Litchfield enquirer., 1843-01-12


 course was taking would iniure his father less than if he should go home and be con. demned yet again to escape. He said that he had attempted the same thing on board the John Adams and the Potomac but had been unsuccessful. He asked if had not exaggerated the danger. told him no {; that his attempts to corrupt the crew had been too widely successful; that Iknew of the existence of the conspiracy but did not know how extensive it was" recapituIated to him his acts. He was startled when told
 him of his stealing brandy. He admitted the justice of his fate but asked me if I was
 not "going too far and too fast. Does the
 law justify you!" said he. l replied that his opinion was not unprejudiced; that had consulted all the officers and they had gi. ven their opinion that it was iust-that he deserved death. He asked what would be the manner of his death." 1 explained it to
 him. He requested that he might be shot, told him that it could not be-that he must
 be hung. He admitted that it was just He objected to the shortness of the time and re- quested that an hour might be given to pre- pare. made no answer to this, but allowed much more than the hour he asked for to elapse. He requested that his face might be covered. l granted his request and asked him what it should be covered with. He said | black one which was put on his face. Crom- well and Small made the same request, and trocks were taken from their lockers with which their heads were covered.
 Spencer asked for Bible and Prayer Book they were given to him. He said, "I am believer-but do you believe that my repentance will be accepted 2" I called to his mind the thief on the cross, and told him that Gods mercies were equal to all his wants. He kneeled down and read from the Prayer Book, and asked again if tho't his repentance would be accepted, saying that his time was short. told him God not only understood his case but could suit his grace to it. He begged that would forgive him. l told him did most sincerely and cordially, ard asked if had done any thing which made him seek my life, or whether his hatred was unfounded. He said he thought it was only fancy. "Perhaps," he added, there was something in your man. ner which offended mo-" Tread over to him what had written down. He wished me to alter the passage in which he said that he "oftered as an excuse, that he had attempted the same thing on the John Adams and Po- tomac." He only mentioned as fact, he said
 More than an hour had now elapsed.- Spencer, as he met Cromwell, paused and l ] Cromwell. he said not word of his inno- cence, nor did he make any appeal in his favor. Spencer said, "Wales, 1 hope you will forgive me for tamperng with your fi- delity." Wales replied, overcome with l emotion, "l do forgive you from the bottom of my heart, and hope God will forgive you, also." Wales was weeping, and Spen- 1 cer in passing, met Small at the gangway. He extended his hand and said, " Small, for give me for having brought you into trouble" Small answered, No, by Cd, Spencer, I cannot forgive, you. Spencer repeated his request. Small said, How can you ask that of mo after having brought me to this! 1 We shall soon be before God, and shall there know all about it." Spencer said, You must forgive mel cannot die without it." l went to Small and asked him not to cherish any resentments at su oh a time, and asked him to forgive him. He relented held out his hand to Spencer, and said,"I do forgive you-and may God forgive you 1 also.'
 Small then asked my forgiveness. took the strongest terms. I asked him what I had done that he should seek my life; if I had been harsh either in decd or word to him. He exclaimed, "What have you done, Capt. Macke nsie What have you done to me! Nothing-but treated me like man, told him of the high responsibilities under which l acted of the duty which owed 1 my Government, and the ship which it had entrusted me; of his offence towards his commander, and the boys he had intended to put to death, and of the high duty owed to the flag of my country. BRIGHT ]" he ex- | claimed, "God bless that flag and prosper it" "Now," said he. "give me quick and easy death." Spencer said to Lieut.. Ganse- voort that his courage had been doubted but he wished him to bear witness that he died like brave man. He asked what would be the signal for his execution. I told him that l was desirous of hoisting colors at the instant, to show that the flag of the Somers was fixed to the mast head; and that l intended to beat the call to hoist colors and then roll off; aud at the the third roll gun would be fired as the signal. He asked leave to give the signal. at once acceded. He asked if it was the gun under him. l told him it was but one re- moved. He asked if it would be fired by lock and wafer. was told that prepara- tions had been made to fire it with a match 1 and immediately ordered a supply of live coals and fresh coals to be passed co astant- ly and then assured him there would be no delay. ........ The time was now wearing away. Small ! requested leave to address the crew. Spen- cer having had leave to give the signal, was l asked if he would give Small the leave he asked. He said yes, Small then said :- Ship males and top. mates: Take warning | by my example. never killed a man, but only said l would do it., and for that am about to die. Going in q Guineaman bro't