Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-01-12

missed their muster, apparently by conccr, ;
ana never having done so before, it was SUD-
posed They intended to collect round the Off
Ger when sent for, and commence an attack.
win every fresh arrest, there appeared to be
an addition to the ranks OF the conspirators :
and 1t was suspected thata rescue was intended.
In this state, Capt. NJ. addressed letter to the
officers, calling for their opinion. Before send
ing tins letter, quarters were called OH We'd
nesday, at 9 O'Clock, the 30th November.
At this, Master Wilson came forward, made n
lame confession, and requested not TO be nut
III mons. lie was arrested and ironed, with
MCKINLEY aud Grun. On Wilson was found
knife OF peculiar form, sharpencd, and evil
IDENTITY intended for killing. II was also asccr-
famed that he had been secretly sharpening
his battlc-axe. The officers called on, then
assembled and took estimony-swearing the
witnesses, Keeping an accurate record Of tes-
timony, and each witness singing it, On the
LIST December, the officers presented a COM
munication to Captain Mackenzie, stating that
they were convinced that Spencer, Small and
Cromwell were engaged i'll mutiny that il
would be impossible 10 convey :hem safely 10
the United States; and that they were of opin-
ION that due regard 10 the safety Of the YES
sci, and Their own lives, required that those
three should be put to death. This opinion
they gave, they said, after due consideration
and regard to their duty to their God, their
country and themselves. In this Captain
Mackenzie conceded and also in the opinion
they expressed, that The other prisoners could
be carried to the United S,a,es-as the three
chief cohsprators 'aloue were capable of nav
igatlng the vessel. The men were then armed.
and Captain Mackenzie addressed them. Pre-
Paratiohs were then made for hanging the
three chic! conspirators at the main-yard arm.
Captain Mackenzie then put on his full uni
form, and communicated TO Spencer his fate.
giving him ten minutes 10 write any communi.
cation he might please, for any of his relations.
Tie then told Cromwell and Small their fate
Cromwell protested his innocence, and called
on the name OF his wife. Spencer also said
SO at hrst; but on another COMMUNICATION TAX
ing place, he said no more of his innocence.
II having been told him that it was ascer,ained
Cromwell had only intended TO make use of
MN, perhaps, as secretary, or otherwise dis
pose OF HIM If he found him refractory. Spcn
Ger refused to write any letter; but said he
wished his father and mother all happiness.
lie SAID, also, 1t would kill his poor mother
and This Captain M. sadly was the first time
ne knew Spencer had mother. lie said that
ne was afraid 1t would injure his father.-Cap-
tam NJ said 1t would have injured him more if
ne had succeeded and, in long converse
ton, said it was better he should die then. as
II he went to the United States, he would es-
cape, as there 1cas no justice for those ,cho hal
friends and money an tie United .Siates.-
lie also confessed that he had the same pro-
Ject on board the John Adams and Potomac.
Alter further conversation, he asked how he
was TO die; and objected to being hung and
wlshedto be shot. He also wished to be al
lowed an hour, and was not hurried lie was
furnished, at his own request, with Bible
ana Prayer book; and, after upwards of an
hour elapsed, they were led out
Spencer asked Mr.. Wales to forgive him
Tor having attempted to seduce him, which
was granted. He asked forgiveness also from
small on. which Small drew back with hor-
ror, and refused, with an exclamation saw
ing they should meet at the bar of God Az
forwards, however, on the solicitation Of Cap
tain Mackenzie, Small did forgive Spencer
and Captain NJ. asked Small to forgive him if
he had done anything to him which he ought
not; on which Small said that Captain nj.
twas right, and was doing his duty and he
then requested that his topmatcs would give
HIM quick and easy death. Spencer also
asked to be allowed to give the word 10 fire
the gun which was TO be the signal of his
death. This was acceded to- Small also
asked to address the crew; which was granted
lie then protested that he had never been
pirate, that he had never killed a man, and
was TO suffer for having intended to do so :;
and that he was brought to this end by hav-
Ing been in Guinea ship asking them TO be-
ware Of Guineaman. When lie had done.
and the word was expected from Spencer, he
said he could not do it, and requested the
commander TO do so. lie did SO, and the en-
ecntion took place.
Captain Mackenzie then addressed the crew.
enlarging on the causes which had led to this
catastrophe, and the characters OF those who
had planned ii, pointing out to them that they
could only raise themselves by strict attention
TO Their GuiIes. The crew were then pIped
down from Witnessing punishment and all
names ordered TO cheer ship, and Captain NJ.
gave lie word of three cheers, which were
gwen with a hearty good will he had never
seen excelled. The crew were then pped
10 dinner and the commander observed with
pam that as some of the boys looked tlp TO the
yardarm, they laughed and jeered
| Hi,er Glnner the bodies were lowered, and
preparations were made for burying them
ana heavy squail just then coming on, tar
Paulins were hosted over the bodies. After
the preparations were completed, all hands
were called TO bury the dead. This was done
the procession line formed vii tn the ranks
reversed. AT the conclusion, prayer wa:
read Tor the safety Of the vessel, and thanks
giving offered for her preservation from a fate
10 winch he now found she had been destined