"And be it further enacted, That all persons who shall have been naturalized subsequent to the 18th day of June last, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizens of the United States, from the date of such naturalization, any thing in the declaration of war against Great Britain, or any other act, to the contrary notwithstanding."
Mr. Fisk moved to strike out nine months, the time allowed to citizens to take the benefit of our naturalization laws, and insert three. He said he could not see why so long a time should be allowed. The longest time extended to our citizens in Canada is thirty days; and he did not see why so much more liberality should be extended to their citizens here. He was opposed to their remaining here longer than necessary, the more especially as they employed themselves in exciting divisions, and fomenting the party feuds which now agitate the country.
Mr. Lacock thought the time proposed was too short; that in some districts they could scarcely hear of the law within that time, and at any rate might not be able to meet with a tribunal, at which to comply with the requisites of the naturalization law, before the expiration of that period.
Mr. Fisk withdrew his motion for the present.
Thursday, December 3.
Shadrack Bond, returned to serve as a delegate, in this House, for the Illinois Territory, appeared, was qualified, and took his seat.
Saturday, December 5.
Privateer Captures.
Mr. McKim presented a petition of Commodore Joshua Barney, on behalf of himself and the owners, officers, and crews, of sundry private armed vessels of war, "praying to be considered as claimants to all property proven to be enemy's property, found on board of vessels sailing under the American flag, having on board British manufactured goods, coming from Great Britain to the United States, and under the protection of British licenses, which have been captured by them, or that they may participate as 'informers' in the seizure and condemnation of the said property under the non-importation."—Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.