CHAPTER XV. 



NATURALIZATION AND PRE-EMPTION LAWS. 



THE following summary of the naturalization and pre- 

 emption laws of the United States, will be found useful to 

 the emigrant. 



Foreigners who are not naturalized, may reside in the 

 United States, and are entitled to the same protection of 

 life, liberty, and property, as native citizens are. They 

 may transact any business they choose, and are subject 

 to no disabilities in their occupations, on account of their 

 being aliens. They are protected in the exercise and 

 enjoyment of their religion, no matter of what creed they 

 may be. They may rent lands, houses, and other pro- 

 perty, but in many States they cannot become owners in 

 fee of the soil until they are naturalized. This is not a 

 very great objection, however, as they can take lands on 

 long leases, extending through their lifetime, and beyond 

 it. On becoming naturalized, they can hold land in fee, 

 the same as native citizens. 



Any free white person may become naturalized. In 

 order to be so, he must take the following steps : 



First. He must apply to the circuit or district court of 

 the United States, or to any court of record of any indi- 

 vidual State. This application must be made at least 

 two years before he is admitted to citizenship. He must 

 declare an oath or affirmation, 



" That it isbona fide hi* intention to become a citizen of the United 

 States, and to renounce for ever all allegiance and fidelity to every 

 foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty whatsoever, and par- 

 ticularly, by name, the prince, potentate, state or sovereignty 

 tuch alien may at the time be a citizen or subject." 



