Castle Garden as an immigrant depot, 1855-1890
Svejda GJ. 1968. Castle Garden as an immigrant depot, 1855-1890. Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, National Park Service
No official national immigration policy was clearly set forth during the early days of our country. Policies differed among the various colonies regarding the selection of the foreign-born on the basis of religions belief and physical, mental, moral, and economic suitability. Up to 1819 the immigrants were packed like cattle into the steerages of their ships without any consideration of how the ships were thus overloaded with human flesh. On March 2, 1819, Congress passed a law designed to improve steerage conditions, providing that two passengers at most were to be allowed for every five tons’ capacity. This report is a study of American immigration history during the second half of the 19th century.