Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-06-05
From the Globe.


by Robert r. Randolph, has naturally excited
so much feeling among the people of this coun-
try that we have supposed 1t to be our duty tc
present true and accurate statement OF the
atrocioussoutrage, and have delayed making 1t
until we had an opportunity OF collecting from
authentic sources all Of the material facts. The
American people will feel astonished to know
that this outrage on the national honor, was de-
iiberately planned by band of consprators--
Il that there is strong reason to believe that one
or more of the confederates of Randolph was
ON board of the steam boat with him, and that
othors were stationed on the wharf to assist him
lin escaping. But as the affair will, we pre-
sumo, be Investigated by the proper Judicial
authorities, we suppose it improper at this time
to mention the names of the individuals, who
are implicated in this foul conspiracy. 1t Is
proper, however, to remark that 1t was publicly
known for some time before, both here and at
Alexandria, that the President would, on that
day, be on board the steam boat, and the cons
spirators engaged in this scandalous and dis
graceful transaction, had therefore full time to
concert their schemes and prepare their instru-
ments.
The steam boat in which the President and
us Ellte uGu UCtu ~ tuhO thSi tt7"Se5
to Fradercksburgh, left Washington as usual
at 10 o'clock on Monday morning-and touch
ed, as she always does, at the wharf at Alex
iandria to receive and put on shore passengers.
Three members of the cabinet and the marshal
Of The district, and some Of the Presidents per
personal friends, were on board--as well as
imanv citizens who were either going to Alex
iandria or to attend the ceremony at Fredericks-
burg. The President had been unwell for
some DAYS before he left Washington, and be-
Ii inc therefore less able than usual to endure
| fatigue, he had, sometime before the boat reach
ed A,exaudria, retired to the cabin and seated
himself Oh The bench between the dining table
and the herths about four or five feet from the
( end of the bench, next to the cabin door and
employed himself in sometimes reading the
newspapers which had reached Washington
that morning, and occasionally IN conversing
with his friends. The wharf was crowded
when the boat arrived there, and many OF the
persons assembled on the wharf crowded on
board and as usual went into the cabin, to pay
their respects to the Chief Magistrate. lie
did not leave the place where he was sitting,
but gave his hand to his fellow citizens as they
successfully approached him, In his usual cor
dial manner.
After the greater part of the crowd had left
he cabin, Randolph came IN and advanced
towards him. Several ladies were IN the boat
and one Of them was sitting near him at the
time that Randolph approached. lie was moi
personally known by the President nor reco'
gnized by any of his friends then in the cabin
with him except Capt. Broome. lie advanced
to the end of the bench near the President IN
respectful manner, and there was SO much
humility and even timidty in his manner
that many OF those who were present have
since told US, that they supposed it TO be sons
one who had some favor 10 ask OF the Presi-
dent, about which he was exceedingly anxious
When he came up to the end If me oehcf
where the President was still sitting, Win
newspaper in his hand, he attempted in a tee
mulous and agitated manner to draw Oh his
glove, and the President surprising he was
about to shake hands with him, reached ou1 his
hand to Randolph, saying at the same time
never .nlnd your glove, sir. AT that moment
Randolph struck him in the face. The instant
the assault was made, several OF the Presi'
dents friends rushed upon Randolph and seized
him, and one of them struck him with an UNI
brela Bat at the same moment the Presi-
dent thrust the dastardly assaiiant from nm
and arising from his seat said, Let no mar
stand between me and the villain" The ener'
gy of the Presidents manner and his high and
commanding department, reused as he was BY
an attack thus marked by treachery and mean
ness, seeuis, from all we can learn from thost
who were present, 10 have caused momentary
pause among the persons who were present
and before the President could reach him witt
his cane, Randolph escaped from the cabin
and being driven forward by the kicks OF some
and the aid of others who came to abet him. hi
soon reached the wharf A crowd of people
we're on the wharf, and although they all per-
ceived that some act of great atrocity had beer
committed, very few, except the coniederate'
of Randolph, knew what had been done or wh'
had done it. 1t is to this circumstance, we pre-
sumo, that he owed his escape. lie was turn
ished Immediately with a horse in order 10 all
him in his flight out of the district. Ihe cltl
zens who were on board the boat and knew
what had happened, generally supposed tina
the persons around Randolph on the whar
were holding him in custody and did not there
fore pursue him. They very naturally sup
posed that the same feeling of high Indignation
experienced by every one on board Of the steam
boat, would be equally felt in the town OF Alex
, andria, and it seems not to have entered thei
minds that any American citizens could b.
, base enough to plan such an outrage on thu