Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-08-01
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
To the Editors of The Enquirer:

san FRAScIsco, July 5th 1856.
Messrs. Editors:-But for unfortunate occur
renee which tranapIred here two weeks SINCE might
now have been able to give YOU the "summng up
of the exciting scenes have lived through during
the last six weeks. Bat the position of things is now
such that it is impossible 10 tel when that happy pc
riod will arrive. vii. We you brief account Of
the circumstances, ana then lay down my pen With
the sincere hope that may not be compelled to take
il IN again in the relation of such terrible and pain
full occurrences as have occupied 1t IN my two last
letters to you. On Saturday the 2lst of June, the
Vigilance Committee found It necessary to arrest one
Rube Mallory. and accordingly their chief officer OF
the police, Mr.. 5. A. Hopkins was dsputed to execute
this duty. Taking with hiul posse, they proceeded
TO the rooms Of DR.. Ashe, where Malony was, and
made known their busness. Some words ensued,
when DR.. Ashe finally tod them that they could not
arrest any man in his office. Not wishing difficult
ty Mr. II left for the rooms Of the Vigilance COM
mtee for a reinforcement, having detailed guard
to keep II watch the building Soon after they
left, DR.. Ashe, Judge Terry of the Supreme Court,
Mallory, and brother of Judge l., left the building
aud proceeded towards the armory ot The "Blues,
tho headuuar,ers of the so.csled "law and order
forces" talso, sometimes called the Jaw and murder
men, with greater spriuklInt of truth than poetry
in the nane,) the whole party ned with double bar
relied shot guns rifles. short iiie alter leaving,
they were overtaken by Hopkins and his party, who
again told them hat he wanted and proceeded to arrest
Malony. who SOME dstau ahead OF the party,
and making rapid strides for the armory AS Hop.
ks nesred Judge Terry tEo latter presented his gun
at the breast of H., who seized 1t aud turned itasde
DIR. Ashe also presented gun at another Of the par
ty Mr. j. $. Duvee, who seizsd that, drew revoI.
ver and ordered Dr.. Ashe to give it up which he
did. Judge Terry-the Hon. JuiSc 7erryGf The Su.
premc Eourt-ihen drew kniIe his tavorite wea-
pom, which has before now spilled human blood, and
inflicted wound OH Iupkas, which will III all like
ihood result in his death. -hu wound is dreadful,
and the physicians say there Is scarcely shadow Of
hope OF his recovery. The Intelligence was carried
to the rooms Of tho Vigilance Committee and the
executive fearing Csslun ordered the alarm bell
sounded. Ii was tapped, and immediately the mem
bers were by tens, twenties, hundreds, and thou
sands rushing to the rooms. So great was the rush
that considerable delay experienced in getting in.
Soon several companies We're formed, and ma:ched
in double quick time TO the rooms OF the 'Blues," "
where Judge Terry had taken reiugs Cannon were
minced in front and formal demand made for judge
Terry, Mallory, aud another p.!s2l; and all the arms
ammunition, &c, in the building After some parleying,
the agreed tr, I'd the marched out
and their arms taken possession Of and all taken to the
rooms Of the Vigilance Committee. In about the
same length Of time after the that have
taken to describe II, Judge Terry WAS prisoner 10
the Vigilance Committee. Companies OF the g.
lance COMMITTEES had also surrounded MI the other
arnories of The law and order forces enc the same
demand made upon them for their arms, ~hch was
nc once complied with, and tho whole party made
prisoners aud marched 10 the rooms OF me 'ghance
Committee They were all reieaseu 'nS neAt aay;
except those against whom Sr.lnal euns Irda. daa
Terry !, It'll confined Que word about him. He
Voluntarily left his family and mis- public and private
business and travelled one hundred and hi'y miles,
10 bring OIL collision between the people and tne
,ou.rno-. forcrs He took active par. in matter
p whcb he, of all o,hers-a Judge Of this Supreme
Court when it more than likely that these mat
;ers would be brought before h!n-shoa!d have even
Ion, his lin. scaled. He came DOWN With the avow-
epe ed determination to "pr; The Vigilance Committee
down" lie attacked and has Most likely murdered
man, when there was not the leest occasion Tor II;
uo ia of powerful frame; HE opponent smaller and
weaker, and entirely unarmcd. Hopkins had left his
arms at the rooms, by orde: o.reques, when he went
down for reintorcements. But tor him, no blood
would have been shed in this contest. The Commit
tee would. by this time, have completed their work
and disbanded. 1t may not De proper, but will say
that if Hopkins dies, and the evidence makes il out
q case Of murder, Judge Terry's position will not
save him. He will surely be hung. If Hopkins sur
wives, then Judge T. will be sent out OF the country
These Of course are only opinions OF NINE 'nouso