Although, in 1788, they had passed through a “general insurrection of the times,” as chronicled by the clerk of the court under the state of Franklin, and had no doubt come out somewhat demoralized, still the habit of doing what they believed to be right was so strongly imbedded in their natures that, at a term of court (February, 1788) held after its reorganization following the Franklin collapse, they imposed upon and collected from one of the most prominent citizens of the county a fine for swearing in the court-yard. The record recites that “Leroy Taylor came into Court and pays into the Office the fine prescribed by Acts of Assembly for one profane Oath which was accepted of. Ordered therefore that he be discharged. 21s.” Leroy Taylor was elected from Washington county as a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1796, and was kept in the General Assembly almost continuously for eight or ten sessions after Tennessee was admitted into the Union; he was the author and introducer of the first resolution offered in the General Assembly (in 1801), raising a committee to prepare a design for the great seal of the state of Tennessee--but, with all his prominence, he could not with impunity make use of even “one profane oath” in hearing of the county court of Washington county. The achievements of these old pioneers will run, however, “like the covenants of warranty with the land” they loved so well. A few glimmering memories, a few dim traditions, some scattered fragments of stories--these are all that is left (outside the old court records alluded to) of many of these men, every one of whom was a giant in morals and a colossus in intellect, as compared with many modern pigmies whose little deeds have been magnified into great achievements. If the structures of state, county and municipal institutions in Tennessee, and the social fabric as well, had been kept in harmony with the pure, simple, steadfast and enduring foundations laid by John Sevier and his contemporaries, what models we would have today for the world to imitate. Are we wiser or better than they? Read and study these old records: then answer. FOOTNOTES: [C] Continental currency. [D] This was the father of Catherine Sherrill, the “Bonnie Kate” of John Sevier. [E] It must constantly be kept in mind that these apparently enormous sums were in Continental currency. CHAPTER IV. _A TRAGIC EPISODE._