New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-20
THE TRlBUN NE.
The scmers NEu,iny.

tailed, and we presume a correct, account OF the
horrible attempt at mutiny on board the U. S. brig
Somers, which for some days past has strongly
agitated the public mind. The Editor states that
although not official it may be relied as actually
embracing most of the particulars of Commander
MAcKEszIE's report to the Secretary OF the Navy:
though he wishes questions asked as to the
source whence he obtained his information The
following is the narrative from that paper-whch
we copy at length, knowing that the most intense
interest is felt in the matter by cur readers in COM
mon with the whole community:
The Somers sailed from this port about three
months since, with crew of eighty apprentices,
eighteen ordinary seamen, and orderly sergeant
Of marines who acted master-at-arms. She
was commanded by Master Commandment SLIDELL
MACKENZIE, well known to the Navy as one of our
most exemplary officers, and to the literary world,
as the author of" A Year in Spain" Her officers
consisted Lieut. GANsEyooRr of Albany, and five
or six MidshiPmen, among whom was PHILIP
SPENCER, son of the Secretary of War, and two
sons of Commodore PERRY.
Having delivered the dispatches with which he
was charged to the commanding officer on the
coast of Africa, Capt. Mackenzie sailed for this
port, with the publicly avowed intention of touch
og at ST. Thon1as for provisions previous
ing on our coast at this season of the year. day
or two previous to December 1st, and when the
vessel was within about FIVE or six hundred miles
ofSt. Thomas, Midshipman Spencer limited part
Of his plans to Mr.. Wales, the Purser's Steward
VINO affected hearty coo peraton, took oath Of
secrecy, &c, which Spencer administered to him,
when he made more fully acquainted with the
plan of the mutineers. They had arranged to raise
sculfe on the forccastle mig hit after leaving
ST. Thomas, while the deck was in charge Of Mid
shipman Rogers, nephew of tho late Com. John
Rogers and when the men engaged in it would of
course be ordered aft to account for the cause OF
the disturbance, and Mr.. Rogers thus engag
edsthcy were to seize, gag and throw him over
board, with as little noise possible. Spencer
was then to the cabin and kill Capt. Mac
kenze; and others were appointed to be stationed
at the main hatch, through which the crew must
pass to get on deck, and at the seerage hatch
through which all the officers except the Captain
must pass All the officers, except the Surgeon,
we're to be murdered and thrown overheard; and
the crew, who were below, were to be mustered or
deck The two after guns were TO be pointed for
ward, TO secure the mutneers from an attack, and
such of the crew who had not yet joined but who
then elected to cone in with them were to be ad
nitted, while the others were to be thrown over
board.
They were then to get out all the beats and
tighten the vessel; after which they to make
for the Isle Of Pines, achere they to meet
confederate. They were then To cruise in search
of merchant vessels, trading between this port
and Europe; which, after being plundered, and
the males on board killed. were to be indiscrimi-
patey sunk; and if there CHANGED to be any te-
males. they were to be taken on board the Som
ers, aiolated, and retained 50 long as the pirates
might desire, when they also were to be commit.
ted to the deep The arrangements for the dl-
rision Of the spoils, the allotment Of the females
the various offices board, &c. were all complet-
3D. and drawn up in detail in Spencer's hand-wrlt-
ing; and he assured Mr. Wales that he had twen-
ty of the crew with him sure.
From the moment Spencer made the above cir
cumstances known to Mr.. Wales, he was watched
with Argus eyes by Samuel Cromwell, boatswain 5
mate, and Elisha Small seaman, who were the
principal ring leaders with Spencer, and who
threatened to throw him overheard, the moment
they saw the least detection in him, or had the
least cause to suspect that he had made or intend
ed to make any disclosures TO any person.
Mr.. Wales not daring to communicate with
Capt Mackenzie, MAIDS all the circumstances as
detailed by Mdshipman Spencer, known to the
Purser, who promptly conveyed the intelligence
10 Capt. Mackenzie, when measures were lmme-
da,ely taken to ascertain the truth OF the case
SpeRcers papers were thereupon examined, ana
all the details of their plans as narrated by Wales,
rere tllly confirmed. Spencer, Cromwell and
! Small, were then secured, and all hands being
| mustered on deck, Capt. Mackenzie addressed
them on the subject of the proposed mutiny, ap-
prsng them that all the plans OF the mutlneers
had been discovered and frustrated, and warning
them OF the consequences of any similar attempt.
Capt Mackenzie then addressed a circular let
Ter to each of the officers on board the vessel, eX-
cep, the acting Midshipmen, requesting their
opinion as to the course of conduct which should
be pursued towards Spencer and the two men who
had been arrested with him. Each one returned
for answer that they deserved immediate death,
and Capt Mackenzies opinion conciding with
that of his officers it was determined 30 carry the
punishment into immediate execution. All hands
were accordingly called to witness punishment
Whips were then rove into each end OF the Tore
yard arm and one on the inner part OF the yard.
The prisoners were then brought on ueck ana IN
formed OF the punishment about to be executed
upon them. Small at once fully confessed MS
fault and asked most pententiy the forgiveness oil
his commander and the officers, winch was at once
accorded TO him He then obtained peTmlssionto
address the crew, which he did, warning them
against permitting themselves ever to be seouced
as he had been, into the commttal otthe crime Tor
winch he was about to suffer death.
Spencer asked respite of TEN MINUTES for him
self and companions in guilt, in order that they
might prepare TO die. This scas granted, and !
he asked If he ,cishcd to tsrite to lbs father
or mother; bit he replied that HE DID NOT. He |!
then acknowledged his gait and she jusGce Of
has punishment, and remarked that he would rather
meet such death there Cat sea) than to be sub
lected 10 the intamy OF exposure on shore The |