At no place are there better helps than here,
for establishing an English text equivalent to the French, in all its
phrases; no persons can be supposed to know what is meant by these
phrases, better than those who form them; and no time more proper to
ascertain their meaning in both languages than that at which they are
formed. I have, therefore, the honor to propose, that the convention
shall be faithfully expressed in English as well as in French, in two
columns, side by side, that these columns be declared each of them to be
text, and to be equally original and authentic in all courts of justice.
This, Sir, is a general sketch of the alterations, which our laws and
our manner of thinking render necessary in this convention, before the
faith of our country is engaged for its execution. Some of its articles,
in their present form, could not be executed at all, and others would
produce embarrassments and ill humor, to which it would not be prudent
for our government to commit itself. Inexact execution on the one part,
would naturally beget dissatisfaction and complaints on the other; and
an instrument intended to strengthen our connection, might thus become
the means of loosening it.
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