Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-03
MR. RANDOLPH.

Some person writes the following letter from Lon
don to New York. The Evening Post in publishing
it, says of the author that 'he is an eminent ccun-
rynan of ours, distinguished in other walks than
those of politcs-now employed in diplomatic
station in England I"
The Editor doubt expected the public would be
able to read his hieroglyphicks and understand that
Washington IRVING was meant, and his name and
Prince Leven's, he imug ined would be irresistible
de says farther that the author had no interest to
disgaisc the truth. 1t may be so-but courticr and
sycophant, such as Washington Irving toad eater
by trade is and must be, under standing suspicion
whenever great men are his themes Washington
loves great, particularly when he is also a ricl,
man. dearly, and would do any thing III reason to
accommodate him. Prince Licven, Prince Tallsy-
rand, Washington Irving and all the Corps DIPLOMA
tque in London grent and small, may say what they
please, but those who know John Randolph, and
especially those who saw his capers here in the
spring of 1927, will continue TO believe those others
told of him at ST. Petersburg, to the day of their
death, So much like the nan, so exactly in cores
pondence with his performances in Richmond it is
impossible that accident imagination could have
stumbled upon fiction of such verisimilitude All
except his faling his knees before the Empress
as he had never before encountered majesty to its
face nor formed just conception of its tcrrors and
subnities, that is possible-but we do not think if
probable
What silly thing in Washington rving to 90 to
Prince Lleven with this cock and bull enquiry! How
little ought Mr.. Rudolph feel indebted to him for
his ofisiou5 kindness a proper subject truly for
the great Washington Irving and the first Prince Of
the Russian Empire to converse about! Suppose
the whole story of the PlenPotentiary's cx:rava-
gaDZas ut the Court of the Gar was fction-what
was ii TO Washington Irving? He thought nc could
oblige great man, and the sckly though cunning
sentlmeutallst looked no farther. The whole story
may may moi be true, without in tho smallest de-
gree importing the firm foundation upon which the
fame Of Mr. Randolph rests His whms anC
oddities, the natural effect of vast and restless lu-
telloct shut up in a mortal habitation 81 frail ant
crazy, so little adapted to sustain the operations
the mighty mind it eucIoses-the5o cannpt detrac
from the lustre of his varied AMI powerful talents
but serve the rather in truth, as foilg to set IF h
genius Every sensible man feels il to be 30. ant
Washington Irving was mere ass Cicero calls him
es!F an ass, and we therefore hope Washington vii
excuse our frecdom) for thinking otherwise
| But to Wasbington's lcttcr-cor the reader mus
&c anxious how intimate lie and Prince Lever
are.
LONDON, March 2, 1891
In the of a conversation waloh had recently witt
Prince LisyCn, the Russian Ambassador who prime
minister ST Feieshurgh the time Of MIR Randolpb'
presentations took occasion inquire the truth
reports which have been circulated The disparangemen
Nr Randolph, charging him with ondgniea
Ol homage IN tho presence Of the Emperor and IN
other With rral want OF etiquette and ubanty m his in
tercoursc With the "ers Of the government during mig bc
residence in the Russian capital
Tie Prince expressed surprise aud that such
reports should have gained currency assuring that they
entirely dcs.iuF ~ truth lie saI Br Randoiph's
conduct had been highly dscorou and satisfactory
tina, in his eersra relations with the officers Of hcgoyeTnmen
nc had uniformly FyjncCcd desire pca7e-tha
nc had lef behind him hs impression Of HE being
and courtesy, 1nd that he had doubt had M Ran
dolnb Tsm5nsd 81 Petersburg, he would gene
rally liked The Prince added that the reports question
eoud have originated any thing uttered by ang
Der If the Russian goysrrmeo and That nc should be
/ clad have rlem expressly coni,adiCted
you think this Information of any value, you liner
y make Of IT, letting II he clearly understood thsi
is communicated from party motives; but from
the duty which ha gentleman testify lire obarao
ter - another wien circumstances peculiarly enable him *
50
The Srocgs.-U. s. Bank StocI; rose in New
York from u to 2 per cent u7oa tho news Of til,
Cabinet resgn's~.