National Gazette

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

LONDON, Sept. 21.

Extract of a letter from Calais, September 15.

Mr. Thomas Paine, after a passage of three hours, arrived here yesterday from Dover. The different treatment he met with at the two seaports, is such as ought to make an Englishman blush for the character of his nation.

On the name of Paine being announced, the soldiery at the gates were drawn up, and the officer on guard having embraced him, presented him with the national cockade. A very pretty woman, who stood by, desired she might have the honor of putting it on his hat, expressing her hopes that he would continue his exertions in favor of liberty, equality, and France.

This ceremony being over, he walked to Desfleur's, (whose street is called Rue de l'Egalité, formerly Rue de Roi,) attended by men, women, and children, crowding round him, and calling out, "Vive Thomas Paine!"

He was then conducted to the town-hall, and there presented to the municipality, who, with the greatest affection, embraced their new representative. The mayor then addressed him in a short speech, which was interpreted to him by Mr. Audibert, to which Mr. Paine (laying his hand on his heart) replied, saying, his life should be devoted to their service.

At the inn he was waited upon by the different persons in authority, and by the President of the constitutional society, desiring he would attend their meeting of that night. The whole town would have been there had there been room: the hall of the Minimes was so crowded, that it was with difficulty they made way for him to the side of the President. Over the chair he sat in was placed the bust of Mirabeau, and the colours of France, England and America, united. A speaker acquainted him, from the tribune, of his election, amidst the plaudits of the people. The women did not spare their hands, and, for some minutes, nothing was heard but "Vive la Nation, Vive Thomas Paine!" in voices male and female. They have appointed an extra meeting in the church to-morrow, in honor of their deputy to the convention, the Minimes being found quite suffocating, from the concourse of people who attended yesterday. To-night there is to be a play, at which a box is to be reserved for the Author of the Rights of Man, the object of the English Proclamation.

Every thing here has the appearance of peace and quietness. The arsenals are well supplied, and able to stand a two years siege.

P.S. Mr. Paine has received a letter from the national assembly, which he is said to be answering from hence. He will not probably be at Paris so soon as he thinks, since he has been elected for Abbeville and Beauvais, as well as for Calais; and they will hardly let him pass without paying him some mark of their attention.