The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE SOMERS MUTINY.
COM. MACKENZIE'S NARRATIVE.

q. S. BRIG SoMERs. NY, Dec. 10, ls42.
Since my arrival at this port | have been
dig emily engaged in preparing for the De-
pariment at Washington a full and detailed
narrative of all the circumstances connected
with he mutiny on board the U. ). brIg-of
war Somers. on her recent voyage from
Africa, but having heen frequently inter-
rupted especially by the solicitude of friends
have been forced TO relinquish my first in :
ention and 10 cenfne myself entirely 10 a
sketch of the principal occurrences. After
leaving the Azores and Madeira in October
proceeded. according 10 orders, TO Ten
erife and Porto Pray. Thence | went TO
Liberia expecting 10 find the U. g. sloop:
ofwar Vandlia. But on arriving there /
found that she had sailed on the 9th Of Oct.
for the United States as understood. The
de7paches with which was entrusted for
her being thus rendered of no use were left
with the U. S. Agent, whose receipt fo-
Them is enclosed. On the 1lth of Novem.
Der sailed for the United States via St.
Tomas, where thought il necessary to
take supply of bread, water and other re-
freshmenls, On Saturday, the 25th of No.
yember, Lieut.. Gansevoort came into The
cabin and informed me that he had learned
from midshipman Wales that conspiracy
existed on board the ship to ca pture the YES
sci, 10 murder the Captain, bring over as
many Of the crew as possible, murder the
rest and convert the vessel into pirate; and
that Midshipman Spencer was at the head
Of the conspiracy. This, Lieut.. G. SAID
had been told to him by Midshipman Wales,
whose narration was as followes:
On The night of The IS, of Nov, between
and s o'clock in the evening, Wales said
he was aroused by Spencer, who asked him
togo upon the the booms, as he had some
lhrg 10 say 10 him. He got up, and, on
arriving al the booms, he was asked by
Spencer, "Do you fear DEATH do you fear
dead mani do you fear to kill mani" Wales
with admirable GOODNESS, induced Spencer,
10 20 on, took the oath Of secrecy. and en-
tered into all his plans. Spencer told him
that he had about 20 men in his plot; that
they would easily get possession of the ship
murder the Commander and officers, and
commence piracy. He gave Wales all the
details of his plan, which were admirably
suited for his purpose, and arranged much
better, Mr.. Wales said, than he could have
done it himself As an inducement TO EN-.
bark in the enterprise, Spencer said large
box Of wine on board conained large a.
noun, of gold and other treasure. His OBJ
jecl was 10 go TO the Isle of Pines, where
one Of his associates, who had been pirate
before, had confederate; that be would at
tack no vessels that he could not capture,
and destroy all he captured; that he would
select from them such females as were prop
er. use them and then dispose of them that
on paper, which was in the back Of his
crayat. He showed money TO Mr.. Wales,
and before separating, threatened him with
instant death if he ever revealed what he
had told him.
Such, proceeded Capt. Mackenzie, was
The purport of the information which re-
ceised from Lieut.. Gansevoort. To me the
whole affair was so monstrous that treated
II with ridicule, and believed that Spencer,
had been amusing himself and Wales with
some story of piracy he had learned from
some novel or tale Of murder. Still | could
not help feeling that it was sporting with
serious subject and that my duty required
me 10 be on my guard, and resolved close
ly 10 watch the movements of Spencer. |
directed the first Lieutenant TO observe him
yerynarrowly. LEARNED that in the course
of the day Spencer had been in the ward
room or some time, and had busted himself
in examining chart of the West Indies,
and that he had made some inquiries con-
corning the Isle OF Pines. The Lieut.. told
him that he believed ii was place much
frequented by Pirates. and drilv asked him
if he had any acquaintance there? Spencer
passed the day snllenly, and was often OBJ.
served TO be examining paper, and writing
with pencil, and making rings with his
penknife. Lieut.. Gensevoor; soon after
made some excuse for following him 10 the
foretop. when he found him engaged in
working some love devices upon his arm.
He expressed desire to learn the rate OF the
Chronometer, and was referred 10 the Mas
Ter of Marines. He was frequently seen en-
Gagged in holding secret conferences with
BOalswaiu Cromwell and Small, and was
known 10 have given money 10 different per-
Sons Of the crew. He had also melted the
steward 10 steal brandy. which he had Civ
en- 10 the crew, and with which he had once
or twice got drunk himself.
Capt. Mackenzie thought it due to the
Wardroom officers TO state the circumstan-
ces connected with their having brandy on
aoafd. When the vessel was first equip
ped, i told the first Lieutenant that il was