Caesar Rodney

Caesar Rodney shown in bust-length proper right profile. Subject in black coat with high collar, lapel and two buttons, a jabot and neck stock. Hair in queue and hanging to shoulders. Image in form of circular medallion. At bottom, inscribed Drawn & enged by S.t Memin Philada
Engraving of Caesar Rodney by Charles Févret de Saint-Mémin. View this engraving in the Monticello Collections Database »

Jefferson appointed Delaware Congressman Caesar Augustus Rodney (1772-1824) as United States attorney general in January 1807.[1] Almost immediately Rodney was given the task of organizing the government's case in the impending treason trial of Aaron Burr.[2] He secured William Wirt and Alexander McRae to represent the United States, directed the summoning of witnesses, and gathered depositions.[3] Jefferson also charged Rodney with leading the investigation into Burr's activities.[4]

A warm letter from Rodney, enquiring after Jefferson's health during his retirement, prompted Jefferson to recall:

the sociability, the friendship, and harmony of action which united personal happiness with public duties, during the portion of our lives in which we acted together. indeed the affectionate harmony of our Cabinet is among the sweetest of my recollections.[5]

Rodney's career after Jefferson left office was an active one. He served as attorney general during Madison's administration, fought in the War of 1812, and was appointed minister to Argentina by Monroe.[6]

- Text from Stein, Worlds, 204

Further Sources

  • Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Collections Catalog. "Caesar Rodney." Entry in our collections catalog for Saint-Mémin's engraving of Rodney.

 

References

  1. ^ Rodney was a nephew of the Caesar Rodney who signed the Declaration of Independence.
  2. ^ Malone, Jefferson, 1:274.
  3. ^ Ibid., 5:296-97, 5:306.
  4. ^ Ibid., 5:302-03.
  5. ^ Jefferson to Rodney, March 16, 1815, in PTJ:RS, 8:354-56. Transcription available from Founders Online.
  6. ^ DAB, "Caesar Rodney."

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