The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-31

lnougnt the crew quite tranquil ana lelt more saIe
Having noticed Spencer endedvorlng TO hold com.
munlcatons with the crew, directed his face, and
those OF is two associates in irons TO be turned alt,
and also forbade any further supply of tobacco TO
them after what they had was exhausted. Spencer
earnestly begged fortobacco, and replied that he
should have all the comforts his mess had, and that
the seamen should have what was allowed by Co.
vernment necessary for the health and comfort but
that tobacco was only a stlmulant, and wished
them TO tranquilze their minds. Spencer's spirits
gave way entirely alter his tobacco was exhausted.
He remained with his face buried in his gregg, and
when raised II was TO be seen bathed in tears. He
was evidently touched by the kind and delicate at
tentions OF Lieut.. Ganesvoor and said he was not
then sufficiently composed TO tell any thing, but
when he he would tell all, and answer all ques-
tons On Tuesday, the 10Th of November, mme-
diately after quarter, all hands were called to wit
ness the punishment on Henry Waltham for offer
ing three bottles OF wine to Mckinley. / again
spoke to the crew, mentioning that every punish
ment inflicted must be made known to the Secre-
itary Of the Navy, and that the less punishment on
board, the more crcdable would be both TO Com
mander and crew. But the whole crew | found
were far from being tranqullzed. Seditious words
were heard amongst them, and menacing air was
assumed by many; Some OF the petty officers were
sounded by the flrst lieutenant, and found to be
true TO their colors. Under the impression that
an outbreak was hourly to be expected from various
Intelligence from time TO time obtained about con-
ferences among the dlsahected; individuals at first
not supposed to be deeply implicated were also now
found In close association with those that were, and
having also heard that Mr. Wales detected Charles
A. Wilson attempting TO draw out handspike for
the purpose OF telling him, and when Wales cooked
his pistol, Wilson made lame excuse for his con-
duct and presence there at that moment, felt more
than usually anxious and remained deck. AT
twelve o'clock several of the crew seriously impli-
Gated missed their muster. That they should have
missed their muster, otherwise than Intentionally
was impossible. There had probably been some a
greement TO do so, and then meet on the deck and
commence some act OF violence. l heard that
,raen said he Inf n for ~c.
though he was on deck. / Immediately went for
ward and rejected his excuse and ordered him on
the look out forward for feur heurs, directing the
mdshipman OF the foIecastle to watch him closely
the others were similarly distributed Ala o'clock
others OF the implicated missed their muster. |
could not contemplate this without the most serious
feeling. Every new event seemed to bring forth a
new company OF conspirators, and every thing be-
tokened an indication OF an attempt to rescue the
prisoners. What sympathy, argued, might not be
excited by their imagined sufierings To all these
considerations were added the solemn responsibility
| was under 10 protect and defend the vessel en-
trusted To me and the lives OF her officers and crew
to prevent the invasion of the seas traversed by
our peaceful merchantmen, and those of all nations
using the highway OF the ocean, from the terrors
Contemplated Sy the consprator and above
rcan flag displayed from our mast head, de-
termined me TO adopt some other easures. Hither-
TO had consulted the first lieutenant only and found
that his opinions entirely conceded with my own;
but was new DESTROYS to have that of all the other
officers, except the acting mldshipmen, who although
they had fully discharged the duty in the late trans
actions, were yet so young and inexperienced that
thought il hard subject them to the trying duty of
expressing an opinion on the solemn matters which
were now under consideration. Therefore address.
sed the following letter to the other officers under
my command -
"The time hos arrived when am DESTROYS of availing
myself Of your counsel in the responsible position in which
as nd Nv nj red
of the circumstances which have resulted in the
confinement OF Midshipman Philip Spencer. Samuel
Cromwell boatsw aims mate, and Elijah II. Small seaman,
prisoners and purposely abstain from entering into
any detail Of them But that the have been
tempered with by officer and knowing that suspicion
attaches to still at large and also the difficulty of
taking care OF the prisoners have already have re-
solved to ask united counsel to the best
pursue, and call to take into deliberate and dspas
sonate consideration the present condition of the vessel
and all contingencies which may possibly arise in the flu
ture throughout the remainder Of cruise and counsel
me as to the best course to adopt.
Very respectfully,
ALEX. SLIDELL MCKENZIE.
To Lieutenant Gansevoort, Assistant Surgeon r. W.
Lincock, Sailing Master M c. Perry Midshpmen Henry
Rogers, Egbert Thompson, C. W. Hayes.
After writing this letter, but before had sent It,
the Both OF November had arrived. Wilson having
tailed to effect an outbreak in the night, and having
come forward with some lame excuse and confess
sion, and requested not TO be roned said that if he
woud make true and full confession he would not
be ironed; but nothing more could be got from him
In his salbag was found an African knife of extra
ordinary shape short, sharp on both sides, and la
peIlng TO the point, which could be of no use but to
kill: This knife had been the day before sharpened
with hle; and in the same way he had sharpened
his battle,axe. Mckinley was now arrested Hith-
erto by his extraordinary GOODNESS and composure,
he had succeeded in being at large; he undoubtedly
would have risen TO the command had the mutiny
been successful. Green also sent for and ironed
Alexander MCKEE, who was to have taken the
,nAAI ole
made to set down as they were taken, and when
they were IrOned, walked deliberately round. fol-
lowed by First Lieut.. Gansevoort, and we after
wards made very careful inspection of the crew
care being taken not to awaken the
suspicion OF such as were really formidable, unless
intended to arrest them. The prisoners now amount
ed to seven, and filling up the quarterback, occa-
senng great difficulty TO keep them strictly apart and
interfering essentially with the management ef the
brig. On receipt OF my letter, the officers imme-
diately assembled in the ward room, and the exa
mnahon OF witnesses was commenced. The evil
dence was accurately recorded, and in addition
to the OATH each witness signed his evidence after
II had been read to him. The officers passed the
whole day in this investigation, without food or re-
taxation. / remained on deck with three mdship-
men; night quarters were dispensed with At night
fall divided iders and all into separate lists Sta
toned them on watch, and obtained at intervals
an hour of repose myself On the first of December
the first lieutenant presented with the following
letter In reply to mne:-
"U. 3. BRIO SoMERs, Dec. |, 1912.
"SR,-ln answer to your letter OF yesterday, request
Ing our Counsel to the best to be with
the prisoners Midshpman Philip Spencer; Samuel Crom
well, boatswains mate; and Elijah H. Small seaman; we
would state that the evidence which has come to our
knowledge is of such nature that after such a dispas
sonate and deliberate consideration of the the
igency Of the occasion would admit we have come to a
COOL decided and unanimous opinion that they have been
guilty of full determination TO commit muny on board
this vessel Of most atrocious nature. And the re-
violation of circumstances having made necessary
to confne others, the uncertainty of their being
leagued with others, and the impossbility of guard
ing against contingencies which an hour day may
bring FORTH bring us to the conclusion that it is mposs
Bile to carry those prisoners named in your letter TO the
United States and that the safety Of the vessel
lives and those committed to charge require that
they should be put 10 death in the adapted TO
make suitable impression. This opinion give bear.
ing in mind our duty to God to country and the
vice.
We remain,
Your most obedient servants,