San Andreas independent., 1857-11-07
The Mass Meeting in San Francisco.

lutlons adopted at mass meeting, held
in San Francisco, Saturday evening the
31st of October. The action of the meet
ing is worthy of careful attention, as it
points out remedy for the inconvenien-
ces and disadvantages under which the
people of California have suffered, owing
to the indifference of the consolidated mo-
nopoly of the United States and Pacific
Mail Companies. The sad and melancholy
misfortune to the Central 4mericd,
which has thrown our State into mourn
ing, may be turned to the future advan-
tage of California, and safety to those
who may be travelling to and from our
State There is but little doubt if the
people will take determined and united
action in the matter, that the next Con-
gress will do something which will hold
out inducements for the establishment of
another line of steamers between New
York and San Francisco. Besides, some
decided action may be taken by the gov
ernment in regard to the construction of
a railroad over the plains. There has
never been, since the first settlement of
California, SO favorable moment for the
agitation of questions that are likely to
rebound to our final benefit. Congress
Twill soon assemble, and that too before
the present feeling of the people has had
time to subside, and if petitions are cir
culated, they will be numerously signed,
which will and must have an effect in
controlling the action of Congress, by
bringing the matter directly before them,
that they may understand that the people
are aware of the disadvantages they have
endured, and they look to that body for
immediate action:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The loss of the United States Mail
Steamship Central America, in which so many
of our fellow-eitizens have been sacrificed, has
diffused gloom and sadness horror and indig-
nation through the community and, whereas,
we, the citizens of San Francisco, deem it our
duty to express our sentiments in relation to
this terrible calamity-to pay our tribute to
the gallant dead, whose resignation and COM
posure in meeting death in order that the help
less might be saved, has but few parallels in
the annals of ocean disaster-to console with
mat ly nd cfo tf,
the survivors left destitute, the parents left
chlldleSs, the wives made widows, and the
children made orphans-to render honor and
praise to the noble men who periled their lives
and vessels in the rescue of the survivors; and
WHEREAS, Whilst discharging these duties,
we also deem it a most fitting occasion to re-
view the course hitherto pursued by the Steam
ship Companies now controlling, or formerly
engaged in the ocean communication between
| California and Oregon and the Atlantic States,
nothing extenuating nor setting down aught
| in malice;' but, where that course has been.
and still is, obviously subversive of the best
interests of our State, endaneering human
life deterring immigration, and rendering the
horrors between this and our sister States but
little inferior in degree to those of '' middle
passage"-not merely to record our censure,
but, by all lawful means in our power to
change and reform it; and, whereas, the re-
monstrance and protests which have been made
from time to time by sufferers from the heart
less cupidity of the Steamship Companies,
have been totally disregarded and without eff
feet, until the abuses which have more than
once been fatal to SO many have now resulted
in the wholesale destruction of human life
Now, therefore, be it
Resolred That we, the citizens of San Fran
cisco, are bowed down with grief by the awful
calamity which has befallen so many of our
fellow-citizens, and that we do deplore the
lost, sympathiSe with the survivors, and con-
sole with the bereft
Resotoed, That this meeting recognizes with
pride and heartfelt emotion the noble heroism
with which four hundred Californans. in the
strength OF their manhood, preferred death to
dishOnor, and bowed their heads to the fatal
stroke without murmur or complaint, in the
hope $50 happily realized) of warding it off
from the helpless and the weak-the woman
and the child
Rcsolced, That this meeting extends to the
master of the Norwegian brig q Ellen,p master
OF the 8 Saxpny," and master of the American
brig . Marine" and to the respective officers
and crews of those vessels its need of graft
tude and admiration for the gallantry dis
played by them in the rescue, and for the
Christian kindness exhibited in their subse-
quent treatment of the survivors of theill-fated
steamship.
Resotced, That this meeting cannot find
words to express lis adherence of the alleged
mercenary conduct of Captain Green, of the
steamer City Of Norfolk ESQ in contrast
with that of the noble men above pamedl in
refusing to tow the disabled brig 9 Marine
with the survivors on board, into port, with
out pay in advance and that his name should
henceforth be consigned to nfamy. and be a
by-word and reproach among men, if such re-
port proves true.
Resotced, That this meeting attributes the
loss of the Central America to the NEGLIGENCE
and indifference of the u S. Mail Steamship
Company to the safety of those whose money
it had received, under the highest obligation
on its part, to convey them to their port of
destination, at least as safely as the acts of
God and the perils of the sea would permit
and that we view such negligence and indif
ference as falling little short of crime.
Resolced, That whilst we admit that the
ships of the Pacific Mail Steamship COMPANY
are generally safe. well manned, quick. com
Portable and generously provisioned. we hold
the said company responsible for the miscon-
duct and shortcomings of the U. S. Mail Com
pany on the Atlantic Ocean, and particularly
as most of the stockholders are the same n
both companies