New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-20


woke blessing on the American flag. and TO ask
forgiveness for having SO dishonored it; bat The
others died without am marks of penitence. I'm
medateIy after the execution all hands called
to cheer ship; and three hearty cheers were given
for the American.fag, which was then waving at
the gah; after which all hands were piped down
and the usual duties of the vessel were resumed
-Four of the men who appeared TO be most deep
ly implicated, were placed in irons Immediately
upon the discovery of the projected mu,iny but
the others suspected to be concerned, were per-
mit,ed to go to duty until they reached this port
when they were also ironed and sent on board the
North Carolina.
The following are the names of the men and
boys now confined on board the receiving ship, and
awaiting the action of the Navy Department:
Charles A. Wilson, sail-maker's mate; Daniel
Mckinley landsman; Benjamin F. Greea, or
binary seaman (apprentice;) Alexander Mckee,
ID class apprentice; George w. Warner, ordinary
seaman (apprentice y Charles g. Golderman,
landsman (apprentioe;) Eugene Sullivan, lst class
apprentice George Kneavah, landsman (apprcn-
tice J Richard Hamilton, 1st class apprentice;
Charles Van Velsor, ordinary seaman (appreniice;)
Henry Walthan,, (mulatto,) ward-room steward;
Edward Gala, (mulatto,) Storage cook.
These are unquestionably the material facts at
teading this attempt to seize upon national ship
and convert her into PIRATE, and the conse-
quent prompt and just punishment of the ring
leaders What adds greatly to the disgreceful
character of this dangerous and daring attemptto
obtain possession of National vessel is the fact
that one Of the oficsrs Of the ship devised and
was at the head Of this projected mutiny; and
when we bear in mind that Spencer informed
Wales that he had a confederate at the Isle Of
Pines where the Somers had not been, and that
his chief confederates, Cromwell and Small,
shipped on board after Spencer had joined, there
can be no reasonable doubt but the mutny was ar
ranged in this port. What confirms this SUPPOSE,
ton is the fact now ascertained that Spencer de-
cared before his departure that he would never
return to this city, and on the passage out assumed
to be able to tell mems fortunes, and assured his
fellow midshpmen in the Storage that they had
not long to live words which at the time were
treated as badinage, but which were doubtless
based upon knowledge of his desperate schemes
The American adds the following particulars,
showing still more clearly the imminent necessity
of the execution Of the ringleaders:
For three days the prisoners were kept in irons,
the Commander hoping to be spared the necessity
Of taking life At last it became evident that the
storm was still brewing, ard that although the loss
of their rngleadcrs had deprived the Of those
concerned of any efficient head for the time, the
danger was by no means over, and hence that
severe example was absolutely necessary 10 ae0ad
a rescue, and prevent the final execution and sue
cess of their plans. The were so disordeily
and so little under control, that ecery officer on
board came to the same conclusion and urged
upon their Commander the immediate execution
of the prisoners. The men not engaged in the
original plot testified in the strongest terms to the
.,t..,.
that the matter was still in agitation, and that,
prisoner as he was, Midshipman Spencer was
still, by signs or otherwise, in communication
with his associates Every thing indicated tina,
the plot was on the point Of co:summation and,
witLoat a dissenting uoice among the officers and
petty officers, it was at last determined that the
three prisoners should be hung at the yard-arm Of
the vessel This was communicated to Midship.
man Snencer, and for a time he bore it without
fnlterng but at last his frmness gave way, and
he made full confession Of his guilt, accompanied
with an acknowled cement Of the justice of his DOOM
From his own confessional was ascertainod that,
while on board the John Adams, on the coast OF
Brazil, and subsequently, when sent home, having
resie ned rather than be tried by Court Martlnl,}
on board the frigate Potomac he had entertained
IN both vessels a determination to excite muiiny,
for the purpose OF turning pirate ne plan on
board the Somers was originated and had maoc
some progress before leaving the harhor of New
York The outbreak was to take place just after
leaving St. Thomas, and everything had been ar
ranged to bring about the result successfully
With the leaders alive and subject to a rescue,
and with crew the great majority of whom were
believed to be moro or less implicated, how far 1t
was impossible to tell with proofs recurring every
minute that the plot was but postponed, not de.
5 troyed, the men being disordery, fractious and
disobedient, it seemed the duty of Commander
Mackenzie to hesitate no longer. With their lea.
ders rescued, the game their own again, and
not only the lives of all on board not implicated In
in the plot would have paid the forfeit OF further
delay, but many fearful act of piracy and muir
der would in all probability have swelled the list
of crime.
1t became clear that there was no alternative,
and accordingly when about three days of from
ST Thomas, in the presence of the assembled crew,
the sentence was put into execution.
From EEnTnna.