Based on the explicit wording of Article V, it is clear that congress must call a state convention to propose amendments when two thirds have applied, I agree with your analysis but, alas, historically the Congress does not. If the Congress could find the slightest deviation in applications for a convention it would simply pocket the application and refused to make the call. That is why I have in the past called for a template to provide identical language from every state which no doubt will be like herding cats as each legislative body will be determined to prove its brilliance by furnishing its own wording.
I was unaware of the provisions in the Federalist papers to which you refer but I have no doubt you are correct.
Yes, as expected, the statists disagree with the plain wording of the constitution. In that event, I hope the states hold a convention anyway and submit the amendments all around. Let Rome-on-the-Potomac split hairs and deny the ratification by three fourths of the states.
But, if the states do not take up the lifeline bequeathed to them by the Framers, I suppose long after I'm gone some muslim historian (the only ones allowed) will surreptitiously write “Rise and Fall of the American Republic,” and quietly weep.