The United States reader: embracing selections from eminent American historians, orators, statesmen and poets

Front matter

***** •

ANDERSON'S SCHOOL HISTORIES.

A School History of England.

Preface

The general plan of this work corresponds very nearly with that of the Historical Reader, recently presented to the public; and its object, like that work, is to teach history so as to cultivate, at the same time, the taste of the pupil for historical reading and study, and to afford in connection therewith, appropriate materials for reading-lessons and exercises in elocution.

It is quite often a subject of complaint among intelligent educators, that the materials of most of the reading-books in use supply to so small an extent the means of imparting useful information, or of instilling a taste for the perusal of instructive books. Their desultory character has, without doubt, a tendency to prevent this result.

In the present work, a sufficient variety of composition, it is believed, is supplied to afford every necessary exercise in elocution; while the subject-matter is connected, from beginning to end, not only by notes and observations, but by a continuous text, so as to form a succinct narrative of all the great events in our history. It is thus not only a Reading-Booh, hut a complete History of tlie United States.

The selections are chiefly from the most eminent historians

2 Preface.

(with few exceptions, American) ; also from the illustrious orators and statesmen who have, by the splendor of their genius and patriotism, shed a peculiar lustre upon our annals. Some of the great events are still further illustrated by choice extracts, chiefly from the most illustrious of the American poets, all having a tendency to infuse into the mind of the youthful student a warm patriotic sentiment, as well as to impress deeply upon his memory the history of the events referred to in these beautiful and spirit-stirring verses.

Nor is it the smallest consideration, that the pupil, by the use of such a compilation as this, of necessity acquires a knowledge of the best writers, and is enabled, after discontinuing its use, or in connection with it, to arrange for himself a proper course of historical reading; since the author has been careful to insert in connection with the pieces the names of their writers, as well as the works from which they have been extracted.

The text of the history is brief and direct, and, in order that the original and selected matter may be at once distinguished, has been printed in smaller type, though, it is believed, sufficiently conspicuous to be easily and conveniently legible. The author has used no questions, but has arranged the matter in brief paragraphs with prominent headings, indicating at once the events described. This arrangement seemed to be better adapted to the plan of topical study and recitation, which in the author's judgment has, especially in histor3 T , very many advantages. The model of analysis will supply further aid to teachers in the proper method of conducting recitations.

The Progressive Maps which have been inserted, particularly

Preface. 3

that illustrating the Territorial Growth of the nation, will be' found of great value, uot only in teaching the geographical . position of the places referred to in the text and selections, but also by presenting the great features of the nation's progress and development at different periods. The Vocabulary of Difficult Words, and the Biographical Index of Authors, w r ill also be found very useful appendages to a. work of this character.

The author submits this work to the impartial examination and trial of his fellow-teachers, confident that it will prove a valuable addition to the ordinary means of teaching history, in bringing the pupil's mind in communion with the masterpieces of so many gifted writers ; and that, even where a simple compilation is used, this work will perform an important service as an auxiliary.

New York, May, 1873.

ALPHABETICAL OTDEX OF AUTHORS,

With references to the pages containing selections from each.

Page

Allen 143

Armstrong 214

BailHe 12

Reach 357

Bellows 372

Brodhead 91, 99

Bryant 199

Campbell 53

Clay 281

DeChaetellux 178

Dngannc 351

Esl van 353

Franklin 226

Garden 206

Gillett 294

Greeley 237, 346

Greene 181

Oriinshaw 183

Guizol an

Hawthorne 136

Headley 268,290

Heinans 51

Holmes, A 168

Hooper 318

Hopkinson 244

Jackson 315

Jay 224

Jefferson 254

Key 293

Page

Lincoln 348, 365

Longfellow 81, 194, 231

Lossing 115

Lyons 326

Mackenzie 264, 320

Mackintosh...; 236

Mansfield '. 327, 333

Marshall 248

Mason 246

Maxcy 139

Mirabeau .. .235

Nott , 257

Orne 174

Palfrey 59

Pierpont 65, 149

Pollard 369

Prescott 17, 27

Putnam 361

Randall 166, 252

Read 366

Ripley 323

Robertson 14

Southey 57

Story 378

Sparks US, 1 45, 222

Sumner 309

Sweet 341

Timbs 261

Washington 213, 218

Webster, Noah 301

Webster, Daniel 156, 307, 339

Willis 205

Winthrop 336

Wirt 312

Section I. — Discoveries axd Explorations. PAG3

Discovery of America (11); Analysis (11).

First Voyage of Columbus . Baillie. 12

Landing of Columbus . Robertson. 14

Other Discoveries and Voyages (17).

Maritime Enterprise in the loth Century Prescott. 17

Character of Columbus Irving. 20

Amerigo Vespucci (23); The Cabots (22).

Discovery of Florida Bancroft. 23

Expedition of Balboa (2 i).

Discovery of the Pacific Ocean Irving. 26

De Ayllon's Expedition (27); Discovery and Conquest of Mexico (27). Boldness of Cortez Prescott. 27

Expedition of Narvaez (30).

Expedition of De Soto Parkman. 30

Explorations by the French (33) ; Settlement of Florida (-33).

Discovery of Lake Champlain Parkman. 34

The American Indians Hildreth. 38

Section II. — Colonial History

Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage (44) ; Voyage of Amidas and Barlow (44); First Attempts at Settlement in Virginia (44).

Settlement of Jamestown Graliame. 44

Pocahontas Hemans. 51

Virginia under the Second Charter (52) ; Third Charter (52); Dissolution of the Company (53).

The Cultivation and Use of Tobacco Campbell. 53

The Navigatio?r Act (55); Bacon's Rebellion (5G) ; Subsequent History (56) ; Massachusetts (56) ; Explorations of New England (56) ; The Puritaus (57); Voyage of the Mayflower (57).

Landing of the Pilgrims , Southey. 57

Settlement of Plymouth Palfrey. 59

The Pilgrim Fathers Pierpont. 65

History of Plymouth (66); Massachusetts Bay Colony (66); Rhode Island (67).

Roger Williams and the Settlement of Providence Bancroft. 67

Rhode Island Plantation (71); New Hampshire (71); Connecticut (71); Connecticut Colony (71); Saybrook Colony (71); Pc-quod War (72); New Haven Colony (72); Union of the Colonies (72); The Charter Oak (,72).

The New England Confederacy Graliame. 73

Contents.

PAGK.

Eliot's Efforts to convert the Indians Grahame. 74

Persecution of the Quakers (78); King Philip's War (79).

Death and Character of King Philip Irving. 79

The Indian Hunter Longfellow. 81

Coinage in Massachusetts Everett. 82

Arbitrary Conduct of Charles II. (85); King William's War (85) ; Salem Witchcraft (86).

Witchcraft in Massachusetts Everett. 86

Queen Anne's War (89); King George's War (90).

The Pilgrims Everett. 90

New York (91); Discovery of the Hudson River (91). Voyage of the Half-Moon Brodhead. 91

Colonization of the Country (95); Governors of New Netherlands (96).

Character of Peter Stuyvesant Irving. 96

Conquest of New Netherlands by the English Brodhead. 99

First English Governor (106); Negro Plot (106); Subsequent History (106); New Jersey (106); Maryland (107); Settlemeut of St. Mary's (107).

Commencement of Colonization in Maryland Bancroft. 107

Subsequent History of the Colony (110): Pennsylvania (110); Grant to William Penn (110); Founding of Philadelphia (110); Treatment of the Swedes (110) ; Subsequent History (111).

Penn's Treaty with the Indians Anon. Ill

Delaware (112); Conquest of the Dutch (112); Subsequent History (113): North and South Carolina (113); Georgia (113); Grant to Oglethorpe (113); War with the Spaniards (114).

Section III. — The French and Indian War. Causes of the War (114); Washington's Mission (114)

Incidents of Washington's Journey Lossing. 115

Events of 1754(117); Events of 1755 (118); Braddock's Expedition

(US).

Defeat of Braddock Sparks. 118

Other Expeditions of 1755 (121); Events of 1756 (122); Events of 1757 (12J); Events of 1758 (122); Events of 1759 (123).

Taking of Quebec and Death of Wolfe ParJcman. 123

Events of 1700, and Close of the War (127).

State of the Colonies in 17G5 Grahame. 127

Section IV. — The American; Revolution". Causes (133)

The Stamp Act Grimshaxo. 123

Effect of its Passage (135); Other Measures of Taxation (135).

The Boston Massacre Hawthorne. 136

Tax upon Tea (138); Boston Port Bill (139); First General Congress (139); Minute Men (139).

The First American Congress Ma.vcy. 139

Battle of Lexington 0. W. Holmes. 141

Capture of Ticonderoga Ethan Allen. 143

Second Continental CoDgress (145).

Contents. 7

PAGE.

Appointment of General Washington Sparks. 145

Battle of Bunker Hill (1-19).

Warren's Address Pierpont. 149

Conduct of Lord Dunmore (150); Invasion uf Canada (150).

Montgomery's Attack on Quebec Parton. 151

Evacuation of Canada (153) : Events of 1776 (153); Evacuation of Boston (153); Repulse of the British from Charleston (154); Declaration of Independence (154).

Independence Bell Anon. 154

Speech of John Adams -. Webster. 15G

The Declaration of Independence Jefferson. ICO

Debate in Congress on the Declaration Randall. 160

Heading of the Declaration to the Army Penn. Journal. 167

Battle of Long Island Holmes. 16S

Retreat of Washington (173); Battle of Trenton (173): Battle of Princeton (174).

Washington at Princeton Miss C. F. Orne. 174

Arrival of Lafayette (175).

First Anniversary of the Declaration of In dependence. Penn. Jour. 176

Battle of Brandywine (177); Battle of Gerniantown (177); Burgoyne's Expedition "(177).

Surrender of Burgoyne Be Chastellux. 178

Washington at Valley Forge Theodore Parker. 179

Life at Valley Forge Geo. W. Greene. 181

Events of 1773 (184) ; Evacuation of Philadelphia (184).

Battle of Monmouth Irving. 184

Attack on Rhode Island (189)5 Massacre of Wyoming (189); Capture of Savannah (189); Events of 1779 (190) : Battle of Chemung (190); Paul Jones's Victory (190).

Paul Jones's Naval Battle Parton. 190

Repulse of the Americans at Savannah (194).

Pulaski's Banner Longfellow. 194

Events of 1780 (195); Taking of Charleston (195); Partisan Warfare in the South (195).

Marion's Brigade Ramsay. 196

Song of Marion's Men Bryant. 199

Marion, Sumter, and Pickens H. Lee. 199

Arnold's Treason (201).

Execution of Major Andre Alexander Hamilton. 203

Andre's Last Request. Willis. 205

Benedict Arnold Garden. 206

Events of 1781 (207): Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Troops (207); Measures of Relief (208); Battle of the Cowpens (208); Retreat of Morgan and Greene (208); Battle of Guilford Court-House (208); Battle of Hobkirk's Hill (208); Battle of Eutaw Springs (209).

Character of General Greene Hamilton. 209

Siege of Yorktown, and Surrender of Cornwallis (211).

Yorktown WMtiier. 211

Expedition of Arnold (212) ; Close of the Revolution (212); Difficulties at the Close of the War (212); Proposal of Colonel Nicola (213).

IV*

Contents.

PAGE.

Washington's Reply to Colonel Nicola 213

Ncwburg Addresses (214).

Address to the Army 214

Washington's Address to the Officers of the Army 218

Disbaudment of the Army (2-20); Retirement of Washington (220).

Washington Resigning his Commission Ramsay 220

Eminent Statesmen of the Revolution Sparks. 222

Mount Vernon Rev. Wm. Jay. 224

Weakness of the Confederacy (224); Adoption of the Constitution (224).

Insufficiency of the Confederation , Hamilton. 225

Motion for Prayers in the Convention Franklin. 226

Election of President and Vice-President (228) .

Section V. — The Nation. Inauguration of Washington Hildreth. 228

The Launching of the Ship , Longfellow. 231

Washington's Administration (233); Additional States (233); Death of Franklin (233).

Last Hours of Dr. Franklin Parian, 234

Eulogy on Franklin Mirabeau. 235

Character of Franklin Mackintosh. 236

Franklin and Washington Greeley. 237

Harmar's Expedition (238); St. Clair's Expedition (230); Wayne's Expedition (239); Tronblo with the French Minister (289); Whiskey Insurrection (239); Jay's Treaty (239).

Washington at Mount Vernon Irving. 240

The Retirement of Washington Guizot. 241

John Adams's Administration (244) ; Trouble with France (244).

Hail, Columbia Uopkinson. 244

Death of Washington (246).

. Tribute to Washington , , Mason. 246

Character of Washington Marshall. 248

Removal of the Capital (251).

The Election of Jefferson Randall. 252

Advice to the Nation Jefferson. 254

Admission of Ohio (256); Purchase of Louisiana (256); War with Tripoli (257) ; Duel between Hamilton and Burr (257).

Eulogy on Hamilton Dr. Kott. 257

Re-election of Jefferson (260); Burr's Subsequent History (260); Trouble with England (260); Affair of the Chesapeake and Leopard (2iil); The Embargo Act (261).

Steam Navigation Timbs. 261

King Cotton Robt. Mackenzie. 264

Madi-on's Administration (267); War of 1812 (267); Little Belt and

President (267) ; Battle of Tippecanoe (267); Surrender of Detroit

Battle of Qiieenstown J. T. Headley. 2G8

Capture of the Guerriere by the Constitution Cooper. 276

Contents. g

PAGE .

Other Naval Victories (280); Career of the Constitution (2S0).

Old Ironsides 0. W. Holmes. 280

American Privateers (281) ; Opposition to the War (2S1).

Necessity of the War of 1812 Henry Clay. 281

Campaign of 1S13 (286): Perrv's Victory (286) ; Battle of the Thames (287); Defeat of the Creeks (287): "Campaign in Canada (287); Naval Actions (2SS) ; Campaign of 1S14 (.289); Ross's Expedition (290).

Burning of Washington J. T. Headley. 290

Attack on Baltimore (293).

The Star-Spangled Banner Key. 293

The Flag of Washington ;.' F. W. Gillett. 294

Surrender of the Essex (295); Seizure of Pensacola (295); Expedition against New Orleans (2'J5).

Battle of Xew Orleans Parton. 295

Hartford Convention (300).

Objects of the Hartford Convention Noah Webster. 301

Treatv of Peace with England (303): War with Algiers (303); Monroe's Administration (304); War with the Seminoles (304); Cession of Florida to the United States (304); New States (30^) ; Missouri Compromise (305).

Death of Commodore Decatur Cooper. 305

Monroe Doctrine (307) ; Visit of Lafayette (3 )7).

Address to Lafayette Webster. 307

Lafayette at Mount Vernon Levasseur. 308

Death and Character of Lafayette'. Sumner. 309

John Quincy Adams's Administration (311).

Death of John Adams Theodore Parker. 311

Adams and Jefferson Wirt. 312

The American System (314); Jackson's Administration (314) ; Black Hawk War (314) ; Nullification (314).

Proclamation to South Carolina Jackson. 315

War with the Seminoles (31T) ; Captivity of Osceola (317). Osceola Lucy Hooper. 318

Van Buren's Administration (319) ; Rebellion in Canada (319) : Harrison and Tyler's Administration (320) ; Annexation of Texas (320).

Texas Bobt. Mackenzie. 320

Polk's Administration (322) ; War with Mexico (322). Battle of Resaea de la Palma B. 8. Bipley. 323

Taking of Matamoras and Monterey (325).

The Martyr of Monterey Bev. J. G. Lyons. 326

General Kearney's Expedition (327).

March of Colonel Doniphan Mansfield. 327

Conquest of California (331) ; Battle of Buena Vista (332). The Angels of Buena Vista Wliittier. 332

General Scott's Expedition (333) ; Occupation of Mexico (333). American Conquest of Mexico Mansfield. 333

Treaty of Peace with Mexico (335) ; Taylor's and Fillmore's Administrations (336) ; Admission of California (336).

Eulogy on Zachary Taylor B. C. Winthrop. 336 l o Contents.

PAGE.

Eulogy on John C. Calhoun Webster. 339

Death of Henry Clay (341),

Oratory of Hen ry Clay S. W. Sweet. 341

Death of Daniel Webster (343).

Eulogy on Daniel Webster Clark. 343

Pierce's Administration (344) ; Civil War in Kansas (345) ; Buchanan's Administration (313) ; Brown's Raid (345) ; Election of Abraham Lincoln (345) ; Hostilities at Charleston (345); Ordinances of Secession (34(5).

Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln Greeley. 346

The Constitution and the People Lincoln. 348

Capture of Fort Sumter (350) ; Uprising „f the North (350) ; Conduct of the Slave States (350) ; Movements of the National Army (350).

Bethel Duganne. 351

Battle of Bull Run (352) ; War in .Missouri (352) ; Union Naval Victories (352).

The Merrimac and the Monitor Estvdn. 353

The Last Broadside Eliz. T. P. Beach. 357

Battle of Shiloh (*>S) ; Capture of New Orleans (358) ; Defeat of Mc- Clellan (358) ; Invasion of Maryland (359).

Barbara Frietchie WMiticr. 359

History of Our Flag Rev. A. P. Putnam. 3G1

Battle of Fredericksburg (364) ; Emancipation Proclamation (364); Battle of Chancellorsville (304) ; Battle of Gettysburg (304).

National Cemetery at Gettysburg .Lincoln. 3G5

Capture of Vicksburg, etc. (3(55) ; Operations of Grant, Sherman, and Thomas (366) ; Grant's Campaign in Virginia (306) ; Operations in the Shenandoah Valley (360).

Sheridan's Ride Read. 366

Destruction of the Alabama (30S) ; Victory by Admiral Farragut (368); Victories of Sherman (368); Occupation of Richmond (368).

Evacuation of Richmond Pollard. 3G9

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (3T1).

United States Sanitary Commission II. W. Bellows. 372

Johnson's Administration (376) ; Abolition of Slavery (376); Reconstruction (376) ; Impeachment of the President (377^ ; Grant's Administration (377) ; Chicago Fire (377).

Chicago Wdttier. 378

The Future of the Republic Story. 379

Territorial Growth of the United States (381); Civil Progress of the Nation (384).

nfTEODTJOTIOBT.

PKINCIPLES OF ELOCUTION.

Elocution is the oral communication of thought. When the thought has been previously embodied in written composition, elocution becomes recitation or reading. It is recitation when .the composition has been committed to memory, and reading when the composition is delivered from book or manuscript.

The principles of elocution are, therefore, applicable to reading, recitation, public speaking, and conversation. They may be grouped under articulation, 'pronunciation, inflection, emphasis, pauses, and modulation.

Articulation is the utterance of the elementary sounds of the language. Distinct articulation is the basis of good elocution.

The elementary sounds are the sounds composing syllables and words. They are variously represented by the letters of the alphabet, and may be divided into three classes ; namely, Vocals, Sub-vocals, and Aspirates.

Vocals are complete or open sounds expressed by the vowels; suo-vocals are sounds modified by the teeth, lips, etc. ; aspirates are simple emissions of breath, modified like the sub-vocals. Vocals are represented by the vowels ; sub-vocals and aspirates, by the consonant letters.

The following is a table of the elementary sounds. [The marks are those used in Webster's Dictionary.]

Long. Short.

1. a as in ape 1. e as in end

2. a " " air 2. a " " add

United States Reader.

Long.

Short.

as in eve

4!

i as in it e u i< earn* u up o oak

(No corresponding short sound.)

Q u u do u u u bull u U or u u ox

Diphthongal.

9. 10. 11. 12.

I oi

ou u ice oil our use equivalent to a and l] Pronounced ° ' H in one ° " Q \ sound.

Modifying.

y

«s era yet equivalent to

T joined to et w

WCt a u u "

et

SUB-VOCALS.

ASPIRATES.

b as in bed correlative with p as in pet a it u did tin g gig keg j jug ch ■ "

chin

V vat u fat z zone u sun thine th " "

thin

Zll azure c sh " "

shall

Liquid Sub-vocals.

Open.

I let h as in he m

" w man

. wh when n noon

Equivalent to 6 and h.)

r u tt run eg song

The above table snows that there are 14 vocals; — 8 simple, 4 diphthongal, and 2 modifying; also that there are 13 subvoeals, and 10 aspirates, making in all 44 elementary sounds in the language. These sounds are variously represented by single letters, and by diphthongs and triphthongs. Thus in the

: n in urn is this sound slightly modified ; but not a distinct sound.

Introduction

xiii word their, el is equivalent to «, and in the i word vietv, ieiu is.

equivalent to u.

The following exercises will practice the pupil in articulation and phonic ;

analysis.

i.

Spell the following words by their sounds, and articulate with distinctness.