A common-school history of the United States; from the earliest period to the present time

Front matter

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oo

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Chapter II. Discoveries

Section I. Norman and Spanish Discoveries, 10.— § XL English and French Discoveries, 15. CHAPTER III.

SETTLEMENTS.

Section I. Virginia, 24.— § II. New York, 32.— § III. Massachusetts, 34.— § IV. New Hampshire, 37.— § V. Maryland, 37.— § VI. Connecticut, 39.— § VII. Rhode Island, 42. § VIII. Delaware, 43 ; New Jersey, 44 ; Pennsylvania, 45.— § IX. The Carolinas, 46.— § X. Georgia, 48.

Chapter IV

the COLONIES.

Section I. Virginia, 50.— § IT. Massachusetts, 56.— § III. New York, 69.— § IV. Maryland, 75.— § V. Connecticut, 77.— § VI. Rhode Island, 80.— § VII. New Jersey, 81.— § VIII. Pennsylvania, 83.— § IX. The Carolinas, 85.— § X. Georgia, 91.— § XL A Retrospect, 92." — § XIL The French and Indian War, 95.

Chapter V

the revolution.

Section I. Preliminary Events, 115.— § II. First Year of the War foi- Independence, 128. — $ III. Second Year of the War for Independence, 138.— § IV. Third Year of the War for Independence, 149.-5 V. Fourth Year of the War for Independence, 160,— § VI. Fifth Year of the War for Independence, 166.— § VII. Sixth Year of the War for Independence, 174.— § VIII. Seventh Year of the War for Independence, 181.— § IX. Closing Events of the War for Independence, 190.

Chapter VI

the nation.

Section I. Washington's Administration, 195.— § II. John 'Adams's Administration, 201.— § III. Jefferson's Administration, 203.— § IV. Madison's Administration, 208.— § V. The Second War for Independence, 214.— § VI. Second War for Independence— continued, 222.— § VII. Monroe's Administration, 231.— § VIII. John Quincy Adams's Administration, 234.— § IX. Jackson's Administration, 236.— § X. Van Buren's Administration, 241.— § XI. Harrison and Tyler's Administrations, 243.— § XII. Polk's Administration, 246.— § XIII. Taylor's Administration, 254.— § XIV. Pierce's Administration, 257.— § XV. Buchanan's Administration, 260.-§ XVI. Lincoln's Administration, 262.- The Great Civil War, 265.— The Constitution and Growth of the Republic, 305.

Questions for Review, 336.

SUPPLEMENT.

The Declaration of Independence, 349 —The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 35G.— Biographical Sketches of the Presidents of the Republic, 357.— Chronological Table, 367.

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

AFTER I.

THE ABORIGINES.

Section I

1, When men from Europe first came over the Atlantic ocean and landed on the shores of America at different places, they found inhabitants of a copper color, who could give very little account of themselves, as a people. They could not tell whether their race came from Asia, Africa, or Europe ; or whether, as many of them believed, their first father and mother were created in the land which they inhabited/

2. These people, who Avere called Indians," spoke a great variety of dialects,^ but there were among them only eight distinct languages.* They were divided into many families, or tribes ; but in color, size, moral character, religion, and government, they were 'very much alike. They were tall, straight, and well formed ;

1. There seem to be reasons for believing that the Aborigines, or first inhabitants of Americ'i, are of Asiatic origin.

2. When Columbus discovered the first land on the American coast (verse 6, page 12), he supposed that he had reached a point of Farther India, his theory being that, sailing westward, he would fi.nd that land. He and his people, therefore, called the native inhabitants Indinri'i.

3. Dialect is the form of expression peculiar to the people of difterent provinces or sections of a country wliere the same langt(nge is spoken. The people of London and Yorkshire have such different modes of expressing the English language, that it is difficult, sometimes, for them to understand each other.

4. These languaees, which represented eight nations, who inhabited the country from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river and beyond, occupying a region embraced within about twenty-four degrees of latitude, and almost forty degrees of longitude, and covering a greater portion of the breadth of the north temperate zone, were called, respectively, Algonquin, Huron, Iroquois, Cherokee, Catawba, Uchee, Natchez, and Dacotah or Sioux.

Questions.— 1. What kind of people did Europeans find in America? 2. What can you tell about their name, languages, and persons ?

THE ABORIGINES.

Dwellings, dress, monej', and langnage of the Indians.

A AVIGWAM.

their eyes were black ; their hair long, coarse, and straight. Sickness was very little known among them.

3. The men were employed in war, hunting, and fishing ; and tlie women did all the labor of every kind required by family wants. Huts made of poles covered with mats, skins of beasts, or bark of trees, were their dwelling-places, and were called icigicams. Their few tools were made of stones, shells, and bones. Their food was the meat of animals found in the forests, with fish, and a few vegetables. Maize, commonly called Indian corn^ was in common use. All the simple arts of their rude life were taught to their children.

4. In summer they were generally naked, excepting a light covering about the loins. In winter, they were clad in the skins of beasts.

Their money Vv^as made of pieces of shells in the form of tubes, and was callixDiAN, IN ^.uM::rr. cd iccimpiim ; it v/as il

made in strings and belts, and was used in trafiic, and, between nations and tribes, as tokens of affection or alliance. Yv^ampum-belts were held by the sachems, or chief men, as records of public acts.

5. The Indians had no v^ritten language, excepting rude pic- <.-) ture-v/ritings, and these were

couiined to the records of war-

WAJIPCM.

like achievements, treaties of

, . n ^— <^^'?^/ c:?n^^ alliance, and deeds of brave

- ^W'^'s'T^'r^ ^^ ^^ men. These were more fre-

iNPiAN niEROGLYpnics.i qucntly preserved in memory,

and handed down from father to son, and from chief to chief.

1. This is pnrt of a record of a war expedition. The figures on the right and left— one with a gun, and the other with the hatchet— denote pri^Oi.ers taken hy a warrior. The one

Qfestions.— 3. Wliat can dians ? 4- What of their clothing you tell ahout ti^e enip loynicnts, dwell'ns's, and food of the la- )th!ng and money ? 5. What of their writing and records ?

THE ABORIGINES.

Warfare, wonu-n, and funeral ceremonies of the Indif

6. War was the principal business of the men.

ally went forth in parties of

about forty. Sometimes only

They gener-

NDIAN •WEAPONS.

CALUMETS.

half-a-dozen would go out on

the war-path, like the ancient

knights, to seek renown in

combat. Their weapons were

(tomahawks) of stone, and

scalping-knives of bone. They made prisoners, and

tortured them ; and the scalps of enemies were their trophies of war.= Peace was arranged by sachems in council ; ' and each, smoking the same pipe of peace, called calumet^'' thus made a pledge of fidelity to the contract.

7. AVomen were the mere slaves of the men. They never engaged in any of the games, but were allowed, with their children, to be spectators of them and the war-dances. Marriage was a contract that might be broken by the husbands, who had a right to take and dismiss wives at pleasure.

8. The funeral ceremonies and methods of burial were similar among all the Indian nations. The dead body Avas wrapped in skins, when it Avas laid upon sticks in the bottom of a shallow pit ; or placed in a sitting posture in a grave; or laid upon a high scaffold, out of the reach of wild beasts. Trinkets, arms, tools, paints, and food were buried with it, for they supposed the soul would need them on its journey

SCAFFOLD KURIAL-PLACE.

without a head and holding a bow and arrow, denotes that one wa? killed; and the fii^uro with a sliaded part below the cross indicates a female prisoner. Then he goes in a warcanof, with nine oonipnnione, denoted by the paddles, after wh'ch a council is held by the chiefs of the Bear and Turtle tribes, indicated by rude figures of these animals on each side of a fire.

1. ^/, bow and arrow ; A, war-club ; c, an iron tomahawk -, /■/, a stone one ; e, a scalping-knife.

2. They seized an enemy by the hair, and, by a skillful use of the kr.ife, cut and tore from the top of the head a large poition of the skin.

3. Sfir,'ir;7))s were the civil luads of nations or tribes ; cliirfs were military leaders.

4. Tobacco was in general use anio: g the Indians for s???oAr/??e, when the white men came. The more filthy practice of cheirins it was invetited by the Europeans. The calwiiel \faa made of pipe-clay, and often ornamented with feathers.

Questions.— 6. What can you tell about the warfare and weapons, and method of peace-making of the Indians? 7. What can you tell about their women and marriagCB ? 8. What of their funeral ceremonies and burials?

THE ABORIGESrES.

Religion of the Indians.

to the abode of spirits. They raised mounds over the graves, planted flowers upon them, and mourned there for many days.

MEETING OF WHITE MEN AND INDIANS.

9. Their religion was simple in belief and ceremonies. They believed in a Great Good Spirit, and a Great Evil Spirit ; and considered the sun, moon, stars, meteors, fire, water, thunder, wind, and everything which they could not control themselves, as a sort of deity or god. They also adored what they called the Great Master of Life, in different forms, Avhom they called 3Ianitou, and made a sort of special deity. They had vague

Questions.— 9. What can you tell about the religious belief of the Indians?

THE ABORIGINES.

Government of the Indians. Their destiny.

ideas of a great flood that covered the earth ; and they occasionally made sacrifices of animals as an atonement for sin.

10. The government of the Indians was a mixture of family rule and kingly use of authority and power. The Sachem was chief ruler, often chosen because of his merits. So with the Chief; he was frequently chosen to be the leader of warriors, because of his own deeds in battle. The Sachem decided all questions debated in council; and wherever the Chief led, the warriors followed. Their councils were models of good order. While one was speaking, every other one listened with profound respect.

11. Such were the inhabitants of the territory of the present United States, when it Avas discovered by the Europeans. They were nearly all wanderers, and roamed over the solitary forests, free as the air they breathed, yet doing almost nothing toward cultivating the fertile soil beneath their feet. God did not design this continent to remain a wilderness. In his own good time he permitted the white man to find it. The white man came with the industry and arts of civilization, and changed the appearance of all things. Where the Indians hunted and fished, are seen farms, villages, and cities; and that race is rapidly passing away. Very few can now be found eastward of the Mississippi river.*

I. For a more detailed account of the Indians, see Lo.?ping'8 Pictorial History of the United States, for Schools and Families.

• Questions —10. What can you tell about the Erovernniput and leaders of the Indians? n. What have you to say about them and their relation to the coimtry ? What changee haro taken place ?

OHAPTEE II.

DISCOVERIES.

SECTION I.

NOEMAN AND SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

1. Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool-carcler of the city of Genoa, in Italy, is properly called the discoverer of America. There seems to be proof, however, that Europeans landed on its shores five hundred years before his time. There were bold sailors in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, who came to be called Sea-Kings. They sailed fearlessly over the northern seas in their little vessels, and at a very early period made settlements on Iceland and Greenland. There are records of voyages which they made from Iceland to norman ship.

a continent southwest from Greenland, as early as the year of our Lord 1002 ; and learned men believe that these Northmen' visited that portion of the Tj United States known as New^ England,^ and perhaps iroRTHMAN. sailed as far southward as the Delaware river.

1. The arcients called the territory which contn'ns morlorn Norw.ay, Sweden, Denmark, Lapland, Iceland, Finland, and tlie country around the Baltic Pca, by the general name of Scandinavia. The people were called Scandinavians, but in time came to be known as Northmen or Normen.

2. The States of our Republic eastward of New York are collectively called Neio England.

QuESTioxR.— 1. What can you tell abont the d stover crs of America? What about ancient sailors of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway ? "What discoveries did they probably make ?

NORMAN AND SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

The Northmen.

Eiistcrn commerce.

TOWER AT NEWPORT.

2. There are proofs that the Korthmen attempted to make settlements in the new land they had discovered ; but they left no trace of then* presence, unless it be the mysterious old Tower at Newport, Rhode Island, which many believe was built by them. If tliese voyages vv^ere ever known in Southern Europe, they had been long forgotten when Columbus proposed to sail westward in search of wealthy India by a new route.

3. At that time Italy was the mistress of the Mediterranean sea, and controlled the commerce of Europe with India, the great cape of Asia, for the route thither was through Egypt, Arabia, and Persia. The merchants of Western Europe wished to share with Italy in that traffic, but their ships were not allowed to sail unmolested in the Mediterranean, to Egypt. It was the common belief that under the equator was a region of impassable heat. This error was at length corrected by Portuguese navigators, who sailed around the southern extremity of Africa and went to the East through the Indian Ocean.

4. Lisbon, from which these navigators sailed, now became an attractive place for adventurers. Columbus Avent there, and married the daughter of an eminent deceased navigator ; and from his father-inlaw's papers he got much knowledge.

He was convinced that the eartlr was round ; that an unknown continent was in the Atlantic ocean; and that Asia might be sooner reached by sailing westward than by making the long voyage around Africa. He was also impressed with a belief that he was commissioned to carry the gospel of Christ to unknown heathen.

5. In search of knowledge, Columbus made a voyage to Ice-

QcFSTiONS.— 2. What can yon tell abont the Northmen in Amer ca ? 3. What did Italydo? What did merchants of Western Europe desire to do? What error was corrected? .4. Wh:it can you tell about Lisbon, and Columbus there ? What were his beliefs ?

COLL'llBUS.

DISCOVERIES.

Columbus aided.

Hie great discovery.

land and the icy seas beyond, where he probably heard vague rumors of the early visits to a western continent. When he returned, he asked first his own countrymen, and then the kings of England and Portugal, to help him fit out an expedition for a voyage of discovery. None but King John of Portugal listened favorably, and he did nothing. Columbus waited long. At length his wife died, and, taking his little son by the hand, he started on foot, sad and discouraged, to lay his plans before Ferdinand and Isabella, the rulers of Spain.

6. The queen became his friend,^ and with others fitted out three small vessels for Columbus. With these he sailed from Palos, in Andalusia, on the 3d of August, 1492, and, after a tedious and perilous voyage, he first saw land on

BANNER OP THE EXPEDITION.

the 11th of October fol-

ISABELLA. T . -r. n j_i

lowmg. It was one oi tno Bahamas, nov/ called Cat Island. On the next day he went ashore, richly dressed in scarlet, and, bearing the banner of the expedition, took possession of the country in the name of the king and queen.^ The natives received him and his followers with awe. With pious feelings he named the island San Salvador, or Holy Savior.

7. Columbus discovered several other islands, and named the group the West Indies. On his return he was received with great honors, but the monarchs attempted to keep his discoveries

1. Isabella was very religious, and the impression made on her mind by the zeal manifested by Columbus to become a missionary, had a powerful effect. His assurance that he ehouki tind the vast treasures hidden in that far-distant India, of which travelers had told, excited her desires for greater wealth and mairni licence.

2, It was a common ]iractice then, as now, for the discoverer of new lands to erect some monument and to proclaim the title of his sovereign to the territories so discovered. Tho banner of tlie exj^edition borne on shore by Columbus, was a white one, with a green cross. Over the initials, F. and Y. (Ferdinand and Ysabella), were golden mural crowns.

Questions.— 5. What voyage did Columbus mak*^? To whom did he apply for help? 6. What dill Oueen Isabella' do? Wbat can you tell about Columbus's voyage and discoveries? What took place wlicn he reached lai.d?

SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

Columbus and his discoveriea

A rival.

a secret from the rest of the world for their own advantage, made several other voyages, and In 1498 discovered the coast of South America ; yet he died in the belief that he had only found a portion of Eastern Asia. One of his companions revealed the secret to Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator, v*^ho explored the eastern coast

THE VESSELS OF COLUMBITS.

COLUMBUS DISCOVERING LAND.

Questions.— 7. "WHiat other voyasjes and discoveries did Coliimbus make ? What can you ti'il about another navigator, and the naming of our continent?

DISCOVERIES.

Name of the continent.

Balboa.

Florida.

Mexico.

of South America, and published a glowing account of the great ^^^^^ conthient which he claimed to have dis-

/ covered. In his honor that continent

was called America.

8. Spanish settlements were soon made in the West Indies, and expeditions were sent out from St. Domingo, Cuba, and Porto Rico, in search of goldbearing regions which, it was believed, lay around them. In 1510, Balboa crossed the isthmus of Darien, and discovered the Pacific ocean, which he AMLRiGo vEspccci. callcd tlic Soutli sca. He waded into its

waters in full costume, bearing the Spanish flag, and took j^ossession of sca and land, in the name of his sovereign.

9. In 1512, John Ponce de Leon sailed from ^ Porto Rico, and discovered the present great southern cape of the United States, which he named Florida.' Other adventurers followed him in the same direction, and made vain attempts to plant settlements on the coast of what is now Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In 1517, an expedition under Cordova * discovered Mexico ; and so favorable was his report that Velasquez, the governor of Cuba,,,; determined to take possession of the country. '^ For this purpose he sent a fleet and small army, under the command of Fernando Cortez, -. who by falsehood and treachery obtained possession of the country in 1521.

1. The picture e;'ves a correct representation of those armed Spaniards who attcmiMed conqiipstr^ in the New World.

2. He had been f^overnor of Porto Rico, and had been made to believe that on the neiiihborinn; continent was a fountain whose waters, when partaken of, would restore youth to old age, and perjjetuate it. He was in search of this fountain Avhen, on the 27th of March, he touched the shore, and found it covered with flowers. It was nUo Panquns de, Flores^ or Easter Sunday, on which occasion the churches were decorated with flowers. So he called the land Florida.

Questions.— S. "What can you tell about Spanish settlements and expeditions? W^hat of Bill'Oil 9. What can you tell about the discovery of Florida? What can you tell about the discovery r.nd co.iquest of Mexico?

ENGLISH AND FKENCH DISCOVERIES.

De Sjto and the Mississippi.

The C.ibots.

JO. In 1539, De Soto, a Spanish adventurer, who was then governor of Cuba, landed with six hundred men in Florida, and marching westward, in spite of hostile natives, discovered the Mississippi river, and explored the country beyond it almost to the base of the Rocky Mountains. After a march of three thousand miles, during a period of about three years, De Soto died on the Mississippi, and the remnant of his followers, having suffered terribly, made their way to a Spanish settlement in Mexico. The chief object of all these expeditions

was GOLD.

Section II. English And Fkencii Discoveries

1. While the Spaniards were searching for gold in the region of the Gulf of Mexico, English and French adventurers were on the more northerly shores of the continent, on the same errand, and for the discovery of a north v/cst passage to India through the Polar seas. Henry the Seventh, king of England, would not listen to Columbus ; ' but when he heard of his wonderful success, he was willing to give help in a similar undertaking.

2. John Cabot, a wealthy merchant of Bristol, England, hearing of this disposition of the king, asked him to aid himself and his son Sebastian in iitting out exploring vessels. The king did so. In May, 1497, Sebastian Cabot sailed toward Greenland with two small ships. When he encountered fields of ice in the polar Avaters, he turned toward the southwest, and first saw the American continent on

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

Questions.— 10. Describe the advei.tures of De Snto, ai d the end of them. Wat wag the object of all Snanish expeditions in America ?—l. What were En^ilish and French navigators doinc:? What can you tell about King Henry of Ei gland? 2. What can you tell about Jolm Cabot and his son ? Describe the voyage and discoveries of Sebastian Cabot.

DISCOVERIES.

Sebastian Cabot's discoveries.

Verrazzani

Cartier.

the rugged shores of Labrador. He was the first discoverer of the American continent^ Columbus having seen only some of its neighboring islands.^

3. Sebastian was placed in command of another expedition the following year. It was fitted out by his father and some Bristol merchants for the discovery of a northwest passage to India. He was again turned southward by ice. He discovered [N'ewfoundland,^ and explored the Atlantic coast as far as the present harbor of Charleston. His discoveries gave him great fame. In 1517 he was sent again to the Polar seas; and in 1526 while in the employment of the king of Spain, he explored the coast of Bra- .zil, in South America, and discovered the great river de la Plata. 4. The king of France, in the mean time, had become interested in these wonderful voyages, and in 1523 he employed John Verrazzani, a Florentine, to explore the coasts of the mysterious New World. Verrazzani sailed in December, and in March first touched the continent at the mouth of the Cape Fear river. He then sailed northward, examined the coast all the way to Newfoundland, and called the entire country New France. 5. Ten years later, the French king was induced to attempt the planting of settlements in New France, and for that purpose he sent James Cartier, a native of St. Malo, Avith several vessels. Cartier reached Newfoundland early in June,

VERKAZZANI.

CAUTIEU'S &1UP.

1. Verse 7, pnge 12. . , j tt

2 He save the name of Newfonrdland (rew found land) to th's large island. He perceived the immense numbers of codli-^h in its vicinity ; and witlrn five or six years after this discovery, many fishermen from England, Brittany, and Noimandy went thither for those treasures of the deep.

Questions.— 3. Describe other voyages and discoveries of Sebastinn Cabot on the coast of North America. Describe his discoveries m Smitli America. 4. What did the king of France do? W'lat can you tell Ml-out Verrazz'ini's dircover es ? Whnt did he call the new country? 5. What else did the Fr. nch do ? What cm you tell about James Cartier's doings?

ENGLISH AND FRENCH DISCOVERIES.

Events on the St. Lawrence.

Protestants in France.

1534,and soon afterward discovered the mouth of the great river Avhich he named St. Lawrence/ He set up a cross and the arms of France on the shore, and took possession of the country in the name of the French king.

6. Cartier commanded another expedition to the St. Lawrence, in 1535. Leaving his hirger vessels in the mouth of the St. Charles, at the site of Quebec, he went in boats to the capital of the Indian king of the country, situated where Montreal ^ now stands. He was kindly received, and returning, wintered in his ships, in the St. Charles. In the spring he decoyed the Indian king on board of one of his vessels, and carried him off to France, where he died broken-hearted. This wicked act made the Indians hate the "pale-faces," as they called Europeans. Other efforts w^ere made by the French to plant settlements in New France, but none were successful until seventy years afterward.^

V. At this period, there was much religious excitement in France. The protests of Martin Luther and others against certain doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, had made a great disturbance in Europe. Those who favored the reformation then attempted were called Protestants. These had become numerous in France about the year 1560, and there they were named Huguenots. They had a powerful friend in Jasper Coligny, high admiral of France.

1. This name was civen because the discovery was raarle on the festival day of St. Lawrence in the calendar of the Roman Catliolic Cliurch.

2. It was called HoclipJnsa. He ascended the great hill in the rear of the village, and so inspired was he with the view from its summit, that he called it Mont-Real, or Royal Mountain, the name of the present city at its foot.

3. Cartii'r made another voyage to the St. Lawrence, as a subordinate. Francis de la Roque, a wealthj' nobleman of Picardy, in France, fitted out an expedition for discoveries and settlement in New France, by periniBsion of tlie French kirg. He chose Cartior for his lieutenant, who sailed before his superior was ready, in June, 1541. Cartier asrain went wy) the St. Lawrence, and found the natives sullen on account of liis perfidy. He built a fort at QueViec. Francis (who is better known as Lord of Roberval) followed, but the attempt at settlement was a failure. Roberval passed up the St. Lawrence, built two more forts near Quebec, endured a winter of great distress, and returned to France in the spring of 1543. Six years afterward he again sailed for the St. Lawrence, and Avas never heard of afterward.

NOBLEMAN

Questions.— 6. What can you tell about Cartier's second voyage? How did he treat the Indian kiiur? 7. What can you tell about religious excitement in Europe? What were the reformers called ? What can you say of the French Protestants ?

18 DISCOVEEIES.

Huguenot Settlements. Disasters. English Navigators.

8. The rulers in church and state persecuted the Huguenots, and Coligny resolved to find a place of refuge for them in America. The king gave him authority to do so ; and in February, 1562, several vessels filled with emigrants left France for the new-found world. They landed on the shore near Port Royal entrance, where the Broad river flows into the Atlantic ocean, and there built a fort, which they called Carolina, in honor of their monarch, Charles (Carlos) the Ninth. This name was afterward given to the adjacent portion of the continent, which it still bears.

9. The attempt to settle at Port Royal failed. Another ^y^s made on the bank of the St. John's river, in Florida, and met with a most tragical end. The Spanish monarch sent Pedro Melendcz, a cruel soldier, to drive away or destroy the French. He landed with his followers on the coast of Florida, founded the city of St. Augustine, and proclaimed his king monarch of all North America. This was in September, 1565. He then fell upon the Huguenots and massacred about nine hundred men, women, and children. De Gourges, a French soldier, avenged the death of these people.^ Thus ended this first attempt to plant settlements in America.

10. Fugitive Huguenots who were picked up at sea and carried to England, told of the beauty and fertility of the southern coasts of America, and the public attention was turned in that direction. Sir Humphrey Gilbert was the first to propose a sensible plan for settlement. With the aid of his young and wealthy step-brother, Walter Raleigh, he fitted out some vessels, and sailed with a number of followers early in 1579. He was driven back by storms and Spanish war-vessels. Four years afterward [1583] lie made another attempt. He reached and explored the

1, De GonrireB, a fiery soldier of Gascony, fitted out an expedition to revenge tliis cruel act. He sailed for Florida in three ships bearing one hundred and fifty men. He attacked and cat tured two Spanish forts on the St. Johii's, and made two hundred men prisoners. These he liuna; unon the trees. Tie was too feeble to attack the forc3 at St. Augustine, and tlie Spaniards held possession. This was the first permanent European settlement within the present domain of the United States. The first house built there was demolished by United States troops, during the Civil War that commenced in 1S61.

Questions.— 8. What did Coligny do? What can you tell about the Husuenots in America? Where did they attempt a settlement? 9. What else did the Huguei.ots do? How and by whom was their new settlement broken up? Who aveiirred the act? 10. How came the Enalish to make voyaues to the more southern coasts ? What can you tell about Sir Humphrey Gilbert and his voyages lo America ?