New-York tribune., 1880-02-22
PEPPERY R4NDOLPH, OF RoANoKE.
from The Philadclphia Record.

from Ihr Phtf0QctDhiQ Rcc0fH
The reporter Of The Rec0rd had Il very interesting
conversation with Captain James West a member
ot he present Beard OF Health, Vb0 knew MI Ran
do'ph well. Mr.. Randolph went TO, Europe on the
sailing packet Alexandra, OF the old Cope line,
al ler his duel with MI Clay Captain West was at
that time the tr, mate of the vessel. and gentle
man named Baldwin was the captain. Captain
West states that Lie recol!ecs distinctly the arrival
Of Mr. Randolph. The latter had lost his hat on the
way down, and red handkerchief was bound about
his head. His body was cncased in an old flannel
wrapper. and he was object that very readily
commanded attention, for he looked like a walking
skeleton.
As soon as he stepped on board the Alexandra
Randolph proclaimed himself master there. and
stated TO the Captain that he was prepared TO dis
pEte the matter with BIN. Ii WAS the rule of tho
company that only cabin passeng r. should carry
dOgs over. and Just the Virginia statesman got
board Captain West IN the act OF sending ashore
a dog chat had been smu.glCd on board by a steer
arc passenger. Randolph inquired of him what he
WAS doing, and Captain West explained the rule of
the company. Randolph, IN IA loud, pplng voice.
declared that the dog should not 90 ashore, and
wncu the captain salu that IL should, lie became
very much excited, and declared that If hIs boy
john (who had been lett behind for some unknown
reasOul was there he would make him shoot every
one who nlerfcred with him. Finding that the
Captain was determined 10 carry out his order Ram
Ioiph gave thc owner - 80 gold piece for the pos
session of the dog during the trip, and then, the
owner OF the animal, he dcned the Captain 10 put
hun ashore.
This was only the beginning of the trouble with
Mr. Randolph. Ii took twenty five days 10 make
the trip and the officers had n serious time with
HIM. he wanted TO kick everybody who got IN his
way, and if any one offered to assist bim IN hunt
ing papers which he kept the cabin well Uttered up
with, he drove them oil with the remark that when
he wanted them he would cali them.
lie worried the Captain ont of patience, and
Captain West says that one evening, while he had
the second watch below. the second mate came 10
him with an order from the Captain TO make a
strait jacket, he could stand MIR. Randolph 10
longer and would try the influences of restraint
upon him. Captain West reasoned with Captain
Baldwin, and told him tnat he could never keep the
old mans tongue still, for, as he had often said
himself, - his temper was speed with tne devil
Captain West states that hc gained the confidence
OF Mr. Randolph by espOusng his cause IN the many
wrangies III which he became involved and TINS
confidence led him 10 invite the Captain 70
Roanoke. VIII n be added that this was an INVITA-
tOn thar be extended To deyllsh few. Among other
things he stated was that he hated Yankees. ana
that ne had instructed the Keeper or the DIiugo
nolnncinr to Llm 70 make 10 change for a Yankee
IN taking toll, tor the Yankee would certainly
cheat him. .,
with Mr. Randolph to speak 10 BIN concerning his
famous duel with Mr.. CLAW. when, after the first
exchange Of shots, Mr.. Randolph hred M the arr
and Mr. Clay'S ballet went through the skirt OF
Raudolphs gown the same garment whleh he wore
on board the snip. He WAS no; disposed to speak at
any length of the occurrence bnt Sad that he acted
as he did because he dat not want husbano's
blood on his hands. lie aitrrward presented the
gown 10 Captain West, aud reporter inspector II
at Captain Vests residence a few days ago. IL
won id certainly create n sensation If worn on any
of our prOmenadcs Ii Is made OF coarse wnite
flannel with n row of buttons each side, and the
pockets are up almost under tho arm-plts. III Is
Judged. from their caraciOuS Size tat ne useu 'he
The rent mace by Mr.. Clay's bullet is plainly to
be seen IN tue skirt O the gown, and tue garment IS
IN an exec lent state OF preservation he captain
SAYS that Mr. Randolph seldom occupied his
state-reom AT night, but w0uld come out upon deck
and lie about without covering ana when tod tnas
he might take cold would reply that there was TOO
much 0f the blood of Pocahontas in his veins for
that.