Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-31

1oer OF nigh reputation In the United States
a 'tillery, has ueirVa lately been commits
stoned as cadet In the naval academy.
On August 25tn, 1911, when Sic William
Howe made hie landing at the head OF Elk
river, Gen. Rodney was ordered by Wash.
ingtou, who had his headquarters then at
Wilmington, to gather his Delaware troops
IN close proximity to the enemy, to hang
upon his flank, observe and report his move
ments, harrass bis oulposts and protect the
surrounding country from marauding
parties.
BY order OF General Rodney General
Maxwell and a body OF horse were posted
ut Ooocn's mill, near the foot OF Iron Hill,
and another body OF horse was posted ut
Athens tavern to reeonnoitre.
After an interview With General Washing
ton at Wilmington Rodney was ordered to
return 10 allddlstowl and await the arrival
OF battalion OF Maryland troops under
Colonel Richardson.
This comprehensive and dangerous SER
vice Rodney proceeded to execute with hls
accustomed g4g0r, passing personally from
point to point within his Held Of duty.
Following, Mr.. Bayard read three let
teTs written By C@iar Rodney TO General
Washington, relating to military opera
tions
On the 31st OF March, 177s, General Rod
ney was elected president OF the Delaware
State for the term OF three years, and as
his letter OF acceptance is so Characteristic,
l have copied IL from the record:
WEDNESDAY, A. NJ, April LIST, l77s-Gcnt entsn
Of tee q ~ "a iSSemIlg: ! received yesterday
afternoon, your message declaring me duly
elected President of the DE aware state, and
am fully sensible Of tho honor done me by the
appointment; but MS am too conscious OF my
own inability TO suppose your expectation Will
be answered by my acceptance, hope shall
Dn excused ! think, nevertheless, that AT u
time Ike this, II IL the duty ut every member
of society To take such part in the civil line H5
shull be- assigned HIM by the government, II
tolorably qualied: therefore, IL the Genei III
Assembly cannot Tx upon some other person
more equal 10 TINT important duty, shall,
though with the greatest diiildencC, accept; in
full confidence, however, thai yO1l' honors will
Afford me every necessary aid in the due exc
cullon OF the laws, aud otherwise supporting
the civil government as now established under
the authority oi The people; and rs the pro
vision InadG for the president, is by no means
an ample one; thai the General Assembly
would not wish to add 10 tho sarriice have
already made, by which more than ought 10
fhll to the share ot any one member OF the
community CESAR RODNEY.
DOVER, April LIST, IT'S.
Ills guoernaturiRI messages TO the Legis-
lature abundantly attest bis unremlttlng
activity In the cause Of Independence, and
his correspondence with parties outside
tho State will show how important WAS the
aid no rendered.
After abiding to the important part
taken by Delaware in the revolution and
tho generous quota of troops furnished
by this State, AIR. Bayard continued:
In October, 1888, Mr. Rodney, together
with John tanning and richard Bassetr,
| was elected To represent the county OF Kent
in the Legislative Couocii, and BY 1t unani.
| mously chosen speaker.
On April Sth, 1854, the minutes recite that
the Council met at the house of the Hon.
C@iar Rodney, Esq, the speaker, he being
too much indlsposed to attend the usuRl
place Of meeting. On that day he signet
a message TO the House OF Assembly nt
speaker OF the Council, and this WAS hte
last recorded service.
The adjournment was to May Oath, when
! he was too Ill TO attend, and In u few weeks
the cruel malady by which he had been 30
long afflicted ended his mortal life.
CDSar Rodney never married. and the
happiness OF coniugal life, which he Yves
SO lifted by his amiaole disposition TO enjoy
was denied him. There are certain conf
denees so purely personal that the right 70
have them maintained survives.
Mr.. Rodney was too warm-hearted 3 man
not to have cherished an attachment
warmer and stronger than friendship
Among his papers proofs OF such dedtoa
tlon of his love and devotion have been
found. II was not his happy fale to form
the union which his heart desired.
1t was said of Washington that God gave
him no children In order that q nation
might call him father; and may 1t not b.
said of C@,ar Rodney that, although denied
children, ne has to-day in the young mer
of his native State children of his example
aud character who cherish his memory
with affection and gratitude?
MIR. Rodney's will Is dated January goth
...lFt L. N.al Is a. l.
aud the signature Of the testator to thu
latter was affixed by Edward Tilghman
Jr., Ia the presence OF the testator and b.
his express direction.
This inability to write indicates his ex
treme debility.
His will was admitted to probate on Jul.
Sd, 1884, the anniversary OF hiS memorable
ride to Philadelphia, eight years before.
The instrument Is usually formal AM
verbose, covering 20 pages, with codlcl
occupying three more. 1t recltes all hi
civil and military dignities, among then
that Of signer OF the Declaration OF indie
pendenoa, and, with the natural pride OF |
man we'll born, gives his line OF descen
from the first settlement OF his ancestors II
America.
The will testlies the benevolent natur,
OF the man, giving lesacies for charity AMI
qualification, and carefully providing 10
the gradual manumie5ion of his negrt
servants.
A pleasing description OF Mr.. Rodney
personal appearance was given by hi
brother Thomas. from whose MSS. l her
TRANSCRIPTS IL: 5...-.-
"Cpsar Rodney was about i've feet te
inches highs his person was very elegan
and genteel; his mAn1ots graceful, cas-
and polite. He had q good tuli Of humoI
and the happiest talent IN the world O
making his wit agreeable, however spark
ling aud severe. He was great statesman
a faithful public ofioer, Just in all his deal
ings, easy to his family and debtors, sin
cere to his friends, bene61ent TO bis rela
tives, and kind to his servants, and alway
lived IN q generous and social STYLE"
Aud now bring to close q prollX an
what fear has been TO you a tedious al
tempt 10 describe the life and services c
CDsBr Rodney.
70 you, young gentlemen of the Roine
Club, and 10 those OF your generation mus
soon be entrusted the control OF the Stat
he loved and served so we'll.
What lesson will you gather from hi
life? Let his objects, his methods, "A COL
sheraton OF his springs OF action, inforI
you.
When political action and measures {
, government are proposed, or candidate
are presented or present themselves. appl
the test OF Rodney, and ask: "Will thi
measure or this mans election promote th
welfare and reputation Of my state an
counltyW
. Do not permit the great and real ends {
free government to be- obseured by the pa
sions OF party, or Of petty factions or sell
interest. Lit your minds into high.
, and clearei and happier atmosphere.
In our DAY the creation OF materit
wealth, the result of modern invention an
, the protection Insured to 1t Uy u govern
) meut OF laws, have bseotten luxurious lis
ing AMI spirit of pGtoeracy, widely dill
| .erant from true republication, an iDsoler
/ and miserable system. containing all I'll
faults Of an Ar!stocracy aud not ono OF Il
| Ia IL Il. IL.