Struggling with Censorship in 1798
Security and freedom are often at odds with each other.
Of the Present Ability of America, with Some Miscellaneous Reflexions
Thomas Paine said America should raise a navy and declare independence, but not everyone agreed. Provost William Smith, of the College of Pennsylvania, suggested Paine’s work was really ‘common nonsense’.
Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.
Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
“‘Tis a form of government which the word of God bears testimony against, and blood will attend it.”
— Thomas Paine, "Common Sense"
Of the Origin and Design of Government in General
Thomas Paine brought "Common Sense" to America
The Stamp That Never Was
Opposition to the Stamp Act united British colonials as Americans
