The United States; its power and progress

Front matter

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Chapter I. 1000—1529

DISCOVERIES AND riRST SETTLEMENTS OF THE SCANDINAVIANS, SPANISH, FRENCH, AND

ENGLISH.

Scandinavian colony — Christopher Columbus — The Normans, Rouhellese, and Dieppese — Americus Vespucius — Gaspard Cortereal — Peter de Guy — John Davis of Harfleur — Thomas Aubert of Dieppe— John Ponce de Leon — Baron de Lery — Vasqiiez de Ayllon — Verazani — Pamphilius de Narvaez ... 33

Chapter II. 1530—1568

DISCOVERIES AND FIRST SETTLEMENTS OF THE FRENCH AND SPANIARDS.

James Cartier— River St. Lawrence — Montreal— Fernando de Soto — Florida — Mississippi— Luis Moscoso de Alvaredo — Pensacola — Mobile— Francis de la Roche, de Roberval, first governor of the French possessions in America — James Cartier founds Royal Isle — Tristan de Luna visits Florida — Schisms of the Anglican Church, of Calvin — Religious discussions — Reformers, Brownists,. Puritans, Independents, Congregationalists — John Ribaut and Rene de Laudonniere, in Carolina, discover Port Royal Bay; make the first settlements there; give French names to the rivers — Destruction of this colony by Pedro Menendez — Settlement of St. Augustine— Dominic de Gourges revenges himself upon the Spaniards . 43

Chapter III. 1570—1608

DISCOVERIES AND COLONIZATION OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH.

Elizabeth, Queen of England, engaged ;ti creating a navy — Martin Frobisher — Letters patent granted to Humphrey Gilbert for the discovery of unknown lands ;

vi CONTENTS.

he perishes on his voyage — New letters granted to Sir Henry Gilbert; his fruitless voyage — John Davis — New letters granted to Sir Walter Raleigh — Discovery of Virginia — Sir Richard Greenville at the Island of Roanoke; he leaves settlers there; they perish — Hariot; introduction of tobacco into Europe; abandonment of the colonization of Virginia — Chaton and Noel in the Gulf of St. Lawrence — Ravillon commences a sealing voyage — Marquis de la Roche appointed Lieutenant-General of the French Possessions in America ; he leaves settlers on Sable Island — Mr. Chauvin founds Tadoussac — Captain Grosnold — Captain Champlain — Commandant de Chatte — Martin Pring visits the coast of Maine — Messieurs de Montz, Champlain, de Pautrincourt, and Pontgrave — Establishment of Port Royal (Annapolis) — Establishments upon the St. Croix River — Captain Champlain on the coast of New England — George Weymouth — Second voyage of Sieur de Pautrincourt; he is accompanied by L'Escarbot — James the First, King of England, concedes to his subjects all that part of America bearing the name of Southern and Northern Virginia — A company from Plymouth seeks to settle in Northern Virginia — Second expedition under the orders of Raleigh Gilbert; it visits the shores of the Kennebec — Captain Newport and the celebrated author, John Smith, settle Southern Virginia, and found establishments upon James River, which flows into Chesapeake Bay — Firm administration of this new colony — Conclusion 52

Chapter IV. 1608—1620

COLONIZATION OF THE FRENCH, ENGLISH, AND DUTCH.

Quebec founded by Champlain; he examines Lake Ontario, Sorrel River, Lake Champlain, the Mohawk, and Hudson. — Colony of New Holland, or New Belgium — Discovery of Captain Hudson; first settlement upon Manhattan Island — The Sieur de Pautrincourt — Attack on the French settlements of Port Royal by the inhabitants of Virginia, under the orders of Captain Argall — This officer visits New Holland with the intention of opposing the rights of the Dutch — Fort Orange founded by the Dutch — Champlain penetrates into the interior of Canada ; attacks the Iroquois — Caron, the missionary, on Lake Huron. — Colony of Virginia; spirit of its administration — Jamestown founded by Captain Smith; he returns to England — Lord Delaware, his successor — Martial law in force until the arrival of Governor Yeardley — First colonial assembly — The colony receives a constitution and an independent administration from the proprietors — First African slaves introduced into Virginia 64

Chapter V. 1620—1639

COLONIZATION OF NEW ENGLAND.

The eastern coast of America receives the name of New England — The English make several voyages to it for the purpose of trading with the natives — Plymouth Colony; its establishment; its early governmental and administrative organization ^ — James the First grants new letters patent to a company under the title of Grand Council of Plymouth for Colonizing New England, whose object was to prevent the Puritans from settling in New England — Captain John Mason, member of the

CONTENTS. vii

Council of Plymouth, receives the domain of 3Iariana, in New Hampshire — First establishments of Portsmouth ; its advantages for the fisheries — Royal concession of Acadia, under the name of Nova Scotia, by King James, to Sir William Alexander — Designation of what was then meant by Acadia — Grant of Charles the First to Sir Fernando Gorges — Geographical division of the Continent of North America "^2

COLONIZATION OF THE rBENCH, ENGLISH, AND DUTCH.

Canada colony; its population somewhat increases under Louis the Thirteenth — The Sieur d'Aunay de Charnis6 and M. de la Tour ; jealousy between these two chiefs — French posts in Canada — New Amsterdam founded — Establishment on Long Island — Northern Colony of Virginia, or Grand Council of Plymouth ; its governmental and administrative organization — Salem founded — Fiscal exaction of Laud, which drives numerous emigrants to New England — The Colony of New Plymouth assumes its own authority to remove the seat of the company from the mother country to America — John Winthrop elected governor — Dorchesteri Charleston, and Boston founded — The Dutch extend their establishments — Gustavus Adolphus forms the project of creating a colony in America — Canada colony — The colony created by Richelieu does not fulfil its engagements — The colony of New France succeeds it — Hostilities between France and England, during which the establishments in Canada fall into the hands of the English — Evil system of French colonization . . . . . ■ . f" . . 79

Chapter VII. 1630—1700

NEW ENGLAND COLONIES.

Massachusetts Bay colony; its rapid growth — The inhabitants publish a bill of rights — Political organization — Confederation of the New England colonies — New charter of William and Mary — The colony subjected to a provincial government — Extent of the new province — Connecticut and New Haven colony ; its government, founded on religious dogmas, a perfect democracy — Rhode Island colony — Foundation of Providence and Newport — The emigrants from England become more numerous — Cromwell about to embark for America ; is prevented by a royal edict — The government of Rhode Island likewise founded in a spirit of pure democracy — The spirit of religious tolerance which distinguishes the inhabitants of this colony .......... 89

Chapter VIII. 1623—1700

ENGLISH AND DUTCH COLONIES — NEW AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY.

New Holland founded by Calvinists in New York Bay — Cromwell, the Protector, forms the project of taking possession of it — First popular assembly — The people retain the right of making laws — Rapid growth of New Amsterdam — A refuge for the persecuted and strangers from all parts of the world — Introduction of viii CONTENTS.

slaves — Tendency of the inhabitants of New England to emigrate, with the object of improving their condition — Charles the Second grants a part of the American territory, which he has already disposed of in favor of particular companies by letters patent, to his brother, the Duke of York — The English take forcible possession of the Dutch colony — The conquest insured to the crown of England by the treaty of Breda — Population of New England ; of Boston — New Amsterdam takes the name of New York; Orange that of Albany — Territorial extent of the New York colony — Colony of New Jersey ; its government organized on the model of those of the colonies of New England ... 98

Chapter IX. 1628—1700

ENGLISH AND SWEDISH COLONIES — DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, AND NOHTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA COLONIES.

Swedish colony of Delaware, projected by Gustavus Adolphus, founded by Oxenstiern, and established upon the liberal principles which especially characterize religious toleration — Brief existence of this colony — Its invasion by the Anglo-Saxons of New England — Colony of Pennsylvania founded by William Penn ; it receives a popular government founded on religious toleration. — The Delaware colony organized and administered by English laws. — The Maryland colony founded by Lord Baltimore and Catholic emigrants; adoption of a popular government, based upon religious toleration and instruction — Conspiracy of the Protestants — Persecution of the Catholics — Situation of the colony in 1763. — Colonization of North Carolina, founded principally by emigrants from New England — Lord Clarendon, prime minister, proprietor of a vast domain in America, projects the creation of a landed aristocracy; consults the celebrated philosopher, Locke, relative to the form of a constitution adapted to his new empire of America — The emigrants select for themselves a popular government, and the system of Locke is abandoned. — Colony of South Carolina; founded by Joseph West at Beaufort — Popular government adopted by the first emigrants — Introduction of the representative system — Charleston founded — Scotch emigration — Intestine difficulties — Governor Colleton wishes to enforce martial law, but the inhabitants resist — William and Mary recall Colleton, and the representative system prevails — Consequences deduced from this chapter, and precedents relative to the progress of the English colonies on the American Continent, to the exclusion of the rival nations which had there established themselves, with rights based on a more equitable foundation . . . . . . . . . .103

Chapter X. 1660—1671

FRENCH COLONIES — CANADA, OR NEW TRANCE.

Parallel drawn between the origin of the French and that of the English colonies — La Mothe-Cadillac — Zeal and courage of the missionaries — Levying of tithes by the clergy — West India Company — M. de Tracy — Renewal of hostilities by the Iroquois; by the Anglo-Americans — Attack on Port Royal — Freedom of trade restored to Canada — New coin put in circulation — It is replaced by paper money — Marquette establishes the post of St. Mary — Convocation of the Indian nations at St. Mary — The intendant Talon — Posts founded on Lakes Ontario and

CONTENTS. ix

Erie — French namesdesignate the principal geographical points of the northwest — Establishment of Fort Cataracouy, also called Frontenac . . 116

Chapter XI. 1671—1700

FRENCH COLONY — NEW FRANCE.

Discovery of the Mississippi by Marquette and Joliet — Voyage of Robert Cavalier de la Salle — Discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi — He establishes the post of the Illinois, and indicates the line of posts necessary to unite his new discoveries with the Canadian domain — Critical situation of Canada; M. de la Barre assembles the notables — Policy of the Indians towards the Europeans — M. de Denonnlle — M. de Champagny — Montreal almost destroyed by the Iroquois — The English colonies project the conquest of Canada — Attack and fall of Port Royal — Montreal and Quebec are also attacked, but resist' — Port Royal retaken by the French — Post of Nekoat on the St. John — M. de Frontenac governor; he finally compels the Indians to make peace — Territorial extent of the French and English possessions — Population of these colonies 123

CHAPTER XIL

1700—1750.

FRENCH COLONIES — NEW FRANCE.

Settlement of Detroit by M. la Mothe-Cadillac — The Canadians refuse to pay the tithe — Governor Collieres — De Vaudreuil — Canal near Montreal — Renewed hostilities in America — Attack on Port Royal — Expedition against Acadia — Capture of Port Royal — Attack on Quebec — Peace of Utrecht — Commencement of the wars for commercial advantages — Settlement of Breton, or Royal Island — Brotherhood of St. Sulpicius — Sieur Vincennes — Colony of the Isle St. John — Fortifications of Louisburg — Lewistown — Charlevoix in America — Posts of Toulouse, Dauphin, and Nevieka — Bed of coal in Acadia — Quebec and Montreal; their importance — M. de Varendry crosses from the borders of the St. Lawrence to the Pacific coast — Foundation of Halifax — The people of New England contemplate the conquest of New France — Capture of Port Royal — M. de la Galissonniere adopts means of resistance against the encroachments of the Anglo-Americans — Ohio officially taken possession of — Colonization of the western countries — Population of New France; its resources; its revenues . 131

Chapter XIII. 1750—1763

FRENCH COLONY — NEW FRANCE.

Marquis Duquesne is appointed Governor of Canada — He undertakes an expedition with the design of checking the encroachments of the Anglo-Americans in the west — He builds several forts — Fort Duquesne at Pittsburgh — Forts Maehaut and LebcEuf— Braddock's defeat — Advantages of Pittsburgh as a manufacturing city ; its present condition — Disposition of the military posts occupied by the French, and by the English — Renewal of hostilities between the two nations — Removal of the inhabitants from Acadia — Attack and capture of Forts Oswego

X CONTENTS.

and George by the French — The Anglo-Americans attempt to retake Fort George, but fail, with a loss of four thousand men — Attack of Louisburg — Heroic defence of the garrison, in which Governor Drucourt and his wife take an active part — Siege of Quebec — Death of Generals Wolf and Montcalm — Capitulation of the Canadian forces — A handful of troops and Canadians, attempting to retake their capital, surrenders to three armies sent to surround it — New France falls into the power of the English 143

CHAPTEK XIV.

1700—1763.

ANOLO-AMERICAN COLONIES.

English Revolution of 1688 — Its character and influence; slave trade decreed by Parliament — Introduction of slaves into the American colonies — Violence of the Puritans against the Catholic priests — Fresh quarrels between the English and French colonies relative to the boundary line of their respective frontiers — The American colonies project the conquest of Canada — Renewed attack upon Port Royal, which fails — Destruction of the French settlements upon the Penobscot, in the province of Maine — Difficulty of adjusting the frontiers between Spain and England — Hostilities which follow — Creation of the new colony of Georgia — Its object; form of its administration — Oglethorpe, principal founder of this colony — He attacks St. Augustine, and is repulsed — Attack of the Spaniards upon the English settlements of St. Simon ; their complete route — Introduction of African negroes as slaves — Georgia changes its government — Captain John Reynolds — Adoption of a new administration, founded upon principles of liberty and independence — Relattv* forces of the French and English colonies on the renewal of hostilities — Result of that last conflict — Canada and the north-western territories become the property of England — Occupation of the north-west by the Anglo-Americans — The Indians take up arms to drive the Americans from their territories, and maintain their allegiance to France — The chief, Pontiac ; failure of his project — Prosperity of the American colonies secured . . . 151

Chapter XV. 1763—1783

AirOLO-AMZillCAN COLONIES. — UNITED STATES.

Occupation of the western countries by the Americans — Recollections of the French settlers in those countries — Visit of General Lefebvre Desnouettes to St. Genevieve — Struggle between England and her colonies — The metropolis attempts to impose restrictions on the commerce of the colonies — Stamp Act — Ferment which it occasions — Convocation of a congress in New York proposed by the Assembly of Massachusetts — Repeal of the Stamp Act — New custom house bill — American associations against English commerce — Military occupation of Boston — The Assembly of Virginia and other colonies vote remonstrances — Ferment of the people, and the crisis which it produces in Boston — Symptoms of irritation rapidly disclosed in all the colonies — A cargo of tea thrown overboard at Boston — Closing of the port of Boston — Formation of a general congress in Philadelphia — Composition of this first assembly — Resolutions adopted by it — Restrictions of the commerce of the provinces of New England by the English Parliament — Climax of the causes of dissension between the mother country and

CONTENTS. xi

her colonies — Levying of troops in New England; battle of Lexington; of . Bunker Hill — Second session of Congress in Philadelphia — Manifesto published by this assembly — A levy of twenty thousand men voted by Congress — George Washington, a member from Virginia, elected commander-in-chief of the forces of the Confederation — Washington's arrival at Cambridge — Attack and capture of Montreal by the Americans under General Montgomery — Quebec attacked — Death of Montgomery — Thomas Paine — His " Common Sense" — Sitting of the Federal Congress on the 8th of June, 1776 — Declaration of Independence — Act of Confederation — Treaty of alliance and commerce between the United States and France — Powerful co-operation of this great ally — Capitulation of Yorktown — England acknowledges the independence of the United States — Definitive treaty of peace between France, England, and the United States — Respective boundaries fixed by this treaty — Advantages reserved by the contracting parties.

Chapter XVI. 1783—1800

THE AMERICAN UNION.

Financial condition of the United States on the return of peace — Congress enacts a law for the settlement of the country to the north-west of the Ohio — Weakness of the General Congress to administer the afiairs of the United States — New constitution proposed and adopted — Congress of 1789; General Washington elected President of the Union — Amendments to the new constitution — First official census of the United States — Secretaries of State, of War, and Treasury, constituted — The courts of justice organized — Supreme court — District courts — Organization of the public revenue — Collection of customs — Building and support of light houses, signals, &c., for the security of navigation — Alexander Hamilton presents his celebrated report upon the finances — Creation of a national bank — Monetary system — The United States selects a federal district, and founds the city of Washington, which becomes the seat of the principal federal authorities, of Congress, and the capital of the United States — Recapitulation of the historical summary of the English colonies — The principle of independence as old as the colonies — New History of the United States by George Bancroft — History of the American Revolution by Jared Sparks — The principle of the Union very ancient; its strength drawn from the variety of the elements which compose it — Great example furnished by the American democracy . . . . 175

Chapter XVII. 1678—1717

rRENCH COLONIES — LOUISIANA.

Discovery of the Mississippi by Fernando de Soto; by Robert Cavalier de la Salle, who settles Texas; his unfortunate end — M. Iberville, founder of Louisiana, establishes a post at Biloxi ; Isle of Massacre ; Baton Rouge ; returns to Louisiana — Attempt of the Anglo-Americans to forestall the occupation of the Mississippi by the French — M. de Bienville — Louis XIV. refuses to grant the Protestants permission to settle in Louisiana — M. de Tonty — Foundation of the post of Balize; of Natchez ; of Baton Rouge — Journey of M. de St. Denis to New Mexico — Settlements on Dauphin Island — Intrigues of the Anglo-Americans of the Caroxii CONTENTS.

linas among the Indians of Louisiana — Arrival of the missionaries ; prostitutes destined to people the colony — Construction of Fort Conde at Mobile — M. la Mothe-CadillaC' — M. Crozat becomes proprietor of Louisiana, and of its commerce for a period of fifteen years — Description of the settlements on Dauphin Island in 1716 ; visit to the same place one hundred years later — M. Crozat renounces his privileges . . . . . . . . . .184

Chapter XVIII. 1717—1731

FRENCH COLONIES — LOUISIANA.

Louisiana ceded to the West India Company — Company organized by John Law — His financial system — Colonial administration — Site of New Orleans selected by M. de Bienville — Military force of the province — A post founded on Red River — Distribution of the factories of the West India Company — Mouth of the Mississippi — New territorial division adopted by the Company — Distribution of posts — Chiefs placed in command of them — Their respective emoluments — Establishments of the Jesuits — Ursuline nuns — Missions and parishes — Intervention of the English in the war against the Indians — Massacre perpetrated by the Natchez — Destruction of that tribe — The remnant that escapes takes refuge among the Chicactas — West India Company . . . . . . . .198

Chapter XIX. 1732—1769

FRENCH COLONIES — LOUISIANA.

Administration of Governor Perrier — He is succeeded by M. de Bienville — War against the Chicactas Indians — Defeat of a party led by M. d'Artaguette — Death of this worthy officer — Another engagement with the Chicactas — Establishment of Natchitoches — Depth of water found in the channels of the Mississippi — Population of Louisiana — Its military forces — Administration of M. de Kerlerek — Introduction of the cultivation of the sugar-cane by M. Dubreuil — M. de Kerlerek foils the projected attacks of the Anglo-Americans — Cession of Louisiana to Spain — Arrival of Governor Ulloa — The citizens refuse to submit to Spanish domination — Conspiracy to effect their expulsion — Decree issued by the superior council, obliging Governor Ulloa and the Spanish troops to leave the colony — Claims of the Louisianians on the French government — O'Reilly sent by the court of Madrid to take possession of Louisiana — The Louisianians, wishing to declare the independence of their country, apply to the English, then at Pensacola, to assist them — O'Reilly's arrival at New Orleans — He promises an amnesty, and forgetfulness of all that has occurred, but orders the execution of six of the principal conspirators ......... 208

Chapter XX. 1512—1821

SPANISH COLONIES — LOUISIANA, FLORIDA.

Discovery of Florida ; its settlement — St. Augustine founded — St. Joseph's Bay — St. Mark — Pensacola — Conduct of the Spaniards towards the natives — Occupation

CONTENTS. xiii

of West Florida by the Englisli — Louisiana ceded to Spain — The English driven from their posts in West Florida — Situation of the colony at that period — Form of the government and of the administration — New boundary treaty between Spain and the United States — The Americans obtain the free navigation of the Mississippi, and the right to store their produce in New Orleans — Difficulties arising from the execution of this treaty — Louisiana re-ceded to France ; subsequently sold by the French Republic to the United States — Importance of this acquisition to the United States — Spain for several years keeps possession of East Florida — Definitive cession of all Florida to the United States — Its political advantages to the American Union . . . . . . .217

Chapter XXI. Oregon Territory

Description of Oregon territory — Historical summary of all the partial or complete expeditions to the north-west coast of the Pacific, and Oregon territory — Expedition of Captains Lewis and Clarke — Settlement of the Columbia by J. J. Astor — Occupation of the American establishments by the English — Convention of 1818 — Hudson's Bay Company — Its organization — Sandwich Islands — Treaty of 1823 between Russia and Great Britain — Negotiations commenced, in 1827, between England and the United States — Treaty of 1828 between the United States and Mexico — Measures adopted by the government at Washington relative to the occupation of Oregon — Emigrations of Americans towards the western regions — Final settlement of the Oregon territory . . . . .227

Part II

MILITARY, AGRICULTURAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Chapter I. National Defence

Origin of the national defence — First project of it embodied in the Constitution of 1787 — Circumstances unfavorable to its accomplishment — The fourteenth Congress orders its establishment — Arrival of General Bernard in the United States — Organization of a Board for the National Defence — Its labors — Military reconnoissance of the interior, and of the maritime frontier of the Union — General plan adopted for the defence of the coast — 'Elements of this American system 297

Chapter II. National Defence

Its gradual organization, and present importance — Its effective strength — Yards for building and repairs — Ports of shelter — Roadsteads .... 303

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK III.

NATIONAL DIFENCE.

Fortifications — Their object — Character — Armament — Jurisdiction , , 316

Chapter IV. National Defence

Description of the several maritime frontiers of the United States, and of their military organization — Ports of Portsmouth, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and Pensacola ....... 320

Chapter V. National Defence

Description of the Northern Line, and of its defensive organization — Hydrography of tha great Lakes — Western Line ....... 330

Chapter VI. National Defence

Arsenals — Armories — Depots — Magazines — Foundries .... 336 CHAPTER VII.

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Importance of natural navigable channels in a system of defence — Physical aspect of the American territory — Number and distribution of the natural channels of commimication ........... 339

Chapter VIII. National Defence

Progress of Steam navigation ; its physical and moral effects on the American nation — Number of steam vessels — Effective force — Tonnage — Accidents — Expense of navigation on the Atlantic; on the Western rivers; on the Lakes^Price of transportation — Relations of steam navigation to the national defence . 345

Chapter IX. National Defence

Canals — Origin; classification — Lines from east to west, or from the great rivers of the Atlantic to those of the Valley of the Mississippi — Lines connecting the latter with the Lakes and with the St. Lawrence — Line parallel to the coast — Most important canals in the United States — Recapitulation .... 354

Chapter X. National Defence

Origin of railroads — Common roads in the United States before their introduction — Distinctive character of American railroads — How the railroad is directly connected with the defence of the country — Example of its application in transport-

CONTENTS. XY

ing troops and munitions of war — Economy of its employment — Technical details concerning American railroads — Classification; length; cost; repairs; returns; mode of construction — American locomotives — Establishments where they are constructed — Cars for baggage and freight — Current expenses of the railroad — Fare for passengers; freight on merchandize — Financial embarrassment resulting from the extraordinary extension of the railroad — The future . . 371

Chapter XI. National Defence

Numerical force of the American army — Power of Congress to increase it, according to necessity — Corps of officers ; its distinctive character — No retired list authorized by law — Mode of recruiting — Difference of rank between the commissioned and non-commissioned officers — Discipline of the garrisons and encampments of the federal troops — The prerogatives of the municipal authority always respected — No body of troops can be stationed in any State without the permission of the local authorities .......... 390

Chapter XII. National Defence

The militia the principal element of national defence — Peculiar aptitude of the Americans for defensive war — Numerical force of the militia — No State law prohibits the collection of troops on the spot where an election is held — Electoral rights of the people maintained by thfe laws ...... S95

Chapter XIII. Spirit Of Conquest Among The Americans

Origin of American society — Influence on this society of the Anglo-Saxon race — Characterized by a spirit of encroachment — Its extraordinary activity requires an extension of territory .......... 399

Chapter XIV. Climate Of The United States

Causes which contribute to render the climate of the United States temperate — Meteorological observations taken by order of the medical department of the army, and the results they establish — Three very distinct climates in the United States, corresponding with the territorial divisions of the coast, of the interior, and of the borders of the great Lakes — The number of clear and cloudy days corresponding with the same divisions — Quantity of water that falls — Mean temperature of various parts of the United States — Theory of storms and gales by Professor Espy . . • 401

Chapter XV. Population Of The United States

Increase of population in the United States : 1st. Among the whites ; 2d, among the free blacks ; 3d, among the slaves ; 4th, among the blacks, slave and free ; 6th, total population of all these classes — Proportions of the sexes — Slavery—Growth of the principal cities of the Union — Conclusions 413 xvi CONTENTS.

i

Chapter XVI. Heugion In The United States

Religious character of the early inhabitants — Diffusion of knowledge among them — Diversity of religions gives dignity and strength to the religious sentiment — Character of Christianity — Catholicism in the United States — Influence of the democratic principle on religious observances ..... 429

Chapter XVII. Education In The United States

Mutual relations of education and religion — Touching example of the devotion of the early emigrants in the cause of public instruction — Lavi^ relative to public instruction in New England — Existence of the same laws in the Western States — System followed in Ohio : in New York — Condition of education in the United States in 1840 — Sunday schools — Public course of lectures for young mechanics of various trades — Inclination for intellectual pleasures found in every class of society — Mean level in American society — In the United States, no special schools for instruction in political economy and mercantile affairs — Society considered the best school — Democracy favorable to the development of knowledge . . 435

Chapter XVIII. Agriculture

The Americans principally agriculturists — Admirable quality of the soil of the United States — The American character favorable to the development of agriculture — Dangers which beset their speculative character . . . . 450

Chapter XIX. Commerce

With the American, the genius for business allied to an ambitious character — The American peculiarly a business man — His attention absorbed in his personal welfare — Character of American merchants — Influence of democracy — Community of national interest among the American people .... 453