Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was the most widely read pamphlet supporting American independence. Paine’s plain style and use of biblical allusions appealed to ordinary people and ignited the Revolutionary movement. But not all colonists were convinced. Charles Inglis, rector of Trinity Church in New York City, published loyalist pamphlets, though often anonymously and from the safety of the British-occupied city. His 1776 pamphlet The True Interest of America Impartially Stated provided one of the most influential loyalist arguments.
| 6.1 | Thomas Paine | Common Sense, January 1776 |
In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which, in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation, and set it together by the ears. A pretty business, indeed, for a man to be allowed eight hundred thousand sterling a year for, and worshipped into the bargain! Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived. . . .
But where, say some, is the King of America? I will tell you, friend, he reigns above, and does not make havock of mankind like the royal brute of Great Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth, placed on the divine law, the word of God: let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know that so far we approve of monarchy, that in America, THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the Law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other. But lest any ill use should afterwards arise, let the crown, at the conclusion of the ceremony, be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is.
A government of our own is our natural right; and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of his human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance.
Source: Thomas Paine, Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America (London: H. D. Symonds, 1792), 11, 20.
| 6.2 | Charles Inglis | The True Interest of America Impartially Stated, March 1776 |
Suppose we were to revolt from Great Britain, declare ourselves independent, and set up a republic of our own—what would be the consequence? I stand aghast at the prospect; my blood runs chill when I think of the calamities, the complicated evils that must ensue, and may be clearly foreseen—it is impossible for any man to foresee them all. . . .
The Americans are properly Britons. They have the same manners, habits, and ideas of Britons; and have been accustomed to a similar form of government. But Britons never could bear the extremes, either of monarchy or republicanism. Some of their kings have aimed at despotism, but always failed. Repeated efforts have been made toward democracy, and they equally failed. Once, indeed, republicanism triumphed over the constitution; the despotism of one person ensued; both were finally expelled. . . . Limited monarchy is the form of government which is most favorable to liberty, which is best adapted to the genius and temper of Britons; although here and there among us a crackbrained zealot for democracy or absolute monarchy may be sometimes found.
Source: The Reverend Charles Inglis, The True Interest of America Impartially Stated (Philadelphia, 1776).
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