Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-24

Lynch Law i'm Sam Francisco.
The details copied below from the Alta
California disclose state Of society in the
chief City of California of which we had
no conception. The records Of crime have
seldom been darkened by more disgrace
full proceeding than is here recounted.
Commenting on it. the Richmond Wing
very properly remarks.that the brutal muir
der committed at midnight by this self
styled "Committee Of Vigilance and that
with scarcely show of resistance, stands
out in peculiar relief from the atrocities OF
the time. fit had taken place in the min
ing districts where forms of law are as yet
unknown, and where the pistol and the
knife are the recognised protectors ofper-
sons and property,we might not have been
surprised at it. But its scene was San
Francisco, city of forty thousand inhab
itants, and lis actors were men Of mark
there, who have given their names to the
world. If such be the moral condition OF
the metropolis, what are we 10 expect of
the interior Of California We rejoice that
in looking over the names ofthis committee
we recognize not one Of the Virginians
who have sought their fortunes in that dis
,ant State"
The account Of the California paper is
as follows:
"Our city on the night Of the 10th inst,
was the scene of one Of the most appalling
tragedies that have ever been acted
within its limits, an execution having taken
place in the public plaza, known as Ports
mouth Square, body of citizens acting as
judges and cxecutioners and a multitude
aiding and supporting them by counten-
ancing the deed by theirpresence and non
interference. The circumstances copnec-
ted with the affair are these:
Owing to the vast amount ofcrime which
has been perpetrated for length of time,
and the impossibility by due process Of
law of procuring the conviction Of the
guilty, bestowing adequate punishment
when convicted, or even keeping them in
safe custody, a number of citizens resolved
to take the-law into their own hands
They accordingly organized themselves in
to detective and protective force. with a
fixed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS those when
they should find guilty Of the commission
Of any felonious act. They accordingly
procured quarters in a building on the
corner of Sansome and Bush streets The
numerous robberies, burglaries,and acts OF
incendiarism induced them to form their
determination.
About 9 o'clock on Tuesday night, a
man carrying a bag containing something
apparently quite heavy, attracted the atten-
ton of the Whitehall Boatmen at their sta
ton on Central Wharf. He jumped into
a boat with his bag and pulled out toward
the end Of the wharf. But few moments
had elapsed before Mr.. Virgin, gentle.
man who keeps Shipping office on the
wharf, came down to the boat stand in
pursuit. of person who had just robbed
his office ola small iron safe, containing Il
considerable sum Of money. Thcman with
the bag was at once suspected, and num-
Der of boafmen started Immediately in pur.
suit. After sharp pull they overllauled
him, when he threw his booty overheard
After very severe struggle one party o.
boatmon succeeded in capturing him, while
another fisbcd up the bag,which proved tc
contain the stolen safe.
He was conveyed on shore and at once
taken possession otby some ofthe vigilance
committee who conducted him promptly
to their headquarters, where he was tried
in presence Of about eighty members of the
conclave 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 Sc
cret. During the time Of its progress the
citizens had accumulated i'll large numbers
about the building and in Portsmouth
Square. The bell on the Engine house at
the latter locality having runga signal to
apprise the cities ofthe proceedings going
on. The populacc wcrevery much excited
but more orderly than we ever rccollect
to have seen such a numerous asscnblage
on any similar occasion.
Some disapprobaion was manifested al
the secrecy Of the Committees proceed
W
was very general approval manifested
although there were many who deemed
the punishment of death too severe for the
offence. and others thought lie Should be
executed in broad daylight. As soon as
the sentence. was passed, the bell on the
California Engine house, near by, com
menccd ringing the prisoners funeral knell
! ~ ID - T,I. 81, e.,
applied at the door of the Committee Room
and demanded the prisoner, but was fefus-
cd several times, and although others the
Police force were on the ground, they saw
it was Of no use to attempt rescue
About l o'clock Mr.. Samuel Brannar
came out, and ascending the bank oppo
site, announced the result Of the Commit.
tees elaboration, stating that he had been
fairly tried, convicted upon the strongest
testimony, and offered no defence except
the denial of the robbery. He gave the
name of John Jenkins, and professed TO be
a native of London. Mr. B. stated that he
had been allowed another hour 10 prepare
himself for death. and that Rev, Mr.. Mines
had been sent for to visit him. The crowd
present promptly approved Oh the ACTON
Of the committee. From that time the cx-
element 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. A
very large majority were evidently IN ia
vor OF the execution.
The prisoner was perfectly composed
during this time and INDUCED in a cigar.
The clergyman promptly responded TO
the request to pray with the prisoner, and
remained with him for nearly an hour. II
we are correctly informed hispresencc had
no particular effect upon the condemned
man, who doubtless confidently anticipated