US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

CAMPBELL V. GORDON, 10 U. S. 176 (1810)

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U.S. Supreme Court

Campbell v. Gordon, 10 U.S. 6 Cranch 176 176 (1810)

Campbell v. Gordon

10 U.S. (6 Cranch) 176

Syllabus

A certificate by a competent court that an alien has taken the oath prescribed by the act respecting naturalization raises a presumption that the court was satisfied as to the moral character of the alien and of his attachment to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, &c. The oath, when taken, confers the rights of a citizen. It is not necessary that there should be an order of court admitting him to become a citizen.

The children of persons duly naturalized before 14 April, 1802, being under age at the time of the naturalization of their parent, were, if dwelling in the United States, on 14 April, 1802, to be considered as citizens of the United States.

The case was stated by WASHINGTON, J. in delivering the opinion of this Court as follows:

"The object of the bill was to rescind a contract made between the appellant and Robert Gordon, the appellee, for the sale of a tract of land by the latter to the former, upon the ground of a defect of title. The facts in the case, which are not disputed, appear to be as follows. The land which forms the subject of dispute belonged to James Currie, a citizen of Virginia, who died seized thereof in fee on 23 April, 1807, intestate, and without issue. James Currie had one brother of the whole blood named William who, prior to 14 October, 1795, was a subject of the King of Great Britain, but who emigrated

Page 10 U. S. 177

to the United States, and on the day last mentioned, at a district court held at Suffolk, in Virginia, took the oath prescribed by the act of Congress for entitling himself to the rights and privileges of a citizen. At the time when this oath was taken, William Currie had one daughter, Janeta, the wife of the appellee, who was born in Scotland. She came to the United States in October, 1797, whilst an infant, during the life of her father, and hath ever since continued to reside in the State of Virginia. William Currie died prior to the 23d of April, 1807. "

Page 10 U. S. 181



























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