The shot heard round the world

Preface

No portion of the woild's history can be more interesting to the present generation, than mat 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 natic'ns.

To write an authentic " Histoky of the American Revolution," is no Ught.. 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, " Irejaict 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 the 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 fos tered 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 wouid be, in the knowledge and practice of those principles of moral and political science, which are adapted to promote the happiness and welfare of mankmd 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 fifst 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 ; aol 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 loo 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 aobie deeds of patriotism, and calls upon them to do all, and suffer all, for their country.

To the Youth of America, especially, the present Narrative is invaluable. It tells the price at which aU 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 tc a y^y\ of recent origin indeed, but developing immense powers, and making gigantic progress ; to a people above all 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 ex Mcise, and V? hopes not altogether without success.

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

Introduction

CAR^T HISTORY OP THE 1.HERICA.N COLONIES.

A.D. Paoe.

986-1015. Discoveries by the Ancient Northmen — Biame Hierulfson's Voyage in 986 . . 11

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

Sltrellingfs (Esquimaux) . . .13 Settlement in Vineland, by Thorfinn Karlseine 14

Voyage of Freydisa, Helge, and Finnebaye . 14 Ancient Relics discovered in New England 15

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

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

1493. Columbus' second Voyage ... 26 1498. Columbus' third Voyasre . . .26 1506. Death of Columbus, May 15th . . . 26 1497-1595. Voyages of Sebastian Cabot . . 28 1499-1514. Voyages of Americus Vespuccius . 28 1525-1542. Career of Hernando de Soto in America 29

1525. Discoveries of Giovanni Verazzano . 35 15<J2. Voyage of John Rihault . . .38

1584. Sir Wa.ter Raleigh sends two Ships to America 42

Tlieir Adventures with the Natives . . 43

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

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

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

1607. Settlement of Jamestown . ... 54 Difficulties 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

1620. First successful Effort to colonize New

England 68

Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth 69 1685. 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 Philip . 77

1609. Voyages of Henry Hudson . . .78

1629. Settlement of Delaware . . . . 81

1646. Peter Stuyvesant appointed Governor of

New Netherlands 82

1664. Dutch Possessions surrendered to the Eng- ^>h 84

1*80. William Penn obtains a Grant of Lands In

America 86

1683. Penn forms a Treaty with the Indians . 87 I6H4-I718. His Difficulties w:th the Settlers . 89 1663 Liberal Grants by Charles II. of Territory

south of Virginia 93

1665. Constitution for Colony of Carolina formed 94 .693. Constitution annulled - . . .96 .702. Attack on St Augustine . . .96

War with the Indians gg

Internal Conmotioni 99

1729. Colony reverts to the Crown . . 100

Separation of North and South Carol'na 10(1

1732. Settlement of Georgia . ... 101

1738. Spanish War breaks out . . . . 102 1T52. Georgia becomes a royal Colony . . . 103 Early Life of George Washingrton . 105

1753. His Mission to the Western Territory . . 106 1751. 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 . . . 118 1763. Progress of the Colonies in Population,

Commerce, &c 113

HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTION.