The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-29

sons, confirming the action OF the committee. AT
half past two o'clock. the entrance to the committee
room was cleared, and the members of the Vig-
lance Committee. preceded by their chief, Mr.. w.
II Van bohkelin came forth. They walked eight
abreast: The committee numbered about seven
hundred Of our very best and oldest citizens. 10
their centre, surrounded by guard Of forty mem
bers, Especially elected for the purpose) came the
prisoner, fne-looking man about thirty -four years
of age, with large black whiskers and moustache
He was perfectly cool and composed, and walked
along as if he were OF the committee. 1t was
one Of the strapgest sights have ever witnessed
a man walking to execution, not by the prom pt-
ings of a Wild, excited mob, but BY the
calm, dispassonate, and deliberate decision Of at
least five hundred intelligent men. IL was strange
sight to see them walk along, armed to the teeth
on their faces marks Of the sternest seriousness
fixed determination to carry through their pur-
pose, at the hazard Of their lives Not sound
was heard, except the steady tramp of their feet
silence regned all. Proceeding to the foot Of
Market street wharf, where the gallows was
erected the committee halted, and opened on either
side OF the wharf. The prisoner passed through the
~hole committee then formed around in solid
phalanx. rope, about one hundred feet long,
stretched along the line, attached to the block, so
that at least seventy members Of the com nittee
Guild assist In lifting the doomed man. The word
was given that al was ready, and the fatal moose
was placed around the criminals neck. ale said
that he reconclled-thst he deserved his fate"
was the
sence OF at least ten thousand persons stuart was
launched into eternity. In the bay, ana around the
wharf where he was hanged, no less than thirteen
hundred sailors, commanded by one hundred and
fifty captains, were in small boats, ready to give
their assistance TO the committee, If necessary.
After the body had been suspended about twenty.
FIVE minutes, the coroner appeared on the ground
and demanded the body. 1t was given to him, and
the Vigilance Committee retired III the same order
that they came, calling from Gro wds suitable re-
marks at their respect able and manly appearance.
la oissu ssiO WI arise in
States in relation to this act OF the committee; but
say to those at he NE, and TO Caliorniaas espe
sialy, that il was imperative Individually OPP
posed to capital punish nent but In this case, the
EXTREMIST penalty of the law necessary, and in
connection with it, the only regret is, that it could
not he entrusted to those in whom the people ought
to have confidence, The Vigilance Committee will
still pursue, and bring to justice, every criminal
They reserve to themselves the right, which they
intend 20 maintain OF searching the premises of sus
rcious parties. think they are perfectly justified
in The course which they have taken. They are
deserving the support of every honest man in the
community, for they are working disnterestedly to
do the greatest good to the largest number, They
work without any emolument, except that which
an honest conscience affords them Through their
noble efforts, san Francisco will eventually become
the model city of the State.
The Bloomer dress, or new costume for ladies,
which its rise an ong the fanatics at Syracuse,
has reached the shores of the Pacific. and has cre
ated perfect JurOre; and an incentive has been
given TO its adoption, by the very general manner
in which the press advocate the reform. No lady
has put i, Oh, as yet, though a great many wo-
men have think the dress very unbecoming;
and no female who has the slightest pretension TO
refined feeling, will adopt the suit for the sake of
having it said she wears the pants. Now, an not
a hen pecked husband, Tilted or forsaken lover,
that know of. at present; but simply man who
does not wish to see any womSh do augh. to cause
the slightest i'll natured remark 70 be made in re-
gard to her.
The steamships Monumental City, from Balti-
more, and Independence, from New York, have
arrived within the last few days. We have now
DO less than thirty one ocean steamships poughiug
the waters Of this coast, from Oregon to Panama.
believe that this is unprecedented in the annals of
steam nav alton. Within one year We shall have
at least fifty steamers on this coast most glo
rous future is opening for this country, and if
laws were only adequate, or we're put in force,
towards the preservation Of the peace and pros
perty Of ALL We then indeed should be blessed and
happy.
two weeks, visiting the different cities and towns
near san Francisco. ! intend to extend my trips, |
and give your readers acco unit OF my journeys,
so that they will, in me isure, become acquainted
with California localie Last week visited the |
famous city Of Benica, and its environs This
place, your readers will remember, was created a
port of entry, during the last session of Congress
in spite of the active exertions of the whole Cali
fornia delegation; and think the returns from
Benieia Custom House will well reward Senator
Soue for the conspicuous part he took in its behalf
The town is beautifully located, on the north side
from the water TO the range OF hills In the rear OF
the city. Those Of your readers who have seen
Cincinnati and Davenport, on the Upper Mississippi,
will have a correct idea of the situation Of Bencia.
As position, it is the Gibraltar Of California, and
does honor to General PersifOr r. Smith, who
solicited it as the principal military depot for the
Pacific. IL must be the crossing place, in travelling
by land, between the northern and southern parts
Of the state All the interior trade, either TO the
northern OF southern mines, must pass directly
through its haIbor. 1t has bold banks, against
which the largest class ships may lay and discharge
their oargoss The cost OF building wharves would
be alb out one I'll nth Of the which the same
eomnodations would cost in this place. A better
haIbor (so sailoIs tell mel is not to be met with
the Pacific. Without possessing a sailors eye,
that the hills which surround il protect it
efectually from the northers and southeasters
which visit these bays in winter. The country,
both in front and rear, is classed amongst the
nothing 10 prevent benicia from becoming one Of
the most important cities in California. Tne titles
here are uhquestionable, rare thing In California
towns The climase Is delightful, and the society
intel gent ard orderly. About one hundrei and
fifty city let's each hundred and fifty feet front
by one hundred and twenty five deep, have been set
apart as a fluid for the support Of common schools
4 his IL quite a unique feature In california pro-
gress. Appropriations for churches and univer.
sity have ALEC been made. These cons derations
must commend this place 20 families ~ho are com
ing TO this country TO reside. The streets are fine,
berg eighty feet In width and each other at
right hrgies six hundred feet apart
lloviaud 4 Aspinwsll have selected this point as
the depot ana terminus for their line of stea
] noticed a. their wharyes the steamships Oregon,
Sa'ah sands, Republic, Northerner, ami Antelope.
understand that they have IL in contemp platoon to
make extensive ouilays IA the building OF machine
shore. warehouses, whsrves, 81. Indeed, their
rapidly Increasing steam marine, in the Pacific, re
quirts immense oxpeI diture and extensive accom-
nCcatious.
In this immediate Ieighborhood the naval dry
dock is 10 be located A more desirable spot could
rot be folecisG than the basin i'm nediately above
Hosland 4 AsIinwalls works, ON The grounds be-
longing 10 the military station.
SUI eri) bull linz stone il here foun in quantities
irexbhustible-bris 81 are 10 bti1g lade here from
III best clay that has yet been found IN California;
ard lime, superior even TO the Thomaston lime, "a
being burnt. Immediately opposite Benicia, on the
Martinez shoie. Your neighbors need not ship
line or cement 10 this country, hereafter. The hue
ses at 50 per barrel delivered here; the bricks 50
Ter NJ thee piices. neat year, will be materially