Tey were conceded, but likewise the superintendence the mutiny than I was at first able to communicate, |ining a small piece of paper and writing upon it with and patronage of the personnel of the bureau of sur- to break off at once from the elaborate narrative in his pencil, and occasionally finding relaxation in most unitatedly entrusted to him. Fron, that which I was engaged ad confine myself to a state-working with a penkalfe at the tail of a devilish, one of which he had formed luto a sliding ring for his to de present time the eastern coast from PhodeLet f the principal occurrences. Islamu on to the Chesope ske bay, with all its rivers, I will therefore simply remise that, after havingeravat. Lieut. Gansevoort also made an excuse of duty to ccents, bays, harbors, projections, &c. forming an ; and the Azores, and touched at Madeira, being thus extent of about 35.000 square miles, has been sur- far diverted from my course by constantly opposing follow him to the foretop, where he found him enveyed partly on land and partly on water, with winds, I proceeded in fulfilment of your orders of the gaged in having some love device tattooed on his arm berless soundings. The trigonometrical points, veri- 7th and 9th of Sept. last, to Teneriffe and Port Praya, by Benjamin F. Green, ordinary seaman, and apfied in part by astronomic observations, have been and not finding the U. S. ship Vandalia there, contin- prentice. Lieut. Gansevoort also learned that he calculated and defined with unsurpassed accuracy, ued onward to Liberia: I there understood, as a mat- had been endeavoring for some days to ascertain the and the whole work conducted with a circumspection ter of common report, that she had sailed on the 5th rate of the chronometer, by applying to Mid. Rodgand superintendence that have elicited the admiration of October from Cape Palmas for the United States. ers to whom it was unknown, and who referred him He had been seen in secret and nightand farther hopes of even the most eminent men of The orders under which I was acting supposed the to the master. science in all parts of Europe. The new channel | Vandalia to be still on the station; at all events, the ly conferences with boatswain's mate, S. Cromwell, into the bay of New York, which so much facilitates despatches with which I was charged could be of no and seaman Elisha Small. I also heard that he had access to that harbor, and has become of incalcula- value at home. I therefore placed them in the hands given money to several of the crew; to Elisha Small ble service to the navigation of the states, was con- of Dr. I. S. Day, the U. S. Agent, whose receipt for on the twelfth of September, the day before our deceived by Mr. Hassler through his zealous observa- them I have the honor to enclose, and having thus parture from New York; the same day on which in tions of the currents, and finally developed by the reached the appointed limit of my orders, sailed on reply to commodore Perry's injunctions to reformasounding officers under his orders. Another chan- 11th November for the United States by way of St. tion, he had made the most solemn promises of aThomas; where prudence and a just regard for the mendment; to Samuel Cromwell on the passage to nel was discovered also in Delaware bay. Mr. Hassler is a man of already over 70 years, health and comfort of my crew, required that I should Madeira; that he had been in the habit of distributbut nevertheless engages with zeal in all the hard-stop to obtain a supply of bread, water and refresh- ing tobacco extensively among the apprentices, in defiance of the orders of the navy department, and ships of an exposed life, and of faithful performance ments. of the duties cf his office. As superintendent of the On Saturday the 26th of November, lieutenant G. of my own often reiterated; that he had corrupted regulation of weights and measures, his exact and Gansevoort came into the cabin and informed me the ward room steward, caused him to steal brandy nicely elaborated works elicit general admiration that a conspiracy existed on board of the brig to cap- from the ward room mess, which he, Mr. Spencer, Of the distinguished and genial features of his ex-ture her, murder the commander, the officers and had drunk himself, occasionally getting drunk when cellent character I will not speak; and yet, will it be most of the crew, and convert her into a pirate; and removed from observation, and had also administerbelieved notwithstanding them, that this man has that acting midshipman Philip Spencer was at the ed to several of the crew*; that, finally, he was in been arraigned before congress and personally in-head of it. He stated that Mr. H. M. Heiskill, the the habit of amusing the crew by making music sulted by Mr. Cushing, a representative from Massa- purser, had just informed him that Mr. J. W. Wales, with his jaw. He had the faculty of throwing his chusetts, in presence of a committee of examina- his steward, had approached him as if to converse on jaw out of joint, and by contact of the bones, playtion from the house of representatives? Ne sutor their joint duty, and revealed to him, for the purpose ing with accuracy and elegance a variety of airs. ultra crepidam. In conclusion it may be observed, of its being communicated to the commander, the Servile in his intercourse with me, when among the that Mr. Hassler receives indeed the well merited following information. crew he loaded me with blasphemous vituperation, salary of $6000, but is a foreigner,-circumstances The night previous, being that of the 25th Novem-and proclaimed that it would be a pleasing task to He had which fully explain the chicanery and intrigue to ber, between the hours of six and eight o'clock, he roll me overboard off the round house. which he has been constantly subjected. The invi had been accosted by Spencer, and invited by him to sometime before drawn a brig with a black flag, and tations of foreign governments, Mr. Hassler has ever get up on the booms, as he had something of impor- asked one of the midshipmen what he thought of it; rejected, from his devotion to the great work he has tance to communicate. When on the booms, Mr. he had repeatedly asserted in the early part of the Spencer addressed him as follows: "Do you fear cruise, that the brig might easily be taken; he had death? Do you fear a dead man? Are you afraid to quite recently examined the hand of midshipman kill a man?" Mr. Wales thus accosted, and having Rodgers, told his fortune and predicted for him a his curiosity excited, with admirable coolness induc- speedy and violent death. ed Mr. Spencer to go on, and took the oath of secre. cy which was administered to him. undertaken in this. Harrisburg Deutsche of July 1st. PRESIDENTIAL. GEN. GAINES. We learn from the Memphis (Tenn.) Enquirer that maj. gen. Edmund Pendleton Gaines, having been nominated in Pennsylvania for the presidency of the United States, several of his old personal friends and neighbors at Memphis took occasion to address him a letter, the object of which was to obtain his views upon the various questions of national policy which agitate the Union, and also some expression as to whether the demonstration in his favor met his sanction. His response is published; in which the general unequivocally withdraws his name from the list of aspirants to the chief magistracy. These various circumstances induced me to look back and recall all that I had heard of and observed in Mr. Spencer then informed him that he was lea- Mr. Spencer. When he reported himself to me for gued with about twenty of the crew, to get posses-duty at New York about the 20th of August, lat sion of the vessel,murder the commander and officers, once gave him my hand and welcomed him on board choose from among those of the crew who were wil- the Somers. I subsequently heard that he had quite ling to join him, such as would be useful, and mur- recently been dismissed with disgrace from the Brader the rest, and commence pirating. He mentioned zilian squadron, and compelled to resign for drunkall the details of the plan as you will find it in the enness and scandalons conduct. This fact made me statement of Mr. Wales, and which was well suited very desirous of his removal from the vessel, chiefly to the attainment of his object; involving much better on account of the young men who were to mess with notions of seamanship than he was himself capable of and be associated with him, the rather that two of forming. As one of the inducements to her capture he stated that a box containing wine of rare value, *Note-The following statement is due to the ward brought off with much care at Madeira, as a present room officers of the Somers. When the vessel was NOMINATION OF M. VAN BUREN AND R. M. Jon from J, H. Burden, esq. U. S. vice consul at Funchal, first equipped, I told the first lieutenant that it was my SON, for president and vice-president. The anti-whig to commodore J. B. Nicholson, contained money or wish that no wine, and of course no spirituous liquors, members of the legislature of Missouri have held a treasure to a large amount. It was his object to car- should be used in the steerage mess. I gave as a reason meeting and nominated Martin Van Buren, for the ry the vessel to the Isle of Pines, where one of his that the obligations of hospitality in our public vessels presidency, and col. Richard M. Johnson, for the vice-associates who had been in the business before, had fell altogether on the cabin and ward room, and when presidency as their preference. They also recommend friends; to attack no vessel that he was not sure to the midshipmen became ward room officers they would This hint, accompa that a national convention be held at Baltimore on capture, to destroy every vestige of the captured have their full share of its duty. the 3d Monday of November, 1843 to which they vessels; after having removed what was useful, selected by no word of compulsion, had its ctfect, and I have named delegates and pledge themselves to abide such of the female passengers as were suitable, and which I was at any time ready to do had it been neces never had occasion to give any order on the subject, by the nomination of said convention. after they had used them sufficiently, to dispose of sary. In the ward room the officers of course had their them. Mr. Spencer also stated that he had the writ- wine. I knew what had been the views on that subten plan of his project in the back of his cravat ject of my friends, commanders Pendergast and Du which he would show to Mr. Wales in the morning. Pont, on board the Ohio, and what had been their prac After which, they separated with terrible threats on the part of Mr. Spencer of instant death of Mr. Wales utter one word of what had passed. Wales, from himself or his accomplices, should Mr. JOHN TYLER. Major Noah, editor of the N. York "Union," has transferred that paper into other hands -stating, however that his withdrawal will not prevent him from devoting all the time he can spare from other avocations to furthering the objects for which the paper was originally issued. His successors issue the paper now with the following standing head: For president, John Tyler, of Virginia. For vice president, William C. Bouck, of New York. Subject to the decision of a democratic national convention. AFFAIR OF THE SOMERS. tice with regard to the total exclusion of spirituous li quors from the ward room of that ship. I knew that lieut. Gansevoort's views were identical on all subjects with those of his two distinguished messmates above named, and I did not, therefore, inte fere with regard to Such was the purport of the information laid before the ward room, and if I had done it at all, it would have me by lieut. Gansevoort, and although he was evi- been with extreme caution, and only in the way of dently impressed with the reality of the project, yet friendly advice. It now appears that when ordered to it seemed to me so monstrous, so improbable, that I the coast of Africa, some brandy was ordered for the could not forbear treating it with ridicule. I was ward room mess to be used medicinally, in consequence under the impression that Mr. Spencer had been rea- of advice given by the assistant surgeon of the Somers ding piratical stories, and had amused himself with and the assistant surgeon of the Grampus, who for a OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPT. MACKENZIE Mr. Wales. Still, I felt that this was joking on an They had been recently on the coast of Africa, and con time had relieved Dr. Lecock on board the Somers. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. improper theme and determined to notice it hereaf-sidered brandy as salutary in preventing the effects of U. S. brig Somers, N. York, Dec. 19, 1842. ter. I also considered that duty required me to be Malaria. By accident, as it was thought at the time, SIR: Since my communication to you of the 14th on my guard, lest there should be a shadow of reali- but subsequent developments would rather go to prove inst. on which day I arrived here with the vessel un-ty in this project, and I directed the 1st lieutenant to by design, the ward room steward contrived to make a der my command, I have been engaged in preparing watch Mr. Spencer narrowly, without seeming so to mistake, and the supply of brandy was ordered from two a narrative of the cruise of the Somers, which should do. In the course of the day, lieut. Gansevoort in- different grocers, thus doubling the quantity intended to embrace all the facts that might in any way illustrate formed me that Mr. Spencer' had been in the ward be taken. We were not exposed to the influence of the the late mutiny on board of her; but I have been sub-room examining a chart of the West Indies, and had Malaria, none of the brandy was used in the mess, and jected to so many interruptions, from which it was asked the assistant surgeon some questions about all of it is still on board except what was stolen by the the less easy to escape as they grew out of the sym- the Isle of Pines, and the latter had informed him steward at the request of Mr. Spencer, and drunk by pathy and solicitude of real friends, and the narra- that it was a place much frequented by pirates, and the ward room officers that thus much should be known him and those he endeavored to corrupt. It is due to tive grew so interminably as I advanced, that I have drily asked if he had any, acquaintances there.--to save them from being prejudiced in the minds of deemed it due to the anxiety of the navy department He passed the day rather sullenly in one corner of the those who hold, as I do, that the drinking of brandy to receive a more detailed statement of the facts of steerage, as was his usual custom, engaged in exam-is even more to be dreaded than Malaria. them were connected with me by blood and two by | Mr. Spencer and put him in double irons." Mr., larboard gangways where he should have fallen. For alliance, and the four entrusted to my special care. Gansevoort stepped forward and took his sword; he a minute I was in intense agony: in the next I saw The circumstance of Mr. Spencer's being the son was ordered to sit down in the stern port, double of a high officer of the government, by enhancing ironed, and as an additional security, handcuffed. I his baseness in my estimation, made me more desi-directed licut. Gansevoort to watch over his security, rous to be rid of him. On this point I beg that I to order him to be put to instant death if he was demay not be misunderstood. I revere authority. Itected speaking to, or holding intelligence in any recognize, in the exercise of its higher functions in way, with any of the crew. He was himself made this free country, the evidences of genius, intelli- aware of the nature of these orders. I also directed gence and virtue; but I have no respect for the base lieut. Gansevoort to see that he had every comfort son of an honored father: on the contrary, I consider which his safe keeping would admit of. In confiding that he who, by misconduct sullies the lustre of an this task to licut. Gansevoort, his kindness and huhonorable name, is more culpable than the unfriend- manity gave me the assurance that it would be zeal ed individual whose disgrace falls only on himself. I ously attended to; and throughout the period of Mr. wish, however, to have nothing to do with baseness Spencer's confinement, lieut. Gansevoort, whilst in any shape; the navy is not the place for it. On watching his person with an eagle eye, and ready at these accounts I readily sought the first opportunity any moment to take his life should he forfeit that of getting rid of Mr. Spencer. When we were on condition of silence on which his safety depended, the eve of sailing, two midshipmen who had been attended to all his wants, covered him with his own with me before, and in whom I had confidence, join- grego when squalls of ram were passing over, and ed the vessel. This carried to seven, the number to ministered in every way to his comfort with the tenoccupy a space capable of accommodating only five. derness of a woman. I had heard that Mr. Spencer had expressed a willingness to be transferred from the Somers to the Grampus. the shadow of the boy through the topgallant sail, rising rapidly toward the topgallant yard, which still remained at the mast head. Presently he rose to view, descended on the after side to the topgallant mast cap, and began to examine with coolness to see what was first to be done to clear the wreck. I did not dream at the time that the carrying away of this mast was the work of treachery;-but I knew that it was an occasion of this sort, the loss of a boy overboard, or an accident to a spar, creating confusion and interrupting the regularity of duty, which was likely to be taken advantage of by the conspirators were they still bent on the prosecution of their enterprize. The greatest pains were, therefore, taken to prevent all confusion. The first lieutenant took the deck; everything connected with the wreck was sent down from aloft;-the rigging unrove and coiled down, sails bent afresh to the yards, the spare top-gallant mast got out, scraped, and slushed, and the fid-hole cut, every one employed, and everything made to go on with Mr. Spencer being confined, the officers were re- undeviating regularity. manded to their quarters, the crew and battery in- To my astonishment all those who were most conspected, the ordinary reports made to the first lieu-spicuously named in the programme of Mr. Spencer, I directed lieut. Gansevoort to say to him that if tenant, and by him to me, and the retreat beaten.no matter in what part of the vessel they might be he would apply to commodore Perry to detach him That night the officers of the watch were armed with stationed, mustered at the main-top mast-head,— (there was no time to communicate with the navy de-cutlasses and pistols, and the rounds of both decks whether animated by some new-born zeal in the serpartment), I would second the application. He made made frequently to see that the crew were in their vice of their country, or collected there for the purthe application; I seconded it, earnestly urging that hammocks, and that there were no suspicious collec-pose of conspiring, it was not easy to decide.it should be granted on the score of the comfort of tions of individuals about the decks. On searching The coincidence corfirmed the existence of a danthe young officers. The commodore declined de- the locker of Mr. Spencer, a small razor case was gerous conspiracy, suspended yet perhaps not abantaching Mr. Spencer, but offered to detach midship- found, which he had recently drawn, with a razor in doned. The eye of Mr. Spencer travelled perpetuman Henry Rodgers, who had been last ordered. I it, from the purser. Instead of the razor, the case ally to the mast-head, and cast thither many of those could not consent to part with midshipman Rodgers, was found to contain a small paper, rolled in ano- strange and stealthy glances which I had heretofore whom I knew to be a seaman, an officer, a gentle- ther; on the inner one were strange characters, which noticed. The wreck being cleared, supper was piped mán; a young man of high attainments within his proved to be Greek, with which Mr. Spencer was before sending up the new mast. After supper the profession and beyond it. The Somers sailed with familiar. It fortunately happened that there was same persons mustered again at the mast-head, and seven in her steerage. They could not all sit together another midshipman on board the Somers who knew the top gallant-mast was fidded, the light yards crosround the table. The two oldest and most useful Greek-one whose Greek, and every thing else that sed, and the sails set. By this time it was dark, and had no lockers to put their clothes in, and have slept he possessed, was wholly devoted to his country.-quarters had been unavoidably dispensed with. Still during the cruise on the steerage deck, the camp- The Greek characters, converted by midshipman I thought under the circumstances that it was scarcestools, the booms, in the tops, or in the quarter boats. Henry Rogers into our own, exhibited well known ly safe to leave Cromwell at large during the night. They have submitted to these inconveniences with- names among the crew. The certain-the doubt- The night was the season of danger. After consulout a murmur, and performed their duty to my ut- ful-those who were to be kept whether they would ting lieut. Gansevoort, I determined to arrest Crommost satisfaction. or not-arranged in separate rows; those who were well the moment he reached the deck. An officer to do the work of murder in the various apartments, was sent to leeward to guard the lee rigging, and the to take the wheel, to open the arm-chests." main-stays were also thought of, though not watched as his voice was heard in the top and descending the rigging. I met him at the foot of the Jacob's ladder, surrounded by the officers, guided him aft on the quarter-deck and caused him to sit down. I recurred to this recollection; I endeavored to review the conduct of Mr. Spencer throughout the cruize. I had treated Mr. Spencer precisely like the other midshipmen. Perhaps I reproved him less frequently than the others for slight deviations from duty; I had little hope of essentially serving one who had been so great an enemy to himself. I had observed that he had very little intercourse with the officers; that he was exceedingly intimate with the crew. I had noticed the interchange of a passing joke as individuals passed by him, a smile never seen but on such occasions, a strange flashing of the eye. The following day being Sunday, the crew were inspected at quarters, 10 o'clock. I took my station abaft with the intention of particularly observing Cromwell and Small. The third, or master's division, to which they both belonged, always mustered at morning quarters upon the after part of the quarter deck, in continuation of the line formed by the crews of the guns. The persons of both were faultlessly clean. They were determined that their appearance in this respect should provoke no reproof. Cromwell stood up to his full stature, his muscles These various recollections, added to what had braced, his battle axe grasped resolutely, his check been revealed to me, determined me to make sure at pale, but his eye fixed as if indifferently at the other once of his person, though I had before meditated side. He had a determined and dangerous air. Small allowing Mr. Wales to have another interview with made a very different figure. His appearance was him that evening, for the purpose of ascertaining ghastly; he shifted his weight from side to side, and more of his plans as had been agreed upon between his battle axe passed from one hand to the other; his them. If he was really in earnest, enough was al-eye wandered irresolutely but never towards mine. ready known. At evening quarters I ordered through I attributed his conduct to fear; I have since been led my clerk, O. H. Perry, doing the duty also of midshipman and aid, all the officers to lay aft on the quarter deck, excepting the midshipman stationed on the forecastle. to believe that the business upon which he had en- On questioning him as to a secret conversation he had held the night before, with Mr. Spencer, he denied its being him, and said "It was not me, sir, it was Small." Cromwell was the tallest man on board, Small the shortest. Cromwell was immediately ironed, and Small, thus pointed out by an associate to increased suspicion, was also sent for, interrogated and ironed. Increased vigilance was now enjoined upon all the officers. Henceforward all were perpetually armed. Either myself or the first lieutenant was always on deck, and generally both of us were. On the morning of the following day, being Monday the 28th Nov. two crimes of considerable magnitude appeared on the master of arms' report of prisoners. Chas. Lambert, apprentice, had been guilty of theft in stealing sinnet for a hat from Ward M. Gagely; and Henry Waltham, the ward room steward, had stolen brandy from the ward room mess and given it to Mr. Spencer. These were vile offences -the present was not the time to bring the discipline of the vessel to a stand, and the prisoners were punished to the extent of the law. The master was ordered to take the wheel, and After quarters the church was rigged. The crew those of the crew stationed abaft sent to the main mustered up with their prayer-books, and took their mast. I approached Mr. Spencer and said to him, seats without waiting for all hands to be called; and "I learn, Mr. Spencer, that you aspire to the com- considerably before five bells, or half-past 10, the Waltham whilst in irons had the night before told mand of the Somers." With a deferential, but un- usual time of divine service, the first lieutenant re- Daniel McKinley, who had access to the ward room moved and gently smiling expression, he replied, ported all hands ready, and asked me if he should as cot boy, where three bottles of wine could be "Oh no, sir." "Did you not tell Mr. Wales, sir, that call to muster. I told him to wait for the accus- found; his object being no doubt to furnish the means you had a project to kill the commander, the officers, tomed hour. Five bells were at length struck and of excitement to the conspirators, to induce them to and a considerable portion of the crew of this vessel, all hands called to muster. The crew were unus-rise, release Waltham, and get possession of the vesand to convert her into a pirate?" "I may have told ually attentive, and the responses more than com- sel. McKinley, was drawn in the programme as him so, sir, but it was in a joke." "You admit then monly audible. The muster succeeded, and I exam- certain, and as stationed at the arm chest. He rethat you told him so?" "Yes, sir, but in joke!" ined very carefully the countenances of the crew, ported Waltham to the first lieut.; an extraordinary "This, sir, is joking on a forbidden subject-this without discovering anything that gave me distrust. denunciation under the circumstances, probably ocjoke may cost you your life! Be pleased to remove In the afternoon, the wind having moderated, sky- casioned by his desire to relieve himself from suspiyour neckhandkerchief." It was removed and open- sails and royal studding sails were set. In going cion. Waltham having thus in contempt of discied, but nothing was found in it. I asked him what large I had always been very particular to have no pline, committed a second offence whilst in confinehe had done with a paper containing an account of strain upon the light braces leading forward, as the ment, was remanded into irons to be subjected to a his project which he had told Mr. Wales was in the tendency of such a strain was to carry away the second punishment on the following day. back of his neckhandkerchief. "It is a paper con- light yards and masts. Whilst Ward M. Gagely, one The punishment being over, I thought this a fit op. taining my day's work; and I have destroyed it." "It of the best and most skilful of our apprentices, was portunity to endeavor to make some impression on is a singular place to keep day's works in." "It is a yet on the main royal yard, after setting the main the crew. The number of them actually engaged in convenient one," he replied, with an air of defer- skysail, a sudden jirk of the weather main royal the conspiracy might not be great; that it was known brace given by Small and another, whose name I to a majority of them I had reason to believe: in have not discovered, carried the top gallant mast general they might he considered disaffected, and disaway in the shoere hole, sending forward the royal posed on all occasions to hold back and resist the mast with royal skys til, royal studding sail, main top discipline of the ship. gallant staysail, and the head of the "gaff topsail.— Gagely was on the royal yard. ence and blandness. I said to him, "You must have been aware that you could only have compa, sed your designs by pass ing over my dead body, and after that the bodies of all the officers. You had given yourself a great deal to do. It will be necessary for me to confine you." I turned to lieutenant Gansevoort and said, "Arrest I scarcely dared to look on the booms or in the The mysterious agency that had been at work since our departure from New York to corrupt the crew was now disclosed. I commenced by explaining to them the general nature of the project of Mr. Spen- I heard Green give as an excuse for missing his | it was of no use for any honest purpose; it was fi cer, studiously avoiding to excite any suspicion that muster that he was on deck, but could not go aft for only to kill. It had been secretly sharpened, by his 1 was in possession of the names of those who were want of room. I immediately went forward, reject-own confession, the day before, with a file, to a perimplicated. I was willing in fact that the worst of ed his excuse with some explanation of impatience, fect edge. He had begun also to sharpen his battle them should repent and hide themselves among the and ordered him to take the lookout forward for axe, with the same assistant. One part of it he had well disposed portion of the crew. I took care to four hours, directing the midshipman of the fore- brought to an edge; the sharpening of battle axes had inform them that the majority of them, whatever castle to watch him closely; the others who had never been allowed or practised on board the Somight be their inclinations, were to share the fate of missed their muster were similarly distributed. At 4 mers. the officers. I endeavored to divert the minds of the o'clock others of the implicated also missed their McKinley also, down among the certain, and beslightly disaffected from the pictures of successful muster. I could not contemplate this growth of disaf-yond a doubt correctly, was now arrested. Hitherto vice which Mr. Spencer had presented to them; Ifection without serious uneasiness. Where was this he had kept at large by his admirable steadiness and alluded to the circumstances of most of the crew, thing to end? Each new arrest of prisoners seemed command of countenance. He in fact is the indiviunlike crews in general, having ties of kindred to ren- to bring a fresh set of conspirators forward to occupy dual who, if the mutiny had been successful, would der life dear to them, and expressed the hope that the first place. have made way with all his competitors and risen to within three weeks we should be again among our With fine weather and bright nights there was al- the command. Remembering Green's demeanor friends: I thanked God that we had friends to follow ready a disposition to make an attack and rescue the during the past night I sent for him, interrogated us with solicitude and affection, for to have friends prisoners. When bad weather should call off the him, and ironed him. Alexander McKee, who was and not to be unworthy of them was the best guar-attention of the officers, when the well disposed por- to have taken the wheel, and who was entirely in antee that could be given for truth and fidelity. tion of the crew should be occupied in shortening the confidence of Cromwell, was also ironed. The effect of this upon the crew was various: it sail, and utter darkness should withdraw every These individuals were made to sit down as they filled many with horror at the idea of what they had thing from view, how great the probability of a were taken, and when they were ironed I walked deescaped from, it inspired others with terror at danger rescue. If the 'most deeply implicated were iron-liberately round the battery, followed by the first awaiting them from their connection with the con- ed, would all the dangerous be in custody? What lieutenant, and we made together a very careful inspiracy. The thoughts of returning to that home sympathy might not be excited by the sufferings of spection of the crew. Those who, though known to and those friends from whom it had been intended to the prisoners? These grave considerations, the deep be very guilty, were considered to be the least dancut them off forever, caused many of them to weep. sense I had of the solemn obligation I was under to gerous, were called out and interrogated: care was I now considered the crew tranquilized and the vessel protect and defend the vessel that had been entrust-taken not to awaken the suspicions of such as from safe. Having noticed Mr. Spencer to hold intelli-ed to me, and the lives of her officers and crew, the courage and energy were really formidable, unless it gence with the crew, I directed that all the prisoners seas traversed by our peaceful merchantmen, and were intended to arrest them. Our prisoners now should be turned with their faces aft. I also direct- the unarmed of all nations using the highway of the amounted to seven, filling up the quarter deck, and ed that no tobacco should be furnished them, after seas, from the horrors which the conspirators had rendering it very difficult to keep them from comthe supply they had on their persons when confined meditated, and above all, to guard from violence the municating with each other, interfering essentially should be exhausted. They earnestly begged to be al- sanctity of the American flag displayed from the mast with the management of the vessel. The last prilowed tobacco. head of one of its cruisers, all impressed upon me soners taken were those to whom reference is made the absolute necessity of adopting immediately some in my letter to the officers, written before, but not further measures for the security of the vessel. sent until after their capture. I told the first lieutenant to say that Mr. Spencer should have all that the mess afforded, and his messmates in fact already took care of that, that the seamen should have their ration, as it was allowed by the government, that every thing should be supplied to them that was necessary to their health and comfort; but that tobacco was only a stimulant, and I wished them to tranquilize their minds and remain free from excitement. The day after Mr. Spencer's tobacco was stopped his spirits gave way entirely. He remained the whole day with his face buried in the grego, and when it was for a moment raised it was bathed in tears. He was touched by the gentle and untiring attentions of lieut. Gansevoort. He told him that he was in no state at that time to speak of anything when he felt more composed he would tell him all. He would answer any question that the commander might desire to put to him, Hitherto I had consulted the first lieutenant only, On the receipt of my letter the officers immediateand had been justified in every thing I had done by ly assembled in the ward room, and commenced the finding his opinion identical with my own. In so examination of witnesses. The witnesses were dugrave a case, however, I was desirous of having the ly sworn, and the testimony accurately written down; opinion of all the officers, and was particularly anx-in addition to the oath, each witness signed the eviious that no shadow of doubt should remain as to the dence which he had given after it had been read guilt of either of the prisoners, should their execution over to him. The officers passed the whole day in be deemed necessary. Under these circumstances I this occupation without interruption and without addressed the following circular to all the officers on food. I remained in charge of the deck with the board, except the acting midshipmen. Though they three young midshipmen on constant duty. The had done men's duty in the late transactions, they officers were excused from evening quarters. At were still boys. Their opinion could add but little nightfall, orders were sent to them to discontinue force to that of the older officers; it would have been their deliberations and resume their watches, as the hard at their early age to call upon them to say whe-present safety of the vessel must be attended to. ther three of their fellow creatures should live or die. U. S. Brig Somers, 30th Nov., 1842. The risks and uncertainty of the preceding night had determined me that another such should not be On Tuesday the 29th November, immediately after Gentlemen: The time has arrived when I am de- passed. I drew up a watch-bill of all the officers, quarters, all hands were again called to witness pun-sirous of availing myself of your counsel, in the re- idlers included, dividing them into two watches, and ishment, and Henry Waltham again punished to the sponsible position in which, as commander of this assigning each a separate station, in different parts extent of the law, for offering the three bottles of vessel, I find myself placed. You are aware of the of the vessel. I took charge of the starboard watch wine to Daniel McKinley. I again spoke to the crew circumstances which have resulted in the confine-myself, and assigned the larboard to the first lieutenurging them to conform to the discipline of the ves- ment of midshipman P. Spencer, boatswain's mate ant. This brought me with two watches on deck; sel. The orders were all known, and of easy obser- S. Cromwell, and seaman E. Small, as prisoners: and but the first lieutenant had been as much on duty as vance. I mentioned that every punishment inflicted I purposely abstain from entering into any detail of myself. Even this, however, was a great relief, as on board of the vessel must be known to the secreta- them. I obtained at intervals during the mid-watch an hour ry of the navy, and that the less punishment there or two of refreshing sleep. was, the more creditable it would be to the commander and crew. But the whole crew was far from being tranquilized. The most seriously implicated began once more to collect in knots during the night. Seditious words were heard through the vessel, and an insolent and menacing air assumed by many. Some of the petty officers had been sounded by the first lieutenant, and found to be true to their colors. They were under the impression that the vessel was far from safe; that there were still many at liberty who ought to be confined; and that an outbreak having for its object the rescue of the prisoners, was seriously contemplated. Various intelligence was from time to time obtain ed of conference among the disaffected. Individuals not before supposed to be very deeply implicated, were now found in close association with those who were. Several times during the night there were symptoms of an intention to strike some blow. Mr. Wales detected Charles A. Wilson attempting to draw out a handspike from under the launch, with an evident purpose of felling him; and when Mr. Wales cocked his pistol and approached, he could only offer some lame excuse for his presence there. I felt more anxious than I had yet done, and remained continually on deck. In the course of the morning of Thursday, the Ist December, the first lieutenant presented to me the following letter, in answer to that which I had addressed on the previous morning to the officers. Necessarily ignorant of the exact extent of disaffection among the crew which has been so long, so systematically, and so assiduously tampered with, by an officer; knowing that suspicions of the gravest nature attach to persons still at large, and when the difficulty of taking care of the prisoners we already U. S. brig Somers, December, 1st, 1842. have, makes me more reluctant than I should other- SIR: In answer to your letter of yesterday, rewise be to apprehend, I have determined to address questing our counsel as to the best course to be purmyself to you, and to ask your united counsel as to sued with the prisoners, acting midshipman Philip the best course to be pursued; and I call upon you to Spencer, boatswain's mate Samuel Cromwell, and take into deliberate and dispassionate consideration seaman Elisha Small, we would state, that the evithe present condition of the vessel, and the contin-dence which has come to our knowledge is of such a gencies of every nature that the future may embrace, throughout the remainder of the cruise, and enlighten me with your opinion as to the best course to be pursued. I am, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, ALEX. SLIDELL MACKENZIE, commander. nature, that after as dispassionate and deliberate a consideration of the case as the exigency of the time would admit, we have come to the cool, decided and unanimous opinion that they have been guilty of a full and determined intention to commit a mutiny on board this vessel, of a most atrocious nature, and that the revolution of circumstances having made it necessary to confine others with them, the uncertainty as to what extent they are leagued with others still at large, the impossibility of guarding After I had written the letter to the officers, but against the contingencies, which "a day or an hour before I had sent it, nine o'clock of Wednesday may bring forth," we are convinced that it would be morning, 30th of November, had arrived, and with impossible to carry them to the U. States, and that it the customary morning quarters. Wilson having the safety of the public property, the lives of ourfailed to get up an outbreak in the night, and finding selves, and of those committed to our charge, rehimself narrowly watched, feeling indeed that he quire that (giving them a sufficient time to prepare), At 12 o'clock, when the watch was called and mus- could no longer be left at liberty,-came forward they should be put to death, in a manner best calcutered, McKinley, Green, and others seriously impli- with some lame and absurd confession, and the re-lated as an example, to make a beneficial impression cated, missed their muster. That they should have quest that he should not be ironed. I immediately upon the disaffected. This opinion we give, bearing been asleep all that night was not likely; that they told him that if he would make a real confession, he in mind our duty to our God, our country, and to the should have missed their muster on that particular should not be molested; and that it was only an in- service. We are, sir, very respectfully, your obd't occasion, having never done so before, otherwise sult to offer me such a lame story as that which had servants, than intentionally, was impossible. Those who miss- been already reported to me by lieut. Gansevoort. Guert Gansevoort, lieutenant. R. W. Leecock, passed their muster had all some lame excuse. There Nothing more could be got from him, and at quar-ed assistant surgeon. H. M. Heiskell, purser. M. was probably an agreement to meet round the of- ters he was ironed. In his sail bag was found an Afri- C. Perry, acting master. Henry Rogers, midshipficer of the deck, and commence some act of vio- can knife, of an extraordinary shape, short and gra- man. Egbert Thompson, midshipman. Charles W. dually expanding in breadth, and sharp on both sides; Hayes, midshipman. lence. I at once concurred in the justice of their opinion, and in the necessity of carrying its recommendation into immediate effect. There were two others of the conspirators almost as guilty, so far as the intention was concerned, as the three ringleaders who had been first confined, and to whose cases the attention of the officers had been invited. But they could be kept in confinement without extreme danger to the ultimate safety of the vessel. The three chief conspirators alone were capable of navigating and sailing her. By their removal the motive to a rescue, a capture, and a carrying out of their original design of piracy was at once taken away. Their lives were justily forfeited to the country which they had betrayed; and the interests of that country and the honor and security of its flag required that the sacrifice, however painful, should be made. In the necessities of my position I found my law, and in them also I must trust to find my justification. I explained to him how Cromwell had made use of him. I told him that remarks had been made about the two, not very flattering to him, and which he might not care to hear, which showed the relative share ascribed to each of them, in the contemplated transaction. He expressed great anxiety to hear what was said. man, of whom they had real apprehension-the ac- cape. The best and only service he could now ren- I had for a day or two been disposed to arm the tary; I remarked, "I do not think this would have said, "I did not make him steal it." I told him it some degree by the opinions of some of the petty assumed a demoniacal expression. He said no more This effectually aroused him and his countenance officers themselves, who thought that in the peculiar of the innocence of Cromwell. Subsequent circum-view. He turned again to say to me, "but are you no one. state of the vessel the commander and officers could not tell whom to trust, and therefore had better trust I had made up my own mind, reasoning more from the probabilities of the case than from my knowledge of their characters, which was necessarily less intimate than that of the first lieutenant, that they could be trusted, and determined to arm them. I directed the first lieutenant to muster them on the quarter deck, to issue to each a cutlass, pistol and cartridge box, and to report to me when they were armed. I then addressed them as follows: "My lads! you are to look to me-to obey my orders, and to see my orders obeyed! Go forward!" I gave orders to make immediate preparation for hanging the three principal criminals at the main yard arms. stances too surely confirmed his admission of his He more probably hoped he might yet get posses- was brought at his request, that he knew where it came from; and it was, if possible, more criminal to crime one's self. He admitted the justice of this seduce another to commit crime, than to commit not going too far? are you not going too fast? does the law entirely justify you?" I replied, that he had not consulted me in making his arrangements; that his opinion could not be an unprejudiced one; that I had consulted all his brother officers, his messmates included, except the boys, and I placed before him their opinion. He stated that it was just; that he deserved death. He asked what was to be the manner of his death. I explained it to him. He objected to it, and asked to be shot. I told him that I could not make any distinction between him and those whom he had corrupted. He admitted that this also was just. He objected to the shortness of the time for preparation, and asked for an hour.No answer was made to this request; but he was not hurried, and more than the hour which he asked for was allowed to elapse. He requested that his face might be covered; this was readily granted, and he was asked what it should be covered with. He did locker; none but a black one found, and this brought not care. A handkerchief was sought for in his for the purpose. I now ordered that the other cri All hands were now called to witness the punishment. The afterguard and idlers of both watches were mustered on the quarter deck at the whip intended for Mr. Spencer; the forecastle men and troon of the three, and on that account had at first Small alone, whom we had set down as the polforetopmen at that of Cromwell, to whose corrup- determined not to iron, received the announcement tion they had been chiefly exposed. The maintop of his fate with composure. When asked if he had men of both watches, at that intended for Small, any preparations to make, any messages to send, he minals should be consulted as to their wishes in this who for a month had filled the situation of captain said "I have nobody to care for me but my poor old particular. They joined in the request, and frocks of the maintop. The officers were stationed about the decks, according to the watch bill I had made out the night before, and the petty officers were similarly distributed with orders to cut down whoever should let go the whip with even one hand, or fail to haul on it when ordered. The ensign and pennant being bent on and ready for hoisting, I now put on my full uniform, and proceeded to execute the most painful duty that has ever devolved on an American commander-that of announcing to the criminals their fate. I informed Mr. Spencer that when he had been about to take my life, and to dishonor me as an officer, when in the execution of my rightful duty, without cause of offence to him, on speculation, it had been his intention to remove me suddenly from the world, in the darkness of night, in my sleep, without a moment to utter one murmur of affection to my wife and children-one prayer for their welfare. His life was now forfeited to his country; and the necessities of the case growing out of his corruption of the crew, compelled me to take it; I would not however, imitate his intended example as to the manner of claiming the sacrifice. If there yet remained one feeling true to nature, it should be gratified. If he had any word to send to his parents, it should be recorded and faithfully delivered. Ten minutes should be granted him for this purpose; and midshipman E. Thompson was called to note the time, and inform me when the ten minutes had elapsed. mother, and I would rather that she should not know I returned to Mr. Spencer, and asked him if he When urged still farther to send some word of consolation in so great an affliction, he said, "Tell them I die, wishing them every blessing and happiness. I deserve death for this and many other crimes. There are few crimes that I have not committed. I feel sincerely penitent, and my only fear of death is, that my repentance may be too late." I asked him if there was any one whom he had injured, to whom be could yet make reparation; any one who was suffering obloquy for crimes which he had committed. He made no answer, but soon after continued, "I have wronged many persons, but chiefly my parents." He said, "This will kill my poor mother!" I was not before aware that he had a mother. Mr. Spencer asked to have his irons removed. This were taken from their bags to cover their heads.could not be granted. He asked for a bible and prayer book. They were brought and others ordered to be furnished to his accomplices. "I am a believer!" he said. "Do you think any repentance at this late hour can be accepted?" I called to his recollection the case of the penitent thief who was pardoned by our Saviour upon the cross. He then read in the bible, kneeled down, and read in the prayer book.He again asked if I thought that his repentance could be accepted, that the time was so short and he did not know if he was really changed. I told him that God who was all merciful as well as all wise, could not only understand his difficulties of the situation, but extend to him such a measure of mercy as his necessities might require. He said, "I beg your for. giveness for what I have meditated against you!— "I gave him my hand and assured him of my sincere When recovered from the pain of this announce- forgiveness. I asked if I had ever done anything to ment, I asked him if it would not have been still him to make him seek my life, or whether the hamore dreadful had he succeeded in his attempt, mur-tred he had conceived for me, and of which I had dered the officers and the greater part of the crew only recently become aware, was fostered for the of the vessel, and run that career of crime, with so purpose of giving himself some plea of justificamuch satisfaction, he had marked out for himself. tion. He said, "it was only a fancy; perhaps there He replied after a pause, "I do not know what might have been something in your manner which He read over what I had written would have become of me had I succeeded." I told offended me." him that Cromwell would soon have made way with down. I had stated hurriedly in the third person, him, and McKinley probably have cleared the whole "He excused himself by saying that he had enterof them from his path. "I fear," said he, "this may tained the same idea in the John Adams and Potomac." He asked that that might be corrected, injure my father." "I did not offer it as an excuse, I only stated it as a fact." This intimation overcame him entirely. He sank with tears upon his knees, and said he was not fit to I told him it was almost too late to think of that; die. I repeated to him his own catechism and begg- that had he succeeded in his wishes, it would have ed him at least to let the officer set to the men he had injured his father much more; that had it been pos- uance of this scene. More than an hour had elapsed during the continThe petty officers had been corrupted and seduced, the example of dying with sible to have taken him home, as I intended to do, it assigned according to rank, to conduct the several decorum. This immediately restored him to entire was not in nature that his father should not have in-prisoners to the gangway. At the break of the quarself-possession, and while he was engaged in prayer, terposed to save him; that for those who have friends ter deck is a narrow passage between the trunk and I went and made in succession the same communica- or money in America, there was no punishment for pumpwell. Mr. Spencer and Cromwell met exactly tion to Cromwell and Small. Cromwell fell upon the worst of crimes,* that though this had nothing to on either side. I directed Cromwell to stop to allow his knees completely unmanned, protested his inno- do with any determination which had been forced Mr. Spencer to pass first. At this moment Mr. Spencence, and invoked the name of his wife. Mr. Spen- upon me in defiance of every effort which I had made cer himself paused and asked to be allowed to see cer said to me, "As these are the last words I have to avert it, I, on this account, the less regretted the Mr. Wales. He was called, and Cromwell now passto say, I trust they will be believed. Cromwell is dilemma in which I was placed. It would undoubted on almost touching Mr. Spencer. Not one word innocent!" The evidence had been conclusive, yet edly injure his father a great deal more, if he got was now said by Mr. Spencer of the innocence of I was staggered. home alive, should he be condemned, and yet es 1 sent for lieut. Gansevoort and consulted him; he said there was not a shadow of doubt. I told him to consult the petty officers. He was condemned by acclamation by the petty officers. He was the one which I do not attempt to justify. I am only faithfully Cromwell; no appeal was made by Cromwell to Mr. Spencer to attest his innocence. When Mr. Wale said, "Mr. Wales, I earnestly hope you will forgive came up Mr. Spencer extended his hand to him and me for tampering with your fidelity!" Mr. Spencer was wholly unmoved, Mr. Wales almost overcome with emotion: he replied, "I do forgive you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope that God may forgive you also!" "Farewell!" exclaimed Mr. Spencer and Mr. Wales weeping and causing others to weep responded, "Farewell!" all was ready, the first Lieutenant invited me to accompany him to see that these duties had been duly performed. Mr. Spencer was laid out on the starboard arm chest, dressed in complete uniform, except the sword, which he had forfeited his right to wear. Farther forward, the two seamen were also laid out with neatness. I noticed with pain that the taste of one of the sailors had led him to bind the hands of Cromwell with a ribbon, having on it in gold letters the name of that chivalrous Somers, who had died a self-devoted victim in the cause of his country. But that particular badge had been dishonored by the treason of its wearer, and it was suffered to remain. Traces of a sabre were visible on his forehead, and on the removal of his hair four or five more were discovered, indicating that he had been where wounds had been given and received. phe of which Mr. Spencer was to take all the risk, and from which he, Cromwell, was to derive all the benefit. He had taken a great many precautions to appear innocent, but he had not taken enough. I now placed myself on the trunk in a situation from which my eye could take in everything; I waited Mr. Spencer now passed on. About this time he for some time; but no word was given. At length asked for midshipman Rogers. The message was Browning saluted me and said, "Mr. Spencer says he carried to Mr. Rogers; but he had no orders to leave cannot give the word, he wished the commander to his station. I was only afterwards aware of the re-give the word himself." The gun was accordingly quest. At the gangway, Mr. Spencer met Small. fired, and the execution took place. The crew were With the same calm manner, but with a nearer ap-now ordered aft, and I addressed them from the proach to emotion, he placed himself in front of trunk, on which I was standing. I called their atSmall, extended his hand, and said, "Small forgive tention first to the fate of the unfortunate young man, me for leading you into this trouble." Small drew whose ill-regulated ambition, directed to the most back with horror. "No, by God! Mr. Spencer, I infamous ends, had been the exciting cause of the cant't forgive you." On a repetition of the request, tragedy they had just witnessed. I spoke of his Small exclaimed in a searching voice, "Ah, Mr. honored parents, of his distinguished father, whose Cromwell, by his own admission, had been in a Spencer, that is a hard thing for you to ask me! We talents and character had raised him to one of the slaver, and had been an inmate of Moro Castle at shall soon be before the face of God, and then we highest stations in the land, to be one of the six ap- Havana. It was the general impression of the honest shall know all about it." I went to Small and urged pointed counsellors of the representative of our na- part of the crew that he had already been a pirate. him to be more generous, that this was no time for tional sovereignty. I spoke of the distinguished so- He, only, could answer to the description of the inresentment. He relented at once, held out his hand cial position to which this young man had been born; dividual alluded to by Mr. Spencer "as having alto take the still extended hand of Mr. Spencer, and of the advantages of every sort that attended the ready been in the business." At this moment a sudsaid with frankness and emotion, "I do forgive you, outset of his career, and of the professional honors den squall sprung up rendering it necessary to reduce Mr. Spencer! May God Almighty forgive you also!" to which a long, steady, and faithful perseverance in sail. It was attended by heavy rain and tarpaulins. Small now asked my forgiveness. He was the one the course of duty might ultimately have raised him. The squall over, the sailors were sewed up in their of the three who was most entitled to compassion. After a few months service at sea, most wretchedly hammocks. The body of Mr. Spencer was placed in I took his hand, and expressed my complete forgive- employed, so far as the acquisition of professional the coffin, and the other two corpses arranged accor ness in the strongest terms that I was able. I asked knowledge was concerned, he had aspired to sup-ding to rank, Mr. Spencer aft, were placed along him what I had said or done to him to make him seek plant me in a command which I had only reached after the deck. All hands were now called to bury the my life; conscious of no injustice or provocation of nearly 30 years of faithful servitude; and for what dead. The procession was formed according to rank any sort, I felt that it was yet necessary to my com- object I had already explained to them. I told them reversed. Of the colors which had continued to fly, fort to receive the assurance from his own lips. If that their future fortunes were in their own control: the ensign was lowered to half-mast. Before the any wrong had been done him, if any word of harsh- they had advantages of every sort and in an emi- corpses had been placed on the lee hammock rails reaness in the impatience or excitement of duty had es-nent degree for the attainment of professional know-dy for lowering overboard, the night had already set caped me, I was ready myself to ask also for forgive-ledge. The situations of warrant officers and of in. All the battle lanterns and the other lanterns in I had hardly asked the question before he ex-masters in the navy were open to them. They the vessel were lighted and distributed among the claimed, "What have you done to me, captain Mac- might rise to commands in the merchant service, to crew, collected with their prayer-books on the booms, kenzie? what have you done to me sir! Nothing, but respectability, to competence, and to fortune; but in the gang ways, and lee-quarter boats. The ser treat me like a man." I told him, in justification of they must advance regularly and step by step; every vice was then read, the responses audibly and devoutthe course which I was pursuing, that I had high re-step to be sure, must be guided by truth, honor, and ly made by the officers and crew, and the bodies consponsibilities to fulfil, that there were duties which I fidelity. I called their attention to Cromwell's case. signed to the deep. This service was closed with that owed to the government, which had entrusted me He must have received an excellent education, his prayer so appropriate to our situation, appointed to with this vessel, to the officers placed under my com- hand writing was even elegant. But he had also be read in our ships of war, "Preserve us from the mand, to those boys, whom it was intended either to fallen through brutish sensuality and the greedy thirst dangers of the sea, and from the violence of eneput to death, or reserve for a fate more deplorable. for gold. mies; that we may be a safeguard to the United States There was yet a higher duty to the flag of my coun- The first 15 dollars given to him by Mr. Spencer of America, and a security for such as pass on the try. He was touched by this: "You are right, sir; had bought him, and the hope of plunder held out to seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants you are doing your duty, and I honor you for it.- him by Mr. Spencer, who, to completely win him, of our land may in peace and quietude serve thee our God bless that flag, and prosper it!" "Now, brother had converted a box of old wine into treasure, had God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the topmates," ," he said, turning to those who held the secured the purchase. blessings of our land, with the fruits of our labor, ship, "give me a quick and easy death!" He was with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies, to praise placed on the hammocks forward of the gangway, and glorify thy holy name throngh Jesus Christ our with his face inboard. Mr. Spencer was similarly Lord." placed abaft the gangway, and Cromwell also on the ness. other side. There was an anecdote told by Collins in his mess, Mr. Spencer, about this time, sent for lieut. Gansevoort, and told him that he might have heard that his courage had been doubted; he wished him to bear testimony that he died like a brave man. He asked me what was to be the signal of the execution. ICromwell on hearing this laughed at Collins, and said told him that, being desirous to hoist the colors, at the moment of execution at once, to give solemnity to the act, and to indicate that by it the colors of the Somers were fixed to the mast-head, I had intended to beat to call as for hoisting the colors, then roll off, and at the third roll fire a gun. He asked to be allowed himself to give the word to fire the gun. acceded to the request; and the drum and fife were dismissed. He asked if the gun were under him. 1 told him that it was next but one to him. He begged that no interval might elapse between giving the word and firing the gun. I asked if they were firing with the lock and wafer, which had always proved quick and sure, but was told that they had a tube and priming, and were prepared to fire with a match. Some delay would have been necessary to have opened the arm-chest and get out a wafer. I ordered a supply of live coals to be passed up from the galley, and fresh ones perpetually supplied; then assured him that there would be no delay. In reading this and in recollecting the uses to which the Somers had been destined, as I now find, before she quitted the waters of the United States, I could not but humbly hope that divine sanction would not be wanting to the deed of that day. As the last transaction connected with this subject I may mention that on the following Sunday, being the 4th December, after the laws for the government of the navy had been read, according to our invariable custom in the Somers on the first Sunday of the month, I took occasion to draw from the past history and example of the criminals, whose execution they had so recently beheld, all the useful lessons that they afforded to win back to the paths of duty and virtue the youthful crew which they had been so instrumental in leading astray. I showed how the leader in the projected mutiny had turned aside from the example of his honored parents, and trampied on the wise counsels and solemn warnings which had been lavished on him. The crew were now piped down from witnessing In the bible of poor Small I had found a letter to punishment, and all hands called to cheer sbip. I him from his aged mother, filled with affectionate gave the order, "stand by to give three hearty cheers endearment and pious counsel. for the flag of our country!" Never were three hear- She expressed the joy with which she had learned tier cheers given. In that electric moment I do not from him that he was so happy on board the Sodoubt that the patriotism of even the worst of the mers; (at that time Mr. Spencer had not joined her), conspirators for an instant broke forth. I felt that I that no grog was served on board of her. Within the was once more completely commander of the vessel folds of this sacred volume he had preserved a copy which had been entrusted to me; equal to do with her of verses taken from the Sailor's Magazine, enforc whatever the honor of my country might require. ing the value of the bible to seamen. I read these verses to the crew. Small had evidently valued his bible, but could not resist temptation. The crew were now piped down and piped to dinner. I noticed with pain that many of the boys, as they looked to the yard arm, indulged in laughter and derision. Time still wearing away in this manner, Small requested leave to address the crew. Mr. Spencer, having leave to give the word, was asked if he would consent to the delay. He assented, and Small's face being uncovered, he spoke as follows: "Shipmates and topmates! take warning by my example. I never was a pirate. I never killed a man. It's for saying I would do it, that I am about to depart this life.- I still earnestly desired that Mr. S. should be buried, See what a word will do. It was going in a Guinea- as officers usually are, in a coffin. I ordered one to man that brought me to this. Beware of a Guineaman." He turned to Mr. Spencer and said to him, "I am now ready to die, Mr. Spencer, are you?" Cromwell's last words were, "tell my wife I die an innocent man; tell lieut. Morris I die an innocent man!" I urged upon the youthful sailors to cherish their bibles with a more entire love than Small had done; to value their prayer books; also they would find in them a prayer for every necessity, however great; a be forthwith made from a portion of the berth deck; medicine for every ailment of the mind. I endea but Lt. Gansevoort having offered to relinquish two vored to call to their recollection the terror with mess chests used instead of a ward robe, they were which the three malefactors had found themselves soon converted into a substantial coffin. suddenly called to enter the presence of an offended When the hour, usually given to the crew's din- God. No one who had witnessed that scene could ner, was over, the watch was set; and the bodies low-for a moment believe even in the existence of such But it had been the game of this man to appear cred from the yard arms, and received by the mess- a feeling as honest Atheism: a disbelief in the exist innocent, to urge Mr. Spencer on-to furnish him mates of the deceased, to be decently laid out for ence of a God. They should also remember that with professional ideas: to bring about a catastro-burial. The midshipmen assisted in person. When scene. They should also remember that Mr. Spen |