The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-01-21
CAPT. MACKENZIE.

man has beer made the subject if ill-lim-
ed and most unjust attacks, which have
originated in the N. Y. Standard, and
thence been re-echoed by many kindred
sheets in different sections of the country.
II appears that the log-book of Capt.
Mackenzie, which has been left since the
trial began in the cabin of the North Car
DINA, has been thoroughly overhauled ~
some one who has access to the cabin,
and garbled extracts made from it and pub
lished in the Standard for the purpose of
prejudicing the public mind against Capt
Mackenzie. The N. York Standard of
the 18th, contains long article purport-
ing to be an account of the punishments
inflicted on board of the Somers during
her or uise,. the. object of which was no
doubt to alarm the public mind by State
ments, wilhoutsany explana ior, of the
"Cols" and Seats" inflicted upon the ap-
prenlices, and TO create the impression that
the commanding officer is a heartless saw
age.
These numerous and bitter attacks,
however, have been met at the thresh-
hold. The N. Y. Tribune says in rela-
ion to the flogging record.
Del. Stale. Jour.
"The fact that Capt. Mackenzie adj
ministered punishment generally whenev.
err it was merited, proves nothing except
that he was strict, in enforcing the rules
OF the service-as every officer in the
Navy of course should be: but if the tes-
limony before the Court of Inquiry has
any weight, it proves that he was humane
in his mode OF inflicting it, and frequently
exposlulated with his men, and especially
with Cromwell, for fogging too hard"
Besides, there is a great deception in
his manner Of publishing the list of pun
ishments. To take single instance: H
Miller Is put down as having received -
lashes with the colt "for not having
white hal''-which the Standard puts in
italics to make it more prominent and as
lonishing. Now the facts in the case
as we learned accidentally, and with no
referarce to this statement are these
1t is the duty of the men to appear in uni
form, and TO make their own hats out O:
palm leaf, which is furnished them. Mil
Ter was supplied with materials, and Or
dered to braid his hat within week.
AT the end of the week he had not
done it, and was reported to the Comman-
der, who not wishing to inhlct the pun
ishmenl he had incurred gave him another
week. At the end Of that time, Miller ap-
peared not TO have touched his ha,-thus
plainly saying that be cared not fig for
the rules. Tie was then properly punish.
ed. Others are down for dropping a
knife from aloh. Now one did no, know
how very dangerous to the lives of Off
GERS on deck is such an accident nigh,
think this very triiling offence, but in
realty it is enc of the most heinons and
dangerous that can be COMMUNICATIONS
ere are fogged ''for not going alofl to furl
sail" The log, Of course, does not state
that if the sails were not lurled The brig
mighI'capsize, nor that the men were first
ordered 10 furl sail and refused TO do it
Yet these are the facts.
The public will readily perceive, how
important it is to keep this subject entire
~ apart from that OF the muliny and its
consequences. The Journal of Com
merce adds:
The infection of the highest penalty of
the law upon the ring-leaders of the mutt
ny may have been necessary to the preser-
vation Of the vessel and the lives of her
officers. lfso. 1t was entirely UNSUITABLE
and not only so, but to have shrunk from
it would have argued criminal weak
ness on the part of the commander. What
if the brig had been taken, her officers
murdered, and herself converted into a
pirate, to prey upon our commerce?-how
deep would have been the stain upon the
memory of Capt. Mack enzie, be cause he
had not been yigilent enough to discover
the mutiny before it broke out, and ener-
gctic enough to crush it, which its existenc
| been ascertaincd20