PAINE, Thomas

Letter to the Earl of Shelburne

PAINE, Thomas. A Letter to the Earl of Shelburne, On His Speech, July 10, 1782, Respecting the Acknowledgement of American Independence. Philadelphia Printed. London Reprinted: For J. Stockdale, 1783. Octavo, disbound; pp. (2), 28. $250. First separate edition of Paine's response to Shelburne, who believed that "the Independence of America would end in the ruin of England." Paine replies "Is England already ruined, for America is already Independent." In answer to a speech by the Duke of Richmond, Lord Shelburne expressed the opinion that 'the sun of England's glory had set for ever, and the Independence of America would end in the ruin of England.' Paine replies 'Is England already ruined, for America is already Independent'" (Stevens 445). Paine's Letter "was first printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 30 Oct. 1782. It has sometimes been called no. 12 of his American Crisis, but it was not so numbered when it first appeared. There appears to be no previous separate American edition" (Adams, American Controversy 83-69a). APS, 76. Howes P26. Sabin 58229. Very good condition.

• USD 250.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 3687

• bookseller: Bauman Rare Books (USA)