National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-23

! John Randolph, Of Roam oke, an Ameri-
can statesmen, was born in Virginia in
1873, aud died in Philadelphia in 1888.
II His parents we're Of ancient and wealthy
families, and on his fathers side was de-
scended from Pooahontas, the Indian
4 princess, who saved tho life Of Capt. John
Smith, that valorous and adventurous
English explorer. Randolph served for
\ many terms as n representative and sena-
tor in congress, and was also minister to
Russia. His huency of speech, skill at
retort, and acrimonious wit made him
tho leader OF his party in congress.
He was tall aud very slender and cadav-
3, srous, with long skinny fingers, which
A he was in the habit of pointing and shak-
ing expressivoly at those against whom
he spoke. His voice was shrill and pip
ing, but under perfect command and
musical in its lower tones. His favorite
weapons in debate were invective and sar.
casm, and for many years his sharp and
reckless wit made him terror to his OPP
ponents in the house.
A few miles from Charlotte G. ii. is the
old residence of John Randolph, of Roam
time in solitary study, after congress had
adjourned. Ho had no wife to cheer his
declining years, nor children to engage
A his thoughts. No man called him his
intimate friend, and no had few visitors
For days and sometimes weeks no one saw
him but his negro servants. He went to
his books for soace and burned the mid
night oil when other men were busy with
their dreams.
Sometimes he hardly slept at all, and
one who knew him relates that when q
boy he visited Mr.. Randolph. He slept
ON q pallet spread on the floor, aud Ran
dolph on tho bed. He awoke ono morning
about three o'clock, and saw that his bed
had not been disturbed. The door leading
TO the library was open, and he glanced in
and saw his host arranging his books and
singing very softly, in sweet voice,
Rock of ages, cleft for me let mo hide
myself in thee"
Mr.. Randolph was passionately fond OF
horses, dogs, and guns. lie had one of
the finest stables in Virginia; indeed II
Seemed to DO more comfortable than his
residence. He spared no expense in got
ting the best horses, and repeatedly inn
ported fine blooded stations from abroad.
He sold many horses of his own raising,
and much Of tho money mado in this
way went to pay off the enormous debt
which hung over his estates. He was n
splendid rider, and people often marveled
that SO slight man as he chose such fiery
horses for his own use.
Randolph owned hundreds of slaves
but they were all, with single excop.
tion, left him by his father. This one he
VIZ bought of q slave dealer out of pity for his
condition, The houses that the slaves
lived in were as good as his own, and
fhan eli
in the county. You could always recog
nize them by their politeness; the mer
would always raise their hats and the
women stop and make courtesy wher
1 they met white person on the road. III,
knew each one by name, and q memo
randa is now extant, in his own hand
writing, showing the number of yards o
sheeting and the number Of pairs o
stockings each one was to have. Eacl
slave is mentioned by name in the list
i give an extract from tho book: "Stock
ings to be given, two pairs sS90 .eacl
of the men above named, and ais0 - Nth,
following (see other page) except Littl,
Quashee and Old Quashee, who hav,
had theirs. Alss Wagner Johnny ha
! RS&his
orally very kind to them. They lovet
and almost worshiped him, for, to thei
' humble minds, his lofty bearing and bril-
liant mind made him appear as being o
a different mold from those who wer,
around him. Their spiritual wants wer,
also attended to. Frequently minister
were invited and paid to preach to thon
in o way fitted TO their comprehension
and after the services were over he would
address them himself. Ho had confidence
in the oldest of them, and they loved ant
respected him.
At his death all of them were set fret
and money put into the hands Of his OK
ecutors to transport them from the state
of Virginia. This was by his will of 1921
which was the one admitted to probate
In the wills Of 1928 31-32 he did not Civ,
them their freedom, though on his death
bed he made the will of 1921 good. Hi
words in the will were 81 give and be
queath all my slaves their freedom
heartily regretting that have ever bee,
z the owner OF one."-Charlotte Q. III. Va.
Cor. Detroit Free Press.