A school history of the United States; from the earliest period to the present time

Front matter

'_£o~7rom 1 492l o 1614 < r^ 'and the INDIAN NATIONS

SCHOOL HISTORY

OF

Chapter II. Discoveries

Section I. Normaa and Spanish Discoveries, 10.— § II. English and French Discoveries, 15. CHAPTER III.

SETTLEMENTS.

Section I. Virginia, 24.— § II. New York, 32.— § III. Massachusetts, 34.— § IV. New Hampshire, 37.— § V. Maryland, 37— I VI. Connecticut, 39.— § VII. Rhode Island, 42. § VIII. Delaware, 43; New Jersey, 44 ; Pennsylvania, 45.— § IX. The Carolinas, 46.— § X. Georgia, 48.

Chapter IV. The Colonies

Section I. Virginia, 50.— § II. Massachusetts, 56.— § III. New York, 69.— § IV. Maryland, 75.— § V. Connecticut, 77.— § VI. Rhode Island, 80.— § VII. New Jersey, 81.— § VIII. Pennsylvania, 83.— § IX. The Carolinas, 85.— § X. Georgia, 91. -§ XI. A Retrospect, 92. —I XIL The French and Indian War, 95.

Chapter V. The Revolution

Section I. Preliminary Events, 115.— § II. First Year of the War for Independence, 128. — $ III. Second Year of the War for Independence, 138.— § IV. Third Year of the War for Independence, 149.— § V. Fourth Year of the War for Independence, 160.— § VI. Fifth Year of the War for Independence, 166.— § VII. Sixth Year of the War for Independence, 174.— § VIII. Seventh Year of the War for Independence, 181.— § IX. Closing Events of the War for Independence, 190.

C n A P T E R VI.

THE NATION.

Section I. Washington's Administration, 195.— § II. John Adams's Administration, 201.— § III. Jefferson's Administration, 203.— I IV. Madison's Administration, 208.-1 V. The Second War for Independence, 214.— § VI. Second War for Independence— continued, 222— § VII. Monroe's Administration, 231.— § VIII. John Quincy Adams's Administration, 234— § IX. Jackson's Administration, 236.— § X. Van Buren's Admm ; stration, 241.— § XI. Harrison and Tyler's Administrations, 243.— § XII. Polk's Administration, 246— § XIII. Taylor's Administration, 254.— § XIV. Pierce's Administration, 257.— § XV. Buchanan's Administration, 260.— § XVI. Lincoln's Administration, 262.- The Great Civil War, 265.— The Constitution and Growth of the Republic, 305.

Questions for Review, 33G.

SUPPLEMENT.

The Declaration of Independence, 349.— The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 35«.

—Biographical Sketches of the Presidents of the Republic, 357. -Chronological Table, 361

—Pronouncing Vocabulary of Proper Names, 335.

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHAPTEE I.

THE ABORIGINES.

Section I

1. When men from Europe first came over the Atlantic ocean and landed on the shores of America at different places, they found inhabitants of a copper color, who could give very little account of themselves, as a people. They could not tell whether their race came from Asia, Africa, or Europe ; or whether, as many of them believed, their first father and mother were created in the land which they inhabited. 1

2. These people, who were called Indians," spoke a great variety of dialects, 3 but there were among them only eight distinct languages. 4 They were divided into many families, or tribes ; but in color, size, moral character, religion, and government, they were very much alike. They were tall, straight, and well formed ;

1. There seem to be reasons for believing that the Aborigines, or first inhabitants of America, are of Asiatic origin.

2. When Columbus discovered the first land on the American coast (verse 6, page 12), he supposed that he had reached a point of Farther India, his theory being that, sailing westward, he would find that land. He and his people, therefore, called the native inhabifants Indians.

3. Dialect is the form of expression peculiar to the people of diftVrei t provinces or sections of a country where the same language is spoken. The people of London and Yorkshire have such different modes of expressing the English language, that it is difficult, sometimes, for them to understand each other.

4. These languages, which represented eight nations, who inhabited the country from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river and beyond, occupying a region embraced within about twenty-four degrees of latitude, and almost forty degrees of longitude, and covering a greater port ; on of the breadth of the north temperate zone, were called^ respectively. Algonquin, Huron— Iroquois, Cherokee, Catawba, Uchee, Natchez, Mobilian, and Dacotah or Sioux.

Questions. — 1. What kind of people did Europeans find in America? 2. What can you tell about their name, languages, and persons ?

THE ABORIGINES.

Dwellings, dress, money, and language of the Indians.

their eyes were black ; their hair long, coarse, and straight. Sickness was very little known among them.

3. The men were employed in war, hunting, and fishing ; and

the women did all the labor of every kind required by family

wants. Huts made of poles covered with

mats, skins of beasts, or bark of trees, were

their dwelling-places, and were called wig-

icams. Their few tools were made of stones,

shells, and bones. Their food was the meat

of animals found in the forests, with fish,

a wigwam. an( j a f ew vegetables. Maize, commonly

called Indian corn, was in common use. All the simple arts of

their rude life were taught to their children.

4. In summer they were generally naked, excepting a light covering about the loins. In winter, they were clad in the skins of beasts.

Their money was made of pieces of shells in the form of tubes, and was called wampum ; it was made in strings and belts, and was used in traffic, and, between nations and tribes, as tokens of affection or alliance. "Wampum-belts were held by the sachems, or chief men, as records of public acts. WAMPrM -

5. The Indians had no written language, excepting rude picture-writings, and these were I JK. i y<^^KX J V-^ > \/ confined to the records of war-

t

:;;dians in sc.mmer.

like achievements, treaties of alliance, and deeds of brave men. These were more frequently preserved in memory, and handed down from father to son, and from chief to chief.

1. This in pnrt of a record of a war expedition. The figures on the right nnd left — one with a gun, aid the other with the hatchet -denote pritoi.ers taken by a warrior. The one

INDIAN nn ROGLTrniCS.

Questions.— 3. What can you tell about the employments, dwellings, and food of the Indians i 4. What of their clothing and money ? 5. What of iheir writing and records ?

THE ABORIGINES.

INDIAN WEAPONS.

CALUMETS.

Warfare, women, and funeral ceremonies of the Indiana.

6. War was the principal business of the men. They generally went forth in parties of

about forty. Sometimes only

half-a-dozen would go out on

the war-path, like the ancient

knights, to seek renown in

combat. Their weapons were

(tomahawks) of stone, and

scalping-knives of bone. They made prisoners, and

tortured them ; and the scalps of enemies were their trophies of war. 2 Peace was arranged by sachems in council;* and each, smoking the same pipe of peace, called calumet' thus made a pledge of fidelity to the contract.

V. Women were the mere slaves of the men. They never en gaged in any of the games, but were allowed, with their children, to be spectators of them and the war-dances. Marriage >vas a contract that might be broken by the husbands, who had a right to take and dismiss wives at pleasure.

8. The funeral ceremonies and methods of burial were similai among all the Indian nations. The dead body was wrapped in skins, when it was laid upon sticks in the bottom of a shallow pit; or placed in a sitting posture in a grave; or laid upon a high scaffold, out of the reach of wild beasts. Trinkets, arms, tools, paints, and food were buried with it, for they supposed the soul would need them on its journey

SCAFFOLD BURIAL-PLACE.

without a head and holding a bow and arrow, denotes that one was killed; and the figurn with a shaded part below the cross indicates a female prisoner. Then he goes in a war canoe, with nine companions, denoted by the paddles, after which a council is held by the chiefs of the Bear and Turtle tribes, indicated by rude figures of these animals on each sid , of a fire.

1. a, bow and arrow ; h, war-club ; c, an iron tomahawk ■, rl, a stone one ; e, a scalping-knife.

2. They seized an enemy by the hair, and, by a skillful use of the knife, cut and toro from the top of the head a large portion of the skin.

3. Sachems were the civil heads of nations or tribes ; chiefs were military lenders.

4. Tobacco was in general use among the Indians for smoking, when the white men came The more filthy praclice of cheicins it was invented by the Europeans. The calumet wan made of pipe-clay, and often ornamented with feathers.

Questions.— 6. What can you tell about the warfare and weapons, and method of peace-making of the Indians? 7. What can you tell about their won/ien and marriages? 8. What of their funeral ceremonies and burials?

THE ABORIGINES.

Religion of the Indians.

to the abode of spirits. They raised mounds over the graves, planted flowers upon them, and mourned there for many days.

MEETING OF WHITE MEN AND INDIANS.

9. Their religion was simple in belief and ceremonies. They believed in a Great Good Spirit, and a Great Evil Spirit ; and considered the sun, moon, stars, meteors, fire, water, thunder, wind, and everything which they could not control themselves, as a sort of deity or god. They also adored what they called the Great Master of Life, in different forms, whom they called Manitou, and made a sort of special deity. They had vague

Questions.— 9. What can you tell about the religious belief of the Indians?

THE ABORIGINES.

Government of the Indians. Their destiny.

ideas of a great flood that covered the earth ; and they occasionally made sacrifices of animals as an atonement for sin.

10. The government of the Indians was a mixture of family rule and kingly use of authority and power. The Sachem was chief ruler, often chosen because of his merits. So with the Chief; he was frequently chosen to be the leader of warriors, because of his own deeds in battle. The Sachem decided all questions debated in council; and wherever the Chief led, the warriors followed. Their councils were models of good order. "While one was speaking, every other one listened with profound respect.

11. Such were the inhabitants of the territory of the present United States, when it was discovered by the Europeans. They were nearly all wanderers, and roamed over the solitary forests, free as the air they breathed, yet doing almost nothing toward cultivating the fertile soil beneath their feet. God did not design this continent to remain a wilderness. In his own good time he permitted the white man to find it. The white man came with the industry and arts of civilization, and changed the appearance of all things. "Where the Indians hunted and fished, are seen farms, villages, and cities; and that race is rapidly passing away. Very few can now be found eastward of the Mississippi river. 1

1. For a more detailed account of the Indians, see Lossing's Pictorial Ilistory of the United Stales, for Schools and Families.

Questions —10. What can you tell ahout the government and leaders of the Indians? 11. What have you to say about them and their relation to the country ? What changes havo taken place ?

CHAPTEE II.

DISCOVERIES.

SECTION I.

NORMAN AND SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

1. Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool-carder of the city of Genoa, in Italy, is properly called the discoverer of America. There seems" to be proof, however, that Europeans landed on its shores five hundred years before his time. There were bold sailors in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, who came to be called Sea-Kings. They sailed fearlessly over the northern seas in their little vessels, and at a very early period made settlements on Iceland and Greenland. There are records of voyages which they made from Iceland to

a continent southwest from Greenland, as early as the year of our Lord 1002 ; and learned men believe that these Northmen 1 visited that portion of the United States known as New England, 2 and perhaps sailed as far southward as the Delaware river.

NORMAN SHIP.

WORTIIMAN.

1 The ancients called the territory which contains modern Norway, Sweden, Denmark Lapland, Iceland, Finland, and the country around the Baltic sea, by the general name of

Scandinavia. The people were culled Scandinavians, hut in time came to be known as Northmen or Normen. _, „ „, , ., .. , ,, , A - — ,„

2. The States of our Republic eastward of New York are collectively called New England. -

QOT.STION8.-l. What can vou tell about the discoverers of America ,? What about ancient sailors of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway ? What discoveries did they probably make 1

NORMAN AND SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

The Northmen.

Eastern commerce.

Columbus.

TOWER AT XEWFORT,

2. There are proofs that the Northmen attempted to make settlements in the new land they had discovered ; but they left no trace of their presence, unless it be the mysterious old Tower at Newport, Rhode Island, which many believe was built by them. If these voyages were ever known in Southern Europe, they had been long forgotten when Columbus proposed to sail westward in search of wealthy India by a new route.

3. At that time Italy was the mistress of the Mediterranean sea, and controlled the commerce of Europe with India, the great cape of Asia, for the route thither was through Egypt, Arabia, and Persia. The merchants of Western Europe wished to share with Italy in that traffic, but their ships were not allowed to sail unmolested in the Mediterranean, to Egypt. It was the common belief that under the equator was a region of impassable heat. This error was at length corrected by Portuguese navigators, who sailed around the southern extremity of Africa and went to the East thi'ough the Indian Ocean.

4. Lisbon, from Avhich these navigators sailed, now became an attractive place for adventurers. Columbus went there, and married the daughter of an eminent deceased navigator ; and from his father-inlaw's papers he got much knowledge.

He was convinced that the earth was round ; that an unknown continent was in the Atlantic ocean; and that Asia might be sooner reached by sailing westward than by making the long voyage around Africa. He was also impressed with a belief that he was commissioned to carry the gospel of Christ to unknown heathen.

5. In search of knowledge, Columbus made a voyage to Ice-

Qtjestions.— 2. What can yon tell about the Northmen in Amer'ca ? 3. What did Italydo? What did merchants of Western Europe desire to do? What error was corrected? 4. What can you tell about Lisbon, and Columbus there ? What were his beliefs ?

*JTt

COLCMBtTS.

DISCOVERIES.

Columbus aided.

His great discovery.

land and the icy seas beyond, where he probably heard vague rumors of the early visits to a western continent. When he returned, he asked first his own countrymen, and then the kings of England and Portugal, to help him fit out an expedition for a voyage of discovery. None but King John of Portugal listened favorably, and he did nothing. Columbus waited long. At length his wife died, and, taking his little son by the hand, he started on foot, sad and discouraged, to lay his plans before Ferdinand and Isabella, the rulers of Spain.

6. The queen became his friend, 1 and with others fitted out three small vessels for Columbus. With these lie sailed from Palos, in Andalusia, on the 3d of August, 1492, and, after a tedious and perilous voyage, he first saw land on the llth of October following. It was one of the Bahamas, now called Cat Island. On the next day he went ashore, richly dressed in scarlet, and, bearing the banner of the expedition, took possession of the country in the name of the king and queen. 2 The natives received him and his followers with awe. With pious feelings he named the island San Salvador, or Holy Savior.

V. Columbus discovered several other islands, and named the group the West Indies. On his return he was received with great honors, but the monarchs attempted to keep his discoveries

1. Isabella was very religious, and the impression made on her mind by the zeal manifested by Columbus to become a missionary, had a powerful effect. His assurance that be should find the vast treasures hidden in that far-distant India, of which travelers had told, excited her di6ires for greater wealth and magnificence.

2. It was a common practice then, as now, for the discoverer of new lands to erect some monument and to proclaim the title of his sovereign to the territories so discovered. The banner of the expedition borne on shore by Columbus, was a white one, with a green cross. Over the initials, F. and Y. (Ferdinand and Ysabella), were golden mural crowns.

EANNER OF THB EXPEDITION.

Questions.— 5. What voyage did Columbus make? To whom did he apply for help? 6. What did Queen Isabella do? What can you tell about Columbus's voyage and discoveries? What took place when he reached land?

SPANISH DISCOVERIES.

Columbus and his discoveries.

A rival.

a secret from the rest of the world for their own advantage, made several other voyages, and in 1498 discovered the coast of South America ; yet he died in the belief that he had only found a portion of Eastern Asia. One of his companions revealed the secret to Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator, who explored the eastern coast

THE VESSELS OF COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS DISCOVERING LAND.

Questions.— 7. What other voyages and discoveries did Columbus mako? What can you tell about another navigator, and the naming of our continent ?

DISCOVERIES.

Name of the continent.

Balboa.

Florida.

Mexico.

AMERIGO VESrCCCI.

of South America, and published a glowing account of the great

continent which he claimed to have discovered. In his honor that continent was called America.

8. Spanish settlements were soon made in the West Indies, and expeditions were sent out from St. Domingo, Cuba, and Porto Rico, in search of goldbearing regions which, it was believed, lay around them. In 1513, Balboa crossed the isthmus of Darien, and discovered the Pacific ocean, which he called the South sea. He waded into its waters in full costume, bearing the Spanish flag, and took possession of sea and land, in the name of his sovereign.

9. In 1512, John Ponce de Leon sailed from Porto Rico, and discovered the present great southern cape of the United States, which he named Florida. 3 Other adventurers followed him in the same direction, and made vain attempts to plant settlements on the coast of what is now Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In 1517, an expedition under Cordova discovered Mexico ; and so favorable was his report that Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, determined to take possession of the country.

For this purpose he sent a fleet and small army, under the command of Fernando Cortez, who by falsehood and treachery obtained possession of the country in 1521.

1. The picture gives a correct representation of tliose armed Spaniards who attempted conquests in the New World.

BALBOA. 1

Conquests 01 mo -> cw n unu.

2. He had been governor of Forlo Rico, and had been made to believe that on the neighboring continent was a fountain whose waters, when partaken of, would restore youth to old age, and perpetuate it. He was in search of this fountain when, on the 27th of March, he touched the shore, and found it covered with (lowers. It was also PaaquH de Flores, or Easter Sunday, on which occasion the churches were decorated with flowers. So he called the land Florida.

Questions.— S. What can yon tell about Spanish settlements and exped'tions? What of Balboal '■'. What can you tell about the discovery of Florida? What can you tell about the discovery and conquest of Mexico?

ENGLISH AND FRENCH DISCOVERIES.

De Soto and the Mississippi.

The Cabots.

10. In 1539, De Soto, a Spanish adventurer, who was then governor of Cuba, landed with six hundred men in Florida, and marching westward, in spite of hostile natives, discovered the Mississippi river, and explored the country beyond it almost to the base of the Rocky Mountains. After a march of three thousand miles, during a period of about three years, De Soto died on the Mississippi, and the remnant of his followers, having suffered terribly, made their way to settlement in Mexico. The chief object of all these expeditions was gold. De Soto discovered the Mississippi, in 1541.

a Spanish

Section II. English And French Discoveries

1. While the Spaniards were searching for gold in the region of the Gulf of Mexico, English and French adventurers were on the more northerly shores of the continent, on the same errand, and for the discovery of a northwest passage to India through the Polar seas. Henry the Seventh, king of England, would not listen to Columbus; 1 but when he heard of his wonderful success, he was willing to give help in a similar undertaking.

2. John Cabot, a wealthy merchant of Bristol, England, hearing of this disposition of the king, asked him to aid himself and his son Sebastian in fitting out exploring vessels. The king did so. In May, 1498, Sebastian Cabot sailed toward Greenland with two small ships. When he encountered fields of ice in the polar waters, he turned toward the southwest, and first saw the American continent on Sebastian cabot.

Questions.— 10. Describe the adventures of De Soto, ar.d the end nf them. W' at was the object of all Spanish expeditions in America? — 1. What were English and French navigators doing? What can you toll about King Henry of England?' 2. What can you tell about John Cabot and his son ? Describe the voyage and discoveries of Sebastian Cabot.

DISCOVERIES.

Sebastian Cabot's discoveries.

Verrazzani.

Cartier.

the rugged shores of Labrador. He was the first discoverer of the North American continent, Columbus having seen only some of its neighboring islands. 1

3. Young Cabot sailed up the coast of Labrador to about the six, tieth degree of latitude, and being tben confronted by the ice-pack, he sailed southward, and passing in sight of Cape Charles, discovered Newfoundland. He also explored the Atlantic coast as far as the present harbor of Charleston. His discoveries gave him great fame. In 1517 he was sent again to the Polar seas ; and in 1526 while in the employment of the king of Spain, he explored the coast of Brazil, in South America, and discovered the great river de la Plata. 4. The king of Prance, in the mean time, had become interested in these Avonderful voyages, and in 1523 he employed John Verrazzani, a Florentine, to explore the coasts of the mysterious New World. Verrazzani sailed in December, and in March first touched the continent at the mouth of the Cajje Fear river. He then sailed northward, examined the coast all the way to Newfoundland, and called the entire country New France. 5. Ten years later, the French king was induced to attempt the planting of settlements in New France, and for that purpose he sent James Carrier, a native of St. Malo, with several vessels. Carrier reached Newfoundland early in June,

VERRAZZANI.

CART1ERS SHIP.

ARMS OF FRANCE.

•' II. ■ gave the name of Newfoundland (new found land) to this large Island. Ho perceived the immense numbers of codfish in ins vicinity; and within five or six years after tbis discovery, many fishermen from England, Brittany, and Normandy went thither for those treasures of tbe deep.

Questions. —3. Describe other voyages and discoveries of Sebastian Cabot on the coast of North America. Describe bis discoveries in South America. 4. What did tbe king of France do? What can you tell about Verrazzini's discover es 1 What did he call the new country f 6 What else "did tbe Fronch do ? What can you tell about James Cartier's doings?

ENGLISH AND FEENCH DISCOVERIES. 17

Events on the St. Lawrence. Protestants in France.

1534,and soon afterward discovered the mouth of the great river which he named St. Lawrence. 1 He set up a cross and the arms of France on the shore, and took possession of the country in the name of the French king.

6. Cartier commanded another expedition to the St. Lawrence, in 1535. Leaving his larger vessels in the mouth of the St. Charles, at the site of Quebec, he went in boats to the capital of the Indian king of the country, situated where Montreal 2 now stands. He was kindly received, and returning, wintered in his ships, in the St. Charles. In the spring he decoyed the Indian king on board of one of his vessels, and carried him off to France, where he died broken-hearted. This wicked act made the Indians hate the " pale-faces," as they called Europeans. Other efforts were made by the French to plant settlements in New France, but none were successful until seventy years afterward. 3

7. At this period, there was much religious excitement in France. The protests of Martin Luther and others against certain doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, had made a great disturbance in Europe. Those who favored the reformation then attempted were called Protestants. These had become numerous in France about the year 1560, and there they were named Huguenots. They had a powerful friend in Jasper Coligny, high admiral of France.

1. This name was given because the discovery was made on the $\ festival day of St. Lawrence in the calendar of the Roman Catholic JpL*"A.

2. It was called Hochela%a. He ascended the great hill in the rear f^jt^ falfr of the village, and so inspired was lie with the view from its summit, 1$»~V {■ that he called it Mont Meal, or Royal Mountain, the name of the jtW&^WK present city at its foot. <^qjr fcsffiSMI

3. Cartier made another voyage to the St. Lawrence, as a suhor- %}* \m\$Wt dinate. Francis de la Roque, a wealthy nobleman of Picardy, in I KlI 'l|9»k. France, fitted out an expedition for discoveries ami settlement in New H^r^^W^ France, by permission of the French king. He chose Cartier for his X >M :: 'W) h lieutenant, who sailed before his superior was ready, in June, 1541. ^CiSSs''*/ Cartier again went up the St. Lawrence, and found the natives sullen [WrSr''^ o:i account of his perfidy. He built a fort at Quebec. Francis (who is \ll(¥ better known as Lord of Roberval) followed, but the attempt at settle- \?// ^ ment was a failure. Roberval passed up the St. Lawrence, built two IJifc je more forts near Quebec, endured a winter of great distress, and returned --' — ~2jO«J*tl§p to France in the spring of 1543. Six years afterward he again sailed "== -~i^^==**~ for the St. Lawrence, and was never heard of afterward. frexcii nobleman

Questions.— 6. What can you tell about Carter's second voyage? How did be treat the Indian king? 7. What can you tell about religious excitement in Europe? What were the reformers called? What can you say of the French Protestants?

Huguenot Settlements. Disasters. English Navigators.

8. The rulers in church and state persecuted the Huguenots, and Coligny resolved to find a place of refuge for them in America. The king gave him authority to do so; and in February, 1562, several vessels filled with emigrants left France for the new-found world. They landed on the shore near Port Royal entrance, where the Broad river flows into the Atlantic ocean, and there built a fort, which they called Carolina, in honor of their monarch, Charles (Carlos) the Ninth. This name was afterward given to the adjacent portion of the continent, which it still bears.

9. The attempt to settle at Port Royal failed. Another was made on the bank of the St. John's river, in Florida, and met with a most tragical end. The Spanish monarch sent Pedro Melendez, a cruel soldier, to drive away or destroy the French. He landed with his followers on the coast of Florida, founded the city of St. Augustine, and proclaimed his king monarch of : 1 11 North America. This was in September, 15G5. He then fell upon the Huguenots and massacred about nine hundred men, women, and children. De Gourges, a French soldier, avenged the ileath of these people. 1 Thus ended this first attempt to plant settlements in America.

10. Fugitive Huguenots who were picked up at sea and carried to England, told of the beauty and fertility of the southern coasts of America, and the public attention was turned in that direction. Sir Humphrey Gilbert was the first to propose a sensible plan for settlement. With the aid of his young and wealthy step-brother, Walter Raleigh, he fitted out some vessels, and sailed with a number of followers early in 1579. He was driven back by storms and Spanish war-vessels. Four years afterward [1583] he made another attempt. He reached and explored the

1. Dc Gourges, a fiery soldier of Oascony, fitted out an expedition to revenge this cruel

act. He sailed for Florida in three ships bearing one hundred ami fifty men. He attacked and captured two Spanish forta on the St. John's, And made two hundred men prisoners. These he hung upon the trees. lie was too feeble to attack the force at Ot. / Ugustine, and the Spaniards held possession. This was the first permanent European settlement within the present domain of the United states. The first house built there was demolished by United States troops, during the Civil War that commenced in 1861.