The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-20
firing a qua to lesward, and the guilty men were


down and delivered TO their several messmates TO be laid
out and sewea up and in the evening they com
usual on the OCCASION Of Smrais al sea- smai ias words
were to invoke blessing the American hsg and TO
ask forgiveness for having SO dishonored but the
others diet without marks OF penitence. fmmed4te-
y after the execution hands called TO cheer ship
-ana three hearty cheers were given for the Amerc ~
flag, which then waving the gsf after which all
hands were pped down and the usual duties Of the vessel
were resumed
Four of the who appeared to be most deeply mpi
Gated placed in irons Immediately upon the discove
~ Of the projected mutiny but the others suspected be
concerned permitted go duty until they reached
this port when they also roned and sent board
the North Carolina.
The following the names of the men and boys
confined on board the receiving ship and awaiting the
ton OF the Navy Department.
Charles A Wilson, sailmakcrs mate.
Daniel Mckinley, landsman.
Benjamin + Green, ordinary seaman (apprentice)
& Alexander Mckee, ID class apprentice.
George W. Warner ordinary seaman apprenticeO
Chas g. Golderman, landsmsn (apprentice)
Eugene Sullivan, LIST class apprentice.
George Kneavah, landsman (apprentce)
Richard Hamilton, LIST class apprentice.
Charles Van Velsor, ordinary seaman apprentice
Henry Watham (mulatto) wardroom steward
Edward Gala, (mulatto) Storage cook.
These unquestonably the material facts attending
this attempt to seize upon national ship and convert her
into pirate, ana the consequent prompt and just punish
ment OF the ringleaders. What adds greatly TO the ds
graceful character this dangerous and daring attempt to
obtain possession Of national vessel the fact that one
oil the officers ship devised and the head OF the
projected mutny; and when bear in mind that spen
informed tnat COn1erdte AT the lslts
Pines where the Somers had been and that his chief
confederates Cromwell and Small shipped board after
Spencer had joined there be reasonable doubt but
the mutiny was arranged in this port What confirms TINS
supposon the fact ascerained that Spencer de-
cared before his departure that he would return 10
this city, and the passage assumed be able tell
mems fortunes and assured his ellowmidshpmen the
Storage that they lad not long to live words which at
the time were treated as badnage but which were doubt
less based upon ledge of his desperate schemes
All the petty officers who RENAME true to their flag
have in the most exemplary manner and the ser
Jeant OF Marines whose name has escaped u.s. LETT the
sick report the day the muny discovered and per
formed his duty daily until his arrival in port when he
was conveyed to the hospital seriously and ILL.,
OF the conduct OF Captain Mckenzie and his brother
ofhces there can b. but opinion Like all who enter
the naval service they well that their PROBES
sion necessarily subjects them be placed positions far
more trying than the hurra and excitement of battle and
never have known instance when prompt and de-
csve action imPeiousy called for in this
he faithful discharge of their duty to the country and to
the men placed under their care; and above ALL their duty
TO the whole maritime world required that the object of
the muneers should be frustrated They could not pos
siby discover how far the infection had extended the
most implicated would have been the first assert their in
nocence and the most pstotc in their professions and il
had been attempted to bring home Spencer and his two
principal associates who could determine that the men
selected 10 guard them already of their party
ready JON III OF their guilt there no question as
was fully admitted and the punishment for their crime is
distinctly prescribed in the act of 1901, which makes
capital offence to be cognzan of an intended mutiny
without giving information of it. How then could Capt.
Mckenzie and his brother officers have been justified in
attempting to bring home these prs merely for the
q
spirit Of the law called for their execution and the good
OF the service the safety OF commerce. and the lives OF
Of men women and children demand
ed that these men should be cut Off and thus the POSSIBLE
y OF their succeeding in their horrd purposes forever
frustrated
Theirs was position the most trying to high minded
gallant and merciful men. They called upon to
assume the most awful responsibility that can devove
upon man and thank God they themselves equal
TO the great emergency in which they were placed
There were but two commissioned officers board and
the law requires five to constitute court martial 1t be-
came the duty therefore, of the commander to decide up
on the fate OF the guilty wretches and although he had
right to call upon his brother officers for their opinions
yet devolved upon him to act His the responsible
ity and in the full view Of his duties officer
and Christian Captain Mackenzie fearlessly and faith
fully discharged what he deemed his duty his govern
mcnt to those under his command, and to the maritime
world.
That there will be individuals found DESTROYS
questioning the correctness of these do not
doubt but the good and intelligent in every condition in
ehose who reflect upon the position in which Capt.
Mackenzie was placed, and what would have been the
consequences of had the horrible purpose of Spen
Ger and his comrades being consummated-cannot for
moment hesitate TO awardt to him the highest praise Let
the mind for single moment picture TO itself the conse-
quences to the crews and passengers OF packet ships
the Somersthe fastest vessel in servce-fully
manned and equipped, praca brig under the
command of such Spencer, laying in wait for,
and nerceptng vessels between this port and Europe
Let them imagine the horrors which would have resulted
from the contamination of his helish purpose-and then
If they let them condemn those wins have fearless
y discharged most painful duty and assumed the pow
to carry into effect the spirit Of laws when in
sition where its forms could not be complied with
But we have no apprehension with regard to public
opinion being Just what should be but we look out with
anxiety to the action OF our Government. This is a
which loudly calls for the deliberate action Of Congress
TO render wholesome exampleto Navy in all times
70 come FIRST as VIII De the case let Court
of Inquiry Immediately be oreredto invests the cir
cumstances of the intended nutiny and their report
such cannot doubt it will be, let every officer and
seaman OF the somers who remained true to his flag
ceive the thanks OF Congress, accompanied with promo
ton sword to the officers and appropriate medal
each of the petty officers and seamen. And to Mr.
he 81 a eiil
ta evidence of the appreciation of his conduct be
ted in way which shall prompt others in all future time
to emulate his patriotism and devotion to the stars and
stripes.
Wecan feel for, and sympathise with Captain McKen
ze the peculiar position he occupies for the rightu
exercise Of fearful responsibility but he and his friends
should find their consolation the conviction that he
noby discharged his duty under the most trying cTcum
stances and in the deliberate opinion OF his fellow citizens
who have heard the facts of the case perceive in his
conduct nothing but the development of qualities which
will render his and fame dear every American
as is the reputation of the Navy itself.
We would for various reasons, say little as possible
OF the youth who has justly met his fate hut it well
known that he bad fellow, and that when he joined
the Somers he had been sent home from the Brazil Squad
ron by Commodore Morris, under a solemn promise that
brought before Court Martial 1t apparent that he had
the head plan and the hand to execute any crme and
thereis consequently, no cause to regret his fate.
Capt Mckenzie, accompanied by all his officers and
crew, attended Divine service on Sunday at Brooklyn
TO return thanks to allwe Providence for their
cape from the dangers which they have been exposed
The mutny, believe, discovered to Captain
Mackenzie the goth OF November and the culprits
ecuted on the st Dec. This sad alternative have
TO suppose, expedited by movement among the
disafected which looked like an attempt at
The following is list of the officers OF the Somers
when she sailed from this port =
Observation-Disclosures.
Lieutenant-G ansevoort.
Sailing Master--M. c. Perry.
Assistant Surgeon--R. w. Lincock
Midshipmen-Henry Rogers, Egbert Thompson, Chas
W. Hayes.
Acting Midshipmen-A. Delonde, Phi. Spencer, John
Tiotson.
Clerk-O. II. Perry.
Purser's Stewart. w. Wales
New ENGLAND SocIETY.-A very important con.
troversy is atpresent agitatlng, with unexampleo
violence, this highly respectable society. The
subject of discussion is the proPrety of permitting
the use of wine their approaching annual festi.
val. BY the cold water party the admission of the
oil: