[Redactor's Note: Reprinted from the "The Writings of Thomas PaineVolume I" (1894 - 1896). The author's notes are preceded by a "*".]
I. OF THE ORIGIN AND DESIGN OF GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL, WITH CONCISE
REMARKS ON THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION
II. OF MONARCHY AND HEREDITARY SUCCESSION
III. THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS
IV. OF THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS
REFLEXIONS
PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages, are notYET sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a longhabit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficialappearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcryin defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes moreconverts than reason.
As a long and violent abuse of power, is generally the Means ofcalling the right of it in question (and in Matters too which mightnever have been thought of, had not the Sufferers been aggravatedinto the inquiry) and as the King of England hath undertaken in hisOWN RIGHT, to support the Parliament in what he calls THEIRS, andas the good people of this country are grievously oppressed by thecombination, they have an undoubted privilege to inquire into thepretensions of both, and equally to reject the usurpations of either.
In the following sheets, the author hath studiously avoided everything which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well ascensure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise, and theworthy, need not the triumph of a pamphlet; and those whosesentiments are injudicious, or unfriendly, will cease of themselvesunless too much pains are bestowed upon their conversion.
The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of allmankind. Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are notlocal, but universal, and through which the principles of all Loversof Mankind are affected, and in the Event of which, their Affectionsare interested. The laying of a Country desolate with Fire and Sword,declaring War against the natural rights of all Mankind, andextirpating the Defenders thereof from the Face of the Earth, is theConcern of every Man to whom Nature hath given the Power of feeling;of which Class, regardless of Party Censure, is