Mr. Hill to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation.
Berne,
Switzerland, August 11,
1904.
No. 54.]
Sir: I have the honor to present to you
herewith the case of Jacob Wertli, who on the 6th instant applied,
through the American consulate at Zurich, to this legation for a
passport. The legation considers the case to be one of doubtful
identity, which should be reported to the Department of State.
* * * * * * *
As will be seen from inclosure (1), Mr. Jacob Wertli applied on June 23,
1902, for a passport, stating himself to be a naturalized citizen of the
United States and presenting as evidence a passport issued by the
Department in 1877 to one James M. Vertly. He, however, signed his name
Jacob Vertley. Also, from inclosure (1) it will be seen that the
passport issued in 1877 was unsigned until signed in 1902 by Wertli in
the presence of the consul at St. Gall. Because of this difference in
the names, and for other reasons stated in inclosure (2), the legation
declined to issue a passport to Wertli.
Now under date of August 6, 1904, Mr. Wertli again applies for a
passport, this time through the United States consulate at Zurich,
claiming to be a native citizen, and presenting as evidence passport No.
60616, of July 21, 1902, issued by the Department of State.
The legation is unable to satisfy itself that the Jacob Wertli who now
applies for a passport as a native citizen of the United States, and who
in 1902 applied under the name of Jacob Vertley and as a naturalized
citizen, really is the James M. Vertley to whom the Department issued a
passport in 1877.
Upon decision of the case the legation would be pleased to have the
Department return inclosures (the passport application and expired
passport).
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Simon to
Mr. Hardy.
American Consulate-General,
St. Gall, June 23,
1902.
Sir: I send you herewith inclosed an
application for a passport of one Jacob Vertley, together with some
other correspondence pertaining to his application.
In view of the fact that the produced long-expired passport was
issued for James M. Vertley, and not to Jacob Vertley, as he signs
now, I have suggested [Page 815] to
him to send for a copy of his naturalization certificate. He is,
however, unwilling to do so, and urges that his application be
forwarded to you as it is. Upon my inquiry why the name in the old
passport does not correspond with his present one, he replied: “In
former days I signed my name that way, believing that James and
Jacob meant the same thing.” An old schoolmate of his, whom he
brought here for the purpose of identification, says that he knows
the applicant well, but knows him only by the name “Jacob
Wertli.”
I feel fully convinced that Mr. Vertley has resided in the United
States for a long time, but whether he is the real owner of the
inclosed passport is a question, and his
unwillingness to send for a copy of his naturalization
certificate gives the matter a kind of a doubtful
appearance. The old passport (inclosed) was not signed and Mr.
Vertley has only put his name to it while here.
Very respectfully,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Hardy to
Mr. Simon.
American Legation,
Berne,
Switzerland, June 26,
1902.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of June 23 instant, inclosing the application of Mr.
Jacob Vertley, together with other correspondence pertaining to the
application, and an old passport, No. 506, issued by the Department
of State on April 16, 1877, to Mr. James M. Vertley, which you
inform me was unsigned and has only been signed recently in your
presence.
The signature Jacob Vertley does not correspond to the name of the
person to whom the passport was issued, and under any circumstances
the former would have to establish to your complete satisfaction
that he is the identical person, James M. Vertley, to whom the
passport belongs.
In addition to this irregularity the applicant alleges that his
naturalization papers have been destroyed by fire. In this case the
regulations require that the applicant should obtain a certified
copy of the original certificate of naturalization from the court
which issued the same.
His unwillingness to send for a copy, taken in connection with the
fact that the signature he affixed in your presence is not the name
on the face of the passport, furnishes sufficient reason for
questioning whether he is the real owner of the passport in
question. The fact that he has resided in the United States is not
proof of naturalization.
You will inform Mr. Vertley that in order to secure a passport he
must furnish proof of naturalization as indicated above.
Yours, respectfully,
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Simon to
Mr. Hill.
American Consulate,
Zurich, August 6,
1904.
Sir: I send you herewith inclosed, for your
consideration, passport application and expired passport of Jacob
Wertli.
If I remember right, about three years ago this man Wertli made
application in St. Gall as being a naturalized citizen. A passport was refused him at that
time, and I believe it was on the ground that his name in his
naturalization certificate and that one on an old passport did not
read alike—in one it was “Vertley” and in the other “Wertli.”
Now he makes the most positive statement that he was born in St.
Louis. I think my correspondence on file there on this matter, from
St. Gall, in 1900, 1901, or 1902, will bring some light on the
subject.
Very respectfully,
