![PAINE, Thomas (1737-1809) – BOGARDUS, Jacob. Autograph letter signed (“Ja Bogardus”), to Robert Livingston, Jr., Sharon, [N.Y.], 21 March 1775.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0235_000(paine_thomas_bogardus_jacob_autograph_letter_signed_to_robert_livingst030308).jpg?w=1)
PAINE, Thomas (1737-1809) – BOGARDUS, Jacob. Autograph letter signed (“Ja Bogardus”), to Robert Livingston, Jr., Sharon, [N.Y.], 21 March 1776.
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PAINE, Thomas (1737-1809) – BOGARDUS, Jacob. Autograph letter signed (“Ja Bogardus”), to Robert Livingston, Jr., Sharon, [N.Y.], 21 March 1776.
Three pages, 315 x 195mm, bifolium with address panel on fourth page. Losses at bottom margin affects several lines of text, light toning along folds, marginal wear.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense rouses passions for independence and liberty: “the Pamphlet called common sense, formerly much applauded here but now preached up as a Christian Doctrine in our Pulpits.” Written by a prominent Hudson Valley Landlord fearing general anarchy: “It is now come to this what our Zealots declare is liberty, no one must gainsay at his peril, such Liberty I think leads to licentiousness and Tyranny.” A remarkable letter written in the wake of the seismic shift in public opinion in favor of independence occasioned by the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. The impact of Paine’s work cannot be overestimated. His plain arguments transformed the course of the American Revolution. Whereas most Whigs chose to blame Parliament for the troubles, Paine placed responsibility squarely at the feet of George III—and in so doing, questioned the legitimacy of the monarchy itself—setting the stage for a rush toward American independence.
Paine’s forceful critique of monarchy also prompted many to question other pillars of authority—both political and economic. Bogardus, a prominent Hudson valley landlord, fretted over the strong passions unleashed by Paine’s words, especially among the often restive tenants in his neighborhood who had resisting prominent Hudson valley landlords for some time: “I think it must be prudence to guard against the opposite extreme. It is now come to this what our Zealots declare is liberty, no one must gainsay at his peril, such Liberty I think leads to licentiousness and Tyranny. When the reins are holden thus loosely we run wildly on without a guide to ruin. Such sticklers for liberty carry their views to the subversion of liberty itself, the strongest in that case has only his liberty to do what he pleases.” Although Bogardus believed that London’s policies toward the colonies were “honest” in “principle,” he worried that some acts (among which included the tea duties), were “designedly intended as a bait,” and “they might in future plead it as such, and unmask their batteries and play with lavish hands upon our land and every species of property... I sincerely pray they may never succeed, but while we are thus opprest is not reason for us to fall in the same extreme...” A fascinating letter underscoring the complex nature of colonial politics at the start of the American Revolution.
Three pages, 315 x 195mm, bifolium with address panel on fourth page. Losses at bottom margin affects several lines of text, light toning along folds, marginal wear.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense rouses passions for independence and liberty: “the Pamphlet called common sense, formerly much applauded here but now preached up as a Christian Doctrine in our Pulpits.” Written by a prominent Hudson Valley Landlord fearing general anarchy: “It is now come to this what our Zealots declare is liberty, no one must gainsay at his peril, such Liberty I think leads to licentiousness and Tyranny.” A remarkable letter written in the wake of the seismic shift in public opinion in favor of independence occasioned by the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. The impact of Paine’s work cannot be overestimated. His plain arguments transformed the course of the American Revolution. Whereas most Whigs chose to blame Parliament for the troubles, Paine placed responsibility squarely at the feet of George III—and in so doing, questioned the legitimacy of the monarchy itself—setting the stage for a rush toward American independence.
Paine’s forceful critique of monarchy also prompted many to question other pillars of authority—both political and economic. Bogardus, a prominent Hudson valley landlord, fretted over the strong passions unleashed by Paine’s words, especially among the often restive tenants in his neighborhood who had resisting prominent Hudson valley landlords for some time: “I think it must be prudence to guard against the opposite extreme. It is now come to this what our Zealots declare is liberty, no one must gainsay at his peril, such Liberty I think leads to licentiousness and Tyranny. When the reins are holden thus loosely we run wildly on without a guide to ruin. Such sticklers for liberty carry their views to the subversion of liberty itself, the strongest in that case has only his liberty to do what he pleases.” Although Bogardus believed that London’s policies toward the colonies were “honest” in “principle,” he worried that some acts (among which included the tea duties), were “designedly intended as a bait,” and “they might in future plead it as such, and unmask their batteries and play with lavish hands upon our land and every species of property... I sincerely pray they may never succeed, but while we are thus opprest is not reason for us to fall in the same extreme...” A fascinating letter underscoring the complex nature of colonial politics at the start of the American Revolution.
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Letter written in 1776, not 1775 as stated in the printed and e-catalogues.