A motion was then made by Mr. Randolph to amend the bill by striking out the words "one hundred" before the words "per centum" in the first section; and the question thereon being taken, it was determined in the negative—yeas 50, nays 75.
Saturday, June 27.
Naturalization Law.
Mr. Lacock said that he should not offer any subject for the consideration of the House at this late stage of the session, had he not been convinced the subject was such as required the immediate interposition of Congress. It would be found, by an examination of the naturalization laws, that, after the declaration of war with Great Britain, the courts were prohibited from naturalizing any foreigners, although they might have registered their names and resided in the country during the probationary period required by law. To these persons, it appeared, the Government was pledged, and the change of the relation between the two countries, did not lessen the obligation the Government was under to redeem that pledge, and admit those persons to the rights of citizens. It would, moreover, be recollected that, by the State laws, those persons were made subject to perform militia duty, and that, as volunteers, or otherwise, they would compose a part of our Army; and, perhaps, while in this situation, might be taken and punished as traitors by their Government. No apprehension of danger could be entertained by their admission to the rights of citizens. They were, most of them, attached strongly to our Government, and sought this country as an asylum from oppression, &c. He was, by these considerations, induced to offer the following resolution:
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the naturalization laws of the United States as to admit to the rights of citizenship such aliens as have emigrated from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and her dependencies to the United States or her Territories previous to the eighteenth day of June, 1812, and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise."
The resolution was agreed to, and Messrs. Lacock, Emott, and Troup, were appointed a committee accordingly.
Monday, July 6.
Adjournment.
A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have concurred in the resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him of the proposed recess of Congress; that the President of the United States did, this day, approve and sign "An act respecting the pay of the Army of the United States;" and that the Senate, having completed the legislative business before them, are ready to adjourn.