General Washington of the Continental Army had no opinion about achieving independence. Most people were advocating reconciliation, to make peace, make a deal and carry on, with Britain still in charge of the American people: men like Benjamin Rush and John Dickinson, praised by history as “Founders,” led the movement for reconciling.
Following the language of Common Sense, 96 local and state Declarations ofIndependence were written, repeating the language of Common Sense, leading to the national declaration, and largely incorporating Paine’s ideals, as well as the steps needed to follow these ideals.
This was the beginning of the Age of Democratic Revolutions, and the concept of democracy based on equality.
When the first edition of Common Sense appeared in colonial bookshops, the work was unsigned, and its author remained a mystery to many readers. It became an instant bestseller.
Robert Bell, the first printer of Common Sense refused to allow Paine to make additions when it came time for subsequent printings, but Paine still had a lot to say.
Another printshop, owned by William and Thomas Bradford, stepped in, put Paine’s name on the cover, and soon, updated new editions poured off their presses.
From a Thomas Paine letter to Henry Laurens, January 14, 1779:
“I think the importance of that pamphlet was such that if it had not appeared, and at the exact time it did, the Congress would not now be sitting where they are (representing independent states). The light with which that performance threw upon the subject gave a turn to the politics of America which enabled her to stand her ground. Independence, followed in six months after it, although, before it was published, it was a dangerous doctrine to speak of…
In order to accommodate that pamphlet to every man’s purchase and to do honor to the cause, I gave up the profits I was justly entitled to… I gave permission to the printers in other parts of this State (Pennsylvania) to print it on their own account. I believe the number of copies printed and sold in America was not short of 150,000 – and is the greatest sale that any performance ever had since the use of letters..”