The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-10
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.

We have been allowed to publish the follow ng let
ter from the late Thomas Mexican to c. A. Rodney
Wilmington (Del) Journal.
| PHILA PHIA, Aug. 22d 1913.
| Dear Sir:--Your favor of the 22d last month, with
a copy of the journal of the Congress at New ork IN
October 1865, printed in the Baltimore Register came
/ safe to hand Not having heard of this publication
had the proceedings of that body (not the whoe)
printed here about months ago, from copy found
in the lst volume of american Tracts" (cont aimed
in four volames ocavo) edited by J. Almon of Lon
don, in 1867 Such important nsaction should
not be unknown to the future historian.
recollect what passed in Congress in the begin
ming of July, l776, respecting Independence; it was
not as you have conceived. On Monday the LIST of
July the question was taken in the committee of tho
Whole when the State of Pennsy lvania represented
by seven gentlemen then presently voted against it
Delaware, (having then only two Representa- ives
presently divided: all the otter States voted in
favor of it.-W hereupon, without delay, l sent an
express Cat my private expense) for your honored
uncle Cesar Rodney Esquire, the remaining member
for Delaware, whom | net at the State House door,
in his boots and spurs as the members assem-
bling after friendly salulation (whout aword on
the business) went into the Hall of Congress to-
pe,her and found among the latest: proceed
nps Immediately commenced, and after few minutes
the great question put; when the vote for Della
ware was called, your uncle arose and said Gas be-
eve the voice of my constituents and of all sensible
and honest is in favor of independence, and my
own juds ment concurs with them, | vote for indie
nendence' or in words to the effect The
State of Pennsylvania the 18th ofJuly (there being
univ five members present, Messrs Dickinson and Nc
ria who had in the committee Of the whole voted
against Independence absenD voted for it Thu ee
to two, Messrs Willing and Humphries in the mega
tive Unanimity in the thirteen States, an all impor
tant DO mt great an OCCASION was thus obtained
the dissension of single State might have produced
yery dangerous consequences
Now that | aIn this subject | will tell you some
nu,hs. not generally known. In the printed public
iourna of Congress for l776, vol 2, it would appear
that the Declaration of Independence signed on
the 4,h of July by the members whose names are
there inserted but the fact is so, for no person
signed it on that day nor for many days after, and
among the names subscribed, one was against it, Mr.
Read and were not in Congress that day,
namely Messrs Morris Rush, Clymer, Smith, Tay-
lor and Ross of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Thornton Of
New Hampshire; nor were the six gentlems last
named at thai lime members; the five for Pennsylva-
MIA were appointed Delegates by the Convention of
that State on the goth July, and Nh. Thornton
tered Congress for the first time the 4ih Of No
yember following when the names of Henry Wisner
of New York, and Thomas Mexican Of Delaware,
are not printed subscribers, though both pre-
sent and voted for Independence.
Here false colours certainly hung out there
il suitability somewhere What | offer as an
apolooy or explanation is, that the 4th of July
l776 the Declaration of Independence was ordered to
be enprossed parchment and then to be signed and
have been told, thai resolve had passed few days
altar and entered on the secret journal, that
person should have a seat IN Congress, during that
year until he should have signed the Declaration in
order as have been given to understand) to prevent
traitors spies from wormlng themselves amongst
not in Congress after the 4th, for months,
having marched with my regiment of assocators of
this city, as Colonel, 10 support General Washington
until flying camp of ten thousand men was compile
ted When the associatois discharged, re-
to ilaup To- m Congress.
then signed he Declaration ca parchment. Iwodays
after went to New Castle, joined the Convention
for forming institution for The future government
of the State of Delaware (huyng been elected mem
Der for New Castle county, which iwrote IN ataNern,
without book or any assistance.
You NAV rely on the accuracy OF the foregoing rela-
ton 1t is full lime print and publish the secret
journal of Congress during the Revolution
have thus answered your request, and trust IT may
reform errors.
Accept dear sir, my best wishes or your happiness
THOS, McKEAN.
CESAR AUGUSTUS RODNEY, Esquire