The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-01

Two hundred and ffty-six years ago TINS
month, pocahontaa, daughter Of Powhatan,
was married 10 John Rolfe, at jamestown, Va.
She died in England in March, four years after
her marriage, leaving one son, who returned
to Virginia 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 corner of Four
and-a-half and streets, Washington, on the
morning Of the Goth inst, at the age OF 70.
he was the man who t,oeaked the nose OF An
drew Jackspn, Old Hickory being then Presi-
dent OF the United States.
The pulling took place in the cabin OF q
steamer which stopped at Alexandra on It's
passage down the river. Randolph went ABOARD,
marched no to Jackson, who supposed he was
confronted by friend till the thing was done.
Randolph got beyond the jurisdiction OF the
county police before process could Dc ISSUED,
and escaped arrest. The scene when jackson
found himself with pulled nose is described
by'those who saw it as one Of fstupendous rage
The cities Of Che District OF Columbia were IN
q foam over the indignity, and the whole coun-
try. in fact, was for Q stime lp tempest, the
triumphant Jackson party feeling that It's own
nose had been twisted by this audaclo9s de-
scendaut Of Pocahontas. General van NESS,
then Mayor Of Washington, sent q solemn
message to the Councils on the event, ana tae ne
coincidence and Indignation.
No wonder that Randolph had to dodge ro'n
place to place for two years to avoid arr
was authorized to inform Randolph that il he
would apologize for his insult to the President,
he Would be reinstated. This Randolph de-
cIned to do until the President had first apol-
ogized. It 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
profesnon was turned adrift upon The world.
During the administration Of james Buchanan,
John B. Floyd, then Secretary OF War, gave
Randolph the position of Superintendent OF
the Axnorv in Washington; but he only held
the place short time, as Buchanan hearing
Of the appointment, ordered 1t TO be revoked
for reasons best known to himseR.
The origin Of the trouble between jackson
and Randolph was this Some few years ago,
it will be. remembered, q person named Bou'
ganini eloped from New York with the prop
erty and niece Of his wife, whom he had then
recently married; the forsaken wife was once
the wife of General Eaton, Secretary OF war
to General Jackson; and prior to that the wfe
Of one Timberlake, who died a-purser IN the
United States navy. On the death Of Timber
lake. Randolph, who was then lieutenant in
The navy. was appointed to act temporarily as
purser in his place. He found his accounts In
Q mixed condition and deficiency existing
against him. Before he had chance to settle
his accounts, Mrs. T. became the wife OF Cen
eral Eaton, Secretary Of War, who was also
surety for her former husband. 1t became
apparently Of interest to both that the defi-
cheney charged should be shifted TO other
shoulders than those Of the dead purser. An
attempt was made to carry out such scheme,
with Randolph as the victim. Randolph asked
for q court Of inquiry, which being granted,
he was cleared OF all suspicion by it's report.
But, nevertheless, President jackson ordered
his dismissal from the navy. Not long after
this, while Old Hickory was passing down the
Potomac on steamer, in front OF Alexandra,
and during pause Of the boat at that place,
Randolph came on board and deliberately and
most effectually wrung the nose OF his Excel
lency.
Randolph entered the navy at about the age
OF sixteen, and had command OF division on
the quarter deck Of the frigate Constitution
under Decatur, in her action with and the cap-
ture OF the British frigate Macedonian. He
was also in the President when that ship was
captured by the Endymion aud other British
vessels. aud was carried a prisoner to London,
where he cowhided British officer for using
contemptuous language concerning America.
A brother Of his went down with the sloop
Wasp, which sunk at sea after her fight with a
ine-of.battle ship. the name OF which escapes
me. He was less than i've feet ten in height,
rather slim, had hair Of light color, in youth,
as shown by miniature taken in New London
soon after the capture Of the Macedonian; his
nose was slightly Roman, and he had eyes like
an eagle in clearness and power OF expression.
In his eyes and nose alone were pelceptibie
traces Of his Indian origin. he leaves wife
and four children, one q son.