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William Benitz
Citizenship

Wilhelm was first a German, born into a family of Endingen, Grand Duchy of Baden.  However, in 1844, to fulfill the requirements of the Mexican government that only Mexicans could own land in Alta California, Guillermo became a Mexican citizen (15 June, 1844).  Four years later, when the U.S. took possession of California, William became a U.S. citizen by virtue of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (2 February, 1848).  (For more, see the Mexican Cession.)

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Envelope of Documents
Ea. La California
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)

  
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Mexican Citizenship
15 June, 1844
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)

 El Ciudadano Manuel Micheltorena, General de Brigada del Ejercito Mejicano, Ayudante General de la Plana Mayor del mismo, Gobernador, Comandante General é Ynspector del Departamento de Californias.
 Habiendo Dn. Guillermo Benitz, natural de Alemania, cumplido con las condiciones y requisitos que proviene la Ley, para conceder Cartas de Naturaleza a los Estrangeros, acompañando los documentos necesarios, he venido por la presente, Naturalizar en la Republica Mejicana al espresado Dn. Guillermo Benitz, en virtud de la facultad que por aquella Ley se me confiere.
 Monterey 15 de Junio de 1844.

[Sello: Gobierno del Dep. de California]

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 The citizen Manuel Micheltorena, Brigadier General of the Mexican Army, Assistant General in the Senior Staff of the same, Governor, Commanding General and Inspector of the Department of the Californias.
 Mr. William Benitz, native of Germany, having complied with the conditions and requirements decreed by the Law, for granting Naturalization Papers to Foreigners, and having provided the necessary documents, I have decided on these grounds, to naturalize in the Mexican Republic the aforementioned Mr. William Benitz, by virtue of the authority vested in me by said law.
 Monterey 15th of June, 1844

[Seal: Government of the Dept. of California]
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Certificate of Citizenship
U.S. Dept. of State
20 July, 1874
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)

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Certificate of Citizenship
Watermark of
U.S. Dept. of State
[Certificate held up to daylight]
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)
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U.S. Citizenship
County Clerk, Alameda Co.
3 July, 1874
[The Protocol of Querétaro, 20 May 1848,
made changes to the original
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 2 Feb., 1848.]
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)

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Certificate of Citizenship
U.S. Consulate, Buenos Aires
9 October, 1874
(Source: Charles A. Benitz)
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U.S. Passport Application
20 July, 1874

  

© Peter Benitz (Benitz Family)