Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-02
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF somERs' MuTlNgERs.


 Keen1y was the heart of the Amer
 ican nation wrunS when in December, 1S42, the story became known Of the
 nutiny and tragedy on board the
 United States brig Somers, then under
 command of Capt. Alexander SIidell
 Mackenzie. The chief ringleaders of
 this amazing plot of crime and blood
 was no less q person than MidshipTnan Philip Spencer, a son of the distin-
 guished statesman Hon. John c. Spen- ceT, of New York, who was Secretary
 of War under President Tyler, offcfat- ing in that capacity at the time of the
 mutiny.
 The development of the mutinous scheme transpired on the voyage of the Somers to the United States from Li- beria, from which place she sailed on the 11th of November, intending to proceed home via St Thomas. On Sat urday, the 18th of that month, Lieut.. GanesVoOTt went into the cabin and in- formed Capt. Mackenzie that a conspi- iTacy existed on board the brig to cap ture her, murder the commander the officers and most of the crew. and con vert her into q pirate. Acting Afidship-
 man Philip Spencer being at the head of it.
 The way the nuuny became known was through the steward of the boat who had been approached by Spencer. He told him the scheme and how he
 with 20 others on the boat were going to secure possession of it, and the steward told the purser. who conlmuni- cated the information to CranesyooIt. It was the latter who gave the in formation to Mackenzie. and the cap i tain told Ganesvoort to watch Spencer closely. They soon found incIimiuat- ing evidence against him. Then Mac kenzie directed all the men to duty and approached Spencer and said to him: 'I learn that you aspire to the command of the Somers." Spencer de- niad this Mackenzie then repeated to him what Wales. the steward, had i told him, and to this he replied thaL it was a joke. Then the captain ci- Tected Ganesvoort to arrest him and put him in double irons.
 The ieuteant was directed to watch 1 him closely and to have him instantly put to death if detected in speaking to or holding intelligence in any way with the crew. Two persons, Cromwell and Small. who had been named as accomplices, were also placed in irons 1 Then the captain called all his officers together and they sat for an entire day in trial over the three cOnvicts as to what should be done with them, and the unanimous result of their delibera- ton was that Spencer, Cromwell and Small should be put to death. In the justice of this opinion Capt. Mackenzie at once concurred, and in l the necessity Of carrying it's recona- l petty officers were then mustered on the quarter deck, and they were each armed with a cutlass. pistol and cart ridge box after which the captain said to them: My lads! you are to ! look at me--to obey my orders and to see my orders obeyed: Go forward!' The captain then gave orders that i immediate preparations be made for 1 hanging the three principal criminals ] st the main yard-arrn; and all hands l roll d fa Fya- ,;r,f, ment. When the captain announced 1 to Spencer that he was about to die 1 he sank with tears upon his knees and l said he was not fit to die. Capt. Mac
 kenzie repeated to him his own cate chisn. While Spencer was engaged in l prayer Mackenzie went and made in succession the same communication | to Cromwell and Small. Cromwell i fell upon his knees completely 1 unnamed, protested his innocence. wife. Then Spencer said: As ! these are the last woTdsI have to say l I trust they will be believed; Crou1- well is innocent!''
 ] Though the evidence had been con- elusive Capt Mackenzie was staggered
 and at once consulted Ganesvoort i who said there was not 8. siaa dow of I doubt. He was told to consult the pet ! ty officers; he was condemned by ac- 1 olamation by all of them, as the one
 man of whom they had real apprehen- sion.
 1 Before he was hung Spencer made a
 confession in which he said: ''I deserve ] death for this and many other crimes There are few crimes that I have not committed" Then he asked Macken- zie's forgiveness for what he had med lated against him. This was grants ed.
 Preparations were completed and at the firing of a gun the three men were stretched from the forearm of the yes sel On the arrival home the tragedy ! was investigated by a court Of inquiry, and Capt. Mackenzie's course was fully l approved. A court martial was also I subsequently, held. at AIackenzie's re- 1 quest, of which Com. John Downes was president, and the trial, which 1 lasted 70 days, resulted in his acquit- i tai