Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-08
From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Presentation of "A sword
BY HE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA, To
COMMANDER MACKENZIE.

VA tne 10Th ult, the sword made for Commander Alex
uer Snoei mckenzie by order OF n number Of the Cit.
i0 was presented to that officer by the
resPondence took place the occasion;
LETTER OF TIE COMMITTEE
To Commander Slidel Mackenzie
'ik-"e nave been appointed committee BY ourfelow.
cl'1cns OF fhiladelpin present 10 Won Sword which
viii receive herewith testimony of the bigb sonsc ~
entertain OF your fidelity your country of your ineg
~ uuN' @i your courage, hrmness and decision quae,
:" gnay displayed by you, that trying and alarming
emergency when norganzed mutny on board the Na,i
a. org Somers threatened break forth and convert tat
vessel into plratical rover.
Your own situation was appalling in , I.
but You proved yourself unequal u the crisis rba,
beautiful brig, distinguished for speed and amply suopled
III a2d equipment, about be torn from her
egumaie pursuits, and rendered subseryient TO dced ~
epne terror and DEATH On the solitary bosom of the deem
" hVe days and nights after these plans were discovered
u you ah1 your small band of youthful but rusy officers
"i'cu your necessary repose, seduOusy watch over
e hohor OF your country and your command and when
S was no longer secure you not from the bgh re-
sponsID.i'y which your duty and humanity demanded OF
yoN lou s'aAea your honor your life every thing tina,
was dear to you, upon the issue
oh your return home your conduct became the subiec,
o. Ie mnutest investigation at the hands of rigid justice
- N","t OF inquiry was immediately held. and after
careful and deliberate examination into eyer ,a,,iIa !;
pronounced the opinion that throughout ali these pain
occurrences, well calculated 10 disturb the iud,,sr
uy the energy Of the bravest and experienced officer
the conduct OF Commander Mackenzie and his officers
prudent calm and firm, and that he and they honorabv
uuNN 70 the service their
ms opinion, which fully sustained your conduct in
every respect, subsequently, ratified by the resul, al
your trial by Naval Court Martial These double trial.
were ardnous, expensive and oppressive you in the x
IRENE on were held responsible too before the bar nj
PuOic opinion and II must be circumstance OF infinite
value and pride to that the intelligent public sentiment
among people exceedingly Jealous the ASSUMPTION OF
extraordinary power, has pronounced verdict IN your IA
No VITA an unexpected and unusual degree of accordance
we tender TO you, therefore, congratulations for the
result OF these trials which you have been sc
HE ~irr
winch you were surrounded, and the events which on
sued are without parallel in history. You were be.
yonn the pale OF protection by the laws your country
were lnro"n exclusively those nature for iustc
GU arrogaiod TO yourself right but that with which
ma endowed you-a night of selfteience which man dare
nov 'aNe away As citizen OF the world, we rejoice hc
0y your interchangeable vigilance, and your undaunted con-
rage You succeeded IN saving humanity from dire
ana auocIiy on the ocean-as citizens of America We
nave peculiar satisfaction in rejecting that YOU the
Commander OF tie Somers, were found fully ado
gHa'e 10 the occasion, and that the honour of ON,
navy ever 50 bright and sacedy cherished bv US
mas suffered no tarnish, when entrusted 10 vour hands
nose qualities which has been your good fortune n nos
sess 50 essential IN times OF danger for naval command
e ana without which be great in your profes
son. aoF ue surest guarantee THAI the confdenc,
OF your country will not be misplaced in you when on
some uiuFe occasion, either its great interests those
mankind may again require your protection and care
With sentiments Of esteem and regard we arc ,oDr f
'o"'elnzens' GEO. CADWALADER,
C. G.. CHILDS,
THOMAS c. PERCIvAL,
STEPHEN BALDWIN
JOHN ELY,
GEORGE II. MARTIN
Philadelphia Angus; 23d, ls43.