sciences drawing one way, and the influences of congress another. I'm told they have done as little as possible, and modelled their new government as like the old as may be." In a letter written about the same time by Mr. Rodney himself, he alludes to the same subject, and thus notices his retirement from public life. "If health and weather permit, I set out this day for Kent, and don't intend to return to congress soon again, at least not in the present reign. My domestic business will employ me all the remaining part of this fall, let matters turn out hereafter as they may."

Mr. Rodney, however, still remained a member of the council of safety, and of the committee of inspection. In these offices he continued diligently to employ himself; collecting from all quarters supplies for the army, and increasing by every means in his power its effective force. By the letters, however, which he received from head quarters, he thought, especially since the death of colonel Haslet at Princeton, that his presence there, would give encouragement to the troops of the state, and induce them to bear more cheerfully the hardships to which they were exposed, by their rapid movements and the inclemency of the scason. Among his papers, there remains a letter written by him to Mr. Killen, afterwards chancellor of the state, and dated on the twenty-seventh of January 1777, soon after his arrival at camp. It will throw some light on the events of the period, and indeed seems to have been written with a view to give information to the people of the state relative to them. It is as follows:

"At a time when every sensible mind is filled with the greatest anxiety for the fate of America; when the sons of freedom have drawn their swords, and nobly stepped forth, in this inclement scason, to defend their most invaluable rights and privileges; at a time of deep distress and danger, you, whose first and greatest temporary wish is for the freedom of the country, are no doubt desirous to know the state of things in this land of trial-this scene of action this frosty warfare. Be it so I'll endeavor to amuse, if not inform your eager ear. You have heard, sad intelligence! of your Mercer and Haslet. They fell-but nobly fell, though butchered; and so long as the inhabitants of this American world shall continue, to be a free people, so long, at least, will the names of Mercer and Haslet be held in honorable remembrance. Mercer's character is excellent; and in Haslet we know we lost a brave, open, honest, sensible man; one who loved his country's more than his private interest. But while Washington survives, the great American cause cannot die; his abilities seem to be fully equal to the public spirit that called him forth. History does not furnish you with a greater piece of generalship than he exhibited, on the day poor Haslet fell. He fought-he conqnered;-and if we continue to improve the advantages then gained, we shall soon put an end to the dreadful controversy that agitates and distracts us; and in return have peace, liberty and safety. Heaven! what a glorious figure in the eyes of men and angels will this vast American world exhibit,

in its free, independent state. Nothing will then be wanting but better men, and wiser measures, to make us a happy people.

There has been no capital stroke since our main army left Princeton, though there seldom a day passes but some advantages are gained, which tend to distress, and in a little time must ruin our enemy. For the particulars of these little engagements I must beg leave to refer you to my brother and others that you will hear from these parts. They are too numerous, and attended with too many circumstances, for my time and power. I have been perfectly well in health ever since I left home, and do assure you that I begin to play the general most surprisingly. I would not have you suppose I mean the fighting general; that is a part of the duty I have not yet been called upon to discharge; but when called I trust I shall not disgrace the American cause; 'tis glorious even to die in a good

cause.

By lord Sterling, whom I found in Philadelphia, I was directed to take the command at this place, to forward the troops to the army as fast as they should arrive, always keeping sufficient for this post. Since my arrival, I have sent forward near two thousand; among others the Delawares, who first went to Princeton, and then were sent by general Putnam to the main army, to convoy forty or fifty wagons. Yesterday, by permission, I set out myself for camp; but on my way received orders to return to my old post, where I now am. General Mifflin is gone to Philadelphia, to forward the troops there. In short, every step is taken, by fixing the most suitable persons in these places, to strengthen our army as soon as possible. It is, I do assure you, increasing very fast. The cloud is fast gathering all around, and I trust will soon burst on the tyrant's head. As soon as the chief of the southern troops pass this place, I shall have leave to go and join my brigade."

Mr. Rodney remained with the army for nearly two months, and during a great part of the time entered into the most active and laborious services, which his station as brigadier general required. Even after the period for which the troops under him had enlisted was expired, he offered to remain with the army, and perform the duties of a soldier, wherever the commander-in-chief might think he could be useful. Sensible of the patriotic spirit by which this offer was dictated, general Washington wrote him the following highly flattering letter, the original of which now lies before us, dated at Morris-Town, on the eighteenth February, 1777.

"Sir-Lord Stirling did me the favor of sending to me your letter of the eighth instant to him, mentioning your cheerfulness to continue in service, (though your brigade had returned home,) and waiting my determination on that head. The readiness with which you took the field at the period most critical to our affairs-the industry you used in bringing out the militia of the Delaware stateand the alertness observed by you in forwarding on the troops from Trenton-reflect the highest honor on your character, and place your attachment to the cause in the most distinguished point of view,

They claim my sincerest thanks, and I am happy in this opportu nity of giving them to you. Circumstanced as you are, I see no necessity in detaining you longer from your family and affairs, which no doubt demand your presence and attention. You have therefore my leave to return."

With this honorable testimony of his services, he returned to Delaware, and had scarcely reached home when he was appointed one of the judges of the supreme court, which had just been organized. The appointment however he declined, preferring at any rate, for the present, to retain his military situation, in which he thought he could render more service to the general cause. In so doing he met the views of congress, who, through the board of war expressed the approbation they thought him entitled to receive, for his attivity and zeal. In the state, too, those who had lately been, if not his enemies, yet certainly not kindly inclined towards him, felt the necessity of retaining his services, and calling on him, when in situations of embarrassment and difficulty. An insurrection against the government having arisen in Sussex county, they immediately sought his influence to quell it, and issued orders to him to repair thither with a body of men. This duty he cheerfully accepted; and thus alludes to it in a letter to the president of the state. "The field officers will be with me this day, when I shall give orders for the meeting and marching the militia ordered to Sussex county, and hope the tents, &c. will be sent forward as fast as possible. I confess I want the abilities necessary to qualify me for the task assigned, but be assured that every thing in my power, that tends to give peace, safety and good order to the state, shall be done. If I should be able to remove impressions and practices, too predominant in that county and the lower end of this, and introduce good order and a better opinion of the glorious cause for which we are contending, even at the expense of blood and treasure, I shall be happy, not only in having rendered great service to my country, which is and always has been my chief aim, but of meeting your approbation." He succeeded in his object, and restored, at any rate, temporary harmony and good order.

But he was soon called on to exercise his military talents on a larger scale. The British army having landed in the autumn of this year, on the shore of the Chesapeake, were pursuing their march rapidly to Philadelphia, and general Washington had fixed his head quarters in the northern part of the state of Delaware, for the purpose of opposing them. General Rodney hastened immcdiately to his aid, with all the troops he could collect in Kent, and endeavored, though with but partial success, to increase his force by engaging the militia of New Castle county. By the directions of the commander-in-chief, he placed himself south of the main army, so as to watch the enemy's movements, and if possible, get between them and their shipping. During this period a correspondence was kept up between Mr. Rodney and general Washington, who were interested in each other, not merely from

their being thrown together in the war, but from a long friendship founded on mutual esteem. Several of their letters have been preserved, but as they relate at this time chiefly to military details, to insert much of them would be out of character with the simple nature of this sketch. Some of them, however, throw a light on the personal difficulties with which the officers of the army had to struggle during the war, and may afford some interest by their insertion, Mr. Rodney thus writes to the general on the ninth of September. "I am here in a disagreeable situation, unable to render you and the states those services I both wished and expected. A few days ago I moved from hence to Middletown, in order to induce the militia in this quarter, who had shown great backwardness, to turn out: especially as by that move, most of their farms and property were covered. However, all this has answered no purpose; for though I believe most of their officers have been vigilant, but very few have come in at all, and those few who made their appearance in the morning, took the liberty of returning, contrary to orders, in the evening; thus increasing the duty of, and setting so bad an example to the troops from Kent, about four hundred in number, and the only troops I had with me, brought about so general discontent and uneasiness, especially as they were more immediately defending the property of those people, as caused them in great numbers to leave me, though I must say the officers did all they could to prevent it. Two battalions have never even assigned me a reason why they have not joined me. Under these circumstances, I removed to Noxontown, where the camp duty on the few I have with me is less severe, until the other troops mentioned shall be ready to move forward, and have written this day to colonel Gist on that head. Yesterday evening I sent a party of my light-horse to take a view of the enemy, and gain intelligence. The officer with his men returned this morning, and reports, that he was in Atkinson's tavern-house, passed some miles through the late encampment of the enemy round about that place, and saw, and was among the fires they had left burning; that the extreme part of their right wing was at Cook's Mill, their left towards Newark. This intelligence makes me the more anxious to collect and move forward such a body, as would be able to render you signal service, by falling upon and harassing their right wing or rear. Be assured all I can do shall be done; but he that can deal with militia, may almost venture to deal with the As soon as I can set forward I shall advise you. God send you a complete victory." In his reply to this letter, general Washington thus remarks: "The conduct of the militia is much to be regretted. In many instances they are not to be roused, and in others they come into the field with all possible indifference, and to all appearance entirely unimpressed with the importance of the cause in which we are engaged. Hence proceeds a total inattention to order and to discipline, and too often a disgraceful departure from the army, at the instant their aid is most wanted. I am inclined to think, the

complaints and objections offered to the militia laws are but too well founded. The interest of the community has not been well consulted in their formation, and generally speaking, those I have seen are unequal.

I wish I could inform you that our affairs were in a happier train than they now are. After various manovres, and extending his army high up the Schuylkill, as if he meant to turn our right flank, general Howe made a sudden counter-march on Monday night, and in the course of it and yesterday morning, crossed the river, which is fordable in almost every part, several miles below us; he will possess himself of Philadelphia, in all probability, but I trust he will not be able to hold it. No exertions on my part shall be wanting to dispossess him."

On the seventeenth of December, Mr. Rodney was again called on to take his seat in congress, as a delegate from Delaware, but he determined not to repair to Yorktown until the following spring. The state of political affairs had greatly changed in Delaware, but still there were many men of influence who did not unite with as much energy as they should have done, in supporting the plans of the general government; Mr. Rodney therefore determined to remain until the legislature had closed its session, and thus writes to his friend Mr. M'Kean on the subject. "The political changes which had been made will produce, you will be apt to think with me, not only wholesome laws and regulations, but energy in the execution of them, and thereby rouse this little branch of the union from its heretofore torpid state, which God of his infinite mercy grant. I need not tell you how disagreeable is the situation of those in this peninsula, who openly profess friendship to the American cause. A narrow neck of land, liable to the incursions of the enemy by water, in small parties, and therefore their property exposed-the militia not to be brought forth to the protection of the state, though frequently called upon in the most pressing terms for that purpose. I do not doubt, my dear sir, your desire to see me in congress, or at least that I might be ready to take my seat, when you shall be necessarily called off to the discharge of your duty, in another public department. I wish to be with you, but think it highly necessary I should wait the close of this session of assembly; you know I may be of service."

Mr. Rodney however, was not destined to appear again in congress, for a few days after the preceding letter was written, he was elected president of the state of Delaware. The office, though honorable, was exceedingly arduous, and during the whole of this year he was constantly harassed with difficulties of various kinds. The legislature of the state, though well disposed, were tardy in their movements where every thing demanded energy and promptness; the disaffected inhabitants of the state were constantly exciting petty insurrections, the British, or loyalists in league with them, made frequent descents all along the extensive shore of the state, and troops could not be collected in time to repel them.