Diplomatic and consular service, American; United States -- Colonial question; United States -- Politics and government
The government affords all the protection it can under the
circumstances. Of course it can have no jurisdiction in criminal cases,
except in uncivilized countries, and it can have no civil jurisdiction
except by treaty or by the law of the land. “The right of a citizen to
claim protection is founded upon the ‘correlative right’ of his country
to his ‘allegiance and support.’” Consuls are “particularly cautioned
not to enter into any contentions that can be avoided, either with their
countrymen or with the subjects or authorities of the country. They
should use every endeavor,” continues the “Regulations”, “to settle in
an amicable manner all disputes in which their countrymen may be
concerned, but they should take no part in litigation between citizens.
They should countenance and protect them before the authorities of the
country in all cases in which they may be injured or oppressed, but
their efforts should not be extended to those who have been wilfully
guilty of an infraction of the local laws. It is incumbent upon citizens
of the United States to observe the reasonable laws of the country where
they may be. It is their duty to endeavor on all occasions to maintain
and promote all the rightful interests of citizens, and to protect them
in all privileges that are provided for by treaty or are conceded by
usage. If representations are made to the local authorities and fail to
secure the proper redress, the case should be reported to the consul
general, if there be one, or to the diplomatic representative if there
be no consul general, and to the Department of State.”
I have quoted this passage almost entirely because it is the best
expression to be found, probably, of the general attitude of the
Government of the United States toward its citizens abroad.
Citizens intending to sojourn abroad should register at the consulate
within which they are to reside. This is not required, but it may be a
great convenience both ways.
Who are citizens? (1) “All persons born in the United States and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof”; (2) all children born to such natives,
even if beyond the jurisdiction of the United States; (3) “any white
woman, or woman of African nativity or descent, or Indian woman, married
to a citizen of the United States, is a citizen thereof”; (4)
naturalized citizens; (5) the minor children of naturalized citizens.
“An official letter of introduction, when given to a citizen of the
United States, is valuable to the holder for prompt identification in
case he needs the intervention of a consular officer in his behalf. But
in no case must the letter be understood or taken as implying any claim
upon the consul for hospitality or personal courtesies beyond the
politeness always due to citizens of the United States when they have
legitimate business with a consulate”.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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