New-York daily tribune., 1843-06-29
ToRK. THURsDAY MORNING, JUNE 20. lsl3.
The cabinet-John Randolph of Roanoke
Correspondence OF The Tribune.

CARE the President may well pause before ne
attempts to supply his place. Although Nr'
Upshur for the present takes charge OF the State
Department, and Mr.. Green, OF Princeton, y. j.
has been named as Attorney General, the vacan-
ccs will ultimately be filed with other names
and Mr.. Henshaw again postponed to the press
ing demands of Executive expedency.
For certain reasons, | shall suspend my examna
ton of Treasury allowances &c. for few days,
and in the meantime furnish you with some OF
the peculiarlies in the life and character of that
brilliant vet erratic genius, John Randolph, OF
Roanoke. You may rely on their authenticity
as the statements are derived from gentleman
of unmpeachable honor, and was familiar with
the Eccentric during his whole life
john RANDOLPH, of Roanoke, was born IN the
month of June l7713 at Corsans on the bank OF
the Appomattox, in the County Of Prince George
and State of Virginia. The mansion that had
the honor of FIRST giving back the queruous tones
of the Orator OF the .. Old Dominion was at
that period the beautiful residence Of his mater
nal uncle, Col. Thcodorick Bland, a gentleman
of a most ancient and honorable family, and a
distinguished cavalry officer In the war OF the
Revolution The father Of young Randolph, who
died in l115, among other things, bequeathed to
his infant son a most peculiar legacy, which
by his will is recorded in the County Court OF
Chesterfield, Sd Nov. l7775 in the words and
figures following
al, John Randolph OF Cumberland, &c give aud be-
queath 10 my son John Randolph all the tract OF land III
Charlotte County, joining ---'s land TO him and
m heirs forever the condition that he don't sell swap,
or part with any an! part parcel thereof 10
'omes- now living on, or near little Roanoke
(who cheated my brother Ryand of 600, in bargain
tor 80 Of ow grounds the opposite side OF e
Roanoke } any Of his children any agent attorney
for him lem any other person persons that he has
any suspicion information may ii for him any
hs family under the penalty Of five thousand pounds 10
be divided among ny other children: for CIV
ing this land such condition is, that to this day feel,
and my children may feel the vaiuy oihat -----'' >
One would suppose if his occasional aberra-
tons of mind were not ancestral, the malicious
temper of the Orator of Roanoke was duly IN
heritcd At all events, at a very early age, even
before he had assumed the integuments Of boy
hood, he gave striking proof of the violence of
his temper, by cursing his mother most emphatl-
cally for some supposed offence. Mrs. Randolph
Whose qualifications for the government OF her
children, Richard, Theodore Bland, and John,
were of the very highest ORDER, never struck a
child in "a passion and never punished hun Tor
accidental mischief: but for obstinate dlsobe-
dcnce or wilful wlckedness, she never failed nor
ceased to correct him till his temper yielded, and
he became perfectly submissive. She accordingly
took her seat and called the youngstcr in petit
coats to her, and admonishing him of the enor-
mty of his wckedness, commanded him on his
knees to implore her pardon, prepare to receive
a severe whipping. He obsllnatey refused, and
his mother, resolved to subdue him, commenced
q hagcllation in earnest His stubborn heart re-
sisted until the lashes were lald on his naked
flesh with such severity as to draw blood from
the child and tears from the mother. He was at
length conquered, and falling on his knees he
exclaimed, God bless you, my mother!'' My
informant assures NE he had good reason to be-
leve that this scene made an indeble impression
on the mind of Mr.. Randolph; for he was never
known to speak Of his mother but in terms ap
preaching alteration.
As might well be expected, Mrs. Randolph, in
consenting to second marriage selected gen
tlcman of education and high moral worth, every
way worthy Of her. In st. George Tucker, the
Young RandoIphs found protector with all the
tenderness of father and the vigilance and
anxiety of a friend and it was personally known
to my informant that Judge Tucker discharged
the interesting duties Of his delicate trust with
fidelity and affection rarely witnessed; that the
a two eldest of his step-sons recognized him en-
phaticalv as a father to the day of their death,
and that John Randolph associated with him,
spoke of him. and treated him with the utmost
affection up to the commencement OF that mental
malady, which first made It's appearance about
the year 1906, and afterward became periodical
insanity that increased and continued to the hour
of his death.
Prior to 1892 Mr. Randol pll was atiectionate
and familiar, and on the most friendly terms with
his kindred and neighbors Domesticated in the
midst of a delightful society, he received and
returned the warm hoSpitalltes of the times with
a satisfaction forever after unknown to him. The
death Of his brothers, added to other domestic al
/ hictions, rested heavily upon his mind, and ulti
mately upset ii. He himself was sensible oi
this; and my friend has the acknowledgement
under his own hand. About the beginning OF
the present century. al a period oil ms greatest
melancholy, he was domesticatcd at the house o
gentleman who entertained for HIM the deepest
interest and regard, and sought to alleviate his
sorrows bv every delicate attention. Every mem
Der of the family excrtcd themselves TO restore
! his spirits, till at length he became cheerful and
comparatively happy. But he was hardly re-
| lieved from one Inalady before he contracted
another. He was in love; and 1t is generally be
lieved that he made proposals and was accepted
by lovely and accomplished young lady, tho
sfep-daughter OF his host. At least the friend:
of both parties were satisfied that the lady haC
Welded to his addresses and at proper time they
wond be united. Business called hun away, bu
after short absence he visited her again and was
received as an acknowledged lover. One after
noon they extended their ramblcs to an unusua
length, and when they returned lady informed
her sister that Mr. T. would take his departure
early the next morning and never revisit her
He never did return; and from that period he
relapSed into his former habits, and all his sor
rn,rs came fresh upon him. The young lady