George Washington. Two-page autograph letter signed "G. Washington", datelined "Philadelphia Jany. 17th. 1795", addressed to Mr. Charles Morgan, a retained copy of the letter, contents relate in part to the sale of lands Washington held in the "Western waters", most interesting passage of the letter concerns immigration, including "the number of full-handed emigrants that are pouring into this country from all quarters owing to the disturbed state of Europe -- and the quantity of money brought by them, and sent over by others, to be vested in lands have given an astonishing start to the price of this article. If therefore I do not sell soon on the terms I have just mentioned I shall raise my price...", letter is folded into thirds with splits along the folds, including one that crosses two letters at the very top of Washington's signature, some slight age toning along edges

A RARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AS PRESIDENT, WITH COMMENTARY ON IMMIGRATION IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE UNITED STATES.

The recipient, Charles Morgan, served in the Revolutionary War and was a large land owner in Kentucky at the time Washington wrote this letter. The two had been corresponding about land rents and sales Morgan was assisting Washington with in 1794 and 1795.

The immigration discussion by Washington in this letter is fascinating and came at a time of great debate about the relative virtues or evils of immigration. His statement that immigrants are "pouring into this country from all quarters" and that this will cause land values to rise was prescient commentary. The first immigration act of the United States under the Constitution was the Naturalization Act of 1790. This act provided the first rules for the U.S. Government in the granting of citizenship. It limited naturalization to immigrants who were free white persons of "good character." The 1790 act was repealed twelve days after this letter was written by the Naturalization Act of 1795, which increased the required period of residence from two to five years. The 1795 Act was then superseded by the even more stringent 1798 Act (part of the Alien and Sedition Acts), which was passed under the guise of national security, but is regarded by many historians as an effort to decrease opposition to the Federalist Party, as the majority of immigrants supported Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party. Once the Federalists were permanently swept out of power with the Election of 1800, the 1798 Act was repealed by the Act of 1802, which relaxed some of the 1798 requirements. The citizenship provisions of the 1802 Act remained relatively unchanged until the 14th Amendment was adopted in 1868 (source: Wikipedia).

Accompanied by an article from the Historical Quarterly transcribing the letter and providing background on Charles Morgan. Also accompanied by Library of Congress transcripts of other letters from this correspondence

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