PAINE, Thomas

Dissertation on First-Principles of Government

PAINE, Thomas. Dissertation on the First-Principles of Government. Paris: Printed at the English Press… Third Year of the French Republic, (1795). Octavo, disbound, uncut; pp. 32. $900. First edition in English, second issue, of Paine's important effort to convince the French Constitutional Convention to accept universal voting, published the same year as the true first edition (in French). Paine was a member of the National Convention during the French Revolution. In 1795, the Convention "began to write yet another French constitution, this time to be rid of the one that had sustained the Reign of Terror… Paine wanted the Convention members to focus on allowing all men (though not women), no matter their class, to vote. The committee of eleven, which was reviewing the proposals, appeared however to be moving away from the principle of universal suffrage. Paine was convinced that democracy should be open to all men, and not merely those who paid taxes" (Fruchtman, 332-3). This work originally had been written for the people of Holland (since they, too, were in the process of re-thinking their voting privileges), but Paine offered it instead to the French because their decision was more immanent. In it, he "tore away the mystery of government and felt that the 'meanest mind' could understand his simple basic principles of government. The Dissertation was read on July 7, 1795, to the National Convention, while Paine [in frail health] was seated in the hall. The universal suffrage demanded in it was not adopted in the new constitution, nor was much attention given to his other suggestions" (Gimbel-Yale, 431). Second issue, with "all men" replacing "stands" on page 25, line 9. Apparently issued without the appended "Speech of Thomas Paine," pages [33]-40. Goldsmith 16488 (32 pages). Howes P19 (32 pages). APS, 65 (40 pages). Mild foxing. Last quire carelessly opened. Very good condition.

• USD 900.00 > autres monnaies
• Commande nro.: 3605

• libraire: Bauman Rare Books (USA)