PREFATORY OBSERVATIONS..
THE student of the annexed Map and Charts is supposed
to inspect them with his face to the north. In that position he
will observe a projection of a succession of canals across 4 necks
of land, so as to make an inland navigation near the sea-coast,
from the north to the south of the United States. He will also
observe the projection of an artificial communication between
the waters above and below the Falls of Niagara on the side of
the United States;—and projected canals or artificial roads con¬
necting some of the rivers which empty into the Atlantic Ocean
with their nearest corresponding rivers which run westerly; and
also of some of the rivers wh ch run northerly or westerly to the
lakes of Canada, with their nearest corresponding rivers running
sou'JIerly or easterly. Of otie of the rivers which runs into the
Gulf of Mexico with its nearest corresponding river running
northerly to the Tennessee. In some cases he will see the pro¬
jection of canals running across between the rivers which final¬
ly terminate near each other in the same ocean, as in the pro¬
jected canals between the Savannah and the Edisto, and the Edis-
to and the Ashley, and between Sampit and Santee, and Santee
and Cooper rivers. These communications by roads or canals,
as the case mav be, are designed to represent what may, and pro¬
bably will soon be done, to promote an easy intercourse between
all parts of the United States.
The student will also observe, that in addition to the turn?
pike road running near the sea coast, a road of health is project
ed near the foot of the mountains for the benefit of invalids, par¬
ticularly such as labor under consumptive complaints. The
utility of this road was suggested by the number of patients who
on the approach of winter annually migrate from the eastern
and northern Slates to the sea-coast cities in the south. These
gam something bv the change, but far short of what might be
gained, provided their route lay near the western mountains.
There they would enjoy better water, a purer air, a less variable
climate, and a comparative exemption from the ble.ak damp eas?
*
tern and north-eastern winds which are so frequent on the sea-
coast, and at the same time enjoy the benefit of constant exercise
in a variegated eountrv, every day presenting new scenes, while
by advancing or receding ^cording to the season, they could
always keep themselves irit'^^ftppy medium between the ex¬
tremes of weather too hot ortoo cold. All these advantages
are lost, from the want of accommodations near the mountains
suitable to invalids. Travellers of that description will not ven¬
ture on a route in which they must often be exposed to a succes¬
sion of colda from lodging in cold, leak*, open houses. Several
hundreds of valuable lives are annually lost, which might be sa¬
ved if suitable accommodations could be ptocured for travellers
pursuing this proposed western route, north or south according
to the season of the vear, provided thev commenced their tra¬
vels in the early stage of their complaints, and continued them
a competent length of time. The loss to the United States on
the present system is incalculable: for it generally falls on young
subjects who might be saved for a long period of usefulness, if
artificial conveniences were added to the natural advantages
which the western country possesses.
The Historical Chart scarcely needs any other explanation
than is given on its face. The date of the first settlement of
each Colony may be known by directing the eye from its west¬
ern boundary to the corresponding date on the north line of the
Chart.
Unions of Colonies are designated by an abrupt termination
of the space representing the colony which loses its separate
existence, as in the case of New-Haven in 1665, and of Plymouth
in 1692. In the latter case, the mother colony of all New-En¬
gland beeame a county of the junior colony of Massachusetts.
Divisions of Colonies are in like manner designated by lines se¬
parating a part of tl^e space representing the parent colony, as
in the case of Georgia, taken in 1732 out of South-Carolina; and
of the colony of Pennsylvania subdivided into two in 1703. The
alternate unions and separations of New-Hampshire and Massa¬
chusetts, are in like manner made visible.
The changes of government are represented by a corres¬
ponding change of colors. Since the Declaration of Indepen¬
dence all the States are therefore of the same green color, re¬
presenting free government. Of the original 13 colonies Con¬
necticut and Rhode-Island have never undergone any change,
being always self-governed, except during the short abortive
attempt of King James the Second to annihilate all charters, and
new model the Colonies in the form ef Viceroyaltifes. This is
represented by a black space encircling all the Colonies over
which the arbitrary measure had a temporary effect. The uni-
orj of the New-England Colonies in 1643, is in like manner re-
a1
presented, but with a green color. The first temporary govern¬
ments of Virginia and of Georgia were administered by coun¬
cils, in the formation of which the people had no voice, This
from the want of a short appropriate name is termed Oligarchic,
and is represented by red. The power of Cromwell and the
English Commonwealth operated* only on Virginia and Mary¬
land, and is represented by a brown color. The more southern
colonies were not then in existence—the northern ones were
high in court favor—and those in the middle were in the occupa¬
tion of the Dutch and Swedes. The governments of New-Jer¬
sey, North and South-Carolina, were originally proprietary, and
afterwards regal; the first is represented by orange, the last by
purple. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mary land, were always
proprietary anterior to the Revolution, except the short tempo¬
rary submission of Maryland to the power of Cromwell. The
European nations which at any time held territory connected,
with the United States, are represented as follows—the En¬
glish, scarlet—the French, blue—the Swedes, light blue—the
Dutch, light yellow—the Spaniards, yellow.
After the Declaration of Independence important events in¬
creased so rapidly that they could not be noticed without enlarg¬
ing the scale to two, after 1776, for one in the preceding period.
An attempt is made by lines rising or falling in a geometrical
ratio, to represent the rise & fall of Tonnage, Revenue, & Ex¬
ports, since the establishment of the New Constitution in 1789,
If this is not readily comprehended, recourse may be had to the
table expressing the same results in figures in the Chronologi¬
cal Table for the year 1810. In almost every case where there
is any difficulty in understanding the Chart, a recurrence to the
Chronological Table of the same date will explain it. When
once explained an inspection of the Chart will call the whole to
remembrance.
The duration and extent of wars, especially that of the Revo¬
lution in different States, is represented by the extent of the in¬
closed dark red space under the respective years corresponding
with the period of war.
In the Biographical Chart no living person is mentioned for
obvious reasons. It was found impossible to subjoin lines cor¬
responding with the ages of the deceased, who are generally
long-lived, and at the same time to retain the number of names
which are given. A line expressive of 85 years, answering to
the life of Dr. Franklin, by stretching over two thirds of that
portion of the Chart which represents Pennsylvania, would have
made it necessary either to omit or cross many names, or to en¬
large the chart to an inconvenient size. Another plan was
thought of, but not until it was too late for adoption. It may
perhaps hereafter be given to the public. As a substitute for
lines corresponding with lives, the last letter of every persons
name is made to correspond with the year of his death. Where
that could be ascertained this is done exactly; but conjecture
was necessarily substituted for certainty when unattainable.
This occurred in a few cases from want of records, especially
in the Southern States, where the publication of funeral sermons
and Orations is comparatively rgje.* The variety of classes of
the illustrious dead adopted by Dr. Priestly, would not answer
in this young country. Alter mature deliberation on several
plans, it was thought best to groupe all under four divisions—
* The collection of materials for the Biographical Chart has suggested
a new feature of American History. In New-England, it was at all times1
customary to embalm the memories of the illustrious dead, and in public dis¬
courses to hold them up to posterity as models for imitation. After the es¬
tablishment of a printing press at Cambridge in 1639 (only 19 years after
the settlement of Plymouth) these several funeral sermons, orations, or eu-
logiums, were generally printed, and most of them preserved in public or
private libraries. For the last 25 or 39 years these together with files of
old news-papers, valuable manuscripts, pamphlets, a d books, written iri
New-England at an early period, have been collected by the Historical So¬
ciety of Massachusetts. From this magazine of materials two Biographi¬
cal works have lately been published. The one entitled the New-England
Biographical Dictionary by the Rev. Dr. Elliott, in which the lives and cha¬
racters of the worthies of that section of the Union are sketched with a
masterly hand; the other the American Biographical and historical Dic¬
tionary by the Rev. William Allen, a.m. This is on a more extensive plan,
and does credit to the industry arid correctness of its author. If similtu-
measures had been adopted in the other States, the formation of a Biogra¬
phical Chart for the United States woulcl have been easy. From the want
of them much of the Biographical part of America is irrevocably lost, and
the names of many worthy men will not descend to posterity. Funeral ser¬
mons, and orations, especially such as gave biographical sketches of their
subjects have been rarely delivered in the southern States,—when delivered
- rarely printed,—when printed rarely preserved iii any public repository.
In such a want of documents it was often impossible to fix dates or to obtain
even that minute portion of knowledge of station and character, that would
justify the insertion of names. From these causes the list of names in the
southern States, especially Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina, is far
short of what it ought to have been. The deficiency is particularly great
with respect to Virginia, though the mother colony of the United States.
Some of its early royal governors were unfriendly to literature. There was
neither printing-press, nor news-paper in that colony till it was considera-
bly more than 100 years old, and only two of either prior to the American
Revolution, Though Virginia has always abounded with eminent lawyers,
statesmen, and orators, the particulars of the lives of many of them, in con¬
sequence of the want of accessible records, are scarcely ihnown to the citi¬
zens of other States. From the History of that State about to be publish¬
ed by Mr. Randolph, it is expected that the merits of its-illustrious inhabi¬
tants will be properly noticed It will then be practicable for some future
compiler of a Biographical Chart to do more justice, with infinitely less
trouble than this first attempt has cost its author.
7
Divines marked D. Statesmen, and Public Officers marked
S. P. O. Warriors marked W. Those who are classed under
the head of eminent persons marked E. P. are persons who as
authors, scholars, artists, Philosophers, professional men; or by
their liberality, great usefulness, extensive benevolence; or as
the founders of ne w settlements, churches, seminaries of learn¬
ing, charitable institutions; or as fathers of illustrious children;
or having in some similar way attracted public notice, deserved
to be had in remembrance. The smallness of the letters in some
names, resulted in particular spots from the number that were
crouded together in a small space. The selection has been made
with impartiality, from among all that were known to the author,
or communicated to him by others. It is nevertheless proba¬
ble, that as many great and good men have been omitted as in¬
serted. The friends of such may with their pen insert their
names in their proper places. A vacant space for the next ten
years is also left for future insertions.
The magnitude and novelty of the undertaking, together
with the want of records, and the impossibility of knowing or
remembering the merits of all the illustrious deceased inhabi¬
tants of this extensive country, must apologise for unavoidable
omissions. Any communications on that subject will be receiv¬
ed with all merited attention, and a disposition to do justice, if
any future opportunity should present itself.
The work now offered to the public is the fruit of much
thought. More months have been employed in its execution,
than weeks were contemplated on the first conception of the pro¬
ject. What now appears is the seventh effort to realise the ori¬
ginal idea, of giving visibility on a sheet of paper to American
History; and each succeeding effort was believed to be an im¬
provement of those which preceded. The intelligent reader
may probably suggest some farther improvements. In such a
case, if the projector does not chuse to execute his own ideas,
information respecting them will be gratefully received by the
author. To him they will be acceptable and useful; for he is
so strongly impressed with an opinion of the great utility of this
short-hand symbolical mode of conveying knowledge, that he
has nearly completed a work on this plan with the title of" Ar¬
tificial Memory," and contemplates more of the same kind as
companions to his Universal History Americanised.
DAVID RAMSAY.
Charleston, s.c. Dec. 31, 1810.
A
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
OF THE
PRINCIPAL EVENTS
WHICH
Have taken place in the English Colonies, now United
States of America, from 1607 till 1810, explana¬
tory of, and fupplementary to, the annexed Historic
Chart; and noticing the Progrefs of Improvement
in the United States.
1607 Jamestown, the first capital of Virginia, and first perma¬
nent settlement in English America, founded.
1608 Chesapeake-Bay explored, and a map thereof (the original
of all which have since been made) was formed by cap¬
tain John Smith. In one of his excursions he was ta¬
ken prisoner, and doomed to die. His head was laid
011 a stone, and clubs uplifted to beat out his brains, but
Pocahuntas, an Indian princess, saved him, by laying
her head on his. She afterwards married captain Rolfe,
and from her several Virginian families have descended.
1610 Great famine in Virginia. The settlers reduced by war
with the natives, sickness, and want, from 500 to 60,
were brought back by Lord Delaware, after they had
embarked with the view of abandoning the country.
Five preceding settlements on the same coast, one
French, one Spanish, and three English, had before
proved abortive.
1613 Captain Argal destroys the French settlements at Acadie,
claimed by the English as their property by prior dis¬
covery. This was the commencement of hostilities
between England and France for American territory.
B
10
1614 The Diitch claiming a large extent of country, as disco¬
vered in 1609 by Hudson, build a fort on Manhattan
Island, and another at Albany.
Captain Smith, after ranging along the coast of North-
Virginia, crew a map of the country, and gave it the
name of New-England.
1615 Community of goods, which had previously existed in
Virginia, was abandoned, as encouraging idleness, and
private property introduced as an incentive to industry.
Land which before had been held by the cultivators as
tenants at will, henceforward was held by the tenure of
common socciage. VVith this new tenure liberty was
rooted in the soil.
Tobacco began to be cultivated by the English settlers in
Virginia. ,
Aborigines of New-England were so thinned by pesti¬
lence in the vicinity of Plymouth, that the white settle¬
ment, which in two years after took place on that spot,
was undisturbed.
A Legislature was established—and in 1621 a House of
Representatives called Burgesses, from their being cho¬
sen by towns or boroughs, was introduced in Virginia.
The colony had before been governed by a council in
an arbitrary manner.
1620 & 21 One hundred and fifty young women of good charac¬
ters were sent from England to marry planters in Vir¬
ginia. The price of a wife to a husband who purchas¬
ed her, was 100 pounds of tobacco; but it soon rose to
150. Tobacco was then worth 3 pence per pound.
2500 settlers arrived in this and the next year in that co¬
lony.
Negroes imported into Virginia.
1621 The stipend,of preachers in Virginia made payable in corn
and tobacco.
1622 Indians massacre 347 Virginians.
County courts established in Virginia.
1623 Great scarcity in New-England. 1 he inhabitants oblig¬
ed to subsist chiefly on ground-nuts, clams, muscles,
1616
1618
1619
11
and the gleanings of the forest and tho sea shore. A
lobster with water, bat without any vegetables was their
best dish. '
The Virginians in retaliation for the massacre of their
friends in the preceding year, burned several of the
towns of the Indians, destroyed their settlements, took
from them their corn, and reduced them to want and
distress. Four or five different-parties of the settlers
attacked the Indians in one and the same day, and made
a great slaughter among them.
1624 Charier of Virginia vacated after the company had trans¬
ported to it more than 9000 English subjects, and ex¬
pended £1,30,000 in forwarding the settlement.
1625 Virginia made dependent on the crown, and ruled by mere
' prerogative- Charles the first viewed the colonies as
conquered countries, and governed them by a council
invested with absolute power.
.1627 Community of goods abandoned. Private property intro.
duced, and the lands divided among the Plymotheans,
as had lately been done among the Virginians, and with
equally good effects.
1628 Salem in New-England, settled.
1629 The English take Quebec.
1630 Charlestown, Boston, Watertown, and Dorchester, settled
by Winthrop and others in this and the preceding year.
1631 Swedes build a fort at Christiana, on the west bank of the
river Delaware, and make a settlement, and lay out a
town in its vicinity.
1632 Nova Scotia and Canada restored to France. Their un¬
settled boundaries, and contiguity to the English colo¬
nies laid a foundation for wars between France and En¬
gland for the next 130 years.
"1633 The Dutch build a fort where Hartford now stands.
Virginia passes laws against sectaries, and for enforcing
uniformity in religion.
^1634 Representatives first chosen in Massachusetts. The go¬
vernment hitherto had been a pure democracy.
12
16-35 Lord Baltimore establishes the government of Maryland
on the broad basis of perfect freedom in religion, and
security of property.
1636 First assembly convened in Maryland.
Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Saybrook, in Con¬
necticut, settled by emigrants from Massachusetts.
A ship built at Marblehead.
About this time the Indians taking advantage of the feeble
state of government in Virginia, and the general unea¬
siness of its inhabitants under the arbitrary government
of Charles the first, by a sudden attackcut off about 500
of the white settlers.
1637 The Pequots destroyed by Connecticut. In carrying on
this war, the white settlers used only one pint of rum*
which was given to the sick.
1638 The Laudean persecution in this year, and the preceding
17, had driven more than 20,00t> inhabitants from Old
to New-England.
African slaves imported inm New-England from the West-
Indies in the wav of trade.
1639 A general contribution over the province of Maryland, to
erect a water mill for the use of the province.
King Charles the first alarmed at the state of public affairs
in England restores to Virginia a free assembly of Bur¬
gesses, of which the province had been deprived by him¬
self for 10 years preceding, and directs Sir William
Berkely governor of the colony to administer law and
justice to all agreeably to the polity of Englai d.
A Printing Press established at Cambridge—The first in
New-England.
1640 Migration from Old to New-England in a great measure
ceases, from a change of circumstances in the former.
1643 The colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut,
and New-Haven, become one for defined purposes, by
the name of the United Colonies of New-England.
Their articles of union bound them together for com¬
mon defence, and for matters of general interest; but
reserved to each colony an entire and exclusive juris-
13
diction in all matters purely domestic. This union not
only promoted peace and harmony among the colo ies,
while civil war raged in England, but made them for¬
midable both to the Dutch in New-Amsterdam, and the
aborigines of the country. It was also instrumental in
promoting the civilization and conversion of the Indi¬
ans. The Society incorporated in England, forpropo-
gating the gospel among the Indians in New-England,
made the commissioners of the United Colonies their
correspondents and agents for dispersing their charita¬
ble donations. This correspondence arid agencv con¬
tinued from 1656, till the dissolution of the Union in
1686, and was eminently useful in reforming and meli¬
orating the condition of the Indians.
1645 A rebellion in Maryland. The governor flies to Virgi¬
nia.
1646 Massachusetts passes an act for evangelising the Indians.
Several royalists about this time retire from the troubles
of England to Virginia.
1647 First general assembly of Rhode-Island.
1650 Stuyvesant, Dutch governor of New Netherlands, de¬
mands a surrender of the lands on Connecticut river to
his government.
Constitution of Maryland established with three bran¬
ches.
t651 The New-England colonies readily submitted to the go¬
vernment of England, whether in the hands of the Par¬
liament or the Protector; but in Virginia they refused
all allegiance to these new rulers. Cromwell therefore
detached a squadron of men of war to reduce the colony.
This was effected by a treaty, but before the Virginians
laid down their arms they obtained by a solemn con¬
vention a general indemnity for themselves, and a pro¬
mise of security for all their rights.
Navigation act passed in England. This being continued
down to the Revolution of 1776, curtailed the trade of
the colonists, and was a continued source of uneasiness
between them and the parent state.
14
1652 After sharp contests between the Royalists and Parliamen*
tarians in Maryland, the Parliament assumed the go~
vernment of the Province.
Virginia submits to Cromwell.
Mint erected in New-England, for coining money.
New-England in great Gvor with tht Parliament, and
Cromwell is allowed a free trade, and an exemption
from duties imposed on other colonies, and thrives dur¬
ing the civil wars in England.
1653 Great fire in Boston; also in the years 1676, 1679, 1711,
1760.
The Parliamentary government in Maryland enacted, that;
none professing the Roman Catholic religion, should be
protected in the province.
1655 The Dutch take from the Swedes a fort on the west bor¬
ders of the Delaware. This was called Casimir by the
Swedes, and afterwards Niewer Amstel by the Dutch.
A village arose under its walls, which on the conquest
of the country in 1664 by the English, took, and has
ever since retained the name of New-Castle. The
Dutch also so far extirpated the Swedes, that they were
obliged either to leave the country or take the oath of
allegiance to the States General. The Dutch also es¬
tablish themselves extensively between Maryland and
New-England, but were impeded by Connecticut on one
side, and Maryland on the other.
1656 The inhabitants of Massachusetts respectfully refuse
Cromwell's request to migrate to Jamaica, though he
offered them ample protection, and all the powers of
government.
1653 The Atlantic coast of North America, was owned on the
north by the French, on the south by the Spaniards, in
the middle by the Dutch, who separated New-England
from Maryland and Virginia, which were then the only
English colonies on the American - continent. The
country now called Georgia, North and South Carolina,
was then a forest in possession of the Indians.
If
1659 The Virginians proclaim Charles the second as king, be¬
fore his restoration. He was king of Virginia by com¬
mon consent before he was king of England.
1.66Q Charles the second was restored to the throne of his an¬
cestors to the joy of Virginia and Maryland, but to the
regret of New-England. He adopted measures for set-%
tling Carolina—conquered the Dutch, and made a con¬
tinuity of English provinces from New-Hampshire to
Savannah river—gave very liberal charters to Connec¬
ticut and Rhode-Island, but afterwards undertook to
consolidate the colonies, and to crush their republican
spirit, which was to him a grievous eye-sore.
U661 Massachusetts proclaims Charles second king, in the se¬
cond year after his restoration; and with more policy
than sincerity sends a deputation to address him.
i662 The province of Maryland, which had been taken from the
proprietor, on account of his attachment to royalty in
the civil wars of England, was restored.
Massachusetts appoints two licensers of the press.
Maryland passes a law for establishing a mint.
Church of England established, and ministers without
episcopal ordination, forbidden to preach in Virginia.
Act of uniformity drives many learned and pious clergy¬
men from Old to New-England.
1664 The Bible translated into the Indian language, by Elliot
the Apostle.
New-Amsterdam and the vicinity, are reduced by the En¬
glish, and take the name of New York and New Yersey.
The former was given to the Duke of York, the latter
to Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret. This con¬
quest was followed by a treaty with the five nations of
Indians on the frontiers of New-York, by which those
Indians gave their lands, and subjected themselves to
the king of England. This cession strengthened the
claims of the English to these western lands; but the
decision was finally made by the sword an hundred
years after.
16
1667 Lewis the fourteenth of France colonised, with French
soldiers, that part of the United States which is now the
territory ol Michigan. These coming out without any
women, soon formed connections with the Indian
squaws, from which proceeded a mixed breed. The
Frenchmen did something towards civilising their In¬
dian wives, but they did more towards barbarising their
French Husbands. Their progeny were expert in all
the arts of savage life, and particularly dextrous in the
use of bows and arrows, and capable of bearing all the
inconveniences of living in the open air. Their number
amounted nearly to 2000, shortly after the treaty of'
1783, when the territory was taken under the care of the
United States.
1669 The first legislative assembly meets in North-Carolina:
by it a law is enacted declaring, " that as there were
then no ministers, any two persons carrying before the
Governor and Council a few^ of their neighbors, and
declaiing their mutual assent, shall be deemed husband
and wife."
1671 The first white inhabitants who in 1670 had settled at
Beaufort in South-Carolina, remove to Ashley river,
and build old Charlestown on its west banks, and in
nine years after they abandoned' that settlement, and
began to build on oyster point, where Ashley and Coop¬
er rivers unite.
The inhabitants of New-Jersey claiming their lands un¬
der Indian titles, rise in a body to oppose the pay ment
of quit rents.
1673 The Dutch regain possession of New-York, and the coun¬
try around submits to them.
1674 New Netherlands, with New-York and New-Jersey, re^
stored to England bv treaty.
1675 Philip's war with the Ncw-Englanders.
1676 Bacon's rebellion ir. Virginia. Jamestown burnt.
1677 Burlington founded. The founders of it on passing the
site of Philadelphia, then a forest, remarked on its suita¬
bleness for a city.
17
1.679 Sir George Carteret, sole proprietor of New-Jersey, by
his will ordered the province to be sold to pay his debts.
It was purchased bv 12 persons. Each of these took a
partner, making 24 proprietors in the whole. These
published an account of its natural advantages, and al¬
lured many settlers, especially from England, Scotland,
and New-England
1680 Charlestown, s c. founded.
1681 William Penn obtains a grant of Pennsylvania, and sends
a small colony to settle it. They located themselves
above the confluence of the Schuylkill and Delaware.
1682 Penn tvith 100 settlers lands at New-Castle. The previ¬
ous settlers, Swedes, Dutch, and others, about 20Q0, are
naturalised, and become English subjects.
Penn, with the assistance of his surveyor general, Tho¬
mas Holme, lays out Philadelphia. From 80 to 100
houses or cottages were built in the first year. Deer,
and wild pigeons assisted very much in feeding these
first settlers Several of them lived for some time in
caves dug on the west high bank of the Delaware, now
front-street. In one of these caves was born John Kay,
commonly known by the name of the first-born. He
died in the 85th year of his age, only nine years before
the country which gave him birth was declared free and
independent.
1683 First assembly in Pennsylvania.1
First legislative assembly in New-York. The province
for the preceding nine years had been governed in an
arbitrary manner without any participation of the people.
Printing presses forbidden in Virginia by its royal gover¬
nor.
16S4 Massachusetts deprived of its charter.
1685 King James the second, proceeds to complete the arbi¬
trary measures begun by Chariest he second, by conso¬
lidating the colonies in large'governments, to be admi¬
nistered without the participation of the people.
1686 Sir Edmund Andross appointed Governor General of New-
England, and shortly after of New-York and New-Jer-
18
sey, with powers subversive of colonial privileges. He
ruled the whole with a rod of iron, till the revolution of
1688, in England, freed both the mother country and
the colonies from arbitrary power.
1689 The people of New-England, on hearing a vague report
of a revolution'in the mother country, depose and im¬
prison Andross—reinstate their old government, and
proclaim William and Mary King and Queen, to the
exclusion of James the second. These events secured
the liberties of England and her colonies,, but involved
the former in a war with France, and the latter with
France and the Indians; for the king of France patron¬
ised the cause of James the second, the exiled sovereign
of England.
Indians of the five nations who acknowledged themselves
subjects or allies of England, invade Montreal, and mas¬
sacre its inhabitants.
1690 A party of French and Indians burn Schenectady, and kill
the inhabitants.
Sir William Phips reduces Port Royal, and takes posses¬
sion of the whole sea-coast from it to the New-England
settlements. He also invaded Canada, but was re¬
pulsed.
Paper money, the first emission in the colonies, was issu¬
ed by Massachusetts, to defray the expences of these
expeditions.
French refugees, who had been exiled in consequence of
the revocation of the edict of Nantz, settle in Virginia,
New-York, Carolina, and Boston.
1092 A new charter established, which constituted Massachu¬
setts a royal province, and added to it the colony of Ply¬
mouth, the province of Maine, &c. but separated New-
Hampshire from it. It greatly abridged the liberties
of the people. They formerly had chosen their gover¬
nor, but now the appointment of governor, lieutenant
governor, secretary, and all the officers of the admiral¬
ty, was vested in the crown. Several other changes
in derogation of former rights were made.
19
1692 Witchcraft delusion in Massachusetts.
The government of Pennsylvania and Delaware was as¬
sumed by the crown, on the idea, that the proprietor
^ thereof, William Penn, was attached to the cause and
interest of the exiled James the second, and it was en¬
trusted to Fletcher, governor of New-York.
Great flood at Delaware falls.
1693 The government of Pennsylvania and Delaware restored
to Penn, who had vindicated his character to the satis¬
faction of King William.
1694 Ric^ introduced into South-Carolina by Langrave Smith.
1698 French make a settlement in Florida, near the mouth of
the Missisippi, now the Orleans. Terriory of the U. S.
1699 Yellow fever in Philadelphia.
1700 Great fire, Yellow fever, and Hurricane, in Charleston, s.c.
' Pirates infest the coast from Boston to Florida.
There were only two colleges in the English colonies,
now United States. At the declaration of Indepen¬
dence, in 1776, there were only nine. In the following
25 years, 18 new ones were incorporated, and most of
them established.
1702 Expedition of Carolineahs against St. Augustine, proves
unsuccessful, and produces debt, paper money, and de¬
preciation.
1703 Church of England established in South-Carolina.
1704 Printing of News-Papers commenced in Boston, Massa¬
chusetts. In Rhode-Island, in 1732. In Connecticut,
in 1755. In New-Hampshire, in 1756. In New-York,
in 1725. In New-Jersev, in 1777. In Philadelphia,
in 1719. In Delaware, in 1775. In Maryland, in 1728.
In Virginia, in 1736. In North-Carolina, in 1763. In
South-Carolina, in 1732. In Georgia, in 17d3. In
Vermont, in 1781. In Kentucky, in 1786. In Fenes-
see, in 1793. In Ohio, in 1795. Printing Presses
were generally established some time before News-Pa¬
pers were printed, particularly as follows—In Cam¬
bridge, Massachusetts, in 1639. In Philadelphia, in
1687. In New-York, in 1693. In Connecticut, in 1709,
20
In Rhode-Island, in 1732. In Maryland, in 1726. I*
Wiiiumsburgh, Virginia, in 1729. In Charleston, s. c.
in 1730. In Woodbridge, New-Jersey, in 1752. In
Newbern, N. C. in 1755. In Portsmouth, N. H. in
1755. In Savannah, Georgia, in 1762.
1706 Spaniards and French invade South-Carolina, claimed as
part of Florida, and are repulsed by governor sir Na¬
thaniel Johnson.
1710 2700 Palatines arrive in New-York.
1711 In this and the two preceding years, unsuccessful expedi¬
tions had been carried on against Canada. The con¬
quest of this French province is earnestly desired by
New-Englanders, and New-Yorkers, who consider it
as she source of all the Indian wars which harassed
their frontiers.
1712. Indians massacre 137 North-Carolineans.
The French make a settlement in Carolina, near the river
Missisippi, in what is now called the Missisippi Terri¬
tory, and give grants of land as high up the Missisippi
as its junction with the Illinois river.
Insurrection of negroes in New-York.
1713 The boundary lines between Massachusetts and Connec¬
ticut were settled. It appeared that the former had
encroached on the latter to the extent of 107,793 acres-'
Compensation for the encroachment was made by the
cession of an equal quantity or unimproved land. This
in 1716 was sold by Connecticut for less than two far¬
things sterling per acre, and applied to the use of Yale
College, then in its infancy.
1714 That part of Viaginia which lies west of the Alleghany
mountains, was first explored by governor Spotswood.
1715 Yamasee Indians defeated, and expelled from South-Caro¬
lina.
1717 'New-Orleans, and Beaufort, s.c. founded.
1718 Pirates suppressed on the coast of South-Carolina.
1719 Proprietary government overturned in South-Carolina.
1721 Inoculation for the small-pox, on the suggestion of Cotton
Mather, was introduced into Boston by Dr. Boylston,
21
who was the first British subject who practised general
inoculation. This, like all new discoveries, was long
opposed by ignorance and prejudice, and was only by
degrees introduced into general use. In the year 1752,
31 years after its introduction, of 5544 who had taken
the disease in the natural way in Boston, 514 or nearly
one in ten died. In the same time and place, of 2109
persons who received the same disease by inoculation,
no more than 31, or about one in 69 died; yet many
then, and for several years after, continued to oppose or
neglect the benefits of the new discovery. Vacination
which was introduced 77 years after, was in like manner
neglected or opposed, but not to an equal degree. The
latter obtained the general confidence of the people
much sooner than the former.
1722 Trading house erected at Oswego by Burnet governor of
New-York, as a cement of union and friendship with the
Indians, and to detach them from the French, medita¬
ting a continuity of posts in the rear of the English co¬
lonies.
Rector Cutler, and five other Congregational ministers
turn Episcopalians.
1723 Pennsylvania issues paper money.
The French and English contend for the command of the
lakes of Canada. The former project a junction be¬
tween Canada and Louisiana, by way of the lakes and
the Ohio.
1726 The French build and launch two vessek in lake Ontario,
and fortify Niagara.
1727 Burnet governor of New-York, builds a fort at Oswego,
as an impediment to the projects of France.
A great earthquake in New-England. This extended
from Kenneheck to the river Delaware. There have
been five g'reat earthquakes in New-England, viz. in
1638, 1658, 1663, 1727, 1755, and minor ones in 1653,
1668, 1669, ) 670, 1705, 1720, 1732, 1744, 1755, 1757,
1760, 1769, 1771, 1783 These were all described as
as coming from about N. VV. and going oft about S. E.
22
They several times reached as far as Maryland, but sel¬
dom or never as far as Carolina, or even Virginia. To
the N.E. they have been generally bounded by Nova Sco¬
tia. No uncommon disorder or mortality followed any
of these earthquakes, but in many places they threw
down stone fences, roofs, ehimnies, and parts of houses.
Springs and wells of water were sunk far down into the
earth. Some were dried up. The quality of their wa¬
ter often changed. Dry spots became quagmires, and
tnoist places nearly dry. The earth was suddenly rais¬
ed, and in subsiding was thrown into a vibratory motion.
Many clocks were stopped. The vane on the public
market-house in Boston was thrown down, and many
other marks of force or violence were exhibited in dif- -
ferent places and at different times.
1728 Hurricane and Yellow Fever in Charleston, s. c.
1729 Carolina purchased by the crown for £ 17,500, and divided
into North and South.
6208 emigtants arrive in Pennsylvania.
1731 Crown Point erected by the French, within the limits
claimed by the English. "
1*732 Maryland makes tobacco a legal tender at a penny per
pound, and Indian corn at 20 pence per bushel.
1733 Col. Pury leads a colony of Swiss to SouthrCarolina, and
builds Purysburgh.
The settlement of Georgia commenced.
Three hundred miles of vacant sea-coa*t lay between S.
Carolina and Florida. To prevent the occupation of it
by the French or Spaniards, was among the principal
inducements to settle this vacant territory.
1735 The throat distemper prevailed in New-England, and af¬
terwards in 1754 and 5, and in 1804, 5, 6, and 7.
1736 Scots settle Darien, and Germans, Ebenezer in Georgia.
Among the latter were many Moravians, who being
called upon to do militia-duty, in violation of their prin¬
ciples of religion, moved off in a body, and settled in
Pennsylvania, where there was no militia-law. Their
flourishing settlements continue to this day in that State.
23
1738 New-Jersey obtains a governor for itself, distinct from the
governor of New-York. Lewis Morris its first sole
governor.
1740 Insurrection of negroes in South-Carolina.
Oglethorpes Unsuccessful expedition against Florida.
1742 The Spaniards invade Georgia, and are repelled by gene¬
ral Oglethorp.
The Philadelphia library, which had begun under the au¬
spices of benjamin Franklin, in 1731, was incorporated
within seven years after the Redwood library of New¬
port, Rhode-Island, and the Charleston, s. 'c. library,
were established. Libraries were few in number, and
small in size, before the treaty of peace in 1783, but
since that event, and especially since 1790, they have
greatly increased. In the eastern states, a social library
is to be' found in almost every town. In the middle and
southern states, they are not so common, but are daily
increasing. The number of readers has increased in
a still greater proportion.
1743 The American Magazine began to be published in Boston
in monthly numbers. This was only twelve years after
the commencement of the first similar publication in
' London, with the title of the Gentleman's Magazine.
The American magazine, and three or four publications
of the same kind, prior to the revolution, were soon dis¬
continued from the want of support. Among the most
valuable of these, were the New American Magazine,
edited by Judge Nevil of New-Jersey, under the title of
Sylvanus Americanus, and published in Woodbridge
for 27 months, in and after 1758; and the Pennsylvania
Magazine, published in and after 1775 by Robert Aitkin,
and supplied with original matter by Thomas Paine.
The first periodical publications since the revolution,
have in like manner failed. Among these, the Colum¬
bian Magazine, and American Museum, published in
Philadelphia,.had the greatest share of popular favor,
but not enough to prolong their existence. Within the
last 15 years, several new ones have appeared, and re-
24
ceived more support than their predecessors. Of these
there are at present (1810) 7 in Boston, one in Connec¬
ticut, six in New-York, seven in Pennsylvania, one in
Maryland, and two in Virginia. Newspapers in the
United States partake so much of the nature of Maga¬
zines, as to diminish the circulation of the latter.
1743 The culture of the indigo plant, introduced into South-
Carolina, by Miss Lucas.
1745 Louisbourg taken by the New-Englanders, with the aid of
a small British fleet. The French, fired with resent¬
ment, prepare to attack Boston, and to ravage the coast
from Nova Scotia to Georgia.
1746 D' Ainville, with a formidable French armament, greatly
magnified by common fame, but really consisting of
forty-one vessels, of which eleven w^re ships of the
line, and 3130 soldiers from Europe, who were to be
joined with 1600 Canadians, French, and Indians,
threatens destruction to the northern English colonies,
but is providentially discomfited by stormy weather, and
contagious diseases. The arrival of l)' Ainville on the
coast, gave an alarm to the colonies, nearly equal to
that which England experienced from the Spanish Ar¬
mada, in 1588.
1747 Riots in Boston, in opposition to impressment of seamen.
A sailor is acquitted on a trial for killing a British offi¬
cer attempting to impress him.
1748 A treaty of peace made at Aix laChapelle, between
France and England, by which cape Breton and Louis¬
bourg are -restored to Francej and generally, all con¬
quests restored on both sides. After nearly a ten years
war, and a great expense of blood and treasure neither
party gained any thing, and both ended at the point
were they began.
1749 A grant of 600,OOt) acres of lands on the Ohio river, to the
Ohio company, alarms the French, as being calculated
to prevent the junction of Canada and Louisiana. This
was the first link of a chain of causes, which produced
the wars of 1756, & 1763, between France and England.
25
1750 England prohibits the erection of machines in the colo¬
nies, for splitting or rolling iron, or of any furnace for
making steel. At that time there were in Massachusetts
four of these prohibited machines, and a disposition to
erect more.
1751 Pennsylvania Hospital founded. The first institution of
the kind in the English colonies.
1752 New Style adopted.
A great Hurricane in South-Carolina.
1600 foreign protestants arrive in South-Carolina.
Franklin makes discoveries in electricity.
French begin to erect forts on Lake Erie.
1753 About this time Kneeland and Green of Boston, with great
secrecy, printed a small quarto edition of the bible, it
Was introduced to the public, as if it had been printed
by Mark Basket, printer to the king's most excellent
majesty. A German edition ot the bible had been
printed by Christopher Sower, in Germantown, as ear¬
ly as 1743, and a second edition of it by his son in 1762,
and a third one in 1776. : he printer of the last joined
the British in the year 1777, and in consequence there¬
of, his estate was confiscated and sold. The loose sheets
of his bible were purchased as waste paper, and used
as cartridges in the revolutionary war. R. Aitkin print¬
ed a duodecimo edition of the bible in 1781, or 1782,
which though recommended by Congress, eventually
proved very injurious to the pecuniary interests of its
publisher. Since the establishment of free govern¬
ments, to the exclusion of all monopolies, the printing
of the bible has become an object of speculation to en¬
terprising printers. Their competition has been car¬
ried so far, and the demand for bibles Las been so
great, that good bound bibles are now (I S 10) selling by
the quantify for GO cents a piece.
1753 George Washington, sent on a mission to the Ohio, with
a remonstrance to the French commandant, against his
occupation of territory within the chartered limits of
Virginia.
26
.1754 Washington takes a party of the French,but afterwards
capitulates at Fort Necessity.
Fort Duquesne built by the French, where Pittsburg now
stands. This completed the line of communication be¬
tween Canada and the Missisippi.
A Congress at Albany, proposes a pi ah of union for the
colonies, for their defence, and more systematic opposi¬
tion to the French scheme, of limiting the English
settlements to the eastward of the Apalachian Moun¬
tains.
1755 A large extent of country purchased by Governor Glen
from the Cherokees, and forts soon after built in their
nation. These events paved the way for the imme¬
diate and rapid settlement of the tack country of South-
Carolina, and placed a new harrier between the En¬
glish colonies and the French.
General Braddock defeated on his way to attack fort Du¬
quesne on the Ohio.
1756 War declared between France and Great Britain. The
Ohio Lands the principal cause of the contest
Fort Oswego laken, and demolished by the French.
1757 Fort William Henry, taken by the French.
1758 Louisbourg, Forts Frontinac, and Duquesne* taken from
~ the French.
1759. Ticonderbga, Niagara, and Quebec, taken by the English.
1760 Canada conquered—French power in North America de¬
stroyed. After many severe, but interrupted contests
for 147 years between France and England for ascen¬
dency in the new world, the town of New Orleans and a
few plantations on the Missisippi only remained to
France of all her settlements on the continent of North
America.
1761 Cherokees in South-Carolina .defeated, and compelled to
sue for peace.
1763 War raged between the Indians and the Pennsylvanians.
In the general rage for murdered relations which took
place, no discrimination was made by the mob, between
friendly and hostile Indians. Under this impression
27
57 armed tHiite men from Paxton, put to death public¬
ly and in cold blood fourteen Indians, a part of a larger
body who were living peaceably and quietly among the
white people in Connestogoe. The survivors fled to
Lancaster, where the magistrates for their safety lodg¬
ed them in the public jail, but the murderers followed,
and in open day broke through all obstacles into the
jail where the Indians were lodged, and murdered every
one of them.
1763 Peace of Paris—England retaining Canada and Florida,
extends her American empire from the gulf of Mexico,
to the northern extremity of the continent. In this and
the preceding four years of English victories, upwards
of 4000 families returned to their plantations, on the
frontiers of the middle and southern states, from which
they had been previously driven by the events of war.
1764 Protestant settlers allured to South-Carolina by liberal
grants of lands and money.
Anatomical lectures first delivered by Dr. Shippem in
Philadelphia. He was soon joined by Doctors Morgan,
Bond, Kuhn, and Rush, who jointly formed the first
medical school in America. The first class which at¬
tended these lectures consisted of 10. The number of
pupils which now (1810) attend is about 400. Of these,
from 30 to 50, annually, commence Doctors of Medi¬
cine. Similar institutions have been established since
the revolution in New-York, Cambridge, New-Hamp¬
shire, and Baltimore.
American Revenue resolved upon by the British Parlia¬
ment.
1765 Stamp Act passed, and next year repealed.
Virginia, on motion of Patrick Henry, passed the first re¬
solutions denying the right of Parliament to tax the
colonies.
1767 British taxation renewed by a tax on tea, painters' colors,
Etc. payable on their landing in the colonies.
The Pennsylvania Farmer's Letters, written by John Dic¬
kinson, were universally read, St illuminated the public
58
mind on the ruinous consequences of British taxation,
under its new disguise, in the form of an impost duty.
1768. British troops are stationed in Boston to awe the inhabi¬
tants.
Non-importation agreements entered into by the colonists.
1768-9. The peace of South-Carolina is disturbed in its recently
settled back country, by men, who under the name of
regulators took upon themselves to try, condemn, and
punish horse-thieves, and other criminals. A civil
war was on the point of breaking out, but the grievan¬
ces of the people being redressed by an extension of the
regular administration of justice to the new settlements,
the rising storm blew over.
1769 American Philosophical Society, instituted at Philadelphia,
and soon after published a volume of their transactions.
The first of the kind in Aiperica.
770 A riot at Boston. The British troops fire upon and kill
five or six of the inhabitants, but the killers are acquit¬
ted by a Boston Jury.
All tire British duties, except that on tea, are repealed.
A severe North-East storm extends for several hundred
miles on the North American Atlantic coast.
1771 Insurrection in North-Carolina, against Lawyers and
courts, quelled in a battle at Alamance, in which 200
of the Insurgents were killed. Twelve were taken,
tried, and condemned. Of these six were executed.
1772 Committees of correspondence instituted throughout the
colonies.
1773 Dutied tea destroyed by the Bostonians.
1774 In consequence of this trespass on private property, a
penal statute for shutting up the port of Boston was
passed in England, and resisted in America. As soon
as the passage of the law for shutting the port of Bos¬
ton was known there, it was resolved at a meeting of the
inhabitants of that city to be their opinion, " that if
the other colonies came into a joint resolution to stop
all importation from Great Britain, and all exportation
to Great Britain and the West Indies, till the act block-
29
ing up the habour of Boston was repealed, it would prove
the salvation of North America and her liberties." This
resolution being transmitted to all the colonies led to
popular meetings which issued in American Independ¬
ence.
1774 A general Congress meets in Philadelphia—petitions for
a redress of grievances, and resolves on a general non¬
importation and non-exportation of all merchantable
commodites.
1775 Lexington and Bunker or Breeds hill battles. A provin¬
cial army formed. Washington appointed comman¬
der in chief. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Chamhlee, St.
John's, and Montreal, taken by the Americans. Fal¬
mouth burnt by the British. Quebec assaulted by the
Americans. Montgomery killed. British, governors
abdicate their governments.
When the American rovolution commenced there were
34 Newspapers printed in the colonies, which now form
the United-States. Of these 13 were published in
New-England, 3 in New-York, 8 in Pennsylvania, 2 in
Maryland, 2 in Virginia, 2 in North-Carolina, 3 in
South-Carolina, and one in Georgia. These, with a
very few exceptions being in the hands of the patriots,
were powerful engines in operating on the public mind
in favor of the revolution. The events of war early drove
several of the printers of patriotic Newspapers from the
seacoast Cities to the interior of the country. There
they extended, and fanned the revolutionary flame, and
were powerful auxiliaries in carrying the inhabitants
successfully through their great work of pulling down
one government and establishing another.
Insurrection of lories in South-Carolina quelled in this and
the next year.
1776 A pamphlet with the signature of Common Sense written
by Thomas Paine, was universally read, and produc¬
ed a revolution in the minds of the people favorable to a
revolution of government, from a royal to a represen¬
tative system.
1776 Boston evacuated by the British troops- Moultrie defeats
the British at Sullivan's Island. Independence declar¬
ed. The colonies take the name of states. The colo¬
ny heretofore called the three lower counties on Dela¬
ware, henceforward is named the state of Delaware.
Battle at Long Island. Americans evacuate Ne\V- York.
Fort Washington taken by the British. Fort Lee eva¬
cuated by the Americans. Washington retreats over
the Delaware, but returns and defeats the Hessians at
Trentort.
1777 Baitles at Princeton, Brandywine and Germarttn^n. Phi-
adelphia'taken by the British.
The Americans evacuate Ticonderoga—fall back, and are
pursued by the British. The Battles of Bennington
and Stillwater arrest the progress of the British army,
and turn the tide of victory against them. The owners
, of the soil rise in mass. Burgoytie surrounded so that
he can neither retreat nor advance surrenders to Gates.
1778 Alliance with Francfc. A French fleet is Sent fo the aid
of the new formed states. Philadelphia evacuated by
the British. Battles of Monmouth aftd Rhode Island.
British commissioners, when too late, offer to the Ame¬
ricans terms of accommodation, which came up to all
they asked for in their unanswered petitions to the king
of Great Britain, in 1774 and 1775.
Savannah taken by'the British.
1779 General Ash defeated at Briar-creek.. An insurrection of
tories in South-Carolina crushed by Gen. Pickens.
South-Carolina invaded by General Provost who marches
to the gates of Charlestown, and demands a surrender
thereof; but without assaulting or besieging it, in 2 days
after retreats from it over Ashley river. Stono battle.
Savannah unsuccessfully assaulted by the French and
Americans.
Stoney Point taken by Wayne, Powles Hook surprized
by Lee.
Unsuccessful expedition against the British post at Pe¬
nobscot.
51
Green Farms "and Norwalk burnt.
Sullivan invades and Lays waste the Indian country in the
state of New-York.
1780 Charleston surrenders to the British on terms of capitu¬
lation. South-Carolina is overrun by the conquerors,
but is gallantly defended by generals Sumter and Ma¬
rion. Gates defeated near Camden. Several Carolini¬
ans aye put to death in cold blood by the British con¬
querors: and about sixty heads of families entitled to
the benefits of the capitulation of Charlestown forcibly
taken from their their houses, and sent as prisoners to
St. Augustine. British and tories defeated at King's
Mountain.
Arnold's treachery. His plan for surrendering West-
Point to the British discovered and defeated.
Constitution of Massachusetts established.
American Academy of Arts and Sciences incorpo¬
rated.
May 19th, an uncommon darkness took place all over
New-England, for about 14 hours, or from 10 or 11
A.M. till midnight. The darkness was so great, that
people were unable to read common print, to tell the
time of the day by their watches, to dine, or transact
their ordinary business without the light of candles.
The people became dull and gloomy. Candles were
generally lighted upin their houses. The birds became
silent. . The fowls retired to roost. Objects could not
be distinguished but at a very little distance, and every
thing bore the appearance and gloom of night. Simi¬
lar days are said to have occurred, but inferior in de¬
gree and extent of darkness. October 21, 1716; Au¬
gust 9, 1732; October 9, 1762; in the northern or
eastern states, and also on October 29, 1789, in Ken¬
tucky. These unusual appearances were not the effect
of eclipses, but were supposed to result from layers of
vapors, some ascending and other descending, so as to
intercept the rays of the sun in their passage to the
earth.
32
1781 Massachusetts Medical Society incorporated. In the next
23 years, similar institutions were formed in almost all
the states, and in some of the larger states more than
ono.
Revolt of the Pennsylvania line, and of the Jersey troops;
the first compromised, the last quelled by force.
Battle of the Cowpens. Tarlton defeated by Morgan.
Green retreats to Virginia, but soon returns. Guil¬
ford Court-House battle. Lord Cornwallis marches
to Virginia—is taken at York-Town.
Green returns to Carolina; engages with Lord Rawdon
near Camden, and soon after recovers the country.
Siege of Ninety-Six—battle of Eutaw. New-London
burnt. Confederation of the United-States completed.
Bank of North America, the first institution of the kind
in the United-States, established in Philadelphia.
The lately victorious British, being themselves driven
from the upperxguntry of South-Carolina, to Charles¬
ton and its vicimljy, drive into exile 1000 of the Caro¬
linians from their homes to the Northern states.
Virginia cedes to the United-States all her territory North-
West of the Ohio, about 200,000,000 acres.
Virginia adopts the preliminary measures for and con¬
sents to the erection of Kentucky into a separate state--
An example worthy of imitation by all states, too large
for an energetic and convenient administration of do¬
mestic polity.
1782. John Adams makes a treaty with Holland. In 1783 a
treaty was made with Sweden, in 1785, with Prussia.
By the latter, it was stipulated by the parties, that free
ships make free goods.
Ninety-six Christian Indians of the Moravian sect, living
at Gnaden Huatten, within the limits of what ismow
the state of Ohio, were cruelly murdered in cold blood
by white savages. The murderers.could assign no
justification, nor even apology for the unhallowed deed.
The] victims of their fury had always been peaceable
and inoffensive, and had taken no part in the war then
3S
drawing to an end. The Indians submitted to their
unavoidable fate with patient resignation, and without
making any resistance. The only charge that could
be alledged against them was, that they were Indians.
Congress did them justice, as far as was in their power,
by reinstating the survivors in the possession of their
lands from which they had been driven.
1782 A ship of 74 guns built at Portsmouth, N. H. This was
the first line of battle ship ever built in America.
Savannah and Charleston evacuated by the British.
Preliminary articles of peace with Great Britain were
agreed upon, by which the following boundaries were
assigned to the United States—" Beginning from the
north-west angle of Nova Scotia, viz. that angle which
is formed by a line drawn due north, from the source of
i
St. Croix river to the Highlands; along sai# Highlands,
which divide thos||rivers that empty themselves into the
river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlan¬
tic ocean, to the north?wes||ig^most head of Connecti¬
cut river; thence down middle of that river
to the forty fifth degree of north latitude; from thence
by a line due west on said latitude until it strikes the
river Iroquois pr Cataraquy; thence along the middle of
said river into lake Ontario; through the middle of that
lake, and of the lakes Erie, Huron, Superior, and the
lake of the Woods; and from the most north-western
point thereof; and from thence on a due west course to
the river Missisippi; thenee by a line to be drawn along
the middle of said river Missisippi until it shall intersect
the northernmost part of the thirty first degree of north
latitude. South, by a line to be drawn clue east, from
the determination of the line last mentioned, in the lat¬
itude of thirty one degrees, north of the equator, to the
middle of the river Apalachicola, thence along the mid¬
dle thereof to its junction with the Flint river; thence
straight to the head of St. Mary's river; and thence
down along the midle of St. Mary's river to the Atlan¬
tic ocean. East, by a line to be drawn along the mid-
E
34
die of the river St. Croix, from its mouth in the Bay of
Fundy to its source; and from its source directly north
to the aforesaid highlands, which divide the rivers that
fall into the Atlantic ocean, from those which fall into
the river St. Lawrence."
1783 American army disbanded. New-York evacuated by the
British. General Washington addresses his countymen
in a circular letter to their respective governors. In
which he inculcated the necessity of an indissoluble un¬
ion of the states uuder one federal head. A sacred re¬
gard to juStice—the adoption of a proper peace establish¬
ment, and the prevalence of such a pacific and friendly
disposition among the people of the United States as
would induce them to forget their local prejudices—to
make mutual concessions for general prosperity, and to
sacrifice individual advantages to the community. After
this pariing advice he resigns his commission and re¬
turns to his farm.
If 84/ The Empress of Gfflifea Ship of 300 tons, sails from New-
York for CantcrosfPiiiis was the beginning of the trade
of the'United States with China.
Bank of Massachusetts incorporated.
1785 The towns of Hudson and Fayetteville founded.
Publick Baths were established in New-York, and in a
few years after in most of the great cities of the United-
States.
The first Cistern in Charleston, s.c. for collecting and pre-
preserving rain-water for domestic use, was built by
William Somersall. In the next 25 years about forty
have been built in the same place, and they all have been
found useful; but their usefulness like that of the co-
temporary banking institutions was least when their aid
was most wanted—Cistern water was worst in times of
drought, the Banks least liberal in times of pecuniary
distress and disappointment.
C. W. Peale of Philadelphia began to collect the natural
curiosities of the country and to form a museum. This
by a judicious arrangement, and successive additions,
35
has grown to immense consequence, highly honorable
to its founder, and the United Sates It began with a
few detached bones of the Mammoth. The indefatiga¬
ble projector continued his "exertions till in. the year
1801, he completed the skeleton of that huge animal,
which excited the attention of many both in Europe and
America. Similar institutions have since been formed
in Boston, New-York, and other cities.
1785 The Philadelphia society for promoting Agriculture was
formed, and was soon followed by similar institutions in
New-York, Massachusetts, South-Carolina, and most of
the states. The Societies of New-York, Philadelphia,
and Massachusetts, have made valuable communica¬
tions to the public.
Humane Society of Massachusetts incorporated. Similar
institutions about the same time were formed in most of
the large towns oi*%ie sea-coast.
An organ set up in a Congregational church in Boston.
1786 Insurrection in Massachusettsji^inst taxes, and the legal
administration of justice.
The Philadelphia Dispensary For the gratuitous medical
care of fhe sick poor in their own houses established.
This was the first institution of the kind in the United
States, and *as soon followed by similar establishments
in Boston, New-York, Baltimore, Charleston, s.c. and
other cities.
Massachusetts passes an act for establishing a mint
for the coinage of gold, silver, and copper. Great in¬
conveniences are felt from the imbecillity of an_advisory
federal government.
Connecticut Society of Arts formed.
Connecticut cedes to the United States all th elands with¬
in her chartered limits West of Pennsylvania, with are-
serve of about four millions of acres 500,000 acres,
part of this reserve, was granted by the State to the in¬
habitants of New-London, Fairfield, and Norwalk, whose
property had been destroyed by the British troops in the
revolutionary war. The remainder was sold in 179S
38
tion of this Constitution, had a decided influence in pro¬
curing its acceptance, by enlightening the public mind
in the true principles of government, and removing
prejudices in favor of a high toned state sovereignty
incompatible with the general good.
The Presbyterians form four ^ynods, and a General As¬
sembly.
17 S3 Card manufactory set up in Boston. A machine for cut¬
ting card-teeth had been previously invented by Mr.
Chittenden of Connecticut.
The Society for Propagating the Gospel among the hea¬
then, formed by members of the Episcopal Church of
the United Brethren, or Unitaa Firatrum, was incorpo¬
rated by the State of Pennsylvania. The preamble to
the^act of incorporation states, " That since the year of
ot^P^ord 1740, when the said Church began to make
settlements in America, the principal aim of their mem¬
bers coming over from Europe *as, to carry the gloria
ous truths of t|||ppospel to the Indians, and that they
had continued thhm labors for that purpose without in¬
termission.*'
Culture of cotton on a large scale began in Georgia, and
soon after in Carolina. About the same time Plaster
of Paris was introduced as a manure, and greatly in¬
creased the fertility of the soil in many of the states.
1789 New constitution, and president Washington inauguiated.
Episcopal Convention in Philadelphia revises the book of
Common Prayer, and adapts it to the new political si¬
tuation of the United tates.
Dr. arrol of Maryland cosecrated bishop, and Soon after
archbishop of the Roman Catholic church. He was the
first and only Roman Catholic bishop in North Ame¬
rica.
Influenza pervades the United States, and again in 1808.
Jedidiah Morse publishes his American geography, and
Noah Webster his dissertations on the English lang¬
uage; both original* works, arid the first of their kind, by
natives of the United States. :
S9
1790 Columbia, near the center of South-Carolina, becomes the
seat of government. This was first established at Beau¬
fort in 1670, next on the west banks of Ashley river in
1671, next in Charleston in 1680, where it continued
110 years.
The first census of the United States taken. Their ag¬
gregate number is 3.929, 326.
Kentucky detached by common consent from Virginia
is made an independent State.
The western territory, ceded by North Carolina to the Uni¬
ted States, is made a territorial government of the lat¬
ter, and soon after an independent state.
Secretary Hamilton makes his celebrated report on pro¬
viding for the public debt. This was substantially
adopted, and produced a sudden and extraordinary me¬
lioration of the state of the country.
A law passed for securing copy right to authors.
An orphan house established in Charleston
1791 Moultrieville, on Sullivan's Island, began to be built and
settled as a place of health.
United Sates bank with a capital of $ 10,000,000, is estab¬
lished in Philadelphia, 100 years after the establishment
of the bank of England. Both were the fruits and ef¬
fects of a revolution. The United States Bank was the
fourth in the United Sates, but in the next 30 years
Banks increased so rapidly that there were from three
to eight in several of the states, and 103 in the United
States, whose whole aggregate capital was above 58
million of dollars.
St. Clair was attacked by Indians in the north western ter¬
ritory and defeated with the loss of 600 men.
1792 National mint established.
A plan of union between the general assembly of the Pres¬
byterian church in the United States, and the general
association of Congregational churches in Connecticut,
adopted.
1793 Neutrality between the .belligerents of Europe proclaim¬
ed by Washington.
40
b793 The Westleyan Methodist, whose preachers first visited
America, in 1769, had in 24 years increased to upwards
of 60,000. In 15 years more, or in 1808, they had in¬
creased to upwards of 120 thousand whites and ot 30,000
blacks or'people of color.
5645 persons died of the yellow fever in Philadelphia. In
1798, 1310 persons died of the same malady in New-
York. This disease which had taken place before on
an average only once in 30 or 40 years, began about
this time to recur much more frequently in several of
the large sea ports of the United States. In the treat¬
ment of this disease Dr. Rush successfully introduced
a more liberal use of the lancet, and of mercury, than
was usual. This practice was extended to the higher
gM|le of inflammatory complaints, and was found in
nlS|§rcases to answer better than the feeble modes of
practice which had been copied from European physi¬
cians. In time it assumed the name of the American
System of Practice-
The domestic useYif ice in summer, and the erection of
ice-houses for its preservation, which had been intro¬
duced about the year 1777 in New-York, began about
this time to be common in the Middle and Northern
states. The project succeeded as far south as Charles¬
ton, s.c. under the direction of Jeremiah Jessop, from
the year 1790 till 1802.
Ship-building commenced on the Ohio; and several large
vessels have since been annually built on its banks,
which after passing over an inland navigation of more
than 2000 miles, reach the gulf of Mexico loaded with
country produce, but^seldom return.
The proprietors of the Middlesex canal in Massachusetts,
for connecting Merrimack river with Boston, were in¬
corporated. In 1804 the canal was finished.
1794 Insurrection in Penny lvania against the excise on spiritu¬
ous liquors. Washington puts himself at the head of
a large army to quell the insurgents, which was effect¬
ed without bloodshed.
4X
794 Thaurrections, and an unsettled state of government, drive
many hundreds of the French West-India planters to
the United States. These new-comers introduce a
more general use of cold and particularly of tepid baths*
Wayne completely defeats the Indians in the territory
N. W. of the Ohio, and afterwards makes a treaty with
them. By this and other treaties made about the same
time, a great extent of country, in the occupation of
the aborigines, was by them peaceably, and for a valu¬
able consideration, transferred to the United States.
John Jay makes a treaty with Great-Britain. In conse¬
quence thereof the British surrender all their posts
within the limits of the United States.
Massachusetts Historical Society, for collecting materials
for the history of the United States, was incorporated*
In about 12 years after a similar one was established
in New-York. The Massachusetts Society has pub¬
lished ten interesting volumes, for which they are en¬
titled to the thanks not only of the present, but of un¬
born generations.
Bridges built over the Piscataqua, and the Merrimack ri¬
vers. The former though built of wood, consisted of
only one arch, whose span is 244 feet. It was planned
and built by Palmer and Whiting.
1795 Major Pinckney makes a treaty with Spain by which sun¬
dry points in dispute between the two countries are set¬
tled, particularly the navigation of the Missisippi.
A vessel sails for theJEast Indies frqm Charleston, South-
Carolina.
About this time it began to be common for the planters
in the low country of South-Carolina to retire from their
houses in the vicinity of stagnant water, with the view
of spending a great part of the summer and autumn on
the sea-shore, or in the high and dry pine land. By the
change they generally gained an exemption from com¬
mon fevers; and by being brought together in villages,
as was commonly the case, were more disposed to erect
schools and churches for their common benefit.
F
42
1795 About this time General Eaton, when consul at Tunis,
sent to Philadelphia a ram of the broad-tailed breed of
sheep in Africa. From this source this valuable spe¬
cies of sheep has been extensively propagated. Its
fleece is of the first quality.
A bridge built over the Rariton.
Pennsylvania passes a law for establishing schools through¬
out the state.
The first Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation establish¬
ed. The construction of artificial roads began a few
years before in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and rapi¬
dly extended north to the falls of Niagara, and south
as far as the Potomac. 50 turnpike companies were in¬
corporated in Connecticut between 1803 and 1808, and
in that period they had completed 770 miles of artificial
roads. InNewYork, between the years 1801 and 1808
there were 67 companies incorporated, with a capital of
5 millions of dollars, for the purpose of making 3000
miles of artificial roads; and 21 other companies with a
capital of $400,000, for making 21 toll-bridges. A si¬
milar spirit of improvement with regard to inland navi¬
gation, roads* and bridges, pervaded the neighboring
states.
Washington declines a re.election as president, and in a
solemn valedictory address to his fellow citizens, incul¬
cates on them " to bear incessantly on their minds, that
nations as well as individuals were under the moral go¬
vernment of an infinitely wise, just & good providence—
that the foundation of their happiness was morality and
religion—that union among themselves was their rock
of safety—and that to venerate their constitution and
laws was to insure their liberties."
The legislature of Georgia passes a law for the sale of sev¬
eral millions of acres of her Western territory, but after
anew election repeals it on the ground of corruption in
the preceding assembly.
The Aqueduct Society, for bringing fresh water from Ja¬
maica pond to Boston, was incorporated. About the
43
same time extensive works yere commenced for supply¬
ing Philadelphia, New fork, and other cities with water
delivered from tubes which terminated in the houses
of the inhabitants. Similar works, but on a smaller
scale, soon began to be common in. the towns, villages,
and piivate dwelling houses in most of the old states, and
were occasionally to be found in the recent post revolu¬
tionary states.
3 795 A committee was appointed by the yearly meeting of
Friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for promoting
the improvement and gradual civilization of the Indian
nations. The measures adopted by this committee be¬
ing founded in wisdom and carried on with spirit have
been uncommonly successful.
The second cotton mill was erected in Rhode Island. The
first had been erected in 1791. In the succeeding 15
years there were 87. In these the number of spindles
was 80,000-«~persons employed 4000—Cotton used
3,600,000 lbs—yarn spun '2,880,000 lbs—value 3,140,000
dollars.
i79(5 Zephaniah Swift publishes a system of the laws ot Con¬
necticut.' This was the first work of the kind publish¬
ed in the United States. In the whole period anterior
to the American revolution there was not a single repor¬
ter of law cases in the colonial courts. Soon after the
establishment of free constitutions, and in consequence
of the spirit of investigation and expansion of mind
which grew out of them, considerable light was thrown
on the jurisprudence of the United States by original
writers, and particularly by a multitude of reporters.
Between the years 1798 and 1810, eminent jurists in
nine of the 13 original states, favored the public with re¬
ports of cases in the courts of theUnited States, or ol
their respective states. These and other original pub¬
lications on law within the last 12 years, as :ar as can be
recollected, were as follows:- Washington's Reports
Virginia. Bay's ditto South-Carolina. Root's ditto
44
Connecticut. Haywood's ditto North-Carolina. Lex
Mercatoria Americana by George Caines New-York.
Gray don's Digest Pennsylvania. • Wilsons Lectures on
law. Cases in Error New-York by Geofge Caines.
New-York Term Reports Supreme Court of that State
by George Caines. Cranche's ditto of Cases in Su¬
preme Court of United-States. Peter's Admiralty deci¬
sions Pennsylvania. Dallas's Reports Pennsylvania.
Day's ditto Connecticut. Penningtons ditto New-Jer¬
sey. Call's ditto Virginia. Hennings and Mumford's
ditto Virginia. Massachusetts ditto by Ephraim Wil¬
liams. Maryland ditto by Thomas Harris, jun«
and John M'Heriry. Tyler's ditto Vermont. Hall's
Practice Admiralty. Bee's Admiralty Reports South-
Carolina. Johnson's ditto New-York. The science of
Law several years preceding the present period 1810,
had been regularly taught in the college of William
and Mary Virginia by Judge Tucker—In the Univer¬
sity of Pennsylvania, by Judge Wilson—and in a private
institution, by Judge Reevers of Connecticut. These
attempts for systemising the laws of the Union, and of
the several states, and for the regular instruction of
students of law, have had a happy effect in diffusing cor¬
rect judicial knowledge, and in relieving the jurispru*
dence of the United-States from dependence on that oi
foreign countries whose governments are organised on
different principles.
1796 Machines for beating out rice by water, contrived by
Mr. Lucas, are generally introduced, and save an im¬
mensity of manual labor.
Great fires in Charleston, and in Savannah. There have
been great fires in the former in 1700, 1740, 1778, and
very lattely in 1810.
Hackney Coaches in Boston (then 51 in number, but they
have since increased to more than 100) were regulated
by law. There were at the same time 100 daily ply¬
ing in Baltimore. Nothing of the kind was known be¬
fore the revolution.
45
1196 Lynn in Massachusetts exports annnually 300,000 pair of
shoes.
1797 An Embassy of three, consisting of Charles Cotesworth
Pinckney, John Marshal, and lilbridge Gerry, was sent
to France, but not received.
Richard Peters, who several years before had acquired
from Jacob Barge a knowledge of the fertilizing virtues
®f Pjaster of Paris, published the result of his experi¬
ence in its favor.: He had previously recommended it
as a manure, and furnished samples to farmers for ex¬
periment. From this small beginning it came into
such general use, especially in the middle stales, that
14,000 tons of it, enough to plaster 175,000 acres, were
imported into Philadelphia in the year 1807. It was
found greatly to increase the fertility of the soil. The
demand for it increased every year, and daily experi¬
ence multiplied ihe evidences of its great and general
utility.
The publication of the Medical repository by Drs. Mitchel,
Miller, and E. H. Smith, commenced in New-York.
This was the first work of the kind in the United-States.
It has been continued quarterly ever since, and con¬
tributed largely to the diffusion of useful knowledge,
particularly in the medical department, and its auxiliary-
branches, natural history, and chemistry. Publications of
a similar nature in Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore,
soon followed.
|7§8 Dobson of Philadelphia edited an American edition of the
British Encyclopedia. This was the first work of the
kind in the United States, and had many readers. It >
was followed in a few years by an edition of Reese's
Cyclopedia. From both the knowledge of the arts
and sciences became much more common than was
the case before their publication. These extensive
works, gave a new spring to the art of engraving in
the United-States which before had languished from
the want of employment.
A law passed authorising the capture of French armed
vessels. Also a law for raising a provisional army
46
against a French invasion. George Washington ap¬
pointed commander in chief.
J799 Opposition was made by some of the inhabitants of Penn¬
sylvania to an act of Congress, for imposing a tax on
houses and lands throughout the United States,
which threatened serious consequences, but it was quell¬
ed without bloodshed.
The French government having made a fresh proposal
for negotiation, president Adams appointed Oliver Els-
worth, William Richardson, Davie and William Vans
Murray, envoys to the French Republic, to discuss and
settle by treaty, all controversies between the United
States and France. On their arrival in Paris they found
the late five directors overthrown, and Buonaparte in
the chair of government, by the title of First Consul.
He sejttled all matters by a convention with the Ameri¬
can deputies in the year 1S00.
The French frigate Insurgente taken by Truxton.
The American militia was upwards of 354,000 and the
seamen upwards of 63,000.
1800 American navy consisted of 42 vessels and 950 guns.
East India marine society formed at Salem
Vaccination introduced by Dr. Waterhouse,and extensive¬
ly propagated over the United-States by many, and par¬
ticularly by John Vaughan of Philadelphia.
Boats begin to pass through the canal in South-Carolina,
extending 22 miles between Santee and Cooper rivers
This work cost the proprietors above g> 600,000—a
sum exceeding seven times the amount of what the
province had sold for 72 years before.
1801 The new century was hailed by Sermons, orations address¬
es, reviews, and retrospects. One of these delivered in
the form of a sermon in New-York, by Samuel Mil¬
ler D. D. was afterwards expanded into two interesting
volumes. In these the principal improvements, which in
the course of the preceding 100 years had been ac¬
complished for the benefit of mankind, were brought in¬
to viewi
47
1801 Provisional army disbanded.
National government removed to Washington.
1 he manufacture of straw bonnets commenced in Wren-
tham, Massachusetts, and proceeded so rapidly, that
after eight years the proceeds amounted annually to
S 100,000.
1802 Merino sheep were introduced by R. R. Livington, and
Col. Humphries, and extensively propagated. The
commencement of cattle shews sheep shearings, and
an increased attention to the improvement of domestic
animals were nearly cotemporaneous events. About
the same time the recently extensive cultivation of cot¬
ton in the southern states and the more extended use of
plaster of Paris as a manure had became so general
as to add immensely to the wealth of the United States.
Literary Fairs for the sale and exchange of books intro¬
duced.
Essays mathematical and physicial published by Jared
Mansfield of Connecticut. This was the first volume
in the higher branches of the Mathematics which had
been presented to the public by a native American.
The Spanish Intendant of New-Orleans, by proclama¬
tion, forbad Americans to deposit their effects in that
port.
1803 Louisiana purchased by R. R. Livington, for the United-
States, from the French, for $ 15,000,000.
Elements of Botany, published by professor Barton of
Philadelphia. The first work of the kind presented to
the public by a native American.
1804 A bed of gold was found in Cabarus county, North-Caro¬
lina from which as much gold was gathered in a short
time as when coined was equal to 11,000,
About this time many publications were made of the travels
of Europeans in the United-States, ip which much ig¬
norance of human nature, and of the philosophy of so¬
ciety in a new country, was displayed by superficial
tourits, destitute of talents for discriminative observation.
Great Hurricane in South-Carolina and Georgia.
48
1805 A Botanic garden instituted in Charleston, and a Botanic
Society incorporated by the legislature of South-Caroli¬
na. Botanic gardens were formed about the same time
In the vicinity of New-York, and Boston. The former
by Dr. Hosack, the latter by the university of Cam*
bridge.
A professorship in Natural History established in Har¬
vard . 'ollege by private subscription. W. Dandridge
Peck, the first professor.
The covered permanent bridge over Schuylkil, near
Philadelphia, 1300 feet in length, with S arches, the
span of the central one being 194 ieet long, was com¬
pleted for passage. The eastern pier was erected in a
depth of water of 21 to 24 feet in a coffer dam, the lower
course of masonry being bolted in the rock at bottom.
The western pier was in like manner erected on a rock
41 feet below the surface of the water. Richard Peters
was president of the company which projected, under¬
took, and in forty months completed this extraordinary
bridge.
1806 About this time, S. Godon a distinguished French mine¬
ralogist visited tne United-States, and made frequent
excursions, from his varied residences to explore the
country. By his lectures, conversation, and example,
he turned the attention of many of the citizens to the
study of mineralogy to such a degree as promises to be
of great utility.
Captains, Lewis, and Clarke, returned to St. Louis, after
having with the loss of only one man out of 45 traversed
the North American continent, from the mouth of the
Missouri to the Pacific ocean in 28 months and 10 days,
making the whole distance from the confluence of the
Missouri and Missi^ippi to the discharge of the Columbia
river into the Pacific Ocean, to be 3555 miles in a line
corresponding with the course of these rivers, and in a
direct line of about 40 miles from one to the other.
The distance between the source and the mouth of the
Missouri was 3096 miles.
49
i 806 An embryo conspiracy against the United States crushed*
Whole countries & extensive coasts, particularly from the
Elb to Brest, on part of England, and of all the British
Isles on part of France, are virtually blockaded against
the Americans, by orders and decrees of the European
belligerents prohibiting all commercial intercourse with
them, though without any adequate blockading force on
the part of England, or any whatever on part of France.
1807 Commerce of United States for a series of years disturb¬
ed by England and France retaliating on each other at
the expense of neutrals. Impediments to foreign com¬
merce drew the public attention to manufacturing eg-
tablishments, particularly in the eastern and middle
States. -
The 200th anniversary of the foundation of Jamestown in
Virginia, the spot on which was planted the first germ
of the present population of the U. States, was celebrat¬
ed on its deserted site as a jubilee, with orations, fes¬
tivity, &c. No vestiges of this primitive settlement
then remained but old tombstones, and the ruins of a
church-steeple. The corresponding event of the land¬
ing of the first settlers of New-England at Plymouth
in 1620, has long been annually celebrated both in Ply¬
mouth and Boston by the sons of the pilgrims, with an
ardor approaching to enthusiasim.
Four seamen are killed on board the American frigate
Chesapeake, within the waters of the United-States, in
an attack made on her in the time of peace, by order of
the British admiral Berkely, and four other seamen ta¬
ken out of her. The British had long been in the habit
of impressing seamen from American ships, though
they have no legal authority for impressing their own
seamen in their own ships or ports. The attack on the
Chesapeake roused all the sensibilities of the United
States; but destitute of an adequate navy they were ob¬
liged to submit to the insult. The act of Berkely was
disavowed by his royal master, but the acknowledged
G
50
offender has not been punished and no satisfaction for
his unauthorised barbarity has yet been made.
1808 A general embargo imposed by law on the United States
operates through the whole of the year. The distresses
occasioned thereby were patiently borne by several of
the states; but very impatiently by others which had
been the cradle of iberty and sacrificed largely in its
support.
Secretary Gallatin makes his celebrated report on inland
navigation and artificial roads. Several of his project-
improvements are b> an icipation introduced in the an¬
nexed map, and some new ones are added.
Columbian Spinster invented by Mr. M'Bride, which
gins, cards, rolls, and spins cotton at the same time.
A Divinity College was established at Andover in Massa¬
chusetts. Funds for its support to an amount exceed¬
ing $ 110,000 were raised by private subscriptions.
From this source provision was made not only for the
maintenance of candidates for the ministry but for ade¬
quate salaries to professors in every department neces¬
sary to form the complete Theologian and accomplish¬
ed preacher. Divinity had been regularly taught by
Professors in Harvard College ever since the year 1722,
and in Yale College since 1756, and occasionally in the
college of Pinceton since 1768. A plan for the instruc¬
tion ©f Theological students was devised about the year
1770, by the Reformed Dutch Church, which though for
several years suspended has been carried into full effect
under the direction of Dr. Livingston ever since L796.
An institution of the same kind was formed by the Asso¬
ciate Reformed S) nod of North America, and commit¬
ted to the care of Dr. Mason, which had been in com¬
plete operation since the year 1806. In the third year
after the institution of the Andover divinity school, four
of its pupils by name Adoniram Judson jun. Samuel
Nott jun. Samuel J. Mills, & Samuel Newell, magnani-
ously offered themselves to serve as missionaries to
Heathen nations for life.
51
1808 Charles Thomson who had acted as secretary of the re¬
volutionary Congress, from its first meeting in 1774., till
it was superseded by the new constitution in'1789, com¬
pleted a new translation of the Bible into the English
language.
1808. 9. 10. Thirteen Bible Societies, composed of Christians ol
various sects, were formed for the purpose of gratui¬
tously distributing cheap editions of the Bible, one of
these was in Philadelphia, four in Massachusetts, two
in New-York, one in Connecticut, one in New-Jersey,
three in South-Carolina, and one in Georgia.
Thomas Jefferson declines a reelection aB President—Jas.
Madison elected his successor.
The embargo being evaded by individuals, and resisted by
some of the states, is repealed, and a prohibition of all
commercial intercourse with the belligerents nations
substituted in its place.
1809 Erskine Minister plenipotentiary from his Britannick
majesty to the U. States, in the month of April pledg¬
es his court to repeal its antineutral decrees by the 10th
of the next June. In consequent# of this engagement
President Madison repeals the non-intercourse law, and
opens a free trade to Great Britain. Great quantities of
American commodities are exported to that country.
But Erskine's engagements are disavowed by his king
after the Americans had completely executed their part
of the contract.
Great Britain sends out Jackson a new minister, who in¬
stead of apologising for his king's disavowal of the ar¬
rangements made with his plenipotentiary endeavors to
fasten the blame of it on the U. States, as having con¬
cluded an arrangement with Erskine which they knew he
had no power to make. This being denied by the Ame¬
rican government, and reasserted by Jackson, after he
was admonished to the contrary by Secretary Smith,
all father intercourse with him is refused.
In this and the preceding 19 years upwards of 1200 pat¬
ents for inventions were issued from the patent office of
52
the United States. Several of these were highly useful,
and from the whole an inference may be drawn very
honorable to the energy of the American character.
There were 2000 post offices in the United States. In
1793 there were only 195. In 1773 only 52.
IS 10 American manufactures had increased to so great an ex¬
tent, that their annual product was stated by Secretary
Gallatin on the ground of official returns, to exceed 120
millions of dollars.
$ 2,500-000 were paid in two days by the subscribers to a
fourth bank, projected in Charleston, South-Carolina by
the name of the Union-Bank. 27 years before, when
the institution of a bank was first proposed in the same
place, it fell through from the want of subscribers to
complete its small capital of $ 100,000.
A volume of Wilson's American Ornithology was publish¬
ed. The first work of the kind by a citizen of the Uni¬
ted States.
The History of Printing in America was published by
Isaiah Thomas. An useful original work, casting great
light on the early literature of the English colonies.
From this it appears that " There are in the United
States upwards of 169 paper-mills. Of these there are
in New-England 66, in Vermont 9, New-York 12, De¬
laware 4, Maryland 3, Virginia 4, Kentucky 6, Ten¬
nessee 4, South-Carolina 1." In this one, coarse paper
is made from corn husks. These mills are constantly
employed, and the demand for paper is daily rising.
Besides a large number of presses for printing books,
« The number of establishments for printing newspa¬
pers is about three hundred and forty-nine. Of these
27 are daily papers. The whole number of newspapers
annually circulated in the United States is above 22
millions. These newspaper establishments are distri¬
buted throughout the United States as follows: In New-
England 62, in Vermont 14, New-York 66, New-Jer¬
sey 8, Pennsylvania 71, Delaware 2, Maryland 21,
53
District of Columbia 6, Virginia 23, North-Carolina 10,
South-Carolina 9, Georgia 13, Kentucky 17, Tennes¬
see 6, Ohio 14, Indiana Territory 1, Missisippi Terri¬
tory 4, Orleans Territory 10, Louisiana 1
1810 Lectures on anatomy and Chemistry ■were delivered to
about 50 pupils by Dr. L. Spalding and Dr. Noyes, at
Fairfield Academy in Herkimer County, State of New-
York, 200 miles from the ciiy of New-York, and in a
place the settlement of which had commenced since the
revolutionary war.
From a census of the nation of Cherokee Indians it appear¬
ed that their number is 12,395. Number of their cat¬
tle 19,500. Of their horses 600. Of their hogs 19,600.
Of their sheep 2,637. They have in actual operation
13 grist mills, 3 saw mills, 3 salt-petre works, and one
powder mill. They have 30 waggons, 480 ploughs,
1600 spinning wheels, and 467 looms. These advances
towards civilization commenced about the year 1796,
and have rapidly increased since 1803. The number
of Bibles and Testaments circulated among them has
exceeded 600, They have several public houses and
well kept ferries, and many of their youths are learning-
handicraft trades.
The emperor of France/makes $ general seizure of float¬
ing American property in European ports subject to his
control. Shortly after he repeals his antineutral de¬
crees, commonly called the Berlin and Milan decrees.
The manufactory of artificial mineral waters, which had
before originated in the middle and northern States, was
introduced into Charleston, s. c. Charles Dewar Si¬
mons contrived a mode of impregnating common water
with fixed air in 14 minutes which before was not usu¬
ally effected in less than 30 hours.
About this time the constitutional court of appeals in the
state of South-Carolina (all the Judges of the court be¬
ing present) gave their unanimous opinion that, in a cri¬
minal prosecution for a libel, the defendant could not
justify by giving the truth in evidence. The opinion of
54'
the court was given at full length with the reasons of it,
in which arguments were offered in support of the Com¬
mon Law of England on the subject of Libels, as being
founded in reason, morality, and a sacred regard to the
peace of society.
1810 Since the inauguration of the National Constituion, regu¬
lar accounts of the tonnage, revenue, and exports of the
United States have been kept. These as far as brought
up at the seat of government, about the middle of 1810,
are summarily as follows—
Date.
JZx/iorts- In dols.
Revenue. <
l^unnagf.
1791
19,012,040
4,771,200
1792
20,753,097
8,771,600
1793
26,109,572
6,450,195
491,790
1794 -
30,026,233
9,439,855
628,617
1795
47,989,472
9,515,758
747,964
1796
67,064,097
8,740,329
831,900
1797
51,294,7 10
8,758,780
876,912
1798
61,327,448
8,179,170
. 898,329
1799
78,665,522.
12,549,381
939,408
1800
70,971,780
12,413,978
972,492
1S01
93,020,513
12,945,455
1,033,219
1802
71,957,144
14,995,793
892,104
1803
55,800,033
11,064,097
949,172
1804
' 77,699,074
11,826,307
1,042,404
1805
95,566,021
13,560,693
1,140,368
1806
101,536,963
15,559,936
1,208,735
1807
108,344,150
16,398,019
1,268,548
1808
22,430,960
17,060,661
1,243,595
1809
52,203,233
A wooden bridge 2187 feet long extending over Ashley
river in the vicinity of Charleston, s. c. was completed
so far as to be passable within seven months after it was
begun. Mr. Mills of Boston was the architect, and
William Crafts of Charleston, s. c. president of the com¬
pany which projected and completed this important
work.
ADVERTISEMENT.
NOW READY FOR THE PRESS,
And as soon as an arrangement can be made with a printer will
commence the publication of a series of Historical volumes
whieh when finished will assume the title of
Universal History Americanised,
OR
An Historical view of the world from the earlieist records till the
19th century, with a particular reference to the state of society,
literature, religion, & form of government, in the United States
of America.
BY DAVID RAMSAY, M. D.
" Life is so short and time so valuable that it were haftfiy fori
us if all great works we're reduced to their quintessence.'*
Sir William Jones.
" Primaque ab origine mundi
" Ad mea fierfietuum deducite temfiora carmenOvid.
The Asiatic part of this work contains a general view of the
antediluvians—of the general deluge—of the resettlement of the
globe after that great event—of the primitive postdiluvian na¬
tions, which were formed in Asia the cradle of the world. Their
various ramifications, revolutions, and of the general course of
empire.
The African part contains a concise history of Egypt, Car¬
thage, Numidia, Mauritania, Abyssinia, of the Piratical States,
and the Hottentots, with a grouped view of its uncivilized set¬
tlements.
The European part contains the history of Greece and Rome
from their origin to their dissolution—of the various nations
which were conquered by them, and of the nations by which the
Romans themselves were finally conquered, and of the nations
which were formed from the fragments of the Roman empire,
and the various revolutions of the latter, together with a gene-
ral viewBof the nations which never were subjected to the Ro¬
mans.
The American part contains a general history of the West¬
ern Continent, under the heads of Free, European, and Aborigi¬
nal or unconquered America. The first contains a history of
the United States from their settlement as English colonies till
the present time—the second of all parts dependent on Europe,
and the third of all that are still owned by the Aborigines.
It is expected that the whole will be comprehended in 10 or
12 volumes of about 500 pages each—to be printed on good pas
per and with good types; and offered for sale, bound in boards,
for §3 each volume, or half that sum for haif-volumes.
This work has been in contemplation upwards of forty years.
The project of it was conceived in 1708 on reading the Univer¬
sal History, then recently edited, in 60 volumes, by a Society of
Gentlemen in England. The original idea of extracting the
quintessence of that voluminous work, which contained the most
complete system of history thewoild had then seen, has ever
since been enlarging and improving by an attentive perusal of
the histories written by Robertson, Hume, Gibbon, and other
modern authors—of the Asiatic researches—of the works of Sir
William Jones, and other learned Orientalists—the publications
of intelligent travellers who in the course of the last half centu¬
ry have explored almost every region of the globe. These col¬
lectively have thrown a blaze of light on countries comparative¬
ly unknown, and on portions both of ancient and modern history
which were confused and obscure at the period when the writers
of the Universal History published their invaluable work. The
arrangement of materials collected from these sources com¬
menced in the year 17 80, when in consequence of the surren¬
der of Charleston to sir Henry Clinton the author was suddenly
released from a sea of business and sent as a prisoner of war to
the British garrison then in St. Augustine, and there confined
for eleven months, without any peculiar employment. Steady
progress has been made for the last ten years in correcting and
transcribing the work for publication.
The History of the United States is given at full length—that
of foreign countries is more or less expanded or contracted in
proportion to the intrinsic importance of each—its tendency to
illustrate portions of Holy Writ—-the Greek and Latin Classics
--and also in proportion to its connection with the United States,
or as furnishing useful practical information to its citizens, or as
the paternal soil of their ancestors*