The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-22
The somers Trag edy.

nR. EDIToR,-
! am sorry to perceive that you have, by the act
Il transterrlngl 1t TO your columns, in degree
torsed the said stuff that appeared in the Courier
Enquirer" yesterday in relation to the attempt at
mutlny, and the executions at the yard board
the u 5. brig Somers. should not have believed
that so fat trashy and mschievous an attack could
have received the countenance from you which is
indicated by its introduction into your paper.
In addressing you have no intention Of entering
into particular examination OF the article in ques
ton, or the horrible affair to which it relates. But,
SIR, do trust that you will not be found among
those who. by course OF compliments, praise, and
iulsome adulaton to the commander OF the Somers,
(uide the Courier statemenD are attempting TO
make up the judgment Of the public before the trans
action receives Judicial investigation. For my part,
doubt not that Commander Mckenzie is possessed
OF his full share OF viruous and Christian principles,
but l cannot admit that these qualities have any
connection with the terrible proceedings adopted
by him, or are what the slightest justification OF
them can be grounded upon.
II would not be amiss, perhaps, to look into the
subject little further than the mere distinguishing
qualities Of Commander Mckenzie are concerned.
The highest handed measure that has ever occurred
IN our naval service, or perhaps In any other, has
been Deliberately as 1 DaI wbou
having received the semblance Of a trial Had they
been shot down in the act of mutinying the affair
would have assumed a more favorable aspect; but
to have been formally and ANONYMOUSLY executed
when there seemed to have been no movement to
violense-no overt act of mutiny-was indeed a
terrible measure, and most dangerous precedent
II it can be justified, let it be by the tribunals of
justice, and not by such prosey, partial versions
appeared in the Courier 81 Enquirer" What
possible foundation had you for suggesting that the
statement was furnished by one of the officers of
the Somers! For my part, entertain too favora-
bic an opinion of our navy officers, to suppose that
one ofthem could be found to indite so foolish an
article about himself and his commander. Yet it
must be admitted that there is exhibiteda spice OF
selfshness (as well as mpudeIce) in the following
Yofe m hat chn ha fna III
Congress on the OCCASION" Let every officer and
seaman Of the Somers who remained true to his
flag receive the thanks of Congress-, accompanied
with promotion sword to the officers, and an
appropriate medal TO each OF the petty officers and
Such effrontery as this, Mr. Editor, should receive
a prompt and severe rebuke. What officers to be
rewarded with promotion and swords, for not be-
traying their trusts, and becoming mutneers, pi-
rates, and nSurderers! Our gallant tars to receive
the thanks OF their country, and signal rewards
from her, for not valnously uniting with conspI-
rators TO rob her OF her property, and rob and MUIR
der her ctlzensl But as this is the most ridiculous
part OF the article, will permit il to pass, with the
mere additional comment, that | should sincerely
regret 10 have our truly gallant and respectable navy
injured by so injudcious and childish production
which the officers are mentioned belonging to the
Somers. We find one designated as being of such
a town-two others sons, and another. nephew,
of such and such persons What possible occasion
is there for such designations or what possible in
terest does the public feel in theml+
Now am one OF those, sir, who do not believe
that there is the chance for successful nu
tiny on board of vessel Of war, when she deserves
the character Of such, by being properly differed
and disciplined. / know nothing of the condition
OF the Somers' crew; they may have been under
healthful discipline, but then there was no success
(u mutny on board of her Bad, indeed, must be
the discipline, and discordant the materials TO
der possible a subugation OF the Commanders au-
honty by the crew. MI.
friend at my elbow suggests that the writer of the
Courier article which side his bread buttered