Final answer:
Thomas Paine used empirical evidence to support the claim that the Continental Army had performed creditably. So the correct answer is Option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine's use of evidence in the passage can best be described as C. Paine used empirical evidence to support the claim that the Continental Army had performed creditably. Paine provides simple facts and common sense arguments about the condition of the American colonies, which supports the creditworthy performance of the Continental Army. This evidence helps persuade the readers of the need for independence from Great Britain.