The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-14

nanisssrsd the justice which has 20 long been
as.isd them by the proper tribunals. The Vigi
lNnss Committee of San Francisco, composed Of
ssme eight or nine hundred of the most respectable
citizens, have accomplished more good, in the de-
testion and punishment Of crime, than would have
been accomplished by the courts and police in life
tne. Guided by sound discretion, they have
steadily and perseveringly progressed in their
efforts to rid our city and California of the hord of
convicts from Sydney, and finished villains from
every other quarter of the globe.
Ny last despatch gave TO the readers Of the
Hruh an account of the hanging, at midnight, ola
man named Jenkins, by the Vigilance Committee,
for stealing $500. similar scene was witnessed
On the 18th inst. man named Jim Stewart,
Sydney convict, the leader of gang of desperadoes
was arrested by the committee for robbing house,
and, notwithstanding the officers Of the law at
tempted to get possession of him, he was Kept IN
sustody until tried, convicted, and sentenced 70 De
hung the same day The signal bell was sounde ana
the populace rushed by hundreds to the building OF
the committee AT the hour appointed FOR tue execu
ton, Stewart was brought, strongly pnioned, ana
guarded by about 500 members OF the conm,ttee,
walking eight abreast, each armed with revolver.
He was taken to one of the public wharves. fol-
bowed by thousands, rope adjusted to tackle and
crane erected tor hosting goods and in less time
than have been occupied in describing the scene
he was swung between heaven and earth, in full
view of the assembled multitude. So solemn was
the scene, that each head of that i'm nense throng
was involuntarily uncovered. No attempt was
made to rescue him, nor was there any other feel
ing manifested than that of entire concurrence.
The execution took place about two o'clock in the
afternoon.
Previous to paying the forfeit of his msdeeds,
Stuart made q full confession Of his crimes, and
gave brief history Of his life. The details estab-
sh the fact that he was the leader of the most des
crate gang Of villains that has ever preyed upon
theicommuAity. Highway robbery, house breaking,
pocket picking, and murder, were prominent in the
catalogue Of crimes which have characterized the
operations OF the gang for the year past; and i'm
plicsted in the commission of these offences were
members of the city police, and Others who had
maintained respecta ole standing in the commu-
nifty Their part was to point out the operation to
10 accomplished and share the plumber with the
more desperate. Already one police officer at
least, well known in New York, is in the hands OF
the Vigilance Committee; and pursuit is being
made for several residents mentioned in the con-
Ssssion of Stuart.
San Francisco is not the only point where SUM-
mary justice is meted out-Sonora is equally
prompt A man named David Hill alias Jim Hill,
was arrested for stealing horse-trled by q peo-
PIES jury-and, although subsequently rescued by
Sheriff Works, was forcibly taken from him by
the populace, after a hard struggle, aud hung to
tree, In the main street Of the town. The thief
WAS from CORTLAND county, New York. But the
tragedy which has excited the NEST attention and
sympathy, was the hanging of a Mexican, woman
named Josepha, at Downieville, on the Yuba, by
miner the evening previous, on his visiting her
cabin in the morning to settle it anicably, she
stabbed him to the heart with a butcher knife.
The people Immediately assembled took her
into their custody, gave her fair trial. and upon
conviction, sentenced her to be hung in two hours,
Agalows was erected on bridge crossing the river
1t the lower end Of the town. and at the appointed
hour an immense crowd embled and after bidding
saios and sha king hands with those Immediately
around her, she voluntarily assembled the s,afold,
adjusted the rope herself, releasing luxuria.t
head Of hair from beneath it, so as to permit II to
Sow free, and in moment the cords supporting
the scafold were cut and she hung suspended be-
tween heaven and earts. Though she admitted the
justice of the sentence, and perfect willingness to
submit to its execution, and even aiding with her
swn hands, such sights are revolving; yet stern
cessity demands that American justice should fall
alike upon all.
The Indian troubles in California especially in
the more remote portions Of the State, not yet
ended. On the Klamath river, the Indians are in
open war with the whites, and are numbering aud
robbing whenever an opportunity offers. Inc In
dians have sent of all the squaws and children, q
fact indicative Of their design to gene
raj war. On the 18th Of ane FIVE men muir
dered by them, and subsequently some three or
four others attacked, while returning from the
mines, and killed. 1t is understood that the To-
dams within the region Of the Klamath, salmon
Scott, Trinity and Rogue rivers, have confederated
Sor the purpose Of carrying on the war.
Senator Gwin leaves in the up river steamer to-
day, for the Northern section of the State, with
the view to c,nvassing for the approaching State
election. He has made himself quite active since
his return from Washington, and may be regarded
~ one Of the leaders IL not the leader Of the Cali
fornia democracy. strong fight will be made by
the two parties for the control Of the Legislature,
with view TO the election ofaU nted States senator
Whichever succeeds, q new man will be named for
the position. Mr.. Fremont Is scarcely mentioned,
In connection with the office, on the democratic
side; and Thomas Butler King, on the whig, stands
better chance Of being struck with lightning in
. fair day, than Of securing an election. Mark my
words neither Of the men named will be sent TO
Washington in that capacity. Let the politicians
Who look TO the Herald for reliable intelligence, in
calculating the chances, set that down as " fixed
fact"
The propeller Monumental City, from Baltimore,
arrived about ten days since and the steamer
Independence, from New York, to run in Wander
bits line, q week ago. The Nicaragua route Is
attracting much attention, and when once estab-
hshed, viii be extremely popular at this end Of the
Ene
Business has been a little more active since the
sailing Of the last steamer; but the immense guam
tty Of goods forced upon the market, at auction,
keeps prices very low.-Yours, FRANK.
SAN Francisco, July IS, 1851.
Tia Fourth Of Jaiy in San Franeisoo Gen1ai |
Jubilee Magnificent Display of FIRE Works.
Perhaps truthful description Of the ceremonies
and sights the sentiments and sounds While dstin-
gui,h an anniversary Of American independence, on
sbs shores Of the Pacific ocean, would not prove un-
interesting to your readers, or unentertaining to
yourself If I am right in my surmise, you can
publish my letter. if wrong, why let it res: in the
rubbish box, amid the ghosts Gifts predecessors =
Am sure shall be the last to complain, for if I
cannot write veil enough for publication, should
have had better sense than TO have made the at
tempt.
You must know, at the outset, that two or three
Of the prints in tas city came out in opposition TO
any regular celebration Of the "Gorious Fourth
pleading poverty low spirits, desolation, ashes,
saekloth, and ruin. One Of them even intinated
the complaint, Of which Charley Weber, az the
Widow Malone, declared she was aIlic,od--Shall I
say IL =" Religion add viad" Indeed, the latter
half dcacrv.d ac,r. rtar-.ff.r