Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16790, Thomas Reynold's citizenship certificate, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Howard S. Mott by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 15 February 2022.

Biographical / Historical

These contrasting documents from the Civil War era, represent a difficult legal dispute between the Confederate States of America and Great Britain. The CSA used unaturalized foreignors to act as substitutes, who would then become deserters and reapply for more money. At issue is whether Reynolds, as a citizen of Virginia and Great Britain could be conscripted. There were many similar cases that caused conflicts between the CSA and Great Britain. Frederick J. Cridland, the Acting British Counsul for Virginia wrote to Jefferson Davis about the situation. Virginia government agreed not to force military service of a citizen of Great Britain but warned that in future cases to heed International law which stated that one must serve the state where he lives unless that state is in war against his country.

Source: Quigley, Paul. "Civil War Conscription and the International Boundaries of Citizenship." Journal of the Civil War Era, Volume 4, No. 3. September 2014. pp. 373-397. JSTOR https://www.jstor.org/stable/26062176?seq=6

Content Description

This collection consists of two opposing documents belonging to Thomas Reynolds, one is his certificate of citizenship for the Confederate States of America and the other is his citizenship for Great Britain. Both are dated and signed on the same day, September 16, 1862.

The certificate for the Confederacy claims Reynolds made an oath and volunteered to serve in the military. Meanwhile, the certificate from the British consular brings Reynolds under British protection against the Confederacy conscription saying he never stopped being a British citizen.

These contrasting documents from the Civil War era, represent a difficult legal dispute between the Confederate States of America and Great Britain. The CSA used unaturalized foreignors to act as substitutes, who would then become deserters and would reapply for more money. At issue is whether Reynolds, as a citizen of Virginia and Great Britain could be conscripted. There were many similar cases that caused conflicts between the CSA and Great Britain. Frederick J. Cridland, the Acting British Counsul for Virginia wrote to Jefferson Davis about the situation. Virginia government agreed not to force military service of a citizen of Great Britain but warned that in future cases to heed International law which stated that one must serve the state where he lives unless that state is in war against his country.

Document of the British Consulate, with engraved Royal Crest letterhead: State of Virginia No. 1497. I, Frederick J. Cridland, Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul for the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that the bearer, Mr. Thomas Reynolds - a native of Ireland - is a subject of Her Britannic Majesty who has never forfeited his claim to the protection of the Queen by becoming a subject or a citizen of any foreign state. The bearer is 36 years of age. Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at the City of Richmond, this 16 day of September 1862. Mr. F. Cridland HRM Acting Consul. Printed document with message hand-written in brown ink. Yellow paper seal lower left.

Document of the Confederate States of America: Thomas Reynolds, a native of Ireland, aged 36 years, this day declared on oath before me, Clerk of the District Court of the Confederate States of America, for the Eastern District of Virginia, that he is at present residing within the State of Virginia, and that it is bona fide his intention to reside within the Confederate States of America, with the intent to become a citizen thereof, and that he doth acknowledge the authority of the Government of the said Confederate States. Given under my hand this 16th day of September 1862: A true transcript from the records of the District Court aforesaid. In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe my name and annex the seal of the said Court on the day and year aforementioned, Loftin N. Ellett, clk. Document printed on gray paper, with hand-written names, dates, and signatures.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Immigrants -- Confederate States of America