Excluded from US citizenship (see timeline entry for March 6, 1857), persons of African descent were nationals of their places of origin, it is submitted, throughout the period of time from 1790 when the US Constitution was ratified until 1868 when the 14th Amendment was adopted.

It is further submitted that the adoption of the 14th Amendment should have had no effect of undermining the already accrued reparations claims by, or on behalf of, persons of African descent.

Reference:  Dred Scott v. Sandford,60 U.S. 393 (1857)