Passive

See Debt; Trust. PASSPORT (Fr. passer, to pass, port, harbor or gate). In Maritime Law. A paper containing a permission from a neutral state to the captain or master of a ship or vessel to proceed on the voyage proposed. It usually contains his name and residence, the name, property, description, tonnage, and destination of the ship, the nature and quantity of the cargo, the place from whence it comes, and its destination, with such other matters as the practice of the place requires. It is also called a sea-brief, or sea-letter ( q. v.). But Marshall distinguishes sea-let- > ter from passport, which latter, he says, is pretended to protect the ship, while the former relates to the cargo, destination, etc. This document is Indispensably necessary in time of war for the safety of every neutral vessel; Marsh. Ins. 317, 406 5. A Mediterranean pass ( q. v.), or protection against the Barbary powers. A document granted in time of war to protect persons or property from the general operation of hostilities.

Wheat. Int. Law, 3d Eng. ed. § 408; 1 Kent 161; The Amiable Isabella, 6 Wheat. (U. S.) 3, 5 L. Ed. 101.

In most countries of continental Europe passports are given to travellers. These are intended to protect them on their journey from all molestation while they are obedient to the laws. The secretary of state may issue, or cause to be issued in foreign countries by tfhch diplomatic or consular officers of the United States, and under such rules as the president may prescribe, 'passports, but only to citizens of the United States; R. S. §§ 4075-4076.

See Safe Conduct.