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National Gazette
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
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A correspondent claims to have found an honest and liberal Englishman in Thomas Erskine, evidenced by his defense of Thomas Paine. Erskine contrasts Paine's and Burke's roles in the American Revolution, praising America's constitution for its respect for property, rights, low taxes, and fewer grievances than other nations.
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I HAVE been searching with indefatigable industry for these many years for an honest and liberal Englishman. Notwithstanding all my labour, till this day I have not been able to find such a character, either in propria persona, or as portrayed in his writings. The phenomenon, however, this age of wonders has at length brought forth, and with the highest satisfaction I transmit you the evidence on which the discovery rests, aware, that unless supported by the clearest and most positive proof, such a departure from the laws of nature would be disbelieved by many, and be doubted by all.
Extract from Mr. Erskine's Defence of Mr. Paine.
After animadverting on the uniform conduct of Mr. Paine, and the inconsistency of Mr. Burke, and taking a retrospective view of the sentiments of Mr. Burke during the American war, so contradictory to those which he now avows, Mr. Erskine proceeds:-
"Gentlemen—In that great and calamitous conflict, Mr Burke and Mr. Paine fought in the same field of reason together, but with different successes. Mr. Burke spoke to a parliament in England, that had no ears but for sounds that flattered its corruptions. Mr. Paine, on the other hand, spoke to a people—reasoned with them, that they were bound by no subjection to any sovereignty, further than their own benefits connected them; and by these powerful arguments prepared the minds of the American people for that glorious, just, and happy revolution.
"Gentlemen—I have a right to distinguish it by that appellation, because I aver, that at this moment, there is as sacred a regard to property—as inviolable a security to all the rights of individual—lower taxes—fewer grievances—less to deplore and more to admire, in the constitution of America, than that of any other country under heaven. I wish indeed, to except our own, but I cannot even do that, till it shall be purged of those abuses which, tho' they obscure and deform the surface, have not as yet (thank God) destroyed the vital parts."
Ecce Signum!
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Letter to Editor Details
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The Editor Of The National Gazette
Main Argument
the writer announces the discovery of an honest and liberal englishman in mr. erskine, supported by his defense of mr. paine, which praises paine's role in the american revolution and extols the superiority of america's constitution over others, including britain's.
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