Four Centuries of Progress; Or, Panorama of American History from the Discovery of the American Continent to the Present Time ...

cess.

Such is the land designed by God for the noblest, most thrilling, and glorious story home of liberty. The people to whom He ever penned on earth. Yet the fact remains has intrusted it have not abused His good that the great mass of the American people ness. In the short space of two centuries, are but imperfectly acquainted with it. There the American people have grown from a is a real need that we should know better small handful of hardy adventurers to a than we do what we have done. It is only "mighty continental nation," increasing with | by a thoughtful study of our past that we can a rapidity that is almost marvellous. They safely provide for the perils of the future. have built up their country on a scale of | We have triumphed over adversity, and we magnificence of which they are justly proud. are now called upon to bear the test of sucThey have covered it with powerful and free He can be no good citizen who is States, and splendid cities, connected by a | ignorant of his country's history. network of railways, telegraphs, navigable In the preparation of this volume, no rivers, and canals, which bind all the scat authority of importance has been overlooked; tered parts into one solid whole. They have the author has carefully searched every made a commerce and a system of manufac- source of information open to him; and has tures before which the fabled wealth of Tyre availed himself of every fact that could throw sinks into insignificance. They have created new light upon, or impart additional interest a literature which commands the respect of to, the subject under consideration. the world; they have illustrated their history In the narration of military events, he has with deeds of arms not less splendid than preferred to give each campaign as a whole their more peaceful achievements, and have rather than to mingle several by presenting given to the world names in every walk of the events in chronological order. At the life that will never die. They have shown same time he has sought to preserve the that liberty and power can go hand in hand; inter-relation of events in one field of operathey have made themselves a nation in which tions to those in the others. God is feared, and of which Christianity is the The book is offered to the public in the basis, in which ignorance and vice are des- sincere hope that it may induce its readers to pised, and in which the great lesson that lib- take to heart the lessons which our history erty is possible only to an educated and teaches, and to set a higher value upon the virtuous people is being practically demon- precious heritage of constitutional liberty strated.

which our fathers won for us with their blood, This is a grand history-a record of and handed down to us in trust for our chilthe highest achievement of humanity-the dren's children.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

PAGR

Discovery of the Western Continent.

CHAPTER I.

French to Explore America—Voyage and Discov-

eries of Verrazzani-Cartier Explores the St. Law-

rence-Reaches Montreal-Efforts to Found a Col-

ony on the St. Lawrence-Failure, Roberval's

Colony-Trading Voyages-Explorations of Cham-

plain—Colonization of Nova Scotia—Founding of

Quebec-Discovery of Lake Champlain-Arrival of

the Jesuits in Canada–Death of Champlain . ..

STRANGE PEOPLE IN A STRANGE LAND.

PAGE

CHAPTER IV.

Earliest Inhabitants of the United States—The

Mound Builders- Remarkable Works Constructed

by Them—Evidences of a Primitive Civilization-

Indications of the Antiquity of this Period—A Re-

markable Cherokee-Who Were the Mound Build-

ers-Ancient Phænicians--False Assumption—The

American Indians-Divisions of the Country Among

the Tribes—Names and Location of the Various

Tribes-Organization and Government of the In-

dians— Their Dress, Manners and Customs-Vil-

lages—Indian Inventions—The War Dance-Le-

gends of the Norsemen Respecting the Discovery of

America . .

CHAPTER II.

The VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS.

Maritime Enterprise in the Fifteenth Century-The-

ories Respecting the Earth’s Surface-Christopher

Columbus-His Early Life—His Theory of a West-

ern Passage to India–His Struggles to obtain the

Means of Making a Voyage—Is Aided by Ferdi-

nand and Isabella of Spain--His First Voyage-

Discovery of America—Reception in Spain--His

Second Voyage—Settlement of Hayti – Third Voy-

age of Columbus-He Reaches the Mainland-Dis.

covery of Gold in Hayti — Troubles in the Colony

-Columbus Sent to Spain in Irons—In

nation of

the Queen— Last Voyage of Columbus—His Ship-

wreck--Returns to Spain—Resusal of Ferdinand to

Comply with His Promises-Death of Columbus-
Amerigo Vespucci—Origin of the Name AMERICA

THE SPANIARDS IN AMERICA.

Settlement of the West Indies—Discovery of the Pa-

cific Ocean—Voyage of Magellan-Discovery of

Florida—Ponce de Leon's Search for the Fountain

of Youth —Vasquez de Ayllon Kidnaps a Cargo of

Indians-Effort of Pamphilo de Narvaez to Con-

quer Florida-A Terrible March—The Voyage on

the Gulf of Mexico—Fate of the Fleet-Escape of

Cabeza de Vaca and His Comrades—Discovery of

New Mexico-Ferdinand de Soto/Obtains Leave

to Conquer Florida--Sails from Spain-Arrival in

Cuba—Departure for Florida—Landing at Tampa

Bay-Events of the First Year-De Soto Enters

Georgia-Descends the Alabama-Battle of Ma-

villa—Destruction of Chickasaw—Sufferings of the

Spaniards - Discovery of the Mississippi - The

Spaniards Cross the Great River-De Soto in Ar-

kansas-Reaches the Mississippi Again-Sickness

and Death of De Soto-His Burial-Escape of His

Followers to Mexico—The Huguenot Colony in

Carolina-Its Failure The French Settle in

Florida-Wrath of Philip II.-Melendez Ordered

to Exterminate the Hu nots-Foundation of St.

Augustine-Massacre of the French at Fort Caro-

lina—The Vengeance of De Gourges

CHAPTER III.

ENGLISH AND FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
Discovery of the North American Continent by John

Cabot— Voyages of Sebastian Cabot—The English
Fail to Follow Up these Discoveries - Efforts of the

CHAPTER V.

THE FIRST ENGLISH COLONY.

The English Claim to America—Voyages of Fro-

bisher—Exploits of Sir Francis Drake—Sir Humph-
rey Gilbert—Intends to found a Colony in America
-Is lost at Sea-Sir Walter Raleigh obtains a Pat-
ent of Colonization-Discoveries of Amidas and

Barlow-Raleigh sends out a Colony to Virginia-

Settlement on Roanoke Island Its Failure-Arri.

val of Grenville--Second Effort of Raleigh to Colo-

nize Virginia-Roanoke Island again bettled — The

· City of Raleigh -Virginia Dare-Fate of the

Colony-Death of Raleigh—Other Voyages of the

English

BOOK II.

Settlement of America.

CHAPTER VI.

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH AND POCAHONTAS.

Formation of the London Company—Conditions of its

Charter-Departure of the first Colony-Quarrels

during the Voyage-Arrival in the Chesapeake-

Settlement of Jamestown—Formation of the Gov-

ernment-Character of Captain John Smith-Ex-

ploration of the James River-- Newport and Smith

visit Powhatan-Smith Admitted to the Govern-

ment—Explores the Chickahominy—Is Captured

and Sentenced to Death—Is Saved by Pocahontas-

Gains the Friendship of Powhatan for the Colony

-Returns to Jamestown—His Decisive Measures-

Return of Newport-Smith Explores the Chesa-

peake Bay—The new Emigrants—Smith compels

them to Labor-Smith is Wounded and compelled

to return to England—Disasters to the ColonyAr-

rival of Sir Thomas Gates— Jamestown Abandoned

-Arrival of Lord Delaware — The Return to James-

town—A Change for the Better-New Settlements

-Sir Thomas Gates arrives with Reinforcements-

Capture of Pocahontas by Captain Argall-She is

Baptized— Marries John Rolfe--Sir Thomas Dale's

Administration-Yeardley Governor— The first Leg.

islative Assembly-Representative Government es-

tablished in America, The Colonists obtain Wives

-Changes in the Government.

Emigration of Royalists to Virginia-Virginia and

and the Commonwealth— Treaty with England~

The Assembly Asserts its Independence of the Gov-

- The Restoration--Berkeley Chosen Gover.

nor by the Assembly–His Hypocrisy .

ernor-

CHAPTER VIII.

VIRGINIA AFTER THE RESTORATION,

Characteristics of the Virginians-Causes of the Suc-

cess of the Royalists—Growth of the Aristocratic

Class—Berkeley decides against the People--The

Aristocratic Assembly Claims the Right to sit Per-

petually-Deprives the Common People of their

Liberties--Revival of the Navigation Act by Charles

11.---The King bestows Virginia as a Gift upon his

Favorites--Protests of the Assembly-Growing Hos-

tility of the Virginians to the Colonial Government-

The Indian War--The Governor Refuses to allow

the Colonists to Delend themselves--Nathaniel Ba-

con--He Marches against the Indians--Rebellion

of the People against Berkeley and the Assembly-

The Convention-Repeal of the Obnoxious Laws,

Berkeley's Duplicity-- The People take up Arms

-Flight of Berkeley-Destruction of Jamestown-

Death of Bacon--Causes of the Failure of the Rebel.

lion--Berkeley's Triumph--Execution of the Patriot

Leaders--Berkeley's Course Condemned by the

King ---Death of Berkeley-- The Unjust Laws Re-

enacted--Lord Culpepper Governor-Ilis Extor-

tions-- James II. and Virginia—Effects upon Vir-

ginia of the Revolution of 1688— William and Mary

College Founded

CHAPTER IX.

THE COLONIZATION OF MARYLAND.

CHAPTER VII.

PROGRESS OF THE VIRGINIA COLONY.

Introduction of Negro Slavery into Virginia --Efforts of

the Assembly to Restrict Slavery—The Indians At-

tempt the Destruction of the Colony—Terrible Suf-

ferings of the Whites-Aid from England - The

Indian War Begun--King James Revokes the Char-

ter of the London Company-Charles I. Desires a

Monopoly of the Tobacco Trade--Action of the

Assembly-Sir William Berkeley's First Adminis-

tration-Severe Measures against Dissenters—Close

of the Indian War-Death of Opechancanough-

Extent of the Territory of Virginia-Clayborn's Trad-

ing-Posts established—Sir George Calvert, Lord

Baltimore--Becomes interested in American coloni-

zation-Obtains a Grant of Maryland– Terms of

the Charter-A Colony sent out-Arrival in the

Chesapeake-St. Mary's Founded-Charter of the

Colony-Friendly Relations established with the

Indians—First Legislature of Maryland— Trouble

with Clayborne—Rapid Growth of the Colony-

Progress of Popular Liberty-Policy respecting the

Treatment of the Indians ---Clayborne's Relveliion-

Law granting Religious toleration enacted-Condi-

tion of Maryland under the Commonwealth-The

People declared Supreme-Lord Baltimore re-

covers his Proprietary Rights--Characteristics of

the Colony-Rapid Increase in Population-Charles

Calvert, Governor-Death of the sacend Lord

PAGR

Baltimore-Roman Catholics disfranchised-Mary-
land becomes a Royal Province—Triumph of the
Protestants—Annapolis made the Seat of Govern-
ment-Restoration of the Proprietary Government-
Continued Prosperity of Maryland

III

The Dutch claim the Connecticut Valley—They build

a Fort at Hartford-Governor Winslow makes a
Lodgment in Connecticut for the English-With-
drawal of the Dutch—The First Eftorts of the Eng.
lish to Settle Connecticut-Emigration of Hooker
and his Congregation—They Setile at Hartford

Winthrop builds a Fort at Saybrook-Hostility of

the Indians—Visit of Roger Williams to Miantono-

moh—A Brave Deed— The Pequod War—Capture

of the Indian Fort-Destruction of the Pequod

Tribe-Effect of this War upon the other Tribes--

Connecticut Adopts a Constitution—Its Peculiar

Features--Settlement of New Haven .

150

CHAPTER X.

THE PILGRIM FATHERS.

Rise of the Puritans—Their Increase in England,

They are Persecuted by the English Church and