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HISTORYHISTORY — PAST AND PERSPECTIVE

gina, rheumatism, and severe bouts with melancholy. He treated himself with lau- danum, mercury, morphine, and what he called the little blue pill (opium). He would often respond to queries as to how he was doing with, Dying sir, dying. Randolph never married, probably due to a genetic disorder known as Klinefelter Syndrome, in which a male has an extra X chromosome, which leads to infertility, impotency, and beardlessness. Some con- tend his long affliction with tuberculosis was the cause. His disorder also left the successful political orator with a well- known high-pitched voice. Despite his feminine-sounding voice, his speeches in Congress were known for their power, which struck fear in the hearts of political opponents. When Randolph entered the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, with spurs jingling and his favorite hounds around him, his hat pulled down to his eyes, and a whip in his hand, the speaker of the House did not dare challenge him. At least not until Randolphs nemesis, , became speaker in 1811, and ordered the dogs out. Randolph opposed Clay over Clays John Randolph’s support of the Bank of the , Journey on high protective tariffs, and the Kentuck- ians advocacy of war with the British. Clay, for his part, led a group of new congressmen in 1811, elected by a wave In a day and a state where slavery was legal and popular, of anger in the Western states at Britains John Randolph, a congressman and plantation selling of guns to the Indians on the fron- tier. It was Randolph who dubbed Clay owner, spoke against it and acted against it. and his fellows the War Hawks. He feared that war would lead to a contraction by Steve Byas ten mackerel shining in the moonlight, of domestic liberty. He explained his op- and referred to him as a blackleg  a position to what became the : ohn Randolph of Roanoke was a fiery popular expression of the day for a cor- I fear if you go into a foreign war  you congressman from Virginia  a slave rupt politician  Clay had had enough, will come out without your Constitution. J state  who served in both the House challenging Randolph to a duel. Though Why? We shall be told that our govern- of Representatives and the Senate for more the two men shot at each other from a ment is too free to fight a successful war. than three decades during the early 1800s. distance of 10 paces, they emerged un- But though he was a staunch defender A skilled orator, his temper was most often scathed, except for Randolphs new coat, of liberty, limited government, and con- evident on the floor of Congress, but it was which took a bullet hole. Randolph sug- stitutional principles, he is perhaps most not always confined to there. gested that Clay owed him a new coat, remarkable for the fact that as a member of After Randolph publicly declared that and Clay responded that he was glad that one of Virginias most illustrious families his nemesis Henry Clay stunk like rot- that was all he owed Randolph. (in a state that contains a wealth of many Significant to understanding Ran- such famous families), he was a planta- Steve Byas is a professor of history at Hillsdale dolphs sometimes eccentric behavior was tion owner, with hundreds of slaves, who Free Will Baptist College in Moore, Oklahoma. He his chronically poor health, which caused despised slavery. has a new book, Historys Greatest Libels , in which many to express amazement that he lived Co nservative philosopher , he defends certain personalities from what he con- to age 60. During his lifetime, Randolph author of The Conservative Mind and his siders their unfair historical assessment. suffered scarlet fever, yellow fever, an- own book on Randolph, John Randolph of

34 THE NEW AMERICAN • AugusT 3, 2015 Roanoke , called the prosperous plantation Still, Randolph was a persistent oppo- considered the morality of holding slaves owner and statesman The most interest- nent of the slave trade, and never bought to be in conflict with his evangelical ing and unusual man ever to be a power in or sold slaves, repeatedly condemning the Christianity. Randolph went through a the Congress. evil institution. In his youth, Randolph, a period in his life of religious skepticism, Randolph not only expressed regret that prolific reader, was greatly influenced by even perhaps atheism, before experienc- he had ever owned a slave, he freed his the anti-slavery essay of British abolition- ing a powerful religious conversion expe- slaves and provided for their resettlement ist Thomas Clarkson. All my feelings and rience. He said about slavery, I tremble on land in the free state of Ohio. His life instincts were in opposition to slavery in for the dreadful retribution which this story deserves more coverage in our na- every shape, he said. horrid thirst for African blood  may tions history, including the strange tale of As the years passed, the frugal Ran- bring upon us. how his attempt to provide a better life for dolph attacked the plantations heavy debt, With no wife and children, Randolph his former slaves was opposed by power- eventually not only paying off the loans, looked upon the slaves on his plantation ful forces in both the slave state of Virginia but turning his farm into a highly profit- as, My best friends, sometimes even re- and the free state of Ohio. able enterprise. By the time of his death ferring to them as his family. in 1833, the estate of John Randolph was It is apparent that Randolph struggled Badgering Himself quite significant. While the prosperity of with the issue for many years. He wrote About Beliefs the plantation was built with slave labor, his brother, But one subject presses hard John Randolph had an impressive pedi- there is no indication that Randolph was upon me, among my worldly concerns. It gree. One of his ancestors was among the ever physically abusive of his slaves. is the making of suitable provision for my barons who forced King John of England When his 383 slaves were manumitted, slaves  at my death. He worried about to sign the Great Charter of English lib- none bore any marks of physical abuse. the cruel fate to which our laws would erties  the Magna Carta. The famous He was also known to dismiss overseers consign them. Indian princess, , and her hus- whom he considered to be abusive. He publicly condemned the Virginia band, John Rolfe (the man who pioneered It is not certain when Randolph con- Legislature for its failure to improve slave farming in Virginia), were also ceived of his eventual plan to not only conditions or take any action for gradual among his famous ancestors, and he was free his slaves but financially provide for eman cipation, as had happened in the a cousin to President . their future, but it is known that Randolph North. His own stepfather, St. George Yet another relative of Randolph, , a giant at the First Continental Congress, was his great-uncle. But Randolphs own youth was marked by the loss of his father and his mothers re- marriage to St. George Tucker. Tucker was a powerful figure in American history in his own right, who published the five-vol- ume study of William Blackstones com- mentaries and its relationship to American law. The early relationship between Tucker and young Randolph seemed cordial, even affectionate, but the relationship eventually turned sour, with most historians noting as the cause differences over the management of the estate (which Randolph considered mismanagement). Randolph inherited the plantation, which he called, appropriately enough, bizarre. He also inherited the slaves who lived and worked on the planta- tion, along with huge debts, which he largely blamed on his stepfathers al- leged mismanagement. Had Randolph been inclined to free his slaves then, it would have been impossible. Slaves were considered part of the collateral for the Henry Clay disagreed with John Randolph on a host of political issues, including the creation of loans of the plantation. Randolph could the Second Bank of the United States. The two even fought an inconclusive duel in 1826. When not free the slaves without liquidation of Randolph died in 1833, one of his last instructions, which was carried out, was for his face to be the debt. turned to the West. He wished to “keep his eye” on Henry Clay. www.TheNewAmerican.com 35 HISTORYHISTORY — PAST AND PERSPECTIVE

His plan would only leave $2 million to Randolph not only expressed regret that he had ever owned a slave, fund the operations of government, while $7.3 million a year would be expended in he freed his slaves and provided for their resettlement on land in the paying down the debt. “free state” of Ohio. The results of the 1824 presidential elec- tion led to a deterioration of the already poor relations with Clay. When neither Tucker, had proposed a plan for emanci- ery were a complex mixture of realism, (Randolphs choice) nor pation as early as 1797. If there was no religion, culture, and custom. garnered a majority emancipation, Randolph feared an even- While Randolph supported of the electoral college vote, the election tual slave rebellion, which could be a (voluntary emancipation), he stopped short was thrown into the House of Repre- bloodbath. of abolition (emancipation by government sentatives. Clays considerable clout was While Randolph did not support the decree, especially by federal action), op- given to Adams, leading to Adams elec- immediate emancipation of slaves in posing federal efforts to limit or diminish tion by the House. Shortly thereafter, Clay Southern states, his refusal to jump on the the institution, seeing Northern abolition- was picked by Adams to lead the Cabinet abolition bandwagon wasnt conditioned ism as a movement to subjugate the South. as secretary of state. Randolph immediate- by a belief that slaves were not deserving He contended that slavery would eventu- ly charged, in his trademark high-pitched of freedom. Quite the opposite was likely ally fall under its own weight. He argued voice, ! This phrase was true. He responded to comments praising that it had run its course in the Northern repeated for the next four years until Jack- his oratorical skill that the greatest orator states, and believed it was beginning to run son won the 1828 election over Adams. he ever heard was a black mother plead- its course in Maryland. The institution was Randolph supported General Andrew ing at the auction block not to be sepa- going to eventually become so unprofit- Jackson of Tennessee in the 1824 and rated from her child, and he confided to able, he believed, that the day would come 1828 presidential elections to challenge his friend Josiah Quincy that the curse of that financially desperate plantation owners the creation of a Bank of the United States slavery was an evil daily magnifying. would run from their own slaves. and the concept of protective tariffs to But he was concerned that abolition Even as he wrestled with his own con- guard Americas infant industries from would lead to much social strife for blacks science, his political positions took center foreign competition. and whites alike. He recognized a need for stage. As a dedicated supporter of Presi- Henry Clay supported both the bank some preparation for emancipation (such dent Jefferson in the early years of his and protective tariffs, as well as inter- as education), rather than casting them off administration, Randolph used his posi- nal improvements  today we call this the plantations to fend for themselves. In tion as chairman of the House Ways and spending on infrastructure  paid for by John Randolph of Roanoke , David John- Means Committee to develop a plan to the federal government. Clay called it the son wrote, Randolphs views about slav- reduce the national debt of $112 million. American System. Randolph did not like it. In fact, he had even broken with Jefferson himself years earlier because he believed Jefferson was abandoning the original constitutional- ist philosophy of the Republican Party, forming another group, sometimes called the Tertium Quids (third thing, or as we would call it today, a third party). They were also called the Old Republicans. From this Old Republican movement emerged the coalitions that evolved into the Dem- ocratic-Republican Party (and eventually Democratic Party) in support of the politi- cal ambitions of Andrew Jackson. Jefferson and Randolph eventually reconciled as they both expressed disgust with the Republi- cans chartering a Second Bank of the Unit- ed States in 1816 (the First Banks charter had expired in 1811, and the Republicans did not renew it). Many of todays grass- roots Republicans can relate to the common Having inherited a plantation with scores of slaves, Randolph became increasingly practice of Republican politicians adopting bothered by the wrongness of the institution. He remarked that he regretted having ever many liberal Democrat ideas as their own, owned a slave. with just more efficiency.

36 THE NEW AMERICAN • AugusT 3, 2015 The animosity between Clay and Ran- dolph never completely subsided, and when he was buried in 1833, Randolphs wishes were honored. His head would be turned to face the West, so he could keep his eye on Henry Clay. Despite their intense political rivalry, Clay and Randolph agreed that slavery was antithetical to American values of human liberty, and the two slave owners were among the founders of the Ameri- can Colonization Society, which proposed that those slaves that were freed could be returned to Africa, principally to what be- came the nation of . The reasoning was that these ex-slaves would face very difficult problems in American society, even upon emancipation. Photo by Beyond My Ken While many historians have charged John Randolph’s strong opposition to the federal government chartering a national bank, such that Randolphs and others devotion to as the Second Bank of the United States shown here, brought him increased antagonism from states rights was simply a cover for the his nemesis Henry Clay, but contributed to the healing of the rift he had with his famous cousin, defense of the institution of slavery, in the former President Thomas Jefferson. Both Randolph and Jefferson contended there was simply case of Randolph, the charge isnt cred- no constitutional authority for the federal government to charter such a bank. ible. David Johnson, writing in John Ran- dolph of Roanoke , said that Randolphs 1832 will clouded the issue, delaying the Hugh Garland, writing in The Life of strict constructionist philosophy was not slaves exodus for several years. John Randolph of Roanoke , recounts the crafted as a defense of slavery, but was As Randolph lay dying in a Pennsyl- scene. Randolph wrote, I confirm all a sincere effort to oppose political cen- vania hotel in May of 1833, he expressed the directions in my will, respecting my tralization. Randolph saw nothing in the concern to his servant John White and his slaves, and direct them to be enforced, abolitionist movement except concealed doctor that he needed to make some revi- particularly in regard to provisions for attempts by northern mercantile interests sions to his 1832 will. The 1832 will was their support. Putting his hand on the to subjugate the South into an agricultural inconsistent with all of his other wills, and shoulder of his faithful servant, John colony. in it he expressed a desire for his slaves to White, Randolph added, Especially for Randolph feared the fanaticism of be sold at auction. Some have speculated this man. Northern abolitionists, but still stated in that Randolph had written the 1832 will To provide his former slaves with a 1826 that slavery must be addressed be- in a period of deep depression, perhaps place to live, he wrote, I give to my ex- cause it is a cancer. augmented by pain-killing drugs. (Others ecutor a sum not exceeding eight thousand While Randolph could not cure this have questioned some of the handwriting dollars, or so much as there may be neces- cancer in his state of Virginia, or in the in the will itself, arguing it is inconsistent sary to transport and settle such slaves in nation at large, he could address the future with Randolphs other known handwriting some other state or territory of the U.S., of his own slaves. samples). Randolph was concerned that giving to all above the age of forty not less his stepbrothers would prevent the slaves than ten acres of each. Apparently having Freedom Given and Opposed manumission because they would want to second thoughts about his earlier scheme By the time of his death, Randolph had the claim the slaves as their own. to export ex-slaves to Africa, he added a financial wherewithal to provide for his In the 1821 will, which he confirmed be- codicil in 1826 that it was cruel to send slaves emancipation and also to purchase fore his death as the correct will, Randolph slaves to Liberia. land for them in Ohio. But emancipation wrote, I give and bequeath to all my slaves Randolph had evidently given consider- wasnt to prove to be a simple thing. Un- their freedom, heartily regretting that I have able thought as to what would be the fate fortunately for Randolphs slaves, Ran- ever been the owner of one. of his slaves after his demise. He desired dolph had written at least three wills and Regardless, Randolph told his doctor their resettlement in the free state of Ohio four codicils, one of which was used by that he was in great distress about his because that area already held some pros- Randolphs heirs to fight the release of the slaves. Our laws are extremely particu- perous black settlements. He appointed slaves and led to years of litigation. Though lar on the subject of slaves  a will may his close friend and lawyer Judge William a will from 1821 clearly indicated that it manumit them, but provision for their Leigh as the executor of the estate, but was Randolphs desire to emancipate his support requires that a declaration should his fears concerning the greed of his step- slaves and provide them land outside of continue with the party, and never lose brothers were warranted. They contested the slave state of Virginia, a controversial sight of him until he is gone or dead. the will in Virginia for 13 years. They

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free men and women, retreated back to the boat secured for their use by lawyer With no wife and children, Randolph looked upon the slaves on his Leigh; however, in the melee, centenar- plantation as, “My best friends,” sometimes even referring to them as ian Granny Hannah was killed by a blow his “family.” to the head. The crowd insisted that they leave Mercer County by 10:00 a.m. the next morning. argued in court that Randolph must have years of indecision, Leigh had leased out The Randolph slaves escaped the mob been insane when he drew up the will that many of the slaves for services, keeping by using a canal to travel to a farm about released the slaves upon his death. some to maintain the plantation until the two miles outside Piqua, Ohio, where a William Leigh expressed disgust at issue was adjudicated. farmer graciously allowed them to set up the efforts of the Tucker stepbrothers to On June 10, 1846, Randolphs 383 for- camp. The farmer, Colonel John Johnston, scuttle the emancipation of the Randolph mer slaves left Virginia, but their troubles was then able to persuade the city of Piqua slaves. The more I see of his brothers, were still not at an end. to allow them to set up a camp near the the more I am dissatisfied with them, he After the issue of the slaves emanci- town to rest for two to three weeks. wrote in a letter to Peach Gilmore. Leigh pation was finally settled, William Leigh William Leigh soon arrived and began expressed concern that the Tuckers hoped made a deal for some land in Mercer legal efforts to obtain the purchased land to derive an advantage from allegations County, Ohio. He used over $100,000 for the Randolph slaves, but considering that Randolph changed his will while in- from the Randolph estate to provide the hostile reaction of the whites in the area, sane. But Randolph had written some let- for transportation expenses to Ohio. He it is not surprising that the efforts of Ran- ters, apparently revealing some negative hired a man named Thomas Cardwell to dolphs lawyer William Leigh to win justice information about the Tuckers, in antici- conduct the move. All the families were for the former slaves proved unsuccessful. pation of their opposition to his desire to provided tents, and there were 16 covered In August 1846, citizens of Mercer emancipate the slaves. Leigh threatened to wagons. County held a meeting and made their in- use some letters Randolph had left behind Unfortunately, squatters were already tentions clear via several resolutions, one if the brothers persisted in their legal ef- living on the land, which was one com- of which proclaimed, Resolved, That the forts to frustrate Randolphs true desires. plication among many. When the former Negroes and Mulattos residing in Mercer Leigh told Gilmore, But they will do the slaves reached New Breman, Ohio, they county, came into the county in opposition Negroes justice or they will find them- were met by fierce opposition from men to a well-known law of the state, and con- selves involved in a controversy not the in military uniforms, yelling profani- trary to the wishes of the white population, most pleasant. ties. These men carried muskets, pitch- and still remain here contrary to law, and Finally, in February of 1845, the Virgin- forks, and various other weapons. The to our wishes, and therefore have no claim ia Chancery Court handed down a deci- Randolph slaves, as they came to be upon our sympathies. sion in favor of manumission. During the referred to even though they were now Another of the resolutions proclaimed that the locals were not going to live among Negroes, and intended to resist the settlement of Blacks and Mulattos in this county to the full extent of any means, the bayonet not excepted. The Randolph slaves were requested to move out of Mercer County by March 1847, and if the ex-slaves did not comply, they would be removed forcibly. Another of the resolutions called for laws to absolutely prevent for all time to come, the emigration into this state of any Black or Mulatto person whatsoev- er. To make sure that this was done, they pledged not to vote for any man for of- fice who is not in favor of the enactment of such laws as will effectually prohibit the emigration of this class of people into our state. Supposed abolitionist Ohio Congress- man William Sawyer was a signer of the The African Jackson Cemetery is all that remains of the original settlement of Randolph’s ex- resolution. Many Northern abolition- slaves. The town of Rossville is now part of Piqua, Ohio. ists openly preferred that freed blacks

38 THE NEW AMERICAN • AugusT 3, 2015 be taken to Liberia, or at least stay in a ed in no recovery. Randolphs slaves and sway over states and the people in them. Southern state. their heirs received nothing of the estate Shortly before his death in 1833, Ran- John White (the faithful servant Ran- willed to them by their master. dolph expressed great concern about the dolph had wanted to protect) later ex- In fairness, there were some white resi- future of freedom in the country: I could pressed his disgust at the people of Ohio, dents of Ohio who did come to the as- not have believed that the people would so saying he would rather be a slave back in sistance of the unfortunate ex-slaves. As soon have shown themselves unfit for free Virginia, than live in the supposed free one newspaper of the time wrote, Chris- government. state of Ohio. tian people, moved with pity, took them When the great Roman statesman and Twenty-two hundred acres of land pur- under their patronage, and procured for senator Marcus Cicero was told how Ju- chased by Leigh were never occupied by them [the Randolph slaves], temporary lius Caesar was working to destroy the John Randolphs ex-slaves, and the land homes among the citizens of this and Roman republic, he said, Dont blame was neatly stolen. Locals claimed that two or three adjacent counties. Some of Caesar. Blame the people. The people Leigh gave power of attorney in regard to the former slaves settled in Rumley, in were allowing Caesar to get away with it. the land to a resident of Mercer County Shelby County, Ohio, and others of them Cicero and Randolph most likely would in October of 1846, but no record of such founded the city of Rossville, which is have agreed on this point. It is up to the a transfer of authority exists in the court now part of Piqua, Ohio. Today, only people themselves to preserve their own minutes of that date. And Leigh was not the community cemetery remains of the liberty, and not leave such protection to even in Ohio on the date that he suppos- original settlement. ambitious politicians. edly signed the papers. Leigh had already Back in his grave in Virginia, if Ran- Of Randolph himself, it is appropriate to returned to Virginia in disgust, and never dolph really could look to the West, to apply to him the praise of another famous went back to Ohio. keep his eye on Henry Clay, he would Virginian, General Robert E. Lee. When While the Randolph slaves eventually no doubt have been distressed to see the he spoke to some soldiers of what was left did settle in other locations in Ohio, the cruel fate that befell his slaves. But he had of his once-mighty Army of Northern Vir- original land purchased by William Leigh done his best for them. At least they were ginia (half-starved soldiers who pleaded was never occupied by them. Historian free from bondage. against giving up the cause at Appomat- William Johnson wrote, Ensuing litiga- He would also be distressed at the ex- tox), Lee said, You have done all your tion  which lasted until 1917  result- tent to which the federal government holds duty. Leave the results to God. n TRUTHFUL. CONSTITUTIONAL. FEARLESS.

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