Rights of Man, Part I

18. V. la lettre de remerciements adressée par Paine en sept. 1792 à ses électeurs de Calais. Moncure Daniel Conway, the Life of Thomas Paine, vol. I, p. 356 : An over-ruling Providence is regenerating the old world by the principles of the new. Manisnever a stranger tothe ways by which Providence regulates the order of things. — C’est le moment où Thomas Paine écrit son ouvrage à la fois déiste et anticlérical, The Age of Reason, being, nous dit le sous-titre, an investigation of true and fabulous theology, by Thomas Paine, secretary for foreign affairs to Congress in the American war, and author of the works entitled Common Sense, and Rights of Man. Sur les conditions dans lesquelles Paine écrivit cet ouvrage, v. Conway, Life of Paine, vol. II, p. 197.

19. Dissertations on Government, the affairs of the Bank, and paper money, 1786.

20. Rights of Man, Part Il, chap. v : In contemplating the whole of this subject, I extend my views into the department of commerce. In all mÿ publications, where the matter would admit, 1 have been an advocate for commerce, because I am a friend to its effects. It is a-pacific system, operating to cordialise mankind, by rendering nations, as well as individuals, useful to each other. As to the mere theoretical reformation, I have never preached it up. The most effectual process is that of improving the cendition of man by means of his interest ; and it is on this ground that I take my stand. — Il convient de noter que des idées semblables sont déjà

exprimées à la fin de la conclusion de la première partie des Rights of Man.