The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-10-01
Throwing open Of the California vigilani
,z,.. Committee Rooms.

Throwing open Of the California yigilan
!,sas,,...s Committee Rooms.
Isssrsssl De.cripti., q the I.serier.
The San. anclseo papers contain extended e
counts Of the ,hrowing open Of the vigilans Com
mitee rooms on the 2lst Of August. II was grea
tevent In that city and on the drst day l5GOo per
sons visited those rooms Of terror, Of whom COX
were ladies. We take from the Alta Califeraia -
Interesting description Of the scene:
i THE INTEREST FELT
early 10 the day Q large concourss of people
gathered about the street In front of the buildn-
ana as soon - the doors were thrown open, beesr
20 nsess pre-. is.o the rooms The usual guards were
~ endorsement Of . good member Of the Commit.
see. Three passages were opened--cne for thesen.
rance OF Gentlemen, another for ladies, and the
snird Tor the exit Of both sexes. Soon after the
doors were opened the rooms were densely filed.
and continued line Of people were passing ont
| and ~ from morning until night keeping ali the
rooms well filled the whole time. s'E-9-
~ dint OF some considerable perseverance we
forced our way through the lines and gained an
entrance; and here Is what we saw -
a THE FIRST FLOOR 5f
The frst appearance as we entered. aaye n. ma
idea OF the dismal prison narrow cell for on av
cry hand were spread ont to the eye the Ritterinv
| implements of war; the gay equipage; the Amer.
can coiors In every direction. and profusion Of
MOWERS and bouquets that had been bestow ed by
the hands of the fair ones who were then in attan
dance to see how well they had been arranged by
the lords Of creation.
The ceiling and walls were entirely covered
win fags OF different nations, but principally
American, and banners, muster rolls, pictures. Ger
uhcates and mementoes, Rraced every part Of the
spacious hail. We counted one huudred and fiftv
diHerent flags and banners which were used TO de.
corate tue rooms.
CITIZENS DRAGONS.
The westerly port on of the first floor was occu.
pied 6y the Citizens dragons first troo land they
nave exhibited . commendable taste in fitting up
tneir portion OF the hall 1t was charge of Mr.
horn, member of the troop, who was very at
tentive in showing the visiters everything Of in
terest connected with that troop. The wall as
before stated, was hung with the national colors
ana tne saeres OF the company were cosnpicuously
displayed in their appropriate racks together with
the usual equipmen ents of such companies These
sabres comprise the invoice that were ordered from
the east since the organization of the company
and expressed though by way of the Isthmus, by
tne mouse ofJ. n Fireman g. Co, the senior member
OF which firm is an officer in the corps The mus.
ter roll of the troop which by the way Is an ele
CANT piece of Workmanship. and which we have
before described 10 displayed upon the centre of
the west wall, and surrounded by many attract
such as flowers in bouquets and wreaths, silk ban
ners, and gilt dress swords Amongst the latter
was the one presented to Captain Brodt, at Must.
cal Hall, few days since and valued at $500 Mr.
Horn informed us that 25 bouquets lad been sent
them by the ladies and about IL feet of beautiful
wreath, wrought from fresh and lovely flowers:
| these were all tastefuy arranged about the mus
ter rolls. ~ ts
THE ARTILLERY.
The artillery companies were also located upon
the first floor, and occupied the centre and eastern
portion OF the room. Six heavy brass pieces that
glsteued with brightness, were arranged along
through the centre of the room and served to form
a dividing line between the quarters of the cavaL
~ and artillery The harness and heavy tackle
were hung in order upon the eastern WALL and their
whole apartment was adorned with choice seec
tion OF pictures-among them those of Clay and
Webster, together with their muster roll, and
framed certificates of membership.
THE MAGAZINE.
The powder magazine " as located in the extreme
Southeast corner OF the room, In what former.
ly one of the prisoners cells. The 'viRant eye"
of the committee. OF very large dimensions, was
observed over the door, while the entrance was
constantly guarded by a member of the company
Everything in this department was apparently in
the best of order, and all the equipments were 80
arranged that they could be used at q moments
warning
- MISREPRESENTATION.
The Marine Battery Company..-occupi@d the
Northeast portion of the same floor, and was sep.
arated from the other departments by the breast
work representation that was drawn upon wheels
in the procession of Monday last. The same sau
cy looking guns were peeping through the port
holes, and within the enclosure the munitions
OF war such as grapeshot and balls nicely stacked
up snd all the paraphernala of this department of
warfare. The chief attraction, however, was the
muster roll which is the largest and probably the
NEST expensive OF any other companys. This com.
pany was commanded by the late Captain John s.
Walker, who was buried about ten days since.
Suffers DEPARTMENT..
The suffers department is located in the front
portion of the room, between the marine battery
main hall by partitions, within which are all the
necessary conveniences for supplying the guards
with refreshments.
THE SECOND FLOOR
Having passed entirely around the room upon
the ground floor, we ascended the staircase to the
upper story, which leads up alongside tho eastern
wall and reaches the second floor about half vav
between the front and rear walls of the building
Turning to the left, We first cav the quarters Of
the Battalion Citizens Guard" which WAS richly
adorned with all that could make such apartments
beautiful and attractive. On this foer as below,
there was profusion of coors of all nations and
an abundance of flowers, with q choice selection
OF pictures and paintings The Citizens Guard
| izeus' Guard, Welcome" They had not forgotten
TO have large representation of the significant
eye, around which was the motto of the company,
"Nunquam Dormio." This batalisn have q stand
Of 200 muskets, and their appearance yesterday
certainly does them credit for they were kept
scrupulousy neat and bright Among the deco
| ra'ions here We saw hne painting of the battle
OF Chupultepec steel engravings of Washington
and William Penn, and several daguerreotypes
| and ambrotypes of distinguished persons and
| scenes. and their beautiful muster roll
BUST OF MR KING. $50
In the southeast corner of the room, at the en-
trance to several department Offices stands q life
SIZE bust of The late James King of William which
was very appropriately wreatbed with garland
OF fresh flowers. Upon the pedestal were fasten.
ed two copies of the Evening Bulletin In this
portion OF the room also were hung the Bulletin
boards OF the Committee, upon which we're placed
to be diffused. = 80
| EEf GENERALS JACKSON AND WOOL.
Upon the walls, over the last mentioned locality
wc observed the portraits OF the distinguished
personages above mentioned, by w 8. Jew ctr. of
this city. The pictures were life like and are
credit to the artist We were glad to see the
shadow of the old veteran, General Wool, there.
because We have every reason to believe that his
heart and sympatkies have been with the Com
mittee from the commencement of their labors.-s
The Committee not insensibIe Of the stand the
brave and gallant General has taken 10 this aues
tion, and history, ~ well the memories of the
members of the Committee, viii do him justice
hereafter. There were also several other paint.