Resolutions for Clarifying the Status of Citizens and Aliens, and for Selling the Estates of Enemy Aliens (June 4, 1779)

[4 June 1779]

Resolved, that is the opinion of this committee, That those inhabitants of this State, who were beyond sea at the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, and have not since by overt act adhered to the public enemy, ought still to be deemed citizens of this Commonwealth, and permitted to return thereto.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That those inhabitants of this State, who were beyond sea at the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, and have since by overt act adhered to the public enemy, and those who left the State, and joined the subjects of his Britannic Majesty, since the commencement of hostilities, and before the declaration of independence, or the act of General Assembly, subsequent thereto, entitled "an act declaring what shall be treason," ought to be considered as having made their election to be British subjects, aliens to this Commonwealth, and as such ought to be deemed in law and dealt with wheresover they be found.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That provision ought to be made by law, for declaring who shall be deemed citizens of this Commonwealth, and for naturalizing foreigners.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the estates, real and personal, within this Commonwealth, of all aliens, enemies to this Commonwealth, ought to be sold for the most that can be had, and the money carried into the public treasury, subject to the future direction of the legislature.