April 8, 1776

A letter from Williamsburg, Virginia—extracted in Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet—showed the impact of Common Sense months after its initial publication. “Common-Sense has gained a number of disciples here.” The writer knew of “none who disapprove, save a few dastard souls.” But even these critics were “chiefly displeased that their abilities go not to the furnishing an answer” to the popular pamphlet. The sense from Williamsburg was that “men in general begin to consider Independency with satisfaction. It is a noble idea.” 

The letter continued with some harsh words for “the most obdurate and hardened sinners, in political matters,” the “men in high trust” who still flinched at the idea of independence. “Nothing can purify these men,” the writer claimed. Common Sense was beginning to convince the general population, but not the men in vaunted positions within British North American society who remained “sunk in that political turpitude, which makes them wish to have their chains put on, and riveted faster than before.”

Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser
Printed by John Dunlap

Extract of a letter from Williamsburg (Virginia) March 23, 1776.

“Common-Sense has gained a number of disciples here. Indeed, I know of none who disapprove, save a few dastard souls; men whose esteem the author would not wish to gain, and who are chiefly displeased that their abilities go not to the furnishing an answer. Men in general begin to consider Independency with satisfaction. It is a noble idea. Some preparation, however, is necessary to most minds, e’er they can cordially, and with ease, embrace so dignified a stranger. In truth, the people here have a strong propensity to what is right: whether they possess that firmness and magnanimity which may be requisite to surmount the difficulties which perhaps will oppose the attainment of such a prize, cannot with certainty be told, as the trial may be more severe than they have yet been exposed to; however, I am inclined to think, that every thing may be expected from them, if they are not duped and perverted by those whose stations require other duties.

“The great misfortune for us is, that the most obdurate and hardened sinners, in political matters, are men in high trust, whose influence must consequently have some extent. These men in the beginning were shocked with the bare mention of opposition to Parliament; and these men now reject with abhorrence the idea of Independence. They have been constantly dragged into every virtuous measure; and tho’ promoted to the highest honors, they cannot be raised to that elevation of mind which disdains servitude; but remain sunk in that political turpitude, which makes them wish to have their chains put on, and riveted faster than before. Nothing can purify these men.—A world would not bribe them to be honest. They seem to me like a fellow, who going on some sneaking design, finds himself taken up, and borne aloft on the shoulders of an unconscious mob, but determines with the first opportunity to skulk off, and pursue his rascally purpose.”