Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-11
ColyRr OF INQUIRY.

OF Commander Muckenkie's conversation WIN hlni no
ced Cromwel's be singular previous 10 his
arrest sent for him day about duty, and when
he came fixed his eyes upon and one ot the
singular looks saw; his whole soal seemed To
be in his con,erance. noticed that Small suIy pre-
vious his heard nothing that said at the
execution except Cromwell say he was Innocent Mr.
Spencer passage between Madeira and Porto Prsyo,
asked did think the Somers could be easily Ia
ken lie said person could 90 in the cabin and murder
the captain without detection He also asked me about pr
the island in the Pacific, and whe
ther q vessel could in there aud rcht think How
ard heard this conversaton.-The discipline OF the
fell of after leaving Madeira, and worse until the
execution when il became better.
duced think the execution necessary from the est
mony given before the council the gathering Of the in
groups their suenness, the condng manner OF the pm
soner their interchange gances with another, &C.
When they collected groups there three four IN
agroup Those can mention most particularly Were Sui
iyan. Goldeman Wilson and Mckee. / am wenty-one
years OF age and entered the service in 1887.
Questioned by Capt. Mackenzie:
Odd you overhear conversation between Mr..
Spencer and myself, shortly before the executioni
Al did; but don't recOllcct what twas.
Q.-Werc you the officer OF the deck when told Crom
well he to die And what were the words IN which
communicated il to him
Al was; but l don't reeolect what the words were.
heard commander Mackenzie say something about ten
minutes; what he said before l don't know.
Q-was there not, in the mutinous manner OF the
crew-by looks oiervise-an appearance such
could not be described
A-There
Q-was the trea,nen, OF the crew cruel or humane
A-IIumane.
Twas attentlon palu 10 CothiotA VI
crew. and the exercises and education OF the aPprent
How did the Somers compare with other vessels in
which YOU sailed 7
A-There was much attention paid and she would com
pare fayoraby with other vessels The exercise
good the Independence and better than IN the expo
ring expedition.
government Of the Navy, that not attended TO on
board the Somers
Al know of none.
Q.-Was the Somers when she sailed, an efficient and
well disciplined man of war ?
A-As well as could be expected from her
Q.-From the the execution could the Somers
honor OF the American flag
A-Idon't know, for can't tell what dependence could
Q-Woud she have gone into action after the
with far greater prospect sustaining that honor
A.-Yes, sir.
Odd YOU the of the execution, believe that if
had taken place the Somer could have been brought
into port by her officers
Al did not then, and do now.
Odd you observe, from the discovery Of the muny
until your arrival here in the Commander any other
officer any indications OF unmany fear despoc temper
of qualities unbecoming the character OF an Anne
mean officer
A.-No, sir.
Q-You said you heard the Commander say Cromwell
something about minutes; how long in fact from
that time before they executed
About an hour.
Do you know Of any place apartment board the
Some where three prisoners could have been kept beyond
the reach of rescue from the crew.
A.-No sir
Q-Do you recoect hearing Spencer, shortly before his
arrest, say he would wriie no more in ms Journall
Al do
The testimony OF the witness read over and he
directed TO retire.
Midshpman HAYS sworn. was on board the Somers
during her cruise. 20 years old, and entered the
service - March, 1888. first heard of the muny the
Goth Of November in the evening Previous to his arrest
my making casual remarks him, he said should
have occasion remember the Of Spencer day
He held any conversation with about paces
the Isle of Pines. never heard him make of mutt
Inc hear
dsrespectuy Of the commander ms mesmates;
but don't recoect the words. have heard. him say he
id humbug.
His conduct previous his that he seldom
socated with h messmates except meal tmes he
and quaITesome in ms temper did go
forward much and do know much OF his habits Of
citation with the crew. He most familiar with Crom.
WELL Wilson, Green, and Msekie. have often seen him
talking with Cromwell, but supposed proies.
siona heard none OF his declaration after his
rest my station the forecsste.
heard no declaration by Cromwell or Small. observed
the manner Of Cromwell particularly the evening
GERS confinement He assumed the utmost indifference
whatever going and the impression that he
knsw what Mr. Spencer confined for while the
the looking aft appeared DESTROYS Of knowing
what going Cromwell the foreeasle the
time and remained there until ordered him below
the iron chest officer Of the deck when the top
gaant-mast carried away the 9th, after Spencer
confined. We had skysais aud royal studdng sails
think carried away by design, by hauling
the weaherbraee instead Of letting co. had ordered.
do not know who hauled it in gave the order 10 let
go the main-roya weaher-5race but instead Of il being
let co. was hauled in and the about 30 seconds
afterwards. Iappeared be hauled in very violently
The remainder of Mr.. Hays testimony does
rally vary from the OF the preceding witnesses.
Mdshipmsn Delando was examined, and after MIN
Mdshipman Pllotson Mr. Perry, commanders clerk, and
Sergeant Gatz. We find nothing important in their
mony, excepting the following that Of Sergeant Gau
He states in conversation with Spencer the latter said he
could take the brig with six men.
told him he could do II with three times He
said he could provided he knew where every thing was
particularly the key TO the arm chest lie went TO tell
how he would take her; ne would first the Captain
and officers, then take possession Of the he had
doubt then as as the him and his in
| arms, they would give in.
told him that the could make a rush on him; that
there might not be than six killed. that could
then throw the overheard; told him he think it a
very poor think he could take 1t with six 80
no." he muttered, and went away.
The Court then adjourned To this day.
COURT OF INQUIRY-NHTH Day
The Court resumed usual. The minutes being read
over, Sergeant GartTy recalled.
/ Next conversation when turned in on the 9th
November, nenr remember Mr. Gansevoort cent
OF tie boys call me. on deck and reported
myself to Mr. Gansevoort, he ordered T. take the
out OF the lower chest and TO load them which
done by and Of the gunncrs mates; there %
muske a. near as can say, aud 30 pistols loaded, but
primod.
Mr. Spencer asked me- few days after; about the ann,
that were loaded told him they all loaded, with
the exception Of six muskes lie asked why they
not loaded. told him they would III in the arm
chest without pointing them aait lie asked how they
were situated in the chest. told him the loaded
pointing all aft, those that pointed forward liz
asked they all pnmed told him that some Of
them were. He asked me the question sgain
believe day after Don't recoloct having ans
farther conversation after that.
On the passage between New York and Madeira, CrOm
well told me Mr. Spencer gave him SIS which he request
ed me TO keep for him. lac afraid the boys would
II. Cromwell said II there vessel homewsrd bound al
Madeira he would send the money home hz wife, saying
she wanted the money 10 buy coal for the winter. CrOn
wei gave me the money and several articles ho drew from
the purser. The whole remained in my chest until a few
days before the Of Cromwell. lie did not state why
Mr. 5. gave him the SIS. Cromwell forward the
bukhcad, sitting. went that way. This wal
few days before the Of G.. and Cromwell said-Mas
ter AZ arms. want my giaEl-l want 10 shave.
To the best ofmy opinion be did shave. lie looked
in che Rlas-had large whsker- and rubbed them up An
u opinion &. did shave himself since be- left New York
Tie did not ask take any farther Of his money; he
kept himself after that Recolect nothing say
| with Cromwell. The night Mr.. s. put in irons, Sinai
and Cromwell seemed 10 be- IN close conversation, and
went af separate them. When went az they separated