Virginia Argus

EXPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION.

This subject although plain as the first letter of the alphabet, has, through the zeal of certain British adherents in defending their king, been worked up into a great mystery. Instead of discussing the subject upon the broad basis of human rights, and the natural privilege inherent in mankind to pursue liberty and happiness, and embrace them wherever to be found, the question has been reduced to a mere matter of precedent; all the juggling of the common law, and all the tyranny of the darkest of the feudal ages, have been enlisted in opposition to the natural right of mankind, and to the law of the land—and as evidence that the blessings of freedom are to be conferred on mankind by accident only, and that he shall not be permitted to enjoy them from choice. We may probably take up this subject at a future day—but shall content ourselves for the present, with furnishing those who are so fond of British precedent in opposition to natural rights, a document, which, however it might have benefitted his majesty's cause in 1763, will be found rather a stumbling block to his majesty's adherents in 1814.

Aurora.

(copy)
Pennsylvania, ss.

I. Edward Shippen, junr. prothonotary
(I. S.) notary of the supreme court of the province of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify, That at a supreme court held at Philadelphia, for the said province of Pennsylvania. the eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three, before William Allen and William Coleman, esquires, judges of the said court. between the hours of nine and twelve of the clock in the forenoon of the same day. John Frederick Teetz. of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, being a foreigner, and having inhabited and resided for the space of seven years in his majesty's colonies in America, and not having been absent out of some of the said colonies for longer time than two months at any one time during the said seven years.—And the said John Frederick Teetz having produced to the said court, a certificate of his having taken the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper within three months before he said court, took and subscribed the oaths, and did make and repeat the declaration (appointed by an act, made in the first year of the reign of king George the first) according to the directions of an act of parliament, made in the thirteenth year of his late majesty king George the second, intituled. An act for naturalizing such foreign Protestants, and others, therein mentioned, as are settled in any of his majesty's colonies in America, and thereupon was admitted to be his majesty's NATURAL BORN SUBJECT of the kingdom of Great Britain, pursuant to the direction and intent of the said act of parliament,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the supreme court, the eleventh day of April, in the year first above mentioned.

EDWARD SHIPPEN, Jr.