Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-06-06
T'he infc Johm Kasss1elpIl,
JOHN RANDOIPH or ROANokE

JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.
The world teems with anecdotes Of this
extraordinary man. His eccentric life was
doubtless owing To q physical conformation
which fayoured, If Il did not originate, all
tie pcculiarities which distinguished IL. His
extreme nervous sensibi!ity made him irrita-
BILE. His command over language. together
with his vast acquire ments, inspired him with
fcarlessness which excited him to measure
wit and eloquencc with the mighticst. Ills
voice, person, modes Of thought and express
sion, commanded NIL eyes, and all ears No
thing could ever conquer his prcjudiees.-
These were so deeply rooted against the w.
lus,rious Pre- sident Adams, a. 60 outlivc that
great man; and rather than part with them,
they were transferred, in all their bitterness,
TO his son, Of whom he never spoke without
designating him " John The 3D." Messrs. Ma
con and Stanford, Of North Carolina, were
the two members Of Congress for whom his
attachments knew no change. But the lib
critics no took with both, were such ~ the
master takes with his spaniel. u was no,
safe 20 he on terms Of friendship with Mr..
Randolph. lie would say what he pleased,
and when he pleased.
When Mr.. Calhoun appeared in Congress,
MIR. Randolph manifest q strong attachmeLi
To him. II became MIR. Calhoun's duty, on
the war question, We believe, 20 reply TO Mr..
Randolph. lie did il effectively, triumphant.
ly. Mr.. Randolph never spoke 10 him for
upwards OF two years utter; and, rs We be-
lieve, never after became reconciled to him.
In debate In the House Of Representatives
John G.. Jackson, OF Virginia, applied the
term friend 10 Mr.. Randolph. He started in
stantly from his seat, and said, in his remark
able counter tone, his eyes flashing fire -
Mr.. Speaker. am not the sensis~ssn's friesd,
Sir; hare aer0 been his friend, SIR; ntrr
,riH be his friend, Sn; nor shall he call n,s ki.
friend" MIR. Jackson, after n pause, said
Z" am at q loss, Mr.. Speaker, to know BY
what title 20 designate the honorable men,
Der from Virginia. Let me SEQ, ! have
IL Sir il shall be. the Right Honorahle de-
seendant OF her Majesty, Queen Pocahontas.'
Mr.. Randolph bowed. II wns probably the
highest compliment, in his own view Of il,
Mr.. jackson could pay him, for he gIoried In
his Indian descent.
Nothing annoyed him 90 much as n wrrrs
pronunciation Of O word. He never forgase
a member Of Congress for having pronounced
hichilimackinac enormously. He rebuked
him with great bitterness on the spot. NJ
man had, perhaps, n more perfectly refined
taste, and he was agouizct at what was not
in accordance with il. Few, il any, ever
made higher attainments in eloquence. His
genius We'd with his taste. His fancy was TO
his judgment what the wings Of bird are TO
its body; il bore him whithersoeyer il pleased.
But too often without even the instinct which
guides the bird. He seemed TO act ut ran
dom, and speak at random-yet all he said
was accompanied by flashes Of light that st-
traeted all eyes, whilst the purity Of his style
delighted all ears.
q = - u
acted, what the comet 10 10 our system. He
never appeared without shedding 4 radiance
over his track, nor without exciting feelings
Of anxiety in some, and dread in Others. His
presence was always considered as presaging
q war OF some kind.
The State OF Virginia has been very proper.
" called his mistress. Juba, his dogs, and
horses were to him pet children. We remem-
Der once Of his having called upon Mr.. Craw.
ford, OF the United States Hotel, for q mat
trass apiece for each Of his dogs, and for some
extra parlour room for their accommodation
MIR. Crawford, tired Of his eccentricities, sen
him his bill, which, though enormous, wa,
instantly paid-whcn be and his retinue sough
other quarters.
II Is said of Mr.. Randolph, that in comm,
from Norfolk in one Of the STEAMBOATS,,
French Barber stepped into the cabin. Th,
moment he caught Randolph's eye, he va
greeted with-"SiF, this. cabin cannot con
tain you and lone Of rs must instantl,
leave" "SiT," said the barber, in broker
English, al have paid my passage, end hav'
. right 20 come here" repeat, you or
must tAsssnliy leave IT," The ErenchmAi
hesitating, klr. Il. called out 70 his servan
10 bring him bis double-barre1ied gun.
was brought, when be adjusted the printing
4 a.. ~ H.
said, "Nov Sir, we'll ses who goesn-WheFe
upon the Frenchmsn cleared he stairs a
step and abouta half.
Every body knows that after Mr.. Rsndolpl
fell out With Colonel Trumbuil's paintings
and called tho Declaration of Independence
/ by that celebrated artist, " q shin piece" h,
neHer afterwards walked through the Rotun
da Of The Capitol, where the paintings hang
but went INTO the Hail by other routes w
saw bin once avoiding the great thoroughfar
leading through the Rotunda, winding hi
way up narrow back passage, lest he shoul
see that painting.
Ills eceentrieities in Europe We all kno,
all about. We would give sonnet thing to b
Possessed Of his correspondence with Mr.
GOuSerneur Morris. II was one continue
stream Of light both wayS-marked with IN
characteristics Of the lightning. Each Gas
Sas meant 10 be fatal. Some OF IL, We be
Iieve, was written in red ink, 90 indicate dor
clearly what was the temper Of the psrtie.
NTs. Morris VAS thought TO have come o
cobGuerUr.
We poke awhile ago Of his extreme ser
lsibiiity Of the wrong pronunciation of worc
THIS was exemplified even in the very age
MES IL death. Doctor p. vas reading I
him, and pronounced the word Omnpoter
with the s.ress on the po,--Omnipotent.-
Please aid the dying man, pronounce tbs
\ word Smaiposeni.' The Doctor proceede,
and coming to the word sgain, pronounced
~ before Doctor said Mr.. r., Il wi
thank you TO pronounce uYst word OmHipc
tent Soon afterwards, putting his hand I
his forehead, he said - have the sweat {
death on me now, and shortly after he die,
/ u we're quite easy to hll a newspaper Wit
The queer sayings and doings Of the woDdei
/ iul wan but the foregoing hastily throW
mr. =.