The pictorial history of the American revolution; with a sketch of the early history of the country, the Constitution of the United States, and a chronological index...

Front matter

NEW-¥©RR

THE

PICTORIAL' HISTORY

Preface

No portion of the woild's history can be more interesting to ttie present generation, than that recorded in this volume ; and although of comparatively recent occurrence, it has acquired by neglect much of the freshness and fascination of novelty. The American Revolution is an event calculated to exercise a great influence on the present and future destinies of other nations.

To write an authentic " History of the American Revolution," is no light, irresponsible task. We have endeavored to be impartial, and to be careful that no fact should be distorted, or receive a false coloring. Where, as is frequently the case, a considerable difference exists between various authorities, we have endeavored to exercise an unbiased judgment, and to adopt that statement which appeared on the whole, most consistent with Truth. The great principles of civil and religious freedom, the contest for which, in America, aroused the slumbering nations of Europe, can not fail engaging our ardent admiration ; and every Friend of Human Rights, at the present day^ can have no hesitation in adopting the words of the immortal Chatham, " I rejoice that they have resisted,^'' At this moment, the whole English nation, which then, with a few honorable exceptions, was willing to aid her rulers in trampling on t?ie necks of her transatlantic sons, is now sealing her approval of the principles which actuated American Patriots, by her own efforts to establish the truth, that " Taxation, without representation, is tyranny."

In the preparation of a volume like the present, however, it is impossible to give universal satisfaction. Is it not enough that our fathers suffered, without the strife being bequeathed, as an heirloom, to their children? Wisdom suffers antipathies to die with the generation which has fostered them ; and we believe that, were it not for the noxious influence of a portion of the periodical press, both in America and England, the only rivalry between the two greatest countries on the face of the globe would be, in the knowledge and practice of those principles of moral and political science, which are adapted to promote the happiness and welfare of mankind at large. History requires a distant eminence, from which to take an impartial view of the character and transactions of the recording pen : but little more than half a century has now elapsed since the Colonists first asserted their independence ; and the generation, whose arduous struggles achieved so important a result, has passed away to the silent tomb. To give a just and impartial view of the rise, progress, and establishment of the American Republic, has been the design of the work. The editor has aimed to do justice without asperity ; to applaud patriotism, but not to justify its excesses ; to condemn tyranny, but not to overlook the virtues of many of its instruments ; and to exhibit the kindly prospect of the future, more strongly than the irritating aspect of the past.

The study of History can not be appreciated too highly ; it tells to the youth of our country a story full of wisdom, and replete with many a moral — it shows the influence and success of honor and virtue — that vice and dishonor go hand in hand together ; and it excites them to noble deeds of patriotism, and calls upon them to do all, and suffer aU, for their country.

To the Youth of America, especially, the present Narrative is invaluable. It tells the price at which all their present rights were purchased — it teaches them their incomparable value ; and thus renders those in whose hands the destinies of America are hereafter to be intrusted, alive to every encroachment upon them. It relates to a country of greater extent, resources, and beauty, than is possessed by any other single nation under heaven ; and to a people, of recent origin indeed, but developing immense powers, and making gigantic progress ; to a people above aU others interesting to the nations of Europe — presenting a refuge for their distressed children — exhibiting a noble example for their imitation ; and as exercising no feeble influence on their destiny.

It is not, however, for Youth, alone, that this volume has been prepared. It has been written for ALL — for every age. To mankind at large the subject can not fail to be interesting; and if the preparation of these pages has been executed with a competent measure of industry, candor, and carefulness, they can scarcely fail of being valuable. These the editor has endeavored to exercise, and he hopes not altogether without success. R. S.

New Yotk, May 1, 184S.

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

Introduction

EABLT HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES.

A.D. Page.

98K-I015. Discoveries by tlio Ancient Northmen —

Biarne Ilierulfson's Voyage in 98() . . . 11

Discoveries of Leif Ericson in 1000 . . 12 Thorwald's Expedition, and Battle with the

Skrellnigs (E.squimaux) . . . .13 Settlement in Vincland, by Thorfinn Karl-

setne 14

A'oyage of Freydisa, Helge, and Finnebayo . 14

Ancient Relics discovered in New England 15

1492. Christoplier Columbus sails in Search of a New World 19

Mutiny on board his Vessel, and first Discovery of Land 20

1493. Columbus' second Voyage . . . 20 1498. Columbus' lliird Voyage . . . .26 1500. Death of Columbus, May 15th . . . 26 1497-1525. Voyages of Sebastian Cabot . . 28 1499-1514. Voyages of Amcricus Vespuccius . 28 1525-1542. Career of Hernando de Soto in America 29

1525. Discoveries of Giovanni Verazzano . 35 1562. Voyage of John Ribault . . . .38

1584. fik Walter Raleigh sends tw^o Ships to

Atnerica 42

Their Adventures with the Natives . . 43

1585. Raleigh sends another Fleet to America 45 Ralph Lane appointed Governor of Virginia . 45

1586. Cnlonv breaks up and returns to England 47 1615. Sir Walter Raleigh beheaded ... 51

1606. Colony sent tn America by James I. . .52

1607. Settlement of .lamestown . ... 54 Diflirulties with the Natives . . . .56 Life of John Smith saved by Pocahontas . 58 Arrival of Newport with a fresh Colony . 61

1633. Colony of Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore 65

1020. First successful Effort to colonize New

FiOgland 68

Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth . 69 1625. Colony established near Cape Anne . . 72 1630. Fifteen Hundred Settlers sail from England 74

Hostilities commence with the Natives . 75

Defeat and Death of King PhiMp . . 77

1609. Voyages of Henry Hudson . . . .78

1629. Settlement of Delaware .... 81

1646. Peter Stuyvosant appointed Governor of

New Netherlands 82

1664. Dutch Possessions surrendered to the English 64

1680. William Penn obtains a Grant of Lands in

America 86

1683. Penn forms a Treaty with the Indians . 87

1684-1718. His Difficulties with the Settlers . 69 1663- Liberal Grants by Charles H. of Territory

south of Virginia 93

1665. Constitution for Colony of Carolina formed 94 1693. Constitution annulled - .... 96 1702. Attack on St. Augustine .... 96

War with the Indians ..... 98

Internal Commotions 99

A.D.

Paob 100

1729. Colony reverts to the Crown

Separation of North and South Carolina 100

1732. Settlement of Georgia .... 101

1738. Spanish War breaks out . . . . 102

1752. Georgia becomes a royal Colony . . . 103 Early Life of George Washington . . 105

1753. His Mission to the Western Territory . . 106

1754. Plans for a Union of the Colonies . . 106

1755. Expedition and Defeat of Gen. Braddock . 109

1756. Success of the French under Montcalm . Ill

1757. Vigorous Measures of William Pitt . . 112

1758. Cession of Canada by France . . . 112 1763. Progress of the Colonies in Population,

Commerce, &c 113

HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER I. Introductory Remarks 115

1765. Stamp Act passed 117

1766. Meeting of the first Congress . . .117

Tumults in the Colonies 118

Repealof the Stamp Act .... 120

1767. New Taxes imposed 121

Fresh Troubles in consequence . . . 122

1768. Non Importation Agreement . . . 123

1769. Intemperance of the British Parliament . 123

1770. (22dof April) Duties repealed: (5th March)

Boston Massacre 124

Captain Preston tried and acquitted . . 124

1772. (yth of June). The Gaspar Schooner burned 128 (January). Assembly at Boston ; Indiscretion of the Governor 128

CHAPTER IL

1772. (16th of December). Destruction of Tea in Boston Harbor 129

1774. The Boston Port Bill 130

Arrival of Troops at Boston .... 133 (25ih of August) Writs issued for an Assembly at Salem ; (9th of September) countermanded, but meets and resolves itself into a Provincial Congress . . . 133

General Gage fortifies Boston Neck . . 133

Suffolk Resolutions 134

Proceedings of Congress . . . .135 They publish a Declaration of Rights . .135 Petition from Congress to the King . .136 (26th of October). Dissolution of Congress 136 Meeting of the Provincial Congress at Concord ; they adjourn to Cambridge . . 137

Engage Minute Men 137

A Committee of Safety and Supplies . . 137 IIostileResolutionof the Provincial Congress 138 Exportation of the Military Stores from Britain prohibited ; Cannon removed by the People of Rhode Island . . . .138 Military Stores taken in New Hampshire . 138

1775. General Agitation 138

Debates on American Affairs in Parliament 139

Provincial Congress 139

Colonel Leslie marches to Salem . . 139

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

A.D. Page.

1775. (19thApril).BattleofLcxington and Concord 140 Importance of tlie War .... '42 Inequality of tlie Parties engaged . . . H2

Colonial Army H3

Bravery of General Putnam .... 143 New York, New .lersey, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virfjinia, espouse the Cause of their Countrymen 146

Lord Uunmore convenes the Assembly . . 147 Goes on board the Fowey Man-of-War . 147

Provincial Convention 148

Lord Dunrnore's predatory Warfare . . 148

Issues a Proclamation 148

Captain Fordyce killed .... 148

1776. (1st January). Norfolk burned . . . 149 .Tohn Connelly's Plot frustrated . . . 149

1775. Proceedings in South Carolina . . .149 Arrival of Lord William Campbell . . 150 Georgia joins the Union . . . . 150

Chapter III

1774. New Parliament

1775. Joint Address of both Houses Ticonderoga surprised .

Congress meets Second Petition to the King

153 153 153

153 154 157

161 161

161 163

175 175

175 173

Warlike Preparations 153

(15th of June). George Washington cliosen

Commander-in-Chief ....

His Address to the President of Congress .

Irregularity of the American Army Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, arrive at Boston

(17th June). Battle of Bunker's Hill Death of General Warren ....

Treatment of Prisoners ; Discussions respecting them 159

Skirmishes 159

Scarcity of Provisions in Boston . .159

Danger of short Enlistments . . .159 The Royal Cruisers carry on a predatory Warfare against Inhabitants on the Coast of

New England

Privateers

Military Transport gallantly captured by

Isaiah Doane

Canada invaded by the Americans

Fort St. John taken 163

General Carleton defeated on his Way from

Montreal 164

General Prescott taken 164

General Montgomery marches against Quebec : joined by Arnold .... 165 Attacks Quebec ; is killed, and his Troops repulsed 167

Arnold wounded 167

Honorable Conduct of Sir Guy Carleton . 107 Arnold resumes the Siege of Quebec ; is unsuccessful ; defeats a Body of Canadians 169 Major-General Thomas arrives ; retreats ;

dies 170

Succeeded in Command by General Sullivan 170 Surrender of the Cedars .... 170 Arnold marches toward the Cedars ; signs

the Cartel and retires 171

An increased British Force in Canada . 171 General Sullivan retreats, and is pursued . 171 Retreat of General Arnold .... 171 General Carleton advances to the Lakes ;

constructs a Fleet 171

(October). Battle of Lake Champlain . . 172 General Carleton retires to Isle aux Noix . 173 (6th July). Declaration of Congress . . 173 (8th July). Their second Petition to the King transmitted to Richard Penn, who sails for

England 173

A Postofiice established ; Benjamin Franklin elected Postmaster-General . . .174

Chapter IV

1775. Congress adjourns ; (5th September) they

reassemble 174

British Interest in New York . . 174

Convention of New Hampshire . . 175

1775. Committee appointed to correspond with their Friends in Britain and Ireland .

Ships-of-War

The Colonies make active Preparations for War

1776. Armies of Boston

Dorchester Heights 175

(17th March). Boston evacuated . . 177 General Washington enters Boston ; Enthusiasm of the People 177

General Howe sails for Halifax . . .177 Several British Ships and Transports, with Lieutenant- Colonel Campbell, taken by some American Privateers .... 177 General Washington marches to New York 180 Affair of the (Cunninghams .... 180 Major Williamson inarches against them . 180 Province forms a temporary Government . 180 Situation of Charleston .... 180

British Reinforcements 183

Proclamation of Government . . .183

Fort Sullivan attacked 183

The British repulsed with groat Loss . 184 Indians attack the Western Frontiers of the

Southern States

Moses Kirkland's Plot

Change in the Sentiments of tho People and

Congress

(4th of July). The Declaration of Independence

Effect upon the general Aspect of the Contest

Chapter V

776. Preparations of General Washington at

New York 190

General Howe lands at Staten Island with a

formidable Force 190

Correspondence with Commissioners . 190 (28th of August). Battle of Long Island . 194 Defeat and Retreat of tho Americans . 197 Committee of Congress meet Lord Howe . 199 (13tli of September). The British take Possession of New York , . . . 199 (21st of September). Destructive Fire in New

York 199

(26thof October). Battle of Bronx . in^ 201 (15th of November). Forts Washington and

Lee taken 202

Advance of Lord Cornwallis, and Retreat of

Gen. Washington to Brunswick . . 203 (8th of December). General Washington

passes the Delaware 203

(I3th of December). Gen. Lee made Prisoner 204 Depression of the Americans .... 204

Rhode Island taken 204

Dejection of the Americans .... 204 (30th of November). Proclamation of Lord

(12th of December). Congress quits Philadelphia 205

Short Enlistments 205

New Army raised 205

Commissioners sent to different Courts of

Europe 207

Appeal of Congress to all the Provinces of

the Union 207

Failure of Mr. Edmund Burke's Conciliatory Bill 208