ABJURATION

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ABJURATION

ABJURATION. 1. A renunciation of allegiance to a country by oath. 2.-1. The act of Congress of the 14th of April, 1802, 2 Story's Laws,U.S. 850, requires that when an alien shall apply to be admitted a citizenof the United States, he shall declare on oath or affirmation before thecourt where the application shall be made, inter alia, that he dothabsolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelitywhich he owes to any foreign prince, &c., and particularly, by name, theprince, &c., whereof he was before a citizen or subject. Rawle on the Const.98. 3.-2. In England the oath of abjuration is an oath by which anEnglishman binds himself not to acknowledge any right in the Pretender tothe throne of England. 4.-3 It signifies also, according to 25 Car. H., an oath abjuring tocertain doctrines of the church of Rome. 5.-4. In the ancient English law it was a renunciation of one'scountry and taking an oath of perpetual banishment. A man who had committeda felony, and for safety flea to a sanctuary might within forty days'confess the fact, and take the oath of abjuration and perpetual banishment;he was then transported. This was abolished by Stat. 1 Jac. 1, c. 25. Ayl.Parerg. 14.

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