The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-04-12
Ieitrr from California.
Correspondent Of The Cecil Wing.
SAN Francisco, March LIST '5l.

Correspondence " Inc Cecsf Vhfg.
SAN FRANcIsco, March LIST ~.
Desperate state Of .Norals-Lynch Law-
lnfuence cfa dedased Press-Govern-
ment Of Demagogues-.No U. s. Sena-
tor-Poor success Of .Min'rs-DiG.
culties NTH Mdians-S-c., sc.
?. c. RICKETTS,, Eso-Dear SIR IL
trust that your patience has not wearied
at my long delay in the fulfilment of my
promise to write to you upon my arrival
in this city. ! despatched by mail of
March LIST, letter dated Jan 2Sth, to
"7hs Democrat;" my apology in that
letter, for the reasons given, | hope was
to you and other friends sufficient.
Since then the wheels of Time have
rolled another month away, yet during
that period nothing has occurred which
will favor the opinion, that California is
financially better, or that her people are
making any advancement in moral or
political character.
In my letter of the date above referred
to, l spoke Of the moral condition of
California as being in an extreme state
of degradation. By the reader, such
language may possibly have been regar-
ded in other than its true import; but
subsequent events confirm the assertion
then made, and l may further truly say,
if there can be lower deep than that
into which the moral character of the
people Of California is now plunged, it
is being rapidly approached. How can
it be. otherwise when license is given by
law to vice of every grade, the conse-
quent result of which is the dailv in
crease of crime; and this state of things
is beyond the hope or possibility of
change, so long as inadequate laws and
bad administration continue, neither of
which now affords security Or protection
to life or property.
So manifest has been the imminent
peril to both of late, that on Sunday the
23d ult., the law being deemed insult
hcient to punish, and the Judges too COR
rupt to execute, two persons having been
arrested for robbery with intent to kill,
it was resolved to try them upon that
more liberal principle of law, known as
"the code of LYNCH" the particulars of
which will be found in the papers of the
day, copies of which send you by this
mail. Having been an eye witness to
the whole proceeding, and many of the
incidents that transpired not having APP
peared in print, some of them for their
extreme hideousness, | will give. The
mob in organizing court, appointed
Recorder Tilford, Judge. This, the
first act, was the introduction of new
feature in law-asklng Judge to usurp
his own authority. G. Benham, ESQ.,,
U. s. district Attorney, was appointed
Sheriff, ga step from the sublime" tru-
ly. Judge Shattuck of the Superior
Court, as prosecuting attorney. Tho
revolutions never 60 backward" they
may nevertheless reverse positions. Nj.
Fallon, Esq, City Marshall, was chosen
as Turnkey, and ordered to handcuff the
prisoners. 0 Temporal o mores how
condescending, but the honors intended
by the sovereigns of the day to be con-
terred upon these officials were declined
by all. The Offices were then filled by
the sovereigns themselves, who during
the trial appeared to wear honors quite
easy. At o'clock the court met, the
Jury were empanneled and the trial
proceeded, upon the most peculiar and in
the most liberal manner. The witness
ses underwent examination by Judges,
Jury, Attorney, and Sheriff, and these
inturn were questioned, cross questioned
and dictated to, by the independents on
the outside Of the Bar. Occasionally
the Court would find itselfin perplexing
quandary owing to the mode of proceed.
ing; the outsiders would then be appeal.
ed to for instructions. During the trial
the court was frequently interrupted by
application to the Judge for a cigar,
which he very obligingly would grant
until his stock was finally exhausted.
In and out of court the scene was one of
the most exciting and ridiculous that ev.
er came under my observation.
Thus matters went on from the sitting
ofthe Court until its close at midnight,
when the Jury being unable to agree,