Litchfield enquirer., 1842-12-29
YOUNG SPENCER, THE MUTINEER. 10 the Editsr of the Palladium:

Impelled, by reading an account in Sa- turday evenings paper, of the awful events that lately transpired on board of the U. s. Brig Somers, and the dreadful death of young Spencer and the other two ringlead. CTS of that mutiny and conspiracy, which, if it had been successful, would have been succeeded by the most horrid and revolting crimes that have ever blackened the page of the too many already bloOd-stained re- cords of piracy, has induced me to give a short history of this Spencer, the son of the Hon. John c. Spencer, Secretary of War;
 So much of the life of the late midshipman
 (not passed mieshipman as erroneou sly stated by some papers) Philip Spencer, as propose giving you, was repeated to me from his own lips, and l suppose coming from such a source, and not secOnd-handed to the writer of this article, (who was once his friend and messmate, and who cOntinu- ed and cherished the former term, until in- gratitude marked by foreclosures of cha racter, burst assunder the chords of amity, which in the beginning of his naval career had every seeming of being lasting,) can not be doubted.
 PHILIP SPENCER was born in Canandaigua, New York, and at the time of his awful death, was about l9 years of age - but in strength of mind, intelligence, literary att tainments and bold daring, was far, far be- yond his years. Nothing in his history of much interest is the writer aware of, until his college career. He was sent to Union College, Schenectady, but did not graduate, as his conduct there became so notorious that he was expelled, or had leave to absent himself. He returned to his friends where he remained some time. Being of a wand ering turn of mind, and fond of anything hop ho do nd pxyka11 he eloped from his home and went to New York concealing his percentage, he ship ped for a whaler fitted out at Nantucket, and (along with many others of kindred feeling, but not of that daring, reckless spi- rit, fearless alike of life or death,) was sent to the latter place in small schooner. The ship that he was to embark in not being ready, he remained some time on the island. During this time and previous to the gale of October, 194l, he volunteered to go out on the banks in small vessel for what the whalemen denominate Black Fish, and in that gale came near being lost, as many were at the time; as it was, they got back to Nantucket quite wreck. Here I told him that was surprised that he should ever think of adopting that hazardous life, sought only by those whom friends and fortune had discarded, and whose last, lingering star
 
 haps never to re-appear. He smiled at my at his deserting his happy, luxurious, and delightful home and now as look back, as often have since, think of that smile of Spencer-yes, as I now write, 1 can see him as distinct as the words l am penning -t that smile was not human The wild rolling of his eyes, told plain 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 would "like to harpoon whale and see the blood spilt," that he twas not afraid of danger, and liked an adventurous life."- The ship being ready to receive her casks, he was compelled, with many others, to work from morning till late at night in get ting them and her stores on board, being al- lowed only 30 minutes for their meals, which were of the coarsest kind, and only five hours rest at night1n miserable torecastle. in close communion with the dregs of New York streets. told him thought this ser- vile labor and hard living, would have sa- tistied his curiosity to see the world but no -the excitement was to come. In confor- nation of his assertions, he showed me his hands, and they, from their horny, hardened corroborated his statement of what he had undergone at Nantucket. Ha- wing disposed of his wardrobe, and replaced them by the coarse and homely garb of the whaler, he was ready, as was also the ship, in two days, to sail for their cruising grounds in the South Seas.
 In the interval of time from his disap- pearance from home to the time of our mar rative, his friends had by diligent enquiries found his whereabouts, and knowing his disposition, and his determi- nation at all hazards to go to sea, their inf1u- ence and his fathers position as one of the Cabinet at Washington. procured for him appointment which was sent with all dispatch to Nantucket, with des- cription of his person, &c.,, to the care of the owner of the ship. This and letter from his father, was placed in his hands, This prospect of a change from drudgery to a comparatively easy life, had not such effect on him as it would have had on most young men but by the earnest persuasions of the owner and captain, after learning who he was, he was induced by them to give a volunteer $3O to take his place in the ship. He came on to New York and was there fitted out by his uncle, Captain Spencer of the Navy, and by him introduced on board of the guard ship. North Carolina. His so- journ on board of that ship. (about4 4 months) was passed, as is much of the time of some other young men in like circumstances, in occasional, and am sorry to say, frequent dissipation, principally at night, but not un- frequently in the face of day. Here he committed an aggravated and unprovoked assault upon his superior officer, which was investigated by the commodore. in the cabin of that ship. in the presence of the uncle, Captain Spencer, and commander of the navy. The written report made by the in- suited officer to the Secretary of the Navy,