The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-07-26
Correspondence of the Minnesotfsn.
state Of Affairs in California. ~,
- SAHFRAxc1sco.s June S.

/ SscsC VI A4AatLb Cull4Orul4s
| SAN Francisco, dune S.
MEssRs, Representatives, by extract
from California papers, you will learn of th,
sad state of affairs in this country, Or NOR,
particularly in the, city of San Franciscps4-
You will read of the murder Of James Kins
OF that city, by one Casey that the people
rallied by thousands-tried, convicted anG
hung Casey and the notorious Cora, themur
derer of Richardson. You will read7of Che
people forming committee called the VII.
Iianee; that they have arrested many MOTOR.
GUS characters gave them a fair and Impair
tial trial; gave them the benefit of their, own
counsel, and when these despcradoes were
convicted, shipped them from the country
that the notorious Yankee Sullivan, when
shown Up inshis true colors land as an es-
capped New South Wales convict, through
fear Of being reshipped to that industrious
colony, committed suicide. You will read
Gov. Johnson's proclamation declaring San
francisco in a state Of insurrection, calling
out the militia and ordering said Vigilance
Committee to disband: that Gen. Sherman,
whose sympathies are not with cut-throats
and Williams has resigned his commissions; that
the brave old Gen. Wool has refused to obey
Governor johnson; and when you read of
this sad state of affairs, you will ask why is
| it 500 , a NJ
Twill tell you. Perhaps you still recol-
lect the manner elections were conducted in
New York city by the shoulder-hitters and
bullies. Well, the same class of individuals
managed the elections of San Francisco in
many ways; one Of which was by using stuff.
ed ballot-boxes; said boxes had false sides
and bottoms, containing sufficient number
OF their tickets to elect their own candidate;
and generally when the polls were about to
close, in well managed disturbance the list
Of voters would be destroyed. You can un-
derstand what kind of officials such adroitly
managed elections have elected; all manner
of crimes have been committed in San Fran
cisco; often robbery and murder, sometimes
at night but as often in daylight. The lnur
derers have been tried by the proper author
ties but none OF the aforesaid Fraternity
were convicted; the industrious and enter
prising citizens of San Francisco have been
bowedd own with heavy taxes;-the results
of their industry have been consumed as the
flesh before fierce cancer; the public mon
cys have been squandered; and therefore
there have been no public improvements
The people were becoming tired of this state
Of affairs. ~
King, editor of San Francisco paper, in
his editorial columns, attacked these villains
in their doings-these bravoes in their
haunts, and was shot down in the busiest
part Of the city, where thousands were pas
sing, pursuing their daily ayocations of life.
| have never been an advocate of Lynch or
mob law, still do not condemn the action
of the Vigilance Committee. believe nine
tenths of the honest people of California are
in heart with the Committee. In the vigil
lants are enrolled christians of all denomina-
tions. Aye, and divines have stood on guard
and in many parts of the State they have
lectured on the subject to their parishioners.
| believe that the vigilants are bringing their
abors to close. Will the Governors Pro-
clamation hasten them7 We shall see.
The people have been subscribing to what
is called the King Testimonial some thirty
thousand dollars, mostly in one dollar sub
scriptions, for the benefit of Mr.. Kings wild
ow and children. have delayed finishing
this letter in order to inform you whether
there would be collision betyeen the Gov
ernor's soldiers and the citizens of San Fran
cisco. There have been petitions sent to
Gov. johnson from Sacramento and other
places, asking the Governor to withdraw his
proclamation.
When the committee from Sacramento
waited on the Governor, he promised them
that there should be no collision and no blood
shed; still it was his duty to call upon the
militia. The Governor in bis interview ac-
knowledged that nine-tenths of the people OF
the State sympathized with the vigilants.--i
My opinion is that the vigilants will hold
the power in San Francisco until the first of
July, when there will be new election for
City Officers, and it is my impression that
the affairs Of the said city will be better con-
Quoted in future. Yours,
C. A. G..