The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-02
The SOMERs MUTINY.


examination ID the case of the Som.
ers mutiny. Lieut.. Gansevoort was
called again to the stand on Tuesday
morning, and because his evidence
sustained quite conclusively the nara
tive Of Commander Mckenzie, and
is particularly interesting itself. we are
constrained to give place to a portion
Ofhis testimony. He is speaking OF
the moments Immediately proceeding
the executionOf the three mutineers: :
The conmandef had ordered me,
previous to this time, 20 arrange the
men near the mainyaTd, where the
prisoners were to be executed. He
told nae to let the officers Of the high
est rank take leave Of Mr.. Spencer.
Just before be ordered me TO arrange
these men applied to the comman-
der Tor permission to take leave Of
Mr.. Spencer. He took my hand in
both Of his and begged me very earn
eslly to forgive him for the injuries he
had done me he told me his punish
nent was just, and that he did not OBJ.
iect 10 the sentence that he thonghf'
it was right /; that he deserved DEATH,
but didnot like the way in which the
commander chose TO put him to death.
He said he should have liked longer
time to prepare. They were then Ia
ken to the gangway-Mr. Spencer and
Small to the starbodrd and Cromwell
to the laeboard. / was standing in the
ganway ear Small. The latter asked
me if / would bid him goodbye, and
il | would forgive him; he told me
that be deserved his punishmen-that
be was guilty. / think the comman-
der said to him, sSmall, what have [
done that yon don't bid me good.bye'"
SmaIl replied, 81 didn't know that you
would bid poor--like me good
byer
[ think the commander asked him If
ne had not treated him well, or words |
o that feet; he told him that he was1
sorry TO inflict the punishment, but The |
lonor OF the flag and safety ofthe crew |
reou.red it, or words to that effect.
He replied, "Yes honor you for
t." Mr.. Spencer then aske him If
ne would forgive him. Small replied,
AVE, that is hard thing for me to
10 !; you have brought me to this"
The commander said, s'Forgive him.
Small. Don't go out of the worl
With any bad feelings. "
I did not hear Small's reply. | went
20 the other side ofthe vessel. saw
sitting on the hammock
cloths, having hold of one of the
Wins. He said that he was innocent,
md hoped we would find it out before
liz months.
/ then went over into the starboard |
again, and saw Spencer.
lie said to me somethink like this.
You may have heard and may think
hat l am a coward; you can judge
or yoursefwhether | die like cow
rd or a brave mar"
stepped down the ladder to my
position in the gangway. Small then,
think, asked permission 10 address
he crew, which the commanders gave.
lie said, "Messmates and shipmates.
never murdered anybody, but Isaid
would now see what words will do.
Take warning by me-" He said
hat his punishment was a just one
hat he did not object TO it that it was
IL right. He said something more,
which did not hear.
Mr.. Spencer asked permission TO
i've the order to fire the gun. The |
commander gave it, / heard Small tell
dr. Spencer, after his speech. that he
vas all ready. Mr.. Spencer afterwards
old Browning, the b 1atswain's mate,
Who was standing in the gangway, that
,e had not power to give the order,
nd wished the commander TO do il.
The commander Immediately gave
he order to FIRE. / called out 1WhiP,
nd the men were run up TO the main
ard. The whips were Delay ed, and
riders given to pipe down and pipe to
inner. Previous to going to dinner
he commander asked me how
bought it would do to give thres
beers. I told him thought it would
10 well ; it might show who were
wrong and who were right.
When the men assembled aft be
old them TO give three cheers for
be American Gag, which they did, and
,earty ones they were. They went
D dinner. and after the prisoners had
Jung about an hour the commander or
Iered me to hand them over % their
espective messlnates, and to have them
laid out.
PowRRFUL MAGNRT.A lecturer
vas dilatiDg upon the powers, OF the
,,er.,.nt dnfvsnu any nne Ia show or |