Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1855-02-14
Naturalization.


certain acts heretofore passed on that subject
and for other purposes"
Be IL enacted, dc. That any alien, being
free white male person over twenty one years 0
age, NAV be permitted to become citizen O
the United States.or any of them, on the follow
ing conditions and with the exceptions follow
ing, and not otherwise:
First. Tint he shall have declared on oatl
or affirmation. before some district or crcui
court of the United States, or of some TerritorI
thereof, at least one year before his admission
to the benefits of this act, that he has resided
twenty one years continuously within the United
States or The Territories thereof and still is hi
intention to become a citizen of the United
States.
Second. That he shall in open court ant
in the presence and hearing of the Judge o.
Judges thereof, on oath or affirmation, renounct
forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign
State, country, prince, power, potentate, or au-
thority whereof such alien was at the time O
his immigration hither citizen or subject.
Third. That at the time of his application
for the benefit of this act, and after the expira
ton of twenty one years from his first arrival in
the United States, he shall declare on oath OF
affirmation, before the court aforesaid. that he
will support the Constitution of the United
States. ard that he does not admit or believe in
the power comp tency. authority, or right ,oi
any civil or other power 10 release or abSolve
han from his SAID oath of allegiance.
Forth. That said applicant shall also de-
clare, ON cath or affirmation, that he has not,
during has residence in the United States, been
found guilty OF any crime OF the grade of felony.
Fifth That he shall, on oath or affirmation.
stale the tine OF has first arrival in the United
States; jne place OF his nativity, the last place
OF his residence and his calling or occupation
before inmi grating to the United States; the
name Of the vessel in which he came to the
United States (If he came by water,) and all
the different places Of his residence Since his
arrival.
Sixth That the court shall not admit such
alien to the benefits Of this act unless it is sat
iStactoIlly proven that said applicant has been
resident OF the United States or its Territories
ior at least twenty one years continuously, that
he is person of good charater,and understands
the English language.
Seventh, That the declarations of said an.
picant,and the testimony required Of witnesses
hereinbefore prescribed, shall be male in wri-
ting and sign ed in open court by the applicant
and witnesses respectively. aud minrte there
OF be entered on record by the clerk Of said
court, and the original papers be carefully la
belled and preserved.
Eighth. That it the applicant aforesaid was,
at the time OF his arrival IN the United States,
over the age OF eighteen years, he shall, on ap-
piication for the benefits of Ne act. produce to
the court the official consular certificate herein.
after required, or q properly authenticated copy
SAeIeet, on IN case Of its loss ssa.-erna.V eyi-
iie rs TX wifrl-rne l., 49,
time Of his adwisson to citizenship.
See 2. A1sd Be II .tirtteg enacted, That it
shall not be lawfRl for a',y owner, captain, mas
ter, agent, or commander Of any merchautman
or other vessel sailing under the laws of the
United States, or of any foreign vessel coiaiug
to the United States 20 bring into any port, or
into the waters of the United States, or to land
on any of the Territories of the United States
any alien or person of foreign BIRTH unless such
shall have complied with the following provis-
ions: Such person, if over the age of eighteen
wears. shall exhibit a certificate, properly au-
thenticated from the United States consul
commercial agent of the port from which such
persons embarked, certifying that such person
has adduced before him satisfactory evidence,
by reliable witnesses, that such person is OF good
character and has not been, within three years
next preceding. an inmate of any Jail peniten>
tiary, prison, or other institution for criminals,
oT'insane person. And any such own.
er, captain, agent, or commander who may vio-
late any of the provisions of this act shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor. and upon con-
viction thereof by any court Of competent juris
diction shall be punished by a fine not to eX-
ceed five hundred dollars and imprisonment not
to exceed six months for each offence.
1,,,J h. ILo,.o tad hat
such vessel as aforesaid which may enter the
said. having such aliens on board the same
sIhal be liable for all costs and charges incur +
red in the return of such persons to their coun
try: and all such costs end charges are hereby
declared to be lien on the sail vessel. and. in
default of payment thereof shall be Liable 70 81
con6scation.
Sec. H. And be 1t further enacted, That it
shall he the duty of all consuls and commercial
agents of the United States in foreign countries
to make diligent inquiry and examination into
such efforts, if any, as may be made by the au-
.horitv of the country or port at which they
seyerallv reside to send to the United States
The naupers and criminals Of such country or
mort and to communicate such information /
such efforts as they may from time /
to time obtain TO the State Department; and 1t |
shall further be the duty to examine the proofs |
which may be adduced to them by aliens, as au-
thorized in the second section of this act, and
10 grant certificates only in such cases where .
the testimony produced shall be clear and sat
stactory.
Sec. 5. And be 1t further enacted That it
shall be the duty of the collectors Of the various
ports Of the United States to cause to be sent .
back from whence they came all persons who
shall hereafter emigrate to the United States,
if over the are of eighteen years, who shall fail
to exhibit to said collectors respectively, at the
ports where such persons may arrive, the certi-
fcate of the consul or commercial agent, as
hereinbefore provided.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That
viIfu and corrupt false swearing by any appli |
can't or witness touching any matter or thing
sworn to or affirmed, under the provisions ofthis
act, shall be punished as in other eases Of per,
Jury committed under the laws OF the United
States.
Sec. Z. And be IL. further enacted, That it .
shall no. be lawful for any court ether than the .
district and circuit courts of the United States
10 take cognizance of applications by aliens for ,
L IL; hat oh