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 brilliant genias. 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 habs, both in public and private life,
have stamped degree Of nercs: upon almost
every thing which he did or said that falls 10 The
iot Of bu, 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 at some hundred thousands ofdol-
lars-a large number ofslaves, and valuable broad
lands on the Roanoke-from which he borrowed
his celebrated aifix of John Randolph OF Roam
okc. 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
tesaments; and the question was, which was The
true will, or whether there was anyl One will
was disputed for IFS want Of form. 1t was said
TO have been cancelled by himself His eccen-
lric habits and the marks of insanity which ap-
peaIed in his conduct at several periods of his
lite, led 20 contests about another. It was
said, that il was invalid, because he was in
sane when he wrote ii. If this will Chat Of
1929 was established, it cut of his nearest
relations from all right 10 his properly
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 a new
battery against it. They awaited themselves Of
one of the statutes Of Virginia, and renewed the
attack. 1t was shifted from one district to an
other-trom the Williamsburg Circuit Court,
where.Judge Upshnr had presided, TO 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 TO establish the will of 1921 His
nearest relations attempted 10 upset it. The plea
put in was insonitv 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-
delphia, were examined in The course the hear
ing, exclusive of written evidence. The investi-
CATION embraced various periods of his life. 1t
extended 10 his public transactions-lo speeches
which he had made in CongreSs-to essays which
he had wri,len-lo 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, we're 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 10 speak as long as he pleased, but