A view of the United States ...

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Introduction

In the education of young persons it is highly important to associate their duties as men and citizens with the aspect, history, institutions, and pursuits of the country to which they belong. For this reason, I propose to give a view of the United States, for the entertainment and instruction of youth.

In the first place, I shall give a view of the country as it appeared before it was settled by white men, including some account of the ancient inhabitants. I shall then give a general description of the country as it now is ; and afterward a particular account of the several states in their order, beginning with the oldest. In the course of the work I shall endeavour to explain the government of the United States ; and shall speak of the duties, moral and civil, which every good citizen is concerned to know and perform.

iv INTRODUCTION.

An important object of the work will be to impress the minds of the young with the distinguishing goodness of Divine Providence in giving them birth and dwelling in this country, and thus to lead them to consider and adopt a course of conduct, most obviously connected with their own happiness and with the general welfare.

Contents

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Introduction . . . . .... ... iv

Boundaries of the United States. — Appearance of the Country before its Settlement by White Men 5

Chapter I

BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES— APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY BEFORE ITS SETTLEMENT BY WHITE MEN.

The United States of America are a vast country, comprising by far the best part of the American continent. They are bounded on the north, by what is called British America ; on the east, by the Atlantic Ocean ; on the south, by the Gulf of Mexico, and a country of the same name ; and on the west, by the Pacific Ocean.

By looking at the map, it will be seen that this extensive country is divided into two parts by the river Missisippi, which flows through it from north to south. It is in that part of the country which is east of the Missisippi, that most of the people of the United States are settled. The country west of the Missisippi, except in a few places on its banks, and along some of its principal branches, is still destitute of white inhabitants.

It is now a little more than two hundred years since white men began to settle in the United States. When they first came hither, there were no towns, villages, roads, nor cultivated lands, as we have them now. The country was one vast wilderness ; it was almost all covered with woods ; the people were savage, and the animals all wild.

Near the sea, however, and on the borders of creeks and rivers running into the sea, there were then, as there now are, considerable tracts of land occasionally overflowed by the tide, and destitute of trees.* Far in the country toward the Missisippi, there were also meadows destitute of trees, and covered wholly with thick, tall grass.f There were, moreover, many places where the trees had been cleared away by the ancient inhabitants, for the purpose of raising their corn and vegetables, as well as for placing their houses. But the land not covered with woods, made up a very small part of the whole. Taken altogether, the country, east of the Missisippi, appeared like one great extended forest, abundantly supplied with wild beasts and wild fowls ; but very thinly inhabited by various tribes of men, whom the white people called Indians. The ancient inhabitants were called Indians, because when America was first discovered by white people, it was supposed to be a part of the country already known by the name of India.

In the first and second chapters of the Bible we read, you know, of the formation of the first man and of the first woman ; and in the New Testament we are told, that " God hath made of one blood all the nations to dwell on the face of the earth." And all nations of the earth have descended from Adam and Eve, as the first parents. But how the ancient inhabitants of this country came hither, we are unable to tell ; and how long they had been here, when the white people came, we are also

* These tracts are now called salt marshes, and they produce a valuable grass, of which salt hay is made.

f These meadows are now called prairies. Some of them are small, and others of very great extent. Prairie is a French word, signifying meadow.

unable to tell. The Indians themselves, being savage and ignorant, could give no very probable account of the way and manner in which their forefathers came to America. Learned men have taken much pains to find out how they came, and have mentioned several ways in which they possibly might have come ; but this matter is still very doubtful. All we know with certainty about it is, that the Indians were already here when the white people arrived, and appeared to have been here a great many ages.*

How are the United States bounded ?

How, and by what, is the country divided ? In what part are the white people settled ? When did they begin to settle in the United States ? What was the appearance of the country ? Why were the ancient inhabitants called Indians ?

What is said of the time and manner in which the ancient inhabitants came to America 1

Chapter II. Description Of The Ancient Inhabitants

The Indians who were found in possession of the country, when it was discovered by white people, were a tall, well-formed race, of a reddish brown, or copper complexion. They had black eyes, their hair was black, long, and straight, and their teeth very white and beautiful. They possessed great activity and strength, were capable of severe toil, and of going long without food. But like all savage nations, they were extremely fond of ease ; and, except when compelled to engage in war, or

* The most probable supposition is, that the Indians came to America from the north-east part of Asia, where the shores of Asia and America approach near to each other.

in hunting and fishing, they passed most of their time in idleness.

The houses of the Indians were small, smoky huts, made in a rude manner of young trees and bushes, and covered with bark, or with mats. These huts were called wigwams ; and commonly had only one room, and neither floor nor chimney. The fire was made on the ground in the middle of the wigwam, and the smoke passed through a hole made for that purpose in the roof or top. The Indians sat and slept on mats and skins, and in the winter they lay with the feet toward the fire. They had neither stools, chairs, nor tables, and their utensils for cooking were very rude. Their pots for boiling were hollowed out of soft stone, but were not strong enough to bear the fire ; water was made to boil in these pots, by putting small red-hot stones into it. Flesh and fish were broiled on the coals, or roasted by being held to the fire on the end of a stick. These made up the greater part of their food. They raised, however, a few squashes and beans, and a little corn ; and gathered berries and wild fruits from the woods.

The dress of the Indians consisted of skins and furs ; but in the summer they went almost naked. They wore a sort of shoes called moccasons, which they ornamented with great care and art. The men plucked out their beards and cut off their hair, except a lock on the top of the head. This they twisted with feathers and beads. They were in the habit of painting their bodies with different colours, as black, white, and red, especially on going to war.

The chief employment of the men was hunting and fishing. In hunting they made use of the bow and arrow,

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and could shoot with great skill. Their bows were made of ash, walnut, hickory, or other suitable wood, and their bow-strings of the sinews of animals. The heads of their arrows were made of flint-stone, and fastened on in a very curious manner with the sinews of the deer. Animals were also caught by the Indians in various snares and traps. Fish were taken with hooks made of bone, or else in a sort of net made of twigs. The Indians had no iron, nor other hard metal. Their axes, hatchets, and chisels, were of stone. They made beautiful canoes, or boats, by hollowing out the bodies of large trees, or by sewing together large pieces of birch bark, and stiffening them with strips of wood.

While the men did the hunting and fishing, the women were obliged to bring water and wood, and cultivate the ground. They had no better plough than a stick, and no better hoe than a clam-shell. The little corn they raised was pounded into coarse meal, and made into bread, which was baked on a flat stone before the fire.

In the manufacture of weapons and ornaments, the Indians discovered considerable ingenuity and skill ; but in general they were extremely ignorant, and destitute of all the luxuries, and most of the conveniences of life. They knew nothing of writing or reading ; and were entirely ignorant of true religion. They paid a sort of worship, however, to two imaginary beings, whom they considered as gods, the one good and the other evil. But all their ideas of the world to come were very erroneous.

The Indians were grave, dignified in look and gesture, reserved, and silent. They were very revengeful, and never forgave an injury ; they were very grateful, and b2 seldom forgot a benefit. They were artful, crafty, fierce, and easily offended ; but they were kind and hospitable to strangers. Their principal amusement was dancing. This exercise was accompanied with songs and a rude kind of music. They had many kinds of dances ; but the most famous was the war dance, in which they were armed and painted, and went through with the representation of a battle, or of a number of battles.

From shells of different colours, found upon the sea shore and elsewhere, the Indians manufactured beads, which, when strung together, were called wampum. By uniting several strings of these beads, they made belts, which they often wrought with much labour and art, and considered of great value. Wampum was used as money, and for other important purposes. Whenever peace was made between tribes at war with each other, belts of wampum were exchanged between the warriors.

The Indians were extremely fond of smoking tobacco. The bowls of their pipes were of stone, and often ingeniously wrought ; the stems were of wood, and highly ornamented. When peace was concluded between two hostile tribes, or other friendly business transacted, the calumet, or pipe of peace, was smoked with much ceremony. They were divided into a great number of tribes, some pretty large, and many very small. Their little towns or villages, built without order, were commonly placed near the sea, a lake, or the falls of a river, for the convenience of fishing. Those who excelled most in hunting and war, became sachems or chiefs, and governed the tribes. The Indians were much addicted to war, which they always carried on with the

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greatest hatred, rage, and cruelty. In these respects, however, they resembled all savage nations.

What is said of the form and complexion of the Indians ? Of the manner of passing their time 1 Of their dwellings, cooking utensils, and food 1 Of their dress and personal appearance ? Of their manner of taking animals and fish 1

By whom was the ground cultivated, and what was raised upon it ?

What is said of their education and religion ? Of their manners and disposition 1 Of their money 1 Of their ceremonies when they make peace ?

How were they formed into societies 7 and by whom were they governed,

CHAPTER 111.

WILD ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND FOREST TREES.

Of the wild animals formerly found in the United States, and most of which are still numerous in the unsettled parts of the country, the most remarkable are the buffalo, deer, wolf, bear, catamount, panther, and beaver.

BUFFALO.

The buffalo in size is equal to an ox. Its colour is a brownish gray, and much of its hair is fine, like wool.

The head of the buffalo is covered with long, shaggy, and coarse hair, the horns are small and short, the eyes little and fierce, and the animal altogether has a very wild and savage appearance. The flesh of the buffalo is excellent for food ; and the skins, commonly called buffalo robes, are very valuable. Buffaloes feed and move together in vast herds ; they were formerly found in almost every part of the United States, except New-England 5* but they are now rarely seen east of the river Missisippi.

Of the deer there are various kinds, namely, the red deer, moose, or elk, and some others. These animals live together in herds, and feed upon grass and herbs in the summer, and in the winter upon the bark and buds of trees. The male of these animals has branching horns, which fall off every year. The female is without horns ; and the flesh of both is very valuable for food. The males of the moose, or elk, are frequently taller than a horse, with straight and s)ender legs, and hoofs like a sheep. Animals of the deer kind leap or run with great speed.

The bears are of two kinds, the black bear and the brown bear. Both kinds are nearly of the same size ; and in shape, as well as in size, somewhat resemble a hog. The black bear has short legs, and is commonly very fat. He feeds upon roots and plants, upon corn, berries, and grapes. The body of the brown bear is leaner, and his legs longer. He feeds upon the flesh of the deer and other animals.

Wolves were formerly very common, and in the unsettled parts of the country are so still. In shape and size they resemble large dogs. Their colour is gray.

* Kew-England is a name given to the six north-eastern states.

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They feed principally upon the deer ; but in newly settled countries they are often very destructive to flocks of sheep.

WOLF.

The catamount and panther are both fierce animals of the cat kind 5 and in many respects much alike. The catamount was found principally in the north-eastern part of the United States, and the panther in the south and west. Their shape is very much like that of the common cat ; but their size is much greater. Their legs are short ; and their paws large, and armed with stout long claws. They conceal themselves among the branches of trees, and leap out with amazing swiftness upon their prey. The catamount is now rarely seen ; but the panther is common in the western forests. These are the most terrific of our animals.

One of the most singular and interesting animals of this country is the beaver, celebrated for its fine and beautiful fur. Beavers build their winter dwellings near the edge of a pond, which they form by damming up a small stream. Their houses are constructed of sticks and mud, have regular arched roofs, and are sometimes of two or three stories. The lower story is under water, and is filled with a supply of food for the winter, consisting of bark, young willow twigs, and of other soft wood. The beaver is now very rarely found in those parts of the country which have been settled by white people. In the older settlements it is never seen.

Beside the animals already mentioned, there are several kinds of foxes and squirrels ; there are also the martin, otter, mink, and musk rat ; the rabbit, skunk, and raccoon 5 the wild cat, lynx, and many others.

H

WILD CAT.

The birds of this country are very numerous, and some of them remarkably large and beautiful. There are several kinds of hawks, eagles, and owls, wkich are all birds of prey, and live by catching other birds and small animals. There is, also, a great variety of water-fowl : the swan, a stately bird of a brilliant white ; the crane, a fine tall bird, with smooth oily feathers of a grayish white ; the

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wild goose, many kinds of ducks, and the pelican. The pelican has a white bill, very white plumage, and is equal in size to a goose. Below the bill it has a pouch, or bag, large enough to contain two quarts. Pelicans, and many other kinds of water-fowl, are found in immense flocks on the Missisippi and its branches.

PELICAN AND CRANE.

Of the birds, not birds of prey, inhabiting the woods, the principal are the wild turkey, a noble bird of a shining black plumage, and much larger than the domestic turkey ; the partridge, the quail, and immense flocks of pigeons.

The forests of this country produce a great variety of trees, most of which make excellent timber. There are more than forty kinds of oaks, and several kinds of pine, walnut, hickory, and maple. Besides these, there are the hemlock, spruce, cedar, birch, elm, ash, locust, tuliptree, sycamore or button-wood ; and in the more southern parts, several kinds of magnolia, the cotton-wood, cypress, live-oak, and the catalpa.

From the imperfect view taken in this chapter, we have evidence of the great bounty of the Creator to our country, in point of animal and vegetable productions. In its most uncultivated state it afforded abundantproof of being fitted to become the happy residence of civilized men.

What are the principal wild animals of the United States ? What is said of the buffalo ? The deer ? The bear ? The wolf? The catamount ? The panther ? The beaver ? What other animals ? What is said of the birds 1 Of forest trees 1

Chapter IV. Settlement Of The Country By White People

The settlement of this country by white men has made a great change in its appearance. The woods have been cleared away, roads opened, towns built, and the lands cultivated. The Indians and the wild animals have gradually disappeared, as the white men have extended their settlements ; and the settlements of the white men, though already covering a vast extent of country, are still rapidly advancing. Where, only a few years ago, there was nothing but one continued wilderness, there now are large and populous states ; and the comforts and privileges of civilized life are possessed by hundreds of thousands, in places but lately the abodes of savage beasts and of savage men.

The first settlements in this country were made by people from England, and from other countries of Europe. Europe is on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean, about three thousand miles from the United States. These settlements were called colonies. For a long time their growth was much hindered by wars with the Indians, and by other difficulties necessarily attending the settlement of a new country. In the course of one hundred and fifty years, however, the white inhabitants had spread over a very considerable extent of country along the shores of the Atlantic. Their number had increased to about three millions. Till this time the several colonies had lived under governments of their own, in some degree resembling the governments of the several states now ; the colonial governments, however, were all under the government of Great Britain, and Great Britain was called the mother country. But laws having been passed by the British government for the purpose of taxing the colonies without their own consent, they united together to resist these laws ; and on the fourth of July, 1776, th^ir representatives in Congress declared the colonies to be free and independent states. At this time they took the name or title of the United States of America. The government of Great Britain had begun a war with the colonies the year before. This war, commonly called the revolutionary war, lasted eight years. The excellent Washington commanded our armies, and the people were supported by a kind Providence through a long course of trials and sufferings. At length, Great Britain was compelled to acknowledge the independence of the United States, and to leave them at liberty to form and enjoy a government of their own. The government of the United States was at first very imperfect: but in the year 1789, rather more than forty years ago, the excellent system of government we now enjoy was adopted, and George Washington was chosen first President of the United States.

Since the adoption of the present form of government, c which will be explained in another place, the country has rapidly increased in population and wealth, and the settlements have been very greatly extended. At first there were only thirteen states : there are now twenty-four. At the close of the revolutionary war, the number of inhabitants did not much exceed three millions : the United States now contain thirteen millions of people. The territory of the United States was at first bounded, on the west by the Missisippi, and on the south by the territory of Florida; but in the year 1803, the country west of the Missisippi was purchased of the French government; and FJorida was obtained of the Spanish government in the year 1821. The wealth and importance of the United States have increased with the number of people; and although great improvements in arts and in the means of education, intellectual and moral, have been already made, yet in each of these respects the nation is still making rapid progress.

By whom were the first settlements of white people made in this country ?

In how long a time did the number of people increase to three millions ?

How were the colonies governed 1

What caused them to resist the government of Great Britain ?

When were the colonies declared to be free and independent ?

What name or title did they take 1

When did the revolutionary war begin ?

How long did it last 1

Who commanded our armies ?

When was the present government of the United States adopted ?

Who was the first President ?

What is said of the progress of the country?

How many states were there at first 1

How many are there now ?

What is the present number of people ?

How were the United States at first bounded ?

When and of whom were the additional territories purchased ?

Chapter V. Extent Of The United States— Civil Divisions

It lias already been said that the extent of the United States is very great. This vast country stretches four thousand miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Its eastern coast along the Atlantic is eighteen hundred miles in extent, and its western coast extends six hundred miles along the shores of the Pacific. The whole area or surface of the United States, contains more than two millions of square miles.* Only a small part of the country is yet settled by white men, the settled part being little more than a quarter of the whole.

Beside the district of Columbia, the country is divided into twenty-four states, four organized territories, and the territories of Missouri and Oregon. An organized territory is a territory having white inhabitants and a regular government, under the government of the United States. The territories of Missouri and Oregon are of greater extent than all the rest of the country ; but they remain, as yet, a wilderness, inhabited only by wild animals and a few wandering tribes of Indian. .

The situation of each state and territory will be best learned by studying the map. A knowledge of the situation of each is necessary for well understanding this chapter, and most of those which follow it. Before proceeding further, therefore, the pupil will do well to learn the boundaries and situation of each state and territory, and which way it is from each of the others. To assist

* A square mile is a mile long and a mile wide ; containing six hundred and forty acres.

him in this, a list of questions on the map of the United States is given at the end of the book.

The thirteen original states, that is, the states settled before the revolutionary war, and then called colonies, are New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode- Island, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The states since added, and often called the new states, are Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio? Louisiana, Indiana, Missisippi, Illinois,* Alabama, Maine, and Missouri. The four organized territories are Florida, Arkansas,! Michigan, and Huron. The district of Columbia, in which is the city of Washington, the capital of the United States, is only ten miles square, and is situated between Maryland and Virginia.

By looking at the map, it will be seen that the states are of very different sizes. Some of the old states are very small : the new states, except Vermont, are all large. The importance of a state, however, does not always depend upon its size. Massachusetts, for example, has more inhabitants and wealth, and is at present far more important, than Missouri, although Missouri is eight times larger.

All the states, except Louisiana, are divided into counties. Part of Louisiana, instead of counties, is divided into parishes* In the New-England states the counties are subdivided into towns, and in some of the other states into townships. J South of Pennsylvania, though villages and towns have names of their own, yet the only division for purposes of government is into counties.

% The towns in the New-ftngland states are smaller in extent than what are called townships in other states.

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What is the extent of the United States from east to west?

How long the eastern coast 1 How long the western ?

How many square miles in the United States 1

What part of the whole country is settled ?

Into how many states and territories are the United States divided ?

What is an organized territory ?

Give the names of the thirteen original states.

Give the names of those added since.

What is said of the territories of Missouri and Oregon ?

How large is the district of Colombia? Where is it situated, and what

city does it contain ?

What is said of the relative sizes of the states 1 How are states divided for purposes of government ?

CHAPTER IV.

SURFACE OF THE UNITED STATES.

The north-eastern part of the United States, including New-England and New- York, is generally hilly, and in many places mountainous. The White Mountains of

Comparative height of Mountains.

New-Hampshire (5) are the highest land east of the Missisippi. Some of them are more than a mile high, The Green Mountains of Vermont (6, 7, 8,) and the

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Catskill Mountains of New- York, are of considerable extent, and have a number of lofty summits. Farther south begins a very long chain of mountains, called the Allegany Mountains (11). By looking at the map it will be seen that this chain extends to the south-west as far as Alabama ; and that it passes through several of the states. Its general direction is the same as that of the sea-shore ; but toward the south its distance from the shore gradually increases. The Allegany Mountains consists cf a number of ridges, from six to twelve, running generally the same way, with narrow valleys between them. Several of these ridges have names of their own ; as the Laurel Mountains and Blue Ridge (12) in Virginia, and the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee. The Allegany Mountains have no very high summits. The peaks of Otter (9) in Virginia, which are among the highest, are a little more than half a mile high.

Most of our rivers which fall into the Atlantic, begin in the valleys among the Allegany Mountains. The channels in which they pass through the mountains, are often several hundred feet deep, and through solid rock. The passage of a river through one of these rocky channels makes a grand appearance. The country lying between the Allegany Mountains and the sea consists of two parts y the one hilly and the other plain. The hilly country, which lies along the foot of the mountains, is very fertile and beautiful. The plain country, which extends from the hilly country to the sea, and includes a wide belt, beginning with the southern half of New-Jersey, and ending with the peninsula of Florida, is very low and leveL It is generally sandy, and not fertile except on the banks of rivers, where is found some very rich soil. In many places are very extensive swamps and marshes, produced by the overflowing of the rivers. The country thus far described is called the Atlantic part of the United States, and most of the rivers by which it is watered fall into the Atlantic Ocean. Compared with the whole surface of the United States, its extent is very smell, as may be seen by looking at the map ; but it is much more thickly inhabited, and has a much greater number of people, than the territory west of it.

West of the Allegany Mountains, the surface of the country is generally level. There are some hills, but they are mostly round and swelling, and neither high nor steep. This level country extends west of the Missisippi as far as the Rocky Mountains. It is principally watered by the Missisippi and its branches, and on this account is called the Missisippi Valley. It is a very extensive, as well as a very interesting part, of the United States.