Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-14
Vol. 3.-NO. IG--whetc No, 12O.

original design would be st once taken away.
Their lives we're Justly forfeited, and the inter
ests ofthe country, the safety Of the sea and the
safety of,he flag recnired the sacrifice.
In The mecess,ty Of my position Ijt6und my
law: and IN that necessity Irpst for jasnf-
Gallon. thcsgft it best TO arm the petty Off
GERS on this point ory the First lieutenant
differed from me and ! found that he vas Of
the came opinion with some Of the petty off
ccra themselves they ssrd that since could
moi tell whom 10 trust, Il would b. best to trust
no one, Itnade up my own mind, srd Isiged
ofthe characters whom could trust and deter
mined 10 arm them. ordered to be issrcd to
each cutless pistol and cartridge | ordered
preparation also TO Re made for execution of the
three. All hands were called to witness pun
ishment. The whips were arranged, the Off
GERS were stationed about the deck, and the
petty officers were directed to cut down every
orc who should let 90 his whip OF fail to haul
when ordered.
put on my full uniform, came on deck and
proceeded to execute the most painful duty that
ever devolved upon any officer in the Ameri-
can navy-ihe 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 provoca'ion,
without cause or the slightest offence. You
intended 70 kill me suddenly in the right,
while was buried in sleep, without giving me
q single moment 10 send one word Of affection
10 my wife, one prayer TO Gcd for her welfare.
Your life is new f>vfei,ed ard the necessity of
the case conlpeis ne 20 take IT. DO not in
tend, however, 70 initiate you in the mode of
claiming sacrifice. 1t there be in your breast
one feeling true to nature you will be grateful
for the premature disclosure Of your horrible
designs, You surely ought 10 be thankful that
you have been prevented from the terrible
deeds you meditated.--If you have any word to
eend to your father any satisfaction to express
10 HIM that you were not allowed to become 8
pirate, os you ought 10 do, you will have ten
minutes granted in which TO write it." Mid
shipnran Thompson was then directed to note
the time and inform me when it had expired.
Spencer seemed overmome with emotion.
lie burst into food of tears, sank on his knees,
and said he was not fit 10 die. repeated to
him his catechism, aud begged him to offer sim
cere prayers for the divine forgiveness. l re-
commended 10 him the English Prayer Book,
assuring him that he would find in It something
suited to all his necessities. Cromwell feliup-
on his knees, protesting his innocence, and in
voking the name Of his wiic. Spencer decia-
| red that Cromwell was innocent, and begged
that .his might be believed. This, | confess
| staggered me but tho evidence o. his guilt was
conclusive. Lieut. Gausevoort said that there
was not shadow ofdoubt Oft.
The petty officers said he was one man from
whom real apprehension was entertained. lie
was at first the accomplice Of Spencer, and wa
then urged on by him, md had been BY hin
turned to his account. tried to show him how
Cromwell had ondeavored TO use him, and told
Spencer that he had made remarks about hin
he would not consider hattering. He expires
sed great anxiety to know what they We're.
told him Cromwell had said Of him and anothe
person that there was I'D fool on one side
and a id knave on the other" and told hin
that Cromwell would have allowed him to liv
only SO long as he could have made bin aSeiu
TO himself This reused him, and from tha
time he said no more of Cromwells innocence
Subsequent circumstances made me beilev
that Spencer wished to save him, prnbable ffor
the hope that he would yet get possession OF tn
vessel and carry cut his original design; an
perhaps that Cromwell would in some way e
feet his rescoa.-lie endeavcrcd at the sam
time 10 persuade me that Small was only &
allies for some one else, on his list--though M
was proved TO be false. Small alone was tn
one we had set down as the poltroon of III
three yet he received the announcement {
his fate with gleat composure. lie was aske
what preparation he wished to make. lie ear
he had none; "Nobody cares tor me-" said h
but my poor mother, and | would rather sh
, should not know what has becoue Of me-"
! returned TO Spencer asked him @h'
r message he had to send to his friends. ii
said "Nonc. Tell them dle wishing them
very blessing and happiness. deserve deaf
for this and my other crimes, There are fe
crimes that have not committed am SINGER
= " peni,ent for them all only fear my repeI
tance ls loo late" asked him If there W,
any one whom he had injured to whom
could make repara,ion--any one WHO W