Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-07
DOMESTIC.
COURT OF INQUIRY.


THE CASE or THE BRIG SoMEKs.-fuday, Dec
30.-After the reading of Commander Mackenze's
narrative had closed,
Mr. Wales, the purser's Steward, was then called
for examination.
James w. Wales sworn-l was Pu-sers Steward on
board the SoTcrs her last passage; the night OF
the 25th November was informed by Mr. Spencer OF
n muny on board the Somers; was standing forward
by the bits and MIR s. forward To and alter
passing scme few remarks relative to the weather, he
requested me TO get into the boons,ang, as he had
something to say to accordingly got on the tcp
of The booms with him and nc commenced CONVEX.
saton by asking lie if 81 ar:ad of death?" odd
| fear dead mani" and "Dare kill person." was
very much surprised at those remarks, and looked up
to see if he was joking but found he very much
in earnest and serious III what he said replied that
particularly anxious to die just yet and that
had no cause to fear dead person, ard That, did man
sufficiently abuse insult me, thought could ma:
ter sufficient courage to kill him. Spencer repled !!
cont dnub, your courage at oil; know ii; but caa
you keep secret, and Will you keep onei { >,
take the oath.
The OATH vas thu, should keep secret the CONVEX
sahn between us lie then went on 10 state, that lie
was leagued with abou. twenty Of the brig company,
to take her. murder all her officers and commence Pr
-acy Places and stations Of the men he had all
rnGged in secret writing, done rP IN his necAeTchicf ;
he req rested TO feel his ncckerchief behind. did
So and found there something that ratified like pm
per; he then went on 10 slate 10 me the plans he
should pursue. The ARRAY would commence some
nigh. wien he had The mid watch; some Of his men
would get into fight on the ioecastlr he (S?enccr)
was to bring tieri up 10 the mast, and call Mr. Rod
tc.s the officer Of the DECK pretend 10 settle the
difficulty as soon as MIR Rodgers had got to the gang
way they Immediately 10 seize hun and thrust
him oveIhoa7d they would then have The vessel in
their nwn poasf :son; the keys Of the chest, he
stated he could lay his HANDS on nj any moment
The arm che ST was be ope ned and distributed
=. ,I,y
matches 10 pre ven. a@v ones Coming up dcct, and
he should proceed 10 the cabin and mnrder the com,
manter with Tic least noise possible Tie should then
proceed with some OF his men to the warjrocin and
Storage officers. lie stated that the officers had no
arms in the wardroom, with the exception of the LIST
Lieutenant, and ell the arms he had there was OLD
cutass which should SECURE before the alfay
mencei. The accomplished, he should 60 on deck and
have the Two after guns Slowed round so as IN COM
mend rahing position Of the deck H. you'd t,en
cluse oil the crew TO be cg!;eG on deck, and select
from number such IS would snit his purpose. The
remainder he should cause IN he thrown overheard
These were the words he used. This done, they
shonld commence clearing the deca-commenc. NJ
by thro@ing overheard the launch and all The spare
spas and rigging belonging 10 the vessel rs they ohy
tended to lumber up The decks. Should they stand in
need of any spare spar rigging, they could get them
from any vessel they took This done, the brig
proceed TO Cape 81, Antonio to the Isle of Pines,
and there take on board one who was familiar with
their intended business and who ready and willing
to Join them. The name CT that person was not men
toned This done, they were TO commence cruising
ror prizes. Whenever they took vessel, after taking
from her that which would suit their purposes, be Of
use 10 hein they would murder NIL on board, and scu
lie the vessel leave traces of her Should there
be any females on board the vessels they took, they
wonld have them removed 10 the brig Tor the use Of
the officers and men, using them long as they "a"
fit, and then making away with them.
S,aponr than called IN Elijah Small a seaman O
board; commenced talking 10 hm in Spanish. could
not understand the language, and don know Whist liz
said but Judged that he told him what he comniunca
marked in English. On, you need not be under any
apprehsnsons of fear on his (witnesss) account,
have sounded him pretty well, and find he is of
Small seemed pleased. md remarked that he very
glad to hear it, Small then called away 10 execute
order, but before his going Spencer tcd him that
he (Spencer) should have the mid watch that night,
and wished To have some fur her conversation with him
relative TO their plans, and desired Small TO that
foretop MAJ in The time. lie did not express VIVA,
foretop man.
Small then left Spencer then made overtures to me,
and told me- that If wanted 10 join ther he would
give me the situation of third officer in command. lie
then went 10 state, that the commander had large
amount of money board This, he said, with what
tire purser had would make pretty little sum 10 COM
mence with He then asked me what thought Of the
project and gave him 10 understand that favor.
u.
gain mere information. | told him | was favorab!y
disposed My duty then called me away, and Spencer
remarked that would have another interview the
morrow, and he would then show me this plan of his
He followed me- far aft the .angway saying, if
lsped syllable of what he had communicated 10 me,
that should be murdered If he did not do it himself
those connected with linn would. Go wherever |
might, my life would not he worth straw replied,
would no, make any mention Of il.
This conversation lasted Upwards of an honr nearly
two hours. then touk means 10 make it known tn
cnmn,ande Mackenzie This conversation ceased
about clock at night, and mir. Spencer below
10 turn in; it very light night: think 1t vas
moonlight, but am not certain proceeded as far aft
as the cabin, intending to 20 down and communicate
TO commander Mackenzie: bu. perceving Small watch
ing me very closely, went back ind did not 20 down
in tho cabin md thought would Try and get into The
wardroom; bot there put of again, for Spencer
reachpd up his head ard wanted 10 know what the devil
was about, remark of that nature. Spencer
in his hammock which was slung right over The
wardfoom door and The berth deck door. maze no
reply and pretended TO want 10 20, into he pursers
store ROOM which mex, to i. then went on the
deck again. and IN about IN hour tried II again
found Spencer still awake. J went there With tho
intention of getting into he wa'droom. The lights
were then out in the wardfoom, and the officers had
tired. the lei it res, ill morning. did not, how
ever, 90 10 sleep | tried, but could not 90 TO sleep
IN The n.y. think about O'Clock, before break
fast, went and commun Gated this 10 the Pursar, and
then went on deck and told the Frst Lieutenant, that
The Purser wished to see him Immediately IN the ward
room condensed this statement to the Purssr, Civ
ing him 10 understand that there a mn;iny on
board and that wanted to get 10 the Captain soon
g. possible Al,er this, watched US narrowly as
could be, by Spencer, Small and Cromwell and, aisn
by Wilson and McKnlsy could not obtain another
interview with Spencer previous 10 his arrest tired
to nban one, hm. he was up IN the ioretoP al the
morning with Green, ST. that could not 70, chance
nj ~
evening, the 10th November. Spencer was put IN
irons. heard The Captain ask him if this conversa
tinn had laksn place. mud he SAID it had heard no
thing Else from any OF the other men, indicating that
the mutiny had ex isted
saw Captain Mackenzie and Spencer together on
the quarter deck before he arrested, aud Q: the
time hi; ARES took place As Gar as can reco!lec
Captain mckenzie saia he understood tina; he, tSpen
cer nspfed IN The command Of that vessel, and thai
he Did not know now h. IN accomplish i, unless m
was TO ride over the dead bodies Of the cifcers.
heard Dir Spencer say, "ies, SIR | sas' the swor:
taken away fem hinl, and the IRONS put cn-he sab
uli,ted wiilingly-when the irons were put on,
few of the petty officers were OF deck-we were
aren;pp ,na,t.ra and all The natfy officers