READ UPHOLDS STATE RIGHTS

416 READ (GEORGE, Signer from Delaware). A. L. s., 1 p., folio. New Castle, November 4, 1776. To Robert Morris. With portrait. 2 pieces.

417

418

419

420

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL 1776 LETTER, UPHOLDING THE DOC-
TRINE OF STATE RIGHTS, AND OBJECTING TO CONGRESS SENDING SOLDIERS
INTO THE STATE WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
"A report prevails here this morning that Congress have ordered 4
Companies of one of the Virginia Battalions to Lewis Town, or some
intelligence supposed to have been transmitted to the Council of Safety
of your Province by Harry Fisher, upon enquiry I find that Mr. Rush
Secy to the President told the Under-Sheriff of this County so yester-
day morning. I must own that I can hardly believe that Congress
would take a step of that kind upon any Application other than from
the Legislature or Executive bodies of the State, and more especially
as the Congress must know that the General Assembly is now sitting
at New Castle, who it is presumed are the best Judges of the necessity
or Propriety of such a Measure, but if the fact is so, take the most
speedy way to prevent it's being carried into Execution, otherwise it
may be attended with bad consequences, as I well know the Legislature
of this State which hath all the powers of Government at present, will
look upon it as an ill tim'd interference with their internal affairs and
without the least Grounds for such a measure." etc.

[SEE ILLUSTRATION]

A. D. s., 1 p., folio. Jan. 29, 1777. Signed as Speaker of the House of Assembly of Delaware.

In reference to the militia of Delaware, and mentions General Washington in connection with the appointment of Peter Jaquet as the oldest Second Lieutenant.

1784.

2 A. D. s., oblong. February 12, 1779 and July 17,

A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Dover, January 21, 1785. Concerning legal matters. Slightly stained and hole at seal. With portrait. 2 pieces.

A. L. s., 2 pp., 4to. Newcastle, January 13, 1794. To the Speaker of the Senate of Delaware. Regarding his appointment as one of the Commissioners to investigate the accounts of the Loan Office. With portrait. 2 pieces.

421 RODNEY (CAESAR, Signer from Delaware). A. L. s., 1 p., folio. July 9, 1744. To Mr. Jacob Shoemaker. With portrait. 2 pieces.

422

This letter, signed "Caesar Rodney, Junr." was written by him when he was 16 years old. It bears the endorsement. "From my uncle Caesar, C. A. Rodney, Nov. 20, 1812."

A. L. s., 2 pp., folio. Dover, March 7, 1773. To Thomas Rodney. A fine letter on farm matters.

A report prevails has this Maning the Congres have endured & Companies faire of the Sirginia Betliane to Levi's Son on vonce intelligence suspend to how been transmitted to the mail ofdafety of your Nompers by Merry Fisher, honguing I find that mo Unit Pedig to the Paredent told the Underwheriff of this County so yesterday morning. - Samistion that Scan hardly believe that Congress wond take a step of this hid application other then from the Legistative

is so take the most speedy way to prament to being cared. into buntion otherwise it may be attended with had. Consequences as I will hear the Legistative of this state. which hath all the pawns of Gerement et print, will hofer it as as ill find in terference with thei internal affairs andwithout the last Grounds for such & Measure - Harry Tähe may be analified for the Port argued him by your commeil of Softy and they may gi hai's Cendit in that Love but they andall others might the Careful of giving redit to ins inforonation of the Politick Conduct a sentimento of the People ofte sort or any othe County in this Coursan. It was the night of infanden in Congress to have ordered & Mike's De Stalica their lastin Summer but in this they were on fored in pron by other (harities who may ful the effects in long- the mounts unctio be repeated for Ishond be glad of a sein of dujomation. from you und am you must thed. Att der:

REDUCED FACSIMILE OF LETTER OF GEORGE READ
UPHOLDING STATE RIGHTS

RODNEY'S CELEBRATED LETTER OF JULY 4, 1776 TELLING HOW HE RODE THROUGH THUNDER AND RAIN TO PHILADELPHIA TO VOTE FOR THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

423 RODNEY (CAESAR, Signer from Delaware). A. L. S., 1 p., 4to. Philadelphia, July 4, 1776. To Capt. Thomas Rodney.

424

THIS IS UNQUESTIONABLY ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING AND GREATEST
FOURTH OF JULY LETTERS TO BE HAD OF ANY OF THE SIGNERS OF THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

Rodney received an Express from Thomas McKean (see No. 394,
McKean letter) then in Congress, requesting his immediate presence at
Congress to vote on the important measure of Independence. He
started on his journey in a heavy thunder storm, and arrived just in
time to cast his vote for the Declaration of Independence, and it was
his vote which carried the Delaware delegation for that instrument.
Laid in is a vignette of Rodney on this famous ride, on an invitation
to the unveiling of the Caesar Rodney Equestrian Statue.

[SEE ILLUSTRATION]

A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Dover, October 7, 1777. To General Washington.

A VERY FINE WAR LETTER, endorsed in the handwriting of Alex. Hamilton: "Caesar Rodney, Esqr. 7 Oct.-1777 on the rascality of the people."

"The enemy that possess Wilmington by permitting the Inhabitants of this State to pass in and out the town freely and bring their effects to market, by furnishing them with articles much cheaper than they were used to get them have already so corrupted them that to talk of giving the enemy any opposition, or to prevent this free, dangerous communication, is more than any, now, dare venture," etc.

[To

425 A. L. s., 1 p., 4to. Dover, November 23, 1777. Major James Raymond]. War letter on the raising of 600 militia.

426

A. L. s., 1 p., folio. Wilmington, August 5, 1780. To the Governor of Maryland. Regarding the prohibition on exporting wheat, flour, etc. from the State. Faded and damaged.

427 ROSS (GEORGE, Signer from Pennsylvania). A. L. s., 1 p., folio. July 14, 1770. To Cadwallader Morris. Relating his indebtedness to Mr. Cameron, lately deceased. With portrait and colored coat of arms. 3 pieces.

428

A. L. s., 1 p., folio. September 18, 1773. To Jasper Zeales concerning a projected law-suit. With portrait. 2 pieces.

Sir I have inclosed

a Sumenons directed to

the Sheriff & close on the Mumber for our fam

will have

ty to meet in Afscombly at how rasite on the 22d day of this Instant which Shope you put into his hands as soon as possible after it "Cornes to yours Iscrived Congress) the deton :id by thunder and Rain ) time Enough to give my Voice in the matter of Independence – It is our determined by the thirteen limited Colonies. with but then one ducenting Colony - We have now Got through with the to hole of the dulation and Ordered it to be printed. so that you will soon have the pleasure of suing it _ Wand hills of it will be printed, and sent to the armies. Cities, County Towns &d. To be published or rather proclame in form__ Don't paglost to attend Closely and Carefully to my Barvest and Gon't obliz

peglect

REDUCED FACSIMILE OF RODNEY'S FAMOUS LETTER
TELLING OF HIS THRILLING HORSEBACK RIDE TO
SIGN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

429

D. s. 1. p., 4to. Philadelphia, February 18, 1789. Order for payment on military fines.

430 RUSH (BENJAMIN, Signer from Pennsylvania). A. L. s., 4 pp., 4to. Philadelphia, September 16, 1782. [To Gen. Greene]. Second sheet inlaid. With portrait. 2 pieces. A REMARKABLE LETTER. "I expected to have bequeathed at least a naval war to my children, but Mr. Fox, the British Nation, the States of Holland, nay more, all Europe say we must have peace. I am afraid we are not ripe for it The citizens of South Carolina view you already as a member of their State. I wish you would begin to use your great influence with them to obtain a law to prohibit the future importation of Slaves into your country. For God's sake do not exhibit a new spectacle to the world, of men just emerging from a war in favor of liberty, with their cloathes not yet washed from the blood which was shed in copious & willing streams in its defense, fitting out vessels to import their fellow creatures from Africa I do not urge the emancipation of the slaves now among you. They are rendered unfit by their habits of vice (the offspring of slavery) for freedom," etc.

431

A. L. s., 3 pp., folio. Philadelphia, March 1, 1796. To Samuel Bayard. Complaining about the small compensation he receives from his publishers and inquires whether better terms may not be had from London publishers.

432 RUTLEDGE (EDWARD, Signer from South Carolina). A. L. s., 4 pp., folio. August, 1776. [To Robert R. Livingston].

433

A FINE LONG 1776 LETTER. In connection with promotions in the army. Mentions Philip Van Cortlandt, George Clinton, Alexander Mc Dougall and Henry Beekman Livingston. "Wooster had more advocates for his advancement than his abilities entitled him to." Refers to the trial of Commodore Hopkins for breach of orders, and wishes he would resign. Of the Declaration of Independence he writes: "We have not as yet touched_the_treaty-and Independence has been declared upwards of Six Weeks." The postscript is most interesting, reading: "We have sent to the southward for General Lee, lest any accident should befall Washington (which God prevent) and our army be without a proper head," etc.

A. L. s., 3 pp., folio. Philadelphia, November 23, 1776. [To Robert R. Livingston].

A FINE 1776 LETTER, written shortly after the meeting between Rutledge, Adams, Franklin and Howe failed of its purpose.

"The movements of the Enemy being entirely changed, and having great reason to believe that ten thousand of General Howe's Army will in a few days bend their way to South Carolina I have determined to proceed to my native Home with all possible expedition to render my Country that assistance in the field which she will have a right to expect. As the enemy have removed their forces into Canada & every reason to fear a junction of the two Armies or an attack from the North is not at an end, I wish you would immediately prevail upon Schuyler to come down to Congress By all means obstruct the navigation of Hudson's River. It surely may be done by the Fort in the Highlands-if it is not your Country will be lost," etc.