Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-13


would respectfully suggcs, that the thanks of the
Department represented to all the officers of tho
Somers. The opinion they gave were their own
i they were erroncous-the responsibility is not heirs
The opinions the acts and the responsibility are mine
alone ana freely meet that ordeal TO which my con
duct wIi undoubtedly be subjected trusting TO that
CONSEQUENCES vi rectltnde IN my own bosom which
has never for moment iorsakln me, or waycIcd i'm
the slightest degree.
submit that J. w. Wales by his GOODNESS and pres
cnce OF mInd and firm integrity, has rendered to the
American Navy a memorable service. had some
difficulty with him at Porto Rico; and on that ac-
count be was singled out and tamp3rod with but he
renamed true TO the flag OF his country. Purscr 3
post or handsome ecunl1ry rccompcnse would be n
smnli compensation for the services he rendered.
Sergeant Gartry proved himself worthy the noble
corps 10 which he belonged. He rose from his ham
mock where he had been confined By sickness, and
1d dGty through the whole affairs aud wh.n this was
done his mllady returned and be was again disabled.
respectfully suggest that Sergeant GlrtIy he pro-
NOTED to Second LcuAnancy in the Maine Corps.
also recommend the other officers TO the notice of
the Department. | believe that their promotion will
be beneficial to the Navy. II the, prove to be I'M
worthy of it, the service they have now rendered can
not DO injured by that 1t will be remembered in the
Navy that when mutiny occurred and they remain
ed faithful to their trust, their services not forgot
ten; they prove unworthy oft, this will not be re-
corded with it.
Ii it he deemed that have had any merit for the
preservation OF the Somers from the telcheiou tolls
ny WHICH SIZE was SWIOinlel DOtu since ana before
her departure from the United States / respectfully
beg that It may accrue without reserve to my nephew.
Mr. Perry; and that he be placed in the situation left
vacant by the death OF Mr. Spencer. pledge my
self for the entire athiulncss and ztn with which he
will discharge It's duties. For myself only ask that,
whaever may be thought of the services rendered to
the flag OF my country, which sAould he tho first
sicrld, my own honor may also meet with due con-
sheraton. | ask only that may not be deprived Of
my command untiIl am found to be unworthy it.
ALtA. SLIDElL MACKENZIE.
After the narrative was read, the first wit
ness, John B. Wales, was called. lie sta
ted that on the night of November 25, after
some unimportant conversations Spencer ask
ed him to get on the top of the boom, as he
had something very important to commune
cate to him. Witness proceeded 10 relate
as follows:
got on the boom, and he commenced the CONVEX.
saton by asking me if was AFRAID of death. Spcn
Ger and | were alune He asked me if ] was afraid
OF death. Did fear dead man! and darc kill
person | was very much surprised nj these re-
marks and looked up to if he in earnest, and
found he was So looking very serious. | replied that
was not particularly DESTROYS to die as yet that
bad no cause 10 fear dead person; and that II a man
sufficiently abused me, thought could muster cour
aye 10 Kill him, if necessary. Spencer replied, II
don't doubt your courage at all 1 know it." He
then said can yon keep secret, and VIII you keep
one II So take the oath. lie dictated an oath, the
whole of which can't rococci, but the purp)rt Of it
was, that should never make known to any person
what he was ubDIt 10 relate. took the oath, which
was atnl'n,seted by word OF moGth. lie then went
on to say that he le1Gucd with about twenty of
the bre company, to take her, murder all her Off
GERS. ami commence prang. The places and sta
tons Of the men he had all arranged secret VIII
ting, done up ii his ncclte;chaf He requested me 10
feel his nGckerchcf, which did, and perceived some
thing u ihs back part winch appeared from the moss
Il made to be paper. He then went on to state the
plan he intended to pursue. The atlray would COM
mcnce some nqht when he had tho mii-waich.-
Some OF his men would get into f-h, on the fore
castle. He (Speucer) was to hring them up TO the
mast and call Roger, the officer Of the dock to pre-
tend 10 settle the difficulty. A soon Rogers got
10 the ganGway, they We're TO seize him and thrust
nun overheard. They woyid then have the vessel in
their own possession. Tho keys OF the arm chest,
he stated, he could lay his hands at any moment.
he AIM chest 10 he opened, and arms to be dis
trhu,ed to his men He was then to station them AT
the h1lches to prevent any one from coming on deck,
while he himself would proceed 10 the cabin and muir
der the commander with the least noise possible
lie should then proceed with some OF his men 10 the
waid-rooIn, and there murder the ward-rOom uni
Storage officers. He stated that the officers had
arms in the ward room with the exception Of the first
lieutenant, and all the arms he had there was Old
cullass, which he (Spcncer) should secure before the
aiiay commenced. Tins being accomplished, he
should 90 on deck, and have the Two after slew.
lie would then cause n the crew 10 b. called
deck, AMI select from them number, such as would
suit MS purpose and the rcmnnler he would cause TO
be thrown overheard. This done, the brig was to
proceed 10 Cape Antonio the Isle OF Tines and there
take on board one who was fam lar with their intan-
ded business, and who was ready AMI wiling 10 JOIN
them. HIS name was not remembered, nor did ask
H. They were next to commence cruising for prizes.
Whenever they captured vessel, after taking from
her what would be OF use TO them the, were to muir
der oil on board AMI seattle the vessel 50 rs to leave
no traces Of her. Should there hc any females on
board, they would have them removed to the brig for
he Use of the officers and mon, long they saw
IL and then make away with them. Spencer then
call up E.hu Snail, seaman, who on the rail.
had not before tins made spencer any rep V, andha
60 ninence! talking to hiu IN Spanish. ] did not
Understand what they sid, bpi Small lopAcd Surpris-
ed. saw Smals face distinctly. Spencer then re-
married IN English, Oh, yon need not be under any
apprehension OF tear on his twiin ~ account a
nave s1uaacd Inn pretty we'll and fad that he i
o. US" Small seemed 10 be pleased, and remarked
TINT he was very glad TO hear II.
. Small was then Gale! 10 execute some order. Be
lore gong, however, Spencer told him th1the (Spen-
cer) sAp Id have the nld-watcA that ulght and wish
Ell to have semG further conversation with him rca-
I'VE 10 Their plans, and desired 5 mall 10 that fore
tap man IN the mean time bat did not mention his
name. Small then ct and Sn'ncer made oyerturrs
10 me- ana sad that Il ! should p!n them he Wogd
give me The situation OF third officer on board. lie
theii went on TO state, that the commander had
large amount of money on board lh-, he said
Win WIFI inc furscT mao, WDl'u make pretty lllc
sum 10 commence with He then asked we what
thought otthe project and told him vas iaso,ably
disposed TO it. Ny duty then called me away
Spencer remarked that he would have another inter-
view tomorrow, and he would then show me that
plan ofhis drawn up. lie then followed me rs far as
the gsngway, saying fl llsped syllable Of what he
communicated to Ue, should be murdered, and that
if he did not d. it himself those connected with him
would, and go where might, my life would not be
worth straw. replied that would not make any
mention OF II. This conversation lasted nearly two
hours. We were nearly in the centre OF the booms
contrary TO the rules of the ship.
Witness proceeded 10 relate, more in de-
tail than we have room 10 give, that this con-
versaton occurred at eight or nine O'Clock
that it was very Highland witness inten-
dcd to communicate these facts to Comman-
der Northumberland that he was watch
ed by Small and afterwards by Spencer
went to the Storage to try TO get into the
ward room, but perceived the lights we're out
found Spencer still awake-was obliged
to let the matter rest till morning-did not
sleep, and at seven o'clock communicated
the plot tO Purspr HASKELL Soenrpr was