David, I’ve been trying to access the first Code for the State of Virginia wherein Jefferson, IIRC, wrote Virginia’s first citizenship laws about 1776-77. So far everything I’ve found has been behind paywalls. Do you happen to have access to them somewhere? If so, would you be interested in quoting from the Codes relating to Virginia’s categories of citizenship at birth and by naturalization? As I recall, there were same persons who remained aliens even when born in Virginia as the Code was first written, whereas New York adopted the English common-law jus soli doctrine in its first state constitution.
In my law office, I have a better search engine but suspect I won't be able to get it there either.
Best bet is a law school library.
In my law office, I have a better search engine but suspect I won't be able to get it there either.
Best bet is a law school library.