This is indorsed: The within mentioned Francis Maria Barrere has presented this passport to me this day, the fourteenth of August, being on his way to Madrid. Given under my hand in this city of Cadiz the day above mentioned in the year 1796. Jos. M. YZNARDI, Consul for the U. S. of Am. The record for 1817 shows that this form was changed so as to include in the body of the passport a description of the person of the holder: Form in 1817. Passports, UNITED STATES. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: The bearer hereof, William Dall, jun., aged twenty-two years, or thereabout, of the height of five feet, ten inches, light complexion, brown hair, gray eyes, has a scar on the left cheek, one on left eye brow, and one on the forefinger of the right hand. (whose name is here repeated in his own hand writing, viz.) a citizen of the United States of America, having occasion to pass into foreign countries about his lawful affairs, these are to pray all whom it may concern to permit the said (he demeaning himself well and peaceably) to pass where- In faith whereof, I have caused the seal of the [SEAL.] (Gratis.) to be hereunto affixed. Done at the City of Wash- of our Lord, 1817 and of the Independence of Secretary of State. The record for 1820 shows a further change, the description being placed on one side, and the word ing being shorter. terial change since. The form has undergone no ma It will be noticed that the word "Gratis" is omitted; but in a passport of later date (May 14, 1833) it is found restored, and later (1857) omitted, as it has been ever since. No. 2. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Age, years forehead Eyes, Nose, mouth, chin, hair, complexion, face, Signature of the Bearer [SEAL.] I, the undersigned, Secretary of State Given under my hand and the im- Form in 1820. Passports, No. 4. The wording of the passport now in use has been Ante, p. 28. already quoted. It differs from the wording of the Size of first passport. Cut at top. In 1833. passport of 1820 only in the insertion of the words 66 Department of State;" in the arrangement of the wording in the body of the passport; in a slight change of the recital, "Given under my hand" etc.; and in the insertion at the top of the words, "Good only for two years from date." The first printed form of a passport is about the size of a modern letter sheet and has no ornamentation whatever. In 1817 a new form contained a small cut of the American arms at the top. The eagle, however, is portrayed with the head turned in the wrong direction; with six, instead of thirteen, arrows in the dexter, instead of sinister, talon; having a shield on his breast with eighteen, instead of thirteen, pales; alternate gules and argent, instead of argent and gules. In 1833 appeared a large, engraved passport, about one-third smaller than the one now in use. The effigy at the top is a displayed eagle, his head turned to the left, bearing upon his breast a lyre, with the motto upon it, "Nunc Sidera Ducit."* *I have been unable to ascertain the origin of this motto. Mr. Henry Livingston Thomas, Translator of the Department, suggests the following as a possible explanation of its source: Statius, in the sixth book of the Thebaid, verse 360, uses the words "quis sidera ducat." The poet is describing the obsequies of Archemorus, son of Lycurgus, King of Nemea, in which Apollo takes part with song and the lyre. Statius thus describes Apollo's song: Tunc aperit, quis fulmen agat, quis sidera ducat A note from Prof. Charles Eliot Norton, of Havard, says: Thirteen stars surround the eagle, and thirteen stars of varying magnitude, forming the constellation Lyra, are upon the lyre and the eagle's breast and wings. The Department seal is engraved (not impressed) and bears the legend "Secretary of State's Office," and under it is the engraver's name, "W. I. Stone, script. et sculpt. Washington, D. C.”* In 1872 another form is found without any effigy at In 1872. the top and with the engraved seal bearing the legend Department of State." The engravers' names are given, "Philp & Solomons, Washington." The plate in use in 1875 contained no ornamenta- In 1875. tion, and the engraved seal was omitted. In 1877 another effigy was used, composed of a In 1877. group a seated female figure holding a battle-ax, an American shield, and an eagle having a scroll in his beak with the motto "E pluribus unum" on it. It was executed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The device now used was adopted in 1889. It consists of an eagle with spread wings and open beak (furiosant, heraldically speaking), perched upon a horizontal flagstaff, the American flag flowing behind. This, also, was designed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. source. They doubt if it comes from any classical author. It may come from some one of the belated Latins, or from some Renaissance Latinist, or be a pure invention." *This was the same engraver who made a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence by direction of Secretary John Quincy Adams in the winter of 1823-24. It was distributed by the Department June 12, 1824. (See Annals of Congress, first session, vol. 1, p. 912; 4 Stat., p. 78; Department circular, June 12, 1824.) Limited passports. CHAPTER IX. PASSPORTS ISSUED ABROAD. THE archives, beginning in 1796, show that many of the passports issued abroad by our legations in London and Paris were for a limited period, which was stated in the passport, most of them being for three months, some for six months, and a few for one year. Still fewer were for an indefinite period. After 1808 many were granted "to depart," and the Register of destination of the recipient was stated. It would appear from the entries made that evidence of identity was exacted before the passports were issued, and that they were given, in the earlier days at any rate, only to citizens of the United States. The first recorded passport issued abroad is as follows: Passports, 1796-1812. Post, p. 85. First passport. I Passport William Allen Deas, Charge des Affaires of the United States of America at the Court of Great Britain. I do hereby certify, That Samuel Potts-sixty years of age, Five feet eight inches in height, blue eyes, ordinary sized mouth, large Nose, high Forehead, bald, fair Complexion, gray Hair, and long Face, is a citizen of the United States of America and as such is entitled to all the privileges to that character belonging. This certificate to avail during the Voyage upon which Mr. Potts is on the point of embarking for the United States. Given under my Hand and the Seal of Legation at WM. ALLEN DEAS. [SEAL.] |