Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-14

necessity of adopting some farther means Of
security for the vessel which had been given
TO my charge.
took counsel with the frs, lieutenant,
and was fortified in my purposes BY finding
his opinion identical with my own. In SO
grave a case, involving so many interests and
such high responsibilities, ! fe, desirous of
having the opinion of all my officers upon the
matter, though not shadow Of doubt remained
in my mind Of the guilt o:the prisonets, should
their execution be deemed necessary. I did
no, forget that the officers were still boys, and
that the responsibility of the proceedings must
rest upon the older and higher officers. Still
felt desirous to have their opinion, and accord
ingly addressed them the following letter.
u. S. BRm SoMrRs, Nov. 90, ls42
Gentlemen am desirous of awaiting MY
self of your counsel in The very responsible 20.
siton in which find myself placed. You are
aware of the circum stances which resulted il
the confinement of Midshpman Spencer, of
Boatswain's nate Cromwell, and of Seaman
Small !; and purposely abstain from entering
into details concerning them. Necessarily ig-
norant, as am, OF the extent of dissatisfaction
among the crew who have 80 long been tam
pered with, and knowing the suspicion which
attaches some of the crew who are at large, |
address you, and ask your united counsel as To
the best course now to be pursued and | call
upon you to take INTO deliberate and dspassion-
.l.,.,. Il. i !.
necessary Tor safe continuance of the remain
der Of your course ana 10 cnighten me with
your opinion as to the proper method to be pur-
sued, am your obedient servant,
ALEX. SLIDELL MACKENZIE,
Lieut.. Gansevoot, and others. Commander.
After | had written this letter, but before
had sent it, at about 8 o'clock, Wilson, being
toiled in his attempt TO get up an outbreak at
night, and feeling that he was narrowly watch.
cd, and no longer left at liberty came forward
and made some lame and worthless confession,
and requested that he might not be put in ircns.
! told him that if he had made any real confes.
sion, in sincerity and truth, he should not be
moestcd but that it was an insult to his Off
Ger TO offer him so lame story as that he had
told. Nothing more coeld be gol out OF him,
and he was Immediately put in irons
| While on the African coast | knew that he
| had procured an extraordinary knife, broad in
tie middle, and running to point. 1t was a
singular weapon, Of no use except but TO XIII
| He had been seen also the day before sharpen
ing his battle axe with file, and had brought
one part of it to an edge. This was a thing
never allowed or known before on board Nc
| Kinloy was now arrested. He was evidently
the individual in every way the most formidi-
bic of all concerned. Mckee was also put in
irons. They were made to SIT down; and
when the irons were put on, walked around
the batteries, followed by Lieut. Gransevoort
and made careful inspection.
On the receipt flny letter the officers i'm.
mediately assembled and entered upon the ex
animation Of witnesses, who were sworn and
their testimony written down. In addition tc
this each witness signed the evidence he gave
10 this employment the officers passed the
whole day without interruption, and withou
taking the least food. renamed, myself il
charge of the deck. The officers were excu
sed from watch duty and the watches were ST
arranged that two in succession fell to me.
On the lst December the First Lieutenan
: presented me with the following letter:
u. s. BRl0 SoMERs, Dec. |, lsi2.
Sir ;-lu answer TO your letter requiring on
counsel as to the best course to be pursued will
regard to the prisoners, Spencer, Cromwell
and Small, We have the honor TO state, that tn,
? evidence which has come 10 our knowledge, al
ter the most careful, deliberate and dispasson
] ate consideration, which the eNigency woul'
allow, is of such nature as to call for the mos
! decided action.-We are convinced that in tn
existing state of things, it will be impossible L
carry the prisoners to the United States. w
think that safety TO our lives, and honor To tn
, flag entrusted TO our charge, require that tn
prisoners be pat to death, as the course hes
calculated to make a salulary impression upo
the rest Of the crew. In this decision We trus
we have been guided by ouI duty to God, to on
\ country and to the service.
Respectfully, your obedient servants.
/, Lieut. GANSEVOORr, +, ard others
4 Com, MACKENZIE.
It at once concurrcd in the Justice If this {
s pinion, and made preparations 10 carry the II
n commendation into effect. Two other consp
d rators were almost as guilty as the three siI