Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-19
Who Pulled Andrew JacksOn's Nose +?
Fifty Years of PersecutiOn-Life
of One of the Virginia RandOiphs.

Editor New York Sun:
SIR: Two hundred and fifty years age
this month, Pocakontas, daughter o
Powhattan, was married to John Rolfe
at jamestown, Va. She died in England
in March, four years after her marriage
leaving one son, who returned to Vir-
ginia to reside, and there left descend
ants, among whom was John Randolph
of Roanoke. Robert B. Randolph, cousin
of John. died at his residence on the cor
ner of Four-and a-half and G streets
Washington, on the morning of the 20th
inst, ct the sge of nty-eight, and was
buried yesterday He was the man who
tweaked the nose of Andrew jackson,
Old Hickory being then President of the
United States
If you search your own city you may
be able to find the author of this troHble
between jackson and Randolph-trouble
which shadowed the life of the latter from
early manhood to the tomb. You will
RENE mber that very few years since a
person named Bougsnani, think, eloped
from New York with the property and
neice of his wife, whom he had then re-
Gently married; and that the forsaken
wife was once the wife of Gen. Eaton,
Secretary of War to Gen. Jackson, and
prior TO that the wife of one Timberlake,
who died purser in the United States
navy. On the death of Timberlake, Ran
dolph, who was then lieutenant in the
navy, was appointed to act temporarily
as purser in his place. He found his ac-
counts in mixed condition, and de-
ficiency existing against him. Before he
had chance to settle his accounts, Mrs.
T. became the wife of Gen. Eaton, Secre-
tary of War, who was also surety for her
former husband. 1t became apparently
of interest to both that the deficiency
charged should be shifted to other shoul
ders than those of the dead purseE An
attempt was made to carry out scheme,
with Randolph as the victim.
Randolph asked for court of inquiry,
which, being granted, he was cleared of
all suspicion by its report. But, never.
Jackson ordered his dismissal
from the navy. Not long after this,
while Old Hickory was passing down the
Potomac on a steamer, ia front of Alex
andria, and during pause of the boat
at that place, Randolph came on board
and deliberately and most effectuslly
wrung the nose Of His Excellency. Let
one image the anger of the old hero of
New Orleans.
No wonder that Randolph had to dodge
from place to place for two years to
avoid arrest. Finally it is reported that
an officer now living was authorized to
inform Randolph that, if he would spol-
ogize for his insult to the President, he
would be reinstated. This Randolph de-
clined to do until the President had first
apologized. 1t is hardly necessary to
say that no apology came. After twenty
three years of service in the navy, and
much gallant conduct, Randolph without
much property and without profession,
was turned adrift upon the world. Dur
ing the administration John B. FloyI,
hen Secretary of War, gave Randolph
he position of Superintendent of Armory
IN Washington, but he enly held the
place q short time, as Buchanan, hearing
of the appointment, ordered it to be re-
7oked for reasons best known to himself. !
Randolph entered the navy at about
he age Of sixteen, and had command of |
division on the quarter deck of the !
rigate Constitution under Decatur, in
Ter actien with and the capture of the |
British frigate Macedonian. He was also |
n the President when that ship was cap
ured BY the Endymion, and other British |
resses, and was carried prisoner to
london, where he cowhided British |
,fieer for using contsmptuous language
America A brother of his
reut down with the sloop Wasp, which |
unk at sea after her fight with liue of
,attle ship, the name of which escapes
ne. BE was less than Eve feet ten in
light, rather slim, had hair of light color,
q youth, as shown BY miniature taken
/ New London soon after the capture OF
be Macedonian his nose was slightly
roman, and be had eyes like an eagle in
learness and power Of expression. 10
Iis eyes and nose alone we're perceptihle
races Of bis Indian origin. He leaves 8
rife and four children, one q con, There
: little pleasure in the thought that the