Litchfield enquirer., 1843-01-12


 it could only be step by step. in a regular course. I called their attention also to Crom- wells course. He had received handsome education, and his handwriting was even elegant; but he had also failed through his love of gold. The first $l5 he had received from Spencer had bought him, and the hope of great plunder had secured the purchase. An anecdote had been told to me by Collins of Cromwell, which carried it's own moral with it, and which I desired Collins to re. peat. He did so he told them that he once l went to India with Cromwell, and that they took on board there keg of doubloons for Mr. Thorndike. Collins alone knew of its being aboard, and kept it secret till l they went ashore. He then told Cromwell of it, who laughed at him, and said that if che had known about it, he would have run away with the keg.' l told the crew that they had only to choose between the two- Collins and Cromwell. Small also had been brought up to better things, but had not been able to resist temptation, and had died invoking blessings on the flag of his country.
 All hands were then called to cheer ship, and gave three hearty cheers. Three he0rt- ter cheers never went up from the deck of an American ship! In that electric moment l verify believe the purest and loftiest pa- triotism burst forth from the breast even of the worst conspirators From that moment I teh that 'oas again completely master of my oaon uessel, and that could do 0ih her aohateuer the honor of the country required.
 Dinner was piped, and ] noticed with feelings of pain that some of the boys, as they passed the bodies, laughed and sneered at them. l still desired that Spencer should be buried in coffin, and gave orders to have one built. But It. Gansevoort offered to relinquish mess chest he had for that purpose, which was soon converted into a substantial coffin. The watch was set and the bodies lowered. They were received by their messmates, to be decently laid out for burial. The Midshi pmen assisted in the duty. Spencer was laid out clothed in his complete uniform, except his sword, which he had forfeited the right to wear. noticed that upon the hands of one of the others a seaman had tied ribbon, with the name of that Somers who so distinguished himself by his gallantry, patriotism and skill. On CromwelPs face sabre cut was visible, and on removing his hair, four or five more were discovered; which showed that he had been where wounds were given. He was said to have been in slayer, and in Moro Castle in Havana; /; and it was the general im- pression that he had been pirate.
 squall of rain soon sprang up, which rendered 1t necessary to cover the bodies with tarpaulins. They were arranged ac- cording to their rank, and all hands were called to bury the dead. The American ensign was lowered to half-mast. Night had now set in. All the lamps were lit and distributed among the crew, and placed in the bows, in the gang-way, and in the quar- ter boat. The service for the dead was read, and the bodies were committed to the deep. The offices were closed by reading that beautiful prayer, so suitable to the occasion, "Preserve us from the dangers of the seas, and the violence of enemies. Bless the United States watch over all that are upon land in peace and quiet, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
 In reading this I sincerely thanked God for the protection of the Somers, and felt a firm faith that he would sanction the deed of that day. On the following Sunday, the 4th of December, after the laws for the go- vernmcnt of the navy had been read, ac- cording to invariable custom on board the Somers, took occasion to allude to the les- sons to be drawn from the fate of those who had suffered led the minds of the crew back to their youthful days, and showed them how they had trampled under foot the wise counsel and admonitions of their friends. In Small's locker were letters from his mother, expressing the joy she felt that he was so happy on board the Somers.- CThis was before Spencer had joined )- There was also bible, in the leaves of which he had copied some verses from the Sailors Magazine, in praise of its holy pre- cepts. These verses I read to the crew. I thus showed them how Small valued his bible, but that he did not resist temptation l urged them to read it closely and attend faithfully to its precepts I endeavored to show that there could be no such thing as an honest Atheism. held up before them how Spencer had injured many people, and especially his parents. He had lacked fil- ial piety and piety towards God-two prin- ciples which would never have suffered him to go astray. In conclusion, called on them, as they had given three cheers for their country, now to give three cheers for God as they would do by singing his praise.-l The colors were then hoisted, and above the American ensign was raised the Banner of the Cross - the only flag that ever floats above it from any vessel under my com- mand. The Tooth Psalm was sung, after which the crew dispersed. could not help, on that day of peaceful Sabbath worship, contrasting the condition of my vessel with what she would have presented had she fal- len into pirates hands. Nor could avoid observing the marked effect produced upon the ships company by the proceedings. I was satisfied at once that all danger was past, and the mutiny broken for ever
 In closing this report, there yet remains the pleasing duty of adverting to the con- duct of the under officers. The first Lieu tenant, throughout the whole difficulty, has borne himself with courage, and sustained a lofty and ChiYalrOuS pa Tt Alwa vs arm.