Autographs
Thomas Paine Writes on England & France State of Affairs
THOMAS PAINE (1737-1809). English-American Political Activist, Author, Political Theorist and Revolutionary. Author of “Common Sense” (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from Great Britain, and “The American Crisis” (1776–83), a pro-Revolutionary pamphlet series.
November 20, 1787-Dated Federal Period, Important Content, Autograph Letter Signed, “Thomas Paine”, 3 pages, measuring 9” x 7.25”, at London, Choice Very Fine. Accompanied by the Imprint titled: “A Letter to the Earl Of Shelburne, Now Marquis Of Lansdowne.” by Thomas Paine, 1791 (A New Edition) that has a soiled and separated front covers. This Letter is written by Paine to, “Right Honorable The Marquis of Landsdown” (William Petty, 1st Marquis of Lansdowne), docketed on verso of third page, light soiling. Three years following the American Revolution, and during the financial crisis leading to the French Revolution, Thomas Paine writes, in full:

“I had the honour of receiving your Lordship's favour of the 27th Sept. and am much obliged to you for the kind and genteel invitation you gave me into the Country. I had written to your Lordship my thanks and discanted {sic) a little on the then state of public affairs, but they appearing to grow every day more perplexing, I determined to lay it aside -- this, together with the hopes of seeing your Lordship in town at an earlier period, than mentioned in your letter will, I hope, interest you to excuse the omission.

Sincerely do I wish that this infamous business of perpetual wrangling between England & France might end. It would be called by a coarser name than I chuse to express were a like case to happen between two individuals; and it is a curious paradox that enlightened nations should have less sense than enlightened individuals.

I most heartily wish that some great line of Politics, worthy of an opposition might be struck out. Peace might be easily preferred were proper persons in the management of affairs. There are so many these in France who would very heartily concur in such a measure, and unless this be done, it appears, at least to me, that something worse than war will follow, for tho' France is not in good condition for war, England is still worse.

I enclose your Lordship a Pamphlet which has just made its appearance. I forbear any opinion of it myself, otherwise than that the matters in it appear to me too true. Wishing your Lordship health & happiness - I am - your Lordship's much obliged and obedient humble servant - (Signed) Thomas Paine”.

A impressive, very clean and attractive letter that is penned in dark brown upon quality watermarked laid period paper. The signature, “Thomas Paine” measures a large 3” long, and the entire text is easy to read. Obviously, in this 1787 letter, Paine mentions the first, original printed edition of his work, which would have accompanied this letter.

The sequence of events leading to the French Revolution involved the national government's virtual bankruptcy due to its poor tax system and the mounting debts caused by numerous large wars. The attempt to challenge British naval and commercial power in the Seven Years' War was a costly disaster, with the loss of France's colonial possessions in continental North America and the destruction of the French Navy. French forces were rebuilt and performed more successfully in the American Revolutionary War, but only at massive additional cost, and with no real gains for France except the knowledge that Britain had been humbled. France's inefficient and antiquated financial system was unable to finance this debt. Faced with a financial crisis, the king called an Assembly of Notables in February, 1787 for the first time in over a century, and on July 18, 1789 the storming of the Bastille sparked the French Revolution.

Most likely the enclosed pamphlet referred to by Paine was Prospects on the Rubicon, or an investigation into the causes and consequences of the politics to be agitated at the meeting of Parliament. A thoughtful letter by Paine as he grapples with the fraught political climate in France and England.

Included with the lot is a copy of a booklet, Paine’s letter to the Earl of Shelburne. now Marquis of Lansdowne, on his Speech, July 10, 1782, respecting the acknowledgement of American Independence. New edition 1791, stitched as issued.

Provenance: Christie's London, 12 October 1994, lot 53.
Thomas Paine was a British author, radical political theorist, and humanitarian. At the urgings of Benjamin Franklin, Paine left England (November, 1774) and settled in Philadelphia. His famous pamphlet "Common Sense" published in January, 1776, which proved invaluable to the American Revolution, urged revolt and independence from England rather than reform.

Its huge success led to his series of 16 pamphlets entitled "The Crisis" (1776-83), which boosted the morale of the dispirited Continental Army. Returning to England in 1787, and in response to Edmund Burke's critical view of the French Revolution (in "Reflections on the Revolution in France"), Paine issued his greatest work, "Rights of Man" (1791-92). In it, he argued that civil government exists only through a contract with the majority of the people for the safe-guarding of the individual, and if man's "natural rights" are interfered with by the government, revolution is permissible.

Thomas Jefferson arranged the U.S. publication of the work - as a means of combating the "Federalist heresy". Due to the book's extended and detailed propaganda (and its exceptional popularity), Paine was indicted for treason. He escaped to Paris, and (as an honorary French citizen), was elected to the Revolutionary Convention (1792).

During the Terror, Paine was imprisoned (1793- 94) for advocating exile, rather than execution, for the King. Released at the request of Minister to France James Madison, who claimed Paine was an American citizen. While in prison, Paine had started "Age of Reason" (1794- 96), his attack on sectarianism, and was branded an atheist. Returning to New York City in 1802, he was unwelcome, and died in a state of poverty and ostracism.