Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-26
THE MOB LAW IN CALIFORNIA.

particulars, naturally enough engrosseu mucn VI
the public attention. The newspapers OF Callior-
MA so far as we have seen, fully Justify the out
race but the press here on the Atlantic border
mos, earnestly and unreservedly deprecate this
mob-law rule. The citizens of San Francisco doubt
less have suffered from such villains, yet the pro-
ceedinps of the so-caed "Secret Committee re-
mind us of the terrible sway of the Star Chamber
of European memory, when no man felt safe from
too quick judgment
The testimony given before the Coroner at San
Francisco in holding an inquest upon the body OF
the man jenkins, indicates the fearful state of
certainty which was naturally coming 10 pass:
"L r. Noyce, police officer, s,coru.-Rsfused to an
swer any questions being called upon for his reasons he
that he because he had to believe
that there Secret Committee, inquisiton in the city,
and il be should tell what be had known, or heard
he should be in danger Of his e He had been citizen Of
San Francisco for years, and good American be
believed every in the city liable to be seized and carried
before Tribunal and therefore he feared Tor his life
if he soud testify against them. He did not fear Tor himself
but for his family Being asked by juror he answered that
had heard the evidence Of the other Witnesses and that
what he knew il stated, would be new natter tending to
mpcae other than those named in the execution OF
the deceased"
Among the other witnesses who testified were WILLIAM
DxvIEH of Baltimore who endeavored prevent two men
from tong the bell signal for the execution
and also Dawn c. BRoDERIcK Esq., the fearless "law and
order mar" who swore seeing Capt Wakeman acting
spicuousy ard others he named in the hanging He said
oThat he mr. B. was held back by VIM. II. Jones
and another that this Mr. Jones had hold OF the ropes
and that Mr. Jones seemed to be in favor Of hanging every
body that did belong his party spoke to him.,
continued Mr. Broderck about the courts and bis reply
was, To hell with the courts ?"
Another witness Ira Cole, testified as follows
'Saw the rope put round his enkinss) neck saw Capt
Wakeman there him have hold of the rope, pulling
till the hau up, and then him asten to the
railing. Heard Capt. Wakeman call for Delaying pin to
make fast the rope others have hold of the rope saw
officer Harding trying to get the man down."
We glad that many of the citizens Of San Fran
cisco do sanction these tumuuous proceedings But
the other hand contended by others who familiar
with the condition of things in San Francisco that sspre
servaton positively demanded this assumption Of power BY
the people, letter received Boston, dated San Fran
cisco the 18th Of June, speaking Of the affair." says:
ssYou understand too well how our community situated
be all surprised at the pursued The list Of names
is q guaraiy that acted with deberalon As one Of
the original committee present at the trial. and there
doubt in the mind of any of the guilt OF the party
The why Secret Committee is that plans
for capturing criminals should be made public thereby de-
eatng object and the trial was carried on by ourselves
for fear if should attempt in the open airs the popuace,
justly enaged by all they have suffered, would not give the
party fair trial. know that we shall be considered at home
being the opponents law and ode especially those
whose friends resident in Boston. But they do not know
the exgencies of the case. The committee upheld in all
they have done by the respectable portion Of the community
and number which the night Of the trial was only
about eighty has increased to something like two hundred and
fifty, and in the Of few days think it will number
thousand two."
The substance Of the Constitution of the "Com-
mit,ee Of Vigilance" who carried the execution
into effect, is set forth in the following Preamble:
"Whereas has become apparent to the citizens Of San
Francisco that there security to life and property either
under the regulations of society present exists or un-
der the laws administered therefore the citizens
whose hereuno attached do unite themselves into
association the maintenance Of the peace and good
der OF society and the OF the lives and property
the citizens Of San Francisco and do bind ourselves, each
the other do and perform lawful act for the
Of law and orde and to sustain the laws when
faithfully and properly administered But determined
that thief burglar incendary assassin shall escape
punishment either BY the bubbles Of the law the insecurity o
PRISONS the careessness corruption of the police laxy
of those who pretend to administer justice"
The articles suoined to the above preamble provide for
the establishment of the headquarters Of the committee
which members shall be constantly duty to
ceve the report any member Of the association, Of any
other person persons whatsoever Of any of violence
done to the person property of any citizen of San Francis
and if in the judgment Of the member members Of the
committee present. it be such act ust6es the nterer
the laws the prompt and summary punishment Of the of
fender to assemble the committee take such action
majority shall determine The of the majority
Is 10 be binding ALL and the members pledge themselves
to defend and sustain each other in carrying the deter
mined action Of the committee, at the hazard Of their lives
| and their fortunes.
Comments on the aboue by the Boston Journal.
LYNCH Law IN CALIroRsIA.-The last arrival from
California brought intelligence Of the tial and execution
under the un,orien code Of Judge Lynch, of notorious
English thief This act committed under the auspices
Of Of the most respectable and influential citizens of San
in the heat Of passion, but after due debera-
ton by committee which evidently organized anti
cpaton Of the Of offender This serious affair in
ves public attention and comment and will give occasion
for much diversity Of opinion.
The Alta and Herald both contain full accounts Of this af
fair. Although dsaPproviDg strongly Of any interference
with the administration Of the due law in the pro-
lection Of the rights Of the citizens these papers still unite in
the conviction that the time had arrived when the people
compelled for the safety of their lives and the proec-
on Of their property to take the law into their hands,
and mete out terrible punishment the guilty. The Alta
says: Our citizens have been robbed and murdered our
city destroyed by the torch Of the fendke incenday
and hundreds Of honest oing stripped Of their hard
earned gains-their in life ruined Such
Of affairs could longer be borne against every
principle Of selfpreservaon and orbearance leniy and
mercy had absolutely ceased TO be vrtueshe practice
was almost criminal"
And we would remark here that this sentiment is heartily
L.. of .rvho