Source: The Naturalization Act, 1798
SECTION 1. Be it enacted . . .,
that no alien shall be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, or of
any state, unless . . . he shall have declared his intention to become a citizen
of the United States, five years, at least, before his admisqinn
and shall. at the time of his application to be admitted, declare and prove, to
the satisfaction of the court having jurisdiction in the case, that he has
resided within the United States fourteen years, at least, and within the state
or territory where, or for which such court is at the time held, five years, at
least, besides conforming to the other declarations, renunciations and proofs,
by the said act required, any thing therein to the
contrary hereof notwithstanding: Provided, that any alien, who was residing
within the limits, and under the jurisdiction of the United States, before . .
. [January 29, 1795] . . . may, within one year after the passing of this act -
and any alien who shall have made the declaration of his intention to become a
citizen of the United States, in conformity to the provisions of the act [of
Jan. 29, 1795], may, within four years after having made the declaration
aforesaid, be admitted to become a citizen, in the manner prescribed by the
said act, . . . And provided also, that no alien, who shall be a native,
citizen, denizen or subject of any nation or state with whom the United States
shall be at war, at the time of his application, shall be then admitted to
become a citizen of the United States.