American Crisis, #II, 1777
$2.50
This 27 pp. pamphlet was the second of a series of 13 that Paine composed over the course of the Revolutionary War. Paine addressed this copy “To Lord Howe,” and Paine makes plain his judgment that Howe was but a sycophant of George III, Paine makes it clear that he believes that the King is not up to his former standards when it came to his duties with the American colonies. Paine also sheds light onto what he felt the future would hold for the emerging country, “The United States of America, will sound as pompously in the world, or in history [as] the Kingdom of Great Britain; the character of General Washington will fill a page with as much luster as that of Lord Howe.” In the conclusion Paine explains that he considers “independence as America’s natural right and interest, and never could see any real disservice it would be to Britain.” The work is bound in a printed, hand laid paper wrap and side stitiched.
