Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-20
THE TOWN OF LEWES.
An Interesting Paper by Pennock Pusey at
the Meeting of the Historical Society.

An Interesting Paper by Pennock Pusey at
the Meeting of the Historical Society.
Pennock Pusey read an interesting
historical sketch of the town of Lewes
at the meeting of the Historical Society
of Delaware last evening. Mr.. Pusey
recently visited Lewes and in his paper
told of the town of the olden days and
Lewes of today. Concerning Caesar
Rodney he said:
Another matter of mingled romance
and reality seems entitled to place
here, from its connection with critical
epoch in our national history in the
War of the Revolution. The Con-
Ginental Congress had been deliberating
upon the momentous question of total
separation from the mother country,
and tho resolution for final action was
to be voted upon with little further
delay. OF the three Delaware delegates.
Thomas Mckean and Caesar Rodney
earnestly favored the declaration for
Independence, while George Read
opposed it as at least premature. Pend
ing the decision Rodney went to lower
Delaware with the double object of
arousing public sentiment for in
dependence and of aiding in the enlist
ment of troops for supporting it, in
both of which he was threatened with
defeat by third matter of more en-
crossing urgency for at Dover Rodney
met an enchantress in the person of
Sarah Rowland from Lewes, sprightly
young Quaker widow, witty and fasci-
mating, who was ardently devoted to
the British side of the conflict
Cesar Roduey-angular in person
and honest in purpose-had facial
al nf n nc ff1r xuh nh
added SCARED and drawn expression
to naturally plain features, but like
most men of iron nerve and stalwart
mould, his rough exterior was coupled
with warm heart and special suscepti-
bility to femal charms. With the
quickne5s of woman's intuition, the
lady realized the situation and saw her
opportunity. To much beauty of person
she added winsome manners and rare
powers OF persuasion, and under her
Establishments CRsar's first proposes
sion fast ripened to captivity of the
heart.
''Beguiled by her wiles, he limo.
Gently contided to his charmer the
situation of affairs in Congress and re-
vealed the closeness OF the expected
vote favoring and opposing the Decla-
ration of Independence. Meanwhile
Rodney's colleague, Mckean, was send
ing daily letters urging his speedy re-
turn; for, in Rodney's. absence the
two other delegates would be tied, and
Delaware's voice silenced in the patri-
otic crisis. Through the contrivance of
the fair deceiver these letters had been
intercepted, and Caesar, suspecJing no
ill of one he loved, dreamed on in
sweet beguilement
THUS matters continued until near
the evening of the third of July, when,
suddenly, d patriotic maid servant of
the false woman rushed into Rodney's
presence and. drawing forth package
Of the intercepted letters, exclaimed:
See how she's fooled your
Caesar Rooney, hastily perusing the
letters, raised his hand to his forhead
and, uttering cry of disgast and
despair, hurried away. Mounting his
horse he dashed off upon that we'll
known night Journey to Philadelphia,
which, if less renowned than Paul Re-
vere's ride, ranks with the most mo-
mentous flights in lofty purpose and
historic Importance.
''By terrific speed and repeated re-
lays of horses the rider reached Phila-
delphia in time to cast his vote for
that glorious cause which has given
license to the hideous fourth of July
uproar with which we have ever since
been annually afflicted.
'Casar's Ride was SO exhaustive
a nights trip that he looked pale and
sick upon his appearance in Congress,
when John Adams said OF him: Caesar
Rodney is the oldest man in the world;
he is tall, thin, slender and pale; his
face is not bigger than large apple,
yet there is sense and fire, spirit, wit
and humor in his uountenance.
1.-THE beautiful tory lady by whom
he was so nearly destroyed, afterward
married q captain in the British navy,
but Caesar lived and died a bachelor.
Their story has been a fruitful theme
for gay recital and graceful verse in
ths literature of the nations Revo-
lutionary struggle.
During the meeting Mark NJ Cleaver
presented pamphlet he received from
Cincinnati, o., which was published
in 1902, containing speech of the
elder Bayard on contemplated changes
in the Judiciary of the United States.
Mr.. Cleaver, on behalf of DIR. Dunlap
of Delaware City, presented book
published in 1850 on MARINE and