Opening
THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME:
AND A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF OUR AMERICAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT,
WITH A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL COLONIES AND OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: FACTS AND STATISTICS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES.
BY CHARLES BANCROFT.
R. T. ROOT, PUBLISHER, BURLINGTON, IOWA. 1875.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, BY R. T. ROOT, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
Preface
It is the object of this book to supply the means of forming an accurate idea of the American government. The author has adopted the proposition that the highest style of government is one “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” and believes that a constant progress, commencing in the earliest times, has reached its full development in the Great Republic. He therefore traces THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME through all history; notes the gradual unfolding of institutions, the rise and fall of empires, the causes that produced and destroyed the ancient republics, and the origin of the forces that give so much more strength and stability to modern civilization. All this he considers essential to a correct appreciation of the wonderful events of our age and country.
He then proceeds to a close and clear analysis of the whole structure of the government. Each general division, with its sub-divisions, is examined in detail, but successively; so that a definite picture of it, with all its branches, operations, and relations to other parts, stands before the mind as a sharply defined whole. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial divisions—the dependent parts of each kept in proper place—come in order, one after the other, before the mind, the structure, powers and working of each being fully explained.
The book is indeed a compilation, and the matter in large part from official sources, but collected from an astonishingly large number of books, all of which are not to be found even in the largest public libraries; but the labor and merit of gathering so much from all directions and compressing a library into a form and compass so convenient, and so well arranged, in so few and well chosen words, has been great indeed.
All the works heretofore brought before the public proposing to meet this want have been fragmentary, or have treated at too great length but a portion of the subject. A complete summary, or Citizens’ Manual, is here furnished, that includes a sufficiently detailed Analysis of the entire structure of the government, developing in a clear and comprehensive manner the organization, powers, relations, and mode of working of each department, small or large, the principles on which they rest and the spirit that permeates them all. It lays our history so far under contribution as to show us the occasion that produced each institution, the gradual growth of the grand edifice and the causes that controlled and shaped the whole. In short, it gives us an adequate reason for the form of our institutions, even so far back as the earlier history of humanity, when the tendencies that have borne this fruit first began to appear in human history.
THE PUBLISHER.
Introduction
It is our happiness to live in an age whose master-pieces of accomplishment, in science, industry and commerce, put to shame the extravagant fictions of Oriental tales and the wonders ascribed to the gods and heroes of ancient mythology. The changes produced by recent investigations and discoveries are so vast and so rapid that it is difficult to follow them or comprehend the power and thoroughness of the transformations that are taking place in the world around us. The applications of steam and electricity astonish us by their wide spread influence on the condition and relations of men; the ease and speed of movement and intercourse, constantly increasing, are ever putting us in new and unfamiliar situations. We have hardly accustomed our thoughts and habits to one before we are hurried on into another. The constantly clearer and more abundant light shed by science and the press does not suffice to keep our minds fully up to the progress that goes on in all departments of life.
It is plain that we have entered on a New Era, the most extraordinary and momentous the world has ever seen. The old and imperfect is being cleared away and everything thoroughly reconstructed. The explanation is that we are now setting up the grand Temple of Civilization, the separate stones and pillars of which each nation and age was commissioned to hew and carve, and, so to speak, left in the quarry to await the time when, all the material being ready, the Master Builder should collect all the scattered parts and raise the whole edifice at once, to the astonishment and joy of mankind.
All the institutions and civilizations of the past may be considered temporary, erected in haste from the materials nearest at hand, not for permanence, but to serve the present turn while the special task of the nation or age was being performed. The races and ages nearer the birth of mankind worked on rougher parts of the edifice, that entered into the foundations; those grand races, the Greek and the Roman, furnished the noble outline which the nations of modern Europe perfected while they supplied what was still lacking for use and adornment.
America was reserved, designedly, for so many ages, to furnish a suitable and unencumbered location for the central halls and mightiest pillars of the completed structure. Our fathers cleared the ground and laid the foundation deep down on the living rock, that is to say, on Human Rights. That they seldom failed to place stone, pillar and column in just position the work, as we find it, proves, and we have little to do but to clear away the rubbish, beautify the grounds, and put the whole to its proper use.
We begin to see that Time, Thought and Experience have not wrought in vain, that Progress is not a phantom of the imagination, that the human race is essentially a Unit, that it has been growing through all the centuries and is now approaching the prime of its manhood, just ready to enter on its special career with its grandest work still to do. The energies of all the races are preparing for unheard of achievements. The world was never so completely and so wisely busy as now, and America stands between modern Europe and ancient Asia, receiving from, and giving to, both. Her institutions are founded on principles so just and so humane that, when administered with due wisdom and skill, they will embarrass and restrain the proper activities of men at no point. America stands a model which other nations will carefully copy, in due time, as they can adapt themselves and change their institutions. It may not be a literal copy, a servile imitation; but there is little doubt that our Declaration of Independence will finally enter, in spirit and potential influence, into the intimate structure of all governments.
It is the Course of Human Progress, and the important elements that were successively added as each leading phase of civilization appeared, that is endeavored to be traced in the Historical Review of the First Part of this book. While following the general march of events chronologically, we have stopped here and there to take a general survey, in order the better to understand the significance of detached facts, or to examine a new influence that enters among the forces moulding the future. Our space did not allow an exhaustive process; nor was it desirable. We have taken note of only the more important landmarks of Progress. Too much detail would confuse the mind by engaging it in an intricate mass of facts. It is the thread of events, that joins the nations and ages together, or the channel by which they sent down to our day—from Asia to Europe, and from Europe to America—each their special contribution to the political wisdom and the free institutions of America, that we have endeavored to find.
We hope we have not underrated any people or any time, and that we have not overrated the value and glory of America. America is yet young. Its founders, the authors of its Constitution, were unaware of the singular excellence and nobility of their work. Like all other people, they built according to their genius and instincts. Time only could show whether they built for immortality. They feared and trembled over their work; but Time has set on it his seal of approval. Our people are busy using their liberties and energies, each for his individual benefit, as is quite right and proper; since the welfare of individuals makes the prosperity of the community. But a government left to take care of itself is prone to do that work only too well. We have done well and wisely in important crises; but a more intelligent and constant watchfulness over the ordinary course of public affairs would have been still better.
It is plain that the general mind among us has grown clearer and more accurate in its judgments as experience has accumulated, for the original direction toward popular freedom has not changed. Various incongruities have been laid aside and oversights corrected, the severe strain of civil war and an unheard of rapidity of growth have not shaken, but more clearly revealed the strength and unity of the nation. Yet, more intelligence and more care would have saved us many shocks and made our success more pronounced and more brilliant. “Knowledge is power,” when wisely applied; and a more accurate acquaintance with their government and its history will enable American Citizens to mould it more wisely still, to correct all defects of administration, and to speedily reach that minimum of governmental interference with the efforts and interests of the citizens which shall give them the fullest liberty consistent with security and surrender the whole round of human life, as completely as possible, to the beneficent action of natural law.
C. B.
PART FIRST.
THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME, OR HISTORICAL PROGRESS.
Chapter I
HISTORICAL PROGRESS IN THE OLD WORLD 29
SECTION I. The Dawn of History—Uncertainty of Tradition—Aid afforded by recent studies—Ethnology, Philology, etc.—Primitive Home of Mankind—The three great races—The first Migrations—Commencement of Civilization—China—The Euphrates—The Hamites in Egypt.
SECTION II. Direction of Pre-historic Growth—Rudeness of early races—Character of the Primitive Man—Testimony of language—Imperfection of Turanian Growth—Seen in China—Superiority of Indo-European races.
SECTION III. Gradual Development—Condition of the first Men—Establishment of the Family—Patriarchal Authority—The Growth of Monarchy—Origin of the Priesthood—Development of both in Chaldea and Egypt—Influence of War and Commerce.
SECTION IV. Ancient Monarchies—Five Monarchies on the Euphrates and Tigris—The Scythian, the two Hamitic, the Assyrian and the Medo-Persian Monarchies—Testimony of the ruins—Mysterious and Singular character of Egypt—Moses and the Jewish State—Tyre and its Commerce.
SECTION V. The Grecian States—Origin, intelligence and vigor of the Greek race—Their Mythology and Heroic History—Their opposition to the dangerous centralizing tendencies of Monarchy—Greek Republics—Colonization—Sparta and Athens—Commencement of Authentic History—Foundation of Rome—Chronological review during the time of the Roman Kings.
SECTION VI. The Roman Republic—Character of the Romans—Greeks and Romans compared—Roman constancy.
SECTION VII. Greece and Rome—The influence of each on the future of mankind—Chronological history from B. C. 500 to B. C. 133—The great career of the Roman Republic.
SECTION VIII. Decay of the Republic—Unhappy effects of conquest and wealth on Roman character—Death of the Gracchi—The Civil Wars—Marius, Sylla, Crassus, Pompey, Julius Cæsar—The Senate Suspends the Constitution and ends the Republic—Death of Cæsar.
SECTION IX. The Roman Empire—Impossibility of restoring the Republic—Triumvirate and wars of Augustus, Antony and Lepidus—Augustus Emperor of the World.
SECTION X. Influence of Christianity—The Jewish State—Influence on it of Egypt, Asia and Greece—The New Morality of Christianity—The persecution it provokes—Its growing influence on life and manners—Unhappy effect of state patronage.
SECTION XI. The services of Great Men to Mankind—Difficulties of progress among the Ancients—Assistance rendered by Great Men—Office of early Poets—Of Legislatures—Philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—Orators, Demosthenes and Cicero—Influence of Great conquerors on progress—Alexander the Great—Hannibal the unfortunate—Cæsar, the successful—Brutus, the Patriot—Augustus the Emperor—The elements of greatness in all men—Jesus Christ the Perfect Man.
SECTION XII. The Christian Era—Chronological history of the Emperors—The triumph of Christianity and its corruption—The fall of the Empire.
SECTION XIII. Rise of Modern Nations—Incursions of Barbarians—Their settlement in Gaul—Spain, Africa, Italy and Britain—Mahomet and the great success of his followers—Charlemagne and the Popes—Failure to found a Western Empire.
SECTION XIV. The Feudal System—Results from the condition of the Empire and the character of the invaders—Rise and character of Chivalry—The Crusades.
SECTION XV. The Liberties of the People—Influence of the Crusades—Revival of Commerce and Learning.
SECTION XVI. The Situation on the Discovery of America.
SECTION XVII. Conclusion—Summary of Progress—The work assigned to America.
Chapter II
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 148
Geographical ignorance of the Ancients—Columbus and his Ideas—His difficulty in getting a hearing—Queen Isabella of Spain—Sets sail for the New World—Why he thought it Asia—Origin of the name America.
Chapter III
HISTORY FROM 1492 TO 1763 151
Various Discoveries—Sir Humphrey Gilbert fails twice to establish a Colony—Sir Walter Raleigh—Settlements in Florida—Jamestown—Landing of the Puritans—Other Settlements—Liberal character of Colonial Governments—Colonies resist oppression—Indian Wars—French Wars—Training they give the Colonies—Capture of Louisburg—Braddock’s Defeat—Colonists as Soldiers.
Chapter IV
HISTORY—ORIGIN OF THE REVOLUTION 162
British resolve to tax Colonies—Folly of that measure—Resistance in the Colonies—British repeal the tax, BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT—Indignation in the Colonies—Taxes again tried—Soldiers sent to Boston—“Boston Massacre”—Tax on Tea—Colonies Organize against it—“Boston Tea Party”—Philadelphia—Boston Port Bill—First Congress—“American Association”—Battle of Lexington—Second Congress—Siege of Boston—Bunker Hill—British driven out—Battles in Canada.
Chapter V
FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION 173
History of the various stages of Union among the States—Adoption of the Articles of Confederation.
Chapter VI
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 175
Noble character of this Document—It speaks for all men and all times—The Declaration.
Chapter VII
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 181
Full text of the Articles adopted in 1777, forming the Constitution for 12 years.
Chapter VIII
REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783 191
Battle of Long Island—Silent retreat at night—Washington driven across the Delaware—His success in the Jerseys—Battles near Philadelphia—Surrender of Burgoyne—Treaty with the French—French fleet—British evacuate Philadelphia—Washington’s success again in the Jerseys—Southern War—Defeat of Gates—Treason of Arnold—Gen. Green and Cornwallis—Lafayette and Cornwallis—Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown—Review of the War—Financial Difficulties—Character of the People—Peace at Last!
Chapter IX
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 203
The Constitutional Convention of 1787—Defects of the Articles of Confederation—Caution of Statesmen and the People—Result of the Convention—Full text of the Constitution and Amendments.
Chapter X
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 225
Names of Presidents of the Continental Congress—The various Seats of Government from 1774 to 1789.
PART SECOND.
THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 226
The Three Branches of the Government—Arrangement of this Work—Excellence of the Organization—Comparison of the United States with Mexico—With Ireland—Why it has prospered.
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Chapter I
THE PRESIDENT 229
His place in the Government—He is its active force—Conditions of birth, age, and residence—How he is elected—His powers and duties—List of all the Presidents.
Chapter II
THE VICE-PRESIDENT 234
His position mainly honorary—His only duty—When he may become President—List of Vice-Presidents.
Chapter III
THE CABINET 236
Number and offices of members—Their duties—President’s will supreme—Their means of aiding him—The character and ability required.
Chapter IV
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 239
Title of chief officer—Conducts our Foreign business—Range of his duties—Qualifications required—Lists of Secretaries of State.
Chapter V
OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS 243
The dignity of their Official Character—The immunities it confers—Ambassadors—Ministers Plenipotentiary—Ministers-Resident—Charge d’Affaires—Commissioners—The high abilities required in Foreign Ministers.
Chapter VI
TREATIES—EXTRADITION TREATIES 246
Nature of a Treaty—Its binding power—Has the force of Law—The Russian Treaty in full—What Extradition Treaties are—What classes of criminals they apply to—Countries with which we have Extradition Treaties.
Chapter VII
BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES 256
Consuls and their duties—Their official character—Their number—Extra powers in Turkey, etc.
Chapter VIII
PASSPORTS 258
Their character—Their protective power—Who give them.
Chapter IX
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 260
Its importance—Secretary of the Treasury—Great extent of his department—Its thorough organization—The security of public funds—The various bureaus—List of Secretaries of the Treasury.
Chapter X
THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES 263
How government income is obtained—Duties—Internal Revenue—Difference of views—Finance a study for the people.
Chapter XI
DUTIES AND TARIFFS 266
Explanation of terms—Ease of raising revenue from Tariffs—Two kinds of Tariff—What is a Protective Tariff—Tonnage.
Chapter XII
COLLECTION OF DUTIES 272
Custom Houses—Their number and location—Officers and their duties—Their compensation—Revenue Cutters—Ship’s papers.
Chapter XIII
GOVERNMENT COINAGE 278
The Mint—Relations to the United States Treasury—Artistic skill—Coins—Assay offices—Their relation to commerce and to individuals.
Chapter XIV
NATIONAL BANKING 283
Relations of Currency to the Treasury—Government control of Banks and their issues—Security of Currency.
Chapter XV
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES 286
Great resources of the country—Aggregate wealth of the people—Resources of the general government—Public lands—Mines—National wealth—The National Debt—Reasons for not paying it at once—Table of Statistics—Public Debt for every year—National Securities.
Chapter XVI
WAR DEPARTMENT 291
Secretary of War—Organization of his department—Various Bureaus—List of Secretaries of War.
Chapter XVII
THE U. S. ARMY 294
Its history shows great military ability—The peaceful policy of the country.
Chapter XVIII
THE MILITARY ACADEMY 295
Its object and location—The results secured.
Chapter XIX
DEPOTS OF WAR MATERIAL 298
Armories and Arsenals—Their uses—Location—Officers.
Chapter XX
ARTICLES OF WAR 299
Peculiar relations of military forces to civil government—Object of Articles of War—Range and vigor of their provisions.
Chapter XXI
MILITARY HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS 300
Their object—Their location—Their excellent management—Their success in the Civil War.
Chapter XXII
NAVY DEPARTMENT 302
Secretary of the Navy—His duties—Various Bureaus—List of Secretaries of the Navy.
Chapter XXIII
THE UNITED STATES NAVY 306
The U. S. a commercial country—Gratifying success of the early navy—The importance of this arm to the country—Its value to us abroad—Number of U. S. vessels of war.
Chapter XXIV
NAVY YARDS 309
Their location and number—Materials and stores—Workshops and repairs.
Chapter XXV
THE NAVAL ACADEMY 309
Its purposes, location and value.
Chapter XXVI
THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY 311
Dependence of Navigation on Astronomical Science—Value of Observatory.
Chapter XXVII
COAST SURVEY 312
Necessity of this work—Scientific accuracy—Value for commerce and defense.
Chapter XXVIII
LIGHT HOUSES 314
Why and where they are built—Official Superintendence—Light Money.
Chapter XXIX
LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL 316
Objects of Privateering—Immorality and injustice of it.
Chapter XXX
NAVY AND MARINE HOSPITALS 318
The purpose of those institutions—Their means of support—Their location.
Chapter XXXI
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 319
History of this department—Secretary of the Interior—Bureaus of the department—List of Secretaries.
Chapter XXXII
PUBLIC LANDS 322
How the government obtained them—What disposition is made of them—Land offices—Sale of Lands—Pre-emption—Bounty Lands—Homesteads—School Lands.
Chapter XXXIII
HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS 326
Pre-emption Laws—Land Warrants—Soldiers’ Homestead Laws—List of Land Offices.
Chapter XXXIV
PATENTS 336
Patent office—Commissioner of Patents—Mode of obtaining a Patent.
Chapter XXXV
PENSIONS 339
The object of Pensions—Pension office—Amount of Pensions—How paid—Pension Laws of various dates.
Chapter XXXVI
INDIAN AFFAIRS 351
Aboriginal inhabitants—Mode of acquiring their lands—Indian Policy—Reservations—Annuities—Agents—Indian Territory—Condition and number of Indians—Their probable extinction.
Chapter XXXVII
CENSUS BUREAU 355
How the census is taken—Value of census statistics—Tables of Population.
Chapter XXXVIII
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 357
The objects of this department—Commissioner of Agriculture—Buildings and grounds—Extent of information collected and circulated—Value of this department.
Chapter XXXIX
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT 360
Postmaster General—Various Bureaus—Extent of organization—Its remarkable vigor and success—List of Postmasters General.
Chapter XL
RATES OF POSTAGE 365
Letters—Papers—Packages—Foreign Rates.
Chapter XLI
REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS 368
Security of registered letters—Certainty of finding the thief—Description of the whole process—Facts about dead letters.
Chapter XLII
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 372
Why he is a cabinet officer—Range of his duties.
Chapter XLIII
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS 374
Object of the authors of the Constitution—Why Electors failed to meet their expectation—How they are elected and discharge their duties.
Chapter XLIV
HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON TO GRANT 377
Chapter XLV
CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS 390
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
Chapter XLVI
CONGRESS 400
Careful separation of the different branches of government—Powers and duties of Congress—Organization and powers of the Senate—Of the House of Representatives.
Chapter XLVII
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, CONGRESSMEN 405
Mode of electing Members of House of Representatives—Advantages of the district plan—Number of districts.
Chapter XLVIII
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY 407
The objects of the Library—Who may use it—Duties of the Librarian.
Chapter XLIX
COPYRIGHTS 408
The object of Copyrights—Mode of applying for them—Fees—Full directions from the Librarian of Congress.
Chapter L
PRESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS 411
Speaker of the House—How he is chosen—President of the Senate—Their duties and powers—List of all the Speakers of the House.
Chapter LI
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS OF CONGRESS 414
Secretary of the Senate—Clerk of the House—Their duties—The Sergeant-at-Arms—The Doorkeeper—The Postmaster.
Chapter LII
CONGRESSIONAL WORK 415
Mode of doing business in Congress—Organization—Bills—Committees—Reports—Connection of two Houses—President’s signature—Veto—Passing over the veto—Resolutions and their character—Amount of business done—Members of Congress and the People.
Chapter LIII
PUBLIC PRINTING 418
How it was formerly done—Changes made—People should inform themselves.
Chapter LIV
SIGNAL SERVICE 420
Origin of Signal Service—Scientific and useful character—Mode of conducting it—School of Instruction—Grades of officers—Their duties—Number of Stations—Smithsonian Institution—Its Origin, Objects and Value.
Chapter LV
REPORTS 424
Mode of doing Legislative and Executive business—Reports useful to furnish information—To facilitate business.
Chapter LVI
IMPEACHMENTS 426
Who may be impeached—House of Representatives the Accuser—Senate the Court.
THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT 427
Importance of this Department in our System—Constitution of the Department.
Chapter LVII
THE SUPREME COURT 428
The high range of its duties—Its original and appellate Jurisdiction—Its Judges—Their term of office—Officers of the Court—List of Supreme and Associate Justices.
Chapter LVIII
CIRCUIT COURTS 431
Their powers and uses—Circuits—Judges.
Chapter LIX
DISTRICT COURTS 434
Their jurisdiction—Appointment of Judges—Number of districts—Places of holding.
Chapter LX
ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME JURISDICTION 436
Confined to naval affairs—Belongs to District Courts.
Chapter LXI
COURT OF CLAIMS 437
Where it sits—Object to relieve Congress—Advantages to claimants against government.
Chapter LXII
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS 439
Business confided to them—Government lawyers.
Chapter LXIII
UNITED STATES MARSHALS 440
Where they are employed—Connection with census.
Chapter LXIV
GRAND JURY 441
Admirable features of Grand Jury—Do not pronounce judgment—Security afforded to reputation.
Chapter LXV
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 444
General, State, County, and Municipal governments parts of a whole—No conflict—The harmonizing authority in the Supreme Court—How State governments are formed—Their powers—Modeled on the General Government—Various Courts—Subdivisions—Counties—Towns—School districts—Minor divisions indispensable.
Chapter LXVI
INDIVIDUAL STATES 447
Circumstances of discovery of each—When and where settled—Facts in early history—The part each of the “Old Thirteen” bore in the Revolutionary struggle—The Surface—Climate—Agriculture—Products—Mineral Wealth—Prosperity—Area—Population in 1870—Circuit and District Courts—Number of Representatives in Congress—Ports of entry and delivery—Capital—Time of holding elections—Time of meeting of Legislature—Form of enacting clause—Complete list of United States Senators from each State.
THE STATES. PAGE.
Alabama 497 Arkansas 504 California 515 Colorado 529 Connecticut 473 Delaware 475 Florida 506 Georgia 448 Illinois 495 Indiana 490 Iowa 508 Kansas 522 Kentucky 481 Louisiana 487 Maine 499 Maryland 464 Massachusetts 471 Michigan 502 Minnesota 518 Mississippi 493 Missouri 501 Nebraska 526 New Hampshire 467 New Jersey 469 New York 453 North Carolina 450 Nevada 525 Ohio 485 Oregon 520 Pennsylvania 456 Rhode Island 477 South Carolina 462 Tennessee 483 Texas 511 Vermont 479 Virginia 459 West Virginia 524 Wisconsin 518
Chapter LXVII
MOTTOES AND NAMES OF THE STATES 531
Mottoes translated—Origin and meaning of name—Familiar name.
Chapter LXVIII
THE NATIONAL DOMAIN 534
Public domain after the Revolutionary War—Various acquisitions of territory by the General Government—Character of a Territorial government—Organized by Congress—Appointment of officers—Territorial Legislature—When a State may be formed—Constitution to be approved by Congress—Admission may be vetoed by the President.
Chapter LXIX
INDIVIDUAL TERRITORIES 537
Discovery and early history of each—When organized—Surface—Climate Agricultural and mineral resources—Future prospects and desirableness as a location—Area—Population in 1870.
TERRITORIES. PAGE.
Alaska 547 Arizona 544 Dakotah 543 District of Columbia 549 Idaho 545 Montana 546 New Mexico 537 Washington 540 Wyoming 548 Utah 539
Chapter LXX
THE ANNEXATION POLICY 550
Causes of increase of national area—A traditional policy—Importance of national unity—The Mexican War—Causes—Annexation of Territory—Excuses urged—We shall never do it again—Superior steadiness of American people—The probable future of annexation.
Chapter LXXI
CENSUS STATISTICS 556
PART THIRD.
THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT.
The government for the people alone—Early distrust of the masses and its causes—Embodied in the Federal party—Causes of its fall—Absorption of foreigners—Favorable results—Future of the people.
Chapter I
SUFFRAGE AND CITIZENSHIP 562
Who are citizens—Advance in extent of suffrage—Who are voters—Citizens of States and of United States.
Chapter II
CITIZENS OF FOREIGN BIRTH 564
Naturalization—Various steps in naturalization—Digest of laws.
Chapter III
ELECTIONS 567
Who are entitled to vote for State officers—For United States officers—History of general elections—People obtain direct control.
Chapter IV
RATIO OF REPRESENTATION 569
Changes with each census—Reason for it—Data—Present ratio and number of Members of Congress.
Chapter V
OATHS AND BONDS 574
Reasons for them—“Iron-clad oaths”—Who give bonds—Amount of bonds required.
Chapter VI
GOVERNMENT PRISONS 577
Vigor of the government—Mildness in punishment—Why it owns no prisons.
Chapter VII
PROCLAMATIONS 578
Who make them—Their significance.
Chapter VIII
COMMISSIONERS 580
Various classes of officers of this name.
Chapter IX
OFFICIAL REGISTER 581
Officers and salaries—When published—Where obtained.
Chapter X
THE UNITED STATES FLAG 582
Significance of the Flag—History of its origin—The “Star-Spangled Banner” and Ft. McHenry.
Chapter XI
THE GREAT SEAL 585
Uses of Seals—How applied—Who keeps the Great Seal—History of the Great Seal—Jefferson, Adams, etc.—Failure of committees to please—Efforts of Secretary of Congress—Adams and the English Baronet—Description of the Seal.
Chapter XII
THE ORIGIN OF LAW 588
Origin of law in various kinds of government—In the U.S. all law springs from the People—The fundamental law—Legislative acts—Laws by Treaty—Universal law.
Chapter XIII
LAW OF NATIONS 591
Its origin—Standard authorities on International Law—How it is enforced—General features of Law of Nations—United States and England—A future Supreme Tribunal.
Chapter XIV
RELATION OF U. S. GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION 594
Does not support religion—Shows respect to the sentiments of all its people—Consequent policy.
Chapter XV
CHAPLAINS 596
Why employed—No sect preferred—Salaries—Where employed.
Chapter XVI
COMPROMISES 598
Necessity of them from the commencement—Constitutional Compromise—Missouri Compromise of 1820—Mason and Dixon’s Line—Compromises of 1850—Their failure brings on the Civil War.
Chapter XVII
TREASON 602
Defined by the Constitution—The punishment inflicted.
Chapter XVIII
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE U. S. 603
Sectional divisions—Their disappearance—Circuit Courts—States—District Courts—Congressional Districts—Counties—Towns—School Districts.
Chapter XIX
HISTORY OF THE U. S. FROM 1783 TO 1812 606
Prostration of the country after the war—Congress has no effective control of finances—Negligence of the States—Shay’s rebellion in Mass.—Vigorous action of Gen. Lincoln—Virginia urges call of a Constitutional Convention—Meeting and result of the Convention—Last acts and dissolution of Continental Congress—Washington’s first Administration—The rise of parties, Federal and Anti-federal—Washington’s second Administration—Difficulties with England—With France—Country prospers—Adams’ Administration—Naval war with France—Jefferson’s Administrations—Louisiana purchased—Increasing trouble with England—Madison’s Administrations—War declared.
Chapter XX
THE WAR OF 1812 620
Causes of the war—Disasters in Canada—Successes on the sea—Barbarity of British and Indians—Incompetence of U. S. officers—Second Campaign—Brilliant naval successes—Mortification of the British—Political opposition to the war embarrasses the Government and encourages the enemy—Third Campaign an American success—Gen. Scott in Canada—Defeat of the British at Plattsburg, on Lake Erie; before Baltimore, at New Orleans.
Chapter XXI
HISTORY FROM 1815 TO 1846 629
Results of the war highly favorable to the U. S.—Gains respect abroad—Party bitterness subsides—Compromise of 1820—Great prosperity—Florida Purchase—Monroe’s two Administrations—J. Q. Adams’ Administration—Sections divide on the Tariff—Jackson’s two Administrations—Nullification of South Carolina—Jackson’s promptness—Seminole war—Van Buren’s Administration—Financial disasters—Harrison and Tyler—Admission of Texas—Election of Polk.
Chapter XXII
THE MEXICAN WAR—FROM 1848 TO 1860 638
Causes of the war—Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma—Taking of Monterey—Battle of Buena Vista—Gen. Scott in Mexico—His long succession of victories—Enters the City of Mexico—Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo—Increase of territory—Discovery of gold in California—California applies for admission as a State—Raises the violent opposition of Slave States—Compromises of 1850—Taylor and Fillmore—Pierce’s Administration—Repeal of the Missouri Compromise—Troubles in Kansas—Buchanan’s Administration—Preparation for Secession—Growth of the Republican party.
Chapter XXIII
THE CIVIL WAR 645
Real causes of the Civil War—The elections of Nov., 1860—Made the pretext for Secession—South Carolina Secedes—Forts and property of the government seized in the South—Southern States successively Secede—Southern Confederacy formed—Want of energy in the Administration—Inauguration of Lincoln—The Union to be defended.
Chapter XXIV
FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR 651
Firing on Ft. Sumter—It electrifies the North—Call for troops—General mustering for war—Capture of Harper’s Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard, Fighting in the border States—Experience gained in the general skirmishing—Reluctance to join the great issue—Battle of Bull Run—Washington saved, if the battle is lost—Immense preparations by sea and land—Confederate government in Richmond.
Chapter XXV
SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR 658
The large armies have acquired much discipline and experience—Movement of McClellan on Richmond—Movement flanking Confederate positions on the upper Mississippi—Severe battles near Richmond—McClellan’s failure—Success in the West—The rising fortunes of Grant at Donnelson, Henry, and Pittsburg Landing—Advance of Lee—Pope’s failure—Battles in Maryland—Lee’s retreat—Bragg’s advance and retreat—Battle of Fredericksburg—General results of the Campaign.
Chapter XXVI
CAMPAIGN OF 1863 664
Emancipation proclamation—The year remarkable for the large number of engagements and formidable character of the operations—Battle of Chancellorsville and advance of Lee into Penn.—His defeat at Gettysburg and return to Va.—Capture of New Orleans—Taking of Vicksburg—Defeat at Chickamauga retrieved by Grant—General results of the Campaign.
Chapter XXVII
CAMPAIGN OF 1864 670
Struggle of Grant and Lee in Virginia—Sherman’s “March to the Sea”—“Beginning of the end.”
Chapter XXVIII
CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN 675
General discouragement in the South—Capture of Seaboard cities—Re-inauguration of the President—Fall of Petersburg and retreat of Lee—Close of the War—Assassination of Lincoln.
Chapter XXIX
HISTORY FROM 1865 TO 1875 680
Opposed reconstruction policy of Congress and President Johnson—Financial condition—Patrons of Husbandry—Election and re-election of Gen. Grant.
Chapter XXX
PARLIAMENTARY RULES 698
Chapter XXXI
STATISTICS OF THE WORLD 721
SUPPLEMENT.
LEGAL FORMS—BY JUDGE J. C. POWER, OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF IOWA 725
Legal form of Will—Statement of Testator—Disposition of Property—Appointment of Executors—Statement of Witnesses—Circumstances of Signature—Necessity of two Witnesses—Articles of Copartnership—Statement of Agreement—Conditions Mutually agreed to—Signature—Agreement to continue Copartnership—Agreement to dissolve Copartnership—Power of Attorney—How signed and acknowledged—Form of Submission to Arbitration—Form of Award of Arbitrators—General Form of Agreement—Agreement for sale of personal property—Agreement for sale of Real Estate—How executed and acknowledged—Form of Lease—Form of Warranty Deed—Form of acknowledgement of execution of Deed—Witnesses to signature—Mortgage Deed—Negotiable Note—Non negotiable Note—Note transferable by delivery—Due bill—Receipt—What statements required in Receipt.
THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME.
PART FIRST.