DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.] RODNEY, Caesar. Autograph letter signed ("Caesar Rodney"), TO HIS FELLOW DELEGATE TO CONGRESS, GEORGE READ, also signed by John Evans, Lewis [Lewes], Del., 23 June 1776. 2 pages, small 4to, separate integral address leaf (part of that leaf lacking) . Fine.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.] RODNEY, Caesar. Autograph letter signed ("Caesar Rodney"), TO HIS FELLOW DELEGATE TO CONGRESS, GEORGE READ, also signed by John Evans, Lewis [Lewes], Del., 23 June 1776. 2 pages, small 4to, separate integral address leaf (part of that leaf lacking) . Fine. JUST BEFORE RODNEY'S FAMOUS RIDE THROUGH "THUNDER AND RAIN" TO CAST HIS STATE'S DECISIVE VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE, HE EXPLAINS TO A FELLOW DELEGATE WHY HE CANNOT YET LEAVE FOR PHILADELPHIA In one of the most famous anecdotes connected with the historic vote for Independence on 4 July 1776, Rodney, one of three Delaware delegates to the Continental Congress, was summoned urgently from Sussex County to Philadelphia for the momentous vote, breaking a tie among the Delaware delegates. Rodney, also serving as chief executive of the assembly and as a brigadier general in the Delaware militia, had been actively engaged in efforts to suppress local Tory factions. Here, he explains his progress in that task, explains that he deems it inadvisable to return either to Newcastle--where the Assembly was to meet--or to Congress until the Tory insurrection is ended. He urges the speaker of the Assembly, George Read, not to covene the legislature just yet: "The first step to be taken when we arrived at Lewis [Lewes] was to send some Subpoenas for all those persons said to be concerned in the insurrection, in consequence of which they appeared...We then proceeded in the Examination which continued to last night, and shall now proceed to take such order in the matter as we think most condusive [sic] to the public Safety, and quieting the minds of very disturbed misled people; But Sir, as some order must be taken, we beg leave to inform you, that it is our Opinion...that we should continue here till such order be put in Execution. Least [lest] we should thusly leave the country in a more disturbed state (if possible), than we found it. We know that our assembly stands adjourned...We know the importance of the business before the House, and the necessity there is that the members should meet... and also that the Delegates must be in Congress by tomorrow week. If we had it in our power to return immediately, is it probable that there would be a House to proceed to business this week?..." Evans and Rodney go on to list members of the legislature who are unlikely to be in attendance at Newcastle, due to other business, and ask, "Cannot we have a Session soon after Harvest by a Call of the Speaker? The House of Assembly Resolved all the powers of Government in them, as the now only Representatives of the People. Taking into consideration all the Circumstances we thought it best to stay here a few days longer and settle the peace of this County...." Read, the recipient, was also a delegate representing Delaware in the Continental Congress. The three-man Delaware delegation was fatally divided on the critical question of independence: Read intended to vote "no" on the historic measure, while both Rodney and Thomas McKean (1734-1817) planned to vote in favor of it. On 1 July, though, when the question was first opened to debate by the Committee of the whole Congress, Rodney--as he explains in this letter--was still in Delaware. If he was not present to cast the decisive vote, Delaware's split vote would make it the only one of the thirteen colonies to fail to approve the Declaration of Independence. Some years later, McKean told a Rodney nephew what transpired that day: "On Monday the 1st of July the question was taken up by the committee of the whole...For Delaware, (having then only two Representatives [Read and McKean] present) was divided: all the other states voted in favor of it. Whereupon, without delay, I sent an Express (at my private expence) for your honored uncle...the remaining member for Delaware, whom I met at the State-house door, in his boots and spurs as the members were assembling: after a friendly salutation (without a word on the business) we went int
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.] RODNEY, Caesar. Autograph letter signed ("Caesar Rodney"), TO HIS FELLOW DELEGATE TO CONGRESS, GEORGE READ, also signed by John Evans, Lewis [Lewes], Del., 23 June 1776. 2 pages, small 4to, separate integral address leaf (part of that leaf lacking) . Fine.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.] RODNEY, Caesar. Autograph letter signed ("Caesar Rodney"), TO HIS FELLOW DELEGATE TO CONGRESS, GEORGE READ, also signed by John Evans, Lewis [Lewes], Del., 23 June 1776. 2 pages, small 4to, separate integral address leaf (part of that leaf lacking) . Fine. JUST BEFORE RODNEY'S FAMOUS RIDE THROUGH "THUNDER AND RAIN" TO CAST HIS STATE'S DECISIVE VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE, HE EXPLAINS TO A FELLOW DELEGATE WHY HE CANNOT YET LEAVE FOR PHILADELPHIA In one of the most famous anecdotes connected with the historic vote for Independence on 4 July 1776, Rodney, one of three Delaware delegates to the Continental Congress, was summoned urgently from Sussex County to Philadelphia for the momentous vote, breaking a tie among the Delaware delegates. Rodney, also serving as chief executive of the assembly and as a brigadier general in the Delaware militia, had been actively engaged in efforts to suppress local Tory factions. Here, he explains his progress in that task, explains that he deems it inadvisable to return either to Newcastle--where the Assembly was to meet--or to Congress until the Tory insurrection is ended. He urges the speaker of the Assembly, George Read, not to covene the legislature just yet: "The first step to be taken when we arrived at Lewis [Lewes] was to send some Subpoenas for all those persons said to be concerned in the insurrection, in consequence of which they appeared...We then proceeded in the Examination which continued to last night, and shall now proceed to take such order in the matter as we think most condusive [sic] to the public Safety, and quieting the minds of very disturbed misled people; But Sir, as some order must be taken, we beg leave to inform you, that it is our Opinion...that we should continue here till such order be put in Execution. Least [lest] we should thusly leave the country in a more disturbed state (if possible), than we found it. We know that our assembly stands adjourned...We know the importance of the business before the House, and the necessity there is that the members should meet... and also that the Delegates must be in Congress by tomorrow week. If we had it in our power to return immediately, is it probable that there would be a House to proceed to business this week?..." Evans and Rodney go on to list members of the legislature who are unlikely to be in attendance at Newcastle, due to other business, and ask, "Cannot we have a Session soon after Harvest by a Call of the Speaker? The House of Assembly Resolved all the powers of Government in them, as the now only Representatives of the People. Taking into consideration all the Circumstances we thought it best to stay here a few days longer and settle the peace of this County...." Read, the recipient, was also a delegate representing Delaware in the Continental Congress. The three-man Delaware delegation was fatally divided on the critical question of independence: Read intended to vote "no" on the historic measure, while both Rodney and Thomas McKean (1734-1817) planned to vote in favor of it. On 1 July, though, when the question was first opened to debate by the Committee of the whole Congress, Rodney--as he explains in this letter--was still in Delaware. If he was not present to cast the decisive vote, Delaware's split vote would make it the only one of the thirteen colonies to fail to approve the Declaration of Independence. Some years later, McKean told a Rodney nephew what transpired that day: "On Monday the 1st of July the question was taken up by the committee of the whole...For Delaware, (having then only two Representatives [Read and McKean] present) was divided: all the other states voted in favor of it. Whereupon, without delay, I sent an Express (at my private expence) for your honored uncle...the remaining member for Delaware, whom I met at the State-house door, in his boots and spurs as the members were assembling: after a friendly salutation (without a word on the business) we went int
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert![DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE] RODNEY, Caesar Autograph lette...](http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/D55622/declaration_of_independence_rodney_caesar_autograph_letter_signed_to_h_d5562211g.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
