1From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 22 October 1803 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of The Hon-ble Mr Rodney to dine with him on Tuesday the 25th. inst— at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. Oct. 22 The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Memorabilia Expert, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2008, item 45130); partially dated; printed form, with blanks filled by Lewis Harvie reproduced in italics; addressed by Harvie: “The Hon-ble...
2Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 10 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you for your favor of the 31 st ult. which is just now recieved . it has been peculiarly unfortunate for us personally, that the portion in the history of mankind, at which we were called to take a share in the direction of their affairs, was such an one as that history has never before presented. at any other period, the even-handed justice we have observed towards all...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 28 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. finds me here. I have carefully perused the copy of the paper addressed to you from Wilmington in July 1801. signed by Messrs. Tilton and others and inclosed to me in your letter: and altho’ I really believe that you presented such an one to me while at Washington, yet I have had so many proofs of the little confidence I ought to place in my memory, surcharged with so...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 13 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. is now before me. mr Mendenhall wrote to me in Feb. last, asking the communication of a paper against him which he understood had been delivered to me. I wrote him in answer Feb. 25. that I did not remember ever to have recieved such a paper: that tho’ I might ascertain the fact by a recurrence to my files, yet it was unnecessary for another reason, which was, that as it...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 28 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am indebted to you for several letters giving me pleasing information from time to time of the progress of your election & of it’s final result. I have avoided answering because of the use which the disaffected made of our correspondence, by lying imputations on it’s object. that I, as well as every other honest man should rejoice at your substitution for that of your predecessor , was...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 24 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 19th. & 21st. was recieved last night. the contents of it shall be inviolably kept to myself. I shall advise with my constitutional counsellors on the application relative to mr Mc.lane. some considerations occur at once, that a trial & acquittal, where both parties are fully heard, should be deemed conclusive; that on any subsequent complaint it cannot be regular to look to...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 30 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very happy to be able at length to return you at length the paper we sought so long and so vainly. sorting away a mass of papers the other day, I found it misplaced in a bundle where I should never have sought it. I return it with pleasure, and to congratulations on the addition to your family add my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem P.S I leave this tomorrow for...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yet to acknolege your favor of Mar. 15. recd. the 25th. I had hoped that the proceedings of this session of Congress would have rallied the great body of our citizens at once to one opinion. but the inveteracy of their quondam leaders have been able by intermingling the grossest lies and misrepresentations to check the effect in some small degree until they shall be exposed. the great...
9Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 30 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In the action brought against me by E. Livingston on the Subject of the Batture , the counsel employed ( Wirt & Hay ) desire me without delay to furnish them with the grounds of defence, that they may know what pleas to put in. I believe you did not give me a written opinion ; but you did furnish one to Congress . besides it’s authority, I am sure that the views it will present, will be of...
10Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 25 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you for your kind letter of June 8. and the suggestions it furnished on the question whether Livingston could maintain an action in Richmond for a trespass committed in Orleans . this being a question of Common law, I leave it to my Counsel, so much more recent than I am in that branch of law. I have undertaken to furnish them with the grounds of my defence under the Lex loci ....
11From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 21 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of Oct. 13. and, as it did not require a particular answer, I have postponed the acknolegement of it to [this] time and place. it seems tolerably well ascertained (tho’ not officially) that the two republican candidates on the late election have a decided majority, probably of 73. to 65. but equally probable that they are even between themselves; and that the...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 24 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with sincere grief your letter of the 21st . and lament the necessity which calls for your retirement, if that necessity really exists. I had looked to you as one of those calculated to give cohesion to our rope of sand. you now see the composition of our public bodies, and how essential system and plan are for conducting our affairs wisely with so bitter a party in opposition to us,...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 31 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the mention you made in your’s of the 19th. of my subscription to the academy. immediately after subscribing I had set it down on a list of paiments to be made by mr John Barnes of this place, who transacts all my pecuniary affairs. I supposed it paid, and he supposed it was to be called for, and thus it has laid and would have laid but for your letter which recalled my...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 13 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Rodney to dine with him on Wednesday the 15th. inst. at half after three. Feb. 13. 04. The favour of an answer is asked. RC ( IHi ); printed form, with blanks filled by TJ reproduced in italics; addressed by TJ: “Mr. Rodney.”
15Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 20 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
While oppressed with the whole mass of the case of the Batture I passed over some topics too slightly, & some altogether, which have since occurred to myself, or been suggested by others. I have therefore made these the subject subjects of some amendments to my former memoir on that case; and desiring that my former colleagues in office may be apprized of the whole of what I deem our...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 8 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to his friend mr Rodney and not knowing by what post office a letter will find mr Copes, he asks the favor of mr Rodney to be the bearer of his thanks to mr Copes for his communication on the theory of Magnetism & his apology for not addressing them directly to him. he is sure also that mr Rodney can testify to him that unremitting attentions requisite...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 17 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is put under cover to you, because I do not know to what particular place to address it. it proposes to the person to whom it is addressed to be a Commissioner of the land office either in the Eastern or Western district of the Missisipi state (temporary offices) and if the latter should be preferred, to add to it the appointment of judge there, vacant by a late resignation. I...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 14 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am later in acknoleging the reciept of your favor of May 16. because it found me at Monticello just on my departure from that place. since my arrival here I have been in the constant hope of seeing mr Beckley & endeavoring to procure from his office a copy of the journals of the H. of Repr. for you. I do not know that they can be had any where else. his confinement by the remains of a fit of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 7 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 31. ulto. & thank you most sincerely for your attention & liberality to our Seminary. I trust our exertions to revive it will be crowned with success. It is matter of real concern, that those places which have acquired celebrity, on the score of education should unfortunately be under the influence of false principles. Every honest mind must feel afflicted,...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 31 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Davis formerly of this port, who commanded lately the ship St. Domingo packet & who was imprisoned by the orders of Genl. Le Clerk. He goes to Washington to lay before Government his case, with a view to prevent any future transactions of the like nature. The character he bears at this place, is respectable, & I have been induced to give him this letter from...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 25 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I regretted that the Secretary of the Treasury was obliged to pass thro’ this place without making any stay, in order to make the arrangement relative to the fixing piers within this state, proposed by Col. Hall, and which you were kind enough to approve of. Doctr. Alexander however, shewed me the other day, a communication from Mr. Gallatin on this subject as it related to New Castle,...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 14 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The political campaign has been opened here. The ensuing election will for a long time at least, decide the fate of this State. If we succeed the malignant dog-star of Federalism & toryism, sets to rise no more. Under this impression Bayard very much to my surprize & against sentiments expressed by letters to me, has again taken the feild . Tho’ I had determined previously to retire, because I...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 1 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is from a Republican of Sussex County in our State. He has long been a surveyor there, & is very well acquainted with that business. This has called his attention to the subject of the magnet of which he attempts to give a theory, which he requested me to submit to your consideration. He has been much persecuted in our State & tho in very moderate circumstances has been compelled...
24Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days since your acceptable favor of the 25 th ult o was received, and the day before yesterday your exposition of the case of the Batture came to hand. I have since attentively perused it, and it has afforded me equal pleasure & instruction. It is true, it does not possess the strict method required in a legal argument, but the full & satisfactory explanation which it contains of the...
25Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 8 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 30 th ult o found me at this place where I have been detained by the situation of M rs Rodney who lost her father a few weeks ago, & who has just been confined with her tenth child. All my papers on the subject of the Batture are at Washington . In the course of eight or ten days I shall be there, & will send you the paper you mention, or any others you may desire. I should...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 14 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return yesterday from the Court at Dover, I had the pleasure of recieving your agreeable & acceptable favor of the 28th. ultimo. The intelligence which it contains on the flattering state of our finances must give satisfaction to every honest man, & is to me a subject of sincere joy. The idle tale of your anxiety for my election originated here after Senator White’s return from Congress...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 9 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with great pleasure & satisfaction your friendly & affectionate communication enclosing the paper we have so anxiously sought after, as it will effectually seal the lips of slander itself. We have not much news with us or much of local importance. Burr’s pamphlet has been republished here, at the Federal press. What madness or folly prompted to this I am at a loss to conceive. It...
28Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter enclosing the additional observations on the subject of the Batture directed to me at this place way was received on my arrival here on the first of february. Since that time I have read them with much pleasure & satisfaction, & highly approve of them. The President M r Gallatin & M
29To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 11 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time after my return home I wrote a letter to Mr. Madison on the subject of the late appointment in this State, in which I gave a pretty full account of what had occurred relative thereto. I shall not trouble you therefore on that head. I will only observe that every day furnishes us with new proofs of the propriety of the opinions contained therein for I really do scarcely know of a...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 20 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
attachment which I feel your administration, & for state the reasons which have me absolutely to decline being [for] the seat I now hold, at the ensu[ing] When [I agre]ed to stand a poll for Rep: to Cong. it consequence of very pressing solicitations & from a beleif, which the opinions of others had impressed on my mind, that I might possibly turn out Mr. Bayard, who had been so extremely...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 19 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return last evening from Philadelphia whither I had been for a few days I had the pleasure of receiving your confidential letter of the 14th inst.:— On the subject of the memorials transmitted to you relative to our collector, I will candidly give you all the explanation in my power. The delicacy of my situation in this business absolutely requires that you should preserve it within your...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 16 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It is of considerable importance to the cause of Republicanism, that we should be in the possession of the journals of Congress since Mr. Bayards first entrance into the house of Representatives . They will furnish a faithful record of his political transactions & exhibit a true picture of his public conduct. As the election approaches his acts will be blazoned forth in this State, with all...
33Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 18 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on my arrival here, I forwarded to you by the mail the original paper of M r Lislet on the subject of the Batture . Before I left home I drew up some rough notes on the case, which a pressure of business has prevented me from digesting. Indeed after all that has been said & written on this subject it is impossible to throw a single an additional ray of light on it. You have...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 28 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your esteemed favor of the 21. inst: was transmitted from Wilmington this morning to me at this place, where I generally spend Christmas week ever since my marriage with the daughter of Capt: John Hunn of this City. I most sincerely regret the situation in which an equality of votes for the Republican candidates is likely to place us, but in case of such an event I should calculate with great...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 19 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so good as to subscribe One hundred dollars to the Seminary at this place . I enclose you an advertisement on the subject. Our Feds have not yet agreed on their Senator. Your message is read with great avidity. Our friends are delighted with the good news which it proclaims & our enemies I beleive consider it invulnerable, as they are yet silent as the grave about it. Bayard will not...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 10 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you some time since from Philada. in answer to a letter I had the honor to receive from you whilst on a visit there. Our legislature have adjourned after passing the canal law on such terms I hope, as will secure the execution of the design. It was not done however without a great struggle. We did not appoint any senator in the place of Dr. Latimer & I...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 16 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance Dr. Joseph McCreery , a young gentleman of very amiable character & manners, who has read or rather studied medicine under Dr. J. Tilton of this place a man proverbial for his rigid honesty & inflexible integrity. Dr. McCreery has lately passed his examination as a physician in the University of Penna. & wishes employment in the hospital...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 6 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I last wrote to you I have been on the verge of the grave. I was taken ill at Dover on my way to Sussex, early in September (a most unfortunate period) & was confined ten days to my bed. Since I came home, I have had the enclosed pamphlet published which is I understand producing good effects. Our election took place yesterday throughout the state. In this County there were more votes...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 27 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Whilst I most sincerely congratulate you on the happy prospects, which the wisdom & virtue of your administration have placed before us, & which I flatter myself will be realized in the fullest extent, there is at present a local subject, as it relates to this State of the first importance. In its consequences it may however affect the Union generally & therfore it may have been incorrect to...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 13 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with much regret I inform you of the unfavourable result of the election in our State. Mr. Bayard is reelected by a majority of 300. votes. The Federal ticket having succeeded by about 90 votes in Kent County, the Governor is about convening the legislature, who will choose the Electors of a President & V. President. From what I have understood in conversation from some of our leading...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 21 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The ardent wishes of the friends of the revolution have been realized in the exaltation of yourself who laid the corner stone & who has ever been a firm & uniform supporter of its principles to the Presidential chair. The universal joy diffused over the whole face of the Country on this happy event is better felt than described. I believe among all who rejoiced none experienced more heartfelt...
42Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 31 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding you have, with the purest motives, voluntarily retired, from a situation at once the most arduous, & the most exalted, in the gift of a free people, to the tranquil scenes of private life, you must feel even in retirement, at this eventful period, every anxious solicitude for the welfare of your beloved country, to whose service you have devoted many perilous & toilsome years....
43Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
If you recollect just before you retired from office, I ventured to give you an opinion, on a case stated by M r Wilberforce , in direct opposition to those he had obtained in England . It was natural that I should distrust my own judgment, when put in competition with that of able & eminent civilians perfectly conversant with the laws & practice of courts of admiralty. But the slave trade...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 15 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is the pamphlet which ought to have accompanied my last. I should like to have an opportunity of giving you a history of the electioneering business. It would take a quire of paper to do it, & I must defer it, until I have the pleasure of seeing you. Tho’ our majority be small, I trust it is an important victory which the Opposition will sensibly feel. By the Polls it appears that the...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 7 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving the letter inclosed to Mr. Bringhurst , in which was contained one addressed to my father. To our confidential friends I have communicated the ground on which our Collector stands. The public sentiment is so fixed on this subject that it is difficult to reconcile our leading active politicians. You may rely on it in this State it is not the interested few but...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, [before 4 November 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I returned to this place (where I have taken shelter from the prevailing fever , & which I am about improving) from Dover, on yesterday. Whilst in Kent I had the pleasure of seeing old Mr. Killen who is much pleased with the letter you were kind eneough to send him. I congratulate you most sincerely on the bright prospects in Penna. & altho’ New-jersey may throw a shade over them in some...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 28 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure duly to receve your letter of the 24. inst:—In my last I gave you the information I possessed on the subject required. From an observation in your letter you may have misunderstood a part of mine. Indeed I write such a scrawl that it is scarcly legible. You observe, that “you presume Col. M’Clane has been passive in electioneering.” In my letter I stated that his conduct...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 30 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Court in Sussex County adjourning much earlier than usual, furnished me with an opportunity of returning home, previous to the sittings in Kent County; or I should not have had the pleasure of receiving your affectionate & flattering letter of the 24. inst:, for these two weeks to come, which would have been to me matter of serious regret. On my arrival last night I found it on my table &...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 15 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Dr. A. Alexander of the town of New Castle will deliver you this letter. He has long & faithfully served us in our State legislature & has never even during the storm veered a single point from the steady cause of Republicanism. He has also been once our candidate for Governor & twice for Representative to congress. You will receive from him satisfactory information of the State of...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar A. Rodney, 15 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very arduous struggle our election has terminated against us apparently . I say apparently because I beleive had they voted in Sussex no more than they have actually qualified votes we must have succeeded. In that County I had One thousand & fifty three votes & my friend Hasllet who resides there One thousand & Forty one. I presume they polled none for either of us but what were good;...