A junior class history of the United States; to which are added the Declaration of independence, and the Constitution of the United States ...

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Contents

PERIOD III

From the Inauguration of Washington to the Present Time

CUAPTEK

CHAPTER I The Discovery of America COLUMBTS EMBARKING AT PALOS, SPAIN, FOR HIS VOYAGE OP DISCOVERT, 1492

I. The Continents. — Most pupils, before they commence the study of this book, will have seen a maj) of the Eastern and the Western Hemisphere. These, they know, represent the two halves of the surface of the earth, which is round

Map Questions.— (See map, page 10.) Where are the Bahama Islands ? The V^'est Indies ? Where is Guanahani, called byCoUimbns San Salvador ? The island of Hispaniola, St. Pomingo, or Hayti ?

like a ball. They have also learned that each hemisphere contains a large extent of land, one being called the Eastern Continent and tlie other the Western Continent.

2. The Western Continent. — Now, although we know of events that happened in the Eastern Continent thousands of years ago, scarcely anything was known of the Western Continent, or of its inhabitants, until about four hundred years ago. Previous to that time, people knew only of parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and of the latter chiefly those parts that lie on or near tlie Mediterranean Sea.

3. The Northmen, or Normans. — In the northern part of Europe, in a country called Norway, there lived about a thousand years ago, a very bold and hardy race of people, who built small ships in which they sallied forth and made voyages to distant countries. They were fierce warriors as well as seamen. No dangers, either of the land or the ocean, could daunt them. As they lived in the north, they were called Nortltnien, Norsemen, or Normans.

4. Discovery of Greenland. — Some of these people, between eight and nine centuries ago, venturing a long way out on the ocean, came to the island of Iceland, and afterwards discovered that part of America which is called Greenland, where they made settlements. But these, after flourishing more than a hundred years, perished, and were almost entirely forgotten. It is certain, also, that the Northmen visited Labrador, Newfoundland, and, perhaps,

Text Questions. — 1. What are the Continents ? 2. When did the Western Continent become known ? What was known of the Eastern Continent ? What of Africa ? 3. Who were the Northmen ? What was their character ? Why were they called Northmen, or Normans ? 4. How were Iceland and Greenland discovered ? When were settlements made ? What other places did the Northmen visit ? What country did thev call Vineland ?

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 13

New England, and that the last named they called Vineland, from the abundance of grapes which they found there.*

5. Progress of Geography, — But there came a time, long after the voyages of these daring Northmen, when people began to desire to know what was on the other side of the great ocean which washed the shores of their conntries. Bold navigators arose who studied geography, made maps and charts of the seas over which they had sailed, and tried to find a way by which they might learn more of the surface of the globe on which they lived. In these efforts they were greatly aided by the mariner's compass, which had recently come into use,

6. The Shape of the Earth, — Most people would not believe that the earth was a globe. They thought it was flat, and that if any one should sail across the ocean, he might come to the end of the earth, and would be in danger of falling off. The men of science, however, were of a different opinion : they believed the earth to be round, and they wished to learn more about its surface ; but these men were comparatively very few.

7. Columbus. — One of the boldest and wisest among

* " They called the land Vineland (or Vinland), by reason of the grapes and a kind land. The story goes that Lief, the Fortnnate, almost as soon as he landed, missed a little old German servant of his father, Tyrker by name, and was vexed thereat : dnring the night he seeks him, and meets him coming back with smacking lips, and talking highly excited in his old native German tongue ; and when they got him to talk Norse, he said, 'I have news for you. I found vines and grapes for you.' 'Is this true, foster father ? ' 'It is,' says the German, ' for I was brought up where there was never a lack of grapes ! ' " — Charles Kingsley.

5, How was progress made in Geography ? By what were navigators aided ? 6. What was thought of the shape of the earth ? What did the men of science believe? 7. Who was Christopher Columbus ? His studies and voyages ? His project to sail westward ? Its object ?

mSTORY OF TEE UNITED STATES them was Cliristojiher Columbus, a native of Genoa {jen'-oalt), in Italy. He had stiidied the subject for years, and

had made himself familiar with all that was then known of the science of geography, of which he was very fond.

He had also made many voyages. This great man formed the bold project of sailing westward across the vast ocean, where no ships had ever before been known to go. The object of this undertaking was to find a short way to a certain rich country in the southeastern part of Asia and the islands near it, called India, or the Indies.

8. The Indies — the route to it. — Many persons had already gone to this country and these islands, and had brought back very exciting accounts of the riches to be found there, as well as of the singular character of the people, the animals, the plants, etc.* A considerable com-

* The first and most extensive traveler among the eastern nations was Marco Polo, a Venetian, who passed seventeen years in the service of the Khan of Tartary, during which he visited the chief countries and cities of Eastern Asia, among them Japan, the existence of which was not previously known. He returned to Venice in 1295 ; and subsequently a very interesting account of his travels was written, which had a wonderful effect in encouraging geographical research. It led to the two great discoveries: of America, by Columbus ; and of the Cape of Good Hope, by the Portuguese.

CHIUSTOPUEK COLUMBUS

8. What is said of the Indies ? The route thither ?

IfiSCOVERY OF AMERICA 15

merce was carried on with these countries ; and rich silks, precious stones, spices, and other valuable products were brought thence ; but the journey to and from the Indies was long and dangerous. Vessels sailed through the Mediterranean Sea to the northeastern part of Africa, where they were unladen, and the goods were carried on the backs of camels across the Isthmus of Suez, and thence again by ships down the Red Sea, and through the Indian Ocean to the Indies. Sometimes the goods were carried overland through Asia, with great labor, difficulty, and expense.

g. Cities made rich by trade with India. — A^enice, Florence, and Genoa, cities in the northern part of Italy, actively engaged in this trade with the East, and thus became the chief marts for all the rich merchandise. They consequently became very rich and prosperous, and excited the envy of other cities and nations, who greatly desired to share in this profitable ti'ade. This they felt they would be able to do, if another way to reach the Indies could be found.

10. The Portuguese enterprises. — The people of Portugal had made great etTorts to accomplish this by sailing southwardly along the west coast of Africa, hoping to be able, if they could sail far enough, to find a way around it, and thus render the passage of the Isthmus of Suez unnecessary. The foremost in encouraging this undertaking was Prince Henry of Portugal, who sent out many vessels, one after the other, each of which succeeded in going farther

9. What cities engaged in the trade ? What did other cities desire ? 10. What had tlio Portuguese accomplished ? W'hat is said of Prince Henry ? When was the Cape of Good Hope first passed ?

16 mSTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

than the preceding one. It Avas not, however, until after the voyage of Columbus, that any of the Portuguese vessels succeeded in reaching the Cape of Good Hope, and passing around it into the Indian Ocean (1497).

11. Ideas and plan of Columbus. — Columbus believed that the shortest way was to cross the Atlantic Ocean ; for, while he knew that the earth was round, he did not know its size, and therefore had the idea that the shores of Asia were on the other side of that ocean, being, of course, ignorant of the fact that a great continent lay between Asia and Europe. He felt sure he Avas right ; and that, if he could obtain the aid he required in order to supply himself Avith ships and other necessary things for a long voyage, he should make great discoveries.

12. How his plan was received. — Most of those to Avhom he spoke of his plan, laughed at it. The idea that there could be people on the other side of the earth, walking with their heads doAvnward, seemed to them absurd. Some thought that, since the earth is round, a ship, in going a long way across the ocean, would be sailing down hill, and that it could never return. Others spoke of terrific monsters living in the regions beyond the great sea. Few sailors could be persuaded to think of such a voyage.

13. ^Vhy Columbus was confident. — But Columbus was too wise and brave to have any such notions and fears. He was confident that beyond the great sea there existed lands Avhich Avere inhabited by human beings. Indeed, he

11. AA^hat did Columbus believe was the best way to reach India ? Why ? 12. How was his plan received ? What was thought of it ? 13. AVhat made Columbus feel sure that he was right ?

18 HISTORY OP THP UNITED STATES

knew that pieces of carved wood, and even human bodies had been borne by westerly Avinds across the ocean, and thrown by the Avaves upon the shores of the islands called the Azores {a-zors'), the most westerly land then known.

14. How the King of Portugal treated him. — The King of Portugal was the first monarch from whom he asked the assistance he needed ; but this monarch was mean and dishonest. After hearing the views of Columbus, he secretly sent out a ship to make the discovery, and thus obtain all the honor and profit for himself; but the Portuguese captain, after sailing some time without seeing any glimpse of land, returned, and reported that Columbus was mistaken.

15. From -whom he obtained aid Columbus had

previously made proposals to liis native city, Genoa, but without success. From Portugal he went to Sjjain, and petitioned Ferdinand and Isabella, who reigned over that country, to undertake the enterprise. For a long time his efforts to convince them of the truth of his views were unsuccessful ; but finally, when he told the good and pious Queen Isabella of all the lands which he expected to discover, and the heathen people who were to be converted to Christianity, she became deeply interested in the plan, and offered to pawn her jewels to obtain the money needed to procure the ships, men, and provisions, required to carry it into effect.

16. Sailing of Columbus — At last, aided by Isabella, the preparations for tlie voyage were completed. With three small ships and about ninety sailors, Columbus set out from

14. To whom did he first apply for aid ? Wliat did the King of Portugal do ? 15. To whom did he nest apply ? W^hat induced Isabella to offer him aid ? 16. How and when did he sail ? From what port ? What appointment had he received ?

a port in the southern part of Spain called Palos {pah'-loce) (August 3, 1493), after he had spent about twenty years in arranging his plans and getting the aid needed to carry

them into effect. He had been appointed by the queen admiral of the fleet, and was to be viceroy of all the countries which he should discover.

17. Incidents of the voyage. — For sixty days Columbus and his companions continued to sail westward, but without discovering land. They saw nothing but the vast ocean all around them. Then the sailors became alarmed, and resolved they would go no further. They even threatened to throw their brave admiral into the sea. But Columbus remained firm ; he persuaded, entreated, and threatened by turns, the mutinous men ; and finally told them that if in a few days he did not find land, he would return.

18. Discovery of land. — Soon, however, the signs that they were approaching land became very numerous. Birds were seen, fresh branches of trees floated near them, and the wind wafted the fragrance of flowers and foliage to the ships. At length, about ten o'clock on the night of October

THE PINTA

One of the vessels in which Columbus crossed the Atlantic in 1492.

17. W'hat were the chief incidents of the voyage ? How did he quiet the mutinous sailors ? 18. What signs of land became visible ? When was land discovered ?

DISCO rUBY OF AMERICA

11, Colnmbns himself suw a light, and the next morning land was plainly in view (October 13, 1492). The heart of Columbus beat with jo}-.

ig. The island and its people. — This land was found to be a beautiful island, and very soon the Spaniards saw the inhabitants flocking to the shore to see the strange ships — objects unlike anything they had ever seen before. These people were without clothing, and seemed to be a simple and harmless race. Columbus called them Indians, for he thought he had reached one of tlie islands of tlie Indies. 20. Landing of Columbus. — Soon the Spaniards landed,

19. What was it found to be ? Describe the natives ? What were they called by Columbus? Why?

Columbus leading them, clothed in a gorgeous dress of scarlet, and bearing the royal standard in his hand. They all threw themselves on their knees, kissed the ground, and returned thanks to God for their preservation, and for the great discovery they had made. Columbus drew his sword and solemnly took possession of the island in the names of Ferdinand and Isabella, naming it San Salvador, which means Holy Saviour *

21. Conduct of the sailors and natives. — The sailors who had been so mutinous were then very repentant. They knelt before Columbus and begged his forgiveness, promising thereafter to obey his commands. Indeed, they almost worshiped him as a superior being. As for the simple natives, it may be imagined with what awe and wonder they gazed on this scene. At first they fled to the woods in terror, but seeing tliat no attempt was made to harm them, they returned and approaclied their strange visitors.

22. Description of the natives. — They were a coppercolored people, having straight, coarse, black hair, but no beards ; and their faces and bodies were painted with various colors. They were greatly pleased with the glass beads and other trinlvets which the Spaniards gave them, and freely exchanged for these such provisions as they had, and the little ornaments of gold wliich they wore. f The latter

* This island is one of a large group of islands, called the Ba-hu'-inas. The natives called it Guanahani (givah-nah-huli' -ne).

+ "So loving, so tractable, so peaceable are the people," says Columbus in his journal, " that I declare to your Majesties there is not in the world a better nation, nor

20. Describe the landing of Columbus. What did he call the island ? 21. What was the conduct of the sailors ? Of the natives ? 22. Character of the natives ? Their gold trinkets ?

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 23

chiefly caught the attentiou of the Spaniards, who desired to know where they got that metal. The natives pointed to tlie south as the phice where it abounded.

23. Other discoveries of Columbus. — After staying a few days at San Salvador, Columbus sailed in a southerly direction, and soon discovered other islands, the largest of which was named Cuba. Another large island he called His-pan-i-o'-la {Little Spain). On all these islands he was treated with kindness by the natives ; and on his departure he left a small colony at Hispaniola.*

24. Return of Columbus — other voyages. — On his return to Spain, Columbus was received with very great honor ; and the news of his wonderful discovery produced great interest and astonishment, f He afterward made other voyages ; and, in 1498, succeeded in reaching the continent

a better land. Tlioy love their neighbors as themselves ; ami tlieir discourse is ever sweet and gentle, and accompanied with a smile ; and though it is true that they are naked, yet their manners are decorous and praiseworthy." — Irvinr/'s Life of Columbus.

* Hispaniola was afterwards called Sau Domingo. The name of Hayti (Jia'-tee) was given to it after the French were expelled in 1803.

t "To receive him with suitable pomp and distinction, the sovereigns had ordered their throne to be placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold, in a vast and splendid saloon. Here the king and queen awaited his arrival, seated in state, with the Prince Jiuin beside them, and attended by the dignitaries of their court, . . . all impatient to behold the man who had conferred so incalculable a benefit upon the nation. At length Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by a brilliant crowd of cavaliers, among whom, says Las Casas, he was conspicuous for his stately and commanding person, which, with his countenance, rendered venerable by his gray hair, gave him the august appearance of a senator of Rome ; a modest smile lighted up his features, showing that he enjoyed the state and glory in which he came. As Columbus approached, the sovereigns arose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he offered to kiss their hands ; but there was some hesitation on their part to permit this act of homage. Raising him in the most gracious manner, they ordered him to seat himself in their presence, a rare honor in this proud and punctilious court." — Irriiufs Life of Cohimbus.

23. What other discoveries did Columbus make ? Where did he leave a small colony ? 24. How was Columbus received on his return ? What other voyage did he make ? When did he (1i??oyer the Continent ? '^Vhat did he suppose it t^ ^c ?

of South America, near the mouth of a hirge river, called the O-rin-o'-co. He was not, however, aware that it was a continent, still supposing the lands he had found to be islands near Asia.

25. Columbus in chains — his death. — In his third voyage, the Spaniards rebelled against his authority, and sent him back to Spain in chains. In this condition he aj)- peared before Isabella, who was greatly moved at the sight, and ordered the chains to be taken off. The king, however, treated him with base ingratitude, never restoring him to his office as viceroy, which had been promised him. He afterwards made a fourth voyage, in which he explored a part of the coast of Da-ri-en' (1502).

26. Columbus, poor and neglected, died in Spain in 1506, being about seventy years of age. The king, who had treated him so ungratefully while he lived, gave him a pompous funeral.* It is sad to think that this great and good man should not have received the rewards to which he was entitled for pointing out the way to a new world. The Spanish courtiers, too, were jealous of his fame and of the respect with which the good queen treated him.f

* His body was deposited in a convent at Val-la-do-lid', Spain, but was afterward removed to Seville, Spain. Twenty-three years after, it was talven across the Atlantic to Hispaniola, and, two hundred and sixty years later, was carried witli great ceremony to the cathedral at Havana. In 1898, after our war with Spain, it was carried back to Spain.

t "A short time after his return from his first voyage, the Grand Cardinal of Spain invited Columbus to a banquet, where he assigned him the most honorable place at table. A shallow courtier present, impatient of the honors paid to Columbus, and meanly jealous of him as a foreigner, abruptly asked hira whether he thought that, in case he had not discovered the Indies, there were not other men in Spain who would have been capable of the enterprise. To this, Columbus made no immediate reply,

25. What happened in his third voyage ? How was lie treated by the queen ? By the king? His fourth voyage? 26. When and how did he die ? His funeral ?

DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS 25

27. Origin of the name America. — The success of Columbus iiuUiced many other navigators to make voyages across tlie Athintic Ocean, among tliem Amerigo Vespucci {ah-md-re-go ves-poot'-chee), an Italian (1499), wlio/on liis return, wrote an interesting account of the country discovered. This account was published some time after, and thus the continent came to be called after him, America.*

CHAPTER II Other Discoveries by the Spaniards

I. Discovery of the Pacific Ocean. — For some time the Spaniards continued to explore the regions in the northern part of South America ; and in 1513 one of the boldest, named Bal-bo'-a, with a small coni])any, crossed the Isthmus of Darien, and after many hardships reached

but, taking an egg, invited the company to make it stand on one end. Every one attempted it, but in vain ; whereupon he struck it upon the table so as to break the end, and left it standing on the broken part ; illustrating in this simple manner that when he had once shown the way to the New World, nothing was easier than to follow it." — Ii'ring^s Life of Columbus.

* "The name America was first applied to the New World in a work written by Martin Waldseemnllcr, under an assumed name, and printed in Lorraine', Germany, in 1507. This has been clearly proved by Humboldt. . . . The Spaniards carefully avoided the use of the name America in their histories and official documents, in not one of which, anterior to the middle of the last century, can the word be found." — Greenhoiv^s Hint, of Oregon and California.

A copy of Waldseemuller's book is among the " Literary Curiosities," under a glass case in the British Museum. Another copy was procured by the Hon. Cliarles Sumner, during his last visit to Europe. It is not known that there is a third copy in existence. The work is in Latin.

Map Questions.— Where is Florida ? (Map, p. 10.) Mexico ? (Map, p. 10.) Straits of Magellan ? (Map of S. America.) Philippine Islands ? (Pacitic Ocean.)

Text Questions.— 27. How did the country receive the name of America? Who was Amerigo Vespucci ? 1. What was done by Balboa ? What did he call the body of water he discovered ?

TUli DISCOVKKV OF THE PACIFIC BY BALBOA

DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS 27

the shore of the great ocean that stretches beyond. Ignorant of the extent of the vast body of water that he saw spread out before him to the southward of the Istlnnus, he called it the South Sea.

2. Magellan's voyage. — Six years afterwards, a Portuguese navigator, named Ma-gel'-lan, commanding a Spanish squadron consisting of five ships, sailed from Spain to the southwest across the Atlantic Ocean, and discovered the strait which was named after him. Passing through this strait, he reached the ocean previously discovered by Balboa, and sailed across it. This ocean he called the Pacific, that is, pcacpful, for he experienced very mild weather on entering it, and for several days after.

3. Voyage round the world. — Unfortunately, this bold sailor was shiiu in a battle with the warlike natives of one of the Phil-ip-pine' Islands ; but his shij) kept on the voyage westward, passed the Cape of (rood Hope, and in this way reached Spain, thus completing the first voyage ever made around the world (1519-2^). This voyage, of course, proved America to be a different continent from tlie Eastern Continent, and it was therefore called the Westci'n Continent, or New World. The islands among which Columbus had sailed were named the ^Yest Indies.

4. Voyage of Pon-ce'de Le-on'. — Among a large group of these islands, called the Bahamas, it had been reported that there Avas one which contained a very wonderful spring which would restore to youthful health and vigor any one

2. Who was Magellan ? What voyage did he make ? What did he discover ? What ocean did he cross ? Why was it called the Pacific ? 3. When and how was he slain ? How far did one of his ships sail ? What did this prove ? 4. What report existed in regard to the Bahamas ? What did this prompt ? Who was Ponce do Lwn ?

who should drink of it, or bathe in its waters. Hearing of this report, a soldier of distinction, named De Leon [da Id-on'), who had sailed with Columbus in some of his voyages, determined to go in quest of it (1512), for he was of advanced age, and eagerly desired to be young once more.

5. Discovery of Florida He sailed about for some

time among these islands, but the fountain of perpetual youth was nowhere to be found. While thus engaged, however, he came to a very beautiful country, to which he gave the name of Florida, or the Land of Flowers, for the trees all along its shores were covered with bright and fragrant blossoms. It was Easter Sunday when this land was reached, and the mariners had abundance of flowers to celebrate that festival. De Leon, a few years afterward, returned to his newly-found land, and was mortally wounded in a battle with tbe natives.*

6. Discovery of Mexico — the inhabitants. — A siiort time after the discovery of Florida, Mexico was discovered, and the Spaniards were very much surprised to find that the inhabitants of that country, instead of being naked barbarians like the Indians, were a civilized nation, living in cities and towns, and having a regular government. Their temples and palaces were spacious and magnificent ; and the people were dressed in garments of cloth, and wore ornaments of gold and silver. Their king, who was named

*" Wounded by an arrow, he returned to Cuba to die. . . . The discoverer of Florida had desired immortality on earth, and gained its shadow."— iJanero/T.'s Hist. U. 8.

5. Whiit land did he reach ? Why was it called Florida ? How did the death of De Leon occur ? 6. What was the character of the Mexicans ? Their king ? To >\'hat race did they belong ?

DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS 29

Mon-te-zu'-ma, it was said was very rich. These people belonged to a race called the Aztecs.

7. Expedition of Cortez. — Cor'-tez, a brave but cruel soldier, was sent with about six hundred men to take possession of this country. He landed with his small army on the shores of Mexico in 1519; and, in order to compel his men to think only of conquest, by cutting off all hope of return, he destroyed his ships. lie then marched through the country to the capital, situated about two hundred miles from the place of his landing, although messengers had been dispatched by ^lontezuma to the strangers, bearing rich presents, but forbidding them to advance into the country.

8. Death of Montezuma. — Nevertheless, the Spaniards were treated with great kindness and civility by Montezuma, on their arrival at the capital of his dominions ; but the designs of the strangers were soon appai'ent to the Mexicans, and they soon began to give tokens of hostility. To check this, Cortez artfully made a prisoner of the king, and induced him to counsel his peojile to submit. At this they were so much enraged, that they hurled stones and arrows at their monarch ; and from the effects of the injuries which he thus sustained he soon after died.

g. Conquest of Mexico. — The Mexicans thereupon rose upon the Spaniards, drove them from their city, and pursued them with great fury. On the retreat, Cortez, finding that he must give battle or be destroyed, made a stand against

7. Who was sent to conquer them ? What did he do on landini; ': 8. How were the Spaniards treated by Montezuma ? What caused the king's death ? 9. What followed ? How was Mexico conquered ?

his foes, and although his men were so few, he gained a victory ; for the Spaniards wore armor and liad fire-arms, against which tlie Mexicans had no means of contending. Aided by native tribes who had become dissatisfied with tlie rule of their king, Cortez returned to the city and made an entire conquest of the country (1521).

10. Cruelty of the Spaniards. — It was the desire for gold that prompted these Spanish cliieftains and their followers to such deeds of hardship and daring. To satisfy this craving, they were guilty of the most shocking cruelties and crimes. Thus, after capturing the Mexican King Gua-timo'-zin, the successor of Montezuma, these ruthless soldiers laid him on a bed of burning coals, to compel him to disclose where he had concealed his riches ; and a short time afterwards, Cortez ordered him to be hanged.* Thousands of the unfortunate Mexicans were slain by this relentless chief and his soldiers, in completing the conqiiest of the country.