Farmer’s Museum, 6 Feb. 1829, p. 1. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.
MISCELLANY.
PAINE AND FRANKLIN.
We are indebted for the following interesting reminiscences, to the Philadelphia Monthly Magazine.
The first literary magazine ever published in the colonies, was printed and edited by Benjamin Franklin. It was entitled “The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle.” The first number appeared in January, 1741; and, according to Thomas, the work was continued only six months. At the same time came out, in opposition to Franklin, the American Magazine, or a Monthly view of the British Colonies, printed and sold by Andrew Bradford. This publication was even shorter lived than its competitor; proving conclusively, that the time for periodical literature had not yet arrived.—We meet with no other project of the kind, until October, 1757, when appeared the American Magazine, under the auspices of Dr. Smith, already noticed. The publication of this ceased at the expiration of one year. In 1769 a small paper, of little value, entitled the Penny Post, was published by Benjamin Mecom. His design was to print it weekly, but it came from the press in an irregular manner. The American Magazine, by Lewis Nichols, was commenced in 1769, and ended with the same year. To this work was subjoined the transactions of the American Philosophical Society. The Royal Spiritual Magazine, or the Christian’s Grand Treasury, was begun in 1771, and published monthly, for a few months only, by John Mac Gibbons. In January, 1775, was commenced the Pennsylvania Magazine, or American Monthly Museum, for which Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, was one of the principal writers. It was published by Robert Aitkin, upon whose authority Thomas has recorded a characteristic anecdote of the indolent propensities of Paine. He had engaged to furnish monthly, a certain quantity of original matter for the Museum; but it was often difficult to prevail on him to comply with his engagement.
Paine was born at Thetford, in Norfolk, in the year 1737, where he received a common English education, and was brought up to the business of his father, who was a stay-maker. By the advice of Franklin he came to America, and arrived in Philadelphia about the close of 1774. His pamphlet, entitled “Common Sense,” which was written at the suggestion of Dr. Rush, appeared in January, 1776; and the legislature of Pennsylvania rewarded the author with 500 pounds. He also obtained a grant of land in the province of New York. In 1790 he went to London, and in March of the following year, excited some notice by the “Rights of Man,” written in answer to Edmund Burke. This drew a prosecution upon him, and he fled to France, where he was chosen a member of the National Assembly; but in the time of Robespierre was thrown into prison, and narrowly escaped the guillotine. During his imprisonment, which continued eleven months, he finished his infamous “Age of Reason.” After his liberation, in November, 1794, he wrote some political pamphlets, one of them a scandalous attack on the character of General Washington. His political writings were exceedingly popular, and beneficial to the American cause. He returned to America in 1802, and died June 8, 1809. His grave has been outraged and his bones have been removed across the Atlantic, for political purposes. It was no uncommon practice among the ancients, to exhibit the bleeding and marred corpse of a favorite, to excite the popular fury, and it seldom failed of success; but we question whether the same com- bustible tendency exists in the dry bones of a disorganizing politician. The experiment, in the present instance, proved abortive. It is the first on record, and we trust that it may be the last.