IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^"jj^f ^\^ *.. 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ PIB I 40 2£ 1.8 U IIIIII.6 V] /] ^>/ o* /#^ %' ^o>y y Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO (716) 872-4503 V ^\ [v ; I CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadi4iin Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreprcductions historiques > Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D n D n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pellicul6e □ Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6X6 fiimdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exen.piaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, cu qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ 171 y D D This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film4 au taux de rMuction indiqu6 ci-dessous. Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqu6es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es FT] Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualiti indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible The tot The pos oft film Ori( beg the sior oth( first sior oril Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcles par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film^es d nouveau de fa^on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. The she TIN whi Mai diff( ent beg righ reqi mei 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X J 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X i...A'<>>"''.'^'ri The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity off: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grSce d la g6n6rosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet^ de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformit6 avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont fiimds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (mear .;ig "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure era 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: Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre roproduit en un seul clich6. il est filmd d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. I 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 TI FB iOTHOH ( A HISTORY OF THE IRISH SETTLERS IN NOETH AMERICA, FROiM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE CENSUS OF 1850. BY THOMAS D'ARCY McGEE, iOTHOK OF "LiVE8 OF THE IRISH WRITERS," "ART McMURBOQH," " O'OOHNIM AND HIS FRIENDS," ETC., ETC. " Westward the star of empire takes Its way 5 The three first acts ah-eady past, The fourth shall close it, with the closing day? Earth's noblest empire is the last." Bishop Bbbkklt. A. D. 1730. Inclyte, gens hominum, mJlite, pace, fide. St. Domaios, o/PiuoU. SIXTH EDITION BOSTON: PATRICK DONAHOE. 3 FRANKLIN STREET. 1855. -.\%^ t- 240607 \'> Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by THOMAS D'ARCY MoGEE, ittthe Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Masaachuaattc STBRBOTVPED BT HOB A RT & KOBBINS; MBW ENGLAND TYPE AND STBRBOTYPB FOUNDBRT, BOSTON. TO MY EMIGRANT COUNTRYMEN IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, AS ACKNOWLEDQITENT OF THE MANY KINDNESSES RECEIVED DUEWO MT SECOND RESIDENCE AMONG THEM, CTftls Volume 18 AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. TUE U AOUO THK FIl YORK — AJ THE IB BEBKl THE EMI OANAl OPFVINO MAJOB LINE - THE CAN EEMAi: SITLLIV TORY , IRISHMEN — CAP' UEUTE ©ISSATISP, MOT AS — "M. CABAL ' LANTKY DELPHI CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. TUB LEQEND OF " OREAT IRELAND " AND OF 8AINT BRANDAN — NORWEGIAN ACCOUNT — IRISH ACCOUNT — ITAUAN AND SPANISH ACCOUNTS, ... 17 CHAPTER II. THE FIRST IRISH EMIGRANTS, — IN BARBADOES — IN PENNSYLVANIA — IN NEW YORK — IN MARYLAND — IN VIROINLA — IN THE CAR0UNA8 — IN KENTUCKY — ADVENTURE OF SIMON BUTLER IN DELAWARE 23 CHAPTER III. THE IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS — IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — IN MAINE — BISHOP BERKELY IN RHODE ISLAND — HIS QIFT TO YALE COLLEQB S3 CHAPTER IV. THE EMIORANTS IN ARMS — ADVENTURE OF JOHN STARK — THE IRISH BRIOADB IN CANADA — INDIAN WARS — PEACE OF 1763 — DAWN OF THE REVOLUTION, 39 CHAPTER V. 0PF'»I1N0 OP THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA — IRISH AT BUNKER's HILL DEATH OF MAJOR h'CLEARY — GENERAL KNOX — TUB CLINTONS — THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE — moylan's dragoons, 44 CHAPTER VI. THE CANADIAN EXPEDITION — DEATH OF MONTGOMERY — %CRIAL REFUSED V» HI8 REMAINS BY THE BRITISH — RETREAT OF THE INVADING CORPS — THOMPSON, SULLIVAN AND GATES IN COMMAND — ADVANCE OF BURGOYNE — STARK's VIC- TORY AT BENNINGTON — SURRENDER OF BUBOOYNB 49 CHAPTER VII. IRISHMEN IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY — COMMODORE BARRY — CAPTAIN MAOGEB — CAPTAIN O'BRIEN — MIDSHIPMAN MAGDONOUGH — PURSER MEASE — BARRY'S LIEUTENANTS, MURRAY, DALE, DECATUR, AND STEWART, 53 CHAPTER VIII. DISSATISFACTION AT CERTAIN CONGRESSIONAL PROMOTIONS — GENERALS ROCHE FER- MOY AND ANDREW LEWIS — THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1777 AND 1778, IN NEW JERSEY — "MAD ANTHONY WAYNE" — ADJUTANT GENERAL HAND — "THE CON VAY CABAL" — COLONEL FITZGERALD, AIDE DE CAMP TO WASHINGTON, HIS 0/ L- LANTRY AT PRINCETON — CONTRIBUTION OF THE IRISH MERCHANTS OF PHILa DELPUIA, 67 1* VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. IBIBIIMEN IN CIVIL BRRVICE DURING THE RKVOLCTIONART ERA POLIOT OF THI riltnT CONdllhHfi TOWAIIOH IKKLAM* — CIIARLKH TIIOMI'HON, UP AUlJIlKUA, 8KO> RIC'IAUV TO Ct»N(lIlK!<» Tllb; DKCLARATIOM OF INDKi'lCNDUNt'E — KIUIIT IHI9U atUNUHA — THE FtllKllAL OOKHTM UTION AUU1>TEU — HlX IHISU AUTUORH UK TIUT IlUHTHUUEfiT — EARLY lUlSJH UOVERMOHH, ti4 J CHAPTER X. COLONIAL PENAL LAWS — RISE OF CATHOLIC MISSIONS — WASHINGTON'S REPLT TO THE CATHOLIC AUmiE83 — 8T. MAHY'h CULLEOE, 73 CHAPTER XI. mSH SERVICES TO EDUCATION AND SCIENCE IN AMERICA — ALLISON — CHARLES THOMPSUM — DAVID RAM8AY — FULTUN — OOLLES — ADRIAN — MATTHEW CA- BEYI, 81 CHAPTER XII. WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT — PARTY ORGANIZATION INTO FEDERALISTS AND REPUBLI- CANS — INFLUENCE OF JEFFERSON OVER THE IRISH COMMUNITY — THE UNITED IRISH ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA — ADAMS, PRESIDENT THE ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS — THE FEDERAL RIOTS — HON. RUFU8 KINO 86 CHAPTER XIII. JEFFERSON, PRESIDENT — THE REFUGEES OP 1798 — SAMPSON AND MACNEVIN — T, A. EMMET — THE BROTHERS BINNS — BURR AND BLENNERHA8HETT — THH RIGHT OF SEARCH — MADISON, PRESIDENT — JOHN SMILIE, UNITED STATES 8ENATUR — WAR 90 CHAPTER XIV. niE IRISH IN THE AMERICAN NAVY DUBINO THE WAR OF 1812-15 — ORIGIN Of THE WAR — CAPTAIN BOYLE's CRUISE CAPTAIN BLAKELY — COMMODORES SHAW, MACDONOUGU, AND STEWART, 98 CHAPTER XV. /HE WAR BT LAND— BATTLES ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER — MASON — O'NEALB — L.VNDIN0 OF GENERAL ROBS — TREATMENT OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS TAKEN IN ARMS — SUCCESSES OF BOSS — ANDREW JACKSON ON THE MISSISSIPPI HIS OAREEa AND CHARACTER — BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS — PEACE, .... 108 CHAPTER XVI. JACKSON, PRESIDENT — UNITED STATES BANK — "THE IRISH VOTE" — EDWAKD KAVANAOH, MINISTER TO PORTUGAL — SENATOR PORTER — JACKSON's PARTIAL- ITY TO IRISH EMIGRANTS — HIS INFLUENCE ON UIS PARTY — HIS CHABA.OTER, 113 CHAPTER XVII. SPREAD OF CATHOLICISM — ORGANIZATION INTO DIOCESES — WESTERN MISSIONS — BOUTHKRN MUSIONS — BISHOP ENGLAND — CHABLESTOWN CONVENT BDBNED, A. D. 1834 ~ THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, 121 CONTENTS. vn CHAPTER XVIII. IMKRirAN MYMIMTIIY FDR IRKLANI) — ITNITEI) IRISIIMKN — TIIK CATHOI.ID RMANTI- PATIUN MOVKMKNT — IRISH JorRNAI^ — AIIITATION POR "a RKI'KAL UK TIIK CNION" with KNOI.ANU — INPtllKNCi'; OF MR. «)'CONNKI.L — TIIK ATTKMI'TKI* REVULUTIUNAKY MUVUMENT UF 1848 — HYMPATIIY WITH ITd l>Hl.NCll>Ll':!i, . 131 CHAPTER XIX. THK IRWH FAMINES OF 1« 16-7 AND 1848 — AMERICAN SYMPATHY — MEKTtNOH IN FHILAOELPIilA, DOSTO* iNU NEW YURK — NATIONAL HKETINO IN WA8HINUTi)N — TU£ MACEDONIAN AND JAMESTOWN — REFLEC'TIUNS 135 CHAPTER XX. •'NATIVE AMERICAN " MOVEMENT OF 1844 — THE PHII^ADELPHTA RIOTS — THEIR PROUABI.E OKIOIN — CONIIUOT OP THK MILITARY AND MAOISTRATKS — .SIMILAR MOVEMENTS IN NEW YORK, BOSTON, AND OTHER TOWNS — RE-ACTlON HK- FLEUTIONS ON THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN THIS CONTROVERSY, . . . 142 CHAPTER XXI. •OUTH AMERICAN REVOLUTIONS — COOPERATION OF THE UNITED STATES — IRISH STAFF OF SIMON BOLIVAR — THE O'HIOGINSES — MACKENNA — O'CONNOR — O'CARROLL — CAPTAIN ESMONDE — O'REILLY THE O'BRIENS — ISSUE OF THK SOUTH AMERICAN STRUGGLE 148 CHAPTER XXII. THE IRISH IN MEXICO — SAN PATRICIO COUNTY MACOEE'S INCURSION — ANNEXA- TION OF TEXAS — WAR WITH MEXICO — TAYLOR's OAMPAIONS — MAJOR GENERAL BUTLER — COLONEL O'BRIEN — COLONEL HACKEE — MAJOR GORMAN, . . 167 CHAPTER XXIII. SCOTT'S CAMPAIGNS — COLONEL RILEY — BRILLIANT CHARGE OP KEARNEY AND HACREYNOLD'S DRAGOONS — RRIGADIER GENERAL SHIELDS — HIS RECEPTION ON RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES — SENATOR FOR ILLINOIS 162 CHAPTER XXIV. KEW STATES OP THE SOUTH-WEST — HON. W. R. KINO — JXTDOE PHELAN — TUB SHARREYS — IRISH MILLIONAIRES — BEIRNE OF VIRGINIA, MULLANPUT OF MIS- SOURI, M'dONOOU OF NEW ORLEAN<), DANIEL CLARICE — ARKANSAS, .... 171 CHAPTER XXV. »EW STATES OF THE NORTH-WEST — SENATORS CASS AND FITZGERALD OP MICHI- GAN, ALLEN OF OHIO, AND HANNEOAN OF INDIANA — HON. MR. RYAN OP ILLINOIS — HUGH O'NEIL OF INDIANA — THE DOWLINGS LIEUTENANT-GOVERN- OR BYRNE, OF WISCONSIN — IRISH PIONEERS IN IOWA — REFLECTIONS, . . 179 CHAPTER XXVI. THE CENSUS OF 1850 — IRISH CONTINGENT TO THE POPULATION OF THE UNION — CHARACTER OF FORMER IRISH EMIORATIONS — THE POLITICAL REFUGEES OF 1848 — FATHER MATHEW'S VISIT — MILITARY COMPANIES — POSITION AND REQUIRE- MENTS OF THE IRISH IN AMERICA, 187 APPENDIX. 197 INDEX. «ii1fion, Dr 81 Admin, Frofeaaor 83 Diirry, Conitumlore, 53 Byrne, Proft^nmir I7fi Iterksly, liiriliop 37 Hliikoly, Ca|>iiiiii 0<) HieiinerhHHHi'tt. H 05 Diiiiiii, nrciihrra W Boyle, Cii|Miiiii OS Briiiiiliiii, Siiiiit 2(1 BruckeiiriilcR 20 Bryan, Qovprnor 71 Biiilnr Family '2H Biiiler. IMitjiir General, )()8 Burke, Mr., 87 Calh(.ut(, Hon. J. C 97 Carey, IVFaiihew 85 Caru'ill, Hll^ll ;}5 Carriill. Hem. Charles, (Signer) 6S Carroll. Hon. Daniel 70 Carroll, Arehhiyliop 75 Carroll, IVIaior General 10!) Cliiuon, Colonel Cliarlea, 25 Clinton, the BroirierH 47 Colics, ChrlHiopher 82 Conway. General, 50 Coffee, General, IIW Deverenx. General 14^ Dolierly, Gt-neral 14"< Dunlap, Captain John, 67 Emmet, T. A 92 England, Kisht Rev. Dr 122 Esnionde, Captain 153 FitMimnns, H(m, Thomaa, 71 Fitzcerald 32 Fitzaerald, Colonel, &l Fulton, Hubert, 83 Gallagher, Lieutenant 102 Gallagher, Kev. Dr 122 Gallagher, R 115 Gille.spie, Captain 1B() Gorman, Major, 160 Hand, Adj. General 4^^ Hogan 27 Hogan, General, 60 •rvine, General, 52 Jackaon, Major General, 107 " President, 113 Kavanagh, Hon. E., 114 Knox, General H., 46 Leavins. Captain 98 Lewis. General 57 Levins. Rev. Dr 129 Logan, James 24 Logan, Colonel B., 27 Lynch, Dominick 74 tynch, Hon. Thomaa 68 ynch, Hoii. Thomaa, Jr. , (Signer), .... 68 IVIason 103 McKcnna. Colonel 15(. McAfee, R 27 McClary, Colonel, 47 McClary, Major, 45 McClary, Capiaia S2 McDowells 26 Mc.Donough. James 66 M('l)onont;h, Commodore 101 Mclhitlies, 26 McOee. (Texlan Chief) 157 McGee. Captain Jhinos 6A Mt'liriiders 26 .Mctirath Pnraer, 102 McGrady. Major 28 McUinnes. Captain, 41 McKee. Colonel 102 McKtian Hon. Thomaa, (Signer) 68 McMuhoh Maniuls 67 MrNevin, Dr 01 McReynold^i. Major, 163 MeiiHo Matthew, 156 Montgomery, Major General, 50 Moore Dr 1 IS Moore, (iovornnr, 'liJ Moorn. General 69 Moylan, General, 43 Nixon, Colonel John 67 O'Brien, General 154 O'Rrien. Captain 160 O'Rrien. Captain 56 O'Ciirroll. Colonel 164 O'Coiuior's. Me.^^.srs., 131 O'Connor. Colonel 154 O'Donojii. CiipliiHi General, 158 O'Flahertv. Rov Dr I'29 O'Higgina. Captain General, 150 O'Higgins. General 161 O'Leary Colonel 148 Oliver, Robert 80 O'Neale. John 104 Orr. Hon. John 71 O'Reilly. General 156 O'Reilly, Henry 156 Patten. Hon. M., 71 Pepper. George 132 Pike. Sergeant 43 Porter, Hon. Alexander, 114 Ramaay. Dr 81 Read, Hon. G., (Signer) 67 Reynolds. Dr., 88 Rorhe Fermoy, General 57 Rntledge, Hon. Emp8on. Hon. Charles, ... .... 66 Walsh, W. J., 132 Wayne, Major General, • 63 Young, Measrs. 87 . 66 . 101 , 26 . 157 . 65 . 26 . Ktt . 28 . 41 . 102 . (M , 67 . 91 . 163 . K>6 . r.() . 1 H . 27 . 69 . 4S . 67 . 164 . 160 . 56 . 154 . i:il . 154 . 159 . 129 , 150 . 161 . 148 . 80 . 104 . 71 . 156 .71 . 132 . 42 . 114 . 81 . 67 . 88 . 67 . 67 . 69 . 90 . 1(10 ^ . 163 1 . 67 , 96 , 102 , 40 . 36 . 43 . 71 . 72 , 67 67 62 , 66 ,132 . 63 . 37 INTRODUCTION. •': I EUROPE AND AMERICA. The fifteenth century in Spain (the point from which the discovery of America emanated) was marked by tlie cessation of the Crusades, by treaties, made between the Moors and Christians of Spain and France, the Porte and Venice, of amity and commerce. Asiatic arts and lux- ury, Asiatic idols, and Asiatic valor, had made deep and sensible impressions upon Christendom. The schools of Cordova, the chivalry of Grenada, the galleys of Fez, the grandeur of the Soldan, exercised a moral despotism throughout Europe. What Russian power and Russian pretensions are to Europe to-day, the Ottoman empire was to the Christian Europe of Columbus' youth. The exact sciences were, as yet, in a rude and chaotic state. Astrology, alchemy, and both magics had profes- sors and postulants. Medicine was little better than herbal traditions, or a litany of incantations. Amulets blest by conjurers were worn, and the stars believed in by the highest intellects. It was then, — when star-gazers advised kings to peace or war, when brazen heads were fabricated by Albertus Magnus and Friar Bacon, when Aldrovandus had to dissect his own child, fearing to touch another human body, — with Fatalism enthroned ia 10 INTRODUCTION. Asia, and Credulity in Europe, — it was then, that Co- lumbus turned his piercing vision towards the West. Domestic slavery existed very generally through Eu- rope. The lords of the soil exacted the services, lives, and the very honor, of their serfs. The serf was chained to his district and predestined to his profession. There was no freedom of will, or mind, among the populace. A few trading towns had, indeed, wrung chartered priv- ileges from their sovereigns, but these privileges were confined to the class of master workmen, who held in servitude the great body of the citizens and apprentices. Chivalry had lost its charm, and was obsolete. The age of Commerce, which was felt to be approaching, was looked for exclusively in the East ; so that, even in the knowledge of its own wants, Europe was in error. Two great facts of this century precede Columbus, and only two. The science of government was being studied carefully in Italy, France, and Spain, and the science of reasoning in the great colleges, since called universi- ties. The fall of Constantinople, in 1453, sent the learned of the East for refuge into Italy, and new classic schools began to assume a regular existence at Rome and Flor- ence, Bologna and Ferrara. While these mental possessions were beginning to accumulate in Europe, in the wisdom of Providence, a New World was about to become a sharer in their diffu- sion. Let us be just to the European thinkers of those days. With much that seems absurd in the " schoolmen," and INTRODUCTION. 11 much that was ephemeral, there is combined the vital principle of all human history, — Does man, under God, suffice for himself 1 Can he justify his own intellect ? — can he self-govern his own life ? — this was their great problem through all their studies. Doubtless, they did not know whither their own theories ultimately led ; doubtless, they, too, attempted to set limits to faith and to science ; but, with all that can be said against them, there they stand, — the ferrymen plying between ancient and modem civilization, bringing over to us the most precious products of distant times, and teaching us how to start in our new career. The long and painful preparatory efforts of Columbus to interest the old world in his project, would seem almost to be permitted, in order to prove the inefficiency of the age he was to electrify on his return from the first voy- age. He besought Genoa and Venice for a ship or two, to find his world, and they refused him ; he petitioned the wise kings of Portugal and England, and they refused to risk a single sail in such a quest ; he sojourned long about the courts of France and Spain, appealing to the wisdom of the wise, the judgment of the learned, the ambition of the brave, and the avarice of the acquisitive ; jut he argued, appealed, petitioned in vain ! No one believed in his theory, or hoped in his adventure. Nay, the wise smiled scornfully, the learned laughed in their academic sleeves, and even the brave had no stomach for 12 INTRODUCTION. H- 11 III" battling the tempest, or for planting their banners in the wide sea-field. Besides, was he not a common sailor ? He had, in- deed, commanded some merchant ships, and had an uncle an admiral. His name, some said, was noble ; but of this there was no proof. The age that believed in the Divine right of the blood royal, and the sovereign inheritance of the blood noble, could not conceive of a mere sailor achieving a conquest, which princes and grandees could not so much as imagine, after all his arguments. Where, then, did Columbus and his theory find believ- ers ? Who were his first converts and first assistants ? A woman, a sailor, and a monk, are the three by whom the curtain of the Atlantic is raised, and America pointed out afar off. Before the dense curtain of that grandest scene of all human nistory, they stand, — the woman, the sailor, and the monk. Columbus converted the prior of La Rabida, the prior converted the queen of Castile, and so the armament did sail, after all, in quest of the New World in the West. That is a noble group, and deserves long contempla tion. The woman personifies gentleness, the monk, faith, the sailor, courage. Faith, gentleness, and cour- age are thus confederated to find the New World, and claim it tor their own ! Columbus sailed, and, except by a very few, was soon forgotten. The prior may have prayed for him ; the queen may have sometimes asked news of him ; Paulo Toscanelli, the map-maker, in his Florentine study, may INTRODUCTION. 13 have cast his eye over the conjectural track of the two Spanish carvels, '^ the id^l shore of Saint Brendans, land ; but great, fe,ross Europe sleeps, eats, and drinks, just as if no apostle of the Future was laboring through the shoreless ocean. The capture of Grenada, with its half million Moors, no doubt, seemed to all the wise heads of Europe incomparably the greatest act that century could see. The Genoese sailor and his New "World are hidden, for the time, by that cloud of turbans, with its pale, disastrous crescent still visible, though eclipsed. What a month that must have been in Europe, when Columbus returned with his plants and minerals, and his men, red and naked as the sun ! The telegraph of rumor proclaimed his success from Lisbon to Madrid, and from Madrid to Rome, Venice, Antwerp, Paris, and London. What wild tales are told and swallowed, — what a cry- ing curiosity thrusts out its ears from every comer of Europe, — what sudden new light breaks in on the learned, -^ what passion for ocean adventure seizes on the brave, — what visions of mountains of geld and val- leys of diamonds drive away sleep from the couches of the avaricious ! In this age of inferior " excitements," we can hardly imagine what Europe felt in that day; though, if the "sensation" can be imagined anywhere, 'tis here. It must have been something incomparably more intense than the " California fever." " A New World found ! '» was the trumpet-blast which rung from end to end of Eu- rope. Europe, that yesterday considered the fall of Gren- 2 14 INTEODUCTION. ada the greatest of facts, has akeady ahnost forgotten Grenada ! Europe, that began to smile at the crasade, grasps again the banner of the Cross, to plant it, not on Saint Sophias, or Mount Calvary, but to plant it on the further verge of the ocean, bordered with illimitable lands ! Europe, in the hour of Columbus' arrival, attained her majority, began to act and think for herself, and, ceasing to be a child, to cast away the things of her child hood. On the authentication and details of the discovery there is no need to pause. On the names of the new chivahy of the ocean we need not linger. Cabot, Car- tier, Americus, Verrazzini, Hudson, Raleigh, Drake, Balboa, Cortez, Pizarro, — America knows them all. They developed the idea of the great sailor. They found the western way to India. They demonstrated the rotun- dity of the earth. They are the true experimental phi- losophers, to whom Bacon, Descartes, Linnaeus, and Gas- sendi, were but the amanuenses. They will be forever honored among men, — the graduates of the universe ! — the alumni of the ocean ! When Columbus, iU-requited by Spain, and weary of liffi, felt his end approach, he desired, as his last request, that it might be engraven on his tomb, " Here lieth Chris- topher Columbus, who gave to Castile and Arragon a New World.** If this was meant as a reproach to Ferdinand, it was a magnificent reproach. If it was meant as a last- ing definition of his own act, it is miserably deficient. What lie actually did, is, ijidcc;!, in^?i<'-ni(ioaut, compared INTRODUCTION. 15 to what lie was the cause of being done ; but, even from his death-bed, that clear-sighted man must have foreseen that not to Fedinand and Isabella was his New World given ; not to Spain, nor even to Europe ; but rather that it was given to all humanity, for the remainder of time to come. Three hundred years and more have passed over the grave of Columbus. In his cathedral tomb, at Havana, he sleeps within the circle of the greatest exploit of mod- ern men, — the civilization of America, — which he most heroically began. All the races of Europe have contrib- uted workmen to the work, who, amid much " confusion of tongues," are rearing it heavenward, day by day, in hope and harmory, and, let us trust, with all due rever- ence and humility of spirit. Columbus has been justified ; so has Spain. The shares of France, England, Holland, Sweden, and Germany, in civilizing America, have been all recorded, in the works of sympathetic and laborious historians. And now, also, Ireland advances her claim to respect and remembrance as a contributor to this world's work. She also has helped to reclaim the land from barrenness, and to liberate it from oppression. Her sons have made many a clearing, found many a ford, worked out many a noble plan, fighting stoutly for their new country, on land and sea, when so required. Ireland, which has fur- nished actors to every great act of civilization, since Dathi died at Sales, following in the track of Brennus and Alaric, was also, as wo shall see, represented hero, 16 INTRODUCTION. Ji from the beginning, by able and useful men. It is of these Irish settlers in America, this book is written ; and, while looking over its brief chapters, I cannot suppress a sigh, that much greater books have been written of men who did not deserve the honor one half so well. The following pages, dear reader, were filled up after many interruptions and under many distractions ; there- fore, have mercy in your judgment of the work. I ven- ture it into print with the hope that the whole subject may come, ere long, under the hands of a master, who can make of it a story both Europe and America would love to listen to. Boston, Saint Patrick's Day, 1851. A HISTORY OF THE IRISH SETTLERS IN NORTH AMERICA. CHAPTER I. THE LEGENn OF " OBEAT IRET^ND" AND OF SAINT BRANDAN — NORWEGIAN ACCOUNT — IRISH ACCOUNT — ITALIAN AND SPANISH ACCOUNTS. It is uncertain whether Christopher Columbus was the first European who saw America. A general tradition of its existence was widely received before his birth, and we cannot reject, as entirely incredible, the repeated allu- sions to this tradition, contained in the early chronicles of the northern nations of the old world. To the Gen- oese belongs the glory of disenchanting the Ocean, — of bringing two hemispheres into contact separated from the beginning, — of leaving a land of refuge accessible to humanity, and of opening the history of its popula- tion, by one of the most glorious examples of patience, fortitude, and courage, ever exhibited by man. Who could wish his glory greater or less ? The Scandinavians count three several precursors of Columbus — Ari Marson, whose voyage took place in 983 ; Biorn, a later adventurer, and Gudlief, son of Gudlang, who, towards the middle of the 11th century, followed the track of, and conversed with, Biorn, in Hui- tramannaland, or Irland it Mikla, beyond the Atlantic. The account of Ari in the Landnamabock is short, but perfectly intelligible. It says : — " Ulf the Squinter, son of Hogni the White, occupied the whole of Reykianess, (south-west promontory of Ice- 2* [[''■ 18 A HISTORY OF THE iii:: :ii'i' land,) between Thorskafiord and Ilafrafell. He had a wife named Biorg, the daughter of Eyvind the East- countryman. They had a son named Atili the Red, who married Thorkotu, daughter of Hergil. They hfid a son named Ari, who was driven by a tempest to Iluitraman- naland, (white man's land,) which some call Irland it Mikla, (Great Ireland,) which Her. in the western utean, near to Vinland the Good, west from Ireland,''— by a number of days' sail, which is uncertain, some error hav- ing crept into the original in these figures. " Ari was not permitted to depart, but was baptized there." Of the second and third voyages, the same Landna- mabock (compiled in the 13th century) relates : — ** So Rafn, the Limerick merchant, first stated, who lived for a long time in Limerick, in Ireland." Rafn was kinsman to Ari Marson, and lived at the beginning or middle of the eleventh century. " So also Thorkel, the son of Geller, (grandson of Ari Marson,"^ says that certain Icelanders stated, who heard Thorfinn, Jarl of the Ork- neys," — also kinsman to Ari Marson, and born 1008, died 1064 J — " relate that Ari had been seen and known in Huitramannaland, and that, although not suffered to depart thence, he was there held in great honor. *' Ari had a wife named Thorgerd, daughter of Alf of Dolum. Their sons were Thorgils, Gudlief, and II- lugi ; which is the family of Reykianess." Then fol- lows a passage which shows that Eirck the Red was connected with the family of this Ari Marson, and which it may not be amis? to repeat, as all these historical allusions afford corroboration of the authenticity of dif- ferent narratives. " Jorund was the son of Ulf the Squinter. He married Thobiorg Knarrarbring. They had a daughter, Thjodhild, whom Eirck the Red mar- ried. They had a son, Leif the Lucky, of Greenland." It is worthy of remark, that the writer of this account was Ari the Learned, born 1067, who flourished at the end of the eleventh century, and who therefore lived within a century after Ari Marson's departure from Ire- land. He was immediately descended from Ari Marson, IRISH SETTLERS IN NORTH AMERICA. 19 :Ie had a the East- Red, who had a son uitraman- Irhind it rn utean, "- by a error hav- " Ari was i Landna- ited, who ." Rafii beginnini^ orkel, the lat certain the Ork- )rn 1008, nd known iffered to r of Alf and II- hen fol- Red wa3 nd which listorical y of dif- Ulf the They ed mar- enland." account d at the )re lived rom Ire- Marson, )• 1 and w Id, of course, be anxious and careful to obtain the mo.it accurate accounts of his ancestors. It is to bo observed the situation of Iluitramannaland is here stated, *' In the western ocean near Vinland, and west of Ire- land." It points, of necessity, to that portion of the country now known as the midland or southern States of the Union.* The Irland it Mikla, or Great Ireland, is frequently alluded to in the Northern Sagas. They describe the route towards it, from the North of Europe, thus : — ** To the South of habitable Greenland there are un- inhabited and wild tracts, and enormous icebergs. The country of the Skraelings lies beyond these ; Markland beyond this, and Vinland the Good beyond the last. Next to this, and something beyond it, lies Albania, that is, Huitramannaland, whither, formerly, vessels came from Ireland. There, several Irishmen and Icelanders saw and recognized Ari, the son of Mar and Kotlu, of Reykia- ness, concerning whom nothing had been heard for a long time, and who had been made their chief by the inhab- itants of the land." In this vague sketch, modem antiquarians have labored hard, and not unsuccessfully, to identify the country of the Skrselings as the Esquimaux coast, Markland as Lab- rador, Vinland as New England, and Huitramannaland as the country " further southward, beyond the Chesa- peake Bay."t " The Skrselinger," says Humboldt, " related to the Northmen settled in Vinland, that further southward, beyond the Chesapeake Bay, there dwelt ' white men, who clothed themselves in long, white garments, carried before them poles to wliich clothes were attached, and called with a loud voice.' This account was interpreted, by the Christian Northmen, to indicate processions in which banners were borne accompanied by singing. In the oldest Sagas, the historical narrations of Thorfinn * Smith's " Northmen in New England." Boston : Hilliard & Grey, 1839. t Humboldt's « Cosmos." 20 A HISluRY OF THE ii;:; jri Karlsefne, and the Icelandic Landnammabock, these southern coasts, lying between Virginia and Florida, are designated under the name of the Land of the White Men. They are expressly called Great Ireland, {Irland it Mikla^) and it is maintained that they were peopled by the Irish. According to testimonies which extend to 1064, before Lief discovered Vinland, and probably about the year 982, Ari Marson, of the powerful Icelandic race of Ulf the Squint-eyed, was driven in a voyage from Iceland to the South, by storms, on the coast of the Land of the White Men, and there baptized in the Christian faith ; and, not being allowed to depart, was recognized by men from the Orkney Islands and Iceland." * The volumes in which these corroborative accounts are recorded were compiled in the North, three centuries be- fore the birth of Columbus, and, evidently, represent the then prevailing belief in a " Great Ireland " beyond the western sea. The Irish Annals themselves make special mention of the same fact. They credit the first voyage westward to Saint Brandan, patron of Clonfert and Ardfert on the south-west coast. It is recorded that he flourished from the year A. D. 550 till the beginning of the following century, and that his voyages in search of the promised land, were two ; after which he returned no more. The precise point of departure, — " the foot of Brandon Mountain," now Tralee Bay, — is stated; his sea store consisted of live swine, his companions of monks, and his first voyage, of course, abounded in adventures. The dates in these legends are well fixed, whatever else may be dubious ; and we do not feel at liberty to reject facts which an Usher and a Humboldt long pondered over, and, at last, set down with reverence, f The voyages of Saint Brandan were received traditions in France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, soon after the Northern Chroniclers had written their memoranda • Humboldt's " Cosmos," vol. i. f Usher's Antiq. uf British Churches ; Ushsr's Epistles of the Irish Saints. I IRISH SETTLERS IN NORTH AMERICA. 21 of the Irish concerning Irland it Mikla. Old metrical romancoa, in the French and Dutch lann^uages, give a world of details about them, — some credible, aii