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

he exclaimed. "God bless that flag and prosper
it," "New," ssid he, "give me a quick and
easy DEATH Spencer eaid 10 Lieut. Ganse-
WORT that his courage had been doubted; but
he wished him to bear witness that be died
like q brave man.
He asked what should he the signal for his exc.
cuton. Told him that was desrous of hoist
ing colors at the instant to show that the flag
OF Somers was fixed to the masthead and that
intended to beat the call to hoist colors and
then roll off, and at the third roll gun would
Tee fired as the signal. He asked leave to give
the signal at once acceded. lie asked if
il was the gun under him. I told him il was
but one removed. lie asked if it would be f.
red by lock and wafer. Twas told that pre-
paratons had been made to fire it with q match;
and Immediately ordered supply of live Goals
and fresh Goals to be passed constantly; and
then assured him that there should be no delay.
The time was now wearing away. Small
requested leave to address the crew. Spencer
having had leave to give the signal, was asked
if he would give Small the leave he asked. He
said yes Small then said:
"Ship-ma,es end top-mates-Take warning
by my example. never killed man, but on
ly said that would do it, and for that l am a.
bout to die. Going in a Guineaman brought
me to this Take warning, and never go in
Guineaman. Turning to Spencer he said, al
am ready TO die are your"
Cromwell's last words were, 'tel my wife
that | die innoceut; die an innocent man."
From the appearance Of this man in assurance
to be innocent, it would seem that Spencer took
all the risk of the affair, and that Cromwell
intended to prof, by it.
placed myself where could take in the
whole deck with my eye No word was given
10y Spencer. He finally sad he could not give
the word, and wished me TO do it. The word
was accordingly given, and the execution took
place.
The crew was ordered aft, when I address
sed them. called their attention to the fate of
the young man who had just been hung in their
presence. Ispoke ofthe distinguished social
position Spencer had held at home, and held up
before them the career of usefulness and pro-
fessonal honor TO which course of faithful du-
~ would have raised him. After having been
but few months at sea, he had crmnaly as
pired to supplant me ina command | had earn
I'd by thirty years faithful service. Their own
future fortunes, told them, were within their
own control. Iopened to them the stations of
responsibility and of future honor to which they
might use, but told them it could only be step
by step, in a regular course. ] called their at
tenton also to Cromwell's course. He had re-
ceived handsome education, and his hand
writing was even elegant; but he had also fa-
led through his love Of gold
The first SIS he had received from Spencer
had bought him, and the hope of great punder
had secured the purchase. An anecdote had
been told to me by Collins, OF Cromwell, which
carried its own moral with il, and which de-
sired Collins to repeat lie did so {: he told
them that he once went to India with Crom-
well, and that they took on board there keg
OF ordouboons for Mr.. Thorndke. Collins alone
knew of its being aboard, and kept ta secret
until they went ashore. lie then told Crom-
well oft, who laughed at him, and said if she
had known about it he would have run away
with the keg" told the crew they had only
TO choose between the :wo-ColIns and Crom-
well. Small had also been brought up to better
things, but had not been able to resist tempta-
tion, and had died invoking blessings on the flag
Of his country.
All hands were then called to cheer ship,
and gave three hearty cheers Three heartier
cheers never went up from the deck of an A.
merlcan ship! In that electric moment l ve-
ally believe the purest and loftest patriotism
burst forth from the breasts even of the worst
conspirators. From that moment fen that
was again completely master Of my orn rcssel
and that could do teih her uhatrrcr the ho-
nor Of my conntry required.
In conclusion, called on them, as they had
given three cheers for their country, now to
give three cheers for God--as they would do
by singing his praise. The colors were then
hoisted, and above the American ensign was
raised the banner of the cross-the only flag
that ever floats above from any vessel under my
command. The Tooth Psalm was sung, aitci
which the crew dispersed. could no, help
on that duty of peaceful Sabbath worship, con
trasting the condition Of my vessel with tha
she would have presented had she fallen int
pirates hands Nor should ! avoid observin!
the marked effect produced upon the ship
company by the proceedings. was satislie
at once that all danger was now past and I'll