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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul ciichd, il est filmd & partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 . ^.^ m i ' G-^:^m^iM^ 'Wj^xnuim(i^T^)W LpmuI'. MuJyr7 Jy.Mavi': f-'B^'vl^-! HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA COMPRISING, W A Geographical and Statistical VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THE BRITISH CANADIAN POSSESSIONS ; INCLUDING A GREAT VAUIETY OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT OF EMIGRATING TO THAT COUNTRY. EMBELLISHED WITH PLATES ylND MAPS, IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LEEDS: PRINTED BY DAVIES AND CO. PERIODICAL PUBLISHEnS, NO, 48, VICAIl-LANr, AND SOLD BY ALL THE liOOKSELLEUS. 1820. i?f Ife PREFACE. In presenting this work to tlie public, the Editor lias been principally solicitous to lay before his read- ers important facts ; he has aimed much more to in- form, than to amuse; he trusts, however, that its pages will not be found void of interest, even to those who read principally for amusement. The ori- gin and rise of a mighty empire, however distant in point of time, and however little connected with present events, cannot be contemplated without feel- ings powerfully awakened. But when this empire has started into life in our own times ; when its con- cerns are intimately connected with our own desti- nies, and come home to every man's business and bosom, it becomes then an object of intense interest; and every individual must be anxious to be ac- quainted with the mighty events which have produ- ced so singular a plienomenon in the history ol the world. It is not only the philosopher and the poli- tician that are interested in the subjects treated of in this work ; the humble cottager, and the industrious artizan are equally concerned in the destinies of a New World, which Providence in its mercy seems to have prepared as an asylum from the persecutions, the privations, and the revolutionary storms which w IV PREFACE. ilireatcn to afflict, and disturb the nations of Eu- rope. Tljc Kditor has entered more at large into the de- tails of tlie discovery and early history of the Ame- rican ContiiK'iJt than some readers may approve of; but, in adopting tliis phm,'he was influenced by the coriA'ii'tion that tlie present state of America cannot be fii^iv luiderstood, nor the character of its people fairly appreciated, without a reference to the origin of its colonization, and some knov/ledge of the vari- ous steps by which it has attained its present impor- tance. As it was one of the main objects of the Editor to consult the wants of that class of readers who have not access to numerous writers on the same subject; he has liberally availed himself both of the research- es of his predecessors, and the labors of his con- ten)p(."'nries. The present work aspires to no higher title xhiin a fjiilhfnl compilation, or digest, of the facts furju>iicd by others ; and if the Editor has suc- ceeded in Hrrauijing them in a lucid order, he has fidly accoinpiished his original purpose. I I" i I 1 ■t ns of Eu- o tlie de- tlie i\me- iprovc of; eel by the ^ cannot ts people lie origin the vari- t impor- ^ditoi' to ho have subject; •csearch- lis con- ) higher of the las suc- he has HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. I_ HE following seems the most natural order of arranginjj the immense mass of important matter which will he cinhracotl in the following Work. First, a clear, hut succinct narrative of the different steps hy which the Continent of America was discover- ed, suhdued, and colonized — an accurate outline of its Geogra- phical Features — an historical detail of the interesting events, which led to the rapid population of the British Colonies, and to their subsequent separation from the Parent State — a brief but interesting sketch of the arduous contest, which terminated in the raising of these Colonies to the rank and privileges of an Independent State. This will introduce a correct delineation of the Laws, Government, and Constitution of the United States, and a Statistical account of tlie different States, in re- ference to Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures ; also de- scriptive traits of the Manners, Customs, and Domestic HabitSj botli of the native tribes, and the citizens of the United States ; This part of the Work will comprii. . a View of the State of Kmigration to the United States fron<. this country, in which each State will be examined, in reference to its suitable- ness to the different classes of emigrants, as Capitalists, Agri- culturists, Manufacturers, and Artizans. To which we shall subjoin a variety of useful hints to those who may be delibera- ting on the propriety of emigrating to that Counti-y, There is no event in the history of the world more interesting and extraordinary than the discovery of the American Conti- nent ; which with its surrounding seas forms an entire Hemis- phere : the effect which this event produced on the general state of the Old World is incalculable ; and it cannot but exoite won* 1. A .V. 2 nisioRv or N'onifr ami.rica dcr and astonislinicnt, thai so consiflerabic .1 ))oiti(j!i of the (tlol)e should have remained unknown lor so many geneiations. The surmises that this CoJitinent was known to the Ph(«'nician8, and the Carthaginians, is totally unsupjMntcd by any evidence wliich can he considered as at all sati>f"aet»)ry ; and the prohahi- litv is, that it was totallv unknown to the ancient world. America derives its name from Anioricus \'esj)atius, a Floren- tine, who preferred a gromulless claim to the honor of having discovered it ; a claim which unfoitniK-.tely was not disputed, until that Continent liad been so Ion;: c:i!Itd by his name, as to render it impossible to alter it. This ciicuinstance has deprived Columbus of the lionor which was so justly his due; of givinjj his name to a Continent, s(» vast as to be called a New World ; a species of posthumous injustice, which tl»ere is now no proba- bility of ever redressing. Towards the close of the fomleenth century, the navigation of Europe was scarcely extended beyond the limits of the Me- diterranenn. The mariner's compass had been invented and in connnon use for more than a century ; yet, with the lielp of this sure guide, prompted by the most ardent spirit of discovery, and encouraged i)y the patronage of princes, the mariners of tliose days rarely ventured from the sight of land. They ac(|ui- red great applause by sailing along the coaot of Africa, and dis- covering some of the neighbouring islands ; and, after pushing their researches with the greatest industry and perseverance for more than half a century, the Portuguese, who were the most fortunate and enterprising, extended their discoveries southward no farther than the equator. The rich commodities of the East iiad for several ages been brought into Europe by the way of the Red Sea and the Medi- terranean ; and it had now become the object of the Portuguese to find a passage to India, by sailing round th.e southern extre- mity of Africa, and then taking au eastern course. This great object engaged the general attention of mankind, and drew into the Portuguese service adventurers from every maritime nation in Europe. Among the foreigners whom the fame of the discoveries made by the Portuguese Iiad allured into their service, was Christo- pher Colon, or Columbus, a subject of the repubhc of Genoa. Neither the time nor place of his birth are known with certainty j la KVI DISCOVLUY AND KARLY SETTLEMENTS. 3 ".'1 of (fie ciieiatiotis. iKi'iiiciaiiH, y evidence prohabi- Id. a Florcii- ot" liaviiij;^ disputed, uuc, as to s deprived of f^ivinij vv World ; no pruba- lavigation the Me- ed and in ?lp of this discovery, iriners of L'y ac(jui- and dis- • pushing ranee foi- he most juthvvard ^cs been le Medi- ►rtuguese n extre- lis great rew into : nation es made /hristo- Genoa. rtainty^ J but he wa's descended of an honorable family, though reduced to inditicnce bv various misfortunes. His ancestors having betaken thenisolvcs for subsistence to a sea-faring life, Columbus disco- vere 1 ia his cuily youth, the peculiar characlti and talents which mark out a man for that profession. His parents, instead of thwarting this original |)ropensity of his mind, seem to have cncouraijed and coufirnud it, bv the education which they gave him. Alter ac(iuiriiig somu kiu)wledgc of the Latin tongue, the oiilv language in -vhich science was taught at that time, he was instructed in geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and the art of chawing, To thete he applied with sucli ardor and predilec- tion, on account of their connexion with navigation, liis favor- ite object, that he advanced with rapid proficiency in the study of them. Thus qualified, in the year U()l, he went to sea at the age of fourteen, and began his career on that clement which conducted him to so much glory. His early voyages were limit- ed principally to those places which had before been discovered, in which nothing very remarkable happened, except that in a sea-figlit, off the coast of Portugal, with some Venetian coast- ers, the vessel on board which he served took fire, together with one of the enemy's, to which it was fast grappled ; upon which he threw himself into the sea, laid hold of a floating oar, and by the support of it, and his dexterity in swimming, he reached the shore, though more than six miles distant, and thus preserved a life designed for great undertakings. Soon after this Columbus went to Lisbon, where he married a daughter of Bartholomew Pcrcstrcllo, cue of the captains em- ployed by prince Henry in his early voyages, anfl wlio had disco- vered and phvnted the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira. The journals and charts of this experienced navigator, his father-in- law, fell into his hands, and he, with avidity, availed himself of the valuable information they contained. His impatience to visit the places ^vhich Pcrestrcllo had seen and described, became ir- r« ?istiblc ; and he made a voyage to ^Lldcira, and spent several ycius in trading with that inland, the Canaries, the Azores, the •.ettlcmeuts in (iuinea, and all other places which the Portuguese had discovered on the continent of Africa. By the experience ac(juired during such a variety of voyages, Columbus became one of the most skilful navigators of Europe. But his ambition did not suffer him to rest satisfied with tha' iir.vroRV or N'ORTit a^ikrii a. i praise, lie aimed nt sonuthiiig more. A project hntl been con- ceived of finding ont a passage by «ca to tbc Rast Indies. The ncconiplishment of thiH became a favorite object with Columbus. The l^ortuguese sought this route by steering towards the south^ in hope of arriving at India, by turning to the east, after they had sailed round the farther extremity of Afiiea ; which j)a.ssage was afterwards efFected in 1107, by Vasco de Gama, a i'lTtu- guesc navigator. CoUmibus contc'mp!»'»ted a sliortcr and more direct passage to tbc East Indies, by sailing towards tlie west, across the Atlantic Ocean. The principles and arguments whicli induced him to adopt this opinion, then considered as chimeri- cal, were higbly rational and philosophical. The sphericity and magnitude of the earth, were at that period ascertained with some degree of accuracy. From this it was evident, that the continents of Elurope, Asia, and Africa, formed but a small part of the terraqueous globe. It appeared likewise extremely proba- ble, that the continent on the one side of the globe was balan- ced by a proportional quantity of land in the other hemisphere. These Conclusions concerning the existence of another continent, drawn from the figure and structure of the globe, were confirm- ed by the observations and conjectures of modern navigators, and from pieces of timber artificially carved, canes of an enor- mous size, trees torn up by the roots, and the dead bodies of two men with singular features, which had been discovered and taken up, floating before a westerly wind, or driven on the coasts of the Azores. The force of this united evidence, arising from theoretical principles and practical observations, led Columbus to conclude, that by sailing directly towards the west, across the Atlantic Ocean, new countries, which probably formed a part of the vast continent of India, must infallibly be discovered. As earlv as the year 1474, he communicated his ingenious theory to Paul, a physician of Florence, eminent for his knowledge of cosmography. He warmly approved of the plan j suggested se- veral facts in confirmation of it, and encouraged Columbus to persevere in an undertaking so laudable, and which must re- dound so much to the honor of his country, and the benefit of Europe. Columbus now became impatient to bring to the test of expe- riment the truth of his system, and to set out upon a voyage 4»f discovery. The first step towards this was td secure the pa- rl m M^ f DISCOVrUY AND KAIUA' sr/i'TI.KMF.N TS. 5 been con- lios. Tlic Columbus, tbc aoutb, after thoy h passage U I'lTlU- nnd more the wtst, itts which I chiineri- sricitv and Ined with that the iiTiall part ;ly proba- fan balan- misplicrc. continent, cotifirni- avigators, an enor- Jodies of ered and le coasts ing from olumbus :ross the part of •ed. As theory edge of sted se- nbus to ust re- iiefit of f cxpe- voyage he pa- •■I irouMgc of some of the considonibic powers of I'urope. Witli thiJi view he laid his scheme beloie the smate of (icnoa, and, making his native and beloved c(»untry the first tender of his ser- vice, offered to sail, under the banners of the republic, in (|ue9t of new rcf,Mons which he expected to disover. liut they, inca- }?able of forming,' just ideas of his principles, inconsiderately rc- j(cted his proposal as chimerical. He then submitted his plan to the ]'urtui,'uese, who pcrtidiou;^ly attempted to rob him of the honor of aecomplishiup: it, by i)rivately ^ene his plan to Henry VH. After experiencing a series of niortitying disappoiiitmcnts, du- ring eight tedious years, Columbus, in deep anguish, vitlidrcw from court, determined to repair to I'agland as his last resource. At this juncture the affairs of Spain, which had been perplexed in consequence of a war with the Moors, took a favorable turn. Quintanilla and Santangel, two powerful, vigilant, and discern- ing patrons of Columbus, seized this favorabl*' opportunity to make one more ellort in behalf of tlieir friend. I'hey adilresseJ themselves to Isabella, v.ith such forcible arguments as produ- ced the desired efTcct. They (lisj)elled all Isaliella's doubts and fears; she ordered (-olumbus, who had proceeded on his jour- ney, to be instantly recalled ; declared her resolution to employ him on his own terms ; and, regretting the low state of her fi- nances, generously offered to pledge her own jewels, in order to raise as much money as might be needed in making preparations for the voyage. Santangel, in a transport of gratitude, kissed the queen's hand ; and, in order to save her from having re- course to such a mortifying expedient for procurhig money, engaged to advance, immediate ly, the sum that was lequisite. () HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. .'f C()liia:l;us *iad proceeded some leagues on liis voyage to Etig- land, when the messenger from Isabella overtook him. He re- turned with joy mingled with some degree of fear, lest he should aj.>i'» be disaj)pointed. The manner of his reception by the (jucen was, however, such as quickly dispelled his fears. A negocialion commenced, and was forwarded with dis|)atch, and un agreement was finally catered into and signed, on the /th of April, 1492, The chief articles of it were, 1. Ferdinand and Isabella, as sovereigns of the ocean, constituted Columbus their high-adn.iiral in all the seas, islands, and continents, w'lich should be discovered by his industry ; and sti])ulated, that he and his heirs for ever should enjoy this office, with the same power and prerogatives which belonged to the high-admiral of Castile, within the limits of his jurisdiction. 2. They appoint- ed Columbus their viceroy in all the islands and continents which he should discover ; hut if, for the better administration of affairs, it should be ncccsoavy to establish a separate governor in any of those countries, they authorised Columbus to name three persons, of Avhom they would choose one for that office ; and the dignity of viceroy, with all its immunities, was likewise to be hereditary in the family of Columbus. 3. They granted to Columbus, and his heirs for ever, the tenth of the free profits accruing from the productions and commerce of the countries which he should discover. 4, They declared, if any controver- sy or lawsuit should arise, with respect to any mercantile transac- tion, in the countries which shall be discovered, it should be de- termined by the sole authority of Columbus, or of judges to be appointed by him. 5. They permitted Columbus to .advance one-cigh.,h part of what should be expended in preparing for the expedition, and in carrying on commerce with the countries which he should discover, and intitled him, in return, to an eighth part of the profit. Though the name of Ferdinand appears conjoined with that of Isabella in this transaction, his distrust of Columbus was so violent, that he refused to take any part of the enterprise, as king of Arragon. As the whole cxpence of the expedition was to he defrayed by the crown of Castile, Isabella reserved for her sub- jects of that kingdom an exclusive right to all the benefits which might redound from its success. Alter all the efFoits of Isabella and Columbus, the armgjnent I It lai DISCOVERY AND KARLY SETTLEMENTS. that as so king to be sub- ^hich nent i 4 was suitable, neither to the dignity of the power who equipped jt n(ir to the isnportance of the service to which it was destined. It cousi-ilcJ of three vessels; the largest, a ship of no conside- rable burden, was commanded by Columbus, as adn)iral, who gave it the name of Sdiitu Maria. Of the second, called the P'l'iUi, Maitin Pinzon v. as cajjtain, and his brother Francis pilot. The third, named Llic ISh^nn, was under the conmiand of Vincent "^'ancz Pinzon. These two lasf-nuntioned were lic,ht vessels, hardly superior in burden or force to large boiiti. This little squ.id- lon was vietur.lled for twelve months, and had on board ninety men, mostly sailors, together with a few adventurers, who follow- ed the fortune of Columbus, and some gentlemen of Isalielhi's court, wluim slie appointed to accompany him. The sum employed in fitting out this squadron did not exceed .£4000 *terlmg. On the third of August, 14f)2, being Friday, Columbus set sail, in the presence of a vast crowd of spectators, who offered fervent supplications no heaven for his success, which they rather wished than expected. He steered directly for the Canary inlands, and in short run thither, found his ships cra/y ami ill appointed, and very unfit for so long and dangerous a navigation as he had undertaken. After refiting them ivs v.e!l as he could, he left the Canaries on the Gth of September, and here properly commenced the vovat>e of discovery. lie held his course due west, and immediately left the usual track of navigation, and stretched into unknov^n and unfrequented seas. By the 14th of September, the fleet was about 2(i0 leagues west of tlie Cana- ries, at a greater distance from land than any Spaniard had been before that time. Columbus early discovered, from the spirit of his followers, that he must prepare to struggle, not only with the unavoidable difficulties which might be expected from the nature of his un- dertaking, but with such also as were likely to arise from the ignorance and timidity of the people under his command. All the art and address he was master of was hardly sufficient to quell the mutinous disposition of his sailors, who grew the more turbulent in proportion as their distance from home increased. What most astonished ColumbUvS, during the voyage, was the variation of the magnetic needle. He observed that it did not pohit exactly to the polar star, but varied towards the west. 1 1 I » r 8 HISTORY OF XOUTII AMERICA. This appearance, then one of the mysteries of nature, though now familiar, filled the com])auious of Columbus with terror. They were now in the midst of a trackless ocean; nature herself seemed to be altered, aad the only guide they had left was about to fail thcm< Columbus, with no less quickness than ingenuity, in- vented a reason for this appearance, which though it did not satisfy himself, seemed so plausible to them, that it dispelled their fears and feilenced their murmuv" On the evening of the 11th of October, Columbus was so confident, from various appearances, of being near land, that he ordered the sails to be furled, and the ships to lie to, and strict watch to be kept lest they should be driven on shore in the night. During this interval of suspense and expectation, no man shut his eyes, all kept on deck, gazing intently towards that quarter when? tliey expected to discover the land, which had so long been the olijectof their wishes. A little before midnight, Columbus, from the forecastle, discovered a light at a distance ; and, shortly after, the joyful sound of land ! hind ! was heard from the Pinta, which always kept a head of t!ie other ships. At the dawn of day, an island was seen from every ship, at the distance of about two leagues north, whose verdant aspect indicated a most de- lightful country. The crews of all the ships, with tears of joy and transports of congratulation, unitedly sang Tc Deum, as a hymn of thaidisgiving to God. They then with feelings of se!f- condemnatioa mingled with reverence, threw themselves at the feet of Columbus, begged him to forgive their ignorance, incre- dulity, and insolence, which hud given him so muclrunnecessary discjuict ; acknowledged his superior abilities, and promised obe- dience in future. At sun-rising, the boats were manned and armed, and they rowed towards the island with their colors displayed, with war- like music and other martial pomp. As they approached the coast, they saw it covered with a multitude of people, ^^ horn the novel- ty of tlie spectacle had drawn together, whose attitudes and gestures expressed wonder and astonishment at the trange ob- jects before them. Columbus was the first European ao set foot in the New World which he had discovered. He landed in a rich dress, and with a naked sword in his hand. His men followed, and, kneeling down, they all kissed the ground which they had so long desired to see. They next erected a crucifix, and pros- ^1* X ■I I' I discovkhy and early settlements. r^*, though 'ith terror. ure herself as about to eiiuity, iti- not satisfy their fears IS was so tl, that he and strict the night, in shut his rter where J been the bus, from d, shortly he Pinta, dawn of ' of about most dr- rs of joy uiUy as a of self- is at the e, incre- lecessarj- sed obe- nd they th war- le coast, e novel- es and nge ob- set foot n a rich llowed, ley had d pros- '3 "58 ■I Hating themselves before it, returned thanks to God for con- ducting their voyage to so happy an issue. They then took a solemn and formal possession of the country for the crown of Castile and Leon. The dress of the Spaniards, their beards, their arms, the vast macliines with which they traversed the ocean, the thundering roar of the cannon, accompanied with lightning and smoke, filled the natives with surprise and terror, and they began to consider tiicm as children of the sun, who had descended to visit mortals here below. The Spaniards were hardly less amazed in their turn. The productions of the island were different from any thing they had seen in l^urope. The inhabitants appeared in the simple innocence of nature, entirely naked, Tiicir black liair long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses round their heads. They had no beards, and every part of their body was perfectly smooth. Their complexion was of a dusky copper color ; their features singular rather than disagreea- ble, and their aspect gentle and timid. They were shy at first, through fear, but soon became familiar with the Spaniards, and with transports of joy received from them various kinds of trin- kets, in return for which they gave provisions, and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value they could produce. Thus in the first interview between the inhabitants of the old and new worlds, every thing was conducted amicably, and to their mutual satisfaction. The island on which Columbus first landed he called San Sal- vador. It is one of that large cluster of islands known by the name of the Lucaya or Bahama islands, and is above 3000 miles west of the Canaries. He afterwards touched at several islands in the same cluster, enquiring every where for gold, which he thought was the only object of commerce worth his attention. In steer- ing southward, he discovered the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, abounding in all the necessaries of life, and inhabited by a hu- iiiane and hospitable people. On his return to Spain he was overtaken by a storm, which had nearly proved fatal to his ships and theiv crews. At a crisis when all was given up for lost, Columbus had presence of mind enough to retire into his cabin, and to write upon parchment a short ac- count of his voyage. This he wrapped in an oiled cloth, which he inclosed in a cake of wax, put it into a tight cask, and threw 1. B 1 10 itistohy of north America. ■)' ii it into the sea, in hopes that some fortunate accident might pre- serve a deposit of so much importance to the world. He arrived at Palos, in Spain, whence he had sailed the year hefore, on the 15th of March, 1493. He was welcomed with all the acclama* tions which the populace are ever ready to bestow on great and glorious characters j and the court received him with marks ef the greatest respect. in September, of this year, (1493), Columbus sailed upon his second voyage to America j during the performance of which he discovered the islands of Dominica, Marigalante, Guadaloupe, Montserrat, Antigua, Porto Rico, and Jamaica; and returned to Spain in 1496. In 1498, he sailed a third time for America ; and on the first of August discovered the continent, at the mouth of the river Oronoke. He then coasted along westward, making other dis- coveries, for 200 leagues, to Cape Vela, from which he crossed over to Hispaniola, where he was seized by a new Spanish governor, and sent home in chains. In 1502, Columbus made his fourth, and last, voyage to Hispaniola; thence he went over to the continent ; discovered the bay of Honduras ; thence sailed along shore easterly 200 leagues, to Cape Gracias 'X Dios, Veragua, Porto Bello, and the Gulf of Darien, searching, in vain, for a passage to the East Indies. During this voyage, he was shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica, where he suffered almost inconceivably from the cruelty of the inhabitants, the mutiny of his men, and especially from the infamous conduct of the governor of Hispaniola. He returned to Spain in 1504. On his arrival he received the fatal news of the death of his patroness, ({ucen Isabella. The jealous and avaricious Spaniards, not immediately receiv- ing those golden advantages from these new discoveries which they had promised, and lost to the feelings of humanity and gra- titude, suffered their esteem and admiration of Columbus to dege- nerate into ignoble envy. The latter part of his life was therefore made wretched by the cruel persecutions of his enemies. Queen Isabella, his friend and patroness, was no longer alive to afford him relief. He sought redress from Ferdinand, but in vain. Disgusted with the ingratitude of a monarch whom he had served with so much fidelity and success, exhausted with hardships, and broken with the infirmities which these brought upon him, Co- 4' s I ■5i 3 DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 11 light pre- le arrived re, on the acclama* great and marks ef ! upon his which he adaloupe, turned to I the first the river »ther dis- ; crossed Spanish oyage to iscovered rly 200 and the he East island of cruelty Torn the returned news of r recciv- which nd gra- o dege- lerefore Queen } afford ti vain, served )s, and n, Co>- 1 liimbus ended his active and useful life at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506, in the 59th year of his age. He died with a composure of mind suited to the magnanimity which distinguished his character, and with sentiments of piety, becoming that su- preme respect for religion which he manifested in every occurrence of his life. He was grave though courteous in his deportment, circumspect in his words and actions, irreproachable in his morals, and exemplary in all tl e r'jties of his religion. Among other adventurers to the new world, in pursuit of gold, was Americus Vesputius, a Florentine gentleman, whom Ferdi- nand had appointed to draw sea-charts, and to whom he had given the title of chief pilot. This man accompanied Ojeda, an enterprising Spanish adventurer, to America j and having, with much art, and some degree of elegance, drawn up an amus- ing history of his voyage, he published it to the world. It cir- culated rapidly, and was read with admiration. In his narrative^ he had insinuated that the glory of having first discovered the new world belonged to him. This was in part believed, and the country began to be called after the name of its supposed first discoverer. The unaccountable caprice of mankind has perpe- tuated the error ; so that now, by the universal consent of all the nations, this new quarter of the globe is called America. As any length and detail of the West India islands does not fall within the plan of this work, we shall proceed with the Spanish discoveries on the Continent of America and it is to be regretted that those who succeeded Columbus, did not imitate his forbear- ance, his justice, and his benignity. In the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, better known by the name of Domingo, the cruel- ties of the Spaniards were so excessive, that the native popula- tion was soon destroyed ; a waste of life which laid the founda- tion of the African slave trade. Hitherto the Spaniards had not established themselves in any force on the Continent of America ; but the report which had reached them of its riches, induced them to conclude that a firm footing there would be highly advantageous ; and afford them an opportunity of carrying their system of cruelty, and plunders, on a more extensive scale. With this view, Fernando Cortez was dispatched from Cuba, with 600 men, 18 horses, and a small number of fieldpieces to subdue Mexico, the most powerful empire then existing in America, inhabited by millions oi •!• V2 HISTORV OF NOIIXH AMKllICA. '! I! Indians^ passionately fond of war, and then headed by Mon- tezuma, whose fame in arms had struck terror into the neighbour- ing nations and extended over one half the continent. No authen- ticated history was ever so improbable and romantic as that of this war. The empire of Mexico had subsisted for ages : its inliabitants were a polished and intelligent people. Their supe- riority in military affairs, and their government, founded on the sure basis of laws combined with religion, seemed to bid de- fiance to time itself. The capital city, of the same name, situ- ated in the middle of a spacious lake, was the noblest specimen of American industry : it communicated with the continent by immense causeways, which were carried through the lake, and was admired for its buildings, all of stone, its squares, markets, shops, and the sumptuous palaces of Montezuma. But all the grandeur of this empire could not defend it against the Spaniards. Cortez and his followers met with but feeble opposition from the natives along the coast, who were terrified at their first appear- ance: the warlike animals on v\hich the ollicers were mounted — the artificial thunder that issued from their hands — and the wooden castles which had wafted them over the ocean — all struck a panic into the natives, from whicii they did not recover until it was too late. Montezuma heard of their progress, with- out daring to oppose it. This sovereign commanded thirty vassals, each of whom could take the field at the head of 100,000 com- batants, armed with bows and arrows ; and yet he was, doubtless from motives of superstition, afraid to oppose a handful of Spa- niards, whom he hoped to conciliate by a rich present of gold. This, however, only whetted the Spanish avarice, and hastened their approach. No opposition was made to their entry into the capital, where a palace was set apart for Cortez, who was treat- ed as the master of the empire. Being suspicious, however, that this politeness covered some plot for his destruction, his palace was surrounded with artillery, the most terrible of all machines to the Americans, by which he not only secured himself from surprise, but was placed in a situation to take advantage of any circumstance that might lead to a misunderstanding with the na- tives. Cortez, in order to preserve a communication by sea, had erected a fort, and left a small garrison behind him, at Vera CruZj whi^h he understood that the Americans iu thencighbvur • ■I a .-I by Moii- eighbour- o autheti- as that of ages : its leir supe- unded on to bid de- imc, situ- specimen tineut by lake, and markets, ut all the ipaniards. from the t appear- ounted — -and the Clean — all t recover 3s, with- y vassals, 00 com- oubtless of Spa- of gold. astened into the astreat- ^er, that palace lachines !lf from of any the na- ^a, had ; Vera ;hbtti]r» .S: DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 13 hood had attacked, and that a Spaniard had been killed. Ou hearing this, Cortez aO'ected to be in a violent fury, and insisted that Montezuma himself was privy to this violence, to whom h« went in person, attended by a few experienced officers. The emperor pleaded innocence, to which Cortez could not be per- suaded, utJJess he consented to return With them to their resi- dence, which, he said, would remove all jealousy between them. To this, after some hesitation, he consented ; and, though a powerful monarch, in the middle of his own palace, and sur- rounded by his guards, he r,ave himself np a prisoner, to be dis- posed of according to the inclination of a few adventurers. Cortez had now got into his hands an engine, by which every thing might be accomplished, for the Mexicans had a kind of super- stitious veneration for their emperor. Cortez, therefore, by keeping him in his power, allowing him to enjoy every mark of royalty but his freedom, and at the same time being able to flatter all his tastes and passions, maintained an easy sovereignty over this country, by governing its prince. Did the natives, grown familiar with the Spaniards, begin to abate of their re- spect — Montezuma was the first to teach them more politeness. Was there a tumult, excited through their cruelty or avarice— Montezuma, from the battlements of his palace, harangued his Mexicans into submission. This farce continued some time, till on one occasion, when he was disgracing his character by justi- fying the enemies of his country, a stone from an unknown hand struck him on the forehead, which in a few days occasioned his death. The Mexicans, now delivered from this emperor, elected a new prince, the famous Guatimozin, who from the beginning had discovered an implacable animosity against the Spaniards. Under his conduct the unhappy Mexicans made no small efforts for independence : but all their valor, and despair itself, gave way before the Spanish artillery ; and Guatimozin and the Em- press were taken prisoners. By getting this prince into his iiands, Cortez made a complete conquest of the country. The Spaniards had scarcely obtained possession of Mexico, when they received intelligence of the existence of another great empire, situated to the south of the equator, that was said to abound in gold, silver, and precious stones. This was the empire of Peru, which was the only other country in America that deserved th« name of a civilized kingdom. This extensive coun- I! 14 HISTORV OF NORTH AMERICA. I! i i'(i 1} ill :i!l try was reduced by the endeavours, and at the expcncc, of three private persons ; namely, Francis Pizarro, AUnagro, and Lucques a priest. The two former were natives of Panama, of mean birth, and low education. Pizarro, the soul of the enterprise, could neither read nor write. They sailed over to Spain, and without difficulty obtained a grant of what they should conquer. Pizarro then set out for the conquest, with 250 foot, GO horse, and 12 small pieces of cannon. As the Peruvians entertained the same prejudices as the Mexicans in favor of the Spaniards, and were, beside, of a character still more effeminate and unwarlike, it need not surprise us, after the concjuest of Mexico, that with this inconsiderable force Pi/arro should make adeep impression on the Peruvian empire, which had existed in its present form up- wards of ;300 years. It was founded by one Mango Capac, who, observing that the people were naturally superstitious, and had a particular veneration for the sun, pretended to be descended from that luminary, whose worship he was sent to establish, and whose authority he was entitled to bear. By this story, romantic as it was, he easily deceived this credulous people, and brought a large extent of territory under his jurisdiction. The deceit, how- ever, he employed for the most laudable purposes : he united and civilized the till then barbarous people, bent them to laws and arts, and softened them by the institution of a benevolent religion. A race of princes succeeded Mango, called VncaSf who were revered by the people as the descendants of their great God the Sun. The twelfth of these was now on the throne, named Atabalipa, whose father had conquered the province of Quito^ and, to secure the possession, had married the daughter of the natural prince of that country, by whom he had Atabalipa. His elder brother, Huescar, by a different mother, had claimed the succession to his father's dominions ; and a civil war was kindled, which, after various turns of fortune, ended in favor of Atabalipa, who detained Huescar as a prisoner, in the tower of Cusco, the capital of the empire. In this feeble and disjointed state was Peru when Pizarro ap- peared ; on whose arrival prophecies were recollected, that fore- told the subjection of the empire by unknown persons, whose description exactly corresponded with that of the Spaniards. Under these circumstances, Atabalita, instead of opposing them, set hiimelf to procure their fa^or. Pizarro^ however^ whose 4 ce, of three id Lucques me.in birth, rise, could md without ;r. Pizarro rse, and 12 d the same , and were, warlike, it that with pression on t form up- apac, who, and had a mded from and whose lantic as it brought a jceit, how- he united m to laws jenevolent ncaSf who great God named of Quito^ er of the ipa. His limed the war vras n favor of tower of larro ap- ;hat fore- , whose paniards. ng them, ', whose DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 15 temper partook of the meanness of his education, had no con- ception of dealitjg gently with those people. While he was en- gaged in conference with Atabalipa, his men, being previously instructed, furiously attacked the guards of that prince, and hutciiered some thousands of them, as they pressed forward to defend the sacred \)erson of their monarch. Notwithstanding all their efforts, Atabalipa was seized by Pizarro, and carried to the Spanish (juarters. He, however, was not long in their hands before be began to treat of his ransom ; but while Pizarro was engaged in this negociation, by which he proposed, without releasing the emperor, to get into his possession an immense (juantity of gold, the arrival of Almagro caused some embarrass- ment in his affairs. As the friendship between these men was solely founded on the principle of avarice, when their interests interfered, it was not to be expected that any measures could be kept betwceti them. Pizarro claimed the most consider- able share of the royal ransom, because he had the chief hand in acfjuiring it ; while Almagro insisted on being upon an equal footing. At length, however, lest the cause might suf- fer from any rupture between them, the latter disposition was agreed to, and the ransom was paid without delay. Although the sum exceeded their conception, yet it was by no means ca- pable of satiating their avarice. It exceeded c£l, 500,000, ster- ling, which, considerijig the value of money at that time, was prodigious. After deducting one fifth for the king of Spain, and the shares of the chief commanders and officers, each pri- vate soldier shared upwards of .£2000 English money. No sooner did numbers of them find themselves possessed of such fortunes, than they insisted on being disbanded, that they might enjoy the fruits of their labor in quiet, in their own country. To this Pizarro consented, sensible that avarice would still de- tain a number in his army, and that those who returned would induce new adventurers to pursue the same speculation. This idea was soon abundantly verified : for it was impossible to send out better recruiting officers, than those who had themselves so much profited by the field ; new soldiers constantly arrived, and the Spanish armies never wanted reinforcements. This immense ransom was no sooner deposited at the Spanish head-quarters, than the release of the king was demanded ; but with this Pizarro refused to comply, framing several excuses fo ih ■;i m U w IG HISTORY OP XORTII AMERICA. his farther detention, though his real motive was to discover, if any farther treasure would he offered. Atahalipa, perceiving his treacherous intentions, holdly remonstrated against thcni ; and Pi- zarro, finding ultimately that no fartiicr advanlag;e was to he ac- tjuirod hy keejjint; him longer a prisoner, hegan to treat him in a rude and haughty manner, but ill suited to a person of his ex- alted birth and usual mode of life. This caused him to rcnion- wStratc, and at length threaten, vvliich so exasperated I'izarro, that (notwithstanding all the favors that this unhappy prince had shown him) he called a council of ofliccrs, who unjustly tri- ed him according to the laws of Spain ; and he ^vas found guil- ty of idolatry, of having a plurality of wives, and other circum- stances equally in themselves frivolous and impertinent, hut for which this monster of barbarity caused him to be burnt alive !II After his death, a number of competitors appeared for the throne. The princij)al nobility set up the brother of Iluescar j Pizarro favored a son of Atahalipa ; while two of the principal generals endeavoured to establish thcmiselves, through the assist- ance of the army. These oppositions, though in their conse- quences exceedingly sanguinary, were in the beginning rather favorable to the Spaniards : but the inhabitants, bccouiing ac- customed to scenes of blood and slaughttr, began to rise from the lethargy into which for ages thc:y had been sunk, and boldly attacked the Spaniards, whom they recognized as the authors of all their calamities, and slew a considerable number of them. Having once established throughout tlic country an idea that their invaders were not invulnerable, thousands flocked to the standard of Rolla, their famous general, who made head against them with partial success. Pizarro at length found it adviseable to conclude a truce with the inhabitants, who, being tired of the contest, readily assented, provided tlie Spanish general indica- ted the sincerity of his designs hy retiring to the coast. This he immediately did, and a peace was concluded. During this in- terval Pizarro did not remain inactive, but employed himself and his troops in founding the city of Lima, which he strongly fortified, and thus obtained a firm establishment in the country, to which he might always retire in case of any reverse of for- tune. As soon as a favorable opportunity offered, he renewed the war, and, after many difficulties, made himself master of Cus- 00,1 cot sioil stoi brt i '« I 1, DISCOVERY AXD EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 17 > discover, if erceiving hi* cm J and Pi- 'as to be ac- trcat liitn in 511 of his ex- n to iciuon- ted Pizarro, appy prince unjustly tri- found guji- iher circurn- cnt, hut for irnt alive!,'! red for the )f Iluescar; le principal 1 the assist- thcir consc- !iing rather coining ac- > libe from and boldly autliors of t* of them. idea that ced to the jad against adviaeable ired of the ral indica- . This he g this in- id himself e strongly e country, se of for- lewed the I" of Cus- co, the capital, and subsequently of the greatest part of the country. But no sooner were the Spaniards in complete posses- sion, than Pizarro and Almngro began to differ about the divi- sion of the country. At length, however, a reconciliation was brought about, through the dexterity of Pizurro, who, in giving up to his rival the southern provinces of the empire, persuaded him that still farther to the southward there existed a kingdom no way inferior in riches to that of Peru, the conquest of which would, doubtless, add greatly to his fame and fortune. This in- centive Pizarro well knew was exactly suited to his disposition ; for, anxious of conquering a kingdom for himself, Almagro col- lected a body of troops, and penetrated with great difficulty and the force the na- liut the he hopes •t people. )f one of s bound- southern le before Towards of entire only now gro into t length, • to con- five loose ved with concur- ^ against the city his son, t of the Pizarro, orders of over Va- integrity )unds of itageous lis pru- which ic utili- rushed ; eommop- rrival of Castro Spanish expect a coun- s again 4 I unsettled. The party spirit, but just cxtinmiiiliod, a'xain broke »)ut ; and (Joii/ii'o, the brother ot Piz.irro, |)iit biin>L'lf at the ht'ad of his brother's partisans, to whose standard stVLMal MialcontentN inunediutely flocked, (lonzalo, who oidy paid a iioniiiial submission ro the Spanish monarch, went so far as to behead a governor whom '"' sent over to curb him. lie also gained the confiUnice of the admiral of the Spanish fleet, by whose means he proposed to hinder the landinp; of any troops from Europe. Ibit in this he was disappointed; for the court of Spain, tiow become sensible of its mihtakc in not sending to Ame- rica men of ciiaracter and virtue, dispatched, with unlimited powers, Peter dc la Gasca, a gentleman of mild and insinuating behaviour, and possessing at the same time a love of justice, greatness of soul, and disinterested spirit. Though it was not without some difliculty that he effected a landing, yet, when that was accomplishcil, ull those who had not joined in Pizarro's re» volt, flocked to his standar«l ; many of his friends, charmed with the behaviour of Gasca, forsook their old connexions ; the ad- miral was gained over to return to his duty; and to Pizarro him- self a full indemnity was offcreel, provided he would return to the allegiance of the Spanish crown. But he was inclined to run every hazard, rather than submit ; and, with those of his par- tisans that continued to adhere to his interest, he determined to hazard a battle, in which he ^vas defeated and taken prisoner. By his execution, which followed soon after, a permanent tran- (|uillity was diffused throughout the whole country, which suffered no material interruption till within these few years, when the troubles in the mother-country have enabled the inhabitants, in a great measure, to throw oflF the Spanish yoke. North America was discovered in the reign of Henry VII. a period when the arts and sciences had made very considerable progress in Europe. Many of the first adventurers were men of genius and learning, and were careful to preserve authentic re- cords of such of their proceedings as would be interesting to pos- terity. In 1502, Sebastian C;>bot fell in with Newfoundland; and, on his return, he carried three of the natives of that island to Henry VII. In the spring of 1513, John Ponce sailed from Porto Rico northerly, and discovered the continent in 30'^8' north latitude. He landed in April, a season when the country round ^0 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ir I 51 1 (.1 I' I'; was covered with verdure, and in full bloom. This circumstance i nduced him to call the country Florida, which, for many years was the common name for North and South America. In 1516, Sir Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas Pert explored the coast as far as Brazil in South America. This vast extent of country, the coast whereof was thus explored, remained unclaimed and unsettled by any European power (except by the Spaniards in South America) for almost a century from the time of its discovery. It was not till the year 1524 that France attempted discoveries on the American coast. Stimulated by liia enterprising neigh- bours, Francis I., who possessed a great and active mind, sent John Verrazano, a Florentine, to America, for the j)urpose of making discoveries. He traversed the coast from latitude 28'' to 50° north. In a second voyage, «ome time after, he was lost. The next year Stephen Gomez, the first Spaniard who came upon the American coast for discovery, sailed from Groyon in Spain, to Cuba and Florida, thence northward to Cape Razo, in latitude 46 degrees north, in search of a north-west passage to the East ladies. In the spring of 1534, by the direction of Francis 1., a fleet was fitted out at St. Malo's, in France, with a design to make discoveries in America. The command of this fleet was given to James Cartier. He arrived at Newfoundland in May of this year. Thence he sailed northerly; and, on the day of the fes- tival of St. Lawrence, he found himself in about latitude 48*^ 30° nortii, in the midst of a broad gulf, which he named St. Law- rence. He gave the same name to the river which empties into it. In this voyage he sailed as far north as latitude 51°, ex- pecting in vain to find a passage to China. The next year he sailed up the river St. Lawrence, 300 leagues, to the great and swift Fall. He called the country New France; built a fort, in which he spent the winter, and returned in the following spring to France. In 1542, Francis la Roche, lord of Robewell, was sent to Canada, by the French king, with three ships and 200 men, women, and children. They wintered there in a fort which they had built, and returned in the spring. About the year 1550, a large number of adventurers sailed for Canada, but were never after heard of. In 1598, the king of France commissioned the ml pf tH I n I DISCOVEUY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 21 circumstance r many years ». Inl51G, the coast as of country, claimed and e Spaniards time of its d discoveries ising neigh- J mind, sent ))urpose of latitude 28*' ter, he was •aniard who rom Groyon Cape Razo, i'est passage s 1 ., a fleet gn to make vas given to ^^ay of this of the fes- ide IS^" ,309 d St. Law- mpties into 5 51°, ex. xt year he great and a fort, in 'ing spring as sent to 200 men, vhich they «• 1550, a ■vere never iioned tho 4 1 i i i I I marquis dc la Roche to conquer Canada, and other countries not possessed by anv christian prince. We do not learn, however, that la Roche ever attempted to execute his commission, or that any farther attempts were made to settle in Canada during this centurv. On the 12th of May, 1539, Ferdinand de Soto, with SOO men, besides seamen, sailed from Cuba, having for his ob- ject the conquest of Florida. On the 30th of May he arrived at Spirito Santo, from whence he travelled northward 450 leagues from the sea. Here he discovered a river a quarter of a mile wide and nineteen fathoms deep, on the bank of which he died and was buried. May, 1542, aged forty-two years. Alverdo, his successor, built seven brigantines, and the year following embarked upon the river. In seventeen days he proceeded down the river 400 leagues, where he judged it to be fifteen leagues wide. From the largeness of the river at that place of his em- Ijarkation, he concluded its source must have been at least 400 leagues above, so that the whole length of the river, in his opi- nion, must have been more than 800 leagues. As he passed down the river, he found it opened by two mouths into the gulf of Mexico. These circumstances lead us to conclude, that this ri- ver, so early discovered, was the one which we now call the Mississippi. On the 6th of January, 15-19, king Henry VII. granted a pension for life to Sebastian Cabot, in consideration of the important services he had rendered to the kingdom by his discoveries in America. The admiral of France, Chatillon, early in the year 1562, sent out afleet under the command of John Ribalt. He arrived at Cape Francis, on the coast of Florida, near which, on the first of May, he discovered and entered a river which he called May river. It is more than probable that river is the same which we now call St. Mary's, which forms a part of the southern boundary of the United States. As he coasted northward, he discovered eight other rivers, one of which he called Port Royal, and sailed up it several leagues. On one of the rivers he built a ibrt, and called it CharleSf in which he left a colony under the direction of cap- tain Albert. The severity of Albert's measures excited a mutiny, in which, to the ruin of the colony, he was slain. Two years after, Chatillon sent Rene Laudonier, with three ships, to Flo- rida. In June he arrived at the river Mav, on which he built a i'ort; and, iu honor to his king, Charles IX., he called it Carolina* '^: it; V'' ■}. ::i m III'- ii Ill 1 ,i: u m SSI HISTOUV OF NORTH AMERICA. In August, this year, captain Kibalt arrived at Florida the $e< cond time, with a fleet of seven vessels to recruit the colony, which, two years before, he had left under the direction of the unfortunate captain Albert. The Scptcnilier following, Pedro Melandes, with six Spanish ships, pursued Ribalt up the river on which he had settled, and, overpowering him with numbers, cruelly massacred him and his whole company. Melandes, having in his way taken possession of the country, built three forts, and left them garrisoned with 1200 soldiers. Laudonier, and his colony on May river, receiving information of the fate of Ribalt, took the alarm, and escaped to France. A fleet of three ships was sent from France to Florida, in 1567, under the command of Dominique de Gourges. The object of this expedition was to dispossess the Spaniards of that part of Florida which they had cruelly and uiijubtifiably seized three years before. lie arrived on the coast of Florida in April, 1568, and soon after made a successful attack upon the forts. The recent cruelty of Melandes and his company, excited revenge in the breast of Gourges, and roused the unjustifiable principle of retaliation. He took the forts j put most of the Spaniards to the sword; and, having burned and demolished all their for- tresses, returned to France. During the fifty years next after this event, the French enterprised no settlements in America. In 1576, captain Frobisher was sent to find out a north-west passage to the East Indies. The first land which he made on the coaat was a cape, which, in honor to the queen, he called Queen Julizabetlis Foreland. In coasting northerly he discovered the straits which bear his name. He prosecuted his search for a passage into the western ocean, till he was prevented by the ice, and then returned to England. In 1579, Sir Humphrey Gilbert obtained a patent from queen Elizabeth, for lands not yet possessed by any christian prince, provided he would take pos- session within six years. With this encouragement he sailed for America, and on the first of August, 1583, anchored in Con- ception Bay. Afterwards he discovered and took possession of St. John's harbour, and the country south. In pursuing his discoveries, he lost one of his ships on the shoals of Sabion ; and, on his return home, a storm overtook him, in which he was unfortunately lost, and the intended settlement was prevented, •■V • ft J'' ^) DISCOVKRY AND EARIY SETTLEMENTS. 23 rida the $e> the colony, ction of the ving, Pedro the river on \\ numbers, idcs, having ?e forts, and onier, and )f the fate ia, in 1567, e object of hat part of jized three pril, 1568, "orts. The revenge in srinciplc of laniards to 1 their for- it after this lerica. In :st passage the coaatt ed Queeii vered the rch for a y the ice, y Gilbert not yet ake pos- sailed for in Con- ession of uing his Sabion ; n which lent was As this is the first charter to a colony, granted by the Crown of England, the articles in it merit particular attention, as they unfold the ideas of that age, with respect to the nature of such settlements. Elizabeth authorises him to discover and take pos- session of all remote and barbarous lands, unoccupied by any christian prince or people. She vests in him, his heirs and assigns for ever, the full rig-ht of property in the soil of those countries whereof he shall take possession. She permits such of her subjects, as were willing to accompany Gilbert in his voy- age, to go and settle in the countries which he shall plant. She empowers him, his heirs and assigns, to dispose of whatever por- tion of those lands he shall judge meet to persons settled there, in fee-simple, according to the laws of England. She ordains, that all the lands granted to Gilbert shall hold of the Crown of England by homage, on payment of the fifth part of the gold or silver ore found there. She confers upon him, his heirs, and assigns, the complete jurisdictions and royalties, as well marine as other, within the said lands and seas thereunto adjoining j and as their common safety and interest would render good go- vernment necessary in their new settlements, she gave Gilbert, his heirs and assigns, full power to convict, punish, pardon, govern, and rule, by their good discretion and policy, as well in causes capital or criminal as civil, both marine ainl other, all persons who shall from time to time settle within the said countries, according to such statutes, laws, and ordinances as shall be by him, his heirs and assigns, devised and established for their better government. She declared, that all who settled there should have and enjoy all the privileges of free denizens and natives of England, any law, custom, or usage to the con- trary notwithstanding. And finally, she prohibited all persons from attempting to settle within two hundred leagues of any place which Sir Humphrey Gilbert, or his associates, shall have occupied, during the space of six years. With these extraordinary powers, suited to the high notions of authority and prerogative prevalent iu England during the sixteenth centur)', but very repugnant to more recent ideas with respect to the rights of freemen, who voluntarily unite to form a colony, Gilbert began to collect associates, and to prepare for embarkation. His own character, and the zealous efforts of his half-brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, who, even in his early youth, ^^ !• ... i!l lii" 1 1; .?i ;i: I'iii '■ Ifi ■1 ! 'U :IJ: I u HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. displayed those splendid talents, and that undaunted spirit^ tvhich create admiration and confidence, soon procured him a auffic-ient number of followers. But his success was not suited either to the sanguine hopes of his countrymen^ or to the ex- pence of his preparations. Two expeditions, both of which he conducted in person, ended disastrously. In the last, he him- self perished, without having effected his intended settlement on the continent of America, or performing any thing more worthy of notice, than the empty formality of taking possession of the island of Newfoundland, in the name of his sovereign. Tire dissensions among his officers ; the licentious and ungovernable spirit of his crew : his total ignorance of the countries which he purposed to occupy; his misfortune in approaching the conti- nent too far towards the north, where the inhospitable coast of Cape Breton did not invite them to settle ; the shipwreck of his largest vessel; and above all, the scanty provision which the funds of a private man could make of what was requisite for establishing a new colony, were the true causes to which the failure of the enterprise must be imputed, not to any deficiency of abilities or resolution in its leader. But the miscarriage of a scheme, in which Gilbert had wast- ed his fortune, did not discourage Raleigh. He adopted all his brother's ideas ; and applying to the Queen, in whose favor he stood high at that time, he procured a patent, with jurisdiction and prerogatives as ample as had been granted unto Gilbert. Sir Walter Raleigh, no less eager to execute than to undertake the scheme, instantly dispatched two small vessels, under the command of Amadas and Barlow, two ofBcers of trust, to visit the countries which he intended to settle, and to acquire some previous knowledge of their coasts, their soil, and productions. In order to avoid Gilbert's error, in holding too fnt north, they took their course by the Canaries and the West India islands, approached the North American Continent by the \ Gulf of Flo- rida. Unfortunately their chief researches were made in that part of the country now known by the name of North Carolina, the province in America most destitute of commodious harbours. They touched first at an island, which they call Wokocon (pro- bably Ocakoke), situated on the inlet into Pamplicoe Sound, and then at Raonoke, near the mouth of Albemarle Sound. In both, thev had some intercourse with the natives, whom they I 4 1 % 1 mted spirit, cured hitti a ts not suited to the ex- of which he »t, he him- ttlement on lore worthy sion of the eign, Tlfe igovernable js which he the conti- le coast of reck of his which the quisite for which the ' deficiency had wast- ted a]l hit i favor he irisdiction Gilbert, undertake under the to visit nre some )ductions. rth, they islands^ f of Flo- i in that arolina, larbours. on (pro- 2 Sound, md. In om they DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. ?5 I 'I found to be savages, with all the characteristic qualities of un- civilized life, bravery, aversion to labor, hospitality, a propensi- ty to admire, and a willingness to exchange their rude j)roduc- tions for English commodities, especially for iron, or any of the useful metals of which they were destitute. After spending a few weeks in this traffic, and in visiting some parts of the adja- cent continent, Amadas and Barlow returned to England with two of the natives, and gave such splendid descriptions of the beauty of the country, the fertility of the soil, and the mildness of the climate, that Elizabeth, delighted with the idea of occu- j)ying a territory, superior, so far, to the barren regions towards the north hitherto visited by her subjects, bestowed on it the name of Virginia; as a memorial that this happy discovery had been made under a virgin Queen. Their report encouraged Raleigh to hasten his preparations for taking possession of such an inviting property. He htted out a squadron of seven small ships, under the command of Sir Richard Greenville, a man of honorable birth, and of courage so undaunted as to be conspicuous even in that gallant age. But the spiiit of that predatory war which the Enghsh carried on against Spain, mingled with this scheme of settlement ; and on this account, as well as from unacquaintance with a more direct and shorter course to North America, Greenville sailed by the West India islands. He spent some time in cruising among these, and in taking prizes ; so that it was towards the close of June before he arrived on the coast of North America. He touched at both the islands where Amadas and Barlow had landed, and made some excursions into different parts of the continent round Pamplicoe and Albemarle Sounds. But as, un- fortunately, he did not advance far enough towards the North, to discover the noble Bay of Chesapeak, he established the co- lony which he left on the isiand of Raonoke, an incommodious station, without any safe harbour, and almost uninhabited. This colony consisted only of one hundred and eighty per- sons, under the command of Captain Lane, assisted by some men of note, the most distinguished of whom was Hariot, an eminent mathematician. Their chief employment, during a re- sidence of nine months, was to obtain a more extensive know- ledge of the country ; and their researches were carried on with greater spirit, and reached farther than could have been cxpect- 2. s J 26 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. t*: :.ii' ed from a colony so feeble, and in a station so disadvantageous. But from the same impatience of indigent adventurers to acquire sudden wealth, which gave a wrong direction to the industry of the Spaniards in their settlements, the greater part of the Eng- lish seem to have considered nothing Jis worthy of attention but mines of gold and silver. These they sought for, wherever they came j these they enquired after with unwearied eagerness. The savages soon discovered the favorite objects which allured them, and artfully amused them with so many tales concerning pearl fisheries, and rich mines of various metals, that Lane and his companions wasted their time and activity in the chimerical pursuit of these, instead of laboring to raise provisions for their own subsistence. On discovering the deceit of the Indians, they were so much exasperated, that from expostulations and reproaches, they proceeded to open hostility. The supplies of provisions which they had been accustomed to receive from the natives were of course withdrawn. Through their own negli- gence, no other precaution had been taken for their support. Raleigh, having engaged in a scheme too expensive for his nar- row funds, had lot been able to send them that recruit of stores with which Greenville had promised to furnish them early in the spring. The colony, reduced then to the utmost distress, and on the point of perishing with famine, was preparing to disperse into different districts of the country in quest of food, when Sir Francis Drake appeared with his fleet, returning from a success- ful expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies. A scheme which he formed, of furnishing Lane and h' associates with such supplies as might enable then to remain with com- fort in their station, was disappointed by a sudden storm, in which a small vessel that he destined for their service was dash- ed to pieces ; and as he could not supply them with another, at their joint request, as they were worn out with fatigue and fa- mine, he carried them home to England Such was the inauspicious beginning of the English settle- ments in the New World ; and after exciting high expectations^ this first attempt produced no effect but that of ^^ording a more complete knowledge of the country ; as it enalicd Hariot, a man of science and observation, to describe its soil, climate, produc- tions, and the manners of its inhabitants, with a degree of ac- curacy which merits no inconsiderable praise, when compared v.' DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 07 antugeous. to acquire industry of f the Eng- eiition but erever they ness. The "fd them, niiig pearl e and hia chimerical s for their i Indians, tions and jpplies of from the vn negli> support. r his nar- of stores rly in the ress, and disperse ivhen Sir success- dies. A ssociates h com- orm, in s dash- her, at and fa- settle- ations, a more a man roduc- of ac- ipared with the childish and marvellous tales published by several of the early visitants of the New World. There is another conse- (jucnce of this abortive colony important enough to entitle it to a place in history. Lane and his associates, by their constant intercourse with the Indians, had acquired a relish for their fa- vorite enjoyment of smoking tobacco ; to the use of which, the credulity of that people not only ascribed a thousand imaginary virtues, but their superstition considered the plant itself as a gracious gift of the gods, for the solace of human kind, and the most acceptable offering which man can present to heaven. They brought with them a s|)ecimen of this new commodity to England, and taught their countrymen the method of using it ; which Raleigh, and some young men of fashion, fondly adopted. From imitation of them, from love of novelty, and from the fa- vorable opinion of its salutary qualities entertained by several physicians, the practice spread among the English. The Spa- niards and Portuguese had, previous to this, introduced it in other parts of Europe. This habit of taking tobacco gradually extended from the extremities of the north to those of the south, and in one form or other seems to be equally grateful to the inhabitants of every climate ; and by a singular caprice of the human species, no less inexplicable than unexampled, (so bewitching is the acquired taste for a weed of no manifest utili- ty, and at first not only unpleasant, but nauseous,) that it has become almost as universal as the demands of those appetites originally implanted in our nature. Smoking was the first mode of taking tobacco in England ; and we learn from the comic writers towards the close of the sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth, that this was deemed one of the accomplishments of a man of fashion and spirit. A few days after Drake departed from Roanoke, a small bark, dispatched by Raleigh with a supply of stores for the colonv, landed at the place where the English had settled ; but on find- ing it deserted by their countrymen, they returned to England. The bark was hardly gone, when Sir Richard Greenville appear- ed with three ships. After searching in vain for the colony which he had planted, without being able to learn what had be- fallen it, he left fifteen of his crew to keep possession of the island. This handful of men was soon overpowered and cut in pieces by the savages. I i l! I It'- :. 28 HISTORY OF NORTH AMTRU A. In the lollowini; year, l.^S/, Raleigh, who was neither dis- couraged nor wearied out by the ill success which had Iiitherto attended all his efforts to make a settlement in America, fitted out three ships, under the comnmnd of Captain John White, and, as some authors say, directed the colony to be removed to the waters of the Chesapeak, which bay hafl been discovered by Lane in the preceding year. Instructed by the calamities alrea- dy experienced, more efficacious means for preserving and con- tinuing the colony than had heretofore been used, were now adopted. The number of men was greater ; some women ac- companied them ; and their supply of provisions was more abun- dant. Mr. White was appointed their governor, and twelve as- sistants were assigned him as a council. A charter was granted them, incorporating them by the name of the Governor and As- sistants of the City of Raleigh in Virginia. Thus prepared for a permanent settlement, they arrived io the latter end of .July at Roanoke, where they received the me- lancholy intelligence of the loss of their countrymen who had been left there by Sir Richard Greenville. They determined, however, to remain at the same place ; and immediately began to repair the houses, and to make the necessary preparations for tlieir accommodation and comfort. They endeavoured to cllect a reconciliation with the natives, one of whom, who had ac- companied Amadas and Barlow to England, and who had dis- tinguished himself by his unshaken attachment to the English, was christened and styled Lord of Dassa Monpeuke, an Indian nation in the neighbourhood. About the same time was added to the colony the first child of English parentage ever born in America. She was the daughter of u-liKinios Dare, and, in token of the place of her birth, was named Virginia. On viewing the country, and their own actual situation, the colonists found themselves destitute of many things deemed es- sential to the preservation and comfortable subsistence of a new settlement, in a country covered with forests, and inhabited on- ly by a few scattered tribes of savages. With one voice they deputed their governor to solicit those specific aids which their situation particularly and essentially required. On his arrival in England, he found the whole nation alarmed at the formidable preparations made by Philip II. of Spain for their invasion, and I I niSCOVKTlY AND EAUi-Y SF/rTLKMI'-X TS. 21) either His- (I hitherto rica, fitted hn White, emovcd to covered bv ties alrea- f and con- were now omen ac- ore abun- tvvelve as- is granted r and As- irrived ig 1 the me- who had termincd, ■ly began itions for' to elJect Iiad «c- had dis- Knglish, Indian child of aughter th, was on, the led es- a new ed on- they 1 their ival in idable and Raleigh, (ircenville, and the other patrons of the cohiiiy, parti- cuhirly and ar issed soine iding with ur months, had found 3Ute which m tfipallv shortcMiod the distance to the continent of North Ameri- ca, ilc had seen many of the fruits known and prized in Eu- r()i)C, hUtoming in the woods j and he had planted Kuropeait tjniin, which ho found to grow rapidly. Encouraged by these t'xperimeuts, and doliglited with the country he had visited, he tjiiickly formed the resolution of transporting thither a colony, and of uniting with himself, in the execution of this design, others who might be enabled to support it. So unfortunate, lM)vvcver, had been former attempts of this sort, that men of wealth and rank, although the report of Gosnald made consi- derable impression on them, were slow in giving full faith to his representations, and in entering completely into his plans. One vessel was fitted out by the merchants of Bristol, and another bv the Earl of Southampton, and Lord Arundel of Warder, in order to learn whether Gosnald's account of the country was to be considered as a ju?t representation of its state, or as the ex- aggerateil descrij)tion of a person fond of magnifying his own discoveries. Both returned with a full confirmation of his vera- city, and with the addition of so many new circiMnstances in fa- vor of the country, acquired by a more extensive view of it, as greatly hicreased the desire of planting it. The merchants of Londbn, too, fitted out a vessel, which is supposed to have en- tered the Bay of Chesapeak, but to have returned without hav- ing penetrated into and explored the country. The English Historians say, that Richard Hackluyt, preben- dary of Westminster, a man of distinguished learning and in- telligence, contributed more than any other, by his able and ju- dicious exertions, to form an association sufficiently extensive, influential, and wealthy, to execute the so often renewed, and so often disappointed, project of establishing colonies in Ame- rica. At length such an association was formed ; and a petition was presented to James I., who on the death of queen Elizabeth, had succeeded to the crown of England^ praying the sanction of the royal authority to the execution of the plan they proposed. Greatly pleased with it, he commended, and immediately acce- ded to the wishes of its projectors. On the 10th of April 1606, letters patent were issued, under the great seal of England, to the petitioners Sir Thomas Gates and his associates, granting to thera those territories in America l^'t «2 IIISTOIIY f)F NORTH AIMKIUC A. lyii)g on the sea const, between the thirty-fomth, and forty-fifth degrees of north latitnde, and which either behiiiged to that nio- iiiireh, or were not then possessed by any other christian prince or people; and also the islands adjacent thereto, or within one hundred miles thereof. 'I'hey were divided, at their own desire, kni(,'lits, into two several companies ; one, coiiMstint; or certain _i:;entlenicii, njcrcliants, and other adventurers of the city of London, and elsewhere, was callcjl the first cohiiiy, and was ro(iuircd to settle between the thirty-fomth and forty-first de- ^ii;rcos of latitnde; the other, consisting of certain knights, gen- tl :h d oth dvt iturers ot liristoi, Ii.\etcr, IMyniouth, and elsewhere, was named the second colony, and wiiH ordered to settle iietween the tliirty-eightli and foity-fifth degrees of north latitude : — yet so that the colony last formed, should not be planted within one hundred miles of the prior establishment. The adventurers were empowered to transport thither so ma- ny Knglish subjects as should be willing to accom])any them, with ])rovisions and arms, and without paying customs for seven years. The colonists and their children were at all times to en- joy the same liberties, within any other dominions of the crown of England, as if they had remained, or were born within the realm. For their better government, there was established, for each of the projected settlements, a council consisting of thirteen, to be appointed and removed by the royal instructions, who were empowered to govern the colonies according to such laws as should be given under the sign manual and privy seal of Eng- land. Two other boards were formed in England, which were, in like manner, to consist of thirteen persons to be appointed by the king, and who were invested with the superior direction of the affairs of the colonies. The adventurers were allowed to search for and open mines of gold, silver, and copper, yielding one-fifth of the two former metals, and one-fifteenth of the latter, to the king; and to make a coin which should be current as well among the colo- nists as the natives. The president and council, within the colonies, were authori- sed to repel those who should, without their authority, attempt to settle or trade within their jurisdiction, and to seize and de- n ail ', I'l ui i DIStM)VEllY ANT) KATII.Y SETTI.rM KN' TS. 3:{ iikJ forty-fifth (1 to that ino- ristiiiii priiicf. !• within one r own desire, tain kiiiijhts, thf city of >y, iind was jrty-first rlc- nights, gon- itol, Itlxetcr, colony, nnd id forty-fifth last formed, of the prior her so ma- pany them, US for seven times to cn- f the crown within the td, for each thirteen, to , who were ch laws as al of Eng- hich were, )pointed by lirection of ■n mines of wo former gi and to J the colo- e authori- f» attempt e and de- 4 lain their persons and elVects, till thi-y should |)ay a duly of two and oni-lialt per centum i\d valorem, it" ^uhj.-ctb; i>iiL ol five j)L'r ce'ilum, if aliens. These raxes were to be applied, for twtfnty-one years, to tlic use of the adventurers, and uftervvardi to be paid into the royal exchequer. While the council for the patentees wore employed in makinn; prepiuations to secure* the l>"ncfits of their grant, James was no less assiduously engaged ia the new, and to his vanity the llat- tering task of framing a code ».t laws for the government of the colonies about to be planted. Having at length prej)arcd It, tin- code was issued under the sign mamial and privy seal of Ei.gland on the 'JOth of November, IHOU. IK' invested, by these regula- tions, the general suj)crintendence of the colonies in a council in England, "composul of a few persons of consideration and ta- lents." He ordered that the word and servico of fiod should be j)reaclied and used according to the lites and doctrines of the duireh of England. Hoth the legislative and executive powers, within the colonies, were vested in the presidents and councils. To their legislative ))ower, however, was amiexed a proviso, that their ordinances should not touch any man's life or member, shimlil only continue in force till made void by the Mn;- or his council in England for Virginia, and should be, in substance, consonant to the laws of England. He also enjoined them to permit none to withdraw the people from their allegiance to himself and liis successors, and to cause all persons so offending to be apprehended and imprisoned till reformation ; or, in cases highly offensive, to be sent to England to receive punishment. And no person should be permitted to remain in the colony without taking the oath of obedience. Tumults, mutiny, and rebellion ; murder and incest, were to be punished with death ; and for the.se offences the criminal was to be tried by a jurv. Inferior crimes were to be punished in a summary way, at the discretion of the president and council. Lands were to be hold- en within the colony as the same estates were enjoyed in Eng- land. Kindness towards the heathen was enjoined ; and a pow- er reserved to the king and his successors to ordain further laws, so that they were con^onivnt to the jurisprudence of England. Under this charter and these laws, which manifest^ at the same time, a total disregard to all political liberty, and a total 1 'I 1^- 34 iiistohy of xoiitii a:\ii:uica. ignorance of the leal advantages which may be drawn from co- ionics by a parent state ; which vest the higher powers of legis- lation in persons residing out of the country, unchosen by the peonle, and unaffected by the laws they make, while commerce remains unconfined ; the patentees proceeded to execute the ar- duous, and almost untried task, of peopling a strange, distant, and uncul ivated land, covered with woods and marshes, and inhabited only by a few savages, easily irritated ; and, when ir- ritated, more fierce than the beasts they hunted. Although several men of rank and fortune were concerned in the companies which had been formed in England for colonising America, their funds appear to have been very limited, and their fir«t efforts were certainly extremely feeble. The first expedition of the southern colony consisted of one vessel of a hundred tons, and two barks, with a hundred and five men destined to remain in the country. The command of this small embarkation was given to Cap- tain Newport, who sailed therewith from the Thames the 19th oi' December, 1606. At the same time that his instructions Mere received, three packets, sealed with the seal of the coun- cil, were delivered, one to Captain Newport, a second to Cap- tain Bartholomew Gosnald, and a third to Captain John Rad- diffe, containing the names of the council for the colony. These packets were accompanied with instructions directing that they should be opened within twenty-four hours after their arrival on the coast of Virginia, and not before ; and that the names of his majesty's council should then be proclaimed. The council were then to proceed to the choice of a pre- 'dent, who should have two votes. To this singular and u..accountable con- cealment have been, in a great degree, attributed the dissensions which distracted the colonists on their passage, and which after- wards considerably impeded the |^progress of their infant settle- ment. Newport, whose place of destination was Roanoke, took the circuitous route by the West India Islands, and had a long pas- !^age of four months. The reckoning had been out for three days, without perceiving land, and serious propositions were made for returning to England, when they were overtaken by a storm which fortunately drove them to the mouth of the Chcsa- peak. I .1-' DISCOVERY AND EAIILY SETTLEMENTS. 3."> n from co- s of legls- en by the commerce ite the ar- e, distant, •shes, and , when Ir- ncerned in colonising and their ed of one idred and n to Cap- thc inth structions the coun- 1 to Cap- ohn Rad- J colony, directing ifter their that the ed. The ent, who able con- ssensions ich after- >t settle- took the ong pas- or three >ns were ken by a : Chcsa- On the 26th of April, 1007, they descried Cape Henry, and jsoon afterwards Cape Charles. Impatient to land, a party ot about thirty men went on shore at Cape Henry ; but they were immediately attacked by the natives, who considered them as enemies, and in the skirmish which ensued several were wounded on both sides. The first employment of the colonists was to explore the ad- jacent country, with the appearance of which they were greatly delighted, and to select a spot on which their settlement should be made. They proceeded up a large beautiful river called by the natives Powhatan, and to which they gave the name of .lames, on a peninsula on the north side of which they unani- mously agreed to make the first establishment of their infant co- lony. This place, as well as the river, they named afier their king, and called it James-town. Here they debarked on the 13th of May, and the sealed pack- ets delivered to them in England being opened, Mr. Wingfield was, by the council, elected their president ; but under frivolous and unjustifiable pretexts, they excluded from bis seat among them John Smith, whose courage and talents seemed to have excited their envy, and who on the passage had been impri- soned on the improbal)le and unsupported charge of intending to murder the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia. The colonists soon found themselves embroiled with the In- dians, who attacked them suddenly while at work, but were frightened by the fire from the ship, and in some short time a temporary accommodation with them was effected. Although Newport was named of the council, he was ordered to return with the vessels to England, and the time of his de- parture approached. The accusers of Smith affecting a degree of humanity which they did not feel, proposed that he should return with Newport, instead of being prosecuted in Virginia; but with the pride of conscious innocence, he demanded his tri- al, and being honorably acquitted, took his seat in the council. About the 15th of June, 1607, Newport sailed for England, leaving behind him one of the barks, and about a hundred per- sons, the only English then on the continent of America. Thus about one hundred and ten years after this continent had been discovered bv Cabot, « twenty. y< :3() in STORY or XOPtTH AMP, RICA. ■;ji IJ i- lony hi'A been conducted to Roanoke by Sir Richard (ireenville, the Engli'^h jjossessions in America, designed soon to become a mighty empire, were limited to a peninsuUi of a few thousand acres of hmd held by a small body of men, who with difficulty maintained themselves against the paltry tribes which surround- ed them, and looked, in a threat measure, to the other side of the Atlantic for the bread on which they were to subsist. The stock of provisions for the colony had been verv improvi- dently laid in. It .vas entirely inadeiiuate to their wants, and in addition, to this original error, it had sustained great damage, in the holds of the vessels, during their long passage. On the departure of Newport (during whose stay they managed to par- take of the superfluity of the sailors) they were reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the distributions from the public stores. These were at the same time scanty and unwholesome. They did not amount to n)ore per man than a pint of worm-eat- en wheat and barley, boiled in a common kettle. This wretch- ed food Increased the malignity of the diseases gcneratd by a i'jot, and, at the same time, (the country being entirely nnciear- ed and undrained) a damp climate among men exposed from their situation to all its rigors, l^efove the month of Septem- ber, fifty of the company, and among them Bartholomew Gos- nald, wlio had planned the expedition and so much contributed towards its being carried on, were buried, This scene of their distress was heightened by internal dissension. The president was charged witli having embezzled the best stores of the colo- ny, and with feasting at his private table with beef, bread, and aqua vitae, then deemed luxuries of the highest order, while fa- n)ine and death devoured his fellow adventurers. No crime could in the public opinion have been more atrocious. In addi- tion to this, he was detected in an attempt to escape from them and their calamities, in the bark which had been left by Newport. The general indignation could be no longer restrained. He was deposed and Radcliffe chosen to succeed him. Misfortune is not unfrequently the parent of moderation and rofiection ; and this state of misery produced a system of con- duct towards the neighbouring Indians, which for a moment dis- armed their resentments, and induced them to bring in such supplies as the country in that season afforded ; and thereby to preserve the remnant of tl»e colony. It produced another effect, ii rJi^K'-:^ ■-- - - -wr:rTTr,Tajji astfiV-'Mi ■ r4« -* i Ills accounts of that large |)ortion of the American continent comprehended in the two provinces of Virginia and Maryhmd,* tliat after the progress of information and research for a century and a half, his map exliibits no inaccurate view of both coim- trics, and is the original on which all subsequent delineations and descriptions have !)een formed." It may not be entirely unworthy of remark that, about the bottom of the bay, Smith met with a party of Indians from the ISt. Lawrence coming to war with those of that neighbourhood, and that he found, among Indians on the Suscjuehanab, hatchets obtained originally from the French in Canada. On the lOth of September, immediately after his return from this expedition. Smith was chosen president by the council, and, yielding to the general wish, he accepted the office. Soon after, Newport arrived with an additional supply of inhabitants, among Avhom were the two first females who had adventured into the present colony, but he came without provisions. The disinterested, judicious, and vigorous administration of the president, however, supplied their wants and restrained the turbulent. Encouraged by his example, and coerced by his au- thority, a spirit of industry and subordination appeared to be created in the colony, which was the parent of plenty and of peace. To increase their funds, as well as the influence and reputa- tion of the company, a new charter was petitioned for, which, on the 23rd of May, lri09, was granted them. Some of the first nobility and gentry of the country, most of the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants and tradesmen j were now added to the former adventurers ; and thev were all incorporated by the name of " The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers of the City of London for the first Colony in Virgi- nia." To them were now granted, in absolute property, the lands extending from Crpe or Point Comfort, along the sea coast, two hundred miles to the northward, and from the same point, along the sea coast, two hundred miles to the southward, and up into the land throughout from sea to sea west and north- west ; and also all the islands lying within one hundred miles of * This must be understood as applying to ihe very extensive parts of those states wUich border on the bay, and on the rivers emutying into it belov7 their falls. 2. F h 42 HISTORY or NORTH A:Mr.RK'A. t 1 If 1 ; i, •ll tlie coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid ; to he holdcii of t!ic manor of Ea^t Gicenwicli in free and common socca;j:;e, and D.iviii:' in lieu of all seiAiccs one fifth of the ijold and silver that b!u»u!d be found. T'le corporation was authorised to convey, iind:r its common seal, |)art!eu!ar portions of thfse Iruids to sub- jccti= or donizpiis, on such condition's as micht promote the in- tti.tions of the grant. The powers of the |:'H'sidcnt and council ia A'iij^inia Were abrogated, and a new coniiei! in England was est al I i is lied and ordained in the charter, with power to th.^ com- pany to fill all vacancies therein by election. Tliis council was empowered to appoint and remove all officers for the colony, and to make all ordinances for its government, jjrovided they be not contrary to tlic laws of England ; and to rule and correct the colonists according to such ordinances. Licence was given to transport to Virginia all persons willing to go thither, and to ex- port nierchaiulise free fiom customs for seven years. There was also granted for twenty-ono years, freedom fiom all subsidies in ^'irginin, and from all impositions on imj)(>rtations and exporta- tioas to or iV-aii rny of the king's dominion'^, '•' except only tl.v. fivj pounds i;i tiij liU'idreil due for customs." The colonists v.'crc djclarcil to !)e entitled to the rig'it? of natural subjects. The governor was eni])owercd to establish martial law in ca-^e of rebellion or mutiny, and to ])i event thv? superstitions of the church of lluuie (Vom taking root in the plantation, it was de- clared that ni'.'.'.c shor'd pass into Virginia but such as shall have fir.^t taken tlie oatli of supremacy. 'ii'he compnnv being t'lus enlaige»k was now enabled to take iu.);o eliiieient measures than hercto'ore, for the settlement of t'.ie countrv. They scon fitted out nine ships, with five hundred emigrants, aiul such suppiiivs as were deemed necessary lor them. Lord Delaware was constituted governor and caplnin-ge- neral for life, and several other high sounding and useless cfhces were created. Tic direction of the cxpedirion was again given to Newport, and to him and Sir Thomas C-ate-^, and Sir (ieorge Somcrs, j.o'.vers were severally granted to supcisede the existing administration, and to govern tiie colony until the arrival of Lord Delaware. With singular indiscretion, the council oujitted to establish precedence among these gentlenicn, ar.ri being to- tally unable to settle tliis imj}orLant ju^iut between themselves, they agreed to citjbark on board the same ves^scl, and to be com- : pal thi (11 it^ siii ttrl 'i DISCOVEUV AXn r.AIU.Y Si:TT[,E^rr.NTS. •t.'l l>e Iioldcii ot '(X'ca;^'c, iiiKl id silver tliat 1 to coiivov, aiids to sub- lote llie iii- and council 'England was to tli.^ coiu- coiiiic'il \va^. t^olony, and tlicy 1)0 not correct the ^•as given to and to cx- Therc was subsidies in id fxporta- ]?t only tl.L e colonists d subjects. I' in ca-.e of )n.s of tlie it was de- i>li'd]] have led to take tleujcnt of 'e hundred pessary for i!j)t n ill-go - less oflk-es i^ain .c;ivcn Hr (ieorgo e existing arrival of il o'uitted b.'-'ing to- em selves, ' be com- panions durin'j; the voyai^e. They were pavled from the rest ui the licet in a storm, and driven on Ik'rnuniis, iuuin'; t^ii bo:.rd one hundred and filly men, a eon-iderab'e portion of ill.- jjri, vi- sions destined fur the colony, and the new eo:iiniis' ion and in- structions of the eouneil. Tlie re->idiie of the s(jiiadron arrived safely in Viri^inia. " A 5;reat part of this new eoinpaiiy," says Mr. Stilli, " eousi led <>t u'lruly sparks, paeked off by iheir friend^, to escape v.or-e rles- tinies at home; and the rist were chielly made tij) of poor ^yn- tlenv.'ti, broken tiadesmen, rakes and libertines, f'.,- tn;en ;uid such others, as were rraeh fitter to spoil and ruin a coninion- wei'.Uh. than to help to raise or maiiitain one. 'i'his lewd com- p;iny. tliereioie, were led I)y their seditious captains into mjwiy n'li^ehicf's and extravagancies. They assumed to themselves the });r.ver of disjjosing of the t'.ovcrnnie.t, and it sometimes devolv- ed 0:1 one, and sometimes on another. To-day the ohl commis- sion must rule ; to-morrow the new ; and next day neither ; so that all was ajjarchy and distraction." The decision of Smith was suspended but for a sliort time. Me sooij (K'tcrmined that liis own authority was not legally revo- ked until the arrival or the new cjuimission, and tlieretorc re- solved to continue its exercise. Incai)able of holding the reins of government but with a firm, and steady hand, he exhibitctl, on t!i!5 emergency, tliat vigor and good sense, which he always dis- played most eminently whe.n he n)0st needed tiiem. lie boldly imprisoned the chief promoters of tlie sedition, and thereby re- stored, for a time, reguiaiity and obcilience. Having effected this, he, for the doubie ])urposc of exteiidiu;'.'; the settlements of the co- lony, and of pre-.cnting the miscliieis to be apprebcntled from so many tuibulent spirits collected in .lames-town, detar!;od one Iiundred persons to the falls of James- river, under the conduct of West, and the same imuiber to Nansemond, under tlie com- mand of JNIarlin. These settlements were conducted with so lit- tle judgment, that they soon converted all the neighbouring In- dians into enemies, had several parties cut off, and found them- selves in absolute need of the support and dircccion of Smith. They were readily supplied till a melancholy accident deprived the colony of the aid of a man, whose talents had more than once rescued it from that desperate condition into which folly and vice had plun'ged it. Returning from a visit to the detach- 44. UiSTOHV nv NORTH AMKiai A. ill * II;,. liii; 1^^ IT 1, inciit stationed iit the falls (»(' .lames- river, his powder- hap^, whilu he was slecpiiifj; in the hoat, took fire, and in the ex})losion h( was so severely wounded, as to he conlineii to his bed, and therehy rendered absolutely ineapahle ol' pert'onuing the aetive (Uities whieh his station so indispensably re<|uired. IkMng thus wounded, and unable to obtain the aid of" a surgeon in the eoNi- ny, he determined to return to Kni'land, for which place he ejnbarked about the beginning of October. At his departure the colony consisted of about five hundred inhabitants. They were furnished with three ships, seven boats, coniniodities ready for trade, ten weeks provision in the jjublit' stores, six mares and a horse, a large stock of hogs and poultry, with some sheep and goats, utensils for agriculture, nets for fishing, one hundred trained and expert soldiers well acquainted with the India!is, their language and habitations, twenty-i'our pieces of ordnance, and three hundred muskets, with a sulH- cient quantity of other arms and ammunition. The present fair prosj)ects of the colony were soon blasted by those scenes of folly and crime, of riot and insubordination, which ensued. Various pretenders immediately advanced their claims to the supreme command. The choice, however, fell upon Captain Percy, who derived much consideration from the virtues of his heart, as well as from his illustrious family; but his talents, at no time suited to the storms of his new and difficult situation, were rendered still less competent to the task, by a long course of ill health, which had determined him to return to England, from which he was with difficulty dissuaded. Being generally confined by sickness to his bed, he was incai)able of maintaining his authority, and a total confusion with its accustomed baneful consequences ensued. The Indians, understanding that the man whose conduct and vigor they had so often experienced and so much dreaded, no longer governed the colonists, attacked them on all sides. Cap- tains West and Martin having lost their boats and nearly half their men, were driven from the falls of James-river and Nanse- mond, unto .James-town. The stock of provisions was lavishly wasted, and a famine, the most dreadful with which they had ever been afiflicted, raged among them. After devouring the skins of their horses, and the Indians they had killed, the survi- n t) si DISC ovrnv and kaiit.y sr.TTr.KArnNTs. in er-baff, whi lu i explosion lit l»is Ijod, and ig the ac-tive Jk'iii!^- tliij'5 II ill the colo- lich place he five hundred seven boats, in the publio and ponltry, jrc, nets for 11 acquainted tvvetity-ibur vith a suiH- 'n blasted by iljordiiiation, aims to the on Captain rtucs of his talents, at It situation, ong course to England, g generally iiaintaining; lied baneful onduct and readed, no des. Cap- learly half nd Nanse- as lavishly they had mring the the survi- \in^ fed on th(vse of llieir companions, who had !»unlv under sutli aeeuimilated calamities. The recolloetion of these tremendous Milferiiiffs was lom; retained, and for many years this period was distinguished and remembered by the name of the STAKV'iNG TIMK. In MN months the colony was l)y these distresses reduced to ->i\tv persons of ail ages and sexes, who were so feeble and de- jected tliiit they could not have survived ten days longer. In this calamitous state they were relieved l)y Sir Thomas (jatcs, Sir (jeorge Somers, and (Captain Newport, who arrived from liermudas the -2 1th of May, KilO. It was immediately determinetl to abandon the country, and for this purpose ihe wretched remnant of the colony embarked on board the vessels just arrived from Hernnvlas, and set sail for England. " None dropped a tear," says Mr. Chalmer, " be- cause none had enjoyed one ''.ay of happiness." Fortunately they met in the river Lord Delaware with three ships and a recruit of new settlers and j)rovisions from England, who prevailed upon them to return, and on tiie lOtb of .lune resettled them at James-town. By his nuldness of temper, his assiduitv to business, and a judicious exercise of authority, this nobleman restored order and contentment to the colony, and again impressed the Indians with respect for the English name. Unfortunately a complica- tion of diseases soon obliged him to resign his government, which, on the 2Sth of March, HH 1, he placed once more in the hands of Mr. Percy, and sailed himself for Nevis in the West Indies; leaving in the colony about two hundred persons in pos- session of the blessings of health, plenty and peace. On the 10th of May, Sir Thomas Dale, who had been ap- pointed to the government, arrived with a fresh supply of men and provisions, and found the colony relapsing into its former state of idleness and penury. It required all the authority of the new governor to maintain public order, and to compel the idle and dissolute to labor. Some conspiracies having been de- tected, he proclaimed martial law, and instantly executed it by punishing t!»e most guilty. These severities whicli, in the ordi- nary state of society, would not and ought not to have been sub- mitted to, were then deemed necessary, and are spoken of a»! having probably saved the settlement. ill' in 1 . I I :, i' r I: 3 46 iiisTouY or xonTif AMKnir'A. Ill the l):'t;iiiiiiti;; of Aii;;ust, Sir 'I'lioinas (iatc^, who liiitl Ijccm .•i))|)oiiitc(l to Miccc'cd Sir Tlionias Dale, nvrlved with Ni\ ships unci a considcniMc supply ot men ami provisions. Tho cohiiiy bciup; iiow^^rcatly sticiigthcm'd, Ix't^aii to cxtcinl itstlf up.laincs- rivor, and several new hettlenieiits were made. The extravaijant aeeounts t;ivon of the heaury and fertility of liernuulas, l)y iIid^o who had I)eeii cast a.va\ e of winch no inu:iecliate nolie;- ',vas taken, but which was afterwards iecolli.>etJt! v. illi no inconsifler- able degree of indignation. T'.ie Trench who had directed their course to the more nor- lliern parts of or.r continent, had been among the first adven- turers to North America, 'i'heir \oyages of diseoverv are of a very early date, and their attempts at a settlement \scrc among ;!;e first which were made. So early as the year I.'i.'i."), Jac(p:cs Qnurlier wintered in ( auada, made an alliance with some tribes of savages, built a foil, tind took possession of the country. In ]')4{), Francis I. a))j)ointcd the Sieur de Koberval, lieutenant- general of Xevvfoundlaml i..id Canada, with power to conduct Frencb families thither, and to make settlements. In the au- tumn of tiie same year .Jacques Quartier was appoiiited captain- general of five ve-sels destined for an expedition to the new world. They arrived in l.")41, at Caj)e Hreton, where the emi- grants fortified themselves, and made their first establishment. The fort built by that adventurer is considered by the French as having been erected with an intent to hold t!ie country ; but his object is contended, by the iJiglish, to have been rather disco- m i in !•! 'H ' i" It iJ, . 48 HISTORY OF NORTH A.AIERICA. very than settlement. The civil contentions which soon after- ■\vards desolated France diverted the attention of the govern- ment from America, to objects of deeper concern ; yet a perma- nent settlement was nnide in Canada in the year 1604, and the foundation of Quebec was laid in the year IGOS. In November, l()().'i, Menry IV. appointed De Mont, lieutenant-general of that ])art of the territory which he claimed lying in North Ame- rica, the 40th and 4 of Argal was directed. He found it totally unprepared for defence ; the inhabitants, who had assiduously and successfully cultivated the friendship of the Indians, being restrained by no fear of hostility from them, were scattered abroad in the woods, engaged in their several pursuits ; and a ship and a bark just arrived from France laden with articles necessary for the use of the colony, were surprised in port, and their cargoes taken to .James-town. Argal left no garrison to keep possession of the place, and after his departure, the French, who had only dispersed themselves among the In- dians during the continuance of danger, immediately resumed their former station. The pretext for this predatory expedition was, that the French, by settling in Acadie, had invaded the rights of the English acquired by the first discovery of the continent. On his return to James-town, Argal paid a visit to New ^'ork, then in possession of the Dutch. He claimed the country as having i een first discovered in 1609 by Captain Hudson, who was an Englishman, and the benefit of whose discoveries, he alledged, could not be transferred from his nation. He de- manded possession ; and the Dutch governor, whose force con- *!istcd merelv, of a few traders, being unable to resist, " peace- .js: sil '! DISCOVEHY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 40 li soon after- f the govern- yet a j)erina- ()04, and the In November, eneral of that North Ame- alJed Acadic, n after warns ^elusive right and the gulf in the subse- Oroix; and, 1 part of the :e was feeble the country, e expedition inhabitants, riendsllip of from them, heir several rance laden re surprised gal left no i departure, 3»g the In- ly resumed that the hts of the it. Vew "i ork, le country dson, who Jveries, he He de- cree con- " peace- I 1 ably submitted both himself and his colojiy to the king of Eng- land, and the governor of Virginia under him," and consented to pay a tribute. Argal then contitmed his voyage to James- town. But another governor afterwards arriving from Amster- dam with better means of asserting the title of his countrymen, the payment of the tribute was refused, and the place put in a * situation to be defended. The advantages resulting to the colony from the portion of la- bor which each individual had been permitted to apply to his ' private account having soon become apparent, the system of ■working in common to fill the public stores seems to have been totally abandoned. Originally every emigrant was, by the rules '■ of the company, entitled to one hundred acres of land for him- self, and as much for every person he should import into the country; but these rules had never been carried into effect. The quantity was now reduced to fifty acres, ..'hich were actually laid off, and delivered to the person having title to them, who was permitted to exercise over them, in such manner as was agreea- ble to himself, all the rights of ownership. About the same time tobacco was first cultivated in Virginia, This plant, although detested by the king, who usv'd all his in- fluence to prevent its use, and even wrote a pamphlet against it, which he styled a counter-blast ; although discountenanced by the leading members of parliament, and even by the company, who issued edicts against its cultivation j although on a first ex- periment extremely unpleasant to the taste, and disagreeable in its effects; surmounted all opposition, and has, by an unac- countable caprice, been brought into general use, and become one of the most considerable staples of America. In the spring of the year 16 Its, Sir Thomas Dale sailed for England, having placed the government in the hands of Mr. George Yeardly, his deputy, who, after a very lax administra- tion of one year, was succeeded in May, 1GI7, by Captain Ar- gal, who had been appointed deputy governor by the company. He was a man of considerable talents and great energy of mind, but selfish, haughty, and tyrannical. He provided with ability for the wants of the colony, aiid remedied with skill and attention many abuses which had been permitted to creep in among them j but he is charged with having availed himself im- j^.roperly of the advantages of his situation for the acquisition of 3. O 50 HISTORY or XORTII A^MFJITCA. 1 1 ■ I i private wealtli, and with having exercised over tlio people ul' Virginia his high authority, in a manner to the hist degree odi- ous and despotie. Martial law was continued (luring a season ot peace ; and a Mr. Bi-cwster, who was tried under hiy arbitrary system for contemptuous word>. spoken of the governor, was sen- tence;! to suffer death. A respite of ex 'cution was with difFieul- ty (>btained, and on an appeal to the treasurer and c(>inieil in England, the sentence was reversed. While martial law was, according to Stith, the connnnn law of the land, the deputy governor seems to have been tiie scic le- gislator. Mis edicts mark the severity of his rule, but some oi' them evince an attention to the public safety. Me ordered tb.at merchandi'^cs should ])e sold at an advance of twenty-five per centum, and toi)aeco taken in payment at the jate of three shillings per pound, under tiie ])enalty of three years serviiudc; to the company ; that no person should traffic privately with the Indians, or teach tiiem the use of hre-arins under the pain oi death ; tiiat no person shoultl hunt deer or hogs without the go- vernor's lca\(; ; that no man shou'd slioot unless in his own ncce.-srry doilt.ce, until a new supply of ammunition arrived, on pain of a year's personal service; that noiK* should go on board the ships at .lames-tov.n without the governor's leave; that eve- ry person should go to church on sundays aiul holydays, under the p^cnalty of slavery during the following week for the first of- fence, (luring a month for the second, and during a year and a day for the third, 'i'lie rigor of this atlministration necessaiily cxciied nuich discontent, and the complaints of the Virginians at length made their way to the' comj)any. Lord Delaware being iK>\v dead, Mr. Ycardly was aj)pointed caj)tain-geneia!, with In- structions to examine with attention the wrongs of the colonists, and t:) redress them. The pc'.v governor arrived in April, 1()10, and soon after, to tlie inexpressible joy of the inhabitants, declared his determina- tion to convoke a colonial assembly. This is an important aera in the history of Virginia. Mercto- fore all legislative authority had been exercised, either by the corporation in England, or by tlicir officers in this coui:try. The people, cither personally or by their representatives, hnd no voice in the government of themselves; and their most impor- tant concerns were decided on by pcr-ons often unacquainted DISCOVERY AXD EARLY SETTEEME?nTS. t'H' people of i^t (k'grcc odi- 11^ a scasf.ii of '' '"y nrliitraiy "oi", was soii- "itli (!i/ri(;iil- I'tl C(iiMicil in t'onmion law 1 tiie solo le- l>"t some oi" oideicd that 3nty-five |)ei ^te of tla-fc "s scrviiudci ^-'ly with the I'le j)ain of out the go- "i his own arrived, on 50 oil board ) that eve- '^»ys undtr the fir.st o/'- ycai- and a "occsjjajilv 'giiiians at rare heiiiir 'j with iu- ■ colohista, -iftcr, to etcriniua- Here to- il" hy the ■ry. The hid 110 t iaipor- qiK'iiiited I ' wilh their siruation, and always possessing interests tliiTereiit Iroiu theirs. Tiiey now t'clieitatefl themselves on having- really the |)rivile!Tcs of Euglishiueii, and on possessing substantially th.' IjonefitH of the English constitution. Tiiis lirst asscmhlv met at James-town on the l!)th of June, 'i'lie eolonv was not then divided into counties, and the mem- bers were elected by the diifcrent boroughs, amounting at that time to seven. From this eireumstanee the po]Jular l)ranch of the assembly received the appellation of the House of Burgess- es, which it retained until all connection with England was dis- solved. The assembly, coinj)osed of the governor, the council, and burgesses, !nct together in one apartment, and there debated all marters thought conducive to the general welfare. The laws then enacted, which it is believed are no kjnger extant, were transmitted to England for the approbation of the treasurer and coni])any, and v.-ere said to have been "judiciously formed." Tiie emigrations from England continued to ';e very consider- uble, and were made at great expcnce to the company, but as ;» t few females had crosseil the Atlantic. iVIen without wives -uuld not contemplate Virginia as a place of permanent resi- dence, and pro|)osed, after amassing some wealth, to return to their native land. To put an end to a mode of thinking in its elfects ruinous to the colony, it was proposed to send out ona hundred maids, as wives for tlie colonists. Ninety girls, young and uncorrupt, were transported in the beginning of the year l'I20, and sixty more in the subsequent year. They were inniie- diately disposed of to the young planters. The price of a wife was estimated first at one hundred, and aftervvards at one hun- dred and fifty pounds of tobacco, then selling at three shillings per pound, and a debt so contracted was made of greater digni- ty than any other. The education of children was likewise attended to, and seve- ral steps were taken towards founding the college, afterwards completely established by William and Mary. About the same time the company received orders from the king to transport to Virginia a hundred idle and dissolute persons, then in custody of the knight marshal. Tiiese men dispersed through the co- lony, became a useful and accejitable addition of laborers; and were the first convicts transported to America, 52 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ! 1: In 1G22, the cup of prosperity, of which the colonists now began to taste, was dashed from their hps by an event which shook to its foundation and nearly destroyed the colony. In KJIS, Wwhatan, the most powerful of the Indian kings in Vir- ginia, who, after the marriage of his daughter Pocahontas to Mr. llolfe, had remained faithful to the English, departed this life, and was succeeded, not only in his own dominions, but in hi« influence over all the neighbouring tribes, by Opechancanough, a bold and cunning chiet^ as remarkable for his jealousy and hate for the new settlers, as for his qualifications to execute the revenge his resentments dictated. He renewed however the sti- pulation of Powhatan, and for a considerable time the general peace remained undisturbed. The colonists, unsuspicious of dan- ger, neither attended to the Indians, nor their machinations. Engaged in the cultivation of their soil, all their views seemed directed to that single object ; and their military exercises and all useful precautions were laid aside ; while the Indians being often employed as hunters, were furnished with fire arms and taught to use them. They were admitted at all times, freely, into the habitations of the English, as harmless visitants ; were fed at their tables, and lodged in their chambers. During this state of free and friendly intercourse, was formed, with cdd and unrelenting deliberation, the plan of a general massacre, which should involve man, woman and child, in indiscriminate slaugh- ter. The tribes in the neighbourhood of the English except those on the eastern shore, who were not trusted with the plan, were successively gained over ; and notwithstanding the perpetu- al intercourse kept up between them and the white people, the most impenetrable secrecy was observed. So deep and dark was their dissimulation, that they were accustomed to borrow boats from the English to cross the river, in order to concert and ma- ture their execrable designs. The 22nd of March was designated as the day on which all the English settlements were to be at the same instant attacked. The better to disguise their intentions, and to ensure success, they brought in the preceding evening, deer, turkies, and fish, as presents; and even on the morning of the massacre came freely among them, behaving in their usual friendly manner, un- til the very instant which had been appointed to commence the scene of carnage they had prepared. The fatal hour having ar- m tn'3iEprawBSfc" DISCOVEr.V AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 53 :oIonists now event which colony. In kings in Vir- lontas to Mr. :ted this life, } but in hi« hancanough, jealousy and ' execute the 'ever the sti- ; the general 5ious of dan- lachinations. iews seemed xercises and idians being e arms and mes, freely, tants; were During thiji ith cdd and acre, which late slaugh- ;lisli except > the plan, he perpetu- Jeople, the d dark was ►rrow boats rt and ma- 1 which all i attacked, re success, and fish, acre came inner, un- nence the having ar- rived, tliev fell at once on every settlement, murdered without distinction of age or sex ; aiul so sudden were they in executing their plan, that few perceived the weapons, or the approach of the blow wliich terminated their existence. Thus in one hour, and ahnost in the same instant, fell three hundred and forty-se- ven men, women, and children, most of them by their own plantation tools and utensils. The massacre would have been much more complete, had not information been given the preceding night to a Mr. Pace, by an Indian domesticated in his house, where he had been treated as a son, and who being pressed to murder him, disclosed to him the plot. He immediately carried the intelligence to James-town, and the alarm was given to some of the nearest settlemetjts, which were thereby saved : at some other places too, where the circumstances of the attack enabled the English to seize their arms, the assailants were repulsed. To this horrible massacre succeeded a vindictive and extermi- nating war, in which were successfully practised upon the Indi- ans, the wiles of which they had set so bloody an example. During this disastrous period, many public works were abandon- ed ; tlie college institution was deserted, the settlements were reduced from eighty to eight, and famine superadded to the ac- cumulated distresses of the colony, its afflicting scourge. As soon as intelligence of these calamitous events reached England, a contribution of the adventurers for the relief of the sufferers was ordered ; arms from the Tower were delivered to the treasurer and company ; and several vessels were immediate- ly dispatched with those articles, which might best alleviate such complicated distress. In June, 1632, Charles I. granted to Lord Baltimore for ever, " that region bounded by a line drawn from Watkin's point of Chesapeak Bay, to the ocean on the east ; thence to that part of the estuary of Delaware on the north, which lieth under the 40th degree, where New England is terminated; thence in a right line, by the degree aforesaid, to the meridian of the foun- tain of the Potowmac ; thence following its course, by the fur- ther bank of its confluence " The territory thus granted waa denominated Maryland, and was separated entirely from Virgi- nia. The proprietor was empowered, with the assent of the freemen, or their delegates, whom he was required to assemble '•J I i I. ,t ■ 54 inSTOllV OF NORTH AI^n^RICA. for liint |U!rj)oso, to luaUc all laws for the fi;ovcrnni\icy of their sister eolonle=. Vhiie the puritans of New Eng- land were em])l()ycd in coercing eoniorniity to tiieir particular te- nets, Virginia retaliated on them by passing severe laws aifeeting puritans, which induced persons of that persuasion to take re- I'ugc in ^hiryland, where all ^vere j)ermitted to pursue, unmo- lested, the form of worshij) dictated by conscience. An increase of ])opulation, and extended settlements, ])roda- ccd their certain consequence. The exercise of the sovereign j)ower by ih.e people themsL'lves, became intolerably burthen- some, and the third as^en\b!y, u-hich was convened iti KJ.'!!), passed an act " for esta!)lishing the house of assemblv." This act declare:' that those who should be elected in pursuance of writs issue;', should be called burgesses, and should supjdv the place of freemen who chose them, in the same manner as the representatives iu the jKirliament of Englaml, and with those called by special writ, together with th.e governor and secretary, should constitute the general assembly ; but the two branches of the legislature were to sit in the same chamber. In 1G.>0, this regulation was clianged ; an act was then passed, declaring, that tliose who are called by special writ should form the ui)per house ; that those who are chosen by the huiulreds should fornj the lower house ; and that bills which should be assented to by both branches of the legislature, and by the governor, should be deemed the laws of the province. The most perfect harnu)ny subsisted between the proprietary and the peoj)le ; and Maryland, attentive to its own affairs, re- mained, without any other interruption than one Indian war, which termiuatgd iu tiie submission of the natives, in a state of :;i.^ ■I i ■: I ■ i;i- ! < s If 56 HISTORY or NORTTT A:M ERICA. increasing prosperity until the civil war broke out in Eiiglaiul. The government, like that of Virginia, was attachetl to the roy- al cause; but Clayborne, who took part with the parliament, found means to inti:^ue among the people, and to raise an in- surrection in the province. Calvert the governor, was obliged to fly to Virginia for protection, and tlie insurgents seized the reins of government. It was not until Auiijust in the subsccjuent year (1641), that thn revolt was suppressed and trancjuility re- stored. An act of general pardon and oblivion was passed, from the benefits of which only a few leading characters were except- ed ; but this, like most other insurrections, produced additional burthens on the people, which did not so soon pass away. The repose of Maryland was soon disturbed by the superin- tending care of parliament. In September, 1651, commission- ers were appointed " for reducing and governing the colonies within the Bay of Chesapeak." Among them was Clayborne, the evil genius of the colony. As the proprietary had acknow- ledged and submitted to the authority '^ rliament, he was per- mitted to retain his station and govern a& formerly, although in the name of the keepers of the liberties of England. It was however impossible that he could long retain the quiet posses- sion of actual authority. The distractions of England having found their way into Maryland, divided the colonists ', and the commissioners supported, with their countenance, the faction opposed to the established government. The contentions, generated by such a state of things, at length broke out into civil war, which terminated in the de- feat of the governor and the Roman Catholics. A new assem- bly was now convened, which being entirely under the influence of the victorious party, passed an act declaring, that none who professed the popish religion, could be protected in the province by the laws ; that such as professed faith in God by Jesus Christ, although dissenting from the doctrine and discipline publicly held forth, should not be restrained from the exercise of their religion ; provided such Uberty was not extended to popery, or prelacy, or to such as, under the profession of Christ, practised licentiousness. Other lav/s in the same spirit were enacted ; and a persecution commenced against the Quakers, as well as those guilty of popery and prelacy. A scene of revolutionary turbu- lence ensued, in the course of which the upper house was resolv- i ''f': M *S. ;^ (' I'i maJs^iH&iM Z-:.mMBSi! 1 ; ill England, etl to the loy- c parliament, I raise an in- , was obliged its seized the he subsecjuent ran(iuility re- passed, from were exeept- !ed additional i away. ' the superin- coinini$sion- the colonies IS Clayborne, had acknow- , he was per- , although in md. It was quiet posses- jland having its ; and the the faction f things, at in the de- new assem- the influence t none who the province esus Christ, ine publicly ;ise of their popery, or t, practised lacted; and ell as those lary turbu- vvas resolv- : DTSrOVETlY AND KAlir.Y sr.TTI.EMFA'TS. 57 ed to be useless, which continued until the restoration, when Philip Calvert was appointed governor by Lord Baltimore, and the ancient order of things was restored. Notwithstanding the commotions which had agitated the colony for a few years past, it had greatly flourished, and at the restoration, its population was estimated at twelve thousand souls. We have seen with what slow and difficult steps the first, or southern colony, although supported by individuals of great wealth and influence in the nation, advanced to a firm, and se- cure establishment. The company for founding the second, or -:)l northern colony, to which it will be recollected a charter was at the same time granted, and which was composed of gentleinen i-esiding in Plymouth, and other parts of the west of England, was less wealthy, and possessed fewer resour^ies for the esta- blishment of distant and expensive settlements, than the first company which resided in the capital. Their efforts were conse- quently more feeble, and less successful, than those which were i? made in the south. 'I ' The first vessel fitted out by the company in 1606, was cap- f turet' the coast laving deli- iptions (iic- Jslastie and ileascd with vhich name be stimula- advantages ce was im- )ger motive lost powcr- Ingland ii)- of Brown- Jered itself respecting to take re- I a distinct Robinson. s situation on to give hem from and their Dutch fa- aw before ^ their se- extinction h attain- orablc to prevailed ty of the onsidera- mination I grant of DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 59 lands, and, to promote the success of their application by im- pressing the certainty of their emigration, they say, " That they were well ueancd from the delicate milk of their mother coun- try, and iiuired to the difficulties of a strange land. That they were knit together in a strict and sacred bond, by virtue of which they held themselves bound to take care of the good of each other, and of the whole. That it was not with them as with other men, whom small things could discourage, or small discontents cause to wish themselves at home again." The only privilege on which they insisted, was a licence i.nder the great seal to practise and profess religion in that mode which, under the impulse of conscience, they had adopted. This reasonable and modest re(|uest was refused. James had already established the church of England in Virginia, and although he promised to connive at their nonconformity, and not to molest them while they demeaned themselves peaceably, yet he positively refused to give them that explicit and solemn pledge of security which they required. This, for a short time, suspended their removal j but the cause of their discontent in Holland continuing, they at length determined to trust to the verbal declarations of the king^ and immediately negociated with the Virginia company for a tract of land within tho limits of their patent. In September, 1620, they sailed from England, with only one hundred and twenty men, in a single ship, '^heir destination was Hut'jon's River, but the pilot on board being a Dutchman, is said to have been bribed by his countrymen, who were them- selves desirous of occupying that territory, to carry them so far to the north, that the first land they made was Cape Cod. They soon perceived that they were not only beyond their ov/n limits, but beyond those of the company from which they deri- ved their title ; but it was now the month of November, and too late in the season for men unacquainted with the country, and afflicted with disease, again to put to sea in search of a new habitation. After exploring the coast, they chose for their sta- tion a convenient position, to which they gave the name of New Plymouth. On tli£ 1 1th of November, before they landed, a solemn covenant was signed by the heads of families, and free- men, in which, after reciting that they had undertaken to plant a colony for the glory of God, and for the honor of their king and country ; and professing their loyalty to their sovereign lord ! '1^ i ■•II '. ■.: 60 IllSTOllV OV NOUTII AMERICA. KiiiR James ; they couihined tliemstlvcs into a body politic, fof the piirposc of inakinc; e([iial laws tor thi' ^nicral gootl. Having tlitis hv coiiuiioii consent formed a eompaet, the ohli- giition of which all admitted, they proceeded to the choice of ft governor for one year, and to enahle him the better to discharge the important trust confided to him, they gave him one assist- ant. In l()2i, three others were added, and the number was afterwards increased to seven. The supreme ))ovver resided in the whole body of the male inhabitants, and during the infancy ol" the colorjy was exercised by them. They assend)led together, occasionally, to determine on all subjects of a {)ublic concern, nor was it until the year l().']9, that they established a house of representatives. They adopted, us a common lule of action, the lavv.s of England ; adding occasionally, municipal regulations, in cases to which the laws they hud ado|)ted, either did not com- pletely apply, or did not, in their opinion, furnish the njost per- fect rule of conduct. Some of the changes in their penal code strongly mark their character and circumstances. While on for- gery (which in large commercial societies is pursued with so much ligor,) was inflicted only a moderate fine ; fornication was punished with whipping, and adultery with death. The season of the year in which the colonists landed was ex- tremely unfavorable to the establishment of a new settlement. The winter, which was much more severe than they expected, had already set in, and they were but very badly supplied with the means of obtaining comfort, or even subsistence. Before the return of spring, about fifty of their small company perished with maladies, increased by the hardships to which they were exposed, the scarcity of food, and the almost total privation of those comforts to which they had been accustomed, and which are so necessary to support the human frame struggling with dis- ease. The survivors, as the season moderated, had new difficul- ties to encounter. They were compelled, instead of attending uninterruptedly to the means of providing for their future wants, to take up arms to defend themselves against the neighbouring saveges. Foi Innately for the colonists, the natives had been so wasted the preceding year by pestilence, that they were easily subdued, and compelled to accept a peace, which was offered them on equitable terms. Nothing could have supported the English under these accumulated distresses, but the hope of bet- tar tn compl exerei occa^ and (- ngaini In per of liO cioiis able inere; ', 1 ■ n I politic, for I. , the ohli- L'hoicf of ji I discharge Olio assist- jml»er was resided in the infancy d together, ic coijccrn, a liousc of Action, the datious, in not coin- most por- penal code lile on for- 'd with so cation was •d was ex- icttlenient. expected, ^licd with Before the ' perished they were rivation of nd which with dis- IV difficul- attending ire wants, hbouring d been so ere easily IS oiFered orted the )e of bet- DlhCOVr.UY AN'D F.ART.Y Sr.TTf.r.MKNTS. () I Ur times, and that hi«;h gratilication which is (leiivcd from the coniplc'lo enjoyment of the ii<;lits (if coiiseieiicc, and the full exercise of all tl;c powers of hdf {^overmnnit. They received octiiNioiial, but scanty supplies from their fiiends in Kiii^iand, and continued with !\ patient and pers'.veiin,!; spiiir to stiny-le again'it the dilliciiUi'.'s uhicli surroiindcd thcni. 'i'hi'V ri'iiiaiiied in peace, ami were alike excnipt from the not ice or oppressions of governnu-nt. ^'et their soil hein;; uninvitini;, and the perni- cious poliev of a conimunity of goods an;it of property from the New IMymontli company, but were :ie\er in- corporated as a body politic by royal charter. Ilavirp; derived JIG powers from the parliament or king, and ])eiiig t-itally disre- garded by the Plyimmth comj)any, they appear to have rem;;,';ed a mere voluntary association, yielding obedience to laws, ■ i < to Aiagistrates, formed and chosen by themselves. In *hi; situation they continued undisturbed and almost unknown, mv)r: tolerant and more moderate than their neighbours, until their union with • younger, and more powerful sister, who with a frame more hardy and robust, advanced with strides unusually ra))id to a State of maturity. The original company of Plymouth, having done nothing ef- fectual towards settling the territory which had been granted to ihem, and being interfered with by individuals in their trade and fisheries, applied to James, for a new, and more eidarged patent. After much solicitation, he, on the 'Srd of November, HI20, graiit'*d that territory, which lies betw, i-v the 40th and 48th de- crees of i.orth latitude to the Duke oi Lenox, the Marquis of Buckingham, and several others, in absolute property, and in- corporated them under the name of "The Council established at Plymouth, for planting and governing that country, called 'l-^New England ;*' with jurisdiction and powers similar to those which had before been conferred on the companies of South and North Virginia, and especially that of excluding all other persons whatever from trading within their boundaries, and fishing in the neighbouring seas. This improvident grant, which excited thft 63 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ( rj indignation of the people of Knt^land, then deeply interested it* the fur trade and fisheries, soon engaged the attention and re- ceived the censure of parliament. The patentees were compel- led to relinquish their odious monopoly, and, being thus depri- ved of the funds on which they had relied to enable them to en- counter the expence of supporting new settlements, they aban- doned entirely the design of attempting them. New England might have remained long unoccupied, had not the same causes which occasioned the emigration of the Brownists, still continu- ed to operate. The persecutions to which the puritans were ex- posed, increased their zeal and their numbers. Despairing of obtaining at home a relaxation of those rigorous penal statutes under which they had so long smarted, they began to look else- where for that toleration which was denied them in their native land. Understanding that their brethren in New Plymouth were permitted to worship their Creator according to the dictates of conscience, their attention was directed towards the oame coast, and several small emigrations were made at different times to Massachussetts-Bay, so termed from the name of the sachem who was sovereign of the country ; and grants of land were made to the emigrants, the conditions of which having probably never been complied with, they were afterwards totally disregarded. Mr. White, a nonconformist minister at Dorchester, who had prevented some few of his countrymen settled around the Bay of Massachussetts from returning to England, by his assurance of procuring them relief and assistance, formed by great exertions an association of several gentlemen who had imbided puritanical opinions, for the purpose of conducting thither a colony, and rendering it an asylum for the persecuted of his own persuasion. In prosecution of these views a treaty was concluded with the council of Plymouth, for th.: purchase of part of New England ; and that corporation, in March, 1627, conveyed to Sir Henry Rosewell and others, all that part of New England lying three miles to the south of Charles-river, and three miles north of Merri mack-river, and extending from the Atlantic to the South Sea. A small number of planters and servants were soon after- v?ards dispatched under Endicot, a deep enthusiast, who, in i September, 1628, laid the foundation of Salem, the first per- manent town of Massachussetts. The purchasers soon perceived their total inability to accora- DlSCOVEllY AND EAl^LY SETTLEMENTS. 63 crested m 1 and re- B compel- us depri- itn to en- ley aban- EngJand me cause* I continu- i were ex- pairing of 1 statutes look else- eir native DUth were ictates of me coast, times to e sachem and were probably regarded, who had le Bay of urance of exertions uritanical ony, and srsuasion. with the England ; sir Henry 'ing three north of he South )on after- who, in first per- 3 accom- plish the settlement of tlie extensive regions they had acquired, without the aid of more opulent partners. These were soon found in the capital ; but they iiisisted that a new charter should be obtained from the crown, in which their names should l)e in- serted, confirming the grant of the council of Plymouth, and conferring on them the powers of govermnent. To these requisitions the pioprietors without hesitatiuppoited the colonists under all their difficul- ties ; and the then intolerant spirit of English hierarchy, at the head of which was placed the rigid Laud, exacting a strict con- formity to its ceremonies, diminished, in the view of the puritans in England, the dangers and the sufferings to be encountered in America, ami disposed them to forego every other human enjoy- ment, for the consoling privilege of worshipping the Supreme Being according to their own opinions. Many persons of for- tune had determined to seek, in the new world, that liberty of conscience which was denied them in the old ; but foreseeing the misrule inseparable from the residence of the legislative power in England, they demanded, as -i previous ccmdition to their en)i- g! ation, that the power of government should be transferred to New England, and be exercised in the colony. The company Lad already incurred e.xpeuccs for which they saw no prospect ot I dl DISCOVERY AND EATII-V SETTLEMENTS. 6 J n, whose mn- r?3. From the discarded tlic lid reduced it ilieving them- fferent opinion demonstrated lich they con- ic few of their ilngland, were ig from com- d in the man- lis small partv Thcvse were lat their non- sent them to n ceased. ;s which had a wilderness, lost universal, d, " lanient- ;lorics of the was not sha- from joining ;heir difficul- rchy, at the a strict con- the puritans ountered in nnan enjoy- le Supreme sons of for- t liberty of eseeing the ve power in ) their en)i- ansferred to e company prospect ot ^ m speedy retribution, and although they doubted the legality of the measure, were well disposed to obtain such impoitant aid by embracing i*. A general court was therefore convened, by whom it was una.'irjusly resolved "that the patent should be transfer- red, and the govermnent of the corporation removed from Lon- don to Massachussetts-Bay." It was also agreed that the mem- bers of the corporation remaining in England, should retain a share in the trading stock and profits for the term of seven years. Having effected this important revolution in their system of government, such great exertions for emigration were made, diat early in the following year, fifteen hundred persons, among whom were several of family and fortune, embarked on board seventeen vessels at an expencc of upwards of twenty thousand pounds, and arrived at Salem in July. Dissatisfied with this situation, they explored the country in quest of better stations, and settling in many places around the bay, they laid the foundations of several towns, and among others of Boston. The difficulty of obtaining subsistence, the difference of their food from that to which they had been accustomed, the extreme cold of winter, against wliich they had not sufficient means of protection, . were still severely felt by the colonists, and still continued to carry many of them to the grave j but that enthusiasm, which had impelled them to emigrate, preser- ved all its force, and they met, with a firm unshaken spirit, the calamities which assailed them. Our admiration of their forti- tude and of their principles sustains, however, no inconsiderable diminution, from observing the severity with which they denied to others, that civil and religious liberty which through so ma- ny dangers and hardships they sought, with such laudable zeal, for themselves. At a meeting of their general court early in the year 1G31, it was decreed that none should be admitted as freemen, or permitted to vote at elections, or be capable of be- ing chosen as magistrates, or of serving as jurymen, but such as had been received in the church as members Thus did men who had braved every hardship for freedom of conscience de- prive, without reluctance, of the choicest rights of humanity, all those who dissented from the opinion of the majority on any article of faith, or point of church discipline. The numerous complaints of the severities exercised bv the 3. " I 1,^ 1 3 - 66 niSTOllY or NORTH AMERICA. ,■ ; ir I'. 1 I ' ♦ 1 • • ■ 1 ■ ,t hi j^ovcrnmcnt of Massacl.iissetts, whiclj were made by persons ex- pelled for nonconformity in matters of religion, and by many dissatisfied by other means, added to the immense emigration of persons noted for their cntluibiasm, and for their liostility to the existing system in England, seems at leugtli It have made some impression on Charles ; and on the 21ot of Fel)ruarv I(5.'>3, an order was made by the kin;^ in euuncil to stop tiie ships at that time readv to sail, freighted Avith passengers and provi- sions for New England- This order, however, seems never to have been strictly executed, as the emigrations stiil continued without any sensible diminution. Hitherto the legislature had been composed of the whole bodv of the freemen. Under this system, so favorable to the vicwis of the few who possess popular influence, the real power of the state had been chiefly engrossed by the governor and assistants, aided by the clergy. The emigrations, however, had already been very considerable, and the settlements, in consequence of the depopulation of the surrounding country by the small-pox, which, sweeping off whole tribes, left a great extent of vacant lands, had become so extensive, that it was found extremely inconvenient, if not impracticable, longer to preserve a princi- ple which their charter enjoined. In the succeeding year, Ki.'jJ, therefore, as it were l)y common consent, the people elected delegates, who met the governor and council, and constituted the general court. This important and necessary im])rovement in their system, rendered familiar and probably suggested by th.j jjractice in the mother country of delegating legislative power to representatives, although not authorised by their charter, re- maiued unaltered so long as that charter was permitted to exist. The colony of Msssaehussetts, having being settled by men w^hose political as well as religious opinions were strongly tinc- tured with the spirit of republicanism, had been conducted, from its commencement, very much on the plan of an independent society. It at length attracted the particular notice of the jea- lous administration in England, and in April a commission for **the regulation ond government of the plantations" was issued to the great officers of state, and to some of the nobility, in which was granted absolute power to the archbishop of Canter- bury, and to others, " to make laws and constitutions concern- ing their state public, or the utility of individuals." The com- I '» ■| DISCOVERY AND EARI.Y SETTLEMENTS. 07 I J tiiirvsioncrs were authorised to support the clergy, hy assif^iiing tlicm "tithes, oblations, and other profits, accoidiiie: to th.ir diseretioii ; to inflict punishment on those who should violate tliciv ordinanf.'es ; to remove governors of plantations, and to ajjpoint others ; and to constitute tribunals, and courts of jus- tice, ecclesiastical and civil, with such authority and form as they should think proper ;" but their laws were not to take ef- fect until they had received the royal assent, and been proclaim- ed in the colonics. The comtnissi(jners were also constituted a committee to hear complaints against a colony, its governor, or other officers, with power to remove the oft' nder for punish- ment to England. They were further directed to cause the re- vocation of such letters patent, granted for the establishment of colonies, as should, upon enciuiry, be found to have been un- duly obtained, or to contain a grant of liberties hurtful to the prerogative royal. From their first settlement at Salem, the colony of Massachus- •etts had cultivated the friendship of their neighbours of New Plymouth. The bonds of mutual amity were now rendered more strict, not only by some threatening appearances of a hostile disposition among the natives, but from another circum- stance which excited, in both colonies, considerable alarm. The voyages of discovery, and for settlements, made by the English and French to the coast of North America, had been nearly cotcmporaneous, and of consequence they set uj) conflic- ting claims to the territory. In 1G()3, Henry IV. of France granted to De Mont a commission, as lieutenant-general over that part of America which lies between the fortieth and forty- sixth degrees of north latitude, with powers to colonise and to rule it; and in 160G, king James granted to the two Virginia companies, all that territory which lies between the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth degrees of north latitude ; in consequence of which Captain Argal, in 1614, attacked, and, for the moment, dispersed the settlements made by the French on the Bay of Fundy. In 1620, James granted to the Plymouth company, all that territory which lies between the fortictli and forty- eighth degrees of north latitude; and in 1621, he, as king of Scotland, granted to Sir William Alexander, under the title of Nova Scotia, with the consent of the Plymouth company, the country bounded on the north, and east, and south, by the ri- IIKM ' i -t i ■: k : ii 1 '. ( ^ !<■ ; 1 ri i'V ' ''.\ ' t'l > Jl I '. 1 1 ^ ■ !' : 1 ]}' ■ J, ■ 1 n 1 )<■ 68 HISTORY OF XORTH AMERICA. vcr St. Lawrence and the ocean, and on the west by the river St. Croix. Under these different grants, actual settlements had been made by the French as far south and west as St. Croix, iind by the English as far north and east as Penobscot. During the war with France, which broke out in the reign of Charles I., that monarch granted a commission to Captain Kirk for the conquest of the countries in America occupied by the French, and under that commission Canada and Acadie were subdued ; but, by the treaty concluded at St. Germain's those places were restored to France, generally, without describing their limits ; and Fort Royal, Quebec, and Cape Breton, were severally sur- rendered by name. In 1(132, a party of French from Acadie, whether with or without authority from government seems not to have been ascertained, committed a robbery on a trading house established in 1627 by the people of New Plymouth at Penob- scot; with the intelligence of this fact, information was also brought that Cardinal Richlieu had ordered some companies to that station, and that more were expected the next year, with priests, Jesuits, and other formidable accompaniments, for a permanent settlement. It was immediately determined to com- plete a fort which had been commenced at Boston, and to build some other for the defence of that part of the country where en- croachment from the French was most dreaded. Notwithstand- ing this robbery, the company still retained possession of the fort, and continued to carry on their trade with the Indians un- til the year lh3r), when they were dispossessed by a military force detached by Rosilion, commander of a French fort at La Have, in Acadie, who, at the same time, wrote to the governor of the colony, stating that he had orders to displace all the Eng- lish as far as Pemaquid. The government of New Plyniouth was not disposed to submit quietly to this invasion of territory, and hired, for an expedition undertaken for the recovery of the fort at Penobscot, an English ship of war, under the command of Captain Girling, to which they joined an auxiliary force of a bark, and twenty men belonging to the colony. They stipulated to pay him two hundred pounds on his dislodging the French from the place; but, having notice of the armament coming against them, they prepared for its reception by fortifying and strengthening the fort ; in consequence of which Girling, after expendiiig his ammunition, and finding himself too weak to at- 4 i DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLE:\ri:XTS. b'9 tempt to carry the works by assault, sent the bark, accompanied witli two of the people ol' Plymouth, to solicit the aid of Mas- sachussetts. The court agreed to assist their neighbours with a hundred men, and to bear the expcncc of the expedition by pri- vate subscription among their own body ; but provisions were so scarce, that a sufficient supply, even for this small corps, could not be immediately obtained. In conscijucnce of this circum- stance, the expedition was abandoned for the present ; Girlinj; returned, and the French retained possession of the station until \Cu)4. The apprehensions entertained of these formidable neigh- bours contributed, in no small degree, to cement the union be- tween Massachussetts and Plymouth. Two persons, who afterwards made a distinguished figure in English annals, arrivet 70 IIISTOIIV or NORTJI A.Mi:ilRA. cises. Mrs. Ilutchiiison, a woman of (let;|) enthusiasm, and of consideruWlc eloquence, who had been >nueh flattered by the at- tentions of the governor, and of Mr. Cotton, one of t!ic inoM influential of the clergy, and whose husband was among the most respected men in the country, dissatisfied with the exclu- sion of her sex from the private meetings of the brethren, insti- tuted a meeting of the sisters also, in which she repeated the sermons of the preceding Sunday, accompanied with such re- marks and expositions as she deeniL-d pertinent. Thcbo meetings were attended by a large number of tiie n^o^t respectable of her sex ; her lectures were nuich spoken of, and, for a time, ver\ generally approved. At length she drew a marked distinction between the ministers and members of churches through the country. A small number she designated as being under a cove- nant of grace j the others as being under a covenant of work^. Contending for the necessity of the former, she maintained thar sanctity of life is no evidence of justification, or of favor with God ; and that the Holy Ghost dwells personally in such as are justified. The whole colony was divided into two parties, equal- ly positive on these abstruse points, whose resentments against each other threatened the most serious calamities. Mr. Vane espoused, with zeal, the wildest doctrines of Mrs. Hutchinson, and Mr. Cotton decidedly favored them. The lieutenant-gover- nor, Mr. Winthrop, and the majority of the churches, were of the opposite party. Many conferences were held ; days of fast- ing and iiumiliation were appointed ; a general synod was call- ed ; and, after the most violent dissensions, Mrs. Hutchinsun's opinions were condemned as erroneous, and she herself banished. Many of her disciples followed her. Vane, in disgust, quitted America. Charles had long resolved to take the government of New England entirely into his own hands. In pursuance of this de- termination, he had, in 1H35, issued the commission already mentioned, for the regulation and government of the planta- tions. In 1637, he issued a proclamation, directing that none should be transported thither who had not the special licence of the government, and that this should be granted only to those who had taken the oaths of supremacy and allegiance, and had conformed to the discipline of the church of England. This or- der, however, from its real difficulty, could not be completely m DISrOVEKY AXlJ KARLY SETTLEMENTS. 71 sm, and ol I by the at- f the inoM iiiiioiij;: the the cxclu- liicii, insti" cpcated tlic h such ri.'- bo meeting* able of hiT tunc, very I di^itiaetiuti hrough the idcr a cove- t of uork^. itaincd thar favor with such as are ties, equal- >nts against Mr. Vane rlutchinsou, nant-govcr- les, were of ays of fast- J was call- [utchinsua's f banished, jst, quitted nt of New of this de- ion already he planta- g that none licence of dy to those le, and had This 01- conipletely executed ; and the emigrations, which were entirely of noncon- formists, still continued. So high in estimation, among those who were disgusted with the ceremonials so rigidly exacted in J^ngiand, was the simple frame of church policy established in Massachussetts, that crowds surmounted every difliculty, to seek an asvhini in this New Jerusalem. Among them were found pcisoiii of the fust political influence and mental attainments of their country. Pym, Hampden, Ha/lerig, and Cromwell, with many others who, afterwards, performed a conspicuous part in that revolution, which brought the head of Charles to the block, are said to have been actually on board a vessel prepared to sail for New England, and to have been stopped by the special or- ders of the privy council. The commission for tlie regulation and government of the plantations conceiving the administration of the colony to have been in violation of its charter, a writ of (jiio warrauto was is- sued, and judgment was given, that tlie lil>ertics of iMassachus- sctts shall be seized into the hands which conferred them, be- cause they had been improperly exercised. This judgment was probably not final, and none of the corj)oration in New England wore served with the process. The jirivy council, however, or- dered the governor and company to send their patent tc Eng- land to be delivered up. This order the general court answered in September, 1G38, by a petition to tlie commissioners, iu which they say, " We dare not question your lord«hi|)s* proceed- ings in requiring our patent to be sent unto you j we only desire to open our griefs, and if in any thing we have oiFended his ma- |osty or your lordships, we humbly prostrate ourselves at the footstool of supreme authority ; we are sincerely ready to yield all due obedience to both ; we are not conscious that we have of- fended in any thing, as our government is according to law : we pray that we may be heard before condemnation, and that we may be suffered to live in the wilderness." Fortunately for the colonists, the attention of Charles and of his commissioners be- gan now to be too much occupied with affairs at home, to ena- l)le them to carry into complete execution, a system aimed at the subversion of every thing dear to the American heart. To the religious dissensions which distracted Massachussetts, .ind to the rigor with which conformity was exacted, is, in a great measure to be attributed the first settlement of the other u < I m ■V ' vf * i I 72 nisTOKY or Konrri America. colonics of New England. So eaily as the year \(]']iy logcr Williams, a very popular preacher at Salcni, who had refused to hold communion with the church of Hostoii, heeaute its mem- bers refused to make a public declaration of their repentance for having held communion with the church of England during their residence in that country, was charged with many excep- tionable tenets. Among several which were condemned, and which mark his wild enthusiasm, we are surprised to find one in total opposition, not only to the spirit of the times, but to the severity of his other doctrines. He maintained, that to punish a man for any matter of conscience is persecution ; and that even papists and arminians are entitled to freedom of con- science in worship, provided only the peace of civil society be secured. The divines of Massachussetts oj)posed this doctrine, by contending that they did not persecute men for conscience, but corrected them for sinning against conscience; and so they did not persecute, but punish heretics. This unintelligible so- phism having no effect upon Williams, he was for this, and for his other heresies, btinisluMi by the magistrates from their jurisdiction, as a disturber of the peace of the church and com- monwealth. Many of his disciples followed him into exile, and travelling south until they passed the line of Massachussetts, they j)urcha- fccd a tract of land of the Maviaghansetts, then a powerful tribe of Indians, where, in 1H85, they made a settlement, to which they gave the name of Providence. Having fixed the place of their future residence, they entered into a voluntary association, and framed a government composed of the whole body of free- men, for the preservation of peace, and the making of such laws as their situation might require. They created a church after the manner of Massachussetts, by collacting a religious society ; but as one of the causes of their migration had been the tenet, that all were entitled to freedom of conscience in worship, the most entire toleration in matters of religion was established. These new settlers cultivated with assiduity the good will of the aborigines, and, at Piovidcnce, Williams long retained his authority, employing himself contiimally in acts of kindness, affording relief to the distressed, and an asylum to the perse- cuted. It was not long after the banishment of Williams, that the a i DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 73 controversy between those who niaintnincd "the covenant of works," ami those who maintained '• the covenant of grace," divided and distracted Massachussctts. This controversy hav- ing been decided in K'hiJ against the antinoinians, or those who supported the covenant of grace, and Mrs. Hutchinson, the leader of that sect, being banished, she, with many of her disciples, followed the steps of Williams, and, arriving in his neighbourhood, purchased a tract of land from the same tribe, where they founded Rhode Island. Imitating the conduct of their neighbours, they founded a similar association for the es- tablishment of civil government, and lopting the same princi- ples of toleration, they afforded protcctio.i to all who resorted thither. In consequence of this conduct, the island soon became so populous as to send out colonists to the adjacent shores. Coiinecticut too is a colony of Massachussctts. So early as the year KJ'U, several persons, among whom was Mr. Hooker, fi one of the favorite ministers of the church, who was only infe- rior in influance to Mr. Cotton, applied to the general court of Massachussctts, for permission to go in quest of new adventures in a better land. That body was divided, and permission was r.ot at that time obtained. It being then the received opinion, that the inhabitants were all mutually bound to each other by the oath of a freeman, as well as the original compact, so as not t(» be at liberty to separate without the consent of the whole, this emigration was for the present suspended. The general court, however, did not long withhold its assent. The coun- try li.'wing been explored, and a place chosen on the west side of tlie great river Connecticut, a commission was granted to the petitioners, to remove wherever they chose ; but on the con- dition of iheir still continning under the jurisdiction of Massa- chussctts. Some few huts had been erected the i)receding year, in which a small number of emigrants had wintered, and the fall succeeding the permit to settle the country, about sixty per- sons traversed the wilderness in families, and encountered im- mense distress. In 1G30, about one hundred persons, led by Pynchon, Hooker, and Haynes, followed the fust emigrants, and founded the towns of Hartford, Springfield, and Wctlierfield. There were some difficulties attending the title of the settlers. The Dutch, at Maidiadoes, or New York, claimed a right to the river, which they asserted them.ielves to have first discovtr- 4. K 7t niSTOTlY or N*)!!!!! AMKRICA. ■ '' I ' I !!■ I ■ ♦ ^1 ■>n c(l, and to wliicli they had qivoii the n.i.: '»f Fresh River. In ndchtioii to this hostile title, I^ord Say ■ td Seal, and Lord JJrooke, with some others, conteinplatiiig, at one time, n retreat in the new world from the dospotlsin with wliich Kiipland wan threatened, had miule choiee oF ( oniieeticut-river for that piir- po5:e ; and had huilt a fort at its mouth, which tiiey had named SayUrooke.* The emigrants from Massaehussetts, however, kept possession ; and proceeded to clear and cultivate the coun- try. They purchased the rij^hts of I^ord Say and Sea|> and Lord BrooUe, and their partners ; and the Dutch heing too fee- ble to p;o to war, {j'-'idnally recedt'd from Connecticut-river. Disclaimint^ the authority of Massaehussetts, the emi{^rants en- tered into a voluntary association for the estahlishment of a go- vernment for fhemst'lve-', Avhieh, in its frame, was like those adopted in the fust instance throuf-hout New England, The most material point of vaiiancc between their constitution and that f)f Massaehussetts wa«, that they did not «leprive of tlif right of freemen tiio^e who were not members of the church. f These new e^ililiH-lnncnts t^iive great and just alarm to the l*i(|U()'|;, a very powerful tribe of In«lians, situated on the south of the Massaehussetts. They clearly foresaw their own ruin in this extension of the English settlements; and the dis- jjosiiion excited by this apprehension soon displayed itself in pri- ^■atc nnnders, and various other acts of hostility. With a poli- cy suggested by a strong sense of danger, they sought a reconci- liiition with the Narraghansetts, their aneient enemies and rivals in power. They re(|uestcd tiicse |)cople to forget their long che- ribheii animosities, and to co-o|jcrate cordially vvith them against a common enemy, whose continuing encroachments threatened * Mr. Triimlnill statps this fort to liave been erected |jy Mr. Winthrop, who was tli-ipatihed for the piirpox- by Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brooke, and others, the jrraiit'Ts from the Plymoiith Company, and who fortunately took po'ise>sioii of the month of ConneiMicnt-river just in time to prevent its In'iu},' seized by the Dutch, who had detached a vessel from IVIanhadoes for that purpose. + All llie powiTS of ;;overnmeiif, for neirly three years, seem to iiavc hern in the niai;istra(eti, of whom two were appointed in each town. These gt... all ordeis, and directed all the affairs of the jilantation. The freemen ap pear to have had no voire in making the laws, or in ni\y part of the novcni- nunt, except in some instances of general and iineommon concern. In these instance-, committee? were sent from the several towns. During this Icnn, it iccins that juries were not employed in any case. live i '. I brscovEiiv A\i) i:ari,v sr/iTLEMnN ts. 4'> ivcr. In lul Lord a rctrent and wiii liat piir- d named however, he couii- ea|) and too fee- ut-river. ants cn- )f" a go- ic those [1. The ion aiul of the iirch.f to the on the icir own tlic dis- i' ill pri- a poli- reconci- iitl rivals )n(^ che- against "catcued Vinllirop, Brook r, rhinntely revont i(> adoes foi avc been Mnt-n ap- " novcrii- lll Hlfsi liis term, .1 to ovcrwhchn l)oth witli one common drstrnction. 'i'hey mark- ed to them the i ipid progress ot" the KiigUsh settlemeutt, and urged, with great ^ea^on, tliat allhtuigh a present friendship .sul»- sisted between them and the new comers, yet all in their turn must he dispossessed of their country, anri they could hope, fiom that friendshi|), no other good thuu the wretched privilege ol be- ing last devoured. These judicious representations of the I'iijuods co»dd not ef- face from the hosouj of the Narraghansetts tluit deep rooted en- mity which neighbours not a.'customed to consider themselves as possessing one common interest, and not bound togeili^r bv li- gaments of sulHcient s:rength to prevent reciprocal acts ol hos- tility, so often feel for each other. Dreading still less the power of u foreign nation than that of tnen with whom they had been in the hubit of contending, they not oidy refused to join the 1*1- letc, had ar-wlioop to such 2 attack ; lie pahsa- set fne to confiisioii ere either s arrived, irmishes »ds ; and which I nation disper- re incor- sts was aborigi- riority ; innot be Haven nd Da- 1 under in the diction i of Massiu;hussctts ; and notuitlistandiiig the opposition and thrfats at Manhadocs, settled tiiciiisolves at a place on Connec- ticut river, which tliey named New Il'iven. Their institutions, civil and ecclesiastical, were in the same spirit with thobC ot their eldtr sister Massachussctts. The colony was now in a very flourishing condition. It is com- putfMl that iVom its hrst settlement there had arrived at Massa- ciuissot-s t>ventv-oiie thousand two huiiflred persons. Although its inhabitants, who had emigrated in search of civil and reli- gious liliertv, devoted a ^xvat part of their attention to those abstruse points of theology which so much employed the casu- ists of that day, yet they were by no means unmindful of those solid acquisitions which were so necessa'-y for their comfort while they sojourjiod in this .suhiutKuy world. Sober, industri- oiis, and economical, they lal)or('d iuclefatigably in opening and improving the country they occupied, and wore unremitting in their efforts to fur:ii:h themselves with those snj)plies which are to be drawn from the l)osom of the earth. Of these they soon raised a surplus, for which fresh emigrants oflered a ready and a profitable market ; and their foreign trade in lumber, a business at first accessary to the cJcaring of their lands, furnish- ed them, in addition to their fish and fur, with the means of making remittances to England for those manufactures which they found it advantageous to import from that country. Their fisheries had becotne so important as to attract the attention of government. For their encouragen>ent, a law was this year passed, exempting property employed in catching, curing, or transporting fish, from all duties and taxes ; and the fishermen and shipbuilders from militia duty. By the same law, too, all persons were icstrained from using cod or ba^s fish for ma- nure. In reviewing the means by which most of the early settle- ments in the New World have been made, it is impossible not to feel indignation, at the injustice and abhorrence, at the cruel- ties which were so generally exercised towards the original occu- piers of this new discovered country; atrocities which have entailed a disgrace on Europe, and a reproach on the name of christians, which the revolutions of centuries have not been suf- cient to efface : but in the settlement of Penn'-ylvania to which vhe attention of the reader is now to be directed; very different. ' 78 HISTORY OF KORTH AMERICA. i ■t , ' 1 ih 1 !l I 1' i .1! !'■ ! and far more grateful feelings will be called into exercise, and lie will trace with unnnngled satisfaction the steps by which this niost important |)rovinee was settled and colonized : steps unj)ol- luted by injustice, and unstained with blood. William \\nu\ the celebrated Quaker had advanced large sum* of money from time to time for the good of the naval service, and liis pay had been also in arrears. For these two claims, including the interest upon the money due, government were in debt to him no less a sum than sixteen thousand pounds. Willianj I'enn was desirous therefore of closing the account. lie was however not anxious for the money. He wished, on the other hand, to take land in America in lieu of it, and therefore petitioned Charles the Second, that letters patent might be granted him for tiie same. The tract he solicited was to lie north of Maryland. It was to be bounded on the east by the Delaware- river. It was to be limited on the west as Maryland was, and it was to extend northward as far as it was plantable. The king having read it, sent it to the Privy Council ; and the Privy Council, after considering its contents, returned it to the Lords Committee of Trade and Plantations. Great oppo- sition was made to it in both places, and for no other reason than because William Peim was a Quaker. Several meetings took place, in which the objections of the Duke of York (by his agent Sir John Werden) as proprietor of a large tract of land in the neighbourhood of that which was the object of the Petition, and those of Lord Baltimore as proprietor of Mary- land, were fully heard and debated. The advice too of the Chief Justice North and the Attorney- General Sii William Jones was taken on the subject of the grant. The matter at length ended in favor of William Penn ; and he was by charter, dated at Westminster the fourth of March 1681, and signed by writ of the Privy Seal, made ancf constituted full and absolute proprietor of all that tract of land which he had solicited and marked o"*. and invested with the power of ruling and govern- ing thi,- 1? ime. This charter consisted of twenty-|l)ree sections. In these the extent and boundaries of the Kr^w province were specified, and the free use of all ports, bays, rivers, and waters there, and of their produce, and of all islands, nmuntains, soils, and mines there, and of their produce, were wholly granted and given up I 5 1 -I' DTSCOVEKY AND KAllT.Y SETTT,r.:\IF.NTS. V else, and >'liicli this ps uni)ol- rge sums rvict', and iiic]u(lii)g. 1 debt to iani Pcnn 5 however icr handy petitioned ! granted north of Delaware- was, and icil; and rned it to !at oppo- !r reason meetings k'ork (by tract of t of the Mary- of the William itter at barter, ned by bsolute ed and govern - esc the d, and and of mines ven up It) him. He was made absolute proprietary of the said terri- tory, which was to l)e held in free and common soceage by feal- ty, paving two bcr.ver skins annually and one-fifth of all the goler also iti new and sudden circnmstar.ces, where the free men eouM not be suddenly an transport themselves to, and to settle in, Pennsylvania , to 1< a 1 a^vi freight in En- i, 80 HISTORY OF NORTH AIMERICA. appointed by the farmers or ooniinissionors of the kind's customs were to liuvo free luhnissioti tlieretn. lie had the power of as- sessing;;, with the advice of tiic freemen ass';nihk'd, eustom on goods to be laden and unhiden, and of enjoyin/; trie same, saving however to the king sueh iinpc^sitions as wcie and should be appointed by aet of |)aihament. lie w.is to appoint from time to time an i»gent to reside in or near lionchjn, to answer for any misdemeanor on liis part ag.iinst tlie laws of trade and na\ illa- tion ; and, in ease of sneh misdcnieanor, he was to make good the damage oecasioncd tliereby within one year ; in failure of vvliieh, the king was to seize the governmcrt r»f tiie said pro- vince and to retain it until the said damage was made good. lie was not to maintain correspondence with any king or pow- er at war with England, nor to make war against any king or power in amity with the same. In case of incursion by neighbouring barbarous nations, or by pirates or robbers, he had power to levy, muster, and train to arms all men in the said province, and to act as their Captain- General, and to make war upon and pursue the same The king was never to impose any tax or custom upon the inhabitants of it, either upon their lands, tenements, goods, or chattels, or upon any merchandise to be laden or unladen within it, unless by the con.ent of himself, or the chief governor aj)pointc(l by him, or by the assembly, or by act oi parliament in England. This declaration was to be deemed In' all the judges in all the courts of law lobe a lawlid discharge or payment, and ac(iuittance ; and no oHicer wu to attempt any thing contrary to the premi- ses, but to aid him, his heirs, servants, agents and others in t!ie full use and erjoymeut of the charter. If any of the inha- bitants lo tiic nuuil)er of twenty should signify their desire to the bishop of London to have a lireadier sent to them, such preacher should l)e allowed to reside and perform his functions without any denial or molestation whatever. If any doubt sliould arise concerning the meaning of any expression in the charter, the interi)retation of it was to be construed in a man- ner the most favorable to him and his heirs. It may be j)roper to give here an anecdote of William Penn, as it relates to the above charter. Oil the day that it was sign- ed he vvrote to several of his friends to inform them of it, and among others to R. Turner, cue of the persons mentioned to % II t I DISCOVERY AND EAKIA'" SETTLE:srEXTS. 81 f's customs ivvor of as- ciistoiTi on lie, saving siio'jid be iVoin rime er for any 111 njnijra- nakf good failure of said pro- lade good. • or pow- any king ufjion by ibbcrs, he en in the , and to > never to it, either ipon any 8 by the { him, or d. This he courts uittance; le premi- othcrs in ;he iiiha- desire to Mn, sucli functions y doubt n in the I a man- m Penn, ;as sign- it, and ioncd to liavc been admitted as a partner in the j)urchase of East New Jersey. He says in this letter, that after many waitings, wateh- ings, soHcitings, and chsputes in eouncil, his eountrv was on that day eonfnined to him under the (ireat Seal of Kngland, with large powers atid privileges, by the name of Pennsylvania, u name which the king gave it in honor of his father. It was Ills own intention to have had it called New Wales ; but the under secretary who was a Welchman, opposed it. He then suggested Sylvnnia on account of its woods, but they would still add Penn to it. He offered the under secretary twenty g\iineas to give up his prejudices, and to consent to change the name ; lor he feared lest it should be looked uj)on as vanity in him, an«l not as a respect in the king, as it truly was, to his father, whom he often mentioned with great praise. Finding that all would not do, he went to the king himself to get the name of Penn struck out, or another substituted ; but the king said it was passed, ami that he would take the naming of it upon liimself. The charter having been signed, the king gave it his further authority by a deelaf^ation, dated April the second, to all per- sons designing to become planters and inhabitants of Peimsylva- fiia. This declaration pointed out to them the boundaries of tlie liew province, and enjoined them to yield all obedience to the pro|Mirtor, his heirs, and his or their (lej)Uties, according to the powers gi anted by the said charter. The first thing William Penn did, after obtaining the eharter, was to (haw up " some account of the province of Pennsylvania in America, lately granted anler the Great Seal of England to Williani Perm," 'fo this account he annexed a copy of the roy- al charter, and also the terms on which he intended to part with the land, it appears from these terms^ that any person wishing to become a planter might then buy a hundred acres of land for forty shillings, but a quit-rent of one shilling was to be reser- ved to the proprietor for every himdred acres for ever. Thus, if a person had bought one thousand acres, he would have had twenty pounds to pay for them, and ten shillings per annum quit-rent The reason of the latter sort of payment was tiws, namely, that whereas William Penn held of the kinj,' by a small annual rent, others were obliged to hold of him in the same manner, having no security or good title to their purchases 4. L 82 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. "'T' '! : It 1?^ t -M but by such a mode of tenure. It appears also, that rentira were to pay one shilling an acre yearly not exceeding two hundred acres, and servants were to have fifty acres when the time of their servitude expired, whether men or women, that quantity of land being allowed their njasters for such purpose. He drew up next "certain conditions or concessions to be agreed upon by William Penn, proprietary and govert\or of the province of Pennsylvania, and those who may become adventu- rers and purchasers in the same province." These condition* related to the building, forming, and settling of towns, roads, and lands, and to the treatment of the natives, and other sub- jects. They consisted of twenty articles. Among other things it was etipulated in these, that no purchaser of ten thousand acres or more should have above a thousand acres lying together, imless in three years he planted a family upon every thousand of the same. — That every man should be bound to plant or man so much as should be surveyed and set out to him within three years after such survey, or else a new comer should be settled thereon, who should pay him his survey- money, and he himself should go up higher *br his share. — That in clearing the ground care should be taken to leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared, especially to preserve oaks and mulberries for silk and shipping. — In behalf of the Indians it was stipulated, that, £S it had been usual with planters to overreach them in various ways, whatever was sold to them in consideration of their furs should be sold in the public market-place, and there suffer the test, whether good or bad : if good, to pass ; if not good, not to be sold for good ; that the said native Indians might neither be abused nor provoked. — That no man should by any ways or means, m word or deed, affront or wrong any Indian, but he should incur the same penalty of the law as if he had commit- ted it against his fellow planter; and if any Indian should abuse, in word or deed, any planter of the province, that the said plan*^M slio. Id not be his own judge upon the said Indian, but that »}c -siiould make his complaint to the governor of the province, or his deputy, or some inferior magistrate near him, who should to the utmost of his power take care with the king of the said Indian, that all reasonable satisfaction should be made to the said injured planter.— And that all differences between planters and Indians should be ended by twtlve men, that is, by 1 ■i I I 111 h X renterj ling two vlicn the 1011, tliut uposc. MIS to he 3r of the adventu- onditioiia s, roads, ther suh- ler things thousand together, )usaiid of r man so tin three i settled e himself e ground ■very five 5 for silk ?d, that, 1 various heir furs uffer the 3od, not neither ways or but he ommit- should hat the Indian, ■ of the ar him, king of made )ct\veen t i>, by )i DISCOVKUY AND KAIU-Y SETTLEMENTS. 83 six planters and six Indians, that so they might live friendly to- ecthcr, as much as in them lay, preventing all occasions of heart-burnings and mischief. — These stipulations in favor of the poor natives will for ever immortalize the name of William Penn j for, soaring above the prejudices and customs of his time, by which navigators and adventurers thought it right to consider the inhabitants of the lands they discovered m their lawful prey, or as mere aninuds of tiie brute creation, whom tliey might treat, use, and take advantage of, at their pleasure, he regarded them as creatures endued with reason, as men of the like feelings and passions with himself, as brethren by nature, and as persons, therefore, to whom the great duties of huma- nity and justice were to be extended, and who, in proportion to their ignorance, were the more entitled to protection and care. These conditions having been made known to the public, manv purchasers came forward both in London and Liverpool, and particularly in Bristol. Among those in the latter city J. Claypole, N. More, P. Forde, W. Sharloe, E. Pierce, J. Simcock, T. Bracy, E. Brooks and others formed a company, which they called " The Free Society of Traders in Pennsylva- nia." They purchased twenty thousand acres of land in trust for the said company, published articles of trade, and prepared for embarking in many branches of the same. Other persons purchased also, and among these a great number of Quakers from Wales. It was necessary, before any of the purchasers embarked, that they should know something of the political constitution under which they were to live in the New Land, as well as that >t should be such as they approved. William Penu accordingly drew up ?. rough sketch, to be submitted to their opinion, of that great frame of government which he himself wished to be- come the future and permanent one of the province. It consist- ed of twenty-four articles. These were preceded by what he called his first or great fundamental, by which he gave them that liberty of conscience which the laws of their own country denied them, and in behalf of which he had both written and suffered so frequently himself. " In reverence," says he, " to God, the father of light and spirits, the author as well as object «f all divine knowledge, faith and worship, I do, for me and m III hi ill ■' ■ 1 1^1 rti 81 llISTOT^Y f)l' XOUTII AiMniUCA. mine, declare iuid cstalilisli lor tlie first liindaim'iital of the gt)- veriKiient of luy provinci-, tliut every person lliat doth and sliall reside therein shall have and enjoy the free profession of his or her faith and exercise of worship towards (iod, in such way and manner as every such person shall in conscience believe is most acceptal)le to God. And so long as every person useth not this christian liberty to liceniiousness or the destruction of others, that is to say, to speak loosely and profanely, or contemptuously of God, Christ, the Holy Scriptures-, or Religion, or commit any moral evil or injury against others in their conversation, he or she shall be protected in the enjoyment of the aforesaid christian liberty by the civil magistrate." The conditiot)s and frame of government having been mutual- ly signed, three ships full of passengers set sail for Pennsylvania; two from London, and one from Bristol. It appeared that the John and Sarah from London, Ilemy Smith, master, arrived first ; and the Bristol Factor, Roger Drew, master, the next. The last vessel arrived at the place where Chester now stands. Here the passengers, seeing some houses, went on shore; and here, the river being frozen up that night, they remained all the winter. The other London ship, tiie Amity, Richard Dimon, master, was blown off with her passengers to the West Indies, aud did not arrive at the province till the spring of the next year. In one of these ships went Colonel William Markham. He was a relation of William Pcnn, and was to be his vsecretary when he himself should arrive. He was attended by several commissioners, whose object was to confer with the Indians re- specting their lands, and to endeavour to make with them a league of eternal peace. With this view they were enjoined in a solemn maimer to t'-eat them with all possible candour, jus- tice, and humanity. They were the bearers also of a letter to them, which William Penn wrote with his own hand, and of which the following is a copy : " There is a great God, and Power, which hath made the world and all things therein, to whom you, and I, and all people owe their V)eing and well-being, and to whom you and I must one day give an account for all that we have done in the world. " This great God has written the law in our hearts, by which we are taught atid commanded to love, aud to help, and to do I I. I DISCOVKKY AM) EAIILV SETTLEMENTS. 85 he or good to one anotlier. Now tliis ^rcat Clod hath hccii pleased to make nie coticci nod in your part of the world ; and the k\\\p; of the eoiintry where I hvc hath ^iveii me a great province therein : but I desire to enjoy it with your love and eonsent, that wc may always live together as neighbours and frii-nds ; else what would the great (Jod do to us, who hath made us (not to devour and de- stroy one another, but) to live soberly and kindly together in the. world ? Now, I would have you well observe, that 1 am very sensible of the unkindness and injustice which have been too much exercised towards you by the people of these parts of the world, who have sought themselves to make great advantages by you, rather than to be examples of goodness and patience unto you. This I hear hath been a matter of trouble to you, and caused great grudgiiig and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood ; w!iich hath made the great (iod angry. But I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country. I have great love aiul regard toward you, and desire to win and gain your love and friendship by a kind, just, and peaceable life ; and the people I send are of the same mind, and shall in all things behave themselves accordingly; and if in any thing any shall oftend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy satisfaction for the same, by an ecjual number of just men on both sides, that by no means you may have just occa- sion of being ollended against them. " I shall shortly come to see you myself, at which time we may more largely and freely confer and discourse of these mat- ters. In the mean time I have sent my commissioners to treat with you about land and a firm league of peace. Let me desire you to be kind to them and to the j)eople, and receive the pre- sents and tokens, which I have sent you, as a testimony of my good will to you, and of my resolution to live juscly, peaceably, .\nd friendly with you. " 1 am your loving friend, WILLIAM PENN." By the constitution framed by William Penn, the government was placed in the governor and freemen of the ])rovince, out of whom were to be formed two bodies ; namely, a Provincial Council, and a General Assembly. William Penn, having published the constitution as now coii- cisely explained, chought it of ^.eat importance, in order to pre- ; M-i'i 86 nisTonv OF NOR-) n a.^ieiiica. vent all future claim, (ir even pretence of claim by the Duke of York or his heirs upon the province, to obtain troni Mis Uoval Highness a deed of release for the same, which was .'Micordingly made out. This deed was signed by His Royal Hijjhncss on the 21st of August, l()H2, and was vsealed and deSivei ; d in the presence of John Werden and (Jeorge Man. Besides the above, he obtained of His Royal Highnes-i the Duke of York his right, title, and interest i another tract of land, of respectable extent, which lay m^iguous to P«tinsylva- nia. This was at that time inhabited by Dutch anred the Swedes ; and the English had afterwards conquered i oth, and had annexed the country they occupied to that whici lelonged to His Royal Highness, and placed it under his go* rnment of New York. This tract then, which was known afterwards by the name of The Territories, was presented to William Penn. It was made over to him, his heirs and assigns, by two deeds of feoffment, dated the 24th of August, 16S2, in which the boun- daries were duly specified, and particularly those between the said Territories and Maryland. William Penn sailed soon after to his new government. One of his first movements was to Upland, in order to call the first G^iieral Assembly. This was a memorable event, and to be dis- ting\ii**hed by some marked circumstance. He determined there- fore to change the name of the place. Turning round to hi^ friend Pearson, one of his own Society, who had accompanied him in the ship Welcome, he said, " Providence has brought u» here safe. Thou hast been the companion of my perils. What wilt thou that 1 should call this place ?" Pearson said, " Ches- ter, in remembrance of the city from whence he came." Willi- am Penn replied, that it should be called Chester; and that, when he divided the land into counties, he would call one of them by the same name also. At length the Assembly met. It consisted of an equal number for the Province and for the Territories of all such Freemen as chose to attend, according to the sixteenth article of the Frame of Government. It chose for its Speaker, Nicholas Moore, Pre- fsident of the " Free Society of Traders ^ f Pennsylvania/* be- \ 1 I fur. thr per the the 1 One le first >e dis- there- to hiii npanied ght u» What Ches- Willi- ; that, one of DISCOVERY AND KARLY SETTLEMENTS. 8*J fore spoken oi, and then proceeded to husiness, which occupied three days. AmoiiK the Laws the following are worthy of notice. All persons who confessed the one ahnighty and eternal (iod to be the Oeator, Upholder, and Ruler of the WorM, and who held themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in socic'tv, were in no ways to be molested for their religious per- suusit)n and practice, nor to be compelled at any tinie to fre- • |uent any religious place or ministry whatever. All Treasurers, hi)\vever, Judges, Sheriffs, .Justices of the Peace ; and all what- soever in the service of the government, and all members elect- ed to serve in Provincial Council and (jeneral Assembly, an. ^. 'V^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1^ ■10 1^ 1^ 1U 12.2 £«.■ I.I 1.25 1 "a 1 •Uut. 1 IMI 2.0 1.8 1.6 V] s city in ail le world." )rovement ot only in Most of in conso- riod than thers had er written tni, is ex- le way in t gradiai iiderness, who re- s a great in a par- s by the J brought i, whieh ar grind- ise to us. ht great that, notwithstanding it was thought near three tlwiUNand persons came in the first year, we were so providentially provi- j (led for, that we could buy a deer for about two shillings, and a large turkey for about a shilling, and Indian corn for about two -liillitigs and sixpence per bushel. " And as our worthy proprietor treated the Indians with ex- traordinary humanity, they became very civil and loving t ) us, and brought us in abundance of venison. As in other Cd'uitiics the Indians were exas|)crated by hard trcatnicnt, which hath been the foundation of nmcb bloodshed, so the contrary treat- ment here hath produced their love and aft'ection. " After our arrival there came in about twenty families from High and Low (iermany of religious good people, who settled about six miles from Philadelphia, and culled the place (iermati Town ; about the time when (jcrman Town was laid out, I set- tled upon my tract of land, which I had bought of the pro- prietor in England, about a mile from thence, where I set up a house and corn-mill, which was very useful to the country for several miles round ; but there not being plenty of horses, people generally brought their corn on their backs many miles. I renienibcr one man had a bull so gentle, that he used to bring his corn on him instead of a horse." We cannot perhaps betterclose our account of the early set- tlements in Pennsylvania, than by submitting the following ac- count of this province as given by its venerable founder. " I. The country itself, its soil, air, water, seasons, and pro- duce, both natural and artificial, arc not to be despised. The land containeth divers sorts of earth, as sand, yellow and black, poor and rich ; also gravel, both lodmy and dusty ; and in some places a fast fat earth, like that of our best vales in England, especially by inland brooks and rivers ; God in his wisdom ha- ving ordered it so, that the advantages of the country are di- vided J the back lands being generally three to one richer than those that lie by navigable rivers. We have much of another soil, and that is a black hazel mould upon a stony or rocky bottom. 2. The air is sweet and clear, and the heavens serene, like the south parts of France rarely overcast ; and as the woods come by numbers of people to be more cleared, that itself will refine. Ilij It i I: m i!j] i 1 ■ '{ *i i i 1 ■ "ll ■ M i 100 TIISIOllY OF NOllTir AMEIIK A. '* .'}. The wutcrs are generally good ; for the rivers and brooks have mostly gravel and stony bottoms, and in number hardly credible. We have also mineral waters, which operate in the haine manner with those of Barnet and North Hall, not two niiios from Piiiladelphia. "4. For the seasons of the year, having by God's goodness now lived ovei the coldest and hottest that the oldest liver in the province can remember, I can say something to an English un- derstanding. " First of the fall, for then I came in. I found it from the twenty-fourth of October to the beginning of December, as we have it usually in England in September, or rather like an Eng- lish mild spring. From December to the beginning of the month called March we had sharp frosty weatlier ; not foul, thick, black weather, as our north-east winds bring with them in Enaland, but a sky as clear as in the summer, and the air dry, colli, piercing, and huniL^ry ; yet I remember not that I wore more cjotlics than in England. The reason of this cold is given ■ iom the great lakes, which are fed by the fountains of Canada. The winter before was mild, scarce any ice at all, while this for a few days froze up our great river Delaware. From that month to the month called .June we enjoyed a sweet spring ; no gusts, but gentle sjiowers and a fine sky. Yet this I observe, that the winds here, as there, are more inconstant, spring and fall, upon that turn of nature, than in summer or winter. From thence to this present month, August, which endeth the summer, commonly speaking, we have had extraordinary heats, yet mitigated some- times by cool breezes. The wind that ruleth the summer season IS the south-west ; but spring, fall, and winter, it is rare to want the north-western seven days together. And whatever mists, lOgs, or vapours foul the heave»is by easterly or southerly winds, in two hours time are blown away ; the one is followed by the other; a remedy that seems to have a peculiar providence in it to the inhabitants, the multitude of trees yet standing being lia- ble to retain mists and vapors, and yet not one quarter so thick as I expected. ** The natural produce of the country, of vegetables, is trees, fruits, plants, flowers. The trees of most note are the black walnut, cedar, cypress, chesnut, poplar, gum-wood, hickory, «assafras, ash, beech, and oak of divers sorts, as red, white DISCOVKKY AND KARTA' SKTTLK^NrEXTS. 101 t i .iiul black ; Spanish chesuut, and swamp, tlic most durable ot all ; of Jill which there is plenty for the use oF man. " The fruits I find in the woods are the white and Mack mulhcrrv, chesnut, walnut, phmis, strawberries, cranberries, hurtleberries, and grapes of divers sorts. The great red grape now ripe, called by ignorance the fox-grape, because of the relish it hath with unskilful palates, is in itself an extraordi- nary grape ; and by art, doubtless, may he cultivated to an excellent wine, if not so sweet, yet little inferior to the Fiontiiiiac, as it is not much unlike it in taste, ruddiness set aside ; which, in such things, as well as mankind, dif- fers the case much. There is a white kind of muscadel, and a little black grape, like the cluster grape of England, n(ft yet so npe r.s the other, — but, they tell me, when ripe, sweeter, and that they only want skilful vinerons, to make irood use of them. I intend to venture on it with mv rrenclunan this season, who shows some knowledge in those things. Here are also peaches very good, and in great (juanti- ticp, not an Indian plantation without them, — but whether na- turally here at first I know not. However, one may have ihein bv bushels for little. They make a pleasant drink, and I think not inferior to any j)each you have in England, except the true Xevvington. It is disputable with me, whether it he best to fall to fining the fruits of the country, especially the graj)e, bv the care and skill of art, or send for foreign stems and sets already good and approved. It seems most reasonable to believe, that not only a thing groweth best where it naturally grows, but will hardly he equalled by another species of the same kind, that doth not naturally grow there. But to solve tiio doubt, I in- tend, if God give me life, to try botli, and hope the conse- quence will he as good wine as any Euro])can countries of the same latitude do yield. " 6. The artificial produce of the country, is wheat, barley, oats, rye, peas, beans, squashes, pumkins, water-melons, musk- melons, and all herbs and roots that our gardens in England usually bring forth. "7. Of living creatures, fish, fowl, and the beasts of the good, here are divers sorts, some for food and profit, and some, for profit only : for food as well as profit the elk, as big as a small ox J deer, bigger than ours; beaver, raccoon, rabbits. i 102 HISTOHY OF NORTH AMERICA. squirrels; and some cat young bear and commend it. Of fowl of the land, there is the turkey (forty and fifty pounds weight) which is veiy great, phoasaats, heath-birds, pigeons, and par- tridges in abundance. Of the water, the swan, goose white and grey ; brands, ducks, teal, also the snipe and curloc, and that in great numbers ; but tlie duck and teal excel, nor so good have I ever eaten in other countries. Of fish, there is. the stur- geon, herring, rock, shad, cats-head, sheeps-head, eel, smelt, perch, roach ; and in inland rivers trout, some say salmon above the fulls. Of shell- fish, we have oysters, crabs, cockles, conchs, and muscles ; some oysters six inches long, and one sort of coc- kles as big as the stewing oysters ; they make a rich broth. The creatures for profit only, by skin or fur, and which are natural to these parts, are the wild cat, panther, otter, wolf, fox, fish- er, minx, musk-rat; and of the water, the whale for oil, of \vhich we have good store ; and two companies of whalers, whose boats are built, will soon begin their work; which hath the apjiearance of considerable improvement : to say nothing of our reasonable hopes of good cod ii] the bay. •'8. We have no want of horses, and some are very good, and shapely enough. Two ships have been freighted to Barbadoes, with horses and pipe staves, since my coming in. Here is also plenty of cow- cattle and some sheep. The people plough most- ly with oxen. " 9. There are divers plants, which not only the Indians tell us, but we have had occasion to prove, by swellings, burnings, and cuts, that they are of great virtue, suddenly curing the pa- tient; and for smell, I have observed several, especially one, the wild myrtle, the other I know not what to call, but they are most fragrant. " IC. The woods are adorned with lovely flowers for color, greatness, figure, and variety. I have seen the gardens of Lon- don best stored with that of beauty, but think they may be im- proved by our woods. I have sent a few to a person of quality this year for a trial.' The present seems the most proper pi e, for giving some ac- count of the original occupiers of the Ntw World; or, as they are familiarly called, the Indians. The enquiry to which we shall be led will include the following particulars; 1. The bodily constitution of the native Americans in those regions now under DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 103 Of foul Weight) and par- vhite and and that so good the stur- 1, smelt, on above , conchs, t of coc- ith. The ! natural ox, fish- r oil, of whalers, ich hath )thing of 3od, and badoes, is also h inost- ians tell Lirnings, the pa- ly one, ut they color, )f Lon- be im- quality me ac- as they ich we bodily ' under review ; 2. The qualities of their minds ; .3. Their domctlc state ; 4. Their political state and institutions; .5. Their sysicui of war, and public security ; 0. The arts with which they wore acquainted; and 7. Their religious ideas and institutions; and such customs as are not reducible to any of the above licads, I. The bodily constitution of the Americans. The first aj)- pearance of the inhabitants of the new world, filled the disco- verers with such astonishment, that they were apt to imagine them a lace of men different from those of the other hemis- phere. Their complexion is of a reddish brown, nearly resem- bling the color of copper. The hair of their heads is always black, long, coarse, and uncurled. They have no beard, and every part of their body is perfectly smooth. Their persons are of a full size, extremely straight and well proportioned. Their features are regular, though often distorted l)y absurd endeavours to improve the beauty of their natural form, or to render their aspect more dreadful to their enemies. The native Americans were more rcmarkiible for agility than strength. They were not only averse to toil, but almost incapa- ble of it; and when roused by force from their native indolence, and com])elled to work, they sunk under tasks which the people of the other continent would have performed with ease. The beardless countenance and smooth skin of the American has been considered as indicating a defect of vigor. This pecu- liarity, by which the inhabitants of the new world are distin- guished from the people of all other nations, cannot be attribu- ted, as some travellers have supposed, to their mode of sub- sistence. For though the food of many Americans be extremely insipid, as they are altogether unacquainted with the use of salt, rude tribe;, in other parts of the earth have subsisted on aliments equally simple, without this mark of degradation, or any appa- rent symptom of a diminution in their vigor. As the external form of the Americans leads us to suspect that there is some natural debility in their frame, the smalliiess of their appetite for food has been mentioned by many authors as a confirmfition of this suspicion. Though it must be confess- ed that this affords only a feeble coirol)oratiou of this supposi- tion, as this defect of appetite may be fairly attributed to their indolent and inactive mode of life, rather than to any thing pe- culiar in the physical structure of their bodies, it has been ob- 104 HISTOIIY OF NORTFI AMERICA. liji; i ill served, that in those districts where the |)eoplc of America are obliged to exert any unusual effort of activity in order to i)rocure suiisistencc, or wherever they are employed in severe U)l)or, their appetite is not inferior to that of other men, and, in scmie pla- cesj it has struck observers as remarkably voracious. Notwithstanding the feeble make of the Americans, liardlv anv of them arc deformed, or mutilated, or defective in any of their senses. All travellers have been struck with this circumstance, and have celebrated the uniform synnnetry and perfection of tlieir external figure. Some authors search for the cause of this appearance in their physical condition. As the parents are not exhausted or over-fat'gued with hard labor, they suppose that their children arc born vigorous and sound. They imagine, that, in the liberty of savage life, the human body, naked and uncon- fined from its earliest age, preserves its natural form ; and that all its limbs and members acquire a juster proportion, than when fettered with artificial restraints, which stint its growth, and distort its shape. Something, without doubt, may be ascri- bed to the operation of these causes; but the true reasons of this apparent advantage, which is common to all savage nations, lie deeper, and are closely interwoven with the nature and geni- us of ti'.at state. The infancy of man is so long and so helpless, that it is extremely difficult to rear children among rude nations. Ttioir means of subsistence are not only scanty, but precarious. Such as live by hunting must range over extensive countries, and shii't often from place to j)hice. The care of children, as well as every other laborious task, is devolved upon the women.. The distresses and hardships of the savage life, which are often such as can hardly be supported by persons in full vigor, must be fa- tal to those of more tender age. Afraid of undertaking a task yo laborious, and of such long duration, as that of rearing their oiTspring, the women, in some parts of America, procure fre- quent abortions by the use of certain herbs, and extin^ish the first sparks of that life which they are unabie to cherish. Sensi- ble that only stout and well formed children have force of con- stitution to struggle through such an hard infancy, other nations abandon or destroy such of their progeny as appear feeble or de- fective, as unworthy of attention. Even when they endeavour to rear all their children without distinction, so great a propor- tion of the whole number perishes under the rigorous treatment DiscovrnY and early settlements. 105 which must be their lot in the savage state, that few of those who labored under any original frailty attain the age of uian- hood. There is less variety in the human form throughout the new world, than in the ancient continent. When Columbus and the other discoverers first visited the different countries of America which lie within the torrid zone, they naturally expected to find people of the same complexion with those in the corresponding regions of the other hemisj)here. To their amazement, however, they discovered that America contained no negroes; and the ciiuse of thi: lingular appearance became as much the object of curiosity, as the fact itself was of wonder. In what part or membrane of the bodv that humor resides which tiiiires the com- plexion of the negro with a deep black, it is the business of ana- tomists to eu(|uire and describe. The powerful operation of heat a))pcars manifestly to be the cause ^vhicll produces this striking variety in the human species. All Europe, a great part in Asia, and the temperate countries of Africa, are inhabited by men of a white complexion. All the torrid zone in Africa, some of the warmer regions adjacent to it, and several countries in Asia, arc lillod with people of a deep black color. If we survey the na- tions of our continent, making our progress from cold and tem- perate countries towards those parts which arc exposed to the iufluence of vehement and unremitting heat, we shall find, that the extreme whiteness of their skin soon begins to diminish ; tlicit its color deepens gradually as we advance ; and after pass- ing through all the successive gradations of shade, terminates in an uniform unvarying black. But in America, where the agency of heat is checked and abated by various causes, which I have already explained, the climate seems to be destitute of that force which produces such wonderful effects on the human frame. The color of the natives of the torrid zone, in America, is hard- ly of a deeper hue than that of the people in the more tempe- rate parts of their continent. Accurate observers, who had an opportunity of viewing the Americans in very different climates, and in provinces far removed from each other, have been struck with the amazing similarity of their figure and aspect. There are, however, some varieties which deserve notice ; the first of these is situated in the isthmus of Darien, near the cen- tre of America. Lionel Wafer, a traveller possessed of more 5. o 106 HISTORY OF \OTlTri AMERICA. I curiosity and intelligence than we should have expected to find in an associate of buccaniers, discovered there a race of men, few in number, but of a singular make. They arc of low sta- ture, according to his description, of a feeble frame, incapable of enduring fatigue. Their color is a dead milk white ; not re- seml)ling that of fair people among Europeans, but without any tincture of a blush or sanguine complexion. Their skin is co- vered with a fine hairy down of a chalky white ; the hair oi their heads, their eye-brows, and eye-lashes, are of the same hue. Their eyes are of a singular form, and so weak, that they can iiardiy bear the light of the sun ; but they see clearly by moon-light, an:l are most active and gay in the night. No race similar to this has been discovered in any other part of America. Cortes, indeed, found some persons exactly resembling the white people of Darien, among the rare and monstrous animals which Montezuma had collected. But as the power of the Mexican empire extended to the provinces bordering on the isthmus of Darien, they were probably brought thence. Singular as the ftppearance of those people may be, they cannot be considered as constituting a distinct species : they are a degenerated breed, not a separate class of men ; and from some disease or defect of ttieir parents, the peculiar color and debility which mark their degradation are transmitted to them. As a decisive proof of this, it has been observed, that neither the white people of Darien, nor the Albinos of Africa, propagate their race j their children are of the color and temperament peculiar to the natives of their respective countries. The second district that is occupied by inhabitants diflTering in appearance from the other people of America, is situated in a high northern latitude, extending from the coast of Labrador towards the pole, as far as the country is habitable. The peo- ple scattered over those dreary regions are known to the Euro- peans by the name of Esc|uimaux. They themselves, with that idea of their own superiority which consoles the rudest and most wretched nations, assume the name of keniUty or men. They are of a middle size, and robust, with heads of a disproportioned bulk, and feet as remarkably small. Their complexion, though swarthy, by being continually exposed to the rigor of a cold climate, inclines to the European whitp, rather than to the topper color of America ; and the men have beards, which are ?cl to find e of men, low sta- iticapablc ; not re- tliout any [in is co- le hair oi the same that they clearly by No race America, tlie white lals which ! Mexican thmus of ar as the lonsidered ted breed, r defect of nark their lof of this, •f Darien, • children ;s of their differing lated in a Labrador The peo- he Euro- with that and most n. They portioned , though Df a cold n to the vhich i\re DISCOVEIIY AND EARLY SETTLKMEKTS. 107 sometimes bushy and lone:. From these marks of distinction, as well as from one still less equivocal, the aifinlty of their lan- guage to that of the (irccnlanders, which I have already men- tioned, we may conclude, with some degree of confidence, that the Esijuimaux are a race different from the rest of the Ame- ricans. We cannot decide with e(|ual certainty concerning the inhabi- tants of tiie third district, situated at the southern extremity of America. These are the famous Patagonians, who, during two centuries and a half, have afforded a subject of controversy to the learned, and an object of wonder to the vulgar. They are suj)posed to be one of the wandering tribes, which occupy that vast but least-known region of America, which extends from the river De La Plata to the Straits of ^L'^gellan. Their proper station is in that part of the interior country which lies on the banks of the river Negro ; but in the hunting season they often roam as far as the straits which separate Terra del Fuego from the main land. The first accounts of this people were brought to Europe by the companions of Magellan, who described tiiem as a gigantic race, above eight feet high, and of strength in pro- portion to their enormous size. Though several persons, to whose testimony great respect is due, have visited this part of America since the time of Magel- lan, and have had interviews with the natives ; though some have affirmed, that such as they saw were of gigantic stature ; and others have formed the same conclusion from measuring their footsteps, or from viewing the skeletons of their dead ; yet their accounts vary from each other in so many essential points, and are mingled with so many circumstances manifestly false or fabulous, as detract much from their credit. On the other hand, some navigators, and those among the most eminent of their or- der for discernment and accuracy, have asserted, that the natives of Patagonia, with whom they had intercourse, though stout and well-made, are not of such extraordinary size as to be dis- tinguished from the rest of the human species. The existence of this gigantic race of men seems then to be one of those points in natural history, with respect to which a cautious enquirer will hesitate, and will choose to suspend his assent until more com- plete evidence shall decide, whether he ought to admit a fact, seemingly inconsistent with what reason and experience have \ *f'l^ 11 !» 108 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. discovered concerning the structure and condition of ir»an, in ail the various situations in which he has hecn ohserveu. In the simplicity of the ravage state, when man is not op- pressed wilii labor, or enervated by luxury, or disquieted with care, we are apt to imagine that his life will flow on, almost un- troubled by disease or suffering, until his days be terminated in extreme old age, by the gradual decays of nature. We find, ac- cordingly among the Americans, as well as among other rude people, persons whose decrepid and shrivelled form seems to in- dicate an extraordinary length of life. But as most of them are unacquainted with the art of numbering, and all of them aa for- getful of what is past, as they are improvident of what is to come, it is impossible to ascertain their age with any degree of precision. It is evident that the period of their longevity must vary considerably, according to the diversity of climates, and their different modes of subsistence. They seem, however, to be every where exempt from many of the distempers which afflict polished nations. But whatever be the situation in which man is jilaced, he is beset with physical evils ; and his diseases in the savage state, though fewer in number, are, like those of the animals whom he nearly resembles in his mode of life, more violent and more fa- tal. If luxury engenders and nourishes distempers of one spe- cies, the rigor and distresses of savage life bring on those of another. As men, in this state, are wonderfully improvident, and their means of subsistence precarious, they often pass from extreme want to exuberant plenty, according to the vicissitudes of fortune in the chase, or in consequence of the various degrees of abundance with which the earth affords to them its produc- tions, in different seasons. Their inconsiderate gluttony in the one situation, and their severe abstinence in the other, are equally pernicious. One dreadful malady, the severest scourge with which, in this life, offended heaven chastens the indulgence of criminal desire, seems to have been peculiar to the Americans. By communica- ting it to their conquerors, they have not only amply avenged their own wrongs, but by adding this calamity to those which formerly embittered human life, they have, per» aps, more than counterbalanced all the benefits which Europe has derived from the discovery of the New Wotld, i "3 i DISCOVEUY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 109 man, in 3 not op- ctcd with I most un- linated in find, ae- ther rude nis to in- them are :m aa for- hat is to degree ot vity must ates, and wever, to lich afflict ed, he is ige state, whom he more fa- one spc- those of )rovidGnt, )ass from cissitudes IS degrees produc- ny in the ;her, are , in this al desire, imunica- avenged ie which lore than ved from I- \y •^ > II. After considering what appears to he peculiar in tlie hod ly constitution of the Americans, our attention is naturally turned towards the powers and qualities of their niiiuls, The thoughts and attention of a siivagc are confined within the small circle of ohjects immediately conducive to his preser- vation or enjoyment. Every thing beyond that ef^capes his ob- servation, or is perfectly indifferent to him. Like a mere ani- mal, what is before his eyes interests and affects him ; what is out of sight, or at a distance, makes little impression. There are several people in America whose limited understandings seem not to be capable of forming an arrangement for futurity ; nei- ther their solicitude nor their foresight extend so far. They fol- low blindly the impulse of the appetite which they feel, but are entirely regardless of distant consequences, and even of those removed in the least degree from immediate apprehension. While they highly prize such things as serve for present use, or minister to present enjoyment, they set no value upon those which are not the object of some immediate want. When, on the approach of the evening, a Caribbee feels himself dis])osed to go to rest, no consideration will tempt him to sell his ham- mock. But, in the morning, when he is sallying out to the bu- siness or pastime of the day, he will part with it for the slightest toy that catches his fancy. At the close of winter, while the impression of what he has suffered from the rigor of the climate is fresh in the mind of the North American, he sets himself with vigor to prepare materials for erecting a comfortable hut to protect him against the inclemency of the succeeding season ; but as soon as the weather becomes mild, he forgets what is past, abandons his work, and never thinks of it more, until the return of cold compels him, when too late, to resume it. Among civilized nations, arithmetic, or the art of numbering, is deemed an essential and elementary scicmc. and in our con- tinent, the invention and use of it reaches back to a period so remote as is beyond the knowledge of iii«!tory. But among sa- vages, who have no property to estimate, no hoarded treasures to count, no variety of objects or multiplicity of ideas to enu- merate, arithmetic is a superfluous and useful art. Accordingly, among some tribes of America it seems to be quite unknown. There are many who cannot reckon farther than three ; and have no denomination to distinguish any number above it, Se- Li I i *«5i n :';i i no IIISTOIIY Ol NORTH AMKllICA. vtral can proceed as far as ten, others to twenty. When they would convey an idea of any nun)))er beyond these, they point to the hair of their head, intinwiting that it is eijual to them, or with wonder declare it to be so gieat that it cannot be reck- oned. The North American tribes and the natives of Chili, vvho in- habit the temperate re^^ions in the two great districts of Ameri- ca, .ire people of cultivated and enlargsid understandings, wlien viewed in comparison with some of those st^ated in the islands, or on the banks of the Maragnon and Orinoco. Their occupa- tions are more various, their system of policy, as well as of war, more complex, their arts more numerous. But, even among them, the intellectual powers are extremely limited in their operations, and unless when turned directly to those objects which interest a savage, are held in no estimation. Both the North Americans and Chilese, when not engaged in some of the functions belonging to a warrior or hunter, loiter away their time in thoughtless indolence, unacquainted with any other subject worthy of their attention, or capable of occupying their minds. Such is their aversion to labor, that neither the hoj)e of fu- ture good, nor the apprehension of future evil, can surmount it. They appear equally indifferent to both, discovering little solici- tude, and taking no precautions to avoid the one, or to secure the other. The cravings of hunger may rouse them ; but as they devour, with little distinction, whatever will appease its instinctive demands, the exertions which these occasion are ot short duration. Destitute of ardor, as well as variety of desire, they feel not the force of those powerful springs which give vi- gor to the movements of the mind, and urge the patient hand of industry to persevere in its efforts. Man, in some parts of America, appears in a form so rude, that we can discover no effects of his activity, and the principle of understanding, which should direct it, seems hardly to be unfolded. Like the other animals, he has no fixed residence ; he has erected no habitation to shelter him from the inclemency of the weather ; he has ta- ken no measures for securing certain subsistence; he neither sows nor reaps ; but roams about as led in search of the plants and fruits which the earth brings forth in succession, and in quest of the game which he kills in the forests, or of the fish which he catches in the rivers. f .1 I DTSCOVKHY AND KAni.Y SETTLEMENTS. Ill This description, however, applies only to some tribes. Among most of the American nations, especially those seated in rigorous ciiiniUe*, some efforts arc employed, and some previous j)recautions are taken, for securing subsistence. The career of re- gular industry is begun, and the laborious arm has made the first essays of its power. Still, however, the improvident and slothful genius of the savage state predominates. Even among those moro improved tribes, labor is deemed ignominious and degrading. It is only to work of a certain kind that a man will deign to put his hand. The greater part is devolved entirely upon the women. One half of the community remains inactive, while the other is oppressed with the multitude and variety of its occupations. Thus their industry is partial, and the foresight which regulates it is no less limited. A remarkable instance of this occurs in the chief arrangement with respect to their manner of living. They depend for their subsistence, during one part of the year, on fishing; during another, on hunting; during a third, on the produce of their agriculture. Though experience has taught them to foresee the return of those various seasons, s.nd to make some provision for the respective exigencies of eaclt, "they either want sagacity to proportion this provision to their conmun|)tion, or are so incapable of any command over their appetites, that, from their inconsiderate waste, they often feel the calamities of famine as severely as the rudest of the savage tribes. What they suffer one year does not augment their in- dustry, or render them more provident to prevent similar dis- tresses. III. After viewing the bodily constitution of the Americans, and contemplating the powers of their minds, we are led in the natural order of inquiry, to consider them as united together in society: and the domestic state is the first and most simple form uf human association. As the infancy of man is more feeble and helpless than that of any other animal, and he is dependent, during a much longer period, on the care and foresight of his parents, the union be-, tween husband and wife came early to be considered, not only as a solemn, but as a ))ermanent contract. Accordingly, in Ame- rica, even among the rudest tribes, a -regular union between husband and wife was universal, and the rights of marriage were understood and recognised. In those districts where subsistence >« 112 niSTOllV OF NOllTII A^rKllICA. wns scanty, and the diirioulty of maintaining a iuinily was great, tlic man confined hiinscU to one wife. In warmer and more fertile provinces, the facility of procuring; food concurred with the influence of climate in inducini; the inhahitants to increase the number of their wives. In some countries, the marriage union subsisted during life j in others, the impatience of the Americans under restraint of any species, together with their natural levity atul < ii|)rice, prompted them to dissolve it on very slight pretexts, and often without assigning any cau'^e. But in whatever light the Americans considered the ohligation of this contract, either as perpetual, or only as temporary, the condition of women was e(jually humiliating and miserable. Whether man has been improved by the progress of arts and ci- vilization in society, is a (juestion >vhich, in the wantonncbs of disputation, has been agitated among philosophers. That women are indebted to the refinements of polished manners, and above all, to the benign spirit of the christian religion, for a happy change in their state, is a point which can admit of no doubt. To dtspise and to degrade the female sex, is the characteristic of the savage state in every part of the globe. It is not, by a studied display of tenderness and attachment, that the native American endeavours to gain the heart of the woman whom he wishes to marry. Marriage itself, instead of being an union of affection iiud interests between e(|uals, becomes, among them, the unnatural conjunction of a master with his slave. It is the observation of an author, whose opinions are deservedly of great weight, that wherever wives are purchased, their couflition is extremely depressed. They become the property and the slaves of those who buy them. In whatever part of the globe this custom prevails, the observation holds. In countries where re- finement has made some progress, women, when pmchased, are excluded from society, shut up in seciuestered apartments, and kept under the vigilant guard of their masters. In ruder na- tions, thev are degraded to tlie meanest functions. Among many people of America, the marriage contract is properly a purchase. A wife, among most tribes, is no better than a beast of bur- den, destined to every office of labor and fatigue. While the men loiter out the day in sloth, or spend it in amusement, the women are condemned to incessant toil. Tasks are imposed up- on them without pity, and services are received without com- ;] i 1 DISCOVERY AND EAni.Y SKTTLEMr.NTS. llli plaisancc or gratitude. Every circumstance reminds women of this mortifying inferiority. Tliey must nj)|)roncli their lords with reven lice ; they must regard them as more exalted heings, and are not permitted to eat in their presence. There are districts in Ameii( a where ihif* dominion xa so grievous, and so scnsihiy felt, that som- women, in a wild emotion of maternal tender- ness, have destroyed their female children in their infancy, in order to deliver them from that intolerahle hondagc to which they knew they were doomed. It is owing, perhaps, in some measure, to this state of de- pression, that women in rude nations are far from heing prolific. The vigor of their constitution is exhausted by excessive fatigue, and the wants and distresses of savage life arc so numerous, as to force them to take various precautions in order to prevent too rapid an increase of their progeny. Among wanhip. In the provinces which border on tU Orinoco, one may tra- vel several hundred miles in different directions, without finding a single hut, or observing the footsteps of a human creature. In North America, where the climate is more rigorous, and the soil less fertile, the desolation is still greater. There, journeys of some hundred leagues have been made through uninhabited plains and forests. As long as hunting continues to be the chief employment of man, to which he trusts for subsistence, he can hardly be said to have occupied the earth. 2. Nations which depend upon hunting are in a great mea- sure strangers to the idea of property. As the animals on which the hunter feeds are not bred under his inspection, nor nourish- ed by his care, he can claim no right to them, while they run wild in the forest. Where game is so plentiful that it may be catched with little trouble, men never dream of appropriating what is of small value, or of easy acquisition. Where it is so rare, that the labor or danger of the chase requires the united efforts of a tribe, or village, what is killed is a common stock, belonging equally to all who, by their skill or their courage, have contributed to the success of the excursion. Even agriculture has not introduced among them a complete idea of property. As the men hunt, the women labor together, and after they have shared the toils of the seed-time, they en- joy the harvest in common. Among some tribes, the increase of their cultivated lands is deposited in a public granary, and di- vided among them at stated times, according to their wants. Among others, though they lay up separate stores, they do not acquire such an exclusive right of property, that they can onjoy superfluity, while those around them suffer want. Thus the dis- tinctions arising from the inequality of possessions are unknown. The terms rich or poor enter not into their language, and being strangers to property, they are unacquainted with what is the great object of laws and policy, as well as the chief motive which induced mankind to establish the various arrangements of regular government. 3. Men in this state retain a high sense of equality and indc- 6. Q I 1 u m 122 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. n hi % I t pcndence. Wherever the idea of property » not established, there can be no distinction among men, but wluu arises from personal qualities. These can be conspicuous only on such oc- casions as call ihem forth into exertion. In times of danger, or hi liffairs of intricacy, the wisdom and experience of age are consulted, and prescribe the metisurcs which ought to be |}ur6%i- cd. When a tribe of savages takes the field against the enemies of their country, the warrior of most approved courage kadsi the youth to the combat. If they go fortii in a body to the chase, the most expert and adventurous hunter is foremost, and directs their motions, liut during seasons of tranijuilhty and in- action, when there is no occasion to display those talents, all pre-eminence ceases. Every circumstance indicates, that all the members of the community are on a level. They are clothed in the same simple garb ; they feed on the same plain fare ; their houses and furniture are exactly similar ; no distinction can arise from the i'lequality of possessions ; whatever forms dependance on one part, or constitutes superiority on the other, is unknown^ all are freemen, all feel themselvc to be such, and assert, with firmness, the rights which belong to that condition. This senti- ment of independence is imprinted so deeply in their nature, that no change of condition can eradicate it, and bend their minds to servitude. Accustomed to be absolute masters of their own conduct, they disdain to execute the orders of another j and having never known C'i/;trol, they will not snbmit to correction. Many of the Americans, whan they found that they were treated as slaves by the Spaniards, died of grief 3 many destroyed them- selves in despair. 4. Among peojile in this state, government can assume little authority, and the sense of civil subordination must remain very imperfect. Where the right of separate and exclusive possession is not introduced, the great object of law and jurisdiction does not exist. When the members of a tribe are called into the field, either to invade the territories of their enemies, or to re- pel their attacks, when they are engaged together in the toil and dangers of the chase, they then perceive that < .ey are part of a poHtical body. They are conscious of their own connexion with the companions in conjunction with whom they act ; and they follow and reverence such as excel in conduct and valor. But, during the intervals between such common efforts, they msCOVF.BY AXD EAB V StfTLF VENTS. ISJ ;< seem scarcely to feel the ties of | tical uni( No visible form of government is pstablished. The names f inttj^ *iiie aiu' sultjtrt are not in use. Every one seems to enjoy hi plural in- dependence almost entire. The right of revenge is le* in |>rivai hands. If violence is committed, or blood is shed, li.e commu- nity does not assume the power either of inflicting or of mode- rating the punishment. It belongs to the family and friends of the |)erson injured or slain to avenge the wrong, or to accept of the reparation offered by the aggressor. If the elders interpose, it is to advise, not to decide, and it is seldom their counsels are listened to ; for as it is deemed pusillanimous to suffer an offen- der to escape with impunity, resentment is implacable and ever- lasting. The object of government among the American Indi- ans is rather foreign than domestic. They do not aim at main- taining interior order and police by public regulations, or the ex- ertions of any permanent authority, but labor to preserve such union among the members of their tribe, that they may watch the motions of their enemies, and act against them with con- cert and vigor. Imperfect as these institutions may appear, several tribes were not so far advanced in their political progress. Among all those petty nations which trusted for subsistence entirely to fishing and hunting, without any species of cultivation, the union was 60 incomplete, and their sense of mutual dependance so feeble, that hardly any appearance of goverimient or order can be dis- cerned in their proceedings. Their wants are few, their objects of pursuit simple ; they form into separate tribes, and act toge- ther, from instinct, habit, or conveniency, rather than from any formal concert and association. To this class belong the Cali- fornians, several of the small nations in the extensive country of Paraguay, some of the people on the banks of the Orinoco, and on the river St. Magdalene, in the new kingdom of Grenada. In the new world, as well as in other i)arts of the globe, cold or temperate countries appear to be the favorite seat of freedom and independence. There the mind, like the body, is firm and vigorous. There men, conscious of their own dignity, and ca- pable of the greatest efforts in asserting it, aspire to indepen- dence, and their stubborn spirits stoop with reluctance to the yoke of servitude. If we proceed from north to south, along the continent of \'2i iiisTOiiv or N'oimi amkuicx. Aniorifa, wc simll liiid tlit- power of tliust; vested with tiuthority j^ra'liiuUy iMciciisiiig, and the spirit ol the people heconiiuf; more tiune and passive. In Floii(hi, the authority of the sachems, cazi- «|ucs, or chiefs, was not otdy permanent, hut hereiiitary. They were i; ", 12() IIISTOHY or NORTH AMERICA. it exactly ascertained, iniunncrahle subjects of dispute arise, which seldom terminate without bloodshed. Even in this .simple and primitive state of society, interest is a source of di«cord, and often promjjts savage tribes to take arms in order to repel or pu- nish such as encroach on the forests or plains to which they trust for subsistence. But these unrelenting wars originate still more frequently from the desire of avenging an injury, and when the right of redress- ing his own wrongs is left in the hands of every individual, in- juries are felt with exquisite sensibility, and vengeance exercised with unrelenting rancor. No time can obliterate the memory of an offence, and it is seldom that it can be expiated but by the blootl of the offender. In carrying on their public wars, savage nations are influenced by the same ideas, and animated with the same spirit, as in prosecuting private vengeance. In small com- munities, every man is touched with the injury or affront offered to the body of which he is a member, as if it were a personal attack upon his own honor or safety. The desire of. vengeance is the first, and almost the only principle, which the Indian instils into the minds of his children. This grows up with him as he advances in life j and as his attention is directed to few objects, it acquires a degree of force unknown among men, whose pas- sions are dissipated and weakened by the variety of their occu- pations and pui suits. The desire of vengeance, which takes possession of the heart of savages, resembles the instinctive rage of an animal, rather than the passion of a man. It turns, with undiscerned fury, even against inanimate objects. If hurt acci- dentally by a stone, they often seize it ii a transport of anger, and endeavour to wreak their vengeance upon it. If struck with an arrow in a battle, they will tear it from the wound, break and bite it with their teeth, and dash it to the ground. With respect to their enemies, the rage of vengeance knows no bounds. When under the dominion of tliis passion, man be- comes the most cruel of all animals. He never pities, nor for- gives, nor spares. A single warrior, prompted by caprice or revenge, will take the field alone, and march several hundred miles to [surprise and cut off a straggling enemy. The exploits of a noted warrior, in such solitary excursions, often form the chief part in the his- tory of an American campaign ; and their enemies connive at DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 127 m- acci- mger, with ireak With no be- for- take i and nior, his- ve at Mich irregular sallies, as they tend to cherish ii martial spirit, and accustom their people to enterprise and danger. But when a war is national, and undertaken by public authority, the deli- berations are formal and slow. The elders assemble, tiicv deli- ver their opinion in solemn speeches, they weigh with maturi- ty the naturo of the enterprise, and balance its beneficial or disadvantageous consequences with no inconsiderable portion of ])olitical discenmient or sagacity. Their priests and soothsayers are consulted, and sometimes they ask the advice even of their women. If the determination be for war, they ])repare lor it with much ceremony. A leader oifers to conduct tiic exnedi- tion, and is accepted. But no man is constrained to follow him ; the resolution of the community to commence hostilities, imposes no obligation upon any member to take part in the war. Each individual is still master of his own conduct, and his en- gagement in the service is perfectly voluntary. The maxims by which they regulate their military operations, though extremely different from those which take place among more civilized and populous nations, arc well suited to their own political state, and the nature of the country in which they act. They never take the field in numerous bodies, as it would re- quire a greater effort of foresight and industry than is usual among savages, to provide for their subsistence, during a march of some hundred miles, through dreary forests, or during a ^ong voyage upon their lakes and rivers. Their armies are not encumbered with baggage or military stores. Each warrior, be- sides his arms, carries a mat and a small bag of pounded maize, and with these is completely equipped for any service. While at a distance from the enemy's frontier, they disperse through the woods, and support themselves with the game which they kill, or the fish which they catch. As they approach nearer to the territories of the nation which they intend to attack, they col- lect their trooj)s, and advance with greater caution. Even in their hottest and most active wars, they proceed wholly by stra- tagem and ambuscade. They place not their glory in attacking their enemies with open force. To surprise and destroy is the greatest merit of a commander, and the highest pride of his followers. War and hunting are their only occupations, and they conduct both with the same spirit and the same arts. They follow the track of their enemies through the forest. They eh- h i' i I'l * * ' . 128 HISTORY or NORTH AMERICA. I' deavour to discover their haunts, they Kirk in some tliickct ncai to these, and, with the patience of a sportsman lying in wait for game, will continue in their station day after day, until they can rush upon their prey when most secure, and least able to re- sist them. If they meet no straggling party of the enemy, they advance towards their villages, but with such solicitude to con- ceal their own approach, that they often creep on their hands and feet through the woods, and paint their skins of the same color with the withered leaves, in order to avoid detection. If so fortunate as to remain unobserved,* they set on fire the enemy's huts in the dead of night, and massacre the inhabi- tants, as they fly naked and defenceless from the flames. If they hope to effect a retreat without being pursued, they car- ry off some prisoners, whom they reserve for a more dreadful fate. But if, notwithstanding all their address and precau- tions, they find that their niotions arc discovered, that the enemy has taken the alarm, and is prepared to oppose them, they usually deem it nost prudent to retire. They regard it as extreme folly to meet an enemy who is on his guard, upon equal terms, or to give battle in an open field. The most distinguished success is a disgrace to a leader if it has been pur- chased with any considerable loss of his followers; and they never boast of a victory, if stained with the blood of their own countrymen. To fall in battle instead of being reckoned an honorable death, is a misfortune which subjects the memory of a warrior to the imputation of rashness or imprudence. But though vigilance and attention are the qualities chiefly requisite, where the object of war is to deceive and to surprise ; and though the Americans, when acting singly, display an ama- zing degree of address in concealing their own motions, and discovering those of an enemy, yet it is remarkab'e, that, when they take the field in parties, they can seldom be brought to ob- serve the precautions most essential to their own security. Such is the difficulty of accustoming savages to subordination, or to act in concert, such is their impatience under restraint, and such their capj'ce and presumption, that it is rarely they can be brought to conform themselves to the counsels and duections of their leaders. They never station sentinels around the place where they rest at night ; and after marching some hundred miles to surprise an enemy, are often .surprised themselves. DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 129 And cut off, while sunk in as profound sleep as if they were not within reach of danger. If, notwithstanding this negligence and security, which often frustrate their most artful schemes, they catch the enemy unpre- pared, they rush upon them with the utmost ferocity, and tear- ing off the scalps of all those who fall victims to their rage, they carry home those strange trophies in triumph. These they preserve as monuments, not only of their own prowess, but of the vengeance which their arm has inflicted upon the people wlio were objects of public resentment. They are still more so- licitous to seize prisoners. During their retreat, if they hope to effect it uimiolested, the prisoners are commonly exempt from any insult, and treated with some degree of humanity, though guarded with the most strict attention. But after this temporary suspension, the rage of the conquer- ors rekindles with new fury. As soon as they approach their own frontier, some of their number are dispatched to inform their countrymen with respect to the success of the expedition. Then the prisoners begin to feel the wretchedness of their con- dition. The women of the village, together with the youth who have not attained to the age of bearing arms, assemble, and forming themselves into two lines, through which the pri- soners must pass, beat and bruise them with sticks or stones in a cruel manner. After this first gratification of their rage against their enemies, follow lamentations for the loss of such of their own countrymen as have fallen in the service, accom- panied with words and actions which seem to express the ut- most anguish and grief. Hut in a moment, upon a signal given, their tears cease j they pass with a sudden unaccountable tran- sition, from the depths of sorrow to transports of joy ; and be- gin to celebrate their victory with all the wild exultation of a barbarous triumph. The fate of the prisoners remains still un- decided. The old men deliberate concerning it. Some are destined to be tortuied to death, in order to satiate the revenge of the conquerors j some to replace the members which the community has lost in that or former wars. They who are re- served for this milder fate, are led to the huts of those whose friends have been killed. The women meet them at the door, and if they receive them, their sufferings art at an end. They are adopted into the family, and according to their phrase, arc 6. R i •i t iff I 130 inSTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. seated upon tlic mat of the deceased. They assume his nam?, they hold the same rank, and are treated thenceforward with ult the tenderness due to a father, a brotlier, a husband, or a friend. But if either from caprice, or an unrelenting desire of revenge, the women of any family refuse to accept of the pri- soner who is offered to them, liis doom is. fixed. No power can then save him from tortur« and death. While their iot is in suspense, the prisoners themselves ap- pear altogether unconcerned about what may befal them. They talk, they eat, they sleep, as if they were perfectly at ease, and no danger impending. When the fatal sentence is intimated to them, they receive it with an unaltered countenance, raise their death song, and prepare to suffer like men. Their con- querors assemble as to a solemn festival, resolved to put the for- titude of the captive to the utmost proof. A scene ensues, the bare description of which is enough to chill the heart with hor- ror, wherever men have been accustomed, by milder institu- tions, to respect their species, and to melt into tenderness at the sight of human sufferings. The prisoners arc tied naked to a stake, but so as to be at liberty to move round it. All who are present, men, women, and children, rush upon them like furies. Every species of torture is applied that the rancour of revenge can invent. Some burn their limbs with red-hot irons, some mangle their bodies with knives, others tear their flesh from their bones, pluck out their nails by the roots, and rend and twist their sinews. They vie with one another in refine- ments of torture. Nothing sets bounds to their rage but the dread of abridging the duration of their vengeance, by hastening the death of the sufferers ; and such is their cruel ingenuity it) tormenting, that by avoiding industriously to hurt any vital part, they often prolong this scene of anguish for several days, la spite of all that they suffer, the victims continue to chant their death-song with a firm voice; they boast of their own exploits ; they insult their tormentors for their want of skill in avenging their friends and relations j they warn them of the vengeance which awaits them on account of what they are* now doings and excite their ferocity by the most provoking reproaches and threats. To display undaunted fortitude in such dreadful situ- ations is the noblest triumph of a warrior. To avoid the trial Ly a voluntary death, or to shrink under it, is deemed infamous at tfl ' DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 131 and cowardly. If any one betrays symptoms of timidity, his tormentors often dispatch him at once with contempt, as un- worthy of being treated like a man. Animated with those ideas, they endure, without a groan, what it seems almost im- possible that human nature should sustain. They appear to be not only insensible of pain, but to court it. * Forbear,' s:\id an aged chief of the Iroquois, when his insults had provoktd one of his tormentors to wound him with a knife, * forbear tiiese stabs of your knife, and rather let me die by fire, that those dogs, your allies, from beyond the sea, may learn by my exam- ple to suffer like mon.' This magnanimity, of which there are frequent instances among the American warriors, instead of ex- citing admiration, or calling forth sympathy, exasperates the fierce spirits of their torturers to fresh acts of cruelty. Weary at length of contendini^ with men whose constancy of mind they cannot vanquish, some chief in a rage puts a period to their suf- ferings, by dispatching them with his dagger or club. This barbarous scene is often succeeded by one no less shock- ing. As it is impossible to appease the fell spirit of revenge which rages in the heart of a savage, this frequently prompts the Americans to devour those unhappy persons who have been the victims of their cruelty. In the ancient world, tradition has preserved the memory of barbarous nations of cannibals, who fed on human flesh. But in every part of the New World there were people to whom this custom was familiar. It pre- vailed in the southern continent, in several of the islands, and in various districts of North America. Even in those parts, where circumstances, with which we are unacquainted, had in a great measure abolished this practice, it seems formerly to have been so well known, that it is incorporated into the idiom of their language. Among the Iroquois, the phrase by which they express their resolution of making war against an er' ny is, * Let us go and eat that nation.' If they solicit the aid of a neighbouring tribe, they invite it to * eat broth made of the flesh of their enemies,* Nor was the practice peculiar to rude unpolished tribes; the principle from which it took rise is so deeply rooted in the minds of the Americans, that it subsisted in Mexico, one of the civilized empires in the New World, and relics of it may be discovered among the more mild in- habitants of Peru, It was not scarcity of food, as some am- 1:1 m M -0 m m 1132 HISTOKV OF NOHTII AMERICA. Mil : 1 1 thors imagine, and the important cravings of hunger, which lorcefl the Americans to those horr'd repasts on their fellovv- cri-atiires. Human flesh was never used as common food in any country ; and the various relations concerning people who reck- oned it among the stated means of subsistence, flow from the creduHty and mistakes of travellers. The rancour of revenge first prompted men to this barbarous action. The people of South America gratify their revenge in a man- ner somewhat different, but with no less unrelenting rancour. Their prisoners, after meeting, at their first entrance, with the same rough reception as among the North Americans, are not only exempt from injury, but treated with the greatest kindness. They are feasted and caressed, and some beautiful young wo- men are appointed to attend and solace them. It is not easy to account for this part of their conduct, unless we impute it to a refinement in cruelty. For, while they seem studious to attach the captive to life, by supplying them with every enjoyment that can render it agreeable, their doom is irrevocably fixed. On a «luy appointed, the victorious tribe assembles j the prisoner is brought forth with great solemnity j he views the preparations for the sacrifice with as much indifference as if he himself were not the victim, and meeting his fate with undaunted firriuess, is dispatched with a single blow. The moment he falls, the wr men seize the body, and dress it for the feast. They besmear their children with the blood, in order to kindle in their bosoms a hatred for their enemies, which is never extinguished ; and all join in feeding upon the flesh with amazing greediness and ex- ultation. To devour the body of a slaughtered enemy, they deem the most complete and exquisite gratification of revenge. Wherever this practice prevails, captives never escape death j but they are not tortured with the same cruelty as among tribes which are less accustomed to such horrid feasts. As the constancy of every American warrior may be put to such severe proof, the great object of military education and discipline in the New World is to form the mind to sustain it. When nations carry on war with open force, defy their enemies to the combat, and vanquish them by the superiority of their skill or courage, soldiers are trained to be active, vigorous, and enterprising. But in America, where the genius and maxims of war are extremely different, passive fortitude is the quality in DISCOVEUY AND EAKLY SETTLEMENTS. l.OlJ highest titimation. Accordingly, it is early the study of the Americans to acquire sentiments and habits which will enable them to behave like men, when their resolution shall be put to the proof. As the youth of other nations exercise themselves in feats of activity and force, those of America vie with one ano- ther in exhibitions of their patience under sufferings. They harden their nerves by those voluntary trials, and gradually ac- custom themselves to endure the sharpest pain without com- plaining. A boy and girl will bind their naked arms together, and place a burning coal between them, in order to try who first discovers such impatience as to shake it off. All the trials, customary in America, when a youth is admitted into the class of warriors, or when a warrior is promoted to the dignity' of captain or chief, are accommodated to this idea of manliness. They are not displays of valor, but of patience; they are not exhibitions of their ability to offend, but of their capacity to suffer. The perpetual hostilities carried on among the American tribes are productive of very fatal effects. Even in seasons of public tranquillity, their imperfect industry does not supply them with any superfluous store of provisions j but when the irrup- tion of an enemy desolates their cultivated lands, or disturbs them in their hunting excursions, such a calamity reduces a community, naturally improvident and destitute of resources, to extreme want. All the people of the district that is inva- ded are frequently forced to take refuge in woods or mountains, which can afford them little subsistence, and where many of them perish. Notwithstanding their excessive caution in con- ducting their military operations, and the solicitude of every leader to preserve the lives of his followers, as the rude tribes in America seldom enjoy any interval of peace, the loss of men among them is considerable in proportion to the degree of po- pulation. Thus famine and the sword combine in thinning their numbers. All their communities are feeble, and nothing now remains of several nations, which were once conjsiderable, but the name. VI. The arts of rude nations, unacquainted with the use of metals, hardly merit any attention on their own account, but are worthy of some notice, as far as they serve to display the genius and manners of man in this stage of his progress. The I 134 HISTOllY OP NORTH AMERICA. !•■ first distress a savage must feel, will arise from the manner in which his body is aflfected, by the heat, or cold, or moisture, of the climate under whicli he lives ; and his first care will be to pro- vide some covering for his own defence. In the warmer and more mild climates of America, none of the rude tribes were clothed. To most of them nature had not even suggested any idea of impro- priety in being altogether uncovered. As, under a mild climate, there was little need of any defence from the injuries of the air, and their extreme indolence shunned every species of labor to which it wiis not urged by absolute necessity, all the inhabitants of the isles, and a considerable part of the people on the continent, remained in this state of naked simplicity. Others were satisfi- ed with some slight covering, such as decency required. But, though naked, they were not unadorned. They dressed their hair in many different forms. They fastened bits of gold, or shells, or shining stones, in their ears, their noses, and cheeks. They stained their skins with a great variety of figures ; and they spent much time, and submitted to great pain, in orna- menting their persons in this fantastic manner. Vanity, however, which finds endless occupation for ingenuity and invention, in nations where dress has become a complex and intricate art, is circumscribed within so narrow bounds, and confined to so few articles among naked savages, that they arc not satisfied with those simple decorations, and have a wonderful propensity to al- ter the natural form of their bodies, in order to render it, (as they imagine), more perfect and beautiful. This practice was universal among the rudest of the American tribes. Their ope- rations for that purpose begin as soon as an infant is born. By compressing the bones of the skull, while still soft and flexible, some flatten the crown of their heads ; some squeeze them into the shape of a cone ; others mould them as much as possible into a square figure j and they often endanger the lives of their poste- rity by their violent and absurd eflforts to derange the plaii of nature, or to improve upon her designs. But in all their at- tempts cither to adorn or to new-model their persons, it seems to have been less the object of the Americans to please, or to appear beautiful, than to give an air of dignity and terror to their aspect. Their attention to dress had more reference to war than to gallantry. The difference in rank and estimation be- tween the two sexes was so great, as seems to have extinguish- al- (as was ope- By ible, into into »ste- n of at- ems r to r to war be- ish- DISCOVEUY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. lJ,i «d, in some measure, their solicitude to appear mutually amia- ble. The man deemed it beneath him to adorn his person, for the sake of one on whom he was accustomed to look down as a slave. It was when the warrior had in view to enter the coun- cil of his nation, or to take the field against its enemies, that he assumed his choicest ornaments, and decked his person with the nicest care. The decorations of the women were few and sim- ple : whatever was precious or splendid was reserved for the men. In several tribes, the women were obliged to spend a considera- bk; part of their time every day in adorning and painting their husbands, and could bestow little attention upon ornamenting themselves. Among a race of men so haughty as to despise, or so cold as to neglect them, the women naturally became careless and slovenly, and the love of finery and show, which had been deemed their favorite passion, was confined chiefly to the other sex. To deck his person was the distinction of a warrior^ as well as one of his most serious occupations. The next object to dress that will engage the attention of a sa- vage, is to prepare some habitation which may aiford him shelter by day, and a retreat at night. Whatever is connected with his ideas of personal dignity, whatever bears any reference to his military character, the savage Avarrior deems an object of im- portance. Whatever relates only to peaceable aiid ii^active life, he views with indifference. Hence, though finically attentive to dress, he is little solicitous about the elegance or disposition of his habitation. Savage nations, far from that state of improve- ment, in which the mode of living is considered as a mark of distinction, and unacquainted with those wants which rei^uire a variety of accommodation, regulate the construction of their houses according to their limited ideas of necessity. Some of the American tribes were so extremely rude, and had advan- ced so little beyond the primeval simplicity of their nature, that they had no houses at all. During the day they take shelter from the scorching rays of the sun under thick trees ; at night they form a shed with their branches and leaves. In the rainy season they retire into coves, formed by the hand of nature, or hollowed out by their own industry. Others, who have no fixed abode, and roam through the forest in quest of game, sojourn in temporary huts, which they erect with little labor, and aban- don without any concern. The inhabitants of those vast plains. M 5J :i 136 HISTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. !' which arc de'uged by the overflowing of rivers during the heavy rains thut fall periodically between the tropics, raise houses upon piles fastened in the ground, or place thorn among the boughs of trees, and are thus safe amidst that wide-extended inundation xvhich surrounds them. Such were the first essays of the rudest Americans towards providing themselves with habitations. But even among tribes which are more improved, and whose resi- dence is become altogether fixed, the structure of their houses is extremely mean and simple. They are wretched huts, some- times of an oblong and sometimes of a circular form, intended merely for shelter, with no view to elegunce, and little attention to convcniency. The doors are so low, that it is necessary to bend, or to creep on the hands and feet, in order to enter them. They are without windows, and have a large hole in the middle of the roof, to convey out the smoke. To follow travellers in other miimtc circumstances of their descriptions, is not only be- neath the dignity of history, but would be foreign to the object of my researches. One circumstance merits attention, as it is singular, and illustrates the character of the people. vSome of their houses are so large, as to contain accommodation for four- score or a hundred persons. These are built for the reception ol different families, which dwell together under the same roof, and often around a common fire, without separate apartments, or any kind of screen or partition between the spaces which they respectively occupy. As soon as men have acquired distinct ideas of property, or when they are so much attached to their females, as to watch them with care and jealousy, families of course divide, and settle in separate houses, where they can se- cure and guard whatever they wish to preserve. Tliis singu- lar mode of habitation among several people of America, may therefore be considered not only as the effect of their imperfect notions concerning property, but as a proof of inattention and in- difference towards their uonien. If they had not been accustom- ed to perfect equality, such an arrangement could not have ta- ken place. If their sensibility had been apt to have taken alarm, they would not have tiusted the virtue of their women amidst the temptations and opportunities of such a promiscuous intercourse. At the same time, the perpetual concord which reigns in habitations where st» many families are crowded toge- ther, is surprising, and affords a striking evidence that they DISCOVERY AND EAIILY SF-TTLEMFA'TS. 1 37 must be people of cither a very pentlo, or of a very phlegmatic temper, who, in such a situation, are uuaciiuaintcd with ani- mosity, brawhng, and discord. After making some provision for his dress and habitation, a savage will perceive the necessity of preparing proper arms with which to assault or repel an enemy. Clubs made of some heavy wood, stakes hardened in the iire, lances whose heads were arm- ed with flint, or the bones of some animal, are weapons known to the rudest nations. All these, however, were of use only in close encounter. But men wished to annoy their enemies while at a distance, and the bow and arrow is ihe most early invention for this purpose. This weapon is in the hands of people whose advances in improvement are extremely inconsiderable, and is familiar to the inhabitants of every quarter of the globe. It is remarkable, however, that some tribes in America were so des- titute of art and ingenuity, that they had not attained to the discovery of t'.iis simple^ invention, and seem to have been imac- limited as well as partial, a fact which strongly proves the nc> ccisity of a divine interposition, to reveal even the essential truths of natural religion. DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 1 tl The tribe of the Natchez, and the people of Bogota, had advanced beyond the other uncu'.tivated nations of America in their ideas of religion, as well as in their political institntions ; and it is no less difficult to explain the cause of this distinction than of that which we have already cotisidercd. The sun was the chief object of religious worsliip among the Natchez. In their temples, which were constructed with some magnificence, and decorated with varions ornaments, according to their mode of architecture, they preserved a perpetual fire, as the purest emblem of their divinity. Ministers were appointed to watch and feed this sacred flame. The first function of the great chief of the nation, every morning, was an act of obeisance to the sun J and festivals returned at stated seasons, which were cele- brated by the whole community with solemn but unbloody rites. This is the most refined species of superstition known in Ameri- ca, and perhaps, one of the most natural as well as most sedu- cing. The sun is the apparent source of the joy, fertility, and life diffused through nature ; and while the human mind, in its earlier essays towards enquiry, contemplates and admires his uni- versal and animating energy, its admiration is apt to stoj) short at what is visible, without reaching to the unseen cause ; and pays that adoration to the most glorious and beneficial work of God, which is due only to him who formed it. As fire is the purest and most active of the elements, and in some of its qua- lities and efffects resembles the sun, it was not improperly cho- sen to be the emblem of his powerful operation. The ancient Persians, a people far superior, in every respect, to that rude tribe whose rites I am describing, founded their religious system on similar principles, and established a form of public worship less gross and exceptionable than that of any people destitute of guidance from revelation. This surprising coincidence in senti- ment between two nations, in such different states of improve- ment, is one of the many singular and unaccountable circum- stances which occur in the history of human affairs. Among the people of Bogota, the sun and moon were like- wise the chief objects of veneration. Their system of religion was more regular and complete, though less pure, than that of the Natchez. They had temples, altars, priests, sacrifices, and that long train of ceremonies, which superstition introduces wherever she has fully established her dominion over the minds 142 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. of men. But the rites of their worship were cruel and bloody. They offered human victims to their deities, and many of their practices nearly resembled the barbarous institutions of the Mexicans. With resjject to the other great doctrine of religion, concern- ing the future life of man, the sentiments of the Americans were more united. The human mind, even when least impro- ved and invigorated by culture, shrinks from the thoughts of an- nihilation, and looks forward with hope and expectation to a state of future existence. This sentiment, resulting from a se- cret consciousness of its own dignity, from an instinctive longing after immortality, is universal, and may be deemed natural. Upon this are founded the most exalted hopes of man in his highest state of improvement ; nor has nature withheld from him this soothing consolation, in the most early and rude period of his progress. We can trace this opinion from one extremity of America to the other ; in some regions more faint and obscure, in others more perfectly developed, but no where unknown. The most uncivilized of its savage tribes do not apprehend death as the extinction of being. All entertain hopes of a future and more happy state, where they shall be for ever exempt from th^* calamities which imbitter human life in its present condition. This future state they conceive to be a delightful country, blessed with perpetual spring, whose forests abound with game, whose ri- vers swarm with fish, where famine is never felt, and uninterrupt- ed plenty shall be enjoyed without labor or toil. But as men, in forming their first imperfect ideas concerning the invisible world, suppose that there they shall continue to feel the same desires, and to be engaged in the same occupations, as in the present world ; they naturally ascribe eminence and distinction, in that state, to the same qualities and talents which are here the object of their esteem. The Americans, accordingly, allotted the high- ^t place, in their country of spirits, to the skilfiii hunter, to the advcnturous and successful warrior, and to such as bad tortu- red the greatest number of captives, and devoured their flesh. These notions were so prevalent, that they gave rise to an uni- versal custom, which is at once the strongest evidence that the Americans believe in a future state, and the best illustration of what they expect there. As they imagine that departed spirits begin their career anew in the world whither they are gone, tbiit DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 143 their friends may not enter defenceless and unprovided, tlicy bu- ry together with the bodies of the dead, their bow, their arrows, and other weapons used in hutiting or war ; they deposit in tlieir tombs the skins or stuffs of which they make garments, Indian corn, manioc, venison, domestic utensils, and whatever is reck- oned among the necessaries in their simple modr of life. In some provinces, upon the decease of a cazique or chief, a certain number of liis wives, of his favorites, and of his slaves, were put to death, and iuterreil together with him, that he migiit ap- pear with the same dignity in his future station, and be waited upon by the same attendants. This persuasion is so deep rooted, that many of the deceased person's retainers offer themselves as voluntary victims, and court the privilege of accompanying their departed master as an high distinction. It has been found diffi- cult, on some occasions, to set bounds to this enthusiasm of af- fectionate duty, and to reduce the train of a favorite leader to such a number as the tribes could afford to spare. Among the Americans, as well as other uncivilized nations, many of the rites and observances which bear some resemblance to the acts of religion, have no connexion with devotion, but proceed from a fond desire of prying into futurity. Wherever superstition is so established as to form a regular system, this desire of penetrating into the secrets of futurity is connected with it. Divination becomes a religious act. Priests, as the mi- nisters of heaven, pretend to deliver its oracles to men. They are the only soothsayers, augurs, and magicians, who profess the sacred and important art of disclosing what is hid from other eyes. But, among rude nations, who pay no veneration to any su- perintending power, and who have no established rites or minis- ters of religion, their curiosity to discover what is future and un- known is cherished by a different principle, and derives strength from another alliance. As the diseases of men, in the savage state, are (as has been already observed) like those of the ani- mal creation, few, but extremely violent, their impatience under what they suffer, and solicitude for the recovery of health, soon inspired them with extraordinary reverence for such as pretended to understand the nature of their maladies, and to be possessed of knowledge sufficient to preserve or deliver them from their sudden and fatal effects. These ignorant pretenders, however. f'l 144 HISTOIIY OF NORTH AMERICA. were such utter strangers to the structure of the human frame, as to be equally unacquainted with the causes of its disorders, and the manner in which they will terminate. Superstition, mingled frequently with some portion of craft, supplied what they wanted in science. They imputed the origin of diseases to super- natural influence, and prescribed or performed a variety of myste- rious rites, which they gave out to be of such efficacy as to re- move the most dangerous and inveterate maladies. The credu*- lity and love of the marvellous, natural to uninformed men, fa- vored the deception, and prepared them to be the dupes of those impostors. Among savages, their first physicians are a kind of conjurers o;- wizards, who boast that they know what is past, and can forctel what is to come. Incantations, sorcery, and munmieries of diverse kinds, no less strange than frivolous, are the means which they employ to expel the imaginary causes of malignity ; and relying upon the efficacy of these, they pre- dict, with confidence, what will be the fate of their deluded patients. The native Americans did not long suppose the efficacy of conjuration to be confined to one subject. They had recourse to it in every situation of danger or distress. When the events of ■war were peculiarly disastrous, when they met with unforeseen disappointments in hunting, when inundations or drought threat- ened their crops with destruction, they called upon their conju- rers to begin their incantations, in order to discover the causes of those calamities, or to foretel what would be their issue. Their confidence in this delusive art gradually increased, and manifested itself in all the occurrences of life. When involved in any difficulty, or about to enter upon any transaction of mo- ment, every individual regularly consulted the sorcerer, and de- pended upon his instructions to extricate him from the former, as well as to direct his conduct in the latter. Even among the rudest tribes in America, superstition appears in this form, ^and divination is an art in high esteem. To discern, and to wor- ship a superintending and beneficent power, is an evidence of the enlargement and maturity of the human understanding ; a vain desire of prying into futurity, is the error of its infancy, and a proof of its weakness. From this weakness proceeded likewise the faith of the Ame- ricans in dreams, their observation of omens, their attention DISCOVFJIY AND EARLY SETTLF-MCXTS. 1 4 5 to the cliirping of birds, and the cries of animals, all whicli they snppose to be indications of future events j and if any one of these prognostics is deemed unfavorable, they instantly aban- don the pursuit of those measures on which they are most ea- gerly bent. If we would form a complete idea of the uncultivated nations of America, we must not pass unobserved some singular cus- toms, which, though universal and characteristic, could not be reduced, v/ith propriety, to any of the articles into which we have divided our inquiry concerning their manners. Among the American Indians, the love of dancing is a favo- rite passion. As, during a great part of their time, they lan- guish in a state of inactivity and indolence, without any occu- pation to rouse or interest them, they delight universally in a pastime which calls forth the active powers of their nature into exercise. The Spaniards, when they first visited America, were astonished at the fondness of the natives for dancing, and be- held with wonder a people, cold and unanimated in most of their other pursuits, kindle into life, and exert themselves with ardor, as often as this favorite amusement recurred. Among them, in- deed dancing ought not to be denominated an amusement. It is a serious and important occupation, which mingles in every occur- rence of public or private life. If any intercourse be necessary between two American tribes, the ambassadors of the one ap- proach in a solemn dance, and present the calumet or emblem of peace j the sachems of the other receive it with the same ce- remony. If war is denounced against an enemy, it is by a dance, expressive of the resentment which they feel, and of the vengeance which they meditate. If the wrath of their gods is to be appeased, or their beneficence to be celebrated ; if they rejoice at the birth of a child, or mourn the death of a friend ; they have dances appropriated to each of these situations, and suited to the different sentiments with which they are then ani- mated. If a person is indiiiposed, a dance is prescribed as the most effectual means of restoring him to health ; and if he him- self cannot endure the fatigue of such an exercise, the physician or conjuror performs it in his name, as if the virtue of his ac- tivity could be transferred to his patient. All their dances are imitations of some action j and though the music by which they arc regulated is extremely simple and K, T I ill i 146 niSTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. tiresome to the oar by its dull monotony, some of their dances appear wonderfully expressive and animated. The war-dance is, perhaps, the most striking. It is the representation of a com- plete American campaign. The departure of the warriors from their village, their march into the enemy's country, the caution with which they encamp, the address with which they station some of their party in ambush, the manner of surprising the enemy, the noise and ferocity of the combat, the scalping of those who ^re slain, the seizing of prisojiers, the triumphant return of the conquevcjrs, and the torture of the victims, are successively exhibited. The performers enter with such enthu- siastic ardor into their se\eral parts; their gestures, tht'ir coun- tenance, their voice, are so wild and so well adapted to their various situations, that Europeans can hardly believe it to he a mimic scene, of view it without emotions of fear anti horror. Ap. immoderate love of play, especially at games of hazard, which seems to be natural to all people unaccustomed to the oc- cupations of regular industry, is likewise universal among the Americans. The same causes which so often prompt persons iu civilized life, who are at their ease, to have recourse to this pastime, render it the delight of the savage. The former are independent of labor, the latter do not feel the necessity of it ; and as both are unemployed, they run with transport to what-r ever is interesting enough to stir and to agitate their minds. Hence the Americans, who, at other times, are so indifferent, so phlegmatic, so silent, and animated with so few desires, as soon as they engage jn play, become rapacious, impatient, noi- sy, and almost frantic with eagerness. Their furs, their domes- tic utensils, their clothes, their arms, are staked at the gaming- table, and when all is lost, high as their sense of independence is, in a wild emotion of despair or of hope, they will often rislv their personal liberty upon a single cast. From causes similar to those which render them fond of play, the Americans are extremely addicted to drunkenness. It seems to have been one of the first exertions of human ingenuity to discover some composition of an intoxicating (juality ; and there is h?'"dly any nation so rude, or so destitute of invention, as not to hav "uccecdcd in this fatal research. The most barbarous of the A . rican tribes have been so unfortunate as to attain this DISCOVERY AND EAELY SETTLEMENTS. 147 as :xrt ; and even those which are so deficient in knowledge as to be nnacquaititcd with the method of giving an inebriating strength to liquors by fcrniejitation, can acconipHsh tlie same end by other means. The people of the islands of North America, and of California, used for this purpose the smoke of tobacco, drawn up with a certain instrument into the nostrils, the iumes of which ascending to the brain, they felt all the transports and frenzy of intoxication. In almost every other part of the new world, the natives possessed the art of extracting an intoxica- ti.'" ^'' ■ from maize or the manioc root, the same substances whiwh I - convert into bread. The operation by which they effect this, nearly resem" ' "^ho common one of brewing, but with this differti.ce, that in place of yeast, they use a nauseous infusion of a cevtai?. quantity of maize or manioc chewed by their women. The saliva excites a strong fermentation, and in a few days the liquor becomes fit for drinking. It is not disa- greeable to the taste, and when swallowed in large quantities is of an intoxicating quality. This is the general beverage of the Americans, which they distinguish by various names, and for which they feel such a violent and insatiable desire, as it is not easy either to conceive or describe. While engaged in war or in the chase, the savage is often in the most interesting situations, and all the powers of his nature are roused to the most vigorous exertions. But those animating scenes are succeeded by long intervals of repose, during which the warrior meets with nothing that he deems of sufficient dig- nity or importance to merit his attention. He languishes and mopes in this season of indolence. The posture of his body is an emblem of the state of his mind. In one climate, cowering over the fire in his cabin ; in another, stretched under the shade of some tree, he dozes away his time in sleep, or in an unthink- ing joyless inactivity, not far removed from it. As strong liquors awake him from this torpid state, give a brisker motion to his spirits, and enliven him more thoroughly than either dancing or gaming, his love of them is excessive. A savage, when not en- gaged in action, is a pensive melancholy animal ; but as soon as he tastes, or has a prospect of tasting, the intoxicating draught, he becomes gay and frolicsome. Whatever be the occasion or pretext on which the Americans assemble, the meeting always terminates in a debauch. Many of their festivals have no other 148 HISTOEY OF NORTH AMERICA. object, and tlicy welcome the return of them with transports of joy. As they are not accustomed to restrain any appetite, they set no bounds to this. The riot often continues, without inter- mission, se"^ al days j and whatever may be the fatal effects of their excess, they never cease from drinking as long as one drop of liquor remains. The persons of greatest eminence, the most distinguished warriors, and the chiefs most renowned for their wisdom, have no greater cyinmand of themselves than the most obscure niemb ot the community. Their eagerness for present enjoyment renders them blind to its fatal consequences; and those very men, who, in other situations, seem to possess a force of mind more than human, are in this instance inferior to chil- dren in foresight, as well as consideration, and mere slaves of brutal appetite. When thei; ))assions, naturally strong, are heightened and inflamed by drink, they are guilty of the most enormous outrages, and the festivity seldom concludes without deeds of violence or bloodshed. As the Europeans early found it their interest to supply them with spirituous liquors, drunkt >s soon became as universal among them as among their countrymen to the south ; and their women having acquired this new taste, indulge it with as little decency and moderation as the men. It were endless to enumerate all the detached customs which have excited the wonder of travellers in America ; but we cannot omit one, seemingly as singular as any that has been mentioned. When their parents and other relations become old, or labor un- der any distemper which their slender knowledge of the healing art cannot remove, the Americans cut short their days with a vi- olent hand, in order to be relieved from the burden of support- ing and tending them. This practice ))revailed among the ruder tribes, in every part of the continent, fiom Hudson's Bay to the river De La Plata. The same hardships and difficulty of procuring subsistence, which deter savages, in some cases from rearing their chil- dren, prompt them to destroy the aged and infirm. The decli- ning state of the one is as helpless as the infancy of the other. The former are no less unable than the latter to perform the functions that belong to a wirrior or hunter, or to endure those various distresses in which savages are so often involved, by their •wn want of foresight and industry. Their relations feel this. ai ot mSCOVEPvY AND EATILY rjETTr.EMENTS. 149 and, incapable of attending to the wants or weaknesses of others, their ini])atiencc under an additional burJen prompts them to extinguish that life which they fnid it difBcult to sus- tain. This is not regarded as a deed of cruelty, but as an act of mercy. An American, broken with years and infirmities, conscious that he can no longer depend on the aid of those around him, places himself contentedly in the grave ; and it is by the hands of his children, or nearest relations, that the thong is pulled, or the blow inflicted^ which releases him for ever from the sorrows of life. lu contemplating the inhabitants of a country so widely ex- tended as America, great attention should be paid to the diver- sity of climates under which they are placed. The influence of this I have pointed out with respect to several important parti- culars which have been the object of research ; but, even where it has pot been mentioned, it ought not to be overlooked. The provinces of America are of such differeni* temperament, that this alone is sufficient to constitute a distinction between their inhabitants. In every part of the earth where man existS, the power of climate operates, with decisive influence, upon his condition and character. In those countries which approach near to the extremes of heat or cold, this influence is so conspi- cuous as to strike every eye. Whether we consider man merely as an animal, or as being endowed with rational powers, which fit him for activity and speculation, we shall find that he has uniformly attained the greatest perfection of which his nature is capable, in the temperate regions of the globe. There his con- stitution is most vigorous, his organs most acute, and his form most beautiful. There, too^ he possesses a superior extent ot capacity, greater fertility of imagination, more enterprising cou- rage, and a sensibility of heart which gives birtii to desires, not only ardent, but persevering. In this favorite situation he has displayed the utmost efforts of his genius, in literature, in poli cy, in commerce, in war, and in all the arts which improve or embellish life. This powerful operation of climate is felt most sensibly by rude nations, and produces greater effects than in societies more improved. The talents of civilized men are continually exerted in rendering their own condition more comfortable ; and by their ingenuity and inventions, they can, in a great measure, sup- •I- 'Ml m n i 150 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. r i«i? iH 1 ply the defects, and guard against the inconveniencies, of any climate. But the improvident savage is affected by every cir- cumstance peculiar to his situation. He takes no precaution ei- ther to mitigate or to improve it. Like a plant or an animal, he is formed by the climat? under which he is placed, and fecN the full force of its influence. In surveying the rude nations of America, this natural dis- tinction between the inhabitants of the temperate and torrid zones is very remarkable. They may, accordingly, be divided into two great classes. The one comprehends all the North Americans, from the river St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, together with the people of Chili, and a few small tribes to- wards the extremity of the southern continent. To the other belong all the inhabitants of the islands, and those settled in the various provinces which extend from the Isthmus of Darieu almost to the southern confines of Brazil, along the east side of the Andes. In the former, which comprehends all the regions of the temperate zone tliat in America are inhabited, the human species appears manifestly to be more perfect. The natives are more robust, more active, more intelligent, and more coura- geous. They possess, in the most eminent degree, that force of mind and love of independence which I have pointed out as the chief virtues of man in his savage state. They have defended their liberty with persevering fortitude against the Europeans, who subdued the other rude nations of America with the great- est ease. The natives of the temperate zone are the only peo- ple in the new world who are indebted for their freedom to their own valor. The North Americans, though long encompassed by three formidable European powers, still retain part of their ori- ginal possessions, and continue to exist as independent nations. The people of Chili, though early invaded, still maintain a gal- lant contest with the Spaniards, and have set bounds to their encroachments ; whereas, in the warmer regions, men are more feeble in their frame, less vigorous in the efforts of their mind, of a gentle but dastardly spirit, more inslaved by pleasure, and more sunk in indolence. Accordingly, it is in the torrid zone that the Europeans have most completely established their do- minion over America ; the most fertile and desirable provinces in it are subjected to their yoke ; and if several tribes there still enjoy independence, it is either because they have never been DISCOVERY AND EAIIT-Y SETTLEMENTS. 151 attacked by an enemy already satiated with conquest, and pos- aesscd of larger territories than lie was able to occupy, or be- cause tlioy have been saved from oppression by their remote and inaccessible situation. Conspicuous as this distinction may appear between the inha- bitants of those different regions, it is not, however, universal. Moral and political causes, as I have formerly observed, affect the disposition and character of individuals as well as nations, still more powerfully than the influence of climate. There are, accordingly, some tribes, in various parts of the torrid zone, pos- sessed of courage, high spirit, and the love of independence, in a degree hardly inferior to the natives of more temperate cli- nmtcs. We are too little acquainted with the history of those people, to be able to trace the several circumstances in their progress and condition, to which they are indebted for this re- markable pre-eminence. The fact, nevertheless, is certain. As early as the first voyage of Columbus, he received information that several of the islands were inhabited by the Caribbecs, a fierce race of men, nowise resembling their feeble and timid neighbours. In his second expedition to the new world, he found this information to be just, and was himself a witness of their intrepid valor. The same character they have maintained invariably in all subsequent contests with the people of Europe ; and, even in our own times, we have seen them make a gal- lant stand in defence of the last territory which the rapacity of their invaders had left in their possession. Some nations in Brazil were no less eminent for vigor of mind, and bravery in war. The people of the Isthmus of Darien boldly met the Spa- niards in the field, and frequently repelled those formidable in- vaders. Other instances might be produced. It is not attend- ing to any single cause or principle, how powerful and extensive soever its influence may appear, that we can explain the actions, or account for the character, of men. Even the law of climate, more universal, perhaps, in its operation than any that affects the human species, cannot be applied, in judging of their con- duct, without many exceptions.* * It may perhaps be interesting to subjoin to (he preceding delineation of t^ie American Aborigines from the pen of the celebrated Dr. Robertson ; an account of an interesting scene relative to this singular people, which occur- red in the town of Leeds, in the course of (he year 181b. Six Indians of the 152 iiistohy of north America. I Sencra natinoi fiom HiilTaloft Creek, on llie Lake Erie, lind been exhibiting in (liut pluce icrnic rr|n'eseii(atinns of their public dnnte^, niitl niodf of war- fare — when it occurrrd to ^oim* hrnrvolenl individuals, that an ii^rful impre*- lion niiKht be made on the miiidn of tiirrl>Kooni in lliat plncr, on Monday, the S7th of April. The following account of it m exirarird from an highly rripcctablc provincial papt-r — tlic Leeds Mercury ; the nc cu- racy of thii account the writer of tliii note can confidently vouch for, nt he wai an eyc-witness of this interesting spectacle. Thesiv Indians and their Chief dressed in their national costume, and adorned w iih all the ornaments «hich appertained to their respective rnnk, were placed at the head of a loufj; table in the upper end of the room ; round this tabic were also seated some of the more elderly of the audicn< e, whilst the room was thronged with persont of every varying religious profes^tion, who though ditrerini; as much in their opinions as in their outward garb, were united in one friendly and benevolent feeling towards those *' Stran- gers from the WilderncBs." It was indeed a spectacle most ningularly In- teresting. To behold the warriors of the least polished tribe of North America mingliii}; in peaceful conference with the citizens of the most po- lished n>^.l enlightened nation; to hear them detail the tradition of their re- irtofe ancestors, explain their present manners and customs, or observe them listening with grave allenlion to the counsel and advice which were offered to them, was a scene equally adapted to impress the imagination, and afl'ect the heart. After the object of the meeting had been Ijricfly slated, the Speech of the Indian Chief to the Quakers, ab it had been translated by the Interpreter, was read by the Rev. W. Eccles, as was also the anrwer written by a friend, and the reply of the Chief. These papers having been rend, it was signitied to the Indians that the company would be grulificd by some account of their traditions, the cus- toms of their country, and their modo of barter: after a short pause, Se- nunggise, the Chief Warrior rose, and with a good deal of dignity and na. tural eloquence addressed the meeting: The Interpreter explaining what he said, paragraph by paragraph; the following is the substance of this ad- dress: — IsuiAN CniFA' — Brothers, 1 am glad to see so large a company^l am glad to sec so many of the fr'ends of our nation the Quakers, they have been very kind to us whilst wc have been in this place, and we thank them for their kindness : wc are also glad to see the ministers and every other perso now present, and we thank them all for the attention they have shown to us. Brothers, we understand that you wish to be informed respecting our tradi- tions and our customs, and we wish to tcli you what we know about them. Brothers, we wish you to undtrfta.id that we have no written histories, our old men tell us what has happened in their time, and also what their fathers have told to them ; and that which they tell to us, we record in our memory and in our breast. Brothers, it is our belief that the Great Spirit made the world and all men, and we arc informed by our old men that the earth \rhen first made was covered with water, but that some dry earth adhered to the body of a turtle, and that this earth increased mure and more, until At last it became large enough to coataiu men and auiraals. The Great Spirit DTSCOVr.TlY .AND TAni-Y SETTLEMF.XTS. 153 tlitn mudc n man, niid told liini llint he wnt tn niUivatc (he ground, hiii tli^ mini (lid not nt Spirit caiiii- to visit him In- found (he in Ml liiiii'ioiTin a'ld i>!o(hrul( the (irrnt Spirit aArd hiin why lir had nut nntcrrd and iult)>alr(l tb'' (.round ? The uinn rrpjied, that he viai loiu-sume and chi-crlci<), and (hat he had no coinpaniou. Thi* rurMt Spirit thru H«>nt away, but rrinrnrd ulirn the innn nasujlrcp, and luok out of liik tide a small tender rib, whii!) ho mud«> into a woman, and told the man that ithe wuh tu he hill wife. The (ircal Spirit then (old the woman that ihc was to cultivate tlio ((round, to viind llic houNe and take rare of (he children, and she wa» to lie very ihoice of the health of her children, and choice of her lu.iband t Hie (■reat Spirit i\Un (ohl the man that he was to provide food for hi'* family Uy huntinKi and that lie was to he ( hoice of hit wife and children and take great care of them, 'i'lie (irent Spirit (hen left the man and Uie woman for gome time, and the man hunted and raiiKht plenty of game, and the woman culti< vaied the eroitnd and took care of children ; and when the Great Spirit vi- sited them again he found them very comfortable, nnd tl^ey enjoyed them« gclvea very much, and the Great Spirit was pleivcd with thera. Brotheri, hearken — we were once a numerous people, our bMotins grounds were large, and we had plenty of game; I it we are now fetv in number, our hunting gr undk arc no lon(;er sufTicient to furnish ga< e tn maintain the few that rc« main uf us. We have been ad', iscd since v.t came here tn grow corn, to breed cn(tle, ond to build w arm Iiounes. A\ e think that thi< it good counsel, and we are determined to follow it and t^ rultivat* !lic RSiuiid. Brothers, our ancient men have told us that tlic white people 'ne (o ( ur country from beyond the sea, and we know (hat within our utvi.' ueniory they have great- ly increased. Brothers, (he Great Spirit has given much m re to the white men than he hns to the red men; he has ,,vv n to the fornv . |)lenty of corn and cattle, and wurin houses, and wofllen "lothes ; and he has also given them the Great Book ; but to us his red children he has not given these f'»i''T*; he has nr>t even given u' the hatchet, we have only the beasts of the for< si to chase, our huts ar*^ made of sod<), and we nre clothed only with the skins of the wild beasts. Brother", perhaps you were not always so well off as you are now, pcrluipj you had Hot always such good house* as this, (which seems to be a new one) and your forefathers p rhaps might once be in the same $t> tuation ns (he red people arc now. The Chief liien uftcrn^hort p.iuse proceeded to explain the manners In which fire was procured before they had flints and steel. He also stated the names of tiie i\x warrior;*, and explained the meaning of their name^ with « short description of their place of abode. The Brotlier-iii-Law of the Chief (ben rose, and stated the rnme of (he ('hief, who had omitted to mention hig own name, because added i .. .iy him. In conclusion he said, " It is our belief that (he Great Spirit created all men, and every thing." The Interpreter having stated that they were averse to being questioned on the subject of reIifi;ion, added, *' he seems rather warm." The other qucbtions were, in consequence, abandon- ed: it was thought desirable, ho^rever, to ai>ii, what idea they had of a fu- ture state. Ne guye-ct-twassa, or Little Bear, brother-in law to the Chief, rose and said. Brot crs, when a man dies, his body is put into the {> round, where it corrupts; but the blood, and ^ith the blood the minds of {rood men are ta- ken up to the Great Spirit, where Ihcy ar.e very » om^ortablc and happy : but the blood of wicked men is not taken up to the Great Spirit, but remains ia the grave, and perishes with the body. By good men, he explained that he meant men who huoted for their families, and loved their children, and look care of them ; and who did not rob nor lie; and by wicked men the reverse of this men who were habitually liars or cheats, and who did not rare, or provide for their families. The Indians then exhibited the piogress they had made in attaining the rudiments of the English Language, the know- ledge of the alphabet, and in which, considering the very short time they had devoted to it, their progress was yery rapid. A Bible was then given to each of the Indians by Mr. Eccles, one of the secretaries to the Leeds Auxiliary Bible Society. They appeared to be much gratified with this pre- sent, and the brother>in-law to the Chief, made a very good, and even eloquent address, expressive of their gratitude for the kindness, with which they bad been treated, and of their determination to learn to road and under- stand the Great Book, and to recommend to their countrymen also to learn it; and to cultivate their lands, and subsist by agriculture, instead of hunt- ing He concluded with expressing bis good wishes for the happiness and welfare of the whole auditory, with an earnestness which indicated the warmth of his own feelings. The meeting then broke up, after a continu- ance of nearly three hours, and every individual departed highly gratified by the singular but interesting scene which had been exhibited ; and proba- bly disj[)osed to think better, and more kiudiy of this singular race of uieu. I 'f HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. — — »e«C>!<^5*l®«*»^— GEOanAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY, SECTION II. 1 HE southern limit of this extensive continent is clearly defi- ned by the Strait of Magellan, which separates it from the island Terra del Fuego ; but its extent towards the north is not ascertained with the same precision. As no traveller or naviga- tor has ever proceeded to its northern extremity, its extent can be computed only so far as it has been imperfectly explored. In this view it suffices to estimate the whole length of this conti- nent from 72^ north latitude, to 54*^ south latitude, compri- sing an extent of 126°, equal to 7,560 geographical, or near- ly 8,800 British, miles. The greatest breadth of North Ameri- ca, from the eastern part of Greenland, to the western promon- tory of Alaska, may be computed at about 3,900, and the great- est breadth in South America, from Cape St. Roque in the east, to Cape Blanco in the west, cannot be reckoned at less than 2,850 geographical miles. The southern division of the new continent extends, from about 12" north, to 54'' south latitude; and from about 34° 30' to about 80° west longitude. Its greatest length from north to south may therefore be computed at 3,9C0, and its greatest breadth at 2,880 geographical miles. The same geographical obscurity attends this as the northern division of this vast conti- vM: IDi i » 156 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. 1 ncnt. Many paits of the interior yet remain unexplored. This division of America is distinguished by the largest rivers and the highest mountains on the face of the globe. The principal river is that of Amazons, so called from a female tribe inured to arms, said to have been discovered on its banks by the first navigators, although the whole story has probably originated in fiction, or at least in mistake. The native term by which it is designated is the Maranon; and by this it ought to be called, rather than by the ridiculous appellation imposed by ignorance. This is distinguished by geographers as the largest river in the world ; and the estimate is undoubtedly just, when breadth as well as length is considered. Its source is not yet exactly ascer- tained, as two large rivers, the Maranon and the Ucaial, join in composing this vast body of water. Of these, the Maranon seems to make the greatest circuit ; but the Ucaial appears to be the principal stream, and its sources arc more remote. The Maranon issues from the Lake of Lauricocha, near the city of Guanuco, in the parallel of ll** south. The whole length of its course, before it falls into the Atlantic, is computed at about iJ,SOO miles. The Apurimac, the remotest branch of the Ucai- al, is represented as rising near the town of Arcquipa, on the west of the lake of Titicaca, in 10° 30' south latitude. The course of the Ucaial lies through the unexplored forests cf a re- mote region, and is consequently unknown to geography. The Maranon is better known, and has been repeatedly described. It was navigated by Condamine from near the town of Jaen, its remotest navigable extent. Proceeding north-east, it passes through the Andes at a place called Pongo, which displays a sublime and magnificent scenery : the river, which is there con- tracted from 500 to 50 yards in breadth, being confined within two parallel walls of almost perpendicular rock. The Apurimac also bursts through the Andes ; but its |)assage, which must also exhibit striking scenes, yet remains unexplored. After the junc- tion of the two great rivers, the Ucaial and Maranon, their uni- ted stream receives from the north and the south many other large rivers, which being likewise composed of a number of in- ^■crior streams, water a vast extent of country. The breadth of the Maranon at the Portuguese boundary is about a league, and it is seldom less than two miles. The depth is in many places mt bU ♦h( GEOGHAPHY AND NATURAL IIISTOHY. 157 more than 100 fatlioms ; and the swell of the tide is percepti- ble at the distance of 600 miles from the sea. The Hio de la Plata is, in magnitude and extent of course, ♦he second river in South America. It is formed of the coii- i'jjct waters of the Paraguay, the Parana, the Pilcomayo, and the Urucuay, the two former of which are the principal streams. The Parana, which rises in the mountains of Brazil in latitude 19*^ south, appears to he the most considerable river, although the Paraguay seems little inferior. The Ilio de la Plata is inter- spersed with numerous islands. The breadth of the ajstuary is such, that land cannot be discovered on either side from a ship in the middle of the stream ; and vessels ascend as high as the town of Assumption, at the distance of near 1200 miles from the sea. The third great nivcr of South America, is the Oronoko, which, according to La Cruz, rises in latitude 5*^ 10' north. Its course is exceedingly tortuous, and it receives many large ri- vers. One striking peculiarity is observable in regard. to the Ma- ranon, or river of Amazons, and the Oronoko. The streams is- suing from the lake of Parima form three different communica- tions between those immense rivers, and that lake may be re- garded as the centre of this singular connexion. It is easy to conceive what great advantages those countries may, at some future period, derive from this remarkable inland navigation, which nature has prepared, and art may exceedingly improve. The mountains of South America may be ranked among the grandest objects of nature. They are the loftiest on the face of the globe, and are iuiermixed with the most sublime and terrific volcanos. The immense chain of the Andes extends from the southern almost to the northern extremity of this continent, at the medial distance of about 100 miles from the western coast, beginning near the Strait of Magellan, and expiring on the west side of the Gulf of Darien, the whole length, allowing for the windings, being not less than 4,r)00 miles. The highest sum- mits are those of Peru, near the equator : towards the north and the south, but especially thQ latter, their height greatly decreas- es. About two degrees north of the equator, it diminishes near- ly one fourth : and the Andes of Peru are asserted to be near se- ven times as high as those of Chili. Chisnborazo, the most ele- vated summit of the Andeip, is about 100 English miles to the 1 '51 i'l 11 n 158 HISTORY or NOUTH AMERICA. #: south of Quito, in the northern division of Peru. Its height was computed by the French mathematicians to be 20,280 feet above the level of the sea. The next in elevation is supposed to be Cotopashi, a tremendous volcano, which is said to eject stones of eight or nine feet in diameter, to the distance of more tlian nine miljs, a circumstmce which would be absolutely in- credible, were it not attested by so respectable an authority.* The heigiit of Cotopashi is estimated at about 18,600 feet. It is situated about twenty- five miles to the south-cast of Quito. Tiie mountain of Sanguay, the summit of which is covered with perpetual snow, is a constant volcano ; and its explosions are sometimes so tremendous, as to be heard at; the distance of 120 miles. Many other summits of prodigious elevation, noticed by Bouguer, Ulloa, and others, might be added to those already mentioned. It ought, however, here to be observed, that the lof- tiest mountains of the Ancles rise from the elevated plain of Qui- to, which constitutes more tiian one- third of the computed height. Chiuiboriizo being, as already observed, 20,280 feet above the sea, is therefore about a fourth part higher than Mont Blanc ; but if its elevation be computed from the level of the plain, it is considerably lower than that celebrated mountain of the old continent. Besides the Andes, the chief of the South American mountains, there are, according to Humboldt, three remarkable ranges lying in a direction from west to east, near- ly parallel to the equator, the first between 9° and 10®; the second between 3* and 7* north latitude ; and the third be- tween lo'* and 20® south. This author's account, however, is extremely confused j and of these chains, only the first and its projecting branches can be said to be sufficiently known to merit a place in geography. These northern mountains extend in dif- ferent branches from the Andes eastward into the province of St. Martha. The two Sierra Nevadas of St. Martha . nd Meri- da, are supposed to be about 13,000 or 14,000 English feet above the level of the sea. Ulloa says, that the mountains of St. Martha are visible from the ocean, and perpetually covered with snow. In Terra Firma, Brazil, and some other parts of this vast continent, are several ranges of mountains, which are little known, and do not indeed appear very considerable. The whole interior of South America, comprising the vast coun- * Bouguer, p. 66. GEOGRAPHY AND XATURAI- IIISTOr.V. 159 tries watered by the Rio de la Plata, the river of Ama/ons, the Oronoko, and all their tributary streams, is an immense plain, of which many extensive districts are annually inundated hy their redundant waters. The most considerable lake yet known on this division of the new continent, is that of Titicaca, in Peru, which is of ati oval figure, and about 240 miles in circuit. There are, however, many temporary lakes of great extent, which exist only daring the annual inundations of the great rivers, that deluge large tracts of country. Most of the islands of any importance contiguous to the coast of South America, are claimed by Spain ; but none of them are very considerable, and most of them are neglected. In a brief enumeration, beginning with those in the Pacific Ocean, it will suffice to mention the most considerable, and those that are the best known. The principal is that of Chiloc, in the bay of Chonos, being about' 1 40 British miles in length, by about -^O in breadth. In the Gulf of the Holy Trinity, is the island of St. Martin, on which are some Spanish fe.'ltlcinents of littli? im- portance. The pleasant and heaithlul island of Juan Fciiiaudez appears to be uninhabited : but it is famous for beiiig some years the solitary abode of Alexander Selkirk, a Scotchuian, who was wrecked on its coast, aiid whose singular adventure served, in the hands of Daniel De Foe, as the basis of the celebrated romance of Robinson Crusoe. It is celebrated in the \i yr.ge of Lord Anson, who found it an excellent place of reliesh- ment for his men when suffering extremely from the scur- vy. Terra del Fuego, at the southern extremity of the South American continent, is generally considered as one island, but is in reality an assemblage of no fewer than eleven, separated by narrow straits. The rigor of the climate has chcady been noti- ced. This miserabh' region is entirely loft to tlie natives, who are of a middle stature, with broad flat faces, and use for cloth- ing the skins of seals. Fish, especially sluU-fijh, apjjcars to be their only food ; and they live in vlllafT:e«, consisting of mi- serable huts of a conical farm. To the north-east of Toira del Fuego, and nearly opposite to the jjlrait of Mu^^cllan, are Falk- land islands, in 52^* south latitude. These islands li;ii Soiitli Aincricn, published at Madrid in 1775, by Don Juan de la Cruz, Cano, y Oimrdilla, Geographer to His ralholic Ma- )csly, the province of Panama extends to the Bay del Aliairante, in the north, and includes the Bay of Panama, in the south, Sant Ya^o, in Vera- gua, being the first town in North America. According to the maps of Lo- pez there is n chain of mountains running north and so'jth called Sierrat dc Canatagua, and ending in the point of Iliguera; which, dividing the prn> vinrc of Panama and Vcragun, ft>cms a natural boundary between North »nd Sooth America, ftEOGRAVIIY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 161 point of Labrador, or the Cape of St. Charles, will, by some- what of a solecism, exceed the length, which last is however considered as forming part of the length of the general conti- nent. If it should be discovered that Greenland is united to arctic lands of America, as Kamschatka is, for instance, to Asia, both the length and breadth will be greatly increased. The general features of North America, which caimot be brought within the descriptions of particular countries, are chief- ly the vast lakes, or inland seas, and the extensive rivers which pervade this portioti of the globe. Among the inland seas of North America may be mentioned the gulfs of Mexico, California, and St. Lawrence ; with Hud- son's Bay, or rather Hudson's tSea,* and what is called the strait of Davis, which is probably a sea of communication between the Atlantic and the arctic Qceans. The existence of Baffin's Bay is doubtful j but there are several lakes of so great a si/c that they deserve to be distinguished by the name of seas, par- ticularly Lake« Superior, Michigan, and Huron, which consti- tute one piece of water, about 350 miles in length ; and the great Slave Lake in the north i«* laid down as about 220 British miles in length. In Asia, no hesitation has been shown by geo- graphers, in applying the name of Sea to the Lake of Aral, which is about 200 miles in length; and the sea of Baikal about 350. But the latter is not above 35 miles in breadth, while the Lake Superior is more than 100. Of all these inland seas the Gulf of Mexico is the most cele- brated, as lying in a most favorable climate, and presenting att its entrance that grand Archipelago of North American islands called the West Indies. From this gulf a singular current sets towards the N. E., this current called the gulf stream passes to the banks of Newfoundland, and is supposed to procetxi from the accumulation of waters by the trade wind. It is distinguish- ed from other parts of the ocean, by the gulf weed ; is eight or ten degrees warmer ; never sparkles in the night ; and when it arrives in cool latitudes produces thick fogs. The trade wind, or diurnal sea-breeze, is from the east, and its collateral points, imth little intermission, for nine months of the year. To the * The Bay of Biscay and that of Bengal mt^y pieriiaps authuiige tlia tr. ceived appellation ; but thew bays slioiild rnthcr be called leai or snifi., IT (htre were any uniformity in geographic t«rm«. 7. X 162 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERKA. «outh of the Gulf of Mexico is the Bay of Hoiuhudf,, well known in the annals of English commerce. The Caribbean sea mav pevhaps more properly be considered as belonging to South Amtrica. The opposite shore presents the Gulf of California, which seems an estuary of two large rivers. The jealous silence of the Spaniards concerning their American possessions affords but lew materials for a proper illustration of their geography. The Gulf of St. Lawrence is the well known estuary of a river of the «anie name, generally frozen from December to April. This no- ble gulf is closed by the island of Newfoundland, and by nume- rous sand banks, particularly what is called the GreaC Bank. This celebrated fishing station is more than 400 miles in length, by about 140 in breadth ; the water being from 22 to 50 fa- thoms, with a great swell, and frequently a thick fog. The chief fishery begins on the 10th of May, and continues till the Ciid of September, the greatest number of cod fish, taken by a single fisherman, being 12,000, but the average is 7,000; the liiigobt fish was four feet three inches in length, and weighed forty-!^ix. pounds. More than 500 En,<;lish vessels commonly fish on the bank ; and the number used sometimes to be equalled by that of the French, who had formerly a settlement in the neighbouring isle of Cape Breton. There are also great fisheries on the banks which lie off the coasts of Nova Scotia, particularly on that called Saddle Island Bank, or rather from the French Sable, the Isle of Sand, which is in the shape of a bow, about eight leagues in length, ith a narrow pond of sea-water in the middle^ filled every tide by a narrow inlet. Hudson Sea, may be considered as extending from the en- trance of Hudson Strait, to its western extremity, that is, froni Ion. do" W. to Ion. 95 », or thirty degrees of longitude, which in lat. 60"* will be 900 geographical miles, or about 1050 British^ exceeding the Baltic in length as well as breadth. The shores are generally rocky and precipitous, and the climate almost the perpetual abode of winter, the hot weather in June being brief though violent. This sea is far from abundant in fish, but the common whale is found j and the Beluga, or white whale, is ta- ken in considerable numbers in June, when the rivers in the south have discharged their ice« Large sturgeons are also caught GEOGTlApnY AND NATURAL TTrSTORY. 1G3 Hear Albany. Shell fish are extremely rare, common muscles alone being frequent. The large track of territory on the south of this sea la the jooperty of the Hudson's Bay Company, whose chief profits are derived from furs. This sea has l)een repeatedly oxplored for a N. W. passage, perhaps as little to he expected as a passage from the Baltic into the Arctic ocean, or the Eux- ine. Chesterfield inlet is a singular strait stretching far to the west, but terminates in a magnificent lake of fresh v.atcr, com- municating with this sea by what may be called a broad r'ver ; the adjacent hmd being level, rich in pasture, and abounding with deer. lUit it is probable that in the N. E. Hudson Sea opens into the Arctic ocean, where fhe perpetual ice presents a complete barrier to commercial views. The Gulf, or Sea of Davis may be considered as part of the Sea of Hudson, and probably joins the Arctic ocean. \Mjat is sailed Baffin's Bay is laid dov.n as extending from AW'* W. long, to 9-4°, which, supposing the degree o?)ly 1*5 geographical miles, would yield a length of 7(i8 geographical miles ; and the breadth on the west side is represented as little inferior. As this sea is perhaps wholly imaginary, it is iniuecessary to enlar,;e on the subject: and it shall only be observed that the we^t coast of Greenland has not been explored beyond lat. JS", or Sander- son's Hope, and an old Danish settlement called Opernevig. In the midst of Baffin's liay many maps present a large tract called James Island, which perhaps is a promontory passing from Greenland.* As in the general description of Asia not only the Caspian Sea, but those of Aral and Baikal have been commemorated, so the vast lakes, above mentioned, may here l)e considered as de- tached inland seus. The Lake Superior, Michigan, and Huron, in this point of view, form one large inland sea, which might be called the Sea of Canada, or that of Huron. This expansion of water, is about 350 miles in length, and more than 100 at its greatest breadth : according to the French charts that part of this sea, which is called Lake Superior, is not less than 1500 miles in circumference. The greater part of the coast seems to consist of rocks and uneven ground, like those of the Sea of Baikal. The * It is ratber a large isle in th« north of Hudson ica, laid down from erro* nrous observations* Hi • ,1 > : . ; 1G4) HISTOltY OF NOHTII AMERICA. u atcr is pvirc and tiaiisparciit ; and the bottom generally compo- sed of larqc locks. There are several islands, one of which called iMinong i^ about (iO nulcs in length : the savages suppose that these islands are residences of the fireat Spirit. More than thirty rive i fal into this lake, some of them of considerable si/e, but the geography is far from being perfect. The banks of u river on the N. W. abouinl with native copper. The chief fish are sturgeon and trout ; the latter being caught at all sea- sons, and said to weigh from twelve to fifty pounds. This part of the Sea of Canada opens into th6 Lake Huron, by the Straits of St. Mary, about 40 niiles in length, and in some places only one or two miles in breadth j with a Rapid towards the N. VV. extremity, which may however be descended by canoes, and the prospects are here delightful. The storms on this large expanse of water are as dangerous as those on the ocean, the waves break- ing more quick, and ruiniing nearly as high. The circumference of that part called Lake IIuiioN is said to be about 1000 miles; and on the northern side arc some islands called Manatulaii, im- })lying the place of spirits. Another short strait leads into the third lake called Michigan, also navigable for ships of any bur- then. When the population of North America shall have diffu- sed itself towards the west, these lakes may become the ^eats of flourishing cities, and of arts and sciences now unknown in Eu- rope. Their latitude corresponds with that of the Black Sea, and the Gulf of Venice ; nor are the rigors of the Baltic here to be apprehended. From the descriptions it docs not appear that these lakes are ever impeded with ice.* The Lake of Winnipeg or Winipic may also well aspire to the name of an inland sea :t but it yie'ds considerably to the great Slave lake, or rather sea, a recent discovery, from which Mackenzie's river extends its course to the Arctic ocean. The Slave sea, according to Mr. Arrowsmith's maps, is about 200 miles in length, by 100 at its greatest breadth. The geography of this lake is rather imperfect ', and it is not improbable that • Mr. MoriPi p. I3fi, says that th»*5e lakes neter freeze, but the cuinmun!- cations between them arc frozen for a considerable time; and Iliidsun River 18 impeded with ice fur three months in the year. The climate however gru. dually becomes warmer. f According to Mr. Mackenzie, p. Ixii., (hit lake dischnrfres itself into JHudson's Bay, by the river Nelson, an elongation of the Saikathuwin. Sec Arrowimith's map of North America, edition 1802. gf.o(;raimiy and naturat. histokv. 165 other large laken may lie found in the weMlurii regioii$ of North America, which rcmuiii uiioxplored. The smaller lakes «hall bo briefly dencribed in the divisioti!* of territory to which they belong. It may here su/tice to observe that there are probably above two hundred lakes of considerable size in North America ; u singularity which distinguishes it from any other portion of the globe. A theorist might perhaps consi- der this an additional argument for the novelty of this continent, as the waters still cover so much of its surface. In the ancient continent the rivers and n)ountains aie usually confined within the limits of some great state, to which of course the description bccomi appropriated. But in America those features are on so great a scale, that they pervade immense ter- ritories, divided among distinct nations, whence it would bo dif- ficult to assign a just arrangement. The river of Amazons, for example, pursues a long course in Spanish America, and an e(|ual extent through the tPortuguese territory, if the French do not now claim the northern shore. The river Mississippi, or rather Missouri, belongs in part to, the American States and in part to Spain. Amidst this uncertainty, it seems preferable to describe the chief rivers and mountains under the general heads of North and South America. Length of course seems universally and justly considered as the chief distinction of a iiver, which becomes noble as it were by the extent of its genealogy; while the great breadth and depth of a short stream issuing from a lake would deserve little attention. In this point of view the Mississippi is the most dis- tinguished among the rivers of North America ; its source having already been traced to three small lakes above lat. 47", and it enters the sea in lat. 29", after a comparative course of about 1400 British miles. Nay of late the sources of the Missouri (the chief stream) have been detected about 600 British miles more remote. The iircount of this noble river shall be transcribed from a recent system of American geography, as the author must have had several opportunities of being well informed. "The Mississippi receives the waters of the Ohio and Illinois, and their num«rous branches from the east ; and of the Missou- ri, and other rivers, from the west.* These niighty streams united arc borne down with increasing majesty, tbrongli vast fo- • It ii now knuwn tkat the MhiiAuri receiret the Mijiisiippi, 166 HISTORY 01' XOnTII AMr.niOA. rvfin ami mi'udows, a* I discluir>^ffi! into the (lulf of Mexico. Tlic i^rcai Ic.igtli mid uticominon i?f (»J.h cf this river, nayi Mr. Ilutchiiis, n:!d the excessive niu»! ! us« nnd salubrious jjUJihtv of its wutcM after its junction vith thi iViI.souri, nre very siimular. The dircctitin of the channel is so crooked, lliat fioni New Or- leans lo the Uioutli of the Ohio, a distance which does not ex- ceed 4(»() miles i?i a strait'ht line, is about H.VJ by water. It may be shortened at least 'i.'jO miles, by cutting across eight or ten necks of land, some of which arc not thirty yards wide. Charlevoix relates that in the year 1722, at Point Coupee, or Cut Point, the river made a great turn ; and some Canadians, by deeponing the chatniel of a small brook, diverted the waters of the river into it. The impetuosity of the stream was so vio- lent, and the soil of so rich and loose a (juality, that in a short time the point was entirely cut through, and travellers saved fourteen leagues of their voyage. The old bed has no water in it, the times of the periodical overflowings only excepted. The new channel has been since sounded with a line of thirty fa- thoms, witliout finding bottom. Several other points of great extent, have, in like manner, been since cut oflf, and the river diverted into new channels. " In the spring floods the Mississippi is very high, and the current so strong, that it is with difliculty it can be ascended; but this disadvantage is remedied in some measure by eddies, t>r counter currents, which are generally found in the bends close to the banks of the river, and assist the ascending boats. The current ut this fieason descends at about the rate of five miles an hour. In autumn when the waters are low, it does not run fa.st- er than two miles, but it is rapid in such parts of the river as have clusters of islands, shoals, and f;and banks. The circum- ference of many of these slioals being several miles, the voyage is longer, and in some parts more dangerous, than in the spring. The merchandise necessary for the commerce of the Upper Set- tlements, on or near the Mississippi, is conveyed in the spring and autunm in bntteaux, rowe m in a 174 niSTORV OF NORTH ASIEIMCA. •1 '4 the rock of diamonds, because quartz crystals were found, lu the vic'niity blocks of granite are mingled with limestone^ and the bank of Newfoundland is supposed to be a mass of granite, covered with sand. Towards Now York and Boston the rocks are of a soft granite interspersed with limestone and schistus ; but towards Carolina and Florida the granitic mountains are at a considerable disti'.ncc from the .sea, which seenis gradually to have retired. Tliis obscrvini^ traveller is of opinion that the highest mountains in North America do not exceed the elevation of the \'osgcs in France, that is jicrluijjs 4 or 5(K)0 feet. T^ut trom the travels of Kalm, a far more skilful naturalist, it would appear that the rocks of North America often consist of a substance unknown to modern systems of mineralogy, and which may be termed ailcarcou.f granite^ the absence of the felspar being supplied by primitive limestone. The Swedish traveller minutely describes this substance, as consisting of grey lime- stone, purple, or ganiet colored quartz, and black mica. The limestone effervesces strongly with aquafortis ; and there arc some particles of felspar. Another mountain, near the river St, Lawrence, i , composed of led felspar, black mica, white lime- stone, with grains of the purple or red (juartz. Sometimes this calcareous granite is schistose, or assumes the form of gneiss. Part of the hills near the isle of Orleans is composed of grey quartz, reddish and grey limestone, and grains of sand. Near Fort St. Frederick, or Crown Point, Kalm observed fragments of gratiite mixed with schorl, without any calcareous addition ; and he found ammonites about two feet in diameter. Towards the Lake Champlain he observed quantities of red sand, which seemed to be decomposed or pounded garnets. The Apalachian mountains he does not appear to have examined : but he men- tions the calcareous granite as frequent in Pennsylvania, and of- ten used in building at Philadelphia. He describes the lapis ol- Jans of New England, as sometimes spotted with starry ashes- tu^ ; while green soap rock and amianthus are common in Penn- sylvania. The iiatchets of the savages were frequently of fine busalt ; their knives of quartz and petrasilex ; their kettles of lapis ollaris, grey or green ; and their tobacco pipes of tlio sairit substance ; but those of the chiefs, of beautiful red ser- pentine, from the west of the Mississippi.* * Of the same de»cri^t:oB were the celebrated CalumelSt or pipci of peace> GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 17 ^O 1(1. Id ic, and granite, e rocks .'histus ; are at ivully to hut the levation ■alist, it sist of a d which ! felspar traveller ;y lime- a. The iiere arc river St. te lime- imes this f gneiss. of grey I. Near -agments ,ddition ; Towards 1, which alachiaii le men- and of- lapis ol- y ashes- n Penn- of fine ettles of of tl»e red ser- of peac(?> The mountains in the Isthmus, as well as those in the wes- tern part of North Anicrica, arc certainly of far superior eleva- tion : and in most ni;ailin»e divisions of the old and new conti- nents the highest mountains are towards the west, us their most precipitous sides uniformly front the west and south. Hut of the Isthmus, the kingdom of Mexico, and California, the natural history and geography are far from being clearly illustrated. In ,the province of Darien the Andes, according to the best maps, seem to expire in the ricige called Sierra Tagargona, which mav be said to be lost in the sea on the west of the Gulf of Darien. This ridge with the Peak of Panama, belong to South Ameri- ca: hut the inspection of any good map of this part will suffi- ciently show tliat the ridges in the province of Panama have not the smallest connexion with the Andes, but are scattered in eve- ry direction. On the west of that province, as already stated, a considerable chain passes north and south, which may be regard- ed as a natural division between the two great portions of Ame- rica. This chain is called the Sierra de Canatagua. The ridges in Veragua also run N. and S. and on the west of that province is the volcano of Varu. Of the nature and height of the moun- tains in Mexico there is no particular account. Not far from Vera Cniz, Chappe D'Auteroche ascended a mountain of great height, which seems to have been volcanic ; and he adds that the mountain of Orisaha is said to be the highest in that region, the snowy summit being visible from Mexico at the distance of twenty leagues. On the western .side of North America volcanoes have been c'.bs' rved by navigators ; and one is said to exist in the province of New Hampshire. In Florida, chitfiy consisting of low grounds, the climate is insalubrious in the summer, when there is a kind of mal avia as in Italy ; but the winters are mild and healthy. The climate of Louisiana is cold in the nortiu ra parts. In California epidemi- cal distempers seem to be iVecjutnt ; but the country has not been sufficiently examined by scientific observers. Moisture «o called by the French settlors in Canada, from tho Nonnao word chalit' meau, the native term he\nf^ poagan, and in the Iroquois ^.tn'wir/au. Lahon- tan, i. 270. He means the head of the Calumet, eight inches long; while the mouth projected about three inchfs; the jtipe or slrm, bein^ about four or fiTe feet in leofth, was proijaMy of wood, and was adorned with fea- ?hcil. lb. 47. V. 76 HISTORY OF NORTH AMKRICA. ■■ii w f^^Rsi ■•Ifi' ^^■s! •|:fl' ^^^H^K it a ^^5^ l| If i scorns to imnloininatc in the Isthmus ; hut not to such a do^rctf as in tlic South American province of Darion, where it may he said to rain for nine months of the year. The rains, however, temper the extreme heat, which wouhl otherwise predominate in this climate. Violent storms are not unfrc(|uent, and sometime!} the lightning seem."* to rise from the ground. The maritime districts of Mexico are, however, hot and unhealthy, so as to occasion much perspiration even in January. The inland moun- tains, on the contrary, will sometimes present white frost and ice in the dog-days. In other inland provinces the climate is mild and benign, with some momentary snow in winter j but no artificial warmth is found necessary, and animals sleep all the year in the open sky. There are plentiful rains, generally after mid-day, from April till September, and hailstorms are not un- known. Thunder is fiequent ; and the earthquakes and volca- noes arc additional circumstances of terror. The face of the country is rather mountainous than plain, cxr cept towards the shores; but the mountains are interspersed with delightful vales, and the soil is generally fertile. In the northern provinces of Louisiana and Florida, the soil corresponds with that of Georgia, and the western settlements of the United States. Concerning New Mexico and California there is little minute and authentic information; but the testimony of La Pe- rcuse is greatly in favor of the latter. The streams in the Isthmus are of a short course, and little remarkable in any respect. The principal river of Spanish North America is, beyond all comparison, the Rio Bravo, called also Del Norte, or of the nortiiern star. The course of this im- ])oitant river, so far as its sources can yet be conjectured, may be about 1000 British miles, but its whole circuit probably ex- ceeds that of the Danube. The nature pf the shores, and the various appearances, and qualities of the waters, have not been illustrated. Next in consequence would seem to be the Rio Colorado, on the east of the Bravo, whose comparative course may be about 700 British miles. Towards the west is a large river which flows into the Vermillion Sea, or Gulf of California, also called by D'Anville Colorado, with the addition de los Martyres ; but the main stream seems rather to be the Rio Grande de los Aposto~ loSf barbarous appellations iiri])osed by the Jesuits who had set- GEOGRAPHY AND NATimAL IITSTOBV 177 tlcments in California. The cnufsc of thin river may be compu- ted at 000 British miles. Among the rivers of the Isthnm^i may lie mentioned those of FalmRs, of Punuco, Tabasco, Sumnsiiita, St. Juan, all flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Those which joirt the Pacific seem mere rivulets; till, in the vicinity of Mex- ico, the mountains rather tend to the oast, and the streams of Yopez, and ZacatUla, join the Pacific Ocean. That of Guada- laxara rises to the W. of Mexico ; and bein^ considered as pass- ing through the Lake of Chapala will thus join the Pacific after a Comparative course of 3o0 Britis!: miles. The chief lake in Spanish North America, so far as yet expla- red, is th&t ol,' Nicaragua, which is about 170 British miles iu length, N. V^. to S. £., and about half that breadth. This grand lake is situated in the province of the same name towards the south of the Isthmus, and has a great outlet, the river of St. Juan, to the Gulf of Mexico, ^vhilc a smaller .stroniu is by some supposed to flow into the Pacific. In the hands of nti en> terprising people this lake would supply the long wished for pas- sage, from the Atlantic into the Pacific, and in the most direct course that «ould be desired. Nature has already supplied half the means ; and it is probable that a complete passage might have been opened, at half the expence wasted in fruitless expe- ditions to discover such a passage by the north west, or the north east. This speculation must depend on circumstances; but if a passage were once opened, the force of the ocean would pro- bably enlarge it ; and a tribute at this new sound would be a 4!ansiderablc source of revenue. Among the more northern lakes that of Mexico is not only celebrated, but of considerable ex- tent, being, according to the best maps, more than ^0 British miles in length N. to S. if the part called Chalco be included. Towards the VV. in this pan, v/here the Isthmus begins to en- large, there are several lakes, the priucIpHl beitig that of Cha- pala, which Is about 60 British miles in length by 20 in breadth. The north western parts have been little explored, but probably contain some lakes of considerable extent. In West Florida are the lagoons of Ponchatrian and Maurepas ; and in East Florida the lakes of Mayaco and George, with others of smaller note. The whole of the Spanish territories in North America may be regarded as mountainous. The grand chain of the Andes seems to terminate, as already mentioned, on tlic wes( of the Gulf of 8. Z a] 178 HISTORY OF NODTII AMKRICA. Daricn in South America, but hy others is supposed to extend to the Lake of Nicarnt;ua. Even this extension would totally differ in its direction from the Andean runj^e, as bending N. \\'., then S. W., then anain N. W., so that the main range seems hero lout, or p.\ssos thion;^h the ('arihbeati Sea in the isle of Mos- (|nitos and others towards Jamaica; while the mountains in the south of the Istluuus, as far as the Lake of Nicaragua, must be regarded as only a branch, de'liiii.ig much in height, till it final- ly expires at that lake. In this point of mcw the ranges passing from N. to S. must he regarded as sptirs of the main chain ; but us on the one hand orology is cnfounucd by minute and various appellations givcti to portions ui the same ran c, so it may be equally perplexed by too cxtensiv** appellati« sj which, as in the case of the Taurus of the ancients, can only impart confu- sed and erroneous ideas. The Mexican moun ains seem to con- sist of gneiss, granite, &:c,, while the grand ( lain of the Andes has a most peculiar character, l)eing comp ised of argillaceous ftchistus. It has already been observed that the ridge of Cata- iiagua passes N. and S. between the ])rovinces of Vcragua and Panama. It is followed in the former province by the range called Urraca, and the Volcano of Varu ; and by several ridges in Cobta Rica. To the nortii of the Lake of Nicaragua the main ridges often pass E. and W. ; and the Sierra of Yucatan N. E. The chief summit of Nicaragua seem'< to he the Mamatombo. The volca- no of (fuatimala raged furiously during the earthquakes which ruined that great city in 1773. In the ancient kingdom of Mex- ico, which extended from near the J^ake of Chapala in the north, to Chiapa, on the river Tabasco in the south, the summits rise to great height, as being the ccutiul parts of a range wholly un- connected with the Andes. Their direction has not been laid down with care or intelligence, more attention having been paid to the numerous volcanoes, than to the other grand features. D'Autcroche observes that the mountain of Orisaba is said to be the highest in Mexico ; and its snowy summit is visible from the capital, a distance of GO miles. This celebrated mountain is to the S, E. of Mexico, not far from the road to Vera Cruz : it be- came volcanic in 1545, and continued for twenty years; since which time there has been no appearance of inflammation. Though the summit be clothef* vith perpetual snow, the side^ CEOGHArilY AND NATURAL YTISTORV. 179 are adorned with beautiful forests of cedars, pines, and other trees. The detached mountuint called by the Mexicans Popueu- tcpec, and Iztaeeihuatl, are al^o to the S. E. of the capital, at about •iO inilqs di^ttance, both bcini; volcanic. The crater of the former is aaid to be iialf a mile wide, and celebrated for undent eruptions, lioth are coveretl with perpetual snow. There are many other volcanoes in this singular province; wliile others are only remarkable for h«i|;ht, as the mo\uitain of Tluscnhi, the Tentzon, Toloccam, and others ; the range now extending in u N. W. direction towards Cinaloa, and beinj; called the Sierra Mada, or Mother Range, and the Shining Mountains. It is af- terwards, according to the best maps, joined by a ridge runiii>u;li the north-west to t proximity of the arctic ocean, while the centre of North Ai ;i consists of extensive and fertile pliins. The constructiot. t ihe Mexican mountains has not been ex- amined by any geologist. Among the substances basalt seems clearly indicated; and some others will be mentioned in the mi- neralogy. There arc numerous forests on the sides of the moun- tains ; and the peninsula of Yucatan is particularly abundant in logwood trees. The plants that characterize the North American possessions of the Spanish crown arc cactus cochenilifer, a species of the Indian iig, upon which the cochineal insect more ))articularly delights to feed : convolvalus jalapa, the true jalap, a native of the province of Xalappa, in the viceroyalty of Mexico; copaife- ra officinalis and toluifera balsamum, two trees that yield the fragrant gum resins known in commerce by the name of balsam of Capivi and of Tolu. The shores of the bays of Honduras and Campechy have been celebrated from their very first disco- very for their immense forests of mahogany and logwood ; and the neighbourhood of Guatimala is distinguished for its indigo. The guayacum, the sassafras and tamarind, the cocoa nut palm, the chocolate nut tree, and a variety of others, which arc better known as natives of the West Indian islands, enrich and adorn these fertile provinces. The pine apple grows wild in the woods and the shallow rocky soils are inhabited by the various species of aloe and euphorbia. A few Mexican plants have been intro- duced into European gardens, among which may be noticed the salvia fulgens, glowing with its crimson blossoms, the splendid '!' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h /. /- lA fe 1.0 I.I 1.25 |50 ""^^ lllll: y£ |3|2 e 1^ 2.0 11= 1.4 II 1.6 V] ^ /i 'S ^P;. 7 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 180 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. dahlia, the elegant striated sisyrinchium, the gigantic helian« thus, and the delicate mentzelia. The zoology has been ably illustrated by Hernandez, styled the Pliny of New Spain, who flourished in the middle of the seven- teenth century. The variety of animals is great, though it do not equal that of the plants and minerals. Among the most sin* gular animals is, the Mexican, or hunchback dog. a kind of por-* cupine ; and some other» described by several naturalists. What is called the tiger seems a species of panther, and sometimes grows to a great size, though Buffon, ever fond of theory, asserts :hat American animals are generally small. In South America it attains the length of a large ox, as appears from the testimo- ny of Dobrizhoffer ; but Clavigero says that the largest quadru- ped is the Danta, Anta, or Tapir, about the size of a middling mule, being amphibious. This animal seems to be different from the Lanta or Danta of Africa, described by Leo ; but the identity of the name tends to corroborate the idea that America was peopled from Africa. The bison is found in New Mexico ^ and the musk cattle may perhaps extend as far. In California there are said to be wild sheep. The birds of New Spain aire particularly numerous and curious. The mineralogy of the Spanish empire in North America is equal, if not superior, to that of Peru, and the other southern provinces. Even in the northern parts nature has disclosed her treasures : the abundance of gold found in the province of So- nora has already been mentioned ; and California is supposed to contain rich minerals. The silver mines in New Spain, though they do not contend with Potosi, have long maintained great celebrity. Those of Sacotecas, or Zacatecas, are particularly distinguished. The produce of the Mexican mines, as already mentioned, has by some beeii computed at ten millions yearly ; but the whole amount of the American mines probably does not exceed seven millions and a half ; of which it eannot be supposed that North Ameiica produces nwre than two*thirds. The an- cient Mexicans found gold in many of their rivers ; and silver was dug up, but little esteemed. The chief silver mines are now to the north^'West of the capital, where there n a town calU ed Luis de Potosi, more than 200 British miles from Mexico, These mines are said to have been discovered soon after those of Potosi, 1545 : they are iu a considerable range of mountaiM^ GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 181 which give source to the River of Panuco. Concerning the na- ture of these mines^ and the manner of working them^ the S])a- nish writers seem to be silent. Copper is said to abound in some districts to the west of the capital ; and tin is also mentioned among the Mexican minerals. Mercury is likewise reported to have been found in Mexico, and there was a celebrated mine in Peru ; but both seem to be now exhausted, as the chief supply is from Spain. Amber and as- phalt likewise occur in New Spain : and among the precious stones a few diamonds, with ametliysts and turciuoises, but the list is imperfect, and perhaps erroneous. The mountains aUd produce jasper, marble, alabaster, magnet, steatite, jad, talc. The stone called tetzontlif red and porous, was used in building, being perhaps a kind of tufa. The itzU is semi-transparent, of a glassy substance, and generally black, but also found white and blue: it was used in mirrors; and also for sharp instruments, being the same called pietra del Galinazzo in South America, the obsidian or volcanic glass of modern mineralogy. There are several mineral waters of various qualities, sulphu- reous, vitriolic, and alumenous ; and some springs of great heat, but none seem particularly distinguished. Besides the volcanoes there are many natural curiasities, one of the most remarkable beiag the Pont de Dios, or Bridge of God, resembling- the na- tural bridge in the territory of the United States. It is about 100 miles S. E. from Mexico, near the village of Molcaxac. over a deep fiver called the Aquetoyaque, and is constantly passed as a highway ; but it seems uncertain whether the river have worn the passage through a rocky mountain, or the fragment be part of a faHen hill detached by an earthquake. There are many romantic cataracts, among which must be mentioned those of the river Guadalaxara, between the city of the same name and the Lake of Chapala. The floating gardens in the Lake of Mexijcro were artificial curiosities, the bottom being formed of intertwisted willows. The climate of the United territories, is chiefly remarkable for sudden transitions from heat to cold, and the contrary. The wind from the north-west is violently cold, as it passes a wide expaiiac of the frozen tiontlnent^ la the plains on the east of the Apalachian chain the summer heats are immoderate ; and in some places oveh ice will not preserve poultry or fish from putre- 1S2 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. faction. Towards the mountains the climate is salutary even fir the southern stales, as is evinced by the bloom of the damsels in the back settlements of Virginia. In the northern states the winter is longer and more severe than in England, but the sum- mer heat more intense. A N, E. wind commonly attends rain, ■while on the west side of the Apalachian mountains a S. W. ha» that effect. In Georgia the winter is very mild, snow being sel- dom seen, and the east wind is there the warmest. Tins excessive heat of the plains must be regarded as one cause of that fatal pestilential malady called the yellow fever, Avhich first appeared at Philadelphia in l/^^*^, and has since too frequently repeated its ravages in various cities of the common- wealth. The seasons in the United States generally correspond with those in Europe, but not with the equality to be expected on » continent ; as, even during the summer heats, single days will occur which require the warmth of a fire. The latitude of La<* brador corresponds with that of Stockholm, and that of Canada with France, but what a wide difference in the temperature! Even the estuary of the Delaware is generally frozen for six weeks every winter. Nor does the western coast of North Ame- rica seem warmer than the eastern. The numerous forests, and wide ex])anses of fresh water, perhaps contribute tq this compa- rative coldness of the climate, which may gradually yield to the progress of population and industry. .: >^.) i :- , The face of these extensive territories is not so mintitely di- versified as might have been expected, the features of nature be- ing here on a larger and more uniform scale than in Europe^ Nor arc there any scenes of classical or historical reminiscence, which transport the mind to remote centuries, and impart a crowd of relative ideas. The abundance of timber, and the di- versity of the foliage, contribute greatly to enrich the landscape ; but it is here reputed a weed, and the planter seldom spares trees near his habitation, as the roots having no great room ta spread or penr rate, they would be dangerous during a violent wind. "What a beautiful country, not disgraced by a single tree," is an idea purely American. The landscape i» less enno- bled by lofty mountains than by rivers of great magnitude ; and is frequently injured by the barren aspect of large fields, which- have been exhausted by the culture of tobacco, and which GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 183 scarcely produce a weed or a pile of grass. The northern pro- vinces called New England are generally hilly, as they approach the skirts of the Analachian chain, which has, by no unfit simi- litude, been called the spine of the United territory. The vales in these northern regions are thickly clothed with wood, and of- ten pervaded by considerable rivers; and many romantic cascades are formed by rivulets falling from the rocks, while towards the shore the land is level and sandy. In Virginia, a central state, the Blue Mountains, and other ridges of the Apalachian, add great charms and variety to the prospect, which is further enli- vened by many beautiful plants and birds, particularly the hum- ming bird, sucking the honey of various flowers, and rapidly glancing in the sun ils indescribable hues of green, purple, and gold. Here a plain from 150 to 200 miles in breadth, reaching from the mountains to the sea, is studded with the villas of rich proprietors, the ancient hospitable country gentlemen of the United States. Similar levels appear in tl^c Carolinas and Georgia. Beyond the Apalachian ridges extends another rich plain of amazing size, pervaded by the muddy waves of the Mississippi, which does not appear to be table land, but on nearly the same level with the eastern plain. In Kentucky the .surface is agreeably waved with gentle swells, reposing on a vast bed of limestone ; and a track of about twenty miles along the .Ohio is broken into smail hills and narrow vales. The soil, though of various descriptions, is generally fertile, often on the east of the Blue Mountains, a rich brown loamy earth, sometimes a yellowish clay, which becomes more and more sandy towards the sea. Sometimes there are considerable marshes, and what are called salt meadows, and spots called barrens, which, even in the original forests, are found to be bare of trees for a considerable space. On the west of the Apalachi- an chain the soil is also generally excelletit ; and in Kentucky some spots are deemed too rich for wheat, but the product may amount to sixty bushels an acre : and about six feet below the surface there is commonly a bed of limestone. The vales in the northern states are also very productive. Aboriginal forests are so numerous throughout the United ter- ritory, that none seem to be particularly distinguished. There does not appear to exist, on the* whole continent of America, any of those sandy deserts which are so remarkable in Asia and ij ^11 } ■ ;--il;f lU HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Africa. Th«re isj qn the contrary, an exuberance of waWr oren in the most torrid regions ; which might be added as a proof of the theory that this cbntinent has more recently emei^ed. Even the volcanoes in South America often pour down torrents of wa> ter and ndud, arid nd where occur the sandy ruins of plains, af" iter the fertile soil has been totally lost, or the rocky skeletons of artcient mountaihs. The large tract in the eastern part of Vir- ginia ind NortK Carolina, called the Dismal Swam)i, occupies about 150,000 acres; but it is entirely covered fvith trees, juni- per and cypress dn the more moist parts, and on the drier white and i'ed oaks, and a variety of pines. These trees attain a pro- digious size ; and among them there is often thick brushwood, ao as to render the swamp impervious, whil& other forests in North America are commonly free from underwood. Cane reeds, and tall rich grass, soon fatten cattle of the vicinity, which are taught to return to the farms of their own accord. Jn this swampy forest bears, wolves, deer, and other wild ani- xnals abound j and stories are told of children having been lost, who have been seen, aftdr many years, in a wild state of nature. Some parts are so dry as to bear a horse, while some are over> flowed, and others so miry that a man would sink up to the neck. A canal has been led through it ; and even in the dry parts water of the color of brandy, as is supposed fh>m the roots of the junipers, gushed in at the depth of three feet. In the northern part the timber supplies an article of trade, while in the southern rice is found to prosper ; and in the neighbourhood taone of these diseases are known which haunt other marshy si- tuations. Georgia presents a singular marsh, or in the wet season a lake, tallied Ekansanoka, by others Ouaquafenoga, in the S. £. extre- mity of the province. This marshy lake is about 300 miles in circumference, and contains several large and fertile isles, one erf iwhich is represented by the Creek Indians as a khid of paradise, inhabited by a peculiar race, whose women are incomparably beautiful, and are called by them daughters of the sun. These islanders are said to be a remnant of an ancient tribe, nearly ex- terminated by the Creeks. Such events may not have been un- common among savage tribes ; and the more industrious people who erected the noted forts may have been paasiiig, like the Mexicans^ to a comparative state of civilizatioDi when an un- ^ GEOGKAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 185 m happy defeat, by more savage tribes extinguished tlieir name and power. Tliut the natives have no memory of such transac- tions is not matter of wonder, for their traditions can scarcely exceed a century or two at the utmost. ^ A country that experiences on one frontier the severity of the Canadian winters, and on the other basks in the full radiance of the West Indian summers, may naturally be expected to contain no small variety of native plants. So numerous and important indeed are they, as to render it impossible in a work not devo- ted particularly to the subject to notice them as they deserve ; we must therefore be contented with the selection of such alone as, from their utility and beauty, have the strongest claim to our attention. The botany of these states, including the Florid.is, or, in other words, of the whole region extending eastward from the Mississippi to the ocean, and southward from the river St. Law- rence with its lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, may be divided into those vegetables which are common to the whole country, and those that occupy only particular parts. The most generally diffused species among the timber trees are the willow-leaved oak (quercus phellos) growing in the swamps J the chestnut oak (quercus prinos), which in the south- ern states attains an enormous size, and is almost as valuable for its sweet farinaceous acorns as for its wood ; the white oak ; the red and the black. Next to these in rank are two kinds of walnut, the black, and the white or the hiccory, esteemed for its oily nuts. The chestnut and beech of Europe are also found abundantly in the American forests. The tulip tree and sassafras laurel, more impatient of cold than the preceding, ap- pear as shrubs on the Canadian borders, rise into trees in the midland states, and on the warm banks of the Altamaha attain tli£ full perfection of stateliness and beauty. The sugar maple, on the contrary, is seen only on the northern sides of the hills in the southern states, and increases both in size and frequency in the more bracing climate of the New England provinces. The sweet gum tree (liquidamT>ar styraciflua), the iron wood (carpinus ostrya), the nettle tree (celtis occidentalis), the Ame- rican elm, the black poplar, and the taccamahacca, appear in evfery state of the Union wherever the soil is suitable, without being much affected by variety of climate. The light sandy 8. A a lii ■»»t. ;i r-'.i '!• P. 1 II 186 HISTORY OF NOKTrt AMEllICA. tracts, both wet and dry, are principally inhabited by the impor* tant and useful family of pines ; of these the chief species are the Petnisyivanian fir, the common and the hemlock spruce firj the black, the while, and the Weymouth pine; and the larch: nearly allied to which are the arbor vitse, and the juniperis vir- giniana, the red cedar of America. The smaller trees and shrubs that are dispersed in all parts of the United States, among a multitude of others, consist of the following ; the fringe tree (chionanthus), the red maple, the sumach aiid poison oak (rhu» radicans,) the red mulberry, the persimmon plum, the robinia pseudacacia, and the triple>thorned acacia (gleditsia triacantha). Such of the common herbaceous plants and low shrubs as are best known to the generality of readers from their introduction into the gardens of Great Britain are the collinsonia, used by the Indians against the bite of the rattlesnake, several gay spe- cies of the phlox, the thornapple, the Pennsylvanian lily and golden martagon, the biennial Oenothera^ with many species of aster, monarda, and rudbeckia. l^he mouulainous ridges are not sufficiently high to be rich in nlpine plants ; their climate however is sensibly cooler than that of the })lains, on which account those of the south are inhabit- ed by the vefTctables of Pennsylvania and the northern states, while the highlands of these abound in the plants of Canada. But the glories of the American flora are principally confined to Virginia and the southern stated ; it is here that the unfading verdure of the wide savannas, the solemn magnificence of the primeval forests, and the wild exuberance of the steaming swamps, oiler to the astonished admiration of the botanist every thing th:it by color, by fragrance, and by form, can delight the senses and fix the attention. Among the vegetables that inhabit the low shores of the Flo- xidas, Georgia, and South Carolina, may be distinguished the mangrove tree, the only shrubby plant that can flourish in salt- water, the fragrant and snowy-flowered pancratium of Carolina, and the splendid lobelia cardinally. The low ridges of calcareous soil running parallel with the ri- vers, and rising from the level savannas into extensive lawns and swelling hills, are generally covered with open or entangled woods, except where they have been converted iuto tillage by the industry of the inhabitants. In these rich tracts grow the loft) palmetto. GEOftllAHlV A^D NATURAL HISTORY. 187 f.he evergreen oak, the sweet bay (laurus borbonin), the benzoe laurel, the ooinmon laurel, the wide shading broom pine, and the rod cedar. The strait silvery columns of the ])a|)aw fig, rising to the height of twenty feet, and crowned by a canopy of broad sinuated leaves, form a striking feature in this delicious scenery; while the golden fruit and fragrant blossoms of the orange, here realise the ancient traditions of the groves of the Hesperides. Superior however to all these is the towering mag- nificence of the great magnolia : in this rich marly soil it rises above a hundred feet, with & perfectly erect trunk, supporting a shady conical head of dark green foliage : from the centre of the coronets of leaves that terminate the branches expands a large rose-shaped blossom of pure white, which is succeeded by a crimson cone, contait4ing the seeds of a beautiful coral red color, and these falling from their cells remain for several days sus- pended from the seed vessel by a silky thread, six inches or more in length, so that whether in this state or in blossom it is second to none for grandeur and beauty. The level plains by the sides of rivers, and therefore generally in a flooded state during the whole rainy season, are called sa- vannas. The trees that grow upon them are of the aquatic kind, such as magnolia glauca, or beaver tree, American olive, and gordonia lasianthus, silvered over with fragrant blossoms : these are generally either single, or grouped together into small open groves, while the larger part of the meadow is overgrown with long succulent herbage, intermixed with shrubs and plants ; the candleberfy myrtle, with numerous species of azaleas, kal- mias, andromedas, and rhododendrons, arranged by t\u 'land of nature into thickets and shrubberies, entwined and over-> rched by the crimson granadilla, or the fantastic clitoria, here display their inimitable beauties in full luxuriance. The sides of the pools and the shallow plashes are adorned by the bright caerule- an flowers of the ixia, the golden blossoms of the canna lutea, and the rosy tufts of the hydrangia, while the edges of the groves, and the dubious boundaries of the savannas, rising im- perceptibly towards the forests, are fringed by innumerable gay varieties of the phlox, by the shrinking sensitive plant, the irri- table dionaea, the glowing amaryllis atamasco, and the impene- trable ranks of the royal palmetto (yucca gloriosa). The swamps are at all times^ even in the height of summer^ ^1 I I' .' ,i. 188 mSTOUV OF NOIITH AMERICA. for the most part under water, iuid are dtstinguislied from the rest of tlie country by the crowded stems of the catic (arundo gigautea,), the light foliage of the tupelo tree (nyssa aqnatica), the taccaniahacca, tlie fringe tree, and the white cedar (cupres- .sus disticha) ; this last is perhaps the most picturesque tree in all America : four or Bve enormous buttresses or rude pillars rise from the ground, and unite in a kind of arch at the height of about se- ven feet, and from this centre there.springs a straight column eigh- ty or ninety feet high, without a brunch : it then divides into a flat umbrella-shaped top, covered with finely divided leaves of the most delicate green. This platform is the secure abode of the eagle and the crane ; and the oily seeds contained in its cones arc the favorite repast of the paraquets that are constantly flut- tering around. . • Hundreds more of interesting plants yet remain, and we might go on to describe with unabated pleasure the profusion of vari- ous colored lupines and dwarf palmettos that relieve the dusky hue of the pine forests in which they live ; the wild vines, the gourds, the bignonias, and other climbers that display to the sun their fruits and glowing blossoms above the summits of the tallest trees ; we might describe the tent-like shade of the pla- tanus, the regal splendor of the crimson-flowered hor$e ches- nut, and the humbler, less obtrusive, yet not less exquisite beauties of the meadia, the spigelia (Indian pink), and gaura, but these our limits will not admit ; it is enough for the present purpose to have sketched some of the characteristic features in the botanv of a country, the most accessible of all the warmer climates to the investigations of European science. The domestic zoology of the United States nearly corresponds with that of the parent country, with some few shades of differ* cncc in size and color. Among the larger wild animals may be mentioned the bison, large herds of which used to be seen near the Mississippi, and they were once very numerous in the western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania. The musk bull and cow only appear in the more western regions, beyond the Mis«- sissippi. Among the animals now lost are classed the mammoth, whose enormous bones are particularly found near the salt springs upon the Ohio ; and teeth of the hippopotamus are said to have been dug up in Long Island : but the labors of a late French naturalist have evinced that such remains often belong to ani- ceoohapiiy and natural iiistohy. 189 i» ,ni- mals long since extirpated, and of which he haii traced n^occ than twenty kinds. The mammoth of America, thougii arm- ed with tusks of ivory, has been suppofscd to be even five or six times larger than the elephant ; hut the bones are probubly the same with those of tliu supposed elephant found in Siberia, In ISOO, on the shore of the Frozen Ocean, near the mouth of the river Lena, the body of a mammoth was observed, imbodied in blocks of ice — In the summer of 1804, the ice melted, and the body fell to the ground j a Tonqueee Chief cut off its horns, three yards long, and a drawing of it was made. — It had point- ed ears, small eyes, hoofs like a horse, and a bristly main along the back. — In 1806 the skeleton was found entire, and the flesh and skin remaining on the under side : the skin rennuning, re- quired 10 men to carry it, it was covered with reddish huir und bristles 2 feet long. — The entire carcase measured 8| feet high, and 14 feet from the tip of the nose to the beginning of the tail — (for trunk and tail it had none) — the head weighed 4(j(> pounds. — The skeleton is now at Petersburg. The moose deer are become extremely rare, and probably in no long time will be utterly extirpated, as the wolf and boar have been in Britain. The black moose deer are said to have been sometimes 12 feet in height, while the species called the grey seldom exceed the height of a horse. Both have large palmated horns, weighing) 30 or 4Q pounds. Mr. Pennant mentions a pair that weighed 56 pounds, the length being 32 inches. The moose deer is only a large .species of the elk, and is found in the northern j.arts of the United States ; while the rein deer inhabits the northern re- gions of British America. The American stag rather exceeds the European in size, and is seen in great numbers feeding in the rich savannahs of the Missouri and Mississippi, where there are also herds of that kind called the Virginian deer. In the northern states are two kinds of bears, both black ; but that carnivorous animal called the ranging bear is found in all the statfSf as is the wolf. Several kinds of foxes are also seen : and, the wolverine seems a kind of bear. The animal- most dreaded is the catamount, or cat of the mountains, found in the northern and middle states, and is. probably the same with the puma of Pennant, which he says is sometimes in North America called the panther. One killed in New Flampshi.e was six feet in length, and the tail three ; but the length of the leg .!::l; i!»: Mmi ■ '!'!i j'. ! i:' 4 I 190 IIISTOnY OF NORTH AMiaUCA. did not exceed twelve inches. The cougar is ahout five feet I'li length, and in the Nouthcin states is called the tic;rr: but it i* well known that tlic ferocious animals of the new continent arc' totally different from those of the old. there being neither lion«», tigers, leopards, nor panthers, in the whole extent of Ameri- ca. A German missionary, who resided twenty-two years itv Paraguay, describes the tiger of that country as marked with black spots, sometimes on a whitish, sometimes on a yellowish, ground ; and says that as the lions of Africa far exceed those oi' Paraguay, so the African tigers greatly yield in size to tlie Ame- rican ; which may be just< as the royal tiger seems pecniinr to Asia. But he adds that he has seen the skin of a tiger three ells and two inches in length, or equal to that of a large ox. This animal easily carries oflF a horse or an ox ; and seems to ex- ceed in size any American beast of prey admitted in the system of ])uffon, whose fondness for theories is often to be lament- ed ; and his jaguaVf or American tiger, poems only a diminu- tive species. The lynx, the ocelot, and the inargay, are smaller beasts of prey, of the cat kind. These and many other animals supply ftirs^. The beaver fs well known from the fur, and the singidar formation of his cabin, built in pcmds for the sake of security; but he seems to feed on the twigs of trees, and not on fis^h, as commonly supposed. This industrious animal is found in all the states, and is somewhat imitateiina uhnumls with beautiful bird^, among which is the hum- niiiig bird, as ahoady mentioned, while the wakon resembles thf i)ird of |)anulisc : and it may be conceived that vast varieties of u((uatic birds crowd tlie numerous lakes and rivers, the largest beinij the wild swan, v/hich sometimes weighs thirty- six pounds. Some of the frogs are of remarkable size ; and the tortoise, or ttirllc, supplies a delicious food, while the alligator is not un- knot f« in the southern rivers. Of serpents Mr. Morse cnume- ratet^^ near forty kinds found in the United territories, Virginia, in particular, protlucing great numbers. The rattlesnake is the largest, being from four to six feet in Icjigth, and is one of the most dreaded. Among the fish are most ol those which are es- teejned in Europe ; luid among those that are peculiar may be mentioned that large kind of white trout found in the lakes. The mineralogy of the United States will not supply an ex- tensive theme, as few substances are found, except those which are indeed the most ])re€ious to industry, iron and coal. In the district of Main the founderies arc supplied with bog iron ore; and there is said to be a kind of stone which yields copperas, or vitriol and sulphur. Iron ore is fcnrnd in great abundance in Massachussetts, where there are considerable manufactures, Copper ore also appears in that province with black lead, alumi- nous slate J and asbestos is said to be found in a quarry of lime- itUme. In Rhode Island there are mines of iron and copper; and at Diamond Hill a variety of curious stones.* On the banks of the Connecticut is a lead mine, but too expensive to work ; and zinc is also found, with talcs, and crystals of various colors. At Philipsburg in New York is a silver mine; and lead, zinc, and manganese, with copper and coal. Gypsum, talc, as- bestos, also occur in that extensive province. In New Jersev a rich copper mine was long wrought, pretended to have been dis- covered by a flame visible in the night, like one of the gold mines in Hungary. The middle provinces seem only to produce if on ore; but Virginia is celebrated for various minerals. A lump of gold ore was found near the falls of the river Kapahan> but there are st^vanpa^, and plains of great beauty, ehiedy to- wards Upper Canada. In the lower prgyince the soil n^pstiy consists of a loose blackish earth of ten or twelve inebes,, in- cumbent on cpld clay. This thin fnould is hovy^ever very fertile^ :)nd manvr^ wa^ splflom or never used by the French settlers > but of late marl has been cniployed, and is found in coasiders^r bljB quantities on the shores of the river St. Lawrence. The grea^ river St. Lawrence has been already despribed in the general vi^w of North America. The Utawas is the most ijqaporta^it of all its tributary streams, issuing from various i^es^ tgiVYi^r(|si the centre of Canada : its waters are of a bright gf eenisb color, \vhilc the St. Lawrence is muddy. M^y rivers of simall- er consequence flow into the river St. Lawrence from the ^orth.. The large lakes have been also already mentioned; th^re are many o(hjers> of which the enumeration would be tjedions; and GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 199 seme difficulty arises from tlie want of any precise boundary in the nortii of Canada* Nor have the mountains been examined l)y any geologist, who could indicate their ranges or iiiustrtite their structure. The chief ridge seems to be in the northern part of the province, in a direction wS. W. and N. E. giving source to the many streajns which flow S. E., while a few pass to Hudson's Bay. But there are many mountains between Que- bec and the sea, while towards the Utawas only a tew are scat- tered, and to the S. W. there are ample plains. The botany differs little from that of the United States : and the chief sin- gularities in zoology are the moose, the beaver, and sonie other animals, for which Mr. Pennant's Arctic Zoology may be con- sulted. The rein- deer appears in the northern part, and the puma and lynx are not unknown. Doth the Canadas are much infested with rattlesnakes. The humming bird is not uncommon ,at Quebec. The mineralogy is of little consequence ; afid even iron seems to be rare. There are said to be lead mines which produce some silver; and it is probable thut copper may be found, as it appears in the S. W. of Lake Superior* Coal abounds in the island of Cape Breton, but this valuable mineral has not been discovered in Canada. If so wide a territorj- were properly examined by skilful naturalists, which ought always to be a primary care with every government for the most advan- tageous position of settlements, and that every advantage may be secured, it is highly probable that important discoveries might be made. Little is said of warm springs, or mineral waters ; and the chief natural curiosities seem to be the grand lakes, ri- vers, and cataracts. Among the latter the celebrated Falls o. Niagara are chiefly on the side of Upper Canada, the river be- ing there GOO yards wide, and the fail 142 feet. A small island lies between the falls ; and that on the side of the States is 360 yards wide, wliile the height is 163 feet: from the great fall a constant cloud ascends, which may sometimes be seen at an in- credible distance ; and the whole scene is truly tremendous. NEfV BRUNSWICK Thb ancient province of Nova Scotia was granted by James 1. to his secretary Sir W'illiani Alexander, afterwhrds earl of liOO HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ; h i Stirling j and the origin of the title of baronets of Nova Scotia is well known. It was afterwards seized by the French, who seem indeed to have been the first possessors, and by whom it was called Acadie ; but it was surrendered to England by the treaty of Utrecht 1713. In 1784, as already stated, it was di- vided into two provinces, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In the former there are two considerable bays, and a river of some length, called St. John's; while that of St. Croix divides New Brunswick from the province of Main, belonging to the United States. The river of St. John is navigable for vessels of 50 tons about 60 miles; and for boats about 200; the tide flowing about 80. The fish are salmon, bass, and sturgeon ; and the banks, enriched by the annual freshets, are often fertile, level, and covered with large trees. This river affords a common and near route to Quebec. There are many lakes, among which the Grand Lake is 30 miles long, and about nine broad. The great chain of Apalachian mountains passes on the N. W. of this pro- vince, probably expiring at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The ca- pital is Frederick- town on the river St. John, about 90 miles from its estuary. St. Anne's is almost opposite ; and there are some other settlements nearer the Bay of Fundi^ with a fort called Howe. There is a tribe of savages called the Marechites, estimated at 140 fighting men. The chief products are timber and fish. NOVA SCOTIA. h This province is about 300 miles in length, by about 80 of medial breadth, being inferior in size to New Brunswick. There are several considerable rivers, among which that of Annapolis is navigable 15 miles, for ships of 100 tons. The Bay of Fundi, between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, extends 50 leagues inland; the ebb and flowing of the tide being from 45 to 60 feet. The capital is Halifax, on the Bay of Chebucto, well situated for the fishery, with communications, by land and water, Mrith other parts of this province, and New Brunswick. There is a good harbour, where a small squadron of ships of war, employ- ed in protecting the fishing vessels, is laid up in the winter. The town is entrenched, with forts of timber, and is said to seas GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 201 contain 15 or 16,000 inhabitants, a superior population to that of Quebec. Shclburn, towards the S. W., once contained 600 families: Guisbnry aliout 250. The harbour of Annapolis is excellent ; but it is an inconsiderable hamlet. During a great part of the year the air is foggy and unhealthy ; and for four or five months intensely cold. There are many forests ; and the soil is generally thin and barren, though fertile on the banks of the rivers, in grass, hemp, and flax ; but supplies of grain are sent from England. The Micmacs, an Indian tribe of about 300 lighters, dwell on the east of Halifax. Britain sends to these pro- vinces linen and woollen cloths, and other articles to the amount of about of 80,000. j and receives timber and fish worth about i'50,000. The chief fishery is that of cod on the Cape Sable coast. Near Cape Canco there are remarkable cliffs of white gypsum. About 23 leagues from that cape is the Isle de Sable, or of Sand, consisting wholly of that substance, mixed with white transparent stones, the hills being milk-white cones, and some 146 feet above the sea. This strange isle has ponds of fresh water ; with junipers, blueberries, and cranberries, and some grass and vetches, which serve to support a few horses, cows, and hogs. The Bay of Fundi presents an infinite variety of picturesque and sublime scenery ; and the Bore rises to the height of 70 feet. ISLAND OF CAPE BRETON. This island is attached to the province of Lower Canada, though divided from Nova Scotia only by a strait of one mile in breadth. It is about 100 miles in length ; and according to the French authors was discovered at a very early period, about A. D. 1500, by the Normans and Bretons, who navigated these seas; and being supposed a part of the continent was called Cape Breton, a name absurdly retained. They did not however take possession of it till 1713, when they erected Fort Dauphin; the harbour lieing found difficult, Louisburg was built in 1720, the settlers being chiefly from Europe, as the Acadians, or French of Nova Scotia, did not choose to leave that country. In 1745 Cape Breton was taken by some troops from New Eng- land ; and has since remained subject to the British crown. The 9. c c y.'. 202 HISTORY or NORTH AMERICA. i li climate is cold and foggy, not only from the proximity of New- foundlund, but from numerous lakes and forests. The soil is chiefly mere moss, and has been found unfit for agriculture. The chief towns are Sidney and Louisburg ; the whole inhabi- tants of the isle do not exceed 1000. The fur trade is inconsider- able, but the fishery very important, this island being esteemed the chief scat ; and the value of this trade, while in the French possession, was computed at «£" 1,000,000 sterling. There is a very extensive bed of coal in this island, in a horizontal direc- tion, not more than six or eight feet below the surface ; but it has been chiefly used as ballast : in one of the pits a fire was kindled by accident, and remains unextinguished. The island of St. John is at no great distance to the west of Cupc Breton, being about 60 miles in length by 30 in breadth, and is attached to the province of Nova Scotia. The French in- habitants, about 4000, surrendered with Cape Breton, in 1745. It is said to be fertile, with several streams. A lieutenant-go- vernor resides at Charlotte-town j and the inhabitants of the island are computed at 5000, NEWFOUNDLAND. This island was discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1496, wh^ also founded the prior claim of England to the North American shores as far south as Florida. This discovery, like that of Columbus and others, was unintentional, the design being mere- ly to penetrate to the East Indies. Those authors who wonder that no colonies were sent, only show their ignorance of the in- tentions of the first navigators ; and at that period there was not one man in Europe who could have formed the smallest idea of the benefits of a colony* It was the success of the Spanish colonies, allured by gold alone, that towards the end of the six- teenth century, enlarged the ideas of mankind : but even then Raleigh's transcendent mind held out gold to all his followers, as the sole inducement* The island of Newfoundland is about 320 miles in length and breadth, the shape approaching to a tri- angle. It seems to be rather hilly than mountainous, with woods of birch, small pine, and fir, yet on the south-west side there are lofty head-lands. The country has scarcely been penetrated CEOGRAPHV AND XATURAL HISTOIiy. 20.3 above 30 miles ; but there are numerous ponds and morasses, with some dry barrens. The great fishery on the banks of New- foundland begins about the 10th of May, and continues till the end of September. The cod is either dried for the Medittrra- nean ; or what are called mud-fish, barrelled up in a pickle of salt, for the English market. These banks and the island are environed with constant fog, or snow and sicct ; the former sup- posed by some to be occasiotied by the superior warmth of the gulf stream from the West Indies. The fishery is computed to yield about i'300,000 a year, from the cod sold in the Catholic countries. The island of Newfoundland, after many disputes with the French, was ceded to England 1713, the French ha- ving permission to dry their nets on the northern shores ', and in 17()3 it was stipulated that they might fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; and the small isles of St. Pierre and Miquelon were ceded to them. The French, by the treaty 1/83, were to enjoy their fisheries on the northern and western coasts, the inhabi- tants of the United States having the same privileges us before their independence; and the preliminaries of October 1801 con- firm the privileges granted to the French. The chief towns arc St. John in the S. E. with Placentia in the south, and Bonavista in the east ; but not above a thousand families remain during the winter. In the spring a small squa- dron is sent to protect the fisheries and settlements, the admiral being also governor of the island, its sole consequence depend- ing on the fishery ; and there are two lieutenant governors, one at St. John's, another at Placentia.''*^ These dreary shores are strongly contrasted by tlie Bermudas or Sommer Islands, lying almost at an equal distance between Nova Scotia and the West Indies ; but as they are nearer to the coast of Carolina than to any other land, it seems more proper to arrange them here than under any other division. U' THE BERMUDAS, or SOMMEK ISLANDS. Th£Y are four in number, and were discovered by the Spani- ards under John Bermudiis, in 1527 ', but 1)eing afterwards neg- * The itie of Anticosta, at the mouth of Ihe St. Lawrence, is full of rockc, sod has no harbour, but ii covered wilb wood { and excellent cod is found OB the iborci. : I r! 204 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. f. lected by them, they were again disclosed by the shipwreck oi Sir George Sommer in 1G09 ; which event seems to have indu- ced Shakespear to describe them as ever vexed with storms. Another poet, Waller, who resided there some time, on his be- ing condemned for a plot against the parliament in 1643, de- scribes them in very different colors, as enjoying a perpetual spring. In 1725 the benevolent and eccentric bishop Berkley proposed to erect a college in these islands for the conversion of the savage Americans ! Of these little islands the chief is that called St. George, with a capital town of the same name, con- taining about 500 houses, built of a soft free-stone, probably like that of Bath ; the inhabitants being about 3000, and those of all the isles perhaps about 9000. There is a governor, council, and general assembly : the religion being that of the church of England. The people are chiefly occupied in building light ships of their cedars, in which they trade to North America and the West Indies. It would appear that these remote isles were un- inhabited when settled b} the English, but a good history and description of the Bermudas might afford a pleasing addition to the geographical library. NATIVE TRIBES, AND UNCONQUERED COUNTRIES. GREENLAND. The discovery of this extensive region, which, whether con- tinental or insular, must be regarded as belonging to North America, was made by the people of Iceland in the tenth centu- ry ; the distance, according to the best maps, being about eight degrees of longitude in lat 66*', or nearly 200 geographical miles ; but some maps reduce it to five degrees, or not more than 180 geographical miles. The intercourse between this colo- ny and Denmark was maintained till the beginning of the fifteenth century, the last of seventeen bishops being named in 1406: and in that century, by the gradual increase of the arctic ice, the co- lony appears to have been completely imprisoned by the frozen ocean ; while on the west a range of impassable mountains and plains, covered with perpetual ice, precluded all access. The an- cient settlement contained several churches and monasteries, the names and positions of which may be traced in the map by Tor- faeus ; from which it would seem that the colony extended over about 200 miles in the S. E. extremity. On the west some ruins of churches have also been discovered. In more recent times the western coast was chiefly explored by Davis, and other English navigators ; but there was no attempt to settle any colony. A pious Norwegian clergyman, named Egede, having probably read the book of Torfaeus published iu 1715, was deeply impressed with the melancholy situation of this colony, if it should be found to exist; and in 1721 proceeded to the western shore, where he continued till 1735, preaching the gospel to the n«- 206 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. tivei, his benevolent example having been since followed by se- veral missionaries. The sect called Moravians began their set- tlements about thirty years after^ being chiefly those of New Hemhuth and Lichtenfels. It is said that tlve country is inha- bited as far as 76*^; but the Danish and Moravian settlements are chiefly in the S. W., though at one time there appears to have been a factory as far north as 73°. The natives have no conception of what we call Baffin's Bay : but say that in the north of their country there is a narrow strait which divides it from the continent of America. This dreary country may be said to consist of rocks, ice, and snow ; but in the southern parts there are some small junipers, willows, and birch. There arc rein>deer, and some dogs re- sembling wolves, with arctic foxes, and polar bears. Hares arc common ; and the walrus, and five kinds of seals, frequent the shores. The birds, particularly sea and water fowl, are tolera- bly numerous ; as are the fish ; and the insects exceed ninety. What is called the ice blink is an amazing congeries of ice, at the mouth of an inlet, the splendor of which is discerned at the distance of many leagues. It is said to extend in magnif...K.nt arches for about 24 miles. The short summer is very warm, but foggy; and the northern lights diversify the gloom of winter. What is called the frost smoke bursts from cracks in the FroKen Ocean. The natives are short, with long black hair, small eyes^ and flat faces, being a branch of the Iskimos, or American Sa- moieds: it is supposed that they do not ex<^eed 10,000, the num- ber having been greatly reduced by the small-pox. Their ca- noesj, in which one man proceeds to kill seals, are of a singular construction, and have sometimes been wafted as far as the Orkneys. The highest mountains are on the west side ; and the three pinnacles of what is called the Stag's Horn are visible from the sea at the distance of forty or sixty leagues. Crantz observes that the rocks are very full of clefts, commonly perpendicular, and seldom wider than half a yard, filled with spar, quartz, talc, and garnets. The rocks are generally rather veriical or little in- clined, consisting of granite, with some sand-stone, and lapis Claris. Our author's imperfect mineralogy also indicates mica- cious schistus, coarse marble, and serpentine ; with asbestos and amianthus, crystals, and black schorl. It is said that fluate of argill, a new substance^ has been recently found in Greenland j; a n S' n c a SI ce CEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 207 perhaps this is the soft transparent stone of Crantz. The lapis Claris is of singular utility in Greenland, and the north of Ame- rica, being used for lamps and culinary utensils. The soil con- sists of unfertile clay or sand. The winter is very severe ; and the rocks often burst by the intensity of the frost. Above 66® the sun does not set in the longest days, and at 64 '^ is not four hours beneath the horizon. H' at ;alc, in- apis ica- and ;e of indi LABRADOR. This large extent of coast was so named by the Portuguese navigator who made the first discovery. In the inland parts there were American savages, and on the coasts Iskimos ; but the former have mostly retired to the south, and even the latter seem gradually to withdraw : neither people had the ingenuity of the Laplanders. There were here only a few factories, till the Moravian clergy formed little settlements, particularly at Nain, about 1764. To these missionaries we are indebted for the discovery of that elegant iridescent felspar, called the La- brador stone. It is said to have been first discovered in sailing through some lakes,* where its bright hues were reflected from the water. The most rare color is the scarlet. Mr. Cartwright, who resided at intervals nearly sixteen years in this desolate country, has published a minute and prolix journal, which how- ever gives a curious picture of its state, and appearances along the coast, for the inland parts have never been explored. His Indians seem to be Iskimos, and their manners are very fil- thy. He remarks that the grouse not only change their color in the winter, but that they then gain a large addition of white fea- thers. The porcupines resemble the beaver in size and shape • and he observed wolvereens. He who wishes to study the man- ners of bears may here find ample satisfaction. At a catanct surrounded with elders, spruces, firs, larches, birch, and aspin, many salmon ascend, and the bears assemble in numbers to catch their favorite f -ey. Some dive after the fish, and do not appear till at the distance of seventy or eighty yards. Others seem to be loungers, who only come to see what is going for- * A large inland ica, or lake, ii laid down by D'Anville, which has re* ceutij been copTed under (he appellatiaa of a New Sea, ■&: i:N::, 208 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. wards, and to enjoy the promenade and the spectacle. Our author counted thirty- two white bears, and three black ones. Rein-deer also abound, and their venison is excellent. Mr. Cartwright contradicts the received accounts of the beaver, as<* serting that he never eats fish nor any animal food ; but lives on the leaves and bark of such trees and shrubs as have not a resi- nous juice, and the roots of the water lily. Their sagacity is not so great as is generally supposed ; but there is something so singular in their erect movements, that an illiterate observer pro- nounced them to be " enchanted christians." Even the peacea- ble Iskimos are liable to contests; and, about 1736, in a quar- rel concerning a young woman, a furious slaughter arose, in which neither sex nor age were spared. At the ciose of his third volume Mr. Cartwright gives a general idea of the country, and a therniometrical journal. So far as discovered, Labrador is generally hilly, and even mountainous ; but the southern parts might be improved, though it would be difficult to guard against the white bears and wolves ; and cattle must be housed for nine months in the year. The eastern coast exhibits a most barren and iron-bound appearance, the rocky mountains rising suddenly from the sea, with spots of black peat earth, producing stunted plants. Rivers, brooks, lakes, pools, and ponds, are abundant- ly rich in fish, and frequented by innumerable birds. Though springs be rare, the waters being mostly dissolved snow, yet swelled throats are unknown, though frequent in the alpine countries of Europe and Asia. The eastern coast also presents thousands of islands, covered with flocks of sea fowl, particular- ly eider ducks j and in the larger isles there are deer, foxes, and hares. The fish are salmon, trout, pike, barbel, eels, and others. Inland the air is milder; there are many trees, ^nd some symptoms of fertility. The plants are wild celeify, scurvy- grass, reddocks, and Indian salad. There are some appearances of iron ; and the Iskimos now collect the Labrador spar on the shores of the sea and lakes, for the rocks have not been disco- vered. Perhaps this spar was the shining stone brought from Labrador by one of our early navigators, as a specimen of gold ore. The birds are common to arctic regions, and the animals are mostly of the fur kind, in which trade our author was enga- ged. The natives are mountaineers and Iskimos ; the former re- sembling gypsies, with somewhat of French features from a mix- tEOdlAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 209 ture of Canadian blood. They chiefly live on rein deer, and also kill foxes, martins, and beavers. They live in wigwams, a kind of tents covered with deer skin and birch rind ; and are a sort of Roman Catholics, being anxious to visit the priests at Quebec. The Iskimos are the same people with the Greenland- crs, whose manners are minutely described by Crantz. They use sledges drawn by dogs, as in Asia. Remains of ^cals and oily substances have a remarkable effect on the ground, so as to produce rich crops of grass on spots formerly only sprinkled with heath. H: 1 1 HUDSON'S BAY. The inland sea commonly called Hudson's Bay was explored in 1610; and a charter for planting and improving the country, and carrying on trade, was granted to a company in 1670. The Hudson's Bay Company has since retained a claim to most ex- tensive territories, on the west, south and east, of that inland sea, supposed to extend from 70" to 115°, and allowing the de- gree only 30 miles, the length will be 1350 geographical miles, and the medial breadth about 350. This vast extent of ice and snow is however of little consequence considered in itself; and it is not understood that the company gain great wealth. An able writer has also defended them against the invidious charge of obstructing geographical knowledge for the sake of commer- cial monopoly. The journey of Mr. Hearne is indeed a mani- fest, though tardy, proof of the contrary. The annual exports are about ^16,000; and the returns, which yield a considerable reventie to government, perhaps amount to ^fSOjOOO. The North-west t-ompany lately established at Montreal, has also considerably reduced the profits ; but an enquiry into the state of this Company, and of their territories, might be an object of some importance, and mi^ht perhaps lead to great improve- ments in the mode of conducting the commerce, and deriving every possible advantage from these extensive territories and seas. The establishment of factories, here tailed forts, and which sometitncs contain small garrisons, and other peculiar cir- cumstances, scera more adapted to the powers of a commercial company, than of private traders; and even the example and success of the North-west Company seem to authorise that of 9. J) d m\k rfjr m *i ii^ ^10 HiSTORV OF NORTH AMERICA. Hudson's Bay. But they ought strictly to attend to the charac- ter of their servants, who, as Mr. Cartwright observes, will sometimes kill an Indian in preference to a deer. The regions around Hudson's Bay, and that of Labrador, have, by a miserable compliment to the parent country, been sometimes called New Britain, a name not admitted in French or English maps. The parts on the west of Hudson's Bay have also been called New North and South Wales j while that on the east is styled East Main. In the south, James' Bay stretch- es inland about 300 miles by about 150 in breadth; and the most valuable settlements are in that vicinity, as Albany Fort, Moose Fort, and East Main Factory. Further to the south, on the confines of Upper Canada, are Brunswick House, Frede- rick House; and some others, which, perhaps, belong to the North-west Company. In the north, Severn House is at the mouth of a large river, which seems to flow from the Lake of Winnipic. York Fort stands on Nelson river; and still further to the north is Churchill Fort, which seems the furthest settle- ment in that direction.* To the west the Hudson's Bay Com- pany had extended little further than Hudson's House; while the superior spirit of the North-west Company has nearly ap- proached the Pacific.f The most important rivers are the Nel- son or Saskashawin, and the Severn ; the comparative course of the latter scarcely exceeding 400 British miles, but of great breadth and depth. In the south, the Albany, Moose, Abitib, and Harricana, are the most considerable ; but all the rivers are impeded with falls and shoals. Near that singular inlet called Chesterfield there are many lakes, but thje barbarous names -would neither edify nor entertain the reader ; nor is it likely that they shoula ever become memorable in natural or civil history. The Sea of Hudson commonly presents bold rocky shores ; but at intervals there are marshes and large beaches. There are se* veral high islands, the largest of which in the north has been little explored ; and in what is called Baffin's Bay (if such a sea exist), some maps and charts admit a very large central island called James Island, which others entirely reject. * Churchill Fort vras built in 1715. It is also called Fort Prince of Wajei. -f Th^* boundary between the Hudson's Bay Company and Canada is un- derstood 10 follow the ridge that gives source to the rivers flowing N. and F . as far as Lake Annipcg ; trhence lat 49*' is satcWto form the limit. GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 211 Even in lat. 57" the winters are extremely severe ; the ice on the rivers is eight feet thick, and brandy coagulates. The rocks burst with a horrible noise, equal to that of heavy artillery, and the splinters are thrown to an amazing distance. Mock suns, and haloes, are not unfrequent ; and the sun rises and sets with a large cone df yellowish light. The aurora borealis diffuses a variegated splendor, which equals that of the full moon ; and the stars sparkle with fiery redness. The fish in Hudson Sea are far from numerous ; and the whale fishery has been attempted without success. There are few shell fish } and the quadrupeds and birds correspond with those of Labrador and Canada. The northern indigenes arc Iskimos ; but there are other savages in the south : and the factories are visited by several tribes. In order to complete this general sketch of the geography of the New World, we shall subjoin a very brief account of the islands which form a part of it. The numerous and nnportant islands which border the Gulf of Mexico, extending nearly from East Florida almost to the mouth of tlie Oronoko, have obtain- ed the name of West Indies, from an erroneous opinion en- tertained by the first discoverers, that they constituted a part of India, or at least that they were not far distant from that conti- nent. The principal of these, ranging in a direction from east to west, are Cuba, Jamaica, St. Domingo, and Porto Rico. These are followed by that remarkable group known to the Eng- lish by the names of Leeward and Windward Islands, the former distinction extending from Porto Rico to Dominica, the latter comprising Martinico, and all the southern part of the range. The Frerfch include them all under the appellation of windward, as being situated towards the east, the point of the trade wind : they are also known in geography by the names of the Antilles and the Caribbee Islands. Their situation and products are such as to render them of great commercial importance ; but ex- cepting St. Domingo, their political weight is considerable only by their connexion with Europe. The West India Islands are so well known, that a minute description is unnecessary; and a jgeneral view will suffice for^every geographical and historical jpurpose. ■I ! ■f ,- ^ <;;• 'is 4 '%': :' i 1 nai History of north America. St. DOMINGO. Among all the islands compriaed in this extensive ruiige, His- paniola, or St. Domingo, constituting an independent negro go- vernment, a phenomenon in the history of the new world, has acquired the greatest political importance, and merits in the highest degree the attention of the statesman and t)\e philosopher. The central part of St. Domingo is situated under the 19th de- gree of north latitude, and the 71st degree of west longitude: and its extent may be computed at something more than 400 £nglish miles in length from east to west, by about 1 20 miles in its greatest, or 100 in its medial breadth. The face of the country is exceedingly diversified. Towards the coasts, numerous vallies and extensive plains display the most luxuriant fertility. The in* terior of the island is mountainous, and presents an intricate mass of hills, vallies, and forests, which, notwithstanding the early colonization of the coasts, appear to be imperfectly known to the Europeans. The climate, like that of the rest of the West Indies, is hot ; and if we may form a judgment from the events of the last war, it must be considered as extremely «n- healthful. Homspech's regiment of hussars was in little more than two months reduced from 1000 to 300 j and the 96th regi- ment totally perished on this inhospitable shore. Of 15,000 British and foreign troops employed in the expedition to St. Do- mingo, no more than 3000 were left alive and fit for service at the end of the year 1797 ; and about 5000 seamen are said to have perished in that ill-fated enterprise. The Europeans, how- ever, having wealth for their only object in the establishment «f colonies, have invariably postponed the advantages of health to the views of avarice ; and in the eye of the merchant or the planter, the exuberant fertility of the soil of St. Domingo might amply compensate the inconveniences of the climate. The ave- rage produce of all the sugar lands, while in the hands of the French, was not less than twenty-four hundred weight per a»^re, which is three times the average fertility of those of Jau.jica. In the richest soil of St. Domingo, a single acre has been known to yield tlie enormous quantity of two tons and a half of sugar* Before the revolution, the annual value of the exports in sugar. GEOGRAPHY AND NATtTRAL HISTORY. SI 3 the principal article, coffee, cotton, indigo, molasses, mm, raw and tanned hides, amounted to ubout .£4,765,129 sterling. In regard to commerce, St. Domingo was the most valuable of all the West India Islands, and a mine of wealth to France. Of all the European settlements, this was the most remarkable for the abundant importation of slaves. During the ten years previous to the revolution, the average number of negroes annu- ally imported amounted to 29,000. And amidst this immense influx of Africans, the number of white inhabitants had some- what decreased. In the year 1790, the population of the French part of St. Domingo amounted to 460,000 negro slaves, with about 24,000 Mulattoes, or free people of color, and no more than 30,830 whites. From a view of these circumstances, it is easy to perceive that the extent to which the slave trade wa$ carried paved the way to that tremendous revolution, which pro- ved so fatal to those dealers in human flesh, whose grand object was to acquire by the sweat and the toil of the negroes in St. Domingo, a fortune that might enable tliem to riot in luxury at Bourdeaux or Paris. The national assembly of France too pre- cipitately attempting to reform her colonial system, at a moment when the mother country was agitated by the most violent com- motions, gave the impulse to that dangerous power, which the rapid increase of black population had introduced into St. Do- mingo. Some contradictory decrees of that assembly respecting the rights of the free Mulattoes to vote for representatives, exci- ted the first disturbances, which were further fomented by the intrigues of the French planters. Various struggles ensued be- tween the whites and the people of color. The commissioners of France had emancipated and armed the slaves, in order to de- fend the island against the English ; and the whole settlement exhibited a tumultuous and martial scene. The revolutionizing and levelling spirit of France was introduced into her colonies, and St. Domingo afforded an ample and favorable field for its operation. The consequence h^ been, that after a war of many years on the cruel principle of extermination^ the French are to- tally expelled from i^i parts of the island^ except from the city of St. Domingo ; and the world now sees the singular phenome- non, an independent and powerful negro emph*e, in the most commanding situation of the West Indies. ii ■V. IS'. ijfi::|; I : ^ 1 ii:ii «i 314 HISTORY OF NOHTH AMERICA. CUBA. The island of Cuba may be ranked next to St. Domingo, to which it is equal, or even superior in extent, and inferior only in political importance. The southernmost part of the coast is un- der the parallel of 20° north, which is nearly the latitude of the northern shores of St. Domingo ; and the northern extremity ex- tends almost to the tropic of Cancer. Cuba is about 700 miles in length, by something less than 70 in medial breadth. A chain of mountains runs across the interior from east to west *, but the soil is in general extremely fertile. It produces a great quantity of sugar ; and its tobacco has a finer flavor than that of any other part of America. Among its productions may also be reckoned cocoa, mastic, long pepper, ginger and aloes. The forests produce ebony, mahogany, and most of the different spe- cies of West Indian timber: they also abound with cattle and swine like those of St. Domingo. In consequence of the more li- beral policy which Spain has adopted in her colonial system since 1765, the state of Cuba is greatly improved. In a few years its cultivation has been so greatly extended, that its trade, instead of requiring only six vessels as formerly, soon employed 200. The coast has several good harbours. St. Jago, on the south side of the island, was formerly the capital ; but that honor is noiv transfer- red to the Havannah, situated on the northern coast. This city was founded ^bout the year 1519. In 1669 it was taken by Morgan, the famous Buccaneer. It surrendered to the British arms under Admiral Pocock and the Earl of Albemarle, in 1761, after a gallant defence. Since the peace of 1763, its fortifica- tions have been greatly augmented, and are now reckoned al- most impregnable. Cuba was first discovered by Columbus. But he soon after abandoned it for St. Domingo, where he ex- pected to find greater abundance of gold. Some gold dust, however, is found in the rivers, or rather rivulets, of Cuba: and there are mines of excellent copper. The gold mines of St. Domingo seem not to have fully answered the expectations of the Spaniards, who abandoned them as soon as those of Mexi* CO were discovered. It was not known whether Cuba was an inland, or part of the continent, till it was circumnavigated by GEOGRAPHY AND NATtJllAL HISTORY. I215 Ocampo in 1508; and in 1511 it was conquered by 300 Spani- ards under Don Diego de Velasquez. From that time until after the conciuest of Mexico, Cuba seems to have been the princ' ^' seat of the Spanish power in America. JAMAICA. Jamaica, the chief of the British West India Islands, is in ex- tent the third in the American Archipelago, being about 170 miles in length, by 60 in breadth. A ridge of mountains runs ironi east to west ({uite through the middle of the island, and forms a, variety of beautiful landscapes. The lower declivities are covered with forests, overtopped by the blue summits of the central ridge. The blue mountain peak rises 7,431 feet, or ivearly a mile and a half above the level of the sea ; and the pre- cipices are interspersed with beautiful savannas. From these central mountains descend above 100 rivulets, of which the Black river, running to the south, is the most considerable. By the industry of the planters, Jamaica is become a flourishing settlement ; but in fertility it is far inferior to St. Domingo and Cuba ; and tlic climate though tempered by the sea breezes, is extremely hot. St. Jago, or Spanish town, is regarded as the capital, but Kingston is the principal port. The population is composed of 250,000 negroes, 10,000 Mulattoes, and about 20,000 white inhabitants. The legislature consists of the go- vernor, the council of twelve, nominated by the crown, and a representative assembly of forty-three members chosen by the freeholders. The importation of slaves from Africa formerly con- stituted a considerable part of the trade of this island. To the immortal glory of the British senate, this commerce is now abo- lished, and the capital which it employed will be directed into howe more laudable, perhaps more profitable channel. The chief exports of Jamaica to Great Britain, Ireland, and North America, are sugar, rum^ coffee, indigo, ginger, and pimento. In 1787, they were estimated at the value of „£'2,000,000 ster- ling, and the imports at ;£ 1,500,000. The intercourse with Honduras, and other parts of the Mexican coast, is now nearly abandoned ; but some little trade is carried on with Spanish -America, by small vessels, which elude the vigilance of the i.(:.:i i'-"(i'.' 216 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Guarda Costas. The annual revenue of the island, arising from m poll- tax, with a duty on rum, and formerly on negroes, amount- ed to more than .£100,000 sterling, of which about .fySjOOO went to defray the ordinary expcnces of government. Jamaica was first discovered by Columbus in his second voyage, A. D. 1494. In 1655 it fell into the hands of the English, in whose possession it has jcver since remained. The most striking events in its history are the wars with the Maroons or independent ne- groes. These were originally slaves to the Spaniards, being left behind when their masters evacuated the island, retired to the mountains, where they maintained their Independence until they were lately subdued, and most of them sent to Nova Scotia. 4»n Di ba fui rU wl PORTO RICO. Porto Rico, which belongs to Spain, is about 120 Engiith miles in length, by about 40 in breadth. It is a beautiful, weJl- watcred, and fertile island. The productions are the same as those of Cuba. The northern parts are said to contain some mines of gold and silver ; but the richer veins of Mexico and Peru have caused them to be neglected. This island was one of Colon's discoveries. In 1509 it was conquered by Ponce de Le- on, the first explorer of Florida. THE ANTILLES. OR CAR IB BEE ISLANDS. The Caribbee islands, including Barbadoes, which stands de- tached towards the cast, at some distance from the general Fattge, are extremely fertile, and of great commercial advantage to their possessors, who are chiefly the English and the French. Barbadoes, Antigua, St. Christopher's, St. Vincent, Dominica^ GraAada, Montserrat, Nevis, and the Virgin isles, belong to Great Britain. Martinique, Guadaloupe, St. Lucie, and Toba- gio, are French. The Danish islands are St. Croix, St, Thomas, (JKOGRAPIIY AND NATURAL HlgTORV. ni \i-\ wid St. John. The Swedes possess St. Rartholomew, an the Dutch St. Eustntia. Ot the whole group, Guadaloupe and Bar- badoes are the most important. The first including Grand Tcrrc, fai* surpiisscs any of the others in size, being about GO miles in length, by 25 in breadth. Barbadoes, although only about 20 miles in length, and 13 in breadth, is supposed to contain 17,000 inhabitants, to export annually 10,000 hogsheads of su- gar, and 6000 puncheons of rum, besides cotton and other com- modities. Martinique is also a valuable island. St. Vincent may be considered as divided between the English and the black Ca- ribs, a sort of Maroons, or descendants of revolted negroes, tic whole British territory consisting of only six parishes. In some of these islands are short ranges of central hills ; but the coasts are in general level, and display the most exuberant fertility. Dominica contains several volcanoes. It also seems that there have formerly been many in Guadaloupe. The noted souflVierc, in this island, is a natural curiosity, being a vast mass of sul- phur, or sulphurated earth, which emits a continual smoke. The productions of all these islands are similar, consisting of su- gar, rum, coffee, cocoa, cotton, indigo, &c. A group, of islands also runs parallel to the coast of South America, of which the most noted are Curassoa and Buenayre, the former belonging to Great Britain, the latter to the Dutch. Under this division may also be classed the island of Trinidad, recently ceded by Spain to Great Britain. It is situated under the 10th parallel of north latitude, and is about 80 or 90 miles in length, by about 30 miles in medial breadth. About one third of the island consists of mountainous tracts : the rest has a fertile soil. The southern side is well adapted to the culture of coffee : and the western coast has a safe and commodious harbour. The climate of Trinidad is represented as excellent, and remarkably free from those hurricanes, which so often spread devastation in the other West India Islands ; but the ve- hemence of the north winds has been found prejudicial to the cocoa plantations. The Bahama Islands form a numerous group ; but they are little known or noticed. The soil is in general bar- ren : their trade is consequently small, and their exports of little importance. The whole number of English settlers in these islands does not exceed 3000 or 4000. 10. EC I 'Inf B M . 218 HISTORY OP NORTH AMKUICA. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE WEST INDIES. Thk situntion of the West India Islnnds within tiie torrid zone; the siniilRrity of climate, prnriuctJi, nnd commerce; the mixture of European and African inhabitants; and, in fine, tho -whole combination of phyoical and moral circumstances, place them in nearly the same common predicament, and render Aome general observations applicable to the whole of this interesting portion of the globe. A mountainous and woody interior, pre-> senting lofty heights, and encumbered with pathless forests and waste fertility, contrasted with level and cultivated coasts, may be regarded as the most striking gcograpliical feature in all the larger, and most of the smaller islands. Their situation indi- cates the common advantages and inconvenicncies of the tropical ctimntcs. From their exposure to the sea breezes, the heat in the West India Islands, however, is far from being so intenne a» the interior of Africa, Arabia, Persia, &c. where this refrigera- ting influence is wanted. In all these islands, the sea-breezo commences about nine or ten in the morning, when the solar rays have, to a certain degree, heated the land, and rarefied the incumbent air. This breeze blows from every point of the com- pass, from the surrounding coast towards the interior. In the evening, when tho earth is cooled, the land-breeze begins, and blows in every direction from the centre of the island towards the coast. This alternate motion of tlie winds, constantly tend- ing to rcfetore the equilibrium of the nir, in proportion as it is destroyed by rarefaction, greatly contributes to mitigate the heat of the climate. The combination of heat atid moisture in the West Indies, however, is such ps to render them very unhealth- fill to European constitutions, a fact so well known, as to render any reference to authorities, or any examination of proofs, unne- cessary. The frequency of those dreadful hurricanes, which ruin at once all the hopes of the planter, not to mention the earth- quakes which have sometimes proved so fatal in Cuba, Jamaica, GEOORAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 219 and other islands, must aNo be considered as a tremendous cha- racteristic of the West India climate. The productions of those islands, which in all are nearly the same, with the nature of their commerce, have already been mentioned, and arc subjects generally known. The peculiar circumstances of the West Indies, have given rise to a partici lar state of society in a great measure common to all the islands, although possessed by different nations. Lit- tle attention is paid to literature or the arts : commercial specu- lation absorbs all the faculties of the mind, and gain is the only object of pursuit. The disproportionate numbers of the two sexes, and the long prevalence of negro slavery, have unavoida- bly contributed ^o the contamination of morals, and to the in- troduction of licentiousness, as well as of indolence. The abo- lition of the African trade cannot fail of producing a bcnehcial change in the stnicturs of West Indian society. ?j(i HISTORl or NORTH AMERICA. — w*e«®l^^|9ee«<— PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. SECTION in. ^ S it does not consist with the plan of this work to enter int<^ any lengthened details of the Civil History of the British Colo- nies, until the memorahle contest which separated the most va- luable of them for ever from the British sceptre j we shall very shortly state the leading facts which occurred previous to the dissensions which led to that memorable change. One of the main causes which led to the rapid colonization of the American colonies was, the spirit of religious intolerance which prevailed in Europe, atid governed the councils of its governments— -ar, in- tolerance which drove numbers of virtuous and conscientious men into the wilds and wildernesses of America, whei6 they might have the privilege of worshipping their creator in the mode the most consonant to their own judgment. The plague, the hre in London, and the discontents among the people of England in the reign of Charles II., prevented the court from prosecuting for some time the plans they had formed against the liberties of the province of Massachussetts ; and the province in this interval of neglect made rapid progress ; disregarding the English acts of navigation, they traded as an independent peo- ple, and acquired a considerable portion of the commerce of their sister colonies, and a rapid accumulation of mcrcantilo moGREss OF THE bhitish settlements. 22t I wealth. This state of prosperous repose was interrupted by a general combination of the Indians against the settlement, from which it suffered severely : after a long and bloody contest, thi* combination was suppressed, and peace concluded with the dif- ferent tribes which had engaged in it^ Disputes now coinmen- eed with the crown, arising from the neglect of the navigation laws which at length arose to such a height, that Charles de- termined to take away their charter, and in the Court of Chan- cery in Trinity term 1684, a decree was obtained against the governor and company, by which their charter was cancelled j but the king did not live long enough to complete his system re- specting the New England colonies, and to adopt a new govern- ment for Massachussetts ; he died early in the following year, and his successor was proclaimed in Boston with melancholy pomp. One of the first acts of James was the issuing of a commission for a temporary government for Massachussetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Narraghansctt ; but before this ill-fated monarch could carry into full effect the plans he had formed for the annihilation of the liberties of America, his intolerance and despotic power occasioned his expulsion from the throne of his ancestors, and opened brighter prospects to the people of New England. The revolution which placed the Stadtholder of Holland on the throne of England, revived in the people of Massachussetts the hope of regaining their ancient charter, to which they were enthusiasm tically attached j and until the pleasure of the new king could be ascertained, the governnFient was administered under the pro- visions of the old charter. It was however soon apparent that king William was indisposed to the restoration of the ancient charter, and he very early manifested his determination to re- tain in his own hands the appointment of the governor. After a considerable interval a new charter was obtained, in some re- spects more eligible than the first, though it contained some provisions which materially affected the independeiK:e which the colony had so long practically enjoyed — By this new system, the governor, deputy governor, and secretary, were to be appointed by the crown, instead of being chosen by the people ; and the governor had the same authority} with respect to the assembly, as was possessed by the king in rofercjice to the parliament, he could summon, prorogue, and dissolve, them at pleasure; and be had the sole appointment to all military offices, and with the 1^ I; 222 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. consent of his council to all offices in courts of justice. Sir William Phipps, the first governor under the new charter, arri- ved at Boston in May, 1692 j he immediately issued writs for a general assembly, which met on the 8th of June, and who joyfully accepted the charter, which united the colony of Ply- mouth and No/a Scotia to Massachussctts ; but contrary to the wishes of both colonies it omitted New Hampshire, which from this time became a separate government. Some opposition was made to the New English government by an adventurer of the name of Leisler, who obtained the entire command of the lower oountrj' of the state of New York, and he held that city against the new governor appointed by the crown, for a short time ; but having neither the power nor the ability to make any effectual resistance, the new governor soon obtained possession of the fort and garrison. The result was that Leisler was arrested, tried for high treason, and executed. These domestic dissensions had hardly subsided, when New England and York were exposed to a bloody and desolating war nvith the French of Canada, and the Indians, which continued with the usual vicissitudes of war —•alternate victory and defeat, until the peace of Ryswick, which terminated the war between Great Britain and France, and which also put an end to hostilities in the Western Hemis- phere. The annals of Massachussetts, for this period, exhibit one of those wonderful cases of popular delusion which, infecting every class of society, and gaining strength from its very extrava- gance ; triumphing over human reason, and trampling on hu- man life ; reveal to man his own imbecility, and would instruct him, if the experience of other times could ever instruct, how cautiously he should, in any case, countenance a departure from that moderation, and those safe and sure principles of moral rectitude, which have stood the test of time, and have received the approbation of the wise and great in all ages. A very de- tailed and interesting account of the humiliating and affecting events here alluded to, has been given by Mr. Hutchinson, but is too long to be inserted enthe in this work. They were how- ever of too much magnitude, while passing, to be entirely unno- ticed even at this day. In Great Britain, as well as in America, the opinion had long prevuled, that, by the aid of malignant spirits, certain persons mi fROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 223 possessed supernatural powers, vhich were usually exorcised in the mischievous employment of tormenting others j and the cri- minal code of both countries was disgraced with laws for the punishment of witchcraft. With considerable iiitorvals between them, some few instances had occurred in New Englanl of })ut- ting this sanguinary law in force j but, in the year 1092, this weakness was converted into phrenzy; and, after exercising suc- cessfully its destructive rage on those miserable objects v/iiose wayward dispositions had excited the ill opinion, or whoso age and wretchedness ought to have secured them the pity, of their neighbours; its baneful activity was extended to persons in every situation of life, and many of the most reputable members of society became its victims. The first scene of this distressing tragedy was laid in Salem. The public mind had been preprircd for its exhibition by some publication, stating the evidence adduced in former witchcraft, both in Old and New Kngland, in which full proof was supposed to have been given of the guilt of tlic accused. Sooji after this, some young girls, in Boston, had accustomed themselves to fall into fits, and had effected to be struck dead on the production of certain popular books ; such as the Assembly's Catechism, and Cotton's Milk for Babes, while they could read Oxford's Jests, or Popish and Quaker books, with many others which were deemed profane, without being in any manner affected by them. These pretences, instead of exposing the fraud to instant detection, seem to have promoted the cheat; and they were t^upposed to be possessed of the devil, who were utterly con- founded at the production of those holy books. " Sometimes," says Mr. Hutchinson, " they were deaf, then dumb, then blhid*; and sometimes all their disorders together would come upon them. Their tongues would be drawn down their throats, then pulled out upon their (Oiins. Their jaws, necks, and shoulders, elbows, and all their joints, would appear to bo dislocated, and thay would make most piteous outcries, of burnings, of being cut with knives, beat, &c. and the marks of wounds were aftei wards to be seen." At length, an old Irish ^voman, not of good character, who had given one of those girls some harsh language, and] to whom all this diabolical mischief was attributed, was ai)prehendcd by the magistracy ; and, nei- ther confessing nor dcijying the fact, was on the certificate of ■'u 224 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. physicians that she was compos mentis, condemned and exe- euted. An account of the circumstances of this case was pub- Hshcd by a Mr. Baxton, with a preface, in which he says, "the evidence is so convincing, that he must be a very obdurate sad- ducec who will not believe." Sir William Phipps, the governor, on his arrival from England, brotiglit with him opinions which could not fail to strength- en the popular ^prejudice ; ami the litntenant-governor sup- ported one which was well calculated to render it sanguinary, lie maintained that though the devil might appear in the shape of a guilty j)erson, he could never be permitted to assume that of an innocent one. Consequently, when those who affected to perceive the form which tormented them, designated any parti- cular person as guilty, the guilt of that person was estabHshed, because he could not, if innocent, be personated by an evii spirit. The public mind being thus predisposed, four girls, in Salem, complained of being afflicted in the same manner with those in Boston, and the physicians, unable to account for the disorder, attributed it to the witchcraft ; and an old Indian woman in the neighbourhood was fixed on as the witch. Those girls were much attended to and rendered of great importance by the pub- lic as well as private notice which was taken of them. Several private fasts were kept at the house of the minister, whose daughter one of them was ; several more public were kept by the whole village; and, at length, a general fast was proclaim- ed through the colony, to seek to God to rebuke satan, &;c. The effect of these measures, as well t.s of the compassion ex- pressed for the 1 by all visitors, and the deep interest taken by all in their pretended misfortunes, not only confirmed the girls in an imposture productive of such flattering attentions, but produ- ced other competitors, who were ambitious of the same distinc- tion. Several other persons were now bewitched ; and not only the old Indian, but two other old women, the one bed-ridden, and the other subject to melancholy and distraction, were accu- sed, as witches. It was necessary to keep up the agitation al- ready excited, by furnishing fresh subjects for astonishment; and, in a short time, the accusations extended to persons who were in reputable situations. The manner in which these accusations were received, evidenced such a degree of public credulity, that PROGUESS OP THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 225 tlie impostors seem to have been convinced of their power to as- sail with impunity any characters, which caprice or malignity might select for their victims. Such was the prevailing infatua- tion, that, in one instance, a child of five years old was charged as an accomplice in these pretended crimes ; and, if the nearest relatives of the accused manifested cither tenderness for their si- tuation, or resentment at the injury done their friends, they drew upon themselves the vengeance of these profligate impostors, and were involved in the dangers from which they were desirous of rescuing those with whom they were most intimately connected. For going out of church when a person of fair fame was believed to be htrongly alluded to from the pulpit, a sister was charged as a witch ; and for accompanying, on her examination, a wife who had been apprehended, the husband was involved in the same prosecution, and was condemned and executed. In the presence of the magistrates, those flagitious persons, whose testimony supported these charges, affected extreme agony, and attributed to those whom they accused the power of torturing them by a look, and without appearing to approach them. The examina- tions were all taken in writing, and several of them are detailed at full length in Mr. Hutchinson's History of Massachussetts. They exhibit a deplorable degree of blind infatuation on one side, and the most atrocious profligacy on the other, which, if not well attested, could scarcely be supposed to have existed. Oiie of them will be sufficient to convey an idea of the course which was pursued. "At a court held at Salem, the 11th of April, 1692, by the honored Thomas Uanforth, deputy-governor. " Question. — John, who hurt you ? — Answer. A goody Proc- tor first, and then Cloyse. " Q. What did she do to you ? — ^A. She brought the book to me. ** Q. John, tell the truth ; who hurts you ? Have you been hurt ? — A The first was a gentlewoman I saw. " Q. Who next ?— A. Goody Cloyse. " Q. But who hurt you next ? — A. Goody Proctor. " Q. What did she do to you ? — A. She choked me and brought the book. **Q. How oft did she come to torment you? — A, A good many times j she and goody Cloyse. 10. V f III .Mh 226 HISTORY OF NORTH AMF.RICA. " Q. Do they come to you in the night as well as in the day? —A. They come most in the day. " Q. Who ? — A. Goody Cloysc and goody Proctor, " Q Where did she take liold of )ou.;* — A. Upon my throat, to stop my breath, ** Q. Do you know goody Cloyse and goody Proctor ? — ^A. Yes ; here is goody Cloyse. " Q. by Cloyse, When did I hurt thee ? — A. A great many times, Cloyse. " Oh ! you are a grievous liar, *' Q. Wliat did the goody Cloyse do to you ? — A. She pinch- ed and hit me until the blood came. " Q. How long since this woman came and hurt you ? — A, Yesterday, at meeting. " Q, At any time before? — A. Yes, a great many times. ** Q. Mary Walcot, who hurts you ? — A. A goody Cloyse, ** Q. What did she do to you ? — A, She hurt me, « Q. Did she bring the book ?— A. Yes. ** Q. What were you to do with it? — \. To touch it and be well. " Then the witness fell into a fit. " Q. Doth she come alone ? — A. Sometimes alone, and sometimes in company with goody Nurse, and goody , and a great many I do not know. " Then she fell into a fit again. " Q. Abigail Williams, did you see a company at Mr. Paris's house eat and drink ? — A. Yes, that was their sacrament. *• Q. How many were there ? — A. About forty, and goody Cloysc and goody G^ode were their deacons. *' Q. What was it? — A. They say it was our blood, and they had it twice that day. " Q. Mary Walcot, have you seen a white man ? — ^A. Yes, Sir, a great many times. . **Q. What sort of a man was he? — A. A fine grave man; and when he came he made all the witches to tremble. confirmed the same, and said they had such a sight at dea- con Ingerroll's. " Q. Who was at deacon Ingerroll's then ? — A. Goody Cloyse, Goode. Then Sarah goody goody Corey, goody Cloyse asked for water, and sat down as one seized with a dying PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 227 fainting fit ; and several of the afflicted fell into fits, and some of them cried out, Oh ! her spirit is gone to prison to her sister Nurse. " Q. Elizal)eth Proctor j you understand whereof you are charged, viz. to be guilty of sundry acts of witchcraft; what j«ay you to it ? Speak the truth. And so you that are afflicted, you must speak the truth, as you will answer it before God ano- ther day. Mary Walcot, doth this woman hurt you ? — A. I ne- ver saw her so as to be hurt by her. " Q. Mary Lewis, docs she hurt you? — Her mouth was stopped. " Q. Ann Putnam, does she hurt you ? — She could not speak. ** Q. Abigail \\'illiams, does she hurt you ? — Her hand was thrust into her own mouth. " Q. John, does she hurt you ? — A. This is the woman that came in her shift and choked mc. " Q. Did she ever bring the book ? — A. Yes, Sir» « Q. What to do ?— A. To write. " Q. What, this woman ?. — A. Yes, Sir. " Q. Are you sure of it ? — A. Yes, Sir. ** Again Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam were spoken to by the court ; but neither of them could make any answer, by rea- son jf dumbness or other fits. ** Q. What do you say, goody Proctor, to these things ? — ^A. I take God in heaven to be my witness that I know nothing of it, no more than the child unborn. " Q. Ann Putnam, doth this woman hurt you ? — A. Yes, Sir, a great many times. ** Then the accused looked on them, and they fell into fits, •'Q. She does not bring the book to you, does she? — A. Yes, Sir, often, and saith she hath made her maid set her hand to it. " Q. Abigail Williams, does thia woman hurt \ou ? — A. Yes, Sir, often. " Q. Does she bring the book to you '.' — A. Yes. " Q. What would she have you tp do with it ? — ^A. To write in it, and I shall be well. *' Did not you, said Abigail to the accused, tell me that your maid had written ? Answer, Proctor. — Dear child, it is not so. Tiicre is another judgment, dear child. Hi f f Pi: 228 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ! " Then Abigail and Ann had fits. By and by they cried out, look you, ^here is goody Proctor upon the . By and by both of them cried out upon goodinan Proctor himself, and said he was a wizard. Immediately many, if not ail, of the be- witched had grievous fits. ** Q. Ann Putnam, who hurt you ? — A. Goodman Proctor, and his wife too. " Afterwards some of the afflicted cried, there is Proctor go- ing to take up Mrs. Pope's feet ; and her feet were immediately taken up. " Q. What do you say, goodman Proctor, to these things ? — A. I know not, I am innocent. " Abigail Williams cried out, there is goodman Proctor going to Mrs. Pope, and immediately said Pope fell into a fit. You see the devil will deceive you > the children could see what you was going to do before the woman was hurt. I would advise you to repentance, for the devil is bringing you out. Abigail Williams cried out again, there is goodman Proctor going to hurt goody Bibber ; and immediately goody Bibber fell into a fit. There was the like of Mary Walcot, and divers others. Ben- jamin Gould gave his testimony, that he had seen goodman and his wife, Proctor and his wife, goody Cloyse, goody Nurse, and goody Griggs, in his chamber last Thursday night. Elizabeth Hubbard was in a trance during the whole examination. During the examination of Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam both made offer to strike at said Proctor; but when Abigail's hand came near, it opened, whereas it was made up into a fist before, and came down ex- ceedingly lightly as it drew near to said Proctor j and at length, with open and extended fingers, touched Proctor's head very lightly. Immediately Abigail cried out, her fingers, her fingers, her fingers burned j and Ann Putnam took on most grievously of her husband, and sunk down.'' Upon such senseless jargon as this, many persons of sober lives and unblemished characters were committed to prison ; and the public prejudices had already pronounced their doom. Against charges of this nature, thus conducted, no defence coulu possibly be made. To be criminated, was to be found guilty. The very grossness of the imposition seemed to secure PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 229 its success, and the absurdity of the accusation to establisli the verity of the charge. The consternation became almost universal. It was soon per- ceived that all attempts to establish innocence must be ineffectu- al ; and the person accused could only hope to obtain safety by confessing th.e truth of the charge, and criminating others. The extent of crime to be introduced by such a state of things, may readily be conceived. Every feeling of humanity is shocked, when we learn, that, to save themselves, children accused their parents ; in some instancci, parents their children ; and, in one case, sentence of death was pronounced against a husband, on the testimony of his wife. There were examples of persom who, under the terrors of examination, confessed themselves guilty, and accused others ; but, unable afterwards to support the reproaches of conscience, retracted their confessions, under the persuasions, that death would be the consequence of doing so. One of these retrac- tions will be inserted. " The humble declaration of Margaret Jacobs, unto the ho- nored court now sitting at Salem, shovveth : That whereas your poor and humble declarant, being closely confined here in Salem gaol, for the crime of witchcraft, which crime, thanks be to the Lord, I am altogether ignorant of, as will appear at the great day of jugdment: May it please your honored court, I was cried out upon by some of the possessed persons, as afflicting them; whereupon I was brought to my examination, which persons at the sight of me fell down, which did very much startle and aflfright me. The Lord above knows I knew nothing, in the least mea- sure, how or who afflicted them. They told me, without doubt I did, or else they would not fall down at me : they told me, if I would not confess, i should be put down in the dungeon, and would be hanged; but, if I would confess, I should have my life; the which did so affright me with my own vile wicked heart, to save my life, made me make the like confession I did ; which confession may it please the honored court, is altogether false and untrue. The very first night after I had made confes- sion, I was in such horror of conscience that I could not sleep, for fear the devil would carry me away for telling such horrid lies. I was, may it please the honored court, sworn to my con- fession as I understand since ; but thcn^ at that tiisc; was ig- tj iM; 230 histohy of north America. norant of it, not knowing what an oath did mean. The Lord I hope, in whom I trust, out of the abundance of his inerqy, will forgive me my false forswearing of myself: what I said was altogether false, against my grandfather and Mr. Hurroughs, which I did to save my life and to have my liberty ; but the Lord charging it to my conscience, made me in so much horror, that I could not contain my.->elf before I had denied my confes- sion, which I did, though I saw nothing but death before mc, choosing rather death, with a quiet conscience, than to live in such horror, which I could not suffer. Whereupon my denying my confession, I was committed to close prison, where I have enjoyed more felicity in spirit, a thousand times, than I did be- fore my enlargement. And now, may it please your honors, your declarant having in part given your honors a des: iption of, my condition, do leave it to your honors* pious and judicious discretions to take pity and compassion on my young and tender years, to act and do with me as the Lord above and your honors shall say good, having no friend but the Lord to plead my cause for me ; not being guilty, in the least measure, of the crime of witchcraft, nor any other sin that deserves death from men : and your poor and humble declarant shall for ever pray, as she is bound in duty, for your honor's happiness in this life, and eter- nal felicity 'n the world to come." During this reign of popular prejudice, the bounds of proba- bility were so far transcended, that we scarcely know how to give credit to the welUattested fact, that, among those who were permitted to save themselves by confessing that they were witches, and joining in the accusation of their parents, were to be found children from seven to ten years of age ! Among the numbers who were accused, only one person was acquitted. For this, he w^ indebted to one of the girls who would not join the others in criminating him. The examination had commenced in February, and the list of commitments had swelled to a lament* able bulk by June, when the new charter having arrived, com- missioners of oyer and terminer were appointed for the trial of persons charged with witchcraft. By this court, a considerable number were condemned, of whom nineteen, protesting their ignorance, were executed. It is observed by Mr. Hutchinson, that those who were condemned and not executed had most pro- bably saved themselves by a confession of their guilt. PROr.TlESS OF THE BIIITISH SETTLEMENTS, 231 Fortunately for those who were still to be tried, the legislature convened under the new charter, ereatcd a regular tribunal for the trial of criminal as well as civil cases, and the court of com- missioners rose to set no more. The first session of the regular court for the trial of criminal cases was to be held in January, and thik delay was favorable to reflection and to the recovery of the public reason. Other causes contributed to this event. There remained yet in the various prisons of the colony a vast number of women, many of whom were of the rr.ost reputable families in the towns in which they had resided; and many of the very first rank had been hinted at, and some expressly im- med, by the bewitched and confessing witches. A Mr. Brad- street, who hud been appointed one of the council, and was boon after the old governor of that name, but who, as a justice of the peace, was suspected of not prosecuting with sufficient rigor, was named by the witnesses as a confederate, and found it necessary to abscond. The gcvcrnor's lady, it is said, and the wife of one of the ministers, who had favored this persecution, were among the accused ; and a charge was also brought against the secretary of the colony of Connecticut. Although 'he violence of the torrent of prejudice w ^ begin- ning to abate, yet the grand jury, in January, found true bills against fifty persons, but of those brought to tiial, only three were condemned, and they were not executed. All those who were not tried in January, were discharged by order of the go- vernor; and never says Mr. Hutchinson, has such a jail delivery been known in New England; and never was there given a more melancholy proof of the degree of depravity always to be counted on when the public passions countenance crime. I v:- I ft POLITICAL HISTORY, AND iblc on, ro- Revolution of North America, We have seen that America was originally peopled by uncivil- , ized tribes, who lived mostly by hunting and fishing ; and that the Europeans, who first visited these shores, treating the na- 232 HISTORY OK NORTH AMERICA. tlvcfl as wild beasts of the forests, which have no property in the woods where they roam, piut in propori.ion to the progress of population, and the growth of the American trade, the jealousies of the nations, which had made early discoveries and settlements on this, coast, were alarmed j ancient claims were revived ; and each power took measures to extend and secure its own possessions at the expence of a rival. By a treaty of Utrecht in 1/13, the English claimed a right of cutting logwood in the Bay of Campeachy, in South Ameri- ca. In the exercise of this right, the Eng-Hsh merchants had frequent opportunities of carrying on a contraband trade with the Spanish settlements on the continent. To remedy this evil, the Spanirrds resolved to annihilate a claim, which, though of- ten acknowledged, had never been clearly ascertained. To effect this design they captured the English vessels, which they found along the Spanish coast, and many of the British subjects were doomed to work in the mines of Potosi. Repeated severities of this kind produced a war between England and Spain, in 1739. Porto Bello was taken from the Spaniards by Admiral Vernon. Commodore Anson, with a squadron of ships, sailed to the South Seas, distressed the Spanish settlements on the western shore of America, and took a galleon laden with immense riches. But, in 1741, a formidable armament, destimed to attack Car- thagena; under the command of Lord Cathcart, returned unsuc- PROGRESS OF THE nUTTISII SETTLE MF.N'TS. 233 ressfiil, with the loss of upwards of 12,000 Hritish soldiers and seamen ; find the dcfent of the expedition raisod a eiainor against the minister, Sir Unh( rt Walpraddock marched against Fort du Quesne, but, in penetrating through the wilderness, he incautiously fell into an ambuscade, and suffered a total defeat. General Brad- dock was killed ; but the enemy not pursuing the vanquished across the river, being eager in plundering the baggage of the dead, a part ot his troops were saved by flight under the conduct of the celebrated Washington, at that time a colonel, who then 10. G g f S34 JIISTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. began to exhibit proofs of those military talents, by which he af- terwards conducted the armies of America to victory, and his country to independence. The ill success of these expeditions left the English settlements in America exposed to the depredations of hoth the French and Indians. It was not until the campaign of I/."'^, that affairs assumed a more favorable aspect in America. But, upon a change of administration, Mr. Pitt was appointed minister, and the opera- tions of war became more vigorous and successful. Ceneral Amherst was sent to take possession of Cape Breton ; and, after a warm siege, the garrison of Louisburg surrendered by capitUr lation. General Forbes was successful in taking possession of Fort du Qucsne, which the French thought fit to abandon. But General Abcrcronibie, who commanded the troops destined to act against the French at Crown Point and Ticoiideroga, at- tacked the lines at Ticondeioga, and was defeated with a terri- ble slaughter of his troops. After this defeat, he returned to his camp at Lake George. The next year, more effectual measures were taken to subdue the French in America. General Prideaux and Sir William Johnson began the operations of the campaign by taking the French fort near Niagara. General Amherst took possession of the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, whicli the French had abandoned. But the decisive blow, which proved fatal to the French interests in America, was the defeat of the French army, and the taking of Quebec, by the brave General Wolfe. Quebec stands on the north side of the St. Lawrence, and on the west of the St. Charles, which latter river empties into the former immediately below the town. Its fortifications are strong, and the city elegant and extensive. It consists of an upper and a loner town ; the lower is built on the strand which stretches Jr'.nng the base of the lofty rock on which the npper is situated. This rock continues with a bold and steep front far to the westward, parallel to and near the river St. Lawrence. On this side, therefore, the city might well be deemed inaccessible. On the other it was protected by the river St. Charles, in which were several armed vessels auu floating batteries, deriving addi- tional security from a strong boom drawn across its mouth* The channel of this river is rough and broken, and its borders inter- sected with ravines. On its left or eastern hank was encamped a French army strongly entrenched, and amounting, according PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 235 to all the Engli&h accounts, to 10,000 men. The encampment extended from the St. Charles eastward to the river Montmo- rency ; and its rear was covered by an almost impenetrable wood. To render this army still more formidable, it was com- nianded by a general, who, in the course of the present war, had already given signal proofs of active courage and consum- mate prudence. The same Marquis de Montcalm, who, when strong enough to act offensively, had so rapidly carried Oswego and Fort William- Henry j and who, when reduced to the defen- sive, had driven Abercrombie with so much slaughter from the walls of Ticonderoga, was now at the head of the army which covered Quebec, and was an antagonist in all respects worthy of Wolfe. Although perceiving in their full extent the diiBculties with which he was environed, the British general possessed a mind too ardent, and too replete with military entl usiasm, to yield to them. Unpromising as were his prospects, h'^ did nr t hesitate respecting the part it became him to take. lie could not sub- mit to the disgrace of relinquishing an enterprise intrusted to him, while any human means for accomplishing his object remain- ed unessayed. He took possession of Point Levi, on the southern side of the St. Lawrence, where he erected several heavy batteries, which were opened on the town. These did great execution among the houses, many of which were set on hre and reduced to ashes, but n)ade no considerable impression on the fortifications. The works were too strong, and at too great a distance from Point Levi, to be essentially affected by a cannonade from thence. Nor could his ships be employed in this service. The eleva- tion of the principal fortifications placed them beyond the reach of the fleet ; and the river was so commanded by the batteries on shore, as to render a station in it near the town entirely ine- ligible. The English general was sensible of the impracticability of reducing the place, unless he should be enabled to erect his bat- teries on the north side of St. Lawrence ; to effect which he de- termined to use his utmost endeavours to bring Montcalm to a decisive engagement. After several unavailing attempts, by the use of every military mana'uvrc his mind could suggest, to draw that experienced and 236 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. cautious ofticer from the strong and advantageous post he occu- pied, Wolfe resolved to pass the Montmorency, and to attack him in his iuticnchments. Should even this hardy enterprise prove successful, ihe rivir St. Charles would still present an ob- stacle to his views not easily to be surmounted : but, to use his own heroic language, he was aware that " a victorious army finds no difficulties." In consequence of this resolution, thirteen companies of Eng- lish grenadiers, and part of the second battalion of royal Ameri- cans, were ordered to be landed near the mouth of the Montmo- rency, under cover of the cannon of the ships of war ; while two divisions, under Generals Townehend and Murray, prepared to cross that river higher up. The original plan was, to attack, first, a detached redoubt close to the water's edge, apparently unprotected by the fire from the intrenchments, in the hope that Montcalm might be induced to support this work ; in which case it would be in the power of Wolfe to bring on the general en- gagement he so much desired. Should the French general sub- mit to the loss of this redoubt, \vithout any effort to preserve it, he might from thence examine with coolness the situation of the enemy ; throw his army over the Montmorency ; and regulate, by circumstances, his future operations. On the approach of the British troops the redoubt was eva- cuated ; and Wolfe observing some confusion in the French camp changed his original purpose, and determined to avail himself oS the supposed impression of the moment, and not to defer the meditated attack. With this view he directed the grenadiers and royal Americans to form on the beach ; where they were to wait until the whole army should be formed, and they should be pro- perly sustained. Orders were at the same time dispatched to Townshend and Murray to have their divisions in readiness for fording the river. Disregarding the orders which had been given, the grenadiers and royal Americans rushed forward with impetuous and irregu- lar valor on the intrenchments of the enemy ; where they were received with so steady and well supported a fire, that they were soon thrown into confusion, and suffered very severely in their re- treat. The General advancing in person with the remaining bri- gades, the fugitives formed again in the rear of the army : but the plan of attack was effectually disconcerted, and the English PllOGEESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 337 commander was compelled to give orders for repassing the river, and returning to the Island of Orleans ; which was effected, not without considerable loss. Rendered sensible by this disaster of the impracticability of approaching Quebec on the side of the Montmorency, while Montcalm chose to retain the strong post he at present occupi- ed, the whole attention of Wolfe was once more turned to the St. Lawrence. A plan was formed, in concert with the admiral, for the pur- pose of destroying the French ships, and distracting the enemy by descents on the bank; and 1200 men, under the command of General Murray, were embarked in transports for its execu- tion. The bank of the rivsr, where practicable, was not unde- fended. He made two vigorous attempts to land on the northern shore without success. In the third he was more fortunate. By a sudden descent at Chambaud he burnt a valuable magazine filled with clothing, arms, ammunition, and provisions ; but the main object of the expedition, which was the destruction of the French si.*: is in the river, totally miscarried. They were secu- red in sv: ' Planner as not to be approached either by the fleet or army. - -ay was, therefore, recalled by the commander-in- chief. He returned disappointed ; but brought with him the in- telligence that Niagara was taken ; that Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been abandoned ; and that General Amherst was ma- king preparations to attack the Isle aux Noix. This intelligence was joyfully received, but it promised no immediate assistance ; and the season for action was rapidly wabcing away. Nor was it easy for Wolfe to avoid contrasting the success attending British arms under other auspices, with the ill fortune hitherto experienced by himself. His mind, alike lofty and susceptible, was deeply impressed by the disaster at Montmorency ; and the extreme chagrin of his spirits preying on his delicate frame sensibly affected his health. He was observed frequently to sigh ; and, as if life was only valuable while it add- ed to his glory, " he declared to his intimate friends his resolu- tion not to survive the disgrace he imagined would attend the failure of his enterprise." His dispatches, addressed alwut this time ta Mr. Pitt, evince his perfect sense of the almost despe- rate situation of his affairs, and seemed intended to prepare the nation for the ill success with which he was threatened. ** We 238 HISTORY or NORTH AMIiRICA. have," said he, *' almast the whole force of Canada to oppose. In such a choice of difficulties I own mynelf at a loss how to de- termine. The affairs of Great Britain, I know, require the most vigorous measures ; but the courage of a handful of brave men should be exercised only where there is hope of a favorrible event." " The whole letter," says Mr. Belaham, " exhibits a picture of gloomy grandeur, of a mind revolving and meditating designs of the temerity of which it is perfectly conscious." Nor is the delicacy it manifests less worthy of recollection than its magnanimity. Severely as he must have been disappointed at the failure on the part of General Amherst to execute his part of the plan of co-operation concerted between the two armies, a failure to which all his own cruel embarrassments were attri- butable, not a sentence was permitted to escape himself, mani- festing the slightest symptom of dissatisfaction at the conduct of that officer. He seemed perfectly persuaded that the utmost ex- ertions of the commander-in-chief were used to accomplish every thing which had been expected from him. It having been determined in council that all their future ef- forts should be directed towards the effecting of a landing above the town, the camp in the Island of Orleans was entirely broken up ; and the whole army having embarked on board the fleet, a p&rt of it was lauded at Point Levi, and a part carried higher up the river. Montcalm could not view this movement without alarm. That part of Quebec which faces the country had not been forti- fied with so much care as those which look towards the water ; and he was apprehensive that a landing might be effected high up the river, and the town approached on its weaker side. At the same time he could not safely relinquish his present position, because the facility of transporting their troops, which the com- mand of the water gave the English, would enable them to seize the ground on which he was now encamped, shou'd his army be moved above the town to prevent their landing in their quarter. Thus embarrassed, he detached Monsieur de Bougainville with 1500 men to watch the motions of the English up the river, and prevent their lauding. * ' In this state of things a bold plan was formed, well adapted to the adventurous spirit of the English general, and the despe- rate situation of his affairs. This was to land the troops in the ynocREss of the btiitish settlements. 239 night, a small distance above the city, on the northern bank of tlie river, and by scaling a precipice, accessible only by a narrow path, and therefore but weakly guarded, to gain by the morning the heights behind the town, where it has been stated to have been but slightly fortified. The difficulties attending the execu- tion of this scheme are represented to have been numerous. The stream was rapid, the shore shelving, the intended and only prac- ticable landing-place so narrow as easily to be missed in the dark, and the steep above, such as not to be ascended without difficulty even when unopposed. Under these circumstances, it was appa- rent that a discovery and a vigorous opposition would not only e^. iv Dav.e.s- ^^ Be oik: TROGAESS OF THE BUlTrSH SKTTI.FArEKTS. 241 Wolfe on the right of the Eitglish ; so that the two generals met each other, at the hrad of their respective troops, wii«re the battle was most severe. The French advanced briskly to the charge, and commenced the action with great animation. The English are stated to have reserved their fire until the enemy were within forty yards of them, when they gave it with im- mense effect. It was kept up for some time with great spirit * when Wolfe, advancing at the head of Bragg's and the Louis- burg grenadiers With charged bayonets, received a mortal wound of which he soon afterwards expired. Undismayed by the loss of their general, the English continued their exertions under Monckton, on whom the command now devolved. He also re- ceived a ball through his body, which is stated to have passed through his lungs, and General Townshend took command of the British army. About the same time Montcalm, fighting in front of his battalion, received a mortal wound, and General Se- nezergus, the second in command, also fell. The left wing and centre of the French began to give way ; and, being pressed close with the English bayonet and Highland broad-sword, were dri-r ¥en, notwithstanding one attempt to rally and renew the attack, partly into Quebec, and partly over the St. Charles river. On the left and rear of the English the action was less severe, and the attack rnade by the enemy much less animated. The light infantry had been placed in houses ; and Colonel Howe, the better to support them, had taken post with two companies, still further to the left, behind a copse. As the right of the enemy attacked the English left, he sallied from this position against their flanks, and threw them into disorder. In this cri- tical moment, Townshend advanced several platoons of Am- herst's regiment against their front; and thus was completely frustrated the intention the French general had formed of tum- iiig the left flank. Townshend maintained his position, for the purpose of keeping in check the right wing of the enemy, and a body of savages stationed opposite the light infantry, for the purpose of getting into and falling on their rear. In this state of the action, Townshend was informed that the command had devolved on him. Proceeding instantly to the centre, he found that part of the army thrown into some disor* der by the ardor of pursuit, and his efforts were employed in re- storing the line. Scarcely was this cfFected, when Monsieur de 11. H }l hil 2412 HISTORY OP NOHTH AMERICA. Bougninvillc, who had been detached as high as Cape Rouge tB ))revent a landing above, and who liad hastened to the a$si»tanct of Montcalm, on hi» first hearing that the English had gained the plains of Abraham, appeared in the rear at the head of 1500 morf. Fortunately the right wing of the en^my, as well as their left and centre, was now entirely broken, and had been driven ofF the field. Two battalions and two pieces of artillery being advanced towards Bougainville, he retired ; and Townshend did not think it advisable to risk the important advantages already gained, by a pursuit of this fr«sh body of troops throtigh a dilB- cult country. In this decisive battle, in which the numbers seem to have been nearly equal, but in which the English had the immense advantage of being all disciplined troops, while little more than half the enemy were of the same description, the French regu- lars, who do not appear to have been well supported by the mi- litia or Indians, were almost entirely cut to pieces. On the part of the English the loss was liy no means so con- siderable as the fierceness of the action would have induced us to expect. The killed and wounded were less than 600 men ; but among the former was the commander-in-chief. This gal- lant officer, of whom the most exalted expectations had very justly been formed ; whose uncommon merit and singular fate have presented a rich theme for panegyric to both the poet and historian, received, in the commencement of the action, a ball in his wrist : but without discovering the least discomposure, wrapping a handkerchief around his arm, he continued to en- courage his troops. Soon afterwards he received a shot in the groin. This painful wound he also concealed ; and was advan- cing at the head of the grenadiers, when a third bullet pierced his breast. Though expiring, it was with reluctance he permit- ted himself to be conveyed into the rear, where, careless about himself, he discovered in the agonies of death the most anxious solicitude concerning the fate of the day. Being told that the enemy was visibly broken, he reclined his head, from extreme faintness, on the arm of an officer standing near him, but was soon aroused with the distant sound of — " They fly ! they fly !" " Who fly ?" exclaimed the dying hero. On being answered — «« The French V " Then," said he, " 1 depart content j" and almost immediately expired in the arms of victory. " A death PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 243 more glorious, and attended with circumstances more pictu- resque and interesting, is no where to be found in the annals of history." With less of good fortune, but not less of heroism, expired the equally gallant Montcalm. The same love of glory, and the same fearlessness of death, which in so remarkable a manner distinguished the British hero, were not less conspicuous in th« conduct of his competitor for victory and for fame. He express- ed the highest satisfaction at hearing that his wound was mor- tal ; and, when told he could survive only a few hours, ((uickly replied, — '' So much the better : I shall not then live to see the surrender of Quebec." The first days after the action wore employed by General Townshend in fortifying his camp, cutting a road up the preci- pice for the conveyance of his heavy artillery to the batteries on the heights, and making the necessary preparations for the siege of Quebec. But before his batteries were opened the town ca- pitulated, on condition that the inhabitants should, during the war, be protected in the free exercise of their religion, and the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving their future destinies to be decided by the general peace. General Townshend seems to have been induced to allow bet- ter terms than would otherwise have been granted, from an p- prehension that the place might still be relieved by Bougainville^ or by a detachment from the army near Montreal. Quebec, now in the possession of the English, was garrisoned by about 5000 men, under the command of General Murray | and the fleet sailed out (^ the St. Lawrence. And Canada at the conclusion of the war was ceded to Great Britain, in whose pos- session it still remains. Colonel Grant in 1761, defeated the Cherokees in Carolina^ and obliged them to sue for peace. The next year Marti nico was taken fay Admiral Rodney and General Monckton ; and also the Island of Grenada, St. Vincent's, and others. The capture of these was soon followed by the surrender of the Havannah, the capital of the Island of Cuba. In 1763, a definitive treaty of peace was concluded at Paris, between Great Britain, France, and Spain ; by which the Eng- lish ceded to the French several islands which they had taken from thein in the West Indies, but were confirmed in the pes* iu HISTOIIV OF NORTH AMRniCA. aeAsiou of ail North America on this side the Mississippi, except the NIniul of Orleans. Itut this war, however brilhant the suc- cesses nnri glorious the event, proved the cause of great and uii- o\p»ct(>d misforiiitics to Great Britain. Kngnged with the coin- hined powers of France and Spain during several years, her ex- Crtions were surprising, and her expence immense. To dis- charge the debts of the nation^ the parliament was obliged to Have recourse to new expediet.s for raising money. Previous to Hio last treaty in 176«), the parliament had been satisfied to false a revenue from the American colonies, by a monopoly of their trade. It will be proper here to state, that there wercf four kinds of c;overnment established in the British American colonies, ^ht first was a charter government, by which the powers of legisla- tion was vested in a governor, council, and assembly, chosen by the people : of this kind were the governments of Connecticut and Rhode Island. The second was a proprietary governmcnt| iti which the proprietor of the province waa governor ; iUhough he generally resiided abroad, and administered the government by a deputy of his own appointment ; the assembly only being chosen by the people : such werQ the governments of Penn- sylvania and Maryland, and originally of New Jersey and Ca- rolina. The third kind was that of royal government, where the governor and council were appointed by the crown, and the assembly by the people : of this kind were the governments •f New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey (after the year 1702), Virginia, the Caroliuaa after the resignation of the pro- prietors in 1728, and Georgia.- The fourth kind Was that of Massachussetts,, which differed from all the rent. The governor was appointed by the king; so far it was-a royal governmeBt ; bat the members of the council were elected by the representa- tives of the people. The governor, however, had « right ' to negative a certain number, but not to fill up Vacancies th'us oc- casioned. ' . -' ^ • "''.''■ '" • . This variety of constitutions created different degrees of de- pendance on the crown. In the royal government, to render a law valid, it was constitutionally required that it should be rati- fied by the king ; but the charter governments were empowered to enact laws, and no ratification by the king was necessary. It was only required that such laws should not be contrary to the PROGRESS or fRE BRITISH ULTTI.LMi.NTS. 1245 Taws of England. The chdrter of Connecticut was fxprcsn to (his purpose. Such was the ntate of the British colonies at the concluHJon of the war in I'tf'i* Their flourishing condition at this time was remarkable and striking : their trade had prospered in the midst of all the difficulties and distresses of war in which they were so nearly and so immediately concerned. Their population conti- nued on the increase, notwithstanding tlic ravages and depreda- tions that had been so fiercely carried on by the French, and the native Indians in their nlliauoc. They abounded with inteHij^^cnt and active individuals of all denominations. They were flushid with the uticie> ganciea and refinements. A circumstance much to ^Vf?ir praise is, that, notwithstanding their peculiar addiction to Xisx^ occu- pations of which iMcra is the sole object,' they were duly atten- tive to cultivate the field of learning ; and they have '■ ever since tlieir first foundation been particularly careful to provide for the education- of' the rising generation. Their vast augmentation of internal trade and external commerce, was not mereiy owing to their po8ition and ^cility of communication with other parts j it arose also fromi their natural turn and temper, full of schemes and projects; ever aiming at new discoveries, and continually eniployed)ia the search of means of improving their condition. Their industry «{|rried them into every qu'^ter from whence pro- fit could be derived, i There was scarcely r o port of the Ameri^ can hemisphere to which they had not extei^ded their navigation. They were continually exploring new sources of trade, and weic found in every spot where business could be transacted. To this extensive and inbcs^t appUcatiun to commerce, they Added iin equal vigilance in the administration of ilheir oflbiri at home. The progress of agriculture, and the improvement of their do- mestic circumstances, were attended to with so much labor and care, that it may be strictly said, that natort had given them <; m 246 HISTORY OF NOKTH AMERICA. nothing of which they did not make the most. In the midst of thi^ solicitude and toil in matters of business, the aflfairs of go- vernment were conducted with a steadiness, prudence, and acti- vity, seldom equalled, and never exceeded, in the best regulated countries of Europe. CONTEST BETWEEN Great Britain and the United Colonies, At the beginning of the war with France, commissioners from many of the colonies had assembled at Albany, who proposed that a great council should be formed by deputies from the seve- ral colonies, which, with a general governor to be appointed by the crown, should be empowered to take measures for the com- mon safety, and to raise money for the execution of their de- signs. This proposal was not approved by the British ministry ; but in lieu of this plan, it was proposed, that the governors of the colonies, with one or two of their council, should assemble and concert measures for the general defence ; erecb forts, levy troops, and draw on the treasury of England for the monies that should be wanted ; the British treasury to be reimbursed by a tax on the colonies, to be laid by the parliament. To this plan, which implied an avowal of the right of parliament to tax th« colonies, the provincial assemblies objected with unshaken firm- ness. Hence it seems that the British parliament, even before the war, had it in contemplation to exercise the right of taxing the colonies, without permitting them to be represented. The ootonies, however, with an uncommon foresight and firmness, defeated these attempts, and tlie war was carried on by requisi- tions on the colonies for supplies of men and money, or by vo- luntary contributions. Peace with France was no sooner concluded, than the English parliament resumed the scheme of taxing America; and, in March, 1764, a bill was passed, by which heavy duties were laid on goods imported by the colonists from such West India islands as did not belong to Great Britain ; at the lame time CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 247 re g that these duties were to be paid into the exchequer in specie : and, in the same session, another bill was framed to restrain the currency of paper-money in the colonies themselves. The pass- ing of these acts threw the whole colonies into the \itmost fer- ment. Vehement remonstrances were made to the ministry, and every argument urged that reason or ingenuity could suggest, but to no purpose. The Americans, finding both entreaty and remonstrance alike ineffectual, united in an agreement to import no more of the manufactures of Great Britain, until these acts should be repealed; and to encourage to the utmost of their power every thing of that kind among themselves. This ferment was still further increased by the bringing in uf a bill to inipoi^c A stamp duty on law and other proceedings; the rcasoti assigned for this most impolitic measure was, that a sum might be raised nuificient for the defence of the colonies against a foreign enemy; but this pretence was so far from giving any satisfaction to tiie Americans, that it excited their indignation to the utmost de- gree. They not only asserted that they were abundantly able to defend themselves against any foreign enemy, but denied that England had any right to tax them at all, unless they were al- lowed the privilege of sending representatives to the British par- liament. It would be superfluous to enter into any of the arguments used by the contending parties on this important occasion. The stamp act, after a violent opposition, was passed, and its recep- tion in America was such as might have been expected. News of its passing, and the act itself, first arrived at Boston, when the bells were mufHed and rung a funeral peal. The act was ha\vked about the streets with a death's head afBxed to it, and s.yledthe "Folly of England, and the ruin of America;" and afterwards publicly burnt by the enraged populace. The stamps themselves were seized and destroyed; those who were to receive the stamp duties were compelled to resign their offices; and such of the Americans as advocated the cause of the British govern- ment had their houses plundered and burnt. It was now found absolutely necessary either to yield to the colonists, by repealing the obnoxious statutes, or to enforce them by arms. The ferment had diffused itself universally throughout the colonies. Non-importation agreements were «very where entered inte ; and it was even resolved to prevent i'i 248 HISTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. the sale of any more British goods after the present year. Amc- ricun manufactures, though dearer, as well as inferior in quality to the British, were universally preferred. An association was entered into agaiiut eating of lamb, in order to promote the growth of wool J and the ladies with cheerfulness agreed to re- nounce the use of every species of ornament manufactured in Britain. Such a general and alarming confederacy determined the ministry to repeal some of the most obnoxious statutes ; and to this they were the more inclined by a petition from the first American congress, held at New York, in October, 1765. The stamp act was therefore repealed, to the universal joy of the Americans, and indeed to the general satisfaction of the English, whose manufactures had begun to suffer very severely in consequence of the American association against them. The niinistry were conscious, that, in repealing this obnoxious act, they yielded to the Americans ; and therefore, to support, as they thought, the dignity of Great Britain, it was judged proper to publish a declaratory bill, setting forth the authority of the mother country over her colonies, and her power to bind them by laws and statutes in all cases wlwiecer. This much diminish- ed the joy with which the repeal of the stamp act was received in America. It was considered as a proper reason to inforcc any claims equally prejudicial with the stamp act, which might hereafter be set up ; a spirit of jealousy pervaded the whole con- tinent, and a strong party was formed, watchful on every occa- sion to guard against the supposed encroachments of the British power. It was not long before an occasion offered, in which the Ame- ricans nmnifestcd the spirit of freedom. The Rockingham mi- nistry had passed an act, for providing the troops stationed in different parts of the colonics with such accommodations as were necessary for them. The assembly of Nev^' York, however, took upon them to alter the node of execution prescribed by the act of parliament, and to substitute one of their own. This gave great offence to the new ministry, and rendered them^ though composed of those who had been active against the stamp bill, less favorable to the colonies than in all probability they would have otherwise been. An unfortunate incident at the same time occurred, which threw every thing once more into confusion. One of the new ministry, Mr. Charles Townshcnd, having de- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &:C. 249 dared that he could find a way of taxing the Americans without giving them offence, was called upon to propose his plan. This was by imposing a duty upon tea, paper, painters' colors, and glass, imported into Americi, The uudutiful behaviour of the New York assembly, and thac of Boston, which had proceeded in a similar manner, caused this bill to meet with less opposition than it otherwise might have done. As a punishment to the le- fractory assemblies, the legislative power was taken from that of New York, until it should fully comply with the terms of the act. That of BoAon at iast submitted with reluctance. The biU for the new taxes was quickly passed, and sent to America in 1768. A ferment much greater' than that occasioned by the stamfi act now took place, which was further augmented by the news that a number of troops had been ordered to repair to Boston, to keep the inhabitants in awe. A dreadful alarm pervaded the whole town ; and the people called on the governor to convene a geacrai assembly, in ordej: to remove their fears of the military ; who they said were to be assembled to overthrow their liberties, and force obedience to law^ to which they were entirely averse. The governor replied, that it was no longer in his power to call an assembly; having, in his last instructions from England, been required to wait the king's orders, the matter being then under consideration at home. Being thus refused, the people took upon themselves the formation of an assembly, which they called a Convention. The proceedings and resolutions of this were conformable to their former declarations ; but now they went a step further, and, under pretence of an approaching rup- ture with France, ordered the inhabitants to put themselves in a posture of defence against any sudden attack of an enemy ; and circular letters were directed to all the towns in the province, acquahiting them with the resolutions that had been taken in the capital, and exhorting them to proceed in the same manner. The town of Hatfield alone refused its concurrence ; but this op- position served only to expose its inhabitants to the censure and contempt of the rest of the colonics. The convention assured the governor of their pacific intentions, and renewed their re- quest that an assembly might be called ; but being refused an audience, and threatened with being treated as rebels, they at last thought proper to dissolve of themselves, and sent over to 11. li Hi 250 HISTbUY OF NOIITH AkERlCA. England a circumstantial account of their proceedings, with th« reason of their having assembled in the manner already nten- tioned. '• " '-'■"' ■,-'■.: ,;.' ■ .- .. . i •. . ... The expected troops arrived at Boston on the very diiy on which the convention broke up, and had some houses in the town prepared for their reception. Their arrival had a consider- able influence on the people, nnd for some time seemed to put an end to the disturbances ; but the seeds of discord had taken such deep root, that it was impossible to destroy them. The late spirited behaviour in Boston had given the greatest offence in England ; and, notwithstanding all the efforts of opposition, an address from both houses of parliament was presented to the king J in which the daring behaviour of the colony of Massa- chussetts-Bay wiis circumstantially set forth, and the most vigo« rous measures recommended for reducing them to obedience. The Americans, however, continued steadfast in the ideas they had adopted. Though the troops had for some time quieted the disturbances, yet the calm continued no longer than they appear- ed respectable on account of their number ; but, as soon as this was diminiblicd by the departure of a large detachment, the re- mainder were treated with contempt, and it was even resolved to expel them altogether. The country people took up arms for this purpose, and were to have assisted their friends in Boston ; but, before the plot could be put in execution, an event happen- ed which put an end to every idea of reconciliation betwixt the contending parties. On the 5th of March, 1770, a scuffle happened between some soldiers and a party of the town's people. The soldiers, while under arms, were pressed upon, insulted, and pelted, by a mob armed with clubs, sticks*, and snowballs covering stones ; they were also durcd to fire. In this situation, one of the sol- diers, who had received a blow, in resentment fired at the sup- posed aggressor. This was followed by a single discharge from six others ; so that three of the inhabitants were killed, and five dangerously wounded. The town was immediately in commo- tion ; and such was the temper, force, and number, of the in- habitants, that nothing but an engagement to remove the troops out of the town, together with the advice of moderate men, pre- vented the townsmen from falling on the soldiers. Tlie killed were buried in one vault, and in a most respectful manner, in vn CONTEST BETWJ:eX great BRITAIN, &C. 24>1 wder to express the indignation of the inhabitants at the slaugh- ter of their brethren, by soldiers quartered among them, in vio- lation of their civil liberties. Captain Preston, who commanded the party which fired on the inhabitants, was committed to jail, and afterwards tried ; but tlie captain, and six of the men, were acquitted, and two only brought in guilty of manslaughter ; for it appeared on the trial, that the soldiers were insulted, threat- ened, and pelted, tefore they fired ; and it was also proved, that only seven guns were fired by the eight prisoners j these circum- stances, therefore, induced the jury to nialic a favorable verdict. The result of the trial reflected great honor on John Adams, and Josiah Quincey, Esqrs., the council for the prisoners; and also on the integrity of the jury, who ventured to give an upright verdict, in defiance of popular opinions. The consequences of tliici tragical event sunk deep into the minds of the people, an^ were made subservient to important purposes. The new assembly proceeded in the most formal manner to disavow the supremacy of the British legislature ; accused the purliument of Biituin of having violated the natural rights of the Americans in a number of instances. Copies of the transactions of this assembly were transmitted to every town in Massachus- setts, exhorting the inhabitants to rouse themselves, and exert every neive in opposition to the iron hand of oppression, which was daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair tree of liberty. The disturbances were also greatly heightened by an accidental discovery that Mr. Hutchinson, governor of Massachussett.s Bay, had written several confidential letters to people in power in England, complaining of the behaviour of the province, recomr mending vigorous measures against them, and, among other things, asserting, that " there must be an abridgement of what is called British liberty." Letters of this kind had somehow ojr other fallen into the hands of the agent for the colony at Loqi* don. They were immediately transmitted to Boston, where th^ assembly was sitting, by whom they were Imd before the gover-r nor, who was thus reduced to a very mortifying situation, Los* ing every idea of respect or friendship for him as their governor, they instantly dispatched a petition to the king, requesting him to remove the governor and deputy-governor from their places ; but to this they not only received no favorable answer, but tb« petition itself was declared groundless and scandalous. '''I 252 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Matters were now ripe for the utmost extremities on the part of the Americans ; and they were brought on in the following manner: though the colonists had entered into a non- importa- tion agreement against tea as well as all other commodities from Britain, it had nevertheless found its way into America, though in smaller quantities thau before. This was sensibly felt by the East India Company, who had now agreed to pay a large sum annually to government ; in recompence for which compliance, and to make up their losses in other respects, they were empow- ered to export their tea free from any duty payable in Britain ; and in consequence of this permission, several ships freighted with the commodity were sent to North America, and proper ugents apppointed for disposing of it. The Americans now per- ceiving that the tax was thus likely to be enforced whether they i^ould or not, determined to take every possible method to pre- vent the tea from being landed, as well knowing that it would be impossible to hinder the sale, should the commodity once be brought on shore. For this purpose the people assembled in great numbers, forcing those to whom the tea was consigned to resign their offices, and to promise solemnly never to resume them ; and committees were appointed to examine the accounts of merchants, and make public tests, declaring such as would not take them enemies to their country. Nor was this behaviour confined tc the colony of Massachussctts Bay ; the rest of the provinces entered into the contest with the same Trarmth, and manifested the same resolution to oppose the mother-country. In the midst of this confusion three ships laden with tea arri- ved at Boston ; but so much were the captains alarmed at the disposition which seemed to prevail among the people, that they offered, providing they could obtain the proper dischargee from the tea consignees, customhouse, and governor, to return to Bri- tain without landing their cargoes. The parties concerned, how- ever, though they durst not order the tea 1« be landed, refused to grant the discharges required. The ships, therefbre, would have been obliged to remain in the harbour ; but the people, ap- prehensive that if they remained there the tea would be landed in small quantities, and disposed of in spite of every endeavour to prevent it, resolved to destroy it at once. This resolution was executed' with equal speed and secrecy. The very evening after the above-mentioned discharges had been refused, a number o CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &CC. S53 ifter o people, dressed like Mohawk Indians, boarded the ships, and threw into the sea their whole cargoes, consisting of 342 chests of tea ; after which they retired without making any fiirther dis- turbance, or doing any more damage. No tea was destroyed in other places, though the same spirit was every where manifested. At Philadelphia the pilots were enjoined not to conduct the ves- sels up the river ; and at New York, though the governor caused some tea to be landed under the protection of a man of war, he was obliged to deliver it up to the custody of the people, to pre- vent its being sold. The destruction of the tea at Bostoti, which happened in No- vember 1773, was the immediate prelude to the disasters attend- ing civil discord. Government finding themselves every whero insulted and despised, resolved to enforce their authority by all possible means ; and as Boston had been the principal scene of the riots and outrages, it was determined to punish that city in an exemplary manner. Parliament was acquainted by a message from his majesty with the undutiful behaviour of the city of Bos- ton, as well as of all the coionies, recommending at the same time the most vigorous and spirited exertions to reduce them to obedience. The parliament in its address promised a ready compliance ; and indeed the Americans, by their outrageous be- haviour, had now lost many of their partisans. It was proposed to lay a fine on the town of Boston equal to the price of the tea which had been destroyed, and to shut up its port by armed vessels until the refractory spirit of the inhabitants should be subdued ; which it was thought must quickly yieldj as a total stop would thus be put to their trade. The bill was strongly opposed on the same grounds that the other had been ; and it was predicted, that instead of having any tendency to reconcile or subdue the Americans, it would infallibly exasperate them beyond any possi* bility of reconciliation. The petitions against it, presented by the colony's agent, pointed out the same consequence in the strongest terms, and in the most positive manner declared that' the Americans never would submit to it; but snch was theinfatu^ a;tion attending every rank and degree of men, that it never was imagined that the Americans would dare to resist the parent state openly, but would^in the end submit implicitly to her com- mands. In this confidence a third bill was proposed for the im- partial administration bf justice on such persons as might be 254, HISTORY OP NOHTH AMERICA. employed in the suppression of riots and tumults in the province of Massachussetts Bay. By this act it was provided, that should any persons acting in that capacity be indicted for mur- der, and not able to obtain a fair trial in the province, they might be sent by the governor to England, or to some other co- lony, if necessary, to be tried for the supposed crime. These three bills having passed so easily, the ministry propo- sed a fourth, relative to the government of Canada; which it was said, had not yet been settled on any proper plan. By this bill the extent of that province was greatly enlarged ; its affairs were put under the direction of a council into which Roman Catholics were to be admitted ; the Roman Catholic clergy were secured in their possessions and the usual perquisites from those of their own profession. The council above mentioned were to be ap- pointed by the crown, to be removable at its pleasure ; and to be invested with every legislative power excepting that of taxation. No sooner were these laws made known in America, than they cemented the union of the colonies almost beyond any possi* bility of dissolving it. The assembly of Massachussetts Bay had passed a vote against the judges accepting salaries from the crown, and put the question. Whether they would accept them as usual from the general assembly ? Four answered in the affir- mative ; but Peter Oliver the chief justice refused. A petition against him, and an accusation, were brought before the gover- nor ; but the latter refused the accusation, and declined to in- terfere in the matter : but as they still insisted for what they called justice against Mr. Oliver, the governor thought proper to put an end to the matter by dissolving the assembly. In this situation of affairs a new alarm was occasioned by the news of the port bill. This had been totally unexpected, and was received with the most extravagant expressions of displea- sure among the populace ; and while these continued, the new governor, General Gage, arrived from England. He had been chosen to this office on account of his being well acquainted in America, and generally agreeable to the people 3 but human wisdom could not now point out a method by which the flame could be allayed. The first , act of his office as governor was to remove the assembly to Salem, a town 17 miles distant, in con- sequence of the late act. When this was intimated to the as- sembly, they replied, by reque&ting him to appoint a day of pub- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 255 ik: humiliation for deprecating the wrath of heaven, but met with a refusal. When met at Salem, they passed a resolution, declaring the necessity of a general congress composed of dele- ;j;atcs from all the provinces, in order to take the affairs of the colonies at large into consideration , and five gentlemen, remark- able for their opposition to the British measures, were chosen to represent that of Massuchussetts Bay. They then proceeded with all expedition to draw up a declaration, containing a detail of the grievances they labored under, and the necessity of exert- ing themselves against lawless power : they set forth the disre- gard shown to their petitions, and the attempts of Great Britain to destroy their ancient constitution ', and concluded with exhort- ing the inhabitants of the colony to obstruct, by every method in their power, such evil designs, recommending at the same time A total renunciation of every thing imported from Great Britain, till a redress of grievances could be procured. Intelligence of this declaration was carried to the governor on the very day that it was completed ; on which he dissolved the astieniljly. This was followed by an address from the inhabitants of Salem in favor of those of Boston, and concluding with these Tei larkable words : By shutting up the port of Baston, some imagine that the course of trade might be turned hither, and to our benefit ; but nature, in the formation of our harbour, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce with that convenient mart; and were it otherwise, we must be dead to every idea of justice, lost to all feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought to seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruin pf our suffer- ing neighbours. It had been fondly hoped by the ministerial party at home, that the advantages which other towns of the colony might de- rive from the annihilation of the trade of Boston would make them readily acquiesce in the measure of shutting up that port, and rather rejoice in it than otherwise ; but the words of the ad- dress above mentioned seemed to preclude all hope of this kind ; and subsequent transactions soon manifested it to be totally vain. No sooner did intelligence arrive of the remaining bills passed in the session of 1 774, than the cause of Boston became the cause of all the colonies. The port bill had already occasioned violent commotions throughout them all. It had been reprobated, in provincial meetings, and resistance even to the last had .been re- S56 HISTORY OF NORTH A]\I ERICA. ,1 commcudcfl against stich opprcsbion. In Virginia, the first of June, the day on which the port of Boston was to be shut up, ivaa held as a day of humiliation, and a public intercession in faror of America was enjoined. The style of the prayer enjoined at this time was, that *' God would give the people one heart and one mind, finnly to oppose every invasion of the American tights." The Virginians, however, did not content themselves with acts of religion. They recommended in the strongest man- ner a general congress of all the colonies, as iiilly persuaded that an attempt to tax any colony in an arbitrary manner was in re- ality an attack upon them all^ and must ultimately end in the ruin of them all. '^ • • '' - •'. J • ; ■ . • .! ', The provinces of Ne^v York and Pennsylvania, however, were less sanguine than the rest, being so closely connected in thft way of trade with Great Britain, that the giving it up entirely appeared a matter of the most serious magnitude, and not to be thought of but after every other method had failed. The intel- ligence of the remaining bills respecting Boston, however, spread a fresh alarm throughout the continent, and fixed those who had seemed to be the most wavering. The proposal of giving up all commercial intercourse with Britain was again proposed j con- tributions for the inhabitants of Boston were raised in every quarter : and they every day received addresses commending them for tiie heroic courage with which they sustained their ca- lamity. The Bostonians on their part were not wanting in their en- deavours to promote the general cause. An agreement was fra- med, which, in imitation of former times, they called a Solemn League and Covenant. By this the subscribers most religiously bound themselves to break off all communication with Britain after the expuation of the month of August ensuing, until the obnoxious acts were repealed ; at the same time they engaged neither to purchase nor use any goods imported after that time, and to renounce all connexion with those who did, or who refu- sed to subscribe to this covenant; threatening to publish the names of the refractory, which at this time was a punishment by no means to be despised. Agreements of a similar kind were almost instantaneously entered into throughout all America. General Gage indeed attempted to counteract the covenant by a proclamation^ wherein it was declared an illegal and traitorous CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 257 combination, threatening ivith the pains of law such as subscri- bed or countenanced it. But matters were too far gone for his proclamations to have any effect. The Americans retorted the * charge of illegality on his own proclamation, and insisted that the law allowed subjects to meet in order to consider of their grievances, and to associate for relief from oppression. Preparations were now made for holding the general congress so often proposed. Philadelphia, as being the most considerable town, was pitched upon for the place of its meeting. The de- legates, of whom it was to be composed, wre chosen by the re- presentatives of each province; and were ii. number from two to seven for each colony, though no province had more than one vote. The first congress which met at Philadelphia, in the be- ginning of September, 1774, consisted of fifty- one delegates. The novelty and importance of the meeting excited an universal attention; and their transactions were such as could not but give them great importance in the public opinion. The first act of congress was an approbation of the conduct of Massachussetts Bay, and an exhortation to continue in the same spirit with whic!» they had begun. Supplies for the suflFering in- habitants (whom indeed the operation of the port bill had redu- ced to grcit distress) were stronqly recommended ; and Lt was declared, that in case of attempts to enforce the obnoxious acts by arms, all America should join to assist the town of Boston • and should the inhabitants be obliged, during the course of hos- tilities, to remove farther up tlie country, the losses thev might sustain should be repaired at the public expence. Matters thus went on, ui.fil every idea ot reconciliation or friendship with Britain was lost. The Americans, witiiout cere- mony, began to seize on the military stores and ammunition. This first commenced at Newport in Rhode Island, where the inhabitants carried off forty pieces of cannon appointed for the protection of the place ; and, on being asked the reason of this proceeding, they replied, that the people had seized them lest they should be made use of against themselves. After this the assembly met, and resolved, that ammunition and warlike store.s should be purchased with the public money. New Hamp.shire followed the example of Rhode Island, and sci/cd a small fort, for the sake of the powder and military store's it icintaitied. In 11. K k ' h ' 258 HISTORY OF NORTH AM1,KI''A. Pcnnsylvaiiiii a convention was held, which expressed av, rUif.;^«t desire of reconciliation with the mother country; thoiif;h, u. ■]:v same time, in the strongevt manner dc4:hiring, that they were resolved to take up arms in defence of their just rights ; and the people were exhorted to apply themselves with the greatest nssi- fluity to the prosecution of such manufactuiesi as were necessary for their .defence and subsistence, such as salt| saltpetre, gun- powder, steel, /&c. As the disturbances had originated in the province of Massa- chussetts Bay, and there continued with the greatest violence, so this was the province where the first hostilities were commen- ced. In the beginning of February, 177^) the congress met at Cambridge ; and, as no friends to Britain could now find ndmit- tance to that assembly, the only consideration wns, how to make speeijy preparations for war. Expertness in military disci- pline tvas recommended in the strongest manner, and several military institutions were enacted ; among which, that of the minute'men was one of the most remarkable. These were cho- sen from the most active and expert among the militia; and their bus«Mcss was to keep themselves in constant readiness at the call of their officers; from which perpetual vigilance they derived their title. It was now easily seen, that a slight occa- sion would bring on hostilities, which could not but be attended with the most violent and certain destruction to the vanquishru party, for both w ?re so much exasperated by a long course of reproaches and li:erary warfare, that they seemed to be filled with the utmost iiiveteiacy against each other. On the 26th of February, General Gage, having been inform- ed that a number of field-pieces bad been brought to Salem, dispatched a party to seize them. Their road was obstructed by a river, over which was a draw-bridge. This the people had pulled upf and refused to let down : upon which the soldiers seized a boat to ferry them over, but the people cut out her bot- tom. Hostilities would immediately have commenced, had it not been for the interposition of a clergyman ; who represented to the military, on the one hand, the folly of opposing such num- bers ; and to the people, on the other, that, as the day was far spent, the military could not execute their design, so that they might without any fear, leave them the quiet possession of the dl'aw-brid^e. This was complied witlij and the soldiers, after CONTEST BETWEEN C.REAT BRITAIN, &LC. 239 having remained for some time at the bridge, returnfd witliout executing their orders. •• The next attempt was attended with more »criou« consequen* ces. General Gage having been informed that a hirge quantitj of ammunition and mihtary stores had been collected at Con- cord, about twenty miles from noston, and where the provincial congress was sitting, sent a detachment, under the command of Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, to destroy the stores, and, as was reported, to sei/c Messrs. Hancock and Adams, tho leading men of the congress. They set out before day-break, on the IDth of April, marching with the utmost silence, and secu- ring every one they met on the road, that they might not be di§- covered. But, notwithstanding all their care, the continual ring- ing of hells and firing of guns as they went along soon gave them notice that the country was alarmed. About five in the morning they had reached Lexington, liftecn miles from Boston, where the militia of the place were exeieising. An olhcer called out to them to disperse ; but some shuts, it is said, being at that moment fired from a liou. ( 11 I It 260 HISTOEY OF NORTH AMEHICA. Mystic, through a space of about thirty miles ; and here they were soon after joined by a large body of Connecticut troops, under General Putnam, an old officer of great bravery and expc- ripuce. By this fornudable force was the town of Boston now- kept blocked up. General Gage, however, had so strongly forti- fied it, that the enemy, powerful as they were, durst not make an attack ; while, on the other hand, his force was by far too insignificant to meet such an enemy in the field. But, towards the end of May, a considerable reinforcement having arrived, with Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, he prepared to act with more decision; while the Americans, on their part, did every thing to oppose him. On the 15th of June, two days previous to this memorable engagement, the congress had appointed George Washington, Esq., a gentleman of l.rge fortune in Virginia, to the chief command of all the American forces. He had been a distin- guished and successful officer in the British service ; and at this period was serving in the independent companies of Virginia : and of which he had been chosen the commander. He was elected a member of the first congress that met at Philadelphia, in which body he was very soon distinguished as the soldier of America. He was placed on all those committees whose duty it was to make arrangements for defcp.ce ; and when it became ne- cessary to appoint a commander-in-chief, his military character, the solidity of his judgment, the steady firmness of his temper, the dignity of his person and deportment, the confidence inspi^ red by his patriotism and integrity, and the independence of his circumstances, combined with that policy which actuated New England, and induced a wish to engage the southern colonies cordially in a war, to designate him in the opinion of all as the person to whom the destinies of hh country should be confided. He was unanimously chosen " General and Commander-in- Chief of the army of the United Colonies, and all the forces now raised or to be raised by them*." » Arlemas Ward, of Massachussetts, who had commanded the troops bf- fijre Boston ; Colonel Lee, a British officer, who had distinguished himself in Purtugal, but liad resigned his commission in the service of the king; Philii) Schuyler, of New Yorli ; awd Israel Putnam of Connecticut, now also before Boston; were .ippointed to the rank of luajor-gonerals; and Mr- Iloratiu Gates, who had herd the rank of a major in the British service, vjas Appointed adjulant-geuerai. CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BBITAIN, &C. 261 When, on the following day, the president communicated this appointment to him, he modestly answered, that though truly sensible of the high honor done him, yet he felt great distress, from a consciousness that tiis abilities and military experience might not be equal to the extensive and important trust. HoW" ever, as the congress desired it, he would enter upon the mo- mentous duty, and exert every power he possessed in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. He begged them to ac- cept his cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation, and then added, " But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable ta my reputation, I beg it nmy be re- membered by every gentleman in the room, that I this day de- clare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with." He declined all compensation for his services, and avowed an intention to keep an exact account of bis expences^ which he should rely on congress to discharge. A special commission was made out for him*, and a solemn • " The deleg;ates of the United Colonle* of New Hampshire, Massachus* sett's Bay , Rhode Island, C«nnecticut, New York, New Je«ey, Pennsyl. v them. While these operations were going on at the breastwork and redoubt, the British light infantry were attempting to force tl'c left point of the former, that they might take the American lin« in flank. Though they exhibited the most undaunted courage, they met with an opposition which called for its greatcht exer- tions. The provincials here, in like manner, reserved their fire till their adversaries were near, and then poured it upon the light infantry, in so true a direction, as mowed down their ranks. The engagement was kept up on both sides with great resolution. The persevering exertions of the king's troops could not compel the y\mcricans to retreat, till they observed thai their main body had left the hill. This, when begun, exposed them to new danger, for it could not be effected but by marching over Charlestown Neck, every part of which was raked by the shot of the Glasgow man of war, and two floating batteries. The incessant fire kept up across this neck prevented any considera- ble reinforcement from joinijig their countryman who were enga- ged ; but the few who fell on their retreat over the same ground proved, that the apprehensions of those provincial officers, who declined passing over to succour their companions, were without any solid foundation. The number of Americans engaged amounted only to 1500. It was apprehended that the conquerors would push the advan- tages they had gained, and march immediately to American head-quarters at Cambridge, but they advanced no farther than Bunker's Hill ; there they threw up works for their own security. The provincials did the same on Prospect Hill in front of them. Both were guardiiig against an attack, and both were in a bad condition to receive one. The loss of the peninsula depressed the spirits of the Americans, and their great loss of men produced the same effect on the Brititih. There have been few battles in modern wars, in which, all circumsjtances considered, there wa? CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 26/5 re- ft greater destruction of men than in this short engagement. The loss of the British, as acknowledged by General Gage, amounted to 1054. Nineteen commissioned officers were killed, and seventy more were wounded. The battle of Quebec in 1759, which gave Great Britain the province of Canada, was not so destructive to British oflicers as this affair of a slight entrench- ment, the work only of a few hours. That the officers suffered so much, must he imputed to their being aimed at. None of the provincials in this engagement were riflemen, but they were all good marksmen. The whole of their previous military know- ledge had been derived from hunting, and the ordinary amuse- ment? of sportsmen. The dexterity which by long habit they had acquired in hitting beasts, birds, and marks, ivas fatally applied to the destruction of British officers. From their fall much confusion was expected ; they were therefore particularly singled out. Most of those who were near the person of Gene- ral Howe were either killed or wounded, but the general, though he greatly exposed himself, was unhurt. The light infantry and grenadiers lost three- fourths of their men. Of one company not more than five, and of another not more than fourteen, escaped. The unexpected resistance of the Americans was such as wiped away the reproaches of cowardice, which had been cast on them by their enemies in Britain. The spirited conduct of the British officers merited and obtained great applause; l)\it the provincial's were justly cntit ltd to a large portion of the siinie, for having made the utmost exertions of their adversaries necessary to dis- lodge them from lines, which were the work only of a single night. The Ainfricnis lost five piece of cannon. 'J'heir killed amounto^! to \[iD. The wounded and missing to 314. Thirty of the Io;mer fell into the hands ot the conquerors. They parti- cularly regretted the death of General Warren. This action at Breed's Hill, or Bunker's Hill, as it has been :;ommonly called, produced many and very important conse- quences. The same determined spirit of resistance now every where appeared on the part of the Americans. The commence- ment of hostilities at Lexington determined the colony of New York, which had hitherto coiitijiued to waver, to unite with the rest ; and, as the situation of New York renders it unable to re- sist an attack from the sea, it was resolved, before the arrival of a British fleet, to secure the military stores, send off the women 121. L J b i: ' m ii m 866 IIIiiTORY OF NOllTH AMERICA. and children, and to set fire to the city if it was still found inct upon the subject, that government was in&tituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attain- ment of that end. "The legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for pownr, iK)t only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that kingdom ; and despairing of success in any mode of contest where regard should be had to law, truth, or right ; have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and im- politic purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last ap- peal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice in the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound by obligations to the rest of the world to make known the justice of our cause/* After taking notice of t'.e manner in which their ancestore left Britain, the happiness attending the mutual friendly commerce betwixt that country and her colonics, and the remarkable suc- cess of the late war, they proceed as follows : " The new minis- try, finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeat- ed, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of grant- ing them a hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful friends. *' These devoted colonies were juJ^cd to be in such a state as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emolu- ments of statutable plunder. The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable and rcspccthd bchavi(«nr from the beginning of their colonization ; their dutitul, zealous, and useful, services during the war, though so recently atul amply acknowledged in the iv' W: ■-itisi «» 68 HiSrOllY OF NORTH .whehica. I It li most honorable niuiiiier by his majesty, by the late king, and by parliament, could not suvc them from the intended innovations. Parliament was influei.ced to adopt the pernicious project ; and assuming a new power over them, has in the course of eleven years given such decisive specimens of the spirit and consequen- ces attending this power, as to leave no doubt of the eflfccts of acijuiescencc under it. " They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our consent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to dispose of our own property. Statutes have been passed for ex- tending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty, and vice-ad- miralty, beyond their ancient limits j for depriving us of the ac- customed and inestimable rights of trial by jury, in cases affect- ing both life and property ; for suspending the legislature of one of our colonics; for interdicting, all commerce to the capital of another j and for altering fundamentally the form of government established by charter, secured by acts of its own legislature, and solemnly confirmed by the crown ; for exempting the murderers of colonists from legal trial, and in effect from punishment ; for erecting in a neighbouring j)rovincc, acquired by the joint arms of Great Britain and America, a despotism dangerous to our very existence; and for quartering soldiers upon the colonists in time of a profound peace. It has also been resolved in parliament, that colonists charged with committing certain offences shall be transported to England to be tried. " But why should we enumerate our injuries in detail ? By one statute it was declared, that parliament can of right make laws to bind us in all cases whatever. AVhat is to defend us against so enormous, so unlimited, a power ? Not a single per- son who assumes it is chosen by us, or is subject to our control or influence ; but on the contrary, they are ail of them exempt from the operation of such laws ; and the American revenue, if. not diverted from the ostensible purposes for which it is raised, would actually lighten their own burdens in proportion as it in- creases ours. } ** We saw the misery to which such despotism would reduce Wc for ten years incessantly and ineffectually besieged the lis riirone as supplicants ; we reasoned, we remonstrated with par- liamenl in the most mild and decent language; but admistra- 1^.. CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 369 •-J be in- ar- ra- tion, sensible that wc s^ ould regard these measures as freemen ought to do, scDt over fleets and armies to cnt'orce thorn. *' We have pursued every temperate, every respectful, men- sure ; we have even proceeded to break off all commercial inter- course with our fellow subjects as our last peaceable admonition, that our attachment to no nation on earth would supplant our attachment to liberty : this we flattered ourselves was the ulti- mate step of the controversy ; but subsequent events have shown how vain was this hope of fmding moderation in cur enemies ! ** The lords and commons, in their address in the month of Fe- bruary, said, that a rebellion at thai time actually existed in thu province of Massachussetts Bay ; rmd that those concerned in it had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combina- tions and engagements entered inlco by his majesty's subjects in several of the colonies ; and therefore they besought his majesty that he would take the most effectual measures to enforce due obedience to the laws and authority of the supreme legislature. Soon afiti the ^"mmercial intercourse of whole colonies with fo- reign countries was cut off by an act of parliament ; by another, several of them were entirely prohibited from the fisheries in the seas near their coasts, on which they always depended for their subsistence ; and large reinforcements of ships and troops were immediately sent over to General Giigc. "Fruitless were all the entreaties, arguments, and eloquence, of an illustrious band of the most distinguished peers and com- moners, who nobly and strenuously asserted the justice of our cause, to stay, or even to mitigate, the heedless fury with which these accumulated outrages were hurried on. Equally fruitless was the interference of the city of London, of Bristol, and of many other respectable towns, in our favor." After some further observations on parliament, and the British ministry, the declaration thus proceeds : " We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to tyranny, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. We 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 light to receive from us. Our cause is just; our union is perfect; Qur internal resources are great ; and, if necessary, foreign as- ■ iK d70 niSTOllY OP NOUTII AMERICA. si^tancc is undoubtedly attainable. We fight not for glory or conquest j we exhibit to mankind the remarkable spectacle of people attacked by unprovoked enemies. They boast oJ their privileges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder conditions tlian servitude or death. In our own native land, in k fence of the freedom that is our birthright, for the protection of ,;ai pro- perty acquired by the honest industry of our forefathers and our own, againsl violence actually offered, we have taken up amis ; we shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on tho j rt of our aggressors, and all danger of their being renewtu sl-all be removed, — and not before." These are some of the most striking passages in the dciiara- tion of congress on taking up arms against Great Britain, dated July 6, \77^> In every other respect an equal spirit was shown; and the rulers of the British nation had the mortification to see those whom they styled rebels and traitors succeed in negocia- tions in which they themselves were utterly foiled. In the pass- ing of the Quebec bill, ministry had flattered themselves that the Canadians would be so much attached to them on account of restoring the French law:-, that they would very readily join in any attempt against the colonists who had reprobated that bill in such strong terms : but in this they found themselves mis- taken. A scheme had been formed for General Carleton, go- vernor of t'.;e province, to raise an army of Canadians wherewith to act against the Americans ; and, so sanguine were the hopes of administration in this respect, that they had sent 20,000 stand of arms, and a great quantity of military stores, to Que- bec for the purpose. But the people, though they did not join the Americans, yet* were found immoveable in their purpose to stand neuter. The British administration next tried to engage the Indians in their cause. But, though agents were dispersed among them with large presents to the chiefs, the greatest part replied, that they did not understand the nature of the quarrel, nor could they distinguish whether those who dwelt in America or on the other side of the ocean were in fault: but they were surprised to see Englishmen ask their assistance against one another ; and advised them to be reconciled, and not to think of shedding the blood of their brethren. To the representations of- congress they paid more respect. These set forth, that 2 Eng- lish on the other side of the ocean had taken up arms to enslave* CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 271 America, hut the Indi lory or acic of »t their iditiou'* once of ui pro- \m\ our ih ) arnT* ; ho j;. rt bl.all be JcLrara- I, dated shown ; n to see legocia- lie pass- ives that account lily join ;ed that ves rais- ;on, go- lerewith 16 hopes 20,000 o Que- not join rpose to engage ispersed est part quarrel, America ey were nst one think of itions of jEng- enslave* not only their coutJtrymeu uiid, if the hitter should enable theni to overcome the colonists, they thein>ielvii would soon he reduced to a state of slavery aho. IJy arguments of this kind most of the snvaijes were engaged to remain neuter ; and thus the colonists were freed from a dange- rous enemy. On this occasion the congrcs" thought proper to hold a solemn conference with the different tribes of Indians. The speech made by them on the occasion is curious, but too long to he inserted. The following is a specimeti of the Euro- pean mode of addressing these people : " Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors ! "We, the delegates from the Twelve United Provinces, now sitting in general congress at Philadi hia, send their talk to you our brothers. ** Brothers and Friends, now atti . . "When our fathers crossed the great water, and came over to this land, the king of England gave them a talk, assuring them that they and their children should be his children ; and that if they would leave their native country, and make settlements, and live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the water, they should btill keep hold of the same cove- iiant-chain, and enjoy peace j and it was covenanted, that the fields, houses, goods, and possessions, which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as their own, and be their chil- dr£n's for ever, and at their sole disposal. " Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear ! ** We will now tell you of the quarrel betwixt the counsellors of king George, and the inhabitants and colonies of America. ** Many of his counsellors have persuaded him to break the covenant- chain, and not to send us any more good talks. Thcv have prevailed upon him to enter into a covenant against us ; and have torn asunder, and cast behind their back, the good old covenant which their ancestors and ours entered into, and took strong hold of. They now tell us they will put their hands into our pocket without asking, as though it were their own ; and at their pleasure, they will take from us our charters, or written civil constitution, which we love as our lives ; also our plantations, our houses, and goods, whenever they please, with- out asking our leave. They tell us, that our vessels may go to \hat or this island in the sea, but to this or that particular island ml IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) 1.0 I.I !r 14.0 20 1.8 1-25 1.4 ||.6 •• 6" V] <^ /2 ^7;. V ^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 <^"^^ e72 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. I if'! fi m '■t\ y\c shall not trade any more ; and, in case of onr non-compli- ance with these new orders, they shnt up our harbours. " Brothers, we live on the same ground with you ; the same island is our common birth-place. We desire to sit down under the same tree of peace with you ; let us water its roots, and cherish the growth, till the large leaves and flourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, and reach the skies. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall out between us, the Twelve United Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it expedient to kin- dle up a small fire at Albany, where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds fully to one another." The success which had hitherto attended the Americans in all their measures, now emboldened them to think not only of de- fending themselves, but likewise of acting offensively against Great Britain. The conquest of Canada appeared an object within their reach, and one that would be attended with many advantages; and, as an invasion of that province was already facilitated by the taking of Crown Point and Ticonderago, it was resolved if possible to penetrate that way into Canada, and reduce Quebec during the winter, before the fleets and armies, which thev were well assured would sail thither from Britain, should arrive. By order of congress, therefore, 3000 men were put under the command of Generals Montgomery and Schuylerj with orders to proceed to Lake Champlain, from whence they were to be conveyed in flat-bottomed boats to the mouth of the river Sorel, a branch of the great river St. Lawrence, and on which is situated a fort of the same name with the river. On the other hand, they were opposed by General Carleton, gover- nor of Canada; an officer of great activity and experience in war: who, with a very few troops, had hitherto been able to keep in awe the disaffected people of Canada, notwithstanding all the representations of the colonists. He had now augmented his army by a considerable number of Indians, and promised even in his present situation to make a formidable resistance. As soon as General Montgoniery arrived at Cro«vn Point, he received information that several armed vessels were stationed at St. John's, a strong fort on the Sorel, with a view to prevent his crossing the lake j on which he took possession of an island CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 273 that commands the mouth of the Sorcl, and by which he could prevent them from entering the lake. In conjunction with Ge- neral Schuyler, he next proceeded to St. Juhn's: but, finding that place too strong, he landed on a part of the country consi- derably distant, and full of woods and swamps. From thence, however, they were driven by a party of Indians whom General Carleton had employed. The provincial army was now obliged to retreat to the island of which they at first took possession ; where General Schuyler being taken ill, Montgomery was left to command alone. His first step was to gain over the Indians whom General Carleton had employed, and this he in a great measure accomplished; after which he determined to lay siege to St. John's. In this he was facilitated by the reduction of Chamble, a small fort in the neighbourhood where he found a large supply of powder. An attempt was made by General Carleton to relieve the place ; for which purpose he with great pains collected about 1000 Cana- dians, while Colonel Maclean proposed to raise a regiment of the Highlanders who had emigrated from their own country to America. But, while General Carleton was on his march with these new levies, he was attacked by a superior force uf provin- cials, and utterly defeated ; which being made known to another body of Canadians who had joined Colonel Maclean, they aban- doned him without striking a blow, and he was obliged to re- treat to Quebec. The defeat of General Carleton was a sufficient recompence to the Americans for that of Colonel Ethan Allen, which had happened a little before. The success which had attended this gentleman against Crown Point and Ticonderago had embol- dened him to make a similar attempt on Montreal ; but, being attacked by the militia of the place, supported by a detachment of regulars, he was entirely defeated, and taken prisoner General Carleton's defeat, and the desertion of Maclean's forces, induced the garrison of St. John's to surrender them- selves prisoners of war ; ^nd they were treated with great hu- manity. They were in number 500 regulars and 200 Canadians, among whom were many French nobles. General Montgomery next took measures to prevent the British shipping from passing down the river from Montreal to Quebec. This he accomplished CO effectually, that the whole were takfen. The town itself was 12. M m ■i n ' I;, hi r Pi M m 274 HiSTURY Vy implMHH AMJdtlOA. obliged to surrender at di^cretimi ; and it was yvjth the utrnoiit diflficulty that Cfeneral C^rletpn escaped ir^ ^i) ppen bo^t hy the favor of a dark night. Np obstacle npw ren^ained to prevent the Aaj^rjcans from ma- lting their iV4y to the capjtjitl, except wh^t arose from the nature ci the cftuntfy; £^nd th^^se vyere v?ry considerable. Nothing, however, could damp the urdor of the provincials, Notwith* standing it wa^ jiQyf the middle of November, pnd the depth of winter was ^l h^iid, Coloo?l Arnold formed a design of penetra- ting through wppds^ mprasses, and the most frightful solitudes, from New England to Canftdflj hy a nearer w^y than that which Montgpmpry bad iJhosen j su^d thi^ he accomplished in spite of every difficulty, to tl»e astonishment of wU who saw or h^ard of the attempt. Thi« desperate march, however, cannot be looked upon as conducive to any good purpose. A third pa^t of his men under another colonel had abandoned hini by the way, under pretence of want of provisions ; the total want pf artillory ren- dered his presence insignificant before a place strongly fortified ; and the sniallness of his army rendered it even doubtful \vhethev he could have taken the town by surprise. 'I'he Canadians in- deed were amazed at the exploit, and their inclination to revolt from Britain was somewhat augmented j faftit np^ie qf i\\em as yet took up arms in beh»lf of America. The cone^teruatiou into which the town of Quebec was thrown, praved detrimental ra- ther than otherwise to the expedition j as it doubled the vigi- lance at>d activity of the iobabitants to prevent any surprise; and |he appearance pf common danger united all parties, who, be- fore the arrival of Afnojd, were contending mosit violently with OU9 another, H© Wfts therefore obliged to content himself with flocking up the avenues to the town, in otrdei to distcess the garrison for want of provisions ; and even this he was unabli? to do e^fectjially, by reason of th? sm»ll number of bi* men. The matter was not much meijdied by the lyrival of Get^va) M.ontgo- mpry. 'l^<} force b 2 h^d with him, evf n, wh^p united to that of ArnoJ \ was too insignificant to attempt the rottuctipn of a place so strooglv fortified, especially with the assistance only of a fevif mortars and fieldrpieces. After the siege had continued through the month of December, General Montgomery, c Williamsburg, even to give his assent to the bills, which could not be passed without it, though the assembly offered to bind themselves for his personal safety. In his turn he requested them to meet him on* board the man of war where he then was; but this proposal was rejected, and all further correspondence containing the least appearance of friendship was discontinued. Lord Dunmore, thus deprived of his government, attempted to reduce the patriots by force. Some of the most strenuous adherents to the British cause, whom zeal had rendered obnox^ ious at home, now repaired to him. He was also joined by numbers of negro slaves. With these auxiliaries^ and the assist- ance of the British shipping, he was for some time enabled to carry on a kind of predatory war, sufficient to wound and exas- perate, but not to subdue. After some inconsiderable attempts on land; proclaiming liberty to the slaves, and setting up the royal standard, he took up his residence at Norfolk, a maritime town of some consequence, where the people were better affect- ed to Britain than in most other places. A considerable force^ however, was collected against him ; and, the natural impetuos- ity of his temper prompting him to act against them with more courage than prudence, he was entirely defeated, and obliged to retire to the shipping, which was now crowded by the number of those who had incurred the resentment of the provincials. In the mean time a scheme of the utmost magnitude and im- portance was formed by one Mr. ConoUy, a Pennsylvanian, of an intrepid and aspiring disposition, and attached to the cause of Britain. The first step of this plan was to enter into a league with the Ohio Indians. This he communicated to Lord Dun- more, and it received his approbation : upon which Conolly set out and actually succeeded in this part of his design. On his return, he was dispatched to General Gage, firom whom he re- ceived a colonel's commission, and set out in order to acccom- plish the remainder of his scheme. The plan in general was, chat he should return to the Ohio, where^ by the assistance of I 1 iji ! *■■* ,!, 1/ it-: i 278 HlStOHV OF NOllTH AMElllCA. the British and Indians in these parts, he was to penetrate through th« back settlei.ients into Virginia, and join Lord Dun** more at Alexandria : but, by an accident very likely to occur, hc was discovered, taken prisoner^ and thrown into a dungeon. After the retreat of Lord Dunmore from Norfolk, that pface was taken iK)sse9sion of by the provincials, who treated the loy- alists that had remained there with great cruelty ; at the same- tinte that they greatly distressed those on-board Lord Dutimore's fleet, by refusing to supply them with any necessaries. Nor was tills all : the vicinity of the shipping was such, as to afford the riflemen an opportmiity of reaching the people on-board. These procee^mg* at last drew a remonstrance from his lofdthip ; irt Which he insisted, thae the Heet should be furnished with neces- f^ftrjes, and that the irtldiefs should desist from fifing at the peo- ple on*board ; but both these demands Wite rejected : a resola- iion Wfils taken to S6t 6te to the tdwh. After giving the mhabi- tatets a \>roptf warning, a party landed, undef cover* of a man of war, and set fire to that part which lay neatest the shor6 ; but the flames w*re observed, at the saiwe titne, td break forth ht «very othe* quarter, aftd the whole tdwn was redticetl to ashe** This tffiivetsal destruction, by which a loss of nidre than o£'30,000 Iras htcurred, b said to hate been 6ee&si6ned by order of the congress itself, that the loyalist* might fhid, ,m iefogfe there for theftlture. '- - .-jH'' r>:i^o ^^--i -n'tiFibntiJ-nn ^^ !;• In the southern coldfiies of Cafdiba, the Bfitfeh governors were also expelled, and obHgerf to take refuge tnt-boArd the theA df war i ttmcmg others, Mr. Mdnrthl, gdttttiot of North Ca- rolina, was escpelJed, on a eharge of attempting to* raise the? back-settlers, ednsisting chiefly of Scots Highlanders, iigSrinsM; the coldify. Hairing secured themselves Agaittst any attempts ttom these* ettemks, they proceeded to regulate their iftternai eofledrrtt? hi the aflrnie maimer as the rdst of the Cdfotiies; and, by the ettd df the ytAr 1775-, Britain beheld the whole of Atti6i\(*ti ttmted agamst her in the most det^mined oppositton* Her Vast pdssessidns of that tract of land, since known by the i*iMh6 of th6 TMrUtfn Urdted States, Were now redticed to the- sTftgle tot^n df Boston 3 Itif whfch her forces were? besieged by are erwmy with wfudm they Were apparefitly ttot able to cope, and by Whom they mu^ of course exped; in a Very short tim* to he ^pellf^d. The sitimidn of the inhabka:md df Bdsrtoti, ktdat^, I CONTEST BETWEEN OREAT BHITAIK, kc. 279 irt /i ,-1 wa") peculiarly unhappy. After having failed in their attempts to leave the town, (ienoraj Gage had consented to allow them to retire with their effects ] but afterwards, for what reason does not well appear^ he refused to fulfil his promise. When he re- signed his place to General Howe, in October 1775, the latter, apprehensive that they might give intelligence of the situation of the British troops, strictly prohibited every person from leaving the place) under pain of military execution. Thus matters con- tinued till tlie month of March, 1776, when the town was eva« cuated. On the second of that month, General Washington opened a battery on the west side of the town, from vvhonce it was bom- barded with a heavy fire of cannpn ; and three days after, it was attacked by another battery from the eastern shore. This terri- ble attack continued for fourteen days without intermission j when General Howe, finding the place no longer tenable, deter- mined if possible to drive the enemy from their works. Prepa- iations were therefore made for a moKt vigorous attack on a hill called Dorchester Neck, which the Americans had fortified in such a manner as would in all probability have rendered the en- terprise next to desperate. No difficulties, however, were suffi- cient to daunt the spirit of the general ; and every thing was in readiness, when a sudden storm prevented this intended exer- tion of British valor. Next day, upon a more .close inspection of the works they were to attack, it was thought advisable to desi.<)t from the enterprise altogether. The fiortificatious were very stroiig, and extremely well provided wiih artillery : and, be- sides other implements of destruction, upwards ot 100 hogsheads of stones were provided to roll down upca *He enemy as they came up ; which, as the ascent was extremely steep, must have done prodigious execution. Nothing, therefore, now remained, but to think of a retrent j and even this was attended with the utmost difficulty and dan- ger. The Americans, knowing that it was in the power of the British general to reduce the town to ashes, wjiich could uot have been repaired in many years, did not think proper to give the least molestation; and, for the »pace of a fortnight, the troops were employed in the evacuation of the place, from whence they carried along with them 2000 of the inhabitants, who durst not stay on acgount of their att»dunent to the Bnt^h tM S80 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. le* cause. From Boston they sailed to Halifax ; but all their vigi- lance could not prevent a number of valuable ships from falling into the hands of the enemy. A considerable quantity of can- non and ammunition had also been left at Bunker's Hill and Boston Neck ; and, in the town, an immense variety of goods, principally woollen and linen, of which the provincials stood very much in need. The estates of those who fled to Halifax were confiscated ; as also those M^ho ivere attached to government, and had remained in the town. As an attack was expected as soon as the Brhish forces should arrive, every method was employed to render the fortifications, (already very stong,) impregnable. For this purpose some foreign engineers were employed, who had Vfore arrived at Boston ; and so eager were people of all ranks to accomplish this business, that every able-bodied man in the place, without distinction of rank, set apart two days in the week, to complete it the sooner. The provincial assemblies, under the influence of congress, took up the question of independence ; and in some instances, authorised their representatives, in the great national council, to enter into foreign alliances. Except Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York, they were in favor of a total and immediate se- paration from Great Britain, and gave instructions to their re- presentatives conforming to this opinion. Measures had been taken to ascertain the sense of the people respecting it, which was expressed in instructions to their representatives in the colo- nial assemblies, and was generally' in favor of it. " The time was," said the people of the town of Maiden, in Massachussetts, ** when we loved the king and the people of Great Britain with an affection truly filial ; we felt ourselves interested in their glo- ry ; we shared in their joys and sorrows ; we cheerfully poured the fruit of all our labors into the lap of our mother-country, and, without reluctance, expended our blood and our treasure in her cause. *' These were our sentiments towards Great Britain, while she continued to act the part of a parent state ; we felt ourselves happy in our connexion with her, nor wished it to be dissolved. But our sentiments are altered. It is now the ardent wish of our souls that America may become a free and independent state." The inhabitants of Boston, ever forward and zealous in the CONTEfJT '^Ef Ween OliEAT BTIITATN, &C. 981 the contest, concluded, in their instructions, a recapitulation of th«( existing causes of durable animosity, and of the hazards of re- storing the past connexion, witii saying, " We therefore think it ahnost impracticable for these colonies to be ever agaiti subject to, or dependant upon. Great Britain^ without endangering the very existence of the state. Placing, however, unbounded con- fidence in the suprtme councils of the congress, we are determi- ned to wait, most patiently to wait, till their wisdom shall dictate the necessity of making a declaration of independence. Nor should we have ventured to express our sentiments upon the subject, but from the presumption that congress would choose to feel themselves supported by the people of each colony, before they adopt a resolution so interesting to the whole. The inhabi- tants of this town, therefore, unanimously instruct and direct you, that, at the approaching session of tiie General Assembly, you use your endeavours, that the ilelcgntcs of this colony, in congress, be advised, that, in ca,«o the congress shall think it necessary, for the -safety of the United Colonies, to declare them independent of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this colony, with their lives and the remnant of their fortunes, will most cheerfully support them in that measure." The people of the other parts of the same province, and in the other colonics generally, manifested the sanie spirit, aucf expressed the same sentiments. In South Carolina they were particularly ardent; and, in Virginia, the public sense wai^ so decisive on the 'subject, that the convention not only instructed their reprcvscntatives to move tiie resolution in the grand council of the continent, but declared that colony an indej)eudent state before the measure was sanctioned by congress. The public opinion having manifested itself in favor of inde- pendence, the great and decisive step was determined on ; and the following resolution was moved by Richard Henry Lee, and seconded bv .fohn Adams : " Resolved, that these United Colo- nics are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.". This resolution was referred to a committee of the whole con- gress, where it was daily debated. All the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Maryland, had expressed their approbation of the measure, and no doubt was entertained of its adoption : bnt 12. Nn •1^ ,!^ Mi 282 HISTOKV OF NOllTH AMERICA. it was thought prudent to suspend a dechion on it till the acqui- escence of those colonies in the measure should render its adop- tion unanimous^. Great exertions were made in hoth, by the strong friends of this resolution, who availed themselves of the apprehension, that those who did not join in this last and great- est step, would be excluded from the union ; and, at length, in- structions were received from the conventions of those provinces also, directing their representatives to assent to it. The resolution was now unanimously agreed to ; and the de- claration, which had been already prepared by a committee ap- pointed for that purpose, was taken into consideration, and after several amendments, received the sanction of the whole con- gress. This important paper commenced with stating, that *' Whoi- in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one peo- ple to dissolve the political hands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the eartli, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that im- pel them to the separationf." The causes are then stated, and a long enumeration of the oppressions, complained of by America, is closed with saying, ** A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." The fruitless appeals which had been made to the people of Great Britain, are also recounted ; but " they, too," concludes this declaration, " have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we would the rest of mankind, enemies in war — in peace, friends. * 'While this vote \ia.s depending, resolutions were entered into hy ron* gress. declaring that all persons residini; within, or passing through, any one of the United Colonies, owed a1les;ianc^ to the gnVernmf nt thereof; and that any such person, who should levy war against any of the United Colo- nies, or adhere to the king of Great Britain, or othrr enemies of the' said colonies, or any of them, should be guilty of 'treason ; and it was recom- mended to the scTeral legislatures to pass law's for their punishment. i Mr Jefferson, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and iMr. R, R, LivingMOD, were appointed to prepare this declaration ; and the draft reported by the comoiittee has been genrrnUy atiributed to Mr Jefferson. ; CONTEST BETWEEN GllEAT BRITAIN, &C. 283 » acqui- by the 1 of the J gront- ?th, in- rovince« the de- ttee np- nd after lie coti- *' Whoix )ne pro- rd them e eartli, ure, and opinions that ini- of the saying, t which pie/' cople of includes e and of lecessity e would t hy con- I, any onr reof; and ted Colp. ' the' said as recnm* t. and Mr. the draft Tcrson. " We, therefore, the Ileprcsentatives of the United States of America, in Ceneral Congress aisemhicd, appealing to the Su- preme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of those coloniea, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown ; and that all political connexion between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish com- merce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may, of right, do. And, for the support of this declara- tion, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor*," This declaration, which was published on the 4th of July^ 1776, was immediately communicated to the armies, where it M'as received with enthusiasm. It was also proclaimed through- out the United States, and gave to the people very general joy. Some individuals, however, who had been very zealous support- ers for all measures which had for their object only a redress of grievances, and in whose bosoms the hope of accommodation still lingered, either too timid to meet the arduous conflict which this measure rendered, in their estimation, certain and inevita- ble, or sincerely believing that the happiness of America would be best consulted by preserving their political connexion with i' * The names of the members, v/ho subscribed the declaration of indepen* deace, were as follow, viz., tftne HampthiTe— J oaMi hittitit, Wiliam Whipple, Matthew Thornton, Maii*achH$tetti Bay,— Samuel Adami, John Adami, Robert Treat Paine, Etbridge Oerry, XAode Iiland, ^c— Stephen Hopliins, William lillery, Cpmectirt«t— Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, Ifeio yorJfc— William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Leviris, Lewis Morris, elatm>i«— Cxsar Rodney, George Read, Afaryioad— Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Caroll, of Carollton, flr^nt'o— George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, jun., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, North Caroiina— William Hooper, Joicph Hewes, John Per.n, 6'ouf* Corolino— Edward Itiitlege, Thomas Heywanl, jun., ThODOM Lyncb, jun., Axthw Middleton, .^'wr/i.j— Batf.n Gwhnett, I.yman HaM, Ceorge Walton, < J t; ! ;■ I i ^ i & I ii < i !i«4» HISTOIIV OF NOll'Pli AMERICA. 6reat Britain, viewed the d'lssolutioa uf that connexion with anxious regret ; and others, who afterwards deserted the Ameri- can cause, which they had at first embraced, attributed thieir de- fection to this measure. It was also an unfortunate truth, that in the whole country, between New England an«l the Patomac, which was now to become the great theatre of action, although the majority was in favor of indei endence, yet there existed a formidable minority, who not only refused to act with their countrymen, but were ready to give the enemy every aid in their power. It cannot, however, be questioned, that the declaration of in- dependence was wise, and well timed : and that, since the con- tinuance of the war was inevitable, every principle of ^Qund po- Ijcy required that the avowed characters of the parties should be changed ; and that it should np longer be denominated, or con- sidered, a war between a sovereign and his acknowledged sub- jects. After thus decisively throwing off all allegiance and hope qf reconciliation, the colonists soon found that an exertion of all their strength was required in order to support their newly ac- quired independence. Tiieir arms, indeed, had not, during this season, been attended with success in Canada. Reinforcements had been promised to General Arnold, who still continued the blockade of Quebec ; but they did not arrive in time to second his operations. Being sensible, however, that he must either desist from the enterprise, or finish it successfully, he re-com-r menced in form, attempting to burn the shipping, and even to storm the town itself. He was unsuccessful, however, by reason of the smallness of his force ; but he succeeded so far as to burn a number of houses in the suburbs, and the garrison were obli- ged to pull down the remainder in order to prevent t\ie fire from spreading. As the Americans, though unable to reduce the town, h«pt the garrison m continual alarms, and in a very disagreeable situ- ation, some of the nobility collected themselves into a body, un- der the command of one Mr. Beaujeu, in order to relieve their capital ; but they were met on their march by the provincials, and so entirely defeated, that they were never afterwards able to attempt any thing. The Americans, however, hf^d but little reason to plume themselves on this success. Their w^nt of ar- 'i CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &c. 285 1. !:«pt t I tillery at last; convinced them, that it was impracticable in their situation tp reduce a place so strongly fortified : the small-pox at the s^iTie time made its appearance in their camp, and car- ried off greav r.-'-nbers j intimidating the rest to such a degree, that they deserted in crowds. To add to their misfortunes, the British reinforcements unexpectedly appeared, and the ships made their ivay through the ice with such celenty, that the one part of their army was separated from the other ; and General Carleton, sallying out as soon as the reinforcement was landed, obliged them to fly with the utmost precipitation, leaving behind them all their cannon and military stores ; at the same time that their shipping was entirely captured by vessels sent up the river fpr that purpose. General Carleton now gave a signal instance of his humanity: being well apprised that many of the provincials had not been able to accompany the rest in their retreat, and that they were concealed in woods, &c. in a very deplorable si- tuation, he generously issued a proclamation, ordering proper persons to seek them out, and give them relief at the public ex- penue ; at the same time, lest through fear of being made pri- soners, they should refuse these offers of humanity, he promised, that, as soon as their situation enabled them, they should be at liberty to depart to their respective homes. The British general, now freed from any danger of an attack, was i^oon enabled to act offensively against the provincials, by the arrival of the forces destined for that purpose from Britain. By these, he was put at the head of 12,000 regular troops, among whom were those of Bi-unswick. With this force he in- stantly set out to the Three Rivers, where he expected that Ar- nold would have made a stand ; but he had fled to Sorel, a place 1$0 miles distant from Quebec, where he was at last met by the reinforcemcota ordered by congress. Here, though the preceding events were by no mean» calculated to inspire much military ar- dor, a very daring enterprise was undertaken r and this was, to surprise the British troops posted under Generals Fraser and Nesbit; of whom the former commanded those on land, the latter $uch as were on-board the transports, and were but a little way distant. The enterprise was very hazardous, both on ac- count of the strength of the parties against whom they were to act, and as the main body of the British forces were advanced within fifty miles of the place ; besides that, a number of small • i If 286 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. vessels and transports with troops lay between tlieni and the Three Rivers. Two thousand chosen men, under General Thomson, engaged in this enterprise. Their success was by no means answerable to their spirit and valor. Though they passed the shipping without being observed, (ieneral Fraser had notice of their landing ; and, thus being prepared to receive them, they were soon thrown into disorder, at the same time that General Nesbit, having landed his forces, prepared to attack them in the rear. On this occasion some field-pieces did prodigious execu- tion, and a retreat was found to be unavoidable. General Nesbit had got between them and tlteir boats ; so that they were obli- ged to take a circuit through a deep swamp, while they were vigorously pursued by both parties at the same time, who marched for some miles on each side of the swamp, till at last the miserable provincials were sheltered from further danger by a wood at the end of the swamp. General Thomson was taken, with 200 of his men. By this disaster the provincials lost all hopes of making any impression in Canada. They demolished their works, and car- ried off their artillery with the utmost expedition. They were pursued by General Burgoyne ; against whom it was expected that they would have collected all their force, and made a reso- lute stand. But they were for the present too much dispirited by misfortunes to make any further exertions of valor. On the 18th of June, the British general arrived at Fort St. John's, which he found abandoned and burnt. Chamblee had shared the same fate, as well as all the vessels that were not capable of being dragged up against the current of the river. It was thought they would have made some resistance at Nut Island, the en- trance to Lake Champlain ; but this also they had abandoned, and retreated across the lake to Crown Point, whither they could not be immediately followed. Thus was the province of Canada entirely evacuated by the Americans ; whose loss in their retreat from Quebec was not calculated at less than 1000 men, of whom 400 fell at once into the hands of the enemy at a ^ace called the Cedars, about 50 miles above Montreal. General Sullivan, however, who conducted this retreat after the affair of General Thomson, was acknowledged to have had great merit in what he did, and received the thanks of the congress accord- ingly. I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 287 'ace This bad success in the north was somewhat compensated by what happened in the southern colonies. We have formerly taken notice that Mr. Martin, governor of North Carolina, had been obliged to leave his province and take refuge on-board a man of war. Notwithstanding this, he did not despair of reducing it again to obedience. For this purpose he applied to the Regu- lators, a daring set of banditti, who lived in a kind of indepen- dent state ; and though considered by government as rebels, yet had never been molested, on account of their numbers and known skill in the use of fire arms. To the chiefs of these peo- ple commissiuns were sent, in order to raise some regiments; and Colonel Macdonald, a brave and enterprising officer, was appointed to command them. In the month of February he erected the king*s standard, issued proclamations, &c., and col- lected some forces, expecting to be soon joined by a body of re- gular troops, who were known to be shipped from Great Britain to act against the southern colonies. The Americans, sensible of their danger, dispatched immediately what forces they had to act against the royalists, at the same time that they diligently ex- erted themselves to support these with suitable reinforcements. Their present force was commanded by General Moore, whose numbers were inferior to Macdonald ; for which reason the latter i^ummoned him to join the king's standard, under pain of being treated as a rebel. But Moore, being well provided with can- non, and conscious that nothing could be attempted against him, returned the compliment, by acquainting Colonel Macdonald, ihat if he and his party would lay down their arms, and sub- scribe an oath of fidelity to congress, they should be treated as friends ; but, if they persisted in an undertaking for which it was evident they had not sufficient strength, they could not but expect the severest treatment. In a few days, General Moore found himself at the head of 8000 nien, by reason of the conti- nual supplies which daily arrived from all parts. The royal party amounted only to 2000, and they were destitute of artillery, which prevented them from attacking the enemy while they had the advantage of numbers. They were now, therefore, obliged to have recourse to a desperate exertion of personal valor ; by dint of which, they effected a retreat for 80 miles, to Moor's Creek, within 16 miles of Wilmington. Could they have gained this place, they expected to have been joined by governor Mar- I 1288 ftlStOAY OF NORTH AMEHiCA. tin and General Clinton, «?ho had lately arrived with h consider- able reinforcement. But Moore, with his army, pursued them so close, that they were obliged to attempt the passage of the creek itself, though a considerable body of the enemy, under the command of Colonel Coswell, in fortifications well phmted with cannon, was posted on the other side. On attempting the creek, it was found not to be fordable. They were obliged, therefore, to cross over a wooden bridge, which the provincials had not time to destroy entirely. They had, however, by pulling up part of the planks, and greasing the remainder in order to ren- der them slippery, made the passage so difficult, that the royal- ists could not attempt it. In this situation they were, on the 27th of February, attacked by Moore, with his superior army, and totally defeated, with the loss of their general, and most of their leaders, as well as the best and bravest of their men. Thus was the power of the patriots established in North Ca- rolina. Nor were they less successful in the province of Virginia; where Lord Dunmore, having long continued an useless preda- tory war, was at last driven from every creek and road in the province. The people he had on-board were distressed to the highest degree, by confinement in small vessels. The heat of the season, and the numbers crowded together, produced a pesti- lential fever, which made a great havoc, especially among the blacks. At last, finding themselves in the utmost hazard of perishing by famine as well as disease, they set fire to the least valuable of their vessels, reserving ^only about [fifty for them- selves, in which they bade adieu to Virginia, some sailing to Florida, some to Bermuda, and the rest to the West Indies. In South Carolina, the Americans had a more formidable ene- my to deal with. A squadron, whose object was the reduction of Charlestovvn, had been fitted out in December, 1775 j but, by reason of unfavorable weather, did not reach Cape Fear, in North CaroHna, till the njonth of May, 1776; and here it met with ftirther obstacles till the end of the month. Thus the Americans, always noted for their alertness in raising fortifica- tions, had time to strengthen those of Charlestown in such a manner as rendered it extremely difficult to be attacked. The British squadron consisted of two 50-gun ships, four of 30 guns, two of 20, an armed schooner, and bomb-ketch, under the command of Sir Peter Parker. The land forces were commanded CONTEST BET^yEEN CHEAT BRITAIN, &cC. 2«9 Ca- by Lord CornwalUs, with Generals Clinton and Vaughan. As they had yet no intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, Gene- ral Howe dispatched a vessel to Cupe Fear with some instruc- tions j but it was too late; and, in the beginning of June, the squadron anchored off Charlestown-bar. Here they met with some difficulty in crossing, being obliged to take out the guns from the two large ships, which were, notwithstanding, several times in danger of sticking fast. The next obstacle ,was a strong fort on SuUivan's Island, six miles east from Charlestown; which, though not completely finished was very strong. The British generals resolved, without hesitation, to attack it ', but, though an attack was easy from the sea, it was very difficult to obtain a co-operation with the land forces. This was attempted, by landing them on Long Island, adjacent to Sullivan's Island on the east, from which it is separated by a very narrow creek, said not to be above two feet deep at low water. Opposite to this ford, the provincials had posted a strong body of troops, with cannon and entrenchments ; while General Lee was posted on the main laud, with a bridge of boats betwixt that and Sul- livan's Island, so that he could at pleasure send reinforcements to the troops in the fort on Sullivan's Island. On the part of the British, so many delays occutrjed, that it was the 28th of June before they were in readiness to make an attack j and, by this time, the provincials had abundantly provided for their re- ception. On llie morning of that day, the bomb- ketch began to throw shells into Fort Sullivan ; and, about mid-day, the two 50 gun ships and 30-gun frigates came up and began a severe fire. Three other frigates were ordered to take their station be- tween Cliarlestown and the fort, in order to enfilade the batte- ries, and cut off the communication with the main land; but, through, the ignorance of the pilots, they all stuck fast; and, though two of them were disentangled, they were found to be totally unfit for. service: the third was burnt, that she might not fall into the hands of the enemy. The attack was therefore con- fined to the five armed ships and bomb-ketch, between whom and the fort a dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol suffered execs'^ sively. The springs on her cable being shot away, she was en- tirely exposed to the enemy's fire. As the enemy poured in great quantities of red-hot balls, she was twice in flames. The cap- tain, (Mr. Morris,) after receiving five %\ounds, was obliged to 13. OO I i i 'il l\ I I i.: 290 histohy of north America. li!! i:U i'li. gd below, in order to have his arm amputated. After undergo- ing this operation, he bravely returned to his place^ where he received another wound, hut still refused to quit his station ; at last he received a red-hot ball in his belly, which instantly put an end to his life. Of all the officers and seamen who stood on the quarter-deck of this vessel, not one escaped without a wound, excepting Sir Peter Parker alone ; Ivhose intrepidity and presence of mind on this occasion were very remarkable. The engagement lasted till darkness put an end to it. Ijiltle damage was done by the British, as the works of the enemy lay so low, that most of the shot Hew over^ and the furtihcation», being composed of palm-trees mixed with earth, were extremely well calculated to resist the impression of cannon. During the height of the attack, the ptovincial batteries remained for some time silent, so that it was concluded that they had been abandoned } but this was found to proceed only from want of powder ; for as soon as a supply of this article was obtained, the firing wa$ resumed as briskly as ever. During the whole of this desperate engagement, it was impossible for the land forces to give the least assistance to the fleet. The enemy's works were found to be much stronger than they bad been imagined, and the depth of water effectually prevented them from making any attempt, in this unsuccessful attack, the killed and wounded, on the part ef the British, amounted to about 200. The Bristol and Expe- riment were so much damaged, that it was thought they could not have been got over the bar ; however, this was at last ac- complished, by a very great exertion of naval skill, to the snr- pise of the provincials, who had expected to make them both prizes. On the American side the loss was v«ry considerable ; as most of their guns were dismounted, and reinforcements had poured into the fort during the whole time of the actioti. This year also, the Americans, having so frequently made trial of their valor by land, became desirous of trying it by sea, and of ibrmiug a navy that might in some measure be ^ble to protect their trade, atitl do essential hurt to the enemy. In the beginning of March, Commodore Hopkins was dispatched with five frigates to the Bahama Islands, where he made himself mas- ter of the ordnance and military stores ; but the gunpowder, which had been the principal object, wiis removed. On his re- turn he captured several vessels; but was foiled in his attempt CONTEST? BETWEEN GREAT BEITAIN, &C. 291 f i ' ^ on the Glasgow ^rig<^tc, which found means to escape^ notwith- standing the eiTorts of his whole squadron. The time was now come, when the fortitude and patience of the Americans were to undergo a severe trial. Hitherto they had been, on the whole, successful in their operations : but now they were doomed to experience misfortune, misery, and dis- grace ; the enemy over-running their countiy, and their owiv armies not able to face them in the field. The province of New York, as being the most central colony, and most accessible by sea, was pitched upon for the object of the main attack. The force sent against it consisted of six ships of the line, thirty fri- gates, besides other armed vessels, and a vast number of trans- ports. The fleet was commanded by Lord Howe, and the land forces by his brother, General Howe^ who was now at Halifax. The latter, however, a considerable time before his brother arri- ved, had set sail from Halifax, and lay before New York, but without attempting to commence hostilities until he should be joined by his brother. The Americans had fortified New York, and the adjacent islands, in an extraordinary manner. General: Howe landed his troops on Staten Island, where be was soon joined by a number of the inhabitants. About t^e miiddle o£ July, Loffd Howe anived with the grand armament ^ and, being one of the commissioners appointed to receive lih« sUiii)roission of the colonists, he published a circular letter to this purpose, to the several, governors who had lately been expelled from their provinces, desiring them to make the extent of his comniissiou, and the powers he was invested with by parliament, as public as possible. Here, however, congress saved him trouble, by order- ing his letter and declaration to be pul»lished in all the newspa- pers, that every one might be convinced, that thej' might see thgt insidtQUsness of the British ministry, and that they bad nothing to trust to besides the exertion of their own valor. As there was some difficulty in I'ecognising either tbe civU or military charaeter conferred on inidividuals by the existing j>o\v^ ers in America, and yet it was: desirable, either for the purpose of effecting a pacification, or of dividing still more the Ameri- cans, if a pocification should be imprad:icabJe, to open negocia'* tions, and bold out the semblance of restoring peace, the com- mi^sipuers cast about for means to evade this preliminary obstii- de to any discussion of the terms they were authorised to pro- ' I' m 1292 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. pose ; and, at length, Colonel Patterson, Adjutant General of the British army, was sent on shore by General Howe, with a letter directed to George Washington, &e. &c. &c. He was in- troduced to the Geneiul, vvliotu he addressed by the title of ^'Excellency;" and, alter the usual compliments, entered on business, by saying that General Howe much regretted the diffi- culties which had arisen respecting the address of the letters ; that the mode adopted was deemed consistent with propriety, and was founded on precedent, in cases of ambassadors and ple- nipotentiaries, where disputes or difficulties about rank had arisen. That General Washington might recollect he had, last summer, addressed a letter to " The Honorable William Howe." That Lord and General Howe did not mean to derogate from liis rank, or the respect due to him, and that they held his per- son and character in the highest esteem ; but that the direction, with the addition of &c. Sec. &c. implied every thing which ought to follow. Colonel Patterson then produced a letter, which he said was the same that hatt been sent, and which lie laid on the table. The 'General declined receiving it ; and said, that a letter, directed to a person in a public character, should have some de- scription or indication of that character, otherwise it would be concidered as a mere private letter. It was true the et ceteras implied every thing, and they also implied any thing. That the letter to General Howe, alluded to, >vas an answer to one re- ceived from him under a like address, which, having been taken by the officer on duty, he did not think proper to return, and therefore answered in the same mode of address ; and that he should absolutely decline any letter, relating to his public sta- tion, directed to him as a private person. ♦ i Colonel Patterson then said, that General Howe would not urge his delicacy further, and repeated his assertions, that no failure of respect was intended. Some conversation then passed, relative tu the treatment of prisoners ; after which. Colonel Patterson said, that the good- ness and benevolence of the king had induced him to appoint Lord Howe and General Howe his commissioners, to accommo- date the unhappy dispute at present subsisting : that they had great powers, and would derive much pleasure from effecting the >•! CONTEST BETWEEN CHEAT BRITAIN, &C. 293 accommodation ; and that h« wished this visit to be considered as making the first advance towards so desirable an object. General Washington replied, that he was not vested with any powers on this subject, by those from whom he derived his au- thority; but he would observe, that so far as he could judge from what had as yet transpired. Lord Howe and General Howe were only empowered to grant pardons : that those who had committed no fault wanted no pardon ; and that the An>ericans were only defending what they deemed their indubitable rights. This Colonel Patterson said, would open a very wide field for argument ; and after expressing his fears that an adherence to forms might obstruct business of the greatest moment and con* cern, he took his leave. ^ , - The substance of this conversation was communicated to con- gress, and was ordered by that body to be published. The decision of the momentous question at issue being now by consent of both parties left to the sword, no time was lost, but hostilities commenced as soon as the British troops could be collected. This, however, was not done before the month of August ; when they landed on Long Island, opposite to the shore of Staten Islai>d. General Putnam, with a large body of troops, lay encamped and strongly fortified on a peninsula on the oppo- site shore, with a range of hills between the armies, the princi- pal pass of which was near a place called Flat-bush. Here the centre of the British army, consisting of Hessians, took post; the left wing under General Grant, lying near the shore; and the right, consisting of the greater part of the British forces, lay under Lords Percy, Cornwallis, and General Clintori. Putnam had ordered the passes to be secured by large detachments, which was executed as to those at hand ; but one of the greatest importance, which lay at a distance, was entirely neglected. This gave an opportunity to a large body of troops under Lord Percy and Clinton to pass the mountains and attack the Ameri- cans in the rear, while they were engaged with the Hessians in front. Throug-h this piece of negligence their defeat became inevitable. Those who were engaged with the Hessians first perceived their mistake, and began a retreat towards their camp; but the passage was intercepted by the British troops, who drove them back into the woods. Hei'e they were met by the Hessians ; and thus were they for many hours slaughtered :■ t. •Ii 294 HISTORV OF NORTH AMEHICA. E< between two fires, no way of escape remnininic; but by brcaUiniy through the British troops, and thus regaining their camp. In this attempt many perished ; and the right wing, engagt^d witii General Grant, shared the same fate. The victory was com- plete ; and the Americans lost on this fatal day (Aiigust '27th) between 3 and 400() men, of whom 2000 were killed in the battle. Among these a regiment, consisting of young gentlemen of fortune and family in Maryland, was almost entirely cut m pieces, and of the survivors not one escaped without a wiuuid. Eleven hundred of the enemy, among whom were three generals, were taken prisoners. The enemy, believing the Americans to be much strongen than they were in reality, and seeming unwilling to commit any thing to hazard, fortunately made no immediate attempt to force the lines. They encamped in front of them; and oii the 28th, at night, broke ground in form, within six hundred yards of a redoubt on the left. The situation of the army, on Long Inland, had now become extremely critical. In front was a victorious enemy, from whom much was to be apprehended, in case of assault, but whose numbers, and formidable train of artillery, rendered the destruc- tion of their works, by regular approaches, inevitable. The movements of the fleet, too, indicated an intention to make some attempt on New York, and, so soon as the wind should be favorable, to force a passage into the East River : should they succeed in this attempt, and attack him by watpr, while the army might assault him by land, they would render his re- treat extremely difficult, if not absolutely impracticable. The troops, too, being obliged to lie in the lines, without shelter from the heavy rains which fell, were excessively fatigued and dispirited. Under these circumstances, it was determined to 'vithdraw firom Long Island; and this difficult movement was effected, on the night of the 28th, with such silence and dis- patch, that &\\ the troops and military stores, with the greater part of the provisions, and all the artillery, except such heavy pieces as, in the deep roads made by the excessive heavy rains which had hWen, could not possibly be drawn, were carried over in safety. Barly the next morning, the enemy perceived the rear-guard crossing the East River, out of reach of their fire. From the commencement of the action, on the morning of the CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 295 27th, till the troops had crossed the East River on the morning of the 29th, and were freed from the immediate perils to which their situation had exposed them, the exertions and fatigues of the Conimauder-in- Chief, who personally inspected almost every thing, were incessant. Throughout that time he never closed his eyes, and was almost constantly on horschack. The first use made hy Lord Howe of the victory of the 27th of August, was to avail himself of the impression it had proha- bly made on congress, by opening a negociation, in conformity Mfith his pulvers as a commissioner. For this purpose. General SttUivan was sent on )>arole to Philadelphia, with a verbal mes- sage, the import of which, when reduced to writing, was, that thou:;li he could not, at present, treat with congress as a politi- cal hody, yet lie was desirous of having a conference with some of their members, whom he would consider, for the present only as private gentlemen, and meet them as such at any place they would appoint. That he, in conjunction with General Howe, had full powers to compromise the dispute between Great Britain and America, nil terms advantageous to both ; the obtaining of which delayed him near two months in England, and prevented his arrival at New York before the declaration of independence took place. That he wished a compact might be settled at this time, when no dcci&ive blow was struck, and neither party could allcdge be- ing compelled to enter into such agreement. Tiiat in case congress Were disposed to treat, many things, ivliich they had not as yet asked, might and ought to be granted them; and that, if, upon the conference, they found any proba- ble ground of an accommodation, the authority of congress must be afterwards acknowledged, otherwise the compact would not be coimplete. This proposition of Lord Howe was not without its embar- rassments. To reject it altogether would be to give some coun- tenance to the opinion that, if independence were waved, a re- (vtoratiou of tlie ancieitt connexion between the t\vo countries, on principles formerly Mr. Franklin, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Edward Rutlege, all zealous advocates for independence, were appointed, in con- formity with the first resolution, to receive the communications of Lord Howe. . / They waited on his lordship, and, on their return, reported, that "he had received them, on the Uth of September, on Staten Island, q)posite to Amboy, with great politeness." He opened the conversation by acquainting them, that though he could not treat with them as a committee of congress, yet, as his powers enabled him to confer and consult with any private gentlemen of influence in the colonies, on the means of resto- > maintain cable, and ome relnx- country. I Sullivan, e free nnd ' send any ivate cha- on reason- , to know :horised by what that ihall think I to Gene- jsitions for unless the ntativee of by them, nanders of I, that the defence of it on rea- m in man« , congress ice of the sable con* I Rutlege, d, in con- unications . " .' ' reported, 2inber, on •S8." lat though jress, yet, ny private of rcsto- /y,,. I AM fl'iKirC'Arf X^'OITT;^. m !«■ r lili- ' ; T,.f.,.. . J.rrrL: /-U/JfJuyf /,y JjjW^r X' hoot/l. CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 297 ring peace between the two countries, he was glad of^this oppor- tunity of conferring with them on that subject, if they thought themselves at liberty to enter into a conference with him in thit character. The committee observed to his lordship, that, is their business was to hear, he might consider them in what light he pleased, and communicate to them any propositions he might be authorized to make, for the purpose mentioned; but that they could consider themselves in no other character than that ill which they were placed by order of congress. His lordship then entered into a discourse of considerable length, which con- tained no explicit proposition of peace, except oiie, namely, '* That the colonies should return to their allegiance and obedi- ence to the government of Great Britain. The rest consisted principally of assurances, that there was an exceeding good dis- position in the king and his ministers to make that government easy td them ; with intimations, that^ in case of submission, they would cause the offensive acts ot parliament to be revised, and the instructions to governors to be reconsidered ; that so, it' any just causes of complaint were found in the acts, or any errors in government were perceived to have crept into the instructions, they might be amended or withdrawn." The committee gave it as their opinion to his lordship, that a return to the domination of Great Britain was not now to be ex- pected. They mentioned the repeated humble petitions of the colonics to the king and parliament, which had been treated with contempt, and answered only by additional injuries \ the unexampled patience which had been shown under their lyranni- iiical government ; and that it was not till the late act of parlia- ment, which denounced war against them, and put them out of the king's protection, that they declared their independence"; that this declaration had been called for by the people of the colonics in general ; and that every colony had approved of it when niadf ; and all now considered themselves as independent states, and were settling; or had settled, their governments accordingly : so that it was not in the power of ;;congres8 to agree for them, that they should return to their former de- pendant state : that there were no doubt of their inclination to peace, and their willingness to enter into a treaty with Britain, that might be advantageous to both countries ; that though his lordship had, at present, no power to treat" with thetn as inde* 13. P p !m v^ 298 ItlSTOUV OP NORTH AMERICA. pendent states, he iniglit, if tlierc were the same good dlspost- iion in Britain, much sooner obtain fresh powers from thence^ for that purpose, than powers could he obtained by congress, from the several colonies, to consent to a submission. Mis locdship then Haying, that he was sorry to iind that no ac- commodation was likely to taHe placej^ put ^n end to the eonfe> fence. These fruitless negociations produced no suitpension of hostili- ties. Lord Howe, upon the failure of this negociiition, published a inanifestOj in which he declared the refusal of congress, and that he himself was willing to confer with' all well disposed persoivs about the means of restoriiig public tranquillity, set about the most proper methods for reducing the city of New York. Here the provincial troops were posted, and from a great number of batteries kept continually annoying the British shipping. The {last River lay between them, of about 1 200 yards in breadth, which the British troops were extremely desirous of passing. At last the ships having, after an incessant cannonade of several days^ silenced the most troublesome batteries, a body of troops were sent up the river to a bay, about three miles distant, where the fortifications were less strong than in other places. Here having driven off ihe provincials by the caimon of the fleet, they matched directly towards the city ; but the enemy, Ending that they should now be attacked on all sides, abandoned the city, and retired to the north of the island, where their principal force tras collected. In their passage thither they skirmished with the British, but carefully avoided a general engagfimetvt ; and it was observed that they did not behave with that ardor and impetuous valor which had hitherto marked their character. The British and American armies were not iv>w above two jniles distant from each other : the former lay encamped from shore td shore for an extent of two miles, being the bieadth q( the island, which, though fifteen miles long, exceeds not two in any part in breadth. The Americans, who lay directly opposite, had strengthened their camp with many fortifications; at thp same time, being masters of all the passes and defiles betwixt the t\vo camps, they were euAblcd to defend themselves against an army much more numerous than their own ; and they IW nko strongly fortified a pass called King\s Bridge, whence they 4 i disposj- thence^ ongi-ess, t no ac- e eonfe- hostili- lished a ind that persoivs >OUt tlljB . Here mber of 5. The breadth, ing. At f several f troops t^ where I. Here let, they ing that the cityi principal irmished g^^raent ; at ardor aracter. ove tw© ed frpfli ;adth pf t two ip »ppo9ite, at tl^ betwixt I against ^ey had ice they ,♦ CONTEST BETWEEN GUIEAT BRITAIN, &C. 2^9 coiild secure a pa8%j^ to the c(WtJn«rt in case of any misfortune. Here General Washington, in order to inure his troops to actual service, and at the sUme time to annoy the enemy as much a) pdssible, employed them in continual skirmishes; by which it was observed that they sodn recovered theit spirits, and behaved with their usual boldness. As the vicinity ot the American army was now highly incbR* venient tor the British generals, it was resolved to n^Kke such movements as might oblige General Washington to relinquish h}s strong situation. The possessioti of New York had b^^en less beneficial than was expected. It had been concerted among the provincials, that the city should be burnt at the time of evacua^ tion ; but, as they Were forced to depart with precipitation, they were prevented from putting the scheme in executiort. In a few days, however, it was attempted by some who had been left be* hrnd for that purpose. Taking advantage of a high wind and dry weather, the town was set on fire in several pilaceis at onee, by means of combustibles placed for that purpose ; awd^ notwith- standing the most active exertions of the soldiery and sailors, ^ fourth part of the city was consumed. On this occasion the British were iiTitated to the highest die- gree ; and many persons, said to be incetKliaries, were without mercy thrown into the flames. It wa^ determined tb force thef provincial army to a greater distance, that they might hav* it less in their power, by any emissaries, to engage others in a si* milar attempt. For thr? purpose, General Howe having left Lord Percy M^th sufficient force to gnnison New^ York, he em- barked his army in flat-bottom boats, by which they were con- veyed through the dangerous passage called Hell GatCf and landed near the toiVn of West Chester, lying on- the continent towards Connecticut. Here having received a supply of meu and provisions, they moved to New Koehellei situatied on the sound which separates Long Island from the continent. After this, reueiving still fresh reinforcements, they made auch move- ments as threatened to distress the provincials very mueh, by cutting off their convoys of provisiotis from Connecticut, and thus force tllem to au engagement. This, General Washings ton determined at all events to avoid. He therefore exten<^ ivis forces into a long line opposite to the way in winch the ene- my marched, keeping the Biuna^ a river of considerably rtitgni- ■1 •■ ' L 000 HISTORY OF NOllTfl AMERICA. I ■'■i '/■■ 6' i i tude, between the two armies^ with tlie North Rifer on his rear. ^ Here again the provincials continued for some time to annoy and skirmish with the royal army, until at last, by some other ma- noeuvres, the British general found means to attack them adran* tageously at a place called the H'liite Plains, and drove them from some of their posts. The victory on this occasion was much less complete than the former j however, it obliged the provincials once more to shift their ground, and to retreat far- . ther up the country. General Howe pursued for some time ; but, at last, finding all his endeavours vain to bring the Americans to a pitched battle, he determined to give over such an useless chace, and employ himself in reducing the forts which the pro- vincials still retained in the neighbourhood of New York. In this he met with the most complete success. The Americans, on the approach of the king's forces, retreated from King's Bridge into Fort Washington ; arc! this, as well as Fort Lee, which lay in the neighbourhood, was quickly reduced, though the garrjson made their escape. Thus the Jerseys were laid en- tirely open to the incursions of the British troops ; and so fully were these provinces taken possession of by the royal army, that its winter quarters extended from New Brunswick to the river Delaware. Had any number of boats been at hand, it is probable that Philadelphia would now have fallen into their hands. All these, however, had been carefully removed by the Americans. In lieu of this enterprise, Sir Henry Clinton under- took an expedition to Rhode Island, and became master of it . without losing a man. His expedition was also attended with this fuiXlier advantage, that the Atnerican fleet under Commo- d(u-e Hopkins was obliged to sail as far as possible up the river Providence, and thus remained entirely useless. The same ill success attended the Americans in other parts. After tbeir expulsion from Canada, they had crossed the Lake • Champiain, and taken up their quarters at Crown Point, as al-^ ready mentioned. Here they remained for some time in safety, ; as the Brixish h^d no vessels on the lake, and consequently Ge- ' neral Burgoyne could not puj-sue them. To remedy this defici- ency, there was no possible method, but either to construct ves- ; sels on the spot^ or take to pieces some vessels already con-; struc(ed, and drag them up the river into the lake. This was eifefited in no longer a space than three months ; and the British, !'i CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 301 general, after incredrble toil and difficulty, saw himself in pos- ' session of a great number of vessels, by vrhich means he was enabled to pursue his enemies, and attack them in his turn. The labor undergone at this time by the sea and land forces must indeed have been prodigious; since there were conveyed over land, and dragged up the rapids of St. Laurence, no fewer than 30 large long-boats, 400 balteaux, besides a vast number of flat-bottomed boats, and a gondola of thirty tons. The in- tent of the expedition was to push forward before winter to Al- bany, where the army would take up its winter quarters, and next spring effect a junction with that under General Howe, when it was supposed that the united force and skill of these two commanders would speedily put a termination to the war. By reason of the difficulties with which the equipment of this fleet had been attended, it was the beginning of October before the expedition could be undertaken. It was, now, however, by every judge, allowed to be completely able to answer the purpose for which it was intended. It consisted of one large vessel with three masts, carrying 18 twelve- pounders ; two schooners, the one carrying 14, the other 12, six-pounders; a large flat-bot- tomed radeau with 6 twenty-four, and 6 twelve, pounders ; and a gondola with 8 nine-pounders. Besides these were twenty vessels of a smaller size, called guU'boats, carrying each a piece of brass ordnance from nine to twenty-four- pounders, or howit- Several long-boats were fitted out in the same manner; zers. and, besides all these, there were a vast number of boats and tenders of various sizes, to be used as transports for the troops and baggage. It was manned by a number of select seamen, and the guns were to be served by a detachment from the corps of artillery ; the officers and soldiers for this expedition were aUd chosen out of the whole army. . I To oppose this formidable armament the Americans had only an inconsiderable force, commanded by General Arnold, who, after engaging a part of the British fleet for a whole day, took advantage of the darkness of the night to set sail without being perceived, and next morning was out of sight; but he was so closely pursued by the British, that on the second day after he was overtaken, and forced to a second engagement. In this he behaved with great gallantry ; but, his force being very inferior to that of the «nemy, he was obliged to run his ships a-shore !»'1 m 302 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. if • !-l !i. and set them on fire ; but a few escupec^ to Lake George. The garrison of Crown i*oint, having destroyed or carried off every thing of value, retired to Ticouderoga. Thus the affairs of the Atnericans seemed every where tending to ruin : even those who had been most sanguine in their cause began to waver. The time, also, for whioli the soldiers had en- listed themselves, was now expired ; and the bad success of the preceding campaign had been so very discouraging, that no per- son was wiliing to engage himself during the continuance of a war, of which the event seemed to be so doubtful. In conse- quence of this, General Wasihingtou found his army daily decreas- ing in strength ; so that from 30,000, of whom it oonsisted when General Howe landed on Staten l4land> searcelya tenth part could now be mustered. To assist the chief commander as much as possible. General Lee had collected a body of forces in the north ; but Qnhi» way southward having imprudently taken up his lodg- ing at some distance from his troops, information was. given to Colonel Hareourt, who happened at tliat time to be in the neigh- bounhood, and Lee was made prisoner. The loss of this general was much regretted, the more especially as he was of superier quality to any (xriscner in the possession of the colonists. Six field-officers were offered in exchange for him, but refused ; and the congress was highly irritated at its being reported that he was to be treated as »' deserter, havii^been a half- pay officer in the British service at the commencement'of the war. In consequeno? of this they issued a proclamation, threatening to retaliate on the prisoners in their possession whatever putiishment should be iiUlicted on* any of tho.se taken by the British ; and es; ^cially^ that their conduct «hould be regulated by the treatment of Ge- neral Lee^ ■• f: '■.;.;'.:' r ;s..,,; ,• ' •■■:.-.,.;.;;• In the mean time, the congress proceeded with the most indefatigable diligence to recruit their army, and bound their soldiers to serve for a term of three years, or during the continu- ance of> t\m war. The army designed for the ensuing campuigii, was to c€*ndist of eighty-eiglit battalions ; of which, each pro- vitice<'we& to contribute itS' quotas and twenty dollars were offet^ edas ^bounty teeach soldier, besides an atlotrieni; of lands at the end of the war. In this allotment it was slipulatied, that' each siddier should have 100 acre»; an ensign^ 150; a lieute* nanty 200 $ a captain> iKK)-; a major, 400 ; » lieute&ant-eolonelp JS rge. The off every re tending Iieir cause s had en- ess of tlie It no per- ance of a In conse- ^ decreae- tted when )art couid I much as he north J his lodg- s given to he neigh- is general superier hts. Six isedj and at he wat eer in the isequence taliate on should be s; icialivj It of Ge- tiMj most und their continii- ampaigii, ;ach pro* ere offi&r- f l^andS'Qt itied, that A lieute- t*colonelj * .♦ COKTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 80S •150; and a colonel, 500. No lands were promised to tlioae v\h« enlisted only for three years. All officers or toldiers disabled through wounds received in the service, were to enjoy half-pay during life. To defray the expence, congress borrowed five mll'- lions of dollars at five per cent., for payment of which the Uni* ted States became surety. At the same time, in order to ani- mate the people to vigorous exertions, a declaration was publish- ed, in which they set fwth the necessity there was for taking proper methods to ensure success in their cause : they cndea-* vuurcd to palliate, as much as possible, the misfortunes which hud already happened j and represented the true cause of the present distress to be the short term of enlistment. T!n5 declaration, ccnibincd with the imminent danger of Phi- ladelphia, roused the American people to exert themselves to the utmost, in order to reinforce General Washuigton'a army ; and they soon received farther cficouragement, by an exploit of that geucral against the Hessians. As the royal army extended ia different cantonments for a considerable length, Genera) Washington, perceiving the imminent danger to which Phijadel- phia vvas exposed, resolved to make some attempt on those dv- visions of the enemy which lay nearest that city. These hap- pened to be the Hessians, wlio lay in three divisions. On the 25th of December, he set out with an intent to surprise that body of the enemy which lay at Trenton. Hi* army was divided into three battalions, one of which he ordered to cross the De- laware at Trenton Feiry, a little below the town j the second at a diiitanoe below, at a place called Bordentovvn, where the se* cond division of Hessians was placed ; while he himself with the third, directing his course to a ferry some miles above Trentojij intended to have passed it at midnight, and attack the Hessians at break of day. But, by reason of various imjiediments, it was eight in the morning before he could reach the place of his des- tination. The enemy did not perceive his approach tijil they were suddenly attacked. Colonel Ralle, who commanded them, did all that could be expected from a brave and ex{>ei:ienced officer ; but every thing was in such confusion, that no efforts of valor or skill could now avail them. The colonel himself was mortally wounded, his troops were entirely broken, their artillery seized, and about 1000 taken prisoners. . This action, though seemingly of no very decisive nature, was h 304 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. of great advantage to the American cause. It tended greatly to lessen the fear which the provincials had of the Hessians, at the same time that it equally abated the confidence which the Bri- tish had till now put in them. Reinforcements came in to Ge- neral Washington's army from all quarters ; so that he was soon in a condition to leave Philadelphia, and take up his quarters at Trenton. Emboldened by his success, he determined to make an attempt on a division of the British forces stationed at Mai- denhead, a town situated half-way between Trenton and Prince- town. This consisted of three regiments, under the command of Colonel Mawhood, an officer of great merit. The troops were surprised on their march; but, though they were separately surrounded and attacked by a force vastly superior, they charged the American troops so resolutely with their bayonets, that the British made good their letreat. These attempts of the Ameri- cans, however, with the hostile disposition of the people, showed the impossibility of maintaining posts so far advanced in the enemy's country; so that it was resolved to retreat towards Brunswick, in order to prevent it, with the troops and maga- zines it contained, from falling into the hands of the provincials. General Washington omitted no opportunity of recovering what had been lost; and, by dividing his army into small parties, which could be re-united on a few hours warning, he in a main- ner entirely covered the face of the country, and repossessed himself of all the important places. Thus ended the campaign of 1776, with scarce any real ad- vantage to the royalists, other than the acquisition of the city of New York, and of a few fortresses in its neighbourhood ; where the troops were constrained to act with as much circumspection as if they had been besieged by a victorious army, instead of being themselves the conquerors. The British army at New York began, in 1777, to exercise a kind of predatory war, by sending out parties to destroy maga- zines, make incursions, and take or destroy such forts as lay on the banks of rivers, to which their great command of shipping gave them access. In this they were generally successful ; the provincial magazines at Peek's Hill, a place about fifty miles distant from New York, were destroyed, the town of Dunbury, in Connecticut, burnt, and that of Ridgefield, in the same pro- vince, was taken possession of. In returning from the last ex- ,» i : i^^ greatly to iSj at the the Bri- in to Ge- was soon uarters at to make i at Mai- d Prhice- command 16 troops separately y charged that the »e Ameri- ', showed d in the towards id maga- Wincials. ing what I parties, n a man- real ad- le city of 1; where ispection nstead of xercise a I' ly maga- 18 lay on shipping fill; the ty miles )unbury, me pro> last ex- CONTEST BETWEEN GUEAT BRITAIN, &C. 305 pedition, the British were greatly harasjicd by the enemy under Generals Arnold, Wooster, and Sullivan j but they made good their retreat in spite of all opposition, with the loss of only 170 killed and wounded. On the American side the ' 'ss was much greater; General Wooster was killed, and Arnolo a the most imminent danger. Gn the other hand, the Americans destroyed the Store at Sagf^ Harbour, in Long Island, and made prisoners of all who dcFciuied the place. As this method of making war could answer -but little purpose, and savored more of the barba- rous incursions of savages than of a war carried on hy a civilized people, it was resolved by the British general to make an at- tempt on Philadelphia. At first it was thought that this could be done through the Jerseys; but General Washington had recei- ved such large reinforcements, and ported himself so strongly, that it was found to be impracticable. Many stratagems were used to draw him from this strong situation, -but without suc- cess ; so that it was found necessary to make the attempt on Philadelphia by sea. While the preparations for this expedition were going forward, the Americans found means to make amends for the capture of General Lee by that of General Prescot, who -was seized in his quarters with his aid-de-camp, in much the ^ame manner as Geticral Lee had been. This was exceedingly mortifying to the general himself, as he had not long before set a price upon General Arnold, by oifering a sum of money to any one that apprehended him ; which the latter answered, by setting a lower price upon General Prescot. The month of July was far advanced before the preparations for the expedition against Philadelphia were completed ; and it was the 2.3d before the fleet was able to sail from Sandy Hook. The force employed in this expedition consisted of thirty-six bat- talions of British and Hessians, a regiment of light horse, and a body of loyalists raised at New York. The remainder of these, with seventeen battalions, and another body of light horse, were stationed at New York, under Sir Henry Clinton. Seven batta- lions were stationed at Rhode Island. After a week's sailing, they arrived at the mouth of the Delaware ; when they received certain intelligence, that the navigation of the river was so effec- tually obstructed, that no possibility of forcing a passage re- mained. Upon this it was resolved to proceed further south- ward, to Chesapeak Bay, in Maryland, from whence the distance 13. q'(i iia ■\'.f • I: 1 1\> ■ w ■ ' I H \ 306 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. to Philadelphia was not very great, and where the provincinl army would find Icsa advantage, from the nature of the country, than in the Jerseys. On the neWvS of their arrival in Chesapeak, General Wa!)hington left the Jerseys, and hastened to the relief of Philadelphia; and, in the heginning of Scptemher, met the royal army at Brandy-wine Creek, about mid-day, between the head of the Elk ;uid Philadelphia. Here he adhered to his for- mer method of skirmishing and harassing the royal army on its march j but, as this proved insuflicient to stop its progress, he retired to that side of the ercek next to Philadelphia, with an intent to dispute the passage. This brought on a general en- gagement, on the llth of September, in which the Americans were defeated ; and it was only through the approach of night that they were saved from being entirely destroyed. On this occasion, the provincials lost about 1000 in killed and wounded, besides 400 taken prisoners. The loss of this battle proved also the loss of I'hiladclphia. General Washington retired towards Lancaster, an inland town at a considerable distance. Here the British general took such measures as mubt have forced the provincials to a second en- gagement, but a violent rain, which lasted a day and a night, prevented his design. General Washington, though he could not prevent the loss of Philadelphia, still adhered to his original plan of distressing the royal party, by !«• vMig ambushes, and cut- ting off detached parties : but in this he was less successful than formerly ; and one of his own detachments, which lay in ambush in a wood, were themselves surprised and entirely defeated, with the loss of 300 killed and wounded, besides a great number ta- ken, and all their arms and baggage. General Howe now perceiving that the Americans would not risk another battle, even for the sake of their capital, took peaceable possession of it on the 26th of Scj^tember. His first care was then to cut off, by means of strong Ixitteries, the com- munication between the upper and lower pitrts of the river: which was executed, notwithstanding the opposition of some American armed vessels ; one of which carrying 36 guns, was taken. His next task was to open a communication with it by sea, and this was a work of no small difficulty. A vast number of batteries and forts had been erected, and immense machines, formed like chevaux de fiize, from whence they took their name. '4 CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BKJl. y, ki 307 roviricial country, esapeak, lie relief met the vccu tlio his for- jy on its fiesB, he uith an oral en- uericans of night On this 'ounded, idclphia. id town lolt such Olid eu- a night, le could original tnd cut- fui than ambush ^d, with iber ta- uid not 1, took ^is first le corn- river; f some IS, was h it by lumber chines, - name, he sunk in the river to prevent its navigation A» tlwilM wu round to the mouth of the river, in order to co- were put under the command of General IJurgoyne : General Carleton was directed to use his interest with the Indians to persuade them to assist in this expedition ; and the province of Quebec was to furnish large parties to join in the same. The officers who commanded under General Burgoyne were, Genefal Ph'lipn of the artillery, Generals Fraser, Powel, and Hamilton; with the German officers. Generals Reidesel and Speecht. To aid the principal expedition, another was projected on the Mohawk river, under Colonel St. I^eger, who was to be assisted by Sir John Johnson, son of the famous Sir William Johnson, wh« had so greatly distinguished himself in the war of 1755. On the 21st of June, 1777* the army encamped on the west- ern side of the Lake Champlain ; where, being joined by a con- siderable body of Indians, General Burgoyne made a speech, in which he exhorted these new allies to lay aside their ferocioua and barbarous manner of making war ; to kill only such as op- posed them in arms ; and to spare prisoners, with such women and children as should fall into their hands. After issuing a pro- clamation, in which the force of Britain, and that which he commanded, was set forth iu very ostentatious terms, the cam- paign opened with the siege of Ticonderoga, The place was very strong, and garrisoned by 6000 men, under General Sin- clair ; nevertheless, the works were so extensive^ that even this I CONTEST BT.TWEEN GREAT BTIITAIN, kv. 309 number was scarce sudicieiit to defend them. They had, there- fore, otnittcd to fortify a rugged eminence, called Sugar Hill, the top of which overlooked and effectually commanded the whole works ; vainly imagining, that the difficulty of the ascent would be sufficient to prevent the enemy from taking possession of it. On the approach of the first division of the army, the provincials abandoned and 3et fire to their outworks ; and so ex- peditio is were the British troops, that by the r>th of July everv post was secured which was judged necessary for investing it completely. A road was soon after made to the very summit of that eminence, which the Americans had with such confidence supposed could not be ascended j and so much were thev now disheartened, that they instantly abandoned the fort entirely, taking ^he road to Sken^sborough, a place to the south of Lake (leorge ; while their baggage, with what artillery and military stores they tould carry off, were sent to the same place by water. But the British generals were determined not to let them pass so easily. Both were pursued, and both overtaken. Their armed vessels eonsistted only of five galleys ; two of which were taken, and three blown up ; on which they set fire to their boats and fortifications at Skenesborough. On this occasion, the pro- vincials lost 200 boats, 130 pieces of cannon, with all the pro- visions and baggage. Their land forces under Colonel Francis made a brave defence against General Fraser : and, being greatly superior in number, had almost o^-erpowered him, when General Reidesel, with a large body of Germans, came to their assist- ance. The enemy were now overpowered in their turn ; and, their commander being killed, they fled on all sides with great precipitation. In this action 200 Americans were killed, as inaivy taken prisoners, and above GOO wounded, many of whom perished in the woods for want of assistance. During the engagement, General Sinclair was at Castleton, about six miles from the place ; but, instead of going forward to Fort Anne, the next place of strength, he repaired to the woods which lie between that fortress and New England. General Burgoyne detached Colonel Hill, with the ninth regiment, to intercept such as should attempt to retreat towards Fort Anne. On his way he met witl* a body of the enemy, said to be six times as numerous as his own ; who after an engagement of thre« hours, w«rt obliged to retire with great loss. After so !? i ].^i ii 1 1 tilO HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. many disasters, despairing of being able to make any stand at Fort Anne, tlicy set fire to it, and retired to Fort Edward. In nil tliesc engagements, the loss of killed and wounded in the royal army did not exceed 200 men. General Burgoyne was now obliged to suspend his operations for some time, and wait at Skencsborough for the arrival of his tents, provisions, &c. He therefore employed this interval in making roads through the country about St. Anne, and in clear- ing a passage for his troops to proceed against the enemy. This was attended with incredibk; toil ; btit all o))stacle8 were sur- mounted with equal patience and resolution by the army. In short, after undergoing the utmost difficulties that could be un- dergone, and making every exertion that man couldl make, he Hrrived with his army before Fort Edward about tine end of July. Htre General Schuyler had been for some time endeavouring to recruit the shattered American forces, and had been joined by General Sinclair with the remains of his army ; the garrison of Fort George also, situated upon the lake of that name, had eva- cuated the place, and retired to Fort Edward, However, on the approach of the royal army, they retired thence al«o, and formed their head-quarters at Saratoga. Notwithstanding the great successes of *lie British general, the Americans showed not the least disposition to submit, but seemed only ta consider how they might make the most efketvtuX resistance. For this pur- pose, the militia were every where raised and draughted to join the army at Saratoga; and such numbers o^ vohsnteers were daily added, that they soon began to- recover from the terror into which they had been thrown. That they might have r com- mander whose abilities could be relied on. General Arnold was appointed, who repaired to Saratoga with a ccmsiderable train of artillery ; but receiving intelligence that Colonel St. Leger was proceeding with great rapidity in his expedition on the Mohawk River, he removed to Stillwater, a place about half-way between Saratoga and th« junction of the Mohawk and Hudson's River. The colonel, in the mean time, had advanced as far as Fort Stanwix ', the siege of which he pressed with great vigor. On the 6th of August, understanding that a supply of prov)<^ions, escorted by eight or nine hundred men, was on the way to the fort, he dispatched Sir John Johnson with a strong detachment to intercept it. This he did so cflfectually, that besides inter- n ill and at rd. lu in the erations I of his srval in n clear- r. This eve siir- ny. In be un- ake, he of July, jring to >ined by rison of ^lad eva- , on the I formed le great not the der how his pur- to join rs were rror into T: com- lold was train of eger was Mohawk between '9 River. as Fort or. On ovisions, ty to the ,achment es inter- v> CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 311 cepting the provisions, 400 of its guard were slain, 200 taken, and the rest escaped with great difficulty. The garrison, how- ever^ were not to be intimidated by this disaster, nor by the threats or representation of St. Leger: on the contrary, they made several successful sallies, under Culone] Willet, the second in command ; and this gentleman, in >>. ^mpany with another, even ventured out of the fort j and, eluding the vigilance of the enemy, passed through them, in order to hasten the march of General Arnold to their assistance. 'i'hus the affairs of Colonel St. Leger, seemed to be in no very favorable situation, notwithstanding his late success, and they were soon totally ruined by the desertion of the Indians. They iiad been alarmed by the report of General Arnold's advancing with 2000 men to the relief of the fortj and, while the colonel was attempting to give them encouragement, another report was spread, that General Ihlrgoyne had been defeated with great slaughter, and was now flying before the provincials. On this, lie was obliged to retreat, with the loss of the tents, and some of the artillery and military stores. General Burgoyne, in the mean time, notwithstanding the difficulties he had already sustained, found that he must still en- counter more. The roads he had made with so much labor and pains, were destroyed, either by the wetness of the season, or by ihe enemy ; so that the provisions he brought from Fort George could not arrive at his camp without prodigious toil. On hearing of the siege of Fort Stanwix by Colonel St. Leger, he determin- ed to move forward, in hopes of inclosing the enemy betwixt his own army and that of St. Leger, or of obtaining the command of all the country between Fort Stanwix and Albany; or, at any rate, a junction with Colonel St. Leger would be elTected, which I'ould not but be attended with the most happy consequences. The only difficulty was, the want of provisions ; and this it was proposed to remedy by reduciiig the provincial magazines at licuiungton. For this purpose. Colonel Baume, a German officer of great bravery, was chosen, with a body of 500 men. The pliice was about twenty miles from Hudson's River; and, to support Colonel Baume's party, the whole army marched up the river's bank, and encamped almost opposite to Saratoga, with the river betwixt it and that j)lacc. An advanced i)arty was posted at Batten Kill, betv/ecn the camj) and Bennington, in I '■ ¥ I' 312 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. order to support Colonel Baiime. In their way, the British seized a large supply of cattle and provisions, which were imme- diately sent to the camp j but the badness of the roads retarded their march so much, that intelligence of their design was sent to Bennington. Understand itig now that the American force was greatly superior to his own, the colonel acquainted the ge- neral, who immediately dii>patched Colonel Breyman with a party to his assistance ; but, through the same causes that had retarded the march of Colonel Baume, this assistance came too late. General Starke, in the mean time, who commanded at Bennington, determined to attack the two parties separately; and, for this purpose, advanced against Colonel Baume, whom he surrounded on all sides, and attacked with the utmost vio- lence. The troops defended themselves with great valor, but were to a man either killed or taken. Colonel Breyman, after a desperate engagement, had the good luck to effect a retreat through the darkness of the night, which otherwise he could not have done, as his men had expended aU their ammunition. General Burgoyne, disappointed in his attempt on Benning- ton, applied himself with, indefatigable diligence to procure pro- visions from Fort George ; and, having amassed a sufficient quantity to last for a month, he threw a bridge of boats over the river Hudson, which he crossed about the middle of Sep- tember, encamping on the hills and plains near Saratoga. As soon as he approaclied the provincial army, encamped at Still- water under General Gates, he determined to make an attack ; for which purpose he put himself at the head of the central divi- sion of his army, having General F; aser and Colonel Breyman on the right, with Generals Reidesel and Philips on the left. In this position he advanced towards the enemy on the 19th of September. But the Americans did not now wait to be attacked : on the contrary, they attacked the central division with the greatest ardor ; and it was not until General Philips with the artillery came up, that they could be repulsed. On this occa- sion, though the British troops lost only 330 in killed and wounded, and tlie enemy no less than 1500, the former were very much alarmed at the obstinate resolution shown by the Americans. This did not, however, prevent the British from advancing towards the enemy, and posting themselves the next day within cannon-shot of their lines. But their allies the Ih- .♦ 4 CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 313 British e imme- retarded ivas sent an force the ge- with a that had :ame too inded at larately ; i, whom lost vio- ilor, but an, after a retreat lie conld inition. Senning- eure pro- sufficient >ats over of Sep- 3ga. As at Still- I attack ; tral divi- Breyman left. In 19th of ttacked ; ivith the with the is occa- lled and ler were by the sh from the next the Ih- ^ V •rlians began to desert in great numbers; and at the same time the general was in the .lighest degree mortified by having no in- telligence of any assistance from Sir Henry Clinton, as had been iitipulated. He now received a letter from him, by which he was informed that Sir Henry intended to make a diversion on the North River in his favor. This afforded but little comfort : however, he returned an answer by several trusty persons whom he dispatched different ways, stating his present distressed situ- ation, and mentioning that the provisions and otber necessaries he had would only enable him to hold out till the 1 2th of Oc- tobei:. In the mean time the Americans, in order to cut off the re- treat of the British army, undertook an expedition against Ti- condcroga; but were obliged to abandon the enterprise after having surprised all the out-posts, and taken a great number of boats with some armed vessels, and a number of prisoners. The army under General Burgoyne now labored under the greatest distresses ; so that in the beginning of October he was obliged to diminish the soldiers' allowance. On the 7th of that month he determined to move towards the enemy. For this purpose he sent a body of 1500 men to reconnoitre their left wing; intend- ing, if possible, to break through it in order to effect a retreat. This detachment had not proceeded far, when a dreadful attack was made upon the left wing of the British army, which was with great difficulty preserved by a reinfcrL-enient brought up by General Fraser, who was killed in the action. After the troops had with great difficulty regained their camp, it was Curiously assaulted by General Arnold ; who, notwithstanding all opposi- tion, would have forced the entrenchments, had he not received a dangerous wound, which obliged him to retire. Thus the attack failed on the left, but on the right the ciunp of the Ger- man reoerve was forced. Colonel Breyman killed, and his coun- trymen defeated, with the loss of all their artillery and baggage. This was by far the heaviest loss the British army had sus- tained since the action at Bunker's Hill, The list of killed and wounded amounted to near 1200, exclusive of the Germans; but the greatest misfortune was, that the enemy had now au opening on the right and rear of the British forces, so that the army was threatened with entire destiuction. This obliged Ge- neral Burgoyne once niore to shiit his position, that the enemy 14, .1 11 r ^14 HISTORY OF KORTH AMElllCA. i If- ; ■' 1. j: 1 ! ., 1 ! ( ! I IS ( \ i ! 1 i. 1 might also be obliged to alter theirt. This was accomplished ott the night of the 7th, without Bi\y loss, and all the next :lay he continued to offer the enemy battle ; but they were Jiow too well assured of obtaining a comtilete victory, by cutting off all sup- plies from the British, to risk another engagement. Wherefore they advanced oil the right side, in order to inclose him entirely; which obliged the general to direct a retreat towards Saratoga. But the enemy had stationed n grent force on the ford at Hud- aon's River, so that the only possibility of retreat was by secu- ring a passage to Lake George ; and, to effect this, a body of workmen were detached, with a strong guard, to repair the roads and bridges that led to Fort Edward. As soon as they were gone, the enemy seemed to menace an attack ; which ren- dered it necessary to recal the guard, and the workmen, being of course left exposed, coul<) not proceed. The boats, which conveyed j)rovision-j down Hudson's River, were now exposed to the continual fire of the American marksmen, who also took many of them ; so that it becanie necessary to convey the provi- sions oVer land. In this extreme danger it was resolved to march by night to Fort Edward, forcing the passages at the fork's either above or below the place ; and, in order to effect this the more easily, it was resolved that the soldiers should carry their provisions on their backs, leaving behind their bag- gage and every other incumbrance. But, before this could be executed, intelligence was received that the enemy had raised strong entrenchments opj)08ite to these fords, well provided with cannon, and that they had likewise taken possession of the rising ground between Fort George and Fort Edward, which in like manner was provided with cannon. All this time the American army was increasing by the conti- nual arrival of militia and volunteers from all parts. Their par- ties extended all along the opposite bank of Hudson's River, and some had even passed it in order to watch the least move- ment of the British army. The whole force under General (iatcs was coin pu ted at upwards of 16,000 men, while the army under General Burgoyne did not amount to KOOO; and every part of the camp was penetrated by the grape and rifle shot of the enemy, besides discharges from their artillery, which were almost incessant. In this state of extreme distress and danger, the army continued with the greatest constancy and perseverance II ished ott t lay he too well all sup. '^herelore entirely; mratoga. at Hud- >y secu- body of )air tlie as they licli ren- , being which posed to so took >e provi- olved 'to 5 at the ;o eflfect ) should eir bag- !ould be d raised led with of the hich in ! conti- eir par- River, move- General le army 1 every shot of h were Janger, I'erance I 'f CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 315 till the evening of the 13th of October, when, en inventory of provisions being taken, it was found that no more remained than what were sufficient to serve for three days , and, a council of war being called, it was unanimously determined that there was no method now remaining but to treat with the enemy. In con- sequence of this, a negociation was opened the next day, which .speedily terminated in a capitulation of the whole British army ; the principal article of which was, that the troops were to have a free passage to Britain, on condition of not »erving against America during the war. On this occasion. General Gates ordered his army to keep within their camp, while the British soldiers went to a place appointed for them to lay down their arms, that the latter might not have the additional mortification of being made spectacles of so melancholy an event. The num- ber of those who surrendered at Saratoga, amounted to i>7oO, according to the American accounts j the list of sick and wour^d*^ i>d left in the camp when the army retreated to Saratoga, to 528; and the number of those lost by other accidents since the taking of Ticonderoga, to near 3000. But in the evidence afterwards adduced before the house of commons by General Burgoyne, it appeared that the number of effective men in the British army at the time it surrendered, amounted only to 3499; whilst the number of the American army, according to General Gates' return, was 18,624. Thirty-five brass field- pieces, 7000 stand of arms, clothing for an equal number of soldiers, with the tents, military- chest, &c., likewise fell into the hnnds of the Americans. ..;: ;' :■•.■ -'^M. i-- , u. ^. ■ ■'> i Sir Henry Clinton, in the mean time, had sailed up the North River,, and destroyed the two forts called Montgomery and Clin- ton, with Fort Constitution, ^nd another place called Continen- tal Village, where were barracks for 2000 men. Seventy large cannon were carried away, besides a number of smaller artillery, and a great quantity of stores and an(imunitioi. ; a large boom and chain reaching across the river from Fort Montgomery to a point of land called St. Anthony's Nose, which cost no less than ^70,000 sterling, were partly destroyed and partly carried away, as was also another boom of little less value at Fort Constitu- tion. Another attack was made by Sir James Wallace, with some frigates, and a body of land forces under General Vaughan. The place which now suffered was named Esopus : the fortifica- ■M 'II I 'J I* ii;'.: .JS 316 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. tions were destroyed, and the town itself reduced to ashes, &9 that called Continental Village had been before. But these suc- cesses, of whatever importance they might be, vrtre now dis- regarded by both parties. They served only to irritate the Ame- ricans, flushed with their success; and they were utterly insulB- I'ient to raise the spirits of the British, who were now throwu into the utmost dismay. On the 16th of March, 1778, Lord North acquainted the house of commons, that a paper had been laid before the kin^r by the French ambassador, intimating the conclusion of an alli- ance between the court of France and the United States of America. The preliminaries of this treaty had been concluded in the end of the year 1777, and a copy of them sent to con* gress, in order to counteract any proposals that might be made in the mean time by the British ministry. On February 6, 1778, the articles were signed. The notification of such a treaty as this could not but be looked upon as a declaration of war. On its being announced to the house, every one agreed in an address to his majesty, pro- mising to stand by him to the utmost in the present emergency ; but it was warmly contended by the members in opposition, that the present ministry ought to be removed on account of their numberless blunders and miscarriages in every instance. Many were of opinion, that the only way to extricate the nation from its trouble was to acknowledge the independency of America at once, and thus we might still do with a good grace what must iiievitably be done at last, after expending much more blood and treasure than had yet been lavished in this unhappy contest. The ministerial party, however, entertained different ideas. In- stigated by zeal for the national honor, it was determined at once to resent the arrogance of France, and prosecute hostilities against America with more vigor, than ever^ should the terms now offered them be rejected. ■ ' .•.(<>. | The Americans, in the mean time, assiduously employed their agents at the courts of Spain, Vienna, Prussia, and Tuscany, in order, if possible, to conclude alliances with them, or at least to procure an acknowledgment of their independency. As it had been reported that Britain intended to apply for assistance to Russia, the An>erican commissioners were enjoined to use their utmost influence with the German princes to prevent such I ■M Ill in A CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRlTAtN, &e. 317 auxiliaries from marching through their territories, and to en- deavour to procare the recul of the German troops already sent to America. To France they offered a cession of such West India Islands as should be taken by the united strength of France and America ; and, should Britain by their joint endea- * vours be dispossessed of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, and Nova Scotia, these territories should be divided betwixt the two na- tions, and Great Britain be totally excluded from the fishery. The proposals to the Spanish court were, that, in case they ^ should think proper to espouse the quarrel, the American States should assist in reducing Pensacola under the dominion of Spain, provided their subjects were allowed the free navigation of the river Mississippi, and the use of the harbour of i^ensacola ; and they further offered, that, if agreeable to Spain, they would de- clare war against Portugal, should that power expel the Ameri- can ships from its ports. The troops under General Burgoyne, were about the same pe- riod^ preparing to embark for Britain, according to the conven- tion at Saratoga ; but, to their utter surprise, congress positively refused to allow them to depart, under pretence that some sinis- ter designs were harboured on the part of Britain, and that they only wanted an opportunity to join the other troops at Philadel- phia or New York. The season for action was now approaching ; and congress was indefatigable in its preparations for a new campaign, which it was confidently said would be the last. Among other methods taken for this purpose, it was recommended to all the young gentlemen of th^ colonies to form themselves into bodies of ca- valry to serve at their own expence during the war. General Washington, at the same time, in order to remove all incum- brances from his army, lightened the baggage as much as possi- ble, by substituting sacks and portmanteaus in place of chests uiid boxes, and using pack-horses instead of waggons. On the other hand, the British army, expecting to be speedily reinforced by 20,000 men, thought of nothing but concluding the war ac- cording to their wishes before the end of the campaign. It was with the utmost concern, as well as indignation, therefore, that they received the news of Lord North's conciliatory bill. It was universally looked upon as a national disgrace ; and some even tore the cockad«s from iheir hats, and trampled them> under ■'i m 318 IIlSTOllV or NOllTH AMEBICA. i''i I'i I "^ their feet as a token of their indignation, hy the colonists it was received with indiflference. The British commissioners en- deavoured to make it as public as possible ; and the congress, as formerly, ordered it to be printed in all the newspapers. On this occasion, Governor Tryon inclosed several copies of the bill to General Washington in a letter, entreating that he would allow them to be circulated ; to which that general returned for answer a copy of a newspaper in which the bill was printed, together with the resolutions of congress upon it. Tliese were, That whoever presumed to make a separate agreement with Britain should be deemed a public enemy ; that the United States could not with any propriety keep correspondence with the commis- sioners until their independence was acknowledged, and the Bri- tish fleets and armies removed from America. At the same time, the colonies were warned not to suffer themselves to be deceived into security by any offers that might be made ; but to use their utmost endeavours to send their quotas with all diligence into the field. The individuals with whom the commissioners con- versed on the subject of the conciliatory bill, generally returned for answer, that the day of reconciliation was past; and that the haughtiness of Britain had extinguished all filial regard in the breasts of the Americans. ,';>...>' ■; - . i About this time also Mr. Silas Deane arrived from France with two copies of the treaty of commerce and alliance to be signed by congress. Advices of the most pleasing nature were also received from various parts, representing in the most favor- able light the dispositions of the European powers ; all of whom, it was said, wished to see the independence of America settled upon the most firm and permanent basis. Considering the situ- ation of matters with the colonists at this time^ therefore, it is no wonder that the commissioners found themselves unable to accomplish the errand on which they came. Their proposals were utterly rejected, themselves treated as spies, and all inter- course with them interdicted. But, before any final answer could be obtained from congress, Sir Henry Clinton had taken the resolution of evacuating Phila- delphia. Accordingly, pn the lOth of June, after hiiving made all necessary prepai ations, the army marched out of the city, and crossed the Delaware before noon with all its baggage and other incumbrances. General Washington, apprised of this dc- M lonists it Miers en- grcss, as On this he bill to iild allow >r answer together re, That 1 Britain tes could conimis- the Bri- me time, deceived U8e their »nce into ners con- returned and that regard in n France ce to be ure were 3st favor- of whom, a settled the situ- bre, it is inable to proposals all inter- congress, ng Phila- ing made the city, gage and this dc- CONTEST BETWEEN GllKAT BIllTAIN, cVc. 019 sign, had dispatched expresses into the Jerseys with orders to collect all the forces that could be assembled, to obstruct the march of the enemy. After vaiious movements on both sides. Sir Henry Clinton, with the royal army, arrived on the 27th of June at a place called Freehold ; where, judging that the enemy would attack him, he encamped in a very strung situation. Here General Washington determined to make an attack as soon as the army bad again begun its march. The night was spent in making the necessary preparations, and General Lee with his division was ordered to be ready by day- break. But Sir Henry Clinton, justly apprehending that the chief object of the enemv was the baggage, committed it to the care of General Knyphaii- sen, Whom he ordered to set out early in the morning, while he followed with the rest of the army. The attack was accordingly made ; but the British general had taken such care to arrange his troops properly, and so effectually supported his forces when engaged with the Americans, that the latter not only made no impression, but were with difficulty preserved from a total de- feat, by the arrival of General VVasliington with the whole arhiy. The British troops effected their retreat with the loss of 300 men, of whom many died through fatigue. In this action Ge- neral Lee was charged by General Washington with disobedi- ence and misconduct in retreating before the British army : he was tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to a temporary sus- pension from his com vnand. After they had arrived at Sandy Hook, a bridge of brats was by Lord Howe's directions thrown over the channel which separated the island from the main land, and the troops were conveyed on board the fleet; after which they sailed to New York. After sending some light detachments to watch the enemy's motions, General Washington marched towards the North River, where a great force had been collected to join him, and where it was now expected that some capital operations would take place. In the mean time, France had been active in her preparations for the assistance of the Americans. On the 14th of April Count D'Estaing sailed from Toulon with a strong squadron of ships of the lin(B and frigates, and arrived on the coast of Virgi- nia, in the beginning of July, while the British fleet was em* ployed in conveying the forces from Stmdy Hook to New York, it consisted of one ship of 1)0 guns, one of 80, six of 74, and 1 i! : .1 !, i H ill h ! I. I 1^ ;i I li 920 HISTORY OF KOHTH AMERICA. four of ()4, besides several Iiurc frigates ; and, ext:lusive of its complement of sailors, had (>0l)0 marines and soldiers on- board. To oppose this, the British had only six ships of (54 guns, three of 50, and two of 40, with some frigates and sloops. Notwith- standing this inferiority, however, the British admiral posted himself so advantageously, and showed such superior courage and skill, that D'Kstaing did not think proper to attack him. He therefore remained at anchor four miles off Sandy Hook, till th« 22nd of July, without eflfecting any thing more than the capture of some vessels, which, through ignorajice of his arri- val, fell into his hands. The next attempt of the French admiral was, in conjunction with the Americans, on .Rhode Island. I^ was proposed that D'Estaing, with the (iOOO troops he hrought with him, should make a descent on the southern part of the island, while a body of the Americans should take possession of the north ; at the same time the French squadron was to enter the harbour of Newport, and take or destroy all the British shipping. On the 8th of August the French admiral entered the liarbour as was proposed, but found himself unable to effect any thing material. Lord FJowe instantly set sail for Rhode Island ; and D'Estaing, confiding in his superiority, came out of the harbour to meet him. A violent storm parted the two fleets, and did so much damage 'that they were both rendered Unfit for action. The French sufteced most ; and several of their ships, being after- wards attacked singly by the British, very narrowly escaped bet- ing taken, On the 20th of August D'Estaing returned to New- port in a very shattered condition ; and, not thinking himself sfife there, sailed two days after for Boston. p|>ortunity of declaring themselves ; many of the inhabitants of lieorgia had joined the royal statwlard ; and there were not in the province any provincial forces capable of op})0- sing the efforts of the regular and well-disciplined tioops. On the news of General Prevost's approach, the loyalists assembled, imagining themselves able to stand their ground until their allies should arrive j but in this they were disappointed. The Ameri- cans attacked and defeated them, with the loss of half their number. The remainder retreated into Georgia ; and after un- dergoing many hardships, at last effected a junction with the Bri- tish forces. During the time that these operations were going on, Ciencral Lincoln with a considerable reinforcement ot Atnerican troops, had encamped within twenty miles of the town of .Savannah ; and another strong party liad posted thcnjselves at a j)lace called Jiriar's Creek, farther up the river of tiic same name. Thus the extent of the British government was likely to be circumscribed within very narrow bounds. General Prevost therefore determin- ed to dislodge the party at Briar's Creek : and the latter, trust- ing to their strong situation, and being remi .s in their guard, suffered theuisclves to be surpri;ied on the *j()tli of March, 17/9; when they were uttfrlv routed, with the loss of 100 killed and taken, besides a great number drowned in the river or the swamps. The whole artillery, stores, baggage, and almost all the arms, of this unfortunate party, were taken, so that they could no more make any stand; and thus a coininunication was ,1 \ 1 'I'll; and If Anicii- yi;ui vvfW >itlivvartJ. ty of the oiniiiittc'c li to the tllL' COlll- (^ir ; niid iitiy (.011- iiy of the and there of 0])))0- ^ps. On isonibU'd, >eir uIHea ie Ainori- lalf their after uii- tlie Jiri- CioDcral I troops, vuiinah ; ■e called rhus the nscribed ^tcrinin- j trust- i;uard, . 1/79; ed and or the lust all It rlu'v on was CONTF.ST BETWEEN GREAT nRITAIX, iVc. 32:i op(M)c(l with tlioic places in Curohna where the royalists chiefly resided. The victory at Hiiar's Creek proved of considerable service to the Hriti'adiness, nobscot, t of his '- jelf with )sture of L landing ne, they he space : ■f a genc- )erceived ts relief. military order to 4 at not a listing of The sol- 1 ense de- and, to u diers and i ided in a \^' ost every ■4 emed yet werful an 1 ression of ': of June, of West i he coun- •1 lemselves V •nterprise logwood- ak to re- ■ ■ ivho sent ^i t'hem a supply of men, ammunition, and military stores, under Captain Dalrymple. Before the arrival of this defachment, the principal settlement in those parts, called St, George'.s AVi/, had been taken by the Spaniards, and retaken by the British. In bis way, Captain Dalrymple fell in with a squadron from Admiral Parker, in search of some register ships richly laden ; but which, retreating into the harbour of Omoa, were too strongly protected by the fort to be attacked with safety. A project was then form- ed, in conjunction with the people of Honduras, to reduce this fort. The design was to surprise it ; but, the Spaniards having discovered them, they were obliged to fight. Victory quickly deelafed for the British ; but the fortifications were so strong that the artillery made no impression. It was then determined to try the success of an escalade j and this was executed with so much spirit, that the Spaniards stood astonished, without ma- king any resistance, and, in spite of all tlie efforts of the officers, threw down their arms and surrendered. The spoil was im- mense, being valued at 3,0()0;()(K) of dollars. The Spaniards chiefly lamented the loss of 'i.lO quiiitals of silver; a commodity indispensably necessary in the working of their gold and silver mines, so that they offered to ransom it at any price; but tlii"; was refused, as well as the ransom of the fort, though the go- vernor offered 300,000 dollars for it. A small garrison was left for the defence of the place ; but it was soon after attacked by a KuperitK force, and retaken. We mufct now take a view of the transactions in the south- •rn colonies; to which the war, in the year 1780, was so effec- tually transferred, that the operations there became at last deci- sive. The success of General Ifrevost, in advancing to the very capital of South Carolina, has been already stated, together with the obstacles which prevented him from becoming master of it at that time. Towards the end of 177^, Sir Henry Clinton set sail from New York with a considerable body of troops, in- tended for the attack of Charlestown, in a fleet of ships of war and transports, under the command of Vice-admiral Arbuthnot. They had a very tedious voyage ; the weather was uncommonly bad ; several of the transports were lost, and an ordnance- ship foundered at sea. Having arrived at Savannah, where they endeavoured to repair the damages, they proceeded, on the 10th of February, 1780, to North Edisto, the place of debarkation 14. Tt i;! ;i30 HISTOIIY OF NOllTH AMllKICA, ■I I which had been previously appointed. They had a favorable passage thither ; and, though it required time to have the bur explored and the channel mariied, the transports aU entered the harbour the next day *, and the army took possession of John's Island without opposition. Preparations were then made for passing the squadron over Charlestown-bar, where the liigh- wa- ter spring- tides were only nineteen feet deep; but no opportunity offered of going into the harbour till the 20th of March, when it was effected without any accident, tliough the American gal- leys continually attempted to prevent the English boats from sounding the channel. The British troops had previously remo- ved from John's to .James' Island ; and, or the 29tli of the same month, they efffcted theii lauding on Charlestown Neck. On the 1st of April they broke ground within 800 yards of the Ame- rican works ; and, by the 8th, tlie besiegers' guns were mount- ed for action. As soon as the army began to open their batteries against the tOAvn, Admiral Arbuthnot embraced the first opportunity of pass- ing Sullivan's Island, upon which there was a strong fort, the chief defence of the harbour. He weighed on the 9lh, with the Boebuck, Richmond, and Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigh, and Sandwich armed ship, the Renown bringing up the rear; and, passing through a severe fire, anchored in about two hours under James' Inland, with the loss of twenty-seven seamen killed and wounded. The Richmond's fore- top- mast was shot away, and the ships in general sustained damage in their masts and rigging, though not materially in their hulls. But the Acetus transport, having on-board some naval stores, grounded within gun-shot of Sullivan's Island, and received so much damage, that she was obliged to be abandoned and burnt. On the 10th, Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot sum- moned the town to surrender ; but Major-general Lincoln, who commanded in Charlestown, returned tlicni an answer, declaring it to be his intention to defend the place. The batteries were now opened against the town j and from their effect the fire of the American advanced works considerably abated. It appears, that the number of troops under the comniand of Lincoln, were by far too few for deic. -ng works of such extent as those of Charlestown ) and tiia oany of these were men little accus- tomed to military ser pears, n, were hose of accus- hes and 'I CONTEST BETWr-EN GREAT BRITAIN, c^C. 331 4)ther necessaries. Lincoln had been for some time expecting reinforcements and supplies from Virginia, and other places : but thoy came in very slowly. Earl Cornwallis and Lieutenant-colo- nel Tarleton were extremely active in intercepting these rein- forcements. They totally defeated a considerable body of cavalry and militia, which was proceeding to the relief of the town j and made themselves masters of some posts, which gave them the command of the country, by which means great supplies of pro- visions feH ifttQ their hands. Such was the state of things, and Fort Sullivan had also been taken by the king's troops, when General Clinton iunimoncd the town to surrender ; an offer being made, liiat e lives and property of the inhabitants should be preserved to them. Articles i ■ jw^ulation were then agreed upon, and the town surrendereU on the 1th of May, 1/80. A large quantity of ordnance, arms, and ammunition, was found in Charlestown ; and, according to Sir Henry Clin- ton's account, the number of prisoners amounted to 5618 men, exclusively of near 1000 sailors in arms; but, according to Ge- neral Lincoln's account, transmitted to the congress, the whole number of continental troops taken prisoners amounted to no more than 2487. The remainder, therefore, included in Gene- ral Clinton's account, must have consisted of militia and inhabi- tants of the town. Several Americ^in frigates were also taken or destroyed iti the harbour. While 5"." Henry Clinton was employed in his voyage to Charlestowii, and in the siege of that place, the garrison at New York were not free from apprehensions for their own safety. An intense frost, accompanied with great falls of snow, began about the middle of December, 1779, and shut up the navigation of the port of New York from the sea, witliin a few days after the departure of Admiral Arl)uthnot and General Clinton. The se- verity of the weather increased to so great a degree, that to- wards the middle of January all communications with New York by water were entirely cut off, and as many new ones opened hy the ice. The inhabitants could scarcely be said to be in an iu^ sular state. Horses with heavy carriages could go over the ice into the Jerseys, from one island to another. The passage in North River, even in the widest part, from New York to Paul's Hook, which was 2000 yards, was, about the 19th of January, passable for the heaviest cannon : an event which had been mi-^ VI m 1 ,1,1 ','■ « !: I H 332 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. known in the memory of man. Provisions were soon after transported upon sledges, and a detachment of cavalry marched upon the ice from New York to Statcn Island, which was a dis- tance of eleven miles. The city of New York, be. ,g thus rircumstanced, ivas much" exposed to the continental troops ; and it was strongly reported, that General Washington was meditating an attack upon rt with hi« whole force. Some time before this, Maior-general Pattison, commandant at New York, bavii'2f received an address from niany of the inhabitants, offering to put themselves in military array, he thought the present a favorable opportunity of trying the sincerity of their professions. Accordingly, he issued a pro- clamation, calling upon all the male inhabitants from sixteen to tiixty to take up arms. The requisition was so readily complied with, that, in a few days, forty companies from the six wards of the city were enrolled, oDicered, and under arms, to the number of 2600. Other volunteer companies were also formed ; and the city was put into a strong posture of defence. No attack, however was made upon New York, whatever i' n might ori- ginally have been meditated : but an attempt was made upon Stnten Island, where there were about 1800 men, under the command of Brigadier-general Sterling. General Washington, whose army was hutted at Morris-town, sent a detachment of 2700 men, with six pieces of catmon, two mortars, and some horses, commanded by Lord Sterling, who arrived at Staten Island early in the morning of the 15th of J.anuary. The ad- vanced posts of the British troops retired upon the approach of the Americans, who formed the line, and made some movements in the course of the day ; hut they withdrew in the night, and carried oif with them about 200 head of cattle. Immediately on the arrival of the Americans on Staten Island, Lieutenant- general Knyphausen had embarked 600 men to attempt a pas- sage, and to support General Sterling ; but the floating ice com- pelled them to return. After Charlestown had surrendered. Ge- neral Clinton issued two proclamations, and circulated a hand- bill amongst the inhabitants of South Carolina, to induce them to return to their allegiance, and to be ready to join the king's troops. These proclamations appear to have produced some ef- fect, though they probably operated chiefly upon those who were before not much inclined to the cause of the American indepen- I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 333 dence. Two hundred and ten of the inhabitants of CharIe«town signed an address to General Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot, so- liciting to he re- admitted to the character and condition of Bri- tish subjects ; declaring their disapprobation of the doctrine of American independence, and expressing their regret, that, after the repeal of those statutes which gave rise to the troubles in America, the overtures of his majesty's commissioners had not been regarded by the congress. At this time the people of America were involved in great difficulties by the depreciation of their paper- currency. At the time when the colonies engaged in war with Great Britain, they had no regular civil government established among them of suffi- cient energy to enforce the cdlection of taxes, or to provide funds for the redemption of such bills of credit as their necessi- ties obliged them to issue. In consequence of this, their bills increased in quantity far beyond the sum necessary for the pur- pose of a circulating medium : and, as they wanted at the same time specific funds to rest on for their redemption, they saw their paper currency daily sink in value. The depreciation con- tinued, by a kind of gradual progression, from the year 1777 to the year 1780; so that, at the latter period, the continental dollars were passed, by common consent, in most parts of Ame- rica, at the rate of at least thirty-nine fortieths below their nomi- nal value. The impossibility of keeping up the credit of the currency to any fixed standard, occasioned great and almost in> surmountable embarrassments in ascertaining the value of proper- ty, or carrying on trade with any sufficient certainty. Those who sold, and those who bought, were left without a rule where- on to form a judgment of their profit or their loss : and every species of commerce or exchange, whether foreign or domestic, was exposed to numberless and increasing difficulties. The con- sequences of the depreciation of the paper-currency, were also felt with peculiar severity by such of the Americans as were engaged in their military services, and greatly augmented by their other hardships. The requisitions made by the congress to the several colonies for supplies, were also far from always being complied with : and their troops were not unfrequently in want of the most common necessaries ; which naturally occasioned complaints and discontent among them. Some of these difficulties, resulting from their circumstances and situation, perhaps no wisdom could ii'l , I •,' I n 334 KI8T0RY OF NOHTH amerioa. have prevented : but they seem to hare arisen in part from the congress not bcin^ sufficiently acquainted with the princi])len of finance, and from a d<'fect of system in the dej>artments of their government. The ca»»se of the Americans appears also to have suffered by their depending too much on temporary enIistnuM)t«;. IJut the congress endeavoured, towards the close of the year 17S(), to put their army upon a more permanent footing, and to give all the satisfaction to their officers and soldier?* which their circumstances would permit. They appointed a committee for arranging their finances, and made some new regulations re- specting their war- office and treasury-board, and other public departments. ' ' , > Notwithstanding the disadvantan;es under which they labored, the Americans seemed to efitertain no doubts but that they should be able to maintain their independence. The 4th of July was celebrated this year at Philadelphia, as the anniversary of American independence. A commencement for conferring de- grees in the arts was held the same day, in the hall of the univer- sity there ; at which the president and members of the congress attended, and other persons in public offices. The Chevalier de la Lucerne, minister plenipotentiary from the French king to the United States, was also present on the occasion. A charge wp- publicly addressed by the provost of the university to the stu- dents ; in which he said, that he could not but congratulate them ** on that auspicious day, which, amidst the confusions and deso- lations of war, beheld learning beginning to revive; and animated them with the pleading prospect of seeing the sacred lamp of sci- ence burning with a still brighter flame, and scattering its invi- gorating rays over the unexplored deserts of that extensive conti- nent ; until the whole world should be involved in the united blaze of knowledge, liberty, and religion. When he stretched his views forward,'* he said, " and surveyed the rising glories of America, the enriching consequences of their determined struggle for li- berty, the extensive fields of intellectual improvement 'and use- ful invention, in science arid arts, in agriculture and comnverce, in religion and government, through which the unfettered mind would range, with increasing delight, in quest of the undisco- vered treasure which yet lay concealed in the animal, vegetable, and mineral, kingdoms of that new world ; or in the other fer- tile sources of knowledge with which it abounded ; his heart i from the iciploi of s of thrir to have istmcnts. tlio your i;, and to licli tlioir littcc for itions rc- ?r public labored, hat they h of July ■ersary of rring de- e univer- congress ilier de la ig to the arge wo" the stu- ate them nd deso- mi mated ip of sci- its invi- ve conti- ed blaze his views /\merica, e for li- and use- mn>ercp, red mind und^cO'- egetable, rther fer- ns heart '? 1 I ONTKST BKTWE1.N GRI.A I' BRITAIN, kc. HAtt swelled with the pleasing prospect, that the sons of that institu- tion would distinguish themselves, in the different walks of life, by their literary contributions to the embelliishment and increase ot human happiness." On the KHh of July, M. Terna, with a fleet consisting of se- ven ships of the line, besides frigates, and a large body of French troo|is commanded by the count de Rochambeau, J»rr!ved at Rhode Island j and the following day (JOOO men were hn.'jcd. A committee from the general assembly of Rhode Isl ind wjs ap- jjointed to congratulate the French general upon his arrival : whereupon he returned an answer, in which he informed tticm, that the king his master had sent them to the assistance cf his good and faithful allies the United States of America. At pre- sent, he said, he only brought over the vanguard of a much greater force destined for their aid ; and the king had ordered him to assure them, that his whole power should be exerted for their support. Me added, that the French troops were under the strictest discipline j and, acting under the orders of geiu'rul AV'ashington, would live with the Americans as their brethren. A scheme was soon after formed, of making a combined at- tack with English ships and troops, undei the conmiand of Sir Henry Clinton and admiral Arbuthnot, against tin French fleet and troops at Rhode Island. Accordingly a considerable part of the troops at New ^'ork were embarked for that pu'i)ose. Ge- neral Washington, having received information of this, passed the North River by a very rapid movement, and, with an army increased to 12,000 men, proceeded with celerity towards King's Bridge, in order to attack New York; but, learning that the British general had changed his intentions, and disembarked his troops on the 31st of the month, General Washington recrossed the river, and returned to his former station. Sir Henry Clinton and the admiral had agreed to relinquish the design of attacking the French and Americans at Rhode Island as impracticable. An unsuccessful attempt was aUo made about this tioie in the Jerseys by general Knyphausen, with 7000 British troops under his command, to surprise the advanced posts of general Wash- ington's army. They proceeded rapidly towards Springfield, meeting little opposition till they came to the bridge there, which was very gallantly defended by 170 of the continental troops, for fiftceu minutes, against the British army : but t^ey 11 I 336 HISTORY OF N-OTITH AMF.UICA. '' ! i: \ ! %vcrc at lciic;th obliged to give np so unequal a contest, with the loss of thirty-seven men. Alter securing this pass, the Rritish troops marched into the place, and set fire to most of the hou* aes. They also committed some other depredations in the Jer- seys ; but were obliged to return about tne beginning of July, without effecting any thiug material. In South Carolina the royal arms were attended with more euccess. Earl Cornwallis, who commanded the British troops, obtained a very signal victory over General (lates, on the l()th of August. The action began at break of day, in a situation very advantageous for the British troops, but very unfavorable to the Americans. The latter were much more numerous; but the ground on which both armies stood was narrowed by swamps on the right and left, so that the Americans could not avail them- selves of their su})€rior nuntbers. There seems to have been a want of generalship in Gates, in suffering himself to be surpri- sed in so disadvantageous a position : but this circumstance was partly the effect of accident j for both armjes set out with u de- sign of attacking each other precisely at tlie same time, at ten the preceding evening, and met together before day- light at the place where the action happened. The attack was made by the British troops with great vigor, and in fi few minutes the ac- tion was general along tUe who^ line. It was at this time a dead calm, with a little ha/iness in the air, which prevented the smoke from rising, and occasioned so thick a darkness, that it was difficult to see the effect of a very heavy and well- supported fire on both sides. The British troops either kept up a con- stant fire, or made use of bayonets, as opportunities offered : and, after an obstinate resistance dt:ring three quarters of an hour, threw the Americans into total confusion, and forced them to give way in ail (juarters. The continental troops appear to have behaved well, but the militia were soon broken, and left the regulars to oppose the whole force of the British troops. General Gates did all in his power to rally the militia, but with- out effect : the continentals retreated in some order ; but the rout of the militia was so great, that the British cavalry are said to have continued the pursuit of them to the distance of twenty- two miles from the place where the action happened. The loss of the Americans was very considerable : about 1000 prisoners were taken^ and more said to have been killed and wounded. .f ■M CONTEST BETWEEN (lUEAT IJUITAIN, kc. i][l^ with the e nritish the hou- the Jcr- of July, t'ith more )h troops, the ]()th skuatioii 'orable to ; hut the vamps on ail them- ve been a )e surpri^ incc was nth tt dc- le, at ten j:ht at the de hy the the ac- ifi time a ?ntcd the s, that it upported ) a con- offered : srs of an .'ed them ppear to and left h troops. >ut with- but the are said twenty- rhe loss )risoners 'ounded. :i .t but the number is not very nccnrately ascortaitifd. Sevpii pieces of brass cannon, a number of colors, and nil the ainmuiiilion- w.mi;ons of the Americaiyn, were taken. Of the liritish tr(Mips, tlic killed and wounded amounted to 21M. Among the prisoners was Major general liaron de Kalb, a Prussian officer in the Amc- ri'" in service, who was mortally wounded, having exhibited great gallantry in the action, and received eleven wounds. The British troops by which this great victory was achieved did not much exceed 2000, while the American army is said to have amounted to fiOOO, of which, however the greatest part was militia. Lieutenant- colonel Tarlcton, who had greatly distinguisbed himself in this action, was detached the following day, with some cavalry and light infantry, amounting to about t*3nO men, to Httack a corps of Americans under *^jeneral Sumptf r. He executed this service with great activity and military address, lie procured good information of Sumpter's movements j and hy force and concealed marches came up with and surprised him in the middle of the day on the 18th, near the Catawba iords. He totally destroyed or disper^sed his detachment, wh'vh con- sisted of 700 men, killing 150 on the spot, fid taking two pieces of brass cannon, 300 prisoners, and forty feu • waggous. Not long after these operations so disastrous to the American cause, whilst the American army was almost compelled to dis- perse by the want of food, and its brave Commander-in-Chief found p!1 hi^ projects for the safety of his country frustrated by adverse events ; treason found its way into the American camp, and had nearly achieved the ruin of the new-born liberties of of the rising republic. The great services and military talents of General Arnold, his courage in battle, and the patient fortitude with which he bore the most excessive hardships, had sec u* :1 to him a high place in the opinion of the army, and a large portion of the confidence of his country. Having not sufficiently recoveviid from the wounds he had re- ceived before Quebec, ant' ;\c Saratoga, to be fit for active ser- vice ; and having large accounts to settle with the continent, which required leis ire ; he was, on the evacuation of Philadel- phia in 1778, appointed to take the command in that place. Unfortunately with that firmness which he had displayed in the field and in the most adverse circumstances, were not asso & 15. u u 338 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. H I I II: ciated that strength of principle and correctness of judgment ivhich might enable him to resist the various seductions to which his high station exposed him in the metropolis of the union. His claims against the United States were great, and to them he looked for the means of extricating himself from the difficul- ties into which his indiscretions had plunged him : but the com- missioners to whom his accounts were referred for settlement, reduced them considerably ; and on his appeal from their deci- sion to congress, a committee reported that the sum allowed him by the commissioners, with which he was dissatisfied, was more than he was entitled to receive. lie was charged with various acts of extortion, on the citizens of Philadelphia, and with peculating on the funds of the continent. Not the less soured and disgusted by these multiplied causes of irritation, in consequence of their being attributable to his own follies and vices, he gave full scope to his resentments ; and indulged him- self in expressions of angry reproach against what he termed the ingratitude of his country, which provoked those around him, and gave great offence to congress. Having rendered himself peculiarly obnoxious to the government of Pennsylvania, as well as to many of the citizens of Philadelphia, formal charges against him were brought by the executive of that state before congress, who directed that he should be arrested and tried by a court martial. Such were the various delays occasioned by the movements of the army, and the difficulty of obtaining testimony, that his trial, though commenced in June 1778, was not concluded till the! 26th of Januarv 177^, when he was sentenced to be renri- manded by the commander-in-chief. This sentence was appro- ved by congress, and carried soon afterwards into execution. From the time the sentence against bin was approved, if not sooner, it is probable that his unprincipled spirit revolted from the cause of his country, and determined him to seek occasion for making the ol)jects of his resentment the victims of his vengeance. Every history of the American war exhibits the Importance of West Point, its preservation had been the principal object of more than one campaign j and its loss, it was believed, would enfeeble all the military operations of the continent. Selected for the natural strength of its situation, immense labour, di- 4 jf judgment ductiona to polis of the and to them the dlfficuU ut the coni- settlement, I their dcci- um allowed itisfied, was largcd with elphia, and Jot the less rritation, in follies and uiged him- termed the round him, red himself nia, as well )al charges itate before I tried by a >veRients of , that his icluded till o be repri- was appro- lution. ve6, if not d from the ccasion for vengcanre. )ortance of li object of ed, would Selected jbour, di- CONTEST BETWEEN GEEAT BRITAIN, kc. 339 reeled by skilful engineers, had been employed on its fortifica- tions, and it was justly termed the Gibraltar of America. To this fortress Arnold turned his eyes, as an acquisition which would give value to treason, while its loss would inflict a mortal wound on his former friends. As affording t!ie means of enabling him to gratify both his avarice and his hate, he sought the command of it. To New York the safety of West Point was peculiarly inte- resting; and in that state, the reputation of Arnold was parti- cularly high. To its delegation he addressed himself: and from a respectable member (Mr. Livingston) belonging to it, a letter had been written to General Washington, suggesting doubts re- specting the military character oi Howe, to whom its defence was then intrusted, and recomment'ing Arnold for that service. From motives of delicacy, this request could not be immediately complied with; but it was not forgotten. Some short time afterwards, General Schuyler who was then in camp, mentioned to the commander-in-chief a letter he had received from Arnold, intimating his wish to join the army, and render such service as might be in his power ; but stating his inability, in consequence of his wounds, to perform the active duties of the field. The letter also suggested that he could discharge the duties of a stationary command, without much inconvenience or uneasiness from his wounds. General Washington observed, that as there was a prospect of an active and vigorous campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold, but did not believe there would be at his disposal any such command as that gentle- man had suggested. That so soon as the operations against New York should commence, he designed to draw his whole force into the field, leaving even West Point to the care of inva- lids and a small garrison of militia. Recollecting, however, the former application on the part of a member of congress respect- ing this particular post, he added, " that if, with this previous information, that situation would be more agreeable to him than a command in the field, his wishes should certainly be indul- ged." This conversation being communicated to Arnold, that officer, without openly discovering any solicitude on the subject, caught with eagerness at a proposition which promised to place in his possession the object of his most ardent wishes ; and in the beginning of August, he repaired to camp, where he renewed 1i ' it .-(.• i J"! 340 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. in person the solicitations which hud before been indirectly made. It was at this juncture tliat the principal part of the British force was embarked on the expedition against Rhode Island; and that General Washington was advancing on New York, in order to avail himself of the weakened state of that place. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army i which he declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General Schuyler. Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguish«d proofs of courage and patriotism, the commander-iu-chief was neither alarmed at his refusal to embrace so splendid an oppor- tunity as this promised to be, of recovering the favor of his countrymen, nor at the embarrassment accompanying that ror fusal. Pressing him no further, he assented to the request which had been made ; and Arnold was invested with the command of West Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to Colonel Robinson, signified his change of principles, and his wish to restore himself to the favor of his prince by some signal proof of his repentance. This letter opened to him a correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton ; the immediate object of which, after obtaining the appointment he had solicited, was to concert the means of putting the important post he com- manded into the possession of the British general. Major John Andre, an aid- de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, and adjutant-general of the British army, a young gentleman who had in an uncommon degree improved the liberal endow- ments of nature, and who seems to have held a very high place in the esteem and affections of his general, was selected as the person to whom the maturing of Arnold's treason, and the ar- rangements for its execution, should be committed. A corre- spondence was for some time carried on between them, under a mercantile disguise, and the feigned names of Gustavus and Anderson ; and at length, to facilitate their communications, the Vulture sloop of war moved up the North river, and took a station convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion. The particulars of the plan digested between them are un- known ; but from acts and expressions of Arnold since recol- lected, its general outlines have been conjectured. Under the pretext of fighting the enemy in the defiles and narrow passes CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 341 1 I ndirectly the British )de Island ; n York, in place. He le declined 1 Schuvler. stinguish«d i-chief was an oppor- ivor of his ng that ror |uest which ommand of he had, in principles, I prince hy ned to him liatc object icited, was t he com- y Clinton, gentleman al endow- high place ted as the id the ar- A corre- I, under a itavus and unications, nd took a 5 to excite R are un« nee recol- Under the row passes leading to the fortress, he is understood to have designed so to post the greater part of his army in the gorges of the moun- taiiiSj as to leave unguarded a particular pass, through which the assailants might securely approach and surprise West Point. It is also urric . toml that l>e was so to have disposed of that part of the garrisuti which remained in the works, as to make the least possible opposition to those who should attack them; and at the same time, to place his troops in a situation which would compel them to surrender, or be cut to pieces. Arnold had ex- pressed a wish to obtain copies of those exact and minute maps of the neighbouring country, especially on the east side of the river, which General Washington had caused to be made ; and, in conversation with his officers, he had frequently avowed a de- cided opinion, that the enemy ought not to be waited for in the works, but should be met and fought in the narrow passes lead- ing through the mountains. .^ The tin>e when. General Washington was at Hartford was se- lected for Anally adjusting every part of the plan : and, as a personal interview with Arnold would he necessary to complete their arrangements. Major Andrt; came up the river, and went on board the Vulture. The place appointed for the interview was the house of a Mr. Smith, without the American posts. Both parties repaired thither in the night at the hour agreed on. Major Andre was brought under a pass in the name of John Andersoti, in a boat dispatched for the purpose from the shore. While the conference was yet unfinished, daylight approached ; and to avoid the danger of discovery, it was proposed that Andrs should remain concealed till the succeeding night. He is un- derstood to have refused peremptorily to be carried within the American posts ; but the promise made him by Arnold to respect this objection, was not observed. They continued together the succeeding day; and when, on the following night, his return on board the Vulture was proposed, the boatmen refused to carry him, because she had, during the day, shifted her station ; in conseauence of a gun having been moved to the shore, with- out the knowledge of Arnold, and brought to bear upon her. This embarrassing circumstance reduced him to the necessity of endeavouring to reach New York by land. To render this more practicable, he reluctantly yielded to the urgent representations of Arnold, and, laying aside his regimentals, which he had •1^ f. ; I I •i ;'.! 1 ;.-, ■ i,. i : S 342 HISTORY OP NOnTtt AMERICA. hitherto worn under a sirtout, put on a plain suit of cloaths ; And received a pass from General Arnold^ authorivsing him, under the feigned name of John Anderson, to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he thought proper. Witb this permit, he had passed all the guards and posts on the road without suspicion ; and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when one of three militia- men, who were employed with others in scouting parties between the lines of the two armies, springing suddenly from his covert into the roadj seized the reins of his bridle and stopped his horse. With a want of self possession, so difficult to he accounted for in a mind equally brave and intelligent, that it would almost seem providential. Major Andre, instead of producing the pass from General Arnold, asked the man hastily where he belonged to ? He replied, " To below ;" a term designating him to be from New York. " And so," said Andre, without suspecting the de- ception practised on him, " am I." He then declared himself to be a British officer on urgent business, and begged that he might not be detained. The other two militia-men coming up immediately, he discovered his mistake, but it was too late to repair it. He offered a purse of gold, and a valuable watch ; to which he added the most tempting promises of ample reward, and permanent provision from the government, if they would permit him to escape : but his offers were rejected without hesi- tation by his captors, who proceeded to search liim. They found concealed in his boots exact returns, in Arnold's hand-writing, of the state of the forces, ordnance, and defences, at West Point and its dependencies ; critical remarks on the works, and an estimate of the men ordinarily employed in them; with other interesting papers. He was carried before Lieutenant-colonel Jameson, the officer commanding the scouting parties on the lines ; where, regardless of himself, and only anxious for the safety of Arnold, he still maintained the character he had assu- med, and requested Jameson to inform his commanding officer that Anderson was taken. Faithful himself, the mind of Jame- son rejected the suspicion, that in a gallant soldier, whose blood had flowed liberally in the service of his country, was to be found a traitor. He therefore dispatched an express with the communication which he had been requested to make. On re- ceiving it, Arnold comprehended at once the danger with which |-l: West I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BJIITAIN, &C. 343 he was menaced j and, flying from the punishment he merited, took refuge on board the Vulture, and afterwards proceeded to New York. When sufficient time for Arnold to make his escape was sup- posed to have elapsed, when Andre no longer affected disguise or coiicealment, and acknowledged himself to be the adjutant- general of the British army. Seeking to correct the mischief which might have been occa- sioned by the slowness with which he had given faith to circum- stances that seem sufficient to have forced conviction on the most incredulous, Jameson immediately dispatched a packet to the commander-in-chief, containing the papers which had been discovered. This packet was accompanied by a lerier from Andre, in which he related the manner of his capture, and accounted for the disguise he had assumed. The man conveying these dispatches was directed to meet the commander-in-chief, who was then on his return from Hartford. Taking ditferent roads, they missed each other; and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, which secured the escape of Arnold. Some tfme elapsed before they were received ; and then the measures taken to apprehend him proved too late. Before the officers dispatched for that purpose could reach Verplank's, he had passed that post ; and had got on- board the Vulture, which lay a few miles below it. Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of West Point. The garrison was put on the watch ; and General Greene, on whom the command of the army had devolved in the absence of General Washington, was directed to march the nearest division instantly up to King's Ferry, where he would receive further orders. The defection, however, appears not to have extended beyond Arnold himself; and the exact report he was capable of making to Sir Henry Clinton of the situation of West Point, was not such as to induce that officer to hazard an enterprise against it, when unaided by the treason of its com- mander. These measures of security being taken, it remained to deter- mine the fate of the gallant and unfortunate Andre. A board of general officers, of which Major-geneval Greene was president, and the two foreign generals. La Fayette and Steuben, were members, was called to report a precise state of his case, and to inl f1 i! 'I -I 1 ■ t ■ t ',, . I! U' . |:J i .1 •: ' 1 344 HISTORY OF NOHTH AMERICA. determine in what character he was to be consideied, and to what punishment he was liable. The candour, openness, and magnanimity, with which Andr6 had conducted himself from the first moment of his appearance in his real character, had made a very favorable impression on all those with w om he had held any intercourse. From this cause he experienced every mark of indul^eiit attention j and from a iense of justice, as well as of delicacy, he was informed, on the first opening of the examination, that he was at perfect liberty not to answer any interrogatory which might embarrass Iiis own feelings. But, as if only mindful of his fame; and desirous, by the noble frankness of his conduct, to rescue his character from imputations which he dreaded more than death ; he disdained every evasion ; and, rendering the examination of any witness unnecessary, he confessed every thing material to his own condemnation, while he would divulge nothing which might involve others. The board reported the essential facts which had appeared ; ■with their opinion, that Major Andre was a spy, and ought to suffer death. The execution of this sentence was ordered ou the day succeeding that on which it was declared. Superior to the terrors of death, but dreading disgrace, Andre was deeplv affected by the mode of dying which the laws of war had decreed to persons in his situation. He wished to die like a soldier, not as a criminal. To obtain a mitigation of his sentence in this respect, he ad- dressed a letter to General Washington, replete with ail the feel- ings of a man of sentiment and honor. But the occasion required that the example should make its full impression, and his re- quest could not be granted. He encountered his fate with com- posure, dignity, and fortitude ; and such was his whole conduct, as to excite the admiration, and interest the Heelings, of all who witnessed it. The general officers lamented the sentence which the usages of war compelled them to pronounce ; and perhaps on no occa- sion of his life did the commander-in-chief* obey with more * Miss Anna Seward, the author of the monody on the death of this brave officer, gives the following interesting anecdote on this subject, in a letter dated 1798; addressed to Miss Ponsonby: «* I was not as you supposed fa- vored with a letter from General Washington j but a few years after peac« h and to ch Audr6 >pearance ession on 'rom this ion; and n formed, perfect lubarrass i; and escuc his n death; lation of ial to his ch might ppeared ; ought to dered ou B, Andre fs of war lie like a ) he ad- the feel- required his re- th coni- conduct, all who i usages lo occa- h more his brave a a letter posed fa- er peac« I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 345 reluctance the stern mandates of duty and of policy. The sym- pathy excited nnioiig the American otliciTS by \i'\4 fate was as universal as it is unusual on such occasions. Great exertions were made by Sir Iletny Clinton, to whom Andre was particularly dear, first to have him considered as pro- tected by a flag of truce, and afterwards as a prisoner of war. Even Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. After giving u certificate of facts which he supposed might tend to exculpate the prisoner, exhausting his powers of reasoning on the case, and appealing to the humanity of the American general, he sought to intimidate him by stating the situation of many of the principal characters of South Carolina who had forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemency of the Hritish general. This clemency, he said, could no longer in justice be extended to them should Major Andre suffer. It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold was ^vithout any influence on the mind of Washington. He conveyed Mrs Arnold to her husband in New York, and also transmitted to him his clothes and baggage for which he had written ; but in was si|;ned between this country and America, an ofticer introduced himself, commissioned from General Washington to call upon me, and to assure me from the general himself, that no circumstance of his life had been so uiorti- fyioR as to be censured in the Monody on Andri-, as the piiile>s author of his ignominious fate, that he had labored to save him— that he requested my at- teiition to papers on the subject which he iiad sent by this ofticer for my per- usal. On examining them, continues Miss Seward, I found they entirely acquitted the general. They filled me with contrition for the raih injustice of my censure. AVith a copy of the proreedinss of (he court martial that determined Andre's condemnation, there was a copy of a letter from (ieneral ^^ashington to (ieneral Clinton, olTering to give up Andr£' for Arnold, who had fled to the British camp, observinj; tiie reason there was to believe, that the apostate general had exposed tlial giillani r.nsli^h ofticer to unnecessary danger, to facilitate his own e cape; also tlie copy of another letter from (ieneral Washington to Major Andrf, adjuring him to state lo the command- er-in-ciiief liis unavoidable rouviction of the selfish perfidy of Arnold, in luggesting that plan of disguise, wliich exposed Andr^^', if taken, lo certain condemnation as a spy, when if he had come openly in hii reg mentals, and under a tlag of truce to the tiien unsuspected American general, he would have been perfectly safe; there was also a copy of Andre's high souled an- swer, thanking (Jeneral Wasliinglun for the iiitcnst he took in his destiny; but observing, that even under conviction of (.eiieral Arnold's inattention to his safety, he could not suggest to (ieneral Clinton any thing which might influence him lo save his less important life by such an c.xchringe."' lid* ^cteanCs Litlen, Vol, 6, pagr U.S. 15. XX d46 HISTORY OF KOUTH AMKRICA. '1 '■;■ .1 •i 1' ,1, ., 1 t 111 i U I: i i : • every otlier rcspoct, his letters, which were altogether unan- swered, were also entirely unnoticed. The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassion exci- ted in every ho^om for the unfortunate Andrr, seemed to add fresh vigor to the detestation in which Arnold was held. "An- dre," says General Washington in a private letter, "has rnet his fate with that fortitude which was to he expected from an ac- complished man and a gallant officer ; but I am mistaken if, at this time, Arnold is not undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He wants feeling. From some traits of hi* character, which liave lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hackneyed in crime, so lost to all sense of honor and shame, that, while his faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse." From motives of policy or of faith, Arnold was made a briga- dier-general in the British service, which rank he preserved throughout the war. Yet it is impossible that this, or a still higher rank, could have rescued him from the contempt and detestation in which the generous, the honorable, and the brave, could not cease to hold him. It was impossible for men of this description, while obeying or acting with him, to bury the recol- lection of his being a traitor, a sordid traitor ; first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and finally secured by the blood of one of the most accomplished officers in the British army. As all men wish to preserve at least the appearances of honor, Arnold affected to ascribe his defection from the Ameri- can cause to principle. lie originally took up aims, he said, because he really believed the rights of his country endangered; and although he thought the declaration of indopcndence preci- pitate, yet lic was led by the many plausible arguments urged in its favor to acquiesce in it as a measure necessary to procure a redress of grievances. But the rejection of the overtures made by Great Britain in 1778, and the French alliance, had opened liis eves to the ambitious views of those who would sacrifice the happiness of their country to their own aggrandisement, and had made him a confirmed loyalist. His representations of the discontent of the country, and of the army, concurring with reports from other (juartcrs, had raised the expectation that the loyalists .and the dissatibfu J, allured by British gold and the hope of rank in the British scr- sf:- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc, 347 tlier (inan* ssion exci- ercsent I relerciu'e '< that pa- ic clie(Mful 'liich both iRRlinR for ignlity and /ell as the i whicii is ire on the foot), and t, was but he neglect rought be- was niani- cven years, 110 post of taken off; le widows 10 service, wing half- ics of the the several had been icir future new emia- lept up by iployed in establish- shing any wever, to em out of CONTr.ST Bl'.TWnFN C;uaAT IIRITATN, kc. S51 •fust before rctiiin^ into winter quarters, a sjiiritcd cuterpria«*, though on a snn\\\ scale, was> plaiuied and excntte United States, Europe assumed an aspect not less formidable to the permanent gran- deur of England than hostile to its present views. In the sum- mer of 17S0, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, entered into the celebrated compact which has been generally denominated the ARMED NEUTRALITY ; the principal objects of which were, to reduce the list of articles which should be deemed contraband ; and to impart to goods the character of the bottom which con- veyed them. Holland had also manifested unequivocally a de- termination to accede to the same confederacy; and it is not im- probable, that this measure contributed, in no inconsiderable degree, to the declaration of war which was made by Great liritain against that power towards the close of the present year. The long and intimate friendship whicii had existed between these two nations, had been \isibly impaired from the com- mencement of the American war. Although Hot concurring Avith the house of Bourbon in the wish to weaken a rival, Hol- land yielded to neither France nor Spain in the desire of partici- pating in that commerce, which the independence of America would open to the work). From the commencement of hostili- i h CONTEST BETWEKN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. fJ5iJ lul stfttes ill rth river, Albany, to )f opposing !tl of Euro- uption into ,s Anne and same time composed Mohawk. er with the ded by the s ordered to 1 of action, I tlie whole e exhausted iment, kept •ritish crown tes, Europe anent gran- In the sum- :red into the linated the ch were, to contraband ; which con- x'ally a de- it is not im- considerable le by Great present year, ted between n the coni- ; concurring , rival, Hol- e of partici- of America t of hostili- 100 lies, therefore, the merchants of i^olland, and especially of the great commercial city of Amsterdam, watched with anxiety the progress of the war, and engaged in speculations which were proiitiible to themselves, and at the same time beneficial to the United States. The remonstrances made by the British minister at the Hague against this conduct, were answered in the most amicable manner by the government; but the practice of indivi- duals remained the same When the war broke out between France and England, a great number of Dutch vessels trading with France, laden with materials for ship-building, were seized and carried into rhe ports of Great Britain, although the existing treaties between the two nations were understood to exclude those articles from the list of contraband war. Attributing these acts of violence to the necessity of her situation. Great Britain persisted in refu- sing to permit naval stores to be carried to her enemy in neutral bottom?. This refusal, Jiowever, was accompanied with friendly professions, with an offer to pay for the vessels and cargoe.hich was, that the plan of an eventual touinKMcial treaty was sketched out, as one which might subseijuei tly be concluded be- tween them. This paper had received the approbation of the pensiotiary Van Berkel, and the city of Amsterdam, but not of t!ie stHtes-gener>d. Mr. llcuiy Laurens, late president of congress, was deputed to the states-general with this plan of a treaty, for the double purj)ose of endcavoming to complete it, and of negociating a loan for the use «if his govertnnent. On his voyage he "..ii cap- tured by a l?riti>h fiigate; nnd his papers, which he had previ- ously thrown overboard, were rescued from the v\aves by the skill and courage of a Riitisli sailor. Among these papers, which were prc-icived for the minister, was found the plan of a treaty which has been mentioned. This was immediately trans- mitted to Sir .loseph Yorke^ the British minister at the Hague, to be laid before the Dutch government. Mr. Laurens after be- ing examined by the privy council was committed close prisoner to the tower on a charge of high treason. The explanation of this transaction not btiiig deemed satis- factory bv the co\irt of London, Sir Joseph Vorke received or- ders to withdraw from the Hague; soon after which war was declared against Holland. At the beginning of the year 17^1, an affair happcMied in America, from which expectations were formed by Sir Henry Clinton, that bowc considerable advantage might be deri 'ed to the royal cause. The long continuance of the war, and the dif- ficulties under w'.ich the congress labored, had prt vented their troops from br.ng properly supplied with necessarici and conve- niences. In conse(|ueMce of this, on January Ut, the American troops that were hutted at Morrijtown, and who formed what was called the Pennsyhanian Cine, turned out, being in number about 1300, and declared that they would serve no longer ujiless their grievances were redressed, as they had not received their f that fOII- terl States, •lin, lie fell of Anistei- f' subject lii lie result of treaty was it-'liifled Ijc- ion of the hut not of a*? deputed the douhlu joeiatiii/r .^ ■' " ■I'i cap- liad previ- ^•<''« hy the -•'(' papers, plan of a itely trans- lie Hague, IS after bc- ic prisoner tned -satis- iceived or- 1 Wcir vva^t pix.'ned in Sir Ilenrv leri/ed to d the dif- iited their id convc- Anierican ned what n number ?er unless ved their »4 CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. Ii55 pay, or been furnished with the necessary clothing or provibions. It is said they were somewhat inflamed with liqtior, in consc;- quence of rniu having been distributed to them more liberally than usu d, New- 'oar's day beiui; considered as a kind of festival. A riot cnsvied, in which an olHcer was killed and four wounded ; live or si:>; of the insurgents were also wounded. Thev then col- lected the artillery, stores, provisions, and waggons, and marched tiut of the camp. They passed by ihc quarters of General Wayne, who sent a message to them, recjuesting them to desist, or the consecpienees would prove fatal. They refused, and proceeded on their march till the evening, when they took post on an advun- tageous piece of ground, and elected officers from among them- selves. On the second, they marched to Mi(ivernment; that they should have a free pardon for all forme offences; and that the pay due to them from the congresis ; )uld be faitniiJly paid them, without any expectation of milit<";ry service, unless it should be voluntary, upon condihon of theii* laying down their arms and returning to their allegiance. It was also recommended to tliem to move beyond the South river ; and they were assured, that a bcdy of the British troops should be ready to protect them whenever they desired it. These propositions were rejected with disdain ; and tln'v even delivered uj) two of Gir Henry Clinton's messengers to the congress. Joseph Heed, E^(].. president of ■ * .1 f 356 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. the state of Pennsylvania, afterwards repaired to them at Prince- town, and an accoinmudatiun took place ; such of them as had served out their fidl term were permitted to return to their homes, and others again joined the American army, upon re- ceiving satisfactory assurances that tlieir grievances should be re- dressed. Earl Cortiwallis now made vigorous preparations to penetrate into North CaroHna. On the llth of January his* lordship's ar- my was in motion ; n-t was somewhat delayed by an attempt made by the Americans, under General Morgan, to make them- selves masters of the valuable district of Ninety-six. To prevent this, Lord Cornwallis detached Lieutenant-colonel Tarl^ton, with 300 cavalry, «^00 light infantry, the /th regiment, the first bat- talion of the 71st regiment, and two .'{-pounders, to oppose the progress of Morgan, not doubting; but that he ahould be able to perform this seivice etfectually. The British troops came up with the Americans on the l/th of January. They were drawn up in an open wood, and having been lately joined by some mi- litia, were more numerous than the British ; but the latter weie so much better disciplined, that they had the utmost confidence of obtaining a speedy victorv The attack was begun by the first line of infantry, consistuig of the 7th regiment and a corps of light infantry, with a troop of cavalry placed on each flank. The first battalion of the 71st and the remainder of the cavalry formed the reserve. The American line soon gave way, and their militia (juitted the field; upon which the royal troops, sup- posing the victory already gained, engaged with ardor in the pur- suit, and were thereby .-brown into some disorder. General Mor- gan's corps, who were supposed to have been routed, in)niediately faced about, and began a heavy fire upon the king's troops, which occasioned the utmost confusion amongst them ; and ihey were at length totally defeated by the Americans. Four hundred of the British infantry were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners : the loss of the cavalry was much less considerable ; but the two 3-poundcr6 fell into the hands of the Americans, together with the colors of the 7th regiment. Lieutenant- colo- nel Tarleton gallantly made another effort ; having assembled about fifty of his cavalry, with which lie charged and repuUcd Colonel Washington's horse, retook his baggage, and killed the Americans who were appointed to guard it. He then retreated i J 1 at Prince- hem as had rn to their ^, upon re- lould be re- penetrate •rdship's ar- an attempt iiake thcm- To prevent rl«ton, with le first bat- oppose the 1 be able to )s came up were drawn V some mi~ Uitter were ; confidence :un by the uid a corps each flank, the cavalry way, and oops, sup- n the pur- leral Mor- )nicdiately s troops, and they ir hundred or taken siderable ; Lmericans, lant-colo- assembled 1 repulsed killed the retreated CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 357 to Hamilton's Ford, near the mouth of Bullock's Creek, carry- ing with him part of the baggage, and destroying the remain- der. This defeat was a severe stroke to Lord Cornvvallis, as the loss of his light infantry was a great disadvantage to him. The day after that event, he employed in collecting the remains of Tarleton's Corps, and in endeavouring to form a junction with General Leslie, who had been ordered to march towards him with some British troops from VVynnesborough. Considerable exertions were then made by part of the army, without baggage, to retake the prisoners in the hands of the Americans, and to intercept General Morgan's corps on its retreat to the Catawba. But that officer had made forced marches up the country, and crossed the Catawba the evening before a great rain, which swelled the river to such a degree, as to prevent the royal army from crossing for several days j by which time the British prison- ers were got quite out of reach. On the first of February, the king's troops crossed the Cataw- ba at M'Cowan's Ford, where General Davidson, with a party of the American militia, was ordered to oppose their passage ; but, that officer being killed by the first discharge, the rcyal troops made good their landing, and the militia retreated. When Lord Cornwallis arrived at Hillsborough, he erected the king's standard, and invittd, by proclamation, all loyal subjects to repair to it, and to stand forth and take an active pari in assisting his lordship to restore order and government. He had been taught to believe that the king's friends were numerous in that part of the country : but the event did not confirm the truth of the representations that had been made. The royalists we«e but few in number, wnd some of them too timid to join the king's standard. There were, indeed, about 200 who were proceeding to Hillsborough, under Colonel Pvle, ir. order to avow their attachment to the royal cause ; but the) were met accidentally, and surrounded, by a detachment from the Ameri- can army, by whom a number of them are sard to have been killed when they were begging for quarter, without making the least resistance. Meanwhile General Greene was marching wi . great expedition to form a junction with another corps ot Ame- rican troops, in order to put a stop to the progress of Lori Cornwallis. 'i 358 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. r i :l} In other places eonsidcrahic advantages were obtained bv tlie royal arms. On the -Ith of Jatmary, some ships of war, with a luunber of transports, on-board which was a large body of troopi Hiivler the command of General Arnohl, arrived at VVestovcr, al)out 140 miles from the Capes of Virginia, where the troop;* immediately landed and marched to Richmond ; which they reached without o|)position, the provincials having retreated on their approach. liientenant-colonel Simcoe marched from hence with a detachment of the British troops at VVesthan), where he destroyed one of the finest fonnderies for cannon in America, and a large (juantity of stores and ammnnition. General Arnold, on his arrival at Richmond, found large cpiantities of salt, rum, sail-cloth, tobacco, and other merchandise; and that part which was public property he destroyeo'. The British troops afterwards attacked and dispersed some small parties of the Americans, took some stores, and a few pieces of camion ; and, on the 20th of the same month, marched into Portsmouth. On the 25th, Captain Barclay, with several ships of war, and a body of troops under the command of Major Craig, arrived in Cape Fear river. The troops land -d about nine miles from Wilmington, and, on the 28th, entered that town. It was understood, that their having possession of that town, and being masters of Cape Fear river, would be productive of very beneficial effects to Lord Cornwallis' army. General Greene, having eflfeeted a junction, about the 10th of March, with a continental legiment, and Iwo large bodies of militia, resolved to attack the British troops under Lord Corn- wallis. The American army marched from the High Rock Ford on the rith of the month, and on the 14th arrived at Guildford. Lord Cornwallis, from the information he had received of the niiOtioiTs of the American general, easily conjectured his designs. As they approached more nearly to each other, a few skirmishes ensued between some advanced parties, in which the king's troops had the- \dvautage. On the morning of the 15th, Lord Cornwallis marched at day-break to meet the Americans, or to attack them in their camp. About four miles from Guildford, the advanced guard of the British army, commanded by Lieute- nant-colonel Tarleton, fell in with a corps of the Americans, consisting of Lieutenant-colonel Lee's legion, which he de- eated. u' letl by the ar, with a y of tioopi VVestovcr, the tr(>o|):> vhich they 'treated on From hence where I.e I Aineriea, ral Aniolt), salt, rum, part which afterwards /\mericiijjs, n the 20th I the 25th, a body of Cape Fear Wilmington, stood, that ?rs of Cape :ts to Lord he 10th of ! bodies of ^ord Corn- Rock Ford Guildford. I'ed of the lis designs, skirmishes the king's 5th, Lord ans, or to Guildford, bv Lieute- \mericans, L'h he de- 4 CONTEST BF.TWKLX cnr.AT nuiTAiy, .Vc. *J.>9 The greater part of the country in which the aoticMi took phice IS a wilderness of trees, and thick underwood, with a few cleared fields interspersed. The American armv, which wan •-uperior to the Hiitish in point of nuiuhers, was posted on a rising ground. It was drawn up in three lines: the front line was compo.'-fcd of the North Carolina iniliti:;, under the coin- niaiid of (lenerah Butler and Eaton; the second lir.e was of Virginia militia, commanded by (iencrals Ste'phens and Lawson, forming two brigades; the tliird line, consisting of two bri- gades, ojie of Virgitiia and one of Maryland contin'jntal tioop«i, was commanded by General IIug;ir, and Colonel Williams. Lieutenent colonel Washington, with tlie dragoons of the first and third regiments, a detachment of liglit iid'jintry, contpused nf continental troops, and a regiment of riflemen, under Colonel liViieh, formed a corps of observation for the security of their riglit flank. Lieutenant-colonel Lee, with his Icgiou, a defach- meut of light infantry, and a corps of linemen u!nier C^olonel Campbell, formed a corps of observation for the security of their left flunk. The attack was made h\ lord Cori.wallis, in tlie fol- lowing order: on the right, tiie regiment of Lose and the 71st regiment, led by Major-general Leslie, and supj)orted by the lifst Ijattalion of guards ; on the left, the 2od and H'Sd regi- ments, led by Lieutenant-colonel Wel)ster, and supported by the grenadiers and second btttaiion of f?,uards cfMnmanded by Gene- r:;l O'lbira; the yagers nnd light inCanlry of th.e gv.anls remain- ed in a wood, on the left of the guii!<, and the cavalry in the road, read>' to act v. circumsta?u-es might require. About half an '■'uir after one in tlie aiti-rnoon, the action commenced bv a cannonade, whicli lasteil about twenty minutes; v\iien the Biitish troops advanced in tliree colun.ns ami attacked the North Carolina brigade v.ith groat vigcn-, and soon obliged part of these troops, who behaved very ill, to (piit the field: but the Virginia militia kept up a heavy fire for a long time, till, being beaten back, the action l)ecame general every v. l-,ere. The American corps, under Colonels ^^'•lshit:gtl)n ;uid Lf^e, did considerable execution. Lieutenant-colonel I'aileton had direc- tions to keep bis cavalry compact, and not to charge without positive orders, excepting to protect any of the corps from the most evident danger of l)oini: defeated. The excessive thickness of the woods rendered the British bayonets of little use, and ™«1; ■•% 2 ■? 1 i ...^ I ' 1 1. : . ■' I -i yco HISTORY OF NOHTH AMERICA. cnablcil the broken corpi of Americans to make frequent standi with an irregular fire. The second battalion of the guards first gained the clear ground near Guildford court-house, and found a corps of continental infantry, superior in number, fori>^ d in an open field on the left of the road. Desirous of signali. ig them- selves, they immediately attacked and soon defeated then), ta- king two six pounders; but, as they pursued the Americans into tlie wood with too much ardor, they were thrown into confusion, and were instantly charged and driven back into the field by Ge- neral Washington's dragoons, with the loss of the six pounderi they had taken. But the American cavalry were in turn repuls- ed, and the two six- pounders again fell into the hands of the British troops. The British troops having at length broken the second Maryland regiment, and turned the left flank of the Americans, got into the rear of the Virginia brigade, and ap- peared to be gaining their right, which would have encircled the whole of the continental troops, when General Greene thought it prudent to retreat. Many of the American militia dispersed in the woods ; but tiie continental troops fell back in good order to the Reedy F'ork river, and crossed at the ford, about three miles from the field of action. When they had collected their 8tragQ;ler«5, they irtrcatcd to the iron-works, ten miles distant from Guildford, where they encamped. They lost their artillery, and two waggons laden with ammunition. It was a hard fought battle, and lasted an hour and a half. Of the British troops, the loss, as stated by Lord Cornwallis, was 532 killed, wound- ed, and missing. General Greene, in his account ot the action transmitted to the C()!igre«'«i, staled the loss of the continental troops to be .329 killed, wounded, and tnissing ; but he made no estimate of the loss of the militia. Lieutenant-colonel Stuart was killed in the action; and Lieutenant-colonel Webster, and Captains 8chutz, Maynard, and Goodriche, died of their wounds. General O'Hara, General Howard, and Lieutenant- colonel Tarle- ton, were also wounded. Of the Americans, the principal offi- cer killtfd was Major Anderson, of the Maryland hne ; and Ge- nerals Stephens and linger were wounded. The British troo[)s underwent great hardships in the course of this campaign ; and, in a letter from Lord Cornwallis to Lord George Germaine, dated March 17th, he observed, that "the soldiers had been two days without bread." His lordship quitted rr uent stands jj'uanls first ind found a d in an ig theni- theu), ta- cricans into > confusion, icid by Ge- X poundei 1 urn repuls- Liids of the broken the ink of the e, and ap- icircled the lie thought a dispersed good order ibout three ected their lies distatit iir artillery, lard fought ish troops, fd, wound- the action continental le made no mel Stuart ebstcr, and eir wounds, onel Tarle- neipal ofli- ; and Gc- 5 course of lis to Lord that "the hip quitted CONTF.ST BKTWrr.N fil^EAT HIIITAIN, il^C. 3()l iJuiUICord tlirec days after the battle ; niid, on the 7th of April, arrived at Wilniiii^^^oii. General (ireeue, iiotwitliitaiuling his liiteilefeat, endeavoured to make some frc^h att(Mni)t'< against the kind's Idrees in South Carolina. Lord Hawdon had lieeii appointed to defend the post of Camden, with about SOO |5ri- tivh; and, on the IDth of April, General (ireene appeared be- fore that place with a large body of continentals and militia. He found it impossible to storm the town with any prosjicct «;f success; and therefore endeavoured to take such a position as should induce the British troojw to sally fortli fj«mi their works, lie posted the Anjcricans abi)ut a mile from the town, on an eminence which was covered with woods, and flanked on the It iw by an im|Kissablc swaaip. On the morning of the 'ifjth, Lord Kawdon marched out of Camden, and witli ^reat gallantry at- tacked (ieneral Greene in his camp. The Americans made a vi- gorous resistance, but were at last conipellcd to give way, and tht; pursuit is said to have been continued three miles. The 'oss of the English was about 100 killid and wounded. Up- wards of 100 of the Americans were taken prisoners; and ac- cording to the account published by General Greene, they had 12(> killed and wounded. Notwithstanding the a killed and 150 woundcfl. Cieneial (ireene then raised the sieg.-, and retired beliind the Saluda, to a strong situ- ation witliin sixteen mdes of Ninety- six. On the ISih of April, a large body of British troops, under the command of General Philips and General Arnold,; embarked at Portsmouth, in Virginia, on an expedition for the purpose of destroying some of the American stores, A parly of light infan- try were scut tea miles up the Chickahomany j where they de- 16". z z i :i()2 HisTouv OF NOKTii am::rica. 1 . : I ; I 1 » 'I m ;. i ■ 1 *: > .J . - i ■ 'J' ■ ' J stroyed several arnv>l ships, «»uiiclry warrhousch, and the Ameri- can ship-yards. At I'eicrshurf^h, thoy thstroyed 4000 hog^hea(N of tohacco, one ship, and a iiutnher of small vessels on the stocks and in the riv. r. At Chesterfield, thiy hurnt a range of barracks for 2000 men, ami .'{00 harrels of flour. At a place called Oshorn's, they made themselves tp.ij.lers of several vessels loaded with cordage and flour, and destroyi u 2000 ho^shrads of tobacco, and bundry vessels were sunk and burnt. ' Warwick, they burrst 500 barrels of flour, som« mills belonging to ('olonel Carey, a large range of public rope-walk'- lud !»u)re-houscs, tan nndbaik houses full of hides and bark, and great quant les of tobacco. A like des.truction of stores and g'mds was ; ade in other parts of Virginia. Lord Cornuallis, after his victory over (jcneral Gn iie, at Guddford, pri)ceedi'd, as we have si on, to Wilmington . .md, on the 20th of May, his lordship arrivi-d at Petersburg, in Virginia, where he joined the British troops that had been undcY the command of (iencral I'hilips anil (ieneral Arnold. Hefore this junction, he bad ei\eountered considerable inconveniences from the dilliculty of procuiing provisions and forage; so that, in a letter to Sir Ilc'.jry Clinton, he informed him, that his cavalry wanted every thing ; and his infantry every thing but shoes. He added that be had eN|n'rienced the ilistresses of marching hun- dred' of miles in a country chiefly hostile, without one active or useful friend, without intelligence, and without conjmunicatiou with any part of the country. On the 2()th of .lune, about six miles from Williamsburgh, Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, and W'A) of the (jueen's ranger^., with 80 mouiitot! yai^crs, were attacked by a much superior body of the Americans; but whom they repulsed with great gallantry and with ccpial success, making four officers and twenty private men prisoners. The loss of the Americans in tins action is said to have been upwards of 120, and that of the IJrilish troops not more than 40 On the fkh of .July, another action happened near the Green Springs, in Virginia, between a reconnoitring party of the Americans, nnder General Wayne, amounting to about 800, and a large part of the British army, under Lord Cornwallis; in which, the Americans had 127 killed and wound- ed ; and the loss of the royal troops is suj)po^ 1 to have been con- fiiderftbly greater. It was an action in which no small degree of MCA. S and the Amori- i;'i -iOOO liog>|,ea(N nil vessels on the burnt a range of flour. At a place s of several vesiels -'(KH) hogshrails of >»t. At Warwick, outing to Colonel 5>u)re-iiouses, tan reat quant les of '»o(ls vvas i ade in ci.oiai Gr( ne, at nnn/jton . ,ind, oi, l>ur^', in Virginia, I I)een undtY the iiold. Before this Lojiveniences from gi'; so that, in a , that his cavalry ug but sJiues. Me of marching hun- hout one active or ut coiDmunicatiou t»J Willianishurgh, (lueen's rangers, mch superior hodv ith great gallantry I'ld twenty private this aeliou is said iJiitish troops not action happened 1 a reconnoitring lit", amounting to rn)y, under Lord billed and wound- to have been con- 10 smalJ degree of CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT RrtTATN. kc. 3l iZ i military Nkill and courage was cxhihiti'd l)y the Americans, in n variety of skirmishes, the Marquis la Fayette very much distin- f;iii'.hed hinisell', and displayed the utmost ardor in the /vmerican cause. Notwithstanding the signal advantaijrs Lord Cornwallis had ohlained, his situation in Virt'inia hegan to be very critical ; and the rarlier, because he did not receive those reinforcements from Sir Henry Clinton which he conceived to be nttessrv f<»r the success of his oper itions. Indeed, the commander-in chief wna prevented from sending those reinforcements, hv his fears respect- ing New Yor'i, against which he entertained apprehensions that (ItiKTal Washington intended to make ii lornn(i;il)lc attack. In fact, the American general appe.v to have taken much paiiH, and to have employed great lines'- > lead Sir Ilenrv I'linton into this imagination. Letters, i .es:jive of thi^ intenti(jn; fell into the hands of Sir Henry, whicli were manifestly written to ho intercepted, with a view to amuse and deceive tlie 1 British general. The project was successful ; and, by a variety of nia- ntt'uvies, in which he completely cut-gcncralled the British connnanders, he increased his apprehensions about New ^'ork, and |)revented him from sending proper assistance to Lord Corn- wallis. IL-wing thus kept Sir Henry Clinton in perpetual alarm. General Washington suddeidy quitted his caujp at White Plains, crossed the Delaware, and marched towards Virginia, with a design to attack Lord Cornwallis. Sir Henry Clinton now re- ceived information, that the Count de Gra^se, with a large French fleet, was expected every moment in the Chesapeak, to co-operate with general Washington. He tiierefore endeavoured to communicate this itiformation to Lord Cornwallis; and also sent him assurances, that he would either reinforce liiu) by every possible means, or make the best diveision he could in his favor. In the mean time. Lord Cornwallis had taken possession of the posts of Yorktown and (iloucester, in Virginia, where he forti- fied himself in the best manner he could. On the 2Sth of August, Sir Samuel Hood, with a squadron from the West Indies, joined the fleet under Adujiral Graves, before New York. It was then necessary, on account of th.c situation of Lord Cornwallis, that they should iinuiediatcly pro- ceed to the Chesapeak ; but much time appears to have been lost, though Admiral Hood was extremely anxious that no delay i* m IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^. v.. 1.0 I.I 1.25 »0 I2.S IM IIIIIM I 1^ 12.0 1.8 U IIIIII.6 V] <^ /^ ^> >^ '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14530 (716) 872-4S03 ,V ^ . \\ rv 6^ /^. V' A^i 4^ #/ ^ ^. f/j y A hi { ■ I' r 364- HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. might be made. They arrived in the Chesapeak on the .)th ot September irh )f the line thev found ineteen shij; the Count de Grasse, who had come to an anchor, on the liihh of August, with twenty four ships of the line. The French ad- miral had previously landed a large body of troops, which had marched to join the American army under General Washington. The British and French fleets came to an action on the same day iu which the former arrived in the Chesapeak. On- board the British fleet, 90 were killed and 246 wounded; some ol tlic shij)s were greatly damaged ill the engagement, and tlie Tcni- ble, a 74 gun ship, was so much shattered, that it was after- wards found necessary to set her on fire. That this action was not favorable to the Engli';!!, was manifest from the event : the fleets continued in sight of eath other for five days succes- sively, and sometimes were very near ; but at length the French all anchored within the Cape, so as to block up the passage. Admiral Graves then called a council of war, in which it wa*: resolved, that the fleet should return to New York, that the shi})s might be put into the best state for the service : and thus were the French left masters of tlie Chesapeak. Ik'fore the news of this engagement had reached New York, a council of war had been held, in which it was resolved, that .'iOUO men should be embarked on-ljoard the king's sMps, in or- d. r to proceed to the assistance of Lord Cornwallis. But, when it was known that the French were absolute masters of the navi- gation of the Chesapeak, it was thought inexpedient to send off that reinforcement. In another council of war, it was resolved, tl'.iit, as Lord Cornwallis had provisions to last him to the end of October, it was advisable to wait for more favorable accounts from A<^'niiral Graves, or for the arrival of Admiral Digby, who was expected with three ships of the line. In the mean time, the most effectual measures were taken by General Washington, for surrounding tiie army under Lord Corn- wall";^. A huge body of French troops, under the command of the Count de Rochambeau, with a considerable train of artillery, assisted in the enterprise. The Americans amounted to near 8000 continentals, and r)000 militia. General Wf.^hington was commander-in chief of the combined forces of America and France. On the 2f)t.h of September, the investment of Yorktown was complete, and the iiiitish army were (^uite blocked up. The CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, ^C. 365 ' he .)th of 'k'v found the :](hh icnch ad- Iiich had shington. tlie same- Un- board le of the le Tcni- as aftoi- ;tiuii was 'eiit : thf 3 succes- e French passage. I> it war, that the and tlius York, a 'cd, that , in or- it, when ;he navi- seiid off resolved, tlie end accounts by, who ;akeu by rd Corii- uiand of artillery, to near ;ton was lea ajid orktouii J]). The day following, Sir Henry Clinton wrote a letter to Lord Corn- wallis, containing assurances that he would do every thing in iiis power to relieve him. A duplicate of this letter vvai sent to his lordship by Major Cochran, on the 3d of October. That gentleman, who was a very gallant olBcer, went in a vessel to the Capes, and made his way to Lord Cornvvallis, undiscovered, through the whole French fleet, in an ojien boat. He got to Yorktown on the 10th of the month; and, soon after his arrival, had his head carried off by a cannon-ball. York is a small village on the south side of the river which bears that name, where the long peninsula between the York and the James is only eight miles wide. In this broad and bold river a ship of the line may ride in safety. Its southern banki are high ; and some batteiies facing the water had been con- structed on them by a small corps of artillery belonging to the state of Virginia, formerly stationed at this place. On the op- posite shore is Gloucester Point; a piece of land projecting deep into the river, and narrowing it at that place, so that it does not exceed one mile. Both these posts were occupied by Lord Cornvvallis, who had been assiduous in fortifying them. The communication between them was commanded by his batteries, and by some ships of war which hty under his guns. The main body of his army was encamped in the open grounds about Yorktown, within a range of outward redoubts and field- works, calculated trf command the peninsula, and impede the approach of the assailants : and Colonel Tarleton, with a small detachment, consisting of six or seven hundred men, held the post at Gloucester Point. The legion of Lauzun, and a brigade of militia under General Weedon, the whole commanded by the French general De Choise, were directed to watch and restrain the enemy on the side of Gloucester; and on the 28th, the grand combined army moved down on the south side of the river, by different routes, towards Yorktown. About noon the heads of the columns reached the ground respectively assigned to them ; and, after driving in the piquets and some cavalry, encamped for the even- ing. The next day was principally employed in reconnoitring the situation and works of the garrison, and in digesting the plans of approach: after which the right wing, consisting of Ameiicans, extended further to the right, and occupied the '^!!j| M '.4 366 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. i^ ■ 4i ground east of Beaver Dam creek ; while the left wing, consist- in 6 Oi- creek. the Frencli, were stationed on the west side of that In the course of the night Lord Cornvvallis withdrew within his inner lines ; and the next day the works he hrd eva- cuated wcie possessed hy the hesieging army, which now com- pletely and closely invested the town on that side. No attack on Gloucester Pohit heing intended, the arrange- ments in that fjuarter were only calculated to keep up a rigorous hlockade ; and the force allotted to this service consi.sted of ra- ther more than 2000 men. On approaching the lines a sharp skirmish took place, which terminated unfavorably for the Bri- tish ; after which they remained under cover of their works, and the blockade sustained no further interruption. Until the 6th of October, the besieging army was incessantly employed in disembarking their heavy artillery and military stores, and drawing them from the landing-place on James river to camp, a distance of six miles. This work being at length accomplished, the first parallel was commenced in the n ;ht of the 6th of October, within six hundred yards of the British lines, with so much silence, that the operation appears to have been unperceived, till the return of daylight disclosed it to the garrison. By that time the trenches were in such forwardness as to cover the men. The loss on this occasion was consequently inconsiderable. In killed and wounded, it amounted only to one officer and twenty men, and was principally sustained by the corps of the Marquis de St. Simon on the left. By the evening of the 9th several batteries and redoubts were completed, and cannon mounted in them. A heavy fire was immediately com- menced on the besieged, the effect of which was soon perceived. Many of their guns were dismounted and silenced, and their works were in different places demolished. The next day new batteries were opened j and the fire became so heavy that the be- sieged withdrew their cannon from their embrasures, and scarce- ly returned a sh )t. The shells and red-hot balls from th ; Ame- rican batteries reached the ships in the harbour j and in the evening set fire to the Charon, of forty- four guns, and three large transports, which were entirely consumed. Reciprocal esteem, and a spirit of emulation between the French and Americans, being cultivated with great care by the commander-in-chief, the siege was carried on with unexampled rapidity. On the night I^ONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &:C. 367 of the 1 1th, the second parallel was opened within three hun- dred yards of the British lines. This advance was made so se- cretly, and so much sooner than had been expected, that no suspicion of the measure seems to have been entertained by the besieged till day-light discovered the working parties to their piquets, by which time the trenches had advanced so far, as in a great nicasure to cover the men employed in them. The thiee succeeding days were devoted to the completion of the second parallel, and of the batteries constructed in it; during which, the fire of the garrison, who, with indefatigable labor, had opened several new embrasures, became more destructive than at any previous time. The men in the trenches were particularly ainioyed by two redoubts, advanced three hundred yards in front of the British works, which flanked the second parallel of the besiegers. It was necessary to possess these redoubts ; and on the I4th preparations were made to carry them both by storm. To avail himself of the spirit of emulation existing between the tioops of the two nations, and to avoid fumisliing matter to ex- cite the jealousy of either, the attack of the one was committed to the Americans, and of the other to the French. The Marquis de la Fayette commanded the American detachment, composed of the light infantry, which was intended to act against the re- doubt on the left of the British works on the river bank, and t!ie Baron de Viominel hd the grenadiers and chasseurs of his country against that which, being further to the British right, approached rather nearer the French lines. Towards the close of day, the two detachments marched with equal firmness to the as'sault. Enmious for glory both for themselves and their country, every exertion was made by each. Colonel Hamilton, who throughout this campaign, had commanded a battalion of light infantry, led the advanced corps of the Americans, con- sisting of his own and of Colonel Gimat's battalions; and Co- lonel Laurens, another aid of the commander-in-chief, turned the redoubt at the head of eighty men, in order to take the gar- rison in reverse, and intercept their retreat. The troops rushed on to the charge without firing a single piece ; and so great was their ardor, that they did not give the sappers time to remove the abattis and palisades. Passing over them, they assaulted the works with irresistible impetuosity on all sides at once, and <;nter€d them with such rapidity th^t their loss waa inconsi- ir IH 5 ' .'' i : *. 1, ! ,1 1 M -f- m 3G8 HISTORY OF NOIHTI AMEIUCA. (lerable. This redoubt was (Kft'iidcd by Major C'anipboll, with sonic inferior ofTiccrs, arid forty five privates, The major, a captain, an ensign, and seventeen privates, were made prisoners j eight privates were killed while the Americans were entering the works, and a few eseaped. The redoubt attacked by the French was defended by «i greater number of men ; and the resi'^lance being greater, was not overeojne so (juickly, or with so lirtle loss. Of 120 men commanded i)y a lieutenant-colonel, who were originally in this work, IS were killed, and 42, among whom were a captain and two subaltern officers, were made ))risoners. In killed and wounded the assailants lost neur 100 men. The commander in chief was higldy {^ratified with the active courage displayed in the assault. Speaking of it in his diarj', he says, " The bravery exiiibited by the attacking troops was emulous and praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, coolness, and firmness, than were show n on this occasion." The orders of the succeeding day, congratulatin,* the army on the capture of these important works, expressed a high sense of the judicious dispositions and gallant conduct of both the Baron de V'ioniinel and the Marquis de la Fayette ; and lequesteu them to convey to every oflicer and man engaged in the enterprise, the acknowledgments of the commander in- chief, for the spirit and rapidity with which they advanced to the at- tack, and for the admirable firmness with which they supported thomselves under the fire of the enemy without returning a shot. " The general reflects," the orders conclude, " with the highest degree of })!easure on the confidence which the troops of the two nations must hereafter have in each other. Assured of nm- tual support, he is convinced there is no d-mger which they will not cheerfully encounter, no difficulty which they will not bravely overcome." In the same night on which these two redoubts were taken, they were included in the second parallel ; and in the course of the next day, some howitzers were placed in then,, which, by five o'clock in the afternoon, were opened on the besieged. The situation of Lord Cornwallis was now becoming despe- rate. His works in every q\iarter were sinking under the fire of the besiegers. The batteries already playing on him had silenced- nearly all his guns ; and the second parallel was about to oj)en, which ill a tew hours must infallibly render the towu altogether CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT lilllTAIN, kc. S(i9 icn. untenable. To suspend for a short time a catastrophe which ap- peared uhnost inevitable, he resolved on attempting to retard the conij)lelion of the second parallel, by a vigorous sortie against two butterii-s which appeared to i)e in the greatest readiness, and which were guarded by French troops. The party making this sortie consisted uf 350 men, commanded by Lieutenant -colo- nel Abercrombie. It was formed into two detachments ; which, about four in the morning of the 16th, attacked the two bat«^e- ries with great impetuosity, and carried both with inconsiderable loss ; but the guards from the trenches immediately advancing on them, they retreated without being able to effect any thing important, and the few pieces which they had hastily spiked were soon rendered fit for service. About four in the afternoon, the besiegers opened several bat- teries in their second parallel ; and it was apparent that, in the course of the ensuing day, the whole line of batteries in that parallel, in which was mounting an immense quantity of artille- ry, would be ready to play on the town. The works of the be- sieged were in no condition to sustain so tremendous a fire. They were every where in ruins. Their batteries were so over- powered, that in the whole front which was attacked they could not show a single gun ; and their shells were nearly expended. In this extremity, Lord Cornwallis formed the bold design of en- deavouring to escape by land with the greater part of his army. He determined to leave his sick and baggage behind, and crossing over in the night with his effectives to Gloucester shore, to attack de Choice. After cutting to pieces or dispersing the troops under that officer, he intended to mount his infantry on the horses belonging to that detachment, and on others to be seized on the road, and by a rapid march to gain the fords of the great rivers; and, forcing his way through Maryland, Penn- sylvania, and Jersey, to form a junction with the army in New V'ork. Scarcely a possibility existed that this desperate attempt could be crowned with success ; but the actual situation of the British general had become so absolutely hopeless, that it could scarcely be changed for the worse. Boats prepared under other pretexts were held in readiness to receive the troops at ten at night, in order to convey them over the river. The arrangements were made with the utmost secre- 16. 3 A 1^1 II: m m 870 IIISTOUY OF NOUTII AMERICA. cv; and the fust embarkation had arrived at the Point unprr- ceived, and part of the troops ere landed, when a sudden and violent storm of wind and rain interrupted the further execution of this hazardous plan, and drove the boats down the river. It was not till the appearance ot daylight that the storm ceased, so that the boats could return. They were sent to i)ring back the soldiers ; who, v. ithout much loss, were relanded on tlie southern ahore in the course of the forenoon. In the morning of the 1 7th, several new batteries were open- ed in the second parallel, which poured in a weight of fire no longer to be resisted. Neither the works, nor any of the town, afforded security to the garrison ; and in the opinion of Lord Cornwallis, as well as of his engineers, the place was no longer tenable. About ten in the forenoon his lordship beat a parley, and proposed a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, that commissioners might meet at Moore's house, which was just in the rear of the first parallel, to settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. To this letter the Ameritan general immediately returned an answer, declaring his " ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and liii readiness to listen to such terms as were admissible ;" but as, in the present crisis, he could not consent to lose a moment in fruitless negociations, he desired that, " previous to the meeting of the commissioners, the proposals of his lordship might be transmitted in writing, for which purpose a suspension of hosti- lities for two hours should be granted." The general propositions stated by Lord Cornwallis, as forming the basis of the negocia- tion to be entered into, though not all of them admissible, being such as led to the opinion that no great difficulty would occur in adjusting the terms of the capitulation, the suspension of hosti- tilities was prolonged for the night. In the mean time, to avoid the delay of useless discussion, the commander-in-chief drew up and proposed such articles as he would be willing to grant. These were transmitted to Lord Cornwallis ; v»ho was at the same time informed, that if he approved them, commissioners might immediately be appointed to digest them into form. In consequence of this message, the Viscount dc Noailles and Lieutenant- Colonel Laurens were met on the 18th by Colonel Dundas and Major Ross; but, being unable to adjust defini- tively the terms of the capitulation, only a rough draught r-f them nf unpor- idden and execution river. It :eascd, so back the southern ere open- it of fire ly of the ? opinion jiace was ship beat 'cnty-four e, whicli s for the his h'tter dctlaring nnd hii> but as, oment in ' meeting might be of liosti- 'positions negocia- le, being occur in of hosti- to avoid ief drew o grant, i at the issioncrs rm. In lies and Colonel '■ defini- <"f them CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BllITAIN, ScC. *i71 could be prc|)ared, which was to be submitted to the considera- tion of the British general. Determined not to expose himself to those accidents which time might produce, General Washington could not permit any suspense on the part of Lord Cornwallis. He therefore immediately directed the rough articles which had been prejjared by the commissioners to be fairly transcribed, and sent tlicm to his lordship early the next morning, with a letter expressing his expectation that they would be signed by eleven, and that the garrison would march out by two in the afternoon. Finding all attempts to obtain better terms unavailing, Lord Cornwallis submitted to a necessity no longer to be avoided j and on the IDth of October, surrendered the posts of York Town and Gloucester Point, with the garrisons which had de- fended them, and the shipping in the harbour with their seamen, to the land and naval officers of America and France. The army with the artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores of every denomination, were surrendered to General Washington ; the ships and seamen to the Count de Grasse. The total amount of prisoners, exclusive of seamen, rather exceeded 7000 men, of whom 59t)3 were rank and file. Of this immber 4017 are stated to have been fit for duty. The loss sustained by the garrison during the siege, in killed, wound- ed, prisoners, and missing, amounted to 552 men, including six officers. The soldiers, accompanied by a due proportion of officers, were to remain in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The officers not required for this service were permitted to go on parole to Europe, or to any maritime port occupied by the Eng- lish in Americci. Lord Cornwallis earnestly endeavoured to ob- tain permission for his European troops to return to t' ^ir re- spective countries, under the single restriction of not t,* rving against France or America; but this indulgence was perempto- rily refused. His effort to introduce an article for the security of those Americans who had joined the British army, was not more successful. The subject was declared to belong to the civil authority, and the article was rejected. Its object, however, was granted without the appearance of conceding it. Lord Cornwallis was permitted to send the Bonetta sloop of war, un- searched, with dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton; and on-board this vessel were embarked the Americans who were most obnox- ious to their countrymen. (Ill 4 372 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. There are some circumstniiccs which would indicate that iu this transaction the cominander-in-cliief held in recollection the capitulation of Charlestowii. The garrison was obliged to march out of the town with colors cased, hut with drums heating either a British or German march ; and Ceneral Lincoln was appoint- ed to receive them on their going through the ceremony of grounding their arms. Tlie allied armv to which that of Lord Cornwallis surrendered, may he estimated at 16,000 men. The French were stated, by the Count de Rochambeau, at 7000. The continental troops amounted to about 5500, and the militia to about .'J500. In the course of the siege, their loss in killed and wounded was about 300. It is h.ll evidence of the vigor and skill with which the operations of the besiegers were conducted, that the treaty was opened on the 11th, and the capitulation signed on the 13th, day after the ground was first broken before the works. The whole army merited a high degree of a|)probation ; but from the nature of the service, the artillery and engineers were enabled particularly to distinguish themselves. Generals Du Portail and Knox were each promoted to the rank of major-general ; Colo- nel Gouvain and Captain Rochfontaine of the corps of engineers, were each advanced a step by brevet. In addition to the ofK- cers belonging to those departments. Generals Lincoln, De la Fayette, and Steuben, were particularly mentioned by the com- mander-in-chief, in the orders issued the day after the capi- tulation ; and terms of peculiar warmth were applied to Gover- nor Nelson, who continued in the field during the whole siege at the head of the militia of Virginia, and also exerted himself in a particular manner to furnish the army with all those sup- plies which the country afforded. The highest acknowledg- ments were made to the Count de Rochambeau ; and several other French officers were named with distinction. The exultation manifested throughout the United States at the capture of this formidable army, was equal to the terror it had inspired. At all times disposed to draw flattering conclu- sions from any favorable event, the Americans now, with more reason than heretofore, yielded to the suggestions of this san- guine temper, and confidently indulged the hope that the termi- nation of their toils and privations was fast approaching. In ^ * , ■?( t CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 373 5 that in !Ction the to march iiig either u))poiiJt- jmoiiy of rendered, tatcd, hy tal troops K In the 'as al)out vhich the reaty was he 13th, ks. The from the i enabled )rtail and ,1; Colo- ngineers, the offi- n, De la the com- he capi- Gover- lole siege 1 himself ose sup- lowledg- 1 several states at terror it ; conclu- th more ;his san- »e termi- ing. In congress the intelligence was received with a joy proportioned to the magnitude of the event ; and the sense entertained hy that body of this brilliant achievement was manifested in various re- solutions returning the thanks of the United States to the com- mander-in-chief, to the Count dc Rochambcau, to the Count de Grasse, to the officers of the allied army generally, and to the corps of artillery and engineers in particular. In addition to these testimonials of a grateful nation, it was resolved that a marble column should be erected at York- town in Virginia, with emblems of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian majesty: and inscribc'd with a succinct narrative of the surrender of Karl Cornwallis to his Excellency General Washing- ton, commander-in-chief of the combined forces of America and France; to his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, command- ing the auxiliary troops of his Most Christian Majesty in Ameri- ca ; and to his Excellency the Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval armanent of France in the Chesapeak. Two stand of colors taken in Yorktown were presented to General Washing- ton ; two pieces of field-ordnance to the Count de Rochambeau ; and application was made to his Most Christian Majesty, to permit the admiral to accept a testimonial of their approbation, similar to that presented to the Count de Rochambeau. Con- gress determined to go in solemn procession to the Dutch Lu- theran church, to return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied arms with success by the surrender of the whole Bri- tish army under Lord Cornwallis ; and also issued a proclama- tion appointing the 13th day of December as a day of general thanksgiving and prayer on account of this signal interposition of divine Providence. It was not by congress alone that the public joy for this great event, and the public approbation of the conduct of General Washington, were displayed. The most flattering and affec- tionate addresses of congratulation were presented from every part of the union ; and state governments, city authorities, and learned institutions, vied with each other in the testimonials they gave of the high sense they entertained of his important servi- ces, and of their attachment to his person and character. As no rational expectation now remained of a subjugation of the colonies, the military operations that succeeded in America were of little consequence. On tlie Jth of May, 1782, Sir Guy 374 niRTonv OF NouTir America. I -!:(, Carloton .nrrivcd at New York, bciiiij: appointed to the commniul of the Rritish truopsi in America} in the room of Sir Ileiny Clinton. Fortunately for the United States, the temper of the Jhitish natiotj on the ijuestlon of continuing the Ameriran war was now materially changed. That war, into which the nation had en- tered with ut least as much eagerness as the minister, had now become almost miiversally unpopular. Motions against the mea- sures of administration respecting America were repeated by the opposition, and on every new experiment the strength of the minority increased. At lengtii, on the 27th of February, Ge- neral Conway moved in the house of commons, " That it is the opinion of this house that a further prosecution of offensive war against America would, under present circumstances, be the means of weakening the efforts of this country against her Eu- ropean enemies, and tend to increase the mutual enmity so fatal to the interests both of Great Britain and America." The whole force of administration was exerted to get rid of this question, but was exerted in vain, and the resolution was carried. An address to the king in the words of the motion was inunediately voted, and was presented by the whole house. The answer of the crown being deemed inexplicit, it was on the 4th of March resolved by the commons, " That the house will consider as ene- mies to his majesty and the country, all those who sliould advise or attempt a further prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America." These votes were soon followed by a change of administra- tion, and by conformable instructions to the commanding offi- cers of his Britannic Majesty's forces in America. While the commander-in-chief was employed in addressing cir- cular letters to the state governments, suggesting all those motives which concurred to stimulate them to exertions better propor- tioned to the exigency of public affairs, English papers contain- ing the debates in parliament on the various propositions which had been made respecting America, reached the United States. Alarmed at the impression these debates might make, he intro- duced the opinions it was deemed prudent to inculcate respect- ing them into the letters he was then about to transmit to the governors of the several states. " I have perused these debates," Maid he, " with great attention and care ; with a view, if possi- CONTEST nFTVVF.KN C.IIF.AT TIRITAIK, cVo. "75 blp, trt pctietnitc their real (lesic;n : and upon tlio most mature (It'lil)oratiou I cum ht-stow, I am (ibliged to di-clarc it as my can- did opinion, tijat the measure, in all its views, so far as it re- spects America, is merely delusory; havine; no serious intention to admit our independence upon its true piinciples, hut is calcu- lated to produce a change of ministers to (piiet the n)inds of their own poople, and reconcile them to a contimnmcc of the war, while it is meant to annise this country with a fuNc idea of peace, to draw us from om- connexion with France, and to lull us into a state of security and inactivity, which takinj; place, the ministry will he left to prosecute the war in other parts of thj world with greater vigor and effect. Your Excellency will j)ermit me on this occasion to observe, that even if the tuition and parliament arc really iji earnest to obtain peace with Ame- rica, >t will undoubtedly be wisdom in us to meet them with great caution and circumspection, and by all means to keep our arms firm in our hands ; and instead of relaxing one iota in our exertions, rather to spring forward with redoubled vigor, that ne uniy take the advantage of every favorable opportunity until our wishes are fully obtained. No nation yet suffered in treaty by prei)aring (even in the moment of negociation) most vigo- rously for the field. The industry which the enemy are using to propagate their pacific reports, appears to me a circnmstarice very suspicious ; and the eagerness with which the people, as I am informed, are catching at them, is, in my opinion, ecjually dangerous." Early in May, Sir Guy Carleton, who had succeeded Sir Hen- ry Clinton in the command of all the British forces in the Uni- ted States, arrived at New York. Having been also appointed, in conjunction with Admiral Digby, a commissioner to negociate a peace, he lost no time in conveying to General Washington copies of the votes of the British parliament, and of a bill which had been introduced on the part of administration, authorising his Majesty to conclude a peace or truce with those who were still denominated the revolted colonies of North America. These papers, he said, would manifest the dispositions prevailing with the government and people of England towards those of Ameri- ca; and if the like pacific temjier should prevail in this country, both inclination and duty would lead him to meet it with the mo'it zealous concurrence. lie hud addressed to congress, he .1, 4 8 i; ■ ill 376 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. said, a letter containiiifif tlie same communications, and lie solicited from the American general a passport for the person who should convey it. At this time, the bill enabling the British Monarch to con- clude a peace or truce with America had not passed into a law j nor was any assurance given that the present commissioners pos- sessed the power to offer other terms than those which had for- merly been rejected. General Carleton therefore could not hope that negociations would commence on such v. basis ; nor be dis- appointed that the passports he requested were refused by con- gress, to whom the application was, of course, referred. The letter might have been written for the general purpose of conci- liation, and of producing in the United States on the subject of hostilities a disposition corresponding with that which had been expressed in the house of commons. But the situation of the United States justified a suspicion of different motives ; and prudence required that their conduct should be influenced by that suspicion. The unwillingness with which the king would assent to the dismemberment of the empire, was understood ; and it was thought not improbable that the sentiments expressed in the house of commons might be attributable rather to the desire of changing those who had adininistered tho government, than to any fixed determination to relinquish the design of rcannex- ing America to the British crown. Uncfer these impressions, the overtures now made were considered as opiates administeied to lull into a state of fatal repose the spirit of vigilance which the guardians of the public safety labored still to keep up, and to pre- vent those measures of security which it might yet be necessary to adopt. This jealousy was nourished by all the intelligence re- ceived from Europe. Either to avoid an acknowledgment of the independence of the United States, or to obtain a peace on terms more favorable than could be expected from a conjoint kie- gociation with all the powers engaged in the war, the utmost address of the British cabinet had been employed to detach her enemies from each other. The mediation of Russia had been accepted to procure a separate peace with Holland ; propositions had been submitted both to France and Spain, tending to an accommodation of differences with those powers singly; and in- quiries had been made of Mr. Adams, the American minister at the Hague, which setmed to contemplate the same object with iiid lie person conci- than CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, ikc. S71 regard to the United States. These political manoeuvres were communicated to congress, and the conununication furnished additional motives for Houbting the sincerity of the English ca- binet. But whatever vie\>c mitrt actuate the court of St. JameS on this subject, the resolution of- the American government to enter into no separate treaty was unalterable. On this occasion Ihe several states passed resolutions expressing their objections to sejjarate negociations, and declaring those to be enemies to America who should attempt to treat without the authority of congress. But the public votes which have been stated, and probably the private instructions given to the British general, restrained him from offensive war, and the state of the American army disabled General Washington from making any attempt on the posts held by the enemy. The campaign of 1782 conse- (jucntly passed away without furnishing any military operations of moment between the armies under the immediate direction of the respective commanders-in-chief. Early in August, a letter was received by General Washington from Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby, which, among other communications,* mani- fest mg a pacific disposition on the part of England, contained the information that they had received oiTicial assurances that Mr. Grenville was at Paris, invested with full powers to treat with all the parties at war, and that negociations for a general peace had already commenced. They further stated, that in order to remove all obstacles to a peace, his Majesty had com- manded his ministers to direct Mr. Grenville, that the indepen- dence of the thirteen provinces should be proposed by him in the first instance, instead of being made a condition of a general treaty ; but that this proposition would be made in the confi- dence that the loyalists would be restored to their possessions, or a full compensation allowed them for whatever confiscationc might have taken place. This letter was not long afterwards followed by one fro?u Sir Guy Carleton, in which he declared that he could discern no further object of contest ; and that he disapproved of all further hostilities both by sea and land, which could only tend to multi- ply the miseries of individuals, without any possible advantage ♦ This letter ^:\.ye intelligence of the liberation of Mr Laurens, and that Jransporis wpie iiiopiired to convey American priiKoers lutherto detaiuert in England. 16. .3iJ 378 lUSTOTiy OP NORTH AMEKICA. W y '/ ■'I 'm-'^ ?■ to either nation. In pursuance of this opinion, he had, soon after his arrival in New York, restrained the practice of detach- ing parties of Indians against the frontiers of the United States, and had recalled those which were previously engaged in those bloody incursions. These communications appear to have alarmed the jealousy of the minister of France. To quiet his fears, the resolution was renewed, " that congress would enter into no discussion of any overtures for pacifi'-Htion, but in confi- dence and in concert with his Most Christian Majesty." At the same time it was aj»;ain recommended to the several states to adopt such mcasmes as would most effectually guard against all intercourse with any subjects of the British crown during the war. The inactivity which prevailed in the north, was in some measure communicated to the anuics of the soutli. Oil the 4th of January, General St. Clair reached the head quarters of General Greene, with the troops detached from Yorktown ; but tliev had been so weakened bv the casualties of a long march, tliat they did npt much more than supply the places of those soldiers who were entitled to a discharge on the last day of December. Soon after receiving this reinforcement. General Wayne was detached with a part of the army over the 'Savannah river, for the purpose of protecting the state of Geor- gia. Oil his approach, the British troops in that state were concentred in the town of Savannah, where they were frequently insulted by V/ayne. Some sharp skirmishes took place between them which terminated to the advantage of the Americans. But the evacuation of their posts being a necessary part of the plan for discontinuing oiTensive operations in America, the garrison was withdrawn from the town of Savannah on the I Ith of July. Charlestown was held until the 14th of December, aUhough the intention of evacuating that place had been announcwl in the general orders of the 7th of August. Previous to that time, General Leslie had proposed a suspension of hostilities, to which General Greene did not think himself at liberty to accede. But no further military operations took place, than a few light skir- mishes with foraging parties. From the arrival of Sir Guv Carleton at New York, the con- duct of the British armies on the American continent was regu- lated by the spirit then recently displayed in the house of coin- i?^i ahin garrison of July, although iniced in 'at time, to which le. But ^ht skir- the con- as rcgu- of com- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 379 tnons ; and all the sentiments expressed by their general were pacific, and in a high degree conciHatory. But to these flatter- ing appearances it was dangerous to yield imphcit confidence. With a change of men, a change of measures might also take place ; and in addition to the ordinary suggestions of prudence, the military events in the West Indies were well calculated to keep alive the attention, and to continue the anxieties, of the United States. Immense preparations had been made for the invasion of Ja- maica; and early in April, Admiral Count de Grasse sailed fronm Martinique with a powerful fleet, having on-board the land for- ces and artillery whi,ch were to be en)ployed in the operations against that island. His intention was to form a junction vvitli the Spanish Admiral Don Solano, who lay at Hispaniola; after which, the combined fleet, whose superiority promised to render it irresistible, was to proceed immediately on the important en- terprise which had been concerted. On his way to IIisj)aniola, De Grasse was overtaken by Rodney, and brought to an engage- ment, in which he was totally defeated, and was himself made a prisoner. This decisive victory disconcerted the plans of the combined powers, and gave security to the Critish islands ; in the United States it was feared that this alteration in the aspect of afliiirs might influence the deliberations ot the English cabi- net on the question of peace; and these apprehensions increased the uneasiness with which all intelligent men contemphUcd the state of the American finances. The small and inadequate sums which were paid Ly the states, came so slowly into the hands of the minister of finance, tlmt neither the military nor civil establishments could have been supported, had not the high reputation of that otKcer enabled him to make anticipations to a great extent ; and had he not firmly resisted every temptation to divert the funds he could com- mand, from t'ije most essential objects to others which, though pressing heavily on him, were yet of minor importance Almo.st every other expenditure yielded to the subsistence of the army ; and it was with difficulty scarcely to be credited that money even for this purpose could be obtained. So late as the month of August, not more than 80,000 dol- lars had been received from all the states. In every department the utmost distress prevailed. To the bare subsistence of the JSf' il V':!':i 380 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ■) \ ■ i army scarcely any thing could be added : to pay the troops waa impossible. After an intricate negoclation, in which the penetration, judg- ment, and firmness, of the American commissioners were emi- nently displayc'l, eventual and preliminary articles were signed on the 30th of November. By this treaty every reasonable wish of America, especially on the questions of the fisheries and of boundaries, was gratified. The liberality of the articles on these points attests the success which attended the endeavours of the plenipotentiaries on the part of the United States, to prove that the real interests of England required that America should be- come independent in fact as well as name^ and that every cause of future discord between the two nations should be removed. On the part of the United States, it was stipulated that creditors should be permitted to recover their debts ; that congress would recommend the restoration of the estates of real British subjects which had been confiscated during the war, and that no future confiscations should be njade. The effect of this treaty was sus- pended till peace should be concluded between France and Great Britain. The connexions between his Most Christian and Most Catholic Majesty not admitting of a separate peace on the part of either, the negociations between the belligerent powers of Europe had been protracted by the perseverance with which Spain persisted in her endeavours to obtain the cession of Gib- raltar. At length, the formidable armanent which had invested that fortress was repulsed with immense slaughter ; after whieli, the place was relieved by Lord Howe, and the besiegers in de- spair abandoned the enterprise. Negociations were then taken up with sincerity; and preliminary articles of peace between Great Britain, France, and Spain, were signed on the 20th of January, 1783. In America, the approach of peace, combined with other causes, produced a state of things highly interesting and critical. There was much reason to fear that congress possessed neither the power nor the inclination to comply with its engagements to the army; and the olBcers who had wasted their fortunes and their prime of life in unrewarded service, could not look with unconcern at the prospect which was opening to them. In De- cember, soon after going into winter quarters, they presented a petition to congress respecting the money actually due to them ; CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 381 roops wad ion, judg- ivere emi- re signed able wish ?s and of I on these rs of the •rove that hould be- ery cause removed. creditors ?8S would 1 subjects iio future was sus- ind Great and Most I the part >owers of th which I of Gib- I invested er whiel), rs in de- len taken between ; 20th of ith other i critical, i neither ments to unes and uok with In De- isented a o them; and a commutation of the half-pay stipulated by the resolutions of October 1780, for a sum in gross, which they flattered them- selves would be less objectionable than the half-pay establish- ment. Some security that the engagements of the government would be complied with, was also requested. A committee of officers were deputed to solicit the attention of congress to this memorial, and to attend its progress through the house. Among the most distinguished members of the federal legis- lature were persons sincerely disposed to do ample justice to the public creditors generally, and to that class of them in particular, whose claims were founded in military service. But there were many who viewed the army with a jealous eye, who acknow- ledged their merits with unwillingness, and involuntarily betray- ed their repugnance to a faithful observance of the public en- gagements. With this question was connected one of equal im- portance, on which congress was divided almost in the same manner. One party was attached to state, the other to conti- nental, politics. The latter labored to fund the public debts on solid continental securities, while the former opposed their whole weight to measures calculated to effect that object. In the last party were to be found the best talents and the most discerning patriotism ot America ; but the system of government opposed to their views obstacles not to be surmounted. In consequence of these divisions on the most interesting points, the business of the army advanced slowly; and the important question respect- ing the commutation of their half-pay remained undecided in March, when intelligence was received of the signature of the preliminary and eventual articles of peace between the United States and Great Britain. Soured by their past sufferings, their present wants, and thtir gloomy prospects ; and exasperated by the neglect with which they believed themselves to be treated, and by the injustice sup- posed to be meditated against them : the ill temper of the army was almost universal, and seemed to require only a slight im- pulse to give it activity. To render this temper the more dange- rous, an opinion had been insinuated, that the commander-in- chief was restrained by extreme delicacy from advocating their interests with that zeal which his feelings and knowledge of their situation had inspired. Early in March^ a letter was re- .183 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. ceivetl from tlieir committee in Philadelphia, purporting th.lt tlio objects they solicited had not been obtained. On the 10th of that mynth, an anonymous paper was circulated, requiring a meeting of the general and field officers at the public building on the succeeding day at eleven in the morning. It was also announced, that an officer from each company, and a delegate from the medical staff, would be expected. The object of the convention was to be, ** to consider the late letter from their re- presentatives in Philadelphia, and what measures (if any) should be adopted to obtain that redress of grievances which they seemed to have solicited in vain." On the same day was pri- vately circulated an address to the army, admirably well prepa- red to work on the passions of the moment, and to conduct them to the most desperate resolutions. Persuaded as the officers in general were of the indisposition of government to remunerate their services, this eloquent and passionate address, dictated by genius and by feeling, found in almost every bpsom a kindred though latent sentiment, prepared to receive its impression. Like the train to which a torch is ap- plied, the passions quickly caught its flame, and nothing seemed to be required but the assemblage invited on the succeeding day to communicate the conflagration to the combustible mass, and to produce an explosion alike tremendous and ruinous. Fortu- nately the commander-in-chief was in camp. His characteristic firmness and decision did not forsake him in this crisis. The occasion required that his measures should be firm, but prudent and conciliatory ; evincing his fixed determination to oppose any rash proceedings, but calculated to assuage the irritation which was excited, and to restore a confidence in government. This course he at once adopted. Knowing well that is was much easier to avoid intemperate measures, than to correct them, he thought it of essential importance to prevent the im- mediate meeting of the officers ', but- knowing also that a sense of injury and fear of injustice had made a deep impression on them, and that their sensibilities were all alive to tlie proceed- ings of congress on their memorial, he thought it more advisable to guide than to discountenance their deliberations on that inte- resting subject. With these views, he noticed in his orders the anonymous paper proposing a meeting of the officers, and ex- pressed the conviction he felt that their good sense would secure CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 383 them from paying any ** attention to such an irregular invita- tion ; but his own dutj'," he conceived, " as well as the reputa- tion and true interest of the army, required his disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings. At the san.'' time he requested the general and field officers, with one officer from each compa- ny, and a proper representative from the staff of the army, to assemble at twelve on Saturday the 15th, at the New Building, to hear the report of the committee deputed by the arnjy to congress. After mature deliberation, they will devise what fur- ther measures ought to be adopted as most rational, and best calculated to obtain the just and important object in view." The senior officer in rank, present, was directed to preside, and to report the result of the deliberations to the commander-in- chief. The day succeeding that on which these orders were published, a second anonymous address appeared from the same pen which had written the former. Ac(|uaintcd with the discontents of the army, its author did not despair of impelling the officers to the desired point. Af- fectinfj to consider the orders in a light favorable to his views, he said: "Till !iow, the commander-in-chief has regarded the steps you have taken for redress with good wishes alone. His ostensible silence has authorised your meetings, and his pri- vate opinion has sanctified your claims. Had he disliked the object in view, would not the same sense of duty which forbade you from meeting on the third day of the wack, have forbidden you from meeting on the seventh ? is not the ano subject held up for your discussion ? and has it not passed the seal of office, and taken all the solemnity of an order ? This will give system to your proceedings, and stability to your resolves. It will ripen speculation into fact; and while it adds to the unanimity, it can- not possibly lessen the independence, of your sentiments. It may be necessary to add upon this subject, that from the in- junction with which the general orders close, every man is at liberty to conclude that the report to be made to head-quarters is intended for congress. Hence will arise another motive for that energy which has been recommended : for can you give the lie to the pathetic descriptions of your representations, and the more alarming predictions of your friends ?" But, incapable of acting on motives not to be avowed, Wash- ington would not permit himself to be misunderstood. The in- II 'M .J84 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ^ !■ h'l terval between his orders ami the general meetincj they invited, was employed in impressing on those officers individually who possessed the greatest share of the general confidence, a just sense of what the ej^igcncy required; and the whole weight of his influence was exerted to bring the agitations of the mninent to a happy termination. This was a work of no inconsiderable difticuity. So convinced were many of them, that governmenl designed to deal unfairly by them, that only the reliance they placed on their j'eneral, and their attachment to him, could have moderated their resentments so far as to induce them to adopt the measures he recommended On the 15th the convent ion of officers assembled, and Gene- ral Gates took the chair. The commander-in-chief then ad- dressed them in a speech the most impressive ; in which he pla- ced the perfidious counsels of the anonymous incendiary in so clear and convincing point of view, as to remove entirely the unfavorable impression which had been made upon their minds ; and the officers after passing a vote of thanks to their venerated chief, unanimously agreed to the following resolutions. " Resolved unanimously, That at the commencement of the present war the officers of the American army engaged in the service of their country, from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties of human nature, which motives still exist in the highest degree ; and that no circumstance of distress or danger shall induce a conduct that may tend to sully the reputa- tion and glory which they have acquired, at the price of their blood and eight years' faithful services. " Resolved unanimously, That the army continue to have an unshaken confidence m the justice of congress and their country, and are fully convinced that the representatives of America will not disband or disperse the army until their accounts are liqui- dated, the balances accurately ascertained, and adequate ixinih established for payment ; and in this arrangement, the officers expect that the half-pay, or a commutation for it, should be efficaciously comprehended. " Resolved unanimously, That his excellency the commander- in chief be requested to write to his excellency the president of congress, earnestly entreating the most speedy decision of that honorable body upon the subject of our late address, which was forwarded by a committee of the army, some of whom are wail- CONTKST BETWEEN OIIEAT BRITAIN, ontitU'd lo a (liscl»arfi;o till the definltivf treaty of peace should he signed, the coiniuaiidiT-iii-chiei was instructed to j^rant fur- loughs to the iioii-coii>itiissioiKdances ascertained, and ade- uuate funds for the payment of t'lose balances provided, before they should be dispersed or disbanded. Bound to the army by the strongest ties of affection and of gratitude, intimately convinced of the justice of their claims, and of the patriotic principles by which they were influenced, the general was induced by sentiment, not less than by pru- dence, to regard their application. On the succeeding day he returned an answer, in which, after declaring, ''that as no man could possibly be better acquainted than himself with the past merits and services of the army, so no one could be more strong- ly impressed with their present ineligible situation, feel a keener sensibility at their distresses, or more ardently desire to alleviate or remove them ;" he added : *' Although the officers of the army very well know my official situation, that I am only a ser- vant of the public, and that it is not for me to dispense with orders which it is my duty to carry into execution ; yet, as furloughs in all services are considered as a matter of indulgence, IT ; Pi'' ! \'i I ■ i m i I 'ii'i ■::dM I '^r^ 390 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. and not of compulsion ; as congress, I am persuaded, entertain the bait disposition towards the army ; and as, I apprehend, in a very short time the two principal articles of complaint will be removed ; until the further pleasure of congress can be known, ! shall not hesitate to comply with the wishes of the army, under these reservations only : that officers sufficient to conduct the men who choose to have furloughs will attend them, either on furlough, or by detachment." With this answer the officers were completely satisfied. The utmost good temper was universally manifested, and the arrange- ments for retiring on furlough were made without a murmur. In the course of the summer, a considerable proportion of the tioops enlisted for three years were also permitted to return to their homes : and in October a proclamation was issued by con- gress, declaring all those who had engaged for the war to be dis- charged on the 3d of December. \Vhile these excellent dispositions were manifested by the ve- terans serving under the immediate eye of their patriot chief, the government was exposed to insult and outrage from the mu- tinous spirit of a small party of the new levies. About ei^J. y of this description of troops belonging to the state of Pennsylvania, were stationed at Lancaster. Revolting against the authority of their officers, they marched in a body to Philadelphia, with the avowed purpose of obtaining a redress of their grievances from the executive council of the state. The march of these insol'int mutineers was unobstructed ; and after arriving in Philadelphia, they were joined by some other troops quartered in the barracks, so as to amount to about three hundred men. They then marched in military parade, with fixed bayonets, to the state- house, where congress and the executive council of the state were sitting. After placing sentinels at all the doors, they sent in a written message, threatening the president and council of the state to let loose an enraged soldiery upon them, if their demands were not gratified in twenty minutes. Although the resentments of this banditti were not directed particularly against congress, the government of the union was grossly insulted, and those who administered it were blockaded for several hours by an insolent and licentious soldiery. After remaining in this situ- ation about three hours, congress separated, having fixed on m CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 391 entertain ehcnd, in t will be e known, he armv, o conduct m, either d. The ? arrange- niunnur. 3n of the return to d by con- to be dis- S the ve- iot chief, the niu- ei^;. y of nsylvania, thoritv of with the ices from :tedj and me other out three fonets, to cil of the ors, they d council , if their 3ugh the y against ted, and iiours by :his situ> fixed on Princeton ns the place at which they should reassemble. On re- ceiving information of this outrage, the commander-in-chief in- stantly detached 1500 men, under the command of Major-ge- neral Howe, to suppress the mutiny. The indignation which this insult to the civil authority had occasioned, and the mortifi- cation with which he viewed the misconduct of any portion of the American troops, were strongly marked in his letter written on that occasion to the president of congress. " While,*' said he, " I suffer the most poignant distress in ob- serving that a handful of men, contemptible in numbers, and equally so in point of service, if the veteran troops from the southward have not been seduced by their example, and who are not worthy to be called soldiers, should disgrace themselves and their country as the Pennsylvania mutineers have done, by in- sulting the sovereign authority of the United States, and that of their own ; I feel an inexpressible satisfaction, that even this behaviour cannot stain the fame of the American soldiery. It cannot be imputable to, or reflect dishonor on, the army at large ; but, on the contrary, it will, by the striking contrast it exhibits, hold up to public view the troops in the most advanta- geous point of light. Upon taking all the circumstances into consideration, I cannot sulficiently express my surprise and in- dignation at the arrogance, the folly, and the wickedness, of the mutineers ; nor can I sufficiently admire the fidelity, the bravery, and patriotism, which must for ever signalize the unsullied cha- racter of the other corps of our army. For when we consider that these Pennsylvanian levies, who have now mutinied, are recruits, and soldiers of a day, who have not borne the heat and burden of the war, and who can have in reality very few hard- ships to complain of; and when we, at the same time, recollect that those soldiers, who have lately been furloughed from this army, are the veterans who have patiently endured hunger, na- kedness, and cold, who have suffered and bled without a mur- mur, and who, with perfect good order, have retired to their homes, without a settlement of their accounts, or a farthing of money in their pocke'^s ; we shall be as much astonished at the virtues of the latter as we are struck with horror and detestation at the proceedings of the former : and every candid mind, with- out indulging ill -grounded prejudices, will undoubtedly make thfc proper discrimination." 592 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. m\ >. I Before the detachment from the army could reach Philadel- phia, the disturbances were in a great degree quieted without bloodshed ; but M-ijor-general Howe was ordered by congress to continue his march into Pennsylvania, "in order that immediate measures n)ight be taken to confine and bring to trial all such persons belonging to the army as liave been principally active in the late mutiny, to disarm the remainder, and to examine fully into all the circumstances relating thereto." The interval between the treaty with great Britain, and his retiring into private life, was devoted by the commander-in-chief to objects of permanent utility. The independence of his coun- try being established, he looked forward with anxiety to its fu- ture destinies. These might greatly depend on the systems to be adopted on the return of peace ; and to those systems much of his attention was directed. Among the various interesting subjects which at this period claimed the consideration of con- gress, was the future peace-establishment of the United States. As the experience of General Washington would certainly enable him to suggest many useful ideas on this important point, his opinions respecting it were rec^uested by the committee to whom it was referred. His letter on this occasion, which, it is presu- med, was deposited in the archives of statc> will long deserve the attention of those to whom the interests of the United States may be confided. On a well regulated and disciplined militia during peace, his strongest hopes of securing the future tranquillity, dignity, and respectability of his country were pla- ced ; and his sentiments on this subject are entitled lo the more regard, as a long course of severe experience had enabled him to mark the total incompetency of the existing system to the great purposes of national defence. At length, on the 25th of November, the British troops eva- cuated New York, and a detachment from the American army took possession of that town. The guards beiiig posted for the security of the citizens. General Washington, accompanied by Governor Clinton, and attended by many civil and military offi- cers, and a large number of respectable inhabitants on horse- back, made his public entry into the city, where he was received with every mark of respect and attention. His military course was now on the point of terminating j and, previous to divesting ki CONTEST I5KTWEEN (iJlFAT UUITAIN, kc. HQ'i Phiiadel- without [ngrtMS to ^mediate all such (active in line fully and his in-chief is coun- to its fu- nis to be much of t cresting of con- States, ly enable oint, his o whom is presu- j deserve 5 United scipljned e future k'ere pla- he more i him to he great ops eva- an army I for the nied by ary offi- horse- "cceived course ivesting himself of the supreme command, he was about to h'n\ adieu to his comrades in arms. This aflc'ctiug interview took place on the 4th of December. At noon, the principal officers of the army assembled at Fran- ces' tavern ; soon tifter which, their beloved commander entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed. Fill- ing a gla.ss, he tui u« d to them, and said, " With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you : I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." Having drunk, he added : " I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and take me by the hand." General Knox, being nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Washington grasped his hand, and embraced him. In the same affectionate manner he took leave of each succeeding officer. In every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility, and not a word was articulated to interrupt the majestic silence, and the tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, and ^valked to Whitehall, where a barge waited to convey him to Powles-hook. The whole company followed in mute and solemn procession, with dejected countenances, testifying feelings of de- licious melancholy, which no language can describe. Having entered the barge, be turned to the <;ompany, and, waving his hat, bade them a silent adion. They paid ln"tn tlie same affcctipnate compliment, and after the barge had left them, returned in the same solemn manner to the place where they had asseniI)iod. Congrfss was thru in session at Annapolis in Maryland, to whicti place General Washington repaired, for the jnirpose of re- signing into their liands the authority with which the} had in- vested hin».* He arrived on the 19th of December. The next • Oil his way he stopped a few days at Philadelphia, for the purpose of settling; hi:^ arcoimts with tho coiuptroIliT. The following account of (hi* part of his dnty is cxtraitrd fiom Mr. tlordon. " While in the city, he de- livered in his acfoiiiits to ihc romptroller down to DeeeniUer the 13th, all in hij own haiulMvritinfi;, and every entry made in (he most particulni manner^ stating tiie occasion of each riiarge, so as to give the least lioublc in exnmin. ing and cori)pariiig them witli the voucher? with which (!u'y were attended. " The heads are as follows, copied from the folio manuscript paper book. in the file of the treaMiry-oflice, No. fi7()0; beirrg a black box of (in, roA' tainina;, under locH and key, both (hat and the voucher*. 17. 3 n ri ' .394 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. 14'. ,1 .-r ■■ ' tby, lie informed that body of his intention to ask leave to re- sign the commission he had the honor of holding in their set' vice, and reiiuested to know whether it would be their pleasure that he should olYer his resignation in writing, or ut an audience. To give the more dignity to the act, they determined that it should be olTcrod at a public audience on the following Tuesday, December 23d, at twelve o'clock. When the hour arrived for performing a ceremony so well cal- culated to recal to the mind the various interesting scenes which had passed since the commission now to be returned was grant- * Total of expenditures from 1775 to 1783, exclusive of provi- sions from comuUssaries and contractors, and uf liquors, &c. from them and others -..-.-- Secret intelligence and service -.,--. Spent in reconnoitring and travelling ...... Wiscelhineous charjtcs --..... Expended besides, dollars according to the scale of deprecia liun - " - " • • ' . -.- IC.SIl 17 I ' Two hundred guineas advanced to General M'DoMgSill are not included in the 1982/. lO.v. not being yet settled, but included in some of the other charges, and so reckoned in the general sum, •Mote, U)-!,361 of the dollars were received after March 1780, ond al- tliough credited at forty for one, many did not fetch at the rate of a hundred for one; which 27,775 of them are returned without dedncting any thing from the above atcount, and therefore actually made a present of to the public. ' iGencral Washington's account from June 1775 to the end of £, «. d, June 1783 10,311 17 1 Expenditure from July Ut, 1783, to December 13th - 1717 5 4 Adtle come, and by the accession of Maryland in March 17S1, the articles of confederation were ratified, as the frame of govern- ment for the United States. These articles however were framed during the rage of war, when a principle of common safety supplied the place of a coer- cive power in government ; by men who could have had no expe- rience in the art of governing an extensive country, and under cir- cumstances the most critical and embarrassing. To have offered to the people, at that time, a system of government armed with the powers necessary to regulate and control the contending in- terest of thirteen states, and the possessions of millions of peo- ple, might have raised a jealousy between the states, or in the minds of the people at large, that would have weakened the operations of war, and perhaps have rendered a union impracti- cable. Hence the numerous defects of the confederation. On the conclusion of peace, these defects began to be felt. Each state assumed the right of disputing the propriety of the resolutions of congress, and the interest of an individual state was placed in opposition to the common interest of the union. In addition to this source of division, a jealousy of the powers of congress began to be excited in the minds of people. Tills jealousy of the privileges of freemen, had been roused by the oppressive acts of the British parliament ; and no sooner had the danger from this quarter ceased, than the fears of people changed their object, and were turned against their own rulers. In this situation, there were not wanting men of industry and talents, who had been enemies to the revolution, and who em- braced the opportunity to multiply the apprehensions of people, and increase the popular discontents. A remarkable instance of this happened in Connecticut. As soon as the tumults of war had subsided, an attempt was made to convince the people, that the act of congress passed in 1778> granted to the officers of the army half pay for life, was highly unjust and tyrannical j«- and that it was but the first step towards the establishment of pen- sions, and an uncontrolable despotism. The act of congress, passed in 178<3, commuting half pay for life for five years full ch would tracts of iriority in !en over- 7SI, the goverri- of war, )f a coer- no expe- inder cir- ve oflfercd med with iding in* ) of peo- )r in the ened the impractio >n. ) be felt. ;y of the lual state lie union, e powers • roused by )oner had of people n rulers, ustry and who em- >f people, istance of ;s of war jple, that ifficers of cal jvand of pen- congress, ^ears full CONTESl BETWEEN GREAT IJRITAIN, &C. 399 pay, was designed to appease the apprehensions of the people, and to convince them that this gratuity was intended merely to indemnify the officers for their losses by the depreciation of the paper currency ; and not to establish a precedent for the grant- ing of pensions. This act ho\\ever did not satisfy thepeop'^. who supposed that the oncers had been generally indemnihv . for the loss of their pay, by the grants made them from time to time by the legislatures of the several states. Besides the act, while it gave five years full pay to the officerfl, allowed but one year's pay to the privates ; a distinction which had great in- fluence in exciting and continuing the popular ferment, and one tiiat turned a large share of the public rage against the officers tliemselves. The moment an alarm was raised respecting this act of con- gress, the enemies of our independence became active in blowing up the flame, by spreading reports unfavorable to the general government, and tending to create public dissensions. Newspa- pers, in some parts of the country, were filled with inflammatiny publications; while false reports and groundless insinuations were industriously circulated to the prejudice of congress and the offi- cers of the late army. Among a people feelingly alive to every thing that could affect the rights for which they had been con- tending, these reports could not fail of having a powerful effect ; the clamor soon became general j the officers of the army, it was believed, had attempted to raise their fortunes on the dis- tresses of their fellow citizens, and congress become the tyrants of their country Connecticut was the seat of this uneasiness ; although other states were much agitated on the occasion. But the inhabitants of that state, accustomed to order and a due subordination to the laws, did not proceed to outrages; they took their usual mode of collecting the sense of the state — assembled in town- meetings — aj)pointed committees to meet in convention, and consult what measures should be adopted to procure a redress of their grievances. In this convention, which was held at Middle- town, some nugatory resolves were passed, expressing a disap- probation of the half-pay act, and the subsequent commutation of the grant for five years whole pay. The same spirit also dis- covered itself in the assembly at their October session in 1783. A remonstrance against the acts in favor of the officers, was h ■I *Ji^ 'i M li M m HI 400 HISTOTIY or KonTTI AMF.niCA. l!': W [j JJ;' framed in the house of representatives, nn«l notwithstundin/^ tlie tipper house refused to concur in the measure, it was sent to congress. During tins situation of affairs, the puhlic odium against the oftieers was augtnentcd hy another circumstance. The officers, just hefore the di^ihanding of the army, had formed a society, tailed hy the name of the Cinnniuitif after th6 Roman Dictator, Cincinnutus, which, it was said, was iutendcd to perpetuate the memory of the revolution, the friendship <;♦' the officers, and the union of the states; and also to raise a fund for the relief of ])oor widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers had fallen during the war, and for their descendants. The society was di- vided into state societies, which were to meet on tlie 4th of July, and with other business, depute a number of their mem- bers to convene antutally in general meeting. The members of the institution were to be distinguished by wearing a medal, em- blematical of the design of the society, and the honors and ad- vantages were to he hereditary in the eldest male heirs, «i«d iti default of male issue, in the collateral male heirs. Honorary niembcis were to be admitted, but without the hereditary ad- vantages of the society, and provided their number should never exceed the ratio of one to four of the officers or their de- acendants. Whatever were the real views of the frames of this institu- tion, its design was generally understood to be harmless and honorahle. Tlie ostensible views of the society could not how- ever screen it from popular jealousy. A spirited pamphlet ap- peared in South Carolina, the avowed production of Mr. Burke, one of the .Judges of the supreme court in that state, in which the author attempted to prove, that the principles on which the society was formed, would, in process of time, originate and establish an order of nobility in this country, \vhich would be repugnant to the genius of our republican governments and dan- gerous to liberty. This pamphlet appeared in Connecticut, du- ring the commotions raised by the half-pay and commutation acts, and contributed not a little to spread the flame of opposi- tion. Nothing could exceed the odium which prevailed at this time, against the men who had hazarded their persons and pro- perties in the revolution. Notwithstanding the discontents of the people were general. uliii^ the ) scut tu ;ainst the officers, I society, Dictator, tuate the and the relief of lad fallen y was di- 10 4th of eir niem- Mubers of edal, cm- 8 anH ad- s, Rii'J in Honorary tlitary ad- er should f their de- is instltu« miess and not how- iphlet ap- Ir. Burke, in which which the inate and would bu i and dan- ticut, du- nmutation of opposi- led at this 5 and pro- e general. CON'TKST BirrvVEEN GREAT BRITAIN, St9» l#l and ready to burst forth in insurrection, yet men of iuforniiit , viz. the officer^! of government, the clergy, and persouii ol l>i> I education, wore generally opposed to the unconstitutional stepi taken by the couunittecs and convention at Middletown. They supported the propriety of the measures of congress, both by conversation and writing, proved that such grants to the army were necessary to keep the troops together, and that the ex- pence would not be enormous nor oppressive. During the close of the year 1783, every possible exertion was made to enlighten the people, and such was the effect of the arguments used by the minority, that in the beginning of the following year, the opposition subsided, the committees were dismissed, and tran- 4]uillity restored to the state. In May, the legislature were able to carry several measures which had before been extremely un- popular. An act was passed granting the impost of 5 per cent, to congress ; another giving great encouragement to commerce, and several towns were incorporated with extensive privileges, for the purpose of regulating the exports of the state, and facilita- ting the collection of debts. The opposition to the congressional acts in favor of the offi- cers, and to the order of the Cincinnati, did not rise to the same pitch in the other states as in Connecticut ; yet it produced nmch disturbance in Massachussetts, and some otiurs. Jealousy of power had been universally spread among the people of the United States. The destruction of the old forms of govern- ment, and the licentiousness of war had, in a great measure, broken their habits of obedience ; their passions had been infla- med by the cry of despotism ; and like centinels, who have been suddenly surprised by the approach of an enemy, the rustling of a leaf was sufficient to give them an alarm. This spirit of jea- lousy, which has not yet subsided, and which will probably con- tinue visible during the present generation, operated with other causes to relax the energy of our federal operations. During the war, vast sums of paper currency had been issued by congress, and large quantities of specie had been introduced, towards the close of the war, by the French army, and the Spanish trade. This plenty ot money enabled the states to com- ply with the first requisitions of congress j so that during two or three years, the federal treasury was, in some measure, supplied. But when the danger of war had ceased, and the vast importa- 17. 3E Ul! 403 iiisTonv OF Noni'ii AMr.ntcA. lions of foreign goods hud lessened the (|tiantity of circuhitin^' specie, the olntea hi'4(an t(» be very ienii«s in furnishing their proportion of njonies. The nniiihihition of the credit of thi; ])aper bills liad totally stopped their circulation, and the specie was leaving the country in cargoes, for remittances to (ireat ])ritain ; still the luxurious habits of the people, contracted du- ring the war, called for new supplies of goods, and private gra- tification seconded the narro^v policy of state- interest in defeat- ing the o))erations of the general government. Thus the revenues of congress were annually diminished ; some of the states wholly ne:ileeting to make provision for pay- ing the interest of the national debt; others making but a par- tial provision, until the «icanty supplies received from a few of the rich states, would hardly satistV the demands of the civil list. "J'his weakness of the federal governnjcnt, in conjunction with the flood of ecrtifieates or public securities, which congrets could neither fund nor pay, occasioned them to depreciate to a very inconsidcral)!e value. The ofticcis and soldiers of the late army were obliged to receive for wages these certificates, or |)romis- sory notes, which passed at a fifth, or eighth, or a tenth of their nominal value; being thus deprived at once of the greatest i)art of the reward due for their services. Some indeed profited by speculations in these evidences of the public debt; but such as were under a necessity of parting with them, were robbed of that support which they had a right to expect and demand from their countrymen. Pennsylvania indeed made provision for paying the interest of her debts, both state and federal ; assuming her supposed pro- portion of the continental debt, and giving the creditors her own state notes in exchange for those of the Tnited States. The resources of that state are immense, but she has not been able to nmke punctual payments, even in a depreciated paper cur- rency. Massachussctts, in her zeal to comply fully with the requisi- tions of congress, and satisfy the demands of her own creditors, laid a heavy tax upon the people. This was the immediate cause of the rebellion in that state, in 1/86. IJut a heavy debt lying on the state, added to burdens of the same nature, upon almost every incorporation within it , a decline, or rather an ex- CONTEST BKTWKF.N CIIFAT BTIITAIN, kc 403 tiiiction of public credit; n. rclnsation and corruptinn of manner^, uikI a free use of forci|(ti luxuries ; a e exccutihot from the artillery made the multitude retreat in disorder with the loss of four men. This spirited conduct of General Shepard, with the industry, perse- verance, and prudent firmness of General Lincoln, dispersed the rebels, drove the leaders from the state, and restored tran(|uillity. An act of indemnity was passed in the legislature for all the in- surgents, except a few leaders, on condition they should become peaceable subjects and take the oath of allegiance. The leaders afterwards petitioned for pardon^ which, from motives of policy, was granted by the legislature. But the loss of public credit^ jiopular disturbances, and in- surrections, were not the only evils which Vv'ere generated by the ni I ll. r > r ,VI w 1^ 11 t M -m In 404 HISTOEY OF NORTH AMERICA. peculiar circums|f;^iices of the times. The emissions of billa of credit and tender laws^ were added to the black catalogue of po- litical disorders. The expedient of supplying the deficiencies of specie, by emissions of paper bills, was adopted very early in the colonies . The expedient was obvious, and produced good effects. In a new country, where population is rapid, and the value of lands increasing, the farmer finds an advantage in paying legal interest for money ; for if he can pay the interest by his profits, the in- creasing value of his lands will, in a few years, discharge the principal. In no colony was this advantage more sensibly experienced than in Pennsylvania. The emigrations to that province were numerous— the natural population rapid — and these circumstan- ces combined, advanced the value of real property to an asto- nishing degree. As the first settlers there, as well as in other provinces were poor, the purchase of a few foreign articles drain- ed them of specie. Indeed for many years, the baliance of trade must have necessarily been greatly against the colonies. The advantages the colonies had derived from bills of credit, under the British government, suggested to congress, in 1775, the idea of issuing bills for the purpose of carrying on the war. And this was perhaps their only expedient. Money could not be raised by taxation — it could not be borrowed. The first emis- sions had no other effect upon the medium of commerce, than to drive the specie from circulation. But when the paper substi- tuted for specie had, by repeated emissions, augmented the sum in circulation, much beyond the usual sum of specie, the bilh began to lose their value. The depreciation continued in pro- portion to the sums emitted, until seventy, and even one hun- dred and fifty nominal paper dollars, were hardly an equivalent for one Spanish milled dollar. Still from the year 1775 to 1781, this depreciating paper currency was almost the only medium of trade. It supplied the place of specie, and enabled congress to support a numerous army; until the sum in circulation amounted to two hundred millions of dollars."* But about the year 1780, * A dollar in Sterling money is is. 6d. But the price of a dollar rose la New England currency to G«. in New York, to 8$. in. New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, and Maryland, to 7';. 6iL ; in Virginia, to 6s, Jn North Carolina, to 8s. in South Carolina and Georgia, to 4s. 8d, This difference, originating m CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BEITAIN, &C. 405 specie began to be plentiful, being introduced by the French army, a private trade with the Spanish islands, and an illicit in- tercourse with the British garrison at New York. This circum- stance accelerated the depreciation of the paper bills, until their value had sunk almost to nothing. In IJHi, the merchants and brokers in the southern 'States, apprehensive of the approach- ing fate of the currency, pushed immense quant!*^^ies of it sud-^ denly into New England — made vast purchases of goods in Bos- ton — and instantly the bills vanished from circulation. The whole history of this continental paper is a history of public and private frauds. Old specie debts were often paid in a depreciated currency— and even new contracts, for a few weeks or days, were often discharged with a small part of the value received. From this plenty and fluctuating state of the medium, sprung hosts of speculators and itinerant traders, who left their honest occupations for the prospect of immense gains, in a frau- dulent business, that depended on no fixed principles, and the profits of which could be reduced to no certain calculations. To increase these evils, a project was formed to fix the prices of articles, and restrain persons from giving or receiving more for any commodity than the price stated by authority. These regulating acts were reprobated by every man acquainted with commerce and finance; as they were intended to prevent an effect without removing the cause. To attempt to fix the value of money, while streams of bills were incessantly flowing from the treasury of the United States, was as ridiculous as an at- tempt to restrain the rising of water in rivers amidst showers of rain. ,- .v . . \ . Notwithstanding all opposition, some 'states framed and at- tempted to enforce these regulating acts. The effect was, a mo- mentary apparent stand in the price of articles; innumerable acts of collusion and evasion among the dishonest ; numberless injuries done to the honest ; and finally, a total disregard of all such regulations, and the consequential contempt of laws, and the authority of the magistrate. Industry likewise had sufi^red by the flood of money which had deluged the states. The prices of produce had arisen in m\ between paper and specie, or bills, continued afterwards to exist in the ao« ininal estimation of gold and silver. Franklin's Miscellaneous fVorks, p.2\7. I ill * ■■• I I 406 HISTORY OP HORtH AMERICA. K. 1 1 proportion to the quantity of money in circulation, and the de- mand for the commodities of the country. This made the ar- quisition of money easy, and indolence and luxury, with their train of desolating consequences, spread themselves among all descriptions of people. But as soon as hostilities between Great Britain and America were suspended, the scene was changed. The bills emitted by congress had long before ceased to circulate ; and the specie of the country was soon drained off to pay for foreign goods, the importations of which exceeded all calculation. Within two years from the close of the war, a scarcity of money was the ge- neral cry. The merchants found it impossible to collect their debts, and make punctual remittances to their creditors in Great Britain ; and the consumers were driven to the necessity of re- trenching their superfluities in living, and of returning to their ancient habits of industry and economy, i -v .! • The change was however progressive and slow. In many of the states which suffered by the numerous debts they had con- tracted, and by the distresses of war, the people called aloud for emissions of paper bills to supply the deficiency of a medium. The depreciation of the continental bills, was a recent example of the ill effects of such an expedient, and the impossibility of supporting the credit of paper, was urged by the opposers of the measure as a substantial argument against adopting it. But no- thing would silence the popular clamor ; and many men of the first talents and eminence, united their voice with that of the populace. Paper money had formerly maintained its credit, and been of singular utility ; and past experience, notwithstanding a change of circumstances, was an argument i i its favor that bore down all opposition. T ; ■ •. ^ .< v , j t" c » l-s Lhah w Pennsylvania, although one of the richest states in the union, was the first to emit bills of credit, as a substitute for specie. But the revolution had removed the necessity of it, at the same time that it had destroyed the means by which its former credit had been supported. Lands, at the close of the war, were not rising in value — bills on London could not so readily be purcha- sed, as while the province was dependant on Great Britain — the state was split into parties, one of which attempted to defeat the measures most popular with the other— and the depreciation ■W , v'itll le fle- [he ae currency deprecia- ted, as in other states. ; - t .:^ . Rhode Island exhibited a melancholy proof of that licentious- ness and anarchy which always follows a relaxation of the moral principles. In a rage for supplying the state with money the legislature passed an act for making 100,000 pounds in bills; a !sum much more than sufficient for a medium of trade in that state, even without any specie. The merchants in Newport and Providence opposed the act with firmness ; their opposition add- ed fresh vigor to the resolution of the assembly, and induced them to enforce the scheme by a legal tender of a most extraor- dinary nature. They passed an act, ordaining that if any cre- ditor should refuse to take their bills, for any debt whatever, the debtor might lodge the sum due, with a justice of the peace, who should give notice of it in the public papers; and if the creditor did not appear and receive the money within six months from the first notice, his debt should be forfeited. This act astonished all honest men ; and even the promoters of paper- money- making in other states, and on other principles, reproba- ted this act of Rhode Island, as wicked and oppressive. But the state was governed by faction. During the cry for paper money, a number of boisterous^ iguorant men were elected into the legislature, from the smaller towns in the 9tate. Finding themselves united with a majority in opinion, they formed and executed any plan their inclination suggested ; they opposed every measure that was agreeable to the mercantile interest; they not onl} made bad laws to suit their own wicked purposes, but appointed their own corrupt creatures to fill the judicial and executive departments. Their money depreciated sufficiently to answer all their vile purposes in the discharge of debts — business almost totally ceased, all confidence was lost, the state was thrown into confusion at home, and was execrated abroad. Massachussetts Bay had the good fortune, amidst her political calamities, to prevent an emission of bills of credit. New Hampshire made no paper; but in the distresses which followed her loss of business after the war, the legislature made horses, lumber^ and most articles o. }roduce a legal tender in the fuifil- i .' CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 409 * ttient of contracts. It is doubtless unjust to oblige a creditor to receive any thing for his debt, which he had not in contempla- tion at the time of the coutract. But as the connnodities which were to be a tender by the law of New Hampshire, were of an intrinsic value, bearing some proportion to the amount of the debt, the injustice of the law was less flagrant, than that wiiich enforced the tender of paper in Rhode Island. Indeed a similar law prevailed for some time in Massachussctts ; and in Connec- ticut it is a standing law, that a creditor shall take land on an execution, at a price to be fixed by three indifferent freeholders ; provided no other means of payment shall appear to satisfy the demand. In a state that has but little foreign commerce, and but little money in circulation, such a law may not only be to- lerable, but, if people are satisfied with it, may produce good effects. It must not however be omitted, that while the most flourishing commercial states introduced a paper medium, to the great injury of honest men, a bill for an emission of paper in Connecticut, where there is very little specie, could never com- mand more than one- eighth of the votes of the legislature. The movers of the bill have hardly escaped ridicule ; so generally is the measure reprobated as a source of frauds and public mis- chief. The legislature of New York, a state that had the least ne- cessity and apology for making paper money, as her commercial iidvantages always furnish her with specie sufficient for a medi- um, issued a large sum in bills of credit, which support their value better than the currency of any other state. Still the pa- per has raised the value of specie, which is always in demand for exportation, and this- difference of exchange between paper and specie, exposes commerce to most of the inconveniences re- sulting from a depreciated medium. Such is the history of paper money thus far j a miserable sub- stitute for real coin, in all countries ; and which produces in the ultimate result, consequences of the most ruinous nature. While the states were thus endeavouring to repair the loss of specie by empty promises, and to support their business by sha^ dows, rather than by reality, the British ministry formed £ome commercial regulations that deprived them of the profits of their trade to the West Indies and to Great Britain. Heavy duties were laid upon such articles as were remitted to the Londoa 18. 3 F < iM ■I'M i: 410 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. I'll '■ 1 ,,. *■ 1: .■■ merchants for their goods, and such were the duties upon Ame- rican bottoms, that the states were almost wholly deprived of the carrying trade. A prohibition, as has been mentioned, was laid upon the produce of the United States, shipped to the English West India Islands in American built vessels, and in those manned by American seamen. These restrictions fell hea- vy upon the eastern states, which depended much upon ship- building for the support of their trade ; and they materially in- jured the business of the other states. Without a union that was able to form and execute a ff'^neral system of commercial regulations, some of the states attempted to impose restraints upon the British trade that should indemnify the merchant for the losses he had suffered, or induce the Britisli ministry to enter into a commercial treaty, and ^-elax the rigor of their navigation laws. These measures however produced no- thing but mischief. The states did not act in concert, and the restraints laid on the trade of one state operated to throw the business into the hands of its neighbour. Massachussetts, in her zeal to counteract the effect of the English navigation laws, laid enormous duties upon British goods imported into that state ; but the other states did not adopt a similar measure ; and the loss of business soon obliged that state to repeal or suspend the law. Thus when Pennsylvania laid heavy duties on British goods, Delaware and New Jersey made a number of free ports to encourage the landing of goods within the limits of those states ; and the duties in Pennsylvania served no purpose, but to create smuggling. Thus divided, the states began to feel their weakness. Most of the legislatures had neglected to comply with the requisitions of congress for furnishing the federal treasury; the resolves of congress vrere disregarded ; the proposition for a general impost to be laid and collected by congress was negatived first by Rhode Island, and afterwards by New York. The British troops con- tinued, under a pretence of a breach of treaty on the part o America, to hold possession of the forts on the frontiers of the states, and thus commanded the fur trade. Many of the states individually were infested with popular commotions or iniquitous tender laws, while they were oppressed with public debts ; the certificates or public notes had lost most of their value, and cir- culated merely as the objects of speculation j congress lost their CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 411 respectability, and the United States their credit and inipor- tance. In the nnidst of these calamities, a proposition was made in \7Sj, in the house of delegates in Virginia, to appoint commis- sioners, to meet such as might be appointed in the other states, who should form a system of commercial regulations for the Uni- ted States, and recommend it to the several legislatures for adoption. Commissioners were accordingly appointed, and a request was made to the legislatures of the other states to ac- cede to the proposition. Accordingly several of the states ap- pointed commissioners, who met at Annapolis in the summer of 1 786, to consult what measures should be taken to unite the states in some general and efficient commercial system. But as the states were not all represented, and the powers of the com- n)is8ioners were, in their opinion, too limited to propose a sys- tem of regulations adequate to the purposes of government, they agreed to recommend a general convention to be held at Phila- delphia the next year, with powers to frame a general plan of government for the United States. This measure appeared to the commissioners absolutely necessary. The old confederation was essentially defective. It was destitute of almost every prin- ciple necessary to give effect to legislation. It was defective in the article of legislating over states, instead of individuals. All history testifies that recommendations will not o» crate a^ laws, and compulsion cannot be exercised over states, without violence, war and anarchy. The confederation was also destitute of a sanction to its laws. When resolutions were passed in congress, there was no power to compel obedi- ence by fine, by suspension of privileges, or other means. It was also destitute of a guarantee for the state governments. Had one state been invaded by its neighbour, the union was not constitutionally bound to assist in repelling the invasion, and supporting the constitution of the invaded state. The confede- ration was further deficient in the principle of apportioning the quotas of money to be furnished by each state ; in a want of power to fjrm commercial laws, and to raise troops for the de- fence and security of the union ; in the equal suffrage of the states, which placed Rhode Island on a footing in congress with Virginia ; and to crown all the defects, we may add the want of a judiciary power, to define the laws of the union, and to recon- 11 ■< u 412 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. M|0|L HflJUff' '* -■ Wkv Wnth . HiBKn Gr^sI * w HI ■HHfffr HHI'ui H^^/i Up: 1 B ' s cile the contradictory decisions of a number of independent judi- catories. These and many inferior defects were obvious to the commis- sioners, and therefore they urged a general conveiTtion, with powers to form and offer to the consideration of the states, a system of general government that .should be less exceptionable. Accordingly in May, 1787, delegates from all the states, except Rhode Island, assembled at Philadelphia ; and chose General Washington for their president. After four months deliberation, in which the clashing interests of the several states appeared in all their force, the convention agreed to recommend the plan of federal government which we shall hereafter lay before the ifead^r. As soon as the plan of the federal constitution was submitted to the legislatures of the several states, they proceeded to take measures for collecting the sense of the people upon the propriety of adopting it. In the small state of Delaware, a convention was called in November, which, after a few days deliberation, ratified the constitution, without a dissenting voice.- In the convention of Pennsylvania, held the same month, there was a spirited opposition to the new form of government. The debates were long and interesting. Great abilities and firmness were displayed on both sides ; but on the 13th of De- cember, the constitution was received by two- thirds of the membWs. The minority was dissatisfied, and with an obstinacy that ill became the representatives of a free people, published their reasons of dissent, which were calculated to inflame a party already violent, and which, in fact, produced some disturbances in the western parts of the state. But the opposition has since gradually subsided. In New Jersey, the convention which met in December wore unanimous in adopting the constitution j as was likewise that of Georgia. - - In Connecticut there was some opposition ; but the constitu- tion was, on the 9th of January, 1788, ratified by three-fourths of the votes in convention, and the minority peaceably acquiesced in the decision. In Massachussetts, the opposition was large and respectable. The convention, consisting of more than three hundred dele- gates, were assembled in January, and continued their debates, CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 413 with great candor and liberality, about five weeks. At length the question was carried for the constitution by a small majority, and the minority, with that manly condescension which becomes great minds, submitted to the measure, and united to support the government. In New Hampshire, the federal cause was, for some time, doubtful. The greatest number of delegates in convention were at first on the side of the opposition ; and some, who might have had their objections removed by the discussion of the subject, instructed to reject the constitution. Although the instructions of constituents cannot, on the true principles of representurion, be binding upon a deputy, in any legislative assembly, because his constituents are but a part of the state, and have not heard the arguments and objections of the ivJioIe, whereas his act is to affect the whole state, and therefore is to be directed bv the sense or wisdom of the whole, collected in the legislative assem- bly J yet the delegates in the New Hampshire convention con- ceived, very erroneously, that the sense of the freemen in the towns, those little districts where no act of legislation can be performed, imposed a restraint upon their own wills*. An ad- journment was therefore moved and carried. This gave the peo- ple opportunity to gain a farther knowledge of the merits of the constitution, and at the second meeting of the convention, it was ratified by a respectable majority. In Maryland, several men of abilities appeared in the opposi- tion, and were unremitted in their endeavours to persuade the people, that the proposed }>lan of government was artfully calcu- lated to deprive them of tl eir dearest rights ; yet in convention it appeared that five-sixths of the voices were in favor of it. In South Carolina, the opposition was respectable ; but two- thirds of the convention appeared to advocate and vote for the constitution. In Virginia, many of the principal characters opposed the ra- tification of the constitution with great abilities and industry. But after a full discussion of the subject, a small majority, of a numerous convention, appeared for its adoption. In New York, two-thirds of the delegates in convention were, at their first meeting, determined to reject the constitution. * This pernicious opinion lias prevailed in all the states* and done infinite loiiicbier. <•• :l^ ' ' 414) HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. m I , Here therefore the debates were the most interesting, and the event extremely doubtful. The argument was managed with un- common address and abilities on both sides of the question. But during the session, the ninth and tenth states had aeceded to the proposed plan, so that by the constitution. Congress were empowered to issue an ordinance for organizing the new govern- ment. This event placed the opposition on new ground ; and the expediency of uniting with the other states— the generous motives of conciliating all differences, and the danger of a re- jection, influenced a respectable number, who were originally opposed to the constitution, to join the federal interest. The constitution was accordingly ratified by a small majority ; but the ratification was accompanied here, as in Virginia, with a bill of rights, declaratory of the sense of the convention,, as to cer- tain great principles, and with a catalogue of amendments, which were to be recommended to the consideration of the new congress, and the several state legislatures. North Carolina met in convention in July, to deliberate on the new constitution. After a short session they rejected tt, by a majority of 176 against 76. This is the first state that has, in a formal manner, rejected the constitution. Upon what prin- ciple they did it, it is diflicult to tell, and delicate to conjecture. The miseries that will probably arise from their separation from the union, and their internal divisions, may eventually occasion a reconsideration. It is certain that their rejection of the new plan of government, will have no effect in impeding its organization and establishment between the ratifying states. Rhode Island was doomed to be the sport of a blind and sin- gular policy. The legislature, in consistency with the measures which had been before pursued, did not call a convention, to col- lect the sense of the state upon the proposed constitution ; but in an unconstitutional and absurd manner, submitted the plan of government to the consideration of the people. Accordingly it was brought before town-meetmgs, and in most of them rejected. In some of the large towns, particularly in Newport and Provi- dence, the people collected and resolved, with great propriety, that they could not take up the subject ; and that the proposi- tion for embracing or rejecting the federal constitution, could come before no tribunal but that of the State in convention or legislature. COYEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 415 tht |i Ull- stion. :ed«d wet'e Ivern- and lerous I a rc- inally The , but a bill o cer- nents, e new From the inotiient the proceedings ol" the general convention at Philadelphia transpired, the public mind was exceedingly agi- tated, and suspended between hope and fear, until nine states had ratified their plan of a federal government. Indeed tho anxiety continued until Virginia and New York had acceded to the system. But this did not prevent the demonstrations of their joy, on the accession of each state. On the ratification in Massachussetts, the citizens of Boston, in the elevation of their joy, formed a procession in honor of the happy event, which was novel, splendid and magnificent. This example was afterwards followed, and in some instances impro- ved upon, in Baltimore, Charleston, Philadelphia, New Haven, Portsmouth and New York successively. Nothing could equal the beauty and grandeur of these exhibitions. A ship was mounted upon wheels, and drawn through, the streets ; mecha- nics erected stages, and exhibited specimens of labor in their several occupations, as they moved along the road ; flags with emblems, descriptive of all the arts and of the federal union, were invented and displayed in honor of the government ; multi- tudes of all ranks in life assembled to view the majestic scenes ; while sobriety, joy and harmony marked the brdliant exhibitions, by which the Americans celebrated the establishment of their ■Empi'C. HISTORY or NORTH AMERICA. — — #e*.2>|(^5'I®***^~~ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, S0IL,2fc, SECTION IV. BOUNDAllIES OF THE UNITED STATES. ■•N 'i^ W ■ill-^ 1 HE boundaries of the United States were determined by the treaty of peace of 1783, which confirmed the independence of the Republic. Northern Boundary. — According to the second article of this treaty, the northern boundary extends from the source of the St. Croix river, which falls into the Bay of Fundy, northward, to the elevated ridge of mountains which separate the waters that run into the river St. Lawrence, from those that empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean, along this same ridge to the most north-western source of Connecticut river, and thence along its current to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude : from this point the line runs due west on this parallel to the river Iro- quois, or Cataraquis, along the channel of this river to the Lake Ontario, through the middle of this lake and that of Erie, Hu- ron and Superior, following the line of 'vater communication be- tween each, and through this last lake, in a northern direction, to the isles Royales, or Philippeaux, to and across Long Lake, and the Lake of the Woods, as far as the most north-western point of the latter, thence by a due west line to the river Mis- TNITEl) STATES, HOl'NDARir-'.S. 417 Rissippi. From this point the lle.stcni lUmmUir]! c\tcii(l«« along the middle ol" ihiu livor lo the thirty-first dogioe of north hiti- tudc. Soiiihern lioHmhinj. — From the pluce where the thirty- first parallel intersects the Mibsissippi, by u line nnuiin^; due east to tlie river Apulachicola, or Catuhouehe, tutlovving the stream ot this river to i'*' junction with Flint lliver ; thence in a direct line to St. Mary's, and along the middle of this river to the Allairtie Ocean. The Eastern Limit passes along the shores of the At- lantic Ocean northwtird, till it reaches the mouth of the river St. Croix, in the Hay of Fundy, and thence to its source ; including all islands within twenty leagues of the American coast, except tliose within the limits of the British province of Nova Scotia. Louisiana, which was afterwards ceded to the United States, and more than doubled their original extent, was so imperfectly known at the date of this treaty, that its western boundaries were considered as indefinite. On the north, according to the treaty of Utrecht, it was considered as joining Canada in the forty-ninth parallel of latitude. Tliese boundaries appeared to be marked witli sufTicicnt pre- cision, but doubts afterwards aros< on various points. The river St. Croix, which runs into Passamaquoddy Bay, was designated as the eastern limit; but this river having three distinct branches, it became a subject of dis-cussion which of these led to its true source ; and the matter being submitted to the decision of com- missioners appointed by the two contending powers, was settled, bv treaty, in 1794. The north-western limits of the district of Maine, which approach near to the river St. Lawrence, remain- ed undetermined, and being considered as very important, in a military point of view, they were brought under consideration during tiie late negotiations at Ghent, when it was agreed to leave the subject to the decision of commissioners appointed by the respective parties. The commissioners are also to determine to whom the several islands of right belong, which are situated near the mouth of the St. Croix River in the St. Lawrence, and the Western Lakes,* and which are claimed both by England « In tlieiie lake*, through the middle of which the line of demarkatioii runs, there nre no less than fifty-seven islands; nnmely, twelve in Lake Erie, nine in Lake Huron, twrnty-four in Ontario, hvc in SI. Clair, and seven in Lake Superior. 18. 3 G M •iHi ! i I :i.^ 418 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. i. J I 1 t' l< ; j: I, ' and the United States. By tlie same treaty of 1783, part of the northern boundary is marked by a line running due west from the most north western point of the Lake of the Woods to the river Mississippi. But it has since been ascertained by the geo- graphical observations of Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Thomson,* that this river does not extend so far north, by two degrees j the north-western extremity of the lake being in latitude 49° 37', and longitude 94° 31' west from London, and the source of the most- northern branch of the Mississippi in latitude 47° SC north, and 95" 6' of west longitude. This western line will not even touch the Missouri; for the great northern bend of this river is in 47° 32' of north latitude, and 101° 25' west longitude from London. If the line of limits, therefore, as observed by Major Pike, were to run from the head of the Lake of the Woods to the source of the Mississippi, taking a direction nearly south, it would give to Britain the upper part of Red River, and nearly two-thirds of the territory of Louisiana ; but if carried due west, it will cross Red River nearly at its embouchure, and probably strike tlie Western Ocean at Birch Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound. Though a long period must elapse before this remote territory be permanently occupied by a civilized popula- tion, it is already of some value for the fur trade; and it appears from Major Pike's statements, that the British North- West Company have trading establishments on the south side of Lake Superior, and at other places within the American limits, by wliicb the United States have been defrauded of duties to the amount of 26,000 dollars. It will be seen, therefore, that the proper settling of these limits, desolate as the country is, in- volves interests of considerable importance. The survey agreed upon by the treaty of 1794 was never executed. The subject was, however, reconsidered in the negociations at Ghent, and by the treaty signed there on 24th December 1814, the contracting parties agreed, that the boundary line of the United States should extend twenty leagues from the shore ; that the claim of each to the islands situated in the Bay of Passamaquoddy be referred to the decisioi of two commissioners; ihe St. Croix river to be surveycH to its source ; the point of Highlands at the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, and the north-west head of Connecticut river, to be determined ; the islands in the lakes to ♦ Astronomer to the English Nortlj-West Comi)aiiy, UNITED STATES, BOUNDARIES. 419 he surveyed, and also the line of boundary to the mo^ north- western point of the Lake of the Woods, from the forty-fifth de- gree of latitude. A line passing along the thirty-first parallel of latitude, was fixed as the boundary between the United States and Florida. As the latter country, however, when held by Britain, extended as far north as the river Yazoo, Spain, at first, refused to give the United States possession of the intervening track j but she afterwards abandoned her claim to it, and, in the treaty of 1795, recognized the boundaries fixed at the peace of 1783. By the treaty of the 30th April 1803, Louisiana was ceded by France to the United States, with the same extent as when in possession of Spain or France, and such as it should be accord- ing to treaties subsequently entered into between Spain and other states ; in consequence of which it was taken possession of, and united with the American Republic, on the 20th of December next, after the date of the above treaty. The terms of this treaty left the extent and boundaries of Louisiana to be ascertained from a variety of anterior circum- stances and agreements. A great part of the country was, indeed, at the time, unexplored and unknown; but the information since obtained, and the changes that have been gradually taking place, have raised the importance of the question regarding its limits, which have latterly been made the subject of much in- quiry and negociation between the parties interested. Louisiana, as ceded to the United States, taken even in its most limited extent, includes a surface equal to the whole of Europe, exclu- sive of Russia; and this not of poor or useless land, but, for the greater part, of a soil remarkably rich, situated in the most fa- vored climate in the world, intersected every where with navigable slreams, and possessing, in an unequalled degree, all the other advantages requisite to facilitate its settlement. Besides, the rapid increase in the population of the United States, and the results which the laws that regulate this increase enable us to anticipate, show, that the occupation of the region west of the Mississippi by a civilized population, is not a very distant event. A great part of it is yet but a wilderness, inhabited by a few savages; but the shifting of a boundary a little the one way or the other, in so great a field, will take or give a space equal to one or two European kingdoms, in extent, and which, at no di?- u 420 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. tant periud, may be the seat of industry and wealth. Both Spain and the United States have felt the weight of these considerations, and the question as to boundaries has been discussed with a de- gree of interest which the present situation of the territory would scarcely seem to justify. For the sake of those who may wish to understand the controversy, we shall here state briefly the grounds upon which the claims of the United States rest, so far as they have been determined by treaties and agreements ; sub- joining, in a note, those which arc derived from historical facts and other circumstances.* h\l * As the Uiiited States l>y this treaty entered into the same rights which- the French enjoyed, considerable pains have been taken by ofticeri acting under the Federal Government, to trace out the facts and circumstances con>' nected with the discovery and settlement of the country, especially thosR parts of it which have been the subject of dispute. The following; details embrace the substance of the information collected, so far as it relates to discovery, and priority of occupation^ or shows the understanding; of the parties themselves at early periods, with regard to the limits of tbtftr pos- session. It appears that Delasalle and his party, in the ycar$ 1G80, 1681, 1683, and 1683, explored the country from the Canadian lakes to the Mississippi, and this river, from the falls of St. Anthony to its outlet in the Gulf of Mexico} made treaties with the Indian tribes which then occupied it, and established ll»e forts CreuecoBwr and Prud'homme, on the Illinois river, and that of St. Louia on the Mississippi, Proceeding by sea, Delasalle disembarked in the Bay of St. Bernard in 1685, about 150 leagues to the west of the mouih of the Mississippi, near that of the small river ^ux Cannes, and advancing' towards the former, ncrosithe country of ihe Cenis, and other Indian tribes, he fell a victim to the perfidy of his own men. In 1699, IbberviMe transported troops and inhabitants to Louisiana by the mouth of the Mississippi river, erected a fort and formed an establishment in Ihe Bay of Biloxi, near the Pascagoulas river, ai d afterwards ent«>red Mobile Bay ; where, in 1701, a fort was erected, and a new establiphment formed. The year following, Fort Dauphine, to the south of the bay, was established and fortified, and afterwards Fort Louis, or Mobile, at the dis- tance of sixteen leagues from Dauphine Isle : in 1702, Fort Tombaoh6, fifty leagues north of the former, ard Fort Toulouse, sixty leagues higirr on the north-eastern branch. Major Sluddart, in hi. Sketches of Louisiana, p 136, states, «• that Ibber- ville the first royal governor of Louisiana, planted a colony at themouih of the river PerdiUo, in 1699, where he built a fort and mounted twelve pieces of cannon." Xbc same year, Bi^ville, brother to Ibberville, ascetided on the wrstrrn 5id« of the Mobile towards its sources, through the villages of the Chattas or Flathpads, and to those of the Chickasaws. lie also ascended Red River to Natchit«»ches, without finding any Spanish settlements; but this nation, jealous pf those of the French, afterwards formed a 8eltU'm,ejnt in the coun» • - _«»»-" •yr^j, p Spam rations, |h a de- would iy wish [efly the so far sub- il facts ts which- Ti actings uces con-' lly those g details elates to ig of the heir pos- 1682, and ipp'> and Mexico} itahllshed •at of St. >ed in the inouih of idvancliig' an tribes, na by the bliahiiient s enr'>red l)l|phinent bay, was : the dis- che, fifty liigler on at Ibber. mouih of ve |iiecrs E western : Chattas ted River 8 nation, the coun>^ UNITED STATES, BOUNDARIES. 421 France having lost her possessions in Canada by the war of lyiJti, ceded to Great Britain the territory south of the thirty- first degree of north latitude, and exteirding to the river Perdido, on the east side of the Mississrppi; and Spain, who had been her unfortunate ally, exchanged all her possessions in Florida, try of the Assinais, and elected a fort neai' the place where stood that of Delasalle, but did not claim the country eastward of the Rio Bravo, except for commercial purposes. We find in I7I2> that in the letters patent to Cro- zat, all the rivers were inelvded which run into the Mississippi, and all the lands, coasts, and islands situated in the Gulf of Mexico, between Carolina on the east, and Old and New Mexico on the west. These countries did not extend east of the Rio Bravo, from which the newest Spanish settlement was 150 miles remote, at the date of this grant. The first Spanish fort on the western side of the river St. John Baptist was erected in 1714, wh«n the pro- vince of Texas was created, but not inhabited. In 1719, Bernard La Harpe, with a body of troops, penetrated up Red River, 4()0 miles beyond Natchitoches, to the Cadoques villages, in latitude 35" 55', and constructed the Fort St. Louis dc Carlcuette. The same jear a garrison w*a9 established by an officer named Berenger, in the Bay of 8t. Bernard, in latitude 27" 45', S90 mile* to the west of the Missibsippi, which was afterwards destroyed by the Indians. In consequence of the establishments at Natchitoches, the Spaniards erect- ed a military post, seven lea|;ues to the south-we»t of this place at the Ada* yes. wii h was afterwards transferred to Nazodoches ; biit before the esta- blish). ■^ '^ 1 Salle, in the Bay of St. Bernard, in ^685, no part of the territot c. ( f the Rio Norte was occupied by the Spaniards, for their nearest seuiement to the mouth of the Mississippi river was St. Augustine. In 1720, the Missouri post wav established on the river of the same name< In 1717, the French erected Fort Crevecoeur on a branch of the Apalachico- la river, which empties itself into the Bay of St. Joseph, but abandoned it in'the following year, on the representations made by the governor of Pensa- cola, that this bay belonged to his Catholic Majesty. Dupratz, the historian of Louisiana, defines its boundaries as follows: " Louisiana, situated in the northern part of America, is bounded on the .outh by the Gulf of Mexico; on the east by Carolina, an English colony, and a part of Canada; on the west, by New Mexico; on the north, by a part of Canada; the rest has no houndi, and extends to the unknown lands adjoining to Hudson's Bay. Its breadth extending between the English and Spanish establishments, is about 2UU leagues Its length is undetermined, because it is unknown. Neverthelest), the source of the Mississippi will throw some light on this head." The Map of Dupratz, which accompanies his worky includes all that part of Louisiana now known by the name of West Florida, and the whole country to the Itio Brdvo or Del Norte- De la Harpe describes Louisiana as extending from the bay which be en- tered in nSl, in latitude 29" Vi longitude, 282" east from Ferro, or 95" from Greenwich, to the river Perdido, including about 160 marine leagues of coast. Accurding to D'Anville, a good authurity in all geographical matters, the 432 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. i> including St. Augustine and Pensacola, for the port of Havan- nah, which had been taken by the English This treaty, of which the preliminaries were signed at Fontainbleau on the 3d of November 1762, was ratified at London on the 10th of Fe- bruary 1763. By a separate act of the former date, France il '1 :; ■ Bi, r western limils of Florida extend no farther than the Rio Perdido, nnd a line runaing north to the Apalachian monntain*. His map was published in 1746, at a moment when this country was considered as of little interest to France ( and this most scrupulous geographer described the western line as commen* cing on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, at the Cabo del Norte, (on modern maps called Pointede la ChenUre au Ti^.e,) passing between the Presidio des Adayes and Fort Natchitoches, and separating the Rio Mexicano, or Mer* mental, from the Red River of Natchitoches and its branches, which are within Louisiana. In "the Account of the first Discovery and Natural History of Florida," by William Roberts, illustrated by a general map, and geographical de- scription of that country, by Jeffreys, geographer to his Majesty, this river is also described as the musi western boundary on the coast of Florida, to- wards Louisiana. Thti publisher has also inserted a letter written by Captain Robinson, who visited that coast in 1754, and who resided for sometime atVilla Rica, in which he states, " that Pensacola is most excellently situated as a bar- rier to cover the Spanish territories in that quarter, which extended no far- ther than to the river Perdidp." In the description of Louisiana, contained in the history of the British Empire in North America, it is observed, " that the coast which was first inhabited extends from the river Perdido to the Lake St4 Louis." According to the map and historical journal of Yentel, one of the party of La Salle, the first disembarkation was made nt the mouth of a small river situated in 88" 17' north latitude, and 877* of longitude, and the first habitation established on an arm of this river, which runs into the bay of St. Louis, near which it forms an islet. On the map, the confluence of this river is between the entry of the Bay of St. Louis, and the river Del Oro. The second habitation was erected on the south-west side of the Boeuf River, above its junction, from which La Salle and his party proceeded, to near the union of its two great branches, where they crossed this river, the Aux Cannes, and all the others to the fork of the Akansas, where they found a house marked R, inhabited bv two Frenchmen. There embarking, they descended to the river Mississippi, which they afterwards ascended, to the junction of the Illinois. Bellin, engineer of the French department of marine, and of the depot of maps, &c. who, in 1744, published a map of Louisiana for the history of New France, by Charleroix, remarks that the coast of Louisiana exteads, on the Gulf of Mexico, the space of at least 160 leagues from the Bay of Mobile to that of St. Bernard or St. Louis. Ac- cording to the map of Delille, (member of the Royal Academy of Sciences,) entitled Car/c de la Louisiane, et du Cours du MisHuippi avec'lea Colonies AnglaiuSy revised, corrected, and considerably augmented, in 1782 ; the Rio del Nortt, or Bravo, is the western, and the Mobile the eastern boundary. In another, published in 1785, for the use of the king, by Dezauche, suc- cessor of his first geographer Delille, and Boache, examined and approved |i-' » tJNiTED STATES, BOUNDARIES. 423 ceded to Spain all Louisiana, west of the river Mississippi, in- cluding the city and island of New Orleans. This cession was never published, but is referred to in the letter of the French king to D*Abbadie, director- general and commandant of this colony, dated the 21st of April 1764. The country thus ceded under the name of Florida, extended, by the Spanish accounts, according to the most accurate observations, from about 25 '^ 6' to 39*^ 38' north latitude; and its most eastern coast lies in about 8 1 ° 30' west longitude from London ; its whole length be- ing nearly a thousand English milea. It is separated from Lou- isiana on the west by the Rio Perdido. In the year 1764, when by the Royal Academy of Sciences, the Perdido is the eastern boundary ; and the western, the Rio Bravo or del Norte, to its eastern branch, the Rio Salado, and along this stream to near the 40^ of latitude ; and thence, in a westerly direction, across the upper branch of the Rio del Norte to the Rio Colorado river; on the north to near the 45° of latitude, including the sup. po>ed sources of (he Missouri river. This map is entitled Carte rf' Amirique^ (Ir/'s^^e pour I'usage du Roi, par Guil. Delisle et Phil. Buache, Premier Gi'ographes du Roi, et de TAcademie Royale des Sciences, par Dezanche Geugruphe, 1785. Le Roage, geographer to the king, published his Am<>ri- can Atlas In 1178, and, in his map of North America, Louisiana has the same boundary on the west and north ; on the east, the Perdido river. This map i!« entitled, L'Ameriqne suivant le R. P. Charlevoix, et M. dr la Con- damiue, et plusieurs autres nouvelles observations, Paris, 1774. The Mobile is the eastern line of demarkation between Florida and Louisiana on the French marine charts contained in the work entitled llydrographie Fran^aiSf executed by orders nf the French government. In a map published in 1178, by the instructions of Sartine, the French minister and secretary of gtatCi the river Tensas is the eastern boundary. In a map of Homan of Nurem- berg, publ shed in the year 16H7, and entitled " AmpliesimeB Regionis Mis- »iss ppi^ seu Provincial Ludoviciantv, a R P. Ludovico Hennepin Franciic. Miss, in America Septentrional i, anno 1687 delccto;" the western limits of Lonisiana is the Rio del Norte to its great eastern branch; the Rio Salado de Apaches de los Sieta river, now St. Paul's river and along this stream to the thirty-fourth parallel of latitude; thence in a noitn.easterly direction across the Rio de San Marco, or Colorado, or Aux Cannes, to the chain of parallel mounfains; thence north- west to the great stream of the Rio del Norte in SSi" of latitude. The eastern boundary is the Mobile Bay, and thence along the river Alibama, which enters therein to near its south-east* ern bend, and from this part eastward to the river Des Chattaux, or Apala« chicolas, and to the mountains. The establishment nf Lasalle, in 1685, is marked on the Bouth-west side of the little river Aux Cannes, near its junc- tion with the ^rtuth of at the ericaii essions^ by the United lana si- of the His line, aranteed thirty- the river between acknow- inued to parallel; i Missis- isequence take pos- the co- e Repre- f 25,000 :ing pos- i so well as aban- ed States >n had in d such as between province St. Ilde- t of Ma- ind espe- claim on the east lad been ceded by France to Great Britain in 1763; by the latter to Spain in 17^3, and which bhf. pretends is not included in the country that Spain had received from France. It is evident that t-lie words of this treaty embrace Louisiana in its whole extent on each side of the Mississippi ; but it is to be regretted that the real boundaries were not described. The boundary between Louisiana and the province of Florida, when the former belong- ed to France, and the latter to Spain, was acknowledged to be the river Perdido by the respective authorities ; and the United States claiming this line of boundary, took possession of the country in 1812, except the port of Mobile, on Mobile Bay, which surrendered to theii *■ ••'"'•' 'he following year. Tlie en- trance of the harbour of 1 v.isi> 'a Is about twelve miles to the eastward of the Perdido, and sixty from Mobile Hav. In 1719, the town was taken by the French, retaken by '.v Spaniards, who were afterwards driven out by the former, to whom it was confirmed in 1722 ; and the Perdido, both before and after this period, was always considered as the line of demarkation be- tween these two powers. Louisiana was retroceded to France ** with the same extent it then had in the hands of Spain j" and the territory in question, by whatever name Spain chose to call it, was then substantially in her hands. ' Louisiana was retroce- ded to the United States " with the same extent that it had v/hen France possessed it ;" and not only was the territory be- tween the Mississippi and the Perdido part of Louisiana when Fratice possessed it. but she never held this country a single day without that territ ry as part of it. For, as has been stated, she ceded on the same day the Oiibtern part of Louisiana to Eng- land, and the western part to Spain. Louisiana was retroceded, "such as it should be after the treaties subsequently entered into between Spain and the other States ;" and Spain never had, since she acquired Louisiana in 1762, made any treaties relative to this country but that of 1783 with Great Britain, and that of 1795 with the United States. She had entered into no treaty whatever which affected Louisiana west of the Mississippi. The fine tract of country called Texas, lying to the south of the wa- ters of Kcd River, being also claimed by Spain, who had formed an establishment there posterior to the occupation of Louisiana by the French, it was mutually agreed between her and the United States in 1806, that till this was settled, the Spaniar((,s 18. 3 H 426 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. 1 % i should not cross the Sabinas, nor the Americans extend their settlements, or claim of jurisdiction, to the borders of this river ; and to prevent disputes, the officers of the United States had instructions not to survey any of the public lands lying to the ■west of a meridian piissing l)y Nal^hitoches, The ports of Ma- tagorda and Galvestown, situated m this province, were taken possession of in September 1816, in the nmne of the Mexican Republic, by Joseph Manuel de Horrera. Tlie country traversed by Lewis and Clarke has been claimed to the P ,^ific Ocean by right of discovery. The Spaniards, ' owever, have a permanent establishment on the bouth side of the bay of St. Francisco, in latitude 37° 42', and 132^ west longitude from London, (about 6(X) miles from the mouth of the Columbia ri^'er,) to which point they claim possession. The boundaries of Louisiana, there- fore, as claimed by the American Government, are as follows : JVbr//i, by the 49° of latitude, which, according to the treaty of Utrecht, was the ancient line of limits between the English possessions and Louisiana. South, by the Gulf of Mexico. Miasty by the river Perdido. West, by the Rio Col'-'-ndo of Texas, (which was also the boundary according to ti.. /eaty of Utrecht ;) from the mouth of this river in the Bay of St. Ber- nard to its source ; thence along the chain of mountains which separates the waters that flow into the Rio del Norte, from those that fall into the Mississippi and Missouri. According to these boundaries, Louisiana is more extensive than the rest of the United States, containing about 1,030,192 square miles. OF THE GENERAL ASPECT OF THE COUNTRY, ITS EXTENT, AND THE NATURE OF THE SOIL. General Aspect of the Country. — The south-eastern side of the American continent, from the extremity of Maine to Florida, was naturally divided by the Indian inhabitants into thr^e re- gions ; the Lowlands, or flats, the Highlands, and the Moun- tains. The fir«t, in their language termed Jhkynt, extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the falls of the great rivers that run through them, a breadth of nearly ninety miles. The Highlands called Ali,kontshack, stretch from those falls to the foot of the great range of mountains. These Mountains, called by the nprthern Indians Alleghany, by those towards the south ApaUi- che uat not !nd their lis river; atea had to the of Ma- re taken Mexican ravcrsed cean by rmanent L'isco, in (about which », there- follows ; e treaty Enghsh Mexico. »-Hdo of /eaty of St. Ber- s which ;e, from ■ding to B rest of iles. % ITS side of ?'lorida, rje re- Moun- ?xtends lat run [hiands of the by the UNITED STATES, SOIL, &C. 427 chesj or Pamontinck, and by the Spaniards Apaloki, from the nation Apaloken, run through the midst of the Continent from north-east to south-west. Apalachum Mountains.— ''T\\ene form the most remarkable feature of the country, traversing it from the river St. Lawrence to Georgia, from the thirty-fourth to the forty-second degree of north latitude, in a direction nearly parallel with the Atlantic coast, the highest ridge separating the waters which descend towards the Atlantic, from those which run in an opposite diiT'c- tion to the western country, and to the rivers of St. Lawrence and Mississippi. The whole length of this chain may be estimated at 900 miles. The mean breadth at 110, though it varies from 60 to 200. The highest, or Alleghany ridge, preserves nearly an equal distance of 250 miles from the Atlantic shore, and an almost uniform elevation above it of about 3000 feet. These mountains, however, are separated into two distinct chains, thu eastern and western. The first known by the name oi Ulue Ridge, or Blue Mountains, runs in a north-easterly direction, across the tftates of Virginia, Pennsylvania, the western parts of North Carolina, the noithern parts of New Jersey, and southern angle of New York, to the Hudson river at West Point, where, under the name of Green Mountains, it takes a northerly direc- tion, through the states of Connecticut, Massachussetts, and Vermont, towards the Bay of Chaleur in Canada, dividing the waters of the Connecticut river from those of the Hudson and Lake Champlain. The distance of this chain from the general line of sea'-coast is from 130 to 200 miles, and is greatest to- wards the southern extremity. On the western side this ridge rises gradually to the summit ; and also on the eastern, except at West Point, where the rocks are more rugged and steep. The plain here is 180 feet, and the most devated point (New Beacon) 1585 feet above the level of the Hudson river. Near the borders of Virginia and Carolina, this ridge unites with the great western chain. Its base along the level of the western waters is found to be higher than on the eastern, or Atlantic side, by 800 or 1000 feet. This chain is crossed nearly at right angles by several of the liu'ger rivers in their palssage to the sea. Western Chain. — The western chain, near the southern extre- mity, is known by the name of Cumberland and GauLy moun- ains^ and afterwards by that of Alleghany. It is broader and I 428 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. more elevated than the former, and particularly in Virginia and Pennhylvaiiia, where it separates the waters- of the Kenhawa, and the Monongahcla and Alleghany branches of the Ohio, (which flows into the Mississippi,) from those of James River, the Potomac, and Susquehannah, that run into the Atlantic Ocean. From the northernmost and less elevated spurs of this chain the Genessee river, which flows into Lake Ontario, takes its rise, as do also some of the northern brailches of the Susque- hannah, which traverse the highest parts in their passage to the main stream. Above this river the chain takes a more eastward- ly direction to its termination, under the name of the Catskill Mountains, near the Mohawk branch of the Hudson, where it gives rise to the Delaware river, which empties itself into the bay of the same name in the Atlantic Sea. The Blue Moun- tains, united by a transverse ridge with the western chain, on the borders of Virginia and North Carolina, become more ele- vated than the former, and, by spurs running irregularly, send into the Atlantic the waters of the Roanoke, Pedee, Santee, and Savannah, in an eastern direction ; in a southern, some of those of the Alabanr.a, which arc discharged into the Gulf of Mexico ; and, in a western, those of Broad River, which traverses the Alleghany chain to join the Holstein branch of the Tennessee, that empties itself into the Ohio. Height of different Points of this great Chain, — The mean elevation of the western ridge, as has been already stated, is about 3000 feet above the level of the sea ; but, at particular parts, it falls much below, and rises much above this. I'he height of diflferent peaks, as ascertained by means of the baro- meter, or from trig(yhometoical mensuration, is as follows : The Green Mountains extend from Canada through Vermont, Massachussetts, and Connecticut, from north north-east, to south south-west, 400 miles in length, and from ten to fifteen in breadth. They have a peak in the State of Vermont, known by the name of Killington, which, according to actual mensuration, is elevated 8454 feet above the level of the ocean, and 3184 above the level of Lake Champlain, at the mouth of Otter Creek. According to the barometrical observations of Captain Partridge, (of the corps of engineers, professor of Matliematics in the mi- litary academy at West Point,) Killington Peak is elevated 3924 UNITED STATES, SOIL, kc. 4ii9 'ginia and Kenhawd) he Ohio, C8 River, ! Atlantic rs of this rio, takes e Susque> ige to the eastward- i Catskill where it ■ into the je Moun- chain, on more ele- irly, send ntee, and i of those Mexico ; 'erses the ennessee, ^he mean itated, is >articu]ar is. The he bare- ITS : /^ermont, east, to ifteen in nown bv juration, id 3184 r Creek, artridge, the mi- ?d 3924 feet above the sea, and 2994 above its base, the difference being 930 feet. The Uluie Mountains of New Hannpshire, according to the barometrical observations of the snme professor, have their high- est point. Mount Washington, elevated (iGOO feet above the sea, and 4712 above its base. Tile next, situated to the south of the former, - - - -------- 5()23 above the sea. The 3d. do. - - - The 4th, - - - - The 5th 5393 - 5190 5025 - 464H The 6th, _ - . - The height of the base of these mountains above the sea is 1888. By the more recent barometrical calculations of Dr. Cutler and Professor Peck, their elevation above the level of the sea does not exceed 7000 feet ; and, by the last calculation made by Professor Bigelew and others, they do not much exceed 6000 feet. The altitude of the most elevated of Catskill mountains, in the State of New York, town of Windham, and county of Green, has been ascertained from barometrical observations by Captain Partridge. The point called Round Top is 3804 feet above the level of the sea, and 3105 above its base. The base of this range is 699 feet above the sea. Schooley's Mountain in New Jersey, which projects in a southern direction trom the great ridge, rises 600 feet above its base, which itself is 500 above tide-water. According to the barometrical observations of Captain Partridge, the greatest height of the Never Sink Hills, near Sandy Hook, does not exceed 300 feet. , y The height of some of the mast elevated parts of the moun- tains in Virginia above tide-water, ascertained by Colonel Wil- liams, President of t!ie United States' Military Philosophical So- ciety, &c. was as follows : The highest point of the Blue Ridge near Rock Pit Gap, 1908 feet. The foot of the Blue Ridge on the western side, 895 The summit of the first mountain near the warm springs, ------- 2018 The summit of the second mountain near the warm springs, 2380 I I 430 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Ml 4' I The summit of the Alleghany ridge about six miles east of the swi'ct springs, - _ - _ 290^ Highejit Mintntains qf South CaroUnn. — Table Mnnntain, si- tuated a little westward of the south fork of Saluda River, and between four and five miles from the northern boundary of the state, is elevated al)ove its base t'JKJH feet, according to the tri- gonometrical observation, and is su|i])06ed to be 4300 feet above the level of the Atlantic Ocr.ui. Highest Mountahis nj Georgia. — i/unawhce Mountain, the fioiithern extremity of the Blue Ridge, about sixty miles from the northern boundary of the state, is elevated 1500 feet above the level of the sea. Mr. Williamson remarks, that the general height of the Apalachinn mountains is found to be near 1100 yards. In some parts, they rise three quarters of a mile above the common surface of tlie earth ; but in many places, they do not exceed half a mile. The double chain of the Alleghanies, as already observed, se- parates the streams that flow into the Mississippi from those that run to the Atlantic Ocean ; and the direct distance in miles, from four of the sea- ports to the nearest braneh of the four great western rivers beyond the mountains, is as follows : — From Phi- ladelphia to the confluence of the Cqnemaugh and Loyalhaiiiien branches of the Alleghany, 220 miles. From the city of Wash- ington tO' the confluence of the MonongaheUi and Cheat rivers, 150 miles. From Richmond te Morris, on the Kanhawa, below all the falls of that river, 210 miles. From Savannah or Chiiiles- ton to any navigable branch of Tennessee, the distance is nearly SCO miles. The upper navigation of the rivers of the Atlantic corresponding with these western points being susceptible of con- siderable improvement, the distance between them is not exactly ascertained. Between the waters of the Patomac and those of the Monongahela, the shortest portage from West Port on the former to a point just below the falls of Cheat river, is about fifty miles in a straight line. On account of the navigation of the Potomac, a longer route his been preferred, extending from Cumberland to Brownville, (Red Stone old fort,) a distance of 72 miles. Between the north fork of the Juniata branch of the Susquehannah and the corresponding waters of the river Alle- ghany, the portage is somewhat shorter. Between Pattenbo- rough, on James River, and the falls of the Kanhawti, it exceeds UNITED STATES, SOU,, ^C. in 100 inile-i. Tlic lower U\\U of the Atliiutic rivers are foriiitid hy ri riclgc, rising ubuut 1^0 (cet nbuvc tide-water, niul extending from the Hiidsuii to beyond Juntes Iliver, utter which it receden from the seu, pur^'uiiiK u southerly direction, nearly parullel to the mount niii^, leaving a longer and better navigation between the tide and the falln. In all this distance the granitie ridge forms a barrier to the tide, which does not approach nearer than ilO miles to the eastern chain; hut, in the north, or Hudson's Uiver, it paMxcN through the Utue Kidgc at Wejit Point, and as- cends above the eastern termination of the Catskill, or Great Western Chain, to Albany, UK) miles above New York, afford- ing a fine navigation throughout all thi!« distance for veshcis uf 80 tons. Goological Stniciurc and I^ature of *he Soil. The soil, in relation to its interior structure, has been divided by Vulney into five regions. Granitic Region.— Tim region extends from Long I wand, ir the Atlantic Ocean, to the mouth of the river St. Lawrence, i bounded by that river to the place called the Thousand Istts, and thence proceeding to the source of the Mohawk, .^i v* along this stream to its confluence with the Hudson, and .'.owa that river to Long Island. Granite is traced along the coast of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachussetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. It forms the great body of the White Mountains, and, with some exceptions, is the bed or stratum on which the superficial soil reposes throughout all this space. Descending towards the south-west, it appears to form a great part of the mountains on the Susquehunnah, between Harrisburgh and Sun- bury, and also of the south-west chain in Virginia, particularly on the borders of the Rivannah. The strata of a different nature intci;,' .led throughout the north-eastern granitic region are— 1. Long Island, which con- tains no granite, except a small spac^* near Hell Gate, the ridge of hills which run across it being cdinposed of limestone, sand, gravel, and loam. 2. Cape Cod, which is formed of sand, de- posited by the current of the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas. 3. Above Poughkeepsie the rocks arc schtstus, coniposing a cal- careous stratum^ of ^hich there is a mass of SOO acres near .11 I 432 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. I m k h'i mi M Claverack, on the banks of the Hudson, 140 miles from the sea. 4. The summit of the Catskill mountains is argillaceous or sili- ceous. 5. The valley of Fort George, some of the islands of the lake of the same name, and a tract of several miles round the great fajls of the Hudson are of limestone. 6. The rocks of Ticonderoga are of sandstone. 7. The bed of the cataract or falls of tlie Cohoez is of serpentine. 8. The banks of Lake Champlain, and the rocks which form the isle on which stands the city of Montreal, are calcareous. According to the min^ra- logical reports of Dr. Mitchell, the bed of the Mohawk does not separate the granite from the sandstone country-; for on the eastern side of Hudson River towards the north, there is no gra- nite except on the tract called the Western Line of Connecticut. He further remarks, that from Stockbridge to Vermont the rock is calcareous : that the bed of the river Cohoez is of slate ; of which substance are also the rapids of Fort Millar and Fort Ed- ward, and the bed of the Kyaderossa stream near the Battstown springs. According to M. Maclure, the region of primitive rocks, after crossing the Hudson, is much diminished in breadth throughout the middle states, but is enlarged in the southern, and again diminishes towards its apparent extremity near the Tombigbee River, where commences the alluvial soil: after crossing the Hudson River, its north-western boundary, it passes ten or fifteen miles eastward from Easton on the Delaware, a few miles eastward of Reading on the Schuylkill, and of Mid- dleton on the Susquehannah, where it joins the Blue Ridge, along which it continues to Magothy Gap, and thence in a vsouth- westerly direction to its extremity. It varies in breadth from 20 to 150 miles, and includes within it a range of transi- tion and secondary rocks from 15 to 25 miles in breadth, and about 300 miles in length, thoijgh with some interruptions. The former extend from Rhode Island to Boston : they again appear to the south-west side of the Delaware j and traversing Lancas- ter, &c. stretch to the upper branches of the great Pedee River in North Carolina; forming a deposit of great length, vaiying in breadth from two to fifteen miles. The secondary rocks extend on the western side oi Connecticut River from Newhaven to Northampton, again appear south-west of the Hudson, cross the Delaware, where their breadth is diminished; pass a few miles west of York in Pennsylvania, and crossing the transition UNITED STATES, SOIL, 3H a Tocks near Fredericktown in Maryland, they terminate a little south-west of the Kappahanock River. A bed of coal, twenty miles in length, and ten in breadth, superposed on the primitive rock, commences twelve miles from Richmond. This substance is mixed with whitish sand-stoue, and argillaceous sehistus, and exhibits vegetable impressions. The transition rocks are compo- sed of fitie grained limestone of various hues, mixed with silex, white grained jjiarble, calcareous spar, cubical pyrites, galena, &c. The secondary rocks are composed of sandstone, limestone, agglomerated flints, and wncke, which generally covers the sand- stone on the heights. The strata of the primitive region, which contains a great variety of minerals and metals, incline to the sout!i-east at a greater angle than 45 degrees, and are some- times almost vertical. The grit, or sandstone region, comprises nil the mountainous country of the Blue Ridge, Alleghany, and I^aurel Hill, the sources of the great Kanhaway, and the knot or bow of the Alleghany to Georgia. It does not appear in the state of Tennessee, and the Cumberland mountains. Towards the north and north-east, it \s bounded by the sources of the Susquehannah and the Genessee ; and the right bank of the Mo- hawk and the Hudson, where commence the slaty schist and blue marble, which appear to form tbe beds of the lakes Genes- see, Ontario, and Erie. It was traced by Mr. Guillatnard, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, by the way of Sunbury, as far as the western side of the Alleghany chain, except in some vallies of a calcareous structure ; by M. Volney, across tan or twelve ridges in Virginia, from Charlottesville to the river Gauley, except in the vallies^of Staunton and Green Briar, which are also calcare- ous. In some places it is blended with grey and white quartz. It sometimes appears in the granitic and calcareous region, and .d most extensive in Massachussetts, in the county or Worcester; between Green Briar and Gauley rivers, and from above the sources of tlie Potomac to those of the Yohogany, iii the track known by the name of the Green Glades, where there is a most brilliant verdure. The transition rneks form a long and narrow zone, from 20 to 40 miles in breadth, which extends from bcvond the Green Mountains, in the state of New York, the north-eastern side of the Hudson, to the south-western borders of the Tombigbee. The strata generally dip to the north-west^ and, in many places, 19. 3 I 434 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. the inclination is less than forty-five degrees. Among these rocks are found limestone of various colors, breccias, siliceous^ and calcareous rocks, greywacke, siliceous slate, amygdaloid, &c. The Calcareous, or Limestone Region, includes all the west- ern or back country, extending between the Apalachian moun- tains and the great lakes of Canada, in one direction, and from the Hudson to the Mississippi, in another, descending as low as Natchez. It forms the beds of all the rivers of Kentucky, from the Kanhaway to the rapids of the Ohio. The limestone, dispo- sed in horizontal layers from one to several inches in thickness, is of a close texture, and generally, of a grey color. Sometimes the layers undulate with the inequalities of the land. In this region, which occupies a surface of from 200 to 500 miles in width, coal abounds from the sources' of the Ohio to those of the Tombighee ; also gypsum and sal gem. The only metals which it contains are pyrites and argillaceous iron. Without the track of limestone above described, veins of the same mineral exist in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York, along the extern side of the Blue Ridge. In Ulster county, the hills above Kingston consist of limestone, in regular forms of crystalizatiou It is remarked, that the strata on the eastern side are more irregular, generally of a deep blue color, interspersed with veins of white quartz. At Stockbridge, Staunton, Fredericktown, York, and Lancaster, and as far as Nazareth, the inclination is commonly from forty to fifty degrees. The cataract of Niagara is formed of a limestone rock, which extends into the Genessee county. This great stratum of limestone is covered with black mould, which, on the slopes and heights, is but a few inches in depth, but in the vales and bottoms increases, in some places, to four- teen or fifteen feet. Region of Sea Sand. — This fourth region comprises all the maritime plains, from Sandy Hook, opposite Long Island, to Florida, between the granitic ridge and the ocean, running from south-west to north- oast, and elevated about 130 feet above tide- water, of which it forms the limits, occupying a breadth of from 30 to 100 miles. It strikes the Delaware at Trenton; the Schuylkill six miles above Philadelphia; the Susquehannah above the mouth of Octoraro ; Gunpowder Creek above Jappa ; the Patapsa above Elkridge ; the Potomac above Georgetown ; the Raj)pahanock above Frederickburgh ; the Pamunky below its UNITED STATES, SOIL, &C. 435 two branches, fifty miles above Hanover ; James Ri^er at Rich- mond ; the Apamatox above Petersburg!) ; and the Roanoke alx've HaUfax. Throughout all this extent the sand is about tvv( nty feet in depth, and of a black color ; it resembles that of the atijacent sea, erccot at the mouths and on the borders of rivers, where, in u>3>'.y places, there is a rich stratum of clay and vegetable soil deposited by the waters in their descent froro the mountains. Pownall observes, " that this reef, whi'li (ornis a regular curve, was the ancient maritime boundary oi America ; and that the land between this and the sea may be denominated the lower plainSj which, when not penetrated by rivers, are a white sea sand, about twenty feet deep, and perfectly barren ; but the borders of rivers are rendexed fertile by the soil washed down by the floods." The Mluvial Soil extends, in an undulating surface, from the granitic ridge to the foot of the mountains, including the whole coast, from 10 to 200 miles in breadth. Its line of boundary, on the north-west, passes near Amboy, Trenton, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Frederickburgh, Richmond, a little west of Halifax, and Fayctteville, in North Carolina, and of Camden in South Carolina ; near Columbia, Augusta on the Savannah, and thence taking a westerly direction, crosses the Ogeehee, Oakmulgee, Alibama, and Tombigbee rivers, and passes to Natchez on the Mississippi. From the Hudson to the Missis- sippi river, this track gradually enlarges towards the latter, ex- tending up both its banks as high as the confluence of the Illi- nois, nearly on an equal level, and rising insensibly towards the Alleghany. From the foot of the mountains to the sea, there is a gradual descent of above 1800 feet: a similar inclination is observable from the valley of Natchez to the Bay of .Mexico, down which immense masses of earthy matter and trees are an- nually borne by numerous rivers of great dimensions, which sometimes swell to the height of twenty or thirty feet above the ordinary level. Proceeding from Georgia to New Vork, the ele- vation of this soil above t!ie level of the sea gradually diminishes. It is formed of horicontal layers of black vegetable mould, peat, gravel, sand, clay. On the more elevated parts are found pudding stone of a round form ; in the lower parts bog- iron and tufa. It contains marine shells and animal remains, of which there are immense beds in the Carolina^ and Georgia, twenty or thirty 1 '■ I 436 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. miles from the borders of the sea, and at the depth of eighteen or twenty feet. In Maryland, a ridge of sandstone runs in a parallel direction to the primitive ridge, and at the distance of fifteen miles south. The banks of the Mississippi, to the dis- tance of more than 80() miles from the sea, arc formed of trunks of trees cemented by mud, which have gradually risen from twelve to sixteen feet above the adjacent land. The valley of Natchez, which is thirty miles wide, has been formed by the deposits of the Mississippi. This soil, at the town of Natchez, is a hundred feet above the level of the sea. " On the shores of York river," says the author of the British Spy, " the bones of whales abound, and in washing the sand beach of that river, du- ring the recess of the tide, and looking up at the high cliff or bank above, we find strat'a of sea shells in perfect preservation, of the same kind as those which lie on the beach under the feet, interposed with strata of earth, (the joint result, no doubt, of sand and putrid vegetables,) exhibiting at once a sample of the manner in which the adjacent soil bad been formed, and proof of the comparatively recent subsidence of the waters," In the district of Columbia, near the capital, mineralized wood, and trunks in a natural state, have been dug up from the depth of forty- five :r fifty feet. In cutting the Santee canal, in South Carolina, several teeth of the shark were found, one of which is four inches long, and its base three and three quarters. On the banks of the Meherim River, in North Carolina, the skele- ton of a shark, forty feet in length, has been lately discovered ; one of the vertebra weighs twelve pounds and a half, a tooth sixteen ounces. The great rise of James River, in September 1816, when its waters covered the wharfs six or seven feet in depth, s^ave rise to the following calculation : allowing the river here (Richmond) to be 2000 feet in width, and the water, on an average, to be six feet deep, the waters moving at the rate of ten feet a second, (a calculation within the bounds of reality,) then 7,200,000 cubic feet, or 200,000 tons pass every minute. The water is very yellow, probably a twenty- fifth part is earth ; supposing this, when deposited, to weigh double the same bulk of water, there would be 663,000 square feet ; now, by extract- ing the cube root, we have the cubic bulk, which is only eighty- six feet, which would cover a square mile about one- third of a square inch. This deposition, though slow in its progress, will UNtTED STATES, SOIL, &C. 437 yet, in process of time, make great encroachments on the At- lantic. Mr. Melish, estimating the Mississippi at two miles in breadth, twenty feet in depth, and its mean velocity four miles an hour, found the discharge of water to be 94,000,000 of gal- lons per second. But Mr. Bradbury, who has since considered this subject, remarks that, according to these data, the quantity is only 1 8,537,325 gallons, and that this estimate was made on the dimensions of this river near its mouth, without considering the water which escapes by the different bayous. That the depth is also greater than forty feet ; for in no place, from Orleans tojts mouth, is it less than thirteen fathoms, or seventy- eight feet; and that the mean state of the river, when it maintains its full mag- nitude, from below Red River to the Bayon Chiffalie, a distance of three miles, is perhaps about 60,000,000 gallons per second, (p. 239.) In the southern states the rivers often change their beds, and the land, in many parts, has, within a short period of time, encroached upon the ocean. On the coast of North Carolina, at Cape Lookout, there was a harbour, which in 1771, was ca- pable of receiving a hundred sail, and now the whole is solid ground. Dr. Mitchell remarks, that from the Bay of New York' to the Gulf of Mexico is a low, flat, sandy beach ; the soil, for a great distance from it, sandy and barren, in which nothing is to be found, either on the surface or in the bowels of the earth, but beds of sea-shells instead of stones, metals, and other mi- nerals. Lakes that have disappeared. — Mr Volney is of opinion, that the chain of Blue Mountains was once entire, and the great val- ley to the west a lake or internal sea, which became dry by openings that gradually deepened, and afforded passage to the great rivers. He remarks, that this operation would not be dif- ficult, as this ridge is not entire, but composed of separate blocks of various dimensions, the interstices of which are filled with earth. In proportion as these openings were made the waters sunk, forming small lakes, by the heights or ridges which rose above the level of the bottom of the primitive gaps, and at last became dry by the deepening of the beds of the rivers. The waters of the Hudson were shut up by the transverse ridge called the Highlands, and raised thereby to a considerable height, and probably connected with lakes George and Champlain. The formation of the Cohoez took place after the disruption at West 438 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Point. The Ohio, dammed up by a ridge at Silver Creek, or by some other eminence, would form a lake of vast extent, for the land lying between the Ohio and the great lakes is so level, that a mound 200 feet in height, placed at the above creek, would not only spread the waters towards Lake Erie, but extend them from the rampa t of the Alleghany to the north of Lake Superior. The beds of coal, in the vale of the Ohio, were, most probably, formed by the trees de|)osited by the rivers flow- ing from the Alleghany and Laurel ridges. An examination of some of the fossil shells of this country led Lamark to the same opinion, that it must have been once covered with water. Of this the salines afford another proof, the richest of which contains one- eighteenth of the whole weight in salt, while the northern seas contain but one-thirty- second, and those within the tropics one- twelfth part. Dr. Brown, in his essay on the medical topogra- phy of the country watered by the Mohawk, is of opinion, that the tract west of the little falls, from five to fifteen or twenty miles on each side of the river, has been once a lake. The ap- pearance of the hills, of the limestone, shells, and loose stones, confirm his opinion j and, nearly a mile below the present falls, the rock in several places, is excavated in large, circular, and smooth cavities, from twenty to forty feet above the highest water. Eartuqiiakes. — On the Maritime coast earthquakes have been numerous since the arrival of the first English colonists, in 1628. The first is thus described in the history of the earliest establish- ments, entitled. Wonder-working Providence, (page 131.) This year, (1638,) the first day of the fourth month, about two o'clock in the afternoon, the Lord caused a great and terrible earthquake, which was general throughout all the English plan- tations. The motion of the earth was such, that it caused divers men, (that had never known an earthquake before,) being at work in the fields, to cast down their woiking tools, and run, with ghastly terrified looks, to ihe next company they could meet withal. It came from the western and uninhabited part of this wilderness, and went the direct course. In the course of 150 years from that period, mention is made of forty-five ; and Mr. Volney remarks, that the line of this subterraneous fire runs north-west and south-west, affecting very much the direction of the sea and Lake Ontario, the bed of which lake he supposes to Mif UNITED STATES, SOIL, &C. 4/39 be the crater of an extinguished volcano. This opinion is strengthened by its circular form ; by its fathomless depth, even near the shores, and by volcanic i^ubstanccs found therein. lu 1812, New Madrid, on the Mississippi river, was nearly destroy- ed by an earthquake. Of the extent and quality of the land susceptible of cnltiva- lion. — According to the calculations of Ilutchins, the boundary of the United States, as defined by the peace of 1783, circum- scribed a surface of about 1,000,000 of English square miles, or 640,000,000 acres, 51,000,000 of which are covered wifl. the water of lakes, rivers, and bays, as exhibited in the following table made by con)putation, and not by actual survey: Lake Superior, - - Lake of the Woods, - Rain Lake, - - - - - Red Lake, . - _ - Lake Michigan, - - - _ Jiay Puan, - - - - Lake Huron, _ - _ . Lake iiit. Clair, - _ - Lake Erie, (western part of,) - Sundry small lakes and rivers, Lake Ontario, - - « _ Lake Champlain, - - . Chesnpeak Bay, - - Albemarle Bay, Delaware Bay, _ - - - All the rivers within the thirteen states^ 21,952,780 acres. 1,13.3,800 165,200 551,000 10,368,000 1,216,000 5,009,920 89,500 2,662,800 301,000 2,390,000 500,000 1,700,000 330,000 630,000 2,000,000 51,000,000 acres. The name of western country, now extending to Louisiana, includes the state of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alibama territory, and state of Mississippi, to the south of the Ohio river ', on the north, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and the north-west territory, all situated on the east of the Mississippi, and on the north and west of the Ohio, The state of Louisiana and the Missouri territory, of great extent, lie on the western side of the Mississippi. This region, extending from the Alleghany moun- tains on the cast, and from the f Julf of Mexico on the south, to 440 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. the great lakes on the north, and on the west to the high .chain called Rocky, or Sitowy Mountains, contains nearly a thousand millions of acres. This immense surface is intersected by in- numerable rivers and streams, some of which far surpass the greatest of Europe, and afford an internal navigation for ships and boats of more than fifty thousand miles. In spring, during the lise of the waters, those of Lake Michigan form a commu- nication with the Illinois river, and aflforil an uninterrupted pas- sage for boats by this channel to the falls of the Missouri river. No plan has yet been adopted by the general or state govern- ment, for ascertaining the proportions of soil capable of cultiva- tion, through the mode of Bxing the value of lands by assessors, for the purpose of levying the direct tax, will, in a short time, afford materials for this calculation. From the Atlantic to the bottom of the great chain of mountains, the country is generally cultivated and settled, though there are many tracts of sandy or meagre soil which do not admit of a. thick population. The mountains themselves are, in general, too steep and rugged for agricultural purposes, except in some parts of Virginia, where they terminate in an almost even surface of considerable extent. The vallies formed by the great ridges are generally fertile ; and the immense country to the west of the Apalachian, or endless chain, forming an elevated plain extending to the great lakes^ is ~ supposed to contain a greater proportion of arable surface than any country of Europe, covered with fine forests, here and there intersected by natuid meadows of remarkable fertility. The climate is so mild that the labors of the plough arc seldom in- terrupted by the frost. There are few steep hills, rocks or stones. The deep vegetable mould reposes on a bed of lime- stone. The country is every where intersected by rivers anxcc|yt those tracts known by the name of Prairies, or natural meadows, which are remarkable for their groat fertility. In general, the soil from the Nevcsink \\\\h in .lersey, to the extremity of Geor- gia, betwecji the lower falls and the sea, 40 or 50 miles in breadth, consists of sand, except along the borders of rivers, which are rendered extremely fertile by the foil washed down by the floods. From this ridge to that chain of hills called the South Mountain, a distance of from 50 to 70 miles, which may be denominated the Upland^ there are stripes of different kinds of soil, and subsoil^ for some scores of miles in lengthy and in 19. 3 K 442 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. tome places overlaid with little ridges and chains of hills. The declivity of the whole ^ives great rapidity to the streams, and the violent gusts of rain have washed it all into gullies, and car- ried down the soil to enrich the borders of the rivers in the hirer plains. These inequalities render half the country tmw easily capahls of culture, and impoverish it when turned with the plough, by the constant washing away of the richer mould that covers the surface. Between the South Mountain and the high- er chain of the Kiullc.ts mountains, there is a valley of pretty even good land, eight, ten, or twenty miles wide, which is tlic most considerable tjuantity of valuable land on the easVMti "^ide, and runs through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The soil of New England is most fertile in the southern and south-eastern parts, eonsisting of a black mould on a red Iokhi, or clay. Some tracts are stony, some sandy, and others clayey. The low landh afford fine meadows and j)astuve ; and there is a great diversity of soil, alm<»st the whole of which, in Connecti- cut, Massachussetts, and Rhode Island, has been cleared, ex- cept spots reserved for fiiel, and the sides and summits of the mountains. The soil of New York in general exceeds that of Maryland : on the coast it is sandy ; but at some distance from the sea it swells into fine hills, many of which have a rich deep soil. IJetwcen these there are fine vallies, with a rich black mould, red loam, or friable clays; all covered in the natural state, with fine f(»rest trees. The Hudson River passes through a fine, dry and low country, and its banks, now covered with plantations and farms, exhibit a wonderful variety of situations and scenery. Vast tracts in the western parts are yet unsettlcTl, The lands along the Mohawk River are excellent, as arc also those in the Genessee country, where large tracts, without woods, are so covered with grass as to concea! an ox from the sight at the distance of thirty feet from the path. ItJ Jersey the soil in general is sandy or marshy, and inferior to that of New York. On the Rariton and other streams the soil is richer ; the country variegated, and almost entirely cultivated. In Pennsylvania there is every kind of soil. The soil in the maritinie parts ge- nerally consists of a light sandy loam : in the back parts there are immense tracts of a rich loam, or black mould. The mea- dows along the Delaware and Schuylkill are covered with a lux- The and car- hircr 1 asily ) the that rttty this Hide, and rxiTrn statks, soil, kc. 443 uiiant herbage, in Maryhind and Virginia, the surface along the seacoast, for above ItM) miles, is low, flat, ami sandy, spread with inarshea and ^\van^|)s, except along the banks of the rivers, where there is a tine black nmuld of more than a foot deep. Iii the next 100 inil(!<^, and at the distance of from 100 to I.IO miles from the coast, the country rises with an uncipial surface, to meet the range of Alleghany mountains; and presents a beau- tiful appearance, spreail with fme forests, and intersected with navigal)le rivers. It is also very fertile throughout all the back parts. The summits of the mountains in Virginia, between Green IJriar and (lauley Rivers, elevated 2400 feet above the sea; and all the high country, known by t' • name of the (jieeu (UiHh's, extending from the heads of the I'otomac to those of Voghogheny, are covered with fine woods and herbage. But the Gauley Kidge, and Laurel Hill are dry and stony, with not more than one tenth part capablp of cultivation. The states of Ohio and Kentucky are the most fruitful in North America. The lands have u greater depth and fertility. Natural meadows of great extent furnish fine pasture. The cli- mate is f ivoraBle to the culture of the vine, the mulberry tree, and silk worm. In many parts of Kentucky, the soil is so fertile as to be too rich for wheat. On the tributary streams of the Ohio, there are large natural meadriws from 20 to 50 miles in circuit, of which the soil is extremely rich; and there is but a small proportion of waste land, for most of the hills admit of cultivation to the very summit. The soil in the maritime parts of North Carolina is flat ai>d sandy, except along the holders of the rivers, and swampy places, which are very unhealthy. In the back parts the soil is a rich black mould, and very fertile. In South Carolina, the maritime parts, to the distaiice of a hun- dred miles from the coast, con^'ist of a white dry sand, covered with pines, intersected by narrow stripes of a black rich sand, which run between the swamps and the pine barrens, and be- tween the latter and the creeks or rivers. The first poor soil oc- cupies nearly four- fifths of the surface. The sand hills, whicli extend from twenty to forty mil69 in breadth, from Savannah lliver to the upper part of Pedee River, and thence into North Carolina, are in general unproductive : but the hilly country, ex- tending to the Apalachian Mountains, is covered with pine trees, VT spreading into extensive meadows, with a dry, rich, and deep I 444 HISTORY OF NOIlTir AMERICA. soil. The climate is also mild, healthy and agreeable. The soH of Tab!'' Moimtain, the most elevated in this sia?' Nituuted about four or five miles from the northern boundary, is ' iie-ibed to be peculiarly good, and abundantly covered with the Papaw and other shrubs, and with a profusion of excellent grass. The soil of the other mountains is mure sterile and stony : but fine rivulets spring almost from their summits, which nre bordered with beautiful shrubs. The soif of (leorgia, in the maritime and inland parts, resembles that of Southi Carolina. The flat country extends to the distance of about 200 miles from the sea, and thence to the Apalachian N^untains; 100 more, there is a high dry surface with waving hills, equal, if not exceeding in fertility, the back parts of South Carolina. The soil of Teimes- sec is in general fertile on the Mississippi and Cumberland rivers ; it consists of light black earth with a mixture of sand. The whole country of Louisiana, from the sea to the mouth of Red River, 350 miles in length and 90 in breadth^ is intersected by lakes and morasses, except along the water courses, and a small ridge below Coupee. All Lower Louisiana has been evi- dently formed from the sea. The basis of the soil is a fine white sand, and trees and marine shells, buried at the depth of twenty feet, are found at the distance of 100 leagues from, the gulf. The state of Mississippi, in the maritime parts, resembles the southern countries, consisting of sandy tracts covered with white pine, swam^is, and marshes, except along the banks of the rivers, which are extremely fertile. The new state of Indiana and the Illinois territory rank among the most fruitful and most agreeable in the United States^ abounding inhigh, dry^ and hill^ tracts. HISTORY or NORTH AMERICA. — «'eC>;»^|©e*«— STATISTICAL VIEW of the UNITED STATES. SECTION V. MASSACHUSSETTS. Situation.— Between 41° 1.3', and 42"^ 52' north latitude and 3** 20', and 6» 55' east longitude from Washington. Extent. — It extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the east, to the state of New York on the west, and its length, computed by the northern boundary, >vhich separates it from Vermont and New Hampshire, is 130 miles; by the southern boundary, which separates it from Connecticut and Rhode Island, 190. Its gene- ral breadth is about 50 miles ; its greatest breadth 100 ; and near Cape Cod it contracts to about 15 miles. Area. — 6250 square miles. Moimtav . — Different ridges of mountains intersect the west- cm parts, .me of which, named Hoosack mountain, has an ele- vation of 3500 feet above the level of the ocean ; and Saddle mountain, the highest point of land in the state, rises to 4000 feet. Between these ridges the country is hilly, and, in many parts, incapable of cultivation. The western side of mount Holyoke, three miles from Northampton, is composed of basaltic columns, resembling those of the Giants' Causeway in Ireland, extending to the distance of ten qr twelve rods, and rbing to the t^i (■ ■ I 446 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. height of from sixty to a hundred feet. The diameter of the j)risms, which are truly hexafjoiial, is from two to five feet. Soil. — The predoiniimtiiJg soil of the hills and mountains is a brown loam, mixed with sand, gravel and clay. That of thu plains covered v\ith white pine is a light loam ; and in those co- vered with yellow pine, it consists of sand and gravel. The val- leys which have a rich soil are the only tracts free from loose stones und gravel. In general, the soil of the south-eastern counties is ligh*: and sandy, and not so favorable to the purposes of agriculture as the northern, middle, and western parts. The valley of the Connecticut river, from two to twenty miles in breadth, is exceedingly fertile. Temperature. — The climate of Massachussetts is much warmer in summer and colder in winter than in the same parallel of Ya\- rope; and the changes of temperature are more rapid. At Salem the difference during the year, is nearly US'* of Fahrenheit; while at Rome it is hut 84"^, at Marseilles (J9*», and at Padua 88'^. The mean monthly variation is about fiO" in January, and 34" in July. The daily variation in winter is about S"; in sum- mer 12'* or 13". The mean temperature, or that of deep wells or caverns, has been ascertained to be nearly 49". The winter commences about the middle of December, and terminates about the middle of March. During this period the ground is covered with snow, which, in the mountainous parts, is from three to four feet in depth. The thermometer (Fahren.) ranges generally between 4.J'' and 10, and the mercury has someiimrs fallen to 20" below zero. On the I2th of Febrnary, 1817, in some places, it sunk, even to 30", at sun-rise. The ice of the rivers is sufficiently strong to bear loaded waggons ; and some- times the sea is frozen to a considerable distance from the coast. In 1807 the ice that floated down the Deerfield river was two feet nine inches in thickness, and the level ground, near the vil- lage of the same name, was frozen to the depth of three feet. This great degree of cold was owing to the prevalence of the north-west winds, which pass over an extensive uncultivated and frozen country. The spring season is of short duration, termi- nating before the close of May ; but during this period the pro- gress of vegetation is uncommonly rapid. The heat of ^mmer is often so great, that the mercury, for more than a month, at the commencement of the solstice, remains above 77**; some- r of the cet. tains is a It of the hose co- riic val- Din loose i-easteru purposes ts. The miles in ) warmer :1 of Eu- Vt Saleiu renheit ; t Padua ary, and in suin- bcp wells e winter nninntes ffound is is from ) ranges meiimrs US17, in e of the d somo- le coast, was two the vil- ree feet. i of the ited and , termi- the pro- ^mmer mth, at ; some> STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 447 ttmes it rises to 86* and 90", and in the year 1811 was observ- ed, at Cambridge, at the height of l()l{». The temperature, both in summer and winter, and particularly near the sea coast, is liable to great changes. In the months of January and Fe- bruary it sometimes varies from 14** to 28", in the course of twenty-four hours. Similar changes take place in summer. At noon the mercury is sometimes at DO" ; the ensuing night it falls to (iO^. From the 1st of June to the 1st of October the weather, in common seasons, is sufficiently warm to render fires unneces- sary. The autumn affords six weeks of a delightful temperature, and closes freciuently with a period of two or three weeks of .south-west winds, which has been called the Indian summer. Minerals. — There are iron ores in different parts of the state; particularly in the counties of Plymouth, Bristol, and Berkshire. In the former hoi:^ ore forms the bed of several ponds. Copper ore is found at Leverett, in the county of Hampshire, and at Attloborough, in Bristol. (inlena, or lead ore, is found at Sontliampton, in the county of Hampshire, and is wrought by a compaiiv, associated at Boston for that purpose. The vein is Iroin six to eight feet in diameter, and extends from Montgome- ry to Ilatticld, a distance of twenty miles. The produce of lead is from .")0 to GO per cent. Black lead has been discovered at Brimfield in Hampshire; snlplmrct of antimony near South Had- Icy; and harfites (sulphate) at Hatheld and Northampton. Mar- ble of various colors, and rather coarse texture, has been found in Berkshire county, in Lanesborough, Sheffield, Dalton, and Pittsfield. At the last mentioned place a species of elastic mar- ble has beeii lately discovered, a sj)ecimcn of which, presented to the New York Philosophical Society, was four feet in length, three inches in breadth, and one in thickness. Another, after- wards j)rocured by Dr. Mitchell, was twenty- two inches in breadth, live feet in length, and two inches in thickness, con- taining a mass of 2010 cubic inches. The color is of a snowy whiteness, and so great is its elasticity, that, when, supported at the two extremities, it bends down by its own weight, and forms a segment of a circle, the depth of which is two inches. Expo- sed to heat, it loses its flexibility, which it recovers when plun- }:,ed in water, according to the report of Dr. Mead, by whom this property was first discovered. Sla! . — There is a tjuarry in Bernardstown, in Franklin coun- 4 448 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ty, which is chiefly employed for tombstones. Soapstone, or stC' atite, exists in Middlefield, in the county of Hampshire, twenty- one miles west of Connecticut river, and is found in regular strata of five feet in depth. When taken from the quarry, it may be sawn with as much facility as hard timber. It is em- ployed for building houses 3 and also for chimneys and stoves, being found to resist a common fire heat for many years. Limestone abounds in the county of Berkshire, and is manu- factured into Hme for building and manure. Sand, of a white color, is found i:iTobus^ L. hi^ra, Midi Hanadmsi'i, L. Platamis occidentalis, L. Nyssa villosa, Mich. ANIMAL KINGDOM. Quadrupeds. -^The panther, wild cat, wolves, and bear , have retreated to the mountains, and seldom appear in the low coun- try. In 1814, a male und female wolf visited Springtlei !, and 19. 3 L 450 HISTORY OF NORTH AMEUICA. some neighbouring towns, Where they destroyed a hundred and fifty sheep; but no circumstance of this kind had before occurred during half a century. The wood-chuck burrows in the gtound, and destroys the crops. The grey, striped, and flying squirrcb are numerous. Fishes. — The bays and rivers abound with salmon, mackerel, and other kinds of excerent fish. Tlie salmon are doily becom- ing more rare, and have disa])peared in s^me rivers, o\vn?g to the erection of dams and milla. The shell- fish on the coast are the lobster, (Cancer hamarus, L.,) scollop, (Osfrea pcctinrs^ and the clam, (Tenus mercenur'm.) There is a species of shell- fish known by the name of horse shoe, or king's crab, which is sometimes a foht in breadth. The whale fishery occupies most of the inhabitants of Nan- tucket. In 1^11, the number of sailors amounted to 1200. and and there were established on the island from I.") to 20 manu- factories of oil and candles. The whales, of which great numbers vere formerly taken in the bay, ha\ e become rare ; but a species of this genus, called the black ^fish, weighing about nine tons, arrives there in shoals, and yielding an oil resembling that of the whale. By means of boats they are driven on the flats, where, left by the tide, they fall an easy prey to their pursuers. Cod and haddock, pollock, mackerel, and herring, frequent the inner coast of the bay. The two first arc taken with the hook ; the others wiih the seine. Cod, halibut, sturgeon, shad, herring, bass, eels, and other fishes, swarm around Nantucket islands. Insects. — Among the insects injurious to agricultural produc- tions, is a species of grasshopper, known by th^ name of locust, which in May 1817, overran some counties, destroying every kind of herbage. It was of the size of a grain of rye, it had a black head, was from | to |.of an inch in length, and was supposed to be the migratory locust of Linnaeus, (GryUus.J r rOFULATION. In )7SI, 1742, 1753, 17G3, 1784, Prafrress o,f I'npulatiov. IJO.OOO Includiog blacks. 164,000 2yo,ooo 241,0^4 ^d7,diU 5-^14 4.'»7r STATISTICAL VIEW OV THE UNITED STATES. 451 ed an J -currcd round, luirrcLv seme. 1790, by the census 378,787 5463 ISOO, - AtiM^y 64W 1810, - 472,040 G737 This table gives an increase, in these last ten years, of 49,193 only, or 11/^ per cent, nearly. The sniallness of this increase is attributed to the emigration to the state of New York, and the western country, which is greater from this than from any other state. Massachussetts, in 1810, was the fourth state in point of population; in 1790, it was the second. Free white males under 10 years of age, in 1810, Females, - . . . . Males of 10, and under 10, Females, » . . . . Males of 16, and under 2G, Females, ---... Males of 26, and under 45, Females, - - - . . Males of 45 and upwards, Females, ..... Males, » Females Excess of Females, The number of slaves was. 68,930 66,881 34,90+ 3S,19l 45,018 40,366 45,894 49,229 34,976 :J9,894 2-29,742 239,561 9,819 6,737 Diseases. — Notwithstanding the great extremes of heat and cold, and the sudden changes of temperature, the climate is not unfavorable to health and longevity. The inhabitants are of a good stature, and have a healthy complexion. The farniers lead an industrious aitd frugal life, though, of late, the use of spiritu- ous liquors has increased, to rhe great injury of health. The con?' ' p*^ion of cider, molass^e ., and spruce beer, is still, how- ever, greater in this than in any other slate. The dress and manner of living, in all classes of society, resemble those of the corresponding classes in England. Tliat of females, in winter, is too light for the climate ; and is probably the great eause of the increase of consumption. Small pox and dysentery are said to have decreased ; and yellow fiever has not aj)peared for twenty years past. A part of the state, by its natural position, is free frcthi this afflicting disease, which has never existed above the 43" of latitude. Diseases are much more frequent than formerly. The following is a copy of the bill of mortality, in Boston, for the year 1814, when the population was 34,000, 452 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Deathi, ..... 7ST Age UDder 1 year ... 101 I to <2 78 2 to 5 33 5 to 10 S8 10 to «0 35' SO to SO 114 30 to 40 - - - - . 87 40 to 50 56 50 to 60 SS 60 to 70 25 70 to 80 27 80 to 90 - . - - -21 90 to 100 1 72T Of this number 399 weremales and 328 females. The greatest number of deaths was in Octobc; amounting to 100 ; the least, in June, 40. The diseases, and the number of persons who died of each, were as follows: consumption 193, typhus fever 77;, other fevers 44, infantile diseases 208, old age 39, still born 32, Habhs and Character. — T'he growth of population and inter- course with other people have effaced much of that severity of character which long distinguished the people of New England. The nubile state of the female sex is from sixteen to twenty years. That of men from eighteen to twenty- five; and the mar- riage vows are religiously observed. The amusements of winter are balls and sleighing. Those of summer are fishing, walking in the evening, or riding on horseback. Tea parties are held at an early hour, and, like the Italian conversazioni, are extremely social and interesting. In the upper circles they are of late years more fashionable, and seldom commence before eight or nine o'clock. The people of this state are strict in their attention to reli- gious worship, whicli is considered as an affair of conscience, with which no authovjiy has a right to interfere. How different was the character of tha first colonistii, who expelled from the province all those who refiised to adhere to the tenets of the ec- clesiastical court. Anabaptists, Jesuits, and Quakers, in 1644, were banished as 'Mncendiaries of the commonweaUh, the in- fectors of persons in main matters of religion, and the troublers of churches, in all places where they have been.'* " Every per- 9 V STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATE*. 45J son who imported, dispersed, or concealed Quakers* books, or writing's concerning their devilish opinions, forfeited jf 5 of law- ful money, for open contempt of God's word. The offender was obliged to pay this sum to tlie public treasury, or to stand two hours, upon a block, or stool, four feet high, on a lecture day, with a paper fixed to his breast, written in t:apital letters, " An open and obstinate contemner oj God's holy ordinances /" No- body is forced to go to church ; but §;reater respect is paid to those who do. The English is the only language in use. Eminent Persons. — Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, General Knox, General Lincoln, and Fisher Ames, all natives of this state, have added to its celebrity by their superior talents and patriotic virtues. Mr., Dickinson, in his View of this state^ observes, " that from the almost equal division of the two political parties, the asperi- ties of language and disposition attending political conflicts, have existed in a high degree, and been represented by strangers as having extensively undermined the confidence of society, and kid waste most cf the blessings of private life ; but this repre- sentation,'* he observes, " must be understood with great limita- tions, as, notwithstanding, personal merit is duly estimated; and among those of opposite sentiments theie are intermarriages, and a free interchange of relative duties." Capital crimes are rare ; and it is stated by Dr. Morse, that, **in 1812, the number of prisoners in the states' prison or peni- tentiary did not an)«)unt to TjO. In a Massachussetts prison |§ of those it contams are said to be foreigners." In 1786 the new plan of taxation furnished a pretext for in- surrection, which was chiefly confined to the western counties, particularly that of Hampshire. The leader was Daniel Strays, who, the ensuing year, surrendered to General Shepherd, the commander of the militia employed to suppress the revolt. Constitution. — In the year 1684 the first charter of Massa- chussetts Bay was granted by King James the Second, by which the people, iii viitiie of a judgment in chancery, were empowered to elect all their own officers, except those of the admiralty and customs. In the third year of King William and Queen Mary, another was obtained, which reserved to the crown the appoint- ment of the governos, lieutenant-governor, secretary, the officers of the admiralty and custom**. The governor, with the consent I! ' t t 454 HISTORY OF NORTJI AMERICA. of the council, appointed the judges and other officers of tlie courts of justice, and of the council ; others were appointed by the council and assembly. The upper house of legislature, or house of representatives, elected by the freeholders, chose the speaker and council. The general court consisted of the gover- nor, council, and the house of representatives ; and was a legis- lative court, a court of equity and appeals. The republican form of goverimjent was published, and had the force of law in the year 17^0, (2d March.) The legislative power consists of a Senate and House of Representatives, which united form the General Assembly, or General Courl of Massa- chussetts. Senators. '^The senators, forty in number, are efectcd annu- ally in districts, by the male inhabitants of twenty-one years of age and upwards, living and having a freehold estate within the commonwealth, of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate to the value of sixty pounds. No person can be elected a senator who is not possessed of a freehold estate to the value of three hundred pounds, or of personal and freehold property worth twice this amount. liepreaentatives. — The representatives are also elected annu- ally by voters, who have the same qualification as for senators, and by corporate towns in proportion to the number of inhabit- ants. A representative must have resided one year in the town he represents, and there possess a freehold of a hundred pounds, or two hundred of any rateable estate. When a town is found to contain 150 rateable polls, it is entitled to one representative j when the number increases to 375, it has a right to twoj and to an additional member for every 225 additional polls. The Executive power is vested in a governor, lietenant gover- nor, and nine councillors. The two first officers are chosen an- nually, on the first Monday of April, by persons qualified to vote for senators and representatives. The councillors are also chosen annually, by the joint ballot of the two houses, from among the persons returned as councillors and senators ; and the place of those who refuse to serve is supplied from the mass of the peo- ple. The supreme ciocutive magistrate, or governor, who has the title of excellency f must have a freehold property in the state of a thousand pounds, and declare his sincere belief of the Chris » fiTATlSTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 455 iaii religion , he must also have re8ine years and • in the towr^ ihabitaots of cienti^c and organization f both sexes etic. Every a school of two hundred \ another for English lan- 1 is punished neglect and currency for d and fifty riots are de* tennined by town meetings ; and tlic assessment and collection of tuxes, for the support of such schools, is provided for by a law of the 28th February 1800. Hel'i'^Um. — The public ordinances of religion arc generally well attended to ; though it is stated by Mr. Ueecher that there is a deficiency of 17H competent religious instructors. Tire constitution has secured the free exercise of reHigiou* worship. The Congrcgotionalists, the most numerous denomi- nation, have 390 churches ; the Baptists uie next in point of numbers j according to the report of tlie general convention of this body, held in Philadelphia in May 1817, the number of churches was 91 ; of members, 77<^1. The Episcopalians have 14 churches and 8 ministers; the other sects are the Methodists, Universalisls, and a few Quakers. Agriculture. — The agricultural art ' been carried on to great perfection in this state, owing t ic increased value of lands, and their equal partition among all the children of every family. The farms generiiHy consist of from one to two hundred, and rarely exceed three hundred acres. A part is cultivated, another is reserved for meadow and pasturage, and from five to Twenty acres for wood. '^I'he principal agricultural productions arc Indian corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, buck wheat, potatoes, hemp, flax, hops, and pumpkins. The principal grain is Iiull.n corn, the average crop of which is about 28 bushels per acre, and the interval lands, well culti- vated, yield from (JO to 80 bushels. It is planted in rows at the distance of three feet from each other, in the latter part of April and beginning of May ; it is hoed three times, and arrives at maturity in the beginning of October. The stalks and envelope of the grain are Ciied in bundles, and, for cattle and sheep, are equal to the best hay. An acre yields about half a ton. This grain is superior to all others for fattening cattle, hogs, and poultry. The flour mixed wiili rye, in the proportion of a third, constitutes the common brown bread of perhaps four- fifths of the inhabitants. JRi/e, also much cultivated, is sown in September, and the average produce per acre is about 12 bushels. Wheat is now little cultivated, being subject to blight, especially near the sea, and also to the ravages of an insect called the Hessian fly, The 20. 3 M \\ \m^ i\ EMAGE EVALUATrON TEST TARGET (MT.3) // 4^^%^ /- y ^ -^ 1.0 I.I l^|28 2.5 - lis liio 1.8 L25 i 1.4 <^ 0% /a ^7). 9 Photograpiiic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTFR.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ V r 36,0(0 7,136 2<,8'28 8,555 41,700 109,781 121,980 92,'7I'2 139,200 521,718 44,C00 161,625 200 229,085 38,000 69,235 644,990 1.360 1,350 1.300 10,000 4,000 9,303 79,526 13,369 10,000 2,000 72,015 18,700 24,912 estab- tes Products of Fegetuhle Substances Dollam, Skipping, V>410 tons, ...... valued at 6j(>.09& Cabinet wares, ........ 3i8,6i^ Chairs, ifigg dozen, ....... 96,060 Coopers' wares, 87,995 casks, ...... C9,3ls Rakes, 11,000 in number, ...... i,87U Wooden ware, unnamed, ...... 31,000 Oil, 46,480 gallons, ....... 4g,y8'} Spirit* from grain and fruit, 540,510, —— from molasses 9,478,000 i,-,:^b,bi(i Beer, ale, and porter, 44,400 barrels of 3l| gallons each, . . 86,450 Spruce, essence, IS50 pounds, ...... 9,500 Oil of turpeitine, &c., 6000 gallons, .... 18,000 Paper, 9!),fli9 teams, ....... 306,951 Sugar reAned, 4-29,000 pounds, ..... 8i!,40u Tobacco and snutf, 118,400, ...... 37,981 Cables and cordage, 3439 tons, ..... 1,309,644 Paying cards, to the value of ..... . 97,500 Chocolate, 255,500 pounds, ...... 73,100 Corn brooms, 70,000 in number, ..... 4,000 Musical instruments, to the value of .... 17,880 Straw bonnets, ........ 551,988 Flour and meal ground, 509,530 bushels, . . • . 386,169 Sawmills, 11,215,000 feet sawed, ..... 87,33) Pot and pearl ashe.i, 193 tons, ..... 90,619 Carriages, (Maine,) ....... 9,000 — (Massachussetts,) 753, ..... 192,674 The oak is chiefly employed for ship timber. The white pine for masts and boards. The white cedar for boards and shingles. Red cedar for posts fixed in the earth. The common chestnut tor rails. The wood of the birch tree for cabinet work. The hornbean and buttonwood trees for windlasses, blocks, and tur- nery work. The fir of the low lands yields a balsam of great medicinal value. A decoction of the young branches of the yel- low pine, mixed with a sufficient quanty of molasses, constitutes spruce-beer, a pleasant beverjige in the summer months. The bark of the hemlock fir and common birch serve to cover the cabin of the poor laborer and fisherman. The bark of the oak and yellow birch is employed in tanning. Of hemp, there is a great consumption for the cordage of vessels. The blue berry, an agreeable fruit, is eaten at breakfast, and with tea in the evening. The bread in common use is made of mixture of In- dian corn and rye ; of the former is made a dish called hasty- pudding, which is eaten with butter. Products of Animal Substances. in Mackerel, 5,400 barrels, Horn combs, 49,905 dozen, Whips 7,050 do. Catgut, Dollar*. value 44,550 . 80,694 T.gpo . 9,0(10 la If ;lfi3 ■I- 1 ,) I '■ ; i 162 HISTORY OF NOHTII AMERICA. TulldW randlon, l.+lfi.'iSO pniinils Spermaceti, 4i)i,ooi) do, Oloves . 4,^7'' il(i7.ni, Hoots, . (ii, )07 |v\ir, Men's shoes, S44,»i(5t <)') Calves skins, rt.^,nRH Do. 9, HOC) Sheepskins, fi2,,S3S Wnips, 7,030 Unltiic. . «i:,otj(> • • . IVH.Inir • . 14,1)... . 414,.')U,) . • P7.t,<)i1 » • • fl . 81(i,.")0 lSfl,H.'5 171,6*'* • . . 4fi,()s2 • 2H(),6i)7 . • 18,401) 2S,4'i1 • • • . iJ9,e';o anneries. Dollnif. . . . i,oi'2,mi • • • . i29,(yT* • 9 • • . 9,100 • • ■ • 59,140 • * • . • 7,000 In the island of Nantucket there are from fifteen to twenty manufactories for lamp oil and spermaceti candles. A great number of vessels are there fitted out yearly for the whale fishery in remote seas. Salted cod fish is a favorite dish in Massachussetts throughout the year. It is kept several hours in fresh water before it is boil- ed, and is eaten with fresh melted butter. The skins of squir- rels, particularly those of the striped species, are dressed and sold as furs. The whole amount of the manufactures in Massachussetts, in 1810, was 18,530,933 dollars, including articles considered as of a doubtful nature in relation to manufactures, to the amount of 687,043 dollars. These are flour and meal, saw-mills, sugar, bricks, saltpetre, pot and pearl ashes. COMMERCE. Domestic Articles of Export. — Flour, corn, rice, cotton, to- bacco, breadstuff, beef, pork, bacon, lard, butter, cheese, pickled and dried fish, oil, spermaceti, whalebone, lumber, naval stores, beans, peas, potatoes, apples, candles, soap. New Orleans sugar, loaf-sugar hops, wax, furniture, beer, boots, shoes. New Eng- land rum, gin, linseed oil, spirits of turpentine, cables and cord- age, nails, iron, clover seed, cotton yarn, onions, vinegar, and manufactures of various kinds. Foreign Articles Importedj of which a great quantity are sent M'ATISTKIAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 463 lo a tbreif^u market. — Dye woods; Kiii^lisli, India, German, llussKin, French, Scotch, and Irish piece p,oods and hardware, wines, spirits, teas, sugars, coffee, cocoa, liuits, spines, mo- lasses, indigo, cotton, cochineal, manufactures of lead, paints, cordage, hemp, porter, segars, cheese, candles, nails, iron, iron hoops, &c. &c. In 1809, the exports of rice, cotton, flour, tobacco, staves, and naval stores, principally the produce of the southern states, amounted to 2,29-1,10!) dollars. In 1810, the whole amount of exports was 1, '3,0 13,048 dollars, of which 7,2.) 1,277 were of foreign, and 5,701,771 of domestic produce. The net amount of the duties on imports, in IS 10, amounted to 2,r>-12,.'i3S dollars. The tonnage, in 1807, was .'321,032 tons, viz. Rcgistcri'il, permanent, . Do, temporary, I'.iirollcd nnd licensed, peniiHiieiit, . J)o, temporary, Licenced under .'() tons, coasting trade. Do. cod fisliery, 190, .''50 tons. IP. 24^1 9'.', 170 3,30i l,47S S,280 341,032 I'loporiion of tiie enrulled and licensed tonnage employrd in the coasting trade, ....... 51,71'i Tlie wlinle (isiiery, ....... 127 The lod fishery, ........ 4,1, ess In I8O7, (»93 vessels cleared out at the office of the district of Boston and Charlestown, for different ports, as follows: 37 for France. 73 for Spain, Italy and the Mediterranean. 51 for Holland, Germany, and the Hanse towns. 18 for England, Scotland, and Ireland. 229 for ports of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the north- west coast. The sale of English prizes near the close of the year 1813, brought into the port of Salem, amounted to ()75,695 dollars. The value of privateers from this port captured by the English, was estimated at IGl, 100 dollars. JicniliS. — In Massachussetts Proper there are 16 banks, of which the capital, in 1812, amounted to 10,250,000 dollars. The banks of this commonwealth are incorporated on the fol- lowing conditions, reciuired by the statutes: 1. Any loss or de- ficicncv arising from the official n.ismanagoment of the directors, is made up by the stockholders in their individual capacity, but not for a greater sum than the amount of stock actually held by ^i I l! 4(34) HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. each. 2. Wlien the act of incorporation expires, the stockhold- ers are bound to pay, in their individual capacities, all bills issu- ed b^ them which then remain unpaid, in proportion to the stock respectively held by each. S, One tenth of the whole funds of each bank is appropriated to loans made to citizens, in relation to the agricultural and nianufiicturing interests. 4. Each corporation is liable for the payment of the original amount of any bank note altered to a greater amount in the course of its circulation, and this payment is due to the bona Jide holder. 5. A tax of one half of one per cent, on the amount of the original stock actually paid in, is paid to the treasurer of the common- wealth for public use, within ten days after each semi-annual di- vidend. G. The commonwealth, when authorized by a law of legislature, may subscribe a sum not exceeding one half of the capital stock of each corporation. 7. If required by the legis- lature, each corporation is obliged to lend to the commonwealth any sum of money not exceeding ten per cent, of the amount of the capital stock actually paid in at any one time, reimbursable at five annual instalments, or at a shorter period, if convenient, with the annual payments of interest, not exceeding five per cent, per annum. A Table of the Banks in Mansachussetts Proper f 18 in number. Name tif Banks. Counties. Towns. Uate of In- corporation. Time of i£xpiration. Capital. Dollars. iState Suifolk Boston 1811 I8SI 3,000,000 iMassarhussetts — — 1812 1831 1,600,000 irnicin — — — — 1,500,000 Itoblmi — — >— — 1,800,0(0 Mrnhants Essex Salem 1811 — 100,(«0 Kssex — — 1799 1819 400,0o0 Salem — — IHI>2 I8:tl 'JOO.OOO riymou'th Plymouth Plymouth — — 100,000 Taunton Bristol Taunton — — 100,000 Bedford New Bedford — — 500,000 Phoenix Nantucket Nantucket — — 100,000 Nantucket Paciflc — — — .— 100,000 Worcester iWorcester Worcester — — '200,000 Bridges. — The number of toll bridges is very considerable, and some are remarkable for their construction and extent. Maiden bridge, across Mystic river, connecting Charlestown with Maiden, is 2420 feet in length, and 32 in breadth. The Charles river bridge, which connects Boston with Charlestown, \)U ca( un ne is lid STATISTICAI. VIEW 01' THE L'NITEl) STATES. 465 in 5. built on 7"> piers, is 150.*^ foot in lengtli, and 4'.] in width. On each side there is u railing for the protcetion of foot passengers ; and, by means of a drawbridge, vessels pass through the chan- nel, without being retarded in their course. 11 tut lionton bridge is 3500 feet in length. Two other bridges, Craigie's and South Boston, are no less remarkable. Across Coiniecticut river there are twenty-two bridges, six of which are in Massachussetts ; and several, of an elegant and novel construction, have been erected across the Merrimack river, CanaU. — The Middlesex caned, conipleted in 1804, extends from the harbour of Boston to the river Merrimack, in the town of Chelmsford, a distance of 25 miles, and opens a communica- tion with the state of New Hampshire. Concord river, which is the reservoir of this canal, is 21 feet higher than the Merri- mack, and 107 feet above the full tide in lioston hat hour. Tbe locks, three in number, are of freestone. That nearest the river is ^0 feet in length, and 12 in breadth. It is navigated by long boats of 24 tons, which are drawn by two horses, at the rate of three miles an hour. The expence of this work amounted to 550,000 dollars. The tolls have not produced more than 17j000 dollars a-year. Two other canals extend along the eastern bank of Connecticut river. The upper, called the Montague Canal, m Franklin county, opened in 1800, saves a land- carriage of six miles. The canal extends three miles through a light sandy plain, and the only descent is G5 feet. There are eight locks, each 75 feet long, 20 in width, and 12 in depth, supported by walls of stone. The lower, or SoiitJi Hadlcy Canal, in the county of Hampshire, is two miles in length, twenty feet in width, and draws three feet water. The • Itole descent is forty feet, and the canal saves a land-carriage ot s \ miles. The five lower locks are each twenty feet in breadth, and seventy-five in length, ex- cept the upper one, which is a hundred and fifty feet long. Tl>e Essex Canal runs along the Fatucket falls of the Merrimack, of which the dtscerit is thirty-four feet. The canal with three locks is four miles in length, and is sufficiently deep for boats drawing three feet and a half water. Several other canah, along different parts of the Merrimack, have been projected. The stock of the two companies concern- ed in these canals is divided into 1008 shares, one half of which belongs to Hollanders. 200,000 dollars were expended in 1812, 20. 4()(» HISTORY OF NORTH AlSfERICA. On the Middlesex canal there is a stcani-boat for the convc}- nncc of passengers, uliich moves at the rate of between seven and eight miles an hour. Public Cnrriitgcs. — The mail stage-coach, common to all the states, is a light carriage, drawn by tvvo or four horses, and fitted for the accommodation of nine passengers, whose trunks or luggage are placed behind, by means of a leathern strap, or fixed under the seats. The driver is not separated from the passengers, to which no objection is made, as he is often the son of a farmer, proprietor of the stage. In sunmier this car- riage is agreeable, but in winter uncomfortable ; as there is no other protection against the weather than a curtain of leather, often fastened in a negligent manner to the posts which support the roof. But some of the stages in this state are nearly as gooil as those in England. Rdads ill Maa.sdcJmnsetts. il/i/M. I rom noston to Olmicestcr so do. to Portsmouth «) upper road. Cl.). to Haverhill 41 do. to Amherst fil do. to Grot on .^.1 on the liiriipiko road ut the year. In the thir()il exposed to the influence of the sun, whieh has created so great a change of temperature, that the vegetation is from two to three weeks earlier in spring; and the weather is warmer, particularly during the night, than in aiiv part of. the surrounding country, to the distance of forty or fifty miles. The wolf and bear are still numerous, but are not dangerous, excejjt when pressed by hunger, or closely pursued. The beaverf i h h \\ 470 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. fox\ and squirrel, are numerous. The rattlesnake is the only poisonous serpent in the district. The mosqmlo is the only insect which annoy? during the sum- mer heats. Population, — It is stated by Dou5;las, that the militia, or fen- cible me!i, at the breaking out of the French war, amounted to 2485: in 1750, the population was 1(),(KK) by estimate; 1790, !)(),.) 40; ISOO, 151,719 J IS 10, 228,705. Religion. — The religious denominations are Congregational- ists. Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, Episcopalians, Catholics, and Universalists. The first are the most numerous, having 91 churches. In May 1817, the number of Baptist churches, ac- cording to the report of the general convention, held in Phila- delphia, was 112; that of numbers, 6287- Mr. Bescher states, that one- half of the population have not the advantage of re- ligious instruction. /Jgriculture. — ^The crops generally cultivated consist of wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, hemp, and flax. Hops grow spontane- ously. Mr. Greenleaf states, that, in the settled parts of the district, of each 1000 acres, 8.38 consist of improveable lands, 102 of waste lands, 47 of water, and KJ are occupied by roads. According to the return of the assessors, the average product of bread stuff per acre, from the lands in tillage, is about seventeen bushels ; but this is a low valuation, and the lands under a more improved system of husbandry would give a greater produce. That of wheat on the sea-board land is from seven to twelve bushels per acre ; in the interior from fifteen to forty. In the most northerly settlements, near the north-eastern parts, thirty- three bushels, and in Penobscot from forty to sixty bushels, of Indian corn ; in the eastern parts, from twenty to thirty bushels; in the western, from thirty to forty. The country is well adapted for grazing, and produces large stocks of neat cattle. The coast furnishes a marine vegetable called rock-need, which is found to be an excellent manure, in the proportion of ten loads to an acre. It has been estimated that there are 4000 acres on the coast, each of which yields annually twenty loads of this article. Public Lands. — A large extent of surface, called Eastern Lands, still belong to the state in 1795. The legislature sold a portion to the amount of 269,000 dollars, and contracted for the sale of 2,839,453 acres, of which 103,680 have been retained STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 471 ac- tor the ship masts, leaving at the disposal of tiie legislature about 8,700,000 acres, of which a considerable portion has been since allotted for the encouragement of literature, and other useful purposes. The lands in incorporated towns and plantations amount to 4,850,356 acres, valued at 27 dollar*; an acre, with an average population of twenty persons to a square mile. The wild lands sell from one half to two dollars, and up- wards, according to their situation and quality. Manufactures. — The manufactures, which consist chiefly of coarse cloth and farming utensils, amounted, in 1810, according to the marshal's return, to 2,135,781 dollars. The white pine and spruce trees afford a great quantity of masts, boards, and shingles. Yellow birch is much used for cabinet work, on ac- count of the fine polish it receives ; the layers of the outer bark serve as a substitute for paper. Price of Labor. — Farm laborers have from 9 to 12 dollars a- month, with food and clothing, and half a pint of rum per day, and 20 dollars without provisions. A day laborer has a dollar, with provisions; carpenters a dollar and a half; mechanics a dollar and a quarter per day. Commerce. — The exports consist chiefly of dried fish, white pine boards, ship timber and lumber, potash, beef, pork, and grain. A portion of the trade is carried on through Massachus- setts and orher states. The imports consist of colonial produce from the West Indies, manufactured articles, and salt, hemp, iron, from Europe. The inhabitants of Portland carry on a con- fciderable foreign trade. i I 111! !i 472 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Situation and Extent. — This state is situated between 42*^^2' and 45'' 13' north latitude, and 4° 23' and 6° 10' east longituile from Washington. The Atlantic Ocean washes eighteen miles of its coast, from which it extends to Lower Canada. Its length, from north to so"th, is 16S miles, and its greatest breadth, on the 43d parallel, is about 90 ; but it gradually decreases as it runs northerly, being only 55 miles on the forty-fourth degree of latitude, and at the northern extremity not more than 19. Boundaries, — North by Lower Canada ; south by Massachus- setts ; east by the province of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean ; west by Vermont. The area is about 9491 square miles, 6,074,240 acres, of which nearly 100,000 are covered with water. Aspect of the Countryy and Nature of the Soil. — The coun- try, to the distance of twenty or thirty miles from the sea shore, is generally level j then rising gradually, it swells into hills ; and lastly, into a chain called the "White Mountains," the highest parts of which arc elevated 3000 feet above the level of the sea. The soil of the lower hills, vallies, and banks of the rivers, is very fertile, and produces excellent grain of every kind. The most valuable lands are along the borders of the large streams. These being annually overflowed, are enriched with a fat sub- stance brought down from the hills, and there deposited. They are notwithstanding, better calculated for pasture than tillage. The shores are sandy, but in some places produce large crops of what the natives call "salt hay," of which the cattle are very fond. In the town of Rye there are 150 acres of this description, formerly covered with fresl. water, and since the year 1719, re- gularly overflowed by the tide. Temperature.— 'The cold weather generally sets in about the middle of September, and continues till the close of May, du- ring all which time fires are kept up i every house, though sometimes the necessity for them ceases after the 1st of April. The frosts are light in September and October. In November the weather is variable ; the frosts are moderate, but not lasting. In December the frost becomes intense and durable. The snow STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 473 Fslls to the depth of from two to four feet before the close of Fe- bruary ; and if a thaw takes place in January, which often hap- pens, it is generally followed by a very severe frost. March is blustering and cold, but the snow sensibly sinks under the influ- ence of the sun. In April it disappears in the open country. In winter the prevailing wind is from the north-west, vvhich never blows' in summer except after thunder, accompanied with rain. The greatest change of weather ever known in this state was in January 1810. On the 1 8th of that month, the thermometer, at noon, stood at 42°, and on the following day at the same hour, it had fallen 12** below 0; and from the 19th to the 22nd, it fluctuated between 1° and 14*^ below 0, indicating a greater de- gree of cold than was ever before experienced in the state. /t'cens.— The, chief rivers are: 1. The Connecticut, which bends its course along the western side, above a hundred and seventy miles. It annually swells after the melting of the snow, ten feet above its summer level, and sometimes, after sl sudden thaw and copious rains, it has been known to double this ele- vation. 2. The Merrhnac, formed of the waters of the Pemi- gewasset and Winipiseqgee streams, vvhich issue from a moun- tain west of the White Hills ; after their union, the course of the river is sixty- five miles south-east, and thirty-five north-east, to its outlet in the ocean at Newbury Port. It receives several «treams ; the principal of which are from the west. Contoocook, which joins it above Concord, is from sixty to seventy miles in length. 3. The Piscatmiua river issues from a pond la the township of Wakefield, and runs in a south-eastern direction to the sea, a distance of about fifty miles, forming the boundary line between this state and the province of Maine. A branch of this river, called the SictinA'cal, has suflicient depth of water for vessels of five hundred tons. The navigation of all these rivers, at dif!*erent distances from the sea, is interrupted by fre- quent and rapid cascades. Animals. — The moose deer have become scarce. The black bear is numerous, and makes great havock in the fields of In- dian corn when it is neiirly ripe. The racoon lives in hollow trees, and is also destructive to this grain. The wolf is very common, and commits great ravages among the sheep. A bounty of twenty dollars is given for the head of this animaU HO. ' ilo 4 f| * 474 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA, lie is taken by means of long traps, into which he is decoyed l.y a bait. The red and grey fox are common in the woods not far remote from population. Their skin is valuable, and they ari^ often entrapped and tidcen. The wild cat is pursued for its skin, which is also valuable, especially the black kind. The beaver has become rare. The black squirrel is rare ; but the grey, f-triped, and flying, are common. The forests abound with game. The partridge, quail, and wild pigeon, are the same as in Mas- sachussetts. The wild turkey has retired to the itdand moun- tainous country. The grous, or heath- bird, is rarely seen except on the high mountains. 'J'he bays and rivers abound with cod, salmon, shad, eels, trouts, &c. The first, dried and salted near the Isle of Shoals, is called dumb- fish, and is highly valued. It is taken near the coast in all seasons, and on the Piscataqua River in spring and fall. The largest fish is the halibut, some of which have been known to weigh 500 pounds. The bass and salmon have forsaken the rivers since the erection of dams. Population. In 1749 it was estimated at 30,000 17G7 - - - 5 -',700 1775 - - - 8i>,200 1790 - - - 141,H85 1800 ... 183,858 1810 - - - 214.460 Tiie increase per cent, in tlie last ten years was about 1G§. This population, which is most considerable along the fertile borders of rivers, and on the sea- coast where commerce is most active, gives about twenty-two individuals to a square mile. New Hampshire ranks as the fourteenth state of the Union in point of population. The rapid increase is partly owing to emi- gration from the neighbouritig states, and from diflferent coun- tries of Europe. Londonderry, an inland town, was peopled chiefly by natives of Ireland, who introduced there the manu- facture of linen. Longevity. — Diaeases. — The robust form and florid complex- ion of the inhabitants indicate the salutary influence of the cli- mate. Several instances of longevity are recorded, the most re- markable of which is that of a baker, Robert Macklin, a na- tive of Scotland, who died in 17<*^7, at the age of 115 j and when more than eighty he walked in one day from Portsmouth to Boston, a distance of 66 miles, and returned the next. In STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 475 ihe bill of mortality of Portsmouth for 1810, then containing ()934 inhabitants, the number of deaths was 111. Character. — Dr. Belknap observes, " That firmness of nerve, patience in fatigue, intrepidity in danger, and alertness in ac- tion, are to h>.. numbered among the native and essential cha- racteristics of the people of New Hampshire." Marriage is so general, that in the country it is rare to find an unmarried man of thirt' years of age. Many women are grandmothers at forty, and it is not uncommon to see the mother and daughter suckle children at the same time, and the father, son, and grandson, working together in the same field. The women spin and weave their own flax and wool. Dancing is a favorite amusement, and the young people often assemble for this purpose, particularly at the time of military musters, sittings of the comts of justice, the erection of wooden houses, the launching of ships, the ordina- tion of ministers, and the husking of Indian corn. Indulgence in spirituous liquors increases ; but the common drink is cyder, or a fermented liquor made of spruce twigs boiled in maple juice. The political character of this state has hitherto resembled that of the other states of New England. Two years after the adoption of the constitution, the scarcity of money and clamor for paper currency, united with other minor causes of popular complaint, led to open insurrection ; and the rioters, finding their petition rejected by the assembly, placed centinels at the doors, and held the members prisoneii till the evening, when they were dispersed by the militia of l^xeter. The leaders were afterwards taken and tried for treason, but received pardon from the court, on giving security for their future allegiance, Constitution. — The legislative power now resides in a senate and house of representatives, which together form the General Court, or Assembly ; and each branch has a negative on the other. Money bills originate in the house of representatives, but may be amended by the senate, by which impeachments are tried. The senators, thirteen in number, are elected annually, by citizens paying taxes. The qualifications for a candidate are these: Isf, To be thirty years of age. 2d, To be seized of a freehold estate, of the value of two hundred pounds, within the state. 3(1, To have been an inhabitant of the state seven years immediately preceding his election; and an actual resident of ,950 gallons of brewed liquors, from fruit and grain, value 7-i,450 dollars. Fot and pearl ashes. The number of brushes made in this state iii 1810 was 1()()G, valued at 5000 dollars. At Exeter there is a manufactory of sadlery, a duck manufactory, six saw-mills, and a paper-mill. White pine for masts, yards, and planks of ves- sels. The masts are the finest in the world, being from 140 to 150 feet in length, and so durable, that, if protected from moisture, they will last twenty years. The roots of this tree arc employed for fences, and it is said will last for a century. Hoops, from the saplings of white oak and hickery. Staves, from white and red oak. Cyder, one barrel of which is obtained from ten to twelve bushels of apj)les, and gives about four gallons of proof spirits. Charcoal, of which one cord of wood, eight feet in i !■ I ! *"■ 480 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Icngtli., four feet in breadth, and four in depth, yielded from forty to fifty bushels. One acre of wood- land yields fifty cords of wood. Commerce. — The staple commodities are ships, lumber, pro- visions, fish, horses, pot and pearl ashes, flax seed. llvportx. — Indian corn, live stock, beef and pork, pickled fish, whale oil, ship timber, tar, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, tow cloth, butter and cheese, flax seed, and bricks, which are carried to different ports, according to the cheapness and facility of traiisport, — to Boston, Portsmouth, Portland, Hartford, and J>Jew ^"oik. Jmouut of Exports. In 171)5, - 2.30,000 dollars. 17!)9, - .'361,000 1810, - 234,6:^0 Imports. — West India rum, gin, molasses, wine, sugars, tea, coffee, cotton, cheese, salt, nails, sea-coal, steel, lead, and grindstones. About 27 schooners, and 20 boats, exclusive of those belonging to the Isles of Shoals, are employed in the fish- eries, which, in 1701, produced 25,8.50 quintals. From a me- morial of the ship-owners and persons concerned in foreign com- merce, assembled at Portsmouth in February 1817, it appears, that the commerce of this state has of late greatly declined. During the year 1806, 103 vessels cleared for the West Indies; in 1816 the number was but 44. Tonnage Registered and Enrolled. In 1798 it amounted to 19,220 tons, 1806 - - - 22,798 1810 -> - - 28,820 1816 - - - 30,861 In 1817 no vessel was building in the state. The following ob- servations are from the address of the governor to the people, dated the 5th of June 1817. " In New Hampshire the balance of trade is against us. Our imports from foreign countries, and from the southern section of our own country, exceed our exports. This order of things must necessarily drain off our money, and tend to produce a state of dependance oq other nations, and other states, injurious to our M w* I tt: ^i^^iblw A. ,■■ , ,..• -a i<^ . ^r, /.ud?. /UfM^-fjutd ky DnAfif^ Hc^oot^y. ,«A*». * ™~ r *"iii niTi' ir--" .sJ^ STATISTICAL VIEW 01' THE UNITED STATES. 481 interest, and dniigerouis to our freedom and itidepcndence. For it is with u stute a^ with an individual, he that continues to buy much more than he sells, must be involved in debt, and sooner or later become poor. We may increase the number of our hanking institutions, but they will not increase our wealth ; the precious metals uill be sent to other countries to purchase goodii WR do not V ant, or such as we can make ourselves. For these eviih we may apply a gradual but effectual remedy, by the in- crease of agriculture and of manufactures." •"•■ • Canals. — By means of locks and a canal, the Mcrrimac River affords a direct communication between Concord and Boston. There are two canals on Connecticut River, within the limits of New Hampshire. Aloitg Amos Reag Falls in the Mcrrimac, and others farther up, short canals have hcon opened. A canal runs eight miles through the marshes of llnnipton and Salisbury, and meets the Merrimac opposite Newbury Port. M • J ') 't' ' ;. ■» 'i f (I 1-. r;u VERMONT.* I »(f i'( ' ' lit . y Vermont, situated between 42° 44' and 45° of north latitude, and 3° 38' and 5° 27' east longitude from Washington is a mountainous and inland country. The boundary line that sepa- rates it from Canada on the north, is ninety miles long, and from Massiichussetts on the south, forty miles. It has New York on the west, and New Hampshire on the east, and its mean length, from north to south, is 157 miles. The distance from the ocean to the nearest point of this state is about 80 miles. Area, 10,237 square miles, or 0,551,680 acres. /'^ "" ^Aspect oj the Country ^ and Nature oj the Soil. — The Green Mountains,! from ten to fifteen miles in breadth, traverse this * The name Vermont, or Green Mountain, is descriptive of the natural growth of the trees of this soil, many of which are evergreens, hemlock, pine, spruce, &c. * »-u.i sr/u jh avji -iili^a aftt irui ,3(iplt silj f This chain b^f^ins in Canada, near the bay "of Chateur, and passes through Massachussetts into Connecticut, near Newhaven. The heigh' of Kiilington Peak in Sherburne, was found by actual mensuration, to be 3454 feet above the ocean, and 3184 above the level of Lake Champlain, at the mouth of Ott«r Creek. 4 21. 3 P lii 1^1 '" » 48^ HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. State in a direction from north to south. These mountains, which run nearly parallel with the course of Connecticut River, are intersected by numerous vallies, the soil of which is deep, rich and loamy. That of the hilly parts is al«o well adapted to pasturage^ and other agricultural purposes. The most level tract is on the borders of Canada. Adjoining the rivers are fine plains and meadows; and between the banks of Lake Cham- plain and the mountains, there is a valuable tract of arable land, extending 100 miles in length, and thirty in breadth. The whole surface in its natural state is thickly wooded. Along the banks of the river, the white oak, beech, and elm, are abun- dant. The higher parts are covered with white oak, sugar-ma- ple, butternut, ash, birch, &c., and the jnpuntains are clothed with evergreens to their very summit. Tetnperatur e.—rThe climate is nearly similar to that of New Hampshire. The ^now lies from the middle of December to the middle of March, during which period it is customary to travel in sledges. On the sides of ihe hills it is often from two to four feet in depth. It disappears about the middle of April, except on the highest parts of tJic mount-': s, where it lies till May. It is generally permanent from the 10th or 12th of December to the beginning of April, when it suddenly dissolves by the influ- ence of a warm sun. In the losy grounds it is from one to two and a half feet dijep, and remains till about the 20th of March. The temperatu!-e of deep wells is about forty-three one-half throughout the year, which corresponds with the mean degree of heat deduced from thermometrical observations. The trees and shrubs put forth their buds from the 6th to the 20th of April, and flower from the first to the close of May, Wheat and oats asce sown about the middle of April, and are reaped about the middle of August. The frosts commence from the middle of Septeniher to the first of October, and cease about the 20th of April or beginning of May. Notwithstanding the severity of winter, which is ten or eleven degrees colder than la the same latitude of Europe, young trees are seldom killed by the frost, and the cattle live in the woods. The weather during this season is generally fair und constant, and r^n seldom falls, though hail is not unfrequent. Where there is little or no snow, the frost is foynd to penetrate to the depth of between three and four feet. The ice of lakes and stagnant waters, in the severe&t STATISTICAL VIEW OP THE UNITED STATES. 4>8li winter, seldom exceeds thirty inches in thickness; that of run- . ning streams is somewhat less. It generally dissolves in the last days of March. In April and May the weather is mild and plea- sant, with frequent showers. The heat of summer, in the mid- dle of the day, is often uncomfortable, hut the evenings and nights are cool and pleasant. The most agreeable season is from the beginning of September to the middle of October, after which, to the close of November, there are frequent rains, winds, and snow. Thunder and lightning are conmion in the months of May, June, July, and August. The extreme heat is 94*' of Fahrenlieit ; the extreme cold 27® below zero, the mean heat 43l. The north, north- west, and west winds, which are the most prevalent, are dry, elastic, and invigorating; those from the south, and south-west, are warm and relaxing. Rivers. — The rivers descend from the Green Mountains, and run on the east side into Connecticut River, on the west into Lake Champlain, except some few which, having a northerly di- rection, flow into Lake Memphremagog, and through the river St. Francis into that of St. Lawrence. Of these the most con- siderable are, Otter Creek, Onion River, Lamoille, and Michis- coui, on the west side ; on the east, Waniastic, or West River, White Rtver, and Sassumsick* Otter Creek, which flows in a northern course, nearly ninety miles, is navigable from its source for large vessels to the Falls of Vergennes, eight miles from its mouth in Lake Champlain, and between these and other falls at Rutland, Pitsford, and Middleburg, it has water for the largest boats* tV'monakif or Onion River, rises in Cabot, runs first south-west twenty miles, and afterwards north-west sixty to Lake Champlain; it is navigable for small vessels five miles from its mouth, and higher up for boats between the different falls and cataracts. The river Michiscoui rises in Belvidere, passes through a part of Canada, re-enters the state at Richford, and runs in a western course to Michiscoui Bay, a distance of seven- ty-five miles. It is navigable for large boats to Swanton, seven miles from its mouth. The Lamoille issues from a pond in Glover, and runs in a north-west course of seventy- five miles to Lake Champlain. White River, so called from the color which its waters derive from the white stones and gravel of its bed, rises , near the centre of the state, and empties itself into the Coimecticut River four mil^s below Hanover, Its width, to sqihq I I i •I . : ! 1 t.1 Hi 484 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. distance from its mouth, is from 100 to 150 yards. Oupotnpa- noosuck, which empties itself into the same river at Norwich, h forty or fifty yards wide, and on account of its rapidity, is unna- vigable. Fassumpsick is about 100 yards in width, but its course is short and rapid. Wild's River is forty yards across, its course is also short and rapid. The navigation of the other rivers is obstructed by numerous falls and rapids. Minerals, — Iron ore exists in great abundance on the west side of the Gi'een Mountains, and near Lake Champlain. The mines are worked at Tinmouth, Shaftesbury, Rutland, Shore- ham, Monkton, and Milton. The Bog ore at the north end of Lake Champlain, the brown hematites, at Monkton, and the magnetic ore on the west side of the lake, are worked at the Vergennes fnrnaces. Ores of lead at Thetford, and Sunderland, of copper, of ochre, red and yellow. i . . . , , Flint is found on Mount Independence in Orlwell. Jasper of a beautiful red color has been lately discovered. Kaolin, or porcelain clay, is found at Monkton, which retains its^ white color in the fire. Limestone. — Marble of a fine grain, white and clouded, ex- tends from Bennington to the Michiscoui River. It is worked at Middleburg, Pittsford, and other places. Some of it 7s as white as the Carara marble. Soap»tone (steatite) is found at Oxford, Grafton, Athens, &c. Slate 19 found in strata nearly vertical at Dummarstown, alsa at Rockingham and Castleton, where it is of a pale red color. Turkey, or whitstone, is found at Thet- ford ; ore of Manganese at Monkton ; clay for bricks, pipe- clay in Rutland ; and millstones and marl in several places. Pyrites are found in Shrewsbury. A natural stone bridge, seven or eight rods in length, affords a passage over the river Lamoille. Mineral Waters. — There are two chalybeate springs, one at Orwee, near Mount Independence, another at Bridport, the wa- ters of which are said to contain Epsom salt in great quantity ; another was discovered in 1770 in the low lands, near the great Ox Bow, or bend of the Connecticut River. It has a strong sul- phureous smell, and the surface, when not agitated, is covered with a thick yellow scum. It throws up continually a whitish sand ; and is said to disappear in one place and spring up in another, at intervals of two or three years. Vegetable Kingdom, — The pine, maple, buttonwood^ elm^ STATISTICAL VIEW OP THE UNITED STATES. 485 hemlock, oak, basswood, ash, aud birch, are from three to six feet in diameter, and from a hundred to two hundred in height. The most common trees are hemlock, elm, spruce, sugar maple, and beech. On the summit of the highest mountains, the trees, which are chiefly spruce, hemlock, and pine, do not grow to more than two or three feet in height, and their branches are interwoven, so as to form an impenetrable thicket. It is remark- able, that there is a much greater proportion of evergreen trees on the western, than on the eastern side of the mountains. Qundrnpeds. — The quadrupeds enumerated by Dr. Williams are thirty-six in number; of these the most remarkable are the bear, black-cat, wild-cat, catamount, deer j fox, red, grey, cross, and black ; hare, martin, ermine, mole, mouse, porcupine, rab- bit, racoon, skunk ; squirrel, grey, black, red, striped, and fly- ing; weasel, wolf, and wood-chuck. In the rivers, ponds, and lakes, are the beaver, mink, musk-rat, and otter. Among the early settlers of this state these animals were so valuable for their flesh or fur, that they were constantly pursued, and, in many parts, several of them have entirely disappeared. The right of hunting, fishing, dnd fowling, is common to all, and at all sea- sons. The deer, which cannot be pursued during the two last months of the year, is the only animal that finds protection. Population. — It is stated by Dr. Williams, that, in Rutland, one of the principal towns, the deaths, in the years 1789,-90,- 1)1, were to the births, as one to four. Hence it seems, that the population doubled in a period of little more than nineteen years. In the town of Cavendish, the ratio of deaths to that of births, during seven years, was as one to seven, which gives a still more rapid increase. The number of In/iahitants amounted in 1790 to 85,589, including 271 free blacks. 1800 1810 154,465, 217,895, 557 750 ni which gives upwards of twenty persons to a square mile ; from which it appears, that this state is the thirteenth in point of population. From the year 1790 to 1800, the increase was {)8,860 ; during the next ten years it amounted to 63,44G, According to the census of 1810, the males under 16 years were 56,429 Females under It) . . • « 53,9612 n lm« Total, 110,391 486 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Males between 16 and 45 yean, Females, , , Males 45 years and upwards, Females, . , Number of males, Females 40,40{? 41,775 Total, 8!i,«44 13,053 11,457 ;* Total, 24,510 109,951 107,194 Excess of males, 2,75T Character and Manners. — The people of Vermont have a florid complexion, are well formed, active, and robust. Theiv clothing is adapted to the climate, which, though very cold iu winter, is regular, and not subject to tliose great and sudden changes, which on the sea> coast are found to be so injurious to health. The pursuits of agriculture, in which all are more or less engaged, arc favorable to temperate habits, and diseases are rare. Constitution. — The declaration of rights, which forms a part of the constitution, states, that men have the right of enjoying liberty of conscience ; of publishing their opinions j of trial by jury ; freedom of election ; freedom from search or seizure in relation to their houses, papers, and possessions, unless by a %varrant on oath for the purpose ; that they are not liable to transportation, for trial, out of the state, for any offence com- mitted therein; nor obliged to give evidence against themselves; that all power being derived from the people, the people have a right to establish their own government, and to reform or abo- lish it for the common benefit. The legislative power resides in a general assembly, composed of the representatives of the peo- ple, chosen annually by ballot, on the first Tuesday in Septem- ber, by the male taxable citizens of twenty-one years, of a quiet and peaceable behaviour, who have resided in the state during the year preceding the election. Every town having eighty tax- able inhabitants, at the expiration of seven years from the date of the constitution, is entitled to two representatives ; and du- ring this interval, eacli inhabited town is entitled to one. A re- presentative must have resided two years in the state, and the last in the town for which he is elected. The legislature assembles on the second Thursday in October, STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 4f87 and two-thirds of the whole number form a quorum. The su- preme executive power, is vested in a governor, lieutennnt-go> vernor, and twelve counsellors, chosen by the freemen on the day of the election of representatives. The governor is com- niunder-in-chief of the forces of the state, but cannot command in person without the advice and approbation of the council. The lieutenant-governor, by virtue of his office, is second in au- thority. The council have pow^r to judge cases of impeachmublic rights. For these j)urposes, they arc empowered to examine persons and )japers ; to order impeachments, and to recommend the repeal of all laws contrary to the constitution. They are also empowered to call a convention, for the purpose of revising or amending the constitution, and to meet within two years after their sitting, having published tluj proposed alterations six months before the election of delegates, none of whom can be of the council or assembly. Judiciary. — The judges are chosen annually by the council and assembly, and, if inij cached by this authority, are subject to removal by the governo and council. The common law of Enghiud, and the statute laws by which it is explained or alter- ed prior to the year \7G( y have been adopted, except when re- pugnant to the constitution, or to legislative acts. Of a hundred and sixty crimes punishable ,,with death by the English criminal code, nine only are subjected to this punishment by the laws of, Vermont. : jUeligion,— 'III the declaration of rights it is stated, "that no 488 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. inan can be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of his religious sentiments, or peculiar mode of religious worship ; and that no authority can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by any power wlmtever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of con- science, in the free exercise of religious worship." In the plan of government of 1786, a religious test was imposed upon legis- lators, which was annulled by that of 1792. In the grants of townships, the first settled minister, of any denomination, has a grant of land, which becomes his property ; another is reserved for a parsonage right, or the support of a regular minister, whose salary is regulated by a formal and voluntary contract Ivith his church, which has the force and obligation of other contracts, in virtue of an act passed in 17S7. In the towns established under grants from New Hampshire, 114 in number, 330 acres were reserved for the first settled minister j another portion, to the same extent, called a right, as a glebe for the church of Eng- land J a third for the support of a school ; and a fourth for the propagation of the gosj)el, by means of an organized society. Under the granfs made by Vermont, one right was reserved for a university, one for a town, one for a county grammar school, and one for the support of religion. The actual number of the different churches is as follows : Congregnlioiial churches, . . . . 89 Ba|itis(8, ...... 83 Presbyterians, ..... 2 Episcopalians, ..... 3 Universalisis, . . . . , I ' , Friends, . . . t . . i 118 Education. — The legislature, sensible that the diffusion of knowledge is the best means of promoting the good of mankind, have made provision in land, exceeding 80,(K)() acres, for the support of common schools in every town ; and, in 100 of the townships, tracts of 350 acres each, estimated at about 33,000 in all, have been allotted for the use of grammar schools.. In every county there are grammar schools, and in most of them one or two academies. So grieat has beei< the attention paid to this object, that it is rare to find a ■sersoii in the state who cannot read and write. Slavery. — In the bill of rights it is declared, that no male ,1 STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE ^miTED STATES. 489 •l)orn in the country, or introduced from beyond sea, can be held in bondage after twenty-one, nor a female after eighteen years of age. Agriculture.- — ^Agriculture, which affords the most easy and comfortable means of existence, is the occupation of nearly the whole population. Property in the soil is easily acquired. One hundred acres of land, in a new township, do not cost the pur- chaser more than he can spare from the wages of one or two years as a laborer ; and the first crop of wheat w^l pay all the expences of clearing, sowing, and fencing, while the value of i)is lands is thereby increased to eight or ten thnes the original t-'ost. An acre, which in its natural state, costs but half of the price of a day's l;iboi, wHl produce from fifteen to twenty- five bushels of wheat, or other grain of equal value; and, in the course of some few years, the cultivator may acquire for hipiself and family a comfortable and independent subsistence. Tjie soil is well adapted to wheat, rye, barley, corn, oats, peas, flax, hemp, and culinary plants. 4*otatoes thrive well without manure. Spring wheat, barley, oats, and peas, are sown from the Ibth to the 20th of April. The first is ripe about the middle of Au- gust; barley the 1st of that month; oats about the 20th; and peas the first of July. Indian corn is sown about the middle of May, and is ripe towards the first of October. Hay is cut about the beginning of July. Red and white clover, Timothy, and other grasses, are sown in May and September. The hay is cut in Jiiiy. The itatural pasture is excellent ; the beeves sent to market are esteemed the best in the United States, though when young they have no other nourishment than what the woods af- ford. In winter, when grown, they are fed with hay, clover, turnips, pumpkins, &c. and the. milch cows with wheat, bran, oats, and Indian corn. Manufactures. — The whole value of manufactures in 1810 was 4,325,824 dollars, not including those of a doubtful nature, amounting to 286,537 dollars, and consisting of maple sugar, pot and pearl ashes, and yellow ochre. Commerce. — The exports consist of grain, flour, bar iron, nails, pot and pearl aslic^, live cattle, horses, beef, pork, cheese and butter, lumber, peltry, and flax, which are sent to Montreal in Canada, and by the cheapest river communication, to the cities and towns of New York, Portland, Hartford, and Boston. 21. 3 (I ml I 490 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Flocks of cows and sheep are driven to the neighbouring statcvi. The imports across Lake Champlain into Lower Canada consist of oak and pine, square timber and boards, staves^ pearl ashes, provisions, &c. u4iich, before the embargo in 1808, amounted to oflGOjOOO sterling; the exports from Lower Canada, through the same cliannei, to about one half of that value, and consist*- ing chiefly of peltry and salt. Canals.-^ln 1785, the English employed Captain Twist, one of their engineers in Canada, to ascerluin the expence of a canal from the river St. Lawrence to Lake Champlain. By actual survey and level, extending from the rapids of St. John's, along the river Sorrel, to Chamble, it appeared, that a canal, suffi- cient for the navigation of a ship of 200 tons, would cost the sum of £27,000 sterling. It was observed, that this cana), when opened) would extend the navigation ISO miles into a fer- tile country. A company was, some years ago, incorporated for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Connecticut river, by establishing locks at Bellow's Falls j and this work was to be completed within the space of lour years from the date of the act. RHODE ISLAND. Situation and Extent. — This state lies between 41* 22' and 42** of north latitude, and between 5" and 5" 50' east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Massachussetts ; south by the At- lantic Ocean ; east by Massachussetts ; west by Connecticut, it extends forty- nine miles from the Atlantic on the south to the Massachussetts line of boundary on the north, and tlie greatest width is 37 miles. It stretches along the west coast of the bay twenty-two miles, and five along the eastern coast, containing about 1580 square miles, of which 190 are covered with water, and 90 consist of islands. Surface and Sot/.-*-This small territory, which includes Rhode Island^ and Providence plantations, lias a low surface, except in * Calird Isle of Rhodet by the first settlers, whu in 1638, purchub^d it froD} ai) IijidiMi chief for a pair of spectacles. STATISTICAL VlTAV OF THE UNITED STATES. 4J>1 the north-western parts, nnd the township of Bristol, where Mount Ilaup is situated, formerly tfio seat of the Indian king IMiilip. The soil is interspersed nith rocks end stones, and, though not ferliio, it has heen adapted hy improvement for the reception and growth of all the vegctahle produce common to the climate of New England. The Uure is generally fine, and more particularly in the Narrnganset country, situated hetwcen South Kingston and the Connecticut line of houndnry The land of South Kingston, near the sea-coast, and Narraganset JJay, is very fertile and productive, consisting of a deep rich loam, with a very small portion of sand or gravel ; and the tem- perature is so mild, that it is seldom injured hy drought or frost. The most harren parts arc towards the north west. Temperature. — Extending on the south along the shore of the ocean, and embracing towards the east considerable islands, the climate of this state, owing to its particular situation, is somewhat milder than that of Massachussetts, situated to the nor^h and east. The cold of winter, though nearly of the same duration, is less intense, and the heat of summer is not so op-x pressive. For many years Newport has been the resort of the rich southern planters during autunni, which season, always un- healthy in the low lands of the Carolinas, is here delightful, from the first of September to the close of October. A late writer observes, ♦* that, were he to select the most favorable spot in America as the place of his abode, his choice would fall upon the southern point of Rhode Island." Another writer observes, *' that, in point of climate and productions, as well as of appear- ance, Rhode Island is perhaps the most similar to Great Britain of any state in the Union. The winters are somewhat longer, and more severe ; the summers, perhaps, a little warmer ; but it resembles Great Britain in some measure in the defects of the climate, being from its situation subject to a moister atmosphere than many of the other states." iThe month of April is generally cold and rainy; May is temperate, regular, and favorable to rapid vegetation. The heat generally prevails during three months — June, July, and August. The winter is cold and rigo- rous during four months — from the first of Novomber to the first of March. The snow falls from the first to the middle of De- cember, and sometimes at an earlier period. The air, throughout the year, Is pure and vvhol<:some, especially in the Narraganset '} 49ii HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA* track, where no destructive disease has ever been known to pro* vnil. The Narragansets were distinguished for their sacrifices;. They had u spacious temple, and stated times for their public assembhes. A fire was kiifdled in the temple, into which the Powacks cast the most valuable riches of the people, voluntarily brought by them, as skins, beads, hatchets, and knives. The Indians farther north, though not disposed to imitate their ex- ample, admired their piety, imagining that this was the reason why the plague or yellow fever, which had depopulated their country, had not raged there. Rivers. — The chief rivers are Providence and Taunton, both of which empty themselves into Narraganset Hay. The former, which has one of its sources in Massachussetts, is navigable for ships of nine hundred tons, to the town of Providence, thirty miles from the sea. Taunton river, which also rises in Massa- chussetts, is navigable for small vessels to the town of the $amo name, where the rise of the common tide is about four feet.^ Islands. — In the bay of Narraganset, which is from two to fifteen miles in breadth, and thirty-three in length, there nro se- veral islands, of which the principal are, 1. Rhode Island, fron^ which the state takes its name, fifteen miles in length, and nearly five ia its greatest breadth, contains about fifty- two square miles, inchiding three townships ; Newport, Portsmouth, mid Middleton. It is called the Eden of America, being consi- dered as superior to all other places, in point of situation, soil, and climate. 2. The .ie.^t in point of magnitude is Block Island, or Manasses, which is seven miles in length, and four in breadth, containing about twenty square miles. It lies seven utiles to the south of Charleston, and fifteen south>west from Point Judith. Tlie fuel of the inhabitants of this island is peat or tucf. 3. The next in size is Cannonicut Island, situated three miles west of the first ; it is ten miles in length, and one in breadth. The soil of thi^ and the first is rich, and the pas- ture is very favorable to the growth of cattle and sheep. 4, Prudence Island, situated to the north of the river, and to the west of Rhode Island, is about six miles in lengt^ , and one in breadth. There are several other smaller island., interspersed throughout the gulf. Minerals. — Iron ore is here abundant and rich; that lyiiig in H valley at the distance of seven miles west of the town of Pro- STATISTICAL VI».V ttlE UNITED STATES. 40iJ Vulence, formerly belongiuK t- Mr. ,>rowi) gave fifty per cetif. of iron at the first fusion. St>uM tvf the •re is of a black color, containing small pieces of gal^ ^a, and u ^ed witli oclire. C Sp- per ore, with magnetic iron ore, ih fouiid in Cu^ Intid, .ar Diamond Hill. Limestone is plentiful in Vt( ice c ity. Marble is there frequent, and of a good qunli) Ncipci inc, near Newfort. Loadstone has been discovered ii> ">;i|i (juauti- ties in the township of Cumberland. Coal has been lately round, of a good (quality, on the north-west end of Rhode Island, op- posite the mouth of Providence river. Blind-coa', or anthracite^ at Portsmouth. Population, — The enumeration or census for the year 1730 was, whites, L">,,*J02 ; blacks, 1648; Indians, 985; in all, 17,935. Including Blacks. 4,373 IncrcMC of Population. In 173U it amounted to 17,933 1748 3?,773 1761 40,aS« 4,697 1774 59,678 5,843 Ua3 . 5 1,899 • 3,361 , 1790 6H,82'» 948 Slaves. 1800 f;9,l'^'i 380 18 lU 70,931 108 3,407 Free Black*. S.304 3,609 This last enumeration gives forty-nine persons to a square mile. The increase per cent, in ten years was nearly eleven three-tenths. The remains of the native Indians reside chiefly in the township of Charleston, speak the English language, and are treated with great civility. Their number, a few years ago, was about 500, The principal part of agricultural labor was formerly executed by negro slaves, which accustomed white children to idle habits, and thus retarded the progress of the country. In the erection of churches, schoolhouses, and every species of useful and orna- mental improvement; the people of this state are at least thirty years behind their neighbours in Connecticut and Massachus- setts. Their general appearance indicates health and strength, and bears evidence to the salubrity of the climate. The women especially have been long celebrated as among the finest in the United States. * This diminution was occasioned by the war. See American Museum, Vol. 1. p, 305, m 494 HISTORY OF NOUTIf AMERICA. Diseases. — Kndemica! disease is rnrc. The tiyseutt'ry liu* ^oitictimcs prevailed in and after the warm nonsuii, uwiiig proba- bly to an iinintNleriite use of fruit, und the neglect of wurm clothing;, ut the Brst approach uf cold. I'lilmonnry conNuniptioii lins innde terrible ravages among females about the age of mar- riage; young women, however, are slill more numerous thuit men of the same age, owing to the great number of seamen whicii this state sends out, and the emigration of young men, who go to find an easier subsistence in the new states and terri- tories of the western country. The yellow fever prevailed iit some parts of the year 17^7. Political Character. — The Rhode Islanders supported the re- volutionary war with great gallantry, but they persisted till the year 17^0 in refusing to ratify the new federal constitution, though established with the consent of tlie other states in 17H7. Tliey were accused of refusing to assist in suppressing the rebel- lion in Massachiissetts, and of having given a fr« e asylum to the offenders J for which reason the plu?e for sonic time received the injurious name of Uogue's Island. They deserve great praise, however, for abolishing the slave trade, which had enriched nia- ny of the people in Newport. This was done some years ago, by an act of the legislature, prohibfting the trade between Africa and the West India islands. Rhode Island has the honor of having produced one of the most distinguished heroes of the revolutionary war, Nathaniel Green, and the misfortune of hav- ing given birth to tlie noted traitor Benedict Arnold, who at- tempted to deliver into the hands of the enemy the commander* in- chief of the republican forces. Constitution, — The charter of incorporation, granted by Charles II. in the fifteenth year of his reign, was to the inhabi- tants of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in the name of the Governor and Company, to be holden of him, his heirs, and successors, as of his manor of East Greenwich in Kent, in free and common sockage. The king reserved to himself, as an acknowledgment of his sovereignty, the fifth part of the gold and silver ore that should be found within the territory. This charter forms the basis of the present form of government, which consists of a council of twelve members and house of re- presentatives, chosen by the freemen. The former, which in- cludes the governor and deputy-governor, is chosen annually ; STATISTICAL VIEW 01" THE UNITED STATES. 495 the latter, l>y the citizens twice u year. Kach township haM one rpprc^entutivc. In his Icgislutivu cupucity the govcrnur has but one voice, and cannot give n negative tu any act of the two houses. All judicial and executive olftcers nre annually elected by the governor and company, or by the upper and lower house t)t" assembly. Kvery process is insued in the name of the gover- nor and company. Tiie oaths of office tviul allegiance arc mado conformable to the principles of the revolution. Jii'li^ioiLs i*r(»/mioH.v.— All men professing a belief in the ex- istence of a tSupreme Being, are equally jMotected by the laws, which leave the support of clergymen to the voluntary contribu- tions of individuals. There are no days set apart for public fasting, as in some of the other states, but there is an annual thanksgiving, authorized by a proclamation from the governor. The religious denominations are : Baptists, CongicgationaliNts, (Quakers, Episcopalians, Moravians, and Jews. The (iist, the most numerous, have five churches in the towns of Newport and i'rovidence. According to the report of the general coitvi-ntion of Baptists, held in Philadelphia, in May lf^l7, the nund)er of churches was fifty-seven ; that of members ^i[)4'>. 'Che second sect have the same number, in the same places ; the Quakers aiul Episcopalians each two; the MoraviaUH one ; the Jews a syiN'igogue. In the western parts, including a surface of thirty miles in breadth and fifty in length, and eukbracing one half of the population, there is but one minister of a regular classical education. Jlunmrn' Sovietics. — The slave trade has greatly interested the humanity of the inhabitants of Rhode Island, who have establish- ed a society, not only for its abolition, but also for the improve- ment of the African race. A Marine Society has i)een established at Newport, for the relief of the widows and orphans of seamen. Literature.— It was a favorite tenet among the first clergymen of Rhode Island, " that human learning is no way necessary to a Gospel preacher," and this unfortunate o})inion has probably operated against literary institutions, for which no great zeal is yet manifested. Dr. Morse observes, "that in the whole region west of the bay, scarcely a meeting-house or school-house is to be seen. Only a small part of the people have a Bible in their houses, and a very great proportion of them are unable to read or ii'rite. The college, founded in 1764, at Warren, and re- }H 496 HISTORY OF NOIITH AMEHICA. moved to Providence in 1770, was broken up during the revolu- tionary war, the edifice being occupied as an hospital and bar- racks by the French and American troops. In 1S04 it received the name of Brown University, in honor of Nicolaus Brown, who enriched the institution by a donation of 5000 dollars. The building, a brick structure of four stories, containing forty-eight rooms, is 150 feet in length, and forty-six in width. The libra- ry contains about 3000 volumes, and the philosophical apparatus is valuable. There are a president, five professors, two tutors, and a librarian. The professorships are, of law, of moral philo- sophy, and metaphysics, of materia medica andbotany, of anato- my and surgery, of chemistiy. This seminary is under the di- rection of a board of trustees, and a board of fellows of twelve members. The last includes the president, who, with seven of this number, must be Baptists. This board have the power of conferring degrees. The former consists of thirty-six trustees, of whom twenty-two are Baptists, five Friends, five Episcopalians, and four Congregationalists. In the passing of collegiate acts and regulations, both boards must concur. The president is pro- fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy. The professors and tutors may be of any religious denomination. There are three vacations ; the first of three weeks, beginning with the college commencement, the first Wednesday in September; the second of eight weeks, from the last Wednesday in December; the third of two weeks, from the third Wednesday in May. The number of students, in 1815, was 130; the number of graduates 47* yigricuiture.-^Thottgh the soil be light, it produces conside- rable crops of Indian corn, rye, barley, an<' jats. Wheat is also cultivated, but not in sufficient quantity for the wants of the in- habitants. Culinary plants are in groat abundance. The pas- ture', owing to the maritime situation and mildness of the winter, is of an excellent quality, especially in Hancock and Washington counties, where neat cattle have grown to the enormous weight of sixteen, and even eighteen hundred pounds. There are nu- merous dairies, and the butter and cheese is of an excellent qua- lity. The number of sheep reared upon the island is, upon an average, about 30,000. Fruit thrives here extremely, especially the apple, of which more cider is made than is required , for a home consumption, particularly at Cranston, Johnston, and STATISTICAL VIEAV OV THE UNITED STATES. 497 'Sinithficld. The farms and dairies of the Nairaganset country were celebrated before the revohitionary war; but during this l)eriod thoy suffered greatly. The English trooj^s in possession of Rhode Island cut down the fruit trees for fuel, ravaged the plantations, and seized the cattle for their own use. Of several thousand head there remained but 300 in 1786. The Nar- ragarwct tract, which terminates on the bay of the same name, produces a breed of pacing horses remarkable for their speed and vigor. Products of Mineral and Vegetable Siibstanees. — ^This state, since the commencement of the late war, has made a wonderful progress in manufactures. As early as the year 1796, there were established at North Providence a slitting- mill, three anchor forges, two machines for cutting nails, one grist mill, one oil miil, three snuff mills, three fulling mills; and the number of each h;is >inee greatly increased. In 1810 the annual produce of salt was 800 bushels, value 600 dollars. In ISOJ), in the town and vicinity of Providence, there were seventeen cotton mills, with U,296 spindles, yielding 510,000 pounds of yarn from 640,000 pounds of cotton ; and seven additional mills were then erecting. The weaving looms amounted to 1100. The cloths manufactu- red, consisting of bed-ticking, shirting, counterpanes, stripes, checks, and ginghams, were considered equal to any imported goods of the same kind. Dotiurs. Flax seed oil, gallons, 9,560 value ] 1,950 Spirits from grain and fruit, do. 1,193,398 do. 848,240 Currant wine, barrels. 75 do. 4,990 Bark, tiiiils. 2 do. Paper, reams. 11,625 do. 53,297 Cable and cordage, tons. 515 do. 163,500 Paper stamped. pieces. 8,000 do. 8,000 Straw bonnets, dozens, 7,'2«;0 do. '25,800 Grist mills, '22 Saw mills. 28 There are woollen manufactures at Warwick and Portsmouth. The number of hats manufactured in 1809 amounted to 50,000. The average value of each five dollars. The rivers and bays abound with fish, which are constantly used as an article of food ; and the fishery gives employment to a great number of hands. Manufactures, -^The whole amount of manufactures, in 1810, m ttlSTOnV OP NOETH AMERICA, was 3,079^556 dollars, besides articles of a doubtful nature, viz. grist and saw mills, 58,000, in all, 3,138,356 dollars. This re- turn of the marshal was stated to fall short of the real amount by twenty- five or thirty-five per cent. Commerce, — This state, favored with excellent harbours, and an (;asy access to the ocean, is admirably fitted for foreign com- rtierce, in which upwards of 600 vessels are employed. The ex- ports consist of barley, grain^ flax seed, spirits, horses, cattle, sheep, beef, pork, fish, poultry, cheese, and cider; of cotton and linen goods, sail cloth, paper, bar and«heet iron, nails, an- chors, and the iron work of vessels. The present imports are West India produee, logwood from Honduras Bay^ and the ma- nufactures of Europe and of India. Banks. — ^There are thirteen banks, of which the capital, in 1813, amounted to IjS^'OjC*" Vdollars. r-t END OF VOL. I. , VIZ, is re- lount , and com- e ex- attle, otton I, an- s are ! ma- ll, in I.