Powerful Polemics
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Common Sense: Addresses to
the Inhabitants of America . . .
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3 - Page 4
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6
Philadelphia: 1776
Rare Book & Special
Collections Division
Purchase, 1867 (26.10)
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In January 1776, little more than a year after emigrating from
England, Thomas Paine penned his famous radical pamphlet Common
Sense, in which he urged the American Colonies to declare
independence and immediately severe all ties with the British monarchy.
Published just as colonists learned of George III's speech proclaiming
the American Colonies in rebellion against the Crown, Common
Sense became an instant best seller with several thousand
copies sold within days.
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