Conway’s introduction: IMMEDIATELY after perusal of Bishop Watson’s reply to “The Age of Reason” (“An Apology for the Bible,” 1796) Paine began his answer to it. By reference to his letter to Jefferson (vol. iii. P. 377 of this edition) it will be seen that in October, 1800, he was still writing on it, and […]
Reply to the Bishop of Llandaff Read Post »
ON THE OCCASION OF A TOAST BEING GIVEN AT A FEDERAL DINNER AT WASHINGTON, OF “MAY THEY NEVER KNOW PLEASURE WHO LOVE PAINE.” I SEND you, Sir, a tale about some Feds, Who, in their wisdom got to loggerheads. The case was this, they felt so flat and sunk, They took a glass together and
From Mr. Paine to Mr. Jefferson Read Post »
From the original letter at the Library of Congress. I will be obliged to you to send back the Models, as I am packing up to set-off to Philadelphia and N York. My intention in bringing them here in preference to sending them from Baltimore to Philadelphia, was, to have some conversation with you on
To Thomas Jefferson January 12, 1803 Read Post »
To the Editor of the National Intelligencer January 1, 1803 FEDERAL CITY, SIR Toward the latter end of last December I received a letter from a venerable patriot, Samuel Adams, dated Boston, November thirtieth. It came by a private hand, which I suppose was the cause of the delay. I wrote Mr. Adams an answer,
To the Editor of the National Intelligencer January 1, 1803 Read Post »
From the original letter at the New York Public Library. My dear and venerable friend Samuel Adams I received with great pleasure your friendly and affectionate letter of November 30 and I thank you also for the frankness of it. Between men in pursuit of truth, and whose object is the happiness of man both
To Samuel Adams January 1, 1803 Read Post »
From the original 1807 book, printed for the author. PREFACE To the Ministers and Preachers of all Denominations of Religion. IT is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error. But nature has not given to every one a talent for the purpose; and among
Examination of the Prophesies Read Post »
I HAVE said, in the first part of “The Age of Reason,” that “I hope for happiness after this life.” This hope is comfortable to me, and I presume not to go beyond the comfortable idea of hope, with respect to a future state. I consider myself in the hands of my Creator, and that
My Private Thoughts on a Future State Read Post »
