The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-28
From the Neu- York Journal of Commerce.
A MOST HORRIBLE AFFAIR."

\
1t turns out that events of a most appal-
ling character occurred on board the U. S.
brig Somers, on her voyage home from AZ
RIGA, which were not disclosed by the officers
on her arrival, because it was thought best
, that the publication should be made by the
Government. Such things cannot, howev-
or, be kept secret. The Somers is very
| fine sailer, has ten guns, and crew of a.
bout twenty able men and forty apprentice
boys, making with the officers, some seven
ty-ive persons on board.
Shortly before the brig arrived at st.
Thomas where she put in to water, it came
to the knowIedg of 1t. Commandant Mack
enzie, that mutiny was in preparation on
board, headed by Midshipman Spencer,
son of the Hon. Secretary of War. Spen-
Ger was thereupon arrested, and pa
pers were found upon him, signed by such
u number of the crew as would have been
able to carry on: the plan by surprise
The obligations they had entered into,were
of the most desperate kind.
They had sworn that they were not a.
! fraid of blood that after the brig had been
watered and was prepared for a cruise they
now would rise, take possession of her, and
kill every officer except the surgeon, who
might be necessary for them; that they
would then proceed off the Hook of New
York harbor, and capture the homeward
bound packets, which they expected would
contain large sums of specie. Ofthe peo-
pie on board the captured vessels, they swore
that no one should be left to tell tales.
After these horrible disclosures, Court
Martial was held upon Spencer and those
most prominently connected with him. 1t
was impossible to know how far the con-
tamination had spread, though it had EVIL
IDENTIFY spread TO n most, dangerous extent.
To crush it at all hazards, was lndispensa-
bic.
The Court Martial determined that MOTH
ing short of the PROMPT execution of the
ringeaders would ensure the safety of the
ship. Spencer and two petty officers were
thereupon ordered to be HUNG ON THE YARD
ARM, phich was done forthtcith, and such
other measures taken as entirely frustrated
the diabolical plan. The brig now lies at
the Navy Yard, with all hands on board, all
intercourse with the shore being forbidden.
The full details it is impossible to obtain,
at present they will be fraught with terri
Bile interest. Lieutenant Mackenzie is &C.
ted for his kind and christian character, but
great firmness in the duties of his Office
Such an occurrence, we are happy to say,
is new in our Navy, and not likely to be
soon repeated. We shudder at the scenes
which would have been enacted in our wa
tiers if this conspiracy had accomplished its
design.
Spencer was about 19 years of age, and
received his warrant as midshipman on the
Goth November, Is4l. Most sincerely do
we sympathize with the afflicted family of
which he was a member.
Mutiny On board y. S. Brig Of VAR
We received information yesterday of
most important transaction on board the U.
S. Brig of War Somers, Capt. Mckenzie,
which our readers will recollect arrived at
this port on "wednesday last from the Coast
of Africa, where she had been cruising for
some months, in order 10 protect American
merchant vessels from the interruption of
British cruisers searching for slaves. The
Somers left Liberia on The lth of Novem-
Der and touched at ST. Thomas on her
voyage hither. She left St. Thomas on the
9Th of December; and GU that day the Cap
tain observed disorderly movements among
the crew, which excited his suspicious of
intended mutiny. He saw nothing definite,
however, or sufficient 10 warrant the arrest
of any. He contenied himself, therefore.
with ordering all of his officers TO wear their
side EARNS, and proceeded on his voyage.
He had been out but two days when some
of the crew informed him of the existence
of plot on board, which was Immediately
to be put in execution. The plan was to
murder the Captain, the higher o6fcers AMI
all others ,cho aoOuM not join them,-to
seize the Vessel and conUert her into a pirate
ship. She is one of the swiftest sailers in
the service: and it was thus supposed that
she would be most completely fitted for the !
purpose to which thew designed she should
be applied. They intended first TO watch |
for some of the Liverpool packets-expect'
ed 10 bring out large quantity of specie
10 seize upon and plumber her and then sail
for some more remote portion of the sea.
This information was given to the Captain
by one of those who had been originally en-
III tIiOt, t'ut iidu subsequently IG
pented and betrayed their murderous de.
sign.
This was on the 7,h of December. The
Captain immediately ordered all hands on
deck, and ordered those of the crew who
were opposed to him 10 go upon the for.
ward deck. Passed Midshipman SPENCER,
son of John C Spencer, our Secretary Of
War, the Boatipain's Mate, and the Mas
ter at Arms, Immediately led the tcay, and
were followed by thirteen apprentices, and
about six of the crew. They arrayed
themselves upon the deck, without doubt
supposing that they would be followed by a
great proportion of the crew Capt. Nc
Kenzie instantly ordered them TO be put in
irons. They were shakeled and securely
confined.
In the evening Court Martial was sum
moned, Spencer and his two companions. as
the three ring.leaders, were tried, conrict-