III. The same rule was in force in all the English Colonies upon this continent down to the time of the Declaration of Independence, and in the United States afterwards, and continued to prevail under the Constitution as originally established."And when you read what was written
before your snippet, that being what is in
II, you have this...
This rule contains the leading principle of English law on the subject of British nationality.
It would be rather hard to follow that rule when English law had been overthrown here in America, wouldn't it.
And "the rule" continued to prevail continued to prevail under the Constitution as originally established because there were still British citizens here in the US.
The rule didn't apply to American nationality, only to British nationality as the text indicates...on the subject of British nationality...not on the subject of American nationality.
Oops...one too many...continued to prevail continued to prevail...there.