Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-03-01
From the Two Worlds.
NAVY COURT MARTIAL.

members being preseH:. Commander
Mackenzie was attended by John DJer
and George Griffin, Esqrs.. Of New York,
as his counsel.
The document addressed 10 the Presid-
ing Officer was first read. by the Judges
Advocate, il desired Captain John Downes,
to preside over a general Naval Court
Martial, to try Alexander S. Mackenzie
and such others. as may be legally brought
before it. Two other communications ex.
cusing officers and appointing others to
serve in their place were next read
The Judge Advocate then asked Com.
Mackenzie if he was ready and if he had
any objections to any member of the COM
mntee. To the first question, Captain
Mackenzie replied in the affirmative to
the second in the negative.
The members of the Court were then
sworn by the Judge Advocate, ard the
latter officer by the President.
The Judge Advocate then read the
charges and specifications.
Charges and. Specifications preferred By
the SECRETARY OF THE Navy against
ALEXANDER SLIDELL MAcKENzIE, a
Conmander IN the United States Nary,
TO t0it:
CHARGE l.-Murder on Board a United
States Vessel on the High Seas.
Specification lSt-In this that the said
Commander Alexander Slidell Mac Ken
zie, of the Navy. commanding the U. S.
brig Somers, being on the High Seas, to
wit, in IL deg. "a min. % sec. north lati-
rude, and 81 deg. 81 min. As sec. west
longitude from Greenwich, or Whereabouts,
on the first day Of December, A. d. 1912,
did then ard there, toithout form Of Laao
CiLfally, deliberately and leith malice
aforethought hang and cause to be hang
ed by the neck at the main yard Of the
aforesaid brig until he was dead, Philip
Spencer, an acting midshipman, then ia
the service of the United States, thereby
violating the 2lst article of the act of Con
gress entitled An Act for the better gov
eminent Of the Navy Of the United State 81
approved April 23d, 1900.
Specification 2d.-Exactly the same a
the previous one, substituting .Samue
Cromwell, Boatswain's Mate" then in th,
service of the United States and borne o.
the muster roll of said brig, for "Phili
Spencer, Acting Midshipman, then in tn
: service of the United States"
Specification 3d-The same as the I'd
substituting Elisha Small, seaman" 70
# Samuel Cromwell, Boatswain's Mate"
CHARGE lI.-OPPREssIoN. = SpecJ
# cation /. In this, that The said Commant
er Alexander Slidell Mac Kenzic, of tn
n Navy, commanding the u. S. Brig Son
ers, being on the high seas, 10 wit in |
deg. "a min. % sec. north lat and 81 des
le 81 min. "a sec. west long. from Greer
wich, or Whereabouts, on the lst day
IN December, 1912. did then and there, qoit
out good and sufficient cause. and qoithol
& form Of lar, oppressirely Kill. by ham,
: ing and causing to be hanged by the nee
e, at the main yard arm of the aforesa
Brig, Philip Spencer, an acting Midshi
Is man, then in the service Of the Unit
States thereby violating the Sd article
K the LIST section of the article Of Congre:
\, entitled " An Act for The better Cover
ment ofihe Navy of the United States
pit approved April %, 1910.
Specification 2-Same as above, Wi
,g the same alterations as 10 the I'd Speci
cation of the lst Charge.
OF Specification 3-Same as the Cd, wi
,. the same alterations as in the Sd Speci
cation ofthe lst Charge.
i'm CHARGE IIL-ILLEeAL PUNIsHmES
Specification lin this that the said Co
up mander, Alexander SideIl MacKe
commanding the U. S. Brig Somers, i
ud ing or the high seas, to wit: in IL d,
-. 81 min. % Sec NJ lat, and 81 min. As s
W. long. from Greenwich. or thereabo,
Ing on'tle LIST day of December, A. d. Is
did then and there exceed the limits of
nds authorityand violate the 3Olh article of
act of Congress. entitled An act for
-, -, better government Of the Navy OF
United States, approved April %, Is
lose by hanging and causing TO be hanged
the neck. to the main yard-arm ofthe :
ugh brig until he was dead, Philip Spen,
ian acting Midshipman then in the ser,
ntie Of the United States.
,,;, Specifications I'd and 3d.-Same
above with the alterations as in the
God and Sd Specifications Of the LIST Chare
CHARGE w. CosDUcT UNBEc
salt ING AN OFFICER. = Specification. =
NJ. this. that the said Commander ALEX
DER SLIDELL MAcKEKzIE. command
felt he Y. s. brig Somers, whilst in lat.
81. %. Nortb, and long. 81. 81. As. v
"eps from Greenlcich. or Whereabouts. did
trary to the provisions of Article 50
and the Act Of Congress entitled An Act
the better government Of the Navy OF
United States" approved April 25. /,
yrant on the tsl Of December, 1912. behar
an nnc6ieer Ike and an anteeling y
lp0" ner by addressing tanning and unoffi
like language to PHILIP SPENcER
We acting Midshipman on board said bri
.oa The service ofthe United States. the
Spencer then and there expecting the