“Poor Mr. John Randolph..”
Date
2-10-1812
Newspaper
Petersburg Republican
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 4
Newspaper Location
Petersburg, Virginia
Serial Number
1129
Abstract
Report that Virginia politician John Randolph used the New Madrid earthquakes as a warning against going to war with England
Transcript
Poor Mr. John Randolph has become a soothsayer at last. While his friend, Mr. Sheffey, vociferates against our going to war for honor, or for any think but money, this moody little gentleman is trying to frighten all the women in the land out of the notion of encouraging their sons to battle, because, forsooth, there has been a comet, an earthquake, a storm and other natural events-which he would insinuate have been sent by Heaven as a warning against the just and necessary war into which the rapacity of England is about to pluge us. How very contemptible must Mr. Randolph be, even in his own estimation, thus to trifle, at this enlightened period of the world, with the judgment and understanding of the community. Such stuff might have had an effect upon mankind in the dark and superstitious ages, when bigotry and fanaticism enchained the world-but now, even the Ethiopian, whose mind is dim and rayless as his complexion, would smile contemptuousl upon Mr. Randolph for his miserable augury. Wretched disappointed, fallen man, the pity or the contempt of the historian, will be the only inducement for handing your name down to posterity.
Recommended Citation
"“Poor Mr. John Randolph..”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1083.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1083
