Synopsis of Events.
Since the departure of the mail steamer on the 1st of the present month, the only event of moment which has transpired in our city has been the trial, conviction and execution of a felon known as Jim Stuart, by the Vigilance Committee, a body of citizens of the highest respectability and standing in society. He was tried for a multiplicity of offences, and by his own confession, voluntarily made, was a villain of the most desperate character. He was hung about 2 o'clock on Friday, the 11th inst., at the end of ' Market Wharf, in the presence of several thousand citizens.
In Sacramento, Marysville, Stockton and elsewhere, the citizens have felt themselves compelled to act in their own behalf, the laws having proved so utterly inadequate in themselves, and their administration by the properly constituted authorities so lax.
Men have been executed for offences of a criminal nature in this city and in Stockton. The recent execution of Stuart in this city produced a temporary excitement among those who entertained opinions antagonistic to the action of the Committee; but it appears to be subsiding. His Honor Mayor Brenham has issued a proclamation desiring all good citizens to withdraw from the Vigilance Committee or associations of a like character, and Judge Campbell, of the Court of Sessions, on the 12th instant, charged the Grand Jury for the county that all those concerned in the execution of Stuart bad been guilty of murder, or were particeps criminis. The Vigilance Committee still continues to exercise its powers, and is using its utmost endeavors to rid the community of the villains who have so long infested it. Their acts are sustained by a majority of the citizens. Organizations of a similar character have sprung up in almost all the prominent places in California, and the Courts have been forced, by the expression of public sentiment, to pay stricter attention to the administration of the law.
The intelligence from the north is by no means pleasant. A party of pioneer emigrants, who had been landed at Point Orford, above Trinidad, consisting of ten men under the command of Capt. Kirkpatrick, were massacred by the Indians. The Indians in the entire vicinity of Rogue river and the Klamath region have exhibited the utmost hostility against the whites, and being armed with guns and pistols, as well as bows and arrows, are a most formidable adversary. Several parties of whites were in arms and in pursuit of those who had committed depredations, at the last accounts.
The Indians are still troublesome in Sacramento Valley, and refuse to come in at the place specified by Dr. 0. M. Wozencraft, one of the Indian Commissioners. Col. McKee, also of the Commission, is at Benicia, preparing to prosecute his mission in the region of the Klamath and Trinity rivers. Col. Barbour is in the vicinity of Los Angelos, intending to visit again the Indians in the Tulare Valley, who have recently exhibited a disposition to break their treaty of peace and amity. The Commission are totally without funds and utterly unable to prosecute their mission to a successful issue without additional supplies.
A rencontre took place on the 1st inst. between Geo. F. Lemon, City Assessor, and Wm. H. Graham, a young lawyer. Shots were exchanged, and Graham was shot in the mouth and left arm. Lemon immediately gave himself up, but his adversary having told him to draw and defend himself, and suited the action to the word, the Recorder discharged him. Graham is out and doing well.
The 4th July was not, in consequence of the recent calamities, celebrated with much enthusiasm. The day was ushered in by the roar of cannon and display of flags throughout the city and harbor. A procession of military and the various civic associations turned out, after which Mayor Brenham delivered an opening address, followed by a prayer from the Rev. W. Taylor. Mr. Van Buren read the Declaration of Independence, followed by an oration from Mr. Williams, which is highly spoken of by the San Francisco papers. The entire day passed off quietly.
In Sacramento city, a most aggravated highway robbery was committed on the 9th inst., in broad daylight. Impatient of the law's delay, the people, by their united expression, induced the court and the lawyers selected to defend the prisoner, to go into a trial immediately and at last accounts, one of the party was before the court on trial.
The Mormons are making a decided movement towards establishing a direct communication from the Salt Lake to the Pacific. A large party have recently arrived from Salt Lake through the Cajon Pass, about sixty miles from Los Angelos, with an expressed determination to settle in that section. They are said to be negotiating for the purchase of a very fine rancho belonging to Senor Antonio Longo.
The intelligence from the mines continues to be extremely encouraging, and a general spirit of contentment seems to prevail among the miners. The effects of the late fire in this city are yet perceptible, but the energy and enterprise of our citizens appears to be unabated. The "burned district" although not entirely rebuilt, is pretty thickly studded with tenements of all descriptions, and brick and stone buildings of the most substantial character are in process of erection in all parts. For the particulars of events which have transpired since the 1st inst., we must refer to other portions of this day's paper.
