From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society

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Dec. 31st, 1785

I send you the Candles I have been making. In a little time after they are lighted the smoke and flame separate, the one issuing from one end of the candle, and the other from the other end. I suppose this to be because a quantity of Air enters into the candle between the Tallow and the flame, and in its passage downwards takes the smoke with it, for if you blow a quantity of air up the Candle, the current will be changed, and the Smoke re-ascends and in passing this the flame makes a small flash and a little noise.

But to express the Idea I mean, of the smoke descending more clearly it is this, — that the Air enters the candle in the very place where the melted tallow is getting into the state of flame, and takes it down before the change is completed — for there appears to me to be two kinds of smoke, humid matter which never can be flame, — and inflammable matter which would be flame if some accident did not prevent the change being completed — and this I suppose to be the case with the descending smoke of the Candle.

As you can compare the Candle with the Lamp, you will have an opportunity of ascertaining the cause — why it will do in the one and not in the other — When the edge of the inflamed part of the wick is close with the edge of the Tin of the Lamp no counter current of air can enter — but as this contact does not take place in the candle a counter current can enter and prevents the effect in the candles, which illuminates the Lamp — for the passing of the Air through the Lamp does not, I imagine, burn the smoke, but burns up all the oil into flame, or by its rapidity prevents any part of the oil flying off in the state of half-flame which is smoke —

I do not my dear Sir, offer these reasons to you but to myself, for I have often observed that by lending words for my thoughts I understand my thoughts the better — Thoughts are a kind of mental smoke, which require words to illuminate them.

I am affectionately your obt hble servant

THOMAS PAINE

I hope to be well enough tomorrow to wait on you.

From the original letter at the New York Public Library

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Mr. Claypoole — I have often observed paragraphs in your paper, in support or vindication of what appears and always did to me a very wrong piece of policy, as well as an unconstitutional proceeding of the late Assembly — the violation of public faith in the repeal of the Bank Charter.

I sent you last fryday a short paragraph on that subject, which you have not inserted — If it is the plan of your paper to make itself a party paper in the business I shall understand the reason of its not being put in — If it is not a party paper I do not see the reason why it is withheld.

Yours &.

THO PAINE

From the original letter at the Library of Congress

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Sept. 28, 1785

Sir

I enclose an account of the monies due me in the depreciation of my salary while Secretary to the Committee for Foreign Affairs. — It is prior to the time to which the resolve of Congress for making up the depreciation in the Civil List extends, but if Congress will attend to the motives of my Resignation — which the Committee (Mr. Gerry Mr. King and Mr. Petit) can explain there is, I conceive, every reason of justice and honor that the account should be discharged.

A am y. Excellency’s Ob. Hbl. Ser.

T. PAINE.

To the Congress of the United States

September 27, 1785

As there is now a report founded on a former resolve, depending before Congress, respecting a compensation to me for my service to the States during the war and the progress of the revolution, I request leave, on this particular occasion, to address the following to Congress.

That my intention in coming to America was that of settling as a private gentleman; that the troubles of the country and the war commencing within four months after my arrival, I had the choice either of returning or sharing her fate; that impressed with the justice of her cause and the dangers of her situation I preferred the latter, and felt it a duty due to the common rights of mankind to render such service and assistance in my power, which I most faithfully did; that as I had no ambitious motives or views when I began, so have I none now.

If Congress will please to order my private expenses to be reimbursed me, which I have naturally incurred by my service to the States, I desire no more.

What those expenses are may easily be judged of by any gentleman present who has resided in any of the cities of America. During a period of nearly eleven years they cannot possibly have been less than six thousand dollars.

I likewise make it my request that this letter may be put on the journals of Congress, and that the matter of it may be proceeded on before the rising of Congress today.

Wishing Peace and Happiness to the United States, I remain,

THOMAS PAINE.

From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society

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New York

Sept 23d, 1785

My Dear Sir

It gives me exceeding great pleasure to have the opportunity of Congratulating you on your return home and to a land of Peace; and to express to you my heart-felt wishes that the remainder of your days may be to you a time of happy ease and rest.

Should fate prolong my life to the extent of yours, it would give me the greatest felicity to have the evening Scene some resemblance of what you now enjoy.

In making you this address, I have an additional pleasure in reflecting that so far as I have hitherto gone I am not conscious of any Circumstance in my own conduct, that should give you one repentant thought for being my Patron and Introducer to America.

It would give me great Pleasure to make a journey to Philadelphia on purpose to see you, but an interesting Affair I have with Congress makes my absence at this time improper.

If you have time to let me know how your health is, I shall be much obliged to you. — I am — Dear Sir, with the sincerest Affection and Respect

Your Obedient Humble Servant

THOMAS PAINE

My address is Mssrs Lawrence and Morris Merchants N York