[Footnote: Blount MSS., Thomas Hart to Blount, Lexington, Ky., March 29, 1795.] By his activity he became a very large landed proprietor, and when Tennessee was made a State he was taxed on 73,252 acres in all.

The tax was not excessive, being but $179.72.

[Footnote: _Do_., Return of taxable property of Blount, Nashville, Sept.

9, 1796.] It was of course entirely proper for Blount to get possession of the land in this way.

The theory of government on the frontier was that each man should be paid a small salary, and be allowed to exercise his private business just so long as it did not interfere with his public duties.