The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-06

fenced BY a unanimous voice 70 immediate death by
hanging. Before the execution, Col J. ID. Stevenson
went forth 10 the crowd people waiting outside ad.
dressing them, stated the facts OF the briefly
established by evidence, the subsequent confession of
committee. lie then inquired whether the people APP
proved or their proceedings, and would confirm the
tchcc loud shout in the affirmative from great crowd
his inquiry against which there were only sew
era voices IN the negative. During this time the committee
we're IN consultation TO their further proceedings,
while the prisoner remained mar acled in an adjoining
room lie appeared quite reckless OF his fate and only
at times said that the business was sd tiresome."
He begged peco OF tobacco from one of the members
which he continued to chew until he heard his do~,-
when sentence was delivered, he perpted 70 ls a
delay of hours 70 frame his mind 10 the solenfy
Of the OCCASION and to that end the assistance of ccr
gyinan was gwen although the prisoner seemed very
ncherent about religious duties; This clergyman the
Rev. Mr. Mines, closcted with the condemned during
the time granted In the interval the members present
OF the commee-some four Hundred in number-sat
grmiy on their seats, silent and determined. They felt
tho responsibility and unpleasant nature OF the task be-
fore them but they did not hesitate II for the good
been aborng and while conscience approved of their
proceedings, they did not much court they hoped
and expected the confidence and applause Of their fellow
citizens The silence in that chamber OF judgment
profound pin could have been heard TO fall on the floor
After the two hours grace, the condemned was led
forth still manaced and closely surrounded by those
who had the direct charge Of watching him. The
rest OF the committee formed in line behind. They
were all well armed and prepared to resist any attempted
rescue, either by the prisoners friends the authorities
themseyes In this order they marched, two by two
funeral procession after Stuart and his guasas
along Battery street to Market street wharf down which
hey proceeded TO its extremity great crowd Of cit
zens followed Hitherto the prisoner had preserved much
cooness but towards the close fear beginning to
overcome him and he last obliged tobe supported
by two OF his guards. At the end Of the wharf every
thing had been hastily arranged for the execution. SO
the procession reached the spot the fatal rope
was fastened and the condemned quickly hosted up with
ajerk upon derrick lie did not struggle much After
hanging few seconds his hat fell Off and slight breeze
stirred and gently waved his hair. This a sorry
spectacle-a human being dying like dog while thou
sands OF crrng mortas, whose wckedness only had not
yet been found out looked and appauded But
cesiiy, which dared trust itself TO feelings Of
passion commanded the deed, and improbable senti-
ment sunk abashed. Reason loudly declared-So perish
every villain who would hurt his neighbour and all the
people said "Amen.p
All ont twenty Ave minutes afterwards when life was
supposed to have fed the body lowered and posses
sion allowed to be taken the part OF the authorities
These had, previous TO the execution, made at
tcmps TO recover the person of the deceased but
resoutey opposed though overt act of violence took
place The verdict OF the jury follows
''Wc, the jury find that the deceased to his death
by srangulaton by hanging at the hands Of body of
styling themselves the Vigilance Committee of San
Francisco" It's perhaps, unnecessary to say that the
authorities took no legal action on this verdict. The
Grand Jury cmpanneled for the special July term by the
Court Of Sessions towards the close of long report
the of crime in San Francisco and in which they
had made alusion 10 the Vigilance Committee took
sion to say
leye that with truth may be said the corrupt administration
guardians and mners the frequent and
pos,pGnsmsnt Of important trials n the District Court The DIS
mansed BY q our Judges having criminal II
iice, lead believe that the members Of that association
h ss % w % b s S sns ~a s
administered it, rather than determination to disregard the
Under institutions eminen,ly popular those under
Which we live the Of al these 5 % with
they occupy il the laws faithfully executed
hP he
a % % h ;; w 5
mnsered win not give sufficient attention TO elections to
and neglect to obey the mandates Of courts when
ana nas or
+ ne neelec, q ,he, duties IN these mpor'an, par,
have sprung many the evils have suffered, The Grand
"n se ,f @ the at
sacrifice themselves have been nauencsd
& ana @ G o
Ssd S,s ana S1Rs .
h0se rs n Of hs, 90 s %
eec, benefit TO or the country and with
well disposed citizens correct abuses referred by
s s ns @es q ' a whG a X. %
mnsraon q the laws When his is done the axe viii h,v
for hs he es our any
hays long suffered se and there VIII be no necessity for n
much valuable information and many important Witnesses
The above testimony to the purity Of motive and pru
dcnce OF conduct in the Vigilance Committee Is highly
important and shows the estimation In which they
held W Of the Uost enlightened members Of tho
faYpiql who themselves had legal duty to perform
ceptns as before continucd The public press, ex
pause. As for the comnonalty, II was almost unsn
mously favor Of the committee In consequence Of the
examples made OF jenkins and stuart crime fast
diminishing in san Francisco and the number OF notorious
criminals much reduced
The next great occasion ON which the committee figured
in August following. They had had Ia their custody
for time back two persons of the name OF Samuel
Whitaker and Robert Mckenzie, who charged with
These persons had been fary tried had confessed their
guilt, and sentenced TO be hanged Tho particular
time for the execution had not ye, been hScd although
fha Uofsa 40
that Il would take place next day.
Meanwhile the Governor OF the State, the Hon. John
Ncrolea issued ton the Goth August prccamatscn 10
the people the county OF Francisco directed against
the Valance Comniec by name, and which called upon
all good citizens Of said county to unite Tor the parposc
OF sustaining public Law and tranquility TO aid the pgblr
officers In the discharge Of their duty and by all lawful
means to discouncnencc any and every attempt which
may be made 10 substitute the dcsroc control OF sell
constituted association unknown and acting In defiance OF
The laws IN the place Of Tho regularly Organized govern.
ing strange certificate was published in answer
San Fns ScEro, August % ISL
We NE undersigned Do hersbySyer that the prsscu. Go
Committee Il the Committee Of Vigilance which allow
as IN abs b. sur H. S Of hs sommse and ,h
much good had take place lie honel M hey would go oI
any Judge wa. gully q NAL administration, TO hang him. and
Comment upon the above document IL unnecessary. II
shows that although the Governor In prosecuting the du
ties Of s Office felt bound 10 oppose the proceedings o.
the Vigilance Committee the ground Of their lcgaty
a. individual, he willing 70 acknowledge their
bcn ncial effects Indeed, the private opinion and wei
aid against the actions Of the committee, we're nearly
unanimous IN their favor.
On the morning Of the slst, before dawn, the Shcr
procured upon the AFFIDAVIT of Governor McIOuga him.
self went with Of bis deputies 10 the rooms Of tie
committee which he entered without experiencing any
resistance. rsrty Of policemen followed behind - be
ready In case a mead. There were sufficient number
Of the committee q, hand 70 have crcbly and success
fully resisted the authorities bu taken by surprise and
unwilling 20 proceed 10 rtual blows and bloodhed they