History of the United States of America : with a brief account of some of the principal empires and states of ancient and modern times for the use of schools and families

Front matter

v:^ii ilH jij^^m

' 1 1 1 ' • *" ' • * ' *

Qass^Jc \1%

Preface

IN the compilation of this History of the individual States, and the general History of the United States when they acted in concert, I have encountered a task far more difficult and laborious than I had imagined before trial. Among about thirty volumes which I consulted during the progress of the work, I frequently found dates and statements quite variant from each other. In some few instances I could only be governed by a majority of authors, unless I could appeal to the Annals of America, by Dr. Hollies ; on whom he that depends may almost ever feel safe ; as he spent much time in their compilation, and had by far the greatest resources in books and manuscripts of any author who has written on the History of America.

I have also found much discrimination necessary, in tha history of the individual States, in selecting either the most interesting or most important items. My best judgment has, however, been diligently and lalDoriously exercised in the execution of this task : nor shall I hesitate to claim, what I know is my due, the credit of never slightly examining 5 but assiduously investigating, till confident of the correctness of my statements, so far as reliaiice could be placed on the authors before me.

To me it has long appeared singular that, while our schools abound with a variety of reading books for children and youth, there has never yet appeared a compendious History of the United States fitted for our common schools ; than which I scarcely know of a work more needed. Instead of those books usually read in our schools, consisting of detached pieces on various subjects, would not a work like the following more engage the attention and interest the feelings ; and would it not be of far greater utility ? Or, if the former are retained, ought the latter to be neglected ?

By reading of a history like the present, no inconsiderable

■seiiianHHHiHi

IV PREFACE.

general knowledge may be obtained of the story of our fathers : yet how many are there almost entirely ignorant of the " tales of other times," as they relate to our own country, whose ignorance would be removed by the introduction, into our more humble seminaries, of a correct, succinct accoimt, of the principal events which have marked the footsteps of our prosperity, from the lowly and desponding vale of struggle and obscurity, to the already lofty and brilliant heights of wealth, of happiness, and of power.

I have added a very compendious account of some of the principal empires of ancient and modern times. To have noticed the minor states of former or recent days would have been to swell this performance beyond the size intended ; nor should I have known where with propriety to pause. The Chronological Table cannot fail to attract the attention of youthful minds. The Constitution of the United States ought not only to be studied in our schools, but should find a place on every family shelf; with the Bible and the catechism.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

the President of Harvard Universiti/, and Dr. Holmes of Cambridge.

The design of 5'our work we entirely approve. Our children and youth want a brief history of our own country within the limits of a school book. Your History supplies this deficiency ; and, with a few exceptions — which may be corrected in this or a future edition — appears justly entitled to commendation and encouragement.

J. T. KIRKLAND, A. HOLMES.

Cambridge, Sept. 4, 1820.

From the Preceptor of Monson, (Mass.) Academy.

MONSON, Aug. 26, 1820. ' Sir— I have perused with attention your " History of the Unite r> States," and am free to say that I consider it a compilation of distinguished merit — a judicious selection of interesting facts. The plan you have pursued and the manner in which it is executed cannot fail of meeting the approbation of every candid mind.

A work of this kind has been veir much wanted in our academies and common schools ; and by publishing this treatise you will render an important and acceptable service to our country. This work, I doubt not, will be gratefully received by an enlightened community, and raett that patronage which it merits.

ROBERT RIDDLE.

From the Rev. F. Foster, late Minister of Petersham, Mass.

BRIMFIELD, Sept. 6, 1820.

Sir — I have examined your " History of the United States," which you was pleased to submit to my inspection, and am happy to say that, in my opinion, you have selected such facts as are most profitable to be known by the rising generation, and related them with that simplicity and per.spicuity of style which ought to characterize a work designed for the use of schools. I cannot, therefore, doubt that your labours for the benefit of our youth will be duly appreciated by the public, and that your book will not only find a welcome reception into our schools and academies, but be extensively circulated among our citizens.

With the assurance of my best wishes for the success of this and every attempt to facilitate the acquisition of useful knowledge, 1 am, sir, yo«r humble servant,

f ESTUS FOSTim.

■HP

6 RECOMMENDATIONS.

From Dr. Daniel Mams, Author of the " Scholar's Arithmetic," " Thorough Scholar," " Geography, or a description of the World," <^c.

History has been defined " a record of facts for the instruction of mankind." Its utility, therefore, must be obvious. The study of geography, which is now pretty generally introduced into our schools, will prepare the way for that of history ; and I doubt not but the time is fast approaching when no scholar will be considered as having completed a good common school education, who is left ignorant of the history of his country. With these impressions on my mind, I apprciiend, that the '' IJisTOEy or the Unitej> States, designed for the use of schools," which you propose publishing, will be found to be boih seasonable and useful.

DANIEL ADAMS.

Mouid-Ve-rmn, N. H. August, 1^0.

From the Kew-York Evening Post.

Literary Intelligence. — A book has been put into our hands, with a request that we would examine it and speak of it according as in our judgment its merits v/ould warrant. It is entitled, " The Histori/ nf the United States, 8^c. for the use nf Schools and families,'" second edition. Published by John Prentiss, pp. 210.

We have not been able to examine with critical minuteness, the contents of this little work, but we have cursorily p^erused it. The subject itself, the main purpose for V.hich it is intended, and the cliaracter and circumstances of its late author, v/iio was personally known to us as a man of genius, a scholar, a poet, and a wit, are calculated to create much interest and expectation. We have found it what it professes to be, a vei'y useful work for the use of schools, and a convenient manual, to v/hich occasional recurrence may be had by any gentleman.

Among the many authoritative recommendations which follow the preface, we observe one from the President of Harvard University, Mr. kirkland, and Dr. Holmes of Cambridge ; and several from the Preceptor of Monson Academy, and other distin.guished scholars in Massachusetts. A letter to the author from the Rev. F Foster, says, " 1 have examined your '■ History of the United States," and am happy to say that in my opinion, you have selected such facts as are most profitable to be known by the rising generation, and related them with that simplicity and perspicuity of style which ought to characterize a work ilesigned for the use of schools."

The book closes with interesting questions adapted to the history of the United States, peculiarly suitable to the work. In time, I doubt not this interesting work, will make its way into our schools by the side of Whelpley and Sampson.

From the JV*. Y. Evening Journal

We have read with attention, the History of tjeie United States, spoken of in the foregoing extract from the Evening Post, and can bear testimony to its value, as containing a greater mass of facts relative to the history of our country, than any other book, calculated for the use of schools, which has yet appeared.

m

CHAPTER I.— Page 13. First Settlement of Virginia and Xew-England

Preliminary remarks ; Discovery of America ; Discovery of the North - ern Continent by Cabot ; Queen Elizabeth's letters patent to Gilbert and Raleigh ; Unsuccessful attempt to settle Virginia ; Tobacco •, Gosnold discovers Cape Cod ; Settlement at Jamestown, Virginia ; Captain Smith a prisoner ; saved by Pocahontas ; Chcsapeak bay explored ; Plot of the Indian? ; revealed by Pocahontas ; Pocahontas seized : her marriage ; Women sent to V^irginia for wives ; sohi for tobacco; Slavery introduced •, Northern voyage of Captain Smith j Unsuccessful attempt to settle New-England ; Rev. Mr. Robinson's flock 3 Settlement at Plymouth ; Formed into a body politic ; Intercourse v/ith the Indian's ^ Deaths of the Company ; New arrivals : Settlement at Portsmouth and Dover; at Salem; Massachusetts colony ; Arrival of Winthrop ; Representatives chosen ; Ann H'atchinson; theological dissensions ; Massacre in Virginia by the Indians ; Virginia company relinquish to the king.

CHAPTER Il.—Page 33.

MainCj XeTi^-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode-Island.

Ineffectual attempt to settle Maine ; Charter to Gorges; separation from Massachusetts proper ; First settlement of New-Hampshire ; Settlement of Exeter ; Separation from Massachusetts ; Union witii, and siibsequent separation from Massachusetts ; Offensive and defensive union of the New-England States ; Indian war"; Defence of Number Four ; Internal commotions ; Dartmouth College ; King Philip's war ; Alliance with the Narragansetts ; General rising of the Indians throughout New-England ; Defeat of the Narrammmmammmmm

8 CONTENTS.

g^ansetts ; Defeat of the Indians and death of Philip ; Forfeiture of the charter of Massachusetts ; Arrival of Andros j Andros seized ; Charter resumed ; Ncav charter granted ; Attack and surrender of Louisburg j Disappointment of a French fleet ; Insurrection in Massachusetts ; Its suppression ; Settlement of Connecticut ; Arrival of Winthrop ; War with the Pequots ; Their defeat ; New-Haven Colony ; Forms of government ; Charter of Charles the second ; Secretion of the charter from Andros ; Yale College ; Territorial disputes ; Roger Williams moves to Rhode-Island ; settles Providence ; Settlement of Newport ; Religiovis toleration ; Charter granted the Earl of Warwick; Charter of Charles the second ; Rhode-Island deprived of its charter ; Charter reassumed ; Brown University' .

CHAPTER III.— Page 62. N.ew-Yorki New- Jersey^ Ddaii)are, Pennsylvania^ and

Maryland.

Discovery of the river Hudson ; Settlement of the Dutch at Manhat* tan ; Submission to the English ; Reassumption of the Dutch ; In.- dian war ; Disputes with Connecticut ; Grant of Charles ihe second to his brother the Duke of York ; Manhattan surrendered to the English ; Called New-York ; taken by the Dutch ; Again surrendered to the English ; Papal ascendency ; Leiiler and his party ; Death of Leisler ; Fletcher's attempt to command the militia of Connecticut ; Fruitless enterprize against Canada,; Congress at Albany ; Settlement of New-Jersey ; Division of the province ; Burlington, settled; Purchase of Penn ; Barkley appointed Governor ; The (government surrendered to the Crown ; Union of the provinces ; Princeton College ; settlement of Delaware by the Swedes and Fins ; Victory of the Dutch ; Surrender to the English ; Granted to Pennsylvania ; partial separation from Pennsylvania ; Made a separate province ; Patent to William Penn ; Settlement of Philadelphia; Form of government ; New charter granted by Perm ; a second^ and third ; Emission of paper money ; Indian grants of land ; Library ; Relinquishment of Penn's heirs ; Clayborne settles on Kent Island ; Patent of Maryland to Lord Baltimore ; Settlement of St. Mary's; General Assembly ; Indian war; Rebellion of Clayborne ; Civil wari Seat of government removed to Aunapolie.

CONTENTS 9

CHAPTER IV.— Page 84

Virginia^ North and South-Carolina^ Georgia, Kentucky. Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, Illinois Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas and Florida.

Episcopacy established in Virginia ; Inquietude of the people ; Rebellion of Bacon ; he obtains a commission by compulsion ; he usurps the government ; he dies, and the rebellion is suppressed ; Culpepper's administration ; William and Mary college ; Birth of Washington ; Amidas and Barlow land in Carolina ; Reception of them by the Indians ; permanent settlements ;, Constitution ; Constitution of Locke ; Ch arleston laid out j Insurrection 5 New seat for Charleston ; Locke's Constitution abandoned ; Introduction of rice } Attack oii St. Augustine ; Indian war ; Charleston attacked ; defeat of the Spanish ; War with the Indians ', Bank ;. Another Indian war ; Dissensions; Division into North and South Carolina; Negro insurrection ; Regulators ; Charter of incorporation for Georgia ; Settlement of Savannah ; Regulations ; Emigrations ; slow progress of population ; Unsuccessful attempt to reduce St. Augustine ; Invasion of the Spaniards ; Military skill of Oglethorpe ; retreat of the Spanish ; The government relinqixished to the Crown ; prosperity ; Kentucky explored by Colonel Boone ; Lexington laid out ; dismembered froni Virgina ; made a separate state, and admitted into the union ; Name of Tennessee ; failure in first attempting a settlement ; subsequent success ; defeat of the Indians ; soil ceded to Congress ; admitted an- independent state into the union ; Settlement of Ohio by Rufus Putnam ; admission into the union ; antiquities ; Discovery of Louisiana ; failure of the Spanish in attempting to destroy the Missouri settlement ; massacre at Natches by the Indians ; destruction of the Natches tribe ; the country ceded to Spain, cession to Great Britain ; to France, by the treaty of St. Ildefonso , Purchase and possession by the United States.

CHAPTER V.~PageI24. French and Indian War

Ohio Company ; threat of the French Governor of Canada ; encroachments of the French ; Washington sent to the Ohio ; military expedition under Washington ; plans of a campaign ; conquest of Aca-

A 2

10 CONTENTS^

die; Braddock's defeat; Crown Point; Campaign of 1756 — of 1757 — cff 1758; Surrender of Louisburg, &&C, ; ^.nd of Fort du Qnesne ; campaig-n of 1759; proceedings of Amherst ; fall of Nia* g^ara ; fall of Quebec ; death of Wolfe and Montcalm ; Levi's attempt to regain Quebec; surrender of Montreal; complete conquest of Canada; Peace.

CHAPTER VI.— Page 138

Commencement of the causes Avhich led to the Revolution ; Colonial Congress ; Opposition to the stamp act ; Its repeal ; Imposition of new duties by parliament ; Opposition of the colonies ; Repeal of the duties, excepting on tea ; Affray of March 5th, 1770; Destruction of tea in Boston ; Boston port bill ; Meeting of Congress ; Ensagemcnts at Lexington and Concord ; Surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; Battle of Bunker's hill ; Washington appointed eommander in chief; He arrives at Carabvidge ; Surrender of fort 3t. Johns, and Montreal ; Unsuccessful attack of Quebec ; Death of Montgomery ; Burning of Norfolk, by lord Dunmore ; Boston evacuated ; Declaration of Independence ; Engagement on Long-Island, Retreat from the- Island ; Forts Washington and Lee surrendered to the British ; General despondency ; Capture of the Hessians at Trenton; Battle of Brandy wine ; Howe enters Philadelphia; Battle of Germantown ; Battle of Bennington ; Surrender of the British army under Burgoyne ; Treaty of Alliance with France ; Battle of Monmouth ; Savannah surrendered to the British ; Ineffectual attempt to recover Savannah ; Stoney Point taken by Wayne ; Penobfcotexpeditiqn; Defeat of the Five Nations ; Surrender of Charleston to Clinton ; Battle of Camden ; and of King's Mountain ; Treason of Arnold ; Fate of Andre ; Predatory warfare of Arnold in Virginia ; Battle of Cowpens ; Battle of Guilford ; Battle of Eutaw Springs ; Surrender of the British army under Cornwallis ; New- London burnt by Arnold ; Naval engagement in the West Indies; Commissioners appointed to negotiate a peace ; Peace concluded j Army disbanded ; Washington's resignation.

CONTENTS H

CHAPTER VII.— Page 169

JVcffi) Constitution — Its Administrations— War with Great Britain— Peace,

Incompetency of the National Government ; Meeting of deputies at Annapolis j National Convention to form a new constitution ; Constitution adopted by the states ; Washington elected President ; Meeting of Congress at New-York ; Government organixed ; Funding of the national, and assumption of the state debts ; Internal taxes ; National Bank ; Cause of parties ', Indian war ) apportionment of Representatives } Defeat of St. Clair by the Indians ; Forces raised ; Washington rechosen President ; War on the continent of Europe ; Proclamation of neutrality ; Arrival of Genet ; His deportment ; Democratic societies ; Commercial resolutions ; Algerine captures ; The building of frigates ; Difficulties with England ; Genet recalled ; Wayne's victory; Pennsylvania insurreclion ; Treaty with England ; with Algiers ; with the Indians ; and with Spain ; Ministers sent to France ; Death of Washington ; Mr Jefferson's administration ; Tripolitan war ; Burr's conspiracy ; Chesapeak and Leopard ; French and British Edicts ; Arrangement with Ermine ; Mr. Jackson's correspondence ; Measures preparatory to a Avar with Great Britain ; Declaration of war ; Mobia Baltimore > Capture of the Guerriere ; Hull's surrender ; Battle of - Queenston ; Capture of the Frolic ; the Macedonian ; and Java ; Battle at the Raisin ; Capture of the Peacock ; Battle and taking of York ; Fort Meigs ; Loss of the Chesapeak ; Victory on Lake Erie ; Loss of the Essex ; Capture of the Epervier ; Battle of Chippewa ; Possession of Washington by the British ; Plunder of Alexandria ; Fort Erie defended ', Naval victory on Lake Champlain , Defeat of the British at Plattsburg ; Fleets on Lake Ontario > Hartford Convention ; Loss of the President } Battle of New-Orleans } Peace.

12 CONTENTS.

EiMPIRES AND STATES. — ANCIENT AND MODERN.

Page

Assyria and Syria - - - - - ^- 208

Egypt - - 209

Tartary - ------. jb.

Spam 218

Hussia - -- 220

England -------- Jb,

Sovereigns of England, France, &c. - - . 225

Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the United States 225

Chronological Table - . - . . 227

Census of the U. States -- - - - 231

Constitution of the U. States - - - - 233

Questions on the History of the U. States - - 249

Questions on the Compendium - ^ - - 2^3

SKETCH

OF THE OF THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER I. First Settlement of Virginia and New-England

Preliminary remarks — Discovery of America — Discovery of the Northern Continent by Cabot — Queen Elizabeth's letters patent to Gilbert and Raleigh — Unsuccessful attempt to settle Virginia — Tobacco — Gosnold discovers Cape Cod — Settlement at Jamestown ^ Virginia — Captain Smith a prisoner — saved by Pocahontas — Chesapeak bay explored — Plot of the Indians ; revealed by Pocahontas — Pocahontas seized : her marriage — Women sent to Virginia for wives ; sold for tobacco — Slavery introduced^^ — Northern voyage of Captain Smith — Unsuccessful attempt to settle New-England — Rev, Mr. Robinson's flock — Settlement at Plymouth — ^Formed into a body politic — Intercourse with the Indians — Deaths of the Company — New arrivals — Settlement at Portsmouth and Dover — at Salem — Massachusetts colony — ^Arrival of Winthrop — Rfepyesentatives chosen^ — Ann Hutchinson :. theological dissensions — Massacre in Virginia by the Indians — Virginia company relinquish to the king-.

THE overthrow of ancient dynasties, the establishment of recent, or other most important revolutions in an empire, can have but an inconsiderable effect, compared with the stupendous events that have resulted, and that must hereafter result, from the discovery of America by Columbus.

The consequences of the greatest victories have generally been neither an accession to human happiness, nor an increase of the human race; but rather a diminution of both, or a mere change of masters. Far otherwise in all human probability, must eventually be the bene-

' jfiiiiiwiBiiu Jill— iu , r-^-.xr-,?';-''- — ' — r-J^^m ficial effects arising from the discovery of the western world.

In South America, when we consider how much longer time has elapsed since its first invasion, conquest and settlement principally by the Spaniards, than since the first permanent setdements in North America, it must be confessed that the progress of refinement, the diffusion of literature, and the extension of the arts and sciences, have been impeded by that inaptitude to exertion or enterprise, which has arisen from the abundance of, and from the facility of extracting silver and gold " out of the bowels of our mother earth ;" as well as from the general ignorance and superstition of the pi*iesthood, and the gloomy and oppressive tendency of their religion, thus rigidly taught and rigourously enforced.

The very gradual increase of population may be in a great degree attributed to the inhospitality of the climate in many places ; but in a greater, to the manners and habits of the people. If we compare the growth of some of the large cities in South America with those of the United States, the great disparity of increase will be apparent.

Lima was founded in 1535. In the year 1600 its inhabitants were 14,000; in 1700 they were 27,000; in 1790, they amounted to 52,000. Potosi was founded in 1545, and now contains about 100,000 inhabitants. Quito was founded in 1634, and contains about 65,000 inhabitants. There are many other cities, founded about the same time, the site of which for commerce, or on account of their nearness to rich mines, seems extremely favourable for a far greater population.

Eighty years since, where Baltimore now stands, there were not ten dwelling houses. In 1790 it contained above 13,000 inhabitants ; and in 1810 its population amounted to 46,555. Philadelphia, founded by Penn in 1682, contained in 1790, 43,525, and in 1810, 92,247, including the suburbs. The eity of New-York, in 1697, contained 4,302 souls ; in 1790, 33,131; in ,1810 its population was 93,914.

Not in the cities only, but in the United States at large, there has been a similar increase of population. When the census was first taken in 1790, the number of inhabitants was 3,950,000. In 1800, 5,305,666. In 1810, 7,230,514. At tins computation of increase, the number of souls double in less than twenty-five years ; at which rate, the following table will show the result for 150 years.

No. of Inhabitants in 1810 7,230,514

Allowing that in the United States, including Louisiana, there are two millions of square miles, or twelve hundred and eighty millions of acres; in one hundred and fifty years there would be about 230 persons to a square mile, not three acres to a man. That the present territory of the Union may increase in population, in the above proportion, for a century, is not, at once, to be considered improbable ; though many causes may conspire against it.

What may be the effects of divisions and consequent warSj of the increase of luxury and intemperance, of famine, of pestilence, or a decrease of migrations from Kurope, it is impossible to foresee. It is, however, delightful to anticipate the continuance of the Union for .centuries ; and to contemplate three or four hundred millions of our fellow creatures, enjoying climates profuse in every variety of good, basking in the sunshine <)f temperate liberty, and bound by the beneficent laws of one government and one constitution ;, extending,, Mot over the present dominions of the United States only, but stretching their limits to the shores of the Arctic Sea and Western Pacific.

The longevity of the oldest individual is so limited, that the most important changes and transactions of empires far distant or near, of ages remote^ recent, or present, speaking in the aggregate, have little effect qo

Hi his own happiness ; otherwise than as he, from sentiments of philanthropy or patriotism, in sympathy enjoys the pleasures of nations once happy; participates in the happiness of such as are now so ; or foretastes the expansion, continuance, and augmentation of national felicity, in approaching ages.^

Notwithstanding all the unmerited disappointments, cruel hardships, and severe maltreatment, which embittered so great a part of the life of Columbus, we cannot but suppose he received, in his latter days, not merely consolation, but high satisfaction, in reflecting on the magnitude anxJ success of his vast enterprise ; in anticipating the justice that would be rendered his character; the unbounded benefits that would result to mankind ; and the exaltation of his name, permanent as the world he discovered, and co-extensive with the annals of time.

" A light — a light,'* on board the little fleet of Columbus, was the joyful exclamation, at midnight, on the 11th of October 1492; and the next day the soil of America was pressed by the footsteps of Europeans.

Who can peruse the accounts of this voyage without sharing with a moistened eye, in the feelings of indignation, of hope and dread suspense, doubt and anxiety, that tenanted the bosom of the daring adventurer, for several days before this discovery ; or be less affected with ardent exultation, when the land became visible to his long gazing eyes ; and his labours of twenty years were at last crowned with success ?

Of the difficulties he encountered^ before he could prevail on any of the powers of Europe to patronize the undertaking ; of his fortitude and perseverance, and of his final success, it may be proper to take a brief notice.

Columbus is supposed to have been a native of Genoa. In 1447, he repaired to Lisbon. The Portuguese, at this time, were anxious to find a passage to the East Indies, round Africa. Columbus, from various considerations which to him appeared plausible, believed that a passage to the East Indies might be found by a western course over the Atlantic.

He sought the assistance of the Genoese, but was denied; the project appearing to them chimerical. He next solicited the Portuguese, but was unsuccessful. He sent his brother Bartholomew to England, to lay his plan before Henry VII. ; but his brother was captured, and did not reach England for several years.

Ferdinand and Isabella now governed the united kingdom of Castile and Arragon. To them he applied ; and, after much urgency, the negociation ended in a treaty with Columbus, April 1 7th, 1492. On the 3d of August of the same year, a little before sunrise, Columbus set sail with three small vessels.

He steered directly to the Canary Islands, which hd left the 6th of September, and held his course due west, over seas never before ploughed by European keels. His men ere long began to murmur; and several days before land was discovered threatened to throw hira overboard. By threats and flattery he persuaded his men to continue the voyage three days longer ; when, if land should not be discovered, he would return.

Little however did he risk by this stipulation ; the indications of the nearness of land being so numerous and almost indisputable. On the 11th of October, at the approach of night, he ordered all his sails furled, lest the vessel should be driven on shore. Not an eye was closed. All was doubt, expectation, fear, hope, and the trepidation of awful suspense. Each gazed with dreadful anxiety to that quarter where it was hoped land would be discovered.

A little after midnight the cry of Land, Land, was heard on board the Pinta, the most forward vessel. Having been often before deceived, suspense became the more painful, till morning, when all doubts were dispelled. Land was visible. With tears of joy the crews of the three vessels sung a hyran of thanksgiving to Almighty God.

In a rich dress, with a drawn sword, Columbus landed, and took possession, for the crown of* Castile and Leon. The Spaniards were surprised at the novelty of the scene. The naked simplicity of the natives^^ beardless, with long black hair, and other shape than their own, struck them with astonishment; nor less thp novelty of every herb, each shrub and tree.

Nor less was the wonder of the natives, at the sight of the Spaniards, whom they regarded as the children of the sun; but greater was their astonishment at the sight of the ships, wliich they considered as living, animals with wings, with eyes of lightning and with tongues of thunder.

Columbus made several voyages after this ; but Americus Vespucius, a Florentine adventurer, robbed him of a name that ought to have been given the New World.

Gold and silver were the great objects of search ; and these were found in South America, and here the settlements of the Spanish were made, w hile above a century elapsed, from the first discovery of North America, before it was again visited with success for purposes of settlement, excepting in Mexico and about the Isthmus of Darien.

May 1497, Giovanni Caboto, or John Cabot, a Venetian, having received a commission from Henry VII. of England, sailed from Bristol ; and, on the 24th of June, discovered Newfoundland. Leavilig this Island, and steering westwardly, he soon discovered the continent. His course was now directed northwardly in pursuit of a north-east passage to the East Indies, to the 67th degree of N. latitude, according to some authors, and, according to others, which accoimt we consider more probable, to about the 56th or 57th. ; Thence returning, he pursued a S. W. course, along the continent of North America, to the bay of Chesapeake ; or, as others suppose, to East Florida; and thence returned to England, without any where attempting a settlen^ent.