Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-01
From The Journal of Commerce.
Thomas Paine.


In recent article the celebration of Tom
Paine's birthday, we alluded 10 Grant Thor
burn as living witness of his dissolute and
disgusting habits. The last New York Oh
sercr contains letter from Mr.. Thorburn,
written on his eighty third birth day, February,
Is, and dated at Winsted, Connecticut, where
he expects to pass his remaining days. This
letter is devoted chiefly to "reminiscences of
Tom Paine. We make the following extracts,
which we hope will be read at the next and
every subsequent anniversary Of the infdel de-
bauchee
AS there is but a step between me and
death, | owe it TO generations yet to come to
tell what saw and heard of Thomas Payne.
| Perhaps there lives not man on earth who
traced him from his cradle to his grave, except
| myself. Carver and / were fellow laborers in
the same shop. Paine and Carver were born
in the same town in England. Paine and
boarded with Carver. often heard Carver,
his wife, and Paine, as we four set by the fire
on winter night, rehearse the items of his life.
think he was the worst member of the body
polite ever met in all my journey through
| liie He married respectable lady, who died
/ eleven luOUlUS tucTcdlttTy III CONSEQUENCE OI
brutal treatment He then married daughter
| three years she obtained divorce for the like
| treatment.
"In 1878, while he held an Office in the Gus
tom house, (given him by his father-in. law he
was detected in taking brides from the snug
gers, and fled to America. He was made
| Secretary to the private Committee Of Con-
gress, and took an oath of Office to keep their
secrets. He broke this oath by divulging the
project Of secret mission to the Court Of
France by Silas Dean. He was dismissed with
disgrace. (See the Journal of Congress in
l774 or ~ This treachery was the cause Of
much trouble in Congress, and in the Court
Louis XVI.
"We next find him in Paris, helping Robe
sphere in his labors Of love to establish the
freedom of the press, and the right of speech,
by means of the guillotine. He quarreled
with Robbie, and was chalked for guillotne.
God, willing to make the wrath Of Paine to
praise Him, sent an angel who delivered him
out Of prison. For particulars Of this miracle,
see the Life of Thorburn, l0lst page.)
"In 1901, when King Thomas the First as
cended the throne of his kingdom, he instantly
dispatched national frigate to convey to our
shores the generated Thomas Paine. He ar
rlNeu curry III inc year low. SpOhc Win
him at the City Hotel, Bowery, few hours
after his arrival He found letters urging him
on to Washington, (then four days Journey
He started next morning. At Georgetown
messenger was sent forward to announce his
approach; feast was got ready, and all those
of like thinking were invited. Paine entered
late, his shirt unwashed, his beard unshorn,
and Keeling like drunken man. A look Of
CONSERVATION shone forth from every face;
mirth ceased; one by one they went out, leaving
Paine alone on his chair fast asleep Next
day he received letters and instructions to re-
turn to New ork.
"When Aaron Burr returned from Europe
whittier he had fled after his duel with Hamil
ton, he kept his Office in Nassau street, near
my seedstore From him received the ac-
count above stated.
E" Paine, on his return, was unable TO find
lodgings. took him in for old acquain-
lance sake. He died at Greenwich, Of delirium
tremens, in 1909.