It is an established maxim that birth is a criterion of allegiance. Birth however derives its force sometimes from place and sometimes from parentage, but in general place is the most certain criterion; it is what applies in the United States; it will therefore be unnecessary to investigate any other.
Two points.
1. Madison's opinion is his own. He even concedes "sometimes from parentage." The meaning of the Constitution was the opinions of All the Delegates, and All the Ratifying State Legislators. There are plenty of writings from other founders that don't follow Madison's opinion on the seating of Mr. Smith from South Carolina.
2. Madison was arguing for a seat in Congress. I daresay he would not make such an argument for Seating a President.
As is that of all the Founders. Perhaps that's why they never specified in the Constitution what they meant by "natural born citizen." Or perhaps, like much of US law, they based it on Common Law, and expected everyone to understand that.
Madison was arguing for a seat in Congress. I daresay he would not make such an argument for Seating a President.
Madison made a clear statement - that place was the criterion that applied in the United States. He didn't qualify by saying "in this instance only" or "for this but not that."