To the public
Subtitle: In the course of a few days I shall lay before you some very interesting facts and materials, by which you will be able to distinguish between those who serve you and those who seek to deceive you. ...
Series: Early American imprints -- no. 43522
Publisher: Printed by John Dunlap
Published: 1778
Place of publication: Philadelphia
Language: eng
Notes: Rebuttal to a letter signed "Plain Truth" (Rev. William Smith) published in the Dec. 21, 1778, issue of the Pennsylvania packet. Both concern the controversy over the conduct of Silas Deane, the American commissioner to France, who was charged with extorting money from Congress to pay for supplies which were actually intended as gifts from the French government. Cf. Fosner, Philip S. The complete writings of Thomas Paine, 1945, v. 2, p. 96-188.

Signed and dated: Thomas Paine, secretary for foreign affairs, and author of all writings under the signature of Common Sense. Philadelphia, December 28, 1778.

Followed by a poem criticizing Paine's role in the Deane affair, entitled: By the Goddess of Plain Truth, a manifesto and proclamation. Signed and dated: Dec. 26th, 1778. Truth. By the Goddess's command, Retaliatio, secretary.

Ascribed to the press of Benjamin Towne by Bristol and Hildeburn; however, John Dunlap's role as the printer of essays on both sides of the controversy is discussed in the text, and both letter and poem are identical in content and typography with those published in a single column in the December 29, 1778, issue of Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet.

Text in two columns.

Bristol B4758

Shipton & Mooney 43522

Hildeburn, C.S.R. Pennsylvania, 3765