Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-12
Ml"rfNY CASE.

| DR.. J. w. Leecock vas called and sworn.
| 4 communication from Commander Mackenzie YVES
presented to the Court, before the testimony was coi
menced II wos the same that presented on Tuesday
requesting permission 10 prove that there was no wan.
of humanity his part, Commander in the Dolphin
and the Fairfield
lie prepared 10 prove that his conduct was hu
when in these vessels on the coast OF Amr'ca
lie wished particularly 10 prove this as there ha!
been statements III some OF the newspapers that his
treatment OF The of the Somers had cen cruel -
lie had witnesses ready 10 prove this.
The Court decided that it could not travel out OF
the record 10 investigate his conduct previous TO his
command Of tie Somers but that any testimony tend
ing show his humane conduct on board tha. vessel
was admissible.
DR.. Le.cock-I was on board the Somers in The ca.
pac,y Of surgeon. FIRST heard of the intended mn
tiny the evening of November Goth. was called
on deck al evening quarters. Commander Mackenzie
then accused Mr. Spencer OF Intention 10 seiza and
take the vessel out Of the possession Of Tie officers
also Of having held q conversation with Mr.. Wales
lie Acknowledged that he had held such conversa.
ton. believe he SAID IL was in jest or in Joke
Commander Mackenzie said, "You confess, then, You
had such Conversations, and he confessed That he
had
Mr. Wales was called up, but did not hear what
The Commander said to him. Spencer was then put
in irons. On the evening of the next day the main
royal carried away. think II was jus, before
dark, at dark, when arms were put into my hands,
and | was ordered 10 keep watch as Cromwell aud
Small were TO b. put in irons Ga The evening OF the
49,h as near can remember, four others were put
in Irons. On the both, think it was, Commander
Mackenzie addressed letter to the officers which or
dered the council
All the evidence was laid before the council Several
sezmen were examined, and the point was discussed
whether the men could be carried home; concluded
that it would be emnenly hazardous; that 1t would I've
almost impossible, for fear should be attempt
ed and the vessel seized.
After, called deck to witness the execution
of the prisoners. heard Mr. Spencer nsk 10 speak to
Mr. Wales Just before the execution, and also heard
him ask Small 10 forgive him. did not hear the reply
Of Small, nor did hear Spencer say any thing more
heard Cromwell say he was innocent. This is all the
conversation heard ct this time.
About two three days before the arrest of MIR
Spencer, as well AZ ! cnn remember, Mr. Spencer
was in the wardroom, and Purser Heiskell and myself
were there. | at table looking some charts
of the course of the vessel off the Of Africa and
the West Indies Mr.. Spencer asked me knew where
was the Isle Of Pines. told him it somewhere on
the coast of Cuba
| believe | asked him Mt the time if he knew any
one there. | remarked that had heard it was great
piratcal resort. Mr. Spencer made no further obser
walton that know Of but continued some time looking
over the chart Of the West Indies and then spoke of
the homeward voyage of the Potomac, in which he had
sailed.
| recolcct asked Cromwell, when he the
sick list Cape Mcsurado if he had ever been on the
coast nj Africa before. lie SAID ne nlu. asked HliH
in what vessel. lie said III saverthat he had never
been in n man of war before On the morning of the
Goth Of November, Small presented himself to me TO
go the list, complaining of nausea and vomiting.
put him the list, and gave him some medicine. On
the evening Of the SAME day, MIR. Waess evidence
came TO my knowledge, duplicating Small. On the
next morning. the 27th he again presented himself and
still complained of vomiting. From his appearance,
tone of voice. and quiverng perceived he laborng
under manifest care and anxiety
then made inquiries as TO whether he had been
seen to vomt, but nobody having him dos and,
believing that he eignng sickness, refused to
keep him on the list any longer.
Nausea might have produced this effect, but do not
think it did in this case, the evidence OF Mr. Wales,
and other facts, had then to my knowledge
did not ask Small who had seen him vomit He took
the medicine ordered. do not think he vomited.-
He was ironed, think, the evening Of the 9th
il was on the morning of that day that had this con-
versaon. After he in rons he requested no more
medicine.
Q. will you relate any acts conversation either
before after the arrest, that tended to show there
was not mutiny?
a. Nothing which have not mentioned.
@ What circumstances induced you 10 unite IN that
letter to the Commander, advising the execution OF
the prisoners us necessary TO the safety Of the vessel
A. There were great many prisoners on deck ana
did not know how to keep them there ! DID not
know how many more were leagued win them, ana
had the prisoners conversng with each other
exa mined before the council, and who considered the
vessel in highly, dangerous condition
/, also, thought the crew were surly and datory in
their duty, during The whole Of the lne the prisoners
were irons This, think, disappeared entirely alter
the execution Of the prisoners.
There is no other matter touching this inquiry which
wish TO relate.
Cross examined By Commander H4ehenste
@ Was the Commander attentive or otherwise 10
the comfort of the sick, and did he ever send TO you
food from the cabin table, for those IN delicate
health,
A. He was and did send food to the sick from the
cabin.
O. Did the Commander in going into every port, au-
thorse the procurement of fruit and fresh provision for
the sick and others ofthe crew!
A. He did: he directed me to make acquisitions for
fruit for the sick.
O. Was the Commander, while the Somers was at
sea and on the coast of Africa attentive 10 the SICK and
was the health Of the improving from the time
when The Somers left New York until her arrival on the
coast of Africa
A. He was attentive, and The health of the crew was
improving The sickness was slight
| Q. Was the treatment, Of the crew by the Command
er humane?
A. II was
O. Was attention paid to the exercises and the edu
cation of the apprentices
L 4 LnN. lad