The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-04-26
Thomas Faine.

In recent article on the celebration
of Tom Painc's birthday, we alluded to
Grant Tborburn as a living witness OF his
dissoute and disgusting habits The last
New \ ork Observer contains letter from
MIR. Thorburn, written on his SD birth
day, Feb. 18th, and dated at Winsted,
Conn, where he expects to pass his re-
naming days. This letter is devoted
chiefly to the "reminiscences of Tom Paine
We wake the following extracts, which
we hope will be read at the next and ev-
cry subsequent anniversary of the infdel
/ Idcbauchee.
As there is but a step between NE and
death / owe it to generations yet to come,
to tell what l saw and heard of Thomas
Paine. Perhaps there lives not man on
earth, who traced him from his cradle to
his grave, except myself Carver and l
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 sat By the fire
on winter night, rehearse the items Of
his life. I think he was the worst mem
ber of the body polite I ever met in all
my journey through life. He married a
respectable lady, who died eleven months
thereafter, in consequence of brutal treat
ment. He then married daughter of
the Collector of the Port Of Lewis: after
three years she obtained a divorce for
like treatment.
In 17773, while he held an office in the
Custom House, (given him by his father
in-law,I he was detected in taking brides
from the smugglers, and fed to America
He was made Secretary to the private
Committee of Congress, and took an oath
Of Office to keep their secrets. He broke
this oath by divulging the project a Sc
cret mission to the Court of France by
Silas Dean.
He was dismissed with disgrace. (Seo
the Journal of Congress in 1777 or 1778)
This treachery was the cause of much
trouble in Congress. and in the Court of
Louis XVI,
We next find him in Paris, helping
Robespierre in his labors of love to cs-
tablish the freedom of the press, and the
right of speech, by means of the guile
tine. He quarrelled with Rubbie, and
was chalked for guillotine 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, 1O1st page)
In 1891, when King Thomas the First
ascended the throne of his kingdom, lie
Instantly despatched a national frieate to
convey to our shores the venerateG Tom
Paine. He arrived early in the year Of
1902. l spoke with him at the City Ho-
tel, Bowery, few hours after his arrival.
lie found letters urging him on to Wash
ington, (then four days journey lie
started next morning. At Georgetown q
messenger was sent forward to announce
his approach; a feast was got ready, and
all those of like thinking were invited
Paine entered late, his shirt unwaShed,
his head unshorn, and reeling like
! drunken man. \ 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 York.
When Aaron Burr returned from Eu-
rope, whittier he had fled after his duel
with Hamilton, he kept his Office in Mas
sau street near my seed store. From him
| received the account above stuffed.
I Paine, on his return, was unable to fnd
lodgings. Carver took him in for old ac-
quaintance sake. He died at Greenwich
/ of deTrium tremens in 1900, Gu.
/ Gazette.
( QUITE PRovIDENTIAL.-Ap pious Af-