Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-03
some conversaho


those 10 keep watch and those who were TO commit the
murder; with many other particulars The appearance
of Cromwell and Small was strictly observed. Cfom
we'll appeared cool and collected but Small Ill OF ease
the former being very pale, but apparently very deter
mined; and The latter very gastly appearance. On
Sunday the appearance of the at divine service
was narrowly observed, but nothing seen TO alarm
the Commander. After service, by the management OF
Cromwell the top gallant mast was carried away; ano
IL was observed that those mentioned most partcu
larly Spencers manuscript, wherever Stationed col
lecled at the topmast. 1t no. considered sale 10
leave Cromwell at large during the night and ne was
arrested. Being asked What the conversation was
which he had with Spencer the night Previous he said:
at not me, sir; il was Small. Inc suspicion
concerning Small being thus confirmed by an associate
he was likewise arrested and both were put IN IRONS
Cromwell was the allest man on board and Small the
least The next morning two crimes OF theft appeared
on The report Of The master arms and after they had
heen investigated, and the punished, Captain
Mackenzie thought he would what effect he could
produce on the crew. and proceeded to detail such an
account he thought best of the conspiracy he had
discovered.
This produced various effects on the men-some
wept, appeared horror struck, and expressed
their emotions in various ways. Observing Spencer
epdeayoring 10 communicate with The crew, he ordered
the crew be turned with their faces ait. He aerward
ordered tla, Spencer aud the two others should be de-
priyed of tobacco and the next day Spencer appeared
much depressed On Tuesday, the goth of November,
rho men apparently deeply implicated appeared To
he gathering together in knots, and to be contem.
,l,,Inr some blow 10 be struck and some who had
been thought 10 be less implicated, appeared to be as
much so as the others. Several of the principal men
in The conspiracy missed their muster apparently by
concert: and never having done before, il was
supposed they intended 10 collect round the officer
when sent for, and commence an attack Every.
thing seemed tc be growing worse. With every
fresh arrest there appeared 10 De an addition TO the
ranks Of the pratos; and il was suspected that
rescue was intended Ia this state Capt NJ. addressed
letter TO the o!licers calling for their opinion Ee
fore sending this letter. quarters were called on We'd
nesday, at o'clock, The Both November. AT tris,
Master Wilson came forward, made lame confession,
and requested not TO be put in irons lie wGs arrested
and ironed, with Mckinley and Gsun. Ga Wilson was
found knife OF peculiar form, shurpcned, and evi
IDENTIFY intended for killing. II was also asce'laineo
iat had been secretly sharpening his battle axe
The aicars called on then assembled and took tesi
mountaineering the Witnesses, Keeping an accurate
record OF the testimony, and each wlsGess sisEng It
On ire Is; December, the officers presented comma'
uc..ion 70 Captain Macaenz'e stating that eiey were
caayinced that Spencer, Small and Cromwell were
srear,c IL i T.u;iay that IL would De Impossible 10
CONVEX then, safely 10 The United States; and that
they we're Of opinion tina. due regard to The saie'y
O! lie vessel ard lher lves, recnred that .fose
th:ee shorl be pax 10 death TINS opinion they gave
.asy SAID after due consideration and regard to their
ufv to their God. t!r;r conntry, and themselves IL
hs Captain Mackenzie coincaed, and also in the opt
mon they expressed that the other prisoners couio Dc
carried 10 tie United States as tie three CHEF canspi.
T.e .aen were then armed aad Captain Mackenzie
addressed them. Preparations were then made Tor
iaGrng the three chef consprators a. the man.yard
am Capt ai1cke.ze then pm; rs full uniform
20 Spencer hiss fate, grEg En ten
minutes 10 write any communication he might please,
for any OF his relations. Ee then told Cromwell ano
SGlll their tate Cromwell protested his innocence, and
called the OF hls wife Spencer also sad 80 al
fist ol! another communication taSiog place, ne
said os his Innocence il having been told him
y that it was asceralned Cromwell had ony intended to
make Of him, perhaps, as Secretary or otherwise
dispose Of him if he found him refractory Spencer re-
fused 10 any letter. but said he wished his father
and mother all happiness lie said, also, it would kill
his poor mother and this, Captain NJ SAID was the
first time he knew Spencer had mother lie said that
he afraid it would in lure his father. Captain NJ.
said il would have injured him more if he had sue
ceeded and, in long nyersaon, said was better
he should tie them If he went 10 tie United States,
he would escape, there justice for those tho
had friends and money in the United States. He, also,
confessed ne had had The project board the
john Adams and Potomac. After further converse
ton he asked how he 10 die and objected TO being
hung, and wished 10 be shot. He also wished 10 be al
lowed an hour, and not hurried He was furnish
ed al his Request, with Bible and Frayer-book,
and after upwards of hour had elapsed, they were
led oG,.
Spencer asked Mr. Wales to forgive him for having
attempted 10 sedGce him. which granted. He asked
forgiveness also from Small; which Small Ore back
with horror and refused with an exclamation, saying
they should meet at the bar Of God Afterwards how.
ever, the solicitation of Capt Mackenzie, Small did
forgive Spencer; and Capt NJ. asked Small to forgive
HIN If he had done ans thing 10 him which he ought
not on which Snail sa;d that Captain NJ "was right,
and doing ms duty and he then requested that
his topma'es would gi"e him quick and easy death
Spencer also asked to be allowed to give the word 10
fire the gun which 10 be The signal of his death
Thus Gcceded to- Small also asked to address the
crew, which was granted. He then protested that he
Ind never been pirate that he had killed man,
and was 10 suffer for having intended TO do So and that
he was brought to this end by having been in Gunea
ship, asking them to be ware Of a Guneaman. When
he bad done, and the word expected from Spencer,
ne said he could not do it, and requested the Com
r!ander TO do lie did go, and the execution took
place.
Capt Mackenzie then addressed the crew, enlargng
on the which had led this catastrophe, and the
characters of those who had planned II. pointing out to
them that they could only raise themselves by strict
attention 10 their duties The crew were then pIped
oo"a from witnessing punishment, and all hands or
defed 10 cheer ship md Capt. NJ. gave the word for
three cheers, which given with hearty good Will
he had never seen exceed The crew were then plped
10 dinner and the commander observed with pain that
Of the boys locked up to the yard arm, they
laughed aud jeered
Alter dinner the bodies were lowered and preparations
were made for burying them and heavy squall just
then coming on arpauings were hoised over the
hoces Alter the preparations were completed, all
hands were called to bury the dead This was done;
the procession line Termed with the ranks reversed
At the conclusion, prayer was read for the safety OF
the vessel and thanksgiving offered for her preservation
from fate to which he now found she had been oes
tined previous 10 her leaving New York On the 4th
OF December, Divine service performed; and Capt
NJ addressed the crew the late occurrences, and
referred to letter from Smas mother, found IN hls
Bible, filled with afeconate endearmens, and also 10
the the other sufferers and their trends
and relatives
In closing the report Captain NJ bestowed very high
pase upon all the officers of the ship, particularly
referring the able and jealous support which he had
p
praise 10 .he purser and assistant surgeonihe latter
Of whaac he stated very Indifferent health at the
he o.ed the vessel and continued so through the
royage.
He suggested, too, MGt tie thanks Of The Nary De-
Pqrtment Should be gioen to ell the officers for TIER sup
lin, taking ali the responsibility OF the execution
himself. lie praised Mr. Wales Also and Sergeant
Carly, who board sick 10 his hammock, but got
he ina