Quotes of Founding Fathers on Immigration

The founding fathers had strong opinions on immigration, immigrant admissions, and asylum seekers. Do you think our current immigration system serves the purpose our founding fathers intended?

The following are the correct answers:

"My opinion, with respect to emigration, is that except of useful mechanics and some particular descriptions of men or professions, there is no need of encouragement."

1. George Washington, In a letter to John Adams written 1794.

"Americans will find that their own experience will coincide with the experience of all other nations, and foreigners must be received with caution, or they will destroy all confidence in government."

2. John Adams, In a letter to Christopher Gadsden, written from Quincy, Massachusetts, April 16, 1801

"Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its entrance."

3. Alexander Hamilton, In an article from the Gazette of the United States, "Pacificus," No. VI

"Permit me to hint whether it would not be wise and reasonable to provide a strong check to the admission of foreigners into the administration of our national government."

4. John Jay, In a letter to George Washington, written from New York

"If you have no attachments or exclusive friendship for any foreign nation, you possess the genuine character of true Americans."

5. John Adams, in his address to the Inhabitants of Arlington and Sandgate, Vermont, June 25, 1798

"Thousands of the fugitives will seek an asylum in our Country. Their principles and habits would be pernicious to the order and industry of our people, and I cannot persuade myself that the Malcontents of any character or country will ever become useful citizens of ours."

6. Rufus King, delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, In a letter to General Pinckney, written from London January 20, 1797

"The United States have already felt the evils of incorporating a large number of foreigners into their national mass; by promoting in different classes different predilections in favor of particular foreign nations, and antipathies against others, it has served very much to divide the community and to distract the councils."

7. Alexander Hamilton, in his "Examinations of Jefferson's Message to Congress of December 7, 1801"

"Every Society from a great nation down to a Club has the right of declaring the conditions on which new members should be admitted."

8. Gouverneur Morris, signatory of the Constitution, From Madison's notes at the Constitution Convention of the addresses made by Morris and others.

"Republics are always divided in opinion, concerning forms of governments, and plans and details of administration. These divisions are generally harmless...except when foreign nations interfere, and by their art and agents excite and ferment them into parties and factions."