Indiana State sentinel., 1851-06-19
A Remarkable Death Bed Scene.

Randolph of Roanoke, by Hugh A. Garland, which
has just been published
Next morning (the day on which he died) DR.
Parrish received an early and earnest invitation to
visit him. Several persons were in the room, but
soon left it, except his servant John, who was much
affected al the sight of his dying master The Doc
tor remarked 10 him, have seen your master very
low before, and he revived; and perhaps he will
again. ssJohn knows better lhan that, SIR" He
then looked at the Doctor with great intensity, and
said in an earnest and distinct manner, =" / con-
firm every disposition in my WILL especially that re-
specting my slaves whom | have manumitted, and
for whom have made provision"
"I am reioiced to hear such declaration from
you sr replied the Doctor and soon after, propos-
ed TO leave him for short tine to attend to another
patient. You must not go,' was the reply, you
, cannot you shall not leave me. John! take care
that the Doctor does notleaye the rOom. John soon
locked the door, and reported, Master, l have
locked the door, and got the key in my pocket; the
Doctor can't go nOw.'
He seemed excited and said, &c If you do go you
need not return.'' The Doctor appealed to him as
TO the propriety of such an order, lnasmuch as he
only desrous of diScharging his duty TO another
patient. His manner instantly changed and he said,
% retract that expression Some time afterwards,
with an expressive look, he said again. "I retract
that expression"
The Doctor now said he understood the subject Of
his communication, and presumed the Will would
explain itself fully He replied in his peculiar way,
- NO. YOU uOnL unucTSld0u IL, hhO" lOu uOh T.
Our laws are extremely particular the subject OF
slaves-a will may manumit them, but provision for
their subsequent support requires that declaration
be made in the presence of white witness; and 1T
is requisite that tie Witness after hearing the declar-
alton, should remain with the party and never lose
sight of him, until he is gone or dead You are
good witness for John You soc the. piopriety and
importance of your remaining yla lS your patients
must make allowance for yoCr situation John told
me this morning. master, you are DYING"
The Doctor with entire candor replied, that it was
rather matter Of surprise that he had lasted long.
He now made his preparations 10 die He directed
John 10 bring him his fathers breast button; he then
directed him 10 place il in the bosom Of his shirt IL
old fashioned, large sized gold stud John
placed il in the butOn-hOle OF the shirt boSom-but
TO fix it complely, required hole in the opposite
side. ''Get knife,' said he, ''and cut one"
napkin was called for, and placed by John over his
breast For short time he lay perfectly quiet with
his eyes closed. He suddenly reused up and eX
claimed" Remorse! remorse!" II was thrice re-
peated, the last time, at the top of his voice, with
great agitation. He cried out let me see the word
Geta Dictionary, let me see the word" "There is
none in the ROOM sir'' &c Write it down then-let
me see the word.'' The Doctor picked up one of his
cards, " Randolph of Roanoke -" shall write it
on this card?'' &c Yes, nothing more proper" The
word renaOrss was then written in pencil. He took
the card in hurried manner and fastened his eyes
il with great intensity. &C Write il on the back
he exclaimed-it was so done and handed him again
He extremely agitated--" Remorse! you have
idea what it is; you form idea OF it, what
ever; it has contributed to bring me TO my present
SuatiOn-but have looked 10 the Lord Jesus Christ
and hope have obtained pardon. Now let John
take your pencil and draw line under the word, -
which accordingly done. "What am i TO do
with the card.'' inquired the Doctor. 6" Put il in
your pocket-take care Of it-when am dead, look
at it.''
The Doctor now introduced the subject of calling
in some additional witnesses 10 his declaration and
suggested sending down stairs for Edmund Badger.
He replied, SCI have already communicated that to
him. The Doctor then said, "With your concur
renee sir, | will send for two young physicians
who shall remain and never lose sight Of you until
YOU are dead TO whom you can make your declara-
tions-my son, DR.. Isaac Parrish, and my young
friend and late pupil, Dr. Francis West, brother of
Capt. WeSt''
He quickly asked" Capt West of the packet :"
yes, sir, the same.'' Send for him-he's the
man-I'll have him."
Before the door unlocked, he pointed towards
bureau, and requested the Doctor to take from it
remuneration for his services. To this the Doctor
promptly replied that he would feel as though he
acting indelicately, TO comply. He then
waived the subject, by saying In England, it is
always customary"
The witnesses were now sent for and arrived
The dying man was propped up in the bed, with pill
lows, nearly erect Being extremely sensitive TO
cold he had blanket thrown over his head and
shoulders; and he directed John 10 place his hat on
the blanket, which aided In keeping il close 10
his head. With countenance full of sorrow, John
stood close by the side of his dying master. The
four witnesses = Edmund Badger, Francis West,
Isaac Parrish, and Joseph Parrish, were placed in
Semi-circle, in full view. He rallied all the expir-
ing energies of mind and body to this last effort
His whole soul, says DIR. Parrish, Z" seemed con-
centrated in the act His eyes flashed feeling and
intelligence. Pointing towards us with his long in
deX finger, he addressed US"
"I confirm all the directions in my Will, respect
ing my slaves, and direct them 10 be enforced, par
ticulary in regard to provision for their support"
And then raising his arm as high as he could, he
brought il down with his open hand on the shoulder
of his favOrite John, and addressed these words
especially for this He then asked each of the
witnesses whether they understood him. DIR. Joseph
Parish explained to them what Mr.. Randolph had
said in regard to the laws of Virginia. on the subject
Of manumisson-and then appealed to the dying
man to know whether he had stated il correctly.
eyes" said he, and gracefully waving his hand as
token Of dismssion, he added" the young gentle
men will remain with me-"
The scene was now soon changed. Having dispo-
sed Of that subject most deeply impressed on bis
heart, his keen penetrating eye lost its expression,
his powerful mind gave way, and his fading lmagi-
nation began TO wander amid and with friends
that he had left behind In two hours the spirit took
IFS flight, and all that mortal of John Randolph
of Roanoke was hushed in death. At a quarter be-
fore II o'clock the 24th day Of June, 1S33 aged
sixty years, he breahed his last, in chamber Of the
City HOTEL No. Al North Third street, Philadelphia.
Fluency in Conversation.
Roll empty barrel down hill, and what rattling
noise il makes So with an empty carriage over
the pavements. So also with an empty head, When
II contains but few scattering ideas, every body
the fellow who carries such head passes by you.
Have not Such an individual in vOllr minds