New-York daily tribune., 1843-08-02

THE TRIBUNE .
,,are a,,ont John lsandolph.


of Roanoke, it has awakened in my memory
some "reminiscences, which may not DC unHiteF-
esting to your numerous readers. Permit me-
however. IN the first place to contradict the as
sert;on of some writer from Virginia, that Nj
p.ndolnb was insane. as long ago as loU0. IRON
th,, neriod to 1922, Mr.. r. was IN the meridian
of his fame as an orator, and although he was
aIwavs eccentric vet when reused by a debate IN
which he was provoked to take part his an
tagonsts at least, showed that they ielt III iuil
force the power of his eoqucnce Have we ioF-
.,o,,en his great speech on the Yazoo speculation,
delivercd in 1895 Whenever he introduced
nroDostion, and met with resistance, he bore
down all opposition by his inpassoned oratory
and his rcsolute and unyicldng temper.
The first time I had the pleasure Of his ac-
ouaintance, was at the commencement of the
Session of 1907 Several members collected at
Crawford's, in Georgetown, to compose = mess
The evening before the opening OF the Session, |
took my place among them, where | met with
two old acquaintance, Richard Stanford and
James NJ. Garnott, political partlsans OF Mr,
Randolph. After some general observations by
voted for the administration as an Eiector, if
had any views of official favor, now the
time to apply. | replied that had already paid
nv respects to the President, and on making the
usual enquiries, found to my surprise 81 the mar
ket forestalcdn This created "a laugh through
the mess, and among the rest, Mr.. Randolph was
so tickled that he arose and got Mr.. Sanford to
introduce me, hoping from this incident, that
would become d new recruit in his opposition
corps in which he lnscalculated as continued
a consistent republican and gave my humble
support to the Administration, and although
was frequently under the necessity OF voting
against Mr. Randolph it did not occasion any
GOODNESS between u.s.
A few evenings alterward, while the mess were
arranged around the fire in the sitting room, Mr..
Randolph came in somewhat excited, and immc-
diately began to talk of his discomfort He SAID
that Meyl the tailor had for years been his beau
tifer, and he had always paid his bills without
dispute. lie had been taking stroll through the
business part of the town, and on the way had
called on Melvil, who prevailed on hln to have
his measure taken for a coat. He had not pro-
ceeded far from the shop before he was accosted
by retailer and requested TO look at piece OF
cloth, which, upon inspection, he found superior
and much cheaper than that Melvil had shown
him. He was persuaded to buy pattern, pro-
vided NJ. would agree to make 1t up instead OF
the one he had spoken for. On calling upon VI
for that purpose. he positively refused and held
Mr.. R. to his hard bargain Mr.. X. said Of course
he should fulfil it, but nj. should never have any
more of his custom. A member present then N
terposed and informed Mr.. Randolph that he was
not acquainted with the mode of shopping preva-
lent there The merchants had two pr!ccs-an
asking price and taking one; and he used 10
send his wife around to make all the purchases
for the family, by which nc made saving OF ID
or 90 per cent. Mr.. Randolph replied +" had
rather my wife should make living any other
way but one than that His being confirmed
old bachelor made the remark the more comical.
Mr.. Garnett, few evenings attcrward, on his
return from canvass-back duck shooting, told an
adventure which occurred on the part of another
hunter he had fallen in with, on the banks Of the
Potomac. The man had followed d large flock
Till it entered cove, and secrcted himself behind
a log, to await an opportunity to get number OF
them in range. After waiting in the cold for
some time, and finding a fair chance to place his
gun over the log to take rest, and Just as he had
taken sight and was ready to pull tr gger, what
should he see but another long gun directly oppo-
site, aiming at the same object. He had hardly
time to drop down behind the log, before away
blazcd the other sportsman, the whole wad coming
into the, log behind which he was Lying"
said Randolph, finishing the sentence for Mr.. Gar
nett, to the great diversion of the company.
During the session, from some hard words
spoken previously by Mr.. Randolph, against Cen
Wilkinson, the latter challenged hm Mr.. Ran.
dolph refused to meet HIM, on the ground that the
General was so far beneath him, 8 he could not
descend to his level. The General posted hun,
aud among other things, asked Mr.. X. il he could
ascend to the level OF gentleman Mr.. K.
went fully armed after that, and although he ap-
pcared to avoid any ostentatlous display of ms
weapons, yet on throwing himself on char, or
sofa, he would show belt literally slowed with
pistols. dirks and short swords. However, the
General had no intention OF assaultng him. con-
sidering him privileged by the seat he held
Mr.. Randolph by the irritability of his temper,
got himself INTO frequent scrapes, and although
he would bully and cover the most tmd, vet he
sometimes met with men who proved not quite 50
obsequious and submissive. Among them was
John w. EppeS, JefferSons SON. -ln-law, the Char
man of the Committee of Ways and Means
The occasion of their quarrel was the following
1t was during the Embargo times Of the Session
of ISL. The House had been engaged all the
torepart of the day upon some retaliation mea.
sure, perhaps Nom Intercourse bill. On the
motion of Mr. Eppes, the House took recess,
from O'Clock 2. NJ. at which time it was
understood the question would be taken, without
further debate. Mr.. Randolph had in the mean
time reached Washington, and after hearty din
ner, which was well diluted with the homely stnn-
ulus of whiskey, he took his seat, for the frs,
time during the Session, at the hour of adjourn
ment. As soon as the House formed, Mr.. K. got
up and moved it 10 adjourn, and among other rea.
sons, stated that he had just reached his seat af-
ter long and Catiguing ride, and was not in a
condition TO vote or to speak on question OF that
Importance at that hour. Mr.. Eppcs opposed it,