Ex parte Barton
Ex parte Barton
Opinion of the Court
Samuel Eight, the petitioner in the court below, is a native of the kingdom of Bavaria. He left the land of his nativity five or six years ago, when sixteen years of age, and came to this country, where he had relatives. He is the only son of parents still living, and in good pecuniary condition, and has an only sister, all of whom remain in Bavaria. He came, as the testimony
We can not say that the petitioner has acquired no domicile in this country, because of Ms minority alone. It does not appear that Ms immigration to this country was mero motu, and without the consent of his parents. Besides, it was possible for Mm to have acquired a domicile since he arrived at the age of twenty-one years. But his youthfulness at the time of his immigration, the thoughtless levity which characterized it, and the circumstances and condition of his family, are all entitled to much weight, in determining whether he came to this country animo revertendi. The pecuniary condition of his parents, and the condition of his family, rendered it unnecessary to seek a livelihood in a foreign land, and afforded strong inducements to return; and his age and subsequent conduct tend to disprove the contemplation of any great enterprise, which might overcome the attractions of his home. These considerations afford a powerful corroboration to the uniform declaration that he intended to return to his native home. His declarations were made when the state of this country furnished no motive to misrepresent his purpose, and are, therefore, entitled to the greater weight as evidence of his intention. And Ms conduct in refusing to acquire an English education, and in confining Mmself to pursuits which afforded
For the reasons above stated, we 'decide that the petitioner has not acquired a domicile in this country, and is, therefore, not subject to conscription.
Certiorari refused.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ex parte BARTON, in re FIGHT
- Status
- Published