The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-21
From Cal,fornia.


papers OF June H. two weeks later than previous
advices. We learn, verbally, that previous to the
departure of the California from San Francisco,
buildings had been erected upon the greater por-
ton OF the "burnt district" and business was
slowly but steadily rcviving. The markets gen.
orally had been but little influenced by the late
disastrous conf1agration. The great quantities Of
goods on board store ships in the .harbor were
thrown into market with such rapidity that glut
in the staple article of produce and slight decline
in prices were the consequences.
The intelligence generally is not of the average
importance. Yhc event of the most interest was the
execution of person at San Francisco, by self
constituted committee, who had usurped the pre-
Irogatives Of the law We quote from the Alta Cali
forniG:
sour city, on the night of June 10, was the
scene OF one OF the most appalling tragedies that
has ever been enacted within its iInits-an execu-
ton having taken place in the public plaza known
as Portsmouth Square, body of citizens acting as
judges and exeCutioners, and q multitude aidin e
and supporting them, by countenancing the deed
by their presence and non interference The
circumstances connected with the affair are
these:
lowing to the vast amount Of crime which has
been perpetrated for length of time, and the i'm
possibility by due process OF law of procuring the
conviction of the guilty, bestowing adequate pun
shment when convicted, or even keeping them in
safe custody, number Of citizens resolved to take
the law into their own hands. They accordingly
organized themselves into detective and protec-
tive force, with fixed determination to punish
sion Of any felonious act. They accordingly pro-
cured quarters in building the of Sans-
come and Bush streets. The numerous robberes,
burglaries, and acts of ncendiarism, induced them
to form their determination.
"About nine O'Clock on Tuesday night, man
carrying bag, containing something apparently
quite heavy, attracted the attention Of the White
hall boatnen at their station on Central wharf. He
jumped into boat with his bag, and pulled out
toward the end of the wharf But few moments
had elapsed before Mr.. Virgin, gentleman who
keeps shipping office on the wharf, came down to
the boat stand in pursuit of person who had just
robbed his office OF small iron-safe, containing
considerable sum of money.
"The man with the bag was Mt once suspected,
and number of the boatmen started in pursuit
After a sharp pull they overhauled him, when he
threw his booty overheard. After very severe
struggle one party of boatmen succeeded in cap
turing him, while another fished up the bag, which
proved to contain the stolen safe He was convey
ed on shore, and at once taken possession of by
some of the vigilant committee, who conducted
him TO their headquarters, when he tried in
presence OF about eighty members of the conolave,
sitting with closed doors, by them convicted. and
sentenced to be hung in the Portsmouth square that
night. The precise mode of trial was, Of course,
secret. During the time of it's progress the citi-
zens had accumulated in large numbers about the
building and in Portsmouth square, the bell on the
engine house at the latter locality having ,rung
signal to apprize the citizens Of the proceedings
going on.
IMAM we ever reCOlleCt TO nave seen 5uCh
numerous assemblage on any similar occasion
Some disapprobation was manifested at the secrc
cy OF the committees proceedings, but when the
result was known there a very general appro-
val manifested, although there were many who
deemed the punishment of death too severe for the
offence, and others thought he should be executed
in broad daylight. AS soon as the sentence was
passed, the bell on the California engine-house
by commenced ringing the prisoners kncl Cap
tain Benjamin Ray, of the police force, applied at
the door of the committee room and demanded the
prisoner, but refused several times; and, al
though others of the police were upon the ground,
they saw il was Of no use to attempt n rescue.
"About one O'Clock Mr. Samuel Brannan came
out, and, ascending the bank opposite, announced
the result Of the committees deliberations, stating
that the man had been fairly tried, convicted upon
the strongest testimony, and offered no defence
except denial of the robbery. He gave the name
| of John Jenkins, and protested to be native of
London. Mr.. b. said he had been allowed another
hour to prepare himself for death, and that the
Rev. Mr.. Mines had been sent for to visit him.
The crowd present promptly approved of the ac-
tion of the committee. From that time the excite
ment began to increase, and the matter was freely
discussed by knots of citizens at the various street
corners, around the committee room, and in the
| square. very large majority were evidently in
favor Of the execution.
"The prisoner was perfectly composed during
this time, and INDUCED in cigar. The clergy
man promptly responded to tho request TO pray
with the prisoner, and remained with him for near
ly an hour. If we correctly informed, his pre-
sence had no particular effect upon the condemned
man, who doubtless confidently anticipated res
cue by the police
about two o'clock the doors Of the committee
room were opened, and the condemned was for the
first time presented to the populnoe. he tall
man, Of very muscular developments, and with
rather a forbidden countenanoe. He was smoking
a cigar, and appeared rather pale, but composed.
His arms were pinioned and his hands tied behind
him, while be was surrounded by rope thickly
manned by armed men, many others closing on
them, determined to prevent his escape. In this
manner, followed by large crowd, be was con-
Quoted to the public square. His arrival was an
nounced with shout and every description of vo-
ciferaton-the widest scene of confusion and ex-
citcment prevailing have witnessed for long
time. The moon, obscured by clouds, shed no
light, and the picture presented was wild and awful
in the extreme. Some persons climbed the liberty
pole to rig block for the execution, but loud
shout Of "dont hang him on tho hbcrty-pole''
arose.
"Voicss screamed out, To the old adobe and
rush was made for that edifce, upon the corner
Of the square formerly occupied as the custom
house. rush was at once made for the end Of the
building, block rugged, and long rope run
through II. In the mean time number OF the po-