Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-12-22

bee8 ofdsssd II the ease of he muli&F and ere
easiSn % board she Somefs.
Tx UkirrD Ssksxs BRio SbMrRs
The Inslsncholy ektusrenes on soard thil
shiP. and The cunseqaences 0e rood a
evil % those cceefraed. require lhe great
esl caution aad dslibsraRion dpfore the
public mind arrives Il any cbhelosiop
concstnius il. Fhh hcsz cam only b.
truly and folly exhibited, buicreE lie con
siiiuied tl1bunzis 81 ihs country. and II
becomes therefore sihe duty. III We Be.
Ilseve. ol the conductors afths puKlie press.
u abstain. y M ~ prasliesble yFom giv.
ing expression y opinions. unSil full
and laif investigation i msdel iaio the
matter. The Government has ordered
that inquiry. a. C6uFt, composed az men
81 the highest character. and phsse names
ara most endearedto The country. has al
ready beep detailed. yussice1 will Be
done full justice.
We hherelore deem il irpFopsF 70 3D.
nit inip our columns s1ysinrlhet remarks
Tor coutmeets upon the subject. except
such 81 TIA Department ahall suthoyIze.
Nothing has vet been putiished under il
aushority. Justice 10 The dead and 70
the living, Alike require that W shpnid
do nothing 10 prsjudice the case 10 the
mind ofthe court Or 81 the county. The
honor Of the service. and The integrity Of
The laws, are sslsin the hands Of The pub
llic iribunais. Let Us abide this decision.
The New York American has the following.
lselaiise 10 What Hsnspired On board lhe Selnefs
lafier he fact Sf he conspiracy had been com.
munica,ed through Mr.. Wales. o. puFser's
steward, ID Commander Mackenzie
After All investigation OF tbs mattel
al full 81 under the circumstances. could
be made. il appeared clear 10 the Com
mander iss; this information was 70 be
depended upon, and that measures must
be taken sospus stop II once 10, a con-
Fspiracy ofthe extent 81 which be could,
procure no accurate. or form even prooa-
BE calculation. Upon full elaboration,
itherefofe. when the crew was assembled
as usual !, evening quarters. Commander
| Mackenzie called Midshipman Spencer
70 him. and after taxing him with his in
lent TO obtain command Of the vessel BY
muiiny and murder ordered him 10 dou.
BILE irons. This was done at once. With
out the least attempt at violence Or resis.
lance and at HE same time two OF The
crew. Grommella and Small. who were the
chief conspitaiors among the men, were
also seized, and putin double irons.
Search having been made amongst Mr..
Spencer's papers, the most ample and
conclusive proofs 81 his guilt were found.
AMI the details of the whele plb, disclos.
led. A Isl of.men engaged was found in
his own handwriting. with the w0rds Ger
tain and doubtful attached 10 The different
names. A plan Of the outbreak, 10 which
every man had bis particular duty assign.
ed 10 bin was slso found. with q slate.
meDt hat ewsry officer was 10 be killed
and the black fsg to be raised against all
The world. These men were then exam
ined under cath BY the the different off,
GERS. until ii the minds Of all there was
but one opinion ana conviction how i'm
micent aud fearful was the danger which
Ethrea,e nedfAol only the lives Of those en-
board TOR that was among the least con-
sideratipns 81 her gallant ofiicers,l but
how terrible the consequences might
have been. and might still be. ffffgthe mu.
tineers were successful 10 their plans.
For three dagsIthe prisoners were kept
in irons. the Commander hoping to be
spared the necessity or taking lille. At
last IL became evident that the storm was
| still breuing, and tina. although he loss
Of their ringleadefs had deprived The rest
Of those concerned Of any efficient head
for the time Nhe danger was by 90 means
over, and hence that q severe example
was absolutely necessary TO avoid rescue
and preyeut The final execution and sac.
cess Of their plans. The crew were SO
disordsrly md So little undes control that
erery 06icer on board came 10 The same
conclusion. and urged upon their Com.
mander the immediate execution Of The
nrisolsrs. The men not engaged il the
original plot testified 10 the slronpest
terms 10 the necessity Of this course.
Evidence was obtained that the mhitsr
was still II agitation. aud that prisoner as
ne was lMidshigps0n Spencer was still, by
signs or otherwise, in communication
with his associates. Every thing indi.
Gated that The plot was on the point Of |
contamination. and wifiout dissenting /
police among The officers aod petty officers,
i was at last determined that the three
prisoners should be hung al the yard arm /
n the vessel. This was communicate 10 /
Midshipman Spencer, and for time Be
bore i! without faIlering; buts la, his
hrmness gave way, and he made fuil
roniessioo Of biz guilt. accompanied with
70 acknowledgement the justice Of his
doom.
From his own confession /, was ascer.
aimed that, while on board the John
Adams on The coast Of Brazil and subse.
luently when sent home, (having resign
d rather than be Tried BY a Court Mar
iaf) % board Sibe frigste Potomac, he /
rad entertained ID both vessels deter
ninaiion 70 excite : mutiny. for The pur-
bose Of turning pirate. The plaa on
BOARD he Somers was originated and had /,
made some progress before leaving The 4
larbor Of New York The outbreak !.
vas TO take place just after Leaving 81.
lhomas and every thing had been ar
anged 10 bring aboutsthe result success
oily. With The leaders alive and subject
Q a rescue, and with crew the eres, ma.
oritv ~ NJ han x,nr.. k.t......i Z 4 f 3a