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AllconimunicationiDiust be addrested to the editor, Post Paid. - MISCELLANEOUS i THE SOMERS MUTINY. COM. MACKENZIE'S NARRAT1VE. U. S- Bkio Sojierj. N.-Y., Dcc. 19, 1842'. Sincc my arrival at tliis port I liave been dligcmly engnged in prepanng forihe De pariment at Washington a full and detailed narrative of all ths circumstances connected with ihe mutiny on board tho U. S. brig-of ar Somers. on her recent voyago from Africa; but having heen frequenlly ttiter rupted (jspccially by the solicitude of friends I have been forced to relinquish my first !n. tention and to cenfine tnyself entirely to a fkctch'of tho principal occurrcnces. After leaving the Azores and Madeira in October I proceeded, accordtng to orders, to len eriffe and rorlo Pray. Thcnco I went to Libcria c.xpecting to find the U. S. s!oopr of.war Vandlia. But on arriving there I found that she had sailed on tho 5th of Oct; for the Uniied States as 1 understood. Ths dcpatchcs with which 1 W3s enlrustcd for her beine thtis rendercd of no uie were left with Ihe U. S. Acent, whoso receipt for thcm is cnclosed. On the 11th of Novem. btr I sailcd for tho United States via St. Tiiomas, whcre L thought it nccessary to take a supply of bread, water and other re. freslimenls, OnSaturday, the25lhofNo vtmber, Licul. Gansevoort camo into tho cabin nnd informcd me that he had learned from midshipman Wales that a conspiracy cxisted on board tho sliip to capture tho ves ecI, to murder tho Captain, bring over as many of tho crew as possible, murder tho rrst and convert the vessel into a pirate; and that Midshipman Spencer was at the hend of the conspiracy. This, Lieut. G. said had been told to him by Midshipman Wales, whose narration was as followes: On the niglit oftho 25, ofNov., bclween 6 and 8 o'clock in tho evening, Wales sid ho was nrroused by Spencer, who asked him tojgo upon thc the booms, as he had bome thirg to fay to iiim. Hc got up, and, on arriving at the booms, he was asked by Spencer, "Do you fear dcath do you fear a dead man? do you fear to kill a manl" Wales wiih admirable coolness, induced Spencer, to go on, took the oath of secrecy. and cn tered in'.o all his plans. Spencer told him that he hod about 20 men in his plot; that they would easily gct posscssion oftho ship murder the Commander and officers, and commence piracy. Ho gavo Wales all the details of his plan, which were admirably luited for his purpose, and arranged much bctter, Mr. Wales said, than he could liavo dono it himself- As nn inducement to em bark in the enterprise, Spencer said alargo Lox of wine on bonrd conained a large a mount of gold and other treasure. His ob. jrct was to go to the Isle of Pines, where one ofhis nasociatcs, who had been a pirale beforc, had a confedernte; that be would at tnck no vessels that he could not capture, nnd dcstroy all he captured; that he would tclcct from them such females as were prop er, ue them and thcn dispose of them ; that bchad all the detnils oflhe plan drawn out on a psprr, which was in the back of his cravat. He showed money to Mr. Wnles, and bifore seperating, threatened him with iostar.t dealh if he ever revcaled what he had told him. Such, proceeded Capt. Mackenzie, was the purport of tho information which I re. cc'ned from Lieut. Gansevoort. To me the hole affair was so monstrous that I trcated it with ridicu'.e, and belieTed that Spencer, Lad been amusing himself and Wales with some story of piracy he had learned from tome novel or tale of murder. Still I could cot hc!p feeling that it was sporting with a serious subject and that my duty required tne to be on my guard, and I rcsolved closc lytowatchtha movomenta of Spencer. I directcd the first Lieutenant to observe him verynarrowly. I learned that in the course oftheday Spencer had been in the ward room or sr-me time, and had busied himself in examining a chart of the West Indies, and thal he had made some inquiries con cerning the Isle of Pines. The Lisut. told him tfcat he believed it was a place much frequented by Pirates, and drily asked him iflw had any acquaintances therc? Spencer passed tbe day sullenly, and was often ob tervcd to be examining n paper, aud writing with a pencil, nnd making rings with his Penknife. Lieut. Genseroor: soon after nade some excuso for following him to the my desire that no liquor should be used i the steerage ot the vessel: and gave as reason for this that the obligations of hospi lality alnays fell upon the Uaptatn and hi under officers, and that upon such nccasiom all should have their almre. This hint had its intcnded effcct, and I never had occas iou to use compulsion. Enowing that Lieu. tenant Gansevoort viewed the matter in thf same Iieht, I did not interfere with the ar ranL'mcnt of tho ward'room: and if I had done so it would onlv have been in the wav of friendlv adricei It now appears thai when the vessel was ordered to the uoast o Africa, a supplv of brandy had been ordered cffice on board by some who had previously been on the same voyage, and wno thougni u would bc a eood defence acainst the malar ia of that coast. By accident, as I then thought, but by desicn, as subsequent devel opmcnts have made probablc, the steward ordered the brandv from two ditlerent gro cers, so that doublc tho quantity required was brought on board. Noueofthis was used by the mess or by any others than Spencer and those whom hs endevered to corrupt. Spencer had the faculty of thowing hi lower jaw out of joint and of thus playinp with it a vanelv of musical airs: and he wat frequentlv found thus nmusing the crew In his intcrcoursc with mc he was servilc to the last degree; but among the crew 1 learned that he was loudly and blasphemous- ly vituperative against mo nnd that he hac abused me in tho most outrageous and vto lent terms, and declared that it would givt him real pleasureto roll me overboard from the round top. I found that he had djawn a representation of a black flae and asked members of the crew what they thought of it; that hb had often said the vessel could ue casilv taken; that he had not long before cx' amincd the hands of one oflhe midshipman, to tell his fortnne, and had predicted for him a spcedy and vtolent dealh These things induced me io Iook back over all 1 had heard or observed of the Somers. Whcn young Spencer first re ported himself to me for duty on board my vessel 1 gave him my hand and vrelcomcd him on board. 1 heard n6t long after that ho had been involved in difficully when on the Brazil Statron. and that ho had been dismisscd for drunkenness. Upon hearing this I carnestly desired his rcmoval From my vessel principallv on account of the vouns men I had with mc: two of whom were connected with me by hiood, two oy allianco, and four to my especial caro. Tho circumstance of his connexion with n high and'distinguished ofiicer of thc Gov. ernment, by enhancing, if possible, his basencss, incrcascd my desire to gct rid of him. On this point I beg that I may not bt misundcrstood. I revcre authonty, and in this Rcpublican counlry I regard its cxer- cisc as an cvidence of gcnius, intelligenct and virtue. But 1 have no respect for tnt bast son qf an honored father. On the con trary, the conduct of that man who sumes bv his crimes tho puro fame and the high honor of his parcnt scems to mc to be far moro baSe than ono equally guilty from an humbler station. But I wish nothmg to do with baseness in any shape; least of all on board a vessel belonging to the United Statcs. On this account I wished to gr.t rid of Soencer. Two others soon aftei ioincd the vessel, and thus scven were obli zcd to occunv tho spaco littcd oniy lor nve. I had heard that Spencer had cxpressed a willingness to be transferred and hoped that he would now consent. 1 .liviirerl T.imit. Gansevoort to state tc Mr. Snencerthat if he would apply to Com modore Pcrry to detach him from the Som ers I would second his application. Thc application was according made and I sec- onded it, carnestly urging uiai u migui ut grantcd in ordcr to sccure thc comfort of tht vountr ofRccrs. Commodore Perry, howev er, declined to detach Midshipman Spencei but said ho would consent to detach Mid. Rogers, whom I had long known to be ar. accomplishcd seaman, a gentleman and ai: ofiicer of the lnghest altainmenis uotn n and bevond his nrofcssion The Somers- accordinclv sailcd with sovcn in the steer age ; they could not all sit down together at the table : two of them had no loc!er but slept upon the stcerage deck, and sub- jccted thcmselves to consiaeraDte inconve- nience, to all wnicn, nowever, tney reaauy snhmittcd without the slightest murmur ot complaint, and performcd every duty which fell tothem to the perfectsatisfactionofall ihti officers. All thcse thintrs I called to rccollection nni? endeavored"' carefully to review thc of Soencer. I had treatcd him nreciselv as I treated other Midship men : thoush I had perhaps removed him somewiiat Iess than the others for slight de- viations from thfc stnct Iine of his duty. This arose from my conviction that thert could be but little hope of essentially serving one who had proved to bo so decidedjy his own cnemv. I observed that he was in the habit of associating but little with the othei nffieers.but that he was continually intimatc with the crew. Ho was often in the habit of joking with them and smiling whenevet he met them, with a smile ncver known bui on such occasions ; and 1 had Irequentl) observed in him a strangc flashing of thi cve Recallinir these thincs in additition tc what had been rcvealed, I resolved at once to make myself sure of his person, though 1 and tho officers of thc Somers, and such of the crew as you could not seducc to your plans.and to enter upon a course of piracy 1" 'I may have told him something like it," He' To my astonishmct upon tho oc-1 rtas far from being ssfe. There was rea. ra-lson io fear that on that very nieht u rescue trlarity. currences of this disaster all the conspira tors who wero named in the programmc of would be attempted. I obtained a rariety opencer.no matter m wnai pari oi me vessel oi inieiltKenco concerninir conferences a. replied. ''but it masonlu inioke." "Youad- .thev were enfran-ed at the timc.immediatelv mon? the disaffected. Individunl.o whnm I mit, then, that you tojd him of such a plan." I musterer at tho mainmast whether anima- had not supposcd to be implicated were found "Yes sir," "This, sir," I continued, "yoir ted bv some new-born zeal to serve their closely associated with several who were must Know is joicing upon a iorbidden sub. countrv. or tntendios to carry out their de- Known to be amone tho disaffected. and sev. ject. This jokc, sir, may cost you your life. signs, I cannot say. This circumstance at eral times there were symptoms that they tse picased, sir, torcmove your neck-hand- oncc confirincd my belief in Ihe continued kerchief. Ho did so. I took it and open'-. existenc'c of the danser. Thu eyo of Spencer ed it, but there was nothmg in tt. 1 asked travcled continually to the mast-head, & ho him what he had done with the paper that east quick and stenlthy glanccs about, as was in it ? ''The paper," he said, 'which j he had not done before. The wreck was had been in it contained my day's work:.soon clearedawav. and supper piped and I destroyed it." "It is a strange place, I After supper the same persons mustered sir," said I, "to keep your accounts." He at rrrast.head, and the sails were set. After acquiesced with an air oftho greatest dc-'quarters they dlsmisscd. Still I did notthink ference and blandness. 1 said to him,"Your it safe to leave Cromwell at liberty during destgn was to make yourself commander of, the night, which was emphatically thcsea' inis vessel. iou must nave been aware tnat son ot danp-cr. ARerconsultms with JMeut. you could compass it only by passing over Gansevoort, I determined fo arrest Crom. my dead body and over the dead bodies of well. An ofiicer was sent to guard the rig all the officers of thc Somers. Youhadlaid ging. I met Cromwell at thc fbot of the out for yourself, sir, a grcat deal todo. It Jacob's laddcr, g'oing aft, and stoppcd him. ismy duty to continc you. lurningto 1 asked him about the conversation he had Lieut. Gansevoort,! said, "Arrest Mr. Spcn-' with Spencer. He denied that it was he, cer, and place him in doublc irons." Lieut. and said, 'It was not me, sir ; it was Small.' Gansevoort s'.eppcd forward and rcccived (Cromwell was the tallest man on board the from Mr. Spencer his sword. Mr. Spencer. vessel and Small tho shortest.)' Cromwell was then ordered to sit down : he did so. was immcdiatcly put io irons. omall be Double irons were then put upon him, as ing thus accuscd by an associate, wasalso werealso hand-cuffs for thesako ofgreat- ironed. Thc utmost vigilance was'enjoin'- er secunty. I directed Lieut. Gansevoort i ed upon thc officers. All were armed, and toplaco a watch over Mr. fapenccr, and toieither myself or tho First Lieutenant was give orders to put him to instant dcath if hcjconstantly on deck. was detccted in speaking or holding any Thc next morning, which was Monday communication with any of the crew. The the 28th of November, two crimes of con- nalurcof thcse orders was told toalr.bpen- siderable magnitudc camc to hght. One cer. At tbe same limc, 1 directed him to. ot the men had been detccted in stcaling allow him everv possible indulgcncc con-j from a boat and tho Steward had stolcn sistent with his safe keeping. Thc task was c.xccutcd by Lieut. Gansevoort with the greatest kindness and humanitv. While he watchcd with an eagle eyo over all his move' ments, and wasreadv ata momcnt's war ning to take his lifo upon a violation of thoso conditions on which his salcty dcpcndcd, hc attcnded to all h:s wants, covered him with his own garmcnt from thc squalls of rrnn by which we were visited, and mints tercd in cyery way to his comfort with all ihc tcnderness and assiduity of a wotnan. The officers were then remanded to quar- tcrs ; tbe crew and battencs were mspcctcd, the orders were rcpcated, and thc rctrcat ivas beatcn. The officers of the watch were ill directcd to be fully armed with cutlas- ;es and pistols, with rounds otammumtion, ind every thing was put in order for the night. On searching tho locker ot bpcnccr, a razor caso was tound in it, which hc nad recently drawn from the Purser. On open- ng it there was no razor within, but in its tcad a ptece of paper in which was rollcd inother. On the inner paper was writtcn string of charactcrs. aftcrwads found to bc iJreck lcttors, which Spencer was known to )e famihar. It fortunately happened that here was on board anothcr individual who was well acquaintcd with Grcek-one whose knowlcdgc of this as of evcrything clsc.was Jcvoted wholly to the service of his cou'n. try. The Greek charactcrs, on being con. verted into our own language by Mr. Hcnry Rogcrs, proved fo contain the plan for the proposcd mutiny. There was a list of the difierent members of the crew, somo of whom were markcd ccrtain and others Joubtful ; somo were markcd to be kepl at all events, and others to be destroyed. fheso were designated who were to do the work of murder in the various apartments: others were to open thc arm-chest, and thc itationsof all were asstgncd. Thc following day was snnday, and all were to be inspcctcd at 10 o'clock. I took my station nft for thc purpcso of obscrving Lromwell and small as they should come along upon the quarter-deck. The persons ot both were taultlcssly clean and neat hey being determined that their appcar ince should provoke no reproof on account )fa fault in that particular. Chomwell itood up to his' full stature, carrying his bat- tfo-axe firmly and stcadily ; his checks palc, Dut his cve fixed to starboard. He wore a Jetcrmined and a dangerous ahv Small aresentcd a very difTerent figtire. His ap- jcarancc was chastly, his manncr uncasy iie shifted his weight from side to side, and -lis battlc-axe from hand to hand. His eye tvas never for a momcnt fixed, but always (urncd from me. I attributcd his conduct to fear ; though I now believc the busincss unon which ho had cntercd was repucnant to his nature, but that his tove Jor money nd rum was too strong for his fidclity. Five bells, or 10 o'clock, was the time for Divinc service. The rtrst .Lieutenant ask d if he should call thc roll. I told htm it ivould be best to wait till the time was up Five bells struck and all were called to tnustcr. The crew were all prcscnt, were jnusually attentive.and theirrcsponses wero more tban ordmariiy lull and audiuic- in the cxamination their countenances c.xhihi. ed nothint: to excito distrust, In the afternoon the sky-sails and stud-lins-sails were set Gasely, one of the best af tho appre.ntices, was sent aloft on the royal yard to mako some alteration in tho "ireiop. when he found him engnged in uorktnn cnm lnvn Apvinp unon his arm. He exnrCed desire to ltarn tho rate oftho I thought that Ivould first let Mr. Wales Ciironometcr, and was referred to the Mas- nave anothcr interview with him and obtain lcrof -Mannes. He was frequentlv seen en' gedin holding secret conferences with Bnaitwain Cromwell and Small, and was taotvn to have givcn money to difTerent per ons ofihe crew. He had also incited the steward to sleal brandy, which he had giv en lo the crew, and with which he had once r tviice got drunk himself. Capt. Mackenzie thought it dno to tha wardroom otlicers to stale the circumslan ceg connected with iheir having brandy on ao&rd. When the vestel was first equip ped, I told the first Lieutenant that it was furlhcr knowledge ofits mutinous plans. If he was really in carncst enough, howcver, was already known. In the evening I gavo orders to Mr. Perry, my Clerk, to have all the officers come aft upon the quarter-deck. When they were brought up, I approached Spencer and ad- drcssed him thus : "1 understand, sir, that vou aspire to the command oftho Somers.': With a deferential airhe replied : "Oh.no, sir !" "Did you not," said I "tell Mr. Wales that you had a mutinous projeet on toot that you intendwl to kill tbw Commandei money and civen somo of it to Spencer. This was no time to relax thc disciplinc of the ship, and both the men were punishcd to the cxtcnt of the law. It was soon af ter found that a man nsmad Waltham had told McKinley whcro thrce bottlcs of wine wcrc placcd and ofTered them to him. Mc Kinley was stationcd near the arm-chcst and reportcd this to the first Lieut. Pun ishmcnt of Waltham, however, was post poncd till ihe next day. Punishmcnt of the other two heing over, I thought that a fit opportunity to endeavor fo make an im prcssion upon thc crew. I had good reason ty think that the danger of the conspiracy was not ovor. I believed that a maiorily of thc crew might be said to be in gcncral disaffected and disposcd to rcsist discipline. Some mysterious agency had cvidcntly been at work since the dcparturc of the Somers from New York; and this was now disclosed. I cxplaincd to the crew the gcneral nature of Spcncer's plot and thc atrocious character of thc dcsigns ho had formcd. I took especial caro not to betray a suspicion that I thought any particular one of them was dceply implicated, but cxhortcd all of thcm to rcpcnt of their in tentions and attcnd faithfully to their duty. I took good care to assure them that thc majority of the crew must at all cvcnts sharo the fatc of the officers. I sfrotc to divert their minds from the picturcs of suc ccssful vice which Spencer had prcsentcd to thcm. I brougfit up bcfore'the'm the im. ages of friendsat homc; I cndeavorcd to impress upon their minds tho cndeanng na ture of thosc ties of kindrcd from which Spencer had sought to sever them forever, and cxprpssed tho hopo thatj within1 threo wceks wc should all be again among our friends. I thankcd God that he had pro vided them all with dcar friends who wcrc decply intcrestcd in their welfare, and that they had tho prospect of so soon being once more among thcm. The cfTcct of my addrcss on them was various. Many of thcm sccmcd dclightcd at their narrow delivcry, and others sccm cd struck with horror at thc thought of tho tcrriblc danger they had cscapcd. Some sccmcd overwhelmed with terror at thc an ticipation of punishmcnt that awailcd them. Others wero overcomo hy thoughts of returning home, and wept profusely at the mcntion of thc friends they hoped so soon tosee. I could not hclp bclicving that all the crew wero now tranquil, and that tho vessel was again safe. Having observed Spencer was endeavnring to hold intelligence with some of them, 1 directed the faces of all tho prisoners to bc turned aft, and that no tobacco should be allowed thcm when the supply they had upon their persons at thc time of their arrest should be exhausted. I (old thcm that I would see that they had every thing nccessary for their comfort; that cach should have his ra tion; that they should be abundantly sup plied with every thing nccessary for their health and convenicnco. But I told them that tobacco was only a stimlant, and that as I wished their minds to become as quiet and tranquil as possible, I could not allow them to use it. The day aftei Spencer's tobacco was stopped, his spirit gave way. He would sit for a long time with his facc buricd in bis cloak, and whcn he raised his head his face was bathcd in tears. He was touch cd by the kind attention of Mr. Gansevoort. He told him thal he was not then in a state .. i . t ... ... rtggtng. At onco a suaaenjerK wasgtven'to speak ol anytning, oui tnai ne would tne to tho brace by Small and anothcr.who has' next day tell him all would answer any not been discovered, and thc fore.topmastJquestion that might bc put to him. trith the topsail, gallant-staysail and head- On Tuesday after quarters, all hands were raff-topsail, at once camc down. Gasely again called to witness punishmcnt, and was on the royal yard. I scarcely dared to Waltham was punished to the extent of the Iook to see the spot where the bov should i law for ofTering three bottles of wine to 51c- fall. The next momcnt his shadow appear. ed at the mast-head, and I prcsently discov ered him examining, with admirable cool ness, what was to be done. I did not dare to bcliove this carrying a Kiiiley. I thon spoke to Ihe crew ofthe necessity of conforming in all parliculars to the orders ofthe vessel which were known. !l told them that every punishmeut inflicted on board must bc made known to tbe oecre- ivay ofthe topnrast tbe work was treachery:'tary ofthe Navy, and that the less they but I kncw that an occasion of this sort, were m amount the greater would be tho urh ni the loss of thc boy, which should ' credit that would attach to the Commander crcate confusion and intcrrupt the duty of and thu crew.- But the whole crew, I soon the officers, would be sought by them if they were bent on thc prosecution ot the enter found, were far from tranquil. They col lecied in knols upon the deck ; seditious jrise. All possible measures were laiten io. worus wero ucuru uiuu.ig u.cui. auu .uejr aa jrevcnt confusion. The rigging was im- sumed an insolent and menacing tone. l-nediately restored and the sails bent afresh. Some of the petty officers were examined and loirnd to bo true to me coiors, oui u Every member of the Crew were employed, ind all things were made to go On with reg- wai the general impression thai tha vejseF were about lo strike the blow. Mr. Wales once dctected C. A, Wilson in drawing out a nanrt.sptkc trom its place; and on presen ting his cocked pistol at him, he only ofTer ed some lamc excuse. I became exceed- ingly anxious, and remained constanllv on deck. At 12 o'clock the watch was called. McKinley, Green, and ono or two others missed their mustcr : thev could not be a slecp. and why they should be abscnt just at tnai time, when they never had been before, was not easv to be seen. When thev ao peared, they all had some lame excuse. J hey probably had anreed to meet at that time and to commence some act ofvio. Ience. Green said he could not get aft. 1 sent him lorward and ordered htm to take ihc forward lookout for four hours. I di rected a closo watch to be kept up and dis- tribuled the others in a s'tTiilar manner. At 4 o'clock others misscd their muster. I heard of thi: wiihereat uneasiness. Where, I asked, was this to end ? If tho men upon a bright night liko this seem mutinous and disposed to undertako the rcscue of thosc confined, on a bad night, in a storm, in ihe midst of utter darkness, how much greater will be the probability of a rescue 1 If all suspeclcd should be ironcd, would the dan ger be over 7 What sympathy might not be felt for tho prisoners 7 I hese matters crowded upon my mind. I considered the imminent peru which huns over the lives of Ihe officers aud crew ; I thought ofthe seas traversed m every dtrcctton oy mrrchant men, unharmed and defenceless ; I thought of what was duc to the interests of com- merce, to the safctv ofthe lives of thousands upon tho dccp, to thc sanctity ofthe Ameri- cun Flag cntrusted lo my care, and to my otvn honor. All these considerations im pressed me with tho absoluto necessity of adopting some farther means ofsecurity for tho vessel which had been given to my charge. 1 took counscl with tho rirst Liiculcr.ant, and was fortificd in my purposesby finding his opinion identical with my own. In so grave a case, involving so many interests and such high responsibilities, I felt dcsi rous of having the opinion of all my officers upon tho matter, though not a shadow of doubl remained on my mind ofthe guilt of ihe piisoners, should their nxccution bodee med necessary. I did not forgot that thc officers were still boys, and that all the rr.- sponsibiuty ofthe procceding must rest up. on tho older and higher otncers. Miu l tnt desirousto have their opinion, and accord- ugly addressed them the following letter : "U. S. BrIG Somers. Nov. 30, 1842. Gentlemen : I am dcsirous of availing myself ofyour counsel in tho very responsi blc position in which 1 find myself placcd. You arc aware of thc circumstances which have resultcd in the confincmont of Mid shipman Spencer. of Boatswain s mate Cromwell, and oi seaman omall : and 1 purposely abstain from entcring into details conccrning them. Necessarily ignorant, as I am, of the cxtent of disaffrction among th6 crew who hava o long been tampered with, and knowing tho suspicion which at tach"s to some of tho crew who arc at Ijrge, I address you and ask your united counsel as to tha best course now to be pursucd; and I call upon you to take into deliberate and dispassionale consideration, tho conduct which will be nccessary for a safe continu ance oflhe remaindcr of our course, and to enlightcn me with your opinion as to tho proper method to be pursucd. 1 am, your obedient servant, Alf.i. Slipell Mackenzie, Commander. Lieut. Gansevoort. and others. After I had written this letter, but before I had sent it, at about 9 o'clock, Wilson.be ing foilod in his altcmpt to get up an out break at night, and fechng that he was nar rowly watched and was no longcr left at lib erty, camo forward and made some lame and worthles confession, and requcsted thal ho inighl not be put in irons. 1 told him that if he had made any rcal confcssion, in sin cerity and truth, he should noi be molested; but thal it was an insult to his officer to of fer him so lame a story as that he had told. Nolh'ing more could bo got out of him. and he was immediatcly put in irons: While on the African coast I kncw that he had pro cured an cxtraordinary knife, broad in the middlc, and running to a poinl. He had made it very sharp on both sides. It was a sinular weapon. of no use except to kill. Hehad been seen also the day bpfore shar pening his bat.le-axe with a filc, and had brought one part of it to an cdge. This was a thing never allowed or known before on board. McKinley was now arrestcd He was evidently the individual in every wav the most formidable of all concerncd. McKee was also put in irons. They were mado to sit down ; and when the irons were put on, I walked around tho batteries, follow ed by Lieut. Gansevoort, and made a care' ful inspection. On the receipt of my letter tho officers immediately asscmbled and entered upcn tho examinalion of witncsses, who were sworn and their testimony written down. In addilion to this each witness signed the ovidenco he gave. In this cmployment the officers passed the whote day without icter ruption, and without taking thc least food. I remained, myself, in charge ofthe deck. The officers were excused frorrf watch duty and tho watches were so arransed that two in succession fell to mc. On the 1st De cember the First Lieutenant presented me with the following letter : 'U. S. Bkic Somers, ) December 1, 1842, Sre : In sanswer to your letier requtring our counsel as to tho best course to be pur sued with regard to the prisoners' Sfexcer, ! Groxwxll, and Small, we have the honor to state, that the evidence which has como to our knowledge after the most careful, aV liberate and dispassionate consideration which thoexigency would allow, is of such a nature as to call for the most decided Bo lton. We aro convinced that in tho exis ting state of things it will be impossible lo carry the prisoners to Ihe United States. We thiok thatSsafoty our lives, and honor to the flig entrusted to our charge, rcquires that the prisoners bo put to death, as tho course best calculatcd to make a sa.utary f the crew. In this decision we trust we have been guided r ..J . n by our duty to liod, to our iouuirj. auu .u Service. Respcctfully, your obedient serrants, Lieut. Gaxskvoort, and oihers. Com. Mackenzie. I nt nnrn rnnrnrred in ihe iuitice of ll.is opinion, and made preparations lo carry the rccommendation into eflect. Two other conspiratore were nlmost as guilty as Ihn ll.ro. ctnnloit rnt fnr PTPCUtlOn : ttieV COUld bc kepl cjnfined without cxircme dangcr to the ultimate safety ofthe vessel. The three fhtafmultnnora wprn tllR Onlv OnPS CnpabU of navigating and sailing thc vessel: by their rcmoval, all motive to capture the vessel and carry out tho original design would bc tak en away. Their lives were ju3tly forfeited nnd thn intnrpsU oftho COUtltrV. thc safoty oftho seo, and tho honor ofthe flag requir ed thc sacrifice. Tr, thr rtrrestiln nf mV Viisition I ToUnd ffltl law: and in that necessity I trust for Justs fieaiion. I thought; it ucsi io arm t mo petty officers: on this point only the First Lieutenant difTcrcd frem me: and I found that ho was of the same opinion with somo of the petty officers thmsclves; they said that sincc I could not tell whom to tnist. it would be best to trust no one. 1 I made up my own mind, and judged of tho characters wnom l couiu irusi auu ur. InrmmDil Inarm them . I Ordered tO DC ij- sucd to sach a cutlass, a pistol and cart- w . . , 4 1 rtdges. 1 ordered preparunoua aiau iu uc made for thc cxecution of the threo. All hands were called to witness punishment. The whips were arranged.the officers wero stationcd about the deck, and the pettjvf ficcrs were directed to cut down cvcry ono who should let goMits wnip or iau io naui whcn ordered. I rmt on mv full uniform. came on deck nnrl nrnceeded to exccute the most painful . j , t . . t infftlipm ffrprv hlpino" and Itnnnitie s- deserve death for this and my other criuic. ( l uere are lew cnmcs i nave not coniiniiier I am slncerelv neriptent for them all. I nnlr fear my repentance is too Iate." Ifasketl it tnere was any one wnom ne nan injurcti in vvlinm lif rnnlrl make renanition anv one wbo was sufFering obioquy on liis account? Hf snul "iVn hu'r thi? will kill inV nn i motlier." I did not know before that Iie had a inother, and was tmched by his allus'oti ta dop T oet'cft hrr tf il wntitfl nnt lim-f Kotin .... M. UjllkU 11111 1 b MVUltl 11" 1 IIUIV KJ W fc. 1 I far more dreadful ii he had succeeded in hU attemnt ifit were nnt much better to dle as he would tban to become a pirnte s'Ti'tl steep himselfso terribly in blood and guilt. sn'H ((T dn nnt knnvv wlinT tvnnlrl Urtvt' , - - become of me if I had succeeded." I toltf him that Cromwell would soon have made ; way with h:m, and that McKinlny wouhl nrnhnhlir lirr rlfistroved lliftn Iinth. TPi said he "feared this would injure his fathcr." I..T 1 1 , T i I ii. I - 'naa ynu succeeaea, i rep teu. mc injury vou would have dine him would have beet tnuch greater." Ifit had been possible lo take bi.n homc, as ! at first in cnri'e;!, I told him tliai he would bare got clear, as ii' Ami.rirn n mnn with mnnfrr nnrl 'nfllipnliii' fr'pnrlc it iiiM nhvnvs h plpnrpil thnr thf course I was taking would injure his fathcr less than if he should go hme' a'ntl bs condemned y -t again esrap-;. Hcsaid tli it hc' had attenintcd the bnine thin" on board lli John Adams and the Poto i:a:: ; b tt 1m. been unsuccessful. He askctl if l Ind r. eaggerated the da'ngur. I told him 'ri'o , that his uttfmpu t corrupt ihe tow ha I been too wid-ly successful ; t':at I k .cw ( the existence o!'tlv: conspiracy but did u ' Iknow how ex'ensive it w is." I rttcapiilt- ted to him bis act. He wass'a'tlcc! wh - I told him of s'ealing bra :dy. Iie ad n t- ted ths iustlce of bis fate but asked mc i I was not "going t'o far and too fat. Dn'-r the law j-ist fy you ?" said he. I re; lied 1.1:1 hi nntninn it,i nnt iiiittrpiutlicil rth:itl hnt" consulted all the officers aud they Ii d en their optn on that it was just that Ii dcserved tl-aih. He aMie 1 '-what .-ou!ir be the mann -r of bis dealh-'' I uxul.tin f it to him. He rcquested that he miiMt bc shot. 1 1 I J him that it could not 1. - 'that he must Iie liung. He adinitted th"i or the slightest offencc. You intendetl to kill me suddenly in the night while I was buried tn sleep, wnnoui giving me .1 smgit mmnni ir. cond nni! wfirtl of affectiin to 111 V wife, onojprayer to God for her welf.irc.- Your lile is now torieiieu ; anu me nccebii twnf thn nasp rnmncls me to take it. I d not intend, however, to imitate you in the mode ofclaiming tbe sacrifice. If there bc in vour breast one feeling true to nature, .... - i r . i .1 you will be gratemi ior uie pretn iiuio ui closureofyourdesigns. You surcly ought . t. .t.nt-r,,! thm vnti have be. n nrevent- cd from the terrible deeds you meditated. j Ifyou have any wortt tosenu io your ramcrj any Satislacf-on to express io iuui iuai yu WCre nOl ailOWcU IU UUo"llC cl X nm.,uu3ijf mni hw imm "U ji.uii. ii.it. ou"ht to do, vou will liave ten nvnuteijGod not only understood his casT b t c granted in vMiiclr to vri(e'it' MMs!iipma'n5uit Fiis graceto Ft. He begscd that 1 w liiomson was iuuu unvticu :nd proceeaea io exucuio mc iumi uiuuii mai ttc miiii nc uu'ijj. uc nuium i . .1... ilnitnlitoil ,nnn nnv i.fiioornni- H n nlnii,pfl In flin r I in- n n';- OUty 11111 uci autuiiLu "j""' i.w.(TUa - J ..w. ...u in tho American Navy tbe announL'ement the tima and rtq iestcd fiat an hour m 5 to the prisoners of the fate that awaiied be givcn to prcparc. I mar.le nh answer 1 . iiV., onro nrinnt tr tnlre mv lifo. MrJplnn!. Hn rpnnpiteil t'lal liis (s'ce in llllil , JL " ' " " . 1 1 i 1 - - Soencer without provocati m, without cause ba corered. I granied bi r que-t andaj eu IIIIIl wnai tia:iuuiu uu uuicrcu u . He said a handkercbeif. In bis Io !(pr was found a bl.xk one whicli w,n put tr li'? face. Croinwfll and Stin l made tlt same request, and frocks were takcn IV n their lockcrs with wincli their neaua xvcn-covercd. Srjencer ask 'd for a Bible arf.I Pray-r book: thny were givcn ti lum. Iie 'ni , "I am a believer but d ' you lliink that my repenlance wi 1 b'e accepted :" I cal e 1 to his mind thu lli ef on thecros-, sn l nM him that God's mercies were cqual to a!I h. t f i fii i . wants. ne Kueeieu uowrr anu rra i iro n l. rtnvpr f?onIf. nnrl atkprl rftr.T ll if ! i liou 'lit h's renentance would be acce tc I. saying that his time was short. I told hr i con l oul I note thcPo'r!'ive 11110". I lol I bttn did m-t sn- time and inform me whcn it had cxpircd. :erely aud cordially, aud asked 1 1 h.id tlmn Spencer sesmcd overcome with cmotiou. my ihirr which nrade him s.-ek my iff m Ho burst into at flood of tears, sank ou whether liis haired was unfoiinded. II knees, and said be was' ni fit to d e. I rc- aid he tliouglu it was onl f'nu6y. "IV, pcatcd lo him his catcchism1, and bcgged liaps" be addeil, "there wa? so .lei'iing i i him to offer sincere praycrs for thc tlivine your mirtn r which otrendcd mn." I rc;nl forgiveness. I recommended to bim the 0vr to him what be Imd writtpn down. II Englisb Prayer Book, assuriug bitn that hc ivished me to alter tha rassnge iu whicli I would find in it s unetbi iu suited to all hi id tlml he 't'ffcred m an cjcus", that hr uecessities. Cromwell fell upon bis knees, had at'emptcd the same thing o:i ihe Ju. tt protestin"his innocence, and invoking thc Adams and Potomac." II ; only iircntiotie.l name or h?s wife. Spencer d. clarcd that jt as a f.ict, he said. Cromwell ivas innocent. and begged t'lai .Alore t!:an an ho :r had now el ipsc I thismi"ht b3 believed. This, I conf ss. Spencer, as he met CrormveP, pau? d an sta""ered me; but thc evidence ofhis guilt asked to see Mr. Walc. As hc p.is-ic wasconclusive. Lieut. Gansevoort sa d Cromwell he said n n a wur 1 f'f his inim that there was not a shadow of doubl of it-cence, nor did hc make any appeal hr It The 6etty ofHcers said be was the wnly man faVor. Spencer said, " Wales, I hope you from wJiom real apprehension was entertain- W.H forgive tne f r tatnpering witli yri- ft j it , fir, ti.P nnromn'ice of Snen- delitv." Wales replied, overr.onre witlt e - cer and was then ur"ed on by him-, and had motion,"I do forgive you tr itt the bofonv been bv him turned' o bis account. I tried iny heart, and I b .pe God will trrg ve- yoir to sbovv him how Spencer had cndeavored aiso." Wales was wtemirg, and bpenc r to use him, and told Spcr.cer that he had m pacS;ng mct Small in tfre gangwav. I made retnarks about him he wou'd not con- ,-xtended his hand and sa.d; ' Smal",- forgif.; sider flattering. Hc expressed great anx.e- rnc for havin: broirgbt you mto r.ouble ty to know what they were. 1 told him Srnall answered, "No, by O d, Spencc r, A i .:.i r i,;m nnd another ner-ll cannot forsive vou." Sncncer reneaied hn uromweu uau saiu ui .. i- o v . , snn that there was a "d d fool on one request. Small said, "How can you ak srrTe and d knave on "., iuuiurei".i o " " , ., , tnldhim that Cromwell wou'.d have allow- We shal! soon be b-f .re God ar.d shal! tlier ed him to live only so long as be could have kn0w all about it." Spc.icer s-.d "yotfmust marl" Am useful to himself. This rouscd forg1vc me I cannot d.e w, hout tt.' 1 him "and Irom that time he aaid no more of went to Sn.a 1 and aked him not to cbrr cSnwell's innoccnce. isb any resentir.tent at such a t.me, and k-. Subsequent circumstances made me be Ld Irm to forgive h.m. Hc relented- ,e .1 Iievc that Spencer wished to save him.W his hand to Spencer and said, "I .K "e . . . . T . . u nnd mnv God forilve VOU aN probably from ihe nope mai ue woum jcyorg vc -j o get pos;es3:on ofthe vessel and carry outSo hs original design ; ano pernaps ui w.u.., pffer.t hia rescue. He" sndeavored at the same time to persuade t-. o ti i.. al!ic fnr snmC 002 inhl nma i was uiii uii iqn rin else.on hts list though this was proved beerrbarsh either in deed or worrt t, r.t o- i .nm was tne one wc .. u p ,,ml. . v ,at n v set down as the poltroon oi mc '-w--. hP rpppivpd the announcement ot his taie C.nill thon n-tfecfl mv fordvcness. I l6o'c iiiiui. - j r- hi3 hand and.exprjssed my forgiveness the strongest terms. 1 askd him what r had done Ihat hesliruiu soesimy iue ; ii i t k ne receivea iuu - , , with great e- H-" preparations ue "- . - i F s , iT7nhrtir nares for me. said nc naa none . i"""; , . 1 he "but my poor mother, and I wou d rathH ershe should noi kuow me a , Knpnrpr. I asked him l reiurucu v , . jL what message he had to send fo bis fnends. Hs said "None. Teu tnem wav i ui iijnif. - Idone. Capt. Mackenzie ? Wha1 have v u d ine to me ? Nothmg but :-catcd me lik !a man." I told him of tha hvi responsibiU- I . . ...I --L. T . 1 . f .! I , . ... jties under vuic:i xuuieu , ot muumt iiw ed my Govcrnincnt and the ship with whicli it had entrusted me ; ofhis offjnce t.war l ferhaDi Ih'n fs an cxtreme anJ crroiii-onj npm 'tn.. mnA nnt iiirI. whitped onths&ciwon. Uonciuaea en iki yr.