The Speech of the Lord Chancellor of England, In the Eschequer...
An Important Forerunner to Birthright Citizenship [Ellesmere, Thomas Egerton, Baron (1540?-1617)]. The Speech of the Lord Chancellor of England, In the Eschequer Chamber, Touching the Post-Nati. London: Printed [by Adam Islip] for the Societie of Stationers, An. 1609. [xii], 118, [2] pp. Ruled borders to text and endleaves, large signature-mark "A" to first endleaf. Quarto (7" x 5-1/4"). Signed quarter calf over cloth by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, gilt title to spine, endpapers added. Some fading to spine, negligible light wear to corners. Light toning to interior, rules affected in a few places by trimming, moderate soiling to endleaves, faint recent underlining and marks in pencil to margins of several leaves, illegible early owner initials and "T. Ellesmere Post-Nati" in early hand to front endleaf, "1" in similar hand to upper-right corner of title page. $450. * Only edition, one of two issues from 1609. Egerton's speech as Lord Chancellor concerning the property and citizenship rights of Scots in England and Scotland born after James VI, King of Scotland, became James I, King of England and Ireland, in 1603. The Case of the Post-Nati, more commonly known as Calvin's Case, ultimately established that a child born in Scotland after the union was entitled to the benefits of English citizenship under the common law. The case was an important predecessor to what would become jus soli, an important component of birthright citizenship in the United States. OCLC locates 12 copies in North American law libraries. English Short-Title Catalogue S100273.
Price: $450.00
Book number 77603