The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-05-27

HE ADMINISTRATIONS OF JUSTICE IN
CALIFORNIA. A correspondent of the Journal of
Commerce gives long and interesting description of
scene he witnessed in California in the adminstra-
ton of justice in that country. Two persons,
white and colored man, accused of having stol-
en- some provisions from man named Dobleman
and they Were both convicted, and each sentenced
TO receive seyenty-ive lashes and ordered TO leave
the mines. The following scene is graphically de-
scrlbed:
The crowd followed on, and after crossing wide
ravine, the sheriff paused on the bank, beneath
guarded oak tree. Here the negro was stripped to
the waist. He was a perfect Hercules in size and
strength over SIX feet, full bodied, brawny arms and
broad chest, with skin, below the neck, winter
than many white man could boast of, his face on
ly being of white yellow or muatto color. His
hands were firmly tied together and then drawn
high above his head and the rope tied strongly around
the tree.
The sheriff, who is butcher, prepared to admin
lser, with large raw-hide, the ten first blows
Every stroke raised its RIDGE big as the rod which
inflicted 1t, and the negro wrhed like aserpent tor
tured by flames. The next ten strokes were given
by southerner, and the raw flesh covered the end
of the weapon. The third round by a backleg
whose heart like the polar regions, knows no melt
ing. The negro raved; he reared and groaned under
the cruel smart, crying out in his agony, sob God
have mercy Oh Christ have mercy Oh men (!
have you no mercy? | cannot bear it Oh how
many lashes have you given me?'' But no voice re-
Piled, except the loud jeer of some drunken brute
making mockery of his appeals. But for the honor
OF humanity be it spoken, | some tears of pity
tumblmg from manly eyes here, as big as the drops
OF agony which cOursed down the cheek of that tor
tured negro. The fourth round being finishod Do
beman, the prosecutor advanced and took the wea-
pom to administer the fifth; and never 1 forget
the look and the sou-srring appeal of that helpless
negro sob, Mr.. Dobeman don't! don't! don't
strike me ! Your blows will be too hard y The
appeal was unheeded; but just the arm was rails
ed, the Acade came forward and ordered the sher-
MI to administer the lest of the punishment person.
lhIs being done, the prisoner set at liberty and
DR.. Grove and myself assisted him to the ravine
where hls.fiannel waistcoat was dipped in the cool
stream, and put his lacerated back, and he de-
parted on his way, an outcast.
| When returned the white was already stripped
and tied, and the punishment commenced His lit
tie bony frame weighed about one hundred and ten
pounds and trembled for him, for knew the deep
prejudice existing towards him. and | saw yengence
In many eyes. And he too saw it; he felt there was
no mercy, no reenting in any heart, and he seemed
as If nerving himselfup to meet his fate. Oh how
they whipped him. 1t was too painful to witness
and turned my head away, sick at heart heard
him beg drink of water, but they laughed at his
request and paid no heed to his cries ''Give it to
hlm''-"Glve him another for good measure
'Hlt him again." &C., were the sounds which
greeted his ears until the seventy-6h blow set him
tree; and he was hardly loosed, before drunkard
tell upon, and but for the bystanders, would assaulted
HIM; and the crowd rushed on, not vet satated.
some Keeling, some quarrelling, some crazy with
liquor.