Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-07-26

after all, was only twenty two days from
anc chorage to anchorage; and included
the unprecedented run of seven days
from soundings TO soundings. In fact
Mr.. Randolph had so repc atedly and so
strongly represented how essential an
early arrival in Russia was TO the sue
I. cess Of his mission, that the greatest pos
sible efforts were made to shorten the
passage. Every one was kept perpetual
ly Oh the alert; the commander himself
losing his rest from nigh to night, in his
anxiety at the same time TO carry a very
heavy press Of sail, and secure the safe
! ty of his ship.
! AS the voyage advanced, his discon-
tent assumed more contemplate and
annoying character. Instead of furnish
ing his stores for the voyage in the extent
and style of prince or ambassador, he
had adhered to the republican simplicity
Of his character, and provided not SO
much as would have sufliced for the bare
subsistence Of himself and suite, had all
been anchorites; himself, the owner of
five hundred negroes, Of untold acres,
and without children, being contented to
| live in n great measure at the cost of a
| Master Commandant, who had to sustain
the official dignity Of his station abroad,
and support numerous family at home,
upon the patry stipend oftwelve hundred
| a year!--And yet he took frequent oc-
| casion to make the most ill-brcd objec.
| tions to the arrangements made ia the
! sincerest desire for his acc recommendation
finding perpetual fault with the servants
| Of the Captain, one Of whom, although
Mr. Randolph now expresses so much
horror at man-oE-war discipline as he wit
messed it in the Concord, he vainly ell
deavored to have fioggcd on false
charge Of embezzling his small stores.
| The details of this business would
grace the police reports of our city Bride
well, and are altogether too curious for
omission. 1t seems that the minister
made formal report to the Captain, THAT
} of four bottles OF brandy which he had
brought on board, and which seemed to
have precious value in his eyes, the
Captains servant had drunk the whole
Of one, and fcloniously watered two 9th
ers; that number Of bottles ofportcr were
missing from the store-room, and that
four Of his hams had been stolen by the
crew. The first lieutenant was called
upon in the unwonted capacity of police
officer of the ship, to investigate this mat
ter; and entered upon the duty with real
man of-war acumcn. The question OF
the brandy remained in its original doubt,
for want OF sufficient evidence; as to- the
bottles of porter, nccks and fragments
were produced in court, having been
found in the store-room, Of which the
minister's servant had the key, TO the
amount Of the missing number, and bear
ing evidence Of having burst sponte sua.
In the settlement Of the harm question
there was great difficulty. The first lieu
tenant having searched the ship, and put
the cooks at the galley upon oath, as TO
whether any thing Of the sort had passed
I through their hands, in the shape OF boil
or fry, was at length driven to suggest to
the minister, tha; he might he, through
the fault of others, mistaken in the num-
Der that had come on board. The min
lister protcs sted that this could not be; that
the hams, twenty three in number, must
have all come on board, rs he had bought
them from Virginia gentleman. The
first lieutenant, as last means OF escape
from the dilemma, prayed for the produc-
ton of vouchers. The bill of the hams
was at length produced, nineteen in num-
Der, and for which twenty-three dollars
had been paid; so that adding those
which remained on board to those which
John Randolph of Roanoke, has Secre-
tary, Juba and John, had eaten, the bal
ance remained complete. Upon tins
clearing ur nftho nontter. the Envoy pro-
tested that he had mistaken the number
of dollars paid for the number Of hams
furnished, and begged the first leuten-
ants pardon for the trouble he had given
him, and the crews pardon for falsely
accusing them.
All these were but trifes, amusing G.
nough, and little undignifed; but other
matters occurred of more serious ma
ture. The Concord had been phced
completely under the orders Of Mr. Kan
dolph. He had occasion to visit Lon
don, as was supposed, to confer with our
minister there, on subjects relating to hls
mission. In conformity with his wish,
the ship touched at the Isle Of Wight,
seeking an anchorage at Rydc, sufficient
ly remote to avoid the necessity OF max
ing a proposition to salute the British Ad-
miral at Spithead, with the certainty oi
being refused the return Of gun for gun
Mr. Randolph's wishes were paramount,
and Of course no anchorage could have
been selected in opposition to them. lie
was heard by several Of the officers to
praise the advantages of Rydc as a land