New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-30

injuries concerning the isle of Pines. lhe Lieu
,enant told him that he believed it was place muca
freoueuted by Pirates, and drily asked him II ne
had asy acouaintances there Spencer passed the
day sulealy and was often observed TO examining
pager, and writing with pencil. and making
rings with his penknife. Lieut.. Gansevoort soon
after made some excuse for following HIM 70 the
forerop when he found him engaged IN working
some love devices upon his arm. He expressed
desire 10 learn the rate of the Chronome,er, and
,vas referred to the Master of Marines. He was
fresuently seen engaged in holding secret confer.
ences with Boa,swain Cromwell and Small, ana
was known to have given money to different per,
SONS Of the crew He had also incited the steward
70 steal brandy, which he had given to the crew.
and with which he had once or twice got drunk
himself.
Capt Mackenzie thought it due to the ward.
room officers to state the circumstances connected
with their having brandy on board. When the
vessel was FIRST equipped, told the hrst Lieuten-
ant that it was my desire that no liquor should be
used in the steerage of The vessel; and gave as
reason for this that the obligations of hospitality
always fell upon the Captain and his under ofcers,
and that upon such occasions all should have their
share. This hint bad its intended effect, and
never had occasion TO use conpuislon. knowing
that Lieutenant Gan,evoort viewed the matter IN
the same light, did not interfere with the ar
rangements of the ward-room; and II | had dene
so it would only have been in the way OF friendly
advice. 1t now appears that when the vessel was
oredred to the Coast of Africa supply of brandy
had been ordered on board by some who had pre-
vousy been on the same voyage, and who thought
it would be good defence against the malaria of
that coast. BY accident, as then thought, but
by design, as subsequent develoPements have made
probable, the steward ordered the brandy from two
different grocers, so that double the quantity re-
quired was brought on board. None of this was
used by the mess or by any others than Spencer
and those whom he cndeuvored to corrupt.
Spencer had the faculty of throwing his lower
jaw out of joint and of thus playing with it a va
riety of musical airs; and he frequently found
thus amusing the crew. In his intercourse with
me he was servile to the last degree; but among
the crew learned that ne was loudly and bias
phemously vituperative against me, and that ne
had often abused me in the most outrageous and
violent terms, and declared that it would give him
real pleasure to roll me overheard from the round
top. | found that he had drawn a representation
| of black flag and asked members OF the crew
what they thought of it; that he had often said
the vessel could be easily taken that he had not
long before examined the palms of the hands OF
one of the rndshipmen, to tell his fortune, and had
|
These things induced me look back over all
! had heard or observed of the Somers. Whea
young Spencer 6Ist reported himself to me for
duty on board my vessel gave him my hand and
welcomed him on board. heard not long after
that he had been involved in difficulty when the
Brazil Station, and that he had been dismissed for
drunkenness. Upon hearing this | earnestly de-
sired his removal from my vessel-principally on
account of the young men | had with me; two OF
whom were connected with me by blood, two by
alliance, and four were entrusted to my especial
care. The circumstance of his connection with
high and distinguished officer of the Government,
by enhancing, if possible his baseness, increased
my desire to get rid of him.
On this point, beg that l may NOT be misun-
derstood. l revere authority, and in this Republ-
can country regard its exercise evidence
| of genius, intelligence and virtue. But Ihaue no
respect for the base son of honored father.
| On the contrary, the conduct of that who sui
lies by his crimes the pure fame and the high
| honor Of his parent to be far more
base than equally guilty from an humber sta
ton. But wish nothing to do with baseness in
any shape least of all on board vessel belong
ing to the United States. On this account wished
{ to get rid of Spencer. Tive others soon after
joined the vessel, and thus seven were obliged to
occupy the space fitted only for FIVE. had heard
| that Spencer had expressed willingness TO be
transferred and hoped that he would now consent.
On reaching this point of the narrative, the
Judge Advocate found it impossible to proceed,
from mistake which had dsoccurred the arrange
ment Of the sheets. Tho reading was therefore
| suspended for the time being.
Capt. STEWART suggested the propriety Of
not proceeding farther with the narrative, since
it was evident that the copy had not been
compared with the original; and he preferred that
its reading should be delayed until an authentic
copy should be received.
The Judge Advocate said that it would be
safer course to do so; and it was resolved upon.
| The officer announced that the officers of the
Somcrs were all present, and brought forward MIR.
WALES for examination.
Tho Judge Advocate suggested that the whole
statement of Capt. Mackenzie ought to be made bs-
fore any witness should be examined. He said
that Capt. NJ was supposed not to know whether
any parI of his statement would be contradicted
not and if he should first present The whole of it
he wsuld be liable 70 whatever contradiction should
af,erward appear. But if only part of it should
be read, and then the postponed till after the
examination of witnesses, this rule would be vi
olated
The President Of the Court thought Capt. Mac
kenzie could withhold whatever part Of the state
ment he chose.
Com. Dallas in favor of suspending pro-
ceedings until the rest of the statement should be
read.
Capt Mackenzie said that half an hour would