The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-12-24
TIE MUTINY ON BOARD TIE U.
S. BRIG SOMERS.

iuIiheT Par:lC liars, eVluentiy gained from
an authentic source. From the account
in the Courier, it appears that tie brig
had so apprentices. Is ordinary seamen
and an orderly sergeant of marines, "A com
mandei and lieutenant and five or six
mldshipmen, including acting mitlshpman
Spencer. When short distan'e from
S.. Thomas, on her return from the coast
of Africa, Spencer detailed his plans to the
pur.er's steward, MIR. Wales, who pre-
tended to join him and learnt his whole
plan. Wales communicated the plot to
the purser, who informed Capt. Macken>
zc. Spencer's papers were seized, which
contained tn" details Of the plot; he and
his two confcdclatcs, Cromwell and Small
were seized and ironed.
Captain Mackenzie then addressed a
circular letter to each of the officers on
board the vessel, except the acting mid
shipmen, requesting their opinion as to
the course of conduct which should be
pursued towards Spencer, and the two
men who had been arrested with him.
Each one returned an answer that they
deserved immediate death, and Captain
Nlackenzie's opinion conciding with that
of his officers, it was determined to carry
the punishment into immediate execution.
All hands were accordingly called TO wit
ness the punishment. Whips were rove
into each end of the fore yard arm, and
one on the inner part of the yard. The
prisoners were then brought on deck and
informed of the punishment about to bt
executed upon them. Small at once full
y confessed his fault, and asked most
PEI i;ently the forgiveness of his comman-
der anG the officers, which was at once
accorded him. He then obtained permits
sion to address the crew, which he did,
warning them against permitting them
selves ever to be seduced as he had been
into the commltlal of the crime for which
he was about to suffer death
Spencer asked respite OF ten minutes
for himself and companions in guilt, in
order that they might prepare 10 die. This
was granted, and he was asked if he wish
ed to write to his father or mother; but
he replied that he did not.!x lie acknowl-
edged his guilt, aud the justice q his pun
ishmenl, aud remarked that he would
rather meet such death there Cat sea
than to be subjected to the inGamy of ex-
posure on shore The ten minutes ask
ed for by Spencer were extended to up
yards of one hour, nearly the whole oil
which time was employed by him in ell
dcavoring to obtain forgiveness Of Small
for having seduced him into the commits
tai OF a crime Which he was so soon TO
cxpiate with his life. Small withheld
his forgiveness for a length of time; but
at last i'll reply to Spencer's oft reiterated
request of '.do forgive me, Small,' he
said lha, he fully Iardoned him.
Every thing being in readiness the
Moose was placed around the neck of each
Of the culpri.s, and the officers were sta
toned about the decks to see that every
man had both hands on the ropes. About
one O'Clock (sea time on the LIST Deem
Der, the signal for execution was given
by firing gun to leeward, and the guilty
men were run up.
After hanging about an hour the bodies
were lowered down and delivered to their
several messinales to be la id out and sew
ed up; and in the evening they were com
mlted 10 the deep, Captain Nlackcnzlcrca
ing the service usual on the occasion OF
bulals at sea. SmalI's last words were to
invoke blessing on the American flag.
and to ask forgiveness for having so dis
honored it, but the other died without
any marks ofpenitence. Immediately al
ter the execution all hands were called to
cheer ship, and three hearty cheers were
given for the American flag, which was
then waving at the gatf, after which all
hands were piped down and the usual du-
lies OF the vessel were resumed.
-Four Of the men, who appeared to be
most deeply implicated, were placed in
irons Immediately upon the discovery OF
the projected mu'iny; but the Others sus-
pecled to he concerned were permitted
to go 10 duty until they reached this port,
when they were also ironed and sent on
board the N orth Carolina.
There is also communication in the
Madisonian signed 49," witch, from the
manner of its introduction by the editor,
and The apparent perfect acquaintance OF
the author with the circumstances, most
persons will suppose came from the pen
of the Secretary Of War. This commun-
ication is very severe upon the conduct
of Commander Mackenzie and his Off
cers.-From j, we make the following cx-
tract
An awful responsibility rests on those
officers, aud above all on their comman-
der Without the least desire to render
that responsibility more hazardous than
i, now is, it is still deemed an act of sim
pic and bare justice to the memory ofMe
stain, to say that an examination of the
papers transmitted by Commander Mac
kcnZie show these facts:
LIST. That Acting Midshipman Spencer
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