“They certainly accepted the notion that some things were determined by ‘nature’ and not solely by man-made laws.”
There were more lawyers than preachers designing our nation. When it came to defining a person’s legal status, as is the case with citizenship (for what is citizenship but legal status?). I doubt that if the issue had come up back then that they would have put their ears to nature, or whatever it is you do to transcend the realm of men, instead of burying their heads in the law.
Educate yourself, my FRiend.
P.S. Hint: natural law is not about “preachers.”