By Andrew WestDOVER — Thursday’s wicked storms evoked images of Caesar Rodney’s ride on the same date nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago.
By now, all Delawareans should know the historic tale of the 80-mile dash he started July 1, 1776, from his farm near Dover.
Historians say Caesar Rodney, still wearing muddy boots and spurs, arrived the next afternoon in Philadelphia to cast Delaware’s vote for the colonies to break free from Great Britain.
Delaware’s two other delegates were already there. George Read opposed separation. Thomas McKean, who was pro-independence, had summoned Rodney.
In a letter to his brother, Thomas, Caesar Rodney later wrote, “I arrived in Congress (tho detained by thunder and rain) time enough to give my voice in the matter of independence.”
His trip, difficult given his struggles with cancer and asthma, was said to be on the rugged dirt paths commonly used by post riders.
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There is no written account of the path or whether he was on horseback or aboard a carriage. The lasting iconic image of the ride is the horse-and-rider statue that had overlooked Rodney Square in Wilmington for nearly a century.
The statue has been in a warehouse since its precautionary removal amid protests for racial justice in June 2020. At the time, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said there should be a discussion about public displays of historical figures and events.
What spurred the move was consideration of Caesar Rodney’s ownership of slaves.
A month ago, new lighting, landscaping and a splash fountain were added at Rodney Square, where the statue’s pedestal remains.
At the event, Cris Barrish of WHYY News asked the mayor about the statue’s return.
“The whole country is so animated over these racial issues,” the mayor told him. “Now’s not the time to say, ‘Let’s just pour gasoline on the fire.’ I just don’t want to do it. I think this will get discussed with the right temperament at the right time, and now is not the time. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.”
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As you may recall, President Donald Trump seized on Caesar Rodney’s heroic tale and said in September 2020 that there would be a statue for him in his proposed “National Garden of Heroes.”
“Caesar Rodney’s statue was ordered removed by the mayor and local politicians as part of a radical purge of America’s founding generation,” President Trump said in his speech. “Today, because of an order I signed, if you demolish a statue without permission, you immediately get 10 years in prison.
“And there have been no statues demolished for the last four months, incredibly, since the time I signed that act. Joe Biden said nothing as to his home state’s history and the fact that it was dismantled and dismembered, and a Founding Father’s statue was removed. Today, America will give this Founding Father, this very brave man who was so horribly treated, the place of honor he deserves.”
In one of his final executive orders in January, President Trump issued a list of 244 Americans he wanted to be included in the garden — from Ansel Adams to Lorenzo de Zavala.
The garden was to be completed by America’s 250th anniversary July 4, 2026.
However, in May, President Biden used his executive powers to revoke President Trump’s orders on the National Garden of Heroes and the penalties for monument damages or removal.
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The Fourth of July always offers a chance to reflect on Dover and Delaware history. Most visitors to the state capital will have their eyes on the exploding fireworks above Legislative Hall this evening.
But during the day, there are opportunities to reflect on the origin of Independence Day.
Staff from the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs will recite the Declaration of Independence at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Old State House in a spot close to the very location that it was read to Delawareans for the first time in July 1776.
At that time, it was at the steps of the original Dover courthouse of Public Square, now known as The Green.
Close your eyes and you can imagine the huzzahs as it was read. And you might picture the crowd that gathered, as a portrait of King George III was snatched from a courthouse wall and tossed on a bonfire.
Days later, Col. John Haslet assembled a militia on that town square, answering Rodney’s call to send men north to protect Philadelphia.
In a recently published book, “John Haslet’s World,” author and historian David Price cited Col. Haslet’s letter to Rodney on July 6, 1776.
“I congratulate you, Sir, on the Important Day, which restores Every American his Birthright — a day which Every Freeman will record with Gratitude & the millions of Posterity read with Rapture.”
Andrew West is executive editor of the Delaware State News.
