PLAIN TRUTH: ADDRESSED TO THE INHABITANTS OF AMERICA. CONTAINING REMARKS ON A LATE PAMPHLET, INTITLED COMMON SENSE: WHEREIN ARE SHEWN, THAT THE SCHEME OF INDEPENDENCE IS RUINOUS, DELUSIVE, AND IMPRACTICABLE... WRITTEN BY CANDIDUS. SECOND EDITION.
[London] Philadelphia, Printed: London, Reprinted for J. Almon, 1776. [4], 47, [1- publ. advt] pp. A Fine copy in modern quarter morocco and plain paper over boards, with gilt-lettered spine title.
This is the famous response by a Maryland Loyalist to Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. Howes calls it the "most famous answer to Paine's advocacy for independence in 'Common Sense'." Thomas Adams's definitive study, 'Authorship and Printing of Plain Truth by Candidus,' published in Vol. 49, Papers of the Bibliographic Society of America 230-248 [1955], reviews the welter of printings, establishes that Chalmers is indeed the author, and observes, "Those who tried to oppose the ever-growing radical forces were disorganized and silent...The incoherence in both the printing and the writing of Plain Truth seems to be part of the same pattern."
Candidus's Dedication to John Dickinson urges him to "exert those Talents with which Heaven has endowed you" to save America "from impending ruin, under the Syren form of delusive Independence." Chalmers claims he is "passionately devoted to true liberty," lauds the contributions of England and the British Constitution; and calls "the Pamphlet, entitled Common Sense," an illustration of the "unerring rule" that "the best Princes are constantly calumniated by the envenomed tongues and pens of the most worthless of their subjects."
This is the second edition of the first British printing of "Plain Truth." Its collation is identical to the first British edition, issued earlier in 1776. Two additional sections at the end are caption-titled "Rationalis" and "Extract from the Second Letter to the People," which was a reply to Common Sense, signed "Cato."
Adams, American Controversy 76-19c. Adams, American Independence 208e. Howes S696 [erroneously attributing authorship to Provost William Smith]. Item #40042
Price: $1,850.00