The Squibob papers :: :: University of Virginia Library

In an account of the death of John Randolph
of Roanoke, which went the rounds of the press
a year or two since, it was stated that Mr. Randolph,
during his last moments, wrote the word
“Remorse” on one of his visiting-cards, and continued
to gaze upon it with a melancholy expression
until his eyes were closed in death. This
statement was dwelt upon with much unction, particularly
by the religious papers; the evident effect
produced by it being the idea that this great
man was troubled in mind, at this solemn period,
by the memory of some unrepented and unatoned-for
crime. The following passage from “Chittenden's
Western Virginia” may serve to throw some
light on the subject:

185

“The day after the funeral, a stranger, dressed
in deep black, called at the mansion and inquired
for Mr. Randolph. He was ignorant of the melancholy
event that had occurred, and was profoundly
shocked when told of Mr. Randolph's death.
He inquired particularly if Mr. Randolph had not
asked for him, stated that his business with him
had been urgent, and that he had been especially
directed to call upon the day on which he arrived,
and expressed the deepest regret that he had come
too late. On going away, the stranger left his
card, on which was engraved, `R. E. Morse, Culpepper
County, Va.' This man was never seen
again, and, though frequent inquiries were subsequently
made for him, they proved unsuccessful.
It was supposed by Burwell that this must have
been the agent alluded to by Mr. Randolph in his
account of the Cuban affair.”