Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-25
RANDoLPHIANA-No. VII.
[From the New York American ]

MIR. Randolph returned from Ehgiduu ioT he
last time in the fall Of 1881. called upon him
Immediately after his arrival, and was very much
shocked at his emaciated appearance. 10 reply
to my question about his health, he said. III me.
lanchoiy tone of voice" All, sir, I am going at
last; the machine IS worn out-naturs Is exhaust.
ed. and have tried 10 vain to restore herr
He then changed the conversation. and spoke
with his usual animation of his late visit to Eng
land, and touched slightly upon his short sojoura
at st. Petersburgh. He told me that his faithful
Juba had regular attack of yeaow tever at the
latter city, which induced him to hurry away the
soouer!-besides which, there was no business OF
importance to detain him there, and his own
health was bad.
"Wel, Mr.. Randolph" said l. "greaf
events have occurred in Europe, since you left
us!" (" Yes sir" replied he, IN his most sarcas.
tic manner, :" great events have occurred
abroad, and pery small ones at home! They
sent me the Washington papers, containing the
letters, but could not read them. biushed
for nv country. The affair told badly in Eu.
rope, SIR"
iasked him whether he had attended the de.
bates ON the Reform Bill. He replied in the
Affirmative. then inquired whom he consider,
ed the greatest orator in the House Of Commons
- Your countrymau, O'Connell. sir. bv all odds;
he is Giant among Pismies!" He then remark.
ed what a dearth of good speakers there was IN
England, compared with the days OF Fox. Burke.
Sheridan, Pitt, &c.
| asked him whether the reports which were
then received relative to the dangerous state Of
the Kings health were true He replied, "They
are all Id Tory lies, sirJ he was IN excel.
lent health when left London. / had the no
nor of breakfasting under tent with his Males
ty, al the opening Of the New Bridge. short
time ago, and he appeared to be as likely to live
as any of the company-a much better life than
myself, sir1'
After spending an hour or two most agreeably
with him. during which we talked of every thing
aud every body, took my leave, under the i'm.
preston that had seen him for the last time;
which has proved too true, though his death was
more remote then than had imagined it to be.
He was SO feeble, aud had such a dresdfuly Sc.
we're cough. really almost expected to hear OF
his decease on the road, before he reached Viz
ginis!
1t is stated in the newspapers that he has made
his slaves free BY will. which dare say will be
found true. as he has frequently told me that he
Was decided enemy TO slavery in the abstract,
aud that he would have emancipated his slaves
long ago, if he could have felt convinced that
they would have been as happy and as comforta
BILE elsewhere as they were at Roanoke.
have often heard from other persons that he
was kind and affectionate master, and did eve.
~ thing in his power to make his slaves happy.
Ashe has now passed away for ever from % the
field Of his glory" let US hope that the mantle Of
charity will be extended to his memory. Those
who were warmly opposed to him. should now re.
collect that he i. no longer present to reply to
their attacks, and that "to err is human, to for.
give DIVINE"
No matter what difference Of opinion there
may be as TO his political course. there can be
none to his extraordinary talents; on this ground
therefore, all parties Gun unite in paving the trl.
butte Of respect to departed greatness.
Those who have heard his NJ fascinating elo.
quence can never forget him; Ms only BY them
that the preceding anecdotes will be appreciated.
His manner Of speaking was so perfectly orlsi'
nal, it always gave punt to the most simple expires
sions, which, when merely read, may not appear
very striking to those who did not know him.
His personal friends will faithfully cherish the
remembrance Of bis friendship; and his native
State, s.old Virginia." will not forget that in
John Randolph Of Roanoke she has lost one Of
her brightest ornaments and most devoted child
rem! Peace be to his ashes! may they rest un.
disturbed beneath his "patrimonial oaks"