The Placer herald., 1856-06-28
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY LAST.

SA1 OhUAI AMI SUNDA1 LASl.
The public are already familiar with the
leading facts regarding the attempted assas-
sination of Sterling A. Hopkins, Marshal of
the Vigilant police, by David S. Terry, Asso-
ciate Judge of the Supreme Court; but the
accounts in the papers ofyesterday, although
in most instances correct in the main tea
lures of the case, contain many discrepancies
which through investigation are, however,
easily accounted for. The following brief
sketch of the events as they transpired will,
it is believed, prove correct in every partcu
lar.
The Origin.
The Committee of Vigilance had been for
some days in possession of the fact that ar
rangements had been made in Sacramento to
forward to their opponents in this city large
supply of arms and ammunition. On We'd
nesdav or Thursday of last week, information
was received to the effect that the supplies
had been placed on board small sailing craft
in charge of person named Meloney, and
acting upon the information, an expedition
was at once fitted out to intercept the vessel
before it reached this city, provided with a
full description of the vessel and of the persons
having her in charge The expedition of the
Viglants got away during the night and ar
rived in the vicinity of the Sister Island, over
hauling every vessel that bore any resem-
bance to the one sought for. During Friday
night small fast sailing yatch hove in sight
and upon being boarded by the Vigilant craft
proved to be the vessel described in the
dispatches to the Committee of Vigilance.
The Viglants were prepared beyond posi-
bility Of failure, and the arms and ammunition
were made an easy prize, and before daylight
were safely slowed away in the Arsenal of the
Committee Head Quarters on Sacramento
street. The officer in charge of the cxpedi-
ton had orders to capture the vessel at all
hazards, but had received no instruction re-
garding the persons whom he might find in
charge of the notwithstanding the men
who represented themselves as the proprie
tors of the vessel and cargo-Messrs. Reuben
Melonev and s. Philips, were allowed to
make their way to the city in their own yes
sci.
THE OCCURRENCES AT THE OFFICE OF THE
NAVY AGENT.
Upon the assembling Of the Executive
members of the Committee Of Vigilance on
Saturday morning, after hearing the report
of the officer commanding the expedition as
above stated, it was determined to have Reu
ben Melony before them for the purpose of
Investigating the circumstances of the ship
ment of arms and ammunition from Sacrament
to- Accordingly, an order to that effect was
issued to the Chief of the Vigilant Police, Mr..
Sterling A. Hopkins, who ascertaned dur
inc the afternoon that Mclony was at the
office of the Navy Agent, DR.. H. P. Ashe
in the second story of the building corner of
Washington and Keanery steeets over the
banking house Of Palmer Cook & Co.
About o'clock p. NJ. Mr.. Hopkins and two
Of his deputies entered the Office Of the Navy
Agent and made known the purpose Of the
visit. As near as can be ascertained, the
names of the persons who were in the office
at the time are as follows: David S. Terry,
Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court Of the
State; Doctor II. P Ashe, Navy Agent; Gen.
David Douglas: Hamilton Bowie; Z. A
Rowe; Men abb, and Reuben Meloncy. 1t
appears that there were others present in the
private apartment connected with the office
but their names have not been ascertained.
Uron the demand for Meloney being made
by Mr. Hopkins, Mr.. Ashe replied that he
would allow no arrests OF any person IN his
office, and Judge Terry said that no arrests
should be made in lis presence.
A great many statements have gained cur
renew regarding the conversation between
Mr. Hopkins, and Dr. Ashe and Judge Terry.
It was rumored yesterday that Gen. Douglas
testified before the Committee Of Vigilance
to the effect that he had great difficulty in
preventing Judge Terry from shooting Mr..
Hopkins Gen Douglas denies having given
any such testimony On the contrary, he
states that the conversation in the office was
not of violent character. 1t appears, how.
ever, that some harsh words were exchanged
but no other violence offered by either party.
Having good reasons to believe that the party
iu the office were equally well armed with
himself and his deputies, Mr.. Hopkins return
ed to obtain assistance, having determined
upon making the arrest, Several disinteres-
ted persons who were witnesses to the first
part of the occurrence in the office had Just
previously retired fearing that Hopkins would
attempt the arrest of Maloney by force, in,
which event it was evident that bloodshed
would follow. As soon as Mr.. Hopkins and
his men had left the building Messrs. Ashe,
Terry, Rowe, and McNabb hastened to
arm themselves with double barrelled
fowling pieces and pistols, which it ap'
pears they procured from an apartment over
the County Treasurer's office, in the same
building.
A few minutes later they emerged from
the lower door on the Keanery street side OF
the building, and forming in procession so as
to bring the person of Melony in the centre OF
the party, proceeded in the direction OF the
amory of the Marion rifles and San Francisco
Blues, situated on the corner of Jackson and
Dupont streets. Mr.. Hopkins and his two
aids Immediately followed and came up with
them near the alley running from jackson st.