The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-31

"iuiih tneir Iedcn ii tney directed themselves 10 The
attainment OF professional acknowledgement the po-
sitions OF warrant officers and sailing masters were
within the reach OF all OF them, II they chose,
reputable stations in the merchant service-that
there was nothing to prevent them from obtaining
competency and even fortune. But l reminded
them that thew could rise only step by STEP and eve
ry step must be guided by fidelity and honor | call
ed their attention also 10 the case OF Cromwell He
had been a man of decent education, but
sensuaty and love of gold had Sc
duced him from rectitude. At first the bride of
S15, and afterwards the hope of obtaining his
share OF the treasure, alleged by Spencer to be on
board the brig, had led him to his ignomnous
death. There had been information received by
me of an anecdote related by VIM. Collins, the
third boatswains mate, andthe comments of rom
well, which thought proper to be related to the
men, and for that purpose | called Collins up and
made him repeat it. 1t was 10 the effect that Col
Inns, while on board an Indiaman, had discovered
keg Of treasure concealed in the vessel, but which
he did not touch, allowing 1t to go ashore. Crom
well laughed at his conduct, and said he would not
have been such a fool l told the men that they had
only to choose between the morality OF the two
men--Cromwell hanging at the yard-arm, and Col
Inns piping at his station. Small, | Likewise told
them, had been bred for better things He had re :.
ceivedsa good education, and had been officer
board amerchanman; but he could not resist brandy
and the hope OF gain, Though he had at last died in
vokng blessing on his country's flag. After the ex
ecution all hands were called to cheer ship. Never
were three heartier cheers given. In that electric
moment, doubt not that the patriotism even of the
worst of the consplrators broke forth for moment
felt ,cas again The commander of the ressel equal
to do amy thing oith her. noticed with PAIN that
many of the boys they looked TO the yard ARM
did so with laughter and derision. ] resolved to
bury Spencer with all the usual ceremonies of an
officers funeral. A substantial coffin was made
from two chests provided by the first lieutenant, and
orders were issued TO lay out the bodies. All the
Midphipmen cheeruly performed their duty in this
sad business Spencer was laid out in complete uni
form, with the exception of his sword. The bodies
OF Cromwell and Small were also laid out in the
usual manner. The bad taste of one of his mess
mates had bound the hands of Cromwell with
triotic hero who gave lustre to the name
of Somers, but which this man had so
dIsgraced, but it was not removed On the
forehead OF Cromwell sabre wound was dis
other wounds were found, thus showing that ne had
often been where wounds were given, and confirm
ing the report that he had formerly been pirate
sudden squall at this time sprung up, and 1t was
necessary to reduce sail. A tarpaulin was thrown
over the corpses. When the squall was over, the
body Of Spencer was placed in the coffin, those OF
the seamen in their hammocks, and placed in the
order OF theirrank. The procession line was then
formed with the ranks reversed Before the corpses
were lowered down, the night had already set in.
All the battle lanterns were therefore lighted, and
with the other lanterns were distributed to the
on the boems and the bows with their prayer books
The burial service was then read, and the bodies
committed to the deep. The whole was concluded
with that prayer so sngularly appropriate in Ii
turgy, tor the safety OF ships at see. On reading
Se To- bS the sss tor
tors, could not but humbly hope that the Divine
sanction would not be wan6ng to the solemn deed
OF that day: AS the last transaction connected
ing Sunday, the 4th Of December, after the laws of
Congress respecting the navy had, according to in
variable custom on the first Sunday OF the month,
been read, took occasion to make. some suitable
remarks from the circumstances OF the projected
mutiny. l pointed out how Spencer had despised
his early parental education; and that Small also,
as was evident from the writing of his mo-
Their in his Bible, had enjoyed the same
from SmalPs mother, in which she expressed her
qualification that spirits were allowed on board,
hadbeen made before Spencer joined the brig.
reminded them of the dying statements of Spencer.
that he had wronged many persons, especially his
parents. finally endeavored to impress on them
the duty of seeking the counsel and appreciation of
the Supreme Being said that they had given
cheers tor their flag, but that they should also give
cheers to their God, by singing to his praise and
reminded them that the only flag that could be rails
ed above that OF their country, was the banner of
the cross then ordered the Hundredth Psalm to
and crew. could not avoid contrasting this scene
with that which would have been presented had the
consplrators succeeded in their plans.
1.-THE narrative then terminated by streng recon-
mendatlOn OF all the officers to the favorable notice
OF the Navy Department Lieut.. Gansevoort was
particularly cOmplimened-so was Mr.. Wales,
and so was the assistant surgeon. Mr.. Wales
was recommended as worthy of the Office
of purser. All the credit which might accrue to
Commander Mckenzie in case of his justification
by the tribunal to whose ordeal he expected he
would be subjected was solicited for the benefit of
his nephew, o. fl. Perry, whom he recommended as
of Midshpman Spencer. Sergeant Carly was re-
commended for a second lieutenancy of marines
=" For myself" Captain Mckenzie concluded, 81
only wish that In whatever proceedings may be in
do nroAf L<~,,
ofmy country's flag, my own honor may meet with
due consideration. ask only that may not be de-
prived OF my command until be proved unworthy
of have the honor to be,
Your most obedient servant
ALEX. SLIDELL MCKENZIE.
JAMES w. WALES, purser's steward on board the So
mers then sworn-Was on board the somers on her
on board on the night of the 18th of November.
State all occurrences which took placer
W was standing when Spencer came to me, and after
step on the booms telling at the time that he had
something very important to communicate to me; &C
cordngy got on the top booms with him, when he
Immediately commenced the conversation by asking me
il was afraid of death; and Mr.. Spencer were then
alone; he asked me if feared dead man. and dare kill
person. very much surprised at these remarks and
looked up to see If he was joking but found he
much earnest and looking very seriousin what he sad
replied that was not particularly anxious to die quite
yet and had to fear dead person. and that did
man sufficiently abuse or insult me, could, thought
courage 10 XIII MIN necessary; Spencer
replied, don't doubt yeur courage at ALL know it.
Can you keep secretr he then asked, and will you
keep onol fso, take the OATH He dictated off OATH
cannot recollect the whole Of it, but it was that
should never communicate to any one the converse
ton between us; took the oath directed by Mr. spen
Ger.
Q-How was the oath administered BY Bible7
A-No, sir, by word OF mouth He then went on to say
that he was leagued with about twenty Of the briggs
pany to take her murder all her officers and commence
piracy the plans and stations OF the he had all
in secret writing and was in the back his neck
kerchief He requested me to feel for it and did
Com. pALLAs-Was it in the front back of the era
vat1
AIN the back part He then went to describe the
plan he meant to pursue. The ARRAY would commence
some night when he had the mid watch, of his
would get into fight the forcaste. He spencer]
10 bring them up to the mast and coll Mr. Rogers, the
master othe deck to settle the difficulty; Mr.
Rogers had got to the gang way they Immediately
to seize him and thrust him overheard they would then
have the vessel in their possesson the keys of the
nest lie that he could at