During the two years of petty but disastrous Indian warfare that followed the attack on Freelands, the harassed and diminishing settlers had been so absorbed in the contest with the outside foe that they had done little towards keeping up their own internal government.  When 1783 opened new settlers began to flock in, the Indian hostilities abated, and commissioners arrived from North Carolina under a strong guard, with the purpose of settling the claim of the various settlers [Footnote:  Haywood.  Six hundred and forty acres were allowed by preemption claim to each family settled before June 1, 1780; after that date they had to make proper entries in the courts.  The salt-licks were to be held as public property.] and laying off the bounty lands, promised to the Continental troops. [Footnote:  Isaac Shelby was one of these commissioners.] It therefore became necessary that the Committee or Court of Triers should again be convened, to see that justice was done as between man and man.

    Internal Government.

The ten men elected from the different stations met at Nashborough on January 7th, Robertson being again made chairman, as well as colonel of the militia, while a proper clerk and sheriff were chosen.  Each member took a solemn oath to do equal justice according to the best of his skill and ability.  A number of suits between the settlers themselves were disposed of.  These related to a variety of subjects.  A kettle had been “detained” from Humphrey Hogan; he brought suit, and it was awarded him, the defendant “and his mother-in-law” being made to pay the cost of the suit.  A hog case, a horse used in hunting, a piece of cleared ground, a bed which had not been made according to contract, the ownership of a canoe, and of a heifer, a “clevis lent and delayed to be returned”—­such were some of the cases on which the judges had to decide.  There were occasional slander suits; for in a small backwoods community there is always much jealousy and bitter gossip.  When suit was brought for “cattle won at cards,” the committee promptly dismissed the claim as illegal; they evidently had clear ideas as to what was good public policy.  A man making oath that another had threatened his life, the latter was taken and put under bonds.  Another man produced a note of hand for the payment of two good cows, “against John Sadler”; he “proved his accompt,” and procured an attachment against the estate of “Sd.  Sadler.”  When possible, the Committee compromised the cases, or advised the parties to adjust matters between themselves.  The sheriff executed the various decrees, in due form; he arrested the men who refused to pay heed to the judgments of the court, and when necessary took out of their “goods and chattles, lands and tenements,” the damages awarded, and also the costs and fees.  The government was in the hands of men who were not only law-abiding themselves but also resolute to see that the law was respected by others.