The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-20

elapsed before Mr. Virgin, gentleman who keeps ship
ping Office the wharf, down TO Inc BOAT Stand IN
pursuit OF person who had just robbed ms once OF
small iron safe, containing considerable sum OF money
The man with the bag was al suspected and
Der OF boamen started Immediately In pursuit After a
sharp pull they overlook him. when he Threw his booty
overheard After a very severe struggle one party Of
boaimen succeeded in capturing ham, while another shed
up the bag, which proved 10 contain the stolen safe
He was conveyed on shore, and al once taken pos
session of by some OF the vigant committee who
conducted him promptly To their headquarters where he
tried IN presence OF about eighty members OF the
conclaye, sitting with closed DOORS by them convicted
and sentenced TO be hung in the Portsmouth Square that
very night The precise mode OF trial was, OF course.
secret During lis progress the citizens had accumulated
IN large numbers about the building and in Portsmouth
Squae-the bell on the engine house the latter locality
having rung signal 10 apprle the citizens OF the pro-
ceedngs gong on. The populace very much excl
ted but more orderly than recoect 10 have
such numerous assemblage on any similar occasion
Some dsappfobaon manifested at the secrecy OF the
committees proceedings; but when the result was known
here was very general approval 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 the sentence
was passed The bell on the California engine house near
by commenced ringing the prisoners funeral knell 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 although others OF the
police upon the ground they il was OF no use
About O'Clock, Mr. Samuel Brannan came out and,
ascending the bank opposite announced the result OF the
tried convicted upon the strongest testimony, and offered
defence except denial OF the robbery ie gave The
OF John jenkins, and protested TO be native OF
London. Mr.. B. stated that he had been allowed an
other hour TO prepare himself for DEATH and that the Rev
Mr.. Mines hal been sent for to visit him The crowd
promptly approved OF the action of the committee From
that time the excitement began 10 increase and the mat
ter freely discussed by knots OF citizens at the varl-
street corners around the committee and in the
square very large majority were in favor OF the ex-
ecution
The prisoner was perfectly composed during this me
and INDUCED in cigar. The clergyman promptly re-
sponded to the request to pray with the prisoner, and re-
manned with him for nearly hour. If we correctly
informed his presence had particular effect upon the
condemned man, who doubtless confidently anticipated
rescue 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 populace. He was a tall man OF very
great muscular Developments, and with rather forbid.
ding counlenance. He smoking cigar, and APP
peared rather pale but composed His pnloned
and his hands tied behind him, while he surrounded
closing them, determined TO prevent his escape. In
this manner, followed by large crowd he
Quoted 10 the public square His arrival announced
with shout and every description of voceraton-the
widest scene OF confusion and excitement prevailing
have Witnessed Tor long time The obscured by
Clouds shed no light and the picture presented was wild
and awful IN the extreme. Some person climbed the
heny pole rig block for the execution, but loud
shout OF don't hang him on the liberty pole" arose
Voices screamed out "to the old adobe " and rush
made for this edce upon the corner of the square, for.
merly occupied the custom house. rush al
made for the end of the building, block rigged
and long rope run through it. In the mean time
several attempts 10 obtain possession OF the prisoner but
they roughly handled and prevented had they per-
sisted, they would have been dded with balls Several
citizens denounced the execution and sought to aid the
police.
The prisoner by this time was nearly dead with fear
and rough handling when rush was made towards
him. moose thrown over his head, the rope manned by
twenty ready hands, and the heavy form the convicted
felon swept through the air and daneed from the block
lew fearful struggles, quver OF the hempen cord,
a lew nervous twches and the crowd gazed upon the
lfeess corpse OF HIM upon whom such speedy and ter
rbe vengeance had been executed by an outraged people
As he swung 10 and fro and turned round and round
1eelng OF awe appeared TO spread through the crowd,
who could not be otherwise than impressed by The terri
Bile Slowly they DISPERSED but when day
broke there were still many gazing upon the swollen,
purple features OF the doomed man. AT o'clock, the
rsha Mr. Crozier repaired 10 the spot, cut down the
body. and consigned II TO the dead house. Thus ended
The first execution which ever took place in San Fran
cisco, where more crime has been committed within the
past year than IN any other city Of the population in
the Union. without instance OF adequate punishment
vi the guilt of Jenkins there doubt He has been
known TO the police for months desperate character
from the penal colonies where he had passed many years
as transported convict
The Execution of Jenkins.
The sudden, unusual, and solemn &C, which was con-
summated during the night Of the 10th instant and the
succeeding morning, produced throughout our city yes
terday most eversh OF excitement The assump-
ton Of authority by body of respectable citi
zens the enforcement OF sentence Of death upon fell
mortal in the dead hour of night, without the usual
forms of law, may we'll create an unusual stir in any
community Deprived OF the benefit of laws have
caused TO be enacted poweress TO compel their enforce
meni we have been at the mercy of organized gangs OF
the worst elons that infested city and preyed upon
It's inhabitants Our citizens have been robbed and
dered, fair city destroyed by the torch of the hend
like ncendary and hundreds of honest ,ong men strip
ped OF their ardearned gains-theT prospects in life
ruined Such state OF affairs could not longer be borne
it was against every principle of self representation aad
iorbearance Ienty and mercy had absolutely ceased to
be vIriues their practice almost criminal The time
had arrived when the people compelled Tor the safe
take the law into their hands, and neie out terri
BILE punishment to the guilty. Extraordinary circum-
stances Justify extraordinary and the admnlsa-
ton OF punishment The first in the drama
has been enacted, and the elon has paid with his life
the penalty of his crimes We have never been advo-
OF mob lynch law-of snaicbing from the hands
OF legal tribunals the powers egmaely conferred upon
them, OF deprving any OF the benefit OF n fair
and impartial trial by his fellow Yet, in the
present condition OF our municipal affairs, can.
they felt themselves compelled to adopt Deeply
deplore the occasion for the exercise of such acts
must admit that necessity absolutely demanded the
sumption OF power.
The trial aud vicon OF Jenkins not the OF
an infamed and excited mob. His adludged
with camness and deliberaon. his guilt fully csiab-
shed and the penalty OF death imposed by sci OF men
respected and esteemed by their fellows, assuming
spopsibly imposed on them by stern necessity with
full perception OF their accountability TO their fellow
and to their Maker. Who but He shall adjudge or COZ.
denim them We dare not There may be difference OF
opinion There is undoubtedly to The punishment OF
burglary and theft with extreme penalty as death,
the ordinary usages OF modern times recognising capital
punishment IN OF murder and IN the hrs de
gree only. II must be borne in mind, however, that
L. l. .ts