February 13, 1776

This letter, sent from Maryland to Philadelphia in early February 1776, reflected how quickly Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had become a must-read pamphlet in the colonies. The writer told his recipient, “if you know the author of COMMON SENSE, tell him he has done wonders and worked miracles.” Evidently, Paine had “made a great number of converts” to the cause of independence in Maryland. In the county where he lived, he only knew of three people who disagreed with the sentiments expressed in Common Sense.

The coincidental January publication of Common Sense and the king’s speech at the opening of Parliament further convinced the letter writer. He believed that that moment marked a “separation” between the colonies and Great Britain. The extract printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post concludes: “Can any virtuous and brave American hesitate one moment in the choice” between reconciliation and independence.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

Extract of a letter from Maryland, February 6, 1776.

“If you know the author of COMMON SENSE, tell him he has done wonders and worked miracles, made TORIES WHIGS, and washed Blackamores white. He has made a great number of converts here. His stile is plain and nervous; his facts are true; his reasoning just and conclusive. I hear of three only in my county, who disapprove of the piece, and two are the echo of one. I inquired their reasons, “Because (said one of them) as how, D— D—y said, it might be easily answered.” I beg you would procure and send me two dozen of the second edition. Since the King’s speech, and the addresses of both Houses of Parliament, I look upon the separation as taken place. Some time past the idea would have struck me with horror; I now see no alternative; it is SERVIRE AUT DISJUNGE. Can any virtuous and brave American hesitate one moment in the choice.”