[2] English political activist Thomas Paine, who just did immigrate to Philadelphia with a letter of recommendation from Benjamin Franklin, contributed two pieces to the magazine's inaugural issue and Aitken hired him as editor.

[3] While Aitken had conceived of the magazine as nonpolitical, Paine brought a political perspective to its content, writing in its first issue that "every heart and hand seem to be engaged in the interesting struggle for American Liberty.".

That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation."

[5] In 1781 Aitken undertook to print the first complete English Bible produced in America and sought the official sanction of Congress for his edition.

The committee had been, "…referred a memorial of Robert Aitkin, dated January 21st, 1781, respecting an edition of the holy scriptures."

This report stated they had reviewed the printing and it was found to be, "…with as few grammatical and typographical errors as could be expected in an undertaking of such magnitude."

That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation."