The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-09-20
One of the Msrvels OF American COlOnlza a
tion-rhe Ntgiiancs Committee or Caitror-
fFrnm the I.ondon Chrnn;cle sent Al

One OF the Marvel. OF American Colontza-
tio"-rhe Nisiiancs Committee or Caitror-
MA.
From the London Chronicle seot4l
The settlement of California is one OF the mar
wells of American colonization. Within an incredi-
bly, short space OF time very considerable popu-
lation has been brought together, and STATE has
been established on the most approved republican
model The rising cities have suffered to an extra
ordinary degree from calamities. which, however,
are rapidly repaired by the energy of tho inhabi
tants. We are informed that San Francisco is ris-
ing, for the sixth time, like phoenix fcom its
ashes. The large exports OF bullion, and ths in
ereasing arrivals of emigrants, woald lead one to
imagine that the Pacific State contains prosperous
andhappy community. But, even in California, all
that cutters is not gold. Society in that country is
in a somewhat unsettled state, and the rights of
nized Nor is the la ", although representing tao
supreme will OF the people, quite as effective as
could be desired. Justice, administered by
the State, has proved insufficient TO prevent ia
lion are very different from the quiet rural
communities Of the New Euglaad States In Cali
foInia there are no pilgrim Fathers"-or, if there
be, they have preserved an impenetrabe disguise
whilst occupied i'll satisfying most uusaintly
pidity. But the,e be little doubt that among
the settlers there large infusion of the choicest
blacbgUardlsm of the universe. Convic.s from
New South Wales, and fnanciers from Mssissi pp
who ought to have been convi,ts, have probably
added considerably to the Californian population
The Western States, which have hitherto been the
refuge OF criminals and jail birds from every part
of the Union, have disgorged upon California their
super arous population Of vagaoonds. Mexico and
the South American republics have furnished their
respective contributions of rascality, and the
criminals and convic.s of the Old World COM
petpg, American ground, az aipst the energy and
talent of the scoundrels Of the other hem sphere.
In fact, California is, to some extent convict
colony of all nations. 1t must be strange contes.
of industTy-th French forcot jostling with thc
native American gambler, and TIE toe OF a l. )ndou
hurp lar ding the kIDes of a Pniialplohi0n
Quaker. The difficulty Of preserving anything
hike order in such a community must be very great.
To keep toge her the ordinary staff OF very simple
government IL no easy matter where the chance OF
obtairirg immense wealth is inviting. Fduc-
tionaries, soldiers, and constables throw up their
Offices; the Californian Themis retires 60 the
diggipgs; and the warriors Of the republic deser:
their star-spangled colors to pound quartz, or to
rock miners cradle. Private interests supersede
public duties, and the executive is consequently in
suited with IMMUNITY. Ruflians, equipped with
bowie knives and revolvers, are more than match
for the judges and the posse con'tatns. In word,
government can scarcely be said to exist. With
SST Is aRsoR sS r Ss the
the metropolis if the police were to resign ca mrsse
and if Lord Truro. having Invested himself of his
wig, were to rush to the diggings Chancery
suiiors would abandon what little hope they now
have, and every householder would be placed 10 a
state 81 siege.
The people of California have had some expe
rienoo IL the mischief and misery produced by the
immunity Of crime, and they have determined to DC
no longer shot and robbed ut the pleasure Of their
assailsnts. They have found precedent applca.
BILE to the case in the simple system Of criminal
jurisprudence known by the name Of Lynch Law.
Bu. the latter has, in general been only made use
tors" organized themselves nd hoe; and when n
horse dealer had been hangei, or a gang Of gamb-
lers shot, the jurisdiction ceased, and the Regula-
tors withdrew into private lite. This answered
wall in n nuipt saftlQment of nd
traders; and. excepting some cases where consde.
raiions of political interest or the dread of aboli
zionist agitation disturbed the impartiality of the
court, the decisions Of Judge Lynch were tocrably
But in California, the evil to be dealt with was not
ore which could be disposed Of by n single act Of
retiibuton. 1t was no isolated case Of crime
which demanded punishment, but large
criminal population, which required to Sc
| corrected and intimdatcd. In new and par
tally settled countries 1t is impossible to
establish an effective police; for the offender has
every chance Of escape. IT, therefore, crimes OF
violence arc offrequent occurrence, VIC can scarcely
censure, On the ground Of severity and inform atty,
the measures taken for the public protection. The
mode adopted, in the present instance, has been
to establish Lynch law ca pcnianenee, by the for
nation of a Committee Of Vigilance, who have
undertaken to bring things into order: Tais sin.
gular authority has been assumed by the principal
citizens Of San Francisco, and, althou Sh without
any formal or legal sanction. 1t Is approved and
supported by the mass Of the inh abitants. We are
told that new members are constantly enrolling
them selves, and that subordinate mittecs will be
estabs he In other settlements Several executions
have already taken phase under the decisions of th
ano nalous tribunal; and, practically, the criminal
justice Of the country Is al minstcred by socret and
irresponsible body; for the processes OF nvcstga-
tion and elaboration are equally secret; nor Is 1t
known by what persons the several cases are de-
cided. The verdict only Il proclaimed and il Is at
once carried into execution. The members Of tho
committee, many hundreds in number, arc the real
/ huIa nd thay aro hound "a nd with
their arms whenever called upon, either to keep
the peace TO execute the sentence Of the court.
Such proceedings are Of course utterly illegal,
and the capital sentences which are carried into
eject wouli, by the law Of tho United States,
amount to murder. The only excuse for the
system lies in tho necessity Of the case and the
wcakress OF the executive. With populat on
Of cut cats, guarrtlling over tho gold OF Inc
Californian mountains, ard with q constant in
crease Of violent outrage, II IL DOT surprising that
the soureer portion Of the people should have o;
once acted uron broad aud ineligible principle
of natural justice; and IL their proceedings con-
fred the obicst which they avow-the protection
of person and property-tAeir fellow citzons will
look with n lsnient eye ca their transgrosson ri
~ letter ef the law. but IL must be borne in
mind that shs only defence for their transactions
1 in the utter inefheiency Of the government; and
therefore, amer the hrst alarm shall havs subsind
the lc climate remedy will be, 10 strengthen the
| executive, and rot TO preseTye dangerous ar
organization as an irresponsible committee. the
intentions Of the latter are honesi-if there b,
strength enough amongst them to ensure tranquil
lily, hrespectively Of the existing aathorites-thcI
are surely able 10 establish Q government will
powers adequats TO the emergency. We arc in
| clipcd to believe that the practical sersc Of tn
American settlers will speedily lead to som
such arrangement, and that therc Ia little fear Of
collision between the regular authorities and til
self appointed Committee f Vigilance.
For stse years 10 como the government OF Ca
lifornia viii probably have TO deal with a yer
dangtr6ps reputation. Until the gathering OF gol
shall have settled Gown into n regular mechanics
employ mept, crowds Of reckless adventures viii
constantly attracted to that country and time wi
be required for tho formation Of an Industrious oa
to counferbslance the influence Of the class VIII
are row, in numbers a. least, predominant.
will he no slight triumph Of American incl
gtnce and American institutions, If, with'a al
reasonable period, the settlers now scat cred
the other side Of the Rocky MOUNTAINS a
formed into an orderly community. Ocoasio
, may from time 10 tins arise yte., extrsoriina,