Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-12-26

who werc c1nsPIaiors, had bccn secured, AMI lheif Fng
leader tried aud executed.
Spencer was only about nineteen years of are, and re
ceived his warrant as a inidslipnan o. The 2iith OF No
yenibefISi2. Like ltisbr5iher, who Ii muei IN The p1pcrssi
largely i1f his misconduct sJInc months agj. he las been
Il sad fellow from his %b,yhood. We presume that oilicla
accounts Of this astounding affair VIII he speedily given,
WHEN more vi It's particulars will be- spread before The
public. II has been thus lar kept secret here, We pre-
sd.ne, In order that II might not first reach the ear Vi his
p1rents through the columns Of the press.
The unhappy young man was last spring attached to
the Brazilian squadron. Having np1n thai st,llun con
United sitne offence fJf which he v as arrested and would
doubtless have been cashicred, the afilr was conprOinls-
ed by sending him home under a pledge that upon his ar
6yal ~ The United States he would Immediately resign
lliis pledge was not kept-aad being IN commission, lac
was ordered 10 the Sbmets, on board which vessel h.,
bflel aud sad career has been ended, under tho clrcun-
stances already related.
The muilneers were unfortunate in having snch a coin.
maai"r 10 rise upon AS Commander Mackenzie. 1hangI
ol "A humane and exemplary Christian character, lhtr,
IS not an oHiter IN the service Of more frmne,s of pur
pose, orgreater lnfl aXlblIty OF decislon.-lhe prompt
ness ol his measures proved AT once his coolness aud In.
t%rrpdIty; aud though the alternative was dreadful, Ia,
example was necessary.
We trcin5Ie at the thought oftte frighifnl scene.
that would have ensuod had the conspiracy been success,
inl.
Wocan but repeat the deep sympathy we feel for hi,
douJly bereaVed plrents, and his wide and most respec
''''' NV VI - hNit
TIE TRAGEDY on BOARD THE SOMERS
Tho .naaisonian 9f he 20h inst. has he loNo,riag:
"Ne are authorized 10 say that a full account ii Inc
circumstances OF this distressing case has not vet beer
received at the Navy Department. The Secretary q
the NiFy has expressed NJ opinion upon the subject
aud has taken no oil nal action in regard 10 il. lie L
waiting Tor farther accounts, which h. expects To re-.
.s..s - noXt mail. An ofi nal statement viii i,
given as soon as the necessary materials fr ffmin. il
shall be furnished"
The MldisInian contains a mmanicaton, sionet
IS winch appears to assume, that from papers alr.ad,
transmitted by Commander Mackenzie, The execution
was altogether unnecessary Tor the safety of the vessel
II Is alleged that the execution took place four DAYS atte
the discovery Of the plot, aud the arrest aud confine-
mont On double irons, } oftlo leaders thai when ever,
Hung AMI person On board was perfectly quiet, after iouI
dayso cntlfe security, the three persons were, by ordcl
oil Mackenzie, hung at the ya,J-arm at md day.
II states that the only account owen by Spencer him.
-e't Is, that II was all a Joke, rrmarking, that If this car
appear, the laws will no doubt be indicated.
Tho writer giyes the following relative To the law o
Congresa on the subject The laws of Congress PIE
scrlbing the Navy regulations, forbid the lakinr of TN
man lilr, even by the sentence of a court marital. bei1r,
which all parties are hfard, without the sanction Of III,
President Of the United States, or, if without III,
| nllcd States, Of the Commander Of the fleet or squad
ron. lhis i. believed To be the first Instance in on
history IN which the law has been y~illatcd-ihe first il
which prlsoncrs-not oi the enemy. but of our own Cit
zens, have been put To death IN cold blood"