Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-04-10
From the United States Magazine.
THE IMPLACABLE GOVERNOR.
AN INCIDENT OF THE REGULATION IN NORTH
CAROLINA

AN INCIDENT OF THE REGULATION IN NORTH
CAROLINA
When the infamous Tyron succeeded Arthur
Dobbs as Colonial Governor of North Carolina.
IN 1900, ne found the inhabitants of the upper
part of the State Composed mostly Of Scotc6 re-.
tugees and their descendants) in the highest
state OF excitement-almost in rebellion--on &C.
count OF the passage of the Stamp Act, which to
them, was like piiing Pelion upon Ossa. for thew
had suffered from the rapacity of public officers
the oppression of the courts, and exhcrbitant
taxes levied to support a venal Government
They had petitioned the Governor and council
tor redress OF grievances until they found that
each petition was followed by increased extor-
ton until their situation became so oppressive
that they resolved TO take things into their own
hands
a solemn league was thereupon formed, cal
led the Ike gu!ation," and the members of it
Regulators" The leader of this movement
was Herman Husband, Quaker, man OF
strong mind and great influence
These Regulators resolved to have no more
taxes unless satisfied OF their legality to pay no
more fees than the strict letter of the law al
lowed, to select the proper men 10 represent
them, and theirs, and petition for redress until
their ohJect-a retrencNnent of the exorbtant
expenditure OF the Government and the conse-
quent high rate OF taXes-wss obtained. The
e1asPeraied feelings of the people were some
what Gained by the repeal OF the odious Stamp
Act; but soon after the event, which had guild.
ed and put to rest the stormy, rioteus assemblies
OF the 'Sons OF Liberty as the REGULATORS
were sometimes called, Governor Tyron sue
ceeded in obtaining, first, an appropriation VI
twenty-five thousand dollars to erect Guber-
national Palace suitable for the residence of a
Colonial Governor" and further sum of fifty
thousand dollars to complete the same
| Inns, together with the expense Of running
The boundary line between the State and Cher
okee nation-whieh was incurred by the vanity
OF the Governor by calling out the militia and
marching into the Cherokee country with the
ostenslblo purpose OF protecting the surveyors
and that, too, IN time of peace-had the effect
to excite the Regulators, and they determined
to resist the tax for these objects.
{ 1yron observing the threatening storm, sent
a proclamation, by his Secretary, David Ed
wards, and lawyer named Edmund Tanning
| to be read and enforced among the people
Tanning was q man who was detested BY the
Regulators for his cxtortions but he managed
| to caloie them into the belief that Justice would
be done them, and they agreed TO meet him t.
heal all difficulties and settle the existing dit
/ ferences
While waiting the time Of meeting, however
| they We're astonishcd and highly cxaspcrated by
| the arrest of Husband and several friends who
were thrown into Jail by Tanning orders. A
rising Of the people followed, and a large body
| OF the Regulators marched TO Hillsborough tC
release the prisoners. They we're induced
however, by the solemn assurance of Edward.
that their wrongs should be rcdressed, to retire
without committing any overt act From this
time forward, the temporizing policy of the
Governor and the ranking hatred Of the Regu
! ators caused frequent ard Serious outbreaks
until the former, determined to crush the spiri
I Of diSaifection, collected the militia and march
/ ed into the disa1fectcd district
He was met by large body Of Regulators
and a serious battle was fought, in which min,
of the Regulators ANA twcnty-scven of the mil
tia were killed, and great number on boil
sides wounded. The Regulators had no &C
knowledged leader, and all was confusion atge
the first fire from the militia, every man fighting
| on his own account and in his own way. TIL,
result was a victory for the Governor, who tool
! a number OF prisoners upon whom he vcHtet
! the impiacabie revenge which was Il consuming
/ fire within him. He conduct was more like tina
that OF small-minded, vain and Nindict.ve mar
! than that OF q Governor.
! Among others whom fortune had thrown into
his hands, was Captain Mcsser, one of the most
influential Of the Regulators, and the father o.
an interesting family. Tyron could not wait
/ the tardy course OF trial for this man, but sen
fenced him to be hung the day after the battle
He must safe his desire for revenge in the blood
OF some Of his victims, or his victory would be
/ incomplete. Messer begged to see his faiaiiy
before lie died, bat this boon was denied him
and he was told to prepare sor death. Tntorma
| ton, however of his captivity, was conveyed t.
his wife by the fugigives from the field, and she
repaired at once 10 the spot with her oidcst boy
a lad ten years old, to comfort him IN his con.
! finement
She did moi know that lie had been condemned
/ to die ultii she reached the scene OF the late
encounter where she was informed Of it by the
preparations made for his execution.
4 In an agony of mind which threatened t,
unseat her reason, she flew to Tyron and ear
nestly besought him on her knees to spare he
husband HE. Every argument and appea
which her affection could command was used il
vain; the stony hear; Of The victorious Cover
nor was not to be touched and he spurned hei
from him in disda;n, telling her that her hus
band should die though the King should inter
cede in his behalf
The poor woman fell weeping to the ground
while her little son, with the spirit Of his fathci
/ Deaming in his eyes, endeay ored to console hei
! by assuring her that Tyron would reieut.-
/ While this was passing, he was led forth t.
die
! Mrs. Messer, on seeing her husband in the
hands Of the executi0ner, uttered 4 Shrek whicl
seemed TO sever tie cords of her heart. and :hcl
swooned away. The nobic-hearted boy at hel
side, instead Of giving way to7 his grief, deter
mined to make another appeal 70 1yron, wtt
stood near viewing the proceedings. Throwing
himself at the Governors feet he said;
Sir, hang me, and let my father live
''Who told you to say than'
Nobody"
And why do You ask7'
Because replied the lad "if you hang my
father, my mother wall die, and the children
viii perish.
The Governors heart was touched, and lie
replied:
'.Your father shall not be hanged to-day, my
boy"
The execution was stayed, while the noble
boy went to his mother and restored her to con
/ seriousness by the news. The unteeling tyrant
however, annexed condition to his reprieve
/ which was that Messcr should be set at liberty
/ only on condition that he should arrest and
! bring before him the person Of Husband whc
4 had fed before the battle commenced.
/ Rejecting that success might attend his ef
forts, and al worst he could but suffer if he fail
i ed, he consented, while his vile and child were
detained as hostages for his fidelity