1776 (1972)

William Hansen: Caesar Rodney (DE)

Quotes 

• Joseph Hewes : Your clock is fast, Mr. Adams. I say we're not yet ripe for independence.

  Stephen Hopkins : Not ripe? Hell, we're rotting for want of it!

  Samuel Chase : Gentlemen, please, what in God's name is the infernal hurry? Why must this question be settled now?

  Caesar Rodney : What's wrong with now, Mr. Chase?

  Samuel Chase : General Washington is in the field. If he's defeated, as it now appears, we'll be inviting the hangman. But if, by some miracle, he should actually win, we can then declare anything we damn please.

  Joseph Hewes : The sentiments of North Carolina precisely.

  John Adams : Has it ever occured to either of you that an army needs something to fight *for* in order *to* win? A goal, a purpose, a flag of its own?

• Caesar Rodney : [a brawl has broken out]  Stop it! Stop it! This is the Congress! Stop it I say! The enemy's out there!

  John Dickinson : No, Mr Rodney, the enemy is here!

  Caesar Rodney : No! I say he's out there! England! England closing in, cutting off our air! There's no time!

  [suddenly very weak] 

  Caesar Rodney : No air...

• John Dickinson : I trust, Caesar, when you're through converting the poor fellow to independency, you'll give the opposition a fair crack at him.

  Caesar Rodney : [chuckling]  You're too late, John. Once I get 'em, they're got.

• Caesar Rodney : Tell me, sir, would you be a doctor of medicine or theology?

  Dr. Lyman Hall : Both, Mr. Rodney. Which one can be of service?

  Caesar Rodney : By all means, the physician first. Then we shall see about the other.

  Dr. Lyman Hall : [laughs]  I shall call at your convenience, sir.

• Caesar Rodney : [Wilson taps his cane]  Oh, Judge Wilson, forgive me, but how can anyone see you if you insist on standing in Mr. Dickinson's shadow?

  Caesar Rodney : [Caesar Rodney introduces Wilson to Dr. Hall]  James Wilson, also of Pennsylvania.

  James Wilson : Sir.

  Dr. Lyman Hall : An honor, sir.

• Roger Sherman : [Sherman stands up]  Brother Dickinson, New England has been fighting the Devil for more than 100 years.

  John Dickinson : And as of now, *Brother Sherman*, the Devil has been winning hands down.

  John Dickinson : [the delegates murmur]  Why, at this very moment, he's sitting right here, in this Congress. Don't let him deceive you, this proposal is entirely his doing! Oh, it may bear Virginia's name, but it reeks of Adams, Adams, and more Adams. Look at him, ready to lead this continent down the fiery path of total destruction!

  John Adams : [Adams stands up]  Oh, good God! Why can't you acknowledge what already exists? It has been more than a year since Concord and Lexington! Damn it, man, we're at war! Right now...

  John Dickinson : *You* may be at war - you, Boston and John Adams, but you will never speak for Pennsylvania!

  George Read : [Read stands up]  Nor for Delaware!

  Caesar Rodney : [Caesar Rodney stands]  Mr. Read, you represent only one third of Delaware!

  George Read : The sensible third, Mr. Rodney!

  Col. Thomas McKean : Sit down, you scurvy dog, or I'll knock you down!

  John Hancock : [Hancock bangs his gavel on the desk]  Sit down, all three of you!