The writings, of Thomas Paine, secretary for foreign affairs to the Congress of the United States of America, in the late war. Containing, 1. Common Sense. 2. The crisis. 3. Letter to Abbe Raynal. 4. Public good. 5. Letter to the Earl of Shelburne. 6. Letter to Sir Guy Carlton. 7. Letter to Abbe Seyeys[!] 8. Letter to the authors of the Republican. 9. Rights of man.

After nearly 60 years of collecting, Sid Lapidus ’59 has presented to the Library more than 2700 volumes representing the fruits of his enthusiasm. Broadly conceived, the collection charts the definition and re-definiton of rights and liberties endemic to Western political traditions. The main focus is texts and documents relating to the American Revolution, its run-up dating back to the Commonwealth men, and coming down to documents of the early Federal government.