English and Foreign.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 412, 15 October 1856, Page 3

English and Foreign.

NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA. TO THE 17th JUKE. REIGN OF TERROR IN SAN FRANCISCO. By the Courier Dove, at Melbourne from San Francisco, Califomian papers to June 5 were received, containing an account of great disturbances which had occurred in San Francisco, and the re-establishment of the Vigilance Committee, which obtained a world-wide notoriety by its atrocities in 1851. It appears that Cora, the murderer of Dr. Richardson, the United States' Marshal, had been tried and found guilty, but was reprieved by Governor Johnson. About the same time, Mr. James King, the editor of the ' Evening Bulletin.' was shot dead by a person named James Cassey. Upon this, the people met and formed a Vigilance Committee, three thousand strong, who armed themselves and seized upon Cassey and Cora, and hung them immediately. They had also driven out of the city upwards of a hundred obnoxious individuals, including- Judge M'Gowan, Billy Mulligan, Yankee Sullivan, (who had afterwards committed suicide), and many others. We subjoin particulars:— On Wednesday afternoon, May 14," about five o'clock, James King of William, was shot by James P. Cassey, in front of the Pacific Expres*s Company's offices, corners of Montgomery and Washington streets. The weapon used was a large-sized Colt's navy revolver. The ball entered the breast of Mr. King, under the clavicle, in the, left side, an inch-and-half below its middle, passing obliquely upwards to its point of exit on the posterior part of the shoulder blade.

The circumstances of this base murder are these : —Mr. King, while on his way from his office to his residence, was accosted by Cassey at the above point. When within about thirty feet of each other, Cassey raised his voice and. asked, "Are you armed?" Mr. King stopped suddenly, looking towards Casse3 r, his arms folded in his Talma cloak, and without speaking Cassey advanced a few steps, and as he advanced said, —" Prepare to defend yourself," at the same time dropping his cloak and raising his right arm from between its folds, fired directly at Mr. King. Mr. King raised his hand to the wound, and exclaimed, "Oh God! oh God ! I am shot!" He turned towards the Pacific Express, still uttering expressions of pain, and paying little or no attention to Cassey, entered the Express office. Cassey was immediately arrested. These proceedings were immediately followed by the organization of the Vigilance Committee. Early in the morning of the ISfch May, a movement was visible in the concentration of a large body of men at the two meeting places of the Vigilance Committee in Sacramento street. The night previous, all who had been mustered into companies and provided with arms were thoroughly drilled, and up to the time the papers of yesterday went to press, nothing was known of the course of action to be pursued. The Executive Committee held a late session, and previous to its close, all members of the armed corps were notified to be on the ground early in the morning. At 10 o'clock, orders were given to prepare for a demonstration on the jail, the committee having resolved to obtain possession of the persons of Cassey and Cora. The first movement on the part of the Vigilance Committee was the despatching of art advance company of 100 men, armed with pistols and knives, who a iproached the jail in small squads from every direction. This was successfully carried out without creating any attention from the populace. This company acted as scouts, and on the concentration of the armed body they marched up to the hill on the oast of the jail. Alout 11 o'clock, a brass six-pounder,

escorted by a company of citizens armed with flint-lock muskets, was conveyed from Captain Macondray's store, on Sansome-street, and planted on Broadway, directly in front of the entrance to the jail. The passage of this troop through the streets created intense excitement, and in a brief space of time the hills and streets and house-tops in the vicinity of the jail were covered with anxious spectators, to whom nothing was definitely known of what was about to follow; this was premonitory of a decisive stand and peremptory action. From half-past eleven to a quarter to twelve the companies of the Vigilance Committee, to the number of fifteen hundred, armed with loaded muskets, quietly marched through various streets to the scene of action, and as they deployed through Kearny, Dupont, and Stockton-streets, into position on Broadway, and the crowd of citizens giving way with alacrity, the sight was one of the grandest we ever beheld. The whole mass of beings preserved a silence to which the purport of the assemblage lent an intensity far beyond conception or description. Prominent among the troops were a body of French and German citizens, whose ajDpearance, as they deployed into Broadway from Stocktonstreet, whilst it created a marked sensation of admiration, filled with consternation all who thought to baulk the people of their purpose. Their martial tread, discipline and proud bearing, as they moved in solemn columns, betokened the veteran soldier, and lent a feeling of confidence to those who felt dubious as to the result.

About 1 o'clock, the troops were all in position and prepared for action, on the south side of Broadway, a brass field piece in their centre, which was loaded, and linstock alight. To the west of this, a solid column was formed in the centre of Broadway; upon the east were long lines extending to Kearney-street, the same were earned through Pinckney' Place, and surrounded the jaol on all sides. Small detachments were stationed on the adjacent house-tops overlooking the jaol, and on the rear even* approach was strongly guarded. The men were planted in military precision, and the effect was that of an actual siege. These fearful preliminaries being accomplished, the guard of tha Vigilance Committee having previously been withdrawn from the-interior of the jaol, a portion of the Executive Committee demanded entrance at the jaol door, which was promptly accorded to them. On their entrance they were met by Sheriff Scannell and his deputy, Mr. Harrison, supported by a very small posse comitatus and police, those who had been on duty having bsen dismissed on the formation of the line of troops on the exterior. Previous to this demand, the knife and fork wei'e removed from Casey's call. The President of the Committee made a formal demand for the possession of Casey. The Sheriff promptly acceded, stating that he was in his cell. The President entered it and in the presence of these sin-rounding him, informed him of the purpose of 4iis visit. Casey expresed his willingness to go. and requested that he might have a fair trial, and not be dragged through the streets, which were assured him. He was then handcuffed by Marshal Uortli, and in company with two of the committee and the Marshal, the latter at Casey's request, he was conveyed to a carriage placed in front of the gaol door. Before leaving the gaol, a letter was "handed to the Sheriff, informing him that the Committee would return in an hour for Cora. The carriage was then surrounded by a heavy detachment of troops, and proceeded to and" through Kearney-street to Pacific, and through to Montgomery, up to Sacramento to the "Committee E corns, the old Appraiser's store, where they arrived twenty minutes past one. Casey was immediately taken up-stairs and confronted with the judges who were to determine the issue of lite orjleath. The escort remained at the Committee Eooms as a guard. Oil Casey being taken into the Committee Room, the* attention of the community was divided between the jail and the Committee's head quarters ; the greater portion _ of them, however, returned to the scene of action, where the larger portion of the armed force still remained. By this time a largo iiocession was made to the ranks of persons armed with pistols, bayonets, and even whaling lances. Things remained in this condition till near three o'clock, when a demand was niado for Cora. The Sheriff at first refused to deliver him up, and fears wore entertained that Wood would be shed. The Held piece was cleaved for action,

and the line opened between the gun and the door. Things looked ominous enough, and when the linstock was fanned into flame, the breast of the spectator thrilled with unnatural excitement. For a few moments —terrible moments —the scene wa-s intense. The Sheriff, however, reconsidered his decision, fearful of entailing upon his head the terrible responsibility of having flooded our streets with human gore, and consent, was given, time being allowed the culprit to write some letters, make his will, and bid farewell to a few friends—the only ones he had. Up to a quarter past four nothing of import had transpired, except a manifestation of satisfaction at the result thus far.

At this tune the carriage was drawn up in front of the prison and surrounded by a guard similar to the one which conducted Casey. *" The sub-committee of the Executive Committee brought Cora forth, ironed, and he was placed in the carriage. Cora was dressed with, extreme neatness, and appeared composed. It is stated that he took farewell of all his friends, including Belle Cora, whose last remark is represented to have been ' Good bye, Charjey, I've done all I could to get you clear.' The field-piece was then placed in front of the carriage and the main bo iy of the troop surrounded the carriage, and moved slowly to Dupont-street, leaving detachments still on guard at the gaol. The cortege then proceeded to the Hall of the Vigilance Committee, where Cora was arraigned before his •Judges, and we learn the evidence elicited on his trial before the Fourth District Court was read. Shortly after the departure of Cora, the residue of the troops took up their line of march, te their head-quarters, leaving the vicinity of tlie gaol comparatively deserted. prisoners were immediately tried by the "V igilanee Committee, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The intimation was made to them on Wednesday the 21st. Casey's spirit appeared to be unbroken. When awakened, after a sleep, he wonld frequently strike the tioor with his handcufts. and swear fiercely at his fate. During the evening previous to" his ex.jcution, the Right Rev Bishop AUemany attended Casey, who had been educated in the Roman Catholic religion. During the night he ■was restless, and passed a portion of the time in pacing his room. Cora attracted less attention, and conducted himself more quietly. At eight o'clock on Thursday morning, the 22nd, the General Committee was notified that Casey and Cora would be executed at half-past one, and ordered to appear under arms. Daring the morning preparations were made for the execution. Beams were run out over two of the windows of the Committee Room, and platforms about three feet square extending out under each beam. These platforms were supported next the house by hinges, and outside by ropes, extending up to the beams. Along the streets, for a considerable distance on each side of the place of execution, were ranged the Committee—more than three thousand in number—some on foot with muskets, and others on horseback with sabres. Iso outsiders were permitted to approach within a hundred yards. Beneath the place of execution were several cannon and caissons ready for use if necessary. The Louses in the vicinity were covered with spectators, and in the streets were collected, probably, not less than eight or ten thousand persons.

At a quarter past one o'clock Casey and Cora were brought out upon the platforms. The former wa atte ded by the Rev. Father Gallagher. Tiie arms of both were pinioned at the elbows. The noose was placed around Cora's neck, when he stepped upon the platform and. stood iiraa as a italic-, a white handkerchief being wrapped around his head. The noose was pl-ited a-oun-l Casey's neck, but at his request removed, while he had some three or four minute*' conversation with his priest. He tfien. ea-ne forward and addressed the people as follows : — "Gentlemen. Fellow citizens, —I am not guilty of Jiny crime. When lam dead, when I am kid in ray grave, let no one dare to traduce my diameter or aspoi-.se my memory. Let no man exult over me or point, to my grave as that of an assassin. lam guilty of no crime, I only acted as I was taujj'it—swosding to mv eirlv education —to avenge an insult. Let not the 'Alta,' the 'Chronicle,' and the 'Globe,' persecute my memory ; let them no more proclaim me a murderer to the world. Let them not insult me after death. I hws an ag-'d mother in the Atlantic States, and' I hope that she will

never hear how I died. I trust she will never know that I am executed on a charge of murder. I am not guilty of any such crime." About this 'time Father Gallagher touched Casey, and said : " Pray to God to pardon you for your crime; pray God to save your soul." Casey, after a moment's hesitation, spoke again: " " Oh, God, pardon and forgive me. Oh my mother! my mother! I hope she will nevor hoar of this. Oh.. God! have mercy on my soul! Oh, my God! my God! 1 am not guilty of murder—l did not intend to commit murder."

After he had concluded, the noose was again adjusted, his eyes bandaged, and, as lie was about to step forward, he faltered, and was about to sink, when the arms of two men were extended and supported him to the fatal spot. Both prisoners being prepared, the signal was given, and, at the same moment, the souls of James P. Casey and Charles Cora \#re launched into eternity, and their bodies became an inanimate mass of corruption. Neither of them struggled much, Casey showing the most physical suffering. From the time the prisoners appeared at the window until the drop fell, the immense mass of people stood uncovered, and the utmost silence was maintained, not a shout being heard or a loud word spoken. The bodies continued to hang for nearly an hour as they were executed. Although a great many persons were in sight at the time, awaiting the climax of the tragedy, there many others scattered about the town, who had supposed the affair would be postponed. The news spread rapidly through the cit} r, and in ten minutes after the death of Casey, great numbers of men were to be seen rushing down Clay, and Washington, and Commercial streets, as though it were a matter of life and death to get a sight of the spectacle. The bodies were then taken down and handed over to the coroner. From papers of a late date, since received, we make the following additional extracts:— The Vigilance Committee have been not a little annoyed by the acts of unauthorizedpersons, who, in the fervour of excitement, have constituted themselves individually the representatives of the Committee. Some have violated private rights,thinlcingthat thegreatgood which they had hoped to do was ample excuse and authority for their acts. We are assured that the Committee discountenance all such outlawry. They do not claim the right to break into private dwellings in search of real or imagined rascals. There is no necessity for the exercise of force. Citizens generally are disposed to assist in arresting the vicious. But while they would open their doors in answer to a polite request, many would resist even unto death a forcible entry. The Committee, in order to protect the public from impositions of fiis kind, and to save themselves from the odium which might be transferred from the perpetrators of unauthorized acts purporting to be done by order of the committee, have cured a Seal, and an impression will be attached to all orders and communications emanating from it. In our advertising columns may b^ found a notice to this effect. Any citizen receiving any other note or order will of course treat the pa;ty bearing it as an impostor, and immediately kick him down stairs into the street. — Alia California, May 21.

The Vigilance Committee have strongly fortified themselves and seem to'be fully prepared for any demonstration on the part of their opponent The roofs of the houses in the vicinity of the Committee Rooms have been mounted with cannon, which will sweep the streets in the neighbourhood, and withstand a larger army than has yet been, or is likely to be enlisted against th*»m. One cannon is mounted on a platform on the top of the building in which the rooms aye, and others are orv other points, so as to rake the various points from which the attacks may he made. A very large cannon was taken down to the rooms yesterday, to be placed in a position to do eflbctive service if necessary. Several of the' regular volunteer companies of the city have been nearly broken up by resignations; and those withdrawing have either gone into the Vigilance Committee or are ready to fight for thorn. One of these, the Wallace Guards, wen: asked to give up their arms to General Kibbe, but his demand was not complied with. The arms were taken down to the Committee Booms and given up, though Captain McDonald remonstrated warmly against it/ The

recruiting on the other side has gone on very slowly. There havo, howovor, been some companies enlisted, aud were drilling at various points. Their numbers, howovor, wore small those who had enrolled not all turning out. \Ve have heard that they luivo procured a lot of cannon, and there were various reports about their strength. It is hard to tell whether any of the thousand stories are reliable, and we cannot smv what their real effectual force amounts to. The Committee still retain the sympathies of the great masses; the people aro still with them and in this they possess a power which it would bo the most criminal rashness to attack.— Daily Chronicle, June 7. This body has a destined work to do, and it will not lend itself to the promotion of any plan which may, possibly, be turned by political partisans to.personal or party account. The aim of the Committee has been from the first, and recently openly declared, not tho overthrow of the law—not the violation of the State Constitution —but tho purification of society, by the expulsion of those miscreants to whose outrages and villany, and to whose unholy influence with men in high places, we may ascribe those disgraceful violations of the laws which have driven the people to rise in their strength. They do not, if we understand them rightly, contend for any power beyond that which is inherent in the people of all elective governments —that of exposing through . a zealous scrutiny of the conduct of individuals of notoriously bad repute, the frauds through "which their rights/ have been rendered nugatoiy, and their contam butions to the expenses of the State wasted Sr destroyed or scattered among the bullies or shoulder-strikers, who have been employed on a promise of a share of the spoils, to elevate unscrupulous men to power and authority. -.This we believe to be their present object, and we say God] speed them in their patriotic and selfsacrificing course —which presents a mass of work to be done before we can be rid of the incubus which has fastened itself upon the city from its first springing, like magic as it did, into existence. — Globe, June 11.

In the trial of Casey before tho Committee, the whole system of \ballot-box stuffing wasexposed. Casey had figured largely in this nefarious business —had been stuffed into an office where he was not a candidate—and the Committee determined (his case being disposed of) to prosecute their investigations into these outrages, and punish all who participated in them. They have faithfully pursued this object, and so thoroughly exposed the modus operandi of the business that it can never be successfully resorted to again. This then, is one of the great reforms they have effected. They have purified the ballot-box, and the whole State will experience the benefit thus conferred as soon as another election takes place. The ballot-box is the fountain-head, and any coiruption there will run through the whole body politic—in the bench, the jury-box and in all the offices of trust or emolument in the State. Many who fatted on office and knew no other means of livelihood, saw all their hopes of the future blasted, at once arrayed themselves against the Committee. The election bully and ballot-box stuft'er—a desperate and daring set of men —also took up arms amW made bold threats of vengeance. It then be-r, came necessary for the security of the community that this band of desperadoes should be destroyed, and the Committee at once assailed this evil and reformed it to some extent. But this work is not completed yet. Many honourable and high, minded men have opposed the action of the Committee from the beginning on principle, but even they will ultimately approve of the reforms that they bring about, though pos-iWynot of the means by which they were accomplished. Wo are among those who believe that the end justifies the means—that desperate cases require desperate remedies; and being satis''ed that no court, as at present constituted, could ever live detected and punished these frauds on the elective franchise, or vi& the community of these desperadoes, we have advocated the conrse the Committee have adopted to effect this desirable end. — Town Talk, .Tune 11. Sacramento, June 11th—G.30 p.m. —The city has boen perfectly quiet to-day. The petitions to the Governor, requesting him to withdraw his proclamation, have been gathered in. They make one list twenty-lour feet long, and contain between 2000 and HOOO names. A comniittej of twelve, representing every trade and profession, including the ministry, has been appointed to present it. By understanding with the

Governor, 10 o'clock to-morrow has been fixed for its presentation. There has been no attempt to form a Vigilance Committee, and should any be made—unless some additional unforeseen outrage should occur —it will be discountenanced by nearly the entire community, who have every confidence in the integrity of the courts of this country. — Chronicle, June 11. It is said that motions will be made in the Supreme Court to strike from the rolls the names of those attorneys who are members of the Vigilance Committee. It is not improbable tfiat such a move will be made, and that the names will be stricken off; it will accord with other things done by the " authorities." For our parts we have no objection to seeing such little meannesses on the part of the State authorities, being confident that the attorneys will not be left to suffer, though stricken from, the roll. — Bulletin, June 11.

The Vigilance Committee arj still all right! They have been receiving some few accessions of horsemen, and continue to he always on the alert. They hardly expect an attack,but have nevertheless fully prepared to meet one. The drilling of the forces still continues, and yesterday afternoon some of the artillery companies, under the command of T. D. Johns, late of the California Guard, went through their evolutions in Sacramento-street, to the great curiosity of the by-standers. Some of the cannon are ship-guns, and have been fastened to running gear with ropes and chains ; but they will do effectual service if necessary. The muskets in possession of the committee were yesterday all discharged, cleaned, and reloaded ; the cannon in the vicinity of the rooms are kept ready at a moment's warning. A large force of between 2,000 and 3,000 were in arms last night, and at the tap of the bell as many more would have stood by their side. — Ibid. During? the course of last nigbt, some rumours having been made of a proposed attack, the committee threw up thick breast-works- of sacks filled ■with sand in front of the rooms. The artillery was placet! behindthem and in such positions as to rake up all approaches. The guns were all well manned, and sentinels were on duty all over the vicinity. The night passed over however, and the peace and quiet of the city remained unbroken. -We do not think that any person will be mad enough to think of attacking the committee; but we must still admire the perfect preparation on the part of the latter to make a sure thing of their work. They propose to cleanse the city when tiny commence their labours, and a-e bound to do it. In the meanwhile business has to suffer ; risks have to be run ; inconveniences of many kinds have to be put up with ; but the work must be done; it is a matter of life and death with the city of San Francisco, and the state of California— Tbid. Another day of comparative quiet and tranquillity has passed over our city. The screet corners have been deserted, and our citizens appear to have been principally occupied in the legitimate occupation of trade and commerce. The miasma which has so Ion"- obscured the at mo phere, seems to have, in a o-reat measure, passed away, and the city has assumed a brighter and more cheerful aspect. Men breathe freer and deeper. A heavy load has been lifted from their shoulders, and, so sudden is the change, they are almost ready to plunge into a Sabbatical jubilee. The general talk however, is, that there is still a good deal to be done, and hopes are freely expressed that the committee will comulete the noble work th-y have begun. Much gratitude is entertained in their behalf for the prospect of tranquillity which is no v opening; and, in fact, we have much reason to be thankful,—to be o-rateful. Despite all the blood-thirsty words in which military enthusiasm and martial ardour vent themselves, we are satisfied that the crisis is past, and that there is no longer any danger of a conflict between the people a:id the upholders of the " trlorious constitution." There has been a considerable amount of conjecture with regard to the future action of the committee, but the general belief is that they will cany out the purposes of their organization. It is generally supposed that there are still a number oi prominent men about town who will be invited to leave ere long. Let that be as it may, there lias undoubtedly been a change for the better, and a more favoural le future for our city looms up before us.— Chronicle, June 12. The mom) effect of the action taken by the Committee of Vigilance in this city, has already been felt throughout the entire State. Were the committee to disband to-day, with their work but half completed, the effect of what they have already done would be felt for the good of California in all future time. They have shown the corrupt men of this city and State in high places and in low, that there is a power higher than the mere technicalities 'of the law, a power to which they are amenable, and which will hold thorn to a strict- accountability for their misdeeds. They have checked the spirit of rowdyism which has so long been rampant amongst us, and, under no circumstances can it ever obtain the power which it has held. They have put

an end to ballot-box stuffing, and fraud, and election bullying. After the examples which have been set before them, the stutters, and the election bullies will never dare to exercise their vile vocation against us. Those who do not leave either voluntarily or by request, will keep themselves very quiet hereafter. We shall have Jair and honest elections in the future—the glorious right of suffrage—the elective franchise will now be something more to us than mere empty phrases—they will have t;ie deep meaning (or us to which they are entitled. The courts will respect the law rather than entirely annul it by obedience to its mere, technicalities and its quibbles. Miirderers and criminals of every grade and description, will no more be turned loose upon the community to do their evil deeds again, after a whitewashing from the courts and the officer's who should have punished them. "We are satisfied that these are some of the good effects of the acts-of the Committee of Vigilance in San Francisco. Years upon years of the operation of "law" as it lr^s been administered omongst us, would not have performed a tenth part of this. But when a whole people have spoken as they have now in terms not to be mistaken or misconstrued, there can be no doubt that their voice will be heard, and that murder, fraud, and wrong of every description will bow before it. The moral effect of this revolution will be better than any which could be produced by guns or bayonets, ov by an annulment of our present constitution and laws. This should only be the last resort when all else fails, and the whole matter now rests with Governor Johnson and his military heroes and chieftains. If the people are to be threatened and overridden by military proclamations and martial law—if a peaceable, quiet city is to be kept in a "state of insurrection" to gratify'the mulish obstinacy of an imbecile Executive—if a shot is ever fired upon the people, then will come the time for a general revolution, and then it will surely come, and it will sweep awaj in its course everything and everybody which now stand in the way cf the consumation of the great work of reform which the people have commenced, and which they are determined shall be completed. Such a revolution is not desired by the people here, either individually or through their committee, and if it comes at all, it will ceme only through the acts of Governor Johnson, and his military officers. — Alt a California, June 12.

The committee were presented with two more ship's guns'yesterday, which w e re conveyed to the fort and placed in readiness for use. Nearly every ship that comes into our harbour is ready to afford the committee every assistance in their power, by way of ammunition and guns as well as their sympathies. The number of heavy guns now in possession of the committee is'about thirty, and they have plenty of ammunition to use with them. — Ibid, June 14.