Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-02-06
NATURALIZATION LAWS.

The National lntelligencer gives the following
sketch of the leading features Of the bill reported
TO the Senate by Mr.. BERaIEN, from the Commit
tee on the Judicary,,o amend the Naturalization
Laws. The changes proposed, it will be observ-
ed are Of the most moderate and salu.ary charac-
ter, and are not intended to throw any embarrass-
ment in the way of the worthy immigrant who,
honestly and in good faith, seeks and desires ci,i-
zenshp. They are only Designed to guard "a
gainst those corrupt and fraudulent abuses of the
Naturalization Laws which were pfactised, to
such an enormous extent, during the tendency of
the late Presidential election. Such being the
| single and obvious purpose of the bill, may we
not hope that honest men of all parties will unite
in its support, lie certainly takes very mis-
taken view of the permanent and enduring inter-
ests of his country, and Of its free institutions,
who can resist measure so just and necessary
We are really rejoiced that one so moderate and
at the same lime so effective as we think it would
be, has been presented.
"The bill proposes to enact that Collectors of
the Revenue at all ports of the United States shall
open and keep books of registry, in which, "a, the
request of amy alien arriving in the United States,
his name, age, stature, &c. shall be registered
"'N SS'''iiSotO VI SuSu iSSio'iJ StuntCU 10 the
said alien.
The Clerks Of the Courts Of the United States
may at any time, being at least three years after
such registry, on presentation OF the certificate
thereof, record the declaration of the intention of
such alien to become permanently a citizen Of
the United States, aud grant him certificate of
such declaration.
Two years after the record Of such declaration.
and five years after the registry before Mentioned
on the exhibition of the certificates of registry
and declaration, and on proof of good character
and attachment to the Constitution and Govern
nent of the United States, in any court of the u.
nted States, such alien may be admitted to be-
come citizen of the United States, on certain
conditions, the most important of which appears
To be that he shall have resided year at least
preceding the application i'm the State or District
In which the court is held. Nc duplicate of such
certificates OF citizenship or registry shall ever be
issued, except upon 2roofin court and public ad-
vertisement OF the loss of the original. Children
under sixteen years of age at the time Of arrival
in the country are moi required to produce cer,if-
Gates OF registry or of declaration of intention if
they are proved to have been five years resident,
and Otherwise entitled.
The most conservative provision of the bill is
the next in order, viz That no decree of natu-
ralizaton shall be made, or certificate of naturai-
cation granted, within - months before the
time Of any election OF President or Vice Presi.
dent OF the United States, OF the Electors there
OF, or within ---- months of the time of any gem
eral election in the particular State District in
which the application is made; and such decree
and certificate shall confer no right or privilege
OF citizenship whatever, except in the State or
District wherein the same may be granted for the
term Of - months after the date thereof.
DEGREES and certificates discovered to have
been obtained by fraud or false pretences may,
upon hearing in court after previous notice, be
set aside; and all persons concerned in such e.
vasion of the laws may be punished as for high
misdemeanors.
Persons now in the United States may, at any
time within six months after the passage of this
bill, avail themselves of the general provisions of
1t to become naturalized without the previous re-
glstry required of aliens hereafter arriving in the
United States"