Final answer:
Henry Laurens' specific reaction to Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' is not detailed, but the pamphlet was instrumental in swaying public and congressional opinion toward independence, leading to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of Henry Laurens to Thomas Paine's Common Sense isn't explicitly documented in the provided references. However, it is known that Common Sense played a significant role in shaping public opinion towards the idea of independence. Published in January 1776, Thomas Paine's pamphlet used direct language to reach out to ordinary people, advocating for independence from Great Britain and the establishment of a republican government. It rapidly gained immense popularity across the thirteen colonies, contributing to the growing revolutionary sentiment.
By the spring of 1776, records indicate the opposition to independence within the Continental Congress had largely dissipated, influenced in part by Paine's writings. The Continental Congress went on to adopt a recommendation for the colonies to set up independent state governments in May and moved toward securing foreign support for the rebellion. This culminated in the appointment of a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence, which was officially adopted on July 4, 1776.