The native American., 1840-01-11

erful report, at the commencement OF the session,
REPORT AND RESOLUTION
Of the Select Comm;i...ee ofthe Lo'd ,.ana Legis-
latue, on ..''le subject Of Foreign NaturaHs-
| ation.
The committee to whom was referred the memo
! rial of the Native American Association, res
! pectfuly report:
| They have had the memorial under consldera-
ton, and have given it that attention which its
great importance demands. The facts and argu-
ments set forth by thememoriaists, cannot escape
the observation even of the most superficial OBJ
server. The evils ompained ofmust alarm every
friend ofhjs country's besthopes. Our naturalized
citizens, as well as our native American population
have apprehenled and felt the evils resulting
from our loose and impolitic naturalization laws
They have seen hundreds Of thousands Of emf
grants, composed of the dregs of European popu-
Acknowledgement and vicious in the extreme
vested with the precious and sacred privileges Of
American citizens and called upon to exercise
those high prerogatves, which can only be ell.
trusted with safety to virtuous and enlightened
people. The immense influx Of foreign pau
pers and criminals into this country, who through
the abuse Of our laws or who even regularly
large portion of the patriotic and enlightened
population Of the country. We have much
reason to fear that the great increase Of citizens
ignorant of the history, laws and constitution Of
the United States, and imbued with feelings and
prejudices only fit for the sub ects of despotc
government will finally smother the voice Of
the native population, born and educated under
our republican institutions, and imbued with
their spirit, and with a Just understanding of
them from childhood. Our naturalized citi-
zens, who from their intelligence and education
are able to appreciate the true value, principles
and forms of government, have fully partaken in
all the worst fears of their feIlow-citzens, ma.
tives of the country.
Your committee feel that the protection of
our humane laws, and all the physical and III en-
tai advantages which our happy country is sowell
calculated to afford, should be continued to emf
grants who seek home in this land, but the
vesture of political rights should be withheld,
not only from those who do not understand true
liberty in the abstract, but from all foreigners
who are not acquainted with our government
and constitutions and the application of the
principles and facts ON which our fundamental
laws and rights are founded, are too precious
and delicate to be entrusted to ignorant reckless
hands.
We have had too often occasion to deplore
the invasion and prostitution of the rights of
suffrage by foreigners too hastily adopted as c-
tzens I'VE would deem it more wise to ex-
empt them from military duty (the strong claim
on which the right OF suffrage is founded) than
grant them those important privileges, which
are withheld from Native Americans in all
other governments. Even in our sister repub-
lie, the right of freehold is withheld from alien
The causes which induced the too liberal po-
1,ox, ,f l. i
Our country need no longer to hold out extraor-
dlnary inducements to attract emigration The
foreigners who fought with our fathers in the
revolution are no more, and their children are
our brethren. The foreigners who fought for
America in the last war, have long since be-
come the dearest of her adopted sons. With
few honorable exceptions, which may be provd-
ed for, the present emigration from foreign
countries to this, is composed Gt has been fully
ascertaned) of an overwhelming majority of
paupers, whose ignorance, vice and incidence,
have caused their expulsion from their native
land. 1t cannot be denied that he who swears
to support the constitution of the United States
should at least know and understand that con-
stitution in order to be able to fulfil his oath
Your committee deeply impressed with the
necessity and propriety Of changing our ma
turaization law, deem it within the province
dllu outy VI VIC LeSlsidtufe 10 recommend 10
Congress the propriety of such changes as will
be salutary for the general welfare of the coun
try.
Your committee beg leave therefore, to sub
NIT the following, viz;
Be 1t resolred By the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the State Of Louisiana, That
the memorial Of the Native American Associa-
ton of Louisiana is well founded in reason and
Justice; and therefore recommend Ahc same to
the consideration of the Congress of the United
States and that copies of this resolution be for
warded by the Clerk of the House, to the Pre-
sident of the Senate and Speaker Of the House
Of Representatives in Con grcss and that copies
of said memorial as printed, be forwarded to the
members OF Congress Of the State of Louisiana
who are hereby requested 10 use their best exer-
tions to effect the repeal or amendment Of the
naturalization laws.
1Signed) WALTER BRASHEAR,
Chairman Of Select Committee.
NasSachuscts.-The official returns of votes
Tor councillors and Senators, show that there are
fifteen Wings and thirteen Administration Senators