Paine suggested that the American colonies should

(1) negotiate an end to the conflict with England

(2) form an alliance with England

(3) declare independence from England

(4) boycott goods from England

(3) declare independence from England

Explanation:

Thomas Paine wrote the book Common Sense which was about why the colonies should declare independence from England. Interestingly, the book was not published until after the start of the Revolutionary War.