officials had moreover responded to duty with the most gratifying result in economic, judicial, and general administration. In the formerly well-filled county jail not a prisoner remained awaiting trial. On the 21st of August, therefore, the committee deemed it proper to adjourn, with a closing parade, their only vaunt over the happy achievement of great reformsa thanksgiving for deliverance. Most of the companies retained their organization, however, and a few officers remained to watch the effect of their work.27

And now were proven how baseless the croaking predictions of thoughtless or scheming agitators, that

MEDAL.

Jos. Hetherington, a dissolute though gentlemanly English gambler, were hanged for murder. The adventures of the unsavory Judge Ned McGowan while eluding the pursuing committee, and his ultimate escape from sentence, are told in his own Narrative. See Pop. Trib., ii. 245 et seq. The conduct and treatment of a branded member of the committee is instanced in the case of A. A. Green. Appeals for redressing private wrongs had to be ignored. The abused Chinese received protection. The banished were forbidden to return under penalty of death; but some came back after the committee had retired, claimed damages, and certain compromises had to be arranged. Committee members were also persecuted when recognized by their victims in eastern cities, and unsuccessful though costly suits were instituted against them. Id., 595-614, 621. The expatriation order was rescinded in Sept. 1857.

27 For parade, list of companies, closing address, and finances, see Id., 531-46. The vigilance record was kept up till Nov. 3, 1859. The governor maintained in print, till Nov. 3d, his proclamation, declaring the city in a state of insurrection, partly for election purposes, under plea that the committee still retained the state armament. This was then surrendered. About the same time highway robberies became so frequent that the governor joined in the spreading alarm, protesting his inability to suppress them.

California, with a fostered spirit of revolt, would foment at slight provocation, and become a vortex of lawlessness under a rule of terror, driving back capital and settlers. This formal vigilance organization was not to be compared with the rash, vindictive, mob-like risings which had so often disgraced the mining region, though even here there were many calm and dispassionate popular tribunals, resulting in great good. A slight industrial disturbance was the only evil effect of the committee movement,28 while the benefits were incalculable, in many respects permanent, and far surpassing the superficial results of the year 1851. 1851. Crime never again reached dangerous proportions in the city. Expenditures fell from $2,646,190 in 1855 to $856,120 in 1856 and $353,292 in 1857. A people's reform party was organized, which for at least ten years did good service in maintaining an honest administration, and urging the people to a performance of the political duties so disastrously neglected. San Francisco purified became famed as one of the best governed among cities. Real estate advanced in price, immigration received fresh impulse, and trade and industry flourished. The dignity and worth of this vigilance committee lie vindicated in the glorious results of its labor, and in the lofty principles by which it was actuated.20

28 A few timid people left the city, a court or two adjourned, and some industries had temporarily to suspend.

29 Firmness and moderation, admirable equity and self-abnegation, marked its every act, with not one serious error of judgment, not one signal failure of purpose.

CHAPTER XXVI.

ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.

1851-1856.

A PERIOD OF TRIALS-LAND TITLES-CITY LIMITS-MEXICAN GRANTS— SPURIOUS CLAIMS-WATER LOTS-FLUCTUATIONS OF VALUES-THE VAN NESS ORDINANCE-VILLANOUS ADMINISTRATION-A NEW CHARTERMUNICIPAL MALEADMINISTRATION-POPULAR PROTESTS-HONEST AND GENIAL VILLAINS INCREASED TAXATION-VIGILANCE MOVEMENTS— REFORMS-ANOTHER CHARTER-REAL ESTATE SALES-THE BAPTISM BY FIRE AND BLOOD-MATERIAL AND SOCIAL PROGRESS SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-THE TRANSFORMED CITY.

THE six years following the birth of San Francisco as a city formed a period of herculean achievements in face of discouraging obstructions-the trials and temptations of the youthful giant. Hills were tumbled into the bay, and on mud flats was made solid ground. On the sites of smouldering ruins were erected substantial buildings, streets were paved, and a metropolis was formed which within three years took rank with the leading mercantile centres of the world. Meanwhile was maintained a constant struggle with corruption and disorder, against unscrupulous and grasping officials and lawless ruffians, by whom, midst sore affliction, the city was despoiled of her heritage, and burdened with heavy debt.

A fundamental trouble appeared early in the title to lands, of which the city in common with other pueblos had inherited her share,' besides obtaining

As shown in my special chapter on land titles, and in the preceding vol, iii. 702-8, etc. By a decision of 1854 the land commission confirmed to the city, instead of the claimed four leagues, or 17,000 acres, only about 10,000 acres, that is, the land north of the Vallejo line, running from near

from the state and union valuable water lots; but the extent and validity of these grants were quickly assailed under the shadow of legal decisions. Irregularities had also crept in, by permitting one purchaser to acquire many lots; by the sale of land through justices of the peace in opposition to the council; by the Peter Smith execution sales; and by the vagueness involving several early grants within the city limits.3 With such favorable opportunities the many landsharks afflicting the country ventured to nibble at the choice peninsula, and so rose successively, in 1850-3, the claims of Stearns and Sherreback to sections south of Market street, of Santillan to three leagues of land radiating from the Mission, and of Limantour to four leagues around the central part of the city, and including many of the settled blocks. All except the first received such confirmations by courts and land commission as to rouse consternation among property holders.1

the intersection of Brannan and Fifth streets over the summit of Lone Mountain to the ocean. In 1860 the four-league claim was conceded by the cir cuit court, and five years later yielded by congress, but with the condition that the land not needed for public or federal reservation purposes, or not disposed of, should be conveyed to the parties in possession. This confirmation to a few large holders of valuable pueblo domains was inconsistent with the original Mexican pueblo law and its general acceptance by the U. S.; but the Clement and McCoppin ordinances affirmed the alienation, and the city gained little more than a park of sand hills under the decree. For city and county boundaries, see notes on city charters.

2 Gen. Kearny in 1847, perhaps unauthoritatively, relinquished to the town the U. S. claim to the pueblo lots and beach and water lots, which were not conveyed under Mexican laws, and the state by act of March 26, 1851, ceded for 99 years all rights to beach and water lots against 25 per cent on sale money, previous sales being confirmed. By act of May 1, 1854, the state proposed to cede such lots forever, on condition that the city should confirm to holders certain other lots, such as the obnoxious Colton grants. This was declined; but in 1852 interested speculators prevailed on the alderman to accept the proposition. Mayor Harris, however, sustained by the indignant people, succeeding in having this act repealed. Concerning water lots, see Cal. Jour. House, 1851, p. 1329-33, 1853, p. 694-5; Id., Ass., 1854, ap. 9, etc.; 1855, ap. 9; 1856, 66–76; 1858, 503-6; Id., Sen., 1855, 84-6, 482-3; 1859, 23-4; S. F. Manual, 204-9.

3 To Bernal, Guerrero, etc., which in due time were confirmed. The Smith sales are spoken of later.

*See chapter on land titles. Limantour, Bird's-eye View, 1-24; U. S. vs Limantour, with photographs of documents; U. S. Gov. Doc., Cong. 39, Sess. 1, Sen. Rept 92. See also newspaper notices, especially at the time of the several pleadings and decisions, till 1859, when it was finally rejected, together with the Santillan claim. The latter was made additionally interest