The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-10
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.

We have been allowed to publish the follow ng let
ter from the late Thomas Mckeanto c. A, Rodney,
Wilmington (Dei) Journal.
PHLADEI pHlA, Aug. 22d, 1913.
Dear Sir - Your favor of the 22d last month, with
copy Of the journal Of the Congress 1t New ork
October 1868 printed in the Baltimore Register came
safe to hand Not having heard of this publication,
had the proceedings of that body (no the whole)
printed here about months ago, from copy found
il the lst volume of American Tracts" Contained
in four volames oclavo) edited by J, Almon of Lon
don in l767. Such important transaction should
not be unknown to the future historian.
recollect what passed in Congr, in the begin
ming of July, i776, re pecng independence; ii was
not as you have conceived. On Monday the LIST of
july the question was taken in the committee of the
Whole when the State of Pennsy lvania Represented
by seven gentlemen then PRESENT. voted against it ::
Delaware (haying then only two Representa- ives
present) was divided all the u .er States voted in
favor OF it w hereupon, without delay, | sent an
express Cat my private expense) to your honortd
uncle Cesar Rodney Esquire, the remaining member
for Delaware, whom met at the State House door,
in his boots and spurs, as the members were assem-
bling after friendly salulation (whout word on
the business) went into the Hall of Congress TO-
ae,her and found We We're among the latest proceed
nu. Immediately commenced and after a few minutes
the great question was put; when the vote for Della
ware called, your uncle arose and said "As be-
,ye the voice of my constituents and of all sensible
and honest men is in favor OF independence and my
~ me ul COncurs win lleIn, vote Tor lnde
pendence, = or in words 10 the effect The
State of Pennsylvania the 4th of July there being
only five members present. Messrs Dickinson and Nor
rs who had in the committee of the whole voted
auains Independence absent voted for il thu zee
to two Messrs Willing and Humphries in the mega
tive Unanimity in the thneen States, an all lmp0r
tant po great an occasion, was thus obtained
the dissenson of singh State might have produced
yery dangerous consequences
Now that aln on this subject, will tell you some
Truths, not generally known. 10 the printed public
journal of Congress for lT76 vol !, would appear
that the Declaration of Independence was signed on
the 4th of July by the members, whose names are
there inserted but the fact is not So for no person
signed il on that day nor for many days after and
among the names subscribed one against it, Mr.
Read and seven were not in Congress on that day
namely Messrs. Morris Rush Clymer Smith, Tay-
lor and Ross of Pennsylvania, and MIR Thornton of
New Hampshire !; nor were the sA gentlen,n last
named at tina, Vine members; the five for Pennsyl va:
MIA were appointed Delegates by the Convention of
tina, State on til, Goth July and Mi Thornton en-
tered Congress for the first time ON the 4h Of No
yember following when the OF Henry Wisner
Of New York and Thomas Mexican Of Delaware
are not printed subscribers, though both were p e.
sent and voted for Independence
Here false colours certainly hung out; there
is culpability somewhere. What | can offer as an
apology or explanation is, that on the 9TH of July
l716 the Declaration OF Independence was ordered to
be enLrossed parchment and then TO be signed and
have been told tina resolve had passed few days
affair and was entered on the secret journal that no
person should have sea, ia Congress, during that
year until he should have signed the Declaration in
order (as have been gwen to understand) TO prevent
traitors spies from wufmlng themselves amongst
was notin Congress after the 4th for months,
having marched with ms regiment of assOciators OF
this city as Colonel, 10 SUPP, ri General Washington
until flying camp of ten tlousaud men was compile
ted When the ASSOCIATIONS discharged, | re-
turned to Phadcphia to,k ny seat IN Congress, and
then sicn d he Declaration az parchment. Twodays
after went TO New Castle, lorn,1 the Convention
for forming c institution Tor he future government
of the State OF Delaware (havua been elected mem
Der for New Castle county, winch wrote IN ata,ern,
without book or any asslsal.e.
You may rely the accuracy OF the foregoing rela-
ton. II is full time TO rrInt and publish the Secret
journal of Congress during tn, Revolution.
| have thusanswered your request and trust il may
reform
Accept dear sir, my best wisht- 10 your happiness
THOS. NlCKEAN
Cesar AUoUsTUs RoDNEy, Esquire