, 1869-09-01
TIE REPORTED NAVAL MUTtNY.


The reported conspiracy on board the
United States tngate Sabine, in the port Of
ClrtboufE, Franco, and the s1,rrosatl s1,1u-
mary ke1ecution of seven persons. will
recall the case Of the United States brig
some1s, On which, IN 1911, like tragic
affair took place. The brig Somers had
been stationed on the coast Of Africa, and
was under the command Of Captain Alex
ander Slidell Mackenzie, brother Of Sena-
Tor John sidell, Of Louisiana. On board
the somers VAS passed u.idshipmAn OF
Lieutenant, named Spencer, who, unfortu-
nate1y, YES given to drink, but who was
universally popular among all ranks md
grades Of officers and men. In one Of his
Insane moments young Spencer made
known to some Of the crew Wild scheme
Of his 10 have a vessel Of his own, upon
which he could roam The sea, free of all
restraints, The plot IVES talked over In
secret between him and the seamen. Even
tually the fact that he was holding private
interviews with the sailors wns reported;
portions Of the conversation were over
heard and the result Was that Captain
Mackenzie believed there was a conspiracy
On board the somers to muhuy aud seize
the vessel Spencer and his confdauts
were arrested md put N irons, The arrest
WIS total surprise to the crew, with
whom Spencer WIS great farorite, a1l
the interest they showed in his behals
vas construed by Mackenzie as proof that
the mutiny was spreading. a court was
convened immediately, md Spencer and his
s"o conhdants were sentenced to be hanged,
md the sentence was Immediately pat into
execution. This took plAco while the vessel
WIS in the West 1nt1in waters, and within o
few days sail Of either Of several ports,
Tho Somers reached NeE York q few da7s
after, and the announcement Of the affair
created intense interest in nll parts Of the
country, Congress had Just assembled, and
q spirited contest eusued between tho chnm.
pions Of arbitrary discipline in the
army and navy, and those opposed to
it. The father Of young Spencer
vas at that time Secretary Of the Treasury,
and this circumstance gave additional in
tetest to the matter. The subject vas
warmly debded in the press Of the
country, and in Congress. Ths popular
feeling wns pretty general THAT Mackenzie.
though fully sustained by the 1aw ami by
the naval regulations, Ind exercised his
power in hasty manner, aud TINT there
w"s no evidence Of any substantial plot to
seize the Somers. Spencer died brnyely.
He denied all thought Of mutiny, declared
his devotion to the service mud 10 The conn.,
Try, anl fully acquitted those conde,nuel II,
die with him. A naval court Of inquiry
WAS held in New York, CONSISTING of cou,.
modures Stewart. Jones. and y,al1au rb;s
curt fully e1oncrotr1 AfocLo,z;o. ,,,,,
lis verdict, wh;1c aa,,,,,;s,,;,a ~ ,o.., o'
itv Of the nr,ccsi,;nu ta;,n'1 =, .u sa'. s
country If tbo nccnss;,s ~ " ~ H. 'at n.A .n'
lion and Of I'll. e,tre,ns ,,o,,o,.1 " M ,ia y a, nc,
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