184 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CCXXXIV.
MR: THOMAS PAINE,
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.
THIS Portrait of the Author of the “ Rights of Man ”-whose life and writings
are so well known-was taken from a miniature painted in America, and sent
home to the artist by a friend. Kay had a brother, we believe, and several
other relatives in America.
: The Print appears to have been done in 1’194, about two years subsequent
to the publication of his celebrated reply to Burke’s attack on the French
Revolution. Paine had previously incurred much obloquy by his work entitled
‘‘ Common Sense,” and the part which he took in the struggle for independence
in America. His vindication of the French Revolution, and the democratic
principles advocated in the “ Rights of Man,’’ rendered him still more obnoxious
to the British Government. The talent displayed in his writings-the novel
and dangerous doctrines promulgated-and above all, the prohibitory measures
resorted to, in order to suppress his works, tended to blazon the name of ‘‘ Tom
Paine,” and to give him a notoriety which has seldom fallen to the share of
any individual. In the full tide of his publicity, Kay would no doubt find the
sale of an author’s effigy, whose works were prohibited, a very profitable
speculation?
It is creditable to the memory of Paine, that, on the trial of Louis XVI.,
he did not vote for the death of the King, but for his provisional confinement,
and expulsion after the war. He appeared at the Tribune, and being totally
unacquainted with the French language, a translation of his opinion was read.
In substance it stated, “ that he preferred an error occasioned by humanity, to
an error occasioned by severity. The news of this execution will give great
pain to the sons 6f freedom. You ought not to adopt such rigorous measures.
Had he (Louis) been the son of a farmer, I am certain he would not have been
a bad man.” He concluded by voting “that he should be banished to the
American States.”
‘‘ The Age of Reason,” in which the author stood forward as the awmd
champion of infidelity, and which drew forth a reply from the Bishop of Landaff,
was written while immured in a French prison.
The circumstance of
Cobbett bringing home his bones to England will be in the recollection of
almost every one.
Paine died in America, on the 8th June 1809.
At a sale by public auction, previous to the copperplate falling into the hands of the late
publisher, a single Print of Thomas Paine brought fourteen shillings.