Mar 21, 2024 - Sale 2663

Sale 2663 - Lot 368

Unsold
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(RECONSTRUCTION.) Charles Sumner. Letter discussing naturalization to "aliens of African nativity & to persons of African descent." Autograph Letter Signed to C. Sleight (per note on verso). One page, 8 x 5¼ inches; mailing folds, minor foxing, mount remnants on verso. Washington, 6 May 1871
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Charles Sumner was the longtime United States Senator representing Massachusetts; before the war he had been among the Senate's voices for the abolition of slavery. Here he advises a constituent to take advantage of the new naturalization law. In full:

"Dear sir, you seem not to be aware of the provision in the Act of July 14th 1870 as follows. 'That the naturalization laws are hereby extended to aliens of African nativity & to persons of African descent.' I hope you will take advantage of this law. Faithfully yours, Charles Sumner."

The Naturalization Act of 1870 is most often remembered today for specifically excluding Chinese immigrants from naturalization.