Makers and defenders of America

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

Preface

This volume is the second of a series of two books, intended to present in a simple manner the history of America by means of the biographies of the men who found and made it. Each volume, however, is entirely independent, so that the books can be used separately where desired. The first book, "Explorers and Founders of America," traced our history from its beginnings, in the travels of Marco Polo and the voyages of the Northmen, through the period of exploration and settlement to the end of the French and Indian War. It told the stories of the Spanish adventurers who, in their lust for gold, conquered empires, only to lose them again through misuse of power; of the hardy French voyageurs who sought to plant the cross of Christ and the lilies of France in a New World and who, in the fulfillment of their purpose, explored the great river systems of the middle West; of the sturdy Dutch farmers who laid well the foundations of the Empire State; and of our English ancestors who found broad acres and fertile fields awaiting them in their new home across the sea. Some of them were men of action, brave and sometimes cruel, who sought fresh fields of adventure; others were colony builders, who strove to establish settlements where they might worship God untrammeled by the faiths of the Old World.

The second volume continues the series of historical biographies begun in "Explorers and Fouriders of America." It commences, where that book ended, with the close of the French and Indian War, and treats characters typical of a movement or of a period up to the present time. It traces the growth of our nation through the lives of its great leaders, men of thought, whose ideas shaped the policies and estabb'shed the present

6 PREFACE

prosperity of our country. While in the main the emphasis is placed on the personal element, some narrative of events has seemed advisable. In this way a continuous story is made possible without losing the idea of personality which attracts the youthful mind. The sketches include not only the lives of great statesmen and of military heroes, but also biographies of some of the men and women whose philanthropy has made our country happier or whose inventive genius has advanced its civilization and, with it, the civilization of the world. It is hoped that these triumphs of peace and of constructive statesmanship, as well as the stirring days and brave deeds of war, will appeal to growing boys and girls. If the lives of these men and the records of the past arouse a love of country, teach the value of courage and of self-denial, and mold character, this little book will justify its existence. The authors desire to acknowledge the courtesy of Mr. Thomas A. Edison, of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, and of Admiral George B. Dewey in revising the sketches relating to them. We are also under obligation to Miss Clara Barton for the principal facts in the story of her life.

It may be noted that, while this book is fitted for use in any grammar grade, it conforms fully to the requirements for the sixth grade work in history as outlined in the syllabus for elementary schools, issued by the Education Department of the State of New York. It also covers the sixth grade work for the schools of the city of New York.

We have striven to create the historical atmosphere. We have used the material necessary to weave a story concrete enough for children to share the experience and participate in the events narrated. Our aim has been to make the characters real to the child, for by doing so we shall lay a foundation and arouse a love for the further study of history.

Anna Elizabeth Foote, Avery Warner Skinner.

Contents

Navy

Causes of the Revolution .

Patrick Henry . . . * ...