Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-12-22
Further Particulars Of the
Tragedy Oh board the So
lDlCrS.

| Knowing the anxiety that is generally felt
to possess al! the facts connected with the
astounding event on board the Somcrs, we
copy from the Courier and Enquirer of this
morning minute and ample narrative, in
which the details are so precisely given as to
leave no doubt that the account was obtained
from an authentic source. We have nothing
to add at present, except correction Of our
previous statement as to the age Of Midship-
man Spencer. Instead of nineteen we have
reason to believe that his age was between
twenty-four and twenty-five. " Y. Com.
L The Somers sailed from this port about
/ three months since, with a crew of eighty
| apprentices, eighteen ordinary seamen, and
IN orderly sergeant Of marines, who acted as
II master at arms. She was commanded by
SIiGel Mackenzie, well known to the Navy
as one OF our most exemplary officers, and
To the literary world as the author Of
/ Year in Spain" Her officers consisted of
Lieut.. Gansevoort, Of Albany, and five or six
midshipmen, among whom were Philip
| Spencer, son of the Secretary Of War, and
two sons of Commodore NJ. &. Perry.
Il Having delivered tho dispatches with
which he was charged, to the commanding
| officer on the coast Of Africa. Capt. Macken-
! zic sailed for this port with the intention OF
touching at St Thomas for provisions previ-
! ons TO coming on our coast at this season Of
! the year. A day or two previous to Decem-
! Der LIST, and when the vess,l was within ubou;
! five or six hundred miles of ST. Thomas,
| Midshpman Spencer limited n part Of his
| plans to Mr.. Wales, the purser's steward.
who affected hearty cooperation, took an
oath OF secrecy, &c. which Spencer admin
! lslcred to him. when he was made more
| fully acquainted with the plan Of the mutt
! neers.
II They had arranged TO raj &c a scutl!G on the
! forecaslle some night after leaving 81.
! Thomas, while the deck was in charge OF
| Mldshpman Rogers, nephew ot the late
| Com. John Rogers and when the men en-
| gagged IN 1t would of course be ordered alt to
! account for the cause OF the disturbance, and
! Mr.. Rogers was thus engaged, they were
TO seize, gag aud throw him overheard, with
I as little noise as possible. Spencer was then
! to enter the CABIN and kill Capt. Mackenzie ;
| and others were appointed to be stationed at
/ the main hatch, through which the crew must
! pass to get on deck, and at the stcerage hatch,
! through which all the officers except the
! captain must pass. All the officers, except
the surgeon, were to be murdered and thrown
! overheard aud the crew, who were below,
we're to be mustered on deck THE two at
! ter guns were to be pointed forward, to Sc
cure the mutinecrs from an attack, aud such
! of the crew as had not yet joined, but who
! then elected to come in with them, were to
| be admitted while The others were TO be
! thrown overheard.
/ They were then TO get out all the boats
and tighten the vessel after which they were
to make for the Isle of Pines, where they
were to meet n confederate. They were
! then TO cruise in search of merchant vessels
trading between this port and Europe, which,
! after being plundered, and the males on
board killed, were 10 be indiscriminatcly sunk,
and if there chanced to he any females, they
we're To be taken on board the Somcrs, vlo-
lated, and retained so long as the pirates
might desire, when they also were to be
committed to the deep! The arrangements
for the division of the spolls, the allotmon, OF
the females, the various Offices on board, &c,
were all completed and drawn up in detail
in Spenccr's handwriting, and he assured
Mr.. Wales that he had twenty Of the crew
with him sure.
From the moment Spencer made the above
} watched with argus eyes by Samuel Crom-
well, boatswaln's mate, aud Elisha Small
seaman, who were the principa! rlngleadc rs
with Spencer, and who threatened To throw
him ovel board, the moment they saw the least
signs Of detection in him, or had the least
cause to suspect that he had made or intend
ed to make any disclosure 10 any person.
Il, Mr.. Wales, not daring To communicate
I with Capt. Mackenzie, made all the circum.
stances, as detailed by Midshpman Spencer
known 10 tho purser, who promptly conveyed
I the intelligence to Capt. Mackenzie, when
/, measures we're immediately taken to asccr
tain the truth of the case. Spenccr~ papers
4 were thcrcnpon examined, nnd all the details
Iof their plans. ns narrated by Wales, wer'
c fully confirmed. Spencer, Cromwell nnt
. Small were then secured, aud all hands being
- mustered on deck, Capt. Mackenzie addressed
them on the subl"ct at tho proposed mnt'ny
u apprlslng them that all the plans ot the nni
tineers had been discovered aud frustrated
!, and warning them Of The Consequence ol any
: similar attempt.
4 Captain Mackenzie then addressed cf
- cular letter io each uf The ~iicers on boaf'
y tic vessel, except Tho aetlns midshIpmc"