A pictorial history of the United States, with notices of other portions of America. For the use of schools

Preface To The Revised Edition

This work was originally undertaken, with a view of furnishing tr our Schools a hiscory of the United States, at once so simple in style and arrangement as to be easily comprehended, and so full in its details as to convey some just impression of the great subject of which it treats. Its reception by the public has greatly surpassed the expectations of the author, and he consequently feels a desire, as well as an obligation, to take advantage of an opportunity offered by the publishers to bestow upon the work a careful revision.

Accordingly, in the present edition, such errors as have come to the knowledge of the author, have been corrected ; and with a view to consistency in the Chronology, the dates, throughout have been made conformable to the New Style. That every error and defect is even now removed is more than may be hoped ; and the author can only say that any suggestion, made with a view to the improvement of the work, will be received with thanks.

In regard to arrangement in treating of the History of the United States, two plans have been adopted : one called ethnographic, which presents each settlement or colony separately ; and one called chronographic, which blends the several subjects in one general view, and carries them all forward with the advance of years.

In the present work, the author has adopted the plan followed by Bancroft, and other leading writers upon our national history — a combination of the two systems, so far as to secure the advantages of both. Thus, for instance, Virginia is presented by itself — that is ethnographically — till the proper time arrives to inform the reader that another colony, consisting of a kindred people, is established upon the same continent. The history of that is then taken up, and pursued to a convenient point, when the account of Virginia is resumed.

It is easy to see that, by this course, the distinctness of the ethnographic arrangement is secured, while the equally important advantage of just general views, is preserved. The inconvenience of treating our history upon a rigid system of ethnographic arrangement, is obvious, when we consider that it would carry the reader forward in the account of Virginia more than one hundred and fifty years, in ignorance of the important fact, that other colonies were springing up along the Atlantic border during this period, thus laying the foundation for a great nation, in which Virginia itself was finally to be merged. Such an arrangement results in a series of distinct histories, and so far as our national history is concerned, proceeds upon a radical error, inasmuch as it regards the separate colonies as distinct "nations and tribes."

It may be well, however, in studying the following work, for the pupil, after he reaches the period of the French and Indian war, at page 69, or when he has gone through the book, to turn back and review the history of the individual colonies, ethnographically — that is, by tracing continuously the history of Virginia, then the history of New England, then the history of New York, &c. By turning to the table of contents, he will easily make out this course, and thus both a general and a particular view of our early national history may be rendered familiar to his mind.

It will be perceived that the author has added to the present edition an explanatory and pronouncing Dictionary of proper names. The teacher will see the advantage of turning the attention of the pupil to this, and asking him questions upon it as occasion may require. At pages 335, 6 and 7, a brief notice of events which have recently occurred in the United States, will be found.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, BY S. G. GOODRICH, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

Introduction

Page

Chapter 1. — The Progress of History, 9 II. — A Geographical Sketch of America, 10

III. — Political Divisions of America, . . . . . .12

IV. — A bird's-eye view of the History of America, ... 13 V. — Discovery of America by the Northmen 15

VI. — Account of Columbus 16

VII. — First Discovery of America by Columbus, . . . .18

VIII. — Other Discoveries in America, 20

IX. — Discoveries in North America, 21

UNITED STATES.

X. — Settlement at Jamestown, 23

XI. — Weakness of the Colony, 26

XII. — Captain John Smith. — His life and adventures, . . 27

XIII. — Smith taken Prisoner, 28

XIV. — Story of Pocahontas, 30

XV. — Captain Smith's Voyage of Discovery 32

XVI. — Smith's Administration of the Government, ... 33 XVII. — The Colony on the verge of ruin, ...... 35

XVIII. — Progress oi the Colony at Jamestown, 37

XIX. — Settlement of New York, 38

XX. — New England, 40

XXI. —The first Settlers of New England, .... -43

XXII. — The Puritans at Cape Cod, 45

XXIII. —Landing at Plymouth, 47

XXIV. — Settlement of Plymouth. — Two men get lost in the woods, 49 XXV. — Sufferings of the Colonists, 50

XXVI. — Treaty with the Indians, 52

XXVII. — Drought in the Colony -54

XXVIII. — The Virginia Massacre, 55

XXIX. — Settlements on Massachusetts Bay 58

XXX. — New Hampshire, 59

XXXI. — Government of the Colonies, . . . . . . .60

XXXII. — Settlement of Maryland, 62

XXXIII. — Settlement of Connecticut, 64

XXXIV. — Rhode Island and Roger Williams 63

XXXV. — War with the Pequod Indians, 68

XXXVI. — Anecdotes of the Pequod War 70

XXXVII. — Settlement of New Haven, 71

XXXVIII. — Union of the New England Colonies, ..... 73

XXXIX. — The Indians of New England, 76.

XL. —Eliot, the Indian Apostle, . 78

XLI. — Witchcraft in New England, 80

XLII. — New York, New Jersey and Delaware, .... 81

XLIII. — Settlement of the Carolinas. 82

XLI V. — The War with Philip, 83

XL V. — Events of the War with Philip. .... ,85

XL VI. —Death of Philip, .87

XL VII —Bacon's Rebellion, . . . , 88

1*

2 5 6 0 6 5 4 vi

CONTENTS.

Page

XLVIII. — Religious Persecution, 89

XLIX. — The Middle States. — Pennsylvania, 91

L. — Character of Penn, 94

LI. — Governor Andros and the Charter Oak, .... 96

L1I. — King William's War, 97

L1II. — Story of Governor Fletcher, 98

LIV. — Religion in the Colonies, 100

LV. — Education in the Colonies, 102

LVI. — The War of Queen Anne, 103

LVIL— The War at the South, 104

LVIIL — The Yamasee War, ........ 105

LIX. — The American Pirates, 107

LX. — Settlement of Georgia, ..... . 108

LXI. — Capture of Louisburg, 110

LXII. — Progress of Agriculture and Manufactures, . . .112

LXIII. — Sufferings of the Colonies, 114

LXIV. — Discoveries in the West, . . . . . . .115

LXV. — Settlements in the West, 118

LXVI. — George Washington begins his public career, . . .120

LXVII. — Battle at the Great Meadows, 122

LXVIII. — Defeat of Braddock, &c 123

LXIX. — The French and Indian War, 126

LXX. — Quebec taken. — Wolfe slain, 128

LXXI. — The French and Indian War concluded, &c, . . .131

LXXII. — Taxation of the Colonies, 132

LXXI1I. — The Stamp Act 134

LXXIV. — Societies and Mobs, 135

LXXV. — Repeal of the Stamp Act, 137

LXXVI. — More Taxation, 139

LXXVII. — British Troops in Boston, .... . 141

LXXVIII. — The Boston Massacre, 143

LXXIX. — Burning of the Gaspee 144

LXXX. — The Tea thrown overboard, 145

LXXXI. — The first Congress, 147

LXXXII. — The Dawn of Liberty, 148

LXXXIII.— Preparation for War, 150

LXXXIV. — Battle of Lexington, 151

LXXXV. — Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, . . .154

LXXXVI. — Vermont and Ethan Allen, 155

LXXXVII. — Battle of Bunker's Hill, 156

LXXX VIII. — General Putnam, 160

LXXXIX. — Washington at the head of the Army, . . . .162

XC. — Attack on Quebec, 163

XCI. — Stories of Arnold's Expedition to Quebec, . . . .165

XCII. — The British driven from Boston, 167

XCIIL — Battle at Sullivan's Island, 169

XCIV. — Declaration of Independence, 170

XCV. — Defence of New York, 172

XC VI. — Battle of White Plains. — Retreat of Washington, . 175

XC VII. — Battle at Trenton, 178

XC VIII. — Battle near Princeton, 179

XCIX. — Attack on Danbury, in Connecticut, 181

C. — Battle of the Brandy wine, 182

CI. — Capture of General Prescott, 183

CIL — The War in the North, 185

CIIL — Battle of Bennington, 187

CIV. — Capture of Burgoyne, .... ... 190

CV. — The War on the Ocean, . ... ... 191

C VI. — Exploits of Paul Jones, . ... ... 193

CVII. — Battle of Germantown, 194

C VIII. — Treaty with France, 196

I

CONTENTS. Vii Page

CIX. — Evacuation of Philadelphia, and Battle of Monmouth, . 197

CX. — Character of General Charles Lee, 199

CXI. — The War in Rhode Island, . 200

CXII. — Trumbull, the Painter, 202

CXIIL — Massacre at Wyoming-, . . . 204

CXI V. — The War in Georgia, 205

CXV. — The British at Charleston, 207

CXVI. — American Attack on Savannah, 208

CXVII. — The War in Connecticut. — General Putnam, . . .209

CXVIII. — Anecdote of La Fayette, 210

CXIX. — The Continental Money, 212

CXX. — Capture of Stony Point and Paulus Hook, . . .214

CXXI. — The War with the Indians, . 216

CXXIL — Surrender of Charleston, . 217

CXXIII. — Battle near Camden, . 218

CXXI V. — Slavery in the United States, 220

CXXV. — The treason of Arnold, 221

CXXVI. — Capture of Major Andr6 223

CXXVII. — Execution of Hale and Palmer, 225

CXXVIII. — Arnold invades Virginia and New London, . . 226

CXXIX. — The War at the South, 227

CXXX. — Naval operations, 229

CXXXI. — Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, 231

CXXXII. — Treaty of Peace, 234

CXXXIII. — Effects of the American Revolution, 236

CXXXIV. — Debts of the United States. — Shays' Insurrection, . 237

CXXXV. — Constitution of the United States, . . . . . 239

CXXXVI. — Proceedings of the first Congress, 241

CXXXVII. — Wars with the Indians, . 244

CXXXVIIL— Kentucky admitted to the Union, 245

CXXXIX. — Societies in the United States, 248

CXL. — Washington's Second Election and Administration, . 249

CXLI. — Difficul ties with Great Britain, .250

CXLII. — The Whiskey Insurrection, 252

CXLIII. — Tennessee — the sixteenth state, . . . . . 253

CXLIV. — Washington's Resignation, . 254

CXLV. — Prospects of a War with France, 255

CXLVI. — The public Health, 257

CXLVII. — President Jefferson, 258

CXLVIIL — The Settlement of Ohio, 260

CXLIX. — Burr and Hamilton, . . 262

CL. — War with Tripoli, 264

CLI. — Burr's Conspiracy, . 266

CLII. — Troubles with Great Britain, 268

CLIII. — Attack on the Chesapeake, .269

CLIV. — Embargo laid, 270

CLV. — Steamboat Navigation in the United States, . . .271

CLVI. — Battle of Tippecanoe, . . . . . . . . 273

CLVII. — War declared with Great Britain, 274

CLVIIL — General Hull's Surrender, 275

CLIX. — Capture of the Guerriere and the Alert, .... 276

CLX. — Attack on Queenstown, 278

CLXI. — More Naval Victories, 280

CLXII. — Events of 1812 and 1813, 281

CLXIII. — The Massacre at Frenchtown, 283

CLXIV. — Capture of York, and Death of General Pike, . . . 284

CLXV. — Siege of Fort Meigs, and General Harrison, . . . 286

CLXVI. — The War on the Ocean, 287

CLXVII. — Battle on Lake Erie, 28°

CLXVIII. — Battle at the Moravian Towns, 29©

CLXfX. — Progress of the Wa~ in Canada, 292

Vlii CONTENTS.

Page

CLXX. — War with the Creek Indians, 293

CLXXI. — Progress of the war, 294

CLXXII. — The War on the Ocean, 295

CLXXIIL — Defeat of General Wilkinson, 296

CLXXl V. — The War at the North-west, 297

CLXXV. — City of Washington burnt, 299

CLXXVI. — Battle near Baltimore 300

CLXXVII. — The War on Lake Champlain, 301

CLXXVIII. — Convention at Hartford 303

CLXXIX. — Battle of New Orleans, 304

CLXXX. — Closing Events of the War, 306

CLXXXI.— Difficulties with Algiers, 307

CLXXXII. — State of Indiana, 309

CLXXXIIL — President Monroe, 310

CLXXXIV. — War with the Seminole Indians, . . . . .311

CLXXX V. — State of Alabama, 312

CLXXXVI. — States of Maine and Missouri, 313

CLXXXVIL — Territory of Florida, 315

CLXXX VIII. — La Fayette in the United States, 316

* LXXXIX. — Difficulties with Georgia, 317

CXC. — Death of Adams and Jefferson, 318

CXCI. — President Jackson. — Nullification, 320

CXCII. — President Jackson's second term, 322

CXC III. — State of Arkansas, 323

CXC I V. — The Florida War, 324

CXCV. — Michiean — the twenty-sixth pillar, .... 326

CXC VI. — President Van Buren, 327

CXCVII. — Public Improvements. — Progress of Events, . . 330

CXC VIII. — Presidents Harrison, Tyler, Polk, and Taylor, . . 332

CXCIX. — Public Improvements, &c, 337

CC. — General Views, 339

OTHER TORTIONS OF NORTH AMERICA.

CCI. — Mexico, Guatemala and Texas, 341

CCII. — British Possessions in North America. — Polar Regions, 343 CCIIL— The West Indies, 7 .345

SOUTH AMERICA.

CCIV. — South America, 347

CC V. — South America, continued, 35 0

CCVI. — Conclusion, 353

Index and Dictionary of Proper Names, . . . 355

CHAPTER I.

The progress of History.

1 In the following pages we propose to give a history of the United States, with some account of other portions of America. History is a recital of what has happened, respecting nations and countries ; and our history of America will be an account of the most interesting events that have occurred in the new world.

2. All our readers know that the history of mankind begins with Adam and Eve, almost 6000 years ago ; that their descendants spread over Asia first, then over Africa, and then over Europe.

3. At what time mankind began to settle in Europe we cannot precisely tell : we only know that about 1856 years B. C, or about 3700 years ago, a man by the name of Inachus led a company of emigrants from Egypt into Greece.

4. These found the country inhabited by savages, who, no doubt, were the descendants of those who had wandered there from Asia. Inachus and his companions established themselves in Greece, and from that point of time, Europe gradually became occupied by civilized people.

5. Thus the three quarters of the globe were settled ; and as they

CHAP. I. — 1. "What is history? 2. When and where does history begin? In what order were the different quarters of the world settled? 3,4. What of the settlement el' Europe ? 5. Why did mankind soon get a general notion of the geography of Europe.

GEOGRAPHY OF AMERICA.

all lay together in one continent, mankind acquired a general, though still imperfect, notion of their shape and extent. But America was separated from Asia by the Pacific Ocean, almost ten thousand miles across ; and from Europe and Africa, by the Atlantic, about three thousand miles across. Of America, therefore, the people knew nothing.

6. The ships in old times were small, ill-built, and feeble, compared with the ships of the present day. The people did not know the shape of the world ; the art of navigation was in its infancy, and even the mariner's compass, that mysterious but steadfast friend of the mariner, was not invented till about the year 1242. The cross ing of wide oceans was therefore a thing that could not be done. Navigators seldom dared to stretch forth upon the boundless sea ; they only ventured to creep carefully along the shores, always keeping the land in sight.

7. As navigation improved, mankind grew more adventurous upon the sea; and, by degrees, their knowledge of the world — its seas and oceans, its shores and continents — was so far increased, that the Old World, or the eastern hemisphere, was tolerably well understood. The idea had also occurred to many individuals, that the great oceans probably contained large masses of yet undiscovered land.

8. It seems to be the course of Providence to make a gradual development of that knowledge which is important to man ; and when any great revelation, or any great discovery, is needful, the means of effecting the desired object are provided. The time had at length arrived for dispelling the mystery which had hitherto brooded over the mighty seas ; and Christopher Columbus, the instrument of accomplishing this great work, was born and trained for his career.

9. It was he who not only discovered America, but made it known to the people of the Eastern Continent. The discovery was so new, vast and surprising, that the land he had found seemed like another world ; and accordingly it was called the New World.

CHAPTER II. A geographical sketch of America

1. Before we proceed to recount the history of America, it will be well to fix definitely in our minds an outline of its geography. As history details what things have happened, geography informs us where they happened. It is impossible to have a clear idea of the former, without a knowledge of the latter.

Asia and Africa? Why did they know nothing about America? 6. What of navigation in old times? 7. What was the result of improvement in navigation? 8. What is said of the course of Providence? What of Christopher Columbus? 9. Why was America called the New World 1 II — 1 What, does history tell us 1 What does Geography tell us? Why should we

GEOGRAPHY OF AMERICA.

2. On the succeeding- page is a map of America, which, you observe, lies between Europe and Africa on the east, and Asia on the west. The Pacific Ocean is 10,000 miles across in the widest part ; and the Atlantic, about 3000 miles. Columbus had to cross this latter ocean, to find America.

3. The continent of America consists of two great masses of land, united by a narrow strip of land, called the Isthmus of Darien. The southern pwrtion is called South America ; the northern, North America. The West Indies, consisting of a great number of fine and fruitful islands, lie almost between North and South America ; and it was these that Columbus first discovered.

4. The whole length of the American continent is about 9000 miles, or a little more than one third of the circumference of the globe, which is about 25,000 miles. The figure below will show this. The whole length of the eastern continent, from north to south, is about 7000 miles.

5. The surface of the earth is supposed to contain nearly 200,000,000 of square miles: about three fourths, or 150,000,000, are water; the rest, 50,000,000, are land. The following table shows that America contains a little less than one third of all the land on the globe.

The eastern continent has about 31,000,000 square miles of land. The western continent has about 15,000,000 square miles. The islands of the Pacific, about 4,000,000 square miles.

6. America is distinguished for the grand scale upon which its natural features are formed : it has the largest masses of fresh water lakes ; the most extensive valleys ; by far the largest rivers ; the know geography before history? 2. Between what oceans is America? How wide is the Pacific? The Atlantic ? What ocean did Columbus have to cross, in order to finw America? 3. What of the continent of America? The West Indies? 4. The whole length of the western continent? The whole circumference of the globe? Whole length of the eastern continent ? 5. Extent of the whole surface of the globe ? How many square miles does America contain ? 6. For what is America distinguished ? 7. What of its vegetation ? Its animals ?

POLITICAL DIVISIONS OF AMERICA.

largest range of mountains ; and the loftiest volcanoes on the globe. The tallest peaks of the Andes are nearly equal in elevation to the loftiest of the old continent.

7. The climate of America, along the Atlantic coast, is colder than that of the Eastern Hemisphere ; the vegetation is nearly the same The original animals of America differ in species from those of the eastern world. We have here no native elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffe, tiger, leopard, or lion. Our domestic animals, with the single exceptions of the dog and turkey, are wholly of European origin.

CHAPTER III. Political Divisions of America

Map of America.

1. The present divisions of North America are as follows : the United State* ; Mexico ; Guatimala ; Russian possessions ; Green-

OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.

jand ; Iceland ; British possessions, including- the Canadas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and a vast unoccupied country to the north, which passes under the name of New Britain. The United States contain nearly 2,400,000 square miles, and British America something more.

2. The United States, Mexico, and Guatimala, are independent countries, with republican governments ; the other portions are under the control of European powers.

3. South America contains Peru, Equador, Venezuela, New Granada, Bolivia, Chili, the Argentine Republic, and Uruguay, all of which are independent republics. Besides these, there are Brazil, which is governed by an emperor ; Paraguay, under the successors of the dictator, Francia ; Guiana, which belongs to several European powers ; and Patagonia, which is only inhabited by tribes of savages.

4. The West India islands are divided between various European governments, only one of them, Hayti, being independent. The principal islands are Cuba, belonging to Spain, and Jamaica, belonging to Great Britain.

5. The whole population of America may be estimated at about 45,000,000. Of these, the largest portion are white people, or the descendants of Europeans. There are, however, a good many Indians, some partially civilized, and others still maintaining their wild independence. There are also several millions of negroes, mostly slaves, and many belonging to a mixture of the white and dark races

CHAPTER IV. A bird's-eye view of the History of America

1. The discovery of Columbus, about 350 years ago, first made the civilized part of mankind acquainted with America. The people then occupying the country had no books, and possessed only very imperfect modes of recording events. Of their history, prior to the discovery of Columbus, we know but little.

2. The history of America chiefly lies within the compass of the last 350 years. It shows us that this continent was discovered by Columbus, under a commission from the king of Spain, who claimed, as belonging to the Spanish crown, all lands discovered by ships sailing under the flag of that country.

Questions on the Map, p. 12. Where is Cape Horn? Greenland? Isthmus of Darien? West Indies? Hudson's Bay? Gulf of Mexico? Caribbean Sea? Newfoundland ? In what direction are each of the succeeding places from New York?

III. — 1. What are the present political divisions of North America? Extent of the United States? British possessions in America? 2. What independent countries in North America? What are under the control of European powers? 3. What of the divisions of South America? 4. The West India islands? 5. Population of America ?

IV — 1. When were the discoveries of Columbus made? How was the civilized 2

OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.

3. Soon after Columbus had revealed his great discovery to Europe, many adventurers came hither, chiefly in search of gold, silver and precious stones, which were very abundant in some parts of the coun try. Many of these adventurers had commissions from the king of Spain, and several of them were supplied by him with ships, money and soldiers, the purpose of which was to conquer and take possession of different parts of America for Spain.

4. Thus Mexico was conquered by the bloody Cortez ; Peru by the cruel and remorseless Pizarro ; and Chili by Almagro. Other portions were seized by other leaders, until the southern part of North America, two thirds of South America, and the finest of the West India islands, were within the grasp of the king of Spain.

5. The Portuguese seized upon Brazil ; the French upon Canada, the mouth of the Mississippi, and some of the West Indies ; and England upon a portion of the Atlantic coast of North America. Other European powers picked here and there in the scramble, seizing upon such parts and pieces as they could get.

6. Thus America became the spoil of European kings, who seized upon the lands, and conquered or destroyed the native inhabitants, according to their interest or pleasure. The whole proceeding took place in a dark age, and under one great and melancholy error, which was this — that uncivilized people are heathen, and consequently enemies of God, and whom it is, therefore, right to subdue, enslave, or kill, as may be deemed convenient by Christian men.

7. Thus it happened that the wars against the natives in America were generally carried on under the sanction of the Christian religion ; the Indians were massacred by millions, in the name of Jesus Christ ; whole empires were devastated by those who went forth preaching and praying and performing all the rites and ceremonies of the church !

8. The chief elements of the history of America consist in six general topics, which are as follows : 1st, its Discovery ; 2d, its Participation between different European Powers ; 3d, the Wars with the Indians ; 4th, the Wars among the European Powers, which involved the American colonies ; 5th, the Struggles of the Colonies for Independence ; and, 6th, the General Progress of Wealth and Civili aation.

9. In the following pages we shall endeavor to give a view of these topics, devoting the largest space to the United States, which present not only the most interesting, but by far the most instructive passages of American history .

world first made acquainted with America? 2. To what limits is the history of Amer- >ca chiefly confined ? What does this history show ? 3. What followed the announcement of Columbus' discoveries? 4. What of the Spanish conquests? 5. The Portuguese? French? English? Other European powers ? 6. What did America then become? What great error prevailed in the settlement of America? 7. What was the consequence of this error? 8. What are the six chief topics or elements in the history of America? 9. What of the history of the United States?

DISCOVERIES OF THE NORTHMEN. 15

CHAPTER V. Discovery of America by the Northmen

1. Bei ore we proceed to speak of Columbus, we must say a few words respecting the accounts of the discovery of America, previous to his time. The Welsh have a tradition, of some celebrity, according- to which, a chieftain of Wales, named Madoc, made several distant voyages to the west, about the year 1170.

2. In one of those expeditions, they say that he discovered " a fair and large country;" and, returning to Wales, took with him a number of his friends and relatives, and set forth to settle there. From this period there was never anything heard of them. It has been thought that the " fair and large country" was America, and that these emigrants went thither. But there is no good reason to believe this tradition.

3. The 'discovery of America by the Northmen, at an earlier period, rests on a surer foundation. The inhabitants of Norway and Denmark were by far the most adventurous seamen of Europe during the middle ages. As early as the year 860, they had discovered Iceland, and it was colonized by the Norwegians in 874.

4. Greenland was discovered not long after, and was settled by two colonies, one from Denmark and one from Norway. Hence the intercourse between this place and the home country became common. According to well authenticated accounts, in the year 1002, Leif, a Norwegian, with a number of men, set sail from Greenland and proceeded to the south-west.

V. — 1, 2. What of Midoc? 3. What of the Northmen? Iceland? 4. Greenland? Leif? 5. Vinland? Thorwald? 6. What is there good reason to believe ? Cape

COLUMBUS.

5. They soon came to land, and, continuing their voyage, discovered a country of grapes, which they named Vinland, or the Land of Wine. The party returned to Greenland, but, soon after, Thorwald pursued the discovery in the same ship. Having landed on a beautiful shore, he fell in with savages, and was killed by them. His party escaped and returned to Greenland, whence still other expeditions were sent to the newly discovered country.

6. Though the accounts of these voyages are somewhat vague, there is no good reason to doubt that these Northmen actually discovered the coast of New England, and for some time were in the habit of making voyages thither. Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and other places, are described in their accounts too accurately to admit of serious doubt as to their identity. .

7. The knowledge of Vinland, however, appears^not to havejaeen generally communicated to Europe, and it was finallj* lost to the Northmen themselves. After the year 1120, we hear nothing of it in their annals, and all traces of such a country were entirely obliterated from the minds of men. At the period of Columbus, the existence of America was as complete a secret as if "the hardi No^ir*- gians had never ploughed these northern seas. -

CHAPTER VI. Account of Columbus

Portrait of Columbus.

i. This Western World was discovered by Christopher Columbus,