The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-07-24

CaiiSornia-The vigilance Committee
ana the state Authorities.


The news from California is of au exciting
character. 4 civil war sens imminent, he
tween the Vigilance Committee on the Que
hand and the authorities OF the State on the
other. Gov JOHNSTON has issued his procla-
nation declaring San Francisco in state Of
siege and calling upon the militia TO enrol
themselves and defend the legally constituted
authorities. The call Of the Executive has
met with but fain, response while on the
contrary the Committee has largely increased,
and now numbers in san Francisco alone, COCO
well armed and disciplined men, provided with
thirty pieces OF cannon and plenty OF ammuni-
,ioa. II is also stated that throughout the
State there is but one sentiment among the
masses of the people, and tina, is icr the sue
c,ss Of the Vigilance Committee
To show the state Of feeling in California
We quote from the papers, the Heralj and N.
Ia Californian which assume diaernt posi-.
tions in regard to the difficulties in the State
from the Alta Californian Of iuue 70
Probably there never was period when
our people. even leading politicians, said less
about political matters than now. No inter
est is manifested in the Presidential election;
no special organization OF parties for the can
vass has taken place; the party presses are apa-
thetic, and all the other wires sncm To he rusty
and otherwise out Of repair
In Sacramento. Stockton. and other prom
men, cities large meetings have been held to
endorse the proceedings OF, and sympathzc
Francisco; and in the mines and mountain vii.
lagos the same enthusiasm prevails.
ca the ith Cf June Gov. johnson issued
proclamation declaring the city Of san Fran.
cisco iu a state Of instruction, and calling up
on oil persons subject TO military duty in the
Third, Fourth aud Fifth military districts, 10
hold themselves in readiness TO do warlike SER
vice, under orders Of the Commander in Chei
and his generals Of lesser rank
This, and the accompanying documents were
received by the whole State with Indignation
f5' ti-f-.. s1d ha,i crr7s n y. t-,,,,,s--- '
jects, past aud future, Of the Committee, guber-
Material interference seemed uDcaed for, espa-
cially nasmuch az Governor johnson withheld
his proclamation until 80 long after there APP
pearcd any necessity for its issuance. Some
proceeded TO enroll themselves us directed bnt
nearly all such were friends and associates Of
the wrctchcs punished by the Committee.
Many OF the organized military companies dis.
banded surrendered their arms, and positively
refused TO engage in any attack on the people
Meanwhile the Committee opened their
books tor recruits, and thousands hurried TO
Join the organization large quantities Of
arms kept coming, until six thousand muskets
thirty pieces Of cannon many small arms and
abundant ammunition and infantry accouir,e
mcntS were gathered 10 the rooms Of the Com
mttee. 4 regular system Of military discipline
was established, strong guards were mounted
and the whole force divided into ten regiments
all composed Of the best men in the city. 4
strong brcas,work Of sand bags was built in the
night time in front OF the Committee rooms; u
large bell was suspended on the roof al their
buildings to give instant alarm on The ap
preach Of danger, and several pieces oi cannon
were planted on the adjacent roofs, SO as To
command each street leading 30 the fOr,lGca-
ton.
While these formidable preparations were
going forward the Governors officers and the
public journals in favor 81 annIhilating the
Committee. laborcd excessively TO obtain war
riors. and succeeded in securing u ragged few
hundred additional TO the fierce dtsperadoes
who "tocked around the constitution and the
Executive Immediately on the appearance of
his proclamation
The Governor was now made 10 believe. 10y
his unprincipled advisers, that he could AT once
suppress the ''insurrcciion." Accordingly, he
went 10 Btnicia To Obtain arms and the various
II Al. T,., A
senal; but Gen. Wool positively refused to ac
commodate his Excellency,' to his great an
noyaDce and chagrin.
While AZ Bcnica, committee of gentlemen
from san Francisco, hut not members OF the
Vigilance Committee, waited on the Governor
TO endeavor TO induce him TO withdraw his
proclamation This he would not do and IN
his reception Of the Committee forgot that gen
temanly department is "a creditsbIe Ia the pub
lie Officer as TO the private citizen. He io
turned to SACRAMENTO much incens'd at Gene
raj Wool, and convinced Of the mysterious fact
that mob had possession Of six thousand
stand Of arms and thirty pieces u cannon
which they had obtained without blood d.
disturbance, or objection on the part Of the
owners
On the 9Th inst il was deemed best hy the
Vigilance Committee TO dispose Of their stock
81 captured ioismy, consisting oi ak notorious
individuals. Banishmeut was tbc sentence. and
the culprlts were marched Ia the dock aud ship
ped TO other lands.
On the 9th inst the Vigilance Committee
issued an address TO the people Of the STATE
Since the first shipmeD, Of Iogues the Com.
mttp,, have instructed John Grove, j W.
Baglcy, james HenDcssey, " iiam Hamilton,
William, aiias Jack Msguire, JAMS Ca.ick.
Terrence KeI ey and John Inwlsr to have the
State OF California never 90 return, on ~ he
tore the Goth o, June They mus, go
Several additional arrests have been made,
and tpiore the work Of the Committee u com.
p!c,ed the exports OF knaycry will have far sur.
passed the imports
Al noon on the ! 9Th an Immense mass meet
ing vas held Of the friends of the ViRilano.
COMMITTEE. at which Baillc Payion presided.
Ablc address vcrr delivered. and resolutions
adopted
The goverbmeu, forces have ~ vet made no
hostile movement thnugh they have gnnc into
camp near this city
Business was dall. and the city was never ~
quiet and orderly
,foas the 49, Ilssr..c. Hsr.t 4 Jpss -
PrstI' A,FAIEs We invoke the earnest
attention OF the pupis 81 the state 70 the eH-
iraordinary condition Of thing st preseiit ey-
is,ing in -an Franci@co
The Commits. II Vigilance haze now h"rn
IN existence for fonr w,tks 1hl' body, -lt
constituted not elected by The people Il as