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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 fiimte d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, ii est fiimA A partir de i'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imagas nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iiiustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 en- IK.Br]f<]JR:.^L WA.SHIEf^J-T(II)IT. £. 7 '' lU, h"Jl n.-iA-:,/ h, ^fl-. HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA ; COMPRISING, A Geographical and Statistical VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. AKD OF THE BRITISH CANADIAN POSSESSIONS; INCLUDING IHE SUiWECT OP EMXGEAXmG TO THAT COUNTEv! COMPILBD BY • .■4 JOHN TALBOT, A88MTAKT ED,TOE Or THE I.WM MEBCVSY. EMBELLISHED WITH PLATES AK AND MAPS. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. L LIVERPOOL: PUBLISH JED ANn «inri^ « AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLER. 1821. J, I \.V ^n'&'Y^t \^a\ V, ( I PREFACE. In presenting this work to the public, the Editor has 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 phenomenon in the history of 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 Kew World, which Providence in its mercy seems to have prepared as an asylum from the persecutions, the privations, and the rpvnhitiQnaw cf/Mny^o ,.ri.;«i. ^- tJ Aj ■ If PREFACE. threaten to afflict, and disturb the nations of Eu- rope. The Editor has entered more at large into the de- tails of the discovery and early history of the Ame- rican Continent than some readers may approve of; but, in adopting this plan, he was influenced by the conviction that the present state of America cannot be fully understood, nor the character of its people fairly appreciated, without a reference to the origin of its colonization, and some knowledge of the varJ- ous steps by which it has attained its present impor- tance. As it w^s ohe of the main objects of the Editor to consult the; Want^ of that class of readers who have liot atce^s to numerous writers on the same subject; he has liberally availed himself both of tfe research- es of his predecessors, and the labors of his con- temporaries: The present work aspires to no higher title than a faithful compilation, or digest, of the facts furnished by others ; and if the Editor has suc- ceeded in arranging theni in a lucid order, he has fiilly accomplished his original purpose. HISTORY ;'i' jiKical JPeatiii^eS— an historical detail of the in; cresting events^ #hich led to the rapid population of the British Colonies, and* to their subsequent separation from the Parent State— a brief biit interesting sketch of the arduous contest, which terminated in the raising of these Colonies to the rank and privileges of air Independent State. This will introduce a correct delineation of the Laws, Government, and Constitution of the Unitbd States, and a Statistical account of the different States, in re- ference to Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures; also de«t scriptive traits of the Manners, Customs, and Domestic Habits^ both of the native tribes, and the citiisens of the UNiTBiy States ; This part of the Work will comprise a View of the State of Emigration to the United States from this country, in' which each State will be examined, in reference to its suitable- ness to the different classes of emigrants, as Capitalists, Agri^.; eulturists. Manufacturers, and Artizans. To which we shall sW)jbin a variety of useful hints to those who may be delibei^a- ting on the propriety of emi^ating to that Country. '^T - "i There is no event in the history of the v.orld more interesting^ a/id fextraordinary than tlie discovery of the American Conti- nent; Which with its surroundihg seas forms an entire Hemis-' phere: the effect which this event produced on the general stat<5; of the Old Wc/irM is incalculable ; -and it cahhot but^xoite wdn- X. A t IIIRTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. der and astonishment, thai so considerable a portion of the Globe should have remained unknown for so many generations. The surmises that this Continent was Icnpi^n to the Phoenicians, and the Carthaginians, k totally unsupported by any evidence which can be considered as at all satisfactory ; and the probabi- lity is, that it was totally unknown to the ancient world. America derives its name from Americus Vespatius, a Floren- tine, who preferred a grxnindless claim to the honor of having discovered it ', a cjaim which unfortunately was not disputed, until that Continent had been so long called by his name, as to render it impossible to alter it. This circumstance has deprived Columbus of the honor which was so justly his due ; of giving his name to a Continent, so vast as to be called a New World ; a species of posthumous injustice, which there is now no probar bility of ever redressing. Towards the close of the fourteenth century, the navigation of Europe was scarcely extended beyond the limits of the Me- diterranean; The mariner*s compass had been invented and in common use for more than a century ; yet, with the help of this sure guide, prompted by th^ mo§t ardent spirit of discovery, and encouraged by the patronage of prinqeis, the mariners of those days rarely ventured from the sight of li^d. They acqui- red great appiaijse by sailing along the coast of Africa, and dis- covering some of the neighbouring islands ; and, after pushing their resear/che? with the greatest industry and perseverance for more thai) 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 Easjt had for steveral ages been brought into Europe by the way of the |led Sea and the jVledi- terranean ; and it had npw become the object of the Portuguese to find a passa^ to India, by sailing round the southern extre- mity of Africa, and then taking an eastern course. This great object engaged the general attention of mankind, and drew into the Portuguese service adyepturers from every maritime jiation in Europe. Among the foreigners whom the fame qf the discoveries made by the Portuguese had allured into theijr service, was Christo- pher Colon, or Columbus, a subject of the republic of Genoa. Neither the time nor niace nf his hirt.h arr known with rrrtnit -J i I ! DISCOVEEY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 8 but he was descended of an honorable family, though reduced to indigence by various misfortunes. His ancestors havhig betaken themselves for subsistence to a sea-faring life, Columbus disco- vered, in his early youth, the peculiar character and talents which mark out a man for th«t profession. His parents, instead of thwartmg this original propensity of his mind, seem to have encouraged and confirmed it, by the education which thev eave him. After acquiring some knowledge of the Latin tongue the only language in which science was taught at that time Iw was mstructed in geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and' the art of drawing. To these he applied with such ardor and predilec- tion, on account of their connexion with navigation, his favor ite object, that he advanced with rapid proficiency in the study of them. Thus qualified, in the year 1461, he went to sea at the age of fourteen, and began his career on that element 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-fight, 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 j upon which he threw himself into the sea, laid hold of a floating o^, and by the support of it, and his dexterity in swimming, he reached the shore, though more than six m}|es distant, and thua preserved a life designed for great undertakings. Soon after this Columbus went to Lisbon, where he married a daughter of Bartholomew Perestrelloy orfe of the captains em. ployed by prince Henry in his early voyages, and who had disco- yered and planted the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira Tha journals and charts of this experienced navigator, his fatlier-in- aw, fell into his hands, and he, with avidity, availed himself of the valuable information they contained. His impatience to visit the places which PerestreHo had seen and described, became ir- resistible; and he made a voyage Co Madeira, and spent several years m trading with that island, the Canaries, the Azores The settlements in Guinea, and all other places whi'ch the Portugu^: had discovered on the continent of Africa. ""guese By the incperience acquired during such a variety of voya«s -^». h.. «.„biw«n «m noi suffer him to rest satisfied with that i HliTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. ^a!se. He alm«d at something mor*. A ptijHt had been con- tcivrd of findisig out a passage by sea to tfie East Indies. The accomplishment of this became a favorite object with Columbut. The Portoguese sought this route l»y steering towards the south, in hope of arriving at India, by turning to the east, after they had sailed round the farther extremity of Afiica ; which passage was afterwards effected in 1497, by Vasco de Gama, a Portu- guese navigator. Columbus contemplated a shorter and more direct passage to the East Indies, by sailing towards the west, across the Atlantic Ocean. The principles and arguments which induced him to adopt this opinion, then considered as chimeri- cal, were highly rational and philosophical. The sphericity anw became impatient to bring to the test of expe- riment the truth of his system, and to set out upon a voyage .f j: ery. 1 SIC itISI. 3icp » J_ *K i3 was lO Sccufc iiie pa- DISCOVERY AND EATILY SF TTMSMENTS. 5 tronage of «omc of the con^tidornhlc powers of Europe. With thin view he inid his acliemc before tlie senate of Genoa, and, making hi» native and beloved country the first tender of his ser- vice, offered to sail, under the banners of the republic, in quest of new regions which he expected to discover. IJut they, inca- pable of forming just ideas of his principles, inconsiderately re- jected his proposal as chimerical. He then submitted his plan •o the Portuguese, who perfidiously attempted to rob him of the honor of accomplishing it, by privately sending another person to pursue the same track which he had proposed. But the pi- lot, who was thus basely employed to execute Columbus' plan had neither the genius nor the fortitude of its author. Contra- ry winds arose } no land appeared; his courage failed; and he returned to Lisbon, execrating a plan which he had not abilities to execute. On discovering this flagrant treachery, Columbus immediately quitted the kingdom in disgust, and landr' in Spam, towards the close of the year 1484. Here he resolved to propose it in person to Ferdinand and Isabella, who at that time governed the united kingdoms of Castile and Arragon He, in the mean time, sent his brother Bartholomew to Eng- land, to propose his plan to Henry VH. After experiencing a series of mortifying disappointments, du- ring eight tedious years, Columbus, in deep anguish, wUhdfew from court, determined to repair to England as his last resource. At this juncture the affairs of Spain, which had been perplexed m consequence of a war with the Moors, took a favorable turn guintamlla and Santangel, two powerful, vigilant, and discern- ing patrons of Columbus, seized this favorabh^ opportunity to make one more effort in behalf of their friend. They addressed themselves to Isabella, with such forcible arguii.^ts a^produ- ced the desired effect. They dispelled all Isabella's doubts and fears; she ordered Columbus, who had proceeded on his jour- ney, to be instantly recalled; declared her resolution to employ him on his own tj^rms ; and, regretting the low state of her fi- nances, generously offered to pledge her own jewels, in order to LTthr v"" ""T "'""'«''' ^' "^^'^^^ '" "'^^'"^ preparations for the voyage. Santangel, in a transport of gratitude, kisted he queen's hand; and, in order to save her from h^i^Te" course to such a mortifying expedient for nroo.,H„. dn.„ enifagea to advance, immediately, the sum that was"«q7sirZ' • iiisTOKY OP Nonrn America. l,C(»lumbus had proceeded some Jcagucs on U:% voyage tc Eng- land, when the ine.«cnger from Isabella overtook him. He r«- tiiriKHl with joy mingled with some degree of fear, lent he should again be disappointed. Tho manner of his reception by the queen was, however, such as quickly dispelled his fears. A ucgociation comnjcnccd, and was forwarded with dispatch, and an agreement was finally entered into ami a:;;ncd, on the 7th of April, 1492. The chief artichjs of it were, 1. Ferdinand and Isabella, as sovereigns of the ocean, constituted Columbus their high-odmiral in all the seas, islands, and contiiieuts, which should be discovered by his industry j and stipulated, 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 aad continents which ho should discover j but if, for the better administration of aiTftirs, it should be necessaiy to establish a separate governor ill any of those countries, they authorised Columbus to name three persons, of whom they would choose one for that office j and the dignity of viceroy, with all its immunities, was likewise to be hereditary in the family of Columbus. 3. They gra;ifed to CoUimbus, and his heirs fov evtv, the tenth of the ffee prorits accruing froai the productions md commerce of the countries which he should discover. 4. They declared, if any controver- sy or lawsuit sliould 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-eighth part of what should be expended in preparing for th^^ expedition, and in carrying on commerce with the countries nvhich he should discover, and intitlcd him, in return, to an eighth part of the profit. Though the name of Ferdinand appears eoi\j.oined with that of Isabella in this transactioi;, his distrust of Columbus was so violent, that he refused to take uny part of the enterprise, as king of Arrogon. As the wliole expence of the expedition was to be defrayed by the crown of Castile, Isabella reserved for her sub- jects of that kingdom an exclusive riglit to all the benefits which might redound from its success. At^cr all the effbi ts of Isabella and Columbus, the armametit I tc Eng' He re> , lest h« eption by fears. A Itch, and le 7th of land and ibus their a, which that he ^he same Imiral of appoint- ontinents listration governor to name t office; likewise gra^Yted ?e profits countries )ntrover- transRC- d be de- ;es to be advance g for the countries 3j to an vith tliat i was so , as king t'as to be her sub- is which mametit DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 7 was suitable, neither to the dignity of the power who equipped It, nor to the importance of the service to which it was destined. It consisted of three versela; the largest, a ship of no conside- r«ble burden, was con/^anded by Columbus, as admiral, who gave It the name of Santa Maria. Of the second, called the Pwta Martin P.n^on was captain, and his brother Francis pilot. The third, named the \cgna, was under the command of Vincent Yanez Pmzon. 1 hc8e two last-mentioned were light vessels, hardly superior n. burden or force to large boats. This little squad- ron was victua led for twelve months, and had on board ninety Td'lT? ''"•^7> T^l;" ^'^'^ ^ fe^ adventurers, who follow, ed the fortune ol Columbus, and some gentlemen of IsabelU's eour t, whom she appointed to accompany him The 1 2f!Z' in fining out this squadron L L TxcJ'ycJS On the third of August, 1492, being Friday, Columbus set R.I, m the presence of a vast crowd of spcctato s, who offered terven supphcations to heaver, for his success, which thevmher wished than expected. He steered directli for the Cana^ "lands, and in short run thither, found his ships vLZZ appointed, a.;d very unfit for .0 long and danger! a „Yvi«a^^^^^ l^e left the Canaries on the 6th of September, and here proDeHJ commenced the voyage of discovery He held hi, courir^ ^ west and immediately left the usual track f nalaZ atd stretched mto unknown and unfrequented seas.T he'l^th of September, tb. fleet was about 200 leagues west of thl r s juiif ;r '''- '- '-' ''- -y ^^^^^ Columbus early discovered, from the ^mrJf r^ w n. What most astonished Columbus W„.:«,, .1, ^creased, variatinn M' »!,. " .^oiumbus, du.ing the voyage, was the poinVe;ac"tIy";;"the;Z o^-'ved that it did not y ^o ine polar star, but varied towards the west. HiSTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. This appearance, then one of the mysteries of nature, though UQw fatniliar, filled the companions of Columbus with terror. They were now in the midst of a trackless ocean; nature herself seemed to be altered, aiid the only gaide they had left was about to fail them. Columbus, with uo less (juickness than ingenuity, in-* vented a reason for this appearance, which though it did not satisfy Uimscif, seemed so plausible to them, that it dispelled their fears and silenced their murmurs, . «>soi-i amf- i On the evening of the llth of October, Columl>us was s6 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, do man shut his ■ eyes, all kept on deck, gazing intently towards that ciuartcr where they expected to discover the land, which had so long been the object of their wishes. A little before midnight, Columbus, from the forecastle, discovered a light at a dlslancej and, shortly^ after, the joyful sound of land ! land ! was heard from the Pinta, which olwfiys kept a head of the other ships. At the dawn of day, an island was seen from every ship, at the distance of about two leagues north, whose verdant aspecc indicated a most de- lightful country. The crews of all the ships, with tears of joy aiid transports of congratulation, unitedly sang Te Deunif as a hymn of thanksgiving to God. They then with feelings of self-> condemnation mingled with reverence, threw themselves at the feet of Columbus, begged him to forgive their ignorance, incre- dulity, and insolence, which had given him so much unnecessary disquiet ; acknowkdged his superior abilities, and promised obe- dience in future. .< r ia^i^? :;»>;»! •At siin-risihg, 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, whom the novel- ty of the spectacle had drawn together, whose attitudes and gestures expressed wonder and astonishment at the strange ob- jects before them. Columbus was the first European who 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. kneslihff down, thev all kissed the eroiind which thev hnrt J " a .. - ,. , =' ^ " — •' "" — * so long desired to see. They next erected a crucifix^ and proa*' 'I re, though ith terror, ure herself as about to enuity, iii'^ not satisfy their fears ■ i^mf^ i IS was so td, that he and atiict I the night, an shut his rter wh«re g been the ibus, from id, shortly^ the Pinta, ! dawn of e of about most de- ars of joy eimii as a b;s of seIf-> I'es at the ice, incre- iinecessary iiised obe- and they -vith war- the coast, the novel- udes and range ob- 10 set foot d in a rich followed, they had and pros** DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 9 trat»ng 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 machines 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 them 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 Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the simple innocence of natur6, entirely naked. Their black hair 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 j 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 «ott(m 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 Jarge 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 sevetral 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- mane and hospitable people. On his return to Spain he was overtaken by a storm, which had nearly proved fatal to his ships and their crews. At a crisis when all was given up for lost, Columbus had prjesence of mind enough to retire into his cabin, and to write upon parchment a -short ac- count of his v<^age. This he wrapped in an oiled cloth, which put it into a tight cask; and threw v. J-_l J SIC laciuscu in a cake of wax. B 10 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA- 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 before, on the 15th of March, 1433. He was welcomed with all the acclama- tions which the populace are ever ready to bestow on great and glorious characters} and the court received him with marks of the greatest respect. In September, ofthisyear^ (M93), Columbus sailed upon his fccond voyage to America? during the performance of which he discovered the islands of Dominica, Marigalante, Guadaloupe, Montsernit, Antigua, Porto Rico, and Jamaica: and returned to Spain hi 1496. In 1498, he sailed a third time for America j and on the first of August discovered the continent, at the mouth pf 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 J thence he wept over to the continent j discovered the bay pf Honduras 5 thence sailed along shore easterly 20Q leagues, to Cape GrgiciasA Dios, Veragua, Porto Bello, and the Gulf of Darien, searching, in vain, for a passage to the East Indies, During this yoyage,>e was shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica, where he suffered almost inconceivably from the cruelty of the inhabitants, the; mutiny of his meii, and especially from the infamou$ conduct of the governor of Hispaniola. He returned to Spain in 1504.. prj his ardvaljie received the fatal news of th^ death of his |)atronessi ^queen Isabella. The jealous and Avaricious Spt^niards, nq.^ immediately receiv- ing those golden advantages from these ne^ discoveries wWch they had promised, atid losit to the feelings of huipiMity and gra- titude, suffered their esteem and admiration oifColuipbus to dege- nerate into ignoble envy. The latter part of his life was therefore made wretched by the cnjej persecutbnsof his ^neipies. Qu^eii Isabella, his friend and patroness, was no Ipnger. alive to aifford him relief. He sought redress frprn Ferdinand, but in vaiu, Pisgusted with the ingratitude of a monarch whom he h^d served With so much fidelity and success, exhausted with hardships, ani broken with the i^mities which these brought upon him. Co- ./■ DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. H umbus 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 c' piety, becoming that su- preme respect for religion which he manifested in every occurrence of his hffe. He was grave thougii courteous in his deportment, circumspect in his ivords and actions, irreproachable in his morals and exemplary in all the duties of his religjorr. ' Among other adventurers to the new world,' in pursuit of eold ' was Amencus Vesputius, a Florentine gentleman, whom FerdU nand had appointed to draw sea-charts, and to whom he had given the title of chief pilot. This man accompanied Ojeda; an enterpnsing Spanish adventurer, to America; and having with much art, and some degree of elegance, drawn up an amuS mg history of his voyage, he published it to the world. Itcir- 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 nime 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. ,Ji- ^2 ''"J^'^ fi^^'^^ «f the West India islands does not fall wrthm 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- mice, his justice, and his benignity. In the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, better known by the name of Domingo, the cruel- ties ot 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 th^ Spaniards had not established themselves in anv ' force^T, theContment 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 svstem of cruelty, and plunders, on a more e- 1 m ive scale. With this view,^ Fernando' Cortez was d,spatched hom Cuba, with 600 men, 18 horses, and assail number of fieldpieces to subd.m M--o *^- ~o- powerful empire then existing in America, inhabited by railhons of 12 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA^ Indians, passionately fond of war, and then^ headed by Mm- t'ezuma, whose fame in arms had struck terror into the neighbaur- 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 enjpire of Mexico had subsisted for ages : its inhabitants 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 m 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 arid 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 which the officers were mounted— the artificial thunder that issued from their hands— and the wooden castles which had uafted them over the ocean— all struck a panic into the natives, from which 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 aiiows ; and yet he was, doubtless from motives of superstition, afraid to oppose a handful of Spa- niards, whom he hopqd 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 Cruz, which he understood that the Americans in the neighbour- DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 13 by Mon-> neighbeur- '^o authen> as that of ages : its 'heir supe- Dunded on to bid de- lame, situ- ; specimen ntinent by lake, and ) markets, )ut all the Spaniards. I from the 'St appear- nounted — —and the ocean — all lot recover ess, with" •ty vassals, 000 com- doubtless ul of Spa- It of gold. 1 hastened ry into the was treat- ^ever, that his palace ! machines Qself from ge of any th the na- sea, had , at Vera leighbour- hood had attacked, and that a Spaniard had been killed. On hearing this, Cortez affected to be in a violent fury, and insisted that Montezuma himself was privy to this violence, to whom ho went in person, attended by a few experienced officers. The emperor pleaded innocence, to which Gortez could not be per- suadedy unless 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 ; add, though a powerful monarch, in the middle of his own palace, and sur- rounded by his guards, he gave himself up 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 ^very 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 goverinng 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 hands, 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 .. — „^,^. , ^„ ,a^ „^„5 „j jj «j viiixed kingdom. This extensive coun- 14 m tflSTOHY OP NORTH AMERICA. try was reduced by the endeavours, and at the expence, of three I*r!vate persons; namely, Francis Pizano, Almagro, and Lucques a priest. The two former were natives of Panama, of mean birth and low education. Pizarro, tlie 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, 60 horse, and 12 small pieces of cannon. As the Pemvians 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 conquest of Mexico, that with this inconsiderable force Pizarro should make a deep 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 purpose? : 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 Vncas, 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 conquei'ed 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 Atabailipa, who detained Huescar as a prisoner, in the tower of Cusco, the capital of the empire. . >, . In this feeble and disjointed stite was Peril when Pizarro ap* pear^ ; 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 theie circumstances, Atabalita, instead of opposing them, Flzarro, however, whose 1 i te cc i S' M in 1 bi % dc 1 al ■| th 1 ha % i \VJ ^ ■ '?■ rel qu 0AV to prcCufc tiiCir fiiVOr. DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. la of three Lucques an birth, e, could I without Pizarro , and 12 the same nd were, rhkc, it lat with . :8sion on 'orm up^' ac, who, dhad a led from d whose itic as it ought a it, how- united to laws levolent as, who !at God named Quito, ' of the ' u His led the ir was 'aver of wer of ro ap* it fore- whose niards. them, whose tomper partook of the meanness of his education, had no ton* ception of dealing 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, a^ butchered some thousands of them, as they pressed forward to defend the sacred person of their monarch. Notwithstanding all their efforts, Atabalipa was seized by Pizarro, and carried t|» the Spanish quarters. He, however, was not long in their hands before he began to treat of his ransom ', but while Pizarro was engaged in this aegociation, by which he proposed, without releasing the emperor, to get into his possession an immense quantity of gold, the arrival of Almagro caused some embarrass, ment in his affair?, 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 between them. Pizarro claimed the most consider- able share of the royal ransom, because he had the chief hapd in acquiring 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 .£1,500,000, ster- ling, which, considering 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 o^2000 English money. Np sooner did numbers of them find themselves possessed of such fortunes, than they insisted on being disbanded, that they might eiijoy the fruits of their labor in quiet, in their own /iountry. io this Pizarro consented, sensible that avarice would still de- tain a number in his array^ and that those who returned wotild 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 fields new soldiers constantly krrived, and the Spanish armies never wanted reuiforcements. This immense ransom was no sooner deposited at the Spanish liead-quartefs, than the release of the king was demanded : but ~ ' '-""^ ««*uo=a lu i;uriipiy, rrammg several lexciwes fo 16 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. m Ws farther detention, though his real motive was to discover, if any farther treasure would be oflFered. Atabalipa, perceiving his treacherous intentions, boldly fenaorflfffltechigainst them j and Pi- Barro, finding ultimately that n«i farHfer fil^irahtage was to be ac- quired -by keeping him longer a prisoner, began to treat him in B 4rude and haughty manner, but ill suited to a person of his ex- alted birth and usual mode of life. This caused him to remon- •trate, and at length threaten, which so exasperated Pizarro, that (notwithstanding all the favors that this unhappy prince had shown him) he called a council of oificers, who unjustly tri- ed him according to the laws of Spain ; and he was found guil- ty of idolatry, of having a plurality of wives, and other circum- stances equally in themselves frivolous and impertinent, but for which this monster of barbarity caused him to be burnt alive !!! After his death, a number of competitors appeared for the throne. The principal nobility set up the brother of Huescar ; Pizarro favored a son of Atabalipa; while two of the principal generals endeavoured to establish themselves, 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, becoming ac- customed to scenes of blood and slaughter, began to rise from the lethargy into which for ages they 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 the country an idea that their invaders were not invulnerable, thousands flocked to the standard of Rolla, their famous general, who made head against t\j^em 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 the Spanish general indica- ted the sincerity of his designs by 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 Gus- DISCOVEftV AKD EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 17 scover, if eiving his ; and Pi- to be ac- it him in of his ex- remon- Pizarro, py prince justly tri- und guil- r circum- t, but for t alive!!! 1 for the Huescar ; principal he assist- iir conse- ig rather ming ac- rise from id boldly uthors of of them, dea that d to the i against dviseabie sd of the I indica- This he this in- himself strongly country, i of for- wed the f^ Gus- co. the capital, and subsequently of the greatest part of the country. But no sooner were the Spaniards in complete posses- sion, than Pizano and Almagro began to differ about the divi- sion of the countty. At length, however, a reconciliationwas brought about, through the dexterity of Pizarro, who, in giving up to his rival tlie southern provinces of the empire, persuaded him that still farther to the southward there existed a kingdom no way inferior in wches 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 danger into Chili, losing many of his soldiers as he passed over a branch of the Andes mountains, which are covered with perpe- tual snow. After surmounting these obstacles, he reduced a considerable part of the country j but was recalled from his vic- torious career by the revolt of the Peruvians, who had now be- come too well acquainted with the art of war, not to take ad- vantage of the division of the Spanish troops. They made an effort to regain their capital, in which, Pizarro being indisposed, they would have been successful, if Almagro had not suddenly returned, to secure the grand object of their former labors. He raised the siege, with infinite slaughter ol the assailants ; but, having obtained possession, was unwilling to give it up to Pi- zarro. . This dispute occasioned a long and sanguinary struggle be- tween them, in which the turns of fortune were various, and the resentment fierce on both sides, because the fate of the van- quished was certain death. This was the lot of Almagro, who in an advanced age, fell a victim to the security of his rival. During the course of this war, many Peruvians served in the Spanish armies, and IcHrned, from the practice of christians, to butcher one another. The majority of the people, however, at length opened their eyes to their real situation, and took a very remarkable resolution. They saw the ferocity of the Europeans, their unextinguishable resentment and avarice j and they conjec- tured that these passions would never permit their contests to subside. " Let us retire," said they, " from among them, let us fly to our mountains j they will speedily destroy one another, and thpo tiro fn«i7 ••/^fsix.v !«^ n<«n<.~ *^ _ .._ i*-^ i.* *• •* *• lixr.,. „», iHujf ivi,uiii III pcttwc fcO pui iMiiiiur iiauiiationfi." 1. c - It f In; I liii I HrsTonv or north AMEnrcA. This resolution wa$ instantly pnt in practice ; the Peruvians dis- perseiJ, and left the SpaninnU in their capital. Had the force on (uich side been exactly e(p.ul, this singular policy of the na- tives of Peru might have Iwen attended with success. Hut the victory of Pizarro put an end to Almngro's life, and the hopes of the Peruvians, who have since ceased to he a distinct people. Pi/nrro, notwithstanding he was now sole master of one of the richest empires in the world, was still urged hy his bound- less ambition to undertake new enterprises. The southern countries of America, hito which he had some time before dispatched Almagro, offered the richest conquest. Towards this quarter, the mountains of Potosi, composed of entire silver, had been discovered, the mere shell of which only now remains. He therefore followed the track of Almagro into Chdi, and reduced another part of that country. At leni>th meeting with repeated success, and having no superior to con- trol, no rival to keep him within bounds, he began to give loose reins to the natural ferocity of his temper, and behaved with the basest tyranny and cruelty against all who had not concur- red III his designs. This conduct raised a conspiracy agaMist h.m to which he fell a sacrifice in his own palace, in the citr ot Lima. The partisans of old Almagro now declared his son of the same name, their viceroy ; but the greater part of the nation, though extremely well satisfied with the fate of Pizarro did not concur with this declaration. Thev wailed the orders of the Emperor Charles V., then king of Spain, who sent over Va- ca di Castro to be their governor. This man, by his integritv and wisdom, was admirably calculated to heal the wounds of the colony, and to place every thing on the most advantageous tooting, both for it and for the mother-country. By his pru dent management, the mines of La Plata and Potosi, which were formerly private plunder, became an obj- 1 of pMblic utili- ty to the court of Spain; the parties were si'e <• crusher! - young Almagro, who would hearken to no term^ o* accommo- dation, was put to death ; and a tranquillity, since the arrival of the Spaniards unknown, was restored. But unfortunately, Castro was not suflSciently skilled in gaining the favor of the Spanish ynmstry, by bribes or promises, which they always expect trim die governor of so rich a country. By their advice a coun- cil vva.^ mit over to coHtroI Castro, and the colony was a-ain ij^' uvians din' \ the force •f the lui- Uut tho the hopen ict people, of one of lis bound- Aouthom ne bei<)re Towards of entire only now iigro into Lt length, T to con- give loose wed with t concur- y against the city his son, rt of the f Pizarro, orders of over Va- in tegrity ounds of intagcous his pru- i, which die utili- crushe*! ; ceommo- arrival of ^ Castro Spanish I expect a coun- as again DlSCOVniV AND EAIILY SETTLEMENTS. * 19 ynsettlcd. The party spirit, but just extinguished, again broke out ; and (ionzafo, the brother of Pizarro, put him.elf at the head o* In, brother's .partisans to whose standard several malcontents inunedintely flocked, tionzalo, who only paid a nominal submission to the Spanish monarch, went so far as to behead a governor whom he sent over to curb him. He alno gamed the confidence of the admiral of the Spanish fleet by whose means he proposed to hinder the landing of any troops from iMirope. Dnt in this he was disappointed; for the court of Spam, now bceoine sensible of its mistake in not sending to Ame- r r;i men of character and virtue, dispatched, with unlimited power., Peter de la Gasca, a gentleman of mild ar.d insinuating behaviour, and possessing at the same time a love of justice greatrifcss of soul, and disinterested spirit. Though it was not wuhout some difficulty that he effected a landing, yet, when that was accomplished, all those who had not joined in Pizarro's re- volt, flocked to his standard j 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 indeujnity was offered, 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 was defeated and taken prisoner. IJy his execution, which followed soon after, a permanent tran- •luilhty was diffused throughout the whole country, which suffered no material interruption till within these few years, when the troubles in the mothtr-country have enabled the inhabitants, in a great measure, to throw off the Spanish yoke. North America was discovered in the reign of HenrtF 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- In 1502, Sebastian Cabot fell in with Newfoundland j and, on lis return, he carried three of the natives of that island to Henrv VII. In the spring of J513, John Ponce sailed from Porto £..r ';^^J^^.^;.'. :?T_^f:^^ '^^ ^-^--t - 30-8' north , .,„ x„„«cu ,« «|^v„, u season when the country round fiO niSTORV OF NORTH AAIKHIOA. r'> WR8 covered with verdure, and in full l)iooni. This ciicum.stunc« induced hirn to call the wHUttry Florida, which, for iimny yenrs wft« the ijoniinon nftme for North nnd S.uth Awioricu. I»i 15 IG Sir Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas I'crt (.xplored the coast as far as Hraxil in Soutfi America. This vast extent of countrv, tlie cmist wiiereof was thus explored, remained unclaimtMl and unsettled by any European power (exoejit by the Spaniards in South America) for almost a century from the* time of its discovery. It was not till th« ycnr l.'>24 thiit Trance attempted discoveries on the American coast. Stimulated i)y his ontciprisinff neigh- bours, Francis I., who possessed a throat and active mind, sent John Verrazano, a Florentine, to America, for the purpose of making discoveries. Mo traversed the coast from latitude 28" to SO*^ north. In a second voyage, some time after, ho was lost. The noxt year Stephen Gomez, the fust Spaniard wlio came upon tlic American coast for discovery, sailed from (iroyon in Spain, to Cuba and Florida, thence northward to Cape Razo, in latitude 4(5 degrees north, in search of a north-wesf passage to thti East Indies, fu 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. We arrived at Newfoundland in May of this year. Thenco he sailed northerly; and, on the day of the fes- tival of St. Lawrence, he found himself in about latitude 48^*30*^ north, in the midst of a broad gulf, which he named St. Law- mice. He gave the same name to the river which empties into it. In this voyage he sailed as far north as latitude Sl*^, ex- pecting in vain to find & passage to China. The next ye'ar he sailed up the river St. Lawrence, 300 leagues, to the great and swift ¥aU, He called the country AWo 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 Rohewell, was sent to Canada, by the French king, with thi^e ships and 200 jnen, 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 afier heard of. In 1598, the king of France commissioned tlje i cu instance [luny yenrs In 1516, e coast as \' country, linit'cJ and Spaniards iine of its rliscoverioM n/? neigh- nind, sent )urpose of itude 28" r, he waa liard wlio m (iroyoii ape Razo, s^ passage I ., a fleet II to make iS given to ay of this >f the fes- :e48«^3()^ St. Law- ipties into 51°, ex- ^t year he great and ; a fort, in ing spring IS sent to 200 men, 'hich they r 1550, a vera never iioned tlje J DIKCOVKTIY AND IL\IILY SETTLEMENTS. 21 luarqfiir, de la Roche to conquer Canada, and oilier countries not posHCHScd by any christian prince. We do not learn, however, thatia Roche ever attempted to execute his commission, or that any farther attempts were made to settle in Canada during this century. On the 12tli of May, 1539, Ferdinand de Soto, with 900 men, besides seamen, saded from Cuba, having for his ob- ject the conquest of Florida. On the 30th of May he arrived at Spiiito Santo, from whence he travelled northward 450 Jcn^Mies from the sea. Here he discovered a river a (juarter of a mi^e wide and nineteen fathoms deep, on the bank of which he diid 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 davs 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- baikation, 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 dowa 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 Mm'mippi. On the 6th of January, 1549, king Henry VII granted a pension for life to Sebastian Cabot, in consideration of the nn{)ortant services he had rendered to the kingdom by his discoveries in America. The admiral of France, ChatiUon, early in the year 1562, sent out a fleet under the command of John Ribalt. He arrived at Cape i raucis, 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 Marys ^,hidx forms a part of the southern boundary of the United States. Ashe coasted northward, he discovered eight other river., one of whi.h he called Port Royal, and sailed up It several leagues. On one of t>,e rivers he built a fort, and called It amrks, 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 atter, Chatdlon sent Rene Laudonier, with three ships, to Flo- rida. In June he arrived at the river May- on «hJch '^- •*-•-'* - tort, and, in honor to his king, Charles IX.; he called it"ci»ro%at 22 HISTORY OF NOHTH AMERICA. In August, this year, captain Ribalt arrived at Florida the sc cond time, with a fleet of seven vessels to recruit the colony winch, two years before, he had left under the direction of the unfortunate captain Albert. The September following, Pedro Melandes, with six Spanish ships, pursued Ribalt up the iver on which he had settled, and, overpowering him with number, cruelly massacred h.m and his whole company. Melandes, having m h.s 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 ot Kibalt, took die alarm, and escaj)ed to France A fleet of three ships was sentfrom France to Florida, in 1567 under the command of Dominique de Gourges. The ol)iect of this expedition was to dispossess the Spaniards of that part of Florida which they had cruelly and unjustifiably seized three years before. He arrived on the coast of Florida in April, 1568 and soon after inade a successful attack upon the forts. The' recent cruelty of Melandes and his company, excited revenge iu the breast of Gourges, and roused the unjustifiable principle of retaliation. He took the forts; 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 eveiit, the French enterprised no settlements in America. In 15/6, captain Frobisher was sent to find out a north-west passage to the East Indies. The first land which he made on tlie coast d^hzabeths 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 Gilber't obtained a patent from queen Elizabeth, for lands not yet possessed by any christian prince, provided he would take pL session within six years. With this encouragement he sailed for America and on the first of August, 15 S3, anchored in Con- ception Bay Afterwards he discovered and took possession of St. Johns 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 RrAtrarkf A/1 IVTVdWU* 4 .»** lida the se- the colony, ction of the nuf^, Pedro the river on I numbers, des, having e forts, and )nier, and f the fate a, in 1567, ' object of lat part of zed three ril, 1568, rts. The evenge in inciple of niards to their for- arter this rica. In t passage the coast d Queen ered the ch for a the ice, y Gilbert not yet ike pos- ailed for in Con- ;ssion of n'ng his Sabioiij I which nt was "i W^' DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 23 As this is the first charter to a colony, granted by the Crown of England, the articles in it merit particular attention, as they unford 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 bv any chr.stmn prince or people. She vests in him, his heirs and assigns for ever, the full ri^^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 vov age, to go and settle in the countries which ht shall plant Shi empowers him, his heirs and assigns, to dispose of whateve'r por- tion of those lands he shall judge meet to persons settled there !hn?'"n'7 ? ^cordmg to the laws of England. She ordaini' that all the lands granted to Gilbert shall hold of the Crown o 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 wel marine as oU.r within, the said lands and scas^her^unto 3jo^ g"! and as their common safety and interest would render good i' vernment necessary in their new settlements, she gave GUbm his heirs and assigns, full power to convict, punish, pardo,^ govern, and rule, by their good discretion and policy L w' I n. causes capital or criminal as civil, both marine'and'^h r a persons who shall from time to time settle within the said countries, according to such statutes laws anri IZ- ^h=Ul be by H™, hi, bei„ and a^iiVd^Cd Id rbrhe" or the,r better government. She declared, that aH X , ,td there should have and enjoy all the privileses offr..^ and natives of Eneland anv U», „., , ^ "^ denizens trary notwithstanding ' I 5 "il, rUvhT, '"n'"' "- from attempting toittle with t™ t„X 'l ll: T™' place which Sir Humphrev Gilbert nr """'"'''. '"^"S-''^ °f "ny cccnpied. during the ^2 TZ^eZ """'""' ^'"" "^^ W,th these extraordinary power;, suited to the hid, notions of authority and prerogative prevalent ;., P i j , . '""" sixteenth century, but very reoZ.T," "^^'^^ ''''"'« ""= respect to the rights of ZIZT^T 1 7" r"' ''"^ ™"' a colony, Gilbor! began to con'ti, ™ "'"''" '^ "'"'» '» '<>"« embarj'tion. His Z Ihlt ad""' '"I '" -""''"^ ''" balf.brother, Sir Walter RnloW, ,i "^ "' """"^ "' '"' >v4iter Halcgh, who, even in his early youth. 24 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA* displayed those splendid talents, and that undaunted spirit which create admiration and confidence, soon procured him a fluflirient number of followers. But his success was not suited eithor 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. The 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 tltem 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 officers 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 far 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 botii, they had 8on>€ intercourse with the natives, whom they I inted spirit :ured him s 8 not suited to the ex- >f which he it, he him- ttlement on lore worthy sion of the eign. The igovernable Bs which he the conti- »le coast of reck of his which the iquisite for which the f deficiency ; had wast- )ted all his « favor he jurisdiction o Gilbert, undertake under the St, to visit [uire some reductions, orth, thev ia islands, ilf of Flo- ie in that Carolina, harbours, •con (pro- oe Sound, ound. In rhom they DISCOVEEY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 25 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 produc- 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- pying 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 fitted 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 spirit of that predatory war which the English 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 j 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 island 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 expect- ^ 26 iriSTOIlY or NOUTII AMERICA. m cd f.om a colony so feeble, and in a station so disadvantageous. But from the same impatience of indigent adventurers to ac-quire udden wea tl, vv nch gave a wrong direction to the industry of the Spaniards n. the.r settlements, the greate. part of the jL- l..h seem to have considered nothing as worthy of attention but cZVl' h"^ "''"• ''^"^ ''''y ^""«''^ ^'-^ -herever they came j these hey enquned after with unwearied eagerness. The savages soon discovered the favorite objects which allured them, and artfully amused them with so many tales concerning pear hshcr.es, and nch mine3 of various metals, that Lane and his companions ivasted their time and activity in the chimerical pursuit of these, instead of laboring to raise provisions foTthlh own subsistence. On discovering the deceit of the Indians, they were so nmch 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. Kaleigh having engaged in a scheme too expensive for his nar- rov funds had not been able to send them that recruit of store, spring. The colony, reduced then to the utmost distress, and on the pomt of perishing with famine, was preparing to disperse «)to different districts of the country in quest of food, when Sir Francis Drake appeared with his fleet, returning from a success- *u expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies. A scheme which he formed, of furnishing Lane and his associates with such supplies as might enable them to remain with com- tort m 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 tlieir joint request, as they were worn out with fatigue andsfa- inine, he earned them home to England - Such w^s the inauspicious beginning of the English settle- mente ,„ the New World; and after exciting high expectations this first attempt produced no effect but that of affording a more complete knowledge of the country; as it enabled Hariot, a ml of science and observation, to describe its soil, climate, produc- tions, and the manners of its inhabitants, with a degree «f ac- curacy winch merits no Juconsiderable praise, wlien comparecf I 1% DISCOVEEY AND KAtlLY SETTLEMENTS. 27 antageoa»« to acquire industry of P the Eng- ?ntion but ?rever they ness. The red them, ling pearl e and his chimerical 8 for their i Indians, tions and upplies of from the vn negli- support. r his nar- of stores rly in the less, and • disperse when Sir success- dies, A issociates th com- torm, in as dash- •ther, at andifa- » settle- 'tations, a more i a man produc- of ac' niparetl with the childish and marvellous tales published by several of the early visitants of the New World. There is another conse- quence 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 specimen 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- niard* 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 j 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 j 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 colony, 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 i» pieces by the savages. ■# 28 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. iJ II, In the following year, 1587. Raleigh, who was neitlier dis- couraged nor wearied out by the ill success which had hitherto attended all his eflForts to make a settlement in America, fitted out three ships, under the command of Captain John White and, as some authors say, directed the colony to be removed to he waters of the Chesapeak, which bay had been discovered bv Lane m the preceding year. Instructed by the calamities alrea- dy experienced, more efficacious means for preserving and con- tinumg the colony than had heretofore been used, were now adopted. The number of men was greater j some women ac companfed 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, mcorporating 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 \u the lat er end of July at Roanoke, where they received the me- lancholy intelligence of the loss of their <.ountrymen 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 their accommodation and comfort. They endeavoured to effec a reconcil^tion 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 Endi h was christened and styled Lord of Da.sa Monpeake, an Indian nation m 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 On viewing the country, and their own actual situation the colonists found themselves destitute of many things deemed es 3en lal to the preservation and comfortable subsistence I^a „ew ^ttlernent, in a country covered with forests, and inhab ted on! LuteH r '"^''^''^ ''^'' «^ «^^«8««- With one voice they deputed their governor to solicit those specific aids which th7 i^ngland, he found the whole nation alarmed at th. H^:A\ preparations made by Philip II. of Spain for their'invarr; „! DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 29 neither dis- ad hitherto Brica, fitted ohn White, removed to scovered bv lities alrea- ig and con- were now ivomen ac- nore abun- twelve as- 'as granted or and As- arrived in ^d the nie- who had Jtermined, ely began rations for ! to effect had ac- ) had dis- EngHsh, ill Indian it child of daughter irth, was tion, the med es- 'f a new >ited on- ice they ch their rrival in Kiidable on, and Raleigh, Greenville, and the other patrons of the colony, parti- cularly and ardently engaged in those measures of defence which the public danger called for, and rendered indispensable. Ra- leigh, however, mingled with his exertions to defend his native country, some attention to the situation of the colony he had planted. Early in the year 1588, he found leisure to fit out for its relief, at Biddeford, a small fleet, the command of which was given to Sir Richard Greenville ; but the apprehensions from the Spanish armament, proudly and confidently styled by their monarch the Invincible Armada, still increasing, the ships of force prepared by Raleigh were detained in port, by order of the queen, for the defence of their own country, and Sir Richard Greenville wa? specially and personally commanded not to de- part out of Cornwall, where his services under Sir Walter Ra- leigh, who was mustering and training the forces as lieutenant of the county, were deemed necessary. On the 22nd of April, White put to sea with two small harks ; but these vessels being unfortunately more desirous of making prizes than of relieving their distressed countrymen, were beaten by a superior force and totally disabled from prosecuting their voyage. Soon after this, in March 1589, the attention of Raleigh be- ing directed to other more splendid objects, he assigned his pa- tent to Sir Thomas Smith, and a company of merchants in London. It was not till the year after this transfck-, 1590, that any other effort was made for the relief of the colony. Three ships fitted out by the company, and having Mr. White on board sailed in March from Plymouth j but having cruelly and crimi- nally wasted their time in plundering the Spaniards in the West Indies, they did not reach Hatteras till the month of August. They fired a gun to give notice of their arrival, and sent some men on shore at the place where the colony had been left three years before ; but no sign of their countrymen could be found. In attempting the next day to go to the Roanoke, one of the boats, in passing a bar, was half filled with water, another overset, and six men were drowned. Two other boats, howe- ver, were some time afterwards fitted out with nineteen men to search the island on which the colony had been left. At the departure of Mr. White they had contemplated removing about fifty miles up into the main ; and it had been agreed that, 30 niSTOllV OF NOllT.I AMERICA. B' if they Jeft their then position, they would carve the name of th. J^ace to w ich they should remove, o„ so.ne tree 1"™ ^ with he addition of a eross over it, as a signal of di tre^s fXv »houhI he really distressed at the time of cL^ing 1 , ^^^^^^^^^^ After considerable seareh, the word CROATANVa o 7:".' ved, n. fa.r eapual letters, on one of the chief posts, bm unac compan.ed by the sign of distress which had bee'n agree on Croatan was the name of an Indian town on the north !1 of C.,0 U>ok Guyana for that place the fleet weighed a eh^rtl^e next day Mcetn,g with a storm, and several accidents whU^ discouraged them from proceeding on the voyage, they detr nnJh' TT^ "'"^'V'° '''^" ""''"P* '^ fi'"^ 'his lost colony. dilvLt ' " '" '"""" "' ''''' '^'^'''^^^ -- «^eL' If any subsequent voyages were made by the English to North America, they were for the mere purposes of traffic, and we entirely unnnportant in their consequences, until the year I60'> when one was undertaken by Bartholomew Gosnald, which con ' tnbuted greatly to revive in the nation the hitherto unsuccessful and then dormant, spirit of colonizing in the new world ' He sailed from Falmouth in a small bark with thirty-two men and avoiding the usual, but circuitous course by the West Indies steered as nearly west as the winds would permit, and reached the American continent on the 1 Ith of May in nearly forty-three degrees ot north latitude. Here some Indians in a shallop, with a mast and sails (supposed to have been obtained from Biscayan hshermen), came fearlessly on board them. * Finding no good harbour at this place,' Gosnald put to sea again, and stood to the southward. The next morning he de scned a promontory which he called Cape Cod, and holding his course along the coast as it stretched to the south-west, he touch- ed at two islands, the first of which he named Martha's Vine- yard, and the second Elizabeth's Island. Having passed some time at these places, examining the country, and trading with the natives, he returned to England. This voyage, which was completed in less than four months was a«e„.led with important consequences. Gosnald had found « heuUhy climate, a nch soil, good harbours, and a route which f I i.jii ir lame of the )r, or post, ess, if they r situation, found ear- but unac- ed on. rth side of mchor the Its which ey deter- to return t colony; sver been to Nortli and were ;ar 1602, lich con- iccessful, wo men, >t Indies, reached ty-three >p, with 5iscayan to sea he dc« ling his ' touch- 3 Vine- d some g with nonths, I found which DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 31 greatly shortened the distance to the continent of North Ameri- ca. He had seen many of the fruits known and prized in Eu- rope, blooming in the woods j and he had planted European grain, which he found to grow rapidly. Encouraged by these experiments, and delighted with the country he had visited, he quickly 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 unf.)rtunate,' however, 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 by 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 just representation of its state, or as the ex- aggerated description 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 circumstances in fa- vor of the country, acquired by a more extensive view of it as greatly increased the desire of planting it. The merchants of London, too, fitted out a vessel, which is supposed to have en- tered the Bay of Chesapeak, but to have returned without hav- ing penetrated mto and explored the country. The English Historians say, that Richard Hackluyt, preben- dary of Westmmster, a man of distinguished learning and in- telligence, contributed more than any other, by his able and iu- dicious exertions, to form an association sufficiently extensive mfluential, 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 j and a petition wa« presented to James L, who on the death of queen FJizabeT 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 them those territories in America 32 IirsTOnV OP NORTH AMEniCA. r-i. lying on the sea coast, between the thirty-fourth, and forty-fifth degrees ot north latitude, and which either belonged to that mo- narch, or were not then possessed by any other christian prince or people; and also the islands adjacent thereto, or within one hundred miles thereof. They were divided, at their own desire, ii»to two several companies j one, consisting of certain knights,' gentlemen, merchants, and other adventurers of the city of London, and elsewhere, was called the first colony, and wa» required to settle between the thirty-fourth and forty-first de- grees of latitude J the other, consisting of certain knights, gen- tlemen, merchants, and other adventurers of Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, and elsewhere, was named the second colony, and was ordcrtvl to settle between the thirty-eighth and forty-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 English subjects as should be willing to accompany them, with provisions 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 kingj 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, attemnt to settle or trade within their jurisdiction, and to seize and d^ J '9 DISCOVERY AND EAWLY SETTF.EMENTS. 33 J forty-fifth to that mo- ittan prince within one own desire, in knights, he city of , and was ty-first de- ghts, gen- >l, Exeter, )Iony, and forty-fifth St formed, the prior Jr so ma- in/ them, i for seven nes to en- the crown vithin the , for each irteen, to who were 1 laws as of Eng- ich were, ointed by ection of mines of former ; and to the colo- authori- attemnt: --J- . and de- I tain their persons and effects, till tlioy sjiould pay a duty of two and onc-lmU per centum ad valorem, if subjects; but of five per c'CMitum, if aliens. These tuxes were to be aj)|)licd, for twenty-one years, to the use oi' tlie adventurers, and afterwards to be paid into the ro}iil t'xehequcr. Wfiile the council for the patentees were employed in niukin" j)reparations to secure the benefits of their grant, James was no less assiduously engaged in the new, and to his vanity the flat- tering task of framing a code of laws for the government of the colonies about to be planted. Having at length prepared it, tiie code was issued under the sign manual and privy seal of England on the 20th of November, KJOO. He invested, by these regula- tions, the general superintendence of the colonies in a council in England, " composed of*a few persons of consideration and ta- lents." He ordered that the word and service of God should be preached and used according to the rites and doctrines of the church of England. Both the legislative and executive power?, within the colonics, were vested in the presidents and councils! To their legislative power, however, was annexed a proviso, that their ordinances should not touch any man's life or member should only continue in force till made void by the king 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 his 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 these offences the criminal was to be tried by a jury' Inferior crimes were to be punished in a summary way, at tlie 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 consonant to the jurisprudence of England ' lender this charter and these laws, which manifest, at the sam.e time, a total disregard to iill political liberty, and a total 2. ' E I M ' 1 m 34 HISTORY or NORTJr AMEllICA. &" "'' "" "'' °''™""'e» "I"'!, may be drawn f,„n- ^.,. remains unconfincdj thJn,V^ZtZZfu'' "'"™'" duou,, and almost uutried task „f Z7, " """" "" "" and nncultivatcd land, «.ve ed ll' J " T"^'' *""^"'' i..^.d on, by a .4 Z^^ Sy ■ " nld' a:rwt;n t r.taecd, „„,e fierce than the beasts they hunted. ' ^ ves^'ora\3^t4i^„v.rrh:':;Tri r-i five men destined to re„,ain in the conm'; " ' ' '""""''"' ""^ The command of this small embarkati'o- .vas riven .„ r were received; three pact l^crdVrthttaUrr''""' 'isr:f'crairar:sr7--*^ eliffc, containing the na^Vt " o^cuT" fc'o f^''■ arrival o'n the coat Twr^in a, d'TlT '"""'/'" ""'^ ..ames of his majesty's co„!cii'^b::,d Z^^^^t" ^ Newport, whose place of destination ».. n . circuitous route by tL West lldl I T f"""""' "«''' "'« »age of four monL/ Tl^e rlfkonintt^ 1"' ■"" " '™^P-- S;f:r2-iga:?Hf^^^^^^^^ .^m w.ch fortuU -^ ^ t'o" tt^::; ^t ^hl" '^l!i awn frorr. qo- *eTs of legis- losen by the le commerce ecute the ar- "ge, distant, larshes, and »d, when ir- concerned in T colonising d, and their isted of one iundred and fen to Cap- is the 19th instruction? f" the coun- nd to Cap- John Rad- he colony, s directing after their d that the ned. The ident, who itable con- dissension? hich after- int settle- took the long pas^ for three ions were aken by a e Chesa- < 13XSC0VERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 35 On the 26th of April, 1607, they descried Cape Henry, and soon afterwards Cape Charles. Impatient to land, a party of 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 sereral 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 lo which they gave the name of James, 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 after 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 his 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 improbable and unsupported charge of intending to murder the council, usurp the government, and make himself kmg 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 ther- 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. A.bout 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 by Cabot, and twenty-two year* after a co- ihii irn «,|, ¥U ^|H! iiii J6 HISTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. ony had been conducted to Roanoke by Sir Richard Greenville the Engl.sh possessions in America, designed soon to become a nnghty empire, were limited to a peninsula of a few thouTaU acres of land held by a small body of men, who with mZy ed them, and looked, m a great measure, to the other side of the Atlantic for the bread on which they were to subsist. 1 he stock of provisions for the colony had been very improvi- den ly laid an. It was enth-ely inadec,uate to their wants Zd L addition to this original error, it had sustained gre dal^e m the holds of the vessels, during their long pasfage. oTthe' departure of Newport (during whose stay they manfged ^ par take of the superfluity of the sailors) thev were reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the distributions from the Public stores These were at the same time scanty and unwholesom^ They did not amount to more per man than a pint of worm-eat en wheat and bariey, boiled in a common kettle. ThriTetch: ed food increased the malignity of the diseases generatd by « hot, and, at the same time, (the country being entirely unclear" od and undramed a damp climate among men exposed Lm heir situation to all its rigors. Before the month of Septem- ber fifty of the company, and among them Bartholomew Gos- nald, who had planned the expedition and so much contributed towards Its being carried on, were buried. This scene of theTr distress was heightened by internal dissension. The president was charged with 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- mine and death devoured his fellow adventurers. No crime could in the public opinion have been more atrocious. I„ addi! tion to this, he was detected in an attempt to escape from them and their calamities, in the bark which had been leffby 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 reflection J and this state of misery produced a system of con- duct owards 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 j and thereby to preserve the remnant of the colony. It produced another Ject i Greenville, :o become a w thousand th difficulty h surround- ther side of sist. Jry improvi- ints, and in at damage, :e. On the iged tc par- uced to the the public wholesome. * worm-eat- his wretch- eratd by a ?ly unclear- posed from )f Septem- amew Gos- ^ontributed le of their ' president P the colo- bread, and while fa- No crime In addi- from them Newport. He was alion and n of con- •ment dis- jin such hereby to ber effect, DISCOVERY A «' compass, at which, especially at the playing of the i,eJl 1 the impossibility of touching it, althor.h^hl 1,1 1"!^^!. ^"^ ly, they were greatly astonished ; anJ he-amus:d ;;;:;t;ht 38 histohy op north America. m many surprising stories of its qualities, as to inspire them with a degree of veneration, which prevented their executing their first design of killing liim on the spot. They conducted him in triumph through several towns to the palace of Powhatan, the most potent king in that part of the country. There he' was sentenced to be put to death, by laying his head upon a stone, and beatuig out his brains with clubs. He was led to the place of execution, and his head bowed down for the purpose of death when Pocahontas, the king's darling daughter, then about thir- teen years of age, whose entreaties for his life had been ineffec- tual, rushed between him and his executioner, and folding his head in her arms and laying hers upon it, arrested the fatal blow. Her father was then prevailed on to spare his life, and after a great many savage ceremonies, he was sent back to James-town. On his arrival thither, having been absent seven weeks, he found the colony reduced to thirty-eight persons, most of whom seemed determined to abandon a country which appeared to them so unfavorable to human life. He was just in time to pre- vent the execution of this design. Alternately employing per- suasion, threats, and even violence, he at length, with much hazard to himself, induced the majority to relinquish the inten- tion they had formed, and then turning the guns of the fort on the bark, on board which were the most determined, compelled her to remain or sink, in the river. By a judicious regulation of their intercourse with the Indi- ans, amons: whom Smith was now in high repute, he preserved plenty in the colony until the arrival of two vessels, which had been dispatched from England under the command of Captain Newport, with a supply of provisions, of instruments of hus- bandry, and with a reinforcement of one hundred and twenty persons, consisting of many gentlemen, a few laborers, and se- veral refiners, and goldsmiths, and jewellers. The joy of the colony on receiving this accession of force and supply of provisions was extreme. But the influence of Smith disappeared with the danger which had produced it j and an improvident relaxation of discipline, productive of the most pernicious consequences, succeeded to it. Among the unwise practices which they tolerated, an indiscriminate traffic with the natives was permitted, in the course of which some obtained for ■A Ituii e them with Jcuting their ucted him in >whatari, the iiere he was pon a stone, to the place jse of death, I about thir- teen ineffec- folding his id the fatal lis life, and nt back to weeks, he St of whom ppeared to ime to pre- oying per- ivith much the inten- the fort on compelled I the Indi- preserved vhich had if Captain ts of hus- nd twenty I, and se- i of force 3uence of i it; and the most le unwise : with the tained for History of north America. 39 their commodities much better bargains than others, which nisp.red those wI,o had been most hardly dealt by, and who thought themselves cheated, with resentment against the Emr- hsh generally, and a consequent thirst for revenge About this time was found, washed down by a small stream of water at the back of James-town, a glittering earth, which by the colonists was mistaken for gold dust. All that raging thirst for gold, which accompanied the first Europeans who vi- Mr Sr.^""'"!'" u"''"'"'' '"'""'^ ^^■^'^"'^^ ^y ^his incident. Mr Stith, m his History of Virginia, describing the phrenzy noho """r"' "'\ "k'''"^ "" "" ^^°"Sht,'no discourse! no hope and no work, but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold and load gold. And notwithstanding Captain Smith's wam and judicous representations, how absurd it was to neglect other things of immediate use and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with gilded dust, yet was he overruled/and her returns made m a parcel of glittering dirt which is to be found m various parts of the country, and which they very sanguinelv concluded to be gold dust." ^ ««'feuineiy of June, 1G08, laden one with their dust, and the other with c dar. This is the first remittance ever made from America bv an English colony, •* The effects of this fatal delusion were such as mieht have .been foreseen, and were soon felt. The colony began to suffir the same distress from scarcity of food, which had bef!^„ brought it to the brink of ruin. ^^"'^ 1 ™! ■•f '""hes of the English settlers had not vet extended eaZ XT'""' "/J'^™' '" ■""-^-river. S,„i h had form- ed the bold design of exploring the great Bay of Chcsapea^ exarannng the mighty rivers which empty into ii, oueninr an in' tercourse w,.h the nations inhabiting that territ^rvfa "d a" T nng a k.u,wledge of the state of their eu!Mva.ion and ZZZu Th,s hardy enterprise he undertook, accompanied bv D„«o Hu em an open boat of about three tons burden, Jd„^bl cZ of thirteen men. On the 2nd of June, he fell dowu X rfverT company with the last of Newport's two vessel, »nJ .• and bay on both sideV^he C^i;::k,t^^/:r- r^^ •Ill 40 DISCOVEllY AXD EARLY SETTLE3IENTS. Rappahannock from whence, their provisions being exhausted, he re turuecl to James-town. He reached that place on the 2ht of July, mid found the colony in the utmost confusion and dis- order. 1 hose who had arrived last with Newport were all sick • a general scarcity prevailed; and a universal discontent with thJ president, whom they charged with riotously consumini; the stores, and unnecessarily fatiguing the people with builchnrr a house of pleasure for himself in the woods. The seasonable ar- rival of Smith prevented their fury from breaking out in acts of personal violence.* They contented themselves with deposing their president, and Smith was urged, but refused, to succeed him. •Having in three days made arrangements for obtaining regular supplies, and for th, government of the colony, his firm frSd Mr Scrivener, was appointed vice-president, and on the 14th of July he agam set out with twelve men to complete his re searches into the countries on the Chesapeak From this voyage he returned on the 7th of September He had advanced as far as the river Susquehanah, and visit'ed all the countries on both shores of the bay. He entered most of he large creeks, and sailed up many of the great rivers to thei alls. He made accurate observations on the extensive territories through which he passed, and on the various tribes inhabit ' hem, with whom he alternately fought, negociated, and traded n the various situations in which he found himself, he alwavs' displayed judgment, courage, and that presence of mind wh^h IS so essential to the character of a commander Si \ failed finally to inspire the savages T^ 'e j' ^-^ most exalted opinmn of himself and his nation. Wh'en we con sider that he sailed above three thousand miles in an ooerK ?" when we contemplate the dangers and the hard^ ^ ZZ'Z' te ed ^d the fortitude, courage, and patience Jith whth I met them.; when we reflect on the useful .,.a • .ions „,,ch he ™ade to .„e st<«k o^f^ C;:ii' ^SAlt »ca, the,, possessed hy his countrymen j we shall 3 h. v . say that few voyages of diseovery/unde'rtle 'a ty tl frf fleet more honor on those engaged in them tl,«„7i,- T ' Captain Smith. <.S^„„„^L,,^^^^^^^^^^ * Till, error might very possibly he occasioned hv »h t 7 "ig the great lalies to the west as 4s. ^"^^ ^^ ^^'' I"«J'ao5 represent- ng exhausted, ;e on the 21st Jsiou and dis- were all sick j itcut with the )ijsiiming the h building a easoiiable ar- il t in acts of resident, and ining regular ' firm friend, rin the 14th )Iete his re- ember. He J visited all red most of I'ers to their 'e territories s inhabiting and traded. , he always nind which d he never » with the en we con- open boat; le encoun- which he rtant addi- cting Ame- hesitate to time, re- s does on ison, '«are 5 represent. DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 41 his accounts of that large portion of the American continent comprehended in the two provinces of Virginia and Maryland,* that after the progress of information and research for a century and a half, his map exhibits no inaccurate view of both coun- tries, and is the original on which all subsequent delineations and descriptions have been 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 bt. Lawrence coming to war with those of that neighbourhood, and that he found, among Indians oh the Susquehanah, hatchets obtained originally from the French in Canada. On the 10th 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 whom 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 m 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, 1609, was granted them. Some of the first nobihty and gentry of the country, most of the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants and tradesmen • were now added to the former adventurers ; and they were all mcorporated by the «ame 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 Cape 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 mto the land throughout from sea to sea west and north- west ; and also all the island ^lying within one hundred mile, of ,.ir«rrh '''^''^"Tt ^" «PP»y<"S t^ '"e very extensive part* oT^ose S fr,,;. '"'" "" '"' '^^' ""'* "" "^-^ "^-* ^"P'^-e '«to i' below i2 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ... t i* : ■j ' I '' ! ' ■( ,1 I I lil ■ the coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid ; to be holden of the manor of East Greenwich in free and common soccage, and paying in lieu of all services one fifth of the gold and silver that should be found. The corporation was authorised to convey, ynder its common seal, particular portions of these lands to sub- jects or denizens, on such conditions as might promote the in- tentions of the grant The powers of the president and council m Virginia were abrogated, and a new council in England was established and ordained in the charter, with power to the com- pany to fill all vacancies therein by election. This council was empowered to appoint and remove all officers for the colony, and to make all ordinances for its government, provided they be not contrary to the laws of England ; and to rule and correct the colonists according to such ordinances. Licence was given to transport to Virginia ail persons willing to go thither, and to ex- port merchandise free from customs for seven years. There was also granted for twenty-one years, freedom from all subsidies ip Virginia, and from all impositions on importations and exporta- tions to or frpm any of the king's dominions, "except only the five pounds in the hundred due for customs." The colonists were declared to be entitled to the rights of natural subjects. The governor was empowered to establish martial law in case of rebellion or mutiny, and to prevent the superstitions of the church of Rome from taking root in the plantation, it was de- clared that noi)e should pass into Virginia but such as shall have first taken the oath of supremacy. The company being thus enlarged, was now enabled to take more efficient measures than heretofore, for the settlement of the country. They soon fitted out nine ships, with five hundred emigrants, and su-h supplies as were deemed necessary for them. Lord Delaware was constituted governor and captain-ge- neral for life, and several other high sounding and useless offices were created. The direction of the expedition was again gJven to Newport, and to him and Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, powers were severally granted to supersede the existing administration, and to govern the colony until the arrival of Lord Delaware. With singular indiscretion, the council omitted to establish precedence among these gentlemen, and being to- tally unable to settle this important point between thems.lve. they agreed to embark on board the same vessel, and to be com- '^ DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 43 be holclen of loccage, and id silver that I to convey, ands to sub- note the in- and council i^ngland was to the corn- council was colony, and they be not correct the vas given to , and to ex- There was subsidies it) nd exporta- ;pt only the le colonists al subjects. ^ ill case of ons of the it was de- s shall have tied to take :tlement of ive hundred icessary for captain-ge- eless offices again giyen Sir George he existing arrival of oil omitted I being to- ^hecnsefves, ;o be com- p'ii ions during the voyage. They were parted from the rest of the fleet in a storm, awd driven on Bermudas, having on board one hundred and hity men, a considerable portion of the provi- sions destined for the colony, and the new commission and in- structions of the council. The residue of the squadron arrived safely in Virginia. ** A great part of this new company," says Mr. Stith, " consisted of unruly sparks, packed off by their friends, to escape worse des- tinies at home j and the rest were chiefly made up of poor gen- tlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes and libertines, footmen and such others, as were much fitter to spoil and ruin a common- wealth, than to help to raise or maiutaui one. This lewd com- pany, therefore, were led by their seditious captains into many mischiefs and extravagancies. They assumed to themselves the power of disposing of the government, and it sometimes devolv- ed on one, and sometimes on another. To-day the old commis- sion must rule ; to-morrow the new ; and next day neither ', so that all was anarchy and distraction." The decision of Smith was suspended but for a short time. He soon determined that his own authority was not legally revo- ked until the arrival of the new commission, and therefore re- solved to continue its exercise. Incapable of holding the reins of government but with a firm, and steady hand, he exhibited, on this emergency, that vigor and good sense, which he always dis- played most eminently when he most needed them. He boldly imprisoned the chief promoters of the sedition, and thereby re- ;jtored, for a time, regularity and obedience. Having effected this, he, for the double purpose of extending the settlements of the co- lony, and of preventing the mischiefs to be apprehended from so many turbulent spirits collected in James-town, detached one hundred persons to the falls of James-river, under the conduct of West, and the same number to Nansemond, under the com- mand of Martin. 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 direction 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 plunged it. Returning from a visit to the detach- 44 HISTORY OF NORTn AMERICA. M I I i !«: ■. .ncnt «at,onc,l »t th. fall, ,,f ,Iamo8-river, hi, powder.|.»c, whif. he „.„ ,,l«.p„.g ,„ the h„„,. took fire, and i,, ,l,e expb ion be a, ,o severely „„„,„le.i, ^, ,„ ,,e e„„fi„ed ,„ hi, M .,^ roby ,e„de,ed absolutdy incapable of perfonning the ae^™ ut,e, w neb Im ,t„t,on so indispensably required. Being tZ «-o„nded and u.»ble ,o obtain the aid of a Inrgeon in the c„|„ ny. he deternnned to return to England, for\vhich pte h. embarked about the bcgiiniing of October • M^'' •''''"'"'" ""^ ""'""^ '""'''"'^'' "f "I""" five hundred nihab.tants. They were furnished with three ships, seven boats oommodme, ready for trade, ten weeks pr„vi,i«/i„ the pub ,^ stores, s,x mares and a horse, a large stock of hogs and poultrv V,, h some sheep and goats, utensil, for agricuLre, n'e," '; fishing one hundred .rained and expert soldiers well acquainted pieces of ordnarice, and three hundred muskets, with a suffi- cient quantity of other arms and ammunition The present fair prospects of the colony were soon blasted b» Various pretenders immediately advanced their claims to the upreme command The choice, however, fell upon Cap.at Percy, who derived much consideration from the vUes of h^ heart, as well as from his illustrious family; bn 1,^101,1 » no time suited to the storms of his new and d fficult siSo^ were rendered still less competent to the task, by ^00" Co"™' of ,11 health which had determined him to retli, to EngZd from which he was with difficulty dissuaded. Being geSi; confined by sickness to his bed, he was incapable of mafZnteg his authority, and a total confusion with its accustomed b3 consequences ensued. "»i.omea uaneiul vi Jr''?i,'"1!T' •'"''"^""«'i"g "-at the man whose conduct and vigor they had so often experienced and so much dreaded m onger governed the colonists, attacked them on all swL Can tains West and Martin having lost their boats "nd ntriy hTlI- their men were driven from the falls of James-river a ,d Nanse .kL ^f ,^ -l' "^^'' ^"""S ">™i- After devourine -he """" °^ '^"' '«■"«' ^"".'J^ I-dians they had kUled, thefurt er-bag, whife explosion he l»is bed, and ig the active Being thus 1 in the colo- ich place he five hundred seven boats, n the public and poultry, ire, nets for I acquainted twenty- four nth a suffi- II blasted by bordi nation, lims to the on Captain rtues of his talents, at It situation, long course England, ? generally naintaining led baneful onduct and readed, no ies. Cap- learly half lid Nanse- as lavishly 1 they had •wring the the survi* ^ DISCOVERV AND EARLY SETTLKMEXTS. 45 ^ vors fed on those of their coinpanioiu', who had sunk under such ^ accuniulatcacre came atmer, unn^ having ar- DISCOVEUY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 53 rived, they fell at once on every settlement, murdered without distinction of age or sex ; and so sudden were they in executing their plan, that few perceived the weapons, or the approach of the blow which terminated their existence. Thus in one hour and almost in the same instant, fell three hundred and forty-se- ven men, women, and childr<^n, most of them by their ^ own plantation tools and utensils. The massacre would have been much more complete, had not itiformatioii 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 settlements' . 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 ; the 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 was 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 B.I. ' 64 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. If,." i r' for that purpose, to make all laws for the government of tl>e new colony not mconsistent with the laws of England Privile ges, m other respects analagous to those gTven to other colonies were comprised in this charter; and it is remarkable, that it contams no clause for obliging the proprietary to submit the laws which might be enacted to the king for his approbation or dissent; nor any reservation of the right of the crown to inter- lere m the government of the province. This is the first example of the dismemberment of a colony and the creation of a new one within its limits, by the mere act of the crown. The first emigration consisted of about one hundred gentle- men, with their adherents, chiefly Roman Catholics, who sailed from England under Calvert, the brother of the proprietor in November, 1632, and, early in the following year, landed in Maryland, near the confluence of the Potowmac. Their imme- diate effort was to conciliate the good will of the aborigines from whom they purchased their town, which Calvert settled' and called it St. Mary's. This measure was as wise as it was just. By obtaining the peaceful possession of a considerable piece of ground already prepared for cultivation, the Marvland- ers were enabled, immediately to raise their food; and from this cause, as well as from their neighbourhood to Virginia, which now afforded in abundance the necessaries of life, they vvere ne- ver afflicted with famine and its concomitant diseases, and thus escaped those calamities which had nearly suffocated in the cra- dle the infant colonies of Virginia and New England. Against the grant to Lord Baltimore, the planters of Virginia presented a petition, which was heard before the privy council in July, 1633, when it was decided, that that nobleman should re- tain his patent, and the petitioners their remedy at law. To this remedy they never thought proper to resort. To prevent further differences, however, free and mutual commerce was permitted to exist between the colonies ; and they were each enjoined to receive no fugitives from the other; to do no act which might bring on a war with the natives; and, on all occasions, to assist each other as became fellow-subjects of the same state. In February, 1634-5, was convened the first assembly of Ma- ryland. Like those of other colonies, it appeared to have been composed of the whole body of freemen. Their acts were, most 4 'f ■| .f i m iment of tl>« nd. Privile- ther colonies, able, that it ' submit the probation or )wn to inter- of a colony, the mere act Ired gentle- , who sailed oprietor, in ) landed in 'heir imme- aborigines, ert settled, e as it was considerable Maryland- d from this nia, which y were ne- , and thus n the cra- jf Virginia council in should re- '. To this :nt further permitted ijoined to ich might , to assist • ly of Ma- ll ave been ere, most DISCOTEUY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 55 probably, not approved by the proprietor, who transmitted in turn, for their consideration, a code of laws prepared bv him- self. This code was laid before an assembly summoned to meet iii .January, 16.37-8, which rejected it without hesitation, and immediately prepared a body of regulations adapted to their own situation. Heretofore, as in the other colonies at their commencement the whole body of freemen constituted the legislature. " But se- veral causes had contributed greatly to increase their numbers. The Roman Catholics, who fled from the persecutions then ex- perienced in England, sought an asylum in Maryland, and they also received into their bosoms those who were banished by the policy of their sister colonies. While the puritans of New Eng- land were employed in coercing conformity to their particular te- nets, Virginia retaliated on them by passing severe laws affecting puritans, which induced persons of that persuasion to faKe re- fuge in Maryland, where all were permitted to pursue, unmo- lested, the form of worship dictated by conscience. An increase of population, and extended settlements, produ- ced their certain consequence. The exercise of the sovcrcin-n power by the people themselves, became intolerably burthen- some, and the third assembly, which was convened in U]:i9 passed an act « for establishing the house of assemi)ly." This act declared, that those who should be elected in pursuance of writs issued, should be called burgesses, and should supply the place of freemen who chose them, in the same manner as the representatives in the parliament of E.)gland, and with those called by special writ, together with the governor and secretary diould constitute the general assembly; but the two branches of the legislature were to sit in the same chamber, in 1650 this regulation was changed ; an act was then passed, decllrinff that those who are called by special writ should form the upper house ; that those who are chosen by the hundreds should form 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 harmony subsisted between the proprietary and the people; and Maryland, attentive to its own affairs re- Riained, without any other interruption than one Indian war. which termmated in the submission of the natives, in a state of 56 HISTORY OF ^ORTH AMERICA. ;■ ;i i increasing prosperity until the civil xvar broke out in EnglancL The government like that of Virginia, was attached to the roy- al cause; but Clayborne, who took part with the parliament lound means to mtrigue among the people, and to raise an in- surrection m the province. Calvert the governor, was obliged to fly to V.rgmm for protection, and the insurgents seized the vrriefirZr;,'- '' r '"' ""'*' ^"^ust in the subsequent year (1641), that the revolt was suppressed and trm. ;ui!itv re- sored. An act of general pardon and oblivion was passed, from the benefits of which only a few leading characters were except ed J 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 withm 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 of parliament, he was per- mitted to retain his station and govern as 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 sucii 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 j provided such liberty was not extended to popery, or prelacy, or to such as, under the profession of Christ, practised licentiousness. Other laws 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- f •a' the "n in England, I to the loy- parliament, uise an in- vas obliged seized the subsequent liiuility re- assed, from ere except- ' additional way. he superin- smmission- le colonies Clayborne, d acknow- le was per- Ithough in I. It was iet posscs- nd having ; and the he faction :hings, at 1 the de^ vv assem- '■ influence lone who ! province us Christ, ! publicly ! of their opery, or practised ted; and as those y turbu- is resolv- f DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 5J ed to be useless, which continued until the restoration, when Philip Calvert was appointed governor by Lord Baltinioie, 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 diflicult steps the first, or soutliern 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 northern colony, to which it will be recollected a charter was at the same time gt anted, and which was composed of gentlemen residing in Plymouth, and other parts of the west of England, was less wealthy, and possessed fewer resources 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 made in the south. The first vessel fitted out by the company in 1606, was cap- tured and confiscated by the Spaniards, who, at that time, as- serted, a right to exclude the ships of all other nations from na- vigatmg the American seas. Not discouraged by this misfor- tune, two other vessels, under the command of Raleigh and Gilbert, having on board about one hundred persons designed ta form the proposed settlements, were dispatched the following year, and arriving safely on the American coast in autumn, took possession of a piece of ground near the river Sagahadoc, where they built Fort St. George. Their sufferings in that severe cli- mate during the following winter were immense. Many of the company, among whom were Gilbert their admiral, and George Popham their president, sunk under the diseases with which they were attacked, and in the spring the vessel which brought them supplies, brought them also information that their principal patron. Sir John Popham, chief justice of England, was dead. Discouraged by their own losses and sufferings, and by the death of a person on whose active exertions, more than those of any other, they relied for assistance, it was determined to abandon the country, and they embarked on board the vessel then return- Hig to England. The frightful pictures given of the coast, and of whe ehiuate, deterred the company for the present from further 3. u 5S HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. 'U 11 w' < m III ill iiiji attempts to mnke a settlement, and their enterprises were limit* ed to voyages made for the purposes of taking fish, and of tra- ding with the natives for their furs. One of these was made in 1614, by Captain Smith, so remarkable in the history of Virgi- nia. -He explored with great accuracy that part of the coast which stretches from Penobscot to Cape Cod, and having deli- neated it in a map, he presented it, with the descriptions dic- tated by .1 mind which, however sound, was enthusiastic and sanguine, to Charles, Prince of Wales, who was so pleased with the country, that it was denominated New England, which name It has ever since retained. The languishing company of Plymouth could not be stimula- ted to engage in further schemes of colonisation, the advantages of which were distan: and uncertain, while the expence was im- mediate and inevitable. To accident, and to a stronger motive than even interest, a motive found to be among the most power- erful which can influence the human mind, is New England in- debted for its first settlement. An obscure sect, which had acquired the appellation of Brown- ists from the name of its founder, and which had rendered itself peculiarly obnoxious by the democracy of its tenets respecting church government, had been driven by persecution to take re- fuge at Leyden, in Holland, where its members formed a distinct society, under the care of their pastor, Mr. John Robinson. There they resided several years in safe obscurity. This situation at length became irkson.e to them. Without persecution to give importance to the particular points which separated them from their other chri^itian brethren, they made no converts ; and their children were drawn from them by intermarriages in Dutch fa- milies, and by engaging in the Dutch service. Thev saw before them with extreme apprehension the prospect of losing their se- parate identity, and becoming entirely Dutch. In the extinction of their church they dreaded too the loss of those high attain- ments in spiritual knowledge which they deemed so favorable to truth. The laxity of exterior manners too, which prevailed among their neighbours, so contrary to the strict sanctity of the Brownists, added its influence to the more powerful considera- tions which have been stated, and produced the determination of removing in a body to America. In 1618, they applied to the London company for a graiit Qf "% es wore limlu , and of tra- 5 was made in tory of Virgi- 1 of the coast having deli- icriptions dic- ;husiastic and • pleased with , vvliieh nanio t be stiniula- le advantages eiice was im- onger motive most power- England in> 311 of Brown- jndered itself ts respecting n to take re- led a distinct n Robinson, ^his situation ution to give I them from s ; and their in Dutch fa- y saw before iing their se- le extinction high attain- favorable to ;h prevailed ictity of the i considera- itermination .r « ~ ^ -£ A 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 tliey were well weaned from the delicate milk of their mother coun- try, and inured 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 liscourage, or small discontents cause to wish themselves at home again." The only privilege on which they insisted, was a licence under the great seal to practise and profess religion in that mode which, under the in)pulse of conscience, they had adopted. This reasonable and modest request 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 ; 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 the limits of their patent. In September, 1620, they sailed from England, with only one hundred and twenty men, in a single ship. Their destination was Hudson'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 owri limits, but beyond those of the company from which they deri- ved their title j 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 the 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 3 and professing their loyalty to their sovereign lord iftf hi, p m -f Jji m ' liiM 60 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. KtriR James ; tlicy combincl thrmsclvcs into a body politic, for the purpose of makiufi; tMiual laws for the general rooiI. Havin^r thus by corninoii consent forinetl a conipact, the obli- gation of xvhich ull admitted, thev pri.ceedcd to the choice of a governor for one year, and to enable him the better to discharge the nnportant trust confided to him, thev gave him one assist- ant. In l(i2.I, three others were added, and the number was afterwards increased to seven. The supreme power resided iti the whole body of the male inhabitants, and during the infancy of the colony was exercised by them. They assenjbled together' occasionally, to determi.ie on all subjects of a public concern nor was it until the year KW}), that they established a house of representatives. They adopted, as a common rule of action, the laws of England j adding occasionally, municipal regulations, in cases to which the laws they had adopted, either did not com- pletely apply, or did not, in their opinion, furnish the most per- fect rule of conduct. Some of the changes in their penal code strongly mark their character and circumslances. While on for- gery (which in large conmiercial societies is pursued with so much rigor,) 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 thev 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 attendinfi- uninterruptedly to the n.eans of providing for their future wants to take up arms to defend themselves against the neigbbourine savages. Fortunately for the colonists, the natives had been so wasted the preceding year by pestilence, that thev were easily subdued, and compelled to accept a peace, which was offered thenri on equitable terms. Nothing could have supported the Lnghsh under these accumulated distresses, but the hope of bet- 1 i i ly politic, for )Otl. let, the obli- c choice of a • to discharge n one assist- nunihcr wjin er resided in g the infancy )led together, blic concern, d a house of )f action, the gulations, in lid not com- he most per- ir penal code Vhile on for- med with so rnication was ided was ex- V settlement, ey expected, Jpj)lied with Before the iiiy perished h they were privation of . and which »g with dis- new difficul- of attending uture wants, leighbouring had been so were easily was offered pported the tiope of bet- ■ m DISfOVKllY AND EAIII.Y SIVrTLrMENTS. 6i tor times, and that hi^rh gratification which is derived from the complete enjoyment i)f the rights of conscience, and the full exercise of all the powers of self-government. They received occasional, but scanty supplies from their friends in England, anri continued with a patient and persevering spirit to struggle against the difficulties which surrounded them. They remained in peace, and were alike exempt from the notice or oppressions of government. Yet their soil being uninviting, and the perni- cious policy of a community of goods and of labor, so unfavor- able to population, being for some few years adhered to, they mcreased more slowly than any other of the colonies, and in the year UuiOy amounted only to three hundred souls. Until this period they possessed no other title to their lands, than is af- forded by occupancy. In that year they obtained a grant of property from the New Plymouth company, but were never in- corporated as a body politic by royal charter. Having derived no powers from the parliament or king, and being totally disre- garded by the Plymouth company, they appear to have remained a mere volu.itary association, yielding obedience to laws, and to rnag.strates, forn.ed and chosen by themselves. In this situation they contmued undisturbed and almost unknown, more tolerant and more moderate than their neighbours, until their union with a younger and more powerful sister, who with a frame more hardy and robust, advanced with strides unusually rapid to a state of maturity. ' The original company of Plymouth, having done nothing ef- fectual towards settling the territory which had been granted to them, and being interfered with by individuals in their trade and fisheries, applied to James, for a new, and more enlarged patent. After much solicitation, he, on the 3rd of November, 1620 granted that territory, which lies between the 40th and 48th de' grees of north latitude to the Duke of 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 plantmg and governing that country, called whth hl'd H r' :''' J"";'"'"" ^"^ P^^-^ similar to thos, which had before been conferred on the companies of South and Nor h Virgima, and especially that of excluding all other person, whatever from trading within their boundaries,'and fishing rZ neighbouring seas. This improvident grant, which excited the Ir'l'i 1'^ 1 i ■< I ;• ,t*; 62 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. indignation of the people of England, then deeply interested rii the tur trade and fisheries, soon engai^ed the attention and re- ceived the censure of parliament. The patentees were compel- led to rehnquish 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 same coast, and several small emigrations were made at different times to Massachussetts-Bay, so termed from the name of the sachera 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 the purchase of part of New England; and that corporation, in March, 1627, conveyed to Sir Henry Rosewell and others, "Ull that part of New England lying three mifes to the south of Charles-river, and three miles north of Merrimack-river, and extending from the Atlantic to the South Sea. A small number of planters and servants were soon after- wards dispatched under Endicot, a deep enthusiast, who, in September, 1628, laid the foundation of Salem, the first per- manent town of Massachussetts. The purchasers soon perceived their total inability to accojn- y interested hi tntion and re- were compel- g thus depri- le them to en- s, they aban- New England le same causes still continu- itans were ex- Despairing of penal statutes I to look else- i their native lyiriouth were le dictates of e same coast, rent times to f the sachem of land were ving probably y disregarded, ter, who had id the Bay of assurance of eat exertions d puritanical colony, and 1 persuasion, led with the jw England ; to Sir Henry d lying three iles north of to the South B soon after- st, who, in he first per- r to accoo> DISCOVERY AI^D EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 63 plish the settlement of the extensive regions they had acquired without the aid of more opulent partners. These were soon found in the capital ; but they insisted that a new charter should be obtained from the crown, in which their names should be in, serted, confirming the grant of the council of Plymouth, and conferring on them the powers of government. To these requisitions the proprietors without hesitation acce- ded, and Charles was applied to, for a patent conforming to them, which issued on the 4th of March, 1628. This charter incorporated the grantees by the name of " The Governor and Company of Massachussetts-Bay in New Enff- land." -^ 8" The patent being obtained, the governor and council began with ardor to give effect to the views of the grantees. A fresh embarkation was determined on, to support the expences of which ,t was resolved, that every person subscribing fifty pounds should be entitled to two hundred acres of land as the fir.t divi dend Five vessels were procured, which sailed from the Isle of Wight m May, 1629, carrying about two hundred persons, with such articles as were proper for making a new settlement In June, they reached Salem, where they found Endicot, to whom they brought the confirmation of his commission as governor The colony now consisted of three hundred persons, of whom ene hundred removed to Charles- town, and the remainder con- tinned at Salem. Religion having stimulated them to emigrate from their native and, constituted the first object of their care in the country thev had adopted. Being zealous puritans, they concurred in the in- fititution of a church, in which was established that form of oo hey, wb^ch was believed best to agree with the divine will as re" yealed in the scriptures, and which has since been denominated independent. A confession of faith was drawn up, to which the majorj^y signified their assent; and an association was then formed ni which they covenant with the Lord and with each other, to walk together in all his ways as he should be pleased to reveal himself to them. Pastors and other ecclesiastical offi- cers were chosen who were installed into their sacred offices, by the imposition of tli« hands of the brethren- ^ A church being thus formed, several were recelv.A a.- r-e-- bers, who gave an account of their faith and hope as^christianj; 64 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ■•l i I', : I'l i!fil li^ and those only were admitted into the communion, whose mo- rals and rehgious tenets wee approved by the elders. From the torm of public worship which was instituted, they discarded the hturgy as well as all ceremonies deemed useless, and reduced it to the standard of Calvinistic simplicity. Pleased with the work of their bands, and believing them- selves to be perfect, they could not tolerate a different opinion ni others. Just escaped from persecution, they demonstrated that It was not the principle, but its application whii h they eon. demned, and became persecutors themselves. Some few of their number, attached to the ritual of the church of England, were dissatished with its total abolition, and withdrawing from com- munion with the church, met apart to worship God in the man- ner they deemed most proper. At the head of this small party were two of the first patentees and of the council. These were called before the governor, who being of opinion that their non- conformity and conversation tended to sedition, sent them to England. Deprived of their leaders, the opposition ceased. The ensuing winter brought with it the calamities which had been uniformly sustained by the first emigrants into a wilderness where the cold was extreme, and the privations almost universal! In the course ^f it, nearly half their number perished, "lament- ing that they did not live to see the rising and glories of the faithful." The fortitude however of the survivors was not sha- ken, nor were their brethren in England deterred from joining them. Religion supported 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, and 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 a previous condition to their emi- gration, that the power of government should be transferred to New England, and be exercised in the colony. The company had already incurred expences for which they saw no prospect of , whose mo*- s. From the discarded the id reduced it ieving thein^ brent opinion JeiJionstrated ill they con-^ ! few of their (igland, were f from com- in the man- s small party These were at their non- ent them to ceased, i vvhich had i wilderness, »st universal, I, "lament- ories of the ms not sha- rom joining leir difficul- chy, at the I strict con- he puritans )untered in man enjoy- e Supreme ions of for- : hberty of eseeing the 'e power in their emi- msferred to i company )ro3pect of l^ISCOVERY AND EAllLY SETTLEMENTS. 65 a speedy retribution, and although they doubted the legality of the measure, were well disposed to obtain such impoitant aid by embracing it. A general court was therefore convened, by whom 3t was unanimously resolved "that the patent should be transfer- red, and the government 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 «hare 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, that early in the following year, fifteen hundred persons, among whom were several of family 'and fortune, embarked on board seventeen vessels at an expence 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 srttling 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 which 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; 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 dimmution, 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 1631, 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 wmplaints of the severities exercised by the 3. I S',.^i!i •rr: I 66 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. government of Massacliussetts, which 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 enthusiasm, and for their hostility to the existing system in England, seems at length to have made some impression on Charles ; and on the 21st of February 1633 an order was made by the king in council to stop the ships at that time ready to sail, freighted with passengers and provi- sions for New England. This order, however, seems never to have been strictly executed, as the emigrations still continued without any sensible diminution. Hitherto the legislature had been composed of the whole body of the freemen. Under this system, so favorable to the views 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 Jhe 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, 1634 therefore, as it were by common consent, the people elected delegates, who met the governor and council, and constituted the general court. This important and necessary improvement in their system, rendered familiar and probably suggested by the practice in the mother country of delegating legislative power to representatives, although not authorised by their charter re- mained unaltered so long as that charter was permitted to exist. The colony of Msssachussetts, having being settled by men whose pohtical 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 and government of the plantations" wae 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 tlwir state public, or the utility of individuals." The com- persons ex- d by many emigration liostility to Iiave made riiary 1G3'3, be sbips at and provi- is never ta I continued whole body the views ower of the 1 assistants, lad already sequence of small-pox, t of vacant extremely e a prinei- fear, 1634, )le elected constituted iprovement 3ted by the tive power barter, re- d to exist, d by men ngly tinc- leted, from dependent )f thejea- lission for wa» issued obility, in •f Canter- i concern- The com- DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 67 niissioners were authorised to support the clergy, by assigning them " tithes, oblations, and other profits, according to their discretion j to inflict punishment on those who should violate their ordinances; to remove governors of plantations, and to appoint 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 colonies. The commissioners were also constituted a committee to hear complaints against a colony, its governor, or other officers, with power to remove the offender 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 enquiry, 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- setts 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 cotemporaneous, and of consequence they set up conflic- ting claims to the territory. In 1603, 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 1606, 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 fortieth 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 noi and east, and south, by the n- '""•Vj m 68 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. M;'l . :i W llilil:SI9!! wm if i!|i ver 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, and 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 wera restored to France, generally, without describing their limits ; and Fort Royal, Quebec, and Cape Breton, were severally sur- rendered by name. In 1632, a party of French from Acadre, 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 j with the intelligence of this fact, information was also brought thst Cardinal Richliew 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 *-ttlement. 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 1635, when they were dispossessed by a military force detached by Rosillon, 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 Enc lish as far as Pemaquid. The government of New Plymouth 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 Captam 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 cominff against then), they prepared for its reeontion bv fortifying and atrengthenmg the fortj in consequent' mpanies to year, with ;nts, for a ed to com- iid to build where en- ;withstand- iion of the ndians un- a militarjT fort at La le governor 1 the Eng- Plymoutb f territory, ery of the command force of a stipulated he French It coming ifying and eak to at- DISCOVEHY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 69 tempt to carry the works by assault, sent the bark, accompanied with two of the people of Plymouth, to solicit the aid of Mas- sachussetts. The court agreed to assist their neighbours with a hundred men, and to bear the expence of the expedition by pii. 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 consequence of this circum- stance, the expedition was abandoned for the present -, Girling returned, and the French retained possession of the station until 1654. 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 annaL, arrived in 1635, at Boston. One was Hugh Pe- ters, the coadjutor, and chaplain of Oliver Cromwell ^ the other Mr. Henry Vane, the son of Sir Henry Vane, who was at that time a pnvy counsellor of great credit with the king. So forci- ble was the influence of the political, and perhaps religious opi- nions then maintained by the puritans on the mind of this Voune gentleman, that he appeared ready to sacrifice, for their gratifi- cation, all the enjoyments which awaited him, and all his hiffh expectations in his native land. His mortified exterior, his grave and solemn deportment, although not more than twenty-five years of age, his reputation for piety and wisdom, his strong professions of attachment to liberty, and to the public interest added to his attention to some of the leading members in the church, won rapidly the aflfections of the people, and the year fvernor'T /''• ^'''^ ^'"'^'^ approbation, chosen dieir governor. His administration commenced with more external pomp than had been usual, or would seem to be congen"a with the plain and simple manners of the people he governed When going to court, or church, he was always preceded by two sergeants, who walked with their halberts; yet his popularity sustained no diminution, until the part he took in the reS controversies of the country detached from him many of i mos judicious and influential inhabitants. ^ Independent of the meetings for public worship on every Sun- day, of the stated lecture in Boston, on every Thursday ;a„d of occasional lectures in other towns; there were frequen pri- vate meetings of the brethren of the churches for religious exer- TO niSTOllY OF NOnTH AlVfERTCA. ">:) \i, J i:l eises. Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman of deep enthusiasm, and of considerable eloquence, who had been much flattered by the at- tentions of the governor, and of Mr. Cotton, one of the most influential of the clergy, and whose husliand 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 deemed pertinent. These meetings were attended by a large number of the most respectable of her sex ; her lectures were much spoken of, and, for a time, very 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; the others as being under a covenant of works. Contending for the necessity of the former, she maintained that sanctity of life is no evidence of justification, or of favor with God ; and that the Holy Ghost dwells personally in such as arc 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 humiliation were appointed y a general synod was call- ed J and, after the most violent dissensions, Mrs. Hutchinson'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 govei;nment of New England entirely into his own hands. In pursuance of this de- termination, he had, in 1635, 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 ism, and of 1 by the at- >f the most among the the exelu- hren, insti- epeated the h such re- ie meetings able of her time, very distinction trough the ier a cove- of works, tained that favor with mch as arc ies, equal- Its against Mr. Vane utchinson, ant-govor- s, were of ^s of fast- was call- itchinson's banished, t, quitted t of New f this de- n already e planta- that none icence of r to those and had This or- 3mpletely « DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 71 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 England, was the .simple frame of church policy established in Massachussetts, that crowds surmounted every difficulty, to seek an asylum in this New Jerusalem. Among them were found persons of the first political influence and mental attainments of their country. Pym, Hampden, Hazlerig, 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 the regulation and government of the plantations conceiving the administration of the colony to have been in violation of its charter, a writ of qiw warranto was is- sued, and judgment was given, that the liberties of Massachus- setts 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 corporation in New England were served with the process. The privy council, however'^ or- dered the governor and company to send their patent to Eng- land to be delivered up. This order the general court answered m September, 1638, by a petition to the commissioners, in which they say, « We dare not question your lordships' proceed- mgs m requiring our patent to be sent unto vou ; we only desire to open our griefs, and if in any thing we have offended his ma- jesty 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 m 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- ble 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. and to the rigor with which conformity was exacted, is, in a «rcat measure to be attributed the first settlement of the other I 72 HiSTOItY OF NORTH AMl:ilICA. mi If iM 4 m-f ... ''liilir colonies of New England. So early as the year mi, Roger Wil lams, a very popular preacher at Salem, who had refused to hold communion with the church of Boston, because its mem- bers refused to make a public declaration of their repentance for havmg held carnmm ion with the church of England during their residence )„ that country, was charged with many excep- tionable tenets. Among several which were condemned, and %vhich mark his wild enthusiasm, we are surprised to find one m total opposition, not only to the spirit of the times, but to the severity of his other Ho-frlnes. He maintained, that to punish a man (or any uiutter of conscience is persecution j and that even papists and arminians are entitled to freedom of con- science in worship, provided only the peace of civil societv be secured. The divines of Massachussetts opposed this doct'rine, by contending that they did not persecute men for conscience, but coirected-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, banished 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 purcha- sed a tract of land of the Mariaghansetts, then a powerful tribe of Indians, where, in 1635, 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 collecting 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 Providence, Williams long retained his authority, employing himself continually in acts of kindness, • affording relief to the distressed, and an asylum to the perse- cuted. '^ U was not long after the banishment of WilHams, that the i DISCOVERY AND EAULY SETTLEMENTS. 73 \Chiif Roger ad refused to ise its inem- ipentaiice for jiand during many excep- lemned, and to find one ? times, but ned, that to cution ; and bm of con- il society be his doctrine, conscience, and so they elligible sor r this, and s from their ;h and com- d travelh'ng bey purcha- ►werful tribe t, to which be place of association, •dy of free- »f such laws hurch after JUS society j 1 the tenet, orship, the established. Qod will of etained his P kindness, • the perse- Si that the %.t 'r I eontroversy between those who maintained "the covenant of works," and those who maiutaincd '' the covenant of grace," divided and distracted Massachussetts. This controversy hav- ing been decided in Ifi^i? against the antinomiaiis, 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 adopting the same princi- ples of toleration, they afforded protection to all who resorted thither, i consequence of this conduct, the island soon became so populous as to send out colonists to the adjacent shores. Connecticut too is a colony of Massachussetts. So early as the year 1634, several persons, among whom was Mr. Hooker, one of the favorite ministers of the church, who was only infe- rior in influence to Mr. Cotton, applied to the general court of Massachussetts, for permission to go in quest of new adventures in a better land. That body was divided, and permission was not at that time obtained. It being then the received opinion, that the inhabitants were nil mutually bound to each other by the oath of a freeman, as well as the original compact, so as not to 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 having been explored, and a place chosen on the west side of the great river Connecticut, a commission was granted to the petitioners, to remove wherever they chose ; but on the con- dition of their still continuing under the jurisdiction of Massa- chussetts. Some few huts had been erected the preceding year, in which a small number of emigrants had wintered, an-! the fall succc' iing the permit to settle the coujitry, about sixty per- sons traversed the wilderness in families, and encountered im- mense distress. In 1636, about one hundred persons, led by Pynchon, Hooker, and Haynes, followed the first emigrants, and founded the towns of Hartford, Springfield, and Wetherfield. There were some difficulties attending the title of the settlers. The Dutch, at Manhadoes, or New York, claimed a right to .!!.. .5t^i, ^tiibti nivy asociicU thcmoeives to nave mst discover- 4. K m ' 74 1 ! HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. liiiiili' •< , and to wluci, .hoy l,a,l given the nan.c of Fr.,,h Iliver I„ lirookc, with ,„,„e other,, e„„te,„pl„ti„g, at one time ■, re7re ' ...the new „orl.l from the de.potil with which England w" threatened had n,ade ehoiee of Connecticut-river for hat nur %h;„:: '"" S' " '"' "' '%"-". •"-" ti.e had 1 :; l„T • "".grants from Massaehussetis, however kept p,«se,„„„ , and proeeeded to elear and cultivate the coun- try. They purchased the rights of Lord Say and Seal a"^ Lord Brooke, and their partners , and the Dutch heiug too fc . dL *° "■,""'«'»■'""% 'eceded fron, Connecticut-river .« d .:" T T""'"' "■ ^^'"-'»-»«"'. '1.0 emigrants e„: tcred n,to a voluntary association for the establishment of a ,ro ve.n,nent for themselve,, ,vhicl,, in its frame, wT ik tho« «.lop,ed n, the first instance throughout New England The most n,n.er,al point of variance between their consS „ I^d .a o, Massachussctts was, that they did not deprive of the ngh of freemen those who were not members of the church + These new establishment, gave great and just alrm to the P.q..od, a very powerful tribe of Indians, situated on l .oath o the Massachussctts. They clearly orelTther own run, „, tins extension of the English settlements • aT.d til 7 . ri ^y '^^1«"t<^<' these people to forget their lo„„ ,.hl rished anunosities, and to eo-operate eordiallv w th 2 ^ ^----y^whos^^ beiu. seized by the Dutch Vho had H. .h 7" ''"'* '" '''"' *° l''^^*^"' *'» that purpose. ' " ''*'* '^^^'''^'^ * ^•'"^J f"""™ Manbadoes for In 'hell',;Cer:/r:oTr; V"^ "^^'^ '"^^ ^•^•^"' ^-» ^« •- ^een all ord.., and d ec e^aU .he nff^Irf oPT'l '" '''' '"""' ^'-- ^^^e pear to have had „., voice Lltfn, , l'''^"'^*'""- The f. ee.ne» ap. ™->t. except in some instarce?of ' " ""!; *" " '"^ P""-' "^ '"^ ^--"L instance., cLmlttees w re sent tSTh' " ""." "'™"" ^°'"""- '" "■«« »t -.s that jurie. .ere not /: , ;?, ^^reTe'"""' '^"'"^ '^'^ '"-' 'll L* psil River. In eul, and Lord time, a retreat I England was ■ for that par- ley had named ctts, however, vate the coun- Jnd Seal, and being too fee- necticut-river. emigrants en- lent of a go- as like those iigland. The istitntion and leprive of the le church. t alarm to the lated on the w their own and the dis- I itself in pri- With a poli- ht a reconci- les and rivals eir long che- them against 8 threatened Wr. Winthrop, Lord Brooke, ^o fortunately '■ to prevent its Vlanlindoes for ii to have been . These gave ? freemen ap» )f the govern. ?rn. In these ing this term. DISCOVEUY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 75 to overwhelm both with one common destruction. They mark- ed to them the rapid progress of the F^nglish settlements, and urged, with great reason, that although a present friendship sub- sisted between them and the new comers, yet all in their turn must be di.spossessed of their c/untry, and they could hope, from that friendship, no other good than the wretched privilege of be- ing last devoured. These judicious representations of the Piqnods could not ef- face from the bosom of the Narraghansetts that deep rooted en- n)ity which neighbours not accustomed to consider themselves as possessing one common interest, and not bound together by li- gaments of suflicicnt strength to prevent reciprocal acts of hos- tility, so often feci for each other. Dreading still less the power of a foreign nation than that of men with whom they had been in the habit of contending, they not only refused to join the Pi- quods, but communicated their proposition to the government of Massachussetts, with which they formed an alliance against that tribe. Open war being now resolved on by both parties^ Captain Underbill was sent to the relief of Fort Saybrooke, which had been besieged by the enemy ; and the three colonies, Massachussetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, agreed to march with united forces the next year into the country of the Piquods, in order to effect their utter destruction. Connecticut being moSt exposed to the enemy, the troops of that colony were first in motion. Those of Massachussetts were detained by the con- troversy concerning the covenant of works and of grace, which had insinuated itself into all the transactions of that colony. Their little army, when collected, in 1637, found itself divided by this metaphysical point, and the stronger party believing that the blessing of God could not be expected to crown with success the arms of such unhallowed men, as they deemed their op- ponents in faith on this question, refused to march until their small band was purified, by introducing, in place of the unclean, others whose tenets were unexceptionable. In the mean time the troops of Connecticut being joined by a body of friendly Indians, and reinforced by a small detachment from Saybrooke, determined to march against the enemy. The Piquods had taken two positions, which they had surrounded with palHsadoes, and resolved to defend. In one of them waa Sassacus himself, their chief sachem, and the other was on a 76 Ijii ( RlSTOny OP NORTH AMERICA; (1! V*. ! ! MW. I! I i'lll ;jl I : 1 m. -I nsniff ground, surrounded by the head of Mystic-river. Against the fort commanded by Sassicus the first attack was intended to be made; but .ome of the troops becoming lame, and alJ very much fatigued w.th the march, the original plan^was changed, «nd .t was determmed to attack Fort Mystic, which- was eight miles nearer than that commanded by Sassacus. By an Indian they obtamed the information that the enemy, deceived by the movement of thtir vessels from Saybrooke to Narraghansetts, believed the expedition to have been abandoned, and were cele- bratmg in perfect security, on a lai-ge quantity of bass they had taken, the supposed evacuation of their country. About day- break, while in deep and secure sleep, they were approached by the English, and the surprise would have been complete, had they not been alarmed by the barking of a dog. The war-whoop was immediately raised, and they flew, undismayed, to such arms as they possessed. The English rushed on to the attack • and while some of them fired on the Indians through the palisa' does, others forced their way through the works, and set fire to their wigwams, which were covered with reeds; The confusioa ^oon became universal, and almost the whole party were either killed or taken. Soon after this action, the troops from Massachussetts arrived and It was resolved to pursue their victory. Several skirmishes took place, which terminated unfavorably for the Piquods • and m a short time, another total defeat was given them, 4hich put an end to the war. A few only of this once powerful nation survived, who, abandoning their country to the EngMsh, disper- sed themselves among the neighbouring tribes, and were incor- porated with them. This first essay in arms of the New England colonists was conducted with vigor and ability, and impressed on the aborigi- nes a high opinion of their courage and military superiority : but their victory was sullied with cruelties, which camiot be recollected without mingled regret and censure. Immediately after the termiiiatien of this war. New Haven was settled. A small emigration, conducted from England by Eaton and Da- venport, arrived at Boston in June. Unwilling to remain under a government where power and influence were already in the nanus or others, t-hev rpfi!«p'' ♦■- «•; ••• • ! • • - - -i!-._, .siey reiuscu lu tuuiiijuc wiimn the jurisUictioH I DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 77 iver. Against s intended to and all very was changed, ch was eight ?y an Indian :eived by the irraghansetts, id were cele^ ass they had About day- tproached by Jmplete, had e war-whoop ed, to such the attack J h the pah'sa- iid set fire to le' confusion were either ietts arrivedj il skirmishes quods; and liem, which 'erful nation l^sh, disper- were incor- ilonists was the aborigi- superiority j 1 cannot be sfew Haven 3n and Da- nain under jady in the jurisdictioH I of Massachussetts ; and notwithstanding the opposition and threats at Manhadoes, settled themselves at a place on Connec- ticut-river,which they named New Haven. Their institutions, civil and ecclesiastical, were in the same spirit with those of their elder sisrer Massachussetts. The colony was now in a very flourishing condition. It is com- puted that from its first settlement there had arrived at Massa- chussets twenty-one thousand two hundred persons. Although its inhabitants, who had emigrated in search of civil and reli- gious liberty, devoted a great 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 necessary for their comfort while they sojourned in this sublunary world. Sober, industri- ous, and economical, they labored indefatigably in opening and improving th(> country they occupied, and were unremitting in their efforts to furnish themselves with those supplies which are to be drawn from the bosom of the earth. Of these they soon raised a surplus, for which fresh emigrants offered a ready and a profitable market ; and their foreign trade in lumber, a business at first accessary to the cJearing 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 become so important as to attract the attention of government. For their encouragement, 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 restrained from using cod or bass fish for ma- nure. In reviewing the means by which most of the early settle- ments m the New World have been made, it is impossible not to teel indignation, at the injustice and abhorrence, at the cruel- ties which w^e so generally exercised towards the original occu- piers ot this new discovered country; atrocities which have entailed a disgrace on Europe, and a reproach on the name of n-W r\ ; ^^'^ ••^^°^"'^o"s of centuries have not been suf- cient to eltace : but in the settlement of Penp.sylvania to which the attention of the reader is now to be directed ; very different, 78 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. §1! 1 i! ^9'!! and far more grateful feelings will be called into exercise, and he will trace with unmingled satisfaction the steps by which this most important province was settled and colonized: steps unpol- luted by injustice, and unstained with blood. William Penn the celebrated Quaker had advanced large sums of money from time to time for the good of the naval service, and his 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. William Penn was desirous therefore of closing the account. He was however not anxious for the money. Me 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 the 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 Penn 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 ^eard and debated. The advice too of the Chief Justice North and the Attorney- General Sir William Jones was taken on the subject of the grant. The matter at length ended in favor of William Penn j and he was by charter, dated at Westminster the fourth of March 1681, and signed by writ of the Privy Seal, made and constituted full and absolute proprietor of all that tract of land which he had solicited and marked out, and invested with the power of ruling and govern- ing the same. This charter consisted of twenty-three sections. In these the extent and boundaries of the new province were specified, and the free use of all ports, bays, ri 'ers, and waters there, and of their produce, and of all islands, mountains, soils, and mines there, and of their produce, were wholly granted and given up :erci3e, and which this teps unpol- large sums service, and I, including in debt to illiani Penn 'as however ither hand, i petitioned be granted ie north of Delaware- l was, and • uncil; and turned it to rreat oppo- her reason il meetings F York (by ;e tract of ject of the of Mary- 30 of the r William matter at )y charter, signed by \ absolute icited and id govern- these the iiied, and re, and of uid mines given up *sB DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 79 to him. He was made absolute proprietary of the said terri^ tory, which was to be held in free and common soccage by feal- ty, paying two beaver skins annually and one-fifth of all the gold and silver discovered to the king, and the said territory was to be called Pennsylvania after his own name. He had the power of making laws with the advice, assent, and approbation of the freemen of the territory assemi>lcd lor the raising of money for public uses; of appointing judges and other officers; and ot pardonmg and reprieving, except in the cases of wilful mur- der and high treason. In these cases reprieve was to be granted only till the pleasure of the king was known, who also reserved to Inmself the right of hearing appeals. He had the power also .n new and sudden circumstances, where the free men could not be suddenly and conveniently assembled, of makino- ordi- nances, which, however, were to be agi-eeable to reason and not repugnant to the laws of England, or to be extended in any sort to bmd, change or take away the right or interest of per- sons for, or in, their lives, members, freeholds, goods, and chattels ; and all property as well as felonies were to be re^ula- ted by the laws of England, until the said laws should be alter- ed by Inmself, or assigns, and the freemen of the said province Duphcates o all laws made there xvere to be transmitted to the Privy Conned within five years after they were passed andTf withnz s,x months after having been so transmitted su;h law: were not pronounced void by the said Council, they were to be^ considered as having been approved of and to be valid Per mission was given to English subjects to transport themselves ^, and to settle in, Pennsylvania; to load and freight h" ^hsh ports and transport all merchandise from thence to the s^ d provn,ce, and to transport the fruits and produce of t Ie s! H province to England on paying the accus'tomary dntie He a the power of dividing the province into toJns, hundreds a counties; of erccth,g and incorporating towns int; borott' baron 7 f."'" "'"^ "^ ""•^'"S — -' '->'<^i"g cotts ba on, and of having and holding view of frankpledge; of s"! wh ch case the purchasers were to hold by his erant • of In .' tuting fairs and markets; and of making' porttl;b,rtd quays, at which ports, harbours, and nlJ .^ ' " ' ""i'' "^^ ve.els were to be laden a.d unh^r"^i, ^^^ iH:;:;;:^ % 80 I !' •; lJ! lit '• m HISTORY or NOTITTI AMEMCA. appointed by the farmers or commissioners of the king's customs were to have free admission thereto. He Imd the power of as- sessing, with the advice of the freemen assembled, custom on goods to be laden and unladen, and of enjoying the same, saving however to the king such impositions as were and should be appointed by act of parliament. He was to appoint from time to time an agent to reside in or near London, to answer for any misdemeanor on his part against the laws of trade and naviga- tion ; and, in case of such m'sdemeanor, he was to make good the damage occasioned thereby within one year ; in failure of which, the king was to seize the government of the said pro- vince and to retain it until the said damage was made good. He was not tc 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 |)ursuc the same. The king was never to impose any tax or custom upon the inhabitants of it^ either upon their lands, tenemcMts, goods, or chattels, or upon any merchandise to be laden or unladen within it, unless by the consent of himself, or the chief governor appointed by him, or by the assembly, or by act of parliament in England. This declaration was to be deemed by all the judges in all the courts of law to be a lawful discharge or payment, and acquittance ; and no officer was to attempt any tiling contrary to the premi- ses, but to aid Iiini, his heirs, servants, agents and otliers in the full use and enjoyment o*" the charter. If any of the inha- bitants to the number of twenty should signify their desire to the bishop of Londoii to have a preacher sent to them, such preacher should be allowed to reside and perform his functions without any denial or molestation whatever. If any doubt should arise concerning the meaning of any expression in the charter, the interpretation of it was to be construed in a man- ner the most favorable to h'm and his heirs. It may be proper to give here an anecdote of William Penn, as it relates to the above charter. On the day that it was sign- ed he wrote to several of his friends to inform them of it, and :i ~'r V5S». tvovarwia trin0v\fir\w\a^ fAt. ig's customs jower of as- custom on amc, saving (1 shoutd be It from time jwer for any and naviga- make good in failure of ;ie said pro- made good, ng or povv- st any king ncursion by robbers, he men in the al, and to ;as never to ►f it^ either r upon any less by the by him, or land. This 11 the courts icquittance ; I the premi- id others in •f the inha- ?ir desire to them, such is functions any doubt sion in the I in a man- lliam Penn. it was sign- i of it, and I DISCOV35IIY AND EAKLY SETTLEMENTS. 81 have been admitted as a partner in the purchase of East New Jersey. He says in this letter, that after many waitings, watch- ingj», solicitings, and disputes in council, his country was on that day confirmed to him under the Great Seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name of Pennsylvania, a name which the king gave it in honor of his father. It was his own intention to have had it called New Wales j but the under secretary who was a Welchman, opposed it. He then suggested Sylvania on account of its woods, but they would still add Penn to it. He offered the under secretary twenty guineas to give up his prejudices, and to consent to change the name ; for he feared lest it«hould be Ic ked upon as vanity in him, and 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, and that he would take the naming of it upon himself. The charter having been signed, the king gave it his further authority by a declaration, dated April the second, to all per- sons designing to become planters and inhabitants of Penns 'Iva- nia. This declaration pointed out to them the boundaries of the new province, and enjoined them to yield all obedience to the proprietor, bis heirs, and his or their deputies, according to the powers granted by the said charter. The first thing William Penn did, after obtaining the charter, was to draw tip " some account of the province of Pennsylvania in America, lately granted under the Great Seal of England to William Penn." To thi? account he annexed a copy of the my- al charier, and also the terms on which lie intended to part with the land, it appears from these terms, that any person wishing m 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 tu the pronrietor tor every hundred acres for ever. Thus, if a pefs@n had oought one thousand acres, he nouid have had twenty piv uids to pay for them, and ten shillings per annum ^it-rent The reason of the latter sort of paymejct was - lis, n^Bcly, that whea^as Wi'iiaari Penn h^ of the iHHf by a a — — " «me manner, having no security or good title to their pvrchaaes 4f. i. S2 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. !!li;:i| 'i|. W^i If it ■I : yi| but by such a mode of tenure. It appears also, that renters were to pay one shilling an acre yearly not exceeding two hundred acres, and servants were to have fifty acres when the tn^e of their servitude expired, whether men or women, that quantity of land being allowed their masters for such purpose. He drew up next "certain conditions or concessions to be agreed upon by William Penn, proprietary and governor of the provuice of Pennsylvania, and those who may become adventu- rers and purchasers in the same province." These conditions 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 thing. It was stipulated ,n these, ;hat no purchaser of ten thousand acres or more should have above a thousand acres lying together. 2ZZ rVr'^ ^' P'"'^'^^ ' '^"^''y "P- --y thousand of Zr \?.' u ''"^"'•^^y^d «n^««t out to him within three Son whTh '7,"^' Z'^'' " new comer should be settled ^ould : ^'^^^.^""'^ P^y hnn his survey-money, and he himself r H^°,7. ^'^'r ^"'' '"^ ^'^^--That in clearing the ground a cesta'd" '^'^-'u'' '^^^^ °"^ ^"^ °^ '^^^ for eve^y five acres cleared, especially to preserve oaks and mulberries for silk LlttT^'~"^" ^'^'^ '' '''' ^"^'^"^ '^ -'« ^^'P»'^ted, that, ^.t had been usual with planters to overreach them in Cariou 7Zldt u- T '"'' ^° ^^^™ ^" consideration of their fur est wLV^e^^^f Pf ^^ market-place, and there suffer th to be sold for good ; that the said native Indians might neither be abased nor provoked.-That no man should by afy wa^J shou dMT?,' ^^ ''^'^ f -^ - -ong any I.!dia^, bThe abuse ?f /" f'""^ P'*"'''"J ^"^ 'f ^"y Indian should sar;,air? - 'J-^-y planter of the province, that the Tuf that he .h M "i '\'" °"" J'"'^^ "P"" '"^ -d '"d-"^ prtnc L hi H^'f' '" '""^^""^ '^''^^ governor of the ^hrsho^IH . ''"''* "•■ ''™^ ^"^^"'^'- '^"S>^*'-«t« n«ar him, t^.tuJ" T"T "^ ''^ P«"^^ ^^'^^ -- -'^J^ the king o to the t "' r f '''^"""^'^' ^^^'^^^^t'^" ^''""Id be made llt!l^T^^L^^.P!-^--And that all differences between ' "''-'^ "^"*»"s snouiu be ended by twelve men, that is, by IS rj; I hat renters ;eding two I when the amen, that purpose, isions to be 'iior of the e adventu- conditions k'ns, roads, other sub- thcr things 1 thousand ? together, housand of or man so thin three be settled he himself he ground every five es for silk ited, that, in various their furs suffer the good, not ht neither ly ways or n, but he I commit- LU should that the d Indian, lor of the near him, tie king of be made between lat is, by DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 83 six planters and six Indians, that so they might live friendly to- gether, 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 as their lawful prey, or as mere animals of the brute creation, whom they 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, many 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 complnv" which they called " The Free Society of Traders in Pennsylval ma." They purchased twenty thousand acres of land in trust for the said company, published articles of trade, and prepared for embarkmg 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 af the purchasers embarked, that they should know someihiag of the political constitution under which they were to live in the New Land, as well as that It should be such as they approved. William Penn accordhiglv drew up a rou^h 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 suflfered so frequently himself. « la reverence," says he. " to Ood, the father of Hirht anA ».,;.:*. *l .. _ .. . . •f all divine knowledge, faith and worship, I do, for me and 84 HlSTOnv OF NORTH AMEllICAv mrl J I I;! lilfll ■'«' Mr.- .' — ,.,* Wmisf mine, declare and establish for the first fundamental of the go- vernment of my province, that every person that doth and shall reside therein shall have and enjoy the free profession of his or her faith and exercise of worship towards God, in such way and manner as every such person shall in conscience believe is most acceptable to God. And so long as every person useth not this christian liberty to liceniiousncss or the destruction of others, tnat 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 eivil magistrate." The conditions 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, Henry 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, the Amity, Richard Dimon, master, was blown off with her passengers to the West Indies^ and 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 Penn, and was to be his secretary when he himself should arrive. He was attended by several comnriissioners, 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 manner to treat 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 being and well-being, and to whom you and I must one day give an account for all that we have done in ele world. "This great God has written the law in our hearts, by which we are taught and commanded to love, and to help, and to do i DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 8.^ of the gO" h and shall ision of his n such way e believe is n useth not 1 of others, emptuoiTsly ommit any tion, he or id christian en mutual- msylvania ; ;d that the Br, arrived the next. >w stands, hore; and tied all the d Dimon, est Indies, ' the next I !iam. He secretary jy several ndians re- li them a iijoined in lour, jus- letter to i, and of made the all people i I must tJ world. )y which [id to do good to one another. Now this great God hath been pleased to make me concerned in your part of the world ; and the king of the country where I live hath given me a great province therein : but I desire to enjoy it with your love and consent, that we may always live together as neighbours and friends ; else what would the great God 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 I 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 gre^t 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 grudging and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood ; which hath made the great God angry. But I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country. I have great love and regard toward you, and desire to win and gain your love and friendship by a kind, just, and peaceable life J and the people I send are of the same mind, and shall ia all things behave themselves accordingly; and if in any thing any shall offend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy satisfaction for the same, by an equal number of just men on both sides, that by no means you may have just occa- sion of being offended 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 people, 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 justly, peaceably,^ and friendly with you. ** I am your loving friend, WILLIAM PENN.'* By the constitution framed by William Pemi, the government was placed in the governor and freemen of the province, out of whom were to be formed two bodies; namely, a Provincial Council, and a General Assembly. William Penn. havincr nublished thp mpstJfnfi'on oo ««,.. «^„ cisely explained, thought it of great importance, in order to pre- i ii . ! I.-; iH i I I 'I 8« HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. vent ail future cla.m, or even pretence of claim by the Duke of York or Hks heirs upon the province, to obtain from His Royal mlde"out '^ "^ ''''^'' *""■ '^' '"""' ""^''"^ ^"^ accordingly This deed was signed by His Royal Highness on the 2ist of iTur / * ^1 T^' ''^'"^ ^"^ ^'""^'•^^ •" t*^* presence of John Werden and George Man. Besides the above, he obtained of His Royal Highness the Duke of York his right, title, and interest in\nothfr Tact J land, of respectable extent, which lay contiguous to Pennsylva- Th;n!r'hr.f '^u/'""" '1^^^'''^ ^y ^"'«'» «»^ Swedes. The Dutch had long before made war upon and conquered the Swedes; and the English had afterwards conquered both, and had annexed the country they occupied to that which belonged to Hjs Royal Highness and placed it under his government of 7^u t" ''"'' '^'"' ''^''^ '''' '^""^^ «ft"^"ds by the name ot The Territories, was presented to William Penn It was made over to him, his heirs and assigns, by two deeds of feoflFment, dated th« 24th of August, 1682, 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 General Assembly. This was a memorable event, and to be dis- tinguished by some marked circumstance. He determined there- fore to change the name of the place. Turning round to hb 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 I should call this place?" Pearson said, '« Ches- ter, in remembrance of the city fi-om 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 chwe to attend, according to the sixteenth article of the Frame of Government. It chose for its Speaker, Nicholas Moore, Pre- «dent of the "Free Society of Traders of Pennsylvania/' be- the Duke of I His Royal > accordingly the 21st of presence of ighness the ^ler tract of Pennsylva- t>d Swedes, iquered the t both, and :h belonged 'ernnient of ards by the Penn. It o deeds of the boun- itween the ent. One til the first to be dis- ned there- ind to his sompanied wrought U9 Is. What , « Ches- " Willi- and that, ill one of i\ number eemen as he Frame ore, Pre- nia," be- DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 8? fore spokcH of, and then proceeded to business, which occupied three days. Among the Laws the following are worthy of notice. All persons who confessed the one almighty and eternal God to be the Creator, Upholder, and Ruler of the World, and who held themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in society, were in no ways to bo molested for their religious per- suasion and practice, nor to be compelled at any time to fre- quent any religious place or ministry whatever. All Treasurers however, 'udges, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace j and all what- soever in the service of the government, and all members elect- ed to serve in Provincial Council and General Assembly, and all electors, were to be such as professed faith in Jesus Christ, and as had not been convicted of ill fame, or unsobpr and dishonest conversation, and who were one-and-twenty years of a^e. All children of the age of twelve were to be taught some useful trade or skill, to the end that none might be idle in the province • but that the poor might work to live, and the rich, if they became poor, might not want. Servants were not to be kept longer than the time of servitude agreed upon, and were to be put in fit equipage at the expiration of it. All pleadings, processes, and records in Courts of Law were to be as short as possible. All fees of Law were to be moderate, and to be hung up on tables in the Courts. All persons wrongfully imprisoned or prosecuted were to have double damages against the informer or prosecutor. All fines were to be moderate. With respect to the criminal part of these Laws, one new principle was introduced into it. Willi- am Penn was of opinion, that though the deterring of others from offences must continue to be the great and indeed only end of punishment, yet, in a community professing itself christian the reformation of the offender was to be inseparably connected with it. Hence he made but two capital oflfencesj namely, mur- der, and treason against the state : and hence also all prisons were to be considered as workshops, where the offenders might be industriously, soberly, and morally employed. After the adjournment, William Peim prepared for a visit to Maryland. On his first arrival at Newcastle he had dispatched two messengers to the Lord Baltimore "to ask his health, to offer kind neighbourhood, and tn jjo-reo "non - ♦: ' —^-'i. ihe better to establish it." By this time the messengers had re- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.! IA4|28 III ■^ 1^ III 2.2 S 1^ lllllio II 1.8 • L25 1.4 1.6 M 6" ► 7 PhotograpMc Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTnR,N.Y. 14580 (;i6) 072-4503 ^ .V # \^^ ip- % ^9) %^ O^ ^ # > " ij It was un- lersons of all ndians threw round their . The chief ins of an in- iJreat Spirit, heaven and man, knew I peace and i utmost of ile weapons i^ had come hus provoke met on the no advan- )e openness, he unrolled er conveyed rchase, and rnal Union, n their lavv- br it was to have the nprovement ir families, se between If of whom d them for 1 the raer- iving done observing Jople. He i did, that irents were soinetime's ip between , or a tree em as the DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 91 same flesh and blood with the christians, and the same as if one man s body were to be divided into two parts. He then took up the parchment, and presented it to the Sachem who wore the horn m the chaplet, and desired him and the other Sachems to preserve it carefully for three generations, that their children might know what had passed between them, just as if he had remamed himself with them to repeat it. That William Penn must have done and said a great deal more on this interesting occasion than has now been represent- ed, there can be no doubt. What I have advanced may be de- pended upon J but I am not warranted in going further. It is also to be regretted, that the speeches of the Indians on this memorable day have not come down to us. It is only known that they solemnly pledged themselves, according to their coun- try manner, to live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the Sun and Moon should endure.— Thus ended this famous Treaty, of which more has been said in the way of praise than of any other ever transmitted to posterity. « This," says Voltaire, "was the only Treaty between thos-:; .eople and tha christians that was not ratified by an oath, and that was never bro- ken."— "William Penn thought it right," says the Abb6 Ray- nal, "to obtain an additional right hv a fair and open purchase from the aborigines j and thus he signalized his arrival by an act of equity which made his person and principles equally beloved. —Here it is the mind rests with pleasure upon modern history, and feels some kind of compensation for the disgust, melancho- ly, and horror, which the whole of it, but particularly that of the European settlements in America, inspires."— Noble, in his Continuation of Granger, says, " he occupied his domains by ac- tual bargain and sale with the Indians. This fact does him infi- nite honor, as no blood was shed, and the Christian and the Bar- barian met as brothers. Penn has thus taught us to respect the lives and properties of the most unenlightened nations."— « Be- ing now returned," says Robert Proud, in his History of Penn- sylvania, "from Maryland to Coaquannoc, he purchased lands of the Indians, whom he treated with great justice and sincere kindness.— It was at this time when he first entered personally into that friendship with them, which ever afterwards continued between them, and which for the space of more t.han seventy years was never interrupted, or so long as the Quakers retained m 0S HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. m power in the government.— His conduct in general to these pe.v- plc was so engaging, his justice in particular so conspicuous, and the counsel and advice which he gave them were so evidently for their advantage, that be became thereby very much endeared to them ; and the sense thereof made such deep impressions on their. understandings, that his name and memory will scarcely ever be cflfaccd while they continue a people*." Having now fairly purchased the land of the natives, he or- dered a regular survey of it. This was performed by Thomas Holme, who had come out as Surveyor- General of the province. During the survey he pitched upon Coaquannoc as the most no- ble and commodious place for his new city. It was situated be- tween the rivers Skuylkill and Delaware, and therefore bounded by tliem on two sides, and on a third by their confluence. William Penn having determined upon the site, and after- wards upon the plan of the city, he instructed Thomas Holme to make a map of it, in which the streets were to be laid out as they were to be afterwards built. There were to be two large streets, the one fronting the Delaware on the east, and the other the Skuylkill on the west, of a mile in length. A third, to be called High- Street, of one hundred feet broad, was to run di- rectly through the middle of the city so as to communicate with the streets now mentioned at right angles j that is, it was to run through the middle from river to river, or from east to west. A fourth of the same breadth, to be called Broad-Street, was to run through the middle also, but to intersect High-Street at right angles, or to run from north to south. Eight streets, fifty feet wide, were to be built parallel to High-Street, that is, from river to river | and twenty, of the like width, parallel to Broad- Street, that is, to cross the former from side to side. The streets running from east to west were to be named according to their numerical order, such as First, Second, and Third-Street, ♦ The great elm tree, under which (his Treaty was made, became celebra- led from this day. When in the American ivar the British General Simcoe was quartered at Kensington, he so respected it, that when his soldiers were cutting down every tree for fire-wood, he placed a centincl under it, that not a branch of it might be touched. It was blown down a few years ago. when lis trunk Was split into wood, and cups and other articles were made of it to keep as memorials of it. As to the roll of parcliment containing the Trea' ty, It was shown by the Mingoes, ShawanebC, and other Indiftns, to Governor Keith, at a Conference, in 1122, DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. C)fj and those from north to south accordinfr to the woods of the country, such as Vine, Spruce, Pine, Sassafras, Cedar, and others. 1 here was to be, however, a square of ten acres in the middle of the city, each corner of which was to be reserved for public offices. There was to be also in each quarter of it a square of eight acres, to be used by the citizens in like manner as iMoorfields in London. The city having been thus planned, he gave It a name, which he had long reserved for it, namely, I h.Iadelphia, ,n token of that principle of brotherly love, upon which he had come to these parts j which he had shown to Dutch Swedes, Indians, and others alike ; and which he wish- ed might for ever characterize his new dominions. Scarcely was this plan determined upon, when, late as the season vvas, some of the settlers began to build, and this with such rapidity, hein- assisted by the Swedes, that several houses were erected in this year., Me himself was employed in the mean while with Thomas Holme in finishing the survey of his grants and purchases; the result of which was, that he divided the Province and Territories, each into three counties. The Province contained those of Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester: the first so named from the city, which was then building; the second from Buckinghamshire in England, which was thf land of his ancestors; and the third from the promise before men- foned which he had made to his friend Pearson. The TerHto nes eontamed those of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex ; the I" t of which he so named out of respect to his wif^s family. After this, a number of vessels arrived in the Delaware from Somersetshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Wales, and Ireland o" of the twenty-three which sailed from thence, not one was lo^ persons. These were mostly Quakers, who had boueh^ allot ment., and had come to occupy them. Thev hadtf tet country, as we learn from « The Planter's Speech to his NeiX bours published at this time, "that they might lead a ifrJut and peaceable, free from the vexations' they had exp i^lS aiul during which they might worship the greL Creatorrth j; When the vessels arrived, the Swedes very kindly volunteered 94 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. It their services in unloading them ; and as they arrived not all at once, but in succession, the goods were more speedily brought an shore, and the passengers more easily accommodated and dis- posed of. The latter, as they were landed, distributed them- selves through the country, some going one ."way and some ano- ther, some settlmg within the territories, others within the pro- vince, according as their lots or as their friends and expectations lay. Their number being altogether great, they appeared, when thus distributed, to occupy a large portion of land. There were people apparently all the way, though thinly scattered, from the Falls of Trenton to Chester. Taking in the Dutch and f^r^Ar'''^ ^''''''' "^^^ ^^^ ^°"^ °"' '^'^^ Colons' Markham ^nd Wilham Penn, and the new comers just mentioned, and mcludmg men, women, and children, their total mimber did not fall short of six thousand persons; so that William Penn may be said to have raised a colony at once in his new domains. Many of those who had arrived being of a sober cast, and having property, had brought out with them houses in frame, tools, implements, and furniture, and also food and raiment sufficient to last them for some time after their arrival. All such experienced the benefit of their prudence. Others were not so well provided ; but coming some weeks before the winter began, they were enabled to get through it with more comfort than could have been expected, as it related to their habitations. They used the short opportunity they had in cutting down wood, and working it, and putting it together, so as to construct tem- porary huts. William Penn furnished them with a general plan tor these. They were to be rather better than thirty feet long, and eighteen wide. There was to be a partition in the middle, so that each was to be divided into two equal parts. When the shell was up, it was to be covered and defended on the outside by clapboards. It was to be lined also in the inside by the same. The intervening space between the external covering and inside lining was to be filled with earth, to keep out the cold and frost. The ground floor was to be made of clay, and the upper or loft of wood. The latter was to be divided or not, ac cording to the wants of the family. As to the roof, it was to be of clapboard also. Others arrived too late in the season to be able to raise themselves habitatjonse These suffered more or . i DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Q3 'd not all at iily brought itcd niid dis- )uted them- i some ano- lin the pro- expectations eared, when There were tcred, from Dutch and el Markham tioned, and number did at William : in his new *.r castj and 2s in frame, nd raiment irrival. All Dthers were the winter ore comfort habitations, lovvn wood, struct tem- eneral plan Y feet long, the middle. When the the outside ide by the il covering ut the cold Y) and the )r not, ac- it was to i season to ;d more or were leas from the severity of the winter. Some of tli ly taken in by the Swedes and others j but the res. „^,^ „u„gea to betake themselves to the bank of the river, where the city was building. This standing high, and being dry, they dug large holes m it, and in these they lived. These dwelling-pla- ces went by the name of the Caves from this period. With respect to provisions, they fared better, all of them than might have been expected in a country which all around' except just upon the shore, was an entire wilderness. Yet in this situation they met with occasional support. The wild pi geons flew about in such numbers, that the air was sometimes darkened by them ; and, flying low, they were sometimes knocked down in great numbers by those who had no otlier means of taking them. The supply from these was sometimes so great, that they could not consume them while fresh • thev therefore salted the overplus. The Indians also were remarkably kind to them. They hunted for them frequentlv, doin;j their utmost to feed them. They considered them all as the children oi OtiRS^ J and, looking upon him ever since the Great Treatv as their own father also, they treated them as brother. Soon after the new year had begun, an infant was born of he family of K^y. His mother had been brought-to-bed in her habitation m one of the Caves. He was the first-born child of Lnghsh parents in the colony. This being a new event, the governor recorded it by making him a present of a lot of land Key hved afterwards to a great age, but he never lost the name ot first-born to the day of his death. The time being now at hand, as specified in the writs which had been issued, for the organization of the legislative bodies those who had been chosen by the freeholders began to move' some from their temporary huts and others from their houses to the place of meeting. It appears that only twelve persons had been returned out of each of the six counties, tiiree of these for the council ana nine for the assembly. Thus the council consisted only of eighteen and the assembly of fifty-four, making toge- ther seventy-two. It will be proper to observe here, that, af^r the division of the land into counties, the Province still conti- nued to be called the Province, but the Territories usually went oyjheji^am^ofj^^ • Oflas Has the uame for Penn in the ludiaa languagci ~°^~ 96 niSTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. hi I ■< We have not a perfect list of those who cbmposed the first council. Sixteen, however, of their names have been pre- served. Among these were Colonel Markham, the governor's relation and secretary ; Thomas Holme, his surveyor-general of the colony; and Lncy Cock, the Swede before n,entioned, who Iiad been deputed by his countrymen to congratulate the govern- or mi h.s arrival, and to acquaint him, after the fir.t assembly at Chester, that they would love, serve, and obey him with all they had. The freeholders, when they returned the members of the first assembly, were sensible that, according to the letter of the constitution, they had returned a far less number to the legisla- tive bodies than they ought, having elected only seventy-two persons m all, whereas the council itself should have consisted of that number. It was impossible however, in the then state of thmgs, that they could have done otherwise. They gave therefore their reasons in writing on the sheriff's returns for the deficiency; and they added that, though the number was less than the law required, they considered those who had been elected as possessing the power of all the freemen, both of the provmce and territories. They petitioned the governor also, before the members met in their official capacities, that this their non-compliance with the constitution to its full extent might not deprive them of the benefit of their charter. To this he replied, " that they might amend, alter, or add, for the public good; and that he was ready to settle such foundations with them, as might be for their happiness, according to the powers vested in him." These preliminaries having been adjusted, he met his council on the tenth of March. On the twelfth he met the assembly. This latter body chose for its speaker Thomas Wynne, and then proceeded to business. At this and subsequent sittings till the twentieth much work was gone through. Several bills were framed and passed. Out- hnes also were agreed upon for the amendment of the old char- ter. A seal also was established for each county. T« Phi- ladephia was given an anchor, to Bucks a tree and vine, to Chester a plough, to Newcastle a cassia, to Kent three ears of Indian corn, and to Sussex a wheat-sheaf. . At a council held on the twentieth, the speaker and two mposed the ^e been pre- ! governor's r-gencral of :ioned, who the govern- ■*t assembly lim with all •era of the etter of the the legisla- seventy- two ^e consisted I then state They gave rns for tlie ;r was less I had been »oth of the ernor also, , that this full extent '. To this J, for the oundations ing to the bis council jody chose business, mch work ed. Out- old char- T« Phi- 1 vine, to three ears and two i DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 97 members of the assembly attending with certain bills which had been sent to them, the governor and council desired a confe- rence with the whole house and freemen about the charter. They attended accordingly. He then asked them explicitly, whether they chase to have the old or new charter. They unanimously requested a new one, with such amendments as had already been agreed upon. Upon this he made a short speech to them, in which he signified his assent to their request ; distinguishing, however, between theii duty and his own willingness to oblige them, and hoping that both would be found consistent with each otiier and reconcileable on the present occasion. On the twenty.first the assembly sent Griffith Jones and Thomas Fitzwater to thank him for his speech, and to sig- nify their grateful acceptance of his offer. After this a com- mittee of each house was appointed to draw up a new char- ter. At a council held on the thirteenth, the governor having read, approved, signed, and sealed the charter, which the com- mittees had drawn up, presented it in due form to James Har- rison, Thomas Wynne, and another member, who attended HI behalf of the assembly and freemen. These, on receiving It, returned the old one into his hands with the hearty thanks oi the whole house. By this charter the provincial council was to consist of eighteen persons, three from each county, and the assembly of thirty-six, men of most note for viVtue, ^visdom, and ability; by whom, with the governor, all laws were to be made, officers chosen, and public affairs transacted, in the manner expressed therein. All the laws, however, were still to be prepared by the governor and council, and the number of assembly-men were to be increased at their pleasure. This was the last business transacted at this session, which had continued twenty-two days. The legislative assembly being over, and the members return- ed to their habitations, William Penn directed his attention to his new city. By this time Philadelphia had begun to rise out of the ground. The first house finished there was built by George Guest. The owner of it used it as a tavern, a good speculation^ under existing circumstances, and called it the Blue Anchor. Soon after many small houses were erected. Larger and more commodious followed, and this so rapidly, that inclu- m 98 HISTORY OF NORTH AMF-RICA. at M'-f ding ordinary und good houses, not lew than a hundred were found in their p.opor htations by the end of the pre.Hcnt vear. William Penn, indeed, seems to have had a mind capable of directing its energies usefully to every department of a new co- lony, whether in that of agriculture, building, government, or religion. His plan for the city of Philadelphia luw been consi- dered as the work of o provident and great arcliitcct ; and to that HJeepless spirit of vigilance, that spirit which lie |)osscsscd in the highest degree, of constantly overlooking and forwarding what- ever he had begun, it was to be ascribed that so great a pro- gress had been made in the buildings in so short a time. Dean Prideaux, in his connexion of the liistory of the old and new Pestament, gives a plan or model of the city of ancient Baby- Ion, after which he speaks thus : « much according to this mo- del hath William Penn, the Quaker, laid out the ground for his city of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania; and were it all built ac- cording to that design, it would be the fairest and best city in all America, and not much behind any other in the whole world." ^ The settlers too had by this time made a visible improvement m some of their allotments. Portions of these had not only in many instances been cleared, but put into cultivation. Most of those who arrived in the first ships had been enabled, in conse- quence of the openness of the winter for a longer period than usual, to put their winter corn into the ground. Others had since sown here and there patches of barley. A letter written by Richard Townsend, who went out with William Penn, is ex- tant, trom which we may collect something as to tlie way in which they went on, as well as to their subsequent gradual progress. « After our arrival," says he, « we found it a wilderness, ihe chief inhabitants were Indians, and some Swedes, who re- ceived us in a friendly manner; and though there was a great number of us, the good hand of Providence was seen in a^ar- ticular manner, in that provisions were found for us by the bwedes and Indians at very reasonable rates, as well as brought from divers other parts that were inhabited before. " After some time I set up a mill on Chester Creek, which I brought ready framed from London, which served for grind- ing of corn and sawing of boards, and was of great use to us. Besides, with Joshua Tittery. I made a net. and canr^ht i^r^af DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 99 iiii(lreJ u'ora prpxciit year. 1 cnp.iblo of f a new co- crmneiit, or been consi- uiid to tiiut csscd in the rtliiig wliat- T:rcat a ])ro- imc. Dean Id and now :ient Baby- to this nio- )und for his all built ac- t city in all lole world." nprovenient not only in 1. Most of ', in coDsc- leriod than Others had tter written can, is cx- the way in nt gradual wildernes!;. 5, who re- ^as a great ti in a par- US by the as brought ek, which for grind- use to us. ip'ht oTp.a* o — a » qtiantltie-* of fish, which supplied ourselves and many others; so that, notwithstanding it was thought near three thousand persons came in the first year, wc were so providentially provi- ded for, that we could buy a deer for about two sliillings, and a large turkey for about a shilling, and Indian corn for about two shillings and sixpence per bu^iliel. " And as our worthy proprietor treated the Indians with ex- traordinary humiinity, they became very civil and loving to us, and brought us in abundance of venison. As in other countries the Indians were exasperated by hard treatment, which hath been the foundation of much bloodshed, so the contrary treat- ment liero hath produced their love anJ affection. " After our arrival there came in about twenty families from High and Low Germany of religious good people, who settled about six miles from Philadelphia, and called the place German Town ; about the time when German 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 remember one man had a bull so gentle, that he used to bring his corn on him instead of a hors e." 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. "1. The country itself, its soil, air, water, seasons, and pro- duce, both natural and artificial, are not to be despised. The land containeth divers sorts of earth, as sand, yellow and black, poor and rich ; also gravel, both loamy and dusty j and in some places a fast fat earth, like that of our best vales in England, especially by inland brooks and rivers j God in his wisdom ha- ving ordered it so, that the advantages of the country are di- vided J the back lands being gener4)y 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 ivoods come by numbers of people to be more cleared, that itself will refine. h 100 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. •Iff i . ,4" > I " 3. The waters are generally good ; for the rivers and brooIf« have mostly gravel and stony bottoms, and in number hardly credible. We have also mineral waters, which operate in the same manner with those of Barnet and North Mall, not two miles from Philadelphia. "4. For the seasons of the year, having by Cod's goodness HOW lived over 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 can.? 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 liks an Eng- lish mild sj^ring. From December to the beginning of the month called March we had sharp frosty weather j not foul, thick, olack weather, as our north-east winds bring with them >n England, but a sky as clear as in the summer, and the air dry, colu, piercing, and hungry ; yet I remember not that I wore jnore clothes than in England. The reason of this cold is given trom the great lakes, which are fed by the fountains of Canada. i he winter before was mild, scarce any ice at all, while this for a tew days froze up our great river Delaware. From that month to the month called June we enjoyed a sweet spring ; no gusts, but gentle showers and a fine sky. Yet this I observ'e, 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, wc have had extraordinary heats, yet mitigated some- nrtK . by cool breezes. The wind that ruleth the summer season »s the south-west; but spring, fall, and winter, it is rare to want tne north-western seven days together. And whatever mists 'ogs, or vapours foul the heavens by easterly or southeriy winds' Ml two hours time are blown away j the one is followed by the other J a remedy that seems to have a peculiar providence in it to the mhabitants, the multitude of trees yet standing being lia- ble to retain mists and vapors, and yet not one quarter so thick as 1 expected. " The natural produce of the country, of vegetables, is trees, truits, plants, flowers. The trees of most note are the black walnut, cedar, cypvess, ch«enut, poplar, gum-wood, hickory, sassairus, ash, beech, and oak of divers sorts, as red, white and brooktS ibcr hardly ate ill the 1, not two s goodness livei ill the English uii- t from the i)er, as we i'i an Eng- ng of the not foulj with then: he air dry, at I wore \d is given f Canada. i this for a ; month to gusts, but the winds upon that ice to this commonly tted some- ner season re to want ver mists, !rly winds, sd by the lence in it being lia« T so thick s is trees, the black , hickory, ed, white DISCOVBHY AND EAHLY SETTLEMENTS. 101 I and black ; Spanish chesniit, and swamp, ... all i of all which there is plenty for the use of the most durable of The fruits I find in the woods are the whJtP nnj ui i .u|be„y, eheauu,, .a,„.t, p.„„„, nLtn^ ertb^ Lf tortfebcmes, and grapes of divers sorts. TheereatrM ' sweeter, and that they only want skilM wLToI"'^ "^ good „se of them. I i„,e„d to venture on ^' .^ Frenchman this season, who shows some kn ™,el Tr tho"' thnigs. Here are also peaches verv ffooH «n-l • ^^ °^ ties, not an Indian plantation v^ZuttL uTT,^"'- turally here at first I know not. Howeter ™e .'"'" "»" by bushels for little. They make a^t dr nrCT thT not mfenor to any peach you have in England, exce'.hV. New„,gton. It is disputable with me, whethet l^u'^l '™* to fining the fruits of the country, l^ectlt !h, ''?" '"" care and skill of art or send ti f^.'^ '"« 8™Pe> l>y the good and approved It ,-„„ 7'^" ''""' "»'' ^«' '"■■«» 1 H no veral HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. others to twenty. 1 proceed as far as t would convey an idea of any number beyond these, they point to the hair of their head, intimating that it is equal to them, or with wonder d( clare it to be so great that it cannot be reck- oned. The North American tribes and the natives of Chili, who in- habit the tenif erate regions in the two great districts of Ameri- ca, are peo»,ie of cultivated and enlarg«d understandings, when viewed ir comparison with some of those seated in the islands, or on ^iie banks of the Maragnon and Orinoco. Their occupa- tiopj are more various, their system of policy, as well as of WAT, 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 Chilcse, 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 hope 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 of 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 j he has erected no habitation to shelter him from the inclemency of the weather j 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. I vixen they ley point to them, I be reck- , who lii- )f Aineri- igs, when le iiilHnds, r occupa- ^ell as of ut, even limited in se objects Both the me of the Iheir time ;r subject r minds, •pe of fu- mount it. tie solici- to secure ; but as pease its on are of )f desire, I give vi- ent hand ! parts of icover no f, which he other ibitation has ta- neither le plants and in the fish discovehy and early settlements. Ill This description, however, applies only to some tribe'!. Among most of the American nations, especially those seated in rigorous climate*, some efforts are employed, and some previous precautions 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 more impiuved 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 comnmnity remains inactive, while the other is oppressed with the multitude and variety of its occupations. Thus their industry is partial, and the foresight vvliich regulates it is no less limited. A remarkable instancc^'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 thnd, on the produce of their agriculture. Though experience has taught them to foresee the return of those various seasons, and to make some provision for the respective exigencies of each* they either want sagacity to proportion this provision to their consumption, 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. HI. 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 of 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 eariy to be considered, not only as a solemn, but as a permanent 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 HISTORV OF NOHTH AJSrERICA. ir:i wns scanty, and the clifFiculty of maiDtaiuiiiK a family was great, the mail confiiied himself to one wife. In warmer and more fertile provinces, the facility of procuring food concurred with the infliiLMice of clinmtc in indutin.i; the inh:iliitunts to increase the numher of their wives. In some countries, tho marriage union subsisted during life ; in others, the impatience of the Americans under restraint of any species, together with their natural levity and caprice, prompted them to dissolve it on very slight pretexts, and often without ussiyning any ca>i'»e But in whatever light the Americans considered the obligation of this contract, cither as perpetual, or only as temporary, the jCondition of women was equally humiliating and miserable. Whether man has been improved by the progress of arts and ci- vilization in society, is a question which, in the wantonness of disputation, has been agitated among philosophers. That women arc 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 despise 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 and interests between equals, 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 condition 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 purchase , are excluded from society, slmt up in sequetitered apartment*-, and kept under the vigilant guard of their masters. In ruder na- tions, they are degraded to the 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 t o ^ v ft.'v office of labor and fatigue. While the men loiter ou ' t '.^ lay in sloth, or spend it in amusement, the women are cojuieiivied to incessant toil. Tasks are imposed up- on them without pity, and services are received vrithout com- obligation >rary, the [nisciuble. ts uiid ci- tonness of at women iiid above r a happy 10 doubt, ractcristic not, by a he native whom he ) union of ng them. It is the ^ of great ndition is the slaves ;lobe this vhere re- lasp ; 9r».» entp, mid ■Ul*-i tiU- 3ng many purchase, it of bur- Vhile the nent, the 30sed up- iQut com- ,1 •I si DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 113 plaisance or gratitude. Every eircumstancc reminds women of this mortifymg inferiority. They must approach their lords with reverence ; they must regard them as more exulted beings, and are not permitted to eat in their presence. There arc districts in America where this dominion is so grievous, and so sensibly felt, that some women, in a wild emotion of maternal tender- ness, have destroyed their female children in their infancy in order to deliver them from that intolerable bondage to which they knew thty wpre doomed. It in owing, |>erhaps, in some measure, to this state of de- pressmn, that women in rude nations are far from being prolific. The vigor of their constitution is exhausted by excessive fatigue, and the wants and distresses of savage life are so numerous, as to force them to lake various precautions in order to prevent too rapid an increase of their progeny. Among wandering tribes, or such as depend chiefly upon hunting for subsistence, the mother cannot attempt to rear a second child, until the first has attain- ed such a degree of vigor as to be in some measure independent of her care. From this motive, it is the universal practice of the American ^^•omen to suckle their children during several years; and as they seldom marry early, the period of their fer- tility IS over, before they can finish the long but necessary at- tendance upon two or three children. Among some of the least polished tnbes, whose industry and foresight do-not extend so far as to make any regular provision for their own subsistence. U IS a maxim not to burden themseNes with rearing more than two children; and no such numerous families, as are frequent in cmhzed societies, are to be found among men in the savage state. When twins arc born one of them commonly is abandoned, be- cause the mother is not equal to the task of rearing both. When a mother dies while she is nursing a diild, all hope of preserving Its life fails, and it is buried together with her in the same grave. As the parents are frequently exposed to want by their own improvident indolence, the difficulty of sustaining their children becomes so great, that it is not uncommon to abandon or destroy them. Thus their experience of the difficulty of training up an infant to maturity amidst the hardships of savage life, often stifles the voice of nature among the Americans, and suppresses the strong emotions of parental tenderness. But, though necessity compels the inhabitants of America 5. p m jm WBt mM IJH 114 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. thus to set bounds to the increase of their families^ tiiey are not deficient in affection and attachment to their offspring. They feel the power of this instinct in its full force ; ana as long as their progeny continue feeble and helpless, no people exceed them in tciiderness and care. But in rude nations, the depend- ance of children upon their parents is of shorter continuance than in polished societies. When men must be trained to the various functions of civil life by previous discipline and educa- tion, when the knowledge of abstruse sciences must be taught, and dexterity in intrinsic arts niust be acquired, before a young man is prepared to begin hie career of action, the attentive feel- ings of a parent are not confined to the years of infancy, but extend to what is more remote, the establislnnent of liis child in the worl^. Even then, his solicitude does not terminate. His protection may still be requisite, and his wisdom and expe- rience still prove useful guides. Thus d, permanent connexion is formed ; parental tenderness is exercised, and filial respect re- turned, throughout the whole course of life. But in the sim- plicity of the savage state, the affection of parents, like the ',n- stinetive fondness of animals, ceases aimost entirely as soop as their offspring attain maturity. Little instruction fits them for that mode of life to which they are destined. The parents, as if their duty were accomplished, when they have conducted their children thrqugh the helpless years of infancy, leave them afterwards at entire liberty. Even in their tender age, they sel- dom advise or admonish, they never chide or chastise them. They suffer them to be absolute masters of their own actions. In an American hut, a father, 9 mother, and their posterijly, live together like persons assembled by accident, without seem- ing to feel the obligation of the duties mutually arising from this connexion. As filial love is not cherished by thp continuance of attention or good offices, the recollection of benefits received in early infancy is too faint to excite it. Conscious of their own liberty, and impatient of restraint, the youth of America are accustomed to act as if they were totally independent Their parents are not objects of greater regard than other per- sons. They treat tham always with neglect, and often with such harshness and insolence, as to fill those who have been witnesses of their conduct with horror. Thus the ideas whieli seem to be natural to man in his savage state, as they result ne- ■«i(i tljey arc ofTspring, '.a as long >Ie exceed J depend- ntinuance ed to the nd cduca- ►e taught, ? a young itive feel- uucy, but his child erminate, md expe- :onnexion aspect re- the sim- e the ",n- s soop as then) for irents, as :onducted ave them they sei- se them. 1 actions, posteiijty, )ut seein- from this itinuancc 1 received of their America ?pendeiU. ther per- ten with ave bcpii as Vviiicli fesult ne- DlSCOVEliY AND £ARLY SETTIeMENTS. 115 cessarily from his circumstances and condition in that period of his progress, affect the two capital relations in domestic life. They render the union between husband and wife unequal; they shorten the duration, and weaken the force of the connexion, between parents and children. ly. From the domestic state of the Americans the transition to the consideration of their civil government and polrtical in- stitutions is natural. In every enquiry concerning the opera- tions of men when united together in society, the first object of attention should be their mode of subsistence. All the people of America now under review, subsist chiefly by hunting- and fishing. On the extensive plains of South America, man appears in one of the rudest states in which he has been over observed, or perhaps can exist. Several tribes depend en- tirely on the bounty of nature for subsistence. They discover no solicitude, they employ little foresight, they scarcely exert any industry, to secure what is necessary for their support. The Jopayers of Brasil, the Guaxeros of Tierra Firm6, the Cai- guns, the Moocos, and several other people of Paraguay, are unacquainted with every species of cultivation. They neither sow nor plant. Even the culture of the manioc, of which cas- sada bread is made, is an art. too intricate for their ingenuity or too fatiguing to their indolence. The roots which the earth produces spontaneously, the fruits, the berries, and the seeds which they gather in the woods, together with lizards and other reptiles, which multiply amazingly with the heat of the climate, m a fat soil moistened by frequent rains, supply them with food during some part of the year. At other times they subsist by fishing; and nature seems to have indulged the laziness of the bouth American tribes, by the liberulity with which she minis- ters, in this way, to their wants. The vast rivers of that region in America abouiid with an infinite variety of the most delicate fish. The lakes and marshes formed by the annual overflowing of the waters, are filled with all the different species, where thev remain shut up, as in natural reservoirs, for the use of the inha* bitants. They swarm in such shoals, that in some places thev are catched without art or industry. None but tribes contiguous to great rivers can sustain them- selves m thio manno' T' — '■ t i? •! . " '"""• ^"^ gicuiL-r part of the American na- tions, dispersed over the forests with which their country is co- 110 HISTORY OF NORTH AMElllCA. ;> ^ •■■II ill- :4: ■M ^^^^^^B;^ '^*-l ^^^^H i - ;j;MJ ^Hi 1, ■^H|ji . .- ' - i ' verefd, do not procure subsistence with the same facility. For although these forests, especially in the southern continent of America, are stored plentifully with game, considerable efforts of activity and ingenuity are requisite in pursuit of it. Neces- sity incited the natives to the one, and taught them the other. Hunting became their principal occupation j and as it called forth strenuous exertions of courage, of force, and of inven- tion, it was deemed no less honorable than necessary. This oc- cupation was peculiar to the men ; they were trained to it from their earliest youth. A bold anu dexterous hunter ranked nex* in fame to the distinguished warrior, and an alliance with the former is often courted in preference to one with the latter. Hardly any device, which the ingenuity of man has disco- vered for ensnaring or destroying wild animals, was unknown to the Americans. While engaged in this favorite exercise^ they shake off the indolence peculiar to their nature, the la- tent powers and vigor of their minds are roused, and they be- come active, perseveritig, and indefatigab'e. Their sagacity in finding their prey, and their address in killing it, are equal. Their reason and their senses being constantly directed towards this one object, the former displays such fertility of invention and the latter acquire such a degree of acnteness, as appear almost incredible. They discern the footsteps of a wild beast which escape every other eye, and can follow them with certain- ty through the pathless forest. If they attack their game open- ly, their arrow seldom errs from the mark ; if they endeavour to circumvent it by art, it is almost impossible to avoid their toils. Among several tribes, their young men were not permitted to marry, until they had given such proofs of their skill rn hunting as put it beyond doubt that they were capable of providing for a family. Their ingenuity always on the stretch, and sharpened by emulation, as well as necessity, has struck out many inven- tions, which greatly faciHtate success in the chace. The most singular of these is the discovery of a poison in which they dip the arrows employed in hunting. The slightest wound with those envenomed shafts is mortal. If they only pierce the skin, the blood fixes and congeals in a moment, and the strongest ununal falls motionless to the ground. Nor does this poison, notwithstanding its violence and subtlety, infect the flesh of the animal which it kills j that may be eaten with perfect safety, j ility. For ntinent of ble efforts t. Neces- the other, i it called of inven- This oc- to it from nked next ! with the the latter, tias disco-' i unknown ! exerciscy re, the la- d thev be- lagacity in are equal, ed towards invention, as appear wild beast, th certain- ame open- ideavour te their toils, emitted to in hunting iding for a sharpened any inven- The most :h they dip ound with e the skin, I strongest lis poison, lesh of the feet 9afetyi ^^i DISCOVERY AND EAKLY SETTLEMENTS. 117 and retains its native relish and qualities. All the nations situa- ted upon the banks of the Maragnon and Orinoco ure acquaint- ed with this composition, the chief ingredient in which is the juice extracted from the rpot of the curare, a species of withe. In other parts of America, they employ the juice of the manchc- nille,^ for the same purpose, and it operates with no less fatal activity. To people possessed of those secrets, the bow is a more destructive weapon than the musket, and, in their skilful hands, does great execution among the birds and beasts which abound in the forests of America. Hardly any region of the earth furnishes man spontaneously with what his wants require. In the mildest climates, and most fertile soils, \m own industry and foresight must be exert- ed, in some degree, to secure a regular supply of food. Their experience of this surmounts the abhorrence of labor natural to savage nations, and compels them to have recourse to culture, as subsidiary to hunting. In particular situations, some small tribes may subsist by fishing, independent of any production of the earth raised by their own industry. But, throughout all America, we scarcely meet with any nation of hunters which does not practise some species of cultivation. The agriculture of the Americans, however, is neither exten- sive nor laborious. As game and fish are their principal food all they aim at by cultivation, is to supply any occasional defect of these. In the southern continent of America, the natives con- fined their industry to rearing a few plants, winch in a rich soil and warm climate, were easily trained to maturity. The chief of these is maize, well known in Europe by the name of Turkey or Indian wheat, a grain extremely prolific, of simple culture agreeable to the taste, and affording a strong, hearty nourish- ment. The second is the manioc, which grows to the size of a large shrub, or small tree, and produces roots somewhat resem- bling parsnips. After carefully squeezing out the juice, these roots are grated down to a fi.ie powder, and formed into thin cakes, called cassada bread, which, though insipid to the taste, proves no contemptible food. Tiie third is the plantain, which, though It rises to the height of a tree, is of such quick growth that m less than a year it rewards the industry of the cultivator with Its fruit. This, ivhpn rnoBtr>.\ c.,,,.,i:„„ *I 1 ft , ' " — --..sv,.,^ --u|jpiic3 tiic piuce or bread, and IS both palatable and nourishing. The fourth is the potatoe. lid HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. : i '.I' whose culture and qualities are too well known to need any dfe- scription. The fifth is jnmcvto, a small tree, yielding a strong aromatic spice. The Americans, who, like other inhabitant* of warm climates, delight in whatever is hot and of poignant flavor, deem this seasoning a necessary of life, and mingle it co- piously with every kind of food they take. Such are the various productions which were the chief object of culture among the hunting tribes on the continent of Ameri- ca, and with a moderate exertion of active and provident indus- try, these might have yielded a full supply to the wants of a nu- merous people. But men, accustomed to the free and vagrant life of hunters, are incapable of regular application to labor, and consider agriculture as a secondary and inferior occupation^ Accordingly, the provision for subsistence, arising from cultiva- tion, was so limited and scanty among the Americans, that, up- on any accidental failure of their usual success in hunting, they were often reduced to extreme distress. Two circumstances, common to all the savage nations of America, concurred with those already mentioned, not only in rendering their agriculture imperfect, but in circumscribing their power in all their operations. They had no tame animals ; and they were unacquainted with the useful metals. In other parts of the globe, man, in his rudest state appears as lord of the creation, giving law to various tribes of animals, which he has tamed and reduced to subjection. The Tartar fol- lows his prey on the horse which he has reared, or tends his nu- merous herds, which furnish him both with food and clothing ; the Arab has rendered the camel docile, and avails himself of ifs persevering strength j the Laplander has formed the rein-deer Uy be subservient to his will ; and even the people of Kamschatka have trained their dogs to labor. This command over the infe- rior creatures is one of the noblest prerogatives of man, and among the greatest efforts of his wisdom and power. Without this, his dominion is incomplete. He is a monarch, who has no subjects; a master, without servants, and must perform every operation by the strength of his own arm. This, perhaps, is the most prominent distinction between the inhabitants of the ancient and new worlds, and a high pre- emi- nence of civilized men above such as continue rude. The great- est operations of man in changing and improving the face of na- jd any dte- g a strong nhabitants- ' poignant iigle it co- lief object of Ameii- ent indus- 8 of a nu- \d vagrant to labor, ccupatioii, n cultiva-> that, up- ting, they nations of )t only in ibing their nals ; and te appears f animals, Partar fol- ds his nu- clothing ; iself of i(s in-deer ta imschatka r the infe- man, and Without ho has no every 3rm tween the I pre-emi- Phe great- wc of na- i DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. U^ tore, as well as his most considerable efforts in cultivating the earth, are accomplished by means of the aid which he receive! : r • i li at mountains, and formed into ornaments. Their devices to supply this want of the serviceable metals, were, extremely rude and awkward. The most simple operation was to them an under- taking of immense difficulty and labor, -^o fell a tree with no othdr instruments than hatchets of stone, was employment for a month. To form a canoe into shape, and to hollow it, consu- med years ; and it frequently began to rot before they were able to finish it. Their operations in agriculture were ecjually slow and defective. In a country covered with woods of the hardest timber, the clearing of a small field destined for culture required the united efforts of a tribe, and was a work of much time and great toil. This was the business of the men, and their indo- lence was satisfied with performing it in a very slovenly manner. The labor of cultivation was left to the women, who, after dig- ging, or rather stirring the field, with wooden mattocks, and stakes hardened in the fire, sowed or planted it ; but they were more indebted for the increase to the fertility of the soil, than to their own rude industry. From this description of the mode of subsisting among the rude American tribes, the form and genius of their political in- stitutions may be deduced, and we are enabled to trace various circumstances of distinction between them and more civilized nations. 1. They were divided into small independent communities. While hunting is the chief source of subsistence, a vast extent of territory is requisite for supporting a small number of people. In proportion as men multiply and unite, the wild animals, on which they depend for food, diminish, or fly at a greater dis- tance from the haunts of tlieir enemy. The increase of a society in this state is limited by its own nature, and the members of it must either disperse, like the game which they pursue, or fall upon some better method of procuring food than by hunting. Beasts of prey are by nature solitary and unsocial ; they go not forth to the chase in herds, but delight in those lecesses of the forest where they can roam and destroy undisturbed. A nation of hunters resembles them both in occupation and in genius. They cannot form into large connnunities, because it would be impossible to find vsubsistence ; and they umst drive to a distance every- rival who may encroaeli on those doniains, which they consider as their own. This was the state of all the American to supply rude and an under- e with no ricnt for a it, consu- were able ually slow e hardest J required time and leir indo- inanner. after dig- 3cks, and hey were soil, than inong the litical inr :e various civilized imunities. St extent )f people, inials; on ?ater dis- a society bers of it e, or fall hunting. y go not ses of the A nation n genius, kvould be I distance rich they American DISCOVERY AND EATILY SETTLEMENTS. 121 tribes ; the numbers in each were inconsiderable, though scat- tered over countries of great extent; they were far removed from one another, and engaged in perpetual hostilities or rival- ship. In the provinces which border on the Orinoco, one may tra- vel several hundred miles in different directions, without finding a smgle 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 plauis 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, ov 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 'an .-njoy superfluity, while those around them suffer want. Thus the dis- ^nctions 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 ij! i'Sr 122 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA, " Ul 'I , ri pendence. Wherever the idea of property is not eetablishtfd, there can be no distinction among men, but what arises from personal qualities. These can be conspicuous only on such oc- casions as call them forth into exertion. In times of danger, or in affairs of intricacy, the wisdom and experience of age are consulted, and prescribe the measures which ought to be pursu- ed. When a tribe of savages takes the field against the enemies of their country, the warrior of most Approved courage leads the youth to the combat. If they go forth in a body to the chase, the most expert and adventurous hunter is foremost, and directs their motions. But during seasons of tranquillity 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 j no distinction can arise from the inequality of possessions ; whatever forms dependance on one part, or constitutes superiority on the other, is unknown; all are freemen, all feel themselves to be such, and assert, with firmness, the rights which belong to that condition. This aenti- meut of independence is imprinted so deeply in their nature, that no change of condition can eradicate it, and bend their minds to servitude. Apcijstomed to be absolute masters of their own conduct, they disdain to execute the orders of another; and having never known control, they will not snbmit to correction. Many of the Americans, when they found that they were treated as slaves by the Spaniards, died of grief; many destroyed them- selves in despair. 4. Among people 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 they are part of a political 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 «uch common efforts, they ^1 DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 1213 seem scarcely to feel the ties of political union. No visible form of government is established. The names of magistrate and subject are not in use. Every one seems to enjoy his natural in- dependence almost entire. The right of revenge is left in private hands. If violence is committed, or blood is shed, the 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 person 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 so incomplete, and their sense of mutual dependance so feeble, that hardly any appearance of government or order can be dis- cerned in their proceedings. Their wants are few, their objects of pursuit simple ; they form into vseparatc 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 Granada. In the new world, as well as in other parts 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 JiJibi 124 HrSTORY OF NORTIt AMERICA. f i.i rt .ii..iMlLi^i Aniprica, wc shall find the power of those vested with authority grudually increasing, and the spirit of the people hecoming more tame and passive. In Florida, the authority of the sachems, cazi- ques, or chiefs, was not oidy permanent, but hereditary. They were distinguished by peculiar ornaments, they enjoyed preroga- tives of various kinds, and were treated by their subjects with that reverence which people accustomed to subjection pay to a master. Anjong the Natchez, a powerful tribe now extinct, for- merly situated on the banks of the Mississippi, a difference of rank took place, with which the northern tribes were altogether unac- quainted. Some families were reputed noble, and enjoyed he- reditary dignity. The body of the people was considered as vile, and formed only for subjection. This distinction was marked by appellations which intimated the high elevation of the one state, and the ignominious depression of the other. The former were caWed Respectable ; the latter Stinkardfi. The great chief, in whom the supreme authority was vested, is reputed to be a be- ing of superior nature, the brother of the sun, the sole object of their worship. They approach this great chief with religious ve- neration, and honor him as the representative of their deity. His will is a law, to which all submit with iniplicit obedience. The lives of his subjects are so absolutely at his disposal, that if any one has incurred his displeasure, the offender comes with pro- found humility, and offers him his head. Nor does the dominion of the chiefs end with their lives; their principal officers, their favorite wives, together with many domestics of inferior rank, are sacrificed at their tombs, that they may be attended in the next world by the same persons who served them in thisj and such is the reverence in which they are held, that those victims welcome death with exultation, deeming it a recompence of their fidelity, and a mark of distinction, to be selected to ac- company their deceased master. Thus a perfect despotism, with its full train of superstition, arrogance, and cruelty, is establish- ed among the Natchez, and by a singular fatality, that people has tasted of the worst calamities incident to polished nations, though they themselves are not far advanced beyond the tribes around them in civility and improvement. In Hispaniola, Cuba, and the larger islands, their caziques or chiefs, possessed exten- sive power. The dignity was transmitted by hereditary right from father to son. Its honors and prerogatives were consider- I DISCOVERY AND eauly setti.kmkkts. 1J2.> able. Their subjects paid great respect to the ca/i(|ues "luh executed their orders without hesitation or reserve. Thev were distinguished by peculiar ornaments, and in order to preserve or augment the veneration of the people, they had the address to call m the aid o. superstition to uphold their authority. They delivered their mandates as the oracles of heaven, and "pretend- ed to possess the power of regulating the seasons, anunas they thp.r f»..r;f« • i-'-'V-J^v ^vitii a jealous attention. But as ^lieir teiritones are extensive, and the boundaries of them not ^ 126 IIISTOHY of NOHTII A^fEllTCA. J.i ■h i 'I exactly Jiscertained, innumeral)Ie subjects of dispute arise, wliich seldom terminate without bloodshed. Even in this simple and primitive state of society, interest is a source of discord, and often prompts 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 blood 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 touciied 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 lifej 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 in 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 this 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 msCOVERY AND EAIILY SETTLEMENTS. 127 Mich irregular sallies, as they tend to cherish a martini spirit and accustom their people to enterprise and danger. IJut when a war is national, and undertaken by public authority, the deli- berations are formal and slow. The elders assemble, they deli- ver their opinion in solemn speeches, they weigh nith nmturi- ty the nature of the enterprise, and balance its beneficial or disadvantageous consequences with uo inconsiderable portion of political discernment or sagacity. Their priests and soothsayers are consulted, and sometimes they ask the advice even of thei women. If the determination be for war, they prepare fb with much ceremony. A leader offers to conduct the evped ion. and .s accepted. But no man is constrained to Mlol, him; the resolution of the community to commence host hies imposes no obligation upon any member to take part in the wa ' Each individual ., still master of his own conduct, and 1 s e„ gagement in the service is perfectly voluntary tJ.!'l "''r''"' ^^ fi''' '^'y ""^S"'^'*^ t'^^"- '"i'itary operations though extremely, different from those which take ill/T ' more civilized and populous nations, are wills ted ^ 1^01' political state, and the nature of the country in which hev a^t They never take the field in numerous bodies, as t wo^^^^^^ quire a greater effort of foresight and industry thanT usu J among savages, to provide for their subsistence,^dunW a march f some hundred miles, through dreary fore ts or ^. long voyage upon their lakes and rivers Tl et arn^' ^"^ ' encumbered with baggage or nm::^2re^'^^Zr::' ^T «'rD 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 who were objects of public resentment. They are still more so- licitous to seize prisoners. During their retreat, if they hope to effect it unmolested, the prisoners are conmionly 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 Hues, through which the pri- soners must pass, beat and bruise tliem 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 follen in the service, accom- panied with words and actions which seem to express the ut- most anguish and grief. But in a moment, upon a signal given, their tears cease ; 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 tortured 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 Ihey receive them, their sufferings are at an end. They are adopted into the family, and according to their phrase, are 6. a iM^M 1 ";rl M '^ fa JfM^^I w 'Mb %%m f ''^HI M iflB 130 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. , '» t I 1 '1 in t1 Kit seated upon the mat of the deceased. They assume his name, they hold the same rank, and are treated thenceforward with all the tenderness due to a father, a brother, 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, his doom is fixed. No power can then save him from torture and death. While their lot 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 ^t ease, and no danger impending. When the fata! sentence is intimated to them, they receive it with an unaltered countenance, raise their death song, and prepare to suffer like men. Their conr 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 are tied naked to a stake, but so as to be at liberty to move round it. All who nre 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 j and such is their cruel ingenuity in tormenting, that by avoiding industriously to hurt any vital part, they often prolong this scene of anguish for several days. In spite of all that they suffer, the victims continue to chant their death-song with a firm voice ; they boast of their own exploits j 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 doing, and excite their ferocity by the most provoking reproaches and threats. To display undaunted fortitude in such dreadful situ- ^v9'^ia*j **' vai*~- ..Ot^jv^w ?/riitnfpn 01 a »vsmor. xo avoiu Lzie iriai by a voluntary death, or to shrink under it, is deemed infamous 18 iiam«?9 with all id, or a desire of the pri- ower can elves ap> I. They ^t ease, ntimated ce, raise heir con- ; the for- 3ues, the dth hor- institu- srness at naked to All who lem like mcour of lot ironS| beir flesh and rend n refine- but the lastening enuity in ital part, lays. In ant their exploits ; avenging; jngeanee w doing, ches and Iful situ- the trial infamous DTSCOVEUY AND EAULY 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,' said an aged chief of the Iroquois, when his insults had provoked one of his tormentors to wound him with a knife, * forbear these stabs of your knife, and rather let me die by fire, that those dogs, your Tillies, from beyond the sea, may learn by my exam- ple to suiFer like m«n.* 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 contending 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 cne 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, ! J 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 enemy 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 unpoUshed 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, aim reiics ui ii uiuy uc uisuuvcicvs asxiui;g iSsv h«v-.-- — -— habitants of Peru. It was not scarcity of food, as some au- ;1 tM P 132 HISTORY OF NOHTH AMERICA. thors imagine, and the important cravings of hunger, which forced the Americans to those horrid repasts on their fellow- creatures. Human flesh was never used as common food in any country j and the variou:s relations concerning people who reck- oned it among the stated means of subsistence, flow from the credulity and mistakes of travellers. The rancour of veyenm first prompted men to this barbarous action. The people of South America gratify their revenge in a man- ner somewhat different, but with no Fess unrelenting rancorr. i heir prisoners, after meeting, at their first entrance, with the aame rough reception as among the North Americans, are not only exempt from injury, but treated with the greatest kindness. 1 hey are feasted and caressed, and some beautifuJ 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 day appointed, the victorious tribe assembles ; the prisoner is brought forth with great solemnity ; he views the preparations tor the sacrifice with as much indifference as if he himself were not the victim, and meeting his fate with undaunted firmness is dispatched with a single blow. The moment he falls, the wo- men seize the body, and dress it for the feast. They besmear their chddren with the blood, in order to kindle in their bosoms a hatred for their enemies, which is never extinguished : and all jom m feeding upon the flesh with amazing greediness and ex- ultation. To devour the body of a slaughtered enemy, ther deem the most coinplete and exquisite gratification of reven J Wherever this practice prevails, captives never escape death • but they are not tortured with the same cruelty as among tribes whiclj 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 m the New World is to form the mind to sustain it. When nations carry on war with open force, defy their enemies to he combat, and vanquish them by the superbrity of their skill or courage, soldiers are trained to be active, vigorous, and enterprising. But in America, where the genius and mnvim, of war are extremely different, passive fortitude is the quality in DISCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 133 highest estimation. 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 m 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 perpetuaMiostilities 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 considerable 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 thf genius and manners of man in this stage of his progress. Thf> m % n (i. \v> [i. 'H 1 fi M 1 *> !* • -«ji j^ 134 HIStOllY OF NORTH AMERICA. first distress a savage must feel, will arise from 'the manner iii which his body is affected, by the heat, or cold, or moisture, of the climate under which 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 'rf 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 was 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 j 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, ie circumscribed within so narrow bounds, and confined to so few articles among naked savages, that tliey are 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 o( their heads ; some squeeze them into the shape of a cone; others mould them as much as possible into a square figure ; and they often endanger the lives of their poste- rity by their violent and absurd efforts to derange the plan of nature, or to improve upon her designs. But in all their at- tempts either 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 diSTerencc in rank and estimation be- tween the two sexes was so great, as seems to have extinguish- DISCOVEEy AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 133 b,: '"■Z'J^T"' '!";'»«'!'"''« "• appew mutually amia. We. The man deemed .t beneath him to adorn hi, person, for the sake of one on whon, he was accustomed to lool; down as a slave I, „a, when the warrior had in view to enter the eoa„! assumed h,s cho.cest ornaments, ami decked hi, person wth the mcest care. The decorations of the women weJ^ few aid im! pie : whatever was precious or splendid was reserved for Z mT« Me part of their time every day in adorning and paintine thei, husbands, and could bestow little attentio'n upon'orSent tag themselves. Among a race of men so haughty as to despise « so cold as to neglect them, the women natural^ became careless and slovenly, and the love of finery and show, which had ten weTl J„n, f\'"' P"'"".*" 'K «'«=tion of a warrior, a. well as one of his roost serious occupations varir' "''■''"' '° ""T ."■"' "'" '"S»Se the attention of a sa- vage, .s to prepare some habitation which may afford him shelter ■deas of personal dignity, whatever bears any reference to his military character, the savage warrior deems an obleeT of im portance. Whatever relates only to peaceableTnd iiae.ive life' h s h'awLl « "'°'"'. '^' "*' "'San™ •>' d^Po^tion of his habitation Savage natiom, far from that state of improve- me»«. ■" wl..«h the mode of livi.« is considered as a mark of distinction, and unacquainted witl. those wants which reouire . variety of accommodation, regulate the construction T teir house, according to their limited ideas of necessity. sL rf the American tribes were so extremely rude, and had advan- ced so lutle beyond th. primeval simplicity of their niTure tha they had no houses at all. Dunne the d». .1,.,; ,T\ , «om the scorching rays of the sui^'under t i ee^'tt nt^ they form a shed ,vith their blanches and leaves r^.h! ? season they retire into coves, formed hv the hL „f , '' hollowed out by their own ii^dustrv f W . ? , """"■*• " abode, and roa^ through ^S i"' ^st tZ Toiol' l:2Z7 'T' "'""" "'^^ ""'' "'■"'""'« labored Z- Jon wthout any concern. The inhabitants of those vast ptei,;!. li 136 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. !i>ll' r '»i ' which are deluged by the overflowing of rivers during the heavy rains that fall periodically between the tropics, raise houses upon piles fastened in the ground, or place them among the boughs of trees, and are thus safe amidst that wide extended inundation which 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 elegance, and Httle attention to conveniency. 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 minute 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. Some of their houses are so large, as to contain accommodation for four- score or a hundred persons. These are built for the reception of 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, fatiiilies of course divide, and settle in separate houses, where they can se- cure and guard whatever they wish to preserve. This 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 women. 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 trusted 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 so many families are crowded toge- ther, is surprising, and affords a striking evidence that they MSCOVERY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. l37 must be people of .ither a very gentle, or of a very phlegmatio temper, who, in such a situation, aie unacquainted with ani- mosity, brawling, 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 fire, 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 the most early invention for this purpose. This weapon is in the hands of people whose advances m improvement are extremely inconsiderable, and is tamiiiar 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 this simple.'invention, and seem to have been unac- xiuamted with the use of any missive weapon. The sling, tbough ui its construction not more complex than the bow, and among many nations of equal antiquity, was little known to the people of North America, or the islands, but appears to have been used by a few tribes in the southern continent. Among people whp had hardly any occupation but war or hunting, the chief exertions of their intention, as well as indus- try, were naturally directed towards these objects. With respect to every thing else, their wants and desires were so limited, that their invention was not upoq the stretch. As their food and ha- bitations are perfectly simple, their domestic utensils are few and rude. Some of the southern tribes had discovered the art of forming vessels of earthen ware, and baking them in the sun, so as they could endure the fire. In North America, they hol- lowed a piece of hard wood into the form of a kettle, and filling it wiUi water, brought it to boil, by putting red-hot stones into it. These vessels they used in preparing part of their provi- sions ; and this may be considered as a step towards refinement and luxury -, for men in their rudest state, were not acquainted with any method of dressing their victuals, but by roasting thent on the fire; and, among several tribes in America, this is the only species of cookery yet known. But the masterpiece of art among the savages of Air^rica, is M ii 188 histohy of north America. the construction of their canoes. An Esquimaux, shut up iiv his boat of whalebone, covered with the skins of seals, can brave that stormy ocean on which the barrenness of his country com- pels him to depend for the chief part of his subsistence. The people of Canada venture upon their rivers and lakes in boats made of the bark of trees, and so light that two men can carry them, wherever shallows or cataracts obstruct the navigation. In these frail vessels they undertake and accomplish long voy- ages. But, in every attempt towards industry among the Americans, one striking quality in their character is conspicuous. They ap- ply to work without ardor, carry it on with little activity, and, like children, are easily diverted from it. Even in operations which seem the most interesting, and where the most powerful motives urge them to vigorous exertions, they labor with a lan- guid iistlessnes5. Their work advances under their hand with such slowness, that an eye-witness them to : in their in similar learly the the same in all the most ex- ed appre- latural, is s the ne- esscntial The tribe of the Natchez, and the people of Bogota, had advanced beyond the other uncultivated notions of America in their ideas of religion, as well as in tlw?ir political institutions • and it is no less difficult to explain the cause of this distinction than of that which we have already considered. The sun was the chief object of religious worship among the Natchez. In their temples, which were constructed with some magnificence and decorated with various ornaments, according to their mode of arclritccturc, 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 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 stop short at what is visible, without reaching to the unseen cause ; and pays tliat adoration to the most glorious and beneficial work of (rod, 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, flacrifices, and that long train of ceremonies, which superstition introdupp. wherever she has fully established her dominion over the minds l1. 142 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. hm of men. But the rites of their worship were cruel "^nd hloody. They offered human victims to their deities, and many of their practices nearly resembled the barbarous institutions of the Mexicans. With respect to the other great doctrine of religion, concern- ing thH 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 exifctence. This sentiment, resulting from a se- cret consciousness of its own dignity, from an instinctive longing after inunortality, 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 the 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- est place, in their country of spirits, to the skilful hunter, to the adventurous and successful warrior, and to such as had 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 lion-ii-* tlioir onr^inp nnour in t\\n ivnrlrl »uh>*'h'*'' tViov nro cvrtrx' tliaf -i (1 bloody. ' of their 8 of the concern- Vmuricatih St iinpro- )ts of an- ition to a ronj u se- e longing I natural, an in his leld from ide period extrennity J obscure, nvn. The death as ituro and from the condition. ^, blessed whose ri- nterrupt- is men, in lie world, e dcsireti, e present I, in that he object the high- ;r, to the ad tortu- leir flesh. 3 an uni- that the : ration of ;d spirits one, that i DISCOVKRY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 143 their friends may not enter defenceless and unprovided, they b«. ry togetiier with thr bodies of the dead, their bow, their arrows and other weapons used in hunting or war; they deposit in theiJ 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 mode of life In some provinces, upon the decease of a cazique or chief, a certain number of his wives, of his favorites, and of his slaves were put to death, and interred together with him, that he might an 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 bou.ids to this enthusiasm of af- fectionate dut)-, 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 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 anothei- alliance. As the diseases of men, in ITZt «ta e, are (as has been already observed) like those of the aid! mal creation, few, but extremely violent, their impatience under what they suffer, and solicitude for the recovery of heJ^th soon -spired them with extraordinary reverence for sLh as pre endeS to understand the nature of their maladies, and to be pol'td -o- sumcie.:. tu preserve or deliver them from their sudden and fatal effects. These ignorant pretenders; howeve" if" n 144 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. •Irr \ 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 tenninate. Superstition, mingled frequently with some portion of craft, supplied what they .wanted in science. They imputed the origin of diseases to supers 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 tho^e impostors. Among savages, their first physicians are a kind of conjurers or wizards, who boast that they know what is past, and can foretel what is to come. Incantations, sorcery, and mummeries of diverse kinds, no less strange than frivolous, are the means which they employ to expel the imaginary causes of malignity j and relying upon the efficacy of these, they pre- dict, with confidence, what will be the fate of tbeii 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 destructior. , 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 Ame.-ica, 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 j a vain desire of prying into futurity, is the error of its infancy, and a prdof ot its weakness. From this weakness proceeded likewise the faith of the Ame- ricans in dreams, their observation of omens, their attention I n frame, lisorders, erstition, /hat they to super*- •f mystr- is lo re- le credu- iiien, fa- of those i kind of is pasty ery, and lous, are causes of \\ey pre- deluded ficacy of K>urse to J vents of tfpreseen t threat- r conju- s causes ir issue, sed, and involved I of mo- and de- former, long the rm, and to wor- lence of ding J a infancy, 18 Ame- ttention Discovery and early settlements. 145 to the chirping of birds, and the cries of animals, all which they suppose to be indications of future events j and if any one of these prognostics is deemed unfavorable, they instantly aban- don the pursuit of thosie me^ures on which they are most ea- gerly bent. ' If we would form a complete idea of the uncultivated nation* of America, we must not pass unobserved some singular cus- ioms, which, though universal and characteristic, could not be reduced, with 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- jrite 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-p 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 ; 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 th« vengeance which they meditate. If the wrath of their gods U to be appeased, or their beneficence to be celebrated j 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 indisposed, a d^nce is prescribed a^ the most effectual means of restoring him to health j 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. A., their dances are iinitatipns of some action j and though the music by which they are regulated is extremely simple and 7. T 140 . }^ IIINTOIIY OF NORTfl AMEUK^A. to th h tiiwomc lo tiu' cnr hy itn dtill monotony, nomc of their datices nppour wonWcifnlly pxprowivc niul nnimntotl. Tli« wnr-dnncc in, prrlmp^ i\w most fitiiking. It in thf reprwcntotioii of n conj- pU'to Amt'iicttn nimpuiKU. The cicpttrture of the warriors from their vilhigo, their muroh iuto the oneinyN country, tbo crtutioii with which they ciieiimp, the addrfnn with which they station «omo of their party in nmhush, tlie manner of surprising the cnomv, the noiNo and feroeily of the eomhnt, the sealping of those who are nlain. the seizing of prisoners, the triuniplmnt return of the eon«|uerorf(, and the torHirc of the victims, aro aucccssivoly ex!»ihiled. The peiformeis enter with sueh enthu- sittstie ardor into their several parts ; thrir gestincs, their voxm- tonanec, their voice, are so wild and so well adapted to their various situations, that lOuropearis can hardly hclicve it to be a mimic iceno, or view it without emotions of fear and horror. An immoflerate love of play, especially at gomes of hoznrd, which seems to hr natural to all people Unaccustomed t«) the oc- cupations of nmilar industry, is likewise universal among the Amorieans. The same causes which so often prompt persons in civilized life, who ore at their ease, to have recourse to thin pastime, render it the delight of the savage. Tlu" former are in.lependent of labor, the latter do not feel the necessity of it ; an«l as both are unemployed, they nm with transport to wlmt- over iH interesting ciumgh to stir amf to agitate their minds. Hence the Americans, who, at other tiini-s, are so inditferent, so phlegnmtic, so siletit, and animate«l with so few tlesires, as soon as they engage in play, become rapacious, impatient, noi- sy, and almost frantic wtth cagtMuess. 'J'heir furs, their domes- tic utensils, their clothes, their arms, are staked at the gaming- table, and when all is lost, high as thwr sense of independence is, in a wild emotion of despair or of hope, they will often risk their personal liberty uptm a single eatit. From causes sin\ilar to those which render them /ond of play, the Americans are extremely addicted to drniikenness. It secttis lo have been one of the first exertions of human ingenuity to discover some composition of an intoxicating quality ; and there is hardly any nation so rude, or so destitute of invention, as not to have succeeded in this fatal research. The most barbarous of tlie Amcricaii tribes have been so unfortunate as to itftain thl" ft!SCOVKTlY AND FAULT SETTLEMENTS. 147 nrl ; aiiil even thone which are so deficient hi knowledge m to be unac(|n.unted willi the method «f giving an inebriating strength to h<|uorfi hy fermentation, can accomplish the «amc end hy other mean,. The people of the inlands of North America, and of Cahfornni, used for this purpose the smoke of tobacco, drawii up with a certain instrument into the nostrils, the fumes of winch ascending to the brain, they felt ull the transports and Irenzy of nitoxu;ation. In almost every other part of the new world, the natives possessed the art of extracting an intoxicu- tnig H,uor lr(»m maize or the manioc root, the same substance, winch they convert into bread. The operation by which they effect this nearly resembles the common one of brewing, but with this difference, that in place of yeast, they use a nauseous infusion of a certain ipuuitity of maize or manioc chewed by their women The saliva excites a strong fermentation, and in a few .lays the liquor becomes fit for drinking. It is not disa- greeuble to the taste, and when swallowed in large quantities is of nn intoxicating quality. This is the general beverage of the Americans, which they distinguish by variou. names, and for which they fee! .uch 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 mteresring situations, and all the powers of his nature are roused to the most vigorous exertions. Huf those animating scenes are succeeded by long intervals of repose, during which the warrior meets with nothing that he deems of sufficient diff- luty or importance to merit his attention. He languishe. and mopes in this season of indolence. The posture of his body is au emblem of the state of his mind. In one climate, cowering over the fire in his cabin j 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 tiiis 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 m action, is a pensive melancholy animal ; but as soon as he tastes, or has a prospect of tasting, the intoxicating draucht. he becomes gay and frolicsome. Whatever be the occasion or pretext on which the Americans as«"-mW" tho tt-p*--^ ^! terminates in a debauch. Many of their festivals have no other I,, kjjati , 148 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. i il ¥i' :li m^ object, and they welcome the return of them with transports df joy. As they are not accustomed to restrain any appetite, they set no bounds to this. The riot often continues, without inter- mission, several 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 command of themselves than the most obscure member of 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 their passions, 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 th^ Europeans early found it their interest to supply them with spirituous liquors, drunkenness soon became as universal among theni 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 prevailed among the ruder tribes, in every part of the continent, from 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 warrior or hunter, or to endure those various distresses in which savages are so often involved, by their own want of foresight and industry. Their relations feel this. lilSCOVERy AND EAELY SETTLEMENTS. 14^ and, incapable of attending to the wants or weaknesses of others, their impatience under an additional burden prompts them to extinguish that life which they find it difficult to sus- tarn. 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 \» 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. In contemplating the inhabitants of a country so widely ex- tended as America, great attention should be paid to the diver- sity of chmates 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 not been mentioned, it ought not to be overlooked. The provinces of America are of such different temperament, that this alone is sufficient to constitute u 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 tlie extremes of heat or cold, this influence is so conspi- cuous as to strike ev6ry 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 umformly 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 beautifiil. There, too, he possesses a superior extent of capacity greater fertility of imagination, more enterprising cou- rage, and a sensibility of heart which gives birth to desires, not only ardent but persevering. In this favorite situation he has displayed the utmost efforts of his genius, in literature, in poli embdliZr"' '" ""' '"' " '" ''' "^' ^'^^^ '""P^^ '« ^ This powerful operation of climate is felt most sensibly bv rude nations, and produces greater effects than in societies more m rendering their own condition more comfortable: and by their -„-.!_..^ „n« .:,T,nwon=, tauy can, in a great measure, sup- Hl • 1 M 1> e 4^^B i m 'iH^s 'w ^H 1~^ Jl 1 V ll 150 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. 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 climate under which he is placed^ and feeb 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 tribe* 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 Darien 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 inore 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 » DISCOVEJIY AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 151 attacked by au enemy already satiated with conquest, and pos- sessed of lar^'cr territories than he was able to occupy, or be- cause they 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 fit.U 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- mates. We are too little acquainted with the history of thos« 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 Caribbees a herce race of men, nowise resembling their feeble and timid neighbours. In his second expedition to the new world, he ound 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 Eurone • and, even in our own times, we have seen them make a Ll ant stand m defence of the last territory which the rapacity of their invaders had left in their possession. Some nations i„ Brazil were no less eminent for vigor of mind, and bravery in Wftr. The people of the Isthmus of Darien boldly met the Soa ' mards m the field, and frequently repelled those formidable in-" waders. Other instances might be produced. It is not attend- ms to any single cause or principle, how powerful and extensive soever its influence may appear, that we can explain the actioTs <>r account for the character, of men. Even the Jaw of climlte 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.* ^ t, & cir con- * It may perhaps be interesting to subj^n^7p7c^dii7;i^ii^;;;;~f •• tl A„,er.ca„ Abongines froo. the pen of (he eelebrated Dr^fnt"- a„ accouiii oi an interesting scene relative to thi« ei.io...i... , " .". — ' ^ i 152 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Seneck niition, from Buffaloe Creek, on the Lake Erie, Imd been exhibilinft in that place icenic repreiiPiitations of their pnblir chances, and mode of war> fare— when it occurred to some l)encvolent individuals, that an u»fful imprcs- •Ion might be made on the minds of these •' Commoners of Nature," by hold- ing a Council or Public Talk with them. Thii suggestion was r.irried into eO'ecl, and thii friendly Council was held at the Concert.lloom in that plm e, on Monday, the «7th of April. The following account of it iii extracted from an highly respectable provincial paper— the Leeds Mercury ; the accu- racy of this account the writer of this note can confidently vouch for, as be was an rye-witness of this interesting spectacle. The six Indians and tlieir Chief dressed in their national costume, and tdorncd nlih nil the ornaments which appertained to their respective rank, were placed at the head of a long table lo the upper end of the room } round this table were also seated some of the more elderly (,f the audiem e, whilst the room was thronged with persons of every varying religious prjofession, who though diileripg as much in their opinions as in their outward garb, were united in one friendly and benevolent feeling towards those •' Stran- gers from the Wilderness." It was indeed a spectacle most singularly In- teresting. To behold the warriors of the least polished tribe of jjorth America mingling in peaceful conference with the citizens of the most po. lished and enlightened nation i to hear theiq detail the tradition of their re- mote ancestors, explain their present manners and customs, or observe them listening with grave attention to the coun&el and advice which were oflered to them, was a scene equally adapted to impress the imagination, and affecj the heart. After the object of the meeting had been briefly slated, the Speech of the Indian Chief to the Quakers, as it had been translated by the Interpreter, was read by the Rev. W. Eccles, as was also the answer written by a friend, and the reply of the Chief. Tliese papers having been read, it wos signified to the Indians that the company would be gratified by some account of their traditions, the cus- toms of their country, and their mode of barter : after a short pause, Se- Bunggise, the Chief Warrior rose, and with a good deal of dignity and ni- tural eloquence addressed the meeting: The Interpreter explaining what he said, paragraph by paragraph j the following is the substance of this ad- dress : — IsDiJS Cn r^F— Brothers, I nm glad to see so large a company— I am glad to see so many of the friends of our nation the Quakers, they have been ▼ery kind to us whilst we hove been in this place, and we thank them for their kindness j we 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 ui. Brothers, we understafid that you wish to be informed respecting our tradi- tions and our customs, and we wish to tell you what we know about them. Brothers, we wish you to understand 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 j 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 are informed by our old men that the earth when first made was covered with water, but that some dry earth adhered to the body of a turtle, and that this earth increased more and more, until at last it became torse enough to cootaio men and animals. Tb» Great SpiiU -^.-^^i DISCOVERY AND EAUI.Y SETTLEMENTS. 158 1 liirn made a man, and told him that he wai to cultivate the (round, but the man did not do ihin, niid w hen Ihr Great Spirit rome to viiit him he found the man lonei'ime and alothful; the Great Spirit nuked him why he had not watered and cultivated the gfound ? The man replied, that he was lonesome and chcerleii, and that he hud no compcniun. The Great Spirit then went away, but returned when the man was asleep, and took out of hit side a small tender rib, which he made Into a woman, and told the man that the wiu to be hit wife. The Great Spirit then told the woman that she was to cultivate the ground, to mind the house and take care of the children, uad .he was to be very choice of the health of her children, and choice of her busband t the Great Spirit also told the man that he was to provide food for his ra.nily by hunting, and that he was to be choice of his wife and children and take great care o» them. The (ireat Spirit then left the man and the woman for lome time, and the man hunted and caught plenty of game, and the woman culti. vaied the ground and took care of children j and when the Great Spirit vi- sited them again he l\»unu them very comfortable, and they enjoyed them, ai'lves very much, and the Great Spirit was pleased with them. Brothers, hearken— we were once a numerous people, our hunting grounds were large, and we had plenty of game } but we arc now few In number, our hnnting grwnds are no longer sufficient to furnish game to maintain the few that re- main of us. We have been advised since we came here to grow corn, to breed cattle, and to build warm houses. We think that this is good counsel, and we are determined to follow it and to cultivate the ground. Brothers, our ancient men have told us that the white people came to our country from beyond the sea, and wc know that within our own memory they have great- ly Increased. Brothers, the Great Spirit has given much more to the whitit men than he has to the red men; he has given to the former plenty of corn and cnttle, and warm houses, and woollen cle'.hes; and he has also given them the Great Book ; but to us his red children he has not given these things ; he has nnt even given us the hatchet, we hove only the beastM of the forest to chase, our huts are made of sods, and we are clothed only with the skins of the wild beasts. Brothers, perhaps you were not always so well off at you are now, perhaps you had not always such good houses as this, (which seems to be a new one) and you^,forefathers perhaps might once bcjn the same si- tuation as the red people are now. The Chief then after a s^hnrt pause proceeded to explain the manners i a which fire was procured before they had flints and steel. He also stated the names of the six warriors, and explained the meaning of their names with a short descriptlAR of their place of abode. The Brother-in-Law of the Chief then rose, and stated the name of the Chief, who had omitted to mention his own name, because added this warrior, it was not the custom in our nation for the person who speaks ever to name himself. The mode in which they sign their names was then explained, their signature consists of an hyeroglyphic represpntation of (he idea included in the name, for example the Chief Se- nunggis?, (Long Horns) was represented by un animal with long horns } and the other n-urriors, in a similar manner. The Chief in answer to some ques* tions put by Mr. Hardy, detailed the mode in which marriages were con- tracted and solemnized among them. The Revi D. M'Michol, one of the preachers in the Methodist Connexion, stated that be intended to put a series of questions to the Chief, on the sub- ject of religion. The first qnestioa was, whether it wus thair belief that the 7. F '^1 m Al ' atj 154 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA, , %'': I i 1 Great Spirit wai the Creator of them and all men. When thii queilion wai explained to them, the Chief roie, and with great animation remonilraled ontheimproprietyof putting a question which had already been fully answer- ed by him. In conciuiion he said, •« It ii our belief that the Great Spirit created all men, and etery thing/' The Interpreter having stated that they ■were averse to being questioned on the sulyect of religion, added, " he ■eems rather wjirm." The other questions were, in consequence, abandon, edj it was thought desirable, however, to ask, w4iat idea they had of a fa- tare state. Ne guye^et-twasw, or Little Bear, brotber.ln law to the Chief, rose and ••id, Brotners, when a man dies, his body is put into the ground, where it corrupts; but the blood, and with the bipod the minds of good men are ta.. ken up to the Great Spirit, where they are very comfortable and happy : but the blood of wicked men U not taken op to the Great Spirit, but remains ia the grave, and perishes with the body. By good men, he explained that he meant men who hunted for their families, and loved their children, and took care of them| and who did not rob nor lie* and by wicked men the reverse of tbii, men who were habitually liars or cheats, and who did not care, or provide for their families. The Indians then exhibited the progress they had made in attaining the rudiments of the English Language, the know* ledge of the alphabet, and in which, considering the very short :lime they had devoted to it, their progress was very rapid. A JBible wa« then given to each of the Indians by Mr. Eccles, one of the secrctarieo to the Leeds Auxiliary Bible Society. Thoy appeared to be much gra.tifird with this pre- sent, and the brother-in-law to the Chief, madcavery good, and even eloquent address, /ctpressiye pf their gratitude for the kindness, with which they had been treated, and of tKeir determination to learn to read and under- atand the <^reat Book, and to recommend to their countrymen also to learn it) and to cultivate fheir 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 contiou- •nee of nearly three hoursj, and every individual departed higlily grotiaed by the singular but Interesting scene which had Vein exhibited j and proba- bly disposed to thin^ belter, ;uid more kijidl^ of this singular rt^cc of men, HISTORY Of NORTH AMERICA. GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. It'll 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 j but its extent towards the north is not ascertained with the same piecision. 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 12o°, 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 th3 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 j and from about 34^30' to about 80® west longitude. Its greatest length from north to south may therefore be computed at 3,960, astd its greatest breadth at 2,880 geographical miles. The same gec^raphical- «bscurity attends this as the northern division of this vast ^ff /•rtnti- '/n 156 HISTOHy OF NOJITH AMERICA. M ! M T J in nent. Many parts 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 Maranonj 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- tainedj as two large /ivers, the Maranon and the Ucaial, join in composing this vast body of water. Of these, the Maranon seems to make the greatest ciicuit J but the Ucaial appears to be the principal stream, and its sources are more remote. The Maranon issues from the Lake of Lauricocha, near the city of Guanuco, in the parallel of 11<> south. The whole length of its couj-se, before it falls into the Atlantic, is computed at about 3,300 miies. The Apurimac, the remotest branch of the Ucai- al, is represented as rising near the town of Arequipa, on the Wfist of the lake of Titlcaca, in 16^ 30' south latitude. The course of the Ucaial lies through the unexplored forests of 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, whith 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 j but its passage, which must also exhibit striking scenes, yet remains unexplored. After the junc- tion of the two great rivers, the Ucaial and Maranon, their uni- t«d stream receives from the north and the south many other large rivers, which being likewise composed of a number of in- ferior 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 milei. The depth is in many places GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 157 more than 100 fathoms ; and the swell of the tide is percepti- ble at the distance of 600 miles from the sea. The Rio de la Plata is, in magnitude and extent of course, the second river in South America. It is formed of the con- junct 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 be the most considerable river, although the Paraguay seems little inferior. The Rio de la Plata is inter- spersed with numerous islands. The breadth of the aestuary 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 river 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 intermixed 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 w6st side of the Gulf of Darien, the whole length, allowing for the windings, being not less than 4,500 miles. The highest sum- mits are those of Peru, near the equator : towards the north and the south, but especially the 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. Chimhorncro *u^ ^v,^.* ^i- vated summit of the Andes, is about 100 English miles to the 158 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. m 'M Bouth of Quito, in the northern division of Peru. Its height wuij 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 atones of eight or nine feet in diameter, to the distance of more than nine miles, a circumstance wh!ch would be absolutely in- credible, were it not attested by so respectable an authority.* The hciji^ht of Cotopashi is estimated at about 18,600 feet. It is situated about twenty-five miles to the south-east of Quito. The mountain of Sanguay, the summit of which is covered witb 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, l.ere to be observed, that the lof- tiest mountains of the Andes rise from the elevated plain of Qui- to, which constitutes more than one- third of the computed height. Chimboraxio 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 lO'^j the second between 3^ and 7" north latitude ; and the third be- tween 15" and 20» south. This author's account, however, is extremely confused ; 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 and 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- » Souguer, p« g^ty streams united^bome^w. ^^^ ^^^ * It ii BOW knowaliliirihiMuiciiiriTic^ Miwis^i^Ji^i;^ I il I 16G IIISTOIIY OF NORTH AMERICA. rests nnd men«lovvs, and discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, The great length and uncommon depth of this river, says Mr. f lutcliiiifj, and the excessive muddincss and salubrious quality of its waters after its junction witl-, ; a- ?4issouri, are very singular. The direction of the channr^j is sa rvonjied, that from New Or- leans to the mouth of the Ohio, a distance which does not ex- eecd 460 miles in a straight line, is about 856 by water. It may be shortened at least 2,50 miles, by cutting across eight or ten necks of land, some of which are not thirty yards wide. Charlevoix relates that in the year 1722, al t\uni Coupee, or Cut Point, the river made a great turn ; and some Canadians, by deepening the channel 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 quality, 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, without finding bottom. Several other points of great extent, have, in like manner, been since cut off, 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 difficulty it can be ascended; but this disadvantage is remedied in some measure by eddies, or counter currents, which are generally found in the bends close to the banks of the river, and assist the ascending boats. The current at this season descends at about the rate of five miles an hour. In autumn when the waters are loiv, it does not run fast- er than two miles, but it is rapid in such parts of the river as have clusters of islands, shoals, and sand banks. The circum- ference of majiy of these shoals 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 autumn in batteaux, rowed by eighteen or twenty men, and carrying about forty tons. From New Orleans to the Illinois the voyage is commonly performed in eight or ten weeks. A prodigious number of islands, some of which are of great extent, intersperse that mighty river. Its waters, after overflowing its banks below the river Ibberville on the eait, and the river Rouge CEOflBAHIY AND NATrHAL IIISTOUY. 167 on the wo,t, nercr rttum ,vi.hi„ them again, there being many outlets or streams by which they are conducted into the Bev of Mexico, n.ore especially on the west side of the Miesissinni di- v,d,„g the country into numerous island,. These siuguL i.ie. d.stmgu„l, ,t (rom every other kuoun river i„ the world Below the Ibbervdie the land begins to be very low on both side, o^ t|.! nver, acr»s the country; and gradually decline, as it approach- es nearer to the sea. Th. island of New O, leans, and Ik- 1.C opposite, are to all appearance of no long date, for in dirint ever so little below the surface you find water, a ,d great ,,u n t? ..es of trees. The many beeches and breaker's, a, v^ 1 ' which have arisen out ol the channel. ,vithin the last hal en-' tury, at the several mouths of the river, are convincing proof, hat this peninsula was wholly formed in the same manner Z .s certain that when La Sulle sailed down the Misses 00^0 IS tt'X:.'""^"'"^ "'■ "■" '"■" '™' >"^ "■'f^™' f-' wl-t U " The nearer you apiiioach the 'sen th;<. t™n, i •itiiUin., Ti,. 1 ii """' 'x^comes more fluking The bars that cross most of these small clmnnel, opened by the current, have been muUiplied by ,„ea,rof 1^ tree, carried down by the streams ; one „ wliicl s"„„™dl?,! roots or brandies in a shallow part, is sufflcien „ oT 1 " . : pa sage of thousands more, and to fix them at the same plaM Astonishing collections of tree, are daily ,een in passing befwe™ the Bailee and the Missouri. No human force i. Jt&ckntZ remove them, and the mud carried down by the river se^".! biml and cement then, together. They a,e gradual y cohered ...d every inundation not only extends their length and bSh but adds another layer ,0 their height. I„ 1^^ tha„ .e njears' me. canes, shrubs, and a,|uatic timber, grow on them- anJ <.™ points and islands „Mch forcibly shift ^he bed of he 'river No. niig can be assc. ,od with certainty respecting the le"gTh pj^ ::rf::m;r r^'x:-r 1^7 know that from St. Anthony's falls i„ ,,„. 4o" tZi^Jkl pleasant clear current, and receives many lar^e and ve^lfen sive tributary streams, before it, junction with rl>. M T^r'y.r"-^"^ l"^ ^-eadlh of'Z m1' • p^ hoZ' th., uu i„ ucptn anu rapidity. The muddy waters of the mFs^ -un discolor the lower p„, „f .h, Hvcr, .i^ it empties imo.h; . &Mi *' Mi II H 'M 168 HISTORY or KOllTH AMKIllCA. i Ray of Mexico. The Missouri is a louder, l)ioadcr, nnd deeper river thnii tlio Mistsissippi, mid affords u more extensive niivi/2;n tioii ; it is, in fact, the principal river, c«)iitril)utinff more to the common ntreum than docs the Mi.Hsis.iippi. It has been ascend- ed by French traders about 12 or VMH) miles; and from the depth of the water and breadth of the river at that distance, it appealed to be navigable many nides further. And in this year Captain Lewis was sent by the American government to explore the Missouri to its source ; and from thenco to pass forward to the I'acific Ocean. He went up the Missouri from its junction with the Mississippi, to the Rapids, below the great Kalis of the Missouri 2.'t7'2 miles, then by land crossing the rocky moun- tains to a navigable part of the Kooskooshe .'< 10 miles, and on that river 7«'i miles — on Lewis' river 151 miles, and down the Columbia river to the I'aeilic Ocean 113 miles, making the to- tal distance from the confluence of the Missouri and Missis- sippi to the Pacific Oean i{5.V2 miles. " From the Missouri river to nearly opposite the Ohio, the western bank of the Mississij)pi is, some few places excepted, higher than the eastern. From Mine an Fvr to the Ib!)ervillc the eastern bank is higher than the western, on which there is not a single discernible rising or eminence for the distance of 750 miles. From the Ibbeiville to the sea there are no eminen- ces on either side, though the eastern bank appears rather the highest of the two, as far as the Etrj^Ush turn. Thence the banks gradually diminish in height to the mouths of the river, where they are but a few feet higher than the conmion surface of the water. " The slime which the atnuial floods of the river Mississippi leave on the surface of the adjacent shores, may be compared with that of the Nile, which deposits a siniilar manure, and for many centuries past has insured the fertility of Egypt When its banks shall have been cultivated, as the excellency of its soil and temperature of the climate deserve, its population will ecpial that of any other part of the world. The trade, wealth, and power of America may at some future period depend, and per- haps centre, upon the Mississippi. This also resembles the Nile in the number of its mouths, all issuing into a sea that may be and south by the two continents of Europe and Africa, as the OEOGRAPHV AND NATURAL HISTORY. 169 Mexican Bay is by North and South America. The smaller mouths of this river might be easily stopped up by means of those floating trees with which the river, during the floods, is always covered. The whole force of the channel being united, the only opening then left would probably grow deep, and the bar be removed. " Whoever for a moment will cast his eye over a map of the town of New Orleans, and the immense country around it, and view its advantageous situation, must be convinced that it, or some place near it, must in process of time become one of the greatest marts ui the world. "The falls of St. Anthony, in about lat. 45®, received their name from Father Lewis Hennepin, a French missionary, who travelled in these parts about the year 1680, and was the first European ever seen by the natives. The whole river, which is more than 250 yards wide, falls perpendicularly about thirty feet, and forms a most pleasing cataract. The Rapids below, in the space of 300 yaids, render the descent considerably great- er, so that when viewed at a tiistance they appear to be much higher than thoy really are. In the middle of the falls is a small island about 40 feet broad, and somewhat longer, on which grow a few scragged hemlock and spruce trees ; and about half way between this island and the eastern shpre is a rock lying at the very edge of the fall in an oblique position, five or six feet broad, and thirty or forty long. These falls are peculiarly situ- ated, as thoy are approachable without the least obstruction from any intervening hill or precipice, which cannot be said of any other considerable fall perhaps in the world. The country around is exceedingly beautiful. It is not an uninterrupted plain, where the eye finds no relief, but composed of many gentle ascents, which in the spring and summer are covered with ver- dure, and interspersed with little groves, that give a pleasing variety to the prospect. " A little distance below the falls is a small island of about an acr« and a half, on which grow a great number of oak trees, al- most all the branches of which able to bear the weight are, in the proper season of the year, loaded with eagles' nests. Their instinctive sagacity has taught them to choose this place, as it is secure, on account ^ th« r^nids above-' from the attacks ct ei- ther man or beast, 9, li, III, ■ ■':S '* 170 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. n a A ' *^ The Ohio is ii most beautiful river. Its current gentle, wa» ters clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and rapids a single instance only excepted. It is one quarter of a mile wide at Fort Pitt; 500 yards at the mouth of the Great Kanhaway; 1200 yards at Louisville : and the rapids half a mile in some few places below Louisville : but its general breadth does not exceed 600 yards. In some places its width is not 400 ; and in one place particularly, far below the rapids, it is less than ^00. Its breadth in no one place exceeds 1200 yards j and at its junc- tion with the Mississippi neither river is more than ^00 yards wide." Mr. Morse proceeds to state the precise measurement of the the length of the Ohio, with all its windings, from fort Pitt to its junction with the Mississippi, amounting to 1188 miles. The inundations commonly begin with April, and subside in July. A vessel drawing 12 feet water might safely navigate from Pittsburg to the sea. Ships of 200 to 800 tons are now built at Pittsburg, and in the spring or autumn are sent down the Ohio and Mississippi, (a voyage of above 2000 miles) for sale at New Orleans or elsewhere. Two great rivers unite to form the Ohio, namely the Monongahela, and the Allegany, both of them subservient to navigation. The noble river of St. Lawrence is universally regarded as the second in North America, being not less than 90 miles wide at its mouth, and navigable for ships of the line as far as Quebec a distance of 400 miles from the sea. Near Quebec it is five miles in breadth ; and at Montreal from two to four. Though there be some rapids, yet this grand river may be considered as navigable to Kingston, and the Lake Ontario, 743 miles from the sea. It is difficult to define the precise source of the St. Lawrence, though that name be generally confined to the river issuing from Lake Or»tario; while the Niagara, which flows from the Lake Erie, is regarded as a distinct stream. As in Asiatic geography the Angara is traced from the Sea of Baikal, without assuming the Selinga as a further source, so by analogy the St. Lawrence cannot be traced beyond the Lake Ontario, nor can geographical usage permit it to be traced to the Lake Superi- or 3 and far less, with Mr. Weld, to the Lake Winipic, which, according to the best maps, has no communication whatever with what has been called the Sea of Canada, consisting of GEOGHAPHY AND NATURAL HISTOEY. 171, the" joint Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. The length of the St. Lawrence may therefore be about 700 British miles, the breadth being the grand characteristic. The other chief rivers in North America are the Saskashawin, the Athabasca, the Unjiga or Mackenzie's river, the Rio Bravo, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico; that of Albany, vyhich joins Hudson's Bay. We shall defer the enumeration of the lesser rivers until we come to delineate more particularly the immense resources of the United States. We cannot however close this short Geogra- phical Sketch without remarking how admirably the whole of North America, and more especially the United States, is fitted for the most intimate union : and 'strikingly nature has marked it out as the Seat of A Mighty Empire. No part of the globe is so well watered with rivulets, naviga- ble rivers, and lakes, as the territories of the United States. By means of these various streams and immense inland seas the whole country is divided into islands, and peninsulas. The facilities of navigation render the communication between the parts of Georgia and New Hampshire, far more expeditious and practicable than between those of Provence and Picardy," in Francr ; Cornwall and Caithness, in Great Britain ; or Gallicia and Catalonia, in Spain. The canals opening betweeen Sus- quehannah and Delaware, between Pasquetank and Elizabeth rivers, in Virginia, and between Schuylkil and Susquehannah, will form a communication from the Carolinas to the western counties of Pennsylvania and New York. The improvement of the Patomack will give a passage from the southern states to the western parts of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and even to the Lakes. From Detroit to Alexandria on the Patomack 607 mlies, are only two carrying places which together do not exceed 40 miles. The canals of Delaware and Chesapeak will open the communication from South Carolina to New Jersey, Delaware, the most populous parts of Pennsylvania, and the midland counties of New York. Were these, and the canal be- tween Ashky and Cooper rivers, in South Carolina, the canals in the northern parts of the State of New York, and those of MassachuBsetts and New Hampshire all opened, (and many of tliem are in great forwardness,) North America would thereby be converted into a cluster of large and fertile islands communi- 172 HISTORY O*- NOHTH ATJffiTlICA. eating eaisily with each other at little expence, and in raany in- stances withont the uncertainty or danger «f the seas. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. The mountains of North America are far from rivaBing the Andes in the south. Some irregular ranges pervade the isthmus, but it seems mere theory to consider t/hem as comieeted with the Andes, as ihey have neither the same character nor direc- tion. In the isthmus there are also several volcanoes ; but the natural history of Spanish America is extremely imper- fect. The most celebrated mountains in North America are trtiose cailftd the Apalachian, passing through the territory of the Uni- ted States from the S. W. to the N. E. According to the best maps thej commence on the north of Georgia, where they giv£ source to many rivers running south to the Gulf of Mexico ; and to the Ten«f^t r and others running north. There are several collateral idges, as the Iron or Bald Mountains, the White Oak Mountains, and others j the exterior skirt on the N. W. being the Cumberland Mountains. The Apalachian chain thence ex- tends through the western territory of Virginia, accompanied with its collateral ridges, the bicadfch of the whole beii^ often seventy miles, and proceeds through Pennsylvania, then passes Hudson river ; and afterwards rises to more elevation, but seems to expire in the country of New Brunswick. The chief summits appear to be in the prrrince 'df New Hampshire; where the White Mountains are by some reported to be 9000 feet above the sea. For a paiticUlar aecoudt of these mountains see Morse's American Geography, p. 292. 'But the Duke de Rochefoucault says that no mountains hi North Ameri- ca exceed the Vosges, or Wasgau, Kalm ii.>352, obserifes that the snow, even on the highest mourttains, always melts during the smnmer. It may well be affirmed that tlje "A^ite Mountains CKTinOf' nitinli ovgoio.) At\f\f\ f^a* . ^*^A *lv^ n.1^^:^-. .^r j.i_. .n ,:^_. at 9000 feet show the futility of the calculation. It Is'probable GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAX HISTORY. 17.3 that the highest mountains of North America are towwda Ac western shores along the Pacific. The Apalaohian chain may thus extend about 900 ©e»graphi- cal miles, a length unrivalled by any Eueopean roouotaiB«, ex- cept the Norwegian Alps. In no chain perhaps are the collate- ral ridges more distinct j and a naturalist would at onee pro- nounce that the central, or highest, must be granitic, the next schistose, and the exterior .belts calcareous. The giamte eeems coMimonly to consist of white felspar, bluish or rather pellucid quartz, and black mica. The schistose band, generally metal- liferous in other regions here presents copper ore j and in Ca- nada lead and silver are said to have been discovered. The limestone contains, as usual, many petrifactions, particularly the cornu annnonis, a small scallop shell, and several sorts of oo. rals. The height of the chief summits does not appear to be precisely ascertained, but probably does not exceed 3000 ieet ai)ove the sea; and they are often cloihed with forests. Mr Weld conjectures that the Peaks of Otter, the highest of what are called the Blue Mountains, are little moie than 2000 feet m height i and at any rate much inferior to that of Snow- don. The Alleghanie Mountains are from 1000 to 4000 feefc high. The -WhiBc Mountains in New Hampshire are visible 30 leagues at seaj; and are said to be 7809 feet high. The travels of the Duke de Rochefoucault in Notth Amesioa, present some valuable information concealing the orology The primitive calcareous rock is mingled, in veins .or banks, with the gtanitic, and isevidently contemporary. Near Philadelphia large pieces of talc appear, instead of Mica. There are abo veins of h'irnhlende, quartz, and marble, in the posHiou of me- tallic vem.. h is a remarkable feature in tlie (mineralogy that the granitic mountains approach nearest to the sea, while at a greater dktance the rocks aoe calcareous; and 'the red pyimi- tiTO limestone is sometimes eoiwed with breccia, and argilla- ceous sdiistus. The lakes of Upper Canada ere surrounded with calcareous Tocks; while in Lower Canada, from Mmtreal to the sea, the gKtnitetpredomhiatos. At the isle of St. Helen this sub^ance is apparent, and at the mountain of Beloeil dis- plays -much 'black schorl. The black slate of our traveller is the "iack schwtose iimestowe trf Calm. The rock of Quebec is said to consist of grey granite, mingled with schorls ^ and was called w 18 it' I 174 HisTOnr OP NOHTH amehica; the rock of diamonds, because quartz crystals were found. Iii the vicinity blocks of granite are mingled with limestone, and the bank of Newfoundland is supposed to be a mass of granite, covered with sand. Towards New York and Boston the rocks are of a soft granite interspersed witli limestone and schistus ; but towards Carolina and Florida the granitic mountains are at a considerable distance from the sea, which seems gradually to have retired. This observing traveller is of opinion that the highest mountains in North America do not exceed the elevation of the Vosges in France, that is perhaps 4 or 5000 feet. But from 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 calcareous granitCi 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 garnet colored quartz, and black mica. The limestone effervesces strongly with aquafortis; and there are some particles of felspar. Another mountain, near the river St, Lawrence, is composed of red felspar, black mica, white lime- stone, with grains of the purple or red quartz. 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 granite mixed with schorl, without any calcareous addition ; and he found ammonites about two feet in diameter. Towards the Lake Champlain he observed quantities o ' red sand, which seemed to be decomposed or pounded garnets. The Apalachian mountains he does not appear to have examined : but iie men- tious the calcareous granite; a* frequent in Pennsylvania, and of- ten used in building at Philadelphia. He describes the lapis ol- laris of New England, as sometimes spotted with starry asbes- tos ; while green soap rock and amianthus are common in Penn- sylvania. The hatchets of the pavages were frequently of fine basalt; their knives of quartz and petrosilex; their kettles of lapis ollaris, grey or green ; and their tobacco pipes of the same substance; but those of the chiefs, of beautiful red ser- pcBtrue, II um ine wesi oi ine iviiaSiSoippt. * Uf the same dckcriptioo were the celebrated ^alumdt, or j^ipes «f peat^e, GEOGUAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 175 The mountains in the Isthmus, as well as those in the wes 4ern part of North America, are certainly of far superior eleva ■!! i !j|»- m*i w 176 HISTORY OF NOKTH AMERICA. n i seems to predormnate in the Isthmus; but not to such a degree as in the South American province of Darietiy where it may be said to rain for nine months of the year. The rains, however, temper the extreme heat, which would otherwise fwedominate in this climate. Violent storms are not unfrequent, and sometimes the lightning seems 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; but no artificial warmth is found necessary, and animals shep all the year in the open sky. There are plentiful rains, gei.eraily after mid-day, from April till September, and hailstorms are not un- known. Thunder is frequent j and the earthquakes and volca- noes are additional circumstances of terror. The face of the country is rather mountainous than plain, ex- cept towards the shores ; but the mountains are interspersed with delightful vales, and the soil is generally fertile. !n the northern provinces of Louisiana aiid 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- rouse 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 riv*'r of Spanish North America is, beyond all comparison, the Rio Bravo, called also Del Norte, or of the nortl>ern star. The course of this im- portant 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 of 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 Califoi\aia, also called by D'xVnville Color ado, with the uddiuon de los Martyres ; but the main stream seems rather to be the Rk Grantk de hs Jposto- h^. barbarous appellations imposed by the Jesuits whc had set- I GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 177 tie'meilts in California. Thfe course of this river may be compu- ted at 600 British miles. Among the rivers of the Isthmus may be mentioned those of Palmas, of Panuco, Tabasco, Siimasinta, St. Juan, ail flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Those which join the Pacific seem mere rivulets ; till, in the vicinity of Mex- ico, the mountains rather tend to the east, and the streams of /Yopez, and Zacatula, join the Paicific Ocean. That of Guada- laxara rises to the W. of Mexico; and being considered as pass- ing through the Lake of Chapala will thus join the Pacific after a comparative course of 350 British miles. The chief lake in Spanish North America, so far as yet explo- red, is that of Nicaragua, which is about 170 British miles iu length, N. W. to S. E., 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 Mejaco, while a smaller stream is by some supposed to flow into the Pacific. In the hands of an 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 could be desired. Nature has alrsady 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 oast. 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 ««nsiderable source of revenue. Among the more '' Kthern lakes that of Mexico is not only celebrated, but of cousiderable ex- tent, being, according to the best maps, more than SO British mties in length N. to S. if the part called Chalco be included. Towards the W. in this part, wiicre the Isthmus begins to en- large, there are several lakes, the principal being rJiat of Cha- pala, which is about GO British miles in length by 20 in breadth. The north western partf have been little explored, but probably contain some lakes of considerable extent. In West Florida are the lagoorre 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 the west of the Gulf of • * ill, M 8. z 178 HISTORY OF KORTH ABffiRICA. h = *ii Darien in South America, but by others is supposed to extend to the Lake of Nicaragua. Even this extension would totally diflFer in its direction from the Andean range, as bending N. W., then S. W., then again N. W., so that the main range seems here lost, or passes through the Caribbean Sea in the isles of Mos- quitos and others towards Jamaica ; while the moantains in the south of the Isthmus, as far as the Lake of Nicaragua, must be regarded as only a branch, declining much in height, till it final- ly expires at that lake. In this point of view the ranges passing from N. to S must be regarded as spurs of the main chain j but as on the one hand orology is confounded by minute and various appellatimis given to portions of the same range, so it may be equally perplexed by too extensive appellations; which, as in the case of the Tautus of the ancients, can only impart confu- sed and erroneous ideas. The Mexican mountains seem to con- sist of gneiss, granite, &p., while the grand chain of the Andes has a most peculiar character, being composed of argillaceous schistus. It has already been observed that the ridge of Cata- iiagua passes N, and S. between the provinces of Veragua and Panama. It is followed in the former province by the range called Urraca, and the Volcano of Vara j and by several ridges in Costa Rica. To the north 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 seems to be the Mamatombo. The volca- no of Guatimala raged furiously during the earthquakes which ruined that great city in 1773. In the ancient kingdom of Mex- ico, which extended from near the Lake of Chapala in the north, to Chiapa, on the river Tabasco in the south, the summits rise to great height, as being the central parts of a range wholly un- connected witii 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 feature^. D'Auteroche observes that the mountain of Orisaba is said to be the highest in Mexico ; ^nd its snowy summit is visible from the capital, a distance of 60 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 aaiHinit be clothed with perpetual snow, the sidee GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 179 ate addrned with beautiful forests of cedars, pines, and other trees. The detached mountains called by the Mexicans Popaca- tepec, and IztaccihuatI, are also to the S. E. of the capital, at about 30 miles distance, both being volcanic. The crater of the former is said to be half a mile wide, and celebrated for ancient eruptions. Both are covered with perpetual snow. Tiiere are many other volcanoes in this singular province j while others are only remarkable for height, as the mountain of TIascala, the Tentzon, Toloecam, and others ; the range now extending in a N. W. direction towards Cinaloa, and being called the Sierra Mada, or Mother Range, and the Shining Mountains. It is af- terwards, according to the best maps, joined by a ridge running N. W. from Louisiana ; and after this junction passes through the north-west to the proximity of the arctic ocean, while the centre of North America consists of extensive and fertile plains. The construction of the Mexican mountains has not been ex- amined by any geologist. Among the substances basalt seems clearly indicated j and some others will be mentioned in the mi- neralogy. There are numerous forests on the sides of the moun- tains J and the peninsula of Yucatan is particularly abundant in logwood trees. The plants that characterize the North American possessions of the Spanish crown are cactus cochenilifer, a species of the Indian fig, upon which the cochineal insect more particularly 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 gurn 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 are better known as natives of the West Indian islands, enrich and adorn these fertile provinces. The pine apple grows wild ip 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 fulgcas, glowing with its crimson blossoms, the splendid m . ! if *\ 'i I 11 F i*i f 1 I I 1 180 hmtohy of north amekica. I , i>: \'l I ecn ably ilhutratcd by Hernandez, styled the IMiny of Now Spain, who flourished in the middle of tho seven- Ifenth century. The variety of animaU \h great, though it da not equal tlmt of the plants and minerals. Among the most sin-> gular animuls is, the Mexican, or hunchback dog, a kind of por- cupine ; and some others described by several naturalists. What is called the tiger seems a species of panther, and sometimes l^xowH to a great size, though Buflftm, ever fond of theory, asserts that American animals are generally small. In South' America it attains the length of a large ox, as appears from the testimo- ny of Dobrizhott'or ; but Clavigero says that the largast quadru- ped is the Danta, Anta, or Tapir, about the size of a middling mule, being amphibious. This animal seems to be diflferent from tho 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 j and the musk cattle may perhaps extend as far. In California there are said to be wild sheep. The birds of New Spain are particularly mnnerous and curiou**. 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-i 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 o< Sacotecas, or Zacatecas, are particularly distinguished. The produce of the Mexican minesj as already mentioned, has by some been computed at ten luiilions yearly j but the whole amount of the Aiaerican mines probably does not exceod seven millions and a half; of wliich it caimot be supposed that North America produces more than two^ihirds, Th« an- cient Mexicans found gold in many of their rivers j and silver was dug up, but little esteemed. The chief silver mines aie now to the uorth-west of tl»€ capital, where there is a town call- 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 : tluiv are ^3_ — ^«._«,^^^«,,,j^ 1 aiigc 0< iiiOUutttiiis, nm' GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 18X which give source to the River of Panuco. Concerning the na- ture of theae mines, and the manner of working them, the Spa- nish writers seem to be silent. Copper is said to abound in some districts to the west of tlie capital i 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 j but both seem lo be now exhausted, us the chief supply i» from Spain. Amber and as- phalt likewise oo<^ur in Now Spain : and among the precious stones a few diamonds, th amethysts and tur»jwoise», but the list is imperfect, and perhaps erroneous. The mountains also produce jasper, marble, alabaster, magnet, steatite, jad, talc. The stone called tetzontU, red and porous, was used in buiWing, being perhaps a kind of tufa. The iixli is semi-transparent, o? a glassy substance, and generally black, but also found white and blue : it was used in mirrors ; and also for sharp instruments, being the snme called pietra rth-west is violently cold, as it passes a wide expanse of the frozen continent. In the plains on the east of the Apalachian chain the summer heats are immoderate ; and in souje places even ice will not preserve poultry or fish from putre- m\ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // ^^ .5i^^^x ■^'^,^ 4i^ 1.0 I.I 1^ li^ 1112.2 U 12.0 Ills L25 11.4 11.6 6" '/i a; .%. w '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.y. 14S80 (716) 87a-4503 ,.<- A- .^'^A.^^ % \ \ .»«^v 182 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. I III faction. Towards the mountains the climate is salutary even iir the southern states, as is evinced by the bloom of the damseU 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 »<"»"«"» tiiroughout the United tcr- ntory. ha. none seem to be particularly distinguished. There docs not appear to exist, on the whole con.i.l^ „f *._."" «ny of those sandy deserts which are so remarkable in Asia and m HISTOE Y OF NORTH AMERIG Ai D Africa* There is^ ton the contrai'y, an exuheranee df wat^r even in the most torrid re^ionsj ; which mi^ht be ddded ais h proof, of the theory that th^t cbritiiaent has more rec^ently emerged. Ey^n |h^ vok^hoes in South iAnlidrica often pour dotvn torrents of wa- ter tetd niitd, arid nd where oc^r the sandy ruins of plains,, af- jtft the fertile aoil has beto totally lost^ or the rocky skeletons df AApietit mountaikM. The large tract in the eastern pkrt of Vir- ginia tod. North Carolina,, calldd the Dismal Swamp, occupies «lM>ut 150,000 acre^; but it is entirely covered with trees, jniii- jier and c}^eaiB bn the more racist parts, and on the drier White ■and t'ed oaks, -and a variety df pities* These trees attain a pro- digious size j and among^ them there is often thick brushwood, Uo as to render the swBirip impervious, white other forests in ^drth Ameirica arc edmitibnly fiMe from underwood. Cane are taug^ to return to the faitns of tbeil* own accord, ila.this sViPam|)y'fdrest. bears, wolves/ deer^ and other wild ani- inals. abound) and stdries are told of childi and in the neighbourhood !none of these diseftse^ are known which haunt other marshy si- tuations. I Georgia presents a singular marsh, or in the wet season a lake, caMed EkaiisaiMka, by others Ouaquafenoga, in thie S. E. extre- ihity of the province. This marshy lake is about 300 miles in circumference, and contains several large and fe^ile iilcsj one of ivvhichis represented by the Cre&k Indian^ as a khid of paradise, irthabited by a peculiar race, whose women are inoomparably beautiful, and are called by them daughters of the sun. These islanders are said to be a remnant of an aiH^ient tribe, nearly ex- tertninated 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 passing, like the Mexicans, to a comparative state of civilization, when iin un- GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 185 happy defeat, by more savage tribes extinguished their name and power. That 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 Floridas, 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 ,9,'enerally diffused species among the timber trees are the wiUotv-leaved oak (quercus pheilos) growing in tlie swamps ; the chestnut oak (quercus pri'^os), 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 nttain the 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 (liquidambar styraciflua), the iron wood (carpinus ostrya), the nettle tree (celtis occidentalis), the Ame- rican elm, the black poplar, and the taccamahacca, appear in v J — .„,.^. vi istr- -^■m\}ix mitivTvi iiic auii 13 3Ui;.auic, n'lfcUuut being miich affected by variety of climate. The light sandy B. A a iiuM 186 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Uact«, both wet and dry, are principally inhabited by the impor- tant and useful family of pinejjj of these the chief species are the Pennsylvanian fir, th.? common and the hemlock spruce fir; the black, the white, and the Weymouth pine; and the larch: nearly allied to which are the arbor vitae, and the juniperis vir- giniana, the red cedar of America. The smaller trees ai»d 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 and poison oak (rhut 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 garden? of Great Britain are the collinsonia, ^sed by the Indians against the bite of the rattlesnake, several gay spew cies of the phlox, the thornapple, the Pennsylvanian lily and golden raartagon, the biennial Oenothera, with many species of aster, monarda, and rudbeckia. The mountainous ridges are not sufficiently high to be rich in alpine plants ', their climate however is sensibly cooler than that of tiie plains, on which account those of the south are inhabit- ed by the vegetables 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 Yirgmia and the southern states ; 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, offer to the astonished admiration of the botanist every thing thut by color, by fragrance, and by form, c^ delight the senses and fix the attention. - » Among the vegetables that inhabit the low shores of the Flo- ridas, 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 cardinalis. ' 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 into tillage by the industry of the JuhabiUwts. In these rich tracjcs grow the lof^j palmetto, GEObllAPHY AtJ-D NATUKAL HIStOllY. l87 the evergreen oak, the sweet hay (1 auras horhonia), the henzoe laurel, the common laurel, the wide shading broom {Mne, and the red cedar. The strait silvery columns of the papaw 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 a' 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, containing the seeds of a beautiful coral red color, and these falting 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 ^luring 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 candleberry myrtle, with numerous species of azaleas, kall- mias, andromedas, and rhododendrons, arranged by the hand of nature into thickets and shrubberies, entwined and over-arched 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 csrule- 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^ 188 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. :iil for the most part under water, and are distinguished from the rest of the country by the crowded stems of the cane (arundo gigantea,), the light foliage of the tupelo tree (nvssa aquatica), the taccamahaeca, the fringe tree, and the white 'cedar (cupres- sus disticha) ; this last is perhaps the most picturesque tree in all America: four or five 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 branch : 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 j and the oily seeds contained in its cones are 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 duskv hue of the pine forests in which they live 5 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 horse 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 piirpose to have sketched some of the characteristic features in the botany of a country, the most accessible of ail 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 diflfer- ence 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 xvere 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 Ohioj and teeth of the hippopotamus are said to have been dug up in Long Island : but the labors of a late French naturalist havp. f>vinr>«>jd in.,«i^)eril^ In 1800, on pheshore of the Frozen QqeWi, ne^r th« wwHith af> the river Lepa, the body of a mamipotb m9 observed, imbodied in blocks of ip?— In the summer pf. 1.3P4, the *ce>melted, md the body fell to the grpundj a Tp^que^e^ Chief cut off its horm, three yards Jpng, and a drawing of it w^s made.--^It b^d points ed ears, smajl eyes, hoofs like a bojsp, aiid a b/istly main along the back.-^^lEi ^M the skeleton w^ found entife, atid the flesb and skin remaiping pn the ^n^ev ^jijle : the , jkin ; remaining, veh ^ quired 10 men to carry it, it ly^ coyer^ \Kitb rfeddiifc hair ana bristles 2 f?et long.— The entire carcjase raeaa*ired 8| feet h%h^ an4 14 feet: froni the tip of the npse tp the begimiipgof the t^' W^9f trunk and tail it Jiad npn^jhr-tbe^ bead w^hed 460. pounds.— The skeleton is now at Petersburg, the mooae deer ar^ beconie extr^ely rare, an^ prpb^ly in nc* Iob^ time will be utterly ejytirpftted, as the wplf and bpar biaye be«n,in Britain. The black moose deer are said to have bj^eu sometime* 12 feet in h?igbt, while the sp.ecies called the, grey Seldom exceed the height pf a horse. 3oth baije large pajmated honm, weighing 30.pr4(;^poup(?s, IVJr. Pem^ant mentiflDS apairthat weighed 56 pouiiflsj the lei^gth being 32 inches. Thie moose decRus only a large speqies, of the elk, and is foupd i». the noritherh parts of the United Statje^i while the rein deer, inhabits the northern re- gions of British America. The American 'stftg, rather exceed* the European ip size, and i? seen in great numbers feeding in the rich savann^ of the Missouri and Mississippi, where there, are also herds of, that kind called the Virginian deer. In the ijPTtl^er^ states are tWiP kiqds of bears, both black j but, that carniyprpus animal called the ranging bear is found in all the statRs, aais the wolf. Several kinda of foxes are also seeq: ai^d. tfip Avplveritw6 years in Paraguay, describes the tiger of that country as marked with black spots, sometimes on a whitish, sometimes on a yellowish, ground j and says that as the lions of Africa far exceed those of Paraguay, so the African tigers greatly yield in size to the Ame- rican ; which may be just, as the royal tiger seems peculiar 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 off a horse or an ox ; and seems^ to ex- ceed in st and numerous sorts called by European nantes, though ge- rally different in the eye of the naturalist. The bird called a turkey is peculiar to America, and abounds in the north. They were brought from Mexico to Spain, and from Spain to England about 1^24 ; the African poultry, or meleagrides, of more an- cient authors, being Guinea fowh. There are also birds which resemble the partridge, jiiaravigan, and quail) of Europe. Vir- GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. I9I ginia abounds with beautiful birds, among which is th« hum- ming bird, as already mentioned, while the wakon resembles the bird of paradises and it may be conceived that vast varieties of aquatic birds crowd the numerous lakes and rivers, the largest being the wild swan, which sometimes weighs thirty-six pounds, borne of the frogs are of remai>kable size; and the tortoise, or turtle, supplies a delicious food, while the olliMtor is not un- known m the southern rivers. Of serpents Mr. Morse enume- rates near forty kinds found in the United territories, Virginia in particular, producing great numbers. The rattlesnake is the largest, being from four to six feet ir^ length, and is one of the inost dreaded. Among the fish are most of those which are es- teemed m Europe J and 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 mdeed the most precious to industry, u'on and coal. In the district of Main the founderies are supplied with bog iron ore- and there is said to be a kind of stone which yields copperas oJ vitriol and sulphur. Iron ore is found 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 jis said to be found in a quarry of lime- stone. In Rhode Island there are mines of iron and copper- jnd at Diamond Hill a variety of curious stones.* On the banks of the Connecticut is a lead mine, but too expensive to work J and ?inc is also found, with talcs, and crystals of variout 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 Jersey 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 iron ore; but Virginia is celebrated for various minerals A lump of gold ore was found near the falls of the river Kapahan- noc, probably rolled down from its source, or that of some tri- b utary rivulet.t There ar e lead mines which yield from 50 to C^""''.?''?" '''/°""'* °" *'"' "^" Ton„agan.\,hi«h run. into Lake t In 1804, a bed of g«14 ore was dUcov^red in North CarolloB, in n creek 192 HISTORY 0« NOllTH AMKBICA. I* 80 pounds from 100 of ore: ctfpper and black lead are also found ; and there i» abundance of excellent coal on both sides of Jamcs-river, said to have been discovered by a boy in pursuit of ccay fish. Coal also abounds towards the Mississippi uid Ohio ; and at Pittsburg is of superior quality : but this valuable mineral 19 chiefly worked in Virginia, where the beds seem very exten- sive. Limestone is rare on the east of the Blue ridge; but there is a vein of marble which crosses James-rivers Amethysts, or violet-colored crystals, arc also found in Virginia ; and it is probable that the emerald mentioned by Mr. Jefferson was only a green crystal. North Carolina is crossed by a long ridge of limestone, in a south westerly direction, but no minerals seem to have been discovered. In the territory south of the^Ohio, what is called stone-coal is found in the Cumberland mountains, or great Lanrel ridge, (supposed by some to be of great height,) and there ate sak springs p^ar the upper branches of the Tenessee. In Soath Carolina thete are said to be appearances of silver and leady with abundance of iron ore, and quarries of free-stone ; but the coarse diamonds are probably niiere crystals of quartz. Geor- gia, the most southern state, is of a rich soil ; but beside a bank of oyster shells, 90 miles from the sea, there seems no minera- logic discovery,* There are several mineral waters, of various virtues, in diffe- rent provinces of the United States, but none of distinguished eminence like Bath, or Aix-la-Chapelle. In the province of Vermont, or the Green Mountain, there is a remarkable sulphu- reous spring, which dries up in two' or three years, and bursts out in another place. There are several mineral springs in Mas- sachussetts, but little frequented, and there is another at Staf- ford in Connecticut, 7'hose of Saratoga, in the province of New York, are remarkably copious, and surrounded with singu- lar petriffu^tions. They are considerably frequented, as well as those of New Lebanon in the same country. New Jersey boasts of some chalybeate waters ; and near Isle Creek in Pennsylva- ralMiiiif througii the grotindl of Mr. John Read, by his tons who were fishing, anil wiw'have sinee often picl^edup 100 to 190 penny weights in » day.— Mr, Read himaelf picked up one lump of ore weighing 28 pennyweights, suppo- sed to be worth jf 1400 sterling. * Oysters are however found in the rivers at a considerable distance from 135, there is a very rich veio of copper oa the river Wabaili* OEOGEAPHY AND NATUEAL HISTORY. 19B uta oo the river Allegany, or Ohio, there is a spring which yields petroleum, said to be useful in rheumatic complaints. Two warm springs occur in Virginia, one of them 112^. These are> called the springs of Augusta ; but others more frequented are- near the river Patomack, A bituminous spring was discovered, on the estate of General Washington, which easily takes fire, and continues burning for some time. The salt springs in Kenr tucky also deserve mention ; and there are others in the province of Tenessee. In Georgia, near the town of Washington, there is a remarkable spring rising from a hollow tree, which is in- crusted with matter probably calcareous. The natui^al curiosities of the United States are numerous, and have been investigated with that laudable intention, vthidi. has been particulariy directed by the English towards such inte- resting appearances. Besides the irruption of the river Pato- mack through the Blue Mountains, and other objects already mentioned, the principal uncommon features of nature shall be briefly indicated from Mr. Morse's American Geography. In Vermont there is a remarkable impendent ledge of rocks, about 200 feet high, on the west bank of the river Connecticut ; and iu the same province is a curious Mtalactitic cave, in which, after a descent of 104 feet, there opens a spacious room al^out 20 feet in breadth, and 100 in length, with a circular haU at the further end, at the bottom of which hoils up a deep spring of clear wa- ter. Rattlesnake Hill in New Hampshire presents a stalactitie cave ; and near Durham is a rock so poised on another, as to move with one finger ; a natural remain of a ruined hill, though in England it would be called Druidical. The rivulet in Massa-* ehussetts, called Hudson's Brook, has excavated in a fantastic manner u large rock of white marble. The falls of the river Powow, in the same province, are not only curious in them- selves, but present many grotesque mills, and other monuments of industry; and a similar appearance occurs on the river Pautu- kit in Rhode Island. In Connecticut is a cave which was for some time the retreat of Whaley and Goffe, two of the Judges of Charles I. In the province of^ New York a rivulet runs under a hill about 70 yards in diameter, forming a beautiful arch in the rock ; ««iiU iiiv.Tc X3 a cLaxci^txtil; ^urc Hi wiixClx wa:3 xuUuu bsic pCblXlJCU skeleton of a large snake. The falls of the Mohawk river, caU- 9. Bb 194 HISTORY OP NORTH AMBRICA;; i t 11'! M ed Cohoz, are more remarkable for the width of the, stream, thau from the .height of the descent. There is a beautifiul cas- cade in Fayette county, Pennsylvania^ over a semicircular rock of marble. In Penfit^ylvania.thare ar^, also some remarkable caves, one of which resembles a church with pillars and monu* mcnts. In the territory on the N, W. of the Ohio, the savArj- nas, or rich plains, extend for 30 or 40 miles without any tree j they are crowded. with deer, wild cattle, and turkies, and often visited by bears and wolves ; hut this district is chiefly remarkar bkfor a number of old. foits, of an oblong form, with an ad- joining tumulus, or tomb. As, the Mexicans have. a tradition l^hat they passed r,om the norths these forts may perhaps he re- Bains of their first residence, or of some nation which they sub- dued. In ttte western part of Maryland there are said to be sume remarkable caves: and others occur in .Virginia, paftieular-i ly that cdlied. Madison's cave, ou the N. W. iiide of tlie .Blue ridge^ extending about 300 feci. into, the solid Jime8!;oiic. The blowing cave emits a strong current of air, particularly in fi-osty weather. Tiio n&tural bridge is a sublime and. striking curiosity, being a rock covorcd with > soil and trees, aauss a chasm, ap- pearing to ha»^e been opened in the course of ages by. a. brook, which now runs between 2 and 300 feetbeneathi The.>breadth of this bridge is about 60- feet j and the. thickness of the mass about 40, The rock is liipestone, which easily wastes by the attrition cf water,, whence the number, of caverns in that kind of rock, while in the granitic, or argillaceous they rarely occun In Kentucky ihe banks o£ the river so called, and of Dick's ri- vjr, are sometimes 400 feet in height- of limestone, or whit« marble 5 and tliere are said to be . caverns of some miles iu length, thus rivalling the celebrated cave.in Ci^rinihia. Th« territory on the. south of the Ohio (Tenessee) presents a remarkt able, ledge of rocks in the Cumberland mountains, about SO miles in length, and 200: feet thick, with a perpendicular face to the S. E. The whirl is more grand than the inuption of the Patomack through the Blue ridge; the Tenessee, wJiich oi few niile.s above is half a mile wide, contracts to iOO yards, and forces its way through this outer ridge of the Apalachiati, form- ing a whirlpool by striking ngaipst a large rock. Jn Georgia the chief curiosity is a large bunk of oyster shells, 90 milas from the sea, to which it runs nearly parallel : if the river Savannah GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 196 never passed in that direction, it is probable that the land haa gained so far on the ocean. The chief islands belonging to the United States sre Long Island, (the province called Rhode Island being continental, with tv/b or three small islands attached :*)acd c few insular stripes of land near the shores of North Carolina. The others, scattered along the coast, and in the various bays rnd lakes, are of little conseauencc. Those parts of North America virhich still belong to Great Brttain are extensive, and of considerable importance, though oo thinly peopled, and in such a disadvantageous climate, that they sink into'insignificance, when compared with the greM and flourishing colohy belonging to Spaifj oir with the territories of the United States. The'inhab*-*. B ' ii GEOGIlAPfiY AND NATUKAL ms-rOEY. 197 ^' \ 0^ M fintury, haai given a tolerable account of soine lakes beyond that called Superior, and of the river Missouri. Quebec being con* quered by Wolfe 1759, Canada was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Paris 1763. The chief town is Quebec, built on a lofty point of land oi^ the north-west side of the great river St. Lawrence ; whieli in the neighbourhood is sufficiently deep and spacious to float more tlmn one hundred sail of the line. The upper town, on a rock of limestone, is of considerable natural strength, and well fortified; but the lower town towards the river is 'open to every attacks Montcalm's vain confidence, in marching out of the city, led to hjs destruction, while a siege must have been dissolved by the ap- proach of winter, when it was impracticable to form any wor^: yet Quebec might in the new procedures of war, yield, like Hol[<^ land, to a frozen campaign. A large garrison is maintained; but 5000 soldiers would be necessary to ma|i the works. Th^ inhabitants are supposed to be 10,000, about two'thirds being French ; and the presence of the governor, courts, and garrison, conspire to render it gay and lively. The lower town is mostly inhabited by traders and mariners. The houses are commonly of stone, small, ugly, and inconvenient; but the new part of the governor's house, for there is no citadel, is upon an improved plan. ' The monasteries are almost extinct ; yet there are three nunneries. The market is well supplied ; and the little carts are often drawn by dogs. The vicinity presents most sublime and beautiful scenery; atid the falls of the river Montmorenci are particularly celebrated. Montreal is a neat town, on the east side of a considerable island, formed by the river St. Lawrence at its junction with the river Utawas, which is the boundary between Lower and Upper Canada, about 150 miles above Quebec. This is the ut- most point to which ships can ascend from the sea ; but several ' of the burden of 400 tons reach Montreal by a tedious and diffi- cult navigation. This town contains about 1200 houses, and probably 6000 souls ; with six churches, four of which are Ro- man Catholic, and four convents. Th« ' ijf trade is in furs, MihiiAi are thence sent to Canada for England. The North-west company consists of merchants of Montreal. The canoes are iliiefly employed on the Utawas, whence the fur traders proceed across to itake Winnipeg. Mr. Mackenzie was a partner in the i %9S HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA, North-west Company, which has cotahiderablyJeMencd' the trade of that of Hudson's Bay. La Prairie is a village on the oppo- site side of the tiver to Montreal. . , Mr. Weld, who is a great admirer of ice, depicts the Canadi- fin climate in the most favorable colors, and would persuade' us Jhat, though considerably further to the notth, it is at leaftt equal to that of New England. But even by his account the extremes of heat and cold are amazing; the thermometerin Ju^ }y and August rising to 96, while in winter the mercury freezes. The snow begins in November ; and in January the frost is so intense that it is impossible to be out of doors for anytime without the risk of what is called a frost-^bite, which endanger^ the limb: and the warm intervals only increiwe the ^ensatidn and the jeopardy. But winter, as at Petersburg, is the Reason 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 aifords 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 firom 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. -ifM*i*.|. 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 navigably 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, with 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 CEOOEAPHY AND NATURAL HISTOEY. 801 contsiit 15 or 16,000 inhabitants, a superior population to that •f Quebec. Sheibum, towards the S. W., once contained 600 families: Gulsbury about 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 geuertdly thin and barren, though .fertile on the banks of the rivers, in grass, hemp, and flaxj but supplies of grain are sent from England. The Micmacs, an Indian tribe of about 300 lighters, dfvell on the east of Halifax. Britain sends to these pro- vinces linen and woollen cloths, and other articles to the amount of about i^30,000. ; and receives timber and fish worth about ;f 50,000. The chief fishery is that of cod on the Cape Sable coast. Near Cape Canco there are remarkable cliflk 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. ■J^rfeifrfiu' ISLAND OF CAPE BRETON, -m i 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: Jhe harbour being found difficult, Lquisburg 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. CC m ttifr*bitt o¥ Mtii^k AUkiiitA. tViiAitt h eold and foggy, Mi obly ftbta ih€ pMxiaiiif bf KiWi. tdatidlmd, iMit froht ntam^rotti lAltM iuid fb^Csb. Th^ ^1 is chiefly lAere ittbeA, ind HiU beeh foiifid UnHt fiftr agrieulttiM. Th6Ghi«f ttfwtiA ai^ ^dney and Lotiisbur^; tM whole inhaU- lante df the isitf do hot inctHeA 1000. The fur trade k inconiidfcr* hble, but the fishery very lUkfOtikiit, thU isUnd b#ing est^em^d the chief tiiit; ahd the value 6f thU l^ade, WhSe in the THMh |>os8^l6ii, ivta edhlputeland was discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1496, whf also founded the prior claim of England to the North American ahores as fat south M Flbrida. This discovery, like that of Columbus and others, was unintentional, the design being mere- ly to penetrate io th^ EtAt Ihdi^. Thbs« citithbrs whb #biider that t\6 colonic mH seM, bhly ahow their ig^orahfce of the in- tetitibh^ of the fiNt navigators $ and at ihiit p^ribd there was not bhe f a colony. It was th^ success bf the Spd^ish tobnles, allured by gold albhe, that towards the end bf the six- teenth behtttry, etilarged the ideas of mankind : but Isvett then Raleigh'^ t^Ansceiid^ht iliind held out gold to all tiis fiiillbw^rs, as th6 sole indubemeht* The island bf NeWfoondfaild is About 320 miles in length And breadth, the shApe approatsbing tb t tri- angle. It seem^ t^ b« rather hilly (hah mbUfltAinbUs, v^th woods of bh-tih, sifiall pink, and fir, yet on the {Kmth-west side there -^ head-iuidBk The cduntfy haa scarcely been peneti^ated are GEOGBAPHir 4W NATURAL HISTORY. gOft «bovo30 milM; bint there «re nuil?erou§ piMs mi m^'W^^ with Mmff'dry b*»>rw»s^ The grff# fiflwry p» t^ }w>k? oC ^(^7 ci)4 rf Sfptennhi^. Th? W«* »l «?^J»er 4ne4 for thp Nfetlij^rrar ue»n }Mor w^t %rf ««lle4 «n¥f*-§?h'F l>«n«4M ^p In )| piyp^me.tobiepqi;a9ijap«4 hy >^e swpwjpr v^irmtl) of the gulf t^tf^Ufffu ti^f We«t Indies Th^ fishery w co^npy^i ^ yj#)/^ a^tipvf i:390»Q0a i| yev, from th? <^ 30I1I m % Cafhplic (cofinj^^f ThjC isjand 9^ }iewf(mf^ax4» ¥t^r f>»Wy ^p Tftj? FE9?i«h, l?y t^ tjrcaty ^^3, w.e^e Jp ?oJ9^ th^ir /l^^cv OR tfip j^^hw^k.aftd wp«t«pj i^o^ts, jth« inht^hir f;^M)^ l^the UMHed §)tpt^^^ving M^e aa^ privilege/* as h«f9r* t^eir ip(i}iepeadeoc|: ; a^d th/e preUin|pariqi of Qp^oli^r ,l8pi q^iny firm the privileges granted to the French. ,^4^ The chief towns are St. John in the S. E. with Ptacentia 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 the Bermudas or Soramer Islands, lying almost at an equal distance between Nova Scotia and the We^ Indies ; but as they are nearer to tho coast of Carolina than to any other land, it seems more proper to arrange them here than under any other division. THE BERMUpAS, or SOMMER ISLANDS. Th£Y are four in number, and were discovered by the Spani- ards under John Bermudas, in 1527 ; but being afterwards neg- * The isle of Aoticotta, at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, is tall of rocka, and has iiO hafbOUfy biit it COTcfcd with WOCul &IUt SSCuitciit COu ti xOoB^ «n the ihores. Ml V 'in h -tlr LM j; S04 Ml'^TORY OP NORTlH AMERICA. lected by them, they were again disclosed by the fthipwreck of Sir Ge&eg^ Sodamer in 1609 ; which event seems to hava indu- ced Shakespear to describe them as ever vexed with storms; Another poet, Waller, *wNo 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 littltf islands thrcMef is that called St. George, with a capital town of the same nartie, con- taining about 500 houses, built of a soft free- stone, probably like that of Bath J the inhabitants being about 3000, and those of all the isles perhaps about 9000. There is a governor, council, and general assembly : the religion beihg 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 lind the West Indies. It would appear that these remote isles wer^ un- inhabited when settled by the English, but a good history and dcseription of the Bermudas might afford « pleasing addition to the geographical library. ^^ u i^. : ■■■'•■■ ■ vw«i' ,<»iH.Hrf' i». ; ..■/ "•.■•.^.••■■ .'.'in**** > 4.;. 1 H' ' ■:_.,.. ' • J-,»gl^»^1.v .:j 1 ■••■■■■' ' -' •iip^i*!^.*:*:; ^0 • ■ '^■iim'm.>iM!i ■ ■ ■ ' ' i' n . -.. .im ^a tmi: .- ;. . ,ct I. . -f % 'W) Ot -rnflhfl^ jt#!,-j*,f fr..t(>■ ..!«.- # y«if.u>:>NATI VE TRIBES, , l^v : '^^^^ITNCONQUERED COUNTRIES)'' '^J'^* ---.'- :, -..'.......;-:; -..»J i»K>i1 3^.8 ^M^li uitrfotlni^GKEENLAND* '^^i^tmimi Tfji'n'' ..'I • 'T«fc diBQttvny :of thb extensive region, which ^ whether con* tinetitd^ or insular, must be reganled as belonging to North Amcric%^ was oMule by the people of Iceland in the tenth centu- ry; theiKstancey according to the best mapg, being about eighl degiifees of longitude in lat 66°, or nearly 200 geographical miles; but some maps reduce it to five degrees, or not more ^ than IdOgcographtcal miles. The intercourse between this colo- ny and Denmark was maintained till the beginning of the fifteenth century, the lasl of seventeen bishops being named in 1406: and in that century, by the gradual inorease 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 vhurches and monasteries, the names and positions of which may be traced in the map by Tor* faeus; firom which it would seem that the colony extended over abou* 'hm mil6s in the S. E. extremity. On the west some mint of churches have also been discovered. In more recent times the western coast, w^ chiefly explored by Davis, and other English navigators ; but there was no attempt to settle any colony. A pious Nor\yegiaa tlergymani named Egede, having probably read the book of Torfateus published iu 171^, was deeply impressed with the melanchply situation of this colony, if it should be found to esdst a and in 1721 nroceedpd tn thf ufesf«r» «}>'«•« where he continued till 1735, preaching the gospel to the 9a* k 1 ? ^1 -*5 906 HISTORY OP NOETH AMERICA. * ' 1 1 ?' > I' ■ I lilt ;t 'm 6ve8, his benevolent example having been since followed by se- tteral mission arieo. The sect called Moravinns began their set- tlements about thirty years after, being chiefly those of New Hernhuth and I^iichteufbli. U is aaid thjit the country is inha- bited as far as 76° i 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 nortb as 73*^. The natives have no conception of what we call Baffin's Bay : but say that in the north of theif country t|iere is a narrow strai^ which divider it Arom the continent of America. This dreary country may be said to consist of rocks, ice, and anow ; 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 are common ; and the walnie, and five kinds of seals, frequent the shoves. The birds, partiqilarly sea and water fowl, are ik^l^ra- bly numerous ; as are the fish ; and the insects exceed ninety^ What) is called the ice blink is an i^mazing canneries of ice« H the mouth cf an inlet, the splendor of which i^ 4liscerjied at jthf distanee of many leagues. It ie eaid to estea4 to, magnificyent arches for aibout 24 miles. The short sMmqoer is viery warqa, bot foggy) mkd the northern liglits .diversify the gloom of i^inter. W^ is caMed the frost emodbe butsta horn oraeks ia the Fcozen Ocea!!. The natives ^m« jshor^, with long black hair, Bwofll eyes, and flat faces, being a branch of the lakimos, or Americai: Sa- nwicds: it is supposed (hat they do not exceed lOJaOO, t^ num- ber having, tbeen greatly reduced by the sraail^pox. Their ea-» noes, in which one man proceeds to kill pet^a, are of a fiiogular eonstfiiottoR, and have sometimes been waited as far as tha Orkneys. The highest mountains are on the west aid* ; and the three -pinnades of wliat is called the Stag's Horn are visible from the«ea at the distance of forty at sixty leagues. Grants observes that tbe rocks are very full of clefts, commonly pei^ndicular, and Aekloai wider than half a yard, filled with spar, quartz, talc, and garnets. The vocke are generall'y rather vertical or little io- cmisisting of granite, with some sand-stone, and lapis olaris. Our author's imperfect mineraAogy also indieatee mica- eious fiohistin, coarse marble, and serpentina ; with asbestos and funiatttkus, crystals, and uiauk ichori. it <• said thai; >Hu&te <^ argill, a new )mb»tance, has be«n prcently found in ^SreeiUand; GEOeSAFHV AND NATtltAL HiStdRT. SOf pf^haps this is the tdft trans^irent stone 6f Crimtie. The iapiiT olarit is of lingular utility in Greenland, and ih^ noi^th of Atne- ilcia, being used for lamps and culinary utensils. The scffi eon- lists of unfertile day or sand. The winter is very severe ; and the rocks often burst bf the intensity of the froeit. Above 66^ the sun does not set in the longest day^, and at 6^4^ Is nbt fdur hours beneath the horizon. IvABit ADOR. This la^ extent of coast was so named by the Port ugaese navigator Who made the first discovery. In the inland parta thete were American savages, and oU the coasts Iskimos ; but the (otmtr have mostly retired to the south, and even the latter seem gradually to withdraw : neither people had the ingenuity of the Laplanders. There were htte only » few fiu:toiies, till the Moravian clergy formed little settlements, particuflairly at Nain, about 1764. To these missionaries we are indebted for the discovery of that elegant iridescent feldpar, called the La- brador stone. It h said to have been first discovered in sailing through some lakes,* where its bright hues were reflected front the water. The most rare color is the scarlet. Mr. Cartwr^ht, 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. Hitf Indians seem to be Iskimo^, and their mdnners are very fit- thy. He remarks that the grouse not only change theii- color itl 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 wolvercenS. He who wishes to study the man- ners of bears may here find ample satisfactioii. At a oatat-act surrounded with elders, spruces, firs, larches, birvh, and aspin, many Salmon ascend, and the bears assemble in numbers to catch their favorite prey. Some dive after the fish, and do not appear till at the distance of seventy or eighty yards. Others seem to be l(ningers, who only come to see what ib going fer- i .U:^ ■* A large ifliauti kcA, or lake, is laid duwn hy irAnviiie, wiiicb hu re- ceatly bees cepTcd uDder the appellation of n New 8e». SOS HISTORY OF NOETH AMCBICA. wards, and to enjoy the -promenade and the spectacle. Our author counted thirty-two white bears, and three black ones. Rein-fleer ateo abound, and their venison is excellent. Mr' Cartwiight contradicts the received accounts of the beaver, as- serting that he never eats fish nor any animal food j 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 j but there is something so singular in their erect movements, that an illiterate observer pro- nounced them to be « enchanted chr: tians." Even the peacea- ble Iskimos are liable to contests j and, about 1736, in a qiiar- rel concerning a young woman, a fiirious slaughter arose, in which neither sex nor age were spared. Ai the close of his third volume Mr. Cartwright gives a general idea of the country, and a thermometrical 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 tlvi sea, with spots of black peat earth, producing stunted plants. ^Rivers, brooks, lakes, pools, and ponds, are abundant- ly rich in 6sh, 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 thousamfe of islands, covered with flocks of sea fowl, particular- ly eider-ducks; 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, and some symptoms of fertility. The plants are wild celery, scurvy- grass, reddocks, and Indian salad. There are some appearances of iron j 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- GEOGRAPHY 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 ptople with the Greenland- ers, whose manners are mifiutely described by Crantz. They use sledges drawn by dogs, as in Asia. Remains of seals and oily substances have a remarkable offect on the ground, so as to produce rich crops of grass on spots formerly only sprinkled with heath. ' HUDSOK'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 ^laim 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 mile^, 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 revenue to government, perhaps amount to of30,000. The North-west Company lately established at Montreal, has also considerably reduced the profits j but an enquiry into the state of this Company, and of their territories, might be an object of some importance, and might 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 called forts, and which sometimes contain small garrisons, and other peculiar cn*- cumstances. seem 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. D d i • 'iU 210 HISTOEY OF NOttTtt AMERICA.. Hudson's Bi^. But they ought strictly to attend to the charac- ter of their servants, who, as Mr. Cartwright observes, will sometimes kill an Indian in pre^erttice to a deer. . The regions around Hudsott^s Bay, and that of Labradoqr, have, by a misei-able compliment to the parrat country, been sometimes caHed New Britain, a name not admitted in French or English maps, the parts on the west of Hudson's Bay have also be^n called New North and South Wales; while that on the east is styled £ast Main. In the sbuth, James' Bay stiretcfao es inland about 300 miles by about 150 in breadth | and the most valuable settlen^ents arp m that vicinity, as Albany Fort, Moose Fort, aiid East Main Factory. Further to the south, on the confines <9f Vpper Canada, are Brunswick House, Frede- rick House; and some others, which, perhaps^ belong to the North-west Company. In the north, Severn Hous^ is at the mouth of a large river, which seems to flow from the Lake of Winnipic. York Fort stands on Nelson river j and still further to the north is Churchill Fort, which seenis the' fiifth&st settle^ went in that direction.* To the west the Hudson's Bay Com- pany had. extended littlo further than Hudson's House; while the superior spirit of the North-west Company has nearly ap- proached the Pacificf The most important rivers are the Nel- son pr Saskashawin, and the Severn ; the comparative course of the l^ter scarcely exceeding 400 British miles, but of great breadth and depth. Jn the south, the Albany, Moose, Abitib, and Harric^na, are the most considerable ; but air the rivers arc impeded wjth faJIs and sho^s. Near that sbigular inlet called Chesterfield there are many lakes, but the barbarous names nvould neither edify nor entertain the reader ; nor is it likely that they should ever become memorable in natjuriU or civil history. The Sea of Hudson commoply 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 buch a sea exist), some maps and charts admit a very large ceptral island called James Island, which others entirely reject. • Churchill Fort wni built io 17,16. It is also called Fort Prince of WbIm. + Th« boundary betnrpco the Hudson's Bay Compniiy niid Canada is iin- dcritood to follow the rld|;e that ^ivesiource to the rivers flowing N. and b. ■s far ai Lake Annlpeg) whence \»t ^ is said to form the limit. GEOGBaPHY AN0 NATURAL HISTORY. 211 £ven in lat. 57^ the winters are extremely severe ; the iee on the rivers is eight feet thick^ and brandy coagulates. The rocks burst virith a horrible noise) e<]tual to that of heavy artillery, and the splinters are throMTn to an amazing distance. Mock suns, and haloes, s^re not unfreqnent ; and the sun rises and s^ts with a largtf Cone of yellowish lights The aurora borealis diffuses a variegated splendor, which equals that of the full moon ; and the stars sparkle with fiery redness. Thie fish in Hucbon 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 are Iskimos; but there are pther savages io the south : and the factories are visited by several tribes. In OTcler 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 important islands which border the Gulf of Mexico, extending nearly from East Florida almost to the mouth of the 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 Ms^rtinico, and all the southern part of the range. The French 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 general view will suffice for^every geographical and bifitorical purpose. 14 i '' 1 ''flili 1 11^ 1 ^WKm ^i . \M 212 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. St, BplIIJ^GO. Among all the islands comprised in this extensive range, 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 the philosopher. The central part of St. Domingo is situated under the 19th de- giee of north latitude, and the 71st degree of west longitude: and its extent may be computed at something more than 400 English miles in length from east to west, by about 120 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 eariy cobnissation of the coasts, appear to be imperfectly known to. the Europeans. The climate, like that of the rest pf the West Indies, is hot ; and if we may forfti a judgment firom the •vents of the last war, it must be considered as extremely un- 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 of colonies, have invariably postponed the advantages of health to the views of avarice j 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- raije produce of all the sugar lands, while in the hands of the French, was not less than twenty-four hundred weight per acre, which is three times the average fertility of those of Jamaica. In the richest soil of St. Doiningo, a single acre has bfeen known to yield the enormous quantity of two tons and a half of sugar. Before the revolution, the annual value of the exports in sugar, GEOGRAPKY AND NATtTIlAL HISTORY. 213 the principal article, coffee, cotton, indigo, molasses, rum, raw and tanned hides, amounted to about .£4,765,129 sterling. In regard to commerce, St. Domingo was the most valuable of all the West India Islands, and amine of wealth to France. Of alt the European settlements, this was the most remarkable for the abundant importation of* slaves. During the ten years previous to t^e revolution, the average number of negroes annu- ally imported amounted to 29,000. And amidst this immense influx of Atricaus, the number of white inhabitants had some- what decreased. In the year 17^6, the population of the FrericK part of St. Don^^ingo amounted to 480,000 negro slaves, with about 24,0^ Mulattoes, or free people 6^ color, and lio more than 30,630 whites, {"rom a view of these circumstances, it is easy to perceive that the extent to which the sldve trade wab carried payed the way to tliat tremendous revolution, ^hich pro- ved so fatal to those dealers in human flesh, whdse grand object was to acquire by the sweat and the toil 6f the negroeS in Si, Domingo, a fortune that might enable them to riot in luxury a£ Bourdeaux or Paris. The national assembly of France too pre- cipitately attempting to reform her colonial system, at a in'oinent when the mother country Was agitated by the most violent com- motions, gave the iippulse to that dangerdus power, which the rapid increase of black population had introduced into St. l)o- mingo. Some ciantradictory 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 ihtrigues of the JP'reiich 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 Ulaiid against the English; and the wKole settlement exhibited a tiimultuoiis anil martial ficene. The revolutionizing and levelling spirit pf France was introduced into her colonies^ and St. Dominjgo aifforcied an ample and favorable field for its operation. The conse^iiience has been, that after a war of" many years on the cruel principle of extermination, the French are to- tally expelled from all parts of the island, except from the city of St. Domingo j and the world now sees the singular phenome- non, an independent and powerful negro empire, in the most i-ommanding situation of the West Indies. , . . "» £U HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. CUBA. 15*1 Tub island of Cuba may be ranked next to St. Domingo, M which it is equal, or even superior in extent, and inferior only ia political importance. The scMithemmost part of the coast \s un- der the parallel of 2U° 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 milec 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 generd 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 for^ests produce ebony, mahc^gany, and most of the different spe- cies of West Indian timber : they also abound with cattle and swine tike those of St. Domipgo. In donsequence of the more li- beral policy which Spain has adopted in her colonial system since 1^765, the state of Cuba b 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 eniploiyed 200. The coast has several good harbours. St. Jago, on the south side of the island, was formerly the capital ; but that honor is now transfer- red to the Havaiinah, situated on the northern coast. This dty was founded about the year 1519. In 166^ 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 impn^able. 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*-- Jhe gold mines of St. Domingo seem not to have fully answered the expectations ot the Spaniards, who abandoned them as soon as those of Mexi- co were discovered. It was not known whether Cuba was an i«land^ or part of the continent^ till it was circumnavigated by GEOGRAPHY AND NATUBAL HISTORY. 215 Ocampo in 1508; and in 1511 it was conquered by 300 Spani- ards under Don Diego de Velasquez. From that time until after the conquest of Mexico, Cuba seems to have been the principid 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 tireadth. A ridge of mountains runis from east %o west quite through the middle of the island, and forms a variety of beautiful landscapes. The lower declivities *re covered with forests, overtopped by the blue summits of the central ridge. The blue mountain peak rises 7,431 feet or nearly a mile and a half above tlie level of the sea; tkd the pre- cipices are interspersed with beautifi:! savannas. From tlitte central mountains descend above 100 rivulets, of which the Black river, running to the south, is th6 most corisfderaMel By the industry of the planters, Jamaica is become a fldurishii^tf settlement ; but in fertility it is far inferior to St. Domingo and Cuba ; and the climate though tempered by the sea breezes is extremely hot. St. Jago, or Spanish town, is regarded as tlie 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 legishture 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. Tlie 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 some more laudable, perhaps more profitable chaimel. The chief exports of Jamaica to Great Britain, Ireland, arid North America, are sugar, rum, coflfee, jndigo, ginger, and pimento: In 1787, they were estimated at the value of i^2,000,000 ster- liofr, and the imports at ^1,500,000. The intercourse with — ,.„„rae, uiiM oiiici pans vi mc iviexican coast, is now nearly abandoned; but some little trade h carried on with Spanish America, by small vessels, which elude the vigilance of the 2116 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Guarda Costas. The annual revenue of the island, arising from a poU-tax, with a duty on rum, and formerly on negroes, amount- ed to more than .£100,0(90 sterling, of which about ofys.OOO went to defray the ordinary expentes of govertiment. 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 ever since remained. The most striking events m 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 maint;iiined their independence until they were Ipt^ly subdued, and most of them sent to Nova Scotia. 'A Mii!\'!.a3» "3.. ml) yo tii'wu ViU TOPSPRICO, •♦f> '^ Ji Porto Rico, which belongs to Spain, is about 120 English miles in, length, by about 40 ,in breadth. It is a beautiful, well- watered, and fertile /island. The , productions are the same as those of Cuba. The northern parts are said to contain some .n^i^ies,ofgpldan4 silver; but the richer veins of Mexico and P^ru have caused t|^m to be neglected. This island was one of ^^olqn's discoveries. In 1509:4t was conquered by Ponce de Le- .01^ thq first explorer pf Florida* ; . ^1 , JHE A.NTTLLES, OR CARIPBEE ISLANDS. The Catibbee islands, including Barbadoes, which stands de- tached towards the east, at some distance from the general range, are extremely fcrHilQ, and of g.eaticommercial advantage to their possessors, who are chiefly the English and the French. B^tb^oes, Antigua, St. Christopher's, St. Vincent, Dominica, Granada^ Mpntserrat, Nevis, and the Virgin isles, belong to Great Britain. Martinique, Guadaloupe, St. Lucie, and Toba- go, are French. The Danish islands are St. Croix, St. Thomas, CEOGUAPHY AND NATURAL HISTOIIY. ^17 and St. John. The S^redes possess St. Bartholomew, and the Dutch St. Eustatia. Ot the whole group, Guadaloupe and Bar- badoes are the miost important. The first including Grand Terre, far surpasses any of the others in size, being about 60 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 10,900 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 ne^oes, the 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 fprmerly been mgny in Guadaloupe. The noted soujSViere, in this islaind, is a natural curiosity, being a vast mass of sul- phur, or sulphurated earth, which emits a contihual smoke. The productioi)s of all these islands are similar, consisting of su-. gar, rum, coffee, cocoa, cottisn, indigp, &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 l,atter to the DutQlu. Under this divbion 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 onC; third of the island consists of mountainous tracts : the rest htia 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, ai)d 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 (^ little importance. The whole number of English settlers in these islands does not exceed 3000 or 4000. > ■ lu. E e 219 HISTORY OF KOBTH AMEllICA. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ONTHB WEST INDIES. ThB situation of the West India Inlands within the torrid tone ; the sinailarity of climate, products, and commerce ; the linixture of European and African inhabitants; and, in fine, the Mrho'e combination of physical and moral circumstanceif place them in nearly the same conimon predicament, and render some general observations applicable to the whole of this interesting portion Df 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 mpst striking geographical feature in all the larger, and most of the smaller islands. Their situation indi- cates the common advantages and inconveniencies of the tropical dimates. From their exposure to the sea breezes, the heat in the West India Islands, however, is far from being so interise as the interior of Africa, Arabia, Persia, &c. where this refrigera- ting influence is wanted. In all these islands, the sea-breeze 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 the earth is cooled, the land-breeze begins, and blows in every direction from the eentre of the island towards the coast. This alternate motion of the winds, constantly tend- ing to restore the equilibrium of the air, in proportion as it is destroyed by rarefaction, greatly contributes to mitigate the heat of the climate. The combination of heat and moisture in the West Indies, however, is such as to render them very unhealth- ful to European constitutions, a fact so well known, as to render any reference to authorities, or any examination of proofe, unne- cessary. The frequency of those dreadful hurricanes, which ruin at once all the hopes of the planter, not to mention the earthr quakes which have sometimes proved so fatal in Cwba, Jamaipa, CiEOdRAPIfT AND NATURAL AtStORlT. 319 ilnd other islands, must also be considered as a tremendous cha- racteristic of the West India climate. The productions of those islands, which in all are nearly the tame, with the nature of their commerce, have already been mentioned, and are subjects genetally known. ,; | j i The peculiar circumstances of the West Indies, have given rise to a particular 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 ^very, have unavoida- bly contributed to the contamination of morals, and to the hi* tvoductkm of licentiousness, m well ais of indolence. The ab*^ lition of the African trade cannot fail of producing a beneficial change in the stracture of West Indian society. .■. t- .■. , > i>^P ' ' (>l "-/yv , ■-, .;■,: .- ■ -1, ' ; ■ ; V- . ' .i '> '.i h'il'ih ' HISTORY „ y, i:: OP *ir 1 1 1, ,. li ' 1 i, fit IIH NORTH AMERICA. f» -"— ^^ifOl^^f^*' PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMIINTS, vu^ii SECTION III. As it does nor consist with the plan of this work to enter into any lengthened details of the Civil History of the British Colo- nies, until the memorable contest which separated the most va- luable of them for ever from the British sceptre ; 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, and governed the councils of its governments — an in- tolerance which drove numbers of virtuous and conscientious men into the wilds and wildernesses of America, where they might have the privilege of worshipping their creator in the mode the most consonant to their own judgment. The plague, the fire 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 j and the province in this interval of neglect made rapid progress ; disregarding the English acts of navigation, they traded as an independent peo- their sister colonies^ and a rapid accumulation of mercantile PROGBSSS OF ftOE BS^IIXSH SETTZAMENTS. ftftt wealth. This slate «f f^resperous repose was interrupted by a general eetnbination of the Indians against the settlement^ from which it strffered Heverely : aftw a long {«d bloody contest^ thic tiombination was «uppresBed, and peace concluded with the di& ferent fribes Which had engaged in it. Disputes now eommen-, ced with the ctown, arising lirem the neglect df the navigation laws which at length arose to such a height, that Ghai-les de* fermined^o take away thek- charter, and in the Court of Chan- cery in Trinity term 1684, a decree was obtained against the governdr ahd>e«tepany, by Whiih their charter Wis cancelled; but the king did n6t live long enough to complete bis system re- specting "the New England edtemes, and to adopt a new govern- ment for Massaehtissetts j he died early in the following year, and bis sttece«9«r was proclaimed in Bdstdn with Trtelancholy ' jromp. One 6f the first'acts of James was the issuing of a commission for a tertporapy government for Massaeliussrtts, New Hampshire, Maine, Narra^hansett; but ^iefore this ill-fated monarch couM carry into full effect the plans he had formed fdr^he ahriihflation of the liberties of America, his intolerance and despotic power occasioned his eicpulsion from the throne of his ancestors, aiRl opened brighter prospects to -the people of New England. The revolution Whiih placed the Stadtholder of H611and on the throne of England, revived in the people of Massachussetts the hope of rtjgairiing their ancient charter, to Whieh they were enthusias- tically attached ; «and until the pleasure of the new king could be ascertained, the gwernment Avas administered under the pro- visionsof the old charter. It was however soon iapp:.rint that king WilMam was indisposed to the reitwation df the ancient eharter,and he very early 'nwnifested his determination to re- tain in his ojwn hands 'the appointment of the governor. After a eonsiderftble liitmal a new charter' was dbtained, in some te- specte^ioreeliglble than the^^trtt, though it contained some ppoviskWs whidimaterially afficted the independence whksh the C«l<»nyr.hadsO long' practically enjoyed— By this new system, the govewor, dcp*ity goverij^r, and secretary, swere to be appointed by'«he4)r««vn, instead Of being-^ltosen by the people j and the gowrnor hod the same :autbcirlty with respect to the assembly, aswas possessed by the king in reference to the parliament, he --«M: siu»M5n,i pK^ogue, and dissolve, them at pleasure > and hcAftd the sde ftppoi«tment to all military offices, andwith the U ! >i| I 9S« HISTOHY OP NORTH AMERICA. i consent of his council to all offices in courts of justicp. Sir William Phipps, the first governor under the new charter, arri- ved at Boston in Mny, 1692; he immediately issued writs for a general adserobly, which met on the 8th of June, and who joyftiUy accepted the charter, which united the colony of Ply- mouth and Nova Scotia to Massacluissotts j 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 country 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 with the French of Canada, and the Indians, which contini^ed with the usual vicissitudes of war —alternate victory and defeat, until the peace of Ilyswick, which terminated the war between Great Britain and France, and which also put an end to hostilities in the Western Hemis- pl^erc. 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 entire in this work. They were how- «ver of too much magnitude, while passing, to be entirely unno- ticed even at this day. In Great Britain, as well as in America, the oninion had lonr prevailed, that, by the aid of malignant spirits, certain ptrsMis fROGRESS or THE BRITISPr SETTLEMENTS. 22ISr |)ossf 88ed supernatural powers, which were usually exercised in the mischievous employment of tormenting others; and the cri- miiml code of both countries was disgraced with laws for the punishment of witchcraft. With considerable intervals between them, some few instances had occurred in New England of put- ting this sanguinary law in force j but, in the year 1692, this weakness was converted into phrenzy ; and, after exercising suc- cessfully its destructive rage on those miserable objects whose' wayward dispositions had excited the ill opinion, or whose age and wretchedness ought to have secured them the pity, of thcfr neighbours J 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 Saleni ' The public mind had been prepared for its exhibition by some publication, stating the evidence adduced in former witchcraft both in Old and New England, in which full proof was supposed to have been given of the guilt of the accused. Soon after this some young girls, in Boston, had accustomed themselves to fall into fits, and had aflFected 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 supposed 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 blind ; and sometimes all their disorders together would come upon them. Their tongues would be drawm down their throats, then pulled out upon their chins. Their jaws necks, and shoulders, elbows, and all their joints, would appcaJ to be dislocated, and they would make most piteous outcries of burnings, of being cut with knives, beat, &c. and the marks of wounds were afterwards to be seen." At length, an old Irish woman, not of good character, who had given one of those girls some harsh language, andito whom all this diabolical mischief , .„„ „pp.t„ci,„cu uy ihc magistracy; and, nei- ther confessing nor defying the fact, was «n the certificate of -v'l ill I 'I HISTORY OF KORTH AMERICA. pbysicianH that she was compos mentis, condemned and exe- cuted. An account of the circumstances of this ca^e was pub- lished by a Mr. Baxton, with a preface, in which he says, <'the evidence i» so ccmvincing, that he must be a very obdurate sad- ducce who will not believe." Sir William Phipps, the governor, on his arrival from England, brought withji him ' opinions which could, not fail to strength- en the popular (prejudice ; and the lieutenant-governor sup* ported one which was well calculated to render it sanguinary. He maintained that though the devil might appear in the shape of a guilty person, he could never be permitted to assume that oi an innocent one. Consequently, whea those who affected to perceive the form which tormented thero, designated any parti- cular person as guilty, the guilt of that person was established, because he coukl not, if innocent, be per&opat^4. . ^y ^ evil spirit. fK'- ■- 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 disocder, attributed it to the witchcraft ; and an old Indian woman in the nei^ibourhood was fixed on as the witch.. Those girls were much attended to and rendered of great importuice by the pub- lic ^ well aa private notice which was taken <;>f them* Several private Wa 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 colpny, to seek to God to rebuke satajoi, &r. The effect of these measures, ^s w,e\\ as of the compassion ex- pressed for them by ^\\ visitors, and the deep interest taken by all in thfir pretended misfortuues, not only con&rmed the girb in an imposture pnoductive of such flattering attention^ but produ- ced (rther c9mpetitoi;s, who were ambitious of (h^ saro^e distinc- tion. Several other persons were now bewitched ; and not ^nly the old Indian,, but two other old women, th^ one bed-ridden, and the other subject to melaoclioly and distraction, yireiie accu- ^d, as witches. It wa^ necc^ary to keep up the agitat;ion al- ready excited, by ftjfcnish^ig fresh subjects for astonishoAentj and, in a short time, the accusations extended to persons who were in reputable situations. The manner in which these accusations \v^rc received^ evidenced such a degree of public cr^ulity, tliat •.if»»-> PROGRESS OF 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 either 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 vere 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 strongly alluded to from the pulpit, a sister was charged as ti witch J 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, aflected 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. One of them will be sufllicient 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 Danforth, 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 viuUgiiv itxt; ut-njxi. **Q. How oft did she come to torment you? — i\, A good many times; she and goody Cloyse. 10. rf r I i^ 1 !>■ ji • is'"' ■ 5226 HI8TOEY OF NOETH AMERICA. I '* 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 Cloyse and goody ProctOr, *' d. Where did she take hold of )ou.? — A. Upon my throat, to stop nrjy breath. _ f*Q. Do you know goody Clcyse and goody Proctor?— A. Ves J here is goody Cloyse. t,f " ^' ^y Cloyse. When did I hurt thee ?^A. A great many tinnes, Cloyse. " Oh ! you are a grievous liar. *' Q. What did the goody Cloyse do to you .*— A^She pinch^- ed and bit nie until thtf blood cdrae. ** Q. How long since this woman ?ame 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 ?— A. To touch it and be tvell. '* 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 Cloyse and goody Goode were their deacons. "(^. What was it?-— A. They say" it was our blood, and they had it twice that day. *- — -^'3 fe.w«..voa wi mc unposicioii seemed to secure PR06BESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 229 its success, and the ab urdity of the accusation to establish 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 Lccused could only hope to obtain safety by confessing thje 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 instances, parents their chtldren ; and, in one case, sentence of death was pronounced against a husband, on the testimony of his wife. ..^iit y^ fin^li *• There were examples of persons 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 hd- nored court now sitting at Salem, showeth: Thilt 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 affright me. The Lord above knows I knew nothing, in the least mea- sure, how or who afflicted them. They told me, without doubs 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 horrijfes lies. 1 was, may it please the honored court, swor»' t:> my cort* fcssion as I understand since ; but then, at that time, was ig- sso HISTORy OF NORTH AMERICA. noraiit of it, not knowing what an oath did mean. The Lord I hop6, in whom I trust, out of the abundance of his mercy, will forgive me my false forswearing of myself: what I said was altogether faUe, against my grandfather and Mr. Burroughs, 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 myself before I had denied my confes- sion, which I did, though I saw nothing but death before me, choosing rather death, with a quiet conscience, than to live in such horror, which I could not suflFcr. 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 description of ray 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 m« ; not beuig 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 in the world to come." During this reign of popular prejudice, the bounds of proba- Mlity were so far transcended, that we scarcely know how to give credit to the Well-attested 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 hi found children from seven to ien years of age ! Among the nambers who were accused, only one person was acquitted. For this, he was 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 «yer 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, tlmt those who were condemned and not executed had most pro- bably saved themstlves by a confession of their guilt. PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 831 Fortunately for those who were still to be tried, the legislature convened under the new charter, created 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 this 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 most reputable famiiies m the towns jn which they had resided; and many of the very first rank had been hinted at, and some expressly na- med, by the bewitched and confessing witches. A Mr. Brad- street, who had been appointed one of the council, and was soon 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 governor's lady, it is said, and the wife of one of the ministers, who had favored this persecution were among the accused j and a cha ge was also brought against the secretary of the colony of Connecticut. Although the violence of the torrent of prejudice was 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 9 more melancholy proof of the degree of depravity always to be counted on when the public passions countenance crime. POLITICAL HISTORY, ■J'-aI AMD RemluPon 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" bt^'i^rbiTH AMEIIICA. tives as wild beasts of the forests, which have no property in the woods where they roam, planted the standard of their respective master* where they first landed, and in their names claimed the country by right of discovery. Prior to any settlement in North America, numerous titles of this kind were acquired by the Eng- lish, French, Spanish, and Dutch, navigators, who came hither f6r the purposes of fishing and trading with the natives. Slight as such titles were, they were afterwards the causes of conten- tion between the European nations. The subjects of different princes often laid claim to the same tract of country, because both had discovered the same river or promontory j or because the extent of their respective claims was undetermined. While the settlements in this vast uncultivated country were inconsi- derable and scattered, and the trade of it confined to the bar- tering of a few trinkets for furs, a trade carried on by some ad- venturers, the interfering of claims produced no important con- troversy among the settlers or the nations of Europe. But in proportion 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 • ancient claims were revived; and each power took measures to extend and secure itt own possessions at the expence of 9 rival. By a treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the English claimed a right of cutting logwood in the Bay of Campeachy, in South Ameri- ca. In the exercise of this right, the English merchants had frequent opportunities of carrying on a contraband trade with the Spanish settlements on the continent. To remedy this evil, the Spaniards 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 armtEment, destimed to attack Car- thagena, under the command of Lord Cathcart, returned uniuc- PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 233 ccssfuJ, with the loss of upwards of 12,000 British soldiers and seamen J and the defeat of the expedition raised a clamor against the minister. Sir Robert Walpole, which produced a change in the adminivtration. This change removed the scene of war to Europe, so that America was not immediately affected by the iHilwequent transactions, except that Louisbui^g, the principal fortress of Cape Breton, was taken from the French by General Pepperell, assisted by Commodore Warren with a body of New Eiigland troops. This war ended in 1748, by the treaty of peace signed at Aix-la-Chapelle, by which restitution waS made, on both sides, of all places taken during the war. Peace however was of short duration. The French passessed Canada, and had made considerable settlements in Florida, claiming the country on both sides of the Mississippi, by right of discovery. To secure and extend their claims, they esta- blished a line of forts from Canada to Florida. They had secu- red the important pass at Niagara, and erected a fort at the junction of the Allegany and Monongahela rivers, called Fort du Quesne. They took pains to secure the friendship and assist- ance of the natives j encroachments were made upon the English possessions, and mutual injuries were committed. The disputes among the settlers in America, and the measures taken by the French to command all the trade of the St. Lawrence river on the north, and of the Mississippi on the south, excited a jealousy in the English Nation, which soon broke out in open war. The next year three other expeditions were undertaken in America against the French. One was conducted by General Monckton, who liad orders to drive the French from their encroachments on the province of Nova Scotia. This expedition was attended with success. General Johnson was ordered with a body of troops to take possession of Crown Point, but he did not succeed. Gene- ral Shirley commanded an expedition against the fort at Niaga- ra, but lost the season by delay. In 1755, General Braddock 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 wuj killed; but the enemy not pursuing the vanquished across the river, being eager in plundering the baggage of the dead, a part of his troops were saved by flight under the condtjct of the celebrated Washington, at that time a colonel, ti V I l*r il 10. then G ff 234 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. began to exhibit proofe of those military talents, by whsh he af- terwards conducted the armies of America to victory, and his country to independence. The ill success of thtoe expeditions left the English settlements in America exposed to the depi^erfi^tionB of both the French and Indians. ..^h- ' '' - ' - It was not uutii the campaign of 1758; that affairs assumed a more favorable aspect in America. But, upon a change of administration, Mt. Pitt was appointed minister, and the operar tions of war became more vigorous and successful. General Amherst was sent to take possession of Cape Breton ; and, after a warm siege, the garrison of Louisburg surrendered by capitu- lation. General Forbes was successful in taking possession of Fort du Quesne, which the French thought fit to abandon. But General Abercrombie, who commanded ^he troops destined to act against the French at Crown^ Point and Ticonderoga, at^. tacked the lines at Ticonderogir, and was defeated with a terri- ble slaughter of hia troops. After this defeat, h^ returned to his camp at Lake Ge9rge. The^ next* year, more eflfectual measures were taken to subdue the French in America.' General Prideaux and Sir VViliiam Johnson began the operations of the campaign by taking the French fort near Niagara, tfeneral. Amherst took possession of the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, which the Frencli had abandoned. But the decisive blow, which proved fatal to the French interests in America, was the defeat of the I^rench anriy, 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. Cliarles, which latter river empties into tbe former immediately below the town. Its fortifications are strong, and the city elegant and extensive. It eonsists of an upper and a lower town j the lower is built on tbe strand which stretches along the base of the lofty rock on which the upper 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 and Hoating 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 bank was encamued a French array strongly entrenched, and amounting, according PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 2§i5 to all the English accounts, to 10,000 men. The encampment extended ^m the St. Charles eastward to the river Montmo- rency j and its reair was covered by an almost impenetrabi^ wood. Tareiider this army still more formidable, it was com- manded 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 Foit William'- Henry; and who, when reduced to the defen- sive, had driven Abercrombie with so much slaughter from the walls of Ticondero^, was now at the head of the arniy which covered Quebec, and was an antagonist in all respects worthy of woift'.- ' . ■^ ;.' ■■;■ -^ V ,■ " ; Althoui;h perceiving in their full extent ithe kifliculties wittf which he was environed, the British general possessed a mindj too ardent,' and too replete with military enthusiasm, to yield to' them. Unpromising as were his prospects, he did not hesitate respecting^e part it became him to take. He, 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 u-ere o{)ened on the town. These did great execution amohg the housesj thany of which were set on fire and reduced to ashes, but made no considerable impression on the fortifications. The works were too«trong, and at too great a distance from Point Levi, to be essentially affected by a cannonade froni thence. Nor could his ships be employed in this sei rice. The eleva- tion of the< principal fortifications placed them l^ej'ond the reach of the fleet ; and the river was so commanded by the batteries on shore, as to render a station in i;; near the town entirely ine- ligible. ^ -. ' • s The English general was sensiMe of the imprf^cticability 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 manoeuvre his mind could suggest, to draw that experienced and PS ' s^tl S56 ilIST6»Y OF NOBTH AMERICA. cautious officer from tlie strong and advantageous post he occu- pied, Wolfe resolved to pass the Montmorency, and to attack him in his intrenchments. Should even this hardy enterprise prove successful, the river St. Charles would still present an ob- stacle to his vicv/8 not easily to be surmounted : but, to use his own heroic language, be 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 tue mouth of the Montrao- rency^ under cover of the cannon of the ships of war ; while two divisions, under Generals Townshend and Murray, prepared to cross that river higher up. The original plan was, to attack, firsty 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, without any effort to preserve it, he might from thence examine with coolness the situation of the enemy j throw his army over the Montmorency j and regulate, by circumstances, his future operations. On the approach of the British troopa the redoubt was eva- cuated; and Wolfe observing somn confusion in the French camp changed his original purpose, and determined to avail himself of the supposed imuressioh 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 j 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 orJ.rs which had been given, the grenadiers and royal Americans rushed forward with impetuous and irregu- lar valor on the uitrenchments 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 bheir re- treat. The General advancing in person with the remaining bri- gades, the fugitives formed again in the rear of the armv: but tjie plan of attack was effectually disconcerted, and the English PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 23?^ commander was compeUed to give orders for repassing the river, and returning to the Island pf Orleans ; whiph was eifected^ not without considerable loss. • v.^^'j '.a k i la- Rendered sensible by this disaster of the impractieabfiity ol approaching Quebec on the side of the Montmorency^, while- Montcalm chose to retain the strong post he at present decupl- ed, the whole attention of Wolfe was once more turned tq the St. Lawrence. ., . .,^„., ••„■,•, ,^ f,v|f jo ->■ ■/ A plan was formed, in concert with the admiral, for the pur- pose of destroying the, French ships, and distracting the enem.y by descents on the bank; ami 1200 men, under the c^wamand of General Murray, were embarked in transports for its execu* tion. The bank .of the river^ where practicable, was not uhde- fended. He ntade two vigorous attempts to land on the northern shore if ithout success. In the third he was more fortunate. . By a sudden descent at Chambaud he burnt a valuable m^azine filled with. eiothing, arms, ammunition, and provisions | but the main object of the expedition, which was the destructioii of the French ships in the river, totally miscarried. They were secu. red in such a manner as not to be approached either by the fleet or army. Murray was, therefore, recalled by the commander-in- chief. He returned disappointed ; but brought with him the in- telligence that Niagara was taken j 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 n<^ immediate assistance; and the season for action was rapidly' wasting away. Nor was it easy (pt Wolfe to avoid contrasting: the success attending British arras, under other auspic«is, 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 hi« enterprise " His dispatches, addressed about this • time to Mr. Pitt, evince his perfect sense of the almost despe- ouairs. EHu scciiievi iutcnued to prepare the %t ' 1 1 4 ■M- nation for the ill sntfcss with which he was threatened. " We ass HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. \i frave, said he, « almost the whole forte (if Canada to oppose m such a choice of difficulties I own myself at a loss how to de- termme. The affairs of Great Britain, I know, require thd itwon vigorous measures J 'but the courage of a handful ' tMog.wbich had been expected from him. . Jtiioving been determined in council that ail their future ef- ff>rt«ahaukl be directed towards the effecting of a landing above tlifrtown, the camp in the Island of Orleans was entirely broken up I andthe whole army having embarked on board the fleet, a pwt of it was landed at Point Levi, and a part carried higher up theiiver. '< ■ - v or, Montcalm could not ^ew this movement without al^rm'.' **fttpa»t of Quebec which faces the countiy had not been forti- fied ^rith so much care as those which look towards the water- and he was apprehensive that a landing might be effected high UjprWie^flr, and *he town approached on its weaker side. At thfl same time he could not safely reHnquish his present position, becawK^he facility of transporting their troops, which the com- inand of *h« water gave the English, would enable them to seiz0 tJifi ground m which he was now encamped, should his army be moved above the town to prevent their landing in their Ibis etate of things a bold plan was formed, well adapted' toihe adventuraus anirit aT fh« F.no-IUI. ».>M«.»i ^^A «!.- .1 rate situation of his affairs. This ^vas to land the troops in the PaOGRESS OF THE BEITISB spTTJiPMENTS. 23^ uight, a fimall distance above the city, on the northern banV of the river, and by scalhig a precipice, accessible bnly by a ninro\r path, and therefore but weakly guarded, to gain by the morriing: the heights behind the town, where it has been stated to liaTe been but slightly fortified. The difficulties attending the execu- tion of this scheme are represented to have been numerous. TJie 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 defeat the enterprise, but probably occasion the destruction of a great part of the troops engaged in it. This bold resolution being taken, the admiral moved up the river, several leagues above the place where it was designed to land, and made demonstrations of an intention to debark a bo- dy of troops at different places. During the night a strong de- tachment was put on board the flat-bottomed boats, which fell silently down with the tide to the place fixed on for the descent, which was made *"ith equal secrecy ajtd vigor about a mileabove^ Cape Diamond, an hour before day-break, Wolfe himself being the first man who leaped on shore. The highlanders and light infantry who composed the van, under the particular command of Colonel Howe, were intended to secure a four-gun battery, which defended an intrenched path, by which the heights were to be ascended ; and, dislodging from thence a captain's guard to cover the landing of the remaining trodps. The violence of the current forced them rather below the point of debarkation, and this circumstance increased their difficulties. However scrambling op the precipice by thfe aid of the rugged projections of the rock^, and the branches of trees and plants growing on the cliffs, into'which it was every where broken, they gained the heights, and very duickly dispersed the guard, which did hot make the resistance to have been expected from the Advantages of their situ tion. The whole army fbllowed, up this narrow pass ; and having only encountered a scattering fire from some Canadians and Indians, from which very little loss was sustain- ed, they gained the summit by the break of day, where the corps were formed under their respective leaders. The intelligence that the English were in possession of the *l ' ¥• '.< 240 aiSTGRy OP NORTH AMEEICA. II heights of Abraham was soon conveyed to Montcalm. Believing it to be impossible that an enterprise attended with so nmch dif- ficulty could have been achieved, that officer supposed it to be only a feint, made with a small detachment, for the purpose of drawing him from his present strong and well-chosen pasition. On being convinced of his error, he comprehended at once the full force of the advantage which had been gained, and the necessity it imposed on him of changing his plan of operations. He perceived that a battle was no longer avoidable, and that the fate of Quebec depended on its issue. He prepared for it with promptness and courage. Leaving his strong camp at Montmo- rency, he crossed the river St. Charles for the purpose of attack- ing the English army. This movement was made in the view of Wolfe, who without loss of time formed his order for battle. His right wing was commanded by General Monckton, and his left by General Mur- ray. The right flank was covered by the Louisburg grenadiers, and the rear and left by the light infantry of Howe, who had now returned from the four-gun battery. The reserve consisted of Webb's regiment drawn up in eight subdivisions, with large intervals between them. Montcalm had formed his ri-;jht and left wing about equally of European and Colonial troops. His centre consisted of a co- Jumn of Europeans; and two small field-pieces were brought up to play on the English line. In this order he marched to the attack, advancing in his front about 1500 militia and Indians, who were sheltered by bushes, from whence they kept on the English an irregular and galling fire. The movement of the French indicating an intention to flank his left. General Wolfe ordered the battalion of Amherst, with the two battalions of royal Americans, to that part of his line-; where they were formed en potence under General Townshend, presenting to the enemy a double front. - Disregarding the irregular fire of the Canadian militia and In- dians, he ordered his troops to reserve themselves for the main body of the enemy, advancing in the rear of those irregulars; but in the mean time a field-piece which had been brought up played briskly and with eflect on the French column. Moutcaim had taken post on the left of the French army, and FROGliESS OP THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS. 941 iWeUt on the right ttf the EnglUhj lo that the two generals n»t each other, at 4he head of their respective troopsji where the battle Was most severe. The French advanced briskly to the charge, and commenced the action; with grei^t animiition. The En^ish are stated to have reserved their Are until the eneojq^ were within forty yards of them, when they gave it with im? mense effect. It was kept up for sonot(^ time -with great spirit; when Wolfe, advancing at the heful <^ firing's a^d the Louis^p- ^urg grenadiers with charged bayonets, received a mortal wound of which he (KM)n afterwards expired. ^Undismayed by. the I099 of their general, the English continued their exertions undef Moncktop, on whom the i;ommand ,no^ devolved. He also re- ceived a ball through his botfy, which .4s ytated tQ have pissed through his lungs, and General Townshencl took comtpaud of the British army. About the same time Montcalm, fightii^g in front of his battalion, received a i^ortal wound, and General Se-t nezergus, the second in command, alsQ fell. The left wing aiid centre of the jFrepch began to give way j and, being pressed close Tvith the English bfiyonet imd Highlatid i^road-sword, were dri-t yen, nqtwithstandipg.oqe attempt t^ri^Hy jin^ r«new the attack, partly into Quebec, and partly over the St. .Charles ^ver. ^^y,\ Qn^he left and re^r of the English the aQtiop was les^ severe, and the (attack made by the enemy niuchless anirpated. The light infantry h^ been placed in hpusesfj and Colonel lipwci . the better tQ support them, had taken post, with two cprnp^esj still further to the left, behind a copse. A^ the right of the enemy attacked the English left, he , sallied fiipm this position against their flanks^ and tlurew them into disprd^.. In this cri^ deal moment, Townshend advanced several platoons of Am- herst's regiment against their front f an^ ,tliu;s was completely frustrated the intention the French ^eral had formed of turn<^ ing the left flank. Townshend ipaintained his position, for the purpose of keeping in check the r^g^t v^ing P^ the enemy, and a body of savages stationed opposite - the Ught infantry, for the purpose of getting into and falling on their rpar. j.»/ t^.^vj^ In this state of the action, Townshend was informed that the command had devolved on him. Pipceeding instantly to the eentre, he found that part of the army thrown into some disor^- der by the ardor of pursuit, and his ciforts were employed in rer storing the linf. Scarcely was this effected; when M«n'^ieur ilt: 11. Hh na toiStORY ClF JfOtt^rt AMklliCA. Bougafhvific, Vvho Had bfceh detached ia h%h afe Cipe llouge t© prevcht a Itmding above, and tfrho had hanten^d id the assinttinte tof Montcalm, ob his first ht^ttHng that the KngHsh had gained the l^alns of Abrthdm, appeared \n the rfear at tht head of 1500 inih. Fortutiatfcly the right «rirtg of the enf hiy, ak mW as mt left and centre, Kras now entirely broken, and had heon drive* off the fidd. T*vo battattofi^ and l\v<» pieeen df arttllery being advanced toW^^ds Bongkintille, fie retired ; and TcMvnshend did hdt think it aftlvlsablfe to risk the important ad\ amages nirftatfy irained, by a pursuit of this ifresh body of troop* through a diffl- itult comitry. f »%i5« i? ti&lj, i Irt this decisive battle, in which the hi/mbers seem to have heen nearly e^ual, Ut hi which the English had the immense advantage Of being itl disciplined iwops, while little more thai half the ettemy Were «f the same deteriptibri, the F^«Snch ivgo- tirs, who do not <^|^iir id havte been Well support^ by the mi- litia or rndihhs. Were aintost entirely cut to pie^««8. ^'On the part df the Ehglish the U$h was by ho m^ns so con- siderable as the ftei^ceness of the action would haVfc ihdUced us to expect. The killed and uounded vwrra l«s thaii 600 men ; but among the fonher was the cOmmandcr-in-chief. This gal- lant officer, of whom the niost exalted expectations had Very justly been formed j whoae uncommon merit and singuter hite ftavie presented a rich ^hcme for pariegyHc to both the pbfet ind historian, received, in the commencement of the actidU, a ball In his wrist: but without discovering tlie least dlscomJjdsUre, Wrapping a handkerchief around hi^ arm, he cdiuinued to en- (Courage his troops. Soon aaerwaitls he received a shot in the jgroin. This painfirt wound he also concealed ; and was advart- cing at the head of the grehadla same fqarl^Miiest qf ^<9<»th, w\}Ui\\ i^ so remarkable » manner distinguiDHcd the ^itjsh hero, were not 1(^98 conspicuous in the eonduct ^ his competitor for victory and for fame* He express^ ed the higher sati^a^tion at hearing that his Wound waa moTf tal; and, whe«i to)d^ he cQuld survive only a few hourt* qiiickly replied, — " So much the better : I shall not then live to see tb« surrender qf Quebec." The firtt dfiy» »ff*t Ihe action ^e^t eipployed. % General TOwnshend in %rfify«g hia canip, euttii^ » ri»ad Mp the preeJrr pice foff the oot^eyafK^e of hii hwvy wtillery to; tbft l^tte^le? on the }ieigbl9« asd making the neces^avy preptaraciiona fpe tjie si^f of Quebec. But before his batteries werQ opened ^e: town «an pitulat0d, on condition that the inhabiitaotft shoukl, during the war, be prote«ted:in tke free exereise of tbeip religion, and th^i full enjoyment oK their eivil rights, leaving their future deatioiea to be decided by the general peace. General 'JTownaliend seems to have been induced to allow bet* ter terms than would otherwise have been granted, from an ap- prehension that the place might still be relieved by Bougainville^ or by a d^aehmcnt irom the army near Montreal. Quebec^ now in ihe possession of the English, was garrisoned by ajboitt SOCK) men, under the command of General Murray ; and the fleet aaaled out of the St. Lawrence. And Canada at the conehmon of the war was ceded to Great Britain, in whose po$i-> seeslon it stijl remains. Cobnel Grimt in 17^1^ defeated the Cherokees in Carolina^ and obliged them to «ue for peace. The next^ year Martinico was taken i^r Admirjai Rodney ami General Monckton f and aliM the Island of Gcenada, St. Vincent's, and others. The eaptura except the Island of Orleans. But this war, hovir<;ver brilliant the suc- cesses and glorious the event, proved the cause of great and un- expected misfortmic?s to Gfeat Britain. Engaged with the com- bined powers of France and Spain daring several years, her ex- ertions were 8urprisii%, alid her expence immense. To dit- Miarge the debts of the nation, the parliament was obliged to have recourse to new expedients for raising money. Previ^ 'ie£»i ^^ It will be proper here to state, that there wefef four kinds of government established in the British American colonies. The first was a charter government^ by whleh 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 prdpnettay government^ in which the proprietor of the province was governor; tdthough he generally resided abroad, and administered the government by a deputy of bis own appointment ; the assembly only being chosen by the people : such were the governments of Penn- sylvania and Maryland, and originally of New Jersey and Ca- rolina. The third kind was that a( royal government, where the governor and council were appointed by the Crown, and the assembly by the people : of this kind were the governments of New Hampshire, New York, Nev Jersey (after the year 1702), Virginia, the Carolinas after the resignation of the pro-* prietors in 1728, and Georgia. The fourth kind was that of Masjsachussetts,^ which differed from all the rest. The governor was appointed by the king j so far it was a royal government j but the members of the council were elected by the representa- tives of thepeople< The governor, however, had a right to negative a certain number, but not to fill up vacanciea thus oc- ea^oned. This variety of constitutions created different degrees of de- pendance on the crown. In the royal"" government, to render a Ii^w valid, it was constitutionally required that it should be rati- fied by the king j but the charter governments were empowered to enact laws, and no ratification by the king was necessary. It was only required that such taws should not be contrary to tha PROGRESS OF rrHE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS, 245 laws of England. The charter of Connecticut was express to this purpose. Such was the state of the British colonies at the conclusion of the war in J76«3. Their flourishmg 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 the ravages and depreda- tions that had been so fiercely carried on by the French, and the native Indians in their alliance. Th£y abounded with intelligent and active individuals of all denominations. They were flushed with the uncommon prosperity that had attended them in their commercial affairs and military transactions. Hence they were ready for all kind of undertakings, aud saw no limits to their h<^8 and expectations. Their improvements in the necessary and useful arts did honor to their industry and ingenuity. Though they did not live in the luxury of Europe, they had all the solid and substantial enjoy- ments of life, and were not unacquainted with many of its ele- gancies and refinements. A circumstance much to their praise is, that, notwithstanding their peculiar addiction to those occu- pations of which Uicre is the sole object, they were duly atten- tive to cultivate the field of learning ; and they have ever sinee their first foundation been particulftrly careftil to provide for the education of the rising generation. Their vast augmentation of internal trade and external commerce, was not merely owing to their position and facility of communication with other parts • it arose also from their natural turn and temper, full of schemes and projects; ever aiming at new discoveries, and continually employed in the search of means of improving their condition. Their industry carf ied them into every quarter from whence pro- fit could be derived. There was scareisly any port of the Ameri- can hemisphere to which they had not extended their navigation. They were continually exploring new sources of trade, And wer« found in every spot where business could be transacted. To this- extensive and incessant application to commerce,, they added an equal vigilance in the administration of their afiairs at home. The progress of agriculture, and the improvement of their do- mestic ciroumatances, were attended to with so much labor and car«, that it may :b^ strictly aaid, that nature had given them ^^Q HISTOILY or IWRTH AMBRICA. nothing pf 9fhich they did not makie the niQst. In the midst of this solicitude and toil in matters of business, the a^raif* pf go^ vernment were conducted wUh a steadiness, prudenee, ainl acti- vity, seldom equalled, and never «accfteded, in th^ best regulated coMUlfie* pf Europe* .«! CONTEST BETWEEN i ' Great Britain and tke United Coloniejf. At the begiumng of tlie war with France, commissioners from many of the colonies had assembled at Albany, who propo^ that « great council should be formed by deputies from the seve- ral cftlooies, which, with a general governor to be appointed by the crown, should be empowered to take meaiur^ for the eoro- mpQ safety, and to raise money for the execution of their da- »i«M. This proposal was not approved by the British ministry ; bwt in li«u of this plan, it was proposed, that the goveriwrs of thpffrfoniee, with one or twp of their council, should assemble and icoficert measures fbr the general defence j erect forts, levy trpppft,, and draw on the treasury of England for the monies that should he wi»nted; the BritisI* treasury u> be reimbursed by s tax pn the colonies, to be laid by the parliament. To thb phm, vJii^'h imipiied an avowal of the right of parliament to tajc the «plo^He5, the provincial assemblies objected with unshaken 6rm* i^es9* Hence it seems that the British parliataent, evcja before the wWk had it in contemplation to exercise the right, of taKjng the eoloniesj. without permitting them to be represented. The €olouie8,^^ however, with an uncommon foresight and firmness, defeated these attempts, and tlie war was carried on by reqtiisi^ triww on thcs^ cotonies^ for supplies of men and money, or by vo- liuitary controbtttiomi. Peace witk I France was no sooner concluded, than the English parlnihaat issttaed the scheme of taxing America j and, in M«ircfa^ 1764, ai hill was passed, by which heavy duties were I^ QD goods importied by the colonists from such Wesi India. Isisisds OS 4ia n«£ beloBg io Qteaa, Btitain; at. the aamft time CONTEST 3ETWXEN GREAT BRITAIN, &CC. «4T that these dutiea were tb be paid into the exchequer so specie : and, in the tame seiiion, another bill waa framed to restrain the currency of paper-money in the colonies themuclves. The passf* ing of these afcts threw the whole colonics into Hie utmost fer- ment. Vehement remonstrances were made to the ministry, and every argument urged that reason or ingenuity could suggest, but to no purpos*. The Americlms, finding both entreaty and remonstrance alike ineffectual, united in an agreement to import no more of the manufactures of Great Brttam, until these acw should be repealed; and to encourage to the utmost of thett powr every thing of that kind among themselves. This fenrtent was still further inci'eased by the bringing in of a bill to impose a stamp duty on law and other proceedings j the reason assigned for this most impoHtic measure was, that a kum might be raised sufficient for the drfence of the colonies against a foreign enemy 5 but thb pretence was so far from giving any Satisfaction to the Americans, that it excited their indignation to thfe utmost d*i gree: They not only asserted that they were abundantly able t6 defend thiemtehres against any forei^ enemy, but denied that England had any rijjht to tax them at all, nnleto they were al. lowed tlie privilege of sending rdpresentativts to thfe British par- liament. ■ It would be ^porfloous to enter into any of the ai^uments 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 w^re muffled and rung a funeral peal. The act ^as hawked about the streets with a death's head affiited to it, and styled the "Folly of England, and the ruin of Amerteai" hnd afterwards publicly burnt by the enraged populace. The staihps themsdx'es w^e seized and desu-ojtd} those who Were to ree«i^ the st&imp 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 fViund absolntfely neresisary either td yield to the colonists, by repealing the obnoxious statutes, or to enforce them by arms. The ferment had diffused itself universalis every where entered into 5 and it Mas evrti resolved to preytni I i 1 .1 ^^•8 HISTORY OP NORTK AMERICA. the sale of any more British goods after the present year. Ame*' rican manufactures, though dearer, as well as inferior in quality to the British, were universally preferred. An association was «ntered Into against eating of lamb, in order to promote the growth of wool i and the Udies with cheerfulness agreed to re- nounce the use of every species of ornament manufactured in Britain. Such a general and alarming confederacy determined the ininistry 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 ministry 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 whatever. 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 inforce any claims equally prejudicial with the stamp act. which might hereafter be set up; a spirit of jealousy pervaded ths 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 manifested the spirit of freedom. The Rockingham mi- nistry had passed an act, for providing the troops stationed in different parts of the colonies with such accommodations as were necessary for theni. The assembly of New York, however, took upon them to alter the mode 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 edmpVPrv fhinor nni^a mnra inf* ,.^.-,f.,^:^^ One of the new minietry, Mr. Charles Townshend, 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 America. The undutiful behaviour of the New York assembly, and that 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 re- 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 Boston at last submitted with reluctance. The bill for the new taxes was quickly passed, and sent -to America iii 1768. A ferment much greater than thct occasioned by the aiwrnp act now took place, which was further augmented by the news that a minibcr of troops had been ordered to repair to Boston, to keep the inhabitants in awe. A dreadful alarm pei-vadcd the whole town j and the people called on the governor to convene a general assembly^ in order to remove their fears of the military ; who they said were to be assembled to overthrow their liberties, and force obedience to laws 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, th(» 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 \vith 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, aequahiting 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 tl»e censure and contempt of the rest of the colonies. The convention assured the governor of tlieir pacific intentions, and renewed their re- quest that an assembly might bo called ; but being refused an •nrlianoo nnrl throat^O'^^d vvi^l1 h''l"<^ tronfC'd QS rcbcls. tllCV at **""""^"'"*"^7 .. .... ^ - ^ - J- last thought proper to dissolve of Ihemselvci, and scut over tri 11. 1 i U S50 HlB-TOliy OF NOHTH AMBEICA, England « circuthstiintial account of their proceedings, with the reason of their haviiig assembled in the manner aheady men- tioned. Tiie expected troops arrived at Boston on the very day on wliich tlie. conve;itiQn^ liroke up, a«d. had some houses in the town prepared for their reception. Their arrival had a cmisider- able influence on the people,. «fld for some time seemed to put «u end to the disturbances j byt the seeds of discord had taken ««ch deep root^ th&t it,iv(is impossible to destroy them. The Me spirited beheVioufc. in Boston had given tiie greatest offence •in England J and,;n^twith!*tandi%* all the efforts of opposition, an address from both houses of parliament was presented to the knig; in which the daring behaviour of the colony of Massa- chu3S€tts-B4y was circumstantially set forth, and the most vigo- rous measures rceommetKled for reducing them to obedience. The Americans, h6wever, continued steadfast in the ideas thev had adopted. Though the troops had for some time quieted the disturbances, yet jthc calm continued m longer than they appear- ed respectable on account of their number; but, as soon as this %vas dimunshed by the departure of a large detachmcut, the re- manider were treated with contempt^ and it was even resolved to expd them altogether. Tbe coUntfy people took up arms for this purpose, and were t6 have assi^sted thfcir friends in Boston; but, before tlie plot could be put in extecution, an tevent Imppen- ed which put an end to 6very idea of reeoiiciiiation betwixt the contending parties. On the 5th of March, 1770, a scufHg 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 dared to fire. In this situation, one of the sol' dicrs, who had received a blow, in resentment fired at the sup- posed aggressor. This was followed by a si»g!o discharge from six others; bo that three of the inhabitants were killed, and five dangerously wounded. TJie town was immediately in commo- tion 5 and such was the temper, force, and iiumbor, of the in- habitants, that nothing but an engagement to reiiiove tlie troops out of tiie town, together with tlie advice of moderate men, pre- vented the townsmen from falling on the soldiers. The killed wereburk'din one vault, and in a most respectful maimer, in C0NTEjg^8E1>WBJK«r.ait^4'1E 9*ITAIN, &C. 2^1 order ta'expee98;JtM/s iodigiiatiw of |he tnhiatMtants at the slaugli>- ter of tliet r iffiethr«^ l^y 9Pl^ief9 qpar^ed ^vf^qng them, in vio* icition of their civil Uberties^ Capt^ki Preston, who eommanded the paJl:y whifth.^red 09 the inhabitants, w^s coinniitted to jail, and afterwards tried; l^ut the ei^tstio, ai^d sipc of the men^ weire acquitted, and tvfo oAly brought in guilty of oiaHslaught^r^ for it appeared ptHhetria)^ that the soldiefs vye^e insulted, tbreat- encd, and pell^^d, before tliey fired; and it was also prpved^ that only seven gtjns wc^re filled by fhe eight prisoners; the^ circuoi-' stances, therefore, induced the jury to piake a favorable verdict. The result of Uie tri^) reflected g^e^t honor on John Adams, apd Josiah Quincey, £^qrs., the council for the prisoners ; and also on the iptegfity (?f; thie jury, who ventured to give an upright verdict, it> defiance of popular opinions, The cons^equences ey were laid before the gover- nor, wl^o was thus reduced to a very mortifying situation. LpiSr> ing every idea of respect or friendship for hira as their governor, they instantly dispatched a petition to the king, requesting him to remove the governor and deputy- governor from their places ; hut to this thev not onlv rcceivjd no favorable answer b"t ^h". petition itself was declared groundless and scandalous. S5S His-roRY OT 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 ill smaller quantities than 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 compliarce, and Jo make up their losses in other respects, they were empow- ered to export their tea free from any duty payabfe \r Britain j and in consequence of this permission, ijeveral ships freighted with the commodity were sent to North America, and proper agents apppointed for disposing of it. The Americans now per- ceiving that the tax was thus likely to be enforced whether they would or not, determined to take every possible method to pre- vent the tea from being landed, ip 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, feeing 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 wouM not take them enemies to their country. Nor was this behaviour confined to the colony of Massachussetts Bay j the rest of the provinces entered into the contest with the same warmth, and matiifested the same resolution to oppose the mother- couiitry. In the midst of this confusion three ships laden with tea arri- ved nt Boston ; but so much were tlic captains alarmed at the dispofiition which seemed to prevail among the people, that they offered, providing they could obtain the proper discharges 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 to be landed, refused to grant the discharges required. The ships, therefore, 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 ^!)e abuve-meuiiunL'd discharges had been refused, a number o CONTEST BETWEEN GEE AT BRITAIN, &C. 253 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 further 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 ttie tea at Boston, which happened in No- vember 1773, was the immediate prelude to the disasters attend- ing civil discord. Government finding themselves every where 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 acquainied by a message from his majesty with the undutiful behaviour of the city of Bos- ton, as well as of all the colonies, 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 towu 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 yield, 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 such was the infatu- ation 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 of justice on such persons as might be •"/•t. t. m 354 HISTOEr.OF NOETH AMEWCA. -kv^; employed in tKc iuppresiion of not. and tu'mnlb {„ .fc. «.. - of Masiacbussetta Bay. By thi. mi hT •! T"*^ should ™y pe«o„, ac/ng inTh.ttp^V'J'LiZf' "" aer, and not able to dbtain a totA.1 i,. ,i ■ ""'■ ™i«b.Be»„..y.Hegove™:.totgrd;V rXt^ rh»e three bills having passed so easily, the wini.,„, sed a fourth, relative to the^ven-rtent S'c^U^'S^^; s».d, had not yet been settled on any proper plan Bv thii km! the extent of that province was greatly enWed^'!...L' put under the diriction of a ebuSv i„l S^^"' "'^'".T' wereta be adniitted, the Ron,.„ Cathir^etT^^ 11*2 own profcssiota. The conned above mentioned were to be an pomted by the crown, to be removable at its nleasure »„rf , ? mv^ted with every fegWativ. power excepUn^f Ta^ati« _ No «»«er wele these lawa made i^wn^in AUUr ?» ttey eejnent«^ the union ItKe eoloni., almost beyond Z'JZ b,hty of dissolving jt. The assembly of Mass«h«ssetts B«Zd passed a vote against the judges acoepting salaries from .^ «own,^dputthe,„eiti<«,. Whether Oi^Zli J^Tt^ as usual &o„i the general assembly? Four answered in the a^" mative, but P«er Oliver the chief iustloe refused. A pttS ngainsthim, and an accusation, «^e brought before the w^T «or i but the latter refi«ed the accusation, and decli««i fHn. terfBre m the matter: but as they still i„ri,t,d fo, „h„,°,^" calUd ju,hee against Mr. Oliver, the governor thought proper to put an end to the matter by dissolving the assembly In this situation rf affair, a new alarm was oceasioned by the ™ws of .tfc. port bdl. This had been totally unexpe.,ed,^^ wasrecved with the most extravagant exprLsion, of dii^plea- sore among the populace; and while these continued, the new ^^""^ S"°!2' ^'^' ""™'' f'"" England. He . Sad been ohosen to this office on account of hU being well ^xiuaint^ i^ Wica. and generally agreeable to the^peoplerbut h™^ w»dom«uIdMtBowpoi„,o„,a method by which the T™ could be allayed. The first .« of hi, office™ governor wt". re««e the assembly to Salem, a town 1 7 mile, distant! i^^.^!. " s^mce ol the tote aot. Wi«n this wa. intimated to .be a,- sfiinblK, they reolieiL hv r«»niie*i; .«. ui^ * • . , . , * ' ' -J --- ,«c^. ^ xi«« lu appoini a aay ■ ; pub- CONTEST BETWEEN GBEAT BBITAIN, &C. 255 lie 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- gates from all the provinces, in order to take the affairs of the colonies at large into consideration ; and five gentlemen, remar^- a'.iie for theil- opposition to the British measures, were chosen to represent that of Massachussetts 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 Britaiii 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 Ofi the very day that it was completed ; on which he dissolved tiie assembly. This was followed by an address from the inhabitantis of Salem in favor of those of Boston, and concluding with these remarkable words : By shutting up the port of Boston, 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 dciid 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 of our suffer- ing neighbours. It had been fondly hoped by the ministerial paity 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 1774, 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- "*l| 'ill »5'? I 1 ' |. ' • *fl ,i'(l ■, 256 IIISTOIIY OP NOETH AMERICA. II ill commended against such oppression. In Virginia, the first of June, the day on which the port of Boston was to be shut up vas hekl as a day of humiliation, and a public intercession in favor 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, firmly to < appose every invasion of the Americaii rights. 1 he 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 folly 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. The provinces of New York and Pennsylvania, however, were less sanguine than the rest, being so closely connected in the 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 ww again proposed; con- tributions for the inhabitants of Boston were raised in every quarter: and they every day received addresses commending them for the 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 expiration of the month of August ensuing, until the obnoxious acts were repealed j 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 pfoclamation, wherein it was declared an illegal and traitorous CONT?:ST BETWEEN 6EEAT BRITAIN, &C 857 combination, threatening with the pains of law such as subsciri- be4 or countemu)ced it. But matters were too far gone for his prcKslatnations to have any effect. The Americans retorted the chkirge of illegality on his own proclamation, and insisted that the law allowed subjects to meet in order to consider of t|M»ir grievanees, 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, were chosen by the re- presentatives of each province ; and were in 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. I'he 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 Tcaolution was unanimously entered into, declaring, that congness would maintain, assist, and adhere to him as the General and Commander-in-Chief of the forces raised, or to be raised, for the maintenance and preservation of American liberty, with their lives and fortunes. He prepared, without delay, to enter upon the arduous du- ties of his station ; and having passed a few days in New York, where General Schuyler commandeii, and where several very im- portant arrangements were to be made, he proceeded with the utmost dispatch to Cambridge, which was the head quarters of the American army. A considerable height, known by the name of Bunker's Hill, just at the entrance of the peninsula of Charlestown, was so si- tuated as to make the possession of it a matter of great conse- quence to either of the contending parties. Orders were there- fore, June 16, issued by the provincial commanders, that a de- tachment of 1000 men should entrench upon this height. By some mistake, Brcjed's Hill, high and large like the other, but situated nearer Boston, was marked out for the entrenchments, instead of Bunker's Hill. The provincials proceeded to Breed's Hill, and worked with so much diligence, that between midr night and the dawn of the morning, they had thrown up a small redoubt about eight rods square. They kept such a profound si- lence, that they were not heard by the British on-board- their vessels, though very near. These, having derived their first in- formation of what was going on from the sight of the work near completion, began an incessant firing upon them. The provin- cialG bore this with firmness, and, though they were only young soldiers, continued to labor till they had thrown up a small breastwork, extending from the east side of the bre&stwork to the bottom of the hill. As this eminence overlooked Boston, General Gage thought it necessary to drive the provincials from it. About noon, therefore, he detachi>d Major-general Howe, and Brigadier-general Pigot, with the flower of the army, con- sisting of four battalions, ten companies of the grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a proportion of field artillery, to effect this business. These troops landed at Moreton's Point, and, June 17t formed after landing, but remained in that posi- tion till they were reinforced by a second detachment of light infantrv and grenadier companies, a battalion of land forces, and a battali( While th fbrcemen some adj( parallel li space bet mained o Theki to give I While th< orders to were fired litary pol proaches. about 50( The lofty above the holders w heights of of the kii a«ljacetit « i)ccupied I *Tiiousa spectators beat high sensibility The Briti better opp sei-ved the rods, but stream of execution, pitrttion. with iheii reluctance adversariei flight. G and were frront a«>An Ainoricane CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 263 a battalion of marines, making in the whole near 3000 men. While the troops who first landed were waiting for this rein- forcement, the provincials, for their farther security, pulled up some adjoining post and rail fences, and set them down in two parallel lines at a small distance from each other, and filledi the space between with hay, which having been lately mowed, re- mained on the adjacent ground. The king's troops formed in two lines, and advanced slowly, to give their artillery time to demolish the American works! While the British were advancing to the attack, they received' orders to burn Charlestown. This was not done because they were fired upon from the houses in that town, but from the mi- litary policy of depriving the enemies of a cover in their ap- proaches. In a short time this ancient town, consisting of about 500 buildings, chiefly of wood, was in one great blaze. The lofty steeple of the meeting-house formed a pyramid of fire above the rest, and struck tlie astonished eyes of numerous be- holders with a magnificent but awful spectacle. In Boston, the heights of every kind were covered with the citizens, and such of the king's troops as were not on duty. The hills around the adjacent country, which afforded a safe' and distinct view, were 4)ccupied by the inhabitants of the country. ^Thousands, both within and without Boston, were anxious spectators of the bloody scene. The honor of British troop* beat high In the breasts of many, while others, with a keener sensibility, felt for the liberties of a great and growing country. The British moved on but slowly, which gave the provincials a better opportunity for taking aim. The latter, in general, re- served themselvtvs till their advorsaries were within ten or twelve rods, but then began a furious discharge of small arms. The stream of the American fire was so incessant, and did so great execution, that the king's troops retreated in disorder and preci- pitation. Their officers rallied tiieni, and pushed them forward with their swords; but they returned lo the attack with great reluctance. The Americans again reserved their fire till their adversaries were near, and then put them a second time to flight. General Hovi^e and the officers redoubled their exertions and were at last successful, though the soldiers discovered a J, — ^.-T, 1 7,^-11 ivr 5UX115 WIS. uy litis iiiTic ine powaer 01 the Amoricane began to fail. The British also brought 30me can- •V. ftr?*J 264 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ^! I non to bear, which rtked the inside erf" the breastwork from end to fend : ihe fire from the ships, batteries, and field artillery, was redoubled. The redoubt was attacked on three sides at once. Under these circumstances a retreat from it was ordered, but the provincials delayed, and made resistance with their dischar- ged muskets as if they had been clubs, so long that the king's troops, who easily mounted the works, had half filled the re- doubt before it was given up to them. Wliile these operations were going on at the breastwork and tedoubt, the British light infantry were attempting to force the left point of the former, that they might take the American line in flank. Though they exhibited the most undaunted courage, they met with an opposition which called for its greatest 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 lesolution. The persevering exertions of the king's troops could ttot compel the Americans 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 Charlestcwn Neck, every part of which was raked by the shot of the Glawjo ' man of war, and two floating batteries. The incetisant fire kept up across this neck prevented any considera- ble reinforcement from joining their countrymen 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 jiassing over to succour .'..eir companions, ;vere 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 Caujbridije, 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 guarding 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 lass of men produced the same effect on the British. There have been "-w battles in Siuuern wars, in which, ull circumstances considered, there wa^ CONTEST BETWEEN GEE AT BRITAIN, &C. 26$ A 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 officers as this affkir of a slight entrench- ment, the work only of a few hours. That the officers suffered 80 much, must be 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- ments of sportsmen. The dexterity which by long habit they had acquired in hitting beasts, birds, and marks, was 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 expoi^ed 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 tlie Americans was such as wiped away the reproacheVof cowardice, whith' had been cast on them by their enemies in Britain. The spirited conduct of the British officers merited and obtained great applause j but the provincials were justly entitled t^ a large portion of the same, 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 Americans lost five pieces of cannon. Their killed amounted to 139, The wounded and missing to 314. Thirty of the formor fell into the hands of the conquerors. They i)arti. cularly regretted the death of General Warren. This action at Breed's Hill, or Bunker's Hill, as it has been commonly called, produced many and very important conse- quences. The same determined spirij; of resistance no\y every where appeared on the part of tl e Americans. The commen«e- nent of hostilities at Lexington determined the colony of New York, which had hitherto continued 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 wtmen 1«. Ll UJi Ijl u- 1266 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. tnd children, and to set fire to the city if it was still found in- capable of defence. The exportation of provisions was every where prohibited, particularly to the British fishery on the bankV of Newfoundland, or to such colonies of America as should ad- here to the British interest. Congress resolved on the establish- ment of an army, and of a large paper currency in order to sup- port it. In the inland northern colonies, Colonels Easton and Ethan Allen, without receiving any orders from congress, or communicating their design to any body, with a party of only 250 men, surprised the foits of Crown Point, Ticondoroga, and the rest that form a communication betwixt the colonies and Canada On this occasion 200 pieces of cannon fell into their hands, besides mortars and a large quantity of military stores, together with two armed vessels, and materials for the construc- tion of others. After the battle of Bunker's Hill, the provincials erected for- tifications on the heights which commanded Charlcstovvn, and strengthened the rest in such a manner that there was no hope of driving them from thence j at the same time that their acti- vity and boldness astonished their adversaries, who had been ac- customed to entertain too mean an opinion of their courage. The British troops, thus shut up in Boston, were soon redu- ced to distress. Their necessities obliged them to attempt the carrying off the American cattle on the islands before Boston, which produced frequent skirmishes ; but the provincials, better acquainted with the navigation of these shores, landed on the islands, destroyed or carried off whatever was of any use, burn- ed the lighthouse at the entrance of the bar? jur, and took pri- soners the workmen sent to repair it, as well as a party of ma- rines who guarded them. Tims the garrison was redmed to the rocessity of sending out armed vessels to make prizes indiscrimi- nately of all that came in their way, and of landing in different places to plunder for subsistence as well as they could. The congress in the mean time continued to act with all the vigor whidi its constituents had expected, ^vrticles of confede- ration and perpetual union were drawn up and solemnly agreed upon ; and they proceeded formally to justify their conduct, in a declaration drawn up in terms remarkably expressive, and well oUrulatcd to excite attention. ^ Were it possible," said they^ "for men who exercise tlwir CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 267 reason, to believe that the Divine Author of our existeTtce iu" tended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and unbounded power over, others, marked out by his infi- nite goodness and wisdom as the objects of a legal domination, never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive; the inhabitants of these colonies might at least require from the par- liament of Great Britain some evidence that this dreadful au- thority over them had been granted to that body : but a reve- rence for our Great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administe'"d for the attain- ment of that end. **The legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by ati inordinate passion for power, not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of ihat 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 reatton 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 the manner in which their ancestors left Britain, the happiness attending the mutual friendly commerce betwixt that country and her colonics, r,nd the remarkable suc- cess of the late war, th«y proceed as follows : " The new minis- try, finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeat- ed, yet afiU eetttending, took up the unfortunate idea of grant- ing them * hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful friendn. " These dtwwi cai w iT et we^e judged to ^ in such a state as to present vkHanes without ' raefi»hed, and ill she easy emolu- ments of aittnrAte plunder. Tae uuinternasted tenor mf their peaetabk md respectful behavMwir fron. the beginning of their crAimi/Miim ; ftinr dutitui, z@^ous, and usefuU services during i^lie wm, tiMHgli to recently aod amply acknunlsdi^eil in the an 11 268 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. most honorable manner by his majesty, by the late king, and by parliament, could not save them from the intended innovations. Parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious project j 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 effects of acquiescence 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 ; 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 colonies j 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 j for exempting the murderers of colonists from legal trial, and in effect from punishment • for erecting in a neighbouring province, 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 tr^msported 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. What is to defend us ajjainst so enormous, so unlimited, a j ower ? 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 all of them exempt from the operation cf such laws j and the American revenue if not diverted from the osteijsible purposes for which it is raised would actually lighten their own burdens in proportion as it in- creases ours. «« We saw the misery to ytWxch such despotism would reduce us. We for ten years incessantly and ineffectually besieged the throne as supplicants ; we reasoned, we remonstrated with par- liament in tlic most nuld and decent language j but admistin- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 269 tion, sensible that we should regard these measures as freemen ought to do, sent over flee^ aiid armies to "nforce them. "We have pursued every temperate, every respectful, mea- siire J we have even proceieded 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 j but subsequent events have sho\vn how vain was this hope of finding moderation in our enemies! « The lords and commons, in their address in the month of Fe- bruary, said, that a rebellion at that time actually existed in the province of Massachussetts Bay; and that those concerned in it had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combina- tions and engagements entered into by his majesty's subjects in several of tlie 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 after the commercial intercourse of whole colonies with fo- reign countries was cut off by an act of parliament j 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 j and large reinforcements of ships and troops were immediately sent over to General Gage. ! ' ' ' " 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. E.,ually fruitless was the interference of the city of London, of Bristol, and of many other respectable towns, in our favor," After some further c*servatiam 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. Hcnor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallnnt ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. Our nnnat* {a inet- * nm. „n;^^ :„ r..^ . our internal resources are great -, and, if necessary, foreign as- iWh r'f . ;. ;i f: . . "I It IP »' 870 '^c •'I HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. «i»taiice is undoubtedly attainable. We fight not for glory or conquest; we exhibit to mankind the remarkable spectacle of people attacked by unprovoked enemies. They boast of their privileges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder conditions than servitude or death. In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is our birthright, for the protection of our pro- perty acquired by the honest industry of our forefathers and out own, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms; we shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of our aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be femoved, — and not before." 1 nese are some of the most stnkmg passives in the declara- tion of congress on taking up arms against Great Britain, dated July 6, 1775. 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 ncgocia- 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 laws, that they would very readily join in any attempt against the colonists who had reprobated that hill in such strong terms : but in this they found themselves mis- taken. A scheme had been formed for General Carleton, go- vernor of the 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 ^.tores, to Que- bec for the purpose, hit the people, though they did not join the Americans, yetj 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 othti' 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 the Eng- lish on the other side of the ocean had taken up arms to enslave nlnnt-gtinn '?'.'l CONTEST BETWEEN GBEAT BRITAIN, &e. 371 not only their countrymen in America, but the Indiana also; and, if the latter should enable them to overcome the colonists^ ihey themselves would soon be reduced to a state of slavery also. Iiy arguments of this kind most of the savages were engi^edto remain neuter ; and thus the colonists were freed from a dange- rous enemy. On this occasion the congress thought proper to hold a solemn conference with the different tribes of Indians. The speech made by them on the occasion is curiouM, but too long to be inserted. The following is a specimen of the Euro- pean mode of addressing these people : " Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors I "We, the delegates from the Twelve United Provinces, now sitting in general congress at Philadelphia, send their talk ta you our brothers. ' " Brothers and Friends, now attend I iTj " When our fathers crossed the great water, and came over to tills 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 still keep hold of the same cove- nant-chain, and enjoy peace j and it was covenanted, that the tields, houses, goods, and possessions, which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as their own, and be their chil- dren's for ever, and ?.t their sole disposal. ** Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear ! " We will now teii you of the quarrel betwixt the counsellors of king George, and the mhabitants 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. They have prevailed upon him" to enter into a covenant against us ; and have torn asunder, and cast behind their back, the good old cov<:nant 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 Til- tvxlu- out asking our leave. They tell us, that our vessels may go to ihat or this isl&nd in the sea^ but to this or that particultu: island :'l. im I fii. 27J HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. i;a we 8ha I not trade any more ; and, in case of our non-eompli- ance w.th these new orders, they shut up our harbours. ' ■ , "?**"' "' "'^ ™ ">« «"ne ground with you ; the same »l»d „ o^ common birth-pWe. We desire to^sit down unde the «me tr«. of peace with yon: let u, water its roots, and chmsh the^growth, till the large leaves and flourishing branches il!l® J Sf " ' '"""'^ "" *■»" *"' *«'"«n "'. the Twelve United C6Ionie. and you, the Six Nations, to wound our pZ^ et «, .mmedmtely seek measure, for healing the breach. Fron; the present ..tuation of our alfcrrs,«,e judge it expedient to kr dk up a small fire at Alb«,y, wh^re we bay he^ each «her"s voice, and disclose our minds folly to one another » The success which had hitherto attended the Americans in all their measures, now emboldened then, to think not only of de- fending themselves, but likewise of acting oflensivelV against Great Bntam. The conquest of Canada appeared an objec mthm their reach, and one that would be attended with S rfrant^Si and, as «„ invasion of that province was aS facihtated by the taking bf Cr^wn Point and Ticonderaj^ U w« rested if possible to penetrate thkt way into Canadrand rrfuce Quebec during the winter, before the fleets and'" which tl«y were well assured would sair thither from S„ should arrive. Byorder of congress, therefore, 3000 men were put under the command of Generals Montgomery and Schuyler, with orders to proceed to Lake Champlain, from whence L^ were to be conveyed in flat-bottomed boats to the moutK of the Z7J''"': " ^rf "' "-^ «"''" "'" «'• I-awrenc^ and on the other hand, they were opposed by General Carletoi,, ^over- w^ who ^k' "" ""r °f e-"' -"vity and experience 1 war. who, with a very few troops, had hitherto beeii ible to keep in awe the d saflected people of Canada, „otwiths,7ndi» h armvT"""'™!,"' I'l" ™'''"''"- "' ''»'' ""^ ""g™™ "^ «enTh-. ^ 7"<'"»'"' """•"« *f Indians, and promised even m his present situation to make a formidable resistance. As soonM General Montgonieiy arrived at Crown Point, hi received information that several armi,H v«s..i. ..._ ....; j .. ht. John 5, a strong fort on the Sorel, with a view to prevent his crossing the lakej on which he took possession of an island CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BKITAIN, &C. 273 that commands the mouth of the Sorel, and by which he could prevent them from entering the lake. In conjunction with Ge- neral Schuyler, he next proceeded to St. John's: but, finding that place too strong, he landed on a part of the country consi- derably distant, and fidl 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, Montgon "ry was left to command alone. His first step was to gain ovei 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 g eat 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 of 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 j and 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 «o effectually, that the whole were taken. The town itself was 12. - Mm .0 "V^^l% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. y. 1.0 I.I 125 1^ |50 1™^^ I/- IIIIIM lUUl. liJil 'U 11.6 # '-'^ /a ^>. c"^ . *^J c Hiotographic Sriences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSrER.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 «7# mSTQUY OF NPRTH AMERieA.. J «Wigedto8ui^enddratdi?feretionj and it was wWi th« utmost 4iifliiciili^ that Gf nerM G^rleton esc|^pe4 in aa open boat bv tha feror xif a dferfi «ii*«. ..,>«.,, »- / «« . I*r.o^tachs, n«!w t^wiaj^e^ 4^ prevent the Americana fyon ma^ Ipngtbeir wJJy t^^he eapU^I> exqept whft aFose from the nature •f th* cmmvy^m^ th^se wwe very considerabia. Nothing, Jlowever, could damp the ardor of the . provincials?. Notwjth^ itanamgitwii?«a«irtl»e>mi4ai^,of.Noijember, and tl^ depth of wihte* «rai at buod, Giojooel ^Arnold foiled a, design of penetra. toil through woodsy mqpasWJ, ^nd the most j&ightful splitudes, from New En^i^id t© €an«i% ,by a near^ei^ wny than that wWcb Montgome^ hadxhoswrantl th» j»e' aeeoii»|^li?hed in suite of ejrery difficulty, «o the astonishment of alt who saw or beard of the; attempt; This desjlerate march, however, cannot be looked tt^n as poiidueive to any good purpose. A third part of hi« men under another colonel bad abandoned him by the way, under pretenteof want of provisions; the total w^^t of artillery ren- dered hiapreaence insigniicant before apiace strongly fortified s Slid the wnalhiess. of his army rendered it even douhtftil whetlier liiE^ cottW have ta^en the town by sutprfee. The, Canadians in- deed wpre a»az^d at the exploit, and their inclination to revoh frtowBritdm was som^hat augmented; fapit n^>ne ¥ them a? y^ took up armiJn behalf of America. The «oni^cifnatron intQ which the town of Qyebec waa ^lirown^ proved detrimental ra- ther than otherwise to the expedition j as it doubled the vigi- iMce and activity of the inhabitants to prevent any surprise? and the appearance 6f common danger united all parties, who, be- torelhfi arrival of Arnold, were cojitending mo^ violently with o he wothcr. He.was therefore obliged t^ (jontent himself with ^lodcing,^ the avehuea to tlie town, in order to distress th? garrison for want of provisions; and even this he was unable to do effectoally, by reason of the smaJl i^umber of his men. The mmefym not much mended by the arrival of General Montgo- mery. Th? ^rce he had with hini, even when united to that oif Arnold, was too inaignificant ta attempt the reduction of a place so siningiy fottified, especially With the assistance only of i few »orl«r^and fieJd*pi«ces. After the siege had continued throngb the Bsnrtih of December, Gveu remove to « greater dietaiicothad three mileeimihiQuebec:; and here he $till found means to atnoy the rgarnedti wry considerably by intereepUng their provisidhs. The Cattadraus^ uotwithstiuiding the bud sue* 4aBts of the i^mericau arms, sdll eohtinued fifiwidlyj and tbue he i^as enabled to vustaht the hardships 6f a iwintei enoatt)|>aMeDt Ija thftt moit aevojo cimmte. ^fhe eongrete, far from; passing I.'L |^^f| 276 HISTOEY or VOmmAMEUCA. any censure on him for bis miafortune, created him a brigadier- general. ^,^^^^.. ^ ..While bpitiJilwB were thus carried on with vigor in the north, the flftme of . contention was gradually extending itself in the sotfth. J^ord Pttnmpre, the goverUor of Viigmia, was in- volv^lin di^putesv^simiUr to those which had taken place in oth^ coloa^s. These had proceeded so /ar, that the assemWy was dissolved; which in this province was attended with a con- sequence unfcnwvn to the rest. As Viiginia contained a great nuqftber of slaves, it was necessary that a militia should be conw stantiy embodied to keep them in awe. During the dissolution of the assembly the militia laws expired; and ihe people, after complaining of the danger they were in. from the negroes, formed «: convention, which enacted that each county sliould r"ide a quota for the, defence of the province. Dunmbre, on this, re- moved the powder from Williamsburg; whiclv created such dis- contents, that an immediate <|uarrei would probably have en- suecj, had not the merchants of the town undertaken to obtain satisfaction for. the injury supposed to be done to the <»>mrounity. This tranqi»illi^yj however, was soon interrupted j the people, alarmed by areport that an armed party were on their way from the man of war where the powder had boea. deposited, iusem- bled in arms, and determined to oppose by force any isuther re- movals. In some of the conferences which passed at this time, the governor let fall some unguarded expressionsy micb as threat- ening them with setting up the royal standard, proclaiming li- berty to the negroes, destroying the town of TOHamsbuig, &c., which were afterwards made public, and much ^o increase the public fBrment4>t^ > sai ;. In this state of conAision the governor thought it necessary to fiiftify his palace with artillery, and procure a farty of marines to guard it. Lord North's conciliatory proposal arriving also about the same time, he used his utmost endeavours to induce the people to comply with it; and with this view had called an a^embly for the purpose, of laying this conciliatory proposal be- forcirthcnii hut it had been little attended to. The assembly began their session by enquiries into the stete of the magazine. It had been broken into by some of the townsmen; for which reason spring-guus had been placed there by the governor, which discharged themselves j^ipou the offenderj st their entrance: CONTEST BETWEEN GBEAT BRITAIN, &C. 877 theac circumsUnces, with others of a siioilar kind, rtised such a violent uproar, that as soon as the preliminary business of. the SMsion was over, the governor retired on-board a roan of war informing the assembly that he duist no longer trust himself on shore. This produced, a long course of disputation, which ended urn- '*™!'"'* '^^"^ ^^ '^^ governor to trust himself again in VVUliamsburg, wen to give bis assent to the bills, which could not be piissed without it, thongh.the assembly offered to bind themsehres for his personal safety. In his turn be requested them to meet him outboard the man of war where he then^a*'- but this proposal r/as rejected, and all forther 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^ mus at Jwme, now repaired to him. He was also joined by numbers of negro slaves. With these auxiliaries, and the assist*- anceof the British shipping, he was for some time enabled to cany on a kind of predatory war, sufficient *> 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 Mms consequence, >. here the people were better affect- ed to Britain than in most other places. A considerahle force however, was collected against him; and, the natural impetuos- ity of his temper prompting him ?oact 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 provinciab. In the mean time a scheme of the utmost magnitude and li^- portance was formed by one Mr. Conolly, a Pennsylvanian, of an mtrepidandaspiring 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 commuuicatiid 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, from whom he re- ceived a colonel's commission, and set out in order toacccom- phsli^the remainder of his scheme. The plan in general was, ^^-at he shsiild fciurri to the Ohio, where, by the assistance of 1 ' !. i' m HISTORY '<>r KidE^H* AMEftl^A. the B^sh and IndtaiM in these pttits, he ivas to peh^rat^ fiMrough the'%ack settletiients ihtb ^^inia/ and jbin Lofd Ddn-i moire at Ajexahdria': W^ hy twr ^ccM^ very lifc^y to ocdWjTie jlN» dilicover^, taketi prisohcir^ khd thi'ovKn itito a dungeon. I; After th6 Tcti^at iX Lord Utitiiiibite from Neifdk, that pkcfe it^'tMren' poi^ettioh of by thd pttvyihciai^i^ who treated the !oy- jkii^tf that hiad retrained th6re with great eradHjr; ttt the same tittle tihartH^y gr4iatly £stresised' thbse on-bdat^ Lord Ihmntore^ hett, 'by refttsing to Si^i^y thetri ^tK Atiy itfec«»^ari^. ^tiat mik iH^tAli the vimity bf the aWpping was auch^ as tb sifford the nfleineti All; opportunity of re^i^niig the people on-^bioard. Thi^e prdeeedihgs at hot drew a tethoris^hincei'iVoni his lordship jitv Wliidh tie insisted, thait the (leetlihbuld b^^rnished With n^ees- .^lities^ i^Aid that the soldiers nhouhi desist firdin -firing ^ the ped- f})e iMi*vboard ; but both iibeiie demands were tejected : a resohi- &it was laktm to Set^re to the town;. * After giving the iAhabi- t storing tjje past connexion, with saying, *« We therefore think it almost impracticable for these colonies to be ever again subject to, or dependant upon. Great Bi^tain, yvitbout endangering t^e very existence of the state, t^l^cing, Ubwever, uhboundsd con* fideuoe iq the supreme councils of the congress, we are determi^: lied to wait, most patiently to wait, till their wisdom shall dictat» the necessity of making a declaration of independence. Nor should we have ventured to express our sentiments upon the 8ubjeul> but fircHn the presumptioin that congress would choose to feel themselves supported by the jieople 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 the General Assembly, you usa your endeavours, that the delegates of this colony, in congress,^ b^ advised, that, in capo the congress shall think it necessary, for. the safety of tlio United Colonies, to declare them iudep«iident of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this coioh)% with their lives and the remnant of their fortunes, will ihost cheerfully support them in that iheasure.*' ' *\ ' . The people of the other parts of the same province, and in theK other colonies generally, manifested the same spirit, ahli expressed the same sentiments. In South Carolina they tvere particularly ardent j and, in Virginia, the public sense was so decisive on the subject, that the convention not only instructed their representatives to move the resolution in the grand council of the continent, but declared t)tat colony an independent 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 onj and the following resolution was moved by Richard Henry Lee, and seconded by John Adams : ** Resolved, that these United Colo- nies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states } and that all political connexion between them and tlie state pj^ Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.*'| ^''' This resolution was referred to a cgmmittce 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 : but ap^ I . } ' ! 'I 12. N n 282 HISTORY' OF KORTH AMERICA. ■ It was thought prudent to suspend a decision on it till the acqui- escence of those colonies in the measure should render its adop« tion unanimous*. Great exertions were made in both, 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 *f When m the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one'peo- ple to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, amqng the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, entitle them, a decent respect to the opinion^ of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that imr pel them to the separationf." The causes are then slated, and a long enunneration of the oppressions, complained of by America, is closed with saying, " A prince, whase character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is ynfiit to be the ruler of a free people/' The fruitless appeals which had been tpade to the people of Great Britain, are also recounted ; but f ' 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-rin peace, friends. * Whilff this ynte was dppcnding, resolutions were entered intq by con- gress, declaring that all persons residing within, or passing ilirougb, any one of tfie United Colonies, owed allegiance to the |overnnirnt thereufi and that any such person, who should levy war against any of the United .Colo- Dies, or adhere to the king of Grea^ Britain, or o(h<^r enemies of the said colonies, or any of ^hrm, should be guilty of treason) and it was recom- mended to the several legislatures to pass laws for their punishment. f Mr Jefferson, Mr. John Adams,' Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. R, R. Livingston; were appointed to prepare this dciaration ; and the draft feportcd by the coiamiUee bos been |;eneratly attributed to Mr Jefferson. CONTEST BETWEEN GBEAT BRITAIN, &C. 288 " We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General CongreM assembled, 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 these colonics, 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 Isvy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish com- merce, and do all other acts and things which independent atates 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, onr lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor*." ^ This declaration, which was published on the 4th of July; 1776, wais immediately communicated to the armies, where it was received ^th enthusiasm. It was also proclaimed through- out the Uni^d 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 iiy preserving their political connexion with • The names of the members, who subscribed th.e declaratioo of iDdepeo* deace, were u follow, viz., New tfaffl|wMn— Jodah Bartlett, WUiam Whipple, Matthew Tliorntonu JtfotwcAMMU* Itay,— Samuel Adami, John Adami, Robert Treat Paine, StbrMfe Oerry, BluHte hland, #c.>-Stepben Hopkins, William Ellery. ConnrcttciU— Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntiagton, William Williami, Oliver Wolcotf, New Yotk'-WiUim Vtogi, Philip Livtngttoo, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, ^ew Jersey- »Richard Stockton, John Witberspoon, Francis Hupkinson, John Hart, Abram Cl«rk, PeMtuyfooflia— Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin^ John Mortoq, George Clymer, James Smith, Geoi'ge Taylur, James Wilson, George Ross, JJet WB OWs— Ciwar Rodnc^', George Read, •vj ilfarylaiut-Samuei Cbaie, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Caroll, of Carolltoa^ Wf^iiia— George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Je#erson, Benjamin HarrisoS^'"''' Thomas Nelson. Jan., Francis Li^ufoot Lee, Carter Braxton, North C(irotfrjrJ(i—iB\ttU'ii Gwinnett, Lyman Hal', George W*ltciii " I 084 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Great Britr-n, viewed the dissolution of that connexion whh wixioas regret } and othere, who afterwards desert^ the Ameri- can cause, which they had at first embraced, attributed their de- fection to this measure. It was also an unfortunate tnitti, that ih the whole country, between New England and the Patomae, which was now to become the great theatre of action, although the majority was in favor of independence, yet there existed ti formidable minority, who not only reftised to act with theJf countrymen^ but were ready to give the enemy every aid in their power. mlt cannot> however, be questioned, that the declaratilMi of in- dependence was wise, and well timed : and that, since the con- tinuante iof the war was intirkkble, every principle of louhd po- Ircy required that the avowed characters of the pftWies 'should be dianged; and that it shoukl nd loirger be denominatid, o^ fcoti- sidered, a war between a sovereign and his acknowledged sub- jects* ' ■' '■'■)'■ .'idsuthn' !^f'\r- ' 3»After*hu(sdeei8iveIythrmw«g dff all allegianee and fcopc tof reiBonciliation, the coloiilsits %oon ftttfnd that an ^stiertion of idl their strength was reqtiiried Sh order to sttpport then- iiewly ac- quired independence. Their arrns, indeffedj had not, dutteg this season, been attended with success in Canada. Reinforceliienis had been promised to General AtnoW, who still cdntintted the blockade of Quebec; but they did ntft arrivfe in time to «ecohd his opferations. Being sensible, however, that he ititit feitlier desist from the enterprise, or finialh it succes^lly, hait to their respective homes. The British general, now freed from any danger of ati attack, was boon enabled to act ofloisively against thfe provifioials, by the tuvival df the forces destined for that purpose fvom Britain. By these, he was fput it the head irf 12,000 regular troops, among whom were those of Brunswick. With this force fie In- stantly let oat to the 'Hifee Rivers, wher« he expected thw Ar-^ nold would have made « standi but be had fled to Sorel, a plaeii ISO miles distant from iQ«ebec, wherfe he wtts at last ihet by the reinforcements ordered by congress. Here, thaagh the preceding events were by no rmean»> oalciiltlted to inspire much riiilitary w- dor, averydaring^ientcrprise wasunderthken^ tthd this Was, M surprise the Britfeh troops posted tinder Generals Fniier and Neabit; of whom the* former «bmtnanded thtosfe on hutd, the btter such as were lon-'boanl thetr^povts, imd wer^ biit a little way distant; The emter^rise was very hazardous, both on acw count of the strenjgth df the partifes against whom they were to aot anA -au tUit. * Jators, a daring set of banditti, who lived in a kind of indejpen^ dent state j and though considered by government as rebels, yet had never been molested, on account of their numbers and known skill in the cse of fire arms. To the chiefs of these ^leo-j pie commissions were sent, in order to raise some regiments; aiid Colonel Macdonald, a brave and enterprising officer, was appointed to command 'aem. In the month of February he ejected the king's sta.idard, issued proclamations, &c., and co|-- 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 tjieir 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 Dumbers were inferior to Macdonald; for which reason the latter summoned 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 retjirnpd J;he compliment, by acquainting Colonel Macdonald* that if hp ^.nd 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 \yas evident they had not sufficient strength, they could not but expect the severest treatment. In a few days, General Moore tpund himself at the head of 8000 men, 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 j by dint of whieh. thcv effected a retreat fnr fid mil«.« fn lV/fr.«..'« Creek, within 16 miles of Wilmington. Could they have gained this place, they expected to have been joined by governor Mar- v-« f.f m\ 288 BISTORT OF NORtH AMERICA. tin and General Clinton, who had lately arrived with a consider- able reinforcement. But Moore, with hi« army, pursued then so dose, that they were obliged to attsmp. the pcssage of the creek itself, though a considerable body of the enemy, under the cpmmand of Colonel Coswell, in fortifications well planted 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 bast 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, WQS 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 ol unfavorable weather, did not reach Cape Fear, in North Carolina, till the month of May, 1776; and here it met with further 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 a^ 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 BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. tS9 ■ ''i'i by Lord Cornwallis, with Generals Clinton and Vaughan. As they had yet no intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, Gene- »al Howe dispatched a vessel to Cape :Fear with some instnic- tionsj but it was too latie; and. In thie beginning of June, the squadron anchored off Charlestown-bar. Here they met with some difficulty in crossing, being obliged ^to tfdie out ,the guns from the twolai^ shipsj which ,w6re,'i]<»twithstandii^i several times in danger of sticking fast* The next ohstaclie .was « strmg fort on fiuUivan's Islandy six miles east from Chwrlestown; which) though not completely finished was verj' strong. The British generals jresolviad on this occasion were very remarkable. The engagement lasted till darkniess put an end to it. Little damage was done \fy the British, as the woriu of the enemy lay so low, that most of the shot (ifift over j and the fortifications, being composed of palm-trees mixed with earth, were extremely well calculated to resist the impression of capnon. Diiring the height of the attack, the provincial 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 desperftte engagement, it was impossible for the iapd forces to give the least assistance to the fleet. The enemy^ works were found to be much stronger than they had 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 of the British, amounted to about 200* The Bristol and Expe- riment were 80 much damaged, that it was thought they could not have been got over the bar ; however, this was at last acr oompliahed, by a very great exertion of naval skill, to the sur- prise of tlie provincials, who had expected to make them both prises. On the American side the loss was very considerable | as most of their guns were dismounted, and reinforcements had poured into the fort during the whole time of the action. This year also, the Americans, having so frequently made trial of their valor by land, became desirous of trying it by sea, and of forming a navy that might in some measure be able to protect, their trade, and 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, was removed. On his re- mr» he captured several vcssip'sj iut was fpiled in his attempt CONTEST BETW££K GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 291 bn the Glasgow frigate, which foand means to escape^ notwith« the exection of their own valor. As there was some diflSculty in recognising either the civil of military character conferred on individuals by the existing ppw* ers in America, and yet it was desirable, either for the purpose of efi^ting a paciBcation, or of dividing still more the Ameri- cans, if a pacification should be 'v r^rncticable, to open negoci*- tions, and hold out the semblance o: restoring peace, the com- missioners cast about for means to evade this preliminary obsta- cle to any discussion of the terras they were authorised la pro* r ^!\\ W Ill 9^ BISTORT OF KOBTH AMEBICA. pose ; andj at length, Colonel Patterson, Adjutant Genera] of the British army, was sent on shore by General Howe, with a letter directed to George Washington^ &e. &c. &e. He was in- troduced to the Generid, whom he addressed by the title of *< Excellency;'* and^ after the usual' compliments, entered on bastnessj by saymg that General Howe much regretted the diffi- culties which- had arisen respecting the address' of the letters ; that the mode adopted Vv«uy 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 Williatn Howe." That Lord and General Howe did not mean to derogate from his 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. &c. &c. implied every thing which ought to follow. Colonel Pattersdn then produced a letter, which he said was the same that had been sent, and which Ise laid on the table. in The ^General declined receiving it; and said, that a letter, idirccted to a person in a public character, should have some de- scription or indication of that character, otherwise it would be considered 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, was 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. Coloiiel 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 to the treatment of prisoners ; after which, Ciolonel Patterson said, that the good- n^jss 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 jgte9X powers, and would derive much pleasure from effecting the i vi9a in- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 29» ftccenninodatioR; and that he wished this visit to be con9id«M «9 making the fiist advance towards so desirable an objfect. General Washington replied, that he was not vested with anvt. powers on this subject, by those from whom he derived his auC thorityj but he would observe*, that so far as he could judge from what had as yet transpired. Lord Howe and General Howe werd only empowered to gnuit pardons : that those \vho had eommitted no fault wanted no parden; and that the Americana were only defending what they deemed their indubitable rights. Thw Colonelr Patterson said, would open a jrery wide field for argmnentj and after expressing his fears that an adherence to forms might obstruct business of the greatest raomeat and con- cern, be took his leave. The substance of this oonvbrsatioi^ was communicated to con-l gress, «and was ordelred by that body to be published. The decision of tht momeatous question at issue being now by consent of both parties left to the sword, no time war lost, but hocftHities commenced as doon as the British troops could be collected. This, however, was not dotit before the month of August; when they landed on Long Island, opposite to the shore of Staten Island* General Putn^m^ wHh a large body of troopsi, lay encamped and strongly fortified on a peninsula on the oppo-* «te shore, with a range of hills between th0 armies, the princi- pal pass of which was near a place called FlaUbush. Here the centre of the British army, qonsisting 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, Cornwallia, and General Clinton. 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., Ihis gave an opportunity to a large body. of troops under Lord I'ercy and Clinton to pass the mountains and attack the Ameri- cans in the rear, while they were engaged with the Hessians ia iront. Through 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 eampj but the passage was. intercepted by the British troopf, who drove them back into the woods. Here they were met by w«i Hessians J #na thus were |hey for many hours »|ayghtere4 X " t! 4 H\ i dd4 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. between two iic^s, no way o( escajfe remaining but by breaking^ through the British troops, and thus regaining their camp. I» this attempt many perished ; and the right wing, cng^ed with General Grant, shared the same fate. The victory was com- plete; and the Americans lost on this fatal day (^igust 27 th) between 3 and 4000 men, of whom 2000 were killed in the battle. Among these a regiment, consisting of young gentlemeh of fortune and family in Maryland, was almost entirely eut in pieces, and of the survivors not one escaped without a wotindw Eleven hundred of the enemy, among whom were thret generals, were taken prisoners. r ru|.' ima r , : The enemy, believing the Americans to be much strongier 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 themj and oi 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 Island, 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 destruco 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 water, 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 Ke in the lines, without shelter from the heavy rains which fell, were excessively fatigued and dispirited. Under these circumstances, it was determined to *vithdraw from Long Island; and this difficult movement was effected, on the night of the 28th, with such silence and dis- patch, that all 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 Mien, could not possibly be drawn, were carried over in safety. Early the next morning, the enemy perceived the rear-guard crossing the East River, out of reach of their fire. Vmr\inf% ¥V\^ :-,- Ai -^ : _r> »u~ CPNTE8T BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &c. 2$S ^ he 29th, ami w€« freed froa, the immediate periJs to whil their «tuatK« had exposed them, the exertions and fatigues of the (^„,^Mn.Chief who personally inspected almcTrve^ thmg, «fir» «ce«,ant. Throughout that time he never dosed hi3 eyes, and was almoet eonstantly on horseback Tlfc first use made by Lord Howe of the victory of the 27th o August, was to avail him^jlf of the impression it had proba- hly made on congress, by opening a negociation, in conformity w, h hw powers as a commissioner. For this purpose, GenerS Sulhvan was sent on parole to Philadelphia, with a veiba! m J aage, the .mport of which, when reduced to writing, was,ThTt though be cou d not, at present, treat with cong.^sTas a ^itt^ cal b^y, yet he was desiroUs of having a confefenbe withsome of th^r members, whom he would consider, for the presently That he, in conjunctidn with Gdneral Howe, had full powers to compromise the dispute between Great Britain and America! on terms advantageous to both ; the obtaining of which delav^ him near two months in England, ahd prfeventdd his arrival at New York before the declaration of independence took plice That he Wished a compact might be settled at this time, when no decisive blbw Was struck, ahd neither party could alleJge bt »ng compelled to enter into such agreement. * That in case congress werie disposed to treat, many thih«" which they had not as yet asked, might and ought to^e S ^emj .ndthat, if, upoh the conference, they found any*J^2' ble ground of an accommodation, the authority of co„™« ZT.::^:"' '^'""^"'«^'' ^^'^^ ^^^ -™p- -^^ This proposition of Lord Howe was not withdut its embar- rassments, To reject it altogether would be to give some cdml tenance to the opinion that, if independence wert Wa^d, a re. storation of thft ancifent connexion between the twb countries, oil pnnciples formerly deemed constitutional, was still prtcticable: an opmion^bdieved by congress not to be wdl founded, but which would have an unfavorable effect on the public sentiment ana which, therefore, it was iiBPfni t^^^^^^^A^ o- -• s ' , , - "J- vvrepivuc wii cne other 'land, to enter into a negociation, umJer sudi circumstatices. > Hi 896 RiatORY OF NOHTH AMERICiu^ in%lrt excite « sudpicion that their determiQation io maintain the independence they had deolared was -net immoveable, and that things were in such a situation, as to admit of aome relax* ation in the measures necessary for the defence of 4he country. 1 The answer given to Lord 'Howe, through Generd SulUvan, wa9, " That congfess, ^ing the representatives of the free and iiidependent states of America, cannot with propriety send any ef its members to confer with his lordship in t4ieir private chap racters; but that, «ver dcMreus of establishing peace on reasoiiio able termn, they Avill send a committee of their body, to know whether he has any authority to treat with persons authorised by Congress for that purpose, on behalf of America ; and what that authority- is, and to hear such propositions as he ahall think proper to make respecting the same/' .uuo k.u<^ •-' ^ ( ^X''' v; The president was at Uie same time direeied to ^ to pendant state : that there were no doubt of their inclination to P^^"»,a[>dtheir willingness to enter into a treaty with Britain, that injght be advasitageous to both countries; that though his Mship had, at present, no power to treat with them ?w iai^ei 13. i> p f ?'1 r • rtu im KlSTOaV OF NORTH AUmtllCA. peiMlenl states, he mighty if there were tlie same good disposi- tion in Britain, tnitch eooner obtain freaii powers from thence, for that puqiose, than powers couM be obtained by congress' from the several colonies, to consent to a submission.' ' His lofdsfaip then sayings that he was so^n^ to find that no ac* commodatioii was likely to take place, put an efad to the coi.&. rehce. These freittesa negodatioiiB prodwoed oo suKpension of liostiii^ ties. -i. Latd Howe, upon the failure of this iiegacJaiion, published a Irianifesto, in which he declared the refusal of congress, aitd that he himself was willing tb oMifer with all well disposed persons about Che means «if ccstoribg pubUc tranquiUityi «et about the most proper toethods for redncihg the city of New York. Here the provbiirial troops were posted, and from a great number of batteries kept continually Annoying the British shipping. Th? East RiTer lay between them, pf abiwt 1200 yards in breadth, tvUich the British troops were extremely dctsiitms of passmg. At last the ships having, after an incessant eaimoNftde of several ay, about three niHes distant, whe»ie the fortifirtaiions ^ere less strong than in other plaees. Here having driven off the provindals by the tJakmofi of the fleet, Ihey marched directly towal-ds the i^y; but the enemy, finding tliat they shcmld n&w b? attacked on all sides, aliandoned the fprcie the provincial ai»iy to a greater distance, th^ they mig^t h^ve it less in tfccir power, by any eiw^sariee, to engage others io » si- milar attempt. For ithis itwpojse, Gpan^^ How^ having left liord Pteoy with auffieieiit foroe to garrison New Y^k, he e^n- barked his army ;in .flat4)ottontt bo«ts, by which they ijrere con* veyed through Ithe dangerous pa«^ge call,ed ffeU Gate, an4 landed near the town of Wept qbester, .lyi^ qn the contirL^ .towards Conwotknt. jttere having rieceived a supply qf men and provisioBs* ;they moved to New ^QchfiU?^ ^tuat,ed 00 th^ 4Qund whioh ^epai^^les Long I,sland from the continent, ^tcf *hi^ recei«ing«tiJl ffash reinforcements, they made such mo»ftr ments w thj:eatened to distress the jjrovinaials very much, hjr cutting off theil- convoys of provisions from Copnecticqt, mii thus .force )them to an engagem General Arnold, who after engaging a part of the British fleet for a whole day, took advantage of the darkness of the night to s«t 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 J but, his force being very inferior to that of the enemy, he was obliged to run hia ships a-»hore i 1 :«i| 902 HlSTOaV OP NOaiH AIIEEICA. li •lid set them oo fire j but a few escaped to Lake Ge«i^e. The f arrison of Crown Point, having destroyed or carried off every IbiBjc of vahje, retired to Ticonderoga. , derviee, were to eiyoy half.pay duHug Ufe. Tq defray the expence, congress borrowed 6ve njiN hons of dollars qt five per cei»t., for paywent of which the Uni, ted States became surety. At the «am« time, in order to mi" mat? the people to vigorous exertions, a declaration was publish- ed, In which they set fpith the necessity there was for takine proper Uiethods to ensure success in their cause: they endea- voured fcq p^lHate, as much as possible, the misfortunes \ifhich had already happened; and represented the true cqnse of th« present distress to be the idiort term of enlistment. This declaration, combined with the imminent danger of Phi- iade^hie, ronsed the Anicriccn people to exert themsclvea tn t\\e utm«s^, in ortroyed, the town of Dunbury, fr KiiMkkf nr%A *Kci^ nC DwIrvAAolrl in 1*110 QUiKiA nrc^ vince, was taken possession of. In returning from the last c^- I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. SOS pedition, the British were greatly harassed 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 loss was much greater; General Wooster was killed, and Arnold in the most imminent danger, On the other hand, the Americans destroyed the Store at Sagg Harbour, in Long Island, and made prisoners of all who defended the place. As this method of making war could answer but little purpose, and savored more of the barbae rous incursions of savages than of a war carried on by 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 j but General Washington had recei- ved such large reinforcements, and posted himself so strongly, that it was found to be impracticable. Many stratagems wert? used to draw him from this strong situation, but without suc- cess j so that it was found necessary to make the attempt on Philadelphia by sea. While tlie preparations for this expedition were going forward, the American* found means tp 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 same manner as General Lee had been. This was exceedingly mortifying to the general himself, as he had not long before set a price upofi General Arnold, by offering a sum of money to any cue that apprehended himj 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 j and it was the 2;3d befoic the {leet was able to sail froip Sandy Hook. The foire employed in thit, expedition consisted of thirty-six bat- talions of British and Hessians, a regiment of light horse, and a body of loyalists raibcd at New York. The remainder of these, with seventeen battalions, and another body of light horse, were stationed nt New York, under Sir Henry Clinton. Seven batta- lions weic 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. Unon tins if. Wu« rpunlvorl ».. ....»r.o«^ f....*k».. .^i ward, tp Chcsapeak Bay, in Maryland, from whence the distance 13. Qq -1 - 'I • 'A ■i if »! i % 30^ HlSTOltY OP NOIlTH AMERICA. ll to Philaddpliia was not very great, and where the prov!ncla! army would find leas advantage, from the nature of the country, than in the Jerseys. On the news of their arrival in Chesapeak, General Washington left the Jerseys, and hastened to the relief of Philadelphia ; and, in the beginning of September, met the jroyal army at Brandy- wine Gre^, about mid- day, l>etween the head of the Elk and Philadelphia. Here he adhered to his for- mer method of skirmishing and harassing the royal army on its inarch^ but, as this proved insufficient to »top its progress, he retired to that side of the creek next to Philadelphia, uith an intent to dispute the passage. This brought on « general en- gagement, on the 1 1th of September, in which the Americans were defeated j and it was only through the approach of night that they were saved from being entirely destroyed. On this occasion, the provincials lost about ^000 iu killed and wounded, besides 400 taken prisoners. The loss ojp this battle proved also the loss of Philadelphia. General Washington retired towards Lancaster, an inland town at a considerable distance. Here the British general took such measures as must 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 hot prevent the loss of Philadelphia, still adhi^red to hiji original plan of distressing the royal party, by laying ambushes, and cijit- 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 September. His first care was then to cut oflF, by me^ns of strong batteries, the com- munication between the upper and lower parts of tlie river: which was executed, notwithstanding tlie opposition of some American armed vessels j one of which carrying 30 guns, was taken. His next task was to open a coniniuuication with it by isea, and this was a work of no small dilficulty. A vast number of batteries and forts had been erected, and immense machines, fotfpf^ like chevaux defrizcj from whence thpy took their name, CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. $07 sunk in the river to prevent its navigation. A» the fleet was sent round to the mouth of the river, in order to co-operate with the army, tli.s work, hotvever difficult, was accomplished ; nor did the provinciab give much opposition, well knowing that all pla- ces of this kind were now untenable. General VVashingTon, however, took the advantage of the royal army being divided to attack the camp of the principal division of it, that lav aJ German-town, in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. In thi. he met with very little success; for, though he reached the place of destmation by three o'clock in the morning, the patroles had time to call the troops to arms. The Americans made a very resolute attack ; but they were received with such bravery, that they were compelled to abandon the attempt, and retJeat in great disorder; with the advantage, however, of carrying off their cannon, though pursued for a considerable way, after hav ing 300 killed, 600 wounded, and upwards oimlk^l^Z ers, among whom were fifty-four officers. On the British side the loss amounted to 430 wounded and prisoners, and 70 killed' among whom were General Agnew and Colonel Bird, with soin« other excellent officers. There still remained two strong forts on the Delaware to bo reduced. These were Mud Island and Red Bank. The vario^ obstructions which the Americans had thrown in the way "en! a"^^' TT7- '" •'""^ "P '^^ ^"8"»'«' a «Wp of the line and the Merim frigate, to the attack of Mud Island , but, du- ring the heat of the action, both were grounded. Upon this the Americans sent down four fire-ships, and directed the whole fire from their galleys against them. The former were rendered ineffectual by the courage and skill of the British sdamen • but (lunng the engagement, both the Augusta and Meriiu took fire* and were burnt to ashes, and the other ships obliged to with- draw. The enemy, encouraged by this unsuccessful attempt, pro- ceeded to throw new obstructions in the way; but the British ge- neral having found means to convey a number of cannon, and to erect batteries within a gun-shot of the fort, by land, and brinir. ing up three ships of the line which mounted heavy cannon, the garrison, after making a vigorous defence for one day, perceivimp that preparations were making for a general assault on the nexiL abandoned the place in the night. Those who defended Red «3Dk followed their example, and abandoned it on the approach sm filSTORY OP NOftTh AM£llICA« ef Lord Cornwallis. A great number of the American shipping, finding themselves entirely destitute of any protection, sailed up the river in the night-time. Seventeen remained, whose retreat Was intercepted by a frigate and some armed vessels ; on which the Americans ran them ashore and burnt them, to prevent their falling into the enemy'^ hands. Thus the campaign of 1777, i» Pennsylvania, concluded suc- cessfully on the part of the British. In the north, however, matters wore a different aspect. The expedition in that quarter had been projected by the British ministry, as the most effectual method that could be taken to crush the colonies at once. The fdur provinces of New England had originally begun the confe- deracy against Britain, and they were still considered as the most active in the continuation of it ; and it was thought, that any impressibn made upon them would contribute in an effectual manner to the reduction of the rest. For this purpose, an army of 4000 chosen British troops, and 3000 Germans^ Were put under the «omthand of General Burgoyne : General Car^eton Was directed to use his interest with the Indians to persuade them to assist in this expedition ; and the province of Quebec was to famish large parties to join in the same. The officers Who commanded under General Bui^oyne were, General Philips of the artillery. Generals Fraser, Powel, and Hamilton ; tirith the German officers, Generals Reid^eel and Speecht. To aid the principal expedition, andther Was projected on the Mbhawk river, under Colonel St. Leger, who Was to be^sisted "by Sir John Johnson, son of the famous Sir William Johnson, who had so greatly distinguished himself in the war bf 1755. On the 21st of June, 1777, the army encamped oti the west- ern side of the Lake Champlain; whercj being joined'by a con- siderable body of Indians, General Btirgoyne made a speeeh, in \vhich he exhorted these new allies to lay aside their ferocious and barbarous manner of nrtaking ws(r; 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 ^hich the force ot Britain, ^nd that which he commanded, was set forth in very ostentatious terms, the cam- paign opened with the siege of Ticonderoga, The place was irery strong, and garrisoned by 6000 men, ilnder Genet'al Sin- olair; nevertheless, the works were so extensive, that even this CONTEST MIWEBN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 309 nttinb«r was scarce wIRcient to defend them. They had, there^' fore, omitted to fortify a ragged eminence, called Sugar Hill, the top of which overlooked and eflFectually commanded the whole works j 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 set fire to their outworks; and so ex- peditious were the British troops, that by the 5th of July every 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 couW not be ascended j and so much were they now disheartened, that they instantly abandoned the fort entirely taking the road to Skenesborough, a pilace to the south of Lake George j while their baggage, with what artillery and military stores they icouH 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 consisted only of five gstWeys; two of which were taken, and three btewn up j 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, whh all the pro- visions and baggage. Their Idnd forces under Colonel Francis made a brave defence against General Fraiser: and, being greatly sfuperror in number, had almost overpowered him, when General Reidiesel, 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 many taken prisoners, and above 600 wounded, many of whom perished in the woods for Want of assistance. During the engagement, Gener^ Sinclair was at Castleton, about six miles fi-om the place j but, instead of going forward to Fort Anne, the next place 6f strength, he repaired to tl* woods which lie between that fortress and New England. General Burgoyne detached Colondl Hill, with the ninth regiment, to intercept such as should attempt to retreat towards Fort Anne. On his way he met with a body of the enemy, said to be six times as numerous as his own j who after an engagement of t Wee hours, were obliged to retire with great loss. After so ^t,i « : 'I H(y HISTOEY OP NOETH AMU?»;ieA< I many disasters, despairing of being able to make any stand ae Fort Anne, they set fire to it, and retired to Fort Edward. In all these engagements, the loss of killed and wovnded in the royal army did not exceed 200 men. General Burgoyne was now obliged to suspend bis operation* for some time, and wait at Skenesborough for the arrival of hi* tents, provisions, &c. He therefore employed this interval in making roads through the country about St. Anne, and in clear- wg a passage for his troops to proceed against the enemy. This was attended with incredible toil j but all obstacles 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 could make, he arrived with his army before Fort Edward about the end of July. Here 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 hU armyj the garriso;i of Fort George also, situated upon the lake of that name, had eva- Quated the place, and retired to Fort Edward. However, on the approach of the royal army, they retired thence also, and formed their head-quarters at Saratoga. Notwithstanding the great successes of the British general, the Americans showed not the least disposition to submit, b«t seemed only to consider how they might make the most effectual resistance. For this pur- pose, the militia were every where raised and draughted to join the army at Saratoga; and such numbers of volunteers were daily added, that they soon began to recover from the terror into which they had been thrown. That they might have a com- mander whose abilities could be relied on, General Arnold was appointed, who repaired to Saratoga with a considerable train of artillery J but receiving intelligence that Colonel St. Legerwas proceeding with great rapidity in his expedition on the Mohawk River, he removed to Stillwater, a place about half-way between Saratoga and the 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 provisions, 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- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 811 tcpttag th6 provisions, 400 of its guard were slain, 200 taken, and the rest escaped witli great difficulty. The garrison, how- ever, were not to be intimidated by this disaster, nor by tlio threats or representation of St. Leger : on the contrary, they made several successful sallies, under Colonel Willet, the second in command; and this gentleman, in company 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. Thus 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 had been alarmed by the report of General Arnold's advancing with 2000 men to the relief of the fort; and, while the colonel was attempting to give them encouragement, another report was spread, that General Burgoyne had been defeated with great slaughter, and was now flying before the provincials. On this, he 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, wefe destroyed, either by the wetness of the season, or by the enemy J so that the provisions he brought from Fort Georgo could not arrive at hU 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 aU the country between Port Stanwix and Albany; or, at any rate, a junction with Colonel St. Leger would be effected, which could 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 reducing the provincial magazines at Bennington. For this purpose. Colonel Baume, a German officer of great bravery, was chosen, with a body of 500 men. The place 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, witli the river betwixt it and that plape. An advanced party was posted at Batten Kill, between the camp and Bennington, in Hi II 918 HISTOEY OF NORTH ASfCRICA. i i order to support Colonel Baume. In their way, th« British seized a large supply of cattle and provisions, which were imme- diately sent to the camp ; but the badness of the roads retarded their march so much, that intelligence of their design wm sent to Bennington. Understanding now that the American force was greatly superior to his own, the colonel acquainted the ge- neral, who immediately dispatched Colonel Breyman with t party to his assistance j but, through the same causw 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, 89 his men had expended all 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 approached the provincial army, encamped at Still- water ander General Gates, he determined to make an attack j for which purpose he put himself at the head of the central divi- sion of his army, having General Fraser 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 J and it was not until General Pliilips 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 the enemy no less than 1500, the former were very much alarmed at the obstinate resolution shown by the Americans. Thb did not, however, prevent the British from advancing towards the enemy, and posting themselves the, next ■ta—j .r. .,,... ^»tio«vtt-uiiirv vi t.ifctl stUca. JJUl UlClr 011165 tOC iH- li CONtEST BETWEEN GREAT BKITAIN, kc. 813 Hians began to desert in great numbere; arid at the same time the general was in. the highest degree mortified by having no in- telligence of any assistance from Sir Henry Clinton, as had been stipulated. He now received a letter from him, by which he was informed that Sir Henry intended to make a diversion on the Worth River in his favor. This aflForded but little comfort: however, he returned an answer by several ttnisty persons whom he dTspatched different ways, stating his present distressed situ- ation, and mentioning that the provisions and other necessaries he had would only enable him to hold out till the 12th ;of .Oc- tobec. ,Sinf'«| «»'?o-'t» • ■ ,., ,, ,. • ,, ;^. Jn the mean time the Americans, in order to cut off the re- treat of the British army, undertook an expedition against Tl- conderogaj but were obliged to abandon the enterprise after havii^ 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 Burgopie 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 wingj 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 gfcat difficulty preserved by a reinforcement brought up by General Eraser, who was killed in tlie action. After the troops had with great difficulty regained their camp, it was furiously assaulted by General Arnold ; who, notwithstanding all opposi- tion, would have forced the entrenchments, had he not received a dangerous wound, which obFiged him to retire. Thus the attack failed on the left, but on the right the camp of the Ger- man reserve was forced. Colonel Breyman killed, and his coun- trymen defeated, with the loss of alltheir artillery and baggage. This wa^ by far the heaviest joss 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 an opening on the right and rear of the British forces, so that the army was threatened with entire destruction. This obliged Ge. noral RaimA.tnA nnno .>>^«n *^ ^Ulft- U;_ It: ^u _ ^ ^i 'I II 14. H-r 814 HISTORV OP UORTH AMERICA. ttiight ako be obliged t» ^ter Cfocirs. This was accOmpKslied oti the night of the 7th, without any loss, and all tite next day he condnued to oflfer thfc enemy battle j bttt thev were now too well aasuted of obtaining, a «om|iliepo«ite to these fords, well provided with cannon, end that they had likewise taken possession of the rising ground between Fort George and Fort Edward, which in like manner was provided with cannon. "(f AH this time the American army was increasing by the conti- nual arrival cf militia and volunteers from all part?. Their par- ties extended all along the opposite bank of Hudson's River, and some had even passed it in oid?r to watch tihe least move- ment of the British arniy. The whole foft-e under General dates was computed at upwards of 16,000 men, while the army under Gvi\en\\ Burgoyne did not amount to 6000 ; and eyery part of ihe camp was pencti-ated by the grape and rifle slwt df the enemy, besides discharges from their artillery, which were almost incessant. In this state of extreme distress and danger, "^ — J -"^«..«.fL-5 TTuvii ».sic gjcoiicai vunsiancy and perseverance ^hich CONTE&T »ETWEEK GREAT BEITAIW, &C. 9U till the weningof the I3th of Qctobter, wh^n, an inventory o« provisiowi toing taken, it w» fouhd that no more remained thm what were •nfficieiit to «rve fof three days, and, a council of war being calted, it' Was' unanimously determined that there wa» no method now remaining but to treat with the enemy. In con- sequence of thisj a negociation waa opened the nesjt day, which speedily terminated in a capitulation of the whole British army.t the prmcipai articift of which wm, that tho troojw were to have a free pawige tb Britain, on condition of not saving offainst America during the war." On tim occasion, Cter^rai Gat<»l ordered bs army to keep within their camp^ while the British soldiers went to a place appomted for Uwm to lay down their arm^ that the latter might not have tlie Additional mortification of being maijespeccadc* of so melancholy an ewnt. The num. berof thoseiwto surrendered - at Saratoga, amounted to 5750, according to the American accounts; the list of sick and wound^ od left in th<* camp when the army retreated to Saratogas to 528; aDd the number of those lost by other accidents sincTthe taking of Ticonderoga. to near 3000. But in Oie evidencar rfterwards adduced before the house of commons by General Burgayne, i« appeared that the number of eflfective men in the British, army *t the tiine it surrenderedv amounted oidy to 3409 j whiUr the number of the. American aitmy, accoWingto General Gate* retttrn, was 18,624. Thirty.fivehrassfieW' pieces, 7000 stand of arins, clothing for an equal numlier of soldiers, with the tewtsi^ miUtajiykcbest, &c., likewise fell inti> tlie h»njcla of the Americana. ; Sir Henry Cfinion» in themoan time, had sailed up the North Kiver„and deatw^d the two forts called Mwitgortiery and CJin, ton vi^h Fort Constitution, and SnoUier pJaoe called Coutinen- tal Vilhige, wh»e were barrack* for 2000 men. Seventy large cannon were earried away, besides a number of smalle. artUleiT. and a great quantity of stores and ammunition; a large boom and dhani »eaohing across the river from Fort Montgomery to a fKMut^f laud ialled St. Anthony's Nose, which cost no less than 470,000 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 WaJlaoe, with ■ some frififates. and a bnrlv nf \a,u\ «v...„«o j^- r^ i ., I .ir_ '■ lUi {rnan. ■^ 4 I he place which now suffered was named Esopus: the fortifica -j'»fl 316 HISTOEY OP NORTH AMERICA.r tion» were destroyed, and the town itself relduced to ashe..,.■, ^ \v,i Ci ^iiibio^j The notification of such a trea^ as this could hot b should that power expel the Ameri* can ships from Us ports, .HyimvMdt ^-i*^* , The troops under General Burgoyne, were about the same pe- riod, preparing to embark foi; Britain, according to the conven- tion at Saratoga} but, to their. utter surprise, congress positively refused to allow them ^ depart, under pretence that some sinis- ter designs wejr^ harboured on the part of Britain, and that they only wanted an Opportunity to join the other troops at Philadel- phia of New:York. ■:;..,, .■; .-.'/ci .!iM-i«--, r ^i,n The season for action was now approiehingj and congress was indefatigable in it9 preparations for a new campaign, which it was eonfidently said would be the last. Among other method* taken for this purpose, it was recommended to all the young gentlemen of (he colonies to form themselves into bodit. of ca- valry to serve at their own PJ^pence during the war. General Washington, at the same time, ju ordor to remove all incum- brances from his army, lightened^ the baggage as much as possi- ble, by substituting s^eks and portmanteaus in place of chests and boxes, and using pack-horses instead of waggons. On the other hand, the British army, expecting to be speedily reinforced by 20,000 men, thougi^t of nothiHg but concluding the war ac- cording to their wislies 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 disgracei and some s«ea tore the eockades from their hats, and'traro'pied them under 1..i •) m 3IS HI«T0«V OP NORtir ASlEAlGil. th*ir feet ds a token of their Ittdigtiation^ By the colonists it was received ^*l""' iims'iui mli ^kmni : But, before airy final answfer eould be obtained from congress, Sir Henry Citof on had taken the resolution of evacuivting Phila- delpliift. Acedrdingly, oil tte lOth of Ame, after having made att necessary pnepaiations, the army marched wut of the city, and crossed tihe Delaware befbre noon with «H its baggage and iSther irfcUmbfiiHCGi. G'emm WasliliigtdH^ apprised of this de- COKTEST BErWBEN OBEMT BBITATK, &c. SIS (i^nl, Imd dbpmcheJ enptewa into the Jersey, «ith orders to ■«l«tdlllH> fo«:te«l« ,„M be Mwnibted, 1. „b«,«=c (he ™«irii.rf«ht,tiiim,yf AAcr VKiou. ,raovem«nto on lioth rides hit ttwy Cto,toB,lirith the roj.J «By, an*ed on the 2?th of Jeiw«t erplKe cUled FrethoW.j where, TOdgme th« the m«.^ He.e Geueral W™«.g,oh *te.miri.i .» mJTe r«uHifLa>d9'j{}q« /ileui ,0 ;J(u- ^i-The next attempt of the French admiral > was, in conjunction with the Americans, on Rhode Island. It was proposed that D'Estaing, with the 6000 troops he brought with him, should make a descent on the southern part of the island, while a body of the Americans should take posseasiob 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 iharbour as was proposed, but found himself unable toe:ffect any thing material. Lord Howe instantly set sail for Rhddls Islaiu};. and '. D'Estaing, confiding in his superiority, came, but 'of the harbour to meet him. A violent storm parted the two fleets^ . and did iso much damage that they were both renderied unfit for < action. The French suffered most; and several of their sliips, being after- wards attacked singly by the British, very narrowly escaped be- ing taken. On the 20th of August D'Estaing returned to New- port in •a very shattered condition ; and, not thinking himself safe there, sailed two days after for Boston. General Sullivan had landed in the mean time on the northern part of Rhode Island with 10,000 men. On the 17th of August they began their operations by .erecting batteries, and making their ap* proaches to the British lines. But General Pigot, who corn- commanded in Newport, had taken such effectual care to se- cure himself on the land-side, that without the a88;i8tance of a majrine force it was ditc^ether impbssible to attack him with any probability of success. The conduct of D'Estaing, therefore, who had abandoned them when master of the hf^bour, gave the greatest disgust to the people of New England, and Sullivan the CONTEST BEIWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 321 garrison sallied wjt upon hiai with so much vigor^ that it was not without difficulty that he effected his retreat. He had hot been long gone When Sir Henry Clinton arrived With a body of 4000 men , which, had it arrived ejooner, would have enabled the British commander to have gained a decisive advantage crv*r him, as well as to have destroyed the tow« of Providence, which by its vicinity to Rhode Island, and the enterprises which were continually projected and carried on in that place, kept the in- habitants of Rhode Island in continual alarm. '^^' vkl'm^m hm The first British expedition was to Buzzard's Bby, in the neighbourhood of Rhode Island. Here tHey destroyed a great number of privateers and merchantm^, magazines, with store- houses, &c., whence proceeding to a fertile and populous island called Martha's Vineyarcl, they carried off 10,000 sheep and 300 black cattle. Another expedition t^ok place up th^ North River, under Lord Cornwailis and General Knyphausen ; the principal event of which was the destriiction of ^ regiment of American cavalry, known by the name Of Washington's light^horse. A third expedition was directed td Little Egg Harbour, in New Jersey, a place noted for privateers, the destruction of which was its principal intention. It was conducted by Captains Fer- guson and CoHifts, and ended in the destruction of the enemy's vessels, as well as of the place itself. At the same time part of another body of American troops, called Pulaski's legion, wb« surprised, and a great number of them put to the sword. The Americans had in the beginning of the year projectMl the conquest of West Florida ; aiid captain Willing with a party of resolute m^n, had made a successtiil incursion into the coun- try. This kvvafcened the attention of the British to the southern colognes, atyd bn expediti inclose him between hi» own for. ces and the town; so that, should he fail in his firat attempt, certain destruction would be the consequence. For these rea- sons he withdrew his army from before the town, and took pos- session of two islands called &'t Jame^' and St, Jo/mV, Iwns to the southward J where having waked some time, he was re. inforced by the arrival of two fiigates. With these he determin- ed to make himself ma*teif of Port Royal, an island possessed of an excellent harbour and many other natural advantages, from^ Its situauon also commanding the sea- coast from Gharlestown to Wnah river. The American general, however, did not aUow tM to.be accompUshed without opposition. Perceiving his op- jKMiejit had occupied an advantageous post on St. John's island preparatory to his entergrise against Port Royal, he attempted! sTJ; ? f ''r''***''^'^^^*«»^^«"»'» ^"** after aLb. tnate attack, the provincials were, as usual, obliged to retire wi h countJerable loss. On this occasion.the succe« of the Bri- galled the right flank of the enemy so effectually, that they cmildduect their efforts only against the strongest^ of the Zr\ ""ff ^T^ »«»l^^nable. This disappointment was in- stantly followed by the loss of Port Royal, which General, Pre- vqst took possession of, and put his troops into proper stations, waiting lor the arrival of such further reiiiforcements as were ne^ cessary for the intended attack on Charlestown In the mean time. Count. D'Eataing, who put into Boston harbour to refit, had used hi^ utmost efforts to ingratiate himself with the inhabitants of that city. Zealous also in the cause of m master, he had published a proclamation to be dispersed through Canada, inviting the people to return to their original friendship with France, and declaring that all who renounced ° -'^"^ xx.„.B.n 3ii0md cenajHiy finu a protector CONTEST BETllTEEN GKeaT fiftlTAm, &c. 325 in the French king. AH hi, endentourt, however nr«ir»^ • * ficent to produce any revolution, or evek o'^'ar: ^T^ consequence among the Canddiah^. ^ ^ ^ '*"y As soon as the French admiral had refitted his fleet he «h«lc- he opportunity, while that of Admiral: Byron had bel «h«./^ by 8 storm> of sailing to the West Indie, n..?:l I ^^^^^^^ there, the American, havTng^pr^^ted P.^'^'*" "P^'^''^"*. unserviceaUetothem, he rei^rd^t ^TtX^li the colonies with a^ poiisible soeed M» *u^ ^ J^ * a..d topu. ,^ „ „.„ „ .s„„,h c.™M„., in Jh . p«Z^f which he knew heshould be op|»4«Jj tad the nextTLr' contemplation wa, ,l,e desttuctiorof tie Brit"^ fl« .12 " vcd .«f the coa^^of Georgia with . fleet of twenty-twlS "f the hne «at^ frigate,. Hi, arrival w., ,« |i„|e eTCed .h.1. ,everal veMe^. laden with p,„»i,i„„. and mihtary "o^Tfell „.' hi, hand,: the Experiment abo, a vewel nf Sft 1™ ? by Sir Jam«, Wallaee, wa. taken ^ T .k f*. '■■'"""""*"' .k. .■ . « ' '"Ken alter it stbut i«,i,Cance On the continent, the British O-oop, were divided. General ?;«,-« ^ mth one part, remained at SWannah : bat the ml L^ under Conel Maitland at Port Boya.'. 'on t LTap^ra:" o"?d «t ™tT '" "«?"<"'y *e enemy; ,o that, before: L coald m out to jon. the oommtader-in- chief, the Ainericm, ^ rTu.""?' "' "" P"*'" •••' '"«'. "I'ile he French^ eaectually b looked «p the p„„.ge by««. Yet by HkZli^ taga of creek, and inlet,, and marching over iL, h?^. just in time to relieve Savannah. unfive*-. D'Estaing allowed General PreVosI twnty-fonr hoar, to J.K " al employed in making the best preparation, he could for I d. fence, and a, this critical j«notm. Colonel Maitland „ri ^d" D Estaing , .ummon, wis now rqeeted j and, a, the sttwrfS of the enemy wa, by no mean, » m„ch out tnJ«')h -iuS While the allies were thus unsdccessfully employed i in the southern colonies, their antagonists were oo less assiduous in distressing them in the northern parts. Sir George Collier was sent with a fleet, carrying General Matthews, with a body of land-forces, into the province of Virginia. Their first attempt was on the town of Portsmouth j where, though the enemy had destroyed spn^e ships of great value, the British troops arrived in time to ^ave a great number <^ others. On this occasion about 120 vessels of difiEerent sizes were burnt, and twenty car- ried off; and an immense quantity of provisions designed for the use of General Washington's army was either taken or de- stroyed, together with a great variety of naval and military storefi. i^Th^ succe<)s wftb which tbis expedition was attended, soon gave encouragement to another. The Americans had for some time been employed in erecting two strong forts on the riv€r ; the one at Verplanks Neck on the east, and the other at Stoney Point ou the west, sid^. These when completed would have been of the utmost service to the Americans, by commanding the principal pass, called the King's Ferry, between the north- ern and southern colonies. At present, however, they were not in a condition to make any effectual defence; and it was deter- mined to attack them before the work should be completed. The force ^employed on this occasion was divided into two batta- lipns; one of which directed its force against Verplanks, and the CONTEST BETWMN GREAT ,K,T4,N. &c. 887 shippj,,g „a, „,.Her .he di«cti„„'„f''sr&„^"3L^'''^'L''l Vaughan met with no resistance the en.m! k ~^ ■ '"' works, and setting (ire to every ,hhLT,7 '^,V^'^'"« «"* A. Stone, Point, gowever. « vl UtX!!?. trTo:!- ^s™ s ,:.^:hS ttz:'"-- ^^ ~ General Clinton removed froT ht foler'""'"'"" '"»' =:: -;: 7m-:r in^r ^- -=' ^ ^r -.ssin, with their':r;„: rzzx :r :x This occasioned an e.pedition ,o ConneotiS' v,hJT^''' privateers were chiefly built and harboured Th^. .""" given to Governor Tryon and Gene,.rr!;i, ,f f»""«>«l wa. a considerable „umber\fJL?;::l,f"t ^t.'^Z'^ "^ ven, where they <)em„lish«l ^ C^f tL,^,'^^^^ ''•"h- to oppose them, and destroyed thVt™- ^"' *""*"* but they spared the to»rS/ ' ,1 T".? '"" »"«'""«! from firLg"^ out of theXt^ .1 ^ „:'"%''''' t""""* ven they marched to Fairfield wh':rVtherp°;ceed!7a.'tr''"- and reduced, tile town to ashes Nor».ib ^'°"' which in like manner was bu na, as ZrlTj'sM "'''*"'' «a-port in the neiirhbourhood T. '^™™fi«W, « small alarming as well as vCdwitaUo'lbrr'*' """" "'^ General Washington deterS«„i ■^"'«'<»>"»J «» that from Stoney Point For ,T, , T'" '° ''"™"'* ""-"y with a det«hmc ; Jcho^^ '""^.- ^' ""' ^"'"'^ "'"y" therecoverron L1„t ?' T'.f"""^ """• """""P' ;^owe. a spirit and i^:::2:\.^:^^; :;zx^r'' bayonetsVafterprin^Sfb al:?t'' f'" "'""' "'"> grape-shot,. and,inspiteof^,;pSn owt^Z""'^.*"'' a.imilar attempt on Panb,! Hlr'!" f.">. °'<'f»''' «hem to mak, ,. , "^ " iwiiUica post ou the Jersey ' «S«w« * j" > ( ' . ^ " : t.: 328 HISTORY OF NORI^ AM£SRK;A. \m KA sMi) offKfsite to New York ; but they were obliged to retreaf « after they had made themselves inast6f« of on« or two posts. ' An expecKtion of greater importance vrks now projiected on tthe part of the Americans. This was against a post On the river Penobscot, oh Che borders of Nova Scotia, of which tl»e British had lately taken possession, and where ^i^y had begun to erect a fort, which threatened great inoonv^ntence to the colonists. Thd armament destined against it was so 86on got in readiness, that Colonel Maclane^ the commanding officer at Penobscot, foand himself obliged to drop the exeetnbarked tbeir artillery and military stares, and ^sailed up the river, as far as possible, in order to avoid him. They were so closely pursued, however, that not a single vessel could escape; so that the whole fleet, consisting of 19 armed vessels and 24 transports, was destroyed. The sol- diers and sailors were obliged to wander through immense de- serts, where they suffered much for want of provisions; and, to add to their calamities, a quarrel arose between the soldiers and seamen concerning the caUse of their disaster, which ended in a violent fray, wherein a great number were killed. ^ Thus, the arms of America and France being almost every where unsuccessful, the independency of the former seemed yet tQ be in danger, notwithstanding the asslstatice of so powerful an ally, wh*n further encouragement was given by the accession of Spain to the confederacy against Britain, in the month of June, 1779» The first effect of this appeared in the invasion of West Florida by the Spaniards, in Septemiber following. As the coun- try was in no state of dei>nce, the enemy easily made themiselves masters of it, almost without opposition. Their next enterprise was against the Bay of Honduras, where the British logwood- VU .«fAA t-r\A ttfAfi h tr\ sist, applied to the governor of Jamaica for relief; who sent CONTEST BETWEEJ^ GREA,T BRITAIN, &C. 329 them a supply of men, ammunition, and militar> sfpres, onder Captain Dalrymple. Before the arrival of this detachment^ the principal settlement in those parts, called St. George's Key, had been taken by the Spaniards, and retaken by the British. In his way, Captain Dalrymple fell in with a wjuadron from Admiral Parker, in search of some register ships richly laden j but which, retreating into the harbour of Oraoa, were too strongly protectee! by the fort to be attacked with safety. A project was then fornix ed, in conjunction with the people of Honduras, to reduce this fort. The design was to surprise it j but, the Spaniards having discovered them, they were obliged to fight. Victory quickly declared for the British; but the fortifications were so strong that the artillery made no impression. It was then determined to try the success of afi escalade j and this was executed with so inuch spirit, that the Spaniards stood astonished, without ma- king any resistance, and, in spite of all the efforts of the officers, threw down their arms and surrendered. The spoil was im- mense, being valued, at 3,000,000 of dollars. The Spaniards chiefly lamented the loss of 250 quintals of silver j a commodity indispensably necessary in the working of their gold and silver mines, so that they offered to ransom it at any price; but this wa« 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 superior force, and retaken. We must now take a view of the transactions in the south- ern colonies; to which the war, in the year 1/80, was so effec- tually transferred, that the operations there became at last deci- sive. The success of General Prevost, in advancing to the very capital of South Carolina, has been already stated, together, with the obstacles which prevented him froln becoming master of it at thai time. Towards the end of 1779, 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 danrntres, they proceededj oa the !Oth of February, 1780, to North Edisto, thi place of dtbarkation 14. T t .t-'i 3^0 ttlsTOftV or NOftlTH AMERICA. m f.t^i Ivhich had 'been previously appointed. They had a favoi-able passage thither j and, thougl* it required time to have the bar explored and the channel marked, the transports all entered the harbbur the next day ; and the army took possession of John's Island without opposiition. Preparations were then made for passing the squadron over Charlestown-bar, where the high- wa- ter spring-tides were only nineteen feet deep; but no opportunity offered of going into the harbour tiH the 2©th of March, when it was effected without any accident, though the American gal- leys continually attempted tt prevent the English boats from sounding the channel. ' The British troops had previously remo- ved from John's to James' Island j and, on the 29th of the same month, they effected their landing on Charlestown Neck. On the 1st of April they broke grouiid within 800 yards of the Anie. rican works j and, by the 8th, the besiegers' guns were mount- ed for actidii. As soon as the army began to open their batteries against the town, 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 9th, with the Boebuck, Richmond, and Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, Raleigh, and Sandwich armed ship, the Renown bringing up the rearj and, passing through a severe fire, anchored in about two hours .under James' Island, with the loss of twenty-seven seamen killed and wounded. The Riclmond's fore- top- mast was shot away, and the ships in general sustained damage in their ^lasts and ^•'gg'ngr though joot 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 Liwcoln, who commanded in Charlestown, returned them an answer, declaring it to be his infntion to defend the place. The batteries were now opened p.gainst the town; and from their effect the fire pf the American advanced works considerably abated. It appears, that the number of troops under the command of Lincoln, were by far too few for defending works of such eMent as those of Charlestown ; and that many of these were men little accus- tomed to military service, and very 111 provided with clothes and CONTE«T BETWEEN GREAT MIITAIK, &C. 331 other necessaries. Lincoln had been for some time ejtpccting neinforeements and sillies from Virginia, and other places : but tliey came in very slowly, Earl Cornivallis and Lieateuant-coU** nel Tarlelon were extremely active in intercepting these rein- forcements. They totally defeated a considerable body of cavalry and militia, wlikh was proceeding to thfjrelief of tlie town j and made themselves masters of some, posts, which gave them the command of the country, by which me»n& great supplies of pro- visions fell into their hands. Such was the state of things, and Fort Sullivan had also been taken by the king's troops, when General Clinton again summoned the town to surrender} an offer being made, that the lives and property of tlie inhabitants should be preserved to them. Afticles of capitulation were then agreed upon, and the town surrendered pn the 4th of May, 1780. A large quantity of ordnance, arms, and ammunition, •was found in Charlestownj 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 acco|int, 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 American frigates were aUo taken or destroyed in the harbour. While Sir Henry Clinton was employed in his voyage to Charlestown, 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, 177^, and shut up th«j itavigation of the port of New York from the sea, within a few days after the departure of Adn»iral ArlMithnot and General Ciintqji. The se- verity of the weather iitcreased 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 by the ice. The inhabitants could scarcely be said to be in an in- 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'^ Hook, which was 2000 yards, was, about the 19th of January. passable for the heaviest cannon : an event which had been un^ \M n dS2 HISTOKY OfF NOHTH AMEKICA. 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 Staten Island, which was a dis- tance of eleven miles. /!>•' I The city of New York, being thus circumstanced, was much Exposed to the continental troops; and it was strongly reported, that General Washington was meditating an attack upon it with his whole force. Some time before this, Major-geireral Pattison, commandant at New York, having received an address from many 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 Hll the male inhabitants from sixteen to sixty to take up arms. The requisition Was so readily complied with, that, in a few dajs, forty compaiues frotn the six wards of the city were enrolled, officered, and under arms, to the number of 2600. Other volunteer companies were also formed ; and the city was put into a strong posture of defenee. No attack, however was made upon New York, whatever design might ori- ginally have been meditated : but an attempt was made upon Staten Island, where there were about 1800 men, under the command of Brigadier- general Sterling. General Washiiigton, whose army was hutted At Morris-'town, sent a detachment of 2700 men, with six pieces of cannon, t#o mortars, and some horses, coinmanded.by 'Lord Steditag, who arrived at Staten hiand early in the morning of the I5th of January. The ad- vanced posts of tlic British troops retired upon tlie Approach of the AmerlcAtis, who formed the line, and made some movements in the course' of the day j but they withdrew in the night, and carried off Wkh them abbut 200 head of cattle. Immediately on the arrival of the Americans on Staten Island, Lieutenant- general Knyphausen had embarked 600 men (o attempt a pas- sage, and to support General Sterling; but the floating ice com- pelled th^m 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 troopSk These proelamations appear to have produced some ef- fect, though they probably operated chiefly upon those who were before not much IijcHuchI to the cause of the American indepen- CONTEST BETWEEN CfKEAT tJRlTAtN, &C. 833 j^e T«ro hundred'and ten of the inhabitants of i:harle,tawn StTnf ''i" ^T"' ?"'"" ""^ ^^""•'«' Arbuthnot, so. hcumg to be re.admuted to the character and condition of Bri- t.sh subjects J declaring their disapprobation of the doctrine of American independence, and expressing their regret that aft^r the repeal of those statutes which gave rise to the troubles Tn Amenca, the overtures of his majesty's tommis.ioners had not been regarded by the congress. At this time the people of America were involved in creat difficulties by the depreciation of their paper. currency. M the time when the colonies engaged in war with Great Britain, thev had no regular civil government established among them of sufR cient energy to enforce the collection of taxes, or to provide funds for the redemption of such bills of credit as their necessi- ties obhged 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- tinned, by kind of gradual progression, from the year 1777 to the year 1780 j 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 everv 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 ieverity by such of the. Americans as were engaged m their military services, and greatly augmented by their other Imrdshps. The requisitions made hy the crtngress to the several colonies for supplies, were also- far from always being complied with : and their troops v*ere not unfrequently in want of the rtiost common lucessaries ; which naturally occasioned complaints and liscontent among them. Some of Hipsp ri;flR«,i*:« u-... liom their xiircumstances and situation, perhaps no wisdom could 334 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. « t ♦^ have prevented : but they seem to have arisen in part from thd congress not being sufficiently acquainted with the principles of finance, and from a defect of system in the departments of their government. The cause of the Americans appears also to have suffered by their depending too much on temporary enlistments. But the congress endeavoured, towards the close of the year I7SO, to put their army upon a more permanent footing, and to give all the satisfaction to their officers and soldiers 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. Notwitfltanding the disadvantages under which they labored, the Americans seemed to entertain 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 9ame day, in the hall of the univer- sity there ; at which the president and memberti 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 was publicly addressed by the provost of the university to the stu- dents ; in which he said, that he could not but congratulate them *'onthat auspicious day, which, amidst the confusions and deso- lations of war, beheld learning beginning to revive; and animated them with the pleasing 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 and arts, in agriculture and commerce, 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 if abounded ; his mm CONTEST BETWEEN GKEAT BRITAIN, kc. 835 .welled with the pleasing prospect, that the sons of that institu- tion would distinguish themselves, in the different walks of life, by their hterary contribution* to the embellishment and increase of human happiness." , s , 'On the 10th of July, M. Terna, with a fleet 'c^^tb^ of I se- ven ships of the line, besides frigates, and a large body of French troops commanded by the count de Rochambeau, arrived at Rhode Island; and the following day 6000 men were landed. A committee from the general assembly of Rhode Island was ap- pointed to congratulate the French general upoh his arrival s whereupon he returned an answer, in which he informed them, that the king h,s master had sent them to the assistance of 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 h.m to assure them, that his whole power should be exerted for their support. He added, that the French troops were under he strictest discipline; and, acting under the orders of general Washington, 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, under the command of Sir Henry Chnton and admiral Arbuthnot, against the French fleet and troops at Rhode Island. Accordingly a considerable part of the troops at New York were embarked for that purpose. Ge- neral Washington, having received information of this, passed the ^orth River by a very rapid movement, and, with an army increased to 12,000 men, proceeded with celerity towards King's Bndge, 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 also made about this time in the Jerseys by general Knyphausen, with 7000 British troops under Ins 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 bv 170 of the continental troops, for hfteen muiutes, against tha British army: but they i f ^1 •' r j 336 HISTORY OF NOHTH AMEKICA, were at length obliged to give ep- so uneqnal a Contest, with tlie loss ai tbirty-aeveii men. After securing this pass, the British troops marched into the place, and set fire to most of the hou* ses. They also committed some other depredations in the Jer- seys; but were obliged to return about the beginning of July, without effecting dny thing materfal, ,»Bii ' U'.mt In South Carolina the royal arms were attended with moti success. Earl Cornwallis, who commanded tlie British troop's^ obtained a very signal victory over General Gates, on the 16th of August. The action be^an 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 thdr superior numbers. 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' 7 but the number is not vei-ymccutately ascertiiiiied. Seven pieces of brws caniion» a number of colors, and all the ammu^iition- waggjons of the Anfiericauj, wen taken. Of the British troops, the killed and wounded amounted to 213. Among the prisoners was Major-general Baron de Kalb, a Prussian officer in the Ame- rican scrrlee, 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 200(), while the American arnoy is ^aid to have amounted to 6000, of which, however the greatest part was militia. Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton, who had greatly distinguished himself in this action, jvea detached the following day, with some cavah-y and light infantry, amounting to about 350 rneii^^ to attack a corps of Americans under General Sumpter. He executed this service with great activity and military address. He procured good information of Sumpter's movements; and by force and concealed marches came up with and surprised him in the middle of the day on the 18th, «ear the Catawba fords. He totally destroyed or dispersed his detachment, which con- ' sisted of 700 men, killing 150 on the spot, and taking two pieces of brass cannon, 300 prisoners, and forty- four waggons. Not long after these operations so disastrous to the American cause, whilst the American army was almost compelled to dis- perse by the wiint of food, and its brave Commander-in-Chief found all his projects for the safety of his country frustrated by adverse events ; treason found its way into the American camp, and had newly 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 secured to him a high place in tlie (pinion of the army, and a large portion of the confidence of his country. Having not sufficiently recovered from the wounds he had re- ceived before Quebec, and at Saratoga, to be fit for active ser- vice ; and having large accounts to settle with the continent, which required leisure ; 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 assa. 15. u u ■^.ji '.^ i*<* pfn SSB HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. ciMed that stFcngth of principle and correctness of judgment which might enable him to resfrt the various seductions to which his high station exposed him in the netropoiis of the union, '-ih.-^m ■,. . .;■:,■<.;;■ - His claims against the United States were great, and to them lie looked for the means of extricating himself from the difficul- ties into whieh 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 ftiore than he was entitled to receive. He was charged with various acts of extortion, on the citizens of Philadelphia, and with peculating on the funds of the continent. Not the less «oured 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. e 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 January 1779, when he was sentenced to be repri- 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 him 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 objects of his resentment the victims of his vengeance. Every history of th« American war exhibits the importance of West Point. Its preservation had been the principal object of more than one campaign i and its loss, it was believed, \vould enfeeble all the military operations of the continent. Selected fer the natural atfcngth of its situation, immense labour, di- ^ CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BBITAIN, &c. 339 reeled byskilful 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 i»hichivouldg,ve value, to treason, while its loss would inflict a mortal wound on his former friends. As affording the means of enabhng him to gratify both hi. avarice and hU hric„he sought the command of it. f i ,v ^"S"*- To NewTork 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 of Howe, to whom its defence was then intrusted, and recommending Arnold for thar service. From motives of delicacy, this request coiUd no| be immediate^ complied with; but it waa not forgotten. Some short time afterwards. General Schuyler who was then In camp, mentioned to the Com«,-4nder,in.chief a letter he had received from Arnold, .ntimatiog his wish to join the army, and render such service ai might be mhis power J. but stating his inability, in consequence ot his wounds, to perform , the active duties of the field The letter also suggested that he could discharge the dutie's of a stationary command, without, much inconvenience or uneasiness from his wounds. General Washington obseryed, , 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 mtp the field, leaving even West Point to the care of inv*- hds anda. smaU garrison of militia. Recollecting, however, the' former appl.pat.pn on the part of a member pf congress respect- mg this parMcuJar post, he added, ■ ^Uhat if, with this previous mtormation, th^t; situation would be more agreeable to him than a command: in the field, his wishes shopld certainly be indul- ged. This conversation being communicated to Arnold, that officer, jvithout openly discovering any solicitude on the subject caught with eagerness at a proposition which promised to place m his possession the object of his most ardent wishes; and in wic ycgmniiig oi August, he repaired to camp, where he renewed^ f 340 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. w* IB person the soiicttations which had before been indirectly made. It was at this juncture that the principal part of the British force wa3 embarked on the expedition against Rhode Island; and that General Washington was advancing on New York, in order to a?aU Himself of the weakened state of that place. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army j wliich he declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General Schuyler. Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguished proofs of courage and patriotism, the commander-in-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 re- fusal. Pressing him no further, he assented to the request which had been made j and Arnold was invested with tfce command of West Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to Colonel Robinson, signified Jws change of principles, and his wish to restore himself to the favor of his ]»inee by some signal proof of his repentance. This letter opened to him a eoi-respondetiee with Sir Henry Clinton ; the immediate object of which, after obtaining the appointment he had sotieited, was to concert the means of putting the important post he com- manded into the possession of the British general, y Major John Andre, an aid-de-camp of Sir Heiwy Clinton, and adjutant-genernl of the British army, a young gentleman who had in an uneomtnon degree improved the liberal endow- ments of nature, and who seems to have held a very high place in the esteem and aflfections 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 eommunicatioos, 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 Chem are un- known ; but from acts and expressions of Arnold since recol- lected, its general outlines have been conjectured. Under the pretext of fig!>liii<> the enemy in the deiiies and narrow passes CONTE«T BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. S41 Ifftding to the fortreM, he Is understood to haw designed so to post the greater part of his army in the gorges oi the moun- tains, as to leave unguarded a particular pass, through which the assailants mi^t securely approach and surprise West Point. It is also understood that he was so to have disposed of that part of the garrison which remained in the works, as to make the least posetble opposition to those who should attack them j 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 madej and, in converaation 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 tiane when General Washington was at Hartford was se- lected for finally adjusting every part of the plan : and, as a personal interview with Arnold would be necessary to complete their arrangements. Major Andr6 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 Anderson, 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 Andre should remain concealed till the succeeding night. He is un- derstood to have refused peremptorily to be carried within the American posts j but the promise made him by Arnold to respect this objection, was not observed. They continued together the stfcceeding dayj 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 consequence of a gun having been moved to the siiore, with- out the knowledge of Arnold, and brought to bear upon her. This embarrassiog circumstance reduced him to the necessity ©f eiMieavouring tQ reach New York by land. To render this more practicable, he rekctantly yielded to the urgent representations ot Arnold, and, laying aside his regimentals, iwhicb he had m «42 HlSTOay OP NOE^f h ameeica. n hitherto worn under a sirtovit, put on a plain suit of cloathss! and received a pass from General Arnold, authorising him, under the teigned name of John 4wi£rson, to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he thought proper. With this permit, he had passed all the guards and posts on the road without suspicion; and was proc^e^ling to New York in perfect security, when one of three militia-men, who were employed with others in scouting parties betwpen the lines of the two armies, springing «udd«n|y from his covert into the road, seized the reins of his bridle and stopped Ms horse. With a want of self-possession, so; difficult to Ate accounted for in a min4 equally brave and initelligent, that it would ; almost seem providential, Major And^eilinstead of producing the pass from General Arnold, asked- the man hastily where he. belonged to?, He replied, « To behw/^i 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 the he migU not be detained. The other two ..:ditia- men coming up immediately, he discovered his mistake, but it was too late to repair it.. He pflfered a purse of gold, and a valuable , wat by his captors, who proceeded to search him. They found concealed in his boots exact returns, in Arnold's hand- writing, of the state of the forces, ordnance, apd defences, at West Point and its dependencies; critical remarks on the works, and an estimate of the men ordinarily employed in themj with other interesting papers. He was carried before Lieutenant- colond Jameson, the officer commanding the scouting parties on the lines; wheie, 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 pf 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- 'rnold eoiriprchcjided at once, the danger witii which vxrxsig An CONTEST BETWEEN G^REAT BRITAIN, &C. 843 he wa» menaced J imdj 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 concealment, and acknowledged himself to be the adjutant- general of the British army. Seeking to correct the mischief which might hare 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 immediatelv dispatched a packet to the commander-in-chief, containing the papers which had been • discovered. This packet was accompanied by a letter from Andr6, in which he related the manner of bis 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 different. roads, they missed each others and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, which secured the escape of Arnold. Some time felapsed before they were received; and then the measures taken to apprehend him proved too late. Before tlie 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 uken 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 Kenry Clinton of the situation ot ^\est 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 l,eing taken, it remained to deter- mine the fate of the gallant and unfortunate Andre. A board of general officers, of which Major-general Greene was president. - —.^,3,. ^viiciuia, La rayetie and 5teuben, were members, was called to report a precise state of his case, and to ft' J' lu u _ 9U HISTOEY OF KOBTH AMERICA. m II det«rmiiie in what charactjer he was to be consideied, and to what punishment he was liable. The candour, openness, and magnanimity, with which Andr^ had conducted himself from the iirtt moment of his appearance in his real character, had made a very favorable impression on all those with whom he had held any intercourse. From this cause he experienced every mark of indulgent attention ; and from a seme of justice, as wdl 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 his own feelings. But, as if only mindful oV 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 Andr6 was a spy, and ought to sutTer death. The execution of this sentence was ordered on the day succeieding that on which it was declared. Superior to the terrors of death, but'dreading disgrace, Andr^ was deeply affected by the mode of dying which the laws of war had decreed to persons in his situation. He wished to die like a sddier, not as a criminal. ■. To obtain a mitigation of his sentence in this respect, he ad- dressed a letter to General Wasliington, replete with all 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 feelings, 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 • Ml8« Ahna Seward, the author of the mbnody «■ the death of this brave oBcer, glrei the following intcrestiug anecdote on this subject, in a letter dated 1198 j addressed to Miss Ponsonby : «' I was not as you iupposed fa- vored with a letter from General Washington | but a few yean after peace M I CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 34* reluctance the stern mandates of duty and of policy. The sym- pathy excited among the American officers by his fate was as universal as it is unusual on such occasions. Great exertions were made by Sir Henry Clinton, to whom Andr6 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 a 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 th6 principal characters of South Carolina who had forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This clemency, he said, could no longer in justice be extended to them should Major Andr^ suffer. It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold was without any influence on the mind of Washington. He conveyed Mrs Arnold to her husband in New York, and also transmitted to him bis clotlves and l»aggage for which lie had written j but in ^) wai signed between this coun,(ry and America, an officer introduced himself, cAmmiMioned from General Washington to call upon me, and to assure me from the general himself, that no circumstance of his life had been so morti- fying as to be censured in the Monody on Andri;, as the pitiless author of his ignominious fate, that he had labored to save him— that he requested my at- tcntioo to papers on the sulyect which he had sent by this officer for my per- usal. On examining them, continues Miss Seward, I found they entirely acquitted the general. They filled me with contrition for the rash injustice of my censure. With a copy of the proceedings of the court martial that determined Andre's condemnation, there was a copy of a letter from General VashlngtDn (o Ganeral Clinton, offering to give up Andr£ for Arnold, wfto had fled to the British camp, observing the reason there was to believe, that the apostate general had exposed that gallant Engliiih officer to unnecessary danger, to facilitate his own eticape; also the copy of another letter from General Washington to Major Andr^, adjuring liim lo state to the command- er-in-chief his unavoidable conviction of the selfish perfidy of Arnold, in suggesting that plan of disguise, which exposed Andr6, if taken, to certain condemnation as a spy, when if he had come openly in his reg.inentals, and under a flag of truce to the then unsuspected American general, he would have been perfectly safe ; there was also a copy of Andre's high soulcd an- swer, ihaniiing General Washington for the interest he took in his destiny { but observing, that even under conviction of General Arnold's !na!t?:!i!:;t,»5 to his safety, he could not suggest to General Clinton any thing which might influence him lo save his less important life by such an exchange." Vide SewartT's Letfers, Vol, 5, page 14.S, 15. XX I ' 4 rvice j and a Silver medal, with au inscription exnressive of i v*;^ fi^<>i;r» nnA ' • Their names were, John Paulding, Datid WllJiams, tMl>,^m Vaniirt! CONTEST BETWEEN GftEAT BRITAIN, &C. U9 patriotism, was directed td be presented to each of them. In addition to this flattering testimony of their worth, and as » further evidence of national gratitude, two hundred dollars per annum during life, to be paid in specie, or an equivalent in cur- rent money, was voted to each of them ; a reward, it must be admitted, much more accurately apportioned to the poverty of the public treasury, than to the service which had been received. The eflforts of General Washington were unabated to obtain a pern^inent military force, or its best substitute, a regular system for filling the vacant ranks with draughts who should join the army on the first day of January in each year, and serve for twelve months after they should arrive in camp, have been more than once adverted to. ...+ .}»•.. To place the officers of the irmy' in a situation which woul^ render their commissions valuable; and hold out to them the prospect of a comfortable old age, in a country saved by theii; blood, their sufferings, and the labors of their best years j and thus to rescue from the contempt and misery too often attendant on poverty, m?n who had devoted their prime of life, and many of whom had employed their little all, in the service of the pub- lie ; was also aa oljsct which had always been dear to the heart of the commander-in-chief. Sound policy, real justice, and affection for men whose sufferings he had witnessed, and whose merits he prized, all combined to place the establishment of this principle among the first of his desires. He had seized every opportunity to press it on congress. That body had approached it slowly J taking with apparent reluctance step after step, as the necessity of the measure became more and more obvious. The first resolution on the subject passed in May, 1778. This allowed to all military officers who should continue in service during the war, and not hoW any office of profit under the Uni- ted States or any of them, half-pay for seven years, if they lived 80 long. At the same time a reward of eighty dollars, in addi- tion to his pay, was granted to every non-commiflsioned officer and soldier who should serve to the end of the war. In 1779 this subject was again taken up: and, after much debate, its further consideration was postponed, and the officers and soldien were recommended to the attention of their several states ; with a declaration thai their patriotism, valor, and perseverance in defence of the rights and liberties of their country, had entitled :i j 1 550 HISTORY OF NORTH AMRRICA. I fim them to the gratitude as well as the approbation of their fel- low citizens. /(Wtf^rmrt j,n.. In 1780, a memorial from the general officers, depicting in strong terms the situation of the army, and requiring present support and some future provision, was answered by a reference to what had been already done, and a declaration ** that pa- tience, self-denial, fortitude, and perseverance, and the cheerful sacrifice of time and health, are necessary virtues, which both the citizen and soldier are called to exercise, while struggling for the liberties of their country ; ahd that moderation, frugality and temperance, must be among the chief supports, as well as the brightest ornaments, of that kind of civil government which is ^risely instituted by the several states in this union." It may well be supposed that this philosophic lecture on the virtues of temperance, to men who were often without food, and nearly half their time with a very limited supply of it, was but ill calculated to assuage the irritations fomented by the neglect which was believed to have been sustained. In a few days afterwards, this subject was again brought be- fore congress, when a temper of greater conciliation was mani- fested. The odious restriction on the half-pay for seven years, by which it was limited to those who should hold no post of profit under the United States or any of them, was taken off; and the bounty allowed the men was extended to the widows and orphans of those who had died or should die in the service. At length the vote passed which has been stated, allowing half- pay for life to all those who should serve in the armies of the United States to the end of the war. Resolutions were also passed, recommending it to the several states to make up the depreciation on the pay which had been received by the army; and it was determined that their future services should be compensated in the money of the new emis- sion, the value of which it was supposed might be kept up by taxes and by loans. While the government of the union was thus employed in measures' essential to the preservation of its military establish- inent, the time for action passed away without furnishing any material event. The hostile armies continued, however, to VtuiCti \^avii uiiircx, bill i.t:c scasuii vl tiliv VCKr lUICVU fcUBIII (JUft VI the field. CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 351 Just brfore retiring into winter quarters, a spirited enterpri.e. though on a nmall acale, was planned and executed by Maior Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon*, regiment of light dragooJ... 1 his gentleman had been generally stationed on the lines, on the east side of the North river j and had been particularly dis- tinguished for the accuracy of his intelligence, and the skill em- ployed m obtaining it. He was informed of a large magazine of forage collected at Coram on Long Island, protected only by the militia of the country, the cruizers in the Sound, and a small garrison in its neighbourhood stationed in Fort St. George on South Haven With a detachment of eighty dismounted dragoons, under the •ommand of Captain Edgar, and eight or ten who were mounted he passed the -Sound on the 21st of November, where it was up- wards of twenty miles over. He then marched across the island 111 the night, and so completely surprised the fort, that hi* troops entered the works on three different sides, before the irar rison was prepared to resist them. The British took refuire in two houses connected with the fortification, and commenced a fire from the doors and windows. These were instantlr forced open ; and except seven killed and wounded, the whol'e party amounting to fifty.four, among whom were a lieutenant-colonel captain, and subaltern, were made prisoners. Stores to a consi- derable amount in the fort and in a vessel lying in South Havoi xvere destroyed j the fort was demolished, and the magazines J Coram were consumed by fire. The objects of the expedition being thus completely effected. Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound without having lost a sin. gle man. Although this expedition was by no means important for its inagmtude, yet those employed on it had manifested so much address and courage in its execution, that the general recom- mended them to the particular attention of congress, who paM. ed a resolution, expressing the high sense entertained of their merit. No objects for enterprise presenting themselves, the troops were, early in December, withdrawn into winter- quarters. The Pennsylvania line was. sfatinnpd n«ar M"— ;-♦- *u- i line about Pompton, on the confines of New York and New 5f ■ I f1 SS2 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. mm t Jersey J and the troops belonging to the New England states in West Point, and in its vicinity, on both sides the North river. The line of the state of New York remained at Albany, to which place it had u^irr^ ae«t..iied for the purpose of oppisine an invasion from Canad,-!. .9 »>iU Major Carlton, at the head of 1000 men, composed of Euro- peans, Indians, and tories, had made a sudden irruption into the northern parts of New York, where he took Forts Anne and George, and made their garrisons prrr, At the same time Sir John Johnson, at the head or a body of men, also composed of Europeans, Indians, and tories, appeared on the Mohawk. Several sharp skirmishes were fought in that quarter with the continental troops, and a regiment of new levies, aided by the militia of the country. General Clinton's brigade was ordered to their assistance j but before he could reach the scene of action, the invading armies had retired, after laying waste the whole country through which they passed. ii; While the disorder of the American finances, the exhausfed atate of the country, and the debility of the government, kept alive the hopes of cortq«est, and determined the British crown to persevere in oflFensive war against the 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 1780, Russia, Swedett, and Denmark, entered into the celebrated compact which hsa been generally denominated the ARMED NEUTRALITY ; the principal objccts 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 'vhich was made by Great Britain against that power towards the close of the present year. The long and intimate friendship which had existed between thesq two nations, had been visibly impaired from the com- mencement of the American war. Although not concurring "with 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 world. From the commeBcement of hostili- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &c. 35$ ti«, therefore, the merchants of Holland, and especially of the great commercial city of Amsterdam, watched with anxiety the progress of the war, and engaged in speculations which were U^t^SutefT^^^^^ "' " ''' '^""^ '^'"^ beneficiattoTh united States. The remonstrance* made by the British minister at the Hague agamst this conduct, were answered in the most anncable manner by the government; but the practice of indivi- duals remamed the same. When the war broke ouf between France and England a great number of Dutch vessels trading with France, laden with materials for ship-building, were seized and carred into t^ ports of Great BHtain, although the existing treaties betwe- the two nations were understood to exclude those articles from he j«t of contraband war. Attributing these acts of violence to the necessity of her situation. Great Britain persisted „ refu! smg to permit naval stores to be carried to her enemy in leutral botoms. This refusal, however, was accompanied with friendlw professions, with an offer to pay for the vessels and ca Z a ready seized, and with proposals to form new stipulationffor the future regulation of that commerce. The states-general refused to enter into any negociations for modifying the subsisting treaties; and the merchants of al the great trading towns of Holland, and especially those of Amster! susTained ' "*""'' '"**'^"'''"" "' the injuries they had oui!.pH'?r'**"'"'^ ""^ *^'' '°"^"''' '^^ S"^'^h government, re- qu red those succours which had been stipulated in ancient trea- ties, and msisted that the casus foederis had now occurred. ttZ^l^l"""! ''^'" "^'^" ''^"'"' °^ '^^ states-general to com- ply with tha demand, to declare the treaties between the two nations at an end. It may well be supposed that the temper produced by this state of things was avorable to the comprehending of Holland in the treaty for an armed neutrality, and that the Dutch go- vernment was well disposed to enter into it. They acceaed to it in November; yet some unknown causes prevented the actual signature of the treaty on the part of the states-general, till a ciicumistance occurred which was used for the purpose of nla. cmg them m a situation not to avail themselves of the aid thev lo. Y V Si >l ( Mil I S54 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ivould otherwise have been entitled to as a member of that con- federacy. While Mr. Lee, one of the ministers of the United States, was on his mission to the courts of Vienna and Berlin, he fell in company with Mr. John de Neufville, a merchant of Amster- dam, with whom he held several conversations on the subject of a commercial intercourse between the two nations ; the result of which was, that the plan of an eventual commercial treaty was sketched out, as one which might subsequently be concluded be- tween them. This paper had received the approbation of the pensionary Van Berkel, and the city of Amsterdam, but not of the states-general. Mr. Henry Laurens, late president of congress, was deputed to the states- general with this plan of a treaty, for the double purpose of endeavouring to complete it, and of negociating a loan for the use of his government. On his voyage he was cap- tured by a British frigate ; and his papers, which he had previ- ously thrown overboard, ,were rescued from the waves by the skill and courage of a British sailor. Among these papers, which were preserved for the minister, was found the plan of a treaty which has been mentioned. This was immediately trans- mitted to Sir Joseph 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 being deemed satis- factory by the court of London, .Sir Joseph Yorke received or- ders to withdraw from the Hague ; soon after which war was declared against Holland. , At the beginning of the year 1781, an affair happened in America, from which expectations were formed by Sir Henry Clinton, that some considerable advantage might be derived to the royal cause. The long continuance of the war, and the dif- ficulties under which the congress labored, had prevented their troops from being properly supplied with necessaries and conve- niences. In consequence of this, on January 1st, the American troops that were hutted at Morristown, and who formed what was called the Pennsylvanian line, turned out, being in number about 130Q, and declared that they would serve no longer unless their grievances were redressed, as they had not received their CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BEITAIN, &C. 355 pay, or been furnished with the necessary clothing or provisions. It IS said they were somewhat inflamed with liquor, in conse- quence of rum having been distributed to them more liberally than usual, New-year's day being considered as a kind of festival. A not ensued, in which an officer was killed and four wounded ; five or six of the insurgents were also wounded. They then col- lected the artillery, stores, provisions, and waggons, and marched out of the camp. They passed by the quarters of General Wayne, who sent a message to them, requesting them to desist, or the consequences would prove fatal. They refused, and proceeded on their march till the evening, when they took post on an advan- tageous piece of ground, and elected officers from among them- selves. On the second, they marched to Middlebrook, and on the third to Princetown, where they fixed their quarters. On that day a flag of truce was sent to them from the officers of the American camp, with a message, desiring to know what were their intentions. Some of them answered, that they had already served longer than the time for which they were enlisted, and would serve no longer ; and others, that they would not return unless their grievances were redressed. But at the same time they repeatedly, and in the strongest terms, denied being influ- enced by the least disaffection to the American cause, or having any intention of deserting to the enemy. Intelligence of this transaction was soon conveyed to New York. A large body of British troops were immediately ordered to hold themselves in readiness to move on the shortest notice. It bemg hoped that the American revolters might be induced to join the royal army. Messengers were also sent to them from Cieneral Clinton, acquainting them that they should directly be taken under the protection of the British government; that thev should have a free pardon for all former offences ; and that the pay due to them from the congress should be faithfully paid them, without any expectation of military service, unless it should be voluntary, upon condition of their laying down their arms and returning to their allegiance. It was also recommended to them to move beyond the South river; and they were assured, that a body of the British troops should be ready to protect them whenever they desired it. These propositions were rejected with disdam ; and they even delivered up two of Sir Henry Clinton's Jnessengers io the congress. Joseph Reed, Esq., president of m nse HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Ji: ill U: If t' Is.-^ -I tlie stnte of Peiin8ylvania< Hfterwards repaired to them at Priiicc- towu, and an accommodation took place ; such of them as had served out their full term were permitted to return to their homes, and others again joined the American army, upon re- ceiving satisfactory assuratjcea that their grievances should be re- dres.sed. Earl Cornwallis now made vigorous preparations to penetrate into North Carolina. On the 1 1th of January his lordship's aiw my was in motion ; but 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 Tarleton, with 3()0 cavalry, 300 light infantry, the 7th regiment, the first bat- talion of the 7 1st regiment, and two S-pounders, to oppose tht progress of Morgan, not doubting but that he should be able to perform this service effectually. The British troops came up with the Americans on the 17th 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 we»e so much better disciplined, that they had the utmost confidejice of obtaining a speedy victory. The attack was begun by the first line of infantry, consisting of the 7th regiment and a corps of light infantry, with a troop of cavalry placed on each flank. The first battalion of the 7l8t and the remainder of the cavalry formed the reserve. The American line soon gave way, and their militia quitted the field ; upon which the royal troops, sup- posing the victory already gained, engaged with ardor in the pur- suit, and were thereby thrown into some disorder. General Mor- gan's corps, who were supposed to have been routed, immediately faced about, and began a heavy fire upon the king's troops, which occasioned the utmost confusion amongst thenj j and they were at length totally dtfeated 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 j but the two a-pounders fell into the hand* of the Americar.s, together with the colors of the 7th regimeftt. Lieutenant- colo- nel Tarleton gallantly made another effort; having assembled about fifty of his cavalry, with which he charged and repulsed Colonel Washington's horse, retook his baggage, and killed the Amf>riCanit Urhn ur«rA anrmiiifn#l t^ a...>-J :.. It. aI ^.^A. ^- 1 "-p^ i.|-jr-u-!»t,i.u tv cuRju ii,. nc (ncn reireaica CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN. &C. 8^7 to Hamilton's Ford, near the mouth of Bullocks Creek, carry- -g w.th h„„ parr, of the baggage, and destroying the remZ 1 JofMfr'.r/ "'*'' ''''^' '*» ^^''^ Comwalli,; as the Urn of h.s hght u.fantry wa, a great disadvantage to him. The larleton 8 Corp., and n. endeavouring to form a junction with General Le^.e w,o had been ordered to march' towarl Tim with «o,nc British troops from Wynncsborough. Consider! U exert.on, were then made by part of the army,^vitho"^^^^^ o retake the prisoners in the hands of the Americans 3 to n. erccpt General Morgan's corps on its retreat to t iCa'wb ' But that officer had made forced marches up the country and crossed the Catawba the evening before a^reat ra n ;hi h swelled the nver to such a degree, a, to prevent the royal armj from crossmg for several days; by which time the British prison- ers were got quite out of reach. ^ ba at M'Cowan's Ford, ^vherc General Davidson, with a party but, that ofhcer beu.g killed by the first discharge, the roya Z:L^d^'"^^'"^'"'"''''«' *"' ^'^ .miitU retreatid kmg s standard, and inv.ted, by proc^mation, all loyal subject, to repair to .t, and to stand forth and take an active parUn ass.st.ng Ins lordship to reatore order and g<.vernment. He had been taught to believe that the kh.g's friends were numerous in hat part of the country: but the event did not confirm the It h?» f '•.^P^"*'"^*''°"» t»'at had iM-en maae. The royalists were bul few .n number, and so.ne of them too timid to join the k.ng s standard. There were, indeed, about 2()0 who were proceeding to Hillsborough, under Colonel Pyle, in order to avow the.r attachment to the royal cause j but thev were met accidentally, and surrounded, by a detachment from the Ameri. can ar,ny, by whom a numintr of them are said to have been Killed when they were begging for quarter, without making the least res.8tance. Meanwhile General Grec.e was marching with great expedition to form a junction with another corps of Ame- rican troops, in order to put a ston to the »roirr«.» of Lnrd ^oruwaiiis. " . ^ - - m ($58 ftlSTORY OF NORTH AMEBICA. U l!l' In other places considerftble advantages were obtained by the royal arms. On the 4th of January, some ships of war, with a number of transports, on-board which was a large body of troops under the command of General Arnold, arrived at Westover, about 140 miles from the Capes of Virginia, where the troops immediately landed and marched to Richmond ; which they reached without opposition, the provincials having retreated on their approach. Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe marched from hence with a detachment of the British troops at Westham, where he destroyed one of the finest founderies for cannon in America, and a large quantity of stores and ammunition. General Arnold, on his arrival at Richmond, found large quantities of salt, rum, sail-cloth, tobacco, and other merchandise j and that part which was public property he destroyed. The British troops afterwards attacked and dispersed some small parties ot the Americans, took some stores, and a few pieces of cannon j 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 tirer. The troops landed about nine miles from Wilmington, end, on the 28th, entered that town. It was understood, that taeir having possession of that town, and being masters of Cape Feur liver, would be productive of very beneficial effects to Lord Comwallis* army. General Greene, having effected a junction, about the 10th of March, with a continental regimenr, and two large bodies of militia, resolved to attack the British troops under Lord Corn- wallis. The American i...uy marched from the High Rock Ford on the 12th of the month, and on the 14th arrived at Guildford. Lord Cornwallis, from the information he had received of the motions of the American general, easily conjectured his designs. As they approached more nearly to each other, a few ekirmishes ensued between some advanced parties, in which the king's troops iuid the advantage. 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 witl.', a corps of the Americans, consisting of Lieutenant- colonel Lee'** 'egion, which he d»- C«aLCU* CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &c. 359 The greater part of the country in which the action fn.t P ace ,8 a wildernes, of trees, and ihick underwood wi h ? cleared field, interspersed. The American annv * ^hieh'wa^ supenorto the British in point of numbers, was p^' d oH "».n« ground It was drawn up in three Unes: tlu tat Tine was composed of the North Carolina militia, under the com mand of Generals Butler and Eaton; the se'cond Hne w :tf V.rg.„.a m.I.tm, commanded by Generals Stephens and Jw on formmg two brigades; the third line, con^sting of two bri' gades, one of Virginia and one of Ma^land contLntal troop " was commanded by General Hugar, and Colonel Wiiar I.eutenent.colouel Washington, with the dragoon, of theZl and th,rd regiments, a detachment of light infantry, co.npoVed of eontmental troops, and a regiment of riflemen, u.!der Colonel Lynch, formed a corps of observation for the security of their ngh flank L.eutenant-colonel Lee, with his legion, a detach- ment of hght .nfantry, and a corps of riflemen under Colonel Campbell, formed a corps of observation for the security of their eft flank. The attack was made by lord Cornwallis, in the fol- lowing order : on the right, the regiment of Bose and the 71st regiment, led by Major-general Leslie, and supported by the hrst battabon of guards; on the left, the 2;3d and a3d regi! ments led by Lieutenant-colonel Webster, and supported by the grenadiers and second battalion of guards commanded by Gene! ral O Hara; the yagers and light infantry of the guards remain- ed in a wood, on the left of the guns, and the cavalry in the road, ready to act as circumstances might require About half an hour after one in the afternoon, the action commenced by a cannonade, which lasted about twenty minutes- rt N I r"'"r 'T^' "f"'''''^ '" '^''' ^°^"'"»^ «»^ attacked the Nor h Carolina brigade with great vigor, and soon obliged pa t of these troops who behaved very ill, to quit the fidd- buttle Virginia milui. kept up a heavy fire for a long time* t^ 1, being beaten back, the action became general every where' 1 he American corps, under Colonels Washington and Lee, dH considerable execution. Lieutenant- colonel Tarleton had direc- t-ons to keep his cavalry compact, and not to charge without positive orders excepting to protect any o, the corps from tl most evident dnncer of beintr deio^uui Tu^ „ .... ... , •t the woods rendered the British bayonets of little use, and 360 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. enabled the broken coips of Americans to make frequent stands 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, formed in an open field on the left of the road. Desirous of signalizing them- selves, they immediately attacked and soon defeated them, ta« king two six-pounders; but, as they pursued the Americans into the 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 ioss of the six pounders 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 Vii-ginia 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 j but the continental troops fell back in good order to the Reedy Fork river, and crossed at the ford, about three miles from the field of action. When they had collected their stragglers, they retreated to the iron-works, ten miles distant from Guildford, where they encamped. They lost their artillery, and two ivaggons 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 Curnwallis, was 532 killed, wound- ed, and missing. General Greene, in his account of the action tran'imitted to the congress, stated the loss of the continental troops to be 329 killed^ ivounded, anf* missing j but he made no estimate of the loss of the militia. Lieutenant- colonel Stuart was killed in the action; and Lieutenant colcm«;l Webster, and Captains Schutz, Maynard, and Good iche, died of their wounds. General O'Hara, General Howard, and Lieutenant- colonel Tarle- ton, were also wounded. Of the Americans, the principiri offi- cer killed was Major Anderson, of the Maryland line j Rnd Ge- nerals Stephens and Hug^r were wount.od. The British troops underwent great hardships in the course of this campaign ; and, in a letter from Lt>rd Cornwallis to Lord George Germaine, dated March 17th, he observed, that "the _-ij: I I I .. J — :»i .. I I » aUiUiCiS IIuU UvCii k>VU UuJS tVilliUUl IJTVSKl . £^4\» »t/A\«3UaLr ^jtiiViv. <- CONTEST BETWEEN CHEAT BRITAIN, &C. 361 Guildford three days after the battle ; and, on the 7th of Ai^ril, arrived at Wilmington. General Greeue, notwithstanding hi^ latedefeat, endeavoured to make some fresh attempts against the king's forces in South Carolina, Lord Rawdon had been apponned to defend the post of Camden, with about 800 Bri-" tish; and, on the 19th of April, General Greene appeared b*, fore that place with a large body of continentals and militia. He found it impossible to storm the town with any prospect of success; and therefore endeavoured to take such a position as should induce the British troops to sally forth from their works. He posted the Americans about a mile from the town, on a^i eminence which was covered with woods. :md flanked on the lefr by an impassable swamp. On the morning of the 25th, Lord Rawdon marched out of Camden, and with great gallantry at- tacked General Greene in his camp. The Americans made a vi- gorous resistance, but were at last compelled to give way and the pursuit is said to have been continued three miles. The loss of the English was about 100 killed and wounded. Up- wards of 100 of the Americans were taken prisoners i and ac- cording to the account published by General Greene, they had 126 killed and wounded. Notwithstanding the advantage which Lord Rawdon had ob- tained, he soon found it necessary to quit Irs po.tj and the Americans made themselves masters of several other posts that were occupied by the king's troops, and the garrisons were made prisoners of war. Thes'i were afterwards exchanged under a cartel which took place between Lord Cornwallis and General Greene, for the release of all prisoners in the southern district. After this, General Greene laid siege to Ninety- six, which was tl*e most eommanciing and important of all the posts in the back-»Mltement« i and, on the 19th of June, he attempted to 8tor«i tli« garrison, but was repulsed by tiie British troops, with the loM ul 75 k;i!«d and 150 wounded. General Greene then raised tiie sie^^i . md re: .ii.. Nehind the Sakids, to a •^>n!, a large b««^ .jf British troop«, under the C€«imfl«id of General Ptsilipt and Gercrai Arnold, embarked *t P©rf4m«ia^, in VirgMiia, ou an «!3^f^ition ftir the purpose ot -/"^ — •"*• "« •-••» rM««*iCau stwvoi. A p»«r(,y oi light iiUaii- try w«f« mat ten miles up tbe Chickuhamaiij , where they iu^il tn hntra K«o.. ».^... siderably greater. It was an action in which no small degree of CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. S6S military skill and courage was exhibited by the Araericans. In a variety of skirmishes, the Marquis ia Fayette very much distin- guished himself, and displayed the utmost ardor in the American cause. Notwithstanding the signal advantages Lord Cornwallis Had obtained, his situation in Virginia began to be very critical ; and the rather, because he did not receive those reinforcements from Sir Henry Clinton which he conceived to be necessary for the success of his operations. Indeed, the commander- in chief wa» prevented from sending those reinforcements, by his fears respect- ing New York, against which he entertained apprehenwons that General Washington intended to make a formidable attack. In fact, the American general appears to have taken much pains, and to have employed great finesse, to lead Sir Henry Clinton into this imagination. Letters, expressive of this inteiitionj fell into the hands of Sir Henry, which were manifestly written to be intercepted, with a view to amuse and deceive the British general. The project was successful ; and, by a variety of ma- noeuvres, in which he completely -out-generalled the British commanders, he increased his apprehensions about New York, and prevented him from sending proper assistance to Lord Corn- wallis. Having thus kept Sir Henry Clinton in perpetual alarm. General Washington suddenly quitted his camp 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 Grasse, with a large French fleet, was expected every moment in the Chesapeak, to eo-operate with general Washington. lie tiierefore endeavoured to communicate this information to Lord Cornwallis ; and also sent him assurances, that he would either reinforce him by every possible means, or make the best diversion he could in his favor. In the mean time. Lord Cornwallis had taken possession of the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester, in Virginia, where he forti- fied himself in the best manner he could. On the 28th of August, Sir Samuel Hood, with a squadron from the West Indies, joined the fleet under Admiral Graves, before New York, it was then necessary, on account of the situation of Lord Cornwallis, that tliey should immediately pror feed to the Chesapeak ; but much time appears to have been lost, though Admird Uwd W49 extremely anxieus that ne ilelay 'I f 64 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. might be made. They arrived in the Chesapeak on the 5th of beptember, with nineteen ships of the line ; where they found the Count de Grasse, who had come to an anchor, on the 30th of August, with twenty.four ships of the line. The French ad- miral had previously landed a large body of troops, i^hich had marched to join the American army under General Washington. 4 he British and French fleets came to an action on the same day,,, which the former arrived in the Chesapeak. On-board the British fleet, 90 were killed and 246 wounded j some of the ships were greatly damaged in the engagement, and the Te:ri- ble, a 74-gun ship, was so much shattered, that it was after- ward? found necessary to set her on fire. That this action was not favorable to the English, was manifest from the event : the fleets continued in sight of each other for five days succes- sively, and sometimes were very near ; but at length the French hll anchored within the Cape, so as to block up the passage Admiral Graves then called a council of war, in which it was resolved, that the fleet should return to New York, that the ships might be put into the best state for the service : and thus were the French left masters of the Chesapeak. Before the news of this engagement had reached New York a council of war had been held, in which it was resolved, that 5000 men should be embarked on-board the king's ships in or der to proceed to the assistance of Lord Cornwallis. But, when It was known that the French were absolute masters of the navi- ^tion of the Chesapeak, it was thought inexpedient to send off that reinforcement. In another council of war, it was resolveck that, as Lord Cornwallis had provisions to last him to the end ot October, it was advisable to wait for more favorable accounts from A'fmiral Graves, or for the arrival of Admiral Digby wh« was expected with three ships of the line. In the mean time, the most effectual measures were taken by General Washington, for surrounding the army under Lord Corn- wallis. A large body of French troops, under the command of the Count de Rochambeau, with a considerable train of artillery •ssisted in the enterprise. The Americans amounted to near SOOO continentals, and 5000 njllkia. General Washington was fcommander-in chief of the combined forces of America and France. On the 29th of September, the investment of Yorkiown -^ — , -^..v.o.. oiuij Tvcrc i^iiic »iovK«iu «p. The liii CONTEST BETWEEN OBEAT BKITAIN. &c. S65 hi, power to relifv. hirTdup L,e Zit 1° ""' «■■'»« '» his lordahip by Major oJ^rZTtbf sToT. T ''"J: '» gentleman, who «-a, . very B«llL„r„ffi„ °"°''"- ^'■»' the Cape.,, and „.d. u'LTT^V'' ""?' '" " ""«' «" through the whole French flee. \T ^°™"'\""' ""discovered, Vorktown on the l(ih o thf"™ h 17" ""T "" «»' ^ had hi, head carried off b^a r„tn' C?' """ *'"' "" '^^'^ bea„ thrnZ:;':":*' th"e zr' "t "'"" «- "•■«<. »d .he Ja^e, i. o:'/ g '^tTwS^e"'"? %h"r".'''° ^"^ river a ,hip „, ,,,, jjf,^ « tiTiTtlJ L " I'' '"'' '""'' «« high; and some batJrie. fa^nrTh!' ^ T"""" '»"'" structed on then, by a sn.a cor^^^f ;, J^t, '^- "*"" '»»- «..e of Virginia, forn,erIy Rationed at ,hhd.l''"r^K° "" poaite shore is Gloucester Poin.. .■"'"'»?'«<»• On the op. into the river, and nrii'nn'atX"i:^t ."hX ? "-" exceed one mile. Both these nn,^- '* '^°®« not Co.nw.lli,. who had ^^^.^Z^ JZ^Z'^t "^ ^""l communication between them w., JL '""7 "S them. The .nd by „me ships of itLrr^^Xrgu'r '' ''""^''''• «ork,, calculated ,0 commanT.fe ~ia td '? '"?''"- Wo^h of the ..ailants: and Colore Tlt'tonwir.' ",: we^rt: t^rrmideXrei"''\""''" ^-' Choise, were directed to watch anH , T*" «*""»' »« side of Gloucester; and on tte 28th T " ^ """^ »" the ».oved down on the' ««.,.":;' of the' t7Z' T^'''^" '""y towar* Y„rkto»„. About noon hrheadf of'^hT' 7"" 'e«=hed the ground respectively aligned to thl 'f"""' driving in the piquets a,^ some cava ^lln 7/ T*"' *"*' ■ng. The next day „a, nrincirrj ^' '""'"/'' '^°' "" '''™- the situation and L^ o'^^Z'^lirZ '"^"^'^'•« plans of »„n.^k . . Sanson, and m digestine the A-i«u.r.;.--dcdi:;.,::"™ Z 1^ tf "■""':« "^ MiB rignt, and occupied the .1 fi66 niSTOEY OF NORTH AMERICA. !l ii« ground east of Beaver Dam creek ; while the left wing, consist** ing of the French, were stationed on the west side of that creek. In the course of the night Lord Cornwallis withdrew within his inner lines ; and the next day the works he had eva- cuated were possessed by the besieging army, which now com- pletely and closely invested the town on that side. ' No attack on Gloucester Point being intended, the arrange- ments in that quarter were only calculated to keep up a rigorous blockade j and the force allotted to this service consisted 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 night 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 shot. The shells and red-hot balls from the 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 «iege was carried on with unexampled rapidity. On the night CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, kc. 367 of the 11th, 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 measure to cover the men employed in them. The thiee succeeding days were devoted to the completion of the second parallel, -and of rt,e 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 annoyed by two redoubts, advanced three hundred yards in froni of the British works, which flanked the second parallel of^ besiegers. It was necessary to possess these redoubts j and on he 14th preparations were made to carry them both by storm To avail himself of the spirit of emulation existing hetieTZ troops of the two nations, and to avoid ftirnishing matter to ex cue the jealousy of either, the attack of the one was cor^mit ei to he Americans, and of the other to the French. The AlTrqut de a Fayette commanded the American detachment, composed of the light infantry, which was intended to act aga nstX re- doubt on the left of the British works on the river bank ad the Baron de Viominel led the grenadiers and chasseurs ofTis country against that which, being further to the British r gh approached rather nearer the French lines. Towards the dose of day, he two detachments marched with euual firmness to the assault. Emulous for glory both for themselves and thd^ country, every exertion was made by each. Colonel Hamilton who hroughout this campaign, had commanded a battalion of hght infantry, led the advanced corps of the Ameri;"; coi^ sisting of his own and of Colonel Gimat's battalions; and Co onel Laurens, another aid of the commander-in-chief, turned the redoubt at the head of eighty men, in order to take the Zt rison m reverse, and intercept their retreat. The troops rushed on to the charge without firing a single piece; and so great was heir ardor, that they did not give the sappers time to remove .::•- wurk» wun irresisiiDle impetuosity on all sides at once and entered them with such rapidity that their loss was inc'onsi- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT>3) k // ^/ ^^ .<^^. /. /A> MP W % % l6 !.0 1^128 12.5 2.2 I.I |3.2 IT D^ 12.0 1.8 1.25 U ill 1.6 6" Photograpnic Sciences Corporation 73 WEST MAIN STRFET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4303 ) 4ij M-^ ^^ « 4 368 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. derable. This redoubt was defended bv Major Campbell, witb some inferior officers, and forty-five privates. The major a captain, an ensign, and seventeen privates, were made prisoners • eight privates were killed while the Americans were entering the works, and a few escaped. The redoubt attacked by the French was defended by a greater number of men; and the resistance being greater, was not overcome so quickly, or with so littl© loss. Of 120 men commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, who were originally in this work, 18 were killed, and 42, among whom were a captain and two subaltern officers, were made prisoners. In killed and wounded the assailants lost near 100 men. The commander-in chief was highly gratified with the active courage displayed in the assault. Speaking of it in his diary, he says, « The bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, coolness, and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The orders of the succeeding day, congratulating 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 Viominel and the Marquis de la Fayette; and requested them to convey to every officer 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 themselves under the fire of the enemy without returning a shot. « The general reflects," the orders conclude, " with the highest degree of pleasure on the confidence which the troops of the two nations must hereafter have in each other. Assured of mu- tual support, he is convinced there is no danger 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 hovvitze'rs were placed in them, 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 quarter 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 open, which in a few hours must infallibly render the town altogether CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 369 untenable. To suspend for a short time a catastrophe which ap- peared almost inevitable, he resolved on attempting to retard the completion of the second parallel, by a vigorous sortie against two batteries which appeared to be in the greatest readiness, and which were guarded by French troops. The party making this sortie consisted of 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 batte- 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 joon 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. Thty 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 j 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 York. 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 fivcf. The arrangements were made with the utmost secrcr 16. 3 a I 11 i 870 HISIORY OF NORTH AMERICA. cy ; and the first embarkation had arrived at the Point unper- ceived, and part of the troops were 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 of daylight that the storm ceased, so that the boats could return. They were sent to brin^ back the soldiers J, who, without much loss, were relanded on the soifthern shore in the course of the forenoon. In the morning of the 17th, 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 American general immediately returned an answer, declaring his " ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and his 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 xvas 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 j who was at the' same time informed, that if he approved tliem, commissioners might immediately be appointed to digest them into form. In consequence of this message, the, Viscount de Noailles and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens were met oj» the 18th by Colonel Dundas and Major Ross; but, being unable to adjust defini- tively the terms of the canitulatinn. «iilv n i,nn<»!. <4rn..,.i.* ^c .i > CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 371 could be prepared, 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 CornwalHs. He therefore immediately directed the rough articles which had been prepared by the commissioners to be fairly transcribed, and sent them 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 • and on the 19th 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 d seamen, rather exceeded 7000 men, of whom 5963 were rank and file. Of this number 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, amounteu 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 tQ go on parole to Europe, or to any maritime port occupied by the Eng- lish in America. Lord Cornwallis earnestly endeavoured to ob- tain permission for his European troops to return to their re- spective countries, under the single restriction of not serving ajgainst France or America j but this ind.ilgenee 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- «earched, with dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton j and on- board this vessel were embarked the Americans who were moat obnox- ious to their countrymen. li 872 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. There are some circumstances which wouW indicate that in this transaction the commander-in-chief held in recollection the capitulation of Charlestown. The garrison was obliged to march out of the town with colors cased, but with drums beating either a British or German march j and General Lincoln was appoint- ed to receive them on their going through the ceremony of grounding their arms. The allied army to which that of Lord Comwallis surrendered, may be 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 3500. In the course of the siege, their loss in killed and wounded was about 300. It is foil 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 approbation ; 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 j Colo- nel Gouvain and Captain Rochfontaine of the corps of engineers, were each advanced a step by brevet. In addition to the offi- cers belonging to those departments. Generals Lincoln, De la Fayette, and Steuben, were particularly mentioned tfy the com- mander-in-chief, in the orders issued the day tiitet 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 fiirnish 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. Jw»,. de hberation 1 can be«„„, I a.%b.iged to'decU,^ Z SZ d.d opm,on that the raea,«re, in «I1 i„ view^ «, fa, T. it" yc.A,„e„ca i, „,er.ly delusory, having no .eriouTiZ,!™ o admit our independence upon it. tr«e principle, but TJZ^ ated to produce a ch«,ge of minister, "^^o quC'.h. ™i„d^ rf the,r o»„ ,«„p,e, ,„d „co„cile thera .„ . Lt inua^cT "f th^ war, whde .t i, meant to am«« thi. country with a S" id'tf peace, to draw „, from our connexion mth France! and to l„H m u,t„ a state of security and inactiviiy, which takTnt „1» . e ministry will be left to prosecute the ';.r i„ ott "^.^Hf the world wth greater vigor and effect. Your ExcIlUn^ ^ permit me on this occasion to observe, that ev™ if th.^ ." and parliament are really in earnest to ob^^i^ '''"J *^ "^T nca, ,, will undoubtedly be wisdom in „, to n^,!hi .T: great caution and circumspection, and by al m^n ' to I ^ arms 6rm in our hands, and instead ofrZZZXuZT' «ert,on,, rather to spring forward with red ubl^CZ we may take the advantage of every favorable opportS unti our wishes are fully obtained. No nation yet .1Ed7tr"«v by preparmg even in the moment of negociationl m«, "^ rously for the field. The industry whichr™ my a^tsin'?:: propagate their pacific reports, appe.« to me Tcr^um ,.1,~ ve.ys„,p,e,„„s, and the eagerness with which thep^pTe '"1 z;:::-"' ""='"'■="■"««"-. ». *» ".y opi„!:n,";„:;; rv rS '" '^l' ^" ^"^ ^"''"'"' "'«' '«■' "■««li se*»tTipH tn p{\nti*mn\iKt0 th<» »!*!!><> nh^Pt^t with V, uia e^^i: — __j i. . , . ' — "' '"' «tyiiiig3 auu Rnowieage ot their situation had inspired. Early in March, a letter was re- 382 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. ceived from their committee in Philadelphia, purporting that the objects they solicited had not been obtained. On the 10th of tliat month, 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 bosohi 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 combustibh 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 fum, but prudent and conciliatory j 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 j but knowing also that a sense of injury and fear df injustice had made a deep impression on them, and that their sensibilities were all alive to the 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 proposinxr a meetine- of the nfficpra anA ov. 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 J but his own duty," he conceived, " as well as the reputa- tion and true interest of the army, required his disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings. At the same time he requested the general and field officers, with one officer from each compa- ny, and a proper representative from the staff of the armv, to assemble at twelve on Saturday the 15th, at the New Building to hear the report of the committee deputed by the armv 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, aiid 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 th? former. Acquainted with the discontents of the army, its author did not despair of impelling the officers to the desired point. Af- fecting to consider the orders in a light favorable to his views he said: "Till now, 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 week, have forbidden you from meeting on the seventh ? is not the same 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 a't l.berty 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 he to the pathetic descriptions of your representations, and the more alarming predictions of your friends ?" But, iiicapable of acting on motives not to be avowed Wash- ington would not permit himself to be misunderstood. The in- 384 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. terval between his orders and the general meeting they invited was employed in impressing on those officers individually who' possessed the greatest share of the general confidence, a just sense of xvhat the exigency required; and the whole weight of his influence was exerted to bring the agitations of the moment to a happy termination. This was a work of no inconsiderable difficulty. So convinced were many of them, that government designed to deal unfairly by them, that only the reKance they placed on their general, and their attachnlent to him, could have moderated their resentments so far as to induce them to adopt the measures he recommended. On the 15th the convention of officers assembled, and Gene-* ral Gates took the chair. The commander-in-chief then ad- dressed them in a speech the most impressive j 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 j 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 blond and eight years' faithful services. " Resolved unanimously. That the army continue to have an unshaken confidence in 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 funds established for payment j 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 wait- CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 385 wg upon congrew for the result. In the alternative of peace or war, this event W4>uld be highly satisfactory j and would produce immediate tranquillity in the roindei of the army, and prevent any further machinfttions of designing men to sow discord betyieea the civU and military powers of the United States. ?» ^,t , " On motion, resolved unanimously^ That the oflicere of the Ameriean army view with abhorrence, and reject with disdain, the infamous propositions contained in a late anonymous address to the officers of the army, and resent with indignation the secret attempts of some unknown persons to collect the officers toge- ther, in a manner totally subversive of all di9cipline and good order. " Resolved unanimously. That the thanks of the officers pf the army be given to the committee who presented to congress the late address of the army, for the wisdom and prudence with which they have conducted that business : and that a copy of the proceedings of this day be transmitted by the president to Major-general M'Dougall j and that he be requested to continue his solicitations at congress, until the objects of his mission are accomplished." The storm which had so suddenly and unexpectedly been raised being thus happily dissipated, the commander-in-chief exerted ail his influence in support of the application the officers had made to congress. The letter written by him on the occa^ sio» will show that he was not impelled to this measure by th^ engagements he had entered into more strongly than by his feelings. " The result of the proceedings of the grand convention of the officers, which I have the honor of enclosing to your excellency, for the inspection of congress, will, I flatter myself, be consi- dered as the last glorious proof of patriotism which could have been given by, men who aspired to the distinction of a patriot army, and will not only confirm their claim to the justice, but will increase their title to the gratitude of their country. " Having seen the proceedings on the part of the army termi- nate with perfect unanimity, and in a mann*:- entirely consonant to my wishes j being impressed with the " iest sentiments of affection for those who have so long, so patiently, and so cheer- fully, suffered and fought under my immediate direL'tinn : hav!!>«'^ from motives of iustiee. dutv. and gratitude, spontaneously of« ' H Wwh,, 17. 3 c 586 ftlSTOEV OF NORfK AMERICA. fcred (ta3«elf as an advocate for their rights ; and haring been requested to write to yoor excellency, earnestly entreating the most speedy decisiofi of congress tipon the subjects of the late Mdress from the army to that honorable body j it now only re- mains for me to perform the task I have amumed, and to inter- cede in their behalf, as 1 bow do, that the sovereign power will be pleased to v^fy the predictions I have pronoimced of, and Che confidence the arihy have reposed in, the justice of their eoumry. "And here 1 humbly Conceive it is altogether tmnecessUfy (while I Am pleading the cattae of an aritiy which have done and suffered more than any other army ever did in the defence of the fights and liberties of human liature) to expatiate on their claims to the most ample compensation for their meritorious services; because they arc perfectly known to the whole world, and be- cause (although the topics are inexhaustible) enough has already been said on the stibject. To prove these assertions, to evince that my sentiments have ever been uniform, and to show what iny ideas of the rewards in question have a]wa)a been, I appeal to tlie archives of congress, and call on those sacred deposits to Witness for me. And in order that my observations and aigu- ihents in ftivor of a future adequate provision for the officers of the hrmy may be brought to remembraitce again, and considered in a single point of view, without giving congress the trouble of hdVing recourse to their ftles, I will beg leave to transmit here- t^th an extract fVom a representation made by me to a commit* tee of congress, so long ago as the 20th of January, 1778, and Ht^o the transcript of a letter to the president of congress, dated near Passaic Falls, October 11, 1780. •'That in the critical ond perilous moment when the last- thentioned communication was made, there was the utmost dan- ger a dissokitioti of the army would have taken place, unless h^asUrets similar to those recommended had been adopted, will not admit of a doubt. That the adoption of the resolution gmtiting half-pay for life has been attended with all the happy consequences I had foretold, so far as respected the good of the service, let the astonishing contrast between the state of the anny at this instant Mid at the former period determine. And that the Mtablishtncnt of ftinds, and security df tbe payment of fiU tiie}ti«il ddRifttiUs of the artny, will be the most certain means CONTEST BETWBEK GSSA/T BRITAIN, &C. 887 of preserving the nationai faith and future tranqwullt^ of thia extensive continent, is my decided opinioa. « By the preceding remarks k will be readily imagined, that hwtead of retracting and reprehending (from farther experience and reflection), the mode of compenaatioii so strenuously urged in' the enclosures, I am more and more confirmed in the senti- ment-; and if in the wrong, suffer me to pleaae myself in the grateful delusion. For if, besides the simple pajment ot theiit wages, a further compensation is not due to the sufferings ana sacrifices of the ofireers, then have I been mistaken indeed. If the whole army have not merited whatever a grateful people can bestow, then have i beeji beguiled by prejudice, and built opi- nion on the basi» of error. If this country should not in th§ event perform every thing which has been requested in the late memorial to congress, then will my belief become vaiu, and the hope that haa been excited void of foundation. And if (as ha9 been suggested for the purpose of inflaming their passions) tho oflkcra of the army able the superintendent of the finances to advance a part of the arrears due to the soldiers; but as the foreign danger diminished, they became still less at- tentive to these demands j and the financier was under the ne- cessity of making further anticipations of the revenue. Mea- sures were taken to advance three months pay in his notes ; but before they could be prepared, the orders were issued for com- plying with the resolution of congress for granting furloughs. These orders produced a serious alarm. The generals and other officers commanding regiments and corps cantoned on the Hud- son assembled, and presented an address to the commander-in- chief, in which the most ardent affection to his person, and con- fidence in his attachment to the interests of the army, were min- gled with expressions of profound duty and respect for the go- vernment. But tliey declared, that after the late explanationa on their claims, they had confidently expected that their ac- counts would be liquidated, the balances ascertained, and ade- ,^t and attention. His military course was now on the j.^ski . f ttraiinaling ; and, previous to divesting CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &iC. 3^3 himself of the sMprcme command, he wm about to bid ajixm to his comrades in arms. This aflfectiiig interview took place on the 4th of December. At noon, the principal officers of the armv atutcinblcd at Fran- ces* tavern; soon after which, their beloved commander entered the room. His emotious were too strong to be concealed. Fill- ing a glass, he turned to them, and said, " With a heart full of iove 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 caimot come to each of you to take my leave, but siiall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and take me by the ^and." Genera! Knox, being nearest, turned to him. ?acapable 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 scone. Leaving the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, and walked 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, he turned to the company, and, waving his hat, bade them a silent adieu. They paid him the same affectionate compliment, and after the barge had left them, returned in the same solemn manner to the place wheje they had assembled. Congress was then in session at Annapolis in Maryland, to which place General Washington repaired, for the purpose of re- signing into their hands the authority with which they had in- vested him.* H e arrived on th e 19th^December. The next • O . !.;. woy h« 8lopi.ed a few days at PhUaddpMa, fvii^ th« piirpowTrf »a f r'iT"*' *"" '"" -"•»»-»". The fonJiog account Tthk part of Ins duty i. extracted from Mr. Gordon. •' While In the citv L wT stZ .K "'"^; ^"' '""' •^""■■'^ "•■"* '» »••« ">o«t particular »an"er! "The heTr*^ rV'' '''' ""•=""" ''*"' *"*«" '""^ «ere attended. Inihf fill f K ; *' i' ''"''■"** '"'"' •••*' ^•"" ""•""•"Ipt paper book, '"f„t?'! "/..'!'! Ar'"?r*"' ^° :«'««• belnf a black bix of tin, cor. inai and the voucheri. P»'! 17. 3 D / / 394 HISTORY OF NOBTH AMERICA. day, lie informed that body of his intention to ask leave to re* sign the commission he had the honor of holding in their ser- vice, hud requested to know whether it would he their pleasure ihat he should offer his resignation in writing, or at an audience. To give t'.e more dignity to the act, they determined that it should be offered at a public audience on the following Tuesday, Pecember 23d, at twelve o'clock. When the hour arrived for performing a ceremony so well cal- culated to rccal to the mind the various interesting scenes which had passed since the commission now to be returned was grant- 'Total of expenditures ft om 1775 to 1788, rxclusive of provi- sions from comiDit.iarii;:* and contractors, and of liquors, &c. £, s. d, from iiiem ahd others ..-».... 3387 14 •! Secret intelligence and service ...... 1083 10 Spent in reconnoitring and travelling ..... 1874 8B NIscellapeoHs charges - - - - - - . 2952 10 | Expended besides, dollars according to the scale of deprecia* lUin . - w • • - <■ . • - 6114 14 10,211 17 I * Two hundred guineas advanced to General M'Doqgall are not include«! in the 1982/. 10s. not being yet settled, but included in some of the other charges, and so reckoned in the general sum. • Note, 104,364 of the dollars were received after March 1780, and al- though credited at forty for one, many did not fetch at the rate of a hundred for one; which 27,773 of them are returned without deducting any thing from the above azcouni, and therefore actually made a present of to the public. 'General Washington's account from June 1775 to the end of £. $. d. June 1783 - 16,311 17 I J^lxpenditurc from July 1st, 1783, to December ISth . 1717 5 4 Added afterwards from that dnte to December > . S13 8 4 Mrs- Washington's travelling expences in coming to the Gene. ral and returning r t - f <■ • I0C4 i 19.306 11 9 *iiawful money of Virginia, the same as the MaH^chus- BcUs, or 14,479 18 9J <* The general entered in his book, 'I find upon the final acyustment of these accounts, that I am a considerable loser, my disbursements falling a good deal short of my receipts, and the money I hnd upon hand of my own; for besides the sums I carried with me to Cambridge in 1775, I received mo- niei afterwards on private account in 1777 and since, which, except small sums that I had occasion noyr and then to apply to private uses, were all ex- pended in the public service. Through hurry, I suppose, and the perplexity of business (for 1 know not how else to account for the deficiency) I hav« omitted to charge the same* whiUt every debt aguinst me js here credited^ July l*t, 1783.' CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &CC, 805 ed, the gallery was crowded with spectators ; and many respecta- ble persons, among whom were the legislative and executive characters of the state, several general officers, and the consul- general of France, were admitted on the floor of congress. The representatives of the sovereignty of the union remained seated and covered. The spectators were standing and uncover- ed. The general v/as introduced by the secretary, and conducted to a chair. After a decent interval, silence was commandod, and a short pause ensued. The president (General Mifflin,) then in- formed him, that "the United States in con^^ress assembled were prepared to receive his communications." With a native dignity improved by the solemnity of the occasion, the general rose, and delivered the following address. " Mr. President, "The great events on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sin- cere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself to them, to surrender into their hands the tru^t committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. "Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sove- reignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States, of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfac- tion the appointment I accepted with^diffidence j a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and the patron- age of Heaven. The successful termination of the war has veri- fied the niost sanguine expectations j and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I Jiave received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momen- tous contest. "While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished »r.erits of the gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me. Sir, to re- commend in particular, those who have continued in the service m- 396 ltiiS*r6KY OT* NORTir AMfiillCA. to the [iresent moKtient, a» worthy of the favorable notice mi patront^e of congress. " I conslddr it as an indispensable dtity, to cloise this last act of my official life by commending the interests of odf dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who hav« the superintendence of them to hia holy keeping. " Having now finished the work assigned liie, I retire frbm the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employ- ments of public life." Alter advancing to the cHair, arid delivi^ring his commission to the president, he returned to his place, and receivedj^ standing, the following answer of congress, which was delivered by the president. « Sir. " The United States in congress assembled, receive #ith emo- tions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and a doubtful war. Called upon by your coun- try to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had fbrmed alliances, and whilst it was wilhotit funds or a government to support you. You have conducted the great military contest with wtsdbrii and fortitude, invariably regiEirding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence oif your fellow citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transrtiit their fame to posterity. You have persevered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and natron, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to close the war in frieedom, safely, and independence j on which happy event, vve sincerely join yoii in congratulations. •** Having defended the standard of liberty in this new ippy and respectable nation. And for you, we address to him our earnest prayers that a hfe so beloved, may be fostered with all his care; that your days may be happy as they have been ilhistrioiis ; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." This scene being closed, a scene rendered peculfariy interest- ing by the personages wlio appeared in it, by the great events it recafled to the memory, and by the smgularity of the circum. stances under which it was displayed; the American chief with- drew from the hall of congress, leaving the silent and admiring spectators deeply impressed with those sentiments which its so- lemnity and dignity were well calculated to inspire. Having laid down his military character. Genera! Washmgton retired to Mount Vernon, to which place he was followed by the enthusi- astic love, esteem, and admiration of his countrymen. Relieved from the agitations of a doubtful contest, and from the toils of an exalted station, he returned with increased delight to the du- ties atkl the enjoyments of a private citizen. In the shade of retirement, under the protection of a free Go- vernment, and the benignant influence of mild and equal laws he indulged the hope of tasting that fcficrty which is the reward of a mind at peace with itself, and conscious of its own purity No sooner was peace restored by the definitive treaty, ani the British troops withdtawn from the country, than the United States began to experience the defects of their general govern- ment. White an enemy was ;n th« country, fear, which had fitst impelled the colonists to assucidte in mutual defence, conti* ftued to operate as a band of politrcHf union. It gave to the resolutions and recommeiidatrons of congress the force of laws and generally commanded a ready acquiescence on the part of the rtate legislatures. Articfes of confederation and perpettral union had been framed in congress, and submitted to the coiMi- deratioh of the states, in the year 1778. Some of the states immediately acceded to (hem : biit othPM. ufhi^u hnht ^^- ..„-:. . f!S!rff||!! iiij£-:- It S98 HISTORY OF NORTH AMEBIC A. propriated lands, hesitated to subscribe a compact, which would give an advantage to the states which possessed large tracts of unlucated lands, and were thus capable of a great superiority in wealth and population. All objections however had been over« come, and by the accession of Maryland in Mfurch 1781, 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 roost criticaJ 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. This 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 ; and that it was but the first step towards the establishment of pen- sions, and an uncontrolable despotism. The act of congress, ipassed in 1783, commuting half pay for life for five years full CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 809 pay, was designed to appease the apprehensions of the people, and to conrince them that this gratuity was intended merely to indemnify the officers for their losses by the depreciation of the paper currency j and not to establish a precedent for the grant- ing of pensions. This act however did not satisfy the people, who supposed that the officers had been generally indemnified 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 officers, allowed but one year's pay to the privates j a distinction which had great In- fluence in exciting and continuing the popular ferment, and one that turned a large share of the public rage against the officers themselves. 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 inflammatory 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 — appointed 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. jr: rcnionstrsinee ogninst the acts in favor of the oificers, was ^^L . i mr 1 mtii Iki II'''.! , ■ R 400 HISTOEY OF NOETH AMEEICA. framed in the house of representatives, vad notwithstandiag the upper house refused to concur in the measure, it was sent to congress. During this situation of affairs, the public odium against the officers was augmented by auotber circumstance. The officers, just before the disbanding of the army, had formed a society, called by the name of the Cincinnati, after the Roman Dictator, Cincinnatus, which, it was said, was intended to perpetuate the memory of the revolution, the friendship of the officers, and the unirni of the states ; and also to raise a fund for the relief of poor widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers had fallen during the war, and for tlieir descendants. The society was di> vided into state societies, which were to meet on the 4th of July, and with other business, depute a number of their mem- bers to convene annually in general meeting. The members of the institution were to be distinguished by weariug a medal, em- blematical of the design of the society, and the honors and ad- vantages were to be hereditary in the eldest male heirs, and in default of male issue, in the collateral male heirs. Honorary members 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- scendants. Whatever were the real views of the framers of this institu- tion, Its design was generally understood to be harmless and honorable. The 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, which 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 Uttk 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 o( the people were general, CONTEST BETWBEK GBEAT BRITAIN, &C. 401 and ready to burst forth in innirrection, ybt tneaof information,- vii. the offiocn of govemmept, the clergy, and persons bf liberal edacation, were ffeaerally opposed to the uneoostitntional steps taken by the committees and convention at Mtddlbtown. They su|^>orted tiie 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 thfe {yeofde, and such was the eifect of the arguments used by the minority, that in the beginning of the following year, the opposition, subsided) the committees were dismissed, and tran- quillity restored to the state. In May, the l^slature 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} atiother giving great encouragement to commerce, and several towns wbre incorporated with extensive privileges, for the purpose of regulating the exports of thq^ 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 ttdt rise to the same pitch in the other states as in Connecticut; yet it produced much disturbance in Massachussetts, and some others. Jealousy of power had been tmiversally 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- lousjr, 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 ol 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. ceased, and the vast importa- D..» —I UUl, VVIICU ..L- J_. km i'l i 17. 3 £ 402 HlSTOny OP NORTH AMEHlCil. Uons of foreigti goods had lessened the quantity of circolatmr specie, the states began to be very remiss in furnishing their proportion of monies. The annihilation of the credit of the paper bills had totally stopped their circulation, and the speeie was leavmg the country in cargoes, for remittances to Great Britain J still the luxurious habits of the people, contracted du- ring the war, called for new supplies of goods, and private gra- tification seconded the narrow policy of state- interest in defeat- ing the operations of the general government. Thus the revenues of congress were annually diminished; some of the states wholly neglecting to make provisibn for pay- ing the iflterest of the national debt j others making but a par- tial provision, until the scanty supplies received from a few of the rich states, would hardly satisfy the demands of thp ciyil This weakness of the federal government, in conjunction with the flood of certificates or public securities, which congress could neither fund not pay, occasioned them to depreciate to a very inconsiderable value. The officers and soldiers of the late army were obliged to receive for wages these certificates, or profr.is- sory notes, which passed at a fifth, or eighth, or a tenth of their nominal value j being thus deprived at once of the greatest part of the reward due for their services. Some indeed profited by speculations in these evidences of the public debt j but such as were under a necessity of parting with them, were robbed of that support Which they had a right to ea^pect and demand from their countrymen. Pennsylvania indeed made provision for paying the interest of her debts, both state and federal j assuming her supposed pro- portion of the continental debt, and giving the creditors liel- own state notes in exchange for those of the United States. The resources of that state are immense, but she has not been able to make punctual payments, even in a depreciated paper cur- rency. ( Massachussetts, in her steal 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 1786. But a heavy debt lying on the state, added to burdens of the same nature, upon almost €very incorporation within it^ a decline, or rather an ex- -m CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &C. 403 tlnetton of public credit; a relaxatidn and corraption of manners, and a free use of foreign luxuries j a decay of trade and manu- factures, with a prevailing scarcity of money ; and above all, individuals involved in debt to each other-^bese were the real, though more remote causes of the insurrection. It was the tax which the people Were required to pay, that caused them to feel the evils which we have enumerated— this catUed forth ail their other grievances j and the first act of violence committed, was the burning or destroying of a tax bill. This sedition threw the state into a convulsion which lasted about a year j courts of jus* tice were Violently obstructed j the collection of debts was sus- pended ; and a body of armed troops, under the command of General Lincoln, was employed, during the winter of 1786, to tlisperse the insurgents. Yet so numerous w'ere the latter in the counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire, and so obsti- nately combined to oppose the execution of law by force, that the governor and council of the state thought proper not to in- trust General Lincoln with military powers, except to act on the defensive, and to repel force with force, in case the insurgents should attack him. The leaders of the rebels, however, were not men of talents; they were desperate, but without fortitude; and while they were supported with a superior force, they ap- peared to be impressed with that ' consciousness of guil^, which awes the most daring wretch, and makes him shrink from his purpose. This appears by the conduct of a large party of the ' rebels before the magazine at Springfield ; where General Shep- ard, with a small guard, was stationed to protect the continental stores. The insurgents appeared upon the plain, with a vast superiority of numbers, but a few shot fi-om the artillery made the multitude retreat in disorder with the loss of four men. This spirited conduct of General Shepard, with tlie industry, perse- verance, and prudent firmness of General Lincoln, dispersed the rebels, drove the leaders from the state, and restored tranquillity. 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, popular disturbances, and in- surrections, were not the only evils which were generated by th« IWi i.m|;; i !'!»!«"! \m mi. 4i04 HI9TQ]IY OF NORTH AMUBKA, peculiar circttnii«iiaiio«« of tb« times. The emissions of bills of credit and tender law9, were added to the black eataJogae of po- litical disorders. The expedient of supplying the deficiencies of specie, by emisMons of paper bills, was adopted very early in the cdoBics. The expedient was obrious, and produced good effects. Jn 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, iq a few years, discharge the principal. .f,v,i" In no colony was this advantage more sensibly experienced than in Pennsylvania. The emigrations to that province were numerousx-the natural population rapid— and these circumstan- ces combined, advanced the value of real pfoperty to an asto- nishing degree. As the furst 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 balance of trade .must have necessarily been greatly agaio^l the colcnies, Th^ advantages the colonies had derived from bills of credit, under the British government, suggested to congress, in 1775, the i«IeR of issuing bills for tlie pwpase of carrying on the war. And this was perhaps their only expedient. Money ceuld not be raised by taxation— 4t could not be borrowed. The first emis- sions hiMl no other effect upon the medium of commerce, thap 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 sura of specie, the bills began to lose their vaIuc. The depreciation continued in pro- portion to the sums emitted,^ until seventy, and even one hoo- dred and fifty nominal paper dollars, were httidly an equiwale^t for one Spanish milled dollar. Still from the year 1775 t».17&l, 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 aum in circulation amounted to two hundred millions of dollars.!* But about tWyeae 1780, • A dollar in Sterling money li 4«. 6d. But the price of « dollar roie la New England currency to 6«. in New York, to 8s. io New Jeney, Penn- sylvania, and Maryland, t<> t.t. 6rf. j In Virginia, to 6«, in North Carolina, •ft Ss, In Snuth CaroUn* ftnd fis-srgls, «» 4*. 8«f, This diSfefeaee, orrgiHsti«g CONTIlilJ »STWE|5N OBEAT HftlTAUT, &C. 446 specie bei^ to W plentiful, b^jng intf«l««ed by the Ftewh army, a prinat* l;r«de wi|h Ihe Spanish \a\m^, uMi an ilUdt in- tercouwe with the ^rWsb gari i»oti at New York. Tkw cimim* Btenoe •ccelarated th« deprvciatioa of the paper bills, until their value had sunk almost to nothing. In 178t, the merchants and brokers in tha southern states, apprehensiye of tbe approach- ing fate of thf^curitticy, pushed invmense qitontities of it sud^ denly into New England—made vast purchase^ of goods in fios« toB—and insuntly tlif bills vanished from citculation. .^.forft The whole history of this Oontinental paper is a history of public and pt ivate frauds. Old specie debts wer* often paid in a depreciated curre^ty^and even new contracts, for a few weeks or days, were ofte* discharged with A small part of the value received. From this pleaty and fluetuating sUte cf the medium, 9pnmg hosts of specuUten and itinerant traders, who left their honest occupations for the piospect of immense gains, in a frau. dulent business, that depended d« no fixed principles, and the promts of which ceuld be reduced to no certain o*kii4ationsi. T« Mjcrcslse these evils, a project was formed to fix the prices Qf article^ and restrain persons f~m giving or .fceiving more for any commodity than the price stated by anthority. These regnlaling acts wcte reprobated l?y every man acquainted with, commerce and finance, as, th<^ were intended to prevent m effect ftithout removing th^ cause. To atte«ipt to fi> the value ofmoney, while streams of biH, were incea^ntlv flowing fiwn the treasury of the United States, was as .idiciflous as anT! tempt to restrain the rising of water in rivers amidst showers of rain. .),<'/■ ' .. ,. , Notwithstanding all opptmiim, some states framed ami at- tempted to enforce these regulating acts. The efiect was, a mo- mentary apparent stand i« the price of articles, innumerable acts of collusion and evasion amo.,g the dishonest; numberless injuries done to tibe honest j and finally, a total disregard of att such regulations, and the consequential contempt of laws, and the authority of the magistrate; , ^ Industry likewise had suffmd by the ilo^d of money which h ad deluged the states. The prices of^p Muce M arisen Jit belweeo paper and specie, or bill,, conllnued rfcerward. to exist ip the no- Btual eitinmtioa of gold and »ilver. * ""^ Franklini't Misettlaneoiu Warhsy p. 217. 11 ■■•'M A0$ HWTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. ph)poVtioh to the qaimtity 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 theiV train of desolating consequences, spread themselves among all descriptions of people. • tot ;if>iiu« Jnu?ht«<{»-mii(,L 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, th6 importations of which exceeded all calculation. Within two years from the close of the war, a scarcity qf money was the ge* neral cry. The merchants found it impossible to collect their dobts, 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. 9 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 (^posers 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 thoir 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 in its favor that bore down all opposition. 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 c£ it, at the same time that it had destroyed who 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 depreciaUon CONTEST BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, &c. 40f «f continental bill,, with the injuries which it had do.ie to indi vduttl,, inspired a general distrust of all public promi es Notwithstanding a part of th. money' was Cedl good anded socunty, and the faith of that wealthy state pleSgeffor the redemption of the whole at its nominal value, 3et the^ ' vantage, of .pecie a, a medium of coaimerce, especially a,t article of remittance to London, soon made i difference of Z per cent, between the bill, of credit an^ specie Th LTfr may be considered rather a» an appreciation If Jui aT"^ than a depreciation of paper; bu't' is effects in 1 '"^ *'''f^r state mu,t be highly pr/udi^ial. It opt ;h "doorrruf of all kmds, and frauds are usually practised on T\ *"'^* unsuspecting, especially upon all clLroTLJeL '""" '^"^ rh» currency of Pennsylvania is receivable in «n «„ ^^- at the custom-house, and for certain tJ^lTV Pfy'"^"^' yet it has sunk to two-thirdl of Th vafue i^ "7'""' '"'"^ ' cial transactions where it is received ' '"' ''" ^^""^'"^ North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia h«rl r '' to the same wretched expedient to supply t^ve^^^^^^^^^ ney; not reflecting that industry; fruLlitv and Ton i cial lau. are the only means of t^rninfS^ balanfe'f rd"""' favor of a. country, and that this balance is the onJvl '" source of solid wealth and readv money TutZ^^TT' emitted shared a worse fate than th:r;f PenU' an^a^ tf ' expelled almost all the circulating cash from ?he sta^! ' ^ lost a great part of theirnominal value thev iml I '.^^ merchants, and embarrassed the planterl^'^- ^^° "^'^ '^'' The state of Virginia had too much wisdom to *.«.;»! n ,. tolerated a practice among the inhabit^: ^^e « ^T^^^^^^ ''"^ smalerp,eces of silver, in order to prevent it Sit' "1^ M»r 7 A P^'-"'*=7« P'-^"'^^ prevailed also in Georgia *^ Maryland escaped the calamity of a paper currenrv TU house of delegates brought forward a bill forTe cSoTof bill' t:t^:^:;:rr-''' '-J ''- -atefirm^rdrcl ^^ hlfn P"'"f'0"« scheme. The opposition between the two houses was violent and tumultuous- it threatened T ndV T'""'' '"' '^^ "^'^'^ ^- cabled trthpeo^^^^^^ an|ai^good^ense^tl.e senate finally prevailed. ^ ' * A dollar was usually cut in five niiTM. nn-i -a^iTTITr"." ~r: •i"arter , so that the man who cut it gained a fifth.' *"""" °' '°" '"' * I IMM mmv I 'if *,• i *^- *■ i ^ % /r 408 MISTOR^ OF NOJtTH AMERICA. ^ m^ New Jersey is situated between two of t^ l^geitt ^ontmerciAl towns in Artierica, and consequently ilrainid of speci«.tThis state also emitted a large «um in bills of credit, which served to pay the interest of the public debt ; but thp currency deprecia- ted^ as in other states. . ,. ' Rhode Island exhibitejLa meiaucholy prqof uf that licepdoMs-- ness and anarchy vlhich ^ays follows «, relaxation of the moTal principles. In a rage for supping the state with money^he le^slature passed an.Hi^t for mal^ng 100,000 pounds in bifh{ s^^ sum much more than sufficient for a medium of trade in i|iat;> state, even with<^it any specie, u Th» merc^qts in Newoprt ani Providence opposed the act with firmness} their, o)||^iti^ add- ' ed fresh vi^or to the resolution of tl|e afsen^liy, and indoci^d them to enforce^ the scheme by tf^cgal tender of i^ mos^ ej^aifr- ^ dinary nature. ' T^iey passed an act, orijoining that if any creK* ditor should refuse to takekheir bills, for any debt whdtevei^- the debtor might lodge the sum due, wi|^% justice of the pea^^ , ^ who should^giy© n^Jicc Qf^ iCl^n the public papit>|.j andijf the creditor did nof appear and recpive the money within six months frorti; the first notice, his debt should 6« forfeited. This act astomshed all honest menfj^and even th^e promoters of paper- money-making i|i oUier states, and on oth^r prki^leiy repioba- tcd this act of Rhode Island, arf,.^keji;.nnd*t>ppre8sive. But the state was governed by faction. D;^ring |he cry for Jiaper money, a number of boisterous ignoffint men were clect|Ml into the legislature, from the smaller towuf in the state. Finding themselves united with a majority ip ppinion, they farmed > and executed any piafr their incTinatioti suggested; they opposed every measure tiiat was agreeable to the irtercantile.inter^j they not only made bad laws to ^\t their own wicked purposes, • but appomted their 'Own cprrupt creatures to fill the judicial and . executive departments. Their money depreciated sufficiency to answer all their vilor purposes in the discharge of debts — business ' almost totally ceased, ^|iU confidence was lost, the state was thrown into confusion at home, and was execrated abroad. Massachussetts Bay ,|iad 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 legisJature made horses, jruduce a legal tender in the luini- luinucr, ana most amcics o. k*' r' ^'n.-F- i«30liPPES,T BETWEEN QUJELAT BRITAIN, &C. 409 tneiu of coftWacts. U'lti doubtless unjust to oblige a creditor to ^fceiv^ipf thing fptfii debt, which he had not in contempla- tion afethe time of the contract. But as the commodities which were to be a |ender by the law of Ne^ ttami)shire, were of an intrinsic value, ^ bearing some proportion to the amount of,)t1ie debt^. the injustice df the |aw was lees flagrant, than that which onforcc^ the tender of pajper in.^odei^Ianc^, Indeed a similar Jawrjprevaiied fojF. some time in^Massachurtats; and in Cortriec- l^licut It is a standing law, that %,creditoij.^|^all take land on an extoition, at a price-to be fixed^r three In^lfTereut freeholdew; ^ofid^no other ipa^ns of 4)ayn^nt shall app^r to satisfy the demaj^ Ina stmefhat has |>ut little foreij^ commerce, and buti^tfe morffey.l^^irculatio^ such a law may ndt pnly be to- lerab^ but, if j)%l^ airf satisfied wjth it, may prtiduce goo^ J effects, h must not However be omitted, tM,ecrc^4which is ^Iwavs m tiemund for exportation, anfl this difference of exchange between papei- ^ and specie, exposte commerce \o most of the iacouvenienc«8 re- sultmg from | depreciated medium. ^- , ^ ' 1 .^^^ >8,the histogf of paper money thus far j a miserable sub- -fc-stitute % real coin, in all countries j and whjc'h^roduces in the ultimate result, consequences of ihe most ruinous nature. While the states were thus erjdejifouri^l'to repair the loss of specie by empty promises, and to support their business by sha- dows, rather than by reajity, the British ministry formed some commercial regulations that deprived them of the profits of their trade to the West Iftdies and to Great Britain. Heavy duties upon such artieiea as were remitted to the London 18^ **> 3 V - i_:j 11 'Ik •VA# 4io '^ «■'■ HISTORY OP NORTtt AMfillI«iA.. *|r «« iS)- merchant for their goods, and such werjr|[^e ^ties upon Amir- rican bottoms, tHat the s|;ates were ainlost whbllf ^ of the carrying trade., A p^bibition, «s Ijas be*h ifce&ned, was laid upon the proddce of" the Unitfed States, shipped to the English West India Islands in American buili vesseft^ and in those;B)artned by Ameriqan seamen. Thi^Testjictioijt^lr hea-- vy upon the "eastern states, wMich defended inuch upon ship- building for the support of th^irifade ;^ undMthoJt materially in- jured the business oMh^ other s^t^. '" ** .. Without a bnibft that wa» able to form qpd execute a general system 6f cornttifitoial regulattflibs, flfme of^tbe^tates atyf^hinted fo impose restraints upbn the British tr^de thM shopld indbmnify the miirchaQt for the losses he had^suffi^d^ oi[\ndixce the British ministry to entar into a conmbi^ial trt^ty, and ijplax t^e figc^pf theirnavig^ion Ja^s. Thfe'se measures how^ever produced no- thing but mi^hief. The staifes did rtot act in eoncertt arid tSe restraints lldd on the trade ;pf one stat^ <)|)er«ted to thrdw^.tlfe busirfess in|o the hands pf ite t^eighb^uf. MjMiaehv^sQ^ls, in her zea|^ (founter&«t iTie effect oLthe English niavigaltoii'. laws, l&id^^^enotmoUs duties upon British g^<^ W^?°^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ state; but ^e otl|^ states 4td riot ,ddo|it# similar jnea^re; and the loss of businjss soon obliged that stttffe to«t^aft>r suspend the la#,^ Thus when PennsylvahiV'laidi^eavjr^tiesiEMi BHtish goods, Delaware and New Jersey madte | numlter of free pdfts to encourage the landing of gdbds wlthfiii tlie limits of those states; and tht duties in P^ns^rlvania served no purpose, but to create smuggling; ^.^.^.J;^ ,. i*. ^. .,, Thus divided^ the stateal;e^an to ftiel their weakness. 'M6sI of the legislatures had neglected td compty ilith.the requisitions of. congress for furnishing the /ederkl treasury) ilje i-esolves of congress vi^e disregarded ; the proposition fbr a gfencral itiipost to he laid anito'cons«l|, what measures ^oyld be taken to unite the states in some generaUnd effi^fent conrimercial system. But as t^ states wiere not al*.jepre8entp4, and the powers of the com- r missiouers were; in tfieir opinio^, tq^ limited to propbse a sys- , tern ofregulaeions adequate to the^^urposes. of government, they t«reed 4o recommend « generalcoiiveaBonlo be bfld at Ph!la- delphia the ne^t year, Jvith powers to frame a^^erteral plan of govenim^ fdj: the United ^Statesr This raeaslire appearScl to the commnsipner«,^solutely necessary.^ l*he old confederation , was essentially defwsti^. {fwa^ ileltitute of^almost ^very prin- ' ^.piplenece^^td give eff<^tW) legislation. '1 "-^ ' V , \ It was^fective iij^tj^e article of le^slating over states^ instead of hidividuah^. All hitfoj^ testiBes that recomniendations will not operatfe as la^s, hn^ impulsion cannot be exercised over jl -states, without violence, war and anarchy. "*" The confederation w^s also destitute of a sangtion to its lawjs. When resolutions "^ were passed in congress, there was no power to comjiel obedi- ' / ence by fine, by^spensiott of ptivileges, or other means. It^ ^ was also d^stitn^if of ' a gyarantee for the state governments. ^* Hadwire;staVbee9 invaded by itsijeighbour, t\vi union was not L conseitut^onally bcTund to ^assist in repetling'the iftvasio^, and ^ wipporting the constitutloh of the invaded state. 'The%Onfede- ratjon was further deficient in *he prineiji^ of apportjoning the - quotas pf mon^ to be (urnished by ealSi state ; in k wairt of ^ power to form commercial Ia\y3> and to raise troops foV the de- fence and security of the union} in the equal suflFra^ of the * states, which placed 'Rhode Island on a footfbg in congress with Virginia; and to crOwa a!! the defects, we may add the want of aiudiciarv power, tn di>finp the lowo nf*u.^ ...^:j.« i * «> r f * .?* vn ♦■(^ -4:^, •*?'.. 412 ""%. A < ■ Ilk «-.jS., «». --<_.v HISTOEY Of 'NOHTH AMfiRl^A. '^ ' C ^ cile the coijtradicto% ^ecisilint of a number of hrdependent Judi- catories. '^. *'■ ,,,„,'■ ." ** ....■ ,,^' J Thfeae and many inferior de(^ct8 were obvioos to tf^ commis^* ■ 5i°"f"» >|nd therefoie they urged a general convention, with » poweij^B to form and bffet^ tfljthe con8id(5^ratiojj^ p| t|ie stains, a system of gener^Uovernmeftt tliat sliouid be less^xceptionabl^ Accordingly irt M^^ 17«7, delegates fr<^ all the 3tat«i^ eXcept Rhode kland, assemliipd at |*hilidelphfej n^djjjhose Ge«eral Washington^ Ijieir gresi^lr^ After four iMpis deliberation, in which the dashing intjirests of ^e 'several States appeased in all their force, the conventJMi agr#l to recommmd Ute plan of ^ federal ^overnm^nt wlii^^e^ shaU .|iBfeaft#^ay bthe l4ith ct fia*. a cember, the constitution was receiiWpd by -Itwtt* thirds of the members. The mitiority w«|^ di|^^ti1ft«i, lind with |n'bbstinacy that iU beiame the representatives of aJr^e peoplcj^j publf^hed < theW reasons of dibsent, whith were calculated to inflame a party already vtoleut, and which, in fact, produced some disturbances in the western parts of the stiite. But the oppositioa has since gri^duaNy subsided. >. 'K'\ • \ ^ , '' * In New Jierspy, the conventmn which met in I>eCMiiberVcre tinanimqips in adopting'the constitution > as ^as likevyifl; that of Georgia. ' ' , V^ * In Connecticut there v^as some oi^position > bi^ the.^dnstitu- tion was, on the Dth of Januarys 1788| ratified by three^burths of the votes in cpnvention^ and the minority:.peaceably acquiesced in the decision. -j* . ^ ♦ In Massachussetts, t}ie oppoisition vrasllrge and respectable. The convention, consisting of more than three hundred dele- iratcs- wpre assembled in Januarv. and continued their debates- -He *^* U.y^,i, CaNTEjJT ^WEIW GMAIJ BRFTAIlU^ 418 wien gr«Bt candor and lUjeriility, about 5ve ilsre^itJi.' At jeugtl|J ^u, the question wm Barrif^for the conititution l?y a «in'all iQBJority, ji and the minority^ with l\^% m^^^atiii^fs^mv(^ wh|cH^%comer^ f^ gwat mihds^^ubmittod to thift rtiensur^jnd unjtedvip «UDport tl)e'|over|»|Bipt. ' ^ ■ .^^ M. .£^ 5« , ' ■#. . ,y)%^ J^ ':In,New Jampshir^ .Ihe frtlert druW M, fo/ wino time^ 4 ^dot^tfijU riio/ifreatell ni||nbcr «f deleffntoflf' in conventipa Ivertf I -^t first on th^^wde of tfls onp«,igou ; d ib^ir objjSMpns i;emo*fe4 b^ the (iif|cti«&ion of the subject/ insti5»cted4o^j«||^|, comtMition. .^Although' flit in«ructiout *f constUueMl cannot^ ««'|he^tr^prU,cip|e8 of Representation, ^ 4be bii^g ttpt,ft a depuly, ;n ^n^gi^atire^ ds.eniWy, becaufc i his co«8tituei^ ve bfit a pa/t of tlie ,tat», gui^ hoye not heard Ibe aiguments and objections >f the t|?ftofe, whereas % «le oppoi^unity to gain a farther knowledge ofjlhe merits orfhe «on&titutiou, and; -at the secon* meeting of. ihe convention it was rati|ed by flc^etpectable majority. i.?'Cj , . ' <; « ^ ? I p Maryland, sev^ahlnift^ (^abilities appwr^dj^ I he opposi-i^. f - tio*, ai^l^ere unremitted in their endeavbih-W to fferNiwde the people, that the proposed plan of goverumcBt wi$ arlhilly dlilcu- ' ^ lated to deprive them ot their dearest rijjhtB j yc^ jn. tbrivtentipa -< iiX appeared that five- sixths of the voices were infavor of it. % \\\ South Carolina, the opposition was respectable; but two- thirds of tbe convention appeared to advocate aiid vote for the x:onstit\i.(i(m.> 4 ,, *• -v^ In Viriiinia, many of the principal characters opposed the ra- tificaltou of the jeonstitutlon with great abilities and industry But after a fuH discussion of the subject, a small majority, of a numerous cbnvention, appeared for its adoption. In New Yorl^, two-thirds of the delegates in convention were ''M'l^L''!^ "^!!L"?' ^^"^"^ ^? '■''J*^' *^° constitution! • Thl, pernicious optnion has pT^i^r^iTTliTTTatpa. aud A^^.Z^^u^ •ainchief. . - . — .*; .li lar . #i #:' \^m .« r •*>'->■ ^ 5f Herp therefo|«^th^*d^bate8 ufere the in^^^^ i^^fi^sliiig^ and the ^nt €t^ti^^«!^d««b1^, ,^T«e argument^ was J»n»ged7withu^ }\ut during the session^ tbe.i^th^d t^iith altit^s h^ i|f)<^4ed -„.^ V-"; f . to tbe;i^yern« ['in^nt, «iTn» «vent phced the^ o|lffo^joak dp n«w ^I'ou^s^and St the ex|>^ency of ufllti|ggf^ w^ the o^^tiate^jtlie generojit* • ii^Otives Vx'oaciliating^ll 4i&mc ttne, i^riger || a r^- je«tion, inHvetiq'ed^;tfi^«^fie($fib1e^ or^imlry opposiwrt^he ca|^1tiitj%fV|^ J«n th?fe4^''*li^9L'*'?8*« The * co^sUtutioi^ was acTOrdi«gl|' ratffie^ ^y a smaH Jijpcijty V but ^ ; |be ratification ws^i^a^coiiijAified, her(^ '^ Vi.rgiflia^%\tb. a4>iU \s» / J9f n^h|s;.4#^ijj-atbry of the^Bei^drthe conve|iMon, 'a« |p <%- .^ ^ . H»n gr«*t! J^|«»c>ples^; •nd witj|, |. Cftti^logUp of aroe^ments, ■ '■ '^■^ whic^fi were ^o be ^reeohfii^^ to ^e consideration of the new \ t C(WgN»si and^e sej^^ . ^ ;;fc.. f'Nortb Cfarolina mM in coqyermon in Jiriy, ^delih^^te on ' . ,- ,, tH* new coiistitiition. After a shSitiijessioj tJfe|,r€jfectpd it, by .^f ; _^ a majority oM76 dgiiliMit^G^ *t>i8 i^,^he ^fiSt stite jhat has, ;; in a forirrtil ^S^njp^ r^ected the oonst^tidn.^Upoo what priu- .-> " cipfe tfi^/di4;it^t*'is diffi^lt ^ ti|| arid 'Selicate to cwjecture^ /^*' The Vse^^es that will proiftbly jirise from t^r^aeparatioii^fiwm . ^, .^.i"^ the inion^ and th«ir iirtierrilll divisions, may ev(^lrally occasion 4 ■^'■■^ req^l^ideraUdn. U is certain that ibeiri^ejection of th^^w plan '< <>■■ .^,..^ '*''*i f of .^v^nnjeht|,^win hav&^ naviplct.in impieding its .and^stablishineht between the ratify itig stat^^. , ^ Rhode isra^was doonii^ to be the iiport of a 1)jtilud1^ sin- gular, policw. The legi6lature,*tn consistency wi]^hj;he nii^sures which had been^bi^fofe pursued, did i^ot call a convention, tp col-' lect the sense of the state upon th« pre^oned constitution; but in aq unconstitutional and ab^rd manner, st^bmitted't^ plaib o^ .^ government to the CQnsi«leratio|i. of the-f)eopIe. Accordingly it \ w^ br.Gjpght before- tqwh-meetlttgs, and i|i mo^t of them rejected. In some of the^rge towns, paiiticuiarly in ^Newport and I'rovi- dence, the people^foUe^ted aod resolV^d, 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 ^e State in convention or legislature. " •*•* • ^ w . i ^ < ll^^P^'^f^ ^«^,thi8 did not «5pvent the d^dh^atioos of th^r ? ' ! * ^ jo^, oa1fcheacc^8ioiif4>f^hSate. . ^^ % % T ^.^ - "On the ratifiSKtion in^a^sachiidfetts, the ciijzens o£#Bo6toi, "'t ' V-V , V "i$he apvation of t^r ji>y, ^r^a prcss^ioa i^Uof of ihe^-* l;vJ|A I happy, er^ which ^jPi^^nove^spHtol M^Sif^n^^^nC tL^ ' ^ • ';^ " px|niple ^ai^afterWlirds foltewea; %nd in so^ i ved upon,!^ Baltimoifte, t;harle8toq,*/hilad^hiB, Mew Haw^^ -' '"i P«rteim«th ir^ N^W^^ork 8M^^^ Nothin^^uld equal * 1',, .^:*^tire bi^tjj and-^tFande«r orthe8e exhibitions.^' ship was^.-f'^^*'*^ f mountedTupon wheels, and diafli thrcjjjghYtjte 8tFeet8; mechaf^^* ? i*C*«' ^j andv e?Jiifeit4 specimens of Jj^bor in^their ^ >/' '** ^ ni^ erected stagt^; * aS^'eral-Qccupiftions, as.tfe^ v^^ a^gthe r6a4^-ilag'^ with^ v j-^^'- rH '^fmblems,* descriptive of ^^ the arts and. of the fcdtral ^nion, ' .^'i -:/.*^i " ,^ we're mventec^ ^n^ displayed iii^ortor of the goverOioent j mu1ti- 'C %!:. *'^-^ r*tude8 oPall-rank^ inh lifts, assembled to^ew the mafestip 8dene8; y ' \ ' •-* while-sobriety, joy and h^rngny marfeed tlje briUi^exhilbitiftpa, ^^ *^ ' by^jjy^ch tl»^..^mericaij8 clibiilcdjhe estabtishrheiit of the? ' ifh - '. ifcfimie. ♦: '-■i!^'''^- ^ .-•^*'';;^-|fr *' \ 4 ■^'»^, 4f ■ ■*» .♦r;- mV,/ ^C .til V.*- %? ^^' *'! 1 iiiiiii E^Hl IHII TPrli iW». ^ •Y'- m St % '.hA 'h X » -^'i-^-iw %-r.^ ■■?/ ^N9RTH#|lERICA^;d^ "*i"- * ■ i^. I* - .'••*■ ^!* r i^^^lf^^r^"^''-"^. rf^ "SodTrDARi Js OF ffe united states. "''; ^ )};^f*y 1 HE "boundaries of Wie Untt^ St|tei were determined by the ^ . treaty**! Jleace of ir83/l#hich4Bonfirinlia the Iftfependencfof .'.r 41 the Republic. '' ^ ^^ >♦ v ,.# ';,^ >^*- J Narfkem Jsowidori/.-^edjjJ^ding to the setfond^articl^ of this t ' l-;/%!^trefaiy» the noHhern boififeafj!^ extends fromthp* source §f ^C: '*i'\' .f^?'* ^|P'""fe®'^' which ftdls jpto the Bay ofTiM>(d|y^ noj^iward^^*^ \m Iv^' Ih *^^ iBlevaW rfdge of in|>untaj!il which separate the watAs - ^at inn intc^the river St. Lawrence, from thwe that iemp'tf" * 4i N. thenDselv^Hhto^he Atlariiic Ocean, fOMg this same ritkre to the **^ » l'^ most* n^th-western source of Conr^ticnt river^ aii^'ihence f ^'^ along its ciirrent to the forty-fifth degree of iwarth Iatitil||e : from ^V, this point ^ line runs due west o^ this 'parallel .to tKe river Iro- *^\'ij quois, or C|taraquis, ajpde tl^cfiannel of this tfStr to the Lake ; Ontar^, thi;gueh the miyale ^ this lake and Aat of I^ie, llw- ron and Supenole, following the line of ifiiter communicltiion be- tween each, ana throiigh thii last lak^ in a northern direction^ to the isles Royales, orPhilippeaux, to and across Long Lak^j and the Lake of t|ie Woods, as itiras the mtttt north-western point of the latter, thence by a due west line to the river Mis- ■"«. ..i'. trmrSlD STATES, BOUNDARIES. 417 Jsfewppi. From this p ,int the fVe^tem Boundary extends along the middle of this river to the thirty-first degree of north )ati. tude. 't ° Soiahem Boundary. ^Fritm the place where the thirty-first parallel intersects the Mississippi, by a line running due east to the river Apalachicola, or Catahouche, following the stream of th» river to its junction w!th Flint River; thence in a direct line to St. Mary's, and along the middle of this river to the Atlantic Octan. The Eastern Umit passes along the shores of the At- lantic Oceaii northward, till it reaches the mouth of the river St Croix, in the Bay of Fundy, and' thence to its source; including all islands within twenty leagues of the American coast, except those within the limits of the British province of Nova Scotia l.oiii8iana„which was aftei-wards ceded to the United Stales and more than doubled their original extent, was so imperfectl^ known at the date of this treaty, that its western boundaries were consjdered as indefinite. On the north, according to the treaty of Utrecht, it was considered as joining CanadI in the forty-ninth parallel of latitude. These boundaries appeared to be marked with sufficient pre- cision, but doubtt afterwards arose on various points. The river St. Croix, which runs iqto Passamaquoddy Bay, was designated as th^ eastern limit j but this river having three distinct branches. It became a subject of discussion w^iicb of these led to its true source j and the matter being subm1tte Pri>nrh. nttrrtBawAm r«.K!«-> s '"< '■ • •• ' UNITED STATES, BOUNDARIEi. 421 Prrtnce having lost her possessions in Canada by the war of 1756, ceded to Great Britain the territory south of the thirty, first degree of north latitude, and extending to the river Perdido on the east side of the Mississippi; and Spain, who had been her unfortunate ally, exchanged all her possessions in Florida, try of (he Awinah, and erected a fort near the place where stood that of Delasalle, but did not claim the country eastward of the Rio Braro except for commercial purposes. We And in 1712, that in the letters patent to Cro- aat, all the riTcrg were included which ran into the Mississippi, and all the lands, coasts, and islands situsted in the Gulf of Mexico, between Carolina on the east, and Old and New Mexico on the west. These countries did not exteud east of the Rio BraTo, 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 rifer St. John Baptist was erected in 1714, when the pro- vince of Texas was created, but not inhabited. In 1719, Bernard La Harpe, with a body of troops, penetrated up Red River, 400 miles beyond Natchitoches, to the Cadoqnes villages, in latitude 3&« 56', and constructed the Fort St. Louis de Carlouctte. The same year a garrison was established by an officer named Berenger, in the Bay of St, Bernard, in latitude a7» 46', 890 miles to the west of the Mississippi, which was afterwards destroyed by the Indians. In consequence of the establishments at Natchitoches, the Spaniards erect, ed a military post, seven leagues to the south-west of this place at the Ada. yes, which was afterwards transferred to Nazodoches; bat before the esta- hlilihaient of La Salle, in the Bay of St. Bernard, in 1685, no part of the territory east of the Rio Norte was occupied by the Spaniards, for their nearest settlement to the mouth of (he Mississippi river was St. Augustine In 1720, the Missouri post Was established on the river of the same namet In 1717, the French erected Fort Crevecanr on a branch of the Apalachico- la river, which empUes itself into the Bay of St. Joseph, but abandoned it in (he following year, on the representations made by the governor of Pensa- cola, that this bay belonged to his Catholic Majesty. Duprattf the historian of Louisiana, defines its boundaries as follows: « Louisiana, situated in the northern part of America, is bounded on the south by the Gulf of Mexico; on the east by Carolina, an English colony, and a part of Canada i on the west, by New Mexico i on the north, by a part of Canada j the rest has no bounds, and extends to Ihe unknown lands adjoining to Hudson's Bay. Its breadth extending between the English and Spanish establishments, is about «00 leagues. Its length is undetermined, because it is unknown. Nevertheless, the source of the Mississippi will throw seme light on this head." The Map of Dupratz, which accompanies his work, includes all that part of Louisiana now known by the name of West Florida, and the whole country to the Rio Bravo or Del North. Di ^a Harpe describes Louisiana as extending from the bay which he en* tered in 172lj in latitude C9» 12 longitude, 28««? east from Ferro, or 95« from Greenwich, to the river Perdido, including about 160 marine leagues of coast. Awsording to D'AnviUe, a good authority in all geographical matters, the II J'" 1 ' ill:' f ^•il « I 1 42SI HISTORY OF NOETH AMEBICA. including St. Augiinine and Penaacola, for the port of Havan- nah, which had been taken by the English. This treaty, of which the prehminaries were signed at Fontainbleau on the iJd of November 1762, was ratified at London on the 10th of Fe- bruary 1763. By a separate act of the former date, France weitern limiU of Florida extend no farther than the Rio Perdldo, and a line running north to the Apaiachian mountaini. His map was piibiis^hfd in 1746 at a moment when this country was con.iHercd as of little Interest to France! and this most scrupulous geogrnpher described the western liue a« commcn- cing on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, at the Cabo del Norte, (on modern maps called PoinUde In Cktnierc au Tigre,) passing between the Presidio deg Adayes and Fort Natchilochei, and separating the Rio Mexicano, or Mer- mentas, 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 " hy Wiir.au' Roberts, illustrated by a general map, and geographical dc- scription of that country, by Jeffreys, geographer to his Miyesty, this river is also described as the most western boundary on the coast of Florida to. wards Louisiana. Th« publisher has also inserted a letter written by Captain Robinson, who visited that coast in 1 754, and who resided for some llmeat Villa Rica, in which he states, "that Pensacola is most excellently situated as a bar- ricr to coyer the Spanish territories in that quarter, which extended no far- her than to 'Je river Perdido.' 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 Perdldo to the Lake St. Louis." According to the map and historical journal of Yentel. one of the party of La Salle, the first disembarkation was made at the roouih of a small river situated in 28^ 17' north latitude, and S77- of longitude, and the first habitation established on an arm of this river, which runs into the bay of St. Lous, 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 pcrty 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 tliey found a house marked R. inhabited bv two Frenchmen. There embarkin/ 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 Lou siana for the history of New France, by Charleroix, remarks that the coast of Louisiana extends, on the Gulf of Mexico, the space of at least HiO leagues from the Bay of Mobile to th&t of St. Bernard or St. Louis. Ac cording to the map of Delille, (member of the Royal Academy of Sciences,) entitled CarU th la LouUiant, et du Cours du Misshtippi uuec ha Colonic, jinglaues, revised, correcteu, and considerably augmented, in 1782 1 tlic Rio del Norte, or Bravo, is the western, und the Mobile the eastern boundary. In another, published in 1785, for the use of the kinir h„ n^^a-i" ..- cessor of bis first geographer D«liUc, and Buoche, eMmlBed and approved UNITED STATES, BOUNDARIES. 423 oeded to iJpain all Louisiana, west of the river Mississippi in- duding the city and island of New Otleans. This cession wa» uever published, but is referred to in the letter of the French king to D'Abbadie, director-general and commandant of thi& colony, dated the 2l8t 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 81° 30' west longitude from London; its whole length be- ing nearly a thousand English miles. It is separated from Lou- isiana on the west by the Rio Perdido. In the year 1764, when by the Royal Academy of Sciences, (be PerdWo it the eastero boundary . and the western, the Hio Bravo or del Norte, to iu eastern branch, the RiJ 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 46» of latitude, including the sup posed sources of the Missouri river. This map is entitled Carte d' Amiriam Ati'tikc pour I'usagc du Roi, par Gull. Delisle et Phil. Buache, Premlec Geographesdu Roi, et de 1' Academic Royalc des Sciences, par Dezauche G^ogruphe, 1786. Le Rouge, geographer to the king, published his Amerl- can Atlas in 1778, and, iu his map of North America, Louisiana has the tame boundary on the west and north , on the east, the Perdido river This map U entitled, L'Araeriquc suivant le R, P. Charlevoix, et M. de la Con damine, et plusieurs autres nouvelles observations, Paris, 1774. The MobilJ is the eastern line of demarkation between Florida and Louisiana on the Ircncb marine churts contained in the work entitled Hydrographit Francois executed by orders of the French government. I„ a map published in 1778 by the instructions of Sartinc, the French minister and secretary of state' the nver Tensas is the eastern boundary. I„ a map of Homan of Nurem berg, puW shed in the year 1687, and entitled " AmpUcim^ Regions X .w«W.. .eu Pro,unc*a> Ludoviciand Professor Peck, their elevation above the level of the sea does not exceed 7000 feet j and, by the last calculation made bj Pr^essor Bigeewand others, they do «ot much exceed 6000 n he W ^Tt" *^^^''* ^'^^ *1«^«*«*» «f Catskill mountains, in the Scate of New York, town of Windham, and county of Oreen, has been ascertained from barometrical observations by Captain Partridge. The point caUed Round Tap is 3804 feet above the level of the sea, and 3105 above its base. The base of this range is 699 feet abave the sea. Schooley's Mountain in New Jersey, ^vh.ch projects in a southern direction from the great ndge, 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 bandy Hook, does not exceed 300 feet. * The height of some qf the most elevated parts of the moun- tarns in Virgmia above tide-water, ascertained by Colonel Wil hams. President of the United States' Military Philosophical So- ciety, &c. was as follows : ^ The highest point of the Blue Ridge near Rock Pit Gap, The foot of the Blue Ridge on the western side, 895 The summit of the first mouiHaia near the warm springs, --.-... 2018 'She summit of the second mountain near the warm springs, ... - . . . 2380 430 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. The summit of the Alleghany ridge about six miles east of the sweet springs, - _ - _ 2998 Highest Mountains of South Carolina, — Table Mountain, 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 above its base 3168 feet, according to the tri- gonometrical observation, and is supposed to be 4300 feet above the level of the Atlantic Ocean. Highest Mountains oj Georgia. — Canawhee Mountain, the southern 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 Apalachian mountains is found to be near 1100 yards. In some parts, they rise three quarters of a mile above the common surface of the earth j but in many places, they do not exceed half a mile. The double chain of the Allcghanies, 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 branch of the four great western rivers beyond the mountains, is as follows :-^From Phi- ladelphia to the confluence of the Conemaugh and Loyalhannen branches of the Alleghany, 220 miles. From the city of Wash- ington to the confluence of the Monongahela and Cheat rivers, 150 miles. From Richmond to Morris, on the Kanhawa, below all the falls of that river, 210 miles. From Savannah or Charies- ton to any navigable branch of Tennessee, the distance is nearly 300 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 has been preferred, extending from Cumberiand 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 Kanhawa, it exceeds careou^ stn tTNITED STATES, SOIL, &c 431 100 mile,. The l.«,r fall, of the Attotic rive« are formed by River, It passes through the Blue Ridge at West PnJnf T w«:r^: '"rr -»-•- -"he'^ca^'t^^^^^^ We,t«n Chain, to Albany, IfiO miles above New Yolk aS .ng a fine navgation throughout a-l this distance l7\'^utl Geological Structure and Nature of the Sml. bounded by that river to the place .^M Ih^ Th'Zd^r and thence proceeding to the source of the Mohawk 7Z 1 .his stream to its confluence with the Hudson, r^d^wnZ nver to Long Island. Granite is traced alonrL II Connecticut, Rhode Island, MassaeSts ' wfw Hamrhi.:' and Maine. It forms the great body of the White MoZ 1? and, with some exceptions, is the bed or stratum on whrch the superficial sou reposes throughout all this space, oj^n^t towards the south-west, it appear, to form a great pTt^^hf mountaiu, on the Susquchannah. between HarriSghlnd s^u bury, and also of the south-west chain in Virrini. It" ,T on the borders of the Rivannah. ^ ' P""™'"'^ The strata of a diflTerent nature interspersed throuffhoi.t ,fc. north-eastern granitic region are-1. Long Island, ThichcoS orhZ n"' '""'" " ™''" '?■"» »■="»'« Gate! .he Zl gl«l :nr.::arTc:e^:i:^'2rr;'«rr'»5 posited by the current of the Gu ? of Mex cf^^^'.hf nf' '" 3. Above Poughkeepsie the rocks arc sclZus ^„ '""'• Mr-Au, -tntiin- J -• ■ I I «<=""stus, composing a cal- ._..,.i., ..tratum, of „.„ch there is a mass of 800 acres near "■■if V i U'lr H .11. ' 492 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. CItverack, on the banks of the Hudson, HO miles from the sea. 4. The siuntnit of the Catskili mountains is argillaceous or sili- ceous. 5. The valley of Fort George, some of the islmida of the lake of the same name, and a tract of several miles round the great falls of the Hudson are of limestone. 6. The rocks of Ticonderoga are of sandstone. 7. The bed of the cataract or falls of the Cohoez is of serpentine. 8. The banks of Lake Champlain, and the rocks which foftn the isle on which standi the city of Montreal, are calcareous. According to the min^a- logical reports of Dr. Mitchell, the bed of the Mohawk does not separate the griinite 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, tlie 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 uorth-western boundary, it passes ten or fifteen miles eastward from Easton on the Delaware, a few miles eastward ot Reading on the Schuylkill, and of Mid- dleton on the Susquehaniiah, where it joins the Blue Ridge, along which it continues to Magothy Gap, and thence in a south-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, though with some interruptions. The former extend from Rhode Island to Boston : they again appear to the south-west side of the Delaware ; and traversing Lancas- ter, &c. stretch to the upper branches of the great Pedee River in North Carolina ; forming a deposit of great longth, varying in breadth from two to fifteen miles. The secondary rocks extend on the western side ot Connecticut River from Newhaven to Northampton, again appear south* west of the Hudson, cross the Delaware, where their breadth is diminished j pass a few mHe& west of York in Pennsylvania, and crossing the transition UNITED STATES, SOIL, &C. 4S8 -rocks near Fredericktown in Maryland, they terminate a little •outh-west of the Rappahanock River. A bed of coal, tweirty , miles m length, and ten in breadth, superposed on the primitive rock, commences twelve miles from Richmond. This substance IS mjxed with whitish sand-stone, and argillaceous schistus, and exhibits vegetable impressions. The transition rocks are cofn.»o- 8ed of fine grained limestone of various hues, mixed wit h 8?!ex, white grained marble, calcareous spar, cubical pyrites, galena, &c. 1 he 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 south-east at a greater angle than 45 degrees, and are some- times almost vertical. The grit, or sandstone region, comprises all the mountainous country of the Blue Ridge, Alleghany, and l^aurel Hill, the sources of ^he 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 tlie nortl- and north-e^st, it is bounded by the sources of the Susquehannah and the Oenesseej and the right bank of the Mo- hawk and the Hudson, where commence the slaty schist and blue marble, which appear to form the beds of the lakes Genes- see Ontario, and Erie. It was traced by Mr. Guillamard, 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. Volpey, across ten or twelve ridges in Virgmia, from Charlottesville to the river Gauley, except in the val les 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 18 most extensive in Massachussetts, in the county of Worcester- between Green Briar and Gauley rivers, and from above the sources of the Potomac to those of the Yohogany, in the track known by the name of the Green Gkides, where there is a most brilliant verdure. llw transition rocks form a long and narrow zone, from 20 to 40 miles in breadth, which extends from beyond the Green Mountains, in the state of New York, the north-eastern side of the Hudson, to the south-western borders c|f the Tombigbee The strata generally dip to the north-west, and, in many piages, 19- 3 I , ""ii,ia 434 HISTORY OF NOETH 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 Apalachiaii moun- tains and the great lakes of Canada, in one direction, and from the Hudson to %he Mississippi, in another, descending as Iqw 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 fron* one to several inches in thickness, is of a cUm texture, and generally, of a grey color. Sometimes the layers undulate with the inequalitije.K>m the sources, of the Ohio to those of the Tombigbee ; also gypsum and sal gem. The only metals which jt 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 crystalization. It is remarked, that the strata on, the eastern side are more irregular, generally of a deep blue color, interspersed with veins of white ijuar^t?. At Stockbridge, Staunton, Fredericktown, York, and i.aiicaster, 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, tp Florida, between the granitic ridge and the oceanj, ninning from south-west to north-east, 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 pf Octoraro j Gunpowder Creek above Jappa ; the Patapsa abpve Elkridge ; the Potomac above Georgetown ; the RaODahanock ahnvf> FrerlprirLhnrah* *'h<> Pamiinl-u holniu its i,i UNITED STATES, SOIL, &C. 435 two branches, fifty miles above Hanover j James Rivet at Rich- mond; the Apamatox above Petersburghj and the Roanoke above Halifax. Throughout all this extent the sand is about twenty feet in depth, and of a black color; it resembles that of the adjacent sea, except at the mouths and on the borders of rivers, where, in many places, there is a rich stratum of clay and vegetable soil deposited by the waters in their descent from the mountains. Pownall observes, « that this reef, which forms a regular curve, was the ancient maritime boundary of America; and that the land between this and the sea may be denominated the lower plains, which, when not penetrated by rivers, are a white sea sand, about twenty feet deep, and perfectly barren ; but the borders of rivers *are rendered fertile by the soil washed down by the floods." The Muvial Soil extends, in an undulating surface, from the granitic ridge to the foot of the mountains, includi«|V the whole coast, from 10 to 200 miles in breadth. Its line of boundary, on the norfh-west, passes near Amboy, Trenton, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Frederickburgh, Richmond, a little west of Halifax, and Fayetteville, 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 t|ie' Illi- nois, nearly on an equal level, and rising insensibly towards the Alleghany. From the foot of the mountains tp 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 ere 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 York, the ele- vation of this soil above the level of the sea gradually diminishes. It is formed of horizontal 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 Carolinns and Georgia, twenty or thirty (i, > 436 HI3T0EY OP 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 & 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 300 miles from the sea, are 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 Katchez, is a hundred feet above the level of the sea. « On the shores of Yojk river," says the author of the British; 5^, " the bones of whales abound, and in washing the sand beach of that river, du- ring the recess of the tiue, and looking up at the high cliff or bank above, we find strata of sea shells in perfect preservation, of the same kind as those which lie oft 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 had been formed, and proof of the comparatively recent subsidence of the waters.'* In the district of Columbiai near the capital, mineralized wood, and trunks in a natural state, have be^n dug up from the depth of forty-0 feet in height, placed at the above Cfeek would not only ^itead the waters towards Lake Erie, but extend them from the rampart 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 deposited 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 sea» 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 sidfe of the river, has been once a lake. The ap-' pearance of the hills, of the limestone, shells, and loose stones, confirm his opinion ; 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. Earthquakes. — 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 eariiest establish- ments, entitled. Wonder-working Providence, (page 131.) This year, (1638,) the first day of the fourth month, about two- oV'lock 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 working tools, and run, with ghastly terrified looks, to the 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 UNrTED STATES, SOIL, &c. • 439 J.e 'he c,wt« of an extiDguished volcano. Th» opinion !. ser.ng hnved by it, circular form ; by it, fathomIe« dep.h^len ^«.» -According totbc calculation, of Hatchim, tl^e boSrv of the Umted Statea. aa defined by the peace of 1783, ° r „7 scribed a surface of about 1,000,(K)0 of Enelish saunr, VnU ^WOOOaore,. 5,.000,00o'„f whic'tfcre::r„S't,: waer<,flake,, wers, and bay,, a, exhibited in the folWiiiff table made by computation, and not by actual sun-ev Lake Suuerior. _ _ „. _ ^ " Lake Superior, - - _ Lake of the Woods, - . . Rain Lake, - _ - „ '. Red Lake, - - . _ Lake Michigan, - , . . BayPuan, - - - . Lake Huron, - . Lake St. Clair, -, , « Lake Erie, (western part of,) - Sundry snjalj, lakes and rivers. Lake Ontario, i^ ,j. Lake ChaiDplaiu, - - Chesapeak Bay,^ - - Albemarle Bay, Delaware Bay, - . _ _ All the rivers within the thirteen stales. 21,952,780 acres. 1,133,800 165,200 551,000 10,368,000 1,216,000 4,009,920 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 mcudes the state of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alfbama t'rritorv' -»nd state of Mississippi, to the south of the Ohio river- on tha nort , Oh.o, India.^., Michigan, liiiuois, and the o'rth wo terntory, all situated on the east of the Mississippi, and on th, nonh and west of the Ohio. The state of Louisi^L a.^ ,1 Missouri territory, of great extent, lie on the western side of Z Mississippi. This region, extenJin« from the AII^.h.^r^L', Wiiis on the cast, and from the (iulf of Mexicoon'tTie'soutr^'to" uo HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. the great lakes on the north, and on the west to the high chain called Rocky, or Snowy 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 ititernal navigation for ships and boats of more than fifty thousand miles. In spring, during the rise of the waters, those of Lake Michigan form a commu-* uication with the Illinois river, and afford an uninterrupted pas- sage for boats .by this channel to the falljr of the Missouri river. No plan has yet been adopted by the general or state govern- ment, for ascertaining the proportions of soil capable pi cultiva- tion, through the mode of fixing 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 Xhetf 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 pui^osp", 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 propot;tion of arable surface than any.cQuntry of Europe, covered with fine forests, .here anji there iiitersected by natural meadows of remarkable fertility. The climate m so mild that the labors of the plough are seldom in- terrupted by ■^tte 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 and streams. These advantages, so important in the formation of agricultural establishments, first struck the attention of some in- dividuals in the year 1775, who established themselves in Ken- tucky, and the migration thither was thenceforth so considera-* ble, that, in the course of ten years, the population, though constantly annoyed by the neighbouring Indians, increased to the number of 30,000. In 1810, it was found to be 406,511, at which period that of the new territories on the other side of the Ohio were increasing nearly in the same ratio. Tu:. >^..^»-.. r^- — _i.. — II I 4.u~ tit — >.'«—. ti. ...„,.« j^f ihn Olio," the Mi boundf to Hut( leaving side of fertile t longing of acres This op building may be country near the a tenaci( walls mt which, i ber in re is of opi peopled ; tries in t from tra^ the soil t in a state ginable. | immense tions; an( as, on th face, fron vered in tracts kn which are soil from I gia, bctw( breadth, ( which are the floods. South Mo ka J-^ : LTC UCIJUtlil of soil, an 19. UNITED STATES, SOIL, &c. 441 07mV; from the .ituation with regard to this river, extending to the MiMwsipp, on the west, and on the north to the line of boundary running through tlie grpat lakes, contained, according to Hutchms, 263,040,000 acres, of which 43,040,000 are water 8.de of the Mississipp,, known by the name of Louisiana, is less fertile than on the eastern side. The lands of this territory be- longing to the United States have been eomputed at 400,000 000 of acres, one half of which has been said to be uninhabitable. 1 his opimon, however, is grounded on the want of timber for' buildings fuel, and fences, without considering ^-ow this article may be dispensed with by the substitution of others which the country affords. Beds of coal have been seen in several places near the surface; and the subsoil almost everv where consists of a tenacious clay of which bricks may be manufactured, or mud w 1 made like those of Ireland. Besides, trees may be planted, which, in a short time, will supply all the necessary use^ of tim- ber in relation to domestic and agricultural life. Mr. Bradbury IS of opinion, that the Prairie will, in the course of time, be peopled and cultivated, and be one of the most beautiful coun- tries in the worid. If, says he, I may be permitted to judge the soil to be excellent, and in almost every part where I saw it in a state of nature, it was covered with the finest verdure ima- gmable. (p 272.) Towards the borders of Mexico there is an immense plain of sand, almost without any vegetable produc tionsi and, ,n general, the country is very thinly wooded, where- as, on the eastern side «f the Mississippi river, the whole sirr- face from the Apalachian mountains to the great lakes, is co- vered in Its natural state with immense forests, except those tracts known by the name of Prairies, or natural meadows, which are remarkable for their great fertility. In general, the soil from the Nevesink hills in Jersey, to the extremitv of Geor- gia, between 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 Poil w&shed down by the floods. From this ridge to that chain of hills called the ^outh Mountain, a distance of from 50 to 70 miles, which may ^8 uenon-wuaicd the lyiand, ii,ere are stripes of difterent kinds of soil, and subsoil, for some scores of miles in length, aud in 19. 3 k |^' 442 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. some places overlaid with tittle ridges and chains of hills, 'fhe declivity of the whole gives 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 lower phins. These inequalities render half the country now easily capable 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 Endless mountains, there is a valley of pretty even good laud, eight, ten, or twenty miles wide, which is the most considerable quantity of valuable land on the eastern side, and runs through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The soil of New England is most fertile in the southern and south-eastern parts, coiitisting of a black mould on a red loan), or clay. Some tracts are stony, some sandy, and others clayey. The low lands afford fine nreadows and pasture; and there is a great diversity of soil, almost the whole of which, in Connecti- cut, Massachussetts, and Rhode Island, has been cleared, ex- cept spots reserved for fuel, 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. Between these there are fine vallies, with a rich black mould, red loam, or friable clays; all covered in the natural state, with fine forest trees. The Hudsop 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 Jhe western parts are yet unsettled. The lands along the Mohawk River are excellent, as are also those in the Genessee country, where large tracts, without woods, are go covered with grass as to conceal an ox from the sight ajt the distance of thirty feet from the path. In 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 Pennsylvanid there is every kind of soil. The soil in the maritime parts ge- nerally consists of a Ijight sandy ioam : in the back paiU theie are immense tracts of a rich lo&'ri, or black mould. TI^ m m- dows aloqg the Delaware and Schuylkill are covered with a -'%t UI^ITED STATES, SOIL, &C, US ttriant herbage. In Maryland and Virginia, the surface along tfie sea-coast, for above 100 miles, is low, flat, and sandy, spread ivith marshes and sivamps, except along the banks of the riyers, where there is a fine black mould of more than a foot deep. In the next 100 miles, and at the distance of from 100 to 150 miles from the coast, the country rises with an unequal surface, to meet the range of Alleghany mountains; and presents a beau- tiful appearance, spread with fine forests, and intersected with navigable rivers. It is also very fertile throughout all the back parts. The summits of the mountains in Virginia, between Green Briar and Gauley Rivers, elevated 2400 feet above the sea; and all the high country, known by the name of the Green Glades, extending from the heads of the Potomac to those of Yoghogheny, are covered with *ine woods and herbage. But the Gauley Ridge, and Laurel Hill are dry and stony, with not more than one tenth part capable of cultivation. The states of Ohio and Kentucky are the most fruitful in North America. The lands have a greater depth and fertility. Natural meadows of great extent furnish fine pasture. The cli- mate is favorable to the culture of the vine, the mulberry tree, and 8.1k 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 meadows 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 and sandy, except along the boiders of the rivers, and swampy places, which are very unhealtijy. In the back parts the soil is a rich black mtould, and very fertile. In South Carolina, the maritime part*, to the distance of a hun- ' dred miles from the coast, consist 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, which extend from twenty to forty miles in breadth, from Savannah Kiver to the upper part of Pedee River, and thence into North Carolina, are in general unproductive : but the hilly country, ex- ie!.,,.,.g ..„ ..„c ^ipazttcjiiiiu iviouniauis, is covered with pine trees, or spreading into extensive meadows, with a dry, ric>, and deep I] Mr 444 HISTORY OF NOETH AMERICA. soiK The climate is also mild, healthy and agreeable. The soil of Table Mountain, the most elevated in this state, situated about four ol* five miles from the northern boundary, is described 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 more sterile and stony : but fine rivulets spring almost from their summits, which are bordered with beautiful shrubs. The soil of Georgia, in the maritime and inland parts, resembles that of South^ Carolina. The flat country extends to the ^istance of about 200 miles from the sea, and thence to the Apalachian Mountains j 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 Tennes- see 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 Bed 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, swamps, 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 in high, dry, and hilly tracts. HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. — — eee(©l<^)©®o,„^ STATISTICAL FIEW of the UNITED STATES. SECTION V. MASSACHUSSETTS. SlTUATION.^Beiween 4P 13', and 42*^ 52' north latitude and a® 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, which separates it from Vermont and New Hampshire, is 130 miles j 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 16 miles. ji^rea.—- 6250 square miles. iWoMnfain*.— Different ridges of mountains intersect the west- ern parts, one 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 Oi the vjiants Causeway in Ireland extending to the distance of ten or twelve rods, and rising to the U6 HISTORY OF NOKTH AMERICA. height of fr<>m sixty to a hundred feet. The diameter of the prisms, which are truly hexagonal, is from two to five feet. Sbi/.— The predominating soil of the hills and mountains is a brown loam, mixed with sand, gravel and clay. That of the plains covered with white pine .■ a hghi :,am j and in those co- vered with yellow pine, it consists oi ^md and gravel. The val- leys which have a rich soil are the only tracts f^ee from loose atones and gravel. In general, the soil of the south-eastern counties is light and sandy, and not so favorable to the purposes of agriculture as the northern, middle, and westrr- i nrts. The \alley 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 Eu- rope; and the changes of temperature are more rapid. At Salem the diflFerence during the year, is nearly 115« of Fahrenheit j while at Rome it is but 84°, at Marseilles 69«, and at Padua SS''. The mean monthly variation is about 50* in Januarv, and 34" in July. The daily variation in winter is about 8«; in sum- mer \2° 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 43" and 10, and the mercury has sometimes fallen to 20" below zero. On the 12th 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 j 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 namey 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 summer is often so ereat. that the mercurv- for more than a month- al the commencement of the solstice, remains above 77° j some- STATISTICAL ViEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 447 tin.es it rises to 86' and 90% and in the year 1811 was observ- ed, at Cambridge, at the height of 101 1«. The temperature both in summer and winter, and particularly near the sea coa.t' 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 90*- ; the ensuing night it falls to 60^ From the 1st of June to the 1st of October the weather in common seasons, is sufficiently warm to render fires unneres- sary. The autu;nn affords six weeks of a delightful temperature, and closes frequently with a period of two or three weeks of south-west winds, which has been called the Indian summer Minera^.^Theve are irot ores in different parts of the state- partjcu arly in the counties of Plymouth, Bristol, and Berkshire' In the former bog ore forms the bed of several ponds. Copper ore IS found at Leverett, in the county of Hampshire anW nl Attleborough, in Bristol. Gay^a, ol lead orfi" f^und Southampton, in the county of Hampshire, and is wrought by a company, associated at Boston for that purpose. The vein is from SIX to eight feet in diameter, and extends from Montgome- ry to Hatfield a distance of twenty miles. The produce of lead is from 50 to 60 per cent. Black lead has been discovered at lirimfield in Hampshire; sulphuret of antimony near South Had- eyj and barytes (sulphate) at Hatfield 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 been lately discovered, a specimen of which, presented to the New York Philosophical Society, was four fee; i n S three inches in breadth, and one in thickness. Another, after- wards procured by Dr. Mitchell, was twenty- two inches In Ureadth. five feet in length, -nd two inches in thickness, con- taming a mass of 2640 cnb. 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- ged in water, according to the report of Dr. Mead, by whom this urODertv wn<8 fir^t Aic^^^^.^.i ' • . mc-^Theve is a quarry in Bernardstowp, in Franklin coun- fii'MH';. 448 histohy of north America. ty, which is chiefly employed for tombstones. Soapstone, or */«- Qtite, exists in Middlcfield, 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 ; 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 lime for building and manure. Sand, of a white color, is found in extensive beds, on a high hill in Cheshire, and is used for the manufacture of glass. Mixed with lime, it forms an excellent mortar for building. Serpentiney near Newbury port, of a deep or blackish green, and very beautiful. It is found in beds of granular limestone. Turkey^ or whitstone, is found at Dorchester, presenting alternate strata of white and brownish red. Ochres J yellow and red, and pipe- clay, have been found at Martha's Vineyard. Anthracite^ or blind-coal, which is used as a pigment, is found near Worcester. Mineral Waters. — Those in the town of Sym, in the county of Essex, are most frequented. The mineral waters in Boston and in Brighton, about five miles distance from each other, are said to possess qualities similar to those of Ballstown. None of these waters have been properly analyzed. Vegetable Kingdom. — Forest Trees. — ^The hilly and moun- tainous countr)' produces oak, walnut, pine, birch, maple, ash, cedar, cherry, chesnut, poplar, bitternut, and boxwood. The pine is almost the only tree that grows on the plains. The val- lies and banks of the rivers produce elm, cherry, maple, bujtton- wood, aspen, and bitternut. The red cedar is found on a dry, gravelly, and almost barren soil ; the white species, in low mar- shy situations, called Cedar swamps. In 1736, a white pine was cut, a little above Dunstable, near Merrimack river, the thick end of which was seven feet eight inches diameter. Colo- nel Dudley, in his surveys of new townships, about 50 or 60 miles inland, observed white ash trees straight and without branches, for about 30 feet^ and about three feet diameter at the hick end. List of the Principal Forest Trees, ia-Jiij cxivruxitatlxj _ _ — "^'^rt uvlo ut^vttj>t£X tit* ——white, - « ., - .Fraxwm Americana^ Mich. STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 449 ^ Aspen, American, Beech tree, • - . Beaver tree, - - , Birch, common white, - black, or mahogany, - Butternut, oilmit, - Cedar, red, - - * -white, - ^ Cherry, wild, - ' • Chestnut tree, Cornel, dvirarf, white berried, - broad leaved, - Dogwood tree. Elm, common, • • . Hazel, common. Hickory, or white walnut, - ————— shell bark. Iron Wood, or hop hornbeam. Larch, red, - - - - Lime tree, or bass wood. Maple, red or swamp, ■ —rock or sugar, - Oak, white, - - , , . black, ■ scarlet, - - red, - - - . shrub, - - - Pine, pitch, white, - , - black, or double spruce, hemlock spruce. Plane tree, buttonwood, or Sy- camore, - - _ _ Tupelo tree, or swamp hornbeam. Pifpulus trenmloideg. - Fagus ferrugineQf Ait ' Magnolia gUmcay L, - BetuUi popultfolia, Ait. lentOf L. - Juglans cinei^ea, L. Juniperus Virgimana, - thioides, L. Prunus Pl,rginianaf L. Castanea Fesca, Wild. Comus Canaderuis, • alba. • circinata» -Jlorida. L. Ulmus Americana, L. Coryhs Americam, Walt. Juglans alba, Wild. Juglans squamosa, Mich. Ostryia Virginica. Laryx Americana, L. Tilia Americana, Acer rubrum, L. saccharinum, L. Quercus ulba, L. • ■' tinctoria, East. -coccinea, Mich. -rubra, L. -banisteri, Mich. Pinus rigida, L. strobU:S, L. nigra, Mich. Canadensis, L, Plctanus occidentalis, L, Nyssa villosa, Mich. ANIMAL KINGDOM. Quadrupeds.^Thc panther, wild cat, wolves, and bears, have retreated to the mountains. a»"' snl.ioty, on^po.. :.^ *u^ i-... try. Ill 1814, a male and female wolf visited Springfield, and 19- 3 L 450 ttlStOEY OF NOHTH AMEllICA. some neighboiiring 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 ground, and destroys the crops. The grey^ striped, and flying squirrels are numerous. Fuihes. •—T\iB bays and rivers abound with saimon, mackerel, and other kinds of excellent fish. TSe salmon are daily becom- ing more rare, and have disappeared in some rivers, owing to the erection of dams and mills. The shell-fish on the coast are the lobster, (Cancer hamqrus, L,,) scollop, (Ostrea pectines,) and the clam, (Vqms rnercenaria,) There is a species of shell- fisii known by the name of horse shoe, or Ring's crab, which It sometimes a foot in breadth. The whale fishery occupies most of the inhabitants of Nan- tucket. In 1811, the number of'sailors amounted to 1200, and and there were established on the island from 15 to 20 mani^T factories of oil 9iid ct^ndles. The whales, of which great numbers were formerly taken in the bay, have become rare ; but a species of this genus, called the blade Jish, 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 are taken with the hook ; the others with the seine. Cod, halibut^ sturgeon, shad, herring, bass, eels, and other lishes, swarm around Nantupket ii^lands. Insects. — Among the insects injurious to agricultural produc- tions, is a species of grasshopper, known by the 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, (Gryllus.) In 1731, 1742, 1763, ires, I7«4, POrU^TION. Progreu <\f Popvlatioii. 120,000 Including blacks. 164,000 — 220.000 241,0!^4 357,510 5J14 4877 STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 451 1790, by the c(rnurse of years, been no slaves in New En^ land. ^ Jndiciary.^Ty jud^^,s are appointed by the governor and council, and, for iiusbel*amur, afe {'able to remotml from -ffice by the authority frmn whic* th^y h-M their coBimi«ion, if de- manded by both hmsne^ of ies...J.M ire. There is a sapieme iudi- cial court, and thix- circuit courts «t common »leas. Ail tfta- English |^ov«*^ law. ate preserved, except .urn as were found .o uc «, 9ffOmi^ Li. the rights ai,d iibarties established by the »>ew gmetmfmt. The opinion of the supreme court, mi mf 456 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. important question, may be demanded by either branch of the legislature, or by the governor and council. Justices of the peaat are appointed for the term of seven years by the council ; and if they are found to have faithfully discharged the duties of the office, their commission may be renewed. Appeals from the judges oj the probate qf wills go to the superior court, and arc there finally judged. . The judiciary officers of the United States, for the state of Mussachussetts, are : — a district judge, with a salary of a thou- sand dollars ; an attorney, with 200 ; a marshal, with 200 ; a clerk, with fees. Finances. — The revenue is principally derived from an annual tax on real and personal estates, and a capitation tax on all male persons, of sixteen years and upwards. Six per cent, is paid ou the actual value of all rateable estates, both real and personal, except wild or uncleared landsj on which the rate is two per cent. Internal government. — The st/ite is divided into districts or townships of unequal size, the largest six miles square, each of which has a local jurisdiction with regard to the management of its own affairs. The municipal police is exercised by magis- trates, called select men, who are bound to attend to every thing which concerns the safety and welfaro of the citiaens. Town officers are elected by the male citizens of twenty- one years and upwards, who pay taxes, and have resided one year in the town in which tliey vote. Public Instruction. — Great praise is due to the inhabitants of this state for the liberal spirit manifested in their scientific and and literary institutions, and particularly for the organization and support of free schools, where poor children of both sexes may be instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic. Every town having fifty householders is obliged to provide a school of this description; and when the number increases to two hundred families, the town or district is obliged to establish another for the instruction of youth in the Latin, Greek, and English lan- guage. Neglect of this statute (of 29th June 1789.) is punished by a pecuniary fine, proportioned to the time of neglect and number of inhabitants, at the rate of ten pounds currency for every fifty families % so that the penalty for one hundred and fifiV families is thirty pounds. The limits of school districts are de- STATISTICAL. VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 457 termined by town meetings; and the assessment and collection 1 '^Tl ^""''^^^'^PP^^' °f ""^h schools, is provided for hy a law of the 28th February 1800. "y a ReUgion.^The public ordinances of religion are generally well attended to; though it is stated by Mr. Beecher that th-re 18 a deficiency of 178 competent religious instructors. 1 he cotistitution has secured the free exercise of religious worship The Congregationalists, the most numerous denomt nation, have 390 churches ; the Baptists a.e next in point If ^Zk'a ' T:'^"^ '^' '"P^""' "^ '^^ g^"^'-^' **''" tne sheen is thl f . I ,^,d''^^"'ty attendnig the rearing of and owmg to this circumstance, a breed ealled the otter breed i« cairr/ot' "''^'' 7-8 ^" their particular colrmtt cannot leap a fence or wa . whilp ♦l.p;r fl^d i , * inferior to those of other! crdeni; ^ ' . "'"""^ """^ ""' and everv f^rm. . ^aidenmg is now much attended to, and eve.y farmer has an orchard, containing from one hundred to three hundred aoDle trepS60 Ores, ochre, and nitre beds, - 1,350 Soap stone, '-SOO Spectacles. 10,000 20 tons of manufactured steel, ..-..-- 4,000 23,600 pounds of salt-petre, - - 9,303 118,757 bushels of salt, 79,526 334,238 pounds of Glauber's salts, * 13,309 2,777 dozen of steel thimbles, 10,000 11,000,000 tacks or small nails, - - 2,000 Tin plale work, 72,015 Earthenware, -.-------- 18,700 Wire factories 24,012 A manufacture of chemical and medicinal articles was estab- lished at Salem in 1812. At Springfield, in the county of Hampden, the United States have an extensive establishment for the manufacture of arms; in 1810, the number of workmen employed was 220 j the muskets manufactured 10,2-10. STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 461 Producls of Vegetable Substances ^\t\pp\ng, 93,410 tons (..'abintt wares, • . , , Chairs, inpgdnzen, .... Coopers' wares, 37,99* casks, Hakes, 11,000 in number, . , Wooden ware, unnamed, , , Oil, 46,460 gallon Spirits from grain and fruit, MO.SIO, from molasses Beer, ale, and porter, 'J4,400 barrels of SIJ gallons each. Spruce, essence, 1250 pounds, . , Oil of turpentine, ic, 600O gallons, ^aper, 99,62'j teams. Sugar refined, 4'«,000 pounds , , Tobacco and snutf, I la, 400, . , Cables und cordage, 3<32 tons, Plsying cards, to the value of , , Chocolate, 255, soo pounds, . . , Corn brooma, 70,000 in number, , Musical instruments, to the value of Straw bonnets, ■ . . . Flour and meal ground, 509,530 bushels. Saw mills, 11,215,000 feet sawed. Pot and pearl ashes, las tons, , Carriages, (Maine,) — — (Massachussetts,, 733, Dotlara, Talucd at e.sfl.oos 3l8,flj2 9fi,06c> 69,3 IS I.SJO 31,000 49.9t)« «,«79,ooo i,7;i:.,5a6 86,450 s.-Vio 1«,000 306,951 8/, 400 37,281 1,302,644 97,500 73,100 4,000 17,880 551,988 386,169 87,335 20,6 1 iJ 9,000 192,674 The oak is chiefly employed for ship timber. The white pine for masts and boards. The white cedar for boards and shingles Red cedar tor posts fixed in the earth. The common chestnut for rails. The wood of the birch tree for cabinet work. The hornhenn and button wood 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 beverage 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 evenmg. The bread in common use is made of mixture of In dian corn and rye; of the former is made a dish called liastv^ puddingy which is eaten with butter. Products of Animal Siibstana Mackerel, 5,40obarref9, Horn combs, 49,905 dozen, P' 7,"aO ao. Catgut, es. Dollars. value 44,550 . ■ 80,634 7,990 2,0(JO IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) //// ^^ ^' LO I.I i.25 2.3 2.5 2.2 ViUt, IIIIIM 114 V] m. ^m w 0%^ v> ^ >'^' ^J" :V w o 7 rhotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREEf WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4$03 5* -^ ^^C\ ^ <* 5? ...W 46'^ HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. Tallow candles, 1,436,550 pounds Spermaceti, 465,000 do. (iloves. . 4,875 dozen, Boots. • 6S,307 pair. Men's shots, 844,86 ♦ do. . Women's shoes, 1,3 10,500 do. Sadlery, harness, and jockey caps. Oil, spermaceti, 77,696 gallons, •^ whale, 249,728 do. . — mills, 44,400 do. . Hard soap, 8,041,720 pounds. Soft soap, 4, 190 barrels. Woollen stockings, 37,951 pair, Morocco skins, q6i,800 do. . Dollar.1. « 1 7,060 . 178,300 I4,62» . 419,509 973,033 . 816,250 188,826 . 68,832 ■ 71,688 . 46,982 989,697 . 18,400 28,453 . » 39,660- Tanneries. Hidct. Calves skins, Do. Sheep skins. Whips, 174.596 65|88S 3,800 62,536 7,050 DoUar$. I,0t2,6^1 129,078 9,100 59, 140 7,900- 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 fiirs. The whole amount of the manufactureis in Massachussetts, in 1810, was 18,536j933 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 Imported^ of which a great quantity are sent STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 46S to a foreign market.-Dye wooda ; English, India, German Russian, French, Scotch, and Irish piece ,o^, and hardZ' wn.es, spirits, teas, sugars, coffee, cocoa, fruits, spices. To-' lasses, nidigo, cotton, cochineal, manufactures of lead pJZ cordage hemp, porter, segars, cheese, candles, nails, ion, C' hoops, &c. &c. In 1809, the export, of ri^e,. cotton, flour ItZrnT:'' ^"^ "«^^';^--' PHncipally the Voduc 'of the southern «ates, amounted to 2,294,109 dollars. I„ 1810 thl whole ou„, o ,s was 13,013,048 dollars, of wh eh 7,2ol 277 were of foreign, and 5,761,771 of domestic produce The net amount of the duties on imports in 1 Sir. P*^"""*^^- 2,542,338 dollars. ^ ' ^^' amounted tp The tonnage, in 1807, was 321,032 tons, viz. Registered, permanent. . r. .,■ . temporary, EuroUed and licensed, permanent, . . , ' ' 1 . 9°' temporaiy, . . * Licenced under 20 tons, coasting trade, ■''<'• cod fishery, .'.",' 'crtr;i"."aVe'' !"""'^i '•"'' """-•> ^--«<= -p'oy*** »» the Tlie whale fishery, . Tlie cod fisliery, . . ' ' , 199,SM) tons. 19.348 92,170 3,305 1.478 5,280 *l,7ld 187 «,63S In 1807, 693 vessels cleared out at the office nfth^ j- ♦ • 'tLtar '''"- '" ""^-^ P-- °ow " 73 for Spain, Italy and the Mediterranean. 51 for Holland, Germany, and the Hanse towns. IS for JJ^ngland, Scotland, and Ireland. 229 for ports of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the norrh west coast. ^ north- The sale of English prizes near the close of the year ISH brought mto the port of Salem, amounted to 675 695 L.i' The value of privateers from this port captured grEtlt* was estimated at 164,100 dollars. ^'iglish, i^a.A:..-In Massachussetls Proper there are 16 barks „f which the capital, in 1812, amounted to 10,250,000 do ^s rhe banks o this commonwealth are incorporated on the fol.' lowing conditions, required by the statutes: 1. Any loss ol de- ficiency arising from the official mismanagement of the directors « made up by the stockholders in their individual capacity buJ not for a greater sum than the muonvt «f -n-.- - , ,, , ■ ^-'•«' ^i =iOi;r actually held by 464 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. each. 2. When the act of incorporation expires, the stockhold- ers are bound to pay, in their individual capacities, all bills issu- ed by them which then remain unpaid, in proportion to the stock respectively held by each. 3. One tenth of the whol» funds of each bank is appropriated to loans made to citizens, in relation to the agricultural, and manufacturing 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. 6. 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 Massachiissetts Proper ^ 1 8 in number. Towns. Date of In- Time of Capital, corporation. |£xpiration. Name of Banks. Counties. State Suffolk MassarhuEsctts — • Union .* lloston — . Merchants Essex Essex — Salem — filoucesler .-« Marbtehead — Beverly — Mcclianis mmm Newbury Port Plymoulh Plymouth Taunton Bristol Bedford — Phcenix Nantucket Nantucket Pacific — Worcester Worcester Boston Salem Gloucester Marblohead Beverly Newbury Port Plymouth 1'aunton New Bedford Nantucket Worcester 1811 ISia 1811 1799 1813 1631 1831 1819 1831 Dollars. 3,000,000 1,600,000 1,200,000 I,«00,0(jO 300,000 400, OoO 200,000 140,000 120,000 160,000 200,000 3.M),000 100,000 100,000 300,000 100,000 100,000 900,000 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 Charlestownj STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 465 t)uilt on 75 piers, is 1503 feet in length, and 43 in width. On each side there is a railing for the protection of foot passengers: and, by means of a drawbridge, vessels pass through the chan- "7.!IL'J7"' ''^'"^ '■^'"^*^ •" ^^^'"^ <^o""«- f^est Boston bridge « doOO feet in length. Two otjier bridges, Craigie's and South Jioston, are no less rewarkable. Across Connecticut river there are twenty-two bridges, six of which are in Massachussetts j and several, of an elegant and novel construction, have been erected across the Merrimack river. Canals.—The Middlesex canal, completed in 1804, extends from the harbour of Boston to the river Merrimack, in the town of Chelmsford, a g^h from north to Houth IS 225 nnles. The greatest breadth from east to west 195. It extends along the sea-coast 240 miles, for 180 of which there IS a good road leading from Piscataqua to the St. Croix River. .Yrea.— a2,628 square miles, or 20,882,.'i54 acres. S 13' north latitude, end 4*' 23' and 6° 10' east longitude from Washington. The Atlantic Ocean washes eighteen miles of its coast, from which it extends to Lower Canada. Its length, from north to south, 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 i 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 Country, 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 are 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. IThe 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 v?ith fresh 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 in every house, though sometimes the neces8i|;y for them ceases after the Ist of April. The frosts are light in September and October. In Novlember the weather is variable ; the frosts are moderate, but not lasting. In Pecember the frost becomes intense and durable, The snow -STATISTICAL VIEW OP THE UNITED STATES. 4(73 falls to the depth pf from two to four feet before the close of Fe- bruary; and if a thaw takes place in January, which often hap* peiw, it is generally followed by a very severe frost. March i« blustering and cold, but the snow sensibly sinks under the inHu- «nce of the sun. In April it disappears in the open country. In winter the prevailing wind is from the north-west, which never blows in summer except after thunder, accompanied with rain. The greatest change of weather ever known in Uiis state was in January 1810. On the J 8th of that month, the thermometer, at noon, stood at 42°, and on the following day at the same hour, it had fallen 1*5 M^w ; And fropi the 19th to the 22nd, it fluctuated betw«l»,i7^ and 14° below 0, indicating a greater de- gree of cold tlianivv»#ever before experienced in the state. Rivers.-^Thc. chief rivers are: I. 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 a sud^eja thaw and copious rains, it has been known to double this ele- vation. 2. The Merrirmc, formed of the waters of the Pemi- gewasset and Winipiseogee streams, which 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 streams ; the principal of which are from the west. Co/iiqocQoA:, which joins it a»Jove Concord, is from sixty to seventy miles in length. 3. The Piscataqna river issues from a pond in 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 Swanscal, has sufficient depth of water for vessels of five hundred tons. The navigation of all these rivers, at different 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 nearly 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 animal. JiO. 3 m msTOBY OP NOllTM AMFAllCA. He is taken by means of long traps, into which he is decoyed by a bait. The red and grey fox are common in tlie woods not fai' remote from population. Their skin is valuable, and they are often entrapped and taken. The wild cat is pursued for its skin, which is also valuable, especially the black kind. The beaver has become rare. Tlie black squirrel Is rarej but the grey, striped, and flying, are common. The foiests abound with game. The partridge, quailj and wild pigeon, are the same as in Mas.* sachussetts. The wild turkey has retired to the inland moun- tamous country. The grou^ or heath- bird, i* fa rely seen except on the high mountains. The bays and rlM i^und with eod, -almdn, shad, eels, trouts, &c. The first§.^fi«5t^md salted near the Isle of Shoals, is called dumb-fish, art* «i^Highly valued. It is taken near the ccqst 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 erf dams. Population, In 1749 It was estimated at 30,000 1J07 - . . 6<2,7oo "75 . . . s^-im Jl'790 ... 141,885 iSOO . „ . 183.858 _,. . 1810 . - . 214,460 The increase pet cent. In the last ten years ww about 1«J. 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 popMlation. The rapid increase is partly owing to emi- gration from the neiglibouring states, and from different coun- tries of Europe. Londonderry, an inland town, was peopled chiefly by natives of Ireland, who introduced there the manu- facture of linen. Longevity.-^lJiseas€S.-^Tho robust form and florid complex- ion of the inhabitants indicate the salutary influence of the cli^ mate. Several instances of loiigevity are recorded, the most re- tnarkable of which is that of a baker, Robert Macklin, a na- tive of Scotland, who died in 1787, at the age of U5 j and when more than eierhtv he walkH in nn»» dp^' fr— « n,.-*-., u to JJoston, a distance of 66 miles, and returned the next. In STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 475 the bill of mortality of Portsmouth for 1810, then containing 6934 inhabitants, the number of deaths was HI. Character.-^Dr. Belknap observes. « That firmness of nerve, patience in fatigue, intrepidity in danger, and alertness in ac- tion, are to be numbered among the native and essential cha- racteristics of the people of New Hampshire." Marriage is so general, that in the country it h rare to find an unmarried man of thirty 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 a »d wool. Dancing is a favorite amusement, and the young peopi* often assemble for this purpose, particularly at the time of n^liitary musters, sittings of the courts 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 prisoners till the evening, when they were dispersed hy the militia of Exeter. 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 tho otlier. 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 : Ut, To be thirty years of age. 2d, To be seized of a freehold estate, of the value of two hundred pounds, within the staic. 3d, To have been an inhabitant of the state seven years immediately preceding his election ; and an actual resident of 1 u i I _ L It 476 HISTOUY OF NORTH AMERICA. tlie district for which he is chosen. The house of represcnta^ tives is composed of delegates from the different towns, the number of which is proportioned to the population, as in Mas- sachussetts, at the rate of one rcprei.entative for every 150 rate- able male polls of twenty-one years of age, two for 450, and so on, at the rate of one representative for every additional 300. The election is by ballot, and no person can be a candidate who has not an estate within his district of a hundred . pounds value, one half of which is a' freehold in bis own right; he must also be an inhabitant of the district at the time of his election, and of the state, two years previous thereto. Every male inhabitant, of twenty-one years of age, (except paupers, and persons ex- empted from paying taxes by their own request,) has a right to vote for senators and representatives. The executive power is invested ih a governor and five councillors. The governor is chosen annually by the electors, as above de- scribed ; and, if two persons have an equal nuihber of votes, one of the two is dhosen by the joint ballot of the assembly. No person is eligible to the oflfice of governor unless he be thirty years of age, and have been an inhabitant of the state seven years next preceding his election. He must also be the proprie- tor of an estate of the value of five hundred pounds, one half of which must consist of a freehold in his own right, within the state. The governor, as president of the council, has the same powers and privileges as those of the governor of Massachus- setts. Councillors arc elected by ballot, by tlie freeholders, and the same qualifications are required for this office as for that of governor, except that three hundred pounds or more of the estate must be a freehold in his own right. The secretary, trea- surer, and commissary-general, are chosen by the joint ballot of the senators and representatives. The treasurer of the county and register of deeds are elected by the inhabitants of the several towns. Representatives (o congress are chosen by the inhabi- tants in town meetings ; and the votes of each are returned to . the secretary's office, and laid before the general court. In the same manner are chosen the electors for president and vice pre- sident. The two senators in congress are sleeted by the general court. Internal Government. — The polkef or protection of persons and property, is under the same regulations as in Massachussetts, STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. iT( £very township is a distinct corporation, in which officers are chosen for managing its affairs, and raising money, by taxes, for the support of ministers, schools, paupers, bridges and high- ways, and other public purposes. The general superintendence ii intrusted to three or five select men, by whom the taxes are laid, if not voted by the inhabitants. The observance of the Sabbath, and the execution of the laws relating thereto, is under the direction of tything men in the several towns. Manners, Religion, and Laws,— \V hen a marriage is to be celebrated, the intention of the parties is published three diffe- rent times in the town of their residence. The ceremony may be performed within the limits of the county by either ministers 6f the gospel or justices of the peace, and the act is recorded by the town-clerk. Any other person, except a Quaker, against whom there is proof of having performed this ceremony, is sub- jected to a fine of i:iOO. Liberty in matters of religion is de- clared to be a natural and unalienable right; and no person is to be molested on account of his religious sentiments j no subordi- nation of sect can be established by law. All unnecessary travel- ling, loitering, or indecent behaviour on the Sabbath, is for- bidden under certain penalties. The religious denominations in this state are—Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Quakers, Congregationalists, and Universalists. According to the report of the general convention of Baptists, held in Philadelphia in May 1817, the number of churches at this Epoch was 53 ; that of members, 3738. There is a society of Sandemanians at Portsmouth, and another of Shakers at Enfield. It has been ascertained, that about one-third of the population is unprovided with regular religious instruction. The people, however, in ge- neral, profess the christian religion. Slavery is not prohibited . by any express law, but there are few slaves. Some purchased their freedom by serving three years in the Revolutionary war ; others have received it from their masters. Those who remain slaves are well fed, and treated like white servants. They are also under the protection of a law, 4th George I., still in force, namely, that, "if any man smite out the eye or tooth of his man or niaid servant, or otherwise maim or disfigure them, he shall let him or her go free from his service, and shall allow such far- ther rccompence as the court of nuarter-s sions shall adjudge 478 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. also, that, if any person kill his Indian or Negro servant, he shall be punished with death." Agriculture, — The great business of life in this state is agri- culture. The banks of the rivers and vallies produce fine crops of wheat, corn, and rye ; also flax, hemp, and culinary plants. The soil is favorable to the grazing of cattle, and the produce of the dairy is excellent. In good lands the first crops of hay average about a ton an acre, and two tons of clover. The low lands along the large rivers produce from forty to fifty bushels of wheat per acre, the uplands half this quantity. The new lands produce good crops of Indian com and winter rye. Of the for- mer the produce is from thirty to forty bushels an acre. Barley, oats, pease, and flax, thrive best on land that has been under cultivation for some years. In the western parts of the state agriculture has made great progress. Every agriculturist has an orchard, where the apple and pear tree furnish great abundance of excellent fruit. The farm-houses and farm-yards are neat and commodious. The quality of lands is indicated by the na- tural growth of the trees. Chesnut, walnut, and beech, are found on the best soils. Alder indicates good meadow ground. Of plants injurious to agriculture the Canada thistle (Serratula arvcnsis^ Lin.) is the most difficult to eradicate. It has spread over the loamy and sandy soil of the middle and northern parts, where it grows from three to six feet in height. Cattle are housed from the beginning of November till the 21st of Mav, except when there is a scarcity of fodder, in which case they feed on the young grass, which shoots up about the beginning of May. Land is cleared of the trees by girdling them in summer. By this operation the vegetation is destroyed. The ground be* tween them is sowed in August with winter rye and grass seed, a:>d the next year it yields a good pasture ; or the trees are all cut down in June, when the sap is in circulation, and burnt in the ensuing spring. Indian corn is then sown in holes made with a hoe. If the trees be destroyed late in summer, wheat or rye is sown on the new land, mixed with grass, and raked with an iron-toothed rake, or with the hoe. Sometimes a crop of Indian corn is raised the first year, and the second year a crop of rye or wheat, sown with grass seed, which is employed for pasture or mowing the third year. When the soil is good, the two first crops will pay the .expence of all the labor, and it i» STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 479 customary for the proprietor of lands to let them on this condi- tion, he paying for felling the trees, and purchasing the grass seed, especially husbandmen, who fatten cattle for the market. It IS tound, that all esculent roots are larger and sweeter in the new than in the old soil. Light frosts sometimes take place in June and August, and destroy the crops of Indian corn The only manure employed is that of the stables and cow-houscs which IS spread over the fields in spring, or put into the holes where corn and potatoes are planted. The neat cattle of New ilampshire are of a large breed, of which the first, of a yellow color, were procured from Denmark, and sent thither in 1(J33 by Captain John Mason and hi« associates, for the purpose of drawing lumbei;. The breed of horses has been neglected as this animal is little used for draught. The propt)rtion of horses to neat cattle is not more than one to twenty. Asses have been lately mtroduced. There are great numbers of sheep and swine The latter are. suffered to run in the woods in summer- after harvest they are shut up, and fattened on Indian corn. ' Manufactures and Products of the Soil in 1810— The inha bitants generally prepare their own clothing, and various manu- factures have been lately established, some for the purpose of exportation. Those of tow cloth are very extensive. In 1810 there were ninety looms in the township of Hanover Iron works at Exeter produce sufficient iron for the consumption of the state. Bncks and pottery are made in different places Of gunpowder 1000 pounds are manufactured, value 750 dollars Spirits, 20,560 gallons, value 22,160 dollars; 135,950 gallons* of brewed liquors, from fruit and grain, value 74,450 dollars Pot and peari ashes. The number of brushes made in this stafp in 1810 was 1666, 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. 1 he masts are the finest in the worid, being from 140 to 150 feet ill length, and so durable, that, if protected from moisture, they will last twei.ty years. The roots of this tree are employed for fences, and i- 'i Paid will last for a century. Hoops from the saplings of white oa.. and hickery. Staves, from white and red oak. Cyder, one barrel of which is obtained from ten t« twelve bushels of apples, and gives about four guiions of proof spirits. Charcoal, of which one cord of wood, eight feet in I PISTORY QF NORTH AMERICA. length, fopr 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, prp- vjsions, fish, horses, pot and pearl ashes, flax seed. Mxports.^h\di&i\ 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 transport,— to Boston, Portsmouth, Portland, Hartford, ajo4 ^ew York, Amount qJ Exports, In 1795, - 230,000 dollars^ 1799, - 361,000 1810, - 234,650 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 1791, produced^ 25,850 quintals. From a me- morial pf 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 de.clined. 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 obr 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 3ff our money, and tend to produce a state c^ dependance on other nations, and other states, injurious to our STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 481 tntefMt, and daiigerou* to oUr freedom and independence. For it is i^ith n state as with an individual, he th*t continaeAo buy iftuch more than he sells, must be involved in debt, and sooner Dr later become poor. We may increase the number of our v bankiiig institutions, but they will not increase otir wealth ; the fM-ecious meUls will be sent to other oountries to purchase goods we do not want, or such as we can make 4)ttrselves. For these' evils we may apply a gradual biiC effectual 4-emedy, by the in- creiwe of agriculture and of mant^ctures." CamU — By means of locks and aeanal, the Merrimac River affords a direct coinmuirication between Concord and Boston. There are two canals on Connecticut River, within the limits ■of New Hampshire. Alon^ Amos Reag Falls in the Merrimac, and others farther up, short canals have been opened. A canal runs eight miles through the marshes of Hampton and Salisbury, and meets the Mei-rimac opposite Newbury Port. i VERMONT.* Tbbmont, situated between 42" 44' tind 45*> of north latitude, and 3*» 38' and,5<» 27' east longitude from Washington is a tnountainous and inland country. The boundary line that sepa- rates it from Canada on the north, is ninety miles long, and from Massaclrassetts on the south, forty miles. It has New York on the west, and New Hampshire on the east, t^d its mean length, from north to south, is 157 miles, llie distance from the ocean to the nearest point of this state is about 80 miles. Area, 10,237 square miles, or 6,o5 1,680 acres. Aspect qf the Cmntry, and Nature qf tJie SoiL-^The Green Mountains,! from ten to fifteen miles in breadth, traverse this * The name Vermont, or Green Mountain, ii deicriptive of the natural growth of the trees of this soil, many of which are evergreens, hemlock pine, spruce, &c. * + This chain begins in Canada, near the bay of Chateur, and pasiea through Massachuisetts into Conhecticut, nerfr Newhaven. The height of Kiliington Pcali iu Sherburne, was found hy actual mensuration, to he ^HKi feel above the ocean, and 3184 above the level of Lake Champlain at th* mouth of Otter Creek. 21. 3p 482 ItlSTORY OF KORl'H AMERICA. State ia a direetion from north to south. These mountains^ which run nearly paraUcl with the course of Connecticut River^ are intersected by numerous vallies^ the soil of which is deepi rich and loamy. That of the hilly' parts is also well adapted to pasturage, and other agriculturtd purposes. The most level tract is on the borders of Canada. Adjoining the rivers are fine plains and meadows ; and between tho banks of Lake Cham- plain and the 'mountains, there ie a valuable tract of arable land, extending 100 miles in length, and thirty in breadth. The whole suHace 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* pie, butternut, ashy birch, &c., an,d the mountains are plothed with evergreens to their very summit, { Temperature.-r^Tlui climate is nearly similar to that of New Hampshire. The snow lies from the middle of December to the middle of Marfh, during whifeh period it is customary to travel in sledges. On the sides of the hills it is often from two to four feet in depth. It disappears about the middle of April, except on the highest parts of the mountains, where it lies till May. It IS generally permanent from the 10th or 12th of December to the beginning of April, ^ihen it suddenly dissolves by the influ- ence of a warm sun. In the low grounds it is from one to two and a half feet deep, and remains till about tlKJ 20th of March. The temperature of deep wells is about forty-three orte-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 are sown about the middle of April, and are reaped about the middle of August. The frosts commence from the middle of September to the first of October, and cease abo'bt the 20th of April or beginning of May. Notwithstanding the severity of winter, which is ten or eleven degrees colder than in the Sanfe latitude of Europe, young trees arjB Seldom killed by the frost, and the cattle live in the woods. The weather during this season is generally fair and constant, and rain seldom falls, though hail is not unfrequent. Where there is little or no snow, the trost is found to penetrate to the depth of between three and four feet. The ice of lakes and stagnant waters, in the severest STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 483 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, but the evenings and nights are cool and pleasant. The most agreeable season is from the beginning of September to the middle of October, after \vhich, to the dose of November, there are frequent rains, winds, and snow. Thttnder and lightning are common in the months of May, June, July, and August. The extreme heat is 94« of . Fahrenheit J the extreme cold 27* below zero, the mean heat 4a|. 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 mto Connecticut River, on the west into Lake Champlain, except some few which, having a northerly di- rection, flow into Lake Memptiremagog, and through the river St. Francis into that of St. Lawrence. Of these the most con^ siderablc are. Otter Creek, Onion River, Lamoille, and Michis- coui, on the west side ; on the east, Waniastic, or West River, White River, and Sassumsick. Otter Creek, which flows in a northern course, nearly ninety miles, is navigable from its source for large vessels to the Falls ofc Vergennes, eight miles from its mouth in Lake Champlain, and betweeii these and othex- falls at Rutland, Pitsford, and' Middlebwg, it has water for the largest boats. Wmmiskif or Onion Riv^r, rises in Cabot, runs first south-west twenty piiles, and afterwards north-west sixty to Jiake 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 tis navigable for large boats to Swanton, seven miles from its mpifth. The Lamoille issues from a pond in Glover, ^nd runs in a north-west course of seventy- five miles to Lake Champlain. White River, sq 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 ConnecticMt River four miles below Hanover. Its width, to some li 484 HISTORY OP NO&TR AMtmiCA, distance from its moqtli, is from 100 to 150 yards. Oupmnp«J noosuckj which empties itself into the same river at Norwich, i» forty or fifty yards wide, and on aecount of its rafwdity, is anna- vigable. Passumpsick is about 100 yards in width, but Hst course is short and rapid. Wild's River is forty yaiils across^ its course is also short and rapid. The navigation of t^ other rive^^ is obstructed 1^ nrnnerous fall:* Mid rapidls. Minerals. — Iron ore exists in great abundance en the west side of tlie Green Mountains, and near Lake Champlam. The mines are worked at Timuoutb, ShafteebiBy, Rotkmd, Shore- ham, Monkton^ and Milton. The Bog ore at the tmrth end of- Lake Champlai», the brown hematites, a« Monkten,. and the magnetic ore on the west side of the lake, are worked at the Vergennes furnaees. Ores of bad at Tfaetibrd> and Sunderland^ of copper, of ochre, red and yellow. ;ii A , .' ' Flint 18 found on Mount tndependence in >Orlwell. Ja&pet %f a beautifel red color has been ferrfy discovered^ Kaolin, or porcelain cJoyi is ^nd at Monfcton^ which retains its white color in tfie fire. iLwnc*tone.-— MarWe of « fine grain, white and eieuded, e^ tends from Bennington t» the Michiscout Riven it ia worked at Middlebttig, Pittsford, and other places. Some of it w «s whfte as the Carara marble^ Soapstone («teatite) is found at Oxford, Grafton, Athene, &c. Slate is fb«nd4n strata nearly -vertteal at Bummarstown^ also at Rockii^am and Castlteten, where it is of a pale red color.' Torkey, or whitstone, is found at Thet- ford J ore of Manganese it Mbhkton y day for brieks, p^-clay in Rutland} and millstones and marl m several place». IVrites are found in Shrewsbury. A natural stone bridge, seven or eight rods in length, affords a passage over the river LamotDe. ilfwi«rai Woofer*.— There are two chalybeate springs, one at Orwee, near Mount Independenee, another at Bridport, the wa» ters of which are said ta contain Epsom salt in great quantity; another was discovered in 177^ m the low land^, near the great Ox Bow, or bend of the Comieeticut River. ' It haa a strong sul- phureous smeU, and the surfaecj when not agitated^ i» eovered with a thick yellow scum, it throws up continually a whKishr sand; and'^is saiid ta disappear in one place and ^ring up ii> andther, at intervals of two or three years. Vegetable JSttg^dom,— The pine, maple, buttonwood. dm. 11 STATISTICAL. VIEW OP THE UNITED STATES. 4»5 hemlock, oak, basswood, aah, and birch, are from three to six feet in diameter, and from a hundred to two hundred in height The most oommon trees ar« hemlock, elm, spruce, sugar maple! and beech. On the summit of the highest mouDtaans, the trees which ave chiefly spruce, hemlock, and pine, do not grow to more than Iwq or three feet in height, and their branches are mterwoven, so. as to form an impenetrable thicket. It is remark- able, that there i^ a much greater proportion ©f evergreen trees on the western, than on the eastern side of the raountains. Quadrupeds^-^The quadrupeds enumerated by Dr. Williams •re thtrty-six in number; of these the roost remarkable are the bear, bladt-cat, witd-cat, catamount, deer; fox, red, grey, cross and Mack; hare, martin, ermine, mole, mouse, porcupine, rab! bit, racoon, skunk; squirrel, grey, black, red, striped, and fly- jngj weasel, wolf, and wood-chuck. In the rivers, ponds, and lakes, are the beaver, mink,^ musk-rat, and otter. Among the early seltters 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 htmtiu^, fishing, and fowling, is common to aM, and at all sea- sons. The deer, which caniiot be pursued during the two last months of the year, is the only animal that finds protection. Popalatwn.--h is stated by Dr. Williams, that, in Rutland one of the principal towns, the deaths, in the years 1789^-90 - 9*, were to the births, as one to four. Hence it seems' that the population doi*red in a period of link more than niileteen yeaw. In the town o* Cavendish, the ratio of deaths to that of births, during seven years, was as one, to seven, which, gives a •till more rapid) increase. i«~'*ij». The mmher (f Inhabitants amouuted in 1790 to 85,589,. including 271 free blacks. 1800 - 154,465, 557 -. ISrO - 217,895, — — 750 — " which gives upwar«l8 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 68,860 J during the next ten years \% amounted to 63,446. According to the ttmta of 1810, the males under 16 years were 66 489 Females under 16 . . . '\ ^^'^^ Total, r 10,391 486 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA* i I .. a Males between 16 and 45 years. Female*, , MalH 45 yean aail opwsrAi, Fenale»r * . ^ ! urn i>mi Sa'.muil f '^^^ TpM, 812.94^ IL,45T> f*ni! I»i Thtal, S4,SI0 »09,951 Number of mafeii, Femalet , , •'"', . • Excess of naletv S,75T Character and il/an/iov?.— The people of Vermont have n florid complexion, are well formed, active, and robust, Theii clothing IS adapted to the climate, which, though very cold in winter, is regular, and not subject to those great and sudden changes, which on the «ea- coast are found to be so injurious to health. The pursuits of agriculture, in which all are more or less engaged, are fayoraWe to tgny^ewte habits, and diseases ari; rare. ConstUution.^*the declaration of rights, which fornix a part pf the constitution, states, that men have the right of enjoyiug liberty of conscience ; of publishing their opinions j of trfal by jury ; freedom of election ; freedom from seardi er seizure iu relation to their houses, papers, and possestions, unlesa |w a warrant on oath for the purpose; that they are not liable to transportation, for trial, out of the state, for any oflfence com- mitted therein J 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 T.o <^; ' in Septem- ber, by the male taxable ciclzens of twenty-orr> v . ,, fa quiet and peaceable behaviour, who have resided ... i.itt state during the year preceding the election. Every town having eighty taxr able inhabitants, at the expiration of seven^ears from the dat^ of the constitution, is entitled to two representatives ; and du- rlig 'b;s interval, each inhabited town is entitled'to one. A re- pe^^^f Native must have resided two yev» in the state, and the Imtin ihe town for which he is elected, , , The legislature assembles on the second Thursday in October, Tl i i rTATlSTICALr VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 487 and two-thirds of the whole number form a quorum. The su- pceme executive power, is vested in a governor, lieutenant-go- vernor, and twelve counsellors, cUoaen by the freemen on tlio day of the election of representatives. The governor is com- mander-in-chief of the forces of .the state, but cannot command u\ 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 power to judge cases of impeachment and murder, to remit fines and grant pardons, except in capital cases. During the recess of the legislature, they may grant re- prieves, and they have power to lay embargoes, or prohibit the exportation of any commodity for the space of thirty da's. All bills are submitted for their revision and toncurreiice • and though not vested with a uegative authority, they may suspend Uieir execution until the next session of the legislature. A par- ticular feature of this constitution is the " council olf censors " thirteen in number, chosen every seven years, (commencing with the year 1785,) by the people, whose duty it is to examine the Qonduct of public officers, with regard to the expenditure of^br lie monies, taxes, and the regular execution of the laws; to^ ascertain wh^her the representatives and superior, officers have performed their duty as the guardians of public rights. For these purposes, they are empowered to examine persons aiid papers; to order impeachments, and to recommend the repeal of all laws GbVitrary to the constitution. They are also empowered • to call a convention, for the purpose of revising ok* amending the constitution, and to meet within two years after their sitting having published the proposed alterations six montlis before the election of delegates, none of whom can be of the council or Bssembly^::'. „,!, .. ^j^ ., Judicmry. -^The judges are chosen annually by the council and assembly, and, if.ira[ cached by this authority, are subject to remove by the goveri^p ,;and council. The, common law of England, and the statut?. laws: by wliich it is explained or alter- ed prior to the year IVCkC,, have beea adopted,, except when re- pugnant to the cqnstUutlion,, or to legislative^ acts. Of * hundrenl and sixty crimes pmjiishfib.le wi^er!Qd» The air th.row^hout ^bfi ^'-ear, is purp and wholesome, especially in tbe Narragaijspti 492 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. track, where no destructive disease has ever been Known to pre- va,I. The Narragansets were distinguished for their sacrifice?, ihey had u spacious temple, and stated times for their public assemblies. A fire was kindled in the temple, into which the l»owacks 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 Bay^ The former,, which has one of its sources in Massachussetts, is navigable for ships of nine hundred tons, to the totvn 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 same name, where the rise of the common tide is about four feet. Islands — In the bay of Narraganset, which ]s from two to fifteen miles in breadth, and thirty-three in length, there are se- veral islands, of which the principal are, i. Rhode Island, from which the state takes its name, fifteen miles in length, and nearly five in its greatest breadth, contains about fifty- two square miles, including three townships ; Newport, Portsmouth, and 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 next iu 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 miles to the south of Charleston, and fifteen south-west from Point .ludith. The fuel of the inhabitants of this island is peat or turf. y. 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 this and the first is rich, and the pas- ture- is very favorable to the growth of cattle and sheep. M. Prudence Island, situated to the north of the river, and to the west of Rhode Island, is about six miles in length, and one in breadth. There arc several other smaller islands interspersed throughout the gulf. Mincrah'.— Iron ore is here abundant and rich j that lying in ,„s.~j ^, ,..^ „,.,^^,„^^ oi 3,.Tvn Uiucs T^cat Ml iiiu town or Pro- STATISTICAI, VIE1V OP THE UNITED STATES. 49$ Tidence, formerly belonging to Mr. Brown, gave Sftv per cent i7,935. * i»>4B; Indians, 985 ^ in all, Wcreaic of I'opulatlon. In I7S0 itamounled lo I7,9.W ml 40,ftSa "^* 59,678 ll^'* 51,899 • "*'<* 68,884 1800 Qg^^^ ^^"^ 7fi,9Sl Including niacki. 4,.i7S 4,697 6.84S S,SOi 948 Slaves. 380 108 3,407 Free Blackn. 3,S04 S,609 This last enumeration gives forty-nine persons tn mile. The increase per cent in tln.L "" *'i"«''*'^ three-tenths. The remlins of L /' ? T "'"'^^^ ^^^^^u in the to.n.hip of cZZnf s^^^^^^^^^^^ ^»"-e% are treated with great civility. iCl umber t ^ ^^"'^'^ ""^ was about 500. ' number, a few years ago. The principal part of agricultural labor was formerly pv. . . by negro slaves, which accustomed white child eiUot^^^^^^^^ and bus retarded the progress of the country /"he eeli''^' of churches, schoolhouscs, and every species of ilfuJ an.'"" nienta improvement, the people of Li .tate fat e^^^ years behmd their neighbours in Connecticut and mIV. ''^ setts Their general appearance indicates healt la.IJr T and bears evidence to the salubrity of the clima 'nf "^'^' espe<..,h.ebcenlo.,^ • This diminufion was occasioned by the war «!«- i T ' - /^ol. 1. p. 305, ^ ""• ^*'^- See Americnn Museum, 494 HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA. Diseases. — Endeinical disease is rare. The dysentery ha» sometimes prevailed in and after the warm season, owing proba« biy to an immoderate use of fruit, and the neglect of warm clothing, at the first approach of cold. Pulmonary consumption has made terrible ravngcs qniong females about the age of mar- riage; young women, however, are still more numerous than men of the same age, owing to the great number of seamen which this state sends out, and the emigration of young men, who go to find an easier subsistence in the new 8tate» and terri- tories of the western country. The yellow fever prevailed in some parts of the year 17f>7. Political C/iaracfer.— The Rhode Islanders supported the re- volutionary war with great gallantry, but they persisted till the year 17.90 in refusing to ratify the new federal constitution, though established with the consent of the other states in 1787. They were accused of refusing to assist in suppressing the rebel- lion in Massachussetts, and of having given a free asylum to the blTenders ; for which reason the place for some time received the injurious name of Rogue's Island. They deserve great praise, however, for abolishing the slave trade, which had enriched ma- ny of the people in Newport. This was done some years ago, by an act of the legislature, prohibiting the trade between Africit 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 the 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 K^nt, 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 i STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES. 495 the latter, by the citizens twice a year. Each township has one representative. In his legislative capacity the governor has but one voice, and cannot g.ve a negative to any act of the two houses. All judicial and executive officers are annually elected «t assembly. Every process is issued in the name of the gover- nor and company. The oaths of office and allegiance are made conformable to the principles of the revohtion. Ut^f'^T ^''•'?^^**'^"t""^" tnei, professing a belief in the ex- whi^hV \f "P'^"^« ^^j"&' ««•« ^n"«JJy Pr«tectc^ by the laws, tt s of r 1 T"'l "'^^^y"'*" '° '^' voluntary' coHtrib«. lasting, as in some of the other states, bm there is an annual tf.anksgiv.ng, authorized by a proclamation from the governor. J he. eligious denominations are: Baptists, Congregationalistf, i^Juakers^ Episcopalians, JVIoravians, and Jews. The first the most numereus have five churches in the towns of Newpo/t and Irovidence. AjM^ordingt^ ^^^ J of Jkptists, held m Philadelphia, in May 1817, the number of churches was fifty-seven j that of members 5945. The second «m have the same number, in the same places j the Quakers and Episcopalians each two; tl.e Moravians one j the Jews a ^synagogue. In the western parts, including a surface of thirty miles ,n breadth and fifty in length, and embracing one half of ^ducatTon ''"'"' '''"' " ^"' ''■ ' '"'"'''''■ °^' " ^'Sular classical hnmtr"'f'!r'''i.'r'^^' slave trade has greatly interested the humanity of the mhabitants of Rhode Island, who have establish- In^JT ^7' °"'^ ^"' '1 ''"''^'""» ^"' «'^^ ^"'- ^'^« ""prove, ment of the African race A Marine Society has been established at Newport, for the relief of the widows and orphans of seamen f RhT i?*:^' ""^^ ' ^""°"'^ '''''' «•"""« the first clergymen of Rhode Island, "that human learning is no way necessafy rf Oospel preacher," and this nnfortunatc opiniori as Sb! operated aganist literary institutions, for which no grearzeal i! we t of"f 'f ^'' "^r "'^^'^^^^' "'^'' "' ^he Iho rog on be seen O .''' '''T'^' " '^'''''^^S'hou.o or school-house fs to nouses, and a very great proportion nf them «- »- -i.f . , or wW.e. The college. LLd in .-Gra? Wa^t ^dTc' 496 HISTORY OP NORTH AMERICA. moved to Providence in 1770, was broketi up during the revolu- tionary war, the edifice being occupied as an hospital and bar- racks by the French and American trdops. In 1804 it receive.i;: A'f:'M IL .f J,; •(! • ■ ■ f'^-'omrt IHWr m'iiv; ^: : ';(iT ^-r^ffoh ') 10 alj ■)y. ^ .; ..? ;:■' n'i ^mwim^Unum to imromn Mtki