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The August Title
Announcing the next Thornwillow Dispatch

The American Crisis, Number 1
Thomas Paine

Available for pre-order via subscription to the Thornwillow Dispatch until July 31st, 2026, at 7 pm EST.

Dear Friends of Thornwillow,

As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States this weekend, it gives me great pleasure to announce the next Dispatch: Thomas Paine’s first American Crisis essay, which remains one of the most defining works in our nation’s history.

In the winter of 1776, America stood in crisis. General Washington’s army had suffered a series of devastating defeats, and the cause of independence appeared on the verge of collapse. It was during these desperate weeks that Thomas Paine wrote this essay, which George Washington believed so inspiring that he ordered it to be read aloud to his troops right before they crossed the Delaware River to launch the surprise attack at the Battle of Trenton.

Though the circumstances of our time are different, Paine’s words resonate more powerfully than ever. They remind us that responsible citizenship, courage, and moral conviction must be renewed by each generation.

We are pleased to present the next Dispatch as a commemoration of the historic milestone we have reached as a nation by turning 250 and to remind us that the self-evident truths that were cherished by our nation’s founders were hard-won and must be reaffirmed. Like a long-married couple that renews their vows after decades of marriage, the 250th is a moment for all Americans to recommit to the ideas that define what it means to be American. Though they were written 250 years ago, they remain a place to find inspiration and common ground.

With highest regards from the press,

Luke Ives Pontifell
Printer & Publisher

Available for pre-order via subscription to the Thornwillow Dispatch until June 30th, 2026, at 7 pm EST.

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Written during the desperate winter of 1776, as the Continental Army retreated across New Jersey and the cause of American independence appeared near collapse, Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis became one of the defining works of the Revolutionary era. Its stirring defense of liberty and perseverance helped strengthen the resolve of a struggling nation and remains among the most powerful examples of political writing in the English language.

Issued during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, this Thornwillow Dispatch presents the first essay of The American Crisis, accompanied by a new introduction examining its historical significance and enduring relevance. Though written for a particular moment in the Revolution, Paine’s words transcend their own age, reminding readers that every generation must confront its own trials and renew its commitment to the principles upon which free societies depend.

Letterpress printed on heavy archival paper in a finely crafted limited edition, this volume continues the Thornwillow Dispatch’s commitment to preserving the works that have shaped civilization and continue to illuminate the present.

About Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was one of the most influential political writers of the eighteenth century and a leading voice of the American Revolution. Born in England, he emigrated to the American colonies in 1774 with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin. Within two years, the publication of Common Sense transformed the debate over independence, persuading countless colonists that separation from Great Britain was both necessary and inevitable.

During the Revolutionary War, Paine accompanied the Continental Army and wrote The American Crisis, a series of essays intended to sustain public resolve during the nation’s darkest hours. The first essay, published in December 1776, opens with the immortal words, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” and was read aloud to Washington’s troops before the victories at Trenton and Princeton.

Following the Revolution, Paine continued to champion republican government, individual liberty, and the rights of ordinary citizens through works including Rights of Man and The Age of Reason. Though controversial during his lifetime, he is now widely recognized as one of the principal architects of modern democratic thought and among the most consequential political writers in the English language.