The Rights of Man · Chapter
Appendix explained
Paine explains the delay in publishing his work, detailing how his printer abruptly returned the manuscript after initially offering a thousand pounds for the copyright.
What happens
Paine explains the delay in publishing his work, detailing how his printer abruptly returned the manuscript after initially offering a thousand pounds for the copyright. He notes striking similarities between his proposed tax reductions and those in Pitt's speech, suggesting possible government interference. Paine recounts suspicious circumstances involving a ministerial bookseller and the printer's change of heart, but refrains from making direct accusations.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Justice
Paine's plan for reducing taxes, educating children, and supporting the poor and aged reflects a vision of economic fairness and government responsibility.
Representative Government
The appendix highlights tensions between Paine's reform proposals and the actions of the British government, underscoring the need for accountable representation.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author of the work, recounts the printer's refusal and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the delay.
- William Pitt
Mentioned as having proposed similar tax reductions in his speech, leading Paine to suspect prior knowledge of his manuscript.
- Charles James Fox
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but referenced indirectly via the Thatched-House Tavern meeting context.
- George Chalmers
Referenced as the author of a spurious 'Life' of Paine, published by a ministerial bookseller.
Key passages
“I told the person who brought me this offer that I should not accept it, and wished it not to be renewed, giving him as my reason, that though I believed the printer to be an honest man, I would never put it in the power of any printer or publisher to suppress or alter a work of mine, by making him master of the copy.”
Paine refused the printer's offer to buy the copyright because he did not want any publisher to have the power to suppress or change his work.
Paine emphasizes his commitment to intellectual integrity and control over his writings.
“Mr. Pitt has mentioned, in his speech, the tax on Carts and Wagons — that on Female Servants — the lowering the tax on Candles and the taking off the tax of three shillings on Houses having under seven windows. Every one of those specific taxes are a part of the plan contained in this work, and proposed also to be taken off.”
Paine points out that the specific taxes Pitt proposed to reduce or remove in his speech are exactly the same ones Paine had already outlined in his own plan.
Paine suggests that Pitt may have seen his manuscript before the speech, implying possible government surveillance or leak.
“I declined doing this, lest it should be interpreted into an air of vanity, or an endeavour to excite suspicion (for which perhaps there might be no grounds) that some of the government gentlemen had, by some means or other, made out what this work would contain.”
Paine chose not to add a note about the timing of his manuscript to avoid appearing vain or creating unwarranted suspicion about government knowledge of his work.
Paine shows restraint in accusing the government directly, though he implies possible interference.