Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-19
DOMESTIC.
(From the .Ftp York Ereniag Post.J
THE BRIG SOMERS,


Somcrs possessed Of combining the ringleades of the
mutny, IN so secure manner not only 10 keep
them from all communication with their adherents, but
TO prevent any successful attempt to rescue them. In
regard to this point, the investigation before The Court
Of Inquiry, we are sorry 10 say has not been
Quoted TO give the information the public want. The
letter publish below, will be read with great inter
est, as il goes TO supply this deficiency, and its state
ments will be received with respect on of the
nautical and personal character of the author of 1.-TWO
Years before the Mast"
BosToS, January 10Th, 1913.
Mr. DEAR FRIEND In answer 10 Your request,
may cay, that can objection to your showing
to your friends publishing in the papers, much Of
my letter. relates to the Somers and Mr.. Mackenzie
II mostly account of my visit the Somers with
such impressions as received upon seeing the vessel,
and Tie principal parties concerned. AS SUCH il does
not seem to 10 be interfering with the conrse OF
legal investigation or forsalling OF public opinion
and all board, from the Commander down, are
strangersto ought not 10 refuse it, if it WILL in
any way as you think, assist others in forming a
rect notion of the true position Of the officers
With much esteem,
Your obedient servant,
RlCH'D. II. DANA, IT.
'--s' "Short my stay was, | could not refuse
Is invitation to attend the Court Martial, and to
visit the little brig which had been the scene of the
exciting tragedy.
ave had fine, clear, cold day, and the Brooklyn
ferry boat zig Jagged the river, TO avoid the
floating ice, and lively sleigh took 10 The navy
yard. The Court is held on board the North Carolina
large ship of the line which lies moored few rods
from the wharf A ltle wherry, in which were two
sailors with the naval jacket and shirt collar was pass
ing and repassng By tow line guess warp, taking
passengers Oft and on.
at was interesting and singular to see these poor fe
lows attending about ship, in which court o: great
personages was sitting 10 determine whether Com
nander can string them up at yard arm at sea for
mutiny; and felt strong inclination TO learn what
impression The whole affair made upon them; but it
would have been improper for TO touch upon the
subject with them, if had had an opportunity, as
did not. The marine on guard at the cabin door let
US pass and we found ourselves in the upper cabin
and in the midst Of the grave and rather imposing
sembly.
"a long table filled the middle of The room On one
side Of it sat the three COMMANDERS who compose The
Court MIR. Mackenzie sat at end, Mr. Perry (he
witness then under examinalon,) stood at the other
end; and opposite the Court sat the Clerk md MIR
Hoffman, the Judge Advocate. There we're a number
Of auditors, and the reporters of the principal papers
had table 10 themselves. The Clerk was reading Mir
Perrys testimony and all silent, so that had
good opportunity for observation.
Notwithstanding my desire 10 see Mr.. Mackenzie,
my eye rested for some time upon the venerable Pres
dent of the Court, Commodore Stewart one Of the Old
lronsides horoes, and the manager Of what aways
seemed TO 10 be the best mananvred battles in our
late He has good head, and carries the appear
anec Of man who command himself as we'll as
Others and has that calm manner which usually attends
who feels that his reputation is settled. The whole
Court one in which great confidence must be placed,
for they have The and the appearance Of possessing
clear heads and right minds.
81 next carefully observed the features and preston
of the party trial; for this is which
its complexion very much from the character oil the
chief actor-the facts bsing snch 10
with the came force and meaning, with which they
10 him at the time. Ii is not questioned that lie
ted he hSs of del md Hov
is he qualified then, in moral and intellectual character,
for forming Judgment becomes important cues.
ton. On this point his appearance IS very much in his
favor. He is apparently about forty years of age, and
ain told tina. he entered the service at ten, and he
says he has served thirty years He has every mark
Of calm, selfpossess clear minded man, and en-.
reiy free from any o! tina: dashng, off hand
ing manner which sometimes attends the military but.
ton. felt much confidence in him from the moment
had carefully observed him, and this confidence has
increased by my being informed that he is more noted
for conscenousncss order and thoroughness than for
lima gination enthusiasm.
81 remained but short time, as knew that could
read The evidence carefully the mex, doy in the
papers, than could get it while looking so many df
ferent wayo.
"From the North Carolina, went to the Somers !;
and here must sny TINT no one ought to form an OPT
MON upon the issue Of this conspiracy without first
seeing the Somers. You have been on board a man Of
war; and you have, doubtless, Gas find others have,)
formed your notion Of the state of things in the Som
ers, by what you have before. In the ships Of
the line, frigatcs, eloops of war, which you have
visited there is great appearance OF protection de-
fence, and imposing authority connected with The after
end Of the ship. There is poop deck, cabin bu
above The main deck With doars and windows looking
forward, marine. with bsyone and loaded musket at
the door, another Of the gangway and others on guard
at various parts of the ship; clear, roomy decks,
plenty of officers about, and the quarters OF officers
furnished nth arms, and we'll guarded. But you must
make revolution in all your ideas upon these pariieu
lars, 10 judge of the Sone!3. fou would hardly be.
liere your eyes, you here see, the
Of this dreadful conspiracy, little brig, with low bul
warks, single deck, flush fore and aft, and
nothing to make the officers quarters bot long TRUNK
house, or companion raised few feet from the deck,
to let light and air in below, such as you may have
seen in our smaller packets which ply along the sea-
board. You feel os though half dozen resolu,e
consprators could have swept the decks, and
thrown overheard oil that opposed them before aid
could come from below And in coming deck
(Which seemed to me fearful than any thing
else in the officers condton) the officers would have
come up the steps and through the small companion
scu:tles, at which couple of could easily have
cut them down, sho! them they appeared. The
officers quarters and tho cabin the same floor
with the berth deck OF the crew, separated only by
bulkheads, and there was not marine on board to
keep guard at the doors, in the gangways over the
spirit room, powder magazine, or armor chest. All
these places and others Of hardly inferior Importance
have 10 be guarded By the officers themselves, or
trusted TO such of the petty officers and men as they
could place confidence in. We not permitted TO
go below, but conld easily believe that, allowing suf
icent between decks for the accommodation of the
officers and men, the hold might be occupied by
stores, ammunition, ballast, ard the numerous neceS.
sares Of ship of in actual service, as to leave
place where half dozen consprators could be safely
confined, apart from the crew, if retaining them
beard at ALL had been possible In short, no one, at
all acquainted with nautical matters, see tie So
mers without being made feei.ngy aware OF the de.
enceless situation Of those few officers dealing with
Grew Of ninety persons, of whom some were known to
be conspratots, while of the rest, they hardly knew
upon whom to rely for active and efficient aid in time
ofdanger
"Indeed, would go further, and say that one must
either have been at sea, or be willing TO receive some
thing faith for those Tho have to judge fairly of this
case. The difficulty in the public mind IS to be So.
tisied that there such state Of things on board
after the arrest would render all but certain TO
Of reasonable rmness and discretion that the arrested
persons could not be taken into port in irons For this
must be made out the execution was unJustitable.
do not yet mean tn give you opinion upon which !!
willing 10 be held, for the facts are not yet all in;
hit abo he itn dp.