The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-08-08
THE REGULATORS.
BY AGNES HARRIS.

land.
The King sent Governor to rule
for him in each State. The Governor
had all the power he wanted and
therefore could do the people very
nearly as he chose.
The people of North Carolina had
now become numerous and attracted
attention. The government, to aid
the ad of Governor Dobbs,
sent VIM. Tryon to North Carolina
with a commission as Lieutenant
Governor.
Tanning was one Of the favorites OF
Tryon. He was especially disliked by
the people. From a condition OF
poverty he became wealthy. His
manners towards the people were
naughty and supercilious, and his
conduct as an officer was overbearing
and extortionary.
Among other reasons why Tanning
was especially disliked by the people
was he charged such high taxes. He
charged $l5 for marriage license
and 81 to prove deed. This shows
something of the unjust treatment to
the Americans.
The other officers made the taxes,
which were already equal to three or
four times what their property was
really worth, greater if it suited their
purpose. The people, being poor,
stood this state of affairs as long as
possible, and then some OF the men
decided to try to regulate the taxes
as much as possible. This is how
they received the name OF "Regula-
tors
Herman Husbands was one Of the
leaders of the Regulators. He was
not a very educated man, but could
speak with much influence.
At a general meeting Of the Regula-
tors, held April 4th, 1868, they select
ed Peter Craven and John Howe to
send and request the late sheriff and
one vestryman to meet twelve men to
produce to them copy of the list OF
taxables for each year and list OF
the number and names of the in
solvents returned each year with an
account how the money was applied,
to whom paid, and to what uses, both
vestrymen and sheriffs, and to re-
quest our representatives to confer
with them in our behalf and to show
us law for the customary fees that
| have been taken from ad administrations,
etc.
In a letter from Col. Spencer to
Gov. Tryon. towards the latter part OF
April. 1868, Col. Spencer describes
several scenes in the court house. He
said there had been several tumults
which distracted the county-Anson.
several years were prevailed upon 10
resist the sheriff in collecting the
taxes upon the pretense that several
parts OF them were unjust. Clamours
had been most maliciously raised
against the members of the assembly,
the Justices of the county, and all
those who had any hand in the pres
ent taxation. Many had been led into
this plot
On the first day of court. about
forty came, all armed, and broke uE
the court. On the 2Sth the mob came
in much larger number and made q
great uproar, and they threatened to
come and take the magistrates off the
bench. Col. Spencer agreed that, il
they would keep quiet, few men
could come in and tell their griev.
ances
Before these men could attend tc
this, the sheriff. either because he did
not like this move of the people OF
because he wanted to cast off thi:
power of the people, took mare
saddle and bride, to Hillsboro. Sixty
or seventy men followed Tanning anc
rescued the horse. Then they wen
to Fanning's house and fired at thu
: roof, giving him proof that they
thought him at the bottom of al
these troubles.
Then the sheriff took Herman Hus
bands and VIM. Hunter and put then
in Jail at Hillsboro. The Regulator
assembled in May. 1868, to rescue
them, but they had been released OF
bail.
: On May 2lst, Hunter and Howell
were sent to wait on the Governo
, with the address of the meeting. l
: was laid before the council, and the
&, decided the grievances they had com
: planned of did not justify the meas
, ures; the Governor would readily re
4 move any hardships. and that tn
. movements of Col. Tanning wer
3 entirely satisfactory.
1 But instead of matters getting bet
t ter they became worse. The Regu
r lators continued to meet, they traine
g their men to the use of arms, know
ing that a conflict must come soone
or later.
On July 18th large body of Regu
lators assembled. The Governo
went to Mecklenburg, and in that an
e the adjacent counties he raised
large body of troops and marched t
Hillsboro; but no blood was shed Their
Tanning took Herman Husband
l. and VIM. Butler and put them i
= prison and tried to make the Reguls
t tors promise that they would not TT
e to get them out of prison, but the
It would not give the required promise
d but assured Tanning they had u
r plans for trying to release them. Tn
d Regulators promised that if. at th
l. next court. the assent lv would allo
/, them, the Regulators, to come peace
d ably and complain of their grievance
), and would be pardoned, they woul
disperse and pay their taxes. Thi
'e occurred in September at Hillsbor
is Superior Court. at which bill wa
d found against Husbands for a rio
:, Hunter and others were found guilt
lie and imprisoned.
l. Tanning was indicted at this teri
r for eNtortion in several Instances, BIT
protected by the presence of Tryo
r he plead guilty and was fined 81
ir pence. This did little to al!ay tn
Of hatred of the Regulators toward til
D. rulers.
re The next year passed without an
ot commotion in the State, but in tt
lie beginning of the new year, 1770. tt
oppression of the officers greatly il
TO creased the popular excitement.