Historical and revolutionary incidents of the early settlers of the United States

Front matter

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Chapter I

Formation of the London Company for the Settlement of Virginia — Birthplace of Capt. John Smith, and early crosses — Enters the service of Austria — Single combats in presence of both armies — Prisoner among the Tartars — Romantic adventures and escape — Joins the London Company — Prisoner among the Indians — Saved from death by the youthful Pocahontas — Other achievements in America 9

Chapter II

Historical depreciation of " Sam's" Southern children — Abusive epithets current — Contrast with the first Northern Settlements — Who, apparently, under the ban of Providence ? — Who were the Discoverers and Explorers of the New World ? 17

Chapter III

Prosperity of the Colony of Jamestown under the rule of Capt. Smith — Sudden Treachery of the Indians and great Massacre of the Settlers 25

Chapter IV

Origin of " First Families" in Virginia — Auction of wives to the Virginians — " Sam's" idea of Aristocracy — Virginians obtain the right of trial by Jury — of Representative Government also — Religious toleration, first granted them, repealed 28

Chapter V

Repeal of Charter of London Company — The Bacon Rebellion — Death of Bacon, and character of same 33

Chapter VI

A new mystery — The rise of Luther, and Protestant wars — Advent of the mystery of Jesuitism 38

1* (5)

O TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

Life of Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Order — Spiritual exercises — The Weeks — The Contemplations — Loyola a Pilgrim to the Holy Places— His persecutions — His first disciples, Xavier, Le Fevre — Lainez and Rodriques vow to go to the Holy Land and convert Infidels — Vow of perpetual chastity and poverty — The vow of unquestioning obedience — Refusal of the Holy See to recognize the Order — Cunning vow of obedience to the Pope — Obtains his recognition — Bull of recognition. . . 42

Chapter VIII

The deadly war of the Jesuits against Protestantism continued in the New World — Cant of Bancroft the Historian — Illustrations — Martyrdom? — Facts and Motives of Jesuit Missions — League of the Iroquois— Intrigues of the Jesuits — First Intercolonial War — Predominance of Jesuit Instigation 52

Chapter IX

The Queen Ann's, or " Second Intercolonial War" between " Sam" and the Order of Jesuits — The Order not quite ready for formidable operations in the South — Retrospective glance at acts and influences of the Catholic Priesthood in Mexico from the Conquest — Evidence of Clavigero, the Catholic Historian of Mexico — The monstrous destruction of the archives of Historical Pictures in Yucatan by an " Ecclesiastic" — Destruction of the most precious Arts, which were common throughout Mexico 67

Chapter X

Vandalism of the Catholic Priesthood continued in New Mexico — Antiquarian researches concerning the first Missions to New Mexico — Conquest of California — Various efforts to penetrate the mysterious gold region by the Catholic governors of California — Extermination of the Catholic Spaniards of the Couquestator-Occupation — Hidden ruins and strange Traditions — Ruins of magnificent Catholic Cities — Marvelous treasures vvon by Cortez from Montezuma 72

Chapter XI

Alas, Poor Mexico! — Marquette and Joliet — La Salle — His pretended retirement from the Order of Jesus — His Fur Monopoly — He descends the Mississippi to its mouth — His Death — Remarks — Commencement of the Second hitercolonial War 89

Chapter XV

Dawn of the Revolutionary Period — Humorous " History of John Bull's Children" — Contrast between causes which led to the Revolution of 1688 in England, and those which led to the American Revolution ; from Judge Praytop's Charge in 1776. 185

Chapter XVI

Townshend's Scheme of Colonial Taxation — Repeal of the new taxes, except that on Tea — Local Affairs — Trade of the Colonies — Attempt to collect the Tax on Tea — Reminiscences of the position of the Tea Ships at Boston — Destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor 196

Chapter XVII

The troubles thicken — Gage reinforced — Assembly of the first Continental Congress at Philadelphia 213

Chapter XVIII

Arnold's Defeat before Ticonderoga and Crown Point — Gage's Proclamation exempting from pardon John Hancock and Adams — Battle of Bunker Hill 239

Chapter XIX

The first Sea Fight, and origin of the United States Navy — Ethan Allen taken captive and sent to England — Capture of St. Johns and Montreal — The Expedition against Quebec — Roorganizatioii of the Army — Lord Howe in Boston — Movements of the British in Virginia 259

Chapter I

Formatiott of the London Company for the Settlement of Virginia — Birthplace of Capt. John Smith, and early crosses — Enters the service of Austria — Single combats in presence of both armies — Prisoner among the Tartars — Romantic adventures and escape — Joins the London Company — Prisoner among the Indians — Saved from death by the youthful Pocahontas — Other achievements in America.

Prioe to the year 1607, a period of one hundred and fifteen years from the discovery of San Salvador, by Columbus, attempts had been made to effect settlements in various parts of North America ; but no one proved successful until the settlement at Jamestown.

In 1606, King James I, of England, granted letters patent, an exclusive right or privilege, to two companies, called the London and Plymouth Companies, by which they were authorized to possess the lands in America, lying between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude ; the southern part called South Virginia, to the London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the Plymouth Company.

Under this patent the London Company sent Capt. Christopher Newport to Virginia, December 20, 1606, with a colony of one hundred and five persons to commence a settlement on the island Eoanoke, now in North Carolina. After a tedious voyage of four months, by the circuitous route of the West Indies, he entered Chesapeake Bay, having been driven north of the place of his destination.

Here it was concluded to land ; and proceeding up a river, called by the Indians Powhattan, but by the colony, James river, on a beautiful peninsula, in May, 1607, they began the first permanent settlement in North America, and called it Jamestown.

The government of this colony was formed in England by the London Company. It consisted of a council of seven persons, appointed by the Company, with a president chosen by the council from their number, who had two votes. All matters of moment were examined by this council, and determined by a majority. Capt. Newport brought over the names of this council, carefully sealed in a box, which was opened after their arrival.

Among the most enterprising and useful members of this colony, and one of its magistrates, was Captain John Smith. As he acted a distinguished part in the early history of the colony of Virginia, a brief sketch of his life will be interesting.

He was born in Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1579. From his earliest youth, he discovered a roving and romantic genius, and appeared irresistibly bent on extravagant and daring enterprises. At the age of thirteen, becoming tired of study, he disposed of his satchel and books, with the intention of escaping to sea ; but the death of his father just at that time, frustrated his plans for the present, and threw him upon guardians, who, to repress the waywardness of his genius, confined him to a counting-room. From a confinement so irksome, however, he contrived to escape not long after, and with ten shillings in his pocket, entered the train of a young nobleman traveling to France.

On their arrival at Orleans, he received a discharge from further attendance upon Lord Bertie, who advanced him money to return to England.

Smith had no wish, however, to return. With the money he had received he visited Paris, from which he proceeded to the low countries, where he enlisted into the service as a soldier. Having continued some time in this capacity, he was induced to accompany a gentleman to Scotland, who promised to recommend him to the notice of King James. Being disappointed, however, in this, he returned to England and visited the place of his birth. Not finding the company there that suited his romantic turn, he erected a booth in some wood, and in the manner of a recluse, retired from society, devoting himself to the study of military history and tactics, diverting himself at intervals with his horse and lance.

Recovering, about this time, a part of his father's estate,

Eevolutionary Incidents. It

wliicli had been in dispute, in 1596 lie again commenced liis travels, being then only seventeen years of age. His first stage was Flanders, where, meeting with a Frenchman who pretended to be heir to a noble family, he was prevailed upon to accompany him to France. On their arrival at St. Valory, in Picardy, by the connivance of the shipmaster, the Frenchman and attendants robbed him of his effects, and succeeded in making their escape.

Eager to pursue his travels, he endeavorad to procure a place on board a man-of-war. In one of his rambles, searching for a ship that would receive him, he accidentally met one of the villains concerned in robbing him. Without exchanging a Avord, they both instantly drew their swords. The contest was severe, but Smith succeeded in wounding and disarming his antagonist, and obliged him to confess his guilt. After this rencounter, having received pecuniary assistance from an acquaintance, the Earl of Ployer, he traveled along the French coast to Bayonne, and then crossed to Marseilles, visiting and observing everything in his course which had reference to naval or military architecture.

At Marseilles he embarked for Italy in company with a number of pilgrims. But here, also, new troubles awaited him. During the voyage, a tempest arising, the ship was forced into Toulon, after leaving which contrary winds so impeded their progress that, in a fit of rage, the pilgrims imputing their ill fortune to the presence of a heretic, threw him into the sea.

Being a good swimmer, he was enabled to reach the island of St. Mary, oft* Nice, at no great distance, where he was taken on board a ship, in which, altering his course, he sailed to Alexandria in Egypt, and thence coasted the Levant. Having spent some time in this region, he sailed on his return, and on leaving the ship, received about two thousand dollars, as his portion of a rich prize, which they had taken during the voyage.

Smith landed at Antibes. He now traveled through Italy, crossed the Adriatic, and passed into Styria, to the seat of Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria. The Emperor being at that time at war with the Turks, he entered his army as a volunteer.

By means of his valor and ingenuity, aided by his military knowledge and experience, he soon distinguished himself, and was advanced to the command of a company, consisting of two hundred and fifty horsemen, in the regiment of Count Meldrick, a nohleman of Transylvania.

The regiment in which he served was engaged in several hazardous enterprises, in whicli Smith exhibited a bravery admired by all the army, and when Meldrick left the Imperial service for that of his native prince. Smith followed.

At the siege of Regal he was destined to new adventures. Tne Ottomans deriding the slow advance of the Transylvania army, the Lord Turbisha dispatched a messenger with a challenge, that for the diversion of the ladies of the place, he would fight any captain of the Christian troops.

The honor of accepting this challenge was determined by lot, and fell on Smith. At the time appointed, the two champions appeared in the field on horseback, and in the presence of the armies, and of the ladies of the insulting Ottoman, rushed impetuously to the attack. A short but desperate conflict ensued, at the end of which Smith was seen bearing the head of the lifeless Turbisha in triumph to his general.

The fall of the chief filled his friend Crualgo with indignation, and roused him to avenge his death. Smith accordingly soon after received a challenge from him, which he did not hesitate to accept, and the two exasperated combatants, upon their chargers, fell with desperate fury upon each other. Victory again followed the falchion of Smith, who sent the Turk headlong to the ground.

It was now the turn of Smith to make the advance. He dispatched a messenger therefore to the Turkish ladies, that if they were desirous of more diversion of a similar kind, they should be welcome to his head, in case their third champion could take it.

Bonamalgro tendered his services, and haughtily accepted the Christian's challenge. When the day arrived the spectators assembled, and the combatants entered the field. It was an hour of deep anxiety to all; as the horsemen approached a deathlike silence pervaded the multitude. A blow from the saber of the Turk brought Smith to the ground, and for a moment it seemed as if the deed of death was done. Smith, however, was only stunned. He rose like a lion, when he shakos the clow from his mane for the fight, and vaulting into the saddle, made his falchion "shed fast atonement for its first delay." It is hardly necessary to add that the head of Bonamalgro was added to the number.

Smith was received with transports of joy by the prince of Transylvania, who, after the capture of the place, pre- Bented him with his picture set in gold, granted him a pension of three hundred ducats a year, and conferred on him a coat of arms, bearing three Turks' heads in a shield.

In a subsequent battle between the Transylvanian army and a baly of Turks and Tartars, the former was defeated, with a loss of many killed and wounded. Among the wounded was the gallant Smith. His dress bespoke his consequence, and he was treated kindly. On his recovery from his wounds, he was sold to the Bashaw Bogul, who sent him as a present to his mistress at Constantinople, assuring her that lie was a Bohemian nobleman whom he had conquered, and whom he now presented to her as her slave.

The present proved more acceptable to the lady than her lord intended. As she understood Italian, in that lanffuag-e Smith informed her of his country and quality, and by his singular address and engaging manners, won the affection of her heart.

Designing to secure him to herself, but fearing lest some misfortune should befall him, she sent him to her brother, a Bashaw, on the borders of the sea of Asoph, with a direction that he should be initiated into the manners and language, as well as the religion of the Tartars. From the terms of. her letter, her brother suspected her design, and resolved to disappoint her. Immediately after Smith's arrival, therefore, he ordered him to be stripped, his head and beard to be shaven, and with an iron collar about his neck, and a dress of hair-cloth, he was driven forth to labor among some Christian slaves.

The circumstances of Smith were peculiarly afflicting. He could indulge no hope, except from the attachment of his mistress, but as her distance was great, it was improbable that she would soon become acquainted with the story of his misfortunes.

In the midst of his distress, an opportunity to escape presented itself, but under circumstances, which, to a person of 2 a less adventurous spirit, would have served only to high ten his distress. His employment was thrashing, at the distance of a league from the residence of the Bashaw, who daily visited him, but treated him with rigorous severity, and in a fit of anger, even abused him with blows. This last, was treatment to Avhich the independent spirit of Smith could not submit. Watching a favorable opportunity, on an occasion of the tyrant's visit, and when his attendants were absent, he leveled his thrashing instrument at him and laid him in the dust.

H.> then hastily tilled a bag with grain, and mounted the Bashaw's horse, put himself upon fortune. Directing his eaurs-' toward a desert, he entered its recesses, and continuing to conci'al himself in its obscurities for several days, at length made his escape. In sixteen days he arrived at Exapolis, on the river Don, where meetino- with the Russian o-arrison, the cammander treated him kindly, and gave him letters of recommendation to other commanders in that region. "

He now traveled through a part of Eussia and Poland, and at length reached his friends in Transylvania. At Leipsic he enjoyed the pleasure of meeting liis Colonel, Count Meldrick, and Sigismund, Prince of Transylvania, who presented him with fifteen hundred ducats. His fortune being thus in a measure repaired, he traveled through Germany, France, and Spain, and having visited the kingdom of Morocco, returned once more to England.

Such is a rapid view of the life of this interesting adventurer, down to his arrival in his native land. At this time, the settlement of America was occupying the attention of many distinguished men in England. The life of Smith, united to his fondness for enterprises of danger and difficulty, had prepared him to embark with zeal, in a project so novel and sublime as that of exploring the wilds of a newly discovered continent.

He was soon attached to the expedition, about to sail under Newport, and was appointed one of the magistrates of the colony sent over at that time. Before the arrival of the colony, his colleagues in office becoming jealous of liis influence, arrested him on the absurd charge that he designed to murder the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia. He was, therefore, rigorously confined during the remainder of the voyage.

On tlieir arrival in the country he was liberated, but could not obtain a trial, although in the tone of conscious integrit}^ he repeatedly demanded it. The infant colony was soon involved in perplexity and danger. Notwithstanding Smith had been calumniated, and his honor deeply wounded, his was not the spirit to remain idle when liis services were needed. Nobly disdaining revenge, he offered his assistance, and by his talents, experience, and indefatigable zeal, furnished important aid to the infant colony.

Continuing to assert his innocence, and to demand a trial, the time at length arrived when his enemies could postpone it no lono'er. After a fair hearing of the case, he was honorably acquitted of the charges alleged against him, and soon after took his seat in the council.

The affairs of the colony becoming more settled, the active spirit of Smith prompted him to explore the neighboring country. In an attempt to ascertain the source of Chickahoming river, he ascended in a barge as far as the stream was uninterrupted. Designing to proceed still further, he left the barge in the keeping of the crew, with strict injunctions on no account to leave her, and with two Englishmen and two Indians left the party. But no sooner was he out of view, than the crew, impatient of restraint, repaired on board the barge, and proceeding some distance down the stream, landed at a place where a body of Indians lay in ambush, by whom they were seized.

By means of the crew, the route of Smith was ascertained, and a party of Indians were immcdiattdy dispatched to take him. On coming up with him. th-y find, killed the Englishmen, and wounded himself. With great presence of mind, he now tied his Indian guide to his left arm, as a shield from the enemies' arrow, while with his musket he dispatched three of the most forward of the assailants.

In this manner he continued to retreat toward his canoe, while the Indians, struck with admiration of his bravery, followed with respectful caution. Unfortunately, coming to a sunken spot filled with mire, while engrossed with eyeing his pursuers, he sunk so deep, as to be unable to extricate himself, and was forced to surrender.

Fruitful in expedients to avert immediate death, he presented an ivory compass to the chief, whose attention was

16 Htstortcal and

arrested by the vibrations of the needle. Taking advantage of the impression which he had thus made, partly by signs, and partly by language, he excited their wonder still more by telling them of its singular powers.

Their wonder, however, seemed soon to abate, and their attention returned to their prisoner. He was now bound and tied to a tree, and the savages were preparing to direct their arrows at his breast. At this instant the chief holding up the compass, they laid down their arms, and led him in triumpli to Powhattan, their king.

Powhattan and his council doomed him to death, as a man whose courage and genius were peculiarly dangerous to the Indians. Preparations were accordingly made, and when the time arrived. Smith was led out to execution. His head was laid upon a stone, and a club presented to Powhattan, who, himself claimed the honor of becoming the executioner. The savao:es in silence were circlino; round, and the ffiant arm of Powhattan had already raised the club to strike the fatal blow, when, to his astonishment, the young and beautiful Pocahontas, his daughter, with a shriek of terror, rushed from the throng, and threw herself upon the body of Smith. At the same time she cast an imploring look toward her furious but astonished father, and in all the eloquence of mute, but impassioned sorrow, besought his life.

The remainder of the scene was honorable to Powhattan. The club of the chief was still uplifted, but a father's pity had touched his heart, and the eye that had first kindled with wrath, was now fast losing its fiercenesss. He looked round as if to collect his fortitude, or perhaps, to find an excuse for his weakness, in the pity of the attendants. A similar sympathy had melted the savage throng, and seemed to join in the petition, which the weeping Pocahontas felt, but durst not utter: "My father! let the prisoner live." Powhattan raised liis daughter, and the captive, scarcely yet assured of safety, from the earth.

Shortly after, Powhattan dismissed Captain Smith with assurances of friendship, and the next morning, accompanied with a guard of twelve men, he arrived safely at Jamestown, after a captivity of seven weeks.*

"Burk's Virginia.

Chapter II

Historical depreciation of Sam's Southern children — Abusive epithets current — Contrast with the first Northern Settlements — Who, apparently, under the ban of Providence ? — Who were the Discoverers and Explorers of the New World?

S© much for the peerless chevalier — the Father of Virginia, and Explorer of the North/'-' — illustrious John Smith ! Nor is this all of his career. It had been chiefly through his influence, that James I was induced to grant the " first colonial charter" under which the English were planted in America; although the great majority of Sam's cliildren have never to this day, heard that there was any other place settled in " the beginning," but Plymouth, or any cocle of laws instituted than the precious " Body " of Eights, with its " Blue " Lights, or Laws, to which we have referred ; yet not only is it true, that to John Smith and Virginia we owe the "first colonial charter" in 1606, but to John Smith and Virginia do we owe, in June, 1619, the " first colonial assembly " that ever met in America, and which was convened at Jamestown.

While John Carver, Cotton Mather, and the " Saintly Winthrop," are names canonized throughout the land as the select forerunners of Freedom — so many "Baptists" proclaiming in the wilderness the " good news" of the approaching regeneration of humanity — John Smith remains plain "John Smith," who was "saved by Pocahontas."

'■'In 1614, Captain John Smith s aled from England, with two ships, to America. He ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod. On his return to England, he presented a' map of the country to Prince Charles, who named it New England. Thus wus the first survey of her own coast, and which resulted in giving her a name, made by the founder of these South em institutions now sa villified by New England.

2* 17

Sam says fiddle-faddle ! the " brazen tongue " wagged by these clerkly fellows is tiresome ; they have kept up one eternal too-oo I too-oo ! too-oot ! in defense of the saintly villains and villainies of their early times when nobody was attacking them. For who troubled themselves about it, since vices and cruelties were, as everybody knew, to be expected in the settlement of all new countries ? But not content with taking their chances in the impartial recognition of mankind, and confining themselves to the plain narrative of facts, they have exhibited a systematic effort to forestall what might be expected to become the natural sentiment — a conscious, nervous special pleading in advance, has betrayed the apprehension of justifiable attack. The purpose to "make a character'^ where they could lay claim to none. D^'manding of the credulity of mankind for the Puritan, the united attributes of apostle, saint, lawgiver, statesman, warrior, and psalmodist, they dismiss the renowned and noble foundei' of Virginia with the contemptuous implication of petty adventure — his illustrious name coupled with a silly story of rescue by a forlorn Indian maiden, (who was in fact, a little child) — as though this "lovely Indian princess" were indeed the heroic actor in the only scene in his career worth recording, while the poor John Smith was merely a passive instrument.

Nor is this all, saith Sam. While, although with pretentious humility, they have very properly, never emulated the " gallant spirit " of the cavaliers, yet, as a saving clause for their self-righteousness, they have stigmatized them as " dissolute gallants, packed off" to escape worse destinies at home, broken tradesmen, gentlemen impoverished in spirit and fortune, rakes and libertines ; men more fitted to corrupt than to found a commonwealth,"'" winding up this delectable catalogue with the pious exclamation : "It was not the will of God that the new State shouM be formed of these materials — that such men were to be the fathers of a progeny born on the American soil, who were one day to assert American liberty by their eloquence, and defend it by their valor."!

Then as cumulative evidence that the hand of Providence had clearly interposed to prevent such prayerless "vaga-

■■■' Bancroff , page 138, 1st. vol. |Idem, page 138.

bonds" from becoming fathers of a State, they say in the next breath: "John Smith, being- wounded and compelled to return to Europe, at his departure, he had left more than four hundred and ninety persons in the colony ; in six months, indolence, vice, and famine reduced the number to sixty, and these were so feeble and dejected, that if relief had been delayed but ten days longer, they must have utterly i3erished."^--=

Away with such driveling cant, says Sam. If suffering from famine and other necessary and usually attendant dangers of settlement in a ncAV country, be any evidence that God has willed that a set of " vagabonds " should not be permitted to perpetuate their spawn upon the face of a new country, destined to be the home of a free people, what becomes of your own story of the sufferings of the " Pilgrim Fathers?" "After some days they began to build a difficult task for men of whom one-half were wasting away withconsumptions and lung fevers." f

This only a few days after landing, too, quoth Sam ; pretty recreations these ascetic self-denying Puritans must have indulged in on board that same immaculate May- Flower ! Ask any of my physicians out of New England what habits are most likely to engender consumption, under such circumstances, thumders he in wrath, ask them too if men usually " waste iiway with consumptions and lungfevers " in three or four days I — and you will be apt to find why it is that these fellows did not emulate the "gallant sjnrit" of the cavaliers.

But this is not all, continues the inexorable Sam, whose pluck is up at hearing his southern children th s gratuitously made the sole plenary examples of the results of vice, indolence and crime.

Was the hand of Providence in it for the extermination of the embryo of a race of hypocritical blue-law enactors, persecuting witch-burners and savage kidnappers, Avhen "a shelter not less than comfort, had been wanting, the living being scarcely able to bury the dead, the Avell not sufficient to take care of the sick ? At the season of distress, there were but seven able to render assistance. The benevolent

"Bancroft, page 140, vol. 1. f Idem, page 313, vol. 1.

Carver had been appoiuted Governor ; at his first landing he had lost a son ; soon after the departure of the May- Flower for England his health sunk under a sudden attack, and his wife, broken-hearted, followed him in death. William Bradford, the historian of the colony, was soon chosen his successor. The record of misery was kept by the graves of the governor and half his company." Was this the hand of Providence? But let us hear more. "But if sickness ceased to prevail, the hardships of privation and want remained to be encountered. In the autumn an arrival of new emigrants, who came unprovided with food, compelled the whole colony, for six months in succession, to subsist on half allowance only." " I have seen men," says Winslow, " stagger by reason of faintness for want of food." They were once saved from famishing by the benevolence of fishermen off the coast. Sometimes they suffered from oppressive exaction on the part of ships that sold them provisions at the most exorbitant prices. Nor did their miseries soon terminate. Even in the tliird year of the settlement the victuals were so entirely spent, that " they knew not at night where to have a bit in the morning." Tradition declares that, " at one time, the colonists were reduced to a pint of corn, which being parched and distributed, gave to each individual only five kernels ; but rumor falls shoi;/: of reality ; for three or four months together they had no corn whatever. When a few of their old friends arrived to join them, a lobster or a piece of fish, without bread or anything else but a cup of fair spring water, was the best dish which the hospitality of the whole colony could offer. Neat cattle were not introduced till the fourth year of the settlement. Yet during all this season of self-denial and suffering, the cheerful confidence of the Pilgrims in the mercies of Providence remained unshaken."