Any alien may acquire and hold lands, or any right thereto or interest therein, by purchase, devise or descent, and he may convey, mortgage and devise the same, and if he shall die intestate, the same shall descend to his heirs; and in all cases such lands shall be held, conveyed, mortgaged or devised, or shall descend in like manner, and with like effect, as if such alien were a native citizen of this state, or of the United States.