New-York daily tribune., 1843-01-05
money to get vessel. l do not remember wha.

money to get vessel. do not remember what
led TO this conversation
Eight or nine days before the nutiny was dis
closed, the Doctor, Mr. Spencer and myself were
in tie ward-room-the two first sitting at the Ia
bic, reclining on the berth On the table was q
chart OF the West India Islands. Mr.. Spencer
began speaking TO the Doctor about the Isle OF
Pines, and commenced searching for it On the
chart. The Doctor told him that it was place
frequented BY pirates, and asked he bad any ac-
ouaintance there. He made no reply | once
saw in the ward-roonl picture of schooner. of
which think the nasts raked very much, though |
do aot remember that she had fag l had no
conversation with Spencer, Cromwell or Small
before or subsequent 10 the arrest; ner with any
other of the crew, touching the alleged mutiny.-
The crew consisted OF one hundred and sacenty
persons, of whom seven were officers in the steer
age, including Mr.. Spencer, four in the ward
room, and the Commander. There were eight
petty officers, and four rated as seamcn, making
twelve, nine ordinary seanen, SIX landsmen, and
seyenty-four apprentices, rated as boys, making in
all ore hundred ard twenty. The boys were
rated in three classes, according to their capacity
heard no declarations of Small, Spencer, or
Cromwell at the time of the execution, as stood
too far OF. The evidence taken before the Council
of officers induced me, with Mr.. Wales's state
ment, to unite with the opinion they gave 20 the
Commander. The witnesses, mngling with the
crew, had every opportunity to judge of their feel
ings and dispositions.
Between the confinement and the execution of
the prisoners, the gangway and forecastle were
very much crowded, 80 that had difficulty in
passing. This had not been so previous to the
arrest, nor did / observe it after the execution
There was change. l had called the attention
of the officer to the matter and had requested him
to have the passage kept clear
QUESTIONS BY COMMANDER MACKENZIE.
Qucs. How much tobacco, segars and soap did
Mr.. Spencer draw from you during the cruise
Ans (On reference 70 his. book. From Sept.
II to Nov. 26 he drew 725 segars, II pounds of
tobacco and four bars of soap. This very
unusual quantity-much more than any other ofhcer
drew, except of soap.
Ques As Purser, do you know whether the Com
mander took pains that the provisions served
to the crew were of good quality; and if So can you
remember any circumstance illustrative of the fact
ARs. can. While at Monrova the supply of bread
was small. found there some hard bread to
be had there, and took sample of to the vessel
In the afternoon received an order from the Com
rnander to purchase as much as of the cutters
would carry. When it came board It was found
not 20 be equal to the sample and was thrown over
board.
The Court said these questions were unnecessary
as it was always taken for granted that every ves-
sci was well supplied with good ratios.
Com. Mackenzie said he would be glad to show
that he not only did his duty to his men, but that
he also insisted that Mr.. Heiskell should pay for
this bad bread as it was his business to protect
the Government.
Ques. As gentleman unacquainted with the
naval service and fresh from private life, did you
ever see any treatment of the crew not in perfect
accordance with your sense of justice, and humane
and kind as the proprietes of life required
Ans | never did.
Ques Did you believe and do you now believe
that the Somers could have been brought into port
il the execution had not taken place
Ans. thought then and still think that there
was great danger erery moment that those per-
sons were on board.
Ques. Did you observe in the commander or
other officers an indication of unusual fear, des-
potic temper, or OF any qualities unbeceming an
American oficer9
Ans. No, sir.
After making up the record the Court adjourn
ed.