An Apology for the Naturalization of the Jews Containing, I. An Account of the Charters, Privileges and Immunities granted to the Jews, by the Kings of England, five hundred Years ago. II. The most popular Objections to their Naturalization, fairly stated and fully answered. III. The naturalization of the Jews an advantage to the Kingdom in general, and to Commerce in particular. IV. The probable happy Consequences of it to the Christian Religion. V. The Privileges enjoyed by the Jews in Foreign Countries, superior to those proposed to be granted them by Parliament. VI. The nature, Purport and Design of the present bill, explained and justified by the Facts. By a TRUE BELIEVER

a TRUE BELIEVER

Published by printed for M. Cooper, in Pater-noster-row, W. Reeve, Fleet-Street, and C. Sympson, at the Bible-Warehouse, Chancery-lane, London, Great Britain, 1753

About this Item

(2), 30 pages. leaves]. 198 x 125 mm. (5 x 7.75 inches). Very light water stain in blank margin. Modern calf. References: English Short Title Catalogue; ESTCT14653. Roth, Bibliotheca Anglo-Judaica, page 223, number 108. In 1609 the naturalization of any foreigner settled in the England was made contingent upon receiving the Sacrament. Although this act was deliberately directed against Catholics, it incidentally would later affect Jews following the Re-Admission of 1653. This disability was lifted by the Whig Government of Henry Pelham in the Act of 1753 to permit persons professing the Jewish religion to be naturalized by Parliament. The Bill was, at best, of limited advantage to the Jews since only the wealthy would have been able to set in motion the machinery necessary to obtain naturalization. Although the measure was accepted unanimously by the House of Lords, it became a pawn in the upcoming general election campaign that resulted in its eventual repeal by the House of Commons. Taking full advantage of the prejudices and fears that the grant of naturalization to Jews had aroused, the Tory opposition fueled the unpopularity of the Act with a pamphlet and broadsheet campaign that warned of an England overrun with Jews. The Whig government was forced by public opinion to give way and the pro-Jewish legislation was duly repealed in the same year that was enacted. Our anonymous pamphleteer advocates the naturalization of the Jews, arguing that it would be an advantage to the Kingdom in general, and to commerce in particular, and that the privileges enjoyed by Jews resident in foreign countries are superior to those granted them by England. See J. Picciotto, Sketches of Anglo-Jewish History (1956), pages 73-86; A. M. Hyamson, The Sephardim of England (1951), pages 127-128; A. M. Hyamson, 'The Jew Bill of 1753" in: TJHSE, Volume VI (1908-1910), pages 156-188.

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Apology for the Naturalization of the Jews Containing, I. An Account of the Charters, Privileges and Immunities granted to the Jews, by the Kings of England, five hundred Years ago. II. The most popular Objections to their Naturalization, fairly stated and fully answered. III. The naturalization of the Jews an advantage to the Kingdom in general, and to Commerce in particular. IV. The probable happy Consequences of it to the Christian Religion. V. The Privileges enjoyed by the Jews in ...
• Publisher: printed for M. Cooper, in Pater-noster-row, W. Reeve, Fleet-Street, and C. Sympson, at the Bible-Warehouse, Chancery-lane, London, Great Britain
• Publication Date: 1753
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good