| |
These series consist of documents relating to the naturalization of aliens by the Supreme Court or by justices presiding at circuit courts. The documents include the declaration of intention, in which an alien states his intention to renounce allegiance to a foreign ruler or state and to become a citizen of the United States; and the petition for naturalization, stating the country of origin and length of residence in the United States and requesting to be admitted to citizenship. The petition is usually accompanied by an affidavit made by persons acquainted with the alien, stating that he is of good moral character and has been residing in the United States the required number of years, and by a copy of the oath of allegiance sworn by the alien. Naturalization of an alien could be performed in any court of record, as directed by acts of Congress passed on March 26, 1790, and April 14, 1802. Most naturalization proceedings in New York during the early nineteenth century took place in the old court of common pleas, whose records are maintained by the county clerks.
|
|
| J5011 |
Naturalization Papers (Albany), 1799-1812. .4 cu. ft.
The documents are arranged in alphabetical order by name of petitioner. Final naturalization orders are entered in J0l30 Minute Books (Albany).
|
|
| J9013 |
Naturalization Papers (Utica), 1822, 1830-38. .4 cu. ft.
The documents are arranged in alphabetical order by name of petitioner. Final naturalization orders are entered in J0128 Minute Books (Utica).
|
|
|
 |
Deposition of Samuel S. Frear, People v. Frear, 1803. Frear was editor of the Federalist Ulster Gazette and criticized the Supreme Court proceedings in the famous case of People v. Croswell. (Crosswell, another editor, was indicted for seditious libel for the attacks he printed on Thomas Jefferson.) Frear was then prosecuted for criminal contempt, and this document is part of his defense. His attorney was Alexander Hamilton. Both Croswell and Frear lost their cases because of strict interpretation of existing libel laws, but Hamilton's arguments were a ringing defense of the right of freedom of the press. (Series J2011 Criminal Case Documents [Albany].) |
|
|
|
