1 47 13 https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/7841f4018c7f903bd845dc2594f33e6f.jpg 45006fa2a4e318788f95efb0e225e189 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document <div style="text-align: right;">COMMON SENSE.                              37</div> to continued insults with the patience of a coward. The more men have to lose, the less willing are they to venture. The rich are in general slaves to fear, and submit to courtly power with the trembling duplicity of a spaniel. Youth is the seed time of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals. It might be difficult, if not impossible, to form the continent into one government half a century hence. The vast variety of interests, occasioned by an in- crease of trade and population, would create confusion. Co- lony would be against colony. Each being able might scorn each other's assistance: and while the proud and foolish glo- ried in their little distinctions, the wise would lament, that the union had not been formed before. Wherefore, the pre- sent time is the true time for establishing it. The intimacy which is contracted in infancy, and the friendship which is formed in misfortune, are of all others the most lasting and unalterable. Our prefent union is marked with both these characters: we are young, and we have been distressed ; but our concord hath withstood our troubles, and fixes a memor- able aera for posterity to glory in. The present time likewise is that peculiar time, which never happens to a nation but once, viz. the time of forming itself into a government. Most nations have let slip the op- portunity, and by that means have been compelled to receive laws from their conquerors, instead of making laws for them- selves. First, they had a king, and then a form of govern- ment ; whereas, the articles or charter of government, should be formed first, and men delegated to exeucute them afterwards : but from the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom, and lay hold of the present opportunity—-To begin government at the right end. When William the Conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the point of the sword; and until we consent, that the seat of government, in America, be legally and au- thoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us in the same manner, and then where will be our freedom ? where our property ? As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensible duty of all government, to protect, all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to <div style="text-align: right;">do</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of the Present Ability of America, with Some Miscellaneous Reflexions Description An account of the resource Page 37 monarch religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/a96a733ce2e047026c39d037c60e6b40.jpg 44eafdbe12c9c9b27f57714ba9667b20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document <div style="text-align: left;">30                              COMMON SENSE</div> relationship expires, the affection will increase, or that we shall agree, better, when we have ten times more and greater concerns to quarrel over than ever ? Ye that tell us of harmony and reconciliation, can ye re- store to us the time that is past ? Can ye give to prostitution its former innocence ? Neither can ye reconcile Britain and America. The last cord now is broken, the people of Eng- land are presenting addresses against us. There are injuries which nature cannot forgive she would cease to be nature if she did. As well can the lover forgive the ravisher of his mistress, as the continent forgive the murders of Britain. The Almighty hath inplanted in us these unextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of his image in our, hearts. They distinguish us from the herd of common animals. The social compact would dis- solve, and justice be extirpated the earth, or have only a casual existence were we callous to the touches of affection. The robber and the murderer, would often escape unpunish- ed, did not the injuries which our tempers sustain, provoke us into justice. O ye that love mankind ; Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth ; Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa, have long ex- pelled her—Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O ! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind. <div style="text-align: center;"> Of the present ABILITY of AMERICA, with </div> <div style="text-align: center;">some miscellaneous REFLEXIONS, </div> I Have never met with a man, either in England or Ame- rica, who hath not confessed his opinion, that a separation between the countries, would take place one time or other; And there is no instance, in which we have shewn less judg- ment, then in endeavouring to describe, what we call the ripeness or fitness of the Continent for independance. As all men allow the measure, and vary only in their opi- nion of the time, let us, in order to remove mistakes, take a generl survey of things, and endeavour, if possible, to find out the very time. But we need not go far, the inquiry <div style="text-align: right;">ceases</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of the Present Ability of America, with Some Miscellaneous Reflexions Description An account of the resource Page 30 censored text King George III religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/9b03b9ba4b67894e784e8451ad9394cf.jpg 306e59c0e4e14e2b63b2c1c5a0f12faf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 28                             COMMON SENSE.  of each province, for and in behalf of the whole province, by as many qualified voters as shall think proper to attend from all parts of the province for that purpose ; or, if more con- venient the representatives may be chosen in two or three of the most populous parts thereof. In this conference, thus assembled, will be united, the two grand principles of busi- ness, knowledge and power. The members of Congress, Assem- blies’ or Conventions, by having had experience in national concerns, will be able and useful counselors and the whole, being empowered by the people, will have a truly legal authority. The conferring members being met, let their business be to frame a CONTINENTAL CHARTER, or Charter of the Uni- ted Colonies; (answering to what is called the Magna Char- ta of England) fixing the number and manner of choosing members of Congress, members of Assembly, with their date of fitting, and drawing the line of business and jurisdiction between them: (always remembering, that our strength is continental, not provincial: ) Securing freedom and property to all men and above all things, the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience : with such other mat- ter as is necessary for a charter to contain. Immediately after which, the said Conference to dissolve, and the bodies which shall be chosen conformable to the said charter, to be the le- gislators and governors of this continent for the time being: whose peace and happiness may God preserve. Amen. Should any body of men be hereafter delegated for this or some similar purpose, I offer them the following extracts from that wise observer on governments Dragonetti. “The sci- "ence” says he “of the politician consents in fixing the true "point of happiness and freedom. Those men should deserve "the gratitude of ages, who should discover a mode of go- "vernment that contained the greatest sum of individual "happiness, with the least national expence.                                      Dragonetti on virtue and rewards."  But where, say some, is the King of America? I’ll tell you, Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Great Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by with the world may know <div style="text-align: right;">that</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs Description An account of the resource Page 28 censored text King George III religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/9a3fc11754089e1036a98fae06ea30a3.jpg cf5338c1e5f18b0bebf1f5016a9b8dd7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document                     COMMON SENSE.                                       27 If there is any true cause of fear respecting independence, it is because no plan is yet laid down. Men do not see their way out-- Wherefore, as an opening into that business, I offer the following hints ; at the same time modestly affirm- ing, that I have no other opinion of them myself, than that they may be the means of giving rife to something better.-- Could the straggling thoughts of individuals be collected, they would frequently form materials for wise and able men to improve into useful manner. LET the assemblies be annual, with a President only.--- The representation more equal. Their business wholly do- mestic, and subject to the authority of a Continental Con- gress. Let each colony be divided into six, eight, or ten conve- nient districts, each district to send a proper number of dele- gates to Congress, so that each colony send at least thirty. The whole number in congress will be at least 390. Each congress to sit                               and to choose a pres- ident by the following method. When the delegates are met, let a colony be taken from the whole thirteen colonies by lot, after which, let the whole Congress choose (by ballot) a president from out of the delegates of that pro- vince. In the next congress, let a colony be taken by lot from twelve only, omitting that colony from which the pre- sident was taken in the former congress, and so proceeding on ‘till the whole thirteen shall have had their proper rota- tion. And in order that nothing may pass into a law but what is satisfactorily just, not less than three fifths of the congress to be called a majority.------He that will promote discord under a government so equally formed as this, would have joined Lucifer in his revolt. But as there is a peculiar delicacy, from whom, or in what manner this business must first arise, and as it seems most a- greeable and consistent, that it should come from some inter- mediate body between the governed and the governors, that is, between the Congress and the people, let a CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE be held, in the following manner, and for the following purpose: A committee of twenty-six members of Congress, viz. two for each colony. Two members from each House of Assem- bly, or provincial Convention; and five representatives of the people at large, to be chosen in the capital city or town                                                                                    of Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs Description An account of the resource Page 27 religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/c2d402ec18f228eaa1e2f3e8c7b43fe0.jpg a800a6f9cc1f4c19b8693155b47729b4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document <div style="text-align: right;">COMMON SENSE.                                 19</div> challenge, not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for buy them where we will. But the injuries and disadvantages we sustain by that connection, are without number; and our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourselves, instruct us to renounce the alliance: Because, any submission to, or dependance on Great-Britain, tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels; and set us at variance with nations, who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no political connection with any part of it. It is the true in- terest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while by her dependance on Bri- tain, she is made the make-weight in the scale of British politics. Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, because of her connection with Britain. The next war may not turn out like the last, and should it not, the advocates for re- conciliation now, will be wishing for separation then, be- cause, neutrality in that case, would be a safer convoy than a man of war. Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ’TIS TIME TO PART. Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America, is a strong and natural proof, that the authority of the one, over the other, was never the design of Heaven. The time likewise at which the continent was discovered, adds weight to the argument, and the manner in which it was peopled encreases the force of it. The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty gra- ciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety. The authority of Great-Britain over this continent, is a form of government, which sooner or later must have an end : and a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking forward, under the painful and positive conviction, that what he calls “ the present constitution ” is merely tempo- <div style="text-align: right;">                                                                                rary.</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs Description An account of the resource Page 19 additions religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/026d00785b1d99946d6065a751e164e7.jpg 820037ac7f02ef6a2589f13c490b3ec5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document <div style="text-align: right;">COMMON SENSE.                            17</div> any other account and who will always be our enemies on the same account. Let Britain wave her pretensions to the conti- nent, or the continent, throw off the dependance, and we should be at peace with France and Spain were they at war with Britain. The miseries of Hanover last war ought to warn us against connexions. It has lately been asserted in parliament, that the colonies have no relation to each other but through the parent country, i. e. that Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, and so on for the rest, are sister colonies by the way of England; this is cer- tainly a very round-about way of proving relationship, but it is the nearest aud only true way of proving enemyship if I may so call it. France and Spain never were, nor perhaps ever will be our enemies as Americans, but as our being the subjects of Great Britain. But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families ; wherefore the assertion, if true, turns to her reproach ; but it happens not to be true, or only partly so, and the phrase parent or mother country hath been jesuitically adopted by the King and his parasites. with a low papistical design of gaining an unfair bias on the credulous weakness of our minds. Eu- rope, and not England, is the parent country of America. This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lo- vers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster ; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their defendants still. In this extensive quarter of the globe, we forget the narrow limits of three hundred and sixty miles (the extent of Eng- land) and carry our friendship on a larger scale ; we claim brotherhood with every European Christian, and triumph in the generosity of the sentiment. It is pleasant to observe by what regular gradations we surmount the force of local prejudice, as we enlarge our ac- quaintance with the world. A man born in any town in England divided into parishes, will naturally associate most with his fellow-parishioners (because their interests in many cases will be common) and distinguish him by the name of neighbour ; if he meet him but a few miles from home, he drops the narrow idea of a street, and salutes him by the <div style="text-align: right;">D                                           name</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs Description An account of the resource Page 17 censored text King George III religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/eb9378c3673b51b3a5c4851a69c1c6e2.jpg 48fce20471c92e8e2cefb3a62bbec8cd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 12                           COMMON SENSE. hath no divinity in it. However, it is needless to spend much time in exposing the folly of hereditary right; if there are any so weak as to believe it, let them promiscuously worship the ass and the lion, and welcome. I shall neither copy their humility, nor disturb their devotion. Yet I should be glad to ask how they suppose kings came at first ? The question admits but of three answers, viz. either by lot, by election, or by usurpation. If the first king was taken by lot, it establishes a precedent for the next, which excludes hereditary succession. Saul was by lot, yet the succession was not hereditary, neither does it appear from that transaction there was any intention it ever should. If the first king of any country was by election, that likewise establishes a precedent for the next; for to say that the right of all future generations is taken away, by the act of the first electors, in their choice not only of a king, but of a fa- mily of kings for ever, hath no parallel in or out of Scrip- ture but the doctrine of original sin, which supposes the free will of all men lost in Adam; and from such compari- son, and it will admit of no other, hereditary succession can derive no glory. For as in Adam all sinned, and as in the first electors all men obeyed; as in the one all mankind were subjected to Satan, and in the other to sovereignty; as our innocence was lost in the first, and our autho- rity in the last; and as both disable us from re-assuming some former state and privilege, it unanswerably follows, that original sin and hereditary succession are parallels. Dis- honourable rank! Inglorious connnexion! Yet the most subtile sophist cannot produce a juster simile. As to usurpation, no man can be so hardy as to defend it; and that William the conqueror was an usurper, is a fact not to be contradicted. The plain truth is, that the anti- quity of English monarchy will not bear looking into. But it is not so much the absurdity as the evil of hereditary succession which concerns mankind. Did it ensure a race of good and wise men, it would have the seal of divine autho- rity, but as it opens a door to the foolish, the wicked, and the improper, it hath in it the nature of oppression. Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they <div style="text-align: right;">act</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession Description An account of the resource Page 12 allusions monarch religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/8963c3b27f96293104205c9ec361181a.jpg 2124ff1d7d428d5489559e65946ee101 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document COMMON SENSE.                            11 wise, unjust, unnatural compact might, (perhaps) in the next succession put them under the government of a rogue or a fool. Most wise men, in their private sentiments, have ever treated hereditary right with contempt; yet it is one of those evils which, when once established, is not easily removed; many submit from fear, others from superstition, and the more powerful part shares with the king the plunder of the rest. This is supposing the present race of kings in the world to have had an honourable origin; whereas it is more than pro- bable, that could we take off the dark covering of antiquity, and trace them to their first rise, that we should find the first of them nothing better than the principal ruffian of some restless gang, whose savage manners, or pre-eminence in subtility obtained him the title of chief among plunderers; and who by increasing in power, and extending his depre- dations, over-awed the quiet and defenceless to purchase their safety by frequent contributions. Yet his electors could have no idea of giving hereditary right to his descen- dants, because such a perpetual exclusion of thcmselves was incompatible with the free and unrestrained principles they professed to live by. Wherefore hereditary succession in the early ages of monarchy could not take place as a matter of claim, but as something casual or complimental; but as try or no records were extant in those days, and tradition on history stuffed with fables, it was very easy, after the lapsewf a few generations, to trump up some superstitious tale, con- veniently timed, Mahomet like, to cram hereditary right down the throats of the vulgar. Perhaps thc disorders which threatened, or seemed to threaten, on the decease of a leaderf and the choice of a new one, (for elections among ruffian, could not be very orderly) induced many at first to favor he- reditary pretensions; by which means it happened, as it hath happened since, that what at first was submitted to as a con- venience was afterwards claimed as a right. England, since the conquest, hath known some few good monarchs, but groaned beneath a much larger number of bad ones ; yet no man in his senses can say that their claim under William the Conqueror is a very honourable one. A French bastard landing with an armed banditti, and establishing himself king of England against the consent of the natives, is in plain terms a very paltry rascally original. It certainly <div style="text-align: right;">hath</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession Description An account of the resource Page 11 allusions monarch religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/d6689e5dadc85fd1e1cfd4e957654fe4.jpg b1f03619558b10909f40038d9c2db268 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 10                            COMMON  SENSE. be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.  Samuel continued to reason with them, but to no purpose;  he set before them their in- gratitude, but all would not avail; and seeing them fully bent on their folly, he cried out, I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain, (which then was a punishment, being in the time of wheat harvest) that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, IN ASKING YOU A KING. So Samuel called unto the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, pray for thy Servants unto the Lord thy God that we die not, for WE HAVE ADDED UNTO OUR SINS THIS EVIL, TO ASK A KING. These portions of scripture are direct and positive. They admit of no equivocal construction. That the Almighty hath here entered his protest against monarchial government, is true, or the scripture is false. And a man hath good reason to believe that there is as much of king-craft, as priest-craft, in withholding the scripture from the public in Popish countries. For monarchy in every instance is the Popery of government. To the evil of monarchy we have added that of hereditary succcession ; and as the first is a degradation and lessening of ourselves, so the second, claimed as a matter of right, is an insult and an imposition on posterity. For all men being ori- ginally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and though himself might deserve some decent degree of ho- nours of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them. One of the strongest na- tural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise she would not so fre- quently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an Ass for a Lion. Secondly, as no man at first could possess any other public honors than were bestowed upon him, so the givers of those honors could have no right to give away the right of posterity. And though they might say, “ We choose you for our head,” they could not, without manifest injustice to their children, say, “that your children, and your children’s children shall reign over ours for ever. Because such an un- <div style="text-align: right;">wise</div> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Sucession Description An account of the resource Page 10 religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/651f6c706d2968b54e84c7b2eb2d44e8.jpg b01a07b0e7f7a41c15f4cfb5e25f4833 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document                               COMMON SENSE.                              9 Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, THAT   I SHOULD NOT REIGN OVER THEM. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even unto this day ; wherewith they have forsaken me and served other Gods ; so do they also unto thee. Now there- fore hearken unto their voice, howbeit, protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall  reign over them, i. e., not of any particular king, but the general manner of the kings of the earth, whom Israel was so eagerly copying after. And notwithstanding the great distance of time and difference of manners, the character is still in fashion. And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people, that asked of him a king. And he said. This shall be the manner of the king that shall reign over you ; he will take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen, and some shall run before his chariots, (this description agrees with the present mode of impressing men) and he will appoint him captain over thousands and captains over fifties, and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots; and he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be brakers, (this describes the expence and luxury as well as the oppression of kings) and he will take your fields and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants, and he will take the tenth ef your seed, and of your vineyards, and give them to his officers and to his servants, (by which we see that bribery, corruption, and favouritism are the standing vices of kings) and he will take the tenth of your men servants, and your maid servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work ; and he will take the tenth  of your sheep, and ye shall be his servants, and ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen, AND THE LORD WILL NOT HEAR YOU IN THAT DAY.” This accounts for the continuation of monarchy ; neither do the characters of the few good kings which have lived since, either sanctify the title, or blot out the sinfulness of the ori- gin ; the high encomium given of David takes no notice of him officially as a king, but only as a man after God’s own heart. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, Nay, but we will have a king over us, that we may                                             C                                      be Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Sucession Description An account of the resource Page 9 religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/f29b5ae514ee43cabe379c7b1804a562.jpg 9e4ad73c395981e59e5dce770489f74e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 8                               COMMON SENSE. requested a king. Till then their form of government (ex- cept in extraordinary cases, where the Almighty interposed) was a kind of republic administered by a judge and the elders of the tribes. Kings they had none, and it was held sinful to acknowledge any being under that title but the Lord of Hosts. And when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of kings, he need not wonder that the Almighty, ever jealous of his honor should disapprove of a form of government which so impiously in- vades the prerogative of heaven. Monarchy is ranked in scripture as one of the sins of the Jews, for which a curse in reserve is denounced against them. The history of that transaction is worth attending to. The children of Israel being oppressed by the Midianites, Gideon marched against them with a small army and victory, thro’ the divine interposition, decided in his favour. The Jews, elate with success, and attributing it to the generalship of Gideon, proposed making him a king, saying Rule thou over us, thou and thy son and thy son's son. Here was temptation in its fullest extent; not a kingdom only, but an hereditary one, but Gideon in the piety of his soul replied, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you, THE LORD SHALL RULE OVER YOU. Words need not be more explicit; Gideon doth not decline the honor, but de- nieth their right to give it; neither doth he compliment them with invented declarations of his thanks, but in the positive stile of a prophet charges them with disaffection to their pro- per Sovereign, the King of Heaven. About one hundred and thirty years after this, they fell again into the same error. The hankering which the Jews had for the idolatrous customs of the Heathens, is something exceedingly unaccountable ; but so it was, that laying hold of the misconduct of Samuel’s two sons, who were entrusted with some secular concerns, they, came in an abrupt and cla- morous manner to Samuel, saying. Behold thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways, now make us a king to judge us, like all the other nations. And here we cannot but observe that their motives were bad, viz. that they might be like unto other nations, i. e. the Heathens, whereas their true glory laid in being as much unlike them as possible. But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us; and Samuel prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Sucession Description An account of the resource Page 8 allusions religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/c4e632f989caccf3c1e7b30de78658b4.jpg 86b8c36bdb345440fbac85e9c8ca50d9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document                                 COMMON SENSE.                          7 preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy. But there is another and greater distinction, for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS  and SUBJECTS. Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the dis- tinction of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind. In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology, there were no kings ; the consequence of which was, there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion. Holland without a king hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the mo- narchical governments in Europe. Antiquity favours the same remark ; for the quiet and rural lives of the first pa- triarchs hath a happy something in them, which vanishes away when we come to the history of Jewish royalty. Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honours to their deceased kings, and the Christian world hath improved on the plan, by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred  majesty ap-plied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendour is crumb-ing into dust. As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be de- fended on the authority of scripture ; for the will of the Al- mighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, ex- pressly disapproves of government by kings. All anti-mo- narchical parts of scripture have been very smoothly glossed over in monarchical governments, but they undoubtedly merit the attention of countries which have their governments yet to form. “Render unto Caesar the things which art Caesar’s” is the scripture doctrine of courts, yet it is no support of mo- narchical government, for the Jews at that time were without a king, and in a state of vassalage to the Romans. Near three thousand years passed away from the Mosaic ac- count of the creation, till the Jews under a national delusion requested Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of Monarchy and Hereditary Secession Description An account of the resource Page 7 allusions religion https://www.explorecommonsense.com/files/original/8522190daed98eb9f3da70afb0548e1c.jpg bfedfed4b7aa4d4d5d34b494615f928b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British Edition of Common Sense Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas Paine Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available London: J. Almon Subject The topic of the resource Rare Book Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Original: 1776 Digital: 2017-03-29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPEG Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document                            COMMON SENSE.                                5 powering him to to reject their other bills; it again supposes that the king is wiser than those whom it has already supposed to be wiser than him. A mere absurdity! There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the compo- sition of monarchy ; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the high- est judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly ; wherefore the different parts, by unnaturally opposing and destroying each other, prove the whole character to be absurd and useless. Some writers have explained the English constitution thus; The king, say they, is one, the people another; the peers are an house in behalf of the king, the commons in behalf of the people ; but this hath all the distinctions of an house divided against itself ; and though the expressions be plea- santly arranged, yet when examined, they appear idle and ambiguous ; and it will always happen, that the nicest con- struction that words are capable of when applied to the de- scription of something which either cannot exist, or is too incomprehensible to be within the compass of description, will be words of sound only, and tho’ they may amuse the ear, they cannot inform the mind, for this explanation includes a previous question, viz. How came the king by a power which the people are afraid to trust, and always obliged to check ? Such a power could not be the gift of a wise people, neither can any power, which needs checking, be from God ; yet the provision, which the constitution makes, supposes such a power to exist. But the provision is unequal to the task ; the means either cannot or will not accomplish the end, and the whole affair is a felo de se ; for as the greater weight will always carry up the less, and as all the wheels of a machine are put in motion by one, it only remains to know which power in the consti- tution has the most weight, for that will govern ; and tho' the others, or a part of them, may clog, or, as the phrase is, check the rapidity of its motion, yet so long as they cannot stop it, their endeavours will be inneffectual ; the first moving power will at last have its way, and what it wants in speed, is supplied by time. That the crown is this overbearing part in the English con- constitution, needs not be mentioned, and that it derives its whole Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Common Sense, British Edition Subject The topic of the resource Of the Origin and Design of Government in General. With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution. Description An account of the resource Page 5 allusions religion