Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-03
------------------ --------------------------
Tile CASE OF TILE SnNIERS

/ ".
States brig somers, assembled pursuant adjourn
ment on Thursday morning last all the members Of the
Court being present, when the following p.oceedngs
were had. We copy ficm the New York COMMERCIAL
Advertiser:
| Commander Mackenzie said that he wished MIR ehn
Hone to assist him, not counsel but 10 kerpa record
Of the proceedings. Mr.. Hone the took bis at the
table, by the side Of Capt. Mackenzie.
The Judge Advocate then read the minutes Of Wee.
nesday's proceedings
Commodore Stewart. Commander Mackenzie, have
you prepared any statement of the matter be SUBJ
mit!ed 10 the Court
Commander Mackenzie. have report, but it is
not here. twill be here in few minutes.
The witnesses in the case, not expected 10 testify
that morning, were required to leave the Court. The
witnesses, Commander Mackenzie said, were on board
the Somers
A summons was then served on j. u. Wales, purs.r's
steward.
Commander Mackenzie's papers were then brought
into Court and Mr. Huffman need reading his
narrative, which had been submitted 10 the Navy De.
partment
The narrative, after relating several facts connected
with the voyage, which are already familiar 10 The
public states that Saturday, the 25h November Mr.
Wales, the pursers steward reported 10 him that there
conspiracy to mutiny; that on The nigh, prev,cos,
Midshpmau Spencer had broken TO him the plan, and
informed him that twenty of the engaged in
it; that they intended to murder the officers; convert
the brig into pirate; attempt the capture of such ves
sells they they could conquer kill oil on
board except the females, dno Wnen tney mao no uher
for them, 10 throw them overheard. He said also
that he had confederaes at the Isle of Pines.
This account Of his plan was found in his neckker-
chief afterward When he FIRST addressed Wales he
asked him if he afraid Of bccd and put TO him other
nterroga;ories of similar character Spencer parted
from him with threats 10 teke his life If he should dis
close the secret.
At first, the narrative states that Captain Macken zie.
treated this disclosure monstrous and possbleas
the harmless vision of boy who had been reading
nnl clio he htc dpfu
qure into the matter and Lieut. Ganseyoort direct
ed 10 watch the movements Of Mr.. Spencer. The
rative relates many disordery acts Of Spencer and,
among others, that getting intoxicated, and Of abusing
of the crew.
Commander Mackenzie states that after Midshipnsn
Spencer had been received on board, he (Mackenze)
heard that Spencer had been sent home from the Brazil
squadron for ntoxcaton; that he wished to get rid Of
him (; that he considered him base young man, ond
being the CT honorable father, he thought him
more base than those who have families to disgrace
by their conduct He wished to have nothing do with
baseness and thought should have nothing 10 do with
The Navy.
Mr.. Hoffman then paused in the reading, owing to
some mperfecion in the manuscript, which had been
hastily prepared Some portion of the narrative pre-
sented was copy of the original which had been before
the Navy Department Mr.. Hoffman objected TO read.
! ing the copy.
Some conversation ensued upon the proprety Of p:o.
cecdIng with the examination OF witnesses before the
reading Of the copy Of Commander Mackenzie state
ment should be completed.
The Judge Advocate inclined to the opinion that the
first statement should be first read for The that
The Witnesses would be introduced prove tie truth
of it.
The President Of the Court Commodore S,ewar)
suggested that the examination might proceed, upon al
understanding that the reading Of the remainder OF
Captain MackcDzie's narrative should be completed on
the opening Of the Court 10 morrow.
Captain Mackenzie said the had arisen in tie
haste of copying that morning He could have bis own
arau ght Of the statement in Court in ten mInuas
soon officer could GO to Com Perry house anu
return.
The Judge Advocate said they might perhaps pro-
coed with the witnesses, and in meking up The peceec
ings, on the finishing Of the statement 10 morrow,
miph nunc uro fune be considered that the reading
. had taken place 10 day.
Mr. Wales the purser's steward OF the Somers, was
, then sent for, and shortly aerwatd appeared. y
All the witnesses On board The Somers were men Oh
reced to be brought board the North Calohs' '"S'
they might be at hand as called
; But, on second suggestion that the mannserp.
would be very forthcoming II was conc'cceo ~.
TO proceed with the examination Of MIR. Wales aIo '
Court adjourned for half sn hour in order TO auoio
Captain Mackenzie time TO obtain he manusc'P. s''
Of the official report ..,.d
A, the end of the half hour the Court re 30.
Captain Mackenzie expressed bis regret that .hy y.
ay should have been caused. was not until yese.
days. that he informed that The copy OF his report
the Department would be read in the proceedings and
all the difficulty had arisen from his anxiety !" have .d
/, correct copy ready in season 30 many oil MS a'n'
friends had been engaged IN assisting bm in The pre-
pasaon Of the copy, that Tie emission Of several WORDS
and the disarrau Of the manuscripts had occur
red He assured the Court that by TO- corrow al would
J. be ready. I'M.
i The Court thereupon, after few minutes OF de'oe-
ration, adjourned until Friday at hail past II o'clock
From tie " y Ere. Postl -rr
NAVAL COURT or INQUIRY-MCTISY or BOARD THE
l. SUMERS. ,,o
!, Friday, December 80, ls4o
), The Court assembled pursuant to adjournment snd
e the Judge Advocate having read The minutes OF yes
}. terdays proceedings mi.
o Captain Mackenzie produced correct copy Of ms
report 10 the Secretary, which read by The !ooee
Advocate. After going over the same ground as mat
contained in yesterdays epoI,he date To- be-
II hcb The plot FIRST disclosed, beirg stateo c
1.-the Goth of Novemser-it went TO state ihs'
IS Mackenzie had observed Spencer 10 have little CONVEX
+, salion with the officers, and much Wild s sna
had observed also bis general behavior sna oemesSo.'
t. and he determined his person. wac
kenzie then made his ano .aisa epeaes
ht with having made the communication 70 Mr. "a'eh
ID which he ADMITTED; bat said il wns