Philip Foner’s introduction: This paper appears in the French State Archives, and is endorsed “January 1793. Thomas Payne. Copie.” The date is erroneous, for the reference to the defeat of the Duke of York at Dunkirk indicates that it was written during the late summer or early fall of 1793. The Duke of York set […]
Observations on the Situation of the Powers Read Post »
To Citizen Le Brun December 4, 1792 MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Auteuil, Friday, the 4th December, 1792. I enclose an Irish newspaper which has been sent me from Belfast. It contains the Address of the Society of United Irishmen of Dublin (of which Society I am a member) to the volunteers of Ireland. None of
To Citizen Le Brun December 4, 1792 Read Post »
Philip Foner’s introduction: After France was proclaimed a Republic, the question what was to be done with the former king arose. Most Girondins opposed bringing the king to trial, fearing that during its course secrets revealing their own treacherous role would be made public. Although he was losing favor with the Jacobins at this time
On the Propriety of Bringing Louis XVI to Trial Read Post »
To the English Attorney General (Archibald MacDonald) November 11, 1792 ON THE PROSECUTION AGAINST THE SECOND PART OF RIGHTS OF MAN SIR:-As there can be no personal resentment between two strangers, I write this letter to you, as to a man against whom I have no animosity. You have, as Attorney-General, commenced a prosecution against
To the English Attorney General (Archibald MacDonald) November 11, 1792 Read Post »
To the French National Convention October 22, 1792 CITIZEN PRESIDENT: In the name of the deputies of the department of Pas de Calais, I have the honor of presenting to the Convention the felicitations of the General Council of the Commune of Calais on the abolition of royalty. Amid the joy inspired by this event,
To the French National Convention October 22, 1792 Read Post »
AN ESSAY FOR THE USE OF NEW REPUBLICANS IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO MONARCHY Philip Foner’s introduction: The following Essay was first published in Le Patriote Francois of October 20, 1792. The setting in France at the time Paine wrote this article was extremely exciting. On September 20, 1792, at Valmy, the French army was able
An Essay for the Use of New Republicans Read Post »
To Benjamin Mosley October 1, 1792 Oct. 1, 1 Year of the Republic. PARIS, You have before this time heard that the National Convention met punctual to the day appointed. The Members verified their powers on the 20th and met in Convention the 21st ult. The first business done was to abolish the bagatelle of
To Benjamin Mosley October 1, 1792 Read Post »
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE Philip Foner’s introduction: At the same time that British royalty was persecuting Paine for having dared to expose the inequalities in English society as well as for his fervent defense of the French Revolution, the French nation hailed him as their champion and claimed him for herself. On August
Address to the People of France Read Post »
ON THE LATE PROCLAMATION from the 1792 pamphlet published by Symonds in London. COULD I have commanded circumstances with a wish, I know not of any that would have more generally promoted the progress of knowledge, than the late Proclamation, and the numerous rotten Borough and Corporation Addresses thereon. They have not only served as
Letter Addressed to the Addressers Read Post »
TO THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX OR THE GENTLEMAN WHO SHALL PRESIDE AT THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT LEWES, JULY FOURTH DATED AT LONDON, JUNE 30, 1792. SIR: I have seen in the Lewes newspapers, of June twenty-fifth, an advertisement, signed by sundry persons, and also by the sheriff, for holding a
To The Sheriff of the County of Sussex Read Post »
Foner’s Introduction: The case brought by the English government against Paine was set down in the Calendar for June 8, 1792. Paine was in the court that day, but to his disappointment the trial was postponed to December 18. Meanwhile he continued to address letters to government officials filled with irony and sarcasm. LORD LIEUTENANT
Letters to Onslow Cranley Read Post »
Philip Foner’s introduction: Rights of Man divided British public opinion into Burkeites and Paineites, inspired a generation of democratic reformers, and formed the programs of hundreds of popular societies which sprang up throughout Great Britain. It was inevitable, therefore, that British royalty would seek frantically to destroy the influence of the writer who had dared
Letters on the Prosecution of Rights of Man Read Post »
