Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-19
REPATRIATION.

There IS subject Of International law, upon
which there is more conflict and diversity Of opin-
ion, than allegiance, its nature, rights, duties and
obligations. Some contend that Il Is an nde-trUct-
ble political tie binding he citizen forever TO The
government, in whose jurisdiction he CHANGED to be
born, land there decisions Of Judges Of the Su
preme Court Of tie United States which might be
quoted TO sustain this view OF t)-orhers hold that
1t is a political relation, in the nature Of civil
contract dssoluble by the CONSENT Of the parties
and others still that il is connection from The Obli
cations Of which, ne subject may relieve himself at
any moment by expatriaIIOn. The English govern
menL has always heretofore c0nlended for the doc
me Of perpetual, understandable allee glance, and
denied the right of It's subjects 10 free themselves
from its duties by expatraiOn. Recently, however,
it has abandoned this doctrine, in the case Of Mr.
LaWless, q resident of Granada, when lhut.Cty WIS
taken 10y the GaUtHmalans, whilst. We believe, Walk
er was engaged with another portion OF the allies ut
Massaya lie was n ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN
trade, but his properly conhscaled and he HIM
self was shot. HIS mother applied 10 the British
government for compensation iUrlhe loss OF her sous
life and property. IL appears that he was naive
Of England but naturalzed citizen Of the UuIed
States aud upon this ground the claim for cOmpen-
satIOu was refused. Lord Clarendon deciding that
British subject who had renowned his allegiance
was not euulled the protection Of the British Gov
eminent.
There have been, rs we have stated, judicial de-
csiOGs in this country, which sustained the BRUSH
dJclune Of 'Ouce al subject, alway subject but
l. has never been reg Tded the policy Of this
Government, and by the Administrator OF Mr.,
Pierce was distinctly and emphaticHlly rppUdIaled
Ia the case OF Maun kOszla VINO, II Was degermin
ed was clothed with the iOnalry Of the United
States, and entitled to protection because he had
declared his intention, In due form Of law 10 be
come g citizen. The ucIiun Of the Administration,
in this case, was a reputation Vi The doctrine Of
perpetual allegiance, but Mr.. Marcy TOOK occasion,
IN his let or To The beyaller Iulsew4uu lin discuss
ing the nationality OF KOszla preliminary in
curry 10 hls reply TO the demands o. -Ausrla.J Tor
mHlly 10 repu uaJe tbs docune Alter memIUung
the cOnhlc aud diversity Of opinions upon Tins sub
jecJ, winch have alluded To, he proceeded: The
SUunder and more prevalent doctrine, however, Is,
that the citizen, subject, having faithfully per
formed the past and present duties relating Um his
relation to the sovereign power, may, at 0Ry time,
release himself from The OblgtztliUus OF allegiance,
rsey quit the land Of his birth od9D'iy, SEEK thru
all coulirley home and select anywhere hat winch
oilers him the taIrest prospect OF happiness tor hu
self anu his posterlty." This is unqualified dec
laraton OF the right Of expatrillun, to be exercised
al any moment, nj the wall Of the subject The Uni
ted States them has distinctly recognized this NJ ht
and England has admitted II by refusing protection
t. born subject who had renowned his ale
glance. The position Of these great powers up
on this question Of international law, is, that
may freely quit the land OF his birth, adoption,
and seek through all cOuntriesa home" This should
be the starting poiuJ of all discussions upon the
morality and legality Of Walkers occupation Of
NIcaragua. -AugUsta C0RStiiutton0hgL