Paine Festival At Tammany Hall NY

Boston Investigator, 15 Feb. 1833, p. 1. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

On Tuesday last, Jan. 29, 57, the Ninety-sixth Anniversary of the Birthday of Thomas PAINE was celebrated at Tammany Hall, in this city, by a Public Dinner at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and by a Ball in the evening. About 150 gentlemen sat down to the Dinner, and upwards of 500 persons of both sexes attended the Ball. The Dining and Ball Rooms were handsomely decorated, and at the head of the table, in the former, hung a beautiful portrait of PAINE, of the full size, painted for the occasion by Mr. T. Thompson. Mr. MORRISON presided at the Dinner, assisted by Messrs. Thompson and Morton. The following regular toasts, songs, and sentiments, some of which are annexed.

REGULAR TOASTS.

1. The Memory of Thomas Paine—It will endure as long as the race of mortals. [Air—Roslin Castle. Song—Hail, Hail, the Day—by Mr. Catley.]
2. The People—The only sovereigns—May they never exercise their power but in the cause of truth and virtue. [Air—Willis was a wanton Wag. Song.]
3. Civil Government—A necessary compact—That is best which secures to every man his rights, and promotes the greatest quantity of human happiness, with the least expense. [Air—Washington’s March.]
4. Universal Education—Founded on rational principles, and divested of theological dogmas. [Air—Yellow Haired Laddie.]
5. The Progress of Intellectual Power—The inevitable destruction of civil and religious despotism. [Air—Jackson’s March. Original Song by Mr. Morrison.]
6. Liberal Opinions—May their progress be universal, as their influence is beneficial. [Air—Jefferson and Liberty. Song—Hail Liberty—by Mr. Lawton.]
7. Truth—Whoever is her genuine follower, keeps his eye steadily upon his guide, indifferent where he is led, provided she is the leader. [Air—Sweet Home. Song—There is Nothing Like Truth.]
8. Morality—The science which has for its object the promotion of human happiness—It can only be founded in the nature of man. [Air—Ye Banks and Braes.]
9. Common Sense—A scarce article—It needs encouragement and protection—May we soon have a number of Companies chartered for the manufacture of it. [Air—Marseillois Hymn.]
10. The Age of Reason—As prophesied by the Bishop of Llandaff, it has “unsettled the faith of thousands.” [Air—Will You Come to the Bower? Song—Will You Hear Reason’s Voice?]
11. The Press—The Tyrant’s Foe—The instrument by which “Common Sense” established the “Rights of Man,” and hastened the “Age of Reason.” [Air—Tyrolese Song of Liberty. Song—The Press by Mr. Morrison.]
12. The United States—When in labor with a “Crisis,” may the Pains of the nation be her physicians, “Common Sense” her nurse, “The Rights of Man,” her medicine, and “The Age of Reason” her restorative. [Air—Hail Columbia.]
13. The Fair—May the enjoyment of their rights be commensurate with the important station which they hold in society. [Air—All Good Lasses.]

VOLUNTEER TOASTS, &c.

By the President, (Mr. John Morrison,) Solomon Southwick—The first Christian writer who has had the candor and moral courage to step forward in vindication of the injured character of Thomas Paine. His conduct merits the warmest approbation of every friend of “Common Sense,” and “The Rights of Man.”

By T. Thompson, 1st Vice President. Our cause—May its morality and benevolence never be sullied by any unworthy acts of its votaries.

By Walter Morton, 2d Vice President. Freedom of Opinion, and a free Elective Suffrage—May these happy privileges soon be enjoyed by every nation.

After some appropriate remarks in allusion to the handsome likeness of Paine, presented by Mr. Thompson, the following toast was given:

By Mr. Purser. Painting, and the sister arts of Poetry and Sculpture.

Mr. Offen having been called upon, favored the company with the following song composed by himself:

Mr. Thomas Hunt, son of Henry Hunt, the celebrated English radical, addressed the company as follows:

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen—I trust you will not consider it presumption in me to address you on the present occasion. I should not have taken the liberty, had I not on many former anniversaries attended in London, to celebrate the memory of that great and good man Thomas Paine. (Applause)

It gives me great pleasure to look round, and see so numerous and respectable a company, for I can venture to assert, without fear of contradiction, that so strong a hold have priestcraft and corruption had in England, that there were never more than twenty or thirty individuals to be found who dared to come forward on any previous anniversary, and speak boldly and fearlessly their honest opinions. (Applause)

Gentlemen—Many of you are well aware how difficult it has been to hold a meeting in England for any public good, without having a Black Sheep in the flock. It so happened a few anniversaries back in London, on which occasion an old friend of Thomas Paine, by the name of Clio Rickman, was in the chair. After our worthy chairman had given corruption and priestcraft a pretty good whipping, up jumped this black sheep with the old hackneyed expression that was always on the tip of the tongue both with Whig and Tory, “If you don’t like the country you live in leave it:” to which our chairman immediately replied by the following lines—

“If you don’t like the country you live in leave it”—

My answer is—in metaphor receive it—

If bugs molest me, as in bed I lie,

I will not quit the bed for them, not I!

But route the vermin out, and every one destroy,

New make my bed and all its sweets enjoy.

[The applause here lasted for some minutes; after it had subsided Mr. Hunt resumed his address in the following terms:]

Gentlemen—It has fallen to my lot to be the son of a man who has had to contend, for these last thirty years, against more corruption and persecution than any other individual. You will ask why? My answer is, because he was always ready even in time of danger, in spite of threats and intimidation, to come boldly forward and defend the rights and liberties of his fellow countrymen. When politics were at the highest pitch in England, did he refuse to take the chair at any political meeting, where the interests of the people might be promoted? No, at that time he was lavishing his health and property to promote that cause, the cause of rational freedom, that we are met here this day to celebrate. (Applause) Four different prisons has his body been incarcerated in, for advocating the cause of public good, and with shame be it said, that not even myself was allowed to cast an eye upon him, for five or six months at a time (Shame, shame!)

It is my intention to live a few years with you in this city; but if, in the meantime, I can be of any service to my father in England, or if I hear of any man or set of men that dare injure a hair of his head, I shall consider it my duty as a son, immediately to return and defend him to the last moment of my existence.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen—I must now apologise for having taken up as much of your time, and if it meets with the approbation of the company, I will conclude with giving you a toast.

Mr. Hunt then gave the following toast, which was received with much applause.

May the sun never rise on the Palace of a Tyrant or set on the Cottage of a Slave.

Mr. Windt presented the following brief but pertinent address, and the accompanying sentiment.

Gentlemen—The toast I have to offer for your acceptance needs no illustrative remark, but I cannot forbear a word or two. Priestly calumny, at the present day, has so blackened the fair fame of one of the brightest characters of our National History, that it must be gratifying to learn what a generation thought who knew the great moral Hero and appreciated his character. The following elegant poetical tribute, by a poet of the Revolution, is the best introduction I can give to my toast:

“Long live the man, in early contest found,

Who bared his heart when dastards trembled round—

Who, fired with more than Greek or Roman rage,

Flash’d truth on tyrants from his manly page—

Immortal PAINE! whose pen, surprised, we saw,

Could fashion empires while it kindled awe.

When first with awful front, to crush her foes,

All bright in glitt’ring arms, Columbia rose,

From thee our sons the generous mandate took,

As if from heaven some oracle had spoke;

And when thy pen reveal’d the grand design,

‘Twas done—Columbia’s liberty was thine!” —Linn.

By John Windt. Benevolence, Honesty, and Fearlessness, Characteristics of the “immortal Paine”—May they distinguish every free enquirer.

The following effusion of Paine, written in that happy vein of playful wit for which he was so celebrated, was read, from Paine’s own hand writing, by Mr. Morton, and was received with rapturous applause. Mr. M. stated that what he read was the original draft of a Love Letter by Paine.

CECIL, near Chambly, Floréal 27, 6 year.

My Dear Citoyenne—For as you are on the brink of matrimony, I must not say My Dear Girl, My Dear Life, nor any of those soft notes that belong to the fond language of love. I am going my dear Citoyenne, to ask a favor of you, and I will try what a little bribery will do. I send you a song, and the tale that belongs to it; and I want in return, to see the last, and the next English newspapers you receive when you can spare them without disappointing your nearer friends; I mean nearer in distance, for as I keep a place in the cabinet of my best thoughts for a welcome visitor, I have put a chair there for you.

I am now enjoying most luxuriously the rural scenery of this pleasant retreat, and what heightens it the more, is, that having nothing to do, my bridge finished, and all my politics done till the descent begins, I have time to fall a little in love, and I assure you I have not been idle. Bonaparte got himself married before he went to Italy, and I have gotten myself in love on purpose for the descent, that like him, I may be in luck, and soft hearted enough to do nothing but good; and all this has happened since I have been here. It is an excellent cordial you know, when one has a voyage to make and a great enterprise in hand; but you go to obey, and I to rebel—you to resign liberty, and I to establish it; but as I have lost a little of my own within these few days, I begin to think there may be as much pleasure in losing as gaining, if one do not lose too much. But, pray, if you cross the Channel before I do, do not put it in the Morning Chronicle that I am going to be married, for my charmer is married already.

It is always a sign that a man is pretty far gone when his mistress can inspire him to write her a song in an hour or two. My fair one asked me one morning at breakfast to make her one upon the descent, and I gave it to her at dinner time. Besides the short time employed upon it, I know you will say if there is any merit in it, it is all hers. I know you will say this, because you told me when you came to see the model of the bridge, that you were sure “I was thinking of your sex, when I contrived it, for nothing (you said) but that could have inspired such a beautiful idea.” This thought would not have occurred to you, had you not been in love yourself.

If I were not as dull as a beetle, I should learn to speak French. Here are groves, and shady walks, and what half drowned lovers call murmuring streams, and nothing to listen to the lessons I take of my fair tutoress, but fishes and nightingales.

Considering how ill-natured fate has been to me, I think I have a right to all the revenge I can take of her. However, if she will give me good luck in the descent, I will make all up with her.

If you are not afraid to give me a line, to tell me if you have any news, and any thing else you please to put in it except scolding me, I shall be very glad to receive it. Tell me where I shall find you on the other side the water, in case I pass safely over, and do not forget that you have a friend, if time and circumstances should require one, in the person that tells you so. Remember me to Mr. and Mrs. M——, Mr. and Mrs. W—— and our friend in the white hat. And, as I know it is difficult for a woman to keep a secret, you may as well tell them at once that I have written you a love letter. Salut.

THOMAS PAINE.

With the permission of the Chair, the following letter was read by the individual to whom it is addressed.

The following Toast, which accompanied the letter of Mr. Lawton, was then given from the Chair:

Sent by Joseph Lawton. The Lady of the Rotunda, in London—Like the gospel fable of the Angel and Peter, may she speedily accomplish the object of her mission, to burst open the prison doors of the shamefully incarcerated Infidel Missionaries, Mr. Richard Carlile and the Rev. Robert Taylor.

Mr. Evans then said he would propose, as a toast, the health of one who had done much in the cause of liberal principles, where the harvest is great and the laborers are few—the writer of the letter which had just been read—

Mr. Joseph Lawton, of Dover, New Hampshire.

The toast was received with three hearty cheers.

By Mr. Thompson. The study of Paine, in preference to enervating pleasures.

By Levi White. The Memory of that exotic who, in the “time that tried men’s souls,” had the courage to speak the truth and who, by his “Common Sense,” made the patriots that Washington led to victory.

By John Morrison. The Rev. Rodolphus Dickinson—His translation of and remarks on the Common Version of the Bible, will subject him to the title of Infidel.

By John Lawton. The Liberals on both sides the Atlantic, who are this day met to render a tribute of respect to the memory of departed worth—May they progress steadily and fearlessly in the cause they have espoused, Universal Mental Emancipation.

By R. D. Letter. The undaunted followers of Thomas Paine—May they always bear off the yoke of tyranny in triumph.

By Hol. H. Sanborn. The people of the several States—May they imitate the example of their follow citizens of New York, by purging their legislative halls from the corrupting and unconstitutional influence of the clergy. [Tune—”Rogues’ March.”]

By Jon. D. Pierson. The Temple of Reason—May it never, like the walls of Jericho, be blown down by a blast of rams’ horns.

By George H. Evans. Richard M. Johnson—His merits and his services are well known and appreciated. Where will the people find a man so worthy to fill the vacant Presidential Chair?

By David L. Burger. May the seeds which Thomas Paine planted shoot forth and form a Bower of Happiness over all mankind.

By John Lawton. Richard Carlile, and Robert Taylor of England, Persecuted Advocates of Free Discussion—Their zeal and laudable efforts in the promulgation of liberal principles merit the esteem and support of every lover of truth. May their cause speedily triumph.

By William Carver. The Immortal Captain Lawrence—May his motto, “Don’t give up the Ship,” be engraven on the heart of every true American.

By Geo. Houston. The memory of the Author of Queen Mab—His life was spent in the contemplation of Nature, in arduous study, or in acts of kindness.

By H. C. Spicer. The Dead—May we cover their faults with the mantle of charity, but their merits and their virtues let us raise above the tomb.

By Wm. Carver. The President—May he live to know that his veto has signed the death warrant of all the Banks in the United States.

By George H. Evans. The Union—Based on Justice, and cemented by the affections of the people, it would prove indissoluble.

By John Morrison. Thos. Hertell and his coadjutors at Albany—Their exertions to purge the sons of Levi out of the Legislature, and save six dollars per day of the people’s money, deserve the thanks of the whole people.

By a Layman. Chaplains to the navy and to our Legislature—Spies of the Church and State Party—May they meet with a better fate than better men have encountered by acting in a similar capacity.

By E. M. Bond. George R. McFarlane, and the other members of the “Philadelphia Association of Free Enquirers”—the advanced guard of the “Liberating Army” in Pennsylvania.

By a Guest. The Church and State Party in the United States—When their designs shall have been accomplished, the hopes and liberties of half the world will be entombed, the Hallelujahs of rejoicing priests will swell on the gale instead of the requiem due to Liberty of Conscience, and the Te Deum for the triumph of fanaticism over reason will be the funeral service of the “Rights of Man.”

By Sands Olcott. Washington—Whose services to his country were only equalled by those of Thomas Paine—While the former defended the cause of Liberty with the thunders of artillery, and the latter by the overwhelming engines of Reason and Common Sense.

By J. P. Clark. Churches and Chapels—May they be converted into Temples of the Sciences, and the Philosopher be cherished instead of the Priest.

By the President. Abner Kneeland, and his coadjutors in Boston—”May their bows long abide in strength,” and “their hands be made strong” by a “hundred fold” increase to their number.

By a Free Enquirer. The Cause—That cause for which a Paine braved the power of a vindictive clergy, for which a Carlile and a Taylor have suffered years of imprisonment, for which a Cooper has been wantously persecuted, and to which a Wright and Owen, and many other distinguished characters have devoted the prime of their lives. “It must and shall” prosper.

By B. Catley. A Crown of Glory to the Priesthood—Too long has this order been the firebrand of society.

By John Lawton. The brave but unfortunate Poles—May the base oppressor and usurper of their rights soon be hurled from his Tyrant Throne, and the bright torch of freedom shine again in their “own their native land.”

By John Morrison. Col. Richard M. Johnson—A truly unaffected Republican, The man whom his country delighteth to honor.

Frances Wright Darusmont—May her health be restored, and her usefulness along with it. We wish to see more products from her able pen.

Robert Owen—The amiable and untiring advocate and promoter of social happiness.

Robert Dale Owen—Though absent, we remember his services in the cause of mental freedom—May his labors in London be abundantly successful.

The American Tract Society—Large manufacturers of fables and folly. Ten thousand simple females are now wanted to distribute tracts, to whom good wages will be given, in promissory notes, without date, payable at the bank of heaven.

Camp, Four Day, and Protracted Meetings—May they soon lose their attraction by subtraction and distraction.

Sectarian Missionaries—”The Devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

During the evening, the company were favored with the following:

The Dinner Company, which was the largest ever assembled on a similar occasion in this city, gave way at an early hour to the happy throng engaged in the Ball, from whom they were separated by folding doors; the unexpectedly large number of the latter having rendered it desirable that the whole of the large room in the Hall should be given up for their accommodation. Those who retired from the Dinner to the Ball no doubt felt amply compensated for their little disappointment, by witnessing the uninterrupted hilarity which pervaded the vast assemblage on this interesting occasion till the conclusion of the Festival, which took place at about three o’clock on the morning of the 30th.