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THE

POLITICAL WORKS

OF

THOMAS PAINE.

SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE CONGRESS

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DURING

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

AS APPROVED OF BY GEN. WASHINGTON, GEN. LAFAYETTE,

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PREFACE.

THE primary object and design of the publisher of this work is to awaken the attention of the American people, and to enable them to form a just view of the character and political labours of the immortal Thomas Paine, one of the principal founders of the American Republic. Had the generous and successful efforts of the illustrious author of COMMON SENSE been wanting, it is probable that our beloved country would have been, at this time, groaningunder the sickly and senseless pageantry of monarchy, instead of enjoying the choicest blessings of liberty.

The publisher most respectfully recommends to the American citizens generally, and to the youth of our country particularly, to peruse, with feelings of the deepest interest, the political works of the late Thomas Paine. They will find in them a most valuable treasure: a text book for themselves and their children. By such a procedure only can they justly appreciate the invaluable political services of their great and good benefactor.

No well regulated mind can fail to reverence the man who first taught their fathers the important political truth, that Kings are but men, and not unfrequently the very worst of men. The man therefore, who is ungrateful to the being

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