deportation, and other demands. Headquarters were selected on Sacramento street,12 east of Front street. In the ranks of the reformers were persons of all classes and creeds, laborers, merchants, and mechanics, master and man alike shouldering a musket, standing guard, and marching side by side. They differed from their brethren of 1851 in having among their number more solid business men, with a sufficient majority of sedate, deliberative, and broad-minded conservatives to control the hot-headed radicals. Seldom has been seen an array of patriots playing soldier who combined more intelligence and zes."

13

The first task was to secure and try Casey, who to escape popular fury had eagerly availed himself of the protection of the jail, there to wait till the storm abated sufficiently to permit the usual circumvention of justice. His voluntary surrender being hopeless, the committee mustered en masse to enforce it, advancing in sections, by different approaches, toward the jail. It was Sunday, May 18th. A sabbath stillness reigned throughout the city, broken only by the measured tread of the reformers and the call to worship of church bells. The law-and-order party was also abroad, confident in the stout walls of the prison; but as the line of gleaming bayonets grew denser around it their smile of derision faded, and it was with serious apprehensions that they beheld the yawning muzzle of a gun uncovered before the entrance. They saw the hopelessness of opposition. Casey was surrendered, together with another murderer named Cora.14

Rebellion! was the cry of the law-and-order party,

12 Old no. 41. It was the old appraisers' store. Description, with plans and views in my Pop. Trib., ii. 97-108. The first temporary quarters were at 105 Sacramento st. The constitution of 1851 was revised and adopted. Text in Id., 112-13. The inspection of jails was an early task.

13 Fit to 'found a state organization, a nation,' as the London Times exclaims. Men of nerve and honor, aiming for no reward. Americans from the northern states predominated, then westerners, followed by southerners and foreigners. Many sympathizers gave pecuniary aid while holding personally aloof.

Cheers began to roll up from the exultant spectators, but a sign of admonition hushed them into mute approval.

which found itself baffled in many respects. Its appeal for volunteers had brought only a feeble response, chiefly on the part of lawyers and politicians.15 The local authorities nevertheless planned a campaign. A habeas corpus for a certain prisoner being evaded by the committee, the attitude was construed into defiance of state authorities, and Governor Johnson, a man of narrow views and vacillating character, thereupon appealed to the United States troops for arms, declared San Francisco in a state of insurrection, and called out the militia. But the arms were refused, and the militia held back. 16

17

Meanwhile the committee had tried the two prisoners with all fairness, and condemned them to death. The sentence was carried out on May 22d, at the time the remains of the assassinated editor were on the way to the cemetery with solemn and imposing pageantry. The reformers followed up their task by ferreting crime, watching officials, collecting testimony, and driving out malefactors; but the greatest test was yet before them. On June 21st, during the arrest of a noted political trickster, a scuffle ensued, wherein a committee officer was stabbed by Terry, judge of the state supreme court, who leaving his duties at the capital had come to drag his already soiled ermine in the demagogical slums of San Francisco. A moment later the significant tap was heard, and within a few minutes the reformers were flocking up and falling into line. The law-and-order men had noted the signal; but while they were still gathering, their

15 Assisted by a number of catholics and southerners whom King had assailed. Both the military battalions of the city disbanded to avoid serving against their fellow-citizens. Not one in ten responded,' reported the gov ernors. Pop. Trib., ii. 359.

16

By orders of June 21 and 3d, W. T. Sherman, appointed major-general of militia and given the military command in San Francisco, promised to quickly disperse the vigilance men. Sherman soon resigned, disgusted with the gov ernor's attitude, and was succeeded by Volney E. Howard, who talked much and fought little. U. S. Gen. Wool and Capt. Farragut declined to interfore. Loud appeals come in vain from Sacramento and elsewhere against the proclamation.

The procession was two miles in length. Places of business were closed; distant towns hell simultaneous obsequies, and joined in subscribing a fund for the widow, which reached about $30,000.

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.

29 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 Gunnybags.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