“Rawle Missed the Vattel lessons.”
But what about all the newly trained lawyers from William and Mary?
“Wythe began teaching law at the College in January 1780. His students learned the nuances of the English common law, relying in significant measure on Blackstone’s Commentaries. Wythe also had his students read the work of contemporary political theorists, such as Montesquieu, and classical writers such as Horace and Virgil.”
http://law.wm.edu/about/ourhistory/index.php
Yeah, in the 7 months or so (not sure of the exact time frame, speaking from memory here but it was short) that Rawle was studying in England.
Amazing. There was a brief period of time in which Vattel took America by storm, and then was never spoken of again, except for years later, when the guys at the Constitutional Convention got together and suddenly remembered that Vattel was God.
And Rawle was so unlucky to have missed it.
I am wondering whether that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I've heard so many superbly stupid claims, it's difficult to keep track.
And yes, American lawyers were immersed first and foremost in Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England.
Vattel was listened to in regard to international law. He was popular in that arena.
There’s not the slightest hint the Founders paid any attention at all to his ideas on citizenship, just as they totally ignored his idea that only the elites should be allowed to keep and bear arms.