Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-05
THE soMER's MUTINY.
Fourth Day-Sa,wday.
The Gourmet as usual, all present.
. The loufnal of Yesterday Ms rrnd.


sailing from New York he very yrannica the APP
pcnces-havng conversation with hcm keeping aloof
from them. and when called upon inict punishment.
striking with NIL his might though he took pleasure
Frequently heard Commander Mackenzie him
for whipping hard and ordered him STOP Just pre-
yous arriving Msdcirs noticed sudden change his
manner towards the boys making free with them and let
ting them talk and play with him, and pull him about.
Heard Mr. Spencer say, Capt. Mackenzie gave orders
merely make the work when there was no neces-
sity.
When Mr.. $. gave tobacco the and boys spo-
ken OF yesterday he would say If the Captain would
let them have it, he could accommodate them. Has heard
Commander Mackenzie pProve Cromwell for cursng the
boys.
Then for him aft and reproyed him my presence
several tmes-saw him give money, Is and - the bows
throw II down the berth deck and let them scramble
for it. Cromwell and Small both told they had been i'm
savers Cromwell said he had been taken in SLAYER
ned into Havana, and confined in the Moro Castle
time, but liberated BY who had considerable
Influence with the Governor OF the Island Before
inc the cstcch-m Ut Mr. Spencer when lac proposed the
mutny, the witness says he paused time observe
whether Mr.. =. in earnest and found him
indeed. Cannot report word for word the oath Mr. Spen
administered except that he reveal what
told him, help him God, The conduct and subor
dinaton OF the between New York and Msdera were
very good indeed After leaving Madeira for Tenerffe
could dissatisfaction arising and continually increasing
ul the time at execution. After that there
bic chnnge-thosc who had been suy seemed eager
discharge their duty.
Knows their discomfort change of
treatment of the IL the after leaving Ma
deira before the rules and regulations, with
duties TO perform the list OF Mr.. Spencer of his
confedeates the nigh; it taken of the locker
Prcyou. seeing this list had observed that those
on 1t had been insolen and nattenuve order. Had
brought OF these for punishment Witness asked
the who were sick. Understood from Mr.
s. in the conversation the boom, that the mutinv was
TO be carried into effect shorty-beore arriving at ST.
Thomas. Cromwell did what time he mad been
in SLAYER, but generally, that he had been in one.
Lieut. Guert Gansevoort, first Lieut. Of the Somers was
then sworn by the President Being asked state how
many officers were board the SOmers when she left this
port he answered, twelve-C commander Mackenzie wit
himself, Dr. Leecock, Purser HeiskeH Perry Acting
Master Midshpman Rodgers Thompson, Delanue Tilet.
son, Spencer and young Perry clerk.
The consisted OF about 90. Sailed on 18th SEN
embe from New York, arrived Madeira about the 9Th
Oct First heard of the muiny Goth Nov. Mr.. Spen
Ger was roned on the evening OF the day-Cromwe
and Small were arrested the day They all exc
cuted LIST Deccmber-arrived ST. Thomas on the 9Th
Mr.. Ganseyoort being required to tell in his own way
what occurred 10 the mutny, On the Goth Mr.
Wales told him the Purser wished to see him. | went be-
low, and the Purser asked me that there was
plot to seize the vessel, and murder the oificersl
He then gave the information that Mr.. Spencer had
taken Wales the booms between the hours Of SIX and
eight on the previous evening and there after swearing him.
made known his pot-told him there Were about % men
concerned with HIM for taking the vessel the hands
Of the officers.
Mr. C. then roeapuated the chief statements as made by
Wales Did not wait hear all the Purser had say as
witness anxious make the matter known 10 the Com
mander. Immediately the cabin and mentioned
what had heard lie received the report with great cool.
ness said the crew IN good discipline and he express
ed doubts the truth of the report Asked II should
Mr. Wales himself lie said no. he did not wish me TO
do any thing about it, Don't remember that he assigned
any reason Tor this lie ordered keep 4 strict look
out for Mr. Spencer which did and about dinner time
found Mr. = Ias-iug from the deck discovered he was
III the ioetop ana immediately up what he
about lie was sitting On the Ice side OF the top hi- chin
resting on ls breast, apparently in deep thought He did
not observe till had got into the top standing
lie raised his hesd on discovering me got M
hastily and showed some confusion.
lie asked ME some questions about the ringing around
the foremost head, which answered nay usual
II something about the fitting Of the srouds and
about the topmast stay. The lower rigging fitted
erenty from any had observed 10 hum that,
as passed through the sieeTage, dinner ready all
but he were AT it, and asked him he did dire He
said he did about Just Left him in the top
and came deck. Think hour after discovered
Green IN the top with him. who appeared be engaged in
prckng ink into the skin Of spencers The were
employed in clnging and clearing hammocks and hailed
the top ordered Green down, Mr. \ put his head
over the toprs, and from his manner Judged he wished
Green 10 be allowed 10 remain heTebut he said nothing
repeated the Order and then ordered Nh ;. 10 send
him and any other that Ihgh be IN the top on deck
Green come down, and Mr. :. remained In the top
presume other there. When Green came down
ordered HIM " sng his hammock He said he had alrea
dy done H. Engaged in mastering the for the purpose
OF inspecting the hammocks and having them ed when
got abreast ol the Jacobs ladder the starbosd side
forward. observed Spencer sitting one Of the rounds
Of the ladder.
turned my eye upon him, and Immediately caught his
eye, which he kept staring for than minute
with The most unqnet expression have upon
human face, which satisfied Of the mans guilt
As the HammOCks slowed reported the
custaices 10 the commander ana told him thought
thing should be done in order him He replied
will keep sharp look out; he did wish do any
thing harshy. At evening quarters he would decide what
best 10 do Just before the drum beat quarters
asked me what would If in his situation as commander
told him would bring that young man Spencer aft iron
him, and keep him the quarterback. lie told me that
wac the course he intended pursue and very glad
agreed with him. The drum beat quarers and after the
report made lac ordered order all the officers up
excepting one, which did leaving Mr. HAYS forward.
When the officers had assembled "a
the quarter deck, the Commander said Mr.. Spencer
understand that aspire 10 the command Of this
how you to arrive it, don't know, unless by walk
ing over my dead body and those Of my officers. think
he said No it is oil joke. The commander replied at
u serious joke sir, and that may you your
e do you deny having had frequent rsatons with
small aud others thought he appeared little confusct
and said mo, but it all Il joke!''
The Commander asked IL he had paper in his crayai
lie said he had nothing there. IL then ovehauled anc
nothing found IN it. then ironed him 10y order Com
mander laid my hand Immediately upon his sword an,
dsnrmed him, and ordered him 70 be removed from amon
the oiceI ordered the irons up by Seller netting as ar
When they he rolled up his sleeves and WA
put In handirons first When these on, asked hin
II he had any concealed about him; he snid he ha
not, but had better overhaul him he supposed wou
I not believe any thing he said.
Searched him and found nothing excoptn few scratched
papers We then beat the retreat and the Commander
dcrcd 70 the officers VI the deck with pistols and
believe cutass The officers the fDrccustle had pistol
aud cuilass The order was If Mr. Spencer seen Il
attempt making his escape, communicating with the
u blow out h- brains told Mr. Spencer of these orders
and my that he might avoid violating such or
ders.
Next day in the morning witness had conversation witt
Dickinson, carpenters matC and gunnors mate. King, no
positive whether had my rrt conversation with them
the evening OF Mr.. So arrest the mornings thin
IL the carpenters mate who said, "That big fellow for
ward, Sir there's danger IN letting him be abont h
ought TO be confned asked "ho " and he named Crom
I well, boatswain's mate.
Can't fecocci oil my conversations with these men, "a
was circulating about the ship, observing and gafern
all could, but IN oil my conversations with Dickinson an
King, impressed with the belief that II necessary
/ the safety Of the chip have Cromwell confined. ~
change Of manners and cxpressionto Carpenters mat
had made single shelf for me, which told him put
the taking IL down. Cromwell said It shout
/ not 20 there.
When toldit belonged me, said b. did a d-r
u shOud 20 there. II put there however, and
manned A. he coming up the ladder Cromwell said
"l pay you for this before long" Don't know when i
conversation with Cromwell took place On the afternoO
Of the 9th, while sitting the ward room, heard the OH
Ger 81 the deck sing out "Bsoy bcay" which be rcpeate
several times. Mr. Thomson was believe, the officer
heard the Commander repeat the order aud looked ny t