Thomas Rodney. Thomas Rodney to George B. Rodney (London.) Dover near Philadelphia, North America, 3 Looking over an Antient piece of manuscript (wrote by Sir Edward Rodney) which Contains a Historical account of Our Family for Eight-Hundred years back, I was Induced to believe that you S'. are a branch of the Same Famaly, and therefore, have presumed to write to you as a Relation, not Doubting Tho' the Great Distinction & Difference between our Stations, but you'l be Glad to hear of so near a Relation of your Own Name, as I presume there are few of that Name in England or even any where Else in the British Dominions, you being the only one I have heard on Now Living, Except my Two brothers. Sr. John De Rodeney (so the name was wrote then) who by the History appears to be the only person of the name, in his time, had four Sons Edward, Henry, George & William,-Edward being the Eldest Heir'd the Estate at Rodney's Stoke &c which he broke the Entail and will'd amongst his five Daughters, thro' perswations of his wife, in Lieu of which he wrote the above mentioned History; Henry, the 2. Son there is no account of; George the 3a. Son Married Ann Lakes, Daughter of St. Thomas Lakes, & widow to the Lord Ross; and William the 4th Son Married Alu Cæsar Daughter of St. Thomas Cæsar, by whom he had several sons, but I have an Acct. of none but Two viz: Cæsar Rodney who died in Antiqua, & William Rodney, who Came over to America, about the year 1680, and Settled in this County, where During his Life he held all the Most Honourable posts in it, which now are occupy'd by my Eldest brother, who also has the best Estate in the place;-I being the youngest Son fell Heir to no part of the Estate, but have Lived altogether with my brother who is Very Kind; and being Very young yet have not been Recommended to any post Except that of a Siole Magistrate-I shall Trouble you no Farther with an Acc. of our Famaly, this much being only by way of Excuse for my writing, these few Lines, which I was Induced to Do for the Reason afs": together with the Love I have for the Man Who's Noble Deeds has aded so much Lusture & Glory to that Name, which I only have to Bost of, my fortune & Circumstances not permitting Me to Do more tho' my Soul wou'd fain Transen'd these narrow bounds; Yet Humble as my Station is Reveal'd to me belong (heavenly privilege) Immortal Song Which if I Live hereafter Shall Reherse Your Name and Actions in Immortal Verse From S. your Ever Loving Coz: . N.B. If you Shou'd ever be Kind Enough to write to Me Direct your Letters as follows To Thomas Rodney Esq': in To the Care of And". Doz in Philadelphia My dear Thomas Rodney to Mrs. Betsey Rodney. Philadelphia March 17th 1772. I have not got an Answer yet Concerning the House in Spruce Street but Expect to have one this week, and hope to have Everything in Order, to Receive you, by the first of Aprill-I have bespoke Some furniture Viz'. 1 Dining Table; 1 Brakefast Table; Two bedsteads, one high & one Low; 6 Chairs-and 6 winsor Chairs-which are to be ready by that time--and am Collecting such other things as are Necessary for Housekeeping but I am afraid the weather and Roads may prevent your being up so soon as I expect you— However I hope it will not be Long before I have the great satisfacti". of seeing you and our Lovly boy here in Philada: for be assured I am Very Desirous to see you both, who are the Chief objects of my Tender Love, and Happyness, in this Life Tommy Fisher and Sally Logan is to be married this Evening; so that the Long wisht for day has Come at Last I am informed by Mr. B. Wynkoop that they Omit asking Cousins, and all those who are more distantly Related on account of there Famalys being so numerous on both sides-therefore I have not had any Invitation as I suppose-but shou'd not have gone If I had been invited, as I approve of having but Very Few present at such times; concluding it to be most agreeable Tell sally her stays will be sent by the next shaloop— My Love to all Friends; From your Affectionate Thomas Rodney P. S. yesterday Evening I Rec'd: a Very polite Ticket with an Invitation to Dine with the Bride & Groom today at Mr. Logans, but Cant go as, you know, I have nothing but an Old Ragged Green Coat, and a pair of greesy Buckskin B ... s, which are not quite Decent Enough to pay a Visit of that Kind inMarch 18th. Sir Thomas Rodney to William Peery. Dover Dec. 30th 1775 Your letter of the 13th of this Instant I recd: at my return from Philada: yesterday evening; whereby am informed that Mr. Robison was clear'd by a majority of your Com: and that seven of the minority have pro tested against it as appears by the protest inclosedIt appears by your letter that the consideration of the Com: was not altogether whether Mr. Robison was guilty as he stood Charged; but Chiefly whether the former Com. had proceeded Legally or not; and being of opinion that their proceedings was illegal, thought it suffitient ground upon which to grant his acquittal. It is to be wished that this matter had been Conducted with that Solemn & judicial impartiality which alone could be suffitient to finally acquit of Condemn M'. Robison in the Judgment of the world—but I suspect when this comes to be examined, it will not appear to have been the case; because there are two Com. one of 80 the other of 40, or 50 members, whose determinations, are directly opposed to each other, & Mr. Robison stands between both neither acquitted nor condemned; which must be a disagreeable Situation and therefore if he relies on the testimony of his innocence, it is necessary for his own peace & Quiet that he should be heard before the Council of Safety who are a superior body & living in distant parts of the Government, may be supposed to act in his case without partiality or prejudice, & therefore if they acquit him he will be again restored to the good opinion of the world— And if he be guilty of acting as an enemy to the American cause as has been alledged, it is the particular duty of the said Council to take notice of such- I shall therefore lay the proceedings of your Com: about this matter so far as they have Come to my Knowledge, before the Council of safety and move for M'. Robison being sent for; that the matter may be candidly and impartially heard and determined and if he Can make it appear that he is a friend & not an enemy to the American Cause, he will find not a man more ready to acquit him, or to do it with more pleasure than myself, especially as ever before those Charges, he stood very high in my good opinion, as a good & worthy man- But if he should appear to be an enemy to the sacred American Cause I confess he will find none more determined against such than I am. You are permitted to send Robison a Copy of this part or the whole of this letter that he may have the Oportunity of Coming before the Council, If he chuses, without being sent for; wherein he may, be, and is hereby assured that he shall be protected from injury and insult, he submitting to the determination of the Council. As to that part of your letter respecting yourself our Committeemen who were present agree in memoryThat your Com. made an Order that you should take as many of your men as you pleased, and bring the witnesses &c to the next meeting-upon which you moved that the Com: should pass a Resolve to protect you in making use of force if it was necessary to bring them; which was Carried in the negative-Upon which the Chairman declared he would not sit in the Com. if they would not protect their officers- You then called for the yeas & nays which were entering when we came away all which no doubt the minutes of the Com. if regularly kept will show-I am with respect yrs. &c. Thomas Rodney Thomas Rodney and William Killen to Capt": Charles Pope. Dover June 9th 1776. Sir We are informed that Several persons especially the Col. Hazlett is threated to be Illtreated, and even to burn his House by persons at Duck Creek &c. We therefore request that you will remain with your Company at Duck Creek 'till the Col: arrives, which will be Tomorrow afternoon-we will be answerable for your so doing-from Cap Charles Pope. Y'. Hum. Servts. Thomas Rodney |