GREAT EXCITEMENT AT THE CITY HALL. (From the "San Francisco Herald," June 14.)

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 562, 3 September 1851, Page 4

GREAT EXCITEMENT AT THE CITY HALL. (From the " San Francisco Herald," June 14.)

The Recorder was engaged all day yesterday in examining the evidence in the case of Benjamin Lewis, charged with setting on fiie the Collier House, on Central Wharf. A great many spectators had been present during the day. The numbers gradually increased as the trial in which the Court was engaged got noised abroad through the city, until towards evening the room became crowded with anxious listeners. The most profound silence and perfect order was kept until a little before 4 o'clock. The evidence had been concluded, the council were about closing, when an engine, called out by some alarm of lire down town, rushed by the City Hall. Many at once imagined it was a ruse of the prisoner's friends to get him off in the excitement attendant upon the crowd's rushing out. The cry at once resounded through the room of " Hold that man fast — see to the prisoner!" A hundred men leaped forward to lay hands on him, whether to prevent him from escaping or to wreak vengeance upon him cannot be determined. The officers in an instant rushed to his side— a struggle— a swaying to and fro of the eager crowd ensued, and the prisoner was seen, with haggard face and clothes all torn, borne bodily by the police through the crowd.— With little ceremony lie was fairly wbi&ked off into the adjoining room of the Recorder. After his departure, order was restored — the Recorder resumed his seat, and Mr. Van Buren closed his speech, taking occasion at the same time to deprecate any violence on the part of the citizens. Mr. Plutt, the district Attorney, followed in the same strain, stating that the Grand Jury, composed of the best men in the community, was then in session — the District Court, before which the prisoner would be tried, was presided over by one of the best Judges in the State, and that the statute adjudged death as the penalty for arson. The people, therefore, might rely on justice being meted out by the law. > , Judge Waller was debating the propriety of bringing

the prisoner back, that he might give his decision in his presence. His council however fatated that if it wnTj the Judge's intention to send him on for tiiol, there was no necessity for bringing him in again. f His Honor then stated that it wns his intention to send the prisoner up before the District Court for trial, on the chaige of arson, and took occasion to admonish the people present to respect the laws. He presumed there would be no danger in having the prisoner brought back ; he did not suppose any one would undertake to molest him. At this moment an outcry was heard without, and confused cries, as from a great multitude. The crowd rushed out pell mell, supposing the prisoner was in the hands of the people outside. The street in front of the hall was already filled with an excited multitude, trying "bring him out," — ''hang him," while thousands of the citizens were seen swarming up Kearny street from the Plaza. In a few moments several thousand people were upon the ground, crowding the balconies and windows of the hall and the adjoining houses. A portion of them were wrought up to the highest pitch of excitement, and burst out in hoarse cries of " hang the incendiary — bring him out, bring [ him out." A large force of the police and officers of the city government planted themselves in front of the ' Recorder's door, and on the porch leading along the i side of the house. Against them the crowd made a rush with wild shouts and cheeis; fora moment they would be forced back by the sheer weight of the body against them. The crowd for a moment gained a foothold upon the landing — another moment and they would have forced their way in ; but the officers, and some of the citizens assisting them, rallied and rushed upon those of the assailants nearest. A fierce and exciting struggle here took place. One moment the officers prevailed, and forced back the crowd — the next they were themselves borne dowu by the press. Finally, the officers made a last rally and succeeded in clearing the landing of assailants. Then, standing shoulder to shoulder, they succeeded in resisting all efforts to break them. At this moment, while the crowd wns comparatively quiet, Col. Stevenson stepped upon the landing and addressed them. He slated that no man was more ready to stand by the laws than he, but all had become convinced that there vras no security under those laws, as at present administered, for either life or property. No man could lie down in safety — no man could say that all he was worth might not to-morrow be consumed by the hand of the Incendiary. The citizens of San Francisco had suffered enough, they had forborne long enough, and it was now time to act. He considered that the crisis had come, when it was imperatively rpquired, in common prudence, in self-preservation, for the best and most law-loving citizens to take this matter in hand, and execute summitry justice upon the first offender that was found guilty. He found that the attempt had been made to fire the property which he had honestly devoted to the payment of his creditors. He found council engaged for the prisoner— none for the people. He had applied to the judge and to the Mayor; neither could obtain any counsel for the people. He had then gotten Mr. Van Buren to undertake the prosecution. He had listened to the evidence, and he fully believed the prisoner guilty, and for himself he thought that he should be executed. The crowd listened attentively, occasionally, as some sentiment chimed in with their own ideas, vociferously applauding the speaker. Mayor Brenham here appeared upon the balcony of the second story, but for some minutes the crowd would not hear him. When he was heaid, he expressed himself surprised that a citizen like Col. Stevenson could give utterance to such infiamatory language, or that citizens of San Francisco could applaud it. He was astonished and mortified beyond measure. Here he was interrupted by most discordant cries and hisses. Again he appealed to hear him. Cries of "Hear the mayor !" " No — no, !" Cheers, groans, hisses, catcalls — every conceivable noise arose from the vast multitude that swayed with excitement to and fro. Finally the mayor stated that the prisoner was not in the building, and requested the crowd to disperse. He exhoi ted them as Americans and has good citizens to pieservo the laws inviolate, and assist the authorities in the discharge of tbeir duties. While he was speaking from the second story balcony, two young gentlemen were "-rinding away below stairs to the knot i immediately around them. The aforesaid young j gentlemen could not be heard in the uproar, but from the violence of their gesticulation, their very red and excited countenances, and the fierce cries of those around, it was evident they were counselling the last resort. The people were again becoming violent in their de- ! monstrations, making rush after rusJi to break into the hall, when Mayor Brenham ngain appeared upon the balcony. When he could make himself heard through j the din he asked the people to stand by him, to act like men — here his voice was drowned amid a perfect j tempest of cries. He became excited and leaning down to those just under him, commanded the police to pre- J serve the laws if they perished in the attempt. He called upon all good citizens to help him, and if he died for it he would never see those laws outraged. His earnest and vehement appeals were received with cheers by a portion of the crowd, but with vociferous cries of " hang the incendiary," " bring him out," from the majority. Mr. Van Buren then stepped forward and the people listened respecfully to the remarks he made. He stated that he had prosecuted the prisoner without pay or reward—that he believed him guilty, but never could favor the hanging of any man merely from the belief of another and without having a fair trial by a jury. He urged the people to let the law take its course — that all was going on well, the prisoner had been committed for trial, which would be immediate, and that if guilty, he would be unquestionably hung. He pledged himself to do his utmost to convict him; if guilty, to see justice done him ; and if the officers of justice should prove recreant to their trust he would assist in hanging him. His remarks were well received, but did not apparently change the general determination to bring him out. Marshal Crozier then stepped forward and again stated that the prisoner was not in the building, noi anywhere near it. He did not know where he was — but the officers had him in charge. Hu asked the people to disperse ; he would do all in his power to ieep him safe until justice was done in his case. He was frequently interrupted by voices from the crowd, declaring that the prisoner would escape — he would get off as the others had done, and a number of remarks of the same kind. Loud calls were now made for " Brannan." That gentlemen came forward in response, and made a few remarks, which he concluded by suggesting that the Volunteer Police should take charge of the prisoner and keep him safe. This suggestion was received with shouts of approval, and a resolution to that effect was offered to the meeting and carried. The crowd finally becoming convinced of what the authorities had declared, that the prisoner was not in the City Hall, and not knowing where he was, they gradually began to drop off. The tact of the officers had foiled them, aud it was no use for them to remain and work themselves up into a fever for nothing. So they seemed to think, and slowly dispersed. Little knots of the more excited remained upon the ground dibcussing the merits of the case and the probabilities of the prisoner's guilt. But gradually they calmed down, and by six o'clock the ground was entirely clear, and all went on as usual.