Common Sense, 1776. One of many copies of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and James Chalmers’s Plain Truth, both of which were published by Robert Bell of Philadelphia. Note the anonymous nature of both pamphlets. Paine signed his as “Written by an Englishman,” and Chalmers credited his to “Candidus.” After publishing his pamphlet, the Patriot Paine was soon arrested for his writings, though he was later released. The Loyalist Chalmers was eventually forced to flee to England. click either image to enlarge |
aas online record for Common Sense | aas online record for Plain Truth |