New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-17


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the News Once Zeibef Burgess 10 Ledger 'uno'ns.
Important MISUNDERSTANDING On BOARD
az. 9. Br.s OF War.
We received Information yesterday Of most
;nror,ant transaction On board the y. S. Brig.
oeWar Somers, Capt MCKENZIE, which our rea-
ders will recollecs arrived q. this port on Wednes
day last from the Coast of Africa, where she had
been cruising FOR some months: in order to protect
American merchant vessels from the inter- upton
of British cruisers searching for slaves. TIE
Somers left Liberia on the 1lth of November and
touched at St. Thomas on her voyage hi,her. She
left ST. Thomas on the 5th of December; and on
that day the Captain observed disorderly
Inents among the crew, which excited his sus-
picions of intended mutiny. He saw nothing
definite, however, or sufficient to warrant the ar
rest of any He contented himself therefore, with
ordering all his officers to wear their sde-arm,
and proceeded on his voyage.
He had been out but two days when some of ,he
crew informed him of the existence of plot on
board, which was Immediately to be put in execr-
ton. The plan was to murder Tie Captain, Me
higher officers and all others echo aconld not Join
hem,-to seize the vessel and conrert her into a
Yirate skip. She is one of the swiftest sailers ia
the service: and it was thus supposed that she
would be most completely fitted for tie purposes
towhich,hey designed she should be applied. They
intended first to watch for some one of the Liver
pool packets-expected to bring out a large qua;.-
tity of specie-to seize upon and plunder her and
then sail for some more remote portion of the Sea-
This information was given to the Captain by ore
of those who had been originally engaged in lbt
plot, but had subsequently, rcpented aad betrayed
their murderous design.
This was on the 9TH Of December. The Cap
tain Immediately ordered all hands on deck, and
ordered those of the crew who were opposed to
him to go upon the forward deck. Passed
MidshipnlSn SPENCER, son of John C. Spencer
our Secretary Of War, the Boatswain's Nat,
and the Master at arms, Immediately led tx
rag, and were followed by thirteen apprentices
and about sixty of the crew. They arraycd
themselves upon the forward deck, without doub
supposing that they would be followed by grea'
proportion of the crew. Captain Mckenzie in.
stantly ordered them to be put in irons. ThcS
were shacked and securely confined.
In the evening Court Martial was summoned
Spencer and his two companions, as the three
ring-leaders, were tried, convicted and sentenced
snd the neat morning WERE HUNG AT THE YARD
ARM. The rest were brought in irons to this port
where they are still kept in shackles and close
confinement.
Thus, by the prompt, fearless decision and en-
ergy Of Capt. Mckenzie. one of the most bold ana
daring conspiracies ever formed was frustrated and
crushed. The whole crew on board numbered,
we believe, not far from four hundred; and hao
the plot been successful, as days delay Nigh,
have made it, deeds of blood and of fearful atrscty
seldom paralleled in the horsid records of pirac,
and murder, would have Slackened the sea and
presume that official accounts OF this astoundins
affair will be speedily given, when more Of its
particulars will be spread before The public.
Immediately upon the arrival of the Somers, we
understand, messenger was despatched to Wash
ington with the intelligence. 1t has been thus ful
Kept secret here, we presume, in order that il
might not FIRST reach the ear of Mr. Spencer
through the columns of the press. An official in
vestigation will of course be immediately ordered
and all the particulars of the matter be soon made
known. There are some portions of this account
which lead US to suspect its entire accuracy: but
we give it as it was told to us-upoa authority,
which we deem most reliable
~ the Irtosras OF yesterday Is mistaken ia giving
sSaSro votes on The fourth ballot of the Georgs lie
ior u Senator TO Thomas Butler King whigl;
' were cast Tor John r King, iDer. formerly Senator