11
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,^,'rrsJilK^
JA'J y
j^^^%^9n
HISTORY
OF THE
UNITED STATES,
OR.
REPUBLIC OF AMERICA.
i
BY EMMA WILLARD.
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY A. S. BARNES & CO.
No. 51 JOHN STREET.
184 7.
t^ e<5^^ v\
u>
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year, 1842,
BY A. S. BARNES, AND CO.,
in the Clerk's Office, of the District Court, of the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania.
n
Richard H, Hobbs, Sterkotyper, Hartford, Conn.
C. A. Alvord, Printer, corner of John and Dutch Streets, New York.
PREFACE
At a time when the accumulated mass of knowledge is great,
beyond the human capacity, service is done to science, by clear ar-
rangement and devices addressed to the eye. If the faculties are en-
abled to seize and hold fast the frame-work of an important subject,
future facts will naturally find and keep their own place in the
mind, and the whole subject rest there in philosophical order.
Not only is this important, as respects the particular study thus ac-
quired; but as regards intellectual habits and general improvement.
To accomplish these ends, with regard to the history of the Uni-
ted States, is one of the main objects of the present work. Its
plan is chronographically exhibited in front of the title page. The
maps, included between the periods of the work, coincide in time
with the branches of the subject ; and the sketches on the maps
picture the events there expressed in words.
But most minds find it difficult to remember dates, though ever so
well arranged ; and hence experienced educationists recommend that
the memory should not in this respect be overtaxed ; but that dates
should rather be kept at hand in books, to be consulted as occasion
requires. Hence, the importance of arrangements in printed works,
by which dates may stand prominent, and be easily found. A cur-
sory glance at the chronological table, and along the margin of this
work, may satisfy the observer that this task has been executed
with faithfulness.
Every student or reader of history should begin with that of his
own country ; and the history of the United States is on some ac-
counts, a more safe and profitable study than that of any other
nation.
When the course of events is studied, for the purpose of gaining
IV PREFACE.
general information, the natural order of the thoughts must be regard
ed, if we expect that memory will treasure up the objects of attention
Each individual is to himself the centre of his own world ; and the
more intimately he connects his knowledge with himself, the better
will it be remembered, and the more effectually can it be rendered,
in after-life, subservient to his purposes. Hence, in geography, he
should begin with his own town, and pass from thence to his country,
and the world at large ; in history, with the year in which he was born,
and the record of the family Bible. With its dates the mother might
easily connect and teach to her child some of the epochas of his coun-
try. Your grandfather or your father, she might say, was born so
much before or after the declaration of independence — your own
birth was during the administration of such a president. This would
constitute the foundation of his knowledge of history and chronolo-
gy; and, if well laid, it would be as enduring as the mind. Some-
thing of this kind is incidentally, if not systematically, done in every
family. At the period of receiving school education, the pupil
having learned the epochas of his family, wants those of his country ;
and these should in like manner, be connected with the leading events
in the history of cotemporary nations.
History and geography mutually aid each other ; and the student
will naturally be earlier acquainted with the localities of his own coun-
try, than with those of any other ; and the history of our Republic,
pursued, as here laid down, will give a knowledge of our geogra-
phy in its various stages of progression.
An attention to the events of American histor}'', in connection with
geography, not only makes each better understood, and by association
better remembered ; but the tendency will be to produce an improve
ment in our national literature, and thus aid the growth of wholesome
national feeling. From foreign novels and poems, the American
too often locates the imaged excellence, which warms his heart, in the
old world. But if our youth learn to connect the mental sublime of
the character of their fathers, with the natural grandeur of Ameri-
can scenery, some among them, will, in future life, be moved to sup-
ply the deficiencies of our literature, by filling up the chasms of truth
with new discoveries, or with the glowing tracery of imagination.
PREFACE.
History, it is said, is the school of poUtics. It is not, however,
the mere knowledge of events, in which the student sees littlu con-
nection, which lays a foimdation for his political knowledge. It is
only when he is led to perceive how one state of things, operating
on human passions, leads to another, that he is prepared, when he
comes into hfe, to look over the moving scene of the world — predict
the chancres which are to succeed — and should his be the hand of
power, to reach it forth to accelerate or stop the springs of change,
as he finds their tendency to be good or evil. There is no history
like that of America for producing this effect ; and the young poli-
tician of other countries, might begin with this, as the most easily
comprehensible subject in the whole field, and that, in which
effects, may with most certainty, be traced to their proper causes.
The most important advantage of the study of history, is improve-
ment in individual and national virtue. In this respect, we come
boldly forward to advocate a preference for the history of the Ameri-
can Republic. Here are no tales of hereditary power and splendor
to inflame the imaginations of youth with desires for adventitious
distinction. Here are no examples of profligate females, where the
trappings of royalty or nobihty give to vice an elegant costume ;
or, as with the Queen of Scots, where beauty and misfortune make
sin commiserated, till it is half loved. Here are no demoralizing ex-
amples of bold and criminal ambition, which have " waded through
blood to empire." The only desire of greatness, which our children
can draw from the history of their ancestors, is to be greatly good.
It is not in the formal lesson of virtue, that her principles are most
deeply imbibed. It is in moments when her approach is not suspect-
ed, that she is fixing her healing empire in the heart of youth. When
his indignation rises against the oppressor — when his heart glows with
the admiration of suffering virtue — it is then that he resolves never
to be an oppressor himself; and he half wishes to suffer, that he too
may be virtuous. No country, ancient or modern, affords examples
more fitted to raise these ennobling emotions, than America in her
early settlement, and at the period of her revolution.
And may not these generous feelings of virtue arise, as well re-
specting nations as individuals ; and the resolution which the youth
VI PREFACE.
makes, with regard to himself, be made also with respect to his coun
try, so far as his own future influence may extend 1 Would the teach-
er excite these emotions, in his pupil, let him put into his hands the
history of America's struggle for her independence. Though,
doubtless, there were bad men in America, and those of great virtue,
in England, yet, as nations, how great is the disparity in the characters
delineated. England, seeking to make a filial child a slave, refuses to
listen to her duteous pleadings. She deigns not even the privileges of
civilized warfare ; but sends forth the brand, which lights the midnight
fire over the heads of the sleeping family, and the tomahawk, which
cleaves the head of the infant, in the presence of the mother. Eng-
land also descends to bribe, to flatter, to sow dissension, to purchase
treason, and to counterfeit money. France, unlike her La Fayette,
declared for America in success, not in misfortune ; and if at length
she fought her battles, it was, that she feared and hated her enemy.
Could the policy of France have prevailed, America would have
found in her embrace of friendship, the pressure of death. In com-
parison with these old and wily nations, the character of America is
that of youthful simplicity, of maiden purity ; and her future states-
men will say, as he reads the story, my country was the most virtu-
ous among the nations : this is her pride — not the extent of her do-
mains, or the wealth of her revenue. This is the source of that
greatness, which it becomes her sons to preserve ; and when man-
hood shall have placed me among her guardians, I will watch that
purity with jealous tenderness ; and sooner part with existence,
than be made the instrument of her degradation.
Hartford, May 20th 1842.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
Sove-
reigns of
Spain
GO pz
Sowe- I A. D.
rej^gns of^ 1492.
1497.
France.
<
a
51
02
o
;>
o
I— I
o
w
1492.
Columbus discovers America,
The Cabots discover the continent at La-
brador, ......
1498. Columbus discovers the continent in South
America. Americus Vespucius receives
the honor belonging to Columbus, of giving
name to the country, ....
Ponce de Leon discovers Florida,
Verrazani explores the coast,
James Cartier, under Francis I. of France,
discovers the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
Cartier builds a fort on the site of Quebec, .
De Soto, a Spaniard, in an overland expe-
dition discovers the Mississippi,
English liturgy completed.
1512.
1524.
Page
10
12
11
14
1534.
1541.
1549.
1553.
The Puritans separate from the English re-
formers, and are persecuted.
1564.
A colony of French Protestants, under Ri-
bault, settle in Florida, ....
1565. St. Augustine founded by Pedro Melendez, .
" The Spaniards destroy the French colony,
and possess the country,
1567. 200 Spaniards massacred by the French, .
1578.
1578.
Patent granted by Queen Elizabeth to
Sir H. Gilbert, .....
1583. Sir H. Gilbert takes possession of New-
foundland, ......
1584. Sir W. Raleigh obtains a patent, and sends
two vessels to the American coast, which
receives the name of Virginia,
12
12
13
30
30
14
16
16
10
17
17
18
Sove-
reigns (ij
England.
2
r3
Edw. VI
l-H
N
td
H
Vill
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove-
Sotie-
A. D
rei^s of
Upain.
reigns of
France.
1585.
-3
1— I
r'
1586.
1587.
^
1589.
1— 1
1603.
1603.
1604.
1606.
1607.
(C
a
1608.
K
1609.
"TO
Ki
1— 1
<
((
1613.
1614.
Raleigh sends Sir Richard Granville, who
leaves a colony on the island of Roanoke,
They return to England, ....
Raleigh sends a colony by Captain White,
which is lost, .....
Raleigh sells his patent to the London com-
pany,
Bartholomew Gosnold sails in a direct
course for America, and discovers Cape
Cod, .......
Page
19
19
19
1615.
1619,
1620,
Henry IV. of France, grants Acadia to de
Monts, .......
De jMonts discovers and explores the bay of
Fundy, and founds Port Royal,
London and Plymouth companies established.
The Plymouth company make an ineffectu-
al attempt to plant a colony at Kennebec, .
The London company send a colony who
discover Chesapeake Bay, and make the
first effectual settlement at Jamestown, .
Captain John Smith made prisoner by the
Indians, and rescued by Pocahontas,
The city of Quebec founded by Champlain, .
John Robinson and his congregation emigrate
to Holland, ......
A new charter granted to the London com-
pany. Lord Delaware is appointed gover-
nor,
The colony is reduced by famine and distress,
Hudson River and Lake Champlain dis-
covered, ......
Pocahontas marries John Rolfe, an EngUsh-
man, ...-..•
Captain Smith explores the coast from Pe-
nobscot to Cape Cod, ....
A fort erected by the Dutch on the site of
New York, . ....
Fort Orange built near the site of Albany, .
The first general assembly is called in \'u-
ginia,
Convicts are sent to the colony, negroes in-
troduced, and slavery commenced, .
Sept. 6, The Pilgrims sail from Plymouth
(Eng.,) ..•••••
Sove-
reigns of
England.
19
19
20
20
20
20
21
23
28
32
24
25
27
26
28
66
66
27
27
34
td
t?3
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
1Z
5ot'e-
Sove-
A. D.
reigns of
Spain.
■eigTis of
France.
1620.
2
— a
(1
►3
* ?3
1621.
(C
it
1622.
1624.
1625.
1627.
1628.
O
X
1— 1
1629.
((
•
1630.
1631.
1632.
1633.
1636.
1634.
1635.
((
(1
1636.
1637.
1620.
Dec. 14, The Pilgrims land on Plymouth
Rock, .......
James I. grants a charter to the grand coun-
cil of Plymouth for governing New Eng-
land, .......
A district called Mariana granted to John
Mason, ......
Treaty with Massasoit, ....
Cotton first planted in Virginia,
Gorges and Mason obtain a charter of Maine
and New Hampshire. They send a colo-
ny to the river Piscataqua,
Indian conspiracy, which nearly proves fatal
to the colony of Virginia,
London company dissolved, and Virginia be-
comes a royal province,
Death of Robinson,
Page
36
39
39
37
56
40
56
57
38
Sovt-
reigns of
England
Swedes and Fins colonize the west side of
the Delaware river, ....
Patent of Massachusetts obtained, and the
first permanent settlement of that colony
commenced at Salem by John Endicot
and others, ......
A royal charter is granted to the Massachu-
setts company, .....
Charlestown, (.\Iss.,) founded,
The Dutch colonize the west side of the
Delaware river,
Carolina granted to Sir Robert Heath,
Clayborne plants a colony on Kent Island, .
The Dutch erect a trading fort at Hartford,
^Maryland granted to Lord Baltimore,
First house built in Connecticut at Windsor,
Patent of Connecticut granted to English
noblemen, ......
Rocer Williams founds Providence,
Settlement of Maryland begun,
Jesuit missionaries preach to the Hurons, .
Three thousand persons emigrate to New
Endand, ......
Henry Vane chosen governor, .
Grand council of Plymouth surrender their
charter to the crown, ....
Fort Saybrook erected, ....
Hooker, Haynes, and others, settle Hartford,
Pequod war, ......
>
54
40
40
41
54
94
54
46
55
46
46
45
55
90
43
43
58
47
48
49
>
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove-
reigns of
Spain.
Soi'e-
retina of
France
O
If}
13
ft
13
O
I— (
X
p— I
O
K
f
CO
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XI
Save
reigns
Spam.
.}
Sove-
reigns of
France.
o
M
>
1—1
CO
O
I— I
X
I— I
A. D.
1664.
Page
Patent granted to the Duke of York. He
sends Colonel Nichols, who takes New
Amsterdam, which is named New York, . 69
New Jersey granted to Berkeley and Carteret, 73
1665
1667,
1668,
1673.
1670.
1675-
1675,
1676.
1677,
1678,
1679.
1680.
1681.
1682.
1684.
1686.
1687.
1688.
1689.
Lake Superior discovered by Father Al-
louez, ....... 91
The patent of Carolina extended to the 36°, 94
St. Mary's founded, also a mission at Green
Bay, ....... 92
The Mississippi discovered by Marquette, . 92
An attempt to introduce Mr. Locke's consti-
tution, 95
-76. King Philip's war, . . . .79
Three of the Regicides come to America, . 83
John Washington provokes the Lidians to
war, ....... 62
New Jersey divided into East and West
Jersey, ...... 74
Bacon's rebellion, . . - . .63
Virginia obtains a new charter, . . 64
Massachusetts purchases Maine, . . 83
Andross usurps the government of the Jer-
seys, 74
New Hampshire becomes a royal province, . 83
Randolph sent as inspector of customs in
New England, 84
Charleston (S. C.,) founded, . . .95
Penn receives from Charles H. a grant of
Pennsylvania, . . . . .71
Penn reclaims the Jerseys for the proprietors, 74
He receives a grant of the territories, . 71
He arrives in America, . . . .71
Philadelphia founded, . . . .72
East Jersey purchased by the Quakers, and
managed by Penn, 74
The charter of Massachusetts annulled, . 84
, La Salle visits and names Louisiana, . 93
Sir E. Andros made governor-general.
Tyrannizes over New England, . . 84
Andros attempts to deprive Connecticut of
her charter, 8 .
New York and New Jersey under the juris-
diction of Andros, 85
English revolution, 85
King William's war, . . . .96
Andros and Randolph imprisoned, . . 65
Connecticut and Rhode Island resume their
charters, 86
Sovt'
reigns of
Englani.
>
f
1^
>
Xll
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Save- ( Save-
'ei^Tis of reigns of
^{jain.
Franct.
o
c:!
I-H
X
h-l
>
>
>
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
xm
Sove-
reigns of
Spain
Sove-
reigns of
France
o
H
o
l-H
o
X
I— I
o
o
W
to
f
H
o
I— I
A. D.
1754. Washington capitulates at Fort Necessity,
" Delegates from seven provinces meet at
Albany. They propose a plan of union for
the colonies which is rejected by Conn.,
1755. July, Braddock's defeat, . . . •
" War with the Cherokees,
" The French, under Dieskau, totally de-
feated at Lake George,
1756. Formal declaration of war between France
and England, . . • . .
1757. The massacre of Fort William Henry,
1758. July 6, Louisburg taken by the English un-
der General Amherst, ....
" July 5, Abercrombie repulsed at Ticonde-
roga, and death of Lord Howe,
" Aug. 27, Fort Frontenac taken by Colonel
Bradstreet, ......
" Nov. 25, Fort Duquesne taken by the
English,
1759 Sept. 13, Wolfe wins the battle on the
Heights of Abraham, and loses his life, .
Page
127
128
130
131
132
Sove-
reigns of
Englatid.
1763.
1763.
1764.
1765.
1766.
1767.
1768.
((
((
1770.
The peace op Paris,
Pontiac's war,
Duties laid on sugar, molasses, &c. violent
ly opposed in the colonies,
Parliament passes the stamp act.
May 29, Patrick Henry's five resolutions,
October, First continental congress meet at
New York,
Stamp act repealed ; but parliament claims
a right to bind the colonies.
Duties laid on tea, painter's colors, &c.
Non-importation agreements extensively
adopted, .....
Sept. 22, A convention held at Boston,
Sept. 28, British troops stationed at Boston,
March 5, Affray with British troops at
Boston,
Parliament removes duties before imposed
except those on tea.
War between the Senecas and Cherokees,
132
O
\?i
134
o
pi
O
136
a
I— 1
136
H-
136
137
140
141
1760. Sept. 8, Canada surrenders to Great Britain,
" Massachusetts opposes the issuing of writs
of assistance, 147
1761. Cherokees subdued, 142
144
142
148
149
150
151
152
154
154
155
155
156
156
277
O
O
o
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XV
Sove-
reigns of
Spain
CO
Save- I A. D.
reigns of 1773
France. 1
Sove-
re^gns of
France
o
1— I
United
States.
• >
Attempts of the British to import tea into
the colonies ; the cargoes of three ships
are thrown overboard at Boston,
1774. ParHament shuts the port of Boston, ,
" Sept. 4, A congress assemble at Philadel-
phia. They promulgate " The Bill of
Rights," and petition the king.
1775. April 18, The war commences. — Battle of
Lexington, . . .
" May 10, Ticonderoga and Crown Point
taken by the Americans,
" Congress again meet at Philadelphia,
" Royal governments laid aside in the south-
ern colonies,
" Large reinforcements of British troops ar-
rive in Boston, .....
" June 15, Washington made commander-in-
chief,
" June 17, Battle of Bunker's Hill,
" Dr. Franklin the first postmaster-general,
" Nov. 13, Arnold appears before Quebec, but
is forced to retire, ....
" Dec. 31, Americans defeated at Quebec,
and Montgomery killed,
" The Delaware Indians determine to receive
the gospel from the Moravians,
1776. Jan. 1, Norfolk, Virginia, burned by the
royalists,
" March 17, British evacuate Boston, .
" June, Americans leave Canada,
" June 28, British repulsed at Fort Moultrie,
" Washington fixes his head-quarters at New
York,
1777.
1T76.
July 4, The Declaration op Indepen-
dence,
Aug. 27, Battle of Long Island. The
Americans defeated, .
Sept. 15, British enter New York,
Oct. 28, Skirmish at White Plains, .
Nov. 16, Fort Washington taken by the
British, . . . '•.
Washington retreats across New Jersey, .
Dec. 26, He defeats the British at Trenton,
Jan. 3, At Princeton, ....
April 26, Danbury, Connecticut, burned,
and stores taken by the British,
Page
157
157
159
165
167
167
167
168
169
168
171
172
173
278
175
176
177
178
178
■Sove-
reigns of
England.
179
183
185
186
187
187
189
190
193
O
ft
o
Q
XVI
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove-
reigns of
France.
o
1— I
<1
, A. D.
United i 1777.
States. ' ,,
«
((
((
((
((
((
((
((
o
o
'^
'^
>
a
o
Q
1778.
1777.
1778.
1779.
Page
La Fayette espouses the American cause, . 194
July 5, Americans evacuate Ticonderoga ;
July 7, are defeated at Hul)bardton, . 197
Aug. 3, St. Leger invests Fort Stanwix ;
Aug. 6, General Herkimer is defeated, . 196
Aug. 16, Battle of Bennington, . . 198
Sept. 11, Battle of Brandywine, . . 203
Sept. 19, Battle of Stillwater, . . .200
Sept. 26, British enter Philadelphia, . . 205
Oct. 4, Battle o^Germantown, . . 205
Oct. 7, Battle of Saratoga, . . .200
Oct. 17, Burgoyne surrenders his army, . 201
Oct. 22, British repulsed at Red Bank, . 206
Nov. 16, Americans abandon Mud Island,
and on the 18th Fort Mercer, . .206
Dec. 11, Washington retires to winter-quar-
ters at Valley Forge, .... 207
Intrigues against Washington by Conway
and others, ...... 208
Vermont declares itself independent, . . 257
Feb. 6, Treaty of alliance with France, . 211
Parliament sends three commissioners to
bribe and corrupt the Americans, . . 212
June 18, British evacuate Philadelphia, . 213
June 28, Battle of Monmouth, . . . 213
A French fleet, under d'Estaing, arrives, . 214
Aug. 9, Sullivan invades Rhode Island. Is
disappointed in not receiving the co-ope-
ration of the French fleet — evacuates
the Island, 214
Dec. 29, Savannah taken by the British, . 217
Sunbury taken by the British, which com-
pletes the subjugation of Georgia, . 217
Port Royal unsuccessfully attacked by the
British, 217
March 3, General Prevost surprises the
Americans, under Ashe, at Briar Creek, 219
May 12, Prevost attempts to take Charles-
ton, 219
June 1, Clinton takes Stony and Verplank's
Points, 220
June 20, Indecisive engagements between
the armies of Lincoln and Prevost at
Stono Ferry, 219
July, The British make a descent upon
Connecticut, 220
July, War of the French and English in the
West Indies, 222
July 2, French capture Grenada, . . 223
Sove-
reigns of
England.
o
K
O
Q
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XVII
Sove-
reigns of
France.
o
a
I— I
United
States.
A. D.
1779.
O
o
:^
Q
O
Q
It
(C
1780.
1781.
Page
July 15, The Americans, under Wayne,
take Stony Point, . . . . .221
Unsuccessful expedition against the British
at Penobscot, ... .221
Aug. 29, Sullivan defeats the Indian.", and
desolates their country, . . 222
Sept. 23. Paul Jones' naval battle, . . 225
Oct. 9, The French and Americans repulsed
from Savannah, 224
Congress beset by the intrigues of France
and Spain, i
May 7, Fort Moultrie surrenders to the
British, 229
May 12, Charleston surrenders to the British, 230
May 28, Tarleton surprises Buford atWac-
saw, ....... 230
Clinton establishes a royal government in
South Carolina, 230
June 23, Skirmish at Springfield, X. J. be-
tween Greene and Knyphausen, . .231
Congress sanctions the depreciation of pa-
per currency, ..... 231
July 10, A French squadron, under the Count
de Rochambeau, arrives at Rhode Island, 233
Aug. 6, Sumpter defeats the British at
Hanging Rock, ..... 234
Aug. 16, Gates defeated by Comwallis
near Cam.den, S. C. . . . . 235
Aug. 18, Tarleton surprises and defeats
Sumpter at Fishing Creek, . . . 236
Sept. Arnold's treason discovered at West
Point, 238
Oct. 2, Andre executed as a spy, . . 239
Oct. 7, Tories defeated at King's Mountain,
N. C 240
Revolt of the Pennsylvania troops, . . 243
Jan. 4, Arnold devastates Virginia, . . 250
Robert Morris made treasurer. Congress
raise money by borrowing from France
and Holland, 243
Jan. 17, Tarleton defeated by Morgan at
Cowpens, S. C 244
Cornwallis pursues the Americans across
the Carolinas, 245
March 15, Battle of Guilford C. H. (Greene
and Cornwallis,) 246
Lafayette opposes the British in Virginia, . 251
April 25, Americans surprised and defeated
at Hobkirk's Hill, (Greene and Rawdon,) 247
May 10, Camden evacuated by the British, 248
Sove-
reigns of
England
C
Q
a
XVlll
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove-
reigns of
France.
o
a
I— I
X
United
States.
O
O
H-l
f
O
O
Q
CO
Presi-
dents of
the U. S.
I— I o
Q C
O
H
1782.
A.D.
1781. Forts Watson, Georgetown, and Motte ca-
pitulate to the Americans,
June 5, Augusta taken by the Americans,
Aug. 4, Execution of Colonel Hayne,
Aug. 23, Cornwallis enters Yorktown,
Sept. 5, Partial action between the English
and French fleets off the Capes of the
Chesapeake,
Sept. 6, Forts Trumbull and Griswold taken
by ihe British, and New London burned,
Sept. 8, Battle of Eutaw Springs, S, C.
(Greene and Stuart,) . • . .
Oct. 6, Yorktown besieged,
Oct. 19, Cornwallis surrenders to the allies,
April 19, Treaty with the states of Holland,
" Newourg address and meeting of officers, .
" Inhuman massacre of the Indian converts of
the Moravian brethren, ....
" Unsuccessful attempt to persuade Washing-
ington to become a king,
1783. Jan. 20, Preliminary articlesofpeacesigned
at Versailles, .....
«' Sweden, Denmark, Spain, and Russia ac-
knowledge the independence of the U. S.
" Sept. 3, Definitive treaty of peace signed, .
" Nov. 3, American army disbanded, .
" Nov. 25, British evacuate New York,
" Dec. 23, Washington resigns, .
The U. States are encumbered with a heavy
debt, which occasions great distress,
1786. Delegates from five of the middle states
meet at Annapolis to concert measures for
amending the government,
Shays' rebellion,
A convention at Philadelphia frame the con-
stitution of the United States,
Eleven states adopt the federal constitution,
Page
248
248
249
252
Sove-
reigns o,
England
1784.
1787.
1789.
1790
1T§9.
The final adoption of the federal con-
stitution, ......
April 30, Washington's first inauguration, .
The president visits New England, .
Nov. North Carolina accedes to the con-
stitution, ......
Mr. Hamilton's system for funding the
national debt adopted, ....
May, Rhode Island accedes to the constitu-
tion, .......
253
254
250
255
256
259
261
279
261
260
263
260]
263
263
263
264
265
265
265
267
269
270
272
272
273
274
o
Q
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XIX
Save
reigns of
France.
a r
H O
5S:
>■ » =
O s^i
M ^
O <
o H
o S
H
O
O
?3
15
<
"3
CD
o
2
BO
CO
OZ
ZOJ
>-C
•sr
>s»
WH
HH
Cm
Cz
Presi-
dents of
the U. S.
H
O
Q
K
1—1
Q
H
O
o
o
o
O
A. D.
1790.
1791.
u
((
1792.
1793.
1794.
1794.
1795
1796.
1797.
1798.
1799.
1800.
1801.
1802.
(1
Aug. 7, Treaty with the Creek Indians,
Dec. 6, Kentucky erected into an indepen-
dent government,
Duties laid on distilled spirits, .
General Harmar defeated by the Indians, .
A National Bank established,
Vermont admitted to the Union,
Kentucky admitted to the Union,
A mint established by congress,
Washington's second inauguration, .
April, M. Genet, the French minister, in-
sults the American government,
April 22, Washington issues a proclamation
of neutrality. .....
Insurrection in Pennsylvania on account of
duties on distilled spirits,
General Wayne defeats the Indians in Ohio,
Nov. 19, A treaty of amity and commerce
concluded \nth Great Britain by Mr. Jay,
Treaty with Algiers, . . . ,
Oct. 27, Treaty with Spain,
Tennessee admitted to the Union,
Washington publishes his " Farewell Ad-
dress,"
March 4, John Adams inaugurated, .
Mission to France,
Congress prepare for war with France,
Feb. 10, French frigate, I'lnsurgente, cap-
tured by the U. S. frigate Constellation, .
' Sept. 30, Treaty with France,
Dec. 14, Death of Washington,
Seat of government transferred to the Dis-
trict of Columbia, ....
Mississippi and Indiana erected into terri-
tories,
March 4, Mr. Jefferson's first inauguration.
War with Tripoli,
Ohio admitted to the Union,
Difficulty with the Spanish government
respecting the right of deposit at New
Orleans, ......
1§03.
1803.
The purchase of Louisiana, .
" United States' frigate Philadelphia cap-
tured by the Tripolitans,
1804. Decatur recaptures and burns the Phila-
delphia at Tripoli, . . . .
" Commodore Preble bombards TripoU,
2»
Page
275
275
274
280
275
276
281
281
281
282
281
283
284
285
286
286
286
287
288
289
289
289
289
290
290
291
293
295
293
293
294
295
295
296
Sove-
reigns of
England.
O
SI
Q
XX
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Save- ( Presi-
reigns of dents of
France, the U. S.
o
w
PCI
o
>
o
O
H
fC
C
>— I
c
A. D.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807,
((
((
1809.
1810.
11
1811,
1812.
a
If
((
Page
Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel with
Aaron Burr, . . . . 296
Jefferson's second inauguration, . . 297
The Americans, under Eaton, aid the ex
bashaw of Tripoli. They take Derne. . 296
Great Britain searches American vessels,
and impresses American seamen, . . 298
May, The British blockade the French coast, 298
Nov. 21, French decree issued at Berlin;
blackading the British isles, . . . 298
Aaron Burr tried for conspiracy and ac-
quitted, 298
June 22, Outrage committed upon the United
States' frigate Chesapeake, . . . 299
Nov. 11, British orders in council issued, . 299
Milan decree, 300
Dec. 22, American government lay an em-
bargo, ....... 300
March 4, Mr. Madison inaugurated, . . 300
Embargo repealed, and non-intercourse law
substituted, 300
Decree of Rambouillet issued, . . . 300
April, Arrangement with Mr. Erskine, . 300
May, Act of congress renewing the inter-
course with Great Britain and France
whenever either should repeal their de-
crees, ....... 301
French decrees repealed, . . . .301
May 16, Attack on the United States' frigate
President, . . . . • .301
Nov. 7, Battle of Tippecanoe (Harrison and
the Indian Prophet,) .... 302
Congress prepare for war with England, . 303
Secret mission of Great Britain to divide
the Union disclosed by John Henry, the
agent, ....... 303
April, embargo laid, 304
June 18, War declared againstGreat Britain, 304
June 23, Orders in council revoked, . . 317
June 26, America makes overtures for peace, 3 1 7
July 12, General Hull invades Canada, . 308
July 17, Mackinaw taken by the British, . 308
Aug. 9, Battle of Maguaga, (Miller and Te-
cumseh,) ...... 309
Aug. 15, Chicago abandoned ; the garrison
killed or taken by the Indians, . . 309
Aug. 16, Hull surrenders Detroit to the
British, 310
Aug. 19, United States' frigate Constitution
captures the British frigate Guerriere, . 311
Save-
reigns oj
England
o
O
o
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XXI
Sove-
reigns of
France.
Presi-
dents of
the U. S.
«H
>
125
§
>
M
^
m
O
S
t?j
>-
o
o
^
A.D.
1812.
1813.
1812.
1813.
Sept. 4, The savages are defeated at Fort
Harrison, ......
Sept. 7, The United States' frigate Essex
captures the British sloop of war Alert, .
Oct. 2, Hopkins' expedition against the
Kickapoos, ......
Oct. IS, United States' ship Wasp captures
the British ship Frolic, and both are
afterwards taken by the Poictiers,
Oct. 25, The frigate United States captures
the British Macedonian,
Unsuccessful attempt of General Smyth to
invade Canada, .....
Dec. 29, The United States' frigate Consti-
tution captures the Java,
Jan. 22, Battle and massacre of French-
town, (Winchester and Proctor,) .
The British destroy stores at Ogdensburg,
New York, .....
Feb. 23, The Hornet captures the British
sloop-of-war Peacock, ....
Delaware and Chesapeake bays blockaded,
March 4, Madison's second inauguration, .
April 10, Attack on Lewiston, Delaware, .
April 27, Americans take York, U. C. ;
General Pike killed, ....
May 1, Fort Meigs besieged, .
British ravage the coast of the Chesapeake,
May 27, Fort George surrenders to the
Americans, ......
May 28, Fort Erie surrenders to the Ameri-
cans, .......
The British are repulsed at Sackett's Harbor,
June 1, The United States' frigate Chesa-
peake captured by the Shannon,
British, under St. Vincent, take Generals
Winder and Chandler at Stony Creek, .
British attack Craney's Island,
June 24, Colonel Bcerstler's detachment
taken by the British army at Beaver
Dams, U. C.
Aug. 1, British repulsed by Croghan at Fort
Stephenson, .....
Aug. 14, United States' brig Argus taken by
the Pelican, .....
Aug. 30, Indian massacre at Fort Mims,
(Alabama,) ......
Sept. 4, The Enterprise captures the Brit-
ish ship Boxer
Sept. 10, Perry's victory on Lake Erie,
Page
314
Sove-
reigns OJ
England.
312
314
315
315
315
31C
320
323
328
327
320
327
324
321
o
o
M
1— 1
H- 1
327
324
324
324
329
325
327
325
322
329
330
329
325
xxu
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove-
reigns of
France.
a
go
2 P3
•is
■a
s o
S I— I
IS
g M
Presi-
dents of
the U. S.
C/2
o
AD.
1813.
1812.
1813.
1812.
1813.
1814.
((
((
(t
Page
Sept. 23, General Harrison takes possession
of Maiden,— Sept. 29, of Detroit, . . 326
Oct. 5, Battle of the Thames, (Harrison
and Proctor) ; Tecumseh killed, . . 326
Commodore Chauncey captures a British
flotilla on Lake Ontario, . . . 327
Nov. 7, Creeks defeated at Talladega, . 331
Nov. 11, Battle of Williamsburg, U. C. . 328
Nov. 29, Creeks defeated at Autossee, —
Dec. 23, at Eccanachaca, . . .331
Dec. 10, Fort George evacuated by the
Americans, and Newark burned, . . 328
Dec. 19, Fort Niagara taken by the British ;
they destroy the towns on the Niagara
frontier, 328
Feb. 21, Stores at Malone destroyed, . 334
Affair at La Colle, (General Wilkinson and
Major Hancock,) 334
March 28, United States' frigate Essex
taken by the British frigate Phebe, . 349
April 21, United States' ship Frolic cap-
tured by a British frigate, . , 349
July 3, Americans take Fort Erie, . . 336
July 5, Battle of Chippewa, . . . 337
July 11, Commodore Hardy makes a de-
scent upon the coast of Maine, . . 345
July 25, The battle of Bridgewater, . . 337
Aug. 4, The British besiege Fort Erie, . 340
Aug. 9, The British are repulsed from
Stonington, ...... 346
Aug. 15, The British are repulsed from
Fort Erie, 340
Aug. 24, The battle of Bladensburg ;
Washington entered and plundered by
the British, 344
Aug. 27, Alexandria capitulates to the Brit-
ish, 344
Sept. 11, British fleet on Lake Champlain
captured by the Americans, . . . 347
Sept. 11, The battle of Plattsburg, . . 347
Sept. 12, The British are defeated near
Baltimore, ...... 345
Sept. 13, The British are repulsed from
Fort M'Henry, 345
Sept. 17, Sortie from Fort Erie, in which
the British works are destroyed, . . 340
Nov. 7, General Jackson takes Pensacola, 353
Dec. 13, The British capture an American
flotilla on Lake Borgne, . . . 354
Dec. 15,Meetingof theHartfordConvention, 350
Sove-
reigns of
England.
o
O
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
XXIU
Sove-
Presi-
ret^s of
dents of
France.
the u. a.
3i
'-^'y^^
a>
<-
S
g"^
§
^S3^
H
C/)
<= ? c ?
o. 5 o
2
LEON
> from
The
ays-
(/}
a
o
?:l^
^
•-g M ~
s°"i
W B O "
E ° "^ oS
W 2 - -
z -■• —
>• >- > CE
■^ H —
M W
o
p
«-l
>
f^
2
O
M
c!
Cfi
)— 1
C/i
S
X
o
<
2;
t— (
SI
l-H
1— 1
o
•
H
A.D.
1814.
1815.
(1
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
Dec. 22, The British land below New Or-
leans. They repulse the Americans,
Jan. 8, The Battle of New Orleans,
Jan. 15, United States' frigate President
captured by a British fleet, .
Feb. 17, Treaty of peace with Great Britain,
Feb. 20, The United States' frigate Con-
stitution captures the Cyane and Levant,
Fort Bowyer surrenders to the British,
April 6, Massacre of the American prison-
ers at Dartmoor, England,
War with Algiers, ....
Sept. 6, Treaties with the Indians, .
A National Bank established by congress, .
Sept. Treaties with the Chickasaws, Choc-
taws, and Cherokees, ....
A new tariff is formed to encourage cotton
manufactures, .....
Colonization society formed,
Dec. Indiana admitted to the Union, .
Monroe's inauguration, ....
Indians cede their lands in Ohio to the U. S.
TheU. S. take possession of Amelia Island,
General Jackson takes possession of St.
Marks and Pensacola, ....
War with the Seminole Indians,
Illinois admitted to the Union, .
Treaties concluded with Great Britain and
Sweden, ......
Chickasaws cede their lands to the U. S. .
Alabama admitted to the Union,
Arkansas territory erected.
1§19.
" Cession of Florida, ....
" The legislature of New York pass an act
providing for the education of women, ._
1820. Maine becomes an independent state,
1821. Missouri admitted to the Union,
" Monroe's second inauguration.
Commercial treaty with France,
Depredations ofthe pirates in the West Indies,
Commodore Porter subdues them,
The government of the U. States recognizes
the independence of the South America
republics, ......
A new tariff formed, ....
Aug. 15, General Lafayette visits America,
and is received witli distinguished honors.
1822.
1823.
1824.
Page
354
355
357
356
357
356
357
357
358
358
358
359
359
358
359
359
360
362
361
362
362
362
362
362
363
363
Sove-
reigns of
England
366
366
366
367
367
367
368
369
369
Q
O
pi
O
Q
O
• JO
t—l
O
XX1\
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Sove- I Presi-
Ttigns of\ dents of
France, the U. S.
o
>
X:::
r^
r
K
w
H
s-
C n
• CO
- re 00
o
c
T)
Hh
I— I
I— I
z
o
to
o
o
3 Z
O
><
>
b
o
o
<
>
d
A. U.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1831.
1832.
1833.
a
1838,
1835,
1832
1835
1835
(1
1836
1835
1837
John Quincy Adams inaugurated,
Treaty with Colombia, ....
July 4, Deaths of Adams and Jefferson,
Morgan's abduction and great excitement
respecting free-masonry,
July 4, Death of James Monroe,
Tariff bill amended, woolens, &c. protected.
General Jackson's first inauguration,
Mr. Rives' treaty with France,
Cholera breaks out, ....
Black Hawk's war, ....
The Seminoles make a treaty with the U. S.
Nov. 19, A Convention at Columbia, S. C.
issue the nullification ordinance,
President Jackson's proclamation,
Jackson's second inauguration, .
May 20, Death of General Lafayette,
Removal of the government deposites from
the U. States Bank to the State Banks, .
The Chickasaws and Choctaws emigrate, .
The Cherokees consent to a removal,
Sept. Wisconsin made a territory, and Ar-
kansas admitted to the Union,
The president vetoes the bill for a renewal
of the bank charter, . . . .
Specie circular, .....
-7. Mania for land speculation, .
Major Dade, General Thompson, and
others, destroyed by the Indians,
Dec. 31, General Clinch's battle of the
Withlacoochee,
, Feb. 29, General Gaines' battle,
May, The Creeks make war upon the whites
. Great fire in New York,
. Michigan admitted to the Union,
March 4, Van Buren inaugurated.
Revulsion in business, and pecuniary distress,
May 10, The banks stop specie payments, .
Sove-
reigns of
England.
1838. Canadians revolt from the British govern-
ment, and are aided by Americans on the
frontier,
1841. March 4, Inauguration of ^yilliam Henry
Harrison,
" April 4, Death of president Harrison,
388
379
380
388
388
389
389
>
383
384
385
387
390
388
389
389
390
391
<
1— 1
O
392
393
o
>
HISTORY
OF THE
UNITED STATES,
OR,
REPUBLIC OF AMERICA.
PART FIRST.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I.
Name — First Peopling — Traditionary and probable Accounts.
The country of which our history treats, is that comprised chap. i.
within the extensive boundaries of the United States of »^^-v-«»»^
America.
This appellation we shall exchange as the convenience of
language may require, for that of the Republic of America,
or the simple name America. This single expression is the Name,
style assumed in the bill of rights, the first act of our country's
sovereignty ; and it forms the only part which is a proper
name of that used in every state paper promulgated since.
At home we are called Americans in contradistinction from
Canadians, Texians, and Mexicans ; and abroad, the public
functionaries of this nation alone are distinguished as Amer-
ican ambassadors. It is therefore concluded that the name
of this country is, and is to be, America.
Concerning the early inhabitants of the vast region to which ^^^^^ g^^_
this name, in its more limited extent, now applies, authentic age inhabit
history reaches no farther back than to its European discove- ^n'^.
ry and settlement. Some probable conjectures may however
be formed from the antiquities and traditions of the aborigines,
combined with the course of events upon the other continent,
as known from Holy Scripture or profane record.
Noah, the second father of the human family, emerged
from the terrors of the deluge in Western Asia. At Bhering's
Straits only, do the two continents approach, and the earliest Supposed
inhabitants found here by Europeans, bore a resemblance to to be from
the Tartars of Eastern Asia. Hence the conclusion, that ^j^™
America was peopled from that direction.
2 MIGRATION OF SUCCESSIVE RACES
CHAP. I But evidence exists, in the ruins of fortifications and in
anatomical and other relics dug from ancient mounds, that
another and more civilized race had preceded, and occupied
the basin of the Mississippi.
The same evidence, we are told, exists that Tartary has
once been the seat of a civilization, superior to that of its
present inhabitants. It would seem, then, that a race, which,
from their antiquities, may be compared with the ancient
Effvptians, left in early ages the primitive stock, wandered
east, crossed Bhering's Straits, and continued their migratory
course till they rest-ed on the broad vales of the Mississippi
and its tributary streams; but that ruder and fiercer tribes
^xpdle^rr ^^^ followed in their train, and expelled them from those
more ch-il- fertile regions. And since a people were found in the more
ized people southern climes of Mexico, Central America, and Peru,
"froniTliT whose crania, and works of art, resemble those discovered
same direc- here, it seems altogether probable, that to those countries,
*'°"' the earlier and more civilized race migrated; with the excep-
tion of the Natchez, and perhaps the ancestors of the Mo-
bilian race. This supposition is strengthened by the tradi-
tions of savage tribes found here by Europeans, and called
by them Indians, they liaving given to the whole country
the indefinite appellation of the West Indies.
The That extensive family of tribes found east of the Missis-
Algonquin gjppj^ which, according to tradhion, descended from the Lenni
anguage. ^^j^g^pg^ spoke, though in various dialects, one primitive lan-
guage, called by the French the Algonquin. Hence this terra
in nearly its whole extension, has been applied to that race,
which has since received, also, the name of Delawares.
The Indians possessed no books, or written manuscripts.
All their literature consisted of traditionary tales, and a few
war songs. According to these, the great nation of the Lenni
Lenape Lenape, once dwelling far to the west, moved eastward,
and and after travelling a great distance, arrived on the borders
Mengwe q|- jj^g Mississippi. Here they met with the Mengwe or Iro-
quois, another powerful people, who with similar objects had
also emigrated from a far distant western country, and had
reached the same river somewhat nearer its source.
The territory east of the Mississippi was inhabited by
the Allege wi, a powerful nation, who had many large cities,
and whose warriors, says the tradition, were of gigantic sta-
ture. The Lenape requested permission to settle in their
country, but were refused. Determined to force their w-ay,
subdue the they entered into an alliance with the Mengwe. The AUegevvi
Allegewi, fortified their towns, and made a brave resistance. :\Iany great
battles were fought, and the slain laid in heaps, and covered
with mounds of earth. The Allegewi, at length, totally over-
come, fled down the Mississippi, and never returned,
and divide The two victorious nations now divided the country be-
theterritoo'- tween them. The Iroquois took possession of that along the
FROM THE WEST TO THE EAST. .3
lakes, and the St. Lawrence, and extended themselves by chap. i.
degrees through the valleys of their tributary streams ; while ^-*-v^^-/
the Lenape sent forth some of their more enterprising hunts-
men, who crossed the mountains, and discovered noble streams
running to the south and east. These they traced to the At-
lantic, or Salt Water Lake. To the Delaware they gave the
name of Lenapehittuck, or the rapid river of the Lenape. Locations
Making this their centre of communication, they extended of t^ie
themselves to the Potomac, Susquehannah, and Hudson. ^nape.
In process of time, they divided into three tribes, the Turtle,
Turkey, and Wolf. The two former occupied the ground be-
tween the sea-coast and the mountains, while the Wolf or
Minsi tribe, held their council-lire at Minisink, about twenty-
five miles west of Newburgh on the Hudson. But when
those regio.ns became peopled by Europeans, the Delawares
gradually drew off towards the west, and about 1770 their
seat of empire was in the eastern parts of Ohio.
With these confederacies others were allied : as the Mohi-
canni or Mohegans, who spread themselves east of the Hud- Q^^^iet b
son, and those branches which extended to the southern and who styled
eastern shores of New England, who were all styled the grand- themselves
children of the original Lenape. This nation also extended c^ilS^ '
its tribes southerly, and gave rise to the powerful confedera-
cies which occupied the country bordering on the Chesa-
peake.
In the meantime the Mengwe, or Iroquoi". who at first
settled along the lakes, had extended their borders until they ij-oquois.
approached in many points near to the Lenape. They con-
quered a powerful nation called Hurons, Adarondacks, or Conquerfhe
Wyandots, which are the only people on the eastern coast, Hurons.
says the Indian tradition, who were not descendants of the
Mengwe and Lenape.
Disputes at length arose between the Delawares and Iro-
quois, and a war ensued, of which difierent accounts are giv-
en by the two nations. This singular fact appears in authen-
tic history, that the Delawares, though greatly respected and ^™'i"/''\^'
honored with the appellation of grandfather by many tribes, awarestobe
were yet, by their own acknowledgment, reduced, in regard the Women,
to making war, to the condition of women. The Iroquois '^•*' ''^^
^ . ^ nviv lire
boasted that their prowess had obliged the Delawares to as- serve peace.
sume this feminine state. But the Delawares gave a relation,
which seems more in accordance with the respect voluntarily
granted them, and the weight given to their counsels. GrieV'!-
ous wars, say they, had wasted both nations, and the Iroquois
sent them this message : " It is not profitable that all the
nations should be at war with each other, for this will at
length be the ruin of the whole Indian race. We have there-
fore considered a remedy. One nation shall be the woman.
We will all defend the woman. She shall make no war, but
she shall speak words of peace, to heal the disputes of those
TRADITION AND HISTORY COINCIDENT.
CHAP. I.
Delawares
consent.
Tamenend.
Coincidence
of tradition
and proba-
ble history.
1540.
Mobilian
tribes.
who are walking in foolish ways. The men shall then heai,
and obey the woman."
The Delawares consented ; a counsel followed, in which
the Iroquois declared in their ligurative style, " we dress you
in a woman's long habit, we give you oil, and medicines ; and
a plant of Indian corn, with a hoe. To your care we commit
the great belt of peace, and chain of friendship."
Perhaps we may refer to this period the date of that great
and good traditionary chieftain of the Delawares, who, under
the name of Tamenend, has had his festivals, even recently,
celebrated in " Tammany" Halls, with his emblem, the tail of
the buck, worn as a badge of party distinction.
Thus far we follow the traditions of the Indians. Like
those of other barbarous nations they probably contain a
mixture of error and truth ; yet there is a simplicity in the
story which favors its probability, and in its main features it
coincides, as we have seen, with the most probable hypothe-
sis concerning the first peopling of America : the Allegewi
being supposed a former, and more civilized race, who came
in early ages through Tartary, Bhering's Straits and the north-
ern part of this continent to the Mississippi and its waters ;
and the Lenape and Mengwe, those more barbarous hordes
who following in their train, dispossessed and drove them
south, probably to Mexico, Central America, and Peru.
This argument is strengthened by the discovery that the lan-
guages spoken throughout the country were traceable to three
primitive stocks, the Algonqum, Iroquois and Mobilian. A por-
tion of this earlier race may have rested on the vales of the
Mobile : for De Soto, m 1540, found there a people who
dwelt in cities, and who were more cultivated than the sur-
rounding savages. And while attempts to civilize the de-
scendants of the Lenape and Mengwe have been compara-
tively ineffectual, the Mobilian tribes have received Chris-
tianity and the elements of modern civilization. But our own
nation, which has imparted them, has done what the barbarian
Lenape failed to accomplish, expelled this earlier race from
the homes of their childhood, and from tlie cherished graves
of ancestors more remote perhaps than those of any people
east of the Mississippi. Nor are we entitled to assert with
confidence that the Algonquins might not have been Chris-
tianized, had the efforts of the apostle Elliot, and those, not
less devoted, of the Moravian missionaries, been properly
seconded, instead of having been rendered abortive, by cruel
treatment to the unoffending Indian converts.
Yet before the Indians are entitled to complain, they
must stop their own barbarous practices ; particularly that of
making war without declaring it.
ABORIGINES OF VIRGINIA. 6
CHAPTER II.
The Principal Indian Confederacies as found by European Discoverers.
The Leniii Lenape, Delawares, or Algonquins, claimed chap. ii.
to be the head of all the northern nations east of the Missis- v_*»^v"^^
sippi, except the Mengwe or Iroquois, since called the Five
Nations, and one other great family, at the head of which Al-^onquins
stood the Hurons or Wyandots. They were, it appears, that and
savage race, which our fathers found upon the shores of the ^'■°i^°'3-
Atlantic ; whose hospitality sometimes fed them, whose sub-
tlety and vindictive courage kept them long in continual alarm,
and more than once threatened them with extirpation.
The Indians earliest known to the Engrlish were those of '
Virginia. When the first effectual settlement of that colony
was made in 1607, the country from the sea-coast to the 1607.
mountains, and from the Potomac to the most southern waters
of James river, was occupied by more than forty different
tribes. Those on the lowlands between the sea-coast and the
falls of the rivers, formed one confederacy, and were attached Powhatans
to the Powhatan nation, as their bond of union. This con- °" ^^'^
federacy consisted of thirty tribes, and the whole number is th^james.
calculated at 8,000, of whom three tenths were warriors.
The territory over which they were spread contained 8000
square miles. Thus, in this region, which appears to have
been one of the most populous parts of the Indian territory,
there was only one person to every square mile. Powhatan '
was the great sachem of a confederacy which was kept to-
gether by the force of his genius, and which bore his name.
The seat of his hereditary dominions, called by the English
Nonesuch, was on the Powhatan, afterwards James river,
below the falls and near the beautiful spot where Richmond now
stands. This was the native land of Pochahontas, the most
distinguished woman of aboriginal America.
Soon after the settlement of Jamestown, the Indians, who
dwelt on the highlands, between the falls of the rivers and
the mountains, were divided into two confederacies, the .Their foes
Monahoacks, consisting of eight tribes, on the north, and the 'fed^Lfeg""
Monacans, of five, stretching southerly into Carolina. After-
wards, under the name of Tuscaroras, the latter removed
northerly and joined the Iroquois. These thirteen tribes were
combined against the Powhatans.
Not less prominent in the early history of our country, are
the five principal New England tribes. Of these, the first
known was that of the Wampanoags or Pokanokets, which Wampano
produced the two most remarkable savage chiefs of New ags
England, father and son; Massasoit, distinguished for wisdom
1*
6
ABORIGINES OP NEW ENGLAND.
CHAP. II.
their
country.
Seat of
their
sachems.
1614.
Hunt, who
commands a
vessel of
Captain
Smith's
squadron,
kidnaps
27 of the na-
tives.
Dermer re-
stores one.
1619.
Plague
among the
aborigines.
The Paw-
tuckets.
The Massa-
chusetts.
and goodness, and Metacom or Philip, for heroic valor.
Their subjects inhabited the country around Cape Cod,
stretching along the sea-coast and including Avhat is now the
southern part of Massachusetts, and the eastern part of
Rhode Island. Several tribes living upon the adjacent isl-
ands, and some others, Avhose long, uncouth names are sel-
dom met in history, were tributary to the grand sachem of
the Pokanokets. On the arrival of the English, this dignity
was held by Massasoit, whose residence, and afterwards that
of his son, was at Montaup, or Mount Hope, near Bristol
in Rhode Island.
In 1614 an English captain by the name of Hunt, touched
upon this coast, and wickedly kidnapped twenty-seven of
the unoffending inhabitants, carried them to Malaga, and sold
them as slaves. Some benevolent monks rescued a part
of them, and one of the number, Tisquantum went to Eng-
land, and was there kindly treated. The baseness of Hunt was
discovered and he was condemned and punished. Tisquan-
tum, after he had learned the English language, and become
attached to the people, was, by a captain Dermer, carried
back in 1619. The captain, in a letter, said that when he
first arrived at the native country of his savage, though he
travelled a day's journey, " he found all dead." Afterwards
he went to Pokanoket, where he was met by two kings, sup-
posed to have been Massasoit and his brother, with a guar-d
of fifty armed men. These, satisfied with what the savage
" discoursed unto them," gave to the captain " content in
whatsoever he desired."
The Pokanokets, with the other New England tribes, had
suffered a plague of unexampled mortality, probably the
yellow fever ; for we are told that its victims, both before
and after death, "were of the color of a yellow garment."
Not less than nine tenths of the inhabitants seem, in some
parts of the country, to have been destroyed ; divine Provi-
dence thus preparing the way, for another and more civilized
race.
Besides the Pokanokets, the other principal tribes of Ncav
England were the Pawtuckets, the Massachusetts, the Nar-
ragansetts and the Pequods.
The Pawtuckets made their principal seat upon the Merri-
mack, near its mouth, and extended themselves south until
they met the territories of the Massachusetts. Their num-
ber, as is supposed, was once 3,000 ; but the fatal epidemic
had reduced them to as many hundreds.
The Massachusetts were scattered about the bay which
bears their name. The word signified in their langaiage, a
hill in the form of an arrow. Their territories extended to
the Pawtuckets on the north, and the Pokanokets on the
south. The authority of their chief sachem was acknow-
ledged by several minor tribes, among which were the
ABORIGINES OF NEW ENGLAND.
Neponsetts, the Nashuas, and the Pocumtucks of Deerfield.
This nation also suffered by the fatal epidemic in an equal
or greater degree than the Pawtuckets. The principal per-
son of this confederacy, as found by the English, was
the squaw sachem or " Massachusetts Queen." She was
the widow of a powerful chief who died in 1619. The
royal residence, a wigwam on a platform, was visited in
1621 by a party of the pilgrims from Plymouth, and is sup-
posed to have been located on a hill in Milton. The good
soil, the fine harbors and the picturesque islands at their en-
trance, made the pilgrims regret that thev had not settled in
this territory, which now contains the capital of New England,
and the most beautifully cultured grounds in America.
The Narragansetts held their chief seat and the residence
of their grand sachem on the island of Canonicut, in the bay
which still bears their name. Westerly, they extended to
within four or five miles of the Paucatuck river, where their
territories met those of the Pequods. On the east they joined
the Pokanokets. By the epidemical disease their number of
warriors had been diminished from five to one thousand.
Their country was Avell adapted to the Indian mode of life.
Alternate woods and waters afforded plenty of game and fish,
and allowed them their favorite mode of travelling, by the
canoe. Possessing, in a greater degree than many of the
other tribes, the means of happiness, they appeared less fero-
cious in their character.
Their aged sachem Canonicus, the benefactor of Rhode
Island, was, in one respect, a personage of greater dignity than
any other among the savages, being the only Indian chief who
had any claims to a pedigree. His grandfather, it was said, not
being able to find equal matches for his only two children, a
son and a daughter, married them together. From this couple
sprung Canonicus, and also the father of the princely Mian-
tonomoh. The latter was the associate of Canonicus, and the
commander of his warriors.
The more barbarous Pequods occupied the eastern portion
of Connecticut, their lands meeting those of the Narragansetts.
The residence of their grand sachem, Sassacus, was on the
heights of Groton, near the river then called the Pequod,
since, the Thames. The Mohegans, under Uncas, whose
seat was where Norwich now stands, were subject to the
haughty chief of the Pequods ; but they bore his yoke with
impatience, and when he made war upon the whites, Uncas
took part against him.
The Indians of northern New England, under various
names— often preserved in those of rivers and lakes, had yet
the general appellation of Tarenteens or Abenakis. They
stretched along the coast of Maine, and extended into New-
Hampshire, and were peculiarly ruthless in character. Their
bloody night attacks were long the terror of New England,
CHAP. n.
1621.
Visited by
the pilgrims.
The Narra
s'ansetts.
Tlieirbeauti-
ful location.
Their great
sachem,
Canonicus.
Pequods.
Sa«:sacu3
Abenakis
8
ABORIGTXES OF NEW YORK AND THE SOUTH.
CHAP. II.
Pennicooks.
Iroquois
become the
Five Na-
tions.
Settle in
northern
New YoTk.
They
become the
most power-
ful of all the
savage
tribes.
Creeks,
Cherokees,
Natchez.
Shawanese.
Tecumseh.
particularly during their alliance with the French in Canada.
An\ong the tribes of New Hampsliire, the Pennicooks became
noted, from their grand sachem Passaconaway, who was held
in great fear on account of his supposed powers of sorcery.
The Iroquois, Mengwe or Mingoes, were fomid by their
earliest discoverers, the pioneers of the settlements in Canada,
inhabiting the shores of the St. Lawrence. At first thev ap-
pear to have been less warlike than the confederacy by which
they were surrounded, and by whom they were attacked.
These tribes were called by the various appellations of Hu-
rons, Wyandots, and Adarondacks. The Iroquois, pressed by
them, receded from the banks of the St. Lawrence, and di\a-
ding into five tribes, the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Onei-
das and Mohawks, they spread themselves by degrees east
of Lalce Erie, and south of Ontario, along the romantic waters
of northern New York, to which they have left their bold and
harmonious names.
Here they made a stand, and becoming the most fear-
less, subtle, and powerful of savages, they overcame the
Hurons, fought the Delawares, put in fear all the surrounding
tribes, and finally in the contests between France and England,
they were courted by both parties as allies, and dreaded by
both as foes. Of the Five Nations, the Mohawks were the
most warlike. Their chief seat was at Johnstown, on the
beautiful river which still bears their name. From this Region
they sent out their tribute gatherers far east, and south; and
when among the more peaceful Indians on the Connecticut
river, one or two of their old warriors appeared shouting, " we
are come to suck your blood I" there was a fearful cry,
" The Mohawks, the Mohawks !" and all fled, or submitted.
Of the southern Indians, the most extensive and powerful
confederacies were the Creeks, situated mostly in Georgia ;
the Cherokees in the mountainous region north and west; and
the Choctaws and Chickasaws, nearer to the Mississippi.
The Natchez have excited much interest on account of the
difference of their lancruage from that of the surrounding
tribes. Their chief was called " the Great Sun ;" and like
the Peruvians, they had fire which they regarded as sacred,
and perpetually watched. Natchez, on the Mississippi, marks
their location.
The Shawanese, the native tribe of Tecumseh, once re-
sided on the banks of the Suwaney river in Florida, and from
thence migrated northward, first to Pennsylvania, and after-
wards to Ohio.
PART I.
FROM 1492 TO 1643
PERI 0 D I
FROM
THE DISCOVERY OF
THE FIRST PATENT GRANTE
oY AN ENGLISH SOVEREIGN TO
1492 J
T O
oJl5T8.{
AMERICA BY COLUMBUS.
LANDS IN AMERICA — GIVEN BY Q.
ELIZABETH TO SIR H. GILBERT.
Supposec
right of
discovery.
CHAPTER I.
First Discovery — Columbus, &c.
We have now taken a brief view of the country as occu- PART.L
pied by its aboriginal proprietors. We are soon to behold it period l
usurped by the sovereigns' of Europe, from the mere circum- chap. i.
stance, that vessels sailing under their protection discovered it.
That human arrogance should ever have risen to such a
pitch, is astonishing. There is, however, a consoling reflec-
tion. The hand of a wise Providence is, in these events, clear-
ly discernible, overruling even the injustice of man to the ful-
fillment of its designs, for the progressive improvement of the
world. To this benevolent intent, it was doubtless necessary
that the western continent should, in the fullness of time, be
discovered and settled by a civilized people ; and these would
not have braved the dangers of the ocean, and the hardships
of a savage country, unless, from a previous belief, that they
had a right to the territory which they should discover and settle.
Many thousand years had elapsed since the creation of the
world, and the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere were yet j^t
ignorant, that, on the face of the planet which they inhabhed,
was another continent of nearly equal extent. Nor did they
become acquainted with this fact by any fortunate accident ;
but they owed its proof to the penetration ami persevering
efforts of a man, as e.^traordinary, as the discovery which
he made.
This was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, born
in 1437. In him were united a rare combmation of extraor-
dinary qualities. He possessed a teeming imagination, an
ardent courage, a glowing zeal, and all those energetic ofGolum'ju*.
impulses of the soul which lead to high acliievement ; and,
with these noble qualities, he combined judgment the most
grave and solid, prudence and patience the most steady and
unoffending, piety the most devout, and, what chiefly ensured
his success, the most untiring perseverance ever manifested by
man.
3
ew World
not
discovered
by accident.-
143T.
Birth and
raro falentu-
10 ' COLUMBUS.
PAHT I. Science was beginning to arouse from the long slumber of
PERIOD I. the middle ages. 'I'he magnetic needle had been invented, and
CHAP. I. the mariner no longer kept cautiously along the shore; but
^--'"v-""*-' trusting to this guide, he boldly steered his bark through
The spirit of trackless oceans, in search of unknown countries.
t le times. Columbus had married the daughter of one of the Portu-
guese discoverers, then deceased ; whose widow, finding with
what avidity her son-in-law sought such sources of informa-
tion, gave to him all the maps, charts, and nautical papers,
Columbus which had belonged to her husband. Marco Polo, a Venetian,
believes the had travelled to the east, and returned with glowing descrip-
earthis tions of Cathay and the island of Cipango, called, generally,
round, and , -r-, t t i i i /^i • n t ri^^
expects to the t,a.st Indies, and now known to be Lhma and Japan. 1 he
find the East rotundity of the earth was a fact admitted by a few of the
sailingVest learned, and fully believed by Columbus, on the evidence of
its figure, exhibited in eclipses of the moon. Hence, he be-
lieved that those rich countries, concerning which INlarco
Polo had inflamed his imagination, might be found by sailing
west; — and by a false estimate of their situation, he supposed
they would be reached by sailing one half the real distance.
Columbus believed that great advantages would accrue to
the nation who should patronize his undertaking ; and, with
Offers his filial respect, he first ofiered his services to his native state,
services lo ^^^^ j-^g^j ^^le mortification to find them rejected. He then ap-
sovereic^ns, plied successively, to John H. of Portugal; — through his brother
Bartholomew, to Henry Vll. of England ;— and personally to
Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. But none of
these monarchs manifested, at first, sufficient reach of thought
to comprehend his schemes, or generosity to encourage them.
At the court of Spain, he had spent two years in a succes-
sion of mortifying repulses ; and at length, quite discouraged,
They he was preparing to follow his brother to England, when he
^bv Isabella^ ^'^^ recalled by a mandate from Isabella. Of all the sove-
reigns of Europe, this woman was the only one whom he
conld move to friendship, and confidence in the success of
his plan ; and to the latest day of liis life, he regarded her as
the first and best of his friends.
Not knowitig how to raise the sum of money requisite for
Sneoffer* defraying the expenses of the voyage, the queen determined
her jewels, jq sacrifice her jewels ; but this was prevented by the extra-
ordinary exertions of her ministers.
, .^^ Columbus made his first vovage, the most interesting of anv
Columbus ^'^ ^^^^ annals of navigation, in 1492 ; and discovered the first
discovers the found land of the New World, on the eleventh of October.
New World, ji^ was an Island called by the natives Guanahani; but to
which he piously gave the name of San Salvador, the Holy
Saviour,
g , In his third voyage he discovered the continent on the coast
in chains, of South America, fourteen months after the Cabots had
1 reached its shores in the north-east. By the ingratitude of
HIS ILL-TREATMENT. DISCOVERIES OF OTHERS.
11
Ferdinand, he was, like a malefactor, sent home in chains,
from the world which his genius had given to the Spanish
Monarchy. Americus Vesputius, an ambitious Florentine,
having followed him in the career of discovery, received
from the public, an honor which belonged to Columbus, that of
giving a name to the continent. In 1502, the great discoverer
made his fourth and last voyage, whep having returned to
Spain, his patroness dead, his just claims disregarded, and
himself neglected, he sank beneath his sufferings, and died,
in the 69th year of his age His history affords one proof
among many, that the divine plan of retributive justice is not
fully carried out here, but is to be completed hereafter.
Other individuals now became desirous to share with Co-
lumbus the honor, and other nations to divide with Spain the
profit of the great discovery. Many attempts were made to
show that the country had been previously discovered. The
Welsh brought forward the story of Madoc, son of Owen
Gwyneth, who, in the twelfth century, had sailed west, dis-
covered a country, and afterwards conducted a colony thither,
which was heard of no more. If this story be true, there
exists no proof that the region found was America.
The Norwegians discovered Iceland and Greenland, during
die ninth century, and there established colonies. Biorn, or
Biron, an Icelander, in a voyage to Greenland, during the
eleventh century, was driven south-west in a storm, and found
a region which, from its great number of vines, he called
Vineland ; but here, also, proof fails, that the place found had
its locality on the American coast.
PART I.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. 11.
Unjustly
deprived of
the honor of
naming the
country.
He dies at
Valladolidin
Spain.
1506.
Twelfth
century.
Welsh
story of
Madoc.
Norwegian
claims on
account of
Vineland.
CHAPTER II,
English Discoveries — French.
The principal European nations who first discovered and
colonized our countrv, are,
I. The English,
II. The French,
III. The Spanish,
IV. The Dutch.
It was under the reign of the politic, though cruel Henry VII.
of England, that the shores of the United States were discov-
ered. The names of the Cabots, should be remembered by
American citizens, with that of Columbus ; for they equally
form connecting links between our history and that of Europe.
Jolm Cabot, a native of Venice, had, with his family, settled
in England. He and his renowned son, Sebastian, were men
of great learning, enterprise, and aliility. By a commission
of Henry VII., dated March 5th, 1496, (the oldest American
3*
John and
Sebastian
Cabot
1496.
Receive a
commission
from Henrv
VII. '
12
THE CABOTS. VERRAZAXI. C ARTIER.
PART I.
Cabot s
discover the
Continent.
1497.
Sebastian
Cabot the
supposed
discoverer of
our coast.
149§.
Francis I.
sends out
Verrazani.
1534.
His
description
of the natives
on the coast
of North
Carolina.
Visits the
harbor of
Newport.
1534.
James
Cartier
discovers
the gulf of St
Lawrence.
State paper of England,) they had authority to discover any
heathen countries not before known to Christians. They, de-
fraying the expenses of the voyage, Avere to possess these
countries as the king's lieutenants, paying him one-fifth of all
gains.
They sailed from England in May, 1497, and in June, dis-
covered the Island, of Newfoundland, which they called
Prima Yista. Steering northward, they made the first discov-
ery- of the continent, on the coast of Labrador, in latitude
about 55°. On their return they pursued a southerly direc-
tion to an uncertain distance.
Sebastian Cabot sailed a second time, — reached Labrador
in latitude 58°, thence turning southerly, he became the dis-
coverer of the coast of the United States ; along which, he
proceeded as far as to the southern latitude of Mar}"land. It
is much to be regretted that so few particulars remain on
record, of these two voyages, which form so fmidamental a
portion of our historj-.
Smitten by the common passion of the sovereigns of Eiirope,
for American discovery, Francis I. of France turned aside
alike from his elegant and his warlike pursuits, and one year
before his defeat at Pavia, he found for his service another
Italian discoverer. This was John Verrazani, a Florentine,
who reached the continent in the latitude of Wilmingtcai,
North Carolina. He then sailed fifty leagues south, biit find-
ing no convenient harbor, he returned and cast anchor ; being
the first Em-opean who had afforded the astonished natives
the spectacle of the v/hite race. They were received with
rude, but fearless hospitality. The color of the Indians, the
French compared to that of the Saracens. They looked with
wonder upon their wild costume, made of the skins of ani-
mals, and set off bv necklaces of coral and garlands of feath-
ers. As they again sailed northward along the coast, their
senses were regaled by the verdure of the forests, and the
perfume of the flowers which thev scented from the shores.
At a fine harbor, supposed to be that of Newport in Rhode
Island, Verrazani remained fifteen days, and there found "the
goodliest people he had seen." From thence he followed the
north-eastern shore of New England, finding the inhabitants
jealous and hostile. From the peninsula of Nova Scotia, he
returned to France, and wrote a narrative of his voyage, which
is the earliest original account of the coast of the United States.
James Cartier was, however, the mariner to whose discov-
eries the French trace the extensive empire which they pos-
sessed in North America. Cartier, after a prosperous voyage
of twenty- days, made Cape Bonavista, the most easterly point
of Newfoundland. Sailing around the north-eastern extrem-
ity of the island, he encountered severe weather and icy seas.
Then stretching to the south-Avest, he discovered, on St.
Lawrence's day, the noble gulf which bears the name of tha<
ROBERVAL. • -COLIGNI SENDS RIBAULT. 13
saint. In July, lie entered a bay which, from the heats of the PART I.
rapidly changing season, he named Des Chaleurs. Coasting period i.
thence to the small bay of Gaspe, he there landed and reared a chap. ii.
cross, upon which he hung a shield bearing the arms of France,
in token that the country was thenceforth a part of its domain.
Boisterous weather soon obliged him to return.
In 1535, he sailed on a second voyage; entered the gulf of i^oe
St. Lawrence, proceeded up the river, to which he gave the
same name, and anchored at an island, Avhich, abounding in Discovers
gfrapes, he named Bacchus Isle, now the Isle of Orleans. He St.
continued his voyage to the island of Hochelaga ; when mount- ^^T^''^'^''^
ing on an eminence where his spirit was gladdened by the
actual view of a beautiful region, he had before seen in vision,
he gave it the name of Mont Real. It was then the resort of
native tribes, whose language proved them to be Hurons.
He returned to isle Bacchus, built a fort, and there suffered Builds a fort
not only the unwonted rigors of winter, but the attacks of the °^ ^^^
scurvy, a terrible malady, to which many of his company fell
victims. He returned in the spring with dreary accounts of
the country, which, however, he named New France. It was
also called Canada, but at what time, or whether from any
significancy in the word, is not known.
France now possessed a country in the New World, through
which flowed a river, more majestic than any in Europe. To
hold sway over so extensive a region, though a wilderness,
seemed to Francis De La Roque, of Roberval, more honorable
than to govern a small and cultured domain in Picardy ; and The lord of
he obtained from the king full authority to rule, as viceroy, the Roberval
vast territory around the Bay and river of St. Lawrence. • ™^'^® r
y~t ■ "^ ,.-. •ii-,^,-,. 'Viceroy ot
Cartier was necessary to him, and received the title of chief N. France,
pilot and captain-general of the enterprise. The prisons were
thrown open to find persons willing to become their colonists.
Nothing good could be expected from such beginnings.
Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence, built a fort near the site ^^y-
of Quebec, and there spent a winter, in which he had occa- *^**'
sion to hang one of his company, put several in irons, and buildraTort
"whip divers — women as well as men." In the spring he near the site
took them back to France, just as Roberval arrived with of Quebec,
supplies and fresh emigrants. By him, however, nothing
permanent was effected ; and after a year, he abandoned his
viceroyalty, and, cured, at least for a time, of his inordinate
ambition, he returned to Picardy.
France was now approaching the terrible crisis of the mas-
sacre of St. Bartholomew. The feeble Charles IX. was the 1563.
nominal sovereign, while his perfidious mother, Catharine De Catharine de
Medicis, possessed the real authority. Coligni, the distin- p^,"^'^'
guished high admiral of the realm, was the friend of the ° '°^'
Huguenots, a name given to the French Protestants. These
were objects of hatred and fear to the monarchs ; and when a
project was formed by the admiral to plant with them a colony in
J4
THE HUGUENOTS GO FIRST TO S. C, THEN TO FLORIDA.
PART I.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. III.
Coligni
sends out a
colony of
French
Protestants
under
Ribault.
1564.
They
are carried to
England.
1566.
A second
French
colony
build fort
Carolina in
Florida.
America, it found ready favor. He therefore sent out, under
the command of John Ribault, distinguished as a brave and
pious protestant, two ships ladeawith conscientious Huguenots,
many of whom were of the best families in France. They
made land in the delightful clime of St. Augustine ; and on the
first of May discovered the St. John, which they called the
river of May. Sailing along the coast north-easterly, they at
length fixed on Port Royal entrance. There they built a
fort, and in honor of the king of France, called it Carolina, a
name which is preserved in the appellation of two of our
States. Ribault left there a colonv, and returned to France.
The commander of the fort provoked a mutiny, and was
slain. The colonists longed for home. They put to sea
without suitable provisions, and, forlorn and famisliing, were
found by a British vessel and carried to England.
The persevermg Coligni soon after sent out another colony
under Laudonniere, a seaman of worth and intelligence. Upon
the banks of the river of May, with psalms of thanksgiv-
ing, they made their dwelling-place and erected another fort,
called also Carolina. The next year Ribault arrived with
vessels containing emigrants and supplies ; and taking the
command, the colony seemed happily planted.
CHAPTER III.
Knowledge
diminishes
the
marvellous.
Ponce de
Leon seeks
the fountain
♦ of life.
1512.
discovers
Florida.
Spanish Discoveries — Adventures and Cruelties. — St. Augustine, the first
permanent settlement in the United States.
To bring together the discoveries of the same nation, we
go back fifty years in the order of time.
It is impossible at this day to conceive how much our
knowledge of the geography of the earth has diminished the
marvellous, so rife in the times of which we treat. Wonder-
ful discoveries were continually expected, for such had already
been made, and human hope is ever in advance of reality.
John Ponce de Leon, a Spanish soldier who had once
voyaged with Columbus, had received an impression common
in those times, that there existed in the New World a foun-
tain whose waters had power to arrest disease, and give
immortal youth. The aged Ponce set forth to seek it, and to
conquer a kingdom. He searched among the Bahama Islands,
then steered to the north-west. On Easter Sunday, called
by the Spaniards Pascua Florida, and a little north of the
latitude of St. Augustine, he discovered what he deemed a
land of flowers, so brilliant were the forest trees. The foun-
tain of life was not there ; but Ponce took possession of the
country in the name of the Spanish king, and called it Florida
DE AYLLON. NARVAEZ, BE SOTO. 15
The part of South Carolina in the vicinity of the Comba- PART I.
bee river, was soon after visited by a Spaniard, Vasquez De period, i.
Ayllon. The country was named Chicora, and the river, the chap. m.
Jordan. De Ayllon had two ships. He invited the natives ^--"v^**-^
to visit them, and while the unsuspecting throngs stood u^on
his deck, he hoisted sail, and in a moment they became mis- 1520.
erable slaves, torn from their families, and condemned to Wickedness
ceaseless toil. De Ayllon obtained afterwards a commission "^g iwiion^
to conquer the country, but the hostiUty of the natives could
not be overcome, and numbers of Spaniards perished in the
fruitless attempt.
By an unsuccessful effort of the Spaniards under the 152S.
adventurer Narvaez, to conquer Florida, and the adjoining
country, an army of three hundred Spanish, partly mounted Unsuccess-
cavaliers, wasted away till but four or five returned ; and jsTarvaez."
those not until after incredible wanderings and hardships.
They however insisted that Florida was the richest country
in the world ; and Ferdinand De Soto, already famous as the De Soto aids
companion of Pizarro, the cruel conqueror of Peru, and am- '" ^^^ ,
bitious to be in conquest equally great, listening to the marvel- peru.
lous tales of the wanderers, obtained a commission from
Charles V. to conquer Florida at his own cost. His reputa-
tion gave him followers,- and with high hopes he sailed to Cuba,
of which he had been made governor ; and there adding to 1539.
his armament, he landed in 1539 at Espirito Santo in Florida, „,^^."'^* "? ,
.,.,',,,. ^ ,, r londa with
With SIX hundred soldiers ; an army greater and better ap- qqq men.
pointed than that with which Cortez conquered Mexico. He
expected to find mines and cities of gold ; and being from time
to time deluded by the natives, he pursued these shadows,
which ever fled as he approached. He went north, crossed
the Alleghany mountains, then marched southerly to Mobile,
where he fought a bloody battle with the people of a walled
city containing several thousand inhabitants. At Pensacola
he met ships from Cuba, with supplies for his exhausted army ;
and too proud to be wise, he still pursued a phantom, rather
than retrace a false step.
The hope of the precious metals still lured him on, and he April 25th,
now bent his course to the north-west, and in latitude 34° dis- **'*■';•
covered the majestic Mississippi. He continued west until t^e
he reached the VVachita, when, becoming at length dispirited, Mississippi.
he turned homewards his course, descended that stream to its
jtmction with the Red river, and thence down its current ;
and where the Red mingles its waters with the Mississippi, iV^o*
there he died ; and his body, inclosed in a hollow oak, was ^^ j^gg*
committed to the broad stream, from the discovery of which
he derives his unenviable fame.
The officer who succeeded him in command, conducted n„ „. c
, . ^ , , ,-,..'.. , Remnant of
the poor remains ol the army down the Mississippi, seek- his army go
ing a place, where, no lunger jjurpeliully watched by con- "' Cuba.
16
HUGUENOTS MASSACRED ST. AUGUSTIXE FOUNDED.
PART I.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. III.
The cruel
Melendez
sent from
Spain.
Sept. 8,
1565.
He founds
St.
Augustine.
Sept. 21,
He destroys
fort Carolina
and 900
Huguenots.
August 22,
1567.
The
massacre
avenged by
the chevalier
Gouges.
First colony
within the
U S.
cealed savage foes, he might once more " sleep out his full
sleep."
When the news reached Spain that Florida had been coloni-
zed by I'rench Huguenots, Philip II. found in Pedro Melendez
de Aviles a fit agent of his own bigoted spirit; and he gave him
the double commission to take possession of that country, and
to destroy the heretics. JNIore than five hundred persons
accompanied Melendez, among whom were men with their
families, soldiers, mechanics and priests. Coming upon the
coast south of the settlement, he discovered the harbor of St.
Augustine on the day of that saint ; and here was now laid
the foundation of the city of that name, the oldest by more
than forty years, of any within the limits of our republic.
The French had received from Melendez the terrible notice,
that he had come to destroy every person who was not a
catholic. Ribault, supposing that the Spaniards would make
the attack by sea, embarked to meet them. A tremen-
dous storm drove him from his track, and shipwrecked his
whole fleet. The Spaniards, meantime, crossed the forest
and attacked by land. Unprepared and surprised, the defense-
less fort soon surrendered; when cruel bigotry performed her
murderous work upon all, — without distinction of age or sex.
The shipwrecked mariners were afterwards found, feeble and
exhausted upon the shore. Melendez invited them to come
to him and trust to his compassion ; they came — and he slew
them '
When the news of this massacre crossed the Atlantic, a cry
of vengeance reached the French monarch, for the blood of
nine hundred of his slaughtered subjects, but it was unheeded.
That a government which seven years afterwards executed,
on St. Bartholomew's day, the most horrible of massacres,
should have omitted to notice this base destruction of those
whom they wished to annihilate, is not surprising. Yet so
deep was the feeling among the people of France, that three
years afterwards, individuals headed by the gallant chevalier
Gouges, made a descent on the settlement of Florida, and put
to death two hundred Spaniards.
The Spanish colony was thus checked, but it was not
destroyeu ; and it proved to be the first permanent settlemeuJ
made by Europeans upon the shores of our republic.
PERIOD II.
FROM
PiTENT GRANTED BY QUEEN ELIZ- I 157§, j ABETH TO SIR H. GILiJEET.
TO
LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS | 1630. j AT NEW PLYMOaTU.
CHAPTER I.
Unsuccessful attempts of Gilbert, Raleigh, and others.
The history of English colonization in America begins
with two remarkable men, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and his
brother-in-law, Sir Walter Raleigh. The English monarchy
claiming the country, in Adrtue of the discovery of Sebastian
Cabot, Queen Elizabeth, the reigning sovereign, gave to Sir
Humphrey Gilbert, in 1578, by an open or patent letter, " all
such remote, heathen, and barbarous lands," as he should
discover in North America, and of which he should take pos-
session ; these lands not having been before occupied by any
other Christian power. She vested in him and his heirs the
full right of property in the soil, and also the complete right
of jurisdiction over those countries, and the seas adjoinincr
them ; declaring that all who should settle there should enjov
the privileges of free citizens and natives of England : and
finally, she prohibited all persons from attempting to settle
withm two hundred leagues of any place which Sir Humphrey,
or his associates, should have occupied for the space of six
years. For these privileges, the patentee was to acknowledge
the authority of the crown of England as supreme ; and pay
to the sovereign one fifth of all the gold and silver which
shoidd be obtained from these countries.
In the first attempt made by Gilbert to plant a colony, he
put to sea, but was obliged to return. In the second, he reached
St. John's, in Newfoundland, where he took possession of the
country for his sovereign, by raising a pillar inscribed with the
British arms. He next sought means to secure to the Eno^-
lish the fisheries on the banks, which were now so valuable
as to be contested by different European nations. From
thence he sailed south-westerly, till he reached the latitude of
the mouth of the Kennebec. Here the largest of his three
vessels struck, and all her crew perished. Gilbert now find-
ing it impossible to proceed, set his face towards England,
keeping in the smallest of his remaining vessels, a barge of
only ten tons ; for his generous heart refused to put any to a
PART I. _
TERiOD U.
CHAP. I.
1578.
Queen
Elizabeth's
patent to
Gilbert.
1579
to
15§3.
Gilbert's two
voyages.
18
GILBERT S DEATH. — RALEIGH S EFFORTS.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. I
His disasters
and death.
15§3.
Sept. 22.
15§-4.
Raleigh
obtains a
patent.
He sends
Amidas and
Barlow.
PART r. peril he was himself unwilling to share. The passage was
stormv, but his pious mind found comfort in the reflection
which, as he sat reading in the stern of his barge, he uttered to
his companions in the larger vessel; "we are as near heaven
at sea, as on land ;" and he might have added in the words of
that book which was doubtless in his hand, "Ye shall seek
me in the morning but I shall not be ;" for in the night the
lights of his little bark suddenly vanished, and he was heard
of no more.
The bold and energetic Raleigh, who had in France been
a pupil of Coligni, pursued with unabated ardor the great
career, in which Gilbert had wasted his fortune, and lost his
life. From his courtly demeanor, and brilliant genius. Sir
Walter had made himself a favorite with the stately Queen ;
and he readily gained from her a patent, with privileges no
less ample than those which she had granted to his brother.
Raleioh had learned from the unsuccessful emigrants of
France, the superior mildness and fertility of the south ; and
thilher he dispatched two vessels, under Philip Amidas, and
Arthur Barlow. They approached the shore at Pamlico
Sound, and according to their florid descriptions, were regaled
with "the delicate smell of the flowers" far off at sea; and
on landing in Ocracok or Roanoke Island, they found the
o-rapes so abundant on the coast, that the siurges of the sea
often washed over them.
The natives were as kindly as their climate and soil. The
kino's son, Granganimo, came with fifty of his people, and re-
ceived them with distinguished courtesy. He invited them to
his dwellino- at twenty miles distance on the coast; but wlion
they went, it chanced he was not at home. His wife came out
to meet them, and with a hospitality which no instance of
civilized life can surpass, she ordered some of her people to
draw their boat ashore to preserve it, and others to bring the
Englishmen on their backs through the surf. Then conduct-
ingher guests to her home, she had a fire kindled, that they
might dry their clothes, which w^ere wet with rain ; while in
another room she spread a plentiful repast of fish, venison,
esculent roots, melons and fruits. As they were eating, sev-
eral Indians, armed with bows and arrows, entered. She
chid them, and sent them away, lest her visiters should suffer
from alarm.
When the navigators returned to England, and made to
Elizabeth their report of this delightful region, she was indu-
ced to give it the name of Virginia, as a memorial that the
happy discovery had been made under a Virgin queen. The
name soon became general throughout the coast.
Raleigh now found many adventurers ready to embark in
gg-^g^^g^pj. his project ; and in 1585, he fitted out a squadron of seven
under ships, under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, who fol-
GrenviUe. lowed the course, of Amidas and Barlow, and touched at the
Beautiful
example of
native
hospitality.
Queen
Elizabeth
names
Virginia.
RALEIGH S ATTEMPTS UNSUCCESSFUL.
19
same islands ; in one of which he cruelly burned a village,
because he suspected an Indian of having stolen a silver cup.
He then left a colony under Captain Lane, at the island of
Roanoke. The colonists, reduced to gr\iat distress for want
of provisions, the next year were carried to England by Sir
Francis Drake, who was returning from a successful expedi-
tion against the Spaniards in the West Indies.
Soon after their departure, they were sought by a ship
which had been sent by Raleigh with supplies, and afterwards
by Sir Richard Grenville. He not finding them, most un-
wisely left fifteen of his crew to keep possession of the island,
and then returned to England. Of this small number nothinji
was afterwards heard. Probably they were destroyed by the
injured and revengeful savages. .
In 1587, Raleigh again sent out a colony of one hundred
and fifty adventurers to the same island, under Captain White,
who, remaining but one month, returned to England to solicit
supplies for the colony. Before he departed, his daughter,
Mrs. Dare, gave birth to a female infant, the first child of Eng-
lish parents born in America. The infant was baptized by the
name of Virginia.
The attempts made by Raleigh for the relief of this colony
were unremitted, but unsuccessful ; for at this time the Span-
Armada threatened to overwhelm England itself; and
ee years elapsed before he could procure the means of
sending Captain White to their relief. It was then too late.
Not one remained ; nor, though repeatedly sought, has any
clue to their fate ever been found. Appalled and in danger of
perishing himself. White returned, without leaving one Eng-
lish settler on the shores of America.
In consequence of the unfortunate issue of these attempts,
Raleigh was easily induced to assign his right of property,
together with all the privileges contained in his patent, to a
company of merchants in London. This company, satisfied
with a paltry traffic with the natives, made no attempt to take
possession of the country.
In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold, with thirty-two men, sailed
from Falmouth, and steering due west, he was the first Eng-
lish commander who reached the country by this shorter and
more direct course. He approached the coast near Nahant,
but failing to find a good harbor, he bore to tlie south, discov-
ered and gave name to Cape Cod, which was the first ground
in New England ever trod by Enelishmen. Thence sailing
round Nantucket, he discovered gind named Martha's Vineyard,
entered Buzzard's Bay, and finding a fertile island, he gave it,
m honor of the Queen, the name of Elizabeth. Near its
western shore, on an islet in a lake, he built a fort and store-
house, and prepared to leave there a small colony. But the
natives became hostile, and his intended settlers would not
remain. Having freighted his vessel, mostly with sassafras
PART I.
PERIOD n
CHAP. I
Colony at
Roanoke
under Lane
Fifteen men
lost.
15§T.
2d Roanoke
colony.
Virginia
Dare, first
English
child.
Raleigh's
lost colony.
1589.
Raleigh
transfers his
patent to the
London
Company.
1602.
Gosnold
visits the
New
England
coast.
Natives
hostile
20
PLYMOUTH AND LONDON COMPANIES.
PART I.
root, then much esteemed in pharmacy, he hoisted sail and
PERIOD IL reached England with all his men, alter a passage of five
weeks, the shortest then known.
France, wasted by the wars of the league, had now for fifty
years neglected her claims to territory on the western conti-
nent. At length the commanding genius of Henry IV. awoke
to feel the importance of the subject^ and in 1603, by letters
patent, he granted to the Sieur de Monts, the country called
Acadia, extending from the 40th to the 46th degree of North
latitude, with the sole jurisdiction. The next year De Monts
sailed from France, taking Samuel Champlain as his pilot ;
and having doubled Cape Sable, he entered an extensive bay,
Champlain ^|^jg]^ tjjey called La Baye Francaise, (Bay of Fundy,) and on
Royal, i. e. whose eastern side, he founded Port Royal. Proceeding to ex-
amine this bay, they discovered and named the rivers St. John
and St. Croix, and sailed along the coast as far as Cape Cod.
The English becoming alarmed at this encroachment on
territory which they claimed, James I., the successor of Eliz-
abeth, divided that portion of North America which lies be-
tween the 34th and 45th degree of North latitude into two
CHAP. I.
Henry IV.
of France
grants
Acadia.
De Monts
accompa-
nied by
Annapolis.
1606.
London
Company,
and
Plymouth
Company.
Establish
ment of the districts nearly equal ; granting the southern part, or first
colony of Virginia, included between the 34th and 41st degrees,
to a company of merchants called the London Company ; and
the northern or second colony of Virginia, included belween
the 38th and 45th degrees, to another corporation, called the
Plymouth Company. The king authorized these companies
to make setdements, provided they were not within one hun-
dred miles of each other, and vested them with a right of land
along the coast, fifty miles each way, and extending into the
interior one hundred miles from the place of settlement.
The London and Plymouth companies prepared to take
possession of the lands which had been assigned to them.
The first vessel fitted out by the Plymouth Company, in 1606,
The "^^^^ taken by the Spaniards. In 1607 they sent out Admiral
Plymouth Raleigh Gilbert, with a hundred planters, under Capt. George
company Popham, their president. They landed at the mouth of Ken-
settlement\t nebec river, where they built and fortified a storehouse ; but
Kennebec, in two or three months, the ships returned to England, leaving
only forty-five men. The sufierings of the Sagadahoc colony,
under Capt. Popham, were, through the winter, very severe.
They lost their storehouse by fire, and their president by
death, and the next year returned to England, considering the
country " a cold, barren, mountainous desert," where, in the
quaint language of that peripd, they declared, "they found
nothing but extreme extremities." This was the first and
only attempt to settle this part of the country, till 1620.
Thus, after a period of one hundred and ten years, from the
time that Cabot discovered North America, and twenty-four
years after Raleigh planted the first colony, there was not, in
1607, an Englishman settled in America.
FIRST EFFECTUAL ENGLISH SETTLEMENT.
21
CHAPTER 11.
First settlement of Virginia.
Ix 1G07, the London Company sent out Captain Christopher
Newport, with three ships and one hundred and five men,
among whom was the navigator, Gosnold, and Captain John
Smith, the Father of Virginia. He was already celebrated
for his daring and chivalrous exploits, to which he was led by
the love of adventure, and of glory; and by a desire to serve
both God and man. In boyhood he fought for freedom in
Holland ; and thence travelled over France, Egypt and Italy.
In Hungary he bravely met the Turks in battle, and was pro-
moted to command. In presence of the ladies particularly,
he ever showed himself a brave knight, and was often con-
queror in single combats. He was repeatedly taken prisoner,
and already, both in Turkey and in Russia, had been rescued
from destruction by female beneA'olence.
The fleet sailed by the West Indies, and being driven,
north of Roanoke by a storm, an accidental discovery was
thus made of the entrance of the Chesapeake bay, the boun-
daries of which were now named Capes Charles and Henry,
in honor of the king's sons.
Stretching at once into the noble bay, the adventurers sailed
up the Powhatan river, to Avhich they gave the name of the
James, and upon its banks, fifty miles from its mouth, they fixed
their residence, and raised a few huts. The place was called
Jamestown, an appellation which it still retains ; and though
it has never risen to wealth or distinction, and is nowonlvdis-
cernible by a few falling ruins, still it was the first of the Eng-
lish settlements in the Xew World ; and hence has all the
honor among the American states, that antiquity can confer.
The colony was under charter government, the instru-
ment having been drawn up by the pedantic James himself.
It did not give to the proprietors the power to govern the
people who should settle the country, but the right of juris-
diction was reserved to the king. To the colonies no assur-
ance was given, but the vague promise, that they should
continue to be Englishmen. Religion was established by law,
arcording to the forms and doctrines of the church of England.
There was, for the present, no division of property ; and, for
five years, all labor was to be for the benefit of the joii-rt stock.
The government was to be administered by a council nom-
inated by the king, but to reside in the colony. As soon as
the emigrants landed, the king's commission, according to his
direction, was -pened; the council was organized, and a
governor elected. They chose Edward Wingfield, their
PART I.
PERIOD, n.
CHAP. II.
1607.
Captain
Sinitii.
Chesapeake
bay discov-
ered.
Settlement
at James-
town. May
13th.
Bad form ol
government.
Wingfield
President.
22
CAPTAIN SMITH S MENTAL RESOURCES.
PART r.
Succeeded
by Smith.
Aug. 22.
Death of
Gosnold.
Smith sets
out to ex-
plore.
1607-§.
P jwhatan.
jidians cap-
ture Smith.
Avorst man ; while Smith, their best, was, from en^y, to be ex-
cluded even from a seat iu the council, although he was one
whom the kmg had nominated. Gathering misfortunes how-
ever, and the kindly influence of their good clerg}-man, Robert
Hunt, reversed this sentence: and made the colonists slad to
submit to the man, whose talents and zeal for the settlement
marked him as their natural head.
The neighboring Indians soon annoyed the colony by their
petty hostilities. Their provisions failed, and the scanty al-
lowance to which they were reduced, as well as the influence
of a climate to which they were not accustomed, gave rise
to disease, so that the number of the colonists rapidly dimin-
ished. Sometimes four or five died in a day, and there was
not enough of the well to give decent burial to the dead.
Fifty perished before winter, among whom was the excellent
Gosnold. The energy and cheerful activity of Smith threw
the only light which glanced upon the dark picture. He so
managed as to awe the natives, and at the same time to con-
ciliate and obtain from them supplies of food; while, among the
emigrants, he encouraged the faint-hearted, and put in fear the
rebellious.
Winter at length came, and with it, relief from diseases of
climate, and plentiful supplies of wild fowl and game.
The London company, with an ignorance of geogi'aphy,
which even then was surprising, had given directions that
some of the streams flowing from the north-west should be
followed up in order to find a passage to the South Sea.
Smith was superior to the company in intelligence, but he
knew the duties of a subordinate, and he therefore prepared
to explore the head waters of the Chickahominy, Avhich an-
swered as nearly as possible to their description.
Powhatan, the chief or emperor of the savage confederacy
inhabiting or wandering aboi!t the waters of the James and its
tributaries, had been visited by the colonists early after their
arrival. His imperial residence consisted of twelve wig-
wams near the site of Richmond. Next to him in power was
his brother, Opechacanough, who was chief of the Pamunkies
on the Chickahominy. Smith embarked in a barge on that
river, and Avhen he had ascended as far as possible in this
manner, he left it, with the order that his party should not
land till his return ; and with four attendants he pursued
his objects twenty miles farther up the river. The Indians
had vv^atched his movements, and when the men left in the
barge, disobeying his order, had landed, they fell upon
them, took them prisoners, and obliged them to discover the
track of their captain. He, in pursuit of game, soon found
himself hunted by swarms of savage archers. In this ex-
tremity he bound to his breast, as a shield, an Indian youth
who was with him; and then shot three Indians, wounded
others, and kept the whole party at bay. Attempting to re-
INDIAN CHARACTER AND CUSTOMS. POCHAHONTAS.
23
treat to his canoe while yet watching his foe, suddenly he
sank to his middle in an oozy creek. The savages dared not
even then touch him, till, perishing with cold, he laid down
his arms and surrendered.
They carried him to a fire, near which some of his men had
been killed. By his Indian guide and interpreter he then called
for their chief. Opechacanough appeared, and Smith politely
presented to him his pocket compass. The Indians were con-
founded at the motions of the dy-needle, which, on account
of the mysterious glass, they could see, but could not touch-
He told them wonderful stories of its virtues, and proceeded,
as he himself relates, " by the globe-like figure of that jewel,
to instruct them, concerning the roundness of the earth, and
how the sun did chase the night round about the world con-
tinually," by which his auditors were tilled with profound
amazement.
■ Their minds seemed to labor with the greatness of the
thougiil, that a being so superior was in their power ; and
they vacillated in their opinion whether or not it was best to
put him to death ; and as often changed their conduct. They
took him to Powhatan, thence led him round from one wonder-
ing tribe to another, until, at the residence of Opechacanough,
these superstitious dwellers of the forest employed their sor-
cerers or powov\'s for three days to practice incantations, in
order to learn, from the invisible world, whether their pris-
oner wished them well or ill.
The decision of his fate was finally referred to Powhatan.
At his residence that majestic savage received him in state,
but he condemned him to die. His warriors were around,
and his women sitting near him. All were painted with
gaudy colors and adorned with feathers. The queen of Apa-
mattuck brought the captive water to wash in, and another
Indian queen, feathers to serve as a towel. Others gave
him food, as for a feast. Then two stones were brought and
laid before the chief, and two savages stood with uplifted
war-clubs. Smith was dragged to the spot, and his head
placed upon the stones. Pochahontas, his daughter, of ten-
der age, rushed forward, and with cries and tears begged of
Powhatan to spare him. He refused. The devoted girl then
ran and knelt beside the victim, and laid her young head upon
his. Then the stern savage relented, and Smith was saved.
Smith having now learned much of the Indians, their coun-
try, modes of warfare, dispositions and language; and having
also by his great address and honoralde bearing, won their
affection and confidence, his captivity proved, under divine
Providence, a means of establishing the colony. During
his absence, however, there had been disorder and misrule ;
and when he returned to Jamestown he found only thirty-
eight persons remaining. The spirits of the people were
broken ; and all, filled with despondency, were anxious to
PART I.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. II
His af{drta».
His treat-
ment by the
savages.
His rescue
by Pocha-
iiontas.
160§.
State of th«
colony
24 COLONY DISCOURAGED. LON. CO. SEND OUT A SQUADRON.
PART 1. leave a country so inhospitable. He prevailed upon them,
PERIOD II. however, partly by force and partly by persuasion, to remain
CHAP. III. till the next year, when Newport arriving from England
^----v'*.^ with some supplies and one hundred and twenty emigrants,
hope again revived. •
1608. During the year 1608, Captain Smith explored the Chesa-
peake bay to its head, discovered its fine streams, and gained
Smith ex- new information concerning the native productions and in-
plores the habitants of the country. In an excursion which he made up
Chesap°/ak'e! the Rappahannock, he had a skirmish with the Mannahoacks,
a tribe descended from the Delawares, and took prisoner a
brother of one of their chiefs. From him he first heard of
the Iroquois, who, the Indian told him, " dwelt on a great
water to the north, had a great many boats, and so many men
that they waged war with all the rest of the world."
Immediately on his return he was chosen president of the
council. He" found the recent emigrants "goldsmiths and
gentlemen." But he promptly gave them their choice, to
His decision labor for six hoiu-s a dav, or have nothing to eat. He repre-
and wisdom, ggj^te J to the council in England that they should send labor-
ers ; that the search of gold should be abandoned, and that
" nothing should be expected except by labor."
CHAPTER III.
Early Settlement of Virginia— continued.
The London Company had gi-adually become enlarged by
accessions of men of influence, some of whom were of the
nobility and gentry. Without at all consulting the wishes,
New foi-m of ^^^]^ aoainst the interests of the colony, they now obtained a
government. ^^^^ charter, by which they were to hold the lands in fee,
and all the powers of government formerly reserved to tlie
crown were hereafter to vest in the company. The council
in England, chosen by the stockholders, Avas to appoint
a govenior, wko was to "rule the colonists with absolute sway.
The company now collected five hundred adventurers, many
of whom were men of desperate fortunes and abandoned
characters. Thev appointed as governor for life the excellent
Lord Dela- Lord Delaware, and freighted with the emigrants nine ships,
ware. of which Capt. Newport was to take the command. As Lord
Delaware was not ready to embark with the fleet, the ad-
miral, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, were
empowered to govern the colony untU his arrival. Newport
took into his own ship Gates and Somers. Arriving at the
Bermudas, a terrible storm separated the fleet. The admiral's
vessel was stranded on the rocky shores of Bermuda, a small
SMTTH LEAVES VIRGINIA. DISTRESS OF THE COLONY. 25
ketch perished, and onlv seven of the vessels reached James- 'P^'^'RT I- .
town. ' PERIOD n.
Smith now found himself without authority ; and the three chap. iii.
persons who alone possessed it, were perhaps in the depths ^--'-v-^^
of the ocean. His genius, however, sustained him, and he x609.
compelled to submission the disorderly gallants who had just
■ arrived.
Pocahontas repeatedly saved the life of Smith, and pre-
served this earliest English settlement from destruction. In
the various fortunes of the colony, she was its unchanging
friend, often coming with her attendants to bring baskets of
provisions in times of scarcity, and sometimes giving notice
of hostile designs. On one occasion, when Captain Smith,
with a considerable escort, had visited her father, and was to
be feasted, she came privately, and told him that a great num-
ber of Indians Avould be sent to bring in his food, and would,
if possible, such was the plot, murder him and his company Generous -
at table, with their own arms. Otherwise it was intended ^evotion of
, .,, ' . , . , r-. ■ 1 1-1 • rocahontas^-.
to kill them in the night. Smith was penetrated with grati-
tude, that she had again saved him, and wished to give her
some testimonial. She turned away with tears^ saying it
would but betray her, and she was suspected already.
At length, a calamity deprived the colony of its father. An
accidental explosion of gunpowder so injured Smith, that no
medical skill there, was adequate to the treatment of his case ;
and delegating his authority to George Percy, brother to the Smithleares
Earl of Northumberland, he returned to England. After his Virginia,
departure, all subordination and industry ceased among the
colonists. The Indians, ever on the watch, harassed them
with hostilities, and withheld their customary supplies. Their '^^'^^d'^"^"
stores were soon exhausted. The domestic animals, which distress.
had been sent to breed in the country, were taken and de-
voured : and, in the extremity of their distress, they even
perpetrated, in two histances, the act of feeding on human
flesh. Smith left four hundred and ninety persons. In six
months, anarchy and vice had reduced the number to sixty,
and those so feeble and forlorn, that in ten days more they
must all have perished.
In the meantime Sir Thomas Gates and his companions,
who had been wrecked on the rocks of Bermuda, had found
there the means to construct a vessel ; and now approaching
Jamestown, they anticipated a happy meeting with their
friends. How were their hearts smitten as they beheld
the meagre spectres of famine and death which met them.
They were obliged to yield to the universal cry, desert the ^,^P^J^J^''^
settlement and re-embark with the whole colony. They de-
parted in the morning, and falling down the stream with the j^j^g^
tide, they descry, at evening, near the river's mouth, three 1610.
ships ; and Lord Delaware, their paternal governor, arrives, "s return
supplies their wants, and turns their hearts to the pious and
4
26 POCAHONTAS HER CAPTIVITY HER MARRIAGE,
PART. I. consoling thought that God had delivered them. And then
PERIOD n. this residue returned, a chastened and a better people. Thus
CHAP. III. Providence prevented a dissolute band from becoming the
_^>-v-"^ founders of our first settled state ; and gave a better seed.
The colony again became comparatively flourishing, but in
March, 1611, the governor's health unfortunately declined,
and he was obliged to leave the country. On the departure
1611. of Lord Delaware, Percy Avas again at the head of the ad-
May 10. ministration, until the arrival of Sir Thomas Dale, in May.
^elrhves* ^^^^ ^^'^ received from the company, power to rule with mar-
tial law, which he exercised, but with such moderation, that
good order and industry prevailed. The state of the colony,
however, was not flourishing, and Dale immediately wrote to
England for aid. In less than four months, Sir Thomas Gates
arrived, with six ships and three hundred emigrants.
After Captain Smith's departure. Captain Argall, at the
head of a foraging party, learned that Pocahontas wis for a
season whh the family of Japazaws, the chief of the Poto-
macs. Him, Argall bribed, with a kettle of shining copper, to
betray the Indian princess, whom for interested motives he
wished to make prisoner. Japazaws concerted with his wife,
that she should appear to be seized with an invincible desire
to -visit Argall's vessel lying in the river. He was to affect
anger, and threaten, but at length so far to relent, as to en-
Pocahontas gage to take her to the vessel, if her friend Pocahontas would
is made accompany her. The plot succeeded, and thus the English,
wisoner. ^^^ ^^^ goodness of her heart, ensnared and made prisoner their
benefactress.
When she was taken to Jamestown, an unceremonious
message was sent to Powhatan, that he must ransom her with
certain men and articles, which he was accused with haA-ing
taken. To this the dignified old chieftain made no reply for
three months. In the meantime an English youth of the
1613 colony, John Rolfe, wooed the Indian maiden, and obtained
She marries her consent to marriage. All were pleased, and the connex
Rolfe. JQp proved a bond of union during the life of Powhatan.
Pocahontas received Christian baptism under the name of
Rebecca ; after which she went with her husband to England,
161b. ^yhgre special attention was paid her bv the king and queen, at
Baptism 01 . .r /.o.-i oii ii "' ijll jj
■Pocahonias. the instigation of Smith. She had been told that he was dead,
and when he came to see her she turned away, and for a time
could not or would not speak. He kindly soothed her, and at
length she addressed him as her father, and endearingly re-
called the scenes of their early acquaintance. Having given
birth to a son. she was about to return, when she sickened
and died, at the age of twenty-two. Her son surnved and
reared an oflTspring, which being perpetuated in some of the
best families of Virginia, they boast their descent from one
who ranks high, not merely on the roll of savages and of
women, but of humanity itself.
THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
27
In 1617, Captain Argall was made acting governor of
Virginia. Lord Delaware ha^ang attempted to reach the
settlement, died on the passage. Argall governed with so
much rigor as to excite universal discontent, and the first com-
plaint of mal-administration ever sent to England, was by a
man whom he had unjustly condemned. Not only did he
play the tyrant over the colonists, but he who had not hesi-
tated to make Pocahontas prisoner for the advantage of the
company, did not now scruple to cheat them for his own.
The rumor of his oppressions made emigration unpopular.
By the influence of the good Sir Edwin Sandys, the benevo-
lent Yeardly was sent over to take his place.
The same year, Governor Yeardly called the first general
assembly which was held in Virginia, consisting of represen-
tatives, chosen from among the people, who were to act con-
jointly with the governor and council appointed by the com-
pany, in all matters of importance. The colonists, who, till
then, had been nothing more than the servants of the company,
were thus raised to the distinction and privileges of freemen.
In this assembly, which met at Jamestown, eleven boroughs
were each represented by two burgesses. For this cheering
dawn of civil liberty, the colonists expressed to the company
" the greatest possible thanks," and forthwith " fell to build-
ing houses and planting corn."
In order to attach the colonists more entirely to their new
settlements, about this time there was sent out, by the advice
of Sandys, a considerable number of young women of humble
birth, but of unexceptionable character, who were sold to the
young planters as wives. The price was at first one hundred,
and afterwards, one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco. To
fail of discharging debts so incurred, was esteemed particu-
larly dishonorable.
About this time were introduced also into the colony, by
order of King James, many idle and dissolute persons, then
in custody for their offences. They were dispersed through
the colony, and employed as laborers.
A Dutch ship from Africa arriving at Jamestown, a part of
her cargo of negroes was purchased by the colony. This is
the commencement of negro slavery in the United States.
PART I.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. IV.
1617.
Argall's con-
duct.
1619.
The first
general as-
sembly in
Virginia.
Young
women sent
as wives.
1620. '
Convicts
sent to the
colony.
Slavery
commences.
CHAPTER IV.
Discovery of the Hudson. — Smith and Argall at the North.
In 1609, occurred the discovery of the Hudson river, which 1609
has proved the finest for navigation of any in republican Amer-
ica ; and under circumstances which, giving to two nations
4*
28 HENRY HUDSON. CHAMPLAIN FOUNDS QUEBEC.
PART I. claims to its waters, and their adjoining country, became
PERIOD II. the occasion of subsequent wars. Henry Hudson, the dis-
CHAP. IV. coverer, was an Englishman by birth, but was in the service
of the Dutch East India Company. The next year, the Dutch
sent ships to this river, to open a trade with the natives, but
the Court of England disowned their claim to the country.
The Dutch, however, followed up their good fortune, and
soon erected forts Orange and Manhattan, near the sites of
Albany and New York.
160§. In 1608, Champlain, under De Monts, conducted a colony
founds^Que- ^^ America, and founded Quebec. Wishing to secure the
bee. friendship of the adjacent natives, he consented, the next
year, to accompany them on an expedition against the Iro-
1609. quois, with whom they were at war. They entered upon the
L^Jf^Ch"^^ lake which now bears, in honor of its discoverer, the name
plain. of Champlain, and traversed it until they approached its junc-
tion with Lake St. Sacrament, now Lake George. Here, in
the vicinity of Ticonderoga, a bloody engagement took place,
in which Champlain and his allies were victorious.
The Plymouth Company, after the Sagadahoc settlement
was relinquished, attempted nothing further for some time,
except a few fishing voyages to Cape Cod, or a small traffic
with the natives for oil and peltry. At length Captain Smith,
after his return from Virginia, being desirous to explore the
north-eastern coast, engaged himself as a partner, with four
other private adventurers, who fitted out a trading squadron of
1614. two ships. Smith sailed in the largest, and the other
-,^'""^.'". was commanded by Captain Hunt, before mentioned. He,
° ' while Smith was exploring the coast, made a descent upon
the country of the Pokanokets, and kidnapped more than
twenty of the subjects of Massasoit. Smith accurately exam-
ined the shore, with its bays and rivers, from the mouth of
the Penobscot to Cape Cod, and having drawn a map, he laid
it, on his return, before Prince Charles, with a hint, that so
beautiful and excellent a country deserved to bear an honora-
ble name. The Prince listened to his suggestion, and de-
clared that it should thereafter be called New England.
The French having established themselves within the lim-
Arsall sub- its of the northern colony of Virginia, Captain Argall was
(lues the sent from Jamestown to dispossess them. He destroyed Port
^"'^Dutch"'^ Royal, and all the French settlements in Acadia. On his
return he visited the Dutch at Manhattan, and demanded pos-
session of the country, in the name of the British sovereign.
The Dutch traders made no scruple to acknowledge the
supremacy of King James, and, under him, that of the gov-
ernor of Virginia. i
PERIOD III.
FROM
THE LANDING | 1620 j OF THE PILGRIMS,
T O
THE COMMENCEMENT OF ) - « « •> 5 ''^' ^HE UNION OF THE
THE CONFEDERACY, J XO*«5. ^ ^^.^ ENGLAND COLONIES.
CHAPTER I.
Ancient Civilization — Christianity — Puritanism— Robinson and his Church.
PART T
We have now arrived at a period in our history, when the — ^
Pilgrim Fathers of New England, moved by religious devotion, period hi
and sustained by Pro^ddence, planted themselves upon the ^^^^- '■
desert shores of Massachusetts. v-^-n<^^^
At a period when ancient civilization had attained its full
growth, Christianity arose, and introduced a moral element ^.ncient
wholly at variance with its principles. For while the Empe- civilization,
ror of Rome, its head, was dwelling in splendid palaces,
commanding armies, avenging himself of his foes, and extend-
ing his bloody conquests over the unofl'ending, Immanuel, .
with the moral glory of divine, but suflering virtue, made his
advent in a manger, and his exit on a cross.
As long as the followers of Christ were a persecuted and
afflicted band, they preserved his religion in its purity. But Christianity
when an attempt was made to blend the heavenly with the
human principle, — and the Roman Constantino placed Chris-
tianity upon an earthly throne, then its primeval lustre became
obscured. After this period, ancient civilization was broken
up. The barbarians of Sarmatia and Scandinavia came 2d, 3d, and
down upon the Roman empire, wrested it from its masters, and 4th
rent it into fragments. National authority was annihilated, centuries,
and, in the anarchy that prevailed, brute force, the lowest of
all appeals, stood chief umpire.
Then arose forms of political power, which, though bad, -p^e feudal
were yet improvements. The chieftain who had an organized system.
band, perpetuated his military arrangements. He gave out
his conquered lands to his great captains, and they dinded
them into lesser portions, to their own retainers. But all held
, . . . ^ ,. . r -T • rpi The dark
their territories, on condition oi military service. 1 iius cen- ^ges, from
tral and southern Europe was owned by chiefs, whose power, the 4th cen
nay, whose very existence, depended upon a state of war ; '"^gj^ ^^^
and the blood of the people dyed the earth, as those steel-clad
giants of the dark ages strode over its surface, crushing
whatever came in their way.
The course of this feudal tjianny was arrested by another,
30 HENRY VIII. EDWARD VI. MARY.
PART I. which, injurious as it became, yet did service in its day. This
PERIOD III. was popery, which carried human authority to an extent
CHAP. I. akogether unexampled ; for it assumed the power of God.
^^t^sr^**^ and demri'iried the full obedience of the mental and moral, as
well as the physical man. Secret, efficient, and unscrupu
lous in its measures, it awed to submission the proud and the
Popery, violent ; and the comparative calm of despotism succeeded
to the depopulating storm of anarchy.
Profiting by repose and leisure, the monks now sought out
The the remnants of ancient literature ; and men soon began to
fn th™'l5tr examine the position which they occupied in the natural, the
and 16th moral, and the political world. Light broke in upon the dark-
centuries, j^ggg of ages. The discovery of the magnetic needle led the
way to that of new continents ; and the invention of printing
to the Reformation.
, It had, however, little influence in England, until the
rogre^so ^^-^^^ ^j- j^gj^j-y Yin.^ the monarch under whom Sebastian
reformation Cabot discovered our coast. He made a righteous oppo-
in England, ^[^[q^ ^q t}^g supremacy of the Pope, but from the unright-
eous motive, that he might be divorced from a virtuous wife,
to wed another, more young and beautiful. The Pope refused
1 niA ^^ grant him his wish ; and he, after keeping Europe in a broil
Henry VIII. for several years, declared the English Church to be inde-
nead of the pendent of Rome, and himself its head ; thus becoming a
^F^lf^ T lesser pope in his own dominions. But the minds of his sub-
° ' jects had received an impulse. Free inquiry was at work on
the continent. Tyndal and Coverdale translated the Bible into
English, and in spite of the tyrant, the Reformation was making
1553. progress. As soon as his death relieved the realm, and under
Edward VI. his young son, Edward VI., the English church, as it now
English exists, took its form. Its liturgy was completed ; having been
Liturg>-. compiled by some of the purest and best of the reformers.
Unhappily Edward's reign was short ; and Mary, his sue-
I^ er- cessor, was full of bitter prejudices against Protestantism, re-
secutes the garding it as the author of her mother's miseries, and her
protestants q^^ early degradation. She idolized her bigoted and cruel
Eno-iisli husband, Philip II. of Spain; and thus she naturally became
churches, a bloody persecutor. The protestants fled on all hands ; and
at Geneva with Calvin, at Zurich, at Frankfort, and in Hol-
land, they strengthened their faith by the use of the printed
scriptures, by the free worship of God, and by communion
Puritans -^^^ kindred spirits among men.
divide from ™, ., i ^ /• , .• tii- i.
the English The exiled protestants were of two parties. 1 he one be-
Church. lieved that the English reformers, having rejected all of Ro-
manism that was meretricous, had returned to primitive Chris-
tianity. Another party, who were called Puritans, believed
1556. j^jj^j ^YiQ church of England had stopped short in the Reforma-
Deathof jjqj^ ^^^ | fj remains of popery; such as the priests' vesi,-
Mary, and ' ... rr.^? .,,-'^1 j
accessior of ments, the ring m marriage, sponsors in baptism, and sundry
Elizabeth, uncommanded ceremonies. At Frankfort the two parties had
ELIZABETH. INTOLERANCE AND PERSECUTION. 31
a public quarrel ; and when the death of Mary allowed the PART L
English protestants to return to their country, they brought period hi
home the contention. chap. i.
Elizabeth was friendly to popery, but she found on her <^^^w^>^
accession, that her people were, in the mass, protestants ; and
hence she chose that form of protestantism which she could
bring the nearest to papacy ; she being herself head of the Arbitrary
church. Her obsequious parliament by several acts declared EUzabeth.
her supremacy, enjoined under severe penalties strict con-
formity to all rites and ceremonies of the English Church ; Obsequious-
and finally they created a new ecclesiastical tribunal, to try "^^^^ °[. ^^^
oflenses against these and other arbitrary acts, with powers authorities,
as much at variance with the natural rights of man as those
of the Spanish Inquisition. This was denominated the Court
of High Commission.
Examples show the spirit of the times. Before this in-
quisitorial tribunal was brought, on one occasion, Robert Haw-
kins, who, with about twenty others, men and women, had
been found guilty of meeting to worship secretly, contrary to
the law against " private assemblies," and had been dragged
to prison by the sherifl*. Bishop Grindall, who presided, dis-
liked the work of persecution, to which dependence on the J^°'',^.'^
1111- 11 1 ■ 1 Hawkins
Queen compelled him, and he sought to convmce the com- and Bishop
pany of the error of their opposition ; while he bore with Grindall.
great patience the unmannerly plainness with which the
puritans were in the habit of reproving persons in power,
calling it "the right of prophecying." "You should not," "^"^^P^^'
said the bishop, " trouble the state about such matters as the spirit
surplices and ceremonies. In these indifferent things, you °^ ^^^
should quietly obey the civil power, and submit yourselves to
the prince. They are not commanded as Jiecessary in the
church." "You," said Hawkins, " have made them necessary,
as many a poor man doth feel." He was himself imprisoned
two years ; and it was this tyrannical assumption of making
iadiiierent things necessary, which the puritans resisted, often
to the death.
Nor was this all. Others held that in church affairs it was
as absolutely sinful to go farther than the word of God war-
ranted, as to stop short of all which it required. Those were separatisu
opposed to uniting in any degree with the church of England,
and hence were called Separatists.
Although the puritans had not yet arrived at an enlightened
religious toleration, yet they struck out its principles. In 1564, 1564.
Sampson and Humphrey, two eminent non-conforming min- .
isters, explicitly plead, before the Court of High Commission, piead°*
the rights of conscience. " Because," say they, " these religious
thins:;s do not seem so to you, you are not to be condemned by toleration,
us, and because they do not seem so to us, we are not to be
condemned by you."
Bui the Puritans were condemned. The clergy by hun-
32
SUFFERINGS OF ROBINSON AND HIS CHURCH.
PART I. dreds, to the loss of their places ; the laity with them to
PERIOD III. fljies, imprisonment and mutilation, to loss of coimtry, and
CHAP. II. of life.
CHAPTER II.
1592
John Robin-
son and his
congrega-
tion.
1607.
Attempt to
leave
England for
HoUand.
160§.
Second
attempt.
Distress of
the Puritan
women.
Robinson and his Church remove to Holland.
In 1592, a law was passed requiring all persons to attend
the established worship, under penalty of banishment, and if
they returned, of death. Among those who could not con-
scientiously comply with these exactions, were John Robin-
son and his congregation, of the sect of Separatists, in the
north of England.
To enjoy their religion, the pastor and his whole flock de-
termined to exile themselves to Holland. But this was a
difficult undertaking. Once they embarked with their fam-
ilies and goods at Boston, in Lincolnshire. But the treach-
erous captain had plotted with English officers, who came
on board the vessel, took their effects, searched the persons
of the whole company for money, and then, in presejice of a
gazing multitude, led them on shore and to' prison. They
were soon released, except seven of the principal men, who
were detained and brought to trial, but at leng^th freed.
Again they bargained with a Dutch ship-master at Hull,
who was to take them in, from a common hard by. At the
time appointed, the women and children sailed to the place of
rendezvous in a small bark, and the men came by land. The
bark had grounded ; but the Dutch captain sent his boat and
took the men from the strand. But the authorities of Hull
had in the meantime got notice ; and the Dutch commander, at
the sight of a large armed company, having a fair wind, with
oaths " hoisted anchor and away ;" though the pilgrims even
wept, thus to leave their wives and children. Behold these
desolate women, the mothers of a future nation, their hus-
bands forcibly carried off to sea, while on land an armed
multitude are approaching ! They are taken, and dragged
from one magistrate to another, while their children, cold and
hungry and affrighted, are weeping and clinging around them.
But their piteous condition and Christian demeanor, softened,
at length, the hearts of their persecutors, and even gained
friends to their cause.
The men, in the meantime, encountered one of the most
terrific sea-storms ever known, continuing fourteen days, du-
ring seven of which they saw neither sun, moon, or stars.
At length they all arrived in Holland. They settled at first
in Amsterdam. They did not, however, find cause to be satis-
CHARACTER OF THE PILGRIMS. 33
fied, and they removed to Leyden. Here, by hard labor and PART I.
frugal honesty, they lived highly respected ; but after a few period ui.
years they experienced evils which made them think of chap. ii.
another removal. Not only were their own toils constant and ^-^"\'-^->'
severe, but they were obliged to employ their children, so
that these were necessarily deprived of education. And the Reasons for
health of the yoimg often fell a sacrifice to the length of '"^Ho'iulnd!"*
time and confined positions in which they labored. Some
died, and some became deformed. Their morals also were
likely to suffer from the habitual profanation of the sabbath,
which they must necessarily witness, and especially from con-
tact with a disbanded soldiery, at this time residing at Ley-
den. . The Pilgrims had heard of America, and in its wil-
derness they beUeved they might serve God immolested, and
found a church, where not only the oppressed in England,
but unborn generations, might enjoy a pure worship.
The Dutch wished them to colonize under their govern-
ment. But they loved their country, though she had shaken
them from her lap ; and they sent agents to England, to procure,
by the influence of Sir Edwin Sandys, a patent under the Vir-
ginia Company.
For the encouragement of this company, almost disheart-
ened by the repeated failures at Chesapeake Bay, Robinson,
and Brewster, the ruling elder of his church, wrote to Sir
Edwin, sho\\ing, in five particulars, the ditierence of their
motives, their circumstances and characters, from those of Substance
other adventurers. 1 . " We verily believe the Lord is with us, of » ^»ei; to
to whose service we have given ourselves, and that he will Sandys,
graciously prosper our endeavors, according to the simplicity showing the
of our hearts therein. 2. We are all well weaned from the t^'i^e'pTKinil!
delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to a strange
and hard land, where we have learned patience. 3. The
people are as industrious and frugal as any in the world.
4. We are knit together in a sacred bond of the Lord,
whereof Ave make great conscience, holding ourselves tied
to all care of each other's good, and of the whole by every, and
so mutual. 5. It is not with us as with other men, whom small
discontentments can discourage, and cause to wish themselves
at home again. We have nothing to hope for from England
or Holland, and our lives are drawing towards their period."
By the aid of Sandys, the petitioners obtained the patent.
But they needed money. To provide this, their agents formed Business
a stock company, jointly, with some men of business in Lon- contract
don, of whom Mr. Thomas Weston was the principal ; they ^jJle^cCts?
to furnish the capital, the emigrants to pledge their labor for
seven years, at ten pounds per man ; and the profits of the
enterprise, all houses, lands, gardens, and fields, to be dinded
at the end of that time among the stockholders, according to
their respective shares. August 3d.
They then prepared two small vessels, the May-Flower 1620.
34
PILGRIMS LEAVE HOLLAND. — ARRIVE AT CAPE COD.
The parting
at Delft-
Haven.
Leave
Holland.
July 2L
Their
leading men.
PART I. and the Speedwell ; but these would hold only a part of the
PERIOD m. company, and it was decided that the younger and more ac-
CHAP. II. tive shoidd go, while the older, among whom was the pastor,
v-^-v-^-^ should remain. If they were successful, they were to send for
those behind ; if unsuccessful, to return, though poor, to them.
Previous to their separation, this memorable church wor-
shipped together for the last time, on an appointed day, when
1620. they humbled themselves by fasting, and "sought of the
Lord a right way for themselves and their children." When
they must no longer tarry, their brethren accompanied them
from Leyden to the shore at Delft-Haven. Here the ven-
erable pastor knelt with his flock upon the ground ; and the
wanderers, while tears llowed down their cheeks, heard for
the last time, his beloved voice in exhortation and in prayer
for them. " But they knew they were Pilgrims, and lifted
up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted
their spirits." From Delft-Haven they sailed to Southamp-
ton ill Ensfland.
Among the leaders of the party was Elder Brewster, who at
this time was tifty-six, but sound in body, as in spirit. Of the
seven who were taken at Boston, it was Brewster who was
most severely dealt with. John Carver was near his age,
beloved and trusted, as he was good and wise. William Brad-
ford, was strong, bold, and enduring ; but withal, a njeek and
prudent Christian. Next these, in honor, superior in native
endowments, as in estate and family descent, was Edward
Winslow. He was at this time twenty-six Bradford was
thirty-two. AUerton and Hopkins were also leading men.
?kliles Standish had been an officer in an army, sent by Eliza-
beth to aid the Dutch against the Spaniards ; and he, as was
the case with A\'inslow, falling in with Robinson's people,
about three years before their removal from Holland, accom-
panied them to America.
Alter remaining in Southampton a fortnight, the Pilgrims put to
sea. But misfortunes befalling, they returned, left the Speedwell,
and finally, to the number of one hundred, they set sail from
Plymouth, in the solitary May-Flower. On the 6th of Sep-
tember, they took their last, sad look of their native shore.
After a stormy and perilous passage, they made land, on the 9th
of November, at Cape. Cod. The mouth of the Hudson had
been selected as the place of their settlement, and they accord-
ingly steered southerly ; but soon falling in with dangerous
breakers, and all, especially the Avomen, being impatient to leave
the ship, they determined to return and settle on or near the
Cape. The next day they turned the point of that singular
projection, and entered the harbor now called Proviricetown.
They fell on their knees to thank the kind Power Avho had
preserved them amidst so many dangers, and then " they did,"
says Cotton Mather, " as the light of nature itself directed
them, immediately, in the harbor sign an instrument as the
Sept. 6.
Final
departure
from
England.
Arrival off
Cape Cod.
Nov. 9th.
Political
compact
signed in the
cabin of the
May Flower.
POLITICAL COMPACT. EXPOSURES AND EXERTIONS. 35
foundation of their future and needful government ;" solemnly PART I.
combining themselves in a civil body politic, to enact all such period in.
ordinances, and frame all such constitutions and offices, as chap. ii.
from time to time should be thought most meet and convenient ^--""v-^^
for the general good; all which they bound themselves to obey. 1620.
This simple, but august compact, was the first of a series Importance
by which the fetters of a vast system of political oppression adon to^lfe
have been broken. Upon some parts of the old continent rights of
that system still remains ; building upon the fiction, that sove- "*'"^-
reigns own the world and its inhabitants, having derived
all from God ; and that the people are to have only such a
measure of personal freedom, and such possessions as kings
may choose to bestow. Here was assumed for the first time
the grand principle of a voluntary confederacy of independent
men ; instituting government, for the good, not of the gov-
ernors, but of the governed.
There were the same number of persons on board the May- ^ . j ■,
Flower as had left England ; but one, a servant, had died, and of the
one, a male child. Peregrine White, was born on the passage. Pilgrims.
Carver was immediately chosen governor, and Standish captain.
No comfortable home, or smiling friends, awaited the Pil- *^ijev
grims. They who went on shore waded through the cold surf go on shore.
to a homeless desert. But a place to settle must be found,
and no time was to be lost. The shallop unfortunately needed
repairs, and in the meantime a party set out to make discov-
eries by land. They found " a little corn, and many graves ;" Shallop
and in a second excursion they encountered the chilling 'excursions
blasts of a November snow storm, Avhich laid in some the made,
foundation of mortal disease. The country was wooded,
and tolerably stocked with game.
When the shallop was finished, Carver, Bradford and Wins- p^*'' ^'^^]-
low, with a party of eighteen, manned the feeble bark, and the shallop,
set forth. Steering along the western shore of Cape Cod,
they made, in three days, the inner circuit of the bay. " It
was," says one of the number, " very cold ; for the water
froze our clothes, and made them many times like coats of
iron." They landed occasionally to explore ; and at night,
inclosed with only a slight barricade of boughs, they stretched
themselves upon the hard ground. On the second morning,
as their devotions closed, they received a shower of Indian Attacked by
arrows ; when, sallying out, they discharged their guns, and fndians.^*
the savages fled. Again they offered prayers with thanks- Dec 8.
giving ; and proceeding on their way, their shallop was
nearly wrecked by a wintry storm of terrible violence. Af- Stormy
ter unspeakable dangers, they sheltered themselves under the the 9th, land
lee of a small island, where, amidst darkness and rain, they on Clark's
land, and with difficulty make a fire. In the morning they inland.
find themselves at the entrance of a harbor. The next day
was the Sabbath. They rested, and kept it holy, though all
that was dear tr them depended on their promptness.
36
THE LANDING AT PLYMOUTH.
PART I.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. III.
Dec. 14th.
Pilgrims
land on
Plymouth
rocL
Dec. 25th,
begin to
build.
The pilgrims
suffer much,
but repine
not.
April 5th.
1621.
The next day, a day ever to be observed in the annals of
New England, the Pilgrims landed on the rock of Plymouth.
Finding the harbor good, springs abundant, and the land prom-
ising for tillage, they decided to settle here, and named the
place from that which they last left in England. In a few
days they brought the May-Flower to the harbor ; and on
the 25th of December they began building, having first di-
vided the whole company into nineteen families, and assigned
them contiguous lots, of size according to that of the family,
about eight feet front and fifty deep to each person. Each
man was to build his own house. Besides this, the company
were to make a building of twenty feet square, as a common
receptacle. This was soonest completed, but was unfortu-
nately destroyed by fire.
Their huts went up but slowly, for though their hearts were
strong, yet their hands had grown feeble, through fatigue,
hardship and scanty fare ; and many were wasting with con-
sumptions. Daily some yielded to sickness, and daily some
sunk to the grave. Before spring, half of their number,
among whom were the governor and his wife, lay buried on the
shore. Yet they never repined, or repented of the step they
had taken ; and when, on the 5th of April, the May-Flower
left them, not one so much as spoke of returning to England ;
but they rather confessed the continual mercies of a " won-
der-working Providence," which had carried them through so
many dangers, and was making them the honored instruments
of so great a work.
CHAPTER III.
March 16.
Visits of
Samoset,
and
Massasoit.
The Savages — Massasoit's Alliance — Winslow's Visit to the Pokanokets
The removal of the savages by the plague, before the ai-
rival of the Pilgrims was regarded as a special interposition
of Providence in their favor. They had as yet seen but few of
the natives, and those hostile, when Samoset, an Indian, who
had learned a little English at Penobscot, boldly entered their
villao-e, with a cheerful " Welcome Englishmen." He soon
came again, with four others, among whom was Tisquantum,
who had spread favorable reports of the English among his
countrymen, and was afterwards of great service as an inter-
preter. They gave notice that Massasoit, the sachem of the
Pokanokets, was hard by. Appearing on a hill, with a body
of attendants, armed, and painted whh gaudy colors, the chief
desired that some one should be sent to confer with him.
Edward Winslow, famed for the sweetness of his disposi-
tion and behavior, as well as for talents, courage, and
Ijrims en-
WINSLOW'S EMBASSY. 37
efficiency, was wisely chosen. Captain Standish found PART I.
means, (for neither civil or military organization had been neg- period m.
lect.ed,) to make a martial show, with drums and trumpets, chap. m.
which gave the savages wonderful delight.
The sachem, on coming into the village, was so well pleased pj^^^
with the attentions paid him, that he acknowledged the au- ter'into alii-
thority of the king of England, and entered into an alliance, ^"^^ ^'?'^
offensive and defensive, with the colonists, which remained
inviolate for more than fifty years.
In July, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins went on ■'^^^■'^•
an embassy to jAIassasoit, at Montaup. Their object was to Embassy to
negotiate a traffic in furs, and to preserve amity with the na- Massasoit
lives. Much to his delight, they gave the sachem a red coat, ^^ j u '"k!°^'
from Governor Bradford, who had succeeded Carver. They
hinted that his subjects were somewhat too free with their
presence at Plymouth, though himself and his particular
friends should always be welcome. They mentioned that on
their first arrival they had found a small quantity of buried
corn, which in their necessity they had appropriated, but they
now wished to discover and remunerate the owners ; and
finally, they requested, that the Pokanokets would sell their
furs to the colony.
Massasoit gathered his council. " Am I not," said he, Massasoit
" commander of the country ? Is not such a town mine ? — consults his
and such an one ? — going on to the number of thirty, — and 'l°ant's\he
finally, should not all bring their furs to him if he wished it ?" Indian trade.
The Sannops ejaculated a hearty affirmative to each succes-
sive proposition, and the matter was happily adjusted. The
trade, thus secured to the colony, proved of great consequence.
The ship Fortune arrived in November, and brought over Nov.
thirty-five persons to join the settlers. The com which they Fortune ar
had found in their excursions from Cape Cod providentially nves.
preserved them ; for they had planted it, and the crop was
their dependence, scanty though it proved, for their second
winter.
Massasoit feared the Narragan setts, and was doubtless on
that account desirous of cultivating the friendship of the Eng-
lish. Canonicus, the old hereditary chieftain of that confede-
racy, perhaps offended at this intimacy, or regarding the Narragan-
whites as intruders, meditated a war against them; which he setts threat-
openly intimated by sending to Governor Bradford a bunch of en war.
arrows tied with the skin of a rattlesnake. Bradford stuffed 1622-
the skin with powder and ball and sent it back ; and nothing
more was heard, at that time, of war.
News came to Plymouth that Massasoit Avas sick. Accom- 1623.
panied by " one Master John Hampden," believed by some March 1st.
to be the celebrated Englishman of that name, then on a visit .-^^'"d'"^^ .
to the colony, Winslow taking suitable articles, went to Mon- soit in his
taup. He found the Indians bewailing, and practicing their sickness
noisy powows or incantations around the sightless chieftain.
38 FAVORABLE CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY.
PART I. Affectionately lie extended his hand and exclaimed, " Art
PERIOD III. thou Winsnovv ?" (He could not articulate the liquid 1.) " Art
CHAP. in. thou Winsnow ? But, O, Winsnow I I shall never see thee
y^a^~v^^^ more." Winslow administered cordials, and he recovered.
He recovers He then revealed a conspiracy which the Indians had formed
and reveals ^^^ requested him to join. " But now," said he, " I know
^ ^ °^' that the English love me."
Agreeably to Massasoit's advice, that a bold stroke should
be struck, and the heads of the plot taken off, the intrepid
Standish, with a party of only eight, went into the hostile
The conspi- country, attacked a house where the principal conspirators
rators cutoff, j^^^ j^^^^ ^nd put them to death. In justice to the Indians, it
should be stated that they were provoked to this conspiracy
»* . ITT by the lawless aggressions of " Master Weston's men."
MasterWes- ,J, , °° . . . , . y
ton's men. These were a colony of sixty Liighstimen, sent over in June,
1622, by Thomas ^Veslon. Though hospitably received at
[Weston Plymouth, they stole the young corn from the stalk, and thus »
^don^me?"" brought want and distress'upon the settlers, the ensuing win-
chant, once ter and spring. They then made a short-lived and pernicious
'he friend of settlement at Weymouth. The pilgrims had been more
gr^ms!]* alarmed at this Indian conspiracy, on account of the horrible
news from Virginia, of the great Indian massacre there.
1624. Notwithstanding all the hardships — all thewisdom and con-
to stancy, of the colonists, the partners of the concern in- London
1626. complained of small returns ; and even had the meanness to
The proper- send a vessel to rival them in their trade with the Indians,
ty of the CO- Winslow went to England and negotiated a purchase for hira-
lony vested ^^j^ ^^^ seven of his associates in the colony, by which the
Tnd o't"il-rs"^ property was vested in them ; and they sold out to the colony
then in the at large, for the consideration of a monopoly of the trade with
whole. the Indians for six years.
New Plymouth now began to flourish. For the land being
divided, each man labored for himself and his family, and not
for the public, or for distant usurers. Their government was
Their gov- ^ ^^^^ democracy, resembling that now exercised in a town
"^^"' meeting. Each "male inhabitant had a vote ; the governor had
two. At first some delicacy was felt, as they had no charter,
being north of the bounds of the Virginia company, but at
length they proceeded to the exercise of all the powers of
self-government. After the establishment of the Grand Coun-
cil of Plymouth, of which mention will soon be made,
Newcharter. they received from it a charter, by which they exercised these
rights, under the authority of England.
Numbers of their brethren of the church at Leyden came
over within the first few years to join the settlement ; and
Winslow relates that the people of Plymouth gave a thousand
pounds to assist them to emigrate. But the good Robinson
D*th^f ^^'^^ ^^^ permitted to enter the land of his hopes and affections.
Robhiso°n. He died in Leyden, 1625, to the great grief of the Pilgrims,
who had kept their church without a pastor, Elder Brewster
SIR FERDINANDO GORGES AND HIS ASSOCIATES- 39
officiating, in hopes, until they heard of his death, again to PART I.
enjoy his ministrations. period iil
Ten years after its first settlement. New Plymouth had chap. iv.
three hundred inhabitants ; and had no other colony followed, "•^-^^v^-^
there is every reason to believe they would have sustained
themseh-es. Their history forms a striking contrast with that 1630.
of colonies where men were sent by others to labor in distant x'^piymouth.
lands, or induced by worldly motives to enlist under am-
bitious leaders. Like the Captain of their Salvation, the Pil-
grims were self-devoted. No man took from them, but they
voluntarily laid down what pertained to this life, in the cheer-
ful and assured hope of a better. Faithfulness they regarded
as their concern ; reward, as that of their Heavenly blaster.
coun-
m-
CHAPTER IV.
Grand Council of Plymouth. — New Hampshire.
In November, 1620, the same month in which the Pilgrims i aoa
arrived on the American coast, James I. issued a charter to Grand
the duke of Lenox, the marquisses of Buckingham and Ham- oil of Ply
ilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir Ferdinando °^^^ receive
Gorges, and thirty-four associates, styling them the " Grand La'sweeping
Council of PljTnouth, for planting and governing New Eno-- patent of
land, in America." This patent granted them the territory la"-, and
gratitude of
tlie colony.
56 CECIL CALVERT, THE SECOND LORD BALTIMORE.
PART I. assembly, " such a subsidy as the low and poor estate of the
»ERI0D III. colony could bear."
CHAP. XI. Lord Baltimore invited the puritans of Massachusetts to
^--''"^^"^-^ emiorate to .Marjdand, offering them "free liberty of religion."
1642. They rejected this, as thev did a similar proposition from
mo7/mviles Croniwell, to remove to the \Vest Indies,
the puritans. The restless, intriguing Clayborne, the evil genius of Ma-
ClayUornc, ryland, had been constantly on the alert to establish a claim
n^usoOlan-- ^^ ^^^^ country, and to subvert the government of the good
land. proprietary. In his traffic with the natives he had learned
1635. their dispositions, and he wrought them to jealous hostility.
- J° In England, the authority of the long Parliament now super-
seded that of the king, and those who derived their authority
from him ; and of this, not only Clayborne, but other disor-
derly subjects of Lord Baltimore, were inclined to take undue
advantage. Thus the fair dawn of this rising settlement was
early overcast.
1*^62 ^ iTvGiNTA. England was interested in the slave-trade as
' early as 1562, when Sir John Hawkins took bv fraud a cargo
trade begua 0^ negroes from Africa, and sold them in Hispaniola. So de-
and upheld praved at that time was the public sentiment, that numbers of
En-'Hsh. ^^^ "^"^^ consequential persons engaged in it ; and even the
Queen herself became afterwards a party to this atrocious
merchandize.
1620. jjj \ugi,st, 1620, a Dutch ship brought into James riA-er
into'^v'a ^'"'enty negroes, and sold them as slaves. Thus, and on so
small a scale, began an evil so vast in its consequences, and
1621 ^^ difficult now to eradicate.
SirF'rancis In 1621, Sir Francis Wyatt arrived as governor, bringing
Wyatt. from the company in England a more perfect and permanent
Improved constitution for the colony. The power of making laws was
constitution. .l-i t ■' ^ ^ ^^ ,-*T
vested in tne general assembly. JNo regulations however
could be enforced, until they had received the sanction of the
general court of the co.mpany in England. At the same time,
the orders of the company were nm binding upon the colony,
without the sanction of their assembly. These liberal con-
cessions not onlv gratified the settlers, but encouraged emi-
grants ; and a large number accordingly accompanied Gov-
ernor Wyatt to the province.
^"laSeA^'^ This year, cotton was first planted in Virginia, and " the
plentiful coining up of the seeds," was regarded by the plant-
ers with curiosity and interest.
1622. Opechancanough, the brother and successor of Powhatan,
m^f^re. ^^^ determined to extirpate the whites, and regain the country
for its savage lords. For this purpose he formed a conspiracy
to massacre all the English ; and during four years, he was,
Thr h ^^'^'^ impenetrable secrecy, concerting his plan. To each
dred persons "^^^^^^ ^^^ station was allotted, and the part it was to act pre-
crueUy scribed. On the 22d of March, 1622, at mid-day, they rushed
murdered, ypon ^j^g English, in all their settlements, and butchered men,
HARVEY. WEST. WYATT. — SIR WILLIAM BERKELEY. 57
women, and children, Avithout pity or remorse. In one hour, PART I.
nearly a fourth part of the whole colony was cut off. The peuiod in.
slaughter would have been universal, if compassion, or a sense chap. xi.
of duty, had not moved a converted Indian, to whom the se- ^--'"v^-''
cret was communicated, to reveal it to his master, on the night
before the massacre. This was done in time to save James-
town and the adjacent settlements.
A bloody war ensued. The English, by their arms and Retaliation^
discipline, were more than a match for the Indians, and they °f •''^^
retaliated in such a manner as left the colonists for a longr ^ ' ^^
time free from savage molestation. They also received con-
siderable accessions of lands by appropriating those of the
conquered natives. -r 'f
In 1624 the London company, which had settled Virginia, pany dis-
was dissolved by King James, and its rights and privileges re- solved, and
turned to the crown. The pretext for this unjust stretch of ^o^^g"'^^^®^
royal authority, was the calamities which had befallen the al province.
province, and the dissentions which had agitated the company.
James now appointed commissioners to inquire into affairs ta^tes^mTkins
in Virginia, that he might frame proper regulations for the a code for
permanent government of the colony. Pleased with such an u"^^j"^^'
opportunity of exercising his talents as a legislator, he began i625'
his task, but death prevented its completion. 1«q«
The Virginians, however, continued under the special power „. ^ , '
r T- * V>,i 1 T TT- 1 ■ Sir John
oi nis successor, Charles I. His arbitrary measures were Harvey dis-
particularly felt during the administration of Sir John Harvey, placed by
whom in 1636 he sent over. The colonists rose in opposi- ^^^ people,
tion to his authority, and appointed John West as their gov- Replaced by
emor ; but the king, highly offended at their conduct, restored the king.
Harvey to his office, with powers more ample than before.
Sir Francis Wyatt superseded Harvey in 1639. In conse- 1639.
quence of English laws restricting the culture of tobacco, SirFVancis
which was not only the staple commodity, but the circulating „ ^^ '
,. c , ,-' .^ i,-i- • 1 Extraordi-
medium of the colony, it was now much raised in price : and narj- law to
the legislature passed a law that no man need " pay more regulate the
than two thirds of his debt during the stint." Vfij'l^
After two years, Sir William Berkeley was sent over to sue- g^^ -v^if '
ceed Wyatt. The colonists were now confirmed in their en- Berkeley.
loyment of the elective franchise. Great harmony prevailed, The colony
notwithstanding the assembly took a high tone in respect to "^dare their
^ . ^ intention not ■
their political rights ; boldly declaring " that they expected to be taxed
no taxes or impositions, except such as should be freely vo- but by
ted for their own wants." ^^^^ '^
58
LAUD. GRAND COUNCIL AT AN END.
CHAPTER XII.
PART. I.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. XII.
1620
to
1630.
1630,
to
1633.
Large
emigrations
English
court dis-
pleased with
Massachu-
setts.
April 10th,
1634.
Appoint
commission-
tfs with arbi-
trary powers.
Singular
temerity.
January,
1635
Massachu-
setts arraign-
ed on a writ
of quo
warranto.
Charles L — The Long Parliament. — The New England Confederacy.
While the first settlement of New England was yet strug-
gling for existence, it was regarded as too feeble to excite
among the ruling party of England, other feelings than those
of pity. But the persecuted opponents of the government
looked upon the pilgrims as Christian heroes, adventuring all
to open a way of escape for the oppressed ; and at the recep-
tion of oood news from New England, their hearts burned
within them, and the precious papers were carried from town
to town, and listened to as prophetic messages of hope. Then
followed the emigration of numbers among them of the most
worthy, and the consequent withdrawal of their substance.
The government perceived in these movements a spirit of
condemnation of their own proceedings, and of approval and
honor, of a reUgion which they hated. And they were truly in-
formed by some, who returned dissatisfied from Massachu-
setts, that not only was this religion established by its laws,
but the use of the English liturgy was prohibited. Various
other charges were made against the province, showing that it
was casting off dependence upon the English crown, and as-
suming sovereign powers to itself.
Much displeased, the king determined that the audacious
colonies should be brought to submission, both in church and
state ; and he made archbishop Laud himself chief of a coun-
cil, which was appointed with fvdl powers to govern the colo-
nies in all cases whatever. ■*
This council decreed that a governor general should be
sent over, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges was accordingly ap-
pointed. He was, however, prevented from leaving England
by untoward accidents.
The arbitrary measures of Laud and his coadjutors pointed
with peculiar hostility at the liberties of Massachusetts.
These the people valued more than life, and few and poor as
they were, they determined to resist ; and the general court
voted six hundred pounds for fortifications.
The Grand Council of Plymouth, as it had its beginning
and course, so also it had its end in little belter than knavery
We have seen that its individual members, Gorges and Mason,
had been its patentees. These persons, wishing to make
good certain claims to territory in Massachusetts, now gave
up their patent to the crown ; petitioning for redress against
that colony, which they averred had forfeited its charter, by
exceeding its powers and territorial limits. Willing to hum-
ble claims Mason suc-
had lain dormant ; but upon a hearing of the parties, it '^^s*''^-
was determined by the judges in England, that the towns
on the Piscataqua were not within aie limits of Massa-
chusetts.
In 1679, a commission was made out by order of Charles II.
for the separation of New Hampshire from the jurisdiction of 1679.
Massachusetts, and its erection into a royal province. The New Hamp-
assemblv was to be chosen by the people, the president *'*"'^ ^. '■°ya^
and council to be appointed by the crown. This colony now '
manifested energies worthy of the later patriotic and inde-
pendent spirit of a state, which, from its firmness of character,
no less than its sublime piles of mountains, is called "the ^ "sp^j^t ^^^
Granite State." The people first thanked Massachusetts for
the care she had taken of their infant condition ; and next de-
termined " that no law should be valid, unless made by the
assembly, and approved by the people."
Mason was authorized to select, and he chose Edward 16§2
Cranfield, a needy speculator, and sent him from England. to Mason sends
be the governor of New Hampshire. But Cranfield's visions Cranfield to
of wealth were short-lived. He could neither out-wit, nor H^mpsUre.
over-awe the rugged patriots ; nor could Mason, with all the
advantages of law, eject them from their lands, though for
many years his agent, Cranfield, gave them great annoy-
ance.
Notwithstanding the northern colonies had suffered so se-
verely from Philip's war, and had never petitioned for, or
84
CHARTER OF MASSACHUSETTS ANNULLED.
PART n.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. VIII,
Proceedings
in England
against Mas-
sachusetts.
Randolph
sent over.
16S2.
Charter of
Massachu-
setts an-
nulled.
Two parties
in Massa-
chusetts.
Charles II.
succeeded
by James II.
16S5.
Attempts to
deprive Con-
necticut and
R. Island
of their char-
ters.
16§6.
Sir E. An-
dros in N.
England.
received any aid from the mother country, while they were
yet mourning their slaughtered sons — and rebuilding their
rmned habitations, England was planning their humiliation.
The people of Massachusetts, though often called to account,
had continued to disregard the navigation acts, and had refused
to send agents to the court of England, to answer for the
charges of neglect brought against them. Edward Randolph
was therefore sent from Great Britain, in 1679, as inspector
of customs in New England. He being resolutely opposed
in the execution of the duties of his office, soon returned, and
made statements in England which caused still more violent
measures against the colonies.
In 16S2, he came again to Boston, bringing a letter of com-
plaint from the committee of plantations in England, who
again directed that agents should repair to the court of Lon-
don, fully empowered to act for the colonies. It was under-
stood to be the intention of the king, to procure from these
agents a surrender of the charter of Massachusetts, or to
annul it by a suit in his courts, in order that he might appoint
officers who would be subservient to his views. Agents
were sent, but were instructed to make uo concessions of
chartered privileges, but to defend them as rights ; of which the
king being informed, he proceeded according to modes of law
to cancel the charter.
Massachusetts was, however, assured that in case of
peaceable submission, the government should be regulated for
her good. The representatives of the people in the general
court considered that it was better " to trust in the Lord, than
to put any confidence in princes." On the other hand, the
governor and his associates were in favor of humble submis-
sion to the king's pleasure. Here was the commencement
of two parties in this province ; the patriots, who defended the
rights of the colonies ; and the prerogative men, who were in
favor of complete submission to the royal authority. Agents
were sent by the former to make defense of their rights, but,
before they arrived in England, the charter was annulled.
Charles II. died in 1685, and was succeeded by the Duke
of York, under the title of James II. He declared that there
should be no free governments in his dominions ; and ac-
cordingly ordered writs to be issued against the charters of
Connecticut and Rhode Island. These colonies presented
letters and addresses, which, containing expressions of hum-
ble duty, the king construed them into an actual surrender of
their charters ; and, affecting to believe that all impediments
to the royal will were removed, he proceeded to establish
a temporary government over New England. Sir Joseph Dud-
ley was appointed president in 1686; but in December, of the
same year, he was succeeded by Sir Edmund Andros, as
governor general, in whom, with a council, was vested all the
powers of government.
UnDROS. HIS OPPRESSIONS.— BRITISH REVOLUTION. 85
Sir Edmund began his career with the most flattering PART 11.
professions of his regard to the public safety and happiness, period I.
It was, however, well observed, that " Nero concealed his chap. vm.
tyrannical disposition more years than Sir Edmund did ^-"-v-^^
months." He assumed control over the press, and appointed
the detested Randolph, licenser.
Soon after the arrival of Andres, he sent to Connecti-
cut, demanding the surrender of her charter. This being re- 16§'5'.
fused, in 1687, he came with a guard to Hartford, durhig the (5onn'^ctic°Jt
session of the general assembly, and in person required its ^id in the
delivery. After debating until evening, the charter was pro- Charter Oak
duced, and laid on the table where the assembly were sitting, o"^^ y^'^
The lights were extinguished, and one of the members
privately conveyed it away, and hid it in a cavity of a
large oak tree. The candles were officiously relighted, but
tlie charter was gone ; and no discovery could be made of it,
or, at that time, of the person who carried it away. The
government of the colony was, however, surrendered to
Andros.
Massachusetts, where Sir Edmund resided, was the princi-
pal seat of despotism and suffering. In 1688, New York 16§§.
and New Jersey were added to his jurisdiction ; and for more jggg
than two years, there was a general suppression of charter
governments throughout the colonies, and a perpetual series
of tyrannical exactions.
But retribution was at hand. The monarch made himself
detested at home, and his governor, by carrying out his meas-
ures, incurred the hatred of the colonies. His subjects, and
even his own family, conspired against James. The British
nation, putting aside the fiction of the divine right of legitimate
sovereigns, asserted that of human nature, by declaring that ..fhe Rero-
an oppressed people may change their rulers. They forced Union" in
the king to abdicate, and consummated "the Revolution" by England,
placing his daughter Mary, with her husband William, the
ablest statesman of Europe, as sovereigns on the throne of
England.
Great was the joy of New England. Even on the first
rumor of the British Revolution, the authorities of Boston Randolph
seized and imprisoned Andros and Randolph. As a tempo- imprisoned.
rary government, they organized a committee of safety, of 16§9-
which the aged governor Bradstreet accepted the presidency ;
though he knew that, if the intelligence proved false, it might
cost him his life.
The change of government, produced by the removal of
Andross, left New Hampshire in an unsettled state. Mason
had died in 1685, leaving his two sons heirs to his claims. g^ire. ^
The people earnestly petitioned to be again united with Massa- 16§5.
chusetts, but their attempts were frustrated by Samuel .\llen, ^^^,]"" ,^'°^'
who had purchased of the heirs of Mason, their title to New his"title!'^
86
NICHOLS. LOA'ELACE. ANDROS. DONGAN.
PART II.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. IX.
Connecticut
and Rhode
Island re-
sume their
charters.
Massachu-
setts denied
hers.
Hampshire. Allen received a commission as governor of the
colony, and assumed the government in 1692.
When the intellicrence was confirmed, that William and
INIary were seated on the throne, Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut resumed their charters ; but, on the application of Massa-
chusetts, the king resolutely refused to restore her former
system of government. Andros, Randolph, and others, were,
however, ordered to England for trial.
CHAPTER IX,
New York. — Its Governors. — Effects of the Revolution m England.
Good admin-
istration of
Nichols.
Lovelace.
1667
1673.
Dutch take
New York.
1674
New York
restored to
the Endish.
1675
Andros is
repulsed at
Saybrook.
16§2
Dongan.
16§3
First general
assembly.
After the surrender of the Dutch, Colonel Nichols en
tered upon the administration of the government of New
York, which he conducted with great prudence, integrity, and
moderation. The people, however, continued without civil
rights, all authority being vested in the royal governor and
council. Nichols returned to England, and was succeeded
by Lord Lovelace.
In 1673, England and Holland were again involved in war,
and Holland sent over a small fleet to regain her American
possessions. This force arrived at New York, and demanded
a surrender, which was made without resistance. The Dutch
took immediate possession of the fort and city, and soon
after of the whole province.
The next year, 1674, the war terminated, and New York
was restored to the English. The Duke of York, to prevent
controversy about his title to the territory, took out a new
patent, and the same year appointed Sir Edmund Andros
governor.
In the year of Philip's war, Andros conducted an expe-
dition against Connecticut. He claimed jurisdiction over that
part of the colony west of the river, by virtue of its having
been include^] in the grant to the Duke of York. This
territory had, however, long before, been granted by the
original patentees to the colony of Connecticut. Andros,
with an armed force, arrived off Saybrook fort. The govern-
or and council, being apprised of his design, sent a few
troops under Captain Bull, who conducted himself with such
spirit, that Andros, jocosely declaring his horns should be
" tipped with gold," made no further attempt.'
In 1682, Andros, was removed from the government of
New York. The succeeding year was a happy era in the
history of this colony. The excellent Colonel Dongan ar-
rived as governor, and the desires of the people, for a popular
LEISLER AND MILBORNE USURP THE GOVERNMENT. 87
government, were now gratified. The first general assembly PART II.
was convoked, consisting of a council and eighteen repre- period l.
sentatives. By the declaration of the governor, they were chap. ix.
invested with the sole power of enacting laws and levying ^--^-v-^^.^
taxes ; but the laws could have no force, until ratified by the
proprietor. Governor Dongan surpassed all his predecessors,
in attention to affairs with the Indians, by whom he was
highly esteemed. lee's
When the Duke of York became sovereign of England, it Yt^ke of
might have been hoped that he would have favored his own York suc-
province, but his government was no where more tyrannical ^^^'^^ '° '•^^
' 1 , ° ^ crown as
and unpopular. james II.
The news from Europe, that the inhabitants of England
had resolved to dethrone him, and offer the crown to William, 16§^.
of Orange, elevated the hopes of the disaffected. But no '^^"^ Kn--iish
.■ 1 11 r- 1 -n Kc'vcilulion
active measures were taken till after the rupture at Boston, agrernble lo
when several captains of the militia convened to concert ^^f"' Vurt.
measures in favor of the prince of Orange.
Among these was Jacob Leisler, an active militia captain,
and a favorite of the people. He was not, however, a man
of talents, but receive'd the guiding impulses of his conduct
from the superior energies of his son-in-law, Jacob Milborne.
By the counsel of this intriguing Englishman, Leisler, at the
head of forty-nine men, took possession of the fort of New Leisler as-
York, and declared in favor of William, but this declaration, as kin^' Wii-
opposed by the authority of the city, at first had few adhe- Ham's agent,
rents, until a report got footing, that three ships were ap- 1689
proaching, with orders from king William, when his party
was augmented by the addition of six captains and four hun-
dred men from New York, and seventy men from East
Chester. •
Dongan, who was about to leave the province, then lay
embarked in the harbor, having, a short time previous, resigned
his government to Francis Nicholson, the lieutenant governor. Governor
He, being unable to contend with Leisler's party, soon joined '"""^ lieuten-
(jovernor Dongan. Leisle/, now m pi ssession of the fort, d&part.
sent an address to William ji- 1 Mary as soon as he received
the news of their accession to the throne.
The magistrates, at the head of whom were Colonel Bayard The magis-
and Mr. Courtland, the mayor, opposed Leisler ; but finding tracyof New
it impossible to raise a party against him in New York, they ^ Lei°i^^°®®
retired to Albany.
In the month of December, a packet arrived, directed " to
Francis Nicholson, Esq., or, in his ausence, to such, as for December,
the time being, take care for preserving the peace, and ad- En![aiid.™
ministering the laws, in their Majesties' province of New
York, in America." Leisler considered this packet as di-
rected to himself, and, from this time, issued his commissions
as lieutenant governor.
The people of Albany, in the meantime, were determined
88 SLOUGHTER. QUAKERS COME TO NEW ENGLAND.
PART II. to hold the garrison and city for king William, independent
PERIOD I. of Leisler; and on the 26th of October they formed them-
CHAP. X. selves into a convention for that purpose ; but Milbome
^-^'■^''"^-^ undertook its reduction. The distress of the country, in
. 1690. consequence of an Indian irruption, gave him at length,
M.lborne ^he desired success.
tak.es the fort .xr-n- i i • • i i • i
at Albany. -t^-ing ^* illiam now turned his attention to the colonies, and
1691 commissioned Henry Sloughter as governor of New York.
Sloughter Never was a governor more needed, and never was one more
goverIls^ew destitute of every qualification for the office. He refused to
treat with Leisler ; but put him and several of his adherents
to prison. Finally, that unfortunate man, together with his
Leisler and son-in-law, perished upon the gallows. Their execution was
e.\ecut'etL disapproved by the people ; and their property, which was
confiscated, was afterwards restored to their descendants.
This was the period of king William's war, in which New
A. Congress York suffered with the other provinces. It was in May,
New York 1691, that a general convention met in New York; thus ex-
May tending the system begun by the four New England colonies,
1691. and preparing the way for the grand American Confederacy.
CHAPTER X.
Persecution of the Quakers in Massachusetts.
The Puritans of New England had now redeemed from
the wilderness a home ; and they believed, that they had, col-
lectively, the right of any single householder, to exclude from
it whoever they regarded as dangerous to its peace. But a
• father, who should exclude his children on account of
opinion, would violate the rights of conscience. A christian
Proceed- sect had arisen in England, called in derision Quakers, who,
uigs of the acknowledging the inward guidance of the Holy Spirit, went
Enn-land. forth, as they believed, under its direction, to bear testimony
against a ceremonious worship, outward ordinances, a minis-
try depending upon man for its call and support, and the cus-
tomary compliments and fashions of the world. At places of
public worship, where by penal laws their attendance was
sought to be enforced, they sometimes spoke against the doc-
trines and practices of the ministers who officiated. For
J.. this, and for their boldness in spreading opiniqns deemed dan-
Geo Fox o^rous to the existing profession of religion, George Fox.
who was considered their founder, and many of his fellow
labourers, were imprisoned and cruelly used.
The founders of New England knew the Quakers by report
, Julv 11, of their enemies ; and might never have heard how pure and
1656. holy were their morals, and how benevolent their intentions ;
Ind Ma^ry" ^"^' ^^'^^" ^^^'" Quaker women, Ann Austin and Mary Fisher,
Fisher ar- arrived at Boston with the avowed purpose of propagating
rive. their opinions, they were rigorously imprisoned by the autho-
QUAKERS SUFFER IN MASSACHUSETTS. 89
nties, and their books burned. Eight other Quakers soon after PART II.
came and were treated in like manner. The commissioners period i.
sitting at Boston, recommended that the several United Colo- chap. xi.
nies, make laws prohibiting the ingress of Quakers and other ^-^""v^^^y
notorious heretics; and should any come, that they be secured Ei"|f,''other
and removed. The four colonies made laws accordingly. Ciuakers.
But it was ^Massachusetts, that the Quakers regarded as tlie
seat of a persecuting spirit, which they felt moved to attack ; ^qJ',1^™„'\^1
as also the established religion, which they denounced as sioners of
mere outward observance, and unspiritiial formality. Yet this the U. C. ai
religion was what the Puritans had sacrificed every thing to ^osion.-
enjoy, and was in their eyes the model of perfection, and to Puritan*
their hearts dearer than life. But all their vigilance and severity baffled by.
failed to keep out the determined Quakers. *''ker&^^"
William Robinson and ^larmaduke Stevenson were the first
executed ; Mary Dyer stood on the gallows with them joy- 1660.
fully waiting her turn, when she was reprieved and carried away. , ^ '^'"'^^
But soon, supposing herself again called by the Holy Spirit, she
came back and was hanged, bearing a bold testimony. William 1661.
Leddra was also executed ; but the people of ^Massachusetts Le^idra
beefan to revolt at these cruelties. Wenlock Christison was anged.
condemned to die. He told the tribunal at which Gov. Endi- Christison
cot presided, that they had no right to put him to death. They condemned,
violated the laws of England, whose vengeance they would
experience, and finally everlasting punishment for their sins ; His severe
and, said he, " it is all in vain, for every one you put to death rebuke to
five more will come. Ten will rise up in my place, that you "^•'" "^^
may have torment upon torment; this is your portion, for
there is no peace to the wicked." Whether pricked in con-
science, or put in fear, the authorities soon afterwards opened ^^ 's re-
iheir prison doors, and released Christison with 27 others ; o^-*!,,v,^"
whipping through the streets oi Boston, one man and one
v^■oman. Charles U. soon after interfered for the Quakers, and
by letter to tlie governor, forbade further violent proceedings.
CHAPTER XI.
Jesuit Missionaries of France. — Their Discoveries.
From the devotion of the Puritans and the Quakers, we
turn to that of the Jesuit Missionaries of France : and in all,,
we perceive " the operation of that common law of our nature,
which binds the heart of man to the Author of his being," and
which in Us noblest impulses, sends him forth with ardent R«'hgious_
desires to toil, to suffer, and to die, in any cause, which he some kind a
believes divine. The Jesuit Missionaries possessed this de- natural prin
sire to extend the benefits of Christian redemption to the '^'P'®-
heathen ; yet they unfortunately mingled worldly policy with re-
ligious enthusiasm; and sought not only to win souls to Christ,
but subjects to the king of France and the papal dominion.
Tho Catholics, already in Canada, seconded their efforts.
8
90
JESUIT MISSIONARIES CONVERT THE HURONS.
PART II.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. XI.
1634.
Brebeuf and
Daniel ac-
company the
Hurons, and
make many
converts.
Ahiisistari.
1640.
Montreal
founded.
1634.
tn
1649.
Sixty mis-
sionaries.
Death of
Ahasistari.
1645.
Peace be-
tween the
French and
Five Na-
tions.
1616.
Father
- Jougcs put to
death at the
fort of Johns-
town.
164§
The Iroi|uois
destroy St.
Josephs.
In 1634, two missionaries, Brebeuf and Daniel, left Quebec,
in company with a party of wild Hurons ; and endured the
toil and hardship of a journey of some hundred miles up
the Ottawas and along its waters. The wilderness east of
Lake Huron, was the country of these savages, and theie
they erected the chapel of St. Joseph. Throngs of the native
Hurons came to be instructed, and were soon numbered
as converts to Christianity. The Christinn villages of St.
Louis and St. Ignatius soon arose amidst the forest. " Let
us strive," said one of their chiefs, " to make the whole world
embrace the faith in Jesus."
In 1640, Montreal was founded, to give the missionaries a
starting point nearer the scene of their operations.
Within thirteen years, the wilderness of the Hurons was
visited by si.xty missionaries, mostly Jesuits. Making the
Huron settlement their central station, they carried the gospel
to the surrounding tribes ; and thus visited and became the
first European explorers of the southern portion of Upper
Canada, of which they took possession for the French king.
One of these missionaries, Isaac Jouges, undaunted by the
terrors of the Mohawk name, went, accompanied by the pious
chief, into their country, and was made their prisoner. The
noble Huron might have escaped. " My brother," he ex-
claimed to the missionary, " I made an oath to thee that I
would share thy fortune, whether death or life. Here am I
to keep my vow." He met the flaines as a Christian martyr.
Jouges, thotigh cruelly treated, survived, and was ransomed
by the Dutch.
At Three Rivers, a peace was concluded between the
French and the Five Nations, whose orators declared that
they " had thrown the hatchet so high into the air, and beyond
the sky, that no arm was long enough to reach and bring it
down." The savages also made peace among themselves.
Father Jouges, in the spirit of martyrdom, attempted a per-
manent mission among the Five Nations. Arriving at the
Mohawk castle, he was accused of blightino" the corn of the
Indians by spells of sorcery. Being condemned, he received
his death blow with composure. His head was hung on the
palisades of the fort, and his body thrown into the placid
stream.
War was resumed. The fierce Mohawks scattered the
W^yandots, triumphed over the Hurons, and marked for de-
struction the missionary stations of the Jesuits.
In the rude chapel of St. Joseph, while the village is blazing
around, the venerable Father Daniel is hastening to adminis-
ter baptism to those who had too long delayed. The barba-
rians approach, reeking with the blood of the helpless, and
the missionary goes calmly to meet them. Awe-struck, they
hesitate, — then discharge a shower of arrows. Their vie
tim bled from many wounds ; but he lifted up his hands
POWER AND BARBARITY OF THE IROQUOIS. 91
and voice, and preached Jesus, until his death-stroke was PART II.
given. PERIOD i.
The next winter a thousand warriors of the Iroquois made chap. xi.
a night attack on the village of St. Ignatius, and surprised and ^--'"v-^^
slew its four hundred sleeping inhabitants. March 16.
St Louis shared a similar fate. The missionaries Brebeuf ,,*'*®'
JVl HS'^Hf l"P fit
and Lallemand were taken prisoners and tortured, the first for st. Ignatius
three, the last for seventeen hours. They died rejoicing in ^^^ .
fire ; and the zeal of their brethren was unabated. ^'' ^°^^
The pride of the Mohawks grew with their conquests ; and Mohawks
they now menaced and insulted the French, carrying off the menace the
governor from Three Rivers, and a priest from Quebec. French
According to the Indian custom, some of the vanquished
Hurons had been adopted into the families of the conquerors.
And when at length the Iroquois, tired of war, received a --ijc-
messenger of peace, it was the Jesuit, Le Moyne, who had Le Moyne
been with the Hurons, that was the envoy. The Father found and other
amoMg them numbers of his affectionate Huron converts. ^'■*:"<^h mis-
The hope revived in his bosom, that the whole west might yet amon • i <~, it-. i th.
St. Esprit, preached to the rottawotamies, the Sacs and Foxes, the lUi-
andpreaches nois and the Sioux. From each, he gained descriptions of
° tkms"''' their country, — their lakes and rivers, — of which he made re-
ports to his government. He especially dwelt on what he
had heard of the great river " Mesipi." He urged the
sending of small colonies of French emigrants, to make per-
manent settlements in the west.
166S. ^ small company, headed by two missionaries, Claude
St. Mark's Dablon and James Marquette, founded the first French settle-
founded, j-nent within the limits of the United States. It is at St.
Mary's, on the falls between the Lakes Superior and Huron.
Green Bay ^^^^ouez founded a mission at Green Bay.
Marquette selected a young Illinois as his companion, and
learned from him the language of his nation. He collected
1671. th^ remains of the Hurons at the point St. Ignace, north of
Marquette Mackinaw ; built a chapel, and established a mission ; and
TOllects the |-j.^j^ thence visited the adjacent tribes. These heard with
St. Ignace. astonishment, that he had formed the bold design of exploring
the great river of the west, — notwithstanding their assertions,
that its monsters devoured men and canoes, its warriors
never spared the stranger, and its climate was rife with
death.
Marquette walked from Green Bay, followed the Fox
IGTl river, and crossed the Portage from its head waters to
Follows the those of the Wisconsin, when, with no companion but the
Wisconsin missionary Joliet, he embarked upon its bosom, and followed
'*sissbpi'*" ^'^^ course, unknowing whither it would lead. Solitary they
floated along, till, in seven days, they entered with inexpressi-
ble joy, the broad Mississippi. They continued to float
with its lonely current, until, near the mouth of the Moingona,
they perceived the marks of population. Disembarking, they
found, at fourteen miles from the river, a village of the na-
tives.
Old men met them with the calumet, told them they were
expected, and bade them enter their dwellings in peace. The
missionaries declared, by the council-fire, the claims of the
, .. Christian religion, and the right of the king of France to their
tesy. territory. The Indians feasted them, and sent them away with
the gift of a peace-pipe, embellished with the various colored
heads and necks of bright and beautiful birds.
Discovers Sailing on their solitary way, the discoverers heard afar a
the mouth of rush of waters from the west ; and soon the vast Missouri
the Missouri, came down with its fiercer current to hasten on the more
sluggish Mississippi. They saw, and passed the mouth of
the Ohio, nor stopped, till they had gone beyond that of the
DISCOVERIES OF LA SALLE AND HENNEPIN.
93
Arkansas. There they found savages who spoke a new
tongue. They were armed with guns, — a proof that they
had trafficked with the Spaniards, or with the English in Vir-
ginia. They showed hostile dispositions, but respected the
peace-pipe, the white flag of the desert.
Marquette now retraced his course to the Illinois, entered
and ascended that river, and beheld the beautiful fertility of
its summer prairies, abounding in game. He visited Chicago,
and in September was again at Green Bay.
The next year, on the banks of the little stream now
called by his name, Marquette retired for devotion, from the
company with which he was journeying, — to pray, by a rude
altar of stones, beneath the silent shade. There, half an
hour afterwards, his dead body was found. He was buried on
the shore of the lake, and the Indian fancies that his spirit
still controls its storms.
As Joliet, the companion of Marquette, was returning from
the west, to carry the tidings of their discovery, he met at
Frontenac, now Kingston, the governor of the place, the
energetic and highly gifted La Salle. His genius kindled by
the description of the missionary, into all the enthusiasm of
fresh discovery. La Salle repaired to France, and was com-
missioned to complete the survey of the great river.
He returned to Frontenac, built a wooden canoe of ten tons,
and carrying a part of his company to the mouth of Tonne-
wanta Creek, he there built the first sailing vessel which ever
navigated Lake Erie. On his way across the lakes he marked
Detroit as a suitable place for a colony, gave name to Lake
St. Clair, planted a trading house at Mackinaw, and finally
cast anchor at Green Bay.
Here, to mend his fortunes, he collected a rich cargo
of furs, and sent back his brig to carry them to Niagara.
Then, in bark canoes, he moved his party south, to the head of
the lake ; and there constructed the Fort of the Miamis. His
brig was unfortunately lost ; but, with a small company, he
steered resolutely west, accompanied by the Jesuit Hen-
nepin. They reached, through many discouragements by
disaster, treachery, and climate, tbe river Illinois ; and follow-
ing its waters four days' journey below Lake Peoria, La Salle
there built a fort, which, in the bitterness of his spirit, he
called Creve-coeur. Here he sent out a party under Henne-
pin to explore the sources of the Mississippi, and himself set
forth on foot to return to Frontenac.
Hennepin followed the Illinois to its junction with the
parent stream, ascended that river above the falls, to which
he gave the name of St. Anthony. He afterwards reported,
though falsely, that he had discovered the sources of the Mis-
sissippi.
La Salle returned to his fort on the Illinois, built a small
vessel, and the next year, he, with his company, sailed down
PART. II.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. XI.
1674.
Returns to
Green Bay.
16T5.
Marquette
dies near
Lake Michi-
gan.
1679.
La Salle.
Builds the
first sailing
vessel on
Lake Erie.
Founds
Mackinaw
1679.
Hennepin
with La
Salle.
16§0.
He explores
to St. Antho-
ny's Falls.
94 PATENT OF ALL THE V. S. SOUTH OF VIRGINIA.
TART II. that tributary till he reached the " Father of Rivers ;" and
PERIOD I still floating with the current, now landing to erect a calnn,
CHAP. XII. now to raise the cross and proclaim the French king lord of
^-^S*"^^"^-^ the country, La Salle passed on till he reached the mouth of
16§4. the Mississippi. To the country he gave the name of Louisi-
La Salle ^^^^ jj^ honor of his sovereign, Louis XIV.
passes from n . t-. i i • i •
the Upper Keturnmg to r ranee, the government sent him to colonize
Mississippi the country which he had visited ; but his fleet took a wrong
e ocea . j^j-ection, and he was carried, with his party, to Texas, where
16§5. j^g niade the settlement of St. Louis. Attempting to go to
He misses , . . „ ,. i it ,- i •
his way and Louisiana on toot, a discontented soldier ot his party gave
discovers him his death- shot. Texas was regarded as an appendage
IT '^!^'^n J to Louisiana.
He 13 killed.
16S7.
CHAPTER XII. •
North and South Carolina. — The Great Patent. — Mr. Locke's Constitution.
After Charles II. was restored, his rapacious courtiers,
taking advantage of his improvident good nature, obtained for
Patent of their services real or pretended, from him who had little else
eiveiT^ to give, large tracts of American territory. Nor was thai
1663. monarch, as we have already seen, at all scrupulous when a
toLordClar- favorite was to be gratified, if what he gave had before been
others'^ granted, or if it belonged to other nations. Thus, in 1663, he
gave Carolina which was claimed by Spain, to Lord Claren-
don the historian, Lord Ashley Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury,
General Monk afterwards Duke of Albemarle, Lord Craven,
the two Berkeleys, Sir John Colleton, and Sir ^George Car-
teret.
1630 They first received a tract which had, in 1630, been
Heath's pat- granted to Sir Robert Heath. Their ambition rising with
^"' ^o°T? ?^° ^^® occasion, they now stretched their thoughts to the
Th ' t S^^^y ^^ founding a sovereignty, which should not only yield
extended, them money, but the fame of legislators ; and in 1667, Charles
1665. granted them the whole of the coimtry, from the mouth
'^'the'^south" ^^ '^^ "^'^^ ^^- •^'^^"^ ^^ ^^° ^^' "'^'■'^ latitude, and from the
em part of Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. To frame a government for
the United the future empire, was a task assigned by the company to
the aristocratic philos'"pher, Shaftsbury ; and to aid him in
the important labor, he engaged the services of his friend, the
well-known John Locke. In the mean time, the younger
Berkeley, who was governor of Virginia, was to extend his
Settlement ^"^® o'^'sf the whole territory.
at Albe- But settlers were wanted, and to procure these, various in-
marle proves ducements were held out by the company. Two settlements
ofN. C. had already been formed within their precincts. One of these,
NOBILITY DOES NOT FLOURISH IN CAROLINA. 95
near the Sound, called, from the title given to the restorer of PART II.
Charles II., Albemarle, was begun at an early day by enter- period i.
prising planters from Virginia ; and enjoying entire liberty, it chap. xii.
had been augmented from that and other colonies, whenever '-^^v'^'*-'
religious or political oppression had scattered their people. 1663.
About the time in which the great patent was granted, this ^°'™s ^ ^®*
'settlement had so increased as to form, for convenience, a
simple democratic government.
The other colony was to the south of this, on Cape Fear or
Clarendon river ; and had been originally made by a little band ^^"'^"I **
of adventurers from New England. They, as well as the for- united to '
mer colony, had purchased their land of the natives ; — they had Jharleston
occupied it, and they claimed, as a law of nature, the right of begin s. c'.
self-government. In the meantime, a number of planters
from Barbadoes, desiring to re-establish themselves in inde-
pendence, purchased lands of the sachems, and settled on
Cape Fear river, near the territory of the New Englanders.
The two parties united. In 1G67, they were in danger of
famine, and Massachusetts sent them relief.
They requested of the proprietors a confirmation of the
purchase they had made of the Indians, and of the power
which they had assumed to govern themselves. As a state
niust have inhabitants, their request was partially granted ; and ^ans^as
one of their number, Sir John Yeamans, was appointed their the leading
governor. The settlement, in 1666, contained 800 persons. Barbadoes
Thus the germs of liberty had, in the Carolinas, begun to party,
vegetate strongly in a virgin soil. And when the great aristo-
cratical constitution of Locke and Shaftsbury, constituting
three orders of nobility, was sent over, in 1670, the ground 1^70
was already preoccupied. These dwellers in scattered log The cons^i-
cabins in the woods, could not be noblemen, and would not be '"^'°r''^ j
serfs : and the succeeding years in these colonies present a fruit- unsuitable,
less struggle, in which the agents of the proprietors attempt
to organize a system, incompatible with the condition and
wishes of the settlers already there, and equally uninviting to
such emigrants as they needed ; emigrants who could clear
the forest, and contend with savage nature. Eventually, the ]693.
interest of the proprietors prevailed over their pride. The in- It is abro-
habitants took their own way in regard to government, and in gated.
1 693, the constitution of Locke and Shaftsbury was formally
abrogated. Its impolicy is now a by-word.
William Sayle, the first proprietary governor of Carolina, 1670.
brought over a colony, with which he founded old Charleston. Governor
Dying in 1671, his colony was annexed to that of governor
Yeamans. In 1680, the city was removed to the point of land i6§o
between the two rivers, which received, in compliment to Lord Charleston
Shaftsbury, the names of Ashley and Cooper. The founda- founded,
tion of the present capital of the south was laid, and the
name of the king perpetuated in that of Charleston.
During the year 1G90, king William sent out a large body
96 CHRISTIAN NATIONS AGAIN AT WAR.
PART II. of French Protestants, who had been compelled to leave their
PERIOD I. country by the arbitrary measures of Louis XIV. To a part
CHAP. XIII. of these, lands were allotted in Virginia on James river, and
v_^--v-%^ others settled in Carolina on the banks of the Santee, and in
1690. Charleston. They introduced the culture of the vine, and
Fren^c^P''°- were among the most useful settlers of the province.
es dn s. ,^^^ ^^^^ Fear, or Clarendon colony, having under Cover-*
nor Yeamans migrated south, probably to aid in the founding
of Charleston, the unfruitful country which they first occupied
reverted to the natives.
1729. In 1729, the present line of division between North and
Present divi- South Carolina was adopted ; and then that country, with the
^and South'* land extending to twenty miles south of Cape Fear river, was
Carolina, t^^own into North Carolina.
CHAPTER XIII,
French and Indian War.
16§§. James II. of England, and Louis XIV. of France, were
The English common descendants of the Gallic sovereign, Henry IV ; and
produces'uie when the English, displeased by the refusal of James to sus-
war vvUh ^^j^ ,|-,g English church, and by his avowed papacy, leagued
with his children, and ejected him from the throne, the
king of France gave the royal fugitive a resting place in the
castle of St. Germain, near Paris ; and, considering his
cause as that of all sovereigns, who maintain that legitimate
Kings hold their authority by divine right, he made the
quarrel of James his own. England, to justify herself, took
a ground, which is important as an advance in political
equity, — that government is for the benefit of the governed,
Called, in and that any nation has a right to reform its own. Hence a
the colonies, ^^^ ensued between England and France, which aflTected the
liam's war. American colonies of both ; and is known in our annals as
" King William's war "
The fisheries on the Atlantic coast were regarded as of
prime importance ; and, on this account, Acadia was highly
valued. To protect it, the two Jesuits, Vincent and Bigot,
collected a village of the savage Abenakies on the Penobscot ;
Baron Cas- and the Baron De St. Castine, a French nobleman, whose
^^^- character seems a compound of ambition, intrigue, and bigotry,
established there a trading fort. In 1696, a fort built at Pema-
quid was taken by Castine ; and thus the French claimed, as
Acadia, all Maine east of the Kennebec ; and they artfully
obtained great ascendancy over the natives.
16§9. In August, 1689, fifteen hundred warriors of the Iroquois,
p?^rMoiu-' actuated by revenge for supposed wrongs, surprised Montreal ;
real. and a horrible night of burning and murder preceded a morn-
NIGHT ATTACKS OF FRENCH AND INDIANS. 97
ing of desolation. One thousand of the French were killed, FAKT II.
and twenty-six made prisoners. Golden says, " the Five period i.
Nations were at this time an overmatch for Canada." Fort chap. xni.
Frontenac, and its warlike stores, were abandoned in terror, ^^^"^/-^^
and the Iroquois took immediate possession.
The tribe of Pennicooks, in New Hampshire, had lost Pennicooks
several of their number by the treachery of the whites, who ver.
had taken and sold them into slavery. The emissaries of
Castine instigated them to vengeance. At Dover, in ihat
. staVe, the venerable Major Waldron, a magistrate and a trader Major Wal-
among the Indians, hospitably admitted two squaws to sleep
by his fire. At dead of night, they let in a war party from
witlioiit. The sword of the veteran defends him until he is
overpowered by numbers. They then place him upon a long »
table, mock him with a jeering call to "judge Indians ;" and
then, those indebted to him for goods, draw gashes on his
breast, saying, " here I cross out my account." Besides him,
twenty-two others were killed, twenty-nine made captive, and
the town burnt.
Governor Frontenac, at Quebec, now planned to send,
through the snow, three parties. The first, after a difficult
march of twenty-two days, arrive at Schenectady, the night
of the 1 8th of February, and, separating into small parties, they 1690.
invest every house at the same moment. The people sleep Schenectady
•11-1 II 11 11 1 destroyed by
until their doors are broken open, and themselves dragged French and
from their beds. Their dwellings are set on fire ; men and " '^"^'
women are butchered and scalped, and children have their
brains dashed out, or are cast into the flames. Sixty persons
thus perished by the hands of the savages ; twenty-seven were
carried captive, and most of the small number which escaped,
lost their limbs in attempting to flee naked, through a deep
snow, to Albany.
One of the leaders of this expedition was d'Iberville, who
afterwards conducted a colony from Canada to the mouth of
the Mississippi, and became the founder of Louisiana.
The second party of French and Indians, leagued for mid-
night murder, are sent against the pleasant settlement at Salmon Destruction
Falls on the Piscataqua. At break of day — a day which, for " Faii?.°"
fifty of their number, had no morrow, the peaceful inhabitants March 18.
were waked to experience the horrors of Indian warfare, aid-
ed and directed by French ingenuity. The third party from Of casco
Quebec, in like manner, destroyed the settlement at Casco ^^y-
Bay in Maine.
Fear and terror were on every side. The General Court of ^^^li
Massachusetts sent letters of request to the several governors congress at
of the provinces, pursuant to which they convened at New ^^^ York.
York. In consequence of the bold resolves of this congress,
two important measures were adopted. Connecticut sent ^jrl'oTfhe*
General Winlhrop with troops to march through Albany, there congress at-
to receive supplies, and to be joined by forces from New York, ^^"'iraiis *°
98 MASS. HAS MORE TERRITORY BUT LESS LIBERTY.
PART II. The expedition was to proceed up Lake Ch;implain, and was
PERIOD I. destined to reduce Montreal. Leisler and Milborne failed to
CHAP. XIII. furnish the supplies, and thus defeated the project.
v.^^v-x-^ Massachusetts sent forth a fleet of thirty-four sail under Sir
Second William Phipps. He had in the spring taken Port Royal,
Sir William and he now proceeded up the St. Lawrence, with the design
vades'cana- ^^ capturing Quebec. But Count Frontenac, on the summons
da. of Phipps to surrender, took his messenger, blindfolded him,
and then wheeled his little handful of men in such successive
rounds, as to make the messenger believe, by his sense of
hearing, that a numerous succession of troops were marching
1690. before him. And he made him use his hands to feel the
He°faa's''^and ^^i^^ng'h of the fortifications. Nevertheless, the intrepid en-
loses a part voy delivered a bold demand of surrender; but he carried
o IS eet. b'^j.]^ a, proud defiance. When, however, Phipps learned that
the party of Winthrop, which he expected from Montreal, had
failed, he abandoned the project, and returned to ^lassachu-
setts with a part of his fleet, a storm having wrecked the re-
mainder.
Massachu- Great expenses were by these means incurred, which had
trial of the drained the treasury; and the general court authorized, for
"'^"tem"^^^ the first time, the emission of paper money, or notes of credit,
making them in all payments a legal tender.
The effect of their military failure was most unfortunate
for the colonies. The Five Nations blamed the English for
their inactivity, and appeared inclined to make peace with
the French, and the frontiers were more than ever exposed.
1^®!- To preserve the respect of the warlike Iroquois, Major
ler'sprowess Schuvler, of Albany, in the summer of the year 1691, with
atLaPraine. ^\^Q ^jj gf three hundred ^Mohawks, passed Lake Champlain ;
and at La Prairie, engaged eight hundred French troops, and
after a severe conflict, killed a number equal to that of his
own forces.
In none of the colonies did the Revolution in England pro-
duce a greater change than in Massachusetts. In 1692, king
1692. William, who had refused to restore its former government,
o/jlassa" granted a new charter, which, extending its limits, but restrict-
chusetts. ing its privileges, commenced a new era in the history of this
colony. Massachusetts now embraced, besides the former
territory, Plymouth, Maine, and Nova Scotia ; extending north
Territories to the river St. Lawrence, and west to the South Sea, ex-
^ ^ ■ cepting New Hampshire and New York ; and including, also,
Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the Elizabeth islands.
Almost the only privilege which the new charter allowed
T , the people, was that of choosing their representatives. The
abridged, king reserved to himself the right of appointing the governor,
lieutenant governor, and secretary ; and of repealing all laws
within three years after their passage.
r, 9 JJWestftom. Greenwich.
-^s^v^^i^''^
EW
tBAHgt
Map of tlie
-^ difcoveriet ofJlarquctte.
,^^^^^ ' _ SoMt^ mid other
j^^^-^y^y ^^^. ^ Irenchinerv
LOUIS I
So iiarmd (III
la Saile m
Jp Uorwr (ff Lotus
PERIOD II.
THE NEW CHASTER i 1692 < OF MASSACHUSETTS.
T O
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT j 17^3. | OF GEORGIA BY OGLETHORPE.
Sir William Phipps.-
CHAPTER I.
-Cotton Mather. — Salem Witchcraft. — Schools.-
College.
-Yale
The new charter was received at Boston, May 14th, 1692.
The officers to be appointed under it, were nominated by In-
crease Mather, a minister of Boston, sent to England as agent
for the colony. He gave the nomination for governor to Sir
William Phipps, a favorite parishioner of his son, the learned
Cotton Mather, also a minister of Boston, and the eccentric
historian of the New England churches. Phipps was a na-
tive of Pemaquid in Maine, and his boyhood was spent in
tending sheep. He was then made apprentice to a trade;
but being active and enterprising, he went to England, and at
length acquired riches and a title, by his success in raising,
by means of a diving bell, the treasures of a Spanish wreck.
He, as well as the lieutenant-governor, and the twenty-eight
assistants now appointed for Massachusetts, were all, such
men as readily took advice from the clergy.
Amidst the difficulties under which the northern colonies
labored, from the war with the French and Indians, and with
the new and disagreeable aspect of political aflairs, others of
a different, though not less disagreeable nature, opened upon
the people of Massachusetts.
The delusion, with respect to the supposed intercourse with
evil spirits, was now at its height. The first settlers brought
it with them from the mother country. Laws, making witch-
craft a capital crime, existed in England, and were early en-
acted in Massachusetts. The mania began in Springfield in
1645, when some individuals were accused and tried, but ac-
quitted. Some few years after, persons at Boston, Charles-
town, Dorchester, and Cambridge, were arraigned, and some
actually executed for the supposed offense.
But Salem was the devoted place where this superstition
was converted into a phrenzy. Some young women, perhaps
in part deluded by their own imaginations, complained of being
strangely affected. Their complaints, attributed to this alarm-
ing cause, were reported and magnified ; at length they
became prime heroines in a gossiping and credulous neigh-
PAKT II
PERIOD II.
CHAP. I.
May 14th.
1692.
New charter
brought over
by Sir Wil-
liam Phipps.
Superstition
worse
than war or
tyranny.
1645.
The delusion
respecting
witchcraft.
begins in
Springfield.
1692.
Prevails in
Salem.
100 THE THREE SISTERS. TWENTY EXECUTIONS.
PART II. borhood. This encouraged others to set up for the same
PERIOD II. distinction ; and witches, of course, increased with the number
cH.vp. I. bewitched,
^--""v-^^ At first, it was old women only, who were suspected of
Convictions having leagued with the devil, to inflict upon the diseased the
°and"in«uf-'^'^ various torments, which they asserted that they felt, and
ficient which they often appeared to the spectators actually to feel.
grounds, 'fh.e magistrates of the people's choice, had, with Bradstreet,
their governor, previous to the arrival of Phipps, discounten-
anced these persecutions ; but the new authorities, under the
influence of the clergy, of whom, in this particular. Cotton
Mather was the leader, pursued a course which placed the
accused in situations where " they had need to be magicians
not to be convicted of magic." The unhappy persons were
confronted with those who accused them, and asked, " Why
And by in- do you afllict these children ?" If they denied the fact, they
w'iufesses were commanded to look, upon the children, who would in-
stantly fall into fits, and afterwards declare that they were
2Q , thus troubled by the persons apprehended. On evidence no
' better than this, were twenty persons executed.
Malice and revenge carried on the work which superstition
besfan. Private resentment was never more fiendish in its
Three sis- measures, than in the accusations which were got up and
^to dle'^an?-^ brought to fatal issues, by Samuel Parris, the minister of Sa-
mosityof the lem. He had bitter animosities against several of his parish-
™y"?'^'' ^^ ioners. Rebecca Nurse, amiable but reflective, opposed this
tyrant of his church. Two children, his daughter and his
niece, accused her, and she was committed to prison. Parris
also denounced her publicly as a " devil." Her sister, Sarah
Cloyce, rose and left the meeting-house. She was herself
soon the tenant of a prison. Yet another victim was taken
from the same family. Mary Easty, knowing the worth and
innocence of her dear imprisoned sisters, spake, — yet with
mildness, against the injustice which condemned them. She
was soon forced from her children and her home, herself ac-
cused of intercourse with evil spirits, and made a prisoner ;
with the horrible expectation that, she must close a virtuous
Twenty exe- ^^^^ ^y the violent death of a malefactor — her only crime, that
cutions in she was unreconciled to the legal murder of her beloved
'^"h^'s^""^'*'^ sisters, the fate she was now to share. Beside these innocent
bar! persons, seventeen others were hung at Salem. Among them
was Mr. Burroughs, a worthy clergyman. The prisons were
full of those committed for trial.
The general court, on assembling, took ground against
October, these proceedings. They perceived that none were safe; but
The General that the best of the community were at the mercy of the worst,
ground^ They abolished the special court organized by Phipps, and
against the presided over by Stoughton, the lieutenant governor, by which
special these executions had been sanctioned. The public were ad-
dressed on the subject through the press by the independent
LAWS AGAINST THE BARBARISM OF IGNORANCE. 101
Calef, of Boston ; and the eyes of men were at length opened. PART 11.
The prisoners were set free ; and the memory of the transac- period ii.
tion soon became, what it still conthmes to be, a source of chap. i.
national sorrow and humiliation. ^-^-v-^^
We have already seen that Massachusetts led the \vay in Massachu-
the establishment of a university. Laws were also enacted, ^''"^ .^.^""'T
which showed that the rulers felt the importance of rightly to establish
instructing all their youth in the rudiments of learning, human cmmon
1 T • schools.
and divine.
But not one of the colonies enjoyed a repose so uninter- xq^q
rupted as Connecticut ; and therefore none had in this respect The court' at
so great advantages to show the bent of the puritan mind in Hartford or-
regard to the improvement of the human race by the right la^s^forcom-
training of the young. As early as 1646, the general court mon educa
ordered Mr. Ludlow to compile a body of laws to regulate the ''°'^'
education of children.
This he brought forward, and enactments were made, whose 1650.
liberality, considering the straitened means of these early Fundament-
fathers, should make their descendants of this day blush for spectin°-
their degeneracy. " Forasmuch," says the statute, " as the common
good education of children is of singular behoof and benefit ^'^'^o'^'^ pass-
to any commonwealth, and whereas many parents and masters
are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in that kind,"
The court therefore order " that the selectmen of every
town, in the several quarters where they dwell, shall have a The "barba-
vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see that "*'"" °f 'S-
none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their treated se-
families as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, verely.
their children and apprentices, so much learning as to enable
them to read the English tongue," in order that they may be
acquainted, first with the laws of God in the Scriptures, and
second with the laws of the commonwealth which they are ^"'I'^fen
1 1 . 1 •/- 1111 taken Irom
required to obey. And it any parent or master should be parents who
found guiltyoftbis "barbarism," he was,in the first place, to be ne^dected to
fined, and if, after due admonhion of this kind, he still neglect- ^common
ed his duty, the youth of his family were to be taken out of learning,
the hands of such unfahhful guardians, and placed under the
especial charge of the magistrates, who were to see that they
■were duly instructed.
But to make more certain the important object of educating Common
.1 1 1 1 1 , 1 1 • 1 schools es
tne young, and to the end say they, " that learning be not tabUshed
buried in the grave of our forefathers," the Lord assisting our where there
endeavors, it is ordered, " that all the townships with fifty f^mUieT
householders shall keep a school, and pay for the same in Grammar
such way as they see fit. And further, that if any town has schools be-
one hundred householders, they shall keep and maintain a wer'e%0^
grammar school, where young men can be fitted for a uni-
versity. 1654.
New Haven had also provided bylaw for common schools; ^*'' ^a^'^"-
and in 1654, Mr. Davenport proposed the institution of a col- a college.
102
THE UNIVERSITY OF YALE. — ^GOV. FLETCHER OUTWITTED.
PART. IL
PERIOD II.
CHAP. 1.
1656
Governor
Hopkins' do-
nation.
1701.
Ten clergy-
men obtain a
charter and a
small endow-
ment.
lYlT.
The college
removed to
New Haven.
Elihu Yale
a benefactor.
The college
receives his
name.
Harvard and
Yale.
N. England
manage-
ment.
Gov. Fletch-
er attempts
to take com-
mand of the
Connecticut
militia.
1693.
October 20.
He IS lolled
by Captain
Wadsworth.
1706
lege, and the town gave lands for the object. Governor Hop-
kins of Connecticut, who for several years was alternately
with Haynes the chief magistrate of that colony, dying in
London, bequeathed, for such an institution, four or five
hundred pounds. The school was located at Saybrook.
The clergy of Connecticut, feeling the need of a college
nearer than at Cambridge, to furnish learned men as ministers,
ten of their number obtained from the general assembly a
charter of incorporation, together with an annual grant of
£120. Thus constituted as trustees, they held their first
meeting at Saybrook ; chose officers, and made laws for the
infant university.
The location was inconvenient, and more money being
subscribed to fix the college at New Haven than at rival
places, it was removed thither, and received at the same time
accessions of books in its library, already begun, and in its
funds. The most liberal of the donors was Elihu Yale, a na-
tive of New Haven, who had made a fortune in India. His
name has in that institiuion a nobler moniunent, than the silent
column which rises over the grave of the warrior, or the mau-
soleum of the prince, whose adorning figures are those of
marble, not of living and improving youth.
It is remarkable that the two earliest universities of the
United States continue to enjoy the highest celebrity, although
many others now exist.
Early in this period a political event is recorded, which, as
it passed away whhout leaving any result, would be omitted
by historians, but that it is a pleasant as well as striking in-
stance of New England management; less dignified, but some-
times less troublesome, than more direct methods of refusal to
yield to powers regarded as usurped.
Colonel Fletcher, governor of New York, was empowered
to take command of the militia of Connecticut. The colony
immediately dispatched General Winthrop as an agent to re-
monstrate with the king and council against this extraordinary
power. Colonel Fletcher, however, went to Hartford in 1693,
and, in his majesty's name, demanded the surrender of the
militia to his command. Captain William Wadsworth, the
man by whom the charter was hid, paraded his company ; but
as an attendant of Fletcher began to read his commission, the
captain gave command to " drum ;" and when Fletcher called
out " silence I" the captain raised his voice higher in a second
order, " drum, drum, I say." At length Fletcher gave up in
despair, perhaps fearing, if he persisted, that Wadsworth
would, in good earnest, fulfil his threat, and " make daylight
shine throuorh him."
In 1706, the first Episcopal church in Connecticut was es-
tablished at Stratford.
Agreeable to the recomiuendations of the general assembly
of Connecticut, in 1708 delegates from the churches of Con-
QUEEN ANNe's WAR. MASSACRE AT DEERFIELD. 103
necticut met at Saybrook and framed the ecclesiastical con- PART II.
stitution called the " Saybrook Platform." By this the minis- period n.
ters of the churches in the several comities were to hold chap. ii.
annual associations. All the clergy in the state were to meet ^-i*'"v~^->'
in each county by rotation, and their meeting was termed a 170§.
general association. 'p?"J^™°»
CHAPTER II,
European Politics. — Peace of Ryswic, which closes King William's War. —
Queen Anne's War soon begins.
King William's war had been feebly pursued. Settlements
on Oyster river were, however, destroyed by the French and
Indians, and the fort at Pemaquid, which Sir William Phipps
had rebuilt by the special direction of the sovereigns, had been 169T.
taken. In ] 697, peace was made at Ryswick, in Germany, by Peace of
which it was stipulated that all places captured during the
war should be restored. Thus again had the barbarous appeal
to arms been to no other purpose but that of multiplying human
woes.
But the parties profited little bv the lesson, and war Avas
soon renewed. Louis XIV. of France, had violated former
treaties by placing his grandson, the Duke of Anjou, on the
throne of Spain, and proclaiming, as king of England, James,
the son of James II.
In America he had given orders to Villeborne, his governor,
to extend Acadia to the Kennebec, to claim the exclusive right t^, , , ,
to the nsheries on the coast, and to seize all English A'cssels clares war
which should be found fishing upon them. In May, 1702, p'^?'*'"^^ ,
England, now under Queen Anne, declared war against both "^Spain^"
France and Spain ; and the conte.sts of the parent states
again involved their American colonies.
Notwithstanding the eastern Indians had given a solemn
assurance of peace with New England, yet they now devas-
tated Maine from Casco to Wells. Deerfield, in Massachu- 1704.
setts, was surprised at midnight, February, 1704, by a party Dei-rfield
of French and Indians, under Heurtel de Rouville. The s"rp"scd br
sentinel of the fort being asleep, and the snow of such a depth Indians,
as to allow them to pass over the palisades, they silently en-
tered, and scalped .and murdered, or secured as prisoners, the
wretched inhabitants. Only a small number escaped by flight.
Forty-seven were killed, and one hundred and twenty carried
captive to Canada.
Early in the assault, the house of the Rev. John Williams,
the minister of the place, was attacked by about twenty In-
dians, who, after murdering two of his children, secured as
104
PEACE OF UTRECHT. DEPRESSION CAUSED BY WAR.
PART II.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. II.
1T04.
Colonel
Church de-
stroys their
settlements.
1705.
Prison rs
exchanged.
1710.
Enslish take
Port Royal.
The Dutch
encourage
Indian out-
rages.
Peter Schuy-
ler befriends
the N. Eng
land people.
1713.
Peace of
Utrecht
closes Queen
Anne's war.
Its disas-
trous effects.
1710.
Palatines
Settle in the
provinces.
prisoners, himself, his wife, and his five remaining children.
Mrs. Williams, on the second day, faltered in the march, and,
according to the Indian custom, was cruelly put to death.
Roused by these inhumanities, the veteran warrior, Benja-
min Church, mounted on horseback and rode seventy miles
to offer his services to Dudley, now governor of Massachu-
setts, in behalf of his distressed fellow citizens. He was
sent with five hundred soldiers to the eastern coast of New
England, to attack the enemy in their own settlements ; and,
ascending the Penobscot and St. Croix rivers, he destroyed
several of their towns, and took a considerable number of
prisoners.
In 1705, Vaudreuil, now governor of Canada, proposed to
Governor Dudley, a treaty of neutrality. Arrangements were
accordingly made for an exchange of prisoners, and thus a
large proportion of those taken at Deerfield were finally re-
leased. Among the number was Mr. Williams and some of
his children One young daughter remained, married, and
raised a family in the tribe which adopted her. In the years
1706 and 1707, small parties of French and Indians hovered
about the frontiers, burning, scalping, and making prisoners
of the wretched inhabitants.
In 1710, Colonel Nicholson sailed from Boston in a fleet,
part of which he had brought from England, and besieged
Port Royal ; which, after a few days' resistance, surrendered,
and its name, in honor of the queen, was changed to Anna-
polis.
New York being protected by the Five Nations, a lucrative
trade was carried on with these Indians ; and the Dutch tra-
ders at Albany and Schenectady sometimes permitted preda-
tory parties from Canada to pass from the northern parts
of the province, in their attacks on the frontiers of New
England, that they might enjoy the benefit of their plunder.
Colonel Schuyler, whom the Iroquois called Quider, having
great influence over these sav'ages, thus had frequent know-
ledge of their designs, and notified the people of Massachu-
setts of the places marked for destruction.
Queen Anne's war was closed by the treaty of Utrecht, by
which Acadia was ceded to the English. For more than ten
years this war had exposed the frontiers to continued attacks
from a savage foe, checked the prosperity of New England,
and eflfectually prevented the progress of settlements to
the north and east. The inhabitants had been constantly
harassed with calls for military service, and were obliged to
watch day and night lest they should be surprised and mur-
dered, or what was not less dreaded, doomed to savage cap-
tivity. Agriculture was necessarily neglected, a heavy public
debt incurred, and a state of general depression ensued.
The Palatines of Germany, having been reduced to great
indigence by the wars in that country, sent to England to
FATHER RASLES.— PEACE. EASTERN BOUNDARY SETTLED.
105
solicit charity of Queen Anne. This princess having obtained PART 11.
tor them grants of land in America, about six or seven thousand period n.
arrived during the year 1710, and planted themselves in
the provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Carolina.
In 1714, Queen Anne dying, George I., of the house of
Brunswick, ascended the throne of England.
After the treaty of Utrecht, by which France ceded to
CHAP. II,
1T14.
George I.
England the whole of Acadia, the general court of Mas-
1713.
Massachu-
setts now
takes in alM
Maine.
Father Ras -
les' war.
1717
lo
1724.
Brunswick
burned.
sachusetts extended its jurisdiction to the utmost bounds of
the province of Maine ; and enterprising fishermen and tra-
ders not only revived the desolated villages, but on the eastern
bank of the Kennebec erected new forts, and planted new
settlements around them.
Father Rasles,a Jesuit missionary of France, had for many
years ministered in a rude chapel at Norridgewock on the
Kennebec, among his savage converts of the Abenakies. Some
of these now crossed the desert to Quebec, and consulted with
Vaudreuil, the governor of Canada. Returning, they deter-
mined to resist the English occupancy, and maintain by war
their own right to the country, hoping that the French would
ultimately assist them.
The Indians began hostilities by burning Brunswick. The
general court of Massachusetts then offered a bounty on In-
dian scalps. They had ascertained, by getting possession of ^^p^^ty"de'^"*'
the papers of Father Rasles, that both he and the governor of
Canada were in the counsel of the savages, and were the in-
stigators of their depredations. A party from New England,
in August, 1724, destroyed Norridgewock, and exercised a
cruel and fatal vengeance upon the aged .lesuit. He was the
last of that devoted order, who, in the wilds of America, had
labored to attain, simultaneously, two incompatible objects,
a spiritual kingdom for a heavenly Master, and a temporal one
for an earthly sovereign.
The Indians now found, that though instigated by the
French, they were not supported by them, and their sachems
at St. John's concluded a peace with the colonists, which, as
French missions were now at an end, proved durable. Eng-
lish trading houses flourished, and the eastern boundary of
New England remained undisputed.
stroyed.
He is the last
of the Jesuil.
mission
arias.
1726.
August 6.
Peace vnth^
the eastero
Indians.
106
INTRODUCTION OF EPISCOPACY INTO NEW YORK.
CHAPTER III.
PART II.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. III.
1692.
Colonel
Fletcher suc-
ceeds
Sloughter.
1693.
He causes
Episcopal
ministers to
be settled,
and intro-
Inces Epis-
copacy.
169§.
Beliamont
succeeds
Fletcher.
Sends out
Kid to stop
piracy,
who turns
pirate.
1699.
FletcAer introduces Episcopacy into New York. — Piracy. — The Jerseys united
and joined with New York.
Governor Sloughter of New York died in 1691, and in
1692, Colonel Fletcher arrived with the commission of
governor. Fletcher was a good soldier, and having fortu-
nately secured the friendship of Major Schuyler, he was, by
his advice, enabled to conduct the Indian affairs of the colony,
to the acceptance of the people. He was, however, ava-
ricious, irascible, and a bigot to his own mode of faith, which
was that of the church of England.
Under pretence of introducing uniformity into the language
and literature, as well as the religion of the colony, the inhab-
itants of which were a heterogeneous mixture of Dutch and
English, he brought into the assembly, a bill for the settlement,
throughout the province, of Episcopalian ministers, such as
should be by himself selected. The assembly, after much
debate, agreed that the ministers should be settled in certain
parishes, but left the choice to the people. This was very
offensive to the governor, who, after an angry speech, dis-
solved the assembly. Episcopalian ministers were, however,
settled in several parishes; and thus was introduced, a relig-
ious order, which, at this day, forms so respectable a portion
of the population of the state. •
In 1698, Richard, earl of Beliamont, an Irish peer, suc-
ceeded governor Fletcher. Durino- the late wars, the seas
were infested with English pirates, some of which had sailed
from New York, and Fletcher was suspected of having coun-
tenanced them. Beliamont was particularly instructed " to
put a stop to the growth of piracy,'' and, for this purpose, was
promoted to the command, not of New York onlv, but of
Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire. As no appropria-
tions were made by the colonial governments for this purpose,
a private adventure against the pirates was agreed on, and
one William Kid was recommended' to the earl as a man of
integrity and courage, who well knew the pirat^-s and their
places of rendezvous. Kid undertook the expedition, and
sailed from New York ; but he soon turned pirate himself
After some time, he burnt his ship and returned to the colo-
nies. There is a vague tradition still existing, that he brought
large quantities of money, which he caused to be concealed
in the earth. He was apprehended at Boston, sent to Eng-
land for his trial, and there condemned and executed.
The increase of the nuiuber of proprietors in West Jersey,
had introduced great confusion into that province ; disputes
E. AND W. JERSEY UNITED, AND CALLED NEW JERSEY.
107
constantly arising, not only among the settlers, but between PART II.
the proprietors themselves ; so that for three years it might
be said that West Jersey had no regular authority what-
ever. On this account, in 1698, the proprietors surrendered
the right of government to the crown. Queen Anne unhed
it with the east province, and New Jersey, as the whole was
now called, was to be ruled jointly with New York by a
royal governor, having a separate council and assembly of
representatives.
The Queen appointed, as governor of the two provinces, the
worthless Lord Cornbury, who, as well as herself, was a
grandchild of Lord Clarendon. He rendered himself odious
to the people, squandering, for his own use, large sums of
money, which had been approprfated for public purposes, and
left to his disposal as gOA^ernor. In 1708, the assemblies of
New York and New Jersey, no longer walling to submit to
his government, drew up a complaint against him, and sent
it to the queen. She removed him, and appointed Lord Love-
lace in his room. After a short administration, Lovelace was
succeeded by Sir Robert Hunter, known as the friend of Dean
Swift, and he, in 1719, by Peter Schuyler, so often mentioned
as the mediator between the whites and Indians, he being the
oldest member of the council. Commissioners were, at this
time, appointed to draw the line of partition between the
provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
In 1720, Mr. Burnet succeeded Schuyler. In order to de-
prive the French of their supplies for the Indians, he instituted
measures to stop the trade between New York and Canada ;
and by this means displeased the merchants. They being
thus prohibited from a direct traffic with Canada, built a
trading house at Oswego, which, in defiance of the protest of
the French, and the displeasure of the Iroquois, was, in 1727,
converted into a fortress. At length Burnet became so un-
popular with the merchants, that, though generally acceptable
to the people, he was superseded in the government by Colonel
Montgomery.
On his death, the command devolved on Rip Van Dam, he
being the oldest member of the council, and an eminent mer-
chr.nt. He passively permitted the encroachments of the
French, and during his administration, they erected a fort at
Crown Point, which commanded Lake Champlain, and which
was within the acknowledged limits of New York.
George I. died in 1727, and was succeeded by his son, 1727.
George II. George U
PERIOD n.
CHAP. III.
16§9.
to
1692.
No govern-
ment in
WestJersey.
[1702.
The Jerseys
united and
joined to
New York.]
169§.
Lord Corn-
bury 's bad
administra-
tion. •
1708.
Lovelace.
1710.
Hunter.
1719.
Schuyler.
1720.
Burnet.
Oswego
built.
1722.
Fortified.
1727.
Montgome-
ry-
Van DanL
108
THE TERRITORIES SEPARATED FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER IV,
Pennsylvania. — Penn's second visit. — Maryland restored
PART II.
Penn influ-
ential at
court.
1692.
Willi.am
Penn de-
prived, for
two years, of
the govern-
ment of
Pennsylva-
1699.
He visits it.
ITOl.
Grants new
privileges.
1703.
TheTerrito-
ries separate
from Penn-
sylvania.
Maryland.
1716.
Lord Balti-
more rein-
stated.
After William Penn's arrival in England, he became one
of the most influential persons in the kingdom ; for when the
Duke of York was made king, under the title of James II., he
manifested for him much confidence and affection. The in-
fluence thus possessed at court was never used for selfish
purposes, but mainly to obtain benefits for distressed Quakers,
and laws in favor of general toleration.
When James became an exile in France, Penn was sus-
pected, by his successor, of holding with him a treasonable
correspondence ; and upon vague charges to this effect, he
was a number of times imprisoned. In 1692, the government
of Pennsylvania was taken from him, and Fletcher, governor
of New York, appointed by the crown to rule his province.
After strict scrutiny, the conduct of Penn was found to be
irreproachable ; and in 1694, he was restored to the favor of
the king, and reinstated in his government ; but not immedi-
ately returning to Pennsylvania, he appointed the worthy
Thomas Lloyd his deputy governor.
In 1699, Penn again visited his colony. Finding great
complaint and disaffection respecting the government, he
granted, in 1701, a new and liberal charter. To the assem-
bly it gave the right of originating bills ; to the governor the
right of rejecting laws passed by the assembly, of appoint-
ing his own council, and of exercising the whole executive
power. This charter was accepted by the assembly, although
it did not satisfy the discontents of the people.
The Territories rejected it altogether; and in 1703, they
were allowed to form a separate assembly, Penn still ap-
pointing the same governor over both provinces. Immediately
after this third charter was granted, Penn, having settled a
government which has given him the glory of being one of the
greatest of lawgivers, went to England, no more to visit his
beloved province ; and the executive authority was adminis-
tered by deputy governors appointed by himself.
In the year 1716, the government of Maryland, which,
since the accession of William and Mary, had been held by
the crown, was restored to Lord Baltimore, the proprietor.
It continued in his hands and those of his successors until
the American Revolution.
CHARACTER OF THE PERSECUTED HUGUENOTS. 109
CHAPTER V.
The Huguenots. — War with the Spaniards. — Tuscaroras and Yamassees.
A DISSENSION arose in Carolina between the proprietary PART n.
governors and the inhabitants, on account of the unwillingness period n.
of the English Episcopalians to admit the French Protestants chap. v.
who had settled in the colony to a seat in the assembly. Con- >^.^-v-^-/
sidering the French as their hereditary enemies, and regard- Dissensions
ins: their difference of religion with all the bitterness of the i"^ Carolina,
times, they could not be reconciled to their participating in
the rights of freemen. They affected to consider them as
foreigners^ and proceeded to enforce the laws of England
against them as such. They even declared that marriages,
solemnized by French ministers, were void ; and that the
estates of those thus married should not descend to their Meekness of
children. The Huguenots, countenanced by the proprietary protestants.
governor, peacefully submitted for a time to the discourage-
ments of such a situation ; and remained in the province,
hoping for a favorable change.
The people, still complaining, John Archdale, one of the pro-
prietors, was sent, in 1695, as governor of North and South
Carolina, with full power to redress grievances. Having re-
stored order, he left the country the next year, but without 1695.
giving to the French their civil rights. In a short time, how- dalTrestore's
ever, their correct deportment overcame all prejudices, and order,
they were admitted to the privileges of citizens and freemen.
About this time a vessel from Madagascar, touching at
Carolina, the captain presented Governor Archdale with a
bag of seed rice, giving him, at the same time, instructions as R'ce mtro
to the manner of its culture. The seed was divided among Africa*""
several planters. From this accident arose the cultivation of
this staple commodity of Carolina.
The proprietary governor, invested with arbitrary powers,
resided in the southern province, and governed the northern
by his deputy. In that land of rivers and vine-clad forests,
liberty roamed at large. The settlers had been early visited George Fox,
by George Fox, who found them "a tender people" to receive of the sect of
the doctrines of inner light and outward nonconformity ; but Quakers,
the deputy governor, though his powers were ample, could ^Ca^o^n^
never execute them, quarrel as he might, beyond the limits
of the peoples' will.
On the breaking out of Queen Anne's war, an attempt was May,
immediately made by Governor Moore, of South Carolina, l'S'02.
against the Spanish province of St. Augustine. The expe- ^°pe^i°°o^'*
dition was unsuccessful, and so heavy was the expense, that,
to pay the debt incurred, the assembly, for the first time, re- per^cureenCT
sorted to the expedient of a paper currency. of S. C.
110
DESTRUCTIVE INDIAN WARS IN CAROLINA.
FART 11.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. V.
1703.
Moore sub-
dues the Ap-
palachian
Indians.
1706.
Spanish in-
vasion re-
pelled.
1707.
1712.
War with
the Tuscaro-
ras.
They are
pursued and
vigorously
attacked by
Barnwell.
Being de-
feated they
unite with
the Iroquois.
1715.
War of the
Yamassees
in S. C.
In 1703, Governor Moore proceeded against the Appala-
chian Indians, whom the Spaniards had instigated to hostility.
He marched into the heart of their settlements, and laid in
ashes their towns between the Altamaha and Savannah.
Some of the captives who were taken, the avaricious gov-
ernor employed in cultivating his own fields, while others were
sold for his personal emolument.
The Spaniards, aided by the French, took their turn for
invasion ; and Charleston was justly alarmed at the approach
of five hostile ships, commanded by Le Feboure. Land
forces were also on the march from St. Augustine. But the
summons of the invaders to surrender, and their consequent
attack, was met by the people with a spirit kindred to that
manifested by Charleston in the days of the revolution ; and
Le Feboure and his party retired with loss.
In 1707, another colony of French Protestants settled on a
branch of the Neuse river.
In 1712, the Tuscaroras, and other Indians of North Caro-
lina, formed, with all the cruel subtlety of the savage charac-
ter, a plot for exterminating the entire white population.
Having kept their design profoundly secret until the night
fixed for its execution, they then entered the houses of the
poor Palatines of Germany who had recently settled on the
Roanoke, and murdered men, women, and children. A few
who escaped gave the alarm, and the remaining inhabitants,
collecting into a camp, kept guard night and day, until aid
could be received from South Carolina. That colony sent to
their relief six hundred militia, and three hundred and sixty
Indians, under Captain Barnwell. Although a wilderness at
this time separated the northern from the southern settle-
ments, yet Barnwell penetrated it, boldly attacked the Indians,
killed three hundred, and took one hundred prisoners. Those
who survived, fled to the chief town of the Tuscaroras, where
they had erected a wooden breastwork for their security ; but
here Barnwell's troops surrounded them, and they at last sued
for peace. The Tuscaroras had lost one thousand men in the
course of this war, and they soon after left their country and
united with the Iroquois, making the sixth nation of that con-
federacv.
In 1715, the Yamasees, who resided northeast of the Sa-
vannah river, secretly instigated a combination of all the
Indians from Florida to Cape Fear against South Carolina.
The Creeks, Apalachians, Cherokees, Catawbas, and Con-
garees, engaged in the enterprise, — and it was computed
that their whole force exceeded six thousand fighting men
The southern tribes fell suddenly on the traders settled among
them, and, in a few hours, ninety persons were massacred.
Some of the inhabitants fled precipitately to Charleston and
gave the alarm.
Formidable parties were also penetrating the northern fron-
A REVOLUTION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF CAROLINA.
Ill
tier, and approaching Charleston. They were repulsed by
the militia, but their route was marked by devastation. Govern-
or Craven adopted the most energetic and judicious measures.
At the head of twelve hundred men he marched towards the
southern frontier, and overtook the strongest body of the enemy
at a place called Saltcatchers, where an obstinate and bloody
battle was fought. The Indians were totally defeated, and
the governor, pressing upon them, drove them from their terri-
tory, and pursued them over the Savannah river. Here they
were hospitably received by the Spaniards of Florida, and,
long afterwards, they made incursions into Carolina. Nearly
four hundred of the Carolinians were slain in this war.
These events, in their consequences, had heightened the
dissensions, already existing between the people of the pro-
vince and the proprietors. The legislature had applied to the
company for aid and protection, which was denied. For tem-
porary relief, large emissions of paper money were next re-
sorted to. Directions were given by the proprietors to the
governor, to reduce the quantity in circulation. The assembly
then resolved to appropriate the lands, from which the
Indians had been driven ; but the proprietors refused to sanc-
tion this necessary proceeding. A memorial was presented
against their chief justice, Trott, and the receiver-general, Rhett,
who, for tyrannical measures, had become extremely obnox-
ious to the colony ; and a request was made that they might
be removed from office. They were, however, not only re-
tained, but thanked for their services.
A general combination was now formed throughout the colo-
ny, to subvert the proprietary government ; and the inhabitants
bound themselves to stand by each other, in defense of their
lives and liberties. This was done with such secrecy and
despatch, that, before the governor was informed, almost every
inhabitant of the province was engaged in the combination.
A letter was despatched to Mr. Johnson, then the governor,
from a committee of the representatives of the people, inform-
ing him that they were to wait on him for the purpose of
offering him the government of the province, under the king ;
as they were resolved no longer to submit to that of the pro-
prietors. Johnson refused, and endeavored to suppress the
spirit of revolt ; but it had diffused itself beyond his con-
trol : and, at last, the people elected Moore governor of the
province.
The colonists stated their situation to the crown, when it
was decided that the proprietors had forfeited their charter ;
and that both the Carolinas should be taken under the royal
protection. Nicholson, known in the history of the northern
provinces, was, in 1720, appointed governor, and, early the fol-
lowing year, he arrived at Charleston, where he was received
with every demonstration of joy. Peace having been made
between Great Britain and Spain, he had been instructed to
PART 11.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. V.
Battle of
Salt Catch-
ers.
The Ysar»s
sees settle x
Florida.
Evils of the
proprietary
government.
Their con-
tempt of the
people.
1719.
Carolinians
revolt and
choose a
governor.
The crown
assumes the
government,
and appoints
Nicholson.
1720.
112
EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
PARTII.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. VI.
1729.
North and
South Caro-
lina sepa-
rated.
cultivate tlie friendship of the Indians, and also of the Spaniards
of Florida. He accordingly held treaties with the Cherokees
and Creeks, in which boundaries were settled and other ne-
cessary regulations made. Having thus secured the province
from assaults without, Governor Nicholson, by the encourage-
ment and support which he gave to literary and religious
institutions, soon caused its internal affairs to assume a new
aspect.
The revolution was completed in 1729, by an agreement
between the crown and seven of the proprietors, whereby, for
a valuable consideration, they surrendered their right and
interest, not only in the government of these provinces, but
also in the soil. North and South Carolina were at the same
time erected into separate governments.
CHAPTER VI.
1699.
Pensacola
settled.
February 3.
d'Ibberville
enters the
Mississippi.
1T02.
Mobile
founded.
1716.
Natchez
founded.
171§.
New Or-
leans found-
ed.
Extension of the French Empire. — New France.
In 1699, Pensacola was settled by three hundred Spaniards
from Vera Cruz. Scarcely were they established when a
fleet under Le Moine d'lberville, a Canadian Frenchman, who
had been distinguished as a discoverer and a warrior, ap-
peared along their coast, carrying several hundred persons,
mostly from Canada.
The company at first erected their huts on Ship Island,
near the entrance of Lake Borgne. After three weeks,
d'Ibberville proceeded with forty men, and stemming the tur-
bid current, he entered the mouth of the Mississippi, and
sailed up the stream, probably to Red River. Then, on his
return, he passed through the bay which bears his name, and
the lakes which he called Maurepas and Pontchartrain, to the
bay of St. Louis. On the small bay of Biloxi he erected a
fort, and around it his few emigrants were planted.
Leaving them under the command of his brother, Bienville,
he went to France. The climate proved fatal to numbers, and
in 1702, the chief fortress was transferred to the western bank
of the Mobile, where was made the first European settle-
ment in Alabama.
In 1716, Bienville went up the Mississippi and built fort
Rosalie, on the site of Natchez, the oldest European settle-
ment of the grand valley south of the Illinois.
False ideas of the wealth of Louisiana had been spread in
France for purposes of land speculation: and in 1718, three
ships came over, bearing eight hundred emigrants, who
founded a city, and in honor of the regent of France, named
it New Orleans. By this occupancy, as well as by her
OPERATION OF THE NEW CHARTER IN MASS. 113
discoveries, France laid claims to the extensive territory of PART II.
Louisiana. period n
The French claimed also, in virtue of the discovery of chap. vh.
Champlain, the basin of the lake which bears his name, and ^--•'>^^"'*-^
in 1713, they erected on its banks the fort at Crown Point. 1713.
Soon after the treaty of Utrecht, they reared the fortress of ^'■''J;^",^"'"''
Niagara. A colony of one hundred was led to Detroit as j^-ja^gra.
early as 1707, by De La Motte Cadillac, and another in 1712, Det^'roit.
by Anthony Crozat, who had obtained from Louis XIV. a 1707,
patent for the exclusive trade of Louisiana. A few years after, to
a French interpreter, having obtained leave of the Iroquois to l*!"'
build his dwelling among them, made a small settlement at ^^^II^T""
Lewistown.
Since the discoveries of the Jesuits, the French had been
in possession of the various western routes from the St. Law-
rence to the xMississippi ; and Chicago, Vincennes, and Kas-
kaskia were, at the close of this period, growing settlements.
De Lisle, the royal geographer of France, represented New £^^^J^^ ^f
France as extending to the remotest waters, which flowed n^^ France
west to the Mississippi, south to the Mobile, and north to the as represent
St. Lawrence ; and it was the aim of the government to con- prench.^
nect this vast territory by a line of military posts. The Eng-
lish in America had viewed their claims and their operations
with alarm, but had been tardy in counter-movements. Large
tracts, inhabited by savage nations, yet intervened between
the fortresses of the two nations ; but the period drew nigh
when their conflicting claims were to be decided by an appeal
to arras.
CHAPTER VII,
1701.
New England. — Controversy in Mass.-ichusetts respecting a fixed salary for the
royal governor.
The fears of England that her American colonies woidd
finally throw ofl^ her yoke, and erect an independent govern- Attempt to
ment, increased with their growing strength. A bill had been unite the
brought into the house of commons to unite all the charter charter gov-
governments to the crown, but it was defeated ; agents of the {i,g crown,
colonies being present in the house of lords to defend their
rights.
The governors appointed by the crown ha,d hitherto been 1702.
supported by the voluntary appropriations of the colonial as- Royal gover
semblies. The government of England perceived, that, by "n"^ Mas"^-
leaving them dependent for their salaries on the pleasure of chusetts a
those they governed, they would be likely to subserve their ^^^^ salary,
interest rather than that of the crown: and in 1702, the gov-
114 EMBARRASSMENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
PART. II. ernor of Massachusetts, then Sir Joseph Dudley, a native of
PERIOD II. the colony, but a tool of royalty, laid before the assembly his
CHAP. VII. instructions from the queen, to demand for himself, and the
^-^'"^■'"^'-^ other officers of the crown, a settled and permanent salary
The assembly declined complying with this request. In the
other colonies, the same attempt was made by the royal gov-
ernors, but notwithstanding their demands met with opposition,
they were finally successful. In Massachusetts this was but
the commencement of a series of controversies between the
representatives of the crown and those of the people, which
were continued through many succeeding years.
Massachusetts, to defray the expenses of the late war, had
made such large emissions of paper money, that gold and sil-
ver were banished from the province. The paper depreciated,
Embarrass- and the usual commercial evils ensued. The attention of the
ments in the colony was directed to*remedv these, and three parties were
currency. f^jr,^g(;i_u ^^le first," says Marshall, " a very small one, actu-
ated by the principle which ought always to govern — that hon-
esty is the best policy, were in favor of calling in the paper
money, and reiving on the industry of the people to replace it
with a circulating medium of greater stability." The second,
A bank, which was numerous, were in favor of a private bank, the bills
not redeemable in specie, but landed security to be given. The
third partv were for a public bank, the faith of the government
to be pledijed for the value of the notes, and the profits accru-
ing from the bank to be applied for its support. This party
prevailed, and fifty thousand pounds, in bills of credit, were
issued. The bank, however, failed of its desired effect.
1706. Governor Shute succeeded Dudley, and, by his recommenda-
Shute sue- jJQ,^^ another emission of bills of credit was made to the
'^^^ley. ^ ' amount of one hundred thousand pounds. The consequence
of this was, rather to heighten than allay the existing difficul-
ties ; as it was found, that the sfreater the quantity of this fac-
titious substitute for money, the less was its value.
The commercial evils of the times, being, by the people,
ascribed to the operation of the public bank, its friends, among
The "patriot whom was the governor, were unpopular; and those who had
Cooke" favored a private bank, at the head of whom was a Mr. Cooke,
became the dominant party. A majority of the general court
were also of this party ; and they refused to raise the salary
of the crovernor, notwithstanding the depreciation of the cur-
rency. They also elected Mr. Cooke their speaker ; the
governor objected, alleging that he had a right to negative
disXed. their choice. The house denied this right, persisted in their
choice, and wer'., by the governor, dissolved.
170T. The irritated people, in almost every instance, chose the
The same same representatives, and when the next session commence i,
rech(«en ^""^^ ill-temper was shown on their part. Amon j other pro-
ceedings, justly displeasing to the governor, was the omission
of the customary vote, at the commencement of the session.
VEXATIONS OF THE BOYAL GOVERNORS. 115
for the payment of half his yearly salary ; and when the tardy PART II.
appropriation was made, it was reduced from six to five hun- period n.
dred pounds. chap. vn.
At the next meeting, the governor, in the name of the ^--"-v"^-/
crown, again demanded a fixed and adequate salary. This Governor
subject was insisted on, and caused more violent disputes than tends !n vain
any which had yet occurred. In the course of the contest, for a fixed
the people repeatedly asserted the principle, to maintain salary,
which, they eventually took up arms, that none but them-
selves or their representatives had a right to control their
property.
Governor Shute, wearied with contention, left the province
in 1722, wont privately to England, and preferred complaints \vnin.^asliiiidtorL
care ,^ w"^
34
i / , \ J U ,■'.-•,'.'77.0 A'
_»^i^. -.^ — .-
i.rnioRn Mt.r nvi- i.vtuas cuu i s i:r-.;
PERIOD III.
TBB
FIRST SETTLEMENT | 1733 j OF GEORGIA BY OGLETHORPE.
T O
^-aiw^o $ WHICH CLO!
THE PEACE OF PARIS, ^ 1763. ^ frencH
CLOSES THE
WAR.
CHAPTER I.
Georgia and Carolina engaged in war with the Spaniards of Florida. — The
Slave Trade. — War of the French with the Chickasaws.
Oglethorpe having prepared for the settlement of Georgia,
by the assistance of a corporation consisting of twenty-one
persons, who were called " Trustees for settling and estab-
lishing the colony of Georgia," embarked in November, 1732,
with one hundred and sixteen emigrants for America.
Large sums of money had been subscribed, which -were
applied to the purchase of clothing, food, arms, agricultural
utensils and transportation, for such indigent persons as
should be willinsr to cross the Atlantic and begin a new
settlement.
They arrived at Charleston, January 1 5th, 1733. Governor
Johnson, sensible of the importance of having a barrier be-
tween his people and the southern Indians, gave them all the
aid in his power, and accompanied them to the place of
their destination. This was Yamacraw Bluff, since called
Savannah, which they r<^,ached on the first of February, and
Oglethorpe immediately commenced a fort.
His next care was to propitiate the Indians. The tribe
settled at Yamacraw was considerable. The Creeks, at this
period, could muster 2,500 w-arriors ; the Cherokees, 6,000 ;
the Choctaws, 5,000 ; and the Chickasaws, 700 ; amounting in
the whole to 14,200. Aware, that without the friendship of
these nations, his colony could not even exist, much less pros-
per, Oglethorpe summoned a general meeting of the chiefs,
fifty of whom met him in council at Savannah. By means of
an interpreter, he made them the most friendly professions,
which they reciprocated ; and these amicable dispositions
passed into a solemn treaty.
Soon after these occurrences, Georgia was increased by five
or six hundred emigrants ; but most of them were idle, and
many of them vicious. In order to procure a more efficient
population, eleven townships of 20,000 acres each, were laid
out on the Savannah, Altamaha, and Santee rivers, and divided
into lots of fifty acres each ; one of which was to be given to
PART II.
PERIOD lit
CHAP. I.
Oglethorpe
sails for
America.
Supplies fur
nished for
the colony
by the be-
nevolent in
England.
First settle-
ment made
at Savamiah.
The Indian
tribes.
Enters into
friendly re
lations.
Fifty acres
to be given
to each
settler
CHAP. I.
*-8 INVASION OF FLORIDA.
PART II. every actual settler. This arrangement proved so attractive,
PERIOD III. that a large number of emigrants soon arrived. Highlanders
from Scotland built the town of Inverness, afterwards Darien,
on the Altamaha ; and Germans, a town which they called
1736. Ebenezer, on the Savannah.
^GermanT'^ The charter granted to the trustees of Georgia, vested in
settle in them powers of legislation for twenty-one years, and they now
Georgia, proceeded to establish regulations for the government of the
Civil govern- province, in which the interests of humanity were regarded
ment. niore than those of trade.
1736. Ill 1736, Oglethorpe erected three forts, one on the Savan-
Oglethorpe nah, at Augusta ; another called Frederica, in the vicinity of
forts on^ier- ^^^® Scotch settlement, on the island of St. Simons ; and a
ritorj' claim- third, named Fort William, on Cumberland island. The
ed by the Spaniards remonstrated, and insisted on the evacuation of the
paniar s. ^.q^^j^j.^ ^g f^^ ^g ^j^^ thirty-third degree of north latitude.
Oglethorpe about this time returned to England. That na-
mander-in^" ^^^^ being determined to maintain their claim to the disputed
chief in territory, appointed him commander-in-chief of the British
Carolina and forces in Carolina and Georgia, and sent him back with a
regmient of six hundred men. On his arrival in America, he
established his head-quarters at Frederica.
173§. About this time, a number of slaves near Charleston, influ-
Insunection enced by the Spaniards, rose in a body, armed themselves by
of slaves at ^ . •' ^ .' -' ' . •'
Stono, near lorcmg Open a niagazme at Stono, and thence proceeding
C^rleston, south twelve miles, they killed all the whites they met, and
by the'^Spln compelled the negroes to join them. At length, becoming
iaids. intoxicated, they were attacked and overcome by the men of a
worshipping assembly, who, according to law, went armed.
Most of them were put to death.
1739^' England had now declared war against Spain ; Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe invaded Florida, and invested Diego, a small fort, about
invades twenty-five miles from St. Augustine. After a feeble resist-
Flonda, ance, it capitulated, and he returned. A short time after, he
1740. blockaded St. Augustine with 2,000 men. But this expe-
His attempt dition proved unsuccessful, and produced the unfortunate re-
f^f^^nTd^s- ^"^'^ '^^ ^" increase of the public debt, and a temporary dis
asters ensue, trust between the people and their general.
The same year, Charleston, in South Carolina, was de
Charleston stroyed by fire. To relieve the sufferers, the British parlia
burned. j^gj^j generously voted je20,000.
■mm,n I^ May, 1742, a fleet was sent from Havanna, from which,
June. ' ^^*-^ in June, debarked a Spanish army at St. Simons. Ogle-
Georgia in- thorpe, with his wonted energy, had collected troops and
^SpMiia^ds^^ posted himself at Frederica. He was not in sufficient force
Braver>' of Openly to attack the enemy, but was himself attacked by a
^^d^'^VI^'' P^^'^y of Spaniards. His troops, particularly the Highlandera,
Intosh. " nnder Captain M'c Intosh, fought bravely, — repulsed, and slew
two hundred of the enemy at " the Bloody Marsh."
Oglethorpe, on being informed of a division in their camp.
THE SLAVE SHIP. 119
next determined on a surprise, and marched his army, during PART 11.
the night, within two miles of their entrenchments, when a period llL
French soldier of his party discharged his musket and ran chap, i,
into their lines. Discovery defeated every hope of success, ^-^"^v-^-^
and Oglethorpe returned to his camp. He then adroitly Oglethorpe
planned to make the Spaniards believe that the deserter was surori^e'and
a spy, and was giving them information to mislead them. He fails.
wrote him a letter, urging him to give the Spaniards such an
account of the situation of his army as should induce them to -Make.s ad-
attack him, or would, at any rate, serve to detain them in their '';''"'i*?e of
., , •' 1 • 1 1 Till h's discom-
own camp, until the succours which he expected should finne to pun-
arrive. This letter, as Oglethope had contrived, fell into the '^^ » desert-
hands of the Spaniards ; who, having loaded the deserter with ,^,g coiintU
irons, were deliberating uport its contents, when they per- of the Span-
ceived off the coast some ships of war, which South Carolina '^'''^^•
had sent to Oglethorpe whhout his knowledge. Panic-struck,
the Spaniard.s embarked, and left the coast in such haste that
their artillery, provisions, and military stores, fell into the
hands of the Georgians.
Georgia, in its early settlement, was distinguished by the
peculiar humanity in which it was founded. The chivalric
Oglethorpe " sought not himself, but others ;" and for ten
years he gave his disinterested services, without claiming so Oglethorpe
much as a cottage or a farm. Though a brave warrior, com- ed^'for^com-
passion was the leading trait of his mind. Hence the im- passionate
prisoned debtors of England, the unfortunate adherents of the ii'n'iJiess.
Scottish Stewarts, and those holy persecuted men, the mis-
sionary Moravians of Germany, each found in him a father.
His mercy was also extended to the African ; and he would
not, at first, allow a slave in his colony.
But at that day, the nations of Europe, especially England, Computed
were permitting their ships to go to Africa, and there, for a '''"' England
trifle, they purchased of victors, their captives — of parents, ^Africa a"
their children — and of slave-breeders, their young negroes : number
and where their shipmasters could not buy, they could steal, f^'i'i'^l to that
As the African youth walk abroad in the twilight, they are %-'aii o^iher^
seized, and hurried to the slave-ship. It is crowded, and nations,
they are manacled. Water and food fiiil ; disease agonizes
their frames. They shriek, — they seek to burst their chains, ^°J™iave:
that they may plunge into the deep. But youth and life are ship,
strong within them, and perhaps they survive — to be carried
to different marts — sold like cattle — and bought to labor be-
neath burning suns, till they die I
Such is the history of annual tens of thousands which were,
at that period, carried wherever the slave-dealer could find, or Nine mill-
make a market. Before the American Revolution, nine millions (1°^'^ j(y^^"
had thus been taken from Africa. Some hundreds of thou- Autiioritv
sands were l)rought to this country. But when they were Ahi.e Ray
once bought by the An^lo-American colonists, their condition, "''•, -^^ n;'"*-
in 'ar the greater proportion of case.3, became better than -it Uancro'":
120
LOUISIANA REVERTS TO FRANCE.
PART II.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. I.
Slaves at
length ad-
mitted into
Georgia.
The Moravi-
ans, Whit-
field, and the
two West-
leys, in
Georgia.
1734
to
IT40.
1T52.
Georgia a
royal pro-
vince.
April.
1732.
Louisiana.
Bienville
governor.
1735.
The Chicka-
saws trouble
the French.
The Natchez
are ruined.
1736.
The French
make war
with the
Chickasaws.
d'Arta-
guette and
his party de-
stroyed by
the dilatory
movements
of Bienville.
was elsewhere ; incomparably better than it had been in their
own country, where scarce a gleam of moral light illumined
the darkness of their minds.
The refusal of Oglethorpe to allow the Georgians to pos-
sess slaves, when the adjoining colonies carried on their
plantations by their labor, was greatly injurious lo its pecu-
niary prosperity ; and at length, even the pious Moravians, a
party of whom were, for a time, in Georgia, agreed, that if
their salvation was regarded, it was, under the circumstances,
proper to own and employ them. This opinion at length pre-
vailed, it being also justified by the ardent and eloquent Whit-
field, who, with the two Wesleys, the three founders of the
sect of Methodists, sympathized with Oglethorpe in his
benevolence ; and each spent some time in America, assisting
him in his enterprise. Whitfield founded, near Savannah, a
house for orphans.
In 1752, the trustees, wearied with a troublesome and profit-
less charge, resigned their office, and Georgia became a royal
province.
Louisiana, after having been for fourteen years under a com-
pany of avaricious speculators formed at Paris, reverted to the
French crown ; and Bienville was appointed governor. The
Chickasaws were the dread of the Louisianians They had
incited the Natchez to commit cruel murders upon the whites,
which had ended in the entire destruction of that peculiat
nation ; the Great Sun himself, with four hundred of his sub-
jects, having been sold into slavery. The Chickasaws occu-
pied a large and beautiful tract, east of the Mississippi, and
on the head of the Tombecbee. This they would not allow
the French to occupy, but maintained their own indepen-
dence. Between the two rivals, they favored the English
rather than the French.
It was concerted, in France, that a force, under Bienville,
should ascend the Tombecbee to meet an army collected from
the region of the Illinois, under the young and valorous d'Ar-
taguette. At the time appointed, the ardent young warrior,
with his small army, was in the country of the hostile savages;
but the laggards from the south had not seasonably arrived.
After a brave effort to subdue the Chickasaws, he was over-
come. Bienville at length arrived, but the Indians, aware of
his approach, and aided by English traders, received their
army in such a manner that they threw their artillery into the
Tombecbee, and, crest-fallen, returned down its stream. The
Chickasaws compelled the brave d'Artaguette to witness the
torture and death of his companions, one of whom was the
same Vincennes who had given his name to the capital of
Illinois. The young warrior was then dismissed to go and
relate to the whites the deeds of the Chickasaws.
Four years afterwards, a larger French and Indian force,
aided by troops from Canada, invaded the country of the Chick-
WAR WITH FRANCE.
121
asaws ; but sickness wasted them, and at length Bienville, who PART. II,
led them, was glad to treat with the Indians on their own terms.
On his return he talked largely of having subdued them ; but
he left the country in their possession. They guarded it from
the occupancy of the French ; and as the event proved, kept
it for the English.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. II.
1740.
CHAPTER II.
Old French War.-
-Capture of Louisburg. — French and English claims to the
Basin ot the Mississippi.
As France and Spain were at this time governed by differ-
ent branches of the house of Bourbon, it was not to be
expected that the former nation would long continue at peace,
while the latter was at war with Great Britain. Accordingly,
in 1744, war was proclaimed between England and France.
Louisburg, the capital of the island of Cape Breton, had
been fortified with great care and expense, and was now called,
from its strength, the Dunkirk of America ; while, from its
position, it commanded the navigation of the St. Lawrence,
and the fisheries of the adjoining seas.
On this fortress. Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, now
meditated an attack. He first applied to the British ministry
for naval assistance ; but, without waiting for returns, he laid
open his designs to the general court of the colony, having
previously required of the members an oath of secrecy. The
plan being thought too great, too hazardous, and too expensive,
it was apparently abandoned ; but an honest member, who
performed the family devotions at his lodgings, inadvertently
discovered the secret by praying for the divine blessing on the
attempt. The people approving the project, with which they
became thus accidentally acquainted, were clamorous in its
support. It was revived by the court, and after a long deliber-
ation, the vote in its favor was carried by a single voice.
Troops were immediately raised by Connecticut, Rhode
Island, and New Hampshire, to aid those of Massachusetts.
The command of these forces was given to Colonel William
Pepperell, a merchant of Maine, who sailed on the 25th of
March, and arrived at Canso on the 4th of April.
The day before leaving Boston, an express-boat, which had
been sent to the West Indies to ask the assistance of Commo-
dore Warren, returned with the intelligence that he had de-
clined to furnish the aid required. The resolute colonists
rashly determined to proceed without his co-operation ; but
subsequently he received orders from England, and hastened
with his squadron to join the colonial armament. The whole
10
1744.
War be
tween Eng-
land and
France.
Shirley
plans an at--
tack, which'
is opposed,
then sanc-
tioned by the:
court of
Mass.
1745.
Forces corrn
manded by
Colonel PejV"
perell.
British nava
force under
Commodore
Warren.
122
LOUISBURG TAKEN
PART IL
PERIOD III.
CHAP. n.
April 3d.
Arrive at
Louisburg.
Hardihood
and resolu-
tion of the
besiegers.
Commodore
Warren
vakes the Vi-
gilant.
June 16.
Louisburg
surrenders.
1746.
Colonies
fiightenedby
a great
French fleet.
174§.
Peace of Ai.x
laChapelle.
'A war with-
out results,
and a peace
without se-
curity.
Extent of
New France
as stated by
French ge-
ographers.
fleet arrived at Chapeau Rouge bay, on the 30th of ApriL Its
appearance brought to the French the first intelligence of the
meditated attack.
The army effected their landing in the vicinity of the for-
tress, though not without opposition. Colonel Vaiighan, of New
Hampshire, conducted a detachment through the woods, and
against all sober calculation, succeeded in possessing himself
of a battery which commanded the place. The siege was
now commenced. For fourteen nights successively did these
hardy veterans perform a drudgery, which, from the want of
roads, would have been impossible for oxen, by drawing to the
battery the cannon from the landing-place, two miles through
a deep morass. Commodore Warren now captured the Vigi-
lant, an expected ship, having on board five hundred and sixty
men, and stores for the garrison. Preparations were immedi-
ately made for an assault upon the fort by sea and land. A
mutiny had occurred in the French garrison before the arrival
of the English ; which, giving to the soldiers a disposition to
desert, rendered a sortie from the fort impracticable. In view
of these discouraCTins circumstances, the jjovernor, on the
forty-ninth day of the siege, surrendered Louisburg, and the
island of Cape Breton. When the New England men entered
the place as conquerors, and beheld the strength of the works,
some of them were half frightened at what theyhad attempted,
and quite astonished at what they had achieved.
The French, exasperated at their loss, sent a powerful
armament, under d'Anville, with orders to ravage the whole
coast of North America. Tempest, disease, and other disas-
ters attended this force, and the fleet returned to France with-
out having effected any other object than that of alarming the
colonies.
Peace was proclaimed in 1718, and a treaty signed at Aix
la Chapelle, by commissioners from England, France, and
Spain, the basis of which was the mutual restoration of all
places taken during the war : and Louisburg, to the grief
and mortification of the colonies reverted to the French. Its
capture, had, however, done credit to their military prowess,
as it had been by far the most brilliant exploit of the entire
war ;^a war which showed the wretched condition to which
the European people were reduced by a knavish policy on
the part of their rulers, the miserable counterfeit of wisdom.
The blood and treasure of the many had been spent without
result, for the gratification of the few ; and peace was now
concluded without any settlement of differences, which were
still existing, and which were ready at any moment to break
out again into open hostility. This was especially the case
in regard to the American claims of the contracting powers.
The French, in virtue of the discoveries of Champlain,
Marquette, La Salle, and others, claimed all the lands occu-
pied by the waters flowing into the St. Lawrence and the
RIVAL CLAIMS OF ENGLAND AND FKaNOU. 123
Lakes ; and all watered by the Mississippi and its brandies. PART 11.
In fact, our whole country, according to their geographers, period in.
was New France, except that east of the great ranges of ''"*^- "•
mountains, whose streams flow into the Atlantic ; and of this ^-^'v^--'
portion they claimed the basin of the Kennebec, and all Maine
to the east of that A'alley.
The British, on the other hand, asserted a right to the en-
tire country, on account of the discovery of Cabot, as may be British
seen by their early patents, to which they gave an extension saiil^ [erri*
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This title they had sought tory.
to strengthen. The chiefs of the confederate Iroquois had set
up a claim, that their nations had, at some indefinite period,
conquered the country of the Mississippi ; and this title, such
as it was, the English had bought.
But in this contest for the right, which was rather with the
savage occupants of the soil, than whh either of the disputants, Anapproach-
one thing was evident ; the question would ultimately be settled ^"° contest,
between them, by an appeal to arms ; and the crisis ap-
proached.
The French had formed the vast plan of a chain of forts to ^, ■ .
connect their settlements, recently made at the mouth of the forts from
Mississippi, with their earlier colonies on the St. Lawrence, the St. Law
They had accomplished their purpose in part, having for- Mi'sTiss^ppL*
tresses along the lakes as far as the southern shore of Lake
Erie, where they had two forts, one at Presque Isle, and
another on French creek, twelve miles south. On the Mis-
sissippi, and on the Ohio and its branches, they had also their
fortifications.
A number of gentlemen, mostly in Virginia, of whom Law-
rence Washington was one, procured, in 1750, an act of the
British parliament, constituting them " the Ohio Company,"
and granting them six hundred thousand acres of land on or
near the Ohio river. They caused the tract to be surveyed,
and opened a trade with the Indians in the vicinity. This ITSO.
becoming known to the French, the governor of Canada com- ^*"° '-'°™'
plained to the authorities of New York and Pennsylvania, coniph^ned
threatening to seize their traders if they did not quit their ter- of" fo Din-
ritory ; and several of their number were accordingly taken ^' ^^'
and carried to the fort at Presque Isle.
The governor of Virginia, the zealous and active Dinvviddie,
alarmed at these movements on the part of the French, had
sent a trader among them as a spy, who returning, increased
his fears by vague accounts of the French posts near Lake
Erie, without gratifying his curiosity as to the number or ob-
ject of their forces. Dinwiddle determined, although the
season was advanced, to send immediately a trusty person to
require the French commandant to quit the territory ; and also u i is
to bring back such an account of his strength and position, Washington
that if he refused peaceably to retreat, some feasible method as his envc:
of ejectment might be adopted. A young man of twenty-two,
12i
WASHINGTON.
PART. II. an officer of the militia, was chosen. His figure was command
PERIOD III. ing, his air inspired respect and confidence. His name was
CH.4P. HI. George Washington.
CHAPTER III.
George Washington. — His birth, parentage, and education.-
places of trust, private, and public.
-His conduct in
The Ameri-
can Wash-
ingtons.
John,
Lawrence ;
Aug\istine,
George
Washi.vg-
T0\,
horn in
Westmore-
land, Vir-
ginia.
Felini;irv22,
1732.
1743.
His father
dies.
His excel-
lent mother
his sole guar-
dian.
His early
moral char-
acter.
His activi!}'.
riis limited
advantages
over bal-
anced by-
great self-
exertion.
Lawrence Washington, the grandfather of George, and
Augustine Washington his father, had continued the family
residence in Westmoreland county, where his great grand-
father, John, already mentioned, had fi.\ed his seat : and there,
he who is now regarded as the Father of his Country, was
bom on the 22nd of February, 1732, one year before the last
of the old thirteen colonies was settled by Oglethorpe. In
1734, his father removed, with his family, to Stafford county,
opposite to Fredericksburg, on the Rappahannock; little think-
ing that his playful boy, then but two years old, was marked
by Providence for a career so elevated.
In 1743, Augustine Washington died, and left to each of his
sons valuable landed estates. To Lawrence, his oldest, he
bequeathed a beautiful tract on the bank of the Potomac ;
and to George, the lands and mansion where he died. George
was the oldest offspring of a second marriage; and his mother,
Marv Washincrton, was, bv his father's will, his sole guardian.
She was a rare woman, affectionate, judicious, firm and ener-
getic : and it was under her maternal, guidance, and in the
common school, that Washington developed those physical,
intellectual, and moral elements, which formed his greatness.
When in school he was assiduous, pains-taking, and exact in
the performance of his exercises ; and he was, at the same
time, so true in his words, so righteous in his actions, and so
just in his judgment, that his school-mates were wont to bring
their differences before him for decision. Superior also in
bodily health and vigor, he excelled in athletic sports, and
adventurous exploits. He loved the military ; and tradilioi.
reports that the first battles in which he commanded, were the
mimic engao'ements, which he taught to his school-fellows.
He learned to read and to write well, and he thoroughly mas-
tered arithmetic. This was all which the school helped him to
acquire. Of himself he practiced composition; and he happil)'
formed a style suhed to the lofty tone of his moral sentiments,
and the directness and energy of his character. The higher
mathematics he learned with pleasure and mental profit, his
object being to prepare himself for the occupation of surveyor
HIS EARLY LIFE. 125
He set every thing down in his books, his diagrams, his ob- PART II.
servations on manners, and his rules of behavior. Nothing period in
was too laborious, or too tedious for his determined mind. chap, hi
His brother Lawrence was early an officer in the British v--»"v-^_/
navy. He was under that Admiral Vernon in 1740, who brought 1740.
over in thirty sail of the line 27,000 men; and who, in attempt-, Admiral Ver-
ing to take Carthagena, witnessed such great suffering's from ,
A- i 1 ,u ■^ ■ T. • ■ c Lawrence
disease and death m his army, it was in commemoration of Washinnon
his beloved commander, that Lawrence Washington gave the wishes to
name of Mount Vernon to his estate. Noticing the military '{!'*Hh^'^
turn of his young brother, he procured for him a midshipman's George a
warrant in the British navy ; but his mother interfered and British mid-
prevented his acceptance. shipman.
Lawrence Washington had married a relative of Lord
Fairfax; and through this connection, George became ac- March
quainted with that family, by whose elevated society he de- 1748.
rived various advantages. To survey the great estates of He becomes
Lord Fairfax, now residing in Virginia, he first began his amo"^The
career of active life. Though a boy of just sixteen, he was mount°ains.
intrusted with what would have been responsible, arduous,
and difficult duty, to a sound and able man. Among the forest
wilds of the AUeghanies, the young surveyor frequently
ranged alone ; but on the summits he rejoiced in the beauty
of the earth and sky ; and in the valleys he examined well Cheerfully
all rare and curious things. He had often no bed to lodge in, hardshi^ps^
and no roof to shelter him; and with his own hands he dressed
the game which his musket had procured. Sometimes, how-
ever, he shared the wigwam, and the unpalatable fare of the
native. But these hardships were an important preparation
for the service he had afterwards to perform. His employ- He gams
ment also was lucrative ; and he discharged its duties in a property and
manner that made men regard him as a youth of extraordinary
promise.
He was only nineteen when he was made an adjutant gen- ■av'n
eral of the Virginia militia, with the rank of Major. About Made Adju-
this time he accompanied to the West Indies his brother Law- tantwithtitle
rence, now declining with a pulmonary disease. His voyage °' *'^'*J°'^-
was advantageous to himself, from his great observation and 1'''52.
industry ; but his brother's disease remained, and he died du- tiiie Vo the*
ring the next year. By his will he left George his executor ; Mount Ver-
and gave him a reversionary title to the Mount Vernon estate. """ estate.
Major Washington was now placed over one of the four di- ^'^ r""^'
visions into which Dinwiddle had portioned the militia of n'oiihem d1-
" the Dominion" the style then given to Virginia. He intro- vision of the
duced a uniform discipline, and infused throughout his com- ^'^^'lit'a-
mand, his own military spirit. It was at this period that he ^^^^^0°"-
was chosen by the governor as his envoy to the French. The widdie's let-
seat of government for Virginia was Williamsburg. Thither teracrosstho
Washington repaired, and was furnished with instructions, ^' erness,
and dispatches ; the most important of >vhich was a letter
126 Washington's dangerous journey.
PART II. from Dinwiddie, to St. Pierre the French commandant, requir-
PERiOD HI. ing him with threats, to withdraw from the territory belong-
cHAP. III. ing to the English sovereign.
^^^Z^T*^ Washington departed on the 31st of October, to traverse
Oct. 3*1. more than five hundred miles, much of the way a pathless,
His rout as well as a wintry desert. His route lay through Fredericks-
from Wil- burgr Alexandria, and Winchester, to Will's Creek, since
liEmsbur''' to ^ .
Cuaiberland. Cumberland. Here, taking leave of every vestige of civiliza-
tion, and having procured Mr. Gist, agent of the Ohio compa-
. ny, as interpreter and guide, his party of eight plunged into
Leaves the recesses of the wilderness. They passed through snow
Cumberland and storms, Over mountain precipices, and down among
"rackless ^ thickets into flooded valleys, to ford unbridged and swollen
wilderness, rivers, on frail and dangerous rafts. Coming upon the Yough-
iogeny they followed it to the Monongahela and that to its
junction with the Alleghany. " The Fork," as the site of
Pittsburg was called, was then a desert, but Washington notic-
ed, and afterwards reported it, as a suitable place for a fort.
-^ From the Fork, he went down the river twenty miles to
AtLogstown Logstown, where he was to deliver friendly greetings from
on the Ohio, Dinwiddie to the great chief of the Southern Hurons, Tana-
Haff-kine^ charison, or the Half-king ; Avhose friendship was courted
both by French and English. The chief jeceived him with
kindness. He had been, he told Washington, to the French
camp and had there made a set speech, in which he declared
w'^^v^t^'*' to the officers, that the land in question, belonged neither to
the speech he the English nor the French ; but the Great Spirit had given it
had made to the Indians, and allowed them to make it their residence,
the trench. » J (Jesire you therefore," said he, "to withdraw, as 1 have
our brothers, the English ; for I will keep you at arm's length."
After Major Washington had attended a friendly council with
Goes with the Indians, Tanacharison and three of his principal men, ac-
Washington comnanied him north, more than a hundred miles to the en-
to the
French campment at French Creek. Here St. Pierre, who had been
camp. but a few days in command of the post, received him with
the courteous bearing and hospitable attentions of the French
gentleman. But to Dinwiddle's request, that he would leave
gj p. , the territory which belonged to the British, he replied, after
gentlemanly two days consultation with his officers, that it did not become
treatment of ]jii-[i to discuss treaties ; such questions should rather be ad-
and'sol°" dressed to the governor-general, the Marquis du Quesne ; he
dierly reply acted under his orders, and those he should be careful to
»° ^'"e'^''^' obey.
Washington and his party, by previous concert, had been
making every possible observation on the state of the forces
and camp, and now receiving the reply of St. Pierre, he was
Tanacha- desirous to depart ; but the French were tampering with the
constancy. Indians, and unwilling to dismiss the Half-king, until they
had corrupted his fidelity ; but in this they failed.
The return of Washington in the dead of winter, was full of
DEFEAT AND DEATH OF DE JUMONVILLE. 127
startling and perilous adventure. Once a treacherous guide PART II.
aimed his musket at him, but it missed fire ; and once, on the period ui
Alleghany river, he and his guide, having made in a day, with ^hap. hi.
one poor hatchet, a miserable raft, they at sunset, trusted them- ^-^'^v-^^
selves upon it, to cross the swollen river, amidst large masses '^^P^/'^^^ °'
of floating ice. It came down upon them, and threw them ton's^retum.
from their raft into ten feet water. But they saved themselves
by swimming to an island.
Major Washington arrived at Williamsburg on the 16th of Returns
January, having been absent only eleven weeks. The bold- -Jan. 16.
ness, energy, and prudence, with which he had met and over- iJ li
come dangers, and the ability which he had manifested in the weeks
discharge of his trust, sunk deep into the minds of his coun- absence.
trymen ; and his written reports were published with applause, appfauded.
not only through the colonies, but in England.
Troops were now raised in Virginia; and Washington was 1754.
made Ueutenant colonel and intrusted with the command. In He is again
April, 1754, he marched into the disputed territorj', and, en- a^'brce'to
camping at the Great Meadows, he there learned that the maintain the
French had dispossessed the Virginians of a fort, which in English
cons^equence of his recommendation they were erecting at the
Fork, and which the French finished, and named Fort du French build
Quesne. He was also informed that a detachment of French Fort
troops, had been sent against him, and were encamped but a ^ ^.uesne.
few miles west of the Great Meadows.
Surrounding their encampment, he surprised, and defeated Washington
them. The commander de Jumonville* was killed with ten of ''"[P,"?^^^^
his party. On his return to the Great Meadows, he was re- pa^y.
inforced by regulars from New York and South Carolina, and lo killed,
erected there a small stockade called Fort Necessity. ^o^^S'^May'
With less than 400 men, Washington now marched to 28.
dislodge the enemy from Fort du Quesne ; but after proceeding
thirteen miles he received the intelligence that they had been
reinforced from Canada, when he reluctantly relinquished the French rem-
enterprise and retired. Unable to continue his retreat, from Washington
a failure of expected munitions, he entrenched his little army disappointed
within Fort Necessity. A party of 1,500 French, under Mon- "f supplies,
sieur de Villiers, soon followed and assaulted the fort ; the
Americans bravely resisted, from ten in the morning until dark, j^ obliged to
Washington deeming it folly longer to contend with so un- capitulate at
equal a force, signed, in the course of the night, articles of ca- Ft. ^j^c^ssi-
pitulation,t by which the fort was surrendered ; but the garri- ^' ^
* Washington has been unjustly censured in this affair. It has been repre-
sented that de Jumonville came as an envoy and was murdered. But he came
in arms, with a warlike party, and they were lurking and concealing themselves
in the woods, and had been so concealed for three days. The French had forcibly
dispossessed the English at Fort du Quesne. Washington followed the orders
he had received from Dinwiddle, and the house of burgesses approved his con-
duct.
■f- Washington not understanding the French language, a Dutch captain by
the name of Vanbraam, translated to him and his officers, the articles of capitu-
lation. It was afterwards found that Washington had signed what he knew
128
COLONIES UNITE FOR MUTUAL DEFENSE.
PART II. son permitted to march out with the honors of war, and return
PERIOD III. unmolested to their homes.
CHAP. IV.
British pro-
pose a union
among the
colonies.
1754.
Jane ]4. 7
colonies
send dele-
gates to Al-
bany.
Articles of
union drawn
by Bf'iijviniin
Franklin.
July 4.
Delegates
from Con-
necticut
wisely cau-
tious.
CHAPTER IV.
Congress at Albany. — Convention of governors meet Braddock in Virginia.
The British cabinet had perceived that a war was inevitable.
Accordingly, in their instructions to the colonies, in 1753,
they directed them to cultivate the friendship of the Six Na-
tions ; and recommended what they had at a former period
proposed, though not formally, that a union be formed among
the colonies for their mutual protection and defense. Agree-
ably to these instructions, a congress was held at Albany,
June 14, 1754, to which delegates were sent from .Massachu-
setts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland. About one hundred and fifty
Indians of the Six Nations were present, with whom the con-
vention concluded an explanatory and pacific treaty ; and then
proceeded to consider the subject of the proposed union.
Their situation, with regard to the French, called for imme-
diate and effectual measures ; and it was unanimously resol-
ved "that a union of the colonies was absolutely necessary for
their preservation."' Desiring that their counsels, treasure,
and strength might be employed in due proportion against the
common enemy, a committee, consisting of one member from
each colony represented, was appointed to draw a plan of
union. That which was drawn by Benjamin Franklin, of
Pennsylvania, was substantially adopted and signed on the
4th of July, twenty-two years before this great statesman sign-
ed that more important instrument, which he also assisted in
forming — the Declaration of Independence.
The delegates from Connecticut alone refused their con-
sent to this plan, and on the ground, that it gave too much
power to the presiding general, who was to be appointed over
the colonies by the crown. It was presented to the colonial
legislatures and the British parliament for their sanction ; but
it was rejected by both ; by the colonies, because it gave too
much power to the crown ; and by the crown, because it
gave too much power to the people ; thus showing how wide-
ly different, even at tliis period, were the views of Great Brit-
ain and her colonies, respecting the rights of the latter ; and
foreboding the contest and separation which afterwards fol-
lowed.
nothing of, in, at least, two respects. One was a promise, not to bear arms for
a year against the French ; and another, an expression which made him a party
to the slander against himself, as the murderer of de Jumonville, a peaceful en
voy. Vanbraara was suspected of treachery.
FRENCH EXPEDITION. 129
The ministry, having rejected this scheme of union, propo- PART IL
sed to Gov. Shirley and others, that the governors of the colo- period hi.
nies, (most of whom were appointed by the crown,) attended chap, iv
by one or more of their council, should meet, from time to v-*-v-*>»_/
time, to concert measures for the general defense, with power Artful plan
to draw on the British treasury for such sums of money as coj^nlercon^
they needed ; which sums were, however, to be reimbursed sent to taxa-
by a tax. to be imposed on the colonies. But the colonies tion rejected.
were not so to be drawn into a consent to submit to taxa-
tion, by Great Britain, and they rejected the plan. As the
only alternative, the crown then resolved to cany on the
war with British troops, and such auxiliary forces as the co-
lonial assemblies might voluntary furnish ; and to this the
Americans cheerfully assented.
The establishment of French posts on the Ohio, and the ITSS.
attack upon Col. Washinglon, were stated by the British gov- Braddock
emment, as the commencement of hostilities ; and 1,500 troops, Ysoo^rnen
under Gen. Braddock, were dispatched from England. On his
arrival in America, he requested a convention of the colonial . ,,
, , . 1... . . ■ 1 1 ■ Assembles
governors to assemble in Virginia, to concert with him a plan the gov-
of military operations. ernors.
Four expeditions were here resolved upon. General Brad-
dock was to attack Fort du Quesne ; Gov. Shirley was to Plan of the
lead the American regulars and Indians against Niagara ; the ^™l''*'sn-
militia of the northern colonies were to be directed against
Crown Point ; and Nova Scotia was to be invaded.
Early in the spring, the French sent out a powerful fleet,
carrying a large body of troops, under the Baron Dieskau, to
reinforce the army in Canada.
For the expedition against Nova Scotia, three thousand
men, under generals Monckton and Winslow, sailed from
Boston on the 20th of INIay. They arrived at Chignecto, on
the Bay of Fundy, the first of June. Here they were joined
by 300 British troops, and proceeding against Beau Sejour, Jv?^-
now the principal post of the French in that country, invested "due the"
and took possession of it, after a bombardment of five days. French m
The fleet appearing in the river St. Johns, the French set fire Nova Scotia,
to their works, and evacuated the country. Thus, Avith the
loss of only three men, the English found themselves in pos-
session of the whole of Nova Scotia.
Col. Washington, on his return from the Great Meadows, Washington
had public thanks voted him by the house of burgesses. He receives an
rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, and was ordered by the '^^o^march^'
governor to fill up his companies by enlistments — go back back in the
immediately — conquer the French, and build a fort beyond winter.
the mountains. He wrote to a member of the council, show-
ing the folly and impracticability of the scheme ; and it was
given up.
Dinwiddle had new plans. He reorganized the militia into Is drprivea
independent companies, so that there was now no higher oflice °'^^"^ ""^"^
130 BATTLE ON THE MONONGAHELA.
PART II. than captain. Washington promptly offered his resignation-
PERIOD in. but his services being needed, he was warmly solicited to re-
CHAP. IV. j^-ijjjj^^ 3jj(j jj. ^^,jjg binted that he might keep his commission.
^•^^'^^^"'^--^ This he indignantly rejected, as neither rank or emolument
festsa^DroDer '^^^^ offered with it ; and he wrote, that those who supposed
spirit. he would accept it on such terms must think him " more
empty than the commission itself."
Braddock, when he arrived, requested Col. Washington to
Becomes aid become One of his military family, preserving his rank. This
to Braddock. Washington did not hesitate to accept, because he knew his
own value to his country, and wished to improve in military
Braddock's skill. Gen. Braddock marched from Virginia on the 10th of
army begin June ; but sucli were the delays occasioned by the difficulty
their march. ^^ procuring horses, wagons, and provisions, that, by the ad-
vice of Washington, he left the heavy baggage behind, under
the care of Col. Dunbar, with an escort of 600 men, and
placing himself at the head of 1,200 select troops, he prO'
ceeded by more rapid marches, towards Fort du Quesne.
Braddock was not deficient in courage,- or militar}'" skill ;
but he was wholly ignorant of the mode of conducting warfare
in American woods and morasses, and at the same time he
held the opinions of the colonial officers in contempt. Never-
theless, \\ ashington had ventured to suggest the expediency
comemns ^^ employing the Indians, who, under the Half-king, had oflered
and disie- their services, as scouting, and advanced parties. Braddock
gards advice, jjq^ Qj^jy disdained the advice, but offended the Indians by the
rudeness of his manner. Thus he rashly pushed on, without
knowing the dangers near.
Washington had, the day before, rejoined the army, from
which he had been for a short time detained by severe illness.
It was noon, on the ninth of July, when from the height above
the right bank of the Monongahela, he looked back upon the
ascending army, which, ten miles from Fort du Quesne, had
just crossed the stream for the second time. Every thing
July 9. looked more bright and beautiful than aught he had ever wit-
Fine apP^"- nessed before. The companies, in their crimson uniform,
dock's army, with burnished arms and floating banners, were marching
gaily to cheerful music as they entered the forest.
Suddenly there burst upon them the Indian war-whoop,
They fall and a deadly fire, from opposite quarters, and from unseen
into an In- [Qgg_ ^lany fell. Panic-stricken, their ranks broke, and
cade, and ijy they would have fled, but Braddock rallied them ; and, a
Braddock's bigot to the rules of European warfare, he constantly sought
upand^de- ^^ preserve a regular order of battle. Thus he kept his men
feated. like sheep penned in a fold, fair marks for a foe beyond their
reach, and whose numbers were so much inferior to their
own, that they had not dreamed of defeating, but only ex-
pected to annoy and delay the British army. Their places of
concealment were two ravines on each side of the road ; but
Braddock would neither retreat, or pass beyond that fatal spot
BRADDOCK DEFEATED AND SLAIN. 131
The Indians, singling out. the officers, shot down every one PART II.
on horseback, Washington alone excepted. He, as the sole period ul
remaining aid of the general, rode by turns over every part of chap. v.
the field, to carry his orders. The Indians afterwards averred v^*»-v'->_/
that they had specially noticed his bearing, and conspicuous The officers
figure, and repeatedly shot at him ; but at length they became ^^°' down,
convinced that he was protected by an Invisible Power, and Washington,
that no bullet could harm him. After the battle was over. His wondei-
four were found lodged in his coat, and two horses ha,d been ful preserra-
killed under him ; but the appointed guardian of his coimtry, ^^°^'
escaped without a wound.
Braddock, who had been undismayed amidst continued Braddock.
showers of bullets, at length received a mortal wound, g] i' ^'^°'
Upon his fall, the regular troops fled in confusion. Wash- and nearly
ington formed, and covered their retreat with the provincials, 600 privates.
whom Braddock in his contempt had kept in the rear. The Enemy's
. loss SFD^il
defeat was total ; sixty-four officers out of eighty -five, and but not '
nearly half the privates, were killed or wounded. known.
The flight of the army Avas so precipitate, that it made no
halt till it met the division under Dunbar, then about forty Qee™^
miles in the rear, where Braddock died. To this division
was communicated the same spirit of flight, and they con- Dunbar .n
tinued to retreat till they reached Fort Cumberland, one command,
hundred and twenty miles from the place of action. The , tt-
command now devolved on Colonel Dunbar, who withdrew giniade-
the regulars to Philadelphia, leaving the whole frontier of feuseless.
Virginia open to the depredations of the French and Indians.
The French at Fort du Quesne attempted to seduce the
Cherokees from the English interest. Some of their tribe
gave notice of this to the governor of South CaroUna, who,
at their suggestion, met a council of the Cherokee chiefs in '^^g'^Qu^''*
their own country, and concluded with them a treaty of peace kees.
and amity, in which they ceded to Great Britain a large tract
of land in South Carolina.
CHAPTER V.
Remainder of the campaign of 1755. — Campaign of 1756.
The troops destined for Cro^vn Point, amounting to more June,
than 4,000, arrived at Albany the last of June. They were J''^^* .
under the command of Gen. William Johnson, and Gen. Lyman.
Ltman. Here they were joined by a body of Mohawks,
under their sachem, Hendrick.
Lyman advanced with the main body of the army, and Erect Fort
erected Fort Edward on the Hudson, for the security of the Edward.
132 FRENCH BEATEN AT LAKE GEORGE.
PART II. batteaux, provisions, artillery, and other necessaries, requisite
?ERiOD iiL for the expedition, which were forwarded from Albany by
CHAP. V. Johnson. The army were thus employed for six weeks,
^^••"v^^-' Towards the last of August, Johnson removed his force,
1755. and encamped at the south end of Lake George. Here he
^ove to ^^.^s engaged in preparing to cross the lakes.
George. ^^ ^^^^ mean time the Baron Dieskau led an army from
Montreal for the defense of Crown Point. Not finding there
Baron Dies- his foe, he proceeded south to seek him, till within three
^^",^'*3<^'^s miles of the American camp he fell in with a detachment
detachment Under Heudrick and Col. Williams. He fought and con-
under Wil- quered them ; killed the leaders, and followed the flying to
H "drfck '^^ camp. Johnson, now aware of his approach, was pre-
pared ; and when Dieskau made the attack, he Avas repulsed,
and his army in turn sought safety by flight. He was pur-
Is defeated Sued by the Americans, who, as Johnson had been Avounded
by the mam early in the action, were led by Gen. Lyman. Dieskau was
^' found alone in the woods, seated on the ground, reclining
against a tree, pale and bleeding. His wounds proved mortal.
Johnson, in representing this affair to the Brhish, made no
mention of Gen. Lyman, but obtained for himself jC5,000 and
Johnson's ^ baronetcy. The public impression was, that the reward
nish his char- belonged at least equally to Lyman. But the success was
acter. important, and Johnson, afterward Sir William, was the com-
mander.
The poor dispirited remains of Dieskau's army halted at
French Mountain, where they were the next day cut off by a
The remains detachment from Fort Edward. Their dead bodies were
ofthe French thrown into a small lake, since called "the Bloody Pond."
destroyed. ]\'iay the time soon come, when the pure waters of our mother
earth shall no longer be dyed by the blood of her children,
barbarously shed by each other's hands !
The success at Lake George revived the spirits of the
colonies; but Sir William Johnson, instead of proceeding
with his army to reduce Crown Point, employed the remain-
Johnson"^ der of the campaign in strengthening the works at Fort
wastes the Edward, and erecting, at the scene of his achievements on
campaign^ m jj^g southern shore of Lake George, a fort, which he called
Wil.iara William Henry. On the last of November, the troops, except
Henry, six hundred who were left to garrison these forts, returned to
their respective colonies.
The enterprise against Niagara was undertaken by Gov.
. 21 Shirley in person. He did not arrive at Oswego until the
Shirley loses 2 1st of August, and he there waited for supplies until the
the campaign season was too far advanced for crossing Lake Ontario.
supplies" Leaving 700 men, under Col. Mercer, to garrison the fojt, he
returned to Albany.
Warde- ^^ 1756, war, after having actually existed for two years,
dared was formally proclaimed between France and England.
By the destruction of Braddock's army, the frontiers of
CAMPAIGN OF 1756 BADLY CONDUCTED. 133
Pennsylvania and Virginia Avere left to the mercy of the PART II.
savages. Washington, at the head of his regiment, did his period m.
utmost to oppose them ; and he strenuously urged that offen- chap. v.
sive measures should be again adopted, and especially against ^--""^^"^-^
Fort du Quesne, which he knew was their starting point.
In common with the other colonial officers, Washington The mortifi-
was subject to mortifications which he keenly felt, from the f^tions and
• •' r ■ r ■ ai i-i • Ollnculties of
assummg manners ol mterior oincers bearmg royal commis- the colonial
sions : and not only this, but his whole force was, on one officers ex-
occasion, in danger of falling into confusion, by the conduct ^'^vlj'fi^'' ^[^
of a company of regulars stationed within his precincts, under ton's affair
one Dagworthy, who held the king's commission as captain, '"'i'^ Dag-
To prevent general insubordination, Washington appealed to ^""^ ^'
Dinwiddie. He gave him advice which, either through
weakness or treachery, was calculated to mislead ; but he Shirley
took not the responsibility of directing Dagworthy to obey niander-in-
Col. Washington as his superior. In the mean time, Shirley chief,
having been made commander-in-chief, Washington mounted 1756
his horse, and though in winter, rode five hundred miles, Ftiiruary4.
to Boston, where, laying the case before that amiable patriot, '^Vashington
he received the requisite order, and returning, he soon reduced ^^'^^ton "''
Capt. Dagworthy and his men to due subjection.
The campaign of 1756 had been, during the preceding
autumn, provided for by the colonists ; but the bad arrange- V|^'".^'*'=^
ments of the British cabinet palsied their efforts. Although in England.
Shirley had been appointed by the cro\Vn, commander-in-chief
of the forces, yet Winslow, in consequence of his success in Shirley's^
Nova Scotia, had the confidence of the people, without which ^=1^"!™'
troops could not be raised. The generous Shirley ceded his
claim, and the unfinished plans of the preceding campaign
were to be again attempted.
Gen. Abercrombie was in the spring sent from England to ., ^^^^-
take the supreme command ; and after him Lord Loudon sent out sov-
came over as commander-in-chief of all the forces, and gover- eri'or of Vir-
nor of Virginia. The British officers still paraded their commander-
authority, and assumed offensive airs of superiority over in-chief.
those of the colonies ; but, though considerable bodies of July 29.
British troops were in the field, thousands of the colonists ^onl Lou-
,1 1 ^ *^i • 1, 1 1 don succeed!
called trom their homes, and hea\y expenses were gomg on, \^^fJ^^
yet nothing of consequence was effected, during the whole
campaign.
134
MASSACRE AT FORT WILLIAM HENRY.
PART n.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. VI.
1757.
Montcalm
besieges
Fort Wil-
liam Henry.
August 2.
Monroe com-
pelled to sur-
render.
Stipulates
for the honors
of war and
protection.
Indians kill
their prison-
ers.
Montcalm
fails of his
engagement,
and the In-
dians rob and
murder with-
out restraint.
CHAPTER VI.
Campaigns of 1757 and 1758.
The campaign of 1757 was made no less disgraceful to the
English, than the former, by the futile schemes, and ineffi-
cient measures of Lord Loudon. It is chiefly memorable in
our annals, for the dreadful " massacre at Fort William Hen-
ry." Montcalm, the French commander, had early concen-
trated his forces, amounting to 9,000 regulars, Canadians and
Indians, on the shores of the Champlain, at Ticonderoga.
Passing up Lake George, he laid siege to Fort William Hen-
ry, which was commanded by Col. Monroe, a British officer.
Gen. Webb was at the time lying at Fort Edward, with the
main British army, four or five thousand strong. Monroe,
being vigorously pressed, while he defended himself Avith spir-
it, earnestly entreated Gen. Webb for aid. But he entreated
in vain, and necessity compelled him, on the 2d of August, to
surrender. By the articles of capitulation, Montcalm enga-
ged that the English should be allowed to leave the fort with
the honors of war ; and, in order to protect them from the In-
dians, that an escort should be provided to conduct them to
Fort Edward.
Soon after, a detachment of the French took possession of
the works. At the same moment, the Indians, who had en-
gaged to serve in the war on the promise of plunder, irritated
at the terms of the surrender, rushed over the parapet, and
began their outrages. Monroe, feeling the horrors of his sit-
uation, with his troops exposed at midnight, within the camp,
to the cruelty of the savages, vainly attempted to conduct them
forth ; but no sooner had he put them in motion, than he found,
that, bad as was their position within, it was worse without ;
for the woods were infested with ferocious Indians, thirsting
for blood and plunder. He complained to Montcalm, and, de-
manding the promised escort, left the camp at morning, to be-
gin his march for Fort Edward. The French, themselves
intimidated, gave them only the poor meed of advice, to yield
up their private property as a means of appeasing the furious
savages, and sa\ang life. They attempted this, and threw
them their money and effects ; but their rapacity increasing
with this partial gratification, they rushed, tomahawk in hand,
upon the English, now a band of desperate fugitives, who,
stripping off their clothes, were glad to escape naked, with
their lives. The sick, the wounded, the women, and the chil-
dren unable to escape, were murdered. Webb, on receiving
intelligence of the capitulation, ordered five hundred men to
meet the captured troops, and conduct them to his camp.
WILLIAM PITT PRIME MINISTER, 135
The few who survived were discovered flying through the PART II.
woods, singly or in small parties — some distracted, and many period hi.
bleeding with the horrid cuts of the tomahawk — faint, and chap. vi.
nearly exhausted. ^•^--^-v'-^^
There is little in the separate civil history of the colonies,
during this period, which deserves particular attention. In The British
all their proceedings with the royal governors, as well as in offending tne
their direct intercourse with Great Britain, the colonists evin- Americans
ced that jealousy of their liberties, which prevented any bold "^^""S ^"®
attempt, on the part of Great Britain, to enforce restrictive
measures, especially during the war.
In Pennsylvania, a dispute arose between the proprietary 1757.
governor and the assembly, respecting the right of the pro- Dispute be-
prietors to exempt their own lands in the province from a tax- '^^'^f'" '^^
. . . propri8tors
ation, the object of which was to pay for the defense of those and inhabit-
lands. To adjust this dispute, Benjamin Franklin was sent ^'^^^ of ^^
to England, and the business was soon closed, by the propri- Franklin
etors submitting their property to be taxed, provided the as- ^Tand^from"'
sessments were fair and equitable. Pa.
The languid and spiritless manner in which the war had
been conducted, and its consequent ill success, aroused both
England and America, and produced a reaction which brought
forward as prime minister, the greatest statesman of the Brit- „,
ish annals, William Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham. So WiiUam
powerful was. his eloquence and so austere his patriotism, that Pi".
he controlled at length the energies of the government, and
the spirit of the people. His dreaded voice fearlessly de-
nounced the selfishness and pusillanimity of the public agents.
With intense search he found out worth, and resolutely brought ^'^ ^'°'
. „ , ^ ,. . TT- quence, pa-
it lorward tor public employment. His perseverance was triotism, and
equal to his energy ; and his efforts were guided by a judg- energy.
ment, which while it was rapid, was, at the sayie time, pro-
found and comprehensive.
Aware that the colonies were in danger of becomins dis-
couraged by the inefficiency of the parent country, the minis- „ * '. , '•
ter assured them, in a circular which ho addressed to the gov- the colonies,
ernors of the provinces, that an effectual force should be sent piomismg to
against the French ; and he exhorted them to use their utmost '^^rieTances'.'^
exertions to raise men in their respective colonies, pledging
himself that their own choice should direct by what officers
their troops should be commanded ; and that those of the colo- He is
nies should no longer be made inferior to British officers of the 7he 'colonies
same rank. Reassured and animated by this call, the colo- renew their
nists renewed their efforts, and increased their army to twenty exertions.
thousand.
Gen. Abercrombie was appointed to succeed the earl of Lou- ■*" 'j^^ "^
don in the command of all the British forces in America. An Anierira.
armani(>nt was sent out inider Admiral Boscawen, conveying ^""""i''
12,000 British troops commanded by General .\mherst, which, (^',','^,^' ^'[[[[o
with the British forces previously in America, and the provin- N. Jl. 0.000!
136
LOUISBURG AGAIN TAKEN.
PART II.
PEUIOU III.
CHAP. VI.
1758.
Plan of ope-
rations.
A large ar-
mament sails
to attack
Louisburg.
July 26.
Louisburg
surrenders.
James Wolfe
the master-
spirit of the
military.
6,000 prison-
ers sent
across the
Atlantic.
July 5.
Abercrombie
proceeds
against Ti-
conderoea.
Lord Howe
killed.
The Britisn
repulsed
with a loss
of 2.000.
A\igust 27.
Colonel
Bradstreet
takes Fort
Frontenac.
cials, made up an army far greater than had ever before existed
in America. These troops were all in readiness for action early
in the spring. Nor were they delayed by irresolution as to
the objects to be attempted. These having been well con-
sidered the preceding winter, three expeditions were resolved
on, against Louisburg, Crown Point, and Fort du Quesne.
The possession of Louisburg was deemed important, prin-
cipally, because it would, by opening the gidf of St LaAvrence
to the English, facilitate the seizure of the capital of Canada :
the grand project of the British minister having in view
the absolute destruction of the French power in America.
The enterprise against this fortress was conducted by the land
and naval commanders, Amherst and Boscawen, with 20 ships
of the line, and 14,000 men. The armament left Halifax on
the 24th of May, and arrived before Louisburg on the 2d of
June.
A regular siege, the best conducted of any which had ever
been laid in America, placed, on the 6th of July, this fortress
in the hands of the British. It was by his gallant conduct du-
ring this siege, that James Wolfe began his high career of
military renown. The loss of Louisburg was deeply felt by
France, and its gain by England and her rejoicing colonies.
The garrison and mariners, to the amount of nearly 6,000,
were sent prisoners to England, and the inhabitants of the
place were transported to France. With Louisburg the whole
island of Cape Breton, and that of St. John's, fell under the
power of the British.
Gen. Abercrombie at the head of 16,000 men, proceeded
against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On the 5th of July
he crossed Lake George, and debarking at its northern ex-
tremity, he attempted, with unskillful guides, to pass the three
miles of dense woods which lay between his army and Ticon-
deroga. As he approached that fort, a detachment of the
French fell upon him, and an engagement ensued in which the
assailants lost 300 men ; but of the British, fell the amiable
Lord Howe ; a young officer of great promise, and much be-
loved both in England and America.
Abercrombie, learning that reinforcements were daily ex-
pected by the French, without waiting for his artillery, made
a brave but imprudent assault upon the fort, and was repulsed
with the heavy loss of nearly 2,000 killed and wounded.
He then retired to his former quarters, on the south side of
Lake George. Here he consented, at the solicitation of Col.
Bradstreet, to detach him with 3,000 men, against Fort Fron-
tenac. With these troops, who were mostly provincials, he
marched to Oswego, embarked on Lake Ontario, and landed
on the 25th of August within a mile of the fort, opened his
batteries, and in two days forced this important fortress to sur-
render. As this fort, afterwards named Kingston, contained
tlie military stores which were intended for the Indians, and
FORT PITT ERECTED. 137
for the supply of the south-western troops, its demolition con- PART II.
tribiited to the success of the expedition against Fort du pehiod m,
Quesne. chap. vi.
To Gen. Forbes, with an army of 8,000 men, was assigned ^-^-v^^fc^^"
the capture of this fort. Early in July the army marched from General
Philadelphia to Ray's Town. Washington, gratified that the p^f.'gj '^^'
expedition was at length to be undertaken, was at Cumber- interested
land with the Virginia militia, whom he commanded, and who persons into
were in readiness to join the main army. Here he learned to measure"of
his surprise, that Gen. Forbes, induced by the citizens of Phil- opening a
adelphia, had decided to open a new road from Ray's Town "*t^,p[°| .
to the Ohio. In vain Washington remonstrated. The new Quesne.
road was made, and he, as became his duty, rendered ever}''
possible assistance. But before the army had arrived, the
weather became so cold and the men endured such severe
suflerings, that a council of officers decided that they must
abandon their object and return. This they were about to do,
when they received such intelligence of the weakness of the rp. ^
French garrison, that they roused to fresh effort, and on the bum the
25th of November reached du Quesne. But it was only a works and
solitary pile of ruins Avhich they found. On the preceding piace^ to the-
night the French had set fire to the fort, and embarked to go English,
down the Ohio. Nov. 25
While the army were engaged in making the new road, ^t r
Unfortunate*
Major Grant with a detachment had been suffered to throw capture oi
himself forward, so as to encounter the full force of the French Major GraHt;
garrison. He was totally defeated and made prisoner, with
eighteen of his officers. Three hundred of his party were
either killed or taken by the enemy.
New works were erected on the site of du Quesne, and
named Fort Pitt. Now, under the appellation of Pittsburg,
this place is the Manchester of America. The neighboring
Indians were invited to the fort, and peace was re-established
with their chiefs. Gen. Forbes, exhausted with fatigue, died
on his way to Philadelphia.
More distant Indian tribes also felt that their safety, since ciriaEa^toa.
the capture of Fort du Quesne, was best consulted by peace
with the English, and at a grand council held in Easton, Penn.,
deputies from the Six Nations met with those from New Eng-
land, and from the tribes ranging along the eastern Allegha-
nies, as far south as North Carolina. On the part of the Eng-
lish, Sir William Johnson and the governors of New York
and New Jersey, entored with them into friendly relations,
and the calumet sent up to heaven a far more grateful odor
than the steam of reeking battle-fields.
11 ■ •
with 300
men.
138 GEXERAL WOLFE IN COMMAND.
CHAPTER YII.
The Campaign of 1759.
PART II. The campaign of 1759, had for its object the entire reduc-
PERIOD III. tion of Canada. After the disaster of Ticonderoga, the chief
CHAP. VII. command of the British forces was given to Gen. Amherst.
v.^„i.-v-^^»_/ The army was divided into three parts, exhibiting the follow-
1759. ^'^o order. The first division, under Wolfe, was to make a
The plan of direct attempt upon Quebec. The second, under Amher'st,
the campaign .^y^s Ordered to take Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then
three ob- proceed northerly; and the third, under (Ten. Prideaux, con-
jects ; sistinjT of provincials and Indians, was to reduce Xia^ara, then
ture Ticon- ^^ S^ down the St. Lawrence, and, jointly with the second de-
deroga and tachment, attack Montreal. Thus the several divisions were
Point" ^^ enter Canada by different routes, but were all destined,
eventually, to meet before Quebec, and it was against that key-
2. To take stone of the arch, which sustained the f>ench power in Ameri-
Montreal" ^^' ^^^^^ *^^^ grand final effort was to be made.
Prideaux besieged Niagara on the 6th of July. He was kil-
tu 'o' '^b^" ^^^ ^y ^^^ bursting of a shell, and the command devolved up-
' on Sir William Johnson. The French gave battle to the Eng-
lish, but the Indians in their alliance deserted them in the heat
July 6. of the engagement, and victory declared in favor of the
kiUwMTbe- English. The garrison, consisting of 600 men, fell into the
sieging \i- hands of the British, who now possessing this important post,
Tb^^r'^- ^^^ communication between the northern and southern posses-
surrendere. sions of the French was barred, and the quiet behanor of the
Indians secured.
After the takinff of Louisburg, Wolfe returned to England.
Pitt sustains -^^^''' ^^^^ ^^"^ discerned his extraordinary qualities while he
Woife. was yet obscure, and had brought him forward against the
prejudices of the King, and resolutely sustained him, confided
to him the command against Quebec. His subordinate officers
Provides were carefully chosen. He was provided with a choice army
army. ^f 8,000 men, and a heavy train of artillery. Admirals Saun-
ders and Holmes, seamen of great merit, commanded the
fleet.
It was late in June when the army debarked upon the Isl-
and of Orleans. From this spot Wolfe reconnoitered the po-
Jrmt,-. sition of his enemy, and saw the fidl magnitude of the difhcul-
He lands his i^jgg ^vi^iich surrounded him. The city of Quebec rose before
troops on the , . . i • i ,• i o. t •
Isle of Or- hiin, upon the north side of the St. J^awrence ; its upper town
leans. and strong fortifications, situated on a rock, whose bold and
steep front continued far westward, parallel with the river, its
base near to the shore ; thus presenting a wall, which it seem-
ed impossible to scale. From the northwest came dovm the
HE PREPARES TO ATTACK QUEBEC. 139
St. Charles, entering the St. Lawrence just below the town ; PART n.
its banks high and uneven, and cut by deep ravines ; while period in.
armed vessels were borne upon its waters, and floating batte- ghap. vii.
ries obstructed its entrance. A few miles below, the Mont- v^v-^
morenci leapt down its cataract into the St. La\vrence ; and, 1759.
strongly posted along the sloping bank of that river, and be- Difficulties
tween these two tributaries, the French army, commanded by °^ ^\^ P"'
Montcalm, displayed its formidable lines. sition.
The first measure of Wolfe, was to get possession of Point
Levi, opposite Quebec. Here he erected and opened heavy juiy 9,
batteries, which swept from the lower town, the buildings along at Pt. Levi,
the margin of the river ; but the fortifications, resting on the
huge table of rock above, remained uninjured.
Perceiving this, Wolfe next sought to draw the enemy from
his entrenchments, and bring on an engagement. For this
purpose he landed his army below the Montmorenci ; but the
wary Montcalm eluded every artifice to draw him out. Wolfe He attacks
next crossed that stream, with a portion of his army, and at- J^^ontcalm
tacked him in his camp. The troops which were to com- "morencL^
mence the assault fell into disorder, having, with irregular
ardor, disobeyed the orders of the general. Perceiving their
confusion, he drew them off" with the loss of four hundred Loses 400.
men, and recrossed the Montmorenci. Here he was inform-
ed that his expected succors were likely to fail him. Am-
herst had found Ticonderoga and Crown Point vacated, and
was preparing to attack the French forces withdrawn from Amherst is
these forts to the Isle aux Noix. Prideaux had lost his life, but ^att^a^k"t1ie
his plans were carried out by Sir William Johnson. But the French at
enemy were in force at Montreal ; and from neither division I^'^^u^Noix.
of the British army could the commander at Quebec now
hope for any assistance.
At this point of the enterprise, Wolfe was severely tried.
Success seemed to fly from his grasp ; yet he knew that suc-
cess alone would be the criterion of his merit. He sighed Woife per.
frequently. His countenance sometimes flashed with his plexed.
lofty designs; and sometimes sunk in gloom, as he dreaded
their failure, which he determined not to survive. His mind
towered above the sensibilities of his heart, and he kept on
his course ; but his bodily health failed. When, however, he
was again able to mingle with the army, every eye was raised
to him with affection and hope.
The plan which he had revolved in his mind, and, with the
approbation of his officers, had determined to attempt, was to ^^solves to
scale, in the night, and at some distance above Quebec, the ing the
bold precipice on which the fortifications were built, and Heights of
thus reach the level plain above, called the Heights of '^^'^^™-
Abraham.
Montcalm perceiving that something was to be attempted,
dispatched M. de Bourgainville, with one thousand five hun-
dred men, to move higher up the St. Lawrence and watch
11*
140 FRENCH DEFEATED ON THE HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM.
PART II. the motions of the English. Wolfe, pursuant to his plan,
PERIOD III. broke up his camp at .Montmorenci, and returned to Orleans.
CHAP. VII. Then embarking with his army, he directed Admiral Holmes,
v-tf^-v-^wy who commanded the fleet, in which himself and the army
September, had embarked, to sail up the river several miles higher than
He returns j.j-^g intended point of debarkation. This movement deceived
to Urleaus. -^ „ . '^.,, , ,,^ 1,^11 .^ 1
De Bourgainvule, and gave W olie the advantage ol the cur-
rent and the tide, to float his boats silentlj' down to the des-
tined spot.
This was done about an hour before daylight. Wolfe was
He gains the first man who leaped on shore. When he saw the diffi-
the plains of cclties around him, he said to some one near, " I do not be-
and prepares li^ve there is a possibility of getting up, but we must do our
for bdttlo. endeavor." The rapidity of the stream was hurrying along
Sept. 13. their boats, and some had already gone beyond the narrow
landing-place. The shore was so shelving, that it was almost
impossible to ascend ; and it was lined with French sentinels
One of these hailed, and was answered by a captain, who fully
understood the French language, and who had been especially
instructed for this purpose. Escaping these dangers at the
water's edge, they proceeded, though with the utmost difii-
culty, to scale the precipice, pulling themselves up by the roots
and branches of the trees and the projecting rocks in their
way. The first party who reached the heights secured a
small battery, which crowned them ; and thus the remainder
of the army ascended in safety ; and there, on this lofty plain,
which commands one of the most niLtgnihcent prospects which
nature has formed, the British army, drawn up in a highly
advantageous position, were, in the morning, discovered by
the French.
British 'oss, Montcalm, learning with surprise and deep regret, the ad-
100 killed, vantage gained by his opponent, left his strong position,
^^ ed" "'"^' crossed the St. Charles, and displaying his lines for battle,
French kill- intrepidly led on the attack. Being on the left of the French,
ed and jjg ^y^g opposed to Wolfe, who was on the right of the British.
^j°OOo!' ' I" the heat of the engagement both commanders were mor-
Prisoners, tally wounded.
1,000. 'pj^g wound with which Wolfe fell was the third which he
Death of had received in the battle. He was removed from the field ;
' but he watched it with intense anxiety, as faint with the loss
of blood, he reclined his languid head upon the supporting
arm of an officer. A cry was heard, " they fly, they fly !" —
" Who fly ?" he exclaimed. " The enemy," was the reply.
°culm"'' " Then,"' said he, " I die content ;" and expired. Not less
heroic was the death of .Montcalm. He rejoiced when told
that his wound was mortal ; " For," said he, " I shall not live
to see the surrender of Quebec."
1759. After the battle, the afi'airs of the English were conducted
Sep. 18. .yyj,^ onreat discretion by General Townshend; whereas, the
Quebec sur- \ . . -' • , , i i
tenders -T rencn, in their panic, appear to have yielded at once to the
BRITISH IN POSSESSION OF QUEBEC. 141
suggestions of their fears. The capitulation of Quebec was PART II.
signed within five days after the battle. Townshend gave period in
favorable terms to the garrison, for he knew that the resources chap. vni.
of the French were by no means exhausted. v^^ip-v-*^.^
General Townsend returning to England, General Murray
was left in command with a garrison of 5,000 men. The
French army retired to Montreal ; and M. de Levi, who had
succeeded Montcalm, being, in the course of the winter, re-
inforced by Canadians and Indians, returned the following 1760.
spring, with a force of 6,000 to Quebec. General Murray French at-
left the fortress, and the Heights of Abraham became the *«'.">?' t° J®
scene of another battle more bloody, though not equally im-
portant in its consequences with the first. The armies on
each side sustained the loss of 1,000 men. The battle was
not decisive, but the advantage was on the side of the French,
who maintained their ground while the English retired within
the fortress. Here they were closely invested until they re-
ceived reinforcements, when M. de Levi, abandoning all
thoughts of obtaining possession of Quebec, returned to Mont-
real, where Vaudreuil, the governor, assembled all the force
of Canada.
In the mean time, General Amherst had made arrangements
for assembling before this place all the British troops, from
Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, and Quebec. Here they
fortunately arrived within two days of each other, and imme-
diately invested the place. Vandreuil found the force too
strong to be resisted ; and on the 8th of September, he sur- CanaTa sur-
rendered Montreal, Detroit, Mackinaw, and all the French rendered,
possessions in Canada.
CHAPTER VIII.
Wars with the Indians. — English politics. — Peace of Paris.
The French, in retiring from Fort du Quesne, passed
into Louisiana. On their route, they had intrigued with the
Cherokees, who continued a predatory war upon the Caro-
linians. General Amherst sent Colonel Montgomery with c^^^i'
a body of regulars to their relief Being joined by such Montgomery
forces as could be raised in Carolina, he marched into the <^efeated by
Cherokee country, destroyed all their lower towns, and was ''^kees^™
approaching Etchoc, the first of their middle settlements, when
he was attacked, in an almost impenetrable thicket, by a large
body of savages. In the battle which ensued, the English
claimed the victory ; but so great was their loss, that they
immediately retreated from the country.
142
PONTIAC CONQUERS BY ARTFUL DEVICES.
PART II.
PERIOD ni.
CHAP. vin.
1T61.
The Eng-
lish defeat
them, lay
waste their
country, and
compel them
to peace.
English less
popular with
the Indians,
than the
French.
1762.
Pontiac con-
trives the
daring
scheme of
cutting ofFall
their posts.
1763.
July 7.
Nine of the
British posts
captured.
Maumee one
of the nine
taken by
stratagem.
July 7.
July 7.
Mackinaw
also taken by
a stratagem
contrived by
Pontiac.
Horrible
scene wit-
nessed by
the comman-
dant.
The savages continuing hostile, the following year General
Amherst detached several regiments under Colonel Grant,
w^ho, early in June, gave battle to the Cherokees, at the place
where Colonel Montgomery had encountered them. The
English prevailed, and, pursuing their enemy to Etchoc,
burned their dwellings, and laid waste their country. The
savages being humbled, peace was restored.
Interesting events, closely connected with the cession of
the French territory, were already in progress among the
savages of the northwest. We have seen with what deep
policy the missionaries and the traders of that nation had won
the hearts of the Indians. Said one of their orators, " when
the French arrived, they came and kissed us. They called
us their children, and we found them fathers." When the
more haughty, and less attentive English were preparing to
take possession of the western ports, Pontiac, the highly
gifted chief of the Ottawas, who sought, like Philip, to regain
the primitive independence of his race, made use of the attach-
ment of the red men to the French, to unite them in a general
conspiracy against their conquerors. As the English had
expelled the French, if the Indians could exterminate
them before their power were fully established, they would
again be lords of the forest. The plan of Pontiac was not
inferior in boldness, to that formed by Pitt for the final con-
quest of Canada. It was no less than a simultaneous attack
upon all the British posts near the lakes. Pontiac, by his in-
ventive genius, his eloquence, and his energy, had acquired
such power over the northwestern tribes, that all was ar-
ranged without discovery. On the 7th of July, 1763, nine
of the British forts were surprised and captured by the
Indians.
Pontiac had arranged plans of stratagem which had thus
far succeeded. At Maumee, the commanding officer had been
lured forth by the piteous entreaties of a squaw, who feigned
to plead for a wounded man, dying without the fort. Such,
by savages in ambush, he himself was soon made.
At Mackinaw, a more important post, the Indians had
gathered by hundreds. They began among themselves a
spirited game at ball. One of the two parties who played,
drove the other, as if by accident, towards the palisades which
inclosed the grounds of the fort. They came on, shouting,
and sporting, and the soldiers went forth to view the game.
At length the ball was thrown over the pickets, and the Indians
jumped after it within the inclosure. Then began the butch-
ery. The soldiers of the garrison, appalled and unprepared,
could make no resistance. The commandant, Major Henry,
is writing within his room. He hears the Indian war-cry,
and the shrieks of the murdered ; and, from his window, per-
ceives four himdred savages, cutting down with their toma-
hawks, his dearest friends. He sees them scalping .hem
INTRODUCTION OF THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARIES. 143
while yet in their death struggles, their necks beneath their FART II.
feet, or their heads held between the knees of the scalpers, period m.
They had already taken the fort. Through strange perils, ^^^^- '^"i-
Henry himself escaped to relate the horrible scene. v--«-v^wy
Pontiac chose to command in person at Detroit, that post
being regarded as the key to the upper country. On the 6th,
the Indians, to the number of six hundred, had collected in
the woods around the fort. In the evening, a squaw who had Pontiac
been kindly treated, betrays to Major Gladwyn, the comman- Vetrok,*buf
dant, the designs of the savages. On the 7th, Pontiac, with a his strata-
party of his chiefs, present themselves as in peace, desiring f°3""g'|j|^®^
to hold a council with the officers within the fort. They are defeated,
admitted, but to their surprise immediately surrounded by the July 7.
garrison, fully armed. Major Gladwyn approaches Pontiac,
lifts his blanket, and finds a short rifle concealed beneath it.
Similar ones are sought for and found upon each of his party.
Thus unexpectedly discovered, Pontiac himself was discon-
certed. The Indians from without were not let in ; but the
chief escaped, or was suffered to go forth.
He then besieged the fort, holding the garrison confined for He holds the
many months, and cutting off" supplies and reinforcements. °'^s?ege'd!'^'
At length his allies grew weary of war, and peace was con-
cluded. Pontiac died three years afterwards.
It was during this period, that the " United Brethren," or
Moravians, planted themselves in America. A short time be- Germans
fore Oglethorpe's emigration, these persecuted Germans had fro™ ^"i^j
been expelled from their native land, and in a town in Poland, ^{^ pof^d.
we find them with Count Zinzendorf, son to one of the first
officers of the court, as their spiritual head. They were They regard
closely united as brethren and sisters, and believed themselves themselves
called to spread the gospel to benighted regions. To labor ^^^alled.^
for the salvation of the heathen aborigines, they sought and
obtained means of introducing several of their number into Some go to
this country. A part went first to Georgia, where they re- Georgia.
mained until, in the war with the Spaniards, they were re- _^ .^
quired to take up arms. But regarding Christianity as oppo- ^^J g^^j,
sed to war, they left Georgia, and joined the other division, join others
who had settled at Nazareth and Bethlehem, in Pennsylva- ^ Pennsyl-
vania.
nia.
Here the society increased their territory by purchase and They make
by gift from the savages. They erected buildings, holding ^^,1 Uethle-
their goods in common. Brother Ranch soon penetrated to hem their
the savage residences east of the Hudson, where, nine miles """^11^^^^°'
east of Rhinebeck, he established amission, which was called
Shekomeko. Others followed, and two chapels were erected 1743.
within the confines of Connecticut. Instances among the In- Found a
dian converts of a total change of life and habits, of sacrifices ^g^'y" ^k
and sufierings willingly endured — of religious emotions, pa- and tw^o in'
thetic and sincere, evinced the transforming power of the Connecticut.
gospel.
144 - THE PEACE OF PARIS.
PART II. Jealousies on the part of the whites, that the Moravian
PERIOD m. teachers would act the same part as the French Jesuits had
CHAP. VIII. fQj-merly done, caused them to be expelled from New York.
^-*'^^^*'-^ Thev returned to Xazareth and Bethlehem, and were follow-
1746. ed by forty-six of their attached converts. These they provi-
. ^P"'- , ded for, and watched over as children. Here they spread
Are expelled ,.', ri-ii ,^
and return to their settlements, to two 01 which they gave (jerman names,
rennsylva- sisnifviiig " Tents of Peace'"* and '• Tents of Grace*"t At
where'they ^lahony they had a mission-house, where nearly twenty of
flourish, their number were lodged.
The learned Augustus Spanzenberg was the first American
Spanzen- bishop of the Moravians. Count Zinzendorf himself came
Amenc'm ^^'^^ ^^ ^^^^'- them, accompanied by his daughter. David
bishop. Zeisberger went intrepidly forth to confer with the chiefs of
A visit irom jj^g gjjj- nations at the great council-fire at Onondaga. Thev
Count Zin- .,,.., * , , , '^
zendorf. received mm with courtesy; but they gave not the same en-
Zeisberger. couragement to the mission, as did the less warlike Delawares.
The breaking out of the French war was the signal of
Sufferings trouble and distress to the Moravians. Desiring peace wiih
F "°h \v ^^'' ^^^y y^^ incurred the suspicions and hostilities of each of
the three parties, English, French, and Indians. Of the latter,
a party mostly of Shawanese, made a midnight attack on the
1755. mission-house at ]\Iahony, killed twelve of the missionaries
Nov. 24. g^ujj burned the house. The Moravians called in their out-
sacre at Ma- posts, and sheltered their converts in Bethlehem and Xazareth
hony. until the war was passed ; then, with fresh alacrity, they pre-
pared to extend their efforts along the Susquehanna, and
across the mountains, to the wild regions of the Ohio.
George III. succeeded to the throne of England soon after
the capture of Quebec ; and Mr. Put, not finding his influence
October with the new king sufficiently great to allow him the measures
1761. for which alone he was willing to become responsible, re-
Pitt resigns, signed the seals in October, 1761 ; and the following year,
Lord Bute, the earl of Bute was made prime minister. The first object
of the new administration was to restore peace ; and contrary
to the wishes of the nation, the preliminaries were settled.
Scarcely w'as this accomplished, when Lord Bute resigned
his place, which was given to Mr. George Grenville.
The definitive treaty was signed at Paris in February, 1763,
by which England obtained from France all her possessions
1763. in America, east of the Mississippi. exce[)ting the island of
Peace of Xew Orleans ; the navigation of that river being left open to
both nations. From Spain she obtained Florida in exchange
for Havana, which had been captured during the war. And
France, at the same time, gave to Spain the territory of
Louisiana.
* Friedenheuten. + Gnadenheuten.
PART III.
FROM 1763 TO 1789.
PERIOD I
THE PEACE I 1763, OF PARIS,
T O
THE DECLARATION < 1776. > OF INDEPENDENCE.
CHAPTR I.
Causes of the Revolutionary War.
We come now to trace the causes bv which England lost
her colonies, and America gained her independence.
If we look back upon the general current of events, we
shall find, that the determination which was made by Eng-
land, soon after the peace of Paris, to tax her American colo-
nies, and their subsequent resistance, to which the revolution
is often solely referred, were themselves events naturally
arising from the wide diversity of public sentiment and feel-
ing, on certain subjects ; so intimately connected Avith their
mutual relations, that, in one way or another, the discontents
thence arising, must, sooner or later, have come to the test of
open and determined opposition. If a father fully believes
himself justly possessed of power over his son, or an elder
l)rother over a younger, which the son, or younger brother,
solemnly considers as a mere tyrannical assumption, to which
he cannot submit, without degrading himself to a state of sla-
very, it is not didicult to predict, that, without a change of
opinion, on one side or the other, a contest must arise ; and,
if the power of the elder party cannot force submission from
the younger, a separation must ensue.
Perhaps, the figurative language, by which England was
called the mother c6\mtry, had no inconsiderable share in
giving to the nation, to which all allowed a parental name,
the idea that she had rights similar to those which a parent
has OAcr a child ; whereas, to the English then on the stage,
tkal old England, which our forefathers left, was as much a
parent land, as to the Americans. Had the epithet been used
in common, and the language of the parties such as showed
them to be, what they really were, fellow subjects of the same
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. I.
Honest pa-
triots in Eng-
land and
America dif-
fer widely in
opinion con-
cerning the
risht.
The term
mother
country
misunder-
stood.
146 COLONIES DETERMINE TO RESIST INTERNA!- TAXATION.
PART III. laws, and brethren of the same blood, England might not have
PERIOD I. been unjust, nor her colonies driven to revolt.
CHAP. I. England believed, contrary to the opinion of the colonies,
v^rf—v—*.^ that she had a right to change their governments, although
Subjects of established by royal charters. She maintained that she could,
disagree- ^^ }^gy pleasure, regulate and restrict their commerce ; and to
tvveen the this Opinion the colonies did not in general object ; but, in
two parties, particular cases, ihey believed she carried this power to an
oppressive extent. Finally, she claimed a right to collect
from the provinces, a revenue, either by external duties
imposed for the regidation of trade, or by internal taxes, on
articles to be consumed by the colonists. It was the subject
Internal of internal taxation, on which the most decided opposition of
taxation opinions prevailed. The Americans did not dispute the right
A^meHcans *^^ ^^^^ British, in respect to external taxes, except when car-
the ground ried to a vexatious extent, as in the case of the law, called the
of resist- Sugar Act ; but the subject of internal taxes, having been
deeply considered, they deliberately determined not to submit
to their imposition in any manner, or by any assembly, except
by one composed of their own representatives.
It has been already seen in how many instances, the Bri-
tish, acting consistently with these views, had attempted what
the colonists considered encroachments upon their rights ;
and that they had reluctantly submitted, evaded, or resisted,
as the circumstances of the occasion, or the apprehended im-
•/srmned to portance of the contested right, seeiued to require. In many
humole and instances, they had opposed the governors sent over by the
siibjugate cj-QYvn ; and those, by their complaints, had made the English
government believe that their American provinces were, by
degrees, shaking off the authority of the crown, and tending
to a state of independence ; to prevent which, measures must
be taken to humble and subjugate them.
Such was the state of affairs at the commencement of the
late war, between England and France, in which the colonies
had so deep an interest, and in which they bore so large a
Delay till the share. While pressed bv a common enemy, these causes of
close ol the -. . • i i ' i i • ^ •
French war. dissension remained latent ; but as soon as this war termi-
nated, and while yet the colonies were rejoicing in being de-
livered from a foe, who had so long instigated the savages to
midnight murder, the government of England began to delibe-
rate by what means they could best bend the stubborn provin-
cials, to what they considered due subjection. This was not,
however, the only motive of the British ministry, in the acts
which ensued. The expenses of the war had added more
than three hundred millions of dollars to their national debt.
To find the means of defraying its annual charges, and other
increased expenditures, was now the difficult duty of the Bri-
tish government.
As early as 1760, the mutual jealousies between the colo-
nies and the mother country appeared in Massachusetts, on
AMERICA>.' INDEPENDENCE FIRST ASSERTED.
147
the occasion of an attempt to enforce the act, by which duties
were laid on foreign sugar and molasses, which, having been
considered oppressive, had been evaded. The custom-house
officers were directed, in case of suspecting these articles to
be concealed, to apply to the superior court of the colony for
what were termed, " writs of assistance," which were a kind
of general search warrant. Any pett\' custom-house officer,
armed with one of them, might, on pretence of searching for
these articles, invade, at his pleasure, the family retirement
of any gentleman in the province.
The people of Boston determined to oppose the granting
of writs of assistance, and employed two of their most emi-
nent lawyers, Oxenbridge Thatcher and James Otis, for this
purpose. The latter of these gentlemen defended the cause
of American rights with such impetuous eloquence, that
one who heard him, John Adams, afterwards himself so highly
distinguished, said, " Otis was a flame of fire I Even," man ^g
of an immensely crowded audience went away ready to take
arms against writs of assistance. Then and there was the
first scene of opposition to the arbitrary- claims of Great Bri-
tain ; then and there American independence was born."
The A\Tits were, however, under certain restrictions, granted;
but such was their unpopularity, that they were little used.
In 1762, plans were on foot for changing the American
governments. This much dreaded measure had, as was
learned, by intercepted, letters, been recommended by .Sir
Francis Bernard, who, in 1760, had arrived in Massachusetts,
as the royal governor. Bernard, in his letters, charged the
colonists with being hostile to British rule, and aiming at ab-
solute independence. He said " the attempt to enforce the
Sugar act," which, though enacted in 1733, had been evaded,
" had caused more alarm than the massacre at Fort '\\'illiam
Henr}-." He avowed the opinion, that parliament had full
power to alter the colonial governments, and to change their
respective boundaries, notwithstanding the royal charters ; he
counselled, that several of the smaller provinces should be
consolidated, to make one more respectable, and more easily
governed ; he recommended the establishment of a hereditary
nobility, and asserted the right of parliament to tax the colo-
iiies; but suggested the expediency of admitting into that body,
representatives from America. The publication of these let-
ters caused great alarm and bitter resentment against the man,
who, as they believed, had thus acted the part of deadly hos-
tilitv to their vital interests.
PART in.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. I.
lYGO.
Difficulty in
enforcing the
sugar act
February,
1T61.
Speech of
James Otis
against writs
of assist-
ance.
1762.
Governor
Bernard.
Intercepted
letters,
recommend
measures
hostile to the
colonies.
148
LORD GRENVILLE PROPOSES A DUTY ON STAMPS.
CHAPTER II.
British Taxation. — The Stamp Act.
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. II.
1T64.
Stamp duty
proposed,
and 01 hers
made per-
petual.
Massachu-
setts, Vir-
ginia, and
New York
take bold
ground.
Societies
formed to in-
jure the Brit-
bh trade in
America.
Neither Sir
R. Walpole
nor Mr. Pitt
would ven-
ture to tax
the colonies.
1765.
Granville in-
troduces into
parliament
the Stamp
Act.
In 1764, Lord Grenville gave notice to the American agents
in London, that it was his intention to draw a revenue from
the colonies, and that he should, in the ensuing session of
parUament, propose a duty on stamps. He wished them to
communicate with their constituents, and learn whether any
other duties, equally productive, and more agreeable to the
colonies, might be substituted. Soon after, resolutions were
passed in the house of commons, continuing, and making per-
petual, the odious duties on sugar, and molasses, and some
other articles imported into the colonies, and subjecting sup-
posed offenders to be tried by courts of admiralty, in such a
manner as would deprive them of trial by jury, and might take
them far from their homes.
The colonial agents in London informed their respective
colonies of the intended system of taxation. A great alarm
was excited. Massachusetts instructed her agents to deny
the right of parliament to impose taxes upon those who were
not represented in the house of commons. The house of
burgesses in Virginia appointed a committee to prepare an
address to the king and parliament, expressing their sense of
the destructive consequences of such a measure. The assem-
blv of Xew York also sent petitions, which, in a spirit more
bold and decided than those from anv other colony, asserted
their own rights, and the limitations of British power. Asso-
ciations were formed in all the colonies to encourage home
manufactures, and prohibit, as much as possible, the use of
British goods. The tendency of this judicious measure was
to make the colonists less dependent, and, by operating inju-
riously on the British merchants, to make them a party against
the ministry.
The British government were aware that they had to deal
with a spirited people ; yet they closed their eyes to the full
evidence of the stern independence of the American character.
Sir Robert Walpole, in the reign of George II., had under-
stood it better, when, in reply to those who advised him to
raise a revenue by taxing America, he said, " he left that to
those who should come after him — who had more courage
than himself;" and Mr. Pitt, also, when, according to his
own expression, he did not choose " to bum his fingers Avith
an American tax."
Notwithstanding the opposition, which, in truth, was not
unexpected, in 1765, Lord Grenville, pursuant to his declared
intention, introduced into the British parliament, his plan
HOSTILE MEASURES OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. 149
for taxing America, to commence with duties on stamps. In PART lU.
the house of commons, tlie project, though ably supported, period i.
met with ardent and animated opposition. It was on this chap. ii.
occasion, that Colonel Barre was roused to that unpremedi- v-«»-v^«wy
tated effort of eloquence, which has made his name, to this
day, appear to Americans, like that of a friend.
In answer to Charles Townshend, he having caught that 1765.
orator's last expression, he rose and exclaimed, " Children Colonel Bar-
planted by your care ! No ! Your oppressions planted them that Great
in America! They fled from your tyranny to an uncultivated Britain owes
land, where they were exposed to all the hardships to which '",°''''- '"'J^^
. ' ■ T ,1 ^1 1 1^1- ,, colonies than
human nature is liable, and, among others, to the cruelties ol they to her.
a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take it upon me to
say, the most terrible, that ever inhabited any part of God's
earth. They nourished by your indulgence ! No ! They
grew by your neglect ! W hen you began to care about them,
that care was exercised in sending persons to rule over them,
whose character and conduct has caused the blood of these
sons of liberty to recoil within them. They protected by .. ,^
yoiu- arms ! They have nobly taken up arms in your defense ! that they arc
The people of America are as truly loyal as any subjects the '"yal, but
king has, but a people jealous of their liberties, and they will c_.|,eYheir
vindicate them." liberty.
Neither the eloquence of Colonel Barre, the petitions of the
London merchants, nor the remonstrances of the colonies, ^fareh 22nd
could prevent the passage of the stamp act. Of three hundred, emment pas's
who voted in the house of commons, only fifty were against the stamp
it ; in the house of lords, there was not a single dissenting ^^^'
voice ; and the royal assent was readily obtained.
By this act, no written instrument could be legal, unless
the paper was stamped on which it was drawn; and this
stamped paper was to be purchased, at exhorbitant prices, of
the agents of the British government.
Provision was made for the recovery of penalties for the
breach of this act, as of all others relating to trade and reve- C<:"rts of
nue, in any admiralty, or king's marine court, throughout the ^ "''™ '^"
colonies. These courts proceded in trials, without the inter- Trial by jurr
vention of a jury. This act, both in regard to the suspension suspended.
of what the colonists regarded as one of the most important of
their rights, that of trial by jury, and also in regard to that
extension of jurisdiction, by which they were liable to be call-
ed to trial, for real or supposed offenses, to distant provinces,
was, next to that for direct taxation, the most obnoxious to the
colonies of any aggression of the British government.
Anticipating opposition to these measures, parliament pass- ■ ^ r
ed laws for sending troops to America, and obliging the inhab- tering troops
itants of those colonies to which they should be sent, to fur- '" America,
nish them with quarters, and all necessary supplies.
The stamp act was to take effect on the first day of Novem- Frankim'e
ber. The night after its passage, Dr. Franklin, then in letter.
150
NEWS .OF THE STAMP ACT REACHES AMERICA.
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. III.
Thompson's
reply.
Spirited op-
position.
May 29.
The five re-
solutions of
the house of
burgesses in
Virginia.
Patrick
Henry.
His daring
eloquence
makes the
first public
opposition.
London as agent for Pennsylvania, wrote to his friend Charles
Thompson, " The sun of liberty is set ; you must light up the
candles of industry and economy." " Be assured," said Mr.
Thompson, in reply, " we shall light up torches of quite anoth-
er sort."
On the arrival of the stamp act, the smothered feelings of
the colonists broke forth into one general burst of indignation.
The house of burgesses in Virginia were at that time in ses-
sion. It was here that the first public opposition was made
to the odious act ; and the man, by whom the resolutions,
Avhich expressed this- opposition, were introduced, was the
eloquent and ardent Patrick Henry, then a young lawyer, and
a member of the house. Of his five celebrated resolutions,
the first four asserted the rights and privileges claimed by the
colonists ; the last declared they were not bound to vield obe-
dience to any law, imposing taxes upon them, excepting such
as were passed by the general assembly of the colony. These
resolutions, more especially the last, were warmly opposed by
the house of burgesses ; but the bold and irresistible eloquence
of Henry finally prevailed, and they were passed by a major-
ity of a single voice. In the heat of the debate, the conduct
of the king was, for the first time in any public body in Ameri-
ca, arraigned ; and Patrick Henry, in this, dared what might
have cost him his life. He asserted that the king, in assent-
ing to the law for taxing the colonies, had acted the part of a
tyrant ; and alluding to the fate of other tyrants, he exclaim-
ed, " Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I. his Cromwell, and
George HI." — he was interrupted by the cry of " treason !" —
pausing for a moment, he deliberately concluded — " may profit
by their example ; — if this be treason, make the most of it."
The next day the members were alarmed, on considering the
bold stand which they had taken ; and in the absence of Henry,
the fifth resolution was rescinded ; but it had already with the
others gone forth, and, although at first cautiously circidated,
all were at length openly published, and produced \dolent ex-
citements throughout the country.
CHAPTER III.
Congress at New York — Repeal of the Stamp Act.
Before the proceedings in Virginia had become known in
Dro*'os^^b^ Massachusetts, the general court of that colony had assem-
Massanhu- bled, and adopted measures to produce a combined opposition
sens. Dele- to the oppressive measures of parliament. Letters were ad-
gmcs elected j_ }\_ ^i_ i i- _ r .^ .^ i
irom nine
colonies.
dressed to the assemblies of the other colonies, proposing that
a congress, composed of deputies from each, should meet to
INTENDED AND REAL EFFECTS OF THE STAMP ACT. 151
consult on their common interests. This proposition was not FART III.
agreed to by all, and indeed it met, at first, a general opposi- period i.
tion. Delegates were, however, elected from Massachusetts, chap. hi.
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penn- ^--""v^^^
sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina.
On the first Tuesday in October, which was the day desig- 1765.
nated by Massachusetts for the meetino^ of the congress, the r,.^'^*- ^- .
. r irst conti-
delegates assembled at New York. Their first measure was nental con-
to draw up a declaration, in which they asserted that the col- gre-^s- Their
onists were entitled to all the rights and privileges of natural ^^ ri^lts'*
born subjects of Great Britain ; that the most essential of
these were an exclusive right to tax themselves, and the privi-
lege of trial by jur}^ ; and that the late acts of parliament, im-
posing taxes on the inhabitants without their consent, and ex-
tending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty, had a
manifest tendency to subvert these rights and liberties. The petitions to
congress then prepared an address to .the king, and petitions the king and
to both houses of parliament. The colonies which were not parliament.
represented in this congress, also forwarded to England simi-
lar petitions.
As the day approached on which the stamp act was to take ^,
rr 1 1 f 1- • • • 1 TT 1 1 • Udious fea-
eiiect, the popular leehng agamst it mcreased. Had duties turesofthe
been laid on articles of convenience or luxurv, these misfht stamp ac».
have been dispensed with ; but this law was so framed, that
the evil intended as a penalty for disobedience, was no less ^^^yl^ ^^
than the suspension of the whole machinery of the social or- civil govem-
der, and the creation of a state of anarchy. Neither trade nor ^^^^ ^^s-
navigation could proceed ; no contract could be legally mado,
no process against an offender could be instituted, no appren-
tice could be indented, no student could receive a diploma,
nor even could the estates of the dead be legally settled, until
the stamp dut}' was paid.
Measures were taken to make the situation of all concerned Colonists de-
in its collection so unpleasant, that no one might be found fp^'ned to
T J , ^ ' n- . T-i • 1 to make it
hardy enough to engage as an officer. At Boston, in the impossible
month of August, the populace, after burning the effigy of Mr. 'o'' any offi-
Andrew Oliver, the proposed distributer of stamps, assembled '^Yribute '
at his house, broke his windows, and destroyed his furniture. stamps.
Mr. Oliver then formally pledged himself to have no concern
in the execution of the obnoxious statute. The houses of an
officer of the court of admiralty, and of one of the custom-
house officers, were entered, and" their effects purloined. But ,/^"^?'*-
the greatest damage was done in the mansion of Lieut. Gov. of'^Boston?
Hutchinson, whose loss in furniture, plate, pictures, and mon- roughlyused,
ey, was very consideraljle ; and was a chief item in a claim a'«° ^o^e"--
•', ■ 1 /-~i . r> • • r- 1 1 • 1.. 1 norHutchm-
which Great Britain afterwards made against Massachusetts, son, and
In New Haven, .Mr. Ingersol, like Mr. Oliver, was obliged to ^'■"- '"?er-
declare his resolution not to become a distributer. Similar ^^Haven^^
scenes occurred in other places.
The first of November, the day on which the act was to
152 AMERICA WILL NOT PEACEABLY SUBMIT,
PART III, take effect, was ushered in by the tolling of bells, as for a fu-
PERiou I. neral procession, and signs of mourning and sorrow appeared
CHAP. in. in all the colonies. In New York, the stamp act was hawk-
^---v'"*-^ ed about with a death's head attached to it, under the title of
Nov. 1. the " Follv of England and the ruin of America." " In Ports-
Smp^acL mouth, New Hampshire," says Dr. Holmes, " a coffin, neatly
Siii^'ular de- ornamented, and inscribed with ' Liberty, aged CXLV years,'
monstra- .^^.^^g prepared for the funeral procession, which began from
'^"'"^' the state house, attended with two unbraced drums. Minute
In Ports- guns were fired until the corpse arrived at the grave, when
mouth, N. H, an oration was pronounced, in honor of the deceased. Scarce-
'Lbert %* ly was the oration concluded, when, some remains of life hav-
deaih, iiu- ing been discovered, the corpse was taken up. The inscrip-
rial and re- {j^j^ q^ ^\^q \[(^ of the coffin was changed to Liberty Revived !
surrection. ,^j^^ ^^^^^ suddenly struck a cheerful sound, and joy again ap-
peared in every countenance."
In fine, the opposition to the law was general and systema-
l'r65 ^^^- Even the women, animated by the same spirit, united
The women with the men in their exertions to prevent the importation of
unite to pro- British goods ; and cheerfully relinquished every species of
''oTBri'tisr ornament, which was manufactured ' in England. The pro-
goods.^ ceedings of the courts of justice were suspended, in order
that no stamps might be used ; and those engaged in disputes
were earnestly and effectually exhorted, by the leading men,
to terminate them by reference.
In the mecm time, a change had taken place in the British-
ministry ; the authors of the stamp act had been removed, and
Lord Gren- their places supplied by those who were supposed to be more
ville sue- favorable to the interests of the colonies. The Marquis of
ihe Duke'^'^of Rockingham was made lord of the treasury, and the Duke of
Grafton. Grafton and General Conway, secretaries of state. They
were now at a loss how to proceed, for they perceived that
measures must be taken, either to repeal the obnoxious statute,
or oblige the Americans to submit to it, by force of arms. In
1T66. January, 1766, the petuions of congress, and other papers re-
.Tiuiuary! lating to the affairs of America, were laid before the house of
Parliament commons. After their examination, a resolution was introdn-
righttrhind ced by General Conway, declaring that parliament "had full
the colonies, power to bhid the colonies, and people of America, in all cases
whatsoever ;" which, after an animated debate, was adopted.
Df'^Frai- The next day, the ministry, now bent on a repeal of the
Unexamined stamp act, instituted inquiries upon the subject, and among other
before the ppj-goiis, Dr. Franklin was examined before the house of com-
cmnmonl; mons. 'Hc gave it as his opinion, that the acts of parliament
dechires the foj- taxiiio- America, had alienated the affections of the people
"nirsubmiJ" from the^mother country, and that they would never submit to
Bill to repeal the Stamp duty, unless compelled.
the stamp The resolution to repeal that act, was opposed by bora
act advo- Grenville and his adherents, who were answered by Mr. Pitt.
* Put. ^ '■ That great statesman maintained, that taxation was no part of
LORD CHATHAM IN THE MINISTRY.
153
the governing or legislative power which parliament had a right
to exert over the colonies ; and concluded with a motion, " that
the stamp act be repealed, totally, absolutely, and immedi-
ately.
The bill for its repeal, at length passed the commons, and
was sent to the house of lords, where it met with much op-
position. But the cause of the colonies was ably advocated
by Lord Camden. " My position," said he, " is this ; I re-
peat it, I will maintain it to my last hour — taxation and repre-
sentation are inseparable. This position is founded on the
laws of nature ; it is more — it is itself an eternal law of na-
ture : for whatever is a man's own is absolutely his own ; no
man has a right to take it from him without his consent.
Whoever attempts to do it, attempts an injury ; whoever does
it, commits a robbery." The bill for repeal at length passed
the house of Lords, but with it was another, called the " de-
claratory bill," in which the resolution was repeated, that
" parliament had a right to bind the colonies in all cases what-
soever.
FART in.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. IV.
Passes the
comnn-ns ;
advocated lU
the house of
lords by
Lord Cam--
den.
March 18;.
Passes the ■
house of
lords, but its«
salutary
effect de- ■
stroyed.
CHAPTER IV.
Second attempt to tax America. — Opposition.
Although the repeal of the stamp act gave joy to the col-
onists, yet, while a principle was at the same time asserted,
upon which, any future ministry, with the sanction of parlia-
mentary authority, might oppress them, they continued a jeal-
ous watch over the British government.
General Conway recommended to the colonies, to make
compensation, to those who had suffered in attempting to en-
force the stamp act. Governor Bernard laid this recommend-
ation before the assembly of Massachusetts, as a requisition
with which they must of necessity comply. With this they
were offended, as it disabled them, they said, from voluntarily
granting to the king such favors as he requested. At first they
refused to make any compensation to the sufferers, but they
finally consented, though in a manner highly displeasing to
the British government, for the same act which made the ap-
propriation for the damage, expressed a pardon ta those by
whom it was done.
In July, another change took place in the British ministry,
and a cabinet was formed under the direction of Mr. Pitt, now
Earl of Chatham. The proceedings of the Americans had
given great offense to the British, and they were con-
demned by many who had heretofore espoused their cause.
12
176(5.
Colonies
jealous andl
watchfuL
March 31..
Massachu--
setts con-
sents to pay.'
for the riot,
but pardon**
the rioters.
July.
Pitt a* th«
head of the
British caoi
net.
154
MASS. AGAIN PROMINENT IN THE GENERAL CAUSE.
PART in.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. IV.
1767.
Parliament
imposes new
taxes.
1768.
Massachu-
setts re-
' quests the
ico-operation
■of the other
■ colonies.
In May, 1767, Charles Townshend, then chancellor of the
exchequer, influenced by Lord Grenville, brought into parlia-
ment a second plan for taxing America, by imposing duties on
all tea, glass, paper, and painter's colors, which should be im-
ported into the colonies. This bill passed both houses ot
parliament without much opposition. And during the same
session an act was passed, suspending the authority of the
assembly of New York, until they should comply with the
requisition to quarter troops, which they had refused ; and
another, appointing the officers of the navy, as custom-house
officers, to enforce the acts of trade and navigation.
These three acts following each other in quick succession,
caused, throughout America, a revival of the same feelings
which the passage of the stamp act had produced. In Janu-
arv, 1768, the assembly of Massachusetts prepared a petition
to the king, and sent letters to those persons in Great Britain,
who had been most active in defending the cause of America,
again asserting what they considered their rights, and claim-
ing deliverance from those unjust and oppressive taxes, which
had been imposed by the recent acts of parliament. They
also addressed circulars to the other colonial assemblies, en-
treating their co-operation, in obtaining the redress of their
grievances. «
The British ministry viewed this measure as an attempt to
convene another congress ; and as they had always dreaded
the effects of voluntary colonial union, independent of the
•Bernard dis- crown, they instructed Gov. Bernard, to require the assembly
to rescind the vote bv which the circulars were sent to the oth-
er colonies ; and, in case of their refusal, to dissolve them ;
at the same time, addressing letters to the other colonial
governors, to prevent, if possible, their compliance with the
request of Massachusetts. In the assembly of that province,
ninety-two, out of one hundred and nine representatives, refu-
sed to rescind the vote, or disapprove of their former proceed-
ings, and the governor, in consequence, dissolved the assembly.
But instead of intimidating, these measures did but exasperate
the people.
In .Tune, the custom-house officers seized a sloop belonging
to John Hancock, a merchant of eminence, and a patriot much
beloved bv the people of Boston. They assembled in crowds,
insulted and beat the officers, and compelled them to leave
the to^\^l. Non-importation agreements, with regard to all ar-
ticles on which duties had been laid, were now extensively
adopted.
The assembly of Massachusetts had not convened, since its
Boston vain- dissolution by Gov. Bernard. A report was circulated, that
ly petitions troops were ordered to march into Boston. A to^vn meeting
to call an as- "^^^^ called, and the governor was earnestly entreated to con-
sembly. voke the assembly. His reply was " that he could not call
Displeasure
of the Brit-
ish ministry.
solves the
assembly.
June 10.
Seizure of
Hancock's
sloop re-
sented.
Non-impor-
tation agree-
ments.
FIRST ACT OF A FREE ASSEMBLY IN VA. BY WASHINGTON. 155
another assembly this year, without further commands from PART III.
the king." period i.
A convention was then proposed, and accordingly held, on chap. iv.
the 22d of September. The members petitioned the govern- "^-^'"v'*^^
or, that an assembly might be called ; but he refused, calling Sept. 22.
them rebels. They transmitted to the king a respectful ac- tion from the
count of their proceedings, and then dissolved, after a session several
of five days. TTL^Z^
■' r> 1 /-^ ^ !■ '"• same.
Orders were given to General Gage, the commander-m-
chief of the British troops in the colonies, to station a force in
Boston, to overawe the citizens, and protect the custom-house
officers in the discharge of their duty. Two regiments were
accordingly ordered from Halifax, and escorted by seven arm- Sept. 28.
ed vessels, they arrived at Boston on the 28th of September. T'^^° ""^g^
The fleet took a station which commanded the town, and the fj^m Halifax
troops having landed imder the cover of their guns, marched to Boston,
into Boston without any resistance on the part of the inhabit-
ants. The select men of the town refusing to provide them uartered
with quarters, the governor commanded the state house to be in the
opened for their reception. The presence of the soldiers, had state house,
great influence in restraining outward violence, yet so ofl^en-
sive was the measure, that it greatly increased hostile dispo-
sitions.
Early in the succeeding year, news was received that the
late proceedings in Massachusetts were delared by parliament
to be " illegal, unconstitutional, and derogatory' to the rights of
the crown and parliament.'' Both houses, in a joint address 1769.
to the king, had recommended vigorous measures, and had Threatening
even gone so far as to beseech him to direct the governor of Qj.^^i ^^i.
Massachusetts Bay, to make strict inquiries, as to all treasons ain.
committed in that province since the year 1767 ; in order that
the persons most active in committing them, might be sent to
England for trial.
The house of burgesses in Virginia met a few days after
this address was received in the colonies. They passed reso-
lutions, in which they boldly denied the right of the king to -^^ iTvir-
remove an ofl'ender out of the colony for trial ; and voted an ginia.
address to the crowTi, which, though in a style of loyalty,
stated their deep connction that the complaints of the colo-
nists were well founded.
When the intelligence of these proceedings reached the jviay.
governor, he suddenly dissolved the assembly. But the cur- Lord Botc-
rent of opposition was too strong to be stayed. The members '°eJ^,,'r!'du^
assembled at a private house ; elected their speaker, Peyton solves the
Randolph, Esq., moderator ; and proceeded to pass some deci- house^of
ded resolutions against importing British goods. These were They^make
introduced by Colonel Washington, who had been a member themselves
of the house since his resignation. This example was fol- j"'"a^se^
lowed by other colonies ; and non-importation agreements, bly.
which had before been entered into by Boston, Salem, the citv
12* ^
156 AFFRAY WITH THE MILITARY AT BOSTON.
PART III. of New York, and the colony of Connecticut, now became
PERIOD I. general.
CHAP. IV. Jq May, the assembly of Massachusetts convened. They
^-^o^^^^'*^ refused to proceed with business while the state house was
1770. surrounded by an armed force. The governor would not re-
Asseibl r niove it, but adjourned them to Cambridge. Here they ex-
Massachu- pressed their decided belief, that the establishment of a stand-
setts con- ing army in the colony in time of peace, was an invasion of
is adjourned ^^eir natural rights. They refused to make any of the appro-
to Cam- priations of money which the governor proposed, and he again
bridge. prorogued them. In August, Governor Bernard was recalled,
and the government left in the hands of Lieutenant Governor
Hutchinson.
On the 5th of March, 1770, some of the inhabitants of
Boston insulted the military, while under arms ; and an affray
March 5. took place, in which four persons were killed. The bells
Affniy with were instantly rung ; the people rushed from the country to
troops.^ the aid of the citizens ; and the soldiers were obliged to retire
to Castle William, in order to avoid the fury of the enraged
multitude. A trial was instituted : the soldiers arraigned were
all acquitted, except two, who were found guilty of manslaugh-
„ ter. The moderation of the jury, and the ability with which
tried for mur- they were defended by two of the leading opposers of British
der, and aljly aggression, John Adams and Josiah Quincy, were honorable
John Adams' ^° ^^^ individuals, and to their country. This event, however,
and Josiah ' increased the detestation in which the stationing of a soldiery
Quincy. among the people, was held.
In England Lord North was appointed to the ministry. He
j^ introduced a bill into parliament, which passed on the 12th of
Lord North April, removing the duties which had been laid in 1767, ex-
vainly pur- cepting those on tea. But, as had been predicted by those
porizin-' no"- ^^^^^ Opposed this partial removal, the people of America were
licy. not satisfied, while the system was adhered to and parliament
claimed the rijorht of taxing the colonies.
177.5. jn 1772, meetings were held in the towns throughout Mas-
ofthe\')eo- sachusetts, where committees were appointed to maintain a
pie turned to correspondence with each other. These meetings, which
the subject pj-Qved the nurseries of independence, were censured by Great
wrongs. Britain as being the hot beds of treason and rebellion.
June. In Rhode Island, a daring resistance was made to the cus-
The Gaspee tom-house officers ; and the Gaspee, an armed schooner which
^^mVdnMit^' had been stationed in that colony for the purpose of enforcinc
the acts of trade was destroyed.
THE BOSTO-V "TEA PARTY." Ifl?
CHAPTER V.
Seizure of Tea. — Boston Port Bill. — Arrival of British Troops.
The non-importation agreements, rigidly observed in re- PART III.
spect to the article of tea, now began to effect the commercial period i.
interest of Great Britain. Parliament passed an act allowinor ch.^p. v.
the East India Company to export to America its teas, free of ^-^-v-^^.^
all duties in England, thus enabling them to reduce its price 1773.
in the colonies. Tea was accordingly shipped in large quan- ^'^y-
tites. The colonists foresaw, that if it should be landed, the in^EnXnd
duty would probably be paid. Resolutions were therefore to hinder
extensively adopted, that the tea should not be received on abstinence
, , "^ .' , T-, , , in the use of
shore, but sent back to England. tea.
At Philadelphia the pilots were enjoined not to conduct the 1773
ships into the river. At New York the governor ordered The com-
some of the tea to be landed, under the protection of an armed ™i"ee of vi-
ship, but the people took it into custody, and allowed none of letomined
it to be sold. In Boston it was apprehended that as the that no tea
loaded vessels lay in the harbor, the tea would be landed in ^^all be
small quantities : and several men, disguised as Indians, „
boarded the ships during the night, and threw their cargoes destroy 342
into the water. Three hundred and forty-two chests of tea *'hestsof tea.
were thus broken open and their contents thrown overboard.
When the news of these transactions reached the parlia-
ment of England, they resolved " to make such provisions as
should secure the just dependence of the colonies, and a due
obedience to the laws, throughout all the British dominions." 1774.
In order to punish the inhabitants of Boston, in an exemplary Parliament
manner, and oblige them to restore the value of the tea which ^^utsthe
Till 1 1 -11 1 • nr 1 • P°rt °' rJos-
had been destroyed, a bill was passed in March, 1774, " m- ton.
terdicting all commercial intercourse with the port of Boston,
and prohibiting the landing and shipping of any goods at that
place," until these ends should be accomplished.
Parliament also passed an act, giving to the crown the Qj^g the
power previously residing in the General Court, of appointing crown the
counselors ; and they prohibited meetings in the several *PP<"ntraent
ot coiinsGl"
towns except, for the purpose of electing officers. In order ors.
to secure the execution of these obnoxious laws, they provided Forbid town
that any person indicted for murder, or any capital offense, meetings.
committed in aiding the magistracy, might be sent to another Abolish trial
colony, or to Great Britain for trial. by jury,
An act was also passed, extending the province of Quebec
to the river Ohio ; and, in order more effectually to provide '*,"'^ "^^^ *
. . 1 • 1 • -1 / '1 , plan to brmg
for Its government, a legislative council was formed, who in oppre*
were to be appointed by the crown, and trials without a jury sion from the
were also to be permitted. The object of this act, which thus '^'^
CHAP. V.
158 MASSACHUSETTS PROPOSES A GENERAL CONGRESS.
PART III, in that province abolished the free system of English laws
PERIOD 1. and extended its boundaries, was " at once to render it an ex-
ample, and a fit instrument for introducing the same absolute
rule into the other colonies."
1T74. General Gage was made governor of Massachusetts in the
Exposure of pjace of Hutchinson, who had been removed from his office
son's letters, in consequence of unpopularity occasioned by the exposure of
letters which had been written by him, during the years 1767
Gage sue- and 1768, to the leading men of Great Britain, Avhich had
ceeds him. ^gjjjg^j greatly to increase the prejudice of parliament against
thie colonies, and widen the breach already existing between
them.
^ ,Q On the arrival of the port bill in Boston, a meeting of the
Boston port inhabitants was held, who declared that the " impolicy, injus-
bill causes tice, and inhumanity of the act exceeded their powers of ex-
^^"men^''^ pression !" The assembly convened at this place, but was
removed by the governor to Salem. It was here resolved,
that the present state of the colonies made it necessary that a
congress, composed of delegates from all the colonies, should
The assetn- assemble, to take their affairs into the most serious considera-
bly proposes jJQn They nominated James Bowdoin, Thomas Gushing,
con^re"7and Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, men cele-
chooses brated for their talents and patriotism, as their representatives
members. ^^ g^^^j^ ^ congress ; and directed the speaker of the house to
inform the other colonies of their resolution.
The governor, having learned these proceedings, sent an
,. , officer to dissolve the assembly, in the king's name. Being
the royaUu- unable to obtain admittance, he read the order aloud on the
thority. staircase ; but it was not obeyed, until the members had
finished their most important business.
Governor Gage had believed that the advantages arising to
the trade of Salem, from shutting up the port of Boston, would
render its inhabitants .more favorable to the royal government ;
but the people of that town declared, " that nature, in forming
Noble con- tj^eir harbor, had prevented their becoming rivals in trade ,
people of and that even if it were otherwise, they should regard them-
Salem. selves lost to every idea of justice, and all feelings of human-
ity, could they indulge one thought of seizing upon the wealth
of their neighbors, or raising their fortunes upon the ruins of
their countrymen."
The cause of the people of Boston was espoused by all the
colonies, and their wants were supplied by their contributions.
The Bosto- -pj^g people of Marblehead, in accordance with the general
V^Xe whole feeling, instead of taking advantage of their distress, offered
country, them the use of their harbor, their wharves, and warehouses,
free of all expense.
In Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who had been made governor,
on the death of Lord Botetourt, had prorogued the refractory
burgesses from time to time until March, 1773. When, in
May, 1774, they received the news of the Boston port bill,
FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT PHILADELPHIA. 159
they proclaimed a fast. Lord Dunmore at once prorogued PART III.
them. They however formed an association, and voted to period t.
recommend to the colonies a general congress. ch^p- ^J-
The first of June, the day on vv'hichthe port bill was to take ----v-'*^
effect, was devoutly observed, in Virginia, as a day of fasting. The Virgini-
humiliation and prayer, to implore that God would avert the ^y Jf^^.
evils which threatened them, and " give them one heart, and ing.
one mind, firmly to oppose, by all just and proper means, every
injury to the American rights."
CHAPTER VI.
Congress at Philadelphia.
The resolutions adopted by the assembly of Massachusetts, 1'774.
with respect to a general congress, were approved by the other Sept. 4.
colonies; and on the 4th of September, 1774, the congress tti'^conj^e^
convened at Philadelphia. In this body, the most august and assembles at
important which had ever assembled upon the American Philadel-
shores, all the colonies, except Georgia, were represented ; ^ '^'
and all parties, struck with the array of splendid talents and jonYe^s^repre-
stern patriotism, which a view of the catalogue of its mem- sented.
bars presented, looked forward to the result of their delibera-
tions with deep interest and great expectation ; the people
with hope — but the officers and dependents of the crown, with
alarm and apprehension.
Their first measure was to choose, by a unanimous vote, Peyton Ran-
Peyton Randolph, Esq. of Virginia, as president. They next '^°p'Pj',idJ'„'^''
decided, that, as they could not ascertain the relative impor- -^^^^ ^^^^^^
tance of each colony, each should have one vote ; they deter- has one vote,
mined that their deliberations should proceed with closed
doors ; they chose a committee of two from each province, to
state the rights of the colonies in general, the several instances
in which these rights had been infringed, and the means of
obtaining redress. They expressed their approbation of the ^
conduct of the people of Massachusetts, exhorted them to per- ^''onXct of^
severe in the cause of freedom, with decision, yet with tern- Massachu-
perance ; and voted the continuance of contributions for their ^^^^l^_
relief. Being informed that General Gage was erecting forti- ures for re-
fications around Boston, and prohibiting the citizens from a lief.
free communication, they addressed a letter to that officer,
entreating him to desist from military operations ; lest a dif-
ference, altogether irreconcilable, should arise between the
colonies and the parent state.
The committee chosen, next reported an able instrument. They draw
setting forth the rights of the colonies, in the form of resolu- ^ '^^f Sr"*
lions, which being accepted, was addressed to the people, and rights
160 CONGRESS SEEK PEACE, BUT PREPARP FOR WAR.
PART in. is now commonly quoted by the title of the " Bill of Rights."
PERIOD I. The last of these resolutions stated the result of the best wis-
CHAP. v[. Jq,j^ of congress, as to the means most likely to obtain the
^-*''~^''"*^ peaceable redress of grievances. First, to enter nito a non-
Concert importation association, second, to prepare an address to the
otHainre-'^ people of Great Britain, and a memorial to the inhabitants of
dress. British America, and third, to prepare a loyal address to the
king.
By the non-importation compact, they agreed and associa-
Sanction ^^'^' ^^^ themselves and their constituents, " under the sacred
non-iraporta- ties of virtue, honor, and love of liberty," not to import, or use
uon com- ^^y British goods, after the first of December, 1774, particu-
larly the articles of tea and molasses. At the same time, they
Encourage agreed to encourage agriculture, arts, and manufactures in
arts which America. Committees were to be appointed in every place,
tend to inde- ^ ^j^^j^ ^j^^g aoTeement was observed ; and those who
pendence. f? . '
violated it were to be denounced as enemies to the rights of
their country.
It is worthy of remark, that these great men, in the pressure
Resolve of their own peculiar difficulties, did not forget the cause of
against the suffering humanity, but made, with the other resolutions, one
by which they bound themselves not to be, in any way, con-
cerned in the slave-trade.
Finally, they determined to continue the congressional
Resolve to union, until the repeal by parliament, of oppressive duties;
continue the of the laws restricting their rights of trial by jury ; of the
colonial acts, acrainst the people of .Massachusetts : and of that for ex-
union. . * . . ^ ^ .
tending the limits of the province of Quebec.
In the several addresses which, conformably to their reso-
lutions, were drawn up and promulgated, congress fully met
the high expectations which were entertained of that assem-
High char- blage, of whom Lord Chatham declared, " that, though he had
fi^r Ameri- Studied and admired the free states of antiquity, the master
can con- spirits of the world, yet, for solidity of reasoning, force of
gress. sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, no body of men could
stand in preference to this congress." The addresses were
couched in terms, which, though strongly calculated to awa-
ken the sympathy, were, at the same time, powerful to con-
vince the reason. They were not the whining complaints of
beaten children, who murmur and submit, but the lirm remon-
strances of injured and indignant men, Avilling to ask for their
rights, but determined to have them.
The petition to the king entreated him, in language the
most respectful and affectionate, to restore their violated
They make j-ights. Their grievances, thev said, were the more intolera-
an able ap- '^ o '^ . '
peal to the ble, as they were born heirs of freedom, and had enjoyed it
^"ig- under the auspices of his royal ancestors. " The apprehen-
sion," say they, " of being degraded into a state of servitude,
from the pre-eminent rank of English freemen, while our
minds retain the strongest love of liberty, and clearly foresee
DICTATES OF CONGRESS APPROVED AND FOLLOWED. 161
the miseries preparing for us and our posterity, excites emo- PART III.
tions in our breasts which we cannot describe." They I'ERIOD i.
express a hope, that the royal indignation will fall ou those <^"-^''- '^'•
designing and dangerous men, who, by their misrepresenta- ^-^'^^''"^-^
tions of his American subjects, had, at length, compelled '^j|J^^^^"
them, by the force of accumulated injuries, too severe to be draughted by
longer borne, thus to disturb his majesty's repose ; a conduct -^^r- i^icken-
extorted from those Avho would much more willingly bleed in
his service. " We ask," say they, " for peace, liberty, and
safety. We wish not a diminution of the royal prerogative,
nor do we solicit the gTant of any new right in our tavor."
The petition concludes with an earnest prayer, that his ITTd.
majesty, as the father of his whole people, would not permit
the ties of blood, of law, and loyalty, to be broken, " in uncer-
tain expectation of effects, that, if obtained, never can compen-
sate for the calamities through which they must be gained."
In their address to the people of England, they claim the
rights of fellow subjects. "Be not surprised," they say, lyfessrs.Lee,
" that we, whose forefathers participated in the rights, the Livingston,
liberties, and the constitution, of which you so justly boast, ""fj^ ^^^ ^T-
and have carefully conveyed the same fair inheritance to us, dress to the
should refuse to surrender them to men, who found their people of
claims on no principles of reason, and who prosecute them °
with a design, that, by having our lives and property in their p^j^^^jjtgj
power, they may, with the greater facility, enslave you. Are bj- Mr! Jay,
not," they ask, "the proprietors of the soil of Great Britain,
lords of their own property ? Can it be taken from them
without their consent I Will they yield it to the arbitrary
disposal of any man, or number of men, whatever ? You
know they will not. Why, then, are the proprietors of Ame-
rica., less lords of their property than you are of yours 1 Can
the intervention of the sea that divides us, cause disparity of
rights I Or can any reason be given, why English subjects,
who live three thousand miles from the royal palace, should
enjoy less liberty, than those w^o are three hundred miles
from it ?"
In the memorial to their constituents, they presented an And a me-
account of the oppressive measures of parliament since 1763. ^^^^J. ^g^.
They applaud the spirit which they had shown in defense of stuuents.
their rights, and encourage them to persevere, and be prepared
for all contingencies ; hinting that those might occur which Congress
would put their constancy severely to the test. The congress ^ "fe,
a a.i. c r\ ^ u October 6.
rose on the 6th of October.
Although their powers were merely advisory", yet their de- The pro-
cisions received the approbation of the colonial assembues, congress ap-
and carried with them all the force of laws. proved.
162 HOSTILE MEASURES BECOME MORE DECISIVE.
CHAPTER VII.
War approaches. — Massachusetts. — British Parliament.
PART III. Complete unanimity, however, did not exist. Some of the
PERIOD I. late emigrants, on -whom England had bestowed offices, and
CH.4P. VII. many who feared her power, clung to her authority, and de-
^— *-v--^^ clared themselves her adherents. Whigs and tories were the
Whigs and distinguishing names of the parties ; the former favoring the
tones. cause of the colonists ; the latter, that of Great Britain.
Militar>' In the meantime, the magazines of gimpowder and other
'^"^ed^"^'^ military stores, at Charlestown and Cambridge, were seized,
by order of Gen. Gage.
October. An assembly was called in IMassachusetts ; but its sittings
The assem- -yvrere countermanded by the governor. The representatives
sachusetis" then met at Salem, resolved themselves into a " provincial
resolve congress," adjourned to Concord, and chose John Hancock
themselves ^heir president. The governor warned them to desist from
into a pro- , ■ , , , t * i • i i. ■ - •
vincial con- such illegal proceedings ; but, paying no regard to his injunc-
gress, and tion, they resolved, that, for the defense of the province, a
^ ^war °'^ number of the inhabitants should be enlisted, to stand ready
to march at a minute's warning. They elected three general
officers, to command these minute-men and the militia, pro-
vided they should be called to action — appointed a committee
of supplies, and a committee of safety, to sit during their re-
cess. Meeting again in November, they resolved that one
fourth of the militia should act as minute-men ; made the addi-
tion of two general officers ; and sent persons to inform New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, of their measures,
and request their co-operation, in order to raise an army of
20,000 men, to act in any emergency.
The south- 'pj^g same temper was manifest in the southern colonies,
adopt similar particularly in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, where
measures, conventions were held, and spirited resolutions passed.
1774. On the 20th of November, the British parliament convened.
Nov. 20. '^pi^e kins, in his speech, informed the members, that a most
and Vrlia- daring resistance to the laws still prevailed in Massachusetts,
ment deter- which was encouraged by unlawful combinations in the other
mined to car- colonies ; and, finally, he expressed his firm determination to
ry their pomt . , ' ' •' ' *; . . , i i •
at all haz- Withstand any attempt to weaken or impair the royal authority ;
ards. and in these sentiments the two houses expressed, in their
answer, a decided concurrence. Perceiving, from these ex-
vr n ■ pressions, the temper of the British government, Mr. Quincy,
to Dr Reed. ^^'^^ ^^^ been sent over as general agent for the colonies,
wrote to Dr. Reed, in Philadelphia, warning him not to enter-
tain the idea that commercial plans would be the engines of
their freedom^ and telling him,that he wrote " with the feelings
AMERICA DEFENDED BY LORD CHATHAM, 163
of one who believes that his countrymen must yet seal their PART in.
faith and constancy to their liberties with blood." period l
When the British ministry, after considerable delay, at chap. vii.
length brought the American papers before parliament. Lord ^^""^^-^^^
Chatham, with all the energies of his gigantic mind, took the Lord Chat-
field of debate, in favor of America. " The way," he said, f^favor of
" must be immediately opened for reconciliation. It will soon America,
be too late. His majesty may indeed wear his crown; but,
the American jewel out of it, it will not be worth the Avearing. ^^^j^g^^^^.j^Jj^^
They say, you have no right to tax them, without their con- can be taken
sent. They say truly. Representation and taxation must go without the
together — they are inseparable. ' Our American subjects,' is °sent^cea^ses
a common phrase in the mouths of the lowest orders of our to be proper
citizens : but property, my lords, is the sole and entire domi- ^y-
nion of the owner : it excludes all the world besides. It is
an atom ; untangible by any but the proprietor. Touch it,
and the touch contaminates the whole mass ; the whole pro-
perty vanishes. This wise people speak out. They do not
hold the language of slaves ; they tell you what they mean.
They do not ask you to repeal your laws, as a favor ; they
claim it as a right — they demand it. They tell you, they
will not submit to them ; and I tell you, the acts must be
repealed. Repeal, therefore, my lords, I say. But bare
repeal will not satisfy this enlightened and spirited people.
You must go through the work ; you must declare you have
no right to tax — then they may trust you — then they wiU
have some confidence in you."
But such were the prejudices then existing, that, notwith- l''^?'^.
standing the force of Lord Chatham's argimients, and the ^^"J'a'sJfre^
weight of his name, a plan, which he brought before parlia- proposed by
ment, for conciliatory measures, was negatived by a large Lord Chat-
majority ; while the petitions from the merchants of London, ''"jected.'^^"
and other commercial places, in favor of America, were refer-
red, not to the regular committee, but to one, called by the Colonies re-
friends of the colonies, "the committee of oblivion," whose f"*^/^ ^ ^®,'^"^"
1 T ^ T-iT-'iT J '"o •'I pariia
meeting was deferred to a distant day. Dr. rranknn, and ment.
the other colonial agents, were refused a hearing before the
house, on the plea, that they were appointed by an illegal
assembly ; and thus was put to silence the voice of three mil-
lions of people, yet in the attitude of humble suppliants.
Both houses of parliament concurred, by a large majority,
In an address to the king, in which they declare, " that the
Americans had long wished to become independent, and only
waited for ability and opportunity, to accomplish their design.
To prevent this," they said, " and to crush the monster in its
birth, was the duty of every Englishman ; and that this must
be done, at any price, and at every hazard."
On the 1 0th of February, a bill was passed, by which the ^ ^b. 10.
colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and attempt to
Rhode Island, were restricted in their trade to Great Britain divide the
164
FUTILE ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION.
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. vin.
colonies by
showing fa-
vors to some,
and severity
-I otliers.
Parliament
makes a
second fail-
ure in an-
other at-
tempt to
blind and di-
vide the co-
lonies.
Secret nego-
tiations be-
tween Lord
Howe and
Dr. Frank-
lin.
and its West India possessions, and were also prohibited from
fishing on the banks of Newfoundland. The same restrictions
were soon after extended to all the colonies, excepting New
York and North Carolina. It was expected that these prohi-
bitions would prove particularly distressing to the inhabitants
of New England, as an idea prevailed, that they depended on
the fisheries for their subsistence, and must, if deprived of
them, be starved into obedience.
While parliament were engaged in augmenting the naval
and military force, from the avowed cause, that there was
a state of rebellion, Lord North brought in an artful bill,
which he called a conciliatory plan, and which, after consi-
derable debate, was adopted. Its purport was, that Great
Britain should forbear to tax the colonies, on their agreeing
to tax themselves ; the money thus raised, to be at the dispo-
sal of the British parliament. This project, when brought
before the colonial assemblies, and finally referred by them to
congress, was pronounced, not only insidious, but unreason-
able and unsatisfactory; for it was, in effect, to oblige them-
selves to give the thing over which they claimed a right, to
purchase the mere name of possessing that right ; in fine, to
give the substance for the shadow.
While these measures were in progress. Lord Howe sought
an introduction to Dr. Franklin, through his sister, Mrs. Howe,
the friend of the latter, and an honest endeavor was made, on
both sides, to fall upon some plan, to which the parties would
consent. But the result of these secret and unofficial nego-
tiations shows clearly, that so wide was the difference of
opinion in England and America, that a war was inevitable ;
as no scheme of adjustment could be devised, to which even
good men of both parties would agree.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Weu: begins by the Battle of Lexington.
In the mean time, affairs in America were tending to a
crisis, which would preclude all hope of reconciliation. A
second provincial congress having assembled in Massachu-
setts, had ordered military stores to be collected, and encou-
raged the militia and minute-men to perfect themselves in the
use of arms.
General Gage having learned that a number of field pieces
were collected at Salem, dispatched a party of soldiers, to
tempts to de- ^^].g possession of them, in the name of the king. The peo-
at°Salem. ple of Salem assembled in great numbers, and, by pulling up
1775.
Feb. 26.
Gage at-
THE FIRST BLOOD IS SHED AT LEXINGTON.
165
a drawbridge, prevented their entering the town, and thus de-
feated their object. •
A large quantity of ammunition and stores was also depo-
sited at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston ; these
General Gage resolved to seize, or destroy; and, Avith that
view, he sent a detachment of 800 men, under the command
of Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, ordering them to pro-
ceed with expedition and secrecy.
The provincials had notice of the design ; and when the
British troops arrived at Lexington, within five miles of Con-
cord, the militia of the place were drawn up, and ready to
receive them. The advanced body of the regulars approached
within musket shot, when Major Pitcairn, riding forward, ex-
claimed, " Disperse, you rebels ! — throw down your arms and
disperse." Not being instantly obeyed, he discharged his
pistol, and ordered his men to fire. They fired, and killed
eight men. The militia dispersed, but the firing continued.
The detachment then proceeded to Concord, and destroyed
or took possession of the stores.
They then began their retreat ; but the colonists pressing
upon them on all sides, they went to Lexington, where they
met Lord Percy, with a reinforcement of 900 men, without
Avhich, it is doubtful whether they could have reached Boston ;
for the Americans, better acquainted with the grounds, con-
tinually harassed their march. From every place of conceal-
ment— a stone fence, a cluster of bushes, or a bam, the con-
cealed proAdncials poured upon them a destructive fire. At
sunset, the regulars, almost overcome with fatigue, passed
Charlestown Neck, and foimd, on Bunker's Hill, a resting
place for the night ; and the next morning, under the protec-
tion of a man of war, they entered Boston.
Blood had now flowed, and no language can portray the
feelings which the event excited. Couriers were dispatched
in every direction, who gave, as they rode at full speed, their
news, to be taken up and carried in like manner to other
places ; and thus, in an increasing circle, it spread like elec-
tric fluid throughout the land. The messenger, if he arrived
on Sunday, at once entered the church, and proclaimed to the
breathless assembly — war has begun ! Every where the cry
Avas repeated, " war has begim !" and the universal response
was, "to arms, then! liberty or death!"
The legislatures of the several colonies convened, appointed
officers, and gave orders to raise troops. Every where, fathers
were leaving their children, and mothers sending their sons to
the field ; and an army of 20,000 was soon collected in the
neighborhood of Boston.
Thus war was beginning in earnest. But our fathers had
a righteous cause ; and the contest was important, not only to
themselves and their posterity, but to human rights. They
had done all that was possible, and what none but great men
PART III
1 1 1I0D I
CHAP. VIII.
April 18.
Gage sends
800 men to
seize the
.stores at
Concord.
1775.
April 18.
Battle of
Lexington.
The com-
mencement
of the war.
Retreat of
the British.
Harassed by
the Araeri-
British loss,
273.
American
loss, 88.
Great excite-
ment.
Special cou-
riers spread
the news.
The people
take up
arras.
Our fathers
contended
righteously
for their
own, and hu-
man rights .
166
BENEDICT ARNOLD AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS.
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. IX.
Obligations
of the pre-
sent, to the
iK>ming gene-
rations.
could have done, to secure an honorable peace. What our
country now is, and what it must have been, had they shrunk
from the conflict, and tamely submitted to the yoke of ser-\a-
tude, speaks for their virtue and wisdom, in resolving to con-
tend. The God of justice, in whom they trusted, proved their
DeUverer. They were, to the death, true to us, their pos-
terity. Let not us be false to them ; but let us transmit the
liberty and the noble institutions of our countrj^, the inheritance
earned by their blood, imcontaminated, to our descendants.
CHAPTER IX.
Ticonderoga taken. — Royal Governors retire.
The colonists
besiege the
British in
Boston.
17T5.
Their pro-
visions
scarce.
Plans for
taking Ti-
conderoga
and CrowTi
Point origi-
nate in Con-
necticut and
Massachu-
setts.
Green
Mountain
Boys
defend the
New Hamp-
shire grants
from N. Y.
Ethan Allen
and Seth
Warner are
joined by
Benedict
Arnold.
General Gage was now closely besieged in Boston by an
army of twenty thousand. He had made his fortifications so
strong, that the provincials did not attempt the place by as-
sault ; nor would they have taken any such measures to annoy
the enemy, as would have exposed the inhabitants. But so
closely were the British invested, that, although they had the
command of the sea, their pronsions became scarce. Great
vigilance, to prevent their obtaining supplies, was used along
the coast, the inhabitants, for this purpose, often driving their
cattle into the interior.
The possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on which
depended the command of lakes George and Champlain, was
an object of essential importance. Without waiting for the
action of congress, individuals in Connecticut, at the head of
whom were Dean, Wooster, and Parsons, determined to un-
dertake it on their own responsibility ; and accordingly they
borrowed of the legislature of that colonv, eigrhteen himdred
dollars. They then proceeded to Bennington, confident of the
co-operation of the hardy freemen who had settled in that vi-
cinitv bv the authority of New Hampshire, and who had, un-
der the name of the " Green Mountain corps," manifested
their resolution in defense of their lands from the sheriffs of
New York ; that state claiming over them a jurisdiction, which
thev would not allow. At the head of these veterans were
Colonels Ethan Allen, and Seth Warner. They gladly en-
gaged in the enterprise. Troops were soon raised, and the
command was intrusted to Allen.
In the meantime, Benedict Arnold, with the intrepid bold-
ness of his character, had, in Boston, formed and matured the
same design, and was on the march to execute it, when he
found, with astonishment, that he had been anticipated. Be-
coming second in command to Allen, they marched together.
AMERICAN SUCCESSES ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 167
at the head of three hundred men, from Castleton, and reach- PART m.
ed lake Champlain, opposite Ticonderoga, on the 9th of May. period I.
On the morning of the 10th they embarked with eighty-three "^"^p- ^^■
men, landed at dawn of day, and completely surprised the for- ^^'^n^^"^
tress. The approach of a hostile force was so unexpected to 1775.
De La Place, the commander, that he knew not from what J'}^^ ^^'
quarter they were ; and when summoned to surrender, he de- pHse and
manded by what authority : — " In the name of the great Je- capture Ti
hovah and the Continental Congress," said Allen. De La <=°"^^'''^s^
Place, incapable of making any resistance, delivered tip the
garrison, which consisted of only three officers and forty-four
privates.
The remainder of the troops having landed, Colonel War- Colonel
ner was dispatched with a small party against Crown Point, t^i/p^'^J^*^'^ .
of which he took peaceable possession. Arnold, having man- Point,
ned and armed a small schooner found in South Bay, captured . , ,
a sloop-of-war lying at St. Johns. The pass of Skeensbo- seizes a
rough was seized at the same time, by a detachment of vol- sloop-of-war.
unteers from Connecticut.
Thus were obtained, without bloodshed, these important
posts ; and the command of the lakes on which they stood, ^^^g ^^
together with one hundred pieces of cannon, and other muni- mand Lakes
tions of war. The success with which this expedition was George and
crowned, greatly tended to raise the confidence which the
Americans felt in themselves.
The continental congress again assembled at Philadelphia May lo.
on the 10th of May, and 'Sir. Hancock was chosen President, njge""!^/?!^.
Bills of credit to the amount of three millions of dollars were adelphia.
issued for defraying the expenses of the war ; and the faith '^^"^ '^''^^
of the " Twelve United Colonies" pledged for their re- continental
demption. paper money
Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, on plea of insur- ..
rection in a neighboring county, caused some powder to be Lord Dun
seized, by night, from the magazine belonging to the colony '""'''^ forced
at Williamsburgh, and conveyed on board an armed schooner, Henrv t
then lying in James river. Patrick Honry assembled an in- make resti-
dependent company, and was marching towards the capital, to tu''on for
obtain it by force, when he was met by a messenger from the
governor, who paid him the full value in money. Henrj- and
his party returned. Lord Dunmore, having fortified his palace, Proclaims
issued a proclamation, and declared thein rebels. This highly him and his
incensed the people, with whom Henry was the favorite leader. P"'^ rebels
About the same time, letters of Dunmore to England were in- ^^^ j^^^^
tercepted, which were considered a:j gross slanders against intercepted.
the colony. Thus situated, he became apprehensive of per- He quits his
sonal danger, abandoned his government, and went on board ^°as^di"|he '
the Fowey, a man-of-war, then lying at Yorktown. In North governors of
Carolina, Governor Martin took refuge on board a national '^^ Curoli-
ship in Cape Fear river ; and in South Carolina, Lord Wil-
liam Campbell abandoned his govcriiniont and retired.
168
PART III.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. X.
BATTLE OF BUNKER-HILL.
Tryon, the artful and intriguing governor of New York, was
still in, or near the province, and no delegates to congress
were chosen at the proper time ; but after the battle of Lex-
ington, a convention was held for the sole purpose, and mem-
bars were elected.
CHAPTER X.
1775.
May 25.
Howe, Clin-
ton, and Bur-
goyne.
June 12.
General
Gage's proc-
lamation.
General
Gage vio-
lates his
promise.
Night of
June 16,
Americans
fortify
Breed's Hill
June 17.
British army
crosses from
Boston.
Lands at
Morton's
Pcint.
They burn
Charles-
town.
Battle of Bunker Hill.— Washington.
In May, the British army in Boston received a powerful re-
inforcement from England, under Generals Howe, Clinton,
and Burgoyne.
General Gage, thus reinforced, proceeded to bold measures.
He proclaimed martial law throughout Massachusetts. He
however otfered pardon to all rebels who would return to
their allegiance, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
General Gage had, in the meantime, agreed to permit the
people ef Boston to depart ; but after a portion had gone, he
changed his policy and kept the remainder.
Learning that the British threatened to penetrate into the
country, congress recommended to the council of war to
take such measures as would put them on the defensive, and
for this purpose, a detachment of one thousand men, under
Colonel Prescott, was ordered, on the night of the 16th of
June, to throw up a breastwork on Bunker's Hill, near
Charlestown. By some mistake, the troops entrenched them-
selves on Breed's Hill, nearer to Boston. They labored with
such silence and activity, that by return of light they had
■ nearly completed a strong redoubt, without being observed.
At dawn, however, the British, discovering the advance of
the Americans, commenced a severe cannonade from the ships
in the river ; but this not interrupting them. General Gage
sent a body of about three thousand men, under Generals
Howe and Pigot. They left Boston in boats, and landed
under the protection of the shipping in Charlestown, at the
extreme point of the peninsula, and advanced against the
Americans. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne took their sta-
tion on an eminence in Boston, commanding a distinct view
of the hill. The spires of the churches, the roofs of the
houses, and every height which commanded a view of the
battle ground, were covered with spectators, taking deep and
opposite interests in the conflict.
The British set fire to Charlestown; and amidst the glare of
its flames glittering upon tlieir burnished arms, they advance to
the attack. The Americans wait their approach in silence,
until they are within ten rods of the redoubt — then taking a
WASHINGTON ELECTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 169
Steady aim, and having advantage of the ground, they pour PART III^
upon the British a deadly fire. They are thrown into coiifu- period i.
sion, and many of their officers fall. They are thus twice chap. x.
repulsed. Clinton now arrives ; his men again rally ; ad- '— ''~^''~*«--'
vance towards the fortifications, and attack the redoubt on 1775.
three sides at once. The ammunition of the colonists failed. . '"*^ ^^"
1 1 /^ I 1 n Americans
CouriigH was no longer of any avail, and Colonel Prescott, twice re-
who commanded the redoubt, ordered a retreat. The Amer- tji'lse the
leans were obliged to pass Charlestown neck, where they
were exposed to a galling fire from the ships in the harbor, obliged to '
Here fell General Joseph Warren, whose death was a severe quit the fields
blow to his mourning country.
In this engagement three thousand men, composing the British loss,,
flower of the British army, were engaged. Their killed and . ^^^'^-
AlTlG ric^Q
wounded were more than a thousand, while the loss of the 453.
Americans was less than half that number. Although the
ground was lost, the Americans regarded this as a victory,
and the British as a defeat. Or if they pretended otherwise,
it was tauntingly asked, how many more such triumphs their
army could afford ? The boldness with which the undisci-
plined troops of the colonies so long withstood the charges of
the regulars, increased their confidence, and convinced the
English that they had to contend with a resolute foe.
On the fifteenth of June, congress, still in session, elected, ^/""^ ^^•
, • . o ATr I,- . v. 1 'Washington,
by a unanimous vote, Ceorge W ashington, who was then elected com-
present, and had from their first meeting at Philadelphia, been mander-in-
a delegate from Virginia, to the high office of general and
commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies.
The members from the north had generously resolved, in or-
der to attach the south more firmly to the confederacy, to fix
upon a souHiern commander ; but in their selection, they ap-
pear to have been guided by a wisdom which seemed, as far
as human foresight can go, to penetrate into futurity. When .^ , .
his appointment was signified to him by the president of con- fears that his :
gress, he was deeply penetrated with a mingled sense of the capacity is
high honor which he had received, and the responsibility of "'^g^^^ff ^°'
the station to which he was raised. In attempting to fill it,
he acted not from the dictates of his own judgment, which led
him to fear that his talents and military experience might not
be adequate to the discharge of his duty ; yet, such as they Washing-
were, he felt bound, he said, to devote them to his country in ton received;
whatever manner the public will directed. He declined all "° pecuni-
compensation for his services, for as money could not buy ^^ gigfj^
mm from his endeared home, and as he served his country years ai-
for justice, and the love he bore to her cause, he would not ^^^^^ ser-
allow his motives to be misconstrued. He should keep an
exact account of his expenses and those, congress, he doubt-
ed not, would discharge.
Artcm.as Ward, of Massachusetts, Colonel Lee formerly a
British officer, Philip Schuyler of New York, tiud Israel
13
170 WASHINGTON JOINS THE ARMY /-T CAMBRIDGE.
PART III. Putnam, of Connecticut then before Boston, were at the same
PERIOD 1. time appointoil to the rank of major generals; and Horatio
CHAP. X. Gates to that of adjutant general.
*-*'~^'"^-' Soon after his election, Washington set out for the camp at
He joins the Cambridge. He found the British army strongly posted on
Caaibnd''e. Bunker's and Breed's hill, and Boston neck. The American,
consisting of 14,000 men, were entrenched on the heights
around Boston, forming a line which extended from Roxbury
on the right, to the river Mystic on the left, a distance of
twelve miles. This disposition of the troops greatly distress-
ed the British, who were confined to Boston, and often obliged
to risk their lives to obtain the means of sustenance.
American Washington perceived, that although the people were ar-
ciirimed" in- ^^^^^ ^" ^^® cause of liberty, and ready to engage in the most
:subordin'ate, desperate enterprises, yet there was a want of discipline and
without en- niilitary subordination among the troops. The officers, in
aliiwst wth- many instances, were chosen by the soldiers from among
out ammu- their own number, and hence were not considered their supe-
nition. j-Jors. The army was scantily supplied with arms and am-
munition, and their operations retarded, by a want of skillful
iir u engineers. He set himself with alacrity to the labor of bring-
ton's judi- irig order out of confusion, making judicious arrangements and
clous ar- divisions in the army, disciplining the troops, and employing
rangemen s. ^^^^^ ^f ^^e most active in the duties of artillerists ; and such
Reorganizes were his exertions, that in a short time the army was organ-
the army, -^^j^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^jj
Congress now published a solemn and dignified declaration,
July 6. jjj j}jg form of a manifesto, setting forth the imperative reasons
Congress i • i i i i • i . rAi • •
show just which led the nation to take up arms. 1 his instrument,
reasons for which was to be published from the pulpit, and in "orders" to
'\rml"^ the army, declared, " we are reduced to the alternative ot
choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irrita-
Their hope ted ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice.
and courage. \Yg have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so
dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity
forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received
from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity
have a right to receive from us. Our cause is just, our union
is perfect, our internal resources are great ; and, if necessary,
foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable."
" With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we
most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, ex-
'^w"^'^^ri°' ^^^i"g ^^^ utmost, energy of those powers, which our benefi-
solemn de- ceiit Creator hath graciously bestowed on us, the arms we
termination, have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in
defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perse-
verance, employ for the preservation of our liberties ; being
with one mind resolved, to die freemen, rather than to live
slaves."
Georgia now entered into the opposition made to the claims
INVASION OF CANADA. 171
of the British parliament to tax America, and chose delegates FART III.
to congress ; after which, the style of " the Thirteen United period i.
Colonies" was assumed, and by that title the English provin- *'"^^- ^'•
ces were thenceforth designated. v-**-v-"«fc-
During this session of congress, also, the first line of posts 1775.
for the communication of intelligence through the U nited Dr Franklin
States, was established. Benjamin Franklin was appointed, ^^^te^T^'
by a unanimous vote, postmaster-general, with power to ap- general.
point as many deputies as he might deem proper and necessa- FdraoutHo
ry, for the conveyance of the mail from Falmouth, in Maine, Savannah.
to Savannah, in Georgia.
CHAPTER XI.
Invasion of Canada. — Death of Montgomery.
While the British army was closely blockaded in Boston,
congress conceived the design of sending a force into Can-
ada; as the movements of Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of ^™^^^j^*
that province, seemed to threaten an invasion of the north- parties
western frontier. Two expeditions were accordingly organ- against Can-
ized and dispatched, one by the way of Champlain, under
Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, the other by the way of
the river Kennebec, under the command of Arnold.
General Lee, with 1,200 volunteers from Connecticut, was Gene. y
The northern American force, under General Arnold, and V^'^^-
the British army under Carleton, met on Lake Champlain, AmoV de-
near the island of Valcour. The American armament was feated on
entirely destroyed ; and General Carleton, after proceeding ^'^^^j^^^
to Crown Point, recomioitered the posts at Ticonderoga
and Mount Independence, and returned to winter-quarters in
Canada.
On the same day on which General Washington retreated Dec. 8.
over the Delaware, the British took possession of Rhode Isl- pj^geiionof
and, and blockaded the squadron of Commodore Hopkins, to- Rhode
gether with a number 'of privateers, at Providence. Island.
On the r2th of July, a committee, who had been appointed Articles of
by congress to prepare and digest a form of confederation, confedera-
reported certain articles, the discussion of which occupied a by^^.^^JP'^^
great share of the attention of that body, until November 15,
1777, the day of their final adoption. They were subsequent-
ly agreed to, by the several state governments. By these ar-
ticles it was determined that, on the first Monday of Novem-
ber in each year, a general congress should be convoked, of
deputies from each of the states, and invested with all the
powers which belong to the sovereigns of other nations.
These powers were set forth, and the limits between the au-
thority of the state and national government as clearly defined,
as was, at the time, practicable. These " Articles of Confed-
eration," gave to the nation the style of the " United States
of America," and formed the basis of the American govern-
ment, until the adoption of the federal constitution.
Never, was a more devoted or a wiser band of patriots,
than that which composed the congress of '76. They were
environed with difficulties which would have utterly discour- r^'tl^of'the
aged men of weaker heads, or fainter hearts. They were old congress,
without anv power, except the power to recommend. They Their diffi-
had an exhausted army to recruit, amidst a discouraged peo-
ple, and a powerful and triumphant foe ; and all this, not mere-
ly without money, but almost without credit ; for the bills,
which they had formerly issued, had greatly depreciated, and
were daily depreciating ; yet, amidst all these discourage-
ments, they held on their course of patriotic exertions, undis-
mayed.
In order to provide pecuniary resources, they passed a law. Their exer-
authorizing the loan of five millions of dollars, at four per Thcy^sen^
cent. They also created a lottery ; by which they hoped to Franklin,
raise the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars. Deane and
Desirous of inducing the French to espouse the American ^ai'd'from^
cause, they appointed, as commissioners to the court of France, France.
Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee whom they
CHAP. IV.
192 WASHINGTON INVESTED WITH PLENARY POWERS.
PART III, instructed to procure arms and ammunition, and obtain per-
PERIODH. mission to fit out American vessels in the ports of Frnnce, to
annoy the commerce of England. They directed them to
solicit a loan of ten millions of francs, and to endeavor, by
every means in their power, to prevail upon the French gov-
ernment, to recognize the independence of the United States.
To General Washington they granted, for six months, pow-
. ers which were almost unlimited. They gave him authority
vesfwasl)"' *° ^^^T ^'^^ organize sixteen battalions of infantry, in addition
ington with to those already voted by congress, and to appoint their offi-
cers ; to raise and equip three thousand light horse, three re-
giments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish
their pay. They empowered him to call into service the mi-
litia of the several states ; to displace. and appoint all officers
under the rank of brigadier general, and to fill up all vacancies
in every department of the American army. They also au-
thorized him to take whatever he might want for the use of
the army, at his own price, even if the inhabitants should re-
fuse to sell it ; and to arrest and confine persons, who should
refuse to take the continental money, returning their names,
and the nature of their offenses, to the states of which they
were citizens. This confidence in their defender, entitled
them to find— and they did find— one who was devoted to their
cause
extraordi
nary powers
CHAPTER IV.
Campaign of 1777.
1777. The inhabitants of New Jersey were so exasperated at the
fhe'^ETlish'^ excesses, which the English and Hessians had committed,
army^in ^hat those troops, now occupying Brunswick and Amboy,
New Jersey, could not venture out even to forage, without extreme dantrer.
General de Heister had not attempted to suppress his licen-
tious soldiery ; and the English soon vied with the Germans
in all scenes of violence, outrage, cruelty, and plunder ; and
New Jersey presented only scenes of havoc and desolation.
The complaints of America were echoed throughout Europe ;
and it was every where reproachfully said, that " England had
revived in America, the fury of the Goths, and the barbarity
of the northern hordes."
Revolt of the ^^ ^^^^ period, the loyalists, more commonly distinguished
wyaUsts. ^ ^y *^? appellation of tories, evinced a spirit of revoh in the
counties, of Somerset and Worcester in Maryland, of Sussex
in Delaware, and of Albany in New York ; to which places
troops were sent to overawe them.
The small-pox, which had iiiade such ravages in the north-
THE MISSION TO FRANCE.
193
em army, during the last year, now threatened that of^ Wash-
ington. To prevent the loss of lives, from this source, both
regulars and militia were inoculated ; but so prudently did
Washington conduct this affair, that no opportunity was, in
consequence, offered for the British to attack his camp.
The first attempts of the enemy, during the campaign of
1777, were against the American stores, collected at Court-
land Manor, in New York, and at Danbury in Cormecticut.
Peekskill, the port of the Manor, was then in command of
Colonel M'Dougal. The 23d of March, the British, under
Colonel Bird, attacked this post ; and M'Dougal, knowing his
small force could not defend it, destroyed the magazines, and
retired to the back country.
The 25th of April, 2,000 men, under Governor Tryon, ma-
jor of the royalists, or tories, having passed the sound, landed
between Fairfield and Norwalk. The next day, proceeding
to Danbury, he compelled the garrison, under Colonel Hunt-
ington, to retire ; and not only destroyed the stores, but burned
the town.
Meantime, 800 militia had collected to annoy them, on their
return ; of whom 500, under Arnold, took post at Ridgefield,
to attack their front, while 300, under General Wooster, fell
upon their rear. Both parties were repulsed, Wooster slain,
and Arnold retired to Saugatuck, about three miles east of
Norwalk. The enemy having spent the night at Ridgefield,
set fire to it, still retreating, although continually harassed by
Arnold's party, now increased to 1 ,000 ; until they at length
arrived at Campo, between Norwalk and Fairfield, and took
refuge on board their ships. The British loss was 170, the
American 100. Of the stores taken, the loss of tents was
the most severely felt by the Americans. But from the
promptitude with which the inhabitants rose on the marau-
ders, who expected many to join them, the friends of liberty
found their hopes invigorated, and their exertions encouraged.
The same efiect was also produced by another affair which
occurred soon after. The British had collected at Sag Har-
bor, on Long Island, large magazines of forage and grain.
Colonel Meigs, one of the intrepid companions of Arnold, in
He expedition to Canada, left Guilford, on the 23d of May,
*ith 170 men, destroyed the stores, burned a dozen brigs and
sloops, killed six of the enemy, took ninety prisoners, and ra-
mmed without loss.
About this time the effects of the mission to France began
to appear. Congress had, with great judgment, selected Dr.
Franklin as one of the commissioners. A profound know-
ledge of human nature, united with a warm and cheerful
benevolence, had given to this philosopher a manner possess-
ing a peculiar charm, attractive to all, however different their
taste or pursuits. His wit and gayety, even at seventy, the
age at which he went to Paris, had power to charm the
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. IV.
1T77.
March 23.
British take
stores at
Courtland
Manor.
April 26.
Tryon de-
stroys stores
at Danbury,
and bums
the town.
Retreat ol
the British,
and pursuit
of the Ameri-
cans.
May 23.
Exploit of
Colonel
Meijrs at Sag-
Harbor.
1777.
Effects of
the mission
to France
194
LA FAYETTE JOINS THE AMERICAN ARMY.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. IV.
Franklin,
good and
agreeable,
witty and
wise, shifts
his meas-
ures, but
gains his
ends.
La Fayette,
at the age of
nineteen, es-
pouses the
cause of
American
liberty.
Comes to the
country in
her adversi-
ty.
Is treated
with distinc-
tion.
July 31.
Made Major
General.
Objects of
the British.
May.
Washington
removes
from Morris-
town to Mid-
dlebrook.
young beauty from her lovers and her toilette ; while his
wisdom and his learning could instruct the mechanic in his
own trade, or the statesman, in his profoundest calculations.
Perhaps it is equally to these qualities in Franklin, as to the
graver wisdom and more heroic valor of Washington, that
America owes her existence as a nation ; for it must ever
remain problematical, whether, without the aid of France, it
could have achieved its independence ; — and although politi-
cal reasons might have operated to make that nation wish
evil to England, yet without the interest, which Franklin
found means to excite for America, the government might
never have effectually interfered.
This interest was so lively, that several individuals of dis-
tinction took the generous resolution of embarking in the cause
of America, and combating in her armies. The most distin-
guished of these, was the young iNIarquis de la Fayette
With every thing to attach him to his country, rank, wealth,
a deserving and beloved bride, lie was yet moved by compas-
sion to suffering virtue, and by indignation against oppression,
to leave all that was individually dear, to expose his life, and
impair his fortune in the cause of American liberty, and the
rights of man. He had early communicated his resolution to
the commissioners. After hearing of the disasters which fol-
lowed the battle of Long Island, they felt bound to make
known to him the despairing state of their country ; and to say
that such was its extreme poverty, that they could not even
provide him with a vessel for his conveyance. " Then," said
La Fayette, " if your country is indeed reduced to this extre-
mity, this is the moment that my departure to join its armies,
will render it the most essential service." His arrival caused
a deep sensation of joy among the people. Congress soon
appointed him a major general in the army; and Washington
received him into his family, and regarded him through life
with parental affection.
The American commander, in forming such a probable cal-
culation on the movements of his enemy at New York, as
would enable him to make a judicious disposition of his own
army, which now amounted to 8,000 effective men, was well
aware that there were with the British cabinet two objects.
The one was, to get possession of Philadelphia ; and the
other, to proceed up the Hudson, form a junction with their
northern army, and thus cut off the communication between
the eastern and southern states. His sagacious mind com
prehended that the latter was the more important enterprise ,
and he knew that it best coincided with the orders which
Howe had received from England ; but he also knew, that it
was a favorite project with him, to draw the Americans into
a general engagement, not doubting that it would issue in their
final discomfiture. Washington, therefore, sought to make
such a disposition of his forces, as should best enable him to
INVASION FROM CANADA BY BURGOYNE. 195
concentrate them in opposition, whichever way his enemy PART III.
should turn. He removed the main army from Morristown, period il.
to a strong position on the heights of Middlebrook ; and sta- chap. v.
tioned the troops, raised in the northern provinces, at Peeks- ^--""v"^"^
kill and Ticonderoga, and those from the middle and southern,
in New Jersey.
Howe commenced his operations by an attempt to draw the If??.
American commander into a general engagement. For this tt^"""'
purpose, he crossed the Hudson, and marched to Middle- tempts to
brook ; but finding the American camp too strong to attack, *^r^^ Wash-
he remained several days before it, vainly offering battle, a'rfenga^e"
On the 19th of June he ordered a precipitate retreat from ment.°
Jersey. Having arrived at Amboy, a bridge was thrown
hastily over to Staten Island, and all the heavy baggage, and tj"^""V^'
many of the troops passed it. Washington, now deceived, feint of re-
ordered his army to the pursuit. Howe recrossed with his treating.
troops, but Washington eluded him, and regained his camp, drawn ouT
though not without a skirmish, in which the British, under but regains
Lord Cornwallis, had the advantage over a corps of American '^^^ position,
riflemen.
CHAPTER V.
Campaign of 1777, continued.
On the night of July 10th occurred the capture of the Bri- 1T77.
tish General Prescott, then in command on Rhode Island, i"'^ ^^,-
Colonel Barton, with forty country militia, from Warwick, Prescott
under his command, proceeded ten miles in whale boats, captured by
landed between Newport and Bristol, marched a mile, to " °^^^ ^'^'
Prescott's quarters, took the general from his bed, and con-
ducted him with dispatch to a place of safety on the main land.
Meantime great preparations were making for a descent /'■''''^.'l P'^"
upon the United States from Canada. The plan of dividing states,
the Slates, by effecting a junction of the British army through through the
Lake Champlain and the Hudson, was, at the beginning of champion,
this year, looked to, by the whole British nation, as the cer-
tain means of effecting the reduction of America. This scheme
had gained new favor in England, by the representations of
General Burgoyne, an officer whf had served under Carleton,
and whose knowledge of American affairs was therefore un-
disputed. Burgoyne, by his importunities with the British
ministry, obtamcd the object for which he had made a voyage
to England. He was appointed lo the command of all the Burgoyne ar-
troops in Canada, to the prejudice of Governor Carleton, and rives with a
was furnished with an army and military stores. With these at Que^c^
he arrived at Quebec in May.
196 ST. leger's abortive expedition.
PART III. General Carleton exhibited an honorable example of mode-
PERiou II. ration and patriotism, by seconding Burgoyne in his prepara-
CHAP. V. tions, with great diligence and energy. To increase the army,
'^^^'"''^'^^^-^ he exerted, not only his authority as governor, but also his
1777. influence among his numerous friends and partisans. Though
Sir Guy himself averse to using the savages, yet such being the
dignified be- Orders of the British government, he aided in bringing to the
havior. field even a greater number than could be employed.
BurgO}'ne's army was provided with a formidable train of
officers^ ^ artillery. The principal officers who were to accompany
His whole him were. General Philips, who had distinguished himself in
^h^^ioofK) ^^^ German wars, Brigadiers Frazer and Powel, the Bruns-
men. wick Major General Baron Reidesel, and Brigadier General
Specht. The army consisted of 7,173 British and German
troops, besides several thousands of Canadians and Indians.
Burgoyne's plan of operation was, that Colonel St. Leger
His plan of should proceed with a detachment by the St. LawTence,
operation. Qswego, and Fort Stanwix, to Albany. Burgoyne, proceed-
ing by Champlain and the Hudson, was to meet St. Leger at
Albany, and both join General Clinton at New York.
June 20. His preparations completed, Burgoyne moved forward with
Burgoyne his army, and made his first encampment on the western shore
thrrl^e^^B^o- "^ ^^^^ Champlain, at the river Boquet. Here, in two in-
quet, .-ind is- Stances, he betrayed that vanity which was his characteristic
sues a proc- weakness. He made a speech to his Indian allies, in which,
lamatiop. . r ■ i i -.l • • i.
in terms of singular energ)-, and with an imposing manner, ne
endeavored to persuade them to change their savage mode of
warfare. He also published a proclamation, in which, by
arguments, promises, and threats, (threats of savage e.xtermi-
nation I) he seemed to expect that he should bring the repub-
licans to the royal standard : as if words which he should
speak could change the natural character and established
manners of a nation ; or those w^hich he could wTite, could
have power to subvert the purposes of men, w'hom all the pre-
vious measures of his government had failed to intimidate.
Aug. 3. St. Leger had united with Sir John Johnson, and having
. St. Leger nearly 2,000 troops, including savages, they invested Fort
""stanwix" Stanwix, then commanded by Colonel Gansevoort. General
Herkimer, having collected the militia, marched to the relief
Aug. e. of Gansevoort. He fell into an Indian ambuscade on the
General g^jj ^^ August, and was defeated and slain, with 400 of his
defeated troops. St. Leger, wishing to profit by his victory, pressed
at the battle upon the fort. In this perilous moment. Colonel VVillet and
^ ny! ^ Lieutenant Stockton left the fort, fighting their way through
the English camp ; and, eluding the Indians, they arrived at
German Flats, and proceeded to Albany, to alarm the country,
and gain assistance.
St^Le^re- General Schuyler, on hearing the danger of the fort, dis-
turns to patched Arnold to its relief. On hearing of his approach, the
Montreal. Indians, having previously become dissatisfied, mutinied, and
DISASTERS OF THE GARRISON OF TICONDEROGA. 197
compelled St. Leger to return to Montreal. On the way, ^RT III^
ihey committed such depredations on the British troops, as to period il.
leave the impression, that they were no less dangerous as "^"^p- ^■
allies, than as enemies. ^..-••-n'^^^
To preserve a connected view of the expedition of St. Leger,
we have gone nearly two months ahead of the operations of 1777.
Rurgoyne. On the 30th of June, that general advanced to June 30.
Crown Point, from whence he proceeded to invest Ticonde- ^"[f°^^"^ ^
roga, which was garrisoned by 3,000 men, under the com- Point.
mand of General St. Clair. This was a place of great natural
strength, and much expense and labor had been bestowed J^h' 5-
°. » .^ . , 1 • 1 ■ . He invests
upon Its fortifications ; but, up to this period, a circumstance Ticondero-
respecting it seems to have been strangely overlooked. It ga, which is
is commanded by an eminence in its neighborhood, called '^' j^y^^^Jlg '^
Mount Defiance.* The troops of Burgoyne got possession of Americans,
this height on the 5th of .luly, and St. Clair, finding the post
no longer tenable, evacuated it on the same night. The gar-
rison separated into two divisions, were to proceed through
Hubbardton to Skeenesborough. The first, under St. Clair,
left the fort in the night, two hours earlier than the second,
under Colonel Francis. The stores and baggage, placed on
board 200 batteaux, and conveyed by five armed gallies, were
to meet the army at Skeenesborough.
General Frazer, with 850 of the British, pursued and
attacked the division at Hubbardton, under Colonel Francis,
whose rear was commanded by Colonel Warner. The j„iy -^
Americans made a brave resistance, during which 130 of the Disaster at
enemy were killed ; but the British, in the heat of the action, Hubbardton.
receiving a reinforcement under Reidesel, the republicans
were forced to give way. They fled in every direction,
spreading through the country the terror of the British arms.
In this unfortunate action, the Americans lost in killed,
wounded, and prisoners, nearly 1,000 men. Many of the
wounded perished in the woods. Colonel Francis was
among the slain.
A part of the stores and armed galleys, which had been
sent up the lake, fell into the hands of the British. St. Clair, July 12.
on hearing of these disasters, did not pursue his intended ^^.-^^^ ^ ^'JJ^
route, but struck into the woods on his left. At Manchester, nant of the
he was joined by the remnant of the vanquished division, g^rnson,
J t/ 1 rBuCiiGS v ort
conducted by Colonel Warner. After a distressing march, be Edward,
reached the camp of General Schuyler, then at Fort Edward.
Warner remained in Manchester, with a detachment, which Warner at
proved of great importance in the afl'air which shortly after ^^^inchester.
occuiTed at Bennington.
» From the memoirs of Colonel John Trumbull, now (1841,) just out of the
press, we learn, thai Gates was informed, during the preceding summer, by
Colonel Trumbull, of the fact discovered and demonstrated by him, that the
fort of Ticonderoga was commanded by Mount Defiance. But it seems the
discovery was not communicated to Washington, nor acted on, till too late.
198
BURGOYNE S SUCCESS, FIRST CHECKED AT BENNINGTOIT.
PART III.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. V.
1777.
Gloomy fore-
boding, but
tuergetic ac-
tion.
General
Schuyler
obstructs
Burgoyne's
way.
Gates more
popular, su-
persedes
Schuyler.
Lincoln, Ar-
nold, .Mor-
gan. Kosci-
usko, join
the northern
army.
July 30.
Burgoyne
'eaches Fort
Edward.
He sends
Colonel
Baum to
seize pro-
visions at
Benninsjton.
Stark, with
New Hamp-
shire militia,
defeats him,
Aug. 16.
Breyman de-
feated by
Warner.
Burgoyne, meanwhile, took possession of Skeenesborough ;
and the American army, under Schuyler, retired from Fort
Edward to Saratoga, and, on the 13th of August, to the islands
at the mouth of the Mohawk.
This period of the history was gloomy to America, and
triumphant to England. When the news of Burgoyne's suc-
cesses reached that country, the ministers were every where
felicitated on the success of their plans ; and rejoicings were
made, as though their object was already attained. On the
other hand, the Americans saw that the juncture was critical
and alarming ; but their spirit rose with the occasion, and
their exertions increased with their danger.
General Schuyler, before leaving the northern positions,
obstructed the toads, by breaking the bridges, and, in the
only passable defiles, by cutting great trees on both sides
of the way, to fall cross and lengthwise. These, with their
branches interwoven, presented to the enemy an almost impas-
sable barrier.
Congress was aware of the great merits and exertions of
General Schuyler ; yet they found that the misfortunes of the
army had, though undeservedly, made him unpopular ; and,
therefore, it was necessary to supersede him, in order to
make way for a leader, who should inspire a confidence that
would draw volunteers to the service. Accordingly, General
Gates was appointed to the command, but did not arrive at the
camp until the 21st of August. Lincoln also was ordered to
the north, as were Arnold and Morgan, whose active spirits
and brilliant achievements, it was hoped, would reanimate the
dispirited troops . The celebrated patriot of Poland, Kosciusko,
was also in the army, as its chief engineer.
Burgoyne, having, with great expense of labor and lime,
opened a way for his army, from Skeenesborough to the Hud-
son, arrived at Fort Edward, on the 30th July. But being
in a hostile country, he could obtain no supplies except from
Ticonderoga : and these he was compelled to transport by the
way of lake George. Learning that there was a large depot
of provisions at Bennington, he sent 500 men, under Lieut.
Col. Baum, a trusty German officer, to seize them. General
Stark, with a body of New Hampshire militia, was on his
march to join General Schuyler, when hearing of Baum's ap-
proach, he recruited his forces from the neighboring militia,
and, with 1,600 men, met him four miles from Bennington.
After a sharp conflict, Baum was killed, and his party defeat-
ed. The militia had dispersed, to seek for plunder, when a
British reinforcement of 500 men, under Colonel Breymann,
arrived. Fortunately for the Americans, the Green Mountain
Boys, under Colonel Warner, appeared at the same time, and
the British were again defeated, and compelled to retreat.
Their loss in both engagements was 600, the greater part of
. „„ „.„.„„„ 199
MURDER OF MISS M CREA BY SAVAGES.
whom were taken prisoners.* The republican loss was incon
siderable. I'e«'<^« "•
The victory at Bennington was important in its consequen- ^'^*'^' ^"
ces, as it proved the turning of that tide of fortune which had ^-*''~^^"^-'
set so strongly in favor of the British arms. It embarrassed, I''"''?.
weakened, and dispirited them; and was the first step in
defeating their grand scheme of dividing the north from the
south, — while it revived the drooping hearts of the Americans,
and gave the impulse of hope to their exertions. This was
strengthened by an impulse of another kind, but operating in
the same direction. A cry of vengeance for murder was raised
against the British, on account of an atrocious act, committed
by their Indian allies.
Miss M'Crea, an interesting young lady of fort Edward,
was betrothed to Captain Jones, then in the army of Burgoyne,
which had now approached near to that place. Impatient for
his marriage, the lover sent a party of Indians, as the safest
convoy he could procure for his .bride across the woods to the
British camp ; having secured, as he thought, their fidelity, j^e murder
by promise of reward. Confiding love prevailed in her mind of^ Miss
over her strong fears of these terrible guides ; and the imfor- M'Crea.
tunate girl left, by stealth, the kind sheUer of her paternal
roof. Meantime, her anxious lover, to make her safety more
sure, sent out another party, with like promises. The two
met ; and the last demanded that the lady should be commit-
ted to them. Rather than give her up, and thus, as they sup-
posed, lose their reward, the barbarians tied to a tree, their
innocent and helpless victim, and shot her dead. Instead of
his bride, the bridegroom received the bloody tresses, which
the murderers had cut from her dying head. The sight with-
ered and blasted him ; and, after lingering awhile, he died.
The complicated miseries of a battle scene crowd the pic-
ture, and confuse the mind ; and thus often produce less sym-
pathy, than a single case of distress. In the present instance,
every man could feel, what it would have been, or would be '',^,e'^pybiic°
to him, to have his bride torn, as it were, from his arms, mind,
shrieking, and murdered in the hour of his love and expecta-
tion ; and every pains was used to awaken these sympathies
to their utmost extent, and turn them against the British
* After the Battle of Benninjiton. the Hessian prisoners were carried into the
village, anil distributed into puMic buildings and out-houses. The meeting-
house was fiUeil to crowding. The next day, an alarm was suddenly given to
the women of the village, to take their children and flee. The Hessians, it was
said, were rising on their guard. They were rushing in all directions out of the
meeting-house. The guard fired, and killed five of them. But the fears of the ^
inhal>il .lilts were suddenly changed to compassion. The galleries were giving
way. In danger of being crushed to death, the unfortvmatc men rushed out, and
met the fire of a guard, who could not at first understand from their foreign
speech, llieir ex[)lanalion of the disoriler. This anecdotic was related to me by
a venerable matron, then a younu lady, and an inhabitant of Bennington.
The speech attributed to General Stark, as he was about to lead his men to
battle, is v\orthy of lieing reuiemliered. "Now, my boys," said he, "we must
I'cat them, or Molly Stark is a widow to-night."
200
BATTLES OF STILLWATER AND SARATOGA.
FART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. V.
1777.
Sept. 8.
Gates en-
camps at
Stillwater.
Sept. 14.
Burgoyne
encamps at
Saratoga.
Sept. 19.
Battle of
Stillwater.
Oct. 7.
Battle of
Saratoga.
Position of
G.ites.
Position of
Burgoyne.
His officers.
who had let loose such bloodhounds upon the land. There
was a general rising in the northern region, and it seemed
as if every man, who could bear arms, was ru.shing to the
camp of Gates, to avenge the death of Miss M'Crea, no less
than to deliver his country.
The army at the islands, having been thus reinforced, and
now amounting to 5,000, Gates left that encampment, the 8th
of September, and proceeding to Stillwater, occupied Bemus
heights.
On the 12th, Burgoyne crossed the Hudson, and on the 14th,
encamped at Saratoga, about three miles distant from the
American army. An obstinate and bloody battle occurred at
Stillwater, on the 1 9th. At first it was partial, commencing
with a skirmish between advanced parties. Each side sent
successive reinforcements to their own combatants, until
nearly the whole were in action. The American troops took
advantage of a wood which lay between the two camps, and
poured from it a fire too deadly to be withstood. The Bri-
tish lines broke ; and the Arae'ricans, rushing from their cov-
erts, pursued them to an eminence, where their flanks being
supported, they rallied. Charging in their turn, they drove
the Americans into the woods, from which they again poured
a deadly fire, and again the British fell back. At every
charge, the British artillery fell into the hands of the Ameri-
cans, who could neither carry it off", or turn it on-4he enemy.
At lens:th nisjht came on, and to fight longer, would be to attack
indiscriminatelv friend and foe. The Americans retired to
their camp, having lost between three and four hundred men.
The loss of the British was five hundred. Both sides claimed
the A-ictory ; but the advantage was clearly on the side of
the Americans.
Skirmishes, frequent and animated, occurred between this
and the 7th of October, Avhen a general battle was fousfht at
Saratoga. At this time, the right wing of General Gates oc-
cupied the brow of the hill, near the river, his camp being in
the form of the segment of a large circle, the convex side
towards the enemy.
General Burgoyne's left was on the river, his right extend-
ing at right-angles to it, across the low grounds, about two
hundred yards, to a range of steep heights, occupied by his
choicest troops. The guard of his camp upon the high
grounds, was given to Brigadiers Hamilton and Specht ; that
of the redoubts and plain, near the river, to Brigadier Gole.
Burgoyne commanded in person the centre, composed of
1,500 men, and was seconded by Philips, Reidesel, and Fra-
zer. His left flank, composed of grenadiers, was commanded
by Major Ackland ; his right, consisting of infantry, by the
earl of Balcarras.
The .\mericans, under General Poor, attacked the left flank
and front of the British ; and, at the same time, Colonel Mor-
SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
201
gan assailed their right. The action became general. The
efforts of the combatants were desperate. Burgoyne, ai.d his
officers, fought like men who were defending, at the last cast,
their military reputation ; Gates and his army, like those who
were deciding whether themselves and their children should
be freemen or slaves. The invading army gave way, in the
short space of fifty-two minutes. The defenders of the soil
pursued them to their entrenchments, forced the guard, and
killed Colonel Breyman, its commander. Arnold, the tiger of
the American army, whose track was marked by carnage,
headed a small band, stormed their works, and followed them
into their camp. But his horse was killed under him ; he
was himself wounded ; and darkness was coming on. Here-
tired ; and thus was reserved to another day, the utter ruin of
the British army.
The loss in killed and wounded, was great on both sides,
hut especially on the part of the British, of whom a considera-
ble number were made prisoners. General Frazer, whose
character was as elevated as "his rank, received a mortal
wound.
The Americans had now an opening into the British camp.
They rested on their arms the night after the battle, upon the
field which they had so bravely won ; determined to pursue
their A^ctory with returning light. But Burgoyne, aware of
the advantage which they had gained, effected, with admira-
ble order, a change of his ground. The artillery, the camp,
and its appurtenances, were all removed before morning, to
the heights. The British army, in this position, had the river
in its rear, and its two wings displayed along the hills upon
its right bank. Gates was too wise to attack his enemy in
this position, and expose to another risk, what now wanted
nothing but vigilance to make certain. He made arrangements
to inclose ^"'8 enemy, which Burgoyne perceiving, put his
army in motion at nine o'clock at night, and removed to Sara-
toga, six miles up the river. He was obliged to abandon his
hospital, with three hundred sick and wounded, to the hu-
manity of the Americans.
Burgoyne now made efforts in various directions, to effect
a retreat ; but in every way he had been anticipated. He
found himself in a foreign and hostile country, hemmed in by
a foe, whose army constantly increasing, already amounted to
four times his own wasting numbers. His boats, laden with
his supplies, were taken, and his provisions were failing. He
had early communicated with Sir Henry Clinton at New \ ork,
and had urged his co-operation. More recently, when his
fortune began to darken, he had entreated him for speedy aid ;
stating, that, at the farthest, his army couhl not hold out beyond
the r2lh of October. The 12th arrived, without the expected
succor. His army was in the utmost distress, and Burgoyne
capitulated on the 17th.
15
PART III.
PERIOD U.
CHAP. V.
17T7.
The battle is
fiercely
fought.
The British
defeated.
Frazer ia<
kjUed.
Burgoyne
changes his4
position.
He endeav-
ors to retreat^
l)Ut finds it
impossible.
Receives no-
succors.
Oct. 17.
He capitu-
lates.
202
THE BRITISH RAVAGE THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. V.
17T7.
Number of
the whole
army sur-
rendered,
and amount
of artillery.
■Conditions
of the sur-
render.
Kind treat-
ment of
prisoners.
Garrison of
Ticonderoga
retreat to
Canada.
Oct. 6.
Forts Clin-
ton and
Montgomery
Aken by the
British.
Oct. 15.
Kingston
burned.
The whole number surrendered amounted to 5,752 men,
which, together with the troops lost before, by various disas-
ters, made up the whole British loss to nine thousand two
hundred and thirteen. There also fell into the hands of the
Americans, thirty-five brass field pieces, and 5,000 musliets.
It was stipulated that the British shotdd pile their arms at the
word of command, given by their own officers, march out of
their camp with the honors of war, and have free passage
across the Atlantic ; they, on their part, agreeing not to serve
again in North America, during the war. They were treated
with delicacy by the Americans. Their officers, especially
their commander, received many kind attentions. The wor-
thy General Schuyler hospitably entertained Burgoyne, at his
own house ; although much of his private property, especially
an elegant villa, had been destroyed by his command.
On hearing of the defeat of Burgoyne, the British garrison
at Ticonderoga returned to Canada, and not a foe remained in
the northern section of the Union. Thus ended an expedition
from which the British had hoped, and the Americans had
feared so much.
The effects of their success were highlv propitious to the
cause of the republicans. It not only weakened and discour-
aged the enemy, but gave them a supply of artillery and stores,
and, what was still more important, raised them in their own
estimation, and in that of foreign nations.
Connected with Burgovne's invasion, was the predatory ex-
cursion up the North River, in which the British took forts
Clinton and Montgomery, and burned the village of Esopus,
now Kingston. This excursion, commanded by Sir Henry
Clinton, who was accompanied by Tryon and Vaughan, had
the double object of opening a free navigation for the British
vessels up the river to Albany, and of making a division of
the American forces, which were now concentrating in oppo-
sition to Burgoyne, and thus giving him an opportunity to es-
cape. Had Clinton taken this step earlier, he might possibly
have eflected the latter object. As it was, Buraovne had no-
tice of the taking of the forts, and the advance of Clinton, just
after he had made a verbal agreement to sign the articles of
capitulation ; when neither his honor, nor his humanity, would
permit him longer to await the expected succor.
Clinton, on hearing that Burgoyne had surrendered, and
that Gates was advancing to attack him, evacuated and dis-
mantled the forts which he had taken, and retreated to New
York ; experiencing no other permanent result of his expedi
tion, than the execrations of a plundered people, and the
character of having revived, in a civilized age, barbariai.
atrocities.
PHILADEPHIA MENACED AND DEFENDED. 203
CHAPTER VI.
Campaign of 1777 — Continued.
Having now given a connected view of the momentous op- PART III.
erations at the north, we go back nearly three months, in the period ii
order of time, to take a brief sketch of the less decisive trans- chap. vi.
actions in the middle states. v.^-v-'*,^
Admiral and General Howe, intent on the capture of Phila- 1777.
delphia, left Sandy Hook on the 23d of July. They were so Howe sails
long at sea, that Washington was ready to conclude that they apJaifp ^^
had gone to Charleston. At length they were heard of, as lands at Elk-
sailing up Chesapeake bay. They disembarked their troops, ^°^-
amounting to 18,000, on the 25th of August, at the head of the
Elk river, fifty miles southwest of Philadelphia. Washing- Washinnon
ton crossed the Delaware and marched to oppose them ; not- marches to
withstanding his army, never equal to that of the British, was ^^^^ '
now greatly diminished by the powerful detachments he had
sent to check the alarming progress of Burgoyne.
Accompanied by Generals Greene, Sullivan, Wayne, and
Stirling, he approached the enemy, until he reached Gray's The mai^
Hill, in front of the British commander, with whom were armies pre-
Generals Knyphausen and Cornwallis. He then retreated ^^'^'^ q""^
across the Brandywine, and encamped on the rising grounds
which extend from Chad's Ford, in a direction from northwest
to southeast ; and here, (the shallow stream of the Brandy-
wine being between the armies,) he awaited an attack from
the British ; well knowing that nothing but a victory could
now save Philadelphia.
Early in the morning, on the 1 1th of September, the whole Sept. 11.
British army, drawn up in two divisions, commenced the p^^||''' ?^
expected assault. Agreeably to the plan of Howe, the right ^^ ywine.
wing, commanded by Knyphausen, made a feint of crossing
the Brandywinejat Chad's Ford; while the left, commanded by
Cornwallis, took a circuitous route up the Brandywine, and British army
crossed, though not without opposition, at the forks. Knyp- in two di-
hausen, with some fighting and much noise, had occupied the visions,coni
attention of the Americans. Washington, hearing that Corn- Comwallis
wallis was approaching, determined to press forward in the and Knyp-
centre and on the left ; and if possible, divide the army, and ausen.
cut off Knyphausen. A false counter intelligence prevented
his executing this bold desimi, which might have chanored the
fate of the day. He had already dispatched some of his
troops, whom, by this false intelligence, he was induced to
recall. Thus time was consumed, and Cornwallis fell upon
the Americans while they were in some measure unprepared
to receive him. They, however, defended themselves with
15*
204
THE BRITISH FORCE THEIR WAY TO PHILADELPfllA.
PART III.
PERIOD IL
CHAP. VI.
1777.
Americans
defeated,
with the loss
of 1,300.
British loss,
near 500.
La Faj-ette
wounded.
Americans
retreat to
Philadel-
phia.
British pro-
ceed to Wil-
minston.
Washington
again seeks
his foe.
Sept. 20.
General
Wayne is
surprised liy
the British.
Washington
abandon.s the
capital to
protect his
stores.
Congress ad-
journ to Lan-
caster.
great valor. The carnage was terrible. The Americans, at
length, were forced to give way.
Washington ordered to their aid, the reserve commanded
by Greene ; but it was too late, and the most it could perform,
was to cover the retreat of the fugitives. Knyphausen now
began in earnest to effect his passage at Chad's Ford. The
Americans withstood bravely ; but finding the remainder of
the army vanquished, they fled in confusion, and abandoned
to the enemy their artillery and ammunition. These found
also a shelter within the lines of Greene, who was the last
to quit the field.
The Americans lost 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 taken
prisoners. The British loss, in kiU'ed and wounded, was less
than 500. This battle was distinguished by the exertions of
foreign officers. The heroic La Fayette, while endeavoring
to rally the fugitives, was wounded in the leg. Another
French officer of distinction, the Baron St. Ovary, was made
prisoner ; and Count Pulaski, a celebrated Polander, displayed
a courage which congress afterwards rewarded with the rank
of brigadier general.
On the night succeeding the battle, the Americans retreated
to Chester, and the next day to Philadelphia. The following
day, a detachment of British troops proceeded to Wilmington,
and took prisoner the governor of Delaware. They seized
considerable property, public and private ; among which, was
a quantity of coined money.
VV'ashington had engaged his foe with inferior numbers,
counting on the possibility of defeat, and believing that, even
at that hazard, it was necessary, on account of public opinion,
to fight. He was not, therefore, disheartened by his defeat,
but determined to risk another battle for the defense of the
capital. He accordingly repassed the Schuylkill, to meet
the enemy at Goshen ; but a violent shower of rain wet the
powder in the ill-constructed cartridge boxes of the Americans,
and compelled the commander to defer the engagement. The
republicans were unfortunate in another attempt to annoy the
enemy. W'ashington had ordered Wayne, with a detachment
of 1,500 men, into the rear of the British. This detachment
was surprised ; and a night scene of shocking slaughter en-
sued, in which 300 of the Americans were cut off.
Howe now made a movement, which placed Washington
in a situation where he could not interpose his army between
the enemy and the capital, without exposing to destruction
the extensive magazine of provisions and military stores,
which had been established at Reading. Notwithstanding
the clamors of the populace, he prudently abandoned the city;
rather than sacrifice the stores, or risk another battle, while
the odds were so much against hiiu.
Congress, finding themselves insecure in Philadelphia, ad-
journed to Ijancaster, to which place the public archives and
BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 205
magazines were removed. They again invested Washington PART III.
with the same dictatorial powers Avhich were intrusted to him period il
after the reverses in New Jersey. chap. vi.
On the 23d of September, Sir William Howe crossed the ^-^"^^"^-^
Schuylkill, and proceeded to Germantown. On the 26th, a l^TT.
detachment of the British army, under Cornwallis, entered the The^British
American capital, while the main body rested at German- enter Phila-
town. The American army, consisting of eleven thousand delphia.
men, were conducted by Washington along the left bank of
the Schuylkill, and lay encamped eleven miles from German-
town, at Schippack creek.
Lord Howe had now consummated an event to which he
had looked as decisive of the contest. But far from being The Ameri-
subdued, the Americans, encouraged by the capture of Bur- <=ans endeav
goyne, were not even disheartened. They knew that the British^sup-
army of Washington, when it should have received its rein- plies by sea.
forcements, could cut off the enemy's supplies on the side of
Penn.sylvania. If, therefore, they could prevent their receiv-
ing them by water, they would soon be compelled to evacuate
the city. For this object, they had created batteries on Mud
Island, and also at Red Bank and Billingsport, on the Jer-
sey shore ; along which places they had sunk ranges of
frames, to impede the navigation of the river. The British,
sensible of the importance of a free communication with the
sea, by means of the Delaware, sent Colonel Stirling, with a
detachment, to attack Billingsport, and clear away the ob-
structions which the Americans had placed in the river ; in
which enterprise, he was ultimately successful.
The American commander, knowing that the army of
Howe was weakened by the detachments under Cornwallis
and Stirling, determined, if possible, to surprise him. He
accordingly left his camp at Schippack creek, at seven in the q .
evening, and at dawn succeeded in giving the British a com- Washington
plete surprise. They at first retreated in disorder. Several surprises
companies having thrown themselves into a stone house, German-
annoyed the Americans. A part of the Peimsylvania militia town,
did not perform the duty assigned them. A thick fog came
on, and unable to distinguish friend from foe, confusion arose in
the American ranks. The British, thus enabled to recover
from the first attack, aroused to fresh exertions ; and the ^^^ a pros-
Americans were defeated. Their loss was two hundred cess, but '
killed ; (among whom was General Nash, of North Carolina;) meets a de-
six hundred wounded, and four hundred taken prisoners. iosson"2(»
The British loss was five hundred.
The American army, with all its artillery, now retreated
twenty miles, to Perkiomen creek ; and from thence, having
received a reinforcement of five hundred militia, Washington Washington
advanced to his old camp, at Schippack creek. Although ^^^.^^ ^
the army had not effected what its commander had hoped. Creek.
206
BRITISH OPEN THE NAVIGATION OF THE DELAWARE.
PART III.
ITTT.
Howe in
Philadel-
phia,
straightened
for supplies.
Oct. 22.
Attack on
Red Bank.
Nov. 16.
Attack on
Mud Island.
The British
at length
open the
navigation,
and their
fleet come
up the Dela-
ware.
yet SO much skill and bravery had been displayed, that its
reputation was enhanced.
Congress voted their thanks to the commander, and to his
officers and soldiers, except General Stevens, who was
cashiered for misconduct on the retreat.
A few days after the battle, the royal army removed from
Germantown to Philadelphia. Scarcity of provisions pre-
vented Howe from following the Americans, and he wished
to co-operate in the design of opening the navigation of the
Delaware. Indeed, this measure became necessary to the
preservation of his army, which could not draw subsistence
from the adjacent country; so effectually did the menacing
attitude of Washington's army operate, and also the edict of
congress, which pronounced the penalty of death upon any
citizen who should dare to afford him supplies. Thus
situated, the British general found, as Dr. Franklin wittily
remarked, that, " instead of taking Philadelphia, Philadelphia
had taken him."
To succeed in opening a communication with their fleet,
Avhich had sailed from the Chesapeake to the Delaware, it
was necessary that the British should possess themselves of
Mud Island, which was defended by Fort Mifflin, and Fort
Mercer, on Red Bank. Accordingly, a body of Hessians,
under Colonel Donop, marched down the Jersey shore, and
attacked Fort Mercer with great impetuosity. It was defended
by 400 men, under Colonel Greene. The Americans with-
drew within the fort, and made there a vigorous defense.
The Hessian commander was mortally wounded, and his
troops were repulsed with the loss of 500 men.
Their next attack was made upon Mud Island, by their
shipping. This proved, at first, no more successful ; and the
British lost two warlike vessels in the attempt. The Ameri-
cans were, however, at length dislodged by an attack from a
battery which the British had found means to erect on Pro-
vince Island, a little above Mud Island, which commanded
Fort Mifflin. Their post thus becoming untenable, they with-
drew in the night to Fort Mercer.
To attack this fort, the British commander dispatched
Comwallis with a strong detachment. In obedience to his
orders, that general crossed the Schuylkill, followed down
the Delaware to Chester, below the fort, then crossing to
Billing's Point, and receiving a reinforcement from New
York, he thence ascended the river to attack it in the rear.
The Americans, apprised of his approach, evacuated the fort.
The American shipping, deprived of protection, was now in
great danger. Some vessels, under cover of night, passed the
battery of Philadelphia, and sought safety further up the river ;
but seventeen were abandoned, and burned by their crews.
Lord Howe had now opened the navigation of the Delaware
so that he could communicate with his brother, the admiral
PATIENT SUFFERING OF THE AMERICAN ARMY. 207
In the meanwhile, the victorious troops of the north had PART III.
reinforced the main army of the republicans, and Washington period ii.
advanced within fourteen miles of Philadelphia, to White chap. vi.
Marsh, his army consisting of 12,000 regulars and 3,000 ^"^-^^"^^
militia. Howe marched his army Avitliin three miles of his 1777.
lines, and mancemTed, to draw him from his entrenchments ; ^^^^'^f°^
but Washington, though he did not shun the battle, chose to British army
receive it within his entrenchments. Howe, finding him too S" 1"'° ""^
cautious to be drawn out of his camp, and too strong to be aTpfcdladel-
attacked in it, withdrew his army, and retired to winter-quar- phia,
lers at Philadelphia.
Washington, on the llth of December, left White Marsh, Dec. 11.
and retired to Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, twenty miles Arses'"
above Philadelphia. Here, in a wood on a high ground, he winter-quar-
laid out his camp, and employed liis army in building huts for ters at Val-
winter-quarters. This work was not completed, when the ^^ °'^^'
magazines were found to contain scarcely a single day's pro-
vision. As to their clothing, some few of the soldiers had one
shirt, some the remnant of one, the greater part none at all.
Barefooted, on the frozen ground, their feet cut by ice, they
left their tracks in blood. A few only had the luxury of a
blanket at night. More than 3,000 were excused from duty, pigt^ess ot
on account of cold and nakedness. Straw could not be ob- the Ameri
tained ; and the soldiers, who, during the day, were benumbed "=^ ^™y-
with cold, and enfeebled by hunger, had at night no other bed
than the humid ground. Diseases attacked them ; and the
hospitals were replenished as rapidly as the dead Avere car-
ried but. The unsuitableness of the buildings, and the mvdti-
tude of sick that crowded them, caused an insupportable fetor.
Hospital fever ensued. It could not be remedied by change
of linen, for none could be had ; nor by salubrious diet, as
even the coarsest was not attainable ; nor by medicines, as
even the worst were wholly wanting. The hospitals resem-
bled more, receptacles for the dying, than places of refuge for
the diseased.
The patience with which these patriotic votaries of freedom
endured such complicated evils, is, we believe, without a f^^fjjg"*^*^'.
parallel in history. To go to battle, cheered by the trumpet times more
and the drum, with victory^ or the speedy bed of honor before heroic than
the soldier, requires a heroic effort ; much more to star\'e, to ^g_
freeze, and to lie doAvn and die, in silent obscurity. Sparta
knew the names of the individuals who fell in her cause at
the pass of Thermopylae ; but America scarcely knows how
many hundreds, perished for her in the camp at Valley
Forge.
208
THE CABAL AGAINST WASHINGTON.
CHAPTER VII.
Campaign of ] 778.
PART III.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. VII.
177§.
Causes of
the distress
of the army.
Many offi-
cers dis
heartened,
resign.
Intrigues
against
Washington.
Generals
Gales, Miff-
lin, and Con-
way, the
chief in-
triguers.
Expedition
planned
against Can
ada-
The melanclioly state to which the army was reduced, was
owincr to several causes. The bills of credit had diminished
to one-fourth their nominal value. A scarcity of linen cloth
and leather prevailing throughout the country, the commissa-
ries had contracted for supplies at ten per cent, above the
current price. This proceeding, congress refused to sanc-
tion ; but required that supplies should be furnished, and the
bills received as specie. The consequence was, that these
articles could not be procured.
This depreciation of paper money, and advanced price of
all articles of consumption, produced yet another evil. The
officers, far from being able to live as became their rank, had
not even the means of providing for their subsistence ; and
many had already expended their private fortunes, to maintain
a respectable appearance. Those, who now handed in their
resignations, were not the most worthless, but the bravest, most
distinguished, and most spirited; who, disdaining the degraded
situation in which they were placed, left the army to escape it.
This example of defection, set by his beloved officers, more
than any of the other disasters of the army, wounded the pa-
rental heart of Washinoton. In the midst of these anxieties,
that oreat man was called to suffer from those common foes
of distinsfuished merit — eu\T and calunuiv. Intrioiies were
set in motion against him, the object of which was to give
him so many occasions of disgust, that he should of himself
retire from the head of the army; and thus make room for the
promotion of Gates, whose success in the affair of BurgojTie
had raised his reputation to the highest pitch.
Among the leaders of this cabal was General Couwav, a
wilv and restless intriguer. He besieged all the members of
congress with insinuations that there was no order in the
American camp ; and that body, at length, appointed him in-
spector-general. Pennsylvania addressed a remonstrance to
congress, censuring the measures of the commander-in-chief.
The same was done by the members from Massachusetts,
among whom was Samuel Adams. They were not pleased
that the whole command devolved on a Virginian, to the ex-
clusion of their generals, who were, in their opinion, equal, if
not superior, to Washington. A board of war was created,
under Gates and Mifflin, who were prime movers of the com-
bination. With the advice of this board, congress planned an
expedition against Canada. Washington was not consulted,
but he was ordered to detach La Fayette, with certain regi-
NEITHER PARTY READY FOR AN EARLY CAMPAIGN. 209
ments, to perform the service. That officer was indignant at PART III.
the neglect and injustice on this occasion manifested towards period ll.
his revered commander, and would have declined the service, chap. vii.
which he was aware was given him as a lure to draw him
into the cabal. But Washington advised him to accept the
command, and did all in his power to forward the expedition.
What he did, was all that was done. La Fayette was recalled
from Albany, and the expedition was abandoned. 177§.
It is impossible to express, with what indignation the whole pubiic inig-
army and the best citizens were filled, on hearing the machi- nation
nations, that were agitated against their honored chief. A elemtesof
universal cry arose against the intriguers. Conway, super- Washington,
seded bv Baron Steuben, a Prussian officer, dared not show
himself "among the exasperated soldiers; and Samuel Adams
deemed it prudent to keep aloof from the army. Congress,
thus made to see how deeply rooted the commander w^as in
the affections of the army and people, and knowing also that
he ranked high at foreign courts, became at length sensible
of their error, and restored to Washington a confidence which
he had so hardly earned, and to which he was so justly
entitled.
Conway was wounded in a duel, and believing himself at
the point of death, he became penitent, and wrote to Wash-
ington, confessing his wrong and declaring his contrition.
Washington never once turned aside from his high career of
suffering virtue, to notice his personal enemies. He had been
indefatigable in urging congress to stop the defection of the
officers, by securing to them some reward for their services.
In accordance with his advice, a law was passed, allowing ,5:?"^^'
them half pay for seven years after the close ol the war. allowing the
He also urged congress, and the different state governments, officers half
to make early preparations for the ensuing campaign, that it ^''^j.glre.^^^
miffht be commenced at the opening of the spring, before the
British reinforcements could arrive. But decisions are of
necessity tardily made in popular governments ; hence, what
ought to have been ready in the beginning of the spring, was
but scantily provided during the summer.
These delays might have been fatal to the army, had the Predatory
British been in a condition to take the field early in the sea- ^'f ^^f Brit-
soa. As it was, they contented themselves with sending out ish.
their light troops to scour the country in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia. In March, a party of these troops massacred,
in cool blood, while crj'ing for quarter, the soldiers who were
stationed at the bridges of Quinton and Hancock. Near the
same time, another party undertook an expedition up the
Delaware. They destroyed the magazines at Bordentown,
and the vessels which the Americans had drawn up the river,
between Philadelphia and Trenton.
In Mav, 2,000 men, under La Fayette, were posted at ,,
Barou Hill, about eight or ten miles in front of the army, at
210 BURGOYNe's capture affects EUROPEAN POLITICS.
PART III. Yalley Forge, to form an advanced guard, and be in readiness
PERIOD II. to annoy the British rear, in case they attempted to retreat to
CHAP. VII. New York. The whole British army came out of Philadel-
^^^v-"^*-' pliia, and a detachment of 5,000 men, under General Grant,
was sent to surprise and destroy the force under La Fayette.
In the beginning of the engagement. Grant obtained some
advantage ; but at length La Fayette, by skill and activity,
baffled his enemy, and withdrew his detachment to the main
Iff^ army.
Success of The Americans were no where more successful than in the
American depredations which their swift-sailing privateers made upon
pnva eers. ^^^ British commerce, ^^'ith these they infested every sea,
even those about the British islands ; and often performed
deeds of almost incredible boldness. Since 1776, they had
already captured 500 of the British vessels.
Early in the season. Sir Henry Clinton arrived in Philadel-
phia, to supersede Sir William Howe in the command of the
British forces ; that general having resigned his commission
and returned to England.
The news of the capture of Burgoyne caused a deep sen-
sation throughout Europe, and effected the politics of several
of its cabinets.
The English people were astonished and afflicted ; their
England is Sanguine calculations were defeated ; their boastful predic-
perplexed by tions had failed ; and mortified and perplexed, they knew not
of^Bar?oyne ^^^* course to pursue. The generals and soldiers who had
' fought in America, were not inferior to any that England or
Europe could produce. These the Americans had vanquish-
ed. Of what, then, might they not be capable in future, when
they should have derived new confidence from successes, and
consolidated their state by practice and experience. The gar-
risons of Canada were weak, and the Americans might turn
their victorious army against them. The Canadians, follow-
ing the example of the Americans, might also revolt from
Britain. Enlistments, both in America and England, became
daily more difficult, and the Germans would only furnish troops
to fulfil the engagement already made ; and for the few re-
cruits which they could raise, several of the German princes
refused a passage through their dominions. France, they be-
lieved, would soon openly avow herself the friend of Ameri-
ca ; and thus her ancient and inveterate foe be joined in the
cont^t with her alienated colonies.
Policy of France, jealous of her rival, viewed the discontents in Amer-
France in ica with pleasure. She did not at first espouse the quarrel,
America. ° knowing that at the moment she should declare herself, the
British ministry, by acquiescing in the concessions demanded
by the Americans, might instantly disarm them ; and France
wo*uld then find herself alone, burdened with a war without
motive or object. The declaration of independence removed
this objection ; yet, though France would rather see America
AN ALLIANCE FORMED WITH FRANCE. 211
independent, than reconciled with her parent state, she relish- PART IIL
ed better than either, a long war between them, which should period n.
waste both England and her colonies. This being her poUcy, chap. vn.
she amused the British ministers with protestations of friend- 'v-*'~v''»->'
ship ; encouraged the Americans with secret, but scanty and
uncertain succors ; and excited their hopes by promises of
future co-operation. These promises, however, as they were
vague and unofficial might at any time have been disowned
by the government.
Wearied out and disgusted, the agents of congress at the
court of Versailles, urged the cabinet to come to a final decis- ^^^^^'^f
ion ; but they avoided it, alleging a variety of excuses. Un- Dr. Franklin
able to accomplish their views with France, and discovering and the
1 n .1 ^-^ jiC?™ Amencan
no Other prospect of success, the negotiators proposed to bng- negotiators.
land the recognition of their independence. This point con-
ceded, they would have yielded in all others, to such condi-
tions as should tend to save the honor of the mother country ;
but this proposition was rejected.
The capture of Burgoyne changed the face of affairs, and
gave new ardor to these patriots, who aroused the jeal-
ousy of the French cabinet, by their disposition to form an
alliance with England. The French ministers now declared
themselves openly, and they were warmly seconded by every
class of French citizens. On the 6th of February-, a treaty Feb. 6.
was formed, and France acknowledged the independence of p^a^ce!
America. In this treaty it was declared, that "if war should
break out between France and England during the existence its stipula-
of that with the United States, it should be made a common ^^°^-
cause ; and that neither of the contracting parties should con-
clude either truce or peace wath Great Britain, without the
formal consent of the other ; and they mutually engaged not
to lay down their arms until the independence of the United
States should have been formally or tacitly assured, by the
treaty or treaties, which should terminate the war." The
treaty was signed, on behalf of France, by M. Gerard ; and
on the part of the United States, by Benjamin Franklin, Silas
Deane, and Arthur Lee.
On the 20th of March, the American commissioners were March 20.
received at the court of France, as the representatives of a American
, . , ' -J 1 • T^ agents re-
sister nation ; an event, which was considered in Lrurope as ceivedai
the most important which had occurred in the annals of Amer- court.
ica, since its discovery by Columbus.
The British parliament foresaw the probable alliance of
France with America, and a proposal was brought forward by January,
the ministers, to send over commissioners, empowered to grant reconcilia-
all that its colonies had asked before the war, on condition of tion in Eng-
their returning to their former allegiance. This measure was *^'^'^-
warmly opposed, and its ill success foretold. It is, said its op-
posers, either too little or too much ; too little, if we wish to
make peace in earnest ; too much, if we expect to continue
212
THREE COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM ENGLAND.
PART III.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. VII.
17T8.
Parliament
sends three
commission-
ers to Ameri-
ca.
England and
France pre-
pare for na-
val warfare.
May 2.
French trea-
ty arrives.
June 9.
Arrival of
the British
commission-
ers.
Their in-
trigues.
Johnstone
attempts bri-
bery.
Dignified
reply of
Reed.
the war. If the Americans refused any other conditions, than
independence, when they were single-handed and depressed
by misfortunes, surely all others will now be rejected. Why
not at once concede that independence which America has
already acquired, and is able to maintain. She will then
doubtless prefer our alliance to that of France ; and in our
coming contest with that wily nation, we shall have her as-
sistance instead of her hostility. Such in substance was the
language of the opposition ; but the counsels of the ministry
prevailed. The earl of Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and
William Eden were appointed commissioners. The ministry,
as the result sufficiently proves, had other than the ostensible
objects in view, in sending these men to America. They
were to make an attempt to bribe, corrupt, and divide the
people.
When the news of the French treaty reached the island,
the British, highly exasperated against the French, immedi-
ately prepared to attack them at sea. To their astonishment
it was found that France, by great exertions to increase her
navy, and improve her seamen, was now fully able to cope
with her rival on that element.
On the second of May, arrived the long expected treaty
with France. It was brought over by the French frigate Le
Sensible, which also brought over Silas Deane, who had been
recalled, and M. Gerard, who had been appointed minister to
the United States.
Carlisle, Eden, and Johnstone arrived at Philadelphia on
the 9th of June, a few days before the British troops evacua-
ted the city. The concessions offered, were, as was predic-
ted, too late ; and congress refused to negotiate on any other
terms, than the recognition of their independence, and the re-
moval of all the British forces. The commissioners next
resorted to the expedient of disseminating in the country a
multitude of writings, in which they censured congress as re-
quiring what was unjust, and injurious to America. They
represented the alliance with France, as associated with mean-
ness ; while they extolled the generosity and magnanimity of
England.
Johnstone had formerly resided in the colonies ; and after-
wards, as a member of parliament, he had espoused the Amer-
ican cause. Availing himself of the influence which these
circumstances had given him, he approached many influential
republicans ; and while he flattered them for their abilities
and conduct, he adroitly insinuated that, if the royal authority
could again be established, their merits would be rewarded
by wealth, titles, and honors. In some cases attempts at di-
rect bribery were discovered : — a lady was employed by
Johnstone, to oflTer to General Reed, if he would aid the roy-
al cause, ten thousand pounds sterling, and any oflice in the
colonies within the king's gift. " I am not," said Reed
BRITISH EVACUATE PHILADELPHIA
213
•' wortli purchasing ; but, such as I am, the king of England
is not rich enough to buy me."
In some instances, Johnstone had the indiscretion to write.
The indignant patriots brought forward his letters, which con-
tained the evidence of his base intrigues, and laid them before
congress. That body indignantly forbade all farther commu-
nication with the commissioners. The popular writers of the
times, among whom were Drayton, of South Carolina, and
Thomas Paine, met, and confuted their insinuations. Public
opinion overwhelmed them with opprobrium ; and this abortive
attempt, like former similar ones, served only to show to the
British ministry, the stability of that union which they thus
^ vainly endeavored to shake.
PART III.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. VIII.
1TT§.
Congress
forbid fur-
ther commu
nications.
CHAPTER VIII.
Campaign of 1778, — continued.
About the 5th of June, the British took measures to evacu-
ate Philadelpliia. This they accomplished on the morning
of the 18th, their army proceeding through New Jersey
towards New York.
Washington immediately put his camp, at Valley Forge, in
motion, and sent out a detachment to collect the New Jersey
militia, in order to harass their rear. He thought it would be
wise to bring the British to a general engagement ; but this
opinion was contrary to that of the majority of his officers.
He, however, persisted, and, following with his whole army,
an engagement was brought about at Monmouth, or Freehold,
on the 28th, in which the Americans had the advantage. The
loss of the English was 700, that of the Americans^ much
less. Though both sides claimed the victory, yet historians
agree in awarding it to the republicans, as they remained
masters of the field of battle.
General Lee, by own request, had in the commencement
of the action, been associated with General La Fayette, in
the command of the van. After he had attacked the British,
lie thought the ground in his rear more favorable to the forma-
tion of his lines ; and he made, in some haste, a retrograde
motion. Washington met the retreating troops ; and finding
that Lee was abandoning a ground which he had commanded
him to take, and endangering the army by an appearance of
flight, he inquired with sternness, what he meant ; and gave
orders himself for forming the battalion. Lee, during the re-
mainder of this hard fought battle, displayed such courage
and military conduct, that, had he not thought proper after-
June 18.
British army
evacuate
Philadel-
phia.
June 28.
Battle of
Monmouth.
General
Lee's con-
duct
His trial and
suspension.
214
ARRIVAL OF A FRENCH FLEET,
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. VIII.
17T§.
Clinton
shuns fur-
ther conflict.
Crosses to
New York.
Washington
proceeds to
tie Hudson.
French fleet
arrives un-
der d'Es-
taing.
Franklin ap-
pointed min-
ister to
France.
Expedition
against
Rhode
Island.
Sullivan's
arrange-
ment.
4ug, e.
Aag. 9 and
10.
wards to write to the commander disrespectful letters, on the
events of the battle, no further notice would have been taken
of his irregular behavior. But on this occasion, Washington
brought him to trial by a court martial, which censured and
suspended him one year from his command. He never re-
joined the army.
Night separated the combatants ; and Washington and his
soldiers rested upon their arms, intending to renew the con-
flict the succeeding day ; but Clinton silently decamped in
the night. In the morning, he was several miles distant ; and
moving through Middletown to Sandy Hook, he finally cross-
ed over to New York.
On the 1 St of July, the American commander, leaving Mor-
gan's dragoons in lower Jersey, proceeded with his army
towards the Hudson.
A French fleet, consisting of twelve ships of the line, and
six frigates, was now sent to the aid of America, commanded
by the Count d'Estaing. The admiral left Toulon on the 18th
of April, with the intention of blockading the British in the
Delaware. He entered the mouth of the river, on the 8th of
June ; but finding that Admiral Howe had left Philadelphia
for New York, he proceeded to that place, designing to en-
gage him there ; but the large size of his ships prevented.
On the 14th of September, Benjamin Franklin, still in
France, was invested with the dignity and powers of minister
plenipotentiary to that court.
Washington, in order to derive the utmost advantage from
the presence of the French fleet, directed an expedition against
Rhode Island, for which he detached a force of 10,000 troops,
under the command of General Sullivan, with whom he after-
wards associated generals Greene and La Fayette. The
force to which this army was opposed, consisted of 6,000
troops, which were stationed at Newport, and commanded by
General Pisot.
Sullivan had, with the advice of Washington, concerted a
plan of operations with the French admiral d'Estaing, who
arrived off" Newport, on the 25th of July. His army had ta-
ken post near Providence, and he had a reasonable expecta-
tion, that, with the aid of the French, he should be able to
make himself master of the whole force under Pifrot. The
neyt was to enter the harbor of Newport, and land the French
troops on the north part of the island, while the Americans
were to land at the same time, on the opposite coast.
On the 8th of August, General Sullivan joined General
Greene at Tiverton, and the descent was to be made the next
day. The fleet presented itself. Some militia, who wfere to
join the army, failed to come at the expected hour, and Sulli-
van represented to the French admiral, the necessity of a short
delay. On the morning of the ninth, he crossed the east
passage, and landed on the north end of Rhode Island. On
THE AMERICANS DISAPPOINTED BY THE FRENCH.
215
the tenth, the fleet of Ix)rd Howe appeared in sight, and
d'Estaing left SulUvan to give chase to the British admiral,
promising to return to his assistance. The crafty Howe led
him on, and both fleets were soon out of sight.
On the 15th, Sullivan commenced the siege of Newport,
still believing that he should have the promised aid of the
French fleet. Great was his chagrin and disappointment,
when d'Estaing, having returned in a shattered condition, no
entreaties could prevail on him to remain, but on the 22d he
sailed to Boston to refit. Thus deserted by his allies, one half
of his army, which consisted of militia, refused to remain,
and encounter the danger, to which he was now exposed, of
an attack from the British at New York.
Thus weakened, he raised the siege of Newport, on the 28th,
and retired to a commanding situation on the north part of the
island. The enemy followed, and, on the 29th attacked his
army. After a sharp conflict of half an hour, in which Sulli-
van lost 211 of his troops, and Pigot 260, the British gave
way, and retired to Quaker Hill. The next day, a letter from
Washington informed him, that Sir Henry Clinton, with a
large body of troops, had put out to sea from New York. His
prospects were now completely reversed, and instead of ho-
ping to conquer the British forces, his own were in imminent
danger. By a skill that has been much commended, he suc-
ceeded in drawing off" his army to the main land. The very
next day, Clinton, who had been detained by adverse winds,
arrived at the island, with 4,000 men.
This affair was unhappy in its eff^ects. D'Estaing had left
Sullivan to his fate, not only against his entreaties, but against
the warm remonstrances of generals Greene and La Fayette.
The resentment excited in the breast of Sullivan, and the dis-
approbation of many others, gave to Washington the greatest
uneasiness; and called forth all his address to soothe their ruf-
fled spirits, and prevent an open rupture with the French
admiral.
Sir Henry Clinton, disappointed of his expected prize, bent
his course towards New York. He lel't the command of the
troops on board the transports, to General Gray, with orders
to destroy, if possible, the American privateers, which resort-
ed to Buzzard's bay, and the adjacent rivers. This order was
executed upon sixty larger vessels, and some small craft.
Proceednig to New Bedford and Fair Haven, he destroyed
many mills, warehouses, and much private property.
In the campaign of this year, the depredations committed
by the savages, were frequent and inhuman. The ruthless
chiefs who guided them in their sanguinary expeditions, were
Colonel John Butler, a tory refugee, and Brandt, a half-blooded
Indian. The settlement of Wyoming, which consisted of
ei<>"ht towns on the banks of the Susquehannah, was one of
the most flourishing and delightful in America. The majority
PART in.
177§.
Aug. 15.
*•:!.:. vHi. he-
sieges New
port.
Aug. 22.
d'Estaing
sails for Bos-
ton.
Aug. 28.
Sullivan
raises the
siege, and,
has
Aug. 29,
an action
with the
British.
Sept. 5.
Genera.
Gray's ex-
cursion.
The valley
of Wyonung.
216
THE MASSACRE OF WYOMING.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. VIII.
1778.
June.
B>itler and
Brandt, with
Indians and
tories, mas-
sacre the de-
fenders and
defenseless.
Sept.
Quarrels
with the
French.
French and
English
fleets sail for
the West
Indies.
of its inhabitants were eminently devoted to the cause of their
country, and although from their frontier position, they were
themselves exposed, yet they had sent their young and able-
bodied men, to fill the ranks of the army. But tories were
numerous among them. Several had been arrested, and sent
to the proper authorities for trial. This excited the indigna-
tion of the party, who now united with the Indians. Resort-
ing to artifice, they pretended a desire to cultivate peace, while
they were preparing for a bloody revenge.
The patriots had constructed several forts for the security
of the inhabitants. In June, a formidable force of Indians
and tories, under the command of Butler and Brandt appeared
on the banks of the Susquehannah. They soon took all the
forts, except that of Wilkesbarre — -butchering men, women, and
children, laying waste the country, and burning the houses.
The tories were more sanguinary than the savages themselves.
Fathers and sons were arrayed against each other, and in one
case a brother slew a brother, while he was beseeching him
for mercy.
At Wilkesbarre was collected all the remaining military force
of the valley, under the patriot Colonel Zebulon Butler. It
consisted of about fifty regular troops, and volunteers to the
number of three hundred. Their foe, one thousand strong,
and flushed with success, was but a few miles distant. They
had no alternative but to attack or be attacked ; and early on
the 3d of July, this little devoted band left their women and
children in the fort, and at a few miles distance, met and gave
battle to a force nearly treble their own. They fought with
desperation ; but their foe out-flanked and surrounded, and
then barbarously massacred them. Only sixteen escaped.
The enemy next marched to the fort, which there was none to
defend. It was surrendered, under promise of the protection
of life. But the engagement was violated, and many of the
helpless and unresisting, fell by the hands of those, who had
but just murdered their husbands and fathers.
Disputes occurred about this time, between the French and
Americans at Boston, and also at Charleston, South Caro-
lina. In both these places some of the French were killed.
At Boston, the Chevalier de St. Sauveur lost his life. Con-
gress attributed these unfortunate afliairs to British machina-
tions ; and the French admiral forebore to inquire further.
The Marquis La Fayette, hoping to serve the United States
by his representations in France, requested and obtained per-
mission to repass the Atlantic.
Admiral d'Estaing left Boston for the West Indies, on the
3d of November. The same day the British Commodore Ho-
tham left Sandy Hook, having on board 5,000 land troops, un-
der Major General Grant, to sustain the English garrisons in
those islands. He was followed, on the 14th of December,
by Admiral Byron (who had superseded Admiral Howe) with
GEOR'GIA RECOVERED BY THE BRITISH.
217
the whole English fleet. The French took Dominica from
the English ; and the English, St. Lucia from the French.
In planning the campaign for this year, the enemy had pla-
ced their principal hope of success in conquering the southern
states. It was not, however, until a late period of the cam-
paign, that Sir Henry Clinton was prepared to attempt the
execution of this design. He then sent to Georgia, under con-
voy of Admiral Hyde Parker, 2,500 men, English, Hessians,
and refugees. This army was commanded by Colonel Camp-
bell, who, on the 27th of December, arrived before Savannah.
The place being unprepared for defense, he defeated the
Americans under Major General Robert Howe, and killed up-
wards of one hundred of his troops, and then took possession
of the city. Four hundred and fifty American troops, and a
large quantity of artillery and ammunition fell into his hands.
That part of the American army which escaped, retreated
into South Carolina.
Late in the autumn of 1778, Washington took winter-quar-
ters at Middlebrook.
PART III.
1T7§.
Nov. 27.
British
forces sail
for Georgia .
Dec. 29.
Savannah is;
taken.
Washingtoa:
in winter-
quarters. .
CHAPTER IX,
Campaign of 1779.
The plan of Sir Henry Clinton was to subjugate, at the
outset of this campaign, the whole state of Georgia to the
royal authority. The capital being already in possession of
the British, they soon overran the adjacent country. Sunbury
still held out for congress. General Prevost, commander of
the troops at St. Augustine, pursuant to the orders of Clinton,
left Florida, and, after a march of excessive fatigue and hard-
ship, attacked the garrison at Sunbury. They made a show
of resistance ; but the country being now in the hands of the
enemy, they were compelled to surrender at discretion.
Prevost then proceeded to Savannah, where he took com-
mand of all the British forces. The whole of Georgia was
now under the authority of the royalists ; and Clinton had
accomplished all that he had expected to effect, before he
should be joined by recruits from England. He did not con-
sider himself in sufficient force to attack Charleston ; but,,
aware that if he did not proceed with offensive operations, his
army would languish, and his enemy soon put him on the de-
fensive, he planned an expedition against Port Royal, giving
the command to General Gardner. The English were, how-
ever, so valiantly received by the Carolinians, that they were
obliged to return, after having experienced a severe loss.
16
1779:
Georgia
overrun^
Unsuccess-
ful attempt
upon Port
RoyaL
218
SOUTH CAROLINA THE SEAT OF THE) WAR.
PART III.
1779.
British be-
lieve the
people favor-
able to them.
Barbarity of
the tones.
Representa-
tions of Brit-
ish aseuts.
Colonel
Pickens de-
feats a party
of royalists
near Augus-
ta.
Lincoln
takeicom-
manuof the
American
forces at the
south.
He stations
Ashe at
Briar Creek.
One of the motives of the British ministry, in transferrin^
the war into the southern states, was the opinion, that a great
proportion of the inhabitants were, at heart, in favor of the
mother country; and that, if an opportunity presented, they
would flock to her standard. They were not mistaken in the
beUef, that there were royaUsts ; but they were deceived as
to their number and efficient strength.
Of these royaUsts, there were several kinds. Some of the
least violent, concealing their sentiments, resided in- the midst
of the republicans ; some lived solitary, and watched a favora-
ble opportunity to declare themselves ; while others were so
rancorous as even to unite with the Indians ; and, assisting in
their nocturnal massacres, their conduct was more barbarous
than that of the savages themselves.
To support and encourage these friends to the royal cause,
the British generals moved up the river to Augusta. They
sent out numerous emissaries, who represented to them that
now was the time to join the royal standard. They were told
that they wanted nothing but union, to become incomparably
the stronger party ; to be enabled to take vengeance on those
who had so long loaded them with indignities, and to entitle
them to the high rewards, which await those who are found
faithful araons the faithless.
The royalists rose in arms, put themselves itnder the com-
mand of Colonel Boyd, one of their chiefs ; and, moving
towards the British army, pillaged, burnt, and murdered on
their way. Meantiiiae, the Carolinians collected a force,
which, under the command of Colonel Pickens, met them,
just as they had nearly reached their destination. A furious
conflict ensued, and the republicans totally defeated the party.
Seventy-six of the prisoners were condemned to death as
criminals ; but mercy was extended to the whole number,
except Ave.
Towards the close of the preceding year, General Lincoln
was appointed, at the request of the Carolinians, to take the
command of the southern forces. He arrived, on the 4th of
December, at Charleston ; and, on the 1 7th of January, took
post at Purysburg. As the enemy extended their posts up the
Savannah, on the southern side, Lincoln extended his on the
northern bank. He fixed one encampment at Black Swamp,
and another nearly opposite Augusta ; intending, as soon as
he should be able to collect a sufficient force, to cross the Sa-
vannah, and oblige the enemy to evacuate the upper parts of
Georgia. Meantime, Prevost fell down the river to Hudson's
ferry.
Lincoln, whose army amounted to 4,000, intended to re-
take the upper part of Georgia, and restrict him to the coast.
He detached General Ashe, with 2,009 men, of the North
Carolina militia, to take post at a strong position, on Briar creek.
Provost took measures, by judicious feints, to keep the atten-
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED IN GEORGIA. 219
tion of Lincoln diverted, while he marched to surprise the un- FART m.
guarded Ashe. He was so completely successful, that he had period il
entered the camp of the Americans before they were aware chap. ix.
of his approach. Panic-struck, the militia fled, without firing ^^^^^^-"-^
a shot ; but many of them being drowned in the river, and March 3.
swallowed up in the marsjies, met with a death, which they prised.^an'd
might possibly have escaped by a gallant resistance. his anny de-
The regular troops of Carolina and Georgia, animated by (^"^"R^v^h
the example of their commander, the brave General Elbert,
made a vigorous resistance ; but, deserted by their friends, and 1 779
outnumbered by their enemies, they were compelled to yield. American
By this disastrous affair, General Lincoln must have been de- loss, 1,600
prived of 1 ,600 of his troops ; as only four hundred returned
to his camp.
Again the British were masters of all Georgia. They had Prevost or-
free communication with the encouraged loyalists, not only in ganizes aco-
the back parts of this state, but also in those of the Carolinas ; vernmenu
and General Prevost now proceeded to organize a colonial
government.
Alarmed, but not dismayed, the Carolinians made the most
vigorous exertions to draw out their militia. John Rutledge,
in whom all classes confided, was chosen governor. By the
middle of April, Lincoln found himself at the head of 5,000
fighting men. On the 23d, he resumed his intention of occu-
pying Georgia; and, leaving 1,000 of his troops under Gene-
ral .VIoultrie, to garrison Purysburg and Black Swamp, he
marched with the remainder up the Savannah. Meantime,
the army of Prevost, which was increased by the royalists, Mou'tne ae-
crossed the river, near its mouth, and defeated General Moul- treats b'efcre
trie, who, finding Purysburg and Black Swamp untenable, had Prevost.
retired towards Charleston.
On the 11th of May, the enemy appeared before that city. ^ ^^
The garrison was small, although it had been the day before Charleston
reinforced by 500 militia, under Governor Rutledge, and by invested.
the " American Legion," under the Count Pulaski. Their Rutled'°e.
only hope of relief was from the hourly expected presence of Count Pu-
Lincoln. "When, therefore, they were, on the morning of the ''*^'^-
12th, summoned to surrender, they sent out commissioners to
negotiate, who contrived, by requiring certain conditions, to
bring on a long dispute. In the meantime, they were making
vigorous preparations for real defense, and a great show, as General Lin-
if well prepared for resistance. The fears of Prevost began coin afives,
to operate, and he drew off his troops some miles from the ^"51,^61^".''
town. While he hesitated, and delayed to attack the city, the
army of Lincoln appeared.
Provost now retired to St. James and St. John's, southward j^||"p.^?;
of Charleston ; his design being to pass along these fertile engagement
islands, and the others which line the coast. Lincoln fol- at Stono
lowed him upon the main land, and an indecisive engagement ^^"y*
of some regiments occurred at Stono Ferry. General Prevost
16*
220 BRITISH TAKE THE FORTS ON THE HUDSON.
PART III, left a garrison in Beaufort, on Port Royal island, under com
PERIOD II. mand of Colonel Mailland, and then retired with the British
CHAP. IX. main army to Savannah ; while General Lincoln, with the
"-^""^''"'^-^ American forces, took post at Sheldon.
1779. In May, General Clinton sent out from New York a fleet,
B tlh^ k "'^'i^"" ^^^ command of Commodore Collier, with a corps of
a descent 2,000 men, under General Matthews, to make a descent upon
upon Vir- Virginia, and, by devastating the country, to keep the inhabit-
burn' several ^^^^ ^^^ ^ continual State of alarm. He had hopes, that, by
towns. the aid of the loyalists, this force would be able to overawe
and effect a revolt of the state. The fleet proceeded to the
Chesapeake, and blocked up the entrances of James river and
Hampton Roads. A part of the troops landed on the banks of
Elizabeth river : then proceeded to Portsmouth, Norfolk, Suf-
folk, and Gosport, burned those places, and spread devastation
through the country. They demolished magazines, and took
great quantities of provisions, which had been prepared for
the American army, and burned or removed all the stores and
shipping. Failing, however, in the grand object of producing
a revolt, Clinton recalled them to New York.
Stony Point. He next resolved to attack the American works at Stony
Ven)lank's ^^^ Verplank's Points, two opposite projections of land on
the Hudson river. The Americans had constructed these
works at great labor and expense. They were important, as
they commanded King's Ferry, and if they fell into the hands of
the British, the Americans would be obliged to take a circuit
of ninety miles up the river, to communicate, by land, between
the eastern and southern provinces. »
June 1. General Clinton, commanding this expedition in person,
Taken by igf,. j^iew York on the last of May. He first proceeded
the British . o, n • i i » • i • i
under Sir H. agamst Stony Pomt;ana the Americans, bemg unprepared
Clinton, for defense, evacuated the place. At Verplank's Point, the
fort named La Fayette had just been completed. Unfortu-
nately, however, this fort was commanded by the heights of
Stony Point, upon which the British had, during the night,
planted a battery of hea\y cannon, and another of mortars.
Early in the morning, this artillery was turned against Fort
La Fayette ; and the enemy having invested it, all probability
of relief was cut off, and the garrison surrendered. General
Clinton gave orders for completing the works of Stonv Point ;
and, on the 2d of June, he encamped his army at Philipsburg,
half way between Verplank's Point and New York.
At this period, the commerce of the British on Long Island
sound was nearly destroyed by the Connecticut privateers.
They intercepted whatever made its appearance on their
Jnlv waters, and by this means distressed the British army in
Governor New York, which had been accustomed to receive its sup-
Trjon plies from this quarter. Governor Tryon, by the orders of
•cent upon Clinton, embarked \vith a strong detachment, proceeded to
Connecticut. New Haven and destroyed all the shipping which he found
Wayne's brilliant success at stony point. 221
in that port. He then advanced to Fairfield, Norwalk, and PART III.
Greenwich, all of which places he barbarously consigned to period n.
the flames. Besides the loss of a great quantity of shipping and chap. ix.
whale-boats, the destruction of private property was great. ^-^-v'-^^
While the British were thus desolating the coast of Con-
necticut, Washington undertook the recovery of Verplank's
and Stony Points. He charged General Wayne with the
attack of Stony Point, and General Howe with that of Ver-
plank's. The troops commanded by Wayne arrived under the
walls of the fort about midnight. Divided into two columns,
they attacked the fort from opposite positions. The English
opened a tremendous fire upon them ; but they rushed impe-
tuousiy onward, opening their way with the bayonet. They ?^T'''^'
scaieJ the fort, and the two victorious columns met in the Americans
centie ot the works. The loss of the British, in killed, under
wounded, and prisoners, amounted to six hundred : the Ame- siony Po^t
ricans lost but one hundred. This was one of the most bril-
liant exploits of the whole war. The attack upon Verplank's
Point proved unsuccessful.
When Clinton received intelligence of the capture of Stony
Point, he determined not to suffer the Americans to remain in
possession, and dispatched a corps of troops to dislodge them.
Washington, unwilling to hazard a battle, ordered General
Wayne to retire, having dismantled the fort, and removed
the artillery and stores ; which were valuable and important. Garrison at
On the 19th, Major Lee, with three hundred men, completely PaulusHook
surprised the British garrison at Paulus Hook, killed thirty ^^"^nsed.
of the enemy, and took 159 prisoners.
At the east, the British obtained some advantages over the ^, ^"^y-
Americans. Colonel M'Lean had embarked from Halifax, fui expe-'
with a detachment, and at the mouth of the Penobscot river dition of the
he was strongly posted. His object was to annoy the eastern ^°^.""^'^s
r ■ 1 T • 1 1 • ^ , r 1 against the
Irontier, and to prevent the inhabitants of Massachusetts from British at
sending reinforcements to the army of Washington. The Penobscot.
Bostonians, in great alarm, fitted out, under the command of
Commodore Saltonstall, an armament with which they dis-
patched a portion of land troops, under the command of Gen-
eral Lovell. On their arrival at Penobscot, instead of attack-
ing the enemy immediately, which would have insured them
success, they delayed fifteen days, in order to entrench them-
selves. On the day of the intended attack. Commodore Col-
liei, whom Clinton, on hearing of the situation of M'Lean,
had sent from Sandy Hook to his relief, appeared with his
fleet, at the mouth of the Penobscot. The Americans re-
embarked, but Collier attacked their flotilla, and entirely des-
troyed it. The soldiers and sailors, in order to effect their
escape, were obliged to land, and hide themselves in the for-
ests ; through which they found their way to their homes.
The failure of this enterprise was a severe mortification, as
well as a serious loss, to the Americans,
^22
SULLIVAN CHASTISES THE INDIANS AND TORIES.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. X.
1779.
Aug. 29.
Sullivan de-
feats the to-
ries and
savages.
In the meantime, the massacre of Wyoming, another at
Cherry Valley, and other Indian enormities, had called so
loudly for punishment, that in July, congress sent General
Sullivan, with 3,000 troops, to repress the incursions of the
savages. He proceeded up the Susquehannah ; and at Wy-
oming was joined by a reinforcement of 1,600 men, under the
command of James Clinton, of New York.
The Indians and royalists had assembled in great numbers,
under the direction of their ferocious leaders, Johnson, But-»
ler, and Brandt. Confident in their strength, they had ad-
vanced to Newtown ; and, while awaiting Sullivan's approach,
had thrown up an extensive entrenchment, strengthened by a
palisade and redoubts, after the European manner. General
Sullivan, on his arrival, immediately attacked the place ; and
the Indians, after defending it two hours, fled in disorder.
Few however were killed, and none made prisoners. Sulli-
van took possession of Newtown, from whence he made in-
cursions into the other parts of their country. The terrified
savages made no further resistance, but escaped to the forests.
A great quantity of grain was burned, forty Indian villages
were utterly destroyed, and no trace of vegetation left.
General Sullivan, after having accomplished this severe ret-
ribution, went with his army to Easton, in Pennsylvania.
CHAPTER X.
Campaign of 1779. — Continued.
1779.
War of the
French and
English in
the West
Indies.
French con-
quer St.
Vincent.
To understand the history of the war, it is necessary to
keep in view, not only the movements of the forces of Amer-
ica, but also those of its ally and its enemy. The commence-
ment of the present year found the Count d'Estaing and
Lord Byron, with their respective fleets, in the West Indies.
The former was reinforced by a squadron, under the Count
de Grasse, and the latter by an armament under Commodore
Rowley.
Their fleets were now nearly equal, and the English were
desirous of a naval battle ; but the French had in view the
conquest of the neighboring English islands ; and for that
purpose, had on board a considerable land force, which must,
in the event of a battle, be exposed, and could afford no as-
sistance. D'Estaing was therefore averse to an engagement,
and lay quietly at anchor, at Martinico.
Meantime, Lord Byron sailed towards England, to convoy
a fleet of merchantmen. No sooner had he left the West
Indies, than the French admiral sent a detached squadron to
THE AMERICANS COMPLAIN OF THE FRENCH. 223
St. Vincent, which succeeded in capturing that valuable PART III.
island. period n.
Oh the 30th of June, d'Estaing, who had received a rein- chap. x.
forcement from France, left Martinico, his fleet consisting of ^--""v-^^^
twenty-five sail of the line, and on the 2d of July, came to 1779.
anchor in a harbor of Grenada. On this island he landed t. ■'"l^ ^-
2,500 men, and attacked and carried, by a bloody and de- ture Grena-^
structive assault, St. George, its principal fortress, when the da.
whole island submitted to France.
Shortly after these events, d'Estaing received letters from
General Lincoln, President Lowndes, of South Carolina, and
Mr. Plombard, consul of France, from which he learned the prench ad-
dissatisfaction which existed in America. The republicans miral re-
complained, that the alliance with France had produced Poached by
nothing which corresponded either to the greatness of their cans,
ally, or the general expectations of the Americans. It was
said, that the sums expended upon Rhode Island were worse
than fruitless ; and that the zeal with which the Bostonians
had victualled and equipped the French fleet, produced no
better effect than its immediate desertion of their coasts, on
distant expeditions. The loss of Savannah and Georgia,
which opened to the British an easy entrance to the Caroli- '
nas, was attributed to this cause ; and finally it was said, that
while the French were enriching themselves in distant seas,
with the conquests of the British possessions, they left the
Americans, contrary to the stipulations of the treaty, to sus-
tain the burden of the war. These complaints were followed
by earnest entreaties, that d'Estaing would immediately re-
store the confidence of the Americans, by hastening to their
succor.
Count d'Estaing had received instructions to return imme- Sept. 1.
diately to Europe, but moved by these representations he ven- " Estaing
tured to disobey the summons ; and directing his course the coast of
to Georgia, he appeared oflf the coast on the 1st of Sep- Georgia,
tember.
He believed that there were two plans, which, if America
could successfully execute, the war must, of necessity, come
to a conclusion. One of these, was the destruction of the
army under General Prevost, at Savannah ; and the other, Concerts
and more difficult, was to attack by sea and land, conjointly measures
with Washington, the British forces in the city of New York. UncJI^
It was determined to attempt the former ; and the Count
d'Estaing and General Lincoln lost no time in commencing
their joint operations.
The French admiral had sent ships to Charleston with the
joyful news of his arrival in those w-aters. They surprised
and captured some British vessels h)adcd with provisions. British ee -
General Prevost, alarmed at his danger, sent expresses, di- eral at Sa-
recting the forc(!s under Maitland, and those at Sunbury, to ^™n=ih calls
repair with soeed to Savannah. He removed the shipping p^^,;.
224 UNFORTUNATE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH.
PART III farther up the river, destroyed the batteries on the island of
PERIOD II Tybee, and pressed the completion of the works at Savannah.
CHAP. X. Meantime, Gen. Lincohi marched towards Savannah, leav-
'^''^~^^^~^ ing orders for the militia to collect from all quarters, and join
1779. his army. Before he had arrived, d'Estaing had invested
Sept. 24. i^jjg place, and demanded of Prevost to surrender to the arms
bavannah ^ t^ i • i i ■ i • i i i •
invested by 01 r raiice ; a measure which was displeasing to the republi-
the French, cans. The expected reinforcements of Prevost had not yet
^ed°bv^{he^' arrived ; and he amused the French admiral by a protracted
Americans, negotiation. D'Estaing even went so far as to give him a
truce of twenty-four hours. In the meantime, ^laitland ar-
rived, with eight hundred men ; and there was then no fur-
ther talk of surrendering. Pulaski, with his legion, and Lin-
coln, with 3,000 troops, had also arrived before Savannah
Works were erected, and a regular siege was commenced on
the 24th of September.
On the 3d of October the trenches were completed, the
batteries armed, and a bombardment commenced. Fifty-
three pieces of cannon, and nine mortars, sent an incessant
shower of balls and shells. The city was on fire in many
Oct. 3. places. The burning roofs fell upon tlie women, the children
bombard-*^ and the unarmed multitude ; and every where were seen the
ment of Sa- crippled, the dying, and the dead. Five days this firing con-
vannah. tinned, and although so dreadful to the town, it was nearly
harmless to the fort. Touched with the sufferings which he
witnessed, Prevost requested permission that the women and
children should be sent down the river, on board of vessels
intrusted to the care of the French, to await there the issue
of the siege. d'Estaing, fearing to be again entrapped, refu-
sed this humane request.
In the meantime, the French fleet would be exposed to
dangers, and himself to disgrace, should the admiral longer
detain it. And although the allies knew that they were put-
Oct. 9. ting to great hazard that which delay would make certain, yet
The com- the exigency of the case seemed to demand it ; and it was
^"mak™'*'* resolved to assault the town. The flower of the combined
bloody as- armies were led to the attack by the two commanders, d'Es-
sault, and taing and Lincoln. They met with many disasters, and a
final repulse. The number of the slain and the wounded
shows that the battle must have been bloody. The French
Pulaski loss was 700 ; the American, four hundred. The Count
slain. d'Estaing was wounded, but recovered ; the Count Pulaski,
while bravely charging at the head of 200 horse, received a
wound which caused his death, and deprived America of one
of her most valiant and disinterested defenders. On the 18th,
Oct. 18. the allies raised the siege of Savannah. Lincoln crossed the
raised"^ river with his regular troops ; the militia disbanded, and re-
turned to their homes ; and d'Estaing set sail for Europe.
Sir Henry Clinton, fearing an attack from the French, with-
drew his troops from Rhode Island precipitately, with the loss
PAUL JONES. A HORRIBLE NIGHT-SCENE. 225
of his munitions ; leaving that state to revert peaceably to the PART IIL
union.
Near the close of this year occurred, on the coast of Eng-
land, that unexampled sea-fight, which gave to the name of
Paul Jones such terrific eclat. This man was a native of Scot- 1779.
land, but engaged in the service of the United States. His ^^"^ Jones,
flotilla was composed of the Bonhomme Richard, of forty
guns; the Alliance, of thirty-six, (both American ships,) the
Pallas, a French frigate of thirty-two, in the pay of congress,
and two other smaller vessels. He fell in with a British mer-
chant fleet, on its return from the Baltic, convoyed by Captain
Pearson, whh the frigate Serapis, of forty-four guns, and the
Countess of Scarborough, of twenty.
Pearson had no sooner perceived Jones, than he bore down Sept. 23.
to ensrasfe him, while the merchantmen endeavored to gain fierce en-
the coast. The American flotilla formed to receive him. ^,t|j Cap-
The two enemies joined battle about seven in the evening, t.nin Pearson
The British having the advantage of cannon of a longer reach, °f s^JToth^i'
Jones resolved to fight them closer. He brought up his ships,
until the muzzles of his guns came in contact with those of
his enemy. Here the phrensied combatants fought from
seven till ten. Paul Jones now found that his vessel was so
shattered, that only three effective guns remained. Trusting
no longer to these, he assailed his enemy with grenades ;
which, falling into the Serapis, set her on fire in several pla-
ces. At length her magazine blew up, and killed all near it.
Pearson, enraged at his officers, who wished him to surren-
der, commanded them to board. Jones, at the head of his
crew, received them at the point of the pike ; and they re-
treated. But the flames of the Serapis had communicated to
her enemy, and the vessel of Jones was on fire.
Amidst this tremendous night scene, the Alliance came up,
and, mistaking her partner for her enemy, she fired a broad-
side into the vessel of Jones ; but by the glare of the burning
ships she discovered her mistake, and turned her guns against
her exhausted foe. Pearson's crew were killed or wounded, Jones con-
his arlillery dismounted, and his vessel on fire ; and he could '^^"^ **' f*
' r ^ o ■ ^ unwarranta-
no longer resist. The flames of the Serapis were, however, bie waste of
arrested ; but the leaks of the Good-man Richard could not be human life,
stopped, and the hulk went down soon after the mangled re-
mains of the crew had been removed. Of the 375 who were
on board that renowned vessel, 300 were killed or wounded.
The Pallas had captured the Countess of Scarborough ; and
Jones, after this horrible victory, wandered, with his shattered,
unmanageable vessels for some time ; and at length, on the
6th of October, had the good fortune to find his way to the
waters of the Texel.
Having now brought to a close the military affairs of the
campaign, we pause to take some note of the political trans-
actions.
226
TROUBLES. DEMAGOGUES -AND OFFICE-SEEKERS.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. X.
1779.
Advantage
ind disad-
vantage of
the French
alliance.
Washington
and others
are alarmed
at the public
insensibility.
The dema-
gogues and
office lovers
of the time
decry true
patriots.
Public im-
morality the
consequence
of a fluctua-
ting curren-
England
counterfeits
the conti-
nental
money.
Notwithstanding the apparent inutility to the republicans, of
the French fleet, it was in reality of great importance to their
cause, as it kept the British constantly in check. But the
alliance with France had also its disadvantages. The public
feeling, so long strained to an unnatural elevation, was now
predisposed to sink to apathy ; and the Americans were led
to believe that England must, from the power of France, soon
be compelled to yield, although they should remit their efforts.
The leading patriots saw the evil with alarm. Endeavor-
ing to counteract it, they called on the people, by the memory
of their past exploits, by the necessity of preserving the re-
spect of their allies, by the perils which still impended, and
by the power and treacherous policy of their yet unconquered
adversary, to arouse from their lethargy, and trust not in
chance or in strangers, but in their own exertions, for the es-
tablishment of their rights ; but vain was the appeal ; and
even the army was affected by the lethargic torpor of the pub-
lic mind.
Another evil had arisen. The disorders of the times had
produced a race of men, who, seeking solely to enrich them-
oelves, made a trade of the public distress. What did they
care if their country should fall, if they could share her spoils ?
Army supplies enriched them, as they afforded them preten-
ces for peculation ; and the state often paid dearly for what
it never received. Such wretches are ever the loudest to
chime in with the tune of the times. Hypocrites in patriot-
ism, vociferous for their country's rights, they deceived the
undiscerning, and acquired an influence, by which they sought
to remove from office all who obstructed their designs ; and
by their intrigues, the appalling cry of tory was raised, and
sometimes not in vain, against the upright officer who refused
to connive at their selfish rapacity.
One cause of this alarming degeneracy in morals, lay in the
depreciation of paper currency. At the close of this year, a
dollar in specie could scarcely be obtained for forty in bills.
But, the paper was fluctuating in its value. Hence a set of
men arose, who preferred speculating on this currency, to
honest industry ; and often in the changes which occurred,
the worthless amassed sudden wealth, while many deserving
persons of moderate fortunes, sunk at once to poverty. That
the bills should have depreciated, will not be mysterious,
when we consider that the immense sum of one hundred and
sixty millions had now been issued by congress.
The honest individual of private life, will be surprised to
learn another reason of the depreciation of American paper,
although the wily politician knows that it is no new " trick of
state." England, on this occasion, turned counterfeiter. Her
ministers sent over, and her generals distributed whole chests
of spurious bills, so perfectly inutated, as scarcely to be dis-
tinguished from the true.
EUROPEAN TRICKS OF STATE. 227
In the meantime, America was scarcely less in danger from PART III
friends, than enemies. Congress was beset by the intrigues period n.
of France and Spain. The former had not intended to de- ^.-h.^p. x.
clare in her favor, until far greater concessions had been ob- ^-^-v^'»->'
tained ; but had been surprised into the step, by the unexpect- 1779.
ed fortune which, in the capture of Burgoyne, the Americans ^^y ^'fth?'
had single-handed won for themselves, and which made the French cabi-
French cabinet fear, that, unless they hasted to declare net.
themselves, the contest would be decided, and America be-
come independent, without being in any degree indebted to
them, or inclined to favor them. They also feared that they
should lose the opportunity of obtaining a powerful and effi-
cient ally in a war which they wished, on their own account,
to wage against their too powerful neighbor, and hereditary
enemy. Now that by the alliance, these objects were se-
cured, they wished, in the particulars which yet remained to
be settled, to drive a hard bargain for their services ; and to
make the Americans think meanly of themselves, would be to
enhance the value of those services.
M. Gerard, in his communications to congress, endeavored,
by such means, to make them consent to abandon to France
the extensive fisheries of Newfoundland ; and to Spain, the
exclusive navigation of the Mississippi. The alliance of ^o unoue
Spain was also to be thrown into the scale ; and the advanta- ^ygj con-
ges of this were magnified. But congress were not deceived, gress obtain
they refused the specious bait ; and Spain, having precisely ^prlncror^
the same policy as France, and the same desire to humble Spain.
England, declared war against that power, to suit her own
purposes ; without succeeding in making America believe,
that she did it for her sake.
The British ministry had, in the spring, sent out Admiral .^^.^^j''"-
Arbuthnot with a reinforcement for the American service, buthnot con-
He was, however, delayed by the way, and did not arrive veys Sir H.
imtil August. Under convoy of his fleet. Sir Henry Clinton, ^^^/(^".J^qj^q
with 7,000 men, sailed in December from New York, for the men,' to
south, and after a tempestuous and protracted voyage, landed the south,
at Tybee Island, in the neighborhood of Savannah, the last of
January.
General Lincoln, with his army, was, at the close of this American
year, in winter-quarters, at Shelden ; and Washington, divi- army inwin-
ding his army into two parts, sent one division to take post at ter-quarters.
West Point, and himself, with the other, occupied the heights
at Morristown.
228 THE ARMED NEUTRALITY ANNOYS ENGLAND.
CHAPTER XI.
European Affairs. — Campaign of 1780.
PART III. Fresh indications of hostility towards England were mani-
PERioD n. fested by the European powers. That nation had become
CHAP. XI. mistress of the sea, and had borne her honors haughtily ; claim-
*^-'^"^'"^-^ ing the right of searching the vessels of neutral nations, for
17§0. articles contraband of war, and not allowing their national flag
England be- jq protect them, from her troublesome and insulting scrutiny.
corn6S nils* .... o •/
tress of the A common feeling of indignation, at this conduct, pervaded
ocean. the nations ; which, by the policy of Catharine II. of Russia,
England was made to feel, without the power of resenting.
On the occasion of the displeasure produced by the search and
"Armed seizure of a number of Dutch vessels, sailing under the con-
Ii6utr&titv ' o
proposed '^'^y of the Count de Byland, that princess proposed to the na-*
by Catharine tions to unite in an " armed neutrality ;" and immediately the
o ussia. jjj^gg of Denmark and Sweden acceded to the proposal.
The treaty to which they were mutually bound, and which
constituted the basis of this confederacy, stipulated, that neu-
tral vessels might freely navigate from one port to another,
even upon the coast of belligerent powers ; — that all elfeets
become free so soon as they are on board a neutral vessel,
except such articles, as by a former specified treaty, had been
declared contraband ; — that no port should be deemed block-
aded, until such an actual naval force had invested it, as to
make its entrance dangerous ; — that when any vessel had
shown by its papers, that it was not the carrier of contraband
goods, it might place itself under the escort of ships of war,
which should prevent its being stopped ; — and finally, that the
legality of prizes should be determined by these rules. In
order to command respect for this confederation, the three al-
lied powers agreed that each should keep a part of its navy
equipped, and make common cause in protecting their com-
mon trade.
Reception These articles were communicated to the courts of France,
of the armed gpain, Holland, England, and Portugal, with an invitation to
neutrality by . t^ ' ^ , " r^l ^ c i i .
the diffs i'.}.]0\n the coniederacy. Ihe two former expressed great admi-
poweri^ 3' ration of their wisdom, and joy in their adoption ; and not only
"°P"^' acceded to them, but wished the northern powers to under-
stand, that by their directions to their admirals, they had al-
ready anticipated them. The British ministry, unwilling to
come to an open rupture with Russia, but determined not to
admit the principles of the confederacy, dissembled, for the
present, their displeasure, and replied to the invitation in a
vague and indecisive manner. Portugal, fearful of oflending
England, declined the alliance ; but Holland, irritated at the
CHARLESTON BESIEGED BY SIR H. CLINTON.
229
seizure of her vessels, and partaking in the common feeling of
resentment towards England, disregarded her threats, and
joined the armed neutrality.
Surrounded by so many perils, ii is not strange that Eng-
land prosecuted the American war with less energy, than in
preceding years. Yet no signs of fear or discouragement
were manifested. The policy now to be pursued was to draw
all the troops to the south, except so many as were requisite
to keep possession of the posts already acquired at the north.
Sir Henry Clinton, after remaining a short time in the vi-
cinity of Savannah, set sail on the 10th of February for
Charleston, and landing within thirty miles of the city, he
took possession of John's Island and Stono Ferry, and after-
wards of Wappoo Cut and James Island. A part of his army
proceeded and took post on the banks of Ashley river, oppo-
site to Charleston. His forces were soon increased by 1,200
troops from Savannah, under General Patterson.
Not doubting that Charleston would be attacked, Gen-
eral Lincoln removed thither with his army ; and in conjunc-
tion with Governor Rutledge, to whom the state had confided
dictatorial powers, he tried every measure to put the city in a
posture of defense. But they had great difficulties to encoun-
ter. The militia had been disbanded ; they were dispirited,
and afraid to enter Charleston on account of the small-pox,
which was there prevailing. Paper currency was out of
credit, and many becoming discouraged, as to the final success
of the republican cause, took advantage of the amnesty which
had been offered by Provost. A considerable force was how-
ever collected, and great diligence was displayed in con-
structing fortifications.
The siege commenced on the 1st of April, and the enemy
was employed at succeeding periods, in erecting batteries
across Charleston Neck, while the garrison were equally as-
siduous in preparing for defense. General Lincoln had posted
General Huger, with a detachment at Monk's Corner. Hu-
ger was driven from this position, on the 14th of April, by the
British troops, under Colonels Webster, Ferguson, and Tarle-
ton ; and thus the only road by which a retreat could be ef-
fected, was at the command of the besiegers. Their force
also was, about this time, increased by the arrival of 3,000
troops from New York.
'i'he British fleet had, on the 9th of April, passed fort Moul-
trie, without making an attack, losing by its guns, only twenty-
seven men. It then anchored near fort Johnson. Clinton,
the same day, completed the first parallel across Charleston
Neck, about 1,100 yards from the American works ; and after
summoning the garrison to surrender, he opened his batteries
upon the town. Colonel Pinckney, who commanded fort
Moultrie, having withdrawn his troops to Charleston, that fort
was surrendered on the 7th of May.
PART III.
PERIODnT
CHAP. XI.
1'7§0.
The British
intend to
operate
against the
south.
Sir H. Clin-
ton menaces
Charleston.
General
Lincoln and
Governor
Rutledge
prejjare for
defense.
Their dis-
courage-
ments.
April I.
Clinton be-
sieges
Charleston,
and cuts off
retreat to the
American
army.
May 7.
Fort Moul-
trie surrend
ers.
ford at Wac-
saw.
230 THE BRITISH MASTERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
PART III. General Lincoln being thus completely surrounded, capitu-
>^ PERIOD II. lated on the r2th, surrendering. his whole army, which con-
CH.-vp. XI. sisted of seven general officers, ten continental regiments, and
^^^-^<~*»^ three battalions. Four hundred pieces of artillery, and four
l'y§0. frigate's fell into the hands of the enemy.
The successful operations of the British in the siege of
Charleston, and in the defense made at the close of the last
MoncreifF. year, at Savannah, are by historians attributed, in a great de-
gree, to the superior skill of their chief engineer, Moncrieff.
After taking possession of the capital, Clinton planned three
expeditions, all of Which proved • successful ; one against
take the fort Ninety-Six, one towards the Savannah river, and the third to
at Ninety- scour the Country between the Cooper and Saritee rivers.
^''^^ The object of the last wasto disperse a corps under Colonel
Buford, who were retiring, by forced marches, in hopes to
meet another body of Americans, who were on the march from
• jyj 28 Salisbury to Charlotte. Buford retreated with great celerity.
Colonel But Colonel Tarleton, the most active of Clinton's officers,
Tarleton commanded the pursuit, and after marching one hundred and
and'^defea^s ^^^ miles in fifty-four hours, on the 2Sth of May, he came up
Colonel Bu- with Buford, at VVacsaw. The English victory was com-
plete, but it was stained with cruelty. They massacred many
of those who offered to surrender, and from this time the pro-
verbial luode of expressing the barbarous act of killing those
who surrender, was, " Tarleton's quarter." Thus the cavalry,
which Clinton had brought with him, had proved of essential
service to his arms ; and the alert, yet sanguinary Tarleton,
at that period, seemed, to the terrified inhabitants, to be every
where present.
There no longer remained, in South Carolina, a force capa-
ble of withstanding the British. The inhabitants flocked from
cr ton mas- ^^^ parts to meet the royal troops, and declare their desire of
terof South resuming their ancient allegiance. Clinton wrote to England,
Carolina, that " South Carolina was English again." But he was
aware that his conquests could not be preserved, but by re-
establishing the civil administration. He published a full
es'taUish^the pardon to all who should immediately return to their duty,
royalgovern- But they must consider themselves established in the duties,
™^'''~ as well as the rights of British subjects ; that is, they must
take up arms in support of the royal government. Those who
had families, were required to form a militia for home defense ;
those who had not, to serve with the royal forces, for any six
months of the ensuing twelve. Thus citizens became armed
against citizens ; and brothers against brothers.
General Clinton, seeing the aflairs of the south in apparent
tranquillity, distributed his army, amounting to about 4,000
troops, into the most important garrisons ; and leaving Lord
June 10. Cornwallis in the conunand of the southern department, he
New York ^^^""led to New York. That city had been exposed to dan-
ger. The garrison was weak ; and such had been the un-
DEPRECIATION OF. THE CONTINENTAL MONEY. 231
paralleled severity of the winter, that Washington might have PART III.
marched his army, with all his artillery and baggage, across I'ERIOD n.
any of its surrounding, and now solid waters. But the mis- ^"-^p- ^u-
erable condition of the American army, would not allow the '-^'v->->'
commander totake advantage of this unexpected circumstance.
Previous to the return of Clinton, General Knyphausen,
who had been left in command, had, with 5,000 men, made
an excursion into New Jersey, and, for a time occupied Eliza-
bethto\vn. H* had manceuvred to draw Washington from the
heights of Morristown, intending to -occupy that strong post
himself, and thus force the -American army into the open 17§0.
country; but his plan- was' penetrated, and his expedition J.""<^. 23-
proved fruitless. Before his return, an affair occurred near Springfield.
Springfield, in which General Greene, who was sent by Wash-
ington, to watch the motions of Knyphausen, lost about eighty
men, and the British,- as was supposed, somewhat more.
Springfield, which consisted of fifty houses, was set on fire.
At sight of the fiames, the inhabitants aroused. The spirit New Jersey
of the early days. of the revolution rekindled. They collect- rekinS
ed in such numbers, and pursued the British with such vio-
lence, that their general was glad to take advantage of the
nightj to withdraw his array from the open country of Jersey
to the defenses of New York.
CHAPTER XII.
Campaign of 1780 — continued.
Up to this period, congress had maintained their bills at 17S0.
their nominal value, and had often declared, that a dollar in Congress
paper should always be given and received for a dollar in sil- "''''?*^'^ J°
T» ii' 1 -11 1 /> • sanclion the
ver. But compelled to yield to the pressure or circumstances, depreciation
they now decided, that, in future, the bills should pass, not at of their pa-
their nominal, but at their conventional value. The govern- f^''^""^°'
ment, which Sir Henry Clinton established in South Caro-
lina, had first made such a decree ; and had caused a table to
be constructed, showing what had been the rate of deprecia-
tion, and the actual value of the bills, in years, and even in
months past. The object of this calculation was to obtain a
rule, by which the payment of debts might be regulated. This
example congress found it expedient to follow.
In Carolina and Georgia, the British saw, with chagrin,
that there were still those who were devoted to the cause of Ill-treatment
independence ; and their resentment dictated measures of ex- "^ ''"' «""'*»
traordinary rigor. Their possessions were sequestrated, their *^'"i,v 't'he"'*
families jealously watched, and subjected as rebels, to con- BruLih.
232
THE HEROINES OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XII.
1T§0.
They are
obliged to
take up
arms.
Heroism of
the women
of South
Carolina.
General
view of the
progress of
public senti-
ment.
Exertions to
raise money
for the sup-
port of the
army.
tinual vexations. Within the city, they were refused access
to the tribunals, if they had suits to bring against a debtor ;
while, on the other hand, they were abandoned to all the pro-
secutions which those who had, or pretended to have, claims
against them, chose to institute.
But there was still another more grievous injury, and one
which stung the Carolinians to madness. This was the pro-
clamation by which the British commanders had absolved the
prisoners of war from their parole, and restored them to the
condition of British subjects, in order to compel them to fight
under the royal banner. Had they been suffered to remain
at home, thev would, bv degrees, have become reconciled to
what they could not but feel to be the degradation of their
country. But with the requirement to take up arms, their
wrath rekindled. " If we must fight," said they, " it shall be
for America and our friends, not for England and strangers."
The heroism of the women of Carolina gives them a rank
with the noblest patriots of the revolution. They gloried in
being called " rebel ladies." They refused their presence at
every scene of gayety. Like the daughters of captive Zion,
they would not amuse their conquerors. But, at everj' hazard,
they honored, with their attention, the brave defenders of their
country. They sought out and relieved the suffering soldiers,
\asited prison ships, and descended into loathsome dungeons.
Sisters encouraged their brothers to fight the oppressor ; the
mother her son, and the wife her husband ; and their parting
advice was, " preler prisons to infamy, and death to servitude."
Where important national affairs are concerned, there is a
certain degree of warmth and animation, which, pervading
the public mind, marks the healthy state of a nation. When
this has risen to an unnatural heat, a period of lassitude and
inertness succeeds, before the national pulse again recovers
its healthful beat. Such a preternatural state of public feeling
was excited in America, by the wrongs of Britain, and pro-
duced the noble eflbrts of '76. But it is not in human na-
ture to keep long strained to a high pitch. A period of lassi-
tude succeeded, and in '79, the nation was asleep. But its
sleep, recruited its vital energies. The enemy, contemning its
apparent weakness, had applied the scourge of a barbarian
warfare. Its effects, though cruel to individuals, were whole-
some to the body politic : and America aroused from her
slumbers, and awoke to better deeds.
The leading patriots saw with delight, the rising enthusi-
asm of the people, and neglected no means which could cher-
ish and propagate it. Congress sent circular letters to all the
states, earnestly exhorting them to complete their regiments,
and raise and send recruits to the army. The militia obeyed
the call with alacrity. The capitalists subscribed large sums,
to replenish the exhausted treasury'. A bank was instituted
at Philadelpliia, on which congress could draw for the neces-
MRS. WASHINGTON. LA FAYETTE S RETURN.
233
CHAP. XIII.
1780.
Societ)' of
ladies ; and
si.ies of the army. With generous patriotism, commercial PART Ilf.
hcnses and wealthy individuals stepped forward to support the period ii.
public credit, by their personal responsibility ; although the
situation of affairs still offered too many motives of doubt and
distrust.
Nor was this patriotic zeal to provide for the wants of the
sol liers, confined to the men. The women in all parts of the
country, displayed greaj; activity, in collecting materials and
p-«;paring clothes for the soldiers. In Philadelphia, they
formed a society, at the head of which was Martha Washing-
ington, wife of the commander-in-chief. This lady was as character of^
prudent in private, as her husband was in public affairs. Par- ^'^^- Wash,
taking of his complacent dignity and even temperament, she
had no caprices to disturb his affections, and withdraw his
attention from public affairs ; and thus it was owing, in no in-
considerable degree, to the talents and virtues of his wife,
that Washington could give himself wholly to the dictates of
that patriotism, which this virtuous pair mutually shared, and
reciprocally invigorated. Mrs. Washington, with the ladies
who had formed the society, themselves subscribed considera-
ble sums for the public ; and having exhausted their own
n.oans, they exerted their influence, and went from house to
house, to stimulate the liberality of others.
CHAPTER XIII.
Campaign of 1780 — continued.
At this period, La Fayette returned Avith the cheering in-
telligence, that a body of French troops had, at the time of
his departure, already embarked in a fleet destined for iVmer-
ica. His exertions had accelerated their departure, and he
had again come, self-devoted to the generous cause of free-
dom. He was received by all classes, with the ardent affec-
tion, which his bland manners and social as well as public
virtues excited, and which his services and talents commanded.
The expected succors soon arrived at Rhode Island. They
consisted of a squadron of seven sail of the line, five frigates,
and two corvettes, commanded by M. de Ternay, bearing
6,000 soldiers, under the command of the Count de Rocham-
beau. To prevent the operation of that jealousy of the French
troops, which was felt in America, the prudent arrangement
had been made between congress and the court of \ ersaillcs,
that General Washington should be the conunaiider-in-chief
of all the forces, both French and American ; and that Ame-
rican officers should take rank of French officers of the same
grade. The Americans welcomed their allies with every de-
17
17 §0.
La Fayette-
returns to
America,
July 10
A Frencn
squadron ar-*
rives with
troops.
A spirit (it
true polite
ness ser-
viceable to
nations.
234 SFMPTER AND MARIOX. BARON DE KALB.
PART ni. monstration of gratitude, and put them in immediate posses
PERIOD II. sion of the forts on Rhode Island. Washington, in order to
CHAP. xin. cement more firmly the union between the two nations, ordered
'--'^""■^^^ the distinctive colors of the national flags, to be blended in the
banners of his armv.
At New York, Admiral Arbuthnot, whose squadron had con-
sisted of four sliips of the line, was now reinforced by the
arrival of six ships, under Admiral Graves. General Clinton
Clwiton sails determined on attacking the French immediately. He
to attack the accordingly embarked on board the squadron of Admiral
French. Graves, with 6,000 choice troops, and sailed for Rhode Isl-
and. "Washington, in the meanwhile, having watched the
movements of Clinton, immediately marched his army to
Kingsbridge, with the intention of attacking New York, which
Avas now left almost defenseless. But Clinton learning this
movement, and finding also that the French were reinforced
Washington at Rhode Island, by the New England militia, relinquished
compels him ^^^ expedition, and returned to defend New York. The in-
decision and timidity manifested by the British, on this occa-
sion, infused new courage into the Americans.
While these events were transpiring at the north, the inha
bitants of the south were not inactive. The insolence of the
Partisan British troops had become insupportable ; and the people
warfare. ^^ North and South Carolina had assembled in numbers, and
seized every opportunity of harassing them. Among the offi-
cers, who headed these desidtory parties, none rendered such
Sumpterand distinguished services as Colonels Sumpter and Marion.
Sumpter was a native of South Carolina, and possessed an
extensive influence with his fellow-citizens. He collected
great numbers of the inhabitants, and although they were
compelled to trust to chance for their means of subsistence,
and even sometimes to use their implements of husbandry as
weapons of war, yet they menaced the enemy in all direc-
tions. So daring were they, that in some instances, they en-
countered the enemy with but three charges of ammunition
to a man.
Frequent skirmishes with the British, at length furnished
them with muskets and cartridges, and Colonel Sumpter,
Au^. 6. whose numbers now amounted to 600 men, determined upon
■^•jinpter de- attacking some of their strong posts. His first attempt was
teats the upon Rocky Mount, where he was repulsed ; he then made an
British at ^ , ,•; • o i j j . j u -^- i
Har.amg attack at Hanging Hock, and destroyed a British regiment,
■liock. stationed at that place. Perfectly acquainted with every part
of the country, he was enabled to elude all pursuit. This parti-
san warfare, while it weakened the number of the English,
P J emboldened the Americans, and strengthened their confidence
Kalb enters in themselves.
W. C. with a jri the meantime a few regular troops, under the command
Johi'ed by'^ of the Baron de Kalb, had been sent from Maryland to llie
Gen. Gates, defense of Carolina. Owing to the excessive heat of the
GATES DEFEATED AT CAMDEN. 235
season, and the difficulty of procuring pro^asions, they pro- PART in.
ceeded by slow marches. On their way they were reinforced period n.
by the Virginia militia, and the troops of North Carolina, com- chap. xiii.
manded by General Caswell. At Deep River they were ^■^'^^''^"^
joined, on the 25th of July, by General Gates, who had been
appointed to the command of the southern army. He imme-
diately advanced towards South Carolina with a force now
amounting to about 4,000 men.
When he arrived on the frontiers of the state, he issued a 17§0.
proclamation, inviting the inhabitants to join him, and promis- Gates' proc-
ing pardon to all, from whom oaths had been extorted by the
English, excepting those who had committed depredations
against the persons and property of their fellow-citizens. He is joined
Multitudes flocked to him, and even whole companies, which ^^ many,
had been levied in the provinces for the service of the king,
deserted.
Lord Rawdon, who had now the command of the British
forces on the frontiers of Carolina, had concentrated them at
Camden. On learning the approach of Gates, he gave imme-
diate notice to Cornwallis, who soon after joined him. At ^ ^^
ten, on the night of the loth of August, the whole British British and
force, amounting to 2,000 men, marched from Camden to at- American ar-
tack the Americans in their camp at Clermont. Gates had pj^j, '^ gur-
also commenced his march from Clermont, with the view of prise, and
surprising the British camp. About two in the morning, ""y'^j^'e'e*^^"
the advanced guards of the armies met and fired upon each
other. From prisoners made on both sides, the commanders
learned each other's movements. The two generals suspend-
ed their fire, waiting for the light of day, and the armies
having halted, were formed in the order of battle. The
ground on which they had met was exceedingly unfavorable
to Gates ; he could not advance to the attack but through a
narrow way, bordered by a deep swamp, and the situation
rendered the superiority of the American numbers of no
avail.
In the morning a severe and general action was fought. „J^"S- 16.
The Virginia and North Carolina milhia fled in the commence- tle°of Cam^
ment of the battle, and General Gates in vain attempted to den and de-
rally them. The continentals were thus left to maintain the f*^"' °^ ^^
i,.iiT 1 -1. Americans,
contest, and though they defended themselves witri great
bravery, and several times gained ground, yet they were una-
ble to restore the fortune of the day. The rout became gene-
ral, the Americans fled in the greatest disorder. They were
pursued by the British twenty-three miles. The whole loss
of the Americans in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was about
two thousand. General Gregory was killed ; the Baron de
Kalb, who was wounded, and General Rutherford were taken
prisoners. All the artillery, baggage, and stores, fell into the p ^^, , .
hands of the enemy. The loss of the British amounted to Kalb.
236
ARNOLD PROCLAIMED A TRAITOR.
PART III.
PElllODlI.
CHAP. XIV.
17§0.
Aug. 18.
Tarleton
surprises
and defeats
Sumpter.
General Ma-
r"on.
only three hundred and twenty-four. The Baron de Kalb died
of his wounds three days after the battle.*
General Gates retreated to North Carolina, leaving the
British triumphant in the south.
Colonel Sumpter continued to show himself on the banks
of the VVateree ; but on learning the defeat of Gates, he re-
tired with 300 men, and two field pieces, to North Carolina.
Tarleton, with his legion, was sent in pursuit of him, and
surprised him on the banks of Fishing Creek. Sumpter with
a few of his men, escaped ; but most of them were taken by
Tarleton, and put to the sword.
Marion, who about this time was promoted to the rank of
brigadier-general, still kept the field. Sheltering himself in
the fastnesses of the mountains, he occasionally sallied out
upon the British and tories, and seldom failed of surprising
and capturing such parties, as with his small force it was
prudent for him to attack.
CHAPTER XIV.
Campaign of 1780. — Arnold's Treason.
17§0.
Arnold a
traitor.
Arnold's ca-
reer of de-
generacy.
He is cen-
sured by
congress.
While these affairs were transacting at the south, an un-
expected event occurred at the north, which arrested the gen-
eral attention. A design which had for fifteen months been
maturing in darkness was now brought to light. Arnold, the
loudest to proclaim, and the fiercest to fight for his patriot-
ism, had bargained to sell himself and his country for
gold.
Arnold was dear to the American people ; he had been val-
iant in their service, and his maimed person bore the marks
of the field of Saratoga. On account of his wounds he was
obliged to retire from active service. He solicited and ob-
tained from congress, the post of commandant of Phihxdel-
phia. Here he lived in princely magnificence. Inhabiting
the house of Gov. Penn, he gave it a splendid furnishing, and
it became a scene of high play, sumptuous banquets, and ex-
pensive balls. To support this pageantry, he resorted to com-
merce and privateering. Unfortunate in these, his next re
source was the public treasure, to which, as an ofiicer of the
government, he had access. He presented accounts unwor
thy of a general. Congress indignant, caused them to be in
* Of the monument, which has been erected in Camden, to the memorj' of de
Kalb, La Fayette, in his latest visit to America, helped to lay the corner-stone
But where has America placed a memento of him ?
Arnold's extravagance leads to his treachery. 237
vestigated. The commissioners whom they appointed, redu- PART IIL
ced them to one half. Arnold stormed ; but on a reinvesti- period ii.
gation, his accounts appeared even worse than the first report chap. xiv.
had stated them. Arnold now wreaked his vengeance, by the ^--"v-^-^
most shameless invectives against congress. The state of 1T80.
Pennsylvania took up the quarrel, and brought him before a ^^® '^ "T^l'
court-martial. By the sentence of this court he was repri- w^hi*nnon.
manded by Washington.
From what other quarter could he obtain the money to sup-
port his extravagance, since the last resource had failed?
The coffers of England he knew, might be opened to supply
him. He should also obtain revenge on the objects of his
wrath : and for these motives he resolved to barter his
conscience. He developed his intention in a letter which he
addressed to Col. Robinson, by whom it was communicated
to Sir Henry Clinton. Determined to make the most of his
new ally, Clinton revolved in his mind what was the most
important service which could be rendered, while Arnold's He ne-
treachery remained concealed. The foe within the fortress, ^slr Henrv
is employed by its enemy to open the gates. This was the Clinton, and
nature of the service which Arnold was to perform ; and, in- ^^^^^^ 'jy^'s
stigated by Clinton, he sought and obtained of Washington, command at
the command of the fortress at West Point. As Arnold West Point,
passed up the river to assume his command, how must those
guardian mountains, whose rugged passes had so often shel-
tered the little army of his country, have seemed to frown
upon the traitor, who was about to deliver it up to the enemy !
His first measure was to scatter the army at different points,
so that it might be easily cut off by the British. All was
ready, and a few days would have consummated the treason,
but for a providential disclosure. Major Andre, the aid-de- Major An-
camp of General Clinton, had been by him intrusted with the
negotiation. This young officer was, both in person and Hecorres-
mind, one of the most perfect specimens of human nature ; ponds with
concentrating all the qualities which the writer of romance is Arnold.
fond of attributing to his hero. Sir Henry Clinton's partiality
had however invested its object with a false light ; or he
would not have fixed on one so ingenuous, to conduct a plot
requiring such art and subtlety.
Arnold and Andre had corresponded under the feigned
names of Gustavus and Anderson. As the crisis approached, Sept. 21.
they conceived that a personal interview was necessary, in ^jj-g^ ^j'^" *
order to concert their last measures. On the night of the terview.
21st of September, Andre landed from the British sloop of
war Vulture, a little below Stony Point, where he met Ar-
nold. They spent the whole night in conference ; and when
the day dawned, their dispositions were not all concluded.
Andre was kept in close concealment through the day, and
at night he prepared to return. By the entreaties of Arnold,
he was prevailed upon to change his uniform for a common
238
MAJOR ANDRE S ARREST.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
OHAP. XIV.
1780.
Andr^ is
taken by
three
soldiers.
They take
him to the
nearest
American
. fort.
A court-mar-
tial appoint-
ed to try
Andr6.
Sir H. Clin-
ton urges his
acquittal.
dress, instead of concealing it as he had formerly done by a
cloak. As the Vulture had in consequence of an attack from
the shore, dropped farther down the river, it became neces-
sary for him to proceed towards New York by land. He
took a horse from Arnold, and a passport, under the name ol
John Anderson. Having safely passed the American guard,
and reached Tarrytown, near the British posts, three soldiers
of the militia crossed his way, and he passed on. One of
them thought the traveller had something peculiar in his ap-
pearance, and called him back. Andre inquired, " where
are you from ?" " From below," (intending to be understood
from New-York,) replied the soldier. " So am I ," said the
self-betrayed Andre.
He did not attempt to conceal his connection with the Brit-
ish, but he offered every bribe which he thought could tempt
men like them. He pleaded with all the energy inspired by
the love of life, and by the momentous concerns that his
preservation then involved. But the humble patriots spurned
the bribe, and were deaf to the entreaty. Their names were
John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wert. They
searched his person, and found papers in his boots, in the
hand-writing of Arnold, which disclosed the treason. They
immediately conducted Andre to Colonel Jameson, the officer
who commanded the advanced guard near Peekskill. This
officer hesitated. He could not be persuaded that his gene-
ral would betray that country for which he had shed his
blood ; and he indiscreetly permitted Andre to write to him.
Arnold thus learned that he was arrested; and, seizing a
boat, he escaped on board the Vulture.
Washington, during these transactions, had been to meet
and confer with the French officers at Hartford, in Connecti-
cut, but he had nearly reached his camp when the news met
him. His first care was to learn whether Arnold had accom-
plices. Convinced by a strict scrutiny that none of his other
officers were guilty, his next was the painful duty of bring-
ing to trial and execution, the interesting young Andre.
Although from the. usages of war, W^ashington might have
given his prisoner, found as he was in disguise, the same
hasty execution as that to which Howe had some years be-
fore sent the equally interesting Hale ; yet he was aware,
that in this transaction the eyes of Europe and America would
be upon him, and his heart inclined him to mercy. He
therefore summoned a court martial ; and was careful to ap-
point a tribunal of whom none could complain, and who
would be as merciful as public safety would allow. La Fay-
ette and Greene were among its members ; and who could
doubt, if such men, with all the kindness of their nature
gave sentence of death, that such must have been the steiT
dictate of their military duty.
From this fate, Sir Henry Clinton strove, with all the
EFFORTS OF THE BRITISH TO SAVE ANDRE. 239
earnestness of a tender father, to shield his favourite. He PART in.
wrote to Washington, urging, that whatever Andre had done, period n.
especially the change of his dress, was by the direction of ^hap. xiv.
Arnold, an American general ; — and that his detention was a '^ '"v-'^^
violation of the sanctity of flags, and the usages of nations. ■*'^®^-
Arnold also wrote in his favor, endeavouring to charge him- 4rit°es.
self with the blame of the transaction ; and alledging, that in
his character, as an American general, he had a right to
grant to Andre the usual privilege of a flag, for the purpose
of conferring with him, and to provide for his safe return in
any manner he should choose.
Andre appeared before his judges with a noble frankness.
He was calm and composed, as to his own fate, but anxious
to screen his friends, especially Sir Henry Clinton. He dis-
guised no fact, and resorted to no subterfuge. He ingenu-
ously disavowed what Clinton and Arnold had mainly urged
in his defense, that he had come under the protection of a ■^g^^^g^°J|,
flag ; and the fact was unquestioned that he was in disguise. deatk
Grieving at the sentence they were compelled to pronounce,
his judges condemned him to death as a spy.
Clinton, smitten with anguish, again sought to negotiate his
release ; and Washington, at his request, sent General Greene auempt his*
down the river to meet and confer with General Robinson, release by
This friend of Andre exerted all the powers of reasoning to ^^^"fl^gg^
convince Greene that the sentence was unjust. Failing in
that, he urged his release on the score of interest ; he prom-
ised, that any American, charged with whatever crime, should
be exchanged for Andre ; and he hinted that the sparing of
his favourite, would do much in the mind of the British com-
mander in favor of the Americans. Finding all these efforts
unavailing, he resorted to threats. He delivered a letter from
Arnold, which contained the declaration, that if Andre was
executed, the rebels of Carolina, hitherto spared by Clinton,
should all be put to instant death. This interference of Ar-
nold would have injured the cause it designed to serve, had
not that cause been already hopeless.
Andre prepared to meet his approaching fate. Life, and He prepares
its fair prospects, he could relinquish : but there were cir- ^°^ ''eath.
cumstances relating to his domestic aflfections, and his honor,
which touched his heart. His widowed mother and his sisters,
on the far shore of an intervening ocean, were watching for
every vessel that might bring them news of him. One would
reach them in a few weeks ; and who would console them for
its tidings ! and must they learn not only that he was dead,
but that he died upon the gallows ! There was the bitterness
of death ; and he besought Washington, that he might be al-
lowed to die by the musket, and not by tlie halter. The cruel
rules of that sanguinary science, which philanthropy hopes
may, in some future age, cease to exist, compelled Washing- Oit 2.
ton to deny even this poor request. Andre then asked per- Is executed.
240
CORNWALLIS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XIV.
17§0.
Arnold re-
warded, but
despised.
The captors
of Andre re-
warded and
honored.
Sept.
Comwallis
arrives at
Charlotte-
town.
Oct. 7.
Defeat of
Ferguson at
King's
Mountain.
Comwallis
retreats to
South Caro-
lina.
mission to write to Sir Henry Clinton, which was granted ;
and to the care of this general, he commended his widowed
mother, and afflicted sisters. Brought to the gallows, he
said, " And must I die thus ?" The burst of grief was calmed
by devotion, when he said, with composure, " bear me witness
that 1 die as a brave man should die ;" and the scene closed.
Arnold received from the British jCIO.OOO, and the rank of
brigadier-general. For this he bartered his honor, his peace,
and his fame ; — changing the high esteem of the public into
general detestation. The English, although they stooped to
purchase the treason, could not but despise the traitor. Even
his innocent children could not defend their little rights
among their 'plajnnates ; but the finger of scorn was pointed
at them, and they were hissed with " traitor," " traitor."*
The three captors of Andre were honored as benefactors
to their country. Thev received the thanks of congress, a
silver medal, and a pension for life.
Comwallis, after the battle of Camden, directed his efforts
to the subjugation of North Carolina ; ajid with that view, he
commenced his march from Camden towards Charlotteto\vn.
But, in order to maintain the royal cause in South Carolina, he
distributed detachments of troops upon different parts of the fron-
tier. He arrived at Charlotletown about the last of September.
In the meantime. Colonel Ferguson, who had been previ-
ously sent into the province by Lord Comwallis, had commit-
ted acts of so barbarous a nature, as to awaken the highest
indignation. Wherever he went, devastation marked his pro-
gress, and the people determined no longer to submit to his
atrocities. The mountaineers collected in great numbers,
under several commanders, the principal of whom were Col.
Campbell and Col. Shelby ; and arming themselves with
such weapons as they could obtain, they attacked Ferguson
on a woody eminence, called King's Mountain. He fell, after
a vigorous contest, and three hundred of his party were killed
and wounded. His successor in command surrendered.
This defeat was a severe blow to Comwallis, and rendered
his situation in North Carolina precarious. The loyalists, in-
timidated, no longer evinced an eagerness to espouse his cause.
The republicans assembling under Colonels Sumpter and
Marion, made every effort to annoy him ; and the royal troops
were in continual danger of being surprised by these active
leaders. Under these circumstances, he found it prudent to
retire to South Carolina, and await the reinforcements which
he there expected. He accordingly repassed the Catawba,
and stationed his army at Winnsborough, where he could con-
* I had this little fact from a lady, who was herself a schoolmate of Arnold's
children. It was hard upon these innocent beings ; but it may be usefully re-
lated. Perhaps, could Arnold have known the insults to which his conduct
would have exposed his children, he would have paused, before it was too Lite ;
and the same reflection rnay save some future father, when tempted to a deed
of dishonor.
ARNOLD . SAVAGES VIRGINIA. 241
veniently hold communication with the forces at Camden and PART IIL
Ninety-8ix. period il
In order to co-operate with Lord Cornwallis, Sir Henry chap. xv.
Clinton had detached General Leslie, with a corps of 3,000 >-*''^^"'»>-^
men, to Virginia. They landed at Portsmouth, and ravaged
the adjacent country. In consequence of the defeat of Fer-
guson, Cornwallis ordered Leslie to embark for Charleston.
Colonel Sumpter continued to harass the British ori all sides. 1T§0.
He had surprised some small detachments, and made many ^^gtw""'"
prisoners. Tarleton was now sent by Cornwallis, to surprise Sumpter and
this formidable officer. He found him posted at Blackstocks, Tarleton.
near Tiger river. Tarleton attacked with great impetuosity,
but was soon compelled to retreat. But Sumpter being dan-
gerously wounded, and unable to retain the command of his
forces, they were disbanded.
General Gates had, during the period of these transactions, Dec. 2.
exerted himself to collect new troops, and had sreatly im- Gates is
proved the condition of his army. He had not, however, been by Greene,
successful in the southern war ; and Washington, in conse-
quence of a request from the south, nominated Greene to su-
persede him. This officer foimd the army at Charlottetown ;
and, notwithstanding the exertions of Gates, it was still feeble,
and unable to cope with Cornwallis. He therefore deter-
mined, by the advice of the commander-in-chief, not to hazard
a general action, but to harass, if possible, the British army,
and reduce it by degrees.
General Leslie, with a reinforcement of 1,500 men, now Amom
joined Cornwallis, at Winnsborough. This accession of troops '^^ent ^ ^^'
renewed his hopes of reducing North Carolina and Virginia. Virginia.
To render the success of the enterprise more certain, by pre-
venting the Virginians from sending succors to Greene, Arnold
had been sent to the Chesapeake, with fifty transports and
1,600 men. He landed his troops in Virginia, and commen- .
ced, what now seemed his favorite employment, the devasta-
tion of his country.
I 7 §0-1.
CHAPTER XV.
Campaign of 1781. — European Politics. — American Affairs.
England, during the past year, though alone in arms, ^^ ^_
against both hemispheres, had remained unshaken. Spain Operations*
had, at immense expense, laid and continued the siege of of the belli-
Gibraltar, which, under its commander, Elliot, had made the s^ren^pow-
most obstinate defense found in the annals of modern history.
That nation had also sent out immense fleets, which, uniting
with those of France and Holland, had twice threatened Eno--
242 AMERICA EXHAUSTED. CONGRESS ACT WITil VIGuR.
PART III, land itself with invasion ; but untoward circumstances prevent-
PERiOD II. ed the attempt.
CHAP. XV. f i^e naval operations of the belligerent powers were,
*-*''"^^~^»-' during these years, of astonishing magnitude. Great battles
were fought in the West Indian and European seas ; in which
the allies and the English were each, alternately, the conquer-
ors and the conquered. Each also took from the other, on
various occasions, large fleets of merchant vessels. But, in
these captures, the advantage had been more frequently with
the English. Several of the West India islands changed mas-
ters during these contests. Pensacola was, in May, taken by
the Spaniards, who thence extended their conquests over the
whole province of Florida.
1'9'liO-l Amidst these contests, neither England nor France forgot
De Grasse America. France, in addition to the force under Rochambeau,
to be sent determined to send out a large fleet, under the Count de
with a fleet^ Grasse, which, after performing certain services in the West
Indies, was to repair to the coast of America, and co-operate
with de Rochambeau and Washington. This measure proved
of the highest importance to America.
Enelish ^^^ English equipped a fleet, by which Lord Cornwailis
sencTrein- was to receive a reinforcement of several regiments of Eng-
forcements. ijsh troops, and 3,000 Hessians.
The situation of America at this period was such as to give
hope to her enemy, and alarm to her friends. The eflbrts
. . made, during the precedmg year, and the successes experi-
aneihaust- enced at the south, had produced the happy effect of reviving
ed condition, public spirit. But although temporary relief had been afforded,
no permanent means of supplying the returning and increas-
ing wants of the army, had been provided ; and from this
cause, the countrj- seemed standing on the verge of ruin.
It is scarcely possible to conceive a situation more trying
than that of the American congress. They were striving, not
Perplexities fg,. conquest, but for existence ; their powerful foe was in full
01 cohtgss. . ' .
° ' strength, in the heart of their country ; they had great military
operations to carry on, but were almost without an army, and
wholly without money. Their bills of credit had ceased to be
of any worth ; and they were reduced to the mortifying ne-
cessity of declaring, by their own acts, that this was the fact ;
as they no longer made them a legal tender, or received them
in payment of taxes. Without money of some kind, an army
could neither be raised, nor maintained. But the greater the
exigency, the greater were the exertions of this determined
band of patriots.
They directed their agents abroad to borrow, if possible,
They lay a f^om France, Spain, and Holland. They resorted to taxation ;
direct tax to although they knew that the measure would be unpopular ;
'aise money. ^^^^ ^^at they had not the power to enforce their decree. The
tax laid was apportioned among the several state governments,
by whose authority it was to be collected. Perceiving that
THE PATRIOT MORRIS. MONEY BORROWED. 243
there was disorder, waste, and peculation in the management PART Ilf.
of the fiscal concerns, they determined on introducing thorough PERIOD n.
reform and strict economy. They accordingly appointed as chap. xv.
treasurer, Robert Morris, of Philadelphia ; a man whose pure '-^"v-^^
morals, ardent patriotism, and great knowledge of financial Appoint
concerns, eminently fitted him for this important station. ris treasurer'
The zeal and genius of Morris soon produced the most fa-
vorable results. By a national bank, to which he obtained 17§0-1.
the approbation of congress, he contrived to draw out the The genius
funds of wealthy individuals, and by borrowing, in the name of ° °"^^'
the government, from this bank, and pledging for payment the
taxes not yet collected, he was enabled to anticipate them, rounds the
and command a ready supply. He also used his own private bank.
credit, which was good, though that of his government had
failed ; and, at one time, bills, signed by him individually,
were in circulation, to the amount of five hundred and eighty-
one thousand dollars.
While America received this great service from the zeal FranUin
and ability of one of her patriots at home, she owed not less o^'^^ins
1 ■ c iiiTAiT 1 ^ money from
to the exertions or another abroad, r ranklm, at the court of France and
France, obtained from Louis XVI. a gift of six millions of Holland,
livres ; and as Holland refused to lend to the United States,
on their own credit, the French monarch granted at the soli-
citations of the minister, his guarantee to the States General ;
who, on this security, lent to congress the sum of ten millions
of livres. Spain refused to furnish money to the United
States, unless they would renounce the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi, which was steadily refused.
The funds raised from abroad and at home, were expended
with the utmost prudence. All who furnished supplies, were The new
•J 1 .1 X -11 • T 11 measures
paid by the treasurer, with the strictest punctuality ; and pub- restore confi-
lic confidence, by degrees, sprang up in the place of distrust ; dence.
order and economy in the room of confusion and waste.
Before these measures had imparted vigor to the fainting
republic, an event occurred which threatened its subversion :
in fact, it was one of the causes which led to the reformation
in the finance, and the establishmentof the new system. The j^^^^ j
whole Pennsylvania line, amounting to near 1,500 men, re- Revolt of the
volted. They were sufferings the extremity of want. They Pennsylva-
had enlisted for three years, or during the war ; and as the
three years expired at the close of 1780, they contended that
they had now a right to be discharged, and to return to their
homes. The government, however, maintained that they
had a claim to their services until the close of the war.
From these causes a violent tumult broke out on the night
of the 1st of January. The soldiers declared that they
would march, with arms in their hands, to the hall of con-
gress, and demand justice. It was in vain that their officers
attempted to appease them. Their most popular leaders, La
Fayette, and others, were constrained to quit the camp. Gen-
244
MUTINY IN THE AMERICAN ARMY.
PART III.
17§1.
A pacific
course ad-
vised by
Washington,
and adopted
by congress.
Clinton's
emissaries
hanged.
New Jersey
troops revolt,
and are pun-
ished.
Greene se-
parates the
southern ar-
my into two
divisions.
Jan. 17.
Battle of
Cowpens.
Morgan de-
feats Tarle-
ton.
eral Wayne presented himself boldly among them, with a
pistol in his hand ; but they menaced his life, and pointed
their bavonets, as if to execute their threats. Marchmg to-
wards Philadelphia, they had already advanced from Middle-
brook to Princeton, when they were met by Generals Reed
and Sullivan, who were commissioners appointed by congress
to investigate facts, and take measures lor the restoration of
public tranquillity.
In the meantime, Sir Henry Clinton, informed of these af-
fairs, made every disposition to draw the mutineers into the
service of the British. He passed with his forces into Statea
Island, and sent three American loyalists, to make them the
most tempting offers. These the insurgents declined. Mean-
while, the commissioners of congress, having been advised by
Washington to pursue a pacific course, offered to grant dis-
charges to those who had enlisted for three vears, or during
the war. They promised remuneration for what they had lost
by the depreciation of paper securities, the earliest possible
payment of arrears, an immediate supply of necessary clothing,
and an oblivion of their past conduct. The mutineers accept-
ed the proposals ; and congress, in due time, fulfilled the con-
ditions. The Pennsylvanians then deliA^ered to congress, the
emissaries of Clinton, who were immediately hanged.
A few days after this affair, the troops of New Jersey also
erected the standard of revolt. Washington, prepared to ex-
pect some movement of the kind, instantly marched against
them with so powerful a force, that he compelled them to
submit ; and chastising their leaders with severity, the army
was no longer disturbed by sedition.
In the meantime, the war was vigorously carried on at the
south, by both the contending parties. General Greene sepa-
rated his army, which consisted of 2,000 men, into two parts,
and at the head of one division he encamped at the confluence
of Hicks' creek with the Pedee ; while Colonel Morgan, at
the head of the other, moved by his direction into the western
part of the state, to guard the passages of the Pacolet.
Cornwallis, unwilling to advance into North Carolina, while
Morgan was in his rear, detached Tarleton to oppose him with
a corps of eleven hundred men, and two field pieces. Tarle-
ton finding Morgan at a place called the Cowpens, attacked
with his usual impetuosity. After one of the severest and
best fought engagements of the whole war, the British were
defeated. The disparity of loss in this engagement was sur-
prising ; that of the British being three hundred killed and
wounded, while that of the Americans was only twelve killed,
and sixty wounded. Colonel Morgan took five hundred pris-
oners, and all the artillery and baggage of the enemy. Colo-
nels Washington, Howard, and Pickens, distinguished them-
selves in this action.
Colonel Morgan now directed his march towards Virginia
THE FAMOUS RACE THROUGH THE CAROLINAS.
245
Cornwallis, mortified at the defeat of his favorite officer, pre-
pared to pursue liim with vigour. He intended to intercept
him on his route, retake the prisoners, and prevent his junc-
tion with Greene. Both Morgan and Corn walhs now proceeded
by forced marches towards the Catawba, each army exerting
themselves to reach the fords before the other. Morgan had
the advantage. He had crossed the river two hours only when
the British appeared on the opposite bank. Night came on, and
Cornwallis was obliged to delay crossing until daylight. A
heavy rain fell, and in the morning the ford was impassable,
and the impatient Cornwallis was obliged to wait three days
before the subsiding waters allowed him to pass.
In the meantime, Greene, anxious for the fate of the pur-
sued troops, had left his army under the command of General
Huger, to make their way toward the sources of the rivers,
where they were fordable, and had himself proceeded with
only a few attendants, to join Morgan. It was at this junc-
ture, that he arrived at the camp, and took upon himself the
command. Another race now commenced. The British
came up with the Americans at the ford of the Yadkin. The
republican army had crossed over, and only a quantity of bag-
gage remained on the right bank of the river when the foe ap-
peared in sight. Again the waters suddenly rose, and Corn-
wallis was once more obliged to stop, and look inactively on,
while the expected fruit of toilsome marches was snatched
from him. And it was done by no human hand. At this sig-
nal deliverance every pious feeling of the American bo.som
rose in gratitude to Him, who had made to them, as to his
people of old, a way through the waters, while he had closed
it to their enemies.
General Greene directed his course towards Guilford, where
he was to be joined by General Huger. On the 9th of Feb-
ruary, the two detachments of the American army reached
that place, and eliected their junction in safety. Cornwallis
now proceeded to the Dan ; intending, by reaching these fords
before the Americans, to prevent their communication with
Virginia. In this also, he was disappointed : the Americans,
on the i4th, crossed the Dan, with all their artillery, baggage,
and stores, leaving the British yet in their rear.
Cornwallis now repaired to Hillsborough, where he en-
deavored to prevail upon the inhabitants of A'orth Carolina, to
espouse the royal cause. But the people generally consider-
ed it to be declining, and few listened to the call. He how-
ever sent Tarleton, with his legion, to the district between the
Haw and Deep Rivers, to encourage the rising of the loyal-
ists, whom he had understood to be numerous in that quarter.
General Greene had sent Col. Lee, with a body of cavalry
to attack a company of loyalists, marching to Cornwallis,
under the command of Colonel Pyle. The Americans char-
ged them with vigor, and the tories, supposing them to be
PART III.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. XV.
17§1.
Morgan is
pursued by
Comuiillis,
but is saved
by the rise
of waters.
Another
race from
the Cataw-
ba to the
Yadkin.
Americans
again saved.
Feb. 9.
Two di-
visions of
the Ameri-
can army
unite.
They reach
tlie Dan.
Still in ad-
vance of
CornwalUs.
Singular dc
feat of two
parties of
royalists.
246
ENCOUNTER OF THE SOUTHERN ARMIES.
PART III.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. XV.
17§1.
March 15.
Battle of
Guilford
court-house.
The Ameri-
cans retreat.
The van-
quished gen-
eral pursues
the victo-
riotis.
Comwallis
proceeds to
Virginia.
Tarleton's legion, and themselves mistaken for republicans,
declared their attachment to the royal cause, and vociferated
the cry, " long live the king." Between two and three hun-
dred were killed by their enraged assailants, and the survi-
vors compelled to surrender. Tarleton, by a singular coin-
cidence, soon after met another small body of royalists, col-
lected for a similar purpose, and slaughtered them, believing
them to be republicans. While advancing to encounter Lee,
Tarleton was called back, by Comwallis, to Hillsborough.
Greene had now received a reinforcement of continental
troops, and several bodies of militia, which auginented his
army to, 4,400 ; and he no longer wished to avoid an engage-
ment with the British. Having made every preparation
in his power, he marched, and took post at Guilford court-
house, about eight miles from the grounds occupied by the
British general. The armies met on the 15th of March.
Early in the battle, some companies of the militia fled, and
the American reoiilars were thus left to maintain the conflict
alone. They fought for an hour and a half, with great brave-
ry, and in some instances forced the British to give way.
They were, however, at length compelled to retreat, but it was
only step by step, and without breaking their ranks. The
loss of the Americans in this engagement, was estimated at
1,300 ; that of the British in proportion to their number, was
more considerable.
Greene now retreated to Speedwell's iron works, ten miles
from the field of battle. Comwallis, although he had the re-
putation of a victor, found himself, in consequence of his
losses, obliged to retreat, while Greene was in a condition to
pursue ; thus affording the singular spectacle of a vanquished,
pursuing a victorious army. Comwallis retired to Bell's mills,
and after a few davs' repose, marched towards Wilmington.
Greene, having collected the fugitives of his army, followed
the British, and, with his light infantrv', continually infested
their rear. He, however, soon altered his course, and pro-
ceeded, by forced marches, towards Camden in South Ca-
rolina.
On Comwallis' arrival at Wilmington, he was undetermined
whether to return to the relief of South Carolina, or to march
into Virginia, and join the forces under Arnold. A council
of war was called, which decided upon the last measure, and
the British general, after having remained in Wilmington a
few days, to refresh his troops, proceeded towards Petersburg;
leaving the command of the forces in the Carolinas, to Lord
Rawdon, whose talent and militarj' ardor would, he hoped, be
able to hold the army of Greene in check, keep possession of
the province, and establish the British authority.
RAWDON ATTACKS GREENE AT HOBKIRk's HILL. 247
CHAPTER XVI.
Campaign of 1781, continued.
Lord Rawdon having fixed his head-quarters at Camden, PART III.
fortified the place with great care. The other principal posts period ii
of the British in this region, were Charleston, Ninety-six, and chap. xvi.
Augusta. They had, however, garrisoned several others of >— «-v^*^^
minor importance. The disafiection of the inhabitants to the
British cause, compelled them thus to divide their troops, in
order to maintain points, whose communication with each
other was necessary to their subsistence. The retreat of Corn- I'^'Sl
wallis gave the republicans new hopes. Sumpter and Marion, ]vi!^r?on an-
by their bold but prudent movements, were continually gain- noy the Brit-
ing advantages over the royalists. Regarded as leaders who ^
would conduct their followers to success and glory, hundreds
flocked to their standards, whom they organized into regular
companies. Thus they became so powerful, that they were
able to hold in check the whole of lower Carolina, while
Greene, Avith his army, faced Lord Rawdon in the highlands.
This ofiicer, finding that his position was becoming danger-
ous, strengthened his army by calling in several of his out-
posts.
General Greene, at this time, appeared in A'iew of Camden,
at the head of his army. He intrenched himself within a
mile's distance, at Hobkirk's Hill. Rawdon would have re-
treated towards Charleston ; but the way was occupied by
the light troops of Sumpter and Marion. He perceived that
the Americans trusted to the strength of their post, and guard-
ed it with negligence. Leaving Camden in the care of the
convalescents, he marched, on the night of the 25th of April,
with every man in his army capable of carrying a firelock,
and taking a circuitous route, he fell, by surprise, on the left April 25.
flank of the Americans. Greene, perceiving that the British Americans
moved in a solid, but not extended column, immediately caused and defeated
them to be attacked, at the same time, on both flanks, and in at Hobkirk's
front. The battle became general and fierce. The royalists
gave way. Rawdon pushed forward his reserve. The Ame-
ricans, in their turn, retreated, and the efforts of Greene and
his oflicers, to rally them, were ineffectual. The loss of the
Americans, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 268 ; that
of the British, nearly equal.
The American general, after this affair, retired from Hob-
kirk's Hill, and encamped about five miles from his former
position, to re-orgauize his army. Rawdon, like Cornwallis
at Guilford, found the effects of the battle to be rather those
of a defeat than a victory. He was inferior to his enemv in
248
BRITISH FORTS IN SOUTH COROLINA CAPTURED.
PART^IIL
PERIOD II
CHAP. XVI.
17§1.
May 10.
Rawdon
evacuates
Camden.
British forts
takea bj- the
Americans.
May 22.
Greene in-
vests Nine-
ty-Six.
June 5.
Augusta ca-
pitulates to
the Ameri-
cans.
June IS.
Greene
makes an un-
successful
attack upon
Ninety-Six,
and retires.
Hostilities
suspended.
Colonel
Isaac
Hayne.
cavalry, and could not pursue him. With his army Aveakened,
the inhabitants in every direction, were rising against him ;
and he had reason to tremble for several of his posts, which,
as he was informed, were besieged by the Americans. On
the 10th of May he evacuated Camden, razed its fortifications,
and retreated towards Charleston. On the 13th, he arrived
at Nelson's ferry ; where he learned, that Forts Watson and
Georgetown! had capitulated to Marion and Lee ; and Motte,
to Sumpter. The prisoners, taken in these forts, amounted to
nearly 800, besides a considerable quantity of military stores.
From Nelson's ferry, Rawdon moved to Eutaw Springs.
Ninety-Six and Augusta were now the only posts which re-
mained to the British in the upper country, and these were
already invested by militia, under colonels Clarke and Pick-
ens. General Greene now directed his army against Ninety-
Six, which was the strong hold of the royalists ; and, on the
22d of May, began a regular siege.
Meantime, Rawdon, whose army had been reinforced by
three regiments from Ireland, put himself in motion to oppose
the Americans and preserve his fortresses, particularly that
of Ninety-Six. On his march, he learned that Augusta had
capitulated to the militia, commanded by the gallant colonel
Pickens.
Greene believed that his troops were in no condition to
contend against the augmented army of Rawdon, combined
with the garrison of Ninety-Six. Unwilling, however, to
leave the place without an effort, which should, at least, Ain-
dicate the honor of the American arms, he made a vigorous
assault upon the fort, and gained a considerable advantage,
though he did not succeed in capturing it. He then removed
his army beyond the Tiger and Broad rivers. Rawdon ap-
proached, and made some unavailing attempts to draw Greene
into an engagement. After this, he entered and examined
Ninety-Six ; and finding the place not capable of withstanding
a regular attack, he abandoned it, and directed his march
towards Orangeburg; where, on the 12th of July, he estab-
lished his head-quarters. Greene followed him ; but, finding
his position covered by the windings of the Edisto, he bent
his march, on the IGth, to the heights which border the San-
tee. The season proving uncommonly hot and sickly, the
contending armies, by tacit consent suspended their ope-
rations.
During this period, occurred the last scene of a memorable
tragedy. At the commencement of the war, none could have
been found more the subject of envy, than Isaac Hayne.
Blessed with the goods of fortune, he was eminently endow-
ed with those qualities which gain the love of men, and he
possessed all the finer sensibilities which ennoble our nature,
and glow in the breast of the husband, the father, the friend
and the patriot. At the commencement of the war, he enter-
ROYAL CAUSE SUFFERS BY THE DEATH OF HAYNE.
249
ed with ardor into the views of the republicans, and assisted
in person at the defense of Charleston. On the surrender of
that city, Colonel Hayne, whose consequence, as a leader,
was appreciated by the British, was offered the alternative of
becoming a British subject, or going into rigorous confinement.
For himself, he would not have hesitated a moment to choose
captivity. But his Avife and children were at his plantation
languishing with the small-pox. And not only did he feel it
agonv, at such a time, to be separated from them, but he knew,
that should he refuse the offer of the British, a lawless sol-
diery would violate and lay waste the retreat of his suffering
family. Torn by conflicting duties, who could blame him, if,
in such a situation, the husband and the father triumphed over
the patriot. He consented to invest himself with the condition
of a British subject, on the solemn assurances of General
Patterson, that he should not be called on to bear arms against
his countrymen.
Meanwhile, the republicans had found means to change the
fortune of the war. The British obliged to act on the defen-
sive, no longer regarded their engagements as sacred, but
called on Hayne, Avith others, to repair to the royal army.
Feeling noAV released from an obligation which the British
themselves had A'iolated, he left a home which had been deso-
lated by the loss of his Av^fe and two of his children, and once
more took arms in the cause, Avhich he had ever held dear.
Engaged as a colonel commanding a corps in the partisan
Avarfare, he Avas taken prisoner, and confined in a deep dun-
geon in Charleston. Without even the form of a trial. Lord
Rawdon, with Colonel Balfour, the commandant of Charles-
ton, contrary to the usages of Avar, sentenced him to death.
The royalists, Avith the governor at their head, petitioned for
the prisoner, and declared the impolicy of the act. The
most distinguished Avomen of Charleston, touched Avith his
virtues, plead for him Avith feeUng and eloquence. But more
than all, his children, clad in mourning for their mother, ap-
peared before the judges, and stretching out their little hands,
entreated Avith tears, for the life of their surviving parent.
But it Avas all in vain, and Hayne was led to execution.
Amidst the execrations, Avhich RaAvdon's unrelenting cru-
elty had, in this instance, drawn, not only upon himself, but
upon the cause Avhich he had thought proper to use such
means in vindicating, that general left the capital of Carolina,
and returning to England, the command of the army deA'olved
on Colonel Stuart.
\8
PART III.
17§1.
Virtues ancf
sufFfirings ofc*
Colonel
Hayne
General
sympathy
excited.
Aug. 4.
Execution
ot Colonel
Hayne.
Rawdon SU- -
pprseded by.'
Colonel
Sluart.
250 THE LAST BATTLE AT THE SOUTH.
CHAPTER XVII
Campaign of 1781 — continued.
PART III General Greexe, still in his camp, at the High Hills of the
PEiuou iF Santee, had made the best use in his power, of the time al-
CHAP. XVII. lowed him by the suspension of arms. It was now the be-
-^^^"^.--^^^ ginning of September ; the sultriness of the season had abated,
and he determined, if possible, to dispossess the British of
the remaining posts in the upper country. He crossed the
Wateree, and marched, circuitously, to the Congaree ; passed
it with all his army, and descended along its right bank, in-
tending to attack Colonel Stuart, who, at this time, occupied
a post at M'Cord's Ferry. He fell back upon Eutaw
Springs, and thither General Greene pursued him.
The armies engaged on the 8th. The battle of Eutaw
Springs, is memorable as being one of the most bloody, and
valiantly contested fields of the war ; and also for being the
last of any note that occurred at the south. General Greene
17§1. drew up liis forces with greai skill, and made the attack. His
BauieorEu- soldiers resorted promptly to the use of the bayonet, which
taw Springs, they had formerly appeared to dread. The British were rout-
ed and fled ; but finding, in their flight, a large house and some
other objects, affording shelter, they rallied, and repulsed their
assailants with hea^y loss. Greene, finding it impossible to
dislodge them, retreated to his camp, bearing 500 prisoners.
The whole loss of the British, in killed, wounded, and pris-
oners, was about 1,000, that of the Americans, 600. Con-
gress voted their thanks to General Greene, and presented
him with a conquered standard and a medal. Greene was
ably seconded by his officers, among whom were colonels
Lee and Washington, the latter of whom was wounded and
taken prisoner.
Greene's army having been reinforced, the British no lon-
ger dared to keep the open country, but retired to Charleston.
Thus had the Americans, in a few months, recovered the
whole of South Carolina and Georgia, except their capitals.
The skill and valor manifested by Greene, in their defense,
have given him a rank among the heroes of the revolution,
second to none but the commander-in-chief.
It will be recollected, that we left both Cornwallis and the
J:in. 4- traitor Arnold in Virginia. The latter had landed on the 4th
gcTvir-^inia! °^ January, with a force of 1,600 men, in the vicinity of
Richmond, where he destroyed the public stores. He then
sent detachments to different places, and not oidy public stores
were wasted, but Arnold and his oflicers committed the most
wanton depredations on private property.
LA FAYETTE DEFENDS VIRGINIA. 251
Washington, although perplexed with the recent mutiny of PART III.
the troops, and the deranged state of the finances, concerted period il.
measures with the French, by means of which, he hoped to chap, xvu
relieve Virginia, and obtain possession of the traitor and his v..^-s^~^^
force. La Fayette, at the head of 1,200 light infantry, was 17§1.
sent towards Virginia, while the commander of the French La Fayette
fleet, at Rhode Island, dispatched a squadron of eight sail of ^*^"'*° *
the line to cut off the retreat of Arnold from the Chesapeake.
But Clinton, gaining intelligence of the plan, sent Admiral ^,^''?^ }f-
Arbuthnot to the relief of Arnold, with a squadron of equal tween the
force. These two fleets met, and fought off Cape Henry, French and
on the 16th of March, and suffered equal, though not very ^"tl'off
considerable loss. But the French were constrained to re- Cape Henry,
linquish their design, and return to Rhode Island. Upon
hearing this, La Fayette, who had arrived at Annapolis, retreat-
ed to the head of Elk.
Clinton, finding how narrowly Arnold had escaped, sent to
his assistance General Philips, with 2,000 men. Thus rein-
forced, he resumed the work of pillage and destruction. La
Fayette arrived in time to save Richmond ; but he witnessed
from that place, the conflagration of Manchester, on the op-
posite bank of the James. About this time, both parties ^^y 20.
learned the approach of Corn wal lis, and it became the object British'ar-
of Philips and Arnold, to form a junction with him. They mies at Pe-
marched to Petersburg to await his arrival. They arrived be- tersburg.
fore Cornwallis. General Philips sickened and died on the
13th of May, and, on the 20th, CornwalHs reached the place.
After remaining a few days at Petersburg, Cornwallis, now
in command of the combined forces, directed their march into
the interior of Virginia, supposing as was the fact, that the
Americans were too weak, and too much dispersed, to ofler
any effectual opposition. There were, however, three sepa-
rate corps of republican troops in Virginia ; one, under Gen-
eral La Fayette ; another, and a smaller one, under the Baron
Steuben ; and the Pennsylvania line under General Wayne.
Had they been united, they were by no means a match for the
army of Cornwallis. But La Fayette, who had the chief
command, showed how well he had profited by the lessons of
VVashington. Prudent and brave, understanding better than La Fayette
the British, the ground over which the armies moved, he harasses
harassed them, and restrained their motions ; without once Cornwallis.
suflering himself to be led into a snare, or his army to be en-
dangered. When Cornwallis pursued, he retreated ; when,
intent upon some other object, his foe held another direction,
immediately La Fayette pursued in his turn, hanging upon his
rear, and embarrassing his movements.
While at Westovcr, Cornwallis detached Colonel Tarleton Tarleton
to Charlotteville, where the legislature of Virginia were in ^"HY'"^'
session, and, at the same time, sent a detachment to the Point ville'.*'
of Fork, at the junction of the two rivers, which form the
18*
252 WASHINGTON GAINS AN IMPORTANT MARCH.
PART in. James, to seize some stores at that place. Both these expe-
I'EiuoD II. ditions were, in a measure, successful ; but Tarleton was
CHAP. XVII. disappointed of the prize on which he most calculated. This
"-^'^'~^*-' was the capture of Gov. Jefferson, who, after having provided
for the safety of a considerable quantity of arms and ammuni-
tion, found means to elude the vigilance of his pursuers.
1781. Cornwallis, while thus ranging the interior of Virginia,
Sir H. Clin- constantly checked, however, by Jja Fayette, was suddenly
C\')rnw [r^ recalled to the sea-coast, by an order from Sir Henry Clinton,
to the coast, who being apprehensive that the Americans and French
meditated an attack on New York, and fearing that he was
not in sufficient force to resist them, had directed Cornwallis
to embark 3,000 of his troops, to join his garrison. That general,
intent on obeying the mandate, marched with his army to Ports-
mouth; where he received orders to retain the troops. Clin-
ton, having received a reinforcement of 3,000 Germans, now be-
lieved he could dispense with further aid ; and ordered Corn-
wallis to proceed to Point Comfort, and there fortify, in order
that the British might have, in any event, a secure retreat.
Cornwallis found reasons for disliking this post, and obtained,
of Clinton, permission to select another. He fixed on York-
town, a village, which is situated on the right bank of York
\tu' 23 •
Conrwallis river. Upon the opposite side of the stream, on a projecting
enters York- point, which narrows and deepens its channel, is the smaller
town. village of Gloucester. Cornwallis entered Yorktown, August
23d, and proceeded to erect fortifications.
Washington, anxious to avail himself of the naval superi-
^ . ority, which the expected French fleet under de Grasse would
Wii.sliin^'ton afford, had a meeting with Count Rochambeau, at Wethers-
ineilitutes an field, in Connecticut. Here it was proposed to attack New
NewVo'rk ^^rk. Clinton, apprised of this, determined, as we have
seen, to recall a part of the forces of Cornwallis, but was
prevented by the arrival of 3,000 German troops, which in-
creased his garrison to upwards of 10,000.
In the meantime, Washington was disappointed in his ex-
pected recruits. Instead of 12,000 regular troops, which he
hoped to have, he could hardly muster 5,000, a number, by
no means adequate to the projected siege. He learned that
the Count de Grasse, could not remain on the American coast
longer than October, and finally, that his destination was the
August Chesapeake. From these considerations, Washington sud-
Changes his donly changed his plan, and bent all his energies to take
plan. Cornwallis in the snare which he seemed laying for himself.
Success depended upon secrecy ; for had Sir Henry Clin
ton been apprised of his object, he might, at first have defeateo
it. But it may reasonably be supposed, that few. at this time,
were in the counsels of the commander-in-chief; for nevei
was a secret better kept, or an enemy more completely de
ceived. Washington made every show of preparation to at
tack New York. He broke up his camp at New Windsor
DE GRASSE BLOCKS UP THE CHESAPEAKE. 253
and advanced down the river to Kingsbridge. . The French FART III.
arniiy, consisting of 5,000 men, under Kochambeau, had period ll.
marched from Rhode Island, and joined him early in July. chap. xvh.
They appeared daily to expect the arrival of de Grasse at ^-*»-^'^«k-^
New York. Suddenly Washington crossed the Hudson, and 1T81.
directed the rapid march of the allied armies across New ^^ moves to
Jersey. But he had caused a report to be spread, that this
was merely a feint, to draw Clinton from his fortifications,
that he might light him in the open field. Clinton deceived,
remained within his fortress. Washington, now learning that
de Grasse was near the Chesapeake, no longer delayed cross-
ing the Delaware ; but steered direct for his object, well sat-
isfied, that the time for his foe to prevent its accomplishment ^^^ 25
was past. He arrived, aftei' a rapid march, at the head of Arrives at
Elk, on the 25th of August; and having made the rvecessary ^^^^ head of
arrangements for the transportation of his army, he went, at-
tended by Count Rochambeau, to Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Leaving there the French commander, Washington made a
short visit to Mount Vernon. This was the first time he had
crossed the threshhold of his beloved home for six years and
five months : so entirely had he been devoted to his public
duties. On the 14th of September, the two commanders
joined La Fayette at Williamsburg.
The Count de Grasse, with twenty-five sail of the line, ^^ Grasse
entered the mouth of the Chesapeake, only one hour before blocks up the
Washington arrived at the head of Elk, and. immediately per- Chesapeake
formed the part assigned to him, by blocking up the mouths
of the York and James rivers ; thus cutting oft" all communi-
cation between the British at Yorktown and New York. He
also opened a communication with La Fayette, who, when
Cornwallis first took post at Yorktown, had occupied a posi-
tion higher up the river, but had now descended as far as
Williamsburg. The allies feared that Cornwallis, seeing
the toils into which he was falling, would turn upon La Fay-
ette, who was his inferior in force. To prevent this, 3,000
light troops, under the Marquis de St. Simon, were sent up
the river in boats to join hiin at Williamsburg.
Cornwallis had strengthened his Works, and could only be
overcome by a regular siege. The allies needed artillery,
and other preparations for besieging Yorktown. These they
expected from Rhode Island, to be brought by a French
squadron, commanded by the Count de Barras, who had made
sail three days before the arrival of de Grasse in the Ches-
apeake. To prevent falling in with the British fleet, Barras
had stood far out to sea. While expecting him, de Grasse,
on the 5th of September, saw, oft" the capes, a British g^ . g
fleet of nineteen sail, under Admiral Graves. The French Partial ac-
admiral, advised by Washington, behaved with great skill tion ijetween
and prudence. He engaged the British partially, to draw ^^j French
them from their anchorage ground ; by which means, the fleets
254
THE COMBINED ARMIES INVEST YORKTOWN.
PART III. Count de Barras, as he expected, was enabled to pass by
PERIOD II. them into the bay, but refused a general engagement, which
-HAP. XVIII. would have been putting at hazard a game, which, with pru-
dence, was already in the hands of the allies.
CHAPTER XVIII
17§1.
Sept. 6.
Fort Trum-
bull taken by
the British.
Fort Gris-
wold taken,
and the gar-
rison butch-
ered.
Arnold bums
New Lon-
don.
Cornwall is
calls in his
outposts,
and with-
draws with-
in his de-
fenses.
Campaign of 1781. — Continued.
CoRNWALLis had now little hope of escape, but from Clin
ton. To him he had found means to represent his situation ^
and closely invested as he was, he received an answer to his
communication. By this he was informed, that troops would,
if possible, embark from New York for his relief, by the 5th
of October.
Clinton, hoping to make a diversion in his favor, project-
ed an expedition against New London, in Connecticut, the
command of which he gave to Arnold, lately returned from
Virginia. The access to the port of New London, was
guarded by forts Trumbull and Griswold, erected on the op-
posite banks of the Thames. Fort Trumbull was easily cap-
tured. The garrison of fort Griswold was composed of mili-
tia, hastily collected in the vicinity ; and, under the command
of the estimable Colonel Ledyard. They made a resolute
defense, and killed numbers of the assailants. At length
they were overpowered, and ceased to resist. As the Brit-
ish entered, an officer inquired, " who commands this fort ?"
" I did," said Colonel Ledyard, " but you do now ;" and pre-
sented his sword. The monster took it, and plunged it in his
bosom. This was the signal for slaughter. Forty, out of
one hundred and sixty, were all that escaped. Scarcely was
there a father of a family, in this little town of Groton, but
was that night butchered, and almost its entire population
were made widows and orphans.
New London was next laid in ashes, and a great number
of vessels richly laden, fell into the hands of Arnold. Wash-
ington was not, however, moved to quit his post at the south.
The people of Connecticut showed ominous signs of resist-
ance, and Arnold judged it prudent to return to New York.
Cornwallis, in the belief that he should receive succor
from Clinton, abandoned his outposts, and withdrew his
army entirely within the fortifications of Yorktown. Many
of his own officers considered this as a great error. They
had urged him to attempt crossing the river, and regaining
the open country, through which they might, as they believed,
proceed by rapid marches, to New York. While he delayed!
CORNWALLIS ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 255
and deliberated, the small chance that was left him of esca- FART III.
ping in this way, was destroyed. period ii.
The combined armies moved from Williamsburg, on the chap. xvni.
25th of September, and in five days were collected in the vi- >-.^— ^'-^->'
cinity of Yorktown. Their whole force amounted to 16,000; 1'J'§1.
7,000 of whom were French. They commenced their works y^^ut ^
on the night of the 6th of October, in which they made rapid besieged,
advances, notwithstanding a heavy fire from the fort. On the
9th, several batteries were completed, and a destructive
cannonade commenced. On the 11th, they began their
second parallel, which was only three hundred yards from
the fort.
In order to complete their trenches, it was necessary to
dislodge the English from two redoubts which were in ad-
vance of their main works. Washington determined on at-
tempting them by assault, and aware of the emulation be- r^.^;^ ^^_
tween the two armies, assigned to the French, under Baron doubts at-
de Viomesnil, the taking of one : while, to the Americans, ^^^^^^ ^^^
under the Marquis La Fayette and Colonel Hamilton, he as-
signed the capture of the other. The ardour and eloquence
of the officers were equalled by the valor of their troops.
Their onset was so furious, that the British, though they
bravely resisted, could not long withstand. Both the redoubts
were taken, not, however, without loss to the allies, of which
the French suffered the greatest share.
On the night of the 16th, the British, under General Aber- T^^'grhish
crombie, made a vigorous sortie, took two batteries, and under Abei-
spiked eleven cannon. They were charged furiously by the crombie,
French, under De Noailles, and driven back to their entrench- '^^^\i^ ^°'"
ments.
The British general made one more eflTort, which had he,
as advised, sooner attempted, might perhaps have saved his
army. This was to cross the river in the night, to Glouces-
ter Point, where a small garrison of the British, commanded
by Tarleton, were watched by the French, under De Choiseul.
He intended to leave the sick and wounded ; whom, in a let-
ter to Washington, he recommended to his generosity. His
army were to embark in three divisions. A part had already
crossed, and landed at Gloucester Point ; a part were upon Cornwullis
the river ; the third division alone had not embarked. The attempts to
air and the water were calm, and his hopes of escape were ''^''"P^-
high. In a moment, the sky was overcast, and a tempest
arose. The very elements seemed armed against him, as if
he was checked by an invisible power which watched over
the destiny of tht American people, and which before, by the
swelling of the waters, had saved their army from his grasp.
The wind and rain were violent, and his boats were driven
down the river. The day appeared, and the besiegers dis-
covering their situation, opened a destructive fire upon the
scattered and weakened army ; and they were glad, when the
2o6 CAPITULATION OF CORNWALLIS.
PART Iir^ abating tempest allowed, to return to their almost dismantled
PERIOD II. fortifications.
CHAP, xviii. Seeing no hope of escape, his army incessantly wasting by
'--^•'^^^^^■^ the destructive fire of the American works, Cornwallis no
17§1. longer delayed to treat for a surrender. Before noon, on the
Oct. 1/. ]^7tli he sent a flag- to Washinsfton, requesting a cessation of
Cornwallis ' r ^ T 1 • c
negotiaie.s. arms for twenty-lour hours, and the appointment oi commis-
sioners to settle the terms of surrender. Washington, fearing
the arrival of British troops, refused to grant a truce longer
than two hours ; and signified, that within that time, he should
expect propositions. Cornwallis wished to obtain liberty for
Terms of ca- ^j-^g European troops to return to their homes, upon their pa-
role of not again serving in the American war : and also to
make terms for the Americans who had followed his fortunes.
Both these conditions Washington refused, as the European
soldiers would be at liberty to serve in garrisons at home ;
and the case of the citizens belonged to the civil authority.
All that the most earnest persuasion could obtain from Wash-
ington on this point, was permission for a sloop, laden with
such persons as Cornwallis selected, to be allowed to pass,
without search or visit, to New York ; he being accountable
for the number of persons it carried, as prisoners of war. The
whole remaining British force was to be surrendered to the
allies ; the land army, with its munitions, to the Americans ;
the marine, to the French.
Oct. 19. Agreeably to the articles of capitulation, the posts of York-
British Kind- town and Gloucester were surrendered, on the 19th of Octo-
rendeMothe ber. The prisoners, exclusive of seamen, amounted to more
Americans, than 7,000, of wliom 2,000 were sick or wounded. Five hun-
'^'^'^to'^he^'^'^' dred and fifty-two of the British had fallen during the siege.
French. Sixty pieces of cannon, also, principally of brass, fell into the
hands of the Americans, two frigates and twenty transports,
with their crews, into those of the French. General Lincoln,
who had suffered the mortification of surrendering an Ameri-
can army, at Charleston, was, with peculiar delicacy, selected
by the commander-in-chief, to receive the submission of the
British.
The French and Americans added, on this occasion, the
praise of generosity and humanity, to that of wisdom and valor.
Their leaders vied with each other, in acts of kindness to the
conquered officers, and every possible attention was paid to
the accommodation of the soldiers.
On the day in which the capitulation was signed, Clinton
Oct. 24. passed Sandy Hook, with a powerful force, to go to the succor
Clinton at of Cornwallis ; he appeared off the capes of Virginia on the
^too^acT^ 24th ; where, hearing of the surrender of the army, he imme-
diately returned to New York.
. . This event caused a burst of joy and exultation throughout
puliHTimd America. Nor did the people, or the civil rulers, amidst the
devout, honors which were showered upon the American and French
VERMONT AN INDEPENDENT NATION. 257
commanders, forget to acknowledge their supreme obligation PART III.
to the Great Commander and Ruler of armies and of na- period ii.
tions. CHAP. xjx.
Washington would gladly have detained the French fleet to ^^-— ^^^""^
co-operate in a descent upon Charleston; but de Grasse be- 1781.
ing under orders from the French court, to be in the West ^^'^ *Jiasse
Indies on a certain day, dared not hazard the detention of his the West In-
fleet; and made sail for those islands without delay. dies.
General La Fayette, who had sought America in her adver- La Fayette
sity, left her as soon as prosperity dawned upon her fortunes, ''^j^'"'"^ ^
He embarked about this time for France, leaving deep, in the
hearts of a grateful people, the remembrance of his virtues and
his services.
CHAPTER XIX,
Vermont. — Measures of Peace. — Fears and discontents of the Army happily-
quieted.
Vermont was, at this period, an independent nation. That 17§1.
its territory was first settled by grants from New Hampshire, Situation of
and afterwards decided, bv the English government, to belong ermont.
to New York, are facts which have already been stated. Had
New York, at the time of this decision, given quiet possession
of the soil to those individuals who had purchased, and culti-
vated farms under New Hampshire, Vermont would now have
been a portion of that state. But it being attempted to eject
those settlers by force, they forcibly resisted.
In this situation, the inhabitants applied to congress for its
interference, and were, by this body, recommended to submit,
for a time, to the authority of New York ; but, being resolutely
opposed to this step, they met in convention, in 1777, and Deciurp' "it-
declared the New Hampshire grants to be an independent selfinde-
state, under the title of " New Connecticut, alias Vermont ;" pen'|ii=e3
cember, when, in the presence of a large and deeply afl"ected nothing
audience, he resigned his offices, and commending his coun- "lure.
2G4
SHAY S REBELLION.
PART IIL try to the protection of God, retired to Mount Vernon, follow-
PEKiou II. ed by the benedictions of America, and the admiration of the
world.
CHAP. XX.
CHAPTER XX.
17§4.
Exluiusted
State of the
nation.
Distresses
and discon-
tents.
Followed by
insurrec-
tions at
Norti.amp-
ton and
Worcester.
17§7.
Known as
" Shay's"
rebelUon.
Depression subsequent to the War.
At the close of the war, the United States, ahhough they
had burst the bonds of European thraldom, were in a de-
plorable condition. A heavy debt encumbered the govern-
ment ; and a similar burden rested upon almost every corpo-
ration within it. Agriculture, trade and manufactures had de-
cayed during the war ; and many of the inhabitants were
nearly destitute of clothing, and the necessaries of life.
Immediately after the peace was announced, the British sent
over a great quantity of cloths, of an inferior quality, which
were sold at an exorbitant price ; and thus almost all the
money of the country was collected and carried abroad. The
nation being in debt and destitute of the means of payment,
heavy taxes were necessarily imposed. This increased the
discontent, which already prevailed among the people, to an
alarming degree. The state governments resorted to various
measures for the relief of their citizens. In Rhode Island,
the government issued a quantity of paper-money, redeema-
ble at a future day ; this measure, however, only involved
them in all the difficulties which the general government had
experienced from the same cause ; — depreciation of their
bills, and loss of public credit.
The distress which prevailed in the country at length pro-
duced insurrections. In August, nearly fifteen hundred in-
surgents assembled imder arms at Northampton, and took
possession of the court-house. Their object was to prevent
the sittings of the court of common pleas, and, of course, the
issuing of executions, under certain obnoxious laws. The
governor issued a proclamation, calling on the citizens to sup
press such treasonable proceedings ; but his proclamation wan
disregarded. In the next month, a scene similar to that at
Northampton, was acted at Worcester. A body of men, ex-
ceeding three hundred, assembled, and compelled the court
there sitting, to adjourn.
The leader of the malcontents in Massachusetts, was Dan
iel Shays. At the head of three hundred men, he marched
into Springfield, where the supreme judicial court was sitting,
and took possession of the court-house. He then appointed
a committee, who waited on the court with an order, couched
PROPOSALS TO REMODEL THE GOVERNMENT. 265
in the humble form of a petition, requesting them not to pro- PART III.
ceed to business.
The number of insurgents increased ; the posture of af-
fairs became alarming ; and an army of 4,000 men was at
length ordered out for their dispersion. This force was pla- l'J'§7.
ced under the command of Gen. Lincoln. His first measure i i^^f"",^?,';,!.
, ijincoln with
was to march to Worcester, where he anorded such protec- an army at
tion to the court, that it resumed and executed the judicial 'Worcester.
functions. He next gave orders to General Shepard to collect
a sufficient force to secure the arsenal at Springfield. Accor- siippMnl to
dingly, he raised about 900 men, which were reinforced by Spriniifield,
300 militia, from the county of Hampshire. At the head of disp!>T4sThe
this force, he marched as directed, to Springfield ; where not rebels.
being able to persuade the multitude to lay down their arms,
he fired upon them, and killed three men. The rioters fell
into confusion, and soon dispersed.
Commissioners were appointed by the government of Mas- rpj^ ^^^
sachusetts, etnpowered to promise pardon, on certain condi- tncd. four-
tions, to all concerned in the rebellion. Several hundreds re- te™ sen-
. 11,^/-, • • i-i 1 tenced, none
ceived the benefit oi the commission, rourteen only were executed.
sentenced to death, and these were afterwards pardoned.
A proposal was this year, made to amend the articles of Defects in
confederation. The present frame of government, although c^^i form oi
it had served, during the pressure of danger, to keep the sev- government.
eral parts of the nation together, was now found inadequate
to the national exigencies. In forming the original articles,
great care had been taken to withhold any delegation of
power, which might hereafter endanger the liberties of the in-
dividual states. Congress had no authority to enforce its or-
dinances ; and now that the pressure of public danger was
removed, they were contemned and disregarded. Some of
the states had violated treaties which had been formed with
foreign nations, and some had refused to adopt a system of
impost which had been devised. It became evident that no-
thing could put a stop to evils of this description, but a more
energetic form of g^overnment.
In 1783, John Adams, then in Europe, suggested to con-
gress the expediency of strengthening the general govern-
ment. On a motion of Mr. Madison, in the legislature of
Virginia, in 1785, a convention of delegates, from five of the -^Jf.^'
middle states, met at Annapolis, in 1786, who came to the nicet"from
conclusion, that nothing short of a thorough reform of the ex- five states.
isting government, would be effectual for the welfare of the
country. Congress approved their proceedings, and passed a
resolution, recommending a general convention of delegates,
to be holden at Philadelphia.
In May, 1787, the convention met, and instead of amend- ITgy,
ing the articles of confederation, they proceeded to form a new (^"'"^titution
constitution. Their debates were long and arduous. A mo- phii*|det!
mentous political experiment was to be tried, and the desti- phia.
19
266 THE CONVENTION FRAME A NEW CONSTITUTION.
PART III, nies of unborn millions hung upon their deliberations. Re-
PERiOD II. specting many articles of the constitution, much honest dif-
CHAP. XX. ference of opinion existed ; and in particular, where the strength
^-^"^''"^'-^ of the new government came in question. On the one hand,
it was considered, that, if the government was made too weak,
a state of anarchy, and consequent revolution, would ensue ;
on the other, that if it were made too strong, America would
lose the blessings of liberty, which she had bled at every pore
to obtain J and only make an exchange of foreign, for domes-
tic oppression.
1T§7. Some of these politicians thought the only safe mode of
Political reasoning was from the experience of the past, and that all
"framers o^ speculations not drawn from this source, should be condemn-
t\e constitu- ed as impracticable, and visionary. These looked for an ex-
f^*^"- ample to the constitution of England, as containing the best
form of government actually existing. Others believed that
as the circumstances of the times changed, governments
should accommodate themselves to the change ; — that the
present state of the world, and the situation of America, had
no parallels in history ; — and that therefore the track of no
former nation could serve as the guide to their voyage : but
like the discoverer of their continent, they must lay their
course through an untravelled way, with nothing to guide
them but the light of heaven, and their own observation. The
happy medium probably lies between the extremes of these
two opinions ; and the constitution framed, being a compro-
mise between them, the form of government, which it pre-
scribes, is probably, on that account, more perfect than if
either side had wholly prevailed.
Connected with these ideas concerning the greater or less
degree of strength proper to give to the new government, was
the subject of the consolidation, or strict independence of the
Two great gtates. Those who desired the general government to pos-
^formm" ^ ^^^^ great strength, were charged by their opponents, with
state. wishing to so arrange it, that in the play of its parts, it would
break down, and subject to itself, the state governments.
Those, on the other hand, who feared oppression more than
anarchy, watched, with a jealous eye, every infringement of
state rights. Those in favor of holding the states strongly
united, were called, at this lime federalists, and their oppo-
nents, anti-federalists.
Other points of dispute arose which were still more dan-
gerous, because they divided parties by geographical lines
The most difficult of these, regarded the representation, in
Points in the congress, of the slave-holding states. The non-slave hold-
slave qnes- gj.g contended that the number of representatives sent, should
tioi> agitated , , . ■ , i r r i ■ • i i ■ .
and compro- only be m proportion to the number ol iree white inhabitants.
mised. This would bring some states, whose whole population wa^
great, upon a level with others, where the number of innabit-
ants was comparatively small ; and members from these states
DIVISION OF VESTED POWERS. 267
would not give their consent to such an apportionment. The FART III.
slaves were at length allowed to be reckoned, in settling the period ii
quota of representatives, as equal to three-fifths of an equal <-hap. xx.
number of free white inhabitants. That these great difficul- ^-^"^^^^-^
ties were compromised, holds up this convention, as an ex-
ample to future times, of the triumph of strong patriotism and
honest zeal for the public welfare, over party feeling and sec-
tional prejudice.
It was not without a struggle, that the new constitution was 1789.
adopted. Eleven of the states were, however, early in the ftJeral con-
year 1789, brought to decide in favor of its ratification, adopted
Rhode Island, which sent no members to the convention, and
North Carolina, refused to accept it.
The supreme authority in whose name the constitution is
promulgated, is that of " the people of the United States;" the Its mandates
objects for which they ordain and establish, and bind them- *"^°g^ ',' „
selves to obey its precepts, are "to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, promote the its objects.
general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to them-
selves and their posterity."
The legislative power of the Federal Union, is vested in a
senate and house of representatives, the latter to be chosen The popular
for two years by electors qualified to choose representatives '^i''"fl'oi the
1 T ■ 1 ^ , 1 , r national le
to the State legislatures ; — each to have been lor seven years gisiature.
an inhabitant of the United States, and at least twenty-five
years of age. Representatives are to be appointed in each
state, according to the number of the inhabitants, and lest the
congress should become too numerous, the apportionment is
varied, once in ten years after the taking of the census.
The senate is composed of two members from each state,
to be chosen by the state legislatures. The term of service The states
is six years ; but the first senate w^as to be so chosen, that represented
one third of the members had two years to remain in office, ' "Jrate"^ ca-"^
another four, and another six; so that thereafter no more pacitybythe
than one third of the senate should be composed of new mem- senate.
bars. A senator must have been an inhabitant of the country
nine years, and not less than thirty years of age.
The house of representatives choose their presiding officer. Presiding
who is called the speaker. The senate are presided over by "^cers.
the vice-president of the United States.
These two houses are called the Congress. They must Time of ses-
sit at least as often as once a year, and their ordinary sessions ^^°^-
commence on the first Monday in December.
All bills for raising a revenue must originate in the house
of representatives ; the whole spirit of the constitution requi- sentatlves"
ring that the branch of the legislature nearest the people intrusted
should have the care of the people's money; that is the na- '"ith the
tional treasury. The executive bears the public sword, and
the popular branch carries the purse. The executive power t^ve power,
is vested in a president and vice-president ; each chosen for a
19*
268
THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION NOW VENERATED
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XX.
The judicial
power.
Impeach-
ment.
Fears res-
pecting the
constitution.
term of four years ; each to be a native born citizen, and to
have attained the age of thirty-five. The president is the
commander-in-chief of the army and navy when in actual
service. With the consent of two-thirds of the senate, he
is vested with the power to make treaties, to appoint ambassa-
dors, judges of the supreme court, and many other officers.
The judicial power of the United States is vested in one
supreme court, and such other courts as congress may from
time to time establish. The judges retain their offices during
good behavior. They as well as the president and vice-pres-
ident may be impeached. This form of accusation can only
be brought forward by the house of representatives. The
senate is vested with the sole power to try impeachments,
and two-thirds must concur to convict the accused ; nor can
the penahy in such case be greater than the loss of office,
and disqualification for holding it in future.
The federal constitution, at the time of its adoption, was
far from receiving the entire confidence which it now com-
mands. It made the government too strong to please one
party, and too weak to satisfy the other ; and while, on the
one hand, it was believed, that it would, in its operation, even-
tually overturn the liberties of America, on the other, it was
pronounced to be a " rope of sand," and the date of its dis-
solution was augured to be near. Now, the constitution of
the United States of America, after fifty years of trial,
is regarded, by the friends of the rights of man, in both hem-
ispheres, as the palladium of civil liberty.
PART lY.
FROM 1789 TO 1842.
PERIOD I.
FROM
THB FINAL ADOPTION OF J17S9, | THE FEDERAL CONSTITCTIOK
T O
THE PURCHASE | 1 §03. ^ OF LOUISIANA.
CHAPTER I.
Organization of the new Government. — The Funding System. — Party lines
strongly drawn.
The fourth of March, 1789, was the day on which the new part IT.
government was to commence its operations. But from ne- period s.
cessary delays, the inauguration of the president did not take chap. i.
place until the 30th of April. v-^-v-^_/
When Washington retired at the close of the Avar, he had
fully intended to pass the residue of his days in domestic pri-
vacy ; and this intention he had publicly announced. Yet the
habit of ruminating on the condition of his country did not i'y84.
leave him ; nor did his great fame allow him repose from the Washington
visits of friends, the intrusions of the curious, and the solici- i" retire
tations of the interested. He employed his pen continually,
in urging upon the influential, the necessity of remodeling the
government. He made a journey of 600 miles, to visit his
lands, on the waters of the Ohio ; and, by actual inspection, September
became connnced of the practicability, as he had long been
of the importance, of uniting the Avest to the east, by intercom-
munication between the head waters of the Atlantic streams,
and the western rivers. He Avrote a memorial on the sub-
ject to the government of Virginia, which gave rise to two
companies ; the " Potomac Company," and the " Kanhawa n»-
and James River Company ;" and thus he became the author
of the lirst efficient movement, in the great series of internal
improvements. Pennsylva-
Efforts were made, particularly by the states of Pennsylva- "'». anJ "V:>
nia and Virginia, to devise some delicate method of placing frmu'ess^ef-
pecuniar)' rewards at his disposal ; but he steadily refused fons to in-
them ; althoush his affairs had fallen into some disorder, in an '^'"^^ ^'™ ^
.... uccpDt rG-
absence of eight years and a half; while his hospitality was wards.
270 WASHINGTON CALLED FROM RETIREMENT.
PART IV. expensively taxed, on account of his former public character.
PERIOD I. Among others, his faithful and beloved friend La Fayette came,
CHAP. I. during this period, to visit him at Mount Vernon. Washing-
'-"'"v^^^' ton accompanied him on his return, as far as Annapolis.
17§3. When they parted, he had a sorrowful and just foreboding,
Visit irora jj^^j ^l^Qy should never meet aarain.
La Jb ayette. tvt "' i • i • ^ ^
JNot only to retrieve his affairs, but to indulge his taste and
Washinston to advance the interest of the country, he devoted himself to
an agrieul- agriculture in the personal direction of his estates. He cor-
responded with scientific agriculturaUsts in Europe and Ame-
rica ; and the theories which he formed or learned from them,
he put in practice ; ordering in advance, a rotation of crops
to suit the several soils. His skill in landscape gardening is
even now manifest, in the beautiful arrangement of his grounds
at Mount Vernon ; where every shrub and tree was planted
beneath his eye, and pruned by his own hand.
The first summons which he received to quit this delightful
He IS sum- retreat, was when the legislature of Virginia chose him first
monetl to be- delegate to the convention, which framed the constitution,
comearnem- With reluctance he consented to the pleas of friendship, and
convention. '^^ calls of public duty. He prepared himself to lay po-
litical foundations, by the study, not only of present cir-
17§7. cumstances, but of confederated governments, ancient and
Is made modern. Made president of the convention, by a unanimous
rhe*comcn- vote, his wisdom, no less than his influence, was felt through-
tion out that august body ; and at no time did he serve his country
with more efficiency.
Is unam- '^^le constitution being adopted, the universal voice of the
IDOUsIy GiCCt- .
ed iiresident nation called him forth, to organize the government he had
of the United thus helped to devise. He was pained that he must again, at
America ^^® ^S^ ^^ fifty-seven, leave his long-coveted retirement, and
embark, with all his honors, upon an untried and tempestuous
17§9. sea. But he knew there was no other man on whom the peo-
April 14. pie would unite, and that his refusal, at such a crisis, would
arrives^at^ be fraught with danger to his country. A special messenger
Mount Ver- from the president of congress, brought him the official intel-
non, an- ijgence of his election, and two days from the time of notice,
election, he set out for New York, where congress first convened.
In his progress, he was met by numerous bodies of the peo-
ple, of both sexes, who hailed him as the Father of his Coun-
His journey try ; and triumphal arches were erected, to commemorate his
^Y^k^^ achievements. He was attended by a deputation from con-
gress, and was received by the governor, as he landed, amidst
the firing of artillery, and the acclamations of the people.
IVSO. The ceremony of his inauguration was witnessed, with in
April 30. expressible joy, by a great multitude of spectators. The
rat^edTt'xew novelty and importance of the transaction, the benign dignity
York. of Washington's character and manners, the remembance
of the sufferings, by which America had won the right to go-
vern itself, and which, with a father's anxious solicitude, he
THE FIRST INAUGURATION. 271
had shared ; all conspired to render the pageant solemn and FART IV.
affecting. pehiod i.
In an address to both houses of congress, he modestly de- twAP. i.
clared his incapacity for " the Aveighty and untried cares be- ^--""^v-^**-^
fore him," and offered his " fervent supplications to that Al- 1'''*®-
mighty Being, whose providential aid can supply every human ^^'''s'lillf' .
defect, that lus benediction would consecrate to the liberties gural ad-
and happiness of the people of the United States, a govern- dress,
ment instituted by themselves for essential purposes ; and
would enable every instrument, employed in its administra-
tion, to execute with success the functions allotted to his
charge." He remarked, that " the foundation of our national
policy should be laid in the pure principles of private morality ;
and that no truth was more thoroughly established, than that
there exists an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness ; rx,,
. 1 1 ' 1 he maxims
between duty and advantage ; between the genume maxims of an of wisdo.-n
honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public ^"''"•ced l.y
prosperity and felicity." These considerations he enforced by an("ph',i^'.
the weighty reasons, " that the success of the republican form ihropy.
of government is justly considered, as deeply, perhaps finally,
staked on the experiment intrusted to the American people ;
and that the propitious smiles of heaven could never be ex-
pected on a nation, that disregarded the eternal rules of order
and right, which heaven itself had ordained."
Congress made it their first object to establish a revenue Congress lay
sufiicient for the support of government, and for the discharge duties on
of the debt, contracted during the revolutionary war. For this and tonnage,
purpose, they laid duties on the importation of merchandise,
and on the tonnage of vessels ; thus drawing into the public
treasury, funds which had before been collected and appro-
priated by individual states. To counteract the commercial
regulations of foreign nations, and encourage American ship-
ping, higher tonnage duties were imposed on foreign, than on
American vessels, and ten per cent, less duty on goods im-
ported in vessels owned by Americans, than in those belonging
to foreigners.
Those first appointed under the constitution as heads of de-
partments, were, Thomas Jefi'erson, secretary of state, Alex- '^'"^ ^'^9^
ander Hamilton of the treasury, and General Knox of the de- jctTc^oT'
partment of war. The small navy was assigned to the care Hamilton,
of the latter. These officers were subject to the inspection ^"'^ Knox,
and control of the president, to whom they were required to
make elaborate reports in writing. They were constitution-
ally removable by him.
During this session, it was proposed to amend the constitu- Constitution
tion. Congress, after a long and animated debate, agreed amended
upon twelve new articles, which were submitted to the respec-
tive state legislatures ; ten of which being approved by three-
fourths of these bodies, they became a part of that instrument.
It was during this session also, that the important work
27S
THE JUDICIARY ORGANIZED
PART IV^
I'KRIOI) I.
CHAP. I.
17§9.
National ju-
diciary com-
posed of
tlirce grades,
district, cir-
cuit, and su-
pieine
courts.
Salaries
fixed.
Public
thanksgiv-
ing.
Sept. 29.
Close of the
session of
the first con-
gress.
Washing-
ton's pater-
nal visi to
New Eng-
land.
NoveiTiber.
17i)0.
January C.
Second
session.
was completed of establishing a national judiciary, to take cog-
nizance of all cases, occurrin2 under the constitution and laws
of the United States ; of all disputes, arising with foreigners,
and between the inhabitants of different states. It was to
consist of a supreme court, circuit and district courts. Ot
these, the district court, which was to consist of one judge for
each separate district, was considered the lowest ; and causes
were appealable from this to the circuit court, which was to
be composed of one of the five associate judges of the supreme
court, and the district judge of the state in which the court
was held. Causes were appealable from this tribunal to the
supreme court, which was to consist of a chief-justice, and
five associate judges ; and was to hold two sessions, annually,
at the seat of government. John Jay was appointed chief-jus-
tice, and Edmund Randolph, attorney-general.
The salary of the president was fixed at twenty-five thou-
sand dollars a year, that of the vice president at five thou-
sand, and those of the heads of department at three thousand
and five hundred. The representatives received six dollars
per day, and six dollars for every twenty miles' travel ; the
senate seven dollars per day, and the same for travel. The
chief-justice of the supreme court was allowed four thousand
dollars, and the associate judges three thousand five hundred
per annum.
Before their adjournment, congress, with becoming piety,
requested the president to recommend to the people a day of
public prayer and thanksgiving ; in which they should uni-
tedly acknowledge, " with grateful hearts, the many and sig-
nal favors of Almighty God, especially by afibrding them an
opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of govern-
ment for their safety and happiness."
On the 29th of September, the first session of congress
closed ; the secretary of the treasury being previously direct-
ed, by a resolution of the house of representatives, to prepare
a plan to provide for the adequate support of the public credit,
and to report the same at the next meeting of congress.
After the adjournment of congress, the president made a
tour through New England, where he was received by the
inhabitants with demonstrations of the most devoted affection.
They crowded around him. They vied with each other in
the display of hospitable attentions. Parents brought their
children, that they might view in him the living model of ex-
cellence, and that they might have, in after life, the satisfac-
tion of reflecting that they had, with their own eyes, beheld
the man whom the history of their country ranked as the first
of her citizens.
In November, North Carolina acceded to the new constitu-
tion.
The second session of the first congress besjan on the 6th
of January, 1790. Mr Hamilton early complied with the di-
TWO POLITICAL PARTIES FORMED.
273
rections given him at the close of the former session, and
brought forward his celebrated report, which was drawn up
with a masterly hand. He showed the importance of public
credit, and proposed, as the means of supporting that of the
United States, a system of assuming or funding, not only the
public debt, amounting to fifty-four millions of dollars, but also
the state debts, estimated at twenty-five millions ; and of
making permanent provision for the payment of the interest,
by imposing taxes on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits
distilled within the United States.
The debates on this report produced an irritation of feel-
ing, which, in the event, shook the foundation of the govern-
ment, as they may fairly be said, to be the origin of that vio-
lent party-spirit, which, under the names of federalists and
republicans, for thirty years arrayed one part of the American
community against the other. There were in the funding sys-
tem two grand points of difference between the opposing par-
ties. That concerning the assumption of the state debts,
which was last debated, caused the most serious collision.
The northern members, who were mostly federalists, advoca-
ted the measure ; while the majority of those from the south,
belonged to the other party, and opposed it.
The other point of diflerence was, whether in the case of
funding the domestic debt, there should be any discrimination
between the present holders of public securities, and those to
whom the debt was originally due. The federalists, who
looked with great confidence to the talents and integrity of
Mr. Hamilton, were, with him, in favor of making no differ-
ence between the present and the original holder of the conti-
nental bills, maintaining that government ought not to inter-
fere in transfers. The republican party advocated the dis-
crimination ; contending, that it was unjust to the veterans of
the revolution, who had been obliged to receive this paper in
lieu of gold and silver, and were afterwards compelled to part
with it at a small part of its nominal value, now to be con-
demned to poverty ; while the speculator was receiving the
reward of their blood and services.
After much debate, Mr. Madison proposed, that the present
holder of assignable paper should receive the highest price
such paper had borne in market, and the original holder the
residue. These propositions were finally rejected ; the friends
of the secretary contending that they could not be carried into
effect, so as to prevent the results apprehended; as many of
the original certificates were issued to persons, who, in fact,
had no interest in them, as they were for the benefit of others,
to whom it was understood they were to be transferred. They
had depreciated gradually, thus probably dividing among many
individuals the loss sustained by each.
The subject of assuming the state debts, recalled former
points of animosity, and brought forward new matter of dissen-
PART IV.
PEIUOU I.
CHAP. I.
1790.
-Mr. Hamil-
ton's report
on luiiding
the ricitional
debt.
Heated de—
Ijates engeo;
der danger-
ous party
animosity...
The federa.—
ists support
the treas-
urer.
The republi".
cans oppose •
him.
Mr. Madi-
son's project.
It meets a
grand diffi
culty.
274 THE FUNDING SYSTEM IS CARRIED.
PART IV sion. Mr. Hamilton was suspected of monarchical views
HavinsT been in a situation to observe the evils arising from a
want of power in the continental congress, he had in the con-
vention, been an advocate for strength in the new constitution,
1790. and was at the time, accused of wishmg so to arrange it, that
Assumption [^[ig operations, it would break down, and subject to itself,
debts ;i the State governments. Those whose suspicions were thus
source of excited, now believed that the funding system, in its essential
contention, fg^^j-es, and especially the assumption of the state debts, was
against it. but a part of the same plan. They contended that its design
was to strengthen the general government, by making the state
creditors, and other capitalists, dependent upon it ; and thu?^
ensraging the great moneyed interests of the country to defend
Its measures, whether right or wrong.
Those in favor of the assumption, contended, that the debts
Strong argu- incurred by the states were not for their own benefit, but for
voroCthe ' ^^^ promotion of the common cause ; and that, therefore, it
.assumption, was right the whole nation should be responsible. The debts
of the states most active in the war were greatest ; those of
Massachusetts and Carolina amounting to ten millions and a
half, while those of all the other states were not more than
fifteen millions. Should each be left to provide for the pay-
ment of its own debts, these states must, in some wav, lay
unusual burdens upon their inhabitants ; thus obliging them
a second time to be the greatest sufferers in the common
It IS reject- ^^^s^- ^"^ taking the vote in the house of representatives,
ed. the plans of the secretary were rejected by a majority of
two.
In the meantime, disputes had taken place with respect to
The location tJie temporary, as well as the permanent seat of sovernment.
of tlie sciit ■*■ " , ' ^
of govern- I^ "^^^ understood that should it be fixed for ten years at Phi-
meiit a ladelphia, and afterwards at a place to be selected on the Po-
make-wcight {qj^^^c, that some of the members of the house of representa-
to carry the . ' , i ■ i , , • ^ ■ ■
treasurer's tives, irom that quarter, would withdraw their opposition to
plans. ]\/[i- Hamilton. This was accordingly done, and his plans
were adopted. The debt funded amounted to a little more
than seventy-five millions of dollars, upon a part of which an
interest of three per cent, was paid, and on the remainder, six
per cent.
Rhode In May, 1790, Rhode Island acceded to the new constitu-
Islandadopts ^ion : tlius completino' the union of the Thirteen United States,
the constitu- i ^
,i^Jn under one government.
Soon after the commencement of the third session of con-
gress, a bill was introduced for laying the taxes which the
Duties are secretary had proposed for the payment of the interest on the
American ^^sumed debt of the states. That for laying duties on distilled
di.stiUed spirits, was urged on the ground, that the inhabitants beyond
spirits. i^Q Alleghany mountains, where no other were consumed,
would not otherwise bear an equal burden with those on the
sea-coast, who consumed most of the articles on which an
Washington's cabinet divided. 275
impost duty was laid. The bill, after much debate, was carried. PART IV.
An act was passed, accepting the cession of the claims of teriod i.
North Carolina to a district, west of that state, and a territo- chap. i.
rial government was established by congress, under the title ^-''^^^^■^^•^
of " The Territory of the United Slates, south of the Ohio."
In 1780, James Robertson, wiih forty families travelled through Tennessee.
a wilderness of 300 miles and foimded Nashville. Many of the 1790.
officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war settled on Cum- Aug. 7.
berland river ; a tract having been there laid off, for the dis- the Creeks,
charge of military bounties.
A treaty was concluded between the United States and the
Creek Indians ; thus putting a period to the fears of a Creek war.
A national bank was, during this session, recommended by
Mr. Hamilton. It met with a violent opposition from the re-
publican party. They considered all banking institutions as
useless, the present bill defective, and the power of establish-
ing a bank not granted to congress. The supporters of the
bill maintained that a national bank was not only constitu-
tional and useful, but necessary for the operations of govern-
ment. The president required the opinions of the cabinet in 1791
writing. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Randolph opposed, while Mr. a national
Hamilton and General Knox advocated the bill. After de- bank estab-
liberate investigation, the president was convinced of its con- *" ^ '
stitutionality and utility, and gave it his signature. The bank
was established at Philadelphia, with a capital of ten millions
of dollars.
The dissensions on the subject of the funding and banking Party dis-
systems, thus originating in the heart of the republic, spread .u^"^'?^,
themselves to its extremities, and were every where the the country
signal for the people to range themselves, each under one ^"d m the
of the two parties. The secretary of state was active and '^'^ ^"^'"
determined in his opposition to the measures of Mr. Hamilton.
He doubtless believed them prejudicial to the interests of his
country ; but it appears problematical, whether, as a member
of the cabinet, it was right for him to spread through the
country, a spirit of disaffection* to measures taken by another
member of the same cabinet, acting in the legitimate exercise
of his proper functions. As an individual patriot, Mr. Jefferson
would certainly have been correct in persuading his country-
men to oppose what he believed would tend to subvert their
liberties ; but it would seem that, by the resignation of his
office, he should have become merely an actor in an individ-
* Mr. Jefferson, it is said, patronized a paper which vilified the conduct and
measures of the secretary of the treasury. Of this, Marshall gives the following
account ;— "Other papers enlisted themselves under the lianners of the opposi-
tion. Conspicuous among the\^ came on, and they suffered from hunger and cold. Notwith-
standing the missionaries had thus sacrificed every thing,
rather than to abandon their converts, who loved them as fa-
thers, they were now seized, by British authority, and carried
1782. to Detroit. The very day they were torn from their families
Hear'sad ^'^^ converts, they learned the dreadful fate of a party of their
news. Indian brethren and sisters, who had gone back to the Musk-
ingum, to gather the corn from their deserted fields.
This party consisted of ninety-eight persons. They were
at Lichtenau and Salem, expecting soon to carry the gathereJ
A DARK PAGE. 279
corn to their famisliing friends, when an armed party of Ameri- PART IV^
can marauders, possessed with the superstitious belief, that the peiuod i.
Indians, like the Canaanites of old, were all to be destroyed ^"■^''' "'
by the chosen race, which, in their opinion, were themselves, ^-*""~^^''*'-^
hearing of this party, came upon them unawares ; and, by I'^S^.
fraud and false pretenses, disarmed and made them pris- back "to if^
oners. They then informed them that they must die. Reli- Muskingum
gion had taught them how Christians should die, and all they ,u"^^'^'^^
asked was a little time to prepare. The wretches gave them ingcorn.
till the next day, and then confined the men in one house,
the women and children in another. AW night did these de- March 6
voted innocents send up to heaven the voice of prayer, with Americans
hymns of praise. In the morning, they were led forth by two '^'^^'^ '^';"*
and two, and in separate houses set apart for the men and
women, they were scalped and murdered ; meeting their death March 7
with christian composure. Thus ninety-six converted Indians Inhumanly
were foully slaughtered in cool-blood, by white men pretend- n^"™^''
ing to be christians. Two lads alone escaped to give these
particulars. Colonel Gibson, the American commandant at
Pittsburg, had sent to apprise the Moravian Indians of the
danger they were in, from these human fiends ; but too late.
The missionaries, who were carried to Detroit, had already I7§i.
been there before on the accusation of Captain Pipe, that they Novemljor.
had been in correspondence w'th the Americans. They denied '^^'^ ""^;
the fact, and demanded of the governor a trial. When con- Detroit are
fronted with their accuser, the governor asked him if his ^'^^^'^ ^'V «■«
charge was true. Captain Pipe shuffled and evaded, and Bridlh' "'o-*
whispered with his counsellors, who hung their heads. At vemor!
length he raised himself, like a man who suddenly makes a
great and good resolve. " I will," said he, " tell the plain Pipe's'avow-
truth. The missionaries are good men." Then striking al.
his breast, he exclaimed, " it is I who am to blame : they did
nothing but what the Delaware chiefs obliged them to do."
On this declaration they were acquitted.
On their second visit, the governor, who was a worthy man, March u.
told them that he had them brought to Detroit to save their .r*'^*''^' "
lives, which the saA-ages were determined to take. Encou- the Huron
raged by him, the missionaries again gathered their scattered river,
flock, for a time, on the Huron river. At length the news of
peace between England and America arrived, and they re- They return
turned to the United States. The savage tribes remaining t°'^;et'nited
hostile, they went towards their settlements in Pennsylvania, lysg
where their society was incorporated, and was flourishing.
From the beginning of the Moravian mission to the year 1782,
the brethren had baptized 720 of the Indians.
After the treaty with Great Britain, that nation refused to de-
liver up Detroit and other posts in the western country, within
the ceded limits of the United States ; alled<{ing that the Ameri-
cans had not fulfilled certain stipulations of the treaty. These
posts became the rallying points of the now hostile savages. '
2&0
THE MASSACRE OF THE INDIAN CONVERTS AVENGED
^ART IV.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. II.
The Miamis.
The Little
Turtle.
General
Harmar.
His defeat.
1792.
October.
St. Clair
suffers the
Little Turtle
lO surpiise
his force,
which is
wholly de-
feated.
Congress re-
solve to car-
ry on the
war, but
soldiers are
wanlinx.
The Miamies were at this time the most prominent of the
western tribes. Tlieir chief, Michikiniqua, (the Little Turtle,)
possessed more talents than any savage warrior of his time.
Like Pontiac, he appears to have thought that a juncture, when
the country was to change its white masters, might be made fa-
vorable to their utter expulsion, and the re-establisment of the
Indian power. By the force of native abilities and great ex-
ertions, he raised himself to be the military leader of the con-
federated U'yandots, Delawares, Pottawatamies, Shawanese,
Chippewas, Ottawas, and other tribes. With purposes of
extermination, they now ravaged the frontiers of the United
States, committing their usual midnight atrocities.
Pacific arrangements were attempted by the president, but
without effect. On their failure, General Harmar was sent
from Fort Washington on the site of Cincinnati, with a force
amounting to 1 ,400 men, to reduce them to terms. He was
successful in destroying Indian villages, and the produce of
their fields ; but in an engagement near Chillicothe, he was de-
feated with considerable loss.
Upon the failure of General Harmar, Major General St.
Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory, was appointed to
succeed him. He hastened, with an army of 2,000, to pro-
tect the suffering inhabitants.
In October of the following year, he marched into the wil-
derness to seek his foe, and encamped with 1,400 men, near
the Miami villages. Regardless of the rules of savage war-
fare, and of the well known talent and subtilty of the Little
Turtle, he and his officers were asleep, while at dead of night
the savage chieftians assembled in council. At dawn, the
terrified Americans were roused with the war-whoop sounding
in their ears, from every quarter. The carnage was indescri-
bable. Not more than one-fourth of the Americans escaped,
and their whole camp and artillery, fell into the hands of the
savages.
A flag of
truce vio-
lated.
1793.
Partiul ces-
sulum of hos-
tilities.
On receiving information of this horrible disaster, congress
resolved to prosecute the war with increased vigor ; to aug-
ment the army, and to place the frontiers in a state of defense.
In pursuance of these resolutions, Washington endeavored to
organize a force, sufficient for a vigorous prosecution of the
war; but the defeats of Harmar and St. Clair produced such
a dread of the Indians, that a sufficient number of recruits
could not be enlisted, to authorize another expedition. A
clamor was raised against the war, and the president once
more attempting to negotiate, sent Colonel Harden and .Major
Trueman, with a flag of truce. They were both murdered by
the savages, though against the will of the chief.
The Six Nations, at the instigation of Washington, now in-
terfered, and persuaded the tribes on the Wabash, to withdraw
from the alliance, and make peace with the United States.
1793
FOREBODINGS OF THE TWO PARTIES. 281
The Miamies consented to something like a truce, agreeing PART IV.
to hold a conference the ensuing spring. peiuod i.
Ill 1792, a mint was established, by order of congress, and lhap. ii.
located at Philadelphia', and the division and value of the
money, to be used throusjhout the country, was regulated by
statute and it was called '"Federal money."
General Washington was again elected president, and in Wi'^jfin^
March, 1793. was inaugurated. John Adams was also re-elect- ton's secona.
ed vice-president. inaugura-
About this time, the French revolution, \vhich had commen-
ced in 1789, began seriously to afl'ect the politics of the Uni- I7S9.
ted States. A new government was at first established in T'lie Frencb*
France, which had for its fundamental principle, the universal '^'"i^c^ms"''
equality of man. Hopes were entertained, that France would
now enjoy the blessings of a free government ; but the leaders
of the revolution were selfish and unprincipled, and their san-
guinary measures soon blasted these hopes. Louis XVI. was
executed, his family murdered or imprisoned, and all who 1792.
were suspected of hostility to the revolutionists, sufl!ered de- , •^^''"^9'-
capitation by the guillotine. guillotined.
The party-spirit wdiich had already agitated the whole Union,
raged with increased violence. The democratic or republi- EfTect of the-
can party, viewing France as in the same situation with Ame- futlon onTbT
rica, when contending for her rights against the tyranny of United
Great Britain, beheld with pleasure the downfall of kings,'and States.
the dissemination of their own principles ; and thotf^h thev „.
J- 1 ^1, r •, 1 1 1 -I • 1 1 views of the^
disapproved the lerocity and cruelty exhibited, yet they trust- democratic
ed that good order would eventually be restored, and a repub- party-
lie of the most perfect kind established.
The federalists, regarding their country as connected Avith
Britain by identity of origin, by the various ties of commercial
interest, by resemblance of institutions, and by similarity of
language, literature, and religion; shocked with the crimes '^''''™ i^*^^^'
of the French rulers, and alarmed at the sy.stem of disorgani-
zation which they had introduced, were led to doubt whether,
amidst such a state of things, a republican form of government
could permanently be maintained. They charged the demo-
cratic party with espousing the cause of France, and thus
fostering a spirit of disorganization. Their public prints
teemed with the most terrific visions of the future condition
of the country, should the republican party gain the ascen-
dency. Law, religion, and good order, they foretold, would
all be subverted ; the churches sacrilegiously demolished, and
the w-ritten word of God committed to the flames. The re-
publican prints retorted with equal asperity, charging their
political opponents with hostility to republican institutions, and
mean subserviency to Great Britain. April 22.
In April, 1793, information was received of the declaration Washinston
of war by France, against Great Britain and Holland. Wash- ,,ruc-lamatton
mgton was an American, and he did not choose to involve his of neutrality.
20
282
PRESUMPTION OF THE FRENCH MINISTER
PART IV.
PERIOD I.
CHAP. II.
1T93.
Aiml.
Arrival of
Genet.
Hi.s pre-
sumptuous
behavior.
.His threats.
Congress
sustain the
executive.
Fob 1.
1794.
Mr.Faurhet
supersedes
him.
1792.
Kentucky
admitted as
a state
I77rj.
Col. Boone
begins a set-
tlement.
IISO.
The .settlers
in distress.
They are
relieved.
country in the contests of Europe. He accordingly, with the
unanimous advice of his cabinet, issued a prockunation of
neutraUty. This measure contributed, in a great degree, to
the prosperity of America. Its adoptTbn was the more hono-
rable to the president, as the general sympathy was in favor
of the sister republic, against whom, it was said. Great Bri-
tain had commenced a war for the sole purpose of imposing
upon her a monarchical form of government ; but he preferred
the welfare of his country to the breath of popular applause.
The French minister, who had been sent over by the king,
was about this time recalled ; and in April, Mr. Genet, who
was appointed by the republic, arrived in Charleston, S. C.
The flattering reception he met with, induced him to believe,
that he could easily persuade the American people to embark
in the cause of France, whatever might be the determination
of their government. This opinion was followed by the pre-
sumptuous procedure of fitting out privateers from the port of
Charleston, to cruise against the vessels of the enemies of
France, nations at peace with the United States. Nor was
this the only act of sovereignty which he attempted. He
projected hostile expeditions against Florida, from South Car-
olina and Georgia , and against New Orleans and Louisiana,
from the state of Kentucky, put them in a train of execution
and did not tinally relin(iuish them until disavowed by the
minister who succeeded him.
Notwithstanding these illegal assumptions, he was welcomed
at Philadelphia by the most extravagant marks of joy. Mr.
Hammond, the British minister justly complained. The cab-
inet disapproved his course, and determined to enforce the
laws. Genet went so far as to accuse the executive, and
threaten an appeal from the government to the people. This
measure turned many against him; and rendered the cause of
France less popular in America. Congress approved the con-
duct of the administration towards Mr. Genet, and France
annulled his powers. He was succeeded by Mr. Fauchet.
Kentucky was separated from Virginia, in 1790, and wa.s
admitted to the union, as a separate state, in 1792. The first
English settlement was made by Col. Daniel Boone. He, with
his famdy and forty men, settled, in 1775, on the banks of
the Kentucky. Boone had himself, visited the region, four
years earlier. Admiring the beauty and grandeur of the
scenery, and the wild fertility of the soil, he remained upon
it; a solitary dweller in the woods. The Indians were fierce
and dangerous; and the wild beasts threatened his lonely
habitation. But Boone delighted in such scenes. He trapped
the bears, and eluded, or made friends of the Indians.
Subsequently, the legislature of Virginia, granted 400 acres
of land, to any man who would make a clearing, build a cabin,
and raise a crop of corn. This attracted settlers The In-
dians were hostile, and severe winters brought famine. But
fresh bodies of emigrants furnished supplies ; and Kentucky
became prosperous.
THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 283
CHAPTER III.
Consequences of war.
On the 1st of January, 1794, Mr. Jefferson resigned his PART IV.
office of secretary of state, and was succeeded by Mr. Ran- "pkriod i
dolph. The office of attorney-general was filled by Mr. Wil- ^jj^p m'
liam Bradford. v^^-n^->,^
The duties which had been laid by congress on distilled Mr. Jeffer-
spirits, created great dissatisfaction. In the western coun- son resigns
ties of Pennsylvania, it soon assumed the appearance of a ^'^ °^^^-
regularly progressive system of resistance. Combinations were 1791.
formed to prevent the operation of the laws, by exciting the The duties
resentment of the people against those concerned in their ex- cn?-hf !!!!r'^
■t r 1 • • spiiiis occa*
ecution ; and lor this purpose, in 1791, a general meeting of siondisturb-
the malcontents was held at Pittsburg, and correspondencies „ ^"^^^ j"
established among them. This state of things called for vig- nm.
orous measures on the part of government. Officers of in-
spection were appointed, and a proclamation issued by the
president, exhorting and admonishing all persons to desist
from any combinations to resist the execution of the laws.
The insurgents, not checked, proceeded to violent outrages. 1T94.
The marshal of the district, while serving processes aeainst 7^^- "'^'^'^"
/r 1 -11 , ^ n 1 ° ' , ° ,, , keyinsurrec-
ottenders, was seized by a body of armed, men, and compelled tion."
to enter into an engagement to refrain from executing the du-
ties of his office. The inspector, apprehensive of danger, af-
ter applying in vain for protection from the civil authority,
procured a small number of soldiers, to guard his house. It
was attacked by five hundred of the rioters, who, by setting
fire to the surrounding buildings, compelled those within to
surrender themselves, and deliver up the papers of the in-
spector, and both this officer and the marshal were obliged
to withdraw.
The avowed motives of these outrages, were to compel the
resignation of the officers, and to procure a repeal of the of-
fensive laws. The number of the insurgents was calculated
at seven thousand.
Washington, having vainly attempted persuasive measures
now found himself compelled to resort to force. A requisi-
tion was made on the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia, for fifteen thousand militia. These October,
were placed under the command of Governor Lee, of Vir- Lersent'
ginia, who marched at their head into the revolted district, against the
This had the intended effijct. Such salutary terror was in- "^^^''sents
spired, that no farther opposition was attempted. Several of
the most active leaders were detained for legal prosecution,
but afterwards pardoned ; as were also two, who were tried
and convicted of treason. In the management of this diffi-
cult afl^air, the energy and wisdom of Washington were again
conspicuous, at once awing the disaflected by force, and
soothing them by lenity.
20*
284
WAYNE S WAR.
PART IV.
1794.
Tl\e mutual
comphiints
of the Brit-
ish and
Americans.
Congres.; ap-
prehend war.
April.
Mr. Jay ap-
pointed en-
voy to Eng-
land.
The Little
Turtle's
opinion of
Wayne.
Wayne
marches into
the Miami
country.
A'Jg. 20.
He defeats
the Indians.
At this session of congress, an act was passed to raise a
naval force, consisting of six frigates, for the purpose of pro-
tecting the American commerce against the Algerines ; eleven
merchant vessels, and upwards of one hundred citizens, having
been captured by these barbarians.
A war with England was, at this time apprehended. Since
the peace of 1 783, mutual complaints were made by the Uni-
ted States and Great Britain for violating the stipulations of
the treaty. The former were accused of preventing the loy-
alists from regaining possession of their estates, and British
subjects from recovering debts, contracted before the com-
mencement of hostilities. The Americans complained, that
the military posts, of the western wildeniess, were still re-
tained ; that the Indians were incited to make incursions up-
on the frontier settlements ; and that injurious commercial re-
strictions had been imposed, by which American vessels,
trading to the ports of France, might be seized by English
cruisers, carried into England and there condemned.
In this situation of afi'airs, congress assembled. A bill
passed, laying an embargo for thirty days, one for erecting
fortifications, one for raising a provisional army, and another
for organizing the militia. To avert, however, if possible,
the calamity of another war, Mr. Jay was sent to England, to
negotiate with the British government.
The Indians of Ohio had continued hostile and refused to
negotiate, although several of the associated tribes had with-
drawn. General St. Clair, after his defeat, resigned his com-
mand, and was succeeded by General Wayne, to whom the
Indians gave the name of the Black-Snake. So many had for-
saken the alliance, that the Little Turtle now believing that
the Indians would be defeated, sought to persuade them to
peace. " We shall not surprise them," said he, " for they
have now a chief who never sleeps." But the council over-
ruled his opinion, and the Indians prepared for war.
Wayne marched into their country, and encamped for
the winter, at Greenville. He occupied the ground where
the battle had been fought in 1791 ; and there erected fort
Recovery. Early in August, he reached the confluence of
the Au Glaize and Miami rivers, about thirty miles from a
British post, where the whole strength of the enemy, estima-
ted at 2,000, was collected. His own force amounted to
three thousand. After sending a messenger, with the vain
endeavor of negotiating a peace, on the 15th of August, he
proceeded against the Indians, and found them advantageously
posted, behind the British fort. On the morning of the 20lh,
the Americans advanced in columns, and at the first charge,
broke the enemy's lines. The Indians retreated, and for two
hours were pursued at the point of the bayonet.
Two companies of British soldiers were in the fight ; but
when the Indians fleeing in their distress, applied for shelter
jay's treaty. 285
to the commandant of the fort, they were refused admission. PART IV.
This treatment, after they had been incited to the war, was period T.
never forgotten or forgiven. The principal chief of the Del- chap. hi.
awares, Buckongahelas, immediately made peace with the ^-»-v-^i^
Americans. Tlie British power over the savages was bro-
ken, and the confederacy dissolved. Their whole country
had been laid waste, and American forts erected in the
conquered territory. These decisive measures disposed to
peace, all the tribes northwest of Ohio, and also the Six
Nations.
January 1st, Mr. Hamilton resigned his office of secretary ,«,««
of the treasury, and was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott of Con- pj7 ,
necticut. At the close of this session, General Knox also secretaries,
resigned his office of secretary of war, and was succeeded by
Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts.
Mr. Jay, having negotiated a treaty with Great Britian, re- -^^^ jg
turned in the spring of 1795. His treaty, having been laid 1794.
before the senate, was, after much debate, ratified by that Jay's treaty
body. It provided that the posts, which the British had re- with Great
tained, should be given up to the Americans, and compensa-
tion made for illegal captures ; and that the American govern- 1795
ment should hold i:600,000, in trust for the subjects of Great Popular
Britain to whom American citizens were indebted. But it clamor
did not prohibit the right of searching merchant vessels, ^s^'"^* ''
claimed by the British ; and was thus an abandonment of the
favorite principle of the Americans, that " free ships make
free goods." While the senate were debating it with closed
doors, a member had given an incorrect copy to a printer.
This was circulated with rapidity, and produced much irrita-
tion. The president received addresses from every part of the „ ,
TT* •!• •/r russps the
Union, praymg him to withhold his signature ; but Washington, senate, and
believing the conditions to be the best which, under existing is signed by
circumstances, could be obtained, signed it in defiance of pop- ^''^^'""'"'^
ular clamor.
At the next session of congress, an attempt was made by
the republican party, to hinder the treaty from going into ef- Debates ..,
feet, by refusing to vote for the necessary funds. After a the provis
on
for car
long debate, in which several members, particularly Fisher '°".* ^
Ames, of Massachusetts, displayed much eloquence, and the effect Jay'
parties generally much heat and irritation, the appopriation treaty,
was carried by a majority of three, and the treaty went into
effect. The republican party, although, in general, confiding
in their beloved president, considered that, his sanction to this
instrument was a proof that his judgment partook in some
small degree of human fallibility. They believed the peace
which it purchased, while the odious right of search was
granted to England, would be short-lived and inglorious.
Washington knew that it was better than war ; and that should
war ultimately arise from the insulting and injurious exercise
of that power, it were better deferred, until the state had
s
286 FRENCH DIPLOMACY.
PART IV. gained the strength and vigor of a few more years' con
PERIOD I. solidation.
CHAP. III. ji^ treaty was also made this season with Algiers ; the com-
^-"^^^'^^'^ merce of the Mediterranean was opened, and the American
1795. captives were restored. A treaty was also concluded with
Ak^ "'"^^ ^^® Indians in the west; thus securing the frontiers from sav-
age invasion..
Oct. 27. A treaty with Spain soon after followed. That power had
"^Spain!^' endeavored to cause the western boundary of the new repub-
lic to be fixed three hundred miles east of the Mississippi.
She denied the inhabitants beyond the Alleghany mountains,
access to the ocean through that river, the mouth of which
was in her province of Louisiana. To adjust these differen-
ces, Thomas Pinkney was appointed envoy extraordinary to
the court of Madrid. In October, a treaty was signed, allow-
ing the claims of the republic, as to the western boundary ;
securing to the United States free navigation from the Missis-
sippi to the ocean, and the privilege of landing and depositing
cargoes at New Orleans.
In 1796, Tennessee was admitted to the Union.
The treaties of the last year met with no opposition in cou-
1796. gress. The conduct of France had continued to be a source
Mr. Fau- of disquiet. Mr. Fauchet, believing himself supported by a
chet's mso- numerous party in America, gradually assumed an authorita-
lent DrocGCQ* . x */ ' o j
ings. tive manner. He insulted the administration by accusing
them of partiality to their former foes, enmity to their friends,
and indifference to the cause of liberty.
Mr. Morris, who had been sent minister to France, failing
to secure the confidence of those in power, was, at their re-
American quest, recalled, in 1794. He was succeeded by Mr. Monroe,
ministers to a gentleman who possessed the ardor for liberty and the rights
France, Mr. ^f j^an, common to the republican party; and who, with them,
Mr. Monroe, hoped that the French revolution would eventually lead to the
establishment of a free government, on the ruins of the an-
cient despotism. He was received in the most flattering
manner ; and the flags of the two republics were entwined and
suspended in the legislative hall, as a symbol of friendship
and union.
Mr. Fauchet Mr. Adet soon after succeeded Mr. Fauchet, and brought
superseded -writh him the colors of France, which, with much ceremony,
' were deposited with the archives of the United States, as
an honorable testimony of the existing sympathies and affec-
tions of the sister republics. These flatteries on the part of
Unjust pro- France, proved to be nothing but tricks to cajole America to
codings of take part in her European wars ; but finding a steady system
ranee. ^^ neutrality maintained, she adopted measures injurious to
American commerce. Her cruisers were allowed, in certain
cases, to capture vessels of the United States ; and while
prosecuting a lawful trade, many hundreds of American ves-
sels were taken and confiscated.
WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS.
287
Mr. Monroe at this time, was suspected, by the president,
of not asserting and vindicating tlie rights of the nation with
proper energy. These suspicions were attributed, by the re-
pubhcan party, to the false insinuations of his political oppo-
nents. W^ashington, however, recalled him, and appointed
Charles C. Pinkney, of South Carolina, in his stead.
As the period for a new election of the president of the Uni-
ted States approached, General Washington publicly signified
his unalterable determination to retire to the shades of private
life. On this occasion he received addresses from various
quarters of the Union, which, while they deplored the loss of
his great public services, contained many subjects of congrat-
ulation. He was reminded that during the short period of his
administration, the prosperity of the country had increased be-
yond example. In regard to foreign afiairs, he had witnessed
the peaceful termination of all disputes with other nations, ex-
cepting France ; while with respect to domestic, he had be-
held the restoration of public credit, and provision of ample
security for the ultimate payment of the public debt. The
prosperity of American commerce had exceeded the most
sanguine expectations, tonnage having nearly doubled. The
productions of the soil had found a ready market ; the exports
had increased from nineteen millions to more than fifty-six
millions of dollars ; the imports in about the same proportion ;
and the amount of revenue, from import duties, had exceeded
all calculation.
In 1796, the Father of his Country published his farewell ad-
dress to the people of America. In the most earnest and af-
fectionate manner he called upon them to cherish an immova-
ble attachment to the national union, to watch for its preser-
vation with jealous anxiety, to discountenance even the sug-
gestion that it could, in any event, be abandoned ; and " in-
dignantly frown upon the first dawnings of an attempt to
alienate any portion of our country from the rest." Overgrown
military establishments he represented as particularly hostile
to republican liberty. While he recommended the most im-
plicit obedience to the acts of the established government, and
reprobated all obstructions to the execution of the laws, all
combinations and associations, under whatsoever plausible
character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract,
or overawe the general deliberations and actions of the consti-
O ...
tuted authorities ; — he wished also to guard against the spirit
of innovation upon the principles of the constitution. Aware
that the energy of the system might be enfeebled by altera-
tions, he thought no change should be made without an evi-
dent necessity ; and that in so extensive a country, as much
vigor as is consistent with liberty, is indispensable. On the
other hand, he pointed out the dangers of real despotism, by
breaking down the partitions between the several departments
PART I V^
PEKion 1
CHAP. in.
From
1T§9.
to
1796.
Growl Hi;
prosperity
of the
country.
1796.
^\ asliing-
ton's fare-
well address
He
warns his
covintrj'nien
against dis-
union ;
Great, inili-
larj' eslab-
lishraents,
A iavvless
spirit of dus-
regard to au-
thorities ;
against un
necessary
changes.
288 JOHN ADAMS MADE PRESIDENT.
PART IV. of government, by destroying the reciprocal checks, and con-
PERioD I. solidating the difi'erent powers.
CHAP. IV. Against the spirit of party, so particularly baneful in an elec-
tive government, he uttered his solemn remonstrance, as well
as against inveterate antipathies, or passionate attachments,
in respect to foreign nations. While he thought that the
1796. jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, against
^strater ^^6 iusidious wiles of foreign influence, he wished that good
against par- faith and equal justice should be observed towards all nations,
ty spinu ^ j^jjj peace and harmony cultivated. In his opinion, honesty,
°cnce, ills-' no less in public than in private affairs, is the best policy.
honesty, and Other subjects to which he alluded, were the importance of
^^anc^ credit, of economy, of a reduction of the public debt, and of
literary institutions ; above all, he recommended religion and
morality as indispensably necessary to political prosperity.
" in vain," says he, " would that man claim the tribute of
patriotism, who would labor to subvert these great pillars of
human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and
citizens."
CHAPTER IV.
America resents the indignities of France.
To fill the station which Washington had so emmently dig-
nified, the two great political parties presented their leaders.
Adams and The federalists, claiming to be the sole adherents of the policy
s'^n^^can^ of Washington, and charging the opposite party with acting
didates. under French influence, and having imbibed French principles,
zealously endeavored to elect John Adams. The republicans,
7: 7: setting themselves up as the exclusive friends of liberty, and
March 4. "? , . ^ • , i , ti • • i
Mr. Adams, accusmg their opponents with undue attachment to liritain and
presideiit ; its institutions, exerted their influence for Thomas Jefferson,
son vice- ^'^ opening the votes it was found that Mr. Adams was
president, elected president, and Mr. Jefferson vice-president.
Immediately on succeeding to the presidency, Mr. Adams
^P^^ '^^^^ received intelligence of an open indignity on the part of the
French government now in the hands of the directory. They
had refused to accept Mr. Pinkney in exchange for Mr. Mon-
roe, and directing him to quit France, determined not to re-
ceive another minister, until the United States had complied
convened. ^^^^ their demands. Congress was immediately convened,
and the dispatches containing this intelligence, submitted to
Put 80,000 their consideration. They passed laws increasing the navy,
"call'of'the ^"g"ienting the revenue, and authorizing the president to de-
president, tach, at his discretion, eighty thousand men from the militia.
To manifest, at the same time, his sincere desire of peace,
TREATY WITH FRANCE, 28t>
Mr. Adams appointed three envoys extraordinary to the French PART IV.
republic, Mr. Pinkney, then at Amsterdam, whither he had peiuodi."
retired on leaving France, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Gerry, chap. iv.
These, also, the directory refused to receive ; but an indirect ^-'-^v^^--'
intercourse was held with them, through the medium of unof-
ficial persons, who were instructed by M. Talleyrand, the
minister of foreign relations, to make them proposals. These
persons demanded, before any negotiation could be opened
with the directory, that a considerable amount of money should
be given to Talleyrand. This insulting proposal was indig-
nantly rejected. It was, however, repeated, and letters were
received upon the subject, signed X Y & Z. Hence this has 3'J'97.
been called the X Y & Z mission. The envoys at lenoth ^ ^' *^ Z
J J • . , IT "^ . ° mission,
succeeded ni putting an end to so degradmg an intercourse.
After spending several months at Paris, Mr. Marshall and Mr.
Pinkney were ordered to leave France, while Mr. Gerry was
permitted to remain, andrepeatedly importuned singly to enter
into a negotiation. This he declined, and was soon after
recalled by his government. This treatment of the envoys
induced Mr. Adams to declare, " that he would make no fur-
ther overtures, until assured that American ministers would be
received in a manner suited to the dignity of a great and in-
dependent nation."
These events were followed by such French depredations,
on the American commerce, as excited universal indignation ;
and the general moito was, " Millions for defense, not a cent
for tribute." A regular provisional army was established by
congress, taxes were raised, and additional internal duties laid. Wn,shin?ton
General Washington, at the call of congress, left his peaceful o"'''' '"«''e
abode once more, to command the armies of his country, 'tiirarniy.^
General Hamilton was made second in command. The navy
was increased, and reprisals were made at sea. The French 1T98.
frigate L'Insurgente, of forty guns, was captured, after a des- ^'f''- 'o.
perate action, by the frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, S^atJ'LUn'l
commanded by Commodore Truxtonj a victory which gave sur^cnte
great satisfaction to both political parties in Anierica. captured.
The French government now became convinced that, al-
though the Americans might choose to quarrel among them-
selves, yet they would not suffer foreign interference; and
Iheymade indirect overtures for a renewal of negotiations. ^^^^
Mr. Adams promptly met them by appointing Oliver Ellsworth Buonaparte
chief-justice of the United States, Patrick Henry late governor at thf head
of Virginia, and William Van Murray minister at the Hague, of'he French
envoys to Paris, for concluding an honorable peace. They ^"'■'"■"'"«"f-
found the directory overthrown, and the government in the Arnrrioan
hands of Napoleon Buonaparte, who had not partaken of the ''°""^;^"°'^
transactions which had embroiled the two countries. With Sc ,t 30
him they amicably adjusted all disputes, by a treaty, concluded Conclude'
at Paris, on the 30th of September. The provisional army "^<^*''y-
was soon after disbanded by order of congress.
a
290 THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON.
PART IV. America was now called to mourn the death of Wash-
PERIOD I. ington. He calmly and peacefully expired at Mount Vernon,
CHAP. V. after an illness of twenty-four hours. The newspaper, in its
^-^'^'"'•'-^ blackened columns announced to the people, " the Father of
1799. }^ig Country is no more !" The bells of the nation tolled forth
Death of ^^i^ requiem, and one general hurst of grief broke from the
Washington, filial hearts of the American people. Clad in black, they as-
The people sembled in their churches, to hear his funeral praises from.
mourr. iI^q orator, and from the minister of God. The poet wrote
his elegy, and the choir sung the solemn and pathetic dirge.
The government mourned, with more of the parade of giief,
but with an equal share of its sincerity.
In the house of representatives, the speaker's chair was
shrouded in black ; and the members were clad in the vest-
The govern- ments of sorrow. A joint committee of both houses were ap-
hoTors to his pointed, who devised in what manner they should pay honor
memory, to the memory of " the man first in war, first in peace, and
first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Washington died in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His
history is that of his country, during the period of his public
services. Commanding her armies, and presiding in her
councils, during the most interesting period of her existence,
her story can never be delineated, but he must stand the most
prominent figure on the foreground. What may be said of
many of the worthies of the revolution, may be eminently said
of him. In no instance has he rendered his country a more
His "real important service, than in leaving to her future sons, his great
example an and good example. Other heroes have been praised for their
^Teeacy'^'' love of glory. Washington soared in the pure atmosphere of
virtue, above its reach. Never did he rashly adventure the
cause of his country, lest he should suft'er in his personal
reputation. He was above all other approbation and fear, but
that of God.
CHAPTER V.
Operations of the two political parties.
1800 During the year 1800, the seat of government, agreeably
Seat of go- to the law passed by congress in 1790, was transferred from
vernmeni is Philadelphia to the city of Washington. A territory, ten miles
to Washing- square, in which it was to be permanently located, had been
ton. ceded to the general government, by the states of Virginia and
Maryland ; and received the name of " the District of Co-
lumbia." Public buildings had been erected ; and, in No-
vember of this year, congress, for the first time, held theii
session in that place.
MR. ADAMs' ADMINISTRATION. 291
Mississippi, and a part of the northwest territory, called In- PART IV.
diana, were this year made territories with separate govern- period i.
ments. chap. v.
The time had now arrived for electing a president. It was ^->*-N'^«^y
about this period, that the feuds and animosities of the federal 1§00.
and republican parties were at their greatest height. When P^S'^ess of
Mr. Adams was first made the opposing candidate to Mr. Jef- opim'on in
ferson, he was, by no means, obnoxious to the great body of ieo'>rd to Mr-
the republican party, who voted against him. They recog- ^^ ''"'^'
nized in him a patriot of the revolution, and they liked him
well, although they liked Mr. Jefferson better. It was Mr.
Hamilton, not Mr. Adams, who was the chief object of party
aversion ; and although a clamor was raised, to serve party
purposes, accusing him of being too much in favor of the Bri-
tish form of government, yet the real cause of dissatisfaction
was, that he was supported by those, who, they were persua-
ded, had monarchical views. After the lapse of four years,
when Mr. Adams was again a candidate for the presidency,
he was opposed with far more bitterness.
In some of his measures he had been unfortunate, and the
vigilant spirit of party was awake, to make the most of the
real, or supposed errors of the nominal head of their oppo- j^, . , ,
nents. In the early part of his administration, the acts, by administra
which the army and navy were strengthened, and eighty thou- 1'°"-
sand of the militia subjected to his order, were represented,
by the democratic party, as proofs that, however he might
have been a friend to the constitution of his country, he now
either wished to subvert it, or was led blindfold into the views ^'^^ne\^'*
of those who did. The republicans scrupled the policy of a
war with France, and denied the necessity, even in case of
such a war, of a great land force against an enemy, totally
unassailable, except by water. They believed that spirits
werp at work to produce this war, or to make the most of the
prospect of a disturbance, in order to lull the people; while
they raised an army, which they intended as the instrument
of subverting the republican, and establishing a monarchical
government. *
Mr. Adams was stung by such unreasonable clamors. At-
tributing the evil to French emissaries, and moreover ascribing
to too much liberty, the horrible excesses of the French revo-
lution, he gave his signature to two acts, which were consid-
ered by the body of the people as dangerous to the constitu- Sedition and
tional liberty of America. One of these, called the Alien alien laws.
Law, authorized the president to order any alien, whom he
should judge dangerous to the peace and liberty of the couii-
try, to depart from the United States, on pain of imprisonment.
The other, called the Sedition Law, imposed a heavy fine,
and imprisonment for years, upon such as should " combine,
or conspire together to oppose any measure of the govern-
ment;" and "write, print, utter, publish, &c. any false, scan-
292
PARTY SPIRIT DESTITUTE OF PATRIOTISM,
PART IV.
1§00.
Their great
unpopulari-
ty.
The mid-
night ju-
diciary.
1§01.
Mr. Jeffer-
son and Mr.
Burr re-
ceive, from
••he electors,
an equal
Humber of
votes.
They re-
ceive an
qual vote in
house of
representa-
tives.
Evil conse-
quences
ever to be
apprehended
from violent
party spirit.
dalous, and malicious writing against tjje government of the
United States, or either house of the congress of the United
States, or the president, &c." Under the sedition law, seve-
ral persons were actually imprisoned. The sympathies of the
people were awakened in their behalf, and their indignation
roused against those, by whose means they were confined.
These were the principal causes why Mr. Adams was, at this
period, unpopular, and that the federal party, as appeared by
the electicm, had become the minority.
Immediately preceding his retirement from office, Mr. Ad-
ams appointed, in pursuance of a law made by congress,
twelve new judges. These were called his midnight judi-
ciary, from the alleged fact that they were appointed at twelve
o'clock on the last night of his presidential authority.
By the constitution, as it then existed, each elector voted
for two men, without designating which was to be president;
and he who was found to have the greatest number of votes,
was to be president; and the second on the list, vice-presi-
dent. An unlooked for case now occurred. The republican
electors, who had a very considerable majority over the fede-
ral, gave their votes, to a man, for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr; intending, that .left'erson, the leader of the party, should
be president, and Burr, vice president. These two men had
thus an equal number of votes ; and the election must, accor-
ding to the constitution, be decided by the house of repre-
sentatives.
The federal party were defeated, but they considered that
they might yet defeat their opponents ; and probably believing
that they might find a grateful friend in Colonel Burr, while
they knew that they had nothing to expect from Mr. Jefferson,
they determined, if possible, to raise him to the presidential
chair. On counting the votes in the house, another singular
event occurred ; Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr had an equal
number of votes. Again and again the voting went round,
and the votes remained the same ; until the time had nearly
arrived when, by the constitution, the president must be elect-
ed, or otherwise, the machine of government would be run
down ; and the constitution contained no machinery by which
it could be wound up. At length, after the members had voted
thirty-five times, it was found on the thirty-sixth balloting, that
Mr. Jefferson had a majority of one state.
This transaction must go down to posterity as a dark pas
sage in American history. Whether or not the republi
cans would have continued to vote until the constitution was
destroyed, rather than yield to their opponents a short lived
triumph, and take for four years as president, the man them-
selves had selected as vice president, can never be known ;
but if such had been the fact, posterity would have had cause
to exqcrate their memories. Had such a catastrophe ensued,
still less would America have had occasion of gratitude to tho
TRIPOLITAN WAR. 293
Other party. The republicans might alledge, that they voted FART IV.
ill obedience to the will ol' the people ; but no one pretended, period t.
that any freeman, in voting i'or an elector, or any elector in chap. v.
voting for Mr. Burr, expected or wished that he should be ----"^v^**^
president. To guard the future, the constitution was amended.*
On the 4th of March, 1801, Mr. Jefferson was inauguated. 1§01.
On his accession to office, he departed from the example of March 4.
his predecessors, and, instead of a speech delivered to the of Mr.^Jeffe"
two houses of congress in person, he sent to them a written son.
message, which was first read in the senate, and then trans-
mitted to the house of representatives. The practice has
been followed, and sanctioned by his successors.
The principal offices of the government were now transfer- Mr. Madi-
red to the republican party. Mr. Madison was appointed to *"" r^if.T
the department of state.
A bill was passed by congress, in accordance with the re-
commendation of the president, reorganizing the judiciary
department, by means of which the twelve judges, appointed
during the last days of Mr. Adams' administration, were de-
prived of their offices. Another bill was passed, enlarging the
rights of naturalization.
A second census of the United States was also completed ; Second cen-
giving a population of 5,319,762, an increase of one million ^"^•
four hundred thousand in ten years. In the same time, the t:, .
, ^ . "^ . ,, •,,. , hixports and
exports increased irom nineteen to ninety-iour millions, and revenue.
the revenue, from 4,771,000 to 12,945,000 dollars. This ra-
pid advance in the career of prosperity, is unparalleled in the
history of nations ; and it is to be attributed to the industrious
and enterprising habits of the people, and their excellent laws
and political institutions.
During this year, congress declared war against Tripoli.
In 1802, Ohio was admitted as an independent state into 1§03.
the Union. The territory of this state was originally claimed '-""" "''•
by Virginia and Connecticut, and was ceded by them to the " Union.
United States, at different times, after the year 1781. From
this extensive and fertile tract of country, slavery was entirely
excluded.
In 1 802, the port of New Orleans was closed against the LouLsiana
United States. The king of Spain having ceded Louisiana ^^'''-'^ ''^
to the French, the Spanish intendant was commanded to make France-
arrangements to deliver the country to the French commis-
sioners. In consequence of this order, the intendant an-
nounced that the citizens of the United States could no Ion- Dimculty
ger be permitted to deposit their merchandise and effects in ^"^ ^^^"^
the port of New Orleans. By this prohibition, the western
states were in danger of suffering the ruin of their commerce ;
and great agitation was excited in the public mind. Congress
caused friendly and reasonable representations of the griev-
ances sustained, to be made to the court of Spain, and the
right of deposit was restored.
* See Article XII. of the Amendments, p. 407.
294
PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA.
CHAP. V.
1§03.
Louisiana
PART IV^ Aware of the difficulties and danger to whicli the United
PERIOD 1. States would be exposed, while Louisiana remained in the
possession of a foreign power, propositions had been made for
procuring it by purchase. This was a subject of much dis-
cussion and feeling. But, by a treaty concluded at Paris, in
1803, Louisiana, comprising all that immense region of coim-
purc.hased. ^^^ extending from the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean, was
acquired by the United States, as well as the free and exclu-
sive navigation of the river. The sum of fifteen millions of
dollars was the sole price given for these newly acquired
rights, which thus in a peaceful manner, nearly doubled the
geographical importance of the nation, and therefore forms an
important era in our history.
PERIOD II,
FROM
THE PURCHASE J 1 §03 i OF LOUISIANA
TO
jl§03J
TO
THE CESSION j ISSO. 1 OF FLORIDA.
CHAPTER I.
European aflfairs. — War with Tripoli. — Troubles with England and Frar.ce,
The semi-barbarous nations, which inhabit the southern PART IV.
chores of the Mediterranean, had made depredations on the period ii.
American commerce, and had taken and held in bondage, chap. i.
American citizens. On remonstrance, Tripoli intimated to v^-^-v-"*^
the government, that their only method of securing themselves, l§01.
was the payment of tribute. '^Var with
In prosecution of the war which ensued. Commodore Dale, ^ "^"^'"
with a squadron of two frigates and a sloop of war, was sent
to the Mediterranean, where, blockading the harbor of Tripoli,
he prevented the piratical cruisers from leaving it, and thus
afforded protection to the American commerce.
Early in the year 1803, congress sent out Commodore 1§03.
Preble, with a squadron of seven sail. In October, one of his FnjiiitePlul-
ships, the Philadelphia, Captain Bainbridge, was sent into the c^apuued.
harbor of Tripoli, to reconnoitre ; and while in pursuit of a
small vessel, he unfortunately proceeded so far, that the frigate
grounded, and fell into the hands of the enemy. The officers
were imprisoned, and the crew treated as slaves.
Stephen Decatur, a lieutenant under Preble, conceived the isot.
bold design of re-capturing, or destroying the Philadelphia. Fibmary.
Arming a small ketch, the Intrepid, he sailed from Syracuse, g^'i^^J^gg ^^_j
with seventy-six men, entered the harbor of Tripoli, and ad- burns th*
vancing secretly, took a station alongside of the frigate, which PlujiiJel-
was moored within gunshot of the bashaw's castle, and of the ^' '"*'
principal battery. Some of the enemy's cruisers lay within
two cable's length, and all the gims of the frigate were mount-
ed and loaded. Decatur sprang on board. His crew fol-
lowed, and rushing, sword in hand, upon the astonished and
terrified Tripolitans, killed and drove them into the sea, and
were soon masters of the frigate. The giuis of the battery
opened upon them, and the corsairs in the harbor were ap-
proaching. They set fire to the Philadelphia, left her, and
were soon out of the reach of their pursuers; having ac-
complished this daring enterprise without the loss of a single
man.
296 GEN, Eaton's expedition against derne.
PART IV. In the month of August, Commodore Preble Avent three
times into the harbor of Tripoli, and opened the broadsides
of his fleet. Although some of the Tripolitan shipping was
thus destroyed, yet no material impression was made upon
iS04. the fortifications. Meantime, the barbarians treated the Ame-
Preble at^ ricau prisoners, among whom were Captain Bainbridge and
tempts to his crew, with such cruel indignities, that their country deeply
destroy ; he commisserating their distresses, was ready to adopt any meas-
ai Tripoli, ^i"*^? which afforded a reasonable prospect of relief.
In 1 803, Captain William Eaton, on his return from Tunis,
where he had been as consul, requested the government to
permit liis union with Hamet an elder and expelled brother
Eaton oh- of the reigning bashaw of Tripoli. Permission was given,
tains pL-nms- gypji supplies granted him as could be afforded, and the co-
sion to un- r r o '
(iprtiike a Operation of the fleet recommended. After reaching Malta,
b>ld enter- \iq left the American fleet, and proceeded to Cairo and Alex-
''"*'^' andria, where he formed a convention with Hamet, who hoped,
by attacking the usurper in his dominions, to regain his throne.
For this purpose, an army was to be raised in Egypt, where
Hamet had been kindly received, and presented with a mili-
tary command by the Alameluke Bey.
Early in 1805, Eaton was appointed general of Hamet's
forces. From Egj^^jt, he marched with a few hundred troops,
1§05. principally Arabs, across a desert, one thousand miles in ex-
April -:7. tent, to Derne, a Tripolitan city, on the Mediterranean. In
He captures ^|^jg j^arbor he found the part of the American fleet destined
to assist him. The next morning, he summoned the governor
of Derne to surrender, who returned the bold answer, " My
head or yours." He then assaulted the city, which, after a
contest of two hours and a half, surrendered. Eaton was
wounded, and his army had suffered severely, yet immediate
exertions were made to fortify the city.
On the 8th of May, it was attacked by a Tripolitan army,
much more numerous than Eaton's, yet, after a severe contest
Viotorio;is of four hours, they were compelled to retire. On the 10th
over the 1 n- yf June, another battle was fought, in which Eaton was again
victorious. The next day, the American frigate Constitution
arrived in the harbor, and the Tripolitans fled to the desert.
The bashaw now offered terms of peace, which were ac-
Juno 3. ceded to by Colonel Lear, the American consul at Tripoli.
Peace with It was Stipulated that an exchange of prisoners should take
"^" ^' place ; and, as the bashaw had a balance of more than 200
in his favor, he was to receive sixty thousand dollars. All
support from Hamet was to be withdrawn ; but on his retiring
from the territory, his wife and children, then in the power of
the reigning bashaw, were to be given up to him. Thus ended
180 1, the war in the Mediterranean.
Hamilton i„ July, 1804, Occurred the death of General Alexander
^luel whh Hamilton. He died in a duel fought with Aaron Burr, vice
Burr. president of the United States. Colonel Burr had addressed
SERIOUS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AMERICA. 297
a letter to General Hamilton, requiring his denial or acknow- PART IV.
ledgment of certain offensive expressions contained in a pub- period ii.
lie journal. Hamilton declining to give either, Colonel Burr ch\p. i.
sent him a challenge. They met, and Hamilton fell at the '--'^v^^^
first fire. His death caused a deep sensation throughout the
country.
In the meantime, Mr. Jefferson received his second presi- 1§05.
dential election ; and such was his popularity, that out of 176 Jefferson
. .*- nsain elect-
vote*, he received 162. George Clinton, of New York, was eifpresident.
chosen vice-president.
The wise policy of America had been eminently conspic- Neutrality-
uous in maintaining a steady system of neutrality, during the "luiir^ "he^
whole of those wars which broke out in consequence of the wars of the
French revolution. This neutrality enabled her to profit by French revo-
the colonial commerce of France and Spain, as also by the
whole of that branch of European trade, which, in conse-
quence of the general war, could not be transported in native
ships. France, in the meantime, had become a nation of ^>„trals
soldiers. She had repelled her invaders, and placed at the unjustly
head of her republic a man whose vast mental powers and re- ti^e^i^giu^e^
sources had acquired control over most of the European king- rents."
doms. Napoleon had made a stand against the maritime
tyranny of Britain, while that nation, with equal A-igor, re-
sisted his usurpations on land. Each party was intent on re-
paying blow for blow ; and each was regardless how great a
part of the shock might fall on unoffending neutrals, so that
any part of it should reach his antagonist. Nor was this all ;
each belligerent, resolutely bent that other nations should make
common cause, made it understsood, that whatever nation
should fail of resenting the injuries of his enemy, should be
injured by him.
On two subjects Britain and America were at issue. One Disputes be
was respecting what the former power denominated " the riaht *"'^*'". Great;
of search ;" by which on various pretences, she had so long America,
haughtily assumed, and exercised an authority to search the The "rl ht-
vessels of other nations. Another subject in dispute was, that of search." *
of expatriation. England maintained, that a man, once a sub-
ject, was always a subject ; and that no act of his could
change his allegiance to the government under which he was
born. America, with a more liberal policy, held that man
was born free ; and if, when he arrived at years of reflection, ^^^ *^
he preferred some other government to that of his native land,
he had a right to withdraw himself, and break the bonds im-
posed by his birth. In pursuance of these difl'erent princi-
ples, America received and adopted as her sons, all who, in
compliance with the forms of her laws, sought her hospita-
ble protection. Hence, there were those, who being born
m Great Britain, were claimed by that government as her
subjects ; while at the same time, having resided in America,
and become naturalized, they were as much regarded as
21
crees.
298 ENGLISH AND FRENCH ORDERS AND DECREES.
P.ART IV^ her citizens, as if they had d^a^\^l their first breath upon
PERIOD II. her soil.
CHAP. I. These opinions were convenient to the British statesmen
^^^'^•-'^^-^ in defending the impressment of American seamen. Officers
of British ships, in the exercise of the pretended right of
search, entered American vessels, and impressed from thence
certain seamen, whom they claimed as subjects, because they
1§06. were born in Great Britain ; while the same men, having be-
Iinpressinent come naturalized in America, were there regarded as citizens.
ot American mi • r ■ i i t i ^
seaipcn. -^ he practice of impressment, thus begun, did not however
end here, but proceeded to extremes that were unjustifiable
on any principles. The native citizens of America were
Avantonly confounded with her adopted ones, by the domineer-
ing officers of the British navy ; and a cry was heard through-
out the land, of American families who mourned for their rel-
atives, thus forcibly seized and detained in the worst of bond-
age.
French and America, thus harassed, was meditating measures for the
-Engusii de- (jgfense of her commerce, when she received, from both the
belligerents, fresh cause of provocation. Great Britain, un-
der the administration of Charles Fox, issued a proclamation,
JNIay, 1806, blockading the coast of the continent, from Elbe
to Brest. The French government, exasperated at this meas-
ure, retaliated by the decree issued at Berlin, November, 21st;,
declaring the British Isles, in a state of blockade. Thus
each nation declared, in effect, that no neutral should trade
with the other.
In 1807, the public attention was again directed to Colonel
Burr. He had lost the confidence of the republican party, by
his supposed intrigues against Mr. Jefferson, for the office of
.euterprT°e'of President ; and he had excited the indignation of the whole
Colonel federal party, by his encounter with Hamilton. Thus situa-
-Burr. iQ^^ he had retired as a private citizen into the western
states. It was at length, understood, that he was at the
head of a great number of individuals, who were arming
and organizing themselves ; purchasing and building boats
on the Ohio.
Their ostensible object, peaceful and agricultural, was to
form a settlement on the banks of the Washita, in Louisiana,
.jg^*- But their movements indicated other designs. At length. Burr
Uuir i.s ap- was apprehended on the Tombigbee river, in February, 1807,
prehendcd. brought to Richmond, under military escort, and committed,
aiiyit,- -^^ QYfier to take his trial upon two charges exhibited against
him, on the part of the United States. First, for a high mis-
demeanor, in setting on foot, within the United States, a mili-
tary expedition against the king of Spain, with whom the
republic was at peace ; second, for treason in assembling an
armed force, with a design to seize the city of New Orleans
to revolutionize the territory attached to it, and to separate the
Atlantic states from the western. In August, after a trial be-
quit'':
AFFAIR OF THE CHESAPEAKE.
299
fore Judge Marshall, the chief-justice of the United States, PART lY.
sufficient evidence of his guilt not being presented, he was period ii
acquitted by the jury.
CHAP. II.
CHAPTER II
War with England.
The frigate Chesapeake, commanded by Com. Barron, hav-
ing been ordered on a cruise, sailed from Hampton Roads on
the22d of June. She had proceeded but a tew leagues from
the coast, when she was overtaken by the British ship-of-war,
Leopard. A British officer came on board, with an order
from Vice-Admiral Berkely, to take from the Chesapeake
three men, alledged to be deserters from the Melampus frigate.
These men, were American citizens, who had been impressed
by the British, but had deserted, and enlisted in the service of
their country. Commodore Barron replied in terms of polite-
ness, but refused to have his crew mustered for examination.
The American commodore was not prepared for an at-
tack so near the Capes ; but, during this interview, he noticed
hostile movements on board the Leopard, and gave imme-
diate orders to prepare for action. But before efficient pre-
paration could be made, the Leopard opened her broadside.
After receiving her fire about thirty minutes, during which,
the Americans had three men killed, and eighteen wound-
ed. Commodore Barron ordered his colors to be struck. An
officer from the Leopard came on board, and took four men, the
three who had been previously demanded, and another, who
they affirmed, had deserted from a merchant vessel. Com-
modore Barron i)bserved, that he considered the Chesapeake
a prize to the Leopard. The officer replied " No," he had
obeyed his orders in taking out the men, and had nothing fur-
ther to do with her. This event produced great excitement.
That rancor of party which had so long embittered all the
intercourse of social life, was lost in the general desire to
avenge a common wrong. The president, by proclamation,
commanded all British armed vessels within the harbors or
waters of the United States, to depart from the same without
delay, and prohibited others from entering. Mr. Monroe, the
American minister in London, was instructed to demand rep-
aration ; and a special congress was called.
In November, Great Britain issued her orders in council, a
measure declared to be in retaliation of the French decree of
November, 1806. These prohibited all neutral nations from
trading with France, or her allies, except upon the condition
21*
1§07.
Outrage
upon the
Chesapeake
June 22.
Commodore
Barron
strikes to the
Leopard.
Nov. 11.
Orders in
council is-
sued.
300
THE EMBARGO. MADISON S ADMINISTRATION.
PART IV.
1§07.
Dec. 22.
Embargo
laid.
Mr. Can-
ning.
Mr. Rose.
1S09.
Mr. Madison
is elected
president.
March.
Embargo re-
pealed.
Non-inter-
course sub-
stituted.
March 23.
Decree of
Rambouillet.
Arrange-
ment with
Mr. Erskine,
of paying tribute to England. This was immediately follow
ed by a decree of Napoleon, at Milan, which declared that
every vessel which should submit to be searched, or pay trib-
ute to the English, should be confiscated if found within his
ports.
Thus was the commerce of America subjected to utter ruin,
as almost all her vessels were, on some of these pretences,
liable to capture. Congress after warm debates, resorted to
an embargo on their own vessels, as a measure best fitted to
the crisis. It would effectually secure the mercantile prop-
erty, and the mariners now at home, and also those who were
daily arriving ; and at the same time it would not be a meas-
ure of war, or a just cause of hostility.
Mr. Monroe was instructed not only to demand satisfaction
for the Chesapeake, but to obtain security against future im-
pressments from American ships. Mr. Canning, the British
minister, objected to uniting these subjects, and Mr. Monroe
was not authorized to treat them separately. Mr. Rose was
sent out envoy-extraordinary to the United States, to adjust
the difficulty which had arisen on account of the Chesapeake.
In 1808, Commodore Barron was tried for prematurely sur-
rendering that frigate, and suspended for five years.
In 1809, Mr. Jefferson's second term of office having ex-
pired, he declared his wish to retire from public life. Mr.
Madison, was elected president, and Mr. George Clinton of
New York was re-elected vice-president.
In the meantime the embargo met the most ■violent opposi-
tion, throughout the country. The commercial states inveigh-
ed against it as ruinous ; bringing in its train poverty and
distress. Opportunities of infringing it were seized ; and its
restrictions could not be enforced, in the eastern states, with-
out the aid of a military force. Thus circumstanced, the
government repealed the embargo law, and sustituted another,
prohibiting for one year all intercourse with France or Great
Britain, with a proviso, that should either of the hostile na-
tions revoke her edicts, so that the neutral commerce of the
United States should be no longer violated, the president
should immediately make it known by proclamation, and from
that time the non-intercourse law should cease to be enforced,
as it regarded that nation.
On pretence of retaliating upon America for submitting to
the outrages of England, Napoleon issued his decree of
Rambouillet, which authorized the seizure and confiscation of
American vessels which were then in the ports of France, or
might afterwards enter, excepting those charged with des-
patches to the government.
In April, a treaty was concluded Avith Mr. Erskine, the
British minister at Washington, which engaged on the part Oi
Great Britain, that the orders in council, so far as they affected
the United States, should be withdrawn. The British min-
THE TWIN BROTHERS. 301
istry refused their sanction, alledging that their minister, (whom PART IV.
they recalled,) had exceeded his powers. His successor, Mr. period n.
Jackson, insinuated in a correspondence with the secretary of chap. ii.
state, that the American government knew that Mr. Erskine ^-^•">^^^-^
was not authorized to make the arrangement. This was dis-
tinctly denied by the secretary, but being repeated by Mr.
Jackson, the president declined further intercourse.
In May, 1810, the non-intercourse law expired, and gov-
ernment made proposals to both the belligerents, that, if either
would revoke its hostile edicts, this law should only be re- IS 10.
vived and enforced against the other nation. France repealed French de
her decrees, and the president issued a proclamation on the gjj
2d of November, in which he declared that all the restric-
tions imposed by the non-intercourse law should cease in re-
lation to France and her dependencies.
The population of the United States, by the census of 1810,
was 7,239,903.
Among the occurrences produced at that period of excite- 1§11.
ment by British ships hovering on our coasts, was an encoun- May 16.
ter off Cape Charles, between the American frigate President, ,he United
commanded by Commodore Rogers, and the British sloop of States
war, Little Belt, commanded by Captain Bingham. The at- ^"s?'*' P''^-
tack was commenced by the Little Belt, but she was soon ^' ^^^'
disabled, and thirty-two of her men either killed or wounded.
The appearance of a hostile confederacy and menacing Indians com-
preparations had been discovered among the Indians on the "^<^."P? ^°^-
western frontier. At its head was the great chief Tecumseh *' '"^*"
and his twin brother Elskwatawa. It seems probable that in
boyhood these two remarkable savages laid a scheme for di-
viding between them, not only the sovereignty of their own
warlike nation the Shawanese, but that of all the border con-
federacies. Tecumseh, who appears to have been the mas- Tecumseh
ter-spirit, took upon himself the departments of war and elo- ^"'' Elskwa-
quence, success in these being the road to eminence and
chieftainship ; but in order to hold enslaved the minds of his
countrymen by their strong bent to superstition, Elskwatawa
was to invest himself with the sacred and mysterious charac-
ter, and to bear the name of " the Prophet." Pretending to
be favored with direct and frequent communications from the
Great Spirit, he by tricks and austerities, gained belief, and
drew around him the awe-struck Indians from great distan-
ces. He then began a species of drill, whose object seems
to have been to discipline them to obedience and union. He
ordered them to kill their dogs, and these faithful animals Specimen
were instantly sacrificed. They must not, he said, permit °^cVJfi^^'
theii fires to go out ; and at once the fire of every wigwam
was watched as by vestals. Then, to make them independent
of the whites, the Prophet commanded, that even the blanket
should be laid aside, and the Indians dress only in skins.
While the Prophet thus manifested, that priestcraft in its
302 HARRISON AT TIPPECANOE.
PART IV. worst form, may inhabit the desert as well as the city, Te-
PERIOD II. cumseh was going from one Indian confederacy to another,
cH.*^p. n. and by his eloquence inflaming their minds against the whites.
^-t^-s^^^-^ They were intruders, he said, upon a soil, which as it had
formerly belonged to their fathers, (not to any one tribe or in-
dividual, but to all, therefore none had a right to alienate it,)
so it still belonged to the descendants by right of inheritance.
He did not, like Philip, believe it possible to exterminate the
entire white population, but he thought the combined Indian
~ , , power might suffice to set them their bounds. He wished
arguments the principle to be acknowledged by all the Indians, that their
and exer- collective right to the soil was unalienable, and that as such
up"the°Indi- ^t was to be defended to the last extremity. So bold a plan
ans. could not but meet opposition, and especia.lly from some of the
more independent and virtuous of the chiefs, who rebelled
against the double tyranny to which these two brothers were
gradually subjugating their tribes. To be rid of these trouble-
some men, Elskwatawa pretended a gift from the Great Spirit
of discerning wizards ; and immediately some of the oldest
and best of the surrounding chiefs were denounced and mur-
dered by order of the brothers.
Thus was taken off Tetaboxti, a Delaware chief of eighiy,
and Tahre " The Crane," the oldest Indian in the western coun-
try. But none of these executions is more striking than that
of the exemplary Wyandot chief, called the Leather-Lips,
The cruel- aged sixty-three. The Prophet had declared him a wizard,
ties exer- and forthwith sent a neighboring chief with four warriors to
''prophet oT *^^^P^^*^^ ^'"- They found him at his home, and announced
the chiefs, their bloody errand. He expostulated and entreated, but in
vain. His grave is dug by the side of his wigwam, and be-
fore his eyes. He is allowed time to attire himself as be-
came a chieftain about to depart on his last journey. Then
the two chiefs kneeling beside the open grave, the messen-
ger offers up a prayer to the Great Spirit. The victim then
bent over his grave, and was tomahawked by the young war-
riors behind him.
Indian war- The brothers watching the attitude of Great Britain and the
"w h°'^ii'^'^^ United States, and believing that an opportunity for them to
attack would soon occur, were collecting their followers on
I fill ^^^ Wabash.
Governor Governor Harrison, of the Indiana territory, was directed to
Harrison march against them with a military force, consisting of regu-
sent against j^j-g^ under the command of Colonel Boyd, united with the
militia of the territory. On the 7th of November, he met a
number of the Prophet's messengers at Tippecanoe, and a sus-
pension of hostilities was agreed upon until the next day,
Nov. 7. when an interview was to be had with him and his chiefs.
Battle of Warned by the sad fate of so many American armies,
'^Tndians°*'' General Harrison formed his men in order of battle ; and they
defeated, thus reposed upon their arms. Just before day, the faithless
INSIDIOUS ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE THE UNION.
303
savages rushed upon them. But the war-whoop was not un-
expected. The Americans stood, repelled the shock, and re-
pulsed the assailants.
Their loss was, however, severe, being about 180 in killed
and wounded. That of the Indians was 170 killed, and 100
wounded. Tecumseh was not in this battle, but was still
among distant tribes inciting them to war. He had not ex-
pected that the whites would strike the first blow.
Mr. Foster, succeeded Mr. Jackson, and during the sum-
mer, the controversy respecting the Chesapeake was adjusted ;
the British government agreeing to make provision for those
seamen who were disabled in the engagement, and for the
families of those who were killed. The two surviving sailors,
who were taken from the Chesapeake, were to be restored.
But the British right to search American vessels and to impress
American seamen, if native-born Britons, was still maintained;
and the orders in council were enforced with the greatest risfor
British vessels were, for this purpose, stationed before many
of the principal harbors in the United States.
The French decrees being annulled, commerce had begun
with France, and American vessels, richly laden, were cap-
tured by the British. Not less than nine hundred had thus
fallen into their hands, since the year 1803.
Further forbearance, under such great and repeated inju-
ries, seemed but to invite further insult and aggression, and
when congress assembled in November, the president, in
laying before them the state of foreign relations, recommended
that the United States should be placed in an attitude of de-
fense. The representatives acted in accordance with these
views. Provision was made for the increase of the regular
army to 35,000 men, and for the enlargement of the navy.
A law was enacted, empowering the president to borrow eleven
millions of dollars ; the duties on imported goods were doubled,
and taxes were subsequently laid on domestic manufactures,
and nearly all descriptions of property.
On the 25th of February, Mr. Madison laid before congress,
copies of certain documents, which proved, that on the 6th of
February, 1809, the British government, by its agent. Sir
James Craig, governor of Canada, had sent John Henry as an
emissary to the United States, for the express purpose of in-
sidiously destroying its government, by effecting, if possible,
the disunion of its parts. The service for which Henry was
employed, was to intrigue with the leading members of the
federal party, draw them into direct communication with the
governor of Canada, and lead them, if possible, to form the
eastern part of the union into a nation, or province, dependent
on Great Britain.
Henry proceeded through Vermont and New Hampshire to
Boston, which was his ultimate destination ; but he returned
without efiecting, in any degree, his purpose. This failure he
PART IV^
PERIOD II.
CHAP. II.
1§11.
Reparation
made for the
attack on the
Chesapeake.
Extent ot
American
losses.
Preparations
for war.
1§12.
Feb. 25.
John Hen-
ry's disclo-
sure.
Henry's se-
cret mission.
304
DECLARATION OF WAR.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. III.
PART IV. attributed solely to the readiness which Mr. Madison had
manifested to meet the conciliatory propositions of Mr. Ers-
kine, which took from its opponents the power of making him
and his administration odious to the people, by representing
to them that he was in the interest of France. Henry having
vainly sought from Great Britain, remuneration for this dis-
honorable service, disclosed the whole transaction to the
American government, for which he was paid fifty thousand
It is wiToily dollars, out of the contingent fund for foreign intercourse.
unsuccess- This treacherous attempt, made by England in time of peace,
was regarded with abhorrence, by the virtuous of both parties,
and was among the causes which led to the war, which soon
ensued.
1§11.
ful.
CHAPTER III.
1§12.
April.
Embargo
laid.
June 18
War de-
clared
against
Great Brit-
ain.
The presi-
dent's mani-
festo de-
clares and
shows just
reasons for
war.
Altered con
dition of
America
since the
revolution.
War of 1812.— Condition of the Country.
In April, congress laid an embargo for ninety days upon all
vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. Although
preparations were making for war, a hope was yet cherished,
that some change of policy in the British cabinet would render
them unnecessary; but no such occurring, on the 18th of
June, 1812, war with Great Britain was formally declared.
The reasons of the war were stated by the president, in an
able manifesto. They were, British excesses, in violating the
American flag on the great highway of nations, — the impress-
ment of American seamen ; — harassing American vessels as
they were entering their own harbors, or departing from them,
and wantonly spilling the blood of the citizens of America,
within the limits of her territorial jurisdiction ; — issuing or-
ders, by which the ports of the enemies of Great Britain were
blockaded, and not supporting these blockades by the ade-
quate application of fleets to render them legal, and enforcing
them from the date of their proclamation ; in consequence of
which American commerce had been plundered on every sea,
and her products cut ofT from their legitimate markets ; — em-
ploying secret agents to subvert the government, and dismem-
ber the union ; — and finally encouraging the Indian tribes to
hostility. Against this declaration, the representatives of the
federal party, constituting a small minority in congress, en-
tered their solemn protest.
The circumstances of the country at the beginning of this
war, were, however, far difl'erent from those which attended
that of the revolution. A government had been established,
which, unlike the congress of that period, could not only re
commend, but enforce. The number of inhabitants had in
THE NATION NOT PREPARED FOR WAR. 305
creased from about three millions to nearly eight, and the pe- PART IV.
cuniary resources of the republic had advanced in a ratio yet period h
greater. chap. in.
But there were points, in which our fathers of the revolu- •— "^v"^-'
tion were in a more advantageous situation for war, than that
of their descendants, thirty-seven years afterwards. In 1775, -m^mn
the Americans were comparatively a warlike people. They Providential
had been obliged to be constantly on the alert, to defend them- cirnimstan-
selves from savage foes ; and they had just emerged from a '^^^ f:ivora-
contest, which had given practical e.^perience of the difficul- Amencan
ties and hardships of war, and the consequent ability to face revolution.
its dangers, and endure its fatigues. That war had moreover ^^'''"
been eminently calculated, both by its misfortunes and suc-
cesses, to impart sound maxims in the military art ; both by
the shameful inertness and disasters of its first campaigns, and
the energy and brilliant successes of the last. The disgrace
of Braddock, and the glory of Wolfe, were still fresh and in-
spiring ; and it was amidst the scenes of that war that the
military character of the leader of the revolutionary army, and
that of many of his officers, were fornjed.
On the contrary, in 1812, a season of thirty years of peace A mis-
and prosperity had enervated the nation. Most of the officers '■■*'^*: '" ^^^
of the revolution slept in honored graves; and that a few re- ^oFoid'Inen'
mained, (not of those most distinguished) proved a source of to take the
misfortune ; for thev had their pretensions, and were prefer- *^'^"',' ''"?r
J 1 ' 1 1 '^ ^ mand in tt»e
red to younger and abler men. army.
During Mr. Jefferson's administration, economy was the
order of the day. Every possible retrenchment of national
expenditure was adopted ; and among other measures of this
nature, was the curtailing of the army and navy. Although a
spirit of prudence in money affairs is highly commendable,
and though it was at that period popular, and in many respects p^^,, .^.^^
useful to the country, yet it may now be doubted, whether, in dom and*"
this instance, it did not degenerate into that penny-wisdom P"iind-fool-
and pound-foolishness, which is as Ihtle consistent with the '^'^""^
best interests of a nation, as with those of an individual. The
national debt, it is true, was by these measures reduced from
$75,000,000 to $36,000,000 ; but by the increased expendi-
tures of the war of 1812, '13, and '14, it amounted, in 1816,
to $123,000,000 ; a sum exceeding by $47,000,000, its ori-
ginal amount. It is probable, that many of the misfortunes of
the country might have been spared, by maintaining, during
peace, a better state of preparation for war, and a sum of
money eventually saved, far greater than the amount of the
retrenchment.
In 1808, the regidar army consisted of only 3,000 men ; Military
but during that year, the government, alarmed by the increas- force of th»
ing aggressions of the European powers, increased it to nine United
thousand. The act to raise an additional force of 25,000, '^^^*'
was passed so short a time previous to the declaration of war,
306 WEAK STATE OF THE ARMY AND NAVY.
PART IV. that not more than one-fourth of the number were enlisted at
PERIOD II. that time; and those were, of course, raw and undisciplined.
cH.ip. III. lyy addition to the regular army, the president was authorized
^-"•"^'"'•^ to call on the governors of the states for detachments of mili-
1§12. tia, to an amount not exceeding 100,000, and to accept the
Condition of ggj-yi^es of any number of volunteers, not exceeding 50,000.
e army. ^^^ ^^^ actual force, at the commencement of the war in
1812, was small, and the troops were wholly inexperienced.
This army had not that high tone of public feeling, which
made the soldiers of the revolution a band of heroes. The
occasion, though important, was not so a\yfully momentous.
The admin- Indeed, the administration, reluctant to change its pacific and
losMhe" best economical policy, had unwisely suflered the highest state of
moment lor public excitement for the injuries of Britain to pass away, be-
declanng ^^^q (j^q declaration of war. The nation felt so keenly
^'"^' wounded by the outrage upon the Chesapeake, that it woidd
on that occasion have moved in its united majesty, to the
vindication of its rights. But while they temporized, Eng-
land had shrewdly allayed that feeling; and the money-
loving spirit, which the administration had formerly too much
courted, was now offended by the operation of its restrictive
system. Its political enemies took advantage of every subject
of discontent; and sucl; t;ppo:?ition to its measures was excited,
as, in a degree, paralized its exertions.
State of the The State of the revenue in 1812, was extremely unfavora-
revenue. ble to the prosecution of an expensive war. Derived almost
solely from duties on merchandise imported, it was abundant
in a state of commercial prosperity ; but in time of war and
trouble, the aggressions of foreign powers, while they produ-
ced an increase of public expenditure, almost destroyed the
means of defraying it.
The navy in The Condition of the na^'y was better than that of the army,
a better con- The situation of the United States, as a maritime and com-
*^the°arnr" ™ercial nation, had kept it provided with seamen, who, in
'^'^™^' time of war, being transferred from merchant to warlike ves-
sels, were already disciplined to naval operations. The re-
cent contest with the Barbary states, had given to the officers
and men, some experience in war ; and their successes had
inspired them with confidence in themselves. The navy was,
however, very small. Many enterprising individuals of the
republic, did, in the course of the war, convert their mer-
chant ships into privateers ; but, at its beginning, ten frigates,
ten sloops, and one hundred and sixty-five gimboats, was all the
public naval force which America could oppose to the thou-
sand ships of the mistress of the ocean.
General Among the few surviving officers of the revolutionary war,
Dearborn, y^^^ Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, who was appointed
"TrZhieL' major-general and commander-in-chief of the American army.
His head-quarters were at Greenbush, on the Hudson river,
opposite Albany.
MISTAKES IN THE CHOICE OP OFFICERS. 307
1812.
Army of the
CHAPTER IV.
Hull's unfortunate invasion and surrender.
The plan of the campaign, which was formed at Washing- PART IV\
ton, had, for its ultimate object, the invasion of Montreal. It period u.
was intended to invade, simultaneously, at Detroit and Ni- chap. iv.
agara, and that the armies from these places should be joined,
on the way, by a force stationed at Plattsbnrg.
The army destined for Detroit, was collected at Dayton, in
Ohio, some time before the declaration of war. The presi-
dent of the United States had made a requisition for 1,200 nori'k-west"
men on the governor of that state. The number was imme- thcr num-
diately filled by volunteers, who were divided into three regi- commanded
ments, commanded by colonels M'Arthur, Cass, and Findlay. by Hull.
These troops were joined by 300 regulars under Colonel
Miller.
The command of this army was given to General Hull, a
captain during the revolution, now governor of Michigan. He,
proceeding to Detroit to await further orders, moved his forces
from Davton about the middle of June. Traversing an unculti- Tr*Tf"*^"?
vated region, they were obliged to remove obstructions, and it Maumee,
was not till the " 30th, that they reached the rapids of the J"ne 30.'
Maumee. Four days previous, Hull had received, by express,
a letter from Mr. Eustis, secretary of war, written on the ^frj^'foct*
morning of the 18th, the day on which war was declared, not yet ac-
Strange as it may seem, this letter merely reiterated former '""""'ed for.
orders, and contained expressions which indicated that the
declaration would soon be made.
Expecting to be informed, by express, whenever this should
actually occur, and not dreaming that the British could be in
possession of such important intelligence, from the American
government, earlier than himself; Hull, for the purpose of dis-
encumbering his army, and facilitating their march, hired a
vessel to convey to Detroit his sick, his hospital stores, and a
considerable part of his baggage. This vessel, which sailed
on the 1st of July, fell into the hands of the British, who
had been two or three days in possession of the information
that war was declared. With Hull's private baggage, had
been placed on board the vessel, what he should have better ne^s'^b^-^'"
guarded, his trunk of papers ; by means of Avhich the enemy "uouWe!^
became possessed of his confidential correspondence with the
government, and the returns of his officers, showing the num-
ber and condition of his troops.
The intelligence of the declaration of war, General Hull re- July 2.
ceived on the 2d of July, in a second letter from Mr. Eustis, Yearns thai
of June 18th, which was not sent by express, but by mail. ^^dared.^*
308
HULL S INVASION.
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. IV.
1§12.
Hull ad-
vances, and
leaves the
enemy's for-
tress of Mai-
den in his
rear.
July 9.
Hull re-
ceives dis-
cretionary
orders to in-
vade.
July 12.
Hull invades
Canada,
and issues a
proclama-
tion.
July 15.
Colonel
Cass at the
river aux
Canards.
Van Home's
party de-
feated.
July 17.
Mackinaw
taken by
Briti.sh and
Indians.
The fortress of Maiden, or Amherstburg, on the British
side of Detroit river near its entrance into lake Erie, was gar-
risoned by six hundred men, and commanded by Colonel St.
George. It was the strong hold of the British, and their In-
dian allies, for the province of Upper Canada. On the oppo-
site American shore, the road through which Hull must
receive his supplies, passed through the Indian village of
Brownstown. But they would be liable to be cut off, as the
British, having command of the waters, could, at any time
land detachments from Maiden, on the opposite side. Thus,
for Hull to proceed from the Rapids to Detroit, was to advance
and leave an enemy's fortress in his rear. The orders of the
secretary of war, that he should proceed, were, however, ex-
plicit ; and, pursuant thereto, he continued his march, and
reached Detroit on the 5th of July.
On the 9th, General Hull received a letter from Mr. Eustis,
saying that " should the force under your command be equal
to the enterprise, and consistent with the safety of your own
posts, you will take possession of Maiden, and extend your
conquests as circumstances will allow." The general replied
that he did not think his force equal to the reduction of Mai-
den ; that the British commanded the water and the savages ;
yet he said he should pass the river in a few days.
General Hull crossed into Canada on the 12th of July, and
directing his march southerly, took post at Sandwich, from
whence he issued a bold and imposing proclamation, which
backed by the presence of an army, had the desired effect.
The Indians were awed into neutrality, and the Canadians
generally favorable to the American cause, either remained
quietly at home, or joined their ranks.
The troops continued inactive at Sandwich, awaiting some
heavy artillery, which was in preparation at Detroit. On the
15th, Colonel Cass, with colonels Miller and M' Arthur, and
a detachment of 280 men, attacked and defeated a British
guard at the river aux Canards, four miles from Maiden, and
obtained possession of a bridge, highly important to the Ame-
ricans, as securing their access to the enemy's fortress. But
no persuasion would induce the general to sanction their guar-
ding and retaining it.
Governor IMeigs apprised General Hull that he had sent
Captain Brush, by the way of the river Raisin, with provis-
ions for the army. The general detached Major Van Home,
with 200 men, to hold in check a party of British and In-
dians, which had been sent from Maiden, to intercept the sup-
plies. Tecumseh, at the head of his Indians, ambushed his
path, and fell upon the Americans with such violence, that
thirty were either killed or wounded, and the remainder fled
to Detroit. ,
The important fortress of Mackinaw had been left unheed-
ed by the government, with a garrison of only fifty-seven men.
HULLS INDECISION.
309
Lieutenant Hanks, its commander, yet uninformed of tlie de-
claration of war, was, on the 17th, summoned, by a party of
one thousand British and Indians, to surrender : and he con-
sidered himself fortunate, while he gave up the fort, to obtain
for his little corps the honors of war.
Hull received intelligence of this disaster, and beli^'ed
that hordes of savages, stirred up by Tecumseh, and by other
British agents, were coming down upon him. Unexpected
news of the American cabinet, yet not from it, filled him with
entire dismay. A partial armistice had been made, which
affected the north-eastern frontier, but in which his army was
not included ; and now, instead of the promised diversion in his
favor by an attack on the Niagara frontier, the whole British
force in Lower Canada would doubtless be concentrated
against him, with those in the upper province.
The artillery was ready for the attack of Maiden, but the
heart of the general had failed. The eyes of the patriot and
soldier, were closed, while those of the father, and the pater-
nal governor, saw in fancied vision, his beloved daughter and
grandchildren at Detroit, already bleeding, the victims of sav-
age barbarity. With deep chagrin, and even mutinous dis-
satisfaction, his officers and soldiers received his peremp-
tory order to retreat from Maiden, and return to Detroit ; where
on the 8th of August, the army arrived.
General Hull, on the same day, sent 600 of his best troops,
under Colonel Miller, to meet and escort Captain Brush, with
his provisions. In the woods of Maguaga, a British, united
with an Indian force, both under Tecumseh, was drawn up to
meet him. The fight was severe. The British fled, while
Tecumseh, with his Indians, still kept the ground, but at length
the whole force was routed. The enemy returned in their
vessels to Maiden ; and Miller, having lost eighty men, was
recalled by Hull to Detroit, he having learned that Captain
Brush had taken a different route.
Hull now proposed to retreat with his army, to some place
near the rapids of the Maumee, but to this his officers, already
so much dissatisfied with his ill-timed retreat, as to be on the
eve of a mutiny, utterly dissented.
To insure the safe arrival of the provisions, another party
of 350, under colonels Cass and M'Arthur, were sent out.
Fearing for the safety of his fort. General Hull had, on the
9th, sent orders to Captain Heald, the commander at Chicago,
to evacuate that place, and conduct the garrison to Detroit.
Accordingly, on the morning of the 1 5th, he set out with about
seventy Americans, and fifty friendly Indians, escorting seve-
ral women and children. At a small distance from the fort,
they were attacked by a party of between four and five hun-
dred savages. The little band made a desperate resistance,
but they were overpowered by numbers, and thirty-six of the
men, two women, and twelve children were slain during the
PART IV.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. IV.
Hull is
aliirmed not
without
cause.
1§12.
.\iig. 8.
Hull returns
to Detroit.
Aug. 9.
Miller de-
feats Te-
cumseh at
Maguaga.
Hull pro-
j)oses to re-
treat.
Aug. 13.
C;iss and
M'Arthur
sent out.
Aug. 15,
Chicago stir*
rendered,
and the gar»
rison defeat
ed by the
Indians
CHAP. IV.
310 DISGRACEFUL SURRENDER OF DETROIT.
PART rv. engagement. The remainder surrendered, under promise of
PERIOD II. protection from " Blackbird," an Indian chief of the Potta-
wattamie nation. Captain Heald, with his wife and child, after-
wards escaped from the savages, and were protected by the
English.
I §12. On the 13th, five days after the armistice on the Niagara
Aug. 13. frontier was to take effect. General Brock, the most active and
Brock ar- g^j^jg ^f ^^le British commanders in Canada, arrived at Maiden
riv6s Jit tn6
British to take command of the British forces. Previous to his arri-
cainp. val, a party under Colonel Proctor, who had succeeded Colonel
St. George, in the command at Maiden, had taken a position
on the river opposite Detroit, and proceeded to fortify the bank,
without interruption from the Americans. On the l4th, Gen-
eral Brock arrived at Sandwich, and on the 15th, he sent a
flag, bearing a summons to the American general to surren-
der ; in which he says, " it is far from my intention to join in
Hesummnns a War of extermination, but you must be aware that the nu-
HuU to sur- merous body of Indians, who have attached themselves to my
troops, will be beyond my control, the moment the contest
commences." To this General Hull answered, " I have no
other reply to make, than that I am prepared to meet any force
which may be at your disposal." General Brock immedi-
ately opened his batteries upon the town and fort, and several
persons within were killed. The fire was returned with
some effect by the Americans. Their general greatly alarm-
ed, now sent out an express, commanding the immediate re-
turn of the detachment under M'Arthur and Cass.
Early in the morning of the 16th, the British crossed the
river, landed at Spring Wells, three miles below Detroit, and
Perplexity, immediately marched towards the fort. Hull was perplexed
anddmidit ■ '^'^^ agitated. He believed that resistance would be vain, and
ultimately lead to the barbarities of an Indian massacre. Yet
he was not insensible to the disgrace of surrendering without an
effort, and even at this critical moment, he was wavering and
indecisive in his operations. At first his troops were drawn
up in order of battle without the fort, his artillery was advan-
tageously planted, and his army waited the approach of the
enemy, full of the confidence of victory. The British were
within five hundred yards of their lines, when suddenly Hull
gave the order to retire immediately to the fort. The iudigna
tion of the army broke forth, and all subordination ceased.
They crowded in, and without any order from the general,
stacked their arms, some dashing them with violence upon the
ground. Many of the soldiers wept. Even the spirit of the
women rose indignant, and they declared, in impotent wrath,
^^„ jQ that the fort should not be surrendered. Hull, perceiving that
Hull surren- he had no longer any authority, and believing that the Indians
Jers Detroit, ^ere ready to fall upon the inhabitants, was anxious to put
the place under the protection of the British. A white flag
was hung out upon the walls of the fort. Two British offi-
THE CONSTITUTION CAPTURES A BRITISH FRIGATE. 311
cers rode up, and a capitulation was concluded by Hull with PART IV.
the must unbecoming haste. His officers were not consulted ; PiiUion ii.
he made no stipulations for the honors of war for his army, chap. v.
nor any provision for the safety of his Canadian allies. All
the public property was given up ; the regular troops were
surrendered as prisoners of war ; the militia were to return
to their homes, and not to serve again during the war, unless
exchanged.
Cass and M'Arthur arrived immediately after the capitula-
tion, and surrendered agreeably to its conditions. Captain
Brush took the resolution not to regard the stipulation which
had included him, and marched his party back to Ohio.
The number of effective men at Detroit, at the time of its
surrender, is stated by General Hull in his official report, not
to have exceeded 800 ; while the force of the enemy is said
to have been at least double the number. General Brock, in
his report to Sir George Prevost, states his force to have been
1,300, of whom 700 were Indians.
General Hull being exchanged, was prosecuted by the go-
vernment of the United States, and arraigned before a tribunal, , ^^ «
of which General Dearborn was president. He was acquit- |j^,|| ^^l
ted of treason, but sentenced to death for cowardice and ccives sen-
imofficer-like conduct. The criminal under sentence of death "^'"'^'^ o*'.
wa» not, however, imprisoned, but sent without a guard from pardoned.
Albany, where the court-martial assembled, to his re.sidence
in the vicinity of Boston, to await there the decision of the
president of the United States ; to whose mercy the court, in
consequence of his revolutionary services, recommended him.
The president remitted the punishment of death, but deprived
him of all military command.
CHAPTER V,
Naval successes.
On the 19th of August, three days after the disgraceful sur- Awz. 19.
render of Detroit, an event occurred, which, in a measure. Constitution
healed the wounded pride of the Americans. This was the '"Guerriere'!*
capture of the British frigate Guerriere, under the command
of Captain Dacres, by the American frigate Constitution, com-
manded by Captain Hull, which took place off the Grand
Bank of Newfoundland. The captain of the British frigate,
previous to the rencounter, had challenged any American ves-
sel of her class, and the officers, in various ways, manifested
their contempt of " the Yankees." On the approach of the
Guerriere, Captain Hull gave orders to receive her occasional
broadsides without returning the fire, and liis crew calmly
CHAP. V.
1§12.
312 BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN.
PART IV. obeyed his orders, althougli some of their companions were
PERIOD II. falling at their guns. Having his enemy near, and his posi-
tion favorable, Hull commanded his men to fire broadside after
broadside, in quick succession. This was done, and with
such precision and effect, that in thirty minutes, the Guerriere
had her masts and rigging shot away, and her hulk so injured
that she was in danger of sinking. Sixty-five of her men
were killed, and sixty-three wounded, when Captain Dacres
struck his colors. The Constitution had but seven killed, and
seven wounded. The captured vessel was so much injured,
that she could not be got into port, and was burned. Several
of the officers were promoted by congress, and fifty thousand
dollars were distributed among the crew, as a recompense for
the loss of their prize.
Captain Porter, of the United States frigate Essex, captured
Sep*^ off the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, the British sloop of
war Alert, after an action of only eight minutes.
The militia of the state of New York now in the service
of the United States, amounted to about 5,000, and were
Army of the mostlv Stationed on the Niagara frontier, under the command
Lewiston. of General Van Rensselaer whose head-quarters were at
Lewiston. Here operations, which had they been earlier set
on foot might have saved the army of Hull, were at this time,
without any good reason, attempted. The militia being flat-
tered into self-consequence by demagogues, and valiant in
words, beset their general for permission to perform the bold
deed of crossing over the Niagara and invading Canada.
Accordingly, on the 1 1th of October, General Van Rens-
A part of the selaer gave orders for a detachment to cross, but the weather
froin* LeuTs- being tempestuous, the attempt was defeated. In the evening
ton to of the 12th, the army was reinforced by 300 regidars, under
Queens- ^^^ command of Colonel Christie. On the 13th, a party
crossed over, headed by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer.
Oct. 13. Tjjg troops were formed upon the shore. The enemy at-
to\ sdTing tacked them from a position which enfiladed their ranks, cut
fire. do%vn many, especially officers, and threatened entire destruc-
tion. Colonel Van Rensselaer was wounded severely.
Captain Wool, on whom, as then senior officer of the regular
troops, the command devolved, was also bleeding with his
tQueciis'?' wounds. Seeking Van Rensselaer, he represented the criti-
towu taken cal situation of the troops ; and volunteered for any service
'jy a party which might relieve them. Col. Van Rensselaer directed
tain'^WooL the measure of storming the British battery upon the heights.
Wool conducted his force silently and circuitously, leaving
the battery to his right, until he had passed it, and attained an
eminence which commanded it. The British abandoned
their position and retreated down the heights to Queenstowii.
Elated with their success, the Americans had fallen into
uck'under disorder, when they again beheld 300 of their foe, advancing
Brock, under the intrepid Brock. An officer raised a white flag in
HARRISON COMMANDS THE WESTERN ARMY. 313
token of surrender ; Wool indignantly pulled it down. The PART IV.
British now drove the Americans to the brink, of the precipice, period i^.
One soldier was a,bout to descend. V\'ool ordered him to be chap. v.
shot ; but as the musket was leveled, he returned. Thus pro- '--»^v-»^^
hibiting either surrender or retreat, and being ably seconded 1§12.
by his officers, he rallied and led on his troops to the attack. '^^T^ ^^ ""f'
niilspfi H-Tifi
The British in their turn, gave way, and retreated down the Brock killed
hill. Brock, attempting to rally them amidst a galling fire,
was mortally wounded. His party no longer attempted re-
sistance, but fled in disorder. Soon a scattering fire was
Oil
heard from the southern side of the heights. Some militia, sc"on re-
attacked by Indians, were fleeing before them, and communi- pulses the
eating their own panic. Colonel Scott, now in the field, with savages.
a few troops, met and repulsed the savages. But another
and more formidable foe was approaching. General Sheaffe, sheaffe ap-
at the head of ] ,000 British and Indians had followed Brock at pears with a
a slow pace from fort George. The number o^ the Americans =='' ^'^^^'
on the British shore was not such as to warrant their eng^a-
ging these fresh troops without aid, and urgent entreaties were
sent over for the militia yet on the American side, to come to r^^^ ^^jj^^j
their assistance ; but they now declared that constitutional refusing to
scruples had arisen in their minds about crossing the national cross, the m-
boundary. With this excuse for cowardice, they absolutely tacliment'
refused to go to the aid of their brethren, although it was are in great
at their request that the invasion was made. danger.
General Van Rensselaer sent discretionary orders to the
officer in command to retreat and recross the river. This or-
der it was impossible to obey, so deadly was the fire which
was opened upon them. In this emergency. Colonel Scott j-ender^as"
and Captain Totten at eminent risk, bor^ a flag to General prisoners.
Sheaffe, and saved the remainder of the invading troops, by
surrendf ring as prisoners of war, themselves and all the
Americans remaining on the Canada side. Sixty of the
Americans were killed, 100 wounded, and 700 made prisoners.
Ohio and Kentucky, had aroused at the call of Hull for as- Exertions
sistance, and an army on its march for Detroit was in the troops,
southern part of Ohio, when the news met them of the sur-
render of that post. This rather stimulated than repressed the
ardor of the brave and patriotic inhabitants of the west. Ken-
tucky put on foot 7,000 volunteers, Ohio nearly half that number.
On the 24th of .September, William Henry Harrison, gov- Sept. 24.
ernor of the Indiana territory, and brigadier-general in the ,akesTom-
army, who possessed more than any other man, the confi- mand of th«
dence of the western citizens, was appointed by congress, to nonhwest-
the command of the whole of these forces. They advanced ™ ^^
to the northwestern part of Ohio, to protect the country against
the incursions of the hostile savages, and to regain the ground
lost by Hull's surrender. Sept. 4.
In the meantime. Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, was at- ^''^?*^[® *'
tacked by several hundred Indians. Captain Taylor, with River.
22
314
FREEMAN S MEETING IN CAMP.
PART IV.
1§12.
October 2.
Hopkins'
expedition
against the
Kickapoos.
It ends with-
out use or
honor; owing
to insubordi-
nation.
Nov. 19.
Hopkins'
second expe-
dition more
successful.
Colonel
Russel.
Colonel
Campbell.
Nov. 17.
The north-
ern army.
Oct. 2.
British at-
tack Ogdens-
burg.
only fifteen effective men, bravely repelled the assailants.
The savages, irritated at their defeat, surprised and murdered
twenty-one persons at the mouth of White River.
Governor Shelby, of Kentucky, issued an address, calling
for an additional number of mounted volunteers, for the de-
fense of the territories of Indiana and Illinois. On the sec-
ond of October, more than 2,000 had assembled at Vincennes,
where they were placed under the command of General Hop-
kins. On the 10th, they arrived at fort Harrison. Here the
destruction of the Kickapoo and Peoria towns was proposed.
The troops approving the plan, set forward for its execution.
On the fourth day, the army perceived alarming voUies of
smoke and flame advancing with the wind. The Indians had
set tire to the long thick grass of the prairie over which they
were travelling. They, however, saved themselves in the or-
dinary manner of setting a back fire.
But the militia became mutinous, and a major, named Sin-
gleton, rode up to the general, as the troops were resting, and
ordered him in a peremptory manner, to take up his line of
march, and return; or his battalion would instantly leave him.
Hopkins called a council of his officers, who agreed to take
the sense of the army as to the propriety of returning. The
majority were in favor of that measure ; but Hopkins, who
entirely disapproved the vote, commanded the troops to follow
him, promising to lead them in one day more, to the accom-
plishment of their object. But they turned their horses' heads
in the opposite direction, and rode towards home, the general
following in the rear.
Another expedition, conducted by the same officer, was at-
tended with better success. With a force of one thousand
men, regulars and militia, he marched from fort Harrison, and,
on the 19th of November, destroyed the Prophet's town, and
a Kickapoo village, four miles distant. A skirmish took place
between a party of the militia and an ambuscade of Indians,
in which eighteen of the militia were killed.
Colonel Russel, in a similar incursion, with three hundred
regulars, surprised and destroyed a town called the Pimer-
tams. He drove the savages into a swamp, and killed twent}''
of them. About the same time. Colonel Campbell, of the
regular army, with 600 men, marched against the to\\ais of
the Mississineway, destroyed them, and overawed the Indians.
No operations of importance were undertaken by the north-
ern army, during this campaign. In September, a detachment
of militia from Ogdensburg, attacked a party of the British,
who were mo™is down the St. Lawrence, and defeated them.
O ...
They were reinforced, and. in their turn, compelled the militia
to retire. In retaliation, the British attempted the destruction
of Ogdensburg, but were repulsed by General Brown, the en-
ergetic commander at that station.
Major Young, who commanded a detachment of the New
DISGRACE ON LAND, HONOR AT SsEA.
315
York Militia, at French Mills, made an attack upon the British
at the Indian village of St. Regis, and without loss, killed five
of the British, and took forty prisoners.
The army at Plaltsburgh moved towards the Canada fron-
tier, and encamped at Champlain. On the 18th, General
Dearborn took the command. Soon after. Colonel Pike, with
his regiment, made an incursion into the territory of the enemy,
surprised a party of British and Indians, and destroyed a con-
siderable quantity of public stores.
The army went into winter-quarters at Plattsburg on the
23d of December.
General Smyth succeeded General Van Rensselaer m the
command of the central army. His operations added nothing
to the advantage or glory of the American arms. They con-
sisted of another abortive attempt to invade Canada after an
inflated address to the Canadians, with a scene of dangerous
riot and confusion in his own camp. Captain King, in the
course of this affair, performed a gallant and successful action,
in storming a battery opposite Black Rock, by which the way
was opened for the enterprise in hand, but there was not valor
enough in the remaining force even to sustain him, and having
sent back part of his corps, he, with the remainder, surren-
dered as prisoners of war.
The American sloop-of-war Wasp, commanded by Captain
Jones, had an encounter with the British sloop-of-war Frolic,
the British ship being superior in weight of metal. The
American at first received the fire of her enemy, at the dis-
tance of fifty or sixty yards, but gradually lessening this dis-
tance, she fired her last broadside so near, that her rammers,
while loading, were shoved against the side of the Frolic.
Captain Jones then boarded her, but he trod her deck amidst
the dead and dying, without finding a private in arms to op-
pose him. Three ofllicers and the seamen at the wheel were
all that were found alive on deck Of the brave crew, con-
sisting opiginally of one hundred and twenty, one hundred
were either killed or wounded. The Americans had five
killed and five wounded. Captain Jones did not long enjoy
his bloody triumph. Two hours after the battle, a British
seventy-four, the Poictiers, took both the victor and his prize,
and carried them into Bermuda. On the return of Captain
Jones and his officers, they were hailed by their countrymen
with distinguished marks of honor. His crew received twenty-
five thousand dollars, and himself the command of the Mace-
donian frigate.
Again the Americans triumphed on the ocean, and imder
circumstances which forced the English to the humiliating
concession, which, for many years they had not made, that
there existed a nation which was their equal in naval tactics ;
the Americans, not satisfied with this, claimed to be their supe-
riors. The frigate United States, commanded by Commodore
22*
PART IV.
PERIOD n.
CHAP. V.
1§12.
Nov. J 6.
Ndrthcrn ar
my ;it Cham
plain.
Dec. 23..
General
Smytli and'
his iiliortive-
attempt.
Gallrmt
conduct of
Captain
King.
Oct. 18.
The Wasp,
Captain
Jones, takes;
the Frolic.
Is retaken
with his
prize.
Oct. 25.
Decatvir, in
the United
States, cap
tures the
Jlacedonian.
316 THE FORTUNATj: FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.
PART IV. Decatur, encountered the British frigate Macedonian, com-
PERioD II. manded by Captain Garden. When the two ships came to
CHAP. V. close action, the rapid and Avell-directed fire of the United
'~-*''^"*^ States swept the masts and spars of the British frigate, and
left her an " unmanageable log ;" and her captain reluctantly
ordered the flag of his nation to be furled. When he offered
his sword, Decatur, with a magnanimity equal to his valor, re-
fused to take it, " from one who knew so Avell how to use it,"
but asked to receive the friendly grasp of his hand. The loss
in killed and wounded, on the side of the Americans, was only
twelve, while that of the British was one hundred and four.
The naval campaign closed with another brilliant victory.
1§12. The fortunate Constitution, now commanded by Commodore
Dec. 29. Bainbridge, descried, off' the coast of Brazil, the British frig-
tution, °Cap- ^^^ Java, of forty-nine guns, and four hundred men, command-
tain Bain- ed by Captain Lambert. An action commenced, and contin-
bridge, cap- ^^^ nearly two hours. The Constitution had nineteen men
Java. killed, and twenty-five wounded; but she had shot away the
masts of the Java, killed sixty of her men and wounded one
hundred and one. The British colors, which, after every spar
was gone, had been nailed to the stump of a mast, were at
length torn down, and the British lion once more quailed be-
fore the American eagle.
Succfss of Nor Avere these successes on the ocean confined to armed
American yesscls. The swift-sailing privateers, whiclt issued from
every American port, captured vessels of superior force, and
harassed and destroyed the enemy's commerce. Nearly 250
British vessels, and 3,000 prisoners were taken by American
privateers, wliile few of these fell into the hands of their
enemies.
In viewing the results of the campaign of 1812, we find on
land a series of disoraceful failures, altogether unparalleled in
A.iiiGricr*iis ^ . .
mortified ijy the history of America. The darkness of the picture is, how-
their defeats ever, relieved by occasional flashes of valor. These failures
oil laud. y^QT^Q ^Q more mortifying, because the superiority of the
Americans in numbers, over the small British force in Canadi^
was known to be great ; and it was confidently expected by
many, that Canada would have fallen during the first cam-
paign.
But the ill-success of the Americans on land, was counter-
balanced by a series _ of naval triumphs, equally unexpected,
and more mollifying to their enemy, than even their land de-
Tho British fga^g were to the United States. Great Britain regarded her
ures at'^sea.' superiority at sea as the vital part of her power ; and the most
melancholy apprehensions were, on this occasion, indulged by
some of her politicians, who predicted " the total annihilation
in the breasts of her seamen, of that proud confidence, which
had been so eminently serviceable in leading them to victory."
ORDERS IN COUNCIL REPEALED. 317
CHAPTER VI.
Political affairs.
Ox the 23d of June, five days after the declaration of war, PARTIV.
the British government repealed the orders in council. period ii.
No sooner had the United States declared war against Great chap. -vj.
Britain, than Mr. Monroe, the secretary of state, directed Mr. ^^-•'v-"*^
Russell, charge-des-affaires at the court of St. James, to state 1§12.
to the British government, that America had entered upon J""^ 26.
this contest with reluctance, and was ready to make peace, as gov"emment
soon as the wrongs, of which she justly complained, were re- make over-
dressed. Mr. Russell was authorized to negotiate an armis- ^^'^^^ ^'^'^
tice by sea and land, on the condition, that the orders in coun-
cil should be repealed ; the impressment of American seamen
discontinued, and those already impressed restored ; and as
an inducement to discontinue their practice of impressment,
the American government pledged themselves, to pass a law,
prohibiting the employment of British seamen, either in the
public or commercial ser\-ice of the United States.
These propositions being made by Mr. Russell, Lord Cas-
tlereagh, the British minister, on the 29th of August, commu-
nicated to him their rejection by his government ; at the same
time, informing him that measures had been taken to author-
ize Sir John Borlase Warren, the British admiral on the
Americaft station, to propose to the United States an immedi-
ate and reciprocal cessation of hostilities ; and in that event, Lorlfcas'tL-
to assure them, that full effect should be given to the provis- reagh, the
ions for repealing the orders in council. On the subject of B"^'^*" """-
impressment, Lord Castlereagh said the British government '^'^'
were ready, as heretofore, to receive from the government of
the United States, any proposition which might check the
abuse of the practice, but they could not consent to suspend
the exercise of a right, upon which the naval strength of the
empire materially depended, until they were fully convinced
that other means could be devised and adopted, by which the
object to be obtained by impressment could be secured.
W hile this correspondence was going on in England, nego-
tiations were also carried on in America. The advantage ^<3^antage
which was taken by Sir George Provost, of the intelligence, ^ oTntrar'
that the British had repealed their orders in council, in procu- Dearborn,
ring of General Dearborn, the partial and temporary armistice
of the 8th of August, has already been noticed in treating of Sept. 30.
the causes of the mistortune and disgrace of General Hull. Wa"^ e ^
Sir John Borlase Warren, then on the Halifax station, ad- prises the
dressed a letter to Mr. Monroe, apprising him of the revoca- government
lion of the orders in council, proposing a cessation of hostili- ofthroTde*rs'
318 THE STATE OF PARTIES.
PART IV. ties, and threatening, in case of a refusal, that the obnoxious
PERIOD II. orders should be revived.
CHAP. VI. 'fi^e American government had, in the meantime, been
^-^'^^'^-^ made' acquainted with the failure of Mr. Russell's negotia-
tion ; and .Mr. Monroe replied to Sir J. B. Warren, that
America could not hope for a durable peace, until the question
of impressment was settled. " The claim of the British gov-
ernment," says Mr. Monroe, " is to take from the merchant
1§12. vessels of otlier countries, British subjects. In the practice.
The Allien- the commanders of the British ships of war often take from
m^tSses tbe merchant vessels of the United States, American citizens,
to waive the If the United States forbid the employment of British sub-
question of jgctg in their service, and enforce the prohibition by suitable
^'niem."' regulations and penalties, the motive for the practice is taken
away. It is in this mode that the" president is wilUng to ac-
commodate this important controversey with the British gov-
ernment, and it cannot be conceived on what ground the ar-
rangement can be refused. He is willing that Great Britain
should be secured against the evils of which she complains ;
but he seeks, on the other hand, that the citizens of the Uni-
ted States should be protected against a practice, which, while
it degrades the nation, deprives them of their rights as free-
men, takes them by force from their families and country into
a foreign service, to fight the battles of a foreign power, per-
haps, against their own kindred and countiy." The British
admiral having no powers to enter on the question of impress-
ment, nothing further remained to America, but to exchange
the pen of the negotiator, for the sword of the warrior.
The warmth of party feeling had increased throughout the
Union. Notwithstanding bravery had been exhibited by indi-
vidual officers and soldiers, still the array had failed in the
accomplishment of any important object. The enemies of
the administration declared, that the ill-success of the war
^ty'feeUn^'^' "^^^^ Owing to the inefficient measures of the government in
providing means for its prosecution ; while its friends attribu-
ted the failure to the interference of the opposite party. Both
were right in degree ; as the government, inexperienced in
providing for the exigencies of war, had doubtless failed of
making judicious and seasonable provisions. But all its diffi-
culties were increased by an ungenerous and almost treason-
able opposition. Had the expectations which, previous to the
war, were generally entertained with regard to the efficiency
of the militia system, been realized, and had the aflairs of the
army been managed well by the agents of government, its
provisions, notwithstanding the inveteracy of its opponents
would have been sufficient to produce very diflerent results
from those actually experienced.
The most alarming opposition to the national government,
was not, however, that arising from mere individual clamor
The states of xMassachusetts and Connecticut had been ofli
CONGRESS MAKE PROVISION FOR THE WAR. 319
cially requested, by the president, to furnish detachments of PART IV.
their militia, and place them under General Dearborn, for the period il
defense of the maritime frontier. The constitution gives to ^"''^' ^'*
congress, power to demand the services of the militia " for ^-^"^'""^"-^
the execution of the laws, the suppression of insurrections, 1812.
and the repelling of invasions ;" and also declares, " that the and M^f^sa-
president shall be commander-in-chief of the militia of the chusetts re-
several states, when called into the service of the United ^"f*' !° ^"T
States." The refusal to furnish the required detachments, litia of^heir
was on the ground that the state governments ought to de- states at the
termine when the exigencies of the nation require the ser- aenevl] ^^o-
vices of their militia. They also decided that it was uncon- vemment.
stitutional for the president to delegate his power to any offi-
cer, not of the militia, and who was not chosen by the re-
spective states. This construction of the constitution, was
favored by the decision of the supreme court of .Massachu-
setts, and as, in their opinion, exigencies did not exist which
required the service of the militia, they refused to obey the
call of the president. The sea-coast of these states, and, al-
so, of Rhode Island, which state subsequently adopted the
same views, was thus deprived of an important means of de-
fense ; and public feeling was agitated with apprehensions of
a civil, as well as a foreign war.
It was probably owing to the disapprobation which these
measures of the opposition excited, that, notwithstanding
the ill-success of the army, the result of the election of
president, was not only favorable to Mr. Madison, but showed
a diminution of the federal, and an increase of the republi- ^'ov. 4.
can party. Congress assembled on the fourth of Novem- ^"ge^^e ^'
ber, after an unusually short recess. The increase of the army
and navy early occupied their attention. As a greater in-
ducement to enlist, an act was passed, by which an addition
of two dollars per month was made to the pay of the non-
commissioned officers and privates, and by which they were Analtto^^-
exempted from arrest for debts contracted either before or af- courage en-
ter enlistment. By another act twenty-five dollars were giv- ^*t">«"*-
en, in addition to the existing bounty, to each recruit who
would enlist for five years.
Bills passed congress in the early part of the session, au-
thorizing the construction of four ships, carrying each seventy- Th*e°na^'in.
four guns, and six frigates each of forty-four guns, and another creased,
providing for the increase of the navy on the lakes. The
military force was to be increased by such a number of regi- 1813.
ments of infantry, not exceeding twenty, as the service might ^jj^ a^rm
require. As but little benefit had resulted from the employ- increased.
ment of volunteers, the law was repealed which authorized
their acceptance.
On the 26th, a bill passed, authorizing a loan of sixteen Jan. 26.
millions of dollars, for the year 1813, and the following day. Provision
another was passed, giving to the president power to issue °money"^
320
LOCATIONS OF THE ARMIES.
PART IV.
1S13.
Jan. 29.
Feb. 13.
Twelve
generals ap-
pointed.
Madison re-
elected pres-
ident.
treasury notes, to an amount not exceeding five millions of
dollars.
On the 29th, congress passed a law, declaring that no sea-
men should be employed in American vessels, but native cit-
izens of the United States, or those vi^ho had become natural-
ized. This law was to be carried into effect at the close of
the war.
The regular force of the United States now amounted to
nearly fifty-five thousand men. An act was passed, by which,
in addition to the officers of an inferior grade, six major-gen-
erals and six brigadiers were appointed.
On counting the votes, it was found that James Madison
had been re-elected president, and Elbridge Gerry chosen
vice president, for the ensuing terra of four years.
CHAPTER VII.
Arrange-
ment of the
three Ameri-
can armies.
Plan of the
campaign.
British com-
manders and
arrange-
ments.
General
Harrison di-
vides his ar-
my.
Winchester
at French-
tov^'n.
Jan, 22.
Battle of
Frenchtown.
Campaign of 1813.
The scene of military operations, during the year 1813,
comprehended the extensive northern frontier of the United
States. At the opening of the campaign, the army of the
west, under General Harrison, was near the head of lake
Erie ; the army of the centre, under General Dearborn, be-
tween the lakes Erie and Ontario ; while that of the north,
under General Hampton, occupied the shores of lake Cham-
plain. The invasion of Canada was still the object of the
American armies.
The force which Sir George Prevost governor of Canada,
could bring into the field, was comparatively small. The de-
fense of Upper Canada was committed to colonels Proctor
and Vincent, while that of Lower Canada was given to Gen-
eral Sheaffe, who was, however, to act under the more im-
mediate direction of the governor.
The head-quarters of General Harrison were, at this time,
at Franklinton, in Ohio. General Winchester had proceeded
in advance of the main army, and hearing that a party of the
British were stationed at Frenchtown, he attacked and dis-
persed them. He remained at Frenchtown with a part of his
troops encamped in the open field, the remainder being de-
fended by a breastwork.
On the morning of the 22d, he was surprised by the com-
bined force of British and Indians, under the command of
Proctor, aided by the Indian chiefs. Roundhead and Split-log.
That part of the American army which encamped in the open
field were soon thrown into disorder. Generals Winchester
and Lewis, in a vain attempt to rally them were taken pris-
FRENCHTOWN. FORT MEIGS. 321
oners. The remaining American troops, however, continued PART IV.
fighting with intrepidity, until they received an order from pekiod ii.
Winchester to surrender. He was a prisoner, and not in '^"^p- ■^"•
command, but he had presumed to send this mandate, his ^---~^'^*««-^
fears having been artfully excited by Proctor, who threatened 1§13.
that if the men did not surrender he could not defend them Tfpachoryo'
from the savages. They unhappily laid down their arms, but
Proctor did not afford them the protection which he premised.
He marched for Maiden, leaving behind him and without a
guard, the helpless prisoners, many of whom were wounded.
The merciless savages soon returned, set fire to the town, J^"- 22.
dragged the wounded from the houses, scalped them in the FreSo^w^
streets, and left their mangled bodies in the highway. In k. 522.
this melancholy afl'air the Americans lost in killed and
wounded about five hundred ; and an equal number were made
prisoners of war. They were principally volunteers from
the most respectable families of Kentucky, and thus, this
bloody day clothed that state in mourning. The loss of the
British, as stated by Colonel Proctor, was twenty-four killed,
and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded.
General Harrison now removed his head-quarters from
Franklinton, to the rapids of the Maumee, where he built
a fort named, in honorof the governor of Ohio, Fort Meigs. May i.
He was here besieged on the first of May, by Colonel, now fjort Meigs
General Proctor, with a force of 1 ,000 regulars and militia, ^''^'''^'"^■
and 1,200 Indians. The American army, occupying a com-
manding position, and strongly entrenched, resisted the efforts
of the besiegers. Their fate, however, hung in suspense, ivj- 5
when, on the morning of the 5th, an officer arriving at the fort, Goneral
announced the welcome intelligence that General Clay, with ^'"^ advan-
1,200 Kentuckians, was descending the Miami, and at that Hef.""^^'
moment but a few miles distant.
Conceiving that the British army was now in his power,
Harrison sent orders to land one half of the advancing troops
on the side of the river opposite to the fort, to co-operate with Colonel
him in forcing the British batteries. Colonel Dudley, with a Dudley's
party of 800, was charged with this service ; and he perform- • J?""^'""7'
J •* -^1. 1 ■ • 1 • ,- • T ^ . irrrs'ilar ar-
ea It With so much spirit, that, in a few minutes, he was in dor, and
possession of the batteries of Proctor, and had taken several melancholy
prisoners ; but his troops, unduly elated, 'Pursued the British ^^'^'
until they were drawn into an ambuscade, prepared for them
by the subtle Tecumseh. Dudley strove in vain to rescue his
troops. Being mortally wounded, he still kept the field, and
killed an Indian warrior before he fell ; but the whole party,
except 150, were cut off.
In the meantime, tht sortie from the fort was well conduct-
ed by Colonel John Miller. It brought on a general engage-
ment, in which the British were defeated. The Indian war-
riors, either displeased at a want of success, or desirous to p
display trophies already gained, and to gratify their thirst for Telted.*
322 GALLANT DEFENSE OF FORT STEPHENSON.
PART IV. blood by the immolation of some of their captives, now with-
PERIOD n. drew from the army of Proctor, notwithstanding the entreaties
CHAP. VII. Qf Tecumseh, himself ever faithful to the cause he espoused.
^^"^^^--^ Thus situated, Proctor, on the 9th of May, raised the siege
1§1J$. of Fort Meigs, and retreated to Maiden. General Harrison
May 9. returned to Ohio, leavinjr General Clay in command.
° , In July, the Six Nations declared war against the Canadas.
Six i\;itions About the same time, the United States accepted the services
declare war of some of the Other tribes. The government, at the com-
^^^ada. ^^' iTiencement of the war, deprecating the policy of employing
savage allies, and, justly considering the power which em-
ployed them as responsible for their known barbarities, had
refused the services of such as had offered, and had uniformly
advised them to remain neutral. This advice had in many
cases given offense, being construed as implying a disrespect
of their valor. It had been found that such was their fondness
for war, that the only alternative for the administration was to
receive their hostile efforts upon the heads of their own in-
habitants, or turn them upon the enemy's ; who, having first
employed them, the law of retaliation now fully authorized
the American government to do the same. The Indians, al-
lied with the British, had committed depredations on those
friendly to the Americans, and on this account they now
considered themselves a party in the warfare. From these rea-
sons, the Americans at lenjith consented that thev should
" take hold of the same tomahawk," and make common cause
with them.
Fort°Ste- O"^ ^^^ 20th of July, Proctor, having again collected about
phensonbe- 500 of his Indian allies, with about as many regulars, marched
sieged; and against Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky river. On the 1st
pulsed by of August, he invested it, and demanded a surrender. Major
young Cro- Croghan, a gallant youth of twenty-one, with a garrison of 160
® ^"' men, took the resolution of defending the fort to the last ex-
tremity, notwithstanding the threat, which in former instances
had been found so potent, that after the contest had commen-
ced, the Indians could not be restrained. By his judicious
measures, and the courage and promptness of his officers and
men. Proctor was repulsed with a loss of 1 50 ; the Americans
losing only one killed and seven wounded.
Proctor, completely foiled, returned to Maiden ; and no
military operation of consequence was undertaken, until the
Americans, having command of the lakes, were able to act
offensively.
AMERICANS TAKE YORK. 323
CHAPTER VIII.
Campaign of 1813, continued.
We now go back several months, to give a view of the Part IV.
warUke operations on the New York frontier. period ii.
On the 8th of October, 1812, Captain Elliot, with 100 men, chap vm.
embarked in two boats, crossed the Niagara from Black Rock, ^--»"^^^^-^
and took two British brigs from under the guns of Fort Erie.
One was burned, the other added to the American naval force.
Early in February, Major Forsyth, an enterprising partisan I §13.
officer, who commanded some American troops stationed at February.
Ogdensburg, crossed the St. Lawrence with a party of his ri- " ^'^J.'j'^i ^j"*^'
flemen and some vohmteers, surprised the guard at Elizabeth- Elizabeth
town, and took fifty-two prisoners, together with a quantity of '""'"
arms and ammunition.
On the 22d of Februaiy, Sir George Prevost, who had re- Feb. 22.
cently arrived at Prescott, directed an attack upon Ogdensburg, Bntish lie-
which was made on the same night, by a corps of 500 reg-u- a,ia^;ifip°piif„
lars and militia, under Major Macdonnal. The Americans, at Osdcns-"
much inferior in numbers, were compelled to retire, and aban- '^""^o-
don their artillery and stores to the British. Two schooners,
two gunboats, together with the barracks, were committed to
the flames.
Pursuant to the law passed by congress, early efforts were
made to build and equip fleets upon the lakes. The preced-
ingyear, the Americans did not possess a single armed vessel Commodore
on Lake Ontario, save the brig Oneida, of sixteen guns. Cliamicey
Commodore Chauncey, the naval commander on that station, has a flotilla
1 • 11 1 1 /I 11 /■ 1 1 1 °n Lake On-
by great exertions, had made ready a flotilla tor that lake, to tario.
aid in the operations of the coming campaign.
The first important service of the flotilla, was that of trans- April 25.
porting the army from Sackett's Harbor to York, the capital I^.'-^'"tiorn
of Upper Canada ; the advice of General Pike, a much val- Sackett's
ued officer, having determined General Dearborn to make a Harbor.
descent upon that place. He embarked with 1,700 men, and
arrived on the 27th of April. The British force w^as under
the command of General Sheaffe, and consisted of 400 regu-
lars and 500 militia and Indians. These were drawn up to
oppose the landing at the place of debarkation, a mile and a
half from the fort. Major Forsyth was first on shore, and April 27.
General Pike, who commanded, soon followed with the troops, armylands
After a severe contest of half an hour, the enemy retreated, at York,
The Americans formed, advancing in columns. They had ^PP^rCana-
destruyed one of the batteries, and were within sixty yards
of the enemy's works, when a magazine exploding at two
hundred yards' distance, filled the air, in every direction, with
324 FORTS GEORGE AND*feRIE.
PART IV. huge Stones and fragments of wood, which falling, caused
PERIOD II. dreadful havoc. One hundred of the Americans, and forty of
CHAP. VIII. the British were killed. General Pike himself fell, mortally
^--'"v^'*-^ wounded : but the battle had been won, and but for the death
of Pike, the garrison would have been taken. General Sheaffe
took advantage of the confusion, and with the British regulars
retreated towards Kingston, leaving the commanding officer
of the militia to make the best terms in his power.
The Americans proceeded, under Colonel Pearce, to take
1§13. possession of the enemy's barracks, and of the town. The
Death of brave Pike survived his wounds but a few hours ; but like
Pike. Wolfe at Quebec, he drew his last breath amidst the cheering
shouts of victory, his head reposing upon the banner of the
conquered fortress.
British lo?s. The loss of the British was 90 killed, 200 wounded, and
300 prisoners, besides 500 militia released upon parole. A
quantity of stores, with General Sheaffe's baggage and papers,
also fell into the hands of the Americans. In the legislative
chamber, was found the disgraceful trophy of a human scalp,
occupying the same place with the emblems of royal au-
thority.
On the 8th of May, General Dearborn evacuated York, and,
^"■y ^- having re-crossed the lake for the purpose of leaving the
wounded at Sackett's Harbor, again set sail, and disembarked
his troops at Niagara.
The army at Niagara having been reinforced. General
Genera. Dearborn re-embarked, and, on the morning of the 27th of
Nia.^Ira ^^ ^'^^y, proceeded to attack Fort George. The landing was
warmly disputed by the troops under Colonel Vincent, but the
coolness and intrepidity of the iVmericans, led on by General
Boyd, with the judicious arrangements for silencing the ene-
May -27. my's batteries, executed by Commodore Chauncey, soon com-
port George pelled the British to retreat. Colonel Vincent, perceiving
to the Ameri- that the fort would soon become untenable, set fire to his mag-
cans, azine, spiked his guns, and abandoned the place, not. however,
until he had sustained a loss of 300 men. The loss of the
Americans was seventeen killed, and forty-five wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Preston took possession of Fort Erie on
Ma> 29 the 28th, it having been previously abandoned by the British,
and the fort blown up.
Sir George Prevost, having learned that General Dearborn
Sackett's ^ad left the naval stores at Sackett's Harbor with a weak
Harlior at- garrison, dispatched Commodore Yeo, the commander of the
tacked. British fleet on Lake Ontario, to sieze them. He embarked
at Kingston on the 27th of May, reached the place of his ds^s-
Defendcd by tination on the 28th, and landed 1,200 men. He was repul-
Brown ^^^ ^y t^^ militia, under General Brown, whose conduct on
that occasion, brought full before the public, his uncommon
military talents.
After the fall of forts George and Erie, Colonel St. Yin-
perry's victory. ' 325
cent had retired, with his army, to Burlington Heights, near PART^IV.
the head of Lake Ontario. He was pursued by a force which peiuod ii.
General Dearborn had detached for the purpose, under gene- chap. vm.
rals Chandler and Winder. Colonel St. Vincent having re- ^^-'■^v^^-^
connoitered their position, at dead of night stole upon them, 1813.
and attacked the camp. A scene of confusion and carnage Affair of
ensued, in which the Americans could not distinguish friend Creek.
from foe. General Chandler approached to rally a party, but
they proved to be British troops, who immediately secured him chandler
as their prisoner. General Winder shared, by a like mistake, and Winder
a similar fate. The Americans, however, maintained their P"soners.
post, and forced the enemy to retire. The loss of the British
exceeded that of the Americans, and was more than one
hundred.
Colonel Burns, on whom the command of the American Coionei
force now devolved, finding himself in an embarrassing situa- Bums.
tion, from the capture of the two generals and the failure of
ammunition, retreated to Forty-mile Run. About this time.
General Dearborn received orders to retire from the direction
of the northern army, until his health should be restored ; and
the command at Fort George devolved on General Boyd.
On the 24th of June, Colonel Boerstler received orders from
General Boyd, to disperse a body of the enemy, which that
general had been informed, had collected near the Beaver Dams. Beaver
The xAmericans were attacked by a force much exceeding their Dams.
own. Bcerstler surrendered his detachment, amounting to
570 men.
The autumn of this year witnessed the novel scene of a Sept. lo.
battle, on one of those inland seas which separate the posses- jor'^! 'JnV'|u"
sions of the contending parties. The American fleet on Lake Erie.'
Erie, which had been formed during the last summer was
under the command of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. It
now consisted of the Niagara and Lawrence, each mounting
twenty-five guns, and several smaller vessels, carrying, on an
average, two guns each. The enemy's fleet was considered
of equal force. Commodore Barclay, its commander, was a
veteran oflicer, while Perry was young, and without experi-
ence as a commander. The battle began, on the part of the
Americans, about 12 o'clock. Perry's flag-ship, the Law-
rence, being disabled, he embarked in an open boat, and
amidst a shower of bullets, carried the ensign of command on
board the Niagara, and once more bore down upon the enemy
with the remainder of his fleet. The action became general
and severe ; and at four o'clock, the whole British squadron,
consisting of six vessels, carrying in all sixty-three guns,
surrendered to the Americans. In giving information of his
victory to General Harrison, Perry wrote, " We have met the Hanis^m
enemy, and they are ours." takes pos-
This success on lake Eric opened a passage to the territory »,rr\""" "•,
which had been surrendered by General Hull ; and General Dtuoa!"
326 ♦ BATTLE OF THE THAMES.
PART IV", Harrison lost no time in transferrin^ the war thither. On the
PERIOD II. 23d of September, he landed his troops near fort Maiden, but
CHAP. VIII. jQ jjjg surprise, instead of an armed force, he met, at the en-
^-^'■'^"**-' trance of the town, the maids and matrons of Amherstburg,
who in their best attire, had come forth to solicit the protec-
tion of the Americans.
General Proctor, despite the spirited remonstrance of Te-
,, ^ cumseh, an abler man than himself, and now a general in the
1 Toctor . . ®
evacuat(?s British army, had evacuated Maiden, burnt the fort and store-
Maiden, houses, and retreated before his enemy. The Americans, on
the 29th, went in pursuit, entered, and repossessed Detroit.
Proctor had retired to the Moravian village on the Thames,
about eighty miles from that place. His army of 2,000, was
more than half Indians. Harrison overtook him on the 5th
of October. The British army, although inferior in numbers.
Is attnckcd had the advantage of choosing their ground. They were
by Harrison strongly posted ; their left rested on the Thames, and was
Thames defended by artillery ; their right extended to a swamp, which
ran parallel to the river, and was supported by the brave Te-
cumseh and his warriors, who were stationed in a thick wood
which skirted the morass. Proctor had, however, left his
centre weak, and it was therefore full upon the centre, that
General Harrison, placing great reliance on Colonel John-
son's mounted Kenluckians, ordered them to charge. They
advanced valiantly, but their horses unused to such perilous
service, failed to penetrate the British lines. The horsemen
did not suffer themselves to be thrown back upon the advan-
cing army, but wheeled to right and left, and made a second
charge with such impetuosity, that in a single minute of time,
the fate of the day was decided. The venerable Governor
Shelby with his militia, was in the thickest of the fray.
1§13. Colonel Johnson had led his battalion against the Indians,
?umleh^ Jnd ""f^^r Tecumseh ; and in the heat of the battle the chief fell,
defeat of the bravely fighting. His warriors fled. Proctor, dismayed,
British, meanly deserted his army, and fled with two hundred dra-
goons. Six hundred of the British were made prisoners.
The Indians left one hundred and twenty dead upon the field.
The American loss, in killed and wounded, was upwards o{
fifty. Among the trophies of the victory, were six brass iield-
pieces, which had been given up by Hull ; on two oi which
were inscribed the words, " surrendered by Burgoyne, at
Saratoga."
The Indian confederacy, in which were still 3,000 warriors,
had lost with Tecumseh their bond of union ; and the Ottawas,
Indians Chippewas, Miamis, and Pottawattamies, now sent deputies
m e peace. ^^ Qeneral Harrison, and made treaties of alliance, agreeing
" to take hold of the same tomahawk with the Americans, and
strike at all the enemies of the United States, whether they
be British or Indian."
General Harrison, having more than regained the ground
BARBARIAN WARFARE. 327
lost by Hull, left General Cass in command at Detroit, and PART IV.
embarked for Buffalo. The Kentucky infantry, on iheir march period il
homeward, collected the bleaching bones of their country- chap. ix.
men, massacred at Frenchtown, and mournfully deposited ■---'"v^'*-/
them in one common grave.
In the early part of this year, the bays of Chesapeake and
Delaware were declared by the Britisli government to be in Delaware
a state of blockade. To enforce this edict. Admiral Warren pg^i^g ^^^^
was stationed off the American coast, and Rear Admiral blockaded.
Cockburn was sent up the Chesapeake, " to make the inhab-
itants and the government" says a British historian, " sensi-
ble of the danger of arousing the British nation." A squad-
ron, under Admiral Beresford, also entered the Delaware, and, ^P"' ^^■
on the 10th of April, proceeded to Lewistown. The British British on
demanded provisions of the inhabitants, which being refused, Lewistown.
they attacked the village, and after bombarding it for several
days, they were compelled to retire.
Admiral Cockburn made his name odious by his disgrace- Admiral
ful behavior in the Chesapeake. He took possession of .^°'j.g|j||[""
several small islands in the bay, and from these made de- war.
scents upon the neighboring shores. Frenchtown, Havre de
Grace, Fredericktown, Hampton and Georgetown, were suc-
cessively the scenes of a warfare, of which savages would
have been ashamed.
Cockburn, now joined by Sir Sidney Beckwith, meditated
an attack on Norfolk. To destroy the defenses on Craney's Attack on
island, they made a descent with 4,000 troops. But 10,000 ^^^^^{^
of the Virginia militia had collected from among an outraged
people, and the marauders were glad to make good their re-
treat.
CHAPTER IX.
Northern army. — Naval affairs.
The squadron of Commodore Chauncey, on Lake Ontario, q^j 5
was superior in force, but inferior in sailing, to that of Sir Chauncey
James Yeo and hence he could not bring him to a decisive captures a
engagement. He however, encountered a fleet of seven sail, s(i'iiadron on
bound for Kingston, with troops and provisions, five of which Lake Onta-
he captured.
General Wilkinson, who had commanded on the Mississippi,
was this year appointed to the command of the army of the General
centre. He did not arrive at Sackett's Harbor, till late in the "Wilkinson
season. He immediately prepared to attempt the reduction nmnd^'ofThe
of Canada, by attacking Montreal. After much delay, the central ar-
troops from Fort George and Sackett's Harbor proceeded down '"^'
no.
A us. 20.
328
NORTHERN ARMY INEFFECTUAL OPERATIONS.
PART III.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. IX.
1S13.
Nov. 11.
Americans
defeated at
Williams-
burs.
Great prepa-
rations to no
effect.
Army in
winter-quar-
ters.
General
Hampton
m wmter-
quarters at
Plattsburg.
Dec. 10.
M'Clure
bums New-
ark. ^
Dec. 19.
Buffalo and
Black Rock
burned.
Feb. 23.
The Hornet
captures the
Peacock.
the St. La\vTence, expecting to be joined at some place oi»
the river, by the northern army under General Wade
Hampton.
The British governor had ordered a corps of observation
from Kingston, to follow the movements of General Wilkin-
son's army ; and they were joined by some hundreds of the
Canadian militia. To disperse these troops, parties of the
Americans were landed, to proceed in advance of the boats.
An action occurred at Williamsburg, which terminated in fa-
vor of the British. The American force engaged was under
General Boyd, and did not exceed 1,200; that of the enemy,
under Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, was estimated at 2,000.
The loss of the Americans was 339, that of the British 180.
The flotilla proceeded ; but the next day communications
were received from General Hampton, in which he declined
joining his forces to those of General Wilkinson. The con-
templated attack on Montreal was abandoned, and the army
went into quarters at French Mills.
In the meantime General Hampton with 4,000 men, had
attempted to penetrate to Montreal by Chateaugay river.
Soon after arriving hi Canada, he found his way opposed by
about 600 British troops, and after making some ineffectual
efforts to dislodge them, he returned, and encamped at Chat-
eaugay Four Corners. Here he dispatched to General Wil-
kinson the communication which has been mentioned : and,
receiving intelligence that the expedition had been abandoned,
he returned to Plattsburg, where he established his winter-
quarters. He soon resigned, and was succeeded in command
by General Izard.
Sir George Provost being relieved from his apprehension
of an attack on Montreal, ordered his forces under generals
Vincent and Drummond, to proceed to Niagara. The Amer-
icans had left this frontier defenseless, except that a few mi-
litia under General M'Clure garrisoned fort George. Learn-
ing the approach of the enemy, M'Clure abandoned Fort
George, and from a misconception of his orders, burned the
village of Newark.
The British retaliated, although the act was promptly disa-
vowed by the American government. A part of their troops
crossed the river, gained possession of fort Niagara, and laid
waste the whole country on the American side of the Niagara
river for several miles. The militia were immediately collect-
ed to oppose them, but were compelled to retreat by the su-
perior force of the enemy. Buffalo, Black Rock, and other
villages were burned.
The United States' ship Hornet, commanded by Captain
Lawrence, encountered the British sloop of war Peacock.
The action lasted but fifteen minutes. The loss of the Brit-
ish in killed and wounded was about forty, that of the Amer-
cans five. The Peacock unfortunately sunk with thirteen ol
THE CHESAPEAKE LOST.
329
PERIOD n.
CHAP. IX.
her crew, while engaged in removing the wounded. She had PART IV.
on board three impressed American seamen, who, notwith-
standing their earnest soHcitations, had been compelled to
fight against their country. One was killed in the engage-
ment, and two were found among the prisoners.
This was the sixth successive naval victory, by which
America vindicated her equal right with Britain, to traverse,
unmolested, the great highway of nations.
In the career of naval triumph the Americans now suffered
a severe check. As the United States' frigate, Chesapeake,
was lying in Boston harbor, the British frigate Shannon,
Shannon.
Death of
Lawrence..
1§13.
June 1.
The Cliesa—
„ , peake cap-
commanded by Captain Broke, appeared in sight, off the har- '"reJ b> the?
bor, challenging her to fight. Captain Lawrence, who for
his gallant services in the affair of the Peacock, had been
promoted to the command of the Chesapeake, felt himself
bound in honor not to refuse. But his officers and crew were
strangers to him, and the seamen, not having received their
pay, in a state of dissatisfaction. The Shannon, on the con-
trary, had a picked crew of officers and seamen, especially
prepared for the occasion. Lawrence, with rash valor, put
out to sea. So desperate was the battle, that in a few min-
utes every officer on board the Chesapeake capable of taking
the command, was either killed or wounded. Captain Law-
rence received a mortal wound, and the Chesapeake being
much disabled, he was asked " if the colors should be struck ;"
he replied, "no, they shall wave while I live." Becoming
delirious, he continually cried, " don't give up the ship."
At the moment of his being carried below, Captain Broke
succeeded in boarding the Chesapeake, and the British low-
ered her colors. The loss of the Americans was seventy
killed and sixty-three wounded ; the British about half the
number.
The Shannon carried her prize into Halifax, and there the
heroic Lawrence, who had survived his defeat but four days,
was interred with every mark of honorable distinction. His
pall was borne by the oldest captains in the British navy, who
mourned him with a generous sympathy.
Another naval disaster soon followed. The United States'
sloop of war, Argus, commanded by Lieutenant Allen, was Argus made;
captured, in St. George's channel, by the British sloop of the'^Pelic^.
war, Pelican. The loss of the Americans was forty, that of
the British only eight. Allen, mortally wounded, died in
England. Like Lawrence, he received every attention while
living, and an honorable burial when dead.
On the 4th of September, the American seamen were again
victorious. The brig Enterprise, sailing from Portland har-
bor, fell in, the same day, with the British brig. Boxer. Soon
His burial.
Aug. 14.
after the action began. Lieutenant Burrows, who commanded
the American brig, was mortally wounded, but he refused to
be carried below. In his last moments he begged that his
23
Sept. 4.
The Enter
prise cap
tures the
Boxer.
330 MASSACRE OF FORT MIMS.
PART [V. flag might not be struck. Lieutenant M'Call, on whom the
PERIOD u. command devolved, gave orders to board the enemy ; but
CHAP. X. Captain Blyth, Uke his brave antagonist, had fallen ; the
^--^"^^■""^^ British brig had become unmanageable, and the crew cried
1§13. out for quarter. They could not pull down their colors, for
manderI"of ^^^7 ^^^^^ nailed to the mast. The bodies of the command-
the two brigs ers Were received at Portland with tokens of the highest re-
buned at gpect : masters of vessels rowed them ashore with the fune-
ral stroke of the oar, while minute-gims were fired by the
vessels in the harbor ; and their last obsequies were perform-
ed by the civil and military authorities of the place.
On the 26th of September, Commodore Rodgers returned
from a long cruise, in which he had circumnavigated the
British isles, and explored the Atlantic. He did not gain any
_ ^ signal victory, but he rendered essential service to his country,
Commodore by harassing the British commerce ; having captured twelve
Rodgers. merchant vessels, and taken many prisoners.
CHAPTER X.
The Creek War.
The Creeks In the meantime causes were operating, which resulted in
are in a a bloody war with the Creek Indians. Their lands lying
™vmzed '^'" within the territory of the United States, were secured to
them by the national power. Great and successful exertions
had been rnade by benevolent individuals, as well as by the
government, to instruct them in the arts of civilized life.
Their early habits and prejudices were not, however, rooted
out ; and some of them wished to return to their former state.
At this time, Tecumseh came among them. He urged them,
1§12. ^y every motive which could reach their nature, to shake off
Tecumseh the Oppressions of civilized life, return to their wild and fear-
stirs them up jggg independence, and set bounds to the farther progress ot
the whites ; ever enforcing the principle, that to the Indians
belonged the land in common ; — that they had no right to make
a permanent division among themselves, much less to sell the
soil given them by the Great Spirit.
The plea prevailed ; and the Creeks manifested such signs
of hostility, that the settlers in the most exposed situations
took refuge in forts which were erected for their security.
One of these was Fort Minis in the Tensau settlement, which
was now tilled with alarmed families. Major Beasely, the
^"S; •'^- commander, had received repeated warnings of an intended
massacre of attack by the Indians, but had delayed to make suitable prep-
Fort Mims. aration. At noon-day, the fort was suddenly surrounded
THE CREEKS DEFEATED. 331
At first, the garrison stood their ground, and repulsed the sav- PART IV.
ages ; but they returned, drove the besieged into the houses, period n.
and set them on fire. Dreadful was the massacre. Only chap. x.
seventeen, out of three hundred, men, women, and children, --^-v-^^
escaped to bear the sorrowful tidings to the surrounding in-
habitants.
The spirit of vengeance was abroad. Tennessee sent forth IS 12.
2,000 men, imder General Jackson, and 500 under General Forces un-
Coffee. Georgia dispatched General Floyd with 950 militia, qI^^^ ^J
and 400 friendly Indians ; while Mississippi sent a body of Floyd.
volunteers, under General Claiborne.
General Jackson met and defeated the Indians at Tallade- „
ga, losing fifteen killed and eighty-five wounded. Two hun- Jackson at
dred and ninety of the Indian warriors were left dead upon Talladega.
the field.
The Hillabee towns were next destroyed by the Ten-
nesseeans, and sixty of the Indian warriors were killed. ■
General Floyd, with 950 of the Georgia militia, and 400 -^^^ gg
friendly Indians, encountered the Creeks at Autossee. This General'
was their sacred ground, and they fought bravely in its de- Floyd at
• A.UtOSS6G
fense, but were overcome. Four hundred of their houses
were burned, and 200 of their bravest warriors slain ; among
whom were the kings of Autossee and Tallahassee. Of the
Americans, fifty were either killed or wounded.
General Claiborne, with the Mississippi volunteers, gained Dec. 23.
an important victory over the Indians, under their prophet- Eccanacha
leader, Weatherford, on his holy ground at Eccanachaca.
General Jackson's army was diminished by the return of
those whose term of service had expired, and sixty days more
would close that of a second body of volunteers, who now
joined him. But Jackson used their time well. Co-operating
with General Floyd, the two armies entered the Indian coun-
try in difl^erent directions. Twice the savages made night at- '"°'^"^ '^^^'
1 1 /• T 1 1 1 r T^i 1 1 n°' surpnse
tacks on the army oi Jackson, and once on that oi rloyd, but Jackson and
in neither case did they find these generals unprepared, and Floyd,
the defeat was their own.
But the hostile spirit of the Creeks remained unsubdued.
They strongly fortified the bend of the Tallapoosa, called by
the Indians, Tohopeka, and by the whites. Horse-shoe-bend.
Nature and art had rendered this a place of great security.
They erected a breastwork from five to eight feet high, across
the peninsula, where a thousand warriors had collected. This
could not be approached, without exposure to double and cross Jackson de-
fires from the Indians, who lay behind their works. General feats the
Jackson, aided by General Coffee, surrounded and stormed ^'■^*^'^^^*
the fortifications. The regulars, led on by Colonel Williams ° "^^ ^
and Major Montgomery, advanced first to the charge. The
combatants fought through the port-holes, musket to musket.
At this time, Major Montgomery, leaping on the wall, called
to his men to mount and follow. Scarcely had he spoken,
23*
332
COMMISSIONERS MEET AT GHENT.
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CH.4P. XI.
Speech of
the chief,
Weather-
ford.
1§14.
Aug. 9.
Treaty with
the Creeks.
when a ball struck him upon the head, and he fell lifeless to
the ground. His soldiers obeyed his command, and fol-
lowed his example ; and though the Creeks fought with des-
peration, yet they were entirely defeated.
Five hundred and fifty were killed on the peninsula, and
many were drowned or shot, in attempting to cross the river
General Jackson's loss, including the friendly Indians, was
fifty-four killed, and one hundred and fifty-six wounded. This
victory ended in the submission of the remaining warriors, and
the consequent termination of the war.
Among those who threw themselves upon the mercy of their
victors, was VVeatherford, who was equally distinguished for
his talents and cruelty. " I am in your power," said he, " do
with me what you please. I have done the white people all
the harm I could. I have fought them, and fought them
bravely. There was a tiine when I had a choice. I have
none now ; every hope is ended. Once I could animate my
warriors to battle ; but 1 cannot animate the dead. They can
no longer hear my voice ; their bones are at Tallushatches,
Talladega, Emukfau, and Tohopeka. While there was a
chance of success, I never supplicated peace ; but my people
are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and myself." ,
During the summer, a treaty of peace was concluded with
the conquered Creeks, on conditions advantageous to the Uni-
ted States. General Jackson returned to Tennessee, and was
soon after appointed to succeed General Wilkinson in the
command of the forces at New Orleans.
CHAPTER XL
Political Affairs.
1813.
Russia offers
to mediate.
Commis-
sioners to
treat for
peace meet
Bt Ghent.
During the spring of 1813, Alexander, emperor of Russia,
with a laudable zeal to spare mankind from the desolations of
war, offered his mediation in the quarrel between the United
States and Great Britain. On the part of the republic, the
offer was promptly accepted, and John Quincy Adams, Albert
Gallatin, and James A. Bayard, were dispatched to Russia, to
m'^et and nesfotiate with such commissioners as Great Britain
might choose to appoint. That power, however, had declined
the mediation of Alexander, but offered to treat for peace di-
rectly with the United States. In pursuance of this proposi-
tion, to which the American government acceded, Messrs.
Adams, Gallatin, and Bayard, in the month of August, pro-
ceeded to Ghent, the place of meeting agreed on, and there
met Lord Gambler, Henry Golbourn, and William Adams, com-
NATURALIZED CITIZENS DEFENDED.
333
missioners on the part of Great Britain. On that of America,
Henry Clay, and Jonathan Russell, were added to the gen-
tlemen already named.
On account of the critical state of the country, congress
deemed it expedient to hold an extra session, and accordingly
met on the 24th of May. Their most urgent business was to
provide means of replenishing the exhausted treasury ; and,
notwithstanding the clamors of the party opposed to the war,
they proceeded with firmness and decision.
They agreed on a system of internal duties ; laid taxes
on lands and houses, distilled liquors, refined sugars, retailer's
licences, carriages, sales at auction, and bank notes ; and
they authorized a loan of seven millions and a half Con-
gress adjourned on the 2d of August.
Among other important subjects, embraced in the president's
message, at the regular session, was that concerning the right
of expatriation, on which Great Britain and America had been
so long at issue, and from which the most tragical consequen-
ces were, at that period, apprehended. Forty persons, natives
of Britain, but who, by a long residence, had become natural-
ized in America, had been taken in arms against the British
nation, and were sent to the land of their birth, there to under-
go a trial for treason. The American government, feeling
itself bound to protect them, had put in close confinement an
equal number of British soldiers, with a notification, that if
violence was done, the same, in kind and degree, should be
inflicted in return. In retaliation for this step, the British
government put in confinement, with a similar threat, double
the number of American officers of the lower grades. This
measure had also been retaliated, and an equal number of
British officers selected.
The subject was, however, adjusted, by the exchange of
all prisoners, except the first forty, who had been sent for
trial ; and concerning these, the American government reser-
ved a right to retaliate, in case any violence should thereafter
be done them.
Another message was soon after received from the presi-
dent, recommending an embargo upon exports, to deprive the
enemy of supplies from our ports and with a design to pro-
tect the American commerce, and completely prohibit British
manufactures. Tliis measure, after a warm debate, was adopt-
ed by congress, but it was considered by the opposition, as
annoying ourselves more than our foes, and condemned as un-
constitutional and oppressive.
These commercial restrictions were not, however, of long
continuance. Mighty revolutions were taking place in Europe,
and changing the policy of America. Napoleon was now a
powerless exile on a little island in the Mediterranean ; and the
ports of Europe were open to England. Under these circum-
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XI.
1§13.
May 24.
Congress
meet in ex-
tra session,
and show a
firmness
worthy of the
revolution
Dec. 2
The regular
session com
mences.
Forty native
Britons, but
naturalized
Americans.
Embargo
laid.
It is violent
ly opposed.
334
AFFAIR OF LA COLLE.
PART IV. stances, in the month of April, the embargo and non-impoita-
PERiODii. tion acts were both discontinued.
CHAP. XII. Tj^e condition of the army required and received the atten-
"^-^'■"■'^^-^ tion of congress, A bill was passed early in the session, giv-
1813. ing to those who should enlist for five years, or during the
Dill • *4 B* ' o
for the'rdfef ^^^^' ^^^ unprecedented bounty of one hundred and twenty-
of the army, four dollars ; and to any person who should procure an able
bodied recruit, was given further the sum of eight dollars.
An appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars was made,
Steam batte- for the building of one or more floating batteries, to be pro-
"^^- pelled by steam.
CHAPTER XII.
1§14.
Feb. 21.
Stores at
Malone de-
stroyed.
Affair of La
CoUe.
Wilkinson
tried.
May.
Attempt to
destroy the
American
flotilla on
Lake Cham-
plain.
Campaign of 1814.
General Wilkinson had remained inactive at French
Mills, until early in February, when, having received orders
from the secretary of war, he detached General Brown, with
2,000 troops, to the Niagara frontier ; and after destroying
his barracks, he retired to Plattsburg. The enemy, taking ad-
vantage of this movement, made an incursion as far as Malone,
and destroyed the arsenal and public stores there kept, which
had belonged to the cantonment of French Mills.
Movements of General Wilkinson, wliich had the appear-
ance of an attempt again to invade Canada, caused the British
commander to order 2,000 men, under Major Hancock, to forti-
fy themselves at La Colle Mill, near the river Sorel. General
Wilkinson advanced, and on the succeeding day made an at-
tack. A sortie from the building ended in his repulse, and the
loss of 100 of his men, in killed and wounded. Such a series
of unsuccessful measures brought public censure upon this
general. He was tried before a court-martial at Troy, New
York, where he was nominally acquitted of the charges
brought against him.
The British army of Lower Canada now withdrew from
the St. Lawrence, and were stationed near St. Johns, for secu-
ring the entrance of a fleet into Lake Champlain.
During the autumn, and winter, IVIacdonough, the American
commodore on this station, had labored with great industry to
provide a naval force on this lake, equal to that of the enemy.
The flotilla was lying in the Otter river, at Vergennes ; and it
was the object of the British to destroy it, before it should
make its appearance on the lake. Apprised of this, i\Iacdo-
nough caused a battery to be erected at the mouth of the riv-
er. On the 12th of May, the British fleet entered the lake.
They attacked the battery, but were repulsed.
Wellington's veterans sent over. 335
Major Appling and Captain Woolsey were appointed to PART IV.
convey the naval stores from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor, the period n.
British having made an attempt to seize them at the former chap. xii.
place. A British party intending to attack them, were drawn ^—^"v™""*-^
into an ambuscade which they formed, and 133 of their num-
ber were taken prisoners.
At the commencement of this year, the Americans were in
possession of all their former territory at the west, except fort 1§14.
Mackinaw. On the 21st of February, Captain Holmes was Feb. 21.
detached from Detroit, with 1 80 men, to dislodge a party of Holmes^.witk
British who were stationed on the river Thames. When with- iso men,
in fifteen miles of his destination, he received intelligence that ^^^^ ^^'
about 300 of the enemy were within one hour's march of him.
He retired five miles, where he was attacked on all sides ; but
he bravely stood his ground, and forced the British to retreat,
with a loss of sixty-nine men.
During the early part of this year, the government of Great
Britain had been much occupied with affairs nearer home, but
when her military and naval forces were liberated from Euro- ceTthreaten-
pean warfare, she directed her energies to this continent, mg to Amer-
Two distinct systems appear to have been determined on in "^^"
the British cabinet ; one, having for its object the invasion of
the sea-coast, and the other, the protection of Canada, and the
conquest of so much of the adjoining territory as might guard
that province from future danger. To effect these objects, a |4,000of^
formidable army of fourteen thousand, who had fought under vet'eran" ^
the Duke of Wellington, were embarked at Bordeaux for Can- troops sent
ada ; and, at the same time, a strong naval force, with an ad- °^"*
equate number of troops, was directed against the maritime
frontier of the United States, to maintain a strict blockade,
and ravage the whole coast from Maine to Georgia.
The northern sea-coast experienced little molestation, until
the spring of 1814, when the British ascended the Connecti-
cut river to Essex, where they destroyed shipping, to the val- of^shimin^
ue of two hundred thousand dollars. The reason of the dis- at Essex."
tinction, which was thus made between the north and the south,
is expressed by a British historian, in the concluding senti-
ment of the following paragraph.
" After the fall of Napoleon, it was held in this country,"
says Baines, " with a lamentable ignorance of the real state
of the feelings and energies of the United States, that Britain,
so long the undisputed mistress of the ocean, would soon be Baines' ac-
able to sweep from the seas the ships of America : and that '^."""^ of pub-
^, 1^ - 1 1 1 ■ 1 ^ 11 1 '"^ opinion
tnose troops, which had acqmred so much glory when con- in England
tending with the veteran armies of Europe, would no sooner respecting
show themselves on the western side of the Atlantic, than the
panic-struck soldiers of the United States would be driven far
within their own frontiers. These pleasing illusions were
heightened by the hope, that England would soon be able to
dictate peace in the capital of the republic ; or at least, that
America.
336
BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.
PART IV the splendor of British triumphs, and the pressure of Ameri-
PERiOD 11 can embarrassments, would induce and encourage the inhabi-
CHAP. XIII. tants of the northern states, to form a separate government,
under the protection of the crown of Great Britain, if not ac-
tually under the sway of her sceptre."
1§14.
July 2 and 3.
General
BrowTi
crosses the
Niagara, and
takes Fort
Erie.
Scott ad-
vances upon
the enemy.
July 5.
Battle of
Chippewa.
Charactei of
the troojis
engaged.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Niagara Frontier.
General Brown, in conducting, as has been related, 2,000
of the army of General Wilkinson, from French Mills towards
the Niagara frontier, stopped at Sackett's Harbor. Here his
force consisted of two brigades , the first under General Scott,
the second, under General Ripley. These able officers were
diligently occupied, during the first part of the campaign, in
disciplining their troops, and preparing them for action.
In June, General Brown marched his army to Buffalo, ex-
pecting to invade Canada. Here were added to his army,
Towson's artillery, and a corps of volunteers, commanded by
General Porter, making, in the whole, about 3,500 men. On
the second and third of July, they crossed the Niagara, and
invested Fort Erie, where the garrison, amounting to 100 men,
surrendered without resistance.
On the 4th, the brigade under General Scott, with Towson's
artillery, advanced from Fort Erie along the bank of the Ni-
agara, to Street's Creek, which falls into the river from the
southwest, and here, being within a mile and a half of the ene-
my, he halted. General Brown, with the remaining brigade,
arrived at the same place at midnight, and General Porter, with
the volunteers, at sunrise. The British army, 3,000 strong,
and commanded by General Riall, occupied a position at the
mouth of the Chippewa.
The battle of the 5th commenced with a skirmish, in
which a detachment, under General Porter, surprised and
defeated a body of Indians ; but they being reinforced, in
their turn drove the Americans, who retreated, bravely fight-
ing. The main body of the British advanced ; and General
Brown put his whole camp in motion. General Ripley was
sent to the left, to the aid of Porter, while General Scott,
crossing the creek, drew up his brigade in order of battle, to
receive the charge of the king's regiment, and that of the
royal Scots. They outnumbered the republican troops in the
field by more than one-third, and were the veterans who had
fought and conquered by the side of Wellington, and of whom
many of the English had predicted, that they would re-colo-
APPROACH OF A BATTLE. 337
Dize America. The officers and soldiers of the republic had, PART IV.
at the most, but two years experience ; and many of them had peiuou ii.
never before been in battle. Here then they met in fair and ^hap. xui.
open fight, arm to arm, and breast to breast. ^.^^^'■s^-**^
General Scott led on his men, while his officers nobly sec-
onded his exertions. The conflict was bloody; but the val- 1§14.
or of America prevailed. The veterans gave way, and re- '^^f.- '^'^"|^*^
treated, while the Americans pursued, defeating them at every
point, until at length their retreat being changed to a rout,
they sought the shelter of their entrenchments. So decisive
had been the movements of General Scott, that the enemy
were totally defeated before the brigade of General Ripley
was brought into action. General Brown now ordered up
the artillery to batter their works ; but the day was spent, and
their batteries so strongly fortified, that he desisted from the
attempt, drew oflf his forces, and returned to his camp.
In this engagement, Colonel Gordon, of the royal Scots,
and Colonel the .Marquis of Tweedale, late aid-de-camp to the
Duke of WelUngton, were both severely wounded. The loss
of the enemy in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was 514;
that of the Americans, 328.
In the meantime, a large body of British troops, commanded General
by General Drummond, were at the head of lake Ontario, Riall re-
near Burlington Heights, and at York. Soon after the battle f.^emonts'
of Chippewa, General Riall fell back to fort George, where by Drum-
in a few days he was joined by Drummond, when his army mond.
amounted to 5,000, of whom 1,500 were militia and Indians.
On the 10th of July, the American camp was removed
from Street's Creek to Queenstown, and from thence Gene-
ral Brown marched to invest fort George ; but finding unex- General
pected difficulties, he retired from that position, and on the Brown falls
23d, took post at Chippewa. He had, however, previously chfpuewa.
sent his wounded and heavy baggage across the strait to
Schlosser, near the Falls, intending at the time, to advance
upon the enemy.
On the morning of the 25th, General Brown received in-
formation from General Swift, who had the care of the wound-
ed, that the enemy were at Queenstown, and that a detach-
ment threatened his stores at Schlosser. At this intelligence,
General Brown detached General Scott, with his brigade and -^"'y 25.
Captain Towson's artillery, to make a movement on the "ta'chmem'
Queenstown road, as if to attack the enemy, and thus divert falls in wuh
their attention from his stores. Scott left the camp at four in '^'.|,.nf "'',**
the afternoon, moved along the river, and passed the grand Lundy's
cataract, in ignorance that the enemy were near. Having '-■aiie.
proceeded a short distance beyond the Falls, he learned that
the Brhish army, in great force, were encamped behind a
wood, only a few hundred yards to the north, and that they
intended to attack the Americans the next day. Scott imme-
diately transmitted this intelligence to his commander, and
338
A NIGHT-SCENE.
PART lY.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. XIII.
1814.
The Ameri-
cans in a
dangerous
position ;
fight witli
desperate
valor.
Ripley rein-
forces Scott.
Miller
"tries" to
take the bat-
tery and suc-
ceeils.
Terrible
night en-
co inter.
moved rapidly forward through the wood, till he perceived the
British strongly posted on an eminence, defended by nine
pieces of artillery. He halted and drew up his men in order of
of battle, on a level ground near Lundy's lane, and in front of
the British position. The artillery under Towson commenced
a brisk cannonade, which was returaed by the British battery.
The American combatants stood for more than an hour and
maintained a contest against a force seven times their number.
It was late in the afternoon when the engagement commen-
ced. The sun had now gone down, and darkness came on.
No reinforcement appeared. But the gallant band still main-
tained the -battle, although an officer reminded the general,
that the rule for retiring was accomplished, since more than
one-fourth of his number were killed or wounded, among
whom were many of his officers. The brave Colonel Brady
had been the first to form his regiment, and on that the loss
fell heaviest. Himself twice wounded, he was entreated by
those who observed him pale from the loss of blood, to quit
the field. "Not while I can stand," was the reply, worthy of
Leonidas.
At that critical moment, a reinforcement appeared. Gene-
ral Ripley, by whom it was commanded, had been ordered to
form his brigade, on the skirt of a wood to the right of Gene-
ral Scott. But, finding that this position was not favorable,
he took the responsibility of first moving nearer to the Brit-
ish. For this purpose, he was about to pass the brigade
of Scott, but coming between him and the enemy, he found
that he was suff'ering severely from their cannon. Ripley
then conceived the bold thought of storming the formidable
battery. " Colonel Miller," said he, " will you take yonder
battery ?" " I'll try," said that heart of oak, and at the head
of the twenty-first regiment, he calmly took his course, march-
ed up to the mouth of the blazing cannon, around which the
enemy had rallied, bayoneted the men while firing, and pos-
sessed himself of their guns. Ripley had moved at the same
time, at the head of the 23d regiment, to the attack of the in-
fantry, and drove them from the eminence, which was the key
of their position.
Here Ripley formed his brigade. General Porter, with his
volunteers, was on the right, and the artillery of Towson in
the centre. The enemy, rallied in their might, and advanced
to regain their position and artillery. The Americans per-
ceived that the foe was coming on, but could not distinctly as-
certain from what point. The moon had risen, but dark clouds
were in the heavens, and her light was fitful. Sounds came
indistinctly mingled from every quarter. The roar of the
cataract, the shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying,
the discharge of artiller)% were all heard, as well as the rush
of the enemy's attack. In this situation, Ripley gave his
troops the order to wait tiU the enemy's bayonets touched
THE BATTLE OF BRIDGEWATER WON. 339
their own, and take aim by the light from the discharge of PART IV.
their muskets. The aim of the Americans was good, and period ii.
numbers of their brave enemy fell. They closed up their chap. xiii.
ranks, and came on with the bayonet. The republicans stood ---•^n^^^«^
the charge, and sturdily pushed back the thrust. For twenty
minutes this deadly strife continued, when the veterans of
Wellington retreated in disorder. But they renewed the at-
tack till they were four times repulsed. At length, about Americana
midnight, they ceased to contend, and left their position and ^'^^ victon-
artillery to the Americans.
Although the brunt of the battle was on the eminence, other
efforts were making in different parts of the field. The brig-
ade of Scott, shattered as it M'as, having formed anew, was
not content to look idly on, while their brethren, who had Incidents of
stepped between them and death, were now bleeding in their 'able'b^tle^'
turn. General Scott charged at their head, through an open-
ing in Ripley's line ; but in the confusion and darkness of the
scene, he passed between the fires of the combatants. He
afterwards engaged in the fight, taking his post on Ripley's
left. In another quarter, Colonel Jessup, with only two hun-
dred men, advanced upon the enemy, brought them to close
action, drove them from the ground, and captured General
Riall, with other officers and soldiers, to a number almost
equal to his own.
In this sanguinary contest, the total loss of the British was
eight hundred and seventy-eight. Generals Drummond and
Riall were among the wounded. The Americans lost, in kill-
ed, wounded, and missing, eight hundred and sixty. Of these,
eleven officers were killed, among whom were Major M'Far-
land and Captain Ritchie. Fifty-six officers were wounded,
among whom were generals Brown and Scott ; it was not,
however, until towards the close of the action, that the two
generals, highest in command, were disabled. General Brown,
on receiving his wound, gave notice to General Ripley, that
he was left in command, but ordered him to collect the wound-
ed, remove the artillery, and retire to the camp at Chippewa. .
Unfortunately, the Americans lost the trophies of their hard- unfortunate-
earned victory, as no means of removing the captured artillery ')' lose the
were at hand ; and General Ripley was obliged to leave it on tS victory
the field of battle. The British, on learning that the Ameri-
cans had abandoned the field, re-occupied it immediately ;
and taking advantage of this circumstance, their officers, in
their dispatches to their government, claimed the victory.
The American army now reduced to 1,600, retired to fort
Erie, and proceeded to entrench themselves strongly in that
position. The enemy, to the number of 5,000, followed them ;
and on the 4th of August, commenced a regular siege. On ^^^ ^
the 5th, General Gaines arrived at Erie from Sackett's Har- American
bor, and took the command. Anticipating an attack, the a.n"v bc-
Americ ans prepared themselves to receive it. Forilerie.
340
SORTIE OF FORT ERIE.
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XIII.
1§14.
Aug. 15.
Drummond
assaults the
fort, and is
repulsed.
General
Brown in
command.
General
izard sent to
the aid of
Brown.
Sept. 17.
The Ameri-
cans make a
sortie and
dislodge the
enemy from
Fort Eric.
On the morning of the 15th, the enemy advanced in three
columns, commanded by Colonels Drummond, Fischer, and
Scott. The columns to the right and left repeatedly attacked,
and were as often repulsed. The centre column, under
Drummond, after a sanguinary conflict, succeeded in scaling
the walls, and taking possession of a bastion. While this
savage man was denying mercy to the conquered Americans,
a barrel of powder beneath him became ignited. There was
a sudden crash, and bastion, assailants, and assailed, were
blown together into the air. Those of the British who sur-
vived, fled in dismay. Their numbers were thinned as they
passed the American artillery. According to the British offi-
cial report, their loss on this day was 57 killed, of whom
were Colonels Scott and Drummond, 319 wounded, and 539
missing. The total loss of the Americans was but eighty-
four.
After this repulse, both armies remained in a state of inac-
tivity for some time. General Gaines had been wounded by
the bursting of a shell, and the command again devolved on
General Ripley ; it was exercised, however, but a short time,
as General Brown, now recovered from his wounds, entered
the fort, and resumed his functions.
The American public had become anxious for the fate of
their brave defenders, and General Izard, by the order of the
secretary of war, abandoning a post, which, from the arrival
of the British troops at Montreal, it was hazardous to leave,
marched from Plattsburg, with 5,000 men for their relief.
The enemy were daily receiving reinforcements, and their
works, upon which they labored with great assiduity, grew
more and more formidable.
General Brown, learning that of the three parts into which
the British army was divided, two were kept at the camp,
while the third manned the batteries, determined to make a
sortie, with a view of destroying the batteries, and cutting off
the brigade on duty.
On the 17th of September, at twelve o'clock. General Por-
ter left the camp at the head of a detachment, to penetrate
by a passage through the wood. Being perfectly acquainted
with the ground, he with his men, trod silently and circuit-
ously along, when, arriving at their destined point, they rush-
ed upon the enemy, whom they completely surprised. In
thirty minutes they had taken a blockhouse and two bastions,
spiked their guns, blown up their magazine, and made pris-
oners of their garrison ; but the brave colonels Gibson and
Wood had fallen at the head of their columns. General Rip-
ley arrived in season to share the danger and the honor of
this well-planned and well-conducted enterprise.
Thus in a few hours were the enemy deprived of the fruit
of forty-seven days' labor, of a great quantity of artillery and
ammunition, and of 1,000 men, which was their number of
WASHINGTON THREATENED. 341
killed, wounded, and prisoners. General Miller, on whom FART IV.
the command devolved, secured the prisoners and the trophies period ii.
of the victory, and re-conducted the army to the fort in '^"■'^^- ^''^■
perfect order. The killed and wounded were 300. Several ^--""^^""^^
more were missing, so that their loss was not much less than
one-third of their whole number.
After the destruction of his works before Fort Erie, Gene- 1814.
ral Drummond broke up his camp, and retired on the night of ^^'^ British
the 21st, to his entrenchments behind Chippewa.
Soon after this, the arrival of General Izard placed the
Americans on a footing which enabled them once more to
commence offensive operations ; and leaving Erie in command
of Colonel Hindman, General Brown again advanced towards Oct 20
Chippewa. Near this place, an affair occurred on the 20th Colonel Bis-
of October, in which Colonel Bissell, with a detachment of sell defeats
1,000 men, obtained an advantage over a detachment of 1,200, of Twel"^'
under the Marquis of Tweedale. dale.
During the summer of this year, an expedition was set on
foot to recover Mackinaw. It was conducted by Major Cro-
ghan, with the co-operation of part of the fleet of Lake Erie,
which was for that purpose taken through the straits into Unsuccess-
Lake Huron. The attempt was unsuccessful, and several f"' a"empt
brave men were lost, among whom was Captain Holmes. Mackinlw.
The British warlike establishments at St. Josephs, and the
Sault de St. Marie, were, however, destroyed.
CHAPTER XIV.
Washington taken by the British —Baltimore threatened.
In the early part of the year 1814, while Admiral Cock-
burn was engaged in predatory warfare upon the shores of
the Chesapeake, the main protection of the inhabitants was a
fleet of gunboats and smaller vessels, commanded by Commo-
dore Barney. Early in June, several skirmishes took place
between this flotilla and a part of the enemy's vessels ; but Commodore
not being able to cope with the superior force of the British, Barney
Barney took refuge in the Patuxent, and was there blockaded ^Ihfptux^
by the British admiral. ent.
Now that the armies which had been employed in Europe,
were, by the pacification, left at liberty to be brought over by
the great navy of Britain, the nation supposed that they might P'^m to in-
probably soon dictate a peace in the capital of the Unit'ed "in^™"
States ; and an expedition was accordingly planned, whose '"° **"
object was the capture of Washington.
The administration were not entirely inattentive to its de-
342 barney's flotilla destroyed.
PART IV. fense, and that of ^he adjacent city of Baltimore ; but their
PERIOD 11. measures were inefficient. The national territory had been
CHAP. XIV. previously divided into nine military districts. A tenth was
' -"^^^^^-^ now formed, embracing Maryland, the District of Columbia,
and a part of Virginia. On the 4th of July, a requisition was
made by the president, upon the governors of these states for
ninety-three thousand militia. Of these, fifteen thousand were
within the limits of the new military district. One thousand
regulars were also to be added, and thus there was, numeri-
cally, a force of sixteen thousand men at the disposal of Gen-
eral Winder, who was appointed to the command. But it was
1§14. only a fortnight previous to the invasion, that the order, au-
iorce for the thorizing that general to call for these forces, was received.
defense of Time is necessarily consumed in the tardy operations of re-
Washingion. publican governments, unused to war ; and when, on the 20th
of August, news arrived that the enemy had landed at Bene-
dict, General Winder had not collected more than 3,000 men,
and these were undisciplined and unacquainted with each
other.
Au". 17. ^^ t^® l^th of August, the British fleet in the Chesapeake
Cochrane ar- was augmented by the arrival of Admiral Cochrane, who had
nveswithan \)qq^ gent out with a large land force, commanded by Major-
army under ^ ,„ . = ., '. ,.i/,,
Ross. Lreneral Koss, in pursuance ol the resolution which had been
taken by the British government, " to destroy and lay waste
such towns and districts upon the coast, as might be found
assailable." This formidable fleet was divided into three parts,
one of which, carrying General Ross, and commanded by
Admiral Cochrane, proceeded up the Patuxent ; one, under
Captain Gordon, ascended the Potomac ; and the third, under
Sir Peter Parker, went further up the Chesapeake, as if to
threaten Baltimore.
On the 19th, General Ross landed at Benedict with 5,000
_^ infantry : on the 20th, he began his march to Washington,
the Patux- distant twenty-seven miles, keeping along the right bank of
ent. the Patuxent. His object was, in the first instance, to co-
opera:te whh Admiral Cockburn, in the destruction of Commo-
dore Barney's squadron, which he had for some time been
Fo'rce"' Com- blockading. On the 22d, the expedition reached Pig Point,
modore Bar- fir>d descried the pendant of the American flotilla. On their
neytode- approach, the Americans abandoned their fleet, and sixteen
*''^°tilir '° *^"^ ^^ seventeen boats were blown up to prevent their falling
into the hands of the enemy. The British were now distant
only sixteen miles from Washington.
Aug. 20. On the afternoon of the 20lh, General Winder, apprised of
American of the danger of the capital, advanced from it towards the
wTndeis'^ad- ©nemy, and on the 22d encamped near Marlborough. Com-
vances from modore Barney here united his marines with Winder's army.
Washington, 'p^^ president of the United States, with General Armstrong,
Bamey^s ^^^ ^^^ succeeded Mr. Eustis as secretary of war, and some
ma es. of the other heads of department, here visited the camp.
BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG. 34J:
It was resolved to fall back nearer to the capital. The same PART IV.
retreating policy was pursued, until General Winder had re- period ii.
crossed the eastern branch of the Potomac. Here he made chap. xiv.
provisions for guarding the bridge, it being supposed the ^^"^^■■^"^
enemy would attempt the capital from this point.
In the meantime, the militia from Baltimore, under General
Stansbury, advanced to the relief of Washington. These, to
the number of 2,200, including a company of artillery, rested,
on the night of the 23d, near Bladensburg. Being under orders
to join General Winder, they commenced their march on the
morning of the 24th. But it was now discovered, that, al-
though that general, or those under whose direction he acted, 1§14.
had carefully set a trap at the great bridge on the east branch, Enemy
the British commander did not choose to fall into it ; but 'own^'road'
had taken for safety a more circuitous route, and was march-
ing past Washington, to gain the Bladensburg road, on the
north.
General Stansbury now met an order from Winder to re- General
trace his steps to Bladensburg, and there give battle to the Stansbury.
enemy. Although exhausted by fatimie, and the heat of the ,, ,,
J o ^ J CD ' Mr. Monroe.
season, he obeyed. On his march he was met by Colonel
Monroe, secretary of state, who had been scouring the adja-
cent country for volunteers. He proposed to Stansbury to
make a movement in order to get in the enemy's rear ; but
that general being under orders to the contrary, did not feel at ^^^ 24.
liberty to follow this judicious counsel. About noon he met Americans
the enemy near Bladensburg. General Winder soon came "^ff "J™ ='*
up with the main body. The president and heads of depart- burg.
ment were on the field, but as the event of the day was
doubtful, and they had documents of importance to secure,
all left it about the time the battle began, except Colonel Mon-
roe, who was active in forming and bringing forAvard the caval-
ry of General Stansbury. The contest which ensued, termina-
ted as might have been expected from the condition of the
American troops. Many of the militia fled. Commodore Bar-
ney, with his 400 marines and a small battery, fought valiantly,
and for some time held the enemy in check ; but he was at
length wounded and made prisoner. The regulars and mili-
tia of the district of Columbia stood their ground for a time,
but at length they left the field and retreated towards Wash-
ington ,
They were now joined by fresh militia from Virginia, and They rally
upon the heights they formed again, and once more interposed p^'-'-f ^^ash-
a barrier between Washington and its invaders. But on sur- '"|iJfea'teA°
veying their numbers, wasted by the flight of the timid, and
the fall of the brave, they were found inadequate to the task
of its defense.
General Ross entered Washington at eight in the evening, Genera!
and with that barl)arism which distinguished the Goths and ^"/'^. '•"'<'rs
Vandals of the middle ages, but which is unknown to civili- '" " '
344
THE BRITISH IN WASHINGTON.
PART IV.
PERIOD 11.
CHAP. XIV.
1§14.
General
Ross enters
Washing-
ton ; burns
and plun-
ders.
American
and British
loss.
British liar-
barism de-
feats British
policy.
Aug. 27.
Alexandria
capitulates.
British re-
pulsed at
Bellair.
Sept. 11.
The British
procetd to
Baltimore.
zed warfare, his troops burnt, not only the capital, which was
in an unfinished state, but its extensive library, records, and
other collections, appertaining not to war, but to peace and
civilization. The public offices and the president's house
were wantonly sacrificed, together with many private dwel-
lings. The public stores at the navy-yard, and the vessels on
the stocks had been burned by order of the president, to pre-
vent their falling into the hands of the invaders. The expen-
sive bridge across the Potomac was also destroyed. The
loss of public property alone, amounted to one million of
dollars.
The British, though they had entered the capital, had learn-
ed enough of the people, to satisfy them that it would not be
wise to attempt keeping possession. General Ross left it on
the evening of the 25th, and reached the fleet, still in the Pa-
tuxent, on the evening of the 27th.
The loss of the Americans, in the battle of Bladensburg,
was eighty in killed and wounded ; that of the enemy, 249.
Their loss during this expedition, amounted to 400 killed and
wounded, and 500 either taken prisoners or deserted.
Had the British confined themselves to the capture and de-
struction of public property appropriated to warlike purposes,
the Americans would have felt deeply their humiliation, and
the resentment of the nation might, as was expected in Eng-
land, have fallen upon the public servants ; but the manner in
which the advantage was used, produced, in the minds of the
people, a vindictive feeling against the conquerors, which
swallowed up all minor resentments, and united the nation,
not in a wish for peace, but in high resolves for war.
In the meantime, the squadron, under Captain Gordon,
passed up the Potomac without opposition, and appeared be-
fore Alexandria, on the 27th of August. The inhabitants en-
entered into a capitulation, by which they delivered up their
merchandise and shipping to the enemy ; who, aden with a
rich booty, returned to the ocean, though not without being
much annoyed from the shore as they passed.
The squadron which had sailed up the Chesapeake, under
Sir Peter Parker, landed about 250 marines, for the purpose
of surprising 200 militia, who were encamped near Bellair,
under Colonel Reed. They were repulsed with the loss of
forty-one killed and wounded ; Sir Peter Parker himself being
among the latter.
Admiral Cochrane having received on board his fleet the
elated conquerors of Washington, the combined land and sea
forces moved on, in the confidence of victory, to the attack
of Baltimore. After passing down the Patuxent, they as-
cended the Chesapeake, and on the 11th of September, ap-
peared at the mouth of the Patapsco, fourteen miles from
Baltimore.
On the morning of the 12th, General Ross, with an array
THE ENEMY REPULSED AT BALTIMORE. 345
amounting to about 5,000, debarked at North Point, and com- PART IV.
menced his march towards the city. period n.
General Smith commanded the whole force of the defend- chap. xv.
ers. Watching the movements of the enemy, he dispatched ^^''v^^^
about 2,300 men, under General Strieker, who, on the 11th, 1§14.
marched towards North Point. They halted at night seven t.^^'?''' ^^'
miles from the city. On the morning of the 12th, informa- Balumore.
tion was received of the landing of the enemy, and General
Strieker advanced to meet them. A skirmish between the
advanced parties ensued, in which General Ross was killed. Death o£
The command then devolved on Colonel Brooke, who, having
the instructions of General Ross, continued to move forward.
An action commenced at about half past three, by a discharge
of cannon on both sides. After maintaining the contest for some General
time, the Americans gave way, and General Strieker retired Strieker re--
behind an entrenchment on the heights, where General Smith '^"'''®-
was stationed with the main army.
On the morning of the 1 3th, the British advanced within a gept. 13.
mile and a half of the camp, and manoeuvred to draw forth the General
Americans ; but General Smith had the advantage of ground ^"Jnt ccm" "
and position, and wisely maintained it. Colonel Brooke was duct.
aware that the republicans were superior to him in numbers as
well as position ; he therefore made no attempt upon them du-
ring the day, but disposed his troops for a night attack.
In the evening, he received a communication from Admiral Cochrane
Cochrane, the commander of the naval forces, informing him ^^M^'Henry?
that Fort M' Henry had resisted all his efforts, and that the and is re-
entrance of the harbor was blocked up by vessels sunk for Pulsed,
that purpose, and that a naval co-operation against the town British aban-
and camp, was impracticable. Colonel Brooke not choosing, ilon the en-
therefore, to hazard an attack, moved off in the night ; and, on ^'■p"se.
the 1 5th, re-embarked at North Point.
Great was the joy at Baltimore, when, on the morning of
the 15th, the " star-spangled banner" was still seen to wave
over Fort M'Henry, and the city was no longer threatened
with destruction.
CHAPTER XV. •
Maine. — Invasion of Plattsburg. — Macdonough's victory.
On the 11th of July, Commodore Hardy, with eight ships July.
and 2,000 men, made a descent upon the coast of Maine, and ^"n^dy"™
without resistance, took possession of Eastport and all the makes a de-
towns on the west side of Passamaquoddy bay. Many of the f^'^^^ upon
inhabitants remained, but it was on the degrading condition Maine.
of acknowledging themselves the subjects of Great Britain.
24
346
INVASION OF PLATTSBURG.
PART IV.
1§14.
British oc-
cupy a pi)r-
lion of
Maine.
Aug. 9.
British at-
tack Sto-
nington, but
are repulsed.
July and
August.
Sir Georje
Provost is
reinforced.
He medi-
tates an in-
vasion.
Sept. 3.
He invades
at Charn-
plain.
His procla-
mation
arouses the
people with-
out distinc-
tion ot party.
In August, the governor of New Brunswick, with the aid
of Admiral Griffith, invaded Maine, took possession of Cas-
tine, which had been previously evacuated, and proceeded up
the Penobscot river to Hamden, where the frigate John Ad-
ams had been placed for preservation. The militia who had
been stationed for its defense, fled on their approach, and the
frigate was blown up, to prevent its falling into the hands of
the British. A proclamation was issued by the council of New
Brunswick, declaring the country east of the Penobscot in
possession of the king of Great Britain ; and a direct commu-
nication was opened through it, between New Brunswick and
Canada. The British continued to occupy this section of
Maine until the close of the war.
A British fleet under Commodore Hardy appeared before
Stonington. They landed and attacked at different points.
So far were they from finding that Connecticut was attached
to the British cause, that no where had their predatory excur-
sions been met, by the militia, with more spirit. Even the
women shared the zeal for the common cause. After bom-
barding the place for three days. Commodore Hardy drew ofl
his fleet.
During the months of July and August, the British army in
Canada was augmented by another considerable body of those
troops, who had, under Lord Wellington, acquired experience
and reputation in the war of the Spanish peninsula. With
these Sir George Provost determined to invade America, by
the same route that Burgoyne had formerly pursued, and per-
haps, with the same expectation of penetrating, by the way
of Lake Champlain and the Hudson, to New York. A part
of his baggage, like that of Burgoyne, consisted of arms and
clothing, for those whom he expected would flock to his stand-
ard. Such a belief had been excited by the smugglers from
the United States, who wished to court favor with the British
in Canada, and by the republican party who had too freely ac-
cused their opponents with being the friends of the British.
The army at Plattsburg having been reduced by the depar-
ture of General Izard for Fort Erie, Sir George Provost con-
centrated his force on the frontier, and entered the American
territory on the 3d of September. From Champlain, he issued
a proclamation, giving the assurance that his arms would on-
ly be directed against the government, and those who support-
ed it ; while no injury should be done to the peaceful and
unoffending inhabitants.
The fire of genuine patriotism rekindled in the breasts of
the Americans, when they heard that an invading enemy had
dared to call on the people to separate themselves from their
government. The inhabitants of the northern part of New
York, and the hardy sons of the Green Mountains, without
distinction of party, rose in arms, and hastened towards the
scene of action.
macdonough's victory. 347
Sir George Provost, at the head of 1 4,000 troops, march- PART IV.
ing in two cohimns, now advanced upon Plattsburg. One period n.
column, with all the baggage and artillery, proceeded by the chap. xv.
lake road, and the other, under the command of General Bris- "-<*— v">i^
bane, by Beekmantown.
Parties of the Americans Avere detached, who obstructed 1§14.
their way, by breaking down bridges and felling trees. On gif*"^'' A
the morning of the 6th, Major Wool, with a small corps of reg- tween the"
ulars, met General Brisbane seven miles from Plattsburg, advance of
where a smart skirmish ensued. From the superior force of J^j^g alTd^he
the British, the Americans were compelled to retreat, not, British,
however, without disputing the ground, and killing or wound-
ing 200 of the enemy ; among whom was Lieutenant Colonel
Wellington. The Americans lost fortv-five in killed and
wounded. Sir George arrived in the course of the morning, BritLh force
with the main column, and encamped his whole army before before
Plattsburg. Plattsburg.
The situation of General Macomb, who had succeeded Gen- situation of
eral Izard in command, was critical in the extreme. His the Ameri-
whole regular force did not exceed 2,000, and his fortifica- '^p"ansbur *'
tions were merely a show of defense. Had Sir George
pursued Major Wool across the Saranac, on the morning of
the 6th, he could have taken with ease, the works occupied
by Macomb and his army, but he preferred to wait until the
two fleets should have settled the supremacy of the lake.
On the morning of the 11th of September, Sir George Sept. n.
formed his army in two columns, preparatory to an assault. Plattsburg
One column passed the Saranac, and placed itself in the rear American
of the American position, while the other was in the village army ma-
in front, ready to advance whenever the order might be given, fo^cg suoe-
or circumstances might justify. Such was the threatening rior to their
position of the army, when the British fleet made its appear- °"''^-
ance in the bay of Plattsburg. It was commanded by Com-
modore Downie, and was composed of the Confiance, a frigate
of thirty -nine guns, a brig of sixteen, two sloops of eleven, and
several galleys, mounting, in the whole, ninety-five guns, and
having 1 ,000 men. The American squadron, under Comm.o-
dore Macdonough, which was anchored in the bay, mounted
no more than eighty-six guns, and had only 820 men. It con-
sisted of the Saratoga of twenty-six guns ; the Eagle of
twenty; the Ticonderoga of seventeen ; the Preble, of seven,
and ten galleys.
The enemy, having the advantage in choice of position, an- Macdon-
chored within three hundred yards of the American line, and ough's skill
at 9 o'clock began the fight. The surface of the lake was un- ^'^ ^rnver^
ruffled, and for an hour and a half, the Saratoga and Confiance
poured upon each other a destructive fire, while the smaller
vessels commenced a close and spirited action. The Eagle r • • v
then cut her cable, and passing between the Ticonderoga and flggt defeat-
Saratoga, increased the danger of the American commodore, ed.
24*
348 RETREAT OF SIR GEORGE PROVOST.
PART IV. by leaving him exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's bng,
PERIOD II. His guns were dismounted, or had become unmanageable ;
CHAP. XVI. when, by the skillful manoeuvre of waring his ship, which
^^'-^^^o^ Commodore Downie vainly attempted, he brought a fresh
broadside to bear upon the Confiance, which soon compelled
her to surrender. The smaller vessels were of course obliged
to follow her example, and the whole British fleet on the lake
remained with the Americans, as trophies of their victory.
The British loss was eighty-four killed, and one hundred
and ten wounded ; among the former was Commodore Downie.
The loss of the Americans was fifty-two killed and fifty-eight
wounded.
When the engagement between the fleets began, the British
land army opened their batteries upon the American works ;
but they soon ceased ; for the moment Sir George perceived
that his fleet was captured, he recalled his columns from the
^ Q „ contemplated assault, and, leaving behind him large quantities
Provost re- of ammunition and military stores, he retreated in great haste
treats ingreat towards Canada. The column placed in the rear of the Ame-
^**^' ricans, was pursued by General Strong, of Vermont, who
commanded the volunteers. The soldiers of one of the re-
treating companies, were either killed, wounded, or captured.
CHAPTER XVI.
Bloody Sea-fight. — The Hartford Convention.
Commodore CoMMODORE PoRTER, who had sailed in the frigate Essex,
th^F"""^ had cruised in the Pacific ocean, and had greatly annoyed the
the Pacific, enemy's commerce, having captured twelve armed whale ships,
whose aggregate force amounted to 107 guns, and 302 men.
One of these prizes was equipped, named the Essex Junior,
and given in command to Lieutenant Downes, by whom it was
employed to conduct the prizes, made by Porter, to the neu-
tral port of Valparaiso.
Commodore To meet the Essex, the British admiralty had sent out Com-
out to'^m'eet Hiodore HiUyar, with the Phebe frigate, carrying fifty-three
Porter. guns and 320 men, accompanied by Captain Tucker, with the
Cherub sloop of war, mounting twenty-eight guns, and having
180 men. The Essex carried forty-six guns and 250 men,
and her consort twenty guns and sixty men.
Commodore ^'^ learning the vicinity of his enemy, Commodore Porter
Porter at the Steered for the island of Noaheevah, to refit. Of this island
^Isw's ^ he took possession, in the name of the American government,
calling it, in honor of the president, Madison's Island.
at Valparai- Leaving three of his vessels under the charge of I^ieutcn-
•o. ant Gamble, he proceeded to Valparaiso, and there, as he ex-
THE ESSEX CAPTURED. 349
pected met witli Commodore Hillyar, who, for several months, PART IV.
had sought him. Finding, to his regret, that his adversary's period n.
force was greatly superior to his own, Porter remained block- chap. xvi.
aded at Valparaiso, for six weeks. v,*»-v-i^^
Determining at length to attempt an escape, he set sail with i§i4
a fair wind, but on rounding the point at the entrance of the March 28.
harbor, a sudden squall carried away his maintopraast. Thus Accident
disabled, he anchored in a small bay near the shore, hoping terTifcon-"
that the neutrality of the place would protect him. But the tax:t with the
British frigate pressed on. Porter met her assault so warm- ^^^^y-
ly, that ifi half an hour, the Phebe was obliged to retire and
repair her damages. She however soon returned, and being
able to choose her distance, she placed herself out of the shot
of the guns of her antagonist, but where her owna of a longer
reach poured upon the Essex a destructive fire. As the Ame- The battle of
rican sailors fell at the guns, others stepped into their places, ^^ ptebe
till in this way, one gun was manned the third time. Porter
attempted to board, but his masts were shot awav, and his
ship was unmanageable. He next endeavored to run ashore,
but the wind, shifting, blew him upon the raking fire of his
enemy. The Essex now burst into flames, and before they
could be extinguished, a quantity of gunpowder exploded.
Still the Americans kept up the fight. At length the commo-
dore thought of consulting his officers on the subject of sur-
render. Only one, Lieutentant M'Knight, remained. Porter
then struck his colors ; but the enemy's firing continued tea
minutes afterwards. Seventy-five were all that remained of
the crew of the Essex.
Commodore Porter was sent on parole, in the Essex Junior, porter re-
to the United States, where he was received at New York tums in the
with distinguished honors. The desperate valor which he ^^^^^' •'''•
displayed in this, the most bloody naval action of the war,
will give his memory to future ages, as a hero of the same
class as Paul Jones.
On the 21st of April, the United States' sloop of war Frolic, Frohc cap-
commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, was captured by the '"o'^,'*^ .
Orpheus frigate. On the 29th of the same month, the United Epervier'by
States' sloop, the Peacock, of which Captain Warrington was '^^ Amcri-
the commander, captured the British brig Epervier, command-
ed by Captain Wales.
The Wasp, commanded by Captain Blakely, left Portsmouth,
(N. H.) on the 18th of May. On the 28th of June, near the The^'wSp
entrance to St. George's channel, she fell in with the Eng- leaves Ports
lish brig Reindeer, commanded by Captain Manners. After mouth.
an action of nineteen minutes, the Reindeer lost her com- J"ne28.
mander and purser, twenty-seven men killed and forty-two the^ReiJ"
wounded, and having made two unsuccessful attempts to board deer.
the Wasp, she was herself boarded by the American vessel, and
taken, but in a condition so shattered that she was burned.
The Wasp continued her cruise, and after making several
350 THE OPPOSITION IN NEW ENGLAND.
PART IV. captures put into the port of I'Orient, in France, on the 8th of
PERIOD II. July. She remained there until the 27th of August, and when
CHAP. XVI. four days at sea, she met the brig Avon, commanded by Cap-
'^'^-^^^^-^ tain Arbuthnot. After a severe action of forty-five minutes,
1§14. and after orders were given to board her, three British Aessels
Aug. 31. appeared in sight, and Captain Blakely was compelled to
counters the abandon the contest. The Avon sunk soon after he left her.
Avon. During the remainder of the cruise. Captain Blakely captured
founders at^ fifteen merchant vessels ; but he never returned to port ; nor
sea. is it known what was the fate of the vessel and her gallant
crew.
In October, communications were received from the Ameri-
can commissioners in Europe, from which it appeared that
Great Britain demanded such terms as extinguished the hopes
Difficult ^^ ^ speedy reconciliation. In the meantime the situation of
situation of affairs in the United States, was such as to alarm the friends
the Ameri- qJ- ^}jg country. The expenditure of the nation greatly ex-
ment. ceeded its income, its credit was low, its finances disordered,
and the opposition of the federal party to the administration
was unremitted. Congress, however, shrunk not from the du-
ties which the crisis imposed. New loans were authorized,
taxes augmented, and vigorous preparations made for prosecu-
ting the war. Mr. Monroe was appointed secretary of the war
department, in the place of General Armstrong. The affair
of Washington had injured the popularity of Armstrong, and
much increased that of Monroe.
The opposition had, at this time, assumed a bold attitude.
Some of the New England states had not only refused lo
call out their militia, but Massachusetts even proposed to
withhold the revenue of the state from the general government.
Legislatures ^ convention of delegates from the New England states Avas
*chusetts' proposed, the object of which was, to take into consideration
Connecticut, the situation of the country, and to decide upon such measures
*"i ^^'^^ as might lead to a redress of supposed grievances. Members
choose dele- were appointed by the legislatures of Massachusetts, Con-
gates, necticut, and Rhode Island, Two members from New Hamp-
shire, and one from Vermont, were appointed at county
meetings.
The convention assembled at Hartford, in Connecticut, on
Dec. 15. the 15th of December, and sat nearly three w^eeks with closed
Meeting of ,joors. After their adjournment, they published an address,
the conven- , . ^ ■ ^•' ^ • f ■
tion at Hart- chargmg the national government with pursuing measures
ford. hostile to the interests of New England, and recommending
amendments of the federal constitution. Among these
dress^and amendments, it was proposed that congress should have no
proposed power to lay an embargo for more than sixty days, that they
*'f^h'^"*^'^^^ should not interdict commercial intercourse, or declare war
stitution. without the concurrence of two-thirds of both houses ; that
no person, who shall be hereafter naturalized, shall be eligi-
ble to a seat in the senate or house of representatives, or hold
DELEGATES CONVENE AT HARTFORD. 351
any civil office under the government of the United States ; PART IV.
and that the same person shall not be twice elected to the period n.
office of president of the United States, nor the president chap. xvu.
elected from the same state for two successive terms. Ares- ^^'^'-^^-^"^^
olution was passed, which provided for the calling of another
convention, if the United States "should refuse their consent
to arrangements, whereby the New England states, separately,
or- in concert, might be empowered to assume upon themselves,
the defense of their territory against the enemy, and appro-
priate therefor, such part of the revenue raised in those states
■ as might be necessary." The committee appointed by the
convention to communicate these resolves to the government
proceeded to Washington ; having met on the way, the
news of peace. The proposed amendments of the constitu-
tion were submitted to the several states, and rejected by all, 1§14.
except Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Prob- Public preju
ably there had been no measure taken since America was a ^*^®*
nation, which subjected the agents to more severe personal,
as well as political censure. But party heat having subsided,
candid minds are now ready to allow, that their views were
in a degree misunderstood, and their actions misrepresented.*
CHAPTER XVII.
British invasion and defeat at New Orleans.
After the peace with the Creeks, General Jackson had ^^ jg
fixed his head-quarters at Mobile. Here he learned that three Jackson aj
British ships had entered the harbor of Pensacola, and landed Mo^^i'*-
* The following is an extract from a letter of Harrison Gray Otis, Esq, one
of the most distinguished citizens of Massachusetts, and regarded as the lead-
ing member of this convention, to the author of this work, who had requested
him to give a brief view of the motives of those engaged in promoting the
rheasure,
" The Hartford Convention, far from being the original contrivance of a cabal,
for any purpose of faction or disunion, was a result, growing by natural con-
sequences out of existing circumstances. More than a year previous to its in-
stitution, a convenSon was simultaneously called for by the people, in their
town meetings, in. all parts of Massachusetts. Petitions to that effect were ac-
cumulated on the tables of the legislative chamber. They were postponed for
twelve months, by the influence of those who now sustain the odium of the
measure. The adoption of it was the consequence, not the source of a popular
sentiment ; and it was intended, by those who voted for it, as a safety-valve by
whicli the steam arising from the fermentation of the times might escape, not as
a boiler in which it should be generated. Whether good or ill, it was a meas-
ure of the people, of states, of legislatures. How unjust to brand the unwil-
ling agents, the mere corhmittee of legislative bodies, with the stigma of facts
which were first authorized, and then sanctioned by their constituted assem-
blies !"
In addition to the remarks of Mr. Otis, the fact may be mentioned, that in
some parts of New England, the people of the federal party Acre so much ex-
cited, that they had a military organization. What were its definite objects, or
how far it extended, is unknown
352
THE BARRATARIANS.
PART IV.
1S14.
Colonel
NichoUs at
Pensacola.
Colonel
NicholU'
proclama-
tion.
The Barra-
tarians.
La Fitte re-
ceive.s dis-
closures
from
Nicholls.
He informs
governor
Claiborne,
and is par-
doned.
Oct. 30.
Jackson
leaves Mo-
bile, and,
about 300 men, under Colonel Nicholls, together with a large
quantity of guns and ammunition, to arm the Indians. He
also learned that the British meditated a descent, with a large
force, upon the southern shores of the United States. He
immediately made a call for the militia of Tennessee, and
was promptly furnished with two thousand men by that patri-
otic state.
Colonel Nicholls issued a proclamation, which was address-
ed to the inhabitants of Louisiana, Kentucky, or Tennessee,
inviting them to return to their allegiance to the British gov-
ernment, and help to restore the country to its rightful owner.
This proclamation produced no excitement among the people,
except upon their risibles. If this attempt manifested Nich-
olls to be weak, and ignorant, another showed him to be
wicked.
West of the mouth of the Mississippi, the island of Barra-
taria was the resort of a band of marauders, who, by their
daring courage, the celerity and mysterious secrecy of their
movements, kept the country in a state of perpetual alarm ;
now appearing, to strike some unexpected blow of robbery,
perhaps of murder, sometimes by sea, sometimes by land ;
then suddenly disappearing, — and constantly eluding pursuit.
Their numbers were formidable, amounting to live or six
hundred. Their leader, La Fitte, was subtle and courageous,
and though unprincipled, yet possessing traits of magnanim-
ity. They had made pretence of sailing under the Cartha-
genian flag, as privateers, but their prizes were condemned in
their own ports. In short, they were by land, robbers ; by
sea, pirates. The American authorities, by whom they were
outlawed, having endeavored to root them out, applied to the
British to lend their assistance. Instead of this, Nicholls,
disclosing to La Fitte that a powerful attempt was to be made
on New Orleans, ofl^ered him a large reward, if, by his knowl-
edge of .the passes, he would aid the British in their approach
to the threatened city.
La Fitte drew from him important facts, and then, dismis-
sing his propositions with disdain, disclosed the whole to
Claiborne, governor of Louisiana. Struck with this act of
the bandit's generosity for a country which had set a price
upon his head, and perceiving how valuable would be the ser-
vices of the Barratarians in the crisis which was approach-
ing, Governor Claiborne, by a proclamation, offered pardon to
the whole band, if they would come forward in defense of
the country, They joyfully accepted the proposition, and af-
terwards rendered essential services.
General Jackson had represented to the government, that
the Spanish had violated their neutrality by suffering the Brit-
ish to use the port of Pensacola for annoying the Americans,
and he therefore urged the propriety of taking it into posses-
sion during the war. Not having received an answer, he de-
PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE AT NEW ORLEANS. 353
termined to hazard the responsibility of the measure. Ac- PART IV.
cordingly, he marched from Mobile, at the head of nearly period ii
two thousand men, and arrived in the neighborhood of Pensa- chap. xvn.
cola on the 6th of November. He sent a flag to the gover- ^-"--n^^^^
nor, for the purpose of conference, but his messenger was 1§14.
fired upon. On the seventh, he entered the town, carrjdng ^"^- ^■
at the point of the bayonet a battery which had been placed sacola,
in the street to oppose him. The governor then capitulated, which he
The British troops destroyed the forts at the entrance of the "••'es.
harbor, and with their shipping evacuated the bay.
Jackson was there informed that Admiral Cochrane had
been reinforced at Bermuda, and that thirteen ships of the line, Doc. l.
with transports and an army of ten thousand men, were ad- J^'ckson
vancing. Believing New Orleans to be their destination, Orleans,
he marched for that place, and reached it on the 1st of De-
cember.
Early in the month of September, the inhabitants of Lou- New Or-
isiana believed that the British were about to invade them^'J|^j'^'^?^*'
with a powerful force. Their principal citizens, among whom inva-sion.
were Governor Claiborne and Edward Livingston, beheld the
prospect with well-grounded alarm. This part of the union
having been but recently annexed, its yeomanry might not
feel the same pride of country as those of older states^ and
New Orleans being assailable from so many points, it was
difficult to secure it in all. Yet, far from being discouraged
by difficulties, the exigency proved only a stimulant to great-
er exertions. Governor Claiborne immediately issued his
proclamation, calling on the people to arm for the defense of Sept. 16.
their country and their homes. Mr. Livingston, at a meet- ^^/- L/ivmg
ing of the citizens, who convened on the 16th of September, ^^^^^
to devise measures in co-operation with the government of
the state, made an eloquent and moving appeal, calling on the ^ JleJ
inhabitants to prove the assertion a slander, that they were
not attached to the American government. The people arous-
ed ; defenses were begun, to guard the principal passes, and Jackson ar
volunteer corps organized. In the meantime. General Jack- rives, .md is
son arrived, and the citizens believing that he would preserve .i"^'f;stp'l
^1, • c\ 1 J xi, X • » ^ K ^ X with flictato-
them ni salety, or lead them to victory, were content to put ^[.^i powers.
all their strength, pecuniary and physical, at his disposal.
Confident in his own energies, he took, with a firm and un-
wavering step, the perilous post assigned him.
At length it was ascertained that the enemy, with sixty sail, The British
were oft' Ship Island. Jackson forgot no measure to increase ^i"*^ "5 Ship
, . .,. V 1 • n- ■ -L- Island.
his mihtary force, or make it more effective ; or to put at his
disposal more laboring hands, in the building of defenses.
The motley population of New Orleans, the slaves, the free
people of color. Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Americans, all
were employed.
The enemy had passed into lake Borgne. A naval force, They pass
consisting of several small vessels, under Lieutenant Jones, Bc
jorme
354 ENERGY AND ACTIVITY,
PART IV. met them at one of the straits which connect that lake with
PERIOD II. Ponchartrain. The British,. being provided with a great num-
CHAP. XVII. ber of boats, sent forty-three, with twelve hundred mein,
^--""v-^*^ against the American flotilla, which was manned with only
1814. one hundred and eighty men. After a spirited defense in
^fl"'ir^'^ which Lieutenant Jones killed a considerable number of the
Dec. 13. enemy and took several of their barges, he was compelled by
their superior force to surrender. The loss of this flotilla,
which had been supposed adequate to defend the passes, in-
creased the danger which threatened New Orleans.
Having reason to believe that there were persons iii the
city, who carried intelligence to the enemy, an embargo was
The extre- I'lid ^0^ three days. That not an idle hand might be found,
mity of dan- the prisons were disgorged, on condition that the prisoners
^Orleans iu^ should labor in the ranks, where already La Fitte and the
thoiizes Barratarians Avere employed. To keep in order and direct
Jackson to j]^g energies of such a mass. General Jackson judged that
martial law. the Strong arm of military control could alone be effectual.
The danger of the time was extreme. A few days must de-
cide the fate of the city. The general therefore took the daring
responsibility of proclaiming martial law.
Dec. 22. On the morning of the 22d of December, three thousand
The British gj-itish troops, under General Kean, landed at the head of
land below r ' ' ^
New Or- lake Borgne, and at two o'clock, after making prisoners of a
leans, where small advanced party of Americans, they posted themselves
iheAme'n*'^ On the Mississippi, about nine miles below New Orleans,
cans. Apprehending that the fleet would pass the strait from Borgne
to Ponchartrain, and that thus they would make a double at-
tack, Jackson posted a part of his force, under General Car-
roll, so as to intercept their approach in that direction.
At five on the afternoon of the 23d, . General Jackson, ac-
companied by General Cofl'ee, having the co-operation of the
Caroline, an armed vessel, attacked the enemy in their posi-
tion on the bank of the river. The charge of the Americans
was bravely made, but the British troops maintairied their po-
sition. A thick fog coming on. General Jackson deemed it
cans fort"v P™d6nt to draw off' his army. Having rested on the field, he
themselves withdrew on- the morning of the 24th, to a stronger position,
nearer the ^^^q miles nearer the city. The loss of the Americans was
"^^ ^' about one hundred in killed, wounded, and missing ; that of
the British, two hundred and twenty-four killed, besides a
large number of wounded.
In the discretion with which General Jackson now took his
post, and the diligence, care, and activity with which he for-
tified it, consists much of the merit of his defense of New
Jackson's Orleans. His camp occupied both banks of the Mississippi.
on\he left^ ^^ ^he left bank was a parapet of a thousand yards in length
bank. in the construction of which bags of cotton were used, witlj
a ditch in front, containing five feet of water. The right
wing of the division here posted, rested on the river, and
BATTLE OF THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY. 355
the left, on a wood which nature and art had rendered- im- PART IV.
pervious. period el
On the right bank of the river, a heavy battery enfiladed ^hap. xnu.
the whole front of the position on the left. The entire army "^---^v^^^-^
were vigorously occupied in strengthening these lines. R'e^' ^^^^^^
In the meantime, the British, who had been greatlv annoved
by the fire of the CaroHne, constructed a batter.-, which, bv p^^*^j
means of hot shot set fire to the vessel, and blew her up ; sirojed
she having been one hour before abandoned by her crew.
On the 25th, Sir Edward Packenham, the commander-in-
chief of the British force, accompanied by Major General Bniish^at-
Gibbs, arrived at the British encampment with the main army, tempt to
and a large body of artilleni-. On the 28th, Sir Edward ad- ^'^^'^^
vanced \vith his army and artillery, intending to force Jack- from their
son from his position. At the distance of half a mile from Position, and
the American camp, he opened upon their yet unfinished ^ ^^"'^**^
works a heavy cannonade. This was met on the part of the
Americans, by the broadsides of the Louisiana, then Mng in
the river, and by the fire of their batteries. After maintain-
ing the contest for seven hours, the British commander re-
tired with the loss of one hundred and twenty- men. The
loss ol the Americans was inconsiderable, being onlv six
killed and twelve woimded.
^\hile engaged in the conflict of the 2Sth, General Jackson
was informed that plans for entering into negotiations with
the enemy, were forming in the legislature of Louisiana,
which was then in session. In the moment of irritation, he
sent an order to Governor Claiborne, to watch their conduct,
and if such a project was disclosed, to place a military- guard
at the door, and confine them to their chamber. Governor
Claiborne misconstrued the order, and placed a guard which
prevented their assembUng.
On the morning of the first of Januan.-, the enemy having 1§15.
constructed batteries near the American lines, opened' a hea\y .•^.^°- ^- .
fire upon them, and at the same time made an attempt to tiim repuWcT"
their left flank. They were repidsed, and in the evenino-
abandoned their position. The loss of the Americans was
30 in killed and wounded. The British had 120 men killed.
On the 4th of January-, General Jackson received a re-in-
forcement of twent}--five hundred Kentucky militia, imder
General Adair. On the 6th. the British army was augmented
by torn- thousand troops, tmder General Lambert. Their army
amounted, at this time, to fourteen thousand, while that of
General Jackson did not exceed six thousand.
On the 7th, the British commanders were vigorouslv pre-
paring to attack. With immense labour they had ^ri'dened
and deepened the canal from lake Borgne to the Mississippi,
so that on the night of the seventh, they succeeded in getting
their boats through this passage froiL the lake to the river.
Early on the morning of the 8th^ the Amen. \q armv was as- Jaa. 3.
356 LAST SCENES OF THE WAR.
PART IV. sailed by a shower of bullets and congreve rockets. The
PERIOD II. British army, irnder generals Gibbs and Kean, the whole
CHAP, xviii. commanded by Sir Edward Packenham, had marched in two
'~'^~-'<^»^ divisions, to storm the American entrenchments. The batte-
ries of General Jackson opened a brisk fire upon them, but
the British soldiers advanced slowly, though firmly, carrying
fascines and scaling ladders. The keen and practiced eyes
1§15. Qf ^jig western marksmen were, as they advanced, selecting
Battle of their victims. When the enemy were within reach of their
New Or- rifles, the advanced line fired, and each brought doAvn his
aefeat'of"he ^^^- Those behind handed a second loaded rifle as soon as
British, the first was discharged. The plain was soon strewed with
the dead, and the brave foe faltered, and retreated in confu-
sion. Sir Edward appeared among his men, encouraging
them to renew the assault, when two balls struck him, and he
fell mortally wounded. A second time the British columns
advanced, and a second time retreated before the deadly fire
of the Americans. Again their thinned ranks were closed,
and they moved forward with desperate resolution. Gene-
rals Kean and Gibbs were now both wounded, and carried
from the field, and their troops fell back. At this time. Gen-
eral Lambert, who commanded the reserve, attempted to bring
them up, but the day was irretrievably lost. The retreating
columns had fallen back in disorder upon the reserve, and all
his attempts to rally them were in vain.
The British had also attacked the opposite bank of the
river, and there they were successful ; but after their defeat
Jan- 19- on the right, they abandoned the position. The disparity of
don^he ex"' loss on this occasion is utterly astonishing. While that of
pedition and the enemy was twenty-six hundred, that of the Americans
retire. ^^^ j^^^^^ seven killed and six wounded. Completely dis-
heartened, the British abandoned the expedition on the night
of the 18th, leaving behind, their wounded and artillery.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Peace with England. — Naval combats. — War with Algiers.
Feb. 18. On the 18th of February, Fort Bowyer, commanded by
Fort Bow- Major Lawrence, with a garrison amounting to three hundred
^^^deK.^^' ^^^ seventy, was invested by a British force, six thousand
strong ; and on the 1 1th of March, La\vTence surrendered his
garrison as prisoners of war.
Feb. 17. On the 17th of February', while the Americans were yet
t^aeX' rejoicing for the victory at New Orleans, a special messenger
arrived from Europe bringing a treaty of peace, which the
commissioners h .a concluded in the month of December, at
TREATY OF PEACE 357
Ghent. This treaty, which was immediately ratified by the PART IV.
president and senate, stipulated that all places taken during period ii.
the war should be restored, and the boundaries between the ^hap. xvm.
American and British dominions revised. Yet it contained ^--'"v-*^^
no express provision against those maritime outrages on the
part of Great Britain, which were the chief causes of the
war. But as the orders in council had been repealed, and
the motives for the impressment of seamen had ceased
with the wars in Europe, these causes no longer existed in
fact ; although America had failed, as Europe, combined under
the name of the armed neutrality, had formerly done, to com-
pel England to the formal relinquishment of the principles on
which she founds her arrogant claims.
The warlike ships of the two nations were many of them
at sea when the treaty of peace was promulgated, and some
fighting occurred about the time and soon after.
On the 15th of January, the frigate President, Commodore 1§15.
Decatur, attempted to put out to sea from New York, although ^=^"-. '5.
the harbor was blockaded by four British frigates. He was strires'tolhe
discovered, chased, and brought to an engagement. He lost Endymion.
one-fifth of his crew, killed or wounded, and finally sur-
rendered.
On the 20th of February, the Constitution, then under the Cyane, Le-
command of Captain Stewart, off the island of Madeira, cap- ^"^'^y"*^
tured the Cyane and Levant ; and on the 23d of March, off captured,
the coast of Brazil, the sloop Hornet, Captain Biddle captured
the British brig Penguin.
On the 6th of April, a barbarous massacre was committed t,,'^^'"' ^•
by the garrison at Dartmoor prison, in England, upon the ^Dartmoor.*'
Americans who were there confined. The attack was made
upon these defenseless men, without any provocation ; and the
lives of sixty-three most wantonly and inhumanly sacrificed.
The British government were not however, implicated in the
transaction.
Soon after the ratification of peace with Great Britain, the
United States declared war against Algiers. The Algerine vv'ar with
government had violated the treaty of 1795, and committed Algiers.
depredations upon the commerce of the United States. These
outrages were not chastised at the time, on account of the war
with Great Britain.
Two squadrons were fitted out, under Commodores Decatur May
and Bainbridge. The former sailed from New York in May, Decatur
and proceeding up the Mediterranean, captured, on the 17th June,
of June, an Algerine frigate ; and on the 19th, off Cape Palos, Captures
an Algerine brig, carrying twenty-two guns. vessels*
From Palos he sailed for Algiers. The Dey, intimidated, ^, ^, j^'
signed a treaty of peace, which was highly honorable and dictates a
advantageous to the Americans. peace.
Decatur then proceeded to Tunis and Tripoli, where he ^f^atiir vis-
obtained satisfaction for the unprovoked aggressions in viola- and TripolL
358
NATIONAL BANK. TREATIES. MANUFACTURES.
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XVIII.
1§15.
The Barba-
ry States
humiliated.
Treaties
with the In-
dians.
1§16.
National
bank.
Fort Apa-
lachicola de-
stro3'ed.
Treaty with
the Chicka-
saws, &c.
Indiana,
admitted.
Progress of
manufacto-
ries for cot-
ton cloth.
tion of the treaties subsisting between those governments and
the United States. On his arrival at GibraUar, he joined the
squadron under Commodore Bainbridge, to Avhom he resigned
the command.
Bainbridge made a formidable appearance before Algiers,
Tunis, and Tripoli, but seeing no disposition to violate the
treaties, he returned to the United States. In this war, the
United States set the powers of Europe a worthy example in
chastising and humbling a lawless band of pirates, who had
exacted and received tribute from all christian nations. Ex-
pressions of submission were obtained from these powers by
the United States, such as had never been obtained by any
other nation.
With a view to the tranquillity of the western and north-
western frontiers, measures were taken to obtain a peace with
several tribes of Indians who had been hostile to the United
States. Some of their chiefs met at Detroit, on the 6th of
September, and readily acceded to a renewal of the former
treaties of friendship.
At the close of the war, the regular army of the United
States was reduced to 10,000 men. For the better protection
of the country in case of another war, congress appropriated
a large sum for fortifvinsf the sea-coast and inland frontiers,
and for the increase of the naAy.
In April, 1816, an act was passed by congress, to establish
a national bank, with a capital of thirty-five millions of dollars.
In August, Fort Apalachicola, which was occupied by
runaway negroes and hostile Indians, was destroyed by a de-
tachment of American troops. More than one hundred were
killed, and the remainder were taken prisoners.
In September, General Jackson held a treaty with the
Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Cherokees. He made purchases
of their lands particularly favorable to the wishes and security
of the frontier settlements. Tranquillity was restored among
the Indians, and civilization, seemed again making progress.
In December, the Indiana territory was admitted into the
Union as a state.
As early as the year 1790, establishments for spinning cot-
ton, and for manufacturing coarse cotton cloths, were attempt-
ed in the state of Rhode Island. They were at first on a
small scale ; but as the cloths found a ready market, their
number and extent graduaUv increased. The embarrassments
to which commerce was subjected previous to the war, had
increased the demand for American goods, and led the people
to reflect upon the importance of rendering themselves inde-
pendent of the manufactures of foreign nations. During the
war, large capitals were vested in manufacturing establish-
ments, from which the capitalists realized a handsome profit.
But at its close, the English having made great improvements
in labor-saving machines, and being able to sell their goods at
THE TARIFF QUESTION FIRST AGITATED. 359
a much lower rate than the American manufacturers could PART IV.
afford, the country was immediately tilled by importations from period ii
England. The American manufactures being in their infancy, c" ^p- xvin.
could not stand the shock, and many failed. ^--»~v~*»^
The manufacturers then petiuoned government for protec-
tion, to enable them to withstand the competition ; and in con-
sequence of this petition, the committee on commerce and
manufactures, in 1816, recommended that an additional duty |e|«
should be laid on imported goods. A new tariff was accord- M;mufac-
ingly formed, by which the double imposts which had been '"r''^ en
laid during the war, were removed, and a small increase of a°new"ariff
duty was laid upon some fabrics, such as coarse cotton goods.
The opposition to the tariff, from the commercial interest, and
in some sections of the country, from the agricultural, was so
great that nothing effectual was at that time done for the en-
couragement of manufactures, but the question of its expedi-
ency was regarded as of the first importance.
A society for colonizing the free blacks of the United States, C.>!nnization
was first proposed in 1816, and was soon after formed, jt society form-
was not under the direction of government, but was patron-
ized by many of the first citizens in all parts of the Union.
The society purchased land in Africa where they yearly re-
moved considerable numbers of the free blacks from America.
Their object was, by removing the free negroes, to diminish
the black population of the United States ; and by establish-
ing a colony in Africa, to prevent the traffic in slaves which
then existed, and to afford facilities to the inland Africans to
advance in civilization.
Mr. Madison's second term of office having expired, he
followed the example of his predecessors, and declined a re-
election. James Monroe was elected president, and Daniel jj^ ^
D. Tompkins, vice-president. On the 4th of March, 1617, they inaugurated,
entered upon their official duties. During the summer of this
year, Mr. Monroe visited all the northern and eastern states
and was received with every demonstration of affection and
respect.
A treaty was, this year, concluded by commissioners ap- Indians cede
pointed by the president of the United States, with the chiefs 'o^li'm toothy*
of the Wyandot, Delaware, Shawanese, Seneca, Ottowas, T'nited
Chippewa, and Pottowattamie Indians. Each of these tribes States,
ceded to the United States, all lands to which they had any
title within the limits of Ohio. The Indians Avere, at their
option, to remain on the ceded lands, subject to the laws of
the state and country.
The territory of Mississippi was, this year, admitted into
the Union.
About this period, a band of adventurers, who pretended to
act under the authority of the South American states, took Amelia
possession of Amelia island, near the l)oundarv of Georgia ,'''"'^ ^ ''*'""
With the avowed design oi mvadmg Florida. This island illegal iraiRc.
360
THE GREAT WESTERN CANAL.
PART IV.
PERIOD II.
CHAP. XIX.
isi-y.
Also, an
island of
Texas.
The govern-
ment reduce
them.
having been the subject of negotiation with the government
of Spain, as an indemnity for losses by spoliations, or in ex-
change for lands of equal value beyond the Mississippi, the
measure excited a sentiment of surprise and disapprobation ,
which was increased, when it was found that the island was
made a channel for the illicit introduction of slaves from Afri-
ca into the Republic, an asylum for fugitive slaves from the
neighboring states, and a port for smuggling of every kind.
An island upon the coast of Texas was also a rendezvous for
smugglers, and for equipping vessels, which gave great annoy-
ance to the commerce of the United States. These marau-
ders were found, however, to be merely private adventurers,
unauthorized by any government ; and the United States sent
out a force, which took possession of the islands, and put a
stop to their illicit trade.
CHAPTER XIX.
Internal im-
provements.
De Witt
Clinton.
The great
cknals of
New York.
Question of
internal im-
provements.
Internal Improvements. — Seminole War.
The political feuds which had, since the revolution, occa-
sioned so much animosity, were now gradually subsiding ; and
it was an object with the administration, to remove old party
prejudices, and promote union among the people.
A spirit of improvement was also spreading over the coun-
try ; roads and canals were constructed in almost all parts of
the Union ; and the facilhies for travelling and conveying mer-
chandise and produce, were continually increasing. These
improvements were, however, made by the state governments ;
among which, the Avealthy state of New York, at whose head
was the illustrious De Witt Clinton, took the lead. The great
western canal, connecting Lake Erie with the waters of the
Hudson ; and the northern canal, bringing to the same river
the waters of Lake Champlain, were brought to full com-
pletion.
Congress caught the spirit of the times, and manifested a
desire to employ the resources of the nation for these objects ;
and thoucrh no doubt arose as to the expediency of such a
course, yet the power of that body for carrying on such a sys-
tem of internal improvement, was questioned and debated.
It was the opinion of President Monroe, that the general gov-
ernment had not this power, and could not obtain it, except by
an amendment of the constitution. After much debate, con-
gress adopted the president's opinion.
Congress had, however, caused the great Cumberland road
to be made, connecting, through the seat of government, the
PEIilOD II
CHAP. XIX
1§16.
The Cum-
berland road
a special
case.
THE CUMBERLAND ROAD. 361
eastern with the western states, and passing over some of the FART IV.
highest mountains in the Union. But this undertaking was
not decisive of the great question respecting the right of con-
gress ; as it was made under peculiar circumstances. An ar-
ticle of compact between the United States and the state of
Ohio, under which that state came into the Union, provided that
such a road should be made ; the expense being defrayed by-
money arising from the sale of public lands within that state.
As the road passed through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Vir-
ginia, it was thought necessary to obtain the sanction of those
several states. Accordingly, the subject was brought before ,
their legislatures, and an act passed, approving the route, and
pro\dding for the purchase of the land.
Military roads had been opened during the late war, but it was Military
by order of the war department. One of these extended from roads.
Plattsburg to Sackett's Harbor ; another from Detroit to the
foot of the Maumee rapids. The extra pay to the soldiers, en-
gaged in these works, was provided for by congress, in a spe-
cific appropriation.
In the first year of Mr. Monroe's administration, an arrange-
ment was concluded with the British government, for the re-
duction of the naval force of Great Britain and the United
States, on the lakes ; and it was provided, that neither party -k^^^.^ /■
should keep in service on Lake Ontario or Champlain, more on the lakes
than one armed vessel, and on Lake Erie, or any of the upper educed.
lakes, more than two, to be armed with one gun only.
For the security of the inland frontiers, military posts were
established, at the mouth of the St. Peter's, on the Mississippi, ^^^^^ \nThe
and at the mouth of the Yellow Stone river, on the Missouri, far west.
above eighteen hundred miles above its junction with the Mis-
sissippi.
During the year 1817, the United States became engaged 1§17.
in a war with the Seminole Indians, a confederacy, who oc- The com-
cupied the lands lying on the confines of the United States ""'"dement
and Florida ; the greater part, however, lying within the do- poie wai.
minions of the king of Spain. Outlaws from the Creek na-
tion, and negroes, who had fled from their masters in the
United States, had united with these Indians ; and massacres
had become so frequent, that the inhabitants were obUged to
flee from their homes for security.
The hostile spirit of the Indians was further incited by an Arbuthnot
Indian prophet, and by Arbuthnot and Ambrister, two English and Ambri*-
emissaries, who had taken up their residence among them, for '^'^''•
the purposes of trade.
In December, 1817, a detachment of forty men, under the
command of Lieutenant Scott, was sent to the mouth of the p.p'^f"i'^er.
. , , . , . . ' . ... Liieiitenant
river Apalacnicola, to assist in removing some miiitarj^ stores Scoit and
to Fort Scott. The party in returning, were fired upon by a thirty-four
body of Indians, who lay in ambush, and the lieutenant and bj^the'sen^
all his party, except six, were killed. The oflenders were noles.
25
362 NEW STATES. TREATIES. PENSIONS.
PART IV. demanded by General Gaines, the commanding officer on tha
PERIOD II. frontier, but the chiefs refused to give them up.
CHAP. XIX. General Jackson, with a body of Tennesseeans, was order
■^^^^■—'^^ ed to the spot. He soon defeated and dispersed them. Per-
1§1 7. suaded that the Spaniards furnished the Indians with supplies,
General ^,-^j were active in fomenting disturbances, he entered Florida,
makes a took possession of forts, St. Marks, and Pensacola, and made
short cam- prisoners of Arbuthnot, Ambrister, and the prophet.
'^^'""' A court-martial was called for the trial of Arbuthnot and
Trial of Ar- Ambrister, at which General Gaines presided. Arbuthnot was
buthnot and tj.jgj q^ ^j^g following charges : — " for exciting and stirring up
the Creek Indians to .war against the United States and her
citizens, he being a subject of Great Britain, with whom the
United States are at peace." Second, " for acting as a spy,
aiding, abetting, and comforting the enemy, and supphnng
cond«nned t^em with the means of war." He was found guilty of these
and exe- charges, Omitting the words, " acting as a spy," and sentenced
cuted. |.Q j^g hung. Ambrister was tried on similar charges, and sen-
1§1§ tenced to be shot. Both were execute^,
Illinois.' Congress passed a bill to admit Illinois territory into the Union .
Treaties Treaties of commerce were, this year, concluded with
with Great Great Britain and Sweden. In the treaty with the former,
^Sweden."^ the northern boundary of the United States, from the Lake of
the Woods to the Slony Mountains, was fixed.
Congress passed a law, abolishing internal duties.
Indigent The indigent officers and soldiers of the revolution, had al-
officers and j-gady been partially provided for. A more ample provision was
the revolu- "ow made, by which every officer, who had served nine months
tionprovided at any period of the revolutionary war, and whose annual in-
^°''' come did not exceed one hundred dollars, received a pension
of twenty dollars a month ; and every needy private soldier
who had served that length of time, received eight,
"^aws cMe^ 'i'his year the Chickasaws ceded to the government of the
their lands to United States, all their lands, west of the Tennessee river, in
^^S^t'eT' ^^^ states of Kentucky and Tennessee.
The condition of those tribes living within the territories of
the United States, now attracted the attention of the govern-
ment, and a humane policy dictated its measures. The sum
of 10,000 dollars annually, was appropriated for the purpose
of establishing schools among them, and to promote, in other
ways, their civilization. By means of the missionary socie-
ties, already established in the United States, missionaries
Avere supported among the Indians, and success, in many in-
stances, crowned their effijrts.
1819. Alabama territory was this year admitted into the union of
Alabama, the States, and the territory of Arkansaw separated from Mis-
De Witt souri territory'.
Clmton re- In December, 1818, De Witt Clinton, then governor of New
commends to York, recommended in his message to the legislature of that
tiire°of "*' state, some special attention to the education of females. His
SPANISH NEGOTIATION. 363
Tecomrnendation was based upon the principle long acknowl- PART IV.
edged, that, as mothers, the female sex have great influence, period ii.
in forming the minds and characters of all individuals compo- chap. xix.
sing the community at large ; and it was apparent that no good "---^^v"^
reason could be shown, why they, being endued with the high .1^1^^,
attributes of mind in common with the other sex, should be atrention'to
denied the enjoyment and added means of usefulness, attend- female edu-
ant on mental cultivation. cation.
The legislature passed an act, which is probably the first jgjg
law existing which makes public provision for the education February.
of women. It provides that academies, for their instruction The legisla-
in the higher branches of learning, shall be privileged to !|^^ accord-
receive a share of the literature fund. ingly.
Since that time, several of the states, especially among
those recently admitted, have made provision for the same
object. Religious denominations and wealthy parents of
daughters, have also favored it ; and throughout the countr}',
female schools have sprung up. Large and handsome edifi-
ces are erected ; and adequate teachers, libraries and appara-
tus, are provided for the use of the students. The consequences
of this change are becoming manifest, in the increasing num-
ber of competent female teachers, and in other respects.
On the 23d of February, 1819, a treaty was negotiated at Feb. 23.
Washington, between John Quincy Adams, secretary of state, j°'^'^^g^(J'g"'
and Don Onis, the Spanish minister, by which Spain ceded tween John
to the Unhed States, East and West Florida, and the adjacent Adams and
islands. The government of the United States agreed to ex-
onerate Spain from the demands which their citizens had
against that nation, on account of injuries and spoliations ; and
it was stipulated that congress should satisfy these claims, to
an amount not exceeding five millions of dollars. The con-
tracting parties renounced all claims to indemnities for any
of the recent acts of their respective officers in Florida. „ , . ,
mi • •/- 1 1 1 -1 1 r 1 Treaty with
1 his treaty was ratified by the president and senate of the Spain reject-
United States, and sent to Spain, but the king very unexpect- ed by the
edly refused to sanction it. ' °'
Don Onis was recalled, and Don Vivos sent out. Instead
of coming directly over, he went to Paris and London, to as-
certain whether, in case of a war between Spain and the Uni-
ted States, the former party would be aided and abetted. But
American valor stood high in Europe since the close of the Mission of
last war, and Don Vives obtained no encouragement for Spain Don Vives.
to quarrel with the republic. He, however, on his arrival at
Washington, undertook to open a diplomatic campaign, but
was soon put to silence by Mr. Adams ; the American sec-
retary steadily demanding the ratification of the engagement
already entered into by an authorized agent of Spain. Flori-
da had ceased to be of any political value to that nation, and
the just claim of the citizens of the United States, she knew
not how else to cancel. *
25*
364
TREATY WITH SPAIN RATIFIED.
PART TV. The treaty was therefore ratified by the Spanish govem-
PERiou 11. ment in October, 1820, and possession of the Floridas given
CHAP. XI.X. the following year.
'--'''"^■■'"""*^ Although the addition of this peninsula, which completes
1§20. the ocean boundary of the United States, made no great sen-
Treaty rati- sation, and seemed little to aft'ect the politics of the country,
iied and , ' . i ^ i • i
Florida X^t the event was important, and iraught with consequences.
ceded. The historian of the American Republic must now look back,
and give the history of Florida as a part of his plan, and look-
ing forward from its cession, we already find a bloody war
following this increase of territory.
PERIOD III.
FROM
THE CESSION 1§20 1 OF FLORIDA.
TO
THE DEATH | 1841. | OF HARRISON.
CHAPTER I.
The Missouri question.
A PETITION was presented to congress this year, from the PART IV.
territory of Missouri, praying for authority to form a state period m.
government, and to be admitted into the Union. A bill was chap. i.
accordingly introduced for that purpose, which with an amend- ^--*»-v-^fc-^
ment, prohibiting slavery within the new state, passed the
house of representatives, but was arrested in the senate.
The district of Maine also presented a memorial to con- 1§20.
grass, praying to be separated from Massachusetts, to be au- Maine pe-
thorized to form its own constitution, and to be admitted into ' acjj^i^tted.
the Union, on an equal footing with the other states. The
two bills for the admission of Maine and Missouri were joined,
but not without much opposition from the advocates of the re-
striction in the Missouri bill. Upon this subject, the mem-
bers of congress were divided into two parties ; those from
the non-slaveholding states were in favor of the restriction,
while those from the south warmly opposed it. Much debate
took place, and at no time had the parties in the congress of Heated and
the United States been so marked by a geographical division, debate^
or so much actuated by feelings dangerous to the union of the
states. Nor was the seat of government the only place
where this subject was discussed ; but in all parts of the
country it attracted the attention of the people. Many of the
northern states called meetings, and published spirited reso-
lutions, expressive of their fears of perpetuating slavery*.
The members from the south opposed the restriction, partly
on the ground of self-defense. They did not consider that
the unqualified admission of Missouri, would tend, in any de-
gree, to perpetuate slavery. It would not, they contended, be
the means of increasing the number of slaves within the
states, but of removing some of those that already existed,
from one state to another. They maintained, that it would be
a dangerous and despotic measure of the general government,
and one that would infringe upon the sovereignties of the PIr^ of those
states ; that such a condition was inconsistent with the treaty the'^rpsiric-
by which the territory was ceded to the United States ; and, tion.
366 MR. MONROE RE-ELECTED.
PART IV. finally, they insinuated the danger of a dissolution of the
PERIOD III. Union, if the friends of the measure persisted.
CHAP. I. On the other hand it was maintained that the constitution
^■^"'^''"'^^ gave to congress the right of admitting states with or without
1820. restrictions, and that no state had ever yet been admitted
^pponents'^ without any. In proof of this it was urged, that when North
Carolina ceded to the United States that part of her territory
which now includes the state of Tennessee, she made the
grant upon the express condition that congress should make
no regulation tending to the emancipation of slaves. When
Georgia ceded the Mississippi territory, the articles of agree-
ment which provided for its admission as a state, on the con-
ditions of the ordinance of 1787, expressly excepted that ar-
ticle which forbids slavery. It was also maintained that to
strike out the restriction from this bill, would inevitably tend
to perpetuate slavery, and to entail this greatest of evils upon
the new state, besides increasing to the Union the mischiefs
arising from unequal representation. After much discussion,
Missouri ad- a compromise was agreed on, and a bill passed for the admis-
mitted with- gj^^ ^f Missouri without any restriction, but with the inhibi-
ti, n. tion of slavery throughout the territories of the United States,
36i° the north of 36° 30' north latitude. Thus was the most danger-
limit of sla- Qyg question ever aghated in congress, at length disposed of
^°^^' by friendly compromise.
Maine be- The long connection of Maine with Massachusetts was now
comes a se- dissolved by its final admission as one of the states of the
parate state, y^^^^g^l Union.
1§21. Missouri was not declared independent until August, 1821.
The Mis;sou- Previously to the passage of the bill for its admission, the
n question pgQpig j^^d formed a state constitution ; a provision of which
again ai'i- '^.i,,., , „ .<•
tated. required the legislature to pass a law " to prevent tree negroes
and mulattoes from coming to, and settling in the state."
When the constitution was presented to congress, this provis-
ion was strenuously opposed. The contest occupied a greai
Missouri ad- part of the session, but Missouri was finally admitted, on the
mitted. condition that no laws should be passed, by which any free
citizens of the United States should be prevented from enjoy-
ing those rights within that state, to which they were entitled
by the constitution of the United States.
Mr. Monroe This year, Mr. Monroe entered upon his second term of
re-elected, office, having been re-elected to the presidency by nearly a
unanimous vote. Mr. Tompkins was also continued in the
vice-presidency.
The census. By the fourth census the number of inhabitants in 1820 was
found to be 9,625,734, of whom 1,531,436 were slaves.
Jackson go- On the 7th of March, president Monroe appointed Genera]
Fbrkhu^ Jackson governor of Florida, and Elijeus Fromentin, chief-
Aug 22. justice. But it was not until the 22d of August that the
reluctant Spanish officers yielded up their posts. They
showed a disposition to embarrass the operations of the
GENERAL JACKSON IN FLORIDA. 367
new authorities by refusing to giv^e up all the archives, ac- PART IV.
cording to the treaty. Don Cavalla, the Spanish governor, period m.
withheld four documents relating to the rights of property, chap. i.
Governor Jackson, after a specific demand, sent an armed ^^^^v^^^y
force to take the papers, and bring Cavalla himself before 1§21.
him. He refusing ; Jackson sent a second time, had him taken Spanish of
~ iit'crs unu6r
from his bed, and carried to prison, and the papers seized, take to em-
Cavalla applied to Judge Fromentin, who granted a writ of barrass him
habeas corpus for his relief. Jackson did not suffer it to be He proceeds
executed until his own purpose of securing all the missing ^jf fJ^^ug^J[f
papers was effected ; when he discharged Cavalla. This af- sunmarj-
fair caused much controversy. manner.
Seven of the Spanish officers, published in "The Floridian,"
a newspaper issued from Pensacola, severe strictures on the Banishes
new government. Jackson issued a proclamation which ban- sej^n Span-
ished them irom the territory after five days.
Florida was now for the purposes of government divided ^.^"'jj^^. '^''
into two counties, one east of the Suwaney river, called St. \l^-^ ^q^^,
John's, and one west, called Escambia. ties.
At the next session of congress an act was passed, pro-
viding that Florida should be governed in the same manner,
and by the same laws as the other territories. General Jack-
son's powers which he had used so liberally, and which he
declared, in defending his bold measures, were unconstitu-
tionally great, terminated according to the terms of his com-
mission, at the rising of congress ; and he declined a re-ap-
pointment.
In June, a convention of navigation and commerce, on i§22
terms of reciprocal and equal advantage, was concluded be- Treaty with
tween France and the United States. France.
The ports of the West India Islands were about this time
opened to the American republic, by act of the British par-
liament.
The American commerce, in the West Indian seas, had, Alarming xn-
for several years, suffered severely from depredations com- urease of pi-
mitted by pirates. The Alligator, a United States' schooner, ^'^'^^'
having received information of their vicinity to Matanzas,
sought and engaged the pirates, and recaptured five American
vessels. She also took one piratical schooner; but Allen, Allen's brave
the brave commander of the Alligator, was mortally wounded enterprise
, o ' ^ and deatn.
m the engagement.
The pirates continued their lawless aggressions, and con-
gress the next year appropriated a sum of money to fit out 1823.
an expedition to suppress piracy. Commodore Porter, to Commodore
whom was given the command, sailed for the West Indies, and against the
cruising with his squadron in the Caribbean seas, the free- pirates.
hooters dared not appear, but depredated on the inhabitants of
the West India Islands.
In the message of President Monroe to congress, he invi-
'ed their attention to the question of recognizing the indepen-
368
SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS.
PART IV.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. 1.
1§23.
The inde-
pendence of
the South
American
republics ac-
knowledged.
Ministers
sent to Mex-
ico, Buenos
Ay res. and
Chili.
Slave-trade
prohibited.
1§34.
The tariff
question
again agi-
tated.
The tariff
bill opposed.
Grounds of
opposition.
dence of the South American republics. He stated, that
throughout the contest between those colonies and the parent
country, the United States had remained neutral, and had ful-
filled, with the utmost impartiality, all the obligations incident
to that character. Some time had elapsed since the provin-
ces had declared themselves independent nations, and had
enjoyed that independence, free from invasion. Nor was it
now contemplated to change the friendly relations with either
of the parties which had been belligerent ; but to observe in
all respects as heretofore, should the war be renewed, the
most perfect neutrality between them. The measure was
sanctioned, and minist-ers were appointed to Mexico, Beunos
Ayres, Colombia, and Chili.
Articles of convention for the suppression of the African
slave-trade, were, this year, subscribed at London, by pleni-
potentiaries appointed for this purpose, from the United States
and Great Britain. These articles authorized the commis-
sioned officers of each nation, to capture and condemn the
ships of the other, which should be concerned in the illicit
traffic of slaves.
Ever since the year 1816, the tariff had attracted the atten-
tion of the people throughout the Union, and from time to
time the subject had been brought before congress ; but with
the exception of the small protection afforded to coarse cot-
ton cloths, nothing had yet been done for the encouragement
of American manufactures. Notwithstanding the depression
which succeeded the war, the manufacturers of cotton, after
they recovered from the first shock, had proved successful.
Excepting fine fabrics, which were not manufactured to any
extent in America, domestic cottons almost supplied the coun-
try, and considerable quantities were exported to South Amer-
ica. Factories for printing calicoes had been erected in a
few places, and in some instances the manufacture of lace
had been attempted.
In supporting extensive manufactories independent of the
protection of government, great energy and perseverance were
displayed. 'J'he friends of manufactures had increased in
numbers, and in zeal for the cause. This year the subject of
a new tariff was again brought before congress, but was ve-
hemently opposed. The grounds of opposition were, that it
would injure the commerce and agriculture of the country,
and by lessening the public revenue, compel a resort to a
system of excise and taxation. That it would diminish the
exports of the country, as other nations would not purchase
articles of any kind from us, unless the produce of their in-
dustry was received in exchange. That the country was not
prepared for the successful establishment of manufactures, on
account of the high price of labor ; and that manufactures
would, under a favorable concurrence of circumstances, flour-
ish without the protection of government.
THE TARIFF. 369
The friends of a new tariff replied, that a dependence upon PART IV._
the internal resources of the country was the only true policy peuiod lU.
of our government ; and that the protection desired for man- '''"■^''- "•
ufactures, far from injuring, would prove beneficial both to *~--^^'^*^
commerce and agriculture. It would bring into existence ^'*^*[g
new and extensive establishments, and thus create a home of[herHe"nds
market, without which the agriculturist would not receive oftheprotec-
with constancy, the just reward of his labors, and which ^''''^^°^;^''^
would tend to keep the resources of the country at home. It
would not diminish the exportations, unless to Europe, where
little besides the raw materials are carried ; and by the ap-
plications of industry, new articles of exportation might be
multiplied, more valuable than the raw materials, and by
which we should be indemnified for any losses thus incurred.
They considered it by no means certain that it would lessen
the public revenue ; the augmentation of duty would compen-
sate for the diminution in the quantity of goods imported.
Experience proved that manufactures needed protection, and
that such had ever been the policy of those governments
where the manufacturing interest flourished ; and in proof of
this, they pointed to the steady course of England.
Many of the friends of the tariflf, however, conceded, that
if all nations would unite in a system of free, unshackled
trade, it would probably produce the best possible state of
things ; but they contended, that as the United States must
sufler from laws made by other nations to protect and favor
their own manufactures, it was but just that the citizens of
the United States should receive a like protection and prefer-
ence from their own government. Alter much discussion, formed,
the bill, with some amendments, passed. It proved effectual
in affording the desired protection to cotton goods ; but the
question was still agitated in favor of manufactures of other
kinds, and the manufacturers of wool zealously endeavored to
obtain a similar protection.
CHAPTER II.
Lafayette invited to America.
On the 15th of August, 1824, General Lafayette* arrived 1§24:
in the harbor of New York, in consequence of a special in- /"g- '5.
vitation, which congress, participating in the warm leeling arrives,
which pervaded the whole nation, had given him to visit
America.
* In the days of the revolution, The Marquis de la Fayette, was the style by
which the hereditary nobleman was known. Subse()ucntly he renounced all
distinctionsof ^his kind, and would receive no other title than that given by his
military rank. His eiddress was then, General Lafayette.
1§25.
370 THE NATION S GUEST.
PART IV. When information was received in the city of New York
PERIOD 111. of his arrival, a committee of the corporation, and a great
CHAP. II. number of distinguished citizens, immediately proceeded to
Staten Island, to behold and welcome the former benefactor
of their country, now its illustrious guest. Arrangements
were made, by the committee, for his visit to New York,
which was to take place the following day. A splendid es-
cort of steamboats, gaily decorated with the flags of every
nation, and bearing thousands of citizens, brought him to the
tion^i,7xcw view of the assembled crowds at New York. His feelings
York. at revisiting again, in prosperity, the country which he had
sought and made his own in adversity, were at times overpow-
ering, and melted him to tears. Esteemed, as he was, for his
virtues, and consecrated by his sufl'erings and constancy,
the philanthropist of any country could not view him wuhout
an awe mingled with tenderness ; but to Americans there was
besides, a deep feeling of gratitude for his services, and an
associated remembrance of those worthies of our revolution
with whom he had lived.
The thousands assembled to meet Lafayette at New York,
manifested their joy at beholding him, by shouts, acclama-
tions, and tears. He rode uncovered from the battery to the
City Hall, receiving and returning the affectionate gratulations
of the multitude. At the City Hall, magistrates, and citizens,
were presented to him, and he was welcomed by an address
from the mayor. He then met with a few gray-headed vete-
rans of the revolution, his old companions in arms, and though
nearly half a century had passed since they parted, his faith-
ful memory had kept their countenances and names.
Deputations from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Haven,
and many other cities, arrived at New York, with invitations
for him to honor those places with his presence. After re-
Lafiiyetre maining a few days in New York, he proceeded through
.goes to Bos- Connecticut and Rhode Island on his way to Boston. An
^'^' escort of eight hundred chizens, from that place met him, and
the mayor and corporation awaited his arrival at the city lines.
The pupils of the public schools, both male and female, were
arranged in two lines on the side of the common, under the
care of their respective teachers, and through these beautiful
lines the procession passed.
From Boston he proceeded to Portsmouth, to visit the navy-
yard. Orders had been issued by the president to all the
military posts, to receive him with the honor due to the high-
est officer in the American service.
September. On his return to New York, a splendid fete was given at
Kew Yor ^^^^^^ Garden.
From that city he proceeded to Albany and Troy, calling
^cu''r^i'onT at West Point, and several other places on the river. He
norih, and next passed through New Jersey, and visited Philadelphia,
^^^^- Baltimore, Washnigton, Yorktown, and Richmond. These
THE ERA OF GOOD FEELING. 371
places vied with New York and Boston in the splendor with PART IV.
which they received the beloved defender of their country, period iil
He returned to Washington during the session of congress, cH.tp. ii.
and remained there several weeks. Congress voted him the "---•-v-'^*-^
sum of two hundred thousand dollars, and a township of land 1§25.
which was located in Florida, as a remuneration, in part, of January,
his services during the revolutionary war, and as a testimony make \iin a
of their gratitude. I'ljeral dona
About the last of Februarj^ he proceeded from Washington
to Richmond, thence through North and South Carolina, to From Wash
Savannah. He then travelled through Georgia, Alabama, i"?'°" ^^
and Mississippi, to New Orleans. Proceeding up the Missis- tour of the
sippi as far as St. Louis, he visited the principal places on southern
both sides of the river. He then returned to the Ohio, pass- ^^^est'ern'^ ^
ed through Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York ;
and arrived in Boston to participate in the ceremony of laying
the corner-stone of the monument, to commemorate the battle
of Bunker's Hill.
Leaving Boston, he proceeded to Portland, in Maine ; Visits the
from thence, through New Hampshire, to Burlington in Ver- °°eastTrn°^
mont. Passing down lake Champlain and the Hudson, he states,
arrived again in New York, where he united in the celebra- I'^^y *•
• • At Now
tion of American independence. YorL
Then taking his leave of the eastern and northern states,
he returned to the seat of government. He then paid an af-
fecting visit to the honored tomb of Washington.
On his departure from the seat of government, the presi-
dent in behalf of the nation, bade him an affectionate adieu ;
and in a new frigate, named the Brandyvvine, in memory of He takes his
the battle in which he was wounded, he was safely conveyed departure,
to his native land.
Lafayette's whole progress through the United States had
been one continued triumph, the most illustrious of any which
history records. The captives chained to his triumphal car,
were the affections of the people ; his glory, the prosperity
and happiness of his adopted country.
During Mr. Monroe's administration, America enjoyed pro-
found peace. Si.xty millions of her national debt were dis- -m^-.,^
charged. The Floridas were peaceably acquired, and the ^^
western limits fixed at the Pacific ocean. Internal taxes l§25.
were repealed, the military establishment reduced to its nar- National
rowest limits of efficiency, the organization of the army im- Prosperity
proved, the independence of tlie South American nations re-
cognized, progress made in the suppression of the slave-trade,
and the civilization of the Indians advanced. The voice of
party spirit had died away, and the period is still spoken of,
as the " era of good feeling."
Mr. Monroe's second term of office having expired, four Fourcandi-
among the principal citizens of the republic were setup as can- .'5,. ^^•
selves, and on his leaving the prison, in the evening, he was Morgan for-
seized, and forced into a carriage, which was rapidly driven ci'jly carried
out of the village, and he was never seen by his friends, °e''|^i^u^iy"d^s-
again. posed of.
The indignation of the community was roused, by this out-
rage, to an intense degree ; particularly in the section of the PuUicindig-
country where it occurred. Rumor was continually harrow- ed by Mor-
ing up the feelings of his family and friends, by false stories gf^^'s abduc-
calculated to mislead inquiry, of his having been seen, dis- ''°'^'
guised, and under fictitious names, in foreign countries, or in
remote parts of the Union. Notwithstanding that those who
belonged to Masonic societies, were attempting in these and
other ways to throw discredit on the story of his abduction ;
yet there was from among the people a voice not to be disre-
garded by the rulers, which pronounced that Morgan had been
foully murdered.
The Legislature of New York appointed a committee of 7. TT
• p 1-1T1 ^r^ 1- Committee
investigation, of which John G. Spencer was chairman. of investiga-
They reported that William Morgan had been put to death. tio"-
The years that have elapsed since his mysterious disappear- -m ggy
ance have confirmed their decision. The persons, who were Their re-
suspected of being the principal actors in the tragedy, fled po^.
from their homes and took refuge under fictitious names, in
distant places, and all are said to have been cut off from the
land of the living, by disaster or violence.
Morgan's abduction excited a strong prejudice against all
Masonic societies ; and a political party was formed, called Anti-ma-
Anti-masonic, whose avowed object was to abolish Free-ma- ^'""'^ P^^*
sonry throughout the United States, on the ground that secret q j.
societies in a free government, were not only unnecessary, masonic so-
but even dangerous to its existence. They averred that ma- cieties.
sonry, as was shown by the case of Morgan, claimed a right .
over the lives of its members ; and as taking human life ground's of
with intention, and without the sanction of civil authority is opposition.
murder ; therefore, this society must be regarded as especially
at variance with law, human and divine.
The Anti-masonic party once organized, was by its leaders
made to subserve, not only its original purpose, but others,
such as electioneering for favorite candidates to office ; and " ^°- j^'i?*
is a fair example of what the politicians of the day under- '^^^^
stand by " making political capital" of any subject of popular
excitement. The Anti-slavery party, which, as a political Anti-sla-
union, arose about the time that the Anti-masonic party de- ^^^'
clined, had its origin, in feelings equally honorable to human
374 BLACK hawk's war. — THE CHOLERA.
FART IV. nature ; and there is reason to apprehend that it will in a sim
PERIOD III. ilar manner be perverted.
CHAP. 11. The tariff question again agitated congress, and the debates
^^^''s^~'^^ terminated in the passage of a law laying protective duties on
182§. such articles of import as competed with certain manufactured
The tariff a,nd agricultural productions of the United States. By this
Dill smiGncl" . - . . . •
ed. tariff bill, additional duties were laid on wool and wool-
ens, iron, hemp and its fabrics, lead, distilled spirits, silk
The north stuffs, window-glass and cottons. The manufacturing states
p ease . received the law with warm approbation, while the southern
The south states regarded it as highly prejudicial to the interests of the
offended, cotton planters ; and in Charleston, South Carolina, the flags
on the shipping were displayed at half-mast, and a state con-
vention was demanded.
1§29. The presidential election having been decided by the col-
March 4. jggg Qf electors. General Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, was
first inaucru- inaugurated president, and John C. Calhoun, of South Caro-
ration. Una, vice-president of the United States.
Though the tariff bill found but few friends in the south-
em states, the citizens of most of them were in favor of
seeking for its repeal by constitutional measures. Even in
South Carolina, the head-quarters of the opposition, was a
staie'ri°hts^ powerful party, who were styled the Friends of the Union,
or nullifica- and were hostile to any disorganizing measures. A small
tion party, ixjajority, however, now first styled the " state rights" party,
and afterwards, the " nullifiers,'^ were working themselves up
to that high pressure of exasperation, which is ever followed by
rashness of conduct. In congress, their doctrines were ably
set forth by Mr. Hayne of the senate, but they were met and
ereal speech confuted by Daniel Webster, in a speech which convinced
against nuUi- the understanding, and thrilled through the heart of every
fication. patriot in the Union.
Since the war with the Seminoles in 1818, the Indian
April tribes had remained in peace. In April, of this year, the
Commence- Winnebagoes, Sacs, and Foxes, inhabiting the upper Missis-
ment of sippi, recrossed that river under their chief, Black Hawk, and
Hawk's war. entered upon the lands which they had sold to the United
States, and which were occupied by citizens of Illinois.
These Indians being well mounted and armed, scattered rap-
idly their war parties over that defenseless country, breaking
up settlements, killing whole families, and burning their dwel-
lings. Generals Atkinson and Scott, were charged with the
defense of the frontier.
June 9. The disease, known by the name of the Asiatic cholera,
Cholera at made its appearance in Canada, on the 9th of June, among
Quebec, gome newly arrived Irish emigrants. It followed apparently
along the valleys of the St. Lawrence, Champlain and Hud-
son, and on the 26th, several cases occurred in the city of
Ai^New '^^'^ York. A great proportion of the inhabitants left the
York. place in dismay, but notwithstanding the reduction of numbers.
STA.TE RIGHTS OR NULLIFICATION PARTY. 375
the ravages of the disease were appalling. It spread with PARTJV.
great rapidity throughout the states of New York and Michi- period hi.
gan ; and along the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, to the chap. ii.
Gulph of Mexico. From New York it went south through ^— "^^-^^
the Atlantic states, as far as North Carolina. It was a sin- 1§32.
gular characteristic of this excruciating and quickly fatal mal- |i'^°'''r^'^ °^
ady, that, though not apparently contagious, it followed the through the
great routes of travel, both on the land and water. New Union.
England, with a few exceptions, escaped the scourge.
In obedience to orders from the War Department, the gar-
risons on the seaboard, from Fort Monroe, in Virginia, to New
York harbor, were withdrawn and placed under the command juiy.
of General Scott, to be employed in the Indian war. Pro- G^-neral
ceeding with haste, as the case was urgent, the general em- lectsthe
barked his troops in steamboats at Buffalo. The season was troops for the
hot, and the boats were crowded. The cholera broke out ^"^'^" ^■^•
among the troops. Language cannot depict the distress that The diolera
ensued, both before and after their landing. Many died ; Ijrcnl^soutm
many deserted, from dread of the disease, and perished in the ^ ^ '"^"^'
woods either from cholera or starvation. The exertions, suf-
ferings, and danger, of General Scott, during this period, were
greater than they ever were on the field of battle ; and it thus
became impossible for him to reach the seat of war at the ^"?- ^■
time intended. General Atkinson, by forced marches, came Atkinson^dc-
up with Black Hawk's army on the second of August, near feats the In-
the mouth of the Upper Iowa. The Indians were routed and 'n meet at
they declared that congress, m laying protective duties, had Columbia,
exceeded its just powers ; and that the several acts alluded South Caro-
to, should, from that time, be uUerly null and void ; that it j^'^'^' j"^"" |.^|
should be the duty of the legislature of South Carolina, to mous nulllfi-
adopt measures to arrest their operation, from and after the cation ordi-
1st of Fet)ruary, 1833 ; that the courts of that state should
not question the validity of that ordinance, nor sull'er an ap-
peal to the courts of the United States : — that any one hold-
376 THE ORDINANCE. JACKSON's PROCLAMATION.
PART IV. ing- an office under the state, should take an oath to obey that
PERIOD III. ordinance ; or if otherwise, the office should be tilled up as if
CHAP. II. the incumbent were dead ; that no person thereafter, should
^-^'"^''"^^ be elected to any office whatever, either civil or military, un-
til he had taken the oath not only to obey the ordinance, but
such acts as the legislature might thereafter pass to carry the
same into operation.
1§33. Finally, the instrument declared, that the people of South
Ordinance Carolina would not submit to force, on the part of the United
the United States, but that they should consider any act of congress, au-
States shall thorizing the employment of a naval or military force against
notuse force, ^j^^ state, as null and void ; and in that case, the people would
the with- hold themselves absolved from all political connection with
drawal of \\^q other States, and would forthwith proceed to organize a
Una separate government, and do all other acts and things, which
sovereign and independent states have a right to do.
The conven- The convention also put forth an " Address to the people of
tioncallon ^^ United States," in which the doctrines of nullification
the members i i i i i i i i
of the Union, were avowed, and the hope expressed, that the other states
would give up the protective system, as the secession of South
Carolina would inevitably produce a dissolution of the Union.
The friends of the Union in South Carolina, also, held a
Th^°TT^* convention at Columbia, on the 24th of November. They
ists in South adopted, and published, a solemn protest against the ordinance.
Carolina Meetings were held in almost every part of the United States,
and resolutions passed, expressive of entire reprobation of the
principles avowed by the nuUifiers.
The legislature of South Carolina convened at Columbia,
on the 27th of November. Governor Hamilton, in his open-
State au- iiig message, expressed his approva-1 of the ordinance. He
thorities ap- recommended that the authorities of the state, and of the city
prove the ^j- Charleston, should unite in requesting- the president to
nuUihcation . , , r i /^i i i tt • i oi
ordinance. Withdraw, irom the arsenal at Charleston, the United States
soldiers, who, for several years, had been stationed there, by
request of those authorities, to defend their arms and ammu-
nition, in case of a slave insurrection. He recommended, also,
that the militia should be re-organized ; — that the executive
should be authorized to accept of the services of 12,000 volun-
teers ; — and that provision should be made for procuring
heavy ordnance, and other munitions of war.
Dec. 10. On the 10th of December, President Jackson published a
Jackson"s pi'oclamation, warning the nullification party of the consequen-
proclama- ces which would ensue, if they persisted in the course they
tion. had commenced. After a series of reasoning to convince
them of their error, he added, " 1 consider, then, the power
to annul a law of the United States, assumed by one state, in-
First he compatible with the existence of the Union, — contradicted
fchows the expressly by the constitution, — unauthorized by its spirit, —
Jieir error i'^f ""sistent with every principle on which it was founded,
and destructive of the great object for which it was formed."
meet and
protest.
Nov. 27.
AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT MEETS A CRISIS. 377
111 conclusion, the president told them, that the laws of the PART IV.
United States must be executed, that he had no discretionary peiuod in.
power on the subject ; that those who told them they might chap. ii.
peaceably prevent their execution, deceived them ; that nothino- '---— v-**^
but a forcible opposition could prevent their execution, and 1832.
that such opposition must be repelled, for " disunion by armed ^^cond, he
force," he said, " is treason." Finally, he appealed to the iheirdang^.
patriotism of South Carolina, to retrace her steps, and, to the Appeal.s to
country, to rally in defense of the Union. ''Wrlir'^
No act of General Jackson was ever more popular than
this proclamation. There was a party strong-ly opposed to P"''l'c ap-
nis measures, who held that his talents were rather for war president's
than peace ; and that, in the indomitable energies of his will, conduct,
he pursued his objects as the keen sportsman his game, heed-
less what fences he broke down in his way ; but on this oc-
casion, this party vied, in commendation, with the larger and
ruling party, by whom his administration \vas uniformly ap-
proved ; and from every quarter he received from the people,
proffers of niilitary service.
Governor Hamilton being appointed to the command of the
South Carolinian army. Colonel Hayne succeeded him. He
issued a proclamation, counter to that of General .Fackson, in Dec. 20.
which he put forth the doctrines of disunion, in their most Colonel*
offensive form ; calling on the people to disregard the " vain Hayne's
11 c ^^ ■^ K ,, 1 ,-i • ^1 message
menaces ot the president, and " protect the liberties of the
state." The legislature also continued to authorize the em-
ployment of volunteers, who were " to hold themselves in
readiness to take the field, at a minute's warning."
The unionists, feeling how unhappy must be a contest,
which would separate families, where the son might be called
on to shed the blood of the father, and the brother that of the
brother, now aroused, and, encouraged by the decided tone of Resolution*
the president, they took one equally decided ; and held meet- ists.
ings in various parts of the state, in which they declared, " we
will not be forced to bear arms against the United States, be
the consequences what they may."
General Jackson followed his word with his deed. He Jackson pre-
caused Castle Pinckney, a fortress which commands the inner n,[ift'^f^ "pe..
harbor of Charleston, as well as the town itself, to be put in rations
complete order for offensive or defensive operations. Fort against
Moultrie, on Sullivan's island, was likewise strongly garrison- liu^.
ed, and General Scott placed in command ; while several
ships of war, under the orders of Commodore Elliot, were
anchored in the bay : and it is said that he sent private assu-
rances to the leading nullifiers, that unless they desisted, he
should lake the field in person, and appear in South Carolina,
at tlie head of a large army.
The nullification party did not decide to meet the nation in
arms, with General Jackson at its head. The crisis which A change of
had caused so many forebodings, was adjourned, and the au- ^""^"
26
378
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
PART IV.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. HI.
Feb. 12.
Mr. Clay's
compromise,
Tariff bill.
Inaugura-
tion,
March 4th.
thorities agreed not to oppose the collection of duties until the
] St of March, and before that period arrived, measures were
taken which restored tranquillity.
On the 12th of February, Mr. Clay introduced a bill into
the senate, which had for its object, a compromise between
the manufacturing interests of the north, and the cotton plant-
ers of the south. It reduced the duties on certain articles,
and limited the operation of the tariff', to the 30th of Septem-
ber, 1842. It b^ing considered a bill for revenue, it was not
acted upon in the senate, until after the house of representa-
tives had adopted it, when it passed rapidly through that body,
was signed by the president, and became a law on the 3d of
March. It gave general content to the citizens of the United
States, with whom the union is so dear, that whatever or who-
ever endangers it, is looked upon with suspicion and displea-
sure ; and on the other hand, whatever nourishes and consoli-
dates it, is regarded with approbation and complacency.
Gen. Jackson was re-elected, and Martin Van Buren of
New York, made Vice-president.
May 20.
Death of La-
fayette.
Extreme
difficulty of
the Indian
question
It arises
from their
mode of war-
fare.
CHAPTER III.
Lafayette. The tribes east of the Mississippi go to the far west.
General Lafayette, full of years and honors, died on
the 20th of May, 1833, and was mourned as the common
father of his native and his adopted country.
The position of the remaining aboriginal tribes gave the
rulers great uneasiness. If the Indians would subject them-
selves to the laws of civilized society, at least so far as to
declare war before they made it, and then to make it only
with those in arms, they might have their reservations, and
enjoy them within the limits of the states. But so long as
they were subtly contriving war, when they were seeiningly
most bent on peace, — their declaration made only by the war-
whoop, and signed by the scalping-knife — so long, it would be
vain to expect that their neighborhood could be tolerated by
civilized man : for the father and the husband would look be-
yond treaties written on parchment, to the law of nature,
which bids him protect and defend his helpless ones. If the
government in good faith, sought to preserve the Indian
tribes, they refusing to change their mode of warfare, the
only consequence would be, that they would at length, by
their murderous atrocities, oblige the rulers, in defense of the
lives of their own people, to send their armies and destroy
them. Such had been the fate of former tribes, and such, un-
less something was done to avert the catastrophe, was likely
to be that of those still remaining. To devise some expedi-
THE SOUTH-WESTERN INDIANS. 379
ent to save them, and protect their own people, was the diffi- PART IV.
cult problem which the government had to solve. period hi
That General Jackson saw the subject much in this liorht is chap. hi.
apparent from his earliest message to congress. He remarked ^--'^v~>i^
that the fate of the Mohegan, the Narragansett and the Dela- 1§30.
ware was fast and inevitably approaching the Choctaw, the December.
Cherokee, and the Creek, if they remained within the limits message
of the states. He said that regard to our national honor respecting
brought forward the question whether something could not be *^® Indians.
done to preserve the race. As a means to this end, he sug-
gested that an ample district west of the Mississippi, and
without the limits of any state or territory, might be set apart
and guarantied to the Indian tribes, each to have distinct
jurisdiction over the part designated for its use, and free from
any control of the United States, other than might be neces- t^eiSov^
sary to preserve peace on the frontier. There the benevo- to the west,
lent might teach them ; and there they might form a nation
which would perpetuate their race, and attest the humanity
of the American government.
But the grand difficulty of the project, which would have
appalled a more timid mind. President Jackson met in a man-
ner altogether characteristic. " The emigration," said he,
" should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to rp, , ,•
compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, must go, but
and seek a home in a distant land." Congress sanctioned the ^^^y '""^.''^ go
project which former able statesmen had advocated, and em- ''"''^"'^'^y-
powered the president to carry it out ; and he fearlessly under-
took, what, perhaps, no human ruler ever did before, and what
none but the Almighty can effect, to combine freewill with
necessity. To oblige the Indians to emigrate voluntarily for
their own good, became thenceforth his settled policy.
With the Chickasaws and Choctaws, however, treaties 1§31,
were made by which they exchanged lands, and quietly emi- 2 & 3.
grated to the country fixed on, which was the territory next '^^® Chicka-
to Arkansas. The United States paid the expenses of their choctaws
removal, and supplied them with food for the first year. remove.
When Georgia ceded to the United States, April 2, 1802, 1§02.
all that tract of country lying south of Tennessee, and west Georgia
of the Chatahouchee river, the government paid in hand to ^^ United' *
that state $1,250,000, and further agreed, "at their own ex- States the
pense, to extinguish, for the use of Georgia, as early as the ^Yf.'!'"^ °^
same could be peaceably obtained upon reasonable terms, the
Indian title to the lands lying within the limits of that state."
Under this contract, the United States had, by sundry trea-
ties with the Creek and Cherokee tribes of Indians, who oc- Covernmen
cupied the territory, extinguished the Indian title to 25,980,000 fulfill the
acres, and delivered the peaceable possession of it to Geor- '""^^'y ^^ 'j^*
gia. Of the Indians who inhabited the purchased territory, ^ ^°^^' ^
some of them removed westward of the Mississippi, some of
them took refuge with the brethren of the same tribes in Ala-
26*
380
THE CHEROKEES REMOVED.
PART IV.
FJKluu 111.
CHAP. IV.
Indians
within Geor-
gia an inde-
pendent
state.
The Geor-
gians deter-
mine to be
rid of them.
l§31-2.
Discredita-
ble affair of
the mission-
aries.
1S3S.
The Chero-
kees at
length
removed
bama ; but the great masses of Indian population, on leaving
the territories they had given up, only condensed themselves
closer on the large and fertile domain within the state of
Georgia, which they had reserved to themselves ; and from
thenceforward they refused to sell, cede to the government
of the United States, or give up, on any consideration, any
more of their land.
In the meantime, the constantly increasing white popula-
tion was pressing nearer and nearer upon the Indian reserva-
tion, within which, the tribes exercised a sort of independent
dominion, by which a retreat was furnished for runaway
slaves, and fugitives from justice, a set of vagabonds ever
ready for violence. This condition of their state was viewed
by the people of Georgia as intolerable ; and the legislature, in
due time, extended its laws and jurisprudence over the whole
Indian territory. The Cherokees considered this measure as
an infrincrement of their ancient rights, and a violation of re-
cent treaties ; and they appealed to the general government for
redress.
The well-known policy of President Jackson was to remove
them ; and the Georgians, thus encouraged, sought, by a
course of proceeding, contrary to law and right, to make their
position untenable. They put in prison two missionaries
whom they suspected of dissuading the Indians against the
removal. President Jackson would do nothing to check these
discreditable proceedings, from a tenderness to state-rights ;
which, fortunately for the union, he did not feel in the case
of South Carolina.
Thus annoyed by the state government, and beset by agents
from Washington, a treaty was obtained from a few of the
chiefs by which the removal of the tribe was to take place.
The fairness of this treaty was denied, and the Indians were
averse to leaving their own and their fathers' pleasant land.
The difficult and perilous task of bringing the Cherokees to
consent to tliis arrangement was intrusted to General Scott.
His firm and conciliatory measures, effected their removal
without bloodshed. Much had, however, been previously
done to gain the confidence and allay the animosity of the
Indians, by the able officers who had preceded General Scot/
in this unportant service.
CHAPTER TV.
1§23.
September.
A treaty
made with
the Semi-
aoles.
The Florida War.
Measures equally wise were not pursued with the Semi-
noles inhabiting East Florida. In September, 1823, sooi»
after the occupation of the peninsula, a treaty was made at
THE SEMINOLES UNWILLING TO REMOVE. SS'a
Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, between the United States PART IV.
and the Seminoles, by which those Indians reUnquished period in
their claims to large tracts of land in Florida, reserving to chap. iv.
themselves a portion for a residence. Subsequently disputes '^-^"v"^-'
arose respecting the construction of this treaty ; the Indi-
ans claiming that it gave them undisturbed possession of their
reservation for twenty years.
Colonel Gadsden, as agent for the United States, made
another treaty with the Seminoles, at Payne's Landing in 1§33.
Florida, when it was stipulated that they should cede their ^^'^y ^•
reservation, and remove beyond the Mississippi. A delegation "fVaynT'!?'
of their chiefs, appointed by the treaty, was sent at the ex- Landing
pense of the United States, to examine the country assigned '^^^ agree
them, and also to ascertain whether the Creeks, who had condition-
already emigrated, would unite with them, as one people. If ^Uy-
the Seminoles were satisfied on these points, then the treaty
was to be binding.
The Indian delegation, after examining, took it upon them
to conclude a treaty with the American commissioners, ren-
dering absolute the one made at Payne's Landing.
To this transaction the nation at large objected, and averred Treaty of
that the delegation had exceeded their powers, and that they confirmation
should have reported to the tribe the result of their observa- cHefs! and
tions, and taken their vote ; but as it was, unfairness and disputed by
treachery were charged upon the parties who thus prema- ''^^'i^''o°-
turely completed the agreement.
The Indians were, by the stipulations of the treaty, to re-
move within three years after its ratification; and to com-
mence their emigration as early as possible in 1833. Their
removal was not, however, then attempted.
But President Jackson, although he might for a short time
delay, was not a man to change his purposes, or swerve from
their full execution ; and in regard to the Seminoles, he now
determined to delay no longer.
He made General Wiley Thompson the government agent 1§34.
for superintending the proposed change, and sent him to Flori- General
da to prepare for the emigration. Captain Russel, of the army, senuo"*
accompanied him as disbursing officer. Thompson- soon Florida,
found, and reported to the government, that most of the Indi- ^*^'- ^'
ans were unwilling to leave their homes. They plead that the
treaty of Fort Moultrie, suffered them to remain for twenty
years ; — and said that though the lands beyond the Missis-
sippi might be good, the Indians there were bad.
On reporting this to the war department, Thompson was
told that the Seminoles were to be removed for their o\vn
benefit, and could not be permitted to remain ; — that the mili- Thompson
tary force in the neighborhood of these Indians would be in- directed in
creased ; and he was directed to inform the Seminoles that the ''^sard to the
annuities which they received under the treaty of Fort Moul-
trie would not be paid until they consented to emigrate. He
382 THE SEMINOLES INFLUENCED BY OSCEOLA.
PART IV. -vvas also required to communicate freely with General Clinch
PERIOD III. of the army, who owned a plantation not far from the Indian
CHAP. IV. reservation.
^^"^^^^"^^ President Jackson also sent a conciliatory " talk" to the chiefs
1§34. who assembled to hear it. They discussed, with General
Dec. 28. Thompson, their intended departure, seemed much gratified
with the president's talk, and their principal chief, Osceola,
1§35. with others, parted apparently in perfect good humor. But the
Jan. 7. agents must have doubted their sincerity, for General Thomp-
w , .„ son requested the government to send more troops. General
General Clinch, however, wrote to the war department, humanely in-
Clinch ad- quiring if it would not be better to let them remain until the
'^eouive' to "^''^ spring, provided they would consent i<- remove peaceably
delay. and quietly on the first day of March. " I believe," said he,
" the whole nation will readily come into the measure, and it is
impossible not to feel a deep interest, and much sympathy
for this people."
The order ^phe answer, although it contained professions of regard
lor imrnGcli* ' o i o
ate removal for the Seminoles, yet bore the government's peremptory order
is peremp- to proceed without delay to their removal.
tory. 'pj^g Indians, in the meantime, acknowledged the validity
of the treaty of Payne's Landing, and agreed to carry it into
April 22. effect ; but when the agents took the preparatory steps for
their removal, the deep-seated repugnance of the people to
leave their homes, and the graves of their fathers was again
manifested.
It was believed that they acted much under the influence
Osceola, of Osceola or Powel. This chief owed his elevation solely
to his personal qualities. His father was an Englishman,
his mother a Seminole, and he thus mingled the Saxon with
the Indian blood. His bearing was proud and gloomy. On
June 3. tiie 2d of June, General Thompson held a conference with
Thoinpson ^he Indians, in which Osceola took a tone that displeased
treats him him, and he manacled the chief, and confined him for a day
with indigiu- ^Q g^ prison. Osceola seemed penitent, signed the treaty to
remove, and was released. Afterwards Thompson entrusted
Is deceived him with several pieces of service ; and he passed through
by him. differegit parts of the peninsula, appearing cheerfully engaged
in aiding General Thompson to accomplish his plans. But
he dissembled, and was concerting with the Indians a deep
and cruel revenge.
It fell first on the heads of those Indians who were true to
, the whites. Mathla, a chief, was killed because he had been
noles take engaged in making the obnoxious treaty ; and some hundreds
vengeance of the Seminoles fled to Fort Brooke, at Tampa Bay, bring-
"peopl'e'^who' ^^S ^^^ ^^^^ account of the real designs of Osceola and his
favor the re- party. In the meantime, the Indians opposed to the removal,
moval. j^j^^ disappeared from their usual places of residence.
Alarmed at these symptoms, the government ordered troops
from the southern posts to repair to Fort Brooke. The com-
dade's battle-field. 383
mand was given to General Clinch, who was at Camp King, PART IV.
distant one hundred miles, or about half the way from Tampa perioi) hi.
Bay to St. Augustine. c"^*"- '"
Major Dade marched from Fort Brooke to join him, at the ^-^~v-^»-^
head of one hundred and seventeen men, accompanied by 1835.
captains Gardner and Fraser. Major Dade
About eighty miles of the toilsome journey had been accom- begins his
plished, when, on the morning of the 28th, Major Dade rode A"'*'^'^2R
in front of his troops, and cheered them with the intelligence is ambushed
that their march was nearly at an end ; and he kindly assured by the Indi-
them, that they should have three days' rest at Camp King. ^"^'
A volley was fired at the moment fi-om hundreds of unseen jj^ j^ killed,
muskets. The speaker, and those he addressed, fell dead, withthree-
The whole advance was killed on the first fire ; at the second, inajters of
Captain Fraser and many others. So entirely was the foe
concealed that many rounds were fired at them by the survi-
vors before an Indian was seen. The savages then rose, and
surrounding the Americans, came in close contact, using
knives and bayonets. A field-piece, which Major Dade had
ordered, was now brought into the action, and the Indians
drew off.
Thirty were all that remained of Dade's army. They im-
proved the respite afi^orded them to construct a triangular
breastwork of trees, which they felled.
While they were thus engaged, where was Osceola, who
had, doubtless, led the attack? It is supposed that he went Camp King,
the twenty miles from Dade's battle field to Camp King, to
perform a work there.
On that day, General Wiley Thompson, with a convivial
party, were dining at a house within sight of the garrison.
As they sat at table, a volley from a hundred muskets was
poured through the doors and windows. General Thompson Peath of
fell dead, pierced by fifteen bullets. Of the others, some were Thompson,
killed at the first fire, others, attempting to escape, were mur-
dered without the house. Osceola, at the head of the Indi-
ans, had rushed in, and himself scalped the man who had
once placed fetters upon the limbs of the Seminole chief.
The Indians then retreated, unmolested by the garrison.
In the afternoon, a mounted company of one hundred Indi-
ans, (doubtless, Osceola and his party, now returning triumphant
from the massacre at Camp King) attacked, with whoop and
yell, the inclosure of the thirty survivors. The Indians
charged only once, for they were repulsed by the cool bravery scene of the
of the devoted men. Many of the Indians fell, but fresh tragedy,
numbers continually appeared ; and one by one, bravely fight-
ing, the officers and soldiers fell, till there was none to resist.
The narrator. Ransom Clarke, was wounded, and that soldier
only escaped death by feigning it; and then, almost by mira-
cle, working his way through the woods. lie eventually died
384 GENERAL CLINCH's BATTLE.
PART IV. of his wounds ; and thus every one of Dade's- army was
PERIOD III. killed in that battle.
CHAP. IV. \ deep sensation pervaded the country at the news of this
^--'""''"^-^ massacre. At Fort Brooke, the garrison labored to improve
1S35. their fortifications, the elated Seminoles having threatened
The garrison them with extermination. The terrified inhabitants flocked
at f ort p „ IP
Brooke lor reiuge to the torts.
alarmed. The head-quaters of General Clinch were at Fort Drane, a
few miles north of Camp King. Three companies of regulars
under Major Fanning, and a body of volunteers from the
neighboring country under General Call, constituted his force.
Dec. 29. "With these he set out on the day succeedingr the massacre, for
Clinch sets ^^^ Withlacoochee river ; Osceola's principal settlement, being
out to seek to the south of that stream. Their guide who had promised
Osceola. ^^ bring them to a point where the fording was good, deceived
them. They found a deep and rapid stream, with no means
of crossing but one canoe. Colonel Fanning had, however,
jj „. succeeded in getting the regular troops across, and General
Reaches the Call had begun to bring over the volunteers. Osceola and the
Withlacoo- Seminoles, with whom the guide was, doubtless, in league,
were posted in the swamps and underbrush around. An en-
Is attacked counter ensued, in which the regulars with a few volunteers,
by Osceola, charged, and drove the Indians three times. After the battle
began, the volunteers upon the opposite bank would not cross
the river, notwithstanding the earnest entreaties of General
Call and the other officers, who themselves crossed over, and
rendered efficient service.
ISJfo. After the battle, General Clinch recrossed the river and re-
General turned to Fort Drane, having lost four men killed, and sixty
Clinch re- wounded. The volunteers returned to their abodes, leaving
*"'l)rane ""^^ General Clinch to guard their homes, and protect the country
with very inadequate means.
Emboldened by success, and united in their plans, the
Seminoles now appeared simultaneously in the neighborhood
of almost every settlement in Florida. Houses were burned,
crops destroyed, negroes carried otf, and families murdered in
every direction.
Feb. 7. General Scott was now invested with the chief command
Scot^tTrnves ^"^ ^^^ peninsula, and he arrived on the 7th of February at
at St. Au- St. Augustine. The inhabitants were not strong enough to
gustine. keep a communication open with the other settlements ; and
reconnoitering parties of fifty or sixty were attacked and driven
back with loss.
Feb. 11. A letter from St. Augustine, dated the eleventh of the month,
--*-v-^-/
they were often in waiting three hours, in order to secure
seats.
On the 26th of December, 1 833, Mr. Clay introduced into the 1 833.
senate, two resolutions inpugning the conduct of General Jack- ^^Z'- Clay's
son, in reference to Mr. Duane's removal, as assuming to the tions.blam-
executive, the direction of the public purse, and thus subvert- ingthepresi-
ing the constitution. After much powerful and angry debate, ^'^ ggn^te ^^^
the resolutions passed, and were inserted in the records of tlie - g„^
senate. Subsequently, the majority changed, and these reso- Thevareex-
lutions were by vote expunged. punged.
Mr. Jackson's second term being about to close, he ex-
pressed his determination to retire. He was succeeded by
Martin Van Buren, who, during the last four years, had, as ivr^J^inV'
vice-president, presided with great ability in the senate ; Buren and
where, as a leader of the Jackson party, he had sat in si- Richard M.
lence, and borne the accusations and sneers of the opposition auJu^rated*"
with unexampled self-possession. Richard M. Johnson was
made vice-president.
After the public money went into the state banks, facilities
too great before, were increased, whereby men might, by
pledging their credit, possess themselves of money. A per- 1»«**-
feet madness of speculation was now rife throughout the i§37
land. The good old roads of honest industry were grass- Mania of
grown, while men were hurrying into fortunes on the steam- ^'^"'^ specu-
cars of speculation. City lots were the rage. The old cities
were extended on paper to limits that they will not reach in
centuries : and new ones were surveyed, and some, where
deep waters flowed, or rocky mountains rose. Yet they were
mapped out, laid down in regular city lots, and duly numbered.
And such were bought and sold. Fortunes were made in
an hour, and by a single bargain. This alarming state of
things, must, as was well foreseen, have its crisis. It came
in 1837.
Before this crisis, every one was making money. Now all The revul-
were losing. Like a routed army, one fell back upon another ^'""jft'^^v*
till there was an universal dismay. A delegation of mer- tress.
chants from New York went to Washington in behalf of the ^'^y 3-
city. They presented to the president a memorial in which ofrnefchants
they represented, with force and eloquence, the miseries in apply to Mr.
which their population were involved; and begged the president ^^^ Buren.
immediately to remit the regidations contained in the " specie
circular," and to convene the national legislature. IMr. Van
Buren did not regard the occasion as warranting either meas-
ure, and rejected the petition.
The " specie circular" was a treasury order issued in
1835, whose object was to secure the public in the sale of
390
PECUNIARY DISTRESS,
PART IV.
PERIOD III.
CHAP. IV.
1§37.
The "specie
circular."
May 10.
The banks
stop specie
payment.
Mr. Van Bu-
ren convenes
a special
session.
Sept. 4.
Congress
meet.
" Sub-treas-
ury bill."
1836.
Law respect-
ing the sur-
plus reve-
nue.
1§37.
An instal-
ment of the
surplus re-
venue re-
claimed.
1§35.
Dec. 10.
Most de-
structive
fire wliich
has occurrfd
in America-
at New
York.
lands, from the effects of the speculating mania; and it required,
that specie should be paid for the government dues. This
had produced an effect to take the gold and silver from the
vaults of the banks, and carry it to the west, where specula-
tors paid it for public lands. Merchants were obliged to pay
the duties on their imports in specie ; but where was it to be
obtained ? The government would not pay it out to its credi-
tors; and a man who had an authenticated demand against the
treasury of the United States could not get specie, while, if
he owed, he was obliged to pay in gold and silver. This
caused a state of even dangerous exasperation in the cities.
The banks had been pressed to sustain their friends and
supporters till they had gone beyond the limits of prudence
in their issues, and those of the city of New York only held
out till the hope was gone that something would be done by
government, and then stopped specie payment. Their ex-
ample was of necessity followed in every part of the Union.
The banks, where the public funds were deposited, shared
the common fate, and the questions now arose how was the
government to meet its current expenses, and what next
should be done with the public purse ? To decide these
questions Mr. Van Buren issued his proclamation, convening
congress, which accordingly met on the 4th of September.
In his message, the president recommended a mode of
keeping the public money, which was eventually brought
before congress, in what has been called the " sub-treasury
bill." It did not pass, being by its opponents regarded as
putting the public treasure wholly in the power of the execu-
tive. Its unpopularity was probably the principal cause of
Mr. Van Buren's losing the next presidential election. An
instalment of the surplus revenue, which, by an act of con-
gress, ] 836, was to have been distributed among the several
states, was reserved for the exigences of the government, and
treasury notes were to be issued. But no measure of relief
to the people was attempted ; and the friends of the adminis-
tration contended that the case did not call for the interference
of government, but for a reformation in the individual extrava
gance which had prevailed, and a return to the neglected
ways of industry.
Among the causes of pecuniary distress, was a dreadful
fire, with which, in 1835, the commercial capital had been
visited. It broke out in Exchange street, in the rear of the Mer-
chant's Exchange, between eight and nine in the evening,
and totally baffled all ordinary means of extinguishment. The
air was piercingly cold, and, of course, the oxygen abundant.
The fire spread rapidly in every direction, as well against the
wind as with it ; and it shot horizontally across the streets,
perhaps fed by the gas with which they were lighted. Thus
it swept houses with their furniture — stores with their
goods — and banks and broker's offices with their contents.
THE NORTHERN FRONTIER. 391
Five hundred and twenty-nine buildings were burned, among PART IV.
which was the Exchange. The loss was estimated at seven- period m.
teen millions of dollars. The mercantile houses, on whom chap. iv.
with the insurance offices, it chiefly fell, did not generally v^-'-^v'^^
fail at the time ; for they were, with commendable humanity, Its effect, as
sustained by the others ; but the property was gone ; and the cakm'itls^
loss, though in a measure equalized at the time, at length fell felt in '
heavily on all. 1§3'S'.
On the 13th of August, the banks resumed specie payment. 1^*8.
The specie circular had been virtually repealed. Banks re-
A party had been gradually formed in Canada who were sume.
opposed to the British government, and loudly demanded in- r^j^^ ^.^^^j^ ^j
dependence. Many persons on the northern frontier of the some of the
states of New York and Vermont, sympathizing whh their Canadians,
neighbors in Canada, and regarding their cause as that of xhe sympa-
liberty and human rights, took the name of patriots, and form- thy of the
ed secret associations, which they called " Hunter's Lodges," ne^^hbonng
r .L. r • T 1 • "^ ,,..",' Americans.
tor the purpose oi aidmg the msurgents across the Ime m their
attempts to establish their independence.
In the prosecution of this well meant but illegal inter-
ference in the concerns of a foreign power, a daring party of
adventurers took possession of Na\y Island, a small spot of
ground containing about three hundred and fifty acres, and
situated in the Niagara river, about two miles above the falls,
and lying within the jurisdiction of Upper Canada. It was j^^ g '
fortified so strongly by the adventurers, as to resist an attack Mr. Van Bu-
upon it by Sir Francis Head, the commander of the British ""f" and Go-
forces. The president of the United States, and the governor cy issue
of the state of New York both issued proclamations, enjoin- prociama-
ing upon the inhabitants of the frontier to observe a strict '^""^"
neutrality.
Notwithstanding these injunctions, arms and ammunition Navy Island.
were procured, either by purchase or by stealth, and kept for
the use of the insurgents. The party upon Navy Island fired Self-styled
upon the opposite shore of Canada ; and boats were destroy- P^'"'?'®-
ed by force of their shot. The persons who were in posses- less proceed
sion of the island, amounting to seven hundred, were fully ings.
supplied with provisions, and had collected twenty pieces of
cannon.
These measures, on the part of the Americans, produced
great excitement among the provincial authorities in Canada.
A small steamboat, called the Caroline, was hired by the in- 'f,?.^*
surgents to ply between Navy Island and Schlosser on the Affair of the
American shore, in order to furnish the islanders with the Caroline.
means of carrying on the war. It began to run on the morn-
ing of the 29th of December, and during the evening of that
day, a detachment of one hundred and fifty armed men from
the Canada side, in five boats, with muffled oars, proceeded to
Schlosser; drove the men who were on board the Caroline
ashore, cut her loose from her fastenings to the wharf, and
392 THE NORTH-EAST BOUNDARY.
PART IV. setting the boat on fire, let her float over the falls. In this
PERIOD in. enterprise, a man by the name of Durfee was killed ; and it
CHAP. IV. -yyas said that one or two more were left in the steamboat
'^^^-^^■^^■^ when she went over the cataract.
Though the latter part of the story was never substantiated
by proof, yet popular feeling was raised to a high pitch by the
rumor.
M'Leod The body of Durfee was carried to Buffalo ; armed men
^"^iiiurder of ^ assembled, and great excitement prevailed, but without any
Durfre. act of violence at the time. The feeling, however, has not
1§41. yet subsided, as has been recently manifested in the trial of
M'Jjeod for the murder of Durfee. Na\y Island was evacu-
xT*^*^?' J ^^^'^ oi^ ^^^6 13th of January, 1838, and the British took It
"evl^uated! ^-g'^^'^ ^'^'^^ their possession on the 15th. Immediately on
reaching the American shore, Van Rensselaer, the volunteer
chief of the party, who had thus exposed the country to war,
by trespassing on the territorial rights of another nation, Avas
arrested at the suit of the United States, but admitted to bail.
Disputes of Another source of disagreement between the United States
long stand- and England is the northeastern boundary. The question has
ing respect- seemed on the eve of being forcibly contested, by the British
north-west authorities in New Brunswick, and the state government of
boundary. Maine. Armed bands have been sent out on both sides to the
" debateable land." The president of the United States sent
General Scott to the scene of contention, and the affair was
for the time quieted, but is as yet unsettled. That these
It is hoped exciting causes have thus far passed by, and a contest has
the princi- ^Qt accrued, is regarded by the friends of peace as an
arrmore'pre^ evidence that war is not so much the order of the world at
valent now the present as in former times ; and the hope is indulged
than former- ^j^^^ ^^ie day is near when man shall wholly cease to inflict
its horrors on his fellow man, and when civilized nations
shall settle upon some method to obtain redress, more rational
than fire and sword ; — some appeal more likely to do justice
to the weak and oppressed, than that of arms.*
1§40. Xhe census of 1840, gave as the number of inhabitants in
The census. ^^^ ^j^^-^^^ g^^^^^^ 17,068,666.
The presidential election was decided by vote of the elec-
toral college, and a large majority was given to William
Henry Harrison, whose social and public virtues had been
rendered conspicuous by the various oflicial stations a
long and useful life. The good man loved his country
and was pleased tliat his country loved him in return. Full
of benevolent thoughts and patriotic anticipations, he bade
adieu to a home which he had not enriched, and to a state
which he had, and passing for the last time along the
* Sepiember, 1842. — A treaty has just been negociated, between Daniel
Webster the American Secretary, and Lord Ashburton on the part of the
British, which seitles the question of the northeastern boundary.
ELEVATION AND DEATH OF HARRISON. 393
beautiful windings of that familiar stream which he was to be- PART iv.
hold no more, he safely moved on to the capitol. period iii.
On tlie 4th of March he was inaugurated as president of ^^^-^^ i^-
the United States, with John Tyler of Virginia, who was ^-^^v-**-^
made vice-president at the same time. His inaugural speech
was long, and characteristic of the uprightness of his con- j,? 'T !
science, and the reverential trust with which he reposed him- inaucrura-
self and his country upon the Great Supreme. tionofHar-
From the capitol he went to the presidential mansion, rifon and
Thousands flocked around him with congratulations and prof-
fers of service, whose sincerity he was not prone to doubt,
for he was himself sincere. The sunshine of public favor T^^^u^'r
thus fell too brightly upon a head white with the frosts of age. president
His health failed, and he expired just a month from the day Harrison,
of his inauguration.
]Mr. Tyler, by the constitution, became possessed of the jvir. Tyler
office of president on the decease of the incumbent. He im- succeeds to
mediately left his home, repaired to Washington, and took ^^^ P""^^^'
the oath of office. He soon issued an address, as agreeable
to the patriotic sentiments of the people, as the appointment
of a day of public fasting, subsequently made, was to their re- „ •
ligious feelings. The day was kept by all denominations ; ^ jay of ^
and many were the prayers, that God would forgive our na- public fast-
tional sins, especially our late forgetfulness, publicly to ac- '"§•
knowledge Him in our ways ; that He would not withdraw
the favor which he had heretofore shown to our fathers and
to us ; nor suffer us to become the prey of a lawless disregard
to order among the people, or of a spirit of self-aggrandize-
ment among those who are, or would be elevated to office ;
but that in meekness, rulers may be sought out, who "fear
God and hate covetousness ;" and that once in power, they
may, like Washington, resist its corrupting influences.
27
THE
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Framed during the year 1787, hy a convention of delegates^
who met at Philadelphia, from the states of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penu'
sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more per-
fect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for *
the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Preamble
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION I. '
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress Le-nslative
of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and nouse of powers,
representatives.
SECTION n. •
I. The house of representatives shall be composed of members,
chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the ^^ source
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for elec-
tors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
II. No person shall be a representative, who shall not have
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a Eligibility of
citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an "^^^^ves" *"
inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.
III. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among
the several states which may be included within this Union, accord- jy^nner and
jng to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding ratio of
to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to servi-
27*
396
CONSTITUTION.
tude for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths
of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within
three years after the first meeting of the congress of the United
. States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such man-
tion and tax- ner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives
ation. shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall
have at least one representative : and, until such enumeration shall
be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose
three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Planta-
tions one, Connecticut five, New York six. New Jersey four, Penn-
sylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten. North
Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
IV. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state,
Vacancies, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill
such vacancies.
Speaker and V. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker, and
impeach- qi]^qj- officers ; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
SECTION III.
Senators,
two from
each state.
Arrange-
ment for a
choice of
one-third
every second
year.
Eligibility to
office.
Presiding
officer.
Power of
trial in im-
peachments,
and
penalty.
I. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two
senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six
years : and each senator shall have one vote.
II. Immediately after they shall be assembled, in consequence of
the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into
three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be
vacated at the expiration of the second year ; of the second class, at
the expiration of the fourth year ; and of the third class, at the
expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every
second year ; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise,
during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive there-
of may make temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the
legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
III. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to
the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that
state for which he shall be chosen.
IV. The vice-president of the United States shall be president of
the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
V. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a presi-
dent pro tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he
shall exercise the office of president of the United States.
VI. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments.
When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath, or affirmation.
When the president of the United States is tried, the chief-justice
shall preside : and no person shall be convicted without the con-
currence of two-thirds of the members present.
VII. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy
any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the
CONSTITUTION. 397
party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject lo indict-
ment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
SECTION IV.
I. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators
and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legisla- Elections,
ture thereof; but the congress may, at any time by law, make or
alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.
II. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and iir .. r
such meeting shall be on che first Monday in December, unless they congress,
shall, by law, appoint a different day.
SECTION V.
Their or-
ganization.
I. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall con-
stitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may adjourn
from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of
absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each
house may provide.
II. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish
its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of Rules,
two-thirds, expel a member.
III. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their
judgment, require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members
of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of
those present, be entered on the journals.
lA'^. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without
.1 /• 1 1 1- ,- ,111 . and adjourn
the consent oi the other, adjourn tor more than three days, nor to ment.
any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
SECTION VI.
I. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the
treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases except trea- Compensa-
son, felony, and breach of peace, be privileged from arrest during M"" ^^^
their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in
going to and returning from the same ; and for any speech or de-
bate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other
place.
II. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which
he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority „,
of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emolu- offices."
ments whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no
person, holding any office under the United States, shall be a member
of either house during his continuance in office.
398 CONSTITUTION.
SECTION VII.
I. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of
Origin of representatives ; but the senate may propose or concur with amend-
' ments, as on other bills.
II. Every bill which shall have passed the house of representa-
tives and the senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to
the president of the United States ; if he approve, he shall sign it,
but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in
which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large
on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such re-
in^becoidn- consideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it
laws. ^ shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-
thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the
votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the ,
names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be
returned by the president within ten days, (Sundays excepted) after
it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like
manner as if he had signed it, unless the congress, by their adjourn-
ment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
III. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of
the senate and house of representatives may be necessary (except on
Approval a question of adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the
and veto United States ; and before the same shall take effect, shall be ap-
powers. proved by him ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by
two-thirds of the senate and house of representatives, according to
the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.
SECTION VIII.
The congress shall have power —
I. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises ; to pay
the debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of
the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be
uniform throughout the United States.
II. To borrow money on the credit of the United States.
III. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the
Of the du- several states, and with the Indian tribes.
plfweTof I^^- To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform
congress, laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.
V. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin,
and fix the standard of weights and measures.
VI. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities
and current coin of the United States.
VII. To establish post-offices and post-roads.
VIII. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by
securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive
right to their respective writings and discoveries.
CONSTITUTION. 399
IX. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court.
X. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the
nigh seas, and offenses against the law of nations.
XL To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and
make rules concerning captures on land, or water.
XII. To raise and support armies ; but no appropriation of money
to that use shall be for a longer term than two years.
XIII. To provide and maintain a navy.
XIV. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land
and naval forces.
XV. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws
of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.
XVI. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the mi-
litia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the
service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the
appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia,
according to the discipline prescribed by congress.
XVII. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever,
over such district, (not exceeding ten miles square,) as may, by ces-
sion of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the
seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like
authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature
of the state' in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts,
magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings : — and
XVIII. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers
vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or
in any department, or office thereof.
SECTION IX.
I. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited Personal
by the congress, prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and
eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not ex-
ceeding ten dollars for each person.
II. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus- Right of
pended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public *"
safety may require it.
III. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shaU be passed. Attainder.
IV. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in
proportion to the census, or enumeration, herein before directed to *^''Pi***'*>'^
be taken.
V. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
No preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or Commercial
revenue, to the ports of one state over those of another ; nor shall revenue.
vessels, bound to or from one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay
duties in another.
VI. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in conse-
quence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and ^^^^"'
400 CONSTITUTION.
account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall
be published from time to time.
VII. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States :
Interdiction ^-^d HO person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall,
of titles, without the consent of congress, accept of any present, emolument,
office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreiga
state.
SECTION X.
I. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation ;
Conserva- grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of credit ;
ere vested Tn ^^^^ ^.ny thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ;
the Union, pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
II. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any imposts
or duties on imports or export^, except what may be absolutely ne-
cessary for executing its inspection laws : and the net produce of all
Further de- duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports and exports, shall
fined. be for the use of the treasury of the United States, and all such laws
shall be subject to the revision and control of congress. No state
shall, without the consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage,
keep troops, or ships of war, in time of peace, enter into any
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power,
or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent
danger as will not admit of delay.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION I.
I. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United
The chief States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four
magistiate. years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for the same
term, be elected as follows :
II. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number
of his elec- of senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in
tion the congress ; but no senator or representative, or person holding an
office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed
an elector.
III. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by
by thepco- \)r^\lo^ for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabit-
ant of the same state with themselves. And they shall m.ake a list ot
all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which
list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat ot
government of the United States, directed to the president of the
senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the
by the house senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and
of repiescn- the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest
**'^*'^^' number of votes shall be the president, if such number be a majority of
the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more thar
, CONSTITUTION. 401
one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes,
then the house of representatives shall immediately choose, by ballot,
one of them for president : and if no person have a majority, then
from the five highest on the list, the said house shall, in like manner,
, choose the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall
be taken by states, the representation from each state having one
vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem-
bers from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states
shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of and of the
the president, the person having the greatest number of votes of the vice-presi-
electors, shall be the vice-president. But if there should remain two ^" "
or more who have equal votes, the senate shall choose from them by
ballot, the vice-president.
IV. The congress may determine the time of choosing the elec-
tors, and the day on which they shall give their votes : which day
shall be the same throughout the United States.
V. No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the
United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall Require-
be eligible to the office of president, neither shall any person be eligi- ment for of-
ble to that office, who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five
years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
VI. In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his
death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of
the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the Proviso m
congress may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resig- case of death
nation, or inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring
what officer shall then act as president, and such officer shall act
accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be
elected.
VII. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services,
a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished Compensa-
during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall '
not receive, within that period, any other emolument from the United
States, or any of them.
VIII. Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall
take the following oath, or affirmation :
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the
office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my °^^\°^ °^"
ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United
States."
SECTION II.
I. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states,
when called into the actual service of the United States ; he jjis duties
may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each
of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the du-
ties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant re-
prieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in
cases of impeachment.
402 CONSTITUTION.
9
II. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of
the senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators
present concur ; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice
and powers ^"^ consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public
in malung ministers, and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other
treaties, officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein
otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law. But
the congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior offi-
cers as they think proper in the president alone, in the courts of law,
or in the heads of departments.
.,,. HI. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that
filling vacan- , j ■ j.\. i-^i ^ , • . .
cies, and ^^^ happen aurmg the recess oi the senate, by grantmg comimssions,
which shall expire at the end of their next session.
SECTION III.
He shall, from time to time, give to the congress information of
the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such
measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may, on
extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of them, and
"congress."' i" ^^^e of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of
adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think
proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; he
shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com-
mission all the officers of the United States.
conveninsr of
SECTION IV.
The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the United
Removal States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con-
viction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION I.
The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one su-
preme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may, from
anr^'and'" *™^ ^^ time, ordafh and establish. The judges, both of the supreme
method of and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and
investiture, shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
SECTION II.
I. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity,
arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and
Their pow- treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all
*"■ cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls ; to
all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to
which the United States shall be a party ; to controversies between
CONSTITUTION.
403
two or more states, between a state and citizens of another state,
between citizens of different states, between citizens of the same
state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a
state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.
II. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and
consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme Rules of pro-
court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases before men- "^^ ^^^'
tioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as
to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as
the congress shall make.
III. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall
be by jury ; and such trials shall be held in the state where the said
crime shall have been committed ; but when not committed within
any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the congress
may, by law, have directed.
SECTION III.
I. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid p^'aty^e of
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the treason, and
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession
in open court.
II. The congress shall have power to declare the punishment ,
c ^ i" ■ J n 111 ,. "ow pun-
or treason, but no attamder of treason shall work corruption of ished.
blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION I.
FuU faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts,
records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the con- Guaranty of
gress may, by genera! laws, prescribe the manner in which such *'^'® "ghts,
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
SECTION II.
I. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges
and immunities of citizens in the several states. "zatlon
II. A person, charged in any state with treason, felony, or other
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, 5,
shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from which \ition*^"'*
he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having the juris-
diction of the crime.
III. No person, held to service or labor in one state, under the laws
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law, or
regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but ^" dTr"^^"'
shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or
labor may be due.
404
CONSTITUTION.
SECTION III.
I. New states may be admitted by the congress into this Union,
New states ^^^ "^ ^^^ State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction
of any other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two
or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legisla-
tures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress.
II. The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all
and public needful rules and regulations respecting the territory, or other pro-
lands, perty, belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this constitu-
tion shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United
States, or of any particular state.
SECTION IV.
The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union, a
Protection of republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against
vemment. invasion ; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive,
(when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
ARTICLE V.
The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it
ments of "the necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the
constitution, application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states,
shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either
case, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of this consti-
tution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the
other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress : Pro-
vided, that no amendment, which may be made prior to the year one
thousand eight hundred and eight, shall, in any manner, affect the
first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and
that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suf-
frages in the senate.
with provi-
sos.
Recognitica
of antece-
dent claims
Basis of gC'
vernment
consoli-
dated,
and obliga-
tion of its
officers.
ARTICLE VI.
I. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the
adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United
States under this constitution, as under the confederation.
II. This Constitution and the laws of the United States, which
shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall
be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every state shall
be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state
to the contrary notwithstanding.
III. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the
members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and ju-
dicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states,
shall be bound by oath, or aflHrmation, to support this Constitution ;
CONSTITUTION. 405
and no religious test shall ever be required, as a qualification to any
office or public trust under the United States.
ARTICLE VII.
The ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be suf- Constitu-
ficient for the establishment of this Constitution, between the states tion.
so ratifying the same.
Done in conveMion by the unanimous consent of the states present,
the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thou-
sand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Indpendence of
of the United Slates of America, the twelfth. In loitness ivhereof,
we have hereunto subscribed our names.
The Constitution, although formed in 1787, veas not adopted until
1788, and did not commence its operations until 1789. The number i-^me of
of delegates chosen to this convention was sixty-five, of whom ten adoption,
did not attend, and sixteen refused to sign the Constitution. The
following thirty-nine signed the Constitution : —
New Hampshire. — John Langdon, Nicholas Gelman.
Massachusetts. — Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King.
Connecticut. — William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman.
New Yoj'k. — Alexander Hamilton.
Neiv Jersey. — William Livingston, David Brearley, William Pat-
terson, Jonathan Dayton.
Penns!/Zca?i/a.— Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Mor- j^.^^ ^^ ^.
ris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared IngersoU, James er».
Wilson, Gouverneur Morris.
Delaware. — George Read, Gunning Bedford, jr., John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom.
Maryland. — James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer,
Daniel Carroll.
. Virginia. — John Blair, James Madison, jr.
North Carolina. — William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh
Williamson.
South Carolina. — John Rutledge, Charles C. Pinkney, Charles
Pinkney, Pierce Butler.
Georgia. — ^William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.
406 , CONSTITUTION.
AJVIENDMENTS
2b the Constitution of the United States, ratified according to the Pro-
visions of the Fifth Article of the foregoing Constitution.
[Congress, at their first session under the Constitution, held in the
city of New York, in 1789, proposed to the legislatures of the
several States twelve amendments, ten of which only were
adopted. They are the first ten of the following amendments;
and they were ratified by three-fourths, the constitutional number,
of the States, on the 15th of December, 1791. The eleventh
amendment was proposed at the first session of the third Con-
gress, and was declared in a message from the President of the
United States to both Houses of Congress, dated the 8th of
January, 1798, to have been adopted by the constitutional number
of States. The twelfth amendment, which was proposed at the first
session of the eighth Congress, was adopted by the constitutional
number of States in the year 1804, according to a public notice
by the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804.]
ARTICLE I.
Religious Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
toleration. ^^ prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom ot
Rishts of the ^ , ° , , • , ^ i ■, , i
press ; and speech, or or the press ; or the rights ot the people peaceably to as-
petition. semble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
ARTICLE II. t
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free
The militia, state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be in-
fringed.
ARTICLE III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house with-
out the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to
be prescribed by law.
ARTICLE IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, pa-
Search war- P^''^' ^"^ effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
rants and not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
seizures, supported by oath, or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
ARTICLE V.
J/^^ nT^u^ No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infa-
^es. ^ mous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury.
CONSTITUTION. 407
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia,
when in actual service, in time of war, or public danger ; nor shall
any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy
of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a Judicial
witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, safe^guards
without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for
public use without just compensation.
ARTICLE VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a Trial by
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district J"0'»
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall
have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the wit-
nesses against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit-
nesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his
defense.
and wit-
nesses.
ARTICLE VII.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall ex-
ceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and regulated by
no fact, tried by jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court ^f <=°™°°"i*w-
the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
ARTICLE VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, gajL
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
ARTICLE IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not ^''"^ ^-
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. stituiional"
ARTICLE X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, and state
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respect- rights drawn.
ively, or to the people.
ARTICLE XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to t • •. .-
J ^ ■ • , • •■ , . Limitation
extend to any suit m law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against of judicial
one of the United States, by citizens of another state, or by citizens power.
or subjects of any foreign state.
ARTICLE XII.
The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by
ballot, for president and vice-president, one of whom, at least, shall
not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall Amendment
name, in their ballots, the person voted for as president, and, in Sett^'iv"
distinct ballots, the person voted for as vice-president ; and they resjjecting
shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of elections.
40S CONSTITUTION.
all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes
for each, vi^hich lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed,
to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the pre-
sident of the senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence
of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates,
and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest
number of votes for president, shall be the president, if such a num-
ber be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and
if no person have such a majority, then from the persons having the
highest numbers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted for
as president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately,
by ballot, the president. But, in choosing the president, the votes
shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having
one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or
members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the
states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of represen-
tatives shall not choose a president, whenever the right of choice
shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next follow-
ing, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in the case of
the death, or other constitutional disability of the president.
The person having the greatest number of votes as vice-president,
shall be the vice-president, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority,
then, from the two highest numbers on the list, the senate shall
choose the vice-president — a quorum for the purpose shall consist of
two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and a majority of the
whole number shall be necessary to a choice.
But no person, constitutionally ineligible to the office of president,
shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States.
QUESTIONS.
CHRONOGRAPHICAL PLAN.
At what epoch of time does the History
begin ? Into how many parts is it divided ?
Part I. — In what year does the first part
begin ? In what year does it close ? On
what subject does it treat ? Into how many
periods is it .divided ? When does the first
period begin ? What event marks it ? When
does the first period terminate ? What event
marks that time ? When does the second
period begin ? Wlien does it terminate ?
What event marks the termination ? When
does the third period begin ? When does
it terminate ? What marks its termina-
tion ?
Part II. — At what time does the second
part begin ? What event marks this point of
time ? In what year does it terminate ? What
event marks the termination ? What are the
subjects of the second part ? Into how many
periods is it divided ! When does the first
period begin ? When does it terminate ?
What event marks the commencement of the
period ? — What its termination ? At what
time does the second period begin ? When
does it terminate ? What marks its com-
mencement ? What its close ? At what time
does the third period begin ? When does it
end ? What event marks the commencement?
What the close ?
Part III. — At what time does the third part
begin ? When does it close '' What event
marks its commencement? What its termi-
nation? On what subject does it treat ? Into
how many periods is it divided ? Wlien does
tht first period begin ? When does it close ?
What marks the beginning of the first period ?
What its termination? When does the sec-
ond period begin ? When does it close ?
What marks its commencement ? What its
termination ?
Part IV. — At what time does the fourth
part begin? At what time does it terminate T
On what subject does it treat ? Into hov»
many periods is it divided? At what time
does the first period begin ? When does it
terminate ? What event marks its commence-
ment ? What its end? At what time does
the second period begin? At what time does
it close f What event marks its beginning?
What its conclusion ? At what time does the
third period begin ? When does it terminate?
What event marks the commencement ! What
the close ?
What centuries does the entire History em-
brace ? How many years of eacli century?
How many years are embraced in the whole
time? Name the events which fall in the fif-
teenth century — those which fall in the six-
teenth— those in the seventeenth — those in
the eighteenth — and those in the nineteenth.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I
What are the hmits of the country of which
the history treats ? By what other name is it
called ? Why is the latter name a proper one ?
Was the country inhabited when first known
to the Europeans? Were the inhabitants
civilized or savage ? How far back can
we trace their authentic history? On what
can we form conjectures in relation to it?
Who was the second father of the human
family ? In what part of the world was he
found after the deluge ? At what place do
the eastern and western continents most
nearly approach ? Who were the early in-
oabitants of this region found to resemble ?
What is inferred from this fact ? Why is it
supposed that a more civilized race had pre-
ceded the inhabitants found by the Europe-
ans ? How then is it supposed that America
was peopled ?
Where did the more civilized inhabitants
settle after being expelled from the north ?
What nations did not migrate? Did the
Indians possess any books on manuscripts '
What supplied their place? According to
tradition, where did the Lenni Lenape dwell ?
When they came east to the Mississippi, what
tribe did they meet with ? By whom was
the country east of the Mississippi inhabited^
What is said of the AUegewi' What did
28
409
PART I.]
QUESTIONS.
[period 1.
the Lenape ask ? What did they then do ?
What coui-se did the Allege wi adopt ? What
was the consequence ? What became of the
AUegcwi :' What did the victorious nations
then do '
Which part did the Iroquois take ? WTiich
part did the Lenape occupy ? What became
the centre of their territory ? Into how many
tribes did they divide themselves, and what
were they called ? What country was occu-
pied by the Turtle and Turkey, and what by
the Wolf? When the countrj' became peo-
pled by the Europeans, what became of the
Lenape or Delawares ? What country did
tht Mohegans occupy ? From whom were
they supposed to descend! WTiere did the
Iroquois lii-st settle ? Did they afterwards en-
croach on the Lenape or Delawares ? What
nation did they conquer ? Did this nation de-
scend from the Lenape or the Iroquois ?
Did difficulty at length arise between the
Delawares and Iroquois ? What singular fact
appears in regard to the Delawares .' What
reason did the Iroquois give for this ? What
reason did the Delawares give ?
What did the Iroquois declare in council ?
What was the name of the distinguished
Delaware chief? Does the tradition of the
Indians appear to coincide with the most pro-
bable hypothesis concerning them ? ^^^iich
race is supposed to have come first from across
Bherine's Straits ? Where did they first set-
tle ? What hordes afterwards followed and
expelled them ? Where is it supposed that
the AUegewi fled to ? To what three primi-
tive stocks may the languages of the aborigi-
nes be traced ? Why is it supposed that a
portion of the primitive race may have settled
in the vales of the Mobile ?
Which tribes have resisted the influence of
civilization ? Which have made some ad-
vances in it, and received Christianity ? What
has our own nation done in regard to the
Indians ?
CHAPTER II.
By what other names were the Lenni Le-
nape known ? By what other name were the
Mengwe known ? What were they after-
wards called ? Of what did the Delawares
claim to be the head ? What nations did our
forefathers find on the shores of the Atlantic?
What Indians were earliest known to the
English ? When was the first settlement of
the colony of Virginia made ? What was
then observed in regard to the Indians ? Un-
der whom were the tribes in the lowlands
united ? How many tribes did the confede-
racy contain ? How many persons ? Who
was the great sachem of the confederacy ?
Where was the seat of his hereditarj' do-
mains ' Of what distin£uished person was
this the native land ? What occurred soon
after the settlement of Jamestow n ? Against
whom were the tribes combined ?
How many principal tribes were there
in New England ? WTiich was the first
known ? What distinguished chiefs did it
produce ? What part of the country did they
occupy ? Where was the seat of their sa-
chems ? What occurred in 1614 ? With what
were the Pokanokets and the other New Eng-
land tribes afflicted ? What were the remain-
ing four tribes in New England ? Where was
the principal seat of the Pawtuckets ? What
was their number ? What part did the Massa-
chusetts occupy ?
Who was the principal person of this
confederacy found by the English ? Who
was she ? What occurred in 1621 ? Where
was the seat of the Narragansetts? What
is observed of their location ? What of the
character of the tribe ? What is said of
Canonicus ? What countrj- did the Pe-
quods occupy ? Who was their^ grand sa-
chem ? Where was his residence ? What
tribe was subject to the Pequods ? What the
name of its chief? Where his residence?
What names were given to the Indians of
northern New England? What is said of
them ? What tribes were found by the first
settlers on the St. Lawrence? What do
the Iroquois become ? Where do they set-
tle ? What is said of the Five Nations ?
Which of them was the most warlike ? Name
the principal tribes of the southern Indians
and their locations ? What is said of the
Natchez ? What of the Shawanese ?
PART I.
PERIOD 1.
At what time does the first Period begin '
What event marks that time ? To what time
does it extend ? What event marks the close
of the Period? By whom were the lands
granteii '' To whom ?
CHAPTER I.
On what ground did the European sove-
vereigns claim the country? Was the new
world discovered by accident ? In what year
was Columbus born ? At what place ? What
was his character ?
What is said of the spirit of the times?
410
What first stimulated the mind of Columbus?
What form did he attribute to the earth ? To
whom did he first oflfer his services, and with
what result ? What did he then do ? Wliat oc-
curred at the court of Spain ? Who finally
offered him aid ? How did she offer to raise
the money ? In what year did Columbus make
his first vo\-age ? On what day did he dis-
cover land? Where was it, and what was it
called ? What occurred in his third voyage ?
Who gave name to the continent ? In what
year did Columbus make his fourth voyage?
What occurred on his return? What preten-
sion is set up by the Welsh ? What by the
Norwegians ?
PART I.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
CHAPTER II.
What are the principal European nations
who first discovered and settled America?
Under whose reign was the continent dis-
covered ? — by whom? — in what year? — and
where did they first land ?
Who first explored the coast ? — and when ?
Whom did Francis I. send out ? Describe
his voyage and discoveries ? Who w.is the
great discoverer under the French govern-
ment ? In what year did he make his first
voyage ? Describe his voyage. In what year
did he make his second voyage ?
Describe that voyage. What name was
given to the newly discovered country ? Who
was appointed its viceroy ? What was the
character of the colonists ? Who founded
Quel)ec '. In what year ? What was the re-
sult ? What were the French protestants
called ? What admiral befriended them ?
Wlio did he send out to colonize them ?_ In
what year ? Where did they land ? What
became of the colony ! What did Coligni
then do ?
CHAPTER III.
What were the objects of Ponce de Leon ?
What country did he discover? In what
year ? Who visited the coast of South Caro-
lina?
In what year ? What did he do ? Wlio at-
tempted the conquest of Florida? In what
year ? What was the result ? Who after-
wards attempted it ? In what year ? What
was the result? Wliat animated the hope of
De Soto ? What became of him ? — Of the
remnant of his army? What expedition was
sent out by Philip II. of Spain? Who com-
manded the expedition ?
What place did he discover? In what
year? What is said of this settlement?
Describe the proceedings of IVIelendez ?
When the news of the massacre reached
France, did the French government avenge
it ? Who attempted to punish the Spaniards
for it ? Which proved to be the first perma-
nent settlement in the limits of the United
States ?
PERIOD II.
At what time does this period begin ? At
what time does it end ? What event distin-
guishes the beginning of the period ? What
event marks its end ?
CHAPTER I.
By what right did the English monarchy
claim the countiy ? To whom did Queen
Elizabeth grant a patent ? What rights did
the patent confer ? What did it require ?
What was the result of Gilbert's first voyage ?
Give an account of the second. In what
year did he die, — and how? Who pursued
his plans ? Who did he first send out ? In
what year, and where did they land ? By
whom were they received, and how? Who
named Virginia, and why?
Who commanded the expedition sent out
in 1585 ? Of how many ships did it consist ?
Where was a colony left ? Under whom ?
What became of it? When was the second
colony planted ? — Under whom ? Of how
many did it consi.st ? What became of the
colony ? What did Raleigh do with his pa-
tent ? In what year ? In what year did Gos-
nold visit New England ? Give an account
of his voyage — where he first landed, &c.
How did lie find the natives ? What did he
carry back to England ? To whom did Henry
IV. grant a patent ? Of what country ? In
what year ? Give an account of the voyage
of De Monts. Between whom did James I.
divide the countrj' ? Which part did he grant
to the London, and which to the Plymouth
company ? What did he authorize tlie com-
panies to do? When did the Plymouth com-
pany send out the first vessell What became
of herl Whom did they send out in 16071
What was thp result f
How Inns from the discovery of North .Ame-
rica to tliis period ■? Was this then an English
settlement t
CHAPTER II.
Who commanded the expedition sent out
by the London company in 1607? Of how
many ships and men did it consist ? What
distinguished man came with it ? Give a
sketch of his early life and character. What
bay did the fleet, under Newport, enter?
What river did they explore ? What did they
call it? Where did they fix the first settle-
ment?— At what time? What is said of the
government of the colony ?
Who was the first president? What is said
of him? Who succeeded him? What course
did the neighboring Indians take ? What was
the condition of the colonists? What did the
London company direct ? What did Smith
do? Who was the principal chief of the
neighboring savages ? Where was his resi-
dence ? What was the rt^sult of Smith's ex
pedition ?
When captured, how did he interest the
Indians? What impression did he make on
them ? How wa.s he treated by them ? Who
finally decided his fate ? State the circum-
stances attending it. By whom was he res-
cued ?
Was his captivity of advantage to the colo-
ny ? What was the state of the colony.on his
return ? What part of the countrj' did he ex-
plore ? Of what tribe did he hear of ? What
happened on his return ?
CHAPTER III.
What change was now effected in the char-
ter of the company ?
How many new adventurers were sent out?
What was their character? Who was ap
pointed governor? What happened to the
fleet ? How many reached Jamestown ? In
what situation did Smith find himself? How
did Pocahontas conduct toward the colony?
How did she save Smith's life a second time?
What happened to Smith soon after? What
did he do ? What happened after his depar-
ture ? How many colonists did Smith leave f
How many remained after six months ? How
28* 411
PART ll
QUESTIONS.
[period hi.
did Sir Thomas Gates and his companions
reach the colony ? In what condition did
they find the colonists ? What plan did they
adopt ? What prevented its execution?
At what time did Lord Delaware leave the
colony ? By whom was he succeeded ? Who
joined the colony soon after ? By whom, and
in what manner was Pocahontas betrayed
and made prisoner ? Whom did she marry !
At what time ? What were the consequences
to the colony ? Whence did she go after
marriage ? What are the incidents of her
history after reaching England ? Who suc-
ceeded Dale as governor ? In wh,at year ?
What is said of his administration? Who
succeeded him ? In what year ? When was
the first general assembly called, and by
whom ? How many boroughs were repre-
sented? Was this measure agreeable to the
colonists ? What expedient was adopted to
augment the colony ? Whom did King James
introduce into the colony .' At what period
did slavery begin, and how ?
CHAPTER IV.
In what year was the Hudson river dis-
covered ? By whom ? In whose service was
he ? In what year was Quebec founded ?
By whom ? What expedition did he under-
take ? What lake did they traverse ? Where
was the main battle fought ? What became
of the Plymouth company 1 What occurred
in the voyage of Smith and Hunt to the north ?
Why the name New England ? What expe-
dition did Argall undertake ? With what
success ?
PERIOD III.
In what year does this Period commence?
In what year does it end ? What event naarks
the commencement ! What its termination ?
were the points of difTerence ? Who were
the Separatists ? Who plead the rights ot
conscience before the Court of High Com
mission ? To what sect did they belong '
What was the condition of the Puritans ?
CHAPTER I.
At what period of the history have we now
arrived ? What event in the history of the
world most afTected social institutions ? Wliat
tended to the corruption of Christianity?
Who overran the Roman Empire ? In what
centuries ? What changes in the social sys-
tem followed ?
What arrested the course of the feudal
tyranny? What is its character ? What im-
portant events transpired in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries ? What monarch of Eng-
land favored the reformation? Why did he
so favor it? Who translated the Bible into
English? In what year? Who succeeded
Henry ? What was done in his reign ? Who
succeeded Edward VI.? In what year?
What was her character, and consequences of
her conduct ? Into how many parts were the
Protestants divided ? What distinguished one
from the other ? In what year did Mary die .'
The consequences ?
Who succeeded Mary ? What were her
private feelings ? How did she find the peo-
ple ? What was done by the parliament ?
What court did they create ? Who was tried
t>efore the court? Who presided? What
412
CHAPTER II.
What law was passed in 1592? Who did
not comply with the law ? Where did they
decide to emigrate ? WTiat was the result of
the first attempt ? When was the second
attempt made ? Under what circumstances,
and with what success ? What occurred on
the passage ? Where did they settle f
To what place did they afterwards remove ?
What induced them to remove from Holland?
To what country did they wish to emigrate ?
What measures did they adopt ? Who were
their leading men ? What reasons did they
give why they should succeed? By whose
aid was the patent obtained? How did they
raise money for the enterprise ?
How many vessels were prepared ? What
were their names ? Did they accommodate
all ? What transpired previous to their sepa-
ration ? From what place did they depart '
To what part did they sail ? Who were theii
leading men? What occurred after sailing
from Southampton ? From whence did they
finally sail? On what day ? In what vessel?
At what place in the United States did they
first land ? On what day ? What place had
been selected '. Why a change ? Where did
they finally land ? What was the first act on
arriving in the harbor ? What covenant did
they sign ?
What great principle of government did
this compact set forth ? How many persons
arrived in the May Flower? Who \sas cho-
sen governor? Who captain? On what day
did they land? In what condition did they
find themselves ? What was undertaken by
some of the number? What dangers did
they encounter from the savages ? What
from the elements ?
On what day did they land on the rock of
Plymouth ? From what did they name the
place? What time did they begin to build?
Into how many families did they divide the
company ? What transpired during the win-
ter ? How many of the company perished ?
Were they disheartened ? Did they wish to
return in the spring ?
CHAPTER III.
How did the pilgrims regard the destruc-
tion of the savages by the plague ? Who first
welcomed them ? Whom did he afterwards
bring with him ? Who was the sachem of the
Pokanokets ? Who went out to confer with
him ?
What w^as the result of the emba.ssy ? Who
went on an embassy to Massasoit ? To what
place did they go ? What was their object ?
What present did they make ? What was
the reply of Massasoit ? What the advan-
tage of the traffic? What vessel airived
in November ? How many persons did she
bring over ? Why did Massasoit cultivate the
PART I.]
QUESTIONS.
[period III.
friendsWp of the English? Who was the
great chieTof the NarrWansetts ? What did
ne send to Governor Bradford? liflor what
object ? What did the governor send in re-
turn ? At what time does Winslow visit
Massasoit ? For what reason ? Who accom-
panied hirn ? How did he find the chief ?
How did Massasoit receive Winslow?
What did Winslow do for him ? What im-
portant fact was communicated ? What meas-
ures were taiven to arrest the conspiracy?
Was the conspiracy provoked .' By whom?
Why did it particularly alarm the pilgrims ?
What was said by the company in London ?
What measures did they adopt? What did
the colonists do? What did the company re-
ceive for their interest ? Why did the colony
now begin to flourish? What was the form
of their government ? What form did it after-
wards assume ? By whom were the pilgrims
joined. Did Robinson join the colony ! In
what year did he die ? At what place ? How
many inhabitants were there in the colony ten
years after its settlement ? Did the colony
now flourish ? What was the character of
the pilgrims ?
CHAPTER IV.
By whom was the charter granted to the
Plymouth council ? At what time ? For
what was it granted ? What territory did it
cover? What had the territory previously
been called ? What was it afterwards called ?
From what patent were the other grants in
New England derived ? How were the af-
fairs of the corporation managed? Who was
made president of the grand council of Ply-
mouth ? What was his character and proba-
ble motives ? What patent did Mason pro-
cure ? What patent did Gorges and Mason
procure in the next year ? What name was
given to the tract ? What settlements were
made under this grant ?
CHAPTER V.
How were the Puritans treated under
James I. ? What were the conseciuences ?
Who patronized the Massachusetts settle-
ment? In what year was Cape Ann settled !
From whom was the patent for Massachu-
setts obtained ? Who became the pioneer of
the Salem settlement ? In what year ? Who
had selected the site ? What did the proprie-
tors do in 1629 ? What was the company
called ? When was the first general court
held in England t Wlio was made go-
vernor '
When was Charlestown founded ? How
miny persons sailed for America this year ?
What feelings did the new settlements pro-
duce in England ? What enterprise was
started ? What objection was raised ? How-
was it obviated ? Who was chosen governor?
What is said of Winthrop? Whom only did
the company wish to colonize ? How many
persons emigrated? Where did they land ?
How do they find the settlers ? What do
they decide upon ? How many churches are
established in Massachusetts at the close of
1632 ? What were the consequences of the
hardships of the colonists ?
For what did the royal charter provide?
What regiilations were agreed upon ? Who
was chosen governor? Who deputy gover-
nor? Who were allowed to vote at first?
What was decided in May, 1631? What
reason was given for this ? To ^ & did the
early settfers owe their elevation o{ 'rharac-
ter ? Who first inculcated liberal doctrines ?
Where did he first settle ? In what year?
What Indian chiefs came this year to Boston?
What did Uncas say ?
Who visited the pilgrims at Plymouth ? For
what object? Who received them? With
whom had the northern colonies intercourse ?
What effect had the prosperity of the colonies
in England ? How many came out in August,
1633 ? What was the early government of
Massachusetts ? What did it become ? In
what year? Were the representatives elect-
ed by all the people ? When the representa-
tives met, what was the body called ? How
many courts were holden in each year ?
What was made the basis of the criminal
code ? Who succeeded James I. ? In what
year ? What was his character ? How many
emigrants came out in 1G35? What distin-
guished person came out at this time ? What
honor was conferred upon him by the colony ?
In what year ?
CHAPTER VI.
What was the character of Roger Williams?
When did he arrive ? What did he declare
to be the only subjects of human laws? What
did he say of interference with religious feel-
ings ? What did he condemn ? What was
he called ? Where was he invited to settle ?
Who forbade it ? What did Williams do ?
What proceeding did the court take ? What
sentence did the court finally pronounce?
Did the people favor Williams ?
What did the authorities finally do? Where
did Williams take refuge? How did Gover-
nor Winslow receive him ? To what did he
advise him ? To whom did Williams then
appeal ? With what success ? What land
was ceded to him ? What did they name the
place? What service did Williams after-
wards render to the Massachusetts colony ?
CHAPTER VII.
Who claimed to be the discoverers of Con-
necticut river .' Who probably discovered it?
Why did the Indians of the valley desire the
presence of the English ?
In what year did the sachem Walvjuimacut
visit Boston to invite the Engli.sh .' Did go-
vernor Winthrop accept the offer ? Wlio did ?
Who first advised the Plymouth colony to
settle in the valley of the Connecticut .' What
did the Dutch afterwards do ? M'here did
they erect the first trading-house ? What did
they call it ? In what year did the Plymouth
colony settle at Windsor ? Who commanded
the expedition ? What occurred on his pas-
sage up the Connecticut river ? To whom
did the grand council patent Connecticut?
413
PART I.^
QUESTIONS.
^PERIOD 111
Who becime agent for the patentee ? What
was he ordered to do ? What territory did
the patent cover ? Who emigrated from Mas-
sachusetts bay in 1633, to settle on the Con-
necticut river? What places were first set-
tled ?
What was the result of the first attempt f
Did they abandon the enterprise, or persevere ?
Where did Winthrop make a settlement ?
What obstacle did he meet with ? What did
he call the place? And why? Did differ-
ences arise in the first settlements? How
were they adjusted ? Who is regarded as the
principal founder of Connecticut? What
•was his character? Why did he leave Eng-
land?
After he left England, did his congregation
follow him? What occurred at Cambridge
when he again met part of them ? What were
his motives for leaving the Massachusetts co-
lony ? Who was associated with Hooker ?
At what time did the company leave New-
town ? Where did their route lie ? Was it
attended with difficulties? At what place
did they locate ? What was to be done ? How
was it accomplished ?
CHAPTER VIII.
What is the conduct of the Pequods?
Whom do they murder? Where? What
depredations do they commit? In what year
was war declared? By whom? How many
towns were now settled ? How many troops
was each to furnish? Who was chosen to
command them? What route did the troops
take ? How many warriors were furnished
by Miantonomoh? How many by Uncas ?
How many English were actually embodied ?
Who guided them to the fort ? On what day
was the battle fought ? Describe the battle
How many perished? What occurred as
Mason was retreating to the river ?
What was done by the subjects of Sassa
selves ? What was done in the succeeding
^ How were the governor and magis
t(Ae
yean ±^" .■^.- — c —--- ^
trates tdBie elected? Who was elected the
first governor ? What did tiiey finally call the
place ?
cus
uu, : What became of the chief? Who
joined Mason? What was effected by the
united force ? How many Pequods were de-
stroyed ? What was done with the captives ?
How was the land of the Pequods regarded?
And their tribe ? How was the event com-
memorated in New England ? What effect had
the war on the colonies ? In what year did
the colonies of Windsor, Hartford, and
Wethersfield unite ? 'WTiat did their consti-
tution ordain ? Was church-membership made
necessary to vote ? How were taxes to be
laid? Why has Connecticut been called the
land of steady habits ?
CHAPTER IX.
Wh were the founders of the colony of
New Haven? How did Davenport become
favorable to the reformation? What were
his views of theology ? Who was his near
friend ? In what year did they arrive m Bos-
ton? In what year did they reach Quinnipi-
BC? What difficulties did they encounter?
Where did they wot ship on the first Sabbath?
Where did they afterwards meet ? What did
they form ? To what did they bind them-
414
CHAPTER X.
Who appeared to sow discord in the colony ?
What principles did she first lay down ? With
what was she charged? Who censured her?
What doctrine did she finally hold ? What is
this doctrine called ? Who defended her?
Against whom was the opposition most
violent ? Who succeeded Vane as governor ?
What prevented the departure of the troops
for the Pequod war ? What was done in this
extremity? To what colony did she flee?
Where, and how did she finally meet her
death ? At what English university were the
learned men of New England educated ? In
what year did they found a college at New-
town? What was the place afterwards called ?
Who made a bequest to the college ? In what
VG&r I
Where do the followers of Mrs. Hutchinson
settle ? From whom do they obtain the grant ?
By whose influence? On what principles
did they establish the sovernraent ? Where
did another portion of Mrs. Hutchinson's fol-
lowers settle ? In what year were the scat-
tering settlements of New Hampshire united
with the colony of Massachusetts?
CHAPTER XI
From what country was Delaware settled ?
In what year ? Who settled near Cape Hen-
lopen? In what year? In what year was
Maryland settled? By whom? At what
place ? Give the history of George Calvert,
the first Lord Baltimore. After his death,
who obtained the revival of his patent ? What
country did it embrace ? Who was appointed
governor? In what year was the settlement
made ? At what place ? What policy does
Calvert adopt? Wliat effect had this on the
prosperity of the colony ? What was Lord
Baltimore's conduct towards the colony?
How was it appreciated ?
What did Lord Bahimore offer to emigrants
from other colonies ? Who interfered to check
the prosperity of' the colony? How was it
done ? How earlv were the English engaged
in the slave-trade? What was the state of
public sentiment at that time ? In what year
were slaves first brought to Virginia ' ^ By
whom ? In what year did Sir Francis Wyatt
arrive ? What did he bring with him ? What
were its general provisions ? What effect
had this on the colony ? In what year was
the first cotton planted in Virginia? Who
was Opechancanough ? WHiat plan did he
form ? How long was he jp maturing it ? At
what time was it to be executed ? What was
the success of it ? What partially defeated
it ? WTiat consequences flowed from this at-
tempt? 1 j»
When was the London company dissolvea f
By whom ? What reasons were given for this
act ? Who attempted to frame a code of laws
PART II. J
QUESTIONS.
[period I.
for the colony ? What prevented ? In -what
year did James die ? Under whose authority
did the Virginians fall ? What was the char-
acter of his measures ? Whom did he send
over to govern ? What did the colonists do ?
What measures* did the king then adopt ?
W'ho superseded Harvey? In what j'ear .'
What was done in consequence of the short
tobacco crop ? WIio succeeded Wyatt ? In
what year ? What great principle did the
colonists now assert ?
CHAPTER XII.
How was the settlement of New England
in its infancy ? How was it regarded by the
Puritans in England ? What was the conse-
quence ? How did the government view these
proceedings ? What information was com-
municated by those who returned from Mas-
sachusetts ? What measures did the king
take to bring the colonies into subjection ?
What did this council decree ? Whom did it
appoint governor-general ? Did he leave Eng-
land ? Against which colony were the meas-
ures of Laud first directed ? What measures
did the colony adopt ? What were the char-
acters of Gorges and Mason ? What their
proceedings against the colony of Massachu-
setts ' What was the result ?
What measures did the council adopt to
prevent emigration? Were they effectual?
What tended to increase emigration ? How
many came over to New England in 1638?
Did the nobility wish to emigrate ? What
laws did they svish made in the colonies';
What reply did Mr. Cotton make in the name
of the court of Massachusetts ? Was the plan
for hereditary nobility adopted ? What de-
mand did the council in England make on
Governor Winthrop ? What reply did he
make ? What wrought a favora!)le change for
the colonies ? What did King Charles at-
tempt in Scotland ? What was the result ?
What was the fate of Laud '
Did the long parliament favor, or oppose the
Puritans ? Did the colonists seek the support
and aid of England? Whom did the West-
minster assembly of divines invite to join
them ? Did they accept ? What measures
was now adopted by the colonies for their mu-
tual safety? What colonies appointed com-
missioners ? In what year did they meet ?
At what place ? Why did not Rhode Island
join ? What was the name, or style adopted ?
Of how many members was the first congress
composed ? How often was it to assemble ? .
What were its powers ? After what time was
the assembly nominally discontinued ? Of
what may it be considered the germ ?
PART II,
PERIOD 1.
At what time does Part II. begm ? To what
year does it extend? At what time does Pe-
riod I. begin? At what time does it end?
What event marks the beginning of the Pe-
riod ? What its termination?
CHAPTER I.
In whose administration did the Virginians
enjoy liberty and prosperity ? Wliat occurred
in the Virginia colony in 1644? How many
Indians perished ? What was the fate of
Opechancanough ? In what year was Charles
I. beheaded ? Who assumed the management
of affairs in England? What measure did
he devise to oppress the colonies ? What did
this act require ? What did it prohiliit ? In
what year was Charles II. restored ? Under
whom was Berkeley exercising the authority
of eovemor of Virginia ? What did he do ?
How did the restoration affect the interests
of the Virginia colony ? Into what classes
were the colonists of Virginia divided ?
Which side did Berkeley espouse? In what
way were the rights of the people aliridged ?
What did the assembly do ? \\'hat did this
lake from the people ? What right alone re-
mained ? What grant did Charles M. make
on his accession in lfi60? What grants did
he make afterwards in the colony of Virginia?
Wiiat liiJian hostilities began in 1675 ? What
was the conduct of John Washington ? \Miat
was the sentiment of Berkelej'?
What was the conduct of the Indians ?
What was the desire of the people ? ^^'hom
did they wish for their leader ? Did Berkeley
sanction it ? WTiat did he do ? What did the
people demand ? Did they prevail? Under
whom did the people rally in arms ? What
was the conduct of Berkeley ? And what the
reply of Bacon ? How was the matter ar-
ranged ? What was afterwards the conduct
of Berkeley? What the fate of Bacon and
his party? What did Charles II. say of
Berkeley ?
Who was appointed governor of Virginia
under the new charter? What was the char-
acter of his government? How did the colo-
ny escape from his oppression ? Who suc-
ceeded Lord Culpepper? In what year?
What was the ruling motive of his conduct?
What cause of alarm now disturbed the colo-
nies? Where was the« grand council held?
What was the result of the negotiations ?
CHAPTER II.
Who came to Maryland and produced an
insurrection ' Where did Governor Calvert
take refuge? How long before he returned?
In the contest between the king and the par-
liament, which side did the colonies of New
England espouse ? Which side did the south-
415
PART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[per 00 I.
eni colonies take ? For what were com-
missioners appointed ? To what did this
give rise ? Which side adhered to the pro-
prietor ? In what year did he surrender the
government? What was declared hy the as-,
sernt)ly of the victorious party? What other
sects \ve,re persecuted ? What course did
Cromwell take ? Who possessed the actual
power ? Whom did Lord Baltimore appoint
to act as his successor? To whom did the
colony finally submit? What did the repre-
sentatives of the colony finally declare ?
Wha' step was taken by Charles II.? Whom
did tjharles make governor of the province ?
In what year ? In what year did Cecil Cal-
vert, the second Lord Baltimore, die ! What
steps were taken by the people ? What was
forbidden by the English ministry ? What
was the determination of James II. ? And
what measures did he adopt ? In what year
did tlie revolution occur ? Who succeeded
James II. ? What did the agent of Lord Bal-
timore now demand? Did the people acqui-
esce ?
CHAPTER in.
■ What is the geographical position of New
York ? Who discovered the Hudson river ?
In what year? In whose service was he at
the time ? In what year was a company of
merchants fitted out to trade with the newly
discovered regioiy? Where was the first fort
constructed ? Wlio discovered that Long
Island is not connected with the main land .'
In what year did the Dutch sail up the Hud-
son ? Where did they first build a fort ?
Where did thej' finally locate ?
What name was given to the settlement on
Manhatten Island ? Who was its first gover-
nor ? To whom did the Dutch send an en-
voy ? ^^llat was the result ? What was the
name of the new company created by the
Slates' general .' What did the states' gener-
al decree ? To whom was the manor, em-
bracing Fort Orange, conveyed ? In what
year ' How much was it afterwards extend-
ed? Who settled Lewistown, near the Dela-
ware ? Why did Governor Minuets leave the
colony ? Who succeeded him ? Who inter-
fered with the Dutch on the Connecticut
river? Who on the banks of the Delawai'e ?
Who succeeded Van Twiller ? What was his
conduct to the Indians ? What were the con-
sequences?
What tribe friendly to the Dutch inter-
fered ? With what success ? In what year ?
What was the feeling towards Governor
Keift ? — what his fate ? Who succeeded him ?
In what year does he relinquish the territory
at Hartford ? What was divided between the
two parlies ? Who settled Newcastle in
Delaware ? What occurred between the
Swedes and the Dutch? In what year did
Govemcr Stuyvesant sail from New Am-
sterdam to conquer the Swedes ? Was he
successful ? As the colony increased, what
feeling in regard to political rights grew up
among them >. What did the people demand ?
What course did the governor pursue ? What
416
was the decision of the " Nineteen." What
were some of the causes which retarded the
prosperity of the Dutch settlements ? What
grant does Charles II. make to his brother,
Duke of York ? In what year F Who was
dispatched to lake possession ? Where were
the commissioners landed ? What did he next
do ? When asked to surrender, what was the
reply of the Dutch governor ? What was the
result ? What was New Amsterdam then
called ? What settlement under the Dutch
finally surrendered ? What coast was now in
the possession of the English ?
CHAPTER IV.
After whom was Pennsylvania named ? In
what year was Penn Ijorn ? What occurred
while he was at Oxford school? At what age
did he enter Oxford college ? Under whose
preaching was his religious character formed?
What were the feelings of his father? In
what year did he travel abroad ? In what
countries ? With what result ? Where does
his father next send him ? What were the
incidents of his life while in Ireland, and im-
mediately on his return ? What compromise
did his father propose to him, and what his
reply ? What happened to him in the year
1 670 ? On the death of the father, who was
appointed guardian of the son ?
In what year, and whom does he marry?
From whom does Penn obtain a grant of Penn-
sylvania ? \\'hat are the boundaries of the
grant ? In what year is it made ? What
other grants are made soon after ? In what
year did Penn sail for his new province T
Where did he land ? How was he received?
Wfiat was his assurance .' What place did
he next visit ? Where did Penn call the first
asseinl>ly ? In what vear .'
What was required of each member as a
religious test ? What new principle did Penn
introduce into the criminal code ? How long
did the assembly sit ? How many laws did
they pass ? \\ hat directions were given to
Colonel Markham ? Give an account of the
council held by Penn with the Indians. What
did Penn declare to the Indians ? WTiat
did the chiefs then promise ? After this,
where did Penn reside? In what year does
Penn call a second assembly ? WTiat as-
surances did he give them ? What claims
are set up by Lord Baltimore? Are they al-
lowed ? In what year does Penn return to
England ?
CHAPTER V.
Who made a grant of New Jersey ? To
whom was it granted ? In what year ? Why
was it called New Jersey ? In what year
was the constitution framed ? Who was
made governor ? Where was the seat of go-
vernment ?
What difficulties occurred in 1672? In
what way did William Penn become inter-
ested in New Jersey ? What course of policy
did he adopt ? With what success ? Who
purchased East Jersey ? In what year? Of
whom did the purchasers obtain a new patent T
PART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[period 1.
What in England tended to the settlement of
East Jersey ? Who usurped the government
of the Jerseys? In what year? How did
he oppress the people ? What was the course
of Penn ? In what year was Billinge made
governor ? Wlien did he call the first assem-
bly ? What did the people do t
CHAPTER VI.
How does Miantonomoh seek the life of
Uncas ? Failing in his attempt, what does he
next do? After Uncas captures him, how
does he dispose of him ? W hat does the
court do with him ? What is his fate ? Who
obtained the charter for Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations ? In what year ? By
whose aid was it obtained ? Did this settle
the affairs of the colony ? Why not ? Who
again went over to obtain a new charter ? In
what year? What noble example did Rhode
Island set ? Give the character of Williams
and some of the incidents of his life.
Wlio succeeded the long parliament in Eng-
land ? In what year ? In what way did he
injure the interests of the colonies ? What
were the promient provisions of the navigation
act ? What further acts were passed in 1663?
In what year did Connecticut apply for a
charter ? \^'hom did she send to England for
this purpose?
What was the result of Winthrop's mis-
sion ? What w'as the date of the charter
granted by Charles II. ? What colony besides
Hartford was included ? Did the New Ha-
ven colony at first object? In what year was
the union effected ? Who was elected the
first governor ? For how many successive
years was he chosen ? Who was sent over to
command the expedition against the New-
Netherlands ? In what year ? What was the
nature of the commission of which he was
the head ? How did the colonists regard this
commission? Which colony most strenuous-
ly opposed it ? What finally became of the
commission? Under 'whom did Elliot re-
ceive his first religious impressions ? In what
year did he come to Boston ?
At what age ? What were his objects, and
■what his first efforts for the conversion of the
Indians ? What had he accomplished in
1655? Were there many converts in 1674?
With what feelings did the chiefs regard
Christianity ?
CHAPTER Vn
"What was the parentage of King Philip?
What embittered him against the English ? Of
what tribe did he become the chief? What
alarmed and united the savage tribes ? WTiat
trilie unites with Philip ? Who was its chief?
Who betrayed the designs of Philip to the
English ? What was liis fate ? By whom
was the murder committed ? What town was
first attacked by Philip ? In what year ?
What was the result ?
What did the commissioners who met at
Boston decide ? How many men were to be
raised ? What was the first movement made
by the troops ? What did the commissioners
offer for the head of Philip ? To what place
did the Indian king retreat ? What befe! Cap-
tain Hutchinson ? How many men were
slain ? Give an account of the battle of
Bloody Brook. At what time was it fought?
What was done by the Springfield Indians ?
What was now the condition of the colonies ?
What was the object of the Indians ?
WTiat was the conduct of Conanchet in
1675 ? How many men proceeded to attack
him? By whom were they commanded?
Where was his fort located ? Describe the
position of the fort, and the way it was ap-
proached. Also, the battle and the numlier-
slain on either side. What became of the?
tribe, and what was the fate of Conanchet?'
What was the state of the war in the spring;
of 1676 ? How did Philip attempt to arouse-
the Mohawks ? Did Philip's enmity subside ? '
By whom was he finally killed ? At what:
place ? How many inhabitants of New Eng--
land were slain in this war? How many
towns destroyed ? What were the consequen-
ces of Philip's war to the whites? What to-
the savages ? What was the fate of the con- •
verted Indians ? How many towns did they,
lose I Who adhered to them ?
CHAPTER VIII.
To whom does the term '• regicides" apply?"
How many of the regicides came to this,
country ? What were their names ? Where
did they find refuge ? What remarkable ser-
vice w as rendered to the inhabitants by Goffe ?
Were either of the judges betrayed by the
colonists ?
What occurred between the government of
Massachusetts and Gorges in the year 1677?
What claims of Mason were revived in 1675?
When was New Hampshire made a royal pro-
vince ? By whom ? What were the condi-
tions of the charter ? What did the colony
declare ? W horn did Mason select as govern-
or of the colony ? In what year was he sent ? '
Did he carry out his schemes?
Did Massachusetts regard the navigation
acts ? What was she summoned to do ? Who
was sent over to enforce the acts? In what
year ? With what success ? In what year
w as he again sent ? What was demanded of
the colony ? What instructions were given
to the agents? What was the origin of the
two parties which sprung up in Massachu--
setts ? What were they called ? Was the :
charter fi-i:i!ly annulled ? In what year did:
Charles di ■ ? Who succeeded him ? What,
did he declare ? What did he do ? WTiat
was the conduct of the colonists ? Wno was
the first governor-general of New England?
By whom was he succeeded? In what )'ear?
What wore Andross' professions ? What
was said of him? What did he do in regard
to the press ? Wliat did he demand of the
colony of Connecticut? In what year? What
occurred in regard to the charter ? Where was
the principal seat of his tyranny? What col-
onies were added to his jurisdiction ? What
transpired in England in the year 1688'
What measures were taken at Boston on
417
PaRT 1
>]
QUESTIONS.
[period l
hearing of the revolution in England ? How
did the removal of Andross affect New Hamp-
shire ? What did the people desire on the
death of Mason ? How were their wishes
frustrated? In what year was Allen made
governor ? After the revolution what colonies
resumed their charters ? To what colonies
were the old charters denied ?
CHAPTER IX.
Who was the first governor of New York
after the surrender of the Dutch ? Who suc-
ceeded him ? In what year? In what year
did the Dutch re-take New York ? In what
year w;is it restored to the English ? - What
steps didthe Duke of York take to confirm
his title ! Whom did he appoint governor ?
What territoiy did he claim ? Where is he
repulsed ! In what year was Andross remo-
ved ? Wlio succeeded him ? What was his
policy towards the colony?
When the Duke of York succeeded to the
•crown of England, did he favor his own colo-
■ny ? What effects did the revolution produce
rn tiie colony ? What was the conduct of
Captain Leisler? Did the magistrates of
New York oppose or favor him ? What dis-
patches fell into his hands ? What course did
the pco|)le at Albany adopt ? Who subdued
thetn ? Whom did King William commission
as governor of New York? In what year?
What was his character ? What was the
fate of Loislor and his son-in-law ? In what
.year did congress meet in New York ?
CHAPTER X.
What right did the Puritans believe them-
selvis lo have'! What new sect in England
cdiiiK ovci 1 Who was iheir t'oiinilerl How
was he treated? What Quaker women ar-
rived in Uostoii ? What treatment dhl they
receive 1 ilow many came soon after? What
sieps were taken by tlie coiiiiiiissioners ? Did
Ihi Uiiakers persevere ? What was the result ■?
VV liai fliil Christii-on tell ttie tribunal? Was
lie liiially released? Who soon after inter-
.fereil ?
CHAPTER XI.
AVhat missionaries came over from France ?
What two objects did they attempt to unite ?
By whom were their efforts seconded ? Who
went to ttie country of the Hurons in 1634 ?
With what success ? What places were then
settled ? In what year was Montreal found-
ed ? Between what years were the Hurons
visited by the missionaries ? How many mis-
sionaries visited them ? W^ho went on a mis-
sion to the Mohawks ? With what success ?
In what year was peace made with the Five
Nations? What did they declare ? In what
year did Jouges go on a mission to the five
nations? What was the result? What na-
tion makes war ? What nation destroyed St.
Josephs ? In what year?
In what year was the massacre of St. Igna-
tius ? What was the fate of St. Louis ? Of
the two missionaries? What was the bearing of
the Mohawks ? What outrages did they com-
mit? By what means did the missionaries
gain accesp to the Iroquois ? Where did Le
418
Moyne finally settle ? What nations received
the missionaries at tiiis time? How did the
attempt of the French to colonize New York
terminate ? In what year ? What voyage of
discovery was made by father AUouez in
1665? What occurred at the great village of
the Chippewas ?
How was he received by the Indians?
What mission did he found ? What informa-
tion did he collect concerning the country ?
Of what river did he hear ? What did he
recommend ? Who founded the first French
settlement within the limits of the United
States ? At what place ? In what year ?
What was done by Marquette in 1671 ? Wliat
country does he explore in 1673 ? How was
he received by the natives on the Mississippi ?
What other rivers do they discover ? How
far down does he descend ?
By what route does he return to Green Bay?
In what year ? Where did Marquette die ?
How ? In what year ? What is now belie-
ved by the Indians ? Who accompanied Mar-
quette ? To whom did Joliet communicate
an account of their discoveries? At what
place ? To what resolution did the informa-
tion give rise ? What did La SalVe do after
his return from France ? What route did he
take up the lakes, and what settlements did
he found ? After sending back his furs, what
further enterprises did he prosecute ? What
Jesuit accompanied him ? Where did he part
with Hennepin ? For what purpose ? What
did Hennepin explore? On the return of La
Salle to the Illinois river, what further enter-
prises did he pursue ? What did he call the
new country ? On his return to France, what
undertaking was confided to him? Where
was he landed ? What was the manner of
his death? In what j'ear?
CHAPTER XII.
Was Charles II. scrupulous in his grants of
land-' In what year did he grant Carolina?
To whom was it givwi ? What additional
trust did the company receive ? What fur-
ther crant did King Charles make in 1607?
To whom was the task of framing the govern
ment assigned? Who was invited to assist?
Where was the first settlement made ? By
whom? In what year? Where was the oth
er colony located ? From whence did it come ?
What was its success ? By whom was the
settlement continued? Who was their first
governor'' How many inhabitants did the
colony contain in 1666? How did the con
stitution of Locke and Shaftsbury succeed?
In what year was it abrogated ? Who was
the first proprietary governor of Carolina? In
what year was Charleston founded ? What
settlers were sent out by King William? In
what year ? Where did they settle ?
CHAPTER XIII.
What gave rise to King William's war?
In what part of the country did the French
establish themselves in 1686? In what year
did the Iroquois surprise Montreal ? How
many of the inhabitants were slain ? What
was said of the Five Nations at this time ?
"ART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
What tribe of Indians attacked Dover, in
New Hami^hire .' Give an account of the
death of Major Waldron ? What expedition
was sent out from Quebec by Governor Fron-
tenac ? In what year? What was its suc-
cess ? How many prisoners perished ? Who
was a distinguished leader of this expedition ?
What phice was deslro3'ed by the second par-
ty sent from Quebec ! What by the tliird ?
Whit means did the colonies adopt for de-
fense ! Where did congress assemble ? What
was the first measure adopted tor protection .'
What defeated it ? What was the second ?
What success attended it ?
What means did Massachusetts adopt to
relieve the treasury? What were the conse-
quences of failure ? What was done to pre-
serve the friendship of the Indians? In what
year did Massachusetts receive a new char-
ter? What territory was embraced in the
new charter? What privileges did it grant to
the people ? What rights did it reserve to the
sovereign ? '
PERIOD II.
At what time does this Period begin? At
what time does it close ? What event marks
its commencement? What its conclusion.
CHAPTER I.
At what time was the new charter of Mas-
sachusetts received at Boston ? By whom
were the officers under it nominated ? Who
was nominated for governor ? Of what place
was he a native ? How did he acquire fame
and wealth? What singular delusion appear-
ed in Massachusetts about 1645? Where
did it begin ? In what year did it prevail ex-
tensively in Salem?
Who were at first supposed to be witches ?
Did governor Phipps and the clergy give
countenance to the belief in witches ? What
was the common method of proceeding on the
trials ? What were the proceedings of Samu-
el Parris? How many were executed in Sa-
lem? What ground did the general court
take in these matters ? With what effect ?
Wliat steps did Massachusetts take on the
subject of general education? What was
done by Connecticut? In what year? In
what year was the general law passed on the
subject? What did that law ordain for com-
mon schools ? What for grammar schools ?
Who proposed the estal>lishment of a college
in Connecticut in 1654? Who left a legacy
for the establishment of the college ? In what
year ? Where was the school located ?
How was the charter of incorporation ob-
tained ? In what year? Who were made
the trustees? Where did they first meet?
What did they do'' In what year was the lo-
cation changed to New Haven ? Why was
the present name adopted ? Which are now
the most flourishing institutions in the United
States ? What is said of Colonel Fletcher's
attempt to take command of the Connecticut
militia? In what year was the first Episco-
pal church established in Connecticut? At
what place ? In what year did the clergy of
Connecticut meet at Saybrook? What did
they call the constitution which they formed?
CHAPTER II.
In what year did King William's war ter
minate ? What was the peace called ? What
was stipulated ? What did Louis XIV do in
Europe to provoke a new war ? What did he
do in America ? In what year was war de-
clared by Queen Anne ? What did the Indi-
ans effect in Maine ? What at Deerfield in
Massachusetts ? What clergyman was taken
prisoner ? What was the fate of his wife ?
What was the i:onduct of Benjamin Church?
What did he accomplish? In what year?
What was proposed by Governor Vaudreuil
in 1705 ? What was the consequence ? De-
scribe the expedition of Colonel Nicholson in
1710. In what manner were the settlements
in New York protected? Who among the
settlers exercised great influence over the
Indians? In what year was Queen Anne's
war closed ? By what treaty ? What was
ceded to the English by the treaty? What
were the consequences of this war? What
new settlers came ovei from Germany in
17)0?
In what year did Queen Anne die ? Who
succeeded her ? What step is taken by Mas-
sachusetts to enlarge her boundaries ? What
plan was adopted by Fathei Rasles to escape
from the English authority? What depreda-
tions did the Indians cwnmit? What was
the consequence ? Between what years did
these events occur ? Who was the Isist of the
Jesuit missionaries ? In what year was peace
concluded with the Eastern Indians?
CHAPTER HI.
In what year did Governor Sloughter, of
New York, die ? Who succeeded him ? What
was the character of Fletcher? What course
did he take on the subject of religion ? Who
succeeded Fletcher? In what year? To
what particular subject was his attention di-
rected ? Who was appointed to command the
expedition against the pirates ? What did he
do? What was his fate ?
Wliat occasioned difficulties in the Jerseys?
In what years ? What did Queen Anne then
do ? Wiiom did Queen Anne appoint gover-
nor of the Jerseys ? What was his conduct
and his character? Who succeeded him?
In what year? WTio succeeded Lovelace?
In what year ? Who succeeded Schuyler as
governor of New York ? W'hat policy did he
adopt in regard to trade ? W'hom did it dis-
please? Where was a trading-house estab-
lished? What did it afterwards become?
Who succeeded Burnet? After the death
of Montgomery, who assumed the reins of
government ? What did he permit to the
P'rench? In what year did George I. die?
Who succeeded him ?
CHAPTER IV.
How was Penn treated by James II. ?
419
For
PART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[period til.
what ends did he use his influence? After
James was deposed, of what was Penn sus-
pected ? What measures were adopted against
him ? When was he restored ? In what year
did Penn again visit the colony ! How did
he find it ? What did he do ? What were
the provisions of the new charter? Were
they acceptable ? What course did The Terri-
tories adopt? In what year did Penn return
to England? In what year was Maryland
restored to Lord Baltimore '.
CHAPTER V.
What cause gave rise to a division .among
the people of Carolina ? What was declared
in regard to marriages? What was the con-
duct of the Huguenots '. Who was sent out
as governor to reconcile differences ? With
what success ? How were the difRcu'lties
finally adjusted ? How was rice introduced
into Carolina? Where did the proprietary
governor reside ? How did he govern the north-
em province ' Who introduced the Quaker'
doctrines into North Carolina ? W'hat expe-
dition was undertaken on the breaking out of
Queen Anne's war '. In what year '. With
what success ? What consequences fol-
lowed .'
What expedition did the governor next un-
dertake ? With what success ? In what
year? Who attacked Charleston ? In what
year ? With what success ? \A'hat plan was
formed in 1712? How far was it executed?
How was succor afforded ? What was the
result of the war? What combination was
formed against South Carolina in the year
1715? How many warriors did it embrace ?
What was the conduct of Governor Cra-
ven ? What was the result of the war ? How
did this war give rise to dissensions between
the proprietors and the assembly? What
measures of relief did the inhabitants adopt?
Whom did they first name as governor?
Whom did they finally elect '. Were the pro-
ceedings of the people confirmed by the
crown ? Who was appointed the first gover-
nor? In what year? What desirable object
did he effect? In what year were the diffi-
culties finally arranged ? Were the Carolmas
then separated ?
CHAPTER VI.
In what year was Pensacola settled ? What
French discoverer soon appeared on the coast ?
What rivers and lakes did he visit? Where
did he finally plant his colony ? In what year
was Mobile founded ? In what year was a
settlement made at Natchez? By whom?
In what year was New Orleans founded ? By
what nation? W'ho claimed Louisiana?
W'ho claimed Lake Champlain ? In what
year was a fort erected at Crown Point ? Be-
tween what years were Niagara and Detroit
founded ? What were the boundaries of New
France, as claimed by the French geogra-
phets ?
CHAPTER VII
What attempt was made in 1701 to destroy
420
the independence of the colonies ? How was
the salary of the governors in" the colonies
paid ? What change was attempted in 1702
m Massachusetts ! What course did the as-
sembly adopt ? How was it in the other co-
lonies ?
What effect had the issuing of paper money
by Massachusetts on the coin ? How many
different parties proposed remedies? Name
the plan of each. What was finally the re-
sult ? \\hat were the views of Cooke ? How
did the general court attempt to punish the
governor? How did the governor treat the
assembly ? What course did the people pur-
sue ?
What did the governor demand ? Did the
people yield? What principle did they as-
sert? What amendments to the charter did
the governor procure ? Who succeeded Go-
vernor Shute ? In what year? What was
the subject of his controversy with the general
court ? Was he successful ? In what year
did he die ? Who succeeded him ? In what
year ? Was the old controversy again re-
newed ? How finally settled ?
What settlement was made from Ireland in
1719 ? What remarkable appearance of the
heavens was exhibited in 1719? In what
year was Vermont settled ? By whom, and
at what place ? What political considerations
led to the settlement of Georgia? What
philanthropic measures aided it? Under
whose guidance was it made ? In what year ?
What number, and which of the present
United States was now settled ?
PERIOD III.
At what time does this Period commence ?
At what lime does it terminate ? What event
marks its commencement ? What its conclu
sion?
CHAPTER I.
By what assistam-e did Oglethorpe com-
mence the settlement of Georgia ? At what
time did he embark ? With how many emi-
grants ? How were supplies furnished to the
colonists? At what time did they arrive at
Charleston ? What were the motives of Gov-
ernor Johnson in assisting them ? At what
place did they settle ? What were the prin-
cipal Indian tribes of the neighborhood? How
many warriors could tliey muster ? What
measures did Oglethorpe adopt to secure their
friendship ? What was the character of the
population? What steps were taken to ob-
tain a better? W'ith what success?
What predominant interest regulated the
laws ? What measures did Oglethorpe adopt
to protect the country against the Spaniards ?
In what year? In what year does he goto
England ? Who is appointed commander-in-
chief? Where does he establish his head-
quarters? In what year did the slaves rise at
Stono? By whom were they instigated?
What was the result ? In what year did Ogle-
thorpe invade Florida ? What calaraify visit*
Charleston about this time ? In what year is
PART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[period III.
Georgia invaded from Havanna ? With what
result ?
What measures are adopted by Oglethorpe
to capture thcrn ? How are they thwarted ?
What device does he then resort to ? With
what success ? What was the character of
Oglethorpe ? Who upheld the slave-trade ?
How many negroes were brought from Africa
before the American revolution ?
Were slaves at first admitted into Georgia?
What was the consequence ? What were the
reasons given for their admission? Who ad-
vocated the employment of slave labor' In
what year did Georgia become a royal prov-
ince ? In what year did Louisiana become a
French province ? Who was appointed its
first governor? What Indians threatened the
people ? Whom did the Indians favor ? In
what year do the French make war upon the
Chickasaws ? What expedition was planned
in France ? What was its success, and the
consequences to those engaged in it ?
CHAPTER II.
In what year was war declared between
England and France ? Where is Louisburg
situated? Who planned an attack on Louis-
burg ? How was the plan received by the
general court ? By what vote was it finally
carried ? Who raised troops for the expedi-
tion ? To whom was the command given ?
At what time did he sail ? Who commanded
the naval forces ?
At what time did the army effect a landing?
At what time did the fort surrender? What
effect did this surrender produce in France ?
What was the result of the expedition ? In
what year was peace concluded? At what
place ? What was stipulated ?
What claims to territory were set up by the
French? What was claimed by the British?
By what right ? How was the question to be
settled ? What chain of forts did the French
intend to establish ? Who obtained a patent
of lands in 1750 ? How did the French re-
gard this grant ? What were the resolutions
of Governor Dinwiddle ? Whom does he se-
lect as his agent ?
CHAPTER III.
Who were the ancestors of George Wash-
ington ? In what county in Virginia did they
reside ? In what year was Washington bom ?
In what year did his father die '. Under whose
care did he then fall ? What were the early
indications which foretold his future great-
ness ? How was the want of early advanta-
ges supplied?
Under whom did Lawrence Washington
serve ? After whom was Mount Vernon na-
med? What appointment was tendered to
George Washington ? What prevented him
from accepting it ? What er.iployment did he
afterwards engage in? What was his first
military appointment ? At what age ? For
what object did he go to the West Indies ?
On the death of the brother, what was left to
George Washington ? What appointment did
he receive from Governor Dinwiddie ? In
what year was he sent envoy to the French 7
Describe his route. What Indian trilie did
he visit ? What did the principal chief de-
clare to him? What further -' es the chief
do? Who commanded the French camp?
When Washington delivered Dinwiddle's or-
ders, what reply was given ? What did the
French attempt in regard to the Indian chief?
Was it successful ?
What perils did he encounter on his jour-
ney home ? At what time did he arrive at
Williamsburg ? How long had he been ab-
sent ? What were the impressions produced
by the manner in which he accomplished the
enterprise ? What appointment was confer-
red upon him in 1754? To what place did he
march ? What place had the French taken
from the English? What fort do they build?
Who comes to attack Washington at the great
Meadows? What did Washington do ? What
was the result? Does Washington march to
attack Fort du Quesne ? Why does he aban
don the enterprise ? Where did he afterwards
entrench himself? Why does he capitulate?
What were the conditions?
CHAPTER IV.
What did the English propose to the colo-
nies in 1753 ? At what place did congress
meet? In what year? What colonies were
represented? With whom did the coloni.sts
form a union ? What did the colonists resolve
upon ? Who drew the articles of union ? In
what year and on what day were they signed?
Did the delegates from either of the colonies
decline to sign the articles ? How were the
articles received by the colonial legislatures?
Were they acceptable to the crown of Eng-
land ? Why were they rejected by both pat-
ties?
What plan did the ministry propose to Gov-
ernor Shirley for taxing the colonies? Did
the colonies assent? How then did the Brit-
ish government propose to carry on the war?
What troops arrive from Europe ? By whom
commanded? Whom does General Braddock
call to advise him ? What was the plan
adopted ? Do the French send out re-inforce-
ments? How many men attacked Nova Sco-
tia? By whom were they commanded? What
was the result of the expedition ? After Wash-
ington's return, what notice was taken of his
services ? What orders did he receive ?
In the re-organization of the militia by Gov
ernor Dinwiddie, what change was made in
the grades ? What was Washington's con-
duct? What place does he finally accept ?
At what time does Braddock commence his
inarch for Fort du Quesne ? What arrange-
ment, under the advice of Washington, does
he make ? With how many men does he ad-
vance ? What is his conduct towards the
friendly Indians ? — His opinion of the coloni-
al officers ? — His acquaintance with Indian
warfare? On what day was Braddock at-
tacked by the Indians ? How was the attack
made? How were the Indians posted? What
was the conduct of Braddock ?
42]
PART II.]
QUESTIONS.
[period in.
Which one of ihe mounted officers escaped ?
What was the impression of the Indians in
regard to him? What occurred when Brad-
dock was wounded ? How many officers
were wounded or slain ? How many pri-
vates ? Who conducted the retreat ? How
far did the army retreat before it halted ? Af-
ter meeting Colonel Dunbar do they still re-
treat ? Do the Cherokees remain faithful to
the English?
CHAPTER V.
How many troops were destined for the at-
tack on Crown Point ? By whom were they
commanded? At what time did they reach
Albany? Where did General Johnson estab-
lish a fort ?
At what time did he reach Lake George ?
When Dieskau reached Crown Point, what
measures did he adopt ? Whom does he first
meet and defeat ? When he encounters the
army under Johnson, what is the result?
What is the fate of Dieskau ? In what under-
taking does General Johnson waste the re-
mainder of the season ? At what time do most
of the troops return to their colonies ? Who
commanded the expedition against Niagara ?
At what time did he reach Os.vego? What
is the result of the campaign ? In what year
is war declared between England and
France ?
What difficulties did Washington experi-
ence in the execution of his duties ? What
was the conduct of Dinwiddle ? WTio was
appointed commander-in-chief? On what
business did Washington visit Boston ? How
•was the matter decided ? Who had provided
for the campaign of 1756? By whom were
their plans defeated? What was Shirley's
conduct? Who was appointed to succeed
Shirley? To what station was Lord Loudon
afterwards appointed? Was the campaign
generally successful or otherwise ?
CHAPTER VI.
For what is the campaign of 1757 memoi-a-
ble ? What was the force of Montcalm ? Who
commanded Fort William Henry ? Who com-
inanded at Fort Edward ? How large was
his army ? When Monroe surrendered, what
were the terms of the capitulation? WTiat
was the fate of the garrison ?
What dispute arose in Pennsylvania this
year? Who went to England to adjust the
difficulty? What was the result? In what
year was William Pitt, afterwards Earl of
Chatham, made prime minister? ^Vhat was
.^ his character? What did the minister prom-
ise the colonies in his circular? To what did
he exhort them ? What was the consequence ?
Who was appointed commander-in-chief?
What armament came outunder Admiral Bos-
cawen ? What army was thus raised in the
colonies ?
What was the plan of the campaign for
1758? Why was Louisburg desired? VViio
conducted the expedition? On what day did
it surrender ? What was the number of the
gamson? What was done with the prison-
422
ers ? What with the inhabitants ? What fell
into the hands of the British with Louisburg ?
What expedition was undertaken by General
Abercrombie ? With how large an army?
What was the result ? What promising offi-
cer was killed ? Was Abercrombie success-
ful in his assault ? What was his loss ? To
what nlace did he then retreat ? What was
the enterprise undertaken by Colonel Brad-
street ?
What enterprise was entrusted to General
Forlies ? What army was assigned to this
service ? What new route was chosen ? What
was the consequence ? On reaching Fort Du
Quesne in what condition was it found ? How
was Major Grant surprised and defeated?
What was the fate of General Forbes ? What
was the new fort named ? What is the town
occupying the site now called ? Where was
the great Indian council held ? What tribes
sent delegates to it ? Who attended on the
part of the English ? What was the result ?
CHAPTER Vn.
What was the object of the campaign of
1759? Who commanded the British forces?
What was the plan of the campaign ? At what
time did Prideaux besiege Niagara ? What
was the result? Of what number did the
garrison consist ? Who is selected to com-
mand the expedition against Quebec ? How
large an army is detailed? What admirals
are sent ? Where does Wolfe make a land-
ing ? In what month? How is Quebec situ-
ated ?
Who commands the French army ? What
place does Wolfe first capture? Where does
he next attack Montcalm '. With what result ?
What was the success of Genenri Amherst,
and what his plans .' What were Wolfe's
prospects of aid from the co-operation of the
two other armies ? What plan of attiick was
resolved upon ? What device was adopted to
deceive the enemy? Describe the difficulties
of landing and ascending the heights. Wliat
did the morning exhibit ? What were the
measures adopted by Montcalm ? What were
the results of the battle ? What the gallant
declarations of Wolfe ? What the exclama-
tions of Montcalm .'
Who succeeded General Wolfe in the com-
mand ? Who General Montcalm ? Does Que-
bec capitulate ? Who attacks Quebec in the
spring of 1760? With what force? With
what success ? What took place in Septem-
ber of this year
CHAPTER Vin.
Where did the French retreat to when they
left F'ort du Quesne ? What did they effect
with the Cherokee Indians? Who was sent
to subdue them ? With what success ?
What occurred in the following year ? What
was the expedition planned by General Am-
herst ? Wiiat its results? What were the
feelings of the Indians towards the French ?
What did they say of them? Who sought to
unite the north western Indians against the
English ? What were his objects and plans ?
fART III]
QUESTIONS.
[period I.
What his character ? At what time did he
commence the execution of his plans ? By
what stratagem was Maumee captured ? How
was Mackinaw taken ? What was the con-
duct of the Indians ?
What post did Pontiac invest in person?
How arc his plans betrayed, and his designs
thwarted ? Does he afterwards besiege the
garrison .' At what time did the United
Brethren, or Moravians plant themselves in
America ? What was their previous history?
Where do they finally settle ? Where else
do they found missions T
Why were they expelled from New York ?
How do they succeed in Pennsylvania ? Who
was the American bishop of the Moravians?
How did the French war affect them ? In
what year was the Indian massacre of Maho-
ny ? What was afterwards the policy of the
Moravians ? Why did Mr. Pitt resign on the
accession of George III.' Who succeeded
him? What was the first object of the new
administration ? When and where was the
peace concluded ? What were the conditions
of the treaty ?
PART III.
PERIOD I,
CHAPTER I.
What differences of opinion in England
and America led to the revolution? What
influence may be supposed to have arisen by
the use of the term Mother Country ? Wliat
did England claim in regard to the colonies ?
On what pretension was the most decided op-
position made ? What right did the Ameri-
cans not dispute ? What did England finally
resolve to do ? What had delayed the rup-
ture ? How did England propose to defray
the expenses of the war?
In what year did the jealousies between the
colonies and Er>gland begin to appear ? At
what place ? On what occasion ? What
were the "writs of assistance?" What
measures did the people of Boston adopt in
regard to these writs ? Whom did they em-
ploy to oppose rhem ! At what time was it
said that American independence begun ?
In w hat year w ere plans matured for changing
the American goveniiiients ? By whom ?
What measures did he propose for the ac-
complishment of this object ? How were his
plans discovered ? What effect was produced
by his letters ?
CHAPTER II.
What notice did Lord Grenville give to the
American agents in London? In what year?
What resolutions were passed in the house of
commons ? What was done by the colonial
agents in London ? What course did Massa-
chusetts adopt ? What other colonies took
part against the taxes ? For what objects
were associations formed in the colonies ?
What were the opinions of Walpole, in the
reignof George II. ? What of Mr. Pitt? In
what year did Lord Grenville introduce the
stamp act ?
How was the proposition received by the
house of commons ? Who particularly dis-
tinguished himself in the defense of the rights
of America ? What did he assert in regard
to the claims of the colonies ? What did he
say of their loyalty ? Who opposed the pas-
sage of the act ? How many voted against it?
What were the provisions of the act? In
what courts was the act to be enforced ? Did
this admit of trial by jury ? Why was this
act obnoxious to the colonists ? Was oppo-
sition anticipated? What laws did parlia-
ment pass to enforce it ? On what day was
it to take effect ?
Who was at this time agent in London for
Pennsylvania? What did he write home to
Mr. Thompson ? What was Thompson's re-
ply ? How was the act received by the colo-
nists ? What was done by the house of bur-
gesses in Virginia? Who proposed the reso-
lutions and advocated them? What was the
emphatic remark of Henry on the occasion ?
CHAPTER in.
What was proposed by the general court of
Massachusetts ? From what colonies were
delegates elected ? On what day did the con-
gress meet ? At what place ? What was
their first measure ? Whom did the congress
address ? Could the provisions of the stamp
act be avoided ? Could the government be
carried on without compliance ? What meas-
ures were taken to oppose it ? \^ hat was
done by the populace at Boston ? What was
the conduct of Mr. Oliver ? What measures
were adopted towards Governor Hutchinson ?
What towards Mr. Ingersol of New Haven?
On what day was the act to take effect ? In
what year? How was the day ushered in?
j What demonstrations were made in New
I York ? What was done in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire? Was the opposition^^ general ?
Did the women of the country join In the ex-
citement ? What proceedings were adopted?
What occurred in England at this crisis?
How were the new ministers supposed to be
affected towards the colonies ? What reso-
lutions did General Conway introduce into
I the ho\ise of commons ? Were they adopted ?
On what were the ministry now resolved?
Whom did they examine before the house of
commons? What was his opinion? Who
opposed the repeal of the stamp act in the
house of commons ? Who adv. What at New York? What
in Boston .' How many chests were destroy-
ed ? When the news reached England, what
did the parliament resolve ? What bill was
passed in regard to Boston ? At what time?
How did parliament enlarge the powers of the
crown ? How did thej' attempt to secure the
execution of the obnoxious laws ? How far
did they extend the province of Quebec ?
What was the oliject of this act?
In what year was Governor Hutchinson re-
called ? For what reasons ? Who succeeded
him ? When the bill shutting up the port of
Boston was received, what measures were
adopted by the inhabitants? To what place
was the assembly removed ? What did the
assembly here propose ? What did the gov-
ernor attempt ? What advantage did the gov-
ernor expect liy shutting up the port of Bos-
ton .' What reply was made by the inhabit-
ants of Salem ? What feeling was exhibited
towards Boston by the colonies ? Who suc-
ceeded Botetourt as governor of Virguiia?
When the assembly heard of the Boston port
bill, what measures did they adopt ?
CHAPTER VI.
At what time did the general congress con-
vene at Philadelphia ? How many of the col-
onies were represented ? Which were not ?
W^ho was chosen president .' How did they
decide the relative weight of each colony?
What were their lirst measures ? What did
the committee report '
What was deemed the most likely means
of obtaining redress ? What was the nature
of the non-importation compact ? What reso-
lution did they pass in regard to the slave-
trade ? How long was the congressional un-
ion to continue ? What did Lord Chatham
say of this congress ? What did the petition
to the king state ! By whom was it drafted?
What do they claim in their address to the
people of England ? By whom was it prepar
ed .' By whom drafted ? V»hat was the na-
ture of their address to their constituents?
At what time did the congress adjourn ? Were
the proceedings generally approved by the
people !
CHAPTER Vn.
Were the colonists unanimous? What was
the party called which adhered to the cause
of the colonies ? What that which espoused
the cause of England? What seizures were
made by order of General Gage ? How was
the assemlily of Massachusetts interfered
with ? What did they then do ? Whom did
they elect president ? What measures wt-re
adopted ? How many men was it proposed tc
raise ? What feelings were manifested in the
southern colonies ? At what time in 1774 did
the British parliament convene ? What were
the sentiments of the king's speech ? What
the reply of the house of commons? Who
was at that time the general agent of the colo-
nies ? What did he write home?
When the measures were brought forward.
Part hi.]
QUESTIONS.
[period I
who espoused the cause of the colonists?
What were the arguments and sentiments of
his speech ? What the fate of Lord Chat-
ham's conciliatory measures ? Why were the
agents of the colonies refused a hearing?
What resolutions were passed by both houses
of parliament? What measures were adopt-
ed on the 10th of February ? To what other
colonies were the prohibitions afterwards ex-
tended ! What results were anticipated from
these measures ? What plan of conciliation
was proposed by Lord North ? W'hat was its
true character ? Who attempted privately to
settle the difficuhies ? With what result?
CHAPTER VIIL
To what were things tending in America ?
What was recommended by the provincial
congress ? What attempt was made by Gen-
eral Gage on the 2Cth of February ? How
was it frustrated ? What was the object of
the expedition to Concord ? Who command-
ed it ? How many troops were sent ? At
what place was the first blood shed? On what
day ? Were the stores destroyed ? What
was the loss of the British during the day ?
What that of the Americans? What feelings
did this event produce ? What means were
taken to arouse the colonists ? What meas-
ures were adopted by the legislatures ? How
many men were soon collected in the neigh-
borhood of Boston ?
Whom would he not pardon? How am d«
violate his promise to the people ot Bostxm '<
What measures were adopted to prevent the
British from penetrating into the country ?
Where did the Americans entrench them-
selves ? When were they discovered by the
British ? How many men did General Gage
send to dislodge them? How did they land?'
Where ? What was done by the British be-
fore advancing to the attack '.
How were they received by the Americans ?'
What was the effect? How often are the-
British repulsed? Why are the Americans-
obliged to quit the field ? How many British,
were engaged? What number was killed of
wounded? How many of the Americans?'
Whom did congress elect commander-in--
chief ? At what time ? What were his feed-
ings ? What course did he adopt in regard to-
compensation ?
Where did Washington join the army? How-
was it sta'ioned — and of how many men was
it composed ? In what condition did he find
them ? Towards what objects were his efforts -
directed? What measures were adopted by
congress to arouse and unite the people?'
What did they say in their manifesto ? 'What:
colony came into the confederacy at this
time? What title was now assumed? When,
was the post-office establishment organized?'
Who was the first postmaster general ?
CHAPTER IX.
What was the situation of General Gage
and his army ? What measures were adopted
to cut off his supplies? What posts at the
north were deemed of essential importance ?
Who originated the plan of taking them ?
What co-operation was expected from Ver-
mont? To whom was the command of the
troops intrusted ? Who at Boston had matu-
red the same plan ? At what time did the
force reach Lake Champlain ?
Who commanded Fort Ticonderoga ? When
asked by what authority the surrender was
demanded, what was Allen's reply ? On what
day was it captured ? Of what number did
tlie garrison consist ? Who captured Crown
Point? WTiai was accomplished by Arnold?
Who took Skeensborough ? Now called by
what name ? Why was this success import-
ant? At what time did the congress meet in
Philadelphia? Who was chosen president?
What was done ? What was done by Lord
Dunmore of Virginia ? Who aroused the
people? What induced them to disperse ?
What incensed the people of Virginia
against Lord Dunmore ? How does he es-
cape from them? What other governors fol-
lowed his example ? V\ ho prevented dele-
gates being elected in season from New York ?
What event hastened an election ?
CHAPTER X.
When was the army in Boston reinforced?
What generals joined at this time ? What
measures were adopted by General Gage?
CHAPTER XI-
What expedition was contemplated by con-
gress ? To avert what danger ? Who were
to command ? Who was charged with fortify-
ing New York ? What movements were
made by generals Schuyler and Montgomery ?
Why was Montgomery delayed at St. Johns ?
'What rash expedition was undertaken by
Colonel Allen and Major Brown ? What was
the result? When was Chamble taken?
W^hat advantages were derived from it ? What
mea-sures were adopted by Carleton for the
relief of St. Johns? With what result?
What followed immediately after? After the
surrender of St. Johns, what was the conduct
of Carleton? After Montgomery entered
Montreal, what difficulties did he encounter?
Describe the march of Arnold, and his ap-
pearance before Quebec. To what place did
he retire — and for what reason ?
'What was the force of General Carleton?"
■WTiat that of the Americans ? What does;
General Montgomery attempt ? What does;
he finally resolve upon ? How wa.s the at-
tack conducted ? What was the fate of Mont-
gomery ? — And what the result of the assault?'
What was the conduct of Arnold, and that of
his men ? What was the loss of the Ameri
cans ? What was the conduct of Arnold, af-
ter the battle?
CHAPTER XII.
What orders were issued in regard to the
sea-ports of New England ? WTial town was
burnt ? What effect was produced ? What
did congress resolve upon in December?
, What efforts did the ministry make to retain
29 425
PART III. J
QUESTIONS.
[period n.
New York ? What law was passed to pre-
vent it ?
What did Lord Danmore calculate on as
regarded Virginia ' How did he attempt to
effect it ? What was the result of the first
conflict ? What did Lord Dunmore then do .'
How did he afterwards attempt to supply his
wants ? To what was he finally obliged to re-
sort ? What last step was taken by congress
for the purpose of producing a reconciliation ?
In what year .' Who was the agent employ-
ed? What was evident on the meeting of
parliament ? What was the purport of the
king's speech ? Before whom was Penn ex-
ammed ? What did he declare ? What act
was passed in December ? What arrange-
ments did England make with the German
States ? What disposition did parliament
make of the petition of the colonies ? What
mapsures closed the door to reconciliation ?
CHAPTER XIIL
At what time did the enlistment of the
troops expire ? What measure did Washing-
ton propose to increase the army ? What was
the number of the army in Februarj', 1776?
How was the army employed in the winter of
1775-6 ? What measures did General Wash-
ington adopt to gain possession of Boston ?
On what day did the British evacuate it?
What objects did the British propose in the
campaign of 1776 ? Who was to regain New
York ? What difficulties suriounded Arnold
at Quebec ? Who superseded him ? What
was the consequence ? At what time do the
Americans evacuate Canada ?
CHAPTER XIV.
\ATio commanded the expedition against
Charleston ? At what time did it arrive ?
Were the Carolinians unprepared ? Where
had they constructed a fort ! Who command-
ed the militia? Of what number did they
consist ? Of what material was the fort con-
structed ? What was the result of the attack ?
Wliat interesting incident occurred during the
battle? Upon what point did the British re-
treat ? After the evacuation of Boston where
did the commander-in-chief fix his head-quar-
ters ? Who made the motion in congress for
declaring the colonies independent? On what
■day ? Who was one of the most powerful
writers in favor of independence ? On what
day was the declaration of independence
agreed to ? Who were the committee ap-
pointed to prepare it ? Who drafted the one
adopted ? What were the causes for separa-
tion '. W^hat did the instrument set forth ?
PERIOD II
CHAPTER I.
How is the declaration of independence to
be regarded ? How was it to affect the inter-
ests of America? At what time did the troops
under Howe take possession of Staten Island ?
When did those from England, under Admi-
ral Howe, arrive ? What others joined them ?
What was the whole number destined for
426
New York ? What were the expectations of
Lord Howe ?
W'hat did he attempt by proclamation ? In
what light did congress view the proceeding ?
How did he address the commander-in-chief?
What was the course of Washington ? Whom
did Lord Howe then send ? What was the
reply of \^'ashington ? W'hat was the plan
of the campaign ? What advantages were
offered by the possession of New York-?
What incidents prevented ? What measures
were taken for the defense of New York ?
How manj' men were assembled there .' In
what condition .' How much efficient force ?
What causes had produced these results ?
Describe the position of the American army
in New York. Where did the British land?
On what day? Describe the position of their
army. Where did Washington intend to ar-
rest their progress ? How did the Bruish
commence the attack ?
Where was the true point of attack? By
what stratagem was it rendered successful ?
\\ ho commanded the American troops in that
quarter ? Who conducted the British ? What
was the loss of the Americans? Of ihe Brit-
ish ? Did General Washington visit the field
of battle ? What was his determination ?
What orders did he issue to his troops ? '
Where did they finally assemble ?
CHAPTER II.
Who was sen; by General Washington as a
spy to Long Island ? What was his fate ?
What were his last words ? On what day
did the British take possession of New York?
Were overtures of reconciliation again made ?
Who was appointed to treat on the part of the
Americans ? What basis did they insist up-
on ? \^ hat were the consequences of the
surrender of New York? To what were the
efforts of Washington directed?
\Mrat did he represent to congress ? What
inducements were offered ? What policy did
Washington adopt ? What occurred on the
16th of September? With what result?
What was the wish of the British command-
er ? Failing in this, what plan did he adopt ?
To what place did ^\ ashington remove his
forces ? By %vhom was he attacked at White
Plains? With what result ? To what place
did he then remove the army ? At what time
did he cross the Hudson ?
On what points did General Howe now
turn his attention ? What instructions had
General Washington given to General Green?
Who commanded at Fort Washington ' How
many men were in the garrison ? On what
day was it attacked? With what result?
How many British were killed ? How many
Americans surrendered? W'hat did the Brit-
ish next attempt? When was Fort Lee evac-
uated? What policy does Washington still
pursue? Of what number was his army still
composed ? Through what places does Wash-
ington retreat ? In what did General Howe
make a mistake? Where did he finallv p'lst
his army '. Why did he not imnir-rlinrelv
cross the Delaware ? What aiiangemejus
did he make ?
PART III.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
CHAPTER III.
What was the condition of Washington's
army in Decemlier 1776 ? How does he soothe
and encourage them ? What measures did
Howe adopt to bring bank the people to the
royal cause ? With what effect !
What measures did Washington take to in-
crease his army ? \N'hat was the conduct of
General Lee .' What was the consequence
to himselt ? After the reinforcements had
arrived, to what number was the army aug-
mented ? What bold plan does Washington
form ? Give an account of the manner in
which it was executed. How many prisoners
were taken ?
At what time did Cornwallis reach the
neighborhood of Trenton ? What movement
did General Washington then make ? Give a
particular account of it, and the result. What
distinguished officer fell at Trenton? What
emotions did these successes give rise to in
the country ? To what place did Washington
retire ? What posts did he afterwards cap-
ture ? Where did he finally take up his win-
ter-quarters ? With whom is Washington
compared as a commander .'
What new feelings prevail in regard to the
contest? What defeat did the Americans
suffer on Lake Champlain ? At what time
was Rhode Island taken ? At what time were
the articles of confederation adopted ? What
did they ordain ? What name did they give
to the colonies ? What was the character of
the congress of 1776 ? What difficulties sur-
rounded them ? What means did they adopt
to raise money? Whom did they send to
France? For what object? What were
their special instructions ? What powers did
congress grant to General Washington ? What
specific objects was he authorized to accom-
plish ?
CHAPTER IV.
What was the conduct of the English and
German troops in New Jersey ? What was
said of them in England? Who were called
tones' Where did they threaten to join the
British standard? With what disease was
the army threatened ? What precautions
were taken by Washington ? What were the
first movements of the British in 1777? By
whom was Peekskill taken ? At what time ?
Who attacked Danbury ? With what force?
What was the fate of the town ? Wliat oc-
curred in the retreat of the army ? What was
the loss of each party ? Describe the expe-
dition of Colonel Meigs to Sag Harbor. Who
was the most prominent of the commission-
ers sent to France ? What was his character ?
What may be said of the value of his ser-
vices ?
What distinguished Frenchman espoused
the American cause at this time ? What was
his reply when told the colonies were in great
distress ? What appointment did he receive
from congress ? What were his relations
with General Washington ? What two ob-
jects did the British propose to accomplish in
tlic campaign of 1777' What measures did
Washington adopt to prevent them ? What
stratagem did General Howe resort to ? With
what success ?
CHAPTER V.
By whom was General Prescott captured?
In what manner ? At w^hat time ? What plan
had the British formed to reduce America?
To whom was the command of the expedition
given ? To whose prejudice ? What was
the conduct of Governor Carleton? Who
were the principal officers to accompany Bur-
goyne ? WTiat was the strength of his army 1
What was his plan of operations ? At what
time does the army advance ? What means
did Burgoyne use to operate on the Indians
and on the Americans ? What was the force
ofSt. Leger? What fort did he invest ? By
whom was it commanded ? Who went to its
relief? What was the result? Who retreat
ed from the fort ? For what purpose ? Who
was sent to the relief of the fort ? What was
done by St. Leger ' What was the conduct
of the Indians ?
What place did Burgoyne first invest ? On
what day ? How many troops garrisoned it?
By whom commanded ? What circumstance
connected with its defense had been overlook-
ed? After the British had gained Mount De-
fiance, what course did the Americans adopt ?
Who pursued the Americans ? With what
force ? Where did he overtake them .' WTiat
was the result ? What effect had this on the
movements of St. Clair ? What post of safe-
ty did he finally reach ? Where is Fort Ed-
ward ?
Of what place did Burgoyne take posses-
sion? Where is Skeenesborough situated?
What measures were adopted by General
Schuyler ? What effect was produced in
England by these partial successes ? What
in America? What means did General
Schuyler adopt to impede the progress of the
British ? Why was he superseded ? Who
was appointed to the command ? What other
officers joined the northern army ? At what
time did Burgoyne reach Fort Edward ? How
did he obtain supplies? How many men did
he send to seize the provisions at Bennington?
Who coumianded them '. Who commanded
the Americans ? What was the result ? Who
was sent with a re-inforcement ? By whom
was he met ? With what result? What was
the loss of the British in both engagements?
In what point of view was the battle of
Bennington particularly important? Relate
the tragical story of Miss M'Crea. What
were its effects on the inhabitants of the ad-
jacent country ?
A.t what time did Burgoyne cross the Hud-
sen ! At what time did the first battle occur?
At what place? With what result? What
was the loss of the British? Who claimed
the victory ? Who had it ? When was the
general battle fought ? Describe the position
of the British army. What distinguished gen-
erals belonged to it ?
Describe the manner in which the attack
was nuide. What is said of the battle? What
WHS the result ? What British colonel wa»
29*
427
PART III.]
QUESTIONS.
[period n
killed? What general officer was mortally
wounded ? What was now the situation of
the British army ? What move does General
Burgoyne make ? What does he next attempt i
From whom had he expected supplies ? On
what day did he finally capitulate.'
How many men were surrendered ? How
many had been previously lost ? What were
the stipulations of the capitulation ? How
were they treated by the Americans ? What
consequence followed the surrender? How
did it affect the great cause of America?
What expedition was planned from New
York? By whom commanded? What did
it effect? When did Burgoyne learn that aid
was at hand ? When the news of Burgoyne's
surrender reached Clinton, what course did
he adopt ? What the character of the expe-
dition ?
CHAPTER VI.
What expedition was undertaken by Admi-
ral and General Howe ? On what day did
they leave Sandy Hook ? Where did they
disembark their troops ? How many in num-
ber? What movement was made by General
Washington? What generals accompanied
Washington ? What position did the two ar-
mies assume ? On what day did the battle of
the Brandy wine take place ? Describe the
battle.
What was the loss of the Americans ? What
the loss of the British ? What officers par-
ticularly distinguished themselves ? After the
battle, to what place did the Americans re-
treat ? What move did Washington make to
recover his loss ? What defeated his plans?
What move is now made by Howe ? What
does Washington do ? Where does congress
adjourn to ? What powers do they confer on
Washington ?
At what time did Howe cross the Schuyl-
kill ? Where did his army halt ? Who com-
manded the detachment which entered Phila-
delphia ? How large was the American ar-
my ? Where was it encamped ? How did
Howe regard the capture of Philadelphia ?
What measures did the Americans adopt to
cut off the supplies of the British army ? Did
the British endeavor to prevent it? Were
they successful ? What induced Washington
to attack the British at Germantown ? De-
scribe the battle and its results. What move
did the American army then make ?
In what light did congress view the affair at
Germantown ? What move was soon made
by the British army ? Why was this move
necessary ? What was said by Dr. Franklin ?
Why did the British wish to keep open the
navigation of the Delaware ? Describe their
attack on Red Bank. What was the result ?
What place did they next attack ? What was
the result ? What mode did Coniwallis adopt
of attacking Fort Mercer ? With what suc-
cess ? What was the consequence ?
By what troops was Washington now re-
inforced ? What was the number of his ar-
my? To what place did he advance ? What
transpired there ? At w hat time does Wash-
428
ington go into winter-quarters ? What was
the condition of his army ? How did they
bear their sufferings ? What are the reflec-
tions of the authoress ?
CHAPTER VII.
What were the causes of the distress of the
army ? What did congress insist on, in re-
gard to the bills of credit? Would they pur-
chase necessaries for the army ? What course
were the officers forced to adopt? What feel-
ings stimulated the intrigues against Wash-
ington? What was their object? Who was
prominent among the leaders ? What states
addressed congress on the subject? What
measures did congress adopt to reflect on
General Washington ? Who was placed at
the head of the board of war ? What expedi-
tion did they plan ? Who was invited to join
the expedition ? Did the enterprise succeed?
What was the public sentiment in regard
to the intrigues against Washington ? Who
superseded Conway? What was the final
sentiment in congress ? On what occasion
did General Conway make suitable acknowl-
edgements ? What provision does congress
make for the officers, to quiet discontents ?
What does he urge with regard to the ap-
proaching campaign ? Are the British ready
to open the campaign early ? To what are
their efforts limited ?
What position did La Fayette occupy in
May { What attempt was made to surprise
him ? With what success ? What is said of
the American privateers ? How many British
vessels had they captured ? What effect had
the capture of Burgoyne in Europe ? What
were the feelings of the English people?
What were the calamities which they foresaw
might happen? With what feelings did France
view the discontents in America .' Why did
she not at first espouse her cause ? What
was her wish ? What her general policy ?
What was the course of Dr. Franklin?
What proposition did he make to England ?
What effect had the capture of Burgoyne ?
What did the French ministry immediately
declare ? On what day was the treaty made ?
Did it recognize the independence of the
United States ? What was agreed to in the
treaty ? Who signed it on the part of France ?
Who on the part of the States? On what
day were the commissioners received at the
court of France ? How were they received ?
Was the event important? What measures
were adopted by the British parliament ?
What was foretold of these measures 1 Which
counsels prevailed ? Who were appointed
commissioners ? What were their secret ob-
jects?
When the news of the alliance reached
England, what effect did it produce ? What
did the English resolve upon 1 How was
France found to be prepared ? At what time
did the treaty reach the United States ? By
what vessel was it brought ? When did the
British commissioners arrive ? Who were
they ? Were their terms acceptable ? What
did congress demand ? What did the conunis-
FART in.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II
sioners then attempt? Which labored with
the greatest ability and zeal ? What means
did he use ? What was offered to General
Reed ? What was his reply ? How was
Johnstone exposed ? What measures did
congress adopt ? What writers exposed the
baseness of his attempts ? How was public
opinion at the time ?
CHAPTER VIII.
At what time did the British prepare to
evacuate Philadelphia ? On what day did
they march out of the city? What are the
movements of Washington ? What his views
of a general engagement ? What those of his
officers? Where did the battle take place?
On what day ? What was the conduct of
General Lee ? What punishment did he af-
terwards suffer ?
Which party retained the possession of the
field ? What move was made in the night by
the British army ? On what place do they
retreat ? What disposition is made of the
Ajnerican army ?
Who commanded the French fleet? Of
how many ships did it consist? From what
French port did it sail ? On what day ? What
was its destination ? Disappointed in that
plan, what did it next undertake ? Who was
made minister to Frani^e? On what day?
What expedition did Washington plan in con-
junction with the French fleet? To whom
was it intrusted ? What was the force to be
employed? What that of the British? At
what time did the French fleet arrive off New-
port? What were the arrangements for cap-
turing the place ? At what time was the de-
scent to be made? What delayed it?
What caused the French fleet to depart ?
At what time does Sullivan besiege Newport?
What is done by d'Estaing? Why is the
siege raised ? On what day ? To what point
does the American army retreat ? Are they
pursued ? Where does the action fake place ?
With what result ? Who arrives from New
York ? With what force ? What were some
of the consequences of d'Estamg's conduct?
To whom did Clinton leave the command of
the transports ? With what orders ! What
injury was done to the American ships ? Was
private property respected?
Was the campaign of this year distinguish-
ed for savage depredations ? Where is Wyo-
ming situated ? Who commanded the Indians
that attacked it? Were the people in favor
of the colonists ? What stimulated the Brit-
ish and Indians to attack the Wyoming settle-
ments ? At what time is the attack made '.
Who commanded the Americans at Wilks-
barre ? How did he determine to resist the
savages ? What was the result ? What gave
rise to difficulties between the French and
Americans ? To what did congress attribute
them?
For what place does the French fleet sail ?
On what day ? Do the English also send for-
res to the West Indies ? How many troops
depart ? What results are accomplished in
the West Indies ? What was one of the
leading objects of the campaign of 1778 ? How
many troops sail for Georgia ? What city
is captured? How many men are lost on
the part of the Americans ? At what place
does General Washington retire to winter
quarters ?
CHAPTER IX.
What was the plan of Sir Henry Clinton?
What place alone held out ? Who command-
ed the troops at St. Augustine ? What did
he do ? Who took command of the British
forces in Georgia ? Was the whole country
now subdued ? Why did not Prevost attack
Charleston? Against what place did he plan
an expedition ? Who commanded it ? What
was the result ?
Why did the British transfer the war to the
southern states ? How were the royalists
classed? What was intended by the move-
ment to Augusta? What other means did
the British employ ? Did the royalists col-
lect and embody themselves ? Under whom?
Under whom did the Carolinians rally? Where
did the hostile parties meet ? What was the
result ? How many of the royalists were
executed ? Who was appointed to command
the southern forces? At what time did he
reach Charleston ? When did he take com-
mand ? At what place ? What was Lincoln's
plan ? What was the strength of his army ?
To what point does he dispatch General
Ashe ? With what force ?
What stratagem did Prevo.st use ? Was it
successful ? What troops resisted ? What
was the loss of the Americans ? What was
the consequence of this defeat ? What gov-
ernment was organized in Georgia? What
was the conduct of the Carolinians ? Who
was chosen governor? How many men were
raised by the middle of April ? What were
Lincoln's plans ? What movement was made
by the British army ? With what success ?
On what point did General Moultrie retreat?
On what day did tiie English appear before
Charleston ? By what corps had the garri-
son been reinforced ? What reinforcements
were expected ? How was delay produced ?
What did Prevost do ? Does Lincoln arrive ?
To what place does Prevost retire ? What
are his oi)jects ? What the movements of
Lincoln?
What expedition was sent out from New
York in May ? Who commanded it ? Of
what force did it con.sist ' What objects
did it propose to accomplish ? To what point
did the fleet proceed ? What was accomplish-
ed ? And what the result ? What places did
Clinton next attack? Why were these pla-
ces important ? At what time did he leave
New York ? Which place did he first attack?
With what result ? How was Verplank Point
taken ? Where did General Clinton finally
encamp ? What was accomplished by the
Connecticut privateers ? What measures did
General Clinton fake to destroy them ? What
towns were sacked and burnt ?
What measures did Wa.shington take to
recover Stony Point ? Who commanded the
429
PART III.]
QUESTIONS.
[period iu
expedition? How was it conducted, and
what was the result ? Were the Americans
equally successful at Verplank's Point ? What
measures did Clinton adopt when he learned the
news ? What did General Washington deem
it prudent to do .' What exploit was perform-
ed by Major Lee on the 19th of July 1 Who
had come from Halifax and taken post at the
mouth of the Penobscot river? What was
his object? Who commanded the naval and
land armament sent to the Penoliscot? What
did they do on reaching the Penobscot ? What
occasioned the failure of the enterprise?
How did the men escape? What feelings
did this disaster occasion in Massachusetts ?
What expedition was planned against the In-
dians ? Who commanded '. What did it ef-
fect ? To what place did the army retire,
after accomplishing their object ?
CHAPTER X.
WTiat events were transpiring in the West
Indies ? Who commanded the English fleet ?
Who the French ? What did the English de-
sire ? What had the French in view ? Why
did they not wish a general battle ? What
island is captured by the French ? After d'Es-
taing had received reinforcements, what place
does he assail ? Give the particulars. What
complaints are made by the Americaris?
What reasons do they give why d'Eslaing
should return ? Does he listen to their en-
treaties? What two measures does Count
d'Estaing propose ? Which was adopted ?
What measures of defense are adopted by
General Prevost?
What steps are taken by General Lincoln ?
What was prematurely done by d'Estaing ?
How did the commandant effect delay ? What
truce was granted ? What reinforcements
did the British receive? Who joined the
Americans ? With what force ? On what
day was the place besieged ? When was the
bombardment commenced ? Give a general
account of the battle, and the final result.
Why does Clinton withdraw from Rhode
Island ? What fleet was commanded by Paul
Jones ? Describe the battle which occurred
on the 23d of September. Who was the vic-
tor ? At what cost ?
What were some of the disadvantages of
the French alliance? What considerations
did the patriots address to the people ? What
evils were experienced from the avaricious
and selfish ? What added to this general de-
cline of morality? What amount of paper
had been issued by congress ? What mean
device did England resort to, to depreciate
the currency ?
What selfish considerations influenced the
French cabinet ? What did Mr. Gerard de-
mand for France ? What did he ask for
Spain ? What did Spain seek to obtain from
the United States ? What course did she
finally adopt on her own account ? Who was
sent out to reinforce General Clinton ? What
move did Clinton then make? Who com-
manded at the south ? Where did Washing-
ton go into winter-quarters '
430
CHAPTER XL
What feelings were manifested in Russia
towards England •? What did England claim?
Wlio was foremost in opposition to her pre-
tensions ? What proposition was made by
Catharine II. ? What powers acceded to the
proposal ? What were the provisions of the
treaty ? What agreement was made to en-
sure its observance ? To what courts were
these articles of agreement communicated ?
What powers adopted them? What policy
did England pursue ? What course did Por-
tugal take ? Why ? What course did Hol-
land adopt?
What was now the policy of the British ?
To what point did Clinton sail ? By whom
is he reinforced ? On what point does he
concentrate his forces ? W hat are the move-
ments of General Lincoln ? Who aids him?
What were the discouragements attending
the defense of Charleston ? At what time did
the siege commence? Where was General
Huger stationed ? Did he retain his position?
What was the consequence? What rein
forcements did the British receive? How
was Fort Moultrie passed ? With what loss ?
How was Charleston then menaced ? Oa
what day was Fort Moultrie abandoned ?
On what day was Charleston surrendered ?
How many men capitulated ? How many
cannon were given up? To whom do his-
torians attribute the success at Savannah and
Charleston? What expeditions did Clinton
plan? Were they successful? Whom did
Tarleton pursue? Where did he overtake
Burford ? How did he tarnish the honors of
his success? Into whose possession had
South Carolina now fallen ? What did Gene-
ral Clinton say of it? What does he proceed
to do ? What does he require of the citizens ?
What arrangements does he now make ?
What is remarked of the winter of 1779-80?
What movement had been made by Knyphau-
son during Clinton's absence? What was
his object ? What engagement took place ?
With what result ? What aroused the people?
What was the consequence ?
CHAPTER XII.
What measures did congress adopt in re-
gard to their currency? What had been pre-
viously done by Clinton in South Carolina ?
What was the conduct of the British towards
the republicans of the south ? To what vexa-
tions were they subject? What especially
excited the opposition of the Carolinians I
What did the British require of them? What
did they reply ? What is said of the women
ot Carolina? What was their parting ad-
vice; ^ What general remarks are made in
regard to the causes which produced the tor-
por of 1779 ? What state of feeling succeed-
ed this? Was it shared and stimulated by
the ladies? What society was formed in
Philadelphia? Who was at its head ? What
was the character of Mr. Washington?
CHAPTER Xin.
What news did La Fayette bring on his re-
PART III.]
QUESTIONS.
[period Il-
ium from France? How was he received?
When did the squadron arrive .' What rein-
forcements did it bring ? What arrangements
were made in regard to the rank of the offi-
cers ? How were the French received ?
What reinforcements reached New York?
What expedition was determined on by Gen-
eral Clinton ? What measures were adopted
by Washington ? What was the final action
of General Clinton? What events transpired
at the south ? What officers distinguished
themselves in partisan warfare ? What was
effected by Colonel Sumpter? Where did
he defeat the British? Who is sent with
regular troops to defend South Carolina ?
Who was appointed to the command of the
southern army ? On what point did he ad-
vance ? With what force ? What proclama-
tion did he issue ? What influence had it on
the people ? Who commanded the British
army ? What plans did he form to attack the
Americans ? What was done by General
Gates ? How did the armies meet ? Near
what place ? What was the result of the bat-
tle ? What was the loss of the Americans ?
What that of the British ? What general offi-
cer was mortally wounded ? On what point
did General Gates retreat ? What officer
still remained in South Carolina ? Where is
he finally defeated ? By whom ? Who still
continued to harass the British ?
CHAPTER XIV.
What thrilling event occurred at the north?
What was Arnold's standing with the people
at this time ? What caused his first indebted-
ness? What excited him against congress?
What punishment was inflicted by the court-
martial ? Why does he determine to sell his
country ? With whom does he negotiate ?
What plan is agreed upon? How did he dis-
pose of the forces? Who was appointed to
confer with him? At what time do they have
a personal interview ? Why does Andre re-
main on shore ?
Why does he not ag^n go on board the Vul-
ture ? What route does he take for New
York ? Where is he met and arrested ? By
whom ? What conversation passed ? To
what post is he taken? What does Colonel
Jameson permit? Where had General Wash-
ington been employed ? What was his first
care ? Had Arnold accomplices ? How might
Andre have been disposed of? What course
did General Washington adopt ? Who were
prominent members of the court-martial ?
Who interfered to save Andre ? What ar-
guments were used to excuse him ? How did
he appear before the court ? What was his
sentence ? Does Clinton still urge his re-
lease ? Who were appointed to negotiate in
the matter? What were the arguments of
Roliiuson ? What the reply of Greene ? What
ciri'uiustances increased his desire of life ?
What docs he solicit of Washington ? When
is he finally executed? What are his last
words at the gallows ?
What did Arnold receive from the British
government ? What did he sacrifice ? How
were the captors of Andre rewarded ? After
the battle of Camden, what enterprise did
Cornwallis undertake ? To what place did
he march ? What time did he reach it? Who
had committed acts of barbarity in North
Carolina ? What spirit did they arouse in
the people? Who were the principal lead-
ers? At what place was the principal battle
fought? With what result? How did this
affect the situation of Cornwallis ? Who
were the principal leaders of the republicans ?
What does Cornwallis finally decide upon?
Where does he encamp his army ?
Who was sent to Virginia ? For what pur-
pose ? With what force ? What rencounter
took place between the partisan chiefs ? With
what result? Who superseded Gates? In
what condition did he find the army ? What
line of policy was determined on ? Who was
sent to reinforce Cornwallis ? With what
force? Wlio makes a descent on Virginia?
In what spirit ?
CHAPTER XV.
What events were transpiring in Europe ?
Were the naval operations extensive ? Who
captured Pensacola, and subsequently Flori-
da? What reinforcements did France de-
termine on sending to America? What
force was to be sent to Cornwallis ? What
was the situation of American affairs ? What
were the difficulties which surrounded the
American congress? What means did they
adopt to raise money ?
Who was appointed treasurer ? What was
his character? What means did he adopt to
raise the credit of the country ? W'hat was
done, in the meantime, abroad? Who watch-
ed over the interests of America there ? What
moneys were raised by loan? What results
were to be produced ? What insubordination
showed itself at this time ? What were the
alledged grounds of it? To what extent did
it reach? Who were the commissioners ap-
pointed by congress to examine into the
facts ?
What measures were taken by Clinton to
seduce the mutineers? With what result?
What measures were recommended by Wash-
ington? How was the matter finally adopt-
ed ? What was done with Clinton's emissa-
ries ? What other troops revolt ? What steps
were taken by Washington? What plan of
operations was adopted by General Greene?
Describe the battle of the Cowpens ? What
loss did each party sustain?
What does Cornwallis decide upon ? What
favorable incident saved Colonel Morgan ?
Who arrives and assumes the command ! Do
the British still pursue? Where are the
Americans again overtaken ? By what inci-
dent are they again preserved ? To what
point iloes General Greene march ? Who is to
join him ? What are the intentions of Corn-
wallis? To what place does he go? For
what purpose? What accidents caused the
defeat of two parties of loyalists? What
terriiiiiatod the Tarleton expedition ?
At what place does General Greene coiiceu
431
PART III]
QUESTIONS.
[PEKIOD II.
trate his army ? How strong is it ? De-
scribe the batile of Guilford Court House ? To '
what place does Greene retreat I What meas- I
ures does Comwallis now decide upon ?
What movements are made by Greene ? When
Comwallis reached Wilminjjton, what plans
does he consider ? What does he finally de-
cide upon ? Who is left in command of the :
troops remaining in Carolina? With what
hopes ?
CHAPTER XVI.
Wliere were the head-quarters of Lord
Rawdon ? What were the other principal
posts of the British? What compelled the
British to divide their troops? What eifect
was produced by the retreat of Comwallis ?
What partisan officers annoyed the British in
the southern part of Carolina? Who held
Lord Rawdon in check in the northern part ?
Where does Greene intrench his array? By
whom are they attacked ? At what time ?
Describe the battle. What is the loss on
either side ? Wh it movement is made by
Greene ? Is he pursued ?
At what time does Lord Rawdon evacuate
Camden ? Towards what place does he re-
treat? What forts are captured by Marion
and Lee ? What by Sumpter ? How many
prisoners are made ? What posts now re-
mained to the British in upper Carolina?
What post does Greene beseige ? Who flies
to its succor? What post capitulates to the
Americans ? Why does Greene assault the
post of Ninety-Six? Is he successful ? To
what place does he then retire ? Sketch the
history o' Isaac Hayne. What is said of
Lord Rawdon ?
field, between Washington and Count Ro-
chambeau ? What change was made in his
plans ? What stratagem was practiced?
At what place did the French join General
Washington ? When he crossed the Hudson,
what report did he cause to be spread ? De-
scribe his route to the south. At what time
did he join La Fayette ? At what place ? At
what time did Count de Grasse enter the
Chesapeake ? What end did it accomplish?
What was feared in regard to General La
Fayette? How was the" artillery to be ob-
tained for the siege ? What was the advice
of Washington ? What was the conduct of
the French admiral ? Was it successful ?
CHAPTER XVII.
WTiat were the detemiinations of Greene?
What route did he pursue to meet the enemy ?
Who commanded the British forces ? Where
was the decisive battle fought ? With what
result ? What was the loss of the Briti.sh ?
What that of the Americans ? After Greene's
army was reinforced, to what places did the
British retreat ? What is said of Greene's
military character? Where did Arnold land
in Virginia ? With what force ? What was
his conduct ?
What plan is formed for the capture of Ar-
nold ? Who is dispatched to Virginia ? With
what force ? What naval force is dispatched
from Rhode Island ? What prevents the cap-
ture of Arnold ? What force does Clinton
send to Virginia? What town is burnt by
Arnold ? To what place do Philip and Ar-
nold retreat ? For what object ? After Com-
wallis took command, what plans does he
form ? Who commanded the corps of Ameri-
cans in Virginia? What policy did La Fa-
yette adopt ? What expedition was confided
to Tarleton ? With what result ?
What orders are sent to Comwallis by
Clinton ? What is finally decided upon ?
Where does Comwallis conclude to fortify
himself ' What was agreed upon at Wethers-
432
CHAPTER XVIII.
"WTiat is the situation of Comwallis ? W'hat
information does he receive from Clinton?
What diversion does Clinton attempt ? Who
commanded the expedition against New Lon-
don ? What forts defended it? What was
the conduct of the Biitish? What distin-
guished officer was slam by his own sword?
What was the fate of New London? Did
Arnold penetrate into the country? What
measures of defense are adopted by Com-
wallis ? How does he lose his only chance
of escape ?
What is the strength of the combined ar-
mies which move from Williamsburg ? What
portion were French? At what time do
they commence the seige ? What portions of
the works are carried by assault ? How did
General Washington divide the sen-ice ?
Who commanded the sortie ? What was its
success ? What effort does Comwallis make
to save his army ? How is he prevented ?
At what time does he propose to negoti-
ate? What terms does he ask? What are
granted ? What were the articles of capitula-
tion? How many troops were surrendered?
What arrangements were made between the
French and Americans? How were the
prisoners treated ? Was any aid on its way
from New York? What feelings did the
event occasion in New York I What allies
leave America ?
CHAPTER XIX.
What has already been stated in regard to
Vermont ? What did New York attempt in
resard to the settlers in Vermont ? What
was the consequence ? What measures are
taken by the inh.abitants of Vermont ? What
name do they give to the state ? What do
they ask of congress ?
What was the situation of Vermont in
1781 ? By what system of management had
its territorv been protected ? What fortunate
event avoided a crisis ? What was the con-
dition of the country in 1781 ? What means
of relief had congress? Did the states pay
their quotas ? Whom did the people blame ?
What was now the feeling in England in
regard to the war ? What posts did the Brit-
ish now hold in America ? What resolution
was passed in the house of commons ? VV ho
succeeds Sir Henry Clinton ? V\'hat was the
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period I.
general feeling on both sides? '\^'}io were
appomled by "the British to negotiate for
peace ? Why were they unsuccessful ? Who
were appointed by congress ' What power
recognizes the independence of the United
States ?
Who were appointed commissioners on the
part of Great Britain ? When were the pre-
liminary articles signed ? W'hen was the final
treaty completed ? What circumstances made
the treaty more favorable to America ? What
subject was left unsettled ? What were the
causes of discontent in the army ? What
were the fears of the officers .' What am-
bitious feelings had weight ?
What means were taken to bring Washing-
ton into these views ? Wiiat sentiments were
expressed in the letter to Washington ? What
feelings did the communication produce ?
What did he reply '. What gave rise to the
Newburg letter? Who was its author?
What was its character and tenor? What
did it advise ? W'hat did it propose ?
What course did VV'ashington adopt ? What
address did he make in the meeting ? What
did he declare — and what promise ? What
eifect was produced upon the officers ? What
did he write to congress in their behalf?
What act did congress pass ?
Who first communicated the intelligence of
peace ? At what time was it officially an-
nounced ? How long had the war lasted ?
When was the army disbanded ? What is
said of those who still survive ? What Eu-
ropean powers acknowledge the independence
of the United States ? At what periods ?
W^hen did Prussia come in ? On what day
did the British evacuate New York ? At
what time did Wasfiington take leave of the
army ? At what place ? Whence did Wash-
ington proceed ? For what purpose ? On
what day did he resign his commission ? To
w^hat place does he retire ? Where is Mount
Vernon situated ?
CHAPTER XX.
What was the condition of the country at
the close of the war? What augmented the
discontent? What expedient was resorted
to by Rhode Island? What disorders grew
out of these distresses ? Who was the leader
of the malcontents in Massachusetts ? What
did he do at Springfield ?
What force was ordered out to suppress the
insurrection ? Who commanded it ? W'ho
was appointed to take possession of S|)ring-
field ? How did he accomplish it ? How
many rioters were killed ? How were the
malcontents finally disposed of? What was
discovered in regard to the government?
What remedy was proposed ? What evils
existed ? How alone could they have a reme-
dy ? Who suggested the idea of strengthen-
ing the general government ? W' hich state
first recommended a convention to form a
constitution ? On whose motion ? In what
year ? How was the proposition received by
congress ? When did the convention meet ?
What did they proceed to do?
What two opposite views presented them-
selves ? What did one class of politicians
believe? Where did they look for an exam-
ple ? What did others believe ? Where is
the true line ? On what basis was the con-
stitution formed ? What different views were
entertained by the two parties? What were
those called who leaned towards strengthen-
ing the general government ? W"hat were
their opponents called ? What other difficul-
ties arose ? How were the slaves finally al-
lowed to be reckoned ?
Was there any opposition to the adoption
of the new constitution ? How many states
adopted it in 1789? W^hat states had not?
What is the supreme authority in which the
constitution is piomulgated ? What are the
objects for which it was established ? In
what is the legislative power vested ? How
are representatives chosen — and for what
time ? By whom ? How are they appor-
tioned ? Of how many members is the senate
composed ? What their term of service ?
Who chooses the presiding officer of the
house of representatives ? What is he called ?
Who is the presiding officer of the senate ?
What are the two houses called ? How often
must they sit ?
What bills must originate in the house of
representatives ? Who has the care of the
peoples' money ? Who bears the sword ?
Who the purse ? Where is the executive
power vested? What is requisite to make a
person eligible ? W hat power has the presi-
dent ? How are treaties made ? Where is
the judicial power vested ? How are im-
peachments made ? Who tries them ? What
was feared by both parties, when the consti-
tution was adopted? How is it now re-
garded ?
PART IV.
PERIOD I.
At what time does Part IV. begin? At
what time does it close ?
At what time does this Period begin?
What event marks its commencement? At
what time does it close ?
its close ?
What event marks
CHAPTER I.
On what day was the new government to
go into operation ? What were Washington's
wishes at the close of the war? To what
433
PART IV. J
QUESTIONS.
[period I.
place did he make a visit ? What important
idea did he suggest ? Whom did he memo-
rialize on the subject ? What vtas offered
by the states of Pemisylvania and Virginia .'
What added to Washington's expenses ?
To what does Washington give his attention
in retirement ? What remains has he left of
his taste ? To what place was he first called
from his retirement ? What office did he re-
ceive from the convention ? After the adop-
tion of the constitution, to what office was he
chosen .' How long after he received notice
of his election, before his departure for New
York ? How was he received by the .people
on his journey ? On what day was he in-
augurated .' At what place ?
What did he declare in his inaugural ad-
dress in regard to himself .' What maxims of
wisdom and patriotism did he lay down ?
What was the first object of congress ? On
what did they lay duties ? What distinction
did they make between American and foreign
vessels ? \V'ho were the first secretaries ap-
pointed under the constitution ? Under whose
care was the navy placed ? To whom were
the secretaries made responsible ? By whom
removable ? What changes were made in
the constitution in this session ?
Describe the organization of the judiciary.
By what congress was it made ? What sala-
ries were given to the various officers ? What
did congress recommend before adjournment ?
At what time did congress adjourn ? What
did they require of the secretary of the treas-
ury ? How is General Washington received
in New England ? When did North Carolina
come into the Union ?
At w hat time did the second session of con-
gress begin I What important report was
made by Hamilton .' What debts did he pro-
pose to assume ? What gave rise to the two
great parties .' What were the points of dif-
ference between the opposing parties ? Which
side did thj federalists espouse ? Fromvvhat
section of the country were they? What did
the federalists contend for in the assumption
of the state debts ? What principle was ad-
vocated Ijy the republicans ? What were the
arguments used on each side ? What was
proposed by Mr. Madison? How was it re-
ceived?
What motives were attributed to Mr. Hamil-
ton ? What were the proofs relied upon ?
What were the arguments in favor of assum-
ing the state debts ? What was decided in
the matter ? What means were used to carry
out the plans of Mr. Hamilton ? In what year
did Rhode Island come into the Union ?
What w as the argument in favor of a duty on
distilled spirits ? Was the duty laid ?
What cession was made by North Caroli-
na'! By whom was Nashville founded 1 In
what year i What treaty was made in
17901 What were the arcuinents for and
against a national bankl What was the re-
sult of the deliberations! Where was the
bank located > With what capital? Who
were the leaders of the two great parties'?
What grounds of complaint were iirsed against
the course of Mr. Jefferson? Could the dif-
434
ferences be healed ? At what time was Ver-
mont admitted into the Union ? When was the
first census taken ? What was the population ?
When was the liist apportionment made? What
was the ratio of representation adopted ?
CHAPTER II.
What is said of the connection between
the Moravian missionaries and the early his-
tory of the aborigines .' How did the Mora-
vians treat their converts ? What excited
the people against the Moravian converts?
Who established a mission on the Alleghany
river? In what year? With what success ?
What Indian war occurred in 1770? What
gave rise to it ? Where do the Moravian
missionaries locate themselves ? Under
whom ! What settlements are broken up?
To what place did Zeisberger remove ? How
many persons afterwards joined him from the
Susquehannah ? What obstacles opposed the
influence of the chiefs ? Who among the
Delawares favored civilization? What reso-
lution was finally adopted by the Delawares '
What difficulties did the revolution raise to
the work of the missionaries ? Who visits
the missionaries? With what intent? How
is he appeased? What finall)' do the Indian
tribes determine on ? What are the Moravi-
ans obliged to do ? Whence do they flee t
What befalls them ?
How many of the converts returned to the
Muskingum to gather the corn? Describe
the manner in which they were murdered?
What happened to the missionaries who were
taken to Detroit? What was the declaration
of Captain Pipe? What did the governor
state to the missionaries ? Where did they
again settle ? After the peace, where did
they again locate themselves ?
Which was the most powerful of the west-
em tribes of Indians ' Who was their chief?
What was his character ? Whom did he in-
cite to join against the United States ? What
were his views and intentions ? W hat gene-
ral was first sent against the savages ? With
what force ? Near what place is he defeated?
Who wais next sent against them ? With
what force? What was the result? What
did congress resolve upon ? What wr -"^ the
difficulties in the way ? Who were sent to
negotiate ? W'hat was their fate ? What did
the Six Nations effect?
When was Kentucky admitted into the
Union ? What was the currency of the
country called after the establishment of the
mint ? When was Washington re-elected
president ? Who was re-elected vice-presi-
dent? What events in France now affected
American politics ? What were the argu-
ments and feelings of the democratic party ?
What those of the federalists ?
What course did Washington adopt? Was
this in accordance with public sympathy ?
By whom was Genet sent out as a minister?
Where did he land ? What did he infer from
his reception ? What were his proceedings
at Charleston? How was he received in
Philadelphia ? Who complained of his acts?
What course did General Washington adopt t
(
PtRT IV. J
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
Who succeeded Genet 1 When was Kentucky
admitted to the Unions By whom and when
was the first English settlement made in this
state'! What inducements were held out by
Virginia for new settlers 1
CHAPTER HI.
What office did Mr. JefTerson resign in 17941
What excitement did congress create in western
Pennsylvania 1 What measures did Washing-
ton adopt to vinilicate the lawsl How many
men were raised 1 By whom were they com-
manded? What effect was produced I
What naval armament was ordered at this
time ? For what particular object ? With
what power was a war apprehended ? What
complaints did Great Britain make against the
Americans 1 Of what did the Americans
complain ? What measures did congress
adopt ? Who was sent to England to negoti-
ate ! Who was appointed to succeed Gene-
ral St. Clair ? What name did the Indians
give to General Wayne ? What was the ad-
vice of Little Turtle ? Describe General
Wayne's campaign against the Indians. —
Where did he attack and defeat them ? On
what day? Were any British soldiers in the
fight ? How did the British treat the Indians ?
What was the consequence ? What was af-
terwards done by the Americans ?
At what time did General Hamilton resign?
Who succeeded him ? When was Jay's trea-
ty completed ? Was it ratified ? What were
its provisions ? What objections were raised
to it? What breach of faith was committed
by a senator? What eflfect did it produce?
What was attempted at the next session of
congress, by the hciise of representatives ?
What was the final result ?
What other treaties were made this year?
What was insisted on by Spain, after the
revolution ? Who was appointed to make a
treaty ? What did the treaty guaranty ? When
was Tennessee admitted into the Union?
Were the treaties of 1795 opposed? What
was the conduct of the French minister ?
Who succeeded Mr. Morris, as minister to
France ? How was he received there ? Who
succeeded Mr. Fauchet? What sinister mo-
tives had France ? How did she finally con-
duct towards America ?
Why was Mr. Monroe recalled? Who
succeeded him ? What is said of the admin-
istration of General Washington ? At what
time did he publish his farewell address?
What were the principal subjects to which
he drew the attention of the American peo-
ple ? What did he say of the spirit of party ?
CHAPTER IV.
W^o were the candidates for the presiden-
cy to succeed General Washington ? What
were the points of difference between them ?
With what did each party charge the other?
What intelligence did .Mr. Adams receive up-
on entering upon his duties ? What measures
did congress adopt ? What army did they
place at the command of the president ?
How did Mr. Adams manifest his desire
for peace? WTio composed the new embassy T
Were they received? How were the nego
tiations carried on ? What was demanded
by the persons acting under Talleyrand ?
What was the mission called ? Why !
Who were first recalled? What did Mr.
Adams declare ? What was the conduct of
the French ? What became the motto of the
country ? Who was appointed to command
the army ? Who was made second m com-
mand ? What naval battle was fought ? Who
composed the new embassy ? Whom did
they find at the head of the French govern-
ment ? Did they negotiate a treaty ? At
what time ?
At what time did the death of General
Washington occur ? What feelings did it
produce in the country ? What notice did
congress take of his death ? What was his
age ? What is said of him ?
CHAPTER V.
In what year was the seat of government
transferred to Washington ? From what
states was the territory ceded ? How large
is it ? What is it called?
What new territories were made in the year
1800 ? What is said of the feelings of the re-
publican party towards Mr. Adams at his first
election? To whom was the party particu-
larly opposed ? What measures of President
Adams were made the means of assailing his
administration ? What was charged on him
by his opponents ? What acts of Mr. Adams'
administration were especially unpopular?
What was the nature of the alien law?
What that of the sedition law ?
How were the president and vice-presi-
dent elected in 1800? Who were the candi-
dates of the democratic party ? What diffi-
culty occurred ? Whom did the federal party
support for the presidency? What difficulty
occurred in the ballot? Who was finally
chosen ? After how many ballotings ?
When was Mr. Jefferson inaugurated ?
What custom did he introduce in regard to
the message ? Who was made secretary of
state ? What bills were immediately passed
by congress ? What was the population of
the United States in the second census?
How much increase in the last ten years?
What had been the increase in the revenue ?
What war was declared in 1801 ? What nevr
state was admitted into the Union in 1802?
From what states had the United States de-
rived this territory ? What steps were taken
on the subject of slaveiy ? In what year was
Louisiana ceded to the French ? What order
was made in regard to the port of xSew Or-
leans? What measures did congress adopt?
With what success ? What propositiims were
made in regard to Louisiana ? How much
was paid for it ? By what treaty was it trans-
ferred ?
PERIOD II.
At what time does this Period begin ? At
what time does it close ? What event marks
its commencement ? What its termination 1
435
PART IV. J
QUESTIONS.
[period n.
CHAPTER I.
What was the custom of the nations inhabit-
ing the southern shores of the Mediterranean?
What was intimated by Tripoli ? Who was
ordered to the Mediterranean? With what
force ? What did he do ? Who was ordered
out with a larger squadron ? What happened
to the Philadelphia? What daring enterprise
was accomplished by Lieut. Decatur?
Is Commodore Preble successful in his at-
tempt to destroy Tripoli? How are the
American prisoners treated? What plan is
proposed by Captain Eaton ? In what year ?
In what year were the forces organized ?
A'hat place do they attack and capture ? Are
they left without annoyance ? What are the
conditions of the peace ? When was it con-
cluded ?
What painful occurrence took place in
180-1 ? What caused the difficulty ? What
was the vote in favor of Mr. Jefferson in his
second election ? What had been the policy
of the United States ? How had they profited
by it ? What was the policy of France and
Great Britain ? What two subjects were in
dispute between America and Great Britain?
What was the right of search claimed by
England ? What was the other subject of
difference? What did England claim ? What
did America claim ? What did America do
in pursuance of her principles ? How did
this give rise to difficulties ?
Why were the principles of the English
convenient to them ? How far did they carry
the claimed right of impressment? What
measures were adopted by Great Britain in
the administration of Charles Fox? What
counter measures were adopted by France ?
What was this equivalent to ? What was the
standing of Aaron Burr after his duel with
Hamilton ? What expedition was he sup-
posed to have organized ? Where is he ap-
prehended ? Where tried ? On what charges ?
Before whom was he tried ? With what re-
sult?
CHAPTER II.
At what time did the Chesapeake leave
Hampton Road ? By whom was she com-
manded ? What was demanded by the com-
mander of the British frigate Leopard ? What
outrage was then committed on her ? What
feeling did this event excite in the country?
What measures did the president adopt?
What were the orders in council issued by
Great Britain? What reasons were given
for them ? What counteracting orders were
issued by Napoleon ? What effect had these
measures on American commerce ? What
expedient did congress adopt to protect our
commerce ? What were the instructions is-
sued to Mr. Monroe ? What was the propo-
sition of Mr. Canning ? Who was sent to the
United States to adjust the difficulties ? What
was done with Commodore Barron? Who
succeeded Mr. Jefferson? In what year?
What substitute was adopted for the embar-
go ? What orders were issued by Buonaparte,
in regard to American vessels ? Who agreed
436
to a treaty with the United States? Was
the arrangement sanctioned by the British
government ?
When did the non-intercourse law expire ?
What proposition did the United States theii
make to the belligerents ? By whom was it
accepted ? What was the population of the
United States at the third census? What
occurrence took place between the frigate
President and the Little Belt >. What indica-
tions are observed among the Indian tribes?
Who are the moving spirits among the savages ?
What part does each perform ? How does
the Prophet discipline his tribes ?
What were the arguments of Tecumseh by
which he excited the Indians ? What expe-
dient was adopted to get rid of the opposing
chiefs ? Describe the death of the Wyandot
chief, Leather-Lips. Where did the Indians
collect their forces? Who commanded the
forces which marched against the Indians?
Where did he meet the Indians ? What was
agreed upon ? WI.at was the plan of the In-
dians ? What was the result? What was
the loss on either side ?
Who succeeded Mr. Jackson as minister ?
W^hat difficulty did he adjust ? In what way ?
What did the British still claim as a right ?
How many American vessels fell into the
hands of the British between 1803 and 18] 1 ?
What was finally resolved upon by the presi-
dent ? What preparations were made for
war? What conspiracy was developed in
February, 1812? Who was the agent se-
lected by the British goyernment ? Was he
successful ? To what cause did he attribute
his failure ? Why did he disclose the facts
to the president? What reward did he re-
ceive ?
CHAPTER III.
What act was passed in April, 1812? When
was war declared ? What reasons were given
by the president for the war ? WTiat party
protested? What difference existed in the
condition of the country at this period and at
the revolution ? In what respects was the
country better prepared at the period of the
revolution ? What war had just closed pre-
vious to the revolution? What mistake was
made in appointing the generals ? What mis-
take was made in the administration of Mr.
Jefferson ? What was the amount of the na-
tional debt at the commencement of the war?
What was the strength of the army in 1808?
To what number was it increased on the eve
of the war ? What was the condition of the
army?
What causes operated to suppress national
feeling? What more favorable moment for
war had gone by ? What was the condition
of the revenue? What was the condition of
the navy ? What had given it confidence and
efficiency ? Who was appointed commander-
in-chief? Where did he establish his head-
quarters ?
CHAPTER IV.
What was the plan of the first campaign '
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS,
[period II.
Wlio was appointed to command the north-
westurn army .' How many regiments of mi-
litia were raised in Ohio ! Who commanded
them ? From what place does he move the
troops? At what time ? What extraordinary'
omission was made in the letter of the secre-
tary of war ? What was the consequence of
this mistake ? On what day did General Hull
receive the intelligence that war was de-
clared ? In what way ?
Where was the strong hold of the British ?
What impediments were offered to the ad-
vance of General Hull ! What were his or-
ders? At what time did he reach Detroit?
What orders did Mr. Eustis issue to General
Hull ? At what time did General Hull cross
into Canada? Where did he take post?
What measures did he adopt ? Why were
the troops inactive at Sandwich? What
skirmish ensued ? What supplies were ex-
pected ? Who was sent out to protect them ?
What followed ?
What signal neglect of the government
caused the loss of Mackinaw ? On what day
did it surrender? What were now the im-
pressions of General Hull ? What arrange-
ment permitted all the British force to be
brought against him ? What resolution did
he adopt ? How did it affect the army ? On
what day did he reach Detroit ? What battle
was fought on the 9th of Augiist? Who com-
manded on either side? What was the re-
sult ? What did Hull now propose ? Who
are now sent out to protect the expected sup-
plies? What occurred at Chicago?
W^ho arrives to take command of Fort Mai-
den ? On what day does he reach Sandwich ?
What reason does he give why the Americans
should surrender? What is Hull's reply?
What measures does Brock then adopt ?
On what day do the British cross the river ?
Where do they land? What is Hull's con-
duct ? How are the garrisons first formed for
battle ? When withdrawn, what feelings are
manifested by the officers and men ? What
is the final result ? What was the force on
each side ? What disposition was made of
General Hull ? How was he treated by the
government ? What was his sentence ? Was
it executed?
CHAPTER V.
What naval battle was fought on the 19th
of August? Who commanded on each side?
What were the names of the vessels ? What
was the loss on each side ? How much was
paid by congress to the captors ? What other
naval battle was fought soon after ? Where
were the militia quartered? Under whose
command ? What did they desire to do ? At
what time is the crossing first attempted?
On what day is the crossing effected ? Under
whose command ? What befalls him ? Who
then assumes the command ? What does he
accomplish?
What British general now advances?
What is the result of his onset ? What Brit-
ish general now appears ? With what force ?
What was the conduct of the militia on the
American side ? To what are the American
troops now obliged to submit ? Who bears
the flag of truce ? What is the loss of the
Americans ? What movements are made in
Kentucky and Ohio ? How many men are
advancing? Under whose command?
What fort is attacked on the Wabash?
Under whose command was it ? What was
the result ? What measures of defense are
adopted by Governor Shelby ? Where do
the troops concentrate ? What incidents oc-
cur to them on their march ? What meas-
ures are adopted by the militia? What is the
conduct of their general ? What new expe-
dition is undertaken by Hopkins ? What
other enterprises are undertaken again.st the
Indians ? What transpired in the northern
army ? What happened at Ogdensburg ?
What was accomplished liy Major Young?
Who commanded the northern army at Cham-
plain ? When and where did they go into
winter-quarters ?
Who succeeded General Van Rensselaer in
the command of the central army ? What is
his general conduct ? What officer performs a
gallant enterprise ? What befalls him ? What
naval engagement occurred on the 18th of
October? Describe it. What afterwards oc-
curred to Captain Jones ? How was he re-
ceived on his return home ? How rewarded
by congress ?
What other naval victory was the cause of
just pride to the Americans ? What was the
reply of Commodore Decatur to Captain Car-
den ? What other victoiy closed the naval
successes of this year? What was effected
by privateers ? What is said of the campaign
by land of 1812 ? What of the American
successes at sea? What was feared by the
British ?
CHAPTER VI.
When were the orders in council repealed?
What overtures for peace were made by di-
rection of Mr. Monroe ? What reply was
made by the British minister, Lord Castle-
reagh? What advantage did Sir George Pro-
vost take of General Dearborn? What was
the consequence of this measure ? What is
proposed by Admiral Wanen ? What does
he threaten ?
What fact had the American government
learned ? What was the reply of Mr. Monroe
to Admiral Warren ? Did the negotiation
progress ? Why not ? What was the state of
feeling in the country ? What causes con-
tributed to the public disasters ?
What states arrayed themselves against
the government? With what powers does
the constitution invest the president ? What
ground was assumed Ijy Massachusetts and
Connecticut ? What was feared ? What ef-
fect had these measures on popular feeling?
Was the administration fully sustained? At
what time did congress meet ? What means
did they take to increase the army ? What
measures were adopted for the increase of the
navy ? What means were taken to supply
the treasury ? What law was passed in re
437
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period n.
gard to seamen ? When was it to be carried
into effect ? What was the force of the regu-
lar army .' What additions were made to it ?
What was the result of the late election '
CHAPTER VII.
Where was the scene of the campaign of
of 1813 ? Who commanded the three armies?
Where was their several stations 1 Who was
governor of Canada ? Who was charged with
the defenses of Upper Canada ? Who with
that of Lower Canada? Where were now
the head-quarters of General Harrison ?
Where was General Winchester quartered?
When was he attacked by the British force ?
Who commanded it? What was the result?
What were the stipulations of the sur-
render ? What was the conduct of the sav-
ages ? What the fate of the prisoners ? On
what day did the massacre take place ? To
what phice does General Harrison now re-
move his head-quarters ? By what force is
he here besieged ? Who commanded it ?
Who comes to his succor? What orders
does Harrison give ? How are the advan-
tages partially lost? What is the fate of
Colonel Dudley and his party?
What is the result of Proctor's attack on
Fort Meigs ? What allies join the Americans
in July ? What were the views of the Ameri-
can government at the beginning of the war?
What were finally their determination ? What
new enterprise did Proctor undertake ? Who
commanded Fort Stephenson ? With what
force ? What force invested it ? With what
result?
CHAPTER VIII.
What enterprise was accomplished on the
8th of October by Captain Elliot ? What by
Major Forsyth ? What attack was ordered
by Sir George Provost? With what result?
What was the condition of the American flo-
tilla on the lakes ? What e.xpedition is under-
taken from Sackett's Harbor by General
Dearborn? What force is employed? With
what result ?
How many men were slain by the explo-
sion of the magazines ? What general officer .'
How (lid he die? What was the loss of the
British ? What that of the Americans ?
When was York evacuated? What expe-
dition w.is next undertaken? Who com-
manded the British at Fort George? What
was the loss of the British? What that of
the Americans? What expedition was or-
dered liy Sir George Prevost ? Who com-
manded .' Who commanded the American
troops ? With what result ?
To what place did Colonel Vincent retreat?
Who were detached to pursue him? What
calamity befel the American force ? What
was then done by Colonel Burns ? What ex-
pedition was undertaken by Colonel Boerst-
ler? With what result? What important
naval liattle was fought on Lake Erie? Who
were the commanders? How was it con-
ducted? What was the result? What did
Perry say in his dispatch ?
438
To what place is the war now transferred ?
What place is taken ? In what condition does
Harrison find Fort Maiden ? To what place
does Proctor retreat ? Where does he finally
make a stand ? How does he post his army
for battle ? How is the successful attack
made ? What is the result ? What trophies
were taken ? What agreement was now made
with the Indians? What events transpired
in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays ?
CHAPTER IX.
What was the condition of the naval arma
ment on Lake Ontario ? Who was appointed
to command the central army ? At what place
were his head-quarters ? What expedition
did he plan? What corps of observation was
appointed to observe his movements ? Where
was a battle fought ? With what result ? Who
was to join General Wilkinson's army ? With
what force ? Was the junction effected ?
Where did each army go into winter-quarters ?
What measures were adopted by General Pro-
vost ? Who commanded the Americans at
Fort George ? What mistake did he make?
What retaliatory measures were adopted?
What naval engagement took place in Feb-
ruary of this year ? Who were found among
the crew t Describe the circumstances at-
tending the capture of the Chesapeake ? What
were the last words of Lawrence ? To what
place was the prize carried? What other
naval disaster soon followed ? What naval
victory was achieved on the 4th of Septem-
ber? What wa*s the last request of Lieuten-
ant Burrows ? What common honor was
shown to the remains of the two commanders ?
What American commodore returned from a
long and important cruise ?
CHAPTER X.
What efforts had been made to civilize the
Creeks ? Who appeared among them to urge
them to throw off the restraints of civilization?
What arguments did he use ? On what did
they finally resolve ? Describe the massacre
of Fort Mims. How many perished !
What troops were immediately sent out
against the Indians? By whom were they
commanded? At what place did (General
Jackson defeat the Indians ? What towns
were also destroyed? Who commanded at
Autosse? What was the result of the con-
flict? What victory was obtained by General
Claiborne ? What was the last rallying place
of the Indians ? How was the place situated?
Describe the battle? What distinguished
chief submitted ? What did he say to General
Jackson? When was the treaty made with
the Creeks? To what command was General
Jackson appointed ?
CHAPTER XI.
Who offered to mediate between Great
Britain and America? Who were appointed
commissioners on the part of the United
States? What did the English propose?
Where did the commissioners meet ? Who
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
were appointed on the part of Great Britain?
Who were added on the part of America ?
At what time did congress assemlile in
1813? For what object? What did they
proceed to do ? What subject of interest
came up at the regular session of congress ?
What was insisted on by the Americans ?
How was the matter finally arranged ? What
important measure was adopted by congress ?
What did the opposition say to it ? What
events produced the repeal of those laws ?
What acts were passed for the relief of the
army?
CHAPTER XII.
At what time did the army move from
French Mills ? Who was sent to the Niagara
frontier ? With what force ? What success-
ful movement is made by the British? What
attempt is made by General Wilkinson to in-
vade Canada? With what result? What
notice do the government take of Wilkin-
son's conduct ? What movement is made by
the British army? Who had superintended
the preparation of an armament on Lake
Champlain ? At what place was it ? What
attempt was made by the British ? With what
success ?
What enterprise was undertaken by Cap-
tain Holmes ? With what result ? What
plans were formed by the British cabinet?
How were they to be executed? At what
place on the northern coast was the shipping
destroyed ? To what amount ? What reason
is given by a British historian for the distinc-
tion that had been made in favor of New
England f
CHAPTER XIII.
At what place does General Brown halt to
recruit his army ? What general officers com-
manded the brigades? At what time did
General Brown reach Buffalo ? When does
he cross into Canada? What is the first
place which surrenders ? At what time does
the army advance on the enemy ? What is
the strength of each army ? On what day is
the battle fought ? At what place ? Who
particularly distingiiish themselves ? What is
said of tliis battle ? What British officers
are severely wounded ?
What position is assumed by General Rial?
By whom is he joined? What movements
are made by General Brown ? What informa-
tion caused the movement which resulted in
the battle of Bridgewater ? Describe the
manner in which the battle was brouL'ht on.
Descril)e the battle. Who ordered Colonel
Miller to storm the height? What was his
reply? What were some of the slirring in-
cidents of the battle? What was the loss of
the British? What that oi the Americans?
What officers were wounded ? What orders
did General Brown leave for General Ripley?
Why were the cannon not removed .' Who
claimed the victory? To what post do the
Americans retire ? What force besieges them >.
\A'ho arrives and takes command of llie Aiiieri-
cau army ?
I On what day was the assault made on Fort
Erie ? What part of the fort was taken ?
What accident saved it from the enemy?
What was the loss of the British? What
that of the Americans? Who again assumed
the command of the fort ? Who is ordered
to reinforce General Brown? With what
force ' What plan does he form for the relief
of his army ? How was the sortie conducted ?
What were its fruits? What movement was
then made by the British army ? What skir
mish took place on the 20th of October''
What expedition was undertaken on the up-
per lakes ?
CHAPTER XIV.
What was the main defense of the Chesa-
peake bay? Where was this flotilla block-
aded ? What plan was formed by the British
for earring on the war at the south I What
measures were taken to defend Washington ?
What reinforcements did the British army re-
ceive ? How was the fleet divided .' What
duty w'as each part to perform ? What was
accomplished by General Ross ? What move-
ment is made by General Winder ? Who was
secretary of war ?
What policy was resolved upon ? Who
advances to the relief of Washington ? What
order does he receive from General Winder?
Which member of the cabinet labors to rally
volunteers ? What does he propose to Gen-
eral Stanbury ? Where are the enemy met I
What is the result? Where do they again
rally ? What do they finally decide on '. " At
what time does Ross reach Wa-sliington?
What is his conduct? What is the loss on
either side ?
What was the general conduct of the Brit-
ish in Washington? What other [)laces do
they capture ? Is the booty large ? What
expedition is next undertaken? What route
do they take? Who commanded the land
force ? Where did they land ? Wiio com-
manded the Americans ? Who is detached
with an advanced force? What important
event occurs in the first skirmish .' Who
then took command of the British ! M'hat
manoeuvre is made by Colonel Brooke ! What
is General Smith's determination.' VVhat
news came from Admiral Cochrane ? What
did Brooke decide upon? What was the
condition of things on the following day ?
CHAPTER XV.
Which of the eastern states is invaded ?
With what force ? What degrading condition
is imposed on the inhabitants? What inva-
sion was made in August? Under whom?
With what result? What occurred al Sto-
niiigton ? What expedition is plamied by Sir
George Prevost ? With what ho|ies ? Wliat
proclamation did he issue ? What effect did
it produce?
What force ^vas employed in the expe-
dition? How did it a[)proach Platlsburg?
W'hat skirmish took place on the route*
What was the situation of the Ameneaii ariiir
at Platlsburg ? What mistake did Sir Guor-«
439
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period II.
Provost make? How did he dispose his
force ? What was the strengtj} of the respect-
ive fleets ^ Who commanded each ? What
movements were executed during the battle ?
What was the result ? How many were
killed on either side ? What movement was
made by the British army ?
CHAPTER XVI.
What enterprise was carried on in the Pa-
cific Ocean ? With what success ? What
force was sent out to capture Commodore
Porter? What was his first step ?
Where did he meet Commodore Hillyar ?
How long was he blockaded ? What does
he then attempt ? How is he bafiled ? De-
scribe the battle. How many of the crew of
the Essex survive ? What is done with Com-
modore Porter? How is he received in New
York ? What other naval engagements took
place in April? Describe the cruise of the
Wasp ?
What difliculties surround the country?
Who is made secretary of war ? What con-
vention is proposed by the New England
states? What states send delegates ? Where
does the convention assemble ? How long
was it in session ? Were the deliberations
public ! What amendments were proposed
to the constitution ? What was demanded of
the United States ? What did the commis-
sioners learn on reaching Washington ? What
was the feeling of the country in regard to
this convention ?
CHAPTER XVII.
Where did General Jackson establish his
nead-quarlers ? Where did the British land
arms and ammunition ? Under whom ? Wliat
foolish proclamation did he issue ? Describe
the situation of the Barratarians, and the gen-
erous conduct of their commander. What
did General Jackson recommend in regard to
Pensacola ? What did he do ? On what day
does he enter it ? What decides him to go to
New Orleans?
What is the situation of New Orleans ?
What the spirit which prevails ? Who are
the distinguished persons who arouse the peo-
ple ? In whom do they confide ? Who are
employed in the defenses ?
Who commanded the force appointed to
defend the passes? By whom was it at-
tacked ? What was the result ? What meas-
ures were adopted to prevent intelligence from
being carried to the enemy ? What movement
is made by General Kean ? What is appre-
hended by General Jackson? What meas-
ures does he adopt to prevent it? On what
day did General Jackson attack the British ?
With what result ? What were the dispo-
sitions made by General Jackson for the de-
fense of the city ?
What 'nefel the Caroline ? When did Sir
Edward Packenham arrive ? What was his
first attempt ? With what loss ? What was
supposed to be the feeling of the legislature ?
What measures did General Jackson adopt ?
What took place on the first of January ?
440
What reinforcements arrived to General Jack-
son ? What to the British army ? What wa-i
now the relative strength of the two armies ?
On what day was the final attack made ? De-
scribe the battle. What British generals were
wounded or slain ? What was the loss an
either side ? When did the British evacuate
the country ?
CHAPTER XVin.
Where was Fort Bowyer situated ? WTien
did it surrender? To whom ? At what time
did the news of peace reach America ? Was
the treaty ratified ? What did it stipulate ?
What points of difference remained unsettled ?
What loss occurred at the mouth of New York
harbor? What captures were made by the
Americans? What occurred at the Dartmoor
prison ? What other war is immediately un
dertaken ? For what reasons ? How many
squadrons are fitted out? By whom com
manded ? What do they accomplish? What
example was thus set to other nations ?
What measures were taken to secure the
friendship of the Indians ? To what force
was the regular army reduced ? When was
the National Bank established? With what
capital ? What treaties did General Jackson
form with the Indians? When was Indiana
admitted into the Union? When were manu-
factories first undertaken in the United
States ? What was their condition before
the war ? What during the war ? What
soon after ?
What did the manufacturers ask of con
gress? What was the feeling on the subject
in congress ? When was the colonization
society formed ? What were its objects ?
Who succeeded Mr. Madison ? On what day
was he inaugurated ? What Indian treaties
were made this year? What state admitted
into the Union ? What rendezvous were es-
tablished for smuggling and illegal tralBc?
How were they suppressed?
CHAPTER XIX.
What was now the object of the adminis-
tration? What spirit animated the states?
Which state took the lead in internal improve-
ments ? What did New York accomplish?
Under whose auspices ? What was the w islv
of congress ? What the opinion of Mr. Mon-
roe ? What the final decision ?
What improvement had congress caused t(>
be made ? Was this decisive of the right of
congress ? Why not ? What states had con-
curred in this improvement ? What is said
of military roads ? What arrangement was
made with Great Britain in regard to the ar-
mament on the lakes ? What measures were
taken to secure the repose on the frontiers ?
What gave rise to the war with the Seminoles?
What further incited the Indians? What act
of hostility was committed on the Americans ?
What reparation was demanded ?
Who was ordered to the scene of action ?
What measures did he adopt? What was
done with Arbuthnot and Ambrister? On
what charges were they tried? What was
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period in
their sentence ? When was Illinois admitted
into the Union? What commercial treaties
were formed ? What provision was made for
the officers of the revolution ? What lands
were ceded by the Chickasaws ? "VMiat means
were adopted to civilize the Indians ? When
was Alabama admitted into the Union ? What
other changes were made among the territo-
ries?
What measure was recommended by De
Witt Clinton in 1818? On what was his
recommendation based? What action was
had by the legislature ? What has since been
done by other states? What treaty was
formed with the Spanish minister? What
were its provisions ? By which of the go-
vernments was it ratified? Who succeeded
Don Onis ? By what route did he come to
America? On his arrival, what did he at-
tempt? What was steadily demanded by
Mr. Adams? When was the treaty finally
ratified ?
PERIOD III.
At what time does this Period begin?
(Vhen does it terminate ? What event marks
its commencement ? What its conclusion ?
CHAPTER I.
What south-western territory petitioned for
admission into the Union ? What restriction
was proposed in the bill ? What other terri-
tory asked to be admitted ? Were the ques-
tions considered separately ? How were the
parties formed on this question ? What were
the arguments against the restriction ? What
in favor of it ? What compromise was finally
agreed to? Was Maine admitted? What
again revived the question of restriction ?
How was the matter finally disposed of? In
what year was Mr. Monroe re-elected ? What
was the number of inhabitants in 1820? How
many were slaves ?
, Who was appointed governor of Florida ?
Who chief-justice? Who was the Spanish
governor ? What caused a difference between
him and Governor Jackson ? What measures
does Governor Jackson adopt ? What meas-
ures against the press ? How is Florida di-
vided ? What act did congress pass ? Was
Governor Jackson re-appointed ? What treaty
of commerce was made in 1822 ? What
troubled the commerce of the West Indies ?
What was done to protect it? Who was
appointed to command the American squad-
ron?
To what did President Monroe invite the
attention of the American congress ? What
facts did he state ? What action was had ?
To what governments were ministers appoint-
ed ? In what year? What articles were
signed in regard to the slave-trade ? What
did they authorize? What is said of the con-
dition of the manufactures from 1816to 1824?
On what ground was the tariff bill opposed ?
On what ground was it advocated? What
fact was conceded? What measure was
finally adopted ?
30
CHAPTER II.
By whom was General La Fayette invited
to visit America ? On what day did he ar-
rive in New York? How was he received?
What demonstrations were made of respect
and regard ? How was he received at Bos-
ton ? What other sections of the country did
he visit ?
What act of congress testified the national
gratitude ? What route did he take from
Washington, and what portions of the country
did he visit ? In what ship did he return to
France ? What is said of Mr Monroe's ad-
ministration ? What important events cha-
racterized it ?
How many candidates appeared in the field
for the presidency ? Who were they ? Was
either of them chosen by the people ? What
does the constitution provide in such an
event ? Who was elected by the house of
representatives ? What course of policy did
Mr. Adams mark out in his inaugural adtlress ?
What treaty of commerce was formed in
1825? What remarkable event occurred on
the 4th of July, 1826 ? What on the 4th of
July, 1827 ?
What is said of free-masonry ? What
caused the excitement against Morgan ?
What outrages were committed on him ?
What effect did they produce on the public
mind ? What committee of investigation was
appointed by the legislature ? What did they
report ? To what political organization did
the abduction of Morgan give rise ? What
is said of " making political capital?"
What national question again agitated the
public mind? Was a new tariff law finally
passed ? What effect did it produce in dif-
ferent parts of the country ? To what par-
ties did it give rise in South Carolina ? To
what celebrated speeches in congress ? What
Indian war broke out in 1832 ? WTiat new
disease made its appearance this year? Where
did it first show itself? What was its pro-
gress and character ?
Who was ordered to collect the troops on
the sea-coast, and conduct the Black Hawk
war ? What sufferings afflict the army ? At
what time is the Black Hawk war closed?
What is done with Black Hawk and his son ?
When did the second inauguration of General
Jackson take place?
What convention was held at Columbia,
South Carolina, in November, 1832 ? \\hat
ordinance did this convention pass ? What
did it declare in regard to the tariff laws?
What in regard to its own officers ? What
did it declare in regard to force to be used by
the United States ? What to the people of
the United States ? When and where did
the friends of the Union hold a convention ?
What manifesto did they issue ? When did
the legislature assemble at Columbia ? What
measures did General Hamilton recommend ?
What counteracting measure was adopted by
President Jackson ? What was the purport
of his proclamation? How was this procla-
mation received by the public ?
Who succeeded General Hamilton as gov-
441
PAKT IV ]
QUESTIONS.
[period iil
emor of South Carolina? What did he re-
commend ? \^'hat were the feelings of the
Unionists ? What preparations were made by
President Jackson ? What was now done by
the Nullifiers ? What measure restored tran-
quillity ? Who proposed and advocated it?
How was the measure received by the coun-
try ?
CHAPTER nr.
What distinguished person died on the 20th
of May, 1833? What difficulties attended
the condition of the Indian tribes ? . Why
could they not exist in the vicinity of civiliza-
tion .' What were General Jackson's opinions
in regard to them ? What does he propose to
congress ? What does he declare in regard to
the emigration ? How was the plan received
by congress ? What tril)es remove ? In what
years ? What agreement did the United
States make with Georgia in 1802? Had the
government fulfilled its obligations? What
became of the Indians who emigrated ? What
was the feeling of those who remained ?
Wliat were some of the results of the in-
crease of population ? What were the evils
of the proximity of the Indians ? What did
Georgia finally (fecide upon? How did they
proceed ? What restrained President Jack-
son ? What was done in regard to the mis-
sionaries ! How were the Cherokees finally
removed ?
CHAPTER IV.
With what tribes of Indians was the great-
est difficulty experienced ? What treaty had
been made with the Seminoles ? What did
they claim under this treaty? What treaty
was made by Colonel Gadsden' What did
this treaty provide ? What did the Indians,
sent out for examination, do ? How was this
received by the nation ? How soon were the
Indians to remove ? On what did General
Jackson decide ? Who was appointed agent
and sent out to Florida? What did he soon
discover ? What decision was made by the
war department ?
What talk was held with the Indians?
How dill they appear disposed ? Were they
sincere ? What did General Clinch advise ?
Vy'hat was the answer ? Do the Indians ac-
knowledge the treaty of Payne's Landing?
Who was their principal chief? To what
did he owe his elevation ? What was his ap-
pearance and character ? What occurred at
the conference with General Thompson ?
How did he afterwards deport himself ? How
did the opposition of the Indians first show
itself? What eflfect had this on the friendly
Indians ? What measures were adopted by
tlie government ?
What expedition was fitted out at Tampa
B;iy ? What officers belonged to the expe-
dition ? Of how many men was it composed ?
How far from Tampa Bay before they en-
countered the Indians ? Describe the scene
which occurred. After the first attack, what
was to have been done by Osceola? What
took place in the afternoon' Who escaped
442
to tell the story ? By what means ? What
sensation did the battle produce ' Wliat did
the Seminoles threaten ?
Where were the head-quarters of General
Clinch ? What force had he ? What march
does he undertake? What battle ensued?
How was it brought on? Who refused to
engage in it? What measures did General
Clinch adopt after the battle ? Who was now
appointed to the chief command ? What was
the condition of the country ? How is it
described in a letter from St. Augustine ?
In what service did General Scott first em-
ploy the array? What enterprise is under-
taken by General Gaines ? Describe the route
which he took, and the battle which he fought.
To what strait is he reduced ? By whom re-
lieved ? In what way does Osceola deceive
General Gaines? What did he accomplish
by this manoeuvre ? When does General
Scott leave the command ? Who succeeds
him '.
Who is appointed to the permanent com-
mand ? How is Osceola captured ? Where
does he die? When? What did General
Jesup now suppose ? What orders does he
soon issue to Colonel Taylor ? Through
what country do they pass ? Where did they
meet the Indians ? What distinguished offi-
cer fell in the engagement ? What were his
last words ? What was the result of the bat-
tle ?_ What is said of the service in Florida?
Who finally takes command to close the
war? On what occasion is General Scott
sent to the Creeks ? What had been done by
Osceola ? At what time did tliey begin hos-
tilities ? What acts of outrage do they per-
petrate ? By whom are they finally subdued?
What striking proofs are furnished of their
reluctance to surrender to the white man?
What treaty was negotiated by Mr. Rives in
1831 ? Who requiredits punctual fulfillment?
When was Arkansas made a state ?
When was Michigan admitted ? What num-
ber did this make ? How does it compare
with the original number? What opinions
are entertained in regard to President Jack-
son's administration ? To what do his op-
ponents trace the causes of distress? Why ?
What bill does he veto ? Wliat did he next
do in regard to the deposits in the United
States Bank? Where was the money after-
wards placed ? Where was the principal op-
position made to these measures ? Who were
the leaders of the different parties?
What resolutions were introduced into the
senate by Mr. Clay? What subsequent de-
cision was made on them ? In what year ?
Who succeeded President Jackson ? What
is said of Mr. Van Buren as vice-president?
What infatuation seized the public mind from
1835 to 1837? What petition was made to
Mr. Van Buren? How did he receive it?
What was the specie circular ? How did it
operate? What effects were produced by it?
What effect had these measures on the pub-
lic funds ? How did the president attempt to
repair them ? What measures did he recom-
mend to congress ? How was it received by
PART IV.]
QUESTIONS.
[period hi.
the people? What other expedients did the
president recomffiend ? What was contended
by the administration as necessary to insure
wonted {ftosperity? What was one of the
raain causes of the pecuniary distress in New
Yorli? Describe the fire and its effects?
When did it occur ? What number of build-
ings, and how much property were consumed ?
At what time did the banks resume specie
payments ? \\hat important movement took
place in Canada ? With what feelings was
the movement regarded in the United States ?
What occurred at Navy Island ? What course
did the general government take ? What was
done by the governor of New York ? What
force was collected at Navy Island? What
was the consequence of this interference ?
What American was killed on board the
Caroline? WTio was tried for the murder
of Durfee ? How long was Navy Island
held by the self-styled patriots ? What other
sources of difference existed between the
United States and Great Britain ? What
was the population of the United States in
1840 ? Who was elected president of the
United States ? On what day was he inau-
gurated ? How long did he survive ' Who
succeeded to the presidency ?
443
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