, 1843-01-21
Addressed 10 Lieut.. Gansevoori,

f spite of his pretence that he woulc
reveal facts.
In Wilson's chest was an African
knife, sharpened on both sides. He
had also sharpened a battle-axe witt
a file.
Green and Mckinley, were also
ironed. The prisoners were now
seven, filling up the quarter deck, and
with difficulty prevented from com.
m%un;cating with each other.
The officers now commenced lheil
Investigation, and the testimony was
signed by each witness. The officers
passed the whole day in this business.
On Thursday. lst. Dec, this letter
was presented to me.
In answer to your letter as to the
course to be pursued towards the prls.
oners, we would state that such in
vestigation rs we have been able to
make. brings us to the full deliberate
conviction, that it would be impossi-
bic to convey the three prisoners to
the United States and that they should
be put to death in such Il manner as
would produce the most striking et-
feet. This opinion we give under a
full sense of what we owe to our God,
our country, and the public service.
Signed by Messrs. Gansevoort.
Heiskill. Lescock. MIdshipmen Roy
ers. Perry, Thompson, and others.
Immediately concurred in this o.
pinion-and determined hat the sac
rifce, however painful, should be
made.
The necessity Of the case required
the act-and by it, it must be justi-
fled.
Orders were given to prepare for
execution. The men were stationed,
the officers instructed TO overlook
those at the whips, and TO knock down
any man who refused to pull, when
ordered.
then addressed Mr.. Spencer, in
formed him Of his fate, babe him to
prepare to die, and invited him TO
write to his parents. Spencer was
overcome at first, but soon resumed
his courage; and he said to me, as the
last speech he had to make, that CrOm.
meH was innocent. THIS staggered
me. referred to Mr.. Gansevoort.
and he and all the petty officers by
acclamation declared him the chief
criminal.
went back to Mr.. Spencer and
informed him of what the crew said
of Cromwell and OF his guilt.
asked Mr.. S. if he had no mes
sage 10 his friends? He sail no, !
can say nothing they would wish TO
hear. He replied that he died with
prayers for his parents; that he de-
death for,his and other crimes;
and that he had committed every sort
Of crime: and that it would break his
mothers heart. and he feared would
his father. He said he had the
SAME project on board the John Ad-
ans and Potomac.
| did not know before. that he had
Il mother. and was touched by his al
fusion TO her. ! asked him if it would
not have been lar more dreadful if
he had succeeded in his attempt-ii
it were moi much better t o die rs he
than to become Il pirate and
steep himself so terribly in blood and
guilt. He said, 81 do not know what
would have become of me, If | had
succeeded" | told him hat Crom-
well would soon have made away
with him, and that Mckinley would
probably have destroyed them both.
He said he 'ieared this would injure
lis father "Had you succeeded"
replied, 'the injury you would have
lone him, would have been much |
sreater." If it had been possible to {
AXE hun home, as | at first intended, ;
told him that he would have got
'iear. as VI America. Il man win mo- |
ley and influential friends, would al {
ways be cleared, hat the course | {
taking would injure his father I
ess than if he should go home and be
condemned, yet again escape. I
He asked if had not exaggerated
he danger. told him mo; that his a
ttempts to corrupt the crew had been I
90 widely successful; that ] knew of !:
he existence Of the conspiracy, but Il
i'd not know how extensive it was."
recapitulated to him his acts. He )
vas startled when | told him Of his C
brandy. He admitted the G
lstice OF his fate, but asked me if G
not 'going too far and too fast. 81
)oes the law justify you9" said he.
replied that his opinion was not I'm. "
rejudiced: that had consulted all k
officers, and they had given their v