from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
NATIONALITY. The state of a person in relation to the nation in which he was
born.
2. A man retains his nationality of origin during his minority, but, as
in the case of his domicil of origin, he may change his nationality upon
attaining full age; he cannot, however, renounce his allegiance without
permission of the government. See Citizen; Domicil; Expatriation;
Naturalization; Foelix, Du Dr. Intern. prive, n. 26; 8 Cranch, 263; 8
Cranch, 253; Chit. Law of Nat. 31 2 Gall. 485; 1 Gall. 545.