Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-07-26
From rhe New-York American.
JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE 81
THE u. S. SHIP CONCORD.

pcrs winch some time since tOund their
way to the other side Of the Atlantic, l
met with accounts of John Randolph s
freaks and absurditics abroad, which
seemed too far out Of the ordinary way OF
other men, and too characteristic of him,
to be either imaginary or untrue. by
some papers of later date, found that
the envoy, having finished his errand,
had returned to his seat in Virginia, and
to his speech-making habits; and that
after having, by the absurdities he en-
acted in the Concord, placed himself at
the mercy Of her officers, and, after hav-
ing for the space of year reaped the
full advantage of their silence and dis
cretion, he had taken occasion to reflect
severely upon them in one Of his first ef-
iusions on the subject of slavery, with the
single ostensible object of turning a Pc
riod gracefully. I'll am wounded in my
friendships by these last accounts, must
own that | was not little afflicted by
the previous statements in my feeling of
patriotism. For what American cnn fail
to feel that the honor or disgrace of his
country is committed, in no ipconsidera-
bic degree, to him who is sent forth to
represent her in foreign land.
Were told in the public prints that
John Randolph Of Roanoke, passing for
no more than that title, would lend him
currency, had paraded the streets of Y ar
mouth not in white top boots, drab breech-
es, and red waistcoat, but in an opera
hat; or had ordered the dog and pilot to
be thrown overheard into the North Sea;
that in the spirit of independence he had
once eaten his breakfast from the head of
a porter barrel, rather than SIT at the Cap
tain's table; that he had abused the Pur-
ser for paying his forgotten bills, and
damned the surgeon General, because he
agreed with him perfectly; or, in short,
that he had committed all the absurdi-
tics which have been town-talk since his
residence abroad / might swear the jest
were laughable. But when it is remem-
bered that he was personating the Envoy
Of the United States at a distinguished
court, his bufooneries, though they may
make the ignorant laugh, must make the
judicious weep
There can be no doubt, and since John
Randolph Of Roanoke has ceased to have
any other title it is useless TO conc cal the
fact any longer, that the Commander and
Officers Of the Concord, were beyond
measure annoyed by his cccentricities.- -
In fact though every exertion was made
to promote his comfort and accelerate his
passage; though the most liberal allow
ances were made in the spirit of concil-
iation for his well known foibles; though
nothing was omitted that was due to his
years, his official station, and those bril-
liant talents, which, now on the wane,
once attracted the admiration of his coun-
try; yet the querulous envoy played the
dog in the manger during the whole voy-
age, and, like the spoiled child, was new
er contented, perpetualiy sacrificing to
his peevishness and eccentricity the COM
fort Of the whole ship.
But to come to our story. il was to-
wards the close of June, 1880, that Mr.
Randolph sailed from Hampton Roads,
in the United States ship Concord, COM
manded by Master Commandant NJ. G..
Perry. On his first coming OH board,
and during the early pat- of the voyage,
he made most laudable effort to over
come the natural unamiability, Of his
character, and to return the unmeasured
and anxious kindness and courtesy OF
those around him. He was perhaps the
most successful in this attempt to do vio-
lence TO his feelings, from affording them
an outlet OH more distant objects. lie
INDUCED frequently in the eloquent in
vective against tne men or our country,
of whatever politics, and was sensibly
mortified when any was so inprudent us
to hazard in his presence the most trdling
remark in praise, or in defence Of them.
Nothing gave him more pleasure than to
talk with the officers Of his quarrels with
McDuffie, Clay and Webster; making
himself appear perfect hero, in his cor
respondence with the N. England gaint,
of which he furnished some Of the officers
with copies; and talking in the most
chuckling and delighted strain to the
young Midshipmen Of his duel with Hen
ry Clay. When he told the story, like
Coriolanus, when arranged before the
Roman Senate, or like an old Soldier oi
Napoleon's wars, pointing to eirwounds,
and upbraiding the ingratitude of their
country, he would straighten his gaun'
figure, and lay his finger on the bullet
hole which Henry Clay had shot in his
flannel morning gown.
These objects Of invective were, how
ever, at last exhausted; and his first in
direct attack upon those around him was
levelled at that object Of a scaman's
pride, his slip. He began in the form
of insidious comparisons between the pas
s,ccs of the Iiverpool packets, and the