Question

I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. Skip What is the purpose of the double negative used in the following line? "...but I am not sure I shall never approve them:" to show that Franklin may eventually approve of the Constitution to show that Franklin always has approved of the Constitution to show that Franklin will never approve of the Constitution

Answer 1

The purpose of the double negative in the line "...but I am not sure I shall never approve them:" is to show that Franklin may eventually approve of the Constitution. The use of "not sure" and "never" indicates uncertainty about his future opinions, suggesting that he acknowledges the possibility of changing his mind in favor of the Constitution.