Historical and revolutionary incidents of the early settlers of the United States, with biographical sketches of the lives of Allen, Boone, Kenton and other celebrted pioneers

Front matter

fflSTORICAL MD REVOLUTIONAET INCIDENTS

or TBB

EARLY SETTLERS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Preface

The following work contains an authentic narrative of many of the most remarkable and thrilling events which have occurred during the past history of the United States. Commencing with the formation of the London Emigration Company, which sent forth the first hardy and adventurous colonists to Virginia, it presents the most thrilling incidents and catastrophes of American history down to the conclusion of the second war between this country and England. Nor is the work confined merely to political and military history. It also presents a view of some of the most interesting religious and missionary movements which have been put forth at an early day for the conversion of the Indian tribes to Christianity.

An explanation, and perhaps an apology, may be necessary to justify the frequent use which the writer has made throughout the work of the word " Sam." If not properlv understood, this term will seem absurd and

4 PREFACE.

in bad taste ; if, on the contrary, the reader obtains the proper idea involved in it, and intended to be conveyed by it, it will not only appear justifiable but command his respect. In the popular phraseology of the day, this word has become familiar as the representative of the Government and the people of the United States. It involves also the idea of the native-born inhabitants of the land, in opposition to the foreign element which helps to make up the immense and heterogeneous aggregate of our existing population. In using this word " Sam," therefore, the author was justified, inasmuch as it is a term already familiar to most readers.

But the writer has somewhat enlarged and expanded the meaning which he attaches to this word. By it he intended to signify and embody the conception of "Young America," of the "Genius of American Liberty," of the " Onward Pathway of Destiny and Empire." All these grand and imposing conceptions the writer embodies, and wishes to express, by the use of this laconic epithet; and if the reader, in perusing these diversified and checkered pages, will bear this explanation in memory, he wiU in all cases readily penetrate the meaning of the writer, and never be incommoded by any apparent obscurity.

TABLE or CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Formation of the London Company for the Settlement of Virginia — Birthplace of Capt. John Smith, and early crosses — Enters the service of Austria — Single combats in presence of both armies — Prisoner among the Tartars — Romantic adventures and escape — Joins the London Company — Prisoner among the Indians — Saved from death by the youthful Pocahontas — Other achievements in America 9

Chapter II

Historical depreciation of " Sam's" Southern children — Abusive epithets current — Contrast with the first Northern Settlements — Who, apparently, under the ban of Providence ? — Who were the Discoverers and Explorers of the New World ? 17

Chapter III

Prosperity of the Colony of Jamestown under the rule of Capt. Smith — Sudden Treachery of the Indians and great Massacre of the Settlers 25

Chapter IV

Origin of " First Families" in Virginia — Auction of wives to the Virginians — " Sam's" idea of Aristocracy — Virginians obtain the right of trial by Jury — of Representative Government also — Religious toleration, first granted them, repealed 28

Chapter V

Repeal of Charter of London Company — The Bacon Rebellion — Death of Bacon, and character of same 33

Chapter VI

A new mystery — The rise of Luther, and Protestant wars — Advent of the mystery of Jesuitism 38

1* (5)

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

Life of Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Order — Spiritual exercises — The Weeks — The Contemplations — Loyola a Pilgrim to the Holy Places — His persecutions — His first disciples, Xavier, Le Fevre — Lainez and Rodriques vow to go to the Holy Land and convert Infidels — Vow of perpetual chastity and poverty — The vow of unquestioning obedience — Refusal of the Holy See to recognize the Order — Cunning vow of obedience to the Pope — Obtains his recognition — Bull of recognition. . . 42

Chapter VIII

The deadly war of the Jesuits against Protestantism continued iu the New World — Cant of Bancroft the Historian — Illustrations — Martyrdom ? — Facts and Motives of Jesuit Missions — League of the Iroquois — Intrigues of the Jesuits — First Intercolonial War — Predominance of Jesuit Instigation 52

Chapter IX

The Queen Ann's, or " Second Intercolonial War" between " Sam" and the Order of Jesuits — The Order not quite ready for formidable operations in the South — Retrospective glance at acts and influences of the Catholic Priesthood in Mexico from the Conquest — Evidence of Clavigero, the Catholic Historian of Mexico — The monstrous destruction of the archives of Historical Pictures in Yucatan by an " Ecclesiastic" — Destruction of the most precious Arts, which were common throughout Mexico 67

Chapter X

Vandalism of the Catholic Priesthood continued in New Mexico — Antiquarian researches concerning the first Missions to New Mexico — Conquest of California — Various efforts to penetrate the mysterious gold region by the Catholic governors of California — Extermination of the Catholic Spaniards of the Conquestator-Occupation — Hidden ruins and strange Traditions — Ruins of magnificent Catholic Cities — Marvelous treasures won by Cortez from Montezuma 72

Chapter XI

Alas, Poor Mexico ! — Marquette and Joliet — La Salle — His pretended retirement from the Order of Jesus — His Fur Monopoly — He descends the Mississippi to its mouth — His Death — Remarks — Commencement of the Second Intercolonial War 89

TABLE OP CONTENTS. ^

Condition of the Colonies at the conclusion of the Fourth Intercolonial War — Theory of the English Parliament — Grenville's Scheme of Colonial Taxation — Passage and Repeal of the Stamp Act 167

Chapter XV

Dawn of the Revolutionary Period — Humorous " History of John Bull's Children" — Contrast between causes which led to the Revolution of 1688 in England, and those which led to the American Revolution ; from Judge Drayton's Charge in 1776. 185

Chapter XVI

Townshend's Scheme of Colonial Taxation — Repeal of the new taxes, except that on Tea — Local Affairs — Trade of the Colonies — Attempt to collect the Tax on Tea — Reminiscences of the position of the Tea Ships at Boston — Destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor 196

Chapter XVII

The troubles thicken — Gage reinforced — Assembly of the first Continental Congress at Philadelphia 213

Chapter XVIII

Arnold's Defeat before Ticonderoga and Crown Point — Gage's Proclamation exempting from pardon John Hancock and Adams — Battle of Bunker Hill 239

Chapter XIX

The first Sea Fight, and origin of the United States Navy — Ethan Allen taken captive and sent to England — Capture of St. Johns and Montreal — The Expedition against Quebec — Reorganization of the Army — Lord Howe in Boston — Movements of the British in Virginia 259

8 TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XX.

The Settlements in the "West — Biography of Boone, by Himself — Biography of Simon Kenton 290

The Treaty with France — The Progress of the War, North and South — The Cowpens — Yorktown — Surrender of Oornwallis — Letter from General Washiiigton 350

Chapter XXIV

Trouble with the Indians — Tecumseh's League — General Harrison — Battles with the Indians — The British treat with them — Death of Tecumseh 365

CHAPTER XXY.

Causes of the War — Debates in Congress — Extracts from Mr. Clay's Speeches on the different phases of the War Question. . 391

HISTORICAL

AND

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS.

\ CHAPTER I.

Formatiox of the London Company for the Settlement of Virginia — Birthplace ofCapt. John Smith, and early crosses — Enters the service of Austria — Single combats in presence of both armies — Prisoner among the Tartars — Romantic adventures and escape — Joins the London Company — Pris«ner among the Indians — Saved from death by the youthful Pocahontas— Other achievements in America.

Prior to the year 1607, a period of one hundred and fifteen years froia the discovery of San Salvador, hy Columbus, attempts had been made to effect settlements in various parts of North Amerif^a ; but no one proved successful until the settlement at Janestown.

In 1606, King James I, of England, granted letters patent, an exclusive right or privilege, to two companies, called the London and Plymouth Companies, by which they were authorized to possess the lands in America, lying between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude ; the southern part called South Virginia, to the London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the Plymouth Company.

Under this patent the London Company sent Capt. Christopher Newport to Virginia, December 20, 1606, with a colony of one hundred and five persons to commence a settlement on the island Roanoke, now in North Carolina. After a tedious voyage of four months, by the circuitous route of the West Indies, he entered Chesapeake Bay, having been driven north of the place of his destination.

Here it was concluded to land ; and proceeding up a river, called by the Indians Powhattan, but by the colony, James river, on a beautiful peninsula, in May, 1607, they began the first permanent settlement in North America, and called it Jamestown.

The government of this colony was formed in England Ij the London Company. It consisted of a council of seven persons, appointed by the Company, with a president chosen by the council from their number, who had two votes. All natters of moment were examined by this council, and determmed by a majority. Capt. Newport brought over the names of this council, carefully sealed in a box, which was opened after their arrival.

Among the most enterprising and useful members of this colony, and one of its magistrates, was Captain John Smith. As he acted a distinguished part in the early history of the colony of Virginia, a brief sketch of his life will be interesting.

He was born in Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1579. From his earliest youth, he discovered a roving and romantic genius, and appeared irresistibly beut on extravagant and daring enterprises. At the age of thirteen, becoming tired of study, he disposed of his satchel and books, with the intention of escaping to sea ; but the death of his father just at that time, frustrated his plans for the present, and threw him upon guardians, who, to repress the waywardness of his genius, confined him to a counting-room. From a confinement so irksome, however, he contrived to escape not long after, and with ten shillings in his pocket, entered the train of a young nobleman traveling to France.

On their arrival at Orleans, he received a discharge from further attendance upon Lord Bertie, who advanced him money to return to England.

Smith had no wish, however, to return. With the money he had received he visited Paris, from which he proceeded to the low countries, where he enlisted into the service as a soldier. Having continued some time in this capacity, he was induced to accompany a gentleman to Scotland, who promised to recommend him to the notice of King James. Being disappointed, however, in this, he returned to England and visited the place of his birth. Not finding the company there tiiuit suited his romantic turn, he erected a booth in some wood, and in the manner of a recluse, retired from society, devoting himself to the study of military history and tactics, diverting himself at intervals with his horse and lance.

Recovering, about this time, a part of his father's estate,

Eevolutionary Incidents. It

■which had been in dispute, in 1596 he again commenced his travels, being then only seventeen years of age. His first .stage was Flanders, where, meeting with a Frenchman who pretended to be heir to a noble family, he was pi-evailed upon to accompany him to France. On their arrival at SL. Valory, in Picardy, by the connivance of the shipmaster, the Frenchman and attendants robbed him of his effects, and succeeded' in making their escape.

Eager to pursue his travels, he endeavored to procure a place on board a man-of-war. In one of his rambles, searching for a ship that would receive him, he accidentally met one of the villains concerned in robbing him. Without exchanging a word, they both instantly drew their swords. The contest was severe, but Smith succeeded in wounding and disarming his antagonist, and obliged him to confess his guilt. After this rencounter, having received pecuniary assistance from an acquaintance, the Earl of Ployer, he traveled along the French coast to Bayonne, and then crossed to Marseilles, visiting and observing everything in his course which had reference to naval or military architecture.

At Marseilles he embarked for Italy in company with a number of pilgrims. But here, also, new troubles awaited him. During the voyage, a tempest arising, the ship was forced into Toulon, after leaving which contrary winds so impeded their progress that, in a fit of rage, the pilgrims imputing their ill fortune to the presence of a heretic, threw him into the sea.

Being a good swimmer, he was enabled to reach the island of St. Mary, off* Nice, at no great distance, where he was taken on board a ship, in which, altering his course, he sailed to Alexandria in Egypt, and thence coasted the Levant. Having spent some time in this region, he sailed on his return, and on leaving the ship, received about two thousand dollars, as his portion of a rich prize, which they had taken during the voyage.

Smith landed at Antibes. He now traveled through Italy, crossed the Adriatic, and passed into Styria, to the seat of Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria. The Emperor being at that time at war with the Turks, he entered his army as a volunteer.

By means of his valor and ingenuity, aided by his military knowledge and experience, lie soon distinguislied himself^ and was advanced to the command of a company, consisting of two hundred and fifty horsemen, in the regiment of Count Meldrick, a nohleman of Transylvania.

The regiment in which he served was engaged in several hazardous enterprises, in which Smith exhibited a bravery admired by all the army, and when Meldrick left the Imperial service for that of his native prince. Smith followed.

At the siege of Regal he was destined to new adventures. . The Ottomans deriding the slow advance of the Transylvania army, the Lord Turbisha dispatched a messenger with a challenge, that for the diversion of the ladies of the place, he would fight any captain of the Christian troops.

The honor of accepting this challenge was determined by lot, and fell on Smith. At the time appointed, the twochampions appeared in the field on horseback, and in the presence of the armies, and of the ladies of the insulting Ottoman, rushed impetuously to the attack. A short but desperate conflict ensued, at the end of which Smith was seen bearing the head of the lifeless Turbisha in triumph to his general.

The fall of the chief filled his friend Crualgo with indignation, and roused him to avenge his death. Smith accordingly soon after received a challenge from him, which he did not hesitate to accept, and the two exasperated combatants, upon their chargers, fell with desperate fury upon each other. Victory again followed the falchion of Smith, who sent the Turk headlong to the ground.

It was now the turn of Smith to make the advance. He dispatched a messenger therefore to the Turkish ladies, that jf they were desirous of more diversion of a similar kind, they should be welcome to his head, in case their third champion could take it.

Bonamalgro tendered his services, and haughtily accepted the Christian's challenge. When the day arrived the spectators assembled, and the combatants entered the field. It was an hour of deep anxiety to all; as the horsemen approached a deathlike silence pervaded the multitude. A blow from the saber of the Turk brought Smith to the ground, and for a moment it seemed as if the deed of death was done. Smith, however, was only stunned. He rose like a lion^

Eevolutionaby Incidents. 13

when he shakes the dew from his mane for the fight, and -vaulting into the saddle, made his falchion " shed fast atone- 'ment for its first delay." It is hardly necessary to add that the head of Bonamalgro was added to the number.

Smith was received with transports of joy by the prince of Transylvania, who, after the capture of the place, pre- :Bented him with his picture set in gold, granted him a pension of three hundred ducats a year, and conferred on him a <;oat of arms, bearing three Turks' heads in a shield.

In a subsequent battle between the Transylvanian army and a body of Turks and Tartars, the former was defeated, with a loss of many killed and wounded. Among the wounded was the gallant Smith. His dress bespoke his consequence, and he was treated kindly. On his recovery from Jbis wounds, he was sold to the Bashaw Bogul, who sent him as a present to his mistress at Constantinople, assuring her that he was a Bohemian nobleman whom he had conquered, and whom he now presented to her as her slave.

The present proved more acceptable to the lady than her lord intended. As she understood Italian, in that language Smith informed her of his country and quality, and by his singular address and engaging manners, won the affection of her heart.

Designing to secure him to herself, but fearing lest some misfortune should befall him, she sent him to her brother, a Bashaw, on the borders of the sea of Asoph, with a direction that he should be initiated into the manners and language, as well as the religion of the Tartars. From the terms of her letter, her brother suspected her design, and resolved to disappoint her. Immediately after Smith's arrival, therefore, he ordered him to be stripped, his head and beard to be shaven, and with an iron collar about his neck, and a dress of hair-cloth, he was driven forth to labor among some Christian slaves. *

The circumstances of Smith were peculiarly afflicting. He could indulge no hope, except from the attachment of his mistress, but as her distance was great, it was improbable that she would soon become acquainted with the story of his misfortunes.

In the midst of his distress, an opportunity to escape pre- -fiented itself, but under circumstances, which, to a person of 2 a less adventurous spirit, would have served only to highten; his distress. His employment was thrashing, at the distanceof a league from the residence of the Bashaw, who daily visited him, but treated him with rigorous severity, and in a fit of anger, even abused him with blows. This last, was treatment to which the independent spirit of Smith could not submit. Watching a favorable opportunity, on an occasion of the tyrant's visit, and when his attendants were absent, he leveled his thrashing instrument at him and laid him in the dust.

He then hastily filled a bag with grain, and mounted the Bashaw's horse, put himself upon fortune. Directing hiscourse toward a desert, he entered its recesses, and continuingto conceal himself in its obscurities for several days, at length made his escape. In sixteen days he arrived at Exapolis, on. the river Don, where meeting with the Kussian garrison, the commander treated him kindly, and gave him letters of recommendation to other commanders in that region.

He now traveled through a part of Eussia and Poland, and at length reached his friends in Transylvania. At Leipsic he enjoyed the pleasure of meeting his Colonel, Count Meldrick, and Sigismund, Prince of Transylvania, who presented him with fifteen hundred ducats. His fortune being thus in a measure repaired, he traveled through Grermany, France, and Spain, and having visited the kingdom of Morocco, returned once more to England.

Such is a rapid view of the life of this interesting adventurer, down to liis arrival in his native land. At this time, the settlement of America was occupying the attention of many distinguished men in England. The life of Smith, united to his fondness for enterprises of danger and difficulty, had prepared him to embark with zeal, in a project so novel and sublime as that of exploring the wilds of a newly discovered continent.

He was soon attached to the expedition, about to sail under Newport, and was appointed one of the magistrates of the colony sent over at that time. Before the arrival of the colony, his colleagues in office becoming jealous of his influence, arrested him on the absurd charge that he designed to murder the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia. He was, therefore, rigorously confined, during the remainder of the voyage.

On their arrival in the country he was liberated, but coold not obtain a trial, although in the tone of conscious integrity, he repeatedly demanded it. The infant colony was soon involved in perplexity and danger. Notwithstanding Smith had been calumniated, and his honor deeply wounded, his was not the spirit to remain idle when his services were needed. Nobly disdaining revenge, he oflfered his assistance, and by his talents, experience, and indefatigable zeal, furnished important aid to the infant colony.

Continuing to assert his innocence, and to demand a trial, the time at length arrived when his enemies could postpone it no longer. After a fair hearing of the case, he was honorably acquitted of the charges alleged against him, and soon after took his seat in the council.

The affairs of the colony becoming more settled, the active spirit of Smith prompted him to explore the neighboring country. In an attempt to ascertain the source of Chickahoming river, he ascended in a barge as far as the stream was uninterrupted. Designing to proceed still further, he left the barge in the keeping of the crew, with strict injunctions on no account to leave her, and with two Englishmen and two Indians left the party. But no sooner was he out of view, than the crew, impatient of restraint, repaired on board the barge, and proceeding some distance down the stream, landed at a place where a body of Indians lay in ambush, by whom they were seized.

By means of the crew, the route of Smith was ascertained, and a party of Indians were immediately dispatched to take him. On coming up with him, they fired, killed the Englishmen, and wounded himself. With great presence of mind, he now tied his Indian guide to his left arm, as a shield from the enemies' arrow, while with his musket he dispatched three of the most forward of the assailants.

In this manner he continued to retreat toward his canoe, while the Indians, struck with admiration of his bravery; followed with respectful caution. Unfortunately, coming to a sunken spot filled with mire, while engrossed with eyeing his pursuers, he sunk so deep, as to be unable to extricate himself, and was forced to surrender.

Fruitful in expedients to avert immediate death, he presented an ivory compass to the chief, whose attention was an-ested by the vibrations of the needle. Taking advantage of the impression which he had thus made, partly by signs, and partly by language, he excited their wonder still more by telling them of its singular powers.

Their wonder, however, seemed soon to abate, and their attention returned to their prisoner. He was now bound and tied to a tree, and the savages were preparing to direct their arrows at his breast. At this instant the chief holding up the compass, they laid down their arms, and led him in triumph to Powhattan, their king.

Powhattan and his council doomed him to death, as a man whose courage and genius were peculiarly dangerous to the Indians. Preparations were accordingly made, and when the time arrived. Smith was led out to execution. His head was laid upon a stone, and a club presented to Powhattan, who, himself claimed the honor of becoming the executioner. The savages in silence were circling round, and the giant arm of Powhattan had already raised the club to strike the fatal blow, when, to his astonishment, the young and beautiful Pocahontas, his daughter, with a shriek of terror, rushed from the throng, and threw herself upon the body of Smith. At the same time she cast an imploring look toward her furious but astonished father, and in all the eloquence of mute, but impassioned sorrow, besought his life.

The remainder of the scene was honorable to Powhattan. The club of the chief was still uplifted, but a father's pity had touched his heart, and the eye that had first kindled with wrath, was now fast losing its fiercenesss. He looked round as if to collect his fortitude, or perhaps, to find an excuse for his weakness, in the pity of the attendants. A similar sympathy had melted the savage throng, and seemed to join in the petition, which the weeping Pocahontas felt, but durst not utter: "My father! let the prisoner live." Powhattan raised his daughter, and the captive, scarcely yet assured of safety, from the earth.

Shortly after, Powhattan dismissed Captain Smith with assurances of friendship, and the next morning, accompanied with a guard of twelve men, he arrived safely at Jamestown, after a captivity of seven weeks.^'

* Burk's Virginia.

CHAPTER II.

Historical depreciation of Sam's Southern children — Abusive epithets cur. rent — Contrast with the first Northern Settlements — Who, apparently, under the ban of Providence ? — Who were the Discoverers and Explorers of the New World?

So much for the peerless chevalier — the Father of Virginia, and Explorer of the North,* — illustrious John Smith ! Nor is this all of his career. It had been chiefly through his influence, that James I was induced to grant the " first colonial charter " under which the English were planted in America ; although the great majority of Sam's children have never to this day, heard that there was any other place settled in " the beginning," but Plymouth, or any code of laws instituted than the precious "Botly" of Eights, with its '' Blue " Lights, or Laws, to which we have referred ; jvt not only is it true, that to John Smith and Virginia we ovrc the "first colonial charter" in 1606, but to John Smith and Virginia do we owe, in June, 1619, the " first colonial assembly " that ever met in America, and which was convened at Jamestown.

While John Carver, Cotton Mather, and the " Saintly Winthrop," are names canonized throughout the laud as the select forerunners of Freedom — so many "Baptists" proclaiming in the wilderness the " good news" of the approaching regeneration of humanity — John Smith remains plain "John Smith," who was "saved by Pocahontas."

" In 1614, Captain John Smith sailed from England, with two ships, to America. He ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod. On his return to England, he presented a map of the country to Prince Charles, who named it New England. Thus was the first survey of her own coast, and which resulted in giving her a name, made by the founder of these South ern institutions now se villified by New England.

2^ 17

Sam says fidcUe-faddle ! tlie " brazen tongue " wagged bj these clerkly fellows is tiresome ; they have kept up one eternal too-oo ! too-oo ! too-oot ! in defense of the saintly villains and villainies of their early times when nobody was attacking them. For who troubled themselves about it, since vices and cruelties were, as everybody knew, to be expected in the settlement of all new countries ? But not content with taking their chances in the impartial recognition of mankind, and confining themselves to the plain narrative of facts, they have exhibited a systematic effort to forestall what might be expected to become the natural sentiment — a conscious, nervous special pleading in advance, has betrayed the apprehension of justifiable attack. The purpose to "make a character" where they could lay claim to none. Demanding of the credulity of mankind for the Puritan, the united attributes of apostle, saint, lawgiver, statesman, warrior, and psalmodist, they dismiss the renowned and noble founder of Virginia with the contemptuous implication of petty adventure — his illustrious name coupled with a silly story of rescue by a forlorn Indian maiden, (who was in fact, a little child) — as though this "lovely Indian princess" were indeed the heroic actor in the only scene in his career worth recording, while the poor John Smith was merely a passive instrument.

Nor is this all, saith Sam. While, although with pretentious humility, they have very properly, never emulated the "gallant spirit" of the cavaliers, yet, as a saving clause for their self-righteousness, they have stigmatized them as " dissolute gallants, packed off to escape worse destinies at home, broken tradesmen, gentlemen impoverished in spirit and fortune, rakes and libertines ; men more fitted to corrupt than to found a commonwealth," * winding up this delectable catalogue with the pious exclamation: "It was not the will of God that the new State should be formed of these materials — that such men were to be the fathers of a progeny born on the American soil, who were one day to assert American liberty by their eloquence, and defend it by their valor."f

Then as cumulative evidence that the hand of Providence had clearly interposed to prevent such .prayerless " vaga-

*^' Bancroft, page 138, 1st. vol. jldem, page 138.

bonds" from becoming fathers of a State, they say in the next breath: "John Smith, being wounded and compelled to return to Europe, at his departure, he had left more than four hundred and ninety persons in the colony ; in six months, indolence, vice, and famine reduced the number to sixty, and these were so feeble and dejected, that if relief had been delayed but ten days longer, they must have utterly perished." *