ALLEGIANCE

Legal Dictionary -> ALLEGIANCE

ALLEGIANCE


ALLEGIANCE. The tie which binds the citizen to the government, in return for the protection which the government affords him. 2. It is natural, acquired, or local. Natural allegiance is such as isdue from all men born within the United States; acquired allegiance is thatwhich is due by a naturalized citizen. It has never been decided whether acitizen can, by expatriation, divest himself absolutely of that character. 2Cranch, 64; 1 Peters' C. C. Rep. 159; 7 Wheat. R. 283; 9 Mass. R. 461.Infants cannot assume allegiance, (4 Bin. 49) although they enlist in thearmy of the United States. 5 Bin. 429. 3. It seems, however, that he cannot renounce his allegiance to theUnited States without the permission of the government, to be declared bylaw. But for commercial purposes he may acquire the rights of a citizen ofanother country, and the place of his domicil determines the character of aparty as to trade. 1 Kent, Com. 71; Com. Rep. 677; 2 Kent, Com. 42. 4. Local allegiance is that which is due from an alien, while residentin the United States, for the protection which the government affords him. 1Bl. Com. 366, 372; Com. Dig. h.t; Dane's Ab. Index, h.t.; 1 East, P.C. 49to 57.

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