Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-30
LIT. RANDOLPH'S LETTER
10 Mr.. Madison, enclosing his commission.

Alexandra, 70. c. April Gath, 1888.
Dear Sir II make no apology for the
liberty take Of addressing letter to you.
Being Virginian by nature, habit and
character yourself, you viii readily, am
sure, appreciate the feelings one of her
sons in surrendering to you the commits
sion, it was SO much my honor and pride TO
receive from you. was, of course. first
appointed midshipman, and served with
diligence and faithfuiness, until received
Gom you the commission of lieutenancy
in the Navy Of the United States. the du-
ties which have in like manner discharged
with all the arder and integrity of one
who has always loved his country, gov
eminent and people. 1t has altogether
occupied period of twenty three years;
twelve of which, have been consumed in
the most active service. Ihave never dis
graced the flag or character of my coun
try IN any shape, way or degree what
ever; but have uniformly sustained the
dignity and honor Of both, amid many
arduous and very perious engagements.
1t was my good fortune to be in the bat
tie with Commodore Decatur, in the ship
United States, against the British ship
Macedonian SO, which was captured L
was with him in fight off New London,
and rescued valuable vessel and cargo
from under the guns Of the enemy's squad
ron, which was believed to be one of the
most hazardous enterprises. | was with
hun In the United States frigate President
an an engagement with the British squad
ron, consisting of he Majestic "a, the
Endymion IA frigate, Tendedos frigate
50, the, Pomona 3S, and sloop of war;
the engagement commencing at day
light IN the morning, and lasting until II
O'Clock, L. M. ! was with him in the
irsate Guerrero against the Algerine fri
gate MedoTa IN the Mediterranean, which
was captured, and which led to the treaty
between Algiers and the United States;
and on the next day, captured an Algerine
sloop Of war of 90 guns. And finally,
when taken prisoner in the frgate Presi
dent by the British squadron before men
toned, and carried to Bermuda, in con
Sequence Of reflections made upon the y
States Government and Com Decatur,
was selected by my brother officers to
chastIse the editor Of the Kings press,
which fully accomplished on the Kings
square, at the hazard of being sent to En-
gland or imprisoned in the Island.
1t happens now, after all these trying
circumstances, wherein my character has
been faithfully sustained by the voices of
my superiors and comrades, that am I'M
der the necessity OF restoring to you
The commission thatitwas your prerogative
10 give, and my honor to receive from
you, as President of the United States.
return 1t to you sir, because | deem
you so perfectly worthy of the respect,
which II is my view TO pay you by the
surrender OF il: you bestowed il upon me,
and have most concientiously and faith
inily fulfilled the obligations it imposed
upon me.
Driven fsom any further service TO nv
country by jhe most wretched injustice;
and by spirit of persecution and tyranny
unparalleled in the annals OF the country,
1t is my province to assure you, though
dismissed myself from the Navy, it would
be to me at least comfortable reflection, il
could imagine that there is any thing
like even the possibility .ol justice TO be
calculated upon under the existing miser-
able administration, to those il has been
SO long my pride and blessing to have
been associated with. in the Navy of the
U. D l Owe it, however. to truth and
justice TO say, that the link which holds
them together. is just as feeble and brit
tie IN their hands, as mine has been:-fi
deity, arduous service and valor, are not,
now a-days, such attributes as TO weigh
feather in the scale with power and in
terest
consider the administration of Andrew
Jackson, as subversive of constitutional
liberty, and guided by feeling and pas
Zion; and although degradation and ruin
have been long ago plotted by his mali
cious, lnsidious and dishonest official sub
alterns, it has been his pride 10 connive
at it all. and to make me the victim oil
their base and heartless injustice have
the honor TO be,
With profound respect,
Your most obedient servant,
ROBT Ii RANDOLPH.