The Kentucky Gazette

INFORMATION TO ALIENS.

AT a time when our government is taking every step that it possibly can, to make you subject to arbitrary power, unrestrained by any check; when suspicion alone, will be a sufficient cause for your banishment; and when that suspicion, may be infused by the vilest of men, for the worst and most diabolical purposes: it must be of consequence to you, to know the true state of the laws on the subject of naturalization. By an act of congress, passed January 29th 1795, it is declared,

"That any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, or any of them on the following conditions, and not otherwise :-

" First. He shall have declared on oath, or affirmation, before the supreme, superior, district or circuit court of some one of the states, or of the territories north-west or south of the river Ohio, or a circuit or district court of the United States, three years at least. before his admission, that it was bona fide, his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty whatever, and particularly, by name the prince, potentate, state or sovereignty whereof such alien may, at the time, be a citizen or subject.

"Secondly. He shall at the time of his application to be admitted, declare on oath, or affirmation, before some one of the courts aforesaid, that he has resided within the United States, five years, at least. and within the state or territory, where such court is at the time held, one year at least; that he will support the constitution of the United States; and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, whatever, and particularly, by name, the prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, whereof he was before a citizen or subject; which proceedings shall be recorded by the clerk of the court.

Thirdly. The court admitting such alien, shall be satisfied that he has resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States, five years; and it shall further appear to their satisfaction, that during that time, he has behaved as a man of a good moral character, attached to the principles of the constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.

2. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That any alien now residing within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States, may be admitted to become a citizen, on his declaring on oath or affirmation, in some one of the courts aforesaid, that he has resided two years, at least, within and under the jurisdiction of the same, and one year, at least within the state or territory where such court is at the time held; that he will support the constitution of the United States; and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereign ty whatever, and particularly by name, the prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, whereof he was before citizen or subject; and moreover on its appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that during the said term of two years, he has behaved as a man of a good moral character, attached to the constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.'

By this act a distinction is made between those aliens who were resident in America, at the time of the passing that act, and those who should become so afterwards. The first are entitled to become citizens on their taking the oaths prescribed by that act, and bringing the necessary proof of the propriety of their behavior, since they have resided in America; if at the time of their application to be admitted as citizens, they have then resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States two years; and one year at least, within the state where the court is held. Under this act, every alien who comes within its description, has a right at this time, upon application to any of the courts mentioned above, to demand as a matter of right, to be admitted to the rights of citizenship; and as soon as he is admitted, he will be out of the reach of the tyrannical power given to the president, by the infamous alien bill.

It will be prudent in you, immediately to claim this right; for the next session of congress may, and probably will, altho' the doing of it would be unconstitutional, unjust & impolitic, pass another act, prohibiting such of you as belong to this class of aliens, from being admitted to the rights of citizenship, on the terms now prescribed by law ; and will, instead of those terms, impose others on you, inconsistent with the essential rights and privileges of freemen.

An Enemy To Unconstitutional Laws.