Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/391

 Ch. 10. are the principal ditinctions between aliens, denizens, and natives: ditinctions, which endeavours have been frequently ued ince the commencement of this century to lay almot totally aide, by one general naturalization-act for all foreign protetants. An attempt which was once carried into execution by the tatute 7 Ann. c. 5. but this, after three years experience of it, was repealed by the tatute 10 Ann. c. 5. except one claue, which was jut now mentioned, for naturalizing the children of Englih parents born abroad. However, every foreign eaman who in time of war erves two years on board an Englih hip is ipo facto naturalized ; and all foreign protetants, and Jews, upon their reiding even years in any of the American colonies, without being abent above two months at a time, are upon taking the oaths naturalized to all intents and purpoes, as if they had been born in this kingdom ; and therefore are admiible to all uch privileges, and no other, as protetants or Jews born in this kingdom are entitled to. What thoe privileges are, was the ubject of very high debates about the time of the famous Jew-bill ; which enabled all Jews to prefer bills of naturalization in parliament, without receiving the acrament, as ordained by tatute 7 Jac. I. It is not my intention to revive this controvery again; for the act lived only a few months, and was then repealed : therefore peace be now to it's manes.