The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-11

, to state, that the evidence which has come
10 our knowledge after The most careful, de-
liberaie and dispassionate consideration
which the exigency would allow, IS OF such
a nature as 10 call for the most DECIDED ac'
ton. We are convinced that in the exls'
ting state of things il will be impossible to
carry the prisoners to the United States.-
We thick that.safely our lives, and honor 10
the flag entrusted to our charge. requires
that the prisoners be put to death, as the
course bes. calculated 10 make sanitary
impression upon the rest Of the crew. In
this decision we trust we have been guided
by our duty 10 God, 10 our Country. and TO
Service.
Respectfully, your obedient servants
Lieut.. GANsKvooRT, and others.
Com. Mackenzie.
at once concurred in the justice of Ills
opinion. and made preparations 10 carry the
recommendation into effect. Two other
conspirarors were almost as guilty as Tho
three singled out for execution they could
be kept confined without extreme danger 10
the ultimate safety ofthe vessel. The three
chief mutineers were The only ones capable
of navigating and sailing the vessel; by their
removal, all motive TO capture the vessel and
carry out the original design would be TAX
en- away. Their lives were justly forfeited
and the interests of the country, the safety
of the sea, and the honor of the flag requir'
ed the sacrifice.
In the necessity ofmy position l found my
lao: and in that necessity trust for JUST
fcation. l thought; it best TO arm the
petty officers: on this point only the First
Lieutenant differed frem me; and l found
that he was of the same opinion with some
of the petty officers themselves;--they
said that since could not tell whom to
trust, it would be best to trust no one.
| made up my own mind, and Judged OF
the characters whom I could trust and de-
termined to arm them. ordered to be is
sued to each cutlass, pistol and cart
ridges. | ordered preparations also to be
made for the execution Of the three. All
hands were called to witness punishment.
The whips were arranged, The officers were
stationed about the deck, and the pettNpf-
ficers were directed to cut down every ono
who should let go.his whip or fail TO haul
when ordered.
| put on my full uniform, came on dec
and proceeded to execute the most paint
duty that ever devolved upon any office
in the American Navy-the announcemer
10 the prisoners of the fate that awaiIe
them. approached SpencerEanf said
him; "You were about to take my life, Nj
Spencer, without provocation, without caus
or the slightest offence. You intended
kill me suddenly-in the night while | W;
buried in sleep, without giving me sing
moment TO send one word of affection to III
wife, onesprayer to God for her welfare
Your life is now forfeited and the necess
ty of the case compels me to take ii. d
not intend, however, TO initiate you in ii
mode of claiming the sacrifice. If there b
in your breast one feeling true TO natur
YOU will be grateful for the premature dl
closure of your designs. You surely ougl
to be thankful that you have BEEN proven
ed from the terrible deeds you meditated.-
Ifyou have any word to send to your FaIhe
any satisfaction to express to him that y"
were not allowed TO become P-rate, a'yo
ought to do, you will have ten minute
granted in which to write it, Mi1shipma
Thomson was then directed 10 note tb
time and inform me when il had expired.
Spencer seemed overcome With emotion
He burst into at food Of tears, sank on p
knees, and said he was not fit to de. Ire
peated to him his catechism, and begge
him to offer sincere prayers for the dlvln
forgiveness. ! recommended to him tn
English Prayer Book, assuring him that d
would find in il 'methi 70 suited to all HI
necessities. Cromwell fell upon bis knees
protesting his innocence, and invoking tn
name of his wife. Spencer declared thu
Cromwell was innocent. and begged thf
this might be believed. This, conf {:
staggered me but the evidence OF his gui
wa. conclusive. Lieut.. GanSeVoort sa'
that there was not shadow Of doubt OF 4
The petty officers said he was the Inly ma
from whom real apprehension was entertain
ed. He was at first the accompice OF SPer
Ger. and was then urged on by him, and ma
been by him turned 10 his account. ltre
to show him how Spencer had endeavore
to use him, and told Spencer that he ha
made remarks about him he would not con
slider fattering. He expressed great; an1 1!
ty to know what they were. l tolo iiln
Cromwell had said OF him and another per
son that there was a ed fool on on
side and ID knave on the other," ant
told him that Cromwell would have allow
ed him to live only so long as he could hav
made him useful to himself. This rouse
him, and from that time he said no more G
Cromwel's innocence.
Subsequent circumstances made me be
Iieve that Spencer wished to save him
probably from the hope that he would ye
get possession of the vessel and carry ou
his original design; and perhaps that Crom
well would in some way effect his rescue
He sndeavored at the same time to Persnao
that Small was only an alias for some on