Tuesday, January 5.
Case of Robert Randall.
After disposing of the morning business—
Robert Randall was then brought to the bar, attended by his two counsel; the Judge of the District of Pennsylvania likewise took his seat, as yesterday, at the Clerk's table. The Speaker then addressed the prisoner as follows: "Robert Randall, this is the day and hour, to which your farther examination was postponed; you are now at liberty to proceed with your defence."
Mr. Giles then moved that Mr. Christie should be sworn. This was done. The member then stated that he had been at Philadelphia, about the month of October last. He met with Mr. Randall, who made up to him, and observed that he had this summer been in Canada. He had missed the object for which he went; but he had met with another which he thought would prove advantageous. He at first advised Mr. Randall to apply to the Secretary of State. Mr. Randolph had just then resigned his office; and no other person was appointed in his stead. Mr. C. then advised him to lay the affair before the President. When he came back to town at the sitting down of Congress, Randall came again to him, and said that by good advice he had altered his plan. He complained that Mr. C. was the only member who had not been ready to assist him. A considerable majority of the House of Representatives were secured to the scheme. Mr. C. said, that he never would advise Congress to sell their lands under a dollar per acre; and as Mr. Randall wanted the lands so much cheaper, he must in the course of his duty oppose the plan. Mr. C. inquired who were his advisers. He answered, that Mr. Whitney had told him that Mr. Sedgwick recommended this way of proceeding, and was to draw up a memorial to be laid before the House upon the subject.
Mr. Sedgwick finding his name thus unexpectedly introduced, wished to be allowed to give oath in order that he should tell all he knew.
The oath was administered to Mr. Sedgwick, who gave information to the following effect: He had never in his life seen Randall, till he was produced at the bar. Whitney he had seen two or three times. The Mr. Jones mentioned by Whitney, in his declaration lives within about thirty-four miles of Mr. Sedgwick's house. Whitney, with Mr. Jones, came, a considerable time ago, to him one morning, while he was at breakfast. They asked his opinion; which was, that Government would not sell any lands, till the Indian claim was first extinguished. Mr. Jones endeavored to convince Mr. Sedgwick of the benefits which would result to the United States from this sale. Mr. Sedgwick accompanied them to the door of his house, where Mr. Jones asked him whether there would be any thing improper in a member of the Legislature being concerned in such a purchase? Mr. Sedgwick said, that this would depend entirely on the mode of application. If it was to the Land Office, there would be nothing wrong in it; if to Congress, then it would be a man making a bargain with himself. Whitney, since Mr. Sedgwick came to town, had called two or three times on him. He got his servant for more than once to deny him, as he was busy. Once, however, he did see him; the first question of Mr. Sedgwick was, from what State did he come? He said he resided in Vermont. He then spoke of the matter in a general way; and Mr. Sedgwick, whose object it was to shake him off, advised his calling on Mr. Buck, a member from that State, as it would be more proper to call on him. Mr. Sedgwick believed that he was more teazed with applications of this private kind than any member in the House. During the conference with Whitney, he did not remember that Randall's name was ever introduced. Mr. Sedgwick heard, with astonishment, the name of Colonel Pepune mentioned. He lived opposite to Mr. Sedgwick's house, in the town of Stockbridge. He rode down from that place to New York, along with Mr. Sedgwick, and never spoke one word of the matter to him.
Randall had, among other stories, told Mr. Samuel Smith that Mr. Wm. Smith should bring forward this land business, in the House. He positively said so to Mr. S. Smith on the 13th of December, and it would be proved that he had never exchanged a word with Mr. W. Smith, nor ever seen him till the 22d of that month, viz: about nine days after. This is the substance of a short explanation which took place between some of the members, after Mr. Sedgwick had ended his declaration. Mr. W. Smith then asked Randall, whether it was not true, that he spoke to Mr. Samuel Smith before he spoke to himself? Mr. Tilghman, in reply, said that he was authorized to answer in the affirmative. This puts to rest the story related by Randall to the member from Baltimore.