[GizmosAndGadgets]

In 1765, Adams copied into his Diary three statements by Vattel, ``of great use to Judges,'' that laws should be interpreted according to the intent of the author, and every interpretation which leads to absurdity should be rejected.

I particularly like that line about an interpretation "which leads to absurdity". The idea that our Founding Fathers left their new country open to a president with foreign allegiances is absurd.

Thanks for the detailed information!

[Technical Editor]

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/17th.asp