The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-30
Court OF Enquiry on Board the North
Carolina.

VII Wltuin Il lew IllH'tts Oh Twelve " clOck tofN-
modore Stewart requested Captain Mckenzie to
take seat at The same table with the members OF
the Court, which he accordingly did Captain Me-
Kenzle again wished it 10 be understood that in so
cting the privilege of having the assistance of Mr..
Hone to take a record OF the proceedings, il was
not in the character of counsel.
The Court replied that they perfectly understood
the nature Of Capt McKenze's request.
Such of the witnesses IN the case as were present,
were ordered to retire-Commodore Stewart in re.
ply to Captain Gregory remarked that all officers not
on duty might if they choose be present in Court.
An officer detailed for the purpose Of procuring
the attendance of witnesses when their presence
Was required by the Court.
Captain MCKENZIE, In answer to Commodore
Stewart stated that he had not yet got the copy OF
his report the Secretary completed, but expe cted
that il woudbe ready Tor presentation to the Court
in very few minutes.
The reading of Captain McKenzie's narrative was
then commenced as follows:-
COMMANDER M'KENzIE's NARRATIVE Since the
day which | arrived with the vessel under my
command. | have been engaged in preparing full
narrative OF the cruise OF the SOmers, which might
illustrate all the facts connected with the late mutiny
But having been subjected TO many Interruptions
from which could not readily escape, principally
arising from the friendly Offices of acquaintance,
and finding Also from my desire to put the naval de-
Iul pOsSeSslOn vi all ldCts, tuAI the
narrative grew so much beyond my original de-
sign, have at length deemed it necessary restrict
myself to statement OF the principal occurrences
connected with the affair. shall therefore premise
that after having proceeded to the Medterrane an,
having been diverted from my course by constantly
opposing winds, and not finding the United States
ship Vandalia, continued my course to Liberia. |
Understood as matter OF common report that that
patches with which had been charged being of no
value at home, placed them in the hands of the
United States Agent there, iwhose receipt for them
have the honor TO enclose. sailed thence on the
llth OF November by way OF ST Thomas, where
prudence and due regard for the safety of the
repaired me to obtain supply OF bread, water and
refreshments 1t was during my stay here that
Lieut. Gansevoort informed me that conspiracy
had been formed on board for the purpose Of capur
ing the brig, numbering her officers, and turning her
into a piratlcal vessel; that Midshipman Philip
Spencer had communicated the plot to Mr. Wales,
the pufser,; that SpenceIhad approached him while
up on the booms, and had asked him, " Do you fear
death ! Do you fear dead man? Are you afraid
to kill a MANI" Mr.. Wales curiosity was greatly
excited. but with admirable GOODNESS he ELECTED
full particulars of The conspiracy, and took the
oath Of secrecy proposed by Spencer; Spencer in;
joined him, and had agreed to murder the officers,
capture the brig, and convert her into pirate. and
mentioned the full details of his plan, which were
well adapted for the attainment of his object. As
one of the inducements to capture the brig, Spen-
Ger stated that box, supposed to contain wine OF
rare value, which was on board and had been
brought off with much care as present from the
United States Vice Consul, really contained money
and treasure to large amount. 1t was also stated
to be the intention to carry the vessel to the Isle of
Pines, where one OF his (Spencer's) associates, who
had been long in the pratcal business, had been be-
fore; to attack no vessel that they were not TO
capture; to destroy every vestge of the captured
vessels; to select such of the female passengers
might be useful, and after using them to dispose of
them afterwards Spencer added that he had a full
and minute plan of his intended procedure in his
cravat. After this interview Spencer separated
from Wales with terrible threats Of instant death to
Mr.. Wales, If he should utter word Of what passed
On receiving this information, l was disposed to
treat 1t with ridlcue. The project was monstrous
that could only suppose that Spencer had been jo-
matters, and | directed the Lieutenan; TO watch
narrowly the conduct of Spencer. without ap-
pearing to do so. It was then found hat Spencer
was narrowly examining the charts, and had been
asking the surgeon about the Isle of Pines and the
latter had jokingly asked if Spencer had any ac-
quaintances there. Spencer passed the following
day as usual, suenly In corner OF the steerage,
and was observed examining attentively small
piece OF paper, occasionally working with his pen
knife piece of the tail of a devil-fish with
whichhe had fashioned ring for his cravat. He
had also got love.dsyces wrought on his arm by
he rate of his thermometer. He had been likewise
seen in secret conference with Cromwell and Small
He had given money to several of the crew; and
on which he had been enjoined to reform, and had
given solemn promises of amendment tot ommodore
Perry. He had also given tobacco to the apprenti.
ces in direct defiance of the orders of the Navy
Department, and OF my own repeated orders. He
had also caused the ward-room steward to stea
brandy from store-room, and had himself got drunk
when he could escape observation. He was also in
the habit OF amusing the crew by making music BY
his jaw. Ia note appended to the report, was here
read. 1t explained the reason why the brandy had
been put on board.] The Surgeon considered tina
its would prevent the deleterious effects of the
malaria on the Coast Of Africa But by accident
prove, the report averred, the ward. room steward
contrlved to make mistake, and the supply o.
brandy ordered from two grocers. thus doublnf
the quantity. Tho crew net exposed to malaria
and none of the brandy was used except that OBJ
tanned by Spencer in the manner described. 1t i:
due TO the ward-room officers that this should be
known In order to remove them from the influence
of the prejudlces of those who think that the drink
ing of the brandy was more TO be dreaded than the
malaria
Capt. McKENzE-The effects of the malaria
Mr.. HoFFMAN-The word effects is not here.
MCkENzIg-Now comes that note about The mu
sic on the chin.
(Mr. HOFFMAN here read note appended TO the
report, descriptive understood of the manner
in which Spencer had elected musical airs from some
| motion OF his jaw bones, but the Judge Advocat,
read so lndlstnctly and hurredly that it was impos
slble to catch the exact phraseology.] The repor
then proceeded to state that on some occasions
Spencer had "loadedthe Commander of the Somer
with blasphemous vtuperation, and that he would
be pleased to drive Captain Mckenzie of the round
house into the sea" Spencer had on one occasion
drawn the picture of a brig with black flag ant
ask ed some OF the crew what they thought of that
telling them at the same time that the brig could be
easily captured He had also inspected the hand o.
uidshpman Rogers, told his fortune, and predicted
| his early and violent death These circumstance
| led me (the narrative Of Captain Mckenzie continu
ed) TO regard the information received from Lieu
tenant Gansevoors in much more serious light
and recalled TO my mind all had known Of the pas
career OF Mr.. Spencer. When he reported hmsel
| to me in New York, at once gave him my hant
and courteous welcome on board the Somers.
heard afterwards that he had been dismissed from
| the Brazil Squadron account of drunkenness an,
other improper conduct, and this made me very de
slrous that he should be dismissed from the brig, Oh
| account OF the young men who were 10 sail witt
| me, two OF whom were connected with myself b.
blood, two of them by alliance and all four placed un
der my immediate care. The circumstance of his be
ing the of an officer highin the government en-
L ham hac in