The governmental history of the United States of America : from the earliest settlement to the adoption of the present Constitution

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Preface

In preparing this work for the press, the Author's design has been to place within the reach of our common Schools, and the Libraries for the young throughout the country, a plain and simple history of the origin of our government and institutions, with the causes which have given to them their characteristic qualities. It is impossible for the mind of man to fix a limit to the advancement of this great and growing nation, in all the arts which contribute to the improvement of society, the sciences which expand and liberal the mind, or in the further development of those great principles of civil and religious liberty which are destined, in their ultimate maturity, to harmonize the world. It is essential that the young, who are hereafter to be entrusted with this proud heritage, should be prepared for the important and interesting duties which it may devolve upon them. If they would be useful to their country and to their race — if they would preserve, and conduct to maturity and perfection, a system of government so wisely planned, and institutions so well founded, they must become acquainted with their history from their earliest origin. They should be familiar with the causes which led to the first settlement of the several colonies planted by our forefathers in America — which transformed those colonies into independent states — which united those states into a federal community — which again dissolved this confederacy, and led to their more perfect, permanent, and happy union under the present constitution.

In looking into our libraries the Author found no work calculated particularly to aid them in making these acqui-

IV PREFACE.

sitions, while those whence this information was to he derived M^ere either too ponderous, or too voluminous, or too expensive, to fall into the hands of the mass of juvenile readers. This volume has been prepared, during the intervals of leisure from professional avocations, with a view to supply this deficiency. Yet the object aimed at in its compilation, has not been merely to furnish a library-book for general reading ; but also a class-book for the use of schools. The letters, addresses, and other documents of the several Colonies, and of the Congress, during the progress of our revolution, as also the speeches delivered in the British Parliament, which have been incorporated into the work, are excellent specimens of English composition, well adapted to improve the pupil in the exercises of reading, recitation, or declamation, while at the same time they contain the most valuable information as to the origin and progress of our liberties and institutions. Thus, it is hoped, while the work of elementary education is going forward, the young mind will be made familiar with the most interesting portion of our history, become acquainted with those fundamental principles of civil and religious faith and freedom which are the basis of our union and prosperity as a people, as well as our happiness as individuals ; and imbibe a deeper reverence for, and a lasting attachment to, the government and institutions which have been reared upon them.

The following works have been consulted by the Author, and are recommended to those who wish to acquire more extended information on this subject, viz. : Russell's Modern Europe, Bigland's View of the World. Robertson's History of America. Irving's Columbus. , Bissett's England. Winterbotham's America. Butler's History of the United States. Pitkin's History of the United States. Hutchinson's Hist, of Massachusetts. Marshall's Colonies. Burke's Works. Journals of Congress. The Federalist. Story on the Constitution. Kent's Commentaries, etc.

HENRY SHERMAN.

Part I. — History of the Southern Colony of Virginia

Introduction.— General view of the progress of Naval Science in the world. — Christopher Columbus — his early career — his schemes for discovery — negociations for patronage — His voyages and their results — effect of his discoveries in England.— State of Naval Science in England —The expedition of Cabot.— The discovery of the continent of North America.— Expeditions to settle America during the reign of Elizabeth. — Division of the Continent by James into North and South Virginia. — South Virginia Company — its charter provisions of government. — Its first expedition to America. — Settlement of Jamestown— condirlon of the Colonists— progress of the settlement under Capt. Smith. — Decline of the Colony on his return to England.— Arrival of Lord De La War and resettlement of Jamestown. — Publication of a New Charter to the Company.— Farther arrivals from the mother country. — Pevmament settlement of ifie Colony. — Changes in the condition of Settlement. — Their effect upon its growth and prosperity. — Government of the Colony under Sir George Yeardley.— Administration of Capt. Argal. — Argal removed and Yeardley reappointed Governor. — First representative assembly in America. — New Charter issued. — Reformations in policy and forms of government, in the administration of justice — Inferior courts established. — Interference of the Crown. — The company in England dissolved, and the affairs of the Colonies temporarily in the hands of a council ot commissioners. — Death of James I. — Changes in the government of the Colony, and its progress after the successionof Charles I Page 9

Part II. — History of the Northern Colony of Virginia OR New England

The Plymouth Company empowered to settle this division of the Continent. — Its operations. — Capt. Smith visits North Virginia. — His return to England. — The Country named New England. — History of its first settlement. — The Reformation of Luther.— Its progress in Europe. — In England. — Persecution of Protestants compels them to leave England.— They return on the accession of Elizabeth —Her hostility to their political sentiments.— The Brownists. — Some o: hem take refuge in Holland. — Come thence to New England. Settlement of New Plymouth. — Their position, character, and condition. — Their progress —Origin of the sect called Puritans —Progress of Puritannical sentiments, and persecutions in England, the sole cause of planting New England.— Settlement of Massachusetts Bay. — Its charter of government.— New Charter incorporating with New Plymouth —First representative assembly in New England. — Its proceedings. — Interference of the Crown. — Further history of this Colony. — The Colonies of New Haver, and Connecticut.— The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.— Conclusion of this Part Page 60

Part III. — Governmental History of the Colonies in

THEIR smaller DIVISIONS TO THE TIME OF THE DECLARATION OF THEIR InDEPEJ^DENCE.

. Subdivisions of the Southern Colony of Virginia.— General characteristics of the Colonial Governments. — Their differences. — Their similarity. — Their relations with each other. — Their relations to the mother country at the peace of 1753.— Proceedings in Parliament.— The Revenue Acts. —Causes 1*

VI INDEX.

of discontent thereby originated in the Colonies.— The Stamp Act.— Its reception in America. —Resolutions in the Colony of Virginia.— In the other Colonies. — Proceedings in Plymouth, Mass. — The first Colonial Congress meets in New York.— Its jiroceeilings.— Declaration of Rights.— Its adjournment. — State of feeling throughout the Colonies — Proceedings in England. — Repeal of the Stamp Act. — How viewed in America. — The reasons given for its repealrevivediscontent— Further proceedings in Parliament.— In the Colonies.— Circular Letter of Massachusetts to the other Colonies. — Associations for non-importation in America. — Their efl'ect in England — Partial repeal of the Revenue Act.— Act licensing the importation of Tea direct to America by the East India Company.— Proceedings in Uostoti on their arrival. — Parliament enacts the Boston Port Bill. — Its reception in the Colonies. — Further Acts of Parliament. — Congress of the Colonies meets at Philadelphia. — Its proceedings, resolutions. — Letter to General Gage at Boston. — Declarption of Rights. — Articles of association for nonimportation, &c. — Address to the King. — To the People of Great Britain. — To the People of the Colonies. — To Canada — Adjournment. — Proceedings in England. — Affairs in the Colonies. — Commencement of hostilities.— Battles of Lexington and Concord. — The Congress meets again at Philadelphia. — Its proceedings. — Manifesto on taking up arms. — Congress of 1775-6. — Declaration of Independence Page 102

Part IV. — Governmental History from the Declaration OF Independence to the time of the adoption of the PRESENT Constitution.

Position of the Colonies after the declaration of their Independence. — The GeneralGovernment of the Revolution. —Definitive treaty of Peace between Great Britain and the United States.— Union of the States under the Confederacy. — Circumstances under which it took place. — Importance, necessity, and nature of the Union. — The early Confederation of the Colonies of New England.— Articles for a General Union of the Colonies proposed and adopted by the Convention at New York in 1754.— Defects of the present Articles of Confederation. — Resolutions respecting them in the Legislature of New York — In Congress. — In Washington's address on resigning his command of the armies of America.— Appeal of Congress to the Stales touching the Confederacy.— Convention of Delegates at Annapolis in 1786.— Its proceedings — Resolutions of Congress recommending a Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.— Meeting of the Ctinvention.— Their position.— Their report to Congress of the present Constitution.— Proceedings of Congress thereupon.— The Con.-,titution.— Its adoption.— Government goes into operation under it. — Election of Washington to the Presidency.— His progress to New York, and his Inauguration. — His inaugural address to both Houses of Congress.— Reply by the House of Representatives.— Amendments to the Constitution. — Its final adoption by all of the States.—Conclusion Page 217

THE

OP THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Chapter I

There is, perhaps, no one of the sciences which, in its progress, has contributed more towards promoting" the general welfare of mankind, or whose developements have tended so much to establish the amicable relations now existing among civilized nations, as the science of navigation. Through its agency people who were once not only alien, but whose very existence was unknown to each other, have been brousfht tosfether and united by ties which were never felt or understood in the experience of ancient nations. An almost daily intercourse has taken place between the inhabitants of the most remote portions of the world , Commerce has been established between the barbarous and the civilized, for the supply of wants, which, by the one, were never before experienced, in exchange for commodities v^hich by the other were till now regarded as without value or useless. This general intercourse of nations has almost everywhere introduced a change of manners, habits, customs, opinions, and laws, which has rcvohitionized the face of society in every country, and by the gradual introduction and spread of more genial principles and influences is progressively ameliorating the condition of our race. The proud position which the Republic of The United States of America now occupies in the scale of nations, and the powerful influences which are emanating from them, make the history of our government and institutions a subject of great interest and importance to mankind, but more especially to those who may hereafter be entrusted with their guidance and control. In tracing these annals, the obligations which we owe to the science of navigation, make it necessary that we should give some account of its progress in the world.

The testimony of sacred as well as profane writers authorizes us "to believe that the science of navigation was understood, although they leave us in doubt as to what extent it was practiced, in the earlier periods of the world's history. The multiplication of human families upon the earth, and their consequent dispersion over its wide territories must have suggested beneficial discoveries, and led to a reciprocal though limited intercourse. Europe. Asia and Africa were probably not unknown to each other as inhabited countries, though little perhaps was understood of their internal history. The relative position of the migratory tribes of men who inhabited those regions, and the nature of their correspondence with each other, were not such as to demonstrate to them either the utility or importance of the science of navigation, or greatly to encourage its cultivation.

We are told by the wn'iters of antiquity that as far back as the seven hundreth year before the Christian sera successful voyages of discovery were made by the Carthagenians and Ph-enicians ; but search has been made in vain for many of the records to which these authors refer, and of those which have been found many are inaccurate and mutilated, while the most interesting and important of these seem rather the exaggerated and romantic incidents of fiction, than faithful records of historical facts. Yet allowing all that is said of the extent to which this science was cultivated among these nations, there is much reason to believe that all traces of it had long faded from the recollections of men, inasmuch as the Greeks, who are said to have been their pupils in all the important arts and sciences, seem to have had hardly any acquaintance with the art of navigation. Some voyages were indeed performed by them, which their own historians accounted wonderful, but these were made merely for the purposes of conquest or of plunder, to islands not very remote, and creeping along the coast of the sea. Few, if any, had dared to launch out upon the broad bosom of the ocean for the purposes of discovery. And even these limited voyages were always attended with great hazard, and oftentimes with loss, the vessels employed being poorly constructed and unskilfully conducted. As the Greeks advanced, however, in civilization and refinement, learning increased, the arts and sciences were more liberally cultivated, and the encouragement and growth of commerce produced a parallel improvement in the progress of naval science and architecture. Still theirs was always a commerce of limited extent, and its enterprizes were for the most part confined to the Mediterranean sea. All other parts of the world were but little known to them, while they were wholly unacquainted with those rudiments of science upon which

•a practical knowledge of the globe has since been established.

The progress of the Romans in the science of navigation was still more tardy, and their attainments in naval enterprize were less extensive than those of Greece, while their views of its importance and advantages were more darkened and illiberal. Most of their knowledge of the earth was derived from discoveries made on land, and they were so little acquainted with its geography that they supposed the temperate to be the only habitable of its zones. They regarded those parts of it which modern discovery has proved to be the fairest and most exuberant portions of its surface, as the abodes of perpetual silence, sterility, and gloom, either too hot or too cold to support animal, and alike fatal to the production of vegetable life. Besides the barrier which these opinions may be supposed to have set to the progress of discovery, the military genius of the nation operated to restrain them from the pursuits of commerce and naval enterprize. These were regarded as subordinate institutions, and were looked upon as unbecoming a nation of soldiers, fit only for the patronage of her slaves or her freedmen. The love of glory indeed stimulated her to aim at the mastery over the neighbouring seas, but it was long after her conquests over the countries of Carthage, Greece, and Egypt, before Rome sought to avail herself of the commercial resources which were opened to her. The introduction of a taste for the luxuries and the splendors of the East, with the love of imperial grandeur inspired by the increase of her dominions, at length induced her to send her mariners across the sea for the purposes of commerce, and rapidly promoted the growth of naval enterprize. The subsequent irruption of the fierce hordes of barbarian tribes from the North, although ultimately productive of good to mankind, checked for a while the progress of human improvement, and centuries passed away before commerce and the arts again actively revived in Europe.

Chapter II

The invention of the mariner's compass in the year 1322 gave a new impulse to the enterprize of nations, aiid must be regarded as the most important eera in the whole history of navigation. It revealed to man a fuller comprehension of the powers with which he was endowed by his Creator, while at the same time it served to develope the ample resources with which the same munificent hand had overspread the globe he inhabited. It taught him that he was not only lord of the earth, but that even " the great and wide sea" was a theatre where his superior intelligence might be illustrated. It opened to him a safe and a sure pathway over the trackless waters of the ocean, which could be traversed with equal accuracy in all climes, and at all seasons, whether in sunshine or in shade, in breeze or in storm, by day or by night, in summer or in winter, and inspired him with a higher and a prouder confidence in daring and defying its tempests and its perils.

The Spaniards were the first to avail themselves of the advantages of this wonderful invention ; but their

12 G0VERN3IENTAL HISTORY

adventures were limited for the most part to islands which were known and not far distant ; nor does it appear that their early expeditions were made for any other than the purposes of plunder : The first regular and authentic voyages for discovery were made subsequent to the year 1364, by the Portuguese navigators. Portugal was then the smallest and least powerful of the European kingdoms, but the courage and intrepidity of her seamen and adventurers had gained for her an envious celebrity. By their daring enterprize her dominions became more widely extended, till under the auspicious reign of John I. they spread from the Tagus to China. Don Henry, the third son of John I. gave a still prouder and more vigorous impulse to the progress of improvement in naval science, by founding an academy for its study and promotion. He also erected an excellent observatory, and large numbers of his subjects were yearly instructed in astronomy, cosmography, and the art of navigation. The pupils from these schools became intelligent and practical seamen, by whose exploits in naval enterprize nations long unknown to civilized Europe were discovered to mankind, while the boundaries of human knowledge were extended and enlarged. Don Henry died in the year 1463 ; but the enterprizes for discovery which were projected during his reign were fostered with equal ardour, and prosecuted with great success, under John II. who is reputed to have been " a prince of profound sagacity and enlightened sentiments." The course of these explorations extended along the coast of Africa, where forts were erected for the establishment of commerce, till at length they passed its southernmost point which the prophetic spirit of the enthusiastic monarch called the Cape of Good Hope. They thence passed on to the Indian Ocean.

The progress of navigation was now more rapid in a brief century than it had been daring all the centuries which had preceded. The geography of the globe became better known, and the actual character and condition of its inhabitants more perfectly understood. The vague and superstitious theories of the ancients were dissipated by the narratives of men who had penetrated the very regions which had for so many ages been regarded as the abodes of perpetual solitude, cursed by the Creator, uninhabitable by any human being, and uncheered even by the existence of vegetable life.

At this period in the world's history, so bright with promise and so fruitful of hope, we turn aside from the general developements of science, and the enterprize of nations, to mark the career of a single individual, whose name nuist ever be cherished amono* the most illustrious benefactors of our species. The brilliant enterprizes of the Portuguese navigators had already attracted the wonder and admiration of all Europe. Among those who were thereby lured into their service was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa. He was descended of an honored ancestry, although his own parents had been reduced by misfortune from their original position to a more humble rank in life. They possessed, however, the means of giving him as liberal advantages of education as were thought useful or necessary in those times, and he applied himself with a zealous ambition and industry to the improvement of the opportunities which were afforded him. There is one part of the character of Columbus which we feel bound to notice, as historians have not given to it that prominence which its importance demands. It was the strong religious feeling which always pervaded his spirit, and, from his earliest years, gave a complexion and a shape to all his purposes. It is a conceited, a cheerless, and a frail philosophy, which would exclude the operation of our religious feelings from among those causes which produce the amelioration of the condition of mankind, and overlooks the part they have in advancing the interests of society. In all ages they have had their peculiar influence, and the results which have followed their action have marked the condition of our race, accordingly as they have been freed from, or intermingled with error, ignorance, superstition, or bigotry. Their efl'ect upon the mind of Columbus was, to inspire him with the belief that he was destined to an instrumentality which should extend the dominions of the church, and spread the beneficent influences of the religion of the cross throughout the world. This presentiment, if we may so express it, seems to have accompanied him tbrougli all his early life, to have " grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength,'" and at all times to have regulated his desires and his aims, in his riper years.

Chapter III

At the time when Columbus was training his youthful mind, the course of education pursued in the schools included geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and the art of drawing ; which were taught chiefly in the Latin tongue. At the age of fourteen, so industriously had he applied himself, he had become proficient in these several branches of education. Being strongly inclined to a sea-faring life, he now resolved to commence his career on the ocean, influenced not more by the love of adventure, than the consideration of the opportunities it would afford for enlarging his knowledge, and for the more practical study of those sciences of which he was already so enamored. He accordingly entered on board of a vessel bound for discovery. He performed several voyages, during which he penetrated the northern seas beyond the limits at which other voyagers had terminated their adventures, and advanced far into the polar circle. These expeditions added to his information, but not to his fortune, and he found it necessary to pursue them in a different capacity. He accordingly entered into the service of a then famous sea captain, the commander and owner of a small squadron of vessels, who by his naval skill and daring prowess had acquired both wealth and reputation. Columbus remained in his employ for several years, during which time he became himself distinguished both for his intrepidity as an adventurer and his skill as a navigator. While the fleet of this adventurer was returning froni a successful expedition to the low countries, it was attacked by a piratical squadron off the coast of Portugal- The vessel under charge of Columbus was set fire to, and he was compelled to trust himself to the less fearful element for safety. Throwing himself into the sea, with the aid of a single oar which had floated from the wreck, after long struggling and exposure, he reached the shore in safety, though much exhausted and enfeebled, and it was long before he recovered from the weakness and indisposition induced by this calamity. His recovery took place just at the time when the naval enterprizes of the Portuguese were most signally successful and triumphant. His mind and imagination became fascinated by the fame of their remarkable discoveries, and he repaired immediately to Lisbon, with a view to learn what course they had pursued in accomplishing these results, as well as to investigate the data upon which their calculations were founded, and by which their efforts had been prompted and encouraged. Here, while pursuing his investigations, he formed a matrimonial alliance with the daughter of one Bartholomew Prestello.

Prestello was celebrated as well for the many voyages which he had performed, as for his superior skill and intelligence as a navigator. Columbus was permitted free access to the documents and charts of this illustrious adventurer, and, making himself also familiar with the accounts given of their discoveries by the Portuofuese, he became inflamed with a desire to know more of the countries which they had visited. With this view he entered into their service, where he continued for several years, until he himself at length became one of the most skilful and scientific navigators of the age. His inquisitive and enthusiastic genius was easily affected by the spirit of curiosity and adventure which had been awakened, and he set about to devise something new and more splendid than any of the cnterprizes which had yet been projected, and persuaded himself that discoveries still more stupendous and astonishing could yet be accomplished. With a mind at once capable and reflective, he carefully revolved and investigated the theories of ancient philosophers, and comparing these with the data furnished by his own observations, aided by his speculations upon the developements of more recent discoveries and the suggestions of his religious faith, he became strongly impressed with the belief that the opinions heretofore entertained of the geography of the earth were erroneous and untenable, and concluded that a large portion of the western hemisphere must be composed of land, as well as water. The aim of all navigators at this period was to discover a new and more expeditious route to the East Indies than that which had been hitherto pursued around the Cape of Good Hope. Columbus calculated that if land existed in the western waters, it must be connected with these islands, and consequently supposed that by sailing in a westerly direction a new route to India might be discovered. These opinions were received with great distrust ; they were regarded not only as extraordinary, but as preposterous and chimerical, and a mind less capable of conceiving and comprehending great designs would have shrunk at once from the hostility, and even ridicule which the proclamation of them arrayed against their author. But Columbus was so fully persuaded that they were correct and true, that he resolved at once to put them to the test of actual experiment. Not possessing the means himself, he found it necessary to interest some one of the opulent powers of Europe in favor of his designs.*

The trade with the East lildies had been, hitherto, principally monopolized by Venice and Genoa, and they had thereby acquired a degree of grandeur and greatness which moved the envy of all Europe. The balance of power between these two rival states, however, had long preponderated on the side of Venice, while the maritime strength of Genoa was in a weakened and declining condition. As we have already seen Genoa was the place of his nativity, and Columbus resolved that she should first reap the benefit to be derived from his speculations and adventures. He accordingly applied to her senate for their patronage, but his application was rejected, and his proposals and schemes were treated as wild and chimerical. Not at all daunted by this ruthless repulse he applied to John II. of Portugal. In a country already alive with the spirit of adventure, where he had long resided, in whose service he had been employed, where his personal worth and professional attainments were well known, he had every reason to look for a favorable listening to his views. His application was entertained by the crown, who directed his counsellors to investigate his proposals. They received him with jealousy and distrust. Having obtained from him a full exposition of his views, they put him off with an evasive answer, and then sought to deprive him of the honor to be won, by advising the king to fit out a secret expedition. But the designs of the monarch and his evil-minded counsellors were frustrated by the unskilfulness, the ignorance, and the cowardice, of those to whose management the expedition was entrusted.

Again and so treacherously baffled in his aims, Columbus indignantly repaired to the crown of Spain, while at the same time he despatched his brother Bartholomew to the court of Henry VII. of England to negociate with that sovereign. Spain was at this period involved in a war with the Moors, and her coiu't could not find leisure at once to listen to his proposals. In the mean time, by his personal address and his intelligence, he succeeded in winning to his views many men of rank, through whose inflnence the crown was induced to appoint a council of judges to examine into them. Here he was doomed to encounter a countless variety of vexations and discouragements. He found ignorance, prejudice, and the more narrow and intolerant spirit of monastic bigotry arrayed against him. Superadded to these sources of vexation, he could hear nothing of the mission he had contrived to the crown of England. It seems that his brother Bartholomew had been captured by pirates on his voyage thither, and it was long after his release was effected, before he was in a situation to present himself before the crown. When he appeared he was received and heard by Henry with the greatest flwor. But Columbus, receiving no intelligence of the result of his mission, and wearied and disgusted by the treatment himself was receiving from the court of Spain, now resolved to visit Henry of England in person. In making his preparations to do so he placed his children under the care of Juan Perez, who presided over the monastery of Rabida near Palos.