The American Crisis by Thomas Paine (best books for students to read TXT) 📕

notion that Paine was “Junius.” He wrote a petition to Parliament for the Excisemen, but it was not published until 1793. His “Wolfe” did not appear in the Gentleman’s Magazine, as Mr. Burr supposes. —⁠Conway ↩

This Crisis is dated April 19, 1777, the second anniversary of the collision at Lexington. Two days before (April 17, 1777) Paine had been appointed by Congress Secretary of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, on its constitution. —⁠Conway ↩

“That the King’s Majesty, by and with the consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled, had, hath, and of right ought to have full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever.” Paragraph first of the Declaratory Act repealing the Stamp Act, February, 1766. —⁠Conway ↩

In this state of political suspense the pamphlet Common Sense made its appearance, and the success it met with does not become me to mention. Dr. Franklin, Mr. Samuel and John Adams, were severally spoken of as the supposed author. I had not, at that time, the pleasure either of personally knowing or being known to the two last gentlemen. The favor of Dr. Franklin’s friendship I possessed in England, and my introduction to this part of the world was through his patronage. I happened, when a schoolboy, to pick up a pleasing natural history of Virginia, and my inclination from that day of seeing the western side of the Atlantic never left me. In October, 1775, Dr. Franklin proposed giving me such materials as were in his hands, towards completing a history of the present transactions, and seemed desirous of having the first volume out the next Spring. I had then formed the outlines of Common Sense, and finished nearly the first part; and as I supposed the doctor’s design in getting out a history was to open the new year with a new system, I expected to surprise him with a production on that subject, much earlier than he thought of; and without informing him what I was doing, got it ready for the press as fast as I conveniently could, and sent him the first pamphlet that was printed off. ↩

April 23, 1776. —⁠Conway ↩

In Philadelphia, the only American city with which Paine was then familiar. “Toryism” was of an exceptionally snobbish and self-interested type. It is certain, though not then recognized, that some excellent men made heavy sacrifices for their loyalty to the Crown. Some of these, while sympathizing with the colonies, regarded as sacred official oaths which they had taken to serve the King. —⁠Conway ↩

The Quaker “sister” was of course Hannah Lightfoot, and it would appear that Axford, to whom she was said to have been married, was in Philadelphia. —⁠Conway ↩

John Pemberton, an eminent Quaker, had been associated with the founding of the Antislavery Society, April 14, 1775, but afterwards led the Quakers into their unpatriotic position, and with more than twenty others was sent to Virginia and confined for some months, at a critical period of the Revolution. —⁠Conway ↩

Steward of the king’s household. ↩

Formerly, General Townsend, at Quebec, and late lord-lieutenant of Ireland. ↩

Paine would seem to date from the formation of the intercolonial committee, in 1773. —⁠Conway ↩

Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777. For the circumstances under which this brief Crisis was written, see Paine’s letter to Franklin. —⁠Conway ↩

In October, 1777, Howe being, since September 26, in possession of Philadelphia, Paine was employed by the Pennsylvania Assembly and Council to obtain for it constant intelligence of the movements of Washington’s army. While writing this, No. V, he saw much of Washington, and the pamphlet was probably to some extent “inspired.” It was put into shape at the house of William Henry, Jr., Lancaster, Pa., whose son remembered that he was very long at the work. It was printed at York, Pa., where Congress was in session. —⁠Conway ↩

George Augustus Howe, born 1724, fell at Ticonderoga, July 8, 1758. The General Court of Massachusetts appropriated £250 for the monument in Westminster Abbey. —⁠Conway ↩

At Cape Fear, April, 1776. —⁠Conway ↩

This ascription to Washington of a participation in the capture of Burgoyne did him a great and opportune service. The victory at Saratoga had made Gen. Gates such a hero that a scheme was on foot to give him Washington’s place as Commander-in-Chief. —⁠Conway ↩

Paine himself acted an important part in the affair at Mud Island. See my “Life of Thomas Paine”; also Paine’s Letter to Franklin. —⁠Conway ↩

General Vaughan had been acting with Cornwallis at Cape Fear. At the beginning of hostilities in North Carolina Tryon was governor there, and on his transfer to New York carried with him a general reputation for cruelty. —⁠Conway ↩

Paine, elected by Congress, April 17, 1777, Secretary of its Committee of Foreign Affairs, was really the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and not improperly so styled in many publications. —⁠Conway ↩

In a private letter to Franklin, in Paris, Paine intimated a probable advantage from the British occupation of Philadelphia. It is said that Franklin, hearing it said that Howe had taken Philadelphia, remarked, “Philadelphia has taken Howe.” —⁠Conway ↩

Five commissioners were originally appointed to “treat, consult, and agree, upon the Means of quieting the Disorders now subsisting in certain of the Colonies, Plantations and Provinces of North America.” The commissioners are thus described by Lord Mahon: “Lord Howe and Sir William were included in the letters patent