The Somers Trial: Mackenzie's Defense, Dana's Support, and the Presidential Intervention. Richard Snow discusses how after the execution, the Navy initiated an inquiry. Richard Henry Dana fully supported Mackenzie, describing him as saintly and honorable. The court of inquiry agreed that Mackenzie had behaved honorably. However, Mackenzie surprisingly sought a formal court-martial because John Spencer and Seaman Small's wife were pressuring for a civil murder trial. The court-martial ran from February 2 to March 31 and initially concluded that Mackenzie was honorably acquitted and heroic. However, President Tyler intervened, refusing to endorse the verdict and believing Mackenzie should have been hanged as a murderer. Mackenzie was acquitted and avoided a murder trial, but his honor was tarnished. Snow recommends readers act as the jury to decide Mackenzie's actions.
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