RANDOLPH COUNTY. 497 



tions; his solemn, slow, marching and swelling periods; his 

 caustic crimination of the prevailing political party ; his cut- 

 ting satire ; the tout ensemble of his public debut, soon calmed 

 the tumultuous crowd and inclined all to listen to the strange 

 orator, while he replied at length to the sentiments of their 

 old favourite. To Mr. Henry this was a new event. He had 

 not been accustomed to a rival, and little expected one in a 

 beardless boy. He returned to the stage and commenced a 

 second address. In the course of his remarks he frequently 

 alluded to his youthful competitor with parental tenderness, 

 complimented his rare talents, and while regretting what he 

 deprecated as the political errors of youthful zeal, actually 

 wrought himself and audience into an enthusiasm of sympathy 

 and benevolence that issued in an ocean of tears. Mr. Ran- 

 dolph never forgot this occurrence. Eighteen years after- 

 wards, in Congress, speaking of the General Ticket law, which 

 was carried by the Democratic party by a majority of five 

 votes only in the popular branch of the Virginia Assembly, he 

 said, " Had Patrick Henry lived and taken his seat in the As- 

 sembly, that law would never have passed. In that case, the 

 electoral vote of Virginia would have been divided, and Mr. 

 Jefferson lost his election. Five votes ! Mr. Chairman, Patrick 

 Henry was good for five votes." Mr. Randolph was a mem- 

 ber of Congress, at different intervals, for about 24 years, and 

 at all times commanded respect for his talents and eloquence. 

 He belonged to the republican party. He was opposed to the 

 war with Great Britain, but offered himself for any post which 

 might be assigned him. In the administration of Mr. Monroe 

 he opposed the Greek resolutions and the internal improvement 

 system of the general government. During the administration 

 of John Quincy Adams, he was elected senator, and it was at 

 this time that he used remarks which led to the duel with 

 Mr. Clay. The meeting between Mr. Clay and Mr. Ran- 

 dolph is thus described by General James Hamilton, the se- 

 cond of the latter: " The sun was just setting behind the 

 blue hills of Randolph's own Virginia. Here were two of 

 the most extraordinary men which our country in its prodi- 

 gality had produced, about to meet in mortal combat. While 

 Tattnall* was loading Randolph's pistol, I approached my friend 



* Colonel Edward F. Tattnall. 



