New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-31


He told him that he not then In state to
speak of ANYTHING but that he would the next day
tell him alI-woud answer any question that
might be put to him.
On Tuesday after quarters, all hands were again
called to witness punishment, and Watham was
punished to the extent of the law for Offering three
bottles of wine 10 Mckinley. then spoke to the
crew of tho necessity of conforming in all partcu
lars to the orders of the vessel which were known.
told them THAT every punishment inflicted on
board must be made known to the Secretary Of the
Navy, and that the less they were in amount the
greater would be the credit that would attach to
the Commander and the crew. But the whole
crew, soon found were far from tranquil. They
collected in knots upon the deck; seditious words
were heard among them, and they assumed an in
solent and nenaclng tone. Some of the petty ol-
GERS were examined and found to be true to the
colors, but it the general impression that the
vessel was far from being sa(e.-There was reason
to fear that that verynish rescue would be at
tempted. | obtained variety of intelligence con-
corning conferences among the disaHeescd. lndi-
viduals whom | had not supposed TO be implicated
were found closely associated with several who
were known sto be among the disafected, and
several times there were symptoms that they were
about to strike the blow. Mr.. Wales once de-
,ected c. A. Wilson in drawing out haRdspike
from its place; and presenting his cooked pistol
| at him, he only offered some lame excuse. be-
came exceedingly anxious and remained constantly
on deck. At IL o'clock the watch was called
Mckinley, Green and two others missed
their muster: they could not be asleep and why
they should be absent just that time, when they
| never had been before, was not easy TO be seen.
| When they appeared, they all had some lame ex-
| cuse. They probably had agreed to meet at that
time and to commence some act of violence
Green said he could not get aft. | sent him for
ward and ordared him to take the forward look
out for feur hours. l directed close watch 10
| be kept up and distributed the others in similar
| manner.
| At4 o'clock others missed their muster. /
heard of this with the greatest uneasincss Where,
! | asked, was this to end If the upon a
bright night like this seem nutinous and disposed
to undertake the rescue of those confined, bad
night, in storm, in the midst Of utter darkness,
how much greater will be the probability of res
cue? 1fall suspected should be ironed, would the
danger be over? What sympathy might not be
felt for the prisoners These matters crowded
upon my mind / considered the imminent peril
which hung over the lives of tho officers and Drew
| thought of the seas traversed in every direction
by merchantmen, unharmed and defenceless; l
thoug glt what due the interests ofcommerce,
to the sanctity of the American Flag entrusted to
my care, and TO my own honor. All these con-
siderations impressed me with the absolute neces-
sity of adopting some farther of security for
the vessel which had been given tony charge.
I took counsel with the First Lieutenant, and
was fortified in my purposes by finding his opinion
identical with my In so grave case, IN
volving so many interests aud such hie response
bties, felt desirous Of having the opinion of all
my officers upon the matter, though not shadow
Of doubt remained my mind Of The guilt of the
prisoners, should their execution be deemed ne
cessary. did not forget that the officers were
still boys, and that all the responsibility OF the
proceeding must rest upon the older and higher
officers Still felt desirous have their opinion,
and accordingly addressed them the following let
ter:
U. S. BRIG SoMERs, Nov so, 1912.
Gentlemen: am desireus cf awaiting myself Of your
self placed You are aware OF tie circumstances which
have resulted in the confinement OF N:ldshpman SPsNcEA
OF Boaswan's mate CROMWELL, and OF seaman SMALL;
and purpoely abstain ren entering into details concern
ins them Necessarily ignorant as am OF The extent OF
.ampercd with and knowing the suspicion which al
taches of the who at large, address ou
ad ask ycur united counsel 10 the best course now 10
be pursued and cali upon you TO take INTO ana
dpassionse consideration the conduct Inch WI De ne
cessary safe continuance of the remainder oour course
and TO enighten with your opinion as TO the proper
| method to be pursued
|
| ALgx SLlpELL MACKENZIE, Commander
Lieut.. Gunseuoort aud others.
After had written this letter, but before | had
sent it, at about O'clock, Wilson, being folled IN
his attempt TO get up an outbreak ut night, and
| feeling that he was narrowly watched and was no
longer left at liberty, came forward and made some
lame and worthless confession, and requested that
| he might not be put in irons. told him that II
he had made any real confession. in sincerity and
4 L olo H. h,,tth hot
an insult to his officer to offer him so lame story
as that he had told. Nothing mere could be got
ou, of him, and he Immediately put IN irons
While on the African coast | knew that he had
procured an extraordinary knife, broad in the mid
die, and running to point. He had made 1t very
sharp on both sides. 1t was a singular weapon, o
no use except TO kill. He had been seen alse the
day before sharpening his bate-aXe with file and
had brought one part of ii to edge. his was
a thing never allowed or known before on board
Mckinley was now arrested. He evidently
the individual in every way the most formidable o
all concerned Mckee was alsoputin irons. They
were made 10 sit down and when the irons were
put on, walked around the batteries, followed by
Lieut.. Gansevoort, and made careful inspection.
On the receipt of my letter the officers imme
dintely assembled and entered upon the eSamina
tion of witnesses, who were sworn ard their test
mony written down. In addition to this each wit
ness signed ;he evidence he gave. In this EN-
ployment the officers passed the whole day with
out interruptions and without taking the least food
| remained, myself, in charge OF the deck. The
officers were excused from watch duty and the
watches were SO arranged that two in succession
fell tc me- On the lst December the First Lieu
tenant presented me with the following letter:
U. s BRIG soMERs, December ], 1912
SIR: In Your letter requiring counsel 10
be best be pursued With regard 10 tie prisoIers