Freydorf to Evan M. Bailie, August 28, 1868

The Baden legislature proceeds upon the principle that children born of a legally recognized marriage follow the nationality of the father, and illegitimate children that of the mother, consequently the children of a foreign father born in the Grand Duchy, of a legally recognized marriage, or illegitimate children of a foreign mother are regarded as aliens.

Nevertheless, article 9 of the Baden “Landrecht” provides that any one born in the country of a foreign parent shall be entitled within a year after attaining his majority (which takes place in Baden after the age of 21) to claim the rights of a native-born subject, only if he resides in the Grand Duchy he must at the same time declare that he intends to fix his abode there, and, if he is in a foreign country, he must promise to fix his abode in the Grand Duchy, and actually settle there within a year after having made the promise.

According to article 9a. of the Baden “Landrecht,” however, this claim must be submitted to the consideration of the government, for their recognition or refusal of the same, whenever such alien possesses by birth the right of nationality or a fixed abode in another state.

The undersigned avails, &c.,