---
title: 'A Dissertation on the Manners of Acquiring the Character and Privileges of a Citizen of the United States'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'David Ramsay'
date: 1789-01-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '18th century'
topics:
- 'Citizenship and Government'
- 'United States'
scriptures:
- 'Romans 13'
- 'Acts 5'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/18th-century/ramsay-1789-a-dissertation-on-the-manners-of-acquiring-the-character-and-privileges-of-a-citizen-of-the-united-states
---

# A Dissertation on the Manners of Acquiring the Character and Privileges of a Citizen of the United States

Dissertation on how U.S. citizenship is acquired—by participation in the Revolution, oaths of fidelity, tacit consent, birth after 1776, or naturalization; warns against pre‑Revolution claims.

[Download](https://media.confessional.org/archives/ramsay-1789-a-dissertation-on-the-manners-of-acquiring-the-character-and-privileges-of-a-citizen-of-the-united-states.pdf)