prompter opponents were upon them with bayonets fixed and artillery in limber. One body arrested Terry, and others enforced the surrender of dif ferent strongholds, thus seizing the pretence and opportunity to cripple the foe. Terry's stab had stricken down his own party, while crowning the victors with triumph.

For a time the life of the chief justice hung on a thread; but the disabled officer recovering, the offender was arraigned on minor charges. The executive committee found, after a trial of twenty-five days, that while Terry undoubtedly deserved expatriation, he was too strong politically to be treated like an ordinary criminal. The state and federal authorities might join to interfere in behalf of a supreme judge, and failure would injure the prestige of the committee. The success of their cause demanded an acquittal, and so it was decreed, despite the disappointment of the unreflecting members against the seeming lack of equity and firmness. The decision was wise, for a sentence of banishment, which could not have been enforced, would have entailed, not only serious litigation against the city, but the annulment of other sentences and general discomfiture.19

The struggle with the state government brought another victory for the reformers. The governor had prepared to carry out his proclamation, partly by transmitting armament from the interior; but the committee boldly boarded the vessels laden therewith and seized the weapons.20 They nevertheless took measures for defence by intrenching themselves at head

18 About 1,000 stand of arms were taken, besides pistols, swords, and ammunition, and 200 prisoners, including U. S. naval agent R. Ashe. The prisoners were soon released. Gen. Howard blustered nervously to prop his fallen prestige and plumes.

19 The board of vigilance aelegates held out for some time against the acquittal. Terry took refuge on board the U. S. sloop of war John Adams, whose commander had been blustering against the reformers till his superior quieted him. The judge thereupon returned to his court at Sacramento.

20 Their officers were arraigned for piracy, which implied death; but as it was shown that the arms were seized temporarily to prevent bloodshed, the jury acquitted them.

quarters, with guns planted and protected by a breastwork of sand-bags, whence the appellation Fort Gunny bags.21 Rumors of possible results flew thick and fast, some hinting even at secession, though none were more loyal than these men.22 They had been driven further than had been anticipated, yet their courage rose according to the magnitude of the peril and responsibility, and they stood resolved to carry the issue to the end. Their course was approved by numerous popular demonstrations in different towns, and by additional enrolments.23 The opposition claimed a force of 6,000, but had in reality only one tenth that number, for most of military companies summoned by the governor disbanded, and the president of the United States, to whom application had been made, replied evasively. Thus ignominious failure stamped the efforts of the opposition and the gubernatorial prestige sank into derision. 25

24

Striding firmly along in the task of purification, the committee saw it practically accomplished within three months. It had been marked by the execution of four men, the deportation of twenty-five, and the order for a number of others to leave, a lesson which led to the voluntary departure of some 800 malefactors and vagabonds.26 Stirred by fear and example,

21 In lieu of the baptismal name of Fort Vigilance. View and description in Pop. Trib., ii. 98, etc. See a previous note for armament. Passwords were frequently changed, a rally-cry was given, and a distinctive white ribbon pinned to the lapel. The city was scoured for arms that might be used by the law party.

22 Some proposed an extra session of the legislature to take measures to meet the emergency.

23 San José offered 1,000 volunteers; Sacramento formed a committee of vigilance; at Sonora 5,000 men gathered; the people of San Francisco clamored for the resignation of officials, who turned a deaf ear to the demand; even children formed in mimic battle array. Pop. Vig., ii. 203, 339, 350-2, 445, etc. On July 4th the committee stood prepared to adjourn, when further menaces roused it to defiance.

24 He saw not sufficient danger to justify interference. Urged partly by Texan resolutions, he finally did send the required order for federal aid to the governor, when assured that the danger was past. This lenient course was prompted greatly by the approaching general election and concerned party interests. Id., 363-4, 573, etc.

The insurrection proclamation remained a dead letter.

26 Details and names in Pop. Trib., ii. 271-82, 348-53, 509, 528, 591-8. Besides Casey and Cora, Philander Brace, a political virtuperative rowdy, and

WORK ACCOMPLISHED.

753

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.

28

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, 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. 29

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 CHARTER— MUNICIPAL 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,1 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