[An Anonymous, Loyalist Review of Thomas Paine's Common Sense] The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 28, 1776. Four pages, 10.25" x 16.75", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; February 28, 1776. The Pennsylvania Gazette Numb. 2462 featuring an article by a "Rationalis" who critically reviewed Thomas Paine's Common Sense. It reads in part: "The Town has been lately amused with a new political Pamphlet, intituled Common Sense. This piece, though...implies that the contents are obvious...it is so far from meriting the title it has affirmed, that in my opinion it holds principles equally inconsistent with learned and common Senses. I know not the author, nor am I anxious to learn his name or character; for...the pamphlet in question seems to be plainly calculated to induce a belief...that monarchy as a form of government has no wisdom in it...In our own history, we see what was the effect of the much-wished for Commonwealth after the death of the tyrant Charles – it did not produce liberty – it presently ended in arbitrary power...Cromwell governed...the nation with absolute sway...I cannot agree with the author of the pamphlet in opinion, that this is the time to declare an Independence of the Colonies. This ought to be the dernier resort of America..." The opinion of this reviewer was very much the minority. Common Sense sold an estimated 75,000 copies in 1776 alone and is widely credited with uniting the colonies behind the idea of independence. Condition: Partially erased pencil notation on recto. Slight edgewear with minor chipping. Some light soiling. Two small holes along left edge that do not affect text. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved