Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-06-19
An oLp TRAGEDY RENEWED.

The death, as reported by telegraph
reoently of Mrs. Alexander Slidell
Mackenzie, at the residence Of her son.
Brig. Gen. Il. 8. Mackenzie, U. s. A.,
Santa Fe, N. M, will recall to mind the
excitement created some forty years ago
by the hanging Of Spencer, Cromwell
aud Small ON board the brig Somers.
commanded by her distinguished hus-
band, Commodore Alex. Sildoli MAO
kenzie. The Commodore had achieved
quite a literary reputation. and his name
was familiar 70 American readers. He
was the author Of A Year in Spain, by
Young American, and Spain Revisited.
He was also author of popular life of
Capt. Paul Jones', and some other works
which were favorable received, besides
heing a valuable contributor to the
Kaiekerbocker and other periodi-
cals of that day. The Somers went
out In lS42 with q crew OF 10
men and ninety-six apprentice boys
under age, and on the return from the
coast Of Africa, while approaching the
lsle Of Pines. Q mutiny vas suspectcd,
which demanded severe measures, as
the officers believed, 70 secure the safe
~ Of the chip. After an investigation
the Young men mentioned we're hung TO
the yard arm. Il was believed that the
oouspirators intended 10 murder the Of
icsrs and divert the weasel into pirat-
ioal cruiser. Commod0so Aaokenxie on
reaching New York marched With nh
crew 20 the nearest church and returned
thaam 10 Almighty God for tAelx eafa
deliverance. He also sent ON 10 Wash
inQtou sealed dispatch, conveying the
firss news Of the tragedy that had beer
enacted. The intelligence, - spread
through the country. cAused eensAtion,
and what added 20 the interest vas ths
| fact that Spencer, the ringieades In ths
suspected mutiny, was son Of John G
| spencer, the then Secretary OF War nm
der President Tyler's administration
Az was natural, Secretary Spencer vrots
a letter, which WAS extsnstyeiy pub
| lished, donouncing the act Of 4ackenxss
a. illegal and unnecessary. and sayins
n there were any grounds for believing
that A mutiny was Contemplated ths
nrisonarx. altar their arrest and conine
mens in irous, should and could hAyl
bseu brouaht With safety 10 the Unite<
Hsatea The eommodoes vas tried BY ,
oourt Of inquiry, and Also bv . cous
martial. the trial lasting two months
And 10 W. 0O3usesS. sk.
made during the trial becauee bcnlamir
r. BuS1ur snn Oonxles 0e0san0es -
ployed BY the father Of young spencer
were not allowed 10 sit by and put qtes
tious approved by the court what
ever may b thought OF tn
character and neceasaty Of th'
execution AZ this late day, the ac
Of Mackenzie was complimented by the
merchants Of New Yoak, and aPplaudes
by the press at the tine, and the publi'
voics generally vas in his favor. Re
garding the further hi1tory Of Comma
aors Mackenzie. IL may % stated tina
Ave yeAn af1ss he tragedy On ~ brkl
Somers. the Mexican var broke oot, an
toward its Close Mackenzie was SAINT OF
. secret missiou by President Polk "a
the instances Of The lste Senator 6lidell
Q brother OF Alexander Slidell MAckeu
xie, whose name Was changed 10 NEE
sou,e bequest Of Santa Anna, then a
Havspa,J with . schsme ~ restore TIA
eydiotator 10 MEXICO. upon scUe agre<
ment advautage ous 10 the United State,
bat the conferences did not succeed
Mackenzie, . few yeass later. vas kilie
by fall from horse, and the brig Son
ers went down 10 the bottom OF the q
With all on board: