New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-21

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which paper il was prepared oy one VINO says ne
was once his 80 friend and messmate, and VINO con-
,;,rsd and cherished the former term, Until IL
ors,;,ude marked by foreclosures of feeling and
5a.r,yess depravry character, burst asunder the
.bo,ds Of amty, which, in the beginning of his
naval career, had every seeming of being lasting
Philip Spencer was born in Caaandsigua, New
| York. and at The time of his awful death, was
about 10 years ,f age-but in strength OF mind,
intelligence literary attainments, and bold daring
was far, far beyond his years Nothing in his his
tory of much interest is the writer aware OF, until
his College career. He sent TO Union Col
lege, Schenectady, but did not graduate as his con-
duct there became notorious that he was expelled
or had leave absent himself. he retired 10 MS
friends where he remained some time. Being or a
wandering turn Of mind and fond OF any thing Dor
dering on the dangerous and marvellous, he eloped
from his home and went to New-York conceaing
his parcntage shipped for whaler fitting cut at
Nantucket, and (along with many others OF kindred
feeling, but no, of that daring, reckless spirit:
fearless alike of life death) was sent TO the lat
rer place in small schooner.
The ship that he was TO embark IN not being
ready he remained some time on the island. Du-
ring this time, and previous to the gale OF October,
l04l he volunteered TO 60 out on the banks IN
small vessel for what the whaemen denomlnate
Black Fish, and in that gale came near being lost,
"A many were al the time; as was they got back
70 Nantucket quite a wreck. Here tod him that
[ wes surprised that he should ever think OF adopt
ing tina. hazardous life, sought only by those whom
trends and fortune had discarded, and whose last
lingering star of hope had sank beneath the hori-
zon, perhaps never TO rc-appear. he Smiled at
nv astonishment at his deserving his happy, lux
arious and delightful home; and as look
back, as | eiten have since, think of that smile
Of Spencer-yes, as | now write, | can see him as
distinct as the words am penning-that smile
was not human! The wild rolling OF his eyes told
plainly enough, to any one at all discerning, that
something was working in that heart that could
not submit to the dull monotony of this peaceful,
every day life.
His reply was that he should like to harpoon
whale aud see the blood split" that ne "was
not afraid Of danger aud liked adventurous
fe." The ship being ready to receive her casks,
ne compelled, with many others, to work
from morning till late at night in getting them and
ler stores on board being allowed ouly thirty
minutes for their meals, which were Of the coarsesr
sind, and only five hours rest at night in nisera
Die forecaste in close communion with the dregs
Of Newly orlS streets. | told him thought that
This scrvile LABOR and hard living would have salts
fed his curiosity to see the world; but no-the
excl ement was to come. In confirmation of his
assertions, he showed NE his hands, and they,
from their horny, hardeAd appearance, corrobo-
rated his statement of what he had undergone al
Nantucket Having disposed of his wardrobe and
replaced them by the coarse and homely garb OF
The whaler, he ready, as was also the ship, III
two days. to sail for their cruising grounds in the
South Seas.
In the interval of time from his disappearance
from home to the time of narrative, his friends
mad by diligent inquiries found his whereabouts,
md knowing his uncomfortable disposition, and his
determination at all hazards to 60 to sea, their IN
luence and his fathers position one of the Cab
met at Washington, procured for him mldshhp-
nan S appointment, which was sent with all des-
patch to Nantucket, with description OF his per-
son. &c. to the care of the of the ship. Ibis
and letter from his father, was placed In his
hands. This prospect of change from drudgery to
a comparatively easy life, had not much effect on
him as it would have had on most young men; but
~ the earnest persuasons Of the owner and cap
tain, after learning who he was, he was induced
by them to give volunteer $50 to take his place
in the ship.
He came on to New-Yorh and was there fitted
aut by his uncle, Captain Spencer, of the Navy,
4ad by him Introduced on board of the guard.ship
North Carolina. His sojourn on board OF that ship
(about four months) was passed, as is much OF the
time of some other young in like circumstances,
in occasional, and, am sorry to say. frequent dis
pation, principally at night, but not unfrequently
in the face of day Here he ommtted an aggra
waited and unprovoked assault upon his superior
,fficer which was investiga ted by the Commodore
in the cabin of that ship, in the presence OF the IN
Gle, Capt. Spencer, and commander OF the navy
The written report made by the insulted officer TO
the Secretary of the Navy, though from the com.
mandant of the station, unheeded, supposed
from family influence, and Spencer was ordered to
the brig Somers The officer thus treated resigned
from the service. The writer does not charge the
excellent commander of the North Carolina with
knowledge of the facts of the dissipation among
some of the young men that shp he believes 1t
was entirely beyond his knowledge.
The horrid death of young Spencer must be most
earfully distressing to the feelings OF his family,
and the writer wosld add another pang TO their
already broken hearts; but he trusts 1t may be a
warning to many youths who wish to leave the hap
nv ireside of their homes and the kind influences
of mothers love- and fathers dearest hopes,
to seek abroad on the tempestuous home
| surrounded by dangers and temptations have
| digressed somewhat from my first undertaking,
namely, concise statement OF young Spencer :
career, which has ended ANONYMOUSLY at the yard
arm OF man-of-war within one year from the
| commencement of his naval career; and not wish
ing at this time TO occupy too much space i'll your
valuable columns, | will, if agreeable, finish nay
sketch at a future time.
The ENGLISH ABRoAp.-The following feat
of gourmandism is given by the Moniteur Parisien,
| as fact; we are very far however, from attach
ing credit to the statement:
On Sunday morning. was carried home, ia an
IL l.inn nl,rl,r, ,,,in hrlh onn