HISTORY OF THE UNITED G S\ «taHBiki*^a*Bla (if Class _^Xl/_f_ Book * / ()OBTig]itN?__J^ CQEXRIGHT DEPOStn / <^ / ^ A^ A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FOR SCHOOLS BY WILBUR F. GORDY FORMERLY StJPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.; AUTHOX OF "ELEMENTARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES." AMERICANT LEADERS AND HEROES," AMERICAN BEGINNINGS IN EUROPE." "STORIES OF AMERICAN EXPLORERS." "COLONIAL DAYS." "STORIES OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY," " STORIES Of LATER AMERICAN HISTORY " WITH MANY ILLUSTRA TIONS AND MAPS NEW EDITION CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS NEW VOkK CHICAGO BOSTON ^Ib f /7S COPYRIGHT, 1898, 1895, 1904, 1910. 1911. 1913, iQU. 1916. BY Charles scribner's Sons AUG 30 1916 PRINTERS AND BINDERS HAMMOND, Indian* f^CJL ''iJf^^^^ /^ ^ yi^ I. H. G. PREFACE The function of both the writer and the teacher of his- tory is to explain the meaning of human hfe as revealed in the records of the past. In the case of both the historian and the teacher much depends upon a nice discrimination in choosing typical facts, for their nature rather than their number should be the guiding principle. This is especially true in the teaching of history in grammar grades, where the purpose is not so much to acquire a considerable body of knowledge as to develop in the pupil an interest in history and a taste for historical reading. In this book care has been taken not only to select typical events but so to group them that their full value may be appreciated as causes or as results. The reader is invited to examine briefly the plan of the book. After a short chapter on early discoveries follows an account of the struggle, on the part of the Spaniards, the English, the Dutch, and the French, for control in the New World. In accordance with the general purpose of select- ing significant events, many romantic and interesting adven- tures have been omitted from the body of the text, in order to give more space to topics of greater importance. But enough has been told to explain the nature of the explora- tions, their objects, and methods, and the reasons for failure or success in planting colonies. In the treatment of the English colonies, only typical vii • •• VUi PREFACE ones are chosen and they are divided in three groups. Vir- ginia and Maryland represent the Southern group; Massa- chusetts and Connecticut, the New England group; and New York and Pennsylvania, the Middle group. A few things should be noted in connection with the treatment of the colonies. In the first place, the history of each group is brought down to 1689, a turning-point in American history. The pupil can thus study separately the three parallel streams of colonial history, without the inevi- table and almost inextricable confusion which must attend a strictly chronological treatment of the thirteen colonies, whether taken up singly or all together. In the second place, emphasis is laid upon what is important; the selec- tion of typical colonies and of typical events in the life of these colonies must, of course, give more space for intelli- gent and interesting treatment of illustrative facts. In the third place, certain definite characteristics of the people in any one of the groups can, by comparison and contrast, be distinctly brought out by this method of study. Of course there is an elimination of some matter gener- ally used in text-books. At the ends of chapters, however, may be found, in the " Notes," reference to the colonies not treated fully in the body of the text. The subject-matter of these " Notes " has been carefully selected and will, it is believed, supply nearly all that is needed in schools where the conditions require a special handlingof the colony in question. Up to 1689 there was little of the spirit of union among the colonies. To a great extent each w^ent its own way. But after 1689, three sets of influences — Indian wars, troub- les with the French, and difficulties with the royal and the proprietary governors — gradually brought the colonies into closer sympathy and prepared them for union. To make clear the working of these three sets of historic forces, <"he PREFACE IX topics introducing them are given in the following order: " Life among the Indians " and " Indian Wars "; " French Explorations" and the ''Last French War"; and "Life among the Colonies " and " Growth toward Union." Special attention is called to the facts selected to explain the real meaning of the intercolonial struggle between the English and the French. Of the four Intercolonial Wars^ the only one worthy of study in grammar schools is the Last French War. By omitting the other three, space is gained for a more complete discussion of the one that had altogether the most important bearing upon American history. If the pupil thoroughly studies this war he will know the meaning of the struggle between England and France for control in America'. In the Revolution, as in all other w^ars, causes and results are emphasized rather than campaigns and battles ; military details are avoided, only a few significant battles being given to enable the pupil to understand the character of the fighting. The pertinent question here as elsewhere is: Does the fact serve to give the pupil clear ideas of the past as an interpreter of the present? In applying this test in the study of history, we soon find ourselves passing lightly over or omitting altogether much that has found a con- spicuous place in class-room work. In the Constitutional period, the traditional grouping of topics according to Presidential administrations has been abandoned in the belief that the sequence of events can be more clearly understood by a logical grouping. But those who prefer to use the traditional method can easily adapt it to this book. Numerous references are made, in the notes " To the Pupil," to the Presidents and their terms of ofhce, and a carefully prepared table containing a list of the Presi- dents and important facts about them may be found in the X PREFACE Appendix. Moreover, portraits of all the Presidents and sketches of their lives have been given an appropriate place. Inasmuch as the colonization of the West has played so large a part in our history, no apology need be made for the prominence given to Western settlement, Western life, the difhcult problems of connecting the East and the West, the effect of Western expansion upon the slavery controversy and immigration, the influence of the prairies and the Pacific railroads, and so on. In discussing the development of the West, the intimate relation existing between man and the physical conditions that surround him is made evident. Indeed, throughout the book the marked influence of geography upon history has been distinctly recognized. But, however important physical conditions may be, history concerns itself more largely with moral than with material life. Accordingly, the personal actor has been given emphasis. In portraits, autographs, biographical sketches, and in the conspicuous mention made of represen- tative men, the moral element has bean kept uppermost. For man dominating his physical and social surroundings is the central fact of history. The very cordial reception given to the previous editions of this book has been most gratifying. In this new edition the history has been brought down to date. Although many changes in the text have not been found necessary, yet, whenever in the interests of a more useful book such changes have seemed advisable they have been unhesitat- ingly made. The excellence of the maps and pictures in the editions already published has won hearty commenda- tion for their helpfulness in illuminating and supplementing the text. In closing,- the author wishes to express his deep obliga- PREFACE xi tion to Dr. Thomas M. Balliet, Dean of the New York University of Pedagogy, and to Professor William E. Mead, of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., for their many invaluable suggestions; also to Miss Elizabeth M. Worth- ington, of Hartford, Conn., for her great care in reading the proof. Wilbur F. Gordy., CONTENTS DISCOVERY OF AMERICA CHAPTER PAGB I. Discovery of America, . . . . . , , i EXPLORATION AND COLONIZATION II. Spain in the New World, 13 III. England in the New World, ..... 20 IV. The English in Virginia and Maryland (1607-1689), 2S V. The Pilgrims and Puritans in Massachusetts and Connecticut (1620-1689), 42 VI. The Dutch in New York and the Quakers in Pennsylvania (1609-1689) VII. Life Among the Indians, VI II. Early Indian Wars, IX. French Explorations, . X. The Last French War, XI. Life in the Colonies at the Close of the French and Indian Wars, .. ^ .... 105 XII. Growth toward Union in the Colonies, . . .118 63 75 84 87 93 THE REVOLUTION, THE CONFEDERATION, AND THE FEDERAL UNION XIII. The Revolution, 125 XIV. The Breakdown of the Confederation and the Formation of the Constitution (1781-1789), . 185 XV. The New Struggle for Political Independence and the Growth of National Feeling (1789- ^^-9' • • . . « 194 xiii xiv CONTENTS PAGE XVI. JACKSONIAN Democracy AND the West (1829-.841), . 250 XVII. The Slavery Question (1841-1859) 267 XVIII. Secession and the Civil War (1860-1865), . . 298 RECONSTRUCTION AND THE NEW UNION XIX. Reconstruction Days (1865-1871), .... 356 XX. The New South (1877- ) ■■ 3^S XXI. The New West (1865- ), -372 XXII. The New Union (1865) 382 XXIII. The Spanish-American War and Recent Events (1898- ), 410 XXIV. Some Industrial, Economic, Social, and Political Conditions and Problems of the Present, . 451 Topical Reviews in American History, . . : , . 472 APPENDICES A. The Declaration of Independence, B. A Chart on the Constitution, Constitution of the United States, C. Table of States and Territories, . D. Presidents of the United States, . INDEX, 481 485 486 501 503 505 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS George Washington, . A Ship of the Norsemen, Christopher Columbus, The Al/ia, ..... The Piiita, ..... The Santa Maria, Sebastian Cabot, Columbus at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella after his New World, Americus Vespucius, ..... Cortez, ....... Old Spanish Mission, New Mexico, Built 1604, Spanish Gateway, St. Augustine, Florida, . Balboa, ....... Fernando de Soto, « . . . . Queen Elizabeth, ..... Sir Walter Raleigh and Autograph, The Destruction of the Spanish Armada, Philippe II., King of Spain, 1527-1598, An Indian Village at Roanoke, English Explorers Bartering with Indians for Land, Queen Elizabeth's Signature, Signature of James I., Ruins of Old Church at Jamestown, Captain John Smith, . Tobacco-plant, .... A Wild Dash for Life, George Calvert (Lord Baltimore), A Maryland Shilling, . A Puritan, ..... Oliver Cromwell, The Mayflozver, .... A Chest which came over in the Mayflower, Myles Standish, .... Pilgrim Types, . , . . Myles Standish's Bill of Expenses after his Visit to the Indians, Return from the facing page PAGB Fron ti'spiece 3 4 4 5 8 8 9 13 14 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 24 2$ 27 28 30 31 34 35 38 39 42 43 46 47 48 49 50 XV jrvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Iloolcer's Emigration to Connecticut, Gov. John W'inthrop, . First Church at Salem, Facsimile of Opening Lines of the Massachusetts Charter, Sir Edmund Andros, ..... The Charter Oak, ..... A Dutch Officer of the Seventeenth Century, A Group of Seventeenth Century Dutchmen, The Earliest Picture of New Amsterdam, Henry Hudson's Half Moon on the Hudson, An Early Dutch Man of War, William Penn, ...... Penn's Treaty with the Indians, . An Indian Camp, ..... Wampum received by Penn from the Indians, Indian Whip (Quirt), War-Club, and Hunting- Ar Indian Snow-shoes and Pappoose-case, Totem of the Five Nations, Totem of the Illinois, . Totem of the Sioux, Totem of the Hurons, Carved Pipes from an Indian Mound, Big Elephant Mound, Indians Carrying Canoes over a Portage, French Soldiers of the Time of the French Exploration Samuel Champlain, La Salle Claiming for France all the Territory throu sippi and its Tributaries Flowed, Robert Cavalier De La Salle, French Soldiers and Officers of the Time of the IVcr.ch War Quebec in 1730, ....... General Braddock's Troops in an Indian Ambuscade, Maj.-Gen. James Wolfe, Marquis de Montcalm, Puritans Going to Church A Wanton Gospeller, . The Pillory, Colonial Relics, . Early New Amsterdam, Showing Costumes, Amusements, ture, .......... Old Spinning-wheel, ........ Title-page of " Poor Richard's Almanac," . . . . John Hancock House, Boston, Mass., . . . • lames Otis, . . ....... PAGE facing page 50 51 54 5(>-57 58 60 64 6? 66 67 69 ficin^ page ich the Missis facing page 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 81 82 83 85 88 89 90 91 95 97 93 lOI 102 108 no 112 and .\rchitec- • 114-115 . 117 120 126 . 127 facin^ ■page LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xvu facing page facing page facing page at Cambridge (afterward the Street Front, facin s Headquarters, A Royal Stamp, ,,.... Faneuil Hall, Boston, Mass. , Old State House, Boston, Mass., Patrick Henry, ...... The " Boston Massacre," .... Old South Church, Boston, .... St. John's Church, Richmond, Va., The Fight on Lexington Common, April 19, 1775 Old North Church, Boston, Mass., The Retreat from Concord, .... The Battle of Bunker Hill, .... The Washington Elm at Cambridge, . The Craigie House, Washington's Headquarters residence of Longfellow), . Samuel Adams, ...... Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pa. Chestnut Signing the Declaration of Independence, The Jumel- Mansion, New York City, Washington John Burgoyne, ...... Lafayette, ....... Benjamin Franklin, . . . • . The Attack on the Chew House, Germantown, A Revolutionary Gun, ... A Revolutionary Flint-lock Pistol, Clark on the way to Kaskaskia, , John Paul Jones, ..... The Bonhoinme Richard and the Serapis, The Escape of Benedict Arnold, . Nathaniel Greene, ..... Washington Firing the First Gun at the Siege of Nelson House, Yorktown, Va., . Three Shilling Massachusetts Bill of 1 741, . Celebrating in New York the Adoption of the Constitution, . Washington's Mansion — South and West Fronts — Mt. Vernon, Va Washington's Bedroom, Mt. Vernon, Va., . Servants' Quarters, Mt. Vernon, Va., . A Mail Carrier, ...... A Fast Mail — 1876, A Twentieth Century Flyer, John Jay, ....... How Washington Signed his Name at Various Ages, Alexander Hamilton, ...... A Primitive Cotton-gin, ..... Whitney's First Cotton-gin, „ . . , facin^ Yorktown, farm page pag. page PAGE 128 129 130 138 140 14c 142 144 146 149 153 160 162 164 168 168 170 172 173 178 180 180 182 186 189 ig6 197 198 199 199 199 200 201 202 204 205 xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE John Adams, 209 School-house where Thomas Jefferson Received his Early Education, . .214 Monlicello, the Home of Jefferson, 215 Thomas Jefferson, 216 A Pack-horse, 217 A Hand Corn-mill, 217 A Sweep-mill, 218 Breaking Flax, 218 An Ohio River Flatboat, 219 Early Settlers Crossing the Plains, facing page 220 Lewis's First Glimpse of the Rockies, facing page 222 James Madison, 228 American Seamen Boarding the Frolic, facing page 232 Old State House, where the Hartford Convention Met, . . . . 237 James Monroe, 241 Henry Clay, "The Great Peacemaker," 244 John Quincy Adams, the Anti-slavery Statesman, 246 Andrew Jackson, 251 John C. Calhoun, the Defender of Slavery and State Rights, . . .253 Daniel Webster, 255 Robert Y. Hayne, . . . .256 The Boston & Worcester Railroad in 1835, 258 The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 1830-35, 258 A Railway Coach of 1830, .261 Martin Van Buren, 262 William Henry Harrison, 268 John Tyler,, 269 Facsimile of the Heading of Garrison's Paper, 272 James K. Polk, .^75 The Storming of Chapultepec, 276 Sutter's Mill, where Gold was first found in California, .... 279 Zachary Taylor, 280 Modes of travel in the West. An Old Stage-coach and Prairie Schooner, . 282 Millard Fillmore, 283 Fugitive Slave Advertisements, 284 Franklin Pierce, 286 Charles Sumner, 289 Old Plantation Days, . 292 James Buchanan, ............ 294 Engine House, Harper's Ferry, ......... 296 Abraham Lincoln, 300 Lincoln's Birthplace, 301 Jefferson Davis, ..,0........ 303 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XIX Interior of Fort Sumter after the Bombardment in 1863, Long Bridge Across the Potomac at Washington, D. C George B. McClellan, Deck of the Monitor, . The Battle between the /]/i5i«//(;r and the .l/