CASE OF THE TOST-NATI OF SCOTLAND. 143 



if it appear to you but doubtful, as I think no man 

 in his right senses but will yield it to be at least 

 doubtful, then ought your lordships, under your cor 

 rection be it spoken, to pronounce for us because of 

 the favour of the law. Furthermore as the law of 

 England must favour naturalization as a branch of 

 the law of nature, so it appears manifestly, that it 

 doth favour it accordingly. For is it not much to 

 make a subject naturalized ? By the law of England, 

 it should suffice, either place or parents, if he be 

 born in England, it is no matter though his parents 

 be Spaniards, or what you will. On the other side, 

 if he be born of English parents, it skilleth not 

 though he be born in Spain, or in any other place of 

 the world. In such sort doth the law of England 

 open her lap to receive in people to be naturalized ; 

 which indeed sheweth the wisdom and excellent com 

 position of our law, and that it is the law of a war 

 like and magnanimous nation fit for empire. For 

 look, and you shall find that such kind of estates have 

 been ever liberal in point of naturalization ; whereas 

 merchant-like and envious estates have been other 

 wise. 



For the reasons of law joined with authorities, I 

 do first observe to your lordships, that our assertion 

 or affirmation is simple and plain : that it sufficeth to 

 naturalization, that there be one king, and that the 

 party be &quot; natus ad fidem regis,&quot; agreeable to the 

 definition of Littleton, which is : Alien is he which is 

 born out of the allegiance of our lord the king. 

 They of the other side speak of respects, and 



