The history of Pennsylvania from the earliest discovery to the present time : including an account of the first settlements by the Dutch, Swedes, and English, and of the colony of William Penn, his treaty and pacific measures with the Indians; and the gradual advancement of the state to its present aspect of opulence, culture and refinement

Front matter

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Preface

It is a Herculean task to write a good history ; and the value of such a one cannot be overestimated. By history we learn what mankind have been and done in all past ages. By history the best men in every age and century of the world are set before us for our imitation, and the worst for our detestation. By history we learn how nations, empires, kingdoms, have arisen, flourished, decayed, and passed away. By history we become acquainted with the genius, laws, and customs of men who shone as stars in their generation ; and behold, as in a mirror, the disposition, character, and talents which produced their virtue or their vice, and entitled them to the respect, veneration, and grateful remembrance of their successors, or made them a reproach to the end of the world. By history, too, we get a knowledge of how the arts and sciences arose, and how inventions were first arrived at, cultivated, and improved; and finally, as "history" but "repeats itself" in every age of the world, we see the finger of an Almighty Ruler presiding over the destiny of men, and ordering all things and events, so that, it must be visible to all, that He ruleth among the children of men, and showing that "the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet riches to men of understanding."

From these characteristics of general history, the transition is natural and easy to the particular one before us. Having resided many years in Philadelphia, and become familiar with

4 PREFACE.

the biography of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and the events that have taken place since, through their historians ; and believing that no State in the Union offers richer material for a valuable history ; and, moreover, being drawn to the task from a love of research into past times, — the author, with much pleasure, has compiled the following pages. It will be universally acknowledged that our resources of wealth in coal, iron, oil, &c, are unsurpassed by any State of this great republic.

Pennsylvania has abundant cause of gratitude to God, that she was settled by a Christian people, and, especially, that she received her name from one of the wisest, noblest, and best of men ; and, as exhibited in this history, for many generations, even down to this period of our grand centennial, she has honored her early settlers, in her appreciation of that education, virtue, religious principle, and civil freedom, which were vouchsafed unto her by such men as William Penn and his coadjutors. It will be shown that she has well developed her material resources ; but in nothing has she been more conspicuous than in the character of her men and women.

"With the hope and belief that the reader will be amused, entertained, and instructed, his mind enlarged, affection elevated, by the perusal of what is gathered from the authors named in the work, from whose resources I have richly drawn, and from the more recent statistics of the Commonwealth, I commit the work to the intelligent sons and daughters of Pennsylvania.

W. M. C.

Philadelphia, 1876.

Chapter I. Early Discoverers Of America, And The First Settlements

UPON THE DELAWARE.

PAGE.

Supposition that Ancient Ophir was America — Swedes' and Goths' Discovery of America — Discovery by Madoc, an Englishman — Discovery by Christopher Columbus — By Americus Vespucius — By Sebastian Cabot — Virginia visited by Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh

— Whence its Name — Discovery of Delaware Bay — Whence its Name

— London and Bristol Companies — Advent of the Hollanders — Their First Fort — Settlement by the Swedes — Their Religion — Houses — Furniture — Food — Drinks — First Indian Speech to Europeans . . 15

Chapter II

RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRINCIPLES OF THE DENOMINATION CALLED QUAKERS, OR FRIENDS.

George Fox — His Followers take the Name of Friends : his Enemies call them Quakers — Statement of their Principles published by Themselves

— Admiral Sir William Penn — His Offices and Exploits — Birth of William Penn — His Early Education — Meeting with Thomas Loe — Embraces Loe's Views — Incurs his Father's Displeasure — Is sent to France — Then to Ireland — Again meets Loe — Returns Home — Driven from his Father's House — Colloquy between the Admiral and his Wife— Penn' s Books — His Father's Reconciliation — Admiral's Death 23

Chapter III. Further Progress Of William Penn And His Quakers

Reasons for founding a Colony: to get his Dues from the Crown — To escape Persecution — Accounts from New Jersey Colonies — Penn's Persecution — Imprisonment— Trial— Defence — Appeal to the Jury

— Prejudices of his Judges — Penn's Acquittal — Petition for a Charter

— Opposition — Granting of Charter 44

CHAPTER IV. PENN'S CHARTER OP PENNSYLVANIA FROM KING CHAELES n

PAGE.

Boundaries — Privileges — William Penn made Proprietary — Power to govern, and make Laws — May appoint Officers — Grant Pardons — A Proviso — Laws of England in Force till Others are made in the Province — Approval of Laws — Encouragement of Emigration, also to Trade

— May lay out Towns, Cities, &c. — Commercial Advantages — Seaports, Creeks, and Harbors — Customs may be imposed by the Province — Agent to reside in London — Government maybe resumed by England

— Not to correspond with Kings, &c, at War with England — May pursue and punish Enemies — May dispose of Lands — May erect Manors — Frank Pledge — King not to lay Taxes without Consent of Proprietary

or Parliament — Control of the Bishop of London — Interpretation . 61

Chapter V. Proceedings Of Penn After The Grant Of His Charter

Penn's Joy — His Visit to the King — Surprise at the Name — Offers Twenty Guineas — Solicits the King — Refusal of the King — Letter to Robert Turner — Penn's Publication — Farewell to the King — Interesting Colloquy with the King — Letter to his Family 75

Chapter VI. William Penn's First Visit To America

Sends Commissioners — Letter to the Indians — Death of his Mother — Frame of Government — Agreement with the Duke of York — Penn's Embarkation — An Epistle — Letter to Stephen Crisp — Welcome from the Dutch, Swedes, and Quakers — Toleration and Civil Freedom — First General Assembly — Chester named — Lands bought — Great Treaty — Measurement by Walks — John Penn — Bounties offered — Site for a City — Penn's House — Pennsbury Manor — City named — Division of Province and Territories — Letter to One of his Detractors

— Leaves for England 92

Chapter VII. The Indians

William Penn's Letter — Persons of the Indians — Their Language — Customs and Manners — Religion — Government — Origin — Dr. Rush's Account — Of their Children — Food — Customs of Women — Employment of Men — Common Customs — Diseases — Small-Pox and Venereal Imported — Remedies — Indian Speeches Ill

Chapter VIII. Pennsylvania From 1684 To 1690

The Provincial Council — Officers commissioned by William Penn — Letter to Friends — Population of the Province — Appoints Secretary — Troubles

PAGE.

in the Province — Letter to the Magistrates and Others — Nicholas Moore — New Commission — Thomas Lloyd retires — Appointed Deputy

— Great Scare — Gov. Blackwell — First Public School — George Keith

— Schism among the Quakers — Penn's Power revoked — Fletcher made , Governor — Divisions — Fletcher retires — Appoints Markham — Government restored to Penn — Appoints Markham — Penn's Return — Gives Laws — Improves Philadelphia — House of Lords — Fears for his Government — Return to England 123

Chapter IX. Pennsylvania Feom 1701 To 1765

Penn's Interest in the Colony— Of his Family — Reception of New Charter

— Charter to the City — Andrew Hamilton — James Logan — Bill in Parliament — King William's Death — Princess Anne — Dissensions — Gov. Evans — William Penn, jun. — More Dissensions — Evils from Penn's Absence — Mortgages the Province — Attacked by Apoplexy — His Death — His Will — Gov. Gordon — Benjamin Franklin — Thomas and John Penn — Indian Troubles — Gov. Thomas — George Whitefield

— The French War — Plain Truth — Gov. Hamilton — Taxation of Proprietors — Public Institutions — Braddock's Defeat — George Washington — Indian Treaties — Re-appointment of James Hamilton — Boundary settled — Indian Massacre — White Savages — John Penn — Indians sue for Peace — Quotation from Day — Penn's Character by Gordon . . 144

Chapter X. Pennsylvania Feom 1765 To 1775

Great Britain lays a Tax upon the Colonies — Stamp Act — Stamp Officer appointed — Manufacturing prohibited — Repeal of the Stamp Act — Duties on British Goods — Tax on Tea — Colonists oppose all Taxes — Mass Meeting — Provincial Congress — Continental Congress — Petition to King George — Congress adjourns — Re-assembles — George Washington appointed— Washington's Speech 160

Chapter XI. Acts Of Congeess And Of Pennsylvania

Washington commissioned — Bloodshed — The Colonies declared Independent of Great Britain — Incidents in Independence Hall — Doings of the Assembly of Pennsylvania — Gov. Penn's Advice — The Assembly's Reply — Second Provincial Convention — Their Acts — Committee of Public Safety — The Quakers — Pennsylvania raises Troops — Whigs and Tories disagree on changing the Government — The Whigs prevail — They call a Convention — A Constitution formed for Pennsylvania . 177

CONTENTS.

Chapter XII. Recapitulation Of Events IX Pennsylvania Down To Tiie

CLOSE OF TIIE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

PAGE.

The Government modelled after England — The People Democratic — Exportation prohibited — Of the Courts — Sale of Lands — Division of Classes among the People — William Penn — Provincial Laws repealed

— Early Churches — Free Toleration to All — Influx of Sects — Contrast of Public Expenditures — Literature — Printing-Press — Newspapers — Magazines — Benjamin Franklin — His Printing-Press . . . .194

CHAPTER XIH.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION OF 1776.

What Government should be — Declaration of Rights — Right of Worship

— Internal Government — Benefit to All — Free Elections — Of Prosecutions — Of Warrants — Freedom of Speech — Plan of Government — — Electors — House of Representatives — Form of Oath or Affirmation

— Delegates to Congress — Title of the Laws — County Districts — Of Commissions — Of Judges — Supreme Court — Of Debtors — Justices of the Peace — Sheriffs and Coroners — Of Fees — Register's Office — Printing-Presses — Of Professions — Penal Laws — Taxes — Of Schools

— Council of Censors 211

Chapter XIV. Pennsylvania During The American Revolution

Emblems of Royalty burned — Lord Howe — Letters to Washington and Franklin — Franklin's Reply — Washington's Letter — Gen. Sullivan's Message — Committee appointed to confer with Howe — Battle at Trenton — Battle of Princeton — Arrival of Lafayette — Defeat at Brandywine — Removal of Congress — British In Philadelphia — They spare the Old Elm — Washington's Enemies — Commissioners from Great Britain

— France acknowledges American Independence — Sir Henry Clinton succeeds Sir William Howe — British evacuate Philadelphia — Victory of Monmouth — Benedict Arnold — Indian Warfare — Continental Money — Treaty of Peace 229

Chapter XV. Pennsylvania In The Wars Succeeding The Revolution

Warfare with the Western Indians — Whiskey Rebellion — War of 1S12 — Defenceless State of the Northern Borders — Commodore Perry's Victory — British War-Ships in the Delaware — The Governor's Call — Patriotic Response — Burning of the Capitol — War with the Florida Indians — Efforts to quiet the South — Southern Trade — Patriotism of her People — Gov. Curtin — Anecdotes of Quakers — James Buchanan

— Secession Ordinance — Lincoln's Election — Attack on Fort Sumter

— Call for Troops — Ready Response — Simon Cameron — Thaddeus Stevens — Reserve Corps — Rebel Invasion — Gen. Meade — Battle of Gettysburg 245

CONTEXTS. 9

Chapter XVI. The Surface And Productions Of Pennsylvania

TAGE.

Face of the Country — Geology — Lakes and Rivers — Climate — Soil and Productions — Anthracite Coal — "Where found — Mining-Operations — Mouth of a Coal Mine — Coal Shute, Dumper, and Breaker — Face of a Coal-Breaker — Picking Slate at a Screen — Total Product of Anthracite — Bituminous Coal — Where found — Mines — Product of Bituminous Coal 201

XVII.

PRODUCTION OF IRON AND OIL IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Pennsylvania compared with Other States — Cornwall Hills — Counties, where found — Chester County — Prohibitory Law — Forges in Bucks County — Lebanon — Manufacturing Baptists — Maria Forge — Henry William Steigel — Valley Forge — William Denning — Various Forges

— Anthracite Coal for Smelting — Jacobs' Creek — Dunbar Creek — Fairchance Furnace — Red Stone — Charcoal Furnaces — Bituminous Coal — Pig Iron — Total Product — Geology of Petroleum — Naphtha

— Venango County — Devonian Rocks — Daddow — Indians burn Oil

— Excitement on Discovery of Oil — Oil Companies — Prospecting — Oil Creek — A Derrick 279

CHAPTER XVIIL

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD AND POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG ITS ROUTE TO THE CAPITAL.

Mr. Sipes's Book — Richard Trevithick — George Stephenson — Road in Massachusetts — Honesdale — Columbia Railroad — Portage Road — Act for Pennsylvania Railroad — Road opened — Branches of New Jersey Division — Of Pennsylvania Railroad — Of Philadelphia and Erie Road

— Mileage — Morion — Wynnewood — Eagle — Paoli — Malvern — Downington — Coatesville — Christiana — Gap — Kinzers — Lancaster

— Mount Joy — Middletown — Columbia — Marietta — Harrisburg . 293

CHAPTER XIX.

PLACES ON THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD FROM HARRISBURG TO THE TUNNEL OF THE ALLEGHANY.

Rockville — Marysville — Duncannon — Aqueduct — Newport — Millerstown — Mifflin — Lewistown — Newton Hamilton — Mount Union — Huntingdon — Tyrone — Altoona — Kittanning Point — Resting-Place

— View from the Mountain 314

CHAPTER XX.

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD FROM THE TUNNEL TO PITTSBURG, ITS TERMINUS.

Tunnel — Gallitzin — Cresson — Sonman — Portage — Johnstown — Conemaugh Furnace — Nineveh — Blairsville Intersection — Hillside — Latrobe — Greensburg — Penn — Manor — Irwin — Braddock's — Wilkinsburg — Liberty — Pittsburg 329

CHAPTER XXI.

CITIES AND TOWNS ON THE BRANCHES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

PAGE.

East Brandywine and Waynesburg Branch — Glen Moore — Barneston — Waynesburg — Wrightsville — York — Mifflin and Centre County Branch

— Logan — Mann's — Reeds ville — Milroy — Bedford and Bridgeport Railroad — Mount Dallas — Bedford — Wolfsburg — Mann's Choice — Bald Eagle Valley Branch — Vail — Bald Eagle — Martha — Unionville Milesburg — Unionville — Bellefonte — Curtin — Howard — Eagleville

— Beach Creek — Mill Hall — Tyrone and Clearfield Branch — Sandy Ridge — Osceola — Phillipsburg — Wallacetown — Clearfield — Hollidaysburg and Morrison's Cove Branch — Y Switches — Hollidaysburg — McKee's — Rodman — Roaring Spring — Martinsburg — Henrietta — Williamsburg Branch — Frankstown — Flowing Spring — Williamsburg

— Ebensburg Branch — Munster — Ebensburg — Indiana Branch — Black Lick — Homer — Indiana 346

CHAPTER XXII.

CITIES AND TOWNS ON THE BRANCHES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD, CONCLUDED.

Western Pennsylvania Railroad — Blairsville — Tunnel — Saltsburg — Apollo — Leechburg — Alleghany Junction — Freeport — Natrona — Tarentum — Hites' — Claremont — Sharpsburg — Etna — Alleghany City

— Butler Branch — Saxonburg — Butler — South-west Pennsylvania Branch — Scottdale — Everson — Connellsville — Philadelphia and Erie Railroad — Sunbury — Northumberland — Milton — Watsontown — Dewart — Montgomery — Muncy — Williamsport — Jersey Shore — : Wayne — Lock Haven — Farrandsville — Hyner — Renovo — Keating — Round Island — Sinnemahoning — Drift-wood — Stirling — Cameron — Emporium — St. Mary's — Daguscahonda — Ridge way — Wilcox — Sergeant — Kane — Warren — Irvinetown — Corry — Union — Waterf ord — Jackson's — Erie — Lewisburg Centre and Spruce Creek Branch — Lewisburg — Mifflinburg — Danville and Hazleton Branch — Philadelphia and Erie Junction — Danville — Catawissa — Tomhicken — Bristol 362

CHAPTER XXIII.

CITIES AND TOWNS ON THE READING AND OTHER RAILROADS.

Network of Railroads — Afford Facilities for Historical Description — Reading Road — Conshohocken — Norristown — Valley Forge — Reading

— Pbcenixville — Port Clinton — Pottstown — Auburn — Schuylkill Haven — Pottsville — Mount Carbon — Ravino Gap — Lebanon — Mahanoy Plane — Northern Pennsylvania — Gwynedd — Lansdale — Sellersville — Landis Ridge — Hellertown — Lehigh Valley Railroad — Bethlehem — Allentown — Catasauqua — Hokendauqua — Slatington — Lehighton — Weinport — Packertown — Mauch Chunk — Mount Pisgah

— Summit Hill — Burning-Mine — Glen Onoko — Chameleon Falls —

PAGE.

Onoko Falls — Terrace Falls — Nesquehoning Bridge — Perm Haven — Stony Creek — Kockport — Tannoy — White Haven — Freemansburg

— Eedington — Glendon — Easton — Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad — Delaware Water Gap — Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Bailroad — Chester — West Chester Railroad — West Chester 381

CHAPTER XXIV.

HOSPITALS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

Pennsylvania Hospital — Insane Department — Stephen Girard — Sick Seamen — Lying-in Department — Dispensary — Hospital Property taxed — Penn's Bust — Kirkbride Hospital — Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania — Lunatic Hospital, Harrisburg — Insane Hospital, Danville — Insane Hospital, Warren — Insane Hospital, Dixmont — German Hospital — Lackawanna Hospital — Wilkesbarre Hospital — Anthracite Hospital — Reform School — Pennsylvania Training School — Deaf-Mutes — Sheltering Arms — Western Penitentiary 409

CHAPTER XXV.

UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND OTHER LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

University of Pennsylvania — Western University of Pennsylvania — Lafayette College— Other Colleges in the State — Normal Schools — High Schools — Private Schools — Business Colleges — Provisions of the New Constitution — City School Systems — Of Philadelphia — Of Pittsburg

— Of Alleghany 427

CHAPTER XXVI.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ETC., AND GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Why so long delayed — Variety of Nations — Mr. Burke's Statement — Municipalities — Organization of the Society — Original Members — First Officers — Place of Meeting — Various Committees — Progress — Library — Bradford's Prayer-Book — Freedom of the Press — Other Societies — United States Hospitals in the City — Union League — Politics of the Commonwealth — Names of Governors of the Province and State of Pennsylvania 456

CHAPTER XXVH.

ARTISTS AND FINE ARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Benjamin West — Charles Wilson Peale — Rembrandt Peale — Thomas Sully — James Hamilton — Thomas Buchanan Read — Adolph Ulric Wertmuller — Paul Weber — John Neagle — Peter F. Rothermel — Margaret M. George — Thomas A. Scott — School of Design for Women — The Academy of Fine Arts 471

CHAPTER XXVIII.

MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND WRITERS, JOURNALS AND JOURNALISTS.

PAGE.

William Shippen — Adam Kuhn — Benjamin Rush — Thomas Bond — American Metropolis of Education — Medical School united with the University — New Edifice — Jefferson Medical College — The Pennsylvania Medical College — Philadelphia College of Medicine — Homoeopathic College, &c. — Female Medical College — Philadelphia College of Pharmacy — College of Physicians and Surgeons — Medical Writers — Journals and Journalists 484

CHAPTER XXIX.

STEPHEN GIRARD AND HIS ORPHAN COLLEGE.

Birthplace of Girard — Cahin-Boy — Capt. Randall — Begins to speculate — Comes to Philadelphia — Marriage — Removes to Mount Holly — Returns to Philadelphia — Partnership with his Brother — Dissolution — Wife's Insanity — Massacre in St. Domingo — Death of his Brother — His Nieces — Names of his Ships — Smoking — Service in the Yellow-Fever

— Softens with Age — Capt. Guligar — One Cent — His Dress — Dr. Staughton — Gives to the Methodists — Cancels Donation— Widow's Visit — Girard Bank — Hardware Merchant — Rope-Maker — Iron Work — Plan of his College — His Will — Note from Dr. Allen . .503

CHAPTER XXX.

PHILADELPHIA.

Advantages of Philadelphia — Building and Loan Associations — Consolidation of the City — Topography of the City — Its Buildings — Manufactures — London Coffee-House — Carpenter's Hall — State House — Independence Square — United States Mint — Eastern State Penitentiary

— County Prison — Houses of Refuge — Wills Hospital — Deaf-and- Dumb Institution — Institution for the Blind — Blockley Almshouse — Wagner Institute — Polytechnic College — Franklin Institute — Guaranty Trust and Safe Deposit Company — Hotels — Masonic Temple — Academy of Natural Sciences — City Hall — Callow-hill Street Bridge — Water- Works — Laurel Hill Cemetery — The Park 520

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE CENTENNIAL.

Our Republic — Small in the Beginning — How it increased — Planted by Noble Men — Slavery a Rotten Plank in the Constitution — Its Fate

— The Old "Thirteen" — Increase of Territory — Productions — Men and Women — Literature — Century — Pennsylvania and Philadelphia

— Sister States and Cities — Foreign Nations — One Regret — The - Change as to Knowledge and Discoveries — The Future of the Nation

— History proclaims a Moral Governor — The Centennial Grounds and Buildings 551

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of the Author frontispiece.

PAGE.

Bird's-Eye View of Philadelphia 15

Perm's Treaty with the Indians 98

Penn's House 108

Soldiers' Monument, Gettysburg . . . 261

Mouth of Coal Mine 271

Coal Shute, Dumper, and Breaker 273

Face of Coal Breaker 274

Picking out Slate 275

Towing Fiat-Boats up Oil Creek 1 291

Oil en Koute for Pittsburg 1 293

Paoli 300

Coatesville Bridge 302

Residence of James Buchanan 306

Susquehanna near Harrisburg 312

Horseshoe Curve 327

Alleghany Mountain Tunnel 330

Mountain House, Cresson . 331

Portage Road 333

City of Pittsburg 341

State Normal School, Indiana .......:• 361

Valley Forge 384

Schuylkill below Reading 385

Schuylkill above Port Clinton 386

Mount Carbon and Sharp Mountain 387

Ravino Gap, near Pottsville 388

Mahanoy Plane, looking up 389

Bcthelehem 391

Lehigh Gap 392

Mauch Chunk 394

Mount Pisgah Plane 395

The "Flagstaff," Mauch Chunk 396

View North from the Trestling, Mount Pisgah 398

Chameleon Falls 399

i These cuts represent the oil regions as they were In 1861.

14 ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.

Onoko Falls 400

Terrace Falls, Glen Onoko 401

Nesquehoning Bridge 402

View on Stony Creek : 403

Prospect Eock and the Nescopec Valley 404

Cloud Point 405

The Gem of the Valley 406

Delaware Water Gap 407

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 417

University of Pennsylvania, Department of Arts and Sciences . . . 429

Pardee Hall 431

Beaver College, Beaver 433

Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg 437

Plates of Lewisburg 439, 440, 441

"Washington and Jefferson 443

State Normal School, West Chester 446

Cumberland Valley State Normal School, Shippensburg . . . 448

Union League 465

New Academy of Fine Arts 482

University of Pennsylvania, Medical Department 485

Public Ledger 496

Girard College 519

London Coffee House 524

Carpenter's Hall 525

Independence Hall 526

Liberty Bell 527

Franklin's Grave 528

Insane Asylum 533

Guaranty Safe Trust and Deposit Company 536

Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York 537

Exchange 538

Masonic Temple 539

Continental Hotel 540

New Academy of Natural Sciences 541

New City Hall 543

Chestnut Street Bridge 544

Callow Hill Street Bridge 545

Fairmount 547

Fairmount Park from Pennsylvania Bridge 548

Girard Avenue Bridge, Fairmount Park 549

Centennial Buildings

Main Exhibition Building 560

Art Gallery 560

Machinery Hall 560

Horticultural Building 563

Agricultural Building 564

Fac-Similes of Centennial Medals 566

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Chapter I

EARLY DISCOVERERS OF AMERICA, AND THE FIRST SETTLE- MENTS UPON THE DELAWARE.

Supposition that Ancient Ophir was America — Swedes' and Goths' Discovery of America — Discovery by Madoc, an Englishman — Discovery by Christopher Columbus — By Americus Vespucius — By Sebastian Cabot — Virginia visited by Sir Francis Drake and Sir "Walter Raleigh — Whence its Name — Discovery of Delaware Bay — Whence its Name — London and Bristol Companies — Advent of the Hollanders — Their First Fort — Settlement by the Swedes — Their Religion — Houses — Furniture — Food — Drinks — First Indian Speech to Europeans.

YARIOUS opinions have long prevailed respecting when, and by whom, America was first discovered. Some believe that America, though not known by. that name, was a place of trade in the days of King Solomon, and that the Ophir to which he sent his ships on three-years' voyages, " which returned with silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, and four hundred and fifty talents of gold," l was on some part of what is now called the American Continent. This opinion is supported by some plausible arguments like the following : the place to which they sailed must have been at a great distance, as it required so much time to complete the voyage, which would not have been the case, had they gone to the East Indies, they being not far from Solomon's dominions. They traded at some rich country, evidently ; and no part of the world abounded in

1 2 Cbrou. viii.. ix.

1G HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

gold, silver, apes, peacocks, and other precious treasure, more than some portions of the American Continent. If this supposition were true, it might suggest the method by which " the ten tribes " became the first inhabitants of America, according to the opinion of Gov. Boudinot, of New Jersey, and others.

The Swedes and Goths visited America, A.D. 996, and called it Vinland the Good, and, also, Skrcellingaland. It is therefore evident that the Northmen visited some part of North America before the Spaniards and Portuguese went to South America. 1

Holm, another Swedish historian, says " That the same discoverers of 996 called it Wineland the G-ood, and Skralinggaland, which was found written in six different chapters of the ancient history of Gothland under the great King Olof Tyrgwasson, or Snorre Sturleson, published by the celebrated antiquary John Peringskiold, in the year 1697 ; from which, for the sake of brevity, we shall only extract the names of those who visited Wineland the Good ; and afterwards we shall briefly relate what they have said respecting that country ; so that one may know what was the state of America in those times.

The first who travelled into that country was called Lief Erikson. He was sent to Greenland by King Olof Tyrgwasson of Norway, to instruct the people of that island in the Christian religion. Afterwards he sailed for America with thirty-five men, built a house there, and staid over the winter.

The second was Thorwald Erikson, Liefs brother. He went to the same place with thirty men, and remained there during the winter.

The third was Torsten Erikson, who, after his brother Thorwald's death, went thither with his wife Gudrid and a company of fifty strong and active men chosen for that purpose.

The fourth was Karel Semne, who sailed for that country with his wife Gudrid and with sixty men and five women. They took with them all sorts of cattle, and settled themselves upon the land.

The fifth was Freidis, Erik's daughter, with her two brothers,

1 Acrelius : translated by Reynolds, p. 17.

Helge and Finboga. They took with them thirty active men, besides women. They first sailed to Greenland, and afterwards went to the New World, to which they_gave the name of W'tneland the Good.

The circumstances which are related respecting that country are the following : —

1st, That the country was fair, covered with wood, and there was but little space between the woods and the sea.

2d, That there were many islands and inland seas, or lakes, on the shores of which there was white sand.

3d, That in the lakes and rivers there were salmon, and all other kinds of fish.

4th, That at that time there were found whales, which were cast ashore by the flood.

5th, That the country produced excellent fruit, and that corn grew spontaneously in the fields.

6th, That the dew which fell in the morning on the grass was very sweet.

7th, That the country was very fruitful, and produced grapevines, and also abundance of fish and other riches.

8th, That there was no hard frost in the country; so that the grass suffered very little in the winter, and the cattle did not want food.

9th, That the days were longer than in Greenland and Iceland, and the sun rose at breakfast-time when the days were shortest.

10th, That the inhabitants made use of bows and arrows for their weapons, with which they made war, and fought against the Norwegians.

11th, That they crossed the water with canoes made of the bark of trees.

12th, That they took with them burdens and packages, consisting of squirrel and sable skins, and all other kinds of peltry, which they offered to the Norwegians in the way of trade.

13th, That at first they desired to have arms in exchange for their goods ; but, after they had tasted milk, they would not have any thing else.

14th, That they were much frightened by the bellowing of the bulls which the Norwegians brought with them, and, when they heard them, they would run away.

15th, That they wondered much at the arms of the Norwegians, and were afraid of them, &c.

That the said Wineland the Good can be no other than America, is also maintained by the learned professor, O. Werelius, as may be seen in his notes to Hervor's History, p. 27. It is probable that the part of Greenland whence those men 6ailed over to America is very near to that continent, as may be seen, as well in the place above quoted from the said Sturleson, as in Jons Larssons Wolffs " Norrigia Illustrate," published in Danish, at Copenhagen, in the year 1651, which was communicated to me, amongst other things, by the celebrated professor of antiquities, E. Brenner. It is there mentioned that some travellers were permitted by King Frederick the Second, and Christian the Fourth of Denmark, to go to Greenland ; but they went to America, believing it to be Greenland, as may be seen in the same work, p. 273. That part of Greenland is at present unknown, so that no man at present can find it ; because, according to some, a great quantity of ice was driven, by some storm, out of the Sea of Tartary, which has intercepted the passage. It is supposed that the people who lived there abandoned their habitations, and, as the learned Grotius believes, travelled farther into the country, until, at last, they reached America, a part of whose inhabitants is, without doubt, descended from them."