New-York tribune., 1901-02-27
PAINE AND WASHINGTON.
MoNcURE D. coNwAY's CORRECTION OF
BISHOP POTTER'S REFERENCE TO
THE GREAT DEIST.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir Bishop Potter in his eloquent address on
washingtons Birthday, fell into one historical
error which his characteristic justice will be glad
to have rectifed He is reported saying: When
Thomas Paine. author of The Rights of Man'-one
of which, like many moderns of our own day.
he evidently considered be the right to office
was refused by Washington appointment as
Postma ster- General. he concluded published at
tack upon the President with these words, and
they. too. modern in their flavor as had been
the demand The Bishop then quotes Paine's
angry letter to Washington The facts
Ffrst-Paine never sought for nor applied for
any office
Second-In July. 1921. when The Rights of Man
part p causing sharp discussion in America
being assailed by the party of John Adams, Jeffer
and Edmund Randolph. with the approval of
Madison, endeavored to have Paine appointed
Postmaster-CeneraI for political purpose of their
Under date of July q. 1881 Randolph wrote
70 Madison: Mr. ]. and myself have attempted
bring Paine forward as successor to Osgood
It seems to be a fair opportunity for a decIara-
tion of certain sentiments. But all that I have
heard has been that it would be too pointed to
keep vacancy untitled until his return from the
other side of the water
Third-Paine was during that whole year leader
OF the Republican movement in England. feted and
applauded there and in France engaged on Part II
of his Rights of Man" and it is improbable that
he would have accepted the Office in America
II 1t had been as tempting then
Fourth-The proposal by Jefferson and Randolph
is of discovery: and it is highly improbable
that Paine ever heard of it. Had he heard OF it
he would have been the last man to have taken
offence the ground on which the appointment
refused.
t1fth-The refusal was in July. 179f; Paines COM
plant against Washington written in July,
1876. Seven months afte~ the appointment re-
fused Paine had written: Il presume that no man
in mis- sober senses will compare the character OF
any of the kings Of Europe with that Of General
Washington This was in Part II of his Rights
of Man of which he sent twelve copies to Wash
ington. with cordial letter. TO which the Presi-
dent responded. In writing to Jefferson in 1923
Paine presents to the President his affection and
II Is clear, then. that the occasion Of Paine's
severe letter to Washington in 1896 had no connec-
Randolph of an appointment for Paine which the
latter never could have demanded as the Bishop
sibility of knowing in London that there was any
letter has been given by me very fuy in nv LIFE
OF Paine, In my edition of his writings (Vol. lid.
DeuX M9ndes. The reProaches were written by
an American citizen slowly returning from deaths
ooor: To which he had been brought by an mprson-
ment OF ten months, escaping only by accident a
ington who held Paines fate in his hands uttered
no word OF protection or even OF sympathy. That
an author whom he had applauded as the earliest
champion OF American independence and republic
honor. and one to whom he had written in terms
enormous seSood u the @ AmereaH 4ag Maiser aHa te an IN
raris. he disowned Paine as an American to the
government In Paris, but wrote TO Washington
that he had vainly reclaimed Paine as an American
citizen. Washington believed to the dav OF his
death that he had done all that was possible for
Paine: Paine believed that he had been left 10 the
guil!otine by friend to whom he had been faithful
especially by a timely defence when he CWashing-
toni was in danger OF removal from command dur
ing the Revolution; and the outburst quoted by
BISHOP Potter is one whose passionate anguish
cannot be es stmated by the cold criticism OF to-day
Its grief and bitterness measure the depth OF the
devotion and constant affection which had long
animated the man. who. having In vain entreated
an explanation felt himself cruelly-and even muir
derousiy-hetrayed by his idolzed friend
MONCURE u. CONWAY.
NewYork. Feb q. 1901.