Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-15
THE WILL, CASE.

One OF The most remarkable cases, which has
ever been presented 10 our Courts Of Justice is
certainly Mr. John Randolph's will. His own
extraordinary life, his brillian! genius, singular
eloqnence, The distinguished figure which he has
Gu: in our national councils, in some Of the mos.
important epochs Of our political history, and his
eccentric habits, both in public and private life,
have stamped degree Of inieres, upon almost
every thing which he did or said, that falls 10 the
ol of bur few Individuals. His death has been
productive of stirring scenes, that correspond in
some manner with his extraordinary life. He
died, possessed Of very large property that has
been estimated al some hundred thousands ofdol-
lars-a large number ofslaves, and valuable broad
lands on the Roanoke-from which he borrowed
his celebrated atiix of John Randolph OF Roam
o6c. The disposition Of this properly has been
bone OF contention among different parties, ever
since his death. Several papers were left behind
him, which were considered in the light of last
testaments; and the question was which was The
true will, or whether there was anyl One will
was disputed for its want of form. 1t was said
10 have been cancelled By himself His eccen-
trio habits and the marks Of insanity, which APP
reared in his conduct al several periods of his
lite led 10 contests about another. 1t was
said, that il was invalid because he was in
sane, when he wrote il, If this will Chat Of
1927 was established, il cut off his nearest
relations from all right 10 his property
1t left all his slaves free and the great burden Of
his possessions 10 Mr.. Bryant, who had married
one Of his nieces. The question was banded
about from Court 10 Court, until the General
Court decided in favor Of the validity of the will
of 81 The other parties, then, opened new
battery against it. They availed themselves Of
one Of the statutes Of Virginia, and renewed The
attack. 1t was shifted from one district TO an
other-irom The Williamsburg Circuit Court
where.Judge Upshnr had presided, 10 the Peters
burg Court, where Judge Gholson was upon the
bench. After long delay, it came 10 hearing,
before sworn jury, in December last-Well !!
the parties and the lawyers went 10 work. The
Colonization Society, and Mr.. Bryant, united
their forces 10 establish the will Of 1921. His
nearest relations attempted 10 upset il. The plea
put in was insanity. Perhaps no Will Case in this
country has ever called out such an extraordinary
combination of circumstances. so or GO Witnesses
drawn from various parts OF Va, and from Phila-
ing, exclusive of written evidence. The investi-
extended 10 bis public transactions-to speeches
which he had made in Congress-to essays which
he had writien-to his private correspondence-to
the course of his politics, as well as 10 his court
ships. The array of counsel was tremendous
Six lawyers on each side, from different towns,
and some of the most prominent standing, were en-
listed in the cause. The Richmond Bar furnished
more than her contingent The argument ran
through more than three weeks, and almost
as long as the great debate on Texas, with
this difference, that here the champion was at
Liberty TO speak as long as he pleased, but