* The document was revived as a pamphlet, though its subject
was no longer of interest, at a time when Paine's political
writings were under prosecution, and to afford a vehicle for
an "introduction," which gives a graphic account of Paine's
services in the United States. On a copy of this London
edition (1793) before me, one of a number of Paine's early
pamphlets bearing marks of his contemporary English editor,
is written with pencil: "With a preface (Qy. J. Barlow)."
From this, and some characteristics of the composition, I
have no doubt that the vigorous introduction was Barlow's.
The production is entitled, "The Case of the Officers of
Excise; with remarks on the qualifications of Officers;
and of the numerous evils arising to the Revenue, from the
insufficiency of the present salary. Humbly addressed to the
Hon. and Right Hon. Members of both Houses of Parliament."
"Honored Sir,—Herewith I present you with the Case of the Officers of Excise. A compliment of this kind from an entire stranger may appear somewhat singular, but the following reasons and information will, I presume, sufficiently apologize. I act myself in the humble station of an officer of excise, though somewhat differently circumstanced to what many of them are, and have been the principal promoter of a plan for applying to Parliament this session for an increase of salary. A petition for this purpose has been circulated through every part of the kingdom, and signed by all the officers therein. A subscription of three shillings per officer is raised, amounting to upwards of £500, for supporting the expenses. The excise officers, in all cities and corporate towns, have obtained letters of recommendation from the electors to the members in their behalf, many or most of whom have promised their support. The enclosed case we have presented to most of the members, and shall to all, before the petition appear in the House. The memorial before you met with so much approbation while in manuscript, that I was advised to print 4000 copies; 3000 of which were subscribed for the officers in general, and the remaining 1000 reserved for presents. Since the delivering them I have received so many letters of thanks and approbation for the performance, that were I not rather singularly modest, I should insensibly become a little vain. The literary fame of Dr. Goldsmith has induced me to present one to him, such as it is. It is my first and only attempt, and even now I should not have undertaken it, had I not been particularly applied to by some of my superiors in office. I have some few questions to trouble Dr. Goldsmith with, and should esteem his company for an hour or two, to partake of a bottle of wine, or any thing else, and apologize for this trouble, as a singular favour conferred on His unknown
"Humble servant and admirer,
"Thomas Paine.
"Excise Coffee House,
"Broad Street, Dec. 21, 1772.
"P. S. Shall take the liberty of waiting on you in a day or two."'
* Goldsmith responded to Paine's desire for his acquaintance.
I think Paine may be identified as the friend to whom
Goldsmith, shortly before his death, gave the epitaph first
printed in Paine's Pennsylvania Magaritu, January, 1775,
beginning,
"Here Whitefoord reclines, and deny it who can,
Though he merrily lived he is now a grave man."
In giving it Goldsmith said, "It will be of no use to me
where I am going."
I am indebted for these records to the Secretary of Inland
Revenue, England, and to my friend, Charles Macrae, who
obtained them for me.
To one who reads Paine's argument, it appears wonderful that a man of such ability should, at the age of thirty-five, have had his horizon filled with such a cause as that of the underpaid excisemen, Unable to get the matter before Parliament, he went back to his tobacco-mill in Lewes, and it seemed to him like the crack of doom when, 8 April, 1774, he was dismissed from the excise. The cause of Paine's second dismission from the excise being ascribed by his first biographer (Oldys) to his dealing in smuggled tobacco, without contradiction by Paine, his admirers have been misled into a kind of apology for him on account of the prevalence of the custom. But I have before me the minutes of the Board concerning Paine, and there is no hint whatever of any such accusation. The order of discharge from Lewes is as follows:
"Friday 8th April 1774. Thomas Pain, Officer of Lewes 4th O. Ride Sussex Collection having quitted his Business, without obtaining the Board's Leave for so doing, and being gone off on Account of the Debts which he hath contracted, as by Letter of the 6th instant from Edward Clifford, Supervisor, and the said Pain having been once before Discharged, Ordered that he be again discharged."