Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-14
EDMUND RANDOLPH.
soxg ERRORS CORRECTED.
lien. Rebert c. win,arep's M's,ake-sIr.
Rsnaslshs Letter Of vind,css,oa ,eeenerai
Washington.

Rsnaelph's Letter Of vindlcssics 10 eenerai
washiseton.
fP.v. Daniel. 5r.. IN Magazine OF American
Histofy,l
In the GRAFTON of the Hon. Robert G.
Winthrop, read on the occasion Of the
completion Of the Washington monu-
ment, appears the following passage ::
a. II could now present myself
wrote Edmund Randolph, who had
made injurious imputations on Wash
ington before and after his dismissal
from the Cabinet in 1895 IL | could
now present myself before your yene-
rated uncle he wrote most touchingly
to Judge Bushrod Washington in
iSlo--' II would be my pride to con-
Tess my contrition, that | suffered my
irritation, let the cause be what IT
might. to use some Of those expressions
respecting him, which, at this moment
Of indifference TO the world. | wish to
recall, as being inconsistent with my
subsequent conviction. Ny life will,
/ hone. be sufficiently extended for the
recording Of my sincere opinion OF his
virtues and merit IN style which IS
not the result Of mind merely de-
biiilated BY misfortune, but of that
Christian philosophy on which alone |
depend for inward tranquility"
IL is due to the truth of history to
refer to the fact--well known at the
period TO which the passage refers
that Mr.. Randolph never was dismissed
from the Cabinet Of General Washing
ton.
In the earliest and best-known bio
craphy Of Washington, written by his
intimate friend Chief-Justice Marshall.
it is stated Volume V. page 639) that
"on the 10Th August the Secretary of
State had resigned his place in the Adj
ADMINISTRATION"
Washington Irving, in his biography
OF Washington, Volume ". page 223,
referring 20 the same occurrence, says
CAS- Randolph entered the Cabinet
Washington. who was conversing with
Pickering and WolcOtt. rose and handed
him the letter Of Fauchct, asking an
explanation Of the questionable parts.
Randolph appears to have been less
agi;ated BY the production OF the letter
than hurt that the enquiry concerning
IL had not first been made Of him in
private. lie postponed making any
specific reply until he should have time
TO examine the letter at his leisure, and
observed on retiring that after the treat
ment he had experienced, he could not
think Of remaining in Office moment
longer.
In letter to the President the same
day he writes, Your confidence in me,
sir. has been unlimited, and. | can truly
affirm. unabused. My sensations, then,
sannot be concealed when find that
confidence so suddenly withdrawn,
without word or distant hint being
previously dropped to me. This, sir,
- | mentioned in your room, is n
situation in which cannot hold my
present Office, and therefore | hereby
resign it. 1t will not. however, be
concluded from hence that | mean to
relinqush the inquiry" etc.
In the life and " Writings Of George
Washington" published by Jared
Sparks. Volume l., page 507, tits stated
that ." The day following that on which
the President affixed his name to the
treaty Mr.. Randolph resigned the Office !
of Secretary Of State" Mr.. Spsrks's |
statement of what occurred on the oc-
cssion of Mr.. Randolph'S withdrawing |
from the Cabinet is in accordance with |
the statement made by Washington /
Irving.
Hir. Randolph, in his letter Of yindi- /
cation addressed to General Washing 4
ton. states lon Wednesday the 10Th 4
Of August, 1895, was going to the !
Presidents, as usual, at 9 o'clock in /
the morning, when his steward, Mr.. /
Kidd. came to me at Mr.. Rawle's, in !
Market street, and informed me that I
the President desired me to postpone /
my visit until half after 10. | supposed /
ut first that he might wish to have the .
latest hour for writing by the southern
mail Of that day, or perhaps to ride /
out. But as ! was DESTROYS of asking I
him a short question, which would I
determine me as to the man /
ner Of executing a piece of bust I
ness to be carried to him that /
morning. ! inquired Of Mr., Kidd if he !
was then occupied with any particular |
person, and was answered that the ,
President was every moment expecting /
some gentlemen. Accordingly | turned !
to the Office. and at the appointed hour |
called at the Presidents. | desired !
the servant TO tell the President that /
was come. but being informed that Mr..
Wolcott and Colonel Pickering 1.-THE |
Secretaries of the Treasury and War /
had been there for some time, went |
upstairs and began TO think that the /
steward had committed a mistake. /
supposed that a consultation Of the /
heads Of departments had been intend- 1
cd to be held by the President earlier /
in the day, and that it might be proper /
for me to explain the cause of my delay. |
But when / entered the Presidents |
room he with great formality rose from |
MS chair. and MeSsrs. WOlcott and !
Pickering were also marked in their .
efforts 10 like formality. | therefore /
resolved to wait for the unfolding of /,
this mysterious appearance. Very few I
words passed between the President /
and myself, and those which fell from
him showed plainly TO me that ne .
wished TO hurry to something else I'm !
mediately afterwards he put his hand I
into his pocket, and pulling out a large /
letter. said something of this nature: |
. Mr. Randolph, here is letter which
/ desire you TO read and, make such /
explanation as you choose. / !
took it and found it to be a
letter written in French by Mr. /
Fauchet Ithe French Minister on about /
fifteen pages of large paper. On read /
ing the letter | perceived that two OF 4
the most material papers, which were
called the dispatches Nos. 3 and .. /
were not with il. | observed TO the 4
President that presumed the letter TO
he an intercepted one. lie nodded his ,
head. then said thst at that tine
could recollect very little which would !
.h,o,,. iigat an the affair, The /