Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser

MR. RANDOLPH.--The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. Randolph himself, to a gentleman in New York, respecting the alleged misbehaviour of Mr. R. to Capt. Baldwin, on his late passage to Liverpool:

On Monday night, June 5th, I went upon deck, as is my custom previous to my turning in for the night. I saw nobody but the second mate, Mr. Matthews and the helmsman. I was conversing with Mr. Matthews about the rate of the ship, the fine run we were making, when captain Baldwin suddenly appeared upon deck. The first intimation that I had of his presence was an abrupt angry and insolent reprimand of myself "for violating the discipline of the ship by speaking to the officer on watch." I said that I would go below--but it was the first time I had ever heard of its being irregular (in the absence of his superiors) to address one's self to the officer in command. My resentment of the attack was manifested more by my manner than by my words. He replied that "I should be treated like a gentleman when I behaved myself like one." To which I retorted "that he should answer for his insolence when we should reach Liverpool;" meaning to his owners. To which he uttered a threat, that he would make me responsible to him when we got on shore. I added that "barking dogs did not bite." He went on to talk, and I said to all his questions "as to what I meant to insinuate by that"--a repetition of my affirmation "that barking dogs did not bite." He then left the quarter deck and I soon afterwards turned in.

"Mr. Matthews, to whom I addressed a note the next morning cannot gainsay one word of this statement, however disagreeable it may be to him as it ought to be to every well regulated mind to be called upon to testify in a case like this. To the urbanity and obliging temper of Mr. West, the first mate, and Mr. Matthews, I bear a cheerful and willing testimony.

"These are the facts of the case stripped of all color and irrelevant matter. I could add explanations, but to you who know me it is unnecessary."