RODRIGUEZ, Cayetano Jose (ro-dre-geth'), Argentine clergyman, born in Rincon de San Pedro in 1761; died in Buenos Ayres, 21 January, 1823. He entered the Franciscan order in 1777, and was ordained priest in 1783. During twenty years he was director of the convents of Santa Catalina and Santa Clara, and he also taught philosophy and theology in the convent of Buenos Ayres and the University of Cordova. From the beginning of his career as a teacher he foresaw the future independence of his country, and when the Spanish yoke was thrown off in 1810 he was one of the most ardent followers of the patriotic cause. As a representative of his native province he was a member of the congress of Tucuman in 1816, and as secretary of that body signed the act of independence on 25 July of that year. When, in 1822, the ecclesiastic reform was initiated, Rodriguez defended the rights of the church in the paper "Oficial del Dia" with great force, and he is considered one of the most. powerful writers of that period. He was also a poet of great merit, and many of his compositions appeared in magazines, but no collection has been issued.