Class Book American History IN RHYME, MRS. CHARLES "h/ GARDNER, PRINCIPAL OF SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES, 607 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1887. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S84, by- Mary Russell Gardner, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, Columbia Press, 821 Sixth Avenue, New York. i<, a -a PREFACE. In response to the numerous requests for the History of the United States in Rhyme, this portion appears. It will constitute the first part, and the second will be published as soon as it is ready. The American history has been treated dif- ferently from those of England and France. I have tried to make the narrative somewhat in- teresting, while preserving that conciseness which would adapt it to memorizing. My labor will be sufficiently rewarded, if this outcome of it receive as kindly a welcome as that which has greeted my previous efforts. Any suggestions from teachers and others, which are designed to help me in adapting my works to the use of young people, will be gratefully acknowledged. Mary Russell Gardner. History of the United States IN RHYME. DISCOVERIES. IN searching for a pathway west, To shores of rich and far Cathay, Columbus, on his fruitless quest, To our West Indies found his way. In fourteen hundred ninety-two, He brouQrht our orlorious land to view. o o Our country, which should bear his name, Was called America, from one, Vespucius, who obtained the fame For what Columbus first had done. Discovery ol America by Christopher Columbus, Oct. 12, li92. John Cabot next, came o'er the sea; Found Labrador, and, then, his son Sebastian, sailing southerly, Virginia for England won. John Cabot, li97. Sebastian Cabot, 1498. 6 Ponr-e-de- Leon, 151-2. Ponce-de-Leon held as truth The news that here a fountain flowed Whose waters gave perennial youth. He came ; on Florida bestowed Its name, from flowers with which it o^lowed. Balboa 1512. Balboa was the first to see The broad Pacific's boundless tide ; i?e Soto, And Mississippi's waters free 1539-41. i i Hid all De Soto's stubborn pride. Cortez, 1519-21. Magellan, 1520. Yerrazzano, 1524. The splendor of the Aztec race The Spanish Cortez sweeps away ; And slavery and blood replace The pomp of Montezuma's sway. Around the world Maorellan went ; And France, new countries to explore, The hardy Yerrazzano sent, Who cruised about our eastern shore. 1534-35 jamesCartier james Cartler reached Newfoundland ; St. Lawrence Gulf, and River, traced; Named Mont Real for prospect grand. By mountain, wood and water graced. Ribault, 1562. French Huguenots, by Ribaut led, In Carolina shelter sought : A part the irksome woodland fled, While others hostile Spaniards fought. In fifteen hundred sixty-five, Melendez, at St. Augustine, Had caused a colony to thrive, And here our oldest town is seen. Melendez, 1565. The fearless Frobisher set out To find a passage to Cathay, By an untried, north-western route ; And claimed for England Baffin's Bay. Sir Francis Drake, on his lonor cruise, Sails southward, through Magellan Strait ; Pacific's broad expanse he views, And ploughs it to the " Golden Gate." A westward passage home is found. And, thus, he goes the world around. Frobisher. 157(3. In fifteen hundred eighty-four. Sir Walter Raleigh's ships are seen; And Carolina's verdant shore Is named Virginia, for the Queen. He colonized, without success: All perished in the wilderness. Sir Walter Baleiffh, 1583-87. Quebec was founded by Champlain : ciiampiain. And, where St. Lawrence River flowed^ And spread fair Acadie's domain, The Frenchmen settled their abode. Gosnoid, Cape Cod by Gosnold was descried, 1602. T • • 1 In steermg straight across the sea. ^®^JI?'^'^" ^^ sixteen nine, bold Hudson tried To sail for China, northerly. A noble river bears his name ; A bay, the monument and tomb Of him, the mariner of fame. Who met, alas, an unknown doom. son, 1609. 3 KXZXX2I VIRGINIA. TN sixteen-six, King James divides, Between two rival companies, From where the Cape Fear River gHdes To Maine's remote extremities. The Plymouth men have northern parts, And Londoners the southern share. At Jamestown, Captain Newport starts A colony, which flourished there. In sixteen hundred seven, were sent The first whose stay was permanent. James I. grants a vast territory to the Plymouth Company and the London Com- pany, 1(306. Jamesto^vn founded, 1(307. But half the emiorants survived The summer's heat and pestilence. Their courage prudent Smith revived, And won the red man's confidence. Fair Pocahontas saved his life, And dread Powhatan ceased from strife. In sixteen nine, came '' Starving Time ;" John Smith, 1607-1009. 10 And, when the settlers, sore dismayed, Resolved to flee the wretched clime, LordEeia- Lord Delaware their purpose stayed; ware, . . , ^ , . June 1610. His ministration, hrm and wise. Promoted peace and enterprise. First legisia- At first, cach English settlement everassem- Had been by Enorlish law sustained ; bled in ^ & Jut???i6i9. In Yeardley's time, the government By an Assembly was maintained ; A legislature, then, was named, And written Constitution framed. In sixteen nineteen — fateful year — The negro captives first appear. Three winters passed : when spring awoke, Massaereby The Indian on the war-path broke, m1^^. And, in one day of furious fray. Wreaked vengeance on his helpless prey. In mass the colonists arose. The London And hunted down their stealthy foes. company loses its Charter, 16-21. novSp?o? ^^^ London Company suppressed, ,., "''^'^' Kins: Tames appoints a governor. She opposes "^ -^ ^ ^ ^ ^^tfonAef When Charles the Martyr is at rest 11 The " Old Dominion" threatens war. From Cromwell, who enforces peace, The " Restoration" brinors release. A ''Great Rebellion" rends the land,— By young, audacious Bacon planned. He dies ; and, though is lost the fight For civil liberty and right, A hundred years shall bring again The call to break oppression's chain. Cromwell conipells obe- dience, Charles II. 1G6I). restored the royal governor. Rebellion of Nathaniel Ba- con, i(j76. Virginia be- comes a pro- prietary gov- ernment. In 1684 it is a Eoyal Pro- vince. -&4- liBl illiJ-i -^a^i^^at®^- ^ NEW ENGLAND, .Settlement of Plvmoiith ii:.20. TN sixteen twenty, came to land, On Massachusetts' wintry shore. The Mayflower's earnest pilgrim band, Who Freedom's sacred banner bore. At home tormented and oppressed, They here found liberty and rest. John Carver, John Carver, as the governor, Gave lawful right to every man. Miles Standish was the chief in war, Against the ambushed Indian. Through cold, disease and poverty The Pilgrim ranks, ere spring, decrease With Massasoit, their firm ally, Massaoit,iG2i, They smoke the calumet of peace. Miles Stun dish. Treaty of Peace with Salem To Salem, sixteen twentv-eis^ht, founded, - g ' i''-'^- Come Puritans, with Endicott. In sixteen thirty, emigrate 13 Those who with Winthrop cast their lot. Foundations of a state they lay On shores of Massachusetts' Bay. Massachu- sett's Bay Colony found- ed, 1630. The banished Roorer Williams founds o Rhode Island State, at Providence. Anne Hutchinson God's will expounds: The Quakers suffer violence. Pihode Island founded, 1636. At Windsor, Hartford, Weathersheld And Saybrook, Puritans arrive. The Dutch to English settlers yield. Connecticut's beginnings thrive. The men who at New Haven bide. Accept the Bible as their guide. The colonies consolidate, And go to form the '' Nutmeg State." Foundation of Connecti- cut Colony b> emigration from Massa- chusetts, 1635. Saybrook fort built by John Winthrop, 1635. Foundation of Xe\y Hayen under Daven- port and Eaton, KWS. Union of Connecticut and Ne\v Haven, 1665. Enraged, the native Pequot sees The pale-faced stranger in the land : In hostile camp he perishes, Destroyed by Mason's flaming brand. The Pequot "War, 1637. In sixteen hundred forty-three, For mutual help and sympathy, 14 Union of the For aid In council and in fio-ht, iSew England «=» Colonies, New Eneland colonies unite. King Philip, son of Massasoit, With Narraofanset braves allied, King Philip's In many a bloociy, fierce exploit 1075. Spreads desolation far and wide. Through Massachusetts, east to Maine, Sweeps on the deadly hurricane. Brave Winslow, Turner, Holyoke, chase The savage to his hiding place ; And Pokanoket's chieftain dies, — To treachery a sacrifice. In forest, field and huntine-eround, No more the dusky race is found. Cromwell, N ew England holds from Cromwell's hands l(ji9-o9. ^ A freedom ample and secure. Charles 11. Of Massachusetts Charles demands The Forfeit- Her precious Charters forfeiture; ure of the -^ ., Charter, And serviie Parliament enacts The odious '* Navigation Acts," James II. makes New jr- j j i • i England a Kmor ames s arbitrary rule Royal Prov- -. a i r ^ r - i mee, with Sir In Audros huds a nttinsf tool. Edmund An- ^ IdSit^'iesr^'Nevv England, royal province now, 15 To her first eovernor must bow. o Connecticut endures the yoke, But hides her Charter In the '' Oak." Oct. 1687. In sixteen hundred eighty-eight, When comes King William's glorious reign, And Andros falls from high estate, New Eno^land has her riehts aealn. Though royal governors are named, The laws are by the people framed. New Englaiul regains her liberties, May, 1689. Massachu- setts a Koyal Province un- til the Revolution, 1/ Jd.ddd^ K^S^Sa MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. Territory TN sixtecii hundred and twenty-three, between the 1 -r^ x- i t\ /r Merrimac Bv Gorees and Mason in company, and the Ken- / o i ■/ bTt^he e?um-ii Are settlernents made, in the desolate tract tosijfei^di- 'Twixt the Kennebec and the Merrimac. nand Gorges . . . ^ - . and John As stations lor nshmor Mason, 1622. r -n» 1 T-A The townships of Portsmouth and Dover arise. .^, in humble guise, Proprietors The claims are divided: New Hampshire's domain divide their i t\ t • dominions, jg given to Masou, while Gorges has Mame. His right Massachusetts by purchase acquires; But, in eighteen and twenty, the union expires. 1612-1G90-1G98. With Its southerly neighbor New Hampshire thrice wed ; And, when of Old England George Second was head, NewHamp- The people receivinor a rule of his own, shire a Pioyal ^ ^ /=' . ^ Province, iTii. ^5 a colony royal the provmce was known. NEW YORK, TN sixteen hundred twenty-three, The Dutch West India Company To Hudson's Land send out Walloons: Estates are ori'anted to Patroons. Some at New Amsterdam remain ; Some at Fort Orancre homes obtain; While, trapped by Minuet's crafty guile, The red men sell Manhattan Isle. Settlement ol New Amster- dam, 1G26. Fort Orange built near Albany, 1(515. Peter Minuet buys Manhat- tan Island for $24.00. When Kieft controlls New Netherland, The Indians war with bloody hand. Rash Stuyvesant brings tumbling down The "jewel of the Swedish crown." His flag, from sixteen sixty-four, O'er fair Manhattan floats no more. The Holland rule is overthrown, And James of York secures his own. Indian War, 1640. Gov. Stuyves- ant subdues the colony of NeAV Sweden, 1655, James, Duke of York, con- quers New Netherland, 1664. 18 byThTDu'tch ^^^^^ "^^^ unsettled years ensue. 1672. ^YhQ Dutch tri-color flaunts anew, ^f^ideon-'" In seventy-three ; but England's sway, quered hy j ^ r England and In seventy-lour, returns to stav. called New -^ York, 1674. ^<^^-ig^j;i^o«' Despotic Andros, governor, The people utterly abhor : ^''''•i?8*3!'^''''' ^^^ Dongan gives, to their content, A democratic government. anSS New ^^^^^ James is king, he steals their rights^ E?iUd.SSNew England and New York unites. With William dawns a brighter day, — S^s5i?es^'th2 '^^^ bonds of union fall away; ^Gri^S.'oi. New England rises, in her might; tolnlfaSr New York sees Nicholson in flight; ^iSnilVo^r: And Leisler, hero of the hour, nor, tried as a t t usurper, con- U surps an autocratic power; demned bv .^^ Gov. Hiough-Jhor treason meets a bitter fate, ter and ' hJ^nged, May ^yheu Sloughter wields the rod of state. struggiesof Each needy, crreedy orovernor the people -' ' ^ J ^ ^''gJvlmSr^ Is with the colony at war, — Th' Assembly struggling to be free From kings, and all their tyranny. But naught can stay the happy day, 19 When king and crown shall topple down, And freedom's bullets moulded be From prostrate ''leaden majesty." NEW JERSEY. TN sixty-four, two nobles share From Hudson to the Delaware. West Jersey haughty Berkley gets; The eastern half is Cartaret's. The province falls, by purchase-right, To William Penn and other Friends : New Jersey and New York unite. In seventeen two ; their union ends, When Morris, seventeen thirty-eight. Rules Jersey as a separate state. '^¥k^- I HSEZgH l ^•*s^i4-i- Durinff tbe Revolutiuii the statue of Georf,'e III., in New York city, was over- thrown and made into bullets. The region between the Hudson and the Delaware granted by the Duke of York to Lord Berkley and Sir George Cartaret, 1064. The Proprie- tors surren- ders their rights of gov- ernment to the English crown (170-2), and the whole of New Jersey is united with New York under one governor, but with a separ- ate assembly. Union lasts till 1738, when New Jersey is set apart as a distinct Royal Prov- ince. PENNSYLVANIA. Grant of O'ER the land, which is, now, Pennsylvania's Pennsylvania l®j/ ^ p'e„i;;'fc'h fe domain, 4, 1681. -pj^^ good William Penn was appointed a lord ; The peaceable Friends, in a covenant chain, With the ''sons of the wilderness" lived in accord. Where the waves of the Schuylkill and Delaware meet, 1683. Philadelphia rose from a forest retreat. Dutch, Enorlish and Germans and Quakers and Swedes, _ After 1718, The waifs of all nations, the men of all creeds, Pennsylvania the three sons ^^^^^ welcomed by Peuu, and invited to share ?he^Ameri?anIn the blessiugs of liberty, free as the air. Revolution. DELAWARE. First settle- T\ colouy of Swedes and Finns ment in Dela- ^^^ -^ 'the*^s^^^e*des ^ fe ^^^^ State of Delaware begins. ir.88. Their claim New Amsterdam denies, 21 And carries off the conquered prize. Then James of York is sovereign, But sells his patent right to Penn. For twenty years, the province lies In Pennsylvania's boundaries; And, though, in seventeen hundred three, On separation they agree, Until the Revolution War, They have a common governor. Their settle- ments con- quered by the Dutch, if.55, and ceded to the English, Delaware constitutes the three lower coun- ties of Penn- sylvania. Pennsylvania and Delaware separated (170:0, retain- ing the same governor, but each having its own as- sembly. MARYLAND, 3 S a refuge for Catholics, Lord Baltimore (o) Had a grant from King James on the Chesapeake shore ; And Maryland's liberal charter insured Provisions, which absolute freedom secured. Though at peace lived its settlers from Indian foes, From jealous Virginia dangers arose. By the hot headed Clayborne rebellion was brewed, And Puritan bigots fierce quarrels renewed. King William suspends the control of the lords, Sir George Calvert (Lord Baltimore) founder of Maryland. First settle- ment made, 163-i. Clay home's Rebellion, i();35. Maryland a Iioval Prov- ince, 1691, 2^ The fourth And the rule of the crown to the province accords Lord Balti- ^ co'veS the George First reinstated the Protestant heir, — ^nS'Tarj-' No citizen rights could the Catholics share. land remains ^^ i i T\/r i t^* i r under his ad- burveys made by Mason and Dixon dehne minstration, ^ . ^ "^ . Ee?oiuUon Pennsylvania s contested south boundary line. THE CAROLINAS. Where, led by Raleigh and Ribaut On Carolina's shore, The Enelish and the Huoruenot Had perished, years before. Grant of In sixteeu hundred sixty-three, Carolina to r r^^ i .1 r- t theEariof In Charles the Seconds reicjn, Clarendon *^ ^Sils^wef' He gave a noble company The rich and vast domain. Cape Fear and Albermarle begin, — Two central colonies. chariestown Amid her crroves of jessamine founded, 1670. iY r ^1 1 The walls of Charleston rise. John Locke's ** Grand Model" could not bind com-ale&o- A people proud and free : prietors cede _ • ^1 t j • 1 their right of In twenty-uine, the Lords resio^ned government -^ ^ to the crown, ^^^ restless colouy. 23 King George, who bought their vested right, The province cut in two ; And Carolinas, North and South, In weakh and beauty grew. Division into North an(3 Soutli Caro- lina by George II. Thcv remain Koyal Prov- inces, until the Kevolution. GEORGIA, He settled at Savannah. 1733. "OOR England's debtors, helpless, prison bound, The poor and the distressed, in southern wild, Lord Oo^lethorpe a safe asylum found, * 9^1^^}l ^ ^ , -^ . planted by And planted Georgia, England's youngest child. {{^'j;j^p^|J^f2f" A bulwark of defense from Spanish foes This frontier outpost of the South arose. Here plaided Highlander and meek Moravian strayed, And Whitfield and the Wesleys preached and prayed. The trustee rule becoming burdensome, '^s^m-render K ing George, in fifty-two, the province gave — t?GeorgH\., A royal governor, Jamaica rum, Georgia a A f A T 1 11 1 Royal Prov- A tree Assembly and the ne^ro slave. mee, tiii the •' ^ Eevolution. INTER-COLONIAL WARS. King William's War. 1689-1697. Kin^ Wil- liam's War •\vitli the French, The colonies in America take up the auarrel. French and Indians from Canada fall upon the frontier town of Schenec- tady. TN sl.tteen hundred and eighty-nine, A spark from Europe blew over the sea : It kindled the bloody King William's War, And lighted the flames of Schenectady. At the dead of night, while the sentinel slept, And all Avas still in the little town, On their gliding snow-shoes, soft and fleet, Came the French and Indians stealing down. Shrill sounded the war-whoop, all ran for their lives. Women shrieked for their children, men foueht for their wives. Through the glooms of the forest some threaded their way, And death reiorned alone, at the break of the day. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Plymouth, New York, Attacks by ' ' ' the colonists United to punish their merciless foes: rftnch. Phipps captured Port Royal and threatened Quebec, But the treaty of Ryswick brought peace ^.nd Treaty of^^ repose. War of the Spanish Succession, OR Queen Anne's War. 1702-1713. TN seventeen hundred and two, anew, France, England, and Spain are a fighting, And all the New England frontier is in fear. For De Rouville his torch is aliorhtinor White and red fiends together, In war paint and feather, Wake Deerfield, fast sleeping, to wailing and weeping. French and Indians from Canada at- tack the frontier town of Deerfield. From the ''Nest of the Hornets" the Frenchman Port Royai taken from is shaken the French IS SliaKeil, and named And from Anne, its new name, Annapolis taken, ^^^^^p^^'^- Of Canada England would fain be the master, But her second attempt ends in wreck and disaster : 26 rt?e^h? ms ^y ^^^ peace of Utrecht, which ended the war Nova Scotia came to her, and bleak Labrador. King George's War. 1744-1748, tweln'^ES- ^HE^E'S a lull of a score and a half of years; 'France^ J- Then the gathering storm clouds lower, ^'^eofonies *^ And the War of King George, in forty-four, Proves the colonies' growing power. Capture of Rigrht merrily rine the Boston bells, Louisburs: by ^ ^ t* ' and?oiSn?ai VVheu, on Louisburg's moated wall, loops. ^]^Q crimsoned Cross of St. George goes up, And the Bourbon lilies fall. But bitter the shame, when, in forty-eight, ATx-la^chap- To the French a treaty gave Lova'sburff The cherished trophy, so nobly won restored to -n -n 1 1 ' i, the French. by repperell s yeomen brave. The French and Indian War. 1755-1763. ?ndiSn \W^E^' ^^ fifty-six, came the old French War, 't'heVeven*^ In a death struoro'le orrappled the rival Years' War. ^^ ^ ^^ in Europe. pOWerS, And the noble prize they contended for Was this crreat and elorious land of ours. 27 When, to wrest from the French their fort, Du Battle of Fort DuQuesne, or _uesne. Defeat July 9. Marched the soldiers of Braddock, with mar- ^^^^' tial tread, From ambush and thicket, shot, pouring like rain, Cut the glittering scarlet line like a thread: The leader fell moaning his shameful defeat, And Washington covered the hurried retreat. The Fall of France in America. XXJILD terror and anguish invade the frontier, Where the tomahawk threatens the bold pioneer : From the mighty Ohio to Cape Breton's coast, The war song rose high o'er each fortified post. The Acadians are scattered as leaves by the TheAea- , , dians driven blast; iuto banish- ment. The ''New World's Gibraltar" is Eno-land's, at faptureof From the " Key of the Wide West" her foemen Fort DuQues- . 1 , ne, Nov. 25 Withdrew ; itos, Niagara's capture cut New France in two. Fort Niagara Crown Point yields to Amherst, who plucks out, "'S^-''' with pride, ,^. /, Fort Tioon- Ine troublesome ''thorn in the colonies' side." '^'''i^ti^^^ 28 Expedition of We'll follow the leader that croes to Quebec : Major-CTen- ^ '^ TiiTrSt^^ See Wolfe the proud eminence scaling, Qneheo.Ju\y, ^^^| j^j^ red-coated boys, with their blazing - Hot Stuff," The iron-ribbed fortress assailingr ! %Mnfof'''"They run! how they run!" ''Who run?" '' 'Tis Abraham. ,i r? i " Surrender of the T reuch. Quebec. Sept. ^, t t " • i i i , „ 18,1759. ihen, 1 die, said the hero, ''contented; And the noble Montcalm, ere his gallant soul fled. The fate of his stronghold lamented. Montreal and Down drop from the ramparts the lilies of France; all Canada t* t i i i i ^to^^heElS"^? Montreal, ere a twelvemonth, surrenders, ii.sh,^sept. 8, j^^^ ^^Q swift-rolling tide of the British advance Sweeps the north froni its Gallic defenders. The Treaty of Paris, in sixty-three. Treaty of Confirmed to Great Britain, in cession. Pans between aii'd Port'Si! From the broad Mississippi far east to the sea, Feb. 10, 1763. 'a j i. 1 As a sure and eternal possession. The Avide-spreading leagues of her western do- main, A shadowy empire, France yielded to Spain. 29 THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC LLJHILE the foot of the conquering Briton is ^^^'J.^^^'c's ^^ laid On the neck, of the prostrate foe, Within the westerly forest's shade, Burned the council fire's ominous glow; The trii)es of T- -n, • r -11 r 1 • ^^^ Alffon- i^or rontiac, loreseeinof the doom oi his race, ,/i^V-^ i'^';*?v ' ^ the ^^ yaudDts Has mustered the tribes in his wrath '"eai mfirj^'to' And said to the ''red dogs*," '' Remain in yourE^n2ush%rom , oeeupyinff the place: frontier forts. Till the morning, I stand in your path." The hatchet is raised o'er each wilderness fort; One by one the weak garrisons fall ; And the blood thirsty crew have most excellent sport, In the ''Mackinaw grame of ball." But Detroit and Fort Pitt stood unscathed in the ^FortsPitt, ^lasara and fJo-V,!^ . Detroit re- t> ' main in tlie The tribes their allegiance forswore, ^'Enliish.^^' And the Ottawa promised to lead, in his might, The nations to battle no more. * English. CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. England determined to tax the colonies to ray the ex- penses of thQ French and Indian War. "QO sooner are the ''Old Thirteen" y At peace with all their neighbors, Than king and ministry are seen At tax-inventincr labors. The British sought (to pay their debt), America's assistance, But arbitrary taxes met The colonies' resistance. The Stamp Act. March. 1765. May 30, 1765. Adams, Han- cock and Otis arouse the people. In seventeen sixty-five, is passed. Lord Grenville's ''Stamp Act" measure. And Enorland's Parliament holds fast The right to tax, at pleasure. Virginia's Patrick Henry sounds A signal note of warning; The cry of Otis quick resounds, The yoke of tyrants scorning, 31 The first "Colonial Congress makes New York the place of meeting, And, by its *' Declaration," shakes All Eneland with its orreetine. Immortal Pitt lifts up his voice. Repeal full swiftly bringing : The ''Sons of Liberty" rejoice, /\nd set the bells a ringing. First Colonial Congress meets at New York. Oct. 7, 1765. Repeal of the Stamp Act, March 18, 1766. On paper, colors, glass and tea. Port duties Townshend orders : In turn, the patriots agree No goods shall cross their borders. "We'll not import; no slaves are we, You seek to lay the lash on " : So, thread-bare coats and home-made tea Became the ruline fashion. Port Duties imposed, June, 1707. The tidings of the ''Massacre" Such wrathful clamors waken, That,save from the "pernicious weed," The duties all are taken. When " Mohawks," in the harbor set Their mighty cup a brewing. Lord North brouorht out his "Port Bill "threat Boston Port The State Street Massa ere, March 5, 1770. All duties ex- cept on tea repealed, April 12, 1770 The Boston Tea Party. Dec. 16, 1773 To Boston's sad undoine. Bill passed, March 31, 1774. 32 Charter of Massachu- setts annulled May 20, I77i. Continental Congress meets, at Phiaclelphia, Sept. 5, 1774. Old Massachusetts' chartered rieht George pricks, as 'twere a bubble : In Congress, North and South unite, To meet the comlne trouble. Ten thousand hirelings cross the sea, To hold rebellion under; Out leap the flame of liberty And Revolution's thunder. THE FIGHTING BEGINS. ^HE light is bright, in the North Church tower ; ^54,?;fS?' 1 The messengers speed on their way, To wake, ere the break of the mornine hour. The men who must fight that day. For, lo ! all aglow In the kindling sky Is a nation's birth-heralding star. And the chosen of God see the sign from on high, And hail the glad omen afar. country of the march of Gen'l Gage's troops to destroy the stores at Concord. The green is alive. In seventy-five, In the early April morning. For, at beat of the drum, the alarm men have come. With their firelocks, to answer the warninor. Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775c See ! Pitcairn appears with his bold grenadiers, On a thieving excursion to lead 'em; 34 Parker's heroes in home-spun, seven lay down their Hves on The Lexineton altar of freedom. Battle of Con- Into Concord town the "provincials" pour down — cord. ^ ^ ^ ^ The British At the bridge, send the *' regulars" flvine ; retreat to . . ^ . Boston, p^j- ^j^j wide swells the tide of rebellion and pride, King George and his minions defying. The " Green Mountain Boys," with Allen as chief, Capture of In 3. haud-to-haud contest, sharp, bloodless and Tieonderoga ^ by Ethan brief Allen, May 10, unci, Ca uire of ^^^^^ ^^^ Ticouderoga's dumfounded defenders, if/li'^^Ni'r- While to Warner Crown Point, at the first call, ner May 12, 1 1775. surrenders. Continental In Pcuu's Ouakcr City, the patriot committee — meetsatPhii- ^^he Colouial Couorress — appointed, adelphia. May ^ % . 10.1775. Yn war to lead on, the great Washington, Our Joshua, Jehovah's annointed. AVashington Cc.lmnander- On Buukcr Hill's heicrht, arise in the nio^ht in-chief of the ^- , . r i i provincial 1 he ramparts by minute-men lended : forces, June ^ ■^ ^5,1775 Thrice acrainst them Howe dashes, amid deadly Battle of ^ -^ Bunker Hill flaQVipQ • or Breed's UasneS , Hill, June 17, Storms the bulwarks: the conflict is ended. Throuoh Canada snows Monteomerv eoes, Montgomery ^ f . ^ ^ ^ and Arnold iu With Arnold the province invading : Montreal Though Montreal falls, Quebec's massive *^liVI^''- 1 1 Montgomery walls killed before ^ , 1 1 1 r 1 • Quebec. Dec. btand unmoved by the herce cannonading: 31.1775. His men onward cheerinor, dies the brave son of Fruitless -^ . •^ siege of Que- Jl,rin * bee by Arnold. 'Till the spring Arnold stayed, and then raised the blockade. Howe, orrievously pressed in his snue Boston Occupation of ^ -^ -^ ^ Dorchester nest, Heights by « \\ ashington, Sees his rarrison doomed to the slaughter, March 4, me. ♦^ c5 ' Cxen. Howe By the magic reared breastworks on Dorchester's gi^iJi-eh^?; crest, ' ' ''''• And sails north with his troops, o'er the water. " Don't let us fight without a flag !" fhTBrftis'h Cries Jasper, from th' embrasure leaping, ^&im{,^ And, catching up the fallen rag, mie 2^,1^6. He plants it mid the fire-balls sweeping. Raked fore and aft by Moultrie's guns. The British squadron spreads its pinions, And Carolina's fearless sons Have saved for freedom their dominions. 36 From seventy-six, July the Second, Our country's birthday must be reckoned. For Congress, then, by vote creates. Adoption of As free and independent States, theDeclara- „, ^ . \ .,, , tion of inde- i he Lolouies which, tul that nour, pendence, • ' ' July 4, 1776. ^^j bowed to Britain's sovereign power. With Jefferson's great *' Declaration," The bells rinor in the new-born nation. ^^ mf^-F^n CAMPAIGN NEAR NEW YORK. n^O New York Bay, one August day, i The English transports bend their prows : With Britain's fleet four leaders meet — Cornwallis, Clinton and the Howes. Their twenty thousand triumph o'er Eight thousand, on Long Island shore, And Putnam's troops, in scattered groups, Push back in flight, to , Brooklyn's height. Battle of Long Island, Aug. 27, 1776. Two days the patriots there abide. The hostile bands on every side; Then, fog enveloped, steal away, While Howe bewails his vanished prey. New York, abandoned to its fate. The fugitives their foes await, On Harlem Heights, where Victory's sun Illumes the arms of Washincrton. Escape of American army to New York. New York evacuated by the Ameri- cans Sept. 15. 1776. Battle of Harlem Hei^'hts Sept. IG, 1776. 38 Battle of "White Plains is fous^ht, but ends in nauorht White Plains, ^ .,, , 1111 1 October28, ^tiU northward all the red coats swarm : 1776. Capture of Then Howe turns back upon his track, • Fort ^^ ash- i '"'fe^nV?.''''' And takes Fort Washington by storm. The patriot host, now hold their post With Washington, on Jersey's coast: Evacuation of They leave Fort Lee, and southward flee, November '20. Comwallis followiug hurriedly. The way-worn soldiers, in despair, Washington At Treuton, cross the Delaware; crosses the D?cember\ And trembling in the balance lies 1776. yj^g fortune of the colonies. Trliton: 'Tis Christmas night— a bitter night : Resolved to strike a daring blow, Burpris?fandThe rIver Washington recrossed. Hessians. Rail liears the cry, ''The foe! the foe!" December 26, i • t t ' • 1776. And speeds his Hessians to the nght; Is first to fall, and all Is lost. ^^^^ ^ m. -^ CKHHSHa, 39 THE YEAR OF BATTLES. 1777. ^HE New Year, seventy-seven, Is here. 1 Acrain, in Trenton the **'sly fox" lies: — -T- 1 r T^ ■ ^ r- 11- n- Attack on io the rescue oi rrniceton Cornwalhs nies ; Prin.etonby W ishingtoii, January 3, 1777. Americans ^villter at Morristown Heiirhts. But the cunning deceiver eluded his toils, And to Morristown Heights escaped with his spoils. In watching and waiting the months pass away: Howe strikes for the south ; patriots hold him at bay ; He leaves Jersey forever, embarks on the fleet, ^Yo^k^or^ His aim — Philadelphia, the government seat Howe sails Philadelphia, July 23, 1777. With Washington, Sullivan, Wayne, Lafayette, Battle of the T-» 1 1 . , .-, . 1 . 1 Brandywine. rulaski and htirnnor an overthrow met, isept. n, 1 777. t> On Brandywine Creek, from Cornwallis and Howe: British take The British are safe in the Capitol now. ^^"^^i"' A thick, blinding fog and Greene's fatal delay, p,,^^^!^ ^^ At Germantown, give to the red-coats the day : ^ucLri?77^"' * Cornwallis said " I will bag the fox in the morning." 40 Up the Delaware pass safely their ships with supplies, ^¥t^?^i6rS:' When from Mifflin and Mercer theunion-jack flies. ^IML supplies Washington Vallev Foree, bleak and comfortless haven of rest, winters, at ^ ^ ^''^ii^e^^Foi'se' Where winters the army — cold, hungry, dis- tressed ! But a ray lights the gloom, when the news cheers the land, That France gives the rising Republic her hand. BURGOYNE'S AND ST. LEGER'S CAM- PAIGN FROM CANADA. n70 cut off New Enorland, Buroroyne from the ^^"'^.^^"f ^" 1 north, ^^^''^• In his train the Six Nations, with pride has gone forth ; Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Edward, Whitehall — The loud boasting Briton swoops down on them all. July 6, July 30, 1777. In the Mohawk's orreen valley the husbandmen . ^^■'^^m' ^ ■' besieged Fort rolK^ » Stanwix. and ^^^^y • defeated With Herkimer share Oriskany's red glories; i^ui^H!"!???. Arnold marched from the east, and Fort Stanw^ix released • In a scare fled Leger, with his Indians and Tories. •i2 'There come on the Hessians; each cost seven pounds ten : Stark's AvQ yo7c worth as much, boys? Prove it, then. address to the -^ ^ ' B?nnington. ^^^^ banner must float over yonder height. Or Molly Stark sleeps a widow to-night." Battle of Up the hill sweep the men to the blazine re- Bennington, ^ ^ *^ Aug. 16, 1777. doubt ; Baum's battle-scarred veterans are driven in rout And a thrill of wild joy through America runs, At the news of the charge of New England's brave sons. From afar and from near eager patriots came, Gates sue- And euviroued Buro^oyne with a circle of flame; ( eeds Schuy- »=> J ' ler in com- mand ot the But, when the imprisoning web had been spun, jrics Aug. won. mencans,^ Gates bore off the laurels that Schuvler had Oct. 7, 1777. Battles of At Stillwater, twice the foiled Britons essayed "Saratoga, To breakthrough the lines of the dread barricade; Sept. 19, «^ ^ Where the bullets fell thickest, everywhere, in a breath. Like a madman pluneed Arnold throuo^h dan2:er and death. 4d In retreat and defeat ends the march of Bur- Surrender of Bureroyne. goyne, Oet. n. m?. While in fervent thanksgiving the colonies join. With the new-rising empire, kings greeted the name — Saratoga, high blazoned in annals of fame. The British troops, June, seventy-eight, In fear of Louis' tieet, The Quaker town evacuate, And towards New York retreat. Sir Henry Clinton leaves Philadelphia, June 18, 1778. On Monmouth's battle-field of woe, When Lee, the coward, fled. And Washinorton as^ainst the foe The wavering columns led, In hottest strife, till set of sun. Flashed fiercely '' Irish Molly's" gun. A joint attack is made upon Rhode Island's British o-arrison : A storm disperses both the fleets. And Washington's design defeats. To Georgia State, in seventy-eight, The scarlet-coats repair; Battle of Monmouth; a retreat begun by General Lee turned into a victory, June 28, 1778. The French fleet under the Count d' Estaing is to cooperate with the American army under Sullivan. The French and British fleets dis- abled by a storm. The Southern Campaign. Savannah captured by the British, Dec. 29. 1778. Savannah's fall begins the ball, And Britons triumph there, Phmder of The ruthless Tryon lords It o'er towns in Con- -^ ^ ^^l Tyron,^juiJ, Connecticut's defenceless shore. stormniff of Where Stony Point's new ramparts tower, bl'inleTfcans " Mad Anthony," at midnight hour, under j , i • i \ ^ Anthony Leads Up his bayonct armed men, T\ayne. July ^ -^ _^ 16,1779. ^j^j plants the Stars and Stripes again. The Paul Tones' ship, thouorh wrecked it lies, Bonhomne -^ i ^> ?or?ou?over With deadly grip holds fast its prize : Se?t^irS. 'Neath Richard's flails Serapis quails. And low her red-cross enslcrn trails. o Georgia over- run by the British. With Georma in their plunderlne hands, Capture of ^ r & ' c^^J-if tcmby The British reach for other lands ; eoiii^.?SiTend- Round Charleston draw their circling fires, ers his army, >n-'ii t • i i May 12, 1780. i ill Lmcoln, overborne, retires. Then, free was Tarleton's vengeful sword. To muster each marauding horde, That o'er the wretched country poured. Brave resist- To Sumpter desperate patriots flock, anee of i i i 'sSmvie?^^ And Strike a blow at Hanging Rock ; rix"" mS While, swift, in many a nightly raid, ^^ linas!^^^" Bold Marlou led a fierce crusade, And all the Tory crew dismayed. 45 Gates, sent by Conofress to command, At camden. ' -^ * ' Gates totally To Camden leads his hopeful band. cm^Sis'' Cornwallis, now, must be - Burgoyned" ; ^"^- ''' ''''■ But, when the foes in battle joined, And fell and furious grew the fray, 'Twas Gates that turned and ran away. Base Arnold sold for British eold Arnold's trea- o son. Andre West Point, of Hudson forts the key; %''ct.fii!r And gave his name a traitor's fame, By unavailing treachery. ^lPeS^S^ ^^ 'IKm,PFf^' [I-LLIX3 I I 1 1 GREENE'S CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH. W HEN Greene, in October, of eighty, suc- ceeds. As southern commander, to Gates, Battle of the Dan Mororau, with half of the army, proceeds Cowpens, ^^ . De^fekt'of 'the ^^ ^^ Gowpeus, and Tarleton awaits, ^ahT\maer Come the British dragoons with their volley and Tarleton. by i Morg-an-.s SllOUt, But the famous light troops send them flying in rout. cornwaiiis To the north Morc» an wheels, and close at his heels pursues Mor- ti i i i i trail and Comwallis pursues, like a hound on the track, Gi-eene to ^ Virginia ^j] eager for blood, but the high swelling flood Saved the patriots twice from the royalist pack. Battle of Guii- Greene would fiorht and tret beaten, then try it ford March 15. & & 1781 doubtful ao^ain; victorr of the & ' British. 5q ^^,[^^ couraore undaunted, he leads on his men. 47 "Guilford Court House" was lost but, the cost was so dear, To the sea-side the British retreated, in fear. "Eutaw Sprinors " shortly brings the campaign to battle of Eu- ^ ^ / t> i & taw, Sept. 8, n olnc^ 1781, defeat of a Close. Greene. And the rule of King George in the south over- treaur' , Charleston. throws. Meantime, o er Virormia had swept, in his wrath, British forces -T-1 1 ^ 1 1 • 1 1 1 . 1 . 1 under Arnold, 1 he treacherous Arnold, with death in his path, ^^^ir^'.^ams^ Cornwallis then headed a shameful foray, v5g?nfa. While, in vain, Lafayette tried to block up his way. To Yorktown the British commander repairs. They fortify And the finishing act of the drama prepares. YorSown!^ To the Chesapeake shore kindly Providence Korp Lafayette, ^^^^ Washington De Grasse, with the white-bannered army and b?ai/meetTt" nWilliams- eet, biu-M'. ^ ^ A French fleet And to Clinton s dismay are up and away GrasslfemSrs His menacinor foemen, to be at the meet. ^^leaki''^' t> 'Tis the last of September; twelve thousand allies sietre of Draw nearer and nearer the coveted prize. Cut off from escape and too weak to defend. 48 Surrender Comwallis Surrenders: — the war's at an end. Cornwallis ^'et^iTnsT'On October nineteenth, of the year eighty-one, This last crownine work for our freedom was done. Evacuation of The uews Came to North, Hke a ball in the Savannah, Charleston,^ ureast. ^ew^Yorkf ' In the clamor for peace, George at last, acquiesced; From Savannah and Charleston his troops are withdrawn. Carleton sails from New York, and the Briton is gone. On October the third, of the year eighty-three, Treaty of To the Treaty of Paris the nations agree. Paris between GreatBritain. Nova Scotia and Canada Enorland retains, the United ^ ^ ^ _ ' ^ Fra^nceand And Florida, now, with the Spaniard remains, spain.jep. 3. q^ ^^^^ j^^^^^^ Republic, with liberty crowned. Is the far Mississippi the westerly bound.