Final answer:
Thomas Paine uses an appeal to credibility and trustworthiness (ethos) in the passage by emphasizing America's self-sufficiency and capability to build a fleet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most prominent kind of rhetorical appeal that Thomas Paine uses in the given passage is ethos, which is an appeal to credibility and trustworthiness. Paine presents a persuasive argument by emphasizing America's natural resources and asserting that she has no need to rely on other countries for materials to build a fleet. By highlighting the abundance of tar, timber, iron, and cordage within America, Paine positions the country as self-sufficient and capable of supporting a strong naval presence. This appeals to the audience's trust in Paine's knowledge and expertise on the subject.