6327. PAINE (Thomas), Rights of Man.—[continued].
The “Rights of Man”
has been much read in America with avidity
and pleasure. A writer under the signature of
“Publicola” has attacked it. A host of champions
entered the arena immediately in your
defence. The discussion excited the public attention,
recalled it to the “Defence of the
American Constitutions”, and the “Discourses
on Davila”, which it had kindly passed over
without censure in the moment, and very general
expressions of their sense have been now
drawn forth; and I thank God that they appear
firm in their republicanism, notwithstanding the
contrary hopes and assertions of a sect here,
high in names, but small in numbers. These
had flattered themselves that the silence of the
people under the “Defence” and “Davila”
was a symptom of their conversion to the doctrine
of king, lords, and commons. They are
checked at least by your pamphlet, and the
people confirmed in their good old faith.—
To Thomas Paine. Washington ed. iii, 278.
Ford ed., v, 367.
(Pa.,
1791)
