Litchfield enquirer., 1843-01-12

were to be inspected at 10 o'clock. took my station aft for the purpose of observing Cromwell and Sm II as they should come along upon the quarter-deck. The persons of both were faultlessly clean and neat they being determined that their appear aHce should provoke no reproof on account of fault in that particular. Cromwell stood up to his full stature> carrying his battle-0xe firmly and steadily; his cheeks pale, but his eye fixed to starboard. He wore determined and dangerous air. Small presented very different figure His appearance was ghastly, his manner side, and his battle-axe from hand to hand. His eye was never for a moment fixed, but always turned from me. l attributed his conduct to fear; though l now believe the business upon which he had catered was repugnant 10 his nature, but that his love for money and rum was too strong for his fide- lity. Five bells, or 10 o'clock, was the time for Divine service. The First Lieutenant asked if he should call the roll. told him it would be best to wait till the time was up. Five bells struck, and all were called to muster. The crew were all present, were unusually attentive, and their responses were more than ordinarily full and audible. In the examination their countenances exhi. A.
 In the afternoon the Sky-sails and stud. ding-sails were set. Gasely, one of the best of the apprentices, was sent aloft on the royal yard to make some alteration in the rigging. At once a sudden jerk was given to the brace by Small and another, who has not been discovered, and the fore-topmast, with the topsail, at once came down. Case ly was on the royal yard. scarcely dared to look to see the spot where the boy should fail. The next moment his shadow appear ed at the mast head, and presently disco vered him examining, with admirable cool ness, what was to be done.
 ! did not dare to believe this carrying away of the topmast the work of treachery; but knew that an occasion of this sort, such as the loss of the boy, which should create confusion and interrupt the duty of the off, cers, would be sought by them if they were bent on the prosecution of the enterprise.- All possible measures were taken to prevent confusion. The rigging was immediately restored and the sails bent afresh. Every member of the crew was employed. and all things were made to go on with regularity. To my astonishment, upon the occurrence of this disaster, all the conspirators who were named in the programme of Spencer, no matter in what part of the vessel they were engaged at the time, immediately mustered at the mainmast - whether animated by some new born zeal to serve their country, or intending te carry out their designs, cannot say. This circumstance at once confirmed my belief in the continual exist. ence of the danger. The eye of Spencer travelled continually to the masthead, and he cast quick and stealthy glances about, as be had not done before. The wreck was soon cleared away, and supper piped.
 After supper the same persons mustered at masthead, and the sails were set. After quarters they dispersed. Still did not think 1t safe to leave Cromwell at liberty during the night, which was emphatically the season of danger. After consulting with It. Gansevoort. ! determined to arrest Cromwell. An officer was sent to guard the rigging. met Cromwell at the foot of the Jacobs ladder, going aft, and stopped him. l asked him about the conversation he had had with Spencer. He denied that 1t was hes and said, "It was not me, sir; it was Small" Cromwell was the tallest man on board she vessel, and Small the shortest.) Cromwell was immediately put in irons Small being thus accused by an associate, was also ifoned. The utmost vigilance was snjoined upon the officers. All were armed, and either myself or the first Lieutenant was constantly on deck.
 The next morning, which was Monday the 18th of November, two crimes of coDsid. erable magnitude came to light. One of the men had been detected in stealing from boat and the Steward had stolen money and given some of it 10 Spencer. This was no time to relax the dicipline of the ship. and both the men were punished to the extent of the law. It was soon after found that man named Waltham had told Mckinley where three bottles of wine were placed and offered them to him. Mo Kinley was stationed near the arm. chest and reported this to tho First Lieutenant. Punishment of Waltham, however, was postponed till the next day. Punishment of the other two being over thought that fit opportunity to endeavor to make an impression upon the crew. had good reason to think that the danger of the conspiracy was not over. believe that a majority of the crew might be said to be ingeneral disaffected and disposed to resist discipline. Some mysterious agency had evidently been at work since tho departure of the Somers from New. York /; and this was now disclosed. ! explained to the crew the general nature of Spencer's plot and the atrocious character of the designs he had formed. took especial care not to betray suspicion that thought any partic. ular one of them was deeply implicated, but exhOrted all of them to repent of their inten- tions and attend faithfully to their duty. took good care to assure them that the major ity of the crew must at all events share the the fate of the officers. strove to divert their minds from tho pictures of successful vice which Spencer had presented to them. brought up before them the images Gf friends at home endeavored to impress upon their minds the endearing nature of