ANOTHER MURDER BY THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. (From the "San Francisco Herald," July 12.) Execution of Stuart.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 568, 24 September 1851, Page 4

ANOTHER MURDER BY THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. (From the "San Francisco Herald," July 12.) Execution of Stuart.

The tapping of the alaim. bell on the Monumental Engine House, about nine o'clock this morning, started the citizens, for it was the well-known signal for the assembling of the Committee of Vigilance, and 13 never heard except when a case of life and death is pending. The members of the Committee repaired in great numbers to their room, where they remained in session until two o'clock, engaged in the trial of " Jim Stuart," who confesses to six aliases — a native of England, and former convict. He was convicted and sentenced to death. About two o'clock p.m., the Committee emerged from their room, to the number of two or three hundred, having the prisoner with his arms bound and himself supported along by two of the members. They marched two abreast, arm mann, along Battery - street, to Market-street Wharf, down which they took their way to its extremity, where a derrick stood with every thing ready for the execution. The prisoner was nearly overcome with fear, so that his guards had almost to eupport him, Arrived at the deriick, the noose was quickly adjusted around his neck, and in an instant he was hauled up into the air, with a jerk, and the rope made fast. He did not struggle perceptibly. Twice only he drew up his body and shoulders, and then swung dangling in the breeze. After remaining suspended for about twenty-fiva minutes, life being entirely extinct, he was slowly let down, and the Committee having sati&fied themselves that he was in reality dead, his body was lowerpd from the wharf into a boat, and carried off into the harbour The most profound order was preserved throughout by the crowd, which was not very great. .Not the slightest resistance was ottered by any one to the pro* ceedings of the Committee. All was qutet and orderly, and becoming gravity sat upon the faces of all.

The ConoNUß's Inquest. — The Coroner proceeded this morning lo hold an inquest on the body of Stuart, which was yesterday afternoon conveyed to the Happy Valley Station House, where it is now lying. Life was not extinct when it was first brought in, nor, in the opinion of those present, did the man expire for three hours afterwards. Seveial medical men were in attendance, but were unable to resuscitate him, the blood refusing to flow until the moment when the vital spark was extinguished, when a stream flowed from his arm. Stuait was about five feet seven inches in height, well made, and possessed of a highly intellectual-looking face. His forehead was high and ample, his nose acquiline, his mouth indicative of firmness, and his chin slightly prominent. His hair was of a dark brown colour, his whiskers and moustache a shade darker; he appeared to be about thirty-three years of age 110 was dressed in a black monkey jacket, white shirt, brown pante., and patent leather shoes. A Jury of seven persons was empanelled, and three witnesses examined : J. S. Wethered, Jno. W. Rider, and A. J. Ellis. After a few moments consultation, the jury rendered a verdict " that the deceaie came to his death by strangulation, by hanging, at the hands of a body of men styling themselvea the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco."