San Francisco Vigilance Committee of 1856 | Page 7

attendance at all hours of the
day and night to receive the report of any member of the association or
of any other person or persons whomsoever of any act of violence done
to the person or property of any citizen of San Francisco; and if in the
judgment of the member or members of the Committee present, it be
such an act as justifies or demands the interference of this Committee,
either in aiding in the execution of the laws, or the prompt and
summary punishment of the offender; the Committee shall be at once
assembled for the purpose of taking such action as a majority of them,
when assembled, shall determine upon.
That whereas, an Executive Committee has been chosen by the General
Committee, it shall be the duty of the said Executive Committee to
deliberate and act upon all important questions and decide upon the
measures necessary to carryout the objects for which the association
was formed.
That whereas this Committee has been organized into subdivisions; the
Executive Committee shall have power to call, when they shall so
determine, upon a Board of Delegates, to consist of three
representatives from each division to confer with them upon matters of
vital importance.
That the action of this body shall be entirely and vigorously free from
all consideration of, or participation in the merits or demerits, opinions
or acts, of all sects, political parties, or sectional divisions in the
community and every class of orderly citizens, of whatever sect, party
or nativity may become members of this body. No discussion of
political, sectional or sectarian subjects shall be allowed in the Rooms
of the Association.
That no person accused before this body shall be punished until after
fair and impartial trial and conviction.
That whenever the General Committee have assembled for deliberation,
the decision of the majority upon any question that may be submitted to
them by the Executive Committee shall be binding upon the whole;
provided nevertheless, no vote inflicting the death penalty, shall be
binding unless passed by two thirds of those present and entitled to
vote.
That all good citizens shall be eligible for admission to this body under

such regulations as may be prescribed by a Committee on qualifications;
and if any unworthy persons gain admission, they shall, on due proof,
be expelled. And, believing ourselves to be executors of the will of a
majority of our citizens; we do pledge our sacred honor to defend and
maintain each other in carrying out the determined action of this
Committee at the hazard of our lives and our fortunes.
By this Constitution, it will be seen that the responsibility of
deliberating upon the subjects which demanded the interference of the
Vigilance Committee was devolved upon the Executive Committee
consisting of twenty-three persons. Of this Committee, the largest
number were merchants, but most of the professions and occupations
were represented on it. Many of its members were men of large fortune
and extensive business; all of them were men of standing and good
character, and possessing the confidence and respect of the community.
All sects in religion, and parties in politics had representatives among
them. They were shrewd, sagacious, business men; never seeking office;
having no taste for excitement; desiring only to be protected in their
rights, and to be able to devote their energies uninterruptedly to their
business. Only a sense of intolerable wrong and oppression could have
induced such men to leave their employments and engage in so anxious,
laborious and perilous an undertaking. Having assumed the task, never
did men devote themselves more entirely to the discharge of the duties
which it imposed. Freely at all times did they contribute their money to
defray expenses incurred. Faithfully did they dedicate all their forecast,
sagacity and wisdom to insure success; upon which indeed, their
fortunes, and lives depended, and which a single mistake might involve
the loss.
The writer of this sketch was never more profoundly impressed than
when, on two occasions, he was summoned, at half past twelve and two
o'clock in the morning to the Executive Chamber as a witness. The
room was of the plainest, even rudest, appearance. A semi-circular
table was liberally supplied with stationary, and around it sat gravely,
with faces paled by long continued vigils, anxious thought and awful
responsibility a few individuals, some of whom he recognized, and
knew to be quiet, humane, order-loving men. On a raised platform sat
the President, and in front of him the Secretary. These few grave men,
seen at so late an hour, by dim candle lights, the leaders of an armed

insurrection, usurpers of all power, rule and supremacy in a City of at
least sixty thousand inhabitants; whose commands thousands of their
armed fellow citizens obeyed implicitly; who, in disregard of all