Article #147-1 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from Common Sense, by Thomas Paine

The English list of ships of war, is long and formidable, but not a
tenth part of them are at any one time fit for service, numbers of
them not in being; yet their names are pompously continued in the
list, if only a plank be left of the ship: and not a fifth part, of
such as are fit for service, can be spared on any one station at one
time. The East and West Indies, Mediterranean, Africa, and other
parts over which Britain extends her claim, make large demands upon
her navy. From a mixture of prejudice and inattention, we have
contracted a false notion respecting the navy of England, and have
talked as if we should have the whole of it to encounter at once,
and for that reason, supposed, that we must have one as large; which
not being instantly practicable, have been made use of by a set of
disguised Tories to discourage our beginning thereon. Nothing can be
farther from truth than this; for if America had only a twentieth
part of the naval force of Britain, she would be by far an over
match for her; because, as we neither have, nor claim any foreign
dominion, our whole force would be employed on our own coast, where
we should, in the long run, have two to one the advantage of those
who had three or four thousand miles to sail over, before they could
attack us, and the same distance to return in order to refit and
recruit. And although Britain by her fleet, hath a check over our
trade to Europe, we have as large a one over her trade to the West-
Indies, which, by laying in the neighbourhood of the Continent, is
entirely at its mercy.

Some method might be fallen on to keep up a naval force in time of
peace, if we should not judge it necessary to support a constant
navy. If premiums were to be given to merchants, to build and employ
in their service ships mounted with twenty, thirty, forty or fifty
guns, (the premiums to be in proportion to the loss of bulk to the
merchants) fifty or sixty of those ships, with a few guardships on
constant duty, would keep up a sufficient navy, and that without
burdening ourselves with the evil so loudly complained of in England,
of suffering their fleet, in time of peace to lie rotting in the
docks. To unite the sinews of commerce and defense is sound policy;
for when our strength and our riches play into each other's hand, we
need fear no external enemy.

In almost every article of defense we abound. Hemp flourishes even
to rankness, so that we need not want cordage. Our iron is superior
to that of other countries. Our small arms equal to any in the world.
Cannon we can cast at pleasure. Saltpetre and gunpowder we are every
day producing. Our knowledge is hourly improving. Resolution is our
inherent character, and courage hath never yet forsaken us.
Wherefore, what is it that we want? Why is it that we hesitate? From
Britain we can expect nothing but ruin. If she is once admitted to
the government of America again, this Continent will not be worth
living in. Jealousies will be always arising; insurrections will be
constantly happening; and who will go forth to quell them? Who will
venture his life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience?
The difference between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respecting some
unlocated lands, shews the insignificance of a British government,
and fully proves, that nothing but Continental authority can
regulate Continental matters.

Explanation

**Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Common Sense by Thomas Paine**

Context of Common Sense

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) was a revolutionary pamphlet that played a crucial role in persuading American colonists to support independence from Britain. Published just months before the Declaration of Independence, it was written in plain, accessible language to appeal to ordinary citizens rather than just elites. Paine’s arguments were radical for the time, rejecting monarchy, hereditary rule, and British authority while advocating for democratic self-governance.

This excerpt comes from a section where Paine addresses colonial fears about Britain’s naval superiority—a major concern for those hesitant about rebellion. His goal is to dismantle the myth of British invincibility and demonstrate that America could defend itself effectively if independent.

Themes in the Excerpt

Challenging British Naval Dominance
- Paine argues that Britain’s navy is overstated in strength—many ships are decaying, spread thin across global colonies, and cannot be fully deployed against America at once.
- He contrasts Britain’s global obligations (protecting trade routes in the Indies, Mediterranean, Africa) with America’s localized defense needs, giving the colonies a strategic advantage.
Self-Sufficiency and Resource Advantage
- America has abundant natural resources (hemp for ropes, iron for weapons, saltpeter for gunpowder) and industrial capacity (cannon casting, small arms production).
- Unlike Britain, which must maintain a peacetime fleet at great expense, America could build a navy incrementally through merchant incentives, avoiding waste.
The Folly of Reconciliation with Britain
- Paine warns that reuniting with Britain would lead to perpetual conflict, as colonial grievances (like land disputes between Pennsylvania and Connecticut) would persist without a unified American government.
- He frames British rule as foreign tyranny, asking rhetorically: "Who will venture his life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience?"—a call to patriotism and resistance.
Economic and Military Pragmatism
- Paine proposes practical solutions, such as subsidizing armed merchant ships to create a dual-purpose fleet (commerce + defense), reducing costs while maintaining strength.
- He emphasizes America’s geographic advantage: Britain’s ships must cross the Atlantic (3,000+ miles), while American forces operate close to home, with shorter supply lines.

Literary Devices and Rhetorical Strategies

Logical Appeals (Logos)
- Statistical Downplaying: Paine dismisses the British navy’s size by claiming only "a tenth part" are serviceable and "not a fifth part" can be spared for America at once.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: He compares Britain’s global naval burdens (defending far-flung colonies) with America’s focused coastal defense, showing independence as strategically smarter.
- Resource Inventory: Listing America’s assets (hemp, iron, gunpowder) builds confidence in self-sufficiency.
Emotional Appeals (Pathos)
- Fear of British Tyranny: "From Britain we can expect nothing but ruin" and "this Continent will not be worth living in" evoke dread of continued oppression.
- Patriotic Shaming: "Why is it that we hesitate?" and "Resolution is our inherent character" challenge colonial indecision, appealing to pride.
- Unity vs. Division: The Pennsylvania-Connecticut land dispute example highlights how British rule fosters internal conflict, while independence would enable Continental authority.
Rhetorical Questions
- "Wherefore, what is it that we want?" and "Who will venture his life to reduce his own countrymen?" force the reader to confront the absurdity of remaining under British rule.
Metaphors and Analogies
- Navy as a Rotting Fleet: Describing British ships "lying rotting in the docks" paints them as decayed and ineffective.
- Commerce and Defense as "Sinews": "To unite the sinews of commerce and defense" suggests strength through integration, like muscles working together.
Repetition and Parallelism
- "Our iron is superior… Our small arms equal… Cannon we can cast…" creates a rhythmic, accumulative effect, reinforcing America’s readiness for war.
- "Jealousies will be always arising; insurrections will be constantly happening" uses parallel structure to emphasize chaos under British rule.
Irony and Sarcasm
- "If only a plank be left of the ship: and not a fifth part… can be spared" mocks Britain’s hollow naval prestige, exposing the gap between reputation and reality.

Significance of the Passage

Debunking British Invincibility
- Paine’s demystification of British power was crucial in overcoming colonial fears. Many assumed Britain’s navy made resistance futile; Paine shows it’s spread thin and decaying.
Advocating for American Self-Reliance
- The passage reflects Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress, arguing that America’s resources, geography, and ingenuity make independence viable.
- His proposal for a merchant-based navy was innovative, blending free-market economics with national defense.
Persuading the Middle Colonists
- While radicals already supported independence, Common Sense targeted moderates and loyalists. Paine’s practical, data-driven arguments made rebellion seem less risky.
Laying Groundwork for the Continental Navy
- Paine’s ideas influenced the creation of the U.S. Navy (established in 1775 but expanded after independence). His emphasis on local defense and privateer ships shaped early American naval strategy.
Themes of Unity and Sovereignty
- The excerpt underscores that only a unified America (not individual colonies) can govern effectively—a foundational idea for the later Articles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution.

Key Takeaways from the Text Itself

Britain’s navy is a paper tiger: Its size is misleading because most ships are unusable or deployed elsewhere.
America’s advantages:
- Geography: Fighting near home vs. Britain’s long supply lines.
- Resources: Self-sufficiency in war materials.
- Economic flexibility: A navy built through merchant incentives avoids waste.
Reconciliation is impossible: British rule will only bring "jealousies" and "insurrections"; independence is the only path to stability.
Call to action: Paine’s urgent tone ("Why is it that we hesitate?") pushes readers toward revolutionary commitment.

Conclusion

This excerpt exemplifies Paine’s persuasive genius: blending cold logic with fiery rhetoric to make independence seem not just desirable but inevitable and practical. By dismantling the myth of British naval supremacy and highlighting America’s untapped potential, he turns fear into confidence—a hallmark of Common Sense’s enduring power. The passage remains a masterclass in revolutionary propaganda, using evidence, emotion, and vision to mobilize a nation.

Questions

Question 1

The passage’s depiction of Britain’s naval power primarily serves to:

A. expose the economic inefficiency of maintaining a global empire, implying that Britain’s financial collapse is imminent.
B. dismantle a psychological barrier to revolution by revealing the discrepancy between perceived strength and operational reality.
C. propose a strategic alliance with other colonial powers to collectively counter Britain’s maritime dominance.
D. argue that America’s naval inferiority is permanent unless it adopts Britain’s centralized shipbuilding model.
E. suggest that Britain’s navy, though formidable, could be co-opted by American merchants through economic incentives.

Question 2

Paine’s rhetorical question—"Who will venture his life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience?"—functions most effectively as:

A. an appeal to ethical consistency, highlighting the moral absurdity of colonial soldiers suppressing their own people.
B. a challenge to masculine honor, framing resistance as a test of courage and loyalty to one’s kin.
C. a statistical argument, implying that British forces lack the manpower to enforce colonial submission.
D. a veiled threat, warning that any American collaborating with Britain would face retribution.
E. a call for mercantilist reform, suggesting that economic ties should supersede political allegiance.

Question 3

The proposal to incentivize armed merchant ships ("premiums were to be given to merchants") is structurally analogous to which of the following arguments in the passage?

A. The claim that America’s iron and hemp resources make it self-sufficient in war materiel.
B. The assertion that Britain’s global commitments dilute its ability to project power against America.
C. The idea that America’s lack of foreign dominions allows it to concentrate forces on its own coasts.
D. The warning that internal disputes (e.g., Pennsylvania vs. Connecticut) would persist under British rule.
E. The observation that Britain’s peacetime fleet rots in docks, wasting resources.

Question 4

The passage’s tone shifts most markedly in which of the following transitions?

A. From the inventory of American resources ("hemp flourishes… our iron is superior…") to the rhetorical questions ("Wherefore, what is it that we want?").
B. From the critique of Britain’s naval list ("not a tenth part… fit for service") to the geographic argument about supply lines ("three or four thousand miles to sail").
C. From the proposal for merchant-based naval force to the warning about internal jealousies under British rule.
D. From the comparison of British and American trade vulnerabilities to the claim that "resolution is our inherent character."
E. From the sarcastic remark about "a plank be left of the ship" to the statistical claim that "not a fifth part… can be spared."

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Paine’s argument about America’s naval potential and his broader case for independence?

A. The naval argument is a concession to skeptics, acknowledging Britain’s superiority while shifting focus to land-based resistance.
B. The naval argument is a red herring, distracting from the weaker economic case for independence.
C. The naval argument is a microcosm of his federalist vision, implying that only a strong central government can manage defense.
D. The naval argument is subordinate to his moral case, serving merely to illustrate Britain’s corruption.
E. The naval argument is a synecdoche for self-sufficiency, using maritime defense to symbolize America’s capacity for total sovereignty.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: B

Why B is most correct: The passage’s core purpose is to erode the colonial fear of Britain’s naval might—a fear Paine identifies as a "false notion" perpetuated by "prejudice and inattention." By exposing the gap between the "long and formidable" list of ships and their actual operational limitations (e.g., "not a tenth part… fit for service"), Paine targets a psychological barrier to revolution. His argument is less about Britain’s economic collapse (A) or proposals for alliances (C) than about redefining perceptions of power to embolden hesitant colonists. The focus on "disguised Tories" using naval fears to "discourage our beginning" further underscores the persuasive, demoralization-reversal function of this section.