The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-03
LIST March, ls43.
(Copy.
u. 8. BRIe SoMERs.
3rd December, 1912.

3rd December, 1912.
You will proceed TO make careful examination of the
effects OF the late acting midshpmun Philip Spencer and
take inv entory Of them In doing So YOU will
strictly search all his journals and papers of every nature
that may be found among his effects for the purpose Of
detecting, il possible, at how early date he had formed
the esgn OF creating mutiny on board of this vessel
capturing her and her into pirate In search
ing his private papers. when you any from his
mediate family, will carefully avoid perusing any
domestic details and glance onward only to observe
If there is any aluson the previous crimes of the de
other letters than those from his Immediate family YOU
will carefully scrutinse, and report the result to me in
writing.
am, respectfully, Gentlemen.
Your Ohedient.
ALEX. sLIDELL MCKENZIE,
Commander u. 8. N.
Purser H. M. HEisxELL.
Midshipman EoBERT THOMPSON
Acting Midshipman ADsIEN DEsLoNDE.
The JvDoE ADVOCATE said it must be remembered that
all this about the letters out from the witness with
out any reconciliation his part Indeed until within
WiLLIAM CorGER, examined. This witness went over
ersaon he detailed before the Court of Enquiry
reported in the Herald of the 18th of January On his
cross examination he said in reply to number ques
tions-hat when Spencer promised to get him leave
come home, he knew spencer was only midshipman,
out did not know that midshpmen could not get command
shortly The conversation the usual tones any
standing about might have heard it. They did not make
any remark Never mentioned this talk about Spencer
getting command shortly, until he home. Thought
ton it.
MrsEpowrcx here offered the testimony Of Clark which
was taken before the Court Of Enquiry.
The JUDoE ADVOCATE read from the laws governing
courts MARTIAL the law that point which provides
that in all capital extending the dismissal
OF or warrant officers the testimony taken
before Courts OF Enquiry should be evidence provided
the witness either dead or could not be obtained.
MT SEpowIcK addressed the Court and said they could
show that Clark had received letter, with money. to
The CouRr minated that this point had better be de-
TERED for the present and in the meantime some other
testimony could be adduced to fill up the day.
HrNRY Rooms, Midshipman examined.-ARer some
testimony which has been reported the witness ask
ed what was the character of Mr. spencers mind, to
which ne replied, 1t was mature, and as well, not
better informed than most young men,"
The witness then went on to give some testimony,
which has been before reported and identified the papers
which were found in Mr. spencer's locker He also pro-
duced his translation OF the Greek characters subse
quent to the should think from two thirds to
three ourths Of the crew were disaected believe the
discovery and arrest made the dsacted desperate
We had severe squal just before the intermen and the
Commander told me the safety of the vessel must be pre-
vded for, and the weather looked out for, whatever
might be going The officers much exhausted at
resisted the muneers the time of that squalL
supposed the brig could have got ST. Thomas unless
greatly strengthened since Had the somers changed
her course for Martinique, do not know what effect
might have had on the confidence OF the officers but
tor one, should hare disopproued of such course do
not know that would have made any change in the Off
GERS except that would have been confession Of
not think the mutineers would have waited for
order to rise on their officers.
Cross.examined-Why would you have disapproved Of
A-Becsuse shoud have been seek protection
from any foreign power should have thought it dis
Qwould you think it disgrace to leave prisoners in
orelgn JAIL rather than assume the highest powers
Al am no lawyer, sir bu. I'd have done what was
DONE rather than seek protection from any foreign pow
Here the Court rose and adjourned.