1798 Newspaper Referencing the Infamous Alien & Sedition Acts

Newspaper, 4pp, measuring 13" x 19.75", dated [Saturday] July 14, 1798, New York. An issue of The Spectator which prints a chapter of the Alien and Sedition Acts covering "Alien Enemies". Headline reads "Law of the United States. An Act Respecting Alien Enemies" and includes an article approximately three-quarters of a column in length listing all three Act sections, noting Speaker of the House of Representatives Jonathan Dayton, Senate President Theodore Sedgwick, and President John Adams as signers. Paper exhibits flattened folds and creasing to left edge, with light soiling and foxing in places. Toned throughout, else very good.

An excerpt from Section 1 on p.2 reads in part:

"…That whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government…all natives, citizens, denizens or subjects of the hostile nation or government, being males of the age of fourteen and upward… shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed, as alien enemies."

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were a series of four, highly unpopular, laws which sought to restrict immigration and speech in opposition of the federal government. In addition to increasing requirements for immigration, the Acts also enabled the president to imprison, deport, and detain non-citizens. Despite the negative response to the Acts throughout the country, they were never appealed by the Supreme Court as their power of judicial review was not yet established. Currently, the Alien Enemies Act is still in effect, although modified, giving the government the power to deport enemy citizens during times of war.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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