The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-04
Tine Vigilance Committee Of San Franciseo.
raE GARD OF J. X. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DAYS IN THE
VIGILANCE COMMITTEE DUNGEONS.

rHE GARD or J. X. MALONEY-FOURTEEN DAYS IN THE
VIGILANCE COMMITTEE DUNGEONS.
METROPOLITAN Horn,
New York, August 2, 1885.
DsAR Sm-The false position in which I have been
PLACED by the outages recently perpetrated upon me by
the San COMMITTEE and the wide publ.
city which has been given the those wrongs by
the great journals Of New York. render necessary that
should speak my defence, and also render proper that
should expose not only the motives which acuated
body in my case but the general fearful policy which
they pursue in all
II not my intention when first arrived here
70 make any such appeal thought chat the fact Of
having been thrust from a community by violence
at the hands OF bloodstained mob, which, with all its
natreds could make no charge against me, Of itself
enough projection with all cool and sensible observers
enough at least, TIL could get back and vindcate my
self Ny friends however tell me, that in consequence
Of the impression here that the Vigilance Committee
by good motives, aud direct their action only
aganst the most abandoned members Of society, am
likely to looked the worst Of characters,
unless explain the circumstances my extraordinary
exk
Thus situated sir ask the privilege of your c,lamns
lad ask IT, too the strength reputa ion which,
though humble enough, has been blemish
ed by accusation arrest, and which
an willing compare with that of any member
% the Vigilance Committee II III becomes 10
speak aaterngy of himself but il always his right
measure character with his defamers, and TO protest
against taking his standing the world Of
their criminal acts 1t -, therefore, egotism for
70 say that have passed through life without having
been arrested charged with offence, without
even being sued in court. That, moreover though my
business transactions in New York. well as in Cali
fornia, have been large, owe man dollar, either
here Or here, and that never had personal encounter
With any one in my fe Finally, that never was ami.
msdvered upon By the press until those in San Fran
CISCO in the service of the Vigilance Committee opened
aelr mouths upon NE because had been captured while
acting against them in the service OF the State
That was my whole offence, and even that might have
peen passed by had they not disco vered that my test
nong against then be Civ the United States Ois-
Scct Court-a court which they dared not close-ren.
dered It necessary only that should be blackened
With abuse, but put beyond the reach Of that tribunal
This was the true cause Of my being kidnapped and
forced from the State and in order hapihs may be
recty understood will relate the which
led TO that event.
At the hrst organization of the Vigilance Committee
&c 18th Mag last took ground again them The JUST
6caions O. the earlier times did warrant vic
lent remtdy Well regulated courts in existence
Judges presided them wh) were above
suspicion the municipal officers were unaccused
he machinery OF the city government had boen
ded b. consolidation bill, the ref rmng qualities OF
which TO 60 into effect within months. This
no time therefore, to institute revolution did
elder that The death Of who had provoked s fate
again And again and whose incenoIary kept the
community continually in agitation for the
throw o. government. l, however took par this
tine except by words but when the Committee had grown
great IN evil as TO hang two men, pass third
law known 70 republican COVE nments 70 oannh
ve-a others responded 70 the proclamation Of the
Governor OF che State and enrolled m. self in the
o. tie lav. took this action the "a me and the
company I enlisted in company A, under the
1aad Of CAPITALS Richard y. Ashe the United Navy
Agent at san Francisco
From tie "a June until the 10Th nothing oy
.<ae sIA;e forces; and though the Vigilance Committee
ras daily growing formidable, absta'ned from
Oh Greet II teiertnce with ibem. Indeed, hoped
tat ,ornstk would prevail among their leaders
AID thai bHodshed would be spared b. their being
sqilpg oisband 1t appeared, however tta. so
tar tom thu. being within their intentions they actively
enlarged their numbers fortified their quarters tor
aetted sway and with Increased city sent midaght
train bsn,s surround and search every dwelling when
Ind been indicated by their emissares deserving q
Suspicion Terror now regned supreme Spies and
troopers iurked 10 every path aud cared
Cen LIS roltn W free OF tAu Fous in.
Q1hlton except n CANCER Of is cells.
sary for the state to take decisive measures Active
Freraat set on foot to meet the danger acd
among the movements instituted despatched
Captain n he and Judge Terry, OF the supreme Court
Bencia the responsible mission Of receiving aud
brinrpg down lot OF arms, the property Of the state
which 10 be delivered 10 me there by Genera
Wcol upon q requson Of the Governor. went 10 Be
ocis the 18th, and the morning Of the folio sing
oar general Wool complied with the requiston the
arms we're delivered up to As soon ~ received
ten Lad them placed upon the schooner Julia which
had char,ered for the purpose aud at two clock 10
Ia set IRA lad
Is Mr.. Philips The messenger fro Governor johnson.
aai Lieutenant James hcNab, also Of the company Of
We let out with a strong wind and hoped 10 make the
ZIP successfully but ignorant that Of the
cDsslrlfs Of the vigilance Committee at Bcnicia had
watched The embarkaon OF the arms, and ele yrsphed
h. Gan 70 have intercepted In downward
gsZsgs ~ we're .sng qulssy sohg' ,sersore ,ne
-les ~ he bay Ii our direction, and such their
prom1tss.s ~ The movement, that the steamer
came ~ with ~ al O'Clock the Straits
o. Car44Bcs, eighteen twenty miles
on san Francesca Fortunately FOR Us, however, the
WI va hgh and the surface OF the bay rough that
r 30 Fth difficulty they could hail u ami being 40
areret that We we're the schooner Malvna and bound
& Pc rond City. instead Of San Francisco they passed
ca Fec.,atng ourselves this escape for We al once
uadersio the movement pressed ON again towards
aad more gnucky sun il econ began 10 die out, ana
Gaaig A. midnight I became dead calm. Unable 70 Do
t1.tsr therefore, we arew close under some high land
al a ne tide va against as dropped anchor near the
rr TIE meantime q new and larger expedition In the
etapG q three craft. started rom
Fraucc co 10 search Of u.s. and helped by the tide
SLOWLY their road the bay. Spreading they could
esecp the channel they succeeied notxithstand
1c the absence OF The noon detecting and three
cock IN the morning they advanced upon 10 boats
"a We were aroused by the noise or their boarders
r0urfnr IN upon deck. A. the party consisted Of
e5me hlcen twenty armed men, found 10 useless 20
ress vbereupon they then gave three cheers for this
virance Comm fee. which echoed In the a stance
from the vessels which bad brought them no
We o. course Informed them That the weasel char
tered 10 The Of state and protested nrmly against
Fuf they 4nI that
taey were acting under the orders Of the Vigilance Com
Zee snc Eve SIX Of the party descended into the
3o1.
There with the aid Of their lanterns they found
ascs n muskets marked and directed To his Excel.
itncy Nicely dohnson, Governor Of the STATE Of cafor
and alter giving three fresh cheers for this disco
very We were ordered, with the musses. board OF
sner schooner, prisoners OF the vigilance Committee.
when We arrived ran FRANCISCO Is O'Clock IN the
corning saturday slsi) the arms were put upon drays
AID conveyed 10 the rooms Of The vigilance Committee
+, The captain 81 the expedition hnding examining
anfhntltH for the ed