LETTER FROM THOMAS PAINE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. SIR, Bordentown, Sept. 7, 1782. I have the honour of presenting you with fifty copies of my Letter to the Abbe Raynal, for the use of the army, and to repeat to you my acknowledgments for your friendship. I fully believe we have seen our worst days over. The spirit of the war, on the part of the enemy, is certainly on the decline, full as much as we think for. I draw this opinion not only from the present promising appearance of things, and the difficulties we know the British cabinet is in; but I add to it the peculiar effect which certain periods of time have, more or less, upon all men. The British have accustomed themselves to think of seven years in a manner different to other portions of time. They acquire this partly by habit, by reason, by religion, and by superstition. They serve seven years apprenticeship—they elect their parliament for seven years they punish by seven years transportation, or the duplicate or triplicate of that term-they let their leases in the same manner, and they read that Jacob served seven years for one wife, and after that seven years for another; and this particular period of time, by a variety of concurrences, has obtained an influence in their mind. They have now had seven years of war, and are no further on the Continent than when they began. The superstitious and populous part will therefore conclude that it is not to be, and the rational part of them will think they have tried an unsuccessful and expensive project long enough, and by these two joining issue in the same eventual opinion, the obstinate part among them will be beaten out; unless, consistent with their former sagacity, they should get over the matter by an act of parliament, "to bind TIME in all cases whatsoever," or declare him a rebel. I observe the affair of Captain Asgill seems to die away:very probably it has been protracted on the part of Clinton and Carleton, to gain time, to state the case to the British ministry, where following close on that of Colonel Haynes, it will create new embarrassments to them.-For my own part, I am fully persuaded that a suspension of his fate, still holding it in terrorem, will operate on a greater quantity of their passions and vices, and restrain them more than his execution would do. However, the change of measures which seems now to be taking place, gives somewhat of a new cast to former designs; and if the case, without the execution, can be so managed as to answer all the purposes of the latter, it will look much better hereafter, when the sensations that now provoke, and the circumstances that would justify his exit, shall be forgotten. I am your Excellency's obliged and obedient humble servant, His Excellency General Washington. THOMAS PAINE. LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THOMAS PAINE. SIR, Head Quarters, Verplank's Point, Sept. 18, 1782. I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favour of the 7th inst., informing me of your proposal to present me with fifty copies of your last publication, for the amusement of the army. For this intention you have my sincere thanks, not only on my own account, but for the pleasure, I doubt not, the gentlemen of the army will receive from the perusal of your pamphlets. Your observations on the period of seven years, as it applies itself to, and affects British minds, are ingenious, and I wish it may not fail of its effects in the present instance. The measures, and the policy of the enemy, are at present in great perplexity and embarrassment-but I have my fears, whether their necessities (which are the only operative motive with them) are yet arrived to that point, which must drive them unavoidably into what they will esteem disagreeable and dishonourable terms of peace-such, for instance, as an absolute, unequivocal admission of American Independence, upon the terms on which she can alone accept it. For this reason, added to the obstinacy of the king-and the probable consonant principles of some of his principal ministers, I have not so full a confidence in the success of the present negociation for peace as some gentlemen entertain. Should events prove my jealousies to be ill founded, I shall make myself happy under the mistake-consoling myself with the idea of having erred on the safest side, and enjoying with . as much satisfaction as any of my countrymen, the pleasing issue of our severe contest. The case of Captain Asgill has indeed been spun out to a great length-but, with you, I hope that its termination will not be unfavourable to this country. I am, sir, with great esteem and regard, Your most obedient servant, Thomas Paine, Esq. G. WASHINGTON. |