Final answer:
The Vigilance Committee believed its power came from the people and their right to self-defense, rather than from any government entity. Option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Vigilance Committee believed it received its power from C. The people and their right to self-defense. This aligns with the historical context where, during times of perceived lawlessness or threat to local security, such committees were formed by citizens to provide protection and maintain order in lieu of or alongside inadequate official law enforcement. The Committee's belief in its power stems from the notion that the power to secure safety and public order arises directly from the people, as an expression of their natural rights to self-preservation and defense against threats.