Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-08
LEG
TIE RANDOLPH WILL CASE.

| ffiddg, JHtQ SIN.
Richard Randolph, II. examined for the dcicn-
dant llobson. Shrwn the letter OF Mrs. Morris
saws he has seen many oi her letters, aud believes
tins is her hand writing. Questioned by Mr.. Cooke
whether he ever saw this letter before Ans |
have seen copy of a similar letter, sent by Mrs.
nj. to one OF my family some Yeas aco--but |
think this is u longer letter than the one slw. O.
How long had you been al Mr.. RS house, nj the
time the vii! of 1921 written 4. \ part OF
| October, aud the greater portion of November
about six weeks. e. What was the state OF Mr.
RS mind during that period 7 Ans never saw
Mr.. X. IN better state OF mnl--it WAS that of a
shrcwd, sensible, and most agreeable gentleman.
lie was rs calm any individual living on Nir
gina estate could be. lie displayed great and
kindness Tor his negroes--as an evidence OF which,
| will state that he remlincd AT home u week be-
yond the usual period OF setting out on his way 10
Congress, in order to distribute clothing 10 his
slaves with his own hands Throughout the time
of my stay there observed that he paid decree
of attention 10 their comfort which is not common
After | left him at Nj. Barksalo's, we met ac-
cidcntallv the next day.-As the weather was bad,
did not know that MIR. Il. would travel that dav,
and continued my journey without him, aud we
met at our lodging place on the road, and came
Richmond with him. did not see him again that win
ter. had IA conversat ON with Mr.. X. in the sum
mcr OF 1921, on the subject Of his slaves. lie
spoke upon the subject with perfect calmnesS, and
seemed TO feel much anxiety for their welfare. |
believe he said that they could no, be placed in n
better condition than they then enjoyed, and that
he would give five hundred pounds To know how
they could be kept in rs good condition after his
death. During the whole Of the time that spent
with MIR. H., had frequent and FREQ conversations
with him and he did not manifest any strong pre-
JUDGE against any individuals but one. lie was
perfectly calm and placid VIII he spoke OF midi
viduals opposed 10 him, and mentioned Mr.. Clay,
MIR. Mercer and others with great iorbcarancc. OF
the elder Judge Tucker he Away, spoke with Bit
tcrncss. Question by Mr.. TAYLOR. Was he o.
qually calm and collected in August, 1921, as in
the fall after Ans. lcS--eNccpt that he lived
more freely at the former period. In the fall, both
Mr.. Il. and myself were in bad health, and we
drank wine. q. What effect did wine pro-
duce on him Ans. The same as ON other per
sons. lie occasionally drank wine 10 excess but
he left the table, went to bed, and rose the next
morning IN his usual condition. Questioned
whether he was with Mr. Il. on the road when he
spent night at pcyton Randolph's-says yes.
q. was lsI,am Randolph there thai night Ans.
No. Questioned by MIR. Stanard whether he
MIR. r., when he returned from W Washington short
" after The correspondence between him and Go
verncur Morris Ans. did not see him in Rich
town the winter following, III the month of Fcbru-
AIRY think. Q. Did YOU form any opinion 10
his state OF mind at that time! Ans. particular Y OBJ
served that he in possession OF all his faculties,
as dincd with him in company which would nat
urally test the soundncss OF his ntcllect-Nlr.
Webster and other distinguished men being pre-
sent Mr.. Il. was perfectly cool. delivered him
a distressing MESSAGE from nm old iiiend-and Mr..
II. prepared an answer in writing in my presence,
which | saw after had delivered it and which
was scnsby written, and contained expressions
similar to some in this letter from Mrs. Morris.
Saturday, Juiy on.
RIcuAHD RANDOLPH, Jn. RE-ENAMINED.
Questioned by Mr.. Cooke. Did not MIR. II.
while YOU with him in 1921, prefer similar
charges agans, Judge Tucker to those contained
in his will Of 1921 Ans. The charges made by
him were substantially the same as have been
mentioned by the WITNESSES IN this trial lie SAID
he had taken counsel as to a large number oi slaves
which Judge Tucker had sold, and to which he
had no right IN justice or law.-But that he
(Mr. r. too late for Justice in the matter, as
he was barred by the limitation oitimc thought
he said he had taken counsel of MIR. WIckham.
q. Did he say any thing OF the other charge OF
embezzling tho profits of his estate during his mi
nortv Ans. | do know that he said any
thing OF embcZzlomcnt-but he spoke OF Judge
rs mismanagemcnt OF his estate, and sad he had
to paw the black smiths bill for the estate during
the whole OF hI. minority, after he was OF age
Judge rs conduct was subject OF frequent con-
versaion with Mr. X. Accidental circumstances
would call il up, and lac was in The habit OF dwell
ling upon it. | remember conversation which
took place at the dinner table between Mr. r. and
old Essex. Something was wanted, glass of por
ter perhaps, which should have been served in
piece of plate. Mr. Il. said, All Essex, You
cannot serve lhat as ii should be. What has be-
come of such piece Of plate -" Oh, you know,
mastcr,o said Essex, I" that Mr. Fucker sent ii
! to England and had it melted down."-Qucstion.
Was it not evident 10 you that Mr.. X. asked the
question in order elicit such answer from Is
sexl Ans. II might be. | presume that Essex
knew hi, masters opinions, and gave him such AN
answer would please him !! Z. Was it not ev-
identity planned Ans. | thought it accidental
but it seemed good evidence that Mr.. r. wished to
get statement of tie fact from Essex, not wish
ing to mention ii himself; aud that he therefore
put the question to the old man. lie then went on
to state many things that Judge r. had done, and
to shew me that he had been unf,irhful to his trust
in small well as in large matters. lie spoke of
other instances of petty robbery aid said that
Judge L. had taken the marble ambs from his ia
theirs house at Maoax and sent them to house
which he was building or repairing at Petersburg
| lie frequently alluded to Judge T., and never
| spoke OF him with respect but seemed pleased at
an opportunity OF complaining Of what he consid-
cred the great grievances and injuries he had sui
lcred from Judge II. q. Did You sound HIM on
the subject of his religion? Ans. | should never