1To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 7 October 1818 (Adams Papers)
Your much esteemed favor of the 26th. ulto. was received, a few days since, when I was occupied at court. My stock of letters & papers, left me, by my father & c uncle, is very large; and it constitutes my principal inheritance, which I prize, beyond any estate, preserved from the wreck of the revolution. The patriotism of that period was without alloy. The perusal of the productions of those...
2To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 20 April 1823 (Adams Papers)
I hope the occasion will induce you to pardon this trespass, on the tranquility of your retirement. The original letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, was lent, some years since, to a friend, who, by accident, mislaid it, and did not find it, until lately, when he returned it to me. This paper relates to the occurrences of that day, the most important, perhaps, in history, on which the...
3To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 28 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
In the late irreparable loss, you have sustained by a severe dispensation of Divine Providence, I sincerely sympathise with you; but hope that time, reason & religion have administered their consolations, and restored your mind. Permit me to enclose you copies of two letters, from my uncle to my father, at memorable epochs in our Revolutionary annals. The first from New–York when the Stamp Act...
4To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 6 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
The perusal of your letter to Judge Tudor, published in a late number, of that valuable work, Nile’s Register, has given me great pleasure & satisfaction. You have done justice to departed worth, by rescuing form oblivion, the conduct & character of one of the earliest & ablest defenders of American rights & liberties. The memory of the illustrious James Otis, too long neglected, will be thus...
5To John Adams from Thomas Rodney, 20 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
Be not offended that I write to you from the Cells of a Bastile—You are Acquainted with the Chief Justice of Pensylvania, and if my own sentiments does not inform you , He can, inform you Whether I am worthy Your attention or not— And however I may be viewed myself, I view you and him as having co-operated in the same principles through the Revolution and as Two shining stars in that political...
6To John Adams from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 19 September 1818 (Adams Papers)
It was very flattering to my pride, and grateful to my feelings, to receive your friendly & acceptable favor of the 12. inst. with which I was honored, by the mail of yesterday. This mark of distinguished attention, more prized, as it was unexpected, claims my warmest acknowledgments. To speak with frankly, it was with extreme reluctance I obtruded my hasty note, penned under the impulse of...
7Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately recovered from a severe attack of fever, which confined me to my bed for ten days; & I propose to visit Philad a , tomorrow, where I shall see my old friend S. Gerard , & procure from him some of the genuine Maldonado Pumpkin seed, for yourself. I prefer his, because he has taken more pains in the cultivation of this fine vegetable, & has kept it far separated from any other of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 31 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your note enclosing one of Capt. Truxtun’s. We this day argued the case of Burr before Marshall C.J. who will give an opinion tomorrow. Burr spoke a few minutes after his Counsel had done, & in my humble opinion much to his disadvantage. My impression is, that he will be held to bail for treason, from what fell from the C. justice, immediately after I had closed the argument. I may...
9Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return home, after an absence of many months, I am naturally led to enquire, after the health & happiness, of those, who are the constant objects of my respect regard & solicitude. Among the first in my affections, is the sincere & uniform friend of my youth to whom I have always been personally & politically attached. The people, of S. America whom I have lately visited, resemble in...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 31 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The mail of saturday brought me judge Johnson’s apology for his opinion which you were so good as to inclose me. This morning I received your favor of the 28th. inst: containing the letters from Mr. Bibb. The fee charged is much more than we expected. When I was last at Washington we made an estimate of the debts due from the fund so far as we could ascertain them. In this we calculated Mr....
11To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 15 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The importance of the questions submitted to my consideration in your letter of the 26. of August, has induced me to keep them a considerable time under advisement, to revolve the subjects they embrace much in my own mind, to review the opinion I originally entertained, & to recur to the authorities applicable to the case— After a very attentive research into the books & mature deliberation I...
12Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with deep regret I have observed a malevolent attempt, to disturb the repose of your old age, by obtruding on the tranquility of your retirement, with an attack as unfounded & untrue, as it is unjust & ungenerous. Such is the fell Hydra of party, that all its heads cannot be rendered inoffensive, tho’ they may be harmless. In this instance (as in all others) you have obtained a complete...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 19 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The intelligence contained in the enclosed, is at this crisis, so interesting & important, that I transmit it to you by the return of the same mail which brought it on, lest by some accident the official dispatches may not have yet reached you. I will thank you to return it when you have done with it, as part of it, relates to a fine little boy of mine who is afflicted with the most...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 24 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Previous to my receiving your note of the 22d. inst: Mr. Madison had sent me a lenthy statement of facts relative to the batture in front of the suburb St. Mary at New Orleans, or alluvial lands to which you refer. In this statement Messrs. Derbigny & Lisly French lawyers of reputation & Mr. Gurley Attorney General of the New Orleans territory, have, I understand, given decided opinions in...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 3 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Circuit Court of the United States for this District sat yesterday at New Castle, or rather ought to have met there, but judge Chase, did not attend, nor was the cause of his non-attendance known. At the term before he did not attend, because he was preparing for his trial. At neither term however was there any business for him to do, notwithstanding all the noise & clamour on the subject...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 21 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter from my father comes down as late as the 26th. ulto. Government are perhaps in possession of official information to the same period, or indeed to a later; for I think I have seen in the newspapers a statement that our affairs were for the present amicably adjusted. The letter serves to shew, that the genuine American spirit animates the people of that new country, & must...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 6 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Burr is actually in Philada. I have just received a letter from Mr. Dallas of which the following is an extract—“Col. Burr Bollman, &c., are here. I presume a consultation will be held, & that what has been proved or can be proved will decide their future operations.” I flatter myself we shall have ample evidence at the Court to induce a Grand jury who are impartial & intelligent, to find a...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 17 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. your favor enclosing Mr. Pleasonton’s note. Mr. Read informed me, when at New Castle, that he had received the pardon. He had also made an arrangement, just before I got to New Castle, for continuing the trials I mentioned in my last, until the next term of the Supreme Court for Sussex County. All the important questions which the subject of those trials involves will be discussed on...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 21 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed were forwarded to me by Dr. Tucker from Washington, & found me at this place, which I leave this morning for Philada. They are the only letters I have received from my father since that of the 26th. of Jany last. It appears that Genl. Eaton’s deposition did not reach Washington (Miss. Tery) the medium of the news papers until about the 4th. of march. My father is mistaken on the...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 28 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to you W . A. Macaulay a physician in the army of the United States. He wishes to exchange this birth for the more active & honorable situation of an officer. He is a native I believe of Virginia, is a young gentleman of amiable character & manners, & of correct republican principles. I have no doubt but that he possesses every qualification of an active & meritorious...
21Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been so long since I had the pleasure of hearing from you, that I feel anxious to know whether in the tranquil scenes of retirement you continue to enjoy your usual good health, for I know you must enjoy, unclouded, except by sickness, that serenity of mind, which is the constant companion of a pure conscience: The diadem of the a man, who can repeat with truth, the sentiment of the...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 15 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read and considered the papers and documents referred to me relative to the case of a mandamus , issued by the circuit court of the United States for the district of South Carolina to compel the collector of the port of Charleston to grant clearances to certain vessels. The first question that naturally presents itself, is, whether the court possessed the power of issuing a mandamus in...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 15 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot but express the sincere satisfaction, I feel on the appointment of an old Revolutionary officer, to a post which will render him comfortable. Genl. Shee is entitled to great credit for the purity & uniformity of his principles & conduct. He withstood persecution in the Federal reign of terror in 98’ & resisted temptation in the unfortunate struggle of 1805. in this state. From the...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The embargo appears to be considered by all parties as a wise & salutary measure. With the exception of a little band, there is no division in the country on the subject. to give efficacy to the law requires constant vigilance & exertion on the part of our revenue officers. The happiest consequences I believe will result from its rigid execution, whilst a system of evasion will defeat &...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 18 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the pleasure of visiting you at Monticello, I mentioned a letter from the late Governor Milton to me, relating to rumours, on the day that Congress adopted the Declaration of Indepence, which I had sent to M r Rives, who, unfortunately mislaid it. The other day he was lucky enough to find it, & to deliver it to me; and I now enclose you, agreeably to my promise, a copy of the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 15 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot avoid transmitting you the enclosed letter from my father, which was forwarded to me this day from Philada. Tho’ the Government may perhaps have received more correct & detailed information on the subject, especially if the directions given by my father have been complied with. If the Spanish Government are concerned in the business, I suspect, their agency is concealed in the...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 10 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I received by the last mail your favor of the 1st inst. returning to me the letters from my father. I now enclose you another from him of a subsequent date, which shews the weakness. folly & wickedness of Burr & his partizans. I feel very confident now that we shall have ample evidence to pronounce intent for Treason agt. Burr & Blennerhasset at the ensuing Court. I think an intelligent &...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read and considered the inclosed papers. The subject they furnish is interesting to the cause of humanity. The questions presented are new and important. The American Government must feel an anxious solicitude, for the complete success of those laws, which have been wisely enacted, to abolish that deplorable species of commerce, the slave trade, and to preserve the liberties of a...
29Caesar A. Rodney to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg you to accept the copy of my friend Brackenridge ’s “ Voyage to S. America ,” herewith transmitted, as a small token of my undiminished attachment to your person, and my unfeigned veneration for your character. I have only to regret that it is not bound in a style more worthy of being presented to the author of the first Declaration of American Independence . But having waited...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 1 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging favor of the 12 uto. I duly received, covering the Petition I had enclosed to you. I have taken the earliest opportunity to obtain the signatures of judge Bedford & our District Attorney Mr. Read, who readily signed the recommendation. I now enclose you the Petition in order that a pardon may be obtained. Just as I was leaving New Castle yesterday morning a large French frigate...