The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-25
AN Old RAGEDY RECALLED.

The Death OF Gen. Mackenzie's Mother
Brings UP the Tragedy on the United
States Brig somers.
The death, as reported by telegraph on Sat-
urday, of Mrs. Alexander Slidell mackenzie, at
the residence of her son, Brig. Gen. R. s.
Mackenzie, .. s. A., Santa Fe, N. NJ, will
recall to mind the excitement created some
Cromwell and Small on board the brig Somers,
commanded by her distinguished husband,
Commodore Alex Slidell Mackenzie. The COM
modore had achieved quite o literary reputa-
ton. aud his name was familiar to American
readers. He was the author of A Year in Spain,
was also author Of popular life Of Capt
Paul Jones, and some other works
which were favorably receivet, besides
being valued contributor to the Knicker-
booker and other periodicals of that day. The
Somers went out in 1912 with crew of 100
men and nlnety-six apprentice boys under age
and on the return from the coast of Africa,
while approaching the Isle Of Pines, a mutiny
was suspected, which demanded severe meas
ures, as the officers believed, to secure the safe
men above mentioned were hung to the yard
arm. 1t was believed that the conspirators in
tended to murder the officers aud divert the
vessel into. piratical cruiser. Commodore
Mackenzie on reaching New York marched
with his crew to the nearest church and re-
tutaoA VhuAho w SAaAAs3AVJ oou AL tuClt sbto
deliverance. He also sont on to Washington
sealed dispatch, conveying the first news
of the tragedy that lad been enacted.
The intelligence, as spread through the coun-
try, caused o sensation. and what added to the
interest was tho fact that Spencer, the ring
John @. Spencer, the then secretary Of war un-
der President Iyler's administration. AS was
natural, Secretary Spencer wrote letter,
which was extensively published, denouncing
the act Of Mackenzie as illegal and unneces-
sary, and saving if there were any grounds for
believing that mutiny Was contemplated the
prisoners, after thor arrest and confinement
in irons, should and could have been brought
with safety to the United States The COM
modore was tried by a court Of inquiry, and
months, and he was acquitted. Complaint
cause @as Bs aJs F. Buter and "t Charles Ios
O'Connor, employing by the father of young
Spencer, were not allowed to sit by and put
questions approved by the court Whatever
Of the execution at this late day, the act
Of Mackenzie was complemented by
the merchants Of New York. and ap-
plauded by the press at the time, and tho
public voice generally was in his favor. Re-
garding the further history Of Commodore
after the tragedy on tue big Somers, the Next
can war broke, out and toward its close Mac
kenzie was sent on a secret mission by Pres-
dent Polk lat the instance OF the late Sena-
tor Slidell. brother of Alexander Sill
dell Mackenzie whose name was changed
to meet some bequest to Santa Anna, then at
Havana,) with scheme to restore that ex-
dictator to Mexico, upon some agreement ad-
vantageous to the United States, but the con-
ference did not succeed Mackenzie, few
year. later. was killed by fall from horse.
and the brig soners went down to the bottom
of the sea with all on board