The Speech of the Lord Chancellor of England, In the Eschequer..

1609. London: Printed [by Adam Islip], 1609.. London: Printed [by Adam Islip], 1609. An Important Precursor 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"). Signed binding by Brian Frost & Company, Bath, Eng., three-quarter morocco over cloth, raised bands, gilt title and gilt ornaments to spine, top-edge gilt, marbled endpapers, endleaves renewed. Light rubbing to extremities, some fading to spine, faint offsetting to free endpapers, recent pencil notations to front endleaf. Light toning to interior, negligible light foxing and soiling in a few places, brief early notations to verso of initial blank and title page. A nice copy. $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.