Certificate confirming the citizenship of John Harris, an African American - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04289
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1824
Title	Certificate confirming the citizenship of John Harris, an African American
Date	23 October 1824
Author	Savage, Ezekiel (fl. 1824)
Document Type	Government document; Legal document
Content Description	Partially printed. Savage signs as notary public, confirming Harris's status as a citizen of the United States. Harris, born in Alexandria, Virginia, "is a free coloured man, now residing in said Salem and never has been under allegiance to any foreign Prince or States." Notes physical characteristics of Harris, including that he is five feet, six inches tall and 32 years old. Printed text indicates this document was implemented because "the Act of the Congress of the United States, 'for the relief and protection of American Seamen'" did not make provision for African Americans to obtain certificates of citizenship at the custom houses. With a covered seal.
Subjects	Naturalization Freemen African American History Congress Law Maritime
People	Savage, Ezekiel (fl. 1824) Harris, John (b. 1792)
Place written	Salem, Massachusetts
Theme	Government & Politics; African Americans; Naval & Maritime; Law
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	While the document states Harris is a citizen, he is, in fact not a citizen. African Americans did not gain citizenship until the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide [draft] [excerpts] ...John Harris...is a Citizen of the United States of America, born in the City of Alexandria State of Virginia, that he is a free colored man, now residing in said Salem and never has been under allegiance to any foreign Prince or States. He is five feet six inches high, thirty two years of age, black complexioned.... And I do hereby Certify, that the Act of the Congress of the United States, "for the relief and protection of American Seamen" not having made provision for Persons of Colour to obtain Certificates of Citizenship at the Custom Houses; this is granted to show that the said John Harris is a Citizen of the United States of America, and ought to be respected accordingly, in his Person and Property, at all times by Sea and Land in the Prosecution of his lawful concerns.

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