any unworthy persons gain admission, they shall,
on due proof, be expelled. And, believing ourselves to be executors of
the will of a majority of our citizens; we do pledge our sacred honor to
defend and maintain each other in carrying out the determined action of
this Committee at the hazard of our lives and our fortunes.

By this Constitution, it will be seen that the responsibility of
deliberating upon the subjects which demanded the interference of the
Vigilance Committee was devolved upon the Executive Committee consisting
of twenty-three persons. Of this Committee, the largest number were
merchants, but most of the professions and occupations were represented
on it. Many of its members were men of large fortune and extensive
business; all of them were men of standing and good character, and
possessing the confidence and respect of the community. All sects in
religion, and parties in politics had representatives among them. They
were shrewd, sagacious, business men; never seeking office; having no
taste for excitement; desiring only to be protected in their rights, and
to be able to devote their energies uninterruptedly to their business.
Only a sense of intolerable wrong and oppression could have induced such
men to leave their employments and engage in so anxious, laborious and
perilous an undertaking. Having assumed the task, never did men devote
themselves more entirely to the discharge of the duties which it
imposed. Freely at all times did they contribute their money to defray
expenses incurred. Faithfully did they dedicate all their forecast,
sagacity and wisdom to insure success; upon which indeed, their
fortunes, and lives depended, and which a single mistake might involve
the loss.

The writer of this sketch was never more profoundly impressed than when,
on two occasions, he was summoned, at half past twelve and two o'clock
in the morning to the Executive Chamber as a witness. The room was
of the plainest, even rudest, appearance. A semi-circular table was
liberally supplied with stationary, and around it sat gravely, with
faces paled by long continued vigils, anxious thought and awful
responsibility a few individuals, some of whom he recognized, and knew
to be quiet, humane, order-loving men. On a raised platform sat the
President, and in front of him the Secretary. These few grave men,
seen at so late an hour, by dim candle lights, the leaders of an armed
insurrection, usurpers of all power, rule and s