[Paine, Thomas]

The Crisis Extraordinary. Philadelphia: sold by William Harris in Second-street, [1780]

8vo (8 5/8 x 5 1/4 in.; 218 x 133 mm, uncut). Caption title, signed at end "Common Sense. Philadelphia, October 4, 1780"; first page lightly browned, occasional other browning or light foxing. Disbound. Half red morocco folding-case, chemise.

Acquisition: William Reese

AAS/Gimbel 23; Evans 16919; Hildeburn 4034                       

First edition of perhaps the most important number of Paine’s vital series, The American Crisis, apart from the first. The Crisis Extraordinary, though not initially published with a number, was the ninth of the series and one of only two after the first three to be issued as a separate pamphlet rather than appearing in newspapers.

The text discusses the subject of taxation, specifically the relative abilities of England and the American colonies to raise taxes in order to fund their war efforts. Paine proposes a plan by which the colonies can raise sufficient funds, mainly through import duties. The essay on taxation is followed by a two-page postscript regarding “the treachery of General Arnold,” which had just been discovered on 23 September.  Although Paine dismisses Arnold as “a desperado,” he draws an encouraging conclusion from the treason plot: “this black business … shows the declining power of the enemy. An attempt to bribe is a sacrifice of military fame, and a confession of inability to conquer … the world at large will despise them for it, and consider America superior to their arms.”

Evans notes two issues of this pamphlet, one with the imprint line “sold by William Harris in Second-street” (as here) and the other “sold by William Harris at his store in Second-street.” While Evans denominated the present issue the second edition, there is no priority between the two.  Rare: no copy has appeared at auction since a Library Company duplicate in 1970.