8 March 1807

Judicial Justice

Letter V

I. Shapes

1. Misdecision

In regard to the jurisprudential division of scientific language, the proper and only proper and necessary source of interpretation in which their import can be to be looked for, is the code, the all-comprehensive body of statute law itself. In this receptacle if any where they must find their interpretation. But their interpretation, in what will it consist? - In the giving on the occasion of each such scientific word, or scientific combination of words, by the supposition not in general use, its equivalent in a portion of discourse composed altogether of such words as are in general use.

That this is feasible, may be averred with confidence. In regard to each such word, if a man comprehends the meaning of it, the proof and test of his so doing is his being able to express the meaning of it in a portion of discourse composed altogether of words in general use. Take any such scientific word for example; and with it a man of law conversant in the degree in which lawyers general are, with the words that compose the appropriate language of the law. Is the word unintelligible to him? it might not to be any where in use, among any set of men: it is not a bond of social intercourse, but a snare. Is it intelligible to him? he is then able to express the import of it in other words - in words in general use.