Morning stars of the New world

Front matter

'IP

I LIBliARY OF COXGRltSS. I

I UNITED STATES OF AMEIIICaJ

Preface

The planet that heralds the sunrise, may be a volcanic waste, like the moon, or scathed with the fires of sin, like the earth ; and so the morning stars of heroism, that guided and illumined the first advances of a noon-day civilization to this Western World, were not all as cultivated and pure as those followers of the one " bright and morning Star," who colonized the shores of Plymouth and the banks of the Delaware. Whoever was illustrious, for any reason, in the early history of America, may be included in the number ; and some of the most promiment of these, particularly they who may represent different portions of North America, have been selected as subjects of the following sketches. A number of characters, deserving an equal place with some of those now chosen, were omitted for want of room.

The author trusts that the bringing of them together in one volume, is a plan that offers the novel interest of a close comparison of each character with the others, and one that has been carried out with all the fidelity which an examina-

VI PKEFACE.

tion of Colonial chronicles in the libraries of New- York, can ensure. Some of the sketches, such as those of Lady Arabella Johnson and Miles Standish, claim to be more complete than any existing ones — at least, of like brevity.

To reproduce the scenes and present the scenery of distant times and places, so as to make them realities to the reader, recourse has been had to several elaborate works on geography, science and costume, and books of modern travel. A simple regard to truth, and not an indulgence in fancy and exaggeration for popular effect, has been the cherished rule in preparing this unpretending volume.

I. Christopher Columbus

Genoa. — Columbiis a Student. — A Sailor. — Navigation. — A Portrait. — Columbus' Theory. — A leai-ned Assembly. — ^A Traveler. — Convent. — Friars. — Cordova. — Disappointment. — A Kingly Suppliant. — Bigoted Philosophers. — La Rabida. — ^The Spanish Court at Grenada. — Isabella's noble Decision. — Alarm at Pales. — Voyage. — Perils. — Superstition. — The first Glimpse of the New World. — Landing. — Columbus a Prince. — Search for the Grand Khan. — Shipwreck. — Nina Alone. — Arrest in the Island Chapel. — Arrival at Palos. — Excitement. Princely Reception. — Superiority- of Genius. — Second Voyage. — "Lord of the Golden House." — Mysterious Fate of a Colony. — Cavalier Workmen. — Search for Gold. — Columbus' Temptation. — Persecution. — A Cruise. — Three Brothers. — Captive Cacique. — Return Voyage. — Foi'lorn Crew. — Columbus a Friar. — Third Voyage. — The Orinoco. — Rebels of Hispaniola. — Injustice. — An Upstart's Sceptre. — Columbus in Chains. — Indignation. — Columbus' Triumph in the Alhambra. — ^Fourth Voyage. — Return and Disappointment. — Old Age and Death. — Character 13

Vm CONTENTS.

n.

AMERICUS VESPUCIUS.

PAOS.

His Birth. — Floi-ence. — The Convent. — The Plague. — Vespucius' Pursuits. — Duplicity of Bishop Fonseca. — Disputed Voyage. — Beauty of the New World. — Centaurs. — An Epicurean Race. — "City of Bridges." — Indians Enslaved. — Return to Cadiz. — Marriage. — Voyage. — Eccentric Companions. — Paria, — Grotesque Customs. — Vegetable Houses and Umbrellas. — Giants. — San Domingo. — Cargo of Slaves. — Return to Spain. — Americus in Portugal. — "Land of Pearls." — Luxuriant Scenery. — Patriarchs. — ^Triumph of Science. — " Canope" of the South. — ^Tempest — Reception at Lisbon. — Americus honored. — Comiiiands a Fleet. — Shipwreck. — Mariners in Brazil. — Americus in Spain. — Ferdinand and Fonseca. — Disappointment. — Death. — Unknown Grave. — His Character. — Disputed Fame , 66

III. Ferdinand De Soto

Furor of Discovery. — Youth of De Soto. — He embarks for the Indies. — Joins Pizarro. — Hoi'semanship. — Atahualpa. — Death. — De Soto's Reproaches. — His Wealth. — Return to Spain. — Magnificent Display. — Noble Marriage. — Governor of Florida. — Expensive Fleet. — Southern Scenerj^. — A Pocahontas. — Slavery. — Difficult Exploration. — Treachery. — Famine. — Indian Queen — Obstinacy of De Soto. — Proud Cacique. — Battle. — Fire. — Discovery of the Mississippi. — Indian Flefet. — "Son of the Sun." — The Cacique Foes. — De Soto a Peace-maker. — A Troop of Laplanders. — Second Encampment. — Famine and Desolation. — De Soto's Disappointment. — His Death. — Midnight Burial. — Return of his Followers to Spain. — Character of De Soto lOS

CONTENTS. IX

TV.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

PAOE.

Raleigh's Character. — Youth. — Military Pursuits. — His Intellectual I^<lustr3^ — Exploits iu Ireland. — His Personal Attractions. — Anecdote of Queen Elizabeth. — Raleigh a Courtier. — Enriched. — Equips a Fleet. — Virginia. — Raleigh a Knight. — Prepares a Second Expedition. — Roanoke. — Introduction of Tobacco. — Anecdotes. — A City Founded. — Desolation of Roanoke. — First Birth and Baptism in Virginia — Reinforcement fails. — Fate of the Colony. — Raleigh a Hero. — A Rival Appears. — Rustication. — A Poet. — Restoration to Royal Favor. — Expedition to Panama. — Return to England. — Imprisonment. — Mai'riage. — Membership of Parliament. — Expedition to Guiana. — Search for El Dorado. — Return. — General Contempt. — Action at Cadiz. — The Rivals at Fayal. — The Rivals at Court. — Irish Estates. — The Potato. — Raleigh in "Solomon's" Court. — Arrest. — The Trial. — The Tower. — A Wife's Devotion. — Twelve Years' Imprisonment. — Guiana. — "Piratas !" — Solitary Imprisonment. — A Tyrant. — Death Warrant. — Execution. — Carew Raleigh IS"?

V. Henry Hudson

Navigation. — ^Diminutive Fleet. — Crimson Snow. — Crystal Architecture. — Flowers. — Icebergs. — An Escape. — Second Voyage. — Midnight Sun. — A Mermaid. — ISTova Zembla. — Return to England. — The Half Moon. — Savages. — Grapes of Esehol. — Jersey Shore. — Dutch Craft and Costume — Indian Tradition — Manhattan. — The great River. — The Highlands and Palisades. — Captives. — Magical Moimtains. — Puzzled Dutchmen, — a Drunken Chief. — A Battle. — Return to England. — Third Voj'age. — Iceland. — Fantastic Fountains. — Profligates. — Japanese Icebergs. — An Ice-locked Ship. — Hudson's Straits and Bay. — ^A Labyrinth. — A Northern Winter. — Famine. — Mutiny. — a Judas. — A Noble Spirit. — Cruel Fate of Hudson. — Retribution. — Character of Hudson 206

X CONTENTS.

VI. Captain John Smith

PAGE.

His Character. — Birth. — Wandei'ings. — A Highland Frie.id. — Smith a Soldier. — A Courtier. — An Adonis. — A Hermit. — A Traveler. — A Jonah. — A Ci'usoe. — A Pirate. — Smith in Italy. — ^Turkey. — Knightly Combat. — Thrice a Victor. — Splendid Reward. — Smith a Slave. — He Escapes. — His Benefactress. — Travels in Europe and Africa. — A new field of Adventure. — American City Founded. — An Expedition. — Treacherj-. — An Indian Shield. — Smith a Captive. — Powhattan's Palace. — Pocahontas. — Smith's Power. — Coronation in the Forest. — Smith a President. — His Success. — An effective Cure. — An Accident. — He Returns to England. — An Expedition. — ^A Prisoner. — Escape. — Pocahontas' Grief and Death. — Captain Smith's Last Years and Death 249

vn.

CAPTAIN MILES STANDISH.

Standish and the Pilgrims. — His Ancestors. — Exiles in Holland. Providential Choice. — The Departure. — A Forest Home. — Desolation. — Indian Mounds. — A Skirmish. — The first Sabbath. — ^A new Leyden. — Afflictions. — Death of Rose. — ^Militia Training. — ^A Scene. — ^An Indian King. — An Exploit. — Courtship. — Standish in the "Meeting-house." — Evil overcome with Good. — ^An " Eye for an Eye." — A boastful Giant. — Standish's Intrepidity. — His Honors. — ^His Home. — Scenery of Duxbury. — Death of Captain Standish. — His Descendants. — Memorials. — Last of the Pilgrims 275

VIII. Lady Arabella Johnson

A Contrast. — Sherwood Forest. — Lincoln Family. — Home. — ^A Pious Mother. — ^Death of the Earl. — ^Person and Character of

CONTENTS. XI

PAOB.

Arabella. — Mr. Johnson. — Marriage. — The Pilgrims. — Devotion of a Wife. — Preparations for Emigration. — Feast. — Embarkation. — Salem. — A Primitive Feast. — Disappointment Consoled. — Dark Prospects. — Illness of Lady Arabella. — Her Deatl\. — Mr. Johnson's Grief. — Death and Burial. — A Colony in Mourning. — Spirit of the Pilgrims 804

IX. John Eliot

''Apostle of the Indians." — Birth. — Education. — Emigration. — An Infant Colony. — Eliot's Marriage. — Temperate Habits. — Ludicrous. Legislation. — Anecdote. — Eliot in Trouble. — Woman's Rights. — First American Book. — Diffusion of Christianity. — Indian Language. — Castle-building. — Preaching in the AVilderness. — Effect. — ^A Christian Village. — " Praying Indians." — Shrewd Questions. — A Powaw. — Eliot's Industry. — Jehu. — ^A Tradition. — Civilized Indians. — Natick. — The Old Dispensation Revived. — An Angel. — Indian Testament. — DifBculties. — A Striking Illustration. — Forest Travels. — Indian Students. — Trial of Faith. — Old Age. — Eliot a Reformer. — ^A Beautiful Picture. — Death 321