The true Democrat., 1856-09-16
Interesting from California. 10 Me Editors of the Richmond Enouirer.
SAN Fp,Nc,sco J,lu 9, 10.

uENTLEMEN-Since the organlzation of the vigilance Committee, the tyranny under which we are now living, something has transpred to prevent my writing to you, either absence from the cisy, or TOT other reasons equally good But do not thlnk, in justice to the cause of which am put humble advocate that I should de-
 lay longer Tn laying before you full state-
 neht or facts which have led to tie present de- PioraDe state of affairs in San Francisco. All .ne demons of the internal regions appear to nave been let loose upon this city of hills. and all the evil passions which can possibly animate the bosom of man, are at work for its destruc ton. Reason is lost sight of, and he who an. PealS to 1t Is regarded as fool or a madman The only law known to them is the bavonet and he who is in favor of 1aw and order, is the greatest criminal in their eyes. will not at- tempt to relate minutely all the circumstances leading to the formation of the Vigilance Com. mlttee, for 1t would be too tedious and too long but will content myself by giving you gene ral view. About SIX months since paper was started in this city called the "Evening Bulle- tln," edited by James King of William, (son of Wm klng) In the flush times of California, Ming was wealthy banker, and entered large iy into specuations, but, like many others, could not withstand the pressure of hard times which soon followed. He "wound up, his business as best he could, and immediately af rewards received the appointment of confiden- tlal clerk in the banking house of Adams & Co.,, on condition of transferring his depositors to that house; knowing as he must, upon the ex- animation of their books, that Adams & Co.,. were lnsovent, and as he afterwards admitted to be the case Upon the failure of Adams & Co., he was again thrown out of employment and made several intellectual attempts to estab. llsh himself ill business As last resort he became editor and proprietor of the "Evenng Bulletin" From the high position of an hon. est, wealthy banker, he had fallen, and had lost the confidence of those, by his connection with Adams & Co.,, who had previously enter talned the highest regard for him. Naturally he felt chagrined when he compared his pre- sent position with the one he formally occupied, and secretly entertained hostility to his former friends. His first efforts were directed against certain rotten firms in this city, all of which every one knew to be true, and applauded him for his boldness. Then series of attacks, of general nature, upon the characters of men above reproach folowed-such men as Judges Thompson and Peachy were included His sheet was so low, and his attacks so general, that no one would notice him; for he made no dlscrlmlhatlon between gentleman and blackguard At last the courts began to inves- tigate the affairs of Adams & Co.,, and the most enormous frauds were exposed. The poor peo- pie lost their all by this firm. King threw of the secrecy which hung around him as conf- dential clerk, and seized this opportunity to ingratiate himself in the affections of the people at the expense of the reputation of those of the firm who had saved him from starvation. and who had taken him into their confidence. This succeeded, and James King of William sud
 denly became an important man in the com munlty. Here was chance for him to wreak his vengeance upon those whom he secretly hated and envied, and who had always been his best friends. He attacked the characters of such men as Thompson, Volney E. Howard, $. w. Leigh, son of the distinguished Virgin ian, and others of reputations equally pure, without regard to the truth. He did not and would not hold himself personally responsible to them, and there were many reasons why they would not make a street fight with him, and which were regarded as sufficient by their friends, and which the sequel proved to be well founded. Indeed, he was much severer upon gentlemen than upon tho black guards It was well understood that he had forfeited his life, and that he would have been shot long before in any other country. It was a fixed fact, and Wa; only a question of time, and his tune had come when he preferred charges against Casey, (though what he said about hm was true.) Casey had warned him against using his name in his paper, and King felt se- cure in any thing he might do. But whatever might have been the aggravating circumstances in the shooting of King by Casey, it did not warrant body of citizens in forming them selves into Vigilance Committee, employing about two thousand foreigners, with about four thousand natives armng themselves with mus kets, and marching on a Sunday to the jal, forcing its surrender, and overpower;ng the officers of the law. Not only did they take Casey but they took Cora, who shot Richard son, and who had been tried by jury of twelve men chosen from among themselves, and who could not agree upon verdict. These men were hanged without any trial, and without any defence being allowed them. It was supposed that they would stop here; but, alas for human hopes. Men who thus acquire power are not so willing to yield it up; and they have gone on from step to step, until they now have Judge of the Supreme Court incarcerated in their dungeons, whose fate will either be death or punishment. Men have been sent away from the country in irons without any cause shown, and still there is no sign of their disbalding.
 The Governor, who Is poor, weak man, at first thought 1t best to treat with them, and yield to their mad excitement. Finally he was aroused to the alarming state of affairs, but too late, as the result showed. He called upon them to dsband, and upon their refusal issued his proclamation, declaring this county in a state of instruction, and called upon the mili- tia to enroll themselves. General Wool prom iSed him arms, and the work of enrolment went on bravely. But the hopes of those who were in favor of maintaining the laws and the constitution of the State, at the point of the bayonct, were doomed to disappointment by General Wool discovering at this period he had no authority to furnish the State with arms, perhaps because he General Mough tue laao party was in tue minority. Though the Governor was here checked, he still hoped, with the means the State had at its disposal, to check the progress of this inqusition. In attempting to concentrate the arms of the State at this point, they were seized by the Vigilance Con- mittee while in transit on the bay of San Fran cisco. The man in charge of them escaped and hastened to San Francisco to make re- port of what had happened to the proper au- thorities, and in the presence of Judge Terry who was here at the time. While giving an account of himself, the Vigilance Committee sent party of men to arrest him, which they attempted to do in his Che Judge's) presence and the presence of the other authorities. The Judge remonstrated as peace officer and suc- ceeded at the time in preventing them. While repairing to place of greater safety with the man, whose arrest was contemplated by the Committee of Vigilance, they were again ac- costed by the same party of men greatly rein forced. After repeated remonstrances, and find ing his own life in great danger, (for several pistols were drawn upon him. he stabbed man by the name of Hopkins, the leader, in the neck, and by the greatest exertions succeeded in reaching one of the State armories Imme- diately the Vigilance Committee sounded the alarm, and in a short time surrounded the building with seven thousand bayonets and several pieces of artillery. Terry had only fifteen men with him, and consequently had to surrender to the executive committee of the Committee of Vigilance. Had Hopkins died Terry would have been hanged beyond ques- tion, but as he is now out of danger there is no telling what disposition they will make of the r. ,,th ci, q o4x,