A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal on the Affairs of North-America

5B Thomas Paine, Philadelphia printed: Dublin reprinted, 1782.

Notes 

A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal on the Affairs of North-America was written by Thomas Paine in 1782 as a response to the French writer and philosopher Abbé Raynal’s criticisms of the American Revolution. In his letter, Paine challenges Raynal’s inaccurate portrayal of the revolution, specifically the claim that America’s pursuit of independence from Britain was a flawed and unjust cause. Paine defends the American Revolution, highlighting the moral legitimacy of the colonists' fight for self-government, freedom, and the rejection of monarchy. He also critiques Raynal's failure to understand the unique political and social conditions that made the American Revolution not just a struggle for independence but a revolution grounded in universal principles of liberty and equality.

A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal on the Affairs of North-America is primarily focused on Paine’s response to Abbé Raynal’s views on the American Revolution, but it also includes references to and excerpts from some of Paine's other influential works. Specifically Common Sense (1776): Paine’s pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain is referenced as part of his defense of the American Revolution. Common Sense was instrumental in shifting public opinion toward support for independence. The American Crisis (1776–1783): Paine’s series of pamphlets written during the American Revolution, which were aimed at motivating American soldiers and citizens, is also alluded to in this letter. The "Crisis" papers were famous for their stirring calls to persevere in the face of adversity. Rights of Man (1791–1792): While this work was published after A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, Paine's political philosophy in Rights of Man, which advocates for democracy and natural rights, is echoed in the letter as Paine responds to Raynal's criticisms of the revolution’s legitimacy.

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was an influential English-American political theorist, writer, and revolutionary. He is best known for his works Common Sense and The American Crisis, which galvanized public support for American independence from Britain. Paine's radical ideas on democracy, republicanism, and human rights were crucial in shaping both American and French revolutionary thought. His writings, particularly his support for the French Revolution and his advocacy for human rights, earned him both admiration and controversy. Paine’s commitment to challenging the status quo and advocating for liberty made him one of the most revolutionary and polarizing figures of his time

Description

Leather covered boards with gilt boarders to upper and lower boards. Gilt elements and lettering on the spine. Separation of the spine between page 76 and The Rights of Man. Few pencil marking throughout. Bumped corners and rubbed extremities. Cracking to the spine, especially in the upper section. A few loose pages following The Rights of Man. Good condition overall.