal impression made upon you is that “he has in fact, no definite intention of ever returning to the United States, and that he is as firmly established in business here [London] as any one.”
Should Mr. Ehrenbacher succeed in dispelling this unfavorable impression, or even materially lessening it, there might be no objection to your renewing his passport for two years longer, with distinct notification that its further renewal thereafter will depend on positive establishment of a definite intention to return to the United States as to a permanent home. If you shall decide to issue a passport upon a further hearing of the case, the Department would be pleased to receive a report as to the grounds of your action.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,