In 1677, restive North Carolina colonists complained that their tax monies were being spent imprudently and that enforcement of the Navigation Acts was harming businessmen. The following year, discontented forces in Albemarle staged a revolt against the appointed governor. John Culpeper was installed as the chief executive and shortly thereafter summoned a popular assembly. The government ran smoothly for about two years, but the proprietors pulled the appropriate strings in England and managed to regain control of the colony. Culpeper was charged with and tried for treason, but never punished.