LETTER THE FIRST From The National Intelligencer Washington, DC November 15, 1802 AFTER an absence of almost fifteen years, I am again returned to the Country in whose dangers I bore my share, and to whose greatness I contributed my part. When I sailed for Europe in the spring of 1787 it was my intention […]
THOMAS PAINE LETTER TO GEORGE WASHINGTON From the original Philadelphia Aurora pamphlet in 1796. DATED PARIS, JULY 30, AS censure is but awkwardly softened by apology, I shall offer to you no apology for this letter. The eventful crisis to which your double politics have conducted the affairs of your country, requires an investigation uncramped
From the 1796 Paris edition. NOTHING, they say, is more certain than death, and nothing more uncertain than the time of dying; yet we can always fix a period beyond which man cannot live, and within some moment of which he will die. We are enabled to do this, not by any spirit of prophecy
The Decline and Fall of the English System of Finance Read Post »
AGRARIAN JUSTICE (from the Bache edition, Philadelphia, 1796, with the French introduction of 1796 added) AUTHOR’S INSCRIPTION To the Legislature and the Executive Directory of the French Republic: The plan contained in this work is not adapted for any particular country alone: the principle on which it is based is general. But as the rights
See The Age of Reason — Part I here. PREFACE I HAVE mentioned in the former part of The Age of Reason that it had long been my intention to publish my thoughts upon Religion; but that I had originally reserved it to a later period in life, intending it to be the last work
THERE is no subject more interesting to every man than the subject of government. His security, be he rich or poor, and, in a great measure, his prosperity, are connected therewith; it is therefore his interest as well as his duty, to make himself acquainted with its principles, and what the practise ought to be.
Dissertation on the First Principles of Government Read Post »
See The Age of Reason — Part II here. CHAPTER I – THE AUTHOR’S PROFESSION OF FAITH. IT has been my intention, for several years past, to publish my thoughts upon religion; I am well aware of the difficulties that attend the subject, and from that consideration, had reserved it to a more advanced period
See Rights of Man Part I here. Combining Principle And Practice To M. de la Fayette After an acquaintance of nearly fifteen years in difficult situations in America, and various consultations in Europe, I feel a pleasure in presenting to you this small treatise, in gratitude for your services to my beloved America, and as
The Author’s Notes FOR PART ONE AND PART TWO In the situation England now is, it is impossible she can increase in money. High taxes not only lessen the property of the individuals, but they lessen also the money capital of the nation, by inducing smuggling, which can only be carried on by gold and
See Rights of Man Part II here. From the six-pence edition 1792 Being An Answer To Mr. Burke’s Attack On The French Revolution. To George Washington, President of the United States of America. SIR, I present you a small Treatise in defence of those Principles of Freedom which your exemplary Virtue hath so eminently contributed
As the publication of this work has been delayed beyond the time intended, I think it not improper, all circumstances considered, to state the causes that have occasioned delay. The reader will probably observe, that some parts in the plan contained in this work for reducing the taxes, and certain parts in Mr. Pitt’s speech
The American Crisis pamphlets in chronological order: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, The Crisis Extraordinary, X, XI, Subernumary Crisis I, XII, XIII and Subernumary Crisis II. TO THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA. (known as Supernemerary Crisis II) From the Pennsylvania Gazette, December 17, 1783 IN “Rivington’s New York Gazette,” of December 6th,
