The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-20

The above four were brought home in irons. AT
ter the brig was moored off the Navy Yard, Brook
Ign, all hands were called on deck and from amongst
them the following persons were also put in irons =
Chas. J. Goldenhsm IS Boston 4y. 3m. Apprentice
George W Warner, 81 n. York 5yrs. do
Charles Van yezer Is do 4y. ON. do
e esa4ss ka s%G Il FSS hassH ~ do
Edmund Gaa, % Malta 6m. OLD seaman
EugspT w s%a IroySsn'e aPPrsnse
The following are the names of those who were
hung at the yard arm of the Somers =
Philip Spencer mdshipman aged 10 years. born in New
samuel Cromwell boatswains mate, aged IS years, of
New York.
Elijah H. Small, seaman aged "a, native of Boston.
The following are the names of the men left on
board after the execution had taken place and the
four named above put in irons =
B. P. Browning, ID boatsman's mate.
William Collins, Sd do do
Henry King, gunners mate
Andrew Anderson, ID do do
Charles Rogers quarter master
Charles Stewart captain of the forecastle.
tFrom the Courier and EnquirerI
The MUrINY on BOARD THE U. s. BRIG SoMERs.-The
circumstances connected with this proceeding and the
prompt and severe just and absolutely pun
isnment, inflicted upon the Ring Leaders," have very
naturally absorbed public since the rumors
connected with that tragca event obtained circulation.
Now that the matter is before the public feel FULLY
authorised to give the facts Of this ordinary vet en-.
urely justabe proceeding in the full conviction that
truth and the whole truth is what the public entitled
to know and upon which alone correct judgment in
the premises be formed. We would merely premise that
although not official and although il may
not comport with Mr.. McKenzies notions naval ETH
quette approve such detailed statement as we are
prepared give yet may be relied upon actually en-
bracing most Of the particulars of that gentlemans report
selves responsible to the distinguished Naval officers
on this station for what deem proper make pub
lie under existing circumstances hope that they will
fh.,tr
the better will be for all parties well for the
racter of the Navy and in consequence not give them
sHS trouble 10 ascertain our OF
The somers sailed from this port about three months
since, with Of eighty apprentices ;eg ordi
nary seamen and orderly Sergeant of Marines who
acted as master at She commanded by Master
Commandant Slidell Mackenzie, well known to the Navy
as one of mot exemplary officers and to the literary
world, as the author of Year in SPAIN" Her officers
consisted of Lieut. Gansevoor OF Albany and five six
Midshpmen, among whom Philip Spencer, of the
secretary Of War, andtwo sons Of Commodore Perry.
charged to the Commanding officer the Coast of Africa
Capt Mckenzie sailed for this port with the publicly
avowed intention of touching St Thomas for provisions
previous to coming our Coast at this season of the
year. day or two previous to December lst and when
the vessel within about five six hundred miles from
ST. Thomas Miishipman Spencer limited part OF his
plans to Mr.. Wales the Purser's steward, who affected
hearty cooperation took an oath of secrecy, sc. which
Spencer administered him, when he was made more
fully acquainted with the plan of the muneers They
had arranged to raise scufle the forecaste
night after leaving St. Thomas while the deck was in
charge OF Midshpman Rogers anephew Of the late Com.
John Rogers and when the men engaged in it would of
be ordered aft to account for the cause of the dis
turbance and while Mr. Rogers thus engaged they
were to seize gag and throw him overheard with little
noise possible Spencer then to enter the cabin and
Kill Capt McKenZie and others appointed to be
toned at the main hatch through which the must
past 10 get deck and the Storage hatch through
which all the officers except the Captain pass. All
The officers except the Surgeon to be murdered and
thrown overheard and the crew, who below,
pointed forward, 10 the muneers from attack
and such of the crew who had not yet joined but who
then elected to come in with them, to be admitted,
while the others were TO be thrown overheard.
They then to get out all of the boats and Tighten
the vessel alter which they make for the Isle of
Pines, where they to with confederate. They
then to cruise in search omerchant vessels trading
between this port and Europe; which after being plum
minately sunk and if there CHANGED to be any females
they TO be taken board Somers violated and
retained SO long as the pirates might desire when they
also were to be committed TO the deep The arrange
ments for the division of the spois the allotment of the
i;males the various Offices on board, SC, were all
pleted and rawn up in detail in Spenc ers and rng
and he assured Mr. Wales thathe had twenty of the
with him
From the moment Spencer made the above circumstan
ces known to Mr. Wales he watched with argus ey
by Samuel Cromwell, boatswans mate and Elisha Small
GER and who threatened to throw him overheard the
men they the least signs detection in him. or had
the least suspect that he had or to
make any disclosures to any person.
MIR. Wales not daring TO communicate with Captain
mckenzie, made all the circumstances detailed by
hdshipman Spencer known to the Purser, who prompt
ly conveyed the intelligence to Capt. Mckenzie, when
measures were Immediately taken ascertain the truth
OF the case sPencers papers thereupon examined
and all the details of their plans narrated by Wales
were fully confirmed. spencer. Cromwell and Small,
were then secured and all hands being mustered deck
Captain Mckenzie addressed them the subject of
proposed muny apprising them that all the plans Of the
muiineers had been discovered and frustrated and
warning them of the consequences of any similar at.
tempt
Captain Mckenzie then addressed circular letter 10
each of the officers board the vessel except the acting
Midshipmen, requesting their opinion TO the
conduct whchshould be pursued towards Spencer and
the two men who had been arrested with him. Each
returned for answer that they deserved immediate DEATH
and Captain McKenzes opinion coincding with that of
his officers it determined TO carry the punishment
into immediate execution, All hands were accordingly
caedto witness the punishment Whips were then rove
into each end ofthe fore yardarm, and the inner
part of the yard The prisoners then brought
deck and inorme do the punishmeL about be aed
upon them Small fully confessed his fault and
asked most pententy the forgiveness of his commander
and the officers which was at accorded TO him. He
then obtained permission to address the which he
did, warning them against permitting themselves TO
be seduced he had been, into the commal OF the
crime for which he was about to suffer death.
spencer asked respite Of ten minutes for himself and
companions in guilt in order that they might prepare to
die This granted, and he asked he wished to
write TO his father mother but he replied that he did
not He then acknowledged his guilt and the justice oil
MS punishment and remark ed that he would rather meet
such death there a sea- than be subjected to the in.
my OF exposure shore. The ten minutes asked Tor
by Spencer was extended 10 upwards OF hour nearly
eWho'e OF winch time was employ ed by him in endea
him into the committal Of a crime for which he
to expiate with his life Small withheld his for
giveness for length Of time bu, last in reply to Seen
GERS OH reiterated request Of Do forgive me Small he
said that he fully psrdoned him.
Every thing being in readiness the moose was placed
around the neck OF each of the cuprs and the officers
stationed about the decks 70 see that everyman had
both hands on the ropes About O'Clock (Sea tme)
ha