I know therefore by experience the conscientious trial of my own principles.
I was then with three chamber comrades: Joseph Vanheule of Bruges, Charles Bastfni, and Michael Robyns of Louvain.

The unceasing and anxious attention of these three friends to me, by night and day, I remember with gratitude and mention with pleasure.

It happened that a physician (Dr.Graham) and a surgeon, (Mr.Bond,) part of the suite of General O'Hara, [The officer who at Yorktown, Virginia, carried out the sword of Cornwallis for surrender, and satirically offered it to Rochambeau instead of Washington.

Paine loaned him 300 pounds when he (O'Hara) left the prison, the money he had concealed in the lock of his cell-door .-- Editor.] were then in the Luxembourg: I ask not myself whether it be convenient to them, as men under the English Government, that I express to them my thanks; but I should reproach myself if I did not; and also to the physician of the Luxembourg, Dr.Markoski.
I have some reason to believe, because I cannot discover any other, that this illness preserved me in existence.

Among the papers of Robespierre that were examined and reported upon to the Convention by a Committee of Deputies, is a note in the hand writing of Robespierre, in the following words: "Demander que Thomas Paine soit decrete d'accusation, pour l'interet de l'Amerique autant que de la France." [Demand that Thomas Paine be decreed of accusation, for the interest of America, as well as of France.] From what cause it was that the intention was not put in execution, I know not, and cannot inform myself; and therefore I ascribe it to impossibility, on account of that illness.
The Convention, to repair as much as lay in their power the injustice I had sustained, invited me publickly and unanimously to return into the Convention, and which I accepted, to shew I could bear an injury without permitting it to injure my principles or my disposition.