The old-time immigration standards

I just came upon this e-mail I received in 2004 from Gordon P.:

My grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1913, and I found their names on their original ship’s manifest on the Ellis Island website. That manifest included the following “Affidavit of Commanding Officer,” as required of each ship carrying immigrants to the United States. (Thousands of these affidavits can be found on the Ellis Island website.) It’s interesting to note that disqualifying health conditions and debauchery then are celebrated by the Left as “diversity” now, and there was no ACLU to constipate the government’s efforts.

Affidavit of Commanding Officer

I, (name of ship’s commanding officer), of the (name of ship), from (port of origin), do solemnly, sincerely, and truly (swear) that I have caused the surgeon of said vessel sailing therewith, or the surgeon employed by the owners thereof, to make a physical and oral examination of each and all of the aliens named in the foregoing Lists or Manifest Sheets, (number of sheets) in number, and that from the report of said surgeon and from my own investigation, I believe that no one of said aliens is an idiot, or imbecile, or a feeble-minded person, or insane person, or a pauper, or is likely to become a public charge, or is afflicted with tuberculosis or with a loathsome or dangerous contagious disease, or is a person who has been convicted of, or who admits having committed a felony or other crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or is a polygamist or one admitting belief in the practice of polygamy, or an anarchist, or under promise or agreement, expressed or implied, to perform labor in the United States, or a prostitute, or a woman or girl coming to the United States for the purpose of prostitution, or for any other immoral purpose, and that also, according to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information in said Lists or Manifests concerning each of said aliens named therein is correct and true in every respect.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at June 01, 2006 08:22 AM | Send