This was the last public appearance of the Vigilance
Committee.
In the last week of August, the Executive Committee caused the
fortifications in front of the Head Quarters to be razed to the ground,
threw open the doors and invited public inspection of their rooms, and
disbanded the whole force; retaining however, as they stated in their
Address, the power to defend themselves if attacked; to enforce the
penalty against any banished criminal who should return; and to preserve
the public peace, if it should become necessary. A tap of the bell would
in future, summon the members, if any emergency should require it.
On the following third of November, the State arms which had been sent
by the Governor from Benicia to be used by the "law and order" party in
suppressing the Vigilance Committee, but which had been intercepted in
the passage down the river, were restored; and the Governor then
withdrew his Proclamation declaring the County of San Francisco in a
state of insurrection.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77