Alien and Sedition Acts

in American history, a series of four acts passed by Congress in 1798, during the presidency of John Adams. The relations between France and the American government were strained. America was full of French refugees who were drawing on the sympathies of the American people to help France in return for the assistance rendered us by that country during the American Revolution. The Republican party, led by Thomas Jefferson, encouraged the French claims. The French Revolution had brought into the Directory of France a number of men lacking not only tact, but a delicate sense of honor. On one occasion the American envoys at Paris were actually told that they might secure an official hearing by paying for it. The Federalist party, then in power in this country, and carrying the actual responsibility for the management of our foreign affairs, became very much incensed against the French. Four acts were passed in rapid succession:

1. A new naturalization law requiring fourteen years' residence instead of five, to become a citizen of the United States, and requiring all aliens, under penalty, to register on arrival in this country.

2. The president was empowered for a term of two years to expel from the country any aliens whom he deemed dangerous, or engaged in conspiracy. This is known as the Alien Friends' Act. Although the president never took advantage of his power, many troublesome Frenchmen left the country in alarm.

3. The president was authorized, in time of war, to drive out all aliens. This is known as the Alien Enemies' Act.

4. It was made a crime to utter a libel against the president, the Congress, or the government. This was known as the Sedition Act. This Act was aimed at individuals and newspapers who were heaping abuse on the administration. It was enforced in a number of cases. Mr. Matthew Lyon, a Republican member of Congress from Vermont, was condemned to pay a fine of $1,000 and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The proprietor of the Vermont Gazette was also fined and imprisoned.

Some writers speak of the first of the acts named above as a naturalization law, thus reducing the alien and sedition acts to three. The country was full of Europeans whose residence in this country was not of long duration. Although these acts were directed at the French, they gave offense to aliens and their friends of all nationalities. The Republicans, in their desire to obtain power, represented the Federalists in as bad a light as possible. John Adams, as is well known, failed of reelection. Jefferson and the Republican party came into power.

The whole occurrence has found significance in that the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia passed resolutions which denounced the alien and sedition laws, and called upon the legislatures of other states to unite in declaring these national acts void. Although no response was heard, the doctrine of nullification may be said to have then made its first official appearance.