Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, ca. 1777
"Plain Truth" by James Chalmers- A Loyalist Response to Paine's "Common Sense"
Pamphlet/Booklet

A second edition copy of "Plain Truth: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America. Containing Remarks on a late Pamphlet, Intitled Common Sense?" by James Chalmers, written under the alias "Candidus". Philadelphia, Printed: London, Reprinted for J. Almon, opposite Burlington House, in Piccadilly. 1777. 48 pages. Bound with two additional publications, one from alias "Rationalis" and another entitled "Extract from the Second Letter to the People of Pennsylvania" by alias "Cato". Scattered foxing to front and back cover, with general page toning throughout. Else, near fine. 5.25" x 8.25"

Dedicated to John Dickinson, "Plain Truth" provides a point-by-point rebuttal to Thomas Paine's incendiary polemic, arguing that independence would not only deprive the American colonies of their most important trading partner, but also invite invasion by Spain or France. Chalmers, a wealthy Maryland planter who adopted the pen name Candidus, issued his response to "Common Sense" so quickly, in fact, that Paine had not yet been identified as its author. Chalmers later fled his home in Maryland when it was discovered that he was responsible for the publication, joining the British Army against the Revolutionaries. Following the war, Chalmers again fled, this time in exile, back to England where he published another pamphlet attacking Paine's economic policies.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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5.25" x 8.25"