A survey of American history; source extracts

Contents

PAGE.

Introduction v .

The Founding of the Colonies 1

Introduction

METHODS of teaching history are in process of transformation. With the chanj^e in method comes the demand for new books; so if anyone asks the reason for this little collection of sources on American history, the answer is believed to be found in this change. The compiler is pleased to know that these studies have been received with favor by many progressive teachers. He feels that the lack of proper and available material is one reason that the "laboratory method " has not found more ready acceptance in the past by a larger number of teachers. In the belief that this collection will in part supply the demand, it is now sent forth to the school-world in this more permanent form.

In many Normal schools and in some high schools brief reviews are demanded and given. In such cases it seems to the writer to be a waste of time to hurry through some text book, repeating the work that has been done in the grades, in perchance even a less efficient way. It is hoped and believed that the following ten "studies " help to solve the problem of such reviews. A few suggestions are made in regard to the method of handling this material. A note-book should be in the hand of every pupil. It is desirable to have this made up of loose sheets of paper, perforated, so that they may be bound together, or removed and changed in place at the will of the pupil. A cover should be made or purchased in which to keep and preserve these sheets.

VI. INTEODUCTION.

The next and most important matter is to bring- the students into contact with the original material as often and as completely as possible. For this purpose, of course the ''sources" must be accessible, and as far as possible in the hands of every pupil. It should be noted here again that it is not expected that the larger part even of the facts of history can be obtained from these sources, so a good narrative text must be at hand, and in constant use. The "sources" are to be used for the purpose of illustrating how the narrative history was formed; but more especially for the mental training which may be obtained from their use. The same document or illustrative extract should be in the hands of every member of the class that each may have the benefit of the criticism of all.

With the material then in the hands of the class, the first question will be to determine as far as possible its value. To do th's necessitates that we find out whether the document is what it purports to be; then to determine whether we have a correct copy of it. Next Ave must find out Avho wrote it, and under wJiat circumstances. Finally, the character of the author will come under discussion. Did he have the opportunity to know ? Was he able, honest, educated? Was he writing for partisan ends, or did he attempt to tell the exact truth? These are a few of the tests we must apply to our material, if we are to know its real value. Perhaps the most important question of all will be, did the writer know of his own personal knowledge, or did he gain his information from hearsay ? After we have determiped the

INTKODUCTION Vll.

value of our "source," we next proceed to analjzaJi, and to find out just what the writer meant. Here we must notice the use and meaning of words at the time the document was written, and no'.e any changes at the present tirne, so that we may get just the idea intended to be conveyed. A series of questions will often greatly help in this analysis. The ones given in the text are only intended to be suggestive, and so may be supplemented by others, or limited by omissions.

The next step will be to classify and arrange our knowledge. In the writer's opinion this is the hardest, as well as the most important, part of the work. A logical arrangement must be insisted on. A careful outline must be prepared, containing a page reference to every point in the notes. It is only by this careful preparation that accuracy in thinking or in writing can ever be secured. When this work is completed, then the last step in the plan can be taken with great ease and facility, for then the whole mind and strength can be concentrated on the composition. The memory under such circumstances is not burdened with carrying all the details. They are indicated in the outline and in the notes to which it refers. It goes without saying that every piece of student work when completed should be tested by comparing it with the be3t narrative texts, or with the teacher's knowledge.

One final idea should be suggested. Each of these studies covers many years of time. The evolution of the topic has been kept in mind in making the extracts. In working up the material then into papers and

Viii. INTRODUCTION.

reports, the teacher should see that the pupil has noted and understood the changes and the reasons therefor. For example, if the topic be the "Economic History" of the United States, great pains should be taken to call the attention to the changes in belief in regard to the tariff, or internal improvements. Let every effort be bent to discovering the causes of these changes. If Webster cease to be a free trader, the reason for the change should be found if possible. If the South oppose internal improvements, let the cause be unearthed.

These studies, then, are committed to my fellow teachers in the hope that they may aid them a little in solving the difficult problem of how to get our children to understand their own history, and to get such :m understanding in such a way as to make them mentally and morally stronger, that they may be better prepared to meet the exceedingly difficult ques lions which will confront the coming generation. The writer has no extravagant ideas or expectations in regard to the transforming power of these studies. He simply hopes and believes that they will be found to be jin aid.

H. W. C.

THE FOUNDING OF THE CULONIES

Virginia, 1607; New York, 1614, by Dutch; New Jersey, 1617, by Dutch; Plymouth, 1620; Massachusetts Bay, 1629; New Hampshire, 1623; Connecticut, 1634; New Haven, 1638; Maryland, 1634; Rhode Island, 1636; Delaware, 1638, by Swedes; North Carolina, 1663; South Carolina, 1663; Pennsylvania, 1681; Georgia, 1733. Dates for the first permanent settlements.

cM, N the following studies it is intended to '^ illustrate ten phases of American history "* by calling in contemporaries to speak for themselves. Of course these extracts are expected to do little else than whet the appetite for more. It is hoped that the spirit of original research may be intensified in this way to such an extent that the reader may wish to go to the more extended compilations of sources. Professor Hart's new work, ''American History as Told by Contemporaries," in four volumes, will meet the wants of many. Many extracts may be found in this book which could not have been laid before its readers had not his comi)ilation been available. Niles' "Documents Illustrative of the American Revolution" is also a valuable and convenient collection of sources bearing on the American Revolution. Professor Woodburn's revision of Johnston's "American Orations" has increased the usefulness of that valuable work. It now consists of four volumes of the best speeches on all political topics made by American statesmen. The reader of these articles will thus recognize that they contain only an insignificant fraction of the available material, but it is hoped that these papers may throw light on a few of the many great questions in the development of the life and thought of the American people. May we not at least hope that those who cannot have access to the more elaborate works, or those whose time is too

THE FOUNDING OP THE COLONIES. 3

limited to use them, may find something to aid them in these briefer extracts?

To get the greatest value from this work the writer believes that definite, systematic work is necessary. The questions are intended to direct the thought to the most imi)ortant points in tiie extracts, and to bring out the hidden meanings. The new reader may perhaps understand the method from a few explanator}^ sentences. In the first place, a written answer should be prepared for every question, accompanied by the page reference to the proof for the answer. Then an outline should be prepared arranging in proper and logical order the knowledge which has been accumulated in answering the questions. This second step is followed by the third, which consists in writing a }!ai)er following the "outline" and based on the answers to the questions for the ''material" or matter which it contains. In brief, we first gather our "material," then make an "outline," and finally write our ^'narrative history." It is believed that those who will conscientiously follow this plan will by the end of the year have gained much in power, in knowledge of method, and in general culture and information.

More or less explanatory matter will be introduced into the extracts, but in all cases it will be inclosed in brackets [ ]. The editor will, however, in general leave the contemporary writers to tell their own story.

Chapter I The Founding Of The Colonies

HE planting of the colonies may be said in general to extend from 160U to 1700. By the latter date they were firmly established and the lines of their movement well determined. The social, religions, political, educational, and industrial life must all be considered in our study. Also the j^urposes of colonization and the character of the emigrants, as well as the Indians, are factors in our study. Selections, therefore, have been made to illustrate each of these problems.

The source material for this earlier period is very abundant, and much of it is now being made available in a comparatively cheap form. In this first number I have cut out the modifying clauses to a great extent, but it is believed that the substance of the articles has been in all cases left unimpaired.

1. Reasons for colonization.

Then shall her Majesties dominions be enlarged, her highnesse ancient titles justly coiilii ined, all odious idlenesse from this our Realm utterly banished, divers decayed towns repaired, and many poor and needy persons relieved, and estates of such as now live in w;int shall be'embet'red, the ignorant and barbarous idolaters taught to know Christ, the innocent defended from their bloodie tyrannicle neighbors, the diabolicale custome of sacrificing humane creatures abolished. . . . — J5S^. Sir Geo. Peckkam in Ualdvyt; Vo)/ages, etc.

B'OTJNDING OF THE COLONIES 5

. . . ayming at the glory of God, the propagation of the gospell of Christ, the conversion of the Indians, and the enlarg- Hi<;i. I of the King's Majesty's dominions in America. . • . —Hart, I, p. 190.

2. The emigrants: Class, laws concerning.

1582. — Sir Geo, Peckham proposed to get rid of

a great number of men which do now live idely at home, and are bnrthnous, chargeable, and to the common annoy of the whole state. — Hakluyt.

1637. — No persons being Subsidy Men [liable for taxes] or of the value of Subsidy Men shall emigrant. — Proclamation, Chas. I.

You are to take . . . such a course . . .that vagrants and others who remain here noxious and unprofitable, may be soe transplanted to the generall advantage of the publique as well as the particular commoditie of our Forraine Plantacons. — 16G0. Instructions for the Councill for Forraigne Plantacons. From Documents relating to New York History.

And probably many vagrants agreed with Charles II., for, in 1679, two bright Dutch travelers tell us of a "Godless Emigrant Ship" bound for New York.

In fine it was a Babel. I have never in my life heard of such a disorderly ship. It was confusion without end. I have never been in a ship where there was so much vermin, which was communicated to us. . . . There were some bunks and clothes as full as if they had been sown. Bui ^ must forbear. — Long Island Hist. Society, Memoirs.

On the other side, hear Rev. Francis Higgin- Bon, 1629:

The passage was through God's blessing . . , short

and speedy — 6 weeks and 3 days, healthful to our passengers, being freed from the great contagion of the scurvie and other maledictions, which in other passages . . . tad taken away the lives of many ; and withal, a pious and Christianlike passage ; for I suppose passengers will seldom find a company of more religious, honest and kynd seamen than we had. We constantly served God morning and evening by reading and expounding a chapter, singing, and prayer. And the Sabbath was solemnly kept by adding . . • preaching twice and catechising. And in our great need we kept 2 solemn fasts . . Let all that love and use fast-

ing and pra}'er take notice that it is as prevailable by sea as by land, whensoever it is faithfully performed. — Quoted in Hart, I, p. 194, from Thomas Hutchinson's Collections.

3. The Indiana, Peckliam, 1582, says:

All Savages . . . as soon as they shall begin hut a little to taste of civility will take marvellous delight in any garment, be it never so simple . . . and will take incredible pains for such a trifle. . . . Now to the end it may appear that this voyage is not undertaken altogether for the peculiar commodity of ourselves ... it shall fall out in proof that ... if in respect of all the commodities they can yeelde us . . . that they should but receive this only benefit of Christianity, they were more than fully recompenced. . . . Wee got for trifles neer 1100 Bever skinnes, 100 Martins, and neer as many Ottus. — Captain J. Smith in '^A Description of New England.'^

Governor Winslow, 1621, says they were "very trusty, quick of apprehension, ripe-witted, just."

Penn, in 1683, testifies that

he will deserve the name of wise who outwits them in any treaty about a thing they understand. . . . Do not abuse them, but let them have justice and you win them. — Quoted from Janney's Life of Penn.

4. Mechanism of colonization.

The colonization companies in England were certainly rare enthusiasts. It is amusing to notice in the proceedings of the Council for New England, 1622, the following item:

It is agreed that ye Councell meet the Morrow ... at Sr. Ferd: Gorges Lodgings for conferring about yc forme of a patent betiveene 7 and 8 o'clock in ye morneing.

The royal generosity of the kings in giving away continents is well illustrated by this account of how the above company disposed of New England, 1623:

There were presented to the Kings most excellent Mat'^ a Plot of all the Coasts and lands of New England devided into twenty parts each part conteyning two shares, And^ twenty lotts conteyning the said double shares made up]) in little bales of waxe, And the names of twenty Pattentees by whom these lotts were to be drawne. — From Proceedings American Antiquarian Society.

Having given the lands to the companies, these must settle them. The proposal of the proprietors of Carolina in 16G3 illustrates the method, and the expectations:

' Wee will grante to every present Und^'taker for his oune head, 100 acres of land, to him and his heires forever, to be held in free and common Soccage, & for every man Sarv* y* he fihall bringe or send thith^ yt is fitt to bare Armes, armed wth a good fierlocke Musket, performed boare, 12 bullets to y® pound, and wth 20 lb. of powder & 20 lb. of Bullets, 50 acres of \andi.—Hart, I, 297.

The charters show the crude geographical ideas and the dangers inherent in promiscuous grants. In the instruction given by Charles 11., in 1660, to the first Council for Foreign Plantations we find the following unconscious estimate of this chaos:

You shall informe yourselves hy the best wayes and meanes yon can of the state and condicon of all Forraigue Plantacions, and by what comissions or authorities they are and have bene governed and disposed of; and are to procure . . . copies of all such comissions and graunts . . . that you may be the better able to understand judge and administer. — Documents, New York.

In 1621 the Virginia Company, of London, tells us how they sent over fifty young women to be given in marriage for "one hundred and fiftie pounds of the best leafe tobacco for each of them;" for, they add, "we have used extraordinary care and diligence in the choice of them, and have received none of whom we have not had good testimony of theire honest life and cariadge."

In 1660 Charles II., in his instructions for the first Council for Foreign Plantations, has the following: **

O AMERICAN HISTORY STUDIES.

You are to apply your selves to all prudential meanes for the reudering tiiose dominions usefull to England and England helpfull to them, and for the bringing the severall Colonies and Plantacons, within themselves, into a mora certaine civill and uniforme of goveremt and for the better ordering and distributeing of publique justice among them. — Documents, New York.

5. Political life.

James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Fraiice and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., whereas Sir Thomas Gates . . . (and others) consisting of certain Knights, Gentlemen, Merchants, and other adventurerss, have been humble suitors unto us, that We would vouchsafe unto them our License, to make Habitation ... in that part of America commonly called Virginia, . . . situate . . . between four and thirty Degrees of Northerly Latitude . . . and five and forty Degrees of the same Latitude, . . . We, greatly commending, . . . their Desires . . . which may . . . hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, . . . and in time bring the Infidels and Savages ... to human civility, and to a settled and quiet government: Do, &c., agree. . . . — Poore, II, 1SS8. Charter, 1606.

We . . . do . . . Give, Grant and Confirm to our trusty and well-beloved subjects, Robert, Earl of Salisbury, . . . Robert, Lord Viscount Lisle, ... Sir Humphrey Weld, Lord Mayor of London, . . . George Piercy, Esq., Sir Edward Cecil, Knight, . . . Dr. Meadows, . . . Captain Pagnam . . . Geo. Bolls, Esq., SheriflF of London, Wm. Crashaw, Clerk, Batchelor of Divinity, . . . Thomas Harris, Gentleman, . . . Geo. Walker, Sadler, John Swinhow, stationer, Wm. Brown, shoemaker, Frances Binley, minister, Richard Shepherd, preacher, William Shirley, haberdasher, Wm. Gibbs, merchant, Thomas Gypes, cloth-maker, John Dike, fishmonger, . . . Christopher Vertue, vintner, . . . the Company of Goldsmiths, the Company of Brewers . . Robert

Chening, yeoman, . . . that they shall be one Body or Commonalty perpetual "having that part of America called Virginia ..." [description follows, but it is too long to quote]. — Charter, 1609. Poore, Charters.

1610. "Virginia. — Sir Thomas Gates draws the character of the first settlers. There was

FOUNDING OI'' THE COLONIES 9

k great shipwrack in the continent of Va. by the tempest of dissention : every man overvaluing his own worth, would be a Commander; every man underprising an others value, denied to be commanded. . . . The next fouutaine of woes was secure negligence, and improvidence, when every man sharked for his present bootie, but was altogether carlesse of succeeding penurie. . . . Unto idlenesse you may joyne treasons, wrought by those unhallowed creatures that forsooke the Colony. . . . Unto Treasons, you may joyne covetousnesse in the Mariners, who . . . partly imbezzled the provisions, partly prevented our trade with the Indians, making the matches in the night, and forestalling our market in the day. Cast up this reckoning together : want of government, store of idlenesse, their expectations frustrated by the traitors, their, market spoyled by the Mariners, our nets broken, the deere chased, our boats lost, our hogs killed, our trade with the Indians forbidden, some of our men fled, some murthered, and most . . . weakened, and indanngered, famyne and sicknesse by all these meanes increased. — Hart, I, 206-208.

1619. Virginia. — We have an official "Reporte of the . . . General Assembly convened at James City, in Virginia, July 30, 1619, consisting of the Governor, the Counsell of Estates, and two Burgesses elected out of eache Incorporation and Plantation, and being dissolved the 4th of August."

The most convenient place we could finde to sitt in was the Qiiir of the Churche Where Sir George Yeardley, the Governor, being sitt down in his accustomed place, those of the Connsel of Estate sate nexte him on both handes, except oneiy the Secretary then appointed Speaker, who sate right before him, John Twine, Gierke of the General assembly, being placed next the Speaker, and Thomas Pierse, the Sergeant, standing at the barre, to be ready for any Service the Assnml)lv should command him. But forasmuche as men's affaires doe little prosper where God's service is neglected . . a prayer was said. . . . Prayer being ended, to the iutcnte that as we had begun at God Almighty, so we might proceed with awful and due respecte towards the Lieutenant, our most gratious and dread Soveraigne. . . . [The Assembly proceeded immediately to pass laws "Against Idleness, Gaming, durunkenes & excesse in apparell" within three days.] — Colonial Records of Virginia.

1620. Massachusetts. — Rev. John Robinson wrote his advice after the Pilgrim colonists, whom he could not accompany.

Whereas you are to become a Body Politick . . . and are not furnished with Persons of special Eminency . . . to be chosen by you into Office of Government ; Let your Wisdome and Godliness appear not onely in choosing such Persons as do intirely love . . . the common Good; but also in yielding unto them all due Honour and Obedience in their lawful Administration, not beholding in them the Ordinariness of their Persons, but God's Ordinance for your Good ; . . . and this Duty you may the more willingly, and ought the more conscionably to perform, because you are ... to have them for your ordinai'y Governours which you yourselves shall make choice of for that Work. — Hazard, Collections.

1620. — Mayflower Compact.

This day, before we came to harbor, observing some not well affected to unity and concord ... it was thought good there should be an association and agreement ... to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose. . . .

In ye name of God, Amen. We . . . the loyall subjects of our dread Soveraigne Lord King James . . . haveing undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plan ye first colonie in ye Northene parts of Virginia. Doe by these presents . . . in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick; for our better ordering, and preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid ; and by vertue hearof to enacte, constitute and frame such just & equall lawes . . . as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye general! good of ye colonie: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye 11 of November . . . Ano Dom. 1620. — Winthrop, History of Mass.

1632. — Governor Winthrop tells us in his Journal that (2-17-163f)

The governour and assistants called before them divers of Watertown. . , . The occasion was, for that a warrant being sent to Watertown for levying of £8 . . . the pastor and elder, etc., assembled the people and delivered their opinions, that it was not safe to pay moneys after that sort, lor fear of bringing themselves and posterity into boniiage. . . After much debate, they acknowledged their fault. The ground of their error was, for that they took this government to be no other but as of a mayor and aldermen, who have not power to make laws or raise taxations without the people; but understanding that this government was rather in the nature of a parliament, and that no assistant could be chosen but by the freemen . . . and therefore at every general court . . . they had free liberty ... to declare their grievances . . . they were fully satisfied; and so their submission was accepted, and their offence pardoned." . . .

1634. — The general court came to a deadlock.

So when they could proceed no farther, the whole court agreed to keep a day of humiliation to seek the Lord, which accordingly was done, in all the congregations. [And then when they met again] although all were not satisfied . . . yet no man moved aught about it ; . . . [and thus Puritan theology ruled and softened Puritan politics]. — Winthrop's Journal.

At this court, one of the deputies was questioned for . . . affirming that the power of the governor was but ministerial, etc. He had also much opposed the magistrates, and slighted them, and used many weak arguments against the negative voice, as himself acknowledged upon record. He was adjudged by all the court to be disabled for three years from bearing any public office. — Winthrop, History.

1637. — For an interesting case of political division and party manipulation, see Hart, I, pp. 378-9.

1639, — Governor Winthrop gives us this very interesting view of theocratic government:

When the people have chosen men to be their rulers, and to make their laws, and bound themselves by oath to submit thereto, now to combine together ... in a public petition to have any order repealed, which is not repugnant to the law of God, savors of resisting an ordinance of God . . . amounts to a plain reproof of those whom God hath Bet over them, and putting dishonor upon them, against the tenor of the fifth commandment. — Winthrop, History.

164G, — The I'resbjterians demanded a share in the government.

We therefore desire that civill liberty and freedom be forthwith granted to all truely English, equall to the rest of their countrymen . . . and as all freeborne enjoy in our native country. . . . Further, that none of the English nation, who at this time are too forward to be gone, and very backward to come hither, be banished, unless they break the known lawes of England in so high a measure as to deserve so high a punishment , . . and we likewise desire that no greater punishments be inflicted upon offenders than are allowed and met by the laws of our native country. — Hutchinson.

1653. — In this year Massachusetts furnished the first American example of the nullification of a federal act — i. e., of the New England Confederation.

It can be noe lesse then a contradiction to aflfeirme the Supreame power ; which wee take to bee the Generall Courts of every Jurisdiction Can bee commanded by others an absurditie in pollicye ; That an Intire gov'r'ment and Jurisdiction should prostitute itselfe to the comaund of Strangers ; a Scandall in Religion that a generall court of Christians should bee oblidged to acte and engage upon the faith of six Delligates against theire consience all which must be admitted. — Plymouth Records.

1639. Connecticut. — "Fundamental Orders" made by "a Gen'all Cort at Harteford."

This constitution consists of eleven articles, but the lack of space necessitates very brief quotations.

. . . we . . . the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Harteford and Wethersfield . . . doe . . . conjoyne our selves to be as one Publike State or Commonwealth . . to mayntayne . . . the liberty and purity of the gospell ... as also in our Civill Affaires to be guided and governed according to such Lawes, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made ... as followeth : (1.) It is ordered . . . that there shall be yerely two general] ^.ssemblies ; . . . the first shall be called the Courte of Elections [to choose officers]. . . .

(5.) Also the other General Courte in September shall be for makeing of lawes. . . .

FOUNDING OF TUB COLOMi;s 13

(10.) It is Ordered . . that everv (Jenerall Court-j

. shall consist ol the (Jovenior . .md 4 other

Magistrats at lest, with the major p'te ot" the de|iuiyos of the

several! Townes legally chosen. . — I'uore, Charters

and Constitutions ; a/so Hart, I.

New York had a reform party and movement in 1650, and their leaders have left us their ideas of reform and j^ood government. Colonization

was not begun properly ; for it was merely accidental, and was not intended. . . . Trade ... is more suited for slaves than freemen, in consequence of the restrictions upon it and the annoyances which accompany the exercise of the right of inspection . . . [For years, too, not] any thing large or small, — worth relating, was done, built or made, which concerned or belonged to the commonalty, the church excepted. — New York Historical Society, Collections.