 | John Randolph |  |
RANDOLPH'S LAST DAY ON EARTH.
For three years Mr. Randolph had been gradually failing
with consumption, the disease having been greatly aggravated
Philadelphia, intending to sail for England in the May
packet. On the way thither he stopped at Washington and
was reconciled to his old-time enemy Henry Clay. He finally
arrived in Philadelphia during a heavy storm, to which he
was unfortunately exposed before he was able to secure
lodgings. At length, with his faithful colored servant John,
he found shelter at the City Hotel, No. 41 North Third
Street.
As Mr. Randolph was now a very sick man, Dr. Joseph
Parish, a Quaker physician, was summoned at once and attended
him the last few days of his life. We pass over the
details of all the long sad hours except those which covered
his last day, as they have been recorded for us by his painstaking
friend and biographer, Hugh A. Garland, in early life
a resident of the Roanoke district and in whose hands many
of Randolph's most intimate friends placed their correspondence
with the departed and all the treasures of their well-stored
memories. Mr. Garland's account of the circumstances
attending his death is full of interest because so explicit.
The day on which Randolph died Dr. Parish received an
early and an urgent message to visit him. Several persons
were in the room, but soon left it, except his servant John,
who was much affected at the sight of his dying master.
The Doctor remarked to him, "I have seen your master
very low before and he revived, and perhaps he will again."
"John knows better than that, sir," earnestly replied Randolph.
Then looking at the Doctor with great intensity, said
in a distinct manner, "I confirm every disposition in my will,
and for whom I have made provision."
"I am rejoiced to hear such a declaration from you, sir,"
replied the Doctor, and soon after proposed to leave him for
a short time to attend to another patient.
"You must not go," was the reply; "you cannot, you shall
not leave me. John, take care that the Dotor does not leave
the room."
John locked the door, and reported, "Master, I have locked
the door and got the key in my pocket; the Doctor can't go
now."
Randolph seemed excited, and exclaimed, "If you do go,
you need not return!"
The Doctor appealed to him as to the propriety of such an
order, inasmuch as he was only desirous of discharging his
duty to another patient. His manner instantly changed, and
he said, "I retract that expression." Soon afterward he repeated,
even more expressively, "I retract that expression."
The Doctor now said that he understood the subject of his
communication and presumed the will would explain itself
fully.
Randolph replied, "No, you don't understand it; I know
you don't. Our laws are extremely particular on the subject
of slaves—a will may manumit them, but provision for their
subsequent support requires that a declaration be made in the
presence of a white witness; and it is requisite that the witness,
after hearing the declaration, should continue with the
party and never lose sight of him, until he is gone or dead.
You are a good witness for John. You see the propriety and
importance of your remaining with me. Your patients must
`Master, you are dying.' "
The Doctor spoke with entire candor, and replied that it
was rather a matter of surprise that he had lasted so long.
Randolph now made his preparations to die. He directed
John to bring him his father's breast button. He then directed
him to place it in the bosom of his shirt. It was an old-fashioned,
large-sized gold stud. John placed it in the button
hole of the shirt bosom, but to fix it completely required a
hole on the opposite side. "Get a knife," said he, "and cut
one." A napkin was called for and placed by John over his
breast.
For a short time Randolph lay perfectly quiet with his
eyes closed, but suddenly roused up and exclaimed, "Remorse!
Remorse!" The words were thrice repeated, the
last time at the top of his voice with great agitation. He then
cried out, "Let me see the word! Get a dictionary! Let me
see the word!"
"There is none in the room, sir."
"Write it down then. Let me see the word!"
The Doctor picked up one of his cards on which was
"Randolph of Roanoke." "Shall I write it on this card?"
"Yes, nothing more proper."
The word remorse was then written in pencil. He took the
card in a hurried manner and fastened his eyes on it with
great intensity.
"Write it on the back," he exclaimed. It was so done, and
the card handed him again. He was extremely agitated.
"Remorse! You have no idea what it is. You can form no
idea of it whatever. It has contributed to bring me to my
Christ and I hope I have obtained pardon. Now let John
take your pencil and draw a line under the word;" which
was accordingly done.
"What am I to do with the card?" inquired the Doctor.
"Put it in your pocket—take care of it—when I am dead
look at it."
Other witnesses were now called in, to witness the declaration
he had to make—four in all, including the son of Dr.
Parish and the proprietor of the hotel. They stood in a semicircle
in front of the bed, John close by the side of the dying
man, who was propped up with pillows so that he sat up
nearly erect. Being extremely sensitive to cold, he had a
blanket over his head and shoulders; and he directed John to
place his hat on, over the blanket, which aided in keeping it
close to his head.
Randolph now rallied all the expiring energies of mind
and body to this last effort. "His whole soul," says Dr.
Parish, "seemed concentrated in the act. His eyes flashed
feeling and intelligence. Pointing towards us with his long
index finger, he thus addressed us: `I confirm all the directions
in my will respecting my slaves and direct them to be
enforced, particularly in regard to a provision for their support.'
And then raising his arm as high as he could, he
brought it down with open hand on the shoulder of his
favorite John, who stood close by his side with a countenance
full of sorrow, and added, `especially for this man.' He then
asked each of the witnesses whether they understood him."
Dr. Parish explained to the witnesses what Mr. Randolph
had said to him regarding the Virginia laws on manumission
correctly. Being assured that he had, the Doctor was
gracefully dismissed and the other witnesses asked to remain
until the end. That was only two hours away; and having
kept his faculties upon the task which had now been accomplished,
his strong will loosened its hold and his mind and
imagination wandered amid home scenes and friends, until
with his other faculties, which we call Soul, they passed into
the unknown.
| John Randolph | |