Essays · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter provides editorial endnotes and commentary on Thomas Paine's works, including his involvement in drafting the French Constitution and Declaration of Rights, his critique of monarchy and hereditary succession, his analysis of th
What happens
This chapter provides editorial endnotes and commentary on Thomas Paine's works, including his involvement in drafting the French Constitution and Declaration of Rights, his critique of monarchy and hereditary succession, his analysis of the English funding system, and his predictions regarding the Bank of England's gold suspension. It also includes historical references to the French Revolution, the abolition of royalty, and the concept of a Declaration of Rights as a safeguard against despotism.
Themes in this chapter
Natural Rights and Equality
The endnotes emphasize Paine's view that the sacred rights of mankind are written in human nature by Divinity itself, and that a Declaration of Rights is the main safeguard against despotism.
Critique of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
The 'Royal Pedigree' and references to the abolition of royalty highlight Paine's critique of hereditary monarchy as absurd and tyrannical.
Representative Government vs. Hereditary System
Paine's preference for a plural Executive and his objection to bicameral organization reflect his advocacy for representative government over hereditary systems.
Critique of the English Constitution and Funding System
The endnotes discuss Paine's analysis of the English funding system, the balance of trade, and the prediction of the Bank of England's gold suspension.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Paine is referenced as a member of the Committee for framing the French Constitution, author of several pamphlets, and deputy from Calais who congratulated the Convention on the abolition of royalty.
- Robespierre
Robespierre demanded separate discussion of the Declaration of Rights and objected to its omission of the Supreme Being and its extreme principles of freedom.
- George Chalmers
Chalmers was entrusted by the British Government to write a reply pamphlet to Paine's work predicting the gold suspension of the Bank of England.
- William III
William III is mentioned in the context of the Bill of Rights and the Convention that declared against James II and in favor of William III.
- Mr. Pitt
Pitt is criticized for imposing delusions on the nation regarding the balance of trade, as noted in the endnotes.
- William the Conqueror
William the Conqueror appears in the 'Royal Pedigree' as the son of a whore, illustrating Paine's critique of hereditary monarchy.
- Henry
Henry the Eighth and Henry the Sixth are mentioned in the 'Royal Pedigree' as part of the lineage of George III.
- Charles II
Charles the First is referenced as a traitor decapitated, and Charles the Second appears in the royal lineage.
Key passages
“The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written as with a sunbeam in the whole volume of human nature by the hand of Divinity itself, and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.”
Human rights are not found in ancient documents but are inherent in human nature, given by God, and cannot be destroyed by any human authority.
This quote from Alexander Hamilton (1775) is used by Conway to illustrate Paine's view that rights are natural and not derived from historical precedents.
“Portions of antiquity by proving everything establish nothing. It is authority against authority all the way, till we come to the divine origin of the rights of man at the creation.”
Ancient precedents are contradictory and prove nothing; only the divine origin of human rights at creation provides a solid foundation.
Conway compares this to Paine's argument in 'Rights of Man' that authority based on antiquity is unreliable.
