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Member Spotlight

Highlighting Special Collections

Celebrating Indepence Day.

Caesar Rodney's Letter to Thomas Rodney, July 4, 1776. Albert H. Small Declaration of Independence Collection, University of Virginia. MS#12140

Albert H. Small Declaration of Independence Collection, Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia

Albert H. Small’s Declaration of Independence Collection is the most comprehensive in the world about the document. Small pledged his entire collection to the University, where selected items are now on display in the Declaration of Independence Room that is a part of the new Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library.

The Albert H. Small Declaration of Independence Collection is a significant addition to the American history materials in Special Collections, especially the Tracy W. McGregor Library of American History. In addition to being historically valuable, these items help to tell the full story behind the Declaration. They tell about the preparation, production, and printing of the Declaration, as well as about the individuals behind this seminal moment in American history.

In the letter shown above, known as the “Thunder and Rain” letter, Caesar Rodney describes to his brother his last minute journey by horseback from Delaware to Philadelphia during a thunderstorm to break the tie in the Delaware delegation and cast the crucial vote in favor of independence. He announces that handbills of the Declaration will be printed and circulated and closes by asking his brother to attend to his harvest.