Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-24
necdotss and Recollection Of Public Men.

From the Rev. VIM. H. Miburn's Ten Years
o.! Preacher Life, just published, We extract
the following
Zone hears many anecdotes of our public
mrn from the lips Of their coevals, and |
NAV be- allowed Ia mention some ut them IN
this place. John Randolph. of Roanoke, is
the hero of many Il rucy story. After tho
last war with Great Britain, the House WAS
engaged IN the discussion OF the currency
question. Mr.. Calhoun, one Of the Youngest
hnt foremost members. toward whom MIR,
Raniulp h entertained the strongest leelIngs"t
antipa,hy. WAS making an elaborate speech,
in which he declared that no statute uf the
country required the tender of gold or silver
for revenue. MIR. Randolph, who sat near
Mr.. Webster, leaned toward him and m
yured If tins were 81: tho latter replied
that he Thought not, and calling page,
desired him 10 bring certain volume
Of thc Statute, at Large, in which he
found Inv requiring the payment at
pp>lase in gold aud silver. lie handed the
volume t" Raudol rh. who glanced at the
statute and returned it 10 the page. that 1t
might bs replaced on the shelves behind the
speaker, chair Slowly rising, he Interrupt
ted Mr.. Calhoun, and desired to know,
through the speaker, whether tho gentleman
from South Carolina felt positive ~ Ia the
accuracy of his assertion. MIR. Calhoun re-
piled that he did. Mr. Randolp pin responded,
ia that Irritating tone which none hotter than
hc knew how and when u Use, that he had
doubts ~ 1" the h"nnrahle members correct
Hess. Mr. Calhoun, much chated, retorted
with asprrity THAT he considered the inter
rnpt.on unilgntticd and contemplate -tlat
he had examined all the statutes and knew
his position To be impresnable. Mr.. Ran
dolph then summoned the page to bring him
the desired Volume. ami opening it, as il by
accident, ut the very leaf sont ii 10 Mr. Cal
houn, with the request that he should read
it to the House. Tho latter was 81 much dis
concerted that he took his seat covered with
confusion"
The following story of General Jackson,
the author says, is new. ID refers to the i'll
urmnity which was cxactcd by the threat Of
war from Louis Philippe, and !ttrue, throws
additional light on tho science Of diplu-
macy Our merchants were alarmed ut tho
prrspcr; of war with France, and some Of
them besought the services Of Il friend of the
Old Hero, i Jud.r Of the Supreme Court. 10
Law the matter before him and en,reat his
iurb"arance.
Reaching Washington, just before the
commencement ut the session, when the war
message was 10 be sent to Congress. the
Judge called to pay hi, respects to the Presi-
dent. and before long the topic Of the day WIS
introduced. well. Judge" said the old
chc!tain, what do they think Of my war
policy i'll the great cIties:' The Judge, who
had really been very much Impressed by
what he had heard, stated in concise but
-trnng terms, the remurstrance with which
he had been charged The President
tools they are" Opening his desk, he pro-
iuceI a mapof France, and IL couple Of letters.
The m..p showed ut II glance the departments
winch produced wine aud silk, and on its
margin was \ tabular statement. showing the
number Of deputies in the chamber, sent from
these. ~ compared with the other departments
Of the kingdom, 10y which it appeared that
they h.d II strong INA orIty III the Legislative
branch ol the government. One of the let
ters MAS from Mr.. Livingston, the Presidents
minister III Paris, announcing that he had
the honor to forward with the accompanying
map and annexed information, prepared by
himself and the French minister of foreign
affairs, III autograph letter from Louis
Philippe. In this the King Of the French
stated explicitly that he felt the justice
of the American Presidents claim for in
drnnity. and was DESTROYS to satisfy IT,
but that he WAS prevented from 50 do
ins 10y the impracticahlc temper of his
chamber Of deputies; that rs the President
wonli see from the map. its ma jority was
composed oI members from those departments
whose industry would be ruined by IL war
with the United Starcs, yet that these were
the very men who refused 10 vote the sup
plies To pay the debt. Ills ma esty there
fore urged the President to Threaten mime
liutc war unless the debit were paid. with
the assurance that this measure would have
the desired effect Of alarming the intract-
able deputies into more equitable DISPOSE
tons. The Judge therefore joined the pres
,dcnt's hearty laugh, and felt how Sroundlcss
were the fears and how undesrryed the bit
ter dcnuncatiuns. poured out upon the head
II the noble Tcuucsscau."