The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-29
Court OF Inquiry ON board the North
FIRST DAY.-WEpNEsDAY.


Carolina, at present lying off the Navy Yard, Brook
yn. The Court is composed of the following mem
bers;-
Commodore CHARLES STEWART, President.
Commodore JACOB JONES, Associate.
Commodore ALEX. J. DALLAS, do.
Hon. OGDEN HOFFMAN, Judge Advocate.
Mr.. Hoffman, administered the oath prescribed
by Congress 10 Commodore Stewart and his asso
ciates and the Judge Advocate was then, in hi
turn, sworn to the due discharge of his duties, b!
the President of the Court.
The order from the Secretary of the Navy autho
rising the constitution of the Court was then reat
by the Judge Advocate. II directed the commits
stoned officers named in il, to meet con board the
North Carolina, on Wednesday, the 18th December
or as soon after practicable, for the purpose of in
curing into all the circumstances connected
with the late attempted mutiny on board the United
States brig Somers, on her passage home, and the
conduct of COMMANDER Mckenzie, in causing tn
execution of Philip Spencer, Midshpman Samuel
Cromwell, boatswain's mate and Elijah H. Small
seaman" The Court officially required to re.
port all the facts and circumstances of the case md
deliver their opinion these facts, as well as on
the necessity of the execution of the aforesaid par
ties"
Commodore STEWART then asked-Is Cartan Nc
kenZle presentl
Captain Mckenzie, in full uniform, then stepneo
forward TO the table at which the members OF the
Court were seated. lie Is man OF fine nteeotu-
al and amab!e countenance, and is apparently about
forty years OF age. He is TALL and thin and his
whole appearance is decidedly prepossessing His
manner was singularly composed and dignified ms
entire demeanor indicative OF calm but decided
resolution
Commodore STEWART inquired il Captain McKen-
ze had prepared any report, did he intend produ-
cling the log book OF the Somers
MCkEyZlE-l wrote report which forwarded to
the Secretary OF the Navy, and Of it have a copy
Commodore STEwART remarked that he had
not received any papers from the Secretary of the
Navy.
Mr.. HoFFMAN-The probability is that the papers
have been forwarded, but have not yet reached the
city. forwarded 10 the Secretary my acceptance
OF the appointment as Judge Advocate on this oc-
cason, on Saturday last, and Il must have been re-
celved In Washington on Sunday. The mail from
Washington has not yet reached here, and it is
likely that the necessary documents will be received
to-day at O'Clock.
Commodore DALLAS Is there no list of witnesses
in possession of the Court?
Commodore srEwARr-Has Captain Mckenzie
got his Witnesses ready?
McKENzlE-I wrote TO the Secretary two DAYS
ago, asking the presence of four officers at present
in Norfolk, and all my other witnesses are in readi-
ness with the exception of two who are at Geneva
of course, COUNSEL but for the purpose of taking
down the evidence?
Com. STEwARr-Certainly, sir
The JUDGE ADVOCATE here said that he was I'M
prepared to go on, he had not yet received his in
structions. He would rather have the court adjourn
ed until Tomorrow, before which the documents
now wanting would have, in all probability, arrived
He wished TO know if Mr.. Gansevoort was in town!
MCkENZIE-He is on board The Somers
Mr.. HOFFMAN again remarked that the papers had
probably been forwarded, but had failed TO reach
New York this morning, but would be received at
O'clock
Com. STEWART was disposed to think that some
mistake had occurred In not enclosing them to him
IN the communication which he had received from
the Secretary
Some conversation then took place amongst the
members OF the Court, and 1t was at length deter
mined 10 adjourn until tomorrow.
Before the adjournment took place, Mr. Hoffman
inquired OF the President at what hour il was in
tended TO open the Court, and Com. Stewart re-
Piled at ii O'Clock.
Mr.. HoFFMAN-As all my correspondence must be
attended TO In the morning, and as my engagements
are numerous and PRESSING fear ii will not be pos
slble for me to attend so early.
Com. STEwARr-Well, sir, we can meet at half
past eleven and sit till haf-past three.
The Court accordingly adjourned till Tomorrow
at haltpast eleven o'clock.
The arrangements on board the North Carolina
at the late Court Martial. Ample accommodation
is provided for the press Amongst the officers pre-
sent, besides the members of the Court, we noticed
Commodore Perry, Captain Gregory, Lieutenant
Ed, OF the Exploring Expedition, Lieutenant Hunt,
and half dozen others. There were not more
than ten or twelve citizens present. Amongst the
reporters of the public press, Stone, of the Com
mercidf, who was guilty of such disregard of
etiquette and the polite demeanor generally mani
tested by reporters that ii cannot be allowed TO pass
unnoticed.
After the adjournment of the Court had been an
nounced MIR. Stone, with characteristic effrontery,
rushed forward 10 the table, when the following Gu
rious scene occurred =
STONE, Gaping MIR. Hoffman on the shoulder,
and stretching out his hand for two three letters,
and the precept from the Secretary, lying on the
tabe)-Can't have these to copy
Mr.. HOFFMAN with polite bow and SMILEY mo,
slr-l am sorry that you cannot.
STONE (retreats scratching his head, and imme-
diately returning) says-Oh! you don't say SOL do
Commodore STEWART (wlth the least perceptible
feeing)-Slr, you cannot have these documents
you heard tnem read did you not and you were
at perfect liberty to take notes Of them Just the
other persons present had.
STONE (unabashed, sides up to Capt Gregory
On introduce me-lntroduce me.
Capt o.REGoRYlleadlng Stone up 10 the table again
and bowing 10 Commodore Stewar)-Alow me,
sir, to introduce Colonel Stone-Colonel Stone of
the Commercial. sir.
Commodore STEWART bowed cour;eously and
Stone deliberately helping himself TO the chair Just
moment before occupied by Captain Mckenzie
seated himself familiarly the side of Commodore
Stewart. aud commenced talking in his usual bus
tering manner The members Of the Court, how
ever, at this moment rose rom the table, and Stone
suuk of, his mpt rtnent breach Of repororia good
breeding having earned him only proper rebuke.
The proceedings to-day will be of the great
est interest, and we will give them in full up TO the
moment oil putting our evening edition to press.
The Somerslies Immediately adjoining the North
Carolina, compared with which she looks no bigger
than pilot boat. She is, however, a beautiful
crait and is the perfect model of fast sailer Her
contlgulty to the scene of the important nvestiga.
ton ssong on, does not, it will be ready'admited,
detract from the interest which they excite
The POLICE SYsrEM-A NEW PRoJEcr.-We find
that Alderman Lee offered the following resolution
at the last meeting Of the Board of Aldermen
Resolved, That the several police and law reporters
the daily papers be requested furnish this Board with
their views in writing, the abuses of the police svs
tenn, and the means of introducing remedy therefore
This is the right path If there be not sense
enough in the Common Councito devise new ant