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A vigilance committee is a group of private citizens who take it upon themselves to administer law and order or exercise power in places where they consider the governmental structures or actions inadequate. [1] Some vigilance committees engaged in forms of vigilantism such as aiding fugitive slaves in violation of the laws on the books at the time. Beginning in the 1830s committees of abolitionists worked to free enslaved people and transport them to freedom. [2]
Abolitionists met at Faneuil Hall in the 1830s and formed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety to "take all measures that they shall deem expedient to protect the colored people of this city in the enjoyment of their lives and liberties." [3] The abolitionist New York Committee of Vigilance and Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia were also established in the 1830s and assisted fugitive slaves and the Underground Railroad.
Between 1850 and 1860, following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, when professional bounty hunters swarmed through Northern states searching for missing enslaved people, vigilance committees were set up in several places in the North to assist the escaped enslaved people. For example, Gerrit Smith called the Fugitive Slave Convention of 1850 "on behalf of the New York State Vigilance Committee." [4] These vigilance committees helped to run the underground railroad. [5] One group was the Vigilance Committee of Albany in Albany, New York.
In the Western United States, before and after the Civil War, the stated purpose of various vigilance committees was to maintain law and order and administer summary justice where governmental law enforcement was inadequate. In reality, those high in the social hierarchy often used them to attack maligned groups, including recent immigrants and racial or ethnic groups. In newly settled areas, vigilance committees promised security and mediated land disputes. In ranching areas, they ruled on ranch boundaries, registered brands, and protected cattle and horses. In the mining districts, they defended claims, settled claim disputes, and attempted to protect miners and other residents. In California, some residents formed vigilance committees to take control of officials whom they considered to be corrupt. This occurred during the trial of Charles Cora (Husband of Belle Cora) and James Casey in San Francisco in 1856. [6]
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{{
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
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It has been suggested that
Committee of Vigilance be
merged into this article. (
Discuss) Proposed since November 2023. |
This article has multiple issues. Please help
improve it or discuss these issues on the
talk page. (
Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
A vigilance committee is a group of private citizens who take it upon themselves to administer law and order or exercise power in places where they consider the governmental structures or actions inadequate. [1] Some vigilance committees engaged in forms of vigilantism such as aiding fugitive slaves in violation of the laws on the books at the time. Beginning in the 1830s committees of abolitionists worked to free enslaved people and transport them to freedom. [2]
Abolitionists met at Faneuil Hall in the 1830s and formed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety to "take all measures that they shall deem expedient to protect the colored people of this city in the enjoyment of their lives and liberties." [3] The abolitionist New York Committee of Vigilance and Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia were also established in the 1830s and assisted fugitive slaves and the Underground Railroad.
Between 1850 and 1860, following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, when professional bounty hunters swarmed through Northern states searching for missing enslaved people, vigilance committees were set up in several places in the North to assist the escaped enslaved people. For example, Gerrit Smith called the Fugitive Slave Convention of 1850 "on behalf of the New York State Vigilance Committee." [4] These vigilance committees helped to run the underground railroad. [5] One group was the Vigilance Committee of Albany in Albany, New York.
In the Western United States, before and after the Civil War, the stated purpose of various vigilance committees was to maintain law and order and administer summary justice where governmental law enforcement was inadequate. In reality, those high in the social hierarchy often used them to attack maligned groups, including recent immigrants and racial or ethnic groups. In newly settled areas, vigilance committees promised security and mediated land disputes. In ranching areas, they ruled on ranch boundaries, registered brands, and protected cattle and horses. In the mining districts, they defended claims, settled claim disputes, and attempted to protect miners and other residents. In California, some residents formed vigilance committees to take control of officials whom they considered to be corrupt. This occurred during the trial of Charles Cora (Husband of Belle Cora) and James Casey in San Francisco in 1856. [6]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
{{
citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)