The American Crisis. Thomas Paine
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Thomas Paine
The American Crisis
The Revolutionary Work Which Inspired the Americans to Fight for Their Independence (Including "The Life of Thomas Paine” – Extensive Biography of the Author)
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- Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting -
2017 OK Publishing
ISBN 978-80-272-2625-2
Table of Contents
The Life Of Thomas Paine by Moncure D. Conway
The American Crisis
To the Inhabitants of America.
To the Earl of Carlisle, General Clinton, and William Eden, Esq., British Commissioners at New York.
Address to the People of England.
The Crisis Extraordinary On the Subject of Taxation.
On the King of England’s Speech.
A Supernumerary Crisis To Sir Guy Carleton.
Thoughts on the Peace, and the Probable Advantages Thereof.
A Supernumerary Crisis To the People of America.
The American Crisis
The Crisis No. I
THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own1; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet. All that Howe has been