Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-12-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
Last Moments of John Randolph.
]. G.. w.

When the will of John Randolph Of Roam
oke was contested, the deposition of his at
tendant physician, Joseph Parrish of Phila.,
who was with him in his closing hours, was
| read before iks court. From 1t we extract
the following passage:
"The morning of the day that John Ran
dolph died, I received an early and urgent
message to visit him /; several persons were
in the room, but left il, except his servant
John, who appeared affected at the situation
of his dying m ster. remarked to John
soon after | arrived, that | had seen his mas
ter very low several times before, and he had
revived, and perhaps he would again. The
patient directly said, "John knows better
than that"
The interview this morning was peculiarly
impressive. | had not been long with him
before he looked at me with great intensity,
and said 10 a very earnest and distinct man.
ner, II confirm every disposition in my will,
especially that respecting my slaves whom |
have manumitted and for whom | have made
provision" This declaration was to me al
together unexpected it involved a subject
which, in our previous interviews, had never
been touched. 1t was one ! should not have
introduced.
l assured him | was rejoiced to hear such
a declaration from him-he appeared anxious
TO Impress it on my mind. Soon after this,
! proposed to 20 for a short time, to attend
an urgent message, received just before | left
home, assuring my patient would return as
speedily as possible. He positively objected
to my leaving him. "You must not 90, you
cannot, you shall not leave me-" He called
to his servant John to take care that the Doc
tor did not leave the room, and John accord
ingly locked the door, and soon reported,
''Master, l have locked the door, and got the
key in my pocket; the Doctor can't go now"
My proposal to leave him for a short time,
even on a promise to return, evidently irrita-
ted him for a moment.
1t may show the situation Of his mind,
when ] state, that in the moment Of excite
ment to which / referred, he said, "If you
do go, you need not return"
appealed to him as to the propriety O
such an order, inasmuch as | was only desi
rous Of discharging my duty towards anothe
patient who might stand in need Of assistance
His manner instantly changed, and he said
81 retract that expression !" and probably
quarter Of an hour afterwards, casting on m,
an expressive look, he again said, IL retrac
that expression" told him | thought
understood him distinctly on the subject h.
had communicated, and l presumed the will
would explain itself fully he replied in hi
peculiar way, mo you don't understand
j know you don't. Our laws are extreme
ly particular on the subject Of slaves.
will may maDumit them, but provision fc
their subsequent support, requires that a dee
laraiion be made, in the presence of a whit
witness, and it is requisite that the witness
after hearing the declaration, should contil
ne with the party and never lose sight of hi
until he is gone or dead. You are a goo
witness for John! You see the proprie,
and importance of your remaining with m
Your patients must make allowance for yol
situation" j saw and felt the force of Il
appeal.
The interest of the scene increased eveI
moment. was now locked in the chamb
with a dying Statesman, of no common G
der; one whose commanding talents, elev
ted political station, combined with great e
centricily of character, had spread his fam
not only through his native land, but ov
Europe. He then said, "John told me III
morning, Master, you are DYING" ma,
no attempt to conceal my views; on the co
trary, ! assured him | would speak to hi
with entire candor on the occasion, and to
him it had been rather a subject of surpri
that he had continued so long.
He now made his preparations to die. B
tween him and his faithful servant there a
peared to be a complete understanding. |
directed John to bring him his fathers bre'
button, which was Immediately produced.
He then directed him to place it in the /
som Of his shirt. 1t was an old fashiont
large sized gold stud. John placed it in
button hole of his shirt bosom but to fix
completely, required a hole on the oppos
side. When this was announced TO his m;
ter, he quickly said, "Get a knife and /,
one." handed my penknife to John, W
cut the hole and fixed the valued relic to
satisfaction Of the dying patient. A napl
was also called for, and placed by John up