of society, as it at present exists, or under the laws as now
administered, and that by the association of bad characters our ballot
boxes have been stolen and others substituted, or stuffed with votes
that were never polled, and thereby our elections nullified; our dearest
rights violated; and no other method left by which the will of the
people can be manifested; therefore, the citizens whose names are
hereunto attached, do unite themselves into an association for
maintenance of the peace and good order of society; the prevention and
punishment of crime; the preservation of our lives and property; and to
insure that our ballot boxes shall hereafter express the actual and
unforged will of the majority of our citizens; and we do bind ourselves
each to the other by a solemn oath to do and perform every just and
lawful act for the maintenance of law and order, and to sustain the laws
when properly and faithfully administered. But we are determined that no
thief, burglar, incendiary, assassin, ballot box stuffer, or other
disturber of the peace shall escape punishment, either by the quibbles
of the law, the insecurity of prisons, the carelessness or corruption of
the police, or the laxity of those who pretend to administer justice;
and, to secure the objects of this association, we do hereby agree, that
the name and style of the Association shall be "The Committee of
Vigilance, for the protection of the ballot box, the lives, liberty, and
property of the citizens and residents of the City, of San Francisco."

That there shall be Rooms for the deliberations of the Committee at
which there shall be some one or more members of the Committee,
appointed for that purpose, in constant 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