In his excellency’s note to me of the 22d instant, in reply to
the above, and of which I have the honor to inclose a copy and
translation, your lordship will find a statement of the
Portuguese law on the matter.
The Lord Stanley, M. P., &c.
[Translation.]
Foreign Department, Lisbon,
August 22,
1868.
Most illustrious and excellent Sir:
I had the honor to receive the note which your excellency
was pleased to address to me on the 19th instant,
requesting, in the name of your government, and for the
information of the commission on naturalization, to be made
acquainted with the present state of the law, as regards the
nationality of children born of aliens within the Portuguese
dominions.
In reply it is my duty to state to your excellency that the
law declares that those born in this kingdom of an alien
father are Portuguese citizens, provided the latter does not
reside in this country in the service of his own nation, and
unless the former should declare, when of age or
emancipated, or through their parents or guardians, if
minors, that they do not wish to be Portuguese citizens.
(Civil code, title 11, article 18, No. 2.)
Those born in this kingdom when the mother alone is
Portuguese, if illegitimate. (No. 1.)
The declaration required in No. 2 shall be made before the
municipality of the place
where the declarer shall have resided. (§ 1.)
A minor on coming of age, or when emancipated, may, by means
of a new declaration, made before the municipality of the
place which he may have chosen for his domicile, recall the
declaration which may already have been made during his
minority, by his father or guardians, in accordance with No.
2, (§ 2.)
I avail, &c.,
Sir Charles A.
Murray, &c.
