A history of the United States of America, from the period of the discovery to the present time: arranged for the use of schools, with questions for the examination of students

Front matter

Qass

Book p=l oq

HISTORY

Preface

The following history, intended expressly for the use of schools, differs somewhat in the arrangement from most of those which the author has seen. Having noticed the confusion and obscurity occasioned by the attempt to carry forward the history of all the colonies in connexion from beginning to end, he thought proper to consider the early history of the several colonies or communities separately, so long as they continued completely separate, and to regard them as one people only when their unity of design and concert of action should entitle them to be so considered. Accordingly the history of each of the little communities which formed the basis of this great nation, is treated distinctly up to the year 1688 — the year of many revolutions ; and thenceforward they are considered essentially as one people, and the story of their national progress as one great epic, embellished indeed with its episodes, but preserving its unity and identity up to the period in which we live.

The author has found it no easy task to condense the abundant materials which presented themselves, into a form sufficiently comprehensive for school use, without subjecting himself to the charge of dryness in the narrative and too extensive generalization in the remarks which from time to time occur. He trusts, however, that he has so far succeeded as to keep up the interest

Viii TREFACE.

of the reader; and that he has rendered the narrative sufficiently perspicuous to enable him to comprehend and retain it distinctly in the memory, without any very great effort.

As the author considers it essential to the progress of the young student of history, that he should take delight in his textbook, he has endeavoured, by means of graphic embellishments, anecdotes, and striking illustrations, to render the volume as attractive as possible. He trusts that each of these means and appliances may have its effect, in impressing upon the plastic mind of the young pupil some leading event in the history, of all others most deserving the attention of American youth,— the history of liberty in their own country.

Introduction

In order to present a complete account of the discovery of the New World, it is necessary to return to ancient times, &c. to show in a few words the successive enterprises which concurred in a direct manner to cause this event. From the earliest ages, enterprising men, urged by a desire of knowledge, or the pursuits of commerce, undertook long journeys into different countries, whilst the ablest navigators surveyed the coasts. From thence resulted their knowledge of the shape of the earth, and the position of different countries.

The Egyptians seem to have been the first who paid any attention to navigation. A short time after the establishment of tiieir monarchy, they trafficked on the Arabian Gulf, and the western coast of India. But their religious institutions, and the fertility of their soil, concentrating their industry in their own country, caused them soon to abandon distant expeditions.

The Phoenicians, on the contrary, whose country could only acquire importance by commerce, promptly extended their relations in every sea, and became more celebrated for their commercial enterprise, than any other nation. They even dared to cross the straits of Gibraltar, and visited the western coast of Spain.

The prosperity of the Phcenicians roused the attention of their neighbours, the Jews; but the peculiar institutions which their inspired legislator established, retarded their advancement in commerce. They made few expeditions of any consequence.

The Carthaginians, instructed in their turn by the Phoenicians their founders, devoted themselves with assiduity to navigation : whilst the mother country extended its commerce towards the East, they directed their expeditions towards the North and West. They passed the straits of Gibraltar, and surveyed the west coast of Spain. They also sailed along the coast of Africa to the tropic of Cancer ; and discovered the Canary islands, which during many centuries formed the limits of navigation in the Western Ocean.

How ua.s t!ie knowlpdge of geography pronioled in ancient tiines ? — What is Eaid of the Egyptians ? — Tlie Phocniiians ?— The Jews? — The Carthaginians?

12 INTRODUCTION.

The narratives of the sailors awoke curiosity, and a spirit of observation ; and the discoveries thus begun were pursued with the sole intention of better determining the form of the earth. The first voyages of this kind, of which history has preserved a remembrance, are those of Hanno and Himlico. The Periplus of Hanno informs us that he sailed along the western coast of Africa, discovered the island of Cerne, at present Goree, and that he travelled as far as the Cape of the Three Points, on the coast of Guinea. Herodotus relates that a fleet equipped by Necho, king of Egypt, sailed from the Red Sea about 604 years before the Christian era, sailed round Africa, and returned by the straits of Gibraltar. Pliny pretends, that Eudoxus of Cyzicus also performed this perilous voyage.

The Greeks, in their turn, devoted themselves to navigation. Their expeditions were all directed towards the East ; and had military enterprises for their object. Alexander considered the voyage of Nearchus to India, as one of the most important events of his reign.

The Romans, were the first who in their navigation abandoned the coasts and gave themselves up to the regular course of the winds. Their commerce in India taught them to follow the monsoon, and to navigate in the open sea, in its periodical movement. This was the most considerable step which was made during the existence of the Roman pov.'er.

In the meanwhile, such was the imperfection of the art of navigation, and the degraded state of human knowledge, that the ancients thought the earth was divided into zones, of which the only habitable ones were the temperate ; the frozen and torrid zones being alike uninhabitable. This opinion retarded the discoveries of the boldest sailors, till the end of the middle ages.

The ancients were only acquainted, in respect to Europe, with the countries situated to the west of Germany, and the south of England » in Africa, with those which border on the Mediterranean and the gulf of Arabia ; and in Asia, with those countries lying between Europe, Tartary, and the Ganges. Nevertheless they pursued the study of geography, and about the second century of the Christian era, Ptolemy published a description of the terrestrial globe, which has served for a

Of Hanno's voyage ? — Of Eudoxus ? — Of the Greeks ? — Of Alexander ? — What advancement in geographical knowledge was made by the Romans ? — What absurd opinions were held by the ancients ? — What was their effect ? — What countries of Europe were the ancients acquainted with ? — Of Africa? — Of Asia? — What is said of Ptolemy's work ?

INTRODUCTION. 13

guide to all modern travellers, and which the Arabians were the first to translate and use.

The love of the Arabians for the sciences, and particularly geography, occasioned a great number of curious observations, on the form and dimensions of the earth. But their labours and researches did not penetrate into Europe. In Spain even, the vanquished nations did not profit by the knowledge of their conquerors, and it was not till the time of the Crusades, that the Venetians revived by their commerce with the Saracens the geographical information of the ancient world.

The voyages of the Spanish Jew Benjamin, in the east, of the Venetian Marco Polo, and of the Englishman John Mandeville, revived the spirit of research and the love of foreign expeditions, in the commencement of the 14th century.

It was about this time (1302) that Flavio Gioia, a burgess of Amalfi, in the kingdom of Naples, immortalized his name by the invention of the compass : notwithstanding this, the navigators did not dare to enter seas which had never been frequented, till about fifty years after. Then, the mariner displayed a more intrepid character. In this same century, the spirit of piracy, which animated the Normans, developed still more forcibly the desire for discoveries.

Nevertheless at the commencement of the fifteenth century, the art of navigation was but little more advanced, than before the fall of the Roman empire. Then the Portuguese, whose continual wars with the Mahometans had exalted their adventurous courage, and developed their enterprising genius, began to undertake great naval expeditions.

John I. had just made peace with the king of Castile. To exercise his troops (1411) he equipped a fleet against the Moors, from which he detached several vessels, with orders to navigate on the western coast of Afirica. They doubled Cape Non, which was regarded as the boundary of all possible navigation, and advanced sixty leagues beyond this, to Cape Bojador, which they did not think themselves able to double. It is from this unimportant enterprise, that we date the era, in which a spirit of discovery broke the barriers of the other hemisphere. It reanimated the love for geographical studies, and a remembrance of actions performed by the ancients.

Henry, Duke of Viseo, son of king John of Portugal, declared himself the zealous protector of these enterprises. He fitted out succes-

Of the Arabians? — What travellers made researches in the beginning of the 14th century ? — When was the mariner's compass invented ? — By whom ? — What nation began to make discoveries in the beginning of the 15th century? — What was done by John 1. ?— By his fleet ?— How far did the fleet go ?

14 INTRODUCTION.

sively many squadrons, that discovered, in 1418, Porto Santo, and in the following- year Madeira. Here he planted sugar-canes brought from Sicily, and some vines from Cyprus. In a few years the sugar, and Madeira wine, became objects of considerable commerce. The Portuguese navigators soon after reached the river Senegal, and even passed it. These discoveries gave an extraordinary reputation to the Portuguese navy, and adventurers from all parts of Europe sued for the honour of serving in it. The following reigns were as remarkable for the enterprises of the Portuguese.

We must remark here, that most of the voyages of discovery, made on the western boundary of the known world, had for their object, the discovery of a passage to India, by passing round Africa. Every one was endeavouring to accomplish this end, when all at once, a report was spread, that a navigator had discovered a new continent, by following a route directly opposite to that generally pursued, and by sailing towards the west. This man, whose powerful genius had caused him to pursue a course different from the common one, with such absolute confidence and unusual boldness, was Christopher Columbus. The continent which he discovered was not India, but America, which received its name fiom a more fortunate adventurer.

What discoveries were made by the fleet of Henry, Duke of Viseo ? — By the Portuguese navigators soon after ? — What was the object of most of the voyages of discovery at this time ? — What report was spread ? — Who was the great discoverer ?

Chapter I

CLAIMS TO THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, ANTERIOR TO THE VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS.

The discovery of America, prior to the expedition of Columbus, has been claimed by several nations. The Welsh historians and antiquaries have affirmed, that Madoc, a prince of their country, quitted his native land in the year 1170, and sailing- westward, arrived at those regions to which the name of America was afterwards given. But the traditions on which the authority of this account must ultimately rest, are confused and discordant, as well as remote; and the report of a tribe of Indians, who are said to have been found in North America, and to speak a language which bears some resemblance to the Welsh, is equally unworthy of credit.

The pretensions of the Norwegians, to the discovery of the New World, appear to be better founded. There is unquestioned evidence that they settled in Iceland A. D. 874, and in the year 982 they landed upon Greenland, and established themselves in that country. From Greenland they sailed towards the west : and if we give credit to Snorro Sturlosons, in his Chronicle of Olaus, pp. 104, 110, 326, they reached a country more pleasant and inviting than the inhospitable regions which ihey had left. Here they remained for some time, and planted a colony. The account of Snorro, however, is liable to many objections.

The tale of the discoveries of Lief and Biorn, the Norwegian adventurers, is utterly confused. It is not easy to gather from it, on what part of America they settled, though, from the length of the days and nights at the time of the year when they arrived, it would appear to have been some part of Labrador, and as far north as the 58th degree ; yet as they gave to the region, wherever it was, the name of Vinland, from the grapes which they found there, it seems to be evident, that it must have approached much nearer to the south.

But notwithstanding, this difficulty and others which could be mentioned, it is generally allowed, that the Norwegians landed on the American shore, and that a colony planted by adventurers from that nation existed for some time in the New World. The settlers, however, torn by divisions among themselves, and forgotten or neglected by their countrymen, speedily perished.

The claim of the Germans is more questionable than that of the Norwegians. From the archives of the city of Nuremberg, it appears, that Martin Behaim, or Behenira, a native of that city, and the pupil of Regiomontanus, had made such advances in cosmographical know-

What nations have claimed the honour of discovering America? — What is said of the Welsh ?— Of the Norwegians ?— Of Greenland ?— Of Snorro's account ?— -Of Lief and Biorn ? — What is generally allowed ? — What is said of the German claim ? — Of Martin Behaim ?

16 DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.

ledge, as led him to visit those parts of the world, the situation and physical properties of which he had been accustomed to describe, but which had not as yet been sufficiently explored. With this view, he entered the service of the Portuguese, and was employed, A. D. 1483, as the commander of a squadron, fitted out for the purposes of discovery.

After having established himself at Fayal, one of the islands called the Azores, he is reported to have sailed far towards the east and south, and to have reached the coast of Guinea, nearly eight years before the expedition of Columbus. He was the intimate friend and a frequent associate of the Genoese navigator ; and, upon his visit to Nuremberg, in the year 1492, he constructed a terrestrial globe, from the inspection of which, Magellan is said to have formed the design of pursuing the course which he afterwards followed. But as Behaim was the friend and associate of Columbus, it is as probable that he derived his ideas of the unexplored regions, from the conjectures which the latter had for many years been revolving in his mind, as it is, that Columbus was indebted to Behaim for his first thoughts of the western continent. Nor is it at all certain that Behaim ever visited any part of America.

A copy of the map, which was drawn with his own hand, and left with his family at Nuremberg, has been published by Dopplemayers, in his account of the mathematicians and artists of that place : but it is remarkable for little else than the imperfection of the cosmographical knowledge of the times. It is true, Behaim delineates an island to which he gives the name of St. Brandon, and which he places considerably to the west of Africa. This, however, appears to be nothing more than one of those imaginary islands, which were often introduced at that period, to occupy an empty space in the charts of geographers; and the existence of which rested on authority equally questionable with that which is given for the legend of St. Brandon himself.

Of the pretensions of the Welsh, or the attempts of the Scandinavians, we have no reason to believe that Columbus had any knowledge ; and since the claim of Behaim is extremely doubtful, we may still consider the Genoese navigator, as entitled to his full share of honour in the discovery of America.

Chapter II. Discovery Of America

At a time when darkness, had long settled upon Europe, when science was only beginning to lift its head, and the guides to knowledge were few, and often ignorant themselves, Christopher Columbus, of Genoa, formed the design of crossing the Atlantic, in search of new countries towards the west. This extraordinary man was led to the belief that these countries existed, by a number of concurring circumstances.

In what service did he sail ? — Whither ? — What is said of him and Columbus ? — Of his map ? — Of St. Brandon ? — Wliat is the conchision with respect to Cohunbus's claim to originality ? — When did Columbus form his design of crossing the Atlantic?

GROUNDS OF COLUMBUs's THEORY. 17

Though, in the fifteenth century, the information of such as applied themselves to geographical inquiries, was incorrect, as well as narrow ; though philosophers had at this time made but little progress in the search after truth ; yet certain steps had been taken, and certain observations recorded, which, if not highly useful in themselves, were very beneficial in the consequences to which they gave rise.

Even in that age, those who were accustomed to read and to reflect had formed pretty accurate ideas, with regard to the magnitude of the earth. From the shadow which is thrown upon the moon in an eclipse of that satellite, they had inferred, that the globe on which we live was round. It was perceived, that Europe, Asia, and Africa, occupied but a small portion of our planet ; and it seemed to be altogether unlikely, that the remaining part was covered with a vast and joyless ocean, unsupplied with continents or islands intended for the residence of man.

Marco Polo, a Venetian of good family, and others, who had travelled by land into India, and penetrated into the regions beyond the Ganges, had related, that the Asiatic countries stretched far towards the east, and thus, the rotundity of the earth being known, it was obvious that they might be reached by holding a course directly west, sooner and more certainly than by any other way. The efficacy of these reasonings was confirmed by other circumstances, of an inferior but perhaps of a more striking nature.

Several pieces of wood, nicely carved, and apparently from a distant country, had been thrown upon the western coast of the Madeiras. A tree, likewise, of a species with which Europeans were unacquainted, had been taken up near the Azores; and, what was still more decisive, the bodies of two men, of a strange colour and an unusual appearance, had been found upon the coast.

From all these circumstances, Columbus inferred, that the lands which he afterwards visited, really existed ; and that they might unquestionably be reached by following the course which he pointed out. Still, however, the existence of these lands was nothing more than a plausible conjecture; and it might have remained as such in the thoughts or the books of the ingenious, if Columbus had not been prompted by considerations of a more efl^ectual nature, to ascertain whether they could actually be visited.

To discover a passage to the East Indies by sea, was at this time the great object of investigation. The Venetians had long engrossed the profitable trade of that country, and their wealth, arising chiefly from this source, had excited the envy and the hatred of all the European kingdoms. From the beginning of the fifteenth century, as we have already stated, the Portuguese navigators had been stretching towards the south of Africa; and had found, in opposition to the ancient geographers, that the torrid zone was habitable. It was the period of bold

What was known respecting the form of the earth ? — Its magnitude ? — What information was brought by Marco Polo ? — What was inferred from this ? — What had been found at the Madeiras and Azores? — What did Columbus infer from all these circumstances? — What was the grand object of discovery in Columbus's time?

2*

18 Columbus's applications for pategnage.

and hazardous adventure. The human mind was stimulated to it? utmost activity. Whatever appeared to be true, or even remotely probable, was instantly ascertained by direct and fearless experiment.

New islands were discovered ; unknown regions were traversed and explored. Partly by design, and partly by the violence of the winds, the Portuguese had nearly doubled the Cape of Good Hope ; and the riches of eastern commerce were soon to be poured into their native country. To find, therefore, a shorter and more definite route to India, v/as the immediate object of Columbus, in proposing to undertake a voyage of discovery. The riches of the East were the bribe which he held out to the sovereign, or the state, that should enable him to execute his purpose ; and it is not to be denied, that the prospect of wealth had a similar effect upon himself.

But, none of the monarchs or rulers of Europe had either sufficient reach of thought to comprehend the schemes of Columbus, or sufficient generosity to encourage an adventurous speculation, even with the probability of the fullest return from the success of the undertaking. He was considered by many as a dreamer. He was rejected by the dignified and the great, because he was a man of low condition ; and he was repelled by the learned, because they were mortified to hear that an obscure pilot had found what had escaped the discernment of more cultivated minds.

He applied first to the Genoese, his countrymen, who were satisfied with the productions of India, as they were brought to their hands; then to the Portuguese, whose bishops and physicians objected to his design, with every argument which their ignorance or ingenuity could supply ; and among whom he was almost deprived by treachery of the honour which would attacli to the discoverer of the New World ; then to Spain ; and then, by means of Bartholomew, his brother, to Henry VII. of England. All these applications, iiowever, were unsuccesstul ; objections were everywhere raised, and difficulties exhibited ; the refusal of one monarch was urged as a reason for a similar conduct on the part of another ; and had not the perseverance of Columbus been equal to his genius, the American continent might yet have been unknown to the inhabitants of Europe.

But the time was not far distant, when more encouraging prospects were about to open. The Moors had been driven from Spain, and Ferdinand and Isabella, the sovereigns of that country, had leisure for attending to objects wliich pressed less immediately upon their notice. The chivalrous spirit of the age had been sufficiently employed in tlie contest with the African intruders; but now it wanted some other object, and required to be guided into a different channel. Columbus, disappointed, but not moved from his purpose, was at this time about to quit the Spanish territories for England, whither his brother Bartholomew had already been sent. By the orders of Isabella, he was desired

What was Columbus's immediale object? — What inducemenfs did ho offer to the sovereigns? — How was he treated ? — To whom did he first ajjply I — To wliom next ? — ^To whom next? — Who apphed to Henry Vf I. ? — How wore these appHcations treated ? — Whither was Columbus about to proceed ?

COLUMBUS ENGAGES IN THE SERVICE OF ISABELLA. 19

to relinquish his intention of soliciting the patronasfe of foreign courts; and invited into her presence, with every mark of condescension and respect.

At his interview with the queen, he made known the conditions on which he would undertake the discovery ; which were, that he should be appointed admiral of all the seas which he might explore, and governor of all the continents and islands which he might visit; that these offices should be hereditary in his family, and " that the tenth of every thing bought, bartered, found or got, within the bounds of his admiralship, abating only the charge of conquest, should be settled on him, and should descend to his heirs in case of his death."

It was his desire, that a small fleet should be equipped and put under his command, in order that he might attempt the discovery ; and to demonstrate his integrity as well as his firm hope of success, he offered to advance an eighth part of the money which would be necessary for building the ships, provided he were allowed a corresponding share of the advantage resulting from the enterprise.

John Perez, guardian of the monastery of Rabida. near the town of Palos, and the friend and confidant of Columbus, was the person to whom he was indebted for this interview with Isabella. He was confessor to the queen, and an ecclesiastic of great respectability and influence. By his representations, and by those of Alonzo de Quintanilla, and Luis de Santangel, both officers in high place under the Spanish crown, a favourable ear was lent to the propositions of the Genoese adventurer.

They stated to Isabella, that he was a person of a sound and collected mind, of acknowledged integrity, well informed in geography and history, and practised in the art of navigation ; they spoke to her of the glory which would result from the success of the enterprise, and which would for ever attach to her reign ; and of the extension of the Christian faith, which would be promulgated in the regions tliat might be discovered. The time was propitious. Granada had surrendered to the arms of Spain ; and the Moors were expelled from the provinces which ' they had long occupied in the heart of the kingdom. And such were the exertions of Quintanilla and of Santangel, that Isabella resolved to patronize Columbus, and engage him in her service, on his own terms.

Orders were issued, that a squadron should be fitted out from the harbour of Palos. It consisted of three vessels: but as the art of building ships was then rude, and in its infancy, and as distant voyages were comparatively unknown, the largest of these vessels was of inconsiderable dimensions, and the others were not much above the size of ordinary boats. They were victualled for twelve months, and had on board ninety men. The expense of building and equipping the whole was not more than 20,000 dollars ; yet the greatness of this expense was

What prevenleJ him?— What were the terms he offered the queen ?— What was loured Col Columbus.

his desire ?—His further offer ?~Who were his friends ?— What representations did they make to the queen ? — What circumstances favoured Cohmibus's design? — Whaf did the queen resolve?— Describe the ships of

20 VARIATION or THE COMPASS.

the cause of much serious alarm to the Spanish rulers, and contributed not a little to prevent them from acceding to the proposals of Columbus.

All things being ready, Columbus, influenced by devotional feelings, went, witlT those under his authority, in solemn procession to the monastery of Rabida ; and there, confessing his sins, and partaking of the sacrament, he implored the blessing of heaven throughout the voyage which he designed to undertake.

Early next morning, (on the 3d of August, A. D. 1492,) he set sail from the harbour of Palos, in the Santa Maria, the largest of the vessels, which had been fitted out at his desire. The others were called the Pinta, and the Nina ; the former of which was commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, and the latter by Vincent Yanez Pinzon, his brother. In six days the admiral reached the Canaries, without any occurrence deserving of particular notice, except only that the rudder of the Pinta broke loose ; an accident which the superstition of his associates interpreted as an omen, at once unfavourable and alarming.

After refitting at the Canaries, Columbus proceeded (Sept. 6,) on his voyage. He passed into seas which no vessel had yet entered, without a chart to direct him, and without any knowledge of the tides and currents which might interrupt his progress. And many of the sailors, reflecting on the hazardous nature of the enterprise, began already to beat their breasts in dejection and dismay, and relinquished all hope of visiting again their country and their friends.

Columbus was admirably qualified for the expedition which he had undertaken. He was patient and persevering, master of himself, and skilful in the government of other men. In naval science, as well as experience, he was far superior to any of his associates. He conducted every thing by his presence and authority, allowing himself only a very few hours for the necessary refreshment of his body. At all other times he was upon deck, noting the flight of birds, the depth of the ocean, and the appearance of the weeds which floated upon its surface. He advanced rapidly before the trade wind, which blows invariably from the east within the tropics, judiciously concealing from his men the number of leagues which he had sailed ; an artifice which he employed during the rest of the voyage. Nor did any bad consequence result from this imposition ; for so great was the ignorance of his conapanions, that none of them was able to detect it.