Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-14

|
Five bells, or 10 o'clock, was the time for di-
vine service. The First Lieutenant asked if
he should call the roll told him it would be
best to wait Till the time was up. Five bells
struck and all were called 10 muster. The
crew were all present, were unusually at
tentive, and their responses were more than
ordinary full and audible. In the examination
their oountenances exhibited nothing 10 excite
distrust.
In ,hc afternoon the sky-sails and studdiug-
sails were set. Casey, one Of the best of the
apprentices was sent aloft on the roya, yard TO
make some alteration in the rigging. At once
sudden jerk was given to the brace by Small
and another, who has rot been discovered, and
the fore-topmass, with the top-sail, topgallunt-
staysaH Hnd fvead~gsff top-saii, at once canse
down. Gasely was on the royal yard. I
scarcely dared to look to see the spot where
the boy should fall. The next momeu, his
shadow appeared at the mast head, and pre-
sentiy discovered him examining, with sdmi-
rable coolness what was 10 be done.
J did not dare to believe This carrying away
of the topmas the work Of treachery but
knew tina; an occasion of this sort, such as the
loss of the boy, which should create confusion
| and inierrup; the duty ofthe officers, would be
sought by Them, ifthey were bent on the prose-
cution Of their enterprise, All possible mea-
sures were taken TO prevent confusion. The
rigging was Immediately restored and the
sails bcut afresh. Every member ofthe crew
was employed, and all things were made to 90
on with regularity. To my astonishment upon
the occurrence Of this disaster, all the conspi-
rators who were named in the programme of
Spencer, no matter in what part ofthe vessel
they were engaged at the time, Immediately
mustered at the mainmOst-wheIher animated
by some newborn zeal to serve their country
or intending to carry out their designs, | can
not say. This circumstance at once confirmed
my belief in the continued existence of the
danger. The eye of Spencer travelled con-
tinually to the masthead, and he cast quick
and stealthy glances about, as he had not done
before. The wreck was soon cleared away,
and supper pped.
After supper the same persons mustered at
the masthead, and the sails were set. After
quarters they dispersed. Still did not think
it safe to leave Cromwell at liberty during the
night, which was emphatically the season o.
danger. After consulting with Lieutenant
, Gansevoort, determined to arrest Cromwell
An officer was sent to guard the rigging. | met
{ Cromwell at the foot of the Jacobs ladder
going aft, and stopped him. asked him abou
the conversation he had had with Spencer. liz
denied that it was he, and said, at was no
me, sir it was Small" Cromwell was III,
tallest man on board the vessel and Small th'
, shortest.) Cromwell was Immediately put ii
=, irons-Small, being thus accused by an as
sociate, was also ironed. The utmost vigi
= lance was enjoined upon the officers. Al
were armed, and either myself or the first lieu
. tenant was constantly on deck.
e The next morning, which was Moniay, tn
e 2Sth Of November, two crimes of considerebl
;, magnitude came to light. One ofthe men ha
h been detected in stealing from boat and III
I steward had stolen money and given some c
d it to Spencer. This was no time TO relax tn
discipline Of the ship, and both the men wer
;, punished to the extent of the law. 1t yas 500
c no,er found that man Mined Waltham ha
:, told M'kiuey where three bottles OF wine wer
" placed, and offered them to him. M'Kinle
n was stationed near the arm chest and reperte
of this to the first lieutenant. Punishment
of Waltham, however, was postponed Till the ne'
l. day. Punishment of the other two being owe
e. thought that fit opportunity to endeavor
Sc make an impression upon the crew. ! ho
of good reason to think that the danger of II
re conspiracy was not over. | beiieved that
ii majority of the crew might be said to be
general dsaffected, and disposed to resist di
re ciplne. Some mysterious agency had ev
a IDENTITY been at work since the departure of Il
I'll Somers from New York and this was no
he disclosed.
It. explained to the crew the general natu
ed of Spencer's plot and the atrocious character
'e- the designs he had formed. took especi
IT. care not to betray suspicion that ! thong
" any particular one of them was deeply imp
his Gated, but exhorted all Of them to repent
lie their int entions and attend faithfully to the
all duty. took good care to assure them that 4
ar majority Of the crew must at all events sha
he the fate Of the officers strove to divert thu
hs minds from the pictures OF successful vi