“The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is, to discover the meaning of those, who made it. The first rule, subservient to the principle of the governing maxim, is, to discover what the law was, before the statute was made.” – James Wilson

To understand the philosophy of James Wilson, please review the following:

https://www.lawliberty.org/2018/11/20/natural-law-and-democracy-the-philosophy-of-james-wilson/