, "- ' - %■ Ml mih •■ » w W A w\ tin -lb HISTORICAL SCENES f^D £* fTHE UNITED STATES ERESTING NEW-HAVEN : PUBLISHED BY MONSON AND C<>, 1827. DISTRICT OF COMNEC. 1C Be it remembered, That on the twenty-first day of March, in the fifty-first year of the Indepenflenee of the United States of America, John W. Barber, of the said District, hath de- posited in this office the title fcf a wok, the right whereof he claims as Author and Propgietorrep the words following, to wit: "Historical Scenes in the United States, or a selection of im- portant and interesting events in the history of the United States. Illustrated by numerous Engravings." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, en- tiled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and pro- prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned." — And also to the act, entitled " An act supplementary to an act, entitled ' An act for the encouragement of learning, by se- curing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein men- tioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of de- signing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. PREFACE. The object of this little work is to present to the youthful reader a concise and comprehensive account of some of the most important and interesting events which have taken place in the history of our country, arranged in a chronological order. In compiling this Book a variety of works have been consulted, and care has been taken, that the events herein recorded should be drawn from the most au- thentic sources, and in some instances the same words of the different authors are used. It is believed that the Engraving which accompanies each scene, will be of much utility in assisting the mem- ory to retain the facts mentioned. It is also believed that this work might be used with advantage in many of our schools, and for this purpose Questions on each scene are inserted at the end of the Book. A Chronological Table is likewise added, containing some of the most important events which have taken place in the history of the United States, arranged under their respective heads. New-Haven, 1827. ••• limited States Sftetcftea, $zt. (1.) Native Indians. Before the arrival of the European settlers the whole of what is now the United States was an unbroken wilderness inhabited by small tribes or clans of Indians. Where many of our populous cities and villages rise, was then a gloomy forest, resounding with the howlings of wild beasts and the terriffic yells of the savages. The native Indians of North America were di- vided into many small tribes, governed by their sachems, or kings, and were often at war with each other. In their persons the Indians were tall, straight, and well proportioned. In their councils they were distinguished for their gravity and eloquence ; in war for bravery, stratagem, and revenge. Hunting, fishing, and war, was the employment of the men. The women were compelled to till the field, and to perform the drudgery of their do mestic affairs. Their dress in summer consisted chiefly of a slight covering about the waist; in winter they clothed themselves with the skins of wild animal? 1* They were extremely fond of ornaments, and on days of festivity and show they were painted with various colours and profusely ornamented with shells, beads, and feathers. Their habitations which were called by the Eng- lish wigwams, were constructed by erecting a strong pole for the centre, around which other poles a few feet distant were driven, and fastened to the centre pole at the top, then covered with mats and bark of trees, which rendered them a shelter from the weather. • Their warlike instruments and domestic utensils were few and simple : — a tomahawk, or hatchet of stone, bows and arrows, sharp stones and shells, which they used for knives and hoes, and stone mortars for pounding their corn. For money they used small beads curiously wrought from shells and strung on belts, or in chains, called wampum. The Indians believed that they should exist after this life, and if they were good warriors and hun- ters, that they would after death find plenty of ofame, &,c. ; accordingly when a person died they buried with him his bow and arrows, dogs and whatever else was valuable to him when living. They believed in the existence of two gods, the one good whom they called the Great Spirit, and the other evil. They considered the Great Spirit superior to the evil. They likewise worshipped the sun, moon, fire, thunder, and any thing which they thought superior to themselves or capable of doing them an injury. Their manner of worship was to sing and dance around a large fire, and they sometimes sacrificed some animal to appease their evil deities when they were suffering affliction. They prayed to the Great Spirit for success when they set out on their enterprises of hunting or war. In their most dangerous disorders they sent for their Powaws, or priests who used many spells and incantations for the recovery of the sick. These powaws had a great influence over the minds of the Indians. The Indians appeared to have distinct tradi- tions of the creation and deluge, and some of their words, rites, and ceremonies, bear a strong affinity to those of the ancient Hebrews. (2.) Settlement at Jamestown in Virginia. The first European who discovered the coast of the United States was John Cabot a Venetian, who was employed by Henry VII. of England to make discoveries. What is now called the Island of Newfoundland was first seen by him, and sail- ing thence in a westerly direction he ranged the 8 coast to Florida. This was in the year 1497 — about five years after the first discoveries of Columbus. After many unsuccessful attempts to establish a permanent settlement, Capt. Christopher Newport was sent out by a company in England with 150 colonists. After a voyage of four months they entered the Chesapeak bay and proceeded up a river called by the natives Powhattan, (now James River,) and landed May 1607, at the place which now bears the name of Jamestown. This was the first permanent colony in North America. i^9* (3.) Pocahontas. Among the most enterprising and brave of the Virginia settlers was Capt. John Smith. Under a pretext of commerce he was drawn into an ambush of a numerous body of Indians, who seized him and carried him in triumph to Powhattan their king. Powhattan sentenced him to death. Capt. Smith was led out and his head was placed upon a large stone to receive the fatal blow. At this mo- ment Pocahontas the youngest and darling daugh- ter of Powhattan, then thirteen years old, rushed to the spot where Capt. Smith lay, threw her arms about his neck, and placed her own head on his, declaring that if the cruel sentence was executed ITiicgriiiia - HPR'' JPIl §g acinus ettg Mag g acinus rise in this war had acquired renown, received in- formation that Philip was in a swamp near Mount Hope. To this place he marched immediately vith a party of men whom he placed in ambush ibout the swamp, with orders not to move until daylight, that they might distinguish Philip. Cap- 24 tain Church confident of success, took Major San* ford by the hand, exclaiming, " It is scarcely pos- sible that Philip should escape ;" at this moment a bullet whistled over their heads, and a volley followed. Immediately Philip with his powder- horn and gun ran fiercely towards a spot where lay concealed a white man and a friendly Indian. The Englishman levelled his gun at Philip, but it missed fire. The Indian ally then fired. The bullet entered the heart of Philip, and he fell on his face in the mire of the swamp. By the order of Captain Church his body was drawn from the place where he fell, — beheaded and quartered. The Indian who executed this order, taking his hatchet, thus addressed the body of Philip : — i: You have been one very great man — You have made a many a man afraid of you — but so big as you be I will chop you in pieces." " Thus fell a brave chieftain who defended him- self, and what he imagined to be the just rights of his countrymen to the last extremity." (15.) The Regicides. Soon after the restoration of the monarchy in England, many of the judges who had condemned King Charles I. to death, were apprehended, FJ!M>ae Island 2a Thirty were condemned and ten were executed as traitors ; two of them, Colonels Goffe and Whal- ley made their escape to New-England and ar- rived in Boston in July, 1660. They were gentle- men of worth, and were much esteemed by the colonists for their unfeigned piety. Their man- ners and appearance were dignified, "commanding universal respect. Whalley had been a Lieutenant General, and Goffe a Major General, in Crom- well's army. An order for their apprehension from Charles II. reached New England soon after their arrival. The King's commissioners, eager to ex- ecute this order, compelled the judges to resort to the woods and caves and other hiding places ; and they would undoubtedly have been taken had not the colonists secretly aided and assisted them in their concealments. Sometimes the} found a ref- uge in a cave on a mountain near New-Haven, at others in cellars of the houses of their friends, and once they were secreted under the neck bridge in New-Haven, while their pursuers crossed the bridge on horseback. After many hair breadth es- capes the pursuit was given over, and they were finally suffered to die a natural death in their exile. 3 26 (16.) William Penn. The territory of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, from whom it derives its name. This grant was made by King Charles II. of Eng- land, in 1681, in consideration of service rendered to the crown by the father of Penn, who was an admiral in the English navy. In October, 1682, •William Penn arrived in the Delaware, with his colony of Friends or Quakers. He purchased of the natives the land where he proposed to build his capital, which he called Philadelphia, or the seat of brotherly love. William Penn gave the In- dians a satisfactory equivalent for all the lands which he obtained : and when he paid them, he administered such wholesome council and ad- vice as proved salutary to the natives, and great- ly endeared him to their affections. The treaty of peace which he concluded with them in 1682 lasted more than seventy years. He parcelled out his lands at moderate rents, gave free tol- eration to all religious sects, enacted mild and equitable laws, and thus invited a rapid settle- ment of the colony. The respect and affection which the natives had for Penn and those of his religious tenets was so great that it is related as a fact that in their wars with the whites, they never killed a Quaker knowing him to be such. 27 (17.) Preservation of the Charter of Connecticut. The colonies were often alarmed at the arbi- trary proceedings of the King and his council, who made many laws to abridge their freedom. One of their objects was to procure a repeal or surrender of all the patents granted to the colonies, and to place a governor general over the whole. Sir Edmond Andross was appointed the first governor general over New-England, and arrived at Boston in December, 1686. From this place he wrote to the colony of Connecticut to resign their charter ; but without success. In October, 1687, while the Assembly were in session, Governor Andross with his suite and sixty regular troops ar- rived in Hartford and demanded their charter. Ex- tremely unwilling to surrender it, the Assembly purposely continued their debates until evening, when the charter was brought in and laid upon the table. By this time a concourse was assem- bled, and among them were men sufficiently bold to execute whatever might be deemed expedient. A cloth was thrown over the candles which ex- tinguished the lights, and the charter was seized by Captain Wadsworth and secreted in a large hollow oak, which tree is still standing in the city of Hartford. — Sir Edmond was unable to obtain the charter, or to discover who had taken it ; he, 28 however, assumed the government, and closed the records of the colony. (18.) Destruction of Schenectady, by the French and Indians. In the war between England and France in the year 1689, the French, who then possessed Canada, instigated the Indians to hostilities against the col- onies. A detachment of between two and three hundred French and Indians were sent from Mon- treal against the frontiers of New-York. A march of more than twenty days in the depth of winter brought them to Schenectady, February 8th, 1690. In this march they had been reduced to such straits that they had thoughts of surrendering themselves prisoners of war. But their scouts brought to them information that the inhabitants were in a state of unsuspecting security, and this determined them to attack them. On Saturday night about eleven o'clock, they entered the town through an unguarded point, and that they might invest every house at the sarne time, they divided into parties of six or seven men each. The in- habitants were in a profound sleep and unalarmed until the enemy had broken open their doors. In this dreadful surprise and consternation successful 33 (22.) Braddock' s Defeat The encroachments of the French, and the erec- tion by them of a chain of forts on the back settle- ments of the colonies, occasioned the British minis- try to take measures to possess themselves of these forts, and to drive the French from the country. In the spring of 1755, General Braddock arrived in Virginia with two regiments, and was soon joined by Colonel Washington (afterwards Gene- ral Washington,) with a body of colonial troops : the whole force, two thousand men, took up their march for the French fort on the Ohio. General Braddock on the 9th July, with twelve hundred of his troops was within seven miles of Du Quesne, a French fortress which stood where Pitts- burg is now built. Here Colonel Washington, who understood the mode of Indian warfare better than his general, requested him to reconnoitre with his Virginia riflemen. But General Braddock, who held the American officers in contempt, rejected Washington's council, and swelling with rage, re- plied with an oath, " High times ! High times ! when a young buckskin can teach a British General how to fight." The troops advanced in heavy columns, and passing a narrow defile they fell into an ambush of French and Indians, who opened a deadly fire upon the English and American troops, who were 34 obliged to fire at random as they could not see their foe. Braddock continued to urge on his men until he was mortally wounded, and about seven hundred men were killed, including many of his principal officers. Colonel Washington now covered the re- treat of the regulars, and saved them from entire destruction. (23.) Stamp Act. The British Parliament in the year 1765, for the purpose of raising a revenue from the colonies, passed the famous stamp act : which ordained that all instruments of writing, as contracts, deeds, notes, &c. should not be valid, unless executed on stamped paper, on which a duty should be paid. This alar- med the- colonies and awakened their indignation. They determined to resist the execution of the law. The 1st November, 1765, was the day on which this act was to take effect. " In Boston the bells toiled, the shops were shut, effigies of the royalists were carried about in derision and torn in pieces. At Portsmouth, the bells tolled, a coffin was made, on the lid was inscribed " Liberty, aged 145," and with unbraced drums and minute guns a procession followed it to the grave. At the close Penpgylhra maa ##j^|k ' ^^r- :M ' raff ^5s^ £§j^ i ' ^a_ Sk ^ H t# ! i > ; ^M t ;'%#' fiH 1 ;| : 1 Brl ; " ^lal'fn wmA w I J ,/ -V- 3 - ,S \"~ =3 " ■ #v- I |=ni>=^^s i faff WL ■ ^;; : ■ ^^^CI^ mV~t~' ..■■ ■ - W=£^-^> «3^fiB ^^^^^^^^^- -^gggggsi --- = §§§H£§§ ^&^Btt&Z&^£^^^r&£& ](> '(Mum^etn.'CiiLf 29 resistance was impossible, and this wretched peo- ple were aroused from their midnight slumbers to endure the perpetration of savage and inhuman barbarities, too shocking here to record. Sixty of the inhabitants were killed and twenty taken off captives. To crown their work the enemy set on fire the village, killed most of the cattle and the horses, and those which were spared they drove off laden with plunder. Those of the people who es- caped, fled almost naked through a deep snow, and in a heavy storm twenty-five of whom lost the use of (heir limbs by the severe frost. (19.) Salem Witchcraft. The year 1692 is memorable in New England for the convulsion produced in Salem and its vicinity by the supposed prevalence of Witchcraft. Many were supposed to be be-witched, and would com- plain of being bitten, pinched, pricked with pins, &c. ; some declared that they beheld a spec- tural representation of the person who they said was the cause of their affliction. Some were struck dumb, others had their limbs distorted in a shock- ing manner, sometimes running on their hands and feet, creeping through holes and under chairs, ta- 3* 30 bles, &c. ; barking like a dog, with other actions equally strange and unaccountable. Upon the ac- cusation and testimony of persons thus afflicted, many were imprisoned, and nineteen were ex- ecuted for practising witchcraft, most of whom died professing their innocence. The evil became alarming, but the magistrates finally acquitted those who were accused and the menacing storm blew over to the great joy of the inhabitants. At this period a belief in witchcraft was not con- fined to New-England. Sir Matthew Hale, and many eminent men in England were far from con- sidering it a contemptible superstition. (20.) Great Snow Storm. In February 1717, fell the greatest snow ever known in this country or perhaps in any other. So deep was the snow that the people stepped out of their chamber-windows on snow shoes ; with this fall of snow there was a terrible tempest. Eleven hundred sheep, the property of one man, were found dead ; one flock of a hundred on Fishers' Island were found buried sixteen feet in the snow, two of them only were alive, they having subsisted on the wool of their companions twenty-eight day^ after the storm. 31 (21.) Invasion of Georgia. In 1742, two years after the declaration of war by England against Spain, the Spaniards attacked Georgia. A Spanish armament, consisting of thirty-two sail, with three thousand men, under command of Don Manuel de Monteano, sailed from St. Augustine, and arrived in the river Alta- maha. The expedition, although fitted out at great expense, failed of accomplishing its object General Oglethorpe was at this time at fort Simons. Finding himself unable to retain posses- sion of it, having but about seven hundred men. he spiked his cannon, and, destroying his military stores, retreated to his head-quarters at Frederica, On the first prospect of an invasion, General Oglethorpe had applied to the governor of South Carolina for assistance, but the Carolinians, fear- ing for the safety of their own territory, and not approving of general Oglethorpe's management in his late expedition against St. Augustine, declined furnishing troops, but voted supplies. In this state of danger and perplexity, the gen- eral resorted to stratagem. A French soldier be- longing to his army deserted to the enemy. Fear- ing the consequences of their learning his weak- ness, he devised a plan by which to destroy the credit of any information that the deserter might give 32 With this view, he wrote a letter to the French de- serter in the Spanish camp, addressing him as if he were a spy of the English. This letter he bribed a Spanish captive to deliver, in which he directed the deserter to state to the Spaniards, that he was in a weak and defenceless condition, and to urge them on to an attack. Should he not be able, however, to persuade them to this, he wished him to induce them to con- tinue three days longer at their quarters, in which time he expected two thousand men, and six British men of war, from Carolina. The above letter, as was intended, was delivered to the Spanish general, instead of the deserter, who immediately put the latter in irons. A council of war was called, and while delibera- ting upon the measures which should be taken, three supply ships, which had been voted by Caro- na, appeared in sight. Imagining these to be the men of war alluded to in the letter, the Span- iards, in great haste, fired the fort, and embarked, leaving behind them several cannon, and a quan- tity of provisions. By this artful, but unjustifiable expedient, the country was relieved of its invaders, and Georgia, and probably a great part of South Carolina, was saved from ruin. Goodrich's History of the United States.- Mag § a elwns etts CreiDrrisi limited. States ^K^M^MMm, FiKjmmsyt^aimi a , ji.-;"-' ■;,-:"■-: •^■'■"'■■.■ii'..' 1 ". ^ ■_. , ■ ■•- ' ■'-..- .. ~.f'', - ,"■■■' ■■■'' ' - ^ '!'J ;i '. i. " '■. -" .•" • 1 3P X ; ■ ' — ■''• V '■' .-'"-.'■",' - ■_ - - _ — -' --i--..-''* ■ -^■T..„ '22 I^ew^Hampgliiiife Mas 6 a elins ett ^ 36 of an oration the coffin was taken up, signs of life appeared in the corpse, Liberty revived, was sub- stituted, the bells struck a cheerful key, joy spark- led in every countenance." Similar proceedings occurred in other parts of the colonies, and the obnoxious act was shortly af- ter repealed. (24.) Destruction of Tea in Boston. The British ministry still persisting in their right, to tax the colonies, had for this purpose given per- mission to the East India Company to ship a large quantity of Teas to America, charged with duty. The Americans fixed in their opposition to the principal of taxation in any shape, opposed the landing of the tea. In New- York and in Philadel- phia, the cargoes sent out were returned without being entered at the Custom Houses. In Boston* the tea being consigned to the Royal Governor (Hutchinson) the populace disguised in the dress of Indians, went on board of the tea ships and threw about 340 chests into the sea. Intelligence of this transaction reached the British ministry, and in 1774, they passed an act to restrain all intercourse by water, with the town of Boston, by closing the 36 port. They also removed the government and pub- lic offices to Salem. (25.) Battle of Lexington. Determined to reduce the rebellious colonies to submission, the British ministry transported a force of 10,000 men, who were stationed at Boston. On the night of the 18th of April, 1775, Gen, Gage, the King's governor of Massachusetts, de- tached a body of 800 men, with orders to march to Concord, and destroy the military stores collect- ed by the Americans at that place. Their move- ments were discovered, and the country alarmed. Early in the morning, about 170 of the Lexington militia had assembled on the green. Major Pit- cairn who commanded the detachment of British troops, rode up to the militia, and addressing them as rebels ordered them to disperse. Not being obeyed, Pitcairn discharged his pistol, and ordered his men to lire. Eight of the Americans were kil- led and several wounded. The British proceed- ed to Concord, destroyed the stores, and returned to Boston, closely followed by the exasperated Americans, who from behind fences and walls, fired upon their rear. Had not the British had a rein- Massaclnniscttg "Mas s aclMisetts jlr^.'Jv £ 1 '"-'"" ===== BEWii m$i | 6 " 37 forcement at Lexington, it is doubtful whether any of them had reached Boston. Thus began the contest which dismembered the British empire, and ended in the establishment of the independence of our country. (26.) Battle of Bunker's Hill. On the evening of June 16, 1775, about 1000 militia, mostly from Massachusetts and Connect- icut, and one artillery company were detached from the American camp, to fortify Bunker Hill, an eminence near the town of Boston. At this hill they halted, but concluded to advance to an adja- cent height, called Breed's Hill, which was nearer to the enemy, and thought to be a more command- ing position. Here about midnight, they silently began throw- ing up a redoubt, which they completed about noon, the next day. The British unable by their cannon- ades to dislodge the Americans from their strong hold, between two and three o'clock, advanced in two columns for the attack. The Americans re- served their fire while the enemy were advancing, until they were sufficiently near to make their aim sure. When within about eight rods of the breast- work, a shower of bullets were poured in upon them, 38 and repeated with such effect, that hundreds of the assailants fell, and the remainder retreated in dis- may. The fire from the British ships and batteries which had been incessant, was now renewed, with increased vigour ; and the British officers rallied their men and again advanced. The fire of the Americans was again reserved, for a still nearer ap- proach, — and again they let fly a shower of balls upon the foe, who completely routed, fled a second time to the banks of the river. The British officers were unable to rally their men for a third attack, one third of their comrades had fallen, and it was not until a reinforcement of 1000 men with artillery had joined them from Boston, that they could be persuaded to make a third assault. With these fresh troops, they entered the redoubt with fixed bayonets, and after much slaughter on both sides, the American militia being nearly exhaust- ed, retreated to Bunker Hill, when some fresh militia coming up covered their retreat, and the remnant of this brave band crossed Charlestown neck, about 7 o'clock. Among the dead, the Americans had to lament the brave and patriotic Warren — he was shot in the head by a musket ball, sometime after the word was given to retreat, and immediately ex- pired.* * For a more minute account of the battle of Bunker Hilly see the appendix. A. 39 ( 27.) Washington Commander in Chief of the Amer- ican Army. The first general congress consisted- of delegates from twelve colonies, and convened at Philadel- phia on the 5th of Sept. 1774. They published a declaration of their rights, sent a petition to the king, and addresses to the British people. In May, 1775, Congress, agreeable to adjournment, convened again. Hostilities having been commenced, it was a point of vital importance to the American cause, to select a proper person for commander in chief of the American forces. On the 15th of June of this year, George Wash- ington, a delegate from Virginia, was by the unan- imous voice of Congress, appointed to this impor- tant station. Soon after his appointment, Washing- ton repaired to the army who were besieging Bos- ton, and was received with profound respect and joyful acclamation. The American army had so closely besieged Boston, that the British evacuated the town on the 17th of March, 1776, taking with them about 1500 of the inhabitants, who for their adherence to the British cause, feared the resentment of their coun- trymen. Gen. Washington immediately entered Boston. 40 (28.) Declaration of Independence. [SCENE AT NEW-YORK.] The British government viewing the American people as rebels, had placed them out of their pro- tection, employed foreign mercenaries to assist in subduing them, and by numerous oppressive acts, had provoked them to broach the subject of their independence of the British crown. Accordingly the subject was brought before Congress, but some of the members of that body being absent they post- poned the consideration of it to the 1st of July; when they met and appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benj. Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Philip Livingston, to frame the declaration of Inde- pendence. Their report (which was drafted by Mr. Jefferson,) was read and accepted, and Con- gress declared the United States free and inde- pendent July 4, 1776. "This declaration was received by the people, with transports of joy and public rejoicings in various parts of the union. In New-York, the statue of George III was taken down and the lead of which it was composed was converted into musket balls." (29.) Battle of Trenton. The summer and fall of 1776, was the most gloomy period of the American revolution. Gen. w^brlsi JSTew-Jeffgex 41 Washington had been obliged to retreat from Long Island to New-York, thence over the Hudson to New Jersey, and through New Jersey to Pennsyl- vania, vigorously pursued by an enemy, flushed w'th a seiies of success. The retreat through New Jersey, was attended with circumstances of a pain- ful and trying nature. Washington's army which had consisted of 30,000 men, was now diminished to scarcely 3,000 and these were without supplies, without pay, and many of them without shoes or comfortable clothing. Their footsteps were stain- ed with their blood, as they fled before the enemy. The aflairs of the Americans, seemed in such a des- perate condition, that those who had been the most confident of success, began desparingly to give up all as lost. Many Americans joined the British and took protections from them. In this season of general despondency, the American Congress, re- commended to each of the states, to observe " a day of solemn fasting and humiliation before God." Gen. Washington saw the necessity of making a desperate effort for the salvation of his country. On the night of the 25th of December, 1776, the American army recrossed the Delaware, which was filled with pieces of floating ice, and marched to attack a division of Hessians who had advanced to Trenton. The sun had just risen, as the tents of the enemy appeared in sight. No time was to be 4- lost — Washington rising on his stirrups, waved his sword towards the hostile army, and exclaimed, " There, my brave friends, are the enemies of your country ! and now all I have to ask of you is to re- member what you are about to fight for ! March! ! The troops animated by their commander, pres- sed on to the charge — the Hessians were ta- ken by surprise, and before they could form the contest was decided : about 1 000 were taken pris- oners, and 40 killed, among whom was their com- mander (a German officer) Col. Rahl. ;®»* (30.) Murder of Miss McCrea. Previous to the American revolution, there resi- ded near fort Edward an accomplished young man named Jones, and a young lady by the name of McCrea, between whom a strong attachment sub- isted. Upon the breaking out of war Mr. Jones who favoured the royalists, fled into Canada. Thence he accompanied the expedition of Bur- goyne into the States. When the British army were within about three miles of fort Edward, Mr. Jones found means secretly to inform Miss McCrea of his approach : he entreated her not to leave the place, and informed her that as soon as the fort had 43 surrendered he would seek an asylum where they might peaceably consummate the nuptial ceremony. Confiding in her lover Miss McCrea heroically refu- sed to follow the flying villagers. The tears and in- treaties of her parents and friends availed nothing. Mr. Jones anxious to possess his intended bride, despatched a party of Indians to convey her to the British army, and offered to reward them for their service with a barrel of rum. The Indians brought a letter from her lover, and also his horse to convey Miss McCrea; she scrupled not to place herself under their protection, and accordingly set out for the British camp. When about half way a second party of Indians hearing of the captivating offer made by Mr. Jones, determined to avail themselves of the reward. A bloody strife ensued, in which some of the Indians were killed, when the chief of the first party to decide the contest, with his toma- hawk knocked the lady from her horse, tore off her scalp and bore it as a trophy to her anxious and impatient lover ! Humanity revolted at the atrocity of the deed ! The tale tingled in the ears of the American people, exasperated them against the British and their savage allies, and probably accel- erated the downfall of Burgoyne. 44 (31.) Capture of General Burgoyne. (AT SARATOGA.) In 1777, General Burgoyne with an army of seven thousand chosen men and a large body of Indians, invaded the northern states from Canada, with a view to intercept all communication between the northern and southern states. In June he crossed the lake and took possession of Ticonderoga, a fortress on the southern shores of lake Champlain, which had been abandoned by the Americans. General Burgoyne crossed the Hudson on the 13th and 14th of September, with a view to penetrate to Albany, but at Saratoga he was held in check by the American army under General Gates, who was daily reinforced by militia from all parts of New-England. After two severe actions General Burgoyne was inclosed in a narrow pass, with the Hudson on one side, a body of Amer- icans in his rear — his boats he had ordered to be burnt, and he could not retreat while an army of thirteen thousand men opposed him in front, and he was forced to surrender his whole army of five thousand and seven hundred effective men on the 17th October, 1777.* *The particulars of this engagement as related by Gen- eral Wilkinson, see the Appendix B. Hiew-^biclk. CoTaiiLe^ti^iDLt; 45 (32.) General Putnam s escape at Horseneck. About the middle of the winter of 1778, General Putnam, a bold and veteran officer, was on a visit to his outpost at Horseneck, where he found Tryon the British Governor advancing upon that place with a corps of fifteen hundred men. To oppose this force General Putnam had only a force of one hun- dred and fifty men with two iron field pieces, with- out horses or dragropes. Having planted his can- non on an eminence, he fired until the enemy's horse (supported by infantry) were about to charge ; he then ordered his men to shelter theihselves in a neighbouring swamp inaccessible to the enemy's cavalry — and putting spurs to his horse, he plunged down a precipice so steep that about one hundred stone steps or stairs had been constructed for the accommodation of foot passengers. The British dragoons who were but a sword's length from him, not daring to follow, stopped, and before they could gain the valley Putnam was far beyond their reach. (33.) Storming ofStoney Point. The reduction of this place, July 15, 1779, was one of the most bold enterprises which occurred in 46 the Revolutionary war. (Stoney point is 40 miles north of New- York, on the Hudson.) " At this time Stoney Point was in the condition of a real fortress, it was furnished with a select gar- rison of more than 600 men, and had stores in abundance, and defensive preparations which were formidable. Fortified as it was, Gen. Washington ventured an attempt to reduce it. The enterprise was committed to Gen. Wayne, who with a strong detachment of active infantry, set out towards the place at noon. His march of fourteen miles over high mountains, through deep morasses, and diffi- cult defiles, was accomplished by eight o'clock in the evening. " At the distance of a mile from the point, Gen. Wayne halted and formed his men into two col- umns, putting himself at the head of the right Both columns were directed to march in order and silence, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. At midnight they arrived under the walls of the fort* " An unexpected obstacle now presented itself: the deep morass which covered the works, was at this time overflowed by the tide. The English opened a tremendous fire of musketry and of cannon loaded with grape shot : but neither the inundated morass, nor a double palisade, nor the storm of fire * Goodrich's United Stoles. 47 that poured upon them, could arrest the impetuosity of the Americans ; they opened their way with the bayonet, prostrated whatever opposed them, scaled the fort, and the two columns met in the centre of the works. The English lost upwards of 600 men in killed and prisoners. The conquerors abstain- ed from pillage, and from all disorder ; a conduct the more worthy as they had still present in mind, the ravages and butcheries which their enemies had so recently committed in Virginia and Con- necticut. Humanity imparted new effulgence to the victory which valour had attained."! (34.) Capture of Andre. In the year 1780, a plot fraught with much dan- ger to the American cause, was happily discovered, This plot originated with Arnold, a general in the American army, who by his extravagance and over bearing behaviour, had brought upon himself a rep- rimand from the American Congress. Of a tem- per too impetuous to bear reproof, Arnold bent on revenge, entered into a negotiation through Major John Andre, adjutant general in the British army, f Botta's Revolution. 48 to deliver up to the enemy the important post of West Point, of which Arnold had the command. Andre proceeded in disguise to West Point, drew a plan of the fortress, concerted with Arnold, and agreed upon the manner and time of attack. Having obtained a passport, and assumed the name of Anderson, Andre set out on his return to New York by land. He passed all the outposts of the American army without suspicion. Supposing himself now out of danger, he pressed forward elated with the prospect of the speedy execution of a plot which was to give the finishing blow to liberty in America. But, mark the hand of Providence, — about 30 miles from New-York, as Andre was entering a village called Tarry Town, three militia men, who happened that way, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wert, seized the bridle of his horse, and accosted him with " Where are you bound ?" Andre supposing that they were of the British, did not immediately show his passport, but waving their question, asked them, " where they belonged to?" they replied " to below," (referring to the course of the river, and implying that they were of the British party.) " And so do /," said Andre, (.con- firmed in his mistake by this stratagem,) at the same time informed them that he was a British officer, on urgent business, and must not be detained. [Mew-YonrTk Kew-lGbTck: 49 H You belong to our enemies," exclaimed the militia men, "and we arrest you." Andre struck with as- tonishment, presented his passport, but this after what had passed, only rendered his case the more suspicious. He then offered them a purse of gold, his horse, and watch, besides a large reward from the British government, if they would but liberate him. But these soldiers though poor and obscure, were not to be bribed. They searched him and found concealed in his boot, papers which evidenced his guilt, and they immediately conducted him to Col. Jameson, their comanding officer. Andre was tried by a board of general officers of the American army, and executed as a spy, at Tap • pan, N. Y. October 2. He was a young officer, high minded, brave, accomplished, and humane, He suffered with fortitude, and his fate excited the universal sympathy of all parties. (35.) Surrender of Cornwallis. The 19th of October, 1781, was rendered memo- rable by the surrender of the British army consist- ing of 7000 men under Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va. This joyful event decided the Revolutionary con- test, and laid the foundation for a general peace About the last of August, Count de Grasse with a 5 50 French fleet arrived in the Chesapeake and blocks ed up the British troops who had fortified them- selves at Yorktown. Previous to this, the American and French troops under Gen. Washington had moved to the south- ward ; and as soon as he heard of the arrival of the French fleet, made rapid marches to the head of Elk river, where embarking, the troops soon ar- rived at Yorktown. A close siege was now com- menced, and carried on with such ardour and de- termination by the American and French troops, that Cornwallis was forced to surrender. The spectacle of the surrender was impressive and affecting, The road through which the cap* tive army marched was lined with spectators. On one side, Gen. Washington with the American stafT took their station, on the opposite side was the count de Rochambeau with the French staff. " The captive army approached moving slowly in column with grace and precision. Universal silence was observed amidst the vast concourse, and the utmost decency prevailed ; exhibiting in demeanour an awful sense of the vicissitudes of human life, mingled with commiseration for the unhappy." Lord Cornwallis, unable to endure the humilia- tion of marching at the head of his troops, appoint- ed Gen. O'Hara his representative, who delivered 51 up the sword of Cornwallis to the American Com- mander in Chief. (36.) General Washington taking leave of the Army. The storm of the revolution had subsided, the definitive treaty was signed on the 30th of Septem- ber, 1783, and the 3d of November was fixed on by Congress for disbanding the United States' Army : on the day preceding General Washington gave an affectionate farewell to the soldiers who during "the times that tried mens souls" had fought by his side. " Being now," he said in his address to the army, " to conclude these my last public orders, to take my ultimate leave in a short time of the mili- tary character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies I have so long had the honour to command, I can only again offer in your behalf, my recommenda- tions to our grateful country and my prayer to the God of armies — May ample justice be done you here and may the choicest favour both here and hereafter, attend those who under the divine auspi- ces, have secured innumerable blessings for others ! With these wishes and this benediction the com- mander in chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene will be closed forever," 92 , The officers of the army assembled at New-York —Washington was there also, and at parting thus addressed them : " With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take my leave of you. I most de- voutly wish that your latter days may be as prospe- rous and happy as your former ones have been glo- rious and honourable." Taking each by the hand, he bade them farewell. They then accompanied him to the shore of the Hudson where he was re- ceived in a barge magnificently decorated and man- ned with thirteen sea captains — and waving his hat, while the tears started from his eyes, he bade a silent adieu to the companions of his glory. (37.) Inauguration of Washington. (the first president.) The American people having established their independence, they next proceeeded to form a Constitution of government. Accordingly dele- gates from the several states were appointed to meet in convention for the purpose of framing a Consti- tution. This body met at Philadelphia in 1787 and formed a Constitution which was finally adopted by all the states. According to the Constitution, the several states elected their delegates to the Congress, and by an 53 unanimous vote, General Washington was elected first President. On the 30th of April, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated President of the United States. This ceremony was performed in the open gallery of the Federal Hall in the city of New- York, and the oath was administered by Chancellor Living- ston in the view of a countless multitude of spec tators. Many circumstances concurred to render this scene unusually solemn and interesting — the pre- sence of the Father of his country — the impres- sions of gratitude for his past services — the vast concourse of spectators — the devout fervency with which the oath was repeated — The reverential manner in which he bowed to kiss the sacred vol- ume — His elevation to this high station by the unanimous voice of enlightened freemen. "It seemed from the number of witnesses," said a spectator, " to be a solemn appeal to heaven and earth at once. Upon the subject of this great and good man I may perhaps be an enthusiast, but I confess I was under an awful and religious persua- sion that the gracious ruler of the universe was' looking down at that moment with peculiar com- placency on an act, which to a part of liis creatures was so very important. Under this impression 2* 54 when the Chancellor pronounced in a feeling man- ner " Long live George Washington," my sensi- bility was wound up to such a pitch that I could do no more than to wave my hat with the rest, with- out the power of joining in the repeated acclama- tions that rent the air." (38.) Doctor Franklins experiments in Electricity, The utility of Lightning rods was first suggested by Doctor Franklin, and confirmed by his experi- ments in Philadelphia in 1752. At this time the subject of Electricity was a new science and the philosophers of Europe were busy with it : Franklin to their no small mortifica- tion, advanced a theory which he established by the following experiment : To the upright stick of a kite he attached an iron point, the line of his kite was hemp except the end which he held, this was of silk: to the end of the hemp line he affixed a key — a thunder shower coming up he raised his kite near the cloud, and shortly perceived the effects of the electric fluid which he drew off in sparks, charged a phial with it, and performed such experiments as are now usually performed with electrical machines. ITew-Ywlk (39.) Steam Boats. The first successful application of steam for the purpose of propelling boats was accomplished by Robert Fulton, a native of the state of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fulton's inventive genius displayed itself at an early age. It seems that as early as the year 1 793 he had conceived the idea of propelling ves- sels by steam, and he speaks in some of his wri- tings with great confidence of its practicabilty. After a number of years residence in Europe, and making a variety of experiments both in that coun- try and in this, his labours were finally crowned with success. In the spring of 1807, the first steam boat built in this country was launched from a ship yard in New-York on the East River. The engine which he procured from England was put on board of the boat in August, was completed, and was moved by her machinery to the Jersey shore. This boat which was called the Clermont, soon after sailed for Albany which voyage she accomplished, going at the rate of about five miles an hour ; she afterwards became a regular passage boat between New-York and Albany. From the time that this boat was put in motion, this noble invention has been rapidly extended ; till it is now used in every part of the civilized world. 5e (40.) Expedition of Lewis and Clark. [to the pacific ocean.] In the year 1 803, the extensive territory of Lou- isiana was ceded by the government of France to the United States for fifteen millions of dollars. Upon the acquisition of this new territory, the attention of the government of the United States directed towards exploring the country. Captains Lewis and Clarke with a party of twenty-five men who were enlisted for the purpose, were sent on this expedition. With three boats, they set forth from the mouth of Wood river, near St. Louis on the 14th day of May, 1804. Following the course of the Missouri, they reached the Mandan villages, where they built a kind of Fort and encamped for the winter. In April they left their encampment, and with two large boats and six small canoes, proceeded on their voyage. On the 12th of Au- gust, 1805 they penetrated as far as the source of the Missouri — the longest river in the known world ; (if we add its distance after it unites with the Mississippi to the ocean,) it being almost 4500 miles long. After following its course at the foot of the mountain, its width became contracted to that of a narrow brook. Travelling about four miles, they reached a small gap formed by high mountains which recede on each side, leaving room 57 for an Indian road. From the foot of one of the low- est of these mountains which rises with an ascent of about half a mile, issues the remotest waters of the Missouri. After tarrying awhile at this inter- esting spot, they pursued the Indian path through the interval of hills, and arrived at the top of a ridge, from whence they saw high mountains partially covered with snow still to the west. The ridge on which they stood formed the dividing line between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They then fol- lowed the descent of the ridge, and at the distance of three quarters of a mile, reached a bold creek of clear cold water running to the westward. They stopped to taste for the first time, the waters of the Columbia. Unable to proceed further in canoes they purchased horses of the natives with which they crossed the Rocky Mountains. In performing this journey they were reduced to the necessity of kil- ling some of their horses for food. After passing several ranges of steep and rugged mountains they descended the Columbia river, and arrived at its mouth at the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 14, 1805. Near this place they encamped for the winter, and on the 23d of March following, set out for the United States, and after many hardships and privations, arrived at St. Louis, Sept. 23, 1806. The route which the party took from St. Louis to the Pacific 58 Ocean, was a distance of four thousand one hun- dred and thirty-four miles. In returning, they pass- sed upon a better and more direct route, shorten- ing the distance to three thousand five hundred and fifty-five miles. Second War with Great Britain. June 18, 1812, a bill declaring War against Great Britain having passed both houses of Con- gress, received the signature of President Madison. To go into a history of the causes of this war, its justice, expediency or inexpediency, would exceed the intended limits of these brief sketches. A concise view of some of the principal events only will be attempted. The American people were not united in this war, and during its contin- uance a bitter animosity existed between the two political parties that divided the country. One considered the war unjust in its operation, and if just at all, extremely inexpedient at that time. The other, that it was both just and expedient, and in- dispensible to the maintenance of national honour. 59 (41.) Battle of Lake Erie. The American fleet consisted of nine vessels carrying fifty-four guns commanded by Commo- dore Perry a young officer. The British fleet of six vessels and sixty-three guns, under Commo- dore Barclay, an old and experienced officer who had served under Nelson The line of battle was formed at 11 o'clock. (Sept! 10, 1813.) At fifteen minutes before 12, the enemy's flag ship, " Queen Charlotte" opened a furious fire upon the " Law- rence," the flag ship of Com. Perry. The wind being light, the rest of the squadron were unable to come to his assistance, and he was compelled for two hours to sustain the fire of two of the ene- my's ships, each of equal force. By this time the Lawrence had become unmanageable, every gun was dismounted, her crew except four or five were all killed or wounded. In this desperate condition, Commodore Perry with great presence of mind formed the bold design to shift his flag, and leaped into an open boat, wa- ving his sword he passed unhurt through a shower of balls to the Niagara of twenty guns. At this critical moment the wind increased, and Perry bore down upon the enemy, passing the "Detroit," "Queen Charlotte," and "Lady Provost" on one .side, and the " Chippewa" and " Little Belt" on the 60 other, into each of which while passing he poured a broadside. He then engaged the " Lady Pro- vost," which received so heavy a fire that the men ran below. The remainder of the American squad- ron now one after another came up. After a con- test of three hours the American fleet gained a complete victory, and captured every vessel of the enemy. Commodore Perry announced this victory in the following laconic style : " We have met the en- emy, and they are ours !" The Americans lost in this action twenty-seven killed and ninety-six wounded. The British had about two hundred killed and wounded — the Amer- icans took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded the whole number of Americans engaged in the action. (42.) Death of Tccumseh. On the 5th of October a battle was fought be- tween the American army under General Harrison and the British under General Proctor. In this ac- tion the British were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans. The British were as- sisted by a body of twelve or fifteen hundred In- dian warriors, led on by Tecumseh, a celebrated Indian warrior. The onset was begun with great illT.^rviri Tpt i 40 6i fiiry by Tecumseh on the left, and met by Col. Johnson of Kentucky. The determined and ter- rible voice of Tecumseh was heard encouraging his men, who gathered about him, and fought with desperate courage. Col. Johnson rushed to the spot, when a hundred rifles were levelled at him ; his dress and accoutrements were pierced by the bullets, his horse fell, and himself received a num- ber of wounds. At the instant his horse was about to fall, Col. Johnson was discovered by Tecumseh, who sprang forward with his Tomahawk — for a moment he hesitated — that moment was his last. Col. Johnson aimed a pistol at Tecumseh's breast* and both almost at the same instant fell. Col. John- son's men now rushed forward, and the Indians, hearing no longer the voice of their chief, soon after fled. Since the year 1790, Tecumseh had been in al- most every engagement with the whites — a deter- mined enemy to the attempts to civilize his coun- trymen, and for years had endeavoured to unite the tribes in opposition to the progress of the whites to the West. (43) Burning of Washington City. In August 1814, ,a body of about 6000 British troops, commanded by Gen. Ross, landed at Bene- 6 62 diet, on the Pautuxet, 47 miles from Washington. He met with little opposition on his march, until within about six miles of Washington, at Bladens- burgh. Here Gen. Winder with the American for- ces composed mostly of militia hastily collected, opposed them. The Americans, however, fled at the beginning of the contest. Com. Barney with about 400 men made a brave resistance, but the enemy superior in numbers, compelled him to sur- render. Leaving Bladensburgh, Gen. Ross went to Wash- ington, where he arrived in the evening of the 23d August, about 8 o'clock with 700 men, having left the main body about a mile and a half from the Cap- itol. Immediately on his arrival, this modern Goth issued orders to set on fire the public buildings. The Capitol and the President's house, two no- ble buildings, were burnt ; the valuable libraries in the Capitol were also destroyed. The great Bridge across the Potomac — a splendid Hotel and many other private buildings. On the 25th they retired by rapid marches and regained their shipping, having lost about 1000 men in this expedition. 63 (44) Battle on Lake Champlain. In September 1814, an army of 14,000 men un- der the command of Sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada, and a fleet on Lake Cham- plain under Commodore Downie, carrying 95 guns, and 1050 men approached Plattsburg. The American fleet, commanded by Commodore Macdonough, carried but 86 guns, and 826 men. While lying off Plattsburgh, on the 11th of Sep- tember the British fleet bore down upon them in order of battle. Ordering his vessels to be cleared for action, Commodore Macdonough gallantly received the enemy. The engagement was exceedingly obsti- nate ; the enemy fought bravely ; but the superior- ity of the American gunnery prevailed, they fired much oftener than their enemies. After an en- gagement of two hours and twenty minutes the Brittish ships were silenced, and one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war, fell into the hands of the Americans. Several British gallies were sunk, and a few others escaped. The Americans lost 52 killed, and 58 wounded. The loss of the Brit- ish was 84 killed, and 1 10 wounded, Sir Geo. Prevost, who commanded the land for- ces, commenced an attack upon the American works at Plattsburgh, at the same time that the 64 fleets were engaged, but was compelled to retire by the Americans under Gen. Macomb with the loss of 2500 men. ->♦►«©©♦— (45) Gen. Jackson s Victory at New-Orleans. In the month of Dec. 1814, fifteen thousand Brit- ish troops under Sir Edward Packenham were landed for the attack of New-Orleans. The de- fence of this place was entrusted to Gen. Andrew Jackson, whose force was about 6000 men, chiefly raw militia. Several slight skirmishes occurred before the enemy arrived before the city — during this time Gen Jackson was employed in making preparation for his defence. His front was a straight line of 1000 yards, defended by upwards of three thousand Infantry and Artilerists. The ditch contained five feet of water, and his front, from hav- ing been flooded by opening the levees, and by fre- quent rains, was rendered slippery and muddy. Eight distinct batteries were judiciously disposed, mounting in all 1 2 guns of different calibres. On the opposite side of the river was a strong battery of fifteen guns. On the 8th of January, Gen. Packenham with upwards of 12,000 men, deliberately advanced in solid columns to the attack over an even plain, in 65 front of the American intrenchments, his men car- rying, besides their muskets, facines and ladders Entire silence prevailed through the American lines until the British were within reach of their batte- ries, when a destructive cannonade was opened ; yet they advanced, closing up their ranks as fast as they were opened by the fire of the Americans. But when within the reach of musketry and rifles, the Americans poured in such a tremendous and destructive fire, that the British columns were lit- erally swept away. Unable to stand the shock, confusion followed, and Gen. Packenham in the attempt to rally his troops was killed. The two Generals Gibbs and Kean, succeeded in pushing forward their columns the second time, but this was more fatal than the first. The contin- ued rolling fire from the American lines resembled peals of thunder. A few platoons only reached the ditch, to meet a more certain destruction. A third attempt was made to lead up the troops which proved equally unavailing. Gen. Gibbs and Kean were severely wounded, the former mor- tally. The plain before the American lines now present- ed a wide field of blood. Seven hundred of the Brit- ish were killed, 1400 wounded, and 500 were taken prisoners — making the whole of their loss, nearly 66 3000 men. The loss of the Americans did not ex^ ceed seven killed, and they had only six wounded ! ! The enemy soon after with great secrecy em- harked on board their shipping. iii8@9 iti (46) Western Antiquities. The numerous remains of ancient fortifications, mounds, &c. found in the Western States, are the admiration of the curious, and a matter of much speculation. They are mostly of an oblong form, situated on well chosen ground, and near the water. One of the fortifications or towns at Marietta, (Ohio) contains forty acres, accompanied by a wall of earth from six to ten feet high. On each side are three openings at equal distances, resembling gateways. The works are undoubtedly very an- cient, as there does not appear to be any difference in the age or size of the timber growing on, or with- in the walls, and that which grows without ; and the Indians have lost all tradition respecting them. Dr. Cutler who accurately examined the trees on the works at Marietta, thinks from appearances, that they are on the second growth, and that the works must have been built upwards of 1000 years. Old© 5|46 67 At a convenient distance from these works ab nays stands a mound of earth, thrown up in the form of a pyramid. Upon examination some of these mounds are found to contain an immense number of human skeletons. The ancient works on the western branches of the Muskingum river, extend nearly two miles, the ramparts of which are, now in some places more than eighteen feet in perpendicular height. There must have been a dense population to have erect- ed such works as these, and a people more devo- ted to labour, than the present race of Indians. The most probable conjecture respecting these people is, that they were of Tartar origin, and came across to this continent near Behring's Strait's, and going southward, followed the course of the great rivers, finding the soil fruitful on the Ohio and Mississippi, resided there for a while, till at length following each other they established themselves in the warm and fertile vales of Mexico- (47) Erie Canal. This Grand Canal the longest in the world (if we except the Imperial Canal of China) was com- menced July 4th 1817, and completed Oct. 26th, 68 1825, at the expense of about eight millions of dollars. This Canal extends from Albany on the Hud- son, to Buffalo on Lake Erie, a distance of 350 miles. From the Lake to the River there is generally a descent, though in some places there is an ascent : so that the aggregate of rise and fall is 662 feet, and the difference of level between the Lake and River is 564 feet. The Canal is 49 feet wide on the surface, 28 at the bottom, and 4 feet deep. It contains 80 locks, with several considerable embankments and aque- ducts. It is the property of the State of New- York, and will probably afford a large revenue for public purposes. When the Canal was completed October 26, a Canal Boat from Lake Erie entered the Canal, which event was announced by the firing of can- non placed at suitable distances, from Lake Erie to the city of New- York, and from thence back again to Lake Erie. On the 5th of November, when the Canal Boat arrived at the city of New-York, the day was cele- brated by splendid processions, military parades, &c. &c. In the aquatic procession which accompanied the Canal Boat from New-York to Sandy Hook. 69 were 22 Steam Boats and Barges. When they ar- rived at the Hook, Governor Clinton went through the ceremony of uniting the waters, by pouring that of Lake Erie into the Atlantic. (48.) General La Fayette s Visit. Gilbert Mottie, La Fayette, the Marquis de la Fayette, America's early and tried friend, was born on the 6th of September, 1757, in the province of Auvergne, now the department of Haute Loire, in France, about 400 miles from Paris. He sprang from the ancient and illustrious fam- ily of Mottie, which, for several centuries past, has added the name of La Fayette. In 1774, at the age of seventeen, he was married to the Countess Anastasie de Noailles, daughter of the Duke de Noailles. The fortune of this lady, added to his own, increased his income to about 40,000 dollars annually ; an immense revenue at that period. The contest between Great Britain and her North American colonies was a subject of much interest to the nations of Europe, especially to the French people. The Marquis La Fayette fired with enthu- siastic ardour in the cause of Liberty, tore himself from an affectionate family and the honours of the court, and notwithstanding the prohibition of the 70 French court, embarked for America in January, 1777, and entered the American army as a volun- teer, without compensation. The American Con- gress struck with his magnanimity, gave him the commission of a Major General in the army of the United States. His gallant conduct at the battle of Brandy wine, (where he was wounded,) and at many other places till the close of the war, proved him worthy of the confidence placed in him. La Fayette likewise gave large sums for the pur- pose of clothing and arming the American troops. After the close of the revolutionary war, La Fayette returned to France, where he was appoint- ed commander of the French armies. During the furious and bloody storm of the French Revolution, he was obliged to flee, and surrender himself to the Austrians, who imprisoned him in the castle of Omultz. Having suffered a rigorous imprisonment for five years, he was through the influence of Buonaparte 'afterwards Emperor of France) released on the 25th of August, 1797. After an absence of forty years, General La Fayette determined once more to visit the country of his adoption. Congress hearing of his determi- nation offered a public ship for the conveyance of the " Nation's Guest," but he politely declined 71 their offer, and chose a private conveyance. He accordingly with his son, George Washington La Fayette, embarked at Havre, on board the ship Cadmus, and arrived at New- York Aug. 16, 1824. He was received with enthusiastic demonstra- tions of joy, by all classes of the American people. From New- York he proceeded by land to Boston, passing through New-Haven, and Providence. From Boston he proceeded to Portsmouth, N. H. from whence he returned to Boston, and New- York, passing through Worcester, Hartford, and Middletown. From New-York he went up the Hudson, visiting Albany and other places on the river. Returning to New-York he proceeded on to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. Here he was received by the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States, who voted him two hundred thousand dollars and a township of land for the important services rendered by him during the Revolutionary war. General La Fayette commenced his tour from Washington, through the southern and western States, and returned to Albany by the way of Buf- falo and the Grand Canal. From Albany he pro- ceeded to Boston through Springfield, where he ar- rived on the 16th of June, and was received by the Legislature of Massachusetts then in session. On 72 the 1 7th he was present at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Bunker Hill Monument. He then visited the States of New-Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, and returned to New-York to participate in the celebration of the fiftieth anni- versary of American Independence. He took his final leave of New-York, July 14th, visited the Ex-Presidents in Virginia, and soon after embarked for France on board the frigate Brandy- wine, followed with the grateful benedictions of Uie American people QUESTIONS. Scene 1. What is said of our country before the arrival of the Europeans? how were the Indians divi- ded and governed I describe their persons. What was the employment of the men and women ? can you describe their dress ? their ornaments? habitations? their instruments of war ? their domestic utensils ? money ? did the Indians believe in a future state ? describe their burials. What ideas had they of God ? what was their manner of worship ? what is said of their powaws or priests ? of their traditions ? Scene 2. Who was the first European that discov- ered the coast of the United States ? by whom was he employed ? in what year did he make the discovery ? how long after the first discoveries of Columbus ? who first established a settlement in North America ? at what time, and where was the settlement made ? Scene 3. What is said of Captain Smith ? how was he taken by Indians ? who doomed him to death ? who saved his life ? in what manner ? Scene 4. Who plotted the destruction of the col- ony at Jamestown ? in what manner ? how were the colonists saved ? who did Pocahontas marry ? what i? 74 said of her after this event ? what is said of her de- scendants ? Scene 5. What was the principal object in plant- ing the colony at Plymouth ? by what name were the colonists called ? what is said of the Puritans before they sailed for America ? give an account of their voyage, landing, and place of settlement. Scene 6. Describe the manner of the colonists dis- covering Indian corn. By whom were they instructed how to raise it ? Scene 7. By what Indian prince were the Ply- mouth colonists befriended ? describe the manner of the treaty with Massasoit. How long did this treaty last ? what else is said respecting Massasoit ? Scene 8. In what year, and by whom was Connec- cicut first settled ? give an account of the journey to Connecticut river. What do you say respecting the settlement of Hartford ? New-Haven ? Scene 9. What were the Indians remarkable for ? give an account of the stratagem of a Pequot Indian. Scene 10. In what year was the war with the Pe- quots ? what was the cause of the war ? how many men were employed in the expedition against the 75 Pequots I give an account of the attack and destruc tiofi of the fort. Scene 1 1 . Where was Mr. Elliot's nntive place '( what is said of him after his arrival in New England ? what is said respecting his Indian Bible ? what was the success of the gospel among the Indians ? Scene 12. What is supposed to have been the ob- ject of king Philip in commencing this war ? what was the immediate cause of the war ? what else is said of Philip ? describe the attack and deliverance of Brookfield. Scene 13. Why did the English attack the Narra- gansetts ? who commanded the expedition ? how many men were employed ? describe the Narraganset fort. Describe the manner of attack. What decided the contest ? how many of the Indians were destroyed ? what loss did the English sustain ? Scene 14. What misfortune befel Philip ? by whom was he pursued ? describe the manner of his death. Repeat the Indian's speech over the body of Philip. Scene 15. Why were Colonels Gone and Whalley obliged to flee into New-England ? when did they ar- rive ? what is said respecting their characters, &c. ? were they ever taken ? why ? 76 Scene 16. In what year and by whom was Penn- sylvania granted to William Penn ? what city was he the founder of? what is said respecting his purchases of the natives ? his government ? laws ? what is said of the Quakers and Indians ? Scene 17. What is said respecting the government of Britain over the colonies ? who was firsi appointed Governor General over New England ? in what year did he arrive in Hartford to demand the charter ? how was it preserved ? Scene 18. What is said respecting the war be- tween England and France ? at what time did the French and Indians attack Schenectady ? describe the manner of the attack. What is said respecting those who escaped. Scene 19. In what year did what is called ' Salem Witchcraft,' take plac? ? how were the people afflict- ed ? how many were executed for this crime ? how did it cease ? Scene 20. In what year fell the greatest snow ever known ? describe an occurrence which took place in this storm. Scene 21. In what year did the Spaniards invade Georgia ? describe the stratagem of General Ogle - thorpe. What success did it have ? 77 Scene 22. On what expedition was General Brad- dock sent 1 what passed between him and Colonel Washington ? how was he defeated Scene 23. What was the object of the Stamp Act ? describe the Act. What was done in Boston when this Act went into operation ? at Portsmouth ? Scene 24. What was the object of the British min- istry in allowing the East India company to ship tea to America? how did the Americans proceed on this ? how was the tea destroyed in Boston harbour 1 what did the British ministry when they were informed of it ? Scene 25. When did General Gage send an armed force to Concord ? for what purpose ? describe the battle of Lexington. What took place after ? Scene 26. When and how was Breed's hill fortified ? by whom ? how did the British commence the attack ? describe the battle, and final result. Who was killed in this action ? Scene 27. When and where did the first general Congress meet ? what did they ? who was appointed commander in chief of the American army ? when did the British evacuate Boston ? Scene 28. Who were appointed to draft a declara- tion of Independence ? who drafted the declaration ? 6* 78 when was Independence declared ? describe the trans- actions at New- York. Scene 29. When was the most gloomy period of the Revolution ? describe Washington's retreat through New- Jersey. What is said of his army ? give an ac- count of Gen. Washington's recrossing the Delaware, and his victory over the enemy. Scene 30. Where did Miss McCrea and her lover reside ? what method did he use to convey her to the British camp ? describe the manner of her death. What effect did this murder have upon the Americans ? Scenn 31. In what year did General Burgoyne in- vade the northern States ? what was his object ? de- scribe his progress. How and by whom was he forced to surrender ? Scene 32. Describe General Putnam's situation at Horseneck. How did he escape ? Scene 33. W T here was Stony Point ? when was it taken ? by whom ? describe the storming of the fort. What is said respecting the conquerors ? Scene 34. What is said respecting Gen. Arnold ? who was Andre, and what is said respecting him ? by whom was he arrested ? describe the manner of hi? 79 arrest. What did he do after he was discovered ? hy whom was he tried ? how was he executed ? at what time 1 Scene 35. What event decided the Revolutionary contest ? when did it take place ? how was it effect- ed ? what is said respecting the surrender ? what of Cornwallis ? Scene 36. When did Washington issue his farewell orders to the army ? where did he take leave of his officers ? describe the manner. Scene 37. In what year was the Constitution of the United States formed ? who was elected the first Pres- ident ? when was he inaugurated President ? where did the ceremony take place ? describe the scene. Scene 38. Who first suggested the utility of light- ning rods ? where, and what year ? relate the ex- periment by which Dr. Franklin established his theory. Scene 39. Who was the inventor of steam-boats ? where was the first steam-boat built in this country ? what is said respecting it ? Scene 40. From whom was Louisania obtained ? for what price ? when did Captain Lewis and Clark set out upon their expedition ? where did they encamp the first winter ? when did they discover the sources of the Missouri ? how long is this river ? when did they arrive at the Pacific ocean ? when did they set out upon their return, and at what time did they arrive at St Louis ? Scene 41. Give an account of the American and British fleets, and of the commencement of the action ? what did Perry do after his ship was rendered unman- ageable ? what is said respecting the battle ? what loss on each side ? Scene 42. By whom were the British assisted, in the battle between Gen. Harrison and Gen. Proctor ? what is said respecting Col. Johnson ? Describe the manner of Tecumseh's death. What is said respecting Tecumseh ? Scene 43. At what time was the city of Washing- ton burnt ? by whom ? what buildings, &c. were de- stroyed ? Scene 44. What was the number of the British land and naval forces that approached Plattsburg ? De- scribe the battle on Lake Champlain. What is said respecting the attack by the land forces ? Scene 45. By whom, and at what time, was the city of New-Orleans attacked ? who commanded the American forces ? what number and what kind of iroous did he command ? describe his fortifications. 81 Describe the attack of the British. What was the loss of the British ? what was the loss of the Americans ? Scene 46. Where are the remains of ancient forti- fications found ? of what form and situation ? describe those at Marietta, and on the branches of the Musking- um. What is the probable conjecture concerning the people that made these works ? Scene 47. When was the Erie Canal commenced ? when finished ? what was the expense ? how many miles does it extend ? how wide is the canal ? how deep ? whose property is it ? describe the ceremo- nies that y:ere performed on the completion of the ca- nal. Scene 48. Where was Gen. La Fayette born ? what is said respecting his family ? when, and what caused him to enter the American army ? What ser- vices did he perform ? by whom was he imprisoned, how long, and how liberated ? when did he arrive in this country ? after how long an absence? what places did he visit? what did Congress do respecting him? when did he take his final leave of New-York, and how was he conveyed to France ? A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. OF THE DISCOVERIES, SETTLEMENTS, WARS AND REMARKABLE EVENTS, IN THE UNITED STATES. Discoveries and Settlements. 1492. America first discovered by Columbus. 1497. North America first discovered by Sebastian Cabot, a Venetian in the service of England. 1500. Florida first discovered by John Cabot. 1539. Ferdinand de Soto, a Spaniard, landed in Florida with 1200 men in search of gold. He penetra- ted into the country, discovered the Mississippi. He and more than half of his men perished ; the remainder arrived at Mexico Sept. 1543. 1607. First British settlement in North America at at Jamestown in Virginia. 1608. Capt. Smith first explored the Chesapeake. Canada settled by the French. Quebec founded. 83 4610. Capt. Hudson discovered the Manhattan, now" Hudson River. 1611. Capt. Hudson discovered the Bay which bear* his name. Lake Champlain discovered. 1614. Capt. Smith made a fishing voyage to the north- ern part of America — made a chart of the coast which he presented to Prince Charles, who named the country New-England. Settlements commenced by the Dutch at Man- hattan, now New-York, at Albany, and in New- Jersey. 1619. Capt. Dermer, the first Englishman who sailed through Long Island Sound. 1620. Plymouth settlers arrived at Plymouth Dec. 22. 1623. First settlement of New-Hampshire at Little Harbour and at Dover. 1627. Delaware and Pennsylvania settled by the Swedes and Fins. 1629. Salem settled by Gov. Endicott. 1630. Charlestown, Boston, Watertown, and Dorches- ter settled by Gov. Winthrop and others. 1633. Maryland settled by Loid Baltimore and a colo- ny of Roman Catholics. The Dutch erect a fort on Connecticut River in the present town of Hartford. 1634. Wethersfield, Con. settled by people from Dor- chester, Mass 34 1636. Hartford settled by Mr. Hooker and his congre- gation from Newtown, Cambridge, Mass. Providence, Rhode Island, settled and named by Roger Williams. 1638. New-Haven settled by Mr. Davenport, Eaton. and others. 1639. Newport, Rhode Island, settled, 1643. Confederation of the colonies of Massachusetts. Plymouth, Connnecticut, and New-Haven for mutual defence. 1663. Carolina planted. 1673. New-York taken by the Dutch — restored to the English by treaty 1674. 1680. Charleston, South Carolina, settled. 1682. Pennsylvania settled by William Penn and oth- ers. Philadelphia founded. 1724. Settlement of Vermont. 1733. Georgia settled by Mr. Oglethorpe and others. 1740. Tennessee explored by Cols. Wood, Patton, Dr. Walker and others. 1765. The settlement of Tennessee commenced. 1773. Kentucky settled by Col. Boon and others. 1804. Captains Lewis and Clark explored the Mis- souri to its source, crossed the Rocky Moun- tains, arrived at the Pacific Ocean in November, 1-805, returned to the United States in 1806. 85 Indian and French Wars. 1622. The Indians massacred 349 of the Virginian colonists, March 22. 1637. War with the Pequots in Connecticut. Their fort taken by surprise and destroyed, May 26. 1675. King Philip's war in New England commenced. Brookfield burnt. Deerfield burnt. Captain Lathrop with 80 men surprised by the Indians ; almost every man slain, Sept. 18. Gov. Winslow with 1000 men attack the Narra- gansetts (the allies of Philip) in their fort ; the fort destroyed, and their country ravaged, De- cember. 1676. King Philip killed, Aug. 12, which ends the war. 1690. A body of French and Indians from Montreal burn Schenectady, and massacre the inhabitants, February 8. 1704. Deerfield burnt, and most of the inhabitants car- ried captive, February 28. 1710. Port Royal in Nova Scotia taken by General Nicholson, and its name changed to Annapolis, October 2. 1711. Expedition against Quebec — failed by the loss of transports in the St. Lawrence, August. 1712. War with the Tuscaroras in North Carolina. They are defeated, flee to the Five Nations, and form a sixth tribe. 86 1715. A general conspiracy against the Carolinians by the Yamases, Cherokees, and other tribes. Gov. Craven attacked and defeated them in their camp. 1742. Spanish invasion of Georgia failed. 1745. Louisburgh and Cape Breton taken by the New England troops, aided by a British squadron, June 17. 1746. French expedition under duke Anville which threatened New England failed, by means of storms, sickness in the fleet, &c. 17553. The French erect forts on the back of the colonies. 1754. Colonel Washington with 400 men in fort Ne- cessity, surrended to the French, July 4. 1756. General Braddock defeated, July 9. 1757. Fort William Henry surrendered to the French. 1758. Lewisburg taken by the British and reduced to a heap of ruins, June. General Abercrombie defeated by the French at Ticonderoga with the loss of 1800 men, July. 1759. Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by General Amherst, July and August. Battle of Quebec. General Wolf commander of the British, and Montcalm, commander of the French forces killed. Quebec taken, Sept. 3761. The Cherokee Indians defeated by Col. Grant, and compelled to make peace, June. H7 1 762. Ilavanna taken from the Spaniards by the British and colonial troops. Multitudes of the troops fell victims to the plague. 1763. Treaty of peace signed at Paris. Canada, Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton ceded to the British king, February 10. 1778. General Sullivan attacks and defeats the Indians on the Susquehanna, and ravages their country. 1781. Massacre at Wyoming, July 1. 1790. Gen. Harmer defeated by the Indians in Ohio. 1791. Gen. St. Clair defeated by the Indians. 1794. Gen. Wayne gains a decisive victory over the Indians on the Miami, Aug. 20. 1797. Collisions with the French Republic. 1799. Captain Truxton in the Constellation took the French frigate Insurgent, February 10. 1800. Treaty of peace with France, September 30. 1 8 1 3-4. War with the Creek Indians. Events in the Revolutionary War. 1765. Stamp Act passed March. Riots in Boston, &c. 1766. Stamp Act repealed, March 18. 1770. Riots in Boston. The British troops killed four of the inhabitants, March 5. 1774. Tea destroyed at Boston, December 16. Portof Boston shut by act of Parliament, March. First Congress convened at Philadelphia, Sept. 4, 1775. Lexington battle, April 19. Ticonderoga taken by Col. Allen, May. George Washington takes the command of the American army near Boston, July 2. Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17. Gen. Montgomery enters Canada — takes Mont- real. Col. Arnold with 3000 men passes through a wilderness into Canada ; arrives at Quebec. Unsuccessful attack on Quebec. Gen. Mont- gomery killed, Dec. 31. 1776. The American army expelled from Canada. Norfolk, (Va.) burnt by the British, Jan. 1. The British evacuate Boston, March 17. Attack on Charleston, S. C. British defeated. Gen. Howe and Admiral Lord Howe, with 24,000 men, arrive at Sandy Hook, June. Declaration of Independence July 4. Battle on Long Island, — Americans defeated with the loss of upwards of 1000 men, July 27. New-York abandoned by the American army, Sept. 14. Battle of White Plains, Oct. 28. Capture of Fort Washington, 2700 men surren- dered Nov. 16. The American army retreats through New- Jer- sey, crosses the Delaware, Dec. Gen. Lee taken prisoner, Dec. 13. Battle at Trenton, 1000 Hessians made prison ers December, 26. 98 1777. Battle at Princeton, Gen. Mercer killed, Jan. 3. Danbury Conn, burnt, Gen. Wooster killed April 28. Battle of Brandywine, Gen. Lafayette wounded Sept. 11. Gen. Howe with the British army, enters Phil- adelphia, Sept. 26. Battle at Bennington, August. Battle of Germantown, Oct. 5. Gen. Burgoyne with 5700 men, surrendered to Gen. Gates, Oct. 17. 1778. Treaty of Alliance with France, signed, Feb. 6. Battle of Monmouth, many soldiers died by the heat, June 28. Savannah taken by the British, Dec. 1779. The British make incursions into Virginia, prop- erty to an immense amount destroyed. The British plunder New-Jersey, June. Gov. Tryon invades New-Haven, July 5. Fair field and Norwalk burnt. Stony Point taken by Gen. Wayne, July 15. 1780. Charleston, S. C. surrendered to the British, May 12. Gen. Rochembeau arrives at Newport, R. I. with a French fleet and army, July 10. Battle of Camden, the Americans under Gen, Gates defeated, August 16. Treason of Arnold, Major Andre taken and ex ecuted, Oct. 2. 90- 1781. Battle of the Cowpens, Gen. Morgan defeats the British under Col. Tarlton, Jan. 17. Battle of Guilford, N. C, between Gen. Greene and Lord Cornwallis, March 8. New-London burnt, fort Griswold stormed, and the garrison put to death, Sept. 6. Battle of Eutaw springs, British defeated, Sep- tember 8. The British army under Lord Cornwallis, sur- rendered at Yorktown, Virginia, to Gen. Wash- ington, which closed the Revolutionary war. Nov. 2. 1782. Provisional articles of peace signed, Independ- ence of the United States, acknowledged, Nov. 30. 1783. Definitive treaty, signed, Sept. 3. American army disbanded, Nov. 3. ■■■••►© ^^ ©****■ Second War with Great Britain. 1807. The American frigate Chesapeake fired into by the British frigate Leopard, off the Capes of Virginia, 3 men killed, 16 wounded, June 22. (809. Non intercourse with Great Britain and France, established by Congress, March 1. 1811. Engagement between the American frigate Pres- ident, Capt. Rogers and a British sloop of war, Little Belt, Captain Bingham, May. 91 1811. Battle of Tippacanoe between Gen. Harrison and the Indians, Nov 7. 1812. Declaration of war by the United States, against Great Britain, June 18. Gen. Hull surrendered his army and the fort of Detroit to the British, Aug. 16. U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull, captured the British frigate Gurriere, Capt. Dacres, Aug. 19. U. S. frigate United States, Com. Decatur, cap- tured the Macedonian, Oct. 25. Battle at Queenstown, U. Canada, Gen. Brock killed, Oct. 3. U. S. frigarte Constitution, Com. Bainbridge, captured the Java, Dec. 29. 1813. Bloody action at the river Raisin, between Americans under Gen. Winchester, and the British and Indians under Gen. Proctor, Gen. Winchester killed and the American prisoners massacred by the Indians Jan. 22. U. S. sloop of war Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, captured the British sloop of war Peacock, Capt. ' Peak, who was killed. York (Upper Canada) taken by the Americans, Gen. Pike killed, April 27. U. S. frigate Chesapeake, Capt. Lawrence, captured by the British frigate Shannon, Capt. Lawrence killed, June i. The American fleet on Lake Erie, under Com, 92 Perry, capture the British fleet under Coin. Barclay, Sept. 10. Gen. Harrison defeats the British and Indians under Gen Proctor, Tecumseh killed Oct. 5. Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans. 14. U. S. frigate Essex, Capt. Porter, captured by & superior force, March 28. Fort Erie taken by the Americans, July. Battle of Chippewa. July 6. Washington captured and burnt by the British under Gen. Ross, August 23. Attack on Baltimore, Gen. Ross killed Sept. 12. Unsuccessful attack by the British under Gen. Drummond, on fort Erie, Aug. 14. Castine taken by the British, Sept. 1. Com. Macdonough captures the British fleet on Lake Champlain, retreat of Gen. Provost, from Plattsburg, Sept. 11. 15. Memorable victory of Gen. Jackson over the British, before New-Orleans, Jan. 8. Treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain, signed at Ghent, December 24, ratified by the President and Senate., Feb. 17, 1815. . 93 Remarkable Events. 16 18. A great pestilence destroyed most of the Indians from Narraganset to Penobscot. 1620. African slaves first brought into Virginia, by a Dutch ship and sold. 1624. The first cattle brought into New-England. 1631. First vessel built in Massachusetts called the Blessing of the Bay launched July 4. 1636. The Desire, a ship of 120 tons, built at Marble- head, the first American ship that made a voy- age to England. 1638. Great earthquake in New-England, June I. Two tremendous storms in Aug. and Dec. tide rose 14 feet above springtides at Narragan- set, and flowed twice in six hours. 1639. First Baptist church in America formed at Prov- idence, R. I. Severe tempest and rain, Connecticut river rose 20 feet above the meadows, March. Sugar first imported from the West-Indies. First printing in North America at Cambridge, Mass., by Samuel Green. The first thing print- ed was the Freeman's oath. 1642. Severe winter, Boston and Chesapeak Bays frozen. 1643. Earthquake in New-England. 1 647. First influenza mentioned in the annals of Amor ica. 94 1656. The Friends or Quakers first came to Mass. Four executed in 1659. 1663. Great earthquake in Canada and New-England. Jan. 26. 1664. Mr. Elliot's Indian Bible printed at Cambridge. • the first Bible printed in America. 1687. Charter of Conn, hid from Andross in a hollow oak and saved. 1690. Bills of credit first issued by Massachusetts. 1697. Severe winter, the Delaware frozen. I699 k Yellow fever in Philadelphia. 1702. First emission of paper currency in South Caro- lina. Bice introduced into the southern states from the island of Madagascar. 1704. First Netvspaper in America, published in Bos- ton. 1708. Saybrook Platform, formed by a Synod of minis- ters under the authority of the State of Con- necticut. 1709. First issuing of Paper currency in New-York. 1717. The greatest snow storm ever known, Feb. 1719. Northern Lights appeared in New-England Dec 11. 1721. First inoculation for the small pox in America, performed in Boston, by Dr. Boylston at the recommendation of Dr. Cotton Mather. 1722. First issuing of Paper in Pennsylvania. 1735. Free Masonry introduced into America, July. 95 1740. George Whitfield a celebrated preacher first arrives in America, he dies at LNewburyport Mass. Sept. 30th 1770, on his seventh visit to America. 1741-2. Very severe Winter. ' 1745. Indigo plant discovered in South Carolina. 1752. New Style introduced into Britain and America September 2 reckoned 14. 1752. Charleston S. C. laid under water by a tempest, September. Dr. Franklin makes his Electrical experiments. 1755. Great Earthquake, Nov. 18. 1762. Severest Drought known in America, no rain from May to September. 1764. Medical Lectures first read in Philadelphia. 1774. The Shakers first arrived from England, they settled near Albany. 1780. Dark day in the northern States candles neces- sary at noon. 1782. First American 74 launched at Portsmouth N. H. Nov. 5. 1783-4. Severe Winter, great floods in March. 1786. Shay's insurrection in Massachusetts. 1788. Federal constitution ratified and became the constitution of the United States. 1789. Gen. Washington inaugurated first President ; April 30. 1797. John Adams elected President. 1799. Washington died, Dec. 14 Aged 68. 96 1800. Great snow in Carolina and Georgia. Great flood in the Connecticut March. Seat of government transferred from Philadel- phia to Washington (District of Columbia.) 1801. Thomas Jefferson elected President of United States. 1802. Merino sheep introduced into the United States by Mr. Livingston and Gen. Humphreys. 1803. Louisana purchased from the French govern- ment. 1804. Gen. Hamilton killed in a duel with Col. Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States. 1807. First Steam Boat built in this country. Col. A. Burr arrested on the charge of treason. 1809. James Madison elected President. 1816. American Bible Society formed May 8th. Cold summer. Frost every month in the year in the Northern States. Bank of the United States with a capital of 35 millions of dollars incorporated April. 1817. Grand canal in the State of New- York com- menced. James Monroe elected President. 1824. Gen. LaFayette arrived at New-York. 1825. John Quincy Adams elected President. 1826. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams two Ex Presidents died July 4 on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence. APPENDIX. The following, "full and correct account" of the Battle of Bunker Hill, is taken from a pamphlet published in Boston June 17, 1825. After the affair at Lexington and Concord on the 19th April, 1775, the people, animated by one common impulse, flew to arms in every direction. The husbandman changed his ploughshare for a musket, and about 15,000 men, 10,000 from Mas- sachusetts, and the remainder from New-Hamp- shire, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, assembled under Gen. Ward, in the environs of Boston, then occupied by 10,000 highly disciplined and weli- equipped British troops, under the command of Generals Gage, Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne, Pigot, and others. Fearing an intention on the part of the British to occupy the important heights at Charlestown and Dorchester, which would enable them to com- mand the surrounding country, Col. Prescott was detached, by his own desire, from the American camp at Cambridge, on the evening of the 16th June, 1775, with about 1000 militia, mostly of Mas- sachusetts, including 120 men of Putnam's regiment 98 from Connecticut, and one Artillery company, to Bunker Hill, with a view to occupy and fortify that post. At this hill the detachment made a short halt, but concluded to advance still nearer the British, and accordingly took possession of Breed's Hill, a position which commanded the whole inner harbor of Boston. Here, about midnight, they com- menced throwing up a redoubt, which they com- pleted, notwithstanding every possible effort from the British ships and batteries to prevent them, about noon the next day. So silent had the operations been conducted through the night, that the British had not the most distant notice of the design of the Americans, until day-break presented to their view, the half- formed battery and the daring stand made against them. A dreadful cannonade, accompanied with shells, was immediately commenced from the Brit- ish battery at Copps' Hill, and the ships of war and floating batteries stationed in Charles River: The break of day on the 17th June, 1775, pre- sented a scene, which for daring and firmness could never be surpassed — 1000 unexperienced militia, in the attire of their various avocations, without disci- pline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scanti- ly supplied with ammunition, and wholly destitute of provisions, defying the power of the formidable 99 British ileet and army, determined to maintain the liberty of their soil or moisten that soil with their, blood. Without aid, however, from the main body of the army, it seemed impossible to maintain their posi- tion — the men having been without sleep, toiling through the night, and destitute of the necessary food required by nature, had become nearly ex- hausted. Representations were repeatedly made, through the morning, to Head-Quarters, of the ne- cessity of reinforcements and supplies. Major Brooks, the late revered Governor of Massachu- setts, who commanded a battalion of minute-men at Concord, set out for Cambridge about 9 o'clock on foot, it being impossible to procure a horse, so- liciting succour, but as there were two other points exposed to the British, Roxbury and Cambridge, then the Head-Quarters, at which place all the lit- tle stores of the army were collected, and the loss of which would be incalculable at that moment, great fears were entertained least they should march over the neck to Roxbury, and attack the camp there, or pass over the bay in boats, there be- ing at that time no artificial avenue to connect Bos- ton with the adjacent country, attack the Head- Quarters and destroy the stores ; it was therefore deemed impossible to afford any reinforcement to 100 Charlestown Heights, till the movements of the Brit- ish rendered evidence of their intention certain. The fire from the Glasgow frigate and two float- ing batteries in Charles River, were wholly directed — with a view to prevent any communication — across the isthmus that connects Charlestown with the main land, which kept up a continued shower of missiles, and rendered the communication truly dangerous to those who should attempt it. When the attention of the British to attack the heights of Charlestown became apparent.the remainder of Put- nam's regiment, Col. Gardner's regiment, both of which, as to numbers, were very imperfect, and some New-Hampshire Militia, marched, notwith- standing the heavy fire across the neck, for Charles- town Heights, where they arrived, much fatigued, just after the British had moved to the first attack. The British commenced crossing troops from Boston about 12 o'clock, and landed at Moreton's Point, S. E. from Breed's Hill. At 2 o'clock, from the best accounts that can be obtained, they had landed between 3 and 4,000 men, under the imme- diate command of Gen. Howe, and formed, in ap- parently invincible order, at the base of the hill. The position of the Americans at this time was a redoubt on the summit of the height of about eight rods square, and, a breastwork, extending on 101 the left of it, about seventy feet down the eastern declivity of the hill. This redoubt and breastwork was commanded by Prescott in person, who had superintended its construction, and who occupied it with the Mass. militia, of his detachment and a part of Little's regiment, which had arrived about one o'clock. They were dreadfully deficient in equipments and ammunition, had been toiling in- cessantly for many hours, and it is said by some ac- counts even then were destitute of provisions. — A little to the eastward of the Redoubt, and norther- ly to the rear of it, was a rail fence, extending al- most, to Mystick river, — to this fence another had been added during the night and forenoon, and some newly mown grass thrown against them to afford something like a cover to the troops. — At this fence the 120 Connecticut militia were posted. The movements of the British made it evident their intention was to march a strong column along the margin of the Mystick and turn the redoubt on the north, while another column attacked it in front ; accordingly to prevent this design a large force be- eame necessary at the breastwork and rail fence. The whole of the reinforcements that arrived, amounting in all to about 800 or 1000 men, were ordered by Gen. Putnam, who had been extremely 102 active throughout the night and morning, and who had accompanied the expedition to this point. At this moment thousands of persons of both sexes had collected on the Church steeples, Beacon Hill, house tops, and every place in Boston and its neighbourhood, where a view of the battle-ground could be obtained, viewing, with painful anxiety, the movements of the combatants — wondering, yet admiring, the bold stand of the Americans, and trembling at the thoughts of the formidable army marshalled in array against them. Before 3 o'clock the British formed, in two col- umns, for the attack — one column, as had been an- ticipated, moved along the Mystick River with the intention of taking the redoubt in the rear, while the other advanced up the ascent directly in front of the redoubt, where Prescott was ready to re- ceive them. Gen. Warren, President of the Pro- vincial Congress and of the Committee of Safety, who had been appointed but a few days before a Mai or- General in the Mass. troops, had volunteered on the occasion as a private soldier, and was in the redoubt with a musket, animating the men, by his influence and example, to the most daring deter- mination. Orders were given to the Americans to reserve their fire till the enemy advanced sufficiently near 103 to make their aim certain. Several vollies were fired by the British with but little success ; and so long a time had elapsed, and the British were allow- ed to advance so near the Americans without their fire being returned, that a doubt arose whether or not the latter intended to give battle — but the fatal moment soon arrived : — when the British had ad- vanced to within about eight rods, a sheet of fire was poured upon them and continued a short time with such deadly effect that hundreds of the assail- ants lay weltering in their blood, and the remainder retreated in dismay to the point where they had first landed. From day-light to the time of the British advanc- ing on the works, an incessant fire had been kept up on the Americans from the ships and batteries — this fire was now renewed with increased vigour. After a short time the British officers had suc- ceeded in rallying their men, and again advanced, in the same order as before, to the attack. Think- ing to divert the attention of the Americans, the town of Charlestovvn, consisting of 500 wooden buildings, was now set on fire by the British — the roar of the flames, the crashing of falling timbers, the awful appearance of desolation presented, the dreadful shrieks of the dying and the wounded in the last attack, added to the knowledge of the for* 104 Baidable force advancing against them, combined to form a scene apparently too much for men bred in the quiet retirement of domestic life to sustain — but the stillness of death reigned within the Ameri- can works — and nought could be seen but the dead- ly presented weapon, ready to hurl fresh destructioB on the assailants. The fire of the Americans was again reserved till the British came still nearer than before, when the same unerring aim was taken, and the British shrunk, terrified, from before its fatal ef- fects, flying, completely routed, a second time, to the banks of the river, and leaving, as before, the field strewed with their wounded and their dead. Again the ships and batteries renewed their fire, and kept a continual shower of balls on the works. Notwithstanding every exertion, the British officers found it impossible to rally the men for a third at- tack ; one third of their comrads had fallen ; and finally it was not till a reinforcement of more than 1000 fresh troops, with a strong park of artillery, had joined them from Boston, that they could be in- duced to form anew. In the mean time every effort was made on the part of the Americans to resist a third attack ; Gen. Putnam rode, notwithstanding the heavy fire of the ships and batteries, several times across the neck to induce the Militia to advance, but it was 105 only a few of the resolute and brave who would encounter the storm. The British receiving rein- forcements from their formidable main body — the town of Charlestown presenting one wide scene of destruction — the probability the Americans must shortly retreat — the shower of balls pouring over the neck — presented obstacles too appalling for raw troops to sustain, and embodied too much danger to allow them to encounter. — Yet, notwith- standing all this, the Americans on the heights were elated with their success, and waited with coolness and determination the now formidable advance of the enemy. Once more the British aided by their reinforce- ments, advanced to the attack, but with great skill -and caution- — their artillery was planted on the eastern declivity of the hill, between the rail fence and the breast-work, where it was directed along the line of the Americans, stationed at the latter place, and against the gate-way on the north-east- ern corner of the redoubt — at the same time they attacked the redoubt on the south-eastern and south-western sides and entered it with fixed bay- onets. The slaughter on their advancing was great, but the Americans not having bayonets to meet them on equal terms, and their powder being exhausted, now slowly retreated, opposing and ex- 100 tricating themselves from the British with the butu of their pieces. The column that advanced against the rail fence was received in the most dauntless manner. The Americans fought with spirit and heroism that could not be surpassed, and had their ammunition have held out, would have secured to themselves a third time the palm of victory ; as it was, they effec- tually prevented the enemy from accomplishing his purpose, which was to turn their flank and cut the whole of the Americans off ; but having become perfectly exhausted, this body of the Americans also slowly retired, retreating in much better order than could possibly have been expected from un- disciplined troops, and those in the redoubt having ^triceted themselves from a host of bayonets by which ihev had been surrounded. The British ioiiuweu ihe Americans to Bunker Hill, but some fresh militia at this moment coming up to the aid of the latter, covered their retreat. The Americans crossed Charlestown Neck about 7 o'clock, having in the last twenty hours perform- ed deeds which seem almost impossible. Some of them proceeded to Cambridge and others posted themselves < mietly on Winter and Prospect Hills. From the most accurate statements that can be found., it appears the British must have had near- 1©7 5,000 soldiers in the battle ; between 3 and 4,000 having first landed, and the reinforcement amount- ing to over 1 ,000. The Americans, throughout the whole day, did not have 2,000 men on the field. The slaughter on the side of the British was im- mense, having had nearly 1,500 killed and wound- ed ; twelve hundred of which were either killed or mortally wounded, — the Americans about 400. Had the Commanders at Charlestown Heights become terrified on being cut off from their main body and supplies, and surrendered their army, or even retreated before they did, from the terrific force that opposed them, where would have now been that ornament and example to the world, the Independence of the United States. — When it was found that no reinforcements were to be allowed them, the most sanguine man on that field could not have even indulged a hope of success, but all deter- mined to deserve it — and although they did not ob- tain a victory, their example was the cause of a great many. — The first attempt on the commence- ment of a war is held up, by one party or the other, as an example to those that succeed it, and a Vic- tory or Defeat, though not, perhaps, of any great magnitude in itself, is most powerful and important in its effects. Had such conduct as was here ex- 108 habited, been in any degree imitated by the imme- diate Commander in the first military onset of the last war, how truly different a result would have been effected to the fatal one that terminated that unfortunate expedition. From the immense superiority of the British at this stage of the war, having a large army of highly disciplined and well equipped troops, and the Amer- icans possessing but few other munitions or weap- ons of war, and but little more discipline, than what each man possessed when he threw aside his plough and took the gun that he had kept for pastime or for profit, but now to be employed for a different purpose, from off the hooks that held it, — perhaps it would have been in their power, by pursuing the Americans to Cambridge, and destroying the few stores that had been collected there, to implant a blow which could never have been recovered from, but they were completely terrified. The awful lesson they had just received, filled them with horror, and the blood of 1 500 of their companions who fell on that day, presented to them a warning which they could never forget. From the Battle of Bunker Hill sprung the protection and the vigour that nurtured the Tree of Liberty, and to it, in all probability, may be ascribed our Independence and Glory. !©9 The name of the first martyr that gave his life for the good of his country on that day, in the impor- tance of the moment was lost, else a Monument, ia connection with the gallant Warren, should be rai- sed to his memory.^ The manner of his death waB thus related by Colonel Prescott : " The first man that fell in the Battle of Bunkef Hill was killed by a cannon ball, which struck his head. He was so near me that my clothes were besmeared with his blood and brains, which I wiped off, in some degree, with a handful of fresh earth. The sight was so shocking to many of the men, that they left their posts and ran to view him. I ordered them back, but in vain. I then ordered him to be buried instantly. A subaltern officer expressed sur- prise that I should allow him to be buried without having prayers said ; I replied, this is the first man that has been killed, and the only one that will be buried to day. I put him out of sight that the mea may be kept in their places. God only knows who, or how many of us, wiii fall before it is over. To your post, my good fellow, and let each man do his. duty." The name of the patriot who thus fell is suppo- sed to have been Pollard, a young man belonging to Billerica. He was struck by a cannon ball throw* from the line-of battle-ship Somerset 10 110 B. %e interval between the 19th of September and the 7th of October was employed by both armies in fortifying their respective camps. Gen. Rur- goyne had contemplated an attack on the 20th and 21st September, which, had it been made, would probably have resulted much to his advantage, as the American camp was then in an unfortified state, and the troops wholly unprepared for a rigo- rous resistance. For some cause, however, the at- tack was delayed. This gave time to Gen. Gates to complete the unfinished works and to strength- en his army by reinforcements of militiamen, who were daily flocking to his camp. Satisfied that a delay would operate to the advantage of the Amer- ican army, by increasing their strength and num- bers, whilst at the same time it must prove disad- vantageous to the enemy, General Gates, it seems, determined to wait their movements within his own entrenchments. Here he remained until the 7th October, when the last decisive action was fought, which decided the fate of the army under Gen. Burgoyne and ultimately resulted in the triumph of American Liberty. The commencement, progress, and termination of this brilliant engagement is thug described by Gen. Wilkinson ; lit *On the ai'teriiooii of October 7tli, the advanced guard of the centre beat to arms ; the alarm was repeated throughout the line, aad the troops re- paired to their alarm posts. I was at head quar- ters when this happened, and with the approbation of the General, mounted my horse to inquire the cause ; but on reaching the guard where the beat commenced, I could obtain no other satisfaction; but that some person had reported the enemy to be advancing against our left. I proceeded over open ground, and ascending a gentle acclivity in front of the guard, I perceived about half a mile- from the line of our encampment, several columns of the enemy, 60 or 70 rods from me, entering a wheat field which had not been cut, and was sepa- rated from me by a small rivulet ; and without my glass I could distinctly mark their every movement. After entering the field they displayed, formed the line, and set down in double ranks with their arms between their legs. Forages then proceeded to cut the wheat or standing straw, and I soon after observed several officers, mounted on the top of a cabin, from whence with their glasses they were endeavouring to reconnoitre our left, which wa? concealed from their view by intervening woods. " Having satisfied myself, after fifteen minutes attentive observation, that no attack was medita- 112 ted, I returned and reported to the General, wh$ asked me what appeared to be the intentions of the enemy. " They are foraging, and endeavouring to reconnoitre your left ; and I think, sir, they offer you battle." " What is the nature of the ground, and vvliat your opinion 2" " Their front is open, and their flanks rest on the woods, under cover of which they may be attacked ; their right is skirted by a lofty height. I would indulge them." " Well, then, order on Morgan to begin the game." I waited on the Colonel, whose corps was formed in front of our centre, and delivered the order ; he knew the ground and inquired the position of the onemy ; they were formed across a newly cultiva- ted field, their grenadiers with several field pieces on the left, bordering on a wood and a small ra- vine formed by the rivulet before alluded to ; their light infantry on the right, covered by a worm fence at the foot of the hill before mentioned, thickly oovered with wood ; their centre composed of British and German battallions. Col. Morgan, with his usual sagacity, proposed to make a circuit with his corps by our left, and under cover of the wood to gain the height on the right of the enemy, and from thence commence the attack, so soon as our fire should be opened against their left ; the plan was the best which could be devised, and no doubt 113 contributed essentially to the prompt and decisive victory we gained. " This proposition was approved by the Gene- ral, and it was concerted that time should be al- lowed the Colonel to make the proposed circuit, and gain his station on the enemy's right before the attack should be made on their left ; Poor's brigade was ordered for this service, and the attack was commenced in due season on the flank and front of the British grenadiers, by the New-Hamp- shire and New-York troops. True to his purpose, Morgan at this critical moment poured down like a torrent from the hill, and attacked the right of the enemy in front and flank. Dearborn, at the mo- ment when the enemy's light infantry were attempt- ing to change front, pressed forward with ardor A and delivered a close fire ; then leaped the fence, shouted, charged, and gallantly forced them to re- tire in disorder ; yet, headed by that intrepid soK dier, the Earl of Balcarras, they were immediately rallied, and re-formed behind a fence in rear of their first position ; but being now attacked with great audacity, in front and flanks, by superior numbers, resistance became vain, and the whole line, commanded by Burgoyne in person, gave way, and made a precipitate and disorderly retreat to his eamp, leaving two twelve and six six pounders 114 on the field, with the loss of more than 400 officers and men, killed, wounded and captured, and among them the flower of his officers, viz. Brigadier Gene- ral Frazier, Major Ackland, commanding the gren- adiers ; Sir Francis Clark, his first aid- de-camp ; Major Williams, commanding officer of the artille- ry ; Captain Mooney, deputy quarter-master-gene- ral ; and many others. After delivering the order to General Poor, and directing him to the point of attack, I was peremptorily commanded to repair to the rear, and order up Ten Broeck's regiment of New- York militia, 3000 strong. I performed this service, and regained the field of battle at the mo- ment the enemy had turned their backs — 52 min- utes after the first shot was fired. The ground whicli had been occupied by the British grenadiers, presented a scene of complicated horror and exul- tation. In the square space of twelve or fifteen yards lay eighteen grenadiers in the agonies of death, and three officers propped up against stumps of trees, two of them mortally wounded, bleeding, and almost speechless. What a spectacle for one whose bosom glowed with philanthropy ; and how vehement the impulse which excites men of sensibility to seek such scenes of barbarism ! I found the courageous Col. Cilley a-straddle on a brass twelve pounder, and exulting in the capture : 115 whilst a surgeon, a man of great worth, who was dressing one of the officers, raising his blood-be- smeared hands in the phrenzy of patriotism, ex- claimed, " Wilkinson, 1 have dipped my hands in British blood." He received a sharp rebuke for his brutality ; and with the troops I pursued the hard pressed flying enemy, passing over killed and wounded, until I heard one exclaim, " Protect me, sir, against this boy." Turning my eyes, it was my fortune to arrest the purpose of a lad thirteen or fourteen years old, in the act of taking aim at the wounded officer, who lay in the angle of a worm fence. Inquiring his rank, he answered, " I had the honor to command the grenadiers." Of course, I knew him to be Major Ackland, who had been brought from the field to this place, on the back of Captain Shrimpton, of his own corps, under a heavy fire, and was here deposited, to save the lives of both. I dismounted, took him by the hand, and expressed my hopes that he was not badly wound- ed. " Not badly," replied this gallant officer and accomplished gentleman, " but very inconvenient- ly. I am shot through both legs. Will you, sir, have the goodness to have me conveyed to your camp ?" I directed my servant to alight, and we lifted Ackland into his seat, and ordered rjim to be conducted to head quarters. I then proceeded to 116 the scene of renewed action, which embraced Bur- goyne's right flank defence, and extending to his left, crossed a hollow covered with wood, about 40 rods, to the entrenchment of the light infantry. — The roar of cannon and small arms, at this junc- ture, was sublime, between the enemy, behind their works, and our troops entirely exposed, or partially sheltered by trees, stumps, or hollows, at various distances, not exceeding 120 yards. This right flank defence of the enemy, occupied by the Ger- man corps of Breyman, consisted of a breast work of rails piled horizontally between perpendicular pickets, driven into the earth, en potence to the rest of his line, and extended about 250 yards across an open field, and was covered on the right by a bat- tery of two guns. The interval from the left to the British light infantry, was committed to the defence ef the provincialists, who occupied a couple of log cabins. The Germans were encamped immedi- ately behind the rail breast work, and the ground in front of it declined, in a very gentle slope, for about 120 yards, when it sunk abruptly. Our troops had formed a line under this declivity, and eovered breast high, were warmly engaged with the Germans. From this position, about sunset, I per- ceived Brigadier' General Learned advancing to- wards the enemy with his brigade, in open column, m, 1 think with Col. M. Jackson's regiment in front- as I saw Lieut Colonel Brooks, who commanded it, near the General when I rode up to him. On saluting this brave old soldier, he inquired, " Where can I put in with most advantage?" I had partic- ularly examined the ground between the lefttof the Germans and the light infantry, occupied by the provincialists, from whence I had observed a slack fire. I therefore recommended to General Learned to incline to his right, and attack at that point. He did so, with great gallantry; the provincialists abandoned their position and fled. The German flank was, by this means, left uncovered. They were assaulted vigorously, overturned in five min- utes, and retreated in disorder, leaving their gallant commander, Lieut. Colonel Breyman, dead on the field. By dislodging this corps, the whole British encampment was laid open to us ; but the extreme darkness of the night, the fatigue of the men, and disorder incident to undisciplined troops, after so desultory an action, put it out of our pow«r to im- prove the advantage ; and in the course of the night, General Burgoyne broke up his camp, and retired to his original position, which he had forti- fied, behind the great ravine." On the morning of the 8th, the American army marched inte the British camp, which had been 118 deserted the evening previous. The enemy con-; tinued to retreat till they had reached the height beyond the Fish C eek, where they encamped on the 10th. Finding his retreat cut off by a party of troops, who had taken a position in his rear, and his advance impeded by superior numbers, General Burgoyne accepted the terms of capitulation, pro- posed by General Gates, and surrendered his whole army to the American forces, on the 17th October, 1777. CONTENTS. Page. Native Indians, ... 5 Settlement of Jamestown in Virginia, - 7 Pocahontas, -----& Jamestown saved, - 9 Plymouth Settlers, - - - 10 Discovery of Indian Corn, - - 1 1 Massasoit the Indian Prince or Sachem, - 12 Settlement of Connecticut, - - 13 Stratagem of a Pequot Indian, ■<• - 15 Destruction of the Pequot fort, - 15 Elliott the Indian Missionary, - - 18 Attack on Blookfield, - - 19 Swamp fight, 20 Death of King Philip, .- . - 23 The Regicides 24 William Penn, 26 Preservation of the Charter of Connecticut, 27 Destruction of Schenectady, by the French and Indians, 28 Salem Witchcraft, 29 Great Snow ?3torm, 30 Invasion of Georgia - - - 31 Braddock's Defeat, ... 33 JStamp Act, - - 34 Destruction of Tea in Boston, 35 Battle of Lexington, 36 Battle of Bunker's Hill, - 37 Washington Commander in Chief, 39 Declaration of Independence, - - 40 Battle of Trenton, - 40 120 Pago Murder of Miss M'Crea, - 42 Capture of Gen. Burgoyne, 44 Gen. Putnam's escape at Horseneck, - 45 Storming of Stoney Point, - - 45 Capture of Andre, ... 47 Surrender of Cornvvallis - 49 Washington taking leave of his Army, - 51 Inauguration of Washington, - - 52 Dr. Franklin's experiment in Electricity, - 54 Steam Boats, - - - - 55 Expedition of Lewis and Clark, 56 Battle of Lake Erie, - - - 59 Death of Tecumseh, - - - 60 Burning of Washington City, - - 61 Batile on Lake Champlain, - 63 Gen. Jackson's Victory at New-Orleans, - 64 Western Antiquities, - - -66 Erie Canal, - - 67 Gen. La Fayette's visit, * - 69 QUESTIONS, - 73 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Discoveries and Settlements, - * 82 Indian and French Wars, - - - 85 Events in the Revolutionary War, - - 87 Second War with Great-Britain, - - 90 Remarkable Events, - * - 93 APPENDIX, - 97 # LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011 696 788 1 # fck