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CONTENTS.

           

iv

Page iv
                 
CHAPTER I. 
Preliminary Remarks—Genealogy of the Randolph Family—Birth of John
Randolph—Early Studies—Enters Princeton College—Affair of Honor
with Robert B. Taylor—Opportunities for Information with respect to
the Foreign Policy of this Country—Incident at a Gaming-table—Enters
into possession of his Patrimonial Estate—First elected to Congress
for his own District in 1799, 
CHAPTER II. 
Mr. Randolph's Maiden Speech—Difficulty with two Officers of the Navy—Made
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means—Indefatigable
in the Discharge of his Legislative Duties—Deliberations on the
Cession of Louisiana by Spain and France—Impeachment of Judge
Chase—The Yazoo Claim—Mr. Randolph's Speech—Debate on the
Proposition to present a Sword to General Eaton—Sudden Change in
Mr. Randolph's Political Sentiments—True Cause of his Hostility to the
Administration—Judge Innes of Ohio—Burr's Conspiracy—Letter of
Burr to Wilkinson—Anecdotes of Mr. Randolph—Debate on the Embargo
Message—Case of Mr. Key, 
13 
CHAPTER III. 
Contest on Electing the Clerk of the House—Debate on the Application of
certain Appropriations—The Republican Party nominate Mr. Madison
for President—Inquiry into the Conduct of General Wilkinson—Debate
on the Embargo Question—Mr. Randolph's Resolutions on National
Defence—Quarrel between Randolph and Eppes—and between Randolph
and Alston—Mr Randolph's Style and Address as an Orator—
His Personal Habits and Character, 
33 
CHAPTER IV. 
Remarks of Randolph on Loans and Taxes—Debate on the Subject—Resolution
for the Reduction of the Army and Navy—Debate on the Subject
of the Repeal of the Act interdicting Commercial Intercourse—
Resolution on the Demise of Lieut. Col. W. Washington—Further Debates
on the Non-Intercourse Law—Congress convened by Proclamation
—Petition of Matthew Lyon—Night Sittings of Congress—Convention
of Commerce between Great Britain and the United States—Mr. Randolph's
Speech on the Subject—Active Part taken by him on the Revenue
Bills—Debate on the Constitutionality of the Appointment of P. B.
Porter, as Commissioner—The Presidency and other stirring Questions
—Repeal of the Compensation Act—Animadversions of Mr. Randolph
on certain Irregularities in the Treasury Department—Resolution concerning
Oliver H. Perry, of the U. S. Navy—Mr. Randolph's Motion
on the Contingent Expenses of the House of Representatives—His
Speech on the Missouri Question—Duel between Commodores Decatur
and Barron—Proceedings of the House thereupon—Mr. Randolph's
Speech on Appropriations for the Indian Department—Debate on the Apportionment
of the Representation—Death of William Pinckney, and
Oration by Mr. Randolph—Election of Mr. Randolph to the Senate of
the United States—Letter from John Tyler—Public Dinners given to Mr.
Randolph—Appointed Minister to Russia by General Jackson—Singular
Conduct on that Occasion—Visit to England—Debate on the Subject
of his Salary as Minister—His Death—Disputes concerning his Will—
Anecdotes, 
48 
CHAPTER V. 
Mr. Randolph's Voyage to England—Visit to Newgate—His Society courted
by the Nobility and Gentry—Obtains the private Entrêe to the House of
Commons, 
113 
CHAPTER VI. 
Letters to T. B. Dudley and others,  117 
CHAPTER VII. 
Difficult to find a Parallel to John Randolph—More splendid than solid as
an Orator—Want of Consistency—Fine Taste—Wit—Powers of Ridicule—His
Friendship unstable—His Appetite for Money, 
122 
Appendix,  127