[ml/nj]

Blackstone was an Englishman who commented on his countries laws. His Commentaries might have been more widely influential in the minds of the Framers and their audience than was Vattel. But he wasn't an American.

The Oxford English Dictionary make clear that there were (at least) three types of citizens (or subjects) at the time of the Founding. (See my link at #15 on this thread.) I'm not sure what your basis is for the assertion that there were only two types.

ML/NJ

[calenel]

Blackstone was an Englishman who commented on his countries laws. His Commentaries might have been more widely influential in the minds of the Framers and their audience than was Vattel. But he wasn't an American.

Neither was Vattel. You make my point for me.

The Oxford English Dictionary make clear that there were (at least) three types of citizens (or subjects) at the time of the Founding. (See my link at #15 on this thread.) I'm not sure what your basis is for the assertion that there were only two types.

But only one definition for natural-born since 1583. Why, pray tell, did the founders not clarify on that point? Wasn't one of the issues at the time the arbitrary redefinition of citizenship by various authorities as an abuse of power? For example, the impressment of American sailors by the British navy (one of the things that led to the War of 1812) based on the argument that they were British subjects?

We have to take the Constitution as written, without making up new conditions or restrictions, or redefining words to suit our political agendas. You want to change it? Get an amendment, just like anybody else.