History of the United States for Catholic schools

Preface

Having taught the subject of x^merican history for many years, the author lielieves that he has become acquainted with not a few of the difficulties of both teachers and pupils. In preparing this elementary book for Catholic schools certain conspicuous facts have been kept constantly in mind, namely, those of special interest and importance to Catholics. Thus it is made clear that Catholics discovered, and, in a large way, explored these continents, that Catholics transferred civilization hither, that they opened to the commerce of Europe the trade of the Pacific, and that they undertook the conversion of multitudes of dusky natives, of whom few had risen to the upper stages of barbarism.

Though England was Catholic when the voyages of Cabot gave her a claim to North America, that nation had become almost entirely Protestant before making any permanent settlements in the New World. Of the thirteen colonies founded or conquered by England, Maryland alone was settled by Catholic leaders. The war for independence, therefore, was begun by a people who were nearly all Protestants! However, in the course of that long struggle the assistance of Catholic nations was solicited and obtained. After February, 1778, the entire military and naval power of France was employed in the contest against Great Britain; after 1779, Spain, without becoming an ally, engaged in that war on her own account. But the Spaniards in America rendered undoubted assistance to the new Republic.

In this little volume somewhat more space has been devoted to Norse settlement and discovery than is usual in school books. The same observation is true of the Franciscan missions in China. The pages concerning Columbus are based upon researches of the author, and, among other things, aim at removing the obscurity which has surrounded

IV PREFACE

the equipment of the expedition of discovery. There will also be found an account of the Huguenot settlements somewhat more ample than that orcUnarily given.

In treating the early histoiy of New York an effort has been made to give to Governor Dongan that place among colonial worthies to which he appears to be entitled. The work of the Calverts Ukewise is more fully described than is customary with the authors of our school histories. By including the facts connected with the massacre of Lachine a slightly different complexion is given to the l^eginnings of King William's war.

In relating the causes and the progress of the Revolutionary War tliis book attempts so to present the events that it will be easy for the pupil to remember the story. The winning of the West, in which Catholics acted an important part, is rather fully treated. The war on the sea enumerates the exploits of the O'Briens of Machias, Maine, a subject passed without observation in even the more complete histories. To this section l^elongs also a sketch of Captain John Barry, who is only now beginning to be known to official America.

In the national period is included a brief treatment of the beginnings of the Catholic Church in the United States, to which is added Washington's patriotic letter to his Catholic countrymen. The importance is pointed out of Macdonough's victory on Lake Champlain. The Civil War is presented according to its main movements. The outUne of the war against Germany is based on the addresses of President Wilson, on General Pershing's report of the American Expeditionary Force, on government pubHcations, and on contemporary periodicals.

For the benefit of the younger teachers who may use this book there will be found in the Appendix a topical analysis of our history. The questions following the chapters are designed to be suggestive rather than comprehensive.

Charles H. McCarthy.

The Catholic Unwersity of America.

Contents

EARLY VOYAGES

CHAPTER PAGE

I Northmen, Italians, and Portuguese 1

Appendix

Reference Table of the States vii

Reference Table of Presidents and Vice Presidents viii

Important Events in American History, Chronologically Arranged ix

Constitution of the United States xvi

Topical Analysis xxix

Index xlvii

COLORED PICTURES

The Landing of Columbus Frontispiece

Father Marquette on the Mississippi River Facing 132

The First Meeting of Washington and La Fayette Facing 184

Forty-niners Panning for Gold in California Facing 328

COLORED MAPS

Part of North America about 1700 134

Revolutionary War in the North 162

Revolutionary War in the South 204

The United States in 1803 250

The United States in 1825 280

The United States in 1850 330

The United States in 1861 354

Territorial Development of the Continental United States 1776-

1866 • . . . 440

EARLY VOYAGES

Chapter I Northmen, Italians, And Portuguese

The Northmen. — The first white men who ever came to America were Northmen. Our continent was discovered through accident in the year 1000, by a Northman named Leif, who was on his way to proclaim the Christian faith in Greenland. Let us see, therefore, who the Northmen were, and how Leif came to make his famous voyage to Greenland.

The Northmen, a thousand years ago, were known as the boldest sailors of Europe. Their home was Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and they were called Norsemen and Danes as well as Northmen. Among their descendants are the Scandinavian peoples of to-day.

During the eighth and ninth centuries bands of Danish sea rovers sailed southward to plunder England. Some of them settled there, and for a time England was ruled by Danish kings. Other Northmen settled in France, received the benefits of a Latin civilization, and under the name of Normans played a great part in history. In Ireland, which the Northmen or Danes also attempted to conquer, they were severely defeated. Soon after this, defeats in Great Britain and on the Continent brought their career of conquest to an end. About the year 1000 they were converted to Christianity.

Settlement of Greenland. — In the saga of Er'ic the Red we are told that Eric and his father went from Norway

2 NORTHMEN, ITALIANS, AND PORTUGUESE

to Iceland on account of manslaughter.^ Not long afterward, about 985 A.D., Eric discovered and named Greenland and set out to colonize it. Like a shrewd real estate dealer of our time he gave the country a name that he believed would attract settlers.

The Norse colonies in Greenland were on the southwestern coast. The people were chiefly engaged in hunting, fishing, and cattle breeding. Their conversion to Christianity brought them into such communication with Rome as their distant situation would permit. They contributed tithes to the Crusades ^ and as late as 1418, in walrus tusks paid their Peter's Pence to the Holy See. At this time the population of Greenland was about 5000. There was a monastery of Saints Olaf and Augustine; also a convent of the Benedictine order. Greenland could claim a line of at least sixteen bishops.

Discovery of the Continent. — The Greenlanders were still few in number, and not yet converted, when an accident gave them knowledge of a new country. Leif, one of the sons of Eric, had won the favor of Olaf, the king of Norway. On one occasion this ruler asked, " Is it thy purpose to sail to Greenland this summer? " "It is my purpose," said Leif, "if it be your will." " I believe it will be well," answered the king, " and thither shalt thou go upon my errand to proclaim Christianity there."

On the way to Greenland, Leif's ship was tossed about

1 The sagas were accounts handed down orally by the Icelanders for many years, and later reduced to writing. Iceland was settled by the Northmen in the ninth century.

2 The Crusades were mighty invasions of Asia which were intended to prevent the Mohammedans (Saracens and Turks) from overrunning Europe; also to make safe the route taken by pilgrims on their journeys to the Holy Land ; in fact, its conquest was one of the main objects of the soldiers of the cross. These movements began in 1096. After 1291 they were practically abandoned.

DISCOVERY BY THE NORTHiMEN 3

by a storm and at last was driven toward a strange shore. On landing he found wild grapes so plentiful that he called the country Vineland. While returning homeward, he saved a shipwrecked crew, took the men with him to

-^fii Pf

A NORSE VESSEL

Greenland, and helped them during the winter. He then obeyed the king's command and proclaimed the Catholic faith.i

Strange Lands and People. — In Greenland there was much talk of the land seen by Leif ; and in the springtime of 1005, Karlsef'ni and Snorri fitted out a ship to find it. From the western settlement they sailed southward to a country they called Hel'luland, that is, the land of flat stones. Again they sailed for two days and came to a wooded tract in which there were many wild beasts. This

1 Arthur Middleton Reeves, The Finding of Wineland the Good, 36.

4 NORTHMEN, ITALIANS, AND PORTUGUESE

they named Markland.^ Afterward the party sailed for a long time and finally came to a river flowing through a lake, into the sea. In the hollow places they found " selfsown wheat" fields; on the hills vines were growing. In the woods wild animals were abundant and in the waters there were many fish. While here in Vineland or Wineland they were visited by the natives, who came in skin canoes. These were ill-looking and swarthy men with ugly hair, great eyes, and broad cheeks. Karlsefni and his companions built huts and remained during the" winter. As there was no snow, their cattle lived by grazing. In the spring the natives came in great numbers. In a fierce battle they showed much strength. This incident warned Karlsefni that life in that otherwise pleasant country would be a thing of constant dread. Moreover, there were disputes among the Norsemen themselves. Therefore in the summer of 1006 or 1007 Karlsefni with the survivors returned to Greenland.^

Greenland Settlements Destroyed. — Early in the fifteenth century the towns in Greenland were entirely destroyed by attacks of the Eskimos. If the Norsemen had had firearms, they would easily have held their own against both the swarthy natives of Wineland and the wandering Eskimos. As it was, their brave efforts came to nothing.

The Italians ; Trade with Asia. — The people of southern Europe paid little attention to the Norse discoveries. The

1 The best authorities on the discoveries of the Northmen in America believe that Helluland, the land of flat stones, corresponds to the modern Labrador; that Markland, the land of forests, must have been the island of Newfoundland, and that Wineland must have been the region of Nova Scotia. Many historians, it is true, place Wineland as far south as the shores of Narragansett Bay.

2 Many other voyages were made to Wineland. Indeed, as late as the year 1121 Bishop Eric left Greenland in order to visit that part of his See, but afterward was never heard from.

ITALIANS IN ASIA 5

Italian cities, for example, were far more interested in voyages to Asia. After the Crusades (1096-1260) many Italian trading ships went to Constantinople or to ports on the Black Sea, to get merchandise that had been brought from China or India or the Spice Islands. The articles in greatest demand were cotton, silk, rugs, spices, jewels,

THE KNOWN WORLD IN 1490; TRADE ROUTES TO INDIA and rich cloth inwrought with gold and silver. Little was known about eastern Asia until Marco Polo, with his father and uncle, made the long journey to Cathay' (China), and wrote a lively account of the countries through which he passed.

The Franciscans in Cathay. — Late in the thirteenth century requests were sent to the Pope for missionaries.

6 NORTHMEN, ITALIANS. AND PORTUGUESE

In 1295 John of Monte Corvino (mon'ta cor-ve'no), a Franciscan friar, began his labors in the East. Years of toil were rewarded by many conversions. This zealous missionary was joined by assistants and at length was appointed Archbishop of Cambulac (Peking). At the very moment when it appeared as if the religion and the civilization of Europe were to be established in the East a revolt of the native Chinese drove out the ruling family. With the narrow policy that has marked them down to our own time, the Chinese have since kept foreigners at a distance. Missionaries, indeed, were still sent forth by the Popes, but they went out into darkness and were heard of no more.

Merchants and Missionaries in China. — During this brief enlightened era of Chinese history Europe learned much about the Far East from her missionaries and merchants. While the good friars were spreading a knowledge of Christian principles, other Europeans were explaining to the Chinese the benefits of commerce. The trade between Europe and the East grew to be very great. It is important in our own history, because the stopping of that trade was one of the causes that led to the discovery of America by Columbus.

Fall of Constantinople. • — From the map on page 5 it will be seen that the city of Constantinople was the key of the northern trade routes to Asia, as Egypt was of the southern routes. In 1453 Constantinople was taken by the Turks, who gradually extended their conquests till they almost entirely cut . off the trade between Europe and Asia. Upon the prosperity of Genoa (jen'o-a) and Ven'ice the effect was disastrous.^ In a little while the trained seamen of Italy were dispersed among the rising powers of western Europe. This fact explains the presence of

1 Trade will not prosper unless routes are safe and rates are reasonable. The Turks were unable to keep up the traffic.

PORTUGUESE EXPLORATIONS 7

Columbus first in Portugal and then in Spain, of Cabot in England, and of Verrazano (ver-ra-tsah'no) in France.

Prince Henry the Navigator. — As early as 1291 Genoese mariners, the Vivaldi (ve-vahl'de) brothers, made an unsuccessful attempt to sail around Africa in order to reach India by water. About a century later the Portuguese took up the work of discovery. In his youth Prince Henry, the son of King John I, had seen military service in Morocco. In one of his campaigns he had talked with men from beyond the Sahara. From tliem he learned something of the interior of Africa. Afterward on Cape St. Vincent, Portugal, he built a school of instruction to which he invited scientific men from almost every country of Europe. It was then that exploration for the first time became systematic.

Diaz Passes Cape of Good Hope. — Nearly every year from 1418 to 1460 Prince Henry sent out ships to explore the western coast of Africa. The most southerly point touched by each captain was marked by a stone cross. The commander who was so fortunate as to carry the emblem of Christianity farther south was almost certain to be rewarded by the Prince. After his death, in 1460, this useful work was often interrupted. Nevertheless, the Portuguese persevered and finally, by the year 1487, Barthol'omeu Diaz (de'ahss) rounded the Cape of Good Hope. In 1498 Vasco da Gama gah'ma), one of their captains, arrived in India, thereby completing one of the four greatest voyages in history .^

Portuguese Achievement. — When the Portuguese began their voyages along the coast of Africa, popular ignorance had filled the " Sea of Darkness," as the Atlantic

' The other three of these wonderful voyages were made by Cohimbus in 1492, by one of Magellan's ships in 1519-1522, and by Drake in 1577- 1580.

NORTHMEN, ITALIANS, AND PORTUGUESE

Ocean was then called, with all sorts of terrors. There were believed to be shifting whirlpools and irresistible currents. Parts of the ocean, it was thought, were no more than one fathom deep, and were the home of evil spirits; and if by chance a vessel could pass beyond, its crew was certain to become the sport of monsters of the deep. These fables were believed not only by untraveled

THE " SEA OF DARKNESS," AS SHOWN ON AN OLD MAP

landsmen but by veteran sailors. But now the Portuguese had passed in succession many capes. They had even crossed the equator without being "burned up. Their voyages had much to do with freeing men's minds from the terrors of the sea. After the voyage of Diaz in 1487 they were sure of a water route to India; but some people thought that route would be too long for much use.

Review Questions. — Who were the Norsemen? What conquests did they make? Who discovered Greenland and why was it so named? Give a brief account of the Greenland settlements, including their relation to the Holy See. Why did Leif sail to Greenland in the year 1000? What discovery was made on the voyage? Describe the voyage of Karlsefni and Snorri in 1005. What lands did they find? Why did the Norsemen abandon Wineland?

Where did Italian merciiants usually go to get goods from the far East? What commodities were in demand among Europeans? What did Marco Polo do? Describe the missionary labors of the Franciscans in China. How was their work undone? What effect did the fall of Constantinople have upon the trade between Europe and Asia? Examine the trade routes on the map. Besides putting an end to the Asiatic trade, in what manner did the fall of Constantinople affect Italian seamen?

What did Prince Henry establish on Cape St. Vincent? Which of the Portuguese captains first sailed a ship around the Cape of Good Hope? Give the name of the Portuguese explorer who first arrived in India and also the date of that event. What was thought of the Atlantic Ocean before the Portuguese began their explorations? What was the effect on people generally of those discoveries?

References. — Charles H. McCarthy, Columbus and his Predecessors, pp. 17-81 ; Arthur Middleton Reeves, The Finding of Wineland the Good; R. H. Major, Prince Henry the Navigator.

Chapter II

War with the Moors. — While the Portuguese were proving that unknown parts of the ocean could be sailed with safety, and while they were exploring the west coast of

Africa, Spain was entering upon the last stages of a long and bloody struggle with the Moors.

This war gave the Spanish sovereigns little time to note the activity of Portugal, but they did find time to consider a project submitted to them by a foreigner living in their country.

This stranger was Christopher Columbus.

Boyhood of Columbus. ^ — Christopher Columbus, the greatest navigator of all time, was born in the year 1451,^ in Genoa, Italy. By occupation his parents were simple weavers as he himself was and as were many of his kinsmen. He received such an education as was then given to the sons of artisans.

1 From the time of his birth until he came to mature years almost every important event in the career of Christopher Columbus has been a battleground for historians. Many different dates have been assigned for his birth. The rank of his family has been disputed, and neither the manner nor the extent of his education has been shown with any degree of certainty. There is also some doubt as to the resting place of his remains.

THE BOY COLUMBUS TALKING WITH SAILORS

THE PLAN OF COLUMBUS 11

In some way unknown to us he not only mastered the science of navigation, but learned Latin, and in that language read many works on geography.

Columbus in Portugal. — In the year 1476 Columbus arrived in Portugal, and there married Felipa Moniz, a relative of one of Prince Henry's navigators. While living in that country, he made a careful study of many important problems of geography, and kept a record of his own observations as well as those of others. The notes made in his books show that he was a remarkable student and thinker. He was especially interested in the problem of a water route to India.

About 1484 Columbus left Portugal. Before quitting that country, however, he had applied to King John for aid in carrying out his plan to reach the East by sailing westward. The king rejected the proposal of Columbus, but granted to one of his own captains any islands or mainland that he might discover in the Atlantic. After the failure of his captain, King John urged Columbus to return to Portugal and undertake for him a voyage of discovery.

Origin of his Grand Project. — It is often said that the idea of arriving at the East by sailing westward was first suggested to Columbus by a letter of Toscanelli, a celebrated astronomer of Florence in Italy. As to this, it need only be said that Columbus himself had brought together a far more convincing body of knowledge than is to be found in the Toscanelli letters. To Columbus, then, is due the credit of having collected all the geographical information of his time and of having applied it to the problem of reaching eastern Asia by a new route.

Spanish Friends of Columbus. — When Columbus arrived in Spain, he was, at least to persons of influence, an entire stranger. Among his early friends in that country was the Dominican friar, Diego de Deza (de-a'go da da'tliah), Bishop of Palencia. Other friends were Antonio de Marchena (niar-cha'nah) and Cardinal Pero Gonzales de Mendoza (pfi'ro gon-thah'less da nien-do'thah). The latter it was who persuaded King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to listen to the proposals of Columbus. Among the priests, the bishops, and the archbishops of Spain he found his best and most influential friends.

At La Rabida. — At first the proposal of Columbus was rejected by the Spanish sovereigns. After this failure, and a still later one, Columbus resolved to leave Spain

and to try his fortunes in France.^ He set out at once for the nearest seaport. With his little son, Diego, he made his way on foot. Night found the tired travelers before a monastery. A knock at its hospitable door brought the porter, of whom Columbus asked food and a bed for himself and his little boy. The Prior, Father Juan Perez (hwahn pa'reth), asked who he was and whence he came. This time the sailor explained his project to a sympathetic mind. At Palos (pah'loss), not far from the monastery of La Rabida (rah'be-dah), — for here it was that Columbus had sought rest, — dwelt a young man who was believed to have some knowledge of astronomy. With him and the Prior the stranger discussed his project of reaching the

THE MONASTERY OF LA RABIDA

1 When persuaded that it was useless to remain longer in Spain, Columbus sent his brother Bartholomew to England. Little is known of that mission, but on his way back Bartholomew heard of his brother's discovery of the Indies.

ISABELLA AND COLUMBUS 13

East by a westward voyage. So convinced was Father Perez that it could be done that he offered to write to Queen Isabella and urge her again to take up the decision of the court. A letter was sent to her Highness, and within two weeks brought a friendly reply requesting the Prior to appear before his sovereigns.

Mission of Father Perez. — At midnight Father Perez mounted his mule and set out upon his long and dangerous journey. At his interview with the Queen it was agreed that three vessels should be eqiiipped for the expedition. Her Highness also sent a sum of money and a letter to Columbus. This directed him to purchase a mule, suitable raiment, and to appear before her.

The Contract. — On April 17, 1492, Columbus entered into a contract with Ferdinand and Isabella. It provided that the sovereigns should pay seven eighths,^ and he one eighth of the cost of the undertaking; that in this proportion they should share the profits; that Columbus should be made admiral of all those islands and mainlands which should be found through his agency; also that he should be invested with all the privileges belonging to an admiral of Castile; that he should be made viceroy and governor-general of all the islands and mainlands discovered by him and that from all the trade within the limits of his authority he should receive ten per cent of the net proceeds.

Objects of Columbus. — It is generally stated that the object of the Admiral was merely to find a shorter route

1 When Isabella became Queen, she revived an old society known as the Santa Hermandad or Holy Brotherhood. One of its objects was to make the highways safer for travelers. The Brotherhood had power to lay and collect taxes. This right always gave it a fund with which to do its work. Through its officials it loaned the sovereigns the money for pr'.ying their share of the sum needed for equipping Columbus. This was afterward repaid with interest. The amount paid back was 1,140,000 maravedis, which would represent about $70,000 of our money. Where Columbus got his share is not certainly known.

to India. In the Journal of his first voyage he describes his undertaking as an embassy to see the countries of India, " to see the said princes, and the cities and lands, and their disposition, with a view that they might be converted to our holy faith . . . they [the Catholic Sovereigns] ennobled me, so that henceforth I shall be called Don, and shall be chief admiral of the Ocean Sea, perpetual viceroy, and governor of all the islands and continents that I shall discover and gain in the Ocean Sea." In other Avords, Columbus was an explorer and missionary.

The Ships and the Crew. — In the summer of 1492 a royal order commanded the town of Palos to provide two vessels for a year, and wages for their crews for four months. This was a punishment for some offense against the crown. It soon appeared that it was easier to get the wages than the crew, for the boldest sailors shrank from the dangers of the voyage. Imprisoned criminals were promised that they would not be tried until two months after their return, but they refused the offer. It was not necessary, however, to depend upon the inmates of jails. The Pinzon (pen-thon') brothers, of whom one was going as master and two as captains in the fleet, had relatives and friends in Palos as well as in other seaports. Their influence enabled Columbus to secure capable crews. In addition to the two vessels provided by Palos a third was obtained from another source. The crews numbered one hundred twenty men.

The Voyage of Discovery. — When everything was in readiness, Columbus and his companions went to the church in Palos, where prayers were offered for the success of the expedition. About sunrise on the following morning, Friday, August 3, Columbus gave the signal to weigh anchor. For a few hours the winds were at rest. Later under a light breeze the three vessels — the Santa Maria

THE FIRST VOYAGE

(mah-re'ah) the Pinta (pen'tah) and the Nina (nen'yah) — sailed away southward through the "Sea of Darkness." Thus was begun the most memorable voyage recorded in history.

After six days the fleet arrived at one of the Canary Islands. Here the men altered the sails of the Pinta and repaired her rudder. Having taken on wood, water, and meat, they resumed the voyage. In a little while they were sailing through the Sargasso Sea, where they saw tufts of grass-like seaweed, which they believed must only a short time before have been swept from land. The weather, too, grew pleasanter. By the end of September the fleet had passed through the Sargasso Sea; pelicans were with them, and petrels and flying fish were seen daily.

Signs of Land. — Since leaving Spain the winds had been blowing constantly toward the west. This alarmed the sailors, for they feared there were no breezes to waft them

homeward. Winds from " a different quarter, however, soon convinced them that these fears were unfounded. On the 7th of October a flock of birds led the Admiral to change his course to the southwest. But all signs seemed to fail. Then the sailors began to murmur and desired the Admiral to return, but he persuaded them to persevere.

On the 11th of October were seen a stick, a small board, and by one of the vessels a bunch of dog-roses. When all were assembled to sing the '^ Salve, ''^ which was the custom of the sailors, the Admiral cautioned them to guard well the forecastle and to watch diligently for land. To him who should first see land the King and Queen had

THE SANTA MARIA promised a yearly pension for life and in addition to this reward the Admiral had offered a silk vest. At ten o'clock in the evening Columbus saw a light on shore; two hours after midnight land appeared. Sails were lowered and the vessels lay to until daybreak.

Guanahani. — On the morning of October 12, 1492, the weary seamen found themselves at a small island of the Bahama group, which the natives called Guanaha'ni. On it they beheld naked people. Columbus landed and, after thanking God, took possession of the country for the king and queen of Spain. While this ceremony was in progress the natives began to assemble. By the Admiral they are described as a handsome race. Presents were liberally distributed among them and in a little time trade began. Columbus named the island San Salvador (Holy Saviour). His controlling thought was the conversion of the inhabitants. ''If it please our Lord," says he, "at the time of my departure, I will take six of them from here to your Highnesses that they may learn to speak." ^ Then they were to be returned to their own country.

Other Discoveries. — The Spaniards at once began to make a careful exploration of other islands of the Bahama group. The sight of a gold ring in the nose of a native led to an active search for that metal and thus to a great loss of time. Cuba, of which the Admiral soon heard, was thought at first to be Cipan'go (Japan). From that island it would be only a short distance to the country of the Grand Khan, and, once there, he could easily deliver to that ruler the letters given him by Ferdinand and Isabella. Fully believing that he was among the islands of the Indies, as all southeastern Asia was then called, Columbus referred to the natives as Indians.