By Tim Fullerton
Do you have a book of state quarters in your house? Look at the
Delaware quarter. There you'll see a depiction of Caesar Rodney on
horseback. Why would Delaware choose this guy, unknown outside of the
state, for their quarter?
Like most of our founding fathers, he was born into a wealthy and
distinguished family. He was, at the age of 28, appointed “High Sheriff”
of his home county. When that term ended, he was immediately appointed
justice of the peace and judge of “lower” courts. Fours later, he found
himself representing his county in the state legislature. Then appointed
to represent his state at the general (Stamp Act) congress in New York.
Upon the repeal of the Stamp Act, Mr. Rodney and two other legislators sent
King George a “thank you” letter. At least that's what it looked like at
first, but within the letter were subtle warnings that Americans were not
pleased with the further tyrannical advances of parliament. The letter
finished with:
“...Your majesty's faithful subjects of this government have enjoyed this
inestimable privilege uninterrupted from its first existence, till of late. They
have at all times cheerfully contributed to the utmost of their abilities for
your majesty's service, as often as your royal requisitions were made known; and
they cannot now, but with the greatest uneasiness and distress of mind, part
with the power of demonstrating their loyalty and affection to their beloved
king."
In 1769, Mr. Rodney was elected speaker of the house of representatives, an
office which he continued to fill for several years. About the same time he was
appointed chairman of the committee of correspondence with the other colonies.
(Recall that the committee of correspondence was a sort of underground
communications system, keeping rebels informed of each others' actions).
When it was almost time to vote on the declaration of independence, Mr.
Rodney was absent, touring southern Delaware. The other two representatives from
Delaware panicked. You see, they were split on whether to vote for it or
not. But they agreed that Delaware's vote should be unanimous – so they
further agreed that whichever way Caesar would vote, they would also.
Riders were sent to fetch Mr. Rodney to Philadelphia. He arrived just in
time (thus the depiction on the back of the quarter) to vote YES.
Rodney returned to Delaware to run for congress under the new Articles of
Confederation. He lost.
So he busied himself with another title he had picked up along the way,
brigadier general in the state militia. Although not a front line soldier,
Caesar Rodney proved to be a whiz at logistics. He even encamped with the
troops during the winter of 1777 in New Jersey, delivering much needed
supplies.
In the autumn of that year, he was elected to congress – and as president
(governor) of the state! He chose to serve as president. He served
for four years, doing his best to keep the troops supplied.
He retired after those four years, due to a re-occurrence of cancer.
And was STILL elected to congress. But he died before he could taking his
seat in the legislature.
Maybe more people outside of Delaware should become familiar with Caesar
Rodney.
Do you have a book of state quarters in your house? Look at the
Delaware quarter. There you'll see a depiction of Caesar Rodney on
horseback. Why would Delaware choose this guy, unknown outside of the
state, for their quarter?
Like most of our founding fathers, he was born into a wealthy and
distinguished family. He was, at the age of 28, appointed “High Sheriff”
of his home county. When that term ended, he was immediately appointed
justice of the peace and judge of “lower” courts. Fours later, he found
himself representing his county in the state legislature. Then appointed
to represent his state at the general (Stamp Act) congress in New York.
Upon the repeal of the Stamp Act, Mr. Rodney and two other legislators sent
King George a “thank you” letter. At least that's what it looked like at
first, but within the letter were subtle warnings that Americans were not
pleased with the further tyrannical advances of parliament. The letter
finished with:
“...Your majesty's faithful subjects of this government have enjoyed this
inestimable privilege uninterrupted from its first existence, till of late. They
have at all times cheerfully contributed to the utmost of their abilities for
your majesty's service, as often as your royal requisitions were made known; and
they cannot now, but with the greatest uneasiness and distress of mind, part
with the power of demonstrating their loyalty and affection to their beloved
king."
In 1769, Mr. Rodney was elected speaker of the house of representatives, an
office which he continued to fill for several years. About the same time he was
appointed chairman of the committee of correspondence with the other colonies.
(Recall that the committee of correspondence was a sort of underground
communications system, keeping rebels informed of each others' actions).
When it was almost time to vote on the declaration of independence, Mr.
Rodney was absent, touring southern Delaware. The other two representatives from
Delaware panicked. You see, they were split on whether to vote for it or
not. But they agreed that Delaware's vote should be unanimous – so they
further agreed that whichever way Caesar would vote, they would also.
Riders were sent to fetch Mr. Rodney to Philadelphia. He arrived just in
time (thus the depiction on the back of the quarter) to vote YES.
Rodney returned to Delaware to run for congress under the new Articles of
Confederation. He lost.
So he busied himself with another title he had picked up along the way,
brigadier general in the state militia. Although not a front line soldier,
Caesar Rodney proved to be a whiz at logistics. He even encamped with the
troops during the winter of 1777 in New Jersey, delivering much needed
supplies.
In the autumn of that year, he was elected to congress – and as president
(governor) of the state! He chose to serve as president. He served
for four years, doing his best to keep the troops supplied.
He retired after those four years, due to a re-occurrence of cancer.
And was STILL elected to congress. But he died before he could taking his
seat in the legislature.
Maybe more people outside of Delaware should become familiar with Caesar
Rodney.