Free The Passport in America: The History of a Document by Craig Robertson Page A

during a very difficult time in my life. Jessica Ryan and Ben Sadock ensured the manuscript made it through the production process in better shape than it went in. I am also grateful to Jane Caplan and Adam McKeown for their generous and insightful reviews (and for identifying themselves, in what I take to be the spirit of this project).
    My thanks and gratitude also go to my friends far away in New Zealand who, while they have never read a word of this, have provided their support in numerous ways: Sally Aitken, Bridget Byers, Paula Cody, Donald Reid, and Judith Holloway. Also far away are my family, who have provided a constant source of generosity, love, and confidence: Yvonne, Lisa, and Campbell; Grant and Alf; Stephen, Delwyn, and Cleo. As I was revising this book my father, Doug, died unexpectedly. Like all my family he fully supported everything I did but it is fair to say that he definitely championed me in his own unique way. That he will never get to hold this book nor be around to see what my future holds is something I continue to struggle with.During this difficult time, and more frequently in happier times, I have also been fortunate enough to have the support of another family, the Shackelfords: Sarah, Dwayne, Jack, Ryan, Rhiana, and especially Jim and Janet.
    Two people deserve somewhat more detailed thanks. I cannot thank my brother, Stephen, enough. On a practical level his expertise as a twentieth century U.S. historian meant he always had a book or journal article to point me to when I had written myself into a corner, and he was a steady source of strategic advice on how to develop this project. But more importantly his support and enthusiasm for this book have known no limits. I simply can’t imagine how I would have completed this book without him.
    Finally, but adhering to the conventions of academic acknowledgments by no means least, is Erin Shackelford. She is the person who shows me what matters in life, from her tireless efforts to help the underpaid and overworked get the respect their labor deserves to her unbelievable ability to know exactly what to say, or when to walk away, regardless of the situation. In terms of this project through conversation and probing questions she continually convinced me that a history of the passport could actually be interesting. More importantly Erin was there for the emotional roller coaster that was the backdrop as I completed this book. As well as experiencing the death of my father we have also experienced the joy of the birth of our daughter, Edie, and the wonderful first two years of her life. For all these things and more I thank you Erin, my best beloved and best friend.

THE PASSPORT IN AMERICA

Part One: Assembling the Passport

Part Two: Using the Passport

Appendix
Important Dates in the History of the Regular United States Passport
     
     
     
1782
The Continental Congress gives the Department of Foreign Affairs the responsibility of issuing passports in the name of the United States.
1790
Congress passes a law that provides punishment for the violation of any “safe-conduct or passport duly obtained and issued under the authority of the United States” (1 Stat. 118, sec. 28, Rev Stat. 4602).
1811
First known passport issued by the State Department in Washington to include a description of the bearer. It is presented in paragraph form with blanks after each of the descriptive categories.
1810s
A small representation of the U.S. coat of arms becomes the first ornamentation to appear on passports issued in the United States.
1818
The production of all credentials and certificates, including passports, is made the responsibility of a junior clerk. Fewer than one hundred passports are issued annually.
1820s
The physical description of the bearer is presented as a list of features on the left side of the passport.
1833
The State Department is restructured according to a series of bureaus. The Translating and Miscellaneous Bureau becomes responsible for