The Regulators had scouts out in every direction, and therefore it was we learned, early in July, when we were heartily tired with lounging around camp while it seemed necessary the most active measures should be taken, that Governor Tryon, with an escort of an hundred and sixty soldiers, had arrived in Hillsborough.
This was in accordance with his promise, and those who hoped the colony would not be forced to resist the king's laws were filled with joy, particularly when the governor issued a proclamation declaring that he had come to right the wrongs complained of in the petition delivered to him at Brunswick.
Not a word in his official note to the people was said regarding the Regulators; but the citizens were requested to keep the peace until such time as the several complaints could be acted upon by the courts of law, and it was promised that if they remained quiet all should be done in accordance with the wishes of the majority.
When this proclamation was sent out over the colony there were many who urged that the Regulation be dissolved, lest the fact of so many armed men remaining together might be construed by the governor as outright treason.
As a matter of fact an hundred or more did leave the encampment, returning to their homes, and but for the earnest entreaties of General Hamilton, the deputies, my father, and several others, the Sons of Liberty would have dispersed simply because Tryon and his crew wished it so.
Before one week had passed after the issuance of the proclamation, it could readily be seen that our burdens were to be increased instead of lightened. Twenty or more of those who had left the Regulation and returned home were arrested for non-payment of the poll tax levied to build Tryon's palace.
Edwards and Fanning no longer spoke of pacifying, but of subduing, the people, and warrants were sworn out daily for the purpose of putting into prison those who were absolutely unable to pay the amount demanded.
Fanning's fees were increased until they amounted to ten times as much as the law allowed for court services, and the poor wretch with money or lands who fell into his hands was unmercifully shorn of all his possessions before being set free.
The wickedness was increased twenty-fold, and no man could say at what moment the prison-doors might open to receive him, save we who remained banded together in the encampment at Maddock's Mill.
Then Governor Tryon proceeded to frighten the wretched people by marching with his soldiers from Hillsborough to Mecklenburg, and there coaxing or scaring twenty or more timorous souls to enlist in the army he said should be raised to subdue "the rebellion in upper Carolina."