The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-01-10

sent it, at about o'clock w son being oiled IN III
attempt to get up out break OF night, and feeling
that hc was narrowly watched and no longer left
at liberty, came forward and made some lame and
worthless confession and requested that he might not
DO put in irons. stated that If he had made any
real confession, in sincerity and truth, he should not
DO moescd but that WINS insulting 10 his officer 10
offer him so lame story that lie had tod Moth
ing more could he 60 out of him, and he was ihn'c
diatcy put in irons While on the Africa coast
knew that he had procured an extraordinary Knhe'
broad in the middle, and running to romt' ne hao
made il very sharp on both sides 1t was singular
weapon OF no use bnt to kill lIc had been seen al
20 tho day before sarpeninss battle ak with file,
and hod brought part OF il to an edge THIS was
a thing never before known or allowed on board
Mckinley was now arrested lie evidently the
individual in every way the most formidable of nj
concerned. Mckee was also put in irons. hey
were made 10 sit down; and when the irons were put
on. ! walked around the batteries followed by lieut
Gansevoort, and made careful inspection
On the receipt of my letter the officers imn'edi-
a,cy assembled and entered upon tho examination OF
Witnesses who were sworn and their testimony writ
ten down. In addition to this each witness signed
the testimony he gave. In this employment the Off
without taking the least food, ] remained, myself
in charge of the deck. The officers were excused
from watch duty and the watches arranged
that two in succession fell on me. On the LIST De-
ecmber the First Lieutenant presented me with the
following letter:
mir NcKenzies letter is answered by the officers,
by expressing the opinion that the prisoners shon'd
be put to deatlI'l
ut once concurrcd in the Justice OF this opinion
and made preparations to carry the recommendation
into effect. Two ether conspirators almost
guilty as tho three singled out for execution they
could be kcp, confined without extreme danger TO the
ultimate safety TO the vessel. The three chief mutt
the only onccs capable Of navigating and
saling the vessel, by their removal, all motive to cap
ture the vessel and carry oat the original design
would be ut once taken away. Their lives were
justly forfeited and the interests Of the country nnd
the safety eff the sea, and the honor Of the hag
quired tho sacrifice In The necessity Of my position
found my lac: and in that necessity thrust for jus
LITIGATION thought best 10 the petty officers
on this point only the First Lieutenant differed from
me; and found that he Of the same opinion with
some of the petty officers themselves they said that
since could not tell whom 10 trust it would be best
TO trust no made up my mind and judged
Of the characters whom could trust and determined
to arm them ordered to he iss ucd to each a cut
lass, pistol and cartridges ordered preparations
also 10 be made for the execution of the three All
hands were called to witness punishment, The whips
were arranged, the officers stationed about the
deck nnd the petty officers directed to cut down
every Que who should let go his whip and refuse to
haul when ordered.
Iput on my full uniform, came deck and pro-
ceedcd execute the most painful duty that ever de-
volved upon any officer in the American Nnvy--the
announcement to the prisoners Of the fate that awaited
them approached Spencer and said to him: 'You
were about to take my life, Mr. Spencer, without prov
ocntion without oftho slightest offence. You
intended to kill me suddenly-n the night while
wus buried in sleep, without giving me single mo-
.nent to send word of affection to my wife, one
prayer to God FOR her welfare Your life is for
feited and the necessity of the case compels me to
tuke it. do not intend, however, TO initiate you in
the mode Of claiming the sacrifice. If there be in
your breast feeling true to nature, you will be
grateful for the premature disclosure Of your horrible
designs. You surely ought to be thankful that you
have been prevented from the terrible deeds you med
itated. IF you have word to send 10 your Faith
er, any satisfaction express to him that you
not allowed to become Pirate, you ought 10 do,
you will have ten minutes granted in which to write
IT. Midshipnan Thomas WAS then directed to note
the time and inform when it had expired.
Spencer seemed overcome with emotion. He burst
into food Of tears, sank on his knees and said that
he was not fit to die. repeated to him his cntechsm
and begged him to offer sincere prayer for the divine
forgiveness. recommended to him the English Pray
er-Book, assuring him that no would find in it some
thing suited to all his necessities Cromwell fell up
on his knees protesting his innocence and invoking
the name ofhis wife. Spencer declared that Crom
well was innocent, and begged that this might be be-
lievcd This confess, staggered me; bnt the evil
dcnce of his guilt conclusive Lieut.. Gansevoort
said that there not shadow Of doubt Of it The
petty officers said he from whom real
apprehension entertained. lie was at first the nc
eonpIice Of Spencer and was then urged on by him,