NATIONAL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW 79
Mr. Reep. From the mathematics of it, with 3,172,000 in 1790 and
£1,000,000 representing that 1790 group in 1920, the increase is 13
“0 one.
The CHarMaN. Now, let us see. You said I was wrong in my
estimation. I think that I was entirely correct. So that the
11,000,000, as shown by the reports in 1920, you divide by 13 and you
obtain, by dividing the respective groups, therefore, the numbers in
1790 of the national origins stock, if I may term it such, is that
~orrect ?
Mr. Lewis. Of the 1790 stock; yes, sir.
The Cramrman. Of the 1790 stock?
Mr. Lewis. Yes, sir.
The Cmamman. Certainly.
Senator Rep. I misunderstood the chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Yes,
Mr. Lewis. That reduces us, starting off with the origins commit-
tee’s estimate—there were probably 41 groups—the English, Scotch,
Welsh, and Ulster Irish or Scotch-Trish, which ever you wish to
call them; the Germans or those derived from Germany; those
derived from the Irish Free State; those derived from the Nether-
‘ands were the largest groups.
I find in this book—and I wish to say I am only using this book
ws what I think is a representative work; I am not injecting any
religious question in any way, except to get at statistics. It is a
rook entitled “ Has the Immigrant Kept the Faith? A Study of
Lnmigration and Catholic Growth in the United States 1790-1920,”
by Gerald Shaughnessy, formerly professor of theology, Marist
College, Washington, D. (., and Noire Dame Seminary, New Or-
leans, published under the sanction of M. J. Curley, archbishop of
Baltimore; and it is attempting to estimate the original strength
of the Catholic population in colonial times, 1790. the growth by
‘mmigration, and by the increase of population.
Senator Regn. What is the date when published ?
Mr. Lewrs. 1924~The MacMillan Company. 1925.
And the strength at the present time: of course, his thesis is
Erankly that the immigrant has kept the faith; that 1s, that he has
not fallen away from the Catholic faith in this country.
Therefore, I think it his testimony is extremely interesting when
he takes up the strength of the Catholic population in 1790, because
he does believe that the immigrant has kept his church’s faith, he
would, I think it is fair to say. naturally not overestimate the popu-
‘ation in 1790.
Now, he says here on page 44, that he thinks that about 35.000
of the population in 1790 in the United States were members of the
Catholic Church. [Reading:]
If the Irish element among the American Catholics of that day be estimated
as 25,000, there appears to have been a loss to the church of 125,000.
I do want to put in the number of Catholics that 35.000 and the
[vish at 25,000, and he estimates.
Senator CoperaxNp. Are you giving his language when you say
that?
Mr. Lewrs. Yes, sir; I will give’ his language. [Reading:]
In sad contrast with the latter figures stands the estimated number of
Catholics actually present in the United States at the end of the War of Inde-
