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Primary sourceSpeech7 July 1795

Speech to the Convention, July 7, 1795

Thomas Paine · 7 July 1795

The text of a speech Paine delivered to the French National Convention in 1795, translated and read aloud by a secretary.

This is Paine's own speech to the French Convention, showing his direct role in the French Revolution.

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About this source

What it is

This is the text of a speech by Thomas Paine, delivered before the French National Convention on July 7, 1795. Because Paine spoke in English, a secretary read a translation aloud to the assembly. Paine explains he had been ill and imprisoned in the Luxembourg before this appearance.

Why it matters

This speech shows Paine's direct involvement in French revolutionary politics, speaking on the Declaration of Rights and the Constitution despite having just survived imprisonment during the Revolution's turbulent period. It demonstrates how deeply Paine was entangled in events far beyond America.

Look closer

  • Why does Paine mention his imprisonment and illness at the start of his speech?
  • Why was his speech read by someone else instead of delivered by Paine in French?
  • What does this speech suggest about the risks Paine faced for his political beliefs?

This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Paine on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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