The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-17

Of the rectltude OF their conduct. aud know
they are shielded by justice.
L would nov, mr. Speaker, take leave Of
this question and retire from this debate,
having detained the House much longer
than could have wished, If did not think !
myself under some obligation to pay my
respects to, and notice q few ofthe remarks |
of the gentleman from Virginia (mr Alex.
anderl who immediately preceded me.
The hue aud cry in the course Of this de.
bate has been, spare mr Randolph, for he
is an absent iasn, and not here to vindicate
himself; aud, notwithstanding this appeal,
the moment py colleagues seat is empty,
the uentlemaf a.ails himself Of that 10 say
of him, what fstould not suppose he would
volunteer to say, il he were present. lean
assure the gentleman from Virginia thathe
is not absent FOR the reason he suggested; il
ia true he knew when the House adjourne
yesterday, the gentleman from Va. would
be entitled TO the floor day, but assure
the gentleman that no fears or apprehen'.
sioas in consequence Of that has kept him
from the Louise. III he had been IN his
seat, DO not think that any thing the gen
tlenan has said, or can say, would discom.
pose the gravity of his muscles. or disturb
the tranquility OF his mind" Nothing but
an anxiety on the part Of my colleague 10
finish what he had to say in this debate, in.
duced him 10 como to the House yesterday;
he was then too much ndisposed I, leave,
with common prudence, his room, and he
is more so to-day. am the person, it any
one, who ought to regret my colleagues
absence, on this occasion. II has been
soid heretofore, sneeringly, that he had
been Professor Of Rhetoric; do not
know but he is now ono. With his aid |
might have been able 10 have understood
the gentleman's figures of speech; single
handed, have abandoned any attempt to
do this. in despair. Uncle Toby, Corporal
Trim, Tristan Shandy, long noses, con-
structve jour ncys, mileage, ribaldry, and
vipers gnawing files, shave danced through
his periods in all the mazes Of metaphor!-
cal confusion" Sir, have been unable
10 follow the gentleman in this rheiorica-
tion, and the only reason is, have not
been able to understand him. The gen.
tleman has given this House parody Of
the reply ofPitt to Walpole, Certainly he
did not intend it as original,) in order to
describe the unequal struggle between an
old man and young man. l looked al
the gentleman for moment, not knowing
but in him might discover some traits of
character similar to those which belonged
TO the illuslyious statesman he seemed will
ling to personate. I discovered but few,
but about as many as he will be able to
find in the character or life OF my colleague
resembling those which distinguished Sin
Robert Walpole.
The gentleman from Virginia has not
II Al IL. E,.l
he speech Of mr.. Randolph, apaIt Of which
was read by my colleague. aud in which
the whole of,he present dynasty Of Russia
are caricatured by mr. Randolph for four
generations. in bis happ'est and best style.
will refer the gentleman to the cd vol
ume of Gales &, Seaton's Register of De.
bates, aud inform him that If he will call
on either Of those gentlemen he will learn,
that the manuscript came to them in mr.
RandoIph's autograph, with all his touch.
es and retouches upon it. This was not a
speech which mr. Randolph never made;
not one Published by his enemies, TO hold
him up to scorn. Mr. Randolph will not
deny its authenticity, or thank the gentle.
man for calling It in question. With this
speech published to the world, and copy
Of it in the hands of the Emperor Nicholas
in less than four months after it was pro
nounced, was mr. Randolph the man who
onght to have been selected for this mis-
sion? Grant that it belonged 10 some able
or distinguished son Of Virginia, could no
one be found but mr Randolph?-Sir, with
in the angle ofmy eye, methnks see one,
more than one, al this moment, who would
have discharged the duties Of minister a.
broad, and to this Court, with more credit
TO himself, and more to the satisfaction Of
the country, than mr. Randolph. In every
point Of view, it was an unfortunate ap.
pointment, both to the country and the in.
dividual. The gentleman from Virginia,
who last addressed the House, informs Us,
that whom mr. Randolph asked Of the Elm
peror leave Of absence, twas readily grant
ed; believe every word Of this, for have
no doubt he had rather mr.. Randolph should
reside in England than any part Of Russia
but is such q residence compatible with
our views, or the most conducive to our in.
terests? Mr. Randolph is the Minister Of
the United States, sod not the Emperor of
Russia's.
But, says the gentleman, this is not the
time to express our disapprooation Of this
appointment; il ought 20 have hsen done
when mr. Rsndolph's name was sent to the
Senate; his DOMINATION was ratified witb.
out division Of that body. Neither the
Senate nor tho House then knew the ns.
ture ofthe uppointmept. Mr. Randolph wus
nominated Minister Plenipotentiary to the
Court Of ST. Pctersburgh, and as such his
nomination was confrmed; but who then
kne ", or before the commencement ofthis
session, ofhis discretionary privilege to re-
main in England; and who, before this bill
was called up, could express any opinion
in regard to tho appointment. Sir, this
appropriation is not opposed because mr
Randolph is virglpiAp. So faras am
concerned you knOw ,s cir, that not many
days ago, did justice 10 virginia, and said
what believed TO be true ofhor illustrions
and distinguished men. II is my attach.
ment TO these men that would inauce me.
If any thing could, torpeak uufsvorsbly Of