To James Madison from Caesar A. Rodney, [4 April] 1809
From Caesar A. Rodney
[4 April 1809]
My Dear Sir,
You will observe by the enclosed letter, that Mr. Dallas wishes to know, what he is to do with the indictment against Bartholemew White, one of Burr’s men.1 The fact is, that Genl. Wilkinson had left Washington for New-Orleans sometime before I recd. the letter enclosing a commission to take his deposition. I agree pretty much with Mr. Dallas in opinion that White is too small game for us to pursue, but I shall wait for your instructions on the subject.
Be so good as to present my affectionate respects to Mrs. Madison, & to Mrs. & Mr. Cutts,2 & believe Dr. Sir Yours Very Sincerely
C. A. Rodney
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, Letters from and Opinions of Attorneys General). Postmarked: “Wilmn. De. Apr 4.” Docketed by a clerk, with the notation: “White one of Burr’s men.” Enclosure was A. J. Dallas to Rodney, 19 Mar. 1809 (see n. 1).
1. Alexander J. Dallas, U.S. attorney for eastern Pennsylvania, sought information on a deposition made by James Wilkinson related to the so-called Burr conspiracy. “I am almost tempted to recommend a Nol pros, ’the play is so little worth the candle’; and the chances of being baffled in the prosecution encreasing every day,” Dallas wrote. White seems to have been a minor character involved in the western ventures of Burr and Wilkinson.
2. Representative Richard Cutts, a Republican from the Maine district of Massachusetts, was married to Mrs. Madison’s sister, Anna Payne. The couple took up residence in a wing of the executive mansion when the Madisons moved in (, 5:31).