Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-22
ON BOARD THE soMERs


THE TRAGEDY ON BOARD THE SOMERS.
The friends Of young Spencer, who executed, to-
geshsr with two scsmen. the LIST inst, would have been
country require in such cases. and would have trusted to
that justice which tribunals award ali entitled the
protection Of the Constitution and laws Of the country.
Various Publications have however appeared in the New
York psp~u, and copied into paper Of extensive crcu
lation the Seat Of Government giving OF the
Transaction the materials for which, the versions them
selves obviously furnished by officers who had
hand in the bloody deed This evident from their
tanning facts which could be known only those Of
hceu-but perverted, exaggerated and inespcrsed
with much sumisc, and much downright faschood,
evincc the deep felt make Of the first inn
precision on the public mind An awful responsibility
those officers and above all their commander. With
the least desire render that responsibility hszar
dous than il is, il is still deemed Of simple and
papers transmitted by Commander Mackenzie show these
facts
lsi That Acting Midshipman Spencer put double
the IS Of November and the Boatswains mate
Samuel Cromwell and Elisha Small the day fol-
lowing, n charge Of intended mutiny.
Cd. That disorder Of muinous character appeared
among the for the four succeeding days. that the
eel going good breezes and in good weather
wards the island OF 81 Thomas where actually arrived
and took in supplies day between the LIST and 5h
ofDcccmber.
3D. That on the 30th Of November the opinion of the
officers required by Commander Mackenzie the
disposition o the prisoners that they appear have
amined thirteen witnesses prove the alleged
muny, (and who therefore supposed innocent of
participation in it, which examination had the
giving them opportunity to the witnesses
make any explanations defence procure any
testimony in their behalf. These officers, without
the form Of court without the obligation of oat
and upon this parte secret information, united in the
opinion that the safety of the vessel required that the p
should be put death How this recommends
ton influenced by the acts the fears OF Mr. Mac
kenze, does not appear
4ih That the LIST of December when every thing and
person board the vessel perfectly quiet after
days Of entire security the three persons by the
OF Mackenzie, hung at the yard-arm at midday.
The allegation in some of the papers, that il proved
have been the intention of the their
project 1rivng ST. Thomas, is wholly destitute of
any evidence And had been their design, eec
uay justified far these prisoners concerned by
their confinement At ST. Thomas, of the might
have been left and the power of the officers Of the vessel
strengthened TO any extent that necessary.
The statement in the lnteligencer copied apparently
from the New York American, that Spencer violated
engagement formerly made resign, have been
deemed necessary prejudice the public mind against
him. that those who slew him might have a favorable
hearing 1t is untrue he did resign, and the Secretary of
the Navy, the recommendation of his commanding Off
GER considering the nature and circumstances of the Of
fence (inebriation restored his warrant, with strong ad
moniton; and this done whou, the solicitation of any
of his friends His age represented in the paper
have been 90. Had he lived he would have been 10
the 2Sth January
As TO the probability that such a boy-utterly un-
acquainted with navigaton-brough up the interio ,
would seriously endeayor seduce mutiny an old
who had arrived the rank of boaswain's mate and
who represented to have been employed heretofore
board SLAYER or prate-an impartial tribunal before
which both sides will be heard will determine.
The idea OF the mutncers cruising off Sandy Hook
tercept the packets have been thrown for the
special benefit of the merchants of New York The papers,
such as they are, contain no such information.
The only account have given by Spencer himself is
that all Joke If it shall appear been the
mere romance of needless boy, amusing himself it is
true in dangerous manner, but still devoid of such
derous designs imputed, and the of him
and two seamen against Of whom, least, there is
not particle of evdence should prove have been
the result OF unmanly fear, of despotic temper and
wholly unnecessary the time repress prevent
tny- all this appear, it cannot be doubted that the
laws will be INDICATED. The laws of Congress prescrib
ing the Navy regulations, forbid the taking human life
even by the sentence of martial before which all
parties heard, without the sanction of the President
the United States, if without the United States of the
commander Of the fleet squadron. This believed to
be the first instance in history in which the law has
been vioated-the frsi in which prisoner-no of the
enemy, but of citizens, have been put death
cold blood.
These remarks made TO excite prejudice but to
repel the attempt and enable the American
People to what mighty principles involved in this
unheardo proceeding. Let justice be done let il be
denied because OF the victims connected with
high functonary Of Government because another is
unknown and has friend relation the face of the
earth And let oppobum be heaped upon the
of the dead justify the bloody deeds Of the l-
ing. S.