Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-31
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.

The Wilmington (Del.) Journal publish
cs the following letter from Thomas Nc
kean 10 G. A. Rodney:
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. %, 1913.
Dear Sir:-Your favor of The 22nd
last month, with copy Of the Journal Of
Congress, at NewYork in October, 1865,
printed in the Baltimore Register, came
TO hand. Not having heard OF lis publica-
ton, | had the proceedings of that body,
(not the whole) reprinted here about two
months ago, from copy found in the
Is. volume Of "American Tracts (con-
tanned in four volumes octavo) edited by
J. Almon of London, in 1867. Such an
important transaction should not be I'M
known to the future historian.
| recolect what passed in Congress in
the beginning of July, l776, respecting
independence; il was not as you have con-
ceived. On Monday the Is, of July, the
question was taken in the committee of the
Whole, when the state Of Pennsylvania
Represented by seven gentlemen then pre-
scnD voted rgansi it; Delaware (having
then only two representatives, presentl was
divided; all the other states voted in favor
of it. Whereupon, without delay, ! was
sent an express at my own cxpense) for
your honored uncle, Caesar Rodney, ESQ.
the remaing member for Delaware, whom
met at the State House door, in his spurs
and boots, as the members were assem-
bling After friendly sa!utation, with
out a word on the business, we went into
the Hall of Congress together, and found
we were among the latest. Proceedings
Immediately commenced, and after few
minutes the great question was put
When the vote for Delaware was called,
your uncle arose and said; Gas | believe
the voice Of my constituents and of all sem
sble and honest men is in favor of Inde-
pcndcnce;" or in words TO the same effect.
The State Of Pennsylvania on the 4,h Of
July (therc being only five members pres
ent, Mcssrs Dickinson and Morris, who
had in the committee of the whole voted
against Independence were ABSENT voted
for it; three to two, Messrs. Willing and
HUMPHREYS in the negative. Immunity
in the thirteen states, on all important
points on SO great an occasion, was thus
obtained; the dissention Of a single state
might have produced very dangerous con-
sequences.
Now, that | am on this subject, will
tell you some truths not generally known.
In the printed public journal of Congress
for 1776, vol. 2, ii 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 it on that day
nor for many days after, and among the
names subscribed, one was against it, Mr..
Reed, and seven were not in Congress on
that day, namely Messrs. Morris, Rush,
CIymer, Smith, Taylor and Ross of Penn
sylvania, and Mr.. Thornton Of N. IIamp-
shire; nor were the SIX gentlemen last
named at tina: time members; the five for
Pennsylvania were appointed Delegates
by the Convention of that State on the 10Th
July, and Mr. Thornton entered Congress
for the first time on the 4th Of November
following; while the name of Henry Wis
ncr Of New-York, and Thomas Mexican
Of Delaware, are printed as subscribers,
though beth were present and voted Cor la.
dependence.
Here false colors are certainty held out;
there is culpabIity somewhere. WhatI
can offer as an apology or explanation is
that on the 4th Of July, 177G, the Dcclara
ton Of independence was ordered 10 be
engrosscd on parchment and then To be
signed, and have been told that resolve
had passed few days after. aud was en-
tered on the secret journal, that no person
should have a scat in Congress during that
year, until he should have signed the Dee
laration, in order, as have been given to
understand, TO prevent traitors or spies
from working themselves amongst US.
was not in Congress after that for
some months, having marched with my
regiment Of associators Of this city, as Co
lionel TO support General Washington until
a flying camp Of ten housand men was
When the associa,ors were
disc harged, | returned TO Philadelphia,
took my seat in Congress, and then signed
the Declaration on parchment. Two days
after went 10 NewCastle; joined the
for forming a constitution for
the future government of the state of Della
ware (having been elected a member for
New Castle county, which | wrote in a
tavern, withou: a book or any assistance.
You may rely on the accuracy Of the
foregoing relation. 1t is fell time TO print
and publish the secret journal Of Congress
during the Revolution.
| have thus answered your request, and
trust il may reform errors.
Accept, dear sir, my best wishes for
your happiness.
THOMAS MKEAN.
czc.p hrcrsrrrS ,,..ry J.