A Sketch of the Causes, Operations and Results of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee of 1856

"A Sketch of the Causes, Operations and Results of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee in 1856" by Stephen Palfrey Webb is a captivating historical narrative that reveals the gripping story of San Francisco's efforts to tackle corruption in the tumultuous Gold Rush era. Webb, as mayor during this period, recounts how the blend of rapid growth, waves of newcomers, and the lure of riches fostered a climate of rampant crime and political corruption. Against this backdrop, citizens formed the Vigilance Committee after growing increasingly frustrated by the failure of local government to address the spiraling issues of lawlessness, culminating in the assassination of a local newspaper editor. This citizen's group sought to restore order through trials and executions, implementing their own form of justice to combat the pervasive corruption and ensure public safety. Webb explores the extreme measures the community took to achieve order and justice when the system faltered, capturing the spirit of a populace determined to establish security and equity.