History of the United States of America

Preface

The following work is offered to those, who, not wishing to withhold from the reader or student, the knowledge of the American wars, regard it as important that this knowledge be communicated in such a manner as to strengthen a love of peace, and to excite reflections' not inconsistent with those suggested by the words of the apostle, " Whence come w^ars and fightings among you ? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members ? "

The most approved authors have been consulted to obtain accurate information on all subjects worthy of notice in a work on American History, some of which are not usually embraced in similar works ; such, for example, as the United States Exploring Expedition and the Manners and Customs of the North American

IV PREFACE.

Indians. At the same time much which has appeared uninteresting and useless has been omitted. Where authorities have differed, great care has been especially taken to consult the best sources of knowledge.

The facts given in the account of the Mexican war, are derived chiefly from the works of Jay and Liver- .more. Histories may hereafter be written, which shall give a different view of the causes which led to this war, by persons who adopt the motto, "Our country, right or wrong." The writer of the following work, not approving a motto so evidently at variance with universal and eternal justice, has endeavored to treat both governments with impartiality in the delineation of the war and its causes.

AUTHORITIES,

The following are some of the Authorities made use of : — Robertson's America.

Bancroft's United States.

Frost's United States.

Hinton's United States.

Marshall's Life of Washington.

McIntosh's Indians.

North American Review.

Review of Graham's Colonial History.

Jay's Review of the Mexican War.

Livermore's Review of the Mexican War.

CONTENTS,

CHAPTER I. Discovery of America, 1

CHAPTER n.

Attempts at Colonization, 21

CHAPTER m.

Colonization of Virginia — Early History of Jamestown, 29

CHAPTER lY.

State of the Continent, when first visited by Europeans —

Some account of the North American Indians,- • • * 48

CHAPTER V.

Virginia, (continued,) 57

YUl CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Aa.

Colonization of IVIaryland, 62

CHAPTER Vn.

Attempts to colonize New England — The Pilgrims,- • • • 71

CHAPTER .Vm.

Further Colonization of New England, 83

CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER X.

The United Colonies of New England, (continued,)- • • • 108

CHAPTER XL New England, (continued,) -- 124

CHAPTER Xn.

New Netherlands, until its final transfer to England,- • • - 136

CHAPTER Xm.

New Jersey, as a separate Province, 146

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTEK XIV.

New York, continued from New Netherlands, 149

CHAPTER XV.

Carolina, 153

CHAPTER XVI.

Pennsylvania and Delaware, 161

CHAPTER XVn.

Georgia, 172

CHAPTER XVm.

The French War, and some of the causes which led to it, 1 76

CHAPTER XIX.

Difficulties with the British Government, — From 176-i to

1775, • 191

CHAPTER XX.

War— The Revolution, 212

CHAPTER XXL

Continuation of the Revolutionary War — Declaration of

Independence, 225

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK XXII.

Continuation of tlie War, 230

CHAPTER XXIII.

Campaign of 1778 and 1779, 260

CHAPTER XXIV.

Campaign of 1780, 276

CHAPTER XXV.

Campaign of 1781 — Conclusion of tlie AVar — Treaty of

Peace signed, 293

CHAPTER XXVI,

Adoption of the Federal Constitution, and Administration

of George AVasliington, 313

CHAPTER XXVII.

Administration of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and

James Madison, 338

CHAPTER XXVIII.

War of 1812, 364

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XXIX.

From the Treaty of Peace with England in 1815, to the

Mexican Controversy, 388

CHAPTER XXX.

The MexicanWar, with some of the causes which led to it, 403

CHAPTER XXXI.

Exploring Exjfedition under Captain Wilkes, 432

CHAPTER XXXH.

ConclusioH, 437 ii

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER I.

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.

The country in which we live, teeming with a thriving population, studded with cities, towns and villages, was, in all probability, unknown to the ancients ; and was mostly one vast wilderness, frequented by wild beasts, and inhabited only by tribes of Indians, savage and warlike, who subsisted by hunting and fishing. It was discovered in 1492.* Previously to that time mariners were accustomed to short voyages only, and seldom ventured out of sight of land. But the spirit of adventure was high in the wish to find a more direct passage by water to India, the trade with which was then

* The Norwegians and Icelanders have claimed the honor of having first discovered the American continent. The Royal Antiquarian Society at Copenhagen has published some of the Icelandic authorities, which seem to render it quite probable that Greenland was visited by a party from Iceland as early as 986 ; and that in the year 1000, an. exploring voyage was made by Norwegians, in which the company proceeded as far south as Labrador and Newfoundland, and possibly Nantucket.

It is stated that several voyages were made, and that a colony existed for several years in Greenland. But there is no reason to suppose that Columbus had any knowledge of these explorations.

Christopher Columbus. Sails from Palos.

conducted over land, attended witb great expense and danger. For this purpose Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, first conceived the design of venturing into the unexplored waters of the ocean. He was a navigator of great skill, and a man of a bold, enterprising and persevering spirit.

There were some indications which had tended strongly to incite a spirit of inquiry. Pieces of carved wood, a canoe and two human bodies, different in complexion from any Europeans, had been washed upon the shores of islands in the neighborhood of Europe. The shape of the earth was then known to be round, and Columbus was thus induced to think that the East Indies might be reached by sailing west. In pursuance of this opinion he applied to the king of Portugal for aid, but the subject was treated with ridicule. Persevering in his efforts, Columbus sent his brother to Henry VII of England. The voyage was attended with so much delay, that the favorable views of that monarch did not become known to Columbus until after his return from the first voyage, when the discovery had been made.

This indefatigable man, after the failure of his application to the court of Portuojal, sou2;ht assistance from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. At first they also regarded the idea as chimerical, but by the representations of Columbus, the queen, after a long delay, was induced to lend him all the assistance in her power, even offering to pledge her jewels for this purpose. By her directions three small vessels were fitted out. They were provided for twelve months, and had on board one hundred and twenty persons. AVith these, Columbus sailed for the Canary Islands, from the port of Palos, in Spain, on the 8d of Eighth month, (Aug.,) 1492. At these islands ho stopped to refit, and sailed again en the 6th of Nintli month, (Sept.,) into a wide and

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 15

Discontent of the seamen. Discovery of land.

unexplored sea. In about eight da^s, when they had pro- 1492 ceeded six hundred miles, the compass was observed to vary from its direction to the north polar star. This alarmed them much. It was totally unaccountable, never having before been observed. With difficulty Columbus allayed their fears, being unable himself to explain the cause. He appears to have satisfied them, by telling them that the star had motion, and not the needle. Not however meeting with land as soon as they had anticipated, they again became uneasy, showed symptoms of insubordination, and agreed among themselves that Columbus should be forced to relinquish the undertaking, and even talked of throwing him into the sea. Amidst all the difficulties and dangers of his situation, Columbus appeared calm and composed, and displayed those traits of character which proved his qualification for the undertaking ; sometimes by assuming a tone of authority, again by soothing his companions, he preserved his ascendency. Meanwhile they proceeded, and signs of land began to appear. Flocks of birds were observed; a piece of cane freshly cut was taken up ; the water had become more shallow. These and other indications satisfied Columbus that land was not far distant ; but his unbelieving mariners still demanded to be taken back to Spain ; and it required all the energy and tact of which Columbus was master, to obtain their consent to persevere a little longer. Soon afterwards, at night, a light was seen at a distance, giving evidence not only of land, but of inhabitants also. A little after midnight, a gun from the foremost vessel proved the land to be in sight, and when the day dawned, an island was in full view about two leagues to the north. On the morning of the 12th of Tenth month, (Oct.,) about seventy days from the time they left Spain, the boats were manned.

Return of Columbus. Amerigo Vespucci.

1492 and the Spaniards rowed to the shore, bearing the royal standard. Columbus first set foot on the island, and took possession in the name of the Spanish sovereigns.

The natives, who had assembled in great numbers on the first appearance of the ships, beheld the strangers with astonishment, not being aware of the existence of any country from which they could have arrived. They regarded them as beings of a superior order, who came rather to confer benefits than to despoil them of their land.

The island was called by the natives Guanahani ; Columbus gave to it the name of St. Salvador. It is one of the l^ahamas, distant about three thousand miles from the Canaries.

Columbus afterwards touched at other islands of the same group, and also discovered Cuba and Hayti, to the latter of which he gave the name of Hispaniola, when the eagerness of his men to return to their native country induced him to make preparations for departure. These islands Columbus supposed to be at no very great distance from India, and, having been reached by a western passage, they were called the West Indies.

The return of Columbus with the news of the discovery, filled the kingdom with astonishment and joy ; and he received many proofs of royal favor, proportioned to the magnitude of his services. He made three voyages, and in 1498, he reached South America, at the mouth of the river Orinoco.

Columbus, although the discoverer of America, was prevented from giving a name to the continent. Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine, visited the country some years afterwards, and on his return published an account of his voyage, with observations on the natural productions of the places which he had visited, the inhabitants and their customs. This was

DISCOVERY OP AMERICA. 17

Gabofc discovers the continent. The coast explored.

the first narrative given to the public, and led to the idea that the author was the real discoverer, and the continent, in consequence, received the name of America.

Columbus was also deprived of the rewards promised by Ferdinand and Isabella, and "after having attracted the admiration and applause of the whole civilized world by the brilliancy of his achievements, he was suffered to die in comparative poverty and neglect."

Soon after the return of Columbus from his first voj^age, 1497 John Cabot, a Venetian by birth, resident in England, interested Henry VII in plans for discovery. In the year 1497, accompanied by his son Sebastian, he crossed the Atlantic, discovered the Island of Newfoundland, and arrived at the continent in the neighborhood of lat. 56^. In the hope of discovering a northwest passage to India, they then sailed to the north a short distance ; but returning, cruised along the coast as far south as Florida. It was in consequence of discoveries made during this voyage, that England laid claim to the eastern part of the continent of North America, not considering that the soil was already owned by those who occupied it, and from whom it could only rightfully be obtained by purchase.

Sebastian Cabot, a native of England, pursued the discoveries which his father had begun, and explored the coast from Labrador to the southern boundary of Maryland ; but the maps which he made, as well as the records of the voyage, have in some way been lost.

These successful explorations were the means of inciting 1523 other adventurers into the newly discovered world. In the year 1523, Francis I, king of France, sent John Verrazzani, also a native of Florence, on a voyage of discovery to the regions which had excited so much wonder and ambition. He

Florida. Search for gold.

1523 cast anchor on the shores of North Carolina, where Europeans liad never landed, and was received with kindness by the natives, who had not yet learned to fear the white man. Proceeding northward, the coast was explored as far as Nova Scotia.

Voyages to America now became frequent. Some were for fishing, others for trading with the natives, and attempts soon began to be made to plant colonies, many of which were without permanent result.

Florida was discovered under the auspices of Spain, in the year 1512, but no settlement was made for many years. The Spaniards gave the country the name of Florida, from the day on which land was first seen, being that called Easter Sunday, Pascua Florida, as well as " from the aspect of the forests, which were then brilliant with a profusion of blossoms, and gay with the fresh verdure of early spring.*'

In 1541, adventurers from Spain also travelled westward beyond the Mississippi, in search of gold, disturbing the peaceful Indians in their course, taking many prisoners, putting some to death, and enslaving others. One of their battles was so terribly destructive to the Indians, that two thousand of their number are said to have been slain,

1541 suffocated or burned. In the course of the march of the Spaniards, natives were met with who were an agricultural people, with fixed places of abode. But neither the happiness, the rights nor even the lives of the Indians appear to have been at all regarded. Nothing having been met with to satisfy the avarice of the adventurers, their leader at length sunk under repeated disappointments, and the remnant of the company left the country, unable to possess themselves of the soil. The Spaniards claimed, under the name of Florida, the whole gea-coast as far as Newfoundland, but as yet had planned no settlement,

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 19

French Protestants in Florida. Settlement of St. Augustine.

Under the auspices of France, a colony of Protestants had 1564 sought an asylum in the peninsula of Florida. It had been a cherished desire of Coligny, the leader of the Protestant party in France, to establish a refuge for the Huguenots, and a Protestant French empire in the new world. The first expedition failed. In 1564, he renewed his solicitations with Charles IX for the colonization of Florida. The king approbated the measure. Emigrants were quite ready, for "men still dreamed of rich mines of gold in the interior," and Laudonniere was appointed to conduct them. They established themselves on the banks of the river now called St. Johns. The French were hospitably welcomed by the natives, but soon lost their confidence by unjust dealings with them. In the spring, supplies of every kind were received, with fresh emigrants, and Calvinism appeared about to become established in the inviting regions of Florida. But Spain had no inclination to surrender to France what she considered a portion of her dominions; neither would Philip II, the Spanish king, willingly permit heretics to plant themselves in the neighborhood of his Catholic provinces. An expedition for their extermination was accordingly fitted out in 1565. It had been the intention of Melendez, the Spanish commander, to select a favorable site for a settlement, and when fortifications had been constructed, to attack the French. After sailino- alon^^ the coast, they discovered a " fine haven and beautiful river," to which they gave the name of St. Augustine. 15G5 Having taken possession of the continent in the name of their king, they immediately commenced the foundation of the oldest town now existing in the United States, more than forty years before the first settlement in A^irginia. The French colony was soon attacked, the Spaniards gained the ascen-

Settlement of Port Royal.

dency, and a scene of carnage ensued in which nearly two hundred persons were killed. *' A few Catholics were spared ; some mechanics were reserved as slaves ; the rest were massacred." Thus ended the Huguenot settlement, and France resigned all claims to Florida.

In 1540, the French had made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a colony in Canada. For many years afterwards, being involved in difficulties at home, no further discoveries were made by that government. Under the enlightened reign of Henry lY, the spirit of enterprise and the hope of founding colonies in America, revived. An expedition was prepared, and resulted in the establishment, in 1605, of a colony, which they named Port Royal, afterwards called Annapolis, on a harbor in the Bay of Fundy ; difficult of access, but possessing some advantages. Thus was the first French settlement made on the American continent, three years before the founding of Quebec by the same nation, and two years before Jamestown was settled by the English.

In the establishment of all these colonies, the European monarchs seemed to forget that the natives of America had exclusive right to the soil, and appeared to think that they themselves could bestow the government on whomsoever they pleased ; the only claim required being to obtain possession before any other European power.

Chapter II. Attempts At Colonization

Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Walter Raleigh.

While the fisheries of Newfoundland were frequently 1579 visited, and the minerals of Labrador sought as containing gold, the attention of Sir Humphrey Gilbert was directed towards plans of colonization. He succeeded in obtaining a charter from Queen Elizabeth, and in 1570, sailed from England with a small fleet. But the wreck of one of his vessels, and other difficulties, obliged him, for the time, to relinquish the undertaking.

In 1583, a second expedition was fitted out by Sir 158r Humphrey Gilbert and his near relative, Walter Ptaleigh, attended with no other result, however, than the "empty ceremony " of taking possession of the Island of Newfoundland in the queen's name, and conve3;ing home some earth which was supposed to contain silver. On their return, the vessel in which Gilbert sailed was lost at sea, and all on board perished.

This sad incident did not discouraf^e Walter Raleifrh. He

D O

had taken part in the civil contests between the Huguenots and the Catholics in France, where he received information respecting Florida and the navigation to those regions, and resolved on the establishment of a settlement there, in order to secure to England those countries which had been represented as so delightful. He had no difficulty in obtaining from Elizabeth a patent as ample as that which had been

HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES.

Amadas and Barlow in Virginia, Colony of Roanoke.

conferred on Gilbert, and two vessels, well laden with men and provisions, and under the command of Philip iVmadas and Arthur Barlow, were soon on their way to the Western World.

1584 They took the usual route by the way of the Canary Islands and the West Indies, and after a short stay, arrived opposite the shores of Carolina in Seventh month, (July,) 1584, a little more than two months after leaving home. They sailed along the coast about one hundred miles in search of a convenient harbor, and landed on the Island of Wocoken, bordering Ocracock Inlet, taking possession in the usual manner, for the Queen of England. The English received a friendly welcome from the natives, whose timidity was overcome by the desire of trading. Having made but a short stay in America, and explored Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds and Ptoanoke Island, they returned to England, taking with them two of the Indians, who had been induced to accompany them. On their arrival, they gave such glowing descriptions of the country, its beauty, fertihty, mildness of climate and serenity of atmosphere, that Elizabeth, as a memorial that this happy discovery was made under a maiden queen, gave it the name of Virginia. Raleigh was knighted as the reward of his enterprise.

1585 Encouraged by this pleasing report, the next year, 1585, llaleigh sent to the shores-of Carolina, seven small vessels, with upwards of one hundred persons. Ralph Lane, a man of considerable distinction, was appointed governor of the colony, and Sir Richard Grenville, commander of the fleet. It sailed from Plymouth, accompanied by several men of eminence, among whom were Cavendish, who soon after circumnavigated the globe, and Hariot, a distinguished mathematician. Having arrived on the coast they were in much

ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION. 23

Treatment of the natives. Sketch of the Indians.

danger of being wrecked on the point of land, then first called 1585 Cape Fear, and passing through Ocracock Inlet, the fleet reached Roanoke.

Soon after landing, an excursion was made to examine the country. The party was "well entertained of the savages," but a trifling theft having occurred, Grenville ordered an Indian town to be burned, and the standing corn to be destroyed ; an act not only wrong in itself, but very impolitic, when the adventurers might, in a great measure, soon ■ be dependent upon the friendship of these sons of the forest. Soon after this, the colonists having landed, the fleet sailed for England ; and on their return, took a Spanish prize. The dangers of a passage across the Atlantic at this time were great, as the vessels of Spain and of England felt mutually authorized to attack each other whenever they met.

Hariot, Cavendish and other scientific men who remained in the colony, gave considerable attention to the examination of the country, its soil and productions, with a view of obtaining articles for commerce.

The Indians were divided into numerous small tribes, independent of one another, and arc described as too feeble to inspire terror. They were clothed in mantles and aprons of deer-skins. Their towns were small, the largest containing but thirty dwellings. The walls of the houses were made of bark, fastened to stakes.

They were not ignorant of religion, but had a confused belief in the existence of one Supreme Power, in continued existence after death, and in retributive justice in a future life.

The fire-arms of the English filled them with terror ; and the Indians began to dread their power. Fearing there were more of these wonderful people coming to kill them and take

Treachery of the English. Return of the Colonists,

1585 a^ay tbeir lands, they began to devise means to get rid of them.

Lane, governor of the colony, and his associates, infatuated with the desire of obtaining gold and silver, neglected the cultivation of the soil, and listening to the tales of the Indians concerning rich mines which were to be found in the interior, went in pursuit of the hidden treasure. The natives had hoped to destroy the colonists by thus dividing them ; but in this they were defeated, as Lane and his associates were soon compelled to return for want of provisions. The Indians next formed the design of leaving their lands unplanted, supposing that famine might drive away these intruders. This plan was not carried into effect, yet the English began to fear that a general conspiracy was preparing. Kequesling an audience of Wingina, the most active among the native chiefs, Lane and his attendants were received by him without suspicion, and although no hostile intentions were discovered, the English fell upon the king and his principal followers, putting them to death without mercy.

The colony was now assailed with hostility and famine. The men began to despond, and were longing for the comforts of the homes they had left, when Sir Francis Drake visited them with a fleet of twenty-three vessels, on his return from the "West Indies to England. lie supplied the governor with a bark containing all necessary provisions for the colony, and induced two sea-captains to remain to complete the surveys along the coast and rivers. Should their sufferings become extreme, the whole company were to return to England. But an unexpected storm destroyed the vessel containing their provisions; and although Drake devised means for supplying them a second time, yet their desire to leave the country was so strong that he yielded to it and conveyed

ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION. 25

Second colony on Roanoke.

them to their native land. The delay of a few days would have obviated this necessity, for a ship, laden with supplies, which had been sent out by Raleigh, then arrived, and in another fortnight Sir Richard Grenville reached there with three well-laden vessels. He left fifteen men on the Island of Roanoke, to retain possession in the name of England, and returned home.

The colonists on the Island of Roanoke, introduced into England the general use of tobacco, a favorite indulgence of the lethargic Indians.

Not discouraged by the unfavorable result of his efforts to establish colonies, Raleigh next determined to send out emigrants with wives and families, who should at once feel their homes to be in the new world, and be induced to devote their attention to agriculture. In 1587, with John White appointed as governor, the fleet set sail, carrying with them an 1587 ample provision of the implements of husbandry. They arrived at the Island of Roanoke about midsummer, and endeavored to find the small company left there by Grenville ; but of their fate they could learn nothing. "It is most probable that their misconduct had caused their dispersion, perhaps their death ; the bones of one person were seen." " Wild deer were reposing in the untenanted houses, and were feeding on the productions which a rank vegetation still forced from the gardens. No vestige of surviving life appeared."

Raleigh had designed that the new settlement should be made on the Chesapeake Bay, but the unwillingness of the commander to explore the coast, compelled them to remain on Roanoke. Here many hardships were encountered. Some of the Indians were friendly; others were fearful of the encroachments of strangers, and killed one of the party.

The Island found deserted.

This the Enj^lish determined to revenge, and meeting with a company of Indians whom they took for enemies, the work of destruction was begun before it was discovered that they belonged to a friendly tribe.

Thus with the existence of a mutual spirit of animosity, the colonists felt their dependence on England, and urged the governor to return in the vessel which had brought the emigrants, that he might intercede for supplies. On his departure, he left behind him his daughter, and his granddaughter, Virginia Dare, the first offspring of English parents on American soil.

When he arrived in England, the attention of the nation was excited with the threatened invasion of the great Spanish Armada. Raleigh, however, found means for sending two vessels vith supplies for the needy colony. But so great was the desire for Spanish prizes, that the governor and those entrusted with the vessels, neglected the object of their voj^age, until one of the vessels being boarded and rifled by a man-ofwar, they were both obliged to return to England. And when, after two years' delay, in 1590, White, the governor, returned to search for the colony, the island was found to be 1590 deserted. "An inscription on the bark of a tree pointed to Croatan ; but the season of the year, and the dangers from storms, were pleaded as an excuse for an immediate return. Had the emigrants already perished? or had they escaped with their lives to Croatan, and through the friendship of Manteo, become familiar with the Indians? The conjecture has been hazarded, that the deserted colony, neglected by their own countrymen, were hospitably adopted into the tribe of Hatteras Indians, and became amalgamated with the sons of the forest. This was the tradition of the natives at a later day, and was thought to be confirmed by the physical charac-

ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION. 27

GosnolJ explores part of the New England coast.

tor of the tribe, in which the En^^lish and the Indian race seemed to have been blended. Raleigh long cherished the hope of discovering some vestiges of their existence ; and though he had abandoned the design of colonizing Virginia, he yet sent, at his own charge, and, it is said, at five several times, to search for his liege-men. But it was all in vain ; imagination received no help in its attempts to trace the fate of the colony of Roanoke." *

In 1G02, Bartholomew Gosnold conceived the idea of a direct voyjige across the Atlantic, instead of the route pre- 1G02 viously pursued by the way of the Canaries and the West Indies. Sailing in a direct westwardly coast, in accordance with this view, he reached the continent in Massachusetts Bay. Proceeding southward, he discovered Cape Cod, the Elizabeth Islands, and Buzzard's Bay. Upon one of the Elizabeth Islands, the foundations of the first New Enirland colony were intended to be laid ; but dread of the Indians, and fears of not obtaining seasonable supplies of food, rendered the company unwilling to be left. "When GosnolJ, by traffic with the natives, had completed his freight, the whole party returned to England.

The favorable accounts given by Gosnold and his companions, induced others to pursue the discoveries. The reports made by these navigators, confirmed those previously given, and led to a more extensive scheme of colonizatioa than any that had yet been attempted.

" The daring and skill of these earliest adventurers upon the ocean, deserve the higliest admiration. The difficulties of crossing the Atlantic were new, and it required the greater couraj^e to encounter hazards which ignorance exajr^eiated.