Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-21
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
MORNING, DECEMBER 81, is.s.
Tle Mutmy on Board the Somers.

the U. S. Brig Somers and the energetic which
suppressed produced much sensation in New York.
and fail produce somewhat startling effect every
where. The summary trial of officer by drum
head Court Martial his condemnation without (as stated
the examination of evidence his part defence and
his execution the yard minutes after
proceedings entirely unknown before in history
and like Turkish justice in outward forn that the fins,
impression produced by them is nnavorabe the
The fact that the officer thus summarly despatched
the of Cabinet Minister Of the Government by whose
authority the officer commissioned though it made and
should have made difference in his fate increases the
force of the impression.
But moments reflection satisfies every mind, that if
the represented of which doubt appears
be entertained the conduct of the officers of the Some
merely lustifabe, but in high degree decisive
and meritorous. Their act independent OF any authority
may derive from the regulations of the naval service,
which regard mutny with unsparng rgor, amply vindi
Gated by much higher laws than any of human ordinance
by the laws of sepreservaon and overriding necessity
These would have justified the wholesale slaughter Of the
muneers without any form of tal, and of the jus
ncaton is weakened by the circumstance of trial.
To their hves-o the ship, and prevent
the of piracy which meitated by the mutnee
constitute not only an unanswerable defence but claim 10
high appreciation and tite public gratitude and reward
Some details which we had not room for yesterday
suboined Ii is obvious that take off the rngleader
without whose the muineers could navigate
the ship the true expedieni for the suppression OF the
conspiracy.
Ii is believed the plan of muny arranged after
leaving this port but maured, until her from
the coast of Africa, the Brig about going into ST.
Thomas for and provisions. When within 700 miles
OF the island, OF the crew gave notice 10 Commander
Mckenzie that mutiny was in progress and after
paper discovered in which the whole plan of il de-
tailed Sidshrman Spencer found he the nstiga
the mutny, aided by the Quarter Master and Boat
swain of whom, named Cromwell Crommoin, had
been pirate seemed too that more than half the
implicated in the revo and the few officers ignorant
how far the contagon had extended and aware moreover
that by taking off the leaders, the revolt would read.
y be qucled, determined upon their immediate execution;
and they were seized, and their guilt being ascertained
they forthwith hanged the yardam their associates
in crime running them up while the officers armed stood
witness the execution. \ large number of the guilty
then put i'll irons.
The brig then touched ST. Thomas, victualcd and
made the rapid passage of days this port-hen Ii or
Il of the mutneers irons transferred the North
Carolina where they strictly guarded and prevented from
having communication with any
Midshpman Spencer twenty years OF age, and
had learn, been home from the Brazil squadron
by Commodore Morris with the express understanding that
he should resign ms warrant on ARRIVAL the condition OF
his being brought Court Martial. Instead re.
signing, he was, it seems attached the Somers.
The scheme Of the mutneers, said to be detailed the
found murder all the officers hut the surgeon
seize the vessel, and crze oil Sandy Hook interrupt
and rob the packets, and other inward bound ships.
The necessity OF the immediate execution of the ring
leaders, presume, from the fact that without the
aid Of Mr. Spencer, who 10 navigate and the boatw
and VINO 10 sail the vessel tine consp
acy would be hopeless confined and put irons with
the safeguard OF Marines the temptation would
greet; and in total ignorance the officers
Of the OF the mutiny this would have been fearful
hazard.
We add that this statement, though substantially
correct believe, does probably present the
nv in 30 aggravated form the facts when made public
will warrant.-COUier y Enquier.
A Mosr HORRIBLE ArFAm-It Turns out that events of
appalling character occurred board the L. S. brig
SOners, her voyage home from Africa, which
disclosed the officers her arrival becsuscit thought
best that publication should be made by the Government
Such thing cannot however, be kept The Sonors
a fine saer, has guns, and of about
~ able men, and forty apprentice BOYS, making with the
officers seventy-ve persons board. Shortly be-
fore the brig arrived at ST. Thomas, where she put in
water il tho knowledge of 1t Commandant Mac
kenzie that muteny was in preparation board headed
by Midshpman Spencer, ote Hon. Secretary of
Spencer thereupon arrested, and papers found
upon him. signed by such number of the would
have been able cary out their plan by surprise. The
obligations they had entered into of the desperate
kind They had sworn that they were not afraid OF bood
that after brig had been waered and prepared for
cse they would rise, take possession OF her, and every
officer except the surgeon, whomgh be necessary hem
that they would then proceed of the Hook of New York
harbo and capture the homeward bound packets which
they expected would contain large OF specie OF the
people board the captured vessels they that
should be lett 10 tell tales After these horrible disclosures
a Court Martial held upon Spencer and those most
prominently connected with him. Ii Impossible 10 know
how the contamination had spread though had evident
hazards was indispensable. The Court Martial determined
that nothing short Of the Of the ngeaders
would toe safety OF the ship Spencer and petty
officers theTeupoa ordered be hung on the yard
arm which done forthwith and such other
ken as entirely frustrated the dabolica plan. The
lies the Navy Yard with all hands board all ~
tercourse with the shore being forbidden TIE full detail,
il impossible 10 obtain at present; hey will be rauph
with terrible interest ~ Mackenzie is noted for his kind
and christian character, but great rmne.s in the duties OF
his Office Such occurrence, happy 10 saw il neU
in our Navy and likely 70 be- soon repeated We sbud
der the thought Of the which would have been on
acted in waters If this conspiracy had accomplished 10
designs
Most sincerely do sympahise with the afflicted fam,
| OF which he was member jour. Of Com,
From the Ne,o York Evsning Erpress
FURTHER.
The Muiiny on board the United States Brig somers
Commander A.. Sidell Mckenzie, and the execution o.
Midshipman Spencer, snd two in a most summnr
manner, announced in the morning papers, has excited
great sensation in the city. IL is the universal subject o.
conversation and remark IN ell circles SO far ~ we hay,
heard the public expression far the facts are known
the conduct OF the commanding officer fully justified
There great variety Of stories in circulation respect
ing the muiny,
One account that when the Somers was on the eve o.
heaving Up her anchors the Coast Of Africa and return
ing home, muiiny broke out on board hosded by Mid
shipmnn Spencer, who lead fifty oi the crew. consist
ing in oil Of seventyiye Twenty five OF them remain
ed loyal 10 their flag and commander and these with the
officers succeeded after conflict with the Tnunoers In
which Of them severely wounded IN supprossnq
I the revolt aud putting down NIL the mutinoors.
Immediately afterwards kind Of drum head Court Mar
a held before which Il said, evidence was produced
that the mutny had been planned by Spencer before the
Somors left port that the board having pre-
vously concerted with him the part they net, which
was 10 murder the officers and having obtained posses