This Act was repealed in 1795 by another[46] introducing the declaration of intention to become a citizen, and extending the period of required residence from two years to five. This Act has been the basis of our naturalization system ever since. Its main provisions were these: I. A preliminary declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States, to be made at least three years [the present law specifies two years] before final application for citizenship. II. Naturalization jurisdiction was vested in any “supreme, superior, district or circuit court” of the states or of the territories northwest or south of the River Ohio, or a circuit or district court of the United States. III. Five years’ residence in the United States, and one year’s residence in the state in which the application was made. IV. An oath of allegiance. Aliens then residing in the United States might be naturalized after _two_ years’ residence. This Act was fathered by James Madison, then a member of Congress. President Jefferson, in his first message to Congress, advocated a revision of the Naturalization Law, to the end that “the general character and capabilities of a citizen be safely communicated to everyone manifesting a bona fide purpose of embarking his life and fortunes permanently with us.” Accordingly the Jeffersonian Congress of 1802 repealed the Act of 1795, and enacted one[47] which remained substantially in force for more than a century. Its provisions, in the main, were as follows: I. Naturalization jurisdiction was vested in the supreme, superior, district and circuit courts (a district court meaning any court of record having common-law jurisdiction) in the states and territorial districts and in the circuit and district courts of the United States. II. The Declaration of Intention was still required, with the three years’ interval before final application. III. Five years’ residence in the United States and one in the State was still required. IV. Oath of allegiance to the United States, with specific renunciation of former allegiance. V. Proof of good moral character and attachment to the principles of the United States. Under this Act the children of persons duly naturalized were, if resident in the United States, to be considered citizens, and those born elsewhere were to enjoy the same status, provided that the citizenship should not descend to children whose fathers never resided in the United States. An Act passed in 1804 slightly modified the regulation in favor of aliens residing in the United States between 1798 and 1802, and provided also that in case a “declarant” should die before his naturalization had been consummated, his widow and minor children should be deemed citizens upon taking the prescribed oath.[48]