Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-11
THE LATE JOHN RANDOLPH.

municateo TOT Tue NC" I"'~ b..
innate friend Of Ma. RASDoLrH's, aud niay DC
relied on as authentic.
Itis to be hoped, that some of the late John Ran
doIph's intimate friends, who possess the ne
cessary qualifications. will undertake TO give MS
biooraDhy 10 the world. lie has been too remark.
able character, and has filled too large space
in public estimation, Ia be passed over merely
with few newspaper sketches, which will soon
be lost or forgotten. Such an ardent and devot'
ed ad,nirer OF his native State. who ALWAYS exef'
cised his bril- 'est talents in her defence, cannot
surely long remain without blosrapher IN fifs'-
MIA, which still abcunds with distinguished men.
In the mean time those ~ho can relate any eha-
racteris,ic anecdotes Of Mr.. RindolP', may be
excused for induising in such "reminiscences.
II was nv good fortune to cross the Atlantic
with him the first time he went TO England. aud
10 pass some time with him 10 London; and can
uuhesitatiuply declare, that never travelled
with so entertaining companion: nor have
eyer met with his equal for diversity OF know
ledge. II NV memory were as good as his was,
| could write very amusing book OF his savings
and anecdotes, historical, biographical. political,
classical, theological, sc but as ii is not. Lean
only venture To- relate few Of the more striking
circumstances which occurred whilst We were TO-
gether.
The first time ever saw Mr.. Randolph was
the morojug on which we embarked 10 the pack
ct ship Am,y for Liverpool. March 16. 1892.
was introduced to him by mutual friend,
who casually mentioned, at the mnment. that
was an Irishnan Shortly afterwards, Mr.. r.
came up and addressed me as follows:-" am
s'verv happy, SIR. to meet with an freshman,
:. for / love your country, and admire her SOUS
/" and daughters too. Sir. Miss Edgewur,h is
+" nv great favurite. know her works almost
"by heart. BY the way, perhaps you can solve
" difficulty which has often puzzled me in the
Z" geography Of Ireland. Why is it, Sir, that in
every map Of Ireland, have seen. The town Of
.. BalInasioe is placed OH the rrong side OF the
{" river Suck"
could not forbear laughing at the singularity
of the question, whilst replied:-'' As we are
..to b. felloN.passengers, Mr. Randolph, may
60 az we'll cnniess my ignorance at once, by de.
clarins that not only cannot answer your
'puery, but really was not before aware that
f! ss'there was river of that name in Ireland, ne
ever having visited Ballinasloe:' and then ask
ed. How came you to know the localities of
6. Ireland 80 mnutely?' "By books, CONVEX
=. sation, and the blessing OF d memory which ne
"yer furgets anything he replied. In fact. "e
were no, two days together, before discovered
that he was intimately acquainted with every
part of England. Iceland, and Scotland-not on
~ as TO cities aud towns, bu, gcntcman's coun-
1 try seats; AL he knew the history Of every ce
LIBERATED hurse-raec and OF every race horse ~
England lie was very fond ct displaying his
knowledge ct the most minute facts on these
points, AID il WAS very agreeable TO myself and
the other passengers 20 listen to hin.
Just before Sc sailed, the Washington papers
were received Announcing the defea, Of tine Back
rupt bill by small majority. AT the moment,
forgot thst Randol pin had been one Of It's most
determined opponents, and spoke with the feel
inss of a Merchant when | sail to him." Have
"you heard the very bad news from Washing
Is ton this iiorning?'' s. No, sir" replied he
..am sorry to tell you that the House Of Repre-
:. seatativcs have thrown out the Blnkrup, Bill
"by small majority" Sorry, SIR" ex.
claimed ne, and then taking off his hat and ook
iny upwards. he added. most emphaticaly-
Thank God for all his mercies!" After shor
pause he cou,nued-"-How delighted am t
- think that | helped to give that hateful bill 8
" kick-yes, Sir, this very day week spoke fo
50 three hours against it, and my friends, who
s. forced me to make the effort, we're good euougl
6. TO say that never had made more success
{" full speech: il ,bust have had some merit, Sir,
- for | assure you that whilst Mas speaking
i" although The Northern Nail was announced
"not a single member left his seat to look for let
{ :" ters-a circumstance which has not occurred
" before during the Session." endeavored ia
comba, his objections to Bankrupt Bill subse
ouently, but Of course without any success; he
felt as a Planter, aud was very jealous OF the in
fluence Of Merchants as Legislators.
One Of our company was an excellent chess
player. and frequently challenged Randolph to
, game, but for long time he refused - | have
- no, played at chess Sir" said be. /" TOR Sc
- venteeH years, and cannot recur to the las
! "game played but with unpleasant feelings
- for it lost me friend for ever. You have
7" heard. dare say, of my intimacy With MIR
Jefferson. but perhaps you don't know that BIZ
took more pride in his skill at chess than ir
any thing else-very few indeed. Sir, cou't
g beat him, and he could not endure defeat.
{ "was aware Of this. and had always decline,
, "piaying with him, because was his match, un
"tll one unfortunate evening. when he touched
Q "my Virginia pride in so pointed way that
. " could 40 longer refuse, and we sat down a