LAWS OF MARYLAND.—1780. 167
the exemptions aforesaid have been confirmed by a declaration
of the most Christian king, bearing date the twenty-sixth day of
July, anno domini seventeen hundred and seventy-eight, by
which it is also established, that the subjects of the United States
of America shall enjoy within his dominions the privileges of
nations the most favoured: And whereas, as well upon the
ground of equality and reciprocity, as because of the generous
and important aid afforded to the United States by the most
Christian king, their great and illustrious ally, in the present
war with Great Britain, suitable returns are due from the said
states in general, and from this in particular, by granting and
establishing, on our part, like and special privileges and advan-
tages in favour of the subjects of France; |
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SEC. 3. Be it therefore enacted, by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That the subjects of France within this state, who
have come or may come to sojourn or reside within the same,
for the purposes of commerce or otherwise, shall have and enjoy
all and every the rights, privileges and exemptions, of the full
and free citizens of the state, without taking any oath, or giving
any promise of allegiance or fidelity to this state. |
Subjects,
&c. to en-
joy rights,
&c. |
SEC. 3. Provided always, That nothing herein contained
shall be construed to grant to the subjects of France, or the
other dominions of his most Christian majesty, who shall con-
tinue subjects of his said majesty, and not qualify themselves
as citizens of this state, any right to purchase or hold lands or
real estate, but for their respective lives or for years, or to invest
them with the privilege of voting in any election, or the capacity
of enjoying any civil office, or of being eligible as governor,
member of the council, or general assembly, or as a delegate to
congress. |
Proviso. |
SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That in case any subject of France,
or other dominion of his most Christian majesty, who hath quali-
fied or shall qualify himself as a citizen of this state, bysettling
therein, and by giving those assurances of allegiance and attach-
ment to the same, which are or shall be required of the citizens
of the same, shall die seized in fee of any real estate, the last will
and testament of such decedent, in favour of the subjects of his
most Christian majesty, or any of them, whether residing in
France or elsewhere, shall be good and available in the law, and
the devisee or devisees appointed in and by such will or testa-
ment shall be deemed to be citizens of this state, for the purpose
of taking and recovering such devise or devises; or if such
decedent hath died or shall die intestate, the natural kindred
of such decedent, whether residing in France or elsewhere,
shall inherit his or her real estate, in like manner as if such
decedent and his kindred were the citizens of this state. |
Subjects,
&c. may
devise
lands, &c. |
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