The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-31
From tic Philadelphia Inquirer.
NATURALIZATION FRAUDS IN PHILA-
DELPHIA.


DELPHIA.
We invite attention to the following important
document which was read ia open Court yester-
day, by the Grand Jury of the General Sessions
This prcsentment has an important bearing up
on the Naturalization frauds, against which the
Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions have
Just pronounced so emphatic decision. II will
speak for itself, and will open the eyes Of many
OF citizens 10 the real facts, as relates to tn
increased vote of last election. Comment upon
this case is unnecessary. 1t is painful business
and shows that while an extraordinary conspi
racy has been in progress in New York. with the
object of doing injury to a number of respectable
citizens, because of their being Wings, our
own Courts of Justice and Grand Juries have
been engaged in a much more serious business,
and having a much more tangible foundation,
| in relation to members of the Van Buren, party
PRESENTMENT BY THE. GRAND JURY
The Jury respectfully state
That in compliance with the directions of the
Court they entered Immediately into a laborious
| investigation OF the circumstances attending the
| Naturalization sfcitizens in the Court of Gener-
al and Quarter Sessions, and as the facts which
the papers o. the offices, and the examination oil
the Clerks of the said Offices have brought to the
| knowledge of the Grand Jury, would in their
opinion, render it proper that certain certificates
naturalization should be Immediately vacated,
] they now present the following statement
That the petitioners have not made their de-
claration in any case two years before their APP
plication for citizenship; yet from the endorse
ments on the same, and the testimony Of Isaac
r. Diller, Deputy Clerk, and TO the usage fthe
office, il is believed that in each OF said GER
tihcates of naturalization have been issued.
That in a number Of cases, the usual endorse
mcnt when certificates of naturalization are is
sued, sworn to and admitted by Isaac r. Dill
Ter and others, actiag fer the Clerk, William o.
Kline, certificates of Naturalization are believed
to have been issued.
That none of these papers have the approba-
lion of any of the Presiding Judges of the Court,
and in case that appreciation is necessary, it
appears to this Jury, Il at such Certificates of
Naturalization should be vacated
That in other cases there are no signatures
to the petitions, or TO the proof of residency for
five years, lhough marked approved by Judge
Doran, and also by Diller, Deputy Clerk, that
the petition fer naturalization, and the declara-
ton of the citizens proving the residence for
FIVE years, had been duly sworn or affirmed
This class OF cases requires such action as the
Court considers proper, as certificates of natu-
ralization have, according to the oath of Isaac
r. Diller, been issued when approved by Judge
Doran, and attested by him. That Judge Bar
ton has proved before the Grand Jury in a num-
Der of cases, where also by the proof Of Isaac
r. Diller, certificates of Naturalization are be-
leved to have been issued, that his name or
initials, sigBifying appreciation, have been lorg
ed. The Grand Jury desire such action on
these cases, as the circumstances require--be-
lieving they ought to be vacated
The Grand Jury also present that Judge Do
ran authorized the persons acting for James
Eneu. Clerk of the Quarter Sessions, and w.
O. Kline, to swear the persons applying for
citizenship, and the citizens proving the resi-
IL. Ill e !,
State House, and the Rooms adjoining the
Court Room. That there are no means Of dis
tinguishing during portion of three days how
many in the said hall and adjoining rooms. In
the cases in those days, the Grard Jury desire
such action as may be deemed correct.
That the Ora Jury, on inquiring for list
of fees received by James Eneu, Jr. and w.
o. Kline, on different days, in order to ascer-
tain the naturalization certificates ISSUED, find
that these officers have kept no such account
of fees received for Naturalization certificates
which they consider contrary to the law con-
stituting their offices.
That in the Offices of William 0. Kline,
Clerk of the Court of General Sessions, and
James Eneu, Junr., Clerk OF the Quarter Ses-
sions, no account oil register, or index, has
been kept of the citizens naturalized, and that
in no ease has it been usual, by them, to enter
on the declaration, though issued in their own
Courts.
The Grand Jury regret to observe that the
precautioA has not been taken to record, in
The different offices, the residence, or the time
of applying for citizenship, and where they
have resided during the years, and generally
during the four years additional making up
the FIVE; and they would respectfully state that
Of margins were preserved, stating these facts,
numbers of the certificates issued, and the GER
tifc ates cut from such books inserted, these
precautions would be great security against
fraud, and where copies Traditional certificates
were issued, such fact should be specially sta
ted.
Henry Troth, John Seddinger,
James L. Dunn, Saml. C. Cooper,
Thomas Biddle, Wm. H. Matthews,
John G. Wolf, James Fassitt,
John Rakestraw, Cassimer L. Luben,
Thomas Street, VIM Collins.
Jeremiah Clark.