Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-09-28
70 tie Ekts, II he National sase...

relation to my treatment oil MN uuFlnS
my last passage from this port TO Liver
pool. which letter was so magnanimous-
| ly published to the injury of an absent
man. | have to express my acknowl-
edgmerts to you for interposing kind
word in my behalf, until ! could speak
for myself. THIS, | now find, in the O.
pinion of my friends, ought to have been
done before; but assure you it has
been omitted entirely because l thought
the character Of MIR. Randolph so we'll
known throughout the country, that re-
ply was not necessary.
As it has been suggested to me that
there are many very respectable per-
sons, who, knowing only one side OF the
question, may take his account ofittomy
| disadvantage, without hearing, the 9th
|1er side plainly told, | am therefore obi
ged, very much against my feelings and
inclination, to place myself before the
public, by showing in self defence the
conduct of MIR. Randolph on board the
ship.
No sooner had he gained The deck of
the ship at Newcastle than Mr.. Ran
dolph's irritable disposition began to
show Itself, in consequence of his over
hearing one passenger ask another
whether MIR. Randolph had paid his
steamboat FAR e--his refusal to do which
had become a matter Of public CONVEX.
sation on boa I'd the steamboat, for this
he swore he would not DO, by reason, as
he alleged, of having been taken TO this
city against his will, and that therefore,
they were bound to return him free of
expense; and to prevent difficulty or
detention one of the passengers actu-
ally paid MIR. Randolph's passage to
Newcastle. 1t is proper for me to state
here, that the stories about the dog and
the duel circulated in this city after our
departure, were not exactly correct;
although it is true that in the affair Of
the dog between myself and steerage
passenger, Mr.. Randolph very particu-
larly and politely requested of me per-
mission to take the animal, and con-
sented; and as it regards the duel, Mr..
Randolph did display his pistols on deck,
but for what object cannot say, un.
less for the purpose of intimidation. On
getting to sea, Mr.. Randolph's queru-
lous disposition manifested itself in such
variety of ways as to defy description.
II mainly consisted in contradiction, Sc
verify of remark, profanity, vulgarity,
and even obscenity; indeed as regards
tire latter, such was bis language, that
the two gentlemen passengers who had
their families with them, actually dssir-
ed me to have seperate table for the
ladies in their own cabin, and was OBJ.
liged to assure them that if he did moi
mend his manners he should have ano.h-
er apartment and table for his own pri-
vate use. Out of such conduct, which
was either alienation of mind or inlu-
ence of drink, grew the affair on deck
which he has so generously requested
should be taken and judged by itself
without any irrelevant matter. This
irrelevant matter is nothing more or less
than general abuse of every thing and
every body. 1t was his custom to go
upon deck late at night, and there in
terfere with the discipline of the ship, by
diverting the attention of the officers,
helmsman, and watch, practice which
neither master nor passengers, as far
as my experience goes, will approve;
nor, while am governed by my pre-
sent views OF duty to my owners, my
passengers and myself, will I permit.
On this occasion POLITELY requested him
MOTTO do so, and was treated in the vnl
gar manner he has publicly acknowl-
edged. The officero of the deck after
wards told me he remained in the pre-
else position left him for half an hour
with large hunting knife in his hand
and was also toldhs said in the ladies'
cabin that but for the presence of the
! officer and the helmsman he would have
ripped the captain up.
The general conduct of Mr.. Randolph
had become such, that was compelled
for the safety of all on board, to make
such arrangements as would prevent
him from committing any greater act of
violence, should he attempt it; but l
believe he got wind of what was in pre-
paration, for he behaved much better
afterwards. l am happy to reflect that
| am very we'll known in his own State,
and will trust my character there and
elsewhere with perfect confidence. /
have been IL years carrying passengers
across the Atlantic; and can truly say,
that Mr.. John Randolph of Roanoke, is
the first passenger ever had quarrel