Speaking specifically with regard to the citizenship requirement in the Constitution, James Madison wrote:
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.
I’m not arguing otherwise. I just find it interesting.
Who knows what it means that GW read de Vattel. I have a copy of Rules for Radicals in my library, but that doesn’t mean I subscribe to its principles.