Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-14


among our friends. thanked God that he had
provided them all with dear friends who were
deeply interested in their welfare, and that
they had the prospect Of so soon being once
more among them.
The effect of my address on them was vari-
ons. Many of them seemed delighted at their
narrow delivery, und others seemed struck
with horror at the thought of the terrible
danger they had escaped. Some seemed over
whelmed with terror at the anticipation OF
punishment that awaited them. Others were
overcome by thoughts of returning home, and
wept profuseiy At the mention of the friends
they hoped so soon 10 see. could not help be.
lieving that all the crew were now tranquil,
and that the vessel was again safe, Having
observed that Spencer was endeavoring 10 hold
intelligence with some Of them, directed the
faces Of all the prisoners to be turned AFT, and
that no tobacco should be allowed them wiren
tie supply they had upon their persons al the
time OF their arrest should be exhausted,
told them that would see that they had every
thing necessary for their comfort; that each
should have his ration; that they should be
abundantiy supplied with every thing necessary
for their health and convenience. But told
them that tobacco was only stimulant, and
that, as wished their minds TO become as quiet
and tranquil as possible, | could not allow them
TO use it
The day after Speucer's tobacro was stopped
his spirit gave way. He would sit for long
time with his face buried in his cloak, and
when he raised his head his face was bathed
| in tears. He was touched by the kind attcn-
ton of Mr.. Gansevocrt. lie told him he was
not then in a state to speak of anything, but
that he would the next day tell him all
would answer any question that might be put
! TO him.
On Tuesday aher quarters, all hands were
again called to witness punishment, and Walt
ham was punished TO the extent of the law Tor
offering three bottles of wine to Mckinley. |
then spoke 10 the crew of the necessity of con-
forming in all particulars to the orders
of the vessel, which were known. told them
that every punishment inflicted on board must
be made known to the Secretary OF The Navy,
and that the less they were in amount the grea.
ter would be the credit that would attach to the
commander and crew,
But the whole crew, I soon found, were far
from tranquil. They collected in knots upon
the deck-seditious words were heard among
them-and they assumed an insoent and mena-
cling tone. Some Of the petty officers were ex.
amined and found To be true TO their colors, but
it was the general impression that the vesseI
was far from being safe. There was reason tc
fear that on that very night a rescne would be
attempted. | obtained variety of intelligence
concerning conferences among the disafiected
Individuals whom had not supposed to be i'm
plicated were found closely associated with Sc
veral who were known to be among the disaf
fected, and several times there were symptom,
that they were about to strike the blow. Mr.
Wales once detected c. a. Wilson in drawing
out hand spike from its place and on pre-
, senting his cooked pistol at him, he only offer
ed some lame excuse. l became exceedingl,
8 anxious, ana remained constantly Oh deck.
At IL o'clock the watch was called. Mr.
. Mckinley, Green and one or two others miss
, ed their muster: they could not be asleep, an'
, why they should be absent Just at the time
, when they never had been before, was not cas-
to be seen. When they appeared, they Al
! had some lame excuse. They probably ha
r agreed to meet at that time and to commenc
some act sf violence. Green said he coul
not get aft. sent him forward and ordere
-, him to take the forward lookout for four hour'
A directed a close watch to be kept up, an
. distributed the others in similar manner.
a At 4 o'clock others missed their muster,
n heard Of this with the greatest uneasines'
}. Where, | asked, was this to end If the me
j. upon bright night like this seem mutinou
e ard disposed to undertake the rescue OF thos
" confined, on bad night, in a storm, in tn
midst of utter darkness how much create
Q will be the probability Of a rescue liza
sf suspected should be ironed, would the DANCE
Il be over! What sympathy might not be te
1t tor the prisoners These matters crowde
i upon nv mind. | considered the lmminer
Of peril which hung over the lives of the Office
lr and crew thought of the seas traversed
,e evrey direction by merchantmen, unarme
70 and hehncclcss | thought of what was du
ir to the interests Of commerce, TO the safety
,e the lives Of thousands upon the deep, TO Il
n n