3 9002 06126 3688 'YAflJE^MVlEISSinnf- Gift of Charles William Bardeen Yale 1869 1922 This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation with Yale University Library, 2008. You may not reproduce this digitized copy of the book for any purpose other than for scholarship, research, educational, or, in limited quantity, personal use. You may not distribute or provide access to this digitized copy (or modified or partial versions of it) for commercial purposes. HISTORY OF THB UNITED STATES. OR REPUBLIC OF AMERICA : A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE A SERIES OF PROGRESSIVE MAPS. BY EMMA WILLARD. NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION. NEW TOEK: A. S. BARNES & CO., Ill & 113 WILLIAM STREET, (CORNER OF JOHN STREET.) SOLD BY BOOKSELLERS, GENEBALLY, THROUGHOUT THB UNITED STATES. 1868. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S51, By A. S. BAEOS & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. v~* \j-ij «Obut, PREFACE. At a time when the accumulated mass of knowledge is great, beyond the human capacity, service is done to science, by clear ar rangement and devices addressed to the eye. If the faculties are enabled to seize and hold fast the frame- work of an important sub ject, future facts will naturally find and keep their own place in the mind, and the whole subject rest there in philosophical order. Not only is this important, as respects the particular study thus ac quired; but as regards intellectual habits and general improvement. To accomplish these ends, with regard to the history of the Uni ted States, is one of the main objects of the present work. Its plan is chronographicaily exhibited in front of the title page. The maps, included between the periods of the work, coincide in time with the branches of the subject ; and the sketches on the maps picture the events there expressed in Words. But most minds find it difficult to remember dates, though ever so well arranged ; and hence experienced educationists recommend that the memory should not in this respect be overtaxed ; but that dates «hould rather be kept at hand in books, to be consulted as occasion requires. Hence, the importance of arrangements in printed works. by which dates may stand prominent, and be easily found. A cur sory glance at the chronological table, and along the margin of this work, may satisfy the observer that this task has been executed with faithfulness. Every student or reader of history should begin with that of his own country; and, the history of the United States is on some ac counts, a more safe and profitable study than that of any other tiation. When the course of events is studied, for the purpose of gaining IV PREFACE. general information, the natural order of the thoughts must be regard ed, if we expect that memory will treasure up the objects of attention. E ich individual is to himself the centre of his own world ; and the more intimately he connects his knowledge with himself, the better will it be remembered, and the more effectually can it be rendered, in after-life, subservient to his purposes. Hence, in geography, ho should begin with his own town, and pass from thence to his country, and the world at large ; in history, with the year in which he was born, and the record of the family Bible. With its dates the mother might easily connect and teach to her child some of the epochas of his coun try. Your grandfather or your father, she might say, was born so much before or after the declaration of independence — your own birth was during the administration of such a president. This would constitute the foundation of his knowledge of history and chronolo gy; and, if well laid, it would be as enduring as the mind. Some thing of this kind is incidentally, if not systematically, done in every family. At the period of receiving school education, the pupil having learned the epochas of his family, wants those of his country , and these should in like manner, be connected with the leading events in the history of cotemporary natrons. History and geography mutually aid each other ; and the student will naturally be earlier acquainted with the localities of his own coun try, than with those of any other ; and the history of our Republic, pursued, as here laid down, will give a knowledge of our geogra phy in its various stages of progression. An attention to the events of American history, in connection with geography, not only makes each better understood, and by association better remembered ; but the tendency will be to produce an improve ment in our national literature, and thus aid the growth of wholesome national feeling. From foreign novels and poems, the American to 3 often locates the imaged excellence, which warms his heart, in the old world. But if our youth learn to connect the mental sublime of the character of their fathers, with the natural grandeur of Ameri can scenery, some among them, will, in future life, be moved to sup ply the deficiencies of our literature, by filling up the chasms of truth with new discoveries, or with the glowing tracery of imagination. PREFACE. History, it is said, is the school of politics. It is not, however, tlie mere knowledge of events, in which the student sees little con nection, which lays a foundation for his political knowledge. It is only when he is led to perceive how one state of things, operating on human passions, leads to another, that he is prepared, when he comes into life, to look over the moving scene of the world — predict the changes which are to succeed — and should his be the hand of power, to reach it forth to accelerate or stop the springs of change, as he finds their tendency to be good or evil. There is no history like that of America for producing this effect ; and the young poli tician of other countries, might begin with this, as the most easily comprehensible subject in the whole field, and that, in which effects, may with most certainty, be traced to their proper causes. The most important advantage of the study of history, is improve ment in individual and national virtue, In this respect, we come boldly forward to advocate a preference for tbe history of the Ameri can Republic. Here are no tales of hereditary power and splendoT to inflame the imaginations of youth with desires for adventitious distinction. Here are no examples of profligate females, where the trappings of royalty or nobility give to vice an elegant costume or, as with the Queen of Scots, where beauty and misfortune make sin commiserated, till it is half loved. , Here are no demoralizing ex amples of bold and criminal ambition, which have " waded through blood to empire." The only desire of greatness, which our children can draw from the history of their ancestors, is to be greatly good. It is not in the formal lesson of virtue, that her principles are most deeply imbibed. It is in moments when her approach is not suspect ed, that she is fixing her healing empire in the heart of youth. When his indignation rises against the oppressor — when his heart glows with* admiration of suffering virtue — it is then that he resolves never to be an oppressor himself ; and he half wishes to suffer, that he toe may be virtuous. No country, ancient or modern, affords examples more fitted to raise these ennobling emotions, than America in her early settlement, and at the period of her revolution. And may not these generous feelings of virtue arise, as well re specting nations as individuals ; and the resolution which the youth VI PREFACE. makes, with regard to himself, be made also with respect to hip- country, so far as his own future influence may extend ? Would the teacher excite these emotions in his pupil, let him put into his hands the history of the struggle of the United States for their independence. Though, doubtless, there were bad men in America, and those of great virtue, in England, yet, as nations, how great is the disparity in the characters delineated. Eng land, seeking to make a filial child a slave, refuses to listen to her duteous pleadings. She deigns not even the privileges of civil ized warfare ; but sends forth the brand, which lights the midnight fire over the heads of the sleeping family, and the tomahawk, which cleaves the head of the infant,in the presence of the mother. Eng land also descends to bribe, to flatter, to sow dissension, to purchase treason, and to counterfeit money. France, unlike her La Fayette, declared for America in success, not in misfortune ; and if at length she fought her battles, it was, that she feared and hated her enemy. Could the policy of France have prevailed, America would have found in her embrace of friendship, the pressure of death. In com parison with these old and wily nations, the character of America is that of youthful simplicity, of maiden purity ; and her future states men will say, as he reads the story, my country was the most virtu ous among the nations : this is her pride — not the extent of her do mains, or the wealth of her revenue. This is the source of thai greatness, which it becomes her sons to preserve ; and when man hood shall have placed me among her guardians, I will watch that purity with jealous tenderness; and sooner part with existence than be made the instrument of her degradation. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. -M)ue- « O > ?0 o to Q> toI— I M A.D. 1492.1497. 1498. 1512.1524. 1493. Columbus discovers America, The Cabots discover the continent at La brador, Columbus discovers the continent in South America. Americus Vespucius receives the honor belonging to Columbus, of giving name to the country, .... Ponce de Leon discovers Florida, Page 10 1211 14 1534. 1541. Verrazani explores the coast, . . .12 James Cartier, under Francis I. of France, discovers the Gulf of St. Lawrence, . 12 Cartier builds a fort on the site of Quebec, . 13 De Soto, a Spaniard, in an overland expe dition discovers the Mississippi, . . 15 1549.1553. English liturgy completed, 30 The Puritans separate from the English re formers, and are persecuted, . . 30 1564. A colony of French Protestants, under Ri- bault, settle in Florida, . 1565. St. Augustine founded by Pedro Melendez, " The Spaniards destroy the French colony, and possess the country, 200 Spaniards massacred by the French, . 1567. 157S. 1578. Patent granted by Qtjeen Elizabeth to Sir H. Gilbert, 1519. California discovered by Sib Francis Deake 1583. Sir H. Gilbert takes possession of New foundland, Sir "W. Ealeigh obtains a patent, and sends two vessels to the American coast, which receives the name of Virginia, 1584. 18 Swe reigns oj England. MH12!to Hto Edw. VI . S > f1—4tsa>WHH M Vlll CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Hto A. D Page 1585. Raleigh sends Sir Richard Grenville, who leaves a colony on the island of Roanoke, 1586. They return to England 1587. Raleigh sends a colony by Captain White, which is lost, Sovi reigns . Englarr. 19 1589. Raleigh sells his patent to the London Co., 1594. First settlement of Santa Fe, by Don Juan de Ohate, 19 1602. Barthol. Gosnold sails in a direct course for America, and discovers Cape Cod, 1603. Henry IV. of France, grants Acadia to de Monts, 1604. De Monts discovers and explores the bay of Fundy, and founds Port Royal, 1606. London and Plymouth companies established, 1607. The Plymouth company make an ineffectu al attempt to plant a colony at Kennebec, . " The London company send a colony who discover Chesapeake Bay, and make the first effectual settlement at Jamestown, . " Captain John Smith made prisoner by the Indians, and rescued by Pocahontas, 1608. The city of Quebec founded by Champlain, . " John Robinson and his congregation emigrate to Holland, 1609. A new charter granted to the London com pany. Lord Delaware is appointed gover nor, " The colony is reduced by famine and distress, " Hudson River and Lake Champlain dis covered, ...... 1613. Pocahontas marries John Rolfe, an English man, 1614. Captain Smith explores the coast from Pe nobscot to Cape Cod, .... " A fort erected by the Dutch on the site of New York, . .... 1615. Fort Orange built near the site of Albany, . 1619. The first general assembly is called in Vir ginia, 1620. Convicts are sent to the colony, negroes in troduced, and slavery commenced, . " Sept. 6. The Pilgrims sail from Plymouth (Eng.,) . . .... 19 20202020 2425 27262866 66 27 27.34 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. IX Sove •tigM of\tigns of Spain. France. ha ap-H t"1l-HTI 3 o?—4 X A.D. 1620. 1630. Dec. 14, The Pilgrims land on Plymouth Rock, " James I. grants a charter to the grand coun cil of Plymouth for governing New Eng land, 1621. A district called Mariana granted to John Mason, .... " Treaty with Massasoit, .... " Cotton first planted in Virginia, 1622. Gorges and Mason obtain a charter of Maine and New Hampshire. They send a colo ny to the river Piscataqua, " Indian conspiracy, which nearly proves fatal to the colony of Virginia, 1624. London company dissolved, and Virginia be comes a royal province, 1625. Death of Robinson, 1638. Swedes and Fins colonize the west side of the Delaware river,— (First settlement of Del.) 1628. Patent of Massachusetts obtained, and the first permanent settlement of that colony commenced at Salem by John Endicot and others, ...... 1629. A royal charter is granted to the Massachu setts company, ..... " Charlestown, (Mass.,) founded, " The Dutch colonize the west side of the Delaware river, ..... 1630. Carolina granted to Sir Robert Heath, 1631. Clayborne plants a colon v on Kent Island, . " The Dutch erect a trading fort at Hartford, 1632. Maryland granted to Lord Baltimore, 1633. First house built in Connecticut at Windsor, " Patent of Connecticut granted to English noblemen, 1636. Roger Williams founds Providence, . 1634. Settlement of Maryland begun, " Jesuit missionaries preach to the Hurons, . 1635. Three thousand persons emigrate to New England, " Henry Vane chosen governor, . Grand council of Plymouth surrender their charter to the crown, .... " Fort Saybrook erected, .... 1636. Hooker, Haynes, and others, sett, e Hartford, 1637. Pequod war, Page 36 39 3937 56 405657 38 54 40 4041 54 94 54 4655 46 46 45 55 90 : 43 43 58 47 4849 Sove reigns of England >g K CO o W >top-1 cn CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove reigns of Spain. o dl-H co A D. Page Uftl-H l-H tr1Ocji — i J/2 !*.I— I 1638. Rhode Island settled by Clarke, Coddington and others, 54 1638. Harvard college founded, . . 53 " Exeter in New Hampshire founded by Wheelright, 54 1639. New Haven settled by Eaton, Davenport, and others, 52 " Mrs. Hutchinson's theological "disturbance' in Massachusetts, . . . .53 1640. Montreal founded, 90 1641. New Hampshire and Massachusetts unite, . 54 1643. 1643. The confederacy begun by the union of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecti cut, and New Haven, " Indians make war on the Dutch, " Battle of Strickland's Plain, 1644. Roger WiUiams obtains a charter for the Rhode Island and Providence plantations, 1645. Clayborne occasions an insurrection in Mary land, " Peace established between the Dutch and Algonquins, through the mediation of the Mohawks, " Superstition respecting witchcraft com mences, ..... John Elliot teaches the Indians at Nonan- tum, ¦•-.... A part of Virginia granted to Lord Culpepper, and others, Indian massacres at St. Louis, and St. Ig natius, ..... 1646. 1649. 60 6768 75-*64 68 99 78 62 91 1651 1651. 1657 Navigation act oppresses the colonies, . 61 The general court at Hartford pass excellent laws respecting common schools, . .101 Civil war in Maryland, and subversion of the proprietary government, . (,5 The Puritans persecute the Quakera, . 89 Elliot translates the Bible into the Indian language, 79 1662. Winthrop obtains a liberal charter for Con necticut and New Haven, . . .77 1663 Carolina granted to Lord Clarendon and others, 94 1664, Dutch coupler the Swedes on the Delaware, 68 O a>to c-1Hxn I y. IB | s. O 3- _>p-*s_i t-1was CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XI Soit mgns of Spain. •5 Q a>to K-lHCO t-1 o CJl-HCO a tor1Hco > piCO £ a Kj S XII CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove reigns cf a r— I >to fH y. A. D. Page 1689. The government of New York seized by Jacob Leisler; 1690. Governor Frontenac sends three parties which destroy Schenectady, (N. Y.,) Salmon Falls, (N. H.) and Casco, (Maine,) " A Congress meets at Albany, . " Sir William Phipps' unsuccessful invasion of Canada, 98 " French Protestants settle in Virginia and Carolina, 96 1691. Sloughter governor of New York. Leisler executed, 88 87 97 97 1692. 1692. O cji — i wXI— I 1693. Massachusetts obtains a new charter with extended limits, but restricted privileges, Bexar, in Texas, founded by the Spaniards, Delusion respecting witchcraft, . Penn deprived of the government of Penn sylvania for two years Mr. Locke's celebrated constitution for Carolina abrogated, .... " Governor Fletcher introduces episcopacy into New York, .... 1695. Rice brought into Carolina from Africa, 1097. Peace of Ryswick terminates King Wil liam's war, ..... 1693. Piracies of Kid, ..... 1699. Pensacola settled by the Spaniards, . 1701, 1702 1703 1704 1706 Penn grants a new charter to Pennsylvania, The Jerseys united and joined to N. Y., England at war with France and Spain, In America, Queen Anne's war, Governor Moore of South Carolina makes an unsuccessful attempt on St. Augustine, Mobile founded by d'Iberville, with a colo ny of Canadian French, Controversies in Massachusetts between the governor and the assembly. Appalachian Indians are subdued. The territories separate from Pennsylvania, and are called Delaware, Deerfield destroyed, Episcopacy introduced into Connecticut, . 99 397 99 108 95 106 109 103106 112 108 107 103 103109112 114 110 108103102 tr1 s>3> a to k! CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. sin Sove reigns of Spain. ?fl a? 4-H < t"1ocjl-HCO H toa a A.D. 1706. French and Spaniards invade Carolina, 1707. A French colony settle at Detroit, 1708. Saybrook Platform, . . . . 1710. German palatines settle in the colonies, 1712. Indian war in North Carolina. The Tus- caroras defeated; unite with the Iroquois, 1713. Fortresses of Crown Point and Niagara built by the French, .... " Peace of Utrecht closes Queen Anne's war, 1715. 1716.1717-1718.1719- 1723 Indian war in South Carolina. The Ya- massees expelled ; settle in Florida, Natchez founded, .... ¦20. Father Ralle's war, New Orleans founded, •20. Carolina revolts, and a royal government is established, Irish emigrants settle at Londonderry, (N.H First settlement made in Vermont, 1729. North and South Carolina erected into sepa rate governments, 1732. Company formed in England for the settle ment of Georgia, .... Page 110 113 103104 110113 104111 112 105112 reigns ¦oj England. 1733. First settlement of Georgia made by Oglethorpe, .... Scotch and Germans settle in Georgia, Insurrection of the blacks in Carolina, Oglethorpe invades Florida, and makes an unsuccessful attempt on St. Augustine, The Moravians settle in Pennsylvania, A Spanish fleet invades Georgia, but re tires with loss, .... War between England and France, . Old French war, .... The colonists under Colonel Pepperell take Louisburg and Cape Breton from the French, 1748. Peace restored by the treaty of Aix la Cha- pelle, . • . I . 1750. Conflicting claims of the French and Eng lish. Ohio company. . . . . 1753. Washington sent by Dinwiadie a6 an envoy t 'he French, 1754. Thti French erect Fort du Quesne. Wash ington defeats a French party leaded by do lumonville. 1733.1736- 1738.1740. 1740.1742. 1744. ft 1745. Ill116116 112 116 117 118 118118143118121121 122 ; ;22122¦J25 127 XIV CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove reigns of Spain. 13Kto a t. oa> tot-1is t-1ocj CO>tr1 A.D 1773. 1774. 1775. 1776. Attempts of the British to import tea into the colonies the cargoes of three ships are thrown overboard at Boston, Parliament shuts the port of Boston, , Sept. 4, A congress assemble at Philadel phia. They promulgate "The Bill of Rights," and petition the king. April 18, The war commences. — Battle of Lexington, May 10, Ticonderoga and Crowr Point taken by the Americans, Congress again meet at Philadelphia, Royal governments laid aside in the south ern colonies, Large reinforcements of British troops ar rive in Boston, June 15, Washington made commander-in- chief, June 17, Battle of Bunker's Hill, Dr. Franklin the first postmaster-general, Nov. 13, Arnold appears before Quebec, but is forced to retire, .... Dec. 31, Americans defeated at Quebec, and Montgomery killed, The Delaware Indians determine to receive the gospel from the Moravians, Jan. 1, Norfolk, Virginia, burned by the royalists, March 17, British evacuate Boston, . June, Americans leave Canada, June 28, British repulsed at Fort Moultri^ Washington fixes his head-quarters at New York Pago 157157 159 165167167 167 168 169 168171 172 173 278 175176177 178 178 Sove reigns i England 1776. 1777, July 4, The Declaration of Indepen dence, 179 Aug. 27, Battle of Long Island. The Americans defeated, . . . .183 Sept. 15, British enter New York, . . 185 Oct. 28, Skirmish at White Plains, . . 186 Nov. 16, Fort Washington taken by the British, 187 Washington retreats across New Jersey, . 187 Dec. 26, He defeats the British at Trenton, 189 Jan. 3, At Princeton, . . 190 April 26, Danbury, Connecticut, burned, and stores taken by the British, . . 193 XVl CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove reigns of France. I A.D United 1777, States. aoz.HftooGft 1 CO CO Page La Fayette espouses the American cause, . 194 " July 5, Americans evacuate Ticonderoga ; July 7, are defeated at Hubbardton, . 197 ' Aug. 3, St. Leger invests Fort Stanwix ; Aug. 6, General Herkimer is defeated, 196 " Aug. 16, Battle of Bennington, . I98 " Sept. 11, Battle of Brandywine, . • 203 " Sept. 19, Battle of Stillwater, . . 200 " Sept. 26, British enter Philadelphia, . 205 " Oct. 4, Battle of Germantown, . • 205 " Oct. 7, Battle of Saratoga, . . .200 " Oct. 17, Burgoyne surrenders his army, . 201 " Oct. 22, British repulsed at Red Bank, . 206 " Nov. 16, Americans abandon Mud Island, and on the 18th Fort Mercer, . ¦ 206 " Dec. 11, Washington retires to winter-quar ters at Valley Forge, .... 207 1778. Intrigues against Washington by Conway and others, 208 1777. Vermont declares itself independent, . . 257 1778.' Feb. 6, Treaty of alliance with France, . 211 " Parliament sends three commissioners to bribe and corrupt the Americans, . .212 " June 18, British evacuate Philadelphia, . 213 " June 28, Battle of Monmouth, . . . 213 A French fleet, under d'Estaing, arrives, . 214 " Aug. 9, Sullivan invades Rhode Island. Is disappointed in not receiving the co-ope ration of the French fleet — evacuates the Island, 214 " Dec. 29, Savannah taken by the British, . 217 1779. Sunbury taken by the British, which com pletes the subjugation of Georgia, . 217 " Port Royal unsuccessfully attacked by the British, 217 " March 3, General Prevost surprises the Americans, under Ashe, at Briar Creek, 219 " May 12, Prevost attempts to take Charles- ton> '. .219 " June 1, Clinton takes Stony and Verplank's Points, 220 " June 20, Indecisive engagements between the armies of Lincoln and Prevost at Stono Ferry, 219 " July, The British make a descent upon Connecticut, 220 " July, War of the French and English in the West Indies, 222 " July 2, French capture Grenada, . . 223 reigns $ England. Octo cK CHRONOLOGICAL TABLS. pfM 1%L?. «f United States. foa HH co QO H !z! ts Z1-3 i>tr1ooOto ftCOCO A.D. 1779, 1780. 1781. Page July 15, The Americans, under Wayne, take Stony Point, 221 Unsuccessful expedition against the British at Penobscot, ... .221 Aug. 29, Sullivan defeats the Indians, and desolates their country, . . 222 Sept. 23, Paul Jones' naval battle, . . 225 Oct. 9, The French and Americans repulsed from Savannah, 224 Congress beset by the intrigues of France and Spain, 227 May 7, Fort Moultrie surrenders to the British, 229 May 12, Charleston surrenders to the British, 230 May 28, Tarleton surprises Buford atWac- saw, 230 Clinton establishes a royal government in South Carolina 230 June 23, Skirmish at Springfield, N. J. be tween Greene and Knyphausen, . . 231 Congress sanctions the depreciation of pa per currency, 231 July 10, A French squadron, under the Count de Rochambeau, arrives at Rhode Island, 233 Aug. 6, Sumpter defeats the British at Hanging Rock, 234 Aug. 16, Gates defeated by Cornwallis near Camden, S. C. .... 235 Aug. 18, Tarleton surprises and defeats Sumpter at Fishing Creek, . . . 236 Sept. Arnold's treason discovered at WeSt Point, 238 Oct. 2, Andr.5 executed as a spy, . . 239 Oct. 7, Tories defeated at King's Mountain, N. C 240 Revolt of the Pennsylvania troops, . , 243 Jan. 4, Arnold devastates Virginia, . . 250 Robert Morris made treasurer. Congress raise money by borrowing from France and Holland, 243 Jan. 17, Tarleton defeated by Morgan at Cowpens, S. C 244 Cornwallis pursues the Americans across the Carolinas, 245 March 15, Battle of Guilford C. H. (Greene and Cornwallis,) .... 246 Lafayette opposes the British in Virginia, . 251 April 25, Americans surprised and defeated at Hobkirk's Hill, (Greene and Rawdon,) 247 May 10, Camden evacuated by the British, 248 Sow Englani -3 ta P'l 3^o^Ofl Otooft03at— i oHO 2 ao COe-iftft ftft to OJ o 3 A. D. 1790. t( 1791 1792. 1793. 1794. 1794. 17951796, 1797, ti 1798. 1799 1800. 1801 1802 Aug. 7, Treaty with the Creek Indians, . Dec. 6, Kentucky an independent govern't, Duties laid on distilled spirits, . General Harmar defeated by the Indians, . A National Bank established, . Vermont admitted to the Union, Kentucky admitted to the Union, Capt. Grey discovers the Columbia river, . A mint established by congress, Washington's second inauguration, . April, M. Genet, the French minister, in sults the American government, April 22, Washington issues a proclamation of neutrality, ... Insurrection in Pennsylvania on account of duties on distilled spirits, General Wayne defeats the Indians in Ohio, Nov. 19, A treaty of amity and commerce concluded with Great Britain by Mr. Jay, Treaty with Algiers, Oct: 27, Treaty with Spain, Tennessee admitted to the Union, Washington publishes his " Farewell Ad dress," March 4, John Adams inaugurated, . Mission to France, Congress prepare for war with France, Feb. 10, French frigate, l'lnsurgente, cap tured by the U. S. frigate Constellation, . " Sept. 30, Treaty with France, Dec. 14, Death of Washington, Seat of government transferred to the Dis trict of Columbia, Mississippi and Indiana erected into terri tories, March 4, Mr. Jefferson's first inauguration, War with Tripoli, . . . ¦ Ohio admitted to the Union, Difficulty with the Spanish government respecting the right of deposit at New Orleans, 1863. 1803. The purchase of Louisiana, . " United States' frigate Philadelphia cap tured by the Tripolitans, . . • 1804. Decatur recaptures and burns the Phila delphia at Tripoli, . . " Commodore Preble bombards Tripoli, Ski *~ •* ' ° vrcigns of 075 \ England, 274vi-^*/ 280 275 276 281403281281282281 283 284285286286286 287 288 289289 289289290 290 291293295293 293 294 295295296 XI* CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Su»t- teigm of France. Presi dents of the U. S. a s>COft ftftftto COo3 =-H i>3 ft CO 3t> tii — i cooiZ A.D. 1804.1805. 1806. 1807. 1809. 1810. 1811. 1S12. Page Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, . . • 296 Jefferson's second inauguration, . • 297 The Americans, under Eaton, aid the ex bashaw of Tripoli. They take Derne. . 296 Great Britain searches American vessels, and impresses American seamen, . . 298 May, The British blockade the French coast, 298 Nov. 21, French decree issued at Berlin; blackading the British isles, . . . 298 Aaron Burr tried for conspiracy and ac quitted, 298 June 22, Outrage committed upon the United States' frigate Chesapeake, . . . 299 Nov. 11, British orders in council issued, . 299 Milan decree, 300 Dec. 22, American government lay an em- _ bargo, 300 March 4, Mr. Madison inaugurated, . . 300 Embargo repealed, and non-intercourse law substituted, 300 Decree of Rambouillet issued, . . . 300 April, Arrangement with Mr. Erskine, . 300 May, Act of congress renewing the inter course with Great Britain and France whenever either should repeal their de crees, 301 French decrees repealed, . . . .301 May 16, Attack on the United States' frigate President, 301 Nov. 7, Battle of Tippecanoe (Harrison and the Indian Prophet,) .... 302 Congress prepare for war with England, . 303 Secret mission of Great Britain to divide the Union disclosed by John Henry, the agent 303 April, embargo laid, 304 June 18, War declared against Great Britain, 304 June 23, Orders in council revoked, . . 317 June 26, America makes overturesfor peace, 317 July 12, General Hull invades Canada, . 308 July 17, Mackinaw taken by the British, . 308 Aug. 9, Battle of Maguaga, (Miller and Te cumseh,) 309 Aug. 15, Chicago abandoned ; the garrison killed or taken by the Indians, . . 309 Aug. 16, Hull surrenders Detroit to the British, 310 Aug. 19, United States' frigate Constitution captures the British frigate Guerriere, . 311 Sove reigns oj England Q ftOtooft CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. -XXI Sove reigns of France. 2 >?flO --1 fto2 3fta.3 >Or*COo2 A.D. 1812 1813. 1812 1813. Sept. 4, The savages are defeated at Fort Harrison, Sept. 7, The United States' frigate Essex captures the British sloop of war Alert, . Oct. 2, Hopkins' expedition against the Kickapoos, Oct. 18, United States' ship Wasp captures the British ship Frolic, and both are afterwards taken by the Poictiers, Oct. 25, The frigate United States captures the British Macedonian, Unsuccessful attempt of General Smyth to invade Canada, Dec. 29, The United States' frigate Consti tution captures the Java, Jan. 22, Battle and massacre of French- town, (Winchester and Proctor,) . The British destroy stores at Ogdensburg, New York, Feb. 23, The Hornet captures the British sloop-of-war Peacock, .... Delaware and Chesapeake bays blockaded, March 4, Madison's second inauguration, . April 10, Attaok on Lewiston, Delaware,' . April 27, Americans take York, U. C. ; General Pike killed, .... May 1, Fort Meigs besieged, . British ravage the coast of the Chesapeake,, May 27, Fort George surrenders to the Americans, May 28, Fort Erie surrenders to the Ameri cans, ...... The British are repulsed at Sackett's Harbor, June 1, The United States' frigate Chesa peake captured by the Shannon, British, under St. Vincent, take Generals Winder and Chandler at Stony Creek, . British attack Craney's Island, June 24, Colonel Boerstler's detachment taken by the British army at Beaver Dams, U. C. Aug. 1, British repulsed by Croghan at Fort Stephenson, ..... Aug. 14, United States' brig Argus taken by the Pelican, . . . . ' . Aug. 30, Indian massacre at Fort Mims, (Alabama,) Sept. 4, The Enterprise captures the Brit ish ship Boxer, Sept. 10, Perry's victory on Lake Erie, Pago 314 : Sove reigns 4$ Ktigtand. 312 314 315 315 315 316 320 323 328 32,7 320327 324 ofto to -Q ft 321 t-H f-i 327 324324 324 329 325 327 325 322 329 330329325 xxn CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove- "cigns of France' «Hi>3ft aHHcoO2 A. D. 1813. 1812.1813.1812. 1813. 1814. Page Sept. 23, General Harrison takes possession of Maiden,— Sept. 29, of Detroit, . . 326 _ Oct. 5, Battle of the Thames, (Harrison and Proctor) ; Tecumseh killed, . • 326 Commodore Chauncey captures a British flotilla on Lake Ontario, . • • 327 Nov. 7, Creeks defeated at Talladega, . 331 Nov. 11, Battle of Williamsburg, U. C. . 328 Nov. 29, Creeks defeated at Autossee,— Dec. 23, at Eccanachaca, . • .331 Dec. 10, Fort George evacuated by the Americans, and Newark burned, . . 328 Dec. 19, Fort Niagara taken by the British ; they destroy the 'towns on the Niagara frontier, . ... 328 Feb. 21, Stores at Malotoe destroyed, . 334 Affair at La Colle, (General Wilkinson and Major Hancock,) 334 March 28, United States' frigate Essex taken by the British frigate Phebe, . 349 April 21, United States' ship Frolic cap tured by a British frigate, . . 349 July 3, Americans take Fort Erie, . . 336 July 5, Battle of Chippewa, . . 337 July 11, Commodore Hardy makes a de scent upon the coast of Maine, . . 345 July 25, The battle of Bridgewater, . . 337 Aug. 4, The British besiege Fort Erie, . 340 Aug. 9, The British are repulsed from Stonington, ...... 346 Aug. 15, The British are repulsed from Fort Erie, 340 Aug. 24, The battle of Bladensburg ; Washington entered and plundered by the British, ...... 344 Aug. 27, Alexandria capitulates to the Brit ish, . . ... 344 Sept. 11, British fleet on Lake Champlain captured by the Americans, . . . 347 Sept. 11, The battle of Plattsburg, . . 347 Sept. 12, The British are defeated near Baltimore, ...... 345 Sept. 13, The British are repulsed from FortM'Henry, 345 Sept 17, Sortie from Fort Erie, in which the British works are destroyed, . 340 Nov. 7, General Jackson takes Pensacola, 853 Dec. 13, The British capture an American flotilla on Lake Borgne, . . . 35-1 Dec. 15,Meetingof theHartfordConvention, 350 Save- reigns of England. oftotooft CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. xxm Save- eigns of France. S (H 3003 — S3 -* SctE if a. 5 o •ore K£ad2 r « ® 2 H 2 — 3 5-M W f1 o ap— 1 COX Prest- A. D dents of 1814 «Ae 17. S. t-H3ftco a1— 1 COo 2! > 3ftco3o to oft Dec. 22, The British land below New Or leans. They repulse the Americans, 1815. Jan. 8, The Battle of New Orleans, " Jan. 15, United States' frigate President captured by a British fleet, . " Feb. 17, Treaty of peace with Great Britain, " Feb. 20, The United States' frigate Con- stitution captures the Cyane and Levant, " Fort Bowyer surrenders to the British, " April 6, Massacre of the American prison ers at Dartmoor, England, " War with Algiers, .... " Sept. 6, Treaties with the Indians, 1816. A National Bank established by congress, . " Sept. Treaties with the Chickasaws, Choc- taws, and Cherokees, .... " A new tariff is formed to encourage cotton manufactures, ..... " Colonization society formed, " Dec. Indiana admitted to the Union, . 1817. Monroe's inauguration, .... " Indians cede their lands in Ohio to the tf. S . " The U.S. take possession' of Amelia Island, " General Jackson takes possession of St. Marks and Pensacola, .... War with the Seminole Indians, Illinois admitted to the Union, . Treaties concluded with Great Britain and Sweden, ...... Chickasaws cede their lands to the U. S. . Alabama admitted to the Union, Arkansas territory erected, 1818. 1819. 1819. " Cessioh of Florida, .... " The legislature of New York pass an act providing for the education of women, . 1820. Maine becomes an independent state, 1821. Missouri admitted to the Union, " Monroe's second inauguration, . " Anglo-American Texas founded by Stephen F. Austin and his party, 1822. Commercial treaty with France, " Depredations bf the pirates in the W. Indies, 1823. Commodore Porter subdues them, " The government of the U. States recognises the independence of the South America republics, 1824. A new tariff formed, .... 1 Aug. 15, General Lafayette visits America, and is received with distinguished honors, Page 354355 357 356 357 356357 357358358 358359 359 358359359 360362 361362 362 362362 362 363363 Sove reigns a England 366 366366 398367367 367 368369 369 C ft Cto oft oao» a ft © HH ft -< H hs l-H5!Oft XXIV CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove Pre«- A.D. reigns of den^ of 1825. France. the U. S. CC a a o a ^ 1826. it x> t -0 3 d tr1 ?¦ s 1827. ft a 1828. 1829. ^ 1831. 1832. S HE. i. 3 pfp? = J " u p- n oo p.?-0 '• ^ " f 1833. o U a (( t*- CO 2! ?fl a a to " K ft3 1835. y tH p— . i>o CC 3 © CO 1835- o o3 1835. ft H CC a a 1836. ftto Ct h CC 3 o w CCCC 1837. CC " 2! ti Ct to 1838. ft ^ John Quincy Adams inaugurated, Treaty with Colombia, .... July 4, Deaths of Adams and Jefferson, . Morgan's abduction and great excitement respecting free-masonry, July 4, Death of James Monroe, Tariff bill amended,woollens, &c. protected, General Jackson's first inauguration, Mr. Rives' treaty with France, Cholera breaks out, .... Black Hawk's war, .... The Seminoles make a treaty with the U. S. Nov. 19, A Convention at Columbia, S. C, issue the nullification ordinance, President Jackson's proclamation, The president vetoes the bill for a renewal of the bank charter, .... Jackson's second inauguration, May 20, Death of General Lafayette, Removal of the government deposites from the U. States Bank to the State Banks, . The Chickasaws and Choctaws emigrate, . Specie circular, ..... Sept., Wisconsin made a territory, and Ar kansas admitted to the Union, Great "fire in New York, .... 7. Mania for land speculation, . Major Dade, General Thompson, and oth ers, destroyed by the Indians, Dec. 31, General Clinch's battle of the Withlacoochee, ..... Feb. 29, General Gaines' battle, March 2, Independence of Texas declared, March 6 and 27, Massacres of the Alamo and Goliad, April 21, Battle of San Jacinto, May,The Creeks make war upon the whites, Michigan admitted to the Union, March 3, Independence of Texas recognised by the congress of the U. S. March 4, Van Buren inaugurated, Revulsion in business, and pecuniary dis tress, ....... May 10, The banks stop specie payments, Canadians revolt froir the British govern ment, and are aided Dy Americans on the frontier. .... Page 372372372 Sove reigns of England. 372372 374 < to© ft 374 387 374 374 381 385 378 388 378 378 / 388 379 389 388 390 389 3 fHH>3 383 T—t 384 385 400 400 4j00 387 388 401 389 389 390 < 391 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XX-C «J a- 4 > s 50 • 2 w po pa O 2| 21 » • «! o a H «! tr1ftto 3 ftco•fl o t-1W A.D. 1838,1840, 1841 1842. CC 1843. CC 1844. 1845. 1846. Dec. 25, Battle of Okee Chobee Death of Stephen Van Rensselaer, and be ginning of Anti-rent troubles in N.York, March 4, Inauguration of William Henry Harrison, March 11, Steamer President sails from New York, and is lost at sea, April 4, Death of President Harrison, July 6, A bill passed to distribute the pro ceeds of the public .lands to the different states, Aug. 16, President Tyler's first veto of a National Fiscal Bank, .... Aug. 18, Bankrupt law passed, Aug. 30, A tariff bill passed, . Sept. 9, Mr. Tyler's second veto of a Na tional Fiscal Corporation, Sept. 12, Mr. Tyler's cabinet all resign ex cept Mr. Webster, .... Oct. 11, Failure of the old U. States Bank, Aug. 20, Treaty with England settling the North-East boundary, .... Aug. 17, Fremont explores the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, May 18, Dorr's seizure of the arsenal in R. I. Sept. 6, Fremont explores the Salt Lake, . Feb. 28, Explosion on board the Princeton kills Messrs. Upshur, Gilmer, &c, May 6-June 7, Riots in Philadelphia, Anti-renters keep armed bands disguised as Indians, ...... July 7, Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, killed at Carthage, Illinois, . Jan. 16, Ratification of Treaty with China, Feb. 28, Congress pass the joint resolution to annex Texas, ..... March 3, Congress admits into the Union two states — Iowa and Florida, March 4, Inauguration of Polk and Dallas, Fremont sent with an armed party of 63 to Cal. July 30, General Taylor ordered into Texas, Sept. Stockton sent to Cal. with sealed orders, Jan. 13, General Taylor ordered to the mouth of the Rio Grande, March 12, Senor Lanzas writes to Mr. Sli dell that the " casus belli" was given, . April 23, Mexico declares war against the United States, Page 386 Sove reigns of England. 395391 392 391 392 392 393 393 392 393393 393 446394 446 394 394 395 396 403 402 396 401 448 402402 404 407407 KXTI CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. A.D. 1846. >3 ftcoft>-d Oft April 24, Mexican War begins by Thorn ton's capture, . May 8, Victory of Palo Alto, May 9, Victory of Resaca de la Palma, . May 11, President's extra message informs congress that the Mexican war had be- Page 407 409 409 Sove reigns of England gnn, 1847. May 13, Act of congress to raise men and money, ....¦• June 16, Treaty settling the northern boun dary of Oregon, June 26, Army of the West, under General Kearny, march from Fort Leavenworth, July 6, American Californians under Fre mont declare independence, . July 7, Monterey, in California, taken by Com. Sloat, ..... Aug. 18, Gen. Kearny takes possession of Santa Fe, ...... Sept. 20, Army of the Centre, under Gen eral Wool, begins its march from Bexar, Sept. 21-2-3, The taking of Monteret, Armistice of Monterey, Oct. 21, General Wool takes possession of Monclova — Dec. 5, of Parras, Nov. 22, Doniphan's treaty with the Navajoes, Dec. 6, Battle of San Pascal, . Dec. 25, Battle of Bracito, .... Jan. 8, Battle of San Gabriel, . Jan. 12, Capitulation of Cowenga, Jan. 19, Revolt in New Mexico, and mas sacre of Gov. Bent and others, Jan. 24-Feb. 5, Colonel Price's victories at Canada, Embudo, and Puebla de Taos, . Feb. 22-3, Battle of Buena Vista, . Feb. 26, Battle of Agua Frio, . Feb. 28, Battle of Sacramento, March 7, Battle of Ceralvo, March 27, Vera Cruz surrenders to the American army under General Scott, . March 28, Sloop-of-war Jamestown sent with provisions to Ireland, which was suffering from famine, .... April 18, Battle of Cerro Gordo, . April 19, American army enters Jalapa — 22, they enter Perote — May 15, enter Puebla, 407 407 404 422 421421 423415 411 415 426424427424424 428428 420 420427420 430 443 430 431 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 3 1848. Page Aug. 20, Battles of Contreras and Chu- rubusco, 434 Sept. 8, Battle of Molinos del Ret, . 436 Sept. 13, Battle of Chapultepec, . . 436 Sept. 14, MEXICO TAKEN, . . .437 Oct. 9, Battle of Huamantla— 18, of Atlisco, 441 Feb. 2, Treaty of peace with Mexico is signed at Guadalupe — 22, laid by Presi dent Polk before the Senate, . . . 441 Gold discovered in California, . . . 449 Feb. 23, Death of Ex-president J. Q. Adams, 441 March .16, Battle of Santa Cruz de Rozales, 442 ft " May 29, Wisconsin admitted into the Union, 442 July 4, Peace proclaimed at Washington, 443 Aug. 7, Free soil convention at Buffalo, . 454 Aug. 13, Oregon made a territory, . . 443 Dec. 22, Disunion threatened. First meeting of Southern members of congress in Wash ington addressed by Mr. Calhoun, . . 455 1849. Jan. 22, Second meeting of Southern mem bers not unanimous, .... 455 March 3, Minesota made a territory, . . 450 Unhappy close of the 30th congress, . . 450 March 4, Inauguration of Taylor and Fillmore, 450 September 1, State constitution for California formed at Monterey, .... 456 Dec. 20, Legislature convene at San Jose, . 456 . Jan. Texas makes laws to extend her power over New Mexico, .... 457 Jan. 25, Compromise measures introduced into the senate by Mr. Clay, . . .461 Feb. 13, Fremont and Gwin (senators elect) arrive in Washington with the Californian petition for admission, .... 457 March 31, Death of John C. Calhoun, . 472 April 18, Collision at St. F6 of the U. 8. and Texan authorities, .... 457 June 2, Nashville convention. Disunion- ists disappointed, ..... 463 July 9, Death of Taylor and inauguration of Fillmore, 463 September, Passage of the compromise measures, (viz.,) 464 California (rejecting slavery) is admitted. Utah made a territory, / Slavery optional N. Mexico made a territory, J with the inhabitants. Texas receiving ten millions for her claim. Slave-trade abolished in District of Columbia. A new fugitive-slave law passed. Dec. 16. America honored by Switzerland, 475 Abortive attempt on Cuba by Lopez and his American followers, . . . 475 Lopez's second abortive attempt, . . 476 1852. Death of Henry Clay, . . . .476 Death of Daniel Webster, . . .476 Sove reign* oj England, XXV11I CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove reigns of France. Presi- A. D. 1853. ft ft pO Qft i> 3ftCOftOa > Page 477477 Inauguration of Franklin Pierce, . Diminution of Postage, . . . " The Japan Expedition. — Commodore Perry 1854. forms the treaty of Kanagawa, " Washington made a Territory, 1858. Mr. Ward makes a treaty with China, 1854. The Kansas-Nebraska Bill passed, . 1855-6. Civil war in. Kansas, . . Sacking of Lawrence. — John Brown's battle of Ossawatamie, : 487-8 Gov; Geary's humane government opposed, and he resigns, 488 480 503481 481 483 491 492492494 496 1857. Inauguration of James Buchanan and John C. Breckinridge, The Dred Scott decision, .... Robert J. Walker sent Governor to Kansas, Lecompton Constitution. — Great corruption in voting, . . . . , Secretaiy Marcy negotiates the abolition of the Sound Dues formerly paid to Den mark, 1853-5. Dr. Kane's Arctic expedition, . . 496-7 1853-8. Filibustering. — Wm. Walker's attempts prove abortive, 497-8 1858. An army sent against the Mormons, . . 499 A great business " revulsion," . . . 500 Page's treaty with Paraguay, . . . 501 Opening of the Panama Railroad, . . 504 British Parliament abandon the right of search, 502 Oregon and Minnesota admitted as States, . 503 American women purchase Mount Vernon, 507 1859. Dispute about, the island of St. Juan settled by Gen. Scott, Meeting of the Young Men's Christian Asso ciation at Troy, . .... John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferrv' Oct. 16, . . . . . . John Brown's execution, Dec. 2, . 1860. Dec. 3, Congress convenes. President's mes sage, . . . . . " Dec. 19, Speech of B. Brown, of North Carolina, .... " Dec. 20, South Carolina passes the nance of Secession, " Dec. 25, South Carolina members Congress, .... " Dec. 31, South Carolina takes the U. S. arsenal, ... 1861. Jan. 19, Virginia seeks to avert war, '. . " Feb. 1, Texas secedes, . " Feb. 4, Meeting at Montgomery' to adopt a constitution for the Confederacy, . K 4, Jefferson Davis made President of Ordi-leave Feb. 502 507 508511517516516517516518518518 Confederacy, 5ig March 4, Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, 518 March 4, United States finances, and state of, 589 Sove reigns of England CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sjfix 'A.D. 1861. a > ftOftfto 2 >toa>a 3 2ooft 1862. March 13, Commissioners sent North, . April 12, Fort Sumter attacked, . April 15, The call for 75,000 troops, April 19, Southern ports blockaded, . April 19, Riot in Baltimore, .... April 29, Maryland votes for non-secession, May 15, Victoria proclaims neutrality, June 2, Battle of Pkilippi, June 10, Battle of Little, and Big, Bethel, . June 14, General Johnston burns bridge at Harper's Ferry, . . ... July 20, Richmond made Capital of the Con federacy, ' . July 21, Battle of Bull Run, . Aug. 10, Battle of Wilson Creek, . Sept. 21, Mulligan surrenders to Gen. Price, Sept. 21, President Lincoln annuls Fremont's order, Oct. 21, Battle of Ball's Bluff, Oct. 31, Gen. Scott resigns command of army, Nov. 2, Fremont superseded by Hunter, Nov. 6, Grant at Belmont, .... Nov. 8, The Trent affair, .... Dec. 30, Suspension of specie payment by banks, Dec. 31, Gen. Phelps at Ship Island, . Jan. 12, Burnside's expedition against Roan oke, Jan. 19, Battle of Mill Springs, Feb. 3, Farragut sails for New Orleans, Feb. 14, Foote arrives at Fort Donelson, Feb. 25, National Bank law passed, March 5, Andrew Johnson made Military Governor of Tennessee, .... March 5, Slavery abolished in territories and District of Columbia, .... March 8, Merrimac and Monitor, March 14, About the Army of the Potomac, April 6, Battles of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, April 27, Forts surrender at Ship Island, May 1, Butler takes command in New Or leans, May 5, Battle of Williamsburgh, . May 5, President Lincoln revokes Hunter's proclamation, May 27, Hanover Court-House, Battle of, . May 31, First Battle of Fan Oaks and Seven Pines, June 8 & 9, Jackson defeats Fremont and Shields, June 26, Second Battle of Fair Oaks, . July 1, Battle at Malvern Hill, July 1, Excise Law passed, .... July 14, Gen. Pope takes the field in North Virginia July 23, Gen. Halleck succeeds Gen. McClel lan, August 9, Battle of Cedar Mountain, . Page Sove 5KI. reigns of 520 England 520 \^-Y-*- 521 522 523 523 524 524 525 521 526 527 527 594 528 528 528 528 528 590 539 530 530 < 539 a 530 H 590 oa l-H 531 > 595 532 535 533 539 540 536 594 536 537 537 538 538 590 540 534 540 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Sove- l Presi- reign-': of, dents of France, 'the U. S. A.D. 1862. > ft a ft > f> ft 3 o > ftM '-< O ft a a l-H o H o ft a 1863. 1864. August 17, Indian Massacre in Minnesota, Sept. 5, Gen. R. E. Lee invaded Maryland, . Sept. 15, Harper's Ferry surrendered, Sept. 17, Battle of Antietam, Sept. 22, Proclamation of warning by Presi dent Lincoln, Oct. 7, McClellan removed from the com mand of the Army of the Potomac, Oct. 27, Rosecrans supersedes Buell, . Nov. 10, Burnside succeeds McClellan, Nov. 13, Battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 1, President's Colonization Proclama tion, Dec. 21, Gen. Banks at New Orleans, . Dec. 31, Battle of Murfreesboro', . Jan. 1, President's Emancipation Proclama tion, Jan. 1, U. S. Navy, and condition of, . Feb. 2, Grant's army at Young's Point, May 2 & 3, Battle of Chancellorsville, . May 3, Death of Stonewall Jackson, . May 6, Alexandria occupied, June 3, Rosecrans at Murfreesboro', June 15, Lee invades Maryland with 100,000 men, July 1, Battle of Gettysburg, July 3, Mission of A. H. Stephens, July 4, Surrender of Vicksburg to Gen. U. S. Grant, July 13, New York City riot, July 21, John Morgan defeated by Hobson, Sept. 4, Rosecrans in Alabama, Sept. 19, Battle of Chickamauga, . Oct. 18, Grant in command of the Army of the Mississippi, Nov. 23, Battle of Chattanooga, . Dec. 1, Thirty-ninth Congress. President's Message, and Amnesty Proclamation, Feb. 28, Kilpatrick's raid toward Richmond, Feb. 29, Grant created Lieutenant-General, March 4, Col. Dahlgren killed, April 8, Slavery abolished by constitutional amendment, May 5, Battle of tbe Wilderness, . May 6, Sherman's March begins, . May 9, Sheridan's raid June 7, Battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, June 7, Baltimore Convention, June 7, The Fugitive Slave Law, June 10, Forrest defeats Sturgis, . June 19, Combat between the Kearsarge and the Alabama, July 12, Early in Maryland, .... July 14, Gen. A. J. Smith defeats Forrest, . July 22, Battle in front of Atlanta, July 22, Jacques and Gilmore's peace meet ing with Grant, July 22, Horace Greeley's negotiations at Niagara, Page 545541 541 ' 541594542544 542542545 549544 594 552 547549 549 549554 550550596548 556551554554 555555557561561561595563567564564 573 595 568572 576569568 596596 Sove reigns of England CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XXXI Sove reigns of ¦ France. a > ftoft ft ca > hk >>3 aoft a A. D. Page 1864, July 30, Early bums Chambersburg, Pa., . 576 " Aug. 5, Farragut fighting lashed to the top mast, 571 " Aug. 7, Naval battle in Mobile Bay. — Fort Gaines surrendered, 572 •' Aug. 19, Battles of Opequan and Fisher's Hill, . . . . . . .576 " Aug. 23, Fort Morgan surrenders, . . 572 " Aug. 27, Chicago Convention, . . . 578 " Oct. 19, Second Battle of Cedar Creek, . 577 " Nov. 14, Gen. Sherman's March to the Sea, 577 " Nov. 30, Battle of Franklin, . . . .579 " Dec. 6, President Lincoln's proclamation on his re-election, 575 " Dec. 12, Fort McAllister taken, . . .577 " Dec. 15, Battle of Nashville.— Gen. Hood routed, 579 " Dec. 20, Savannah surrenders, . . 577 1865. Jan. — F. P. Blair's visit to Richmond, . 597 " Jan. 15, Gen. Terry takes Fort Fisher, . 571 " Jan. 29, Commissioners from Richmond, . 597 " Feb. 3, The President meets tbem, . . 597 " March 4, Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, .... 585 " March 20, Expedition against Mobile, . . 583 " March 25, Lee assaults Fort Steadman, and is repulsed, 580 " March 27, Grant begins his final campaign, 580 " March 27, Sherman at City Point, . . 5 " March 27, President visits City Point and Richmond, 585 " March 31, Battle of Petersburg, . . .580 " April 1, Bombardment of Petersburg, . . 581 " April 2, Evacuation of Richmond, . . 581 " April 7, Grant summons Lee to surrender, . 582 " April 9, Lee surrenders, .... 583 " April 11, Pres. Lincoln's last public speech, 586 " April 12, Mobile taken. — Wilson's great raid 584 i" April 14, Gen. Johnston surrenders, . . 583 " April 14, The President is assassinated, . 587 " April 15, The President dies at 7.22 A. jr., . 587 " April 19, The Funeral, 587 " May 4, Dick Taylor surrenders, . . . 584 " May 11, Jefferson Davis captured, . . 584 " May 26, Kirby Smith surrenders Texas, . 584 Conclusion 589 reigns of England a Hoft HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES, OR, REPUBLIC OF AMERICA. PART FIRST. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. Name — First Peopling — Traditionaiy and probable Accounts The country of which our history treats, is that comprised ohap. t teithin the extensive boundaries of the United States of ^*»-*-^s America. This appellation we shall exchange as the convenience of language may require, for that of the Eepublic of America, or the simple name America. -This single expression is the Name. style assumed in the bill of rights, the first act of our country's sovereignty ; and it forms the only part which is a proper name of that used in every state paper promulgated since. At home we are called Americans in contradistinction from Canadians, Texians, and Mexicans ; and abroad, the public functionaries of this nation alone are distinguished as Amer ican ambassadors. It is therefore concluded that the name of this country is, and is to be, America. Concerning the early inhabitants of the vast region to which B , saT this name, in its more limited extent, now applies, authentic age mtiatu history reaches no farther back than to its European discove- antJI ry and settlement. Some probable conjectures may however be formed from the antiquities and traditions of the aborigines, combined with the course of events upon the other continent, as known from Holy Scripture or profane record. Noah, the second father of the human family, emerged from the terrors of the deluge in Western Asia. At Bhering's Straits only, do the two continents approach, and the earliest Supposed inhabitants found here by Europeans, bore a resemblance to to be from the Tartars of Eastern Asia. Hence the conclusion, that asU^" America was peopled from that direction. 2 MIGRATION OF SUCCESSIVE RACES chap, i But evidence exists, in the ruins of fortifications and in ^-»— v~«»-^ anatomical and. other relics dug from ancient mounds, that another and more civilized race had preceded, and occupied the basin of the Mississippi. The same evidence, we are told, exists that Tartary has once been the seat of a civilization, superior to that of its present inhabitants. It would seem, then, that a race, which, from their antiquities, may be compared with the ancient Egyptians, left in early ages the primitive stock, wandered east, crossed Bhering's Straits, and continued their migratory course till they rested on the broad vales of the Mississippi and its tributary streams; but that ruder and fiercer tribes ^pdledT na-d followed in their train, and expelled them from those more civil- fertile regions. And since a people were found in the more ned people gouthern climes of Mexico, Central America, and Peru, from the whose crania, and works of art, resemble those discovered same direc- here, it seems altogether probable, that to those countries, tlon' the earlier and more civilized race migrated; with the excep tion of the Natchez, and -perhaps the ancestors of the Mo- bilian race. This supposition is strengthened by the tradi tions of savage tribes found here by Europeans, and called by them Indians, they having given to the whole country the indefinite appellation of the West Indies. The That extensive family of tribes found east of the Missis- Algonquin sippi; -which, according to tradition, descended from the Lenni Lenape, spoke, though in various dialects, one primitive lan guage, called by the French the Algonquin. Hence this term in nearly its whole extension, has been applied to that race, which has since received, also, the name of Delawares. The Indians possessed no books, or written manuscripts. All their literature consisted of traditionary tales, and a few war songs. According to these, the great nation of the Lenni Lenape Lenape, once dwelling far to the west, moved eastward, and and after travelling a great distance, arrived on the borders Mengwe Qf tne Mississippi. Here they met with the Mengwe or Iro quois, another powerful people, who with similar objects hau also emigrated from a far distant western country, and had reached the same river somewhat nearer its source. The territory east of the Mississippi was inhabited by the Allegewi, a powerful nation, who had many large cities and whose warriors, says the tradition, were of gigantic sta ture. The Lenape requested permission to settle in their country, but were refused. Determined to force their way wbdne the they entered into an alliance with the Mengwe. The Alleo-e wi Allegewi, fortifie,i their towns, and made a brave resistance. Mar y great battles were fought, and the slain laid in heaps, and covered with mounds of earth. The Allegewi, at length, totally over come, fled down the Mississippi, and never returned. ami divide The two victorious nations now divided the country be- ihe territory, tween them. The Iroquois took possession of that along the rROM THE WEST TO THE EAST. lakes, and the St. Lawrence, and extended themselves by cbap. i. degrees through the valleys of their tributary streams ; while m^-v-^- the Lenape sent forth some of their more enterprising hunts men, who crossed the mountains, and discovered noble streams running to the south and east. These they traced to the At lantic, or Salt Water Lake. To the Delaware they gave the aame of Lenapehittuck, or the rapid river of the Lenape. Location* Making this their centre of communication, they extended of the themselves to the Potomac, Susquehannah, and Hudson. Lenspe- In process of time, they divided into three tribes, the Turtle, Turkey, and Wolf. The two former occupied the ground be tween the sea-coast and the mountains, while the Wolf or Minsi tribe, held their council-fire at Minisink, about twenty- five miles west of Newburgh on the Hudson. But when those regions became peopled by Europeans, the Delawares gradually drew off towards the west, and about 1770 their seat of empire was in the eastern parts of Ohio. With these confederacies others were allied : as the Mohi- canni or Mohegans, who spread themselves east of the Hud- „, . ., son, and those branches which extended to the southern and wh0 styled eastern shores of New England, who were all styled the grand- themselves children of the original Lenape. This nation also extended ' children its tribes southerly, and gave rise to the powerful confedera cies which occupied the country bordering on the Chesa peake. In the meantime the Mengwe, or Iroquois, who at first settled along the lakes, had extended their borders until they T.r0QU01s approached in many points near to the Lenape. They con quered a powerful nation called Hurons, AdarondackS, or Conqvem- Wyandots, which are the only people on the eastern coast, Hurons. says the Indian tradition, who were not descendants of che Mengwe and Lenape. Disputes at length arose between the Delawares and Iro quois, and a war ensued, of which different accounts are giv en by the two nations. This singular fact appears in authen tic history, that the Delawares, though greatly respected and Iroquois im honored with the appellation of grandfather by many tribes, awarestobe" ivere yet, by their own acknowledgment, reduced, in regard the Women, to making war, to the condition of women. The Iroquois ^ *^*y boasted that their prowess had obliged the Delawares to as- 8erv« p'eaoo. sume this feminine state. But the Delawares gave a relation, which seems more in accordance with the respect voluntarily granted them, and the weight given to their counsels. Griev ous wars, say they, had wasted both nations, and the Iroquois sent them this message : " It is not profitable that all the nations should be at war wjith each other, for this will at length be the ruin of the whole Indian race. We have there fore considered a remedy. One nation shall be the woman. We will all defend the woman. She shall make no war, but the shall speak words of peace, to heal the disputes of those TRADITION A HISTORY COINCIDENT. Tftise&end. Coincidence »t tradition and proba- ' ble history. 1540. Mobilian tribes. who are walking in foolish ways. The men shall then lieai, and obey the woman." The Delawares consented ; a counsel followed, in which the Iroquois declared in their figurative style, " we dress you in a woman's long habit, we give you oil, and medicines ; and a plant of Indian corn, with a hoe. To your care we commit the great belt of peace, and chain of friendship." Perhaps we may refer to this period the date of that great and good traditionary chieftain of the Delawares, who, under the name of Tamenend, has had his festivals, even recently, celebrated in " Tammany" Halls, with his emblem, the tail of the buck, worn as a badge of party distinction. Thus far we follow the traditions of the Indians. Like those of other barbarous nations they probably contain a mixture of error and truth ; yet there is a simplicity in the story which favors its probability, and in its main features it coincides, as we have seen, with the most probable hypothe sis concerning the first peopling of America : the Allegewi being supposed a former, and more civilized race, who came m early ages through Tartary, Bhering's Straits and the north ern part of this continent to the Mississippi and its waters ; and the Lenape and Mengwe, those more barbarous hordes who following in their train, dispossessed and drove them south, probably to Mexico, Central America, and Peru This argument is strengthened by the discovery that the lan guages spoken throughout the country were traceable to three primitive stocks, the Algonquin, Iroquois andMobilian. A por tion of this earlier race may have rested on the vales of the Mobijje : for De Soto, m 1540, found there a people who dwelt in cities, and who were more cultivated than tf" sur rounding savages. And wi.; le attempts to civilize a,, de scendants of the Lenape E...J Mengwe have been com ara- tively ineffectual, the Mobilian tribes have received C ris- tianity and the elements of modern civilization. But our i wn nation, which has imparted them, has done what the barb-i. an Lenape failed to accomplish, expelled this earlier race lT<>m the homes oi their childhood, and from the cherished gravis of ancestors more remote perhaps than those of any people east of the Mississippi. Nor are we entitled to assert with confidence that the Algonquins might not have been Chris tianized, had the efforts of the apostle Elliot, and those, not less devoted, of the Moravian missionaries, been properly seconded, instead of having been rendered abortive, by cruel treatment to the unoffending Indian converts. Yet before the Indians are entitled to complain, they must stop their own barbarous practices ; particularly that o> making war without declaring it. ABORIGINES OP VIRGINIA. CHAPTER II. The Principa. Indian Confederacies as found by European Disjovereis. The Lenni Lenape, Delawares, or Algonquins, claimed an be the head of all the northern nations east of the Missis sippi, except the Mengwe or Iroquois, since called the Five Nations, and one other great family, at the head of which stood the Hurons or Wyandots. They were, it appears, that savage tace, which our fathers found upon the shores of the Atlantic ; whose hospitality sometimes fed them, whose sub tlety and vindictive courage kept them long in continual alarm, and more than once threatened them with extirpation. The Indians earliest known to the English were those of Virginia. When the first effectual settlement of that colony was made in 1607, the country from the sea-coast to the mountains, and from the Potomac to the most southern waters of James river, was occupied by more than forty different tribes. Those on the lowlaiids between the sea-coast and the falls of the rivers, formed one confederacy, and were attached to the Powhatan nation, as their bond of union. This con federacy consisted of thirty tribes, and the whole number is calculated at 8,000, of whom three tenths were warriors. The territory over which they were spread contained 8000 square miles. Thus, in this region, which appears to have been one of the most populous parts of the Indian territory, there was only one person to every square mile. Powhatan was the great sachem of a 'confederacy which was kept to gether by the force of his genius, and which bore his name. The seat of his hereditary dominions, called by the English Nonesuch, was on the Powhatan, afterwards James river, below the falls and near the beautiful spot where Richmond now stands. This was the native land of Pochahontas, the most distinguished woman of aboriginal America. Soon after the settlement of Jamestown, the Indians, who dwelt on the highlands, between the falls of the rivers and the mountains, were divided into two confederacies, the Monahoacks, consisting of eight tribes, on the north, and the Monacans, of five, stretching southerly into Carolina. After wards, under the name of Tuscaroras, the latter removed northerly and joined the Iroquois These thirteen tribes were combined against the Powhatans. Not less promjnent in the early history of our country, are the five principal New England tribes. Of these, the first known was that of the Wampanoags or Pokanokets, which produced the two most remarkable savage chiefs of New England, father and son ; Massasoit, distinguished for wisdom 3 Aigonquiim .¦\nJ. Iroquois. 1607 Powh.itaui. on the waters oi the James. Their fan:. in two ow.i feden*4o3. Wampus ABORIGINES OF NEW ENGLAND their country. Seat of their .sachems. 1614. Hunt, who commands a vessel of Captain Smith's u}uadront kidnaps "7 of the na tives. Der mer re- tores one. 1619, Plague among the aborigines. rt» Paw ntickets. The- Ma ofColuir1 10 COLUMBUS. Paht I. Science was beginning to arouse from the long slumber of period i. the middle ages. The,magnetic needle had been invented, and chap. i. the mariner no longer kept cautiously along the shore; bu* v-^v^w-- trusting to this guide, he boldly steered his bark through The spirit of trackless oceans, in search of unknown countries. e times. Columbus had married the daughter of one of the Portu guese discoverers, then deceased ; whose widow, finding with what avidity her son-in-law sought such sources of informa tion, gave to him all the maps, charts, and nautical papers, Columbus which had belonged to her husband. Marco Polo, a Venetian. believes _ the had travelled to the east, and returned with glowing descrip- Km '*& 'S « ti°ns °f Cathay and the island of Cipango, called, generally, expects to the East Indies, and now known to be China and Japan. The find the East rotundity of the earth was a fact admitted by a few of the saUing=»e3st. learned, and fully believed by Columbus, on the evidence of its figure, exhibited in eclipses of the moon. Hence, he be lieved that those rich countries, concerning which Marco Polo had inflamed his imagination, might be found by sailing west; — and by a false estimate of their situation, he supposed they would be reached by sailing one half the real distance. Columbus believed that great advantages would accrue to the nation who should patronize his undertaking ; and, with Offers his filial respect, he first offered his services to his native state, services to ^ut jja(j ^g mortification to find them rejected. He then ap- sovereigns, plied successively, to John II. of Portugal; — through his brothei Bartholomew, to Henry VII. of England ;— and personally to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. But none of these monarchs manifested, at first, sufficient reach of thought to comprehend his schemes, or generosity to encourage them. At the court of Spain, he had spent two years in a succes sion of mortifying repulses ; and at length, quite discouraged, They he was preparing to follow his brother to England, when he "byfiabeUa. was recalled by a mandate from Isabella. Of all the sove reigns of Europe, this woman was the only one whom he could move to friendship, and confidence iii the success of his plan ; and to the latest day of his life, he regarded her as the first and best of his friends. Not knowing how to raise the sum of money requisite for Sheoffei". defraying the expenses of the voyage, the queen determined her jewels. t0 sacrince her jewels ; but this was prevented by the extra ordinary exertions of her ministers. 1 *92 Columbus made his first voyage, the most interesting of any Co ¦iraous in the annals of navigation, in 1492 ; and discovered the first J.scoversthe found land of the New World, on the eleventh of October. Hew World. j_t was an Island callad by the natives Guanahani; but to which he piously gave the name of San Salvador, the Holy Saviour. Sent home In his third v0JaSe lle discovered the continent on the coas it. chains, of South America, fourteen months after the Cabots had reached its shores in the north-east. By the ingratitude of HIS ILL-TREATMENT. DISCOVERIES OF OTHERS. 11 Ferdinand, he was, like a malefactor, sent home in chains, from the world which his genius had given to the Spanish Monarchy. Americus Vesputius, an ambitious Florentine, having followed him in the career of discovery, received from the public, an honor which belonged to Columbus, that of giving a name to the continent. In 1502, the great discoverer made his fourth and last voyage, when having returned to Spain, his patroness dead, his just claims disregarded, and himself neglected, he sank beneath his sufferings, and died, in the 69th year of his age, His history affords 'one proof among many, that the divine plan of retributive justice is not fully carried out here, but is to be completed hereafter. Other individuals now became desirous to share with Co lumbus the honor, and other nations to divide with Spain the profit of the great discovery. Many attempts were made to show that the country had been previously discovered. The Welsh brought forward the story of Madoc, son of Owen Gwyneth, who, in the twelfth century, had sailed west, dis covered a country, and afterwards conducted a colony thither, which was heard of no more. If this story be true, there exists no proof that the region found was America. The Norwegians discovered Iceland and Greenland, during the ninth century, and there established colonies. Biorn, or Biron, an Icelander, in a voyage to Greenland, during the eleventh century, was driven south-west in a storm, and found a region which, from its great number of vines, he called Vineland ; but here, also, proof fails, that the place found had its locality on the American coast. PART I. Unjustly deprived of the honor oi naming the country- He dies at Valladolid ill Spain. 1506. Twelfth century. Welsh story of Madoc Norwegian claims on account of Vineland. CHAPTER II. English Discoveries — French. The principal European nations who first discovered and colonized our country, are, I The English, II The French, III. The Spanish IV. The Dutch. It was under the reign of the politic, though cruel Henry VII. of England, that the shores of the United States were discov ered. The names of the Cabots, should be remembered by American citizens, with that of Columbus ; for they equally form connecting links between our history and that of Europe. John Cabot, a native of Venice, had, with his family, settled in England. He and his renowned son, Sebastian, were men of great learning, enterprise, and ability. By a commission of Henry VII., dated March 5th, 1496, (the oldest American 3* John and Sebastiau Cabot 1496. Receive a commission from Henrv VII 12 THE CABOTS. — VERRAZANI. CARTIER. PARTI, state paper of England,) they had authority to discover any heathen countries not before known to Christians. They, de fraying the expenses of the voyage, were to possess these countries as the king's lieutenants, paying him one-fifth of all Cabots iscover the Continent. 1407. SebastianCabot the supposed discoverer of our coast. £49$. Francis I. sends out Verrazani. 1524. His description •>f the natives on the coast of North Carolina. Visits the harbor of Newport 1534 James Cartier discovers the gulf of St LawTerce. They sailed from England in May, 1497, and in June, dis- covered the Island of Newfoundland, which they called Prima Vista. Steering northward, they made the first discov ery of the continent, on the coast of Labrador, in latitude about 55°. On their return they pursued a southerly direc tion to an uncertain distance. Sebastian Cabot sailed a second time, — reached Labrador in latitude 58°, thence turning southerly, he became the dis coverer of the coast of the United States ; along which, he proceeded as far as to the southern latitude of Maryland. It is much to be regretted that so few particulars remain on record, of these two voyages, which form so fundamental a portion of our history. Smitten by the common passion of the sovereigns of Europe, for American discovery, Francis I. of France turned aside alike from his elegant and his warlike pursuits, and one year before his defeat at Pavia, he found for his service another Italian discoverer. This was John Verrazani, a Florentine, who reached the continent in the latitude of Wilmington, North Carolina. He then sailed fifty leagues south, but find ing no convenient harbor, he returned and cast anchor ; being the first European who had afforded the astonished natives the spectacle of the white race. They were received with rude, but fearless hospitality. The color of the Indians, the French compared to that of the Saracens. They looked with wonder upon their wild costume, made of the skins of ani mals, and set off by necklaces of coral and garlands of feath ers. As they again sailed northward along the coast, theil senses were regaled by the verdure of the forests, and th6 perfume of the flowers which they scented from the shores. At a fine harbor, supposed to be that of Newport in Rhode Island, Verrazani remained fifteen days, and there found "the goodliest people he had seen." From thence he followed the north-eastern shore of New England, finding the inhabitants jealous and hostile. From the peninsula of Nova Scotia, ha returned to France, and wrote a narrative of his voyage, which is the earliest original accountof the coast of the United States. James Cartier was, however, the mariner to whose discov eries the French trace the extensive empire which they pos sessed in North America. Cartier, after a prosperous voyage of twenty days, made Cape Bonavista, the most easterly point f Newfoundland. Sailing around the north-eastern extrem ity of the island, he encountered severe weather and icy seas. Then stretching to the south-west, he discovered, cn St. Lawrence's day. the noble gulf which bears ihe name of thai ROBERVAL. --COLIGNI SENBS RIBAULT. 13 Bamt. In July, he entered a bay which, from the heats of the rapidly changing season, he named Des Chaleurs. Coasting thence to the small bay of Gaspe, he there landed and reared a cross, upon which he hung a shield bearing the arms of France, in token that the country was thenceforth a part of its domain. Boisterous weather soon obliged him to return. In 1535, he sailed on a second voyage, entered the gulf of St. Lawrence, proceeded up the river, to which he gave the same name, and anchored at an island, which, abounding in grapes, he named Bacchus Isle, now the Isle of Orleans. He continued his voyage to the island of Hochelaga ; when mount ing on an eminence where his spirit was gladdened by the actual view of a beautiful region, he had before seen in vision, he gave it the name of Mont Real. It was then the resort of native tribes, whose language proved them to be Hurons. He returned to isle Bacchus, built a fort, and there suffered not only the unwonted rigors of winter, but the attacks of the scurvy, a terrible malady, to which many of his company fell victims. He returned in the spring with dreary accounts of the country, which, however, he named New France. It was also called Canada, but at what time, or whether from any significancy in the word, is not known. France now possessed a country in the New World, through which flowed a river, more majestic than any in Europe. To hold sway over so extensive a region, though a wilderness, seemed to Francis De La Roque, of Roberval, more honorable than to govern a small and cultured domain in Picardy ; and he obtained from the king full authority to rule, as viceroy, the vast territory around the Bay and river of St. Lawrence. Cartier was necessary to him, and received the title of chief pilot and captain-general of the enterprise. The prisons were thrown open to find persons willing to become their colonists. Nothing good could be expected from such beginnings. Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence, built a fort near the site of Quebec, and there spent a winter, in which he had occa sion to hang one of his company, put several ih irons, and " whip divers — women as well as men." In the spring he took them back to France, just as Roberval arrived with supplies and fresh emigrants. By him, however, nothing permanent was effected ; and after a year, he abandoned his viceroyalty, and, cured, at least for a time, of his inordinate ambition, he returned to Picardy. France was now approaching the terrible crisis of the mas sacre of St. Bartholomew. The feeble Charles IX. was the nominal sovereign, while his perfidious mother, Catharine De Medicis, possessed the real authority. Coligni, the distin guished high admiral of the realm, was the friend of the Huguenots, a name given to the French Protestants. These were objects of hatred and fear to the monarchs ; and when a project was formed bvthe admiral to plant with them a colony in PART I. 11535. Discovers St. Lawrence river. Builds a ton on Isle Bacchus. The lord ol Roberval made viceroy of N. France- May, 1541. Cartier builds a fori near the site of Quebec. 1563. Catharine cto Medicis. Coligni. 14 THE HUGUENOTS GO FIRST TO S. C, THEN TO FLOIUDi PART I. PERIOD I. CJJAP. III. Coligni sends out a colony of French Protestants under Ribault.1564. They are carried to England. 1566. A second French colony build fort Carolina in Florida. America, it found ready favo*. He therefore sent out, under the command of John Ribault, distinguished as a brave and pious protestant, two ships laden with conscientious Huguenots, many of whom were of the best families in France. They made land in the delightful clime of St. Augustine ; and on the first of May discovered the St. John, which they called the river of May. Sailing along the coast north-easterly, they at length fixed on Port Royal entrance. There they built a fort, and in honor of the king of France, called it Carolina, a name which is preserved in the appellation of two of our States. Ribault left there a colony, and returned to France. The commander of the fort provoked a mutiny, and was slain. The colonists longed for home. They put to sea without suitable provisions, and, forlorn and famishing, were found by a British vessel and carried to England. The persevering Coligni soon after sent out another colony under Laudonniere, a seaman of worth and intelligence. Upon the banks of the river of May, with psalms of thanksgiv ing, they made their dwelling-place and erected another fort, called also Carolina. The next year Ribault arrived with vessels containing emigrants and supplies ; and taking the command, the colony seemed happily planted. CHAPTER III. Knowledge diminishes the marvellous. Ponce de l*eon seeks Lie ftmniuin of life. 1512 discovers ^Wiun. Spanish Discoveries — Adventures and Cruelties. — St. Augustine, the fire! permanent settlement in the United States. To bring together the discoveries of the same nation, we go back fifty years in the order of time. It is impossible at this day to conceive how much our knowledge of the geography of the earth has diminished the marvellous, so rife in the times of which we treat. Wonder ful discoveries were continually expected, for such had already been made, and human hope is ever in advance of reality. John Ponce de Leon, a Spanish soldier who had once voyaged with Columbus, had received an impression common in those times, that there existed in the New World a foun tain whose waters had power to arrest disease, and give immortal youth. The aged Ponce set forth to seek it, and to conquer akingdom. He searched among the Bahama Islands, then steered to the north-west. On Easter Sunday, called by the Spaniards Pascua Florida, and a little north of the latitude of St. Augustine, he discovered what he deemed a land of flowers, so brilliant were the forest trees. The foun tain of life was not there ; but Ponce took possession of the country in thf name of the Spanish king, and called it Florida DE AYLL0N NARVAEZ. DE SOTO. 15 The part of South Carolina in the vicinity of the Comba- PART t bee river, was soon after visited by a Spaniard, Vasquez De period, l Ayllon. The country was named Chicora, and the river, the chap. hi. Jordan. De Ayllon had two ships. He invited the natives s^"v^k^ to visit them, and while the unsuspecting throngs stood upon his deck, he hoisted sail, and in a moment they became mis- 1520. erable slaves, torn from their families, and condemned to *Vrickedn«s» ceaseless toil. De Ayllon obtained afterwards a,commission \e AyUor? to conquer the country, but the hostility of the natives could not be overcome, and numbers of Spaniards perished in the fruitless attempt. By an unsuccessful effort of the Spaniards under the 1528. adventurer Narvaez, to conquer Florida, and the adjoining country, an army of three hundred Spanish, partly mounted Unsuccess cavaliers, wasted away till but four or five returned ; and "n^^z.01 those not until after incredible wanderings and hardships. They however insisted that Florida was the richest country in the world ; and Ferdinand De Soto, already famous as the De Soto aids cqmpanion of Pizarro, the cruel conqueror of Peru, and am bitious to be in conquest equally great, listening to the marvel lous tales of the wanderers, obtained a .commission from Charles V. to conquer Florida at his own cost. His reputa tion gave him followers; and with high hopes he sailed to Cuba, of which he had been made governor ; and there adding to his armament, he landed in 1539 at Espirito Santo in Florida, with six hundred soldiers ; an army greater and better ap pointed than that with which Cortez conquered Mexico. He expected to find mines and cities of gold ; and being from time to time deluded by the natives, he pursued these shadows, which ever fled as he approached. He went north, crossed the Alleghany mountains, then marched southerly to Mobile, where he fought a bloody battle with the people of a walled city containing several thousand inhabitants. At Pensacola he met ships from Cuba, with supplies for his exhausted army ; and too proud to be wise, he still pursued a phantom, rather than retrace a false step. The hope of the precious metals still lured him on, and he April 25.1., now bent his course to the north-west, and in latitude 34° dis- nA* ." covered the majestic Mississippi. He continued west until tne he reached the Wachita, when, becoming at length dispirited, Mississippi he turned homewards his course, descended that stream to its junction with the Red river, and thence down its current ; and where the Red mingles its waters with the Mississippi, there he died ; and his body, inclosed in a hollow oak, was committed to the broad stream, from the discovery of which he derives Ms unenviable fame, The officer who succeeded him in command, conducted _ the poor remains of the army down the Mississippi, seek- his army go JDg a place, where, no longer perpetually watched by con- t»Cuba, in the conquest of Peru. 1539. Lands in Florida with 600 men May 21, 1542. He dies. ' Remnant of HUGUENOTS MASSACRED ST. AUGUSTINE FOUNDED. PART I. The cruel Melendezsent from 9 Spam. Sept. 8, 1565. He founds St. Augustine. Sept. 21, He destroys fort Carolina and 900 Huguenots. August 22, 1567. The massacre avenged by the chevalier Gouges. First colony within the U S. cealed savage foes, he might once more " sleep out his full sleep." When the news reached Spain that Florida had been coloni zed by French Huguenots, Philip II. found in Pedro Melendez de Aviles a fit agent of his own bigoted spirit ; and he gave him the double commission to take possession of that country, and to destroy the heretics. More than five hundred persons accompanied Melendez, among whom were men with their families, soldiers, mechanics and priests. Coming upon the coast south of the settlement, he discovered the harbor of St. Augustine on the day of that saint ; and here was now laid the foundation of the city of that name, the oldest by more than forty years, of any within the limits of our republic. The French had received from Melendez the terrible notice, that he had come to destroy every person who was not a catholic. Ribault, supposing that the Spaniards would make the attack by sea, embarked to meet them. A tremen dous storm drove him from his track, and shipwrecked his whole fleet. The Spaniards, meantime, crossed the forest and attacked by land. Unprepared and surprised, the defense less fort soon surrendered; when cruel bigotry performed her murderous work upon all, — without distinction of age or sex. The shipwrecked mariners were afterwards found, feeble and exhausted upon the shore. Melendez invited them to come to him and trust to his compassion ; they came — and he slew them ' When the news of this massacre crossed the Atlantic, a cry of vengeance reached the French monarch, for the blood of nine hundred of his slaughtered subjects, but it was unheeded. That a government which seven years afterwards executed, on St. Bartholomew's day, the most horrible of massacres, should have omitted to notice this base destruction of those whom they wished to annihilate, is not surprising. Yet so deep was the feeling among the people of France, that three years afterwards, individuals headed by the gallant chevalier Gouges, made a descent on the settlement of Florida, and put to death two hundred Spaniards. The Spanish colony was thus checked, but it was not destroyed ; and it proved to be the first permanent settlement made by Europeans upon the shores of our republic. PERIOD II. HTBMT GRANTED BY QUEEN ELIZ- | 1578, j ABETH TO SIR H. 9ILBBBT TO LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS J 1620. j AT NEW PLYMOUTH. CH.A.PTER I. Unsuccessful attempts of Gilbert, Raleigh, and others. The history of English colonization in America begin.-. with two remarkable men, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and his. brother-in-law, Sir Walter Raleigh. The English monarchy claiming the country, in virtue of tlje discovery of Sebastian Cabot, Queen Elizabeth, the reigning ^sovereign, gave to Sii Humphrey Gilbert, in 1578, by an open or patent letter, " all such remote, heathen, and barbarous lands," as he should discover in North America, and of which he should take pos session ; these lands not having been before occupied by any other Christian power. She vested in him and his heirs the full right of property in the soil, and also the complete right of jurisdiction over those countries, and the seas adjoining them ; declaring that all who should settle there should enjoy the privileges of free citizens and natives of England : and finally, she prohibited all persons from attempting to settle within two hundred leagues of any place which Sir Humphrey, or his associates, should have occupied for the space of six years. For these privileges, the patentee was to acknowledge the authority of the crown of England as supreme ; and pay to the sovereign one fifth of all the gold and silver which should be obtained from these countries. In the first attempt made by Gilbert to plant a colony, he put to sea, but was obliged to return. In the second, he reached St. John's, in Newfoundland, where he took possession of the country for his sovereign, by raising a pillar inscribed with the British arms. He next sought means to secure to the Eng lish the fisheries on the banks, which were now so valuable as to be contested by different European nations. From thence he sailed south-wesrterly, till he reached the latitude of the mouth of the Kermebec. Here the largest of his three vessels struck, and all her crew perished. Gilbert now find ing it impossible to(proceed, set his face towards England, keeping in the smallest of his remaining vessels, a barge of only ten tons ; for his generous heart refused to put any to a PART 1 1578. Queen Shzabeth'* patent to Gilbert 1579. to 1583. (filbert's tut, voyages. 18 GUppBfi*«6 DEATH. RALEIGH S EFFORTS. PART I. PERIOD II. CHAP. I His disasters and death. 1583. Sept. 22. 1584. Raleigh obtains a patent. He sends .kmidas ane Barlow. beautiful example of native hospitality. Queen Elizabeth names Virginia. 1585. tieven ship: under Grenville. peril he was himself unwilling to share. The passage was stormy, but his pious mind found comfort in the reflection which, as he sat reading in the stern of his barge, he uttered to his companions in the larger vessel ; " we are as near heaven at sea, as on land ;" and he might have added in the words of that book which was doubtless in his hand, "Ye shall seek me in the morning but I shall not be ;" for in the night the lights of his little bark suddenly vanished, and he was heard of no more. The bold and energetic Raleigh, who had in France been a pupil of Coligni, pursued with unabated ardor the great career, in which Gilbert had wasted his fortune, and lost his life. From his courtly demeanor, and brilliant genius, Sii Walter had made himself a favorite with the stately Queen ; and he readily gained from her a patent, with privileges no less ample than those which she had granted to his brother. Raleigh had learned from the unsuccessful emigrants of France, the superior mildness and fertility *of the south ; and thither he dispatched two vessels, under Philip Amidas, and Arthur Barlow. They approached the shore at Pamlico Sound, and according to their florid descriptions, were regaled with " the delicate smell of the flowers " far off at sea ; and on landing in Ocracok or Roanoke Island, they found the grapes so abundant on the coast, that the surges of the sea often washed over them. The natives were as kindly as their climate and soil. The king's son, Granganimo, came with fifty of his people, and re ceived them with distinguished courtesy. He invited them to his dwelling at twenty miles distance on the coast; but when they went, it chanced he was not at home. His wife came out to meet them, and with a hospitality which no instanci' of civilized life can surpass, she ordered some of her peo to draw their boat ashore to preserve it, and others to bring the Englishmen on their backs through the surf. Then conduct ing her guests to her home, she had a fire kindled, that they might dry their clothes, which were wet with rain ; while in another room she spread a plentiful repast of fish, venison esculent roots, melons and fruits. As they were eating sev eral Indians, armed with bows and arrows, entered. She chid them, and sent them away, lest her visiters should suffer from alarm. When the navigators returned to England, and made to Elizabeth their report of this delightful region, she was indu ced to give it the name of Virginia, as a memorial that the happy discovery had been made under a Virgin queen. The name soon became general throughout the coast. Raleigh now found many adventurers ready to embark in his project ; and in 1585, he fitted out a squadron of seven ships, under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, who foi- owed the course of Amidas and Barlow, and touched at the RALEIGH'S ATTEMPTS UNSUCCESSFUL. 19 same islands ; in one of which he cruelly burned a village, because he suspected an Indian of having stolen a silver cup. He then left a colony under Captain Lane, at the island of Roanoke. The colonists, reduced to great distress for want of provisions, the next year were carried to England by Sir Francis Drake, who was returning from a successful expedi tion against the Spaniards in the West Indie? Soon after their departure, they were sought by a ship which had been sent by Raleigh with supplies, and afterwards by Sir Richard Grenville. He not finding them, most un wisely left fifteen of his crew to keep possession of the island, and then returned to England. Of this small number nothing was afterwards heard. Probably they were destroyed by the injured and revengeful savages. , In 1587, Raleigh again sent out a colony of one hundred and fifty adventurers to the same island, under Captain White, who, remaining but one month, returned to England to solicit supplies for the colony. Before he departed, his daughter, Mrs. Dare, gave birth to a female infant, the first child of Eng lish parents born in America. The infant was baptized by the name of Virginia. The attempts made by Raleigh for the relief of this colony were unremitted, but unsuccessful ; for at this time the Span ish Armada threatened to overwhelm England itself; and three years elapsed before he could procure the means of sending Captain White to their relief. It was then' too late. Not one remained ; nor, though repeatedly sought, has any clue to their fate ever been found. Appalled and in danger of perishing himself, White returned, without leaving one Eng lish settler on the shores of America. In consequence of the unfortunate issue of these attempts, Raleigh was easily induced to assign his right of property, together with all the privileges contained in his patent, to a company of merchants in London. This company, satisfied with a paltry traffic with the natives, made no attempt to take possession of the country. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold, with thirty-two men, sailed from Falmouth, and steering due west, he was the first Eng lish commander who reached the country by this shorter and more direct course. He approached the coast near Nahant, but failing to find a good harbor, he bore to the south, discov ered and gave name to Cape Cod, which was the first ground in New England ever trod by Englishmen. Thence sailing round Nantucket, he discovered and named Martha's Vineyard, entered Buzzard's Bay, and finding a fertile island, he gave it, in honor of the Queen, the name of -Elizabeth. Near its western shore, on an islet in a lake, he built a fort and store house, and prepared to leave there a small colony. But the natives became hostile, and his intended settlers would not remain. Having freighted his vessel, mostly with sassafras PART I. Colony at Roanoke under Lone Fifteen men lost. 1587. 2d Roanoke colony. Virginia Dare, first English child. Raleigh's lost colony 1589. Raleigh transfers his patent to the London Company. 1602. Gosnold visits the New- England coast. IV atlvco hosti « 2U" PLYMOUTH AND LONDON COMPANIES. _PAJiT_t.^ rooti tjien much esteemed in pharmacy, he hoisted sail and period It reached England with all his men, after a passage of five chap, l. weeks, the shortest then known. »->»-v~-s«-p' France, wasted by the wars of the league, had now for fifty 1603. years neglected her claims to territory on the western conti- "f France nent- At length the commanding genius of Henry IV. a woke grants to feel the importance of the subject; and in 1603, by letters Acadia, patent, he granted to the Sieur de Monts, the country called Acadia, extending from the 40th to the 46th degree of North latitude, with the sole jurisdiction. The next year De Monts accompa- sailed from France, taking Samuel Champlain as his pilot ; nied by and having doubled Cape Sable, he entered an extensive bay, fo^XPPort wnich they called La Baye Francaise, (Bay of Fundy,) and on Royal, i. e. whose eastern side, he founded Port Royal. Proceeding to ex- Annapolis. alImle this bay, they discovered and named the rivers St. John and St. Croix, and sailed along the coast as far as Cape Cod. The English becoming alarmed at this encroachment on territory which they claimed, James I., the successor of Eliz- * abeth, divided that portion of North America which lies be- From 88° tween the 34th and 45th degree of North latitude into two to 41° the districts nearly equal; granting the southern part, or first edto both : colonyof Virginia, included between the 34th and 41st degrees, but wher- to a company of merchants called the London Company ; and made aset- 4he northern or second colony of Virginia, included between tlement.the the 38th and 45th degrees, to another corporation, called the othermight Plymouth .Company. The king authorized these companies within loo to make settlements, provided they were not within one hun- miles. dred miles of each other, and vested them with a right of land along the coast, fifty miles each way, and extending into the interior one hundred miles from the place of settlement. The London and Plymouth companies prepared to take possession of the lands which had been assigned to them. The first vessel fitted out by the Plymouth Company, in 1606, The was taken by the Spaniards. In 1607 they sent out Admiral Plymouth Raleigh Gilbert, with a hundred planters, under Capt. George ST? a PoPham> their president. They landed at the mouth of Ken- settlement at nebec river, where they built and fortified a storehouse ; but Kennebec, in two or three months, the ships returned to England, leaving only forty-five men. The sufferings of the Sagadahoc colony, under Capt. Popham, were, through the winter, very severe. They lost their storehouse by fire, and their president by death, and the next year returned to England, considering the country " a cold, barren, mountainous desert," where, in the quaint language of that period, they declared, " they found nothing but extreme extremities." This was the first and only attempt to settle this part of the country, till 1620. Thus, after a period of one hundred and ten years, from the time that Cabot discovered North America, and twenty-four years after Raleigh planted the first colony, there was not, in 1607, an Englishman settled in America. FIRST EFFECTUAL ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 41 CHAPTER II. First settlement of Virginia. In 1607, the London Company sent out Captain Christopher Newport, with three ships and one hundred and five men, among whom was the navigator, Gosnold, and Captain John Smith, the Father of Virginia. He was already celebrated for his daring and chivalrous exploits, to which he was led by the love of adventure, and of glory; and by a desire to serve both God and man. In boyhood he fought for freedom in Holland ; and thence travelled over France, Egypt and Italy. In Hungary he bravely met the Turks in battle, and was pro moted to command. In presence of the ladies particularly, he ever showed himself a brave knight, and was often con queror in single combats. He was repeatedly taken prisoner, and already, both in Turkey and in Russia, had been rescued from destruction by female benevolence. The fleet sailed by the West Indies, and being driven, north of Roanoke by a storm, an accidental discovery was thus made of the entrance of the Chesapeake bay, the boun daries of which were now named Capes Charles and Henry, in honor of the king's sons. Stretching at owse into the noble bay, the adventurers sailed up the Powhatan river, to which they gave the name of the lames, and upon its banks, fifty miles from its mouth, they fixed their residence, and raised a few huts. The place was called Jamestown, an appellation which it still retains ; and though it has never risen to wealth or distinction, and is now only dis cernible by a few falling ruins, still it was the first of the Eng lish settlements in the New World ; and hence has all the honor among the American states, that antiquity can confer. The colony was under charter government, the instru ment having been drawn up by the pedantic James himself. It did not give to the proprietors the power to govern the people who should settle the country, but the right of juris diction was reserved to the king. To the colonies no assur ance was given, but the vague . promise, that they should continue to be Englishmen. Religion was established by law, according to the forms and doctrines of the church of England. There was, for the present, no division of property ; and, for five years, all labor was to be for the benefit of the joint stock. The government was to be administered by a c Duncil nom inated by the king, but to reside in the colony. As soon as the emigrants landed, the king's commission, according to his direction, was -"pened; the council was organized, and a governor elected. They chose Edward Wingfield, their 4 PARft 1607 Captain Smith Ghesapeax.e tvay disco v- Settlement at James town. May 13th. Bad itmei government. Wingfield President 22 CAPTAIN SMITH S MENTAL RESOURCES 1607. Succeeded by Smith. Aug. 22. Death of Gosnold. Smith sets oat to ex plore. 1607-8. [Pophatan. Indians, cap. bus Smith. worst man ; while Smith, their best, was, from envy, to be ex cluded even from a seat in the council, although he was one whom the king had nominated. Gathering misfortunes how ever, and the kindly influence of their good clergyman, Robert Hunt, reversed this sentence; and made the colonists glad to submit to the man, whose talents and zeal for the settlement marked him as their natural head. The neighboring Indians soon annoyed ihe colony by their petty hostilities. Their provisions failed, and the scanty al lowance to which they were reduced, as well as the influence of a climate to which they were not accustomed, gave rise to disease, so that the number of the colonists rapidly dimin ished. Sometimes four or five died in a day, and there was not enough of the well to give decent burial to the dead. Fifty perished before winter, among whom was the excellent Gosnold. The energy and cheerful activity of Smith threw the only light which glanced upon the dark picture. He so managed as to awe the natives, and at the same time to con ciliate and obtain from them supplies of food ; while, among the emigrants, he encouraged the faint-hearted, and put in fear the rebellious. Winter at length came, and with it, relief from diseases of climate, and plentiful supplies of wild fowl and game. The London company, with an ignorance of geography, which even then was surprising, had given directions that some of the streams flowing from the north-west should be followed up in order to find a passage to the South Sea. Smith was superior to the company in intelligence, but he knew the duties of a subordinate, and he therefore prepared to explore the head waters of the Chickahominy, which an swered as nearly as possible to their description. Powhatan, the chief or emperor of the savage confederacy inhabiting or wandering about the waters of the James and its tributaries, had been visited by the colonists early after their • arrival. His imperial residence consisted of twelve wio-- wams near the site of Richmond. Next to him in power was his brother, Opechacanough, who was chief of the Pamunkies on the Chickahominy. Smith embarked in a barge on that river, and when he had ascended as far as possible in this manner, he left it, with the order that his party should not land till bis return ; and with four attendants' he pursued his objects twenty miles farther up the river. The Indians had watched his movements, and when the men left in the barge, disobeying his order, had landed, they fell upon them, took them prisoners, and obliged them to discover the track of their captain. He, in pursuit of game, soon found himself hunted by swarms of savage archers. In this ex tremity he bound to his breast, as a shield, an Indian youth who was with him ; and then shot three Indians, wounded others and kept the whole rArty at bay. Attempting to re- INDIAN CHARACTER 4.ND CUSTOMS. POCHAHONTAS. 23 treat to his canoe while yet watching his foe, suddenly he sank to his middie in an oozy creek. The savages dared not even then touch him, till, perishing with cold, he laid down his arms and surrendered. They carried him to a fire, near which some of his men had been killed. By his Indian guide and interpreter he then called for their chief. Opechacanough appeared, and Smith politely presented to him his pocket compass. The Indians were con founded at the motions of the fly-needle, which, on account of the mysterious glass, they could see, but could not touch. He told them wonderful stories of its virtues, and proceeded, as he himself relates, " by the globe-like figure of that jewel, to instruct them, concerning the roundness of the earth, and how the sun did chase the night round about the world con tinually," by which his auditors were filled with profound amazement. Their minds seemed to labor with the greatness of the thought, that a being so superior was in their power ; anti they vacillated in their opinion whether or not it was best to put him to death ; and as often changed their conduct. They took him to Powhatan, thence led him round from one wonder ing tribe to another, until, at the residence of Opechacanough, these superstitious dwellers of the forest employed their sor cerers or powows for three days to practice incantations, in order to learn, from the invisible world, whether their pris oner wished them well or ill. The decision of his fate was finally referred to Powhatan. At his residence that majestic savage received him in state, but he condemned him to die. His warriors were around, and his women sitting near him. All were painted with gaudy colors and adorned with feathers. The queen of Apa- mattuck brought the captive water to wash in, and another Indian queen, feathers to serve as a towel. Others gave him food, as for a feast. Then two stones were brought and laid before the chief, and two savages stood with uplifted war-clubs. Smith was dragged to the spot, and his head placed upon the stones. Pochahontas, his daughter, of ten der age, rushed forward, and with cries and tears begged of Powhatan to spare him. He refused. The devoted girl then ran and knelt beside the victim, and laid her young head upon his. Then the stern savage relented, and Smith was saved. Smith having now learned much of the Indians, their coun try, modes of warfare, dispositions and language ; and having also by his great address and honorable bearing, won their affection and confidence, his captivity proved, under divine Providence, a means of establishing the colony. During his absence, however, there had been disorder and misrule ; and when he returnen to Jamestown he found only thirty- eight persons remair ing. The spirits of the people were broken; and all, fill,d with despondency, were anxious to PART I. His address. His treat ment by the savages. His rescue by Pocha hontas 1608 State of th« colony 34 COLONY DISCOURAGED. LON. CO. SEND OUT A SQUADRON. PART I. ieave a country so inhospitable. He prevailed upon them, period n. however, partly by force and partly by persuasion, to remain chap. in. till the next year, when Newport arriving from England v-«»-v~»^ with some supplies and one hundred and twenty emigrants hope again revived. 1608. During the year 1608, Captain Smith explored the Chesa peake bay to its head, discovered its fine streams, and gained Smith ex- new information concerning the native productions and in- •plores the habitants of the country. In an excursion which he made up Chesapeake, the Rappahannock, he had a skirmish with the1 Mannahoacks, a tribe descended from the Delawares, and to'ok" prisoner a brother of one of their chiefs. From him he first heard of the Iroquois, who, the Indian told him, " dwelt on a great water to the north, had a great many boats, and so many men that they waged war with all the rest of the world." i Immediately on his return he was chosen president of the council. He found the recent emigrants " goldsmiths and gentlemen." But he promptly gave them their choice, to His decision labor for six hours a day, or have nothing to eat. He repre- wis om. sente(j t0 tne council in England that they should send labor ers ; that the search of gold should be abandoned, and that " nothing should be expected except by labor." CHAPTER III. Early Settlement of Virginia — continued. The London Company had gradually become enlarged by accessions of men of influence, some of whom were of the nobility and gentry. Without at all consulting the wishes, NtTemmen°/ an(^ agamst the interests of the colony, they now obtained a ' new charter, by which they were to hold the lands in fee, and all the powers of government formerly reserved to the crown were hereafter to vest in the company. The council in England, chosen by the stockholders, was to appoint a governor, who was to rule the colonists with absolute sway. The company now collected five hundred adventurers, manv of whom were men of desperate fortunes and abandoned 1609 characters. They appointed as governor for life the excellent Lord Deia- Lord Delaware, and freighted with the emigrants nine ships, ware. of which Capt. Newport was to take the command. As Lord Delaware was not ready to embark with the fleet, the ad miral. Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, were empowered to govern the colony until his arri yal. Newport took into Iris own ship Gates and Somers. Arriving at the Bermudas, a terrible storm separated the fleet. The admiral's vessel was stranded on the rocky shores of Bermuda, a small SMITH LEAVES VIRGINIA. DISTRESS OF THE COLONY. £> ketch perished, and only seven of the vessels reached James- PART I. town. PERIOD II. Smith now found himself without authority ; and the three chap. hi. persons who alone possessed it, were perhaps in the depths ^-"-v"*— ' of the ocean. His genius, however, sustained him, and he 1609. compelled to submission the disorderly gallants who had just arrived. Pocahontas repeatedly saved the life of Smith, and pre served this earliest English settlement from destruction. In the various fortunes of the colony, she was its unchanging friend, often coming with her attendants to bring baskets of provisions in times of scarcity, and sometimes giving notice of hostile designs. On one occasion, when Captain Smith, with a considerable escort, had visited her father, and was to be feasted, she came privately, and told him that a great num ber of Indians would be sent to bring in his food, and would, if possible, such was the plot, murder him and his company Generous at table, with their own arms. Otherwise it was intended pe™^^f to kill them in the night. Smith was penetrated with grati tude, that she had again saved him, and wished to give her some testimonial. She turned away with tears, saying it would but betray her, and she was suspected already. At length, a calamity deprived the colony of its father. An accidental explosion of gunpowder so injured Smith, that no medical skill there, was adequate to the treatment of his case ; and delegating his authority to George Percy, brother to the smith leaves Earl of Northumberland, he returned to England. After his Virginia. departure, all subordination and industry ceased among the colonists. The Indians, ever on the watch, harassed them with hostilities, and withheld their customary supplies. Their ret*4 ^rc'" stores were soon exhausted. The domestic animals, which distress. had been sent to breed in the country, were taken and de- . voured : and, in the extremity of their distress, they even perpetrated, in two instances, the act of feeding on human flesh. Smith left four hundred and ninety persons. In six months, anarchy and vice had reduced the number to sixty, and those so feeble and forlorn, that in ten days more they must all have perished. In the meantime Sir Thomas Gates and his companions, who had been wrecked on the rocks of Bermuda, had found there the means to construct a vessel ; and now approaching Jamestown, they anticipated a happy meeting with their friends. How were their hearts smitten as they beheld the meagre spectres of famine and death which met them. hey were obliged to yield to the universal cry, desert the ^P3*^ •ettlement and re-embark with the whole colony. They de parted in the morning, and falling down the stream with the June. tide, they desciy, at evening, near the river's mouth, three 1610. ships; and Lord Delaware, their paternal governor, arrives, «s return supplies their wants, and turns their hearts to the pious and 1& POCAHONTAS HER CAPTIVITY HER MARRIAGE. PART. I. consoling thought that God had delivered them. And than period 11 this residue returned, a chastened and a better people. Thus chap. in. Providence prevented a dissolute band from becoming the _^-v-«-«-- founders of our first settled state ; and gave a better seed. The colony again became comparatively flourishing, bu in March, 1611, the governor's health unfortunately declined, and he was obliged to leave the country. On the departure 1611. of Lord Delaware, Percy was again at the head of the ad- May 10. ministration, until the arrival of Sir Thomas Dale, in May. oSelpSve? Dale had received from the company, power to rule with mar tial law, which he exercised, but with such moderation, that good order and industry prevailed. The state of the colony, however, was not flourishing, and Dale immediately wrote to England for aid. In less than four months, Sir Thomas Gates arrived, with six ships and three hundred emigrants. After Captain Smith's departure, Captain Argall, at the head of a foraging party, learned that Pocahontas was for a season with the family of Japazaws, the chief of the Poto- macs. Him, Argall bribed, with a kettle of shining copper, to betray the Indian princess, whom for interested motives he wished to make prisoner. Japazaws concerted with his wife, that she should appear to be seized with an invincible desire to visit Argall's vessel lying in the river. He was to affect anger, and threaten, but at length so far to relent, as to en- Pocahontas gage to take her to the vessel, if her friend Pocahontas would is made accompany her. The plot succeeded, and thus the English, by the goodness of her heart, ensnared and made prisoner their benefactress. When she was taken to Jamestown, an unceremonious message was sent to Powhatan, that he must ransom her with certain men and articles, which he was accused with having taken. To this the dignified old chieftain made no reply for three months. In the meantime an English youth of the 1613. colony, John Rolfe, wooed the Indian maiden, and obtained She mairies her consent to marriage. All were pleased, and the connex Rolfe. jon pr0ved a bond of union during the life of Powhatan. Pocahontas received Christian baptism under the name of 1616 Rebecca; after which she went with her husband to England, Baptism 'of where special attention was paid her by the king and queen, at Pocahontas, the instigation of Smith. She had been told that he was dead, and when he came to see her she turned away, and for a time , could not or would not speak He kindly soothed her, and at length she addressed him as her father, and endearingly re called the scenes of their early acquaintance. Having given birth to a son, she was about to return, when she sickened and died, at the age of twenty-two. Her son survived and reared an offspring, which being perpetuated in some of the best families of Virginia, they boast their descent from one who ranks high, not merely on the roll of savages and of women, but of humanity itself THE FIRS'* GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA. 27 In 1617, Captain Argall was made acting governor of Virginia. Lord Delaware having attempted to reach the settlement, died on the passage. Argall governed with so much rigor as to excite universal discontent, and the first com plaint of mal-administration ever sent to England, was by a man whom he had unjustly condemned. Not only did he play the tyrant over the colonists, but he who had not hesi tated to make Pocahontas prisoner for the advantage of the company, did not now scruple to cheat them for his own. The rumor of his oppressions made emigration unpopular. By the influence of the good Sir Edwin Sandys, the benevo lent Yeardly was sent over to take his place. The same year, Governor Yeardly called the first general assembly which was held in Virginia, consisting of represen tatives, chosen from among the people, who were to act con jointly with the governor and council appointed by the com pany, in all matters of importance. The colonists, who, till then, had been nothing more than the servants of the company, were thus raised to the distinction and privileges of freemen. In this assembly, which met at Jamestown, eleven boroughs were each represented by two burgesses. For this cheering dawn of civil liberty, the colonists expressed to the company " the greatest possible thanks," and forthwith " fell to build ing houses and planting corn." In order to attach the colonists more entirely to their new settlements, about this time there was sent out, by the advice of Sandys, a considerable number of young women of humble birth, but of unexceptionable character, who were sold to the young planters as wives. The price was at first one hundred, and afterwards, one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco. To fail of discharging debts so incurred, was esteemed particu larly dishonorable. About this time were introduced also into the colony, by order of King James, many idle and dissolute persons, then in custody for their offences. They were dispersed through the colony, and employed as laborers. A Dutch ship from Africa arriving at Jamestown, a part of her cargo of negroes was purchased by the colony. This is the commencement of negro slavery in the United States. PART I. 1617 Argall's'('-o« duct. 1619. The first general as' sembly in Virginia Vo-iug women sen. as wives 1620. Convicts sent to the colony. Slavery co.aiment-!e» CHAPTER IV- Ducovery of the Hudson.— Smith and Argall at the North. In 1609, occurred the discovery of the Hudson river, which 1609 has proved the finest for navigation of any in republican Amer- ca ; and under circumstances which, giving to two nations 4* 28 HENRY HUDSON. CHAMPLAIN FOUNDS QUEBEC PART I. 1608 Champlain founds Que^ bee. 1609. Discovers Lake Cham plain. 1614 Smith in N Englaj.d. Argaii suo dues the French and Dutch. claims to its waters, and their adjoining country, became the occasion of subsequent wars. Henry Hudson, the dis coverer, was an Englishman by birth, but was in the service of the Dutch East India Company. The next year, the Dutch sent ships to this river, to open a trade with the natives, but the Court of England disowned their claim to the country. The Dutch, however, followed up their good fortune, and soon erected forts Orange and Manhattan, near the sites ol Albany and New York. In 1608, Champlain, under De Monts, conducted a colony to America, and founded Quebec. Wishing to secure the friendship of the adjacent natives, he ^consented, the next year, to accompany them on an expedition against the Iro quois, with whom they were at war. They entered upon the lake which now bears, in honor of its discoverer, the name of Champlain, and traversed it until they approached its junc tion with Lake St. Sacrament, now Lake George. Here, in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, a bloody engagement took place, in which Champlain and his allies were victorious. The Plymouth Company, after the Sagadahoc settlement was relinquished, attempted nothing further for some time, except a few fishing voyages to Cape Cod, or a small traffic with the natives for oil and peltry. At length Captain Smith, after his return from Virginia, being desirous to explore tbe north-eastern coast, engaged himself as a partner, with four other private adventurers, who fitted out a trading squadron of two ships. Smith sailed in the largest, and the other was commanded by Captain Hunt, before mentioned. He, while Smith was exploring the coast, made a descent upon the country of the Pokanokets, and kidnapped more than twenty of the subjects of Massasoit. Smith accurately exam ined the shore, with its bays and rivers, from the mouth of the Penobscot to Cape Cod, and having drawn a map, he laid it, on bis return, before Prince Charles, with a hint, that so beautiful and excellent a country deserved to bear an honora ble name. The Prince listened to his suggestion, and de clared that it should thereafter be called New England. The French having established themselves within the lim its of the northern colony of Virginia, Captain Argall was. sent from Jamestown to dispossess them. He destroyed Port Royal, and all the French settlements in Acadia. On his return he visited the Dutch at Manhattan, and demanded pos session of the country, in the name of the British sovereign. The Dutch traders made no scruple to acknowledge the supremacy of King James, and, under him, that of tho gov ernor of Virginia PERIOD III. FROM THE LANDING 1620 1 I P THB PILGRIMS, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF ) , „,„ ( BY THE UNION OF THE THE CONFEDERACY, J i*,*<*' ( NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. CHAPTER I. Ancient Civilization — Christianity — Puritanism — Robinson and his Church. PART 1. PERIOD in We have now arrived at a period in our history, when the Pilgrim Fathers of New England, moved by religious devotion, and sustained by Providence, planted themselves upon the desert shores of Massachusetts. »-»—*- -»^ At a period when ancient civilization had attained its full growth, Christianity arose, and introduced a moral element An(,jpnt wholly at variance with its principles. For while the Empe- cmhwiuon ror of Rome, its head, was dwelling in splendid palaces, commanding armies, avenging himself of his foes, and extend ing his bloody conquests over the unoffending, Immanuel, with the moral glory of divine, but suffering virtue, made his advent in a manger, and his exit on a cross.. As long as the followers of Christ were a persecuted and afflicted band, they preserved his religion in its purity. But Christianity when an attempt was made to blend the heavenly with the human principle, — and the Roman Constantine placed Chris tianity upon an earthly throne, then its primeval lustre became obscured. After this period, ancient civilization was broken up. The barbarians of Sarmatia and Scandinavia came 2d, 3d, and down upon the Roman empire, wrested it from its masters, and 4th rent it into fragments. National authority was annihilated, centunes and, in the anarchy that prevailed, brute force, the lowest of all appeals, stood chief umpire. Then arose forms of political power, which, though bad, Thefeuda! were yet improvements. The chieftain who had an organized system. band, perpetuated his military arrangements. He gave out his conquered lands to his great captains, and they divided them into lesser portions, to their own retainers. But all held their territories, on condition of military service. Thus cen- ageSj from tral and southern Europe was owned by chiefs, whose power, the 4th cen nay, whose very existence, depended upon a state of war ; tul{^ 8 and the blood of the people dyed the earth, as those steel-clad giants of the dark ages strode over its surface, crushing whatever came m their way. The course of this feudal tyranny was arrested by another. 30 HENRY VIII. EDWARD VI. MARY. PART I. FERIOD III. CHAP. I. Popery. The Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries. Progress of the reformation in England. 1534 Henry VIII. nead of the church in England. 1553. Edward VI. EnglishLiturgy. 1553. Mary per secutes the protestants of the English (A larches. Puritans divide from the English Church. 1556. Death of Mary, and accessor of Elizabeth. which, injurious as it became, yet did service in its day. This was popery, which carried human authority .to an extern altogether unexampled; for it assumed the power of God, and de ¦• -1 d the full obedience of the mental and moral, as well as me physical man. Secret, efficient, and unscrupu lous in its measures, it awed to submission the proud and the violent ; and the comparative calm of despotism succeeded to the depopulating storm of anarchy. Profiting by repose and leisure, the monks now sought out the remnants of ancient literature ; and men soon began to examine the position which they occupied in the natural; the moral, and the political world. Light broke in upon the dark ness of ages. The discovery of the magnetic needle led the way to that of new continents ; and the invention of printing to the Reformation. It had, however, little influence in England, until the reign of Henry VIII. , the monarch under whom Sebastian Cabot discovered our coast. He made a righteous oppo sition to the supremacy of the Pope, but from the unright eous motive, that he might be divorced from a virtuous wife, to wed another, more young and beautiful. The Pope refused to grant him his wish ; and he, after keeping Europe in a broil for several years, declared' the English Church to be inde pendent of Rome, and himself its head ; thus becoming a lesser pope in his own dominions. But the minds of his sub jects had received an impulse. Free inquiry was at work on the continent. Tyndal and Coverdale translated the Bible into English, and in spite of the tyrant, the Reformation was making progress. As soon as his death relieved the realm, and under his young son, Edward VI., the English church, as it now exists, took its form. Its liturgy was completed ; having been compiled by some of the purest and best of the reformers. Unhappily Edward's reign was short ; and Mary, his suc cessor, was full of bitter prejudices against Protestantism, re garding it as the author of her mother's miseries, and her own early degradation. She idolized her bigoted and cruel husband, Philip II. of Spain; and thus she naturally became a bloody persecutor. The protestants fled on all hands ; and at Geneva with Calvin, at Zurich, at Frankfort, and in Hol land, they strengthened their faith by the use of the printed scriptures, by the free worship of God, and by communioD with kindred spirits among men The exiled protestants were of two parties. The one be lieved that the English reformers, having rejected all of Ro manism that was meretricous, had returned to primitive Chris tianity. Another party, who were called Puritans, believed that the church of England had stopped short in the Reforma tion, and left remains of popery; such as the priests' vest ments, the ring in marriage, sponsors in baptism, and sundry uncommanded ceremonies. At Frankfort the two parties bail ELIZABETH INTOLERANCE AND PERSECUTION. 31 a public quarrel ; and when the death of Mary allowed the PART I English protestants to return to their country, they brought period hi home the contention. chap. i. Elizabeth was friendly to popery, but she found on her ~~-*~+~> accession, that her people were, in the mass, protestants ; and hence she chose that form of protestantism which she could bring the nearest to papacy ; she being herself head of the Aibitrary church. Her obsequious parliament by several acts declared r§fZabe'th her supremacy, enjoined under severe penalties strict con formity to all rites and ceremonies of the English Church ; Obsequious- and finally they created a new ecclesiastical tribunal, to try ness ?f. th* offenses against these and other arbitrary acts, with powers authorities! as much at variance with the natural rights of man as those of the Spanish Inquisition. This was denominated the Court of High Commission. Examples show the spirit of the times. Before this in quisitorial tribunal was brought, on one occasion, Robert Haw kins, who, with about twenty others, men and women, had been found gudty of meeting to worship secretly, contrary to the law against " private assemblies," and had been dragged to prison by the sheriff. Bishop Grindall, who presided, dis liked the work of persecution, to which dependence on the T?ob|frt Queen compelled him, and he sought to convince the com- and Bishop pany of the error of their opposition ; while he bore with Grindall. great patience the unmannerly plainness with which the puritans were in the habit of reproving persons in power, calling it "the right of prophecying." "You should not," ^^]£- said the bishop, "trouble the state about such matters as t'ue spuii surplices and ceremonies. In these indifferent things, you of llie should quietly obey the civil power, and submit yourselves to the prince. They are not commanded as necessary in the church." "You," said Hawkins, " have made them necessary, as many a poor man doth feel." He was himself imprisoned two years ; and it was this tyrannical assumption of making indifferent things necessary, which the puritans resisted, often to the death. Nor was this all. Others held that in church affairs it was as absolutely sinful to go farther than the word of God war ranted, as to stop short of all which it required. Those were separatist opposed to uniting in any degree with the church of England, and hence were called Separatists. Although the puritans had not yet arrived at an enlightened religious toleration, yet they struck out its principles. In 1 564, 1564. Sampson and Humphrey, two eminent non-conforming min- isters, explicitly plead, before the Court of High Commission, piea(j the rights of conscience. " Because," say they, " these religious things do not seem so to you, you are not to be condemned by Oration. us, and because they do not seem so to us, we are not to be condemned by you." But tho Puritans were condemned. The clerg r by hun- 3tj SUFFERINGS OF ROBINSO.!. AND HIS CHURCH. PART I- dreds, to the loss of their places ; the laity with them to period m gnegj imprisonment and mutilation, to loss of country, and chap. ii. of Ufe_ CHAPTER II. Robinson and his Church remove to Holland. 1502 John Robin- In 1592, a law was passed requiring all persons to attend the established worship, under penalty of banishment, and if they returned, of death. Among those who could not con- s^andhis" scientiously comply with these exactions, were John Robin- congrega- son and his congregation, of the sect of Separatists, in the tion- north of England. To enjoy their religion, the pastor and his whole flock de- termined to exile themselves to Holland. But this was a Attempt to difficult undertaking. Once they embarked with their fam- leave ilies and goods at Boston, in Lincolnshire. But the treach- England for erous captain had plotted with English officers, who came on board the vessel, took their effects, searched the persons of the whole company for money, and then, in presence of a gazing multitude, led them on shore and to prison. They were soon released, except seven of the principal men, who were detained and brought to trial, but at length freed, 160S. Again they bargained with a Dutch ship-master at Hull, Second who was to take them in, from a common hard by. At the attempt. tjme appointed, the women and children sailed to the place of rendezvous in a small bark, and the men came by land. The bark had grounded; but the Dutch captain seiit his boat and took the men from the strand. But, in the meantime, the authorities of Hull had notice ; and the Dutch commander, at the sight of a large armed company, having a fair wind, with oaths " hoisted anchor and away ;" though the pilgrims even theSpuritan wePt> tnus t0 leave their wives and children. Behold these women, desolate women, the mothers of a future nation, their hus bands forcibly carried off to sea, while on land an armed multitude are approaching! They are taken, and dragged from one magistrate to another, while their children, cold and hungry and affrighted, are weeping and clinging around them. But their piteous condition and Christian demeanor, softened, at length, the hearts of their persecutors, and even gained friends to their cause. The men, in the meantime, encountered one of th<> most terrific sea-storms ever known, continuing fourteen days, du ring seven of which they saw neither sun, moon, or stars. At length they all arrived in Holland. They settled at first in Amsterdam. They did not however, find cause to be satis CHARACTER OF THE PILGRIMS. $3 fied, and they removed to Leyden. Here, by hard labor and PART I. frugal honesty, they lived highly respected; but after a few period In. years they experienced evils which made them think of chap. ii. another removal. Not only were their own toils constant and -^--v-*^ severe, but they were obliged to employ their children, so that these were necessarily deprived of education. And the Reasons foi health of the young often fell a sacrifice to the leno-th of rem0Talfr°» time and confined positions in which they labored, "some Holland died, and some became deformed. Their morals also were likely to suffer from the habitual profanation of the sabbath, which they must necessarily witness, and especially from con tact with a disbanded soldiery, at this time residing at Ley den. The Pilgrims had heard of America, and in its wil derness they believed they might serve God unmolested, and found a church, where not only the oppressed in England, but unborn generations, might enjoy a pure worship. The Dutch wished them to colonize under their govern ment. But they loved their country, though she had shaken them from her lap ; and they sent agents to England, to procure, by the influence of Sir Edwin Sandys, a patent under the Vir ginia Company. For the encouragement of this company, almost disheart ened by the repeated failures at Chesapeake Bay, Robinson, and Brewster, the ruling elder of his church, wrote to Sir Edwin, showing, in five particulars, the difference of their motives, their circumstances and characters, from those of Substance other adventurers. 1 . " We verily believe the Lord is with us, °f .a letter to to whose service we have given ourselves, and that he will SgrJddw'° graciously prosper our endeavors, according to the simplicity showing the of our hearts therein. 2. We are all well weaned from the c,llal|?;te^ ol delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to a strange le ' grlms and hard land, -where we have learned patience. 3. The people are as industrious and frugal as any in the world. 4. We are knit together in a sacred bond of the Lord, whereof we make great conscience, holding ourselves tied to all care of each other's good, and of the whole by every, and so mutual. 5. It is not with us as with other men, whom small discontentments can discourage, and cause to wish themselves at home again. We have nothing to hope for from England or Holland, and our lives are drawing towards their period." By the aid of Sandys, the petitioners obtained the patent. But they needed money. To provide this, their agents formed Business at stock company, jointly, with some men of business in Lon- contract don, of whom Mr. Thomas Weston was the principal ; they w^ih^ to furnish the capital, the emigrants to pledge their labor for seven years, at ten pounds per man ; and the profits of the enterprise, all houses, lands, gardens, and fields, to be divided at the end of that time among the stockholders, according to their respective shares. August 34 They then prepared two small vessels, the May-Flo'\ver 1620. 84 PILGRIMS &E4-VE HOLLAND. — ARRIVE AT CAPE COD. PART I. PERIOD in. CHAP. II. 1620 lie parting at Delft- Haven. Leave Holland. July 21. Their fading men. Sept. 6. Final departure from England. Arrival off Cape Cod. Nov 9th. Nov. 10. Nov. 11. Political compact signed in the cabin of the May I' 'lower. and the Speedwell ; but these would hold only a part of the company, and it was decided that the younger and more ac tive should go, while the older, among whom was the pastor, should remain. If they were successful, they were to send for those behin. 1 ; if unsuccessful, to return, though poor, to them. Previous to their separation, this memorable church wor shipped together for the last time, on an appointed day, when they humbled themselves by fasting, and " sought of the Lord a right way for themselves and their children." When they must no longer tarry, their brethren accompanied them from Leyden to the shore at Delft-Haven. Here the ven erable pastor knelt with his departing flock around him ; and the wanderers, while tears rolled down their cheeks, heard for the last time, his beloved voice in' exhortation and in prayer for them. " But they knew they were Pilgrims, and lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest, country, and quieted their spirits." From Delft-Haven they sailed to Southamp ton in England. Among the leaders of the party was Elder Brewster, who at this time was fifty-six, but sound in body, as in spirit. Of the seven who were taken at Boston, it was Brewster who was most severely dealt with. John Carver was near his age, beloved and trusted, as he was good and wise. William Brad ford, was strong, bold, and enduring ; but withal, a meek and prudent Christian. Next these, in honor, superior in native endowments, as in estate and family descent, was Edward Winslow . He was at this time twenty-six Bradford was thirty-two. Allerton ,and Hopkins were also leading men. Miles Standish had been an officer in an army, sent by Eliza beth to aid the Dutch against the Spaniards ; and he, as was the case with Winslow, falling in with Robinson's people about three years before their removal from Holland, accom panied them to America. After remaining in Southampton a fortnight, the Pilgrims put to sea. But misfortunes befalling, they returned, left the Speedwell, and finally, to the number of one hundred, they set sail from Plymouth, in the solitary May-Flower. On the 6th of Sep tember, they took their last, sad look of their native shoTe. After a stormy and perilous passage, they made land, on the 9th of Noyember, at Cape Cod. The mouth of the Hudson had been selected as the place of their settlement, and they accord ingly steered southerly ; but soon falling in with dangerous breakers, and all, especially the women, being impatient to leave the ship, they determined to return and settle on or near the Cape. The next day they turned the point of that singular projection, and entered the harbor now called Provincetown. They fell on their knees to thank the kind Power who had preserved them amidst so many dangers, and then " they did,' says Cotton Mather, " as the light of nature itself directed them, immedis tely. in the harbor sign an instrument ?s the POLITICAL COMPACT. EXPOSURES AND EXERTIONS. 35 foundation of their future and needful government ;" solemnly PARI I. combining themselves in a civil body politic, to enact all such period m ordinances, and frame all such constitutions and offices, as chap, n from time to time should be thought most meet and convenient v-^-v^"^* for the general good ; all which they bound themselves to obey. 1 620. This simple, but august compact, was the first of a series Importane* by which the fetters of a vast system of political oppression °£t^ J^Jj have been broken. Upon some parts of the old continent rights of (hat system still remains ; building upon the fiction, that sove- man- reigns own the world and its inhabitants, having derived all from God ; and that the people are to have only such a measure of personal freedom, and such possessions as kings may choose to bestow. Here was assumed for the first time the grand principle of a voluntary confederacy of independent men ; instituting government, for the good, not of the gov ernors, but of the governed. There were the same number of persons on board the May- _ Flower as had left England ; but one, a servant, had died, and 0f tiie one, a male child, Peregrine White, was born on the passage. Pilgrims. Carver was immediately chosen governor, and Standish captain. No comfortable home, or smiling friends, awaited the Pil- °j\ellth' grims. They who went on shore waded through the cold surf go on shore to a homeless desert. But a place to settle must be found, *^6 sa:me and no time was to be lost. The shallop unfortunately needed vhicVthe repairs, and in the meantime a party set out to make discov- compact is eries by land. They found " a little corn, and many graves ;'' S]gned- and in a second excursion they encountered the chilling Shallop blasts of a November snow storm, which laid in some the Excursions foundation of mortal disease. The country was wooded, made. and tolerably stocked with game. When the shallop was finished, Carver, Bradford and Wins- p1^0' 6tj'- low, with a party of eighteen, manned the feeble bark, and the shalloo set forth. Steering along the western shore of Cape Cod, they made, in three days, the inner circuit of the bay. " It was," says one of the number, " very cold ; for the water froze our clothes, and made them many times like coats of iron." They landed occasionally to explore ; and at night, inclosed with only a slight barricado of boughs, they stretched themselves upon the hard ground. On the second morning, as their devotions closed, they received a shower of Indian Attacked by arrows ; when, sallying out, they discharged their guns, and ' i^ans.6' the savages fled. Again they offered prayers with thanks- Dec. 8. giving ; and proceeding on their way, their shallop was nearly wrecked by a wintry storm of terrible violence. Af- ^^J^l ter ui.speakable dangers, they sheltered themselves under the ioth, land lee of a small island, where, amidst darkness and rain, they on Clark's land, and with difficulty make a fire. In the morning they liw\thinJR find themselves at the entrance of a harbor. The next day harbor. was the Sabbath. They rested, and kept it holy, though all n> s,,nd that was dear tc them depended on their promptness. 36 THE LANDING AT PLYMOUTH. 1620. Dec. 12th. Pilgrims land on Plymouth rock. fte pilgrims uffer much, but repine not. April 5th. 3621. The next day, a day ever to be observed in the annala o. New England, the Pilgrims landed on the rock of Plymouth. Finding the harbor good, springs abundant, and the land prom ising for tillage, they decided to settle here, and named the place from that which they last left in England. In a few days they brought the May- Flower to the harbor ; and on the 25th of December they began building, having first di vided the whole company into nineteen families, and assigned them contiguous lots, of size according to that of the family, about eight feet front and fifty deep to each person. Each man was to build his own house. Besides this, the company were to make a building of twenty feet square, as a common receptacle. This was soonest completed, but was unfortu nately destroyed by fire. Their huts went up but slowly, for though their heart3 were strong, yet their hands had grown feeble, through fatigue, hardship and scanty fare ; and many were wasting with con sumptions. Daily some yielded to sickness, and daily some sunk to the grave. Before spring, half of their number, among whom were the governor and his wife, lay buried on the shore. Yet they never repined, or repented of the step they had taken ; and when, on the 5th of April, the May-Flower left them, not one so much as spoke of returning to England" but they rather confessed the continual mercies of a " won. der-working Providence," which had carried them through sa many dangers, and was making them the honored instruments of so great a work Note. The dates of this part of History are of course given according to Old Style . since New Style was not effectively adopted by the English government until 132yearo after the date of the Pilgrims' Landing. The 22d of December has, on account of the change of style, been kept as the anniversary of that even., instead ot the 12th. But since eleven days were retrenched, why should not eleven instead of ten*days be now added, bringing the anniversary to the 23d 1 However, that is of little moment. If patriotic feeling is excited, by the remembranceof the virtues and sufferings of our an cestors, the end is attained. — On the subject of Style, see Webster's Large Dictionary. March 16. Visits of Samosot, and Massasoit. CHAPTER III. The Savages — Massasoit's Alliance — "W Inslow's Visit to the Pokanokets. The Pilgrims had as yet seen but few of the natives, and those hostile, when Samoset, an Indian, who had learned a little Eng lish at Penobscot, boldly entered their village, with a cheerful "Welcome Englishmen." He soom eame again, with four others, among whom was Tisquantum, who had spread favorable reports of the English among his countrymen, and was afterwards of great service as an interpreter. They gave notice that Massasoit, the saehem of the Pokanokets,was hard by. Appearing on a hill, with a body of attendants, armed, and painted with gaudy colors, the chiefdesired that some one should be sent to confer with him. Edward Winslow, famed for the sweetness of his dispo sition and behavior, as well as for talents, courage, and WINSLOW'S EMBASSY. U7 efficiency, was wisely chosen. Captain Standish found PART I- means, (for neither civil or military organization had been neg- period iii. •ected,) to make a martial show, with drums and trumpets, CHAP- I.n- wuich gave the savages wonderful delight. v--»-v-^_/ The sachem, on coming into the village, was so well pleased piwimj, cn with the attentions paid him, that he acknowledged the au- ter into *lli thority of the king of England, and entered into an alliance, ??ce ^Jth offensive and defensive, with the colonists, which remained inviolate for more than fifty years. In July, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins went on , ?.' an embassy to Massasoit, at Montaup. Their object was to Emuai,iy tt negotiate a traffic in furs, and to preserve amity with the na- Massisoit lives. Much to his delight, they gave the sachem a red coat, ^Hopkins, from Governor Bradford, who had succeeded Carver. They hinted that his subjects were somewhat too free with their presence at Plymouth, though himself and his particular friends should always be welcome. They mentioned that on their first arrival they had found a small quantity of buried corn, which in their necessity they had appropriated, but they now wished to discover and remunerate the owners ; and finally, they requested that the Pokanokets would sell their t'urs to the colony. Massasoit gathered his council. "¦ Am I not," said he, Massasoit ¦* commander of the country 1 Is not such a town mine 1 — consults his and such an one ? — going on to the number of thirty, — and g^nts the ' finally, should not all bring their furs to him if he wished it V' Indian trad. The Sannops ejaculated a hearty affirmative to each succes sive proposition, and the matter was happily adjusted. The trade, thus secured to the colony, proved of great consequence. The ship Fortune arrived in November, and brought over ~P°\ thirty-five persons to join the settlers. The corn which they Fortune ar had found in their excursions from Cape Cod providentially rives. preserved them ; for they had planted it, and the crop was their dependence, scanty though it proved, for their second winter. Massasoit feared the Narragansetts, and was doubtless on that account desirous of cultivating the friendship of the Eng- ish. Canonicus, the old hereditary chieftain of that confede racy, perhaps offended at this intimacy, or regarding the NarragaD, whites as intruders, meditated a war against them; which he setts threat- openly intimated by sending to Governor Bradford a bunch of enj^,™- arrows tied with the skin of a rattlesnake. Bradford stuffed 1622- the skin with powder and ball and sent it back ; and nothing more was heard, at that time, of war. News came to Plymouth that Massasoit was sick. Accom- 1625. oanied by " one Master John Hampden," believed by some *!^1(j* to be the celebrated Englishman of that name, then on a visit visit^,» to the colony, Winslow taking suitable articles, went to Mon- soit in Ids --ppiup. He found the Indians bewailing, and practicing their sickness noisy powows or incantations around the sightless chieftain. 3S FAVORABLE CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY. PART I. Affectionately he extended his hand and exclaimed, '' Art period in. thou Winsnow ?" (He could not articulate the liquid 1.) " Art chap. iii. thou Winsnow ? But, O, Winshow ! I shall never see thee >--»-^->~' there is every reason to believe they would have sustained themselves. Their history forms a striking contrast with that 163© . of colonies where men were sent by others to labor in distant Kpiymoutia. lands, or induced by worldly motives to enlist under am bitious leaders. Like the Captain of their Salvation, the Pil grims were self-devoted. No man took from them, but they voluntarily laid down what pertained to this life, in the cheer ful and assured hope of a better. Faithfulness they regarded as their concern ; reward, as that of their Heavenly Master. CHAPTER IV. Grand Council of Plymouth. — ^New Hampgnire. In November, 1620, the same month in which the Pilgrims i$20 arrived on the American coast, James I. issued a charter to Grand coun ihe duke of Lenox, the marquisses of Buckingham and Ham- cil of Plym. ilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir Ferdinando ?uth Tecelve Gorges, and thirty-four associates, styling them the " Grand i.asweeping Council of Plymouth, for planting and governing New Eng- patent of land, in America." This patent granted them the territory *" ^^ e between the " fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north lat- England. itude, and extending throughout the main land from sea to sea." This territory, which had been previously called North Virginia, now received the name of New England, by royal authority. From this patent were derived all the subsequent grants, under which the New England colonies were settled. But either from sinister motives, sheer ignorance of the geogra phy of the country, or reckless disregard to consequences, the affairs of this corporation were transacted in a manner so confused, that endless disputes and difficulties were occasioned. Sir Ferdinando Gorges had been an officer in the navy of Slr *• Elizabeth, and a companion of Sir Walter Raleigh. Various clptain circumstances had bent his mind strongly to the ambition of Mason founding a colony in America. Perhaps he imagined it would become a principality or a dukedom. He was hence the prime mover in getting up the Grand Council of Plymouth ; and w as made its President. Similar motives actuated Cap tain Mason, and he became its Secretary. 1621. Mason procured from the .Grand Council the absurd grant March 9th. of ' all the land from the river of Naumkeag, (Salem,) round pate^plbd Cape Ann to the mouth of the Merrimack, and all the country Mariana. 40 ENDICOT BEGINS A SETTLEMENT AT SALEM. part i. PERIOD III. CHAP. v. 1622 Gorges and Mason obtain a charter of Maine and N. H. lying between the two rivers, and all islands within three miles of the coast." The district was to be called Mariana. The next year, Gorges and Mason jointly obtained of the Council another patent of " all the lands between the Mer rimack and Kennebec rivers, extending back to the great lakes, and river of Canada." This tract received the name of Lacaonia. Under this grant some feeble settlements were made at the mouth of the Piscataqua, and as far up the river as the present town of Dover. CHAPTER V. From 1603 to 1625. Mr. White, of Dorches ter, England, the active patron of the Massa chusetts settlement. 1623. 1628. Patent for Massachu setts. .Tune. John Endi cot pioneer of Salem, finds Roger Conant al ready there. 1629 Royal char ter to the Massac nu- setts Ba, Company. Colony of Massachusetts Bay. The persecution of the Puritans continued unabated during the reign of James I., the successor of Elizabeth, and many of the ablest divines of England, obliged to feel the rigor of the law or violate their consciences, were wandering in for eign lands, or meditating a removal. Among the latter was Mr. White, a minister of Dorchester, in the south of England — a puritan, though not a separatist. Having learned what godly quietness his brethren of New Plymouth enjoyed, he turned his eyes in that direction, and projected another colony to America. Encouraged by him, as early as 1624, a few persons established themselves, first at Cape Ann, and afterwards on the site of Salem. Their representations of the country, together with the so licitation of White, induced several gentlemen of Dorchester to purchase of the Grand Council of Plymouth, in 1628, a patent " of that part of New England which lies between three miles north of the Merrimack river, and three miles to the south of Charles river, and extending from the Atlantic to the South Sea." Thus the avaricious Council covered by a second grant, lands which they had already conveyed by a former one to Mason, John Endicot, a rugged puritan, was the leader; and in Salem, began the " wilderness-work for the colony of Mas sachusetts." He brought over his family, and other emigrants to the number of one hundred. Roger Conant and two oth ers, from New Plymouth, had selected for him this spot, then called Naumkeag, for their settlement, and Conant was there to give to Endicot and his party such welcome to the New World as the desert forest could afford. The next year, the proprietors obtained of King Charles a charter, confirming the patent of the Council of Plymouth, and conveying to them powers of government. They were incorporated by the name of the " Governor and Company of THE ELDER WINTHROP. — WILSON. SEVEN CHURIJHES. 41 Massachusetts Bay, in New England." The fir.it general PA.RT I. court of the company was held in England, when they fixea .'eriod ni upon a form of government for the colony, and appointed En- CHAP- T- dicot governor. v-*-v-^.> About three hundred persons sailed for America during ia29 this year, a part of whom joined Mr. Endicot at Salem, and charlestown he remainder, exploring the coast for a better station, laid founded. he foundation of Charlestown. In the meantime other pious puritans, with similar views So^. ° *S , t- -1-rri ¦ i- - - -\ . . nobility and to those of White, were meditating similar projects m other gentry favor and opposite parts of England. The pious family of the N- England. Earl of Lincoln, in the North-East, regarded the religious enterprise with enthusiastic admiration ; as did also John Winthrop, a native of the county of Suffolk, and others of rank and fortune. A large A more extensive emigration was now thought of than emigration had been before attempted. But an objection arose ; the col- the" '' ony was to be governed by a council residing in England. To obviate this hindrance, the company agreed to form a coun cil of those who should emigrate, and who might hold their sessions thereafter in the new settlement. On the election, the excellent John Winthrop was chosen governor. He had afterwards for his eulogy, a p*aise be yond that of any other person in the colony. " He was," say they, " unto us as a mother, parent-like distributing his goods, and gladly bearing our infirmities, yet did he ever maintain the figure and honor of his place with the spirit of a true gentleman." The company had determined to colonize only their " best." Eight hundred accompanied Winthrop, and du ring the season, seventeen vessels were employed, bringing over, in all, fifteen hundred persons. Winthrop and his friends found no luxurious table spread for them in the wilderness ; but they freely imparted the stores which they brought, to the famished and enfeebled sufferers whom they met. Regarding Salem as sufficiently peopled, the newly-arrived located themselves without delay beyond its limits. Their first care, wherever they went, was to provide for the ministration of the gospel. In August, Charlestown had a church, at the head of which was the ardent, eccentric, and benevolent Wilson, — ever ready to encourage the despond ing, either in poetry or prose. Dorchester soon after had a church, gathered by Mr. Warham, who afterwards emigrated to Windsor, Connecticut. Boston, Roxbury, Lynn, and Wa- tertown, followed in their order; so that at the end of two years, Massachusetts had seven churches, supplied with de vout and learned ministers. Unused, as many of this company of settlers were, to aught but plenty and ease, the hardships before them, though borne with a willing mind, were too much for the body, especially in the case of women. Many died, though in the joy and 'best." Winthrop. Sails April 16, 1630. Fifteen hundred persons emigrate. Arrival of the Arbella at Salem, June 21. 1632. The sevea churches o/ Massachu setts. Hardships endured. Death of Arbella and Isaac Johnson. 42 MASSACHUSETTS REQUIRES RELIGIOUS CONFORMITY PART. I, ptrtj,*,,, of believing. Among these, was the beloved Arbella period in. Johnson, or the noble house of Lincoln. Her husband, Isaac chap. v. Johnson, the principal of the emigrants in respect to wealth, •— *^-*~> felt her loss so severely, that he soon followed her to the grave. He made a liberal bequest to the colony, and died " in sweet peace." By the royai charter, the colonists were empowered to elect from among themselves, annually, a governor, deputy-governor, Affairs of anfi eighteen assistants ; and to hold general courts every government. ^^ ^ ^ pUrp0se 0f choosing officers, and making all such necessary ordinances as were not repugnant to the laws of England. It was agreed that important regulations were to be enacted in an assembly of all the freemen, and a meeting was convened at Boston, in October, when Winthrop was re-elected governor, and Thomas Dudley, who had been a faithful steward to the earl of Lincoln, was chosen deputy- governor. 1631. At first, those not members of any church were allowed Church to vote. But in May, 1631, the general court decided that .lecess'-uy to church-membership should be a necessary qualification. For a voter, this, Massachusetts has been censured. But why, it was asked, should those who left their homes for the express rea son that they wished to live in a community constituted in a certain manner, be bound to admit among them the very causes of disturbance which they had ventured their lives and wasted their fortunes to avoid? They had purchased and taken to themselves a desolate corner of the earth, and felt that they Reasoning had a right to enjoy it unmolested. Although this reasoning plausible but js plausible, yet when they afterwards attempted to carry out their principles by force, they were led to such unjustifi able acts, as proved it to be unsound. To believe strongly in the immutability of truth, and ot right, is a chief element of moral greatness, and one to which iffiil our ear'iest fathers owed their elevation of character and ' action. They assumed not to judge for others in things in- liuMfirst to different, but they insisted that all must believe the true, and teach do the right, not considering that we may not on certain freedoiiip SUDJects assume to judge for others what these are. But it was not until the doctrines of Roger Williams were promul gated, that religious federation was understood. That remark able man joined the settlement in 1631, and was soon loca ted at Salem. This year, also, some of the most renowned of the Indian chiefs visited Boston to tender their allegiance. From the country of the Narragansetts came the grand warrior Mian- tonomoh, associate sagamore, and nephew to Canonicus ; and Uncas. from the river of the Pequods, appeared the subtle Uncas, 1 032. wno declared to the authorities that " his heart was not his own, but theirs." To cultivate friendship with the pilgrims, the governor GREAT INCREASE BY EMIGRATION. 43 with the excellent Wilson, now become pastor of the church PART. I. of Boston, went on foot to visit New Plymouth. Bradford, period hi still the governor, and Brewster, the ruling elder, met and chap. v. conducted them to their homes. Though but little of the v-*f-v-*^ cheer of earth could be furnished, yet they partook together October 28. on the Sabbath, of "the heavenly feast;" and each of the pjwjnJ parties spoke in turn Df the glorious things pertaining to the inheritance of the saints in light. The northern colonies had a good understanding with the Virginians, receiving from them supplies of corn. They also had a friendly traffic with the Dutch, who had settled at the Hudson river. These signs of prosperity were reported in England, where persecution was as yet unrelenting ; and the consequence was, a fresh emigration. The Griffin brought over a noble freight of three hundred, among whom were the fathers of Connecticut, Hooker and Haynes ; and the pious and learned Cotton. The latter was settled in Boston, and there became influential in the organization of the churches. As the settlements in Massachusetts had now become nu merous, and had already extended more than thirty miles from Boston, it became impracticable for all the freemen to attend the general court. This led to an innovation, which altered the constitution of the government from a simple to a repre sentative democracy. It was made lawful for " the freemen of democracy every town to choose two or three of their own number, to confer of, and prepare such public business as by them shall be thought fit to consider of at the next general court ;" and it was ordained, that these persons should have the full power and voices of all the freemen, for whom they were chosen to but elections act. An exception was, however, made in the case of elec tion to offices, in which every freeman was, as heretofore, to give his own vote. For this purpose, the whole body met once a year, to hold the court of election. Besides this, three other general courts were holden each year by the repre sentatives, which number was, however, soon limited. The Mosaic laws were made the basis of their criminal code. Charles I., the son and successor of James I., was no less violent in his religious and political despotism ; and emigrants continued to flock to New England. In the year 1635 not less than throe thousand arrived, among whom was Hugh 1633 July and August, the Griffin brings 300 emigrants. 1634. Massachu setts be comes a rep still held by all 162S. James I. succeeded by Charles I 1635. 3000 emi- Peters, and also the younger Henry Vane, much known in the grate to New subsequent history of England for his high political career, H^ "fp™^ for his able and consistent defense of the principles of free- Henry Vana dom, and for the violent death which, after the accession of Chailea IL, he suffered with such unexampled christian tri umph. The lofty bearing of the high born stranger, his pro found religious feeling, and his great knowledge, so wrought in his favor, that, disregarding his youth, the people rashly with drew their suffrages from the good Winthrop, and chose Vane governor, the year after his arrival. 5* Vane is chosen governor 1636 44 ROGER WILLIAMS EXPELLED FROM MASSACHUSETTS. CHAPTER VI. Rhode Island and its first Founder. „P^R *• Roger Williams possessed one of those rare minds, which eriod iii. i00ks upon truth with an eagle gaze ; and what he saw clearly, chap. vi. tnat j^ maintained with invincible courage. But the war he *-*^~s~"'*~' waged, was with " soul-oppression." Having been a puritan Winfams. minister, he had been driven from England by those perse cutions for opinion, which, like the confusion-of languages at His arrival, Babel, drove men asunder, and peopled the earth. When 1631 ' Wi.Uiams arrived in Massachusetts, he proclaimed, that the His views of only business of the human legislator is with the actions religious 0f man as they affect his feilow-man ; but as for the to eration. tn0Ughts an(j feelings of his mind, and the acts or omissions of his life, as respects religious worship, the only lawgiver is God ; and the only human tribunal, a man's own con science. Hence he condemned as unjust the church-membership 1SbyPth°eVe restriction of the right of suffrage, all laws to compel atten- authorities dance on devotional exercises, and all taxation to support pub- of Massa- ijc worship. Great was the astonishment caused, and the criusctts disturbance made, by what was called this " ill egg of tolera- 1635. tion-" Williams, the eloquent young divine, frank and affec- He is settled tionate, had, however, won the hearts of the people of at Salem. Salem, and they invited him to settle with them as their pas tor. The general court forbade it. Williams withdrew to withthe^en- Plymouth, where he remained as pastor for two years, and eral court, then returned to Salem, where he was again gladly received by the people. The court punished the town for this offense by withhold ing a tract of land to which they had a claim. Williams wrote to the churches, endeavoring to show the injustice ol this proceeding ; whereupon the court ordered, that until am- Salem dis- P*6. apology was made for the letter, Salem should be disfran- fottichised. chised. Then all, even his wife, yielded to the clamor against him ; but he declared to the court before whom he was arraigned, tha't he was ready to be bound, or if need were, to attest with his life, his devotion to his principles "b^fshed18 The court' mnuenced bY Mr- Cotton, pronounced against him aal ' the sentence of exile. Winter was approaching, and he ob tained permission to remain till spring. The affections of .lis people revived, and throngs collected to hear the beloved 1636. voice> s00n t0 cease from among them. The authorities be- . ' came alarmed, and sent a pinnace to convey him to Eno-land ; unsheltered but he had disappeared. wanderer. Now a wanderer in the wilderness, he had not, upon many THE NARRAGANSETTS THE BENEFACTORS OF RHODE ISLAND. 45 9, stormy nignt, either " food, or fire, or company,'' or bet- pari t, '.er lodging than the hollow of a tree. At last, a few follow- P~ERI0D ^ ers having joined him, he fixed at Seckonk, since Rehoboth, CHAP vu within the limits of the colony of Plymouth. Winslow was ^^,~^^ now governor there ; and he felt himself obliged to commu nicate to Williams that his remaining would breed disturb- He es ^ ance between the two colonies ; and he added his advice to the Narra- that privately conveyed to Williams by a letter from Winthrop gansetts " to steer his course to Narragansett Bay." Williams now threw himself upon the mercy of Canonicus. At first, the sachem was ungracious. The English, he said, had sought to kill him, and had sent the plague among his {ion by1*" people. But Williams won upon him by degrees, and he Canonicus. ¦••xtended his hospitality to him and his suffering company. tie would not, he said, sell his land, but he freely gave to Williams, whose neighborhood he now coveted, and who was favored by his nephew, Miantonomoh, all the neck of land ¦between the Pawtucket and Moshasuck rivers, "that his people Receives a might sit down in peace and enjoy it forever." Thither they Sand°founds went, and with pious thanksgiving named the goodly place Providence. Providence. 1636. The acquaintance of Williams with the Narragansetts was opportune ; for by its means he learned that a conspiracy was forming to cut off the English, headed by Sassacus, the powerful chief of the Pequods. The Narragansetts had been strongly moved by the eloquence of Mononotto, asso ciate chief with Sassacus, to join in the plot. They wavered, but Williams, by making a perilous journey to their country, perilous persuaded them rather to unite with the English against their journey to ancient enemies. He wrote to Governor Winthrop, who im- "S^ttf mediately invited Miantonomoh to visit him at Boston. That to serve hi chieftain went, and there entered into a treaty of peace and persecutor* alliance with the English ; engaging to them the assistance of the Narragansetts against the Pequods, should they per sist in hostility. Roger Williams became a Baptist ; and founded, in Provi dence, the first Baptist church in America. CHAPTER VII. Connecticut and its Founders. The Dutch and English both claimed to be the original The Dut-m discoverers of Connecticut river, but the former had probably the probable the juster claim. The natives along its valley were kept in of'c°^™ fear by the more warlike Pequods on the east, and the terri- cut river. ble Mohawks in the west ; and hence they desired the pres ence of the English, as defenders. As early as 1631, Wah- quimacut, one of their sachems, being pressed by the Pequods, •16 VALLEY OF THE CONNECTICUT. ITS DIFFERENT SETTLERS PART I. Dutch fix at Hartford. October, 1633. Plymouth people at Windsor, erect the first house in the State. Patent of Connecticut granted to English noblemen. The younger Winthrop their agent. 1631. Extent of the patent. 1633. to 1635.Thomas Hooker and thers of the Bay, deter mine tj remove. A party in advance of Hooker went to Boston and afterwards to Plymouth, earnestly re questing that an English colony might be sent to his country, which he truly described as a delightful region. Governor Winthrop declined his proposal : but Edward Winslow, then governor of Plymouth, favored the project, and visited and examined the valley. The Plymouth people had been, some time previous, ad vised by the Dutch to settle on Connecticut river ; and they now determined to pursue the enterprise. They fixed on the site of Windsor, as the place to erect a trading-house. But delays occurred, and the Dutch having repented of their for mer moderation, and now anxious to secure the territory for themselves, erected a small trading fort, called the house of Good Hope, on a point of land in Sukeag, since Hartford, at the junction of the Little river with the Connecticut. The materials for the Plymouth trading-house being put on board a vessel, Captain Holmes, who commanded, soon ap peared sailing up the river. When opposite to the Dutch fort, he was commanded to stop, or he would be fired upon ; but he resolutely kept his course, and the Windsor house, the first in Connecticut, was erected and fortified before winter. Such was the condition of the puritans in England, and such the reputation of their success in America, that even some of the nobility belonging to the sect, meditated emigra tion. The Grand Council patented Connecticut to the Earl of Warwick, a friend and frequent hearer of Thomas Hooker. That nobleman subsequently transferred his patent to Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brooke, with others. John Winthrop, a son of the worthy governor of Massachusetts, a man in whom high natural endowments had received the teachings of science and religion, having been sent to England on busi ness for Massachusetts, took an agency for the two Lords patentees, and was directed by them to build a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut river, and within it, houses proper for persons of rank, as well as those for laborers. The patent granted all that part of New England which ex tends " from Narragansett river one hundred and twenty miles on a straight line, near the shore, towards the south-west, as the coast lies toward Virginia, and within that breadth, from the Atlantic ocean to the South Sea." Before Mr. Winthrop's commission was known, Thomas Hooker and his church had determined to leave Newtown, since Cambridge, and plant themselves upon Connecticut river ; having obtained for that object a reluctant permission from the general court of Massachusetts. Other parties around the Bay were also in motion. In August, a few pioneers from Dorchester selected a place at Windsor near^he Plymouth trading-house ; and others from Watertown fixed or. Pyquag, now Wethersfield. Having made such preparations as they were able, 'urt Thirty persons had already been killed, and the evidence was declare war conclusive that the savages designed a general massacre, ap™81'1"1 The court, therefore, righteously declared war. The quota of troops from the three towns now settled, shows the rapid progress of the settlement. Hartford was to furnish ninety men, Windsor forty-two, and Wethersfield Route of the eighteen, making one hundred and fifty. John Mason was cho- troops under sen captain. The troops embarked at Hartford, sailed down Mason- the river, and along the coast, to Narragansett Bay. Miantono moh furnished them two hundred warriors, Uncas sixty. There were actually embodied of the English, only seventy-seven, of whom twenty, commanded by Captain Underhill, were from Massachusetts. Guided by a Pequod deserter, they reached M Mystic, one of the two forts of Sassacus, at dawn of day. The Peqiiod Their Indian allies showed signs of fear, and Mason arranging fort at Mys- them at a distance around the fort, advanced with his own little t10 attacked army. If they fell, there was no second force to defend their state, their wives and helpless children. As they approach, a dog barks, and an Indian sentinel cries out, " Owannox, Owan- nox !" the English ! the English ! They leap within the fort. The Indians fight desperately, and victory is doubtful. Mason then seizes and throws a flaming brand, shouting, " we must burn them." The- light materials of their wigwams were in- Is burnt witk stantly in a blaze. Hemmed in as the Indians now were, inmates. escape was impossible ; and six hundred, all who were within the fort, of every sex and age, in one hour perished. Three hundred Pequods issuing from the other and royal fortress of Sassacus, pursued Mason with infuriated rage, as he retreated to the Pequod river, where ha embarked on 50 " FOUNDATION-WORK." k PART I board his vessels which met him there . Two of the English period hi. were killed, and twenty wounded. chap. vin. The subjects of Sassacus now reproached him as the au- -"•-v^-' thor of their misfortunes; and to escape destruction, he with 1637. his chief captains fled to the Mohawks : but he was after- Sassacus wards slain by a revengeful subject. Three hundred of his killed- warriors, having burned his remaining fort, fled along* the sea coast. Massachusetts had raised a body of men to aid in the war, which on account of the theological disturbance, arrived pursued° and t0° ^ate f°r tne Dattle. These, under Captain Patrick, now defeated at joined with forty men under Mason, pursued the fugitive Fairfield, savages, traced them to a swamp in Fairfield, and there foughj and defeated them. Nearly one thousand of the Pequods were destroyed ; many fled, and two hundred, besides women and children, remained as captives. Of these, some, we are grieved to relate, were sent to the West Indies and sold into slavery ; and the re mainder divided between the Narragansetts and the Mohe- quods as a gan^- The two Sachems, Uncas and Miantonomoh, between tribe extinct, whom was mutual hatred, now engaged to live in peace. The lands of the Pequods were regarded as conquered territory, and the name of the tribe was declared extinct. The prowess of the English had thus put the natives in First public ^ear' and a l°ng peace ensued. All the churches in New thanks- England commemorated this deliverance, by keeping a day of giving, common and devout thanksgiving. The war had fallen heavily upon the colony. Their farm- 1639. ing and their finances were deranged,- but order and industry Constitution restored them. In 1639, they formally conjoined themselves and civil to be one state or commonwealth, " to maintain the purity of government. the g0spel, the discipline of the churches, and in all civil af- . fairs, to be governed by the constitution which should be adopted." This constitution ordained two annual general courts, one Their civil to be held in May, at which the whole body of freemen should order and choose a governor, deputy-governor, six magistrates, and other amenfs? necessary officers. Church membership was not made a ne cessary qualification for a voter, or even for a magistrate, al though it was for the office of governor. The towns were to send deputies to the general assembly, for the transaction of all business, except the election of officers. All taxes were to be apportioned by a special committee, consisting of dele gates from the several towns. The governor and four magis trates might' constitute a general assembly, at which the for moreperma mer had a casting vote- So wisely was the "foundation- nentthan work" of a public organization performed by the fathers of in the other Connecticut, that less has been found to alter here than in any other state; and it has hence been called throughout the union. " the land of steady habits." DAVENPORT AND EATON. THEIR FRIENDSHIP. 51 CHAPTER IX. New Haven and its Founders. Theophh.tjs Eaton and John Davenport, puritans of much — - distinction in England, were regarded as the Moses and Aaron FER10D lv CHAP IX of the colony of New Haven. Eaton had been deputy -governor of a company for trade to the Baltic, and a public functionary ^*^v^*>^ at the court of Denmark ; he had married a daughter of the EatonPaman Bishop of Chester, and was possessed of a large estate. Da- of cons^e- venport, the son of an English lawyer, was early pious; and 'K1™,015 ln entering the ministry, he became eminent in London as a ° preacher. In attempting to dissuade Cotton from puritanism, Daven- , , D en port had become its disciple, and thus exposed himself to per- port an emi- secution. He believed that the reformation in England had nent divine. stopped short; and that "the ark might as well be got off from the mountains when it had once rested, as a reformation to be reformed where it had once stopped :" and hence he was seized with an ardent desire to realize his visions of perfec tion in church organization, which he thought could only be Hl£ vl.ews oi where a church should be constituted " in the first assay," in entire accordance with the scriptures ; and Cotton had written to him from America, that the order there settled " brought to ' his mind the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwell- eth righteousness." Among the serious virtues of that soul-expanding day, was one little known in times when a paltry spirit of levityprevails : be^°edns1^. that of high and devoted friendship. Such existed between ton and Davenport and, Eaton, and appears to have been the main- Davenport spring in producing Eaton's emigration. The two friends collected their associates, and arrived at ^JnJ Boston, July 26th, 1637. Massachusetts was desirous of se- They arliT, curing such settlers, but they preferred a separate establish- at Boston. ment ; and seeking a commercial station, they explored the i63§. coast, fixed on Quinnipiac, and in 1638, they moored their They reach vessels in its harbor. The company had made some little Quinnipiac. preparation for the settlement the preceding summer, yet many sufferings were to be endured. The spring was uncommonly backward; their planted corn perished repeatedly in the ground, and they dreaded the utter failure of the crop ; but at length they were cheered by warm weather, and surprised by the rapid progress of vegetation. The first Sunday after they arrived, they met and worship- Apri( 15> ped under a large tree, when Mr. Davenport preached to them concerning the temptations of the wilderness. On the 4th of 52 THEOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS. FART I. PERIOD III. CHAP. X. 1639. June 4. Civil and religious governmentestablished. The seven pillars of wisdom's house. Mr. Eaton governor. June, 1639, they met in a large barn belonging to Mr. New man, when they formed themselves into a body politic, and established a form of government, blending the church with the state. Each church was to be begun by seven of their best and most pious men, called " the seven pillars " of the church, who were to be selected by twelve chosen by the people at large for the purpose. The governor and magistrates were to be elected by such of their number as were church members ; and were to hold annually a general court to regu late the affairs of the colony. The planters solemnly bound themselves, " until otherwise ordered, to be governed in all things, of civil as well as religious concerns, by the rules which the Scriptures held forth to them." Eatoii was chosen go vernor. To the place, which they held by purchase from the natives, they gave the name of New Haven. CHAPTER X Strs. Hutch irison. Her ofinions. Opposed and eensured by the clergy. 1636. Governor Vane takes her part. Massachusetts. — Antinomianism and Intolerance. As long as the Puritan fathers consisted of only a few united brethren, who accorded in religious views, all was har- . rrionious ; and the error which afterwards led to intolerance, remained latent. But human opinion flows on like a river, and its course cannot be stayed by human means. Already had the theology of Geneva, the head-quarters of puritanism, un dergone a change ; and Vane, recently there, had come over with newer lights ; and at this time, " a master-piece of wo men's wit," Anne Hutchinson, of Boston, had, by her powers of reasoning, and eloquence of expression, promulgated opin ions unthought of before, and highly offensive. She began in meetings of her own sex, with the simple scriptural proposition, that justification is of faith, and not of works — the divine life formed in the soul, and not in outward observances. She was regarded as aiming a reproach at the sanctity of manners, then so carefully cultivated, especially among the clergy. These censured, but failing to silence her, a bitter controversy ensued. At last, she went the length of denying the necessity of good works, even as an evidence of faith. This was Antinomianism, and it was regarded as a most alarming heresy; and so many had embraced it that the utmost distress pervaded the minds of the puritans- who seemed now destined to lose that great blessino- of gospel pu rity, for which they had sacrificed so much. Governor Vane, believing Mrs. Hutchinson to have been FIRST UNIVERSITY IN THE COLONIES. 53 wronged, sought to defend her, by pleading the just principles of religious toleration. Mr. Cotton, it is believed, was touched on the side of his personal vanity, by the preference which the eloquent lady gave to him over his clerical breth- ten. It is certain that he was her advocate, as was also her brother-in-law, Mr. Wheelright, who was a minister, and Mr. Coddington, a respectable magistrate, and many others. The wrath of the opposition was especially kindled against Mr. Vane ; and although he was the idol of yesterday, to-day he was denounced as a heretic and a hypocrite. Such ex citement prevailed at the ensuing election, at which Winthrop was reinstated as governor, that the zealous Wilson climbed a tree to harangue the people. Even the call made by Con necticut in her distress, for assistance against the Pequods, who would, if they destroyed the sister colony, be next with the midnight tomahawk at their own doors, was regarded with less interest than this controversy ; and hence the Massachu setts troops, whom Wilson was to accompany as chaplain, did not arrive until the little army of Mason had accomplished, against fearful odds, the reduction of the Pequod fort. In this extremity, a synod of ministers was assembled. Mr. Davenport had opportunely arrived from London, and Mr. Hooker, desirous to prepare minds for political as well as reli gious union, recrossed the wilderness from Hartford. Vane had returned to England to be a leader and champion of lib erty in the long parliament, and Cotton, as he now expressed to the synod his views of the controversy, seemed scarcely to differ from his brethren. The opinions of the heresiarch were unanimously condemned by the synod, and herself and the most determined of her adherents banished. Mrs. Hutchinson, excommunicated from the church, an outcast from a society which had but now followed and flat tered her, went first to Rhode Island, to join the settlement which her followers had there made ; thence she removed with her family to the state of New York, where she met death in its most appalling form — that of an Indian midnight massacre. Some of the first fathers of New England, especially the clergv, were men of extensive learning. The greater num ber of these had been educated at the university of Cam bridge ; but all, of every rank and occupation, held learning in profound esteem. Hence some of their earliest cares were to provide the means of instruction for their children. At the general court in September, 1630, the sum of four hundred pounds was voted to commence a college building, and Newtown, which had been fixed on as its location, re ceived the name of Cambridge. In 1638, Mr. John Harvard, a pious divine from England, dying at Charlestown, left to the college a bequest of nearly eight hundred pounds ; and grati tude perpetuated his name in that of the institution. All the several colonies cherished the infant seminary by contributions 6 PART I. PERIOD 111. CHAP. I. 1637. Great ex citement. Mr. Wilson's zeal. A synod condemn the opinions of Mrs. Hutch- She is ban ished with her adherents. 1638, to 1643. Mrs. Hutch inson de stroyed by Indians in New York. 1630 Massachu setts gives four hundred pounds to begin a college. 1638. Mr. John Harvard makes a bequest 54 CODDINGTON AND CLARKE. WHEELRIGHT. PART I. regarding it as a nursery, from which the church and state Period in were to be replenished with qualified leaders. chap. xi. Rhode Island. The most respectable of the banished ¦^r-v^~s followers of Mrs. Hutchinson went south, headed by William 1638. Coddington and John Clarke, who, as a baptist, had also been Followers of persecuted ; and by the influence of Roger Williams they Mrs. Hutch- obtained from Miantonomoh the noble gift of the island of nson obtain Aquetneck, called Rhode Island, on account of its beauty and Rhode Isl- ^ ' . , .. , ' , J . and. fertility. Here they established a government, on the princi ples of political equality and religious toleration ; and Cod dington was made chief magistrate. New Hampshire. Another portion of the disciples of MrighK" Mrs- Hutchinson, headed by her brother-in-law, Mr. Wheel- others found right, went north ; and in the valley of the Piscataqua founded Exeter. Exeter. It was within a tract of country lying between that river and the Merrimac, which Wheelright claimed by virtue 1629. °f a Purchase made of the celebrated Indian sorcerer, Passa- Wneelriffht's conaway, the chief sachem of the Pennicooks ; and of less Indian pa- powerful chiefs of smaller tribes. This claim interfered with tent- that conveyed by the patent to Mason and Gorge" and was accordingly disputed. In the meantime small independent settlements were made along the water courses, by ^migrants from Massachusetts and the other colonies ; but they did not flourish, for they 1641 imprudently neglected the culture of their lands, present ne- New Hamp- cessities being scantily supplied by fish and game. shire settle- jn 1641, these settlements, induced by a sense of their become' a weakness, petitioned Massachusetts to receive them under its part of Mas- jurisdiction. The general court granted their request, and sachusetts. ^gy were incorporated with that colony. CHAPTER XI. Delaware — Maryland — Virginia. Gustavus Adolphus, the hero of his age, formed, in 1627, 1637. tne ProJect of sending to America a colony of his subjects from Swedes and Sweden and Finland. About ten years afterwards, in 1638, feuTe onnie they Came 0Ver neaded h7 Peter Minuets, and settled at Chris- Delaware in tina Creek, on the west side of the Delaware, calling that river 1638. Swedeland-stream, and the country, New Sweden. Though this was the first effectual settlement, yet the Dutch had in 1629 purchased of the natives a tract of land Th16D9' h extendinS from CaPe Henlopen to the mouth of the Delaware claim origi- river- A sma11 colony conducted by De Vries, came from nates. ' Holland, and settled near Lewiston. They perished by the 1631. savages ; but the Dutch continuing to claim the country, dis- Claybome sensions arose between them and the Swedish emigrants ^yonYem Maryland. In 1631, William Clayborne obtained from Island. Charles I. a license to traffic in those narts of America foa GEORGE CALVERT, THE FIRST LORD BALTIMORE. 55 which there was not already a patent granted. Clayborne PART I. planted a small colony on Kent island,' in Chesapeake bay, period m. opposite to the spot where Annapolis now stands. chap. xi. George Calvert, afterwards Lord Baltimore, had repre- >——v-v_.. sented in the English Parliament his native district of York- George shire. The favor of the monarch and the principal ministers C^Vr] 'jf* had been manifested by influential appointments at court ; Baltimore but these he resigned to make a public profession of the Roman catholic faith. To enjoy his religion unmolested, he wished to emigrate to some vacant tract in America. He had fixed on Virginia as a desirable location, and accordingly 1628. made a visit to that colony. The people there would not en- Visits courage a settlement, unless an oath was taken, to which he Vlrslma- could not in conscience subscribe. Finding he must seek an asylum elsewhere, he explored the country to the north, and Mandand then returned to England. The Queen, Henrietta Mariaf and obtains daughter to Henry IV. of France, gave to the territory the a patent. name of Maryland, and Lord Baltimore obtained it by a royal jP,2Lq Patent- ..." Cecil Ca'l- He died at London in 1632, before his patent passed to a vert the sec legal form; but his son, Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Bal- °nd.Lord timore, by the influence of Sir Robert Cecil, obtained the obtains the grant intended for his father. same patent By this patent he held the country from the Potomac to the 40th degree of north latitude ; and thus, by a mere act of Its limits. the crown, what had long before been granted to Virginia, (t He de- was now taken away ; as what was now granted was subse- Twy quently given to Penn, to the extent of a degree. Hence a tax on long and obstinate altercations ensued. tobacco.) Lord Baltimoret appointed as governor his brother, Leonard Deonara Calvert, who, with two hundred emigrants, sailed for Amer- sa;i^TNoT ica*near the close of 1633, and arrived at the Potomac early 1633. in 1634. Here they purchased of the natives, Yamaco, one Arrives at of their settlements, to which was given the name of St. DeakeS3" Mary. Calvert thus secured by a pacific course, comfortable hab- February, itations, some improved lands, and the friendship of the na- 1634. tives. Other circumstances served to increase the prosperity of the colony. The country was pleasant, great religious Commences freedom existed, and a liberal charter had been granted, which a flourishing allowed the proprietor, aided by the freemen, to pass laws, seonetmen without reserving to the crown the right of rejecting them. Potomac. Emigrants accordingly soon flocked to the province from the other colonies and from England. Thus had the earliest settlers of this beautiful portion ov' our country established themselves, without the sufferings en dured by the pioneers of former settlements. The proprie tary government, generally so detrimental, proved here a nurs- Generwuty ing mother. Lord Baltimore expended for the colonists, prie.aiy, and within a few years, forty thousand pounds ; and they, " out gratitude of of desire to return some testimony of gratitude," voted in their e colonv- * Maine took its name from Maine, in France, belonging to thin queen. (3* 66 CECIL CALVERT, THE SECOND LORD BALTIMORE. PART I. ¦ERIOD III CHAP. XI. 1642. Lord Balti more invites £he puritans. Clayborne, the evil ge nius of Mary land. 1635. to 1643. 1562. The slave- trade begun and upheld by the English. 1620. Introduced into Va. 1621. Sir Francis Wyatt. Improved constitution. Cotton first planted. 1622. Indian massacre. Three hun- .ired persons cruelly murdered. assembly, " such a subsidy as the low and poor estate of 'lie colony could bear." Lord Baltimore invited the puritans of Massachusetts to emigrate to Maryland, offering them "free liberty of religion." They rejected this, as they did a similar proposition from Cromwell, to remove to the West Indies. The restless, intriguing Clayborne, the evil genius of Ma ryland, had been constantly on the alert to establish a claim to the country, and ,to subvert the government of the good proprietary. In his traffic with the natives he had learned their dispositions, and he wrought them to jealous hostility. In England, the authority of the long Parliament now super seded that of the king, and those who derived their authority from him ; and of this, not only Clayborne, but other disor derly subjects of Lord Baltimore, were inclined to take undue advantage. Thus the fair dawn of this rising settlement was early overcast. Virginia. England was interested in the slave-trade as early as 1562, when Sir John Hawkins took by fraud a cargo of negroes from Africa, and sold them in Hispaniola. So' de praved at that time was the public sentiment, that numbers of the most consequential persons engaged in it ; and even the Queen herself became afterwards a party to this atrocious merchandize. In August, 1620, a Dutch ship brought into James river twenty negroes, and sold them as slaves. Thus, and on so small a scale, began an evil so vast in its consequences, and so difficult now to eradicate. In 1621, Sir Francis Wyatt arrived as governor, bringing from the company in England a more perfect and permanent constitution for the colony. The power of making laws was vested in the general assembly. No regulations however could be enforced, until they had received the sanction of the general court of the company in England. At the same time, the orders of the company were not binding upon the colony, without the sanction of their assembly. These liberal con cessions not only gratified the settlers, but encouraged emi grants ; and a large number accordingly accompanied Gov ernor Wyatt to the province. This year, cotton was first planted in Virginia, and " the plentiful coming up of the seeds," was regarded by the plant ers with curiosity and interest. Opechancanough, the brother and successor of Powhatan, had determined to extirpate the whites, and regain the country for its savage lords. For this purpose he formed a conspiracy to massacre all the English ; and during four years, he was, with impenetrable secrecy, concerting his plan. To each tribe its station was allotted, and' tne part it was to act pre scribed. On the 22d of March, 1622, at mid-day, they rushed upon the English, in all their settlements, and butchered men. HARVEY. WEST. WYATT. — SIR WILLIAM BERKELEY. 57 women, and children, without pity or remorse . In one hour, PART I. nearly a fourth part of the whole colony was cut off. The period ih slaughter would have been, universal, if compassion, or a sense CHAP- XL of duty, had not moved a converted Indian, to whom the se- ^-**~v~^s cret was communicated, to reveal it to his master, on the night before the massacre. This was done in time to save James- own and the adjacent settlements. A bloody war ensued. The English, by their arms and Retaiiatioa discipline, were more than a match for the Indians, and they o{, .the retaliated in such a manner as left the colonists for a long time free from savage molestation. They also received con siderable accessions of lands by appropriating those of the ___ . conquered natives ,- , , , ,,,,.. Londoncon, In 1624 the London company, which had settled Virginia, pany . in. tain Underbill, who had been expelled from Massachusetts. At *-**~*-*--i this time is ¦ supposed to have occurred a bloody battle at Battle of Strickland's plain, in Greenwich, Connecticut ; of which, ' however, the details seem strangely lost. The Mohawks who were friendly to the Dutch, at length in terfered, and the congregated Indian sachems met in council with the whites, on the ground of the battery in New York. " The tree of peace was planted, and the tomahawk buried be neath its shade." Keift, execrated by all the colonies, was remanded to Hol land ; and, on his return, perished by shipwreck on the coast of Wales. Stuyvesant had succeeded to his office before his departure. He went to Hartford, and there entered into negotiations Stuyvesant -p^g Dutch claims to Connecticut were relinquished, and Long Hartford. Island was divided between the two parties. • 1664. The Dutch had built fort Casimir on the site of Newcas- Contest tie, in Delaware. The Swedes conceiving this to be an en- bel2reej the croachment on their territory, Rising, their governor, by an an<^ Dutch, unworthy stratagem, made himself its master. In 165a, Stuy vesant, acting by orders received from Holland, embarked at gwS(jeg New Amsterdam with six hundred men, and sailing up the quered, and Delaware, he subjugated the Swedes. New Sweden was the name of heard of no more ; but the settlers were secured in 3their den lost. " rights of private property, and their descendants are among the best of our citizens. 1654 Many emigrants now came to New Netherlands, from among . The people the oppressed, the discontented, and the enterprising of other claim civil colonies, and of European nations. At length the inhabitants sought a share of political power. They assembled, and by their delegates demanded that no laws should be passed, ex cept with the consent of the people. Stuyvesant very un ceremoniously let them know that he was not to be directed "by a few ignorant subjects ;" and he forthwith dissolved the rejected by assembly. The " Nineteen" highly approved his- course ; and charged him not " to allow the people to indulge such vision ary dreams, as that taxes should not be imposed Vithout their consent." But popular liberty, though checked here, prevailed in the adjoining provinces ; and they consequently grew more rap idly, and crdwded upon the Dutch. The Indians made war upon some of their villages, especially Esopus, now Kingston ; and New Netherlands could not obtain aid from Holland. The States General had given the whole concern into the hands of the Nineteen, they to pay all expenses ; and this coun cil refused to make needful advances. In the meantime, Charles II. had granted to his brother James, then Duke of York and Albany, the territory from the rights. Theif peti- tion rudely New Neth erlands ifl trouble. March 12, 1664 Charles II. grants New York to his brother WM. PENN. HIS EARLY EDUCATION. — :HI» CONVERSION. .fc9 tanks of the Connecticut to those of the Delaware. Sir Robert Nichols, a confidential officer of his household, was dispatched with a fleet to take possession. Nichols brought over commissioners to New England, and landed them at Boston. Taking in from Long Island the younger Winthrop, now governor of Connecticut, he sailed to New Amsterdam, and suddenly demanded of the astonished Stuyvesant to give up the place. Winthrop advised him to do so, but the faithful Dutchman replied that a tame surrender " would be reproved in the father-land ;" and he would have defended his post if he could. But the body of the people preferred the English rule to that of the Dutch, the privileges of Englishmen hav ing bee : promised them. Nichols therefore entered, took possession in the name of his master, and" called the place New York. A part of the English fleet, under Sir George Carteret, 6aUed up the Hudson to fort Orange, which surrendered and was named Albany. The Dutch fort on the Delaware was also taken by the English. The rights of property were re spected, and a treaty was made with the Five Nations. The whole line of coast from Acadia to Florida, was now in pos session of the English. PART H. PERIOD I. CHAP. IV. Sends Col onel Nichols. New Am sterdam sur rendered to the English. Sept. 3, 1664. Sept-'-nhH] Fort Otar.g# and the forts on the Delaware Surrenderee! CHAPTER IV. Pennsylvania and its Founder. The great and good man, to whom Pennsylvania owes its origin, was the son of Vice Admiral, Sir William Penn ; and was born in London in 1644. He was regarded as a child of great promise. At eleven years of age, being, as he relates, at Oxford school, he was suddenly surprised " with an inward comfort, and an external glory in the belief of God, and his communion with his soul." Nothing, through a long life, ever shook his faith in the reality of this divinely communicated " inner light." At fifteen he entered Oxford College ; but though an ex cellent scholar — his religious sensibilities having been far ther excited by the preaching of Thomas Loe, a Quaker, he was led to some irregularities as a student, involving a con tempt of the authority, which caused his expulsion. His father, disappointed in the ambitious hopes which the uncom mon talents of his son had raised, used every means, not except ing fatherly chastisement, to cure him of what he considered his whimsical obstinacy. All his efforts failing, he turned him from his door. But a generous nature, with the persua- 1 1644 Birth of Penn. His conversion. 1659. He entei» Oxford College 70 PENN IN IRELAND. HE SUFFERS FOR HIS PRINCIPLES. PART II. 1666. His father sends him to Ireland. He again Hears Thom as Loe. 1667. . Hfc father recalls him. Again vainly attempts to influence him to re nounce quakerism. 1670. Penn a preacher and author. Example of English trial by jury in tne 17th century. Recall of Penn Death of his father. sions of his wife, soon made him relent, and restore his son to his favor. William was next sent to travel in France and Italy, where he spent two years. He returned with an elegant polish of manners, which delighted his father. But the admiral soon found, that wherever his religion was concerned, his son had the same peculiar views, and the same unbending spirit as before. His father next sent him to Ireland, in hopes that the splen did court of his friend, the Earl of Ormond, now Lord Lieu tenant of that kingdom, would make him a man of the world. Having the agency of his father's large estates in Ireland, William applied himself to business with so much ability, that his father was 'delighted with his success. But he again heard the preacher, Thomas Loe, and became a decided mem ber of the Quaker Society, and as such, he was persecuted and imprisoned. His father hearing of this, recalled him to England. Mortified at his oddities, but proud of his tal ents, the impassioned father entreats and beseeches, — even with tears. The affectionate son struggles between his love for his earthly, and that for his Heavenly Parent ; and decides that he must, at whatever cost, be in subjection to the Father of his spirit. The admiral is willing to endure much, and finally proposes to compromise, and allow his son's peculiarities, provided he will consent partially to wave the Quaker custom of wearing tho hat in every human presence ; and uncover his head be fore the King, the Duke of York, and himself. Penn reflected that his spiritual strength and comfort depended upon obedi ence to his inward monitor. Christianity taught that the out ward act should never belie the heart ; and " hat-worship," he believed could not otherwise be practiced. He therefore re fused his father's proffer, and was again excluded from the shelter of his roof. Penn now became a preacher and an author ; and was ere long cast into prison for his violation of the severe laws re specting public worship ; and though released by his father's mediation, he was soon re-committed. His fearless eloquence on one occasion, gained the jury to his cause. He was ac cused before the Mayor and Recorder of London, of holding a private meeting with his brethren, for religious worship , and though the court directed, threatened, and kept the jury two days without "meat, drink, fire or tobacco," these twelve bold jurors would not find a bill against the prisoner. For this the court fined them, and cast them into prison for their fine. Such was the spirit of the times. Admiral Penn, when his health failed, recalled his .beloved son. He gave a charge on his death-bed to his friend, the Duke of York, who accepted the office, to watch the fate of HE PURCHASES, SETTLES, AND GOVERNS PENNSYLVANIA. 71 William, and, as far as possible, shield him from the evils to which his peculiar tenets must expose him. Soon after his father's death, Penn is again in prison. But notwithstanding this, we soon find him allying himself in mar riage to a family of high respectability, and to a woman of extraordinary intelligence, beauty and goodness. That he had now the public confidence, also appears from the trust re posed in him by the assignees of Edward Billinge, while the high order of his talents was manifested by his legislation for the two Jerseys. His thoughts were by this turned to America ; and the suf ferings of his dear persecuted brethren, led him to plans of colo nizing there, which he proceeded to put into operation. His father had left claims to the amount of sixteen thousand pounds against the crown ; and Penn, finding that there was a tract yet ungranted, north of Lord Baltimore's patent, solicited and ob tained of Charles II. , a charter of the country, " which was bounded on the east by the river Delaware, extending west ward through five degrees of longitude, and stretching from twelve miles northward of Newcastle, to the forty-third de gree of latitude, and was limited on the south by a circle of twelve miles drawn around Newcastle, to the beginning of the fortieth degree of north latitude." It was called by the king, Pennsylvania. Soon after the date of this grant, two other conveyances were made to Penn by the Duke of York ; one of which em braced the present state of Delaware, and was called the " Ter ritories." The other was a release from the Duke, of any claims to Pennsylvania. He next prepared a liberal constitution of civil government, for those who should become his colonists. Having sent out three ships, loaded with emigrants, and consigned to the care of his nephew, Colonel Markham, he left Chester on board the Welcome, and with one hundred settlers, sailed for his province, his benevolent heart full of hope and courage. He landed at Newcastle, and was joyfully received by the Swedes and Dutch, now amounting to two or three thousand. The next day, at their court-house, he received from the agent of the Duke of York, the surrender of The Territories. He tl en, with blended dignity and affection, assured the delighted throngs, that their rights should be respected, and their happi ness regarded. In honor of his friend, the Duke, he next visited New York ; but immediately returning, he went to Upland, which he named Chester. Here a part of the pioneers, with Markham, had begun a settlement, and here Penn called the first assembly. It consisted of an equal number from the province and The Territories. By its first act, all the inhabitants, of what ever extraction, were naturalized. Religious freedom was established among the people, but all officers and electors PART IL 1672. He i»erriea Gulielma, daughter of Sir William Springett 16§1. March 4. Penn re ceives the grant of Pennsylva ma. Obtains Delaware Sept. 9, 1682, Penn sails for America Arrives at Newcastle October 2a Visits New Yo-k. Names Chester Decemoer 4. The first assembly at tend' to business. 72 PENN HOLUS A COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS. PART II. niUSt De believers in Jesus Christ. Penn was the first legis- feeiod i. iator) whose criminal code admitted the humane principle, that chap, iv tbe object of punishment is not merely to prevent crime, but — "~v~">-' to reform the offender. Hence, his code seldom punished 16§2. with death. The assembly sat three days, and passed fifty- ^ysmfifty-e nine laws ; an evidence that the time which belonged to the nine laws, public, was not here consumed either in personal abuse or pompous declamation. Penn visits' Penn next paid a visit of friendship and business to Lord Lord Baltimore at West River. Though they differed on the ques- a timore. tjQn ^ boundaries, yet friendly feeling pervaded the interview Directions had been given to Colonel Markham, who pre ceded Penn, that the natives should be treated kindly and fairly ; and accordingly no land had been entered upon but by their consent. They had also been notified that Penn, to whom they gave the name of Onas, was to kindle a council fire at a certain time, in order to meet and establish with them a treaty of perpetual peace. On the morning of the appointed Holds his day, under a huge elm at Shackamaxon, now a suburb of Phil- ¦u^Vwith adelphia, William Penn, majestic in person, beautiful in coun- the Indians, tenance, graceful, though plain in manner and attire, his only ornament being a sash of pale blue, stood and held in his hand the roll of peace. Sending around his loving glance, he sees " far as his eyes can carry," among the trees of the forest, its painted and plumed children gathering towards him. The chiefs come forward and half encircle him. The principal Indian cer- sachem puts upon his own head a horned chaplet, the symbol emonics. 0f bis power. At once every warrior lays down his bow and tomahawk, and seats himself upon the ground. The grand chief then announces to Onas that the nations are ready to hear his words, believing him to be an angel sent to them by the Great Spirit. Protesta- Penn gave them instructions, and solemnly appealed to the tions which Almighty who knew his inmost thoughts, that it was the ardent were proved desire of his heart to do them good. " He would not call actions! them brothers or children, but they should be to him and his, as half of the same body." The chiefs then gave their pledge for themselves, and for their tribes, " to live in love with The treaty him and his children, as long as the sun and moon should completed, endure." The treaty was then executed, the chiefs marking down the emblems of their several tribes. The purchases of Markham were confirmed, and others made. After this, Penn went to a villa which his nephew had built for his residence, opposite the site of Burlington, and called p™.n a!^s Pennsbury. Here he gave directions for laying out towns and ¦mules Phil- counties, and in conjunction with the surveyor, Holme, drew adelphia. ^e plan of his capital, and in the spirit of "brotherly love," named it Philadelphia. ™ . Vessels came fast with new settlers, until twenty-two. I hrongs of ,. , . ii-Trs J acttlers. bearing two thousand persons, had arrived. Some came so PENN S DEPARTURE. BERKELEY AND CARTERET 73 late in the fall, that they could not be provided with house- PART U. room in the rude dwellings of the .lew city; and "the caves" period t were dug in the banks of the river to receive them. Provi- CHAP- v- dence fed them by flocks of pigeons, and the fish of the riv- v-*~v*^ crs ; and ihe Indians, regarding them as the children of Onas, bunted to bring them game. Penn again met the legislature, and gave them legal as- 1683 ffarances that they should have liberty " to amend or add to A second their charter," (the fundamental compact between himself and ^semb!y- them,) " whenever the public good required." The boundaries between Pennsylvania and Maryland had Lord Balti- not yet been adjusted by the two proprietors ; and Lord Bal- more claims timore attempted to possess himself of The Territories by Territories. ejecting the settlers on their refusal to pay him quit-rent. Penn remonstrated. The general court of Pennsylvania strongly asserted his claim, and The Territories remained un der his jurisdiction. Penn had left beyond the ocean his beloved family. Let- August*. ters from England spoke of the sufferings of his quaker 1684, brethren, and he believed that he might exercise an influence Pelm ™i there to check persecution. He embarked on the fourth of England. August, and wrote on board the ship an affectionate adieu to his province, which he sent on shore before he sailed. He His farewell said, " And thou, Philadelphia, virgin of the province! my t0 F}$*?el soul prays for thee ; that, faithful to the God of thy mercies, in the life of righteousness, thou mayest be preserved unto the end !" CHAPTER V. New Jersey — its Settlement, and various Claimants. Previous to the surrender of the Dutch, the Duke of York 1664. made a grant of that part of his patent lying between the Nfw J!r:!ey Hudson and Delaware, to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Car- Berkeley teret. This tract was called New Jersey, in compliment to andCarten*. Sir George, who had been governor of the isle of Jersey. In 1664, before the grant to Berkeley and Carteret was known, three persons from Long Island purchased of the natives a tract of the country, which was called Elizabethtown, where a settlement was commenced. Other towns were soon set- Elizabem tied by emigrants from the colonies, and from Europe. Thus t0™ pre,I|I opposite claims were created, which caused much discord ousyse between the proprietors and inhabitants. In 1665, Berkeley and Carteret formed a constitution for the colony, and ap pointed Philip Carteret governor He made Elizabethtown the seat of government. * The members offered to give him, as a reward, a tax on all exports, but he unwisely declined this righteous offer. To this misstep may be referred hig future embarrassments. 74 THE JERSEYS. PENN's WISE LEGISLATION. PART II. ln 1672, the disputes of the settlers became violent. The period l inhabitants of Elizabethtown, who had purchased the soil of chap. v. ^e natives, refused to pay rent to the proprietors, and carried ^--^v-^»-' their opposition so far, as to expel the governor and substi- 1672. tute his son. The father returned to England, and obtained tweeifthe " ^rom tne proprietors such conditions as quieted the colonists , settlers and and thus the proprietary government was restored. proprietors. Berkeley and Carteret had heretofore held the province as joint property, but the former becoming weary with the care of an estate which yielded him neither honor nor profit, sold ley sells his' his share to Edward Byllinge. That gentleman, becoming in- right, volved in debt, found it necessary to assign over his property for the benefit of his creditors ; and William Penn was one of his assignees. New Jersey was now jointly held by Sir George Carteret, and Penn, as agent for the assignees of Bvllinge. But Penn Penn causes perceiving the inconvenience of holding joint property, it was New Jersey mutually agreed to separate the country into East and West 1676* Jersey; Carteret receiving the sole proprietorship of East Jersey, and Penn and his associates, that of West Jersey. Penn in the first place divided West Jersey into one hun dred shares, which were separately disposed of, and then, in it that spirit of righteousness whereby he won the confidence cessions." °f a^> ne drew up the articles called •' the concessions ;" by which the proprietors ceded to the planters the privileges of free civil government, expressly declaring " we put the pdwer in the people." He examined Indian claims, and by fair pur chase extinguished them. Religion was left free, and impris onment for debt prohibited. Such was his influence, that in two years he sent over eight hundred new settlers, mostly qua kers, — persons of excellent character, and good condition. ula.*, jersey In 1682, East Jersey, the property of Carteret, being ex- purchased in posed to sale, it was purchased by twelve quakers, under the 1683, auspices of Penn. In 1683, the proprietors doubled their ''fouTqulT number, and obtained a new patent from the Duke of York. kers. East Jersey was now free from religious intolerance. This The perse was the era of those civil wars of Great Britain in which cuted find Graham of Claverhouse, and other royal officers, hunted the .sJt jfrsey. Cameronian Scots like wild beasts. Hundreds of the suf ferers now came to East Jersey, and there, bringing their in dustrious and frugal habits, they were blessed with security, 1678. abundance, and content. i J^Tthe Sir E(illmn Decame on one occasion his foes, and abused base in mind, him for being too generous, themselves in this case not being the recipients. Williams wisely and cheerfully took his own part, and plainly told them, that they were but finding " a sponge wherewith to wipe out their own obligations." If the sun shines upon the planets, we cannot therefore expect those opaque bodies will shine back in the same manner upon the sun. Those people, doubtless, considered that it was the part of Williams to shine, and theirs to be shone upon. The Long Parliament had done evil by assuming to make their own places permanent ; and the good which they effected, !©50. could not save them from political destruction. After brin^ Cromwell ing Charles I. to the block, they were themselves superseded succeeds the by Cromwell's single authority. The restrictions on colonial "¦ment. commerce, which so unjustly oppressed the provinces for the 1651. benefit of the parent country, were, as has been seen, em- Navigation bodied by his master-mind in the celebrated " Navigation Act." By this, be it remembered, the colonies were obliged to sell all their productions to English merchants, and purchase from them all needed supplies ; so that the colonist not only was prohibited from finding his own market, and selling to the highest bidder, what his own industry had produced, — but he was also forbidden to supply his wants, where he could find the most favorable terms. The commerce of the colonies was thus " cut with a double edge ;" and these restrictive laws were passed one after another, to the number of nineteen. The one of 1663, did not allow the provincials to be the car riers of their own produce, but required them to employ Brit ish shipping; another, in 1672, forbade the free trade of the colonies with each other. The provinces, especially those of New England, considering these laws as wholly unjust, and also objecting on the ground that they were passed in a par liament where the colonies were not represented, they evaded them, and as far as possible, chartered their own vessels, and traded wherever they pleased. When Charles II. was restored, his power was acknow ledged in New England; but the colonies had melancholy pp^ndTwin'-1 forebodings. Yet the authorities of Connecticut, by tho throptoEng- eminent Winthrop, even at this difficult period, success- o-ptams'h_t> fully aPPlie(1 t0 tne c0l,rt of England for a charter. They charter, plead, that they had obtained their lands by purchase from the act recapitu lated. 1663 Further op pressive restrictions. 1662 Connecticut , CONNECTICUT OBTAINS A LIBERAL CHARTER- -ELLIOT. 77 natives, and by conquest from the Pequods, who made on them PART II. a war of extermination ; and they had mingled their labor with period i the soil. The aged Lord Say and Seal, moved the Earl of chap. vi. Manchester in their behalf. Winthrop appealed before the v—-v--*_^ king, with such a gentle dignity of carriage, and such appro- The young. priate conversation, as won the royal favor. It is said he ertl^m~ brought to the mind of Charles some interesting recollections, by the present of a ring, which had been given to his grand father as a pledge, by an ancestor of the monarch. The charter which Winthrop obtained, granting privile- 1662. ges greater than any other which the government of Eng- Great privi- Iand had given, was worded in Connecticut. The wise fa- leees °! Con- thers there, did not send their agent without his business being chart™1 thoroughly prepared.* Union of The liberal charter, granted by the king, included New Ha- New Haven ven. That province, however, had not been consulted, and conpTe'ctic-u justly felt aggrieved ; as a relinquishment of its separate ex- 1665. istence was thereby required. But at length, the great ex pediency of the measure becoming fully apparent, the union of New Haven with Connecticut was completed. Winthrop Winthrop was chosen governor, and received seventeen successive an- governor. nual elections. Colonel Nichols, who was sent over to command the expe- 1664. dition against New Netherlands, was one of four commission- F.ou? com" ers, who had been appointed by the king, not only for the re- nusslonera duction of the Dutch, but for humbling the colonies. For this purpose, they were empowered to hear and determine all matters of compiaint, and to examine arid regulate them, as seemed for the good of the king's service. The colonists considered this appointment an invasion of their chartered rights ; yet no direct opposition was made to the proceedings of the commissioners, except by Massachu setts, whose firmness in resisting every exercise of their power, deeply offended them ; and two of their number, Carr and Maverick Cartwright, left the country in high displeasure. Cartwright Can- and' was taken prisoner by the Dutch on his passage home, and Cartwright Carr died the next day after his arrival, or immediate meas- the colonie* ures would probably have been taken against that colony. This was the period of the labors of John Elliot. When Hooker, in the days of his persecution, had kept a school at Iohn Elliot Little Baddow, in England, the youthful Elliot had been his usher, and a resident in his family ; and to this blessed pe- *From Hooker's management, may have originated a system or unwritten law, which, whether good or bad, has formanyyears past become incorporated with the political usages of this country ; and is known as the " caucus system." Hooker's maxim was, " a church within a church," the business for which the many were to be called together, first digested and prepared by the few. Mr. Stone, who was Mr. Hooker's colleague hi the ministry, had an expression for the same plan, when, in an advanced state of progress, the matter m question had come before the full assembly of the persons who were to decide it. His idea of perfection was, " a speaking aristocracy in the face of a silent democracy." 73 CHRISTIANITY OPPOSED BY THE SACHEMS. PART II. PERIOD I. CHAP. VI. 1631. Arrives in Boston. 1646. His first meeting with the Indians ut Nonantum, Dr Newtown. Many Indians converted. N a tick les^ 1657. Elliot com pletes his translation of the Bible. Number of praying . Indians. 1674. Christianity hated by the great, sa chems. riod, the "apostle of the Indians" traced the spiritual light which shone so brightly upon his missionary career. He came to Boston in his twenty-seventh year. He was settled at Roxbury in 1632, having been previously married to a lady well suited by the excellence of her Christian spirit, to sympathize in his devout aspirings, and by a wise pru dence, to supply his- lack of care for the physical wants of himself and family. Elliot had beheld with pity the ignorance and spiritual darkness of the savages, and his fixed determination was to devote himself to their conversion. He first spent some years in the study of their language. The General Court of the province had passed an order requesting the clergy to report concerning the best means of spreading the gospel among the natives ; and Elliot took this time to meet with the Indians at Nonantum, a few miles west of Boston. His meetings for religious worship and discourse were frequent, and in dif ferent places, as favorable opportunities could be found, or made. His efforts to teach the natives the arts and usages of civilized life, were also unremitted and arduous ; "for civility," it was said, " must go hand in hand with Christianity." These efforts and their effects, exhibit the children of the forest in a most interesting point of view, and show the transforming power of the gospel. Their dispositions and lives underwent a real change. Some of their numbers became teachers, and aided in the conversion of others. In 1654, an Indian church was collected at Natick, a town having been previously built. In 1655, Elliot had completed his translation of the New Testament into the Indian language, and in two years more the old was added. Thus the mighty labor of learning the difficult tongue of the Indians, of making from its oral ele ments a written language, and that of translating the whole Bible, was, by zeal and persevering labor, accomplished. It was the first Bible printed in America. But both the Indian and his language are now extinct, and Elliot's Bible is a mere lite rary curiosity. In the expense, he had been much assisted by an English "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel." In 1674, there were fourteen towns of " praying Indians," and six gathered churches. The Indian converts had much to encounter. Their great chiefs hated Christianity ; for al though it made their subjects willing to do the right, yet it set them to reflect, and thus to find out that there was a right for them to have, as well as to do ; and this tended to subvert the absolute arbitrary sway, which the sachem, however he might allow it tc slumber, did actually possess ; and which he naturally felt unwilling to relinquish. Of these chiefs, Philip of Pokanoket was peculiarly the foe of the Christian religion. If he had embraced it, the fortunes of his famil) and his race might have been changed. HOSTILE SPIRIT OF THE INDIANS. CONANCHET. 79 CHAPTER VII. tug Philip's War, — Its dreadful consequances. — Destruction of the Narragan setts and Pokanokets. Philip was the younger of the two sons of Massasoit. He had become embittered against the English by circumstances attending the death of his brother, which he ascribed to them ; and though he was thus left sole chieftain of the Pokanokets, yet he deeply felt his loss, and bitterly resented it. The extension of the whites had now alarmed the savage nations. They remembered that their ancestors had reigned sole lords of the forest. Now, their hunting-grounds were abridged ; and the deer, the bear, and other animals on which they depended for subsistence, were frightened away by the hum of civilization. The new race, whom their fathers re ceived when a poor and feeble band, were now gradually spreading themselves over the land, and assuming to be its sovereigns. Nothing remained to the native savage, but to be driven by degrees from the occupations and possessions of ' his forefathers ; or to arouse, and by a mighty effort, extirpate the intruders. This was the spirit which, emanating from Philip, spread itself throughout the various Indian tribes. The Narragan setts, so long friendly, were now under the rule of Conanchet, the son of Miantonomoh, and doubtless he remembered the benefactions which his father had bestowed upon the whites, and their refusal to hear his last plea for mercy. Philip had not proceeded farther than to work upon the minds of the Indians by secret machinations, when Sausa- man, one of the natives whom Elliot had instructed in Chris tianity, gave to the English intimations of his designs. Sau- saman was soon after murdered. On investigation, the Plym outh court found that the murder was committed by three of Philip's most intimate friends ; and forthwith they caused them to be executed. The savages no longer delayed ; but on the 20th of June, Philip's warriors began by attacking Swansey, in New Plym outh. The colonists appeared in defense of the town, and the Indians fled. Receiving fresh troops from Boston, the united English force marched into the Indian towns, which on their approach were deserted. But the route of the sava ges was marked by the ruin of buildings which had been burned, and by the heads and hands of the English, which were fixed upon poles by the way-side. The troops finding Vhatthey could not overtake them, returned to Swarsey. The commissioners of the colonies meeting at B.eton, were PARI II. Indians generally jealous anu hostile. Narragan setts under Conanchet Sausaman't disclosure and death 1675. June 24 Swansey attacked 80 SUFFERINGS OF TV^W ENGLAND BY THE SAVAGES. 1675. July 5. Congress raise an army. They compel the NarraT gansetts to make peace. Philip at tacked at Poc asset. Battle at Brookfield. Sept. 18. Battle of Bloody Brook. October. Springfield burned. Dreadful condition of the Colonies, rhe Ameri can savage a terrible foe. unanimous in deciding that the war must be prosecuted with vigor, and each colonv furnish means, according to its ability. Of the thousand men which they determined to send immedi ately into the field, Massachusetts was to furnish five hundred and twenty-seven, Connecticut three hundred and fifteen, and Plymouth one hundred and fifty-eight. Subsequently the commissioners voted to raise double this number. The army was sent from Swansey into the country of the Narragansetts, and negotiating, sword in hand, with that con federacy, on the 15th of July, a treaty of peace was conclu ded. The commissioners, among other stipulations, agreed to give forty coats to any of the Narragansetts who should bring Philip alive, twenty for his head, and two for each of his subjects, delivered as prisoners. The Indian king retreated with his warriors to a swamp at Pocasset, near Montaup. There, on the 18th, the colonists attacked them, but gained no decisive advantage. Philip then made his head-quarters with the Nipmucks ; but by the spirit of his destructive movements, he seemed to be everywhere pres ent. Captain Hutchinson, with a. company of horse, was sent to treat with those Indians, but being drawn into an ambush, near Brookfield, he was mortally wounded, and six teen of his company were killed. The enemy then burned v the town. Intending to collect a magazine and garrison at Hadley, Captain Lathrop, with a corps of the choicest young men, se lected from the vicinity of Boston, was sent to transport a quantity of corn from Deerfield to that place. They were suddenly attacked by the Indians, and though they fought with great bravery, they were almost all cut off. The brook, by which they fought, flowed red, and to this day is called " Bloody Brook." In October, the Springfield Indians, who had previously been friendly, concerted with the hostile tribes, and set fire to that town. While its flames were raging, they attacked Hadley. Dreadful beyond description was now the condition of the colonists. The object of the Indians was totally to extermi nate them, and aimed equally at the lives of the armed and the defenseless. They were withheld by no restraints of reli gion, and their customs of war led them to the most shock ing barbarities. The previous state of peace and security, in the course of which, the whites had spread themselves over a large extent of country, and mingled their dwellings with those of the Indians, rendered their situation more perilous. The Indians, thus acquainted with their haunts and habits, am bushed the private path, rushed with the dreadful war-whoop upon the worshiping assembly; and during the silence of midnight, set fire to the lonely dwelling, and butchered its inhabitants. Wher the father of the family was to go forth in THE COLONISTS DESTROY THE NARRAGANSETTS. •61 the morning, he knew he might meet his death-shot as he opened his door, from some foe concealed behind his ferxes, or in his barn : or he might go, and return to find his children murdered during his absence. When the mother lay down at night, with her infant cradled on her arm, she knew that be fore morning it might be plucked from her bosom, and its brains dashed out before her eyes. Such were ever the consequences of savage warfare ; but at no time during the settlement of the country, were they so extensively felt as during the year through which this war continued. Conanchet again manifested hostility. In violation of the treaty, he not only received Philip's warriors, but aided their operations against the English. On the 18th of December, one thousand troops were collected from the different colonies. Captain Church commanded the division from Massachusetts, Major Treat that from Connecticut, and Josiah Winslow, of Plymouth, was in supreme command. After a stormy night passed in the open air, they waded through the snow sixteen miles ; and about one o'clock on the afternoon of the 1 9th, they arrrived near the enemy's fortress. It was on a rising ground in the midst of a swamp, and was so fortified with palisades and thick hedges, that only by crossing a log which lay over a ravine, could it be approached. The snow was deep, but the footsteps of the whites were providentially directed to this entrance, and though com manded by a block-house fortified and manned, the officers led the men directly across the narrow and dangerous bridge. The first were killed, but others pressed on, and the fort was entered. Conanchet and his warriors fought with despera tion, and forced the English to retire ; but they continued the fight, defeated the savages, and again entering the fort, they set fire to the Indian dwellings. One thousand warriors were killed ; three hundred, and as many women and children, were made prisoners. About six hundred of their wigwams were burnt, and many helpless sufferers perished in the flames. The wretched remains of the tribe took shelter in the re cesses of a cedar swamp, covering themselves with boughs, or burrowing in the ground, and feeding on acoms or nuts, dug out with their hands from the snow. Many who escaped a sudden, thus died a lingering death. Conanchet was made prisoner in April, and was offered his freedom if he would enter into a treaty of peace. The chieftain indignantly re fused, and was put to death. The English pursued the war with energy. Tn the spring of 1676, the colonial troops were almost universally victorious. Jealousies arose among the different tribes of savages, and while great numbers were slain, many deserted the common cause. Philip had attempted to rouse the Mohawks against the English, and had for this purpose, killed a numi er of the PART II. 1675. Conanchet violates the treaty. His fort ic Kingston,R. Island. Dec. 13. ¦ is destroyed The Enghsb lose 230 in the assault. Sufferings o the Indians by fire and sword by famine and ccki Cona:.chet'i death 167ft Philip at tempts to ;-„in the Mo hawks. 82 PHILIPS DEATH. GOFFE WHALLE1 AN"L DIXWELL PART II. PERIOD I. CHAP. VIII. Aug. 12. 1676. Philip is killed. Disas.rou:. conse quences of the war. Destruction of ten towns of the pray ing Indians. tribe, and attributed their death to the whites. His perfidy was detected, and he fled to Montaup, whither he was pursued by Captain Church. In the midst of these reverses, Philip remained unshaken in his enmity. His chief men, as also his wife and familv, were killed or made prisoners ; and while he wept at these domestic bereavements, with a bitterness that evinced tho finest feelings of human nature, so averse was he to sub mission, that he even shot one of his men who proposed it. After being driven from swamp to swamp, he was at last shot near Montaup, by the brother of the Indian whom he had thus killed. Of the scattered parties which remained, many were captured. Some sought refuge at the north. These after wards served as guides, to those parties of hostile French and Indians, who came down and desolated the provinces. In this dreadful contest, New England lost six hundred inhabitants. Fourteen towns had been destroyed, and a heavy debt incurred. Yet the colonies received no assist ance from England; and they asked none. The humane Irish sent the sufferers some relief. If Philip's war was to the whites disastrous, to the savage tribes it was ruinous. The Pokanokets and the Narragan setts henceforth disappear from history. The praying .Indians were mostly of the Massachusetts confederacy ; and although they suffered much, being suspected by the red men because they were Christians, and by the whites because they weie Indians, they yet had a remnant left. Elliot watched his flocks of the wilderness, and exposed himself to many dangers on their account; and the wreck of four towns remained from the fourteen, which the converts numbered before the war CHAPTER VIII. The Regicides.— New Hampshire and Maine.— Charter of Massachusetts annulled. The regicides, a term, which in English and American history refers especially to those men who signed the death warrant of Charles I., were, after the restoration of his son, The three proscribed. Three of their number, Goffe, Whalley, and regit-ides. Dixwell, came to America. They were at Boston and Cam bridge, and under romantic circumstances were shielded from their pursuers at New Haven. At length, Whalley and Goffe found refuge in the house of Mr. Russel, minister of Hadley, where they lived in profound concealment. Goffe had been a military commander. Looking from the window of his hiding place, he saw, on a Sabbath day, as the people were TROUBLES AND CONSTANCY OF THE GRANITE STATE. <89 collecting for public worship, a body of ambushed Indians PART II. stealing upon them. Suddenly he left his confinement and period i appeared among the gathering worshippers, his white hair chap, vul and beard, and loose garments streaming to the winds of <-^~v~>*s autumn. He gives the alarm and the word of command, and Oct. l. the men, already armed, are at once formed in proper order, 1675. Kid bearing down upon the foe. When they had conquered, Hadley1 hey looked around for their preserver. He had vanished during the fray ; and they fully believed that he had been an angel sent from heaven for their deliverance. Of the three judges who cast themselves upon the Ameri cans, not one was betrayed. The meanest of the people :ould not be induced by the price set upon their heads to give them up ; and they now rest, in peaceful graves, upon our soil. In 1677, a controversy, which had subsisted for some time between the government of Massachusetts and the heirs of .».. Sir Ferdinando Gorges, relative to the province of Maine, was Massach>i settled in England, and the province assigned to the latter, setts pur Upon this, Massachusetts purchased the title, and Maine be- Maine came a province of that colony. In 1675, the claims of Mason in New Hampshire were re vived. From the time that the settlements there had formally 1675. submitted to the government of Massachusetts, these claims Mason sue had lain dormant ; but upon a hearing of the parties, it cess(ul was determined by the judges in England, that the towns on the Piscataqua were not within .he limits of Massa chusetts. In 1679, a commission was made out by order of Charles II. for the separation of New Hampshire from the jurisdiction of £679 Massachusetts, and its erection into a royal province. The New Hamp assembly was to be chosen by the people, the president smre a r°ya' and council to be appointed by the crown. This colony now proTInce' manifested energies worthy of the later patriotic and inde pendent spirit of a state, which, from its firmness of character, no less than its sublime piles of mountains, is called "the 3 "sp8;-.^ Granite State." The people first thanked Massachusetts for the care she had taken of their infant condition ; and next de termined " that no law should be valid, unless made by the assembly, and approved by the people." Mason was authorized to select, and he chose Edward j;acyof New it impossible to raise a party against him in New York, they Lej^e?08* retired to Albany. In the month of December, a packet arrived, directed " to trancis Nicholson, Esq., or, in his ausence, to such, as for £°™™c^ the time being, take care for preserving the peace, and ad- England. ministering the laws, in iheir Majesties province of New- York, in America." Leisler considered this packet as di rected to himself, and, from this time, issued his commissions as lieutenant governor. The people of Albany, in the meantime, were -^ermined 83 SLOUGHTER. QUAKERS COME TO NEW ENGL-4.ND. PART II. Leisler and Milborne executed. A. Congress meets at New York, May 1691 to hold the garrison and city for king William, independent of Leisler ; and on the 26th of October they formed them selves into a convention for that purpose ; but Milborne undertook its reduction. The distress of the country, in consequence of an Indian irruption, gave him at length, the desired success. King William now turned his attention to the colonies, and| commissioned Henry Sloughter as governor of New York. Never was a governor more needed, and never was one more destitute of every qualification for the office. He refused to treat with Leisler ; but put him and several of his adherents to prison. Finally, that unfortunate man, together with his son-in-law, perished upon the gallows. Their execution was disapproved by the people ; and their property, which was confiscated, was afterwards restored to their descendants. This was the period of king William's war, in which New York suffered with the other provinces. It was in May 1691, that a general convention met in New York ; thus ex tending the system begun by the four New England colonies and preparing the way for the grand American Confederacy. CHAPTER X. Persecution of the Quakers in Massachusetts. The Puritans of New England had now redeemed from the wilderness a home ; and they believed, that they had, col lectively, the right of any single householder, to exclude from it whoever they regarded as dangerous to its peace. But a father, who should exclude his children on account of opinion, would violate the rights of conscience. A christian Proceed- sect had arisen in England, called in derision Quakers, who, Quakers in acknowledging the inward guidance of the Holy Spirit, went England, forth, as they believed, under its direction, to bear testimony against a ceremonious worship, outward ordinances, a minis try depending upon man for its call and support, and the cus tomary compliments and fashions of the world. At places of public worship, where by penal laws their attendance was sought to be enforced, they sometimes spoke against the doc trines and practices of the ministers who officiated. For 1649 this, and for their boldness in spreading opinions deemed dan- (Jeo. Fox. gerous t0 me existing profession of religion, George Fox, who was considered their founder, and many of his fellow labourers, were imprisoned and cruelly used. The founders of New England knew the Quakers by report Julv n, of their enemies ; and might never have heard how pure and 1656- holy were their morals, and how benevolent their intentions ; and Mar"" alm wnen two Quaker women, Ann Austin and Mary Fisher, Fisher ar- arrived at Boston with the avowed purpose of propagating rive. their opinions, hey were rigorously imprisoned by the autho- QUAKERS SUFFER IN MASSACHUSETTS. S9 p. nties, and their books burned. Eight other Quakers soon after PART II. came and were treated in like manner. The commissioners period i sitting at Boston, recommended that the several United Colo- CHAP' XI- nies, make laws prohibiting the ingress of Quakers and other ^•"¦v**-' notorious heretics ; and should any come, that they be secured EiHrTothei and removed. The four colonies made laws accordingly Quakers. But it was Massachusetts, that the Quakers regarded as the eat of a persecuting spirit, which they felt moved to attack ; (Commit' as also the established religion, which they denounced as sioners of mere outward observance, and unspiritual formality. Yet this the U. C. ai religion was what the Puritans had sacrificed every thing to Boston-) enjoy, and was in their eyes the model of perfection, and to Puritans their hearts dearer than life. But all their vigilance and severity baffled by failed to keep out the determined Quakers. ' kej^ua~ William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson were the first executed ; Mary Dyer stood on the gallows with them joy- 1660. fully waiting her turn, when she was reprieved and carried away. _rhre? But soon, supposing herself again called by the Holy Spirit, she came back and was hanged, bearing a bold testimony. William 1661. Leddra was also executed; but the people of Massachusetts lf,etldr,a began to revolt at these cruelties. Wenlock Christison was ange • condemned to die. He told the tribunal at which Gov. Endi- Christison cot presided, that they had no right to put him to death. They condemned. violated the laws of England, whose vengeance they would experience, and finally everlasting punishment for their sins ; His severe and, said he, " it is all in vain, for every one you put to death r.eb.ulSe t0 five more will come. Ten will rise up in my place, that you 11SJU ges may have torment upon torment ; this is your portion, for there is no peace to the wicked." Whether pricked in con science, or put in fear, the authorities s<3on afterwards opened He is re- their prison doors, and released Christison with 27 others ; Mother... whipping through the streets of Boston, one man and one woman. Charles II. soon after interfered for the Quakers, and by letter to the governor, forbade further violent proceedings. CHAPTER XI. Jesuit Missionaries of France. — Their Discoveries. From the devotion of the Puritans and the Quakers, we turn to that of the Jesuit Missionaries of France : and in all, we perceive " the operation of that common law of our nature, which binds the heart of man to the Author of his being," and which in its noblest impulses, sends him forth with ardent £fw™*{ desires to toil, to suffer, and to die, in any cause, which he some kin(ja believes divine. The Jesuit Missionaries possessed this de- natural priii sire to extend the benefits of Christian redemption to the clpe- heathen ; yet they unfortunately mingled worldly policy with re ligious enthusiasm; and sought not only to win souls to Christ, but subjects to the king of France and the papal dominion. The Catholics, already in Canada, seconded their efforts. 90 JESUIT MISSIONARIES CONVERT THE HURONS. PART II. 1634. Brebeuf and Daniel ac company the Hurons, and make many converts. Ahasistari. 1640. Montreal founded. 1634. to 1649. Sixty mis sionaries. Death of Aiiasistari. 1645. Peace be tween the French and Five Na tions. 1646. Father Jouges put to death at the fort of Johns town. 1648 The Iroquois destroy St. Josephs. In 1634, two missionaries, Brebeuf and Daniel, left Quebec in company with a party of wild Hurons ; and endured the toil and hardship of a journey of some hundred miles up the Ottawas and along its waters. The wilderness east of Lake Huron, was the country of these savages, and there they erected the chapel of St. Joseph. Throngs oi the native Hurons came to be instructed, and were soon numbered as converts to Christianity. The Christian villages of St Louis and St. Ignatius soon arose amidst the forest. " Let us strive," said one of their chiefs, " to make the whole world embrace the faith in Jesus." In 1640, Montreal was founded, to give the missionaries _- starting point nearer the scene of their operations. Within thirteen years, the wilderness of the Hurons was visited by sixty missionaries, mostly Jesuits. Making the Huron settlement their central station, they carried the gospel to the surrounding tribes ; and thus visited and became the first European explorers of the southern portion of Upper Canada, of which they took possession for the French king. One of these missionaries, Isaac Jouges, undaunted by the terrors of the Mohawk name, went, accompanied by the pious chief, into their country, and was made their prisoner. The noble Huron might have escaped. " My brother," he ex claimed to the missionary, " I made an oath to thee that I would share thy fortune, whether death or life. Here am I to keep my vow." He met the flames as a Christian martyr Jouges, though cruelly treated, survived, and was ransomed by the Dutch. At Three Rivers, a peace was concluded between the French and the Five Nations, whose orators declared that they " had thrown the hatchet so high into the air, and beyond the sky, that no arm was long enough to reach and bring it down." The savages also made peace among themselves. Father Jouges, in the spirit of martyrdom, attempted a per manent mission among the Five Nations. Arriving at the Mohawk castle, he was accused of blighting the corn of the Indians by spells of sorcery. Being condemned, he received his death blow with composure. His head was hung on the palisades of the fort, and his body thrown into the placid stream. War was resumed. The fierce Mohawks scattered the Wyandots, triumphed over the Hurons, and marked for de struction the missionary stations of the Jesuits. In the rude chapel of St. Joseph, while the village is blazing around, the venerable Father Daniel is hastening to adminis ter baptism to those who had too long delayed. The barba rians approach, reeking with the blood of the helpless, and the missionary goes calmly to meet them. Awe-struck, they hesitate, — then discharge a shower of arrows. Their vic tim bled from many wounds ; but he lifted up his hands POWER AND BARBARITY OF THE IR0QUC1S. 91 and voice, and preached Jesus, until his death-stroke was PART II. given. The next winter a thousand warriors of the Iroquois made a night attack on the village of St. Ignatius, and surprised and slew its four hundred sleeping inhabitants. ^ta^a" St Louis shared a similar fate. The missionaries Brebeuf Massacre at and Lallemand were taken prisoners and tortured, the first for St. Ignatius three, the last for seventeen hours. They died rejoicing in ™d . fire : and the zeal of their brethren was unabated. The pride of the Mohawks grew with their conquests ; and Mohawks they now menaced and insulted the French, carrying off the menace th« governor from Three Rivers, and apriest from Quebec. According to the Indian custom, some of the vanquished Hurons had been adopted into the families of the conquerors. And when at length the Iroquois, tired of war, received a 1654( messenger of peace, it was the Jesuit, Le Moyne, who had j_,e Moyne been with the Hurons, that was the envoy. The Father found and other among them numbers of his affectionate Huron converts. F"™* ,""* The hope revived in his bosom, that the whole west might religious or political oppression had scattered their people. 1663. About the time in which the great patent was granted, this Forms a de settlement had so increased as to form, for convenience, a simple democratic government. The other colony was to the south of this, on Cape Fear or Clarendon river ; and had been originally made by a little band Settlers at of adventurers from New England. They, as well as the for- united to mer colony, had purchased their land of the natives ; — they had Charleston occupied it, and they claimed, as a law of nature, the right of begin s. c self-government. In the meantime, a number of planters from Barbadoes, desiring to re-establish themselves in inde pendence, purchased lands of the sachems, and settled on Cape Fear river, near the territory of the New Englanders. The two parties united. In 1667, they were in danger of famine, and Massachusetts sent them relief. They requested of the proprietors a confirmation of the purchase they had made of the Indians, and of the power which they had assumed to govern themselves. As a state must have inhabitants, their request was partially granted ; and ^ranj ^ one of their number, Sir John Yeamans, was appointed their the leading governor. The settlement, in 1666, contained 800 persons. Barbadoes Thus the germs of liberty had, in the Carolinas, begun to Partv vegetate strongly in a virgin soil. And when the great aristo- cratical constitution of Locke and Shaftsbury, constituting three orders of nobility, was sent over, in 1670, the ground iq^q was already preoccupied. These dwellers in scattered log The const; cabins in the woods, could not be noblemen, and would not be tutionof serfs : and the succeedingyears in these colonies present a fruit- unsuitable less struggle, in which the agents of the proprietors attempt to organize a system, incompatible with the condition and wishes of the settlers already there, and equally uninviting to such emigrants as they needed ; emigrants who could clear the forest, and contend with savage nature. Eventually, the J 693 interest of the proprietors prevailed over their pride. The in- It is abro- habitants took their own way in regard to government, and in sa'ed- 1693, the constitution of Locke and Shaftsbury was formally abrogated. Its impolicy is now a by-word. William Sayle, the first proprietary governor of Carolina, 167© brought over a colony, with which he founded old Charleston. Gg^™or Dying in 1671, his colony was annexed to that of governor Yeamans. In 1680, the city was removed to the point of land jg§©. between the two rivers, which received, in compliment to Lord Charleston Shaftsbury, the names of Ashley and Cooper The founda- founded. tion of the present capital of the south was laid, and the name of the king perpetuated in that of Charleston. During the year 1690, king William sent out a large body m CHRISTIAN NATIONS AGAIN AT WAR. PART II. PERIOD I. eHAP. x in. 1729. Present divi sion of North and South Carolina. of French Protestants, who had been compelled to leave then country by the arbitrary measures of Louis XIV. To a part of these, lands were allotted in Virginia on James river, and others settled in Carolina on the banks of the Santee, and in Charleston. They introduced the culture of the vine, and were among the most useful settlers of the province. The Cape Fear, or Clarendon colony, having under Gover nor Yeamans migrated south, probably to aid in the founding of Charleston, the unfruitful country which they first occupied reverted to the natives. In 1729, the present line of division between North and South Carolina was adopted ; and then that country, with the land extending to twenty miles south of Cape Fear river, was thrown into North Carolina. CHAPTER XIII. 1688. The English Revolution produces the war with France. Called, in the colonies, King Wil liam's war. Aaron Cas tine. 1689. jwmois sur prise Mont real. French and Indian War. James II. of England, and Louis XIV. of France, were common descendants of the Gallic sovereign, Henry IV. ; and when the English, displeased by the refusal of James to sus tain the English church, and by his avowed papacy, leagued with his children, and ejected him from the throne, the king of France gave the royal fugitive a resting place in the castle of St. Germain, near Paris ; and, considering his cause as that of all sovereigns, who maintain that legitimate Kings hold their authority by divine right, he made the quarrel of James his own. England, to justify herself, took a ground, which is important as an advance in political equity, — that government is for the benefit of the governed, and that any nation has a right to reform its own. Hence a war ensued between England and France, which affected the American colonies of both ; and is known in our annals as " King William's war." The fisheries on the Atlantic coast were regarded as of prime importance ; and, on this account, Acadia was highly valued. To protect it, the two Jesuits, Vincent and Bigot, collected a village of the savage Abenakies on the Penobscot ; and the Baron De St. Castine, a French nobleman, whose character seems a compound of ambition, intrigue, and bigotry, established there a trading fort. In 1696, a fort built at Pema- quid was taken by Castine ; and thus the French claimed, as Acadia, all Maine east of the Kennebec ; and they artfully obtained great ascendancy over the natives. In August, 1689, fifteen hundred warriors of the Iroquois, actuated by revenge for supposed wrongs, surprised Montreal ; and a horrible" night of burning and murder preceded a morn- NIGHT ATTACKS OF FRENCH AND INDIANS. 97 ing of desolation. One thousand of the French were killed, PART II. and twenty-six made prisoners. Colden says, " the Five period i. Nations were at this time an overmatch for Canada." Fort chap, xiih Frontenac, and its warlike stores, were abandoned in terror, v^-v-**-/ and the Iroquois took immediate possession. The tribe of Pennicooks, in New Hampshire, had lost Pennicooks several of their number by the treachery of the whites, who Ter. had taken and sold them into slavery. The emissaries of Castine instigated them to vengeance. At Dover, in that state, the venerable Major Waldron, a magistrate and a trader Major Wai- among the Indians, hospitably admitted two squaws to sleep by his fire. At dead of night, they let in a war party from . without. The sword of the veteran defends him until he is overpowered by numbers. They then place him upon a long table, mock him with a jeering call to "judge Indians ;" and then, those indebted to him for goods, draw gashes on his breast, saying, " here I cross out my account." Besides him, twenty-two others were killed, twenty-nine made captive, and the town burnt. Governor Frontenac, at Quebec, now planned to send, through the snow, three parties. The first, after a difficult march of twenty-two days, arrive at Schenectady, the night of the 18th of February, and, separating into small parties, they 1690 invest every house at the same moment. The people sleep festrove-Upi until their doors are broken open, and themselves dragged French and from their beds. Their dwellings are set on fire ; men and n lans women are butchered and scalped, and children have their brains dashed out, or are cast into the flames. Sixty persons thus perished by the hands of the savages ; twenty-seven were carried captive, and most of the small number which escaped, lost their limbs in attempting to flee naked, through a deep snow, to Albany. One of the leaders of this expedition was d'lberville, who afterwards conducted a colony from Canada to the mouth of the Mississippi, and became the founder of Louisiana. The second party of French and Indians, leagued for mid night murder, are sent against the pleasant settlement at Salmon Destruction Falls on the Piscataqua. At break of day- — a day which, for Fana. fifty of their number, had no morrow, the peaceful inhabitants March is were waked to experience the horrors of Indian warfare, aid ed and directed by French ingenuity. The third party from ofCasco Quebec, in like manner, destroyed the settlement at Casco BaT' Bay in Maine. Fear and terror were on every side. The General Court of jgjjjj Massachusetts sent letters of request to the several governors congress at of the provinces, pursuant to which they convened at New New York York. In consequence of the bold resolves of this congress, two important measures were adopted. Connecticut sent ure0fthe General Winthrop with troops to march through Albany, there t^™g[|f^d to receive supplies, and to be joined by forces from New York. fails 98 MASS. HAS MORE TERRITORY BUT LESS LIBERTY. PART II. The expedition was to proceed up Lake Champlain, and was period i. destined to reduce Montreal. Leisler ard Milborne failed to chap. xm. furnish the supplies, and thus defeated the project. v_^--v-»w Massachusetts sent forth a fleet of thirty-four sail under Sir second William Phipps. He had in the spring taken Port Royal, Sir William and he now proceeded up the St. Lawrence, with the design ^^can °f caPturing Quebec. But Count Frontenac, on the summons da. of Phipps to surrender, took his messenger, blindfolded him, and then wheeled his little handful of men in such successive rounds, as to make the messenger believe, by his sense of hearing, that a numer*us succession of troops were marching 1690. before him. And he made him use his hands to feel the November, strength of the fortifications. Nevertheless, the intrepid en- losesa'part, voy delivered a bold demand of surrender; but he carried of his fleet, back a proud defiance. When, however, Phipps learned that the party of Winthrop, which he expected from Montreal, had failed, he abandoned the project, and returned to Massachu setts with a part of his fleet, a storm having wrecked the re mainder. Massachu- Great expenses were by these means incurred, which had trial of the drained the treasury ; and the general court authorized, for '' "te '' "Sys" tne ^rst l™e' tne emission of paper money, or notes of credit, making them in all payments a legal tender. The effect of their military failure was most unfortunate for the colonies. The Five Nations blamed the English for their inactivity, and appeared inclined to make peace with the French, and the frontiers were more than ever exposed. 1691. To preserve the respect of the warlike Iroquois, Major ler'sprowess Schuyler, of Albany, in the summer of the year 1691, with atLaPrairie the aid of three hundred Mohawks, passed Lake Champlain ; and at La Prairie, engaged eight hundred French troops, and after a severe conflict, killed a number equal to that of his own forces. In none of the colonies did the Revolution in England pro duce a greater change than in Massachusetts. In 1692, king 1692. William, who had refused to restore its former government, NoefWMas!sa-er granted a new charter, which, extending its limits, but restrict- cimsetts. jng its privileges, commenced a new era in the history of this colony. Massachusetts now embraced, besides the former territory, Plymouth, Maine, and Nova Scotia ; extending north Territories to the river St. Lawrence, and west to the South Sea, ex- added- cepting New Hampshire and New York ; and including, also, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the Elizabeth islands. Almost the only privilege which the new charter allowed Liberties *^e Pe0P^e' was tnat 0I" choosing their representatives. The abridged king reserved to himself the right of appointing the governor lieutenant governor, and secretary ; and of repealing all laws within three years after their passage. \TCft1. ItO-V-i. GTCC-O.'.VicK |j||l|jjllu dmjyf) l Settlement ° 1 dtscovenet of Marquetter \ PERIOD II. FROM THE NEW CHARTER I 1692 3 OF MASSACHUSETTS. TO THE FIRST SETTLEMENT J 1733. j OF GEORGIA BY OGLETHC SPB CHAPTER I. Sir William Phipps.- -Cotton Mather. — Salem Witchcraft- College. -Schools. — Vale The new charter was received at Boston, May 14th, 1692, The officers to be appointed under it, were nominated by In crease Mather, a minister of Boston, sent to England as agent for the colony. He gave the nomination for governor to Sir William Phipps, a favorite parishioner of his son, the learned Cotton Mather, also a minister of Boston, and the eccentric historian of the New England churches. Phipps was a na tive of Pemaquid in Maine, and his boyhood was spent in tending sheep. He was then made apprentice to a trade; but being active and enterprising, he went to England, and at length acquired riches and a title, by his success in raising, by means of a diving bell, the treasures of a Spanish wreck. He, as well as the lieutenant-governor, and the twenty-eight assistants now appointed for Massachusetts, were all, such men as readily took advice from the clergy. Amidst the difficulties under which the northern colonies labored, from the war with the French and Indians, and with the new and disagreeable aspect of political affairs, others of a different, though not less disagreeable nature, opened upon the people of Massachusetts. The delusion, with respect to the supposed intercourse with evil spirits, was now at its height. The first settlers brought it with them from the mother country. Laws, making witch craft a capital crime, existed in England, and were early en acted in Massachusetts. The mania began in Springfield in 1645, when some individuals were accused and tried, but ac quitted. Some few years after, persons at Boston, Charles town, Dorchester, and Cambridge, were arraigned, and some actually executed for the supposed offense. But Salem was the devoted place where this superstition was converted into a phrenzy. Some young women, perhaps in part deluded by their own imaginations, complained of being strangely affected. Their complaints, attributed to this alarm ing cause, were reported and magnified ; at length they became prime heroines in a gossiping and credulous neigh- PART II PERIOD n. May 14th. 1692. New charter brought over by Sir Wil liam Phipps Superstition worse than war or tyranny. 1645. The delusion respecting witchcraft. begins in Springfield. 1692 Prevails ia Salem. 100 THE THREE SISTERS. TWENTY EXECUTIONS. borhood. This encouraged others to set up for the same distinction ; and witches, of course, increased with the number chap. i. bewitched. y^r-s**^ At first, it was old women only, who were suspected of Convictions having leagued with the devil, to inflict upon the diseased the on improper varjous torments which they asserted that they felt, and aud insnt- J -net ficient which they often appeared to the spectators actually to leel. grounds, -j/he magistrates of the people's choice, had, with Bradstreet, their governor, previous to the arrival of Phipps, discounten anced these persecutions ; but the new authorities, under the influence of the clergy, of whom, in this particular, Cotton Mather was the leader, pursued a course which placed the accused in situations where " they had need to be magicians not to be convicted of magic." The unhappy persons were confronted with those who accused them, and asked, " Why An«l by in- do you afflict these children ?" If they denied the fact, they whiies'ses' were commanded to look upon the children, who would in stantly fall into fits, and afterwards declare that they were 20.- A t'lus trouDled by the persons apprehended. On evidence no ' better than this, were twenty persons executed. Malice and revenue carried on the work which superstition began. Private resentment was never more fiendish in its three sis- measures, than in the accusations which were got up and 'to theVnT-3 brought to fatal issues, by Samuel Parris, the minister of Sa- •oosityof the lem. He had bitter animosities against several of his parish- mniister at joners Rebecca Nurse, amiable but reflective, opposed this tyrant of his church. "Two children, his daughter and his niece, accused her, and she was committed to prison. Parris also denounced her publicly as a " devil." Her sister, Sarah Cloyce, rose and left the meeting-house. She was herself soon the tenant of a prison. Yet another victim was taken from the same family. Mary Easty, knowing the worth and innocence of her dear imprisoned sisters, spake, — yet with mildness, against the injustice which condemned them. She was soon forced from her children and her home, herself ac cused of intercourse with evil spirits, and made a prisoner ; with the horrible expectation that, she must close a virtuous Twenty exo- life by the violent death of a malefactor — her only crime, that cutions in she was unreconciled to the legal murder of her beloved e^stS- sisters> tne fate sne was now t0 share. Beside these innocent ber. persons, seventeen others were hung at Salem. Among them was Mr. Burroughs, a worthy clergyman. The prisons were full of those committed for trial. The general court, on assembling, took ground against October, these proceedings. They perceived that none were safe; but The General that the best of the community were at the mercy of the worst. C"g??und 6 TneY abolished the special court organized by Phipps, and against the presided over by Stoughton, the lieutenant governor, by which special these executions had been sanctioned. The public were ad dressed on the subject through the press by the independent LAWS AGAINST THE BARBARISM OF IGNORANCE. 101 Calef, of Boston ; and the eyes of men were at length opened. PART H. The prisoners were set free ; and the memory of the transac tion soon became, what it still continues to be, a source of national sorrow and humiliation. We have already seen that Massachusetts led the way in Massachu- the establishment of a university. Laws were also enacted, „sf'!!! *,a5i,y„ ..._ 1 , . f i i • n piiSScS 13. vl » which showed that the rulers felt the importance of rightly to establish instructing all their youth in the rudiments of learning, human common -i -t • • SClLOOlS. and divine. But not one of the colonies enjoyed a repose so uninter- i®40 rupted as Connecticut ; and therefore none had in this respect The court* at so great advantages to show the bent of the puritan mind in JIartford, or; regard to the improvement of the human race by the right laws^orcom- training of the young. .4s early as 1646, the general court moneduca ordered Mr. Ludlow to compile a body of laws to regulate the tlon' education of children. This he brought forward, and enactments were made, whose 1650. liberality, considering the straitened means of these early Fundap..eut- fathers, should make their descendants of this day blush for spectmg their degeneracy. " Forasmuch," says the statute, " as the common good education of children is of singular behoof and benefit 8C °°e\^:i9i' to any commonwealth, and whereas many parents and masters are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in that kind," The court therefore order "that the selectmen of every town, in the several quarters where they dwell, shall have a The "barba vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see thatnsm" of a?" none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their treated se- families as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, verely. their children and apprentices, so much learning as to enable them to read the English tongue," in order that they may be acquainted, first with the laws of God in the Scriptures, and second with the laws of the commonwealth which they are ^en from required to obey. And if any parent or master should be parents who found guiltyof this "barbarism," he was,in the first place, to be ne1^c^mt0 fined, and if, after due admonition of this kind, he still neglect- Common ed his duty, the youth of his family were to be taken out of learning. the hands of such unfaithful guardians, and placed under the especial charge of the magistrates, who were to see that they were duly instructed. But to make more certain the important object of educating ^3^ the young, and to the end say they, " that learning be not tablished buried in the grave of our forefathers," the Lord assisting our w^et^1* endeavors, it is ordered, " that all the townships with fifty femiues. householders shall keep a school, and pay for the same in Grammar such, way as they see fit. And further, that if any town has ^^j, one hundred householders, they shall keep and maintain a werg ioo. grammar school, where young men can be fitted tor a uni versity. M'6DafL New Haven had also provided by law for common schools ; ^^ovo** and in 1654, Mr. Davenport proposed the institution of a cd- a college. 102 THE UNIVERSITY OF YALE. GOV. FLETCHER OUTWITTED PART^ir lege, and the town gave lands for .he object. Governor Hop- feriodii. kins of Connecticut, who for several years was alternately' chap. i. with Haynes the chief magistrate of that colony, dying in London, bequeathed, for such an institution, four or five hundred pounds. The school was located at Saybrook. The clergy of Connecticut, feeling the need of a college nearer than at Cambridge, to furnish learned men as ministers, ten of their number obtained from the general assembly a Ten clergy- charter 0f incorporation, together with an annual grant of etoter'anda £120. Thus constituted as trustees, they held their first smallendow- meeting at Saybrook ; chose officers, and made laws for the ment" infant university. 1-j,j. The location was inconvenient, and more money being The college subscribed to fix the college at New Haven than at rival removed to places, it was removed thither, and received at the same time New Haven. accessions 0f books in its library, already begun, and in its funds. The most liberal of the donors was Elihu Yale, a na- Elihu Yale tjve 0{ New Haven, who had made a fortune in India. His The college name has in that institution a nobler monument, than the silent receives his column which rises over the grave of the warrior, or the mau- name' soleum of the prince, whose adorning figures are those of marble, not of living and improving youth. It is remarkable that the two earliest universities of the HaYale "^ United States continue to enjoy the highest celebrity, although many others now exist. Early in this period a political event is recorded, which, as N. England it passed away without leaving any result, would be omitted manage- by historians, but that it is a pleasant as well as striking in- ment stance of New England management ; less dignified, but some times less troublesome, than more direct methods of refusal to yield to powers regarded as usurped. G Fletch- Colonel Fletcher, governor of New York, was empowered er attempts to take command of the militia of Connecticut. The colony to take com- immediately dispatched General Winthrop as an agent to re- Connecticuf monstrate with the king and council against this extraordinary militia, power. Colonel Fletcher, however, went to Hartford in 1693, and, in his majesty's name, demanded the surrender of the militia to his command. Captain William Wadsworth, the man by whom the charter was hid, paraded his company ; bin O iot> 26 as an attendant of Fletcher began to read his commission, tho He is foiled captain gave command to " drum ;" and when Fletcher called tar Captain out " silence !" the captain raised his voice higher in a second Wadswort . 0T^eY^ a drum, drum, I say." At length Fletcher gave up in despair, perhaps fearing, if he persisted, that Wadsworth would, in good earnest, fulfil his threat, and " make daylight shine through him." 1766 in 1706, the first Episcopal church in Connecticut was es tablished at Stratford. Agreeable to the recommendations of the general assembly of Connecticut, in 1708 delegates from the churches of Con- QUEEN ANNE S WAR. MASSACRE AT DEERFIELD. 103 necticut met at Saybrook and framed the ecclesiastical con stitution called the " Saybrook Platform." By this the minis ters of the churches in the several counties were to hold annual associations. All the clergy in the state were to meet in each county by rotation, and their meeting was termed a general association. PART II. 1708. " Saybrook Platform.'' CHAPTER II. buropean Politics.- -Peace of Ryswic, which closes King William's War. — Queen Anne's War soon begins. King William's war had been feebly pursued. Settlements on Oyster river were, however, destroyed by the French and Indians, and the fort at Pemaquid, which Sir William Phipps had rebuilt by the special direction of the sovereigns, had been taken. In 1697, peace was made at Ryswick, in Germany, by which it was stipulated that all places captured during the war should be restored. Thus again had the barbarous appeal to arms been to no other purpose but that of multiplying human woes. But the parties profited little by the lesson, and war was soon renewed. Louis XIV. of France, had violated former treaties by placing his grandson, the Duke of Anjou, on the throne of Spain, and proclaiming, as king Of England, lames, the son of James II. In America he had given orders to Villeborne, his governor, to extend Acadia to the Kennebec, to claim the exclusive right to the fisheries on the coast, and to seize all English vessels which should be found fishing upon them. In May, 1702, England, now under Queen Anne, declared war against both France and Spain ; and the contests of the parent states again involved their American colonies. Notwithstanding the eastern Indians had given a solemn assurance of peace with New England, yet they now devas tated Maine from Casco to Wells. Deerfield, in -Massachu setts, was surprised at midnight, February, 1704, by a party of French and Indians, under Heurtel de Rouville. The sentinel of the fort being asleep, and the snow of such a depth as to allow them to pass over the palisades, they silently en tered, and scalped and murdered, or secured as prisoners, the wretched inhabitants. Only a small number escaped by flight. Forty-seven were killed, and one hundred and twenty carried captive to Canada. Early in the assault, the house of the Rev. Johr Williams, the minister of the place, was attacked by about wenty In dians, who, after murdering two of his children, secured as 169*. Peace of Ryswic. 1702. England de Clares war against France and Spam. 1704. Deerfield surprised bl French and Indiana. 104 PEACE OB UTRECHT. DEPRESSION CAUSED BY WAR. 1705. Prisoners exchanged. PART II. prisoners, himself, his wife, and his five remaining children. Mrs. Williams, on the second day, faltered in the march, and, according to the Indian custom, was cruelly put to death. Roused by these inhumanities, the veteran warrior, Benja min Church, mounted on horseback and rode seventy miies to offer his services to Dudley, now governor of Massachu- 1701. setts, in behalf of his distressed fellow citizens. He was c?olouel. sent with five hundred soldiers to the eastern coast of New stroys their England, to attack the enemy in their own settlements ; and, settlements, ascending the Penobscot and St. Croix rivers, he destroyed several of their towns, and took a considerable number of prisoners. In 1705, Vaudreuil, now governor of Canada, proposed to Governor Dudley, a treaty of neutrality. Arrangements were accordingly made for an exchange of prisoners, and thus a large proportion of those taken at Deerfield were finally re leased. Among the number was Mr. Williams and some of his children One young daughter remained, married, and raised a family in the tribe which adopted her. In the years 1706 and 1707, small parties of French and Indians hovered about the frontiers, burning, scalping, and making prisoners of the wretched inhabitants. In 1710, Colonel Nicholson sailed from Boston in a fleet, part of which he had brought from England, and besieged Port Royal ; which, after a few days' resistance, surrendered, and its name, in honor of the queen, was changed to Anna polis. New York being protected by the Five Nations, a lucrative trade was carried on with these Indians ; and the Dutch tra ders at Albany and Schenectady sometimes permitted preda tory parties from Canada to pass from the northern parts of the province, in their attacks on the frontiers of New England, that they might enjoy the benefit of their plunder. Colonel Schuyler, whom the Iroquois called Quider, having great influence over these savages, thus had frequent know ledge of their designs, and notified the people of Massachu setts of the places marked for destruction. Queen Anne's war was closed by the treaty of Utrecht, by which Acadia was ceded to the English. For more than ten years this war had exposed the frontiers to continued attacks from a savage foe, checked the prosperity of New England, and effectually prevented the progress of settlements to the north and east. The inhabitants had been constantly harassed with calls for military service, and were obliged to watch day and nigh lest they should be surprised and mur dered, or what was not less dreaded, doomed to savage cap tivity. Agriculture was necessarily neglected, a heavy public debt incurred, and a state of general depression ensued. The Palatines of Germany, having been reduced to great indigence by the wars in that country, sent to England to 1710. English take Port Royal. The Dutch encourage Indian out- Peter Schuy ler befriends the N. Eng land people. 1713. Peace of Utrecht •sIosesQueen Anne's war. Its disas trous effects. 1710. Palatines «et:le in the provinces. FATHER RASLES PEACE. EASTERN BOUNDARY SETTLED. 105 solicit charity of Queen Anne. This princess having obtained PART IL for them grants of land in America, about six or seven thousand period il arrived during the year 1710, and planted themselves in 0HAP- "• the provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and v—*~v'"^~' Carolina. In 1714, Queen Anne dying, George I., of the house of Brunswick, ascended the throne of England. After the treaty of Utrecht, by which France ceded to England the whole of Acadia, the general court of Mas sachusetts extended its jurisdiction to the utmost bounds of the province of Maine ; and enterprising fishermen and tra ders not only revived the desolated villages, but on the eastern bank of the Kennebec erected new forts, and planted new settlements around them. Father Rasles, a Jesuit missionary of France, had for many years ministered in a rude chapel at Norridgewock on the Kennebec, among his savage converts of the Abenakies. Some of these now crossed the desert to Quebec, and consulted with Vaudreuil, the governor of Canada. Returning, they deter mined to resist the English occupancy, and maintain by war their own right to the country, hoping that the French would ultimately assist them. The Indians began hostilities by burning Brunswick. The general court of Massachusetts then offered a bounty on In dian scalps. They had ascertained, by getting possession of Rapartyde-18 the papers of Father Rasles, that both he and the governor of stroyed. Canada were in the counsel of the savages, and were the in stigators of their depredations. A party from New England, in August, 1724, destroyed Norridgewock, and exercised a cruel and fatal vengeance upon the aged Jesuit. He was the He is the last ¦ of the Jesuit last of that devoted order, who, in the wilds of America, had labored to attain, simultaneously, two incompatible objects, a spiritual kingdom for a heavenly Master, and a temporal one for an earthly sovereign. The Indians now found, that though instigated by the French, they were not supported by them, and their sachems at St. John's concluded a peace with the colonists, which, as thTeaateni French missions were now at an end, proved durable. Eng- Indians. lish trading houses flourished, and the eastern boundary of New England remained undisDuted. 1714. George I, 1713. Massachu setts now takes in all Maine. Father Ras les' war. 1717 to 1724 Brunswick burned. mission aries. 1726 August 6. 106 INTRODUCTION OF EPISCOPACY INTO NEW STORK CHAPTER III. PART II PERIOD 11 CHAP. III. 1693. He causes Episcopal ministers to ^-be settled, and intro duces Epis copacy. 169§. Bellamont succeeds Fletcher. Wends out Kid to stop piracy, who tums pirate. 1701. May 23. Kid exe cuted. Fletcher introduces Episcopacy into New York. — Piracy. — The Jerseys united and joined with New York. Governor Sloughter of New York died in 1691, and in 1692, Colonel Fletcher arrived with the commission of governor. Fletcher was a good soldier, and having fortu nately secured the friendship of Major Schuyler, he was, by his advice, enabled to conduct the Indian affairs of the colony, to the acceptance of the people. He was, however, ava ricious, irascible, and a bigot to his own mode of faith, which was that of the church of England. Under pretence of introducing uniformity into the language and literature, as well as the religion of the colony, the inhab itants of which were a heterogeneous mixture of Dutch and English, he brought into the assembly, a bill for the settlement, throughout the province, of Episcopalian ministers, such as should be by himself selected. The assembly, after much debate, agreed that the ministers should be settled in certain parishes, but left the choice to the people. This was very offensive to the governor, who, after an angry speech, dis solved the assembly. Episcopalian ministers were, however, settled in several parishes ; and thus was introduced, a relig ious order, which, at this day, forms so respectable a portion of tlie population of the state. In 1698, Richard, earl of Bellamont, an Irish peer, suc ceeded governor Fletcher. During the late wars, the seas were infested with English pirates, some of which had sailed from New York, and Fletcher was suspected of having coun tenanced them. Bellamont was particularly instructed " to put a stop to the growth of piracy," and, for this purpose, was promoted to the command, not of New York only, but of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire. As no appropria tions were made by the colonial governments for this purpose, a private adventure against the pirates was agreed on, and one William Kid was recommended to the earl as a man of integrity and courage, who well knew the pirates and their places of rendezvous. Kid undertook the expedition, and sailed from New York ; but he soon turned pirate himself. After some time, he burnt his ship and returned to the colo nies. There is a vague tradition still existing, that he brought large quantities of money, which he caused to be concealed in the earth. He was apprehended at Boston, sent to Eng land for his trial, and there condemned and executed. The increase of the number of proprietors in West Jersey, had introduced great confusion into that province ; disputes E. AND W. JERSEY UNITED, AND CALLED NEW JERSEY. 107 constantly arising, not only among the settlers, but between the proprietors themselves ; so that for three years it might be said that West Jersey had no regular authority what ever. On this account, in 1698, the proprietors surrendered the right of government to the crown. Queen Anne united it with the east province, and New Jersey, as the whole was now called, was to be ruled jointly with New York by a royal governor, having a separate council and assembly of representatives. The Queen appointed, as governor of the two provinces, the worthless Lord Cornbury, who, as well as herself, was a grandchild of Lord Clarendon. He rendered himself odious to the people, squandering, for his own use, large sums of money, which had been appropriated for public purposes, and left to his disposal as governor. In 1708, the assemblies of New York and New Jersey, no longer willing to submit to his government, drew up a complaint against him, and sent it to the qu^en. She removed him,and appointed Lord Love lace in his room. After a short administration, Lovelace was succeeded by Sir Robert Hunter, known as the friend of Dean Swift, and he, in 1719, by Peter Schuyler, so often mentioned as the mediatoi between the whites and Indians, he being the oldest member of the council. Commissioners were, at this time, appointed to draw the line of partition between the provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In 1720, Mr. Burnet succeeded Schuyler. In order to de prive the French of their supplies for the Indians, he instituted measures to stop the trade between New York and Canada ; and by this means displeased the merchants. They being thus prohibited from a direct traffic with Canada, built a trading house at Oswego, which, in defiance of the protest of the French, and the displeasure of the Iroquois, was, in 1727, concerted into a fortress. At length Burnet became so un popular with the merchants, that, though generally acceptable to the people, he was superseded in the government by Colonel Montgomery. On his death, the command devolved on Rip Van Dam, he being the oldest member of the council, and an eminent mer chant. He passively permitted the encroachments of the French, and during his administration, they erected a fort at Crown Point, which commanded Lake Champlain, and which was within the acknowledged limits of New York. George I. died in 1727, and was succeeded by his 3on, George II. PART II I6S9. to 1692 No govern ment in WestJersey [1702. The Jerseys united, and joined to New York.] 1698. Lord Corn- bury's bad administra tion. 170§. Lovelace. 1710. Hunter. 1719. Schuyler 1720. Burnet. Oswego built. 1722. Fortified. 1727. Montgome* ry- Van Dam 172'!'. George II 108 THE TERRITORIES SEPARATED FROM. PENNSYLVANIA. PART II. PERIOD II. CHAP. IV. 1692. William Penn de prived, for Swo years, of the govern ment of Pennsylva nia. 1699. He visits it. 1701. Grants new privileges. 1703. TheTerri to nes separate from Penn sylvania. Maryland. 1716. Lord Balti more rein stated. CHAPTER IV. Pennsylvania. — Penn's second visit. — Maryland : estcred After William Penn's arrival in England, he became one of the most influential persons in the kingdom ; for when the Duke of York was made king, under the title of James II. , he manifested for him much confidence and affection. The in fluence thus possessed at court was never used for selfish purposes, but mainly to obtain benefits for distressed Quakers, and laws in favor of general toleration. When James became an exile in France, Penn was sus pected, by his successor, of holding with him a treasonable correspondence ; and upon vague charges to this effect, he was a number of times imprisoned. In 1692, the government of Pennsylvania was taken from him, and Fletcher, governor of New York, appointed by the crown to rule his province. After strict scrutiny, the conduct of Penn was found to be irreproachable ; and in 1694, he was restored to the favor of the king, and reinstated in his government ; but not immedi ately returning to Pennsylvania, he appointed the worthy Thomas Lloyd his deputy governor. In 1699, Penn again visited his colony. Finding great complaint and disaffection respecting the government, he granted, in 1701, a new and liberal charter. To the assem bly it gave the right of originating bills ; to the governor the right of rejecting laws passed by the assembly, of appoint ing his own council, and of exercising the whole executive power. This charter was accepted by the assembly, although it did not satisfy the discontents of the people. The Territories rejected it altogether; and in 1703, they were allowed to form a separate assembly, Penn still ap pointing the same governor over both provinces. Immediately after this third charter was granted, Penn, having settled a government which has given him the glory of being one of the greatest of lawgivers, went to England, no more to visit his beloved province ; and the executive authority was adminis tered by deputy governors appointed by himself. In the year 1716, the government of Maryland, which, since the accession of William and Mary, had been held by the crown, was restored to Lord Baltimore, the proprietor. It continued in his hands an^ those c his successors until the American Revolution. CHARACTER OF THE PERSECUTED HUGUENOTS. 109 CHAPTER V. The Hug n-nots. — War with the Spaniards. — Tuscaroras and Yamassees. A dissension arose in Carolina between the proprietary FART II. governors and the inhabitants, on account of the unwillingness period n of the English Episcopalians to admit the French Protestants chap. .. who had settled in the colony to a seat in the assembly. Con- ^^-^r^^^ sidering he French as their hereditary enemies, and regard- Dissensions ing their difference of religion with all the bitterness of the m Carolina. times, they could not be reconciled to their participating in the rights of freemen. They affected to consider them as foreigners, and proceeded to enforce the laws of England against them as such. They even declared that marriages, solemnized by French ministers, were void ; and that the estates of those thus married should not descend to their Meekness of children. The Huguenots, countenanced by the proprietary protestants. governor, peacefully submitted for a time to the discourage ments of such a situation ; and remained in the province, hoping for a favorable change. The people, still complaining, John Archdale, one of the pro prietors, was sent, in 1695, as governor of North and South Carolina, with full power to redress grievances. Having re stored order, he left the country the next year, but without 1695. giving to the French their civil rights. In a short time, how- dalTrestoros ever, their correct deportment overcame all prejudices, and order. they were admitted to the privileges of citizens and freemen. About this time a vessel from Madagascar, touching at Carolina, the captain presented Governor Archdale with a bag of seed rice, giving him, at the same time, instructions as Rice mt'° to the manner of its culture. The seed was divided among "Africa0"1 several planters. From this accident arose the cultivation of this staple commodity of Carolina. The proprietary governor, invested with arbitrary powers, resided in the southern province, and governed the northern by his deputy. In that land of rivers and vine-clad forests, liberty roamed at large. The settlers had been early visited George Fox, the louTiuGr by George Fox, who found them " a tender people " to receive cf the sect of the doctrines of inner light and outward nonconformity; but Quakers, the deputy governor, though his powers were ample, could "carolim! Hever execute them, quarrel as he might, beyond the limits of the peoples' will. On the breaking out of Queen Anne's war, an attempt was May, immediately made by Governor Moore, of South Carolina, *T?®", against the Spanish province of St. Augustine. The expe- e^eAitiol>" dition was unsuccessful, and so heavy was the expense, that, to pay the debt incurred, the assembly, for the first time, re- p,,r currency sorted to the expedient of a paper currency. of S. C. no DESTRUCTIVE INDIAN WARS IN CAROLINA. PART I. ?ERIOD II CHAP. V. 1703. Moore sub dues the Ap palachian Indians. 1706. Spanish in vasion re pelled. 1707. 1712. War with the Tuscaro- ras. They are pursued and vigorously attacked by Barnwell. Being de feated they unite with the Iroquois, 1715. War of the Yamassees in S.C. In 1703, Governor Moore proceeded against the Appala chian Indians, whom the Spaniards had instigated to hostility. He marched into the heart of their settlements, and laid in ashes their towns between the Altamaha and Savannah Some of the captives who were taken, the avaricious gov ernor employed in cultivating his own fields, while others weie sold for his personal emolument. The Spaniards, aided by the French, took their turn for invasion ; and Charleston was justly alarmed at the approach of five hostile ships, commanded by Le Feboure. Land forces were also on the march from St. Augustine. But the summons of the invaders to surrender, and their consequent attack, was met by the people with a spirit kindred to that manifested by Charleston in the days of the revolution ; and Le Feboure and his party retired with loss. In 1707, another colony of French Protestants settled on a branch of the Neuse river. In 1712, the Tuscaroras, and other Indians of North Caro lina, formed, with all the cruel subtlety of the savage charac ter, a plot for exterminating the entire white population. Having kept their design profoundly secret until the night fixed for its execution, they then entered the houses of the poor Palatines of Germany who had recently settled on the Roanoke, and murdered men, women, and children. A few who escaped gave the alarm, and the remaining inhabitants, collecting into a camp, kept guard night and day, until aid could be received from South Carolina. That colony sent to their relief six hundred militia, and three hundred and sixty Indians, under Captain Barnwell. Although a wilderness at this time separated the northern from the southern settle ments, yet Barnwell penetrated it, boldly attacked the Indians, killed three hundred, and took one hundred prisoners. Those who survived, fled to the chief town of the Tuscaroras, where they had erected a wooden breastwork for their security ; but here Barnwell's troops surrounded them, and they at last sued for peace. The Tuscaroras had lost one thousand men in the course of this war, and they soon after left their country and united with the Iroquois, making the sixth nation of that con federacy. In 1715, the Yamasees, who resided northeast of the Sa vannah river, secretly instigated a combination of all the Indians from Florida to Cape Fear against South Carolina. The Creeks, Apalachians, Cherokees, Catawbas, and Con- garees, engaged in the enterprise, — and it was computed that their whole force exceeded six thousand fighting men. The southern tribes fell suddenly on the traders settled among them, and, in a few hours, ninety persons were massacred. Some of the inhabitants fled precipitately to Charleston and gave the alarm. Formidable parties were also penetrating the northern frou- A REVOLUTION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF CAROLINA. II tier, and approaching Charleston. They were repulsed by PART If. the militia, but their route was marked by devastation. Govern- period n. or Craven adopted the most energetic and judicious measures. CHAP- y- At the head of twelve hundred men he marched towards the southern frontier, and overtook the strongest body of the enemy at a place called Saltcatchers, where an obstinate and bloody battle was fought. The Indians were totally defeated, and he governor, pressing upon them, drove them from their terri- The „ tory, and pursued them over the Savannah river. Here they sees settle in were hospitably received by the Spaniards of Florida, and, Florida. long afterwards, they made incursions into Carolina. Nearly four hundred of the Carolinians were slain in this war. These events, in their consequences, had heightened the dissensions, already existing between the people of the pro vince and the proprietors. The legislature had applied to the company for aid and protection, which was denied. For tem porary relief, large emissions of paper money were next re sorted to. Directions were given by the proprietors to the Evlls .ot tM governor, to reduce the quantity in circulation. The assembly government then resolved to appropriate the lands, from which the Indians had been driven ; but the proprietors refused to sanc tion this necessary proceeding A memorial was presented . against their chief justice, Trou, and the receiver-general, Rhett, tempt of the who, for tyrannical measures, had become extremely obnox- peoole. ious to the colony ; and a request was made that they might be removed from office. They were, however, not only re tained, but thanked for their services. A general combination was now formed throughout the colo- ny,'to subvert the proprietary government ; and the inhabitants bound themselves to stand by each other, in defense of their -_1Q lives and liberties.,. This was done with such secrecy and nZ.n,-:' i-i - ii Carolinians despatch, that, before the governor was informed, almost every revolt and inhabitant of the province was engaged in the combination, choose a A letter was despatched to Mr. Johnson, then the governor, s°ve ! from a committee of the representatives of the people, inform ing him that they were to wait on him for the purpose of offering him the government of the province, under the king ; as they were resolved no longer to submit to that of the pro prietors. Johnson refused, and endeavored to suppress the spirit of revolt ; but it had diffused itself beyond his con trol : and, at last, the people elected Moore governor of the province. The colonists stated their situation I to the crown, when it was decided that the proprietors had forfeited their charter ; Jg^™™,, and that both the Carolinas should be taken under the royal government, protection. Nicholson, known in the history of the northern and appoints ¦ •,.»,,„ -i j i .t, lt; capitulated, and he returned. A short time after, he 1740. blockaded St. Augustine with 2,000 men. But this expe- His attempt dition proved unsuccessful, and produced the unfortunate re> unsuccess- smts 0f an increase 0f the public debt, and a temporary dis- ful, and dis , , f, , ' , f J asters ensue. trust between the people and tbeir general. The same year, Charleston in South Carolina, was de- Char.eston stroyed by fire. To relieve the sufferers, the British p lrli a - boned. ment generously voted £20,000. 17-12 *n ^' 1742> a ^eet was sept fr°m Havanna, from whi..h June. ' m Jurie. debarked 2,000 Spanish troops at St. Simons. Ogle- Georgia in- thorpe, with his wonted energy, had collected troops and raded by the posted himself at Frederica. He was not in sufficient force Bn-ve" of openly to attack the enemy, but was himself attacked by h the Scotch party of Spaniards. His troops, particularly the Highlanders ^itiosh'0' uncler Captain M'c Intosh, fought bravely, — repulsedj'and slew two hundred of the enemy at " the Bloody Marsh." Oglethorpe, on being informed of a division in their camp. THE SLAVE SHIP 1 19 next determined on a surprise, and marched his army, during PART II. the night, within two miles of their entrenchments, when a period hl French soldier of his party discharged his musket and ran chap. i. into their lines. Discovery defeated every hope of success, >-^-v-^-» and Oglethorpe returned to his camp. He then adroitly Oglethorpe planned to make the Spaniards believe that the deserter was s,fteri"etSarL. a spy, and was giving them information to mislead them. He fails. wrote him a letter, urging him to give the Spaniards such an account of the situation of his army as should induce them to Makes ad- attack him, or would, at any rate, serve to detain them in their Janj?ge of own camp, until the succours which he expected should fiture to pmi- arrive. This letter, as Oglethope had contrived, fell into the ish a desert- hands of the Spaniards ; who, having loaded the deserter with tehr,; county irons, were deliberating upon its contents, when they per- of the Span- ceived off the coast some ships of war, which South Carolina lartl* had sent to Oglethorpe without his knowledge. Panic-struck, the Spaniards embarked, and left the coast in such haste that their artillery, provisions, and military stores, fell into the hands of the Georgians. Georgia, in its early settlement, was distinguished by the peculiar humanity in which it was founded. The chivalric Oglethorpe " sought not himself, but others ;" and for ten years he gave his disinterested services, without claiming so Oglethorpe much as a cottage or a farm. Though a brave warrior, com- ^3tforgUc0n com passion was the leading trait of his mind. Hence the im- passionate prisoned debtors of England,' the unfortunate adherents of the J"nd^ss\, Scottish Stewarts, and those holy persecuted men, the mis- alius, was ' sionary Moravians of Germany, each found in him a father. thteio^'rspearia" His mercy was also extended to the African ; and he would not, at first, allow a slave in his colony. But at that day, the nations of Europe, especially England, Computed were permitting their ships to go to Africa, and there, for a that England trifle, they purchased of victors, their captives — of parents, 'ifjicaT their children — and of slave-breeders, their young negroes : number and where their shipmasters could not buy, they could steal. emlal '° tnat As the African youth walk abroad in the twilight, they are by all other seized, and hurried to the slave-ship. It is crowded, and nations. they are manacled. Water and food fail ; disease agonizes f their frames. They shriek, — they seek to burst their chains, the'slave- that they may plunge into the deep. But youth and life are ship. strong within them, and perhaps they survive — to be carried to different marts — sold like cattle — and bought to labor be neath burning suns, till they die ! Such is the history of annual tens of thousands which were, at that period, carried wherever the slave-dealer could find, or Nine mill make a market. Before the American Revolution, nine millions from Africa. had thus been taken from Africa. Some hundreds of thou- Authority sands were brought to this country. But when they were Abbe Ray once bought by the Anglo-American colonists, their condition, ^ jj* ^°* in far the greater proportion of cases, became better than it Bancn.ft 120 LOUISIANA REVERTS TO FRANCE. PART II. was elsewhere ; incomparably better than it had been in their period in. own country, where scarce a gleam of moral light illumined chap. i. the darkness of their minds. — « »-v-«*_^ The refusal of Oglethorpe to allow the Georgians to pos- Slaves at sess slaves, when the adjoining colonies carried on their 'ttimUnto plantations by their labor, was greatly injurious to its pecu- and aided by English traders, received their stroyed by army m sucb a manner that they threw their artillery into the the dilatory Tombecbee, and, crest-fallen, returned down its stream. The ™Bieemille. Chickasaws compelled the brave d'Artaguette to witness the torture and death of his companions, one of whom was the same Vincennes who had given his name to the capital of Illinois. The young warrior was then dismissed to go and relate to the whites the deeds of the Chickasaws. Foir years afterwards, b. larger French and Indian force, aided by troops from Canada, invaded the country of the Chick WAR WITH FRANCE. 121 asaws ; but sickness wasted them, and at length Bienville, who PART. II. led them, was glad to treat with the Indians on their own terms, period iil On his return he talked largely of having subdued them ; but 0HAP- »¦ he left the country in their possession. They guarded it from *— -"-v-*—' the occupancy of the French • and as the event proved, kept 1740. it for the English. 1744. CHAPTER II. . Old French War. — Capture of Louisburg. — French and English claims to the Basin of the Mississippi. As France and Spain were at this time governed by differ ent branches of the house of Bourbon, it was not to be Va** expected that the former nation would long continue at peace, tween Eng while the latter was at war with Great Britain. Accordingly 1S,Ilcl and In 1744, war was proclaimed between England and France. Louisburg, the capital of the island of Cape Breton, had been fortified with great care and expense, and was now called, from its strength, the Dunkirk of America ; while, from its position, it commanded the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and the fisheries of the adjoining seas. On this fortress, Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, now Shirley meditated an attack. He first applied to the British ministry PlaiJs ¦"? . a' for naval assistance ; but; without waiting for returns, he laid is opposed," open his designs to the general court of the colony, having .then S!mc- previonsly required of the members an oath of secrecy. The '"^j-Tof plan being thought too great, too hazardous, and too expensive, Mass. it was apparently abandoned ; but an honest member, who performed the family devotions at his lodgings, inadvertently discovered the secret by praying for the divine blessing on the attempt. The people approving the project, with which they became thus accidentally acquainted, were clamorous in its support. It was revived by the court, and after a long deliber ation, the vote in its favor was carried by a single voice. Troops were immediately raised by Connecticut, Rhode 1745 Island, and New Hampshire, to aid those of Massachusetts. Forces com The command of these forces was given to Colonel William ™ande.npby Pepperell, a merchant of Maine, who sailed on the 25th of °p°^il cp March, and arrived at Canso on the 4th of April. The day before leaving Boston, an express-boat, which had been sent to the West Indies to ask the assistance of Commo- £sriti3K nava dore Warren, returned with the intelligence that he had de- force under clined to furnish the aid required. The resolute colonists ^rWn™ rashly determined to proceed without his co-operation ; but subsequently he received orders from England, and hastened with his squadron to join the colonial armament. The whole 122 LOUISBURG TAKEN PART II. PERIOD III CHAP. II. April 3d. Arrive at Louisburg Hardihood and resolu tion of the besiegers. Commodore Warren takes the Vi gilant. (He was made an ad miral.) June 16, Louisburg surrenders. (Great rejoicing. Pepperell created baronet) 1746. Colonies (lightened by a great French fleet. 174§. Peace of AU 'a Chapelle A »ar 'viti:- out rer alts, end a peace without se curity. Extent of New France as stated by French ge ographers. fleet arrived at Chapeau Rouge bay, on the 30th of April. Its appearance brought to the French the first intelligence of the meditated attack. The army effected their landing in the vicinity of the for- ress, though not without opposition. Colonel Vaughan, of New Hampshire, conducted a detachment through the woods, and against all sober calculation, succeeded in possessing himself of a battery which commanded the place. The siege was now commenced. For fourteen nights successively did these hardy veterans perform a drudgery, which, from the want of roads, would have been impossible for oxen, by drawing to the battery the cannon from the landing-place, two miles through a deep morass. Commodore Warren now captured the Vigi lant, an expected ship, having on board five hundred and sixty* men, and stores for the garrison. Preparations were immedi ately made for an assault upon the fort by sea and land. A mutiny had occurred in the French garrison before the arrival of the English ; which, giving to the soldiers a disposition to desert, rendered a sortie from the fort impracticable. In view of these discouraging circumstances, the governor, on the forty-ninth day of the siege, surrendered Louisburg, and the island of Cape Breton. When the New England men entered the place as conquerors, and beheld the strength of the works, some of them were half frightened at what they had attempted, and quite astonished at what they had achieved. The French, exasperated at their loss, sent a powerful armament, under d'Anville, with orders to ravage the whole coast of North America. Tempest, disease, and other disas ters attended this force, and the fleet returned to France with out having effected any other object than that of alarming the colonies. Peace was proclaimed in 1748, and a treaty signed at Aix la Chapelle, by commissioners from England, France, and Spain, the basis of which was the mutual restoration of all places taken during the war : and Louisburg, to the grief and mortification of the colonies reverted to the French. Its capture, had, however, done credit to their military prowess, as it had been by far the most brilliant exploit of the entire war ; — a war which showed the wretched condition to which the European people were reduced by a knavish policy on the part of their rulers, the miserable counterfeit of wisdom. The blood and treasuie of the many had been spent without result, for the gratification of the few ; and peace was now concluded without any settlement of differences, which were still existing, and which were ready at any moment to break out again into open hostility. This was especially the case in regard ta the American claims of the contracting powers. The French, in virtue of the discoveries of Champlain, Marquette, La Salle, and others, claimed all the lands occu pied by the waters flow'ng into the St. Lawrence and tha RIVAL J.LAIMS OF ENGLAND AND FKANCJ3. 123 Lakes , and all watered by the Mississippi and its branches. PART II. In fact, our whole country, according to their geographers, period m. was New France, except that east of the great ranges of 0HAP- "• mountains, whose streams flow into the Atlantic ; and of this ^-^~v-w portion they claimed the basin of the Kennebec, and all Maine to the east of that valley. The British, on the other hand, asserted a right to the en tire country, on account of the discovery of Cabot, as may be British seen by their early patents, to which they gave an extension g*™ ^^* from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This title they had sought torv. to strengthen. The chiefs of the confederate Iroquois had set up a claim, that their nations had, at some indefinite period, conquered the country of the Mississippi ; and this title, such as it was, the English had bought. But in this contest for the right, which was rather with the savage occupants of the soil, than with either of the disputants, An approach- one thing was evident ; the question would ultimately be settled lng contest- between them, by an appeal to arms ; and the crisis ap proached. The French had formed the vast plan of a chain of forts to cham of connect their settlements, recently made at the mouth of the forts from Mississippi, with their earlier colonies on the St. Lawrence. the St. Law They had accomplished their purpose in part, having for- Mississippi. tresses along the lakes as far as the southern shore of Lake Erie, where they had two forts, one at Presque Isle, and another on French creek, twelve miles south. On the Mis sissippi, and on the Ohio and its branches, they had also their fortifications. A number of gentlemen, mostly in Virginia, of whom Law rence Washington was one, procured, in 1750, an act of the British parliament, constituting them " the Ohio Company," and granting them six hundred thousand acres of land on or near the Ohio river. They caused the tract to be surveyed, and opened a trade with the Indians in the vicinity. This 1750. becoming known to the French, the governor of Canada com- ^°yC°T^ plained to the authorities of New York and Pennsylvania, complained threatening to seize their traders if they did not quit their ter- °jvydPiD" ritory ; and several of their number were accordingly taken and carried to the fort at Presque Isle. The governor of Virginia, the zealous and active Dinwiddie, alarmed at these movements on the part of the French, had sent a trader among them as a spy, who returning, increased his fears by vague accounts of the French posts near Lake Erie, without gratifying his curiosity as to the number or ob ject of their forces. Dinwiddie determined, although the season was advanced, to send immediately a trusty person to liy52 require the French commandant to quit the territory ; and also He seiec;s to bring back such an account of his strength and position, Washington that if he refused peaceably to retreat, some feasible method as his envoy. of ejectment might be adopted. A young man of twenty-two, 124 WASHINGTON. PART II. an officer of the militia, was chosen. His figure was com- period in. manding, his air inspired respect and confidence. His name chap til was George Washington. The Ameri can Wash ington. John, Lawrence ; Augustine, George Washing ton, born in Westmore land, "Vir ginia. February 22, 1732.1743. His father dies. His excel lent mother ais sole guar dian. His early- moral char acter. His activity. Hib limited advantages over bal anced by great seif- erftrtion. CHAPTER III. George Washington.— His birth, parentage, and education.— His con-tact is place* of truBt, private and public. Lawrence Washington, the grandfather of George, and Augustine Washington his father, had continued the family residence in Westmoreland county, where his great grand father, John, already mentioned, had fixed his seat : and there, he who is now regarded as the Father of his Country, was born on the 22nd of February, 1732fone year before the last of the old thirteen colonies was settled by Oglethorpe. In 1734, his father removed, with his family, to Stafford county, opposite to Fredericksburg, on the Rappahannock ; little think ing that his playful boy, then but two years old, was marked by Providence for a career so elevated. In 1743, Augustine Washington died, and left to each of his sons valuable landed estates. To Lawrence, his oldest, he bequeathed a beautiful tract on the bank of the Potomac; and to George, the lands and mansion where he died. George was the oldest offspring of a second marriage; and his mother. Mary Washington, was, by his father's will, his sole guardian She was a rare woman, affectionate, judicious, firm and ener getic : and it was under her maternal guidance, and in the common school, that Washington developed those physical, intellectual, and moral elements, which formed his greatness. When in school he was assiduous, pains-taking, and exact in the performance of his exercises ; and he was, at the same time, so true in his words, so righteous in his actions, and so just in his judgment, that his school-mates were wont to bring their differences before him for decision. Superior also in bodily health and vigor, he excelled in athletic sports, and adventurous exploits. He loved the military ; and tradition reports that the first battles >n which he commamled, were the mimic engagements, which he taught to his school-fellows, He learned to read and to write well, and he thoroughly mas tered arithmetic. This was all which the school helped him to acquire. Of himself he practiced composition ; and he happily formed a style suited to the lofty tone of his moral sentiments, and the directness and energy of his character. The "higher mathematics he learned with pleasure and mental profit, his object being to prepare himself for the'occupation of surveyor * English papers have recently (18511 claimed that Washington was born in Ene- land. This has brought to light the fact, that in 1815, the house of his birth having been demolished, several gentlemen, of whom Ueurge 1'. Custis, the relator, was one, sailed up the Rappahannoc, taking with them a stone, which they laid upon the spot, bearing this inscription — " George Washington ; Here Born 1732, Feb. 11 O. S " HIS EARLY LIFE. 125 He set every thing down in his books, his diagrams, his ob servations on manners, and his rules of behavior. Nothing was too laborious, or too tedious for his determined mind. His brother Lawrence was early an officer in the British navy. He was under that Admiral Vernon in 1740, who brought 1740. over in thirty sail of the line 27,000 men ; and who, in attempt-. Admira.Ve* ing to take Carthagena, witnessed such great sufferings from non' disease and death in his army. It was in commemoration of w^hingtoa his beloved commander, that Lawrence Washington gave the wishes to name of Mount Vernon to his estate. Noticing the military ™ake his turn of his young brother, he procured for him a midshipman's Georgia warrant in the British navy; but his mother interfered and British0 mid prevented his acceptance. shipman. Lawrence Washington had married a relative of Lord Fairfax; and through this connection, George became ac- March quainted with that family, by whose elevated society he de- 1748. rived various advantages. To survey the great estates of He becomes Lord Fairfax, now residing in Virginia, he earlv began his a survey°' c .- t^ mi i i r- - . , among the career oi active lite, though a boy of just sixteen, he was mountains intrusted with what would have been responsible, arduous, and difficult duty, to a sound and able man. Among the forest wilds of the Alleghanies, the young surveyor frequently ranged alone ; but on the summits he rejoiced in the beauty of the earth and sky ; and in the valleys he examined well Cheerfully all rare and curious things. He had often no bed to lodge in, hardship3 and no roof to shelter him; and with his own hands he dressed the game which his musket had procured. Sometimes, how- < ever, he shared the wigwam, and the unpalatable fare of the native. But these hardships were an important preparation for the service he had afterwards to perform. His employ- He gams ment also was lucrative ; and he discharged its duties in a property and manner that made men regard him as a youth of extraordinary onor promise. He was only nineteen when he was made an adjutant gen- 1175* eral of the Virginia militia, with the rank of Major. About Made Adju- this time he accompanied to the West Indies his brother Law- tantwithtitlo rence, now declining with a pulmonary disease. His voyage of Maior- was advantageous to himself, from his great observation and 1?52. industry ; but his brother's disease remained, and he died du- title'to' the* ring the next year. By his will he left George his executor ; Mount Ver- and gave him a reversionary title to the Mount Vernon estate. nonestate- Major Washington was now placed over One of the four di- IIe ,co"{" visions into which Dinwiddie had portioned the militia of northern di- " the Dominion" the style then given to Virginia. He intro- vision of the duced a uniform discipline, and infused throughout his com- Va' mllltla- mand, his own military spirit. It was at this period that he ^"beafDin was chosen by the governor as his envoy to the French. The gfcidie's let seat of government for Virginia was Williamsburg. Thither ter .across th* Washington repaired, and was furnished with instructions, and dispatches ; the most important of wlich was a letter 1 26 WASHINGTON S XANGEROUS JOURNEV. PART H. from Dinwiddie, to St. Pierre the French commandant, requir- Period hi ing him with threats, to withdraw from the territory belong- chap. in. ing to the English sovereign. Washington departed on the 31st of October, to Iraverse more than five hundred miles, much of the way a pathless, as well as a wintry desert. His route lay through Fredericks burg, Alexandria, and Winchester, to Will's Creek, since Cumberland. Cumberland. Here, taking leave of every vestige of civiliza tion, and having procured Mr. Gist, agent of the Ohio compa ny, as interpreter and guide, his party of eight plunged into Leaves the recesses of the wilderness. They passed through snow Cumberland and storms, over mountain precipices, and down among "trackless * thickets into flooded valleys, to ford unbridged and swollen wilderness, rivers, on frail and dangerous rafts. Coming upon the Yough- iogeny they followed it to the Monongahela and that to its junction with the Alleghany. " The Fork," as the site of Pittsburg was called, was then a desert, but Washington notic ed, and afterwards reported it, as a suitable place for a fort. From the Fork, he went down the river twenty miles to AtLogstown Logstown, where he was to deliver friendly greetings from on the Ohio, Dinwiddie to the great chief of the Southern Hurons, Tana- ^ff-king6 charison, or the Half-king ; whose friendship was courted both by French and English. The chief received him with kindness. He had been, he told Washington, to the French camp and had there made a set speech, in which he declared w—h^t'0 t0 ^e °fficers' tnat tne iand in question, belonged neither to thespeechhe the English nor the French ; but the Great Spirit had given it had made to the Indians, and allowed them to make it their residence. the J. rench. .. j desire y-ou therefore," said he, " to withdraw, as I have our brothers, the English ; for I will keep you at arm's length." After Major Washington had attended a friendly council with Goes with the Indians, Tanacharison and three of his principal men, ac- Washmgton companied him north, more than a hundred miles to the en- French campment at French Creek. Here St. Pierre, who had been camp. but a few days in command of the post, received him with the courteous bearing and hospitable attentions of the French gentleman. But to Dinwiddie's request, that he would leave St. Pien-e's *e territory which belonged to the British, he replied, after gentlemanly two days consultation with his officers, that it did not become treatment of him to discuss treaties ; such questions should rather be ad- ilndsoU " dressed to the governor-general, the Marquis du Quesne ; he dierly reply acted under his orders, and those he should be careful to t0 ^Wld" obey. Washington and his party, by previous concert, had been making every possible observation on the state of the forces and camp, and now receiving the reply of St. Pierre, he was Tanacha-^ desirous to depart; but the French were tampering with the sonstp-picy Indians, and unwilling to dismiss the Half-king, until they had corrupted his fidelity ; but in this they failed. The return of Washington in the dead of winter, was full oi DEFEAT AND DEATH OF DE JUMONVILLE. 127 startling and perilous adventure. Once a treacherous guide FART II. aimed his musket, at him, but it missed fire ; and once, on the period hi Alleghany river, he and his guide, having made in a day, with CHAP- m- one pool hatchet, a miserable raft, they at sunset, trusted them- ^-"-v^-' selves upon it, to cross the swollen river, amidst large masses The perils of of floating ice. It canje down upon them, and threw them to^retuS fiv oi their raft into ten feet water. But they saved themselves bj swimming to an island. Major Washington arrived at Williamsburg on the 16th of Returns January, having been absent only eleven weeks. The bold- Jan- 16- ness, energy, and prudence, with which he had met and over- ^f^fi come dangers, and the ability which he had manifested in the weeks discharge of his trust, sunk deep into the minds of his coun- absence. trymen ; and his written reports were published with applause, ^nfauded not only through the colonies, but in England. Troops were now raised in Virginia; and Washington was 1754. made lieutenant colonel and intrusted with the command. In He is again April, 1754, he marched into the disputed territory, and, en- a™^1* camping at the Great Meadows, he there learned that the maintain th* French had dispossessed the Virginians of a fort, which in English consequence of his recommendation they were erecting at the ° auns' Fork, and which the French finished, and named Fort du French build Quesne. He was also informed that a detachment of French Fort troops, had been sent against him, and were encamped but a du Quesne- few miles west of the Great Meadows. Surrounding their encampment, he surprised, and defeated Washington them. The commander de Jumonville* was killed with ten of surprises his party. On his return to the Great Meadows, he was re- a party!* " inforced by regulars from New York and South Carolina, and 10 killed, erected there a small stockade called Fort Necessity. 2onersdeMav' With less than 400 men, Washington now marched to 28. dislodge the enemy from Fort du Quesne ; but after proceeding thirteen miles he received the intelligence that they had been reinforced from Canada, when he reluctantly relinquished the French rein- enterprise and retired. Unable to continue his retreat, from Washington a failure of expected munitions, he entrenched his little army disappointed within Fort Necessity. A party of 1,500 French, under Mon- °f supplies. sieur de Villiers, soon followed and assaulted the fort ; the Americans bravely resisted, from ten in the morning until dark. j3 oHis9vj to Washington deeming it folly longer to contend with so un- capitulate at equal a force, signed, in the course of the night, articles of ca- Ft- Necessi- pitula tion,t by which the fort was surrendered ; but the garri y' u y * Washington has been unjustly censured in this affair. It has been repre sented that de Jumonville came as an envoy and was murdered. But he came in arras, with a warlike party, and they were lurking and concealing themselves in the woods, and had been so concealed for three days. The French had forcibly dispossessed the English at Fort du Quesne. Washington followed the orders ne had received from Dinwiddie, and the house of burgesses approved his con duct. t Washington not understanding the French language, a Dutch captain by Jie name of Vanbraam, translated to him and his officers, the articles of capitu lation. It was afterwards found that Washington had signed what he knew 28 COLONIES UNITE FOR MUTUAL DEFENSE. PAJRT II. son permitted to march out with the honors of war, and return period hi unmolested to their homes CHAPTER IV. Congress at Albany. — Convention of governors meet Braddock in Virg. British pro pose a union among the colonies. 1754. June 14. 7 colonies send dele gates to Al bany. Articles of union drawn by Benjamin Franklin. Tulv 4. Delegates from Con necticut wisely cau tious. -gp.tu». The British cabinet had perceived that a war was inevitable. Accordingly, in their instructions to the colonies, in 1753, they directed them to cultivate the friendship of the Six Na tions ; and recommended what they had at a former period proposed, though not formally, that a union be formed among the colonies for their mutual protection and defense. Agree ably to these instructions, a congress was held at Albany, June 14, 1754, to which delegates were sent from Massachu setts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. About one hundred and fifty Indians of the Six Nations were present, with whom the con vention concluded an explanatory and pacific treaty ; and then proceeded to consider the subject of the proposed union. Their situation, with regard to the French, called for imme diate and effectual measures ; and it was unanimously resol ved " that a union of the colonies was absolutely necessary for their preservation." Desiring that their counsels, treasure, and strength might be employed in due proportion against the common enemy, a committee, consisting of one member from each colony represented, was appointed to draw a plan of union. That which was drawn by Benjamin Franklin, oi Pennsylvania, was substantially adopted and signed on the 4th of July, twenty-two years before this great statesman sign ed that more important instrument, which he also assisted in forming — the Declaration of Independence. The delegates from Connecticut alone refused their con sent to this plan, and on the ground, that it gave too much power to the presiding general, who was to be appointed over the colonies by the crown. It was presented to the colonial legislatures and the British parliament for their sanction ; but it was rejected by both ; by the colonies, because it gave too much power to the crown ; and by the crown, because it gave too much power to the people : thus showing how wide ly different, even at this period, were the views of G:eat Brit ain and her colonies, respecting the rights of the latter ; and foreboding the contest and separation which afterwards fol-' lowed. nothing of, in, at least, two respects. One was a promise, not to bear arms foi a year against the French ; and another, an expression which made him a party to the slander against himself, as the murderer of de Jumonville, a peacefn. en voy. Vanbraam was suspected of treachery. FRENCH EXPEDITION. 129 The ministry, having rejected this scheme of union, propo- PART IL sed to Gov. Shirley and others, that hie governors of the colo- period hi nies, (most of whom were appointed by the crown,) attended chap, iv by one or more of their council, should meet, from time to ^-^-v"w time, to concert measures for the general defense, with power Artful plan to draw on the British treasury for such sums of money as colonies con" they needed ; which sums were, however, to be reimbursed sent to taxa by a tax, to be imposed on the colonies. But the colonies tionrej.x>tea were not so to be drawn into a consent to submit to taxa tion, by Great Britain, and they rejected the plan. As the only alternative, the crown then resolved to carry on the war with British troops, and such auxiliary forces as the co lonial assemblies might voluntary furnish ; and to this the Americans cheerfully assented. The establishment of French posts on the Ohio, and the 1755. attack upon Col. Washington, were stated by the British gov- Braddock eminent, as the commencement of hostilities ; and 1,500 troops, ^oomen under Gen. Braddock, were dispatched from England. On his arrival in America, he requested a convention of the colonial He assem- governors to assemble in Virginia, to concert with him a plan bies the gov- b» .... ° r ernorsat ot military operations. Alexandria. Four expeditions were here resolved upon. General Brad dock was to attack Fort du Quesne; Gov. Shirley was to Plan of the lead the American regulars and Indians against Niagara ; the militia of the northern colonies were to be directed against Crown Point ; and Nova Scotia was to be invaded. Early in the spring, the French sent out a powerful fleet, carrying a large body of troops, under the Baron Dieskau, to reinforce the army in Canada. For the expedition against Nova Scotia, three thousand men, under generals Monckton and Winslow, sailed from Boston on the 20th of May. They arrived at Chignecto, on the Bay of Fundy, the first of June. Here they were joined by 300 British troops, and proceeding against Beau Sejour, Jl?n®- . now the principal post of the French in that country, invested n|Ue the and took possession of it, after a bombardment of five days. French m The fleet appearing in the river St. Johns, the French set fire NOTaScotl»- to their works, and evacuated the country. With the loss of only 20 men, the English found themselves in possession of the whole of Nova Scotia. Col. Washington, on his return from the Great Meadows, Washington had public thanks voted him by the house of burgesses. He receives an rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, and was ordered by the [0 marcn governor to fill up his companies by enlistments — go back back in the immediately — conquer the French, and build a fort beyond Wlntel' the mountains. He wrote to a member of the council, show ing the folly and impracticability of the scheme ; and it was given up. Dinwiddie had new plans. He reorganized the militia into Is deprived independent companies, so that there was now no higher office ° ls ran 130 BAfTLE ON THE MONONGAHELA. PART II. than captain. Washington promptly offered his resignation' period hi. but his services being needed, he was warmly solicited to re- chap. iv. mamj an(j it wag hinted that he might keep his commission. v-""~^"^"-/ This he indignantly rejected, as neither rank or emolument festsamro'er were offered with it ; and he wrote, that those who supposed spirit. he would accept it on such terms must think him "more empty than the commission itself." Braddock, when he arrived, requested Col. Washington to Becomes aid become one of his military family, preserving his rank. This to Braddock. Washington did not hesitate to accept, because he knew his own value to his country, and wished to improve in military Braddock's skill. Gen. Braddock marched from Virginia on the 10th of army begin June ; but such were the delays occasioned by the difficulty their march. 0f procurmg horses, wagons, and provisions, that, by the ad vice of Washington, he left the heavy baggage behind, under the care of Col. Dunbar, with an escort of 600 men, and placing himself at the head of 1,200 select troops, he pro ceeded by more rapid marches, towards Fort du Quesne. Braddock was not deficient in courage, or military skill ; but he was wholly ignorant of the mode of conducting warfare in American woods and morasses, and at the same time he held the opinions of the colonial officers in contempt. Never theless, Washington had ventured to suggest the expediency contemns °^ employing the Indians, who, under the Half-king, had offered and disre- their services, as scouting, and advanced parties. Braddock gards advice, not onjy disdained the advice, but offended the Indians by the rudeness of his manner. Thus he rashly pushed on, without knowing the dangers near. Washington had, the day before, rejoined the army, from which he had been for a short time detained by severe illness It was noon, on the ninth of July, when from the height above the right bank of the Monongahela, he looked back upon the ascending army, which, ten miles from Fort du Quesne, had just crossed the stream for the second time. Every thing july 9. looked more bright and beautiful than aught he had ever wit- Ficeon_prad- nesse(^ before. The companies, in their crimson uniform, dock's army. witn burnished arms and floating banners, were marching gaily to cheerful music as they entered the forest. Suddenly there burst upon them the Indian war-whoop, They fall and a deadly fire, from opposite quarters, and from unseen to*° ^ibus- f°es' ManY felL Panic-stricken, their ranks broke, and cade, and by they would have fled, but Braddock rallied them ; and, a folWrTcut kigot t0 l^e rules of EuroPean warfare, he constantly sought up^d de" to preserve a regular order of battle. Thus he kept his meu f«ated like sheep penned in a fold, fair marks for a foe beyond their reach, and whose numbers were so much inferior to their own, that they had not dreamed of defeating, but only ex pected to annoy and delay the British army. Their places of concealment were two ravines on each side of the road ; bul Braddock would neither retreat, or pass beyond that fatal spot BRADDOCK DEFEATED AND SI MN. 131 The Indians, singling out the officers, shot down (.very one PART II. on horseback, Washington alone excepted. He, as the sole period1 in remaining aid of 'the general, rode by turns over every part of chap. v. the field, to carry his orders. The Indians afterwards averred ~-o-v^-»»_y that they had specially noticed his bearing, and conspicuous The office™ figure, and repeatedly shot at him ; but at length they became shot down> convinced that he was protected by an Invisible Power, and Washington. that no bullet could harm him. After the battle was over, His wonder- four were found lodged in his coat, and two horses had been ful preserva- killed under him ; but the appointed guardian of his country, tlon escaped without a wound. Braddock, who had been undismayed amidst continued Braddock showers of bullets, at length received a mortal wound. g']lei alsc Upon his fall, the regular troops fled in confusion. Wash- and nearly ington formed, and covered their retreat with the provincials, 600 privates whom Braddock in his contempt had kept in the rear. The Enemy's loss sm ^ J defeat was total ; sixty-four officers out of eighty-five, and but not ' nearly half the privates, were killed or wounded. known. The flight of the army was so precipitate, that it made no halt till it met the division under Dunbar, then about forty flearmy miles in the rear, where Braddock died. To this division was communicated the same spirit of flight, and they con- Dunbar ji tinued to retreat till they reached Fort Cumberland, one command- hundred and twenty miles from the place of action. The T ... command now devolved on Colonel Dunbar, who withdrew gin;ade- the regulars to Philadelphia, leaving the whole frontier of fenseless Virginia open to the depredations rf the French and Indians. The French at Fort du Quesne attempted to seduce the Cherokees from the English interest. Some of their tribe gave notice of this to the governor of South Carolina, who, at their suggestion, met a council of the Cherokee chiefs in ^^ ^lU their own country, and concluded with them a treaty of peace kees and amity, in which they ceded to Great Britain a iarge tract of land in South Carolina. CHAPTER V. Remainder of the campaign of 1755. — Campaign of 1756 The troops destined for Crown Point, amounting to more Ju*>. than 4,000, arrived at Albany the last of June. They were j jj*9*^ under the command of Gen. William Johnson, and Gen. ' Lyman. Lyman. Here they were joined by a body of Mohawks, under their sachem, Hendrick. Lyman advanced with the main body of the army, and Erect Fon erected Fort Edward on the Hudson, for the security of the w 132 FRENCH BEATEN AT LAKE GEORGE. PART II. batteaux, provisions, .artillery, and other necessaries, requisite ¦¦eriod in. for the expedition, which were forwarded from Albany by chap... Johnson. The army were thus employed for six weeks. -__ mdei CoL Mercer, to garrison the fort, he eturned to Albany. * At Albany he made a will, bequeathing his property to found Wil liams' College, Mass. campaign of 1756 badly conducted. 133 In 1*756, war, after having actually existed for two years, PART II. was formally proclaimed between France and England. period m By the destruction of Braddock's army, the frontiers of 0HAP- v- Pennsylvania and Virginia were left to the mercy of the ^~v~t*-' savages. Washington, at the head of his regiment, did his utmost to oppose them ; and he strenuously urged that offen sive measures should be again adopted, and especially against Fort du Quesne, which he knew was their starting point. In common with the other colonial officers, Washington The mortifr was subject to mortifications which he keenly felt, from the ^jf01}8.""^ assuming manners of inferior officers bearing royal commis- the 'colonial sions : and not only this, but his whole force was, on one officers ex- occasion, in danger of falling into confusion, by the conduct elwllfihed by of a company of regulars stationed within his precincts, under ton's affair one Dagworthy, who held the king's commission as captain, *ith Das- To prevent general insubordination, Washington appealed to Dinwiddie. He gave him advice which, either through weakness or treachery, was calculated to mislead ; but he Shirley took not the responsibility of directing Dagworthy to obey mander-in- Col. Washington as his superior. In the mean time, Shirley chief. having been made commander-in-chief, Washington mounted 1756 his horse, and though in winter, rode five hundred miles, February*. to Boston, where, laying the case before that amiable patriot, Washington he received the requisite order, and returning, he soon reduced s°est0n. "* Capt. Dagworthy and his men to due subjection. The campaign of 1756 had been, during the preceding autumn, provided for by the colonists ; but the bad arrange- ^;amSals^ ments of the British cabinet palsied their efforts. Although ;n England. Shirley had been appointed by the crown, commander-in-chief of the forces, yet Winslow, in consequence of his success in Shirley's Nova Scotia, had the confidence of the people, without which mas™mm! troops could not be raised. The generous Shirley ceded his claim, and the unfinished plans of the preceding campaign were to be again attempted. Gen. Abercrombie was in the spring sent from England to ., June- , • - Ab6rcroiTiDi© take the supreme command ; and after him Lord Loudon sent out gov- came over as commander-in-chief of all the forces, and gover- ernor of Vir- nor of Virginia. The British officers still paraded their co^a^er- authority, and assumed offensive airs of superiority over i-chit'. those of the colonies ; but, though considerable bodies of July srt. British troops were in the field, thousands of the colonists ^° called from their homes, and heavy expenses were going on, ^i*; yet nothing of consequence was effected by the British dur ing the whole campaign. But, in the mean time, the French had taken and destroyed the forts of Ontario and Oswego. A thousand men thus fell into their hands, with a large amount of ordnance and military stores. il 134 MASSACRE AT FORT WILLIAM HENRY. CHAPTER VI. PART II. 1757. Montcalm besieges Fort Wil liam- Henry. August 2. Monroe com pelled to sur render. Stipulates for the honors of war and protection. Indians kill their prison- ¦ ers. Montcalmfails of his tagagement, and tne In dians rob and murder with out restraint. Campaigns of 1757 and 1758. The campaign of 1757 was made no less disgraceful to the English, than the former, by the futile schemes, and ineffi cient measures of Lord Loudon. It is chiefly memorable in our annals, for the dreadful " massacre at Fort William Hen ry." Montcalm, the French commander, had early concen trated his forces, amounting to 9,000 regulars, Canadians and Indians, on the shores of the Champlain, at Ticonderoga Passing up Lake George, he laid siege to Fort William Hen ry, which was commanded by Col. Monroe, a British officer. Gen. Webb was at the time lying at Fort Edward, with the main British army, four or five thousand strong. Monroe being vigorously pressed, while he defended himself with spir it, earnestly entreated Gen. Webb for aid. But he entreated in vain, and necessity compelled him, on the 2d of August, to surrender. By the articles of capitulation, Montcalm enga ged that the English should be allowed to leave the fort with the honors of war ; and, in order to protect them from the In dians, that an escort should be provided to conduct them to Fort Edward. Soon after, a detachment of the French took possession of the works. At the same moment, the Indians, who had on- gaged to serve in the war on the promise of plunder, irritated at the terms of the surrender, rushed over the parapet, and began 'their outrages. Monroe, feeling the horrors of his sit uation, with his troops exposed at midnight, within the camp, to the cruelty of the savages, vainly attempted to conduct them forth ; but no sooner had he put them in motion, than he found, that, bad as was their position within, it was worse without ; for the woods were infested with ferocious Indians, thirsting for blood and plunder. He complained to Montcalm, and, de manding the promised escort, left the camp at morning, to be gin his march for Fort Edward. The French, themselves intimidated, gave them only the poor meed of advice, to yield up their private property as a means of appeasing the furious savages, and saving life. They attempted this, and threw them their money and effects ; but their rapacity increasing with this partial gratification, they rushed, tomahawk in hand, upon the English, now a band of desperate fugitives, who, stripping off their clothes, were glad to escape naked, with their lives. The sick, the wounded, the women, and the chil dren unable to escape, were murdered. Webb, on receiving intelligence of the capitulation, ordered five hundred men to meet the captured troops, and conduct them to his camp WILLIAM PITT PRIME MINISTER. • 135 The few who survived were discovered flying through the PART II. woods, singly or in small parties — some distracted, and many period iii bleeding with the horrid cuts of the tomahawk — faint, and chap. vi. nearly exhausted. ' v.-^-v^-' There is little, in the separate civil history of the colonies, during this period, which deserves particular attention In Tne British all their proceedings with the royal governors, as well as in offe'nding'the their direct intercourse with Great Britain, the colonists evin- Americans ccd that jealousy of their liberties, which prevented any bold dunns ti)e attempt, on the part of Great Britain, to enforce restrictive measures, especially during the war. In Pennsylvania, a dispute arose between the proprietary 4757. governor and the assembly, respecting the right of the pro- Dispute be- prietors to exempt their own lands in the province from a tax- twe™ the ¦ i 1 ¦ r 1 • 1 . cii/- r 1 proprietors ation, the object 01 which was to pay tor the defense 01 those and inhabit- lands. To adjust this dispute, Benjamin Franklin was sent ants of Pa. to England, and the business was soon closed, by the propri- Franklin etors submitting their property to be taxed, provided the as- s™nd°fromS sessments were fair and equitable. Pa. The languid and spiritless manner in which the war had been conducted, and its consequent ill success, aroused both England and America, and produced a reaction which brought forward as prime minister, the greatest statesman of the Brit- „, . ish annals, William Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham. So William powerful was his eloquence and so austere his patriotism, that Pitt. he controlled at length the energies of the government, and the spirit of the people. His dreaded voice fearlessly de nounced the selfishness and pusillanimity of the public agents. With intense search he found out worth, and resolutely brought ^* it forward for public employment. His perseverance was triotism' and equal to his energy ; and his efforts were guided by a judg- energy. ment, which while it, was rapid, was, at the same time, pro found and comprehensive. Aware that the colonies were in danger of becoming dis- ,_,__ couraged by the inefficiency of the parent country, the minis- pi* c^' ter assured them, in a circular which he addressed to the gov- the colonies, ernors of the provinces, that an effectual force should be sent promising to against the French ; and he exhorted them to use their utmost rgricvancear exertions to raise men in their respective colonies, pledging himself that their own choice should direct by what officers their troops should be commanded ; and that those of the colo- He is nies should no longer be made inferior to British officers of the the coj0nies same rank. Reassured and animated by this call, the colo- renew theii nists renewed their efforts, and increased their army to twenty e]tf'rtl0DS- thousand. Gen. Abercrombie was appointed to succeed the earl of Lou- 5g ^,o y£ don in the command of all the British forces in America. An .America. armament was sent out under Admiral Boscawen, conveying MaS3™n000 12,000 British troops commanded by General Amherst, which, Ccim; 5;000] with the British forces previously in America, and the provin- N II °.-ooo t3.i PART II. 1758. Planofope- A large ar mament sails to attack Louisbrurg. July 26. Louisburg surrenders. James Wolfe the master spirit of the military. 6,000 prison ers sent across the Atlantic. July 5. Abercrombie proceeds against Ti conderoga. Lord Howe killed. The Britisn repulsed with a loss of 2.000. August 27. Colonel Bradstreet takes Fort FVoitsnac. LOUISBURG AGAIN TAKEN. cials, made up an army far greater than had ever before existed in America. These troops were all in readiness for action early in the spring. Nor were they delayed by irresolution as to the objects to be attempted. These having been well con sidered the preceding winter, three expeditions were lesolved on, against Louisburg, Crown Point, and Fort du Quesne. The possession of Louisburg was deemed important, prin cipally, because it would, by opening the gulf of St Lawrence to the English, facilitate the seizure of the capital of Canada ; the grand project of the British minister having in view the absolute destruction of the French power in America. The enterprise against this fortress was conducted by the land and naval commanders, Amherst and Boscawen, with 20 ships of the line, and 14,000 men. The armament left Halifax on the 24th of May, and arrived before Louisburg on the 2d of June. A regular siege, the bes't conducted of any which had ever been laid in America, placed, on the 26th of July, this fortress in the hands of the British. It was by his gallant conduct du ring this siege, that Jamus Wolfe began Ms high career of military renown. The loss of Louisburg was deeply felt by France, and its gain by England and her rejoicing colonies. The garrison and mariners, to the amount of nearly 6,000, were sent prisoners tc England, and the inhabitants of the place were transported to France. With Louisburg the whole island of Cape Breton, and that of St. John's, fell under the power of the British. Gen. Abercrombie at the head of 16,000 men, proceeded against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On the 5th of July he crossed Lake George, and debarking at its northern ex tremity, he attempted, with unskillful guides, to pass the three miles of dense woods which lay between his army and Ticon deroga. As he approached that fort, a detachment of the French fell upon him, and an engagement ensued in which the assailants lost 300 men ; but of the British, fell the amiable Lord Howe ; a young officer of great promise, and much be loved both in England and America. * .Abercrombie, learning that reinforcements were daily ex pected by the French, without waiting for his artillery, made a brave but imprudent assault upon the fort, and was repulsed with the heavy loss of nearly 2,000 killed and wounded. He then retired to his former quarters, on the south side of Lake George. Here he consented, at the solicitation of Col. Bradstreet, to detach him with 3,000 men, against Fort Fron tenac. With these troops, who were mostly provincials, he marched to Oswego, embarked on Lake Ontario, and landed on ihe 25th of August within a mile of the fort, opened his * "Massachusetts erected a monument to him in Westminster Al» bey."— Mks. Howitt. FORT PITT ERECTED. 137 batteries, and in, two days forced this important fortress to sur- PART II. render. As this fort, afterwards named Kingston, contained period m the military stores which were intended for the Indians, and chap. vi. for the supply of the southwestern troops, its demolition ¦-*^<^ contributed to the success of the expedition against Fort du Quesne. To Gen. Forbes, with an army of 8,000 men, was assigned the capture of this fort. Early in July the army marched from General Philadelphia to Ray's Town. Washington, gratified that the ^fj ^ expedition was at length to be undertaken, was at Cumber- interested land with the Virginia militia, whom he commanded, and who Pers°ns into were in readiness to join the main army. Here he learned to me^sure"^ his surprise, that Gen. Forbes, induced by the citizens of Phil- opening a adelphia, had decided to open a new road from Ray's Town nej? I°iA to to the Ohio. In vain Washington remonstrated. The new Quesne. road was made, and he, as became his duty, rendered every possible assistance. But before the army had arrived, the weather became so cold and the men endured such severe sufferings, that a council of officers decided that they must abandon their object and return. This they were about to do, when they received such intelligence of the weakness of the T| _ French garrison, that they roused to fresh effort, and on the burn theC" 25th of November reached du Quesne. But it was only a works and solitary pile of ruins which they found. On the preceding piJfCeVetotht3he night the French had set fire to the fort, and embarked to go English, down the Ohio. Nov- 25 While the army were engaged in making the new road, „ , Major Grant with a detachment had been suffered to throw capture of himself forward, so as to encounter the full forQe of the French Major Gram garrison. He was totally defeated and made prisoner, with ""nJ1^00 eighteen of his officers. Three hundred of his party were either killed or taken by the enemy. New works were erected on the site of du Quesne, and named Fort Pitt. Now, under the appellation of Pittsburg, this place is the Manchester of America. The neighboring Indians were invited to the fort, and peace was re-established with their chiefs. Gen. Forbes, exhausted with fatigue, died on his way to Philadelphia. More distant Indian tribes also felt that their safety, since c;i aEasiou the capture of Fort du Quesne, was best consulted by peace with the English, and at a grand council held in Easton, Penn., deputies from the Six Nations met with those from New Eng land, and from the tribes ranging along the eastern Allegha nies, as far south as North Carolina. On the part of the Eng lish, Sir William Johnson and the governors of New York and New Jersey, entered with them into friendly relations, and the calumet sent up to heaven a far more grateful odor than the steam of reeking battle-fields. 138 GENERAL WOLFE IN COMMANXI CHAPTER VII. The Campaign of 1759. PART II. The campaign of 1759, had for its object the entire reduc- period in. (i°n of Canada. After the disaster of Ticonderoga, the chief chap. vn. command of the British forces was given to Gen. Amherst. ^*r-^-**s The army was divided into three parts, exhibiting the follow- 1759. mg order. The first division, under Wolfe, was to make a The plan of direct attempt upon Quebec. The second, under Amherst, the campaign wag ordered to take Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then three ob- proceed northerly ; and the third, under Gen. Prideaux, con- jects ; sisting of provincials and Indians, was to reduce Niagara, then ture Ticon"- t0 S° down the -St. Lawrence, and, jointly with the second de- deroga and tachment, attack Montreal. Thus the several divisions were P™w.n to enter Canada by different routes, but were all destined, eventually, to meet before Quebec, and it was against that key- pi. To take stone of the arch, which sustained the French power in Ameri- Montreal!1 ca> tnat tne grand final effort was to be made. Prideaux besieged Niagara on the 6th of July. He was kil- u 'o> C^" ^ ^3^ tne bursting of a shell, and the command devolved up- " on Sir William Johnson. The French gave battle to the Eng lish, but the Indians in their alliance deserted them in the heat July 6. 0f the engagement, and victory declared in favor of the liUedem be- English. The garrison, consisting of 600 men, fell into the sieging Ni- hands of the British, who now possessing this important post, agara. aji communication between the northern and southern posses- surrenders, sions of the French was barred, and the quiet behavior of the Indians secured. After the taking of Louisburg, Wolfe returned to England. Pit* sustains ^tl' wno ^a(^ discerned his extraordinary qualities while he Wolfe, was yet obscure, and had brought him forward against the prejudices of the King, and resolutely sustained him, confided to him the command against Quebec. His subordinate officers Pr0T^e? were carefully chosen. He was provided with a choice army army. °f 8,000 men, and a heavy train of artillery. Admirals Saun ders and Holmes, seamen of great merit, commanded the fleet. It was late in June when the army debarked upon the Isl and of Orleans. From this spot Wolfe reconnoitered the po- junt. sition of his enemy, and saw the full magnitude of the difficul- Sp-o'Ton the ties w^c^ surrounded him. The city of Quebec rose before Isle of Or-° him, upon the north side of the St. Lawrence ; its upper town leans. and strong fortifications, situated on a rock, whose bold and steep front continued far westward, parallel with the river, its base near to the shore ; thus presenting a wall, which it seem ed impossible to scale. From the northwest came down tha HE PREPARES TO ATTACK QUEBEC. 139 St. Charles, entering the St. Lawrence just below the town ¦ PART II. its banks high and uneven, and cut by deep ravines ; while period in armed vessels were borne upon its waters, and floating batte- ghap. vii. ries obstructed its entrance. A few miles below, the Mont- ^-v^/ morenci leapt down its cataract into the St. Lawrence ; and, 1759. strongly posted along the sloping bank of that river, and be- Difficulties tween these two tributaries, the French army, commanded by of ^!s po" Montcalm, displayed its formidable lines. SU10"' The first measure of Wolfe, was to get possession of Point Levi, opposite Quebec. Here he erected and opened heavy July 9. batteries, which swept from the lower town, the buildings along at Pt. Levi. the margin of the river ; but the fortifications, resting on the huge table of rock above, remained uninjured. Perceiving this, Wolfe next sought to draw the enemy from his entrenchments, and bring on an engagement. For this purpose he landed his army below the Montmorenci ; but the wary Montcalm eluded every artifice to draw him out. Wolfe He attacks next crossed that stream, with a portion of his army, and at- Montcalm tacked him in his camp. The troops which were to corn- morenci. mence the assault fell into disorder, having, with irregular ardor, disobeyed the orders of the general. Perceiving their confusion, he drew them off with the loss of four hundred Loses 400 men, and recrossed the Montmorenci. Here he was inform ed that his expected succors were likely to fail him. Am herst had found Ticonderoga and Crown Point vacated, and , was preparing to attack the French forces withdrawn from Arnherst's these forts to the Isle aux Noix. Prideaux had lost his life, but attack the his plans were carried out by Sir William Johnson. But the French at enemy were in force at Montreal; and from neither division Istea"xWolx- of the British army could the commander at Quebec now hope for any assistance. At this- point of the enterprise, Wolfe was severely tried. Success seemed to fly from his grasp ; yet he knew that suc cess alone would be the criterion of his merit. He sighed Wolfe pei frequently. His countenance sometimes flashed with his plexed lofty designs; and sometimes sunk in gloom, as he dreaded theii failure, which he determined not to survive. His mind towered above the sensibilities of his heart, and he kept on his course ; but his bodily health failed. When, however, he was again able to mingle with the army, every eye was raised - to him with affection and hope. The plan which he had revolved in his mind, and, with the approbation of his officers, had determined to attempt, was to ^emptVcJ- scale, in the night, and at some distance above Quebec, the ;ng the bold precipice on which the fortifications were built, and ^h'6!}'8 of thus reach the level plain above, called the Heights of Abraham. * Montcalm perceiving that something was to be attempted, dispatched M. de Bourgainville, with one thousand five hun dred men, to move higher up the St. Lawrence and watch 140 FRENCH DEFEATED ON THE HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM. PART II. PERIOD III. CHAP. vii. September. He returns to Orleans. He gains the plains of Abraham, and prepares for battle. Sept. 13. British loss, 100 killed, 500 wounded. French kill ed and wounded, 1,000. Prisoners. 1,000. Death of Wolfe ; of Mont calm. 1759. Sep 18. Quclie ) sur renders, the motions of the English. Wolfe, pursuant to his plan, broke up his camp at Montmorenci, and returned to Orleans. Then embarking with his army, he directed Admiral Holmes, who commanded the fleet, in which himself and the army had embarked, to sail up the river several miles higher than the intended point of debarkation. This movement deceived De Bourgainville, and gave Wolfe the advantage _>f the cur rent and the tide, to float his boats silently down .o the des tined spot. This was done about an hour before daylight. Wolfe was the first man who leaped on shore. When he saw the diffi culties around him, he said to some one near, " I do not be lieve there is a possibility of getting up, but we must do our endeavor." The rapidity of the stream was hurrying along their boats, and some had already gone beyond the narrow landing-place. The shore was so shelving, that it was almost impossible to ascend ; and it was lined with French sentinels One of these hailed, and was answered by a captain, who fully understood the French language, and who had been especially instructed for this purpose. Escaping these dangers at the water's edge, they proceeded, though with the utmost diffi culty, to scale the precipice, pulling themselves up by the roots and branches of the trees and the projecting rocks in their way. The first party who reached the heights secured a small battery, which crowned them ; and thus the remainder of the army ascended in safety ; and there, on this lofty plain, which commands one of the most magnificent prospects which nature has formed, the British army, drawn up in a highly advantageous position, were, in the morning, discovered by the French. Montcalm, learning with surprise and deep regret, the ad vantage gained by his opponent, left his strong position, crossed the St. Charles, and displaying his lines for battle, intrepidly led on the attack. Being on the left of the French, he was opposed to Wolfe, who was on the right of the British. In the heat of the engagement both commanders were mor tally wounded. The wound with which Wolfe fell was the third which he had received in the battle. He was removed from the -field ; but he watched it with intense anxiety, as faint with the loss of blood, he reclined his languid head upon the supporting arm of an officer. A cry was heard, " they fly, they fly !" — " Who fly V he exclaimed. " The enemy," was the reply " Then," said he, " I die content ;" and expired. Not less heroic was the death of Montcalm. He rejoiced when told that his wound was mortal ; " For," said he, " I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." After the battle, the affairs of the English were conducted with great discretion by General Townshend whereas, the French, in their panic, appear to have yielded at once to the BRITISH IN POSSESSION OF QUEBEC. 141 suggestions of their fears. The capitulation of Quebec was PART U. signed within five days after the battle. Townshend gave period hi favorable terms to the garrison, for he knew that the resources chap. vm. of the French were by no means exhausted. v-^-v-*»^ General Townsend returning to England, General Murray was left in command with a garrison of 5,000 men. The French army retired to Montreal ; and M. de Levi, who had succeeded Montcalm, being, in the course of the winter, re inforced by Canadians and Indians, returned the following 1760. spring, with a force of 6,000 to Quebec. General Murray French at. left the fortress, and the Heights of Abraham became the g^Queb-S. scene of another battle more bloody, though not equally im portant in its consequences with the first. The armies on each side sustained the loss of 1,000 men. The battle was not decisive, but the advantage was on the side of the French, who maintained their ground while the English retired within the fortress. Here they were closely invested until they re ceived reinforcements, when M. de Levi, abandoning all thoughts of obtaining possession of Quebec, returned to Mont real, where Vaudreuil, the governor, assembled all the force of Canada. In the mean time, General Amherst had made arrangements for assembling before this place all the British troops, from Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, and Quebec. Here they fortunately arrived within two days of each other, and imme diately invested the place. Vandreuil found the force too g 8 strong to be resisted ; and on the 8th of September, he sur- Canada sui rendered Montreal, Detroit, Mackinaw, and all the French rendered. possessions in Canada. CHAPTER VIII. Wars with the Indians. — English politics. — Peace of Paris. The French, in retiring from Fort du Quesne, passed into Louisiana. On their route, they had intrigued with the Cherokees, who continued a predatory war upon the Caro- % _ _ _ linians. General Amherst sent Colonel Montgomery with colonel a body of regulars to their relief. Being joined by such Montgomery forces as could be raised in Carolina, he marched into the ^q^^? Cherokee country, destroyed all their lower towns, and was ta«,. approaching Etchoc, the first of their middle settlements, when he was attacked, in an almost impenetrable thicket, by a large body of savages. In the battle which ensued, the English claimed the victory ; but so great was their loss, that the* immediately retreated from the country. i42 PONTIAC CONQUERS BY ARTFUL DEVICES. PART II. PERIOD III CHAP. viii. 1761. The Eng lish defeat them, lay waste their /pyuntry, and compel them to peace. English less popular with the Indians, than the French. 1762. Pontiac con trives the daring scheme of cutting offall their posts, 1763. July 7. Nine of the British posts captured. Maumee one of the nine taken by stratagem. July 7. Joly 7. Mackinaw also taken by a stratagem prontrived by Pontiac. H-rrfoiS scene wit nessed by the comman dant. The savages continuing hostile, the following year General Amherst detached several regiments under Colonel Grant, who, early in June, gave battle to the Cherokees, at the place where Colonel Montgomery had encountered them. The English prevailed, and, pursuing their enemy to Etchoc, burned their dwellings, and laid waste their country. Tho savages being humbled, peace was restored. Interesting events, closely connected with the cession of the French territory, were already in progress among the savages of the northwest. We have seen with what deep policy the missionaries and the traders of that nation had won the hearts of the Indians. Said one of their orators, " when the French arrived, they came and kissed us. They called us their children, and we found them fathers." When the more haughty, and less attentive English were preparing to take possession, of the western ports, Pontiac, the highly gifted chief of the Ottawas, who sought, like Philip, to regain the primitive independence of his race, made use of the attach ment of the red men to the French, to unite them in a general conspiracy against their conquerors. As the English had expelled the French, if the Indians could exterminate them before their power were fully established, they would again be lords of the forest. The plan of Pontiac was not inferior in boldness, to that formed by Pitt for the final con quest of Canada. It was no less than a simultaneous Sttack upon all the British posts near the lakes. Pontiac, by his in ventive genius, his eloquence, and his energy, had acquired such power over the northwestern tribes, that all was ar ranged without discovery. On the 7th of July, 1763, nine of the British forts were surprised and captured by the Indians. Pontiac had arranged plans of stratagem which had thus far succeeded. At Maumee, the commanding officer had been lured forth by the piteous entreaties of a squaw, who feigned to plead for a wounded man, dying without the fort. Such, by savages in ambush, he himself was soon made. At Mackinaw, a more important post, the Indians had gathered by hundreds. They began among themselves a spirited game at ball. One of the two parties who played, drove the other, as if by accident, towards the palisades which inclosed the grounds of the fort. They came on, shouting, and sporting, and the soldiers went forth to view the game. At length the ball was thrown over the pickets, and the Indians jumped after it within the inclosure. Then began the butch ery. The soldiers of the garrison, appalled and unprepared, could make no resistance. The commandant, Major Henry, is writing within his room. He hears the Indian war-cry, and the shrieks of the murdered ; and, from his window, per ceives four hundred savages, cutting down with their toma hawks, his dearest friends. He sees them scalping them INTRODUCTION OF THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARIES. 143 while yet ii\ their death struggles, their necks beneath their PART II. feet, or their heads held between the knees of the scalpers, period iil They had already taken the fort. Through strange perils, 0HAP- 7U1- Henry himself escaped to relate the horrible scene. v^-v-^* Pontiac chose to command in person at Detroit, that post oeing regarded as the key to the upper country. On the 6th, he Indians, to the number of six hundred, had collected in the woods around the fort. In the evening, a squaw who had Pontiac been Kindly treated, betrays to Major Gladwyn, the comman- Detroit, 'but dant, the designs of the savages. On the 7th, Pontiac, with a his strata- party of his chiefs, present themselves as in peace, desiring freaye'|abnej to hold a council with the officers within the fort. They are defeated. admitted, but to their surprise immediately surrounded by the July 7. garrison, fully armed. Major Gladwyn approaches Pontiac, lifts his blanket, and finds a short rifle concealed beneath it. Similar ones are sought for and found upon each of his party. Thus unexpectedly discovered, Pontiac himself was discon certed. The Indians from without were not let in ; but the chief escaped, or was suffered to go forth. He then besieged the fort, holding the garrison confined for He holds the many months, and cutting off supplies and reinforcements. ^"I™^ At length his allies grew weary of war, and peace was con cluded. Pontiac died three years afterwards. It was during this period, that the " United Brethren," or Moravians, planted themselves in America. A short time be- Germans fore Oglethorpe's emigration, these persecuted Germans had from Mora- . 6 -,, fr i ¦ - i i j - • ti i j via expelled been expelled from their native land, and m a town m Poland, t0 Y^d. we find them with Count Zinzendorf, son to one of the first officers of the court, as their spiritual head. They were They regard closely united as brethren and sisters, and believed themselves themselves called to spread the gospel to benighted regions. To labor ^^d! y for tho salvation of the heathen aborigines, they sought and obtained means of introducing several of their number into Some go to this country. A part went first to Georgia, where they re- Georgia. mained until, in the war with the Spaniards, they were re- quired to take up arms. But regarding Christianity as oppo- They so(jn sed to war, they left Georgia, and joined the other division, join others who had settled at Nazareth and Bethlehem, in Pennsylva- m ^ae^svl nia. Here the society increased their territory by purchase and Th OP INDEPENDENCE. CHAPTR I. Causes of the Revolutionary War. We come now to trace the causes by which England lost her colonies, and America gained her independence. If we look back upon the general current of events, we shall find, that the determination which was made by Eng land, soon after the peace of Paris, to tax her American colo nies, and their subsequent resistance, to which the revolution is often solely referred, were themselves events naturally arising from the wide diversity of public sentiment and feel ing, on certain subjects ; so intimately connected with their mutual relations, that, in one way or another, the discontents thence arising, must, sooner or later, have come to the test of open and determined opposition. If a father fully believes himself justly possessed of power over his son, or an elder brother over a younger, which the son, or younger brother, solemnly considers as a mere tyrannical assumption, to which he cannot submit, without degrading himself to a state of sla very, it is not difficult to predict, that, without a change of opinion, on one side or the other, a contest must arise ; and, if tho power of the elder party cannot force submission from the younger, a separation must ensue. Perhaps, the figurative language, by which England was called the mother country, had no inconsiderable share in giving to the nation, to which all allowed a parental name, the idea that she had rights similar to those which a parent has over a child ; whereas, to the English then on the stage, that old England, which our forefathers left, was as much a parent land, as to the Americans. Had the epithet been used in common, and the language of the parties such as showed them to be, what they really were, fellow subjects of the same PART III. Honest pa triots inEng land and America dif fer widely is opinion con cerning the right. The term mothercountry misundet^ stood. 146 COLONIES D-pfTEUMINE TO RESIST INTERNAL TAXATION. PART III. ^period i. CHAP. I. Subjects of disagree ment be tween the two parties. Internal taxation made by Americans the ground of resist ance. England de termined to humole and subjugate America. Delay til the close of the French war. laws, and brethren of the same blood, England might not have been unjust, nor her colonies driven to revolt. England believed, contrary to the opinion of the colonies, that she had a right to change their governments, although established by royal charters. She maintained that she could at her pleasure, regulate and restrict their commerce ; and to this opinion the colonies did not in general object ; but, in particular cases, they believed she carried this power to an oppressive extent. Finally, she claimed a right to collect from the provinces, a revenue, either by external duties imposed for the regulation of trade, or by internal taxes, on articles to be consumed by the colonists. It was the subject of internal taxation, on which the most decided opposition of opinions prevailed. The Americans did not dispute the right of the British, in respect to external taxes, except when car ried to a vexatious extent, as in the case of the law, called the Sugar Act; but the subject of internal taxes, having been deeply considered, they deliberately determined not to submit to their imposition in any manner, or by any assembly, except by one composed of their own representatives. It has been already seen in how many instances, the Bri tish, acting consistently with these views, had attempted what the colonists considered encroachments upon their rights-, and that they had reluctantly submitted, evaded, or resisted, as the circumstances of the occasion, or the apprehended im portance of the contested right, seemed to require. In many instances, they had opposed the governors sent over by the crown ; and those, by their complaints, had made the English government believe that their American provinces were, by degrees, shaking off the authority of the crown, and tending to a state of independence ; to prevent which, measures must be taken to humble and subjugate them. Such was the state of affairs at the commencement of the late war, between England and France, in which the colonies had so deep an interest, and in which they bore so large a share. While pressed by a common enemy, these causes of dissension remained latent ; but as soon as this war termi nated, and while yet the colonies were rejoicing in being de livered from a foe, who had so long instigated the savages to midnight murder, the government of England began to delibe rate by what means they could best bend the stubborn provin cials, to what they considered due subjection. This was not, however, the only motive of the British ministry, in the acta which ensued. The expenses of the war had added more than three hundred millions of dollars to their national debt. To find the means of defraying its annual charges, and other increased expenditures, was now the difficult duty of the Bri tish government. As early as 1760, the mutual jealousies between the colo nies and the mother country appeared in Massachusetts, od AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE FIRST ASSERTED. 14" the occasion of an attempt to enforce the act, by which duties were laid on foreign sugar and molasses, which, having been considered oppressive, had been evaded. The custom-house officers were directed, in case of suspecting these articles to be concealed, to apply to the superior court of the colony for what were termed, " writs of assistance," which were a kind of general search warrant. Any petty custom-house officer, ermed with one of them, might, on pretence of searching for these articles, invade, at his pleasure, the family retirement of any gentleman in the province. The people of Boston determined to oppose the granting of writs of assistance, and employed two of their most emi nent lawyers, Oxenbridge Thatcher and James Otis, for this purpose. The latter of these gentlemen defended the cause of American rights with such impetuous eloquence, that one who heard him, John Adams, afterwards himself so highly distinguished, said, " Otis was a flame of fire ! Every man of an immensely crowded audience went away ready to take arms against writs of assistance. Then and there was the first scene of opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Bri tain ; then and there American independence was born." The writs were, however, under certain restrictions, granted; but such was their unpopularity, that they were little used. In 1762, plans were on foot for changing the American governments. This much dreaded measure had,' as was learned, by intercepted letters, been recommended by Sir Francis Bernard, who, in 1760, had arrived in Massachusetts, as the royal governor. Bernard, in his letters, charged the colonists with being hostile to British rule, and aiming at ab solute independence. He said " the attempt to enforce the Sugar act," which, though enacted in 1733, had been, evaded, " had caused more alarm than the massacre at Fort William Henry." He avowed the opinion, that parliament had full power to alter the colonial governments, and to change their respective boundaries, notwithstanding the royal charters ; he counselled, that several of the smaller provinces should be consolidated, to make one more respectable, and more easily governed ; he recommended the establishment of a hereditary nobility, and asserted the right of parliament to tax the colo- aies; but suggested the expediency of admitting into that body, representatives from America. The publication of these let ters caused great alarm and bitter resentment against the man, who as they believed, had thus acted the part of deadly hos tility to their vital interests. PARTIII. PERIOD I." CHAP. I. 1760. Difficulty m enforcing ihfr sugar act February, 1761. Speech of James Otis against writs of assist 1763. Governor Bernard. Intercepted letters. recommend measures hostile to tb* colonies 14s LORD GRENVILLE PROPOSES A DUTY ON STAMPS. CHAPTER II. British Taxation. — The Stamp Act. PART III. PERIOD I. 1764. Stamp duty proposed, and others made per petual. Massachu setts, Vir ginia, and New York take bold ground. Societies formed to in jure the Brit- iiih trade in America. Xeither Sir R. Walpole ocr Mr. Pitt would ven ture to tax .he colonies. 1765. Grenville in troduces into parliament the Stamp Act. In 1764, Lord Grenville gave notice to the American agents in London, that it was his intention to draw a revenue from the colonies, and that he should, in the ensuing session of parliament, propose a duty on stamps. He wished them to communicate with their constituents, and learn whether any other duties, equally productive, and more agreeable to the colonies, might be substituted. Soon after, resolutions were passed in the house of commons, continuing, and making per petual, the odious duties on sugar, and molasses, and some other articles imported into the colonies, and subjecting sup posed offenders to be tried by courts of admiralty, in such a manner as would deprive them of trial by jury, and might take them far from their homes. The colonial agents in London informed their respective colonies of the intended system of taxation. A great alarm was excited. Massachusetts instructed her agents to deny the right of parliament to impose taxes upon those who were not represented in the house of commons. The house oi burgesses in Virginia appointed a committee to prepare an address to the king and parliament, expressing their sense of the destructive consequences of such a measure. The assem bly of New York also sent petitions, which, in a spirit more. bold and decided than those from any other colony, asserted their own rights, and the limitations of British power. Asso ciations were formed in all the colonies to encourage home manufactures, and prohibit, as much as possible, the use of British goods. The tendency of this judicious measure was to make the colonists less dependent, and, by operating inju riously on the British merchants, to make them a party against the ministry. The British government were aware that they had to deal with a spirited people ; yet they closed their eyes to the full evidence of the stern independence of the American character. Sir Robert Walpole, in the reign of George II. , had under stood it better, when, in reply to those who advised him to raise a revenue by taxing America, he said, " he left that to those who should come after him — who had more courage than himself;" and Mr. Pitt, also, when, according to his own expression, he did not choose " to burn his fingers with an American tax." Notwithstanding the opposition, which, in truth, was not unexpected, in 1765, Lord Grenville, pursuant to his declared intention, introduced into the British parliament, his plan HOSTILE MEASURES OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. 149 for taxing America, to commence with duties on stamps. In PART III. the house of commons, the project, though ably supported, peril'D l .net with ardent and animated opposition. It was on this CHAP ". occasion, that Colonel Barre was roused to that unpremedi- ^-.«-\>*«w tated effort of eloquence, which has made his name, to this Jay, appear to Americans, like that of a friend. In answer to Charles Townshend, he having caught that 1765. orator's last expression, he rose and exclaimed, " Children Colonel Bat- planted by your care ! No ! Your oppressions planted them ^a^Gre-it in America ! They fled from your tyranny to an uncultivated Britain owe» land, where they were exposed to all the hardships to which m]0re. to P* human nature is liable, and, among others, to the cruelties of they to her a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take it upon me to say, the most terrible, that ever inhabited any part of God's earth. They nourished by your indulgence ! No ! They grew by your neglect ! When you began to care about them, that care was exercised in sending persons to rule over them, whose character and conduct has caused the blood of these sons of liberty to recoil within them. They protected by „ your arms ! They have nobly taken up arms in your defense ! that they'are The people of America are as truly loyal as any subjects the loyal, but king has, but a people jealous of their liberties, and they will ^47^1' ' vindicate them." liberty. Neither the eloquence of Colonel Barre, the petitions of the London merchants, nor the remonstrances of the colonies, March 22nd could prevent the passage of the stamp act. Of three hundred, emmentpass who voted in the house of commons, only fifty were against the stamp it ; in the house of lords, there was not a single dissenting act' voice ; and the royal assent was readily obtained. By this act, no written instrument could be legal, unless the paper was stamped on which it was drawn ; and this stamped paper was to be purchased, at exhorbitant prices, of the agents of the British government. Provision was made for the recovery of penalties for the breach of this act, as of all others relating to trade and reve- Courts of nue, in any admiralty, or king's marine court, throughout the a mlra ™" colonies. These courts preceded in trials, without the inter- Trial by jury vention of a jury. This act, both in regard to the suspension suspendled of what the colonists regarded as one of the most important of their rights, that of trial by jury, and also in regard to that extension of jurisdiction, by which they were liable to be call ed to trial, for real or supposed offenses, to distant provinces, was, next to that for direct taxation, the most obnoxious to the colonies of any aggression of the British government. Anticipating opposition to these measures, parliament pass- Act forqul„ ed laws for sending troops to America, and obliging the inhab- tering troops itants of those colonies to which they should be sent, to fur- ln An.er.ea. nish them with quarters, and all necessary supplies. The stamp act was to take effect on the first day of Novem- Franklin's ber. The night after ita passage, Dr. Franklin, then in 1«« 150 NEWS OF THE STAMP ACT REACHES AMERICA. PART III Thompson's reply. Spirited oj- position. May 29. Thj five re solutions of the house of burgesses in Virginia. (They sat In the old capitol at Williams- burg.) Patrick Henky. His daring eloquencemakes the firet public opposition. London as agent for Pennsylvania, wrote to his friend Charles Thompson, " The sun of liberty is set ; you must light up tha candles of industry and economy." " Be assured," said Mr. Thompson, in reply, " we shall light up torches of quite anoth er sort." On the arrival of the stamp act, the smothered feelings o) the colonists broke forth into one general burst of indignation. The house of burgesses in Virginia were at that time in ses sion. It was here that the first public opposition was made to the odious act ; and the man, by whom the resolutions, which expressed this opposition, were introduced, was the eloquent and ardent Patrick Henry, then a young lawyer, and a new member. Of his five celebrated resolutions, the first four asserted the rights and privileges claimed by the colonists ; the last declared they were not bound to yield obe dience to any law; imposing taxes upon them, excepting such as were passed by the general assembly of the colony. These resolutions, more especially the last, were warmly opposed by the house of burgesses ; but the bold and irresistible eloquence of Henry finally prevailed, and they were passed by a major ity of a single voice. In the heat of the debate, the conduct of the king was, for the first time in any public body in Ameri ca, arraigned ; and Patrick Henry, in this, dared what mighi have cost him his life. He asserted that the king, in, assent ing to the law for taxing the colonies, had acted the part of a tyrant ; and alluding to the fate of other tyrants, he exclaim ed, "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I. his Cromwell^ and George III." — he was interrupted by the cry of " treason !" — pausing for a moment, he deliberately concluded — " may profit by their example ; — if this be treason, make the most of it." The next day the members were alarmed, on considering the bold stand which they had taken ; and in the absence of Henry, the fifth resolution was rescinded ; but it had already with the others gone forth, and, although at first cautiously circulated, all were at length openly published, and produced violent ex citements throughout the country CHAPTER III. Congress at New York— Repeal of the Stamp Act Before the proceedings in Virginia had become known ie ro^slTby Massacnusetts. the general court of that colony had assem- M-ulachu- Med, and adopted measures to produce a combined opposition «etts. Dele- to the oppressive measures of parliament. Letters were at?- efromelnii.e dressed to the assemblies of the otler colonies, proposing tha. "denies a congress, composed of deputies from each, should meet to INTENDED AND REAL EFFECTS OF THE STAMP ACT. 15i consult on their common interests. This proposition was not PART III. agreed to by all, and indeed it met, at first, a general opposi- period l tion. Delegates were, however, elected from Massachusetts, CHAP- m. Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penn- *-^-v -*»-' sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina. On the first Tuesday in October, which was the day desig- 1765. nated by Massachusetts for the meeting of the congress, the .-,.0ct- "*,. delegates assembled at New York. Their first measure was nental « t to draw up a declaration, in which they asserted that the col- s^ss Theii onists were entitled to all the rights and privUeges of natural ^ "^2^ born subjects of Great Britain ; that the most essehtial of the.se were an exclusive right to tax themselves, and the privi lege of trial by jury ; and that the late acts of parliament, im posing taxes on the inhabitants without their consent, and ex tending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty, had a manifest tendency to subvert these rights and liberties. The petlti0nsto congress then prepared an address to the king, and petitions the king and to both houses of parliament. The colonies which were not Parl'ament represented in this congress, also forwarded to England simi lar petitions. As the day approached on which the stamp act was to take 0, , effect, the popular feeling against it increased. Had duties turesofthe been laid on articles of convenience or luxury, these might stamp act have been dispensed with ; but this law was so framed, that the evil intended as a penalty for disobedience, was no less 0beyed or than the suspension of the whole machinery of the social or- civil govern- der, and the creation of a state of anarchy. Neither trade nor mentA2ls" navigation could proceed ; no contract could be legally made, no process against an offender could be instituted, no appren tice could be indented, no student could receive a diploma, nor even could the estates of the dead be legally settled, until the stamp duty was paid. Measures were taken to make the situation of all concerned Colomstsde in its collection so unpleasant, that no one might be found ^™ake it° hardy enough to engage as an officer. At Boston, in the impossible month of August, the populace, after burning the effigy of Mr. for any offi- Andrew Oliver, the proposed distributer of stamps, assembled tribute'8 at his house, broke his windows, and destroyed his furniture, stamps Mr. Oliver then formally pledged himself to have no concern in the execution of the obnoxious statute. The houses of an officer of the court of admiralty, and of one of the custom house officers, were entered, and their effects purloined. But M^u§ff^"e the greatest damage was done in the mansion of Lieut. Gov. 0f Boston,' Hutchinson, whose loss in furniture, plate, pictures, and mon- roughlyused ey, was very considerable ; and was a chief item in a claim n0rHutchin , which Great Britain afterwards made against Massachusetts, son, and In New Haven, Mr. Ingersol, like Mr. Oliver, was obliged to B^,r0Ifn^ declare his resolution not to become a distributer. Similar Haven. scenes occurred in other places. The first of November, the day on which the act was to T52 AMERICA WILL NOT PEACEABLY SUBMrT. PART m. (ake effect, was ushered in by the tolling of bells, as for a lu period i. neral procession, ai> 1 signs of mourning and sorrow appeared chap. m. in all the colonies. In New York, the stamp act was hawk- y^^w-^j ed about with a death's head attached to it, under the title of Nov l the " Folly of England and the ruin of America." " In Ports- staLp act mouth, New Hampshire," says Dr. Holmes, " a coffin, neatly Singular de- ornamented, and inscribed with ' Liberty, aged CXLV years,' "tions*" was PrePared for the funeral procession, which began from the state house, attended with two unbraced drums. Minute In Ports- guns were fired until the corpse arrived at the grave, when mouth, N. H, an oration was pronounced, in honor of the deceased. Scarce- liberty's ty was tne oration concluded, when, some remains of life hav- death, bu- ing been discovered, the corpse was taken up. The inscrip- nal and re- tjon on tjje l y 0f tm3 cofgn was changed to Liberty Revived ! The bells suddenly struck a cheerful sound, and joy again ap peared in every countenance." In fine, the opposition to the law was general and systema 1765 ^c- Even the women, animated by the same spirit, united The women with the men in their exertions to prevent the importation ol unite to pre- British goods ; and cheerfully relinquished every species of "of British ornament, which was manufactured in England. The pro- goods, ceedings of the courts of justice were suspended, in order that no stamps might be used ; and those engaged in disputes were earnestly and effectually exhorted, by the leading men, to terminate them by reference. In the mean time, a change had taken place in the British ministry ; the authors of the stamp act had been removed, and Lord Gren- their places supplied by those who were supposed to be more TlU,e f1?" favorable to the interests of the colonies. The Marquis of ¦»ie Duke of Rockingham was made lord of the treasury, and the Duke of Grafton. Grafton and General Conway, secretaries of state. They were now at a loss how to proceed, for they perceived that measures must be taken, either to repeal the obnoxious statute, or oblige the Americans to submit to it, by force of arms. In 1766. January, 1766, the petitions of congress, and other papers re- January, lating to the affairs of America, were laid before the house of ledar^its c°mm°ns. After their examination, a resolution was introdu- nghtto bind ced by General Conway, declaring that parliament "had full the colj.nes. power to bind the colonies, and people of America, in all cases Feb 10 wllatsoever i" which, after an animated debate, was adopted. Dr. Frank- The next day, the ministry, now bent on a repeal of the tin examined stamp act, instituted inquiries upon the subject, and among otliei bhouse of6 Persons> Dr- Franklin was examined before the house of corn- commons; mons. He gave it as his opinion, that the acts of parliament declares the for taxing America, had alienated the affections of the people *Lt submit. fr°m tlie motner country, and that they would never submit to Bill to repeal tne stamp duty, unless compelled. the stamp The resolution to repeal that act, was opposed by Lord ejitedbyMr Grenville and his adherents, who were answered by Mr. Pitt. Pitt. That great states nan maintained, that taxation was no part of LORD CHATHAM IN THE MINISTRY. 158 the governing or legislative power which parliament had a right to exert over the colonies ; and concluded with a motion, " that the stamp act be repealed, totally, abso utely, and immedi ately. The bill for its repeal, at length passed the commons, and was sent to the house of lords, where it met with much op position. But the cause of the colonies was ably advocated by Lord Camden. " My position," said he, " i§ this ; I re peat it, I will maintain it to my last hour — taxation and repre sentation are inseparable. This position is founded on the laws of nature ; it is more— it is itself an eternal law of na ture : for whatever is a man's own is absolutely his own ; no man has a right to take it from him without his consent. Whoever attempts to do it, attempts an injury ; whoever does it, commits a robbery." The bill for repeal at length passed the house of Lords, but with it was another, called the " de claratory bill," in which the resolution was repeated, that " parliament had a right to bind the colonies in all cases what soever. ?ART III. March 18. Passes the house of lords, but its salutary effect de stroyed CHAPTER IV. Second attempt to tax America. — Opposition. Although the repeal of the stamp act gave joy to the col onists, yet, while a principle was at the same time asserted, upon which, any future ministry, with the sanction of parlia mentary authority, might oppress them, they continued a jeal ous watch over the British government. General Conway recommended to the colonies, to make compensation, to those who had suffered in attempting to en force the stamp act. Governor Bernard laid this recommend ation before the assembly of Massachusetts, as a requisition with which they must of necessity comply. With this they were offended, as it disabled them, they said, from voluntarily granting to the king such favors as he requested. At first they refused to make any compensation to the sufferers, but they finally consented, though in a manner highly displeasing to the British government, for the same act which made the ap propriation for the damage, expressed a pardon to those by whom it was done. In July, another change took place in the British ministry, and a cabinet was formed under the direction of Mr. Pitt, now Earl of Chatham. The proceedings of the Americans had given great offense to the British, and they were con demned by many who had heretofore espoused their cause 1766. Colonies jealous and watchful. March 31. Massachu setts con sents to paj for the riot, but pai..oiis the riotera. July. Pitt at the head of the British cabi- • net 154 MASS. AGAIN PROMINENT IN THE GENERAL CAUSE. PART III. PERIOD I CHAP. IV. 176§. Massachu setts re quests the co-operation of the other colonies. Displeasure of the Brit ish ministry. Bernard dis solves the assembly. June 10. Seixure of Hancock's sloop re sented. Non impor Ution agree ments. Boston vain ly petitions the governor to call an as sembly. In May, 1767, Charles Townshend, then chancellor of tbe exchequer, influenced by Lord Grenville, brought into parlia ment a second plan for taxing America, by imposing duties on all tea, glass, paper, and painter's colors, which should be im ported into the colonies. This bill passed both houses of parliament without much opposition. And during the same session an act was passed, suspending the authority of the assembly of New York, until they should comply with the requisition to quarter troops, which they had refused ; and another, appointing the officers of the navy, as custom-house officers, to enforce the acts of trade and navigation. These three acts following each other in quick succession, caused, throughout America, a revival of the same feelings which the passage of the stamp act had produced. In Janu ary, 1768, the assembly oT Massachusetts prepared a petition to the king, and sent letters to those persons in Great Britain, who had been most active in defending the cause of America, again asserting what they considered their rights, and claim ing deliverance from those unjust and oppressive taxes, which had been imposed by the recent acts of parliament. They also addressed circulars to the other colonial assemblies, en treating their co-operation, in obtaining the redress of their grievances. The British ministry viewed this measure as an attempt to convene another congress ; and as they had always dreaded the effects of voluntary colonial union, independent of ths crown, they instructed Gov. Bernard, to require the assemblj to rescind the vote by which the circulars were sent to the oth er colonies ; and, in case of their refusal, to dissolve them ; at the same time, addressing letters to the other colonial governors, to prevent, if possible, their compliance with the request of Massachusetts. In the assembly of that province, ninety-two, out of one hundred and nine representatives, refu sed to rescind the vote, or disapprove of their former proceed ings, and the governor, in consequence, dissolved the assembly. But instead of intimidating, these measures did but exasperate ihe people. In June,, the custom-house officers seized a sloop belonging to John Hancock, a merchant of eminence, and a patriot much beloved by the people of Boston. They assembled in crowds, insulted and beat the officers, and compelled them to leave' the town. Non-importation agreements, with regard to all ar ticles on which duties had been laid, were now extensively adopted. The assembly of Massachusetts had not convened, since its dissolution by Gov. Bernard. A report was circulated, that troops wore ordered to march into Boston. A town meeting was called, and the governor was earnestly entreated to con voke the assembly. His reply was "that he could rot call FIRST ACT OF A FREE ASSEMBLY IN VA. BY WASHINGTON. 155 another assembly zhis year, without further commands from PART III. the king." period l A convention was then proposed, and accordingly held, on CHAP- "• the 22d of September. The members petitioned the govern- *-«*-v-w or, that an assembly might be called ; but he refused, calling 6ei,t- 22- them rebels. They transmitted to the king a respectful ac- tionftomtL count of their proceedings, and then dissolved, after a session several of five days. tow»s ijtt Orders were given to General Gage, the commander-in- chief of the British troops in the colonies, to station a force in Boston, to overawe the citizens, and protect the custom-house v officers in the discharge of their duty. Two regiments were accordingly ordered from Halifax, and escorted by seven arm- Sept. 28. ed vessels, they arrived at Boston on the 28th of September. Two reS' The fleet took a station which commanded the town, and the f^m Haiifai troops having landed under the cover of their guns, marched to Boston, into Boston without any resistance on the part of the inhabit ants. The select men of the town refusing to provide them , with quarters, the governor commanded the state house to be in the opened for their reception. The presence of the soldiers, had state house. great influence in restraining outward violence, yet so offen sive was the measure, that it greatly increased hostile dispo sitions. Early in the succeeding year, news was received that the late proceedings in Massachusetts were delared by parliament to be " illegal, unconstitutional, and derogatory to the rights of the crown and parliament." Both houses, in a joint address 1769 to the king, had recommended vigorous measures, and had Threatening even gone so far as to beseech him to direct the governor of q"^" g.?t_ Massachusetts Bay, to make strict inquiries, as to all treasons ain. committed in that province since the year 1767 ; in order that the persons most active in committing them, might be sent to England for trial. The house of burgesses in Virginia met a few days after this address was received in the colonies. They passed reso lutions, in which they boldly denied the right of the king to j^t in'vix- remove an offender out of the colony for trial ; and voted an ginia. address to the crown, which, though in a style of loyalty, stated their deep conviction that the complaints of the colo nists were well founded. When the intelligence of these proceedings reached the nay. governor, he suddenly dissolved the assembly. But the cur- Lord Bote- ren of opposition was too strong to be stayed. The members '"j^,' jjjjj assembled at a private house ; elected their speaker, Peyton solves the Randolph, Esq., moderator ; and proceeded to pass some deci- bJ}0U||,,°g ded resolutions agains' importing British goods. These were i-hey make introduced by Colonel Washington, who had been a member themselves of the house since his resignation. This example was fol- ^nt assem lowed by other colonies ; and non-importation agreements, bly. which had before been entered into by Boston, Salem, the citv 156 AFFRAY WITH THE MILITARY' AT BOSTON' PART III. 0f New York, and the colony of Connecticut, now became perioi i. general. chap. iv. jn May, the assembly of Massachusetts convened. They y-*~*~-*~y refused to proceed with business while the state house was 1770. surrounded by an armed force. The governor would not re- .Usembi' of move **' but adjourned them to Cambridge. Here they ex- Mas™achu° pressed their decided belief, that the establishment of a stand- setts con- ing army in the colony in time of peace, was an invasion of uTajourned their natural rights. They refused to make any of the appro- to Cam- priations of money which the governor proposed, and he again bridge^ pror0gued them. In August, Governor Bernard was recalled, and the government left in the hands of Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson. On the 5th of March, 1770, some of the inhabitants of Boston insulted the military, while under arms ; and an affray March 5. took place, in which four persons were killed. The bells Affray with were instantly rung ; the people rushed from the country to troops'8 tne aid of the citizens ; and the soldiers were obliged to retire to Castle William, in order to avoid the fury of the enraged multitude. A trial was instituted : the soldiers arraigned were all acquitted, except two, who were found guilty of manslaugh- ter. The moderation of the jury, and the ability with which triedfor mur- they were defended by two of the leading opposers of British ier, and ably aggression, John Adams and Josiah Quincy, were honorable iefen4H'p, b7 to the individuals, and to their country. This event, however, JohnAdams, . > . . J . . ' ' and Josiah increased the detestation in which the stationing of a soldiery Quincy. among the people, was held. In England Lord North was appointed to the ministry. He ? introduced a bill into parliament, which passed on the 12th of Lord North April, removing the duties which had been laid- in 1767, ex- vainly pur- cepting those on tea. But, as had been predicted by those porizing po" wno opposed this partial removal, the people of America were licy. not satisfied, while the system was adhered to and parliament claimed the right of taxing the colonies. 177..5. in 1772, meetings were held in the towns throughout Mas- ofthe"peo- sachusetts, where committees were appointed to maintain a pie turned to correspondence with each other. These meetings, which tne. st4ect proved the nurseries of independence, were censured by Great wrongs. Britain as being the hot beds of treason and rebellion. june. In Rhode Island, a daring resistance was made to the cus- The Gaspee tom-house officers ; and the Gaspee, an armed schooner which k-jSight*' na<^ been stati0Iled in that colony for the purpose of enforcing the acts of trade was destroyed. THE BOSTON "TEA PARTY. \fri CHAPTER V. Seizure of Tea.— Boston Port Bill.— Arrival of Bi tish Troops. The non-importation agreements, rigidly observed in re- PART III. spect to the article of tea, now began to effect the commercial periodT interest of Great Britain. Parliament passed an act allowing chap. v. the East India Company to export to America its teas, free o*f — -v-*^ all duties in England, thus enabling them to reduce its price 1778. in the colonies. Tea was accordingly shipped in large quan- Mav- tites. The colonists foresaw, that if it should be landed, the ^England duty would probably be paid. Resolutions were therefore to hinder extensively adopted, that the tea should not be received on . abstinence shore, but sent back to England. m -tee"se ol At Philadelphia the pilots were enjoined not to conduct the 1773 ships into the river. At New York the governor ordered The com- some of the tea to be landed, under the protection of an armed mittee of vi- ship, but the people took it into custody, and allowed none of detTrmin^d it to be sold. In Boston it was apprehended that as the that no tea loaded vessels lay in the harbor, the tea would be landed in shaU be small quantities : and several men, disguised as Indians, t, boarded the ships during the night, and threw their cargoes destroy1^! into the water. Three hundred and forty-two chests of tea chests of tea were thus broken open and their contents thrown overboard. When the news of these transactions reached the parlia ment of England, they resolved " to make such provisions as should secure the just dependence of the colonies, and a due obedience to the laws, throughout all the British dominions." 1774. In order to punish the inhabitants of Boston, in an exemplary Parliament manner, and oblige them to restore the value of the tea which s^ut^*e had been destroyed, a bill was passed in March, 1774, " in- ton terdicting all commercial intercourse with the port of Boston, and prohibiting the landing and shipping of any goods at that place," until these ends should be accomplished. Parliament'also passed an act, giving to the crown the G;ve tne power previously residing in the General Court, of appointing crown the counselors ; and they prohibited meetings in the several aPPomtment towns except, for the purpose of electing officers. In order ors. to secure the execution of these obnoxious laws, they provided Forbid town that any person indicted for murder, or any capital offense, meetings. committed in aiding the magistracy, might be sent to another Abolish trial colony, or to Great Britain for trial. by jury, An act was also passed, extending the province of Quebec to the river Ohio ; and, in order more effectually to provide ^"jj J^ring for its government, a legislative council was formed, who in oppren were to be appointed by the crown, and trials without a jury sionfromvtw were also to, be permitted. The object of this act, which thus 158 MASSACHUSETTS PROPOSES A GENERAL CONGKESS. PART III. 1774. Exposure of Hutchin son's letters. Gage suc ceeds him. May 10. Boston port bill causes equal excite ment. The assem bly proposes a general congress and chooses members. lt disobeys the royal au thority. Noble con duct of the people of Salem. The Bosto- nians aided 6y the whole country. in that province abolished the free system of English laws and extended its boundaries, was " at once to render it an ex ample, and a fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into the other colonies." General Gage was made governor of Massachusetts in the place of Hutchinson, who had been removed from his office in consequence of unpopularity occasioned by the exposure of letters which had been written by him, during the years 1767 and 1768, to the leading men of Great Britain, which had tended greatly to increase the prejudice of parliament against the colonies, and widen the breach already existing between them. On the arrival of the port bill in Boston, a meeting of the inhabitants was held, who declared that the " impolicy, injus tice, and inhumanity of the act exceeded their powers of ex pression !" The assembly convened at this place, but was removed by the governor to Salem. It was here resolved, that the present state of the colonies made it necessary that a congress, composed of delegates from all the colonies, should assemble, to take their affairs into the most serious considera tion. They nominated J[ames Bowdoin, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, men cele brated for their talents and patriotism, as their representatives to such a congress ; and directed the speaker of the house to inform the other colonies of their resolution. The governor, having learned these proceedings, sent an officer to dissolve the assembly, in the king's name. Being unable to obtain admittance, he read the order aloud on the staircase ; but it was not obeyed, until the members had finished their most important business. Governor Gage had believed that the advantages arising to the trade of Salem, from shutting up the port of Boston, would render its inhabitants more favorable to the royal government ; but the people of that town declared, " that nature, in forming their harbor, had prevented their becoming rivals in trade , and that even if it were otherwise, they should regard them selves lost to every idea of justice, and all feelings of human ity, could they indulge one thought of seizing upon the wealth of their neighbors, or raising their fortunes upon the ruins of their countrymen." The cause of the people of Boston was espoused by all the colonies, and their wants were supplied by their contributions The people of Marblehead, in accordance with the general feeling, instead of taking advantage of their distress, offered them the use of their harbor, their wharves, and warehouses, free of all expense. In Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who had been made governor, on the death of Lord Botetourt, had prorogued the refractory burgesses from time to time until March, 1773. When, in May, 1774, they received the news of the Boston port bill. FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT PHILADELPHIA. 159 they proclaimed a fast. Lord Dunmore at once prorogued PART III. them. They however formed an association, and voted to period I. recommend to the colonies a general congress. chai>. vi. The first of June, the day on which the port bill was to take ^v-w effect, was devoutly observed, in Virginia, as a day of fasting, The Virgiui. humiliation and prayer, to implore that God would avert the ,^s *^» evils which threatened them, and " give them one heart, and ay__ig one mind, firmly to oppose, by all just and proper means, every injury to the American rights." CHAPTER VI. Congress at Philadelphia. The resolutions adopted by the assembly of Massachusetts, 1774. with respect to a general congress, were approved by the other Sept. 4. colonies; and on the 4th of September, 1774, the congress A cowmen- convened at Philadelphia. In this body, the most august and assembles^! important which had ever assembled upon the American Philadel- shores, all the colonies, except Georgia, were represented ; p and all parties, struck with the array of splendid talents and ,Tvv elve co stern patriotism, which a view of the catalogue of its mem- senteZ bers presented, looked forward to the result of their delibera tions with deep interest and great expectation ; the people with hope — but the officers and dependents of the crown, with alarm and apprehension. Their first measure was to choose, by a unanimous vote, Peyton Ran Peyton Randolph, Esq. of Virginia, as president. They next ^^j^6" decided, that, as they could not ascertain the relative impor- F , , tance of each colony, each should have one vote ; they deter- has one vote. mined that their deliberations should proceed with closed doors ; they chose a committee of two from each province, to state the rights of the colonies in general, the several instances in which these rights had been infringed, and the means of obtaining redress. They expressed their approbation of the conduct of the people of Massachusetts, exhorted them to per- Acp0„Xct of" severe in the cause of freedom, with decision, yet with tem- Massachu- perance ; and voted the continuance of contributions for their s~tts> and relief. Being informed that General Gage was erecting forti- ules for re. fications around Boston, and prohibiting the citizens from a lief. free communication, they addressed a letter to that officer, entreating him to desist from military operations ; lest a dif ference, altogether irreconcilable, should arise between the colonies and the parent state. The committee chosen, next reported an able instrument, They draw setting forth the rights of the colonies, in the form of resolu- a d^c ''^^0D tions, which being accepted, was addressed to the people, and rights too CONGRESS SEEK PEACE, BUT PREPARP FOR WAR. PART III. PERIOD I. CHAP. VI. 1774. Sanction fton-importa- tion com pacts. Encourage arts which end to inde pendence. Resolve against the slave-trade. Resolve to continue the colonial High char acter of the first Ameri can con gress. They make •n able ap peal to the king. is now commonly quoted by the title of the " Bill of Rights." The last of these resolutions stated the result of the best wis dom of congress, as to the means most likely to obtain the peaceable redress of grievances. First, to enter into a non importation association, second, to prepare an address to the people of Great Britain, and a memorial to the inhabitants of British America, and third, to prepare a loyal address to the king. By the non-importation compact, they agreed and associa ted, for themselves and their constituents, " under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of liberty," not to import, or use any British goods, after the first of December, 1774, particu larly the articles of tea and molasses. At the same time, they agreed to encourage agriculture, arts, and manufactures in America. Committees were to be appointed in every place, to see that this agreement was observed ; and those who violated it were to be denounced as enemies to the rights of their country. It is worthy of remark, that these great men, in the pressure of their own peculiar difficulties, did not forget the cause of suffering humanity, but made, with the other resolutions, one by which they bound themselves not to be, in any way, con cerned in the slave-trade. Finally, they determined to continue the congressional union, until the repeal by parliament, of oppressive duties ; of the laws restricting their rights of trial by jury ; of the acts, against the people of Massachusetts ; and of that for ex tending the limits of the province of Quebec. In the several addresses which, conformably to their reso lutions, were drawn up and promulgated, congress fully met the high expectations which were entertained of that assem blage, of whom Lord Chatham declared, " that, though he had studied and admired the free states of antiquity, the master spirits of the world, yet, for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, no body of men could stand in preference to this congress." The addresses were couched in terms, which, though 'strongly calculated to awa ken the sympathy, were, at the same time, powerful to con vince the reason. They were not the whining complaints of beaten children, who murmur and submit, but the firm remon- , strances of injured and indignant men, willing to ask for their rights, but determined to have them. The petition to the king entreated him, in language the most respectful and affectionate, to restore their violated rights. Their grievances, they said, were the more intolera ble, as they were bom heirs of freedom, and had enjoyed it under the auspices of his royal ancestors. " The apprehen sion," say they, " of being degraded into a state of servitude, from the pre-eminent rank of English freemen, while our minds retain the strongest love of l'herty, and clearly foresee DICTATES OF CONGRESS APPROVED AND FOLLOWED. 16] the miseries preparing for us and our posterity, excites emo- PART HI. tions iu our breasts which we cannot describe." They period I. express a hope, that the royal indignation will fall on those CHAP' VI- designing and dangerous men, who, by their misrepresenta- 1-^^"^-' tions of his American subjects, had, at length, compelled Thj? pe" them, by the force of accumulated injuries, too severe to be draughted by longer borne, thus to disturb his majesty's repose ; a conduct Mr. Dicker* extorted from those who would much more willingly bleed in sou" his service. " We ask," say they, " for peace, liberty, and safety. We wish not a diminution of the royal prerogative, nor do we solicit the grant of any new right in our favor." The petition concludes with an earnest prayer, that his 1774. majesty, as the father of his whole people, would not permit the ties of blood, of law, and loyalty, to be broken, " in uncer tain expectation of effects, that, if obtained, never can compen sate for the calamities through which they must be gained." In their address to the people of England, they claim the rights of fellow subjects. "Be not surprised," they say, Messrs .Lee, "that we, whose forefathers participated in the rights, the Livingston, liberties, and the constitution, of which you so justly boast, a°^ ^ P™ and have carefully conveyed the same fair inheritance to us, dress to the should refuse to surrender them to men, who found their Pf ople of claims on no principles of reason, and who prosecute them ng an ' with a design, that, by having our lives and property in their D , . power, they may, with the greater facility, enslave you. Are by Mr. Jay not," they ask, " the proprietors of the soil of Great Britain, lords of their own property? Can it be taken from them without their consent? Will they yield it to the arbitrary disposal of any man, or number of men, whatever? You know they will not. Why, then, are the proprietors of Ame rica, less lords of their property than you are of yours ? Can the intervention of the sea that divides us, cause disparity of rights ? Or can any reason be given, why English subjects, who live three thousand miles from the royal palace, should enjoy less liberty, than those who are three hundred miles from it ?" In the memorial to their constituents, they presented an And a me- account of the oppressive measures of parliament since 1763. their^con- They applaud the spirit which they had shown in defense of stituents. their rights, and encourage them to persevere, and be prepared for all contingencies ; hinting that those might occur which Congress would put their constancy severely to the test. The congress »se, rose on the 6th of October. Although their powers were merely advisory, yet their de- ^e pro-^ cisions received the approbation of the color'tal assemblies, congress ap tnd carried with them all the force of laws. proved. 162 HOSTILE iSEAStlRES BECOME MOKE DECISIVE. PART III. Whigs and tories. Military stores seiz ed. October. The assem bly of Mas sachusetts resolve themselves into a pro vincial con gress, and prepare for war. The south ern colonies adopt similar measures. 1774. Nov. 20. * The king ¦and parlia ment deter mined to car ry their point at all haz ards. Mr. Quincy to Dr Reed. CHAPTER VII. War svrjproaches. — Massachusetts. — British Parliament. Complete unanimity, however, did not exist. Some of the late emigrimts, on whom England had bestowed offices, and many who feared her power, clung to her authority, and de clared themselves her adherents. Whigs and tories were the distinguishing names of the parties ; the former favoring the cause of the colonists ; the latter, that of Great Britain. In the meantime, the magazines of gunpowder and other military stores, at Charlestown and Cambridge, were seized, by order of Gen. Gage. An assembly was called in Massachusetts ; but its sittings were countermanded by the governor. The representatives then met at Salem, resolved themselves into a " provincial congress," adjourned to Concord, and chose John Hancock their president. The governor warned them to desist from such illegal proceedings ; but, paying no regard to his injunc tion, they resolved, that, for the defense of the province, a number of the inhabitants should be enlisted, to stand ready to march at a minute's warning. They elected three general officers, to command these minute-men and the militia, pro vided they should be called to action — appointed a committee of supplies, and a committee of safety, to sit during their re cess. Meeting again in November, they resolved that one fourth of the militia should act as minute-men ; made the addi tion of two general officers ; and sent persons to inform New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, of their measures, and request their co-operation, in order to raise an army of 20,000 men, toect in any emergency. The same temper was manifest in the southern colonies, particularly in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, where conventions were held, and spirited resolutions passed. On the 20th of November, the British parliament convened. The king, in his speech, informed the members, that a most daring resistance to the laws still prevailed in Massachusetts, which was encouraged by unlawful combinations in the other colonies ; and, finally, he expressed his firm determination to withstand any attempt to weaken or impair the royal authority ; and in these sentiments the two houses expressed, in their answer, a decided concurrence. Perceiving, from these ex pressions, the temper of the British government, Mr. Quincy, who had been sent over as general agent for the colonies, wrote to Dr. Reed, in Philadelphia, warning him not to enter tain the idea that commercial plans would be the engines of their freedom; and telling him,that he wrote " with the feelings AMERICA DEFENDED BY LORD CHATHAM. 16^ of one who believes that his countrymen must yet seal their PARTJII. faith and constancy to their liberties with blood." period l When the British ministry, after considerable delay, at chap. vu. length brought the American papers "before parliament, Lord ^^t>^ Chatham, with all the energies of his gigantic mind, took the Lortl 9^1 field of debate, in favor of America. " The way," he said, j^fl^fa " must be immediately opened for reconciliation. It will soon America. be too late. His majesty may indeed wear his crown; but, the American jewel out of it, it will not be worth the wearing. Hl? deck"'89 They say, you have no right to tax them, without their con- can De taken sent. They say truly. Representation and taxation must go without the together — they are inseparable. ' Our American subjects,' is °s™frCea™" a common phraee in the mouths of the lowest orders of our to »e proper citizens : but property, my lords, is the sole and entire domi- tv' nion of the owner : it excludes all the world besides. It is an atom , untangible by any but the proprietor. Touch it, and the touch contaminates the whole mass ; the whole pro perty vanishes. This wise people speak outj They do not hold the language of slaves ; they tell you what they mean. They do not ask you to repeal your laws, as a favor ; they claim it as a right — they demand it. They tell you, they will not submit to them ; and I tell you, the acts must be repealed. Repeal, therefore, my lords, I say. But bare repeal will not satisfy this enlightened and spirited people. You must go through the work ; you must declare you have no right to tax — then they may trust you — then they will have some confidence in you." But such were the prejudices then existing, that, notwith- 1775. standing the force of Lord Chatham's arguments, and the ConcillatPry weight of his name, a plan, which he brought before parlia- proposed by ment, for conciliatory measures, was negatived by a large Lorcl Chat majority ; while the petitions from the merchants of London, jected/ " and other commercial places, in favor of America, were refer red, not to the regular committee, but to one, called by the Colonies re- friends of the colonies, "the committee of oblivion," whose [^^^" meeting was deferred to a distant day. Dr. Franklin, and ment. the other colonial agents, were refused a hearing before the house, on the plea, that they were appointed by an illegal assembly; and thus was put to silence the voice of three mil lions of people, yet in the attitude of humble suppliants. Both houses of parliament concurred, by a large majority, In an address to the king, in which they declare, " that the Americans had long wished to become independent, and only waited for ability and opportunity, to accomplish their design. To prevent this," they said, " and to crush the monster in its birth, was the duty of every Englishman ; and that this must be done, at any price, and at every hazard." On the 10th of February, a bill was passed, by which the p^J*., colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and attempt to Rhode Island, were restricted in their trade to Great Britain divide ttw i64 FUTILE ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION. Part III and its West India possessions, and were also prohibited from period i. fishing on the banks of Newfoundland. The same restrictions chap. vni. were soon after extended to all the colonies, excepting New ^rf'-v-'w- York and North Carolina. It was expected that these prohi- shovrinK fa- bitions would prove particularly distressing to the inhabitants vorstosome, of New England, as an idea prevailed, that they depended on and severity tne fisheries for their subsistence, and must, if deprived of them, be starved into obedience. While parliament were engaged in augmenting the naval Parliament and military force, from the avowed cause, that there was ae™ondSfail- a state of rebellion, Lord North brought in an artful hill, ure in an- which he called a conciliatory plan, and which, after consi- other at- derable debate, was adopted. Its purport was, that Great Wind and di- Britain should forbear to tax the colonies, on their agreeing *iie the co- to tax themselves ; the money thus raised, to be at the dispo- mes' sal of the British parliament. This project, when brought before the colonial assemblies, and finally referred by them to congress, was pronounced, not only insidious, but unreason able and unsatisfactory ; for it was, in effect, to oblige them selves to give the thing over which they claimed a right, to purchase the mere name of possessing that right ; in fine, to give the substance for the shadow. While these measures were in progress, Lord Howe sought an introduction to Dr. Franklin, through his sister, Mrs. Howe, tiatiaLTte"' tne friend of the latter, and an honest endeavor was made, on tween Lord both sides, to fall upon some plan, to which the parties would ^e™d consent. But the result of these secret and unofficial nego- 'lia. tiations shows clearly, that so wide was the difference of opinion in England and America, that a war was inevitable ; as no scheme of adjustment could be devised, to which even good men of both parties would agree. CHAPTER Till. The War begins by the Battle of Lexington. In the mean time, affairs in America were tending to a crisis, which would preclude all hope of reconciliation. A second provincial congress having assembled in Massachu setts, had ordered military stores to be collected, and encou raged the militia and minute-men to perfect themselves in the . . use of arms. Feb. 26 General Gage having learned that a number of field pieces Gage at- were collected at Salem, dispatched a party of soldiers, to tu™Pls'oc1®" take possession of them, in the name of the king. The peo- at°Salem. pie of Salem assembled in great numbers, and, by pulling up THE FIRST BLOOD IS SHED AT LEXINGTON. 165 a drawbridge, prevented their entering the tdwn, and thus de- PART III feated their object. I uiioD i A large quantity of ammunition and stores was also depo- CHAP- vm- sited at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston; these v__*-v-»__p« General Gage resolved to seize, or destroy ; and, with that „APril 18\ view, he sent a detachment of 800 men, under the command 800 man to of Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, ordering them to pro- seiae the ;eed with expedition and secrecy. f^nTrd The provincials had notice of the design ; and when the British troops arrived at Lexington, within five miles of Con- • 1775. cord, the militia of the place were drawn up, and ready to April 18. receive them. The advanced body of the regulars approached LexSton. within musket shot, when Major Pitcairn, riding forward, ex- ° claimed, " Disperse, you rebels ! — throw down your arms and The com- disperse." Not being instantly obeyed, he discharged his mencement pistol, and ordered his men to fire. They fired, and killed ° e war eight men. The militia dispersed, but the firing continued. The detachment then proceeded to Concord, and destroyed or took possession of the stores. They then began their retreat ; but the colonists pressing upon them on all sides, they went to Lexington, where they met Lord Percy, with a reinforcement of 900 men, without Retreat oi which, it is doubtful whether they could have reached Boston ; the Bntlsh- for the Americans, better acquainted with the grounds, con- Harassed by tinually harassed their march. From every place of conceal- theCa™en" ment — a stone fence, a cluster of bushes, or a barn, the con- „ . . , , cealed provincials poured upon them a destructive fire. At 273. sunset, the regulars, almost overcome with fatigue, passed American Charlestown Neck, and found, on Bunker's Hill, a resting loss, 88. place for the night ; and the next morning, under the protec tion of a man of war, they entered Boston. Blood had now flowed, and no language can portray the feelings which the event excited. Couriers were dispatched Great excite- in every direction, who gave, as they rode at full speed, their men ' news, to be taken up and carried in like manner to other r^re'spread places ; and thus, in an increasing circle, it spread like elec- the news. trie fluid throughout the land. The messenger, if he arrived The people on Sunday, at once entered the church, and proclaimed to the take "J? breathless assembly — war has begun ! Every where the cry arm* was repeated, " war has begun !" and the universal response was, "to arms, then! liberty or death!" The legislatures of tho several colonies convened, appointed officers, and gave orders to raise troops. Every where, fathers were leaving their children, and mothers sending their sons to the field ; and an army of 20,000 was soon collected in the neighborhood of Boston. ^ . , Thus war was beginning in earnest. But our fathers had contended a righteous cause ; and the contest was important, not only to righteously themselves and their posterity, but to human rights. They ow"andhu- bad done all that was possible, and what none but great meD man right* 13 166 BENEDICT ARNOLD AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOVS. PART ill. couid have done, tc secure an honorable peace. What our it.riod i. country now is, and what it must have leen, had they shrunk chap. ix. from the conflict, and tamely submitted to the yoke of servi- -pO-v-"-^ tude, speaks for their virtue and wisdom, in resolving to con tend. The God of justice, in whom they trusted, proved theii Deliverer. They were, to the death, true to us, their pos- orainggene- terity. Let not us be false to them; but let us transmit the rations. iiberty and the noble institutions of our country, the inheritance earned by their blood, uncontaminated, to our descendants. Obligations of the pre sent, to the CHAPTER IX. Ticonderoga taken. — Royal Governors retire. Hie colonists besiege the British in Boston. 1775. Their pro visions scarce. Plans for taking Ti conderoga and Crown Point origi nate in Con necticut and Massachu setts. Green Mountain Boys defend the New Hamp shire grants fi-om N. Y. Etn&n A.Jsn and Seth Warner are joined by Benedict Arnold. General Gage was now closely besieged in Boston by an army of twenty thousand. He had made his fortifications so strong, that the provincials did not attempt the place by as sault ; nor would they have taken any such measures to annoy the enemy, as would have exposed the inhabitants. But so closely were the British invested, that, although they had the command of the sea, their provisions became scarce. Great vigilance, to prevent their obtaining supplies, was used along the coast, the inhabitants, for this purpose, often driving their cattle into the interior. The possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on which depended the command of lakes George and Champlain, was an object of essential importance. Without waiting for the action of congress, individuals in Connecticut, at the head of whom were Dean, Wooster, and Parsons, determined to un dertake it on their own responsibility ; and accordingly they borrowed of the legislature of that colony, eighteen hundred dollars. They then proceeded to Bennington, confident of the co-operation of the hardy freemen who had settled in that vi cinity by the authority of New Hampshire, and who had, un der the name of the " Green Mountain corps," manifested their resolution in defense of their lands from the sheriffs ol New York ; that state claiming over them a jurisdiction, which they would not allow. At the head of these veterans were Colonels Ethan Allen, and Seth Warner. They gladly en gaged in the enterprise. Troops were soon raised, and the command was intrusted to Allen. In the meantime, Benedict Arnold, with the intrepid bold ness of his character, had, in Boston, formed and matured the same design, and was on the march to execute it, when he found, with astonishment, that he had been anticipatsd. Be coming second in command to Alfon, they marched together AMERICAN SDCCESSES ON LAKE CJUMPLAIN. 167 at the head of three hundred men, from Castletoi, and reach- PART III. ed lake Champlain, opposite Ticonderoga, on tht 9th of May. period i On the morning of the 10th they embarked with eighty-three 0HAP- IX- men, landed at dawn of day, and completely surprised the for- ~~*r~^~f tress. The approach of a hostile force was so unexpected to 1775. De La Place, the commander, that he knew not from what if ay 10' quarter they were ; and when summoned to surrender, he de- prise and manded by what authority :— " In the name of the great Je- -apture Ti hovah and the Continental Congress," said Allen. De La =ondero8*- Place, incapable of making any resistance, delivered up the garrison, which consisted of only three officers and forty-four privates. The remainder of the troops having landed, Colonel War- Colonel ner was dispatched with a small party against Crown Point, J^aSle'' of which he took peaceable possession. Arnold, having man- Point. ned and armed a small schooner found in South Bay, captured , , a sloop-of-war lying at St. Johns. The pass of Skeensbo- seizes a rough was seized at the same time, by a detachment of vol- sloop-of-wnr unteers from Connecticut. Thus were obtained, without bloodshed, th&se important posts ; and the command of the lakes on which they stood, canS com™ together with one hundred pieces of cannon, and other muni- mand Lakes tions of vvar. The success with which this expedition was George and crowned, greatly tended to raise the confidence which the Americans felt in themselves. The continental congress again assembled at Philadelphia May io. on the 10th of May, and Mr. Hancock was chosen President. -^t^Phil Bills of credit to the amount of three millions of dollars were adelphia. issued for defraying the expenses of the war ; and the faith Is?y.Q thre? of the " Twelve United Colonies" pledged for their re- continental demption . paper money Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, on plea of insur- , .. rection in a neighboring county, caused some powder to be Lord Dun seized, by night, from the magazine belonging to the colony more forced at Williamsburgh, and conveyed on board an armed schooner, jjemryto then lying in James river. Patrick Henry assembled an in- make resti dependent company, and was marching towards the capital, to tutl°" for obtain it by force, when he was met by a messenger from the governor, who paid him the full value in money. Henry and his party returned. Lord Dunmore, having fortified his palace, Proclaims issued a proclamation, and declared fhem rebels. This highly him and his incensed the people, with whom Henry was the favorite loader. party re )e s A.bout the same time, letters of Dunmore to England were in- His letteis ¦ercepted, which were considered as gross slanders against intercepted. he colony. Thus situated, he became apprehensive of pe/- He declared, " we are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irrita- rheir hope ted ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. wd courage. We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. Our cause is just, our union is perfect, our internal resources are great ; and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable." " With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, ex- '"luTand'" ertinS tlle utmost energy of those powers, which our benefi- •olemn de- cent Creator hath graciously bestowed on us, the arms we termination, have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perse verance, employ for the preservation of our liberties ; being with one mind resolved, to die freemen, rather than to live slaves." Georgia now entered into the opposition made to the claims INVASION OF CANADA. 171 of the British parliament to tax America, and chose delegates PART HI. to congress ; after which, the style of " the Thirteen United period l Colonies" was assumed, and by thaftitle the English provin- CUAP- "¦ ces were thenceforth designated. -^-v-^. During this session of congress, also, the first line of posts 1775. for the communication of intelligence through the United lv Franklin ""tates, was established. Benjamin Franklin was appointed, tK^tj?°*t' b y a unanimous vote, postmaster-general, with power to ap- gener..!. point as many deputies as he might deem proper and necessa- J°.si" '™ ry, for the conveyance of the mail from Falmouth, in Maine, Sav^uah]0 to Savannah, in Georgia. S. CHAPTER XI. Invasion of Canada. — Death of Montgomery. While the British army was closely blockaded in Boston, congress conceived the design of sending a force into Can ada ; as the movements of Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of Ame"ca!>s that province, seemed to threaten an invasion of the north- parties western frontier. Two expeditions were accordingly organ- against Can- ized and dispatched, one by the way of Champlain, under a a" Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, the other by the way of the river Kennebec, under the command of Arnold. General Lee, with 1,200 volunteers from Connecticut, was Qenerai t. directed to repair to New York, and with the aid of the inhab- to fortify itants, fortify the city, and the highlands on the Hudson river. New Y<»&- In pursuance of the plan of guarding the northern frontier by taking Canada, Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, with two regiments of New York militia, and a body of New Eng land men, amounting in the whole to about 2,000, were or dered to move in that direction, while General Montgomery Schuyler's was directed to proceed with the troops then in readiness, and proclama- lay siege to St. John's. General Schuyler, on arriving at the tlon- Isle aux Noix, twelve miles south, sent circular letters to the Canadians, exhorting them to arouse and assert their liberties, declaring that the Americans entered their country as friends and protectors, not as enemies. He then returned to Albany, to hasten the remaining troops and artillery. Being prevented by illness from rejoining the army, the chief command de- Mongomeiy volved on Montgomery, who, on receiving a reinforcement, lnVj0hn. invested St. John's, but being almost destitute of battering can non and of powder, he made little progress. Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, had a command Septembet. under Montgomery ; and was sent by him with about eighty Colonel Al- ° J „ , .. T *V rT . /*• . j len makes an men, to secure a party oi hostile Indians. Having etlected attempton his object:, he was returning to head-quarters, when he was Montreal 172 MONTGOMERY TAKES ST. JOHN'S AND MONTREAL. PART 111, met by Major Brown, who, with a party, had been detached period i. on a tour of observation. Without orders they rashly undertook CpHf. xi. t0 make a descent upon Montreal. They divided into two v-*~*~*>-' parties, intending to assail the city at opposite points. Allen crossed the river in the night, as Lad been proposed ; and al though Brown and his party failed, h ¦», with only eighty men, is taken by desperate valor attempted to maintain his ground though "iron"/ and attacked by Carleton, at the head of several hundreds. Com- ««tt to Eng- pelied to yield, he and his brave associates were loaded with ,Mti' irons, and sent to England. Americans 0n Vle 13tn of October, a small fort at Chamble, which was take Cham- but slightly guarded, was taken by the Americans. Several ble and ob- pieces of artillery, and about 120 barrels of gunpowder, were tam pow- ^ £rujtg 0f jjjg victorv This enabled Montgomery to pro ceed with vigor against St. John's. Carleton, on learning the situation of that fort, raised a force Carleton re- of 800 men for its relief, and embarked them in boats to cross pulsed at ^g gt Lawrence to Longueil. Colonel Warner, who was wamer. stationed there with 300 mountaineers, and a small piece of artillery, received him with a brisk fire; prevented his landing, and compelled him to return to Montreal. When the news of this repulse reached Montgomery, he Nov. 3. gent a flag to Major Preston, who commanded the besieged «arenders f°rtress> summoning him to surrender. The summons was obeyed on the 3d of November, and the fort entered by the Americans. Carleton now abandoned Montreal to its fate, and made his Carleton escape down the river in the night, in a small canoe with flees, and muffled oars. The next day, Montgomery, after engaging to enters Moni> aU°w tne inhabitants their own laws, the free exercise of their real. religion, and the privilege of governing themselves, entered the town. His benevolent conduct induced many Canadians c'^™ to join his standard : yet some of his own troops deserted, from severity of climate, and many, whose time of enlistment had nearly expired, insisted on returning home. With the remnant of his army, consisting of only 300 men, he marched towards Quebec, expecting to meet there troops under Arnold, who were to penetrate by the way of the rivers Kenebec and Chaudiere. Arnold commenced his march with 1,000 men, about the Not. is. middle of September. After sustaining almost incredible Arnold ap- hardships in the trackless forests of Maine; he arrived at Point ^uSec^but L.evi' °PPosite Quebec, on the 9th of November. On the » compelled night of the 13th, he crossed the St. Lawrence, and climbing to retire, the same precipice which Wolfe had ascended, he formed his army, now reduced to 700 men, on the heights near the mem orable plains of Abraham, and advanced in the hope of sur prising the city. Being convinced, by a cannon shot from the wall, that the garrison had obtained knowledge of his ap proach. -~v ed, not as prisoners, but as slaves. About the same time, England made treaties with the land grave of Hesse Cassel, and other German princes, hiring of England tnem 17 qq0 men t0 be employed against the Americans ; ires merce- , . ' , '. m* .^ °. jj-.- ..t, naries. and lt was determined to send over, in addition to these 25,000 English troops. Parliament The petition carried by Mr. Penn, had been laid before par- teethe pe- liament ; but both houses refused to hear it, alledging, that wion of the they could not treat upon any proposition coming from an un- colonies. iawrai assembly. By the passage of these acts, the hiring of •foreign mercenaries, and the rejection of this last petition, Great Britain filled up the measure of her wrongs to America and sealed the final alienation of her colonies. CHAPTER XIII. Washington enters Boston. — Disasters in Canada. , Although Britain was preparing so formidable a force, yet the American army was not only reduced in numbers, but at the close of the year 1775, was almost destitute of neces- The army sary supplies. The terms of enlistment of all the troops had redberaand expired in December ; and although measures had been taken ill-appoint- for recruiting the army, yet on the last day of December, e°~ there were but 9,650 men enlisted for the ensuing year. Gen. Washington, finding how slowly the army was recruited, pro- givem y posed to congress to try the influence of a bounty ; but his proposal was not acceded to until late in January, and it was not until the middle of February, that the regular army amounted to 14,000. In addition to these, the commander-in- Militia call- chief, being vested by congress with the power to call out the ed out. militia, made a requisition on the authorities of Massachusetts, for 6,000, which were furnished. 1776. Washington had continued the blockade of Boston during March 4. jne winter of 1775-6, and at last resolved to bring the enemy fortffyDor- to action, or drive them from the town. On the night oi the Chester 4th of March, a detachment, under the command of General Heights. Thomas, silently reached Dorchester Heights, and there con- The British gtructed, in a single night, a redout* which menaced the Brit- Boston, ish shipping with destruction. When the light of the morn- March 17. ing discovered to General Howe the advantage the Americans had gained, he perceived, that no alternative remained for him, but to dislodge them,or evacuate the place. He immediately UNFORTUNATE RETREAT FROM CANADA. 177 dispatched a few regiments to attempt the former, but a vio- eht tempest of wind and rain rendered their efforts ineffect ual. The Americans had, however, continued with unremit ting industry, to strengthen and improve their works, until they were now too dangerous to be neglected, and too secure to be forced, and it was determined in a council of war, to evacuate the town. Accordingly, on the morning of the 17th, the whole British force, with such of the loyalists as chose to follow their fortunes, set sail for Halifax. As the rear of the British troops were embarking, Washington entered the town in triumph. The plans of the British cabinet embraced, for the cam paign of 1776, the recovery of Canada, the reduction of the southern colonies, and the possession of New York. This last service was intrusted to Admiral Howe, and his brother, General Howe ; the latter of whom succeeded General Gage, in the command of the British troops. Arnold had continued the siege of Quebec, and had greatly annoyed the garrison ; but he found himself oppressed with many difficulties. His army had suffered extremely from the inclemency of the season, and from the breaking out of the small-pox. Notwithstanding the garrison of Montreal had been sent to reinforce him, he had, at this time, scarcely 1,000 effective men. The reinforcements ordered by congress, were slow in arriving, and when they reached Quebec, great ly reduced in numbers by disease. Added to this, the rivef was now clear of ice, and the British fleet was daily ex pected. Genera] Thomas, who now arrived with troops, superseded Arnold. He made attempts to reduce Quebec, but the sudden appearance of the British fleet obliged him to flee, with such precipitation, that he left his baggage and military stores. Many of the sick also fell into the hands of Carleton, by whom they were treated with honorable humanity. One after another, the posts which had been conquered by the Americans, fell into the hands of the British, and before the close of June, they had recovered all Canada. The Amer icans lost, in this unfortunate retreat, about 1,000 men, who were mostly taken prisoners. PART III. PERIOD L CHAP. TIT. Washing ton's army enter the town. British havo three objects for the cam paign. Arnold still before Que bee. Is badly situ ated. Thomas succeeds him, and makes a precipitate retreat, May 5. June. Americans evacuate Canada CHAPTER XIV British repulsed at Charleston. — Independence declared. The British fleet, destined to the reduction of the southern colonies, sailed, under Sir Peter Parker, to attack Charleston, where they arrived early in J line. The marines were com manded by General Clinton. 1776. June. Sir Peter Parker saih to attack Charleston. 178 BR?T*SH ATTACK SULLIVAN s. island. PART III. An intercepted official letter had given the Carolinians period i. such information of the enemy's movements, that they were chap. xiv. not unprepared for their reception. On Sullivan's island, at v-«»-v-^-' the entrance of Charleston harbor, they had constructed a The Caro- fort of the palmetto tree, which resembles the cork. The fy Sullivan's mili tia. had been called out, under the command of General Island, and Lee, now exeeedingly popular ; and they formed a force five all out the or sjx thousand strong, for the defense of the menaced capital. The general was ably seconded by Colonels Gadsden, Moul trie, and Thompson. June 28. The palmetto fort was garrisoned by about 400 men, com- Tatteackrtheh manded by Colonel Moultrie. On the morning of the 28th fort on Sulli- of June, the British ships opened their several broadsides van's Island, up0n it. The discharge of artillery upon the little fort was pulsed, incessant, but the balls were received by the palmetto wood, and buried as in earth ; while Moultrie and the brave Caroli nians under his command returned the fire, and defended the fortification with such spirit, that it has ever since been called by the name of Moultrie. Once during the day, after a thundering discharge from the British cannon, the flag of the fort was no longer seen to wave ; and the Americans, who watched the battle from the opposite shore, were, every moment, expecting to see the British troops mount the parapets in triumph. But none appeared; and, in a few moments, the striped banner of America was once more unfurled to their view. The staff had been carried away by a shot, and the flag had fallen covers the upon the outside of the fort. A brave Serjeant, by the name flag. of Jasper, jumped over the wall, and, amidst a shower of bul lets, recovered and fastened it in its place. At evening, the British, completely foiled, drew off their ^'r'New'1 snrPs> w"n tne *oss °f two hundred men ; and, a few days York. after, they set sail, with the troops on board, for the vicinity of New York, where the whole British force had been ordered to assemble. It had early occurred to Washington, that the central situa- Wfilesnhis°n tion of New York> witn the numerous advantages attending head-quar- the possession of that city, would render it an object of great tenv?trkNew importance to the British. Under this impression, before the enemy left Boston, General Lee had been detached from Cambridge, to put Long Island and New York in a posture of defense. Soon after the evacuation of Boston, the com mander-in-chief followed, and, with the greater part of his June 7. army) nxed his head-quarters in the city of New York. Indepen- On the 7th of June, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, made dsedinPcon- a motion in congress, for declaring the colonies f ree and *°Sgre8* INDEPENDENT STATES. The most vigcsrous exertions had been made by the friends of independence to prepare the minds of the people for this bold measure, \mong the numerous writers on the momee DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 179 tous question, the most luminous and forcible was Thomas PART TIL Paine. His pamphlet entitled " Common Sense," was read PERiotT.r and understood by all. While it demonstrated the necessity, chap. stv. the advantage, and the practicability of independence, it - — ,¦*.- treated kingly government and hereditary succession with Thomas ridicule and opprobrium. Two years before, the inhabitants pame> and of the colonies were the loyal subjects of the king of England, ers^promre and wished not for independence, but for the constitutional the way, by liberty of the British subject. But the crown of England had, th,eir P1™*" • ¦ GO- ilDPOiiiri for their assertion of this right, declared them out of its pro tection, rejected their petitions, shackled their commerce, and lym, finally employed foreign mercenaries to destroy them. Such The offen- were the exciting causes, which, being stirred up and directed , !e? ^J . by the master spirits of the times, had, in the space of two am filled up years, changed the tide of public feeling in America, and tke mea throughout her extensive regions produced the general voice WE WILL BE FREE. Satisfied, by indubitable signs, that such was the resolution July 4. of the people, congress deliberately and solemnly decided to IndePer> 29 al:)'e k°P6 of recovering the battle ; and, with true heroism, so." He re- he " preserved himself and his army for a happier future." moves the On the night of the 29th, Washington,! by advice of a U° LPong°m council of his officers, and aided by a dense fog, withdrew Island. He the remainder of his troops from Brooklyn to New York; to superm- which place the detachment from Governor's Tsland also re- theirem- tired. Finding that it would be impossible to defend the barkation.)oity, he removed his forces to the heights of Harlaem. BRITISH TAKE POSSESSION OF NEW YORK. 185 CHAPTER IT. Disasters following the Defeat on Long Island. About this time, Captain Hale, a highly interesting young part III. fficer from Connecticut, learning that Washington wished to 'period n. ascertain the state of the British army on Long Island, 0HAP „ undertook the dangerous service of a spy. He entered the v- leave <—-v-*-^ theirs for his accommodation, he arranged his German troops, 1776. to the number of 4,000, along the Delaware, from Mount Holly to Trenton ; placed a strong detachment at Princeton ; stationed his main army at New Brunswick, and retired himself to New York, to wait for the river to freeze, that thus he might be furnished with a convenient bridge ; not doubting, as it woidd seem, that the Americans would quietly wait until he was ready to pass over and destroy them. CHAPTER III. American successes at Trenton and Princeton. 1776. December. Distress of Washing ton's army. He becomes truly the " Father of his country." The time mat "tried men's souls." Washington carders in his detach ments. Washington showed how well he deserved the confidence reposed in him, by making every exertion to increase his ar my, which, feeble as it was when he commenced his retreat, had hourly diminished. His troops were unfed amidst fatigue ; unshod, while their bleeding feet were forced rapidly over the sharp projections of frozen ground ; and they endured the keen December air, almost without clothes or tents. In such a situation, the wonder is not, that many died and many de serted, but that enough remained to keep up the show of op position. In this distressing situation, Washington manifest ed to his troops all the firmness of the commander, while he showed all the tenderness of the father. He visited the sick, paid every attention in his power to the wants of the army praised their constancy, represented their sufferings to con gress, and encouraged their despairing minds, by holding out the prospects of a better future ; while the serene and benig nant countenance with which he covered his aching heart, made them believe, that their beloved and sagacious comman der, was himself animated with the prospects which he por trayed to them. The distresses of the Americans were increased by the desertion of many of the supposed friends of their cause. Howe, taking advantage of what he considered their van quished and hopeless condition, offered free pardon to all who should now declare for the royal authority. Of the extremes of society— the very rich and the very poor, numbers now sued for the royal clemency ; but few of the middle classes desert ed their country in its hour of peril. General Lee, as has been before stated, was, by the orders of Washington, separated from the main body of the army, soon after the battle of White Plains. He was sent north- WASHINGTON BOLD AND SUCCESSFUL. 18fl erlj , to be at hand to succor the troops which were opposed to Carleton, upon the lakes. But when Washington found the main army in danger of annihilation, he ordered Lee to join him with all possible expedition. Geneial Mercer, who commanded a corps of light infantry at Bergen, and General Gates, who commanded on the northern frontier, received •similar orders, and promptly obeyed them. Washington had also sent in various directions to arouse the militia. General Mifflin, from Pennsylvania, had now joined him with a body of 1,500. General Lee, ambitious, eccentric, and opinionated, thought he might make a better use of the men under his command, and therefore he did not promptly execute the order of Wash ington ; but lingered along the northern mountains of New Jersey ; where, having taken up his quarters at a house dis tant from the main body of his army, he was surprised, and carried prisoner to New York, by a party of British cavalry; when General Sullivan conducted his forces to Washington's camp. With these reinforcements, the American army amounted to about 7,000 effective men. A few days, however, would close the year; and the period of enlistment for a considerable portion of the soldiers would expire with it. The cause of America demanded that important use should be made of the short space which intervened. At this critical moment, Wash ington, perceiving the inactivity of his enemy, struck a capi tal blow for his country. He determined to recross the Del aware in three divisions — at M'Konkey's ferry, at Trenton ferry, and at Bristol, and attack the British posts at Trenton and Burlington. The forces to cross at the two last places, commanded by Irving and Cadwallader, were unable, owing to the quantity of floating ice, to proceed. The main body, under Washington, with suffering and danger, effected the passage at M'Konkey's ferry. This force then separated into two divisions, commanded by Sullivan and Greene ; under whom were Lord Stirling, generals Mercer and St. Clair. Sullivan's division took the upper road, and Greene's, where was Washington in person, the Pennington road. They arri ved at Trenton at the same moment. The Hessians, under Colonel Eahl, were surprised, and their commander slain. Prisoners, to the amount of 1,000, were taken by the Ameri cans, who immediately re-crossed the Delaware. The joy, caused by this success, was great ; and it was almost unalloy ed by that sorrow, which even victory brings. The Ameri cans had lost but four men, two killed, and two, such was the severity of the weather, were frozen to death. Many were induced, by this success, to serve six weeks longer. Two days after the action, Washington crossed his whole army over the Delaware, and took quarters at Trenton. Howe was thunderstruck by this astonishing reverse. Lord PART III Dec. 13. General Let made prison er 1776. A critical moment seized and improved. Dec. 26 and 27. Washington's 'bold attempt, and brilliant suc cess at Tren ton. 190 CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN OF '76. PART III Cornwallis was in New York, on the point of embarking fo* period n England ; but the commander ordered him instantly to New chap. in. Jersey, where he joined the British forces, now assembled al Princeton. Leaving a part of his troops at this place, he im mediately proceeded towards Trenton, with the intention of giving battle to the Americans, and arrived, with his vanguard, on the first of January. Washington, knowing the inferiority of his force, sensible, too, that flight would be almost as fatal as defeat, conceived the project of marching to Princeton, and attacking the troops left in that place. About midnight, leaving his fires burning Washington briskly, that his army should not be missed, he silently de strikes "an- camped, and gained, by a circuitous route, the rear of the other bold enemy. At sunrise, the van of the American forces met, and, at unexpectedly, two British regiments, which were on the march Princeton to join Cornwallis. A conflict ensued : the Americans gave juccessful way : — aH was at stake : Washington himself, at this decisive moment, led on the main body. The enemy were routed, and fled. Washington pressed forward towards Princeton, where one regiment of the enemy yet remained. A part of these saved themselves by flight ; the remainder, about 300 in num ber, were made prisoners. The number killed on the side of the British, was upwards of one hundred ; that of the Amer icans, was less ; but, among them, was the excellent General Mercer, with several other valuable officers. Thrilling were the emotions with which these successes were hailed by a disheartened nation. Even to this day, when an unexpected and thrilling event is to be related, the speaker, who perchance knows not the origin of the proverb, joyfully exclaims, " Great news from the Jerseys !" On hearing the cannonade from Princeton, Cornwallis, ap prehensive for the safety of his Brunswick stores, immediate ly put his army in motion for that place. Washington, on his Jan. 6. approach, retired to Morristown. When somewhat refreshed, Washington he again took the field ; and having gained possession of New- Mortsto^i ark' Woodbridge, Elizabethtown, and indeed of all the ene my's posts in New Jersey, except New Brunswick and Am boy, he retired to secure winter-quarters at Morristown. Washington's military glory now rose to its meridian. In deed, nothing in the history of war, shows a leader in a more Washing advantageous point of light, than the last events of this cam- ton's great paign, did the commanding general. Where can we find a mwlndeT. passage, in the life of Hannibal, of Julius Caesar, or Napole on, in which the soldier's fearless daring and contempt of per sonal danger, more strikingly blends, with the commander's fertility of resource, promptness to decide and act, vigor to follow up success, and moderation to stop at the precise poin between bravery and rashness ? But Hannibal made war for re venge ; Caesar and Napoleon, for personal ambition ; Washing ton for justice, for the rights of his country, and of -nankind ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ADOPTED. 191 A new face was put upon the contest. In America, the PART III. palsying influence of despair gave place to the invigorating period n counsels of hope ; while in England, exultation was exchan- 0HAF- m- ged for alarm, and in France, pity for respect. "— «¦"¦*«-»•*¦' The northern American force, under General Arnold, and 1776. the British army under Carleton, met on Lake Champlain, Amoid'de near the island of Valcour. The American armament was feated on entirely destroyed ; and General Carleton, after proceeding ^ake Pn>m to Crown Point, reconnoitered the posts vt Ticonderoga p.am' and Mount Independence, and returned to winter-quarters in Canada. On the same day on which General Washington retreated Dec. 8. over the Delaware, the British took possession of Rhode Isl- ^"^ tak i and, and blockaded the squadron of Commodore Hopkins, to- Rhode gether with a number of privateers, at Providence. Island. On the 12th of July, a committee, who had been appointed A.rticles of by congress to prepare and digest a form of confederation, confedera reported certain articles, the discussion of which occupied a 'lon adopted great share of the attention of that body, until November 15, ' 1777, the day of their final adoption. They were subsequent ly agreed to, by the several state governments. By these ar ticles it was determined that, on the first Monday of Novem ber in each year, a general congress should be convoked, of deputies from each of the states, and invested with all the powers which belong to the sovereigns of other nations. These powers were set forth, and the limits between the au thority of the state and national government as clearly defined, as was, at the time, practicable. These " Articles of Confed eration," gave to the nation the style of the "United States of America," and formed the basis of the American govern ment, untd the adoption of the federal constitution. Never, was a more devoted or a wiser band of patriots, than that which composed the congress of '76. They were environed with difficulties which would have utterly discour- ^i|h c?^ aged men of weaker heads, or fainter hearts. They were 0ld congress. without any power, except the power to recommend. They Their diffi- had an exhausted army to recruit, amidst a discouraged peo- cu Ues pie, and a powerful and triumphant foe ; and all this, not mere ly without money, but almost without credit ; for the bills, which they had formerly issued, had greatly depreciated, and were daily depreciating; yet, amidst all these discourage ments, they held on their course of patriotic exertions, undis mayed. In order to provide pecuniary resources, they passed a law, Theii exer. authorizing the loan of five millions of dollars, at four per -rhey'send cent. They also created a lottery ; by which they hoped to Franklin, raise the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars. Deane and Desirous of inducing the French to espouse the American ^ from cause, they appointed, as commissioners to the court of France, France. Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and \rthur Lee whom they 192 WASHINGTON INVESTED WITH PLENARY POWERS. PART III, instructed to procure arms and ammunition, and obtain per- pemod n. mission to fit out American vessels in the ports of Frnnce, to chap. iv. ann0y the commerce of England. They directed them to v-**"v~**-' solicit a loan of ten millions of francs, and to endeavor, by every means in their power, to prevail upon the French gov ernment, to recognize the independence of the United States. To General Washington they, granted, for six months, pow- ers which were almost unlimited. They gave him authority «SFwash"" t0 *evy an^ organize sixteen battalions of infantry, in addition ington with to those already voted by congress, and to appoint their offi- extraordi- cers . t0 rajse and equip three thousand light horse, three re- giments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish their pay. They empowered him to call into service the mi litia of the several 'states ; to displace and appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier general, and to fill up all vacancies in every department of the American army. They also au thorized him to take whatever he might want for the use of the army, at his own price, even if the inhabitants should re fuse to sell it ; and to arrest and confine persons, who should refuse to take the continental money, returning their names, and the nature of their offenses, to the states of which they were citizens. This confidence in their defender, entitled them to find— and they did find — one, who was devoted, to their cause ftary powers. CHAPTER IV. Campaign of 1777. 1777. The inhabitants of New Jersey were so exasperated at tho ?he°EneHshf excesses, which the English and Hessians had committed, iumySin tnat tftose troops, now occupying Brunswick and Amboy, New Jersey, could not venture out even to forage, without extreme danger. General de Heister had not attempted to suppress his licen tious soldiery ; and the English soon vied with the Germans in all scenes of violence, outrage, cruelty, and plunder ; and New Jersey presented only scenes of havoc and desolation. The complaints of America were echoed throughout Europe ; and it was every where reproachfully said, that " England had revived in America, the fury of the Goths, and the barbarity of the northern hordes." At this period, the loyalists, more commonly distinguished ««ritofUie byltne appellation of tories, evinced a spirit of revolt in the counties, of Somerset and Worcester in Maryland, of Sussex in Delaware, and of Albany in New York ; to which places troops were sent to overawe them. The small-pox, which had made such ravages in the north- THE MISSION TO FRANCE. 193 pm army, during the last year, now threatened that of Wash- PART III. ington. To prevent the loss of lives, from this source, both period tt regulars and militia were inoculated ; but so prudently did 0HAP- IT- Washington conduct this affair, that no opportunity was, in ^^v'^-' consequence, offered for the British to attack his camp. The first attempts of the enemy, during the campaign of 1777. 1777, were against the American stores, collected at Court- March 23. land Manor, im New York, and at D anbury in Connecticut, ^res'rt* Peekskill, the port of the Manor, was then in command of Courtland Colonel M'Dougal. The 23d of March, the British, under Manor- Colonel Bird, attacked this post ; and M'Dougal, knowing his small force could not defend it, destroyed the magazines, and retired to the back country. The 25th of April, 2,000 men, 'under Governor Tryon, ma- April 26. jor of the royalists, or tories, having passed the sound, landed Try°n de between Fairfield and Norwalk. The next day, proceeding at Danbury* to Danbury, he compelled the garrison, under Colonel Hunt- ana bttrn* ington, to retire ; and not only destroyed the stores, but burned ' e town' the town. Meantime, 800 militia had collected to annoy them, on their return ; of whom 500, under Arnold, took post at Ridgefield, to attack their front, while 300, under General Wooster, fell upon their rear. Both parties were repulsed, Wooster slain, and Arnold retired to Saugatuck, about three miles east of Norwalk. The enemy having spent the night at Ridgefield, ^et^l°l set fire to it, still retreating, although continually harassed by and pursuit Arnold's party, now increased to 1,000 ; until they at length oftheAmeri arrived at Campo, between Norwalk and Fairfield, and took cans' refuge on board their ships. The British loss was 170, the American 100. Of the stores taken, the loss of tents was the most severely felt by the Americans. But from the promptitude with which the inhabitants rose on the marau ders, who expected many to join them, the friends of liberty found their hopes invigorated, and their exertions encouraged. The same effect was also produced by another affair which EMa,y't3' occurred soon after. The British had collected at Sag Har- Colonel oor, on Long Island, large magazines of forage and grain. Meigs at Sag. Colonel Meigs, one of the intrepid companions of Arnold, in ar r i He expedition to Canada, left Guilford, on the 23d of May, with 170 men, destroyed the stores, burned a dozen brigs and sloops, killed six of the enemy, took ninety prisoners, and re turned without loss. About this time the effects of the mission to France began 1777. to appeal Congress had, with great judgment, selected Dr. J^missioii Franklin as one of the commissioners. A profound know- to France ledge of human nature, united with a warm and cheerful benevolence, had given to this philosopher a manner possess ing a peculiar charm, attractive to all, however different their taste or pursuits. His wit and gayety, even at seventy, the age at which ho went to Paris, had power to charm the 194 LA FAtETT» JOINTS THE AMERICAN ARMY. PART ill, young beauty from her lovers and her toilette ; while his period n. wisdom and his learning could instruct the mechanic in his chap. iv. own trade, or the statesman, in his profoundest calculations. -- «-v-<»^ Perhaps it is equally to these qualities in Franklin, as to the Franklin, graver wisdom and more heroic valor of Washington that sigreeaWe, America owes her existence as a nation ; for it must ever witty and remain problematical, whether, without the aid of France, it wise, shifts couia nave achieved its independence ; — and although polili- ures, but cal reasons might have operated to make that nation wish gains his evil to England, yet without the interest, which Franklin e found means to excite for America, the government might never have effectually interfered. This interest was so lively, that several individuals of dis- t Favette tinction took the generous resolution of embarking in the cause at the age of of America, and combating in her armies. The most distin- nineteen, es- guished of these, was the young Marquis de la Fayette Pcause of6 With every thing to attach him to his country, rank, wealth, American a deserving and beloved bride, he was yet moved by compas- Uberty. gjon t0 suffermg virtue, and by indignation against oppression, to leave all that was individually dear, to expose his life, and impair his fortune in the cause of American liberty, and the rights of man. He had early communicated his resolution to the commissioners. After hearing of the disasters which fol- Comestothe lowed the battle of Long Island, they felt bound to make he?Uadversi- known to him the despairing state of their country ; and to say ty. that such was its extreme poverty, that they could not even provide him with a vessel for his conveyance. " Then," said ^u1 r,e.a*?d La Fayette, " if your country is indeed reduced to this extre- with Qistmc- j ' j j tion. mity, this is the moment that my departure to join its armies, will render it tho most essential service." His arrival caused a deep sensation of joy among the people. Congress soon J^ly 31- appointed him a major general in the army ; and Washington General?™ received him into his family, and regarded him through life with parental affection. The American commander, in forming such a probable cal culation on the movements of his enemy at New York, as would enable him to make a judicious disposition of his own army, which now amounted to 8,000 effective men, was well iheJBritis°h. aware that there were with the British cabinet two objects. The one was, to get possession of Philadelphia ; and the other, to proceed up the Hudson, form a junction with theii northern army, and thus cut off the communication between the eastern and southern states. His sagacious mind com prehended that the latter was the more important enterprise ; and he knew that it best coincided with the orders which May. Howe had received from England ; but he also knew, that it Washington was a favorite project with him, to draw the Americans into fomMorris a genel;al engagement, not doubting that it would issue in their lowntoMid final discomfiture. Washington, therefore, sought to make dlebrook. sucn a disposition of his forces, as should best enable nim to INVASION FROM CANADA BY BCRGOYNE 195 concentrate them in opposition, whichever way his enemy PART II. should turn. He removed the main army from Morristown, perioC ii, to a strong position on the heights of Middlebrook ; and sta- 0HAP- v- honed the troops, raised in the northern provinces, at Peeks- *-"- v~-»' kill and Ticonderoga, and those from the middle and southern in New Jersey. Howe commenced his operations by an attempt to draw the 1777. American commander into a general engagement. For this June' purpose, he crossed the Hudson, and marched to Middle- S^te to brook ; but finding the American camp too strong to attack, draw VVasl>N he remained several days before it, vainly offering battle! ^"iT? On the 19th of June he ordered a precipitate retreat from ^ment.66" Jersey. Having arrived at Amboy, a bridge was thrown hastily over to Staten Island, and all the heavy baggage, and HJune 19- many of the troops passed it. Washington, now deceived, femt'or^e * ordered his army to the pursuit. Howe recrossed with his treating. troops, but Washington eluded him, and regained his camp, 1^™?™ though not without a skirmish, in which the British, under bmregains Lord Cornwallis, had the advantage over a corps of American his position- riflemen.* CHAPTEE V. Campaign of 1777, continued. On the night of July 10th occurred the capture of the Bri- 1777 tish General Prescott, then in command on Rhode Island. ^ w- Colonel Barton, with forty country militia, from Warwick, Prescott under his command, proceeded ten miles in whale boats, captured by landed between Newport and Bristol, marched a mile, to °^_Bar- Prescott's quarters, took the general from his bed, and con ducted him with dispatch to a place of safety on the main land. Meantime great preparations were making for a descent tBri— j pl5° upon the United States from Canada. The plan of dividing states, the states, by effecting a junction of the British army through 'nr°ush tn' Lake Champlain and the Hudson, was, at the beginning of champlaiii this year, looked to, by the whole British nation, as the cer tain means of effecting the reduction of America. This scheme had gained new favor in England, by the representations of General Burgoyne, an officer whr had served under Carleton, and whose knowledge of American affairs was therefore un disputed. Burgoyne, by his importunities with the British ministry, obtained the object for which he had made a voyage Ma to England. He was appointed to the command of all the Burgoyne ar troops in Canada, to the prejudice of Governor Carleton, and rii ss With « was furnished with an army and military stores. With these atQ^^' he arrived at Quebec in May. * This incident was related to the author by Gen. Lafayette, who read critically her history of the American Revolution. He pointed out a few errors, which were cor- sected, and recommended a few additions, which were made. 196 ST. LEGER's ABORTIVE EXPEDITION. 8 PART III. General Carleton exhibited an honorable example of mode- period ii. ration and patnotism, by seconding Burgoyne in his prepara- chap. v. tions, with great diligence and energy. To increase the army, Vj*^N^*^' he exerted, not only his authority as governor, but also his 1777. influence among his numerous friends and partisans. Though Sir Guy himself averse to using the savages, yet such being the dignified be- orders of the British government, he aided in bringing to the havior. neid even a greater number than could be employed. Burgoyne's army was provided with a formidable train of officers63 artillery. The principal officers who were to accompany His whole him were, General Philips, who had distinguished himself in tii™yiO0M ^e German wars, Brigadiers Frazer and Powel, the Bruns- men. wick Major General Baron Reidesel, and Brigadier General Specht. The army consisted of 7,173 British and German troops, besides several thousands of Canadians and Indians. Burgoyne's plan of operation was, that Colonel St. Leger His plan of should proceed with a detachment by the St. .Lawrence, oneration. Qswego, and Fort Stanwix, to Albany. Burgoyne, proceed ing by Champlain and the Hudson, was to meet St. Leger at Albany, and both join General Clinton at New York. June 20. His preparations completed, Burgoyne moved forward with Burgoyne his army, and made his first encampment on the western shore «he~~~v+~' were deciding whether themselves and their children should 1777. be freemen or slaves. The invading army gave way, in the ThJ? bat'leM short space of fifty-two minutes. The defenders of the soL fought pursued them to their entrenchments, forced the guard, and T^e British killed Colonel Breyman, its commander. Arnold, the tiger of -efeateA the American army, whose track was marked by carnage, headed a small band, stormed their works, and followed them into their camp. But his horse was killed under him ; he was himself wounded ; and darkness was coming on. He re tired ; and thus was reserved to another day, the utter ruin of the British army. The loss in killed and wounded, was great on both sides, but especially on the part of the British, of whom a considera ble number were made prisoners. General Frazer, whose kiUed3 character was as elevated as his rank, received a mortal wound. The Americans had now "an opening into the British camp. They rested on their arms the night after the battle, upon the Burgoyne field which they had so bravely won ; determined to pursue changes his their victory with returning light. But Burgoyne, aware of P0Sltl0n the advantage which they had gained, effected, with admira ble order, a change of his ground. The artillery, the camp, and its appurtenances, were all removed before morning, to the heights. The British army, in this position, had the river in its rear, and its two wings displayed along the hills upon its right bank. Gates was too wise to attack his enemy in this position, and expose to another risk, what now wanted nothing but vjgilance to make certain. He made arrangements to inclose h^s enemy, which Burgoyne perceiving, put his army in motion at nine o'clock at night, and removed to Sara toga, six miles up the river. He was obliged to abandon his hospital, with three hundred sick and wounded, to the hu manity of the Americans. Burgoyne now made efforts in various directions, to effect He endear- a retreat ; but in every way he had been anticipated. He ors to retreat, found himself in a foreign and hostile country, hemmed in by impossible. a foe, whose army constantly increasing, already amounted to four times his own wasting numbers. His boats, laden with Receives vo his supplies, were taken, and his provisions were failing. He succora- had early communicated with Sir Henry Clinton at New York, and had urged his co-operation. More recently, when his fortune began to darken, he had entreated him for speedy aid ; stating, that, at the farthest, his army could not hold out beyond the 12th of October. The 12th arrived, without the expected U°CM£. succor. His army was in the utmost distress, and Burgoyne iate3. capitulated on the 17th 202 THE BRITISH RAVAGE THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON. PART III. 1777. Number of tbe whole army sur rendered, and amount of artillery. Conditions of the sur render. Kind treat ment of prisoners. Garrison of Ticonderoga retreat to Canada. Oct. 6. Forts Clin ton and Montgomery.aken by the British. Oct. 15. Kingston burned. The whole number surrendered amounted to 5,752 men, which, together with the troops lost before, by various disas ters, made up the whole British loss to nine thousand two hundred and thirteen. There also fell into the hands of .he Americans, thirty-five brass field pieces, and 5,000 muskets. It was stipulated that the British should pile their arms at the word of command, given by their own officers, march out of their camp with the honors of war, and have free passage across the Atlantic ; they, on their part, agreeing not to serve again in North America, during the war. They were treated with delicacy by the Americans. Their officers, especially their, commander, received many kind attentions. The wor thy General Schuyler hospitably entertained Burgoyne, at his own house ; although much of his private property, especially an elegant villa, had been destroyed by his command. On hearing of the defeat of Burgoyne, the British garrison at Ticonderoga returned to Canada, and not a foe remained in the northern section of the Union. Thus ended an expedition from which the British had hoped, and the Americans had feared so much. The effects of their success were highly propitious to the cause of the republicans. It not only weakened and discour aged the enemy, but gave them a supply of artillery and stores, and, what was still more important, raised them in their own estimation, and in that of foreign nations. Connected with Burgoyne's invasion, was the predatory ex cursion up the North River, in which the British took forts Clinton and Montgomery, and burned the village of Esopus, now Kingston. This excursion, commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, who was accompanied by Tryon and Vaughan, had the double object of opening a free navigation for the British vessels up the river to Albany, and of making a division of the American forces, which were now concentrating in oppo sition to Burgoyne, and thus giving him an opportunity to es cape. Had Clinton taken this step earlier, he might possibly have effected the latter object. As it was, Burgoyne had no tice of the taking of the forts, and the advance of Clinton, just after he had made a verbal agreement to sign the articles of capitulation ; when neither his honor, nor his humanity, would permit him longer to await the expected succor. Clinton, on hearing that Burgoyne had surrendered, and that Gates was advancing to attack him, evacuated and dis mantled the forts which he had taken, and retreated to New York ; experiencing no other permanent result of his expedi tion, than the execrations of a plundered people, and tho character of having revived, in a civilized age, barbarian atrocities. PHILADEPHIA MENACED AND DEFENDED. CHAPTER VI. Campaign of 1777 — Continued. Having now given a connected view of the momentous op- PART in erations at the north, we go ba«k nearly three months, in the period ii ' order of time, to take a brief sketch of the less decisive trans- chap. vi. actions in the middle states. ^^-^-^^, Admiral and General Howe, intent on the capture of Phila- 1777. delphia, left Sandy Hook on the 23d of July. They were so Howe sails long at sea, that Washington was ready to conclude that they aLlk^and had gone to Charleston. At length they were heard of, as lands at Elk- sailing up Chesapeake bay. They disembarked their troops, ton- amounting to 18,000, on the 25th of August, at the head of the Elk river, fifty miles southwest of Philadelphia. Washing- Washington ton crossed the Delaware and marched to oppose them ; not- marches to withstanding his army, never equal to that of the British, was meet hlm now greatly diminished by the powerful detachments he had sent to check the alarming progress of Burgoyne. Accompanied by Generals Greene, Sullivan, Wayne, and Stirling, he approached the enemy, until he reached Gray's The mam Hill, in front of the British commander, with whom were armies pre- Generals Knyphausen and Cornwallis. He then retreated paretl°r across the Brandywine, and encamped on the rising grounds which extend from Chad's Ford, in a direction from northwest to southeast. ; and here, (the shallow stream of the Brandy- wine being between the armies,) he awaited an attack from the British ; well knowing that nothing . but a victory could now save Philadelphia. Early in the morning, on the 11th of September, the whole Sept. 11. British army, drawn up in two divisions, commenced the RBa',tIe ?f expected assault. Agreeably to the plan of Howe, the right ran ywma wing, commanded by Knyphausen, made a feint of crossing the Brandywine, at Chad's Ford; while the left, commanded by Cornwallis, took a circuitous route up the Brandywine, and British army crossed, though not without opposition, at the forks. Knyp- in two di- hausen, with some fighting and much noise, had occupied the ™j£J^| °^ attention of the Americans. Washington, hearing that Corn- Comwalli* wallis was approaching, determined to press forward in the andKnyp- centre and on the left ; and if possible, divide the army, and cut off Knyphausen. A false counter intelligence prevented his executing this bold design, which might have changed the fate of the day. He had already dispatched some of his troops, whom, by this false intelligence, he was induced to recall. Thus time was consumed, and Cornwallis fell upon the Americans while they were in some met sure unprepared to receive him. They, however, defended themselves with 204 THE BRITISH FORCE THEIR WAY TO PHILADELPHIA. PART III. 1777. Americans defeated, with the loss of 1,300. British loss, near 500. La Fayette wounded. Americans retreat to Philadel phia. British pro ceed to Wil mington. Washington again seeks his foe. Sept. 20. General Wayne is •ojprised by Ihe British. Washington abandons the capital to protect his stores. Congress ad journ to Lan caster. great valor. The carnage was terrible. The Americans, at length, were forcr.d to give way. Washington ordered to their aid, the reserve commanded by Greene ; but it was too late, and the most it could perform, was to cover the retreat of the fugitives. Knyphausen now began in earnest to effect Jus passage at Chad's Ford. The Americans withstood bravely ; but finding the remainder of the army vanquished, they fled in confusion, and abandoned to the enemy their artillery and ammunition. These found also a shelter within the lines of Greene, who was the last to quit the field. The Americans lost 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 taken prisoners. The British loss, in killed and wounded, was less than 500. This battle was distinguished by the exertions of foreign officers. The heroic La Fayette, while endeavoring to rally the fugitives, was wounded in the leg. Another French officer of distinction, the Baron St. Ovary, was made prisoner ; and Count Pulaski, a celebrated Polander, displayed a courage which congress afterwards rewarded with the rank of brigadier general. On the night succeeding the battle, the Americans retreated to Chester, and the next day to Philadelphia. The following day, a detachment of British troops proceeded to Wilmington, and took prisoner the governor of Delaware. They seized considerable property, public and private ; among which, was a quantity of coined money. Washington had engaged his foe with inferior numbers, counting on the possibility of defeat, and believing that, even at that hazard, it was necessary, on account of public opinion, to fight. He was not, therefore, disheartened by his defeat, but determined to risk another battle for the defense of the capital. He accordingly repassed the Schuylkill, to meet the enemy at Goshen ; but a violent shower of rain wet the powder in the ill-constructed cartridge boxes of the Americans, and compelled the commander to defer the engagement. The republicans were unfortunate in another attempt to annoy the enemy. Washington had ordered Wayne, with a detachment of 1,500 men, into the rear of the British. This detachment was surprised ; and a night scene of shocking slaughter en sued, in which 300 of the Americans were cut off. Howe now made a movement, which placed Washington in a situation where he could not interpose his army between the enemy and the capital, without exposing to destruction the extensive magazine of provisions and military stores. which had been established at Reading. Notwithstanding the clamors of the populace, he prudently abandoned the city; rather than sacrifice the stores, or risk another battle, while the odds were so much against him. Congress, finding themselves insecure in Philadelphia, ad journed to Lancaster, to which place the public archives and BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 203 magazines were removed. They again invested Washington FART III. with the same dictatorial powers which were intrusted to him period ii. after the reverses in New Jersey. CHAP- TI- On the 23d of September, Sir William Howe crossed the v-*~^*^' Schuylkill, and proceeded to Germantown. On the 26th, a lfl?- detachment of the British army, under Cornwallis, entered the ThePBrittib American capital, while the main body rested at German- enter Phil» town. The American army, consisting of eleven thousand ^ph*- men, were conducted by Washington along the left bank of the Schuylkill, and lay encamped eleven miles from German- town, at Schippack creek. Lord Howe had now consummated an event to which he had looked as decisive of the contest. But far from being The Amen- subdued, the Americans, encouraged by the capture of Bur- cans endeav goyne, were not even disheartened. They knew that the BritishUsup army of Washington, when it should have received its rein- plies Dy sea. forcjements, could cut off the enemy's supplies on the side of Pennsylvania. If, therefore, they could prevent their receiv ing them by water, they would soon be compelled to evacuate the city. For this object, they had created batteries on Mud Island, and also at Red Bank and Billingsport, on the Jer sey shore ; along which places they had sunk ranges of frames, to impede the navigation of the river. The British, sensible of the importance of a free communication with the sea, by means of the Delaware, sent Colonel Stirling, with a detachment, to attack Billingsport, and clear away the ob structions which the Americans had placed in the river ; in which enterprise, he was ultimately successful. The American commander, knowing that the army of Howe was weakened by the detachments under Cornwallis and Stirling, determined, if possible, to surprise him. He accordingly left his camp at Schippack creek, at seven in the 0ct 4 evening, and on the following morning partially succeeded in Washington giving the British a surprise. They at first retreated in dis- surprises order. Several companies having thrown themselves into a German- stone house, annoyed the .Americans. A part of the Penn- town. sylvania militia did not perform the duty assigned them. A thick fog came on, and unable to distinguish friend from foe, confusion arose in the American ranks. The British, thus enabled to recover from the first attack, aroused to fresh ex- *^ *f^ ertions; and the Americans were defeated. Their loss was Cess, but two hundred killed, (among whom was General Nash, of meets a de- North Carolina,) six hundred wounded, and four hundred ^g^™^, taken prisoners. The British loss was five hundred. The American army, with all its artillery, now retreated twenty miles, to Perkkmen creek; and from thence, having received a reinforcement of five hundred militia, Washington Washington advanced to his old camp, at Schippack creek. Although gchippack the army had not effected what its commander had hoped, Creek. 206 BRITISH OPEN THE NAVIGATION OF THE DELAWARF. PART Ut yet So much skill and bravery had been displayed, that its period ii reputation was enhanced. chap. vi. Congress voted their thanks to the commander, and to his *-~~^~^s officers and soldiers, except General Stevens, who was cashiered for misconduct on the retreat. 1777. A few days after the batt}e, the royal army removed from Howein Germantown to Philadelphia. Scarcity of provisions pre- p'hk,e vented Howe from following the Americans, and he wished straightened to co-operate in the design of opening the navigation of the 'ex supplies. j)eiaware Indeed, this measure became necessary to the preservation of his army, which could not draw subsistence from the adjacent country; so effectually did the menacing attitude of Washington's army operate, and also the edict of congress, which pronounced the penalty of death upon any citizen who should dare to afford him supplies. Thus situated, the British general found, as Dr. Franklin wittily remarked, that, " instead of taking Philadelphia, Philadelphia had taken him." To succeed in opening a communication with their fleet, which had sailed from the Chesapeake to the Delaware, it was necessary that the British should possess themselves of Attack™ Mud island, which was defended by Fort Mifflin, and Fort Red Bank. Mercer, on Red Bank. Accordingly, a body of Hessians, under Colonel Donop, marched down the Jersey shore, and attacked Fort Mercer with great impetuosity. It was defended by 400 men, under Colonel Greene. The Americans with drew within the fort, and made there a vigorous defense. The Hessian commander was mortally wounded, and his troops were repulsed with the loss of 500 men. Nov. 16. Their next attack was made upon Mud Island, by their nAtjacA 0I\ shipping. This proved, at first, no more successful ; and the s an . gj-jtjgh iogt tw0 Warlike vessels in the attempt. The Ameri cans were, however, at length dislodged by an attack from a battery which the British had found means to erect on Pro vince Island, a little above Mud Island, which commanded Fort Mifflin. Their post thus becoming untenable, they with drew in the night to Fort Mercer. To attack this fort, the British commander dispatched Cornwallis with a strong detachment. In obedience to his orders, that general crossed the Schuylkill, followed down the Delaware to Chester, below the fort, then crossing to Billing's Point, and receiving a reinforcement from New ¦ "length York, he thence ascended the river to attack it in the rear. open the The Americans, apprised of his approach, evacuated the fort. "and their' Tlle American smPPmg> deprived of protection, was now in fleet come great danger. Some vessels, under cover of night, passed the up the Dela- battery of Philadelphia, and sought safety further up the river . but seventeen were abandoned, and burned by their crews Lord Howe had now opened the navigation of the Delaware so that he could communicate with his brother, the admiral PATIENT SUFFERING OF THE AMERICAN ARMY. 207 In the meanwhile, the victorious troops of the north had PART III. reinforced the main army of the republicans, and Washington period ii. advanced within fourteen miles of Philadelphia, to White CHAF- TI- Marsh, his army consisting of 12,000 regulars and 3,000 — ^v^-/ militia. Howe marched his army within three miles of his 1777. lines, and manoeuvred, to draw him from his entrenchments ; ^anfon°^T but Washington, though he did not shun the battle, chose to Britisharmj receive it within his entrenchments. Howe, finding him too s° into win cautious to be drawn out of his camp, and too strong to be atT^filade™ ttacked in it, withdrew his army, and retired to winter-quar- phia. ers at Philadelphia. Washington, on the 11th of December, left White Marsh, Dec. n. and retired to Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, twenty miles W^hmgtoa above Philadelphia Here, in a wood on a high ground, he winter-quar- laid out his camp, and employed his army in building huts for ters at Val- winter-quarters. This work was not completed, when the ey orge' magazines were found to contain scarcely a single day's pro vision. As to their clothing, some few of the soldiers had one shirt, some the remnant of one, the greater part none at all. Barefooted, on the frozen ground, their feet cut by ice, they left their tracks in blood. A few only had the luxury of a blanket at night. More than 3,000 were excused from duty, Distress oi on account of cold and nakedness. Straw could not be ob- the Ameri tained ; and the soldiers, who, during the day, were benumbed can arm* with cold, and enfeebled by hunger, had at night no other bed than the humid ground. Diseases attacked them ; and the hospitals were replenished as rapidly as the dead were car ried out. The unsuitableness of the buildings, and the multi tude of sick that crowded them, caused an insupportable fetor. Hospital fever ensued. It could not be remedied by change of linen, for none could be had ; nor by salubrious diet, as even the coarsest was not attainable ; nor by medicines, as even the worst were wholly wanting. The hospitals resem bled more, receptacles for the dying, than places of refuge for the diseased. The patience with which these patriotic votaries of freedom endured such complicated evils, is, we believe, without a fgra„e"g0^ parallel in history. To go to battle, cheered by the trumpet timX moUf and the drum, with victory or the speedy bed of honor before heroic than the soldier, requires a heroic effort ; much more to starve, to actl™^ou'' freeze, and to lie down and die, in silent obscurity. Sparta anew the names of the individuals who fell in her cause at the pass of Thermopylae ; but America scarcely knows how many hundreds, perished for her in the camp at Valley Forge. 208 THE CABAL AGAINST WASHINGTON. CHAPTER VII Campaign of ] 778. PART III PERIOD II CHAP. VII. 1778. Causes pi the distress of the army. Many offi cers dis heartened, resign. Intrigues against Washington. Generals Gates, M'ff- Kn, and Con way, the chief in triguers. Expedition planned against Can ada. The melancholy state to which the army was reduced, was owing to several causes. The bills of credit had diminished to one-fourth their nominal value. A scarcity of linen cloth and leather prevailing throughout the country, the commissa ries had contracted for supplies at ten per cent, above the current price. This proceeding, congress refused to sanc tion ; but required that supplies should be furnished, and the bills received as specie. The consequence was, that these articles could not be procured. This depreciation of paper money, and advanced price of all articles of consumption, produced yet another evil. The officers, far from being able to live as became their rank, had not even the means of providing for their subsistence ; and many had already expended their private fortunes, to maintain a respectable appearance. Those, who now handed in theii resignations, were not the most worthless, but the bravest, most distinguished, and most spirited; who, disdaining the degraded situation in which they were placed, left the army to escape it This example of defection, set by his beloved officers, more than any of the other disasters of the army, wounded the pa rental heart of Washington. In the midst of these anxieties, that great man was called to suffer from those common foes of distinguished merit — envy and calumny. Intrigues were set in motion against him, the object of which was to give Mm so many occasions of disgust, that he should of himself retire from the head of the army; and thus make room for the promotion of Gates, whose success in the affair of Burgoyne had raised his reputation to the highest pitch. Among the leaders of this cabal was General Conway, a wily and restless intriguer. He besieged all the members of congress with insinuations that there was no order in the American camp ; and that body, at length, appointed him in spector-general. Pennsylvania addressed a remonstrance to congress, censuring the measures of the commander-in-chief. The same was done by the members from Massachusetts, among whom was Samuel Adams. They were not pleased that the whole command devolved on a Virginian, to the ex clusion of their generals, who were, in their opinion, equal, if .not superior, to Washington. A board of war was created, under Gates and Mifflin, who were prime movers of the com bination. .With the advice of this board, congress planned an expedition against Canada. Washington was not consulted, but he was ordered to detach La Fayette, with certain regi- NEITHER PARTY READY FOR AN EARLT CAMPAIGN. SiQj) ments, to perform the service. That officer Was indignant at PART iil the neglect and injustice on this occasion manifested towards period fl. his revered commander, and would have declined the service, chap. yn. which he was aware was given him as a lure to draw him ^^sr+*> into the cabal. But Washington advised him to accept the command, and did all in his power to forward the expedition. What he did, was all that was done. La Fayette was recalled from Albany, and the expedition was abandoned. ivva It is impossible to express, with what indignation the whole pUDHc indig- army and the best citizens were filled, on hearing the machi- nation nations, that were agitated against their honored chief. A "S"™?4 th* ' . & . ° . _ enemies of universal cry arose against the intriguers. Conway, super- Washingjon. seded by Baron Steuben, a Prussian officer, dared not show himself among the exasperated soldiers; and Samuel Adams deemed it prudent to keep aloof from the army. Congress, thus made to see how deeply rooted the commander was in the affections of the army and people, and knowing also that he ranked high at foreign courts, became at length sensible of their error, and restored to Washington a confidence which he had so hardly earned, and to which he was so justly entitled. Conway was wounded in a duel, and believing himself at the point of death, he became penitent, and wrote to Wash ington, confessing his wrong and declaring his contrition. Washington never once turned aside from his high career of suffering virtue, to notice his personal enemies. He had been indefatigable in urging congress to stop the defection of the officers, by securing to them some reward for their services. In accordance with his advice, a law was passed, allowing Congress them half pay for seven years after the close of the war. allowing th» He also urged caagress, and the different state governments, officers half to make early prqjarations for the ensuing campaign, that it pa y°arSeTeB might be commenced at the opening of the spring, before the British reinforcements could arrive. But decisions are of necessity tardily made in popular governments ; hence, what ought to have been ready in the beginning of the spring, was but scantily provided during the summer. These delays might have been fatal to the army, had the Predatory British been in a condition to take the field early in the sea- e??Jfrsi?"f . i ii , it ot the cnt- «on. As lt was, they contented themselves with sending out ish. their light troops to scour the country in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. In March, a party of these troops massacred, in cool blood, while crying for quarter, the soldiers who were stationed at the bridges of Quinton and Hancock. Near the same time, another party undertook an expedition up the Delaware. They destroyed the magazines at Bordentown, and the vessels which the Americans had drawn up the river, between Philadelphia and Trenton. In May, 2,000 men, under La Fayette, were posted at „ Baron Hill, about eight or ter miles in front of the army, at 210 BURGOYNE'S CAPTURE AFFECTS EUROPEAN POLITICS. 1778. Success of American privateers. PART III. Valley Forge, to form an advanced guard, and be in readiness to annoy the British rear, in case they attempted to retreat to New York. The whole British army came out of Philadel phia, and a detachment of 5,000 men, under General Grant, was sent to surprise and destroy the force under La Fayette. In the beginning of the engagement, Grant obtained some advantage ; but at length La Fayette, by skill and activity, baffled his enemy, and withdrew his detachment to the main army. The Americans were no where more successful than in the depredations which their swift-sailing privateers made upon the British commerce. With these they infested every sea, even those about the British islands ; and often performed deeds of almost incredible boldness. Since 1776, they had already captured 500 of the British vessels. Early in the season, Sir Henry Clinton arrived in Philadel phia, to supersede Sir William Howe in the command of the British forces ; that general having resigned his commission and returned to England. The news of the capture of Burgoyne caused a deep sen sation throughout Europe, and effected the politics of several of its cabinets. The English people were astonished and afflicted ; their sanguine calculations were defeated ; their boastful predic tions had failed ; and mortified and perplexed, they knew not what course to pursue. The generals and soldiers who had fought in America, were not inferior to any that England or Europe could produce. These the Americans had vanquish ed. Of what, then, might they not be capable in future, when they should have derived new confidence from successes, and consolidated their state by practice and experience. The gar risons of Canada were weak, and the Americans might turn their victorious army against them. The Canadians, follow ing the example of the Americans, might also revolt from Britain. Enlistments, both in America and England, became daily more difficult, and the Germans would only furnish troops to fulfil the engagement already made ; and for the few re cruits which they could raise, several of the German princes refused a passage through their dominions. France, they be lieved, would soon openly avow herself the friend of Ameri ca ; and thus her ancient and inveterate foe be joined in the contest with her alienated colonies. France, jealous of her rival, viewed the discontents in Amer ica with pleasure. She did not at first espouse the quarrel, knowing that at the moment she should declare herself, the British ministry, by acquiescing in the concessions demanded by the Americans, might instantly disarm them ; and France would then find herself alone, burdened with a war without motive or object. The declaration of independence removed this objection ; yet, though France would rather see America England is perplexed by the capture of Burgoyne. Policy of France in eference to America. AN ALLIANCE FORMED WITH FRANCE. 211 independent, than reconciled with her parent state, she relish- PART III. ed better than either, a long war between them, which should period ii. waste both England and her colonies. This being her policy, ohap. vn. she amused the British ministers with protestations of friend- *-**-v~^s ship ; encouraged the Americans with secret, but scanty and uncertain succors ; and excited their hopes by promises of future co-operation. These promises, however, as they were vague and unofficial might at any time have been disowned by the government. Wearied out and disgusted, the agents of congress at the court of Versailles, urged the cabinet to come to a final decis- l?'''®- c ion ; but they avoided it, alleging a variety of excuses. Un- rjr. Franklin able to accomplish their views with France, and discovering and the no other prospect of success, the negotiators proposed to Eng- ^S°a"s land the recognition of their independence. This point con ceded, thpy would have yielded in all others, to such condi tions as should tend to save the honor of the mother country ; but this proposition was rejected. The capture of Burgoyne changed the face of affairs, and gave new ardor to these patriots, who aroused the jeal ousy of the French cabinet, by their disposition to form an alliance with England. The French ministers now declared themselves openly, and they were warmly seconded by every class of French citizens. On the 6th of February, a treaty Feb. 6. was formed, and France acknowledged the independence of Tirrlane*lt!l America. In this treaty it was declared, that "if war should break out between France and England during the existence its stipula- of that with the United States, it should be made a common tions- cause ; and that neither of the contracting parties should con clude either truce or peace with Great Britain, without the formal consent of the other ; and they mutually engaged not to lay down their arms until the independence of the United States should have been formally or tacitly assured, by the treaty or treaties, which should terminate the war." The treaty was signed, on behalf of France, by M. Gerard ; and on the part of the United States, by Benjamin Franklin, Silaj Deane, and Arthur Lee. On the 20th of March, the American commissioners were March tai received at the court of France, as the representatives of a America^ sister nation ; an event, which was considered in Europe as ceived at the most important which had occurred in the annals of Amer- court- lea, since its discovery by Columbus. The British parliament foresaw the probable alliance oi France with America, and a proposal was brought forward by pra""^. the ministers, to send over commissioners, empowered to grant reConcilia- all that its colonies had asked before the War, on condition of tion in £nj their returning to their former allegiance. This measure was lan warmly opposed; and its ill success foretold. It is, said its op- posers, either too little or too much ; too little, if we wish to make peace in earnest; too much, if we expect to continue 212 THREE COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM ENGLAND. PA,RT in. tile war. If the Americans refused any other conditions^ than period ii. independence, when they were single-handed and depressed chap. vii. by misfortunes, surely all others will now be rejected. Why i-.*-v-^^ not at once concede that independence which America has already acquired, and is able to maintain. She will then doubtless prefer our alliance to that of France ; and in our coming contest with that wily nation, we shall have her as sistance instead of her hostility. Such in substance was the language of the opposition ; but the counsels of the ministry 1778. prevaiied. The earl of Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and sendlTthree William Eden were appointed commissioners. The ministry, commission- as the result sufficiently proves, had other than the ostensible erstocAmen" objects in view, in sending these men to America. They were to make an attempt to bribe, corrupt, and divide the people. When the news of the French treaty reached the island, England and t^le British, highly exasperated against the French, immedi- France pre- ately prepared to attack them at sea. To their astonishment Pare for na- jt was f0UI1(j that France, by great exertions to increase her navy, and improve her seamen, was now fully able to cope with her rival on that element. May 2. On the second of May, arrived the long expected treaty Ft?n- sieges New port. Aug. 22. d'Estaing sails for Bon ton. Aug. 28. Sullivan raises the siege, and, has Aug. 29, an action with the British. Sept. 5. Genera Gray's e* cursion. The wlley of Wvomin^ £1% THE MASSACRE OF WYOMING. PARI Hi. of its inhabitants were eminently devoted to the cause of theii period v country, and although from their frontier position, they wer« chap. vm. tuemselves exposed, yet they had sent their young and able- v-««-v-*~ t>»died men, to fill the ranks of the army. But tories were numerous among them. Several had been arrested, and sent to the proper authorities for trial. This excited the indigna tion of the party, who now united with the Indians. Resort ing to artifice, they pretended a desire to cultivate peace, while they were preparing for a bloody revenge. 1778. The patriots had constructed several forts for the security June. 0f the inhabitants. In June, a formidable force of Indians Brandt with and tories, under ihe command of Butler and Brandt appeared Indians and on the banks of the Susquehannah. They soon took all the tones, mas- fortS) except that of Wilkesbarre — butchering men, women, and fenders and children, laying waste the country, and burning the houses. defenseiess. The tories were more sanguinary than the savages themselves. Fathers and sons were arrayed against each other, and in one case a brother slew a brother, while he was beseeching him for mercy. At Wilkesbarre was collected all the remaining military force of the valley, under the patriot Colonel Zebulon Butler. It consisted of about fifty regular troops, and volunteers to the number of three hundred. Their foe, one thousand strong, and flushed with success, was but a few miles distant. They had no alternative but to attack or be attacked ; and early on the 3d of July, this little devoted band left their women and children in the fort, and at a few miles distance, met and gave battle to a force nearly treble their own. They fought with desperation ; but their foe out-flanked and surrounded, and then barbarously massacred them. Only sixteen escaped. The enemy next marched to the fort, which there was none to defend. It was surrendered, under promise of the protection of life. But the engagement was violated, and many of the helpless and unresisting, fell by the hands of those, who had but just murdered their husbands and fathers. &c^ Disputes occurred about this time, between the French and with toe A-mericans at Boston, and also at Charleston, South Caro- French. lma- I11 D°th these places some of the French were killed. At Boston, the Chevalier de St. Sauveur lost his life. Con gress attributed these unfortunate affairs to British machina tions ; and the French admiral forebore to inquire further The Marquis La Fayette, hoping to serve the United States by his representations in France, requested and obtained per mission to repass the Atlantic. French and Admiral d'Estaing left Boston for the West Indies, on the puSpTil fm 3d of November- The same day the British Commodore Ho the West tham left Sandy Hook, having on board 5,000 land troops, un- Indies. der Major General Grant, to sustain the English garrisons in those islands. He was followed, on the 14th of December, by Admiral Byron (who had superseded Admiral Howe) with GEORGIA RECOVERED BY THE BRITISH. $17 the whole English fleet The French took Dominica from the English; and the English, St. Lucia from the French. In planning the campaign for this year, the enemy had pla ced their principal hope of success in conquering the southern states. It was not, however, until a late period of the cam paign, that Sir Henry Clinton was prepared to attempt the execution of this design. He then sent to Georgia, under con voy of Admiral Hyde Parker, 2,500 men, English, Hessians, and refugees. This army was commanded by Colonel Camp bell, who, on the 27th of December, arrived before Savannah. The place being unprepared for defense, he defeated the Americans under Major General Robert Howe, and killed up wards of one hundred of his troops, and then took possession of the city. Four hundred and fifty American troops, and a large quantity of artillery and ammunition fell into his hands. That part of the American army which escaped, retreated into South Carolina. Late in the autumn of 1778, Washington took winter-quar ters at Middlebrook. PART IIL 1778. Nov. 27. British forces sail for Georgia. Dec. 29. Savannah is taken. Washington in winter quarters CHAPTER IX Campaign of 1779 The plan of Sir Henry Cbnton was to subjugate, at the 1779. outset of this campaign, the whole state of Georgia to the Georgia royal authority. The capital .berng already in possession of the British, they soon overran the adjacent country. Sunbury still held out for congress. General Prevost, commander of the troops at St. Augustine, pursuant to the orders of Clinton, left Florida, and, after a march of excessive fatigue and hard ship, attacked the garrison at Sunbury. They made a show of resistance ; but the country being now in the hands of the enemy, they were compelled to surrender at discretion. Prevost then proceeded to Savannah, where he took com mand of all the British forces. The whole of Georgia was now under the authority of the royalists ; and Clinton had accomplished all that he had expected to effect, before he should be joined by recruits from England. He did not con sider himself in sufficient force to attack Charleston ; but, aware that if he did not proceed with offensive operations, his army would languish, and his enemy soon put him on the de- ijnsuccess- fensive, he planned an expedition against Port Royal, giving ful attempt die command to General Gardner. The English were, how- up^,™' $ver, so valiantly received by the Carolinians, that they were obliged to return, after having experienced a severe foss. 218 SOUTH CAROLINA THE SEAT OF THE WAR PART III. PERIOD II. CHAP. IX. 1779. British be lieve the neople favor- mole to them. Barbarity of the tories. Representa tions of Brit ish agents. Colonel Pickens de feats a party of royalists near Augus ta. Lincoln takes com mand of the American forces at the sour.. He ^rations Ashe at Briar Creek, One of the motives of the British ministry, in transferring the war into the southern states, was the opinion, that a great proportion of the inhabitants were, at heart, in favor of the mother country; and that, if an opportunity presented, they would flock to her standard. They were not mistaken in the belief, that there were royalists ; but they were deceived as to their number and efficient strength. Of these royalists, there were several kinds. Some of the least violent, concealing their sentiments, resided in the midst of the republicans ; some lived solitary, and watched a favora ble opportunity to declare themselves ; while others were so rancorous as even to unite with the Indians ; and, assisting in their nocturnal massacres, their conduct was more barbarous than that of the savages themselves. To support and encourage these friends to the royal cause, the British generals moved up the river to Augusta. They sent out numerous emissaries, who represented to them that now was the time to join the royal standard. They were told that they wanted nothing but union, to become incomparably the stronger party ; to be enabled to take vengeance on those who had so long loaded them with indignities, and to entitle them to the high rewards, which await those who are found faithful among the faithless. The royalists rose in arms, put themselves under the com mand of Colonel Boyd, one of their chiefs ; and, moving towards the British army, pillaged, burnt, and murdered on their way. Meantime, the Carolinians collected a force, which, under the command of Colonel Pickens, met them, just as they had nearly reached their destination. A furious conflict ensued, and the republicans totally defeated the party. Seventy-six of the prisoners were condemned to death as criminals ; but mercy was extended to the whole number, except five. Towards the close of the preceding year, General Lincoln was appointed, at the request of the Carolinians, to take the command of the southern forces. He arrived, on the 4th of December, at Charleston; and, on the 17th of January, took post at Purysburg. As the enemy extended their posts up the Savannah, on the southern side, Lincoln extended his on the northern bank. He fixed one encampment at Black Swamp, and another nearly opposite Augusta ; intending, as soon as he should be able to collect a sufficient force, to cross the Sa vannah, and oblige the enemy to evacuate the upper parts of Georgia. Meantime. Prevost fell down the river to Hudson's ferry. Lincoln, whose army amounted to 4,000, intended to re take the upper part of Georgia, and restrict him to the coast. He detached General Ashe, with 2,000 men, of the North Carolina militia, to take post at a strong position, on Briar creek. Provost took measures, by judicious feints, to keep the atten- COLONIAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED IN GEORGIA. 219 tion of Lincoln diverted, while he marched to surprise the un- PART III. guarded Ashe. He was so completely successful, that he had period u. entered the camp of the Americans before they were aware CHAP- '*• of his approach. Panic-struck, the militia fled, without firing <-«^v-^ a shot ; but many of them being drowned in the river, and M"ch 3- swallowed up in the marshes, met with a death, which they ^Ja^nd might possibly have escaped by a gallant resistance. iS' anny d» The regular troops of Carolina and Georgia, animated by str°ye twenty-five sail of the line, and on the 2d of July, came to 1779. anchor in a harbor of Grenada. On this island he landed F July 2- 2,500 men, and attacked and carried, by a bloody and de- tureGre^ structive assault, St. George, its principal fortress, when the da- whole island submitted to France. Shortly after these events, d'Estaing received letters from General Lincoln, President Lowndes, of South Carolina, and Mr. Plombard, consul of France, from which he learned the French ad- dissatisfaction which existed in America. The republicans miral re-. complained, that the alliance with France had produced Proached pJ nothing which corresponded either to the greatness of their eCanse"' ally, or the general expectations of the Americans. It was said, that the sums expended upon Rhode Island were worse than fruitless ; and that the zeal with which the Bostonians had victualled and equipped the French fleet, produced no better effect than its immediate desertion of their coasts, on distant expeditions. The loss of Savannah and Georgia, which opened to the British an easy entrance to the Caroli nas, was attributed to this cause ; and finally it was said, that while the French were enriching themselves in distant seas, with the conquests of the British possessions, they left the Americans, contrary to the stipulations of the treaty, to sus tain the burden of the war. These complaints were followed by earnest entreaties, that d'Estaing would immediately re store the confidence of the Americans, by hastening to their succor. Count d'Estaing had received instructions to return imme- Sept. i. diately to Europe, but moved by these representations he ven- a'LfTstain£' tured to disobey the summons ; and directing his course the coast of to Georgia, he appeared off the coast on the 1st of Sep- Georgia tember. He believed that there were two plans, which, if America could successfully execute, the war must, of necessity, come to a conclusion. One of these, was the destruction of the army under General Prevost, at Savannah ; and the other, Concerts and more difficult, was to attack by sea and , land, conjointly measures with Washington, the British forces in the city of New York. Lincoln. It was determined to attempt the former ; and the Count d'Estaing and General Lincoln lost no time in commencing their joint operations. The French admiral had sent ships to Charleston with the joyful news of his arrival in those waters. They surprised and captured some British vessels loaded with provisions. British gen- General Prevost, alarmed at his danger, sent expresses, di- eral at Sa- recting the forces under Maitland, and those at Sunbury, to ^^ ^* repair witt speed to Savannah. He removed the shipping p0sts )224 UNFORTUNATE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH. PART III 1779. Sept. 24. Savannah invested by the French, ho are join ed by the Americans. Oct. 3. Unfortunate bombard ment of Sa vannah. Oct. 9. The com bined armies make a Woody as sault, and »re repulsed Pulasla. slain. Oct. 18. The siege raised farther up the river, destroyed the batteries on the island of Tybee, and pressed the completion of the works at Savannah. Meantime, Gen. Lincoln marched towards Savannah, leav ing orders for the militia to collect from all quarters, and join his army. Before he had arrived, d'Estaing had invested the place, and demanded of Prevost to surrendei to the arms of France ; a measure which was displeasing to the repubh- cans. The expected reinforcements of Prevost had not yet arrived ; and he amused the French admiral by a protracted negotiation. D'Estaing even went so far as to give him a truce of twenty-four hours. In the meantime, Maitland ar rived, with eight hundred men ; and there was then no fur ther talk of surrendering. Pulaski, with Iris legion, and Lin coln, with 3,000 troops, had also arrived before Savannah Works were erected, and a regular siege was commenced on the 24th of September. On the 3d of October the trenches were completed, the batteries armed, and a bombardment commenced. Fifty- three pieces of cannon, and nine mortars, sent an incessant shower of balls and shells. The city was on fire in many places. The burning roofs fell upon the women, the children and the unarmed multitude ; and every where were seen the crippled, the dying, and the dead. Five days this firing con tinued, and although so dreadful to the town, it was nearly harmless to the fort. Touched with the sufferings which he witnessed, Prevost requested permission that the women and children should be sent down the river, on board of, vessels intrusted to the care of the French, to await there the issue of the siege. d'Estaing, fearing to be again entrapped, refu sed this humane request. In the meantime, the French fleet would be exposed to dangers, and himself to disgrace, should the admiral longei detain it. And although the allies knew that they were put ting to great hazard that which delay would make certain, yet the exigency of the case seemed to demand it ; and it was resolved to assault the town. The flower of the combined armies were led to the attack by the two commanders, d'Es taing and Lincoln. They met with many disasters, and a final repulse. The number of the slain and the wounded shows that the battle must have been bloody. The French loss was 700 ; the American, four hundred. The Count d'Estaing was wounded, but recovered ; the Count Pulaski, while bravely charging at the head of 200 horse, received a wound which caused his death, and deprived America of one of her most valiant and disinterested defenders. ' On the 18tl}, the allies raised the siege of Savannah. Lincoln crossed the river with his regular troops ; the militia disbanded, and re turned to their homes ; and d'Estaing set sail for Europe. Sir Henry Clinton, fearing an attack from the French, with drew his troops fr«vn Rhode Island precipitately, with the loss PAUL JONES. A HORRIBLE NIGHT-SCENE. 2g3 of" his munitions ; leaving that state to revert peaceably to the PART III. union. period a. Near the close of this year occurred, on the coast of Eng- chap. x. land, that unexampled sea-fight, which gave to Ihe name of >-*-v-^^ Paul Jones such terrific eclat. This man was a native of Scot- 1779. land, but engaged in the service of the United States. His Paul Jones flotilla was composed of the Bonhomme Richard, of forty guns ; the Alliance, of thirty-six, (both American ships,) the Pallas, a French frigate of thirty-two, in the pay of congress, and two other smaller vessels. He fell in with a British mer chant fleet, on its return from the Baltic, convoyed by Captain Pearson, with the frigate Serapis, of forty-four guns, and the Countess of Scarborough, of twenty. Pearson had no sooner perceived Jones, than he bore down Sept. 23. to engage him, while the merchantmen endeavored to gain F'erce en- • the coast. The American flotilla formed to receive him. wi^Cap. The two enemies joined battle about seven in the evening, tain Pearson The British having the advantage of cannon of a longer reach, °f g1"5 .{^Jf ' Jones resolved to fight them closer. He brought up his ships, until the muzzles of his guns came in contact with those of his enemy. Here the phrensied combatants fought from seven till ten. Paul Jones now found that his vessel was so shattered, that only three effective guns remained. Trusting no longer to these, he assailed his enemy with grenades ; which, falling into the Serapis, set her on fire in several pla ces. At length her magazine blew up, and killed all near it. Pearson, enraged at his officers, who wished him to surren der, commanded them to board. Jones, at the head of his crew, received them at the point of the pike ; and they re treated. But the flames of the Serapis had communicated to her enemy, and the vessel of Jones was on fire. Amidst this tremendous night scene, the Alliance came up, and, mistaking her partner for her enemy, she fired a broad side into the vessel of Jones ; but by the glare of the burning ships she discovered her mistake, and turned her guns against her exhausted foe. Pearson's crew were killed or wounded, Jones ton- his ailillery dismounted, and his vessel on fire ; and he could iuers at f J . m. 'r. r. 1 r-. ¦ i unwarranta no longer resist. The flames of the Serapis were, however, bie waste ni arrested ; but the leaks of the Good-man Richard could not be human life. stopped, and the hulk went down soon after the mangled re mains of the crew had been removed. Of the 375 who were on board that renowned vessel, 300 were killed or wounded. The Pallas had captured the Countess of Scarborough ; and Jones, after this horrible victory, wandered, with his shattered, unmanageable vessels for some time ; and at length, on the 6th of October, had the good fortune to find his way to the waters of the Texel. Having now brought to a close the military affairs of the campaign, we pause to take some note of .he political trans actions. 226 TROUBLES. DEMAGOGUES AND OFFICE-SEEKERS. PART III: PERIOD II. CHAr. x. 1779. Advantage and disad vantage of he French alliance. Washington and others are alarmed at the public insensibility. The dema gogues and office lovers of the time decry true patriots. Public im morality the consequenceof a fluctua ting curren cy. England counterfeits the conti nental money. Notwithstanding the apparent inutility to the republicans, of the French fleet, it was in reality of great importance to theu cause, as it kept the British constantly in check. But th« alliance with France had also its disadvantages. The publitb feeling, so long strained to an unnatural elevation, was now predisposed to sink to apathy ; and the Americans were led to believe that England must, from the power of France, soon be compelled to yield, although they should remit their efforts The leading patriots saw the evil with alarm. Endeavor ing to counteract it, they called on the people, by the memory of their past exploits, by the necessity of preserving the re spect of their allies, by the perils which still impended, and by the power and treacherous policy of their yet unconquered adversary, to arouse from their lethargy, and trust not in chance or in strangers, but in their own exertions, for the es tablishment of their rights ; but vain was the appeal ; and even the army was affected by the lethargic torpor of the pub lic mind. Another evil had arisen. The disorders of the times had produced a race of men, who, seeking solely to enrich them- oelves, made a trade of the public distress. What did they care if their country should fall, if they could share her spoils ? Army supplies enriched them, as they afforded them preten ces for peculation ; and the state often paid dearly for what it never received. Such wretches are ever the loudest to chime in with the tune of the times. Hypocrites in patriot ism, vociferous for their country's rights, they deceived the undiscerning, and acquired an influence, by which they sought to remove from office all who obstructed their designs ; and by their intrigues, the appalling cry of tory was raised, and sometimes not in vain, against the upright officer who refused to connive at their selfish rapacity. . One cause of this alarming degeneracy in morals, lay in the depreciation of paper currency. At the close of this year, a dollar in specie could scarcely be obtained for forty in bills. But, the paper was fluctuating in its value. Hence a set of men arose, who preferred speculating on this currency, to honest industry ; and often in the changes which occurred, the worthless amassed sudden wealth, while many deserving persons of moderate fortunes, sunk at once to poverty. That the bills should have depreciated, will not be mysterious when we consider that the immense sum of one hundied and sixty millions had now been issued by congress. The honest individual of private life, will be surprised Ut learn another reason of the depreciation of American paper, although the wily politician knows that it is no new " trick of state." England, on this occasion, turned counterfeiter. Her ministers sent over, and her generals distributed whole chests of spurious bills, so perfectly imitated, as scarcely to be dis tinguished from the true. EUROPEAN TRICKS OF STATE. 227 In the meantime, America was scarcely less in danger from PART ;I II friends, than enemies. Congress was beset by the intrigues period n. of France and Spain. The former had not intended to de- CHAP- * clare in her favor, until far greater concessions had been ob- ^-^v-+*s tained ; but had been surprised into the step, by the unexpect- 1779. ed fortune which, in the capture of Burgoyne, the Americans Selfisll F1'* had single-handed won for themselves, and which made the French cabj French cabinet fear, that, unless they hasted to declare hb~ hemselves, the contest would be decided, and America be come independent, without being in any degree indebted to them, or inclined to favor them. They also feared that they should lose the opportunity of obtaining a powerful and effi cient ally in a war which they wished, on their own account, to wage against their too powerful neighbor, and hereditary enemy. Now that by the alliance, these objects were se cured, they wished, in the particulars which yet remained to be settled, to drive a hard bargain for their services ; and to make .he Americans think meanly of themselves, would be to enhance the value of those services. M. Gerard, in his communications to congress, endeavored, by such means, to make them consent to abandon to France the extensive fisheries of Newfoundland ; and to Spain, the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi. The alliance of No unaue Spain was also to be thrown into the scale ; and the advanta- OTer c°n. ges of this were magnified. But congress were not deceived, gress obtain they refused the specious bait ; and Spain, having precisely "p^f 0h^ the same policy as France, and the same desire to humble Spain. England, declared war against that power, to suit her own purposes ; without succeeding in making America believe, that she did it for her sake. The British ministry had, in the spring, sent out Admiral ,^ec.em,b£Ar' Arbuthnot with a reinforcement for the American service, buthrat con He was, however, delayed by the way, and did not arrive veys Sir H until August. Under convoy of his fleet, Sir Henry Clinton, J?^0^ with 7,000 men, sailed in December from New York, for the men,'to south, and after a tempestuous and protracted voyage, landed the south. at Tybee Island, in the neighborhood of Savannah, the last of January. General Lincoln, with his army, was, at the close of this j^^,.^ year, in winter-quarters, at Shelden ; and Washington, divi- army in win ding his army into two parts, sent one division to take post at ter-quarters. West Peint, and himself with the other, occupied the heights at Morristown _£.2&l THE ARMED NEUTRALITY ANNOYS ENGLAND CHAPTER XI European Affairs. — Campaign of 1780. PART III. Fresh indications of hostility towards England were mam period ii. fested by the European powers. That nation had become chap. xi. mistress of the sea, and had borne her honors haughtily ; claim <-*rv-*^ ing the right of searching the vessels of neutral nations, for 1780. articles contraband of war, and not allowing their national flag England be- to protect them from her troublesome and insulting scrutiny. trees of tne A common feeling of indignation, at this conduct, pervaded ocean. the nations ; which, by the policy of Catharine II. of Russia, England was made to feel, without the power of resenting. On the occasion of the displeasure produced by the search and " Armed ^ seizure of a number of Dutch vessels, sailing under the con- sroposed voy °f 'be Count de Byland, that princess proposed to the na- _>y Catharine tions to unite in an " armed neutrality ,•" and immediately the Russia, yj™ 0f Denmark and Sweden acceded to the proposal. 1 he treaty to which they were mutually bound, and which constituted the basis of this confederacy, stipulated, that neu tral vessels might freely navigate from one port to another, even upon the coast of belligerent powers ; — that all effects become free so soon as they are on board a neutral vessel, except such articles, as by a former specified treaty, had been declared contraband ; — that no port should be deemed block aded, until such an actual naval force had invested it, as to make its entrance dangerous ; — that when any vessel had shown by its papers, that it was not the carrier of contraband goods, it might place itself under the escort of ships of war, which should prevent its being stopped ; — and finally, that the legality of prizes should be determined by these rules. In order to command respect for this confederation, the three al lied powers agreed that each should keep a part of its navy equipped, and make common cause in protecting their com mon trade. Reception These articles were communicated to the courts of France, rf t}*?fmDd Spain, Holland, England, and Portugal, with an invitation to the different join the confederacy. The two former expressed great admi- powers of ration of their wisdom, and joy in their adoption ; and not only Europe. acceije(j to them, but wished the northern powers to under stand, that by their directions to their admirals, they had al ready anticipated them. The British ministry, unwilling to come to an open rupture with Russia, but determined not to admit the principles of the confederacy, dissembled, for the present, their displeasure, and replied to the invitation in a vague and indecisive manner. Portugal, fearful of offending England, declined the alliance ; but Holland, irritated at the CHARLESTON BESIEGED BY SIR H. CLINTON. 389 seizure o*" her vessels, and partaking in the common feeling of PART OL resentment towards England, disregarded her threats, and joined the armed neutrality. Surrounded by so many perils, it is not strange that Eng land prosecuted the American war with less energy, than in 1780. preceding years. Yet no signs of, fear or discouragement T^t^^ were manifested. The policy now to be pursued was to draw 'operate all the troops to the south, except so many as were requisite asamst th» to keep possession of the posts already acquired at the north. south' Sir Henry Clinton, after remaining a short time in the vi- sir H. Clin- cinity of Savannah, set sail on the 10th of February for 'onmenaew Charleston, and landing within thirty miles of the city, he arie,t0B- took possession of John's Island and Stono Ferry, and after wards of Wappoo Cut and James Island. A part of his army proceeded and took post on the banks of Ashley river, oppo site to Charleston. His forces were soon increased by 1,200 troops from Savannah, under General Patterson. Not doubting that Charleston would be attacked, Gen- General eral Lincoln removed thither with his army -, and in conjunc- Lincoln and tion with Governor Rutledge, to whom the state had confided H^edge dictatorial powers, he tried every measure to put the city in a prepare for posture of defense. But they had great difficulties to encoun- defense- ter. The militia had been disbanded ; they were dispirited, T, . .. and afraid to enter Charleston on account of the small-pox, courage-3' which was there prevailing. Paper currency was out of ments credit, and many becoming discouraged, as to the final success of the republican cause, took advantage of the amnesty which had been offered by Provost. A considerable force was how ever collected, and great diligence was displayed in con structing fortifications. The siege commenced on the 1st of April, and the enemy APnl l- was employed at succeeding periods, in erecting batteries s"eges across Charleston Neck, while the garrison were equally as- Charleston siduous in preparing for defense. General Lincoln had posted and cuts 7* General Huger, with a detachment at Monk's Corner. Hu- American ger was driven from this position, on the 14th of April, by the army. British troops, under Colonels Webster, Ferguson, and Tarle ton ; and thus the only road by which a retreat could be ef fected, was at the command of the besiegers. Their force also was, about this time, increased by the arrival of 3,000 troops from New York. The British fleet had. on the 9th of April, passed fort Moul trie, without making an attack, losing by its guns, only twenty- seven men. It then anchored near fort Johnson. Clinton, the same day, completed the first parallel across Charleston Miy 7. Neck, about 1,100 yards from the American works ; and after ^e'simrad summoning the garrison to surrender, he opened his batteries er». upon the town. Colonel Pinckney, who commanded fort Moultrie, having withdrawn his troops to Charleston, that fort was surrendered on the 7th of May. 17 230 THE BRITISH MASTERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. PART III. General Lincoln being thus completely surrounded, capitu lated on the 12th, surrendering his whole army, which con sisted of seven general officers, ten continental regiments, and three battalions. Four hundred pieces of artillery, and four 1780. frigates fell into the hands of the enemy. The successful operations of the British in the siege o Charleston, and in the defense made at the close of the lasl Moncreiff yearj at Savannah, are by historians attributed, in a great de gree, to the superior skill of their chief engineer, Moncrieff. After taking possession of the capital, Clinton planned three R ¦ . , exPeditions, all of which proved successful ; one against takp the fort Ninety-Six, one towards the Savannall river, and the third to at Ninety- scour the country between the Cooper and Santee rivers, The object of the last was to disperse a corps under Colonel Buford, who were retiring, by forced marches, in hopes to meet another body of Americans, who were on the march from M „„ Salisbury to Charlotte. Buford retreated with great celerity. Colonel But Colonel Tarleton, the most active of Clinton's officers, Tarleton commanded the pursuit, and after marching one hundred and and'defeats' nve miles in fifty -four hours, on the 28th of May, he came up Colonel Bu- with Buford, at Wacsaw. The English victory was corn s'1' Wac~ plete, but it was stained with cruelty. They massacred many of those who offered to surrender, and from this time the pro verbial mode of expressing the barbarous act of killing those who surrender, was, " Tarleton's quarter." Thus the cavalry, which Clinton had brought with him, had proved of essential service to his arms ; and the alert, yet sanguinary Tarleton, at that period, seemed, to the terrified inhabitants, to be every where present. There no longer remained, in South Carolina, a force capa ble of withstanding the British. The inhabitants flocked from Clinton mas- a^ Parts to meet the royal troops, and declare their desire of wsr of South resuming their ancient allegiance. Clinton wrote to England, Carolina. tnat " South Carolina was English again." But he was aware that his conquests could not be preserved, but by re- establishing the civil administration. He published a full establish t^ pardon to all who should immediately return to their duty royal govern- But they must consider themselves established in the duties ment- as well as the rights of British subjects ; that is, they must take up arms in support of the royal government. Those who had families, were required to form a militia for home defense ; those who had not, to serve with the royal forces, for any six months of the ensuing twelve. Thus citizens became armed against citizens ; and brothers against brothers. General Clinton, seeing the affairs of the south in apparent tranquillity, distributed his army, amounting to about 4,000 troops, into the most important garrisons ; and leaving Lord June 10 Cornwallis in the command of the southern department, ho H«?york returned to New York. That city had been exposed to dan ger. The garrison was weak; and such had been the ua DEPRECIATION OF THE CONTINENTAL MONEY. 25'-'' paralleled severity of the winter, that Washington might have marched his army, with all his artillery and baggage, across any of its surrounding, and now solid waters But the mis erable condition of the American army, would not allow the commander to take advantage of this unexpected circumstance. Previous to the return of Cbnton, General Knyphausen, who had been left in command, had, with 5,000 men, made an excursion into New Jersey, and for a time occupied Eliza bethtown. He had manoeuvred to draw Washington from the heights of Morristown, intending to occupy that strong post himself, and thus force the American army into the open country ; but his plan was penetrated, and his expedition proved fruitless. Before his return, an affair occurred near Springfield, in which General Greene, who was sent by Wash ington, to watch the motions of Knyphausen, lost about eighty men, and the British, as was supposed, somewhat more. Springfield, which consisted of fifty houses, was set on fire. At sight of the flames, the inhabitants aroused. The spirit of the early days of the revolution rekindled. They collect ed in such numbers, and pursued the British with such vio lence, that their general was glad to take advantage of the night, to withdraw his army from the open country of Jersey to the defenses of New York. PART IU. 1780. June 23. Skirmish at Springfield New Jersey patriotism rekindles CHAPTER XII. Campaign of 1780 — continued. Up to this period, congress had maintained their bills at their nominal value, and had often declared, that a dollar in paper should always be given and received for a dollar in sil ver. But compelled to vield to the pressure of circumstances, they now decided, that, in future, the bills should pass, not at their nominal, but at their conventional value. The govern ment, which Sir Henry Clinton established in South Caro lina, had first made such a decree ; and had caused a table to be constructed, showing what had been the rate of deprecia tion, and the actual value of the bills, in years, and even in months past. The object of this calculation was to obtain a rule, by which the payment of debts might be regulated. This example congress found it expedient to follow. In Carolina and Georgia, the British saw, with chagrin, hat there were stih those who were devoted to the cause of independence ; and their resentment dictated measures of ex traordinary rigor. Their possessions were sequestrated, their families jealously watched, and subjected as rebels, to con- 1780. Congress obliged to sanction the depreciation 11 their pa per curren cy 111-treatmept of the south em patriots by the British. |[3SJ' THE HEROINES OF SOUTH CAROLINA. PART IU. tinual vexations. Within the city, they were refused access period n. to the tribunals, if they had suits to bring against a debtor . chap. xn. -while, on the other hand, they were abandoned to all the pro- -^"v-"«^ secutions which those who had, or pretended to have, claims against them, chose to institute. But there was still another more grievous injury, and one which stung the Carolinians to madness. This was the pro clamation by which the British commanders had absolved the prisoners of war from their parole, and restored them to the condition of British subjects, in order to compel them to fight under the royal banner. Had they been suffered to remain 1780. at home, they would, by degrees, have become reconciled to They are what they could not but feel to be the degradation of their °takgedut0 country- But with the requirement to take up arms, their armsUP wrath rekindled. " If We must fight," said they, " it shall be for America and our friends, not for England and strangers." Heroism of The heroism of the women of Carolina gives them a rank 'of SoSh"1 with ^e noDlest patriots of the revolution. They gloried in Carolina being called " rebel ladies." They refused their presence at every scene of gayety. Like the daughters of captive Zion, they would not amuse their conquerors. But, at every hazard, they honored, with their attention, the brave defenders of theii country. They sought out and relieved the suffering soldiers, visited prison ships, and, descended into loathsome dungeons. Sisters encouraged their brothers to fight the oppressor ; the mother her son, and the wife her husband ; and their parting advice was, " prefer prisons to infamy, and death to servitude." Where important national affairs are concerned, there is a certain degree of warmth and animation, which, pervading the public mind, marks the healthy state of a nation. When General this has risen to an unnatural heat,1 a period of lassitude and progress of inertness succeeds, before the national pulse again recovers public senti- its healthful beat. Such a preternatural state of public feeling ment. was excjte(j m America, by the wrongs of Britain, and pro duced the noble efforts of '76. But it is not in human na ture to keep long strained to a high pitch. A period of lassi tude succeeded, and in '79, the nation was asleep. But its sleep recruited its vital energies. The enemy, contemning its apparent weakness, had applied the scourge of a barbarian warfare. Its effects, though cruel to individuals, were whole some to the body politic : and America aroused from her slumbers, and awoke to better deeds. The leading patriots saw with delight, the rising enthusi asm of the people, and neglected no means which could *her- ish and propagate it. Congress sent circular letters to all the states, earnestly exhorting them to complete their regiments, Eiemons to and raise and send recruits to the army. The militia obeyed .i^the^sup7- tlle cal1 with alacrity- Tne capitalists subscribed large sums port of the to replenish the exhausted treasury. A bank was instituted army. at Philadelphia, on which congress could draw for the neces- MRS. WASHINGTON. LA FAYETTE S RETURN. Sjrf3 sities of the army. With generous patriotism, commercial PART III. houses and wealthy individuals stepped forward to support the period a pubbc credit, by their personal responsibility ; although the CHAP- »"¦- situation of affairs still offered too many motives of doubt and ^-v-**> distrust. Nor was this patriotic zeal to provide for the wants of the soldiers, confined to the men. The women in all parts of the country, displayed great activity, in collecting materials and preparing clothes for the soldiers. In Philadelphia, they 1780. formed a society, at the head of which was Martha Washing- Society °J ington, wife of the commander-in-chief. This lady was as chtZlTtl prudent in private, as her husband was in public affairs. Par- Mrs. Wa»h taking of his complacent dignity and even temperament, she lngtoIL had no caprices to disturb his affections, and withdraw his attention from public affairs ; and thus it was owing, in no in considerable degree, to the talents and virtues of his wife, that Washington could give himself wholly to the dictates of that patriotism, which this virtuous pair mutually shared, and reciprocaUy invigorated. Mrs. Washington, with the ladies who had formed the society, themselves subscribed considera ble sums for the pubbc; and having exhausted their own means, they exerted their influence, and went from house to house, to stimulate the liberality of others. CHAPTER XIII. Campaign of 1780 — continued. At this period, La Fayette returned with the cheering in- 1780. telligence, that a body of French troops had, at the time of La Fayette his departure, already embarked in a fleet destined for Amer- return? to ica. His exertions had accelerated their departure, and he had again come, self-devoted to the generous cause of free dom. He was received by all classes, with the ardent affec tion, which his bland manners and social as well as public virtues excited, and which his services and talents commanded. The expected succors soon arrived at Rhode Island. They Ju'y 10 consisted of a squadron of seven sail of the line, five frigates, SqUadr0n u and two corvettes, commanded by M. de Ternay, bearing rives with 6,000 soldiers, under the command of the Count de Rocham- trooPs- beau. To prevent the operation of that jealousy of the French troops, which was felt in America, the prudent arrangement had been made between congress and the court of Versailles, that General Washington should be the commander-in-chief a spirit oi of all the forces, both French and American ; and that Ame- true polite rican officers should take rank of French officers of the same viceable to grade. The Americans welcomed their allies with every de- nations. 17 ai* 234 SUMPTER AND MARION. BARON DE KALB. PART III. PERIOD II. CHAP. XIII. 178©. Clinton sai_s to attack the French. W ashington compels him to return. Partisan warfare. Sumpter and Marion. Aug. 6. Sumpter de teats the British at Hanging Rock. flaron de Kalb enters •V C. with a Ujice, and is joined by Gen. Gates. monstration of gratitude, and put them in immediate posses sion of the forts on Rhode Island. Washington, in order to cement more firmly the union between the two nations, ordered the distinctive colors of the national flags, to be blended in the banners of his army. At New York, Admiral Arbuthnot, whose squadron had con sisted of four ships of the line, was now reinforced by the arrival of six ships, under Admiral Graves. General Clinton determined on attacking the French immediately. He accordingly embarked on board the squadron of Admiral Graves, with 6,000 choice troops, and sailed for Rhode Isl and. Washington, in the meanwhile, having watched the movements of Clinton, immediately marched his army to Kingsbridge, with the intention of attacking New York, which was now left almost defenseless. But Clinton learning this movement, and finding also that the French were reinforced at Rhode Island, by the New England mibtia, relinquished the expedition, and returned to defend New York. The in decision and timidity manifested by the British, on this occa sion, infused new courage into the Americans. While these events were transpiring at the north, the inha bitants of the south were not inactive. The insolence of the British troops had become insupportable ; and the people of North and South Carolina had assembled in numbers, and seized every opportunity of harassing them. Among the offi cers, who headed these desultory parties, none rendered such distinguished services as Colonels Sumpter and Marion. Sumpter was a native of South Carolina, and possessed an extensive influence with his fellow-citizens. He collected great numbers of the inhabitants, and although they were compelled to trust to chance for their means of subsistence, and even sometimes to use their implements of husbandry as weapons of war, yet they menaced the enemy in all direc tions. So daring were they, that in some instances, they en countered the enemy with but three charges of ammunition to a man. Frequent skirmishes with the British, at length furnished them with muskets and cartridges, and Colonel Sumpter, whose numbers now amounted to 600 men, determined upon attacking some of their strong posts. His first attempt was upon Rocky Mount, where he was repulsed ; be then made an attack at Hanging Rock, and destroyed a British regiment, stationed at that place. Perfectly acquainted with every part of the country, he was enabled to elude all pursuit. This parti san warfare, while it weakened the number of the English, emboldened the Americans, and strengthened their confidence in themselves. In the meantime a few regular troops, under the command of the Baron de Kalb, had Deen sent from Maryland to the defense of Carolina. Owing to the excessive heat of the GATES DEFEATED AT CAMDEN. 235 season and the difficulty of procuring provisions, tney pro- PART III. ceeded by slow marches. On their way they were reinforced period n. by the Virginia militia, and the troops of North Carolina, com- CHAP' XI" manded by General Caswell. At Deep River they were >-»*~>'"^«' joined, on the 25th of July, by General Gates, who had been appointed to the command of the southern army. He imme diately advanced towards South Carobna with a force now amounting to about 4,000 men. When he arrived on the frontiers of the state, he issued a 178©. proclamation, inviting the inhabitants to join him, and promis- Gates' proc- ing pardon to all, from whom oaths had been extorted by the araa lon" English, excepting those who had committed depredations against the persons and property of their fellow-citizens. He is joined Multitudes flocked to him, and even whole companies, which by many had been levied in the provinces for the service of the king, deserted. Lord Rawdon, who had now the command of the British forces on the frontiers of Carolina, had concentrated them at Camden. On learning the approach of Gates, he gave imme diate notice to Cornwallis, who soon after joined him. At . 15 ten, on the night of the 15th of August, the whole British British and force, amounting to 2,000 men, marched from Camden to at- American ar- tack the Americans in their camp at Clermont. Gates had pi^ 'a 3ur. also commenced his march from Clermont, with the view of prise, and surprising the British camp. About two in the morning, UI\'^^' the advanced guards of the armies met and fired upon each other. From prisoners made on both sides, the commanders learned each other's movements. Tbe two generals suspend ed their fire, waiting for the light of day, and the armies having halted, were formed in the order of battle. The ground on which they had met was exceedingly unfavorable to Gates ; he could not advance to the attack but through a narrow way, bordered by a deep swamp, and the situation rendered the superiority of the American numbers of no avail. In the morning a severe and general action was fought __.Au«- '«¦ The Virginia and North Carolina militia fled in the commence- tle°of Gar ment of the battle, and General Gates in vain attempted to den and d» rally them. The continentals were thus left to maintain the j^.!-^ contest, and though they defended themselves with great bravery, and several times gained ground, yet they were una ble to restore the fortune of the day. The rout became gene ral, the Americans fled in the greatest disorder. They were pursued by the British twenty-three miles. The whole loss of tbe Americans in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was about two Thousand. General Gregory was killed ; the Baron de Kalb, who was wounded, and General Rutherford were taken prisoners. All the artillery, baggage, and stores, fell into tho Death ofde haiids of the enemy. The loss of the British amounted to Kalb. 17* 236 ARNOLD PROCLAIMED A TRAITOR. PART III. 1780. Aug 18. Tarletonsurprises and defeats Sumpter. General Ma rion. only three hundred and twenty-four. The Baron de Kalb died of his wounds three days after the battle.* General Gates retreated to North Carolina, leaving the British triumphant in the south. Colonel Sumpter continued to show himself on the banks of the Wateree ; ' but on learning the defeat of Gates, be re tired with 300 men, and two field pieces, to North Carolina. Tarleton, with his legion, was sent in pursuit of him, and surprised him on the banks of Fishing Creek. Sumpter with a few of his men, escaped ; but most of them were taken by Tarleton, and put to the sword. Marion, who about this time was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, still kept the field. Sheltering himself in the fastnesses of the mountains, he occasionally sallied out upon the British and tories, and seldom failed of surprising and capturing' such parties, as with his small force it was prudent for him to attack. CHAPTER XIV. Campaign of 1780. — Arnold's Treason. 178©. Arnold a traitor. Arnold's ca reer of de generacy. He is cen sured by congress. While these affairs were transacting at the south, an un expected event occurred at the north, which arrested the gen eral attention. A design which had for fifteen months been maturing in darkness was now brought to light. Arnold, the loudest to proclaim, and the fiercest to fight for his patriot ism, had bargained to sell himself and his country for gold. Arnold was dear to the American people ; he had been val iant in their service, and his maimed person bore the marks of the field of Saratoga. On account of his wounds he had been obliged to retire from active service. He solicited and obtained from congress, the post of commandant of Philadel phia. Here he lived in princely magnificence. Inhabiting the house of Gov. Penn, he gave it a splendid furnishing, and it became a scene of high play, sumptuous banquets, and ex pensive balls. To support this pageantry, he resorted to com merce and privateering. Unfortunate in these, his next re source was the public treasure, to which, as an officer of the government, he had access. He presented accounts unwor thy of a general. Congress indignant, caused them to be in- * Of the monument, which has been erected in Camden, to the memory of de Kalb, La Fayette, in his latest visit to America, helped to lay the corner-stone But where has America placed a memento of him 1 Arnold's extravagance leads to his treachery. 237 vestigated. The commissioners whom they appointed, redu- PART III. ced them to one half. Arnold stormed ; but on a reinvesti- period n. gation, his accounts appeared even worse than the first report CHAP- X1T- had stated them. Arnold now wreaked his vengeance, by the -~*^~**-> most shameless invectives against congress. The state of 1780. Pennsylvania took up the quarrel, and brought him before a He "5 T?PP court-martial. By the sentence of this court, he was repri- Washington. manded by Washington. From what other quarter could he obtain the money to sup port his extravagance, since tbe last resource had failed 1 The coffers of England he knew, might be opened to supply him. He should also obtain revenge on the objects of his wrath : and for these motives he resolved to barter his conscience. He developed his intention in a letter which he addressed to Col. Robinson, by whom it was communicated to Sir Henry Cbnton. Determined to make the most of his new ally, Clinton revolved in his mind what was the most important service which could be rendered, while Arnold's ^ene\ treachery remained concealed. The foe within the fortress, Sgir Henry- is employed by its enemy to open the gates. This was the Clinton, and nature of the service which Arnold was to perform ; and, in- ^jders^he" stigated by Clinton, he sought and obtained of Washington, command at the command of the fortress at West Point. As Arnold West pomt. passed up the river to assume his command, how must those guardian mountains, whose rugged passes had so often shel tered the little army of his country, have seemed to frown upon the traitor, who was about to dehver it up to the enemy ! His first measure was to scatter the army at different points, so that it might be easily cut off by the British. All was ready, and a few hours would have consummated the treason, but for a providential disclosure. Major Andre, the aid-de- Major An camp of General Clinton, had been by him intrusted with the negotiation. This young officer was, both in person and Hecorres- mind, one of the most perfect specimens of human nature ; ponds with concentrating all the qualities which the writer of romance is Arnold- fond of attributing to his hero. Sir Henry Clinton's partiality had however invested its object with a false light ; or he would not have fixed on one so ingenuous, to conduct a plot requiring such art and subtlety. Arnold and Andre had corresponded under the feigned names of Gustavus and Anderson. As the crisis approached, T?eeptna^ they agreed that a personal interview was necessary, in ^^{"fr. order to concert their last measures. On the night of the terriaw. 21st of September, Andre landed from the British sloop of war Vulture, a little below Stony Point, where he met Ar nold. They spent the whole night in conference ; and when the day dawned, their dispositions were not all concluded. Andre was kept in close concealment through the day, and at night he prepared to return. By the entreaties of Arnold, he was prevailed upon to change his uniform for a common MAJOR ANDRE S ARREST. 178©. Andrd is taken by three soldiers. They take him to the nearest American fort. A court-mar - ial appoint ed to try Andrf Sir H. Clin ton urges his acquittal. dress, instead of concealing it as he had formerly done by a cloak. As the Vulture had in consequence of an attack from the shore, dropped farther down the river, it became neces sary for him to proceed towards New York by land. He took a horse from Arnold, and a passport, under the name of John Anderson. Having safely passed the American guard, and reached Tarrytown, near the British posts, three soldiers of the militia crossed his way, and he passed on. One of them thought the traveller had something peculiar in his ap pearance, and called him back. Andre inquired, "where are you from V " From below," (intending to be understood from New- York,) replied the soldier. " So am I," said the self-betrayed Andre. He did not attempt to conceal his connection with the Brit ish, but he offered every bribe which he thought could tempt men like them. He pleaded with all the energy inspired by the love of life, and by the momentous concerns that his preservation then involved. But the humble patriots spurned the bribe, and were deaf to the entreaty. Their names were John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wert. They searched his person, and found papers in his boots, in the hand-writing of Arnold, which disclosed the treason. They immediately conducted Andre to Colonel Jameson, the officer who commanded the advanced guard near Peekskill. This officer hesitated. He could not be persuaded that his gene ral would betray that country for which he had shed his blood ; and he indiscreetly permitted Andre to write to him. Arnold thus learned that he was arrested ; and, seizing a boat, he escaped on board the Vulture. Washington, during these transactions, had been to meet and confer with the French officers at Hartford, in Connecti cut, but he had nearly reached his camp when the news met him. His first care was to learn whether Arnold had accom plices. Convinced by a strict scrutiny that none of his other officers were guilty, his next was the painful duty of bring ing to trial and execution, the interesting young Andre. Although from the usages of war, Washington might have given his prisoner, found as he was in disguise, the same hasty execution as that to which Howe had some years be fore sent the equally interesting Hale ; yet he was aware, that in this transaction the eyes of Europe and America would be upon him, and his heart inclined him to mercy. He therefore summoned a court martial ; and was careful to ap point a tribunal of whom none could complain, and who would be as merciful as pubbc safety would allow. La Fay ette and Greene were among its members ; and who could doubt, if such men, with all the kindness of their nature, gave sentence of death, that such must have been the stern dictate of their military duty. From this fate, Sir Henry Clinton strove, with all the EFFORTS OF THE BRITISH TO SAVE ANDRE. 230 earnestness of a tender father, to shield his favourite. He wrote to Washington, urging, that whatever Andre had done, especially the change of his dress, was by the direction of Arnold, an American general ; — and that his detention was a violation of the sanctity of flags, and the usages of nations. Arnold also wrote in his favor, endeavouring to charge him self with the blame of tbe transaction ; and alledging, that in his character, as an American general, he had a right to grant to -Andre the usual privilege of a flag, for the purpose of conferring with him, and to provide for his safe return in any manner he should choose. Andr6 appeared before bis judges with a noble frankness. He was calm and composed, as to his own fate, but anxious to screen his friends, especially Sir Henry Clinton. He dis guised no fact, and resorted to no subterfuge. He ingenu ously disavowed what Clinton and Arnold had mainly urged in his defense, that he had come under the protection of a flag ; and the fact was unquestioned, that he was in disguise. Grieving at the sentence they were compeUed to pronounce, his judges condemned him to death as a spy. Clinton, smitten with anguish, again sought to negotiate his release ; and Washington, at his request, sent General Greene down the river to meet and confer with General Robinson. This friend of Andre exerted all the powers of reasoning to convince Greene that the sentence was unjust. Failing in that, he urged his release on the score of interest ; he prom ised, that any American, charged with whatever crime,* should be exchanged for .Andre ; and he hinted that the sparing of his favourite, would do much in the mind of the British com mander in favor of the Americans. Finding all these efforts unavailing, he resorted to threats. . He delivered a letter from Arnold, which contained the declaration, that if Andre was executed, the rebels of Carolina, hitherto spared by Clinton, should all be put to instant death. This interference of Ar nold would have injured the cause it designed to serve, bad not that cause been already hopeless. Andre prepared to meet his approaching fate. Life, and its fair prospects, he could rebnquish : but there were cir- , cumstances relating to his domestic affections, and his honor, which touched his heart. His widowed mother and his sisters, on the far shore of an intervening ocean, were watching for every vessel that might bring them news of him. One would reach them in a few weeks ; and who would console them for its tidings ! and must they learn not only that he was dead, but that he died upon the gallows ! There was the bitterness of death ; and he besought Washington, that he might be al lowed to die by the musket, and not by the halter. The cruel rules of that sanguinary science, which philanthropy hopes may, in some future age, cease to exist, compelled Washing- ten to deny even this poor request. Andre then asked per- PARTHL Andr6 con demned to death. British again attempt his release by promises and threats. (* An indi rect propo sition was made, by order of the commander, that Andr6 might be ex changed for Arnold, but rejected by Clinton.) He prepares for deatlj. Oct. 2 Is execufipd 240 CORNWALLIS IN NORTH CAROLINA 178©. Arnold re warded, but The captors of Andre re warded and honored. Sept. Cornwallis arrives at Charlotte town. PART III. mission to write to Sir Henry Clinton, which was granted ; and to the care of this general, he commended Ids widowed mother, and afflicted sisters. Brought to the gallows, he said, " And must I die thus ?" The burst of grief was calmed by devotion, when he said, with composure, " bear me witness that I die as a brave man should die ;" and the scene closed. Arnold received from the British £10.000, and the rank ol brigadier-general. For this he bartered his honor, his peace, and his fame ; — changing the high esteem of the public into general detestation. The English, although they stooped to purchase the treason, could not but despise the traitor. Even his innocent children could not defend their little rights among their playmates ; but the finger of scorn was pointed at them, and they were hissed with " traitor," " traitor."* The three captors of Andre were honored as benefactors to their country. They received the thanks of congress, a silver medal, and a pension for life. Cornwallis, after the battle of Camden, directed his efforts to the subjugation of North Carolina ; and with that view, he commenced his march from Camden towards Charlottetown. But, in order to maintain the royal cause in South Carolina, he distributed detachments of troops upon different parts of the fron tier. He arrived at Charlottetown about the last of September. In the meantime, Colonel Ferguson, who had been previ ously sent into the province by Lord Cornwallis, had commit ted acts of so barbarous a nature, as to awaken the highest indignation. Wherever he went, devastation marked his pro gress, and the people determined no longer to submit to his atrocities. The mountaineers collected in great numbers, under several commanders, the principal of whom were Col. Campbell and Col. Shelby ; and arming themselves with such weapons as they could obtain, they attacked Ferguson on a woody eminence, called King's Mountain. He fell, after a vigorous contest, and three hundred of his party were killed and wounded. His successor in command surrendered. This defeat was a severe blow to Cornwallis, and rendered his situation in North Carolina precarious. The loyalists, in timidated, no longer evinced an eagerness to espouse his cause. The republicans assembling under Colonels Sumpter and Marion, made every effort to annoy him ; and the royal troops were in continual danger of being surprised by these active leaders. Under these circumstances, he found it prudent to retire to South Carolina, and await the reinforcements which he there expected. He accordingly repassed the Catawba, and stationed his army at Winnsborough, where he could con- * I had this little fact from a lady, who was herself a schoolmate of Arnold's children. It was hard upon these innocent beings ; but it may be usefully re lated. Perhaps, could Arnold have known the insults to which his conduct would have exposed his children, he would have paused, before it was too lace and the same reflection may save some future fathe? when tempted to a deed of dishonor > Oct. 7. Defeat of Ferguson at King's Mountain. Cornwallis retTeats to Sontn Caro lina. ARNOLD R.AVAGES VIRGINIA. 241 veniently hold communication with the forces at Camden and Ninety-Six. In order to co-operate with Lord Cornwall^, Sir Henry Clinton had detached General Leslie, with a corps of 3,000 men, to Virginia. They landed at Portsmouth, and ravaged the adjacent country. In consequence of the defeat of Fer guson, Cornwallis ordered Leslie to embark for Charleston. Colonel Sumpter continued to harass the British on all sides. He had surprised some small detachments, and made many prisoners. Tarleton was now sent by Cornwallis, to surprise this formidable officer. He found him posted at Blackstocks, near Tiger river. Tarleton attacked with great impetuosity, but was soon compeUed to retreat. But Sumpter being dan gerously wounded, and unable to retain the command of his forces, they were disbanded. General Gates had, during the period of these transactions, exerted himself to collect new troops, and had greatly im proved the condition of his army. He had not, however,, been successful in the southern war ; and Washington, in conse quence of a request from the south, nominated Greene to su persede him. This officer found the army at Charlottetown ; and, notwithstanding the exertions of Gates, it was still feeble, and unable to cope with Cornwallis. He therefore deter mined, by the advice of the commander-in-chief, not to hazard a general action, but to harass, if possible, the British army, and reduce it by degrees. General Leslie, with a reinforcement of 1,500 men, now joined Cornwallis, at Winnsborough. This accession of troops renewed bis hopes of reducing North Carolina and Virginia. To render the success of the enterprise more certain, by pre venting the Virginians from sending succors to Greene, Arnold had been sent to the Chesapeake, with fifty transports and 1,600 men. He landed his troops in Virginia, and commen ced, what now seemed his favorite employment, the devasta tion of his country. PART III. 1780. Rencounter between Sumpter aal Tarleton Dec. 2. Gates is supersededby Greene Arnold makes a de scent upon Virginia. CHAPTER XV. Campaign of 1781. — European Politics. — Afbarican Affairs, England, during the past year, though alone in arms, irgo-l against both hemispheres, had remained unshaken. Spain Operations had, at immense expense, laid and continued the siege of "^ po^ Gibraltar, which, under its commander, Elliot, had made the most obstinate defense found in the annals of modern history. That nation had also sent out immense fleets, which, uniting with those of France and Holland, had twice threatened Eng- gerent pow era. 42 AMERICA EXHAUSTED.— CONGRESS ACT WITH VIGuK PART HI PERIOD IL CHAP. iv. 1780-1. De Grasse to be sent from France with a fleet. English send rein forcements. America in an exhaust ed condition. Perplexities of congress. They lay a direct tax to raise money. land itself with int asion ; but untoward circumstances prevent ed the attemnt. The naval operations of the belligerent powers were, during these years, of astonishing magnitude. Great battles were fought in the West Indian and European seas ; in which the allies and the English were each, alternately, the conquer ors and the conquered. Each also took from the other, on various occasions, large fleets of merchant vessels. But, in these captures, the advantage had been more frequently with the English. Several of the West India islands changed mas ters during these contests. Pensacola was, in May, taken by the Spaniards, who thence extended their conquests over the whole province of Florida. Amidst these contests, neither England nor France forgot America. France, in addition to the force under Rochambeau, determined to send out a large fleet, under the Count de Grasse, which, after performing certain services in the West Indies, was to repair to the coast of America, and co-operate with de Rochambeau and Washington. This measure proved of the highest importance to America. The English equipped a fleet, by which Lord Cornwallis was to receive a reinforcement of several regiments of Eng lish troops, and 3,000 Hessians. i The situation of America at this period was such as to give hope to her enemy, and alarm to her friends. The efforts made, during the preceding year, and the successes experi enced at the south, had produced the happy effect of reviving public spirit. But although temporary relief had been afforded, no permanent means of supplying tbe returning and increas ing wants of the army, had been provided , and from this cause, the country seemed standing on the verge of ruin. It is scarcely possible to conceive a situation more trying than that of the American congress. They were striving, not for conquest, but for existence ; their powerful foe was in full strength, in the heart of their country ; they had great military operations to carry on, but were almost without an army, and wholly without money. Their bills of credit had ceased to be of any worth; and they were reduced to the mortifying ne cessity of declaring, by their own acts, that this was the fact , as they no longer made them a legal tender, or received them in payment of taxes. Without money of some kind, an army could neither be raised,_ nor maintained. But the greater the exigency, the greater were the exertions of this determined band of patriots. They directed their agents abroad to borrow, if possible, from France, Spain, and Holland. They resorted to taxation ; although they knew that the measure would be unpopular ; and that they had not the power to enforce their decree. The tax laid was apportioned among the several state governments, by whose authority it was to be collected. Perceiving that THE PATRIOT MORRIS. MONEY BORROWED. 243 there was disorder, waste, and peculation in the management PART in of the fiscal concerns, they determined on introducing thorough period ii reform and strict economy. They accordingly appointed as 0HAP- IV- treasurer, Robert Morris, of Philadelphia ; a man whose pure ¦-"-v-"*-* morals, ardent patriotism, and great knowledge of financial Appoint concerns, eminently fitted him for this important station. ris treL^eJ The zeal and genius of Morris soon produced the most fa vorable results. By a national bank, to which he obtained 1780-1. the approbation of congress, he contrived to draw out the Thegeniui funds of wealthy individuals, and by borrowing, in the name of of jr°IT19- the government, from this bank, and pledging for payment the taxes not yet collected, he was enabled to anticipate them, Foun an(^ Jom tne forces under Arnold. A council preeeeds to of war. was called, which decided upon the last measure, and Virginia, the British general, after having remained in Wilmino-ton a few days, to refresh his troops, proceeded towards Petersburg; leaving the command of the forces in the Carolinas, to Lord Rawdon, whose talent and military ardor would, he hoped, te able to hold the army of Greene in check, keep possession oi the province, and establish the British authority. RAWDON ATTACKS GREENE AT HOBKIRK's HILL 247 CHAPTER XVI. \ Campaign of 1781, continued. Lord Rawdon having fixed his head-quarters at 'C linden, PART lit fortified the place with great care. The other principal posts period u of the British in this region, were Charleston, Ninety-six, and chap. xvi. Augusta. They had, however, garrisoned several others of >— *-*-«¦*? minor importance. The disaffection of the inhabitants to the British cause, compelled them thus to divide their troops, in order to maintain points, whose communication with each other was necessary to their subsistence. The retreat of Corn- l^Sl wallis gave the repubbcans new hopes. Sumpter and Marion, Manonr_in-d by their bold but prudent movements, were continually gain- noy the Brit ing advantages over the royabsts. Regarded as leaders who lsh- would conduct their foUowers to success and glory, hundreds flocked to their standards, whom they organized into regular companies. Thus they became so powerful, that they were able to hold in check the whole of lower Carolina, while Greene, with his army, faced Lord Rawdon in the hignlands. This officer, finding that his position was becoming danger ous, strengthened his army by calling in several of his out posts. General Greene, at this time, appeared in view of Camden, at the head of his army. He intrenched himself within a mile's distance, at Hobkirk's Hill. Rawdon would have re treated towards Charleston ; but the way was occupied by the light troops of Sumpter and Marion. He perceived that the Americans trusted to the strength of their post, and guard ed it with negligence. Leaving Camden in the care of the convalescents, he marched, on the night of the 25th of April, with every man in his army capable of carrying a firelock, and taking a circuitous route, he fell, by surprise, on the left April at. flank of the Americans. Greene, perceiving that the British Americans ^ . ™ surprised moved in a solid, but not extended column, immediately caused and defeated them to be attacked, at the same time, on both flanks, and in at Hobkirk'* front The battle became general and fierce. The royalists gave way. Rawdon pushed forward his reserve. The Ame ricans, in their turn, retreated, and the efforts of Greene and his officers, to rally them, were ineffectual. The loss of the Americans, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 268 ; that of the British, nearly equal. The American general, after this affair, retired from Hob kirk's Hill, and encamped about five miles from his former position, to re-organize his army. Rawdon, like Cornwallis at Guilford; found the effects of the battle to be rather those of a defeat than a victory. Ttft was inferior to his enemy in us BRITISH FORTS IN SOUTH COROLINA CAPTURf.1). PART U- British forts taken by the Americans. May 22. Greene in vests Nine ty-Six. June 5. Augusta ca pitulates to the Ameri cans. June 18. Greene makes an un successful attack upon Ninety-Six, and retires. Hostilities Wispetrtcd. Colonel Isaac Hayne. cavalry, and could not pursue him. With bis army weakened, the inhabitants in every direction, were rising against him ; and he had reason to tremble for several of his posts, which, as he was informed, were besieged by the Americans. On the 10th of May he Evacuated Camden, razed its fortifications, and retreated towards Charleston. On the 13th, he arrived at Nelson's ferry ; where he learned, that Forts Watson and Georgetown had capitulated to Marion and Loe ; and Motte to Sumpter. The prisoners, taken in these forts, amounted to nearly 800, besides a considerable quantity of military stores. From Nelson's ferry, Rawdon moved to Eutaw Springs. Ninety-Six and Augusta were now the only posts which re mained to the British in the upper country, and these were already invested by militia, under colonels Olarke and Pick ens. General Greene now directed his army against Ninety- Six, which was the strong hold of the royalists ; and, on the 22d of May, began a regular siege. Meantime, Rawdon, whose army had been reinforced by three regiments from Ireland, put himself in motion to oppose the Americans and preserve his fortresses, particularly that of Ninety-Six. On his march, he learned that Augusta had capitulated to the militia, commanded by the gallant colonel Pickens. Greene believed that his troops were in no condition to contend against the augmented army of Rawdon, combined with the garrison of Ninety-Six. Unwilling, however, to leave the place without an effort, which should, at least, vin dicate the honor of the American arms, he made a vigorous assault upon the fort, and gained a considerable advantage, though he did not succeed in capturing it. He then removed his army beyond the Tiger and Broad rivers. Rawdon ap proached, and made some unavailing attempts to draw Greene into an engagement. After this, he entered and examined Ninety-Six ; and finding the place not capable of withstanding a regular attack, he abandoned it, and directed his march towards Orangeburg ; where, on the 12th of July, he estab lished his head-quarters. Greene followed him ; but, finding his position covered by the windings of the Edisto, he bent his march, on the 16th, to the heights which border the San tee. The season proving uncommonly hot and sickly, the contending armies, by tacit consent suspended their ope rations. During this period, occurred the last scene of a memorable tragedy. At the commencement of the war, none could have been found more the subject of envy, than Isaac Hayne. Blessed with the goods af fortune, he was eminently endow ed with those qualities which gain the love of men, and he possessed all the finer sensibilities which ennoble our nature, and glow in the breast of the husband, the father, the friend and the patriot. At the commencement of the war, he enter- ROYAL CAUSE SUFFERS BY THE DEATH OF HAYNE. ed with ardor into the views of the republicans, and assisted in person at the defense of Charleston. On the surrender of that city, Colonel Hayne, whose consequence, as a leader, was appreciated by the British, was offered the alternative of becoming a British subject, or going into rigorous confinement. For himself, he would not have hesitated a moment to choose captivity. But his wife and children were at his plantation anguishing with the small-pox. And not only did he feel it agony, at such a time, to be separated from them, but he knew, that should he refuse the offer of the British, a lawless sol diery would violate and lay waste the retreat of his suffering family. Torn by conflicting duties, who could blame him, if, in such a situation, the husband and the father triumphed over the patriot. He consented to invest himself with the condition ' of a British subject, on the solemn assurances of General Patterson, that he should not be called on to bear arms against his countrymen. Meanwhile, the republicans had found means to change the fortune of the war. The British obliged to act on the defen sive, no longer regarded their engagements as sacred, but (jabed on Hayne, with others, to repair to tbe royal army. Feeling now released from an obligation which the British themselves had viola' ed, he left a home which had been deso lated by the loss of his wife and two of his children, and once more took arms in the cause, which he had ever held dear. Engaged as a colonel commanding a corps in the partisan warfare, he was taken prisoner, and confined in a deep dun- •geon in Charleston. Without even the form of atrial, Lord Rawdon, with Colonel Balfour, the commandant of Charles ton, contrary to the usages of war, sentenced him to death. The royabsts, with the governor at their head, petitioned for the prisoner, and declared the impolicy of the act. The most distinguished women of Charleston, touched with bis virtues, plead for him with feeling and eloquence. But more than all. Iris children, clad in mourning for their mother, ap peared before the judges, and stretching out their little hands, entreated with tears, for the life of their surviving parent. But it was all in vain, and Hayne was led to execution. Amidst the execrations, which Rawdon's unrelenting cru elty had, in this^ instance, drawn, not only upon himself, but upon the cause which he had thought proper to use such means in vindicating, that general left the capital of Carolina, and returning to England, the command of the army devolved on Colonel Stuart. 18 PART III. 1781 Virtues and sufferings of Colonel Hayne Genera* sympathy excited. Aug. 4. Execution of Colonel Hayne. Rawdon so perseded liy Colonel Smart. 260 THE LAST BATTLE AT THE SOUTH CHAPTER XVII. Campaign of 1781 — continued. PERIOD IL CHAP. XVII. PART 111. General Greene, still in his camp, at the High Hills of the Santee, had made the best use in nis power, of the time al lowed him by the suspension of arms. It was now the be- v^-v-^^ ginning of Septembe/ ; the sultriness of the season had abated, and he determined, if possible, to dispossess the British of the remaining posts in the upper country. He crossed the Wateree, and marched, circuitously, to the Congaree ; passed it with all his army, and descended along its right bank, in tending to attack Colonel Stuart, who, at this time, occupied a post at M'Cord's Ferry. He fell back 'upon Eutaw Springs, and thither General Greene pursued him. The armies engaged oh the 8th. The battle of Eutaw Springs, is memorable as being one of the most bloody, and valiantly contested fields of the war ; and also for being the last of any note that occurred at the south. General Greene !7§1. drew up his forces with great skill, and made the attack. His Battleof Eu- soldiers resorted promptly to the use of the bayonet, which taw Springs, they had formerly appeared to dread. The British were rout ed and fled ; but finding, in their flight, a large house and some other objects, affording shelter, they rallied, and repulsed their assailants with heavy loss. Greene, finding it impossible to dislodge them, retreated to his camp, bearing 500 prisoners. The whole loss of the British, in killed, wounded, and pris oners, was about 1,000, that of the Americans, 600. Con gress voted their thanks to General Greene, and presented him with a conquered standard and a medal. Greene was ably seconded by his officers, among whom were colonels Lee and Washington, the latter of whom was wounded and taken prisoner. Greene's army having been reinforced, the British no lon ger dared to keep the open country, but retired to Charleston. Thus had tbe Americans, in a few months, recovered the whole of South Carolina and Georgia, except their capitals. The skill and valor manifested by Greene, in their defense, have given him a rank among the heroes of the revolution, second to none but the commander-in-chief. It will be recollected, that we left both Cornwallis and the J-m. 4. traitor Arnold in Virginia. The latter had landed on the 4th ^Viririnif of January. with a force of 1,600 men, in the vicinity of Richmond, where he destroyed the public stores. He then sent detachments to different places, and not only public stores were wasted, but Arnold and his officers committed the most wanton depredations pn private property. LA FAYETTE DEFENDS VIRGINIA. 251 Washington, although perplexed with the recent mutiny of PART IU. the troops, and the deranged state of the finances, concerted period il measures with the French, by means of which, he hoped to chap, xvh relieve Virginia, and obtain possession of the traitor and his v_*»-v->w^ force. La Fayette, at the head of 1,200 light infantry, was 1781. sent towards Virginia, while the commander of tbe French La Fayett* fleet, at Rhode Island, dispatched a squadron of eight sail of senL,i°a the line to cut off the retreat of Arnold from the Chesapeake. But Clinton, gaining intelligence of the plan, sent Admiral g^JJg H'_ Arbuthnot to the relief of Arnold, with a squadron of equal tween the force. These two fleets met, and fought off Cape Henry, French and on the 16th of March, and suffered equal, though not very fle"ts'0ff considerable loss. But the French were constrained to re- Cape Henry, linquish their design, and return to Rhode Island. Upon hearing this, La Fayette, who had arrived at Annapolis, retreat ed to the head of Elk. Clinton, finding how narrowly Arnold had escaped, sent to his assistance General Philips, with 2,000 men. Thus rein forced, he resumed the work of pillage and destruction. La Fayette arrived in time to save Richmond ; but he witnessed from that place, the conflagration of Manchester, on the op posite bank of the James. About this time, both parties MaX 20- . learned the approach of Cornwallis, and it became the object British ar- of Philips and Arnold, to form a junction with him. They mies at Po- marched to Petersburg to await his arrival. They arrived be- tersbur«- fore Cornwallis. General Philips sickened and died on the 13th of May, and, on the 20th, Cornwallis reached the place. After remaining a few days at Petersburg, Cornwallis, now in command of the combined forces, directed their march into \ the interior of Virginia, supposing as was the fact, that the Americans were too weak, and too much dispersed, to offer any effectual opposition. There were, however, three sepa rate corps of republican troops in Virginia ; one, under Gen eral La Fayette ; another, and a smaller one, under the Baron Steuben ; and the Pennsylvania line under General Wayne. Had they been united, they were by no means a match for the army of Cornwabis. But La Fayette, who had the chief command, showed how well he had profited by the lessons of Washington. Prudent and brave, understanding better than La Fayatta the British, the ground over which the armies moved, ho harasses harassed them, and restrained their motions ; without once omw "¦ suffering himself to be led into a snare, or his army to be en dangered. When Cornwallis pursued, he retreated ; when, intent upon some other object, his foe held another direction, immediately La Fayette pursued in his turn, hanging upon his rear, and embarrassing his movements. While, at Westover, Cornwallis detached Colonel Tarleton Tarleton to Charlettevilh, where the legislature of Virginia were in chSlotte- session, and, at the same time, sent a detachment to the Point ville of Fork at the junction of tbe t v 3 rivers, which form the • 18* 252 WASHINGTON GAINS AN IMPORTANT MARCH. PART III. James, to seize some stores at that plac e. Both these expe- period 11. ditions were, in a measure, successful ; but Tarleton was chap. xvn. disappointed of the prize on which he most calculated. This v-«»-v-^' was the capture of Gov. Jefferson, who, after having provided for the safety of a considerable quantity of arms and ammuni tion, found means to elude the vigilance of his pursuers 1781. Cornwallis, while thus ranging the interior of Virginia^ Sir H. Clin- constantly checked, however, by La Fayette, was suddenly ton orders recalled to the sea-coast, by an order from Sir Henry Clinton, Cornwallis . > •> i . •> ' to t.ie .-.oast, who being apprehensive that the Americans and b rench meditated an attack on New York, and fearing that he was not in sufficient force to resist them, had directed Cornwallis to embark 3,000 of his troops, to join his garrison. That general, intent on obeying the mandate, marched with his army to Ports mouth; where he received orders to retain the troops. Clin ton, having received a reinforcement of 3,000 Germans, now be lieved he could dispense with further aid ; and ordered Corn wallis to proceed to Point Comfort, and there fortify, in order that the British might have, in any event, a secure retreat. Cornwallis found reasons for disliking this post, and obtained, of Clinton, permission to select another.' He fixed on York- town, a village, which is situated on the right bank of Yorfi Cornwallis river. Upon tbe opposite side of the stream, on a projecting enters York- point, which narrows and deepens its channel, is the smaller town. village of Gloucester. Cornwallis entered Yorktown, August 23d, and proceeded to erect fortifications. Washington, anxious .to avail himself of the naval superi- Ma ority, which the expected French fleet under de Grasse would Washington afford, had a meeting with Count Rochambeau, at Wethers- meditates an field, in Connecticut. Here it was proposed to attack New NewYork. Y°rk- Clinton, apprised of this, determined, as we have seen, to recall a part of the forces of Cornwallis, but was prevented by the arrival of 3,000 German troops, which in creased his garrison to upwards of 10,000. In the meantime, Washington was disappointed in his ex pected recruits. Instead of 12,000 regular troops, which he hoped to have, he could hardly muster 5,000, a number, by no means adequate to the projected siege. He learned thai the Count de Grasse, could not remain on the American coast longer than October, and finally, that his destination was the August. Chesapeake. From these considerations, Washington sud- taianges his denly changed his plan, and bent all his energies to take Dlan- Cornwallis in the snare which he seemed laying for himself- Success depended upon secrecy ; for had Sir Henry Clin ton been apprised of his object, he might, at first have defeated it. But it may reasonably be supposed, that few. at this time, were in the counsels of the commander-in-chief; for never was- a secret better kept, or an enemy more completely de ceived. Washington made every show of preparation to at tack New York. He broke up" his camp at New Windsor, DE GRASSE BLOCKS UP THE CHESAPEAKE. 65'3 and advanced down the river to Kingsbridge. The Frei ch PART III. army, consisting of 5,000 men, under Rochambeau, had period h. marched from Rhode Island, and joined him early in July. ohjp. xvil They appeared daily to expect the arrival of de Grasse at *-* -v-«^ New York. Suddenly Washington crossed the Hudson, and 1781. -directed the rapid march of the allied armies across New H£ m07es , to Jersey. But he had caused a report to be spread, that this was merely a feint, to draw Clinton from his fortifications, that he might fight him in the open field. Clinton deceived, remained within his fortress. Washington, now learning that de Grasse was near the Chesapeake, no longer delayed cross ing the Delaware ; but steered direct for his object, well sat isfied, that the time for his foe to prevent its accomplishment . „. was past. He arrived, after a rapid march, at the head of Arrives at Elk, on the 25th of .august ; and having made the necessary *e h?j*d of arrangements for the transportation of his army, he went, at tended by Count Rochambeau, to Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Leaving there the French commander, Washington made a short visit to Mount Vernon. This was the first time he had crossed the threshhold of his beloved home for six years and five months : so entirely had he been devoted to his public duties. On the 14th of September, the two commanders joined La Fayette at Wilbamsburg. The Count de Grasse, with twenty-five sail of the line, Ue Wrass* entered the mouth of the Chesapeake, only one hour before bfocksup'the Washington arrived at the head of Elk, and immediately per- Cheswv-ike. formed the part assigned to him, by blocking up the mouths of the York and James rivers ; thus cutting off all communi cation between the British at Yorktown and New York. He also opened a communication with La Fayette, who, when Cornwalbs first took post at Yorktown, had occupied a posi tion higher up the river, but had now descended as far as Wilbamsburg. The allies feared that Cornwallis, seeing the toils into which he was falbng, would turn upon La Fay ette, who was his inferior in force. To prevent this, 3,000 light troops, under the Marquis de St. Simon, were sent up the river in boats to join him at Williamsburg. Cornwallis had strengthened his works, and could only be overcome by a regular siege. The allies needed artillery, and other preparations for besieging Yorktown. These they expected from Rhode Island, to be brought by a French squadron, commanded by tbe Count de Barras, who had made sail three days before the arrival of de Grasse in the Ches apeake. To prevent faUing in with the British fleet, Barras had stood far out to sea. While expecting him, de Grasse, on the 5th of September, saw, off the capes, a British gept 5 fleet of nineteen sail, under Admiral Graves. The French Partial ac admiral, advised by Washington, behaved with great skill '^^gj" and prudence. He engaged the British partially, to draw ^ French them from their anchorage ground ; by which means, the fleets 254 THE COMBINED ARMIES INVEST YORKTOWN. PART I II. Count de Barras, as he expected, was enabled to pass by period n. them into the bay, but refused a general engagement, which chap. xvin. would have been putting at hazard a game, which, with pru- " • dence, was already in the hands of the allies. CHAPTER XVIII Campaign of 1781. — Continued. Cornwallis had now little hope of escape, but from Clin- ' ton. To him he had found means to represent his situation ; and closely invested as he was, he received an answer to his communication. By this he was informed, that troops would, if possible, embark from New York for his relief, by the 5th of October. Clinton, hoping to make a diversion in his favor, project ed an expedition against New London, in Connecticut, the command of which he gave to Arnold, lately returned from 1781. Virginia. The access to the port of New London, was Sept. 6. guarded by forts Trumbull and Griswold, erected on the op- bulHiXenbv posite banks of the Thames. Fort Trumbull was easily cap- the British, tured. The garrison of fort Griswold was composed of mili tia, hastily collected in the vicinity ; and, under the command of the estimable Colonel Ledyard. They made a resolute P°J} G"s" defense, and killed numbers of the assailants. At length and the gar- they were overpowered, and ceased to resist. As the Brit- rison butch- [^ entered, an officer inquired, " who commands this fort ?" ere ' " I did," said Colonel Ledyard, " but you do now ;" and pre sented his sword. The monster took it, and plunged it in his bosom. This was the signal for slaughter. Forty, out of one hundred and sixty, were all that escaped. Scarcely was there a father of a family, in this little town of Groton, but was that night butchered," and almost its entire population were made widows and orphans. Arnold bums New London was next laid in ashes, and a great number N- role of not again serving in the American war : and also to make terms for the Americans who had followed his fortunes. Both these conditions Washington refused, as the European soldiers would be at liberty to serve in garrisons at home ; and the case of the citizens belonged to the civil authority. All that the most earnest persuasion could obtain from Wash ington on this point, was permission for a sloop, laden with such persons as Cornwallis selected, to be allowed to pass, without search or visit, to New York ; be being accountable for the number of persons it carried, as prisoners of war. The whole remaining British force was to be surrendered to the allies ; the land army, with its munitions, to the Americans ; the marine, to the French. Agreeably to the articles of capitulation, the posts of York- town and Gloucester were surrendered, on the 19th of Octo ber. The prisoners, exclusive of seamen, amqunted to more than 7,000, of whom 2,000 were sick or wounded. Five hun dred and fifty-two of the British had fallen during the siege. Sixty pieces of cannon, also, principally of brass, fell into the hands of the Americans, two frigates and twenty transports, with their crews, into those of the French. General Lincoln, who had suffered the mortification of surrendering an Ameri can army, at Charleston, was, with peculiar delicacy, selected by the commander-in-chief, to receive the submission of the British. The French and Americans added, on this occasion, the praise of generosity and humanity, to that of wisdom and valor. Their leaders vied with each other, in acts of kindness to the conquered officers, and every possible attention was paid to the accommodation of the soldiers. On the day in which the capitulation was signed, Clinton passed Sandy Hook, with a powerful force, to go to tbe succor of Cornwallis ; he appeared off the capes of Virginia on the 24th ; where, hearing of the surrender of the army, he imme diately returned to New York. This event caused a burst of joy and exultation throughout America. Nor did the people, or the civil rulers, amidst the honors which were showered upo*- the American and French \ VERMONT AN INDEPENDENT NATION. • 257 commanders, forget to acknowledge their supreme obligation PART m; to the Great Commander and Ruler of armies and of na- period n. tions. chap. xix. Washington would gladly have detained the French fleet to ^-*-v-*^ co-operate in a descent upon Charleston; but de Grasse be- 1781. ing under orders from the French court, to be in the West ,De Grasse Indies on a certain day, dared not hazard the detention of his the'west In fleet ; and made sail for those islands without delay. dies. General La Fayette, who had sought America in her adver- La Fayette sity, left her as soon as prosperity dawned upon her fortunes. "j.'"™ to He embarked about this time for France, leaving deep, in the hearts of a grateful people, tbe remembrance of bis virtues and his services. CHAPTER XIX. Tennont. — Measures of Peace. — Fears and discontents of the Army happily quieted. Vermont was. at this period, an independent nation. That 1781. its territory was first settled by grants from New Hampshire, Situation of and afterwards decided, by the English government, to belong ennont- to New York, are facts which have already been stated. Had New York, at the time of this decision, given quiet possession of the soil to those individuals who.-had purchased, and culti vated farms under New Hampshire, Vermont would now have been a portion of that state. But it being attempted to eject those settlers by force, they forcibly resisted. In this situation, the inhabitants applied to congress for its interference, and were, by this body, recommended to submit, for a time, to the authority of New York ; but, being resolutely opposed to this step, they met in' convention, in 1777, and Declares iu declared the New Hampshire grants to be an independent sclfinde- state, under the title of " New Connecticut, alias Vermont ;" Penden- the first appellation, and the ungrateful " alias," being after wards dropped. Their affairs were, at first, managed by several of the lead ing men, called " a Council of Safety." Their first legisla ture met at Windsor, in March, 1778. In the same month, a portion of the towns east of Connecticut river, petitioned to unite with Vermont. ' To this request the Vermontese acce ded ; but, in consequence of the complaints of New Hamp shire, the union was, the following year, dissolved. Application was next made to congress for admission into tbe confederacy, but New York presented a counter-memorial ; and, in consequence, the separate existence of Vermont as a •tiite, was not acknowledged. 258 THE AMERICANS EXHAUS1EI BY WAR. PART III. PERIOD II. CHAP. XIX. 1781. Vermont ne gotiates with the British. Poverty of the Ameri can govern ment. Congress, counselled t>y Washing ton, do all in their power. Trials and magnanimityof the treas urer. In the summer of 1781, the situation of Vermont was singu lar in the extreme. The politicians of that settlement, at the head of whom were Governor Chittenden, and the brothers, Ethan and Ira Allen, while they had boldly, but warily, main tained its rights against the claims of New York, New Hamp shire, and the decisions of congress, had, at the same time, defended the territory, frontier as it was, against the British, by secret negotiations, which had, for their apparent object, that Vermont should place itself under British protection But the people, warm with enthusiasm for the American cause, would have risen in vengeance against the rulers who thus preserved them, had they known the means by which theit protection was effected. Affairs were, however, coming to a crisis, and but for the fortunate capture of Cornwallis, it is im possible to foresee what would have been the situation of those patriotic men, who ran such personal hazards to save the people, against ttseir own will , and play a political game for their advantage. The great effort made by congress in the winter of 1780 — 81, had enabled them to provide for the campaign of the eh- suing season. It was most fortunate for America that the re sult was favorable ; for such was the extreme poverty of the government, that it seems impossible that another active and expensive campaign could have been sustained. There was no fault in the arrangments of congress ; no remission of ac tivity, prudence, and patriotism, on the part of the treasurer. On the contrary, congress had made the most judicious ar rangements early in the winter of 1781. They were aided in their deliberations by Washington, who, at their request, had stopped at Philadelphia, on his way from Yorktown to his ac customed winter-quarters. They laid taxes, and apportioned them among the several states ; and made such other regula tions, that the commander-in-chief had sanguine hopes that every thing would be in readiness for an early campaign, as he had strenuously urged that the way to obtain an honorable peace, was to be in readiness for war. But the several state governments wholly failed of paying their quotas ; alledging the utter inability of their constituents to support further taxation.. Although, by the judicious arrangements of Morris, the pub lic expenses were much diminished, yet they were still neces sarily great, and must so continue, although the means of meeting them thus unexpectedly failed. At the commence ment of 1782 not a dollar remained in the treasury .^ " Yet to the financier," says Marshall, " every eye was turned ; to him was stretched forth the empty hand of every public cred itor, and against him, instead of the state authorities, were the complaints and imprecations of every unsatisfied claimant di rected." ^ The people of England had also felt severely the expenses of the war, and on hearing the disasters which had attended THE WAR BECOMES UNPOPULAR IN ENGLAND. 259 their armies, particularly that of Cornwallis, they no longer PAR'iyil. suppressed their discontent. When they saw that, notwith- period ii. standing all their sacrifice of life and property, nothing re- chap. xix. mained to them on the American shores but New York, ^-^rt*^ Charleston, and Savannah ; and that these posts could only 1782. be maintained by strong fleets and garrisons, all hope of re- The PeoJ>le ducing the Americans to subjection vanished, and to close a 0wtehSfcrd useless and ruinous war, was the decided wish of the people, peace with Still the king, in his speech at the opening of parliament, Ameriea- showed his unwillingness to relinquish his sway over what he had, during his life, considered his patrimony. The peo ple, however, persisted in their desire for peace, and loudly demanded the removal of ministers, who advised the king to measures so much against the public interest. The house of commons, moved by this expression of feeling, as well as by the eloquent speeches of General Conway, and „ , others, voted, " that they should consider as enemies to his ParliMi£t majesty and their country, all who should advise, or attempt, takes msa*- a further prosecution of offensive war on the continent of ures ftr America." This vote was followed by the resignation of the office of prime minister, by Lord North, and the appointment of an administration favorable to peace. Sir Henry Clinton was now superseded in command by Sir Sir Guy Guy Carleton; whose conciliating conduct -as governor of Can- Carlet<» s* ada, had gained him the esteem of the Americans. The gen- CTnton* eral sentiment of all parties was favorable to peace ; and after this, there were no hostile operations, except a few of inconsiderable importance in South Carolina. In one of these, fell the young and gallant Colonel Laurens, lamented by Washington and the whole army. Admiral Digby, who the summer before had arrived in New York, with reinforcements, was appointed, with Carle ton, by the British ministry, to treat with the Americans for Fruitless peace, on the ground of acknowledging their independence; plan of the but congress, finding that parliament had not sanctioned this mmistry-.to step of the ministry, refused to negotiate with their agents, vantage Jvei Neither could the ministry succeed in an effort to destroy congress their alliance with France, by procuring the American govern ment to treat separately from its ally. Congress were, however, careful to be ready for the first honorable overtures which they should receive. They ap pointed four distinguished men, already in Europe, as their A?rankl1?' agents. These were Dr. Franklin, John Adams their minis- andLaurenJ ter at the Hague, John Jay their envoy at the court of Spain, commission- and Henry Laurens first appointed to the post now filled by ef™ l° l™"* Mr. Adams, but taken on his passage by an English frigate, and confined in the Tower of London. April 1j. Mr. Adams procured, from the states of Holland, on the 19th ™™£ (rt^ of April, the recognition of American independence. On the mdepen- 8th of October, he obtained a treaty of amity and commerce ; dence. 260 TREATY OF PEACE. PART III. 1783. Sept. 3. Definitive treaty is signed. The con ditions of the treaty advan tageous to America. Subject of neutral rights omitted. Discontents and fears of the officers. instil. ions project. and, not long after, a loan of money, to the great relief of his exhausted country. To meet the American commissioners at Paris, the court of St. James sent Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. Oswald. On the 20th of January, 1783, preliminary articles of peace were signed at Versailles. The definitive treaty was deferred until tbe adjustment of affairs between England and France, the ally of America, and was not signed untilthe 3d of September, 1783. The terms granted to America by this treaty, in respect to extent of territory, and right to the fisheries, were equal to the most sanguine expectations. The English ministers then in power, seemed to be aware of the policy of making Ame rica independent in fact, as well as in name : probably the more so, as a contrary disposition was manifested by France. Both powers believed that if she remained in a state of de pendence, it must, from the posture of affairs, be upon France, rather than upon England. The American negotiators were men of great ability and ardent patriotism, and well knew how to turn this state of things to the advantage of their country. But in the general pacification, and amidst the protraeted negotiations of the several parties, nothing was stipulated on the subject of neutral rights, which had been the moving cause of the coalition against England ; and thus a door was left open for future contention and bloodshed. The situation of the rising Republic of America, was, du ring these long negotiations, extremely critical. Had tbe go vernment possessed the means of paying their officers and soldiers, there would have been nothing to apprehend from disbanding so patriotic an army. But the officers, aware of the poverty of the treasury, doubted whether it would be in the power of congress to fulfill the stipulation made in Octo ber, 1780, granting to them half-pay for life. While the inde pendence of their country was uncertain, they had pressed forward to the attainment of that object ; and regardless of themselves, had sacrificed their fortunes, and their health. Now, that great object was attained, they began to brood over their own situation ; and fears arose, that should they disband before their country bad done them justice, and losa their consequence as a body, they and their services might be forgotten. Nor were there wanting officers, whose personal ambition carried them beyond the mark of right and justice ; and brought up the reflection, that if the army could remain entire under its head, it might now subdue the country which it had de fended : and although, if a monarchical government were es tablished, the commander-in-chief must be the sovereign ; yet the officers coming in for the next share of power and conse* quence, would become the aristocracy. TEMPTATION AND STERN REBUKE. 261 To tempt Washington to countenance these views, one of PART II) the older colonels of tbe army,* was fixed upon, who wrote period ii him a letter in a smooth and artful strain. He commented on 0HAP- XIX- the weakness of republics, and the benefits of mixed govern- v-"*~v~^- ments. He insinuated that the same abilities which had gui- 1783. ded the country so gloriously through the storm, must now be temP^fto the most suitable to conduct it through the gentler paths of become a peace. There was a prejudice existing which confounded k"* monarchy with tyranny, and it might be necessary to choose, wi*_i a monarchical government, some title, apparently more moderate, but the writer believed, " that strong arguments might be produced for admitting the title of King," which, ne conceived, " would be attended with some material advan tages." Washington was astonished, displeased, and grieved. He > replied, that no occurrence during the war, had given him more painful sensations, than to learn that such ideas existed in the His stem re army — ideas which he " must view with abhorrence, and re- buke t0 taa prehend with severity." "I am at a loss," said he, " to conceive emp r what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address, which to me, seems big with the greatest mis chiefs which could befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a per son, to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the same time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add, that no man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to tbe army, than I do ; and, as far as my powers and influence, in a constitutional way, extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never commu nicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like nature." Thus nipped in the bud, nothing more was heard of the pro ject of making Washington a king. But the causes of the army's discontent remained, although congress had taken some steps towards their removal. Washington repeatedly urged the subject upon their attention; yet the designing among the March 10. officers insinuated, that he had not advocated their cause with The famous sufficient zeal. The answer to a memoHal, which they had AdJjes*!^ presented to congress, had not fully met their wishes. It was on this occasion that an anonymous paper was circulated, now known to have been written by Major John Armstrong, .hen an aid-de-eamp to General Gates. . streneth It was composed with great ability. Never was a wri- 0f language ting more calculated to become a firebrand of discord. There and se- was truth in its representations of the toils, and yet unrequi- ""j^!3 ar" * This is related on the authority of Mr. Sparks, by whom the name of this officer is not given. See "Sparks' -lite of Washington." 19 262 THE FATHER, OF HIS COUNTRY PpjRT III, ted dangers and sufferings of the officers : but the country period ii. had not deserved the insinuation, of being so far from doing chap. xix. justice to her defenders, that " she trampled on their rights, v--»-.^»«-> disdained their cries, and insulted their distresses." Yet such was the language of the address. It advised tbe officers "to change the milk-and-water style" of theii memorial to con gress, and no longer appeal to their justice, but keep arms in their hands, and appeal to tneir fears. 1782 This paper proposed a meeting of the officers on the ensu- ^^rffifi mS ^ay' Washington, aware of the feelings of the army, t0pcrsition.U nad not availed himself of the suspension of hostilities, to seek the pleasures of home, but had remained in the camp. He now saw that the dreaded crisis had arrived. Intent on Hip noble guiding deliberations which he could not suppress, he called "ccwSjct"1' ^s °fficers t0 a meeting somewhat later than the one appoint ed in the anonymous appeal, to which, in his orders, he allu ded with disapprobation. In the interim, he prepared a written address. The offi cers met. The Father of his Country rose, to read the manu script which he held in his hand. Not being able to distin- Heoneets guish its characters, he took off his spectacles to wipe them and address. wjtn j^g handkerchief. " My eyes," said he, '' have grown cars. dim in the service of my country, but I never doubted her justice." This was a preface, worthy of the paper which he read. He alluded in the most touching manner, to the suf ferings and services of the army, in which he too had borne his share. He treated with becoming severity, the proposi tion, made in the anonymous paper, to seek by unlawful means, the redress of their grievances. He assured them that congress, though slow in their deliberations, were favorable to the interests of the army ; and he conjured them not to tarnish the renown of their brilliant deeds, by an irreparable act of rashness and folly ; and finally, he pledged them his utmost exertions to assist in procuring from congress the just reward of their meritorious services. The officers listened to the voice which they had so long been accustomed to respect and obey ; and the storm of pas sion was hushed. His pledge of using his influence with „, . congress, in behalf of the army, was performed in a manner congress in which showed how deeply he had their cause at heart. "If," wmi iehalf. said he, in a letter to that body, " the whole army have not merited whatever a grateful people can bestow, then have I been beguiled by prejudice, and built opinion on the basis of error. If this country should not, in the event, perform every thing which has been requested in the late memorial to congress, then will my belief become vain, and the hope that has been excited, void of foundation. And if, (as has been suggested, for the purpose of inflaming their passions,) the officers of the army are to be the only sufferers by this revolution ; if retiring from he field, they are to grow old in FINAL CLOSE OF THE WAR. 263 poverty, wretchedness, and contempt ; if they are to wade PART III. through the vile mire of dependency, and owe the miserable period ii. remnant of that life to charity, which has hitherto been spent 0HAP- M- in honor ; then shall I have learned what ingratitude is ; *~**~*~*^' then shall I have realized a tale which will embitter every moment of my future life." Congress used their utmost exertions to meet the exigen cy. They commuted the half-pay which had been pledged to the officers for a sum equal to five years' full pay. The news that the preliminaries of peace were signed, was 1783. first received in a letter from La Fayette. Sir Guy Carleton April 19. soon communicated it officially; and on the 19th of April, J^Hust* just eight years from the battle of Lexington — the beginning eight years of the war, the joyful certainty of its close was proclaimed from lts com Ilfl.BIlC.BIY] £11 L from head-quarters to the American army. The officers now satisfied, the army was disbanded with- Nov. 3. out tumult, November, 1783. They mingled with their fel- tmy'dS low-citizens, ever through future years to be honored for be- banded. longing to that patriotic band. It is now nearly sixty years since its existence, and still there remains here and there a silver-headed veteran of whom it is said, " he was a revolu tionary soldier " It is the pass-word to honour. At all pat riotic meetings, the first place is assigned him ; and a grate ful country bas liberally provided for his wants. The Americans soon had the gratification of seeing their American independence, acknowledged by most of the European pow- , "Open ers. Holland. was the only nation, except France, by which knowledge^ it had been acknowledged, previous to its recognition hy by Sweden, Great Britain, in 1782. The acknowledgment was made by gpThT^nd Sweden, on the 5th of February, 1783 ; by Denmark, on the Russia. 25th of February ; by Spain, on the 24th of March ; and by Russia, in July. Treaties of amity and commerce were, about the same periods, concluded with each of these powers Prussia did not come into these measures until 1785. On the 25th of November, the British troops evacuated Efa°ya^,n New York, and a detachment from the American army en- 0f New tered it. York On the 4th of December, the separation of Washington from Ms officers took place at New York. The long and t£earJjggJj£ eventful period which they had passed together ; the dangers w;th the lhey had mutually shared ; the reflection that they parted to commander meet no more ; and, above all, the thought that they might never again behold the face of their beloved commander, filled their hearts with sorrow. Washing- From New York, Washington hastened to Annapolis, where ,on.s a(=" congress was then in session. He immediately waited on counts were them for the purpose of resigning his commission. A public hi^'^end^s audience was appointed for that purpose, on the 23d of De- pai(j bm cember, when, in the presence of a large and deeply affected nothing audience, he resigned his offices, and commending his coun- m0I°- 264 SHAYS REBELLION. PART III, try to the protection of God, retired to Mount Vernon, follow period n. ed by the benedictions of America, and the admiration of the chap. xx. world. CHAPTER XX. Depression subsequent to the War. 1784. At tbe close of the war, the United States, although they Exhausted had burst the bonds of European thraldom, were in a de- state of the pioraDie condition. A heavy debt encumbered the govern- natnn. r - . .. . . J . . ° msent ; and a similar burden rested upon almost every corpo ration within it. Agriculture, trade and manufactures had de cayed during the war ; and many of the inhabitants were nearly destitute of clothing, and the necessaries of life. Immediately after the ptiace was announced, the British sent over a great quantity of cloths, of an inferior quality, which were sold at an exorbitant price ; and thus almost all the money of the country was collected and carried abroad. The nation being in debt and destitute of the means of payment, heavy taxes were necessarily imposed. This increased the Distresses discontent, which already prevailed among the people, to an tents. * alarming degree. The state governments resorted to various measures for the relief of their citizens. In Rhode Island, the government issued a quantity of paper-money, redeema ble at a future day ; this measure, however, only involved them in all the difficulties which the general government had experienced from the same cause ; — depreciation of their bills, and loss of public credit. The distress which prevailed in the country at length pro duced insurrections. In August, nearly fifteen hundred in- F Uowed bv surSents assembled under arms at Northampton, and took insurrec- possession of the court-house. Their object was to prevent tions at the sittings of the court of common pleas, and, of course, the ton 'aiX issumg of executions, under certain obnoxious laws. The U'srcester, governor issued a proclamation, calling on the citizens to sup press such treasonable proceedings ; but bis proclamation was disregarded. In the next month, a scene similar wo that at Northampton, was acted at Worcester. A body of men, ex ceeding three hundred, assembled, and compelled the court there sitting, to adjourn. The leader of the malcontents in Massachusetts, was Dan iel Shays. At the head of three hundred men, he marched 1787. jnt0 Springfield, where the supreme judicial court was sitting, Known as i . i ' r .i i tt i I "Shay's" ancl took possession ol the court-house. He then appointed rebellion, a committee, who waited on the court with an order, couche.' PROPOSALS TO REMODEL THE GOVERNMENT. 265 in the humble form of a petition, requesting them not to pro- PART III. ceed to business. period n. The number of insurgents increased ; the posture of af- CPAP- xx fairs became alarming ; and an army of 4,000 men was at ^-^v~*»-' length ordered out for their dispersion. This force was pla- 1787. - ced under the command of Gen. Lincoln. His first measure LjncX'"'^ was to march to Worcester, where he afforded such protec- an army at tion to the court, that it resumed and executed the judicial Worcester. functions. He next gave orders to General Shepard to collect a sufficient force to secure tbe arsenal at Springfield. Accor- shepard6to dingly, he raised about 900 men, which were reinforced by Springfield, 300 militia, from the county of Hampshire. At the head of wnere hf i-i- i -ii t i ?< • r- -i i i disperses the this force, he marched as directed, to Springfield ; where not rebels. being able to persuade the multitude to lay down their arms, he fired upon them, and killed three men. The rioters fell into confusion, and soon dispersed. Commissioners were appointed by the government of Mas- Th are sachusetts, empowered to promise pardon, on certain condi- tried, four- tions, to all concerned in the rebellion. Several hundreds re- teen sen- ceived the benefit of the commission. Fourteen only were executed. sentenced to death, and these were afterwards pardoned. A proposal was this year, made to amend the articles of Defects » confederation. The present frame of government, although can form ^ it had served, during the pressure of danger, to keep the sev- government eral parts of the nation together, was now found inadequate to the national exigencies. In forming the original articles, great care had been taken to withhold any delegation of power, which might hereafter endanger the liberties of the in dividual states. Congress had no authority to enforce its or dinances ; and now that the pressure of public danger was removed, they were contemned and disregarded. Some of the states had violated treaties which had been formed with foreign nations, and some had refused to adopt a system of impost which had been devised. It became evident that no thing could put a stop to evils of this description, but a more energetic form of government. In 1783, John Adams, then in Europe, suggested to con gress the expediency of strengthening the general govern ment. On a motion of Mr. Madison, in the legislature of Virginia, in 1785, a convention of delegates, from five of the rf , f™" middle states, met at Annapolis, in 1786, who came to the meet" from conclusion, that nothing short of a thorough reform of tne ex- five states. isting government, would be effectual for the welfare of the country. Congress approved their proceedings, and passed a resolution, recommending a general convention of delegates, to be holden at Philadelphia. In May, 1787, the convention met, and instead of amend- 1787. ing the articles of confederation, they proceeded to form a new ^^V'1™ constitution. Their debates were long and arduous. A mo- philadel meutous political experiment was to be tried, and the desti- phia. 19 266 THE CONVENTION FRAME A NEW CONSTITUTION. PART III. 1787. Political views of the framers of the constitu tion. Two great parties in a forming state. Points m the slave ques tion agitated and compro mised. nies of unborn millions hung upon their deliberations. Re specting many articles of the constitution, much honest dif ference of opinion existed ; and in particular, where the strength of the new government came in question. On the one hand, it was considered, that, if the government was made too weak, a state of anarchy, and consequent revolution, would ensue ; on the other, that if it were made too strong, America would lose the blessings of liberty, which she had bled at every pore to obtain; and only make an exchange of foreign, for domes tic oppression. Some of these politicians thought the only safe mode of reasoning was from the experience of the past, and that all speculations not drawn from this source, should be condemn ed as impracticable, and visionary. These looked for an ex ample to the constitution of England, as containing the best form of government actually existing. Others believed that as the circumstances of the times changed, governments should accommodate themselves to the change ; — that the present state of the world, and the situation of America, had no parallels in history ; — and that therefore the track of no former nation could serve as the guide to their voyage : but bke the discoverer of their continent, they must lay their course through an untravelled way, with nothing to guide them but the light of heaven, and their own observation. The happy medium probably lies between the extremes of these two opinions ; and the constitution framed, being a compro mise between them, the form of government, which it pre scribes, is probably, on that account, more perfect than il either side had wholly prevailed. Connected with these ideas concerning the greater or less degree of strength proper to give to the new government, was the subject of the consolidation, or strict independence of the states. Those who desired the general government to pos sess great strength, were charged by their opponents, with wishing to so arrange it, that in the play of its parts, it would break down, and subject to itself, the state governments. Those, on the other hand, who feared oppression more than anarchy, watched, with a jealous eye, every infringement of state rights. Those in favor of holding the states strongly united, were called, at this time federalists, and their oppo nents, anti-federalists. Other points of dispute arose which were still more dan gerous, because they divided parties by geographical lines Tho most difficult of these, regarded the representation, in congress, of the slave-holding states. The non-slave hold ers contended that the number of representatives sent, should only be in proportion to the number of free white inhabitants. This would bring some states, whose whole population was great, upon a level with others, where the number of inhabit ants was comparatively small ; and members from these states DIVISION OF VESTED POWERS. 267 would not give their consent to such an apportionment. The slaves were at length allowed to be reckoned, in settling the quota of representatives, as equal to three-fifths of an equal number of free white inhabitants. That these great difficul ties were compromised, holds up this convention, as an ex ample to future times, of the triumph of strong patriotism and honest zeal for the public welfare, over party feeling and sec tional prejudice. It was not without a struggle, that the new constitution was adopted. Eleven of the states were, however, early in the year 1789, brought to decide in favor of its ratification. Rhode Island, which sent no members to the convention, and North Carolina, refused to accept it. The supreme authority in whose name the constitution is promulgated, is that of " the people of the United States ;" the objects for which they ordain and establish, and bind them selves to obey its precepts, are "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to them selves and their posterity." The legislative power of the Federal Union, is vested in a senate and house of representatives, the latter to be chosen for two years by electors qualified to choose representatives to the state legislatures ; — each to have been for seven years an inhabitant of the United States, and at least twenty-five years of age. Representatives are to be appointed in each state, according to the number of the inhabitants, and lest the congress should become too numerous, the apportionment is varied, once in ten years after the taking of the census. The senate is composed of two members from each state, to be chosen by the state legislatures. The term of service is six years ; but the first senate was to be so chosen, that one third of the members had two years to remain in office, another four, and another six ; so that thereafter no more than one third of the senate should be composed of new mem bers. A senator must have been an inhabitant of the country nine years, and not less than thirty years of age. The house of representatives choose their presiding officer, who is called the speaker. The senate are presided over by the vice-president of the United States. These two houses are called the Congress. They must sit at least as often as once a year, and their ordinary sessions commence on the first Monday in December * All bills for raising a revenue must originate in the house of representatives ; the whole spirit of the constitution requi ring that the branch of the legislature nearest the people should have the care of the people's money ; that is the na tional treasury. The executive bears the public sword, and ~~* But the President is empowered to call extra sessions whenever iie sees occasion. 19* PART IIL 1789. Federal con stitutionadoptea. Its mandates from "tho people." Its objects. The popular branch of tha national le gislature. The states represented in their cor porate ca pacity by the senate. Presiding officers. Time of se* sion The repre sentatives, intrusted with the purse. The execu tive power. CRAP. IX. £68 THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION NOW VENERATED. PART III, the popular branch carries the purse. The executive power period n is vested in a president and vice-president ; each chosen for a term of four years ; each to be a native-born citizen, and to have attained the age of thirty-five. The president is the commander-in-chief of the army and navy when in actual service. With the consent of two-thirds of the senate, he is vested with the power to "make treaties, to appoint ambassa* dors, judges of the supreme court, and many other officers. The judicial The judicial power of the United States is vested in one power, supreme court, and such other courts as congress may from time to time establish. The judges retain their offices during good behavior. They as well as the president and vice-pres- linpeach- ident may be impeached. This form of accusation can only ment. be brought forward by the house of representatives. The senate is vested with the sole power to try impeachments, and two-thirds must concur to convict the accused ; nor can the penalty in such case be greater than the loss of office, and disqualification for holding it in future. 1787- At the close of this period, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tjle Georgia, extended to the Mississippi. The great tract north of North West the Ohio river, and south of the Lakes between Pennsylvania Territory auri the Mississippi river, was formed by Congress into the North West Territory. The original charters of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, gave to these states title to large portions of its lands, but previously to the erection of the Three tract into a territory, Congress compromised with these states, wares relin- ancj extinguished their claims ; except to certain specified reser- claims. vations. Connecticut had a large reservation in the north east part of Ohio, by means of which she obtained the nucleus of ?i™fi!S? her school fund. The bill for the erection of the North West Territory passed Congress in 1787. While it was pending, Mr. Jefferson intro- prohibited duced and carried an amendment, forever excluding slavery m the from that extensive region. Territorial government was here first introduced into the American system. The general gov ernment appoints for the territory its executive and high judi- Firstterri- cial officers, while the people exercise, by an assembly of dele- tonal S.OV- ii.11-1.- J ernment. Sates> the legislative power. The federal constitution, at the time of its adoption, was far from receiving the entire confidence which it now com mands. It made the government too strong to please one w^ing'the Party' and t0° weak t0 satisfy the other ; and while, on the- ooastitution. one hand, it was believed, that it would, in its operation, even tually overturn the liberties of America, on the other, it was pronounced to be a " rope of sand," and the date of its dis solution was augured to be near. Now, the constitution of the United States of America, after seventy years of trial, is regarded, by the friends of the rights of man, in both hem ispheres, as the palladium of livil liberty. Bchool fund. Slavery North West. EU* SYLVPU PART IV. FROM 1789 TO 1848. PERIOD I. FROM THB PINAL ADOPTION OF J 1789, j THE FEDERAL CON8TITOTIOH TO THE PURCHASE 3 1803. \ OF LOUISIANA. CHAPTER I. Organization of the new Government. — The Funding System. — Party lines strongly drawn. The fourth of March, 1789, was the day on which the new government was to commence its operations. But from ne cessary delays, the inauguration of the president did not take place until the 30th of April. When Washington retired a* the close of the war, he had fully intended to pass the residue of his days in domestic pri vacy ; and this intention he had publicly announced. Yet the habit of ruminating on the condition of his country did not leave him ; nor did his great fame allow him repose from the visits of friends, the intrusions of the curious, and the sobci- tations of the interested. He employed his pen continually,' in urging upon the influential, the necessity of remodeling the government. He made a journey of 600 miles, to visit his lands, on the waters of the Ohio ; and, by actual inspection, became convinced of the- practicability, as he had long been of the importance, of uniting tbe west to the east, by intercom munication between the head waters of the Atlantic streams, and the western rivers. He wrote a memorial on the sub ject to .the government of Virginia, which gave rise to two companies ; the " Potomac Company," and the " Kanhawa and James River Company ;" and thus he became the author of the first efficient movement, in the great series of internal improvements. Efforts were made, particularly by the states of Pennsylva nia and Virginia, to devise some delicate method of placing pecuniary rewards at his disposal ; but he steadily refused them ; although his affairs had fallen into some disorder, in an absence of eight years and a half; while his hospitality was PART IV 1784. Washingtoa in retire ment. September Pennsylva nia and Vii. ginia use fruitless ef forts to in duce him to accept re ward*. 270 WASHINGTON CALLED FROM EETIREMENT. PAK P IV. PERIOD I. CHAP. I. 1783. Visit from La Fayette. Washington an agricuf.- luralist. 1786. He is sum moned to become a member of the conven tion. 1787. Is made president of the conven tion. Is unani mously elected pre sident o± the U. States' of America. 1789. April 14. Messenger arri^s at Mount Ver non, an nouncing his election. His journey to New York. 1789. April 30. Is inaugu rated at New Vork. expensively taxed, on account of his former public chaiacter. Among others, his faithful and beloved friend La Fayette came, during this period, to visit him at Mount Vernon. Washing ton accompanied him on his return, as far as Annapolis. When they parted, he had a sorrowful and just foreboding that they should never meet again. Not only to retrieve his affairs, but to indulge his taste and to advance the interest of the country, he devoted himself to agriculture in the personal direction of his estates. He cor responded with scientific agriculturalists in Europe and Ame rica ; and the theories which he formed or learned from them, he put in practice ; ordering, in advance, a rotation of crops to suit the several soils. His skill in landscape gardening is even now manifest, in the beautiful arrangement of his grounds at Mount Vernon, where every shrub and tree was planted beneath his eye, and pruned by his own hand. The first summons which he received to quit this delightful retreat, was when the legislature of Virginia chose him first. delegate to the convention which framed the constitution. With reluctance he consented to the pleas of friendship, and the calls of public duty. He prepared himself to lay po litical foundations, by the study not only of present cir cumstances, but of confederated governments, ancient and modern. Made president of the convention by a unanimous vote, his wisdom, no less than his influence, was felt through out that august body ; and at no time did he serve his country with more efficiency. The constitution being adopted, the universal voice of the nation called him forth to organize the government he had thus helped to devise. He was pained that he must again, at the age of fifty-seven, leave his long-coveted retirement, and embark, with all his honors, upon an untried and tempestuous sea. But he knew there was no other man on whom the peo ple would unite, and that his refusal, at such a crisis, would be fraught with danger to his country. A special messenger from the president of congress, brought him the official intel ligence of his election, and two days from the time of notice, he set out for New York, where congress first convened. In his progress, he was met by numerous bodies of the peo ple, of both sexes, who hailed him as the Father of his Coun try ; and triumphal arches were erected, to commemorate his achievements. He was attended by a deputation from con gress, and was received by the governor, as he landed, amidst the firing of artillery, and the acclamations of the people. The ceremony of his inauguration was witnessed, with in expressible joy, by a great multitude of spectators. The novelty and importance of the transac^n, the benign dignity of Washington's character and n imers, the remembance of the sufferings, by which America had. won the right to go vern itself, and which, with a father's anxious solicitude, ha THE FIRST INATGURATION. 271 had shared -, all conspired to render the pageant solemn and PART IV. affecting. period i. In an address to both houses of congress, he modestly de- CHAP- '• clared his incapacity for " the weighty and untried cares be- *~^~v~"*-' fore him," and offered his "fervent supplications to that AI- 1789. mighty Being, whose providential aid can supply every human JJ^Ynau- defect, that his benediction would consecrate to the liberties gural ad- and happiness of the people of the United States, a govern- dress ment instituted by themselves for essential purposes ; and would enable every instrument, employed in its administra tion, to execute with success the functions allotted to bis charge." He remarked, that " the foundation of our national policy should be laid in the pure principles of private morality ; and that no truth was more thoroughly established, than that there exists an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness ; TU„ . fr ' lhe maxinu between duty and advantage ; between the genuine maxims of an of wisdom honest and magnanimous policy, and the sobd rewards of public enforced by prosperity and felicity." These considerations he enforced by and'philan- the weighty reasons, "that the success of the republican form thropy. of government is justly considered, as deeply, perhaps finally, staked on the experiment intrusted to the American people ; and that tbe propitious smiles of heaven could never be ex pected on a nation, that disregarded the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself had ordained." Congress made it their first object to establish a revenue Congress lay sufficient for the support of government, and for the discharge dut!es ™ of the debt, contracted during the revolutionary war. For this and tonnage. purpose, they laid duties on the importation of merchandise, and on the tonnage of vessels ; thus drawing into the public treasury, funds which had before been collected and appro priated by individual states. To counteract the commercial regulations of foreign nations, and encourage American ship ping, higher tonnage duties were imposed on foreign, than on American vessels, and ten per cent, less duty on goods im ported in vessels owned by Americans, than in those belonging to foreigners. Those first appointed under the constitution as heads of de partments, were, Thomas Jefferson, secretary of state, Alex- Tne fir?' ander Hamilton of the treasury, and General Knox of the de- 5jefferson,!S partment of war. The small navy was assigned to the care Hamilton, of the latter. These officers were subject to the inspection *' and control of the president, to whom they were required to make elaborate reports in writing. They were constitution ally removable by him. During this session, it was proposed to amend the constitu- Constitution tion. Congress, after a long and animated debate, agreed amended upon twelve new articles, which were submitted to the respec tive state legislatures ; ten of which being approved by three- fourths of these bodies, they became a part of that instrument. It was during this session also, that the important work Fii THE JUDICIARY ORGANIZED PART IV. PERIOD L CHAP. I. 1789. National ju dicial y corn posed of three grades district, cir cuit, and su preme courts. Salaries fixed. Public taanksgiv- Sept. 29. Close of th° session of the first con gress. Washing ton's pater ual visit to New Eng* land. Novembei 1790. January 6. Second was completed of establishing a national judiciary, to take cog nizance of all cases, occurring under the constitution and laws of the United States ; of all disputes, arising with foreigners, and between the inhabitants of different states. It was to consist of a supreme court, circuit and district courts. Of these, the district court, which was to consist of one judge for each separate district, was considered the lowest ; and causes were appealable from this to the circuit court,- which was to be composed of one of the five associate judges of the supreme court, and the district judge of the state in which the court was held. Causes were appealable from this tribunal to the supreme court, which was to consist of a chief-justice, and five associate judges ; and was to hold two sessions, annually, at the seat of government. John Jay was appointed chief-jus tice, and Edmund Randolph, attorney-general. The salary of the president was fixed at twenty-five thou sand dollars a year, that of the vice president at five thou sand, and those of the heads of department at three thousand and five hundred. The representatives received six dollars per day, and six dollars for every twenty miles' travel ; the senate seven dollars per day, and the same for travel. The chief-justice of the supreme court was allowed four thousand dollars, and the associate judges three thousand five hundred per annum. Before their adjournment, congress, with becoming piety, requested the president to recommend to the people a day of public prs.3rer and thanksgiving ; in which they should uni tedly acknowledge, " with grateful hearts, the many and sig nal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of govern ment for their safety and happiness." - On the 29th of September, the first session of congress closed ; the secretary of the treasury being previously direct ed, by a resolution of the house of representatives, to prejare a plan to provide for the adequate support of the public credit and to report the same at the next meeting of congress. After the adjournment of congress, the president made a tour through New England, where he was received by the inhabitants with demonstrations of the most devoted affection. They crowded around him. They vied with each other in the display of hospitable attentions. Parents brought their children, that they might view in him the living model of ex cellence, and that they might have, in after life, the satisfac tion of reflecting that they had, with their own eyes, beheld the man whom the history of their country ranked as the first of her citizens. In November, North Carolina acceded to the new constitu tion. The second session of the first congress began on the 6th of January, 1790. Mr Hamilton early complied with the di- TWO POLITICAL PARTIES FORMED 273 rections given him at the close of the former session, and FART IV. brought forward his celebrated report, which was drawn up period i> with a masterly hand. He showed the importance of public CHA?- *• credit, and proposed, as the means of supporting that of the ^**-v^»*-> United States, a system of assuming or funding, not only the 1790. public debt, amounting to fifty-four millions of dollars, but also Mr; Hami^ the state debts, estimated at twenty -five millions; and of 0°n f unlSg malting permanent provision for the payment of the interest, the nationsd by imposing taxes on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits ieht' distilled within the United States. The debates on this report produced an irritation, of feel ing, which, in the event, shook the foundation of the govern- Heated de ment, as they may fairly be said, to be the origin of that vio- derange" lent party-spirit, which, under the names of federalists and °HS Pa^y republicans, for thirty years arrayed one part of the American anlm0Slt'r community against the other. There were in the funding sys tem two grand points of difference between the opposing par ties. That concerning the assumption of the state debts, which was last debated, caused the most serious collision. The northern members, who were mostly federalists, advoca ted the measure ; while the majority of those from the south, belonged to the other party, and opposed it. The other point of difference was, whether in the case of funding the domestic debt, there should be any discrimination between the present holders of public securities, and those to whom the debt was originally due. The federalists, who looked with great confidence to the talents and integrity of f^ ™f£jjr Mr. Hamilton, were, with him, in favor of making no differ- the treas- ence between the present and the original holder of the conti- , urer- nental bills, maintaining that government ought not to inter- canes 'opp'ose fere in transfers. The republican party advocated the dis- him. crimination ; contending, that it was unjust to the veterans of the revolution, who had been obliged to receive this paper in Ueu of gold and silver, and were afterwards compelled to part with it at a small part of its nominal value, now to be con demned to poverty ; while the speculator was receiving the reward of their blood and services. After much debate, Mr. Madison proposed, that the present holder of assignable paper should receive the highest price such paper had borne in market, and the original holder the Mf- Mam residue. These propositions were finally rejected ; the friends ^"meets a of the secretary contending that they could not be carried into grand diffi effect, so as to prevent the results apprehended; as many of cu the original certificates were issued to persons, who, in fact, had no interest in them, as they were for the benefit of others, to whom it was understood they were to be transferred. They had depreciated gradually, thus probably dividing among many individuals the loss sustained by each. The subject of assuming the state debts, recalled former points of animosity, and brought forward new matter of dissen- 274 THE FDNDING SYSTEM IS CARRIED. PART IV PERIOD I. CHAP. i. Strong argu ments in fa- toi of the assumption. t is reject ed. The location of the seat of govern ment a make-weight to carry the treasurer's plans. Rhode island adopts tie constitu tion. Duties are laid on American distilled spirits. sion. Mr. Hamilton was suspected of monarchical views Having been in a situation to observe the evils arising from 9 want of power in the continental congress, he had in the con vention, been an advocate for strength in the new constitution, and was at the time, accused of wishing so to arrange it, tha in its operations, it would break down, and subject to itself, the state governments. Those whose suspicions were thus excited, now believed that the funding system, in its essential features, and especially the assumption of the state debts, was but a part of the same plan. They contended that its design was to strengthen the general government, by making the state creditors, and other capitalists, dependent upon it ; and thus engaging the great moneyed interests of the country to defend its measures, whether right or wrong. Those in favor of the assumption, contended, that the debts incurred by the states were not for their own benefit, but foi the promotion of the common cause ; and that, therefore, it was right the whole nation should be* responsible. The debts of the states most active in the war were greatest ; those of Massachusetts and Carolina amounting to ten millions and a half, while those of all the other states were not more than fifteen millions. Should each be left to provide for the pay ment of its own debts, these states must, in some way, lay unusual burdens upon their inhabitants ; thus obliging them a second time to be the greatest sufferers in the common cause. On taking the vote in the house of representatives, the plans of the secretary were rejected by a majority of two. In the meantime, disputes had taken place with respect to the temporary, as well as the permanent seat of government. It was understood that should it be fixed for ten years at Phi ladelphia, and afterwards at a place to be selected on the Po tomac, that some of the members of the house of representa tives, from that quarter, would withdraw their opposition to Mr. Hamilton. This was accordingly done, and his plans were adopted. The debt funded amounted to a little more than seventy-five millions of dollars, upon a part of which an interest of three per cent, was paid, and on the remainder, six per cent. In May, 1790, Rhode Island acceded to the new constitu tion ; thus completing tbe union of the Thirteen United States, under one government. Soon after the commencement of the third session of con gress, a bill was introduced for laying the taxes which the secretary had proposed for the payment of the interest on the assumed debt of the states. That for laying duties on distilled spirits, was urged on the ground, that the inhabitants beyond the Alleghany mountains, where no other were consumed, would not otherwise bear an equal burden with those on the sea-coast, who consumed most of the articl fs on which a# Washington's cabinet divided. 275 impost duty was laid. The bill, after much debate, was carried. PART lv An act was passed, accepting the cession of the claims of feriod i. North Carolina to a district, west of that state, and a territo- CHAP- l- . rial government was established by congress, under the title ^-~v""w of " The Territory of the United States, south of the Ohio." In 1780, James Robertson, with forty families travelled through Tennesaee a wilderness of 300 miles and founded Nashville. Many of the 1Y90. officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war settled on Cum- Aus- 7-. berland river ; a tract having been there laid off, for the dis- 1h™ Creek* charge of military bounties. A treaty was concluded between the United States and the Creek Indians ; thus putting a period to the fears of a Creek war. A national banlcjfras, during this session, recommended by Mr. Hamilton. It met with a violent opposition from the re publican party. They considered all banking institutions as useless, the present bill defective, and the power of establish ing a bank not granted to congress. The supporters of the bib maintained that a national bank was not only constitu tional and useful, but necessary for the operations of govern ment. The president required the opinions of tbe cabinet in ¦» -,» . writing. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Randolph opposed, while Mr. a nationa. Hamilton and General Knox advocated the bill. After de- bank estat> liberate investigation, the president was convinced of its con- llsned- stitutionality and utility, and gave it his signature. The bank was established at Philadelphia, with a capital of ten millions of dollars. The dissensions on the subject of the funding and bankino- Party dis- systems, thus originating in the heart of the republic, spread ^ensl™st themselves to its extremities, and were every where the the'rountni signal for the people to range themselves, each under one and m tne of the two parties. The secretary of state was active and cal,lnet determined in his opposition to the measures of Mr. Hamilton. He doubtless believed them prejudicial to the interests of his country ; but it appears problematical, whether, as a member of the cabinet, it was right for him to spread through the country, a spirit of disaffection* to measures taken by another member of the same cabinet, acting in the legitimate exercise of his proper functions. As an individual patriot, Mr. Jefferson would certainly have been correct in persuading his country men to oppose what he believed would tend to subvert their liberties ; but it would seem that, by tbe resignation of his office, he should have become merely an actor in an individ- * Mr. Jefferson, it is said, patronized a paper which vilified the conduct and measures of the secretary of the treasury. Of this, Marshall gives the following account ;— 'Other papers enlisted themselves under the banners of the opposi tion. Conspicuous among these, was the National Gazette, a paper edited by a clerk in the department of state. The avowed purpose for which the secre tary patronized this paper, was to present' to the eye of the American people, European intelligence derived from the Leyden Gazette, instead of the English papers ; but it soon became the vehicle of calumny against the funding and flanking systems ; against the duty on home spirits, which was denominated an excise, and against the men who had proposed and supported those measures." 3^6 THE MORAVIANS AND INDIANS. PART IV. vial capacity, before he took any measures of hostility against period i. Mr. Hamilton. As it was, the venerable Washington had the chap. n. unhappiness to witness his two principal secretaries, both •-~^r~*^ men of vast abilities, in determined hostility to each other; and the mortification to find his affectionate remonstrances and exhortations, ineffectual to their reconcilement. 1791. New York having relinquished its claims to jurisdiction in Feb. 18 Vermont, and this state agreeing to the federal constitution, it liStothe' was> on tbe application of its principal citizens, this year ad- Union, mitted into the Union. In 1791, the first eensus of the United States was comple ted. The number of inhabitants was 3,929,000, of whom, 695,000 were slaves. The revenue amounted to 4,771,000 dollars, the exports to 19,000,000, and the imports to about 20,000,000. Oetobei. ][n October, the second congress commenced its first session. ^on^esT* One of its earliest acts was that of apportioning the number of Number of representatives according to the census. After much disa- rapresenta- greement a bill passed fixing the ratio at one for every thirty- 33,000. three thousand inhabitants. While congress was thus agitated by party strife, an Indian war was opening on the northwestern frontier. CHAPTER II. The Moravians. — The Indians of the North West. The aborigines of America, are regarded with great and increasing interest. Of all the sources of information con cerning their character and internal arrangements, perhaps the History of most valuable, are those derived from the Moravians. Elliot, the Mora- a]though long engaged in their conversion, yet had his home _$_t on that and family among the people of Roxbury. David Brainerd oftheabo- from 1742 to 1746, was wholly devoted to the same object ngmes. among tne Mohicanni west of the Hudson, and the Delawares, in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. But his career, though successful, was short. The Moravian brethren lived for forty years among the Indians. Their society had many intelligent men, (and women also,) scattered widely among them. They adopted their converts as brothers and sisters, some times intermarrying among them. Their observations were written down ; and they remain in the pages of Heckewelder, and in the letters of Zeisberger, arranged into narrative by Loskiel* For the sake of this information, no less than on their own account, the .history of the Moravian mis sions should be studied. To give a connected view of the * And well translated into English by Latrobe. THE BRETHREN AMONG THE DELAWARES. S71 revolution, we have suspended it from its proper chronological place. After Pontiac's treacheries, the Moravian converts, in dan ger of perishing from the indiscriminate fury of the whites, went in a body to Philadelphia, and were sheltered by the governor in a prison ; yet, even here, some of them were mur dered. Soon after this, Zeisberger was the leader of a party of the missionaries, who emigrated with a portion of their Indian brethren, and fixed, for a time, on the Alleghany river, near the mouth of French creek. Here the Indians came in throngs to attend their preaching ; and the chapel which they had erected, was filled with warriors, whose faces were painted with black and vermilion, and their heads decorated with clusters of feathers and fox-tails. Some of them became pen itent believers, and.joined the brethren. At this time a war occurred between the Senecas and Cher okees. Some provocation had been given by the former, when a small party of their braves were taken by the latter, who, having cut off their fingers, told them to go home and show the Senecas how the Cherokees treated those "who would not hold on to the chain of friendship." The war which ensued, made the location of the Moravians uncomfortable. Chiefs in the neighborhood proved treache rous; and, Zeisberger again leading the way, the brethren re moved to the banks of the Ohio, near the mouth of Beaver creek. Here they founded Friedenstadt, " The Town of Peace." The settlements on the great bend of the Susquehannah, were about this time broken up, and a part of the inhabitants, led by Heckewelder, joined this settlement. Zeisberger soon removed, having been invited by the Delaware chiefs, and presented by them with a beautiful tract of land on tbe Muskingum, near the confluence of the Tusca rawas with Whitewoman's creek. Here, with a party of five families — twenty-eight persons, from Friedenstadt, he fixed and built Schoonbrun, "the' Beautiful Spring." They were soon joined by 241 persons from the Susquehannah. Several new towns were founded, the most considerable of which were called Lichtenau, Friedenheuten, and Salem. Feuds arose among the Indians, by which the missionaries were in continual danger. The jealousy of the chiefs also op erated now, as in the time of Elliot, against the preaching of the gospel. But the most powerful man of the Delawares, Captain White-Eyes, a person of great and good qualities, was convinced of the importance of civilization. He saw how much better off were the Europeans, and even the christian Indians, than were his own people. Christianity, he regarded as the principal cause of the great difference. And when the aged cliief Netawatwees, with Captain Pipe, a noted war-chief, and others, joined in determining to expel the religious teachers 20 PART 1767. A mission oa the Allegha ny river. 1770. War be tween Jhe Senecas and Cherokees. May 3. The Moravi ans found Friedenstadt at the mouth of Beaver Creek. 1771 March 5. 1772. April 14. Settlement begun on the Muskingim. 1774. Nov. 6. The excel lent chief, White Eyes takes a no ble stand. 278 BRIGHT PROSPECTS OVERCAST. PART IV. 1*76. April. Zeisberger's Delaware spelling- book com pleted- Revolution ary war changes their pros pects. 1777. August. The Half- king visits. The Indian tribes deter mine to root out the Mo ravians.August. 1781. Oblige them to break at the Mus kingum. October. Cruel hard- %'ups on the Sandusky. 1782. March 14. Hear sad whom they had invited, White-Eyes addressed the council, even with tears, in their behalf. But unable to move them,he withdrew in silent offended dignity. The nation could not dispense with his talents and services, and were forced to come into his measures. At length Netawatwees was con verted. Glikkikan, one of their most eloquent and warlike captains, had before become a sincere and consistent christian. He received baptism under the name of Isaac, and assisted the brethren as a teacher, and finally sealed his faith with his blood. The chiefs now solemnly determined in council, and promulgated the decree, that the Delawares, as a nation, would receive the word of God. " Let us," said Netawatwees to Pakanke, another aged chief, " do a good work before we de part, and leave a testimony to our children." Great prosperity followed. Zeisberger had made a spelling- book of the Delaware tongue, and was gathering the children into schools. The war of the revolution came on, and the afflicted bretheren were now placed between three fires. The English and Americans each sent to them to be quiet, but each sought to draw them into such correspondencies as would have made them suspected by the other ; while the Indian tribes around, wished to take part in the fray. Still, the Delawares, under White-Eyes, acted in their character of peacemakers, and called on the tribes to maintain a neutrality. About this time, the Half-king came with 200 of his Hu rons, or Wyandots, bent on the destruction of the Moravians ; but they prepared a feast, and received him in such a manner, that he relented and promised them his friendship. At length the two belligerents called on the Indians to take up arms, and they could no longer be restrained. But the young men among their converts refused. Their refusal was at tributed to their teachers, and the fierce Iroquois employed the Chippewas and Ottawas, to take the lives of the missiona ries, or cause their removal. Their friend White-Eyes was now dead. They were plundered, and their cattle shot h? such numbers, that the air became insupportable ; and while their corn was yet unharvested, they were obliged to break up their beautiful settlements on the Muskingum. Some of their converts forsook them, white hundreds fol lowed them to a barren spot on the Sandusky river. Winter came on, and they suffered from hunger and cold. Notwith standing the missionaries had thus sacrificed every thing, rather than to abandon their converts, who loved them as fa thers, they were now seized, by British authority, and carried to Detroit. The very day they were torn from their families and converts, they learned the dreadful fate of a party of their Indian brethren and sisters, who had gone back to the Musk ingum, to gather the corn from their deserted fields. This party consisted of ninety-eight persons. They were at Lichtenau and Salem, expecting soon to carry the gathered make them prisoners. A DARK PAGE. '^7S corn to their famishing friends, when an armed party of Ameri- FART IV. can marauders, possessed with the superstitious belief, that the PERI0D ' Indians, like the Canaanites of old, were all to be destroyed CHAP' n' by the chosen race, which, in their opinion, were themselves, k-rf^v^*^ hearing of this party, came upon them unawares ; and, by 1782. fraud and false pretenses, disarmed and made them pris- Da.k to the oners. They then informed them that they must die. Reli- Muskingum gion had taught them how Christians should die, and all they ^s *™j asked was a little time to prepare. Tbe wretches gaye them ing com. till tho next day, and then confined the men in one house, the women and children in another. All night did these de- Maich 6. voted innocents send up to heaven the voice of prayer, with Ameiicans hymns of praise. In the morning, they were led forth by two and two, and in separate houses set apart for the men and women, they were scalped and murdered ; meeting their death March 7 with christian composure. Thus ninety-six converted Indians Inhumanly were foully slaughtered in cool-blood, by white men pretend- ^Im* ing to be christians. Two lads alone escaped to give these particulars. Colonel Gibson, the American commandant at Pittsburg, had sent to apprise the Moravian Indians of the danger they were in, from these human fiends ; but too late. The missionaries, who were carried to Detroit, had already 17§1. been there before on the accusation of Captain Pipe, that they November had been in correspondence with the Americans. They denied aj^^"^ the fact, and demanded of the governor a trial. When con- Detroit are • fronted with their accuser, the governor asked him if his 'ned by d« charge was true. Captain Pipe shuffled and evaded, and British go* whispered with his counsellors, who hung their heads. At vernor. length be raised himself, like a man who suddenly makes a p„„,„- great and good resolve. " I will, said he, "tell the plain Pipe's avow truth. The missionaries are good men." Then striking al ius breast, he exclaimed, " it is I who am to blame : they did nothing but what the Delaware chiefs obliged them to do." On this declaration they were acquitted. On their second visit, the governor, who was a worthy man, Starch u. told them that he had them brought to Detroit to save their Jr ¦ 0* bves, which the savages were determined to take. Encou- the Huron raged by him, the missionaries again gathered thrir scattered river. flock, for a time, on the Huron river. At length the news of peace between England and America arrived, and they re- They return turned to the United States. The savage tribes remaining to1|°J^ted hostile, they went towards their settlements in Pennsylvania, i-ygg. where their society was incorporated, and was flourishing. From the beginning of the Moravian mission to the year 1782, the brethren had baptized 720 of the Indians. After the treaty with Great Britain, that nation refused to de liver up Detroit and other posts in the western country, within he ceded limits of the United States; alledging that the Ameri cans had not fulfilled certain stipulations of the treaty. These posts became the rallying points of the now hostile savages. B80 THE MASSACRE OF THE INDIAN CONVERTS AVENGED PART IV The Miamis, The Little Tt.:tle. GeneralHarmar. His lefeat. 1792. October. St. CUii suffers the Little Turtle io surpuse his force, which is wholly de feated. Congress re solve to car ry or. the war, hut soldiers ;.-re wanting. A flag of truce vio lated. . 1793. Partial ces sation of hostilities. The Miamies were at this time the most prominent of the western tribes. Their chief, Michikiniqua, (the Little Turtle,) possessed more talents than any savage warrior of his time. Like Pontiac, he appears to have thought that a juncture, when the country was to change its white masters, might be made fa vorable to their utter expulsion, and the re-establisment of the Indian power. By the force of native abilities and great ex ertions, he raised himself to be the military leader of the con federated Wyandots, Delawares, Pottawatamies, Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas, and other tribes. With purposes of extermination, they now ravaged the frontiers of the United States, committing their usual midnight atrocities. Pacific arrangements were attempted by the president, but without effect. On their failure, General Harmar was sent from Fort Washington on the site of Cincinnati, with a force amounting to 1,400 men, to reduce them to terms. He was successful in destroying Indian villages, and the produce of their fields ; but in an engagement near Chillicothe, he was de feated with considerable loss. Upon the failure of General Harmar, Major Genetal St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory, was appointed to succeed him. He hastened, with an army of 2,000, to pro tect the suffering inhabitants. In October of the following year, he marched into the wik derness to seek his foe, and encamped with 1,400 men, near the Miami villages. Regardless of the rules of savage war fare, and of the well known talent and subtilty of the Little Turtle, he and his officers were asleep, while at dead of night the savage chieftians assembled in council. At dawn, the terrified Americans were roused with the war-whoop sounding in their ears, from every quarter. The carnage was indescri bable. Not more than one-fourth of the Americans escaped, and their whole camp and artillery, fell into the hands of the savages. On receiving information of this horrible disaster, congress resolved to prosecute the war with increased vigor ; to aug ment the army, and to place the frontiers in a state of defense. In pursuance of these resolutions, Washington endeavored to organize a force sufficient for a vigorous prosecution of the war ; but the defeats of Harmar and St. Clair produced such a dread of the Indians, that a sufficient number of recruits could not be enlisted to authorize another expedition. A clamor was raised against the war, and the president, once more attempting to negotiate, sent Colonel Harden and Major Trucman with a flag of trace. They were both murdered by the savages, though against the will of the chief. The Six Nations, at the instigation of Washington, now in terfered, and persuaded the tribes on the Wabash to withdraw from the alliance, and make peace with the United States. FOREBODINGS OF THE TWO PARTIES. m 179S. The Miamies consented to something like a truce, agreeing PART IT- to hold a conference the ensuing spring. In 1792, a mint was established, by order of congress, and located at Philadelphia; and the division and value of the money, to be used throughout the country, was regulated by statute and it was called "Federal money." General Washington was again elected president, and in Washing March, 1793, was inaugurated. John Adams was also re-elect- ton's second ed vice-president. '"TwiT" About this time, the French revolution, which had commen ced in 1789, began seriously to affect the politics of the Uni- 1789. ted States. A new government was at first established in Tne French France, which had for its fundamental principle, the universal begins. equality of man. Hopes were entertained, that France would now enjoy the blessings of a free government ; but the leaders of the revolution were selfish and unprincipled, and their san guinary measures soon blasted these hopes. Louis XVI. was executed, his family murdered or imprisoned, and all who 1792. were suspected of hostility to the revolutionists, suffered de- -^^^y capitation by the guillotine. guillotined The party-spirit which had already agitated tbe whole Union, raged with increased violence. The democratic or republi- Effect of tha can party, viewing France as in the same situation with Ame- iut;on on the rica, when contending for her rights against the tyranny of United Great Britain, beheld with pleasure the downfall of kings, and States the dissemination of their own principles; and though they y^^of^ disapproved the ferocity and cruelty exhibited, yet they trust- democratic ed that good order would eventually be restored, and a repub- party- lie of the most perfect kind established. The federabsts, regarding their country as connected with Britain by identity of origin, by tbe various ties of commercial interest, by resemblance of institutions, and by similarity of language, literature, and religion ; shocked with the crimes ^j™^^* of the French rulers, and alarmed at the system of disorgani zation which they had introduced, were led to doubt whether, amidst such a state of things, a republican form of government could permanently be maintained. They charged the demo cratic party with espousing the cause of France, and thus fostering a spirit of disorganization. Their public prints teemed with the most terrific visions of the future condition of the country, should the republican party gain the ascen dency. Law, rebgion, and good order, they foretold, would all be subverted ; the churches sacrilegiously demolished, and the written word of God committed to the flames. The re publican prints retorted with equal asperity, charging their pobtical opponents with hostility to republican institutions, and mean subserviency to Great Britain. April 22. In April, 1793, information was received of the declaration w?^ngto» of war by France, against Great Britain and Holland. Wash- pruciamali„B ington was an American, and he did not choose to involve bis of neutrality. 20 282 PHESUMPTION OF THE FRENCH .MINISTER PART IT. PERIOD I CH.IP. II. 1793 April. Arrival of Genet His pre- nmptuous "ehavior. sue-ain the ex- jutive. Feb 1. 1794. Mr. Fauche. supersedes him. 1792. Kentucky admitted as a state 1775 Col. Boone begins a set tlement. K7SO. The settlers in distress. They are relieved. country in the contests of Europe He accordingly, with the unanimous advice of his cabinet, issued a proclamation of neutrality. This measure contributed, in a great degree, to the prosperity of America. Its adoption was the more hono rable to the president, as the general sympathy was in favor of the sister republic, against whom, it was said, Great. Bri tain had commenced a war for the sole purpose of imposing upon her a monarchical form of government ; but he prefe.T.Ml the welfare of his country to the breath of popular applause. The French minister, who had been sent over by the king, was about this time recalled ; and in April, Mr. Genet, who was appointed by the republic, arrived in Charleston, S, C The flattering reception he met with, induced him to believe, that he could easily persuade the American people to embark in the cause of France, whatever might be the determination of their government. This opinion was followed by the pre sumptuous procedure of fitting out privateers from the port of Charleston, to cruise against the vessels of the enemies of France, nations at peace with the United States. Nor was this the only act of sovereignty which he attempted. He projected hostile expeditions against Florida, from South Car olina and Georgia , and against New Orleans and Louisiana, from the state of Kentucky, put them in a train of execution And did not finally relinquish them until disavowed by the minister who succeeded him. Notwithstanding these illegal assumptions, he was welcomed at Philadelphia by the most extravagant marks of joy. Mr. Hammond, the British minister justly complained. The cab inet disapproved his course, and determined to enforce the 'aws. Genet went so* far as to accuse the executive, and 'hreaten an appeal from the government to the people. This measure turned many against him; and rendered the cause of France less popular in America. Congress approved the con duct of the administration towards Mr. Genet, and France annulled his powers. He was succeeded by Mr. Fauchet, Kentucky was separated from Virginia, in 1790, and was admitted to the union, as a separate state, in 1792. The first English settlement was made by Col. Daniel Boone. He, with nis family and forty Vnen, settled, in 1775, on the banks of the Kentucky. Boone had himself, visited the region, four years earlier. Admiring the beauty and grandeur of the scenery, and the wild fertility of the soil, he remained upon it ; a solitary dweller in the woods. The Indians were fierce and dangerous ; and the wild beasts threatened his lonely habitation. But Boone delighted in such scenes. He trapped the bears, and eluded, or made friends of the Indians. Subsequently, the legislature of Virginia, granted 400 acres of land, to any man who would make a clearing, build a cabin, and raise a crop of corn. This attracted settlers The In dians were hostile, and severe winters brought famine. But fresh bodies of emigrants furnished supplies ; and Kentucky became prosperous. THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 283 CHAPTER III. Consequences of war. On the 1st of January, 1794, Mr. Jefferson resigned his PART IV. office of secretary of state, and was succeeded by Mr. Ran dolph. The office of attorney-general was filled by Mr Wil liam Bradford. The duties which had been laid by congress on distilled spirits, created great dissatisfaction. In the western coun ties of Pennsylvania, it soon assumed the appearance of a regularly progressive system of resistance. Combinations were 1791- formed to prevent the operation of the laws, by exciting the The duties resentment of the people against those concerned in their ex- sp^itfocca- ecution ; and for this purpose, in 1791, a general meeting- of siondisturb- die malcontents was held at Pittsburg, and correspondencies p ance !n established among them. This state of; things called for vig- e™-[ orous measures on the part of government. Officers of in spection were appointed, and a proclamation issued by the president, exhorting and admonishing all persons to desist from any combinations to resist tbe execution of the laws. The insurgents, not checked, proceeded to violent outrages. 1794 The marshal of the district, while serving processes against win^^!*" offenders, was seized by a body of armed men, and compelled tion." to enter into an engagement to refrain from executing the du ties of his office. The inspector, apprehensive of danger, af ter applying in vain for protection from the civil authority, procured a small number of soldiers, to guard his house. It was attacked by five hundred of the rioters, who, by setting fire to tbe surrounding buildings, compelled those within to surrender themselves, and deliver up the papers of the in spector, and both this officer and the marshal were obliged to withdraw. The avowed motives of these outrages, were to compel the resignation of the officers, and to procure a repeal of the of fensive laws. The number of the insurgents was calculated at seven thousand. Washington, having vainly attempted persuasive measures now found himself compelled to resort to force. A requisi tion was made on the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, for fifteen thousand militia. Thesfe Octobei. were placed under the command of Governor Lee, of Vir- Lee sent ginia, who marched at their head into the revolted district, against th« This had the intended effect. Such salutary terror was in- lnsursen spired, that no farther opposition was attempted. Several of the most active leaders were detained for legal prosecution, but afterwards pardoned; as were also two, who were tried and convicted of treason. In the management of this diffi cult affair, the energy and wisdom of Washington were again conspicuous, at once awing the disaffected by force, aud soothing them by lenity. 20* 2S4 WAYNE S WAR. PART IV. PERIOD I. CHAP. III. 1794. The mutual complaints of the Brit ish and Americans. Congress ap prehend war. April. Mr. Jay ap pointed en voy to Eng land. The Little Turtle's opinion of Wayne. Wayne marches inlo the Miami country. Aut. 20. Hr defeats the Indian.-! At this session of congress, ah act was passed to raise a naval force, consisting of six frigates, for the purpose of pro tecting the American commerce against the Algerines ; eleven merchant vessels, and upwards of one hundred citizens, Having been captured by these barbarians. A war with England was, at this time apprehended. Since the peace of 1783, mutual complaints were made by the Uni ted States and Great Britain for. violating the stipulations of the treaty. The former were accused of preventing the loy alists from regaining possession of their estates, and British subjects from recovering debts, contracted before the com mencement of hostilities. The Americans complained, that the military posts, of the western wilderness, were still re tained ; that the Indians were incited to make incursions up on the frontier settlements ; and that injurious commercial re strictions had been imposed, by which American vessels, trading to the ports of France, might be seized by Engbsh cruisers, carried into England and there condemned. In this situation of affairs, congress assembled. A bill passed, laying an embargo for thirty days, one for erecting fortifications, one for raising a provisional army, and another for organising the militia. To avert, however, if possible, the calamity of another war, Mr. Jay was sent to England, to negotiate with tbe British government. The Indians of Ohio had continued hostile and refused to negotiate, although several of the associated tribes had with drawn. General St. Clair, after his defeat, resigned his com mand, and was succeeded by General Wayne, to whom the Indians gave the name of the Black-Snake. So many had for saken the abiance, that the Little Turtle now believing that the Indians would be defeated, sought to persuade them to peace. " We shall not surprise them," said he, " for they have now a chief who never sleeps." But the council over ruled his opinion, and the Indians prepared for war. Wayne marched into their country, and encamped for the winter, at Greenville. He occupied the ground where the battle had been fought in 1791 ; and there erected fort Recovery. Early in August, he reached the confluence oi the Au Glaize and Miami rivers, about thirty miles from a British post, where the whole strength of the enemy, estima ted at 2,000, was collected. His own force amounted to three thousand. After sending a messenger, with tbe vain endeavor of negotiating a peace, on the 15th of August,' he proceeded against the Indians, and found them advantageously posted, behind the British fort. On the morning of the 20th, the Americans advanced in columns, and at the first charge, broke the enemy's lines. The Indians retreated, and for two hours were pursued at the point of the bayonet. Two companies of British soldiers were in the fight ; but when the Indians fleeing in their distress, applied for shelter JAY S TREATY. 283 to the commandant of the fort, they were refused admission. PART IV This treatment, after they had been incited to the war, was period!. never forgotten or forgiven. The principal chief of the Del- qhap. iii. awares, Buckongahelas, immediately made peace with the v .--v-*.-' Americans. The British power over the savages was bro ken, and the confederacy dissolved. Their whole country had been laid waste, and American forts erected in the conquered territory. These decisive measures disposed to peace, all the tribes northwest of Ohio, and also the Six Nations. January 1st, Mr. Hamilton resigned his office of secretary ,«,«,« of the treasury, and was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott of Con- c*an . necticut. At the close of this session, General Knox also secretaries. resigned his office of secretary of war, and was succeeded by Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts. Mr. Jay, having negotiated a treaty with Great Britian, re- Nov 19 turned in the spring of 1795. His treaty, having been laid 1794. before the senate, was, after much debate, ratified by that Jay's treaty body. It provided that the posts, which the British had re- with Great tained, should be given up to the Americans, and compensa tion made for illegal captures ; and that the American govern- 1795 ment should hold £600,000, in trust for the subjects of Great popular Britain to whom American citizens wer/3 indebted. But it clamor did not prohibit the right of searching merchant vessels, aSamst lt claimed by the British ; and was thus an abandonment of the favorite principle of tbe Americans, that " free ships make free goods." While the senate were debating it with closed doors, a member had given an incorrect copy to a printer, This was circulated with rapidity, and produced much irrita tion. The president received addresses from every part of the p . Union, praying him to withhold his signature ; but Washington, senate, and bebeving the conditions to be the best which, under existing is signed by circumstances, could be obtained, signed it in defiance of pop-WashmgtcI1" ular clamor. , At the next session of congress, an attempt was made by the republican party, to hinder the treaty from going into ef- Debates on feet, by refusing to vote for tbe necessary funds. After a the provis- long debate, in which several members, particularly Fisher lon.s £°.r °ar Ames, of Massachusetts, displayed much eloquence, and the effect Jay'« parties generally much heat and irritation, the appopriation treaty. was carried by a majority of three, and the treaty went into effect. The republican party, although, in general, confiding in their beloved president, considered that, his sanction to this instrument was a proof that his judgment partook in some small degree of human fallibility* They believed the peace which it purchased, while the odious right of search was granted to England, would be short-lived and inglorious. Washington knew that it was better than war ; and that should war ultimately arise from the insulting and injurious exercise of that power, it were better deferred, until the state had 28(5 FRENCH DIPLOMACY PART IT PERIOD I. chap. HI: 1795. Treaty with Algiers. Oct. 27. Treaty with Spain. 1796. Mr. Fau- chet's inso lent proceed ings. American ministers to France, Mr. Morris, and Mr- Monroe. Mr. Fauchet superseded by Mi . Adet. Unjust pro ceedings of France. gained the strength and vigor of a few more years' con solidation. A treaty was alsr made this season with Algiers ; the com merce of the Mediterranean was opened, and the American captives were restored. A treaty was also concluded with the Indians in the west ; thus securing the frontiers from sav age invasion. A treaty with Spain soon after followed. That power had endeavored to cause the western boundary of the new repub- - lie to be fixed three hundred miles east of the Mississippi She denied the inhabitants beyond the Alleghany mountains, access to the ocean through that river, the mouth of which was in her province of Louisiana. To adjust these differen ces, Thomas Pinkney was appointed envoy extraordinary tc the court of Madrid. In October, a treaty was signed, allow ing the claims of the republic, as to the western boundary ; securing to the United States free navigation from the Missis sippi to the ocean, and the privilege of landing and depositing cargoes at New Orleans. In 1796, Tennessee was admitted to the Union. The treaties of the last year met with no opposition in con gress. The conduct of France had continued to be a source of disquiet. Mr. Fauchet, believing himself supported by a numerous party in America, gradually assumed an authorita tive manner. He insulted the administration by accusing them of partiality to their former foes, enmity to their friends, and indifference to the cause of liberty. Mr. Morris, who had been sent minister to France, failing to secure the confidence of those in power, was, at their re quest, recalled, in 1794. He was succeeded by Mr. Monroe, a gentleman who possessed the ardor for liberty and the rights of man, common to the republican party; and who, with them, hoped that the French revolution would eventually lead. to the establishment of a free government, on the ruins of the an cient despotism. He was received in the most flattering manner • and the flags of the two republics were entwined and suspended in the legislative hall, as a symbol of friendship and union. Mr. Adet soon after succeeded Mr. Fauchet, and brought with him the colors of France, which, with much ceremony, were deposited with the archives of the United States, as an honorable testimony of the existing sympathies and affec tions of the sister republics. These flatteries on the part of France, proved to be nothing but tricks to cajole America to take part in her European wars ; but finding a steady system of neutrality maintained, she adopted measures injurious to American commerce. Her cruisers were allowed, in certain cases, to capture vessels of the United States ; and while prosecuting a lawful trade, many hundreds of American ves sels were taken and confiscated. WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 287 From 1789. to 1796. Growing prosperity of the country. Mr. Monroe at this time, was suspected, by the president, PART IV rf not asserting and vindicating the rights of the nation with period l proper energy. These suspicions were attributed, by the re- CHAP- m- publican party, to the false insinuations of his political oppo- *-"" V"^-J nentp. Washington, however, recalled him, and appointed Charles C. Pinkney, of South Carolina, in his stead. As the period for a new election of the president of the Uni ted States approached, General Washington publicly signified his unalterable determination to retire to the shades of private life. On this occasion he received addresses from various quarters of the Union, which, while they deplored the loss of his great public services, contained many subjects of congrat ulation. He was reminded that during the short period of his administration, the prosperity of the country had increased be yond example. In regard to foreign affairs, he had witnessed the peaceful termination of all disputes with other nations, ex cepting France ; while with respect to domestic, he had be held the restoration of public credit, and provision of ample security for the ultimate payment of the public debt. The prosperity of American commerce had exceeded the most sanguine expectations, tonnage having nearly doubled. The productions of the soil had found a ready market ; the exports had increased from nineteen millions to more than fifty-six millions of dollars ; the imports in about the' same proportion ; and the amount of revenue, from import duties, had exceeded all calculation. In 1796, the Father of his Country published his farewell ad dress to the people of America. Iu the most earnest and af fectionate manner he called upon them to cherish an immova- well address ble attachment to the national union, to watch for its preser- jje vation with jealous anxiety, to discountenance even the sug- warns his gestion that it could, in any event, be abandoned ; and " in- cou?trym.en ,. , r i i. -i ¦ r against dis- uignantly frown upon the first dawnmgs of an attempt to union; alienate any portion of our country from the rest." Overgrown military establishments he represented as particularly hostile Great mil'- to repubbcan liberty. While he recommended the most im- lfshments" plicit obedience to the acts of the established government, and reprobated all obstructions to the execution of the laws, all A lawless combinations and associations, under whatsoever plausible sPirlt of Ji* i -i, i -i • i • ,r regard to au character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, thorities ; or overawe the general deliberations and actions of the consti- against un tuted authorities ; — he wished also to guard against the spirit changes5' qf innovation upon the principles of the constitution. Aware that the energy of the system might, be enfeebled by altera tions, he thought no change should be made without an evi- . dent necessity ; and that in so extensive a country, as much vigor as is consistent with liberty, is indispensable. On the other hand, he pointed out the dangers of real despotism, by breaking down the partitions between the several departments 1796. Washing 288 JOHN ADAMS MADE PRESIDENT. PART IT. 0f government, by destroying the reciprocal checks, and con- period i. solidating the different powers. chap. iv. Against the spirit of party, so particularly baneful in an elec- *-*"v^-^ tive government, he uttered his solemn remonstrance, as well as against inveterate antipathies, or passionate attachments, in respect to foreign nations. While he thought that the 1796. jealousy of a free people 'ought to be constantly awake, against strate™" t*le insidious wiles of foreign influence, he wished that good against par- faith and equal justice should be observed towards all nations, ty spmt, ^ an(i peace an(j harmony cultivated. In his opinion, honesty, ence, dis- no less in public than in private affairs, is the best policy. honesty, and Other subjects to which he alluded, were the importance of gan;<£" credit, of economy, of a reduction of the public debt, and of literary institutions ; above all, he recommended religion and morality as indispensably necessary to political prosperity. " In vain," says he, " would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who would labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens." CHAPTER IV. America resents the indignities of France. To fill the station which Washington had so eminently dig nified, the two great political parties presented their leaders. JeffeSonod The federalists> claiming to be the sole adherents of the policy p^sing°caT of Washington, and charging the opposite party with acting didates. under French influence, and having imbibed French principles, 1797 zealously endeavored to elect John Adams. The republicans, March i setting themselves up as the exclusive friends of liberty, and Mr. Adams, accusing their opponents with undue attachment to Britain and ffr SfeSe\- its institutions> exerted their influence for Thomas Jefferson. son, vice- 0n opening the votes it was found that Mr. Adams was president, elected president, and Mr. Jefferson vice-president. A th ImmeJiat;ely on succeeding to the presidency, Mr. Adams IwT received intelligence of an open indignity on the part of the French government now in the hands of tbe directory. They had refused to accept Mr. Pinkney in exchange for Mr. Mon roe, and .directing him to quit France, determined not to re- Congress ce-ive another minister, until the United States had complied convened. Wltn trieir demands. Congress was immediately convened, and the dispatches containing this intelligence, submitted to Put 80,000 their consideration. They passed laws increasing the navy, "eallof the' augmenting the revenue, and authorizing the president to de- president, tach, at his discretion, eighty thousand men from the mditia. To manifest, at the same time, his sincere desire of peace. TREATY WITH FRANCE. 28.9 Mr. Adams appointed three envoys extraordinary to the French PART IV. republic, Mr. Pinkney, then at Amsterdam, whither he had period i retired on leaving France, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Gerry. CHAP- IT- These, also, the directory refused to receive ; but an indirect -»-v-«w intercourse was held with them, through the medium of unof ficial persons, who were instructed by M. Talleyrand, the minister of foreign relations, to make them proposals. These persons demanded, before any negodation could be opened with the directory, that a considerably amount of money should be given to Talleyrand. This insulting proposal was indig- nantl)' rejected. It was, however, repeated, and letters were received upon the subject, signed X Y & Z. Hence this has 1797. been called the X Y & Z mission. The envoys at length mission succeeded in putting an end to so degrading an intercourse. After spending several months at Paris, Mr. Marshall and Mr. .Pinkney were ordered to leave France, while Mr. Gerry was permitted to remain, and repeatedly importuned singly to enter into a negotiation. This he declined, and was soon after recalled by his government. This treatment of the envoys induced Mr. Adams to declare, " that he would make no fur ther overtures, until assured that American ministers would be received in a manner suited to the dignity of a great and in dependent nation." These, events were followed by such French depredations, on the American commerce, as excited universal indignation ; and the general motto was, " Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute." A regular provisional army was established by congress, taxes were raised, and additional internal duties laid. Washington General Washington, at the call of congress, left his peaceful once mor,e ci n virnrLJifis abode once more, to command the armies of bis country. the army. General Hamilton was made second in command. The navy was increased, and reprisals were made at sea. The French 1798. frigate L'Insurgente, of forty guns, was captured, after a des- Feli,10- . perate action, by the frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, frigate L'ln- commanded by Commodore Truxton; a victory which gave surgent* great satisfaction to botn political parties in America. captured. The French government now became convinced that, al though the Americans might choose to quarrel among them selves, yet they would not suffer foreign interference ; and they made indirect overtures for a renewal of negotiations. e%QQ Mr. Adams promptly met, them by appointing Oliver Ellsworth Buonaparte chief-justice of the United States, Patrick Henry late governor at the head of Virginia, and William Van. Murray minister at the Hague, g^Zmlni. envoys to Paris, for concluding an honorable peace. They found the directory overthrown, and the government in the ^^1™?^ hands of Napoleon Buonaparte, who had not partaken of the era. transactions which had embroiled the two countries. With Sept $,. him they amicably adjusted all disputes, by a treaty, concluded Conclude* at Paris, on the 30th of September. The provisional army troa,v> was soon after disbanded by order of .ongress. 290 THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON. PAHT IV. ' America was now called to mourn the death of Wash- period i. ington. He calmly .and peacefully expired at Mount Vernon, chap. ». after an illness of twenty-four hours. The newspaper, in its v-.*"^-*-^ blackened columns announced to the people, " the Father of 1799. hjs Country is no more !" The bells of the nation tolled forth Death of ms requiem, and one general burst of grief broke from the Washington, filial hearts of the American people. Clad in black, they as- The people sembled in their churches, to hear his funeral praises from mourr. the orator, and from the* minister of God. The poet wrote his elegy, and the choir sung the solemn and pathetic dirge. The government mourned, with more of the parade of grief^ but with an equal share of its sincerity. In the house of representatives, the speaker's chair was shrouded in black ; and the members were clad in the vest- The govern- ments of sorrow. A joint committee of both houses were ap- bonors to his pointed, who devised in what manner they should pay honor memory, to the memory of " the man first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Washington died in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His history is that of his country, during the period of his public services. Commanding her armies, and presiding in her councils, during the most interesting period of her existence, her story can never be delineated, but he must stand the most prominent figure on the foreground. What may be said of many of the worthies of the revolution, may be eminently said of him. In no instance has he rendered his country a more His great important service, than in leaving to her future sons, his great example an and good example. Other heroes have been praised for their "legacy. " wye 0I" gl°ry- Washington soared in the pure atmosphere of virtue, above its reach. Never did he rashly adventure the cause of his country, lest he should suffer in his personal reputation. He was above all other approbation and fear, but that of God. CHAPTER V. Operations of the two political parties 1800. During the year 1800, the seat of government, agreeably Seat of go- to the law passed by congress in 1790, was transferred from IpWeTred8 philadelPhia t0 the city of Washington. A territory, ten miles to Washing- square, in which it was to be permanently located, had been ton. ceded to the general government, by the states of Virginia and Maryland; and received the name* of "the District of Co lumbia." Public buildings had been erected ; and, in No vember of this year, congress, for he first time, held thtiii session in that place. MR. ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION 25?l Mississippi, and a part of the northwest territory, called In- PART IV. diana, were this year made territories with separate govern- period I inents. chap. v. The time had now arrived for electing a president. It was ^^-v-»^» about this period, that the feuds and animosities of the federal 1800. and republican parties were at their greatest height. When Prosress of Mr. Adams was first made the opposing candidate to Mr. Jef- o^moiTin ftrson, he was, by no means, obnoxious to the great body of regard toM. the republican party, who voted against him. They recog- Adam* nized in him a patriot of the revolution, and they liked him well, although they liked Mr. Jefferson better. It was Mr. ^HamUton, not Mr. Adams, who was the chief object of party aversion ; and although a clamor was raised, to serve party purposes, accusing him of being too much in favor of the Bri tish form of government, yet the real cause of dissatisfaction was, that he was supported by those, who, they were persua ded, had monarchical views. After the lapse of four years, when Mr. Adams was again a candidate for the presidency, he was opposed with far more bitterness. In some of his measures he had been unfortunate, and the vigilant spirit of party was awake, to make the most of the real, or supposed errors of the nominal head of their oppo- ., , . T rr, , ...... . . ff. Mr. Adams nents. In the early part of his administration, the acts, by administra »vhich the army and navy were strengthened, and eighty thou- li°n- sand of the militia subjected to his order, were represented, by the democratic party, as proofs that, however he might have been a friend to tbe constitution of his country, he now . x either wished to subvert it, or was led blindfold into the views opponents of those who did. The republicans scrupled the, policy of a war with France, and denied the necessity^ even in case of such a war, of a great land force against an enemy, totally unassailable, except by water. They believed that spirits were at work to produce this war, or to make the most of the prospect of a disturbance, in order to lull the people; while Vhey raised an army, which they intended as the instrument ';!' subverting the republican, and establishing a monarchical government. Mr. Adams was stung by such unreasonable clamors. At tributing the evil to French emissaries, and moreover ascribing to too much liberty, the horrible excesses of the French revo lution, he gave his signature to two acts, which were consid ered by the body of the people as dangerous to the constitu- Sedition and tional bberty of America. One of these, called the Alien ^-ier- law«. Law, authorized the president to order any alien, whom he should judge dangerous to the peace and liberty of the coun try, to depart from the United States, on pain of imprisonment. The other, called the Sedition Law, imposed a heavy fine, and imprisonment for years, upon such as should " combine, or conspire together to oppose any measure of the govern ment ;" and " write, print, utter, publish &c any false, scar- 292 PARTY SPIRIT DESTITUTE OP PATRIOTISM PART IV. PERIOD I. CHAP. V. 1800. Their great twiuopulari The mid night ju diciary. 1801. Mr. Jeffer son and Mr. Burr re ceive, from the electors, an equal fiurnber of votes. They re ceive an equal vote in house of representa tives. Evil conse quences ever to be apprehended front) violent party spirit. dalous, and malicious writing against the government of tha United States, or either house of the congress of the United States, or the president, &c." Under the sedition law, seve ral persons were actually imprisoned. The sympathies of the people were awakened in their behalf, and their indignation roused against those, by whose means they were confined. These were the principal causes why Mr. Adams was, at this period, unpopular, and that the federal party, as appeared by the election, had become the minority. Immediately preceding his retirement from office, Mr. Ad ams appointed, in pursuance of a law made by congress, twelve new judges. These were called his midnight judi ciary, from the alleged fact that they were appointed at twelve o'clock on the last night of his presidential authority. By the constitution, as it then existed, each elector voted for two men, without designating which was to be president ; and he who was found to have the greatest number of votes, was to be president; and the second on the list, vice-presi dent. An unlooked for case now occurred. The republican electors, who had a very considerable majority over the fede ral, gave their votes, to a man, for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr ; intending, that Jefferson, the leader of the party, should be president, and Burr, vice president. These two men had thus an equal number of votes ; and the election must, accor- uing to the constitution, be decided by the house of repre sentatives. The federal party were defeated, but they considered that they might yet defeat their opponents ; and probably believing that they might find a grateful friend in Colonel Burr, while they knew that they had nothing to expect from Mr. Jefferson, they determined, if possible, to raise him to the presidential chair. On counting the votes in the house, another singular event occurred ; Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr had an equal number of votes. Again and again the voting went round, and the votes remained the same ; until the time had nearly arrived when, by the constitution, the president must be elect ed, or otherwise, the machine of government would be run down ; and the constitution contained no machinery by which it could be wound up. ' At length, after the members had voted thirty-five times, it was found on the thirty-sixth balloting, that Mr. Jefferson had a majority of one state. This transaction must go down to posterity as a dark pas sage in .American history. Whether or not the republi cans would have continued to vote until the constitution was destroyed, rather than yield to their opponents a short lived triumph, and take for four years as president, the man them selves had selected as vice president, can never be known but if such had been the fact, posterity would have had cause to execrate their memories. Had such a catastrophe ensued, etill less would America have had occasion of gratitude to the TRIPOLITAN WAR. S93 other party. The republicans might alledge, that they voted PART IV. in obedience to the will of the people ; but no one pretended, periodT that -any freeman, in voting for an elector, or any elector in chap. y. voting for Mr. Burr, expected or wished that he should be ^-**-vj+*s president. To guard the future, the constitution was amended.* On the 4th of March, 1801, Mr. Jefferson was inauguated. 1801. On his accession to office, he departed from the example of ( Marcn*- his predecessors, and, instead of a speech delivered to the ofMrJeffer- two houses of congress in person, he sent to them a written son. message, which was first read in the senate, and then trans mitted to the house of representatives. The practice has been followed, and sanctioned by his successors. The principal offices of the government were now transfer- Mr. Msdj red to the republican party. Mr. Madison was appointed to ^wo^st**. the department of state. A bill was passed by congress, in accordance with the re commendation of the president, reorganizing the, judiciary department, by means of which the twelve judges, appointed during the last days of Mr. Adams' administration, were de prived of their offices. Another bill was passed, enlarging the rights of naturabzation. A second census of the United States was also completed ; Seoond^cen giving a population of 5,319,762, an increase of one million four hundred thousand in ten years. In the same time, the j;—,^ ^j exports increased from nineteen to ninety-four millions, and revenue the revenue, from 4,771,000 to 12,945,000 dollars. This ra pid advance in tbe career of prosperity, is unparalleled in the history of nations ; and it is to be attributed to the industrious and enterprising habits of the people, and their excellent laws and political institutions. During this year, congress declared war against Tripoli. In 1802, Ohio was admitted as an independent state into 1803. the Union. The territory of this state was originally claimed J^^'^ by Virginia and Connecticut, and was ceded by them to the t/nion. United States, at different times, after the year 1781. From this extensive and fertile tract of country, slavery was, by enact ment of the Continental Congress, in 1787, entirely excluded. In 1802, the port of New Orleans was closed against the I-ouisians United States. The king of Spain having ceded Louisiana ^jjj ^ to the French, the Spanish intendant was commanded to make franc* arrangements to deliver the country to the French commis sioners. In consequence of this order, the intendant an nounced that the citizens of the United States could no Ion- w?t^f|^ ger be permitted to deposit their merchandise and effects in the port of New Orleans. By this prohibition, the western states were in danger of suffering the ruin of their commerce ; and great agitation was excited in the public mind. Congress .( caused friendly and reasonable representations of the griev- .,- .; ances sustained, to be made to the court of Spain, and the right of deposit was restored. • ' * See Article XII. of the Amendments, p. 407. 294 PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA. CHAP. f. 1803. Louisiana wui-hased. PART IV. Aware of the difficulties and danger to which the United period i States would be exposed, while Louisiana remained in the possession of a foreign power, propositions had been made for procuring it by purchase. This was a subject of much dis cussion and feeling. But, by a treaty concluded at Paris, in 1 803, Louisiana, comprising all that immense region of coun try extending from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains, was acquired by the United States, as well as the free and ex clusive navigation of the river. The sum of fifteen millions of dollars was the sole price given for these newly acquired rights, which thus in a peaceful manner, nearly doubled the geographical importance of he nation, and therefore forms as important era in our history. PERIOD II. THE PURCHASE j 1 803 j OF LOU SUM THE CESSION j 1820. J OF FLORIDA. CHAPTER I. European affairs. — War with Tripoli.— Troubles with England and France. The semi-barbarous nations, which inhabit the southern shores of the Mediterranean, bad made depredations on the American commerce, and had taken and held in bondage, American citizens. On remonstrance, Tripoli intimated to the government, that their only method of securing themselves, was the payment of tribute. In prosecution of the war which ensued, Commodore Dale, with a squadron of two frigates and a sloop of war, was sent to the Mediterranean, where, blockading the harbor of Tripoli, he prevented the piratical cruisers from leaving it, and thus afforded protection to the American commerce. Early in the year 1803, congress sent out Commodore Preble, with a squadron of seven sail. In October, one of his ships, the Philadelphia, Captain Bainbridge, was sent into the harbor of Tripoli, to reconnoitre ; and while in pursuit of a small vessel, be unfortunately proceeded so far, that the frigate grounded, and feTl into the hands of the enemy. The officers were imprisoned, and the crew treated as slaves. Stephen Decatur, a lieutenant under Preble, conceived the bold design of re-capturing, or destroying the Philadelphia. Arming a small ketch, the Intrepid, he sailed from Syracuse, with seventy-six men, entered the harbor of Tripoli, and ad vancing secretly, took a station alongside of the frigate, which was moored within gunshot of the bashaw's castle, and of the principal battery. Some of the enemy's cruisers lay within two cable's length, and all the guns of the frigate were mount ed and loaded. Decatur sprang on board. His crew fol lowed, and rushing, sword in hand, upon the astonished and terrified Tripolitans, killed and drove them into the sea, and were soon masters of the frigate. The guns of the battery opened upon them, and the corsairs in the harbor .were ap proaching. They set fire to the Philadelphia, left her, and were soon out of the reach of their pursuers; having ac complished this daring enterprise without the loss of a singl*. man. PART IT 1801. War with Tripoli. 1803. Frigate Phil adelphia captured 1801. February. Decatur re captures and burns the Philadel phi a. «'6' GEN. BATONS EXPEDITION AGAINST DE.ri.NE. PART IV. PERIOD II. CHAP- I Eaton ob tains permis- ffioft to un dertake a bold, enter prise. 1805. April 27. He captures Derne. Victorious 0?er the Tri politan s. June 3. Peace with Tripoli. 1804. Hamilton b illed in a duel with Burr. In the month of August, Commodore Preble went three times into the harbor of Tripoli, and opened the broadsides of his fleet. Although some of the Tripolitan snipping was thus destroyed, yet no material impression was made upon the fortifications. Meantime, the barbarians treated the Ame rican prisoners, among whom were Captain Bainbridge and his crew, with such cruel indignities, that their country deeply commisserating their distresses, was ready to adopt any meas ure, which afforded a reasonable prospect of relief. In 1 803, Captain William Eaton, on bis return from Tunis, where he had been as consul, requested the government to permit his union with Hamet an elder and expelled brothei of the reigning bashaw of Tripoli. Permission was given, such supplies granted him as could be afforded, and the co operation of the fleet recommended. After reaching Malta he left the American fleet, and proceeded to Cairo and Alex andria, where he formed a convention with Hamet who hoped by attacking the usurper in his dominions, to legain his throne. For this purpose, an army was to be raised m Egypt, where Hamet had been kindly received, and presented with a mili tary command by the -Mameluke Bey. Early in 1803, Eaton was appointed general of Hamet's forces. From Egypt, he marched with a few hundred troops, principally Arabs, across a desert, one thousand miles in ex tent, to Derne, a Tripobtan city, on the Mediterranean. In this harbor he found the part of the American fleet destined to assist him. The next morning, he summoned the governor of Derne to surrender, who returned the bold answer, " My head or yours." He then assaulted the city, which, after a contest of two hours and a half, surrendered. Eaton was wounded, and his army had suffered severely, yet immediate exertions were made to fortify the city. On the 8th of May, it was attacked by a Tripolitan army, much more numerous than Eaton's, which after a severe con test of four hours, was compelled to retire. On the 10th of June, another battle was fought, in which Eaton was again victorious. The next day, the American frigate Constitution arrived in the harbor, and the Tripolitans fled to the desert. The bashaw now offered terms of peace, which were ac ceded to by Colonel Lear, the American consul at Tripoli. It was stipulated that an exchange of prisoners should take place ; and, as the bashaw had a balance of more than 200 in bis favor, he was to receive sixty thousand dollars. All support from Hamet was to be withdrawn ; but on his retiring from the territory, his wife and children, then in the power of the reigning bashaw, were to be given up to him. Thus ended the war in the Mediterranean. In July, 1804, occurred the death of General Alexander Hamilton. He died in a duel fought with Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States. Colonel Burr had addressed SERIOUS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AMERICA. J-J9t7 a letter to General Hamilton, requiring his denial or acknow- PART IV. ledgment of certain offensive expressions contained in a pub- period il lie journal. Hamilton declining to give either, Colonel Burr CHAP- l- sent him a challenge. They met, and Hamilton fell at the v-x-v*-*^ first fire. His death caused a deep sensation throughout the country. In the meantime, Mr. Jefferspn received his second presi- 1805. dential election ; and such was his popularity, that out of 176 Jeffers°;» votes,' he received 162. George Clinton, of New York, was ed president chosen vice-president. The wise policy of America had been eminently conspic- Neutrality uous in maintaining a steady system of neutrality, during the during'the whole of those wars which broke out in consequence of the wars of the French revolution. This neutrality enabled her to profit by Frl*"r.n reTO- the colonial commerce of France and Spain, as also by the whole of that branch of European trade, which, in conse quence of the general war, could not be cansported in native ships. France, in the meantime, had become a nation of Neutrals soldiers. She had repelled her invaders, and placed at the unjustly head of her repubbc a man whose vast mental powers and re- IhTbtlhiio- sources had acquired control over most of the European king- rents. doms. .Napoleon had made a stand against the maritime tyranny of Britain, while that nation, with equal vigor, re sisted his usurpations on land. Each party was intent on re paying blow for blow ; and each was regardless how great a part of the shock might faU on unoffending neutrals, so that any part of it should reach his antagonist. Nor was this all ; each belbgerent, resolutely bent" that other nations should make common cause, made it understsood, that whatever nation should fail of resenting the injuries of his enemy, should be injured by him. On two subjects Britain and America were at issue. One Disputes be was respecting what the former power denominated " the right t™e.en. Gref „ n „ , -i - -i • iii -i xJn.am and of search ; by which on various pretences, she had so long America. haughtily assumed, and exercised an authority to search the Tlle „ rf ^ vessels of other nations. Another subject in dispute was, that of search." of expatriation. England maintained, that a man, once a sub ject, was always a subject ; and that no act of his could change his allegiance to the government under which he was born. America, with a more liberal policy, held that man . was born free ; and if, when he arrived at years of reflection, tion. he preferred sdme other government to that of his native land, he had a right to* withdraw himself, and break the bonds im posed by his birth. In pursuance of these different princi ples, America received and adopted as her sons, all who, in compbance with the forms of her laws, sought her hospita ble protection. Hence, there were those, who being born in Great Britain, were claimed by that government as her subjects ; while at the same time, having resided in America. and become naturalized, they were as much regarded as 21 298 ENGLISH AND FRENCH ORDERS AND DECREES. PART IV. her citizens, as if they had drawn their first breath upon period 11. her soil. chap. i. These opinions were convenient to the British statesmen ^-**-v~*s in defending the impressment of American seamen. Officers of British ships, in the exercise of the pretended right of search, entered American vessels, and impressed from thence certain seamen, whom they claimed as subjects, because they 1806. were born in Great Britain; while the same men, having be- tmpressment come naturalized in America, were there regarded as citizens. seamen. Tbe practice of impressment, thus begun, did not howevei end here, but proceeded to extremes that were unjustifiable on any principles. The native citizens of America were wantonly confounded with her adopted ones, by the domineer ing officers of the British navy ; and a cry was heard through out the land, of American famibes who mourned for their rel atives, thus forcibly seized and detained in the worst of bond age. French and America, thus harassed, was meditating measures for the English de- ,jefense 0f her commerce, when she received, from both the belligerents, fresh cause of provocation. Great Britain, un der the administration of Charles Fox, issued a proclamation, May, 1806, blockading the coast of the continent, from Elbe to Brest. The French government, exasperated at this meas ure, retaliated by the decree issued at Berbn, November, 21st declaring the British Isles, in a state of blockade. Thus each nation dt-clared, in effect, that no neutral should trada with the other. In 1807, the public attention was again directed to Colonel Burr. He had lost the confidence of the republican party, by his supposed intrigues against Mr. Jefferson, for the office ol entorprisTof president ; and he had excited the indignation of the whole Colonel federal party, by his encounter with Hamilton. Thus situa- Burr- ted, he had retired as a private citizen into the western states. It was at length, understood, that he was at the head of a great number of individuals, who were arming and organizing themselves ; purchasing and building boats on the Ohio. Their ostensible object, peaceful and agricultural, was to form a settlement on the banks of the Washita, in Louisiana. 1807. ^ut tne*r movements indicated other designs. At length, Burr Burr is ap- was apprehended on the Tombigbee river, in February, 1807, prehended, brought to Richmond, under military escort, and committed, '"quitted.''0* m order to take his trial upon two charges exhibited against him, on the part of the United States. First, for a high mis demeanor, in setting on foot, within the United States, a mili tary expedition against the king of Spain, with whom the republic was at peace ; second, for treason -in assembling an armed force, with a design to seize the city of New Orleans to revolutionize the territory attached to it, and to separate the Atlantic states from the western. In August, after a trial be- AFFAIR OF THE CHESAPEAKE. 299 fore Judge Marshall, the chief-justice of the United States, PART IV. sufficient evidence of his guilt not being presented, he was period ii acquitted by tho jury. CHAPTER II. War with England. The frigate Chesapeake, commanded by Com. Barron, hav- 1807. ing been ordered on a cruise, sailed from Hampton Roads on Un'0tnrat|t the22d of June. She had proceeded but a few leagues from Chesapeake the coast, when she was overtaken by the British ship-of-war, Leopard. A British officer came on board, with an order from Vice-Admiral Berkely, to take from the Chesapeake three men, alledged to be deserters from the Melampus frigate. These men, were American citizens, who had been impressed by the British, but had deserted, and enlisted in the service of their country. Commodore Barron replied in terms of polite ness, but refused to have his crew mustered for examination. The American commodore was not prepared for an at tack so near the Capes ; but, during this interview, he noticed hostile movements on board the Leopard, and gave imme diate orders to prepare for action. But before efficient pre- June 22. paration could be made, the Leopard opened her broadside. Commodore After receiving her fire about thirty minutes, during which, strikesTcftlw the Americans bad three men killed, and eighteen wound- Leopard. ed, Commodore Barron ordered his colors to be struck. An officer from the Leopard came on board, and took four men, the three who had been previously demanded, and another, who they affirmed, had deserted from a merchant vessel. Com modore Barron observed, that he considered the Chesapeake a prize to the Leopard. The officer replied " No," he had obeyed his orders in taking out the men, and had nothing fur ther to do with her. This event produced great excitement. That rancor of party which had so long embittered all the intercourse of social life, was lost in the general desire to avenge a common wrong. The president, by proclamation, commanded all British armed vessels within the harbors or waters of the United States, to depart from the same without delay, and prohibited others from entering. Mr. Monroe, the American minister in London, was instructed to demand rep aration ; and a special congress was called. In November, Great Britain issued her orders in council, a q^-^jj, measure declared to be in retaliation of the French decree of counc;i j* November,' 1806. These prohibited all neutral nations from sued. trading with France, or her allies, except upon the condition 21* aoo THE EMBARGO. MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. PART IV. 1807. Dec. 22. Embargo laid Mr. Can ning. Mr. Rose. 1809. Mr. Madison 'i3 elected president. March. Embargo re pealed. Non-inter course sub stituted. March 23. 1 lecree of Rambouillet. Arrange ment with Mr. Erskine. of paying tribute to England. This was immediately follow ed by a decree of Napoleon, at Milan, which declared thai every vessel which should submit to be searched, or pay trib ute to the English, should be confiscated if found within his ports. Thus was the commerce of America subjected to utter ruin, as almost all her vessels were, on some of these pretences, liable to capture. Congress after warm debates, resorted to an embargo on their own vessels, as a measure best fitted to the crisis. It would effectually secure the mercantile prop erty, and the mariners now at home, and also those who were daily arriving ; and at the same time it would not be a meas ure of war, or a just cause of hostility. Mr. Monroe was instructed not only to demand satisfaction for the Chesapeake, but to obtain security against future in> pressments from American ships. Mr. Canning, the British minister, objected to uniting these subjects, and Mr. Monroe was not authorized to treat them separately. . Mr. Rose was sent out envoy-extraordinary to the United States, to adjust the difficulty which had arisen on account of the Chesapeake. In 1808, Commodore Barron was tried for prematurely sur rendering that frigate, and suspended for five years. In 1809, Mr. Jefferson's second term of office having ex pired, he declared his wish to retire from public life. Mr. Madison, was elected president, and Mr. George Clinton 6? New York was re-elected vice-president. In the meantime the embargo met the most violent opposi tion, throughout the country. The commercial states inveigh ed against it as ruinous ; bringing in its train poverty and distress. Opportunities of infringing it were seized ; and its restrictions could not be enforced, in the eastern states, with out the aid of a military force. Thus circumstanced, the government repealed the embargo law, and sustituted another, prohibiting for one year all intercourse with France or Great Britain, with a proviso, that should either of the hostile na tions revoke her edicts, so that the neutral commerce of the United States should be no longer violated, the president should immediately make it known by proclamation, and from that time the non-intercourse law should cease to be enforced, as it regarded that nation. On pretence of retaliating upon America for submitting to the outrages of England, Napoleon issued his decree ol Rambouillet, which authorized the seizure and confiscation oi American vessels which were then in the ports of France, or might afterwards enter, excepting those charged with des patches to the government. In April, a treaty was concluded with Mr. Erskine, the British minister at Washington, which engaged on the part oi Great Britain, that the orders in couhcil, so far as fhey affected the United States, should be withdrawn. The British min- THE TWIN BROTHERS. SOT istry refused their sanction, alledging tbat their mini._ter,(whom PART IV. they recalled,) had exceeded his powers. His successor, Mr. period il Jackson, insinuated in a correspondence with the secretary of CHAP- "• state, that the American government . knew that Mr. Erskine ^•"•v^-' was not authorized to make the arrangement. This was dis tinctly denied by the secretary, but being repeated by Mr. Jackson, the, president declined further intercourse. In May, 1810, the non-intercourse law expired, and gov- ernme?.'; made proposals to both the belligerents, that, if either would revoke its hostile edicts, this law should only be re- 1810. vived and enforced against tbe other nation. France repealed French d« her decrees, and the president issued a proclamation on the e(j. 2d of November, in which he declared that all the restric tions imposed by the non-intercourse law should cease in re lation to France and her dependencies. The population of the United States, by the census of 1810, was 7,239,903. Among the occurrences produced at that period of excite- 1811. ment by British ships, hovering on our coasts, was an encoun- May 16. ter off Cape Charles, between the American frigate President, ^United commanded by Commodore Rogers, and the British sloop of States war, Little Belt, commanded by Captain Bingham. The at- frig?te P«- tack was commenced by the Little Belt, but she was soon ' en disabled, and thirty-two of her men either killed or wounded. The appearance of a hostile confederacy and menacing .Indians con» preparations had been discovered among the Indians on the me!j.c? noa" western frontier. At its head was the great chief Tecumseh and his twin brother Elskwatawa. It seems probable that in boyhood these two remarkable savages laid a scheme for di viding between them, not only the sovereignty of their own warbke nation the Shawanese, but that of all the border con federacies. Tecumseh, who appears to have been the mas- Tecumseh ter-spirit, took upon himself the departments of war and elo- t^J.?w* quence, success in these being the road to eminence and chieftainship ; but in order to hold enslaved the minds of his countrymen by their strong bent to superstition, Elskwatawa was to invest himself with the sacred and mysterious charac ter, and to bear the name of " the Prophet." Pretending to be favored with direct and frequent communications from the Great Spirit, he by tricks and austerities, gained belief, and drew around him the awe-struck Indians from great distan ces. He then began a species of drill, whose object seems to have been to discipbne them to obedience and union. He ordered them to kill their dogs, and these faithful animals Specimen were instantly sacrificed. They must not, he said, permit ° ^^l' theii fires, to go out ; and at once the fire of every wigwam was watched as by vestals. Then, to make them independent of the whites, the Prophet commanded, that even the blanket should be laid aside, and the Indians dre->s only in skins. While the Prophet thus manifested^ that priestcraft in its 302 HARRISON AT TIPPECANOE. PART IV. worst form, may inhabit the desert as well as the city, Te- period ii. cumseh was going from one Indian confederacy to another, chap. ii. and by his eloquence inflaming their minds against the whites. >-x^-^-' They were intruders, he said, upon a soil, which as it had formerly belonged to their fathers, (not to any one tribe 01 in dividual, but to all, therefore none had a right to alienate it,) so it still belonged to the descendants by right of inheritance. He did not, like Philip, believe it possible to exterminate the entire white population, but he thought the combined Indian Tecumseh's Power might suffice to set them their bounds. He wished arguments the principle to be acknowledged by all the Indians, that their and exer-; collective right to the soil was unalienable, and that as such up the Indl- ll was t0 De defended to the last extremity. So bold a plan aus. could not but meet opposition, and especially from some of the more independent and virtuous of the chiefs, who rebelled against the double tyranny to which these two brothers were gradually subjugating their tribes. To be rid of these trouble some men, Elskwatawa pretended a gift from the Great Spirit of discerning wizards ; and immediately some of the oldest and best of the surrounding chiefs were denounced and mur dered by order of the brothers. Thus was taken off Tetaboxti, a Delaware chief of eighty, and Tahre " The Crane," the oldest Indian in the western coun try. But none of these executions is more striking than that of the exemplary Wyandot chief, called the Leather-Lips, Theciuel- aged sixty-three. The Prophet had declared him a wizard, '"d hXerh an(* wrt^witn sent a neighboring chief with four warriors to Prophet on6 dispatch him. They found him at his home, and announced the chiefs, their bloody errand. He expostulated and entreated, but in vain. His grave is dug by the side of his wigwam, and be fore his eyes. He is allowed time to attire himself as be came a chieftain about to depart on his last journey. Then the two chiefs kneeling beside the open grave, the messen ger offers up a prayer to the Great Spirit. The victim then bent over his grave, and was tomahawked by the young war riors behind him. Indian war- The brothers watching the attitude of Great Britain and the nWab°a"h'he United States, and believing that an opportunity for them to attack would soon occur, were collecting their foUowers on 1811 {^e WaDasn- Governor Governor Harrison, of the Indiana territory, was directed to Harrison march against them with a military force, consisting of regu- ""them1"8' lars- under the command of Colonel Boyd, united with the militia of the territory. On the 7th of November, he met a number of the Prophet's messengers at Tippecanoe, and a sus pension of hostilities was agreed upon until the next day. Nov. 7. wnen an interview was to be had with him and his chiefs. Battle of Warned by the sad fate of so many American armies, 'fSs°e' General Harrison formed his men in order of battle ; and they defeated, thus reposed upon (heir arms. Just before day, the faithless INSIDIOUS ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE THE UNION. 308 savages rushed upon them. But the war-whoop was not un- PART IV. expected. The Americans stood, repelled the shock, and re- period il pulsed the assailants. CHAP- "• Their loss was, however, severe, being about 180 in killed ^^-^-^ and wounded. That of the Indians was 170 killed, and 100 wounded. Tecumseh was not in this battle, but was still among distant tribes inciting them to war. He had not ex pected that the whites would strike the first blow. t.181*' Mr. Foster, succeeded Mr. Jackson, and during the sum- maKSe mer, the controversy respecting the Chesapeake was adjusted ; attack on the the British government agreeing to make provision for those chesaPeake seamen who were disabled in the engagement, and for the families of those trho were killed. The two surviving sailors, who were taken from the Chesapeake, were to be restored. But the British right to search American vessels and to impress American seamen, if native-born Britons, was still maintained ; and the orders in council were enforced with the greatest rigor British vessels were, for this purpose, stationed before many of tbe principal harbors in the United States. The French decrees being annulled, commerce had begun with France, and American vessels, richly laden, were cap- American tured by the British. Not less than nine hundred had thus losses. fallen into their hands, since the year 1803. Further forbearance, under such great and repeated inju ries, seemed but to invite further insult and aggression, and when congress assembled in November, the president, in laying before them the state of foreign relations, recommended that the United States should be placed in an attitude of de- Preparation. fense. The representatives acted in accordance with these views. Provision was made for the increase of the regular army to 35,000 men, and for the enlargement of the navy A law was enacted, empowering the president to borrow eleven mibions of dollars ; the duties on imported goods were doubled, and taxes were subsequently laid on domestic manufactures, and nearly all descriptions of property. On the 25th of February, Mr. Madison laid before congress, j§j 2. copies of certain documents, which proved, that on the 6th of Feb. 25. February, 1809, the British government, by its agent, Sir Jo,hnd?ie£ lames Craig, governor of Canada, had sent John Henry as an sure. emissary to the United States, for the express purpose of in sidiously destroying its government, by effecting, if possible, the disunion of its parts. The service for which Henry was employed, was to intrigue with the leading members of the federal party, draw them into direct communication with the governor of Canada, and lead them, if possibly, to form the eastern part of the union into a nation, or province, dependent on Great Britain. Henry proceeded through Vermont and New Hampshire to Henry's se- Boston, which was his ultimate destination ; but he returned cret ml9"™i ¦without effecting :n any degree, his purpose. This failure he 304 DECLARATION OF WAR. PART IV. attributed solely to the readiness which Mr. Madison had period ii. manifested to meet the conciliatory propositions of Mr. Ers- chap. in. kme, which took from its opponents the power of making him ,-x"-v~^-' and his administration odious to the people, by representing to them that he was in the interest of France. Henry having vainly sought from Great Britain, remuneration for this dis honorable service, disclosed the whole transaction to tha 1811 American government, for which he was paid fifty thousand rt is -wholly dollars, out of the contingent fund for foreign intercourse. unauccess- -phis treacherous attempt, made by England in time of peace, was regarded with abhorrence, by the virtuous of both parties, and was among the causes which led to the war, which soon ensued.* * Among those who then sought to divide our Union was Sir Arthur Wellesley, since Duke of Wellington. Such facts increase the probability that later accounts of British politicians seeking to divide the Union by the slavery question, may be true. ful. 1812. April. Embargo laid. June 18. War de clared against Great Brit- The presi dent's mani festo de clares and shows just reasons for Altered con dition of America since the revolution. CHAPTER III. War of 1812. — Condition of the Country. In April, congress laid an embargo for ninety days upon all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. Although preparations were making for war, a hope was yet cherished, that some change of policy in the British cabinet would render them unnecessary; but no such occurring, on the 18th of June, 1812, war with Great Britain was formally declared. The reasons of the war were stated by the president, in an able manifesto. They were, British excesses, in violating the American flag on the great highway of nations, — the impress ment of American seamen ;— harassing American vessels as they were entering their own harbors, or departing from them, and wantonly spilling the blood of the citizens of America, within the limits of her territorial jurisdiction ;-Mssuing or ders, by which the ports of the enemies of Great Britain were .blockaded, and not supporting these blockades by the ade quate application of fleets to render them legal, and enforcing them from the date of their proclamation ; in consequence of which American commerce had been plundered on every sea, and her products cut off from their legitimate markets ;-r-em- ploying secret agents to subvert the government, and dismem ber the union ; — and finally encouraging the Indian tribes to hostility. Against this declaration, the representatives of tho federal party, constituting a small minority in congress, en tered their solemn protest. The circumstances of the country at the beginning of this war, were, however, far different from those which attended that of the revolution. A government had been established, which, unlike the congress of that period, could not only re commend, but enforce. The number of inhabitants had in- THE NATION NOT PREPARED FOR WAR. 305 creased from about three millions to nearly eight, and the pe cuniary resources of the republic had advanced in a ratio yet greater. But there were points, in which our fathers of the revolu tion were in a more advantageous situation for war, than that "f their descendants, thirty-seven years afterwards. In 1775, the Americans were comparatively a warlike people. They bad been obliged to be constantly on the alert, to defend them selves from savage foes ; and they had just emerged from a contest, which had given practical experience of the difficul ties and hardships of war, and the consequent ability to face its dangers, and endure its fatigues. That war had moreover been eminently calculated, both by its misfortunes and suc cesses, to impart sound maxims in the military art ; both by tbe shameful inertness and disasters of its first campaigns, and the energy and brilliant successes of the last. The disgrace of Braddock, and the glory of Wolfe, were still fresh and in spiring ; and it was amidst the scenes of that war that the military character of the leader of the revolutionary army, and that of many of his officers, were formed. On the contrary, in 1812, a season of thirty years of peace and prosperity had enervated th§ nation. Most of the officers of the revolution slept in honored graves; and that a few re mained, (not of those most distinguished) proved a source of misfortune ; for they had their pretensions, and were prefer red to younger and abler men. During Mr. Jefferson's administration, economy was the order of the day. Every possible retrenchment of national expenditure was adopted ; and among other measures of this nature, was the curtailing of tbe army and navy. Although a spirit of prudence in money affairs is highly commendable, and though it was at that period popular, and in many respects useful to the country, yet it may now be doubted, whether, in this instance, it did not degenerate into that penny-wisdom and pound-foolishness, which is as little consistent with the best interests of a nation, as with those of an individual. The national debt, it is true, was by these measures reduced from $75,000,000 to $36,000,000 ; but by the increased expendi tures of the war of 1812, '13, and '14, "it amounted, in 1816, to $123,000,000 ; a sum exceeding by $47,000,000, its ori ginal amount. It is probable, that many of the misfortunes of the country might have been spared, by maintaining, during peace, a better state of preparation for war, and a sum of money eventually saved, far greater than the amount of the retrenchment. In 1808, the regular army consisted of only 3,000 men ; but during that year, the government, alarmed by tbe increas ing aggressions of the European powers, increased it to nine thousand. The act to raise an additional force of 25,000, was passed so short a time previous to tb » declaration of war, PART IV. 1813. Providential circumstan ces favora- bJe to the American revolution ists. A mis take in the appointment of old men to take the chief com mand in tha army. Penny-wl» dom and pound-fool ishness. Military force of tits UnitedStates 30t> WEAK (STATE OF THE A.RMY AND NAVY. PART IV. that not more than one-fourth of the number were enlisted at period n. that time ; and those were, of course, raw and undisciplined. chap. in. Xn addition to the regular army, the president was authorized ,—«i^v^»-' to call on the governors of the states for detachments of mili- 1812. tia, to an amount not exceeding 100,000, and to accept the Condition of servjces 0f anv number of volunteers, not exceeding 50,000. the army. _ , J , ,. , /¦ i_ ¦ But the actual force, at the commencement of the war in 1812, was small, and the troops were wholly inexperienced. This army had not that high tone of public feeling, which made the soldiers of the revolution a band of heroes. The occasion, though important, was not so awfully momentous. The admin- Indeed, the administration, reluctant to change its pacific and iosM-he1 best economical policy, had unwisely suffered the highest state of moment for public excitement for tbe injuries of Britain to pass away, be- declanng wre tm3 declaration of war. The nation felt so keenly war' wounded by the outrage upon the Chesapeake, that it would on that occasion have moved in its united majesty, to the vindication of its rights. But while they temporized, Eng land had shrewdly allayed that feeling ; and the money- loving spirit, which the administration bad formerly too much courted, was now offended by the operation of its restrictive system. Its political enemies took advantage of every subject of discontent; and such opposition to its measures was excited, as, in a degree, pajalized its exertions. State of the The state of fhe revenue in 1812, was extremely unfavora- rsvenue. ble to the prosecution of an expensive war. Derived almost solely from duties on merchandise imported, it was abundant in a state of commercial prosperity ; but in time of war and trouble, the aggressions of foreign powers, while they produ ced an increase of public expenditure, almost destroyed the means of defraying it. The navy in The condition of the navy was better than that of tbe army. a better con- The situation of the United States, as a maritime and com- theamiy? mercial nation, had kept it provided with seamen, who, in time of war, being transferred from merchant to warlike ves sels, were already disciplined to naval operations. The re cent contest with the Barbary states, had given to the officers and men, some experience in war ; and their successes had inspired them with confidence in themselves. The navy was, however, very small. Many enterprising individuals of the republic, did, in the course of the war, convert their mer chant ships into privateers ; but, at its beginning, ten frigates, ten sloops, and one hundred and sixty-five gunboats, was all the public naval force which America could oppose to the thou sand ships of the mistress of the ocean. General Among the few surviving officers of the revolutionary war, Dearborn, was Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, who was appointed in^cWef. major-general and commander-in-chief of the American army. His head-quartefs were a Gic-enbush, on the Hudson river opposite Albany. MISTAKES IN THE CHOICE OF OFFICERS. 807 CHAPTER IV. Hull's unfortunate invasion and surrendsr. The plan of the campaign, which was formed at Washing- PiRTjV. Ion, had, for its ultimate object, the invasion of Montreal. It period a was intended to invade, simultaneously, at Detroit and Ni- chap. iv. agara, and that the armies from these places should be joined, ^^^-^j on the way, by a force stationed at Plattsburg. The army destined for Detroit, was collected at Dayton, in Ohio, some time before the declaration of war. The presi- , ?~j^Jn dent of the United States had made a requisition for 1,200 north-west, men on the governor of that state. The number was imme- their num- diately filled by volunteers, who were divided into three regi- c^Jnanued ments, commanded by colonels M'Arthur, Cass, and Findlay. by Hull. These troops were joined by 300 regulars under Colonel Miller. The command of this army was given to General Hull, a captain during the revolution, now governor of Michigan. He, proceeding to Detroit to await further orders, moved his forces from Dayton about the middle of June. Traversing an unculti- uStn^l. vated region, they were obbged to remove obstructions, and it Maumjse, was not till the 30th, that they reached the rapids of the Juiie 3!>- Maumee. Four days previous, Hull had received, by express, a letter from Mr. Eustis, secretary of war, written on the napyfsct morning of the 18th, the day on which war was declared, not yet ac- Strange as it may seem, this letter merely reiterated former °°™ted fol- orders, and contained expressions which indicated that the declaration would soon be made. Expecting to be informed, by express, whenever this should actually occur, and not dreaming that the British could be in possession of such important intelligence, from the American government, earlier than himself ; Hull, for the purpose of dis encumbering his army, and facilitating their march, hired a vessel to convey to Detroit his sick, his hospital stores, and a considerable part of his baggage. This vessel, which sailed on the 1st of July, fell into the hands of the British, who had been two or three days in possession of the information that war was declared. With Hull's private baggage, had been placed on board the vessel, what he should have better n^3a3r ^EL guarded, his trunk of papers ; by means of which the enemy trouble became possessed of his confidential correspondence with the government, and the returns of his officers, showing the num ber and condition of his troops. The intelbgence of the declaration of war, General Hull re- July 2. ceived on the 2d of July, in a second letter from Mr. Eustis, Learns thai /l-u ii*i i it 'i war is ae of June 18th, which was not sent by- express, but by mail. ciared HULL S INVASION. I: PART IV. 1812 Hull ad- Tances, and leaves the enemy's for tress of Mai den in his July 9. Hull re ceives dis cretionary orders to in vade. July 12. Hull invades Canada, and issues a proclama tion. July 15. Colonel Cass at the river aux Canards. Van Home's party de feated. July 17. Mackinaw taken by British and Indians. Tbe fortress of Maiden, or Amherstburg, on the British side of Detroit river near its entrance into lake Erie, was gar risoned by six hundred men, and commanded by Colonel St George. It was the strong hold of the British, and their In dian allies, for the province of Upper Canada. On the oppo site American shore, the road through which Hull must receive his supplies, passed through the Indian village of Brownstown. But they would be liable to be cut off, as the British, having command of the waters, could, at any time land detachments from Maiden, on the opposite side. Thus, for Hull to proceed from the Rapids to Detroit, was to advance, and leave an enemy's fortress in his rear. The orders of the secretary of war, that he should proceed, were, however, ex plicit ; and, pursuant thereto, he continued his march, and reached Detroit on the 5th of July. On the 9th, General Hull received a letter from Mr. Eustis, saying that " should the force under your command be equal to the enterprise, and consistent with the safety of your own posts, you will take possession of Maiden, and extend your conquests as circumstances will allow." The general replied that he did not think his force equal to tbe reduction of Mai den ; that the British commanded the water and the savages ; yet he said he should pass the river in a few days. General Hull crossed into Canada on the 12th of July, and directing his march southerly, took post at Sandwich, from whence he issued a bold and imposing proclamation, which backed by the presence of an army, had tbe desired effect. The Indians were awed into neutrality, and the Canadians generally favorable to the American cause, either remained quietly at home, or joined their ranks. The troops continued inactive at Sandwich, awaiting some heavy artillery, which was in preparation at Detroit. On the 15th, Colonel Cass, with colonels Miller and M'Arthur, and a detachment of 280 men, attacked and defeated a British guard at the river aux Canards, four miles from Maiden, and obtained possession of a bridge, highly important to the Ame ricans, as securing their access to the enemy's fortress. But no persuasion would induce the general to sanction their guar ding and retaining it. Governor Meigs apprised General Hull that he had sent Captain Brush, by the way of the river Raisin, with provis ions for the army. The general detached Major Van Home, with 200 men, to hold in check a party of British and In dians, which had been sent from Maiden, to intercept the sup plies. Tecumseh, at the head of his Indians, ambushed his path, and fell upon the Americans with such violence, that thirty were either killed or wounded, and the remainder fled to Detroit. The important fortress of Mackinaw had been left unheed ed by the government, with. a garrison of only fifty-seven men, HULLS INDECISION. 30» Lieutenant Hanks, its commander, yet uninformed ol he de claration of war, was, on the 17th, summoned, by a party of one thousand British and Indians, to surrender : and he con sidered himself fortunate, while he gave up the fort, to obtain for his little corps the honors of war. Hull received intelligence of this disaster, and believed that hordes of savages, stirred up by Tecumseh, and by other British agents, were coming down upon him. Unexpected news of the American cabinet, yet not from it, filled him with entire dismay. A partial armistice had been made, which affected the north-eastern frontier, but in which his army was not included ; and now, instead of the promised diversion in his favor by an attack on the Niagara frontier, the whole British force in Lower Canada would doubtless be concentrated against him, with those in the upper province. The artibery was ready for the attack of Maiden, but the heart of the general had failed. The eyes of the patriot and soldier, were closed, while those of tbe father, and the pater nal governor, saw in fancied vision, his beloved daughter and grandchildren at Detroit, already bleeding, the victims of sav age barbarity. With deep chagrin, and even mutinous dis satisfaction, his officers and soldiers received his peremp tory order to retreat from Maiden, and return to Detroit ; where on the 8th of August, the army arrived. General Hub, on the same day, sent 600 of his best troops, under Colonel MiUer, to meet and escort Captain Brush, with his provisions. In the woods of Maguaga, a British, united with an Indian force, both under Tecumseh, was drawn up to meet him. The fight was severe. The British fled, while Tecumseh, with his Indians, still kept the ground, but at length the whole force was routed. The enemy returned in their vessels to Maiden ; and MiUer, having lost eighty men, was recalled by Hull to Detroit, be having learned that Captain Brush had taken a different route. Hull now proposed to retreat with bis army, to some place near the rapids of the Maumee, but to this his officers, already so much dissatisfied with his ill-timed retreat, as to be on the eve of a mutiny, utterly dissented. To insure the safe arrival of the provisions, another party of 350, under colonels Cass and M' Arthur, were sent out. Fearing for the safety of his fort, General Hull had, on the 9th, sent orders to Captain Heald, the commander at Chicago, to evacuate that place, and conduct the garrison to Detroit. Accordingly, on the morning of the 15th, he set out with about seventy Americans, and fifty friendly Indians, escorting seve ral women and children. At a small distance from the fort, they were attacked by a party of between four and five hun dred savages The little band made a desperate resistance, but they were overpowered by numbers, and thirty-six of the men, two women, and twelve children were slain during the 22 PART IV Hull is alarmed not without cause. 1812. Aug. 8. Hull returns to Detroit Aug. 9. MiUer de feats Te cumseh .at Maguaga. Hull pro poses to re treat. Aug. 13. Cass and M 'Arthur sent out Aug. 15. Chicago sur rendered, and the gar rison defeat ed by ths Indians 3|iO DISGRACEFUL SURRENDER OF DETROIT. f ART IV. engagement. The remainder surrendered, under promise of period n protection from " Blackbird," an Indian chief of the Potta- chap. iv. Wattamie nation. Captain Heald, with his wife and child, after- ^T*~*s wards escaped from the savages, and were protected by the English. 1812 ®n tfle 13th, five days after the armistice on the Niagara Aug. 13. frontier was to take effect, General Brock, the most active and Brock ar_ able of the British commanders in Canada, arrived at Maiden "British to take command of the British forces. Previous to his arri- camp. ya^ a party under Colonel Proctor, who had succeeded Colonel St. George, in the command at Maiden, had taken a position on the river opposite Detroit, and proceeded to fortify the bank, without interruption from the Americans. On the 14th, Gen eral Brock arrived at Sandwich, and on the 15th, he sent a flag, bearing a summons to the American general to surren der ; in which he says, " it is far from my intention to join in Hesujnmoits-a war of extermination, but you must be aware that the nu- Hull- $> skj» merous body of Indians, who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond my control, the moment the contest commences." To this General Hull answered, " I have no other reply to make, than that I am prepared to meet any force which may be at your disposal." General Brock immedi ately opened his batteries upon the town and fort, and several persons within were killed. The fire was returned with some effect by the Americans. Their general greatly alarm ed, now sent out an express, commanding the immediate re turn of tbe detachment under M' Arthur and Cass. Early in the morning of the 16th, the British crossed the river, landed, at Spring Wells, three miles below Detroit, and Perplexity, immediately marched towards the fort. Hull was perplexed andsmidity. an<^ agitated. He believed that resistance would be vain, and ultimately lead to the barbarities of an Indian massacre. Yet he was not insensible to the disgrace of surrendering without an effort, and even at this critical moment, he was wavering and indecisive in his operations. At first bis troops were drawn up in order of battle without the fort, his artillery was advan tageously planted, and his army waited the approach of the enemy, full of the confidence of victory. The British were within five hundred yards of their lines, when suddenly HuU gave the order to retire immediately to tbe fort. The indigna tion of the army broke forth, and all subordination ceased. They crowded in, and without any order from the general, stacked their arms, some'dashing them with violence upon the ground. Many of the soldiers wept. Even the spirit of the women rose indignant, and they declared, in impotent wrath ^ 16 that the fort should not be surrendered. Hull, perceiving that HuU sarren- he had no longer any authority, and believing that the Indians der* Botroit. were ready to fall upon the inhabitants, was anxious to put the place under the protection of the British. A white flag was hung out upon the walls of the for.. Two British ofli- THE CONSTITUTION CAPTURES A BRITISH FRIGATE. 311 cers rode up, and a capitulation was concluded by Hull with PART IV the must unbecoming haste. His officers were not consulted ; period ii. he made no stipulations for the honors of war for his army, CHAP- '¦ nor any provision for the safety of his Canadian allies. All -^"•v"*-' the public property was given up ; the regular troops were surrendered as prisoners of war ; the militia were to return to their homes, and not to serve again during the war, unless exchanged. Cass and M' Arthur arrived immediately after the capitula tion, and surrendered agreeably to its conditions. Captain Brush took the resolution not to regard the stipulation which had included him, and marched his party back to Ohio. The number of effective men at Detroit, at the time of its surrender, is stated by General Hull in his official report, not to have exceeded 800 ; while the force of tbe enemy is said to have been at least double the number. General Brock, in his report to Sir George Prevost, states bis force to have been 1,300, of whom 700 were Indians. General Hull being exchanged, was prosecuted by the go vernment of the United States, and arraigned before a tribunal, of which General Dearborn was president. He was acquit- Hull re- ted of treason, but sentenced to death for cowardice and ceives sen- unofficer-like conduct. The criminal under sentence of death , te"ce. of . was not, however, imprisoned, but sent without a guard from pardoned. Albany, where tbe court-martial assembled, to his residence in the vicinity of Boston, to await there the decision of the president of the United States ; to whose mercy the court, in consequence of his revolutionary services, recommended him. The president remitted the punishment of death, but deprived him of all military command. CHAPTER V. Naval successes. On the 19th of August, three days after the disgraceful sur- Aug. 19 render of Detroit, an event occurred, which, in a measure, Constitution healed the wounded pride of the Americans. This was the "Guerriere * capture of the British frigate Guerriere, under the command of Cap .am Dacres, by the American frigate Constitution, com manded by Captain Hud, which took place off the Grand Bank of Newfoundland. The captain of the British frigate, previous to the rencounter, had challenged any American ves sel of her class, and the officers, in variouei ways, manifested their contempt of " the Yankees." On the approach of the Guerriere, Captain Hull gave orders to receive her occasional broadsides without returning the fire, and his crew calmly 812 BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN. PART IV. obeyed his orders, although some of their companions were period n. falling at their guns. Having his enemy near, and bis posi- chaf. v. tion favorable, Hull commanded his men to fire broadside after •-*~v^-' broadside, in quick succession. This was done, .and with such precision and effect, that in thirty minutes, the Guerriere had her masts and rigging shot away, and her hulk so injured that she was in danger of sinking. Sixty-five of her men were kiUed, and sixty-three wounded, when Captain Dacres struck his colors. Tbe Constitution had but seven killed, and seven wounded. The captured vessel was so much injured, that she could not be got into port, and was burned. Several of the officers were promoted by congress, and fifty thousand dollars were distributed among the crew, as a recompense fo/ the loss of their prize. Captain Porter, of the United States frigate Essex, captured Sept 7 °ff tne Grand Bank of Newfoundland, the British sloop of war Alert, after an action of only eight minutes. The militia of the state of New York now in the service of the United States, amounted to about 5,000, and were Army of the mostly stationed on the Niagara frontier, under the command Lewiston. °f General Van Rensselaer whose head-quarters were at Lewiston. Here operations, which had they been earlier set on foot might have saved the army of Hull, were at this time, without any good reason, attempted. The militia being flat tered into self-consequence by demagogues, and valiant in words, beset their general for permission to perform the bold deed of crossing over the Niagara and invading Canada. Accordingly, on the 1 1th of October, General Van Rens- A ran of the selaer gave orders for a detachment to cross, but the weather firo^LewTs- being tempestuous, the attempt was defeated. In the evening ton to of the 12th, the army was reinforced by 300 regulars, under ^°™s' the command of Colonel Christie. On the 13th, a party crossed over, headed by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer. Oct. 13. "phe troops were formed upon the shore. The enemy al- A.rc .BXDOSGQ. to a galling tacked them from a position which enfiladed their ranks, cut fire. down many, especially officers, and threatened entire destruc tion. Colonel Van Rensselaer was wounded severely. Captain Wool, on whom, as then senior officer of the regular troops, the command devolved, was also bleeding with his atGutens-5 wounds. Seeking Van Rensselaer, he represented the criti- towu taken cal situation of the troops ; and volunteered for any service bTderPCay wn*ctt might relieve them. Col. Van Rensselaer directed ^ain Wool tbe measure of storming the British battery upon tbe heights. Wool conducted his force sUently and circuitously, leaving the battery to his right, until be had passed it, and attained an eminence which commanded it. The British abandoned their position and retreated down the heights to Queenstown. Elated with their success, the Americans had faUen into uT-fund^r disorder, wnen tneY agairl beheld 300 of their foe, advancing Brock, under the intrepid Brock. An officer raised a white flag iu HARRISON COMMANDS THE WESTERN ARMY. 3L3 token of surrender ; Wool indignantly pulled it down. The PART IV. British now drove the Americans to the brink of the precipice, period tt One soldier was about to descend. Wool ordered him to be ''-HAP- v- shot ; but as the musket was leveled, he returned. Thus pro hibiting either surrender or retreat, and being ably seconded by his officers, he ralbed and led on his troops to the attack. Th^ are ' The British in their turn, gave way, and retreated down tbe Brock kUled hill. Brock, attempting to rally them amidst a galling fire, was mortally wounded. His party no longer attempted re sistance, but fled in disorder. Soon a scattering fire was heard from the southern side of the heights. Some militia, g^™1 attacked by Indians, were fleeing before them, and communi- pulses the eating their own panic. Colonel Scott, now in the field, with savages. a few troops, met and repulsed the savages. But another and more formidable foe was approaching. General Sheaffe, s^affiTap at the head of 1 ,000 British and Indians had followed Brock at pears with » a slow pace from fort George. The number of the Americans large folee on the British shore was not such as to warrant their enga ging these fresh troops without aid, and urgent entreaties were sent over for the militia yet on the American side, to come to The •,.,¦ their assistance ; but they now declared that constitutional refusing to" scruples had arisen in their minds about crossing the national cross, the in- boundary. With this excuse for cowardice, they absolutely ^chment refused to go to the aid of their brethren, although it was are in great at their request that the invasion was made. danger. General Van Rensselaer sent discretionary orders to the officer in command to retreat and recross the river. This or der it was impossible to obey, so deadly was the fire which was opened upon them. In this emergency, Colonel Scott ^enderSas" and Captain Totten at eminent risk, bore a flag to General prisoners. Sheaffe, and saved the remainder of the invading troops, by surrendering as prisoners of war, themselves and all the Americans remaining on the Canada side. Sixty of the Americans were killed, 100 wounded, and 700 made prisoners. Ohio and Kentucky, had aroused at the call of Hull for as- Exertions sistance, and an army on its march for Detroit was in the ' troops. southern part of Ohio, when the news met them of the sur render of that post. This rather stimulated than repressed the ardor of the brave and patriotic inhabitants of the west. Ken tucky put on foot 7,000 volunteers, Ohio nearly half that number. On the 24th of September, William Henry Harrison, gov- Sept. 24. emor of the Indiana territory, and brigadier-general in the t!^e™com- army, who possessed more than any other man, the confi- mand of Um dence of tbe western citizens, was appointed by congress, to n°^^ the command of the whole of these forces. They advanced to the northwestern part of Ohio, to protect the country against the incursions of the hostile savages, and to regain the ground lost by Hull's surrender. MSept' *" In the meantime, Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, was at- Ma^C;[| " tacked by several hundred Indians. Captain Taylor, with River 22 314 FREEMAN S MEETING IN CAMP. PART IV. 1812. October 2. Hopkins' expedition against the Kickapoos It ends with out use or honor; owing to insubordi nation. Nov. 19. Hopkins' second expe. dition more successful. Colonel Russel. Colonel Campbell. Nov. IT, The north ern army. Oct. 2. British at tack Ogdens burg. only fifteen effective men, bravely repelled the assailants The savages, irritated at their defeat, surprised and murdered twenty-one persons at tbe mouth of White River. Governor Shelby, of Kentucky, issued an address, calling for an additional number of mounted volunteers, for the de fense of the territories of Indiana and Illinois. On the sec ond of October, more than 2,000 had assembled at Vincennes, where they were placed under the command of General Hop kins. On the 10th, they arrived at fort Harrison. Here the destruction of the Kickapoo and Peoria towns was proposed. The troops approving the plan, set forward for its execution. On the fourth day, the army perceived alarming vollies of smoke and flame advancing with the wind. Tbe Indians had set fire to the long thick grass of the prairie over which they were travelling. They, however, saved themselves in the or dinary manner of setting a back fire. But the militia became mutinous, and a major, named Sin gleton, rode up to the general, as the troops were resting, and ordered him in a peremptory manner, to take up his line of march, and return; or his battalion would instantly leave him. Hopkins called a council of his officers, who agreed to take the sense of the army as to the propriety of returning. The majority were in favor of that measure ; but Hopkins, who entirely disapproved the vote, commanded the troops to follow him, promising to lead them in one day more, to the accom plishment of their object. But they turned their horses' heads in the opposite direction, and rode towards home, the general following in the rear. Another expedition, conducted by tbe same officer, was at tended with better success. With a force of one thousand men, regulars and militia, he marched from fort Harrison, and, on the 19th of November, destroyed the Prophet's town, and a Kickapoo village, four miles distant. A skirmish took place between a party of the militia and an ambuscade of Indians, in which eighteen of the militia were kiUed. Colonel Russel, in a similar incursion, with three hundred regulars, surprised and destroyed a town called the Pimer- tams. He drove the savages into a swamp, and killed twenty of them. About the same time, Colonel Campbell, of the regular army, with 600 men, marched against the towns of the Mississineway, destroyed them, and overawed the Indians. No operations of importance were undertaken by the north ern army, during this campaign. In September, a detachment of militia from Ogdensburg, attacked a party of the British, who were moving down the St. Lawrence, and defeated them. They were reinforced, and, in their turn, compelled the militia to retire. In retaliation, the British attempted the destruction of Ogdensburg, but were repulsed by General Brown, the en ergetic commander at that station. Major Young, who commanded a detachment of the New DISGRACE ON LAND, HONOR AT SEA. 815 York Militia, at French Mills, made an attack upon the British at the Indian village of St. Regis, and without loss, killed five of the British, and took forty prisoners. The army at Plattsburgh moved towards the Canada fron tier, and encamped at Champlain. On the 18th, General Dearborn took the command. Soon after, Colonel Pike, with his regiment, made an incursion into the territory of the enemy surprised a party of British and Indians, and destroyed a con siderable quantity of public stores. The army went into winter-quarters at Plattsburg on the 23d of December. General Smyth succeeded General Van Rensselaer in the command of the central army. His operations added nothing to the advantage or glory of the American arms. They con sisted of another abortive attempt to invade Canada after an inflated address to the Canadians, with a scene of dangerous riot, and confusion in his own camp. Captain King, in the course of this affair, performed a gallant and successful action, in storming a battery opposite Black Rock, by which the way was opened for the enterprise in hand, but there was not valor enough in the remaining force even to sustain him, and having sent back part of his corps, he, with the remainder, surren dered as prisoners of war. The American sloop-of-war Wasp, commanded by Captain Jones, had an encounter with the British sloop-of-war Frolic, the British ship being superior in weight of metal. The American at first received the fire of her enemy, at the dis tance of fifty or sixty yards, but gradually lessening this dis tance, she fired her last broadside so near, that her rammers, while loading, were shoved against the side of the Frolic. Captain Jones then boarded her, but he trod her deck amidst the dead and dying, without finding a private in arms to op pose him. Three officers and the seamen at the wheel were all that were found alive on deck Of the brave crew, con sisting originally of one hundred and twenty, one hundred were either killed or wounded. The Americans had five killed and five wounded. Captain Jones did not long enjoy his bloody triumph. Two hours after the battle, a British seventy-four, the Poictiers, took both the victor and his prize, and carried them into Bermuda. On the return of Captain Jones and his officers, they were hailed by their countrymen with distinguished marks of honor. His crew received twenty- five thousand dollars, and himself the command of the Mace donian frigate. Again the Americans triumphed on the ocean, and under circumstances which forced the English to the humiliating concession, which, for many years they had not made, that there existed a nation which was their equal in naval tactics ; the Americans, not satisfied with this, claimed to be their supe- The frigate United States, commanded by Commodore 22* PART IV. PERIOD n. CHAP. v. 1812. Nov. 16. Northern ai my at Cham plain. Dec. 23. General Smyth and his abortive attempt. Gallant conduct of Captain King. Oct. 18. The Wasp, Captain Jones, takes the Frolic Is retaken with hi» prize. Oct. 25. Decatur, in the United States, cap tures the Macedonian, riors. 316 THE FORTUNATE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. PART IV. Decatur, encountered the British frigate Macedonian, com- period ii. manded by Captain Carden. When the .wo ships came to eHAP. y. dose action, the rapid and well-directed fire of the United v-"»""Y~^-' States swept the masts and spars of the British frigate, and left her an " unmanageable log ;" and her captain reluctantly ordered the flag of his nation to be furled. When he offered his sword, Decatur, with a magnanimity equal to his valor, re fused to take it, " from one who knew so well how to use it," but asked to receive the friendly grasp of his hand. The loss in killed and wounded, on the side of the Americans, was only twelve, while that of the British was one hundred and four. The naval campaign closed with another brilliant victory. IS12. The fortunate Constitution, now commanded by Commodore Dec^ 29. Bainbridge, descried, off the coast of Brazil, the British frig- tution, "cap'- ate Java, of forty-nine guns, and four hundred men, command- tain Bain- ed by Captain Lambert. An action commenced, and contin- b"uresthe" ue(^ nearly two hours. The Constitution had nineteen men Java. killed, and twenty-five wounded ; but she had shot away the masts of the Java, killed sixty of her men and wounded one hundred and one. The British colors, which, after every spar was gone, had been nailed to the stump of a mast, were at length torn down, and the British lion once more quailed be fore the American eagle. Success of Nor were these successes on the ocean confined to armed American vesseis, xhe swift-sailing privateers, which issued from every American port, captured vessels of superior force, and harassed and destroyed the enemy's commerce. Nearly 250 British vessels, and 3,000 prisoners were taken by American privateers, while few of these fell into the hands of their enemies. In viewing the results of the campaign of 1812, we find on . . land a series of disgraceful failures, altogether unparalleled in mortified by the history of America. The darkness of the picture is, how- theirdefeats ever, relieved by occasional flashes of valor. These failures on lan . were tne more mortifying, because the superiority of the Americans in numbers, over the small British force in Canada, was known to be great ; and it was confidently expected by many, that Canada would have fallen during the first cam paign. But the ill-success of the Americans on land, was counter balanced by a series of naval triumphs, equally unexpected, and more mortifying to their enemy, than even their land de- The »ritish feats were to the United States. Great Britain regarded her exes atlsea." superiority at sea as the vital part of her power ; and the most melancholy apprehensions were, on this occasion, indulged by some of her politicians, who predicted "the total annihilation in the breasts of her seamen, of that proud c jnfidence, which had been so eminently serviceable in leading them to victory." ORDERS IN COUNCIL REPEALED 317 CHAPTER VI. Political affairs. On the 23d of June, five days after the declaration of war, the British government repealed the orders in council. No sooner had the United States declared war against Great Britain, than Mr. Monroe, the secretary of state, directed Mr. Russell, charge-des-affaires at the court of St. James, to state to the British government, that America had entered upon this contest with reluctance, and was ready to make peace, as soon as the wrongs, of which she justly complained, were re dressed. Mr. RusseU was authorized to negotiate an armis tice by sea and land, on the condition, that the orders in coun cil should be repealed ; the impressment of American seamen discontinued, and those afready impressed restored ; and as an inducement to discontinue their practice of impressment, the American government pledged themselves, to pass a law, prohibiting tbe employment of British seamen, either in the public or commercial service of tbe United States. These propositions being made by Mr. Russell, Lord Cas tlereagh, the British minister, on the 29th of August, commu nicated to him their rejection by his government ; at the same time, informiwg him that measures had been taken to author ize Sir John Borlase Warren, tbe British admiral on the American station, to propose to the United States an immedi ate and reciprocal cessation of hostibties ; and in that event, to assure them, that full effect should be given to the provis ions for repealing the orders in council. On the subject of impressment, Lord Castlereagh said the British government were ready, as heretofore, to receive from the government of the United States, any proposition which might check the abuse of the practice, but they could not consent to suspend the exercise of a right, upon which the naval strength of the empire materially depended, until they were fully convinced that other means could be devised and adopted, by which the object to be obtained by impressment could be secured. Whde this correspondence was going on in England, nego tiations were also carried on in America. The advantage which was taken by Sir George Provost, of the intelligence, that the British had repealed their orders in council, in procu ring of General Dearborn, the partial and temporary armistice of the 8th of August, has already been noticed in treating of the causes of the misfortune and disgrace of General HuU. Sir John Borlase Warren, then on the Halifax station, ad dressed a letter to Mr. Monroe, apprising him of the revoca tion of the orders in council, proposing a cessation of hostili- PARTIV 1812. Jnne 26. American governmentmake over^ tures for peace. Views oi Lord Castl* reagh, th« British mil istry. Advantage gained over General Dearborn. Sept. 30. Sir J. B. Warren ap prises the government of the re peal of tbe orders. SI 8 THE STATE OF PARTIES. PARI IV. ties, and threatening, in case of a refusal, that the obnoxious period ii. orders should be revived. chap. vi. The American government bad, in the meantime, been *-*¦"">'""*-' made acquainted with the failure of Mr. Russell's negotia tion ; and Mr. Monroe replied to Sir J. B. Warren, thai America could not hope for a durable peace, until the question of impressment was settled. " The claim of the British gov ernment," says Mr. Monroe, '' is to take from the merchant 1812. vessels of other countries, British subjects. In the practice, The Amen- the commanders of the British ships of war often take from mentSrefuses tbe merchant vessels of the United States, American citizens. to waive the If the United States forbid the employment of British sub- ^imDress-°f Jects m their service, and enforce the prohibition by suitable ment. regulations and penalties, the motive for the practice is taken away. It is in this mode that the president is willing to ac commodate this important controversey with the British gov ernment, and it cannot be conceived on what ground the ar rangement can be refused. He is willing that Great Britain should be secured against the evils of which she complains ; but he seeks, on the other hand, that the citizens of the Uni ted States should be protected against a practice, which, while it degrades the nation, deprives them of their rights as free men, takes them by force from their families and country into a foreign service, to fight the battles of a foreign power, per haps, against their own kindred and country." The British admiral having no powers to enter on the question of impress ment, nothing further remained to America, but to exchange the pen of the negotiator, for the sword of the warrior. The warmth of party feeling had increased throughout the Union. Notwithstanding bravery had been exhibited by indi vidual officers and soldiers, still the army had failed in the accomplishment of any important object. The enemies of the administration declared, that the ill-success of the war ty fee.ing.r was owing to the inefficient measures of the government in providing means for its prosecution ; while its friends attribu ted the failure to the interference of the opposite party. Both were right in degree ; as the government, inexperienced in providing for the exigencies of war, had doubtless failed of making judicious and seasonable provisions. But all its diffi- 4 culties were increased by an ungenerous and almost treason able opposition. Had the expectations which, previous to the war, were generally entertained with regard to the efficiency of the militia system, been realized, and had the affairs of the army been managed well by the agents of government, its provisions, notwithstanding the inveteracy of its opponents would have been sufficient to produce very different results from those actually experienced. The most alarming opposition to the national government, was not, however, that arising from mere individual clamor. The states of Massachusetts and Connecticut had been offi- CONGRESS M.4KE PROVISION FOR THE WAR. 319 cially requested, by the president, to furnish detachments of PART IV. their militia, and place them undei General Dearborn, for the period ii. defense of the maritime frontier. The constitution gives to CHAP- *'• congress, power to demand the services of the militia " for v-*^v~,*-/ the execution of the laws, the suppression of insurrections, 181*- and the repelling of invasions ;" and also declares, "that the an™£™* president shall be commander-in-chief of the militia of the chusetts re- several states, when called' into the service of the United n^f 1° fur: States." The refusal to furnish the required detachments, iitia o/thdr was on the ground that the state governments ought to de- states at tlw termine when the exigencies of the nation require the ser- g^^ *! vices of their militia. They al»o decided that it was uncon- vemment. stitutional for the president to delegate his power to any offi cer, not of the militia, and who was not chosen by the re spective states. This construction of the constitution, was favored by tbe decision of the supreme court of Massachu setts, and as, in their opinion, exigencies did not exist which required the service of the militia, they refused to obey the call of the president. The sea-coast of these states, and, al so, of Rhode Island, which state subsequently adopted the same views, was thus deprived of an important means of de fense ; and public feeling was agitated with apprehensions cf a civil, as weU as a foreign war. It was probably owing to the disapprobation which these measures of the opposition excited, that, notwithstanding the ill-success of the army, the result of the election of president, was not only favorable to Mr. Madison, but showed a diminution of the federal, and an increase of the republi- ^ov. 4. can party. Congress assembled on the fourth of Novem- C™2 "* ber, after an unusually short recess. The increase of the army and navy early occupied their attention. As a greater in ducement to enlist, an act was passed, by which an addition of two dollars per month was made to the pay of the non- N commissioned officers and privates, and by which they were An act to en exempted from arrest for debts contracted either before or af- courage en ter enlistment. By another act twenty-five dollars were giv- Ustment- en, in addition to the existing bounty, to each recruit who would enlist for five years. Bills passed congress in the early part of the session, au thorizing the construction of four ships, carrying each seventy- The°navy i» four guns, and six frigates each of forty-four guns, and another creased. providing for the increase of the navy on the lakes. The military force was to be increased by such a number of regi- 1813. ments of infantry, not exceeding twenty, as the service might Th™ a ' require. As but little benefit had resulted from the employ- increase! ment of volunteers, the law was repealed which authorize-d their acceptance. On the 26th, a bill passed, authorizing a Iran of sixteen Jan. 26. milhons of dollars, for the year 1813, and the following day, fo™^^ another was passed, giving to the president power to issue money. 320 LOCATIONS OF THE ARMIES. PART IV. Feb. 13. Twelve generals ap pointed. Madison re elected pres ident. treasury notes, to an amount not exceeding five miUions of dollars. On the 29th, congress passed a law, declaring that no sea men should be employed in American vessels, but native cit izens of the United States, or those who had become natural ized. This law was to be carried into effect at the close of the war. The regular force of the United States now amounted to nearly fifty-five thousand men. An act was passed, by whicb, in addition to the officers of an inferior grade, six major-gen erals and six brigadiers were appointed. On counting the votes, it was found that James Madison had been re-elected president, and Elbridge Gerry chosen vice president, for the ensuing term of four years. CHAPTER VII. Campaign of 1813. Arrange ment of the three Ameri can armies. Plan of the campaign. British com manders and arrange ments. General Harrison di vides his ar my. Winchester at French town. Jan. 22. Battle of Frenchtown. The scene of military operations, during the year 1813, comprehended the extensive northern frontier of the United States. At the opening of the campaign, the, army of the west, under General Harrison, was near the head of lake Erie ; the army of the centre, under General Dearborn, be tween the lakes Erie and Ontario ; while that of the north, under General Hampton, occupied the shores of lake Cham plain. The invasion of Canada was still the object of the American armies. The force which Sir George Prevost governor of Canada, could bring into the field, was comparatively small. The de fense of Upper Canada was committed to colonels Proctor and Vincent, while that of Lower Canada was given to Gen eral Sheaffe, who was, however, to act under the more im mediate direction of the governor. The head-quarters of General Harrison werej at this time, at Franklinton, in Ohio. General Winchester had proceeded in advance of the main army, and hearing that a party of the British were stationed at Frenchtown, he attacked and dis persed them. He remained at Frenchtown with a part of his troops encamped in the open field, the remainder being de fended by a breastwork. On the morning of the 22d, he was surprised by the com bined force of British and Indians, under the command of Proctor, aided by the Indian chiefs, Roundhead and Split-log. That part of the American army which encamped in the open field were soon thrown into disorder. Generals Winchester and Lewis, in a vain attempt to rally them were taken pris- FRENCHTOWN. FORT MEIGS. 321 oners. The remaining American troops, however, continued PART IV. fighting with intrepidity, until they received an order from period ii. Winchester to surrender. He was a prisoner, and not in 0HAP- VIL command, but he had presumed to send this mandate, his •—'^^^^ fears having been artfully excited by Proctor, who threatened 1813. that if the men did not surrender he could not defend them Tlp^^^ from the savages. They unhappily laid down their arms, but Proctor did not afford them the protection which he promised. He marched for Maiden, leaving behind him and without, a guard, the helpless prisoners, many of whom were wounded. The merciless savages soon returned, set fire to the town, Jan- 22- dragged the wounded from the houses, scalped them in the F-mchtown. streets, and left their mangled bodies in the highway. In k- 522. this melancholy affair the Americans lost in killed and wounded about five hundred ; and an equal number were made prisoners of war. They were principally volunteers from the most respectable families of Kentucky, and thus, this bloody day clothed that state in mourning. The loss of the British, as stated by Colonel Proctor, was twenty-four killed, and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded.. General Harrison now removed his head-quarters from Franklinton, to the rapids of the Maumee, where he built a fort named, in honor of the governor of Ohio, Fort Meigs. May i. He was here besieged on the first of May, by Colonel, now Port Meig« General Proctor, with a force of 1,000 regulars and militia, and 1,200 Indians. Tbe American army, occupying a com manding position, and strongly entrenched, resisted the efforts of tbe besiegers. Their fate, however, hung in suspense, jjay 5 when, on the morning of the 5th, an officer arriving at the fort, General announced the welcome intelligence that General Clay, with Cla3f ^J3" 1,200 Kentuckians, was descending the Miami, and at that i;ef. moment but a few miles distant. Conceiving that the British army was now in his power, Harrison sent orders to land one half of the advancing troops on the side of the river opposite to the fort, to co-operate with Colonel him in forcing the British batteries. Colonel Dudley, with a Dudley's party of 800, was charged with this service ; and he perform- iI.Sjj"',yiI ed it with so much spirit, that, in a few minutes, he was in dor, and possession of the batteries of Proctor, and had taken several melancholy prisoners ; but his troops, unduly elated, pursued the British until they were drawn into an ambuscade, prepared for them by the subtle Tecumseh. Dudley strove in vain to rescue bis troops. Being mortaUy wounded, he still kept the field, and kibed an Indian warrior before he fell ; but the whole party, except 150, were cut off. In the meantime, tht sortie from the fort was well conduct ed by Colonel John MiUer. It brought on a general engage ment, in which the British were defeated. Tbe Indian war riors, either displeased at a want of success, or desirous to proctor ^ display trophies already gained, and to gratify faeir thirst for feated 322 GALLANT DEFENSE OF FORT STEPHENSON. PART IV. blood by the immolation of some of their captives, now with- period n. drew from the army of Proctor, notwithstanding the entreaties chap. vn. 0f Tecumseh, himself ever faithful to the cause he espoused. ^— ~^*^ Thus situated, Proctor, on the 9th of May, raised the siege 1S13. of Fort Meigs, and retreated to Maiden. General Harrison May?sed returned to Ohio, leaving General Clay in command. "ese j In July, the Six Nations declared war against the Canadas. ix Nations About the same time, the United States accepted the services declare war of some of the other tribes. The government, at the com- aSa'ada mencement of the war, deprecating the policy of employing savage allies, and, justly considering the power which em ployed them as responsible for their known barbarities, had refused the services of such as had offered, and had uniformly advised them to remain neutral. This advice had in many cases given offense, being construed as implying a disrespect of their valor. It had been found that such was their fondness for war, that the only alternative for the administration was to receive their hostile efforts upon the heads of their own in habitants, or turn them upon the enemy's ; who, having first employed them, the law of retaliation now fully authorized the American government to do the same. The Indians, al lied with the British, had committed depredations on those friendly to the Americans, and on this account they now considered themselves a party in the warfare. From these rea sons, the Americans at length consented that they should " take hold of tbe same tomahawk," and make common cause with them. Forifste- On tne 20th of July, Proctor, having again collected about phensonbe- 500 of his Indian allies, with about as many regulars, marched "proctor r£d agamst Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky river. On the 1st pulsed by of August, he invested it, and demanded a surrender. Major °«hft,Cr01 Croghan, a gallaiit youth of twenty-one, with a garrison of 160 men, took the resolution of defending the fort to the last ex tremity, notwithstanding the threat, which in former instances had been found so potent, that after the contest had commen ced, the Indians could not be restrained. By his judicious measures, and the courage and promptness of his officers and men, Proctor was repulsed with a loss of 1 50 ; the Americans losing only one killed and seven wounded. Proctor, completely foiled, returned to Maiden ; and no mihtary operation of consequence was undertaken, until he Americans, having command of the lakes, were able to act offensively. ghan. AMERICANS TAKE YORK. 323 CHAPTER VIII. Campaign of 1813, continued. We now go back several months, to give a view of the warlike operations on the New York frontier. On the 8th of October, 1812, Captain Elliot, with 100 men, embarked in two boats, crossed tbe Niagara from Black Rock, and took two British brigs from under the guns of Fort Erie. One was burned, the other added to the American naval force. Early in February, Major Forsyth, an enterprising partisan officer, who commanded some American troops stationed at Ogdensburg, crossed the St. Lawrence with a party of his ri flemen and some volunteers, surprised the guard at Elizabeth- town, and took fifty-two prisoners, together with a quantity of arms and ammunition. On the 22d of February, Sir George Prevost, who had re cently arrived at Prescott, directed an attack upon Ogdensburg, which was made on the same night, by a corps of 500 regu lars and militia, under Major Macdonnal. The Americans, much inferior in numbers, were compelled to retire, and aban don their artiUery and stores to the British. Two schooners, two gunboats, together with the barracks, were committed to the flames. Pursuant to the law passed by congress, early efforts were made to bmld and equip fleets upon the lakes. The preced ing year, the Americans did not possess a single armed vessel on Lake Ontario, save the brig Oneida, of ,sixteen guns. Commodore Chauncey, the naval commander on that nation, by great exertions, bad made ready a flotilla for that lake, to aid in the operations of the coming campaign. The first important service of the flotilla, was that of trans porting the army from Sackett's Harbor to York, the capital of Upper Canada ; the advice of General Pike, a much val ued officer, having determined General Dearborn, to make a descent upon that place. He embarked with 1,700 men, and arrived on the 27th of April. The British force was under the command of General Sheaffe, and consisted of 400 regu lars and 500 militia and Indians. These were drawn up to oppose the landing at the place of debarkation, a mile and a half from the fort. Major Forsyth was first on shore, and General Pike, who commanded, soon followed with tbe troops. After a severe contest of half an hour, the enemy retreated. The Americans formed, advancing in columns. They had destroyed one of the batteries, and were within sixty yards of the enemy's works, when a magazine exploding at two hundred yards' distance, filled the air, in every direction, with PARTjV. PERIOD- II. CHAP, fill 1§13 February Major Foi syth at Elizabeth Feb. 22. British de stroy stores and chipping at Ogdens* Durg. April. Commodore Chauncey has a flctilla on Lake On tario. April 25. Dearborn sails from Sackett's Harbor. April .27. American army lands at York, Upper ©ana da. 324 FORTS GEORGE AND ERIE. PART IV. huge stones and fragments of wood, which falling, caused dreadful havoc. One hundred of the Americans, and forty of the British were killed. General Pike himself fell, mortally wounded : but the battle had been won, and but for the death of Pike, the garrison would have been taken. General Sheaffe took advantage of the confusion, and with the British regulars retreated towards Kingston, leaving the commanding officer of the mihtia to make the best terms in his power. The Americans proceeded, under Colonel Pearce, to take 1813. possession of the enemy's barracks, and of the town. The Death o. brave Pike survived bis wounds but a few hours ; but like Pike. Wolfe at Quebec, he drew his last breath amidst the cheering shouts of victory, his head reposing upon the banner of the conquered fortress British loss. The loss of the British was 90 killed, 200 wounded, and 300 prisoners, besides 500 militia released upon parole. A quantity of stores, with General Sheaffe's baggage and papers, also fell into the hands of the Americans. In the legislative chamber, was found the disgraceful trophy of a human scalp, occupying the same place with the emblems of royal au thority. On the 8th of May, General Dearborn evacuated York, and, May 8 having re-crossed the lake for the purpose of leaving the wounded at Sackett's Harbor, again set sail, and disembarked his troops at Niagara. The army at Niagara having been reinforced, General Genera. Dearborn re-embarked, and, on the morning of the 27th of Nk"ara *' May> proceeded to attack Fort George. The landing was warmly disputed by the troops under Colonel Vincent, but the coolness and intrepidity of the Americans, led on by General Boyd, with the judicious arrangements for silencing tbe ene- May 27. my's batteries, executed by Commodore Chauncey, soon com- Fort George pelled the British to retreat. Colonel "Vincent, perceiving to the Ameri- tnat tae f°rt would soon become untenable, set fire to his mag- cans, azine, spiked his guns, and abandoned the place, not, however, until he had sustained a loss of 300 men. The loss of the Americans was seventeen killed, and forty-five wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Preston took possession of Fort Erie on May 2S. the 28th, it having been previously abandoned by the British, Foit Erie. j .-, r . ,, ° r J J and the fort blown up. Sir George Prevost, having learned that General Dearborn Sackett's na-d left the naval stores at Sackett's Harbor with a weak Harbor at- garrison, dispatched Commodore Yeo, the commander of the tacked. British fleet on Lake Ontario, to sieze them. He embarked at Kingston on the 27th of May, reached the place of his dos Defended by tination on the 28th, and landed 1,200 men. He was repul- Brown se° ^ tlle. miutia> under General Brown, whose conduct on that occasion, brought full before the public, his uncommon military talents. After the fall of forts George and Erie, Colonel St. Vin- perry's victory. 325 ent had retired, with his army, to Burlington Heights, near PART IV. he head of Lake Ontario. He was pursued by a force which period n General Dearborn had detached for the purpose, under gene- CHAP- v."- rals Chandler and Winder. Colonel St. Vincent having re- ^*-v~*~> connoitered their position, at dead of night stole upon them, 1813. and attacked the camp. A scene of confusion and carnage A^air of ensued, in which the Americans could not distinguish friend Creek. from foe. General Chandler approached to rally a party, but they proved to be British troops, who immediately secured him chandler as their prisoner. General Winder shared, by a like mistake, and Wind« a simUar fate. The Americans, however, maintained their Pnson^~"»~' trance of the town, the maids and matrons of Amherstburg who in their best attire, had come forth to solicit the protec tion of the Americans. General Proctor, despite the spirited remonstrance of Te- „ cumseh, an abler man than himself, and now a general in the evacuates British army, had evacuated Maiden, burnt the fort and store> Maiden, houses, and retreated before his enemy. The Americans, on the 29th, went in pursuit, entered, and repossessed Detroit. Proctor had- retired to the Moravian village on the Thames, about eighty miles from that place. His army of 2,000, was more than half Indians. Harrison overtook him on the 5th of October. The British army, although inferior in numbers, is attacked had the advantage of choosing their ground. They were by Harrison strongly posted ; their left rested on the Thames, and was Thames defended by artillery ; their right extended to a swamp, which ran parallel to the river, and was supported by the brave Te cumseh and his warriors, who were stationed in a thick wood which skirted the morass. Proctor had, however, left his centre weak, and it was therefore full upon the centre, that General Harrison, placing great reliance on Colonel John son's mounted Kentuckians, ordered them to charge. They advanced valiantly, but their horses unused to such perilous service, failed to penetrate the British lines. The horsemen did not suffer themselves to be thrown back upon the advan cing army, but wheeled to right and left, and made a second charge with such impetuosity, that in a single minute of time, the fate of the day was decided. The venerable Governor Shelby with his militia, was in the thickest of the fray. 1813. Colonel Johnson had led his battalion against the Indians, Sehf Ind ™der Tecumseh ; and in the heat of the battle the chief fell, defeat o'f the bravely fighting. His warriors fled. Proctor, dismayed, British, meanly deserted his army, and fled with two hundred dra goons. Six hundred of the British were made prisoners. The Indians left one hundred and twenty dead upon the field. The American loss, in killed and wounded, was upwards of fifty. Among the trophies of the victory, were six brass field- pieces, which had been given up by Hull ; on two oi which were inscribed the words, " surrendered by Burgoyne, at Saratoga." The Indian confederacy, in which were still 3,000 warriors. had lost with Tecumseh their bond of union ; and the Ottawas, Indians Chippewas, Miamis, and Pottawattamies, now sent deputies P®*" to General Harrison, and made treaties of alliance, agreeing " to take hold of the same tomahawk with the Americans, and strike at all the enemies of the United States, whether they be British or Indian." General Harrison, having more than regained the ground BARBARIAN warfare. 327 fost by Hull, left General Cass in command at Detroit, and embarked for Buffalo. The Kentucky infantry, on their inarch homeward, collected the bleaching bones of their country men, massacred at Frenchtown, and mournfully deposited them in one common grave. In the early part of this year, the bays of Chesapeake and Delaware were declared by the British government to be in a state of blockade. To enforce this edict, Admiral Warren was stationed off the American coast, and Rear Admiral Cockburn was sent up the Chesapeake, " to make the inhab itants and the government" says a British historian, " sensi ble of the danger of arousing the British nation." A squad ron, under Admiral Beresford, also entered the Delaware, and, on the 10th of April, proceeded to Lewistown. The British demanded provisions of the inhabitants, which being refused, they attacked the village, and after bombarding it for several days, they were compeUed to retire. Admiral Cockburn made his name odious by his disgrace ful behavior in the Chesapeake. He took possession of several smaU islands in the bay, and from these made de scents upon tbe neighboring shores. Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Fredericktown, Hampton and Georgetown, were suc cessively the scenes of a warfare, of which savages would have been ashamed. Cockburn, now joined by Sir Sidney Beckwith, meditated an attack on Norfolk. To destroy the defenses on Craney's island, they made a descent with 4,000 troops. But 10,000 of the Virginia militia had collected from among an outraged people, and the marauders were glad to make good their re treat. PART IV. Delaware and Ohesa- blockaded. April 10. Attack of the British on Lewistown. Admiral Cockburn. A predatory Attack on Craney'e Island CHAPTER IX. Northern army. — Naval affairs. The squadron of Commodore Chauncey, on Lake Ontario, was superior in force, but inferior in sailing, to that of Sir James Yeo and hence he could not bring him to a decisive engagement. He however, encountered a fleet of seven sail, bound for Kingston, with troops and provisions, five of which he captured. General Wilkinson, who had commanded on the Mississippi, was this year appointed to the command of the army of the centre. He did not arrive at Sackett's Harbor, till late in the season. He immediately prepared to attempt the reduction of Canada, by attacking Montreal. After much delay, the troops from Fort George and Sackett's Harbor proceeded down Oct. 5 Chaunceycaptures a a British squadron on Lake Onta rio. Aug. 20. General Wilkinson takes com mand of the central ar my. 328 NORTHERN ARMY INEFFECTUAL OPERATIONS. Great prepa rations to no effect. Army ill wiuter-quar- teis. General Hampton in wmter- gnarters at Plattsburg. Dec. 10. M'Clure bums New ark. Dec. 19. Buffalo an d Black Rock burned. Feb. 23. The Hornet lectures the Peacock. the St. Lawrence, expecting to be joined at some place cn the river, by the northern army under General Wade Hampton. The British governor bad ordered a corps of observation from Kingston, to follow the movements of General Wilkin son's army ; and they were joined by some hundreds of the Canadian mibtia. To disperse these troops, parties of the Americans were landed, to proceed in advance of tbe boats. An action occurred at Williamsburg, which terminated in fa vor of the British. The American force engaged was under tjeneral Boyd, and did not exceed 1,200 ; that of the enemy, under Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, was estimated at 2,000. 1 he loss of the Americans was 339, that of the British 180. The flotilla proceeded ; but the next day communications were received from General Hampton, in which he declined joining his forces to those of General Wilkinson. The con templated attack on Montreal was abandoned, and the army went mto quarters at French Mills. In tlie meantime General Hampton with 4,000 men, had attempted to penetrate to Montreal by Chateaugay river. .soon alter arriving in Canada, he found his way opposed by about bOO British troops, and after making some ineffectual efforts to dislodge them, he returned, and encamped at Chat eaugay Four Corners. Here he dispatched to General Wil kinson the communication which has been mentioned : and, receiving intelligence that the expedition had been abandoned, he returned to Plattsburg, where he established his winter- quarters. He soon resigned, and was succeeded in command by General Izard- Sir George Provost being relieved from his apprehension of an attack on Montreal, ordered his forces under generals Vincent and Drummond, to proceed to Niagara. The Amer icans had left this frontier defenseless, except ihat a few mi litia under General M'Clure garrisoned fort George. Learn ing the approach of the enemy, M'Clure abandoned Fort George, and from a misconception of his orders burned the village of Newark. The British retaliated, although the act was promptly disa vowed by the American government. A part of their troops crossed the river, gained possession of fort Niagara, and laid waste the whole country on the American side of the Niagara river for several miles. The militia were immediately collect ed to oppose them, but were compelled to retreat by the su perior force of the enemy. Buffalo, Black Rock, and other villages were burned. The United States' ship Hornet, commanded by Captain Lawrence, encountered the British sloop of war Peacock. The action lasted but fifteen minutes. ' The loss of the Brit ish in killed and wounded was about forty, that of the Amer- cans five. The Peacock unfortunately sunk with thirteen of THE CHESAPEAKE LOST. 329 her crew, while engaged in removing the wounded. She hail on board three impressed American seamen, who, notwith standing their earnest solicitations, had been compelled to fight against their country. One was killed in the engage ment, and two were found among the prisoners. This was the sixth successive naval victory, by which America vindicated her equal right with Britain, to traverse, unmolested, the great highway of nations. In the career of naval triumph the Americans now suffered a severe check. As the United States' frigate, Chesapeake, was lying in Boston harbor, the British frigate Shannon, commanded by Captain Broke, appeared in sight, off the har bor, challenging her to fight. Captain Lawrence, who for his gallant services in the affair of the Peacock, had been promoted to the command of the Chesapeake, felt himself bound in honor not to reftise. But his officers and crew were strangers to him, and the seamen, not having received their pay, in a state of dissatisfaction. The Shannon, on the con trary, had a picked crew of officers and seamen, especially prepared for the occasion. Lawrence, with rash valor, put out to sea. So desperate was the battle, that in a few min utes every officer on board the Chesapeake capable of taking the command, was either killed or wounded. Captain Law rence received a mortal wound, and the Chesapeake being much disabled, be was asked " if the colors should be struck ;" he repbed, "no, they shall wave while I live." Becoming delirious, he continually cried, "don't give up the ship." At the moment of his being carried below, Captain Broke succeeded in boarding the Chesapeake, and the British low ered her colors. The loss of the Americans was seventy kibed and sixty-three wounded ; the British about half the number. Tbe Shannon carried her prize into Halifax, and there the heroic Lawrence, who had survived his defeat but four days, was interred with every mark of honorable distinction. His paU was borne by the oldest captains in the British navy, who mourned him with a generous sympathy. Another naval disaster soon followed. The United States' sloop of war, Argus, commanded by Lieutenant Allen, was captured, in St. George's channel, by the British sloop of war, Pelican. The loss of the Americans was forty, that of the British only eight. Allen, mortally wounded, died in England. Like Lawrence, he received every attention while living, and an honorable burial when dead. On the 4th of September, tbe American seamen were again victorious. The brig Enterprise, sailing from Portland har bor, fell in, the same day, with the British brig, Boxer. Soon after tbe action began, Lieutenant Burrows, who commanded the American brig, was mortally wounded, but he refused to be carried below. In his last moments he begged that his 23 PART IV. 1813. June 1. The Chesa peake cap tured by the Shannon. Death oi Lawrence. His buriii Aug. 14. Argus made a prize by the Pelican. Sept. 4. The Entrr prise oap tures the Borer. 330 MASSACRE OF FORT MIMS. PART IV, The com manders of he two brigs buried at Portland Cruise of Commodore Rodgers. flag might not be struck. Lieutenant M'Call, on whom the command devolved, gave orders to board the enemy ; but Captain Blyth, like his brave antagonist, had faUen ; the British brig had become unmanageable, and the crew cried out for quarter. They could not pull down their colors, for they were nailed to the mast. The bodies of the command ers were received at Portland with tokens of the highest re spect : masters of vessels rowed them ashore with the fune ral stroke of the oar, while minute-guns were fired by the vessels in the harbor ; and their last obsequies were perform ed by the civil and military authorities of the place. On the 26th of September, Commodore Rodgers returned from a long cruise, in which he had circumnavigated the British isles, and explored the Atlantic. He did not gain any signal victory, but he rendered essential service to his country, by harassing the British commerce ; having captured twelve merchant vessels, and taken many prisoners. CHAPTER X. The Creek War. The Creeks are in a measure ci vilized. 1812. Tocumseh stirs them up to hostility. Aug. 30. Shocking massacre of Fort M ims. In the meantime causes were operating, which resulted m a bloody war with the Creek Indians. Their lands lying within the territory of the United States, were secured to them by the national power. Great and successful exertions had been made by benevolent individuals, as well as by the government, to instruct them in the arts of civilized life. Their early habits and prejudices were not, however, rooted out ; and some of them wished to return to their former state. At this time, Tecumseh came among them. He urged them, by every motive which could reach their nature, to shake oft the oppressions of civilized life, return to their wild and fear less independence, and set bounds to the farther progress ol the whites ; ever enforcing the principle, that to the Indians belonged the land in common ; — that they had no right to make a permanent division among themselves, much less to sell the soil given them by the Great Spirit. The plea prevailed ; and the Creeks manifested such signs of hostility, that the settlers in the most exposed situations took refuge in forts which were erected for their security. One of these was Fort Mims in the Tensau settlement, whicb was now filled with alarmed families. Major Beasely, the commander, had received repeated warnings of an intended att;tck by the Indians, but had delayed to make suitable prep aration. At noon-day the fort was suddenly surrounded. THE CREEKS DEFEATED. 331 At first, the garrison stood their ground, and repulsed the sav- PART IV. ages ; but they returned, drove the besieged into the houses, period n. and set them on fire. Dreadful was the massacre. Only chap l. seventeen, out of three hundred, men, women, and children, — «-v~»^ escaped to bear the sorrowful tidings to the surrounding in- 1812. habitants. The spirit of vengeance was abroad. Tennessee sent forth 2,000 men, under General Jackson, and 500 under General ,For?e3kun' Coffee. Georgia dispatched General Floyd with 950 militia, Coffee, and and 400 friendly Indians ; while Mississippi sent a body of Floyd. volunteers, under General Claiborne. General Jackson met and defeated the Indians at Tallade- „ ga, losing fifteen killed and eighty-five wounded. Two hun- jackson at dred and ninety of the Indian warriors were left dead upon Talladega. the field. The Hillabee towns were next destroyed by the Ten- nesseeans, and sixty of the Indian warriors were killed. General Floyd, with 950 of the Georgia militia, and 400 jj0V-SS9. friendly Indians, encountered the Creeks at Autossee. This General was their sacred ground, and they fought bravely in its de- Y^°yi at fense, but were overcome. Four hundred of their houses were burned, and 200 of their bravest warriors slain ; among whom were the kings of Autossee and Tallahassee. Of the Americans, fifty were either killed or wounded. General Claiborne, with the Mississippi volunteers, gained Dec. 23. an important victory over the Indians, under their prophet- Eccanacha leader, Weatherford, on his holy ground at Eccanachaca. General Jackson's army was diminished by the return of those whose term of service had expired, and sixty days more would close that of a second body of volunteers, who now joined him. But Jackson used their time well. Co-operating with General Floyd, the two armies entered the Indian coun try in different directions. Twice the savages made night at- n"f as"srpr^ tacks on the army of Jackson, and once on that of Floyd, but Jackson and in neither case did they find these generals unprepared, and Flovd the defeat was their own. But the hostile spirit of the Creeks remained unsubdued. They strongly fortified the bend of the Tallapoosa, called by the Indians, Tohopeka, and by the whites, Horse-shoe-bend, Nature and art had rendered this a place of great security. They erected a breastwork from five to eight feet high, across tbe peninsula, where a thousand warriors had collected. This could not be approached, without exposure to double and cross Jackson ^ fires from the Indians, who lay behind their works. General feats the Jackson, aided by General Coffee, surrounded and stormed £^e0kj5ek^ the fortifications. The regulars, led on by Colonel Williams and Major Montgomery, advanced first to the charge. The combatants fought through the port-holes, musket to musket. At this time, Major Montgomery, leaping on the wall, called to his men to mount and follow Scarcely had he spoken, 23* 332 COMMISSIONERS MEET AT GHENT. PART IV when a ball struck him upon the head, and he fell lifeless tq period ii the ground. His soldiers obeyed h. s command, and fol- ohap. xi. lowed his example ; and though the Creeks fought with des- ,~*"-v^-' peration, yet they were entirely defeated. Five hundred and fifty were killed on the peninsula, and many were drowned or shot, in attempting to cross the river General Jackson's loss, including the friendly Indians, wai fifty-four killed, and one hundred and fifty-six wounded. This victory ended in the submission of the remaining warriors, and the consequent termination of the war. Among those who threw themselves upon the mercy of their victors, was Weatherford, who was equally distinguished for his talents and cruelty. " I am in your power," said he, " do 8P«eca. of with me what you please. I have done the white people all Weather- tne barm I could. I have fought them, and fought them ford. bravely. There was a time when I had a choice. I have none now ; every hope is ended. Once I could animate my warriors to battle ; but I cannot animate the dead. They can no longer hear my voice ; their bones are at Tallushatches, Talladega, Emukfau, and Tohopeka. While there was a chance of success, I never supplicated peace ; but my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and myself." During the summer, a treaty of peace was concluded with the conquered Creeks, on conditions advantageous to the. Uni ted States. General Jackson returned to Tennessee, and was soon after appointed to succeed General Wilkinson in the command of the forces at New Orleans. 1814. Aug. 9. Treaty with tlie Creeks. CHAPTER XI. Political Affairs. 1813. During the spring of 1813, Alexander, emperor of Russia, Eussiaoffers ^(jj a laudable zeal to spare mankind from the desolations of war, offered his mediation in the quarrel between the United States and Great Britain. On the part of the republic, the offer was promptly accepted, and John Quincy Adams, Albert Gallatin, and James A. Bayard, were dispatched to Russia, to meet and negotiate with such commissioners as Great Britain might choose to appoint. That power, however, had declined the mediation of Alexander, but offered to treat for peace di rectly with the United States. In pursuance of this proposi tion, to which the American government acceded, Messrs. Adams, Gallatin, and Bayard, in the month of August, pro ceeded to Ghent, the place of meeting agreed on, and there met Lord Gambier, Henry Golbourn, arri William Adams, coin- Commis sioners to treat for pnace meet at Ghent. NATURALIZED CITIZENS DEFENDED. 333 missioners on the part of Great Britain. On that of America PART fv. Henry Clay, and Jonathan Russell, were added to the gen- period n. tlemen already named. chap. xi. On account of the critical state of the country, congress ^»~^-*~s deemed it expedient to hold an extra session, and accordingly 1813. met on the 24th of May. Their most urgent business was to }?** 2^ provide means of replenishing the exhausted treasury ; and, meeTufex- notwithstanding the clamors of the party opposed to the war, tra session, they proceeded with firmness and decision. "firane^p." They agreed on a system of internal duties; laid taxes worthy of the on lands and houses, distilled liquors, refined sugars, retailer's revolutioD- bcences, carriages, sales at auction, and bank notes ; and they authorized a loan of seven millions and a half. Con gress adjourned on the 2d of August. Among other important subjects, embraced in the president's Dec. 2 message, at the regular session, was that concerning the right ^J.??1™ of expatriation, on which Great Britain and America had been mences. so long at issue, and from which the most tragical consequen ces were, at that period, apprehended. Forty persons, natives ^PV-y native of Britain, but who, by a long residence, had become natural- naturalized ized in America, had been taken in arms against the British American. nation, and were sent to the land of their birth, there to under go a trial for treason. The American government, feeling itself bound to protect them, had put in close confinement an equal number of British* soldiers, with a notification, that if violence was done, the same, in kind and degree, should be inflicted in return. In retaliation for this step, the British government put in confinement, with a similar threat, double the number of American officers of the lower grades. This measure had also been retaliated, and an equal number of British officers selected. x The subject was, however, adjusted, by the exchange of aU prisoners, except the first forty, who had been sent for trial ; and concerning these, the American government reser ved a right to retaliate, in case any violence should thereafter be done them. Another message was soon after received from the presi- Embargo dent, recommending an embargo upon exports, to deprive the laid. enemy of supplies from our ports and with a design to pro tect the American commerce, and completely prohibit British manufactures. This measure, after a warm debate, was adopt- it is violent ed by congress, but it was considered by the opposition, as lv opposed annoying ourselves more than our foes, and condemned as un constitutional and oppressive. These commercial restrictions were not, however, of long continuance. Mighty revolutions were taking place in Europ», and changing the policy of America. Napoleon was now a. powerless exile on a little island in the Mediterranean ; and the ports of Europe w ere open to England. Under these circum- &S AFFAIR OF LA COLLE. PART IV. stances, in the month of April, the embargo and non impona- period n tion acts were both discontinued. chap. xii. The condition of the army required and received the atten- v-^^~*fc-' tion of congress, A bill was passed early in the session, giv- 1813. ing to those who should enlist for five years, or. during the fo«UthePreiief war' *^e unprecedented bounty of one hundred and twenty- of the amy. four dollars ; and to any person who should procure an able bodied recruit, was given further the sum of eight dollars. An appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars was made, Steam batte- for the building of one or more floating batteries, to be pro- nes- pelled by steam. CHAPTER XII. Campaign of 1814. General Wilkinson had remained inactive at French Mills, until early in February, when, having received orders from the secretary of war, he detached General Brown, with ****¦ 2,000 troops, to the Niagara frontier ; and after destroying Stores at his barracks, he retired to Plattsburg. The enemy, taking ad- Malone de- vantage of this movement, made an incursion as far as Malone, stroye . an(j destroyed the arsenal and public stores there kept, which had belonged to the cantonment of French Mills. Movements of General Wilkinson, which had the appear ance of an attempt again to invade Canada, caused the British commander to order 2,000 men, under Major Hancock, to forti fy themselves at La Colle Mill, near the river Sorel. General Wilkinson advanced, and on the succeeding day made an at- Colie. tack. A sortie from the building ended in his repulse, and the loss of 100 of his men, in killed and wounded. Such a series of unsuccessful measures brought public censure upon this Wilkinson general. He was tried before a court-martial at Troy, New tried. York, where he was nominally acquitted of the charges brought against him. The British army of Lower Canada now withdrew from tbe St. Lawrence, and were stationed near St. Johns, for secu ring the entrance of a fleet into Lake Champlain. During the autumn, and winter, Macdonough, the American commodore on this station, had labored with great industry to provide a naval force on this lake, equal to that of the enemy May. The flotilla was lying in the Otter river, at Vergennes ; and it fcstrof the was the obJect of the British to destroy it, before it should American make its appearance on the lake. Apprised of this, Macdo- Uke'cham nouSn caused a battery to be erected at the mouth of the riv- plain.3"1 er. On the 12th of May, tbe British fleet entered the lake. They attacked the battery, but were repulsed. WELLINGTlNS VETERANS SENT OVER. 335 Major Appling and Captain Woolsey were appointed to PART IV. convey the naval stores from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor, the period ii British having made an attempt to seize them at the former 0HAP- *"¦ place. A British party intending to attack them, were drawn ^>vx/ into an ambuscade which they formed, and 133 of their num ber were taken prisoners. At tbe commencement of this year, the Americans were in possession of aU their former territory at the west, except fort 1814. Mackinaw. On the 21st of February, Captain Holmes was Feb. 21. detached from Detroit, with 180 men, to dislodge a party of Holmetwiti. British who were stationed on the river Thames. When with- 180 men, in fifteen miles of his destination, he received intelligence that fights 30a about 300 of the enemy were within one hour's march of him. He retired five nules, where he was attacked on all sides ; but he bravely stood his ground, and forced the British to retreat, with a loss of sixty-nine men. During tbe early part of this year, the government of Great Britain had been much occupied with affairs nearer home, but when her military and naval forces were liberated from Euro- ciTthSS pean warfare, she directed her energies to this continent, ing to Amer Two distinct systems appear to have been determined on in lca the British cabinet ; one, having for its object the invasion of the sea-coast, and the other, the protection of Canada, and the conquest of so much of the adjoining territory as might guard that province from future danger. To effect these objects, a for- -J^/?00^, midable army of fourteen thousand men, who had fought under vetTr?™'" the Duke of Wellington, were embarked at Bordeaux for Can- troops sent ada ; and, at the same time, a strong naval force, with an ad- over equate number of troops, was directed against the maritime frontier of the United States, to maintain a strict blockade, and ravage the whole coast from Maine to Georgia. Tbe northern sea-coast experienced little molestation, until the spring of 1814, when the British ascended the Connecti- cut river to Essex, where they destroyed shipping, to the val- o/shipping ue of two hundred thousand dollars. The reason of the dis- at Essex tinction, which was thus made between the north and the south, is expressed by a British historian, in the concluding senti ment of the following paragraph. " After the falj of Napoleon, it was held in this country," says Baines, " with a lamentable ignorance of the real state of the feelings and energies of the United States, that Britain, bo long the undisputed mistress of the ocean, would soon be Barnes ac able to sweep from the seas the ships of America ; and that Ci<,"n' and taking possession of a bastion. While this assaults the savage man was denying mercy to the conquered Americans fort, and is a barrel of powder beneath him became ignited. There was gunpowuerf a sudden crash, and bastion, assailants, and assailed, were blown together into the air. Those of the British who sur vived, fled in dismay. Their numbers were thinned as they passed the American artillery. According to the British offi cial seport, their loss on this day was 57 killed, of whom were Colonels Scott and Drummond, 319 wounded, and 539 missing. The total loss of the Americans was but eighty- four. After this repulse, both krmies remained in a state of inac tivity for some time. General Gaines bad been wounded by General the bursting of a shell, and the command again devolved on Brown in General Ripley ; it was exercised, however, but a short time, as General Brown, now recovered from his wounds, entered the fort, and resumed his functions. General The American public had become anxious for the fate of laard *™t to their brave defenders, and General Izard, by the order of the Brown, secretary of war, abandoning a post, which, from the arrival of the British troops at Montreal, it was hazardous to leave, marched from Plattsburg, with 5,000 men for their relief. The enemy were daily receiving reinforcements, and their works, upon which they labored with great assiduity, grew more and more formidable. General Brown, learning that of the three parts into which the British army was divided, two were kept at the camp, while the third manned the batteries, determined to make a sortie, with a view of destroying tbe batteries, and cutting off the brigade on duty. Sept. 17. On the 17th of September, at twelve o'clock, General Por- The Amen- ter ieft the camp at the head of a detachment, to penetrate "sortie1 and by a passage through the wood. Being perfectly acquainted dislodge the with the ground, he with his men, trod silently and circuit- ™urtE»iem ousty along, when, arriving at th^ir destined point, they rush ed upon the enemy, whom itirJ completely surprised. In thirty minutes they had talten a blockhouse and two bastions, spiked their guns, blown up their magazine, and made pris oners of their garrison ; but the brave colonels Gibson and Wood had fallen at the head of their columns. General Rip ley arrived in season to share the danger and the honor of this well-planned and well-conducted enterprise. Thus in a few hours were tbe enemy deprived of the fruit of forty-seven days' labor, of a great quantity of artillery and ammunition, and of 1 ,000 mer which was their number of WASHINGTON THREATENED. 341 killed, wounded, and prisoners. General Miller, on whom PART 17. the command devolved, secured the prisoners and the trophies period n of the victory, and re-conducted the army to the fort in CHAP- XIV' perfect order. Tbe killed and wounded were 300. Several v-**""v~^-/ more were missing, so that their loss was not much less than one-third of their whole number. After the destruction of his works before Fort Erie, Gene- 181*- ral Drummond broke up his camp, and retired on the night of J^f retina the 21st, to his entrenchments behind Chippewa. Soon after this, the arrival of General Izard placed the Americans on a footing which enabled them once more to commence offensive operations ; and leaving Erie in command of Colonel Hindman, General Brown again advanced towards Oct. 20. Chippewa. Near this place,, an affair occurred on the 20th Colonel Bis- of October, in which Colonel Bissell, with a detachment of ,?eU1irefeat? . -, , , - the Marquis 1,000 men, obtained an advantage over a detachment of 1,200, of Twee under the Marquis of Tweedale. daIe- During the summer of this year, an expedition was set on foot to recover Mackinaw. It was conducted by Major Cro ghan, with the co-operation of part of the fleet of Lake Erie, which was for that purpose taken through the straits into Unsuccess Lake Huron. The attempt was unsuccessful, and several ^ attempt brave men were lost, among whom was Captain Holmes. Mackinaw The British warlike establishments at St. Josephs, and the Sault de St. Marie, were, however, destroyed. CHAPTER XIV. Washington taken by the British. — Baltimore threatened. In the early part of the year 1814, while Admiral Cock burn was engaged in predatory warfare upon the shores of the Chesapeake, the main protection of the inhabitants was a fleet of gunboats and smaller vessels, commanded by Commo dore Barney. Early in June, several skirmishes took place between this flotilla and a part of the enemy's vessels ; but Commodore not being able to cope witl ¦> be superior force of the British, . B£"je? • Barney took refuge in the Patuxent, and was there blockaded the Patux- by the British admiral. ent. Now that the armies which had been employed in Europe, were, by the pacification, left at liberty to be brought over by the great navy of Britain, the nation supposed that they might ^an *° ^°r probably soon dictate a peace in the capital of the United ington. States ; and an expedition was accordingly planned, whose <[>bject was the capture of Washington. The administration were not entirely inattentive to its de- 24 342 barney's flotilla destroyed. PART IV. fense, and that of the adjacent city of Baltimore ; but theii teriod ii. measures were inefficient. The national territory had been chap. xiv. previously divided into nine military districts. A tenth was ¦ **-*~**s now formed, embracing Maryland, the District of Columbia, and a part of Virginia. On the 4th of July, a requisition was made by the president, upon the governors of these states fot ninety-three thousand militia. Of these, fifteen thousand were within the limits of the new military district. One thousand regulars were also to be added, and thus there was, numeri cally, a force of sixteen thousand men at the disposal of Gen- • eral Winder, who was appointed to the command. But it waj 1814. only a fortnight previous to the invasion, that the order, au ton* for the thorizing that general to call for these forces, was received. defense of Time is necessarily consumed in the tardy operations of re- Washington, publican governments, unused to war ; and when, on the 20th of August, news arrived that the enemy had landed at Bene dict, General Winder had not collected more than 3,000 men, and these were undisciplined and unacquainted with each other. Au^ 17. On the 17th of August, the British fleet in the Chesapeake Cochrane a» was augmented by the arrival of Admiral Cochrane, who had rives withan Deen sent out with a large land force, commanded by Major- Boss. General Ross, in pursuance of the resolution which had been taken by the British government, " to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast, as might be found assailable." This formidable fleet was divided into three parts, one of which, carrying General Ross, and commanded by Admiral Cochrane, proceeded up the Patuxent ; one, under Captain Gordon, ascended the Potomac ; and the third, under Sir Peter Parker, went further up the Chesapeake, as if to threaten Baltimore. On the 19th, General Ross landed at Benedict with 5,000 infantry : on the 20th, he began bis march to Washington, theyPatux- distant twenty-seven miles, keeping along the right bank of ent. the Patuxent. His object was, in the first instance, to co operate with Admiral Cockburn, in the destruction of Commo dore Barney's squadron, which he had for some time been Aug. 22. blockading. On the 22d, the expedition reached Pig Point, modore Bar- and descried the pendant of the American flotilla. On theii neytode- approach, the Americans abandoned their fleet, and sixteen "a°IillaS out °f seventeen boats were blown up to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. The British were now distant only sixteen miles from Washington. Aug. 20. On the afternoon of the 20th, General Winder, apprised of American 0f the danger of the capital, advanced from it towards the Wmdernad- enemy, and on the 22d encamped near Marlborough. Com- vanpes from modore Barney here united his marines with Winder's army. Washington. The presiaent of the United States, with General Armstrong, Aug. 22. wh0 h^ succeeded Mr. Eustis as secretary of war, and some marines, of the other heads of department,* here visited the camp- BATTLE OF BLADENSBURO. 343 lt was resolved to fall back nearer to the capital. The same PART IV. retreating policy was pursued, until General Winder had re- period ii. , crossed the eastern branch of the Potomac. Here he made 0HAI' XIV provisions for guarding the bridge, it being supposed the v--""-v*»*-' enemy would attempt the capital from this point. In the meantime, the militia from Baltimore, under General Stansbury, advanced to the relief of Washington. These, to' the number of 2,200, including a company of artillery, rested, on the night of the 23d, near Bladensburg. Being under orders to join General Winder, they commenced their march on the morning of the 24th. But it was now discovered, that, al though that general, or those under .whose direction he acted, 1814. had carefully set a trap at the great bridge on the east branch, Enemy the British commander did not choose to fall into it ; but ^^^Ji. had taken for safety a more circuitous route, and was march ing past Washington, to gain the Bladensburg road, on the north. General Stansbury now met an order from Winder to re- General trace his steps to Bladensburg, and there give battle to the Stansbury- enemy. Although exhausted by fatigue, and tbe heat of the M M season, he obeyed. On his march he was met by Colonel Monroe, secretary of state, who had been securing the adja^ cent country for volunteers. He proposed to Stansbury to make a movement in order to get in the enemy's rear ; but that general being under orders to the contrary, did not feel at Aug. 24. liberty to follow this judicious counsel. About noon he met Americans the enemy near Bladensburg. General Winder soon came 5]^^ up with the main body. The president and heads of depart- burg. ment were on the field, but as the event of the day was doubtful, and they had documents of importance to secure, aU left it about tbe time the battle began, except Colonel Mon roe, who was active in forming and bringing forward the caval ry of General Stansbury. The contest which ensued, termina ted as might have been expected from the condition of the American troops. Many of tbe militia fled. Commodore Bar ney, with his 400 marines and a small battery, fought valiantly and for some time held the enemy in check ; but he was at length wounded and made prisoner. The regulars and mili tia of the district of Columbia stood their ground for a time, but at length they left the field and retreated towards Wash ington. They were now joined by fresh militia from Virginia, and They rai upon the heights they formed again, and once more interposed ne^r Wasb *. - , & -.-*/ 1 • ' -i -, i t> . ington: am a barrier between Washington and its invaders. But on sur- §efeated. veying their numbers, wasted by the flight of the timid, and the fall of the brave, they were found inadequate to the task of its defense. General Ross entered Washington at eight In the evening, General _ .... J? . . . ° .. « *-. * 1 Pried onto Ross entec* Vandals of the middle ages, but which is unknown to civili- and with that Daroarism which distinguished the Goths and y^^^, 844 THE BRITISH IN WASHINGTON. PART IV. 1814. General Boss enters Washing ton ; bums and plun ders. American and British Bri'ush bar- oarism de feats British policy. Aug. 27. Alexandria capitulates. British re pulsed at Bellair. Sept. 11. The British proceed to Baltimore. zed warfare, bis troops burnt, not only the capital, which was in an unfinished state, but its extensive library, records, and other collections, appertaining not to war, but to peace and civilization. The public offices and the president's house were wantonly sacrificed, together with many private dwel lings. The public stores at the navy-yard, and tbe vessels on the stocks had been burned by order of the president, to pre vent their falling into the hands of the invaders. The expen sive bridge across the Potomac was also destroyed. The loss of public property alone, amounted to one million of dollars. The British, though they had entered the capital, had learn ed enough of the people, to satisfy them that it would not be wise to attempt' keeping possession. General Ross left it on the evening of the 25th, and reached the fleet, still in the Pa tuxent, on the evening of the 27th. The loss of the Americans, in the battle of Bladensburg was eighty in kiUed and wounded ; that of the enemy, 249. Their loss during this expedition, amounted to 400 killed and wounded, and 500 either taken prisoners or deserted. Had the British confined themselves to the capture and de struction of public property appropriated to warlike purposes, the Americans would have felt deeply their humiliation, and the resentment of the nation might, as was expected in Eng land, have fallen upon the public servants ; but the manner in which the advantage was used, produced, in the minds of the people, a vindictive feeling against the conquerors, which swallowed up all minor resentments, and united the nation, not in a wish for peace, but in high resolves for war. In the meantime, the squadron, under Captain Gordon, passed up the Potomac without opposition, and appeared be fore Alexandria, on tbe 27th of August. The inhabitants en- entered into a capitulation, by which they delivered up then merchandise and shipping to the enemy ; who, aden with a rich booty, returned to the ocean, though not without being much annoyed from the shore as they passed. The squadron which had sailed up the Chesapeake, under Sir Peter Parker, landed about 250 marines, for the purpose of surprising 200 militia, who were encamped near Bellair, under Colonel Reed. They were repulsed with the loss of forty-one killed and wounded ; Sir Peter Parker himself being among the latter. Admiral Cochrane having received on board his fleet the elated conquerors of Washington, the combined land and sea forces moved on, in the confidence of victory, to tbe atHck of Baltimore. After passing down the Patuxent, they as cended the Chesapeake, and on the 11th of September, ap peared at the mouth of the Patapsco, fourteen miles from Baltimore. On the morning of the 12th, General Ross, with an army THE ENEMY REPULSED AT BALTIMORE. 345 amounting to about 5,000, debarked at North Point, and com- PART IV. menced his march towards the city. period ii. General Smith commanded the whole force of the defend- CHAP- xv- ers. Watching the movements of the enemy, he dispatched -~^-v^s about 2,300 men, under General Strieker, who, on the 11th, 1814. marched towards North Point. They halted at night seven „SeS'- 1?\ .. r. ' . . /-.i <- i rt-i'f Battle neal nules from the city. On the morning of the 12th, mforma- Baltimore. tion was received of the landing of the enemy, and General Strieker advanced to meet them. A skirmish between tbe advanced parties ensued, in which General Ross was killed. Death of The command then devolved on Colonel Brooke, who, having the instructions of General Ross, continued to move forward. An action commenced at about half past three, by a discharge of cannon on both sides. After maintaining the contest for some General time, the Americans gave way, and General Strieker retired Strieker re behind an entrenchment on the heights, where General Smith Ures- was stationed with the main army. On the morning of the 1 3th, the British advanced within a gept. 13. nule and a half of the camp, and manoeuvred to draw forth the General Americans ; but General Smith had the advantage of ground ^nt'eon™ and position, and wisely maintained it. Colonel Brooke was duct. aware that the republicans were superior to him in numbers as weU as position ; he therefore made no attempt upon them du ring the day, but disposed his troops for a night attack. In the evening, be received a communication from Admiral Cochrane Cochrane, the commander of the naval forces, informing him M'Henry, that Fort M'Henry had resisted all his efforts, and that the and is re- entrance of the harbor was blocked up by vessels sunk for pilsed. that purpose, and that a naval co-operation against the town British aban and camp, was impracticable. Colonel Brooke not choosing, don the en therefore, to hazard an attack, moved off in the night ; and, on erPni1*- the 15th, re-embarked at North Point. Great was the joy at Baltimore, when, on the morning of the 15th, the " star-spangled banner" was still seen to wave over Fort M'Henry, and the city was no longer threatened with destruction. CHAPTER XV. Maine.— Invasion of Plattsburg.— Macdonough's Victory. On the 11th of July, Commodore Hardy, with eight ships Jnly and 2,000 men, made a descent upon the coast of Maine, and, LoT^If°T* without resistance, took possession of Eastport and all the ma]5;es a a,. towns on the west side of Passamaquoddy Bay. Many of the «£*^j inhabitants remained, but it was on the degrading condition u&im of acknowledging themselves the subjects of Great Britain. 34(5 INVASION OF PLATTSBURG. PART IV. PERIOD II. CHAP. IV. 1814. British oc- «npy a por tion ol Maine. Aug. 9. British at tack Sto- nington, but aire repulsed. July and August. Sir George Provost is *e.inforced. He medi tates an in vasion, Sept. 3. He invades at Cham plain. His procla mation arouses the people with out distinc tion of party. In August, the governor of New Brunswick, with the aid of Admiral Griffith, invaded Maine, took possession of Cas tine, which had been previously evacuated, and proceeded up the Penobscot river to Hamden, where the frigate John Ad ams had been placed for preservation. The militia who had been stationed for its defense, fled on their approach, and the frigate was blown up, to prevent its falling into the hands of the British. A proclamation was issued by the council of Ne w Brunswick, declaring the country east of the Penobscot in possession of the king of Great Britain ; and a direct commu nication was opened through it, between New Brunswick and Canada. The British continued to occupy this section of Maine until the close of the war. A British fleet under Commodore Hardy appeared before Stonington. They landed and attacked at different points. So far were they from finding that Connecticut was attached to the British cause, that no where had their predatory excur sions been met, by the militia, with more spirit. Even the women shared the zeal for the common cause. After bom barding the place for three days, Commodore Hardy drew ofl his fleet. During the months of July and August, the British army in Canada was augmented by another considerable body of those troops, who had, under Lord Wellington, acquired experience and reputation in the war of the Spanish peninsula. With these Sir George Provost determined to invade America, by the same route that Burgoyne had formerly pursued, and per haps, with the same expectation of penetrating, by the way of Lake Champlain and the Hudson, to New York. A part of his baggage, like that of Burgoyne, consisted of arms and clothing, for those whom he expected would flock to his stand ard. Such a belief had been excited by the smugglers from the United States, who wished to court favor with the British in Canada, and by the republican party who had too freely ac cused their opponents with being the friends of the British. The' army at Plattsburg having been reduced by the depar ture of General Izard for Fort Erie, Sir George Provost con centrated his force on the frontier, and entered the American territory on the 3d of September. From Champlain, he issued a proclamation, giving the assurance that his arms would on ly be directed against the government, and those who support ed it ; while no injury should be done to the peaceful and unoffending inhabitants. The fire of genuine patriotism rekindled in the breasts of the Americans, when they heard that an invading enemy had dared to call on the people to separate themselves from their government. The inhabitants of the northern part of New York, and the hardy sons of the Green Mountains, without distinction of party, rose in arms, and hastened towards 'ho scene of action macdonough's victory. 347 Sir George Provost, at the head of 14,000 troops, march- PART IV. ing in two columns, now advanced upon Plattsburg. One period n. column, with aU the baggage and artillery, proceeded by the 0HAP- IV- lake road, and the other, under the command of General Bris- <-*>--*-*•¦-> bane, by Beekmantown. Parties of the Americans were detached, who obstructed 1814. their way, by breaking down bridges and feUing trees. On ~3eV\- v6 the morning of the 6th, Major Wool, with a small corps of reg- tw™n thT ulars, met General Brisbane seven miles from Plattsburg, advance of where a smart skirmish ensued. From the superior force of ca^ndThe the British, the Americans were compelled to retreat, not, British. however, without disputing the ground, and killing or wound ing 200 of the enemy ; among whom was Lieutenant Colonel Wellington. The Americans lost forty-five in killed and wounded. Sir George arrived in the course of the morning, ^4™ fore with the main column, and encamped bis whole army before before Plattsburg. Plattsburg. The situation of General Macomb, who had succeeded Gen- ' situation of eral Izard in command, was critical in the extreme. His the Ameri- whole regular force did not exceed 2,000, and his fortifica- Cp"atat™,fr al tions were merely a show of defense. Had Sir George pursued Major Wool across the Saranac, on the morning of the 6th, he could have taken with ease, the works occupied by Macomb and his army, but he preferred to wait until the two fleets should have settled the supremacy of the lake. On the morning of the 11th of September, Sir George Sept. u. formed his army in two columns, preparatory to an assault. Plattsburg One column passed the Saranac, and placed itself in the rear American of the American position, while the other was in the village army me- in front, ready to advance whenever the order might be given, "aced by a or circumstances might justify. Such was the threatening riortotljet' position of the army, when the British fleet made its appear- 0WTl ance in the bay of Plattsburg. It was commanded by Com modore Downie, and was composed of the Confiance, a frigate of thirty-nine guns, a brig of sixteen, two sloops of eleven, and several galleys, mounting, in the whole, ninety-five guns, and having 1 ,000 men. The American squadron, under Commo dore Macdonough, which was anchored in the bay, mounted no more than eighty-six guns, and had only 820 men. It con sisted of the Saratoga of twenty-six guns ; the Eagle of twenty; the Ticonderoga of seventeen; tbe Preble, of seven, and ten galleys. Tbe enemy, having the advantage in choice of position, an- Maedon chored within three hundred yards of the American line, and ough's skiH at 9 o'clock began the fight. The surface of the lake was un- and braveni ruffled, and for an hour and a half, the Saratoga and Confiance poured upon each other a destructive fire, while the smaller vessels commenced a close and spirited action. The Eagle . then cut her cable, and passing between the Ticonderoga and fleeet defeat Saratoga, increased the danger of tlie American commodore, ed. 24* 848 retreat of sir george provost. PART IV. by leaving him exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's brig. period n. His guns were dismounted, or had become unmanageable ; chap. xvi. when, by the skillful manoeuvre of waring his ship, which s*»-v-^ Commodore Downie vainly attempted, he brought a fresh broadside to bear upon the Confiance, which soon compelled her to surrender. The smaller vessels were of course obliged to follow her example, and the whole British fleet on the lake remained with the Americans, as trophies of their victory. The British loss was eighty-four killed, and one hundred and ten wounded ; among the former was Commodore Downie The loss of the Americans was fifty-two killed and fifty-eighf. wounded. When the engagement between the fleets began, the British land army opened their batteries upon the American works ; but they soon ceased ; for the moment Sir George perceived that his fleet was captured, he recalled his columns from the s G contemplated assault, and, leaving behind him large quantities Provost re- of ammunition and military stores, he retreated in great haste treats in great towards Canada. The column placed in the rear of the Ame- aste' ricans, was pursued by General Strong, of Vewnont, who commanded the volunteers. The soldiers of one of the re treating companies, were either killed, wounded, or captured. CHAPTER XVI. Bloody Sea-fight. — The Hartford Convention. Commodore Commodore Porter, who had sailed in tbe frigate Essex, ih° Essex?.! ha(* cnnse(* m tne Pacific ocean, and had greatly annoyed the the Pacific, enemy's commerce, having captured twelve armed whale ships, whose aggregate force amounted to 107 guns, and 302 men. One of these prizes was equipped, named the Essex Junior, and given in command to Lieutenant Downes, by whom it was employed to conduct the prizes, made by Porter, to the neu tral port of Valparaiso. HiTTr'te'nt T° meet the Essex> tne British admiralty had sent out Com- oat to'meet m°dore Hillyar, with the Phebe frigate, carrying fifty-three Porter, guns and 320 men, accompanied by Captain Tucker, with the Cherub sloop of war, mounting twe'nty-eight guns, and having 180 men. The Essex carried forty-six guns and 250 men, and her consort twenty guns and sixty men. Commodore 0n learning the vicinity of his enemy, Commodore Porter Porter at the steered for the island of Noaheevah, to refit. Of this island SW.u-dsC^ he t0°k P°ssession> in the name of the American government, ' calling it, in honor of the president, Madison's _.s_.and. at Valparai- Leaving three of his vessels under the charge of Lieuten- so ant Gamble, he proceeded to Valparaiso, and there, as he ex- THE ESSEX CAPTURED 34*' pected met with Commodore Hillyar, who, for several months, PART IV. had sought him. Finding, to his regret, that his adversary's ' force was greatly superior to his own, Porter remained block aded at Valparaiso, for six weeks. Determining at length to attempt an escape, he set sail with 1§14 a fair wind, but on- rounding the point at the entrance of the March 28. harbor, a sudden squaU carried away his maintopmast. Thus Accident disabled, he anchored in a small bay near the shore, hoping teHmco™" that the neutrality of the place would protect him. But the tact with the British frigate pressed on. Porter met her assault so warm- enemT- ly, that in hah an hour, the Phebe was obliged to retire and repair her damages. She however soon returned, and being able to choose her distance, she placed herself out of the shot of the guns of her antagonist, but where her own of a longer reach poured upon the Essex a destructive fire. As tbe Ame- The battle o. rican saUors fell at the guns, others stepped into their places, *{j| pj^ till in this way, one gun was manned the third time. Porter attempted to board, but his masts were shot away, and his ship was unmanageable. He next endeavored to run ashore, but the wind, shifting, blew him upon the raking fire of his enemy. The Essex now burst into flames, and before they could be extinguished, a quantity of gunpowder exploded. StiU the Americans kept up the fight. At length the commo dore thought of consulting his officers on the subject of sur render. Only one, Lieutentant M'Knight, remained. Porter then struck his colors; but the enemy's firing continued ten minutes afterwards. Seventy-five were all that remained of the crew of the Essex. Commodore Porter was sent on parole, in the Essex Junior, porter re to the United States, where he was received at New York tums in the with distinguished honors. The desperate valor which he Essex- Jr- displayed in this, the most bloody naval action of the war, wiU give his memory to future ages, as a hero of the same class as Paul Jones. On the 2 1st of April, tbe United States' sloop of war Frolic, Ftohc cap- commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, was captured by the tUpd. ty ™ Orpheus frigate. On the 29th of the same month, the United Eperrvier by States' sloop, the Peacock, of which Captain Warrington was tne Ameri- the commander, captured the British brig Epervier, command- can3- ed by Captain Wales. The Wasp, commanded by Captain Blakely, left Portsmouth, (N. H.) on the 18th of May. On the 28th of June, near the T^wSp entrance to St. George's channel, she fell in with the Eng- leaves Port* lish brig Reindeer, commanded by Captain Manners. After moutn- an action of nineteen minutes, the Reindeer lost her com- June 28. mander and purser, twenty-seven men killed and forty-two the°Rein™ wounded, and having made two unsuccessful attempts to board leer. the Wasp, she was herself boarded by the American vessel, and taken, but in a condition so shattered that she was burned. The Wasp continued her cruise, and after making several 350 THE OPPOSITION IN NEW ENGLAND. PART IV. captures put into the port of l'Orient, in France, on the 8th of period n. July. She remained there until the 27th of August, and when chap. xvi. four days at sea, she met the brig Avon, commanded by Cap- n---v— »-^ tain Arbuthnot. After a severe action of forty-five minutes, 1814. and after orders were given to board her, three British vessels Aug. 31. appeared in sight, and Captain Blakely was compelled to sinters the abandon the contest. The Avon sunk soon after he left her. Avon. During the remainder of the cruise, Captain Blakely captured founders at fifteen merchant vessels ; but he never returned to port ; nor - sea. is it known what was the fate of tbe vessel and her gallant crew. In October, communications were received from the Amen can commissioners in Europe, from which it appeared that Great Britain demanded such terms as extinguished the hopes Difficult 0I" a speedy reconciliation. In the meantime the situation of situation of affairs in the United States, was such as to alarm the friends the Ameri- 0f t]je COuntry. The expenditure of the nation greatly ex- ment. ceeded its income, its credit was low, its finances disordered, and the opposition of the federal party to the administration was unremitted. Congress, however, shrunk not from the du ties which the crisis imposed. New loans were authorized, taxes augmented, and vigorous preparations made for prosecu ting the war. Mr. Monroe was appointed secretary of the war department, in the place of General Armstrong. The affaii of Washington had injured the popularity of Armstrong, and much increased that of Monroe. The opposition had, at this time, assumed -a bold attitude. Some of tbe New England states had not only refused to call out their militia, but Massachusetts even proposed to withhold the revenue of the state from the general government. Legislatures a convention of delegates from the New England states was "chusetts" proposed, the object of which was, to take into consideration Connecticut, the situation of tbe country, and to decide upon such measures a"i f^e as might lead to a redress of supposed grievances. Members choose dele- were appointed by the legislatures of Massachusetts, Con- gates, necticut, and Rhode Island, Two members from New Hamp shire, and one from Vermont, were appointed at county meetings. The convention assembled at Hartford, in Connecticut, on Dec. 15 the 15th of December, and sat nearly three weeks withclpsed Meeting of ^gorg After their adjournment, they published an address, tion at Hart- charging the national government with pursuing measures ford. hostile to the interests of New England, and recommending . , amendments of the federal constitution. Among these dress' and amendments, it was proposed that congress should have no proposed power to lay an embargo for more than sixty days, that they Mf®jj ™¥ ing of the citizens, who convened on the 16th of September, dress. to devise measures in co-operation with the government of the state, made an eloquent and moving appeal, calling on the ™llef on* inhabitants to prove the assertion a slander, that they were not attached to the American government. The people arous ed ; defenses were begun, to guard the principal passes, and jackson „ volunteer corps organized. In the meantime, General Jack- rives, and it son arrived, and the citizens bebeving that he would preserve •1ST^tf<1to. them in safety, or lead them to victory, were content to put r;ai p0Wers. aU their strength, pecuniary and physical, at his disposal. Confident in his own energies, he took, with a firm and un wavering step, the perilous post assigned him. At length it was ascertained that the enemy, with sixty sail, Tlie British were off Ship Island. Jackson forgot no measure to increase areis°lan|hip his mihtary force, or make it more effective ; or to put at his disposal more laboring hands, in the building of "defenses. The motley population of New Orleans, the slaves, the free people of color, Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Americans, all were employed. The enemy had passed into lake Borgne. A naval force, ^j^ consisting of several small vessels, under Lieutenant Jones, Bmgne 354 ENERGY AND ACTIVITY. PART IV. 1814. American flotilla, Dec. 13 The extre mity of dan ger in New Orleans au thorizes Jackson to proclaim martial law. Dec. 22. The British land below New Or leans, where they repulse the Arneri - The Ameri cans fortify themselves nearer the city. (+ It was lormerlybelieved that bags of cotton were used iu its con struction, hut is now denied.) met them at one of the straits which connect that lake with Poncbartrain. Tbe British, being provided with a great num ber of boats, sent forty-three, with twelve hundred men, against the American flotilla, which was manned with only one hundred and eighty men. After a spirited defense in which Lieutenant Jones killed a considerable number of the enemy and took several of their barges, he was compelled by their superior force to Jurrender. The loss of this flotilla, which had been supposed adequate to defend the passes, in creased the danger which threatened New Orleans. Having reason to believe that there were persons in the city, who carried intelligence to the enemy, an embargo was laid for three days. That not an idle hand might be found, the prisons were disgorged, on condition that the prisoners should labor in the ranks, where already La Fitte and the Barratarians were employed. To keep in order and direct the energies of such a mass, General Jackson judged that the strong arm of military control could alone be effectual. The danger of the time was extreme. A few days must de cide the fate of the city. The general therefore took the daring responsibility of proclaiming martial law. On the morning of the 22d of December, three thousand British troops, under General Kean, landed at the head of lake Borgne, and at two o'clock, after making prisoners of a small advanced party of Americans, they posted themselves on the Mississippi, about nine miles below New Orleans. Apprehending that the fleet would pass the strait from Borgne to Ponchartrain, and that thus they would make a double at tack, Jackson posted a part of his force, under General Car roll, so as to intercept their approach in that direction. At five on the afternoon of the 23d, General Jackson, ac companied by General Coffee, having the co-operation of the Caroline, an armed vessel, attacked the enemy in their posi tion on the bank of the river. The charge of the Americans was bravely ma3e, but the British troops maintained their po sition. A thick fog coming on, General Jackson deemed it prudent to draw off his army. Having rested on the field, he withdrew on the morning of the 24th, to a stronger position, two miles nearer the city. The loss of the Americans was about one hundred in killed, wounded, and missing ; that of the British, two hundred and twenty-four killed, besides a large number of wounded. In the discretion with which General Jackson now took his post, and the dibgence, care, and activity with which he for tified it, consists much of the merit of his defense of New Orleans. His camp occupied both banks of the Mississippi On the left bank was a parapetf of 1000 yards in length, with a ditch in front, containing five feet of water. The right wing of the division here posted, rested on the river, and BATTLE OF THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY. "355 the left, on a wood which nature and art had rendered im- PART IV. pervious. period, n 3n the right bank of the river, a heavy battery enfiladed CHAP- r?"e the whole front of the position on the left. The entire army -^-v*1*-' were vigorously occupied in strengthening these lines. Rishl baEi- In the meantime, the British, who had been greatly annoyed by the fire of the Caroline, constructed a battery, which, by ord means of hot shot set fire to the vessel, and blew her up ; stroyed. she having been one hour before abandoned by her crew. On the 25th, Sir Edward Packenham, the commander-in- chief of the British force, accompanied by Major General British at> Gibbs, arrived at the British encampment with the main army, tempt to and a large body of artillery. On the 28th, Sir Edward ad- /merits vanced with his army and artillery, intending to force Jack- from their son from his position. At the distance of half a mile from position, and the American camp, he opened upon their yet unfinished ttre repu M works a heavy cannonade. This was met on the part of the Americans, by tbe broadsides of the Louisiana, then lying in the river, and by the fire of their batteries. After maintain ing the contest for seven hours, the British commander re tired with the loss of one hundred and twenty men. The loss of the Americans was inconsiderable, being only six killed and twelve wounded. While engaged in tbe conflict of the 28th, General Jackson was informed that plans for entering into negotiations with the enemy, were forming in the legislature of Louisiana, which was then in session. In tbe moment of irritation, he sent an order to Governor Claiborne, to watch their conduct, and if such a project was disclosed, to place a military guard at the door, and confine them to their chamber. Governor Claiborne misconstrued the order, and placed a guard which prevented their assembling. On the morning of the first of January, the enemy having 1815. constructed batteries near the American lines, opened a heavy ,, .•*??¦ !- . „ , , , . , ' r ¦" British agali fire upon them, and at the same time made an attempt to turn repulsed their left flank. They were repulsed, and in the evening abandoned their position. The loss of the Americans was 30 in killed and wounded. The British had 120 men killed. On the 4th of January, General Jackson received a re-in- forcement of twenty-five hundred Kentucky militia, under General Adair. On the 6th, the British army was augmented by four thousand troops, under General Lambert. Their army amounted, at this time, to fourteen thousand, while that of General Jackson did not exceed six thousand. On the 7th, the British commanders were vigorously pre paring to attack. With immense labour they had widened and deepened the canal from lake Borgne to the Mississippi, so that on the night of the seventh, they succeeded in getting their boats through this passage from the lake to the river. Early on the morning of the 8th, the American army was as- Jan. s 356 LAST SCENES OF THE WAR. PpA.RT IV. sailed by a shower of bullets and congreve rockets. The period ii. British army, under generals Gibbs and Kean, the whole chap. xvin. commanded by Sir Edward Packenham, had marched in twc <-^-v-««^ divisions, to storm the American entrenchments. The batte ries of General Jackson opened a brisk fire upon them, but the British soldiers advanced slowly, though firmly, carrying fascines and scaling ladders. The keen and practiced eyes 1815. 0f the western marksmen were, as they advanced, selecting Battle of their victims. When the enemy were within reach of their New Or- rifles, the advanced line fired, and each brought down his defeat ofthe man- Those behind handed a second loaded rifle as soon as British, the first was discharged. The plain was soon strewed with the dead, and the brave foe faltered, and retreated in confu sion. Sir Edward appeared among his men, encouraging them to renew the assault, when two balls struck him, and he fell mortally wounded.1 A second time the British columns advanced, and a second time retreated before the deadly fire of the Americans. Again their thinned ranks were closed, and they moved forward with desperate resolution. Gene rals Kean and Gibbs were now both wounded, and carried from tbe field, and their troops fell back. At this time, Gen eral Lambert, who commanded the reserve, attempted to bring them up, but the day was irretrievably lost. The retreating columns had fallen back in disorder upon the reserve, and all his attempts to rally them were in vain. The British had also attacked the opposite bank of the river, and there they were successful ; but after their defeat n^i1?- on the right, they abandoned the position. The disparity of don the ex- l°ss on l^s occasion is utterly astonishing. While that of sedition and the enemy was twenty-six hundred, that of the Americans retlre' was but seven killed and six wounded. Completely dis heartened, the British abandoned the expedition on the night of the 18th, leaving behind, their wounded and artillery CHAPTER XVIII. Peace with England. — Nava. combats. — War with Algiers. Feb. 18. On the 18th of February, Fort Bowyer, commanded by Fort Bow- Major Lawrence, with a garrison amounting to three hundred "ments. Internal Improvements. — Seminole War. The political feuds which had, since the revolution, occa sioned so much animosity, were now gradually subsiding ; and it was an object with the administration, to remove old party prejudices, and promote union among the people. A spirit of improvement was also spreading over the coun try ; roads and canals were constructed in almost all parts of the Union ; and the facilities for travelling and conveying mer chandise .and produce, were continually increasing. These improvements were, however, made by the state governments ; among which, the wealthy state of New York, at whose head was the illustrious De Witt Clinton, took the lead. The great western canal, connecting Lake Erie with the waters of the Hudson ; and the northern canal, bringing to the same river the waters of Lake Ch»mplain, were brought to full com pletion. Congress caught the spirit of the times, and manifested a desire to employ the resources of the nation for these objects ; and though no doubt arose as to the expediency of such a course, yet the power of that body for carrying on such a sys tem of internal improvement, was questioned and debated. It was the opinion of President Monroe, that the general gov ernment hr.d not this power, and could not obtain it, except by an amendment of the constitution. After much debate, con gress adopted the president's opinion. Congress had, however, caused the great Cumberland road to be made, connecting, through the seat of government, the THE CUMBERLAND ROAD. &61 eastern with the western states, and passing over some of the PART IV. highest mountains in the Union. But this undertaking was teriod b not decisive of the great question respecting the right of con- 0HAP- XIX gress ; as it was made under peculiar circumstances. An ar- -"^-v*"-' tide of compact between the United States and the state of 1816. Ohio, under which that state came into tbe Union, provided that /?\e j 'JJjLj such a road should be made ; the expense being defrayed by a special money arising from the sale of public lands within that state. ca5e- As the road passed through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Vir ginia, it was thought necessary to obtain the sanction of those several states. Accordingly, the subject was brought before their legislatures, and an act passed, approving the route, and providing for the purchase of the land. Military roads had been opened during the late war, but it was MLitaiy by order of the war department. One of these extended from *"** Plattsburg to Sackett's Harbor ; another from Detroit to the foot of the Maumee rapids. The extra pay to the soldiers, en gaged in these works, was provided for by congress, in a spe cific appropriation. In the first year of Mr. Monroe's administration, an arrange ment was concluded with the British government, for the re duction of the naval force of Great Britain and tne United States, on the lakes ; and it was provided, that neither party NaTal fo should keep in service on Lake Ontario or Champlain, more on the lakea than one armed vessel, and on Lake Erie, or any of the upper reduced. lakes, more than two, to be armed with one gun only. For the security of the inland frontiers, military posts were . . estabbshed, at the mouth of the St. Peter's, on the Mississippi, postg 'i^tha and at the mouth of tbe Yellow Stone river, on tbe Missouri, far west above eighteen hundred miles above its junction with the Mis sissippi. During the year 1817, the United States became engaged 1§17. in a war with the Seminole Indians, a confederacy, who oc- The com- cupied the lands lying on the confines of the United States o™ ^J^Senlt and Florida ; the greater part, however, lying within the do- nole wa*. minions of the king of Spain. Outlaws from the Creek na tion, and negroes, who had fled from their masters in the United States, had united with these Indians ; and massacres had become so frequent, that the inhabitants were obliged to flee from their homes for security. The hostUe spirit of the Indians was further incited by an Arbutnnot Indian prophet, and by Arbuthnot and Ambrister, two English and Ambri* emise.iries, who had taken up their residence among them, for ter the purposes of trade. In December, 1817, a detachment of forty men, under the command of Lieutenant Scott, was sent to the mouth of the Lieutenant river Apalachicola, to assist in removing some military stores Scott and to Fort Scott. The party in returning, were fired upon by a ^"^^ body of Indians, who lay in ambush, and the lieutenant and by the s^ all his party, except six, were killed. The offenders were nole» .25 362 NEW STATES. TREATIES.- -PENSIONS. PART IV. ,They are condemned and exe cuted. Dec. 3. 1818. Illinois. Treaties with Great Britain and Sweden. Indigent officers and soldiers of the revolu tion provided for. The Chicka saws cede their lands to the United States. 1819. Alabama. 1818. l)e Witt Clinton re commends to the legisla ture of demanded by General Gaines, the commanding officer on tha frontier, but the chiefs refused to give them up. General Jackson, with a body of Tennesseeans, was order ed to the spot. He soon defeated and dispersed them. Per suaded that the Spaniards furnished the Indians with suppbes, and were active in fomenting disturbances, he en.ered Florida, took possession of forts, St. Marks, and Pensacola, and made prisoners of Arbuthnot, Ambrister, and the prophet. A court-martial was called for the trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, at which General Gaines presided. Arbuthnot was tried on tbe following charges : — " for exciting and stirring up the Creek Indians to war against the United States and her citizens, he being a subject of Great Britain, with whom the United States are at peace." Second, " for acting as a spy, aiding, abetting, and comforting the enemy, and supplying them with the means of war." He was found guilty of these charges, omitting the words, " acting as a spy," and sentenced to be hung. Ambrister was tried on similar charges, and sen tenced to be shot. Both were executed. Congress passed a bill to admit Illinois territory into the Union. Treaties of commerce were, this year, concluded with Great Britain and Sweden. In the treaty with the former, the northern boundary of the United States, from the Lake of the Woods to the Stony Mountains, was fixed. Congress passed a law, abolishing internal duties. The indigent officers and soldiers of the revolution, had al ready been partially provided for. A more ample provision was now made, by which every officer, who had served nine months at any period of the revolutionary war, and whose annual in come did not exceed one hundred dollars, received a pension of twenty dollars a month ; and every needy private soldier who had served that length of time, received eight. This year the Chickasaws ceded to the government of the United States, all their lands, west of the Tennessee river, in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee. The condition of those tribes living within the territories of the United States, now attracted the attention of the govern ment, and a humane policy dictated its measures. The sum of 10,000 dollars annually, was appropriated for the purpose of establishing schools among them, and to promote, in othei ways, their civilization. By means of the missionary socie ties, already established in tbe United States, missionaries were supported among the Indians, and success, in many in stances, crowned their efforts. Alabama territory was this year admitted into the union of the states, and the territory of Arkansaw separated from Mis souri territory. In December, 1818, De Witt Clinton, then governor of New York, recommended in his message to the legislature of that state, some special attention to the education of females. His SPANISH NEGOTIATION. 363 recommendation was based upon the principle long acknowl- PART IV. edged, that, as mothers, the female sex have great influence, period il in forming the minds and characters of all individuals compo- °hap. ia sing the community at large ; and it was apparent that no good reason could be shown, why they, being endued with the high attributes of mind in common with the other sex, should be denied the enjoyment and added means of usefulness, attend ant on mental cultivation. The legislature passed an act, which is probably the first »gj9 law existing which makes public provision for the education February. of women. It provides that academies, for their instruction The legisla- in the higher branches of learning, shall be privileged to "™ accord^" receive a share of the literature fund. ingly. Since that time, several of the states, especially among ihose recently admitted, have made provision for tbe same object. Religious denominations and wealthy parents of daughters, have also favored it ; and throughout the country, female schools have sprung up. Large and handsome edifi ces are erected ; and adequate teachers, bbranes and appara tus, are provided for the use of the students. The consequences of this change are becoming manifest, in the increasing num ber of competent female teachers, and in other respects. On the 23d of February, 1819, a treaty was negotiated at Feb. 23. Washington, between John Quincy Adams, secretary of state, ^°"cePb°e° and Don Onis, tbe Spanish minister, by which Spain ceded tween John to the United States, East and West Florida, and the adjacent Adams and islands. The government of the United States agreed to ex onerate Spain from the demands which their citizens had against that nation, on account of injuries and spoliations ; and it was stipulated that congress should satisfy these claims, to an amount not exceeding five millions of dollars. The con tracting parties renounced all claims to indemnities for any of the recent acts of their respective officers in Florida. _ „ This treaty was ratified by the president and senate of the Spain reject United States, and sent to Spain, but the king very unexpect- ed by the edly refused to sanction it. mg' Don Onis was recalled, and Don Vives sent out. Instead of coming directly over, he went to Paris and London, to as certain whether, in case of a war between Spain and the Uni ted States, the former party would be aided and abetted. But American valor stood high in Europe since the close of the Mission of last war, and Don Vives obtained no encouragement for Spain Don Vive*. to quarrel with the republic. He, however, on his arrival at Washington, undertook to open a diplomatic campaign, but was soon put to silence by Mr. Adams ; the American sec retary steadily demanding the ratification of the engagement already entered into by an authorized agent of Spain. Flori da had ceased to be of any political value to that nation, and tbe just claim of the citizens of the United States, she knew not how else to cancel 25* 4(64 TREATY WITH SPAIN RATIFIED. PART IV. The treaty was therefore ratified by the Spanish govern- period ii. ment in October, 1820, and possession of tbe Floridas given chap. xix. the following year. v-^~^*»-' Although the addition of this peninsula, which completes 1820. the ocean boundary of the United States, made no great sen- T-e n'y rdU' satwni and seemed little to affect the politics of the country, Florida yet the event was important, and fraught with consequences. ceded. Tbe historian of the American Republic must now look back, and give the history of Florida as a part of his olan, and look ing forward from its cession, we already fir d a bloody war following this increase of territory. PERIOD III THB CESSION THE TREATY OF FROM ; 1820 ; TO 1848. j OF FLORIDA. GAUDALUFE HID.U.GO. CHAPTER I. The Missouri question. A petition was presented to congress this year, from the territory of Missouri, praying for authority to form a state government, and to be admitted into the Union. A bill was accordingly introduced for that purpose, which with an amend ment, prohibiting slavery within the new state, passed the house of representatives, but was arrested in the senate. The district of Maine also presented a memorial to con gress, praying '.o be separated from Massachusetts, to be au thorized to form its own constitution, and to be admitted into the Union, on an equal footing with the other states. The two bflls for the admission of Maine and Missouri were joined, but not without much opposition from the advocates of the re striction in the Missouri biU. Upon this subject, the mem bers of congress were divided into two parties ; those from the non-slaveholding states were in favor of the restriction, while those from the south warmly opposed it. Much debate took place, and at no time had the parties in the congress of the United States been so marked by a geographical division, or so much actuated by feelings dangerous to the union of the states. Nor was the seat of government the only place where this subject was discussed ; but in all parts of the country it attracted the attention of the people. Many of the northern states called meetings, and pubbshed spirited reso lutions, expressive of their fears of perpetuating slavery. The members from the south opposed the restriction, partly on the ground of self-defense. They did not consider that the unqualified admission of Missouri, would tend, in any de gree, to perpetuate slavery. It would not, they contended, be the means of increasing the number of slaves within the states, but of removing some of those that already existed, from one state to another. They maintained, that it would be a dangerous and despotic measure of the general government, and one that would infringe upon the sovereignties of the states ; that such a condition was inconsistent with the treaty by which the territory was ceded to the United States ; and, PART IV period m. CHAP. I. 1820. Maine pe titions to oa admitted. Heated and dangerous debate. Plea of friendly to the reslrie tion. 366 MR. MONROE RE-ELECTED. PART IV. m ally , they insinuated the danger of a dissolution of the period hi. Union, if the friends of the measure persisted. chap. i. Qn the other hand it was maintained that the constitution v-""~v'^-' gave to congress the right of admitting states with or without 1820. restrictions, and that no state had ever yet been admitted Ro7pIneldtS without any. In proof of this it was urged, that when North Carolina ceded to the United States that part of her territory which now includes the state of Tennessee, she made the grant upon the express condition that congress should make no regulation tending to the emancipation of slaves. When Georgia ceded the Mississippi territory, the articles of agree ment which provided for its admission as a state, on the con- ¦ ditions of the ordinance of 1787, expressly excepted that ar ticle which forbids slavery. It was also maintained that to strike out the restriction from this bill, would inevitably tend to perpetuate slavery, and to entail this greatest of evils upon the new state, besides increasing to the Union the mischiefs arising from unequal representation. After much discussion, Missouri ad- a compromise was agreed on, and a bill passed for the admis- nutted with- jon Qc jyiissouri without any restriction, but with the inhibi- out restric- . J ' . th u. tion of slavery throughout the territories of the United States, 36t° the north of 36° 30' north latitude. Thus was the most danger- limit of sla- ous question ever agitated in congress, at length disposed of by friendly compromise. Maine be- The long connection of Maine with Massachusetts was now comes a se- dissolved by its final admission as one of the states of the parate state. Federal TJnion. 1821. Missouri was not declared independent until August, 1821. The Missou- Previously to the passage of the bill for its admission, the againSag£ People had formed a state constitution ; a provision of which tated. required the legislature to pass a law " to prevent free negroes and mulattoes from coming to, and settling in the state.'' When the constitution was presented to congress, this provis ion was strenuously opposed. The contest occupied a greai Missouri ad- part of the session, but Missouri was finally admitted, on the condition that no laws should be passed, by which any free citizens of the United States should be prevented from enjoy ing those rights within that state, to which they were entitled by the constitution of the United States. Mr. MMiroe This year, Mr. Monroe entered upon his second term of re-elected. 0fnCe; having been re-elected to the presidency by nearly a unanimous vote. Mr. Tompkins was also continued in the vice-presidency. The census. By the fourth census the number of inhabitants in 1820 was found to be 9,625,734, of whom 1,531,436 were slaves. Pernor of° 0n the 7th °f March> president Monroe appointed General Florida" Jackson governor of Florida, and Elijeus Fromentin, chief- Aug 22. justice. But it was not until the 22d of August that the reluctant Spanish officers yielded up their posts. They showed a disposition to embarrass the operations of tho GENERAL JACKSON IN FLORIDA. 367 new authorities by refusing to give up all the archives, ac- PART IV. cording to the treaty. Don Cavalla, the Spanish governor, period in. withheld four documents relating to the rights of property. CHAP- '• Governor Jackson, after a specific demand, sent an armed v^^v^' force to take the papers, and bring CavaUa himself before 1821. him. He refusing, Jackson sent a second time, had him taken Spanish of • ticcrs under from his bed, and carried to prison, and the papers seized, take to em- Cavalla applied to Judge Fromentin, who granted a writ of barrass him habeas corpus for his relief. Jackson did not suffer it to be He proceeds executed until his own purpose of securing all the missing ^fv^J^Jj papers was effected ; when he discharged Cavalla. This af- summary fair caused much controversy. manner. Seven of the Spanish officers, published in " The Floridian," a newspaper issued from Pensacola, severe strictures on the Banishes new government. Jackson issued a proclamation which ban- ?eve" sPan ¦ i i i i- 1 • t- r- -i lsn officers ished them from the territory after five days. Florida was now for the purposes of government divided F.1°rl,da. di" into two counties, one east of the Suwaney river, called St. [^,0e coun. John's, and one west, called Escambia. ties At the next session of congress an act was passed, pro viding that Florida should be governed in the same manner, and by tbe same laws as tbe other territories. General Jack son's powers which he had used so liberally, and which he declared, in defending his bold measures, were unconstitu- tionaUy great, terminated according to the terms of his com mission, at the rising of congress ; and he declined a re-ap pointment. In June, a convention of navigation and commerce, on jgg^ terms of reciprocal and equal advantage, was concluded be- Treaty with tween France and the United States. France The ports of the West India Islands were about this time opened to tbe American republic, by act of the British par liament. Tbe American commerce, in the West Indian seas, had, Alarming m- for several years, suffered severely from depredations com- crease of P>- mitted by pirates. The Alligator, a United States' schooner, having received information of their vicinity to Matanzas, sought and engaged the pirates, and recaptured five American vessels. She also took one piratical schooneT ; but Allen, Allen's brav« the brave commander of the Alligator, was mortally wounded ™|f ^e^ in tne engagement. The pirates continued their lawless aggressions, and con gress the next year appropriated a sum of money to fit out 1823. an expedition to suppress piracy. Commodore Porter, to po^se™ whom was given the command, sailed for the West Indies, and against the cruising with his squadron in the Caribbean seas, the free- pirates. booters dared not appear, but depredated on the inhabitants of the West India Islands. In the message of President Monroe to congress, he mvi- 'ed iheir attention to the question of recognizing the indepen- 8'68 SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS PART IV. PERIOD III. CHAP. i. 1823. The inde pendence of the South American epublics ac knowledged. Ministers »ent to Mex ico, Buenos Ayres, and Chili. Slave-trade prohibited. 1824. The tariff question again agi tated. The tariff bill opposed. Grounds of opposition. dence of the South American republics. He stated, that throughout the contest between those colonies and the parent country, the United States had remained neutral, and had ful filled, with the utmost impartiality, all the obligations incident to that character. Some time had elapsed since the provin ces had declared themselves independent nations, and had enjoyed that independence, free from invasion. Nor was it now contemplated to change the friendly relations with either of the parties which had been belligerent ; but to observe in all respects as heretofore, should the war be renewed, the most perfect neutrality between them. The measure was sanctioned, and ministers were appointed to Mexico, Beunos Ayres, Colombia, and ChUi. Articles of convention for the suppression of the African slave-trade, were, this year, subscribed at London, by pleni potentiaries appointed for this purpose, from the United States and Great Britain. These articles authorized the commis sioned officers of each nation, to capture and condemn the ships of the other, which should be concerned in tbe illicit traffic of slaves. Ever since the year 1816, the tariff had attracted the atten tion of the people throughout the Union, and from time to time the subject had been brought before congress ; but with the exception of the small protection afforded to coarse cot ton cloths, nothing had yet been done for the encouragement of American manufactures. Notwithstanding the depression which succeeded the war, the manufacturers of cotton, after they recovered from the first shock, had proved successful. Excepting fine fabrics, which were not manufactured to any extent in America, domestic cottons almost supplied the coun try, and considerable quantities were exported to South Amer ica. Factories for printing calicoes had been erected in a few places, and in some instances the manufacture of lace had been attempted. In supporting extensive manufactories independent of the protection of government, great energy and perseverance were displayed. The friends of manufactures had increased in numbers, and in zeal for the cause. This year the subject of a new tariff was again brought before congress, but was ^ e- hemently opposed. The grounds of opposition were, that it would injure the commerce and agriculture of the country, and by lessening the public revenue, compel a resort to a system of excise and taxation. That it would diminish the exports of the country, as other nations would not purchase articles of any kind from us, unless the produce of then in dustry was received in exchange. That the country was not prepared for the successful establishment of manufactures, on account of the high price of labor ; and that manufactures would, under a favorable concurrence of circumstar. ces, flour ish without the protection of government. THE TARIFF. 369 The friends of a new tariff replied, that a dependence upon FART ly- the internal resources of the country was the only true policy period 115 of our government ; and that the protection desired for man- 0HAP- IL ufactures, far from injuring, would prove beneficial both to y~^~*<^*-' commerce and agriculture. It would bring into existence ' 824. new and extensive establishments, and thus create a home ^f^fti^, market, without which the agriculturist would not receive cftheprotfli;- with constancy, the just reward of his labors, and which tlve' or> tariff would tend to keep the resources of the country at home. It would not diminish the exportations, unless to Europe, where little besides tbe raw materials are carried ; and by the ap plications of industry, new articles of exportation might be multiplied, more valuable than the raw materials, and by which we should be indemnified for any losses thus incurred. They considered it by no means certain that it would lessen tbe public revenue ; the augmentation of duty would compen sate for the diminution in the quantity of goods imported. Experience proved that manufactures needed protection, and that such had ever been the policy of those governments where the manufacturing interest flourished ; and in proof of this, they pointed to the steady course of England. Many of the friends of the tariff, however, conceded, that if all nations would unite in a system of free, unshackled trade, it would probably produce the best possible state of things ; but they contended, that as the United States must suffer from laws made by other nations to protect and favor their own manufactures, it was but just that the citizens of the United States should receive a like protection and prefer- ence from their own government. After much discussion, fonn3d" the bill, with some amendments, passed. It proved effectual in affording the desired protection to cotton goods ; but the question was stiU agitated in favor of manufactures of other kinds, and the manufacturers of wool zealously endeavored to obtain a similar protection. CHAPTER II. Lafayette invited to America. On the 15th of August, 1824, General Lafayette* arrived 1824. in the harbor of New York, in consequence of a special in- .Aas- 1S- vitation, which congress, participating in the warm feeling which pervaded the whole nation, had given him to visit America. * In the days of the revolution, The Marquis de la Fayette, was the style by which the hereditary nobleman was known. Subsequently he renounced all distinctions of this kind, ahd would receive no other title than that given by his ifci!;'.arv rank. His address was then, General Lafayette. arrives. 370 THE NATION S GUEST. PART IV. PERIOD III CHAP. II. 1825. His recep tion m New York. Lafayette pee to Bos ton. September. Returns to New York. Makes ex cursions north, and south. When information was received in the city of New YorR of his arrival, a committee of the corporation, and a great number of distinguished citizens, immediately proceeded to Staten Island, to behold and welcome the former benefactor of their country, now its illustrious guest. Arrangements were made, by the committee, for his visit to New York, which was to take place the following day. A splendid es cort of steamboats, gaily decorated with the flags of every nation, and bearing thousands of citizens, brought him to the view of the assembled crowds at New York. His feelings at revisiting again, in prosperity, the country which he had sought and made his own in adversity, were at times overpow ering, and melted him to tears. Esteemed, as he was, for his virtues, and consecrated by his sufferings and constancy, the philanthropist of any country could not view him without an awe mingled with tenderness ; but to Americans there was besides, a deep feeling of gratitude for his services, and an associated remembrance of those worthies of our revolution with whom he had lived. Tbe thousands assembled to meet Lafayette at New York, manifested their joy at beholding him, by shouts, acclama tions, and tears. He rode uncovered from the battery to the City Hall, receiving and returning the affectionate gratulations of the multitude. At the City Hall, magistrates, and citizens, were presented to him, and be was welcomed by an address from the mayor. He then met with a few gray-headed vete rans of the revolution, his old companions in arms, and though nearly half a century had passed since they parted, his faith ful memory had kept their countenances and names. Deputations from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Haven, and many other cities, arrived at New York, with invitations for him to honor those places with his presence. After re maining a few days in New York, he proceeded through Connecticut and Rhode Island on his way to Boston. An escort of' eight hundred citizens, from that place met him, and the mayor and corporation awaited bis arrival at the city lines. The pupils of the public schools, both male and female, were arranged in two lines on the side of the common, under the care of their respective teachers, and through these beautiful lines the procession passed. From Boston he proceeded to Portsmouth, to visit the navy- yard. Orders had been issued by the president to all the military posts, to receive him with the honor due to the high est officer in the American service. On his return to New York, a splendid fete was given at Castle Garden. From that city he proceeded tp Albany and Troy, calling at West Point, and several other places on the river. He next passed tbrough New Jersey, and visited Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Yorktown, and Richmond. These THE ERA OF GOOD FEELING 371 places tded w ith New York and Boston in the splendor with PA.RTIV. which they received the beloved defender of their country, period ni He returned to Washington during the session of congress, CHAP- "• and remained there several weeks. Congress voted him the ^-«"»-v~**-' sum of two hundred thousand dollars, and a township of land 1825. which was located in Florida, as a remuneration, in part, of Janua,7- Uis services during the revolutionary war, and as a testimony make him i of their gratitude. liberal dona About the last of February he proceeded from Washington tlon' to Richmond, thence through North and South Carolina, to From Wash Savannah. He then travelled through Georgia, Alabama, ln8conhe m.3KGS tne and Mississippi, to New Orleans. Proceeding up the Missis- tour of the sippi as far as St. Louis, he visited the principal places on southern both sides of the river. He then returned to the Ohio, pass- Western * ed through Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York ; and arrived in Boston to participate in the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the monument, to commemorate the battle of Bunker's Hill. Leaving Boston, be proceeded to Portland, in Maine ; Visits tne from thence, through New Hampshire, to Burlington in Ver- ""g^™,^ mont. Passing down lake Champlain 'and. the Hudson, he states. arrived again in New York, where he united in the celebra- Ju!l ;*¦ Opp ' j^t New tion of American independence. York Then taking bis leave of the eastern and northern states, he returned to the seat of government. He then paid an af fecting visit to the honored tomb of Washington. On his departure from the seat of government, the presi dent in behalf of the nation, bade him an affectionate adieu ; and in a new frigate, named the Brandywine, in memory of He takes hi» tbe battle in which he was wounded, he was safely conveyed departure. to his native land. Lafayette's whole progress through the United States had been one continued triumph, the most illustrious of any wnich history records. The captives chained to his triumphal car, were the affections of the people ; his glory, the prosperity and happiness of his adopted country. During Mr. Monroe's administration, America enjoyed pro found peace. Sixty millions of her national debt were dis- 1S1T charged. The Floridas were peaceably acquired, and the to western limits fixed at the Pacific ocean. Internal taxes 1825. were repealed, the military establishment reduced to its nar- National rowest limits of efficiency, the organization of the army im- P^d neacJ. proved, the independence of the South American nations re cognized, progress made in the suppression of the slave-trade, and the civilization of the Indians advanced. The voice of party spirit bad died away, and the period is still spoken of, as the " era of good feeling." Mr. Monroe's second term of office having expired, four Fourcandi among the principal citizens of the republic were set up as can- ^JlJ™ didates for the presidency, and voted for by the electoral col- W2 ELECTION OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. PftRT IV. lege. These were John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson »h*uod hi. Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford. The electors were cif.ip. n. divided, and no choice being made by them, a president, ac- ^^~^~**~> cording to the constitution, was to be chosen by the house of 1 825. representatives, from the three candidates wbose number of b*°the°cd votes st0°d highest. These were Messrs. Adams, Jackson, and .ege of elec- Crawford. Mr. Adams Was chosen.* This was tbe first elec- * IT' r t*011 ky tne house of representatives, in the case contempla- Ca|iioui]Dwas ted by the constitution, where there was no one of the can- mudo, by didates preferred by a majority of the electors. Many fears election of 1 / i i i i i the people, had been expressed, that whenever such a case could occur, vt.ieML)S'" ^ would be attended with a dangerous excitement ; but the event of fixing on a first magistrate was passed over by the American congress in a manner which showed their just sense of the solemnity of the obligation, which bound them to preserve inviolate the constitution of their country. Mr. Adams, in his inaugural address, declared that the course he should pursue, was that marked out by his prede- Mareh. 4. cessor ; there remained, however, he remarked, one effort of dresfof Johii magnanimity to be made by the individuals throughout the na- Quincy tion, who had heretofore followed the standards of political idams party ; — it was that of discarding every remnant of rancour against each other, of embracing as countrymen and friends, and of yielding to talents and virtue alone, that confidence, which, in times of contention for principle, was bestowed only upon those who bore the badge of party communion. A treaty of commerce and navigation, with the repubbc of Trtaty with Colombia, was ratified in 1825, on the basis of the mutual ob- Colombia, ligation of the parties to place each other on the footing of the most favored nation. 1826. On the 4th of July, 1826, died, John Adams and Thomas July 4. Jefferson. That these two political fathers, who had con- tms death of tributed more than any other Americans living, to the estab- presidents lishment of independence, should thus depart together, amidst Jaffereon t^le rejoicings of its fiftieth anniversary, struck to the hearts of the American people an indescribable feeling of awe and 1831. astonishment. Death of Mr. Another anniversary witnessed the death of another ex- Mom-oe. president, James Monroe. His history is his praise. Free-masonry claims to be an ancient institution. Towards the close of the last century it became popular in this coun try ; and many of our best men, among whom were Washing- Fr«-& mason ton and De Witt Clinton, were " free and accepted masons." But a change took place in the tone of society. Sunday schools and temperance meetings were more congenial to public sentiment, than the midnight festivities of the Masonic lodge. Free-masonry has now in this country but fow ad vocates. This result has yet another cause. A man by the name of William Morgan, who was preparing to publish a book, purporting to disclose the secrets of Free MORGAN'S ^BDUCTION. 373 masonry, was taken, on the 11th of September, under color PART iv. of a criminal process, from Batavia, in Genessee county period (H New York, to Canandaigua, in Ontario county, examined and CHAP- u- discharged ; but on the same day he was arrested for debt, *-~~*~-" and confined in the county jail, by the persons who brought 1826 the first charge against him. They discharged the debt them- |ept 1] selves, and on his leaving the prison, in the evening, he was Morgan for- seized, and forced into a carriage, which was rapidly driven cioly carried out of the village, and he was never seen by his friends, J^lX again- _ posedof. The indignation of the community was roused, by this out rage, to an intense degree ; particularly in the section of the Publicin'.g- country where it occurred. Rumor was continually harrow- "^d'by Mot*' ing up the feelings of his family and friends, by false stories g^'s. aM«° calculated to mislead inquiry, of his having been seen, dis- tlon' guised, and under fictitious names, in foreign countries, or in remote parts of the Union. Notwithstanding that those wbo belonged to Masonic societies, were attempting in these and other ways to throw discredit on the story of his abduction ; yet there was from among the people a voice not to be disre garded by the rulers, which pronounced that Morgan had been foully murdered. The Legislature of New York appointed a committee of 1 <^T' investigation, of which John C. Spencer was chairman. 0f invesfez- They reported that WiUiam Morgan had been put to death. tion- The years that have elapsed since his mysterious disappear- -ssnv ance have confirmed their decision. The persons, who were Their *e- suspected of being the principal actors in the tragedy, fled port. from their homes and took refuge under fictitious names, in distant places, and all are said to have been cut off from tbe land of the bring, by disaster or violence. Morgan's abduction excited a strong prejudice against all Masonic societies ; and a political party was formed, called Anti-ma Anti-masonic, whose avowed object was to abolish Free-ma- sonic pai*y- sonry throughout the United States, on the ground that secret 0 oge ^j societies in a free government, were not only unnecessary, masonic so- but even dangerous to its existence. They averred that ma- cieties sonry, as was shown by the case of Morgan, claimed a right . over the bves of its members; and as taking human life grounds of with intention, and without the sanction of civil authority is opposition. murder; therefore, this society must be regarded as especially st variance with law, human and divine. The anti-masonic party once organized, was by its leaders made to subserve not only its original purpose, but others — such as electioneering for favorite candidates to office ; and is ™f£l a fair example of what the politicians of the day understand by " making political capital" of any subject of popular excite ment. The anti-slavery party, which, as a political union, ^^gffi arose about the time that the anti-masonic party declined, Enropeaa bad its origin* in feelings equally honorable to human nature ; orisin- 371 BLACK HAWKS WAR. THE CHOLERA. PART IV. PERIOD III CHAP. II. The north pleased. The south offended. 1829. March 4. Jackson's first inaugu ration. Origin of the state rights, or nullifica tion narty. Webster's great speech against nulli fication. 1832. April. Commence ment of " Black Hawk's -war. June 9. - "¦ Gulph of Mexico. From New York it went south through ^-*~v^-' the Atlantic states, as far as North Carolina. It was a sin- 1832. gular characteristic of this excruciating and quickly fatal mal- ^^Jfejj, " ady, that, though not apparently contagious, it followed the through the great routes of travel, both on the land and water. New Union. England, with a few exceptions, escaped the scourge. In obedience to orders from the War Department, the gar risons on the seaboard, from Fort Monroe, in Virginia, to New York harbor, were withdrawn and placed under the command July. of General Scott, to be employed in the Indian war. Pro- General ceeding with haste, as the case was urgent, the general em- lectsthe' barked his troops in steamboats at Buffalo. The season was troops for the hot, and the boats were crowded. The cholera broke out In*-' be elected to any office whatever, either civil or military, un til he had taken the oath not only to obey the ordinance, but such acts as the legislature might thereafter pass to carry the same into operation. 1§32. Finally, the instrument declared, that the people of South j?'.dman- '^v but a forcible opposition could prevent their execution, and 1§32. that such opposition must be repelled, for " disunion by armed Second, he force," he said, "is treason." Finally, he appealed to the tt™dang£ patriotism of South Carolina, to retrace her steps, and, to the Appeals to country, to rally in defense of the Union. ' 'To™™"7 No act of General Jackson was ever more popular than this proclamation. There was a party strongly opposed to PubliiofaS. his measures, who held that his talents were rather for war president's* than peace ; and that, in the indomitable energies of his will, conduct. he pursued his objects as the keen sportsman his game, heed less what fences he broke down in his way ; but on this oc casion, this party vied, in commendation, with the larger and ruling party, by whom his administration was uniformly ap proved ; and from every quarter he received from the people, proffers of military service. Governor Hamilton being appointed to the command of the South Carolinian army, Colonel Hayne succeeded him. He issued a proclamation, counter to that of General Jackson, in rjec aj. which he put forth the doctrines of disunion, in their most CoWJ offensive form ; calling on the people to disregard the " vain Hayne1* menaces" of the president, and " protect the liberties of the state." The legislature also continued to authorize the em ployment of volunteers, who were " to hold themselves in readiness to take the field, at a minute's warning." The unionists, feeling how unhappy must be a contest, which would separate families, where the son might be called on to shed tbe blood of the father, and the- brother that of the brother, now aroused, and, encouraged by the decided tone of R=j>olut*ons the president, they took one equally decided ; and held meet- ista ings in various parts of the state, in which they declared, " we will not be forced to bear arms against the United States, be the consequences what they may." General Jackson followed his word with his deed. He Jackson pre caused Castle Pinckney, a fortress which commands the inner ?v!'es S-.1 1 n 1 • military op« harbor of Charleston, as well as the town itself, to be put in rations complete order for offensive or defensive operations. Fort against Moultrie, on Sulbvan's island, was likewise strongly garrison- iina. ed, and General Scott placed in command ; while several ships of war, under the orders of Commodore Elliot, were anchored in the bay : and it is said that he sent private assu lances to the leading nullifiers, that unless they desisted, he should take the field in person, and appear in South Carolina, at the head of a large army. The nullification party did not decide to meet the nation in arms, with General Jackson at its head. The crisis which A change at had caused so many forebodings, was adjourned, and the au- tone- 26 378 THE INDIAN QUESTION. I* ART IV. PERIOD IU CHAP. III. 1833. Feb. 12. Mr. Clay's compromise, Tariff bill. Inaugura tion, (larch 4th. thorities agreed not to oppose tbe collection of duties until the 1 st of March, and before that period arrived, measures were taken which restored tranquillity. On the 12th of February, Mr. Clay introduced a bill into the senate, which had for its object, a compromise between the manufacturing interests of the north, and the cotton plant ers of the south. It reduced the duties on certain articles, and limited the operation of the tariff, to the 30th of Septem ber, 1842. It being considered a bill for revenue, u was not acted upon in the senate, until after the house of representa tives had adopted it, when it passed rapidly through that body, was signed by the president, and became a law on the 3d of March. It gave general content to the citizens of the United States, with whom the union is so dear, that whatever or who ever endangers it, is looked upon with suspicion and displea sure ; and on the other hand, whatever nourishes and consoli dates it, is regarded with approbation and complacency. Gen. Jackson was . re-elected, and Martin Van Buren of New York, made Vice-president. May 20 Death of La fayette. Extreme difficulty of tae'Indian question It arises from their node of war fare. CHAPTER III. Lafi»vmte The tribes east of the Mississippi go to the far west. General Lafayette, full of years and honors, died on tie 20th of May, 1833, and was mourned as the common father of his native and his adopted country. The position of the remaining aboriginal tribes gave the rulers great uneasiness If the Indians would subject them selves to the laws of civilized society, at least so far as to declare war before they made it, and then to make it only with those in arms, they might have their reservations, and enjoy them within the limits of the states. But so long as they were subtly contriving war, when they were seemingly most bent on peace, — their declaration made only by the war- whoop, and signed by the scalping-knife — so long, it would be vain to expect that their neighborhood could be tolerated by civilized man : for the father and the husband would look be yond treaties written on parchment, to the law of nature which bids him protect and defend his helpless ones. If the government in good faith, sought to preserve the Indian tribes, they refusing to change their mode of warfare, the only consequence would be, that they would at length, by their murderous atrocities, oblige the rulers, in defense of the lives of their own people, to send their armies and destroy them. Such had been the fate of former tribes, and such, un less something was done to avert the catastrophe, was likely to be that of those still remaining. To devise some expedi THE SOUTH-WESTERN INDIANS. 379 ent to save them, and protect their own people, was the diffi- PART IV cult problem which the government had to solve. period iu" That General Jackson saw the subject much in this light, is CHAP- nl- apparent from his earliest message to congress. He remarked ^*->s^.- that the fate of the Mohegan, the Narragansett and the Dela- 183© ware was fast and inevitably approaching the Choctaw, the Decembet. Cherokee, and the Creek, if they remained within the limits message of the states. He said that regard to our national honor respecting brought forward the question whether something could not be tne Indiajia- done to preserve the race. As a means to this end, he sug gested that an ample district west of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any state or territory, might be set apart and guarantied to the Indian tribes, each to have distinct jurisdiction over the part designated for its use, and free from any control of the United States, other than might be neces- theiSov^ sary to preserve peace on the frontier. There the benevo- to the west lent might teach them ; and there they might form a nation which would perpetuate their race, and attest the humanity )f the American government. But the grand difficulty of the project, which would have appalled a more timid mind, President Jackson met in a man ner altogether characteristic. "The emigration," said he, " should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to The ^compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, must go, 'but * and seek a home in a distant land." Congress sanctioned the tney must go project which former able statesmen had advocated, and em- voluntanl3r powered the president to carry it out ; and he fearlessly under took, what, perhaps, no human ruler ever did before, and what none but the Almighty can effect, to combine freewill with necessity. To oblige the Indians to emigrate voluntarily for their own good, became thenceforth his settled policy. With the Chickasaws and Choctaws, however, treaties 1831, were made by which they exchanged lands, and quietly emi- 2 & 3. grated to the country fixed on, which was the territory next Tne chicJja- to Arkansas. The United States paid the expenses of their cwtaws removal, and supplied them with food for the first year. remove. When Georgia ceded to the United States, April 2, 1802, 1802. all that tract of country lying south of Tennessee, and west Georgia of the Chatahouchee river, the government paid in hand to ceumtedthB that state $1,250,000, and further agreed, "at their own ex- States the pense, to extinguish, for the use of Georgia, as early as the tY]nthorv.of, same could be peaceably obtained upon reasonable terms, the Indian title to the lands lying within the limits of that state." Under this contract, the United States had, by sundry trea ties with the Creek and Cherokee tribes of Indians, who oc- Govemmen cupied' the territory, extinguished the Indian title to 25,980,000 fulfill the acres, and delivered the peaceable possession of it to Geor- treaty as ft«» gia. Of the Indians who inhabited the purchased territory, 3ome of them removed westward of the Mississippi, some of them took refuge with the brethren of the same tribes in Ala- 26* 880 THE CHEROKEES REMOVED. PART IV. Fiilll..L> III. CHAP IV. Indians within G eor- gia an inde pendent state. The Geor gians deter mine to be rid of them. 1831-2. Discredita ble affair of the mission- 1838. The Chero kees at length removed bama ; but the great masses of Indian population, on leaving the territories they had given up, only condensed themselves closer on the large and fertile domain within the state ot Georgia, which they had reserved to themselves ; and from thenceforward they refused to sell, cede to the governmen* of the United States, or give up, on any consideration, anj more of their land. In the meantime, the constantly increasing white popula tion was pressing nearer and nearer upon the Indian reserva tion, within which, the tribes exercised a sort of independent dominion, by which a retreat was furnished for runaway slaves, and fugitives from justice, a set of vagabonds ever ready for violence. This condition of their state was viewed by tbe people of Georgia as intolerable ; and the legislature, in due time, extended its laws and jurisprudence over the whole Indian territory. The Cherokees considered this measure as an infringement of .their ancient rights, and a violation of re cent treaties ; and they appealed to the general government for redress. The well-known policy of President Jackson was to remove them ; and the Georgians, thus encouraged, sought, by a couise of proceeding, contrary to law and right, to make their position untenable. They put in prison two missionaries whom they suspected of dissuading the Indians against the removal. President Jackson would do nothing to check these discreditable proceedings, from a tenderness to state-rights ; which, fortunately for the union, he did not feel in the case of South Carolina. Thus annoyed by the state government, and beset by agents from Washington, a treaty was obtained from a few of the chiefs by which the removal of the tribe was to take place. The fairness of this treaty was denied, and the Indians were averse to leaving their own and their fathers' pleasant land. The difficult and perilous task of bringing the Cherokees to consent to this arrangement was intrusted to General Scott. His firm and conciliatory measures, effected their removal without bloodshed. Much had, however, been previously done to gain the confidence and allay the animosity of the Indians, by the able officers who had preceded General Scotf in this important service. CHAPTER IV. 1823. September. A treaty made with the Semi- noles. The Florida War. Measures equally wise were not pursued with the Semi- noles inhabiting East Florida. In September, 1823, soob after the occupation of the peninsula, a treaty was made at THE SEMINOLES UNWILLING TO REMOVE. 381 Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, between the United States PART IV. and the Seminoles, by which those Indians relinquished period hi their claims to large tracts of land in Florida, reserving to 0BAP- 'v- themselves a portion for a residence. Subsequently disputes ^-*~*s~^' arose respecting the construction of this treaty ; the Indi ans claiming that it gave them undisturbed possession of their reservation for twenty years. Colonel Gadsden, as agent for the United States, made another treaty with the Seminoles, at Payne's Landing in 1832. Florida, when it was stipulated that they should cede their May 9- reservation, and remove beyond the Mississippi. A delegation "f Paynes of their chiefs, appointed by the treaty, was sent at the ex- Landing pense of the United States, to examine the counrry assigned ^^removal them, and also to ascertain whether the Creeks, who had condition- already emigrated, would unite with them, as one people. If allv- the Seminoles were satisfied on these points, then the treaty was to be binding. The Indian delegation, after examining, took it upon them to conclude a treaty with tbe American commissioners, ren dering absolute tbe one made at Payne's Landing. To this transaction the nation at large objected, and averred Treaty ot that the delegation bad exceeded their powers, and that they C0nfi>™atlol> should have reported to the tribe the result of their observa- chiefs, and tions, and taken their vote ; but as it was, unfairness and disputed by treachery were charged upon the parties who thus prema- e na lon turely completed the agreement. The Indians were, by the stipulations of the treaty, to re move within three years after its ratification; and to com mence their emigration as early as possible in 1833. Their removal was not, however, then attempted. But President Jackson, although he might for a short time delay, was not a man to change bis purposes, or swerve from their full execution ; and in regard to the Seminoles, he now determined to delay no longer. He made General Wiley Thompson the government agent 1834. for superintending the proposed change, and sent him to Flori- General da to prepare for the emigration. Captain Russel, of the army, seJpu-o"" accompanied him as disbursing officer. Thompson soon Florida. found, and reported to the government, that most of the Indi- 0ct- 2a ans were unwilUng to leave their homes. They plead tha. the treaty of Fort Moultrie, suffered them to remain for twenty years ; — and said that though the lands beyond the Missis sippi might be good, the Indians there were bad. On reporting this to the war department, Thompson was told that the Seminoles were to be removed for their own Geng benefit, and could not be permitted to remain ; — that the mili- Thcmpson tary force in the neighborhood of these Indians would be in- directed in creased ; and he was directed to inform the Seminoles that the reremovaL annuities which they received under the treaty of Fort Moul trie would not be paid until they consen ed to emigrate. He 382 THE SEMINOLES INFLUENCED BY OSCEOLA. PART IV. was also required to communicate freely with General Clinch period m of the army, who owned a plantation not far from the Indian chap. iv. reservation. ^-«-v— «w President Jackson also sent a conciliatory " talk" to the chiefs 1834. who assembled to hear it. They discussed, with General Dec. 28. Thompson, their intended departure, seemed much gratified with the president's talk, and their principal chief, Osceola, 1835. with others, parted apparently in perfect good humor. But the Jan. 7. agents must have doubted their sincerity, for General Thomp- M h io son ^quested the government to send more troops. General General Clinch, however, wrote to the war department, humanely in- Clinch ad- quiring if it would not be better to let them remain until the "cutive" to" next spring, provided they would consent t<- remove peaceably delay. and quietly on the first day of March. " I believe," said he, " the whole nation will readily come into the measure, and it is impossible not to feel a deep interest, and much sympathy for this people." The order -phe answer although it contained professions of regard lor immGQ.1- ate removal for the Seminoles, yet bore the government's peremptory order is peremp-^to proceed without delay to their removal. t°ry. .p^g jn(jjanSi m tjjg meantime, acknowledged the validity of the treaty of Payne's Landing, and agreed to carry it into April 22. effect ; but when the agents took the preparatory steps foi their removal, the deep-seated repugnance of the people to leave their homes, and the graves of their fathers was again manifested. It was believed that they acted much under the influence Osceola, of Osceola or Powel. Tbis chief owed his elevation solely to his personal qualities. His father was an Englishman his mother a Seminole, and he thus mingled the Saxon with the Indian blood. His bearing was proud and gloomy. On June s. tfte 3d of June, General Thompson held a conference with Thompson tne Indians, in which Osceola, took a tone that displeased treats him him, and he manacled the chief, and confined him to prison withindigm- for a ,jay_ Osceola seemed penitent, signed the treaty to remove, and was released. Afterwards Thompson entrusted Is deceived him with several pieces of service ; and he passed through bv him. different parts of the peninsula, appearing cheerfully engaged in aiding General Thompson to accomplish his plans. But he dissembled, and was concerting with the Indians a deep and cruel revenge. It fell first on the heads of those Indians who were true to The Semi- tne wnites- Mathla, a chief, was killed because he had been noles take engaged in making the obnoxious treaty ; and some hundreds vengeance of the Seminoles fled to Fort Brooke, at Tampa Bay, bring- TeopwTo" inS the first account of the real designs of Osceola and his favor the re- party. In the meantime, the Indians opposed to the removal, m head of one hundred and seventeen men, accompanied by 1835. captains Gardner and Fraser. M^eC'D3'd About eighty miles of the toilsome journey had been accom- begins Ms* plished, when, on the* morning of the 28th, Major Dade rode march. in front of his troops, and cheered them with the inteUigence is ambushed hat their march was nearly at an end ; and he kindly assured by the Indi- hem, that they should have three days' rest at Camp King. ans- A volley was fired at the moment from hundreds . of unseen He is klll . muskets. The speaker, and those he addressed, fell dead, wlththree- The whole advance was kiUed on the first fire ; at the second, quarters of Captain Fraser and many others. So entirely was the foe armv' concealed that many rounds were fired at them by the survi vors before an Indian was seen. The savages then rose, and surrounding the Americans, came in close contact, using knives and bayonets. A field-piece, which Major Dade had ordered, was now brought into the action, and the Indians drew off. , Thirty were aU that remained of Dade's army. They im proved the respite afforded them to construct a triangular breastwork of trees, which they felled. While they were thus engaged, where was Osceola, who had, doubtless, led the attack? It is supposed that he went c^°Kmt the twenty miles from Dade's battle field to Camp King, to perform a work there. , On that day, General Wiley Thompson, with a convivial party, were dining at a bouse within sight of the garrison. As they sat at table, a volley from a hundred muskets was poured through the doors and windows General Thompson Death of fell dead, pierced by fifteen bullets. Of the others, some were ThoSpMn. killed at the first fire, others, attempting to escape, were mur dered without the house. Osceola, at the head of the Indi ans, had rushed in, and himself scalped the man who had once placed fetters upon the limbs of the Seminole chief. The Indians then retreated, unmolested by the garrison. In the afternoon, a mounted company of one hundred Indi ans, (doubtless, Osceola and his party, now returning triumphant from the massacre at Camp King) attacked, with whoop and yell, the inclosure of the thirty survivors. The Indians charged only once, for they were repulsed by the cool bravery scene oTth* of the devoted men. Many of the Indians fell, but fresh tragedy. numbers continually appeared ; and one by one, bravely fight ing, the officers and soldiers fell, till there was none to resist. The narrator, Ransom Clarke, was wounded, and that soldier only escaped death by feigning it; and then, almost by mira cle, working his way through the woods. He eventually died 384 GENERAL CLINCH S BATTLE. PART IV. PERIOD III CHAP. IV. 1835. The garrison at Fort Brooke alarmed. Dec. 29. General Clinch sets out to seek Osceola. Dec. 31. Reaches the Withlacoo- chee. Is attacked by OsceOp*. 1836. Jan. 2. Gener*>' Clinch teems t Dra. Feb. 7 General Scott arrives st St. Au gustine. Feb 11. A letter of description from St. Au gustine. of his wounds ; and thus every one of Dade s army was killed in that battle. A deep sensation pervaded the country at the news of this massacre. At Fort Brooke, the garrison labored to improve their fortifications, the elated Seminoles hav.Tig threatened them with extermination. The terrified inhabitants flocked for refuge to the forts. The head-quaters of General Clinch were at Fort Drane, s. few miles north of Camp King. Three companies of regulars under Major Fanning, and a body of volunteers from the neighboring country under General Call, constituted his force. With these he set out on the day succeeding the massacre, foi the Withlacoochee river ; Osceola's principal settlement, being to the south of that stream. Their guide who had promised to bring them to a point where the fording was good, deceived them. They found a deep and rapid stream, with no means of crossing but one canoe. Colonel Fanning had, however, succeeded in getting the regular troops across, and General Call had begun to bring over the volunteers. Osceola and the Seminoles, with whom the guide was, doubtless, in league, were posted in the swamps and underbrush around. An en counter ensued, in which the regulars with a few volunteers, charged, and drove the Indians three times. After the battle began, the volunteers upon the opposite bank would not cross the river, notwithstanding the earnest entreaties of General Call and the other. officers, who themselves crossed over, and rendered efficient service. After the battle, General Clinch recrossed the river and re* turned to Fort Drane, having lost four men killed, and sixty wounded. The volunteers returned to their abodes, leaving General Clinch to guard their homes, and protect the country with very inadequate means. Emboldened by success, and united in their plans, the Seminoles now appeared simultaneously in the neighborhood of almost every settlement in Florida. Houses were burned, crops destroyed, negroes carried off, and families murdered in every direction. General Scott was now invested with the chief command in the peninsula, and he arrived on the 7th of February at St. Augustine. The inhabitants were not strong enough to keep a communication open with the other settlements ; and reconnoitering parties of fifty or sixty were attacked and driven back with loss. A letter from St. Augustine, dated the eleventh of the month, thus describes the situation of the inhabitants. " The whole of the country south of this place has been laid waste during the past week, not a building of any value is left standing. There is not a single house remaining between this city and Cape Florida, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles; all, all, have been burned to the ground " MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL GUNBS, 383 In the meantime General Clinch was hardly pressed by PART IV. the savages at Fort Drane, and General Scott learning his period m critical situation, immediately ordered all tbe regular troops chap. iv. under his command, except ore company left for the defense ~— v-*.^ of St Augustine, to march to his relief. A simultaneous movement occurred on the opposite side of 1836. the 'peninsula General Gaines, the commander of the south- Movement western division of the United States army, hearing of the Gabes massacre, and conceiving Florida to belong to his military department, hastened to the scene of action, with such of the regular troops as he could bring together, and seven hundred Louisiana volunteers under Colonel Persifor Smith. They _ , landed at Tampa Bay, on the 11th of February, and took up Army at •heir line of march on the 1 3th for Fort King. General Gaines Tampa Bay i eached it without being molested by the Indians, and taking Befits eight days provisions from Fort Drane, set out on the morning march. of the 26th for the banks of the Witblacoochee in search of the Seminoles. He reached that river near General Clinch's ,Feb- 2h6- battle-ground, and while reconnoitering, was fired upon from withlacoo- the opposite bank. Thus admonished of the presence of his chee- enemy, he employed his men in preparing a small breastwork to command the crossing place. On the 29th, he was attacked „ , „. at ten in the morning, on three sides of his camp at once. General General Gaines' force was between ten and eleven hundred, Gaines' bat- and the Indians were supposed to number about fifteen hun- P dred. The engagement lasted two hours, and ended in the repulse of the assailants with considerable loss. But General Gaines had little the air of a victor, for he re mained surrounded by the savages, and in danger of starvation. A courier from him had the good luck to reach General Clinch with the inteUigence ; and that officer, in the ex- PPen^ral ercise of a liberal spirit, procured a supply from his own out to go to plantation. On further information, he set off at the head of Gaines' re six hundred men, and a body of militia, who seemed happily to have changed the timid character manifested in the early part of the war. On the 5th and 6th of March, Osceola amused General March 5th Gaines with pretences of desiring to treat for a cessation of ™d 6*- hostilities. He came to his camp with a llag, and told him that holds a par he would furnish him with provisions of which he knew he was lev. in want. This was too true, for his army was living at the time on no better food than horses and dogs, and theee in great scarcity. Osceola said, however, that General Clinch was approaching with a large force ; and that the Seminoles wished the war to close ; but on being desired to embark for . . the west, he refused. While he thus held the general in tng metm? parley, his warriors had been moving iheit women and chil- time with- dren, and the tribe were already on their way to the south ; draw- where among the everglades and hammocks, the officers and soldiers have sought them through bogs and fens, — ir dang.r 386 BATTLE OF 0KEE-CH0BEE. PART IV. PERIOD III. CHAP. IV. 1836. Change of commander. 1837. Oct. 21. Seizure of Osceola. His death, January, 1838. Dec. 20. Dec. 25. Battle of Okee-Cho- bee. Death of Colonel Thompson ftnd Colonel Gentry. Killed and wounded, 138. from serpents, and other venomous reptiles, tortured by poi sonous insects, and often the victims of the climate. General Cbnch arrived at the camp, and relieved the army of Gaines from the danger of starvation. General Scott was about to put a plan in operation, by which, Osceola, in his first position, would have been surrounded ; but, like startled brds the Indians had flown. General Gaines returned to New Orleans. General Scott left St. Augustine on the third of May, having been ordered to the country of the Creeks, leaving General Call in command, General Clinch having resigned. ' General Jesup arrived to take the command soon after the departure of General Scott. In October, Osceola, under pro tection of a flag with about seventy of his warriors, came to the American camp. General Jesup believed him to be treacherous, and caused him, with his escort, to be forcibly detained, and subsequently placed in a prison at Fort Moul trie, S. C, where, a few months after, he died of a complaint in the throat. The head of the confederacy thus taken away, General Jesup believed that the war would soon be brought to a close. A delegation of Cherokees was sent to the Seminoles to per suade them to peaceable arrangements. But in December, Colonel Taylor, the commanding officer of Fort Gardner, south of the Withlacoochee, received from General Jesup, the intelligence that the Seminoles would not negotiate, but were determined " to fight it out ;" and consequently the commanding general directed Colonel Taylor, forthwith, to act offensively. He immediately set out with a thousand resolute men, well officered and equipped. They marched four days through wet swampy grounds, covered with long saw-grass, and occasionally diversified with hammocks or island-spots of luxuriant and tangled vegetation. On the fifth day, the Indians, whom they sought, attacked them at the entrance of the Kissimmee river, Into lake Okee-Cho- bee. Notwithstanding their fatiguing march, the troops en gaged them with perfect coolness. The brunt of the battle feU at first on the sixth regiment. Colonel Thompson, theii commander, with many others, was wounded, but he kept the field until pierced by the third bullet, he said, " keep steady boys — charge the hammock, remember what regiment you belong to," and then fell dead. Colonel Gentry, of the Mis souri volunteers was also killed, with three other valuable officers and tw.,nty-two privates. One hundred and eleven officers and soldiers were wounded. The Indian loss could not be ascertained. They were, however, routed and dis persed, and about a hundred afterwards gave themselves up to be carried to the west. In the whole history of the United States, no warfare is related, which on the whole, is comparable with the Florida war, for danger and difficulty ; and no military services are record ed which required, on the whole, such Spartan self-devotion. SUFFERINGS AND DANGERS OF THE FLORIDA WAR. 387 Colonel Worth, one of the most active, daring, and en- PART IV ergetic officers in the army, has been in Florida more than a period m year, and there seems at present a prospect that the war chap. iv. will soon close. At different times, parties of the Indians have v-^-v-^-' surrendered themselves to the .American officers, and have been 1841. sent to the west ; but the number of these is perhaps not much greater, than those of the brave, the patient, and faithful of our own army, who have perished on the battle-fields, or n the swamps of Florida.* The occasion on which General Scott was sent to the Creek The Creeks country, was an outbreak among the Indians of that nation, lnthe south- in the vicinity of the Seminoles. Osceola had sent the war- 0f Alabama belt to all the red men as far as the Winnebagoes, in the coun- become hos try of the upper Mississippi ; and it was not surprising that ''J?- even the influence of the head-chiefs among the Creeks, should fail to repress the strong sympathy which the body of the tribe felt for the kindred race. Early in May, they opened their horrible warfare upon the May 1. defenseless and unsuspecting inhabitants, near the Chatahou- ^[helii chee in Alabama, setting fire to houses, and murdering fami- habitants lies. The survivors fled in terror to Columbus, on the Georgia side of that river. On the 15th of May, the Indians attacked a steamboat which was ascending the Chatahouchee, eight miles below Columbus, killed her pilot and wounded several others. She M was run ashore, and the passengers had the good fortune to They attac* escape with their lives, while the Indians burned the boat, and bum two The passengers of another steamboat, which the savages steam oat" attacked and fired at the wharf of Roanoke, had not the same fortunate escape. They were all, save the engineer, consumed in the flames of the burning vessel. The barbarians then set fire to the town, and destroyed it. Tbg governor of Georgia raised troops and took the field in person : General Scott arrived on the 30th of May.' Their ove^0^, combined efforts queUed the Creek hostilities, and peace, was cd restored early in the summer. But the feeling of desperation which pervaded the minds of the Indians, and the reluctance with which they submitted, appeared from a fact remarkable in the history of the natives. The Indian mother loves her chUdren with the utmost tenderness. Yet in several instances the Creek mothers put their offspring to death, rather than hat they should become prisoners to the pale-faces. In 1831, Mr. R ves negotiated with the minister of Louis *8**' Philip, king of toe French, a treaty by which that nation JreaJye3 agreed to give 2f 000,000 of francs to indemnify the United 1836. States for spoliations on American commerce, made under the General operation of the decrees of Napoleon. The French, however, proacuregniW had neglected to pay the money ; but General Jackson took such fulfillment. * 1«42. — The government have now proclaimed that the Florida warig closed. It is believed that the whites who wish to make money by sup plying the army, have basely practised to prevent peace. THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO. PART IV. PE91I0D III. C^AP. IV. 1837. January. Michigan a state. The Jackson and Anti- Jackson par ties. 1830. The presi dent mani fests hostili ties to the V. S. Bank. 1832. He vetoes the bill for Ihc. renewal of its char ter. 1833. (Dec. 26. Mr. Clay'3 two resolu tions, censur ing Jackson for subvert ing the Con stitution, by assuming to reirt the pub lic purse. They pass the Senate. Are after wards ex punged.) 1833. to 1836. Opposition in the senate. The elo- qugpee of the senate. prompt measures and so decided a tone, that in 1836 the de mand was liquidated agreeably to the treaty. In September, 1835, Wisconsin was made a territory, and Arkansas, a state. Congress also passed a law admitting Michigan to tbe Union. provided a convention of delegates should agree to relinquish certain lands in dispute, between that territory and Ohio. The delegates refused the condition; but another convention being called, accepted it, and Michigan was admitted to the Union, the twenty sixth state ; the original number, thirteen, being now exactly doubled. The boundaries were extended on the north. The old parties were, during Mr. Monroe's administration, broken up. From the peculiar character of Mr. Jackson, it was to have been expected that he would have warm friends and bitter enemies ; and at this time, there are those who re gard him in his civil capacity as a second Washington, to whom the country is scarcely less indebted than to the first ; while his opponents have pronounced his administration " a calamity greater than war, famine, and pestilence combined." The latter attribute the revulsion of 1837, from which the country has not yet recovered, to the overthrow of the nation al bank, caused by the hostility of General Jackson. This was manifested in his first message to congress in 1830. In 1832, the directors of the bank applied for a renewal of its charter. After much debate, congress passed, by a con siderable majority, a bill granting their petition. This bill, General Jackson defeated by the presidential veto. The funds of the goverment had been deposited in the na tional bank. In 1833, General Jackson signified his pleasure that they should be withdrawn. Mr. Duane, the secretary of the treasury, considering it as his duty to keep tbe public purse according to the wishes of congress, and deeming the national bank, the safest place of deposit, refused to withdraw the money. Mr. Jackson dismissed him from office, and appoint ed Mr. Taney, who immediately withdrew the deposites. The public treasure, was, by an act of congress passed in 1835 placed in certain selected state banks, known at the time as the " pet banks." These were encouraged to discount freely as it might accommodate tbe people. It was during the recess of the senate, that Mr. Taney was appointed to the office of secretary of the treasury, and it was not. till the close of a seven months session, that tbe preside] brought his nomination before that body, who then rejected it The government at this period, presented the spectacle ot violent hostility between the executive and the majority oi the senate, headed by such powerful and eloquent men as Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Mr. Preston, and others. On the part of President Jackson, Silas Wright of New York, mei them with ingenious argument, and gentlemanly coolness ; white on the same side Mr. Benton, of Missouri, was earnest and ADMINISTRATION OF VAN BUREN. 3SS, vehement. The debates in the senate at that period, were exciting and attractive to such a degree, that the room for spec tators was crowded at an early hour. Ladies, who assembled from every part of the Union, were so much fascinated, that they were often in waiting tnree hours, in order to secure seats. So prosperous had been the condition of the country, that a surplus revenue had accumulated. One of the most sin- gu'.t; facts of American history is, that this surplus revenue teas riven up to the people, and distributed among the several states, in proportion to their respective representation in congress. The law to this effect passed Jan. 3, 1836. The payments were to be made in four instalments. The whole amount to be thus divided was $37,468,859. Three-fourths of this amount was actually paid ; but the pecuniary revulsion occurring, the remaining fourth was otherwise appropriated. Mr. Jackson's second term Being about to close, he expressed his determination to retire. He was succeeded by Martin Van Buren, who, during tbe last four years, had, as vice-president, presided with great ability in the senate ; where, as a leader of the Jackson party, he had sat in silence, and borne the ac cusations and sneers of the opposition with unexampled self- possession. Richard M. Johnson was made vice-president. After the public money went into the state banks, facilities too gTeat before, were increased, whereby men might, by pledging their credit, possess themselves of money. A per fect madness of speculation was now rife throughout the land. The good old roads of honest industry were grass- grown, while men were hurrying into fortunes on the steam- cars of speculation. City lots were the rage. The old cities were extended on paper to limits that they will not reach in centuries ; and new ones were surveyed, and some, where deep waters flowed, or rocky mountains rose. Yet they were mapped out, laid down in regular city lots, and duly numbered. And such were bought and sold. Fortunes were made in an hour, and by a single bargain. This alarming state of things, 'must, as was well foreseen, have its crisis. It came in 1837. Before this crisis, every one was making money. Now all were losing. Like a routed army, one fell back upon another till there was an universal dismay. A delegation of mer chants from New York went to Washington in behalf of the city. They presented to the president a memorial in which they represented, with force and eloquence, the miseries in which their population were involved; and begged the president immediately to remit the regulations contained in the " specie circular," and to convene the national legislature. Mr. Van Buren did not regard the occasion as warranting either meas ure, and rejected the petition. The " specie circular" was a treasury order issued in 1535, whose object was to secure the public in the sale of 27 PART IV PERIOD in 1836. June 23. 8374 millions of surplus revenue. ISS1?. March 4. Martin Van Buren and * Richard ^M. Johnson In augurated, 1835. 1837. Mania of / land specu lation. The revul sion causes great dis tress. May 3. Delegation of merchant* apply to Mr V an B'lreiL ,390 PECUNIARY DISTRESS. PART IV. iands, from the effects of the speculating mania; and it required, period 111. that specie should be paid for the government dues. Thia chap. iv. had produced an effect to take the gold and silver from the ^-"-"v-^x vaults of the banks, and carry it to the west, where specula- 1837. tors paid it for public lands. Merchants were obliged to pay oscular."16 tne duties on their imports in specie ; but wheie was it to b>$ obtained 1 The government would not pay it out to its credi tors ; and a man who had an authenticated demand against the treasury of the United States could not get specie, while, if he owed, he was obliged to pay in gold and silver. This caused a state of even dangerous exasperation in the cities. The banks had been pressed to sustain their friends and u m supporters till they had gone beyond the bmits of prudence The banks "l their issues, and those of the city of New York only held Btop specie out till the hope was gone that something would be done by ' payment. g0Ternmentj and then stopped specie payment. Their ex ample was of necessity followed in every part of the Union. Mr. Van Bu- The banks, where the public funds were deposited, shared ren convenes , i , , z . r , , a special the common fate, and the questions now arose how was the session, government to meet its current expenses, and what next should be done with the public purse ? To decide these Congress questions Mr. Van Buren issued his proclamation, convening meet. congress, which accordingly met on the 4th of September. In his message,' the president recommended an " indepen dent" mode of keeping' the public money, which was brought ' Subhtri?"S before . congress, in what was also called the " sub-treasury ' bill." It did not pass, being by its opponents regarded as 1836 putting the public treasure wholly in the power of the execu- La-wrespect- tive. Its unpopularity was probably the principal cause of mg the sur- Mr. Van Buren's losing the next presidential election. An nue. instalment of the surplus revenue, which, by an act of con gress, 1 836, was to have been distributed among the severxl 1837 states, was reserved for the exigences of the government, and Aninstal- treasury notes were to be issued. But no measure of reli-sf ment of the t0 the people was attempted ; and the friends of tbe adminis venue re-* tration contended that the case did not call for the interfereme claimed, of government, but for a reformation in the individual extrava gance which had prevailed, and a return to the neglected ways of industry. 1 835, Among the causes of pecuniary distress, was a destructive Destructive fire> with which, in 1835, the commercial capital had beeD Sie in New visited. ~F'we hundred and twenty-nine buildings were burned. The loss was estimated at seventeen millions of dollars. Tha mercantile houses, on whom with the insurance offices, it chief ly fell, did not generally fail at the time ; for they were, with commendable humanity, sustained by the others ; but the property was gone ; and the loss, though in a measure equal ized at the time, at length fell heavily on all. On the 13 th of August, the banks resumed specie payment The specie circular had veen virtually repealed. Harrison's elevation and death. 39i Although England had governed the Canadas with great PART IV- moderation, yet in 1837 a party arose, who, claiming indepen- period m„ dence, passed from sedition to armed revolt. > portion of CHAP- IV the American population regarded the cause of the revolters, v^-v~w- as that of liberty and human rights ; and, on the frontier, se- 1837-8. cret associations were formed to aid them in warlike measures. Revolt"1 A daring party of 700, headed by Van Rensselaer of New American York, took possession of Navy Island on the British side of sy1ltl ' Niagara river, two miles above the falls, and fortified it so NavyIsland strongly, as to resist an attack of Sir Francis Head, the British commander. They also hired the small steamboat Caroline, J8C3^" to bring munitions from the American shore. The evening of tbe Affair of the day on which she began to ply, 150 armed men from the Canada Caroline side, in five boats with muffled oars, proceeded to Schlosser, cut the Caroline loose from her moorings, and setting her on fire, let her drift over tho falls. A man named Din-fee was killed. invented6 in A patent was, in 1837, granted to S. F. B. Morse for the i882,paton- Magxetic Telegraph ; one of the most astonishing- and bene- telj- ™ ,*88'' ¦ - . , „ , . ' o " first line ncial of human inventions. laid in 18-14. The president of the U. S. and the governor of the state of New York both issued proclamations enjoining strict neutrality. /r„c**^. Navy Island was evacuated ; and Van Rensselaer arrested at tions. the suit of the United States. A Mr. M'Leod was also arrested and tried by a United States court, for the murder of Durfee, June so, but was acquitted Congress pass the sub-treasury law. su* trea- The census of 1840, gave as the number of inhabitants in suryiaw. the United States, 17,068,666. The eensus In the presidential election of 1840, a large majority was given to William Henry Harrison of Ohio, whose social and public virtues had been rendered conspicuous by the various (t See pre- official stations of a long and useful life.f The good man tory, isn't. loved his country, and was pleased that his country loved him • 1815) in return. On the 4th of March he was inaugurated as pres- 1841. ident of the United States. John Tyler, of Virginia, was inaugura- made vice-president at the same tune. Gen. Harrison's inau- *•*>? 0{ Hy gural speech was long, and characteristic of the uprightness Tyler. of his mind, and the reverential trust, with which he reposed himself and his country upon the Great Supreme. From the capitol he went to the presidential mansion. Thousands flocked around him with congratulations and proffers of service, whose sincerity he was not prone to doubt, for he was himself sin cere. The sunshine of pubbc favor thus fell too brightly upon a head, white with the frosts of age. His health failed, and April 4. he expired just a month from the day of his inauguration. Harrison' Mr. Tyler, by the constitution, became president on the de- Mr T le[ cease of the incumbent. He repaired to Washington, took succeeds. the oath of office, and issued an address, as agreeable to the patriotic sentiments of the people, as the appointment of a Nat(0J,|j day of public fasting, subsequently made, was to their reli- fast. gious feelings. •m THE PROPOSED FISCAL &ANK. CHAPTER V. Mr Tyler's Administration. — Mobs. — Disturbance in Rhode Island.- Anti-Rentism. — Mormonism, &c. PARI IV PERIOD III CHAP. V. Opinions of the Demo cratic party. (March 11. Sails from New York, the Steamer Presiaent, 109 passen gers. Never heard of more.) May 31. Congress convene. (July 6. A bill passed to distribute proceeds of public lands to the seve ral States.; August 16. Tyler's first veto of Na tional Bank. Sept. 9. His second veto Monetary affairs were at this period, the all-exciting topic The Whig party were opposed to Mr. Van Buren's Inde pendent Treasury, and in favor of a National Bank,— modified, however, to suit the purposes of the public revenue. They believed that such a bank would be more convenient and more economical to the government, — and that it would at the same time, facilitate the business, and promote the prosperity of the country, over which, it was the government s duty, as they maintained, to exercise a parental care ; and they as serted that the attempt to bring back a specie circulation was a dangerous experiment upon the currency. The Democratic party, on the other hand, maintained that any connection of government with banks, or with the mone tary affairs of individuals, was foreign to its purposes, and embarrassing to its operations ; and that experience had shown it to be a fruitful source of bribery and corruption. To avoid these evils, they believed that the government should keep its own money, maintaining its value, by operating with specie itself, not with its representative. The majority o( the voters at that time adopted the views ol the Whigs ; and at the presidential election chose Messrs. Har rison and Tyler, with an understanding that they would favor a National Bank. General Harrison, aware of the point on which his election had turned, issued, March 17th, his procla mation, calling an extra session of Congress to convene on the 31st of May, to consider "sundry weighty and important matters, chiefly growing out of the revenue and finances of the country." When this Congress met, Mr. Tyler was president. He had formerly been opposed to a National Bank, but he had professed himself a Whig, and accepted his nomination, knowing the views and expectations of the voters.' Congress repealed the Sub-Treasury law on the 6th of August. Three days earlier, the House of Representatives had passed an act, establishing a National Bank for fiscal operations, the scheme of which, was understood to emanate from Henry Clay, the leader of the Whig party. Mr. Tyler, to the deep chagrin of that party, defeated tbe measurft by the presidential veto. Endeavoring to make a compromise with the president, the mortified Whigs got up another scheme for a bank, and passed it through Congress under the name of a " Fiscal Corporation of the United States." A second time Mr. Tyler defeated them by his veto. From this period to the close of his administration, he stood in the NORTH-EASTERN BOUNDARY. anomalous position of having the two great political j arties fart iv. both against him. By a third veto, he hindered the passage of teriod iii. a Tariff Bill. A law to modify the existing Tariff was, however, CHAP- « ¦ passed on tbe 30th of August. The able cabinet selected by ---'-v-*-' Harrison had all remained in office up to the period of the 1841. second veto, when all resigned except Mr. Webster, the make a third secretary of state. His country needed him in the office, . vetot,3n and remaining, he found occasion to render her essential ser- a Tariff bill vice. Passed- In consequence of the pecuniary distresses of former years, many merchants had been obliged to fail in business. Con gress now passed a Bankrupt Law, uniform in its action A"su.st 18 throughout the states, by which, on the surrender of their Law property to their creditors, bankrupts could be free from the legal disabilities of past debt. This act having served its temporary purpose, and no doubt given rise to many frauds, was afterwards repealed. Ih the unwarrantable stretch of credit which had existed, states over-zealous for internal improvement had partici pated ; and when the revulsion came, some of these found themselves unable, without direct taxation, (to which the rulers dared not promptly resort,) to meet their engagements ; and the holders of their bonds, many of whom were foreigners, could not obtain the interest wheA due. These states were said to have repudiated their bonds, and this repudiation for a time cast great obloquy upon the whole nation. With re turning prosperity, however, these states resume payment ; and it is believed, that no such thing as an actual repudiation of a just debt will be permanently made by any state. The old United States Bank, after having been refused a charter by the general government, received one from the state of Pennsylvania. The president, Nicholas Biddle, the Napoleon of finance, did much to sustain the struggling mer chants of the cities, by great foreign operations'; but ai length going beyond his depth, he and his ' bank failed. Many banks and commercial houses were involved in the ruin ; and many widows, orphans, and others, lost their whole fortunes. A' disagreement between the United States and England had long existed in regard to the North-Eastern boundary, "^mnon Much excitement prevailed between the inhabitants of Maine , T.JJ-ea}yf and New Brunswick,— regions adjoining the disputed line,— and the United measures were taken on each side, which threatened war. T?iBtA**,?2!", Lord Ashburton was sent from England as a special envoy to settle this dispute ; and Mr. Webster, with great diplomatic ability, arranged with him the terms of a treaty, by which oct"^*.? the important question of the North-Eastern boundary is finally and amicably settled. Serious riots occurred in the spring of 1844 in Philadelphia. They grew out of a jealousy on .the part of native Arneri Repudia tion Oct. 11 failure of (he old U. S. Bank 1843. * ute, Aug.20J 394 ALARMING DISORDERS. PART IV. PERIOD III. 34 buildings burned. Killed 14, wounded 40 June 7. Second riot Killed and wounded 50 April 18. Dorr's at tempt. June 25. Dorr at Chepachet. 1 §44. Dorr sent to the state's prison. 1845. Is released. 1844. Feb. aa Explosion on the Princeton Privates, killed 3, wounded 12. can Protestants, that the foreign Roman Catholic population intended to gain the control of the common schools, and change the established order of instruction, especially in regard to the use of the scriptures. The Native American party at tempted to hold a meeting for debate in Kensington, a suburb of Philadelphia, inhabited by Irish Catholics. These assaulted the Natives with brickbats and other missiles, thus beginning that violation of law, by which eventually they suffered so severely. Law once violated, confusion and anarchy prevailed. Fire arms were used on both sides. The governor repaired to the scene of action, and bodies of the mibtary, with field-pieces, were stationed in the streets. It was not until the third day that order was restored. Thirty dwelling-houses, a convent, and three churches were burned. Fourteen persons had been killed and forty wounded. These disgraceful scenes were re newed on the 7th of June. The governor called out 5,000 of the military, and at this time 50 persons wore either killed or wounded. Rhode Island now became the theatre of an attempt to set aside existing authorities. The " suffrage party," by whom it was made, did not, however, regard the matter in this light. They formed, though by illegal assemblies, what they consid ered a constitution for the state ; and then proceeded to elect under it a governor (Mr. Dorr) and members for a legislature. Their opponents, called the " law and order" party, acting under existing authorities, elected state officers, Mr. King being made governor. It was the intention of Mr. Dorr, and his more violent ad herents, to get forcible possession of the state buildings ; and on the 18th of May, he went with an armed force, and took the state arsenal. No lives were lost, as his directions to fire on those who opposed his progress were not obeyed. Gov. King meantime put himself at' the head of the military. Sev eral persons were arrested, and Dorr fled. He afterwards ap peared at Chepachet with some two or three hundred men ; but a superior government force being sent, the}r dispersed. Dorr afterwards returned, was tried, convicted of treason, and sentenced to the state's prison. Meantime a new constitution was by legal measures adopted. In 1845, Dorr was released from prison, but he was not restored to his civil rights, on ac count of his refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the new constitution. The war steamer Princeton, lying, Feb. 28, 1844, in the Potomac,— Capt. Stockton, the commander, having on board, as invited guests, the president of the United States, heads of department, ladies, and others — a wrought-iron gun, whose great size made it a curiosity, on being fired the third time, burst ; — and the horrible explosion instantly killed Messrs. Upshur and Gilmer, secretaries of state and the navy,-— THE ANTI-RENTERS. 395 three distinguished gentlemen — Com. Kennon, David Gardiner, FART IY- 3sq., and the Hon. Virgil Maxcy, — besides several of the crew, eriod in. An alarming tendency to anarchy has been experienced in the CHAP- T- mti-rent disturbances in the state of New York. In the early ¦*>""v^' oistory of this state we have seen, that under tbe Dutch gov ernment, certain settlers received patents of considerable por tions of land,— of which that of Van Rensselaer was the most(Re sselaer extensive,— comprehending the greater part of Albany and wyck48m.' Rensselaer counties. These lands were divided into farms 'broad.8) containing from 160 to 100 acres, and leased in perpetuity, on the following conditions. The tenant must each year pay to the landlord a quantity of wheat, from 22| bushels to 10, with four fat fowls and a day's service with horses and wagon. If the tenant sold his lease, the landlord was entitled to one- quarter of the purchase-money. The " patroon" was also en titled to certain privileges on all water-power, and a right to all mines. In process of time, the tenants began to consider these legal conditions as anti- republican,— a relic of feudal tyranny. The excellent Stephen Van Rensselaer, who came into posses sion of the patent in 1785, had, in the kindness of his nature, .„.» omitted to exact his legal rights ; and 8200,000 back rent had Stephen van accrued,— which he, dying in 1840, appropriated by will. The Re^|slaer tenants murmured when called on to pay it, and sheriffs, in June 25 attempting to execute legal precepts, were forcibly resisted. An ineffectual attempt to put down these disorders was made 1811. on the part of the state authorities, by a military movement, "T^el^g called in derision " the Heldeberg war." War." In the summer of 1844, the anti- rent disturbances broke out with great violence in the eastern towns of Rensselaer, and on 1844. the Livingston manor, in Columbia county. Extensive associ- ^"guise-P-pS ations were formed by the anti-renters to resist the laws. They Indians. kept armed and mounted bands, disguised as Indians, scouring the country ; and the traveller as he met them, issuing from some dark wood, with their hideous masks and gaudy calicoes, was required, on penalty of insult, to say, " Down with the rent." These lawless rangers forcibly entered houses, took men from their homes, and tarred and feathered, or otherwise maltreated them. In Rensselaer county, at noonday, a man smith wiiea was killed where about 50 "Indians" were present,— some of whom were afterwards arraigned, when they swore that they knew nothing of the murder. Sometimes 1,000 of these dis guised anarchists were assembled in one body. Similar dis turbances occurred in Delaware county. At length Steele, a Steele killed deputy-sheriff, was murdered in the execution of his official ware. duty, and his murderers were apprehended. Meanwhile Silas Wright was chosen governor of the state. i§ 16. Much does his country owe him for the wisdom and firmness S?^e?J"r of the measures by which public order was restored. On the measures 27th of August b» proclaimed the county of Delaware in a 396 THE M0U.M0NS. part iv. state 0f insurrection. Resolute men were made sheriffs, and period in. competent military aid afforded them. Leading anti-renters were taken, brought to trial, and imprisoned The murderers of Steele were condemned to death, — but their punishment was commuted to that of perpetual confinement. On the 27th of Jan. 1847, Gov. Young, the successor of Mr. Wright, by his proclamation, released from the state's prison the whole number, eighteen, who had been committed for anti-rent offences. There has been a fresh outbreak of these troubles in Columbia county. In congress, March 3d, 1845, an act was passed admitting two states into the Union, — Iowa, its western boundary the river Des Moines, and Florida, comprising the east and west parts, as defined by the treaty of cession. One of the most extraordinary impostures of the age is that Dec°23 called " Mormonism." The leader, Joseph Smith, was an' ob- j3. Smith seure, uneducated man, of New England origin. Under pre- r°n?v't!, lei's tence of special revelation, he, somewhat after the fashion of — reiioved Mahomet, produced the stereotype plates of the " Book of N. v., 1827' Mormon," by which he persuaded numbers, that he was the therniatesS mspired founder of a new religion, which was to give to his and pre-' followers the same pre-eminence over all other people, as the 'spirationj" Jews had over the Gentiles. His peculiar code is as yet ill understood, but there is little room to doubt, that it gives his followers liberty to commit every crime. ¦ Like the systems of socialism which prevail in France, and have been attempted in this country, Mormonism degrades and demoralizes women. Yet such numbers of both sexes were found to join and aid 1838. this delusion — throwing their property into common stock — •i™™6; „? that, on their arrival at the Far West in Missouri, the Mor- Far west, mons numbered 5,000, of whom 700 were armed men. Charged with various crimes, among others an attempt to assassinate Gov. Boggs, they were expelled the state by a military force commanded by Gen. Atkinson. They then - purchased a large tract of land in Illinois,- on the eastern bank of the Mississippi. There, on a beautiful slope, they built Mormons at " Nauvoo," where, amidst their dwellings, arose a pompous tem- Nauvoo. pie, decorated and furnished according to directions found in the "Book of Mormon." — Robberies and assassinations be came frequent in their vicinity ; and although secrecy and mys tery accompanied them, the neighboring people were con vinced, that the Mormons were the perpetrators. Yet so had they spread,— using bribery and intimidation, that, in the county courts, no cause could be obtained against a Mormon. 1844. Popular fury was aroused, nor could the state authorities re- JoUlJmith stram 'ts current. The chief of the Mormons, with his brother, and 'his bro- had been arrested by Gov. Ford, of Illinois, and lodged in jail afcanhase, at Carthage. A hundred men in disguise broke into their ni. ' prison and murdered them. — In 1845, so formidable a combi nation existed against them, that the Mormons sold their pos- MEXICAN HOSTILITY. 39? sessions in Illinois, and their city, which had contained not less part iv than 10,000 inhabitants, was deserted, and they were wending period m. their way to a region beyond the Rocky Mountains. Yet their CHAP- TI- numbers were still such, that they furnished, in the spring of *-^~^~*^ 1846, 500 volunteers,— who were conducted by Col. .Allen and ^J^f,-*' Lieut. Smith to Santa Fe, and afterwards joined Gen. Kear- mons leave ney. The Mormons are now settled in the great valley of j^JJlb Upper California, near the Salt Lake ; and it is to be hoped Remove to* that the evUs which they have suffered, will lead them to California abandon their errors. Theirs is the Anglo-Saxon blood. They claim that their religion has its foundation in Christianity ; and they may hereafter be led to examine and conform to its precepts. CHAPTER VI. Texas. — Mexico. — Causes of Annexation and the Mexican War. We have already seen that the French adventurer La Salle 1685. discovered Texas. On account of his discovery, the French covered claimed the country to the Rio Grande, as forming a part of Texa» Louisiana. The Spaniards of Mexico remonstrated, and sent thither an armed force, but the French had already dispersed. The first effectual settlement in Texas was that of San Antonio 1692. de Bexar, made by the Spaniards in 1692. A few missionary f0^^ stations were subsequently established. But the Mexican authorities seemed not so desirous to oc cupy this country, as to keep it a desolate .waste, that thus an impassable barrier might be maintained between them and their Anglo-American neighbors. This desire to avoid con tact by means of an intervening desert, was so strongly felt by the Mexicans, even in 1847, as to break off negotiations for peace, when Gen. Scott was at the gates of their capital with a victorious army. The aversion thus manifested, the Mexicans at first derived from their mother country. At the time when Mex ico was colonized, Spain stood at the head of Roman Cathobc i6th cen countries, — regarding all heretics in exterminating abhorrence, tury- and cutting them off by the inquisition and the sword. As the Reformation proceeded, England, the land of our forefathers, 17f!ji^B took the lead of Protestant nations. But while we, mingling with the world, changed, — Mexico, shut up, retained her native aversions ; and these, coupled with the national pride and jeal ousy of the Spanish character, may be marked as ike first and predisposing cause of the late Mexican war. Mexico as a colony belonged not so much to the Spanish Tyranny ot nation, as to the Spanish kings ; and they governed and man- in^uSo. aged it by their viceroys, regardless of the well-being of the people,— but merely as an estate to bring them money ; yet, 398 SANTA ANNA. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. part IV. not by any methods by which the mother country might be ri- /eriod in. vailed. Hence, while the mines were industriously wrought, no chap. vi. commerce was permitted to the Mexicans ; nor might they rear the silkworm, or plant the olive or the vine. But after Spain saw that the English colonies, less oppressed than her own, had revolted, and were bkely to establish their independence, she moderated her rigor, so as to allow some trade with foreign nations, but under severe duties and re strictions. Thus, kept from the means of improvement, Mex- 1810. ioo remained unchanged. After Ferdinand VII. had, in 1810, M Tofts re" fa^en 'with the Spanish nation under the power of Napo leon, the Mexicans revolted. But the people were not uni- 1818. *e(^ > — an<^ after the bloody war of eight years, called the first Loyalists revolution, the royalists prevailed. The second revolution prevail. was begun in 1821, by the Mexican general Iturbide. Un der him the Mexicans threw off the Spanish yoke. But he iturbide*" made himself a monarch. The people wished for a republic ; (He is shot and they deposed Iturbide, banished, and on his return con- at Padillo.) demned and executed him. Another leader arose, — Santa Anna, — who has proved him- 1824. se^ one °f *ne most remarkable men of the present day. In Federal 1824, a, federal constitution was formed under his auspices, by 'ofMexico" which Mexico, like our republic, was divided into states, with each a legislature, and over the whole a genera] government. In 1803, the United States, in purchasing Louisiana of .„.„ France, obtained with it the disputed claim to Texas; but in Texas ce- 1819, they ceded it by treaty to Spain as at part of Mexico, ded to Florida being then granted by that power to the United States. 1821. Two years thereafter, Stephen F. Austin led a colony from Angio-Ame- the United States to Texas, and made a settlement between founded* the rivers Brazos and Colorado. The Spanish authorities in Mexico, desirous of defence against the destructive incursions of the fierce and hostile Comanches, bad, contrary to their ordinary policy, made laws favoring American immigration, yet only under the condition that the immigrants merged their religion and their language into those of Mexico. Moses Austin, a native of Durham, Connecticut, applied for, and received, in 1819, a grant of land with permission from the Mexican authorities to plant a colony. He dying, Stephen F. Austin, his son, according to his parting request, carried out his plans, and thus became the leader of American coloniza tion in Texas. Austin's enterprise being joined by others, who Mexican ^e bimself sought to better their fortunes, his colony soon clergy flourished to such an extent, that it attracted the attention of the Mexican clergy. They found that the law, which re quired the settlers to make oath that they were Catholics, and to establish Spanish schools, bad been regarded by them, but as an unmeaning formality ; and they felt the utmost alarm that a colony of foreign heretics was planted among them,— and of course a desire that they should either submit to their na- TEXAN REVOLUTION. 399 tional laws or be rooted out. Here were sown the teeds qf PART 1Y future war ; for these heretics were the brothers of American period citizets, and, though expatriated, they were children-born of the repub .ic. — Farther jealousies arose from futile attempts at in dependence, which were made by a few of the settlers in the neighborhood of Nacogdoches, and from propositions made on the part of the United States government to purchase Texas. In whatever was done, the Mexicans fancied some plot against them, in which the American nation at large was concerned. They even surmised that the settlers in Texas were sent but as a cover to a concealed purpose of tbe American authorities to take then territory, and destroy their nationality. Texas, under the constitution of 1824, was united in one state with the neighboring province of Coahuila. The Spanish .1B™« Mexicans of this province outvoted and pursued an oppressive There weie policy against the Texans. Stephen F. Austin was sent by ah°at 10,000 them to the city of Mexico to petition against these grievances, in Texas at and for the privUege of forming Texas into a separate state, '^^the" The Mexican congress treated him with neglect. He wrote a Revolution.) letter to the Texans, advising them at all events to proceed in forming a separate state government. The party in Texas opposed to Austin, sent back his letter to the, Mexican authoi i- S1^1"™ ties, — who made him prisoner as he was returning, sent him Saitiiio ¦> back to Mexico, and threw him into a dungeon. MeanwhUe Santa Anna, ambitious and crafty, though with seeming simpbcity, subverted the constitution of 1824, and in the name of bberty, made himself the military tyrant of the Mexicans. They would better bear this, if he employed their force against the .Anglo-Americans ; and be sent General Cos into Texas, to place the civU rulers there, in subjection to tbe military. Meantime Austin returned, and was placed at the i§35. head of a central committee of safety. Appeals were made Texan Rev through the press to the Texan people, and arrangements set gins on foot to raise men and money. Adventurers from the American states came to their aid. The object of the Texans at this time in preparing for war, was, to join a Mexican party now in arms against the military usurpation of Santa Anna, and thus to maintain tbe constitution of 1824. The Lexington of the Texan revolution, was Gonzalez. B°tUe20f Mexican forces had been sent to that place to demand a field- Gonzalez, piece. The Texans attacked and drove them from the ground fOTc^\c0oo, with loss. Santa Anna had now caused the fortresses of Texan 50c Goliad, and the Alamo, or citadel of Bexar, to be strongly for tified ; the latter being the headquarters of General Cos. foss'ioo. The Texans on the 8th of October, took Gonad with valuable Texan i munitions. On the 28th, they obtained a victory near Bexar. k"'e Texan delegates, November 22d, met in convention at St. Felipe, and established a provisional government. On the 11th of December, their forces, under General Bur leson took, after a bloody siege and a violent struggle, the 400 TEXAN INDEPENDENCE. part iv. strong fortress of the Alamo, and the city of Bexar ; Genera. period hi. Cos and bis army were made prisoners, and not a Mexican chap. vi. in arms remained. But Santa Anna, ever active and alert, was v-.^>/-w gathering his forces ; and in February, 1836, was approaching with 8000 men. Unhappily, divisions now prevailed in tbe Texan counsels, 1836. while the small and insufficient garrison of the Alamo was assacre of attacked by this powerful army, headed by a man who K.fiiedai50 ' added to the smoothness of the tiger, his fierceness and cru elty. Travis, who commanded, had only 150 men. They (David fought all one bloody night, until he fell and all the garrison Crocket was but seven ; — and they were slain, while crying for quarter ! " eie' Meantime a Texan convention had assembled at Washington, Ma h •> on *ne Brazos, which, on the 2d of March, declared inde- Texans de- pendence. They had desired, said the delegates, to unite with pendence?" ^e'r Mexican brethren in support of the constitution of 1824, but in vain. Now appealing to the world for the neces sities of their condition, they declared themselves an Inde pendent Republic, and committed their cause to the Supreme Arbiter of nations. Colonel Fanning commanded at Goliad. He had besought • the Texan authorities to reinforce him ; and he had been di rected by them to abandon his post, and save his garrison by retreat.* The Mexicans, by their superior force, overpowered him. He surrendered on condition that he and his men should be treated as prisoners of war. Santa Anna ordered their > 1836. execution; and four hundred unarmed and unresisting men, March 27. unsuspicious of harm, were drawn out. One of the fated Goliad soldiers exclaimed, " They are going to shoot us ; let us turn Killed 400. an(j n0£ jje sj..0£ jn fae bac;k_" In another instant the fire was given, and the prisoners fell dead. Fanning was shot the next day ; — and his body denied a burial. These men were Amer ican-born. Fanning had been an officer in the army of the United States. American hate and sympathy kindled as the shocking massacre was told. Annexation followed in time, and the Mexican war. On the 21st of April, the main Texan army, under Generai April 21. Houston, met the Mexicans who were double their number, San Jacin- near the San Jacinto. Furiously the Texans rushed to battle MexTforce w^ *ke CI7> "Remember the Alamo." They fought at less i.eoo. than half-rifle distance, and in less than half an hour, wholly Mex. 'loss, routed the Mexicans, lulling and wounding a number greater eso k., 208 w. than the whole Texan force. Among the prisoners takeh after 8 k., 17 w! the battle, was Santa Anna himself. He, the perfect master of dissimulation, now makes the Texans bebeve that he is so satis fied of their valor and goodness, that he will use his power * Of this fact, the writer was recently informed by General, now Sena tor Houston. Fanning had marched out of the fortress, met, and con tended with the Mexicans, was taken and carried back, so that the mas sacre was at Goliad ELECTION OF 1844. 401 and influence in their favor. «As Supreme Ruler of Mexico, PART IT- he, by a treaty, acknowledged their independence, and al- period iii lowed their western boundary to be the Rio Grande. This °"^- «¦ treaty was subsequently disavowed by Mexico, it being made *-*-vn-p« while Santa Anna was a prisoner. Although the United 1837. States, England, and other powers acknowledged the hide- Uv^J ' pendence of Texas, yet Mexico, through all her changes of states ree- rulers ever claimed the country, and occasionally sent troops Texln'inde- to renew the war by predatory excursions. The Texans in Fjj"^^^ 1841, sent under McLeod a party of 300, who were partly mfsS..)' Americans, to take possession of Santa Fe, the capital of New 1841. Mexico, that city lying on the eastern side of the Rio Grande. At^etm|t on These were made prisoners by the Mexicans, and treated with great cruelty. Santa Anna meantime procured himself to be sent by the Texans to the U. States, where he so far gained President Jack son's favor, as to be sent by him to Mexico. Then turning his back upon those he had been deceiving, he paid his court to the Mexicans, by disavowing all his treaties and promises, and entering upon a course of hostility to Anglo- Americans. J**^* Gen. Woll, sent by him to invade Texas, took Bexar. A ThePa'ttack Texan army was collected, who were full of zeal to carry the on Mler war into Mexico. After various disappointments, and the re turn of most of their volunteers, a party of 300 crossed the Rio Grande, and proceeding to Mier, they attacked it ; and al though opposed by five times their force, they fought their way into the heart of the place. They killed and wounded double their whole number, when, although they had lost only 35 men, they capitulated.* Although these prisoners were treated badly, yet their romantic history shows that the Mex ican character and feelings had somewhat improved since the massacres of the Alamo and Goliad. Texas early made application to be received into the Amer ican Union. Gen. Jackson objected, — and afterwards Mr. Van Buren, — on tbe ground of existing peaceful relations with Mexico, and the unsettled boundary of Texas. Mr. Tyler brought forward the proposition. It was lost in congress. But the mass of the American people were in favor of Annexation, as was made manifest when it became the test question at the 1844. presidential election in 1844. The Whig candidates for presi- ^eSdLu dent and vice-president were Henry Clay aud Theodore Fre- J- k. Polk linghuysen, who were opposed to immediate annexation ; and vice-p., d. the Democratic were James K. Polk and George M. Dallas, M0f p""5' who were pledged in its favor. The latter were elected ; and 1845. on tbe 4th of March, 1844, they were duly inaugurated. Af- ^arch *- ter the election, and before the inauguration, Texas was an- rated. * They were, says Gen. Green, in his Journal of the Expedition, be trayed into the surrender by Fisher, their leader, who had lost his mind by a gunshot wound. Green says this party of 300 killed and wounded 800 of the Mexicans at Mier. 402 ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. part iv. nexed ; — Mr. Calhoun, the secretary of state, and Messrs. Van period m. Zandt and Henderson, on the part of Texas, having previous- chap. vi. ly negotiated the treaty at Washington. Mr. Calhoun was ^""v-"*^ especially moved by fears that England was about to gain con- 1845. trol of Texas for the purpose of excluding slavery. join, heso- On the 28th of February, congress passed the joint resolution lution an- ^ t0 annex Texas, — her authorities and people consenting, and the as. following conditions observed : 1st. All questions of boundary to be settled by the United States ; 2d. Texas to give up her (March i. harbors, magazines, Isabel, a small Mexican seaport, sometimes called, from the jg46. oay on which it stands, Brazos St. Iago. The Mexican au- (March 12 thorities in leaving this place had set it on fire ; but Taylor ^^^i, with exertion saved 'most of the buildings. The place was Mr. siideii important to- him, as, from the nature of the coast, this must be ^'m- was the depot for his stores. Leaving them here, with 450 men given— noth under Major Munroe, he advanced, and took post at the mouth etfbut™""" of the Rio Grande opposite to MatamOras. Here batteries were soon erected by the Mexicans, pointing at his camp. This March 28. he intrenched, and immediately commenced a fort, whose guns ^'c^mps"' threatened the heart of the city. Yet Gen. Taylor was strictly , opposite n tt 1 i ¦ i-i J Matamoras. courteous to all. He had come, in peace, he said, to protect Texas, not to invade Mexico ; but if attacked, he should know how to defend himself. This attack he had hourly reason to expect. Paredes had put in requisition the best troops of Mexico, headed by her' (April 10. ablest generals, and they were gathering towards the Rio rode out- Grande. On both sides of the river, all was warlike action ; from 'he , . ,. iin 7 . m ' camp alone here, mounting or relieving guards, and there, planting artil- and was lery. Gen. Arista now arrived, and took the command at "Mexican Matamoras. The Mexican government made a formal declar- rancheros. . ation of war on the 23d of May. Gen. Arista informed Gen. Taylor by a polite note, dated the 24th, that he regarded hos- ¦a9'}1,^', tibties as having already commenced ; and on that day the commence flow of blood really began. Capt. Thornton with 63 dra- btonTsh°™: goons was sent by Gen. Taylor a few miles up tbe river to ture. Am. reconnoitre. They fell into an ambuscade, and finding them- w'. fe selves surrounded by a far superior force, they attempted to retreat, cutting their way. But they were obliged to surrender, with the loss of 16 killed and wounded. The American congress and people were astonished and agitated, when Gen. Taylor's dispatch was received. Their mMuand army was surrounded, and in danger, from the soldiers who anxiety. had committed the massacres of Goliad and the Alamo ! A kind of monomania pervaded the nation. The President an- QM'.y,11„ i i -kr ii'ii President's nounced to congress that the Mexicans had " invaded our extra mes- territory, and shed the blood of our citizens upon our own sage' soil." Congress responded, that "war existed by the act of Mexico," and in two days passed a law authorizing 50,000 Actaofcon volunteers to be raised for twelve months ; and appropriating ..fjjjf^j!,. towards the carrying on of the war, ten millions of dollars, ard mone* Thus were the means at once provided. Did the administra tion calculate on this, and therefore forbear to agitate in con gress the subject of the war, which, with an army of less than 10,000, it had daily reason to expect ? — -or was it one of those providentia1 occurrences, of which this war has been so fruitful, 28 408 DECLARED WAR. PART IV. »EK.IOD III. CHAP. VII. May 15 & 16. (See Mans field's " Mexican War," p. 48.) Vast plan of a campaign. Mexican and Ameri can mani festoes. Ap il 28. Walker's battle. and by which we learn, that Mexico was to be chastised., ana that the Almighty made this nation his instrument ? Declared war being upon the hands of the Executive, the plat, for its prosecution and results appears to have been, — to tab for indemnity and as a permanent acquisition, that part of tht- Mexican territory lying between the old United States and the Pacific ; and so to carry the war into the more vital and richei parts of the enemy's country, that he would be willing to re ceive peace, and some needful funds, though at the sacrifice of this territory, and the relinquishment of Texas to the Rio Grande. The American Executive, aided by tbe head of the war department, and by Genera' Scott, now sketched out, in two days' time, a plan of a campaign, exceeding, in the vastness of the spaces, over which it swept by sea and land, any thing of the kind known in history. This passed at- once into the or ders given by Mr. M.".rcy, secretary of war, and Mr. Bancroft, secretary of the navy. Undei these orders vessels were to pass round Cape Horn to the coast of California, to aid those already there in conquering that country. An " Army of the West" was to be assembled at Fort Leavenworth on the Mis souri, and under command of Gen. Kearney, to take New Mexico, and then proceed westward to the Pacific, to co-operate with the fleet. An " Army of the Centre," to be collected by Gen. Wool, from different and distant parts of the Union, was to rendezvous at San Antonio de Bexar, and thence to invade Coa- buila and Chihuahua. These armies were not merely to be ordered forth. They were mostly to be created from the raw material. The existing regular force of the United States, officers and men, did not much exceed nine thousand. Gen. Taylor, whose force was called the " Army of Occu pation," on finding that about 8,000 Mexican troops were already collected to oppose him, not only sent dispatches to the war department for aid, but, as in this, case directed, to the governors of the nearest states. The generals on both sides published proclamations ; — Arista calling on the Mexicans to defend their invaded homes and altars, and on the Ameri can soldiers to desert, and accept ample rewards ; Taylor exhorting the Mexicans to embrace the opportunity of freeing themselves from tyrants who had subverted their constitution, and left them a prey to the mingled -evils of despotism and anarchy ; and who were now seeking to make them believe the Americans to be their foes, — thousands of whom had shed their blood in the defence of Mexico against Spain. Gen. Taylor now received intelligence by Capt. Walker that a large Mexican force in his rear, was interposed between him and his stores at Point Isabel. Walker had there been stationed by Major Munroe to keep open the communication; and he had fought fifteen minutes with his one company of Texan rangers, (armed with revolving pistols,) with 1500 Mex- VICTORIES OF THE RIO GR4.NDE. 409 ican cavalry,— killed thirty and escaped ; and subsequently he FART IY- had found his way with six men through the Mexican army period hi. to bring this information. CHAP- ™- Taylor did not hesitate. Leaving his camp at Matamoras s-^~v">»'' with a garrison in command of the trusty veteran Major Brown, 1846. he marched with the main army, and reached Point Isabel unmolested. The Mexicans affected to believe that he had abandoned his works and fled. They attacked the camp with M j then batteries soon after he left it ; and Major Brown opened Taylor sets his guns upon the city. The firing was anxiously heard by ""isKbei?^ Taylor, and a messenger for aid reached him from Major Brown. The garrison at Point Isabel being reinforced by 500 men, which May 3 to 9. had been suppbed by Commodore 'Conner from the navy, ^""y^6 Gen. Taylor announced to the war department, " I shall march Brown. this day with the mam body of the army, to open a commu- leaves Pt. nication with Major Brown, and throw forward suppbes of Isabel. ordnance and provision. If the enemy opposes my march, in whatever force, I shall fight him." The same evening he marched. The next day at noon he came in full sight of the May 8. Mexican army, drawn up in order of battle, and extending jjex. force' a mile across his way. Taylor baited his men, —bade them 6'flfLr. refresh themselves at the pools — then formed his line. Col. — Twiggs commanded the right, and Col. Belknap the left. On kM&x,;v104ob either wing were batteries with companies of light-artillery. Am. k. 4, w At two o'clock tbe Mexicans opened their fire. The light- 40' artibery, commanded by Ringgold and Duncan, did great exe cution. Ringgold, much lamented, fell mortally wounded. The Mexicans, although with choice of the ground, and more than double numbers, were forced, after five hours, to yield to the Americans the victory of Palo Alto. At two o'clock the next day the army resumed its march. Having advanced about three miles, the Mexicans were dis covered, skilfully posted, with artillery, at Resaca de la Palma. May 9. A shaUow ravine crossing the road,— its margins closely wood- ia palma. ed by matted shrubs of a prickly evergreen, called chapparal, ^^1°^ afforded them shelter. At four o'clock the Americans came Am. 2,222. up. The field was fiercely contested. On account of the MexTioss irregularity of the ground, the history of this battle is full eoo. of thrilling incident. It was here, that Capt. May, with his mortally 44 dragoDns rode up to a Mexican battery, cut down the men, and took Gen. La Vega as he was applying a match to one of the guns. Young Randolph Ridgely and many others here won fame for themselves and their country. The Mexicans were wholly routed. Then camp — its stores, equipage, and Gen. Arista's private papers, fell into the hands of the Ameri cans. Two hundred Mexicans lay dead upon the field. The flying were pursued ; and numbers were drowned in attempt ing to cross the Rio Grande. On arriving at the camp, Taylor and his victorious army "arried joy to the wearied combatants. But the valued com- ]¦¦ 410 THE WAR SPIRIT. part iv- mander of the fort had been killed. Gen. Taylor named the period in. place where he fought and fell, Fort Brown. chap. vn. Great were the rejoicings and illuminations in the United *^sr~+~> States for these victories.i Taylor was forthwith made a ma jor-general, and several of his officers promoted. Gen. Arista now proposed an armistice, which Gen. Taylor May is." rejected,— not choosing longer to keep his bad position. He Taylor oc- intended on the arrival of heavy mortars to attack Matamoras. CUpfmorasat" But the military deserted it ; and the civil authorities, receiv ing assurances that private rights would be respected, suffered the Americans to take quiet possession. These successes having been obtained, the President of the United States made another attempt to treat for peace. His overtures were not promptly met by Senor Laiizas, the sec retary of Paredes, but referred to a Mexican congress to be held in December. While the news, of the imminent danger of the army of the Rio Grande, thrilled through the heart of the American na- Juju.yna tion, Gen. Gaines, the commander of the southern division, full Taylor de- 0f patriotic feeling, called out a large number of volunteers, press o/un- additional to those asked for by Gen. Taylor. Everywhere vSunteers ^e young men 0l tne nation were ready, nay, in haste, to go ' forth to defend their brethren, fight the Mexicans, and push for the " Halls of the Montezumas."* Gen. Taylor was soon embarrassed by the, numbers who came. They were ill pro vided with munitions ;' and he not being ready to move, they were but consuming his stores. The war department decided that those of the volunteers, not regularly enlisted, must be dis missed. This caused heartburnings and delay ; and although great energy pervaded the quartermaster's department, under Gen. Jesup, yet so much was to be provided in this sudden extension of the army, that it was three months before Gen. Taylor could move upon the interior. Meantime, the towns on the lower Rio Grande, were taken and occupied by the Americans. Camargo, made the depot of provisions and stores, was garrisoned with 2,000 men under Gen. Patterson. The army being now 6,000 strong, its first division, under Gen. *.pt: 5. Worth, began its march on the 20th of August. Gen. Taylor The^rmy with the rear column soon followed. On the 5th of September, sth at Wai- the several divisions were concentrated at Marin. Moving on, But Springs. ttley encamr>ed, on the 9th, at Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey. Here, on the south and west towered the high peaks of the Sierra Madre,— while before them stood the walls of Monterey bristling with cannon, and surrounded by fortresses ; — and around them an unknown region — an in vaded country, with thousands of embittered foes. Most of their troops were untried volunteers: But they, had officers * Mr. Prescott's very popular " History of the Conquest of Mexico," no doubt increased the war spirit so rife at this time. THE TAKING OF MONTEREY. 411 educated either directly or indirectly at West Point, who, in part it. all the complicated acquirements belonging to mibtary science), period hi had no superiors. Especially had they a commander, cool CHAP- TtI- and deliberate, — judicious to plan, and energetic to act. He •^~sr-s*, looked upon the mountains, and perceived towards the south west, that they were cleft by the small stream of the San Juan, along which, was the road from Saltillo to Monterey. He * thought if a new way could be made by which the Saltillo fe8f f0* road should be reached, the enemy's line of supplies would be worth's cut, and probably less formidable defences intervene. The ^amrfaP skill of the American engineers, under Capt. Mansfield, found noon. out such a way ; and Gen. Worth being selected for the im portant service, led a column of 650 men on the 20th and 21st, by a difficult detour round to the Saltillo road. But they did not gain this advantage without loss. On the morning of the ^If^'^^ 21st they successfully fought a battle, in which Col. flay and rey. Mex. his Texan rangers were distinguished. loss 10°- The Saltillo road being- gained, the first obstacles to be • ¦ • Forts Fede overcome in approaching the city, were two batteries on a ration and biU. Up to these, in face of their fire, the soldiers marched. Soidadocai They were taken, and their guns turned pn the third and principal battery,— a fortified, unfinished stone building, called the Bishop's Palace, situated on the steep hill Independ ence. Night Game on, and the weary and hungry soldiers had to bide the pelting of a storm. At three a party headed by ¦,Se,pt]- 2^- Col. Childs, and conducted by engineers Saunders and Meade, a. m. Disk mounted the hill. A vigorous sortie from the fort was repel- °^'ts0J^edC0 led. Tbe Americans entered it with the flying Mexicans, and it was theirs. .After having taken this battery, and turned it against the city, the war-worn troops, now three days from the camp, their numbers thinned by death, stood close upon the rear of Monterey. Meantime, Taylor had sought to direct the attention of tbe enemy from this, his real point of attack, by making a feigned one in front. But so fiercely was this movement conducted by Gen. Butler, Capt. Backus, and others, that Attack on the city was entered, though with great sacrifice of life ; for Monterey in every street was barricadoed, and guns pointed from every wall. The second day, a part of the defences were aban doned by the garrison, the Americans getting within the houses, and breaking through the walls. Gen. Quitman, who headed this party, advanced to the Plaza. On the morning of ^ <. ganta the 23d, the defences of the opposite side were assaulted and p*""?|ja carried by the division of Gen. Worth. Gen. Taylor now passed ted May is, over to Worth's quarters, where he received the Mexican com- (c^con, mander, Gen. Ampudia. He fame with a flag to propose ca- ner permits pitulation and an armistice, on the ground that, peace might which lie shortly be expected,— Paredes being displaced, and Gen. Santa "^J0,^™' Anna now in power. Gen. Taylor knewf that in lonsequence speaking of President Polk's hope of that wily Mexican's favorable dis- her-> 412 MUSTERING THE VOLUNTEERS. part iv. position, he had given an order to the fleet, which Com. Con- period in. ner obeying, Santa Anna had passed unmolested on his return chap. viu. from Cuba. Taylor had not men sufficient to guard the Mex- *^~sr~^s ican soldiers if he kept them as prisoners ; and his own unsup 1840. plied army needed all the provisions to be found in Monterey. itlParSs witnout tne pa-rade of compassion, he had its reality, and he sice*. wished to spare, especially " non-combatants." With the ad vice of bis officers, he therefore agreed to an armistice of eight weeks, on condition of the' approval of the American govern- lts rejection ment. This, on correspondence, was withheld ; and the war was bvMr. Polk, renewed ; — not, however, until nearly six weeks bad elapsed; and not sooner would Taylor have been prepared to act, had he been at liberty. CHAPTER VIII. Army of the Centre. — Gen. Wool's march. — Battle of Buena Vista. To Gen. Wool, who had been twenty-five years an inspector- general in the army, the administration wisely confided the prin cipal share in mustering and preparing for the service, the vol unteers, — on whom, for want of regular troops, the military honor and interest of the republic, must in this emergency depend. May29. His orders, dated May 29th, he received at Washington. orders. From thence he immediately moved through the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi; July 16. — meeting the enlisted volunteers at designated places of rec- s^ooVmiies dezvous, and inspecting and admitting them, if suitable men, traversed, into the army. These distances were accomplished, and twelve men nius- and a half regiments, (two of cavalry,) making about 12,000 tered. raen, were inspected, mustered into the service, and sent to wards their destined places, by the 16th of July. About 9,000 of these recruits, went to the Rio Grande to reinforce the army of Gen. Taylor. Those to form the " Army of the Centre" were by different routes to rendezvous at Bexar ; — some going the far circuit of Little Rock, in Arkansas, and some by sea and through La Vaea. Gen. Wool, after making necessary arrange ments in New Orleans for the comfort and efficiency of his August l. troops, moved to La Vaea on the 1st of August. From thence, uvaea'.on a^ter sending his wagon-trains, he accompanied volunteers to Matagorda Bexar, whose march for 40 miles lay through a country sub- ay'J merged four inches by recent rains. At Bexar began that drill and strict discipline of the volunteers which made Gen. Wool's corps, whether resting or moving, a camp of instruction ; discipline an(* wmcb> together with his great care that every article ne- (unpopuiar cessary to health and efficiency should always be prepared and « fteume" ready, gave to it the praise of being " a model army." Gen. Wool's destination was Chihuahua, the heart of one GEN. WOOL S MARCH. 413 Af the richest provinces of Mexico. He began his march from part iv. Bexar on the 20th of September, his force amounting to 500 period hi. regulars and 2,440 volunteers. At Presidio the troops crossed CHAP- vm- tbe Rio Grande on a flying bridge prepared for the purpose, v-^~v*"*-/ From this fertile spot they marched westward 26 miles, to 1846- Nava, over a dead level,— without finding a drop of water or rSept;|0,ol i human habitation. The troops, in crossing the Sierras of leaves Bex San Jos6 and Santa Rosa, encountered steep rocky ascents and ar !°'df0'e' deep mountain gorges ; and often, before their 300 heavy-la den wagons could pass, roads must be repaired or made. In (NaTa, 120c the valley between, they found the unbridged torrent-rivers of inhabitants .Alamos and Sabino ; and at every turn their flesh was wound- 0f adobe, or ed by tbe prickly -pear, or the thorn-leaved agave. Sometimes, brj)||.b"™ch as the army appeared, the ignorant people of the country, are nearly taken by surprise, believed that the robber-bands of Mexico ^ViAces0)1* were upon them. The shrieking women would run from their houses, and embrace the crosses by the wayside,— probably where some friend had been killed, whose fate they expected to share. But by the better-informed, Gen. Wool's approach was hailed with joy. He protected the quiet and the weak against the strong and the lawless. Before crossing the Rio Grande, he had rescued the children of a Mexican family from the Le- pan Indians, and restored them to their parents. " His army," says Mr. Mansfield, " were the armed watchmen of Coahuila ;'' Q and as. he passed on through San Fernando and Santa Rosa, Gen. Wool to Monclova, his advance was heralded as that of a friend ; atJ£y£ and he there peacefully unfurled the American flag over tbe government-house of the province. At Monclova, Gen. Taylor communicated to him the cap- ture and armistice of Monterey. Here also he learned that the der drill du- projected route to Chihuahua, continuing along the base of the n^ist^e" Sierra Mad re, was impracticable for his train ; and he could they are ai only reach that place with artillery by a circuitous road lead- Ramped" ing through Parras. Both he and Gen. Taylor believed that without the - tii • 1 -it i - t- n xi L cities and lt would be unwise thus to withdraw his force from the seat villages.) oi war ; — since the conquest of New Leon and Coahuila, already achieved, gave to the Americans the command of Chihuahua. On the 25th of November, Gen. Wool marched upon Par- NoT- 28 ^ ras, — Gen. Taylor advising him to establish a post in that fertile ?[eoci region, and collect provisions, of which his army were in need, from Mon. and which the country about Monterey could not supply. On p"™^ this march the army encountered a region of calcareous marl, which, for many miles, was bke dry ashes, filling then eyes and covering then garments. At Parras, General Wool was received with all the cour tesy due to a distinguished guest. The strictness of his dis cipline was not only improving his army, but, by imparting tbe feeling of security to a people, so long tbe victims of an archy, he was winning their affections, and giving them de- 414 THE WOMEN OF PARRAS. part IV. sires for a better government.* Stores came in abundantly, pkriod in. and the necessities of the two armies were fully suppbed. chap. vm. ' In the mean time Gen. Taylor had proceeded to Victoria, *-*-v"*^ the capital of Tamaubpas, expecting to co-operate with Gen. 1846. Patterson and a naval force in the reduction of Tampico. But Nov. 24. that place had surrendered to Commodore Conner on the 14th surrendered, of November. Gen. Butler was left in command at Monterey. it, Saltillo. Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila, of which the .Americans had innpeo's-.esn-S taken peaceable possession on the 17 th, was garrisoned, and 6statesfofe commanded by Gen. Worth.' coahuila, The changeful Mexicans having now displaced Paredes, and Manama"'- given full power to Santa Anna, be had concentrated a force bpas.) 0f 22,000 at San Luis Potosi. Gen. Worth, 60 miles in advance of Monterey, and 200 from Taylor at Victoria, now received the startling intelligence, that this army was imme- iiec. 17. diately to be brought down upon him ; — he having but 900 ArnomXGeenS men. He sent a rapid express, entreating Wool to hasten worth— to his aid with his whole force. In two hours Gen. Wool was leaves Par- in motion with his entire column, and his long train of wagons ; His ra id an<^ suc'1 was tne condition of his soldiers, that only fourteen movement, were unable, on account of ill health, to move. .And now the gratitude of the protected people was singularly manifefted. The ladies of Parras came forward, and vied with each other in offers to take the charga of these fourteen sick soldiers ! The best mansions of tbe place received them, the first women were then nurses, and in due time they were all restored.! In four days the army marched 120 mUes ; — when resting at Agua Nueva, it was twenty-one miles in advance of Saltillo, — interposed between Gen. Worth and Santa Anna. It had now completed a march of 900 miles through an enemy's country without a gun fired, or a man lost. Gen. Taylor, while at Victoria, learned that tbe city of Mex Scott super- ico was to be approached by Vera Cruz ; and that Gen. Scott BediorTay" appointed to conduct this invasion, would, as bis senior, super sede him in the Mexican command. Nor was this aU. It was from Taylor's army, that Scott's force was to be drawn. Gen. * Already are rumors abroad that this part of Mexico has invited an American general to lead them in an attempt to establish an independent government. But as much the same effect has been produced by the American army in other parts of Mexico, we hope that no such move ment will be made ; but that all Mexico, united by language and reli gion, will have learned how much better is security than anarchy ; — and also, we hope, that republican America will learn, on her part, from Mexico, how wretched a condition is that of anarchy ; — so that she may avoid it by repressing, while yet in her power, all lawless outrages. t The Americans manifested afterwards their gratitude to these kind Mexicans. They applying to Gen. Wool for aid on an incursion of savages, he sent to Donaphan, then in the region and under his command, a request which the troops of that gallant chieftain fulfilled by doing battle with the Comanches at El Poso, where Capt. Reid and Lieut. Gordon, with about 30 men, killed aud wounded 40 Indians, — liberated 19 boys and girls, and restored them to their parents at Parras. PLAN OF THE BATTLE OP Mining 2&Iel.lM7. BuenaVista Mexican t=m* Infantry, si Cavalry, + Artillery, movuig to the attack United States = Infantry, ~ Cavalry, t Artillery, receiving the attack. By Lieut. Col. Mansfield, Corp. Engineers. PERILOUS POSITION. 411 Scott therefore ordered from Gen. Taylor most of his efficient part i> troops, leaving him,— till more could be sent by government, period m " to stand on the defensive." Taylor, whatever might have chap. vm. been his feelings, promptly obeyed the order ; and dispatched ^*~v-»-. to Vera Cruz the greater 'part of his regular troops, and vol- 1840. unteers, — with generals Worth, Patterson, Quitman, Twiggs, (Gen.scottv and others, who had fought so bravely by his side. This or- Gen'.Tayiw der reached the forces of Gen. Wool also; and to bis great dated Nov. grief deprived him of most of his efficient staff-officers and (Dec. regular infantry, those whom be had as soldiers " brought up," bearmgd-f- and with whom he had thought to win glory, the soldier's spatches to meed. But this deprivation proved to the two generals the G^m^- source of their highest fame. For with the remains of their cgred ty the force, they met and bore back, the shock of the most formida- and'sama ble army, which Mexico had ever sent to the field. ^eott'sln" Gen. Taylor on the way from Victoria to Monterey learned tended that Santa Anna, by decided demonstrations, was threatening mentsf.) him. Leaving a small garrison at Monterey, he advanced south with about 700 men to the camp of Wool at Agua Nueva. Their 1&4L7. whole force, officers and men, was 4,690, and Santa Anna was Santa An"a approaching with more than four times that number, — besides a&reaUne- 3,000 regular cavalry under Gen. Minon, and 1,000 under Gen. quf„^ of Urrea, sent in advance, to turn the American position, destroy their stores, and cut off their retreat. This perilous situation became known to their distant country — to the friends and fam ilies of these Spartan officers and soldiers. We knew that they would have fought — but could they have conquered ? Were they victors, — or bad they died for their country's honor?- — And were the garrisons of the Rio Grande to be slaughtered, and Scott to be intercepted by a victorious foe ? Gen. Wool had remarked that the road from San Luis Po- tosi, seven mbes south of Saltillo, and thirteen north of Agua Ndeva, passed through a mountain gorge caUed Angostura, soutn of the small vUlage of Buena Vista. On the west, a net work of deep impassable ravines came close to the road, while on the east, the mountain sent off a succession of spurs, some ^ec^s'a*1 of which came at this point close to the road. " Here," he said, -field— Gen. " is the place which I would select, if obliged to fight a large T$£?estt. force with a small one." Gen. Taylor approved. The army remained encamped at Agua Nueva until the afternoon of the 21st of February. Santa Anna was approaching. Gen. Minon (t Cassms had already captured Majors Borland and Gaines with a recon- . m ciav is noitering party.f The camp at Agua Nueva was broken up, and ture'd paw Santa Anna, bebeving that his foes were flying in dismay, ea gerly pursued, till he was drawn to their chosen position. Gen. Santa Ai..ia Wool was left bv Tavlor the active commander at Buena di;^"e?' !? Vista ; while he, anxious for his stores menaced by Minon, badposmoa went to Saltillo. On tbe morning of the 22d, Gen. Wool drew up the army for battle. The gorge was tlie key of the position. Here was 418 Washington's birthday part iv^ placed Capt. Washington's battery. This was the birthdat period in. of the gkeat Washington, and the battle-cry was to be, <=hap. vm. "To the memory of Washington !" On a height opposite the ¦¦~*~~^-^s deep ravines, and contiguous to the gorge, were placed the S847. volunteers of Illinois and Kentucky, under colonels Hardin, Feb. 22. Bissell, and M'Kee. Bragg's battery was beyond the ravines TA. on the right ; while on the left, O'Brien's battery, with most of mv'aDDears" *ne remaining regiments were on plateau-elevations between the mountain and the road. From their positions the troops looked out through the gorge to the south, and beheld, issuing from clouds of dust, the long array of the Mexican host, — glittering with burnished arms, and gorgeous with many-colored drape ries. As they come nearer, their delicious music charms for a moment even the stern ear of war ! But the shouts of the Americans rise louder,— as Gen. Taylor, whom they regard as invincible, appears upon the field. At eleven o'clock, Santa Anna sent to Taylor a useless sum- 3 o'clock mons of surrender. About noon the Mexicans pushed for- ' begins, ward a party to the heights on the east, or American left. At (See Capt. three o'clock began the battle. Volunteer riflemen, under Col. Battle •' Bu- Marshall, met the advanced Mexicans. They made no im- 'ftfe^'ioss? pression upon the American lines, while they suffered loss. it.*, w. more Night came. The Americans remained under arms. Santa Am. w. 4, Anna's arrangements were those of an able commander. A k °- strong column, headed by Gen. Mora y Villamil, he directed to attack the gorge defended by Washington's battery. This charge was in the morning made, met, and repulsed. Gen erals Pacheoo and Lombardini, with their thousands, were early in the night climbing the heights on the east. Two hours after midnight they drove in the .American pickets. Major Mansfield discovers theb approach, and the watchful Col. Churchill is near to give information to Gen. Lane, then in Feb. 23. command of the American left. Gen. Taylor was not upon the 2 a°m!* field, for his night had again been spent in providing for the Mexicans safety of his stores at Saltillo ; — and Gen. Wool had just left Am. left, the plateau, and gone to tbe gorge to see if all was right there. f-meousiy ®6n" Lane ordered forward the battery of O'Brien, with a washing- supporting regiment of Indiana volunteers under Col. Bowles. ttheSgo°rgef The Mexicans advanced, —then arms and standards gbttering where they gorgeously to the sun. They gain the heights and plant tneir pulsed.) beavy batteries. Impetuously they now attack the Americans, and with a tenfold force. The volunteers stand, give back the fire, and drive the enemy. Col. Bowles orders a retreat. It became a rout which could not be stopped, though Capt. Lin coln, the aid of Wool, lost his precious Ufe in attempting the raUy. O'Brien stood, with Bryan his associate, and checked their progress, until men and horses were kUled ; and when he retreated, one gun could not be removed. The Mexicans were gaining ground. Their right was turn ing the .American left. Gen. Taylor arrives. Col. Jefferson BUENA VISTA 419 .)avis with bis Mississippians, comes forward, and calls to the PABT iv.^ retreating, to form in the shelter of his column. Col. Bowles, period iu. unable to rally his men, seizes the rifle of a private, and enters CHAP- VII!- tbe ranks. Forward press tbe few against the many ; nor pause ~--^- •/">-' for danger or death, until, close to the foe, their rifles give 1847. the unerring fatal fire. A yell and a rush, and the volunteers Co/;1?aM's have crossed a ravine, and stand close to the Mexicans, for- sissippians, cing them to retreat. Thousands of the foe are ready to fill bat.eBry!gre-S the places of tbe slain. But the batteries of Bragg and cover the Sherman have now arrived. They pour a fire too rapid and gthe"eft°n deadly to be resisted, and the ground is regained. Meantime, bodies of the Mexican cavalry had passed be tween tbe combatants and tbe mountains, and gone towards the The c rear, where they menaced the camp at Buena Vista. Gen. attacked Taylor ordered Col. May, with his dragoons and other cavalry, an e\\ enii to follow and attack them. Col. Tell of the Arkansas volun teers here feU bravely fighting. Major Dix, a paymaster, seized the standard of the flying Indianians — called on them to fol low, — and never suffer tbe flag of their state to leave the battle field but in triumph. Many turned and fought. The Mex- ^ide"' icans, thus resolutely met, veered about, and being joined by storm rises a fresh brigade, they now attempted to gain the road, from a 0,j 0f the* whence they might attack from the rear. The Mississippians battle.. were drawn up. The Mexican cavalry came gallantly on. The Misj'ss'pnis.ns stood and fired not. Surprised, the horsemen chf s\f their career — and, for one suicidal moment, they halt. The next — each unerring rifle had brought down its man. Sher man's battery had arrived, and the foe were unable to rally. Other American troops with artillery pressed closer and closer ; and now some thousands of Mexicans are in danger of being Dishonow- cut off from the main body. Santa Anna dispatches a flag of of Santa An- truce to Taylor, desiring to know what he wants. Gen. Wool, ngaln "0s"f * ittempting to go with a reply, perceives the treachery of eeive Santa Anna, and declares the truce at an end. / The American firing having been suspended by order, the endangered Mexicans escaped ; while, not only did two of the Mexican batteries continue their fire, but Santa Anna used the time to change tbe position of another, in preparation for his final desperate struggle. This was made against the centre, where Gen. Taylor commanded in person; — and by Santa Anna himself, with bis entire reserve. O'Brien with his battery again stood foremost, and colonels Hardin, BisseU, Clay, and M'Kee were in the hottest of the battle. But the odds against them is overwhelming. Again O'Brien, ^"eonS?" now with Lieut. Thomas, stands and checks the foe, till men and whole ar- borses are slain, and now, as he retreats, he leaves two of his mtne ™o "' guns. Mexican lancers drive the infantry into a ravine. M'Kee, C0J™san' Hardin, Clay, and many others fall. Bragg and Sherman, straining every nerve, advance with then batteries, and in the face of death, maintain then ground, and save the battle. Wash- 420 victory. part iv. ington's battery too, —often attacked through the day,— now by pt,KioD~nL turning on the Mexican lancers, and protecting the American chap. vm. infantry, saved a field, in which, with such disparity of force, yjr~ss~>-' there were many chances to lose, where there was one to win. 1847. - Santa Anna was obliged to draw back bis much diminished forces. The second night came on. Officers and men were on the alert, and horses in harness. The field was strewed with the lifeless victims of war. The American surgeons and their m bo'ena assistants administered to the wounded, whether friend or foe. Vista. Mexican women were there, to soothe tbe dying, or wail the dead. Feb. 23-4. The Americans were prepared to renew tbe contest. Out- santa Anna posts had made astonishing marches, and had reached the Am. loss, camp. Gen. Marshall, with his mounted Kentackians, and k-^' Capt. Prentiss with bis artillery, had travelled, from- the Pass Mex. loss, of Rinconada, — 35 miles of bad road,— on this one night. ..^s-g'S.' With the earliest dawn of the morning Gen. Wool,— abroad to reconnoitre, discovered that the enemy were in full retreat. Hastening with the news to the tent of Taylor, they embraced and wept, — while the glad shouts of victory, rang over the battle-field. Presuming that he should conquer, — Santa Anna had de tached regular forces under Minon and Urrea, to cut off the Santa An- retreat of the Americans ; while hordes of rancheros were sent na'sprepa- to the mountain passes to kill every straggler. General cut off the Urrea, with 1,000 cavalry, went into the vicinity of Monterey, ricimannv* wnere at Ramas a wagon-train was captured, and forty-five wagoners barbarously murdered. Both these generals from the 22d to the 26th menaced the weakened outposts of Taylor's army ; and both were attacked and defeated. Gen. Minon, on the 23d, interposed a body of 1,800 cavalry between Buena Vista and Saltillo, threatening the rear of the army. He was gallantly driven away, with the loss of 60 of his men, by Capt. ABuSatIprio. Webster, aided by Lieut. Shover. Gen. Urrea was defeated Mex. loss, by Colonels Morgan and Irvin on the 26th, at Agua Frio, near *' Amv'p6°' Monterey. On the 7th of March, Major Giddings with 260 men, having a train of wagons in convoy, was attacked near ceraivo! C eralvo by 1 ,6 00 Mexicans ; — the party of Urrea combined with Mefboorce tnat °^ ^eru R°mera- The Americans bravely defended them ' Am. 260. selves, and compelled the enemy to retreat. MexTioss, The victory of Buena Vista, without which the guerilla k. & w. 45. warfare would have borne a different aspect, left the Ameri cans after these affairs in quiet possession of the northern prov inces of Mexico proper. Active operations being here at an end, Gen. Taylor, after a few months, returned to receive high honors from his country; — and Gen. Wool, " without fear and without reproach," was left to govern and protect the con quered region. CALIFORNIA. 421 CHAPTER IX. Army of the West. — Conquest of New Mexico and California. A fleet consisting of one frigate and nine smaller vessels, part iv. was already on the coast of California, when the war com- period hl meneed. Commodore Sloat, the commander, was advised by chap. ix. the navy department, that war with Mexico migKt occur, f ^-*>-\^-v^ that he must be careful to observe the relations of peace, un- 1846. less they were violated by the opposing party ; but if this Bancroft's should take place, he was, without further notice, to employ orAer to his fleet for hostile purposes. Being led to suppose* that j™n'e a^f ' war existed, Com. Sloat took Monterey on the 7th of July, 1845> 1846 ; and raised the American flag without opposition. On the (*?. c, by the 8th, Francisco, north of Monterey, was taken by a part of the bvFremunt squadron, acting under the orders of Capt. Montgomery. On in the Bear the 15th, arrived a second frigate under Com. Stockton. On evolltl0"-' the 17th, Com. Sloat dispatched a party to the mission of St. r John, to recover cannon and other munitions which the enemy J0fComVa ' had there deposited. At this place the American flag had Stockton -at already been planted by Col. Fremont,— who, with 63 men, had been sent out in 1845 by the government, with the osten sible object of making peaceful explorations. He had, as an 18*2^3. officer of the corps of topographical engineers, been employed m0nt's ex in the years 1842—3, in exploring the great rivers, valleys, piorations prairies, lakes, and mountain-passes on the grand route to Or egon ; and he had manifested, by his keen observation, his hardy endurance, untiring activity, courage and conduct among the Indian tribes — the incipient germ of the great military com mander. He was opportunely on the ground at the breaking out of the war. The Mexicans menaced him, although he had (+ Fremont obtained leave of Gen. Castro, the military commandant, to Am.flag' but winter near the San Joaquin.f Subsequently all Americans Castv" id were threatened with destruction. Fremont went and aroused He then ' the American settlers on the Sacramento. They added to his ttae'tothe force, and he swept out the Mexican authorities from the south part, of northern interior of California. The American Californians, reson-> July 6, declared their independence, and placed Fremont at the head of their government. A few days after, it was reported that war existed between the United States and <1Dorle"the8 Mexico; when the Californian colorsf were joyfully pulled figure of a down, and the American hoisted. Bear') Com. Stocktonf constituted the 160 men under Fremont, a u navy battalion," and sailed with them to San Diego ; where Aiii com? united to the marines, their leaders marched upon, and occu- ^^^^ pied Los Angeles, the seat of government. Here Com. Stock- sjoat left ica ton proclaimed himself governor, and established civb govern- j£,_ 'si) j ment. Leaving a small garrison, the commanders went north. In September, a Mexican force under Gen. Flores and Doc Pico led in a revolt, and attacked Angeles. Captain Gillespie 29 CHAP. IX. 422 VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEST. part iv. t^g American commandant capitulated. Capt. Mervine, with period m. marines from the Savannah, attempting to relieve the garrison, was driven back to his ship. Com. Stockton had sailed for the 'southern ports. Col. Fremont, after recruiting his battalion, marched south to co-operate in reconquering the country, 1846 Immediately after the opening of the war, orders were ¦Army of the issued by the Executive for organizing an "Army of the regebu7der West," to be commanded by Gen. Kearny ; — for the object of Doniphan, taking, — and placing under American laws, New Mexico and infantry us, California. This army was to be composed of mounted vol- li. artii.250, unteers from the state of Missouri, with one battalion of in- Driigoons ,.-,., -,, i t> i 407. fantry, one of light-artillery, and one of dragoons. 'ordnlnce.)' They began, June 5th, to appear at the rendezvous, which was Fort Leavenworth. The choice of field-officers for the first Missouri regiment was regarded by the volunteers as pe culiarly important ; because, in the event of the death of Gen. Kearny,— on the colonel of this regiment, would devolve the June is command of the army. The men elected by the volunteers Doniphan had entered their ranks as privates. Doniphan was chosen chosen. coionei . Ruff; lieutenant- colonel ; and Gilpin, major.* All were for twenty days instructed by such of their officers of ;"• Liber- as had been West-Point students ; and thus, the military ty»' present science infused into this school, by the superintendent, Col. thevolun- „, , . j l -ji teet officers Thateb, his associates and successors, now became as rapidly See^'flDoni- transfused into the quick minds of the volunteers of tbe West, phan's Ex- as were the military arts into the well-formed active frames bveHugbes.) of this remarkable body of recruits.f General Kearny, having seut forward his baggage, and taken in convoy the annual train of merchants' wagons, now June 26-39. numbering 414, going to trade at Santa Fe and Chihuahna,J Army begin set out with his army on the last of June. They moved south - SMhrReac'h westerly across the Kansas and its branches — along the Arkan- Ulj *f * i2aS' sas t0 -Bent's Fort ; thence south and southwesterly to Santa Fe. iReach the A great portion of the region moved over was prairie ; — one Arkansas. e There was some difficulty about officering the volunteers — tbe government preferring to select the high officers. Subsequently, the Executive of the United States appointed Col. Sterling Price to the command of a regiment of volunteers, which were to follow and re inforce Kearny. The volunteer regiment, however, held an election, in which they very wisely elected Col. Sterling Price, to the place previously assigned him by government. f Willard P. Hall was chosen from their ranks, as a member to congress, and received at Santa Fe news of his election. % The beginning of this trade with Santa F§ and Chihuahua dates back to 1821, after Mexican independence had opened the country. Lieut. Pike, in 1821, first explored New Mexico. Traders had fol lowed bis track, and theiv numbers had so increased, that in 1825 Mr. Benton, then in the senate, succeeded in carrying through congress a bill, by which the government became obligated to protect the trade on the road which Kearny was now to travel ; and thus his army this year saved the government the ordinary expense ol pro viding an annual convoy. PBEI0P III. CHAP. IX. kearny's march. 423 wide, wild, unmeasured level, or gently undulating field;— PART IV. sometimes green, as far as the eye could reach, with tall, rank grass,- — and sometimes gay with unnumbered flowers, — perhaps blushing, far round with the varieties of the prairie rose, — or tinged orange with the wild lily; and sometimes showing igi©. the pale green and delicate white and red of the moccasin Vr"m J«™ flower, the "belle of the prairie." Along the Arkansas the *° A"s' 19' troops found great herds of buffalo; and cheerily joined ttie(tProin Ju hunt, and enjoyed the feast. But they bad many hardships, ly 8-ration. Often they made long marches without Water, and sometimes oXn™' with scarcely any food.f one-half, As Gen. Kearny approached the capital of New Mexico, warn""" he heard rumors of a formidable military force, which the one-thil-d-) governor, Don Manual Armijo, had collected to oppose his progress ; and he put his army in battle array to meet them at the canon or pass of Galisteo, fifteen miles from Santa Fe. But the governor's own heart, or that of his troops, had failed. August is. Kearny peacefully entered the city, which contained 1500 in- Gen-Ke«- habitants. Occupying the governor's palace, he planted above Santa Ft. it, August 18th, the standard eagle of Republican America. Thus had the army in fifty days accomplished this desert march of nearly 900 miles, and tbe bloodless conquest of New Mexico.* Neither Santa Fe nor the surrounding eountry, offered any cogent objections to receiving the government, which Gen. Kearny next proceeded to establish ; — according to his under standing of directions, which he had received from the war department. On the day after his entrance, he proclaimed He estab. himself governor of New Mexico. " You are now," said he, Mshea civil " American citizens ; — you no longer owe allegiance to the s°Ternmenl Mexican government." The principal men then took the oath required ; swearing in the name of the Trinity to bear true allegiance to the laws and government of the United States. Whoever was false to this allegiance, the people were , told, would be regarded and punished as a traitor. These measures save rise to much discussion in the Amer- ^ > i iiii i i ¦ Debates in ican capitol when they became known; the question being, congress. whether the administration hadi.or had not transcended its constitutional powers, in thus annexing, without any action of congress, a territory to the American Union. e We learn from "Benton's Thirty Years' View," that this non- resistance of the New Mexicans was owing to the persuasions of a Mr. James McGoffin, a citizen of the U. S., for some years a resident in Santa F£. Knowing his talents and influence, he was, by Mr. Benton' s advice, sent to precede Kearny, and prepare for his recep tion. We believe that further developments will show that the measures by which California came into American possession were planned by Col. Benton. He expected to have conducted the war as Lieut.-General. Mr. Polk nominated him to the senate, but they rejected tho nomination. 424 SAN PASG-p-L,. PART IV PERIOD III, CHAP. IS. (¦ This ex press was the celebrated Kit Carson. He was turn ed back as guide; his mail being Bent forward by Mr. Fitz patrick.) Dec. 6. Battle of -an Pascal. Kit Carson and Beale risk their lives to go to Stockton for aid. Jan. 8 and £.. Battles of San Ua- briel and Uie Mesa. Am. loss about 20. Mex. loss 70 or 80. Gen. Kearny having now taken possession of New Mexico, and organized a government, — of which he made Charles Bent the chief executive, — it next became his duty to proceed to California. He appointed Col. Doniphan to succeed him in the province ; with orders, however, that on the arrival of volunteers under Col. Price, Doniphan should leave hhn in command, and proceed with his regiment and some additional forces to Chihuahua, and there report to Gen. Wool. Proceeding down the Rio Grande, Kearny was met by an ex press* from Capt., now Col. Fremont. By it he learned that California was already conquered. Selecting 100 men as his escort, he orderell the return of his main force to Santa Fe. Crossing the Rio Grande in latitude 33°, he reached the river Gila, at the copper mines, on the 20th of October ; and following its course, he arrived at its junction with the Colo rado on the 22d of November, in lat. 32°. When near this point, he learned that a Mexican army, headed by Flores and Don Andreas Pico, bad retaken Los Angeles and the south ern part of California, and would bar his way to San Diego, where lay Commodore Stockton with the naval force. He paused, and dispatched Mr. Stokes, an English resident, with a letter to Commodore Stockton, who sent to his aid Captain Gillespie, with thirty-six men. Meeting this reinforcement on the 5th, the general, on the morning of the 6th, mounted his little party on the jaded beasts they had ridden from Santa Fe, 1050 miles, and at day-dawn went forth to San Pascal, where he engaged 150 mounted Californians. The Ameri cans won the field ; but these more northern troops sbld vic tory at a dearer rate, than the southern Mexicans. Kearny was twice wounded. Captains Johnson and Moore and Lieutenaut Hammond were killed ; — indeed, more than half the officers were either killed or wounded, with 19 of the men. When the surgeon appeared, the commander directed, "¦ first dress the wounds of the soldiers," and then fell, faint ing with exhaustion. Happily his wounds were not dan gerous. He was besieged in his camp on the hill of San Fernando, with scarcely sound men enough to remove the wounded. Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale heroically vol unteered ; and finding their way through the enemy's guards, to San Diego, Com. Stockton furnished them with 180 marines. They thus relieved the suffering party ; which, on the 1 3th, were cordially received by the naval officers at San Diego. Stockton and Fremont were co-operating in the reconquest of the revolted portion of California; and the Commodore now invited General Kearny to accompany him in an expe dition north. Their force was Kearny's party, with 500 of Stockton's marines. They met and defeated at San Ga briel, and afterwards at Mesa, a Mexican army of 600, under Generals Flores and Pico. In the mean time, Col. Fremont bad, in the vicinity of Sut- keaent's return. 425 ter s fort, recruited his battalion by recent immigrants, and had made a coastwise winter's march of intense severity. The Californians, still in force, knowing that he approached, passed Los Angeles ; and 12 miles north, at Cowenga, surren dered to him, on an honorable capitulation. This proved the final pacification of California. The following day, the American parties met at Los An geles. Who should be Governor 9 Commodore Stockton, ignorant of the approach of General Kearny, had arranged, and had so communicated to Washington, that Colonel Fre mont should be left in that office, while he prosecuted further conquests at sea ; and he now proceeded to commission him. General Kearny claimed the station as, his due, from his or ders and superior military rank. Fremont, however, deter mining to abide by Stockton's directions until he should hear from Washington, disobeyed his written order. Kearny left him in the gubernatorial mansion, and marched forth with the poor remains of his little party to San Diego. Here he was reinforced by the Mormon battalion, which, under Colonel Cooke, had approached by a route south of the Gila. From San Diego, Kearny sailed to Monterey, where, in conjunction with Com. Shubrick, now naval commander, he made a procla mation as governor, annexing California to the United States. Colonel Fremont, learning at length that his course would not be sustained at Washington, rode on horseback 400 miles in three days and ten hours, to make his submission to Gen. Kearny at Monterey. Colonel Mason arrived with orders to supersede Kearny, and permit Fremont to pursue his explo rations. He was forced, instead, to accompany Kearny in his overland journey by the South Pass, arrested by him at Fort Leavenworth, tried at Washington by a court-martial, and finally sentenced to lose his commission. President Polk offered its restoration, but Fremont would not accept it at his hands. (From dates in the Rev. Walter Colton's "Three years in California," we learn (1851) that the whole of that country was under the American flag, before those who raised it knew that war was declared with Mexico. The news reached Monterey, Augnst 12th, 1846, by the American ship Warren, Commander Hull. On the 13th he sailed south, to inform Stockton and Fremont that actual -war existed. On that very day they were raising the American flag over Los Angeles. PART IV PERIOD m. CHAP. X. 19th to 23d. Kearny's march. Jan. 22. Com. Shu brick arrives at Monterey March 1. Kearny's pro clamation March 21st to 23d. Fremopt'shorseback journey. August 22. Fremont'B arrest. 1848. Jan. and Feb. CHAPTER X. Doniphan's Expedition to Chihuahua. — Revolt in New Mexico, Three days after Gen. Kearny's departure from Santa Fe, Col. Price arrived with his recruits. Col. Doniphan was await ing this event to commence his march upon Chihuahua. But on the 11th of October he received an order from Gen. Kear ny, dated " near La Joya," to march with his regiment against the Navajo Indians, — their chiefs not having come to Santa 1846. Sept. 28. Col. Price arrives act Santa F6. Oct. 11. Doniphan ordered against the Navajo In dians. 426 THE NAVAJOEfl. PART IV. Fe to hold a peace-coun ,il with those of other Indian nations, pmiorTnT as tneX ^ad keen ,mvited, and as they had promised to do ; — chap. i. but instead of this, they had made war on " the inhabitants of New Mexico, now forming a part, and under the protection of the United States." Winter was approaching, and the abodes of the power ful Navajoes, the " mountain-lords" of unknown regions, extended far to the west. The more thoroughly to scour their country, Col. Doniphan divided his regiment into three par ties, — one under Major Gilpin, to take a northern route ; one under Col. Jackson, a southern ; while Doniphan himself was to (Major Gil- take a central range. All were to meet at Oio Oso, or the Bear pin marches _ . °. , . . r , , , J, ., ,_. about 150 Springs, bringing in the chiefs, there to hold a council, the Se'eind?ans ) three parties suffered incredible hardships from cold, and met Nov. 2. thrilling adventures among strange savages. .Coi. d. left Capt. Reid, of Jackson's division, with thirty young men, Nora had volunteered to accompany Sandoval, a Navajo chief, five r1?*0' 1?-,/ days through mountain heights, to a grand gathering of the Vaiverde.) men and women of the tribe. Most of the five hundred, whom they met at the feast, had never seen a white man. Reid and his companions joined the dance, sung their country's songs — and what pleased the Navajoes most, made an interchange of costume. The head chief, Narbona, though sick and aged, came to the camp of the strangers, lodged with them, and favored their mission. Thus were the savages persuaded Nov. si. to agree to what would please those whom they liked ; al Bear a though, as spoken by Sarcilla Largo, a Navajo chief, il Springs 189 struck them as very singular, that the Americans coming to Am bjti cm i4, jo7 o 500 Nava- fight the New Mexicans, who had never injured them, should joes.) make a point of preventing the Navajoes from doing the, same thing, though the New Mexicans had long been their enemies. Nevertheless, if their new friends really did possess New Mexico, they would, they said, cease their depredations. Accordingly, at Bear Springs, oh the 22d of November, a Nov „2 treaty was made in form, Doniphan being present ; and the Treaty three parties, Americans, New Mexicans, and Navajoes, were, by its conditions, to live in perpetual peace. Col. Doniphan made the camp at Vaiverde the place of rendezvous for the troops who were to accompany him. Some regulars of the light artillery, with ten pieces of cannon, were by his direction to be sent from Santa Fe. In the middle of Doniphan's, December he moved his army in three divisions south, with army move his baggage- wagons and merchant-trains in convoy. He now v'erde. crossed a dreary desert of ninety miles, called the " Journey of the Dead," where there was neither water, food, nor fuel. Dec. 22. At Donana the army found refreshment. Proceeding in roS? fi^T the direction of El Paso, at Bracito, on the Del Norte, they ei Paso, encountered a Mexican force, commanded by Gen. Ponce de Leon. He dispatched an officer with a black flag, demanding of the American commander to appear before him. On refusal, THE PASS OF SACRAMENTO. 427 PART IV. he said in haughty defiance, " We neither ask quarter, nor giye it." The Mexicans advanced, firing three rounds. The period iu. Missourians, falling on then; faces, were supposed to be dead, 0HAP- * but suddenly rising, they delivered a fire so fatal that the v^-v~v^ foe fled in confusion, leaving about 200 killed and wounded. 184®. The Americans had but seven wounded, and none killed. Dec- 25j In tbe debghtful valley of El Paso del Norte, tbe troops brac?™. were fully recruited ; and they were joined here by the artillery Me£'2[".rce companies from Santa Fe, under Clarke and Weightman. Their w ex. loss march from El Paso was forth into unknown hostile regions. k' w°_5o5U' And now they bad learned that Gen.Wool was not at Chihuahua. Atn- f"roe No army was there for their defence. Missouri became anxious elJv.af,ek. o. ' for the fate of her sons. But fearlessly they pressed on. They , „ . _ encountered as they went from the Del Norte a desert of sixty- (ei Paso five miles in extent, in which their sufferings became so intense ?°fed for from thirst, that the whole army were in danger of perishing, wines.) Many animals, and some men gave out, and lay down to die. Feb 8 Many officers and soldiers threw all aside, and were running with Army leave theb last strength to reach a lake ten miles distant. But that ioth.0' Providence which so often preserved our armies duringthis war, Great dis- relieved their sufferings by a shower so copious, that the tor- thirst. rent-streams came dashing from the rocks, to refresh and save them. Having at length reached the lake, (Laguna de los Patos,) they remained to recruit, one day only, and on the 18 th resumed their march. Col. Doniphan, as he approached Chihuahua, learned that an Feb. as. army of 4,000 men bad been raised to oppose him by Don An- saSImen gel Trias, governor of the province; and he met this formidable T0- force strongly posted, and fortified with heavy ordnance, at the 4,120. Pass of Sacramento, eighteen miles from the capital. No more Am92f°rce daring deeds were done during the war, than those which now — distinguished this little army of about a thousand brave men. k. 3uo,w° sua Capt. Reid's charge, when at the head of tbe cavalry he outrode Am- loss> all his fellows in the storming of the enemy's battery, is a speci- ' ' men of the manner in which the Americans here defeated quad ruple numbers of their enemies, — fighting on ground of their own selection, —under the eye of Trias their governor, of Gen. Heredia their military commander, and of Gen. Condi, former minister of war, — a scientific man, who, says Col. Doniphan, " planned their whole field of defence." Having completely routed the army, the city and province of Chihuahua were at the mercy of the conqueror. Captains Reid and Weightman, both distinguished in the battle, were March 2. sent the following day to take military possession of the cap- enter? c£ ital. Col. Doniphan having collected the trophies of bis vie- tmatraa. tory, entered the succeeding day, March 2d, with the main army ; and planted the colors of his country, over a city con taining 40,000 inhabitants, and having in its vicinity some of the richest mines in Mexico. In this salubrious climate, his soldiers enjoyed six weeks of the opening spring ; then marched 428 REVOLT IN NEW MEXICO. part iv. by Parras to Saltillo, where at length they met Gen. Wool. But Buena Vista was past, and their term of service expired on the last of May. By Comargo and the Rio Grande, they 1 arrived at New Orleans, on the 15th of June ; having marched 5,000 miles since they left the Mississippi. In the mean time the New Mexicans had secretly conspired to throw off the American yoke. Simultaneously, on the 19th Jan. 19. of January, massacres occurred at Fernando de Taos, where ^o^Bent f were cmeby murdered Gov. Charles Bent, Sheriff Lee, and and is four others, — at Arroya Honda, where seven Americans were ot ers. killed,— at Bio Colorado two, — and at Mora four. Col. Price, the military commander of Santa Fe, received the startling in telligence on the 20th ; when he learned that a force, hourly veto ies of increasing, approached him. He sent expresses to call in his Col. Price, outposts, and on the 23d marched with 350 men,— met the Canada! f°e on the 24th, near the small town of Canada, attacked and defeated him. On the 29th, Col. Price; now reinforced Jan. 28. by Capt. Burguin from Albuquerque, again encountered the en- Mex" force emy' — and defeated him at the mountain-gorge called the Pass about 1,50b ; of Embudo. The Americans next had a march over the Taos Am. 479. moun(;amj through snows two feet in depth, with a degree of cold so intense, that many had their limbs frozen. They pass- Pdebla de ed unmolested through Fernando de Taos ; but at Puebla, they Taos. me^ fae eneraj, stormed his fortifications, and drove him from his position. The valuable lives of Capt. Burguin and other Jan. 22. officers, were here lost. Capt. Hendley was killed on the 22d' Moha of January, in an attack on Mora. That village was destroyed on the 3d of February, by a detachment under Capt. Morin. The loss of the Mexicans in all these engagements is supposed to have been about 300 killed ; the number of wounded un known. The Americans lost in killed and wounded about sixty. Fifteen Mexicans were executed as conspirators. But although the Americans had conquered, they now lived in fear of secret conspiracy. The Indians also, especially the Camanches, showed themselves hostile. Along the far line of communication — from the settlements on the Missouri to Santa Fe, California, and Oregon, robberies and murders were com- !^m?om-n mitted by savages, on travelbng parties. The government mand on the therefore increased the number of troops to be stationed in these road,acoi. regions. Colonel, now General Price, leaving in command he0Oree"o°n' (-!o1' Wa'ter> reached Missouri, Sept. 25th; having lost, in battle and otherwise, more than four hundred of his men. Rewm2 of ached Missouri, Sept. 25th ; having lost in battle and other- Gee. Price, wise, more than four hundred of his men. TAKING OP VERA CRUZ 429 CHAPTER XI. Scott's Invasion. — Vera Cruz. — Cerro Gordo Since Mexico refused to treat for peace, the American Ex- part iv. ecutive determined to strike at her capital through Vera Cruz, period ni Gen. Scott, the first officer in the American army, was prop- chap. xi. erly selected to conduct this perilous enterprise. He was no- v-^-v^»< tified by Secretary Marcy of his appointment, on the 18th of j§4(j. November; and he was directed to draw his force chiefly from Nov. is. Taylor ; that general having received notice, that troops would, cy's letter to for this invasion, be withdrawn from his army by the war Scott.) department. On the 25th of November, Gen. Scott gave, with reluctance, the order already noticed, by which the gen erals Taylor and Wool were deprived of the greater portion of their armies. With a smaller force than that, with which Gen. Scott was furnished, it would have been madness to undertake such an invasion ;f nor would the nature of the service brook 42»°lcoWs the delay of raising and discipbning new troops. The deadly 'jrc?'7A.u," summer climate of Vera Cruz required immediate action. Santa Anna was lying with 22,000 men at San Luis Potosi. CSefieiS>M It would have seemed probable that he would have turned "Mexican cowards Vera Cruz, and uniting with forces in that vicinity, oppose, as he might have done, with an army of 30,000, the 1§47. landing of Gen. Scott ; — rather than to march against Gen. Tay- Battie^f3 lor-. But (as Scott learned after landing) Santa Anna chose Buena Vista. the latter, and was defeated at Buena Vista. To make the preparations, necessary for a foreign siege, Gen. Jesup, the quartermaster-general, proceeded to New Orleans, to arrange with Gen. Scott the details of this important ser vice ; the magnitude of whose operations, appears from the fact that 163 vessels were employed as transports. The gen eral rendezvous of the several corps, which were to compose the invading army, was the island of Lobos, 125 miles from Vera Cruz. Necessary delays, however, occurred ; and it was g^™^-. not until the 7th of March, that Gen. Scott embarked with his barks hu troops on board the transporting squadron, which was com- army' manded by Com. Conner. Reaching Vera Cruz on the 9th, _ he, with admirable order, debarked his whole army on the ., at Sacrifi- west side of the island of Sacrifieios. Having vainly sum- CI0S moned the garrison to surrender, Gen. Scott, with the aid of his able engineers, of whom Col. Totten was chief, planted his batteries; and commenced, on the night of the 18th, ajsth, begini tremendous bombardment of the city. The fleet lent its aid, ade. although exposed to the fire of the castle. On the morning of tbe 26th, Gen. Landera, then in command of Vera Cruz, made overtures for capitulation. Generals Worth and Pillow, 430 SCOTT S MARCH. part iv. and Col. Totten, arranged with him the articles ; — and on tbe period in. night of the 27th, Vera Cruz, with the strong castle of San chap. xi. Juan d'Ulloa,— the principal commercial port and the strongest ^-*~v-x-> fortress in Mexico, were surrendered, with 5,000 prisoners, 1847. (dismissed on parole,) and 500 pieces of artillery. Two meri- March 26-7. torious American officers, Captains Alburtis and Vinton, with turrenders. ten privates, were killed. Capt. Swift, one of the brightest ornaments of the service, who had organized a company of sappers and miners, — too eager in duty for his impaired health, fainted at the head of his corps, from over-exertion ; and died in the hospital. The discipline of Gen. Scott's army was strict, and no invasion of private rights was permitted. Com. Perry, who succeeded Conner in command of the ( Gulf squadron, extended his operations after the fall of Ver? Capt Hun- Cruz. Alvarado on the south, was captured, and Tuspan on rer, with yai- the north. The .American government about this time adopt- respect to ed the policy of drawing a revenue from the conquered ; — lest ais SkPAei"?r' k^ *00 mucn lenity, in paying for all needed supplies, the war rado.i should become a pecuniary advantage to certain classes of the 'mSeduie" Mexicans, and thus peace be deferred. Having now the best service f»r harbors of Mexico in possession, American revenue officers nSUtion.)M" were appointed, and impost duties collected. On the 8th of April, Gen. Scott, leaving a garrison in Vera April e. Cruz, sent forward the advance of his army under Gen. Twiggs, Vera CruzS on tne roac* *° JalaPa- At the base of the grand eastern chain of the Cordilleras, the other divisions of the army came up, and the commander established a camp at Plan del Rio. Then lay before him an arduous and difficult ascent through a moun tain-gorge. Across this way, and on the heights which com manded it, bristled the artillery of the invaded foe, 12,000 strong, commanded by Santa Anna. He had made great efforts to keep up his army ; and he here declared that he would die fighting rather than " the American hosts should proudly tread the imperial capital of Azteca." Scott found • by reconnaissance, that the Mexican position was so strongly fortified, and so commanded by the batteries of the lofty height of Cerro Gordo, that approach in front was impracticable. But, aided by the skill of the engineers, Lee and Beaure gard, he turned to the left, causing to be made a new road, by which, — ascending along difficult slopes, and over deep chasms, his army might reach the rear of the enemy's camp. Bppttie'of After three days of secret labor, the road was made. On the Csbro Gob- 1 7th of April, the commander published in a general order Mex" force the detailed plan of an attack for the next day,— showing how Am '8500 tlie battle was to be gained,— how the flying were to be pur- — ' sued,— and how the greatest advantage was to be reaped from MkI&1w.5' tne victory. All was done as he commanded. about l.ibo. About noon the steep ascent was gained. The heights of im.' k.' and Cerro Gordo were stormed by Twiggs' brigade,— and tbe ene- w 430. my's camp, by a party led by Col. Harney, Gen. Shields,— VICTORY OF CERRO GORDO. 4!?1 (soverely wounded,) and by Col. Riley. At two o'clock, P. M., FART IT the enemy were put to flight,— more than a thousand had period m. fallen, either killed or wounded. Santa .Anna and a part of his CHAP- xu- army had fled, and the eager pursuit had commenced. Scott ^--''v-xw in bis orders, given before the battle, bad directed that the 1847. pursuers should each take two days' subsistence, and that wagons with stores should immediately follow, so that they need not return. On the 19th, the pursuing squadrons en tered and took possession of Jalapa. On the 20th, they found the strong post of La Hoya abandoned. On the 22d, having vvtrth takes now attained the summit of the eastern Cordilleras, General the town Worth displayed the American banner from the unresisting 0f perote. castle of Perote, the strongest fortress in Mexico, next to San Juan d'Ulloa. Thus by vigorously following up this remark able victory, the enemy were unable to recover in time to make a stand in this, their strongest inland post ; and thus, other battles were saved. Three thousand prisoners were taken at Cerro Gordo, among whom were four generals. Gen. Scott dismissed them all upon parole, having neither food to sustain, nor men to guard- them. Santa Anna's equipage and papers were secured. Both here and at Perote were captured many large pieces of bronze ar tillery. From Perote onwards, through that great table val- (54 pieces «-. ley between the grand chains of the Cordilleras, called the "mortar "tsa- " Terras Frias," or the cold country, the American army had ken at **• now no cause to apprehend serious resistance. On the morn ing of the 15th of May, the advance under Worth entered Puebla, the second city of Mexico, containing 80,000 inhabit ants. Eagerly did the Mexican men and women look out from their balconies, and from the roofs of their houses, to see these mighty conquerors. War-worn, and habited in the sober hue of the American army, the Mexicans accustomed to a gaudy uniform, looked upon them with disappointment ; and could find no reason but one for their success. " Their leaders," said they, " are gray-headed men." CHAPTER XII. State of tho Army. — Its March. — Contreras C hurubusco. The American army having now overrun the northern por tion of the country, and made a successful inroad which threatened the capital, the Executive sent Nicholas P. Trist, as an agent ta make the experiment, whether Mexico would now treat for peace. But the olive-branch was again rejected. The interruption of the army's activity caused by these unavailing efforts for peace, wap opportune. Its numbers 432 THE VALLET OF MEXICO. part iv. were lessened by sickness ; for the climate though pleasant period hi. proved so unhealthy, that hundreds were in hospitals, and chap. in. many died. The time for which large numbers of the volun- v-^~v"*-/ teers were enlisted, expired ; and many had deserted. Con- - 1847. gress had, however, passed alaw, February 11th, 1847, author izing ten new regiments ; and these being raised, reinforce- (700 died at ments were sent by the way of Vera Cruz ; and although not were'lit'one 'n sufficient numbers to admit of leaving such garrisons be- time in hos- hind as would keep open his bne of supplies, yet Gen. Scott Pei>ia? and"" determined to move forward. iTOodesert- On the 7th of August he marched from Puebla with 10.728 ed in little . f> .... . more than a men, leaving more than 3,000 in hospitals, — and as a garnson vear.) Under Col. Childs. Keeping the several columns into which he had divided the army, within supporting distance, and him self accompanying the van, Gen. Scott moved forth with his little army ; — -like a second Cortez, to encounter the unknown numbers, which would be brought against him at thf coming death-struggle of an infuriated nation. The march of the Americans was now through a beautiful and cuici-vated region, whose abundant waters flowed pure and cool, ooon they be gan to ascend the gradual slope of tii .' ' Avotia. teen miles from the capital. I he remaimng corps were soon concentrated at small distances ; some on the lake's eastern border. The first step was to learn and consider well the po sition of the city, and every thing respecting its defences. Its , ground plot had formerly been an island. What was once the lake on which it stood, was now an oozy marsh. Long straight causeways, easily raked by artillery, led through this marsh to the several gates, from the great roads by which the city was approached ; and much the longest was that con nected with the road from Vera Cruz. But before reaching the causeways was an exterior system of strong defences. A bold reconnaissance was made. By the Vera Crua road, on which the army were, the city could not be ap proached, without first encountering the strongest of the ex terior fortifications, that of El Penon. "No doubt," says ENERGY AND COURAGE. 433 Gen. Scott, " it might have been carried, but at a great and FART iy- disproportionate loss, and I was anxious to spare the lives of period iii. this gallant army for a general battle, which I knew we had CH4P- *"• to win before capturing the city, or obtaining the great object *-*~v-w of the campaign — a just and honorable peace." 1847. The commander then moved his troops 27 miles ; they ma- Aug. 15-18. king a new road, directed by tbe engineers, over such sharp vol- mfSei canic rocks and deep chasms, as the foe bad not dreamed f (0IgA*?>t** could be passed; when, — having turned the lakes Chalco and gust'ine. Jochamileho, they encamped at St. Augustine, on the Acapulco road, eight miles south of Mexico. From the camp, looking towards the city, the first defences on this road, were the fort ress of Antonia ; and — a mile and a half further north — the strongly fortified hill of Churubusco. These could be ap proached in front only by a dangerous causeway. By making ]^ ^ a detour to the west, where lay yet other dangers, they might makes a be reached from the left. Two movements, ordered by the "^eras01 commander, were simultaneously made. Worth with Harney's cavalry went to menace Antonia in front ; while to the left, Gen. Pillow's division, consisting of the brigades of Pierce and Cadwallader, conducted by the engineers, Lee, Beaure gard, and others, made a road through craggy rocks of an cient lava, —whose crevices shot up the thorn-armed maguey, and whose deep chasms were filled with water. To cover and support the working party, was sent Gen. Twiggs' division, made up of the brigades of Riley and Percifer Smith. In the afternoon of the second day, after accomplishing nearly three miles of this difficult road, the troops found them selves within cannon-range of the enemy's fortified camp at Contreras, commanded by Gen. Valencia, with 6,000 men, surmounted by 22 heavy guns, and communicating by a good road with Mexico, and also with the main camp of Santa Anna, which was lying two miles nearer. Upon this road they saw the Mexicans hurrying on to the scene of action. Fighting now begins, in which the divisions of generals Twiggs and Pil low, especially Riley's brigade, are engaged. They advance, . _,. though suffering from the enemy's fire; — aided by the small lage is some batteries of Magruder and Callender, which are with difficulty ^t^mmu brought into action. About sunset, the commander, now on the of" tins battle field with fresh troops, gives to Col. Morgan of the regular in- and some-' fantry, an order, which, aided by Gen. Shields of the volun- ^"j!3 4n~ teers, he executes ; taking the village of Contreras, or Ansal- Scott's Re- da,f which lay on the road from the fortified camp, to that of Port>.Augusi Santa Anna. The enemy's line of reinforcements was now cut. (t of seven Night,— cold, dark, and rainy — closed in. Comfortless officers sen' was the condition of the troops, remaining without food or t lt sSndown sleeps upon the ground. Tbe officers at Ansalda, in their per- to carry or- ilous position, — separated as they were from their commander one sue- by the almost impassablef lava-field, whose crags, on account J||^n^ of the rain-flood, were interspersed by torrents,- now found Ansaida.i 434 CONTRERAS. part iv. resources in their own genius, courage, and union. Gen. Per- period hi. cifer Smith proposed to set out at midnight, surprise and storm the camp at Contreras. From that moment, dark forebodings ' passed from the army, and each officer and man, as by spon taneous movement, fell into his proper place. Gen. Shields ex tending his 600 men into a long line, and keeping up fires, was interposed between the storming party and the camp of Santa Anna, with his 12,000 reserve. One messenger alone — Lee, the engineer — found bis dark and watery way over the lava- rocks, and carried to the gratified commander the tidings of the gallant attitude of his troops, — and also, a request of Gen. Smith, for co-operation. Gen. Scott complied, by sending with the messenger the force under Twiggs, to Contreras Contreras. „ . . ° . . . . . °° , Mex. force, at five in the morning, to aid the storming party approach- gagepuliooo mS tne enemy's rear, by making a diversion in their front. more in A little past midnight, Gen. Smith sets forward, conducted AmSforce by engineer Smith, Col. Riley leading the van. The rain con- e"sagei tinues to fall in' torrents, and their progress is slow. So - — ' profound is the darkness, that the men must touch each k^Too.pris- other as they move, lest they divide, and some be lost. Ai oners' 813, sunrise, they storm the intrenchments, and precipitate them- 4 generals', selves upon the surprised Mexicans. Dismay and carnage Am- Jh& w- prevail for seventeen minutes; when the camp is carried. capt. itan- Eighty-eight officers and 3,000 men are made prisoners. |°nb7ave°— Thirty-three pieces of artillery are captured ; among which was "ere are found two of those so honorably lost by O'Brien at Buena Vista ; — and they are- taken by Capt. Drum with a part of the regiment to which they had in that battle belonged. They are received with shouts of joy by the victors of Contreras ; in which the commander, now present, and proud of his " gal lant army," heartily participates. Gen. Scott next directed a grand movement upon Churu- busco, to which the victory already achieved, opened the way. Moving northeasterly by the road through St. Angel, he keeps the centre of the extended field, while Gen. Worth on his extreme right is driving the now terrified garrison from Antonia. Gen. Shields, who at Contreras, had kept for hours the whole army of Santa Anna in check, was in command of the extreme left ; still charged with the dangerous duty of keeping off the grand Mexican army from the immediate object of at tack. In the centre, Gen. Twiggs presses forward to Churu- busco, and entering it from the west, attacks one of its two strong defences, the fortified church of San Pablo. In the mean time, Worth, joined by Pillow and Cadwallader, comes August so. in from Antonia, and furiously carrying the stronger fortress, Chvbubus- caije(j pmt fa rf,gte^ or Br;,jge's jjead, be turns its guns upon the citadel-church, which now surrenders. Shields, Pierce, and others, are meantime fighting a bloody battle with Santa Anna, with fearful odds against them. Scott sent successive regiments to their aid. Churubisco was now taken, the brave old Gea ARMISTICE OF MEXICO. 489 Rincon, its commander, having surrendered. Santa Anna aban- PART IV doned the field. Worth and Shields pursued. Col. Harney period iu. with his dragoons dashed by them, and one of his officers, <;HAP- xnl- < Capt. Kearney, not hearing the call to return, followed the flying Mexicans to the very gate of the capital. f CHAPTER XIII. Armistice. — Molinos del Rey. — Chapultepec. — Mexico. The commander, following up his victory, might now have entered Me.xico. But he was not sent to conquer the country, but to " conquer a peace," and he bebeved that the reduction of the capital would delay, rather than accelerate this result. Generou5 He did not wish to drive the government away from the city proceedings dishonored. "The army," says Scott in his dispatches, "are willing to leave to this republic something on which to rest her pride,— and they cheerfully sacrifice to patriotism the eclat that would have followed an entrance, sword in hand, into a great capital." Tacubaya now became the headquarters of the American AuKU5t 2j army. The general-in-chief occupied the archbishop's palace, with its beautiful gardens. Here he negotiated with Mexican , 24?h-. commissioners an armistice, as a step preparatory to a final concluded, peace. On Mr. Trist, the agent of the American executive, it devolved, to settle with the Mexican authorities the terms. They wanted, among other conditions, that regions should be left as desolate wastes between the two republics ; and, humbled as they were, they could not yet brook the relinquishment of the territory demanded. Negotiations were broken off, and the spirit of the Mexican government rose once more to meet a final struggle. They violated the armistice by strengthening their defences. Taking down the bells of their churches, they made a foundry at the " King's Mills," where they converted theVeu- them into cannon. They called on the provinces to come to cans- their aid in mass ; and by fire — or poison,— by any weapon, in any manner, to injure and destroy the invader. From Tacubaya, Mexico was in full view — northeast, and dis tant three miles. North — bearing a little east — distant a mile — rose, in beautiful prospect, the fortified hill of Chapultepec ; its porphyritic rocks abruptly descending on its southern and east ern sides,— while to the west, the hill fell gradually, with a gen tle, wooded slope, till it met the fortified building of stone, call ed El Molinos del Bey, or the King's Mills. A quarter of a mile Soott,s west of the fortified mills stood another stone fortress called tion in re- Casa Mata. These were the obstacles which now barred the Mexico and way of the Americans to the capital ; and they constituted the its defenew 436 MOLINOS BEL REY. PARr Iv- supporting points of the Mexican army ranged behind tLem, period in. headed by Santa Anna, and amounting to fourteen thousand. chap. mi. The generals, Scott and Worth, went forth in person to re connoitre, and they sent out their skilful engineers. Scott then gave the order for an assault on Molinos del Rey, committing its execution to Worth. A terrible battle was fought, —the fortresses of Molinos del Rey and Casa Mata were taken, and an important victory was won. But the very tone was mel ancholy, in which the commanding-officer praised tbe vic tors, "the gallant dead, the wounded, and the few unscathed." The commanders in their reconnaissance before the battle had been somewhat deceived as to the enemy's strength ; they masking their batteries, and concealing their men, which were , perhaps fivefold the numbers of their assailants. In the heat '"officer?.49 °f ^e action, Major Wright, assisted by Mason of the engi neers, fell upon the enemy's centre, and took his main field- battery ; when so furiously did he charge to regain it, that of fourteen American officers, eleven fell. Among the numbei were Wright and Mason. One brigade lost its three senior officers,— Col. MTntosh and Major Waite wounded, and Col. Martin Scott killed. Casa Mata was blown up, and El Mo linos dismantled. It was at the beautiful hill of Chapultepec, where once arose tbe veritable " Halls of the Montezumas." Here was now the military school of Mexico, and tbe last exterior defence of the successors of Cortez, to that capital which he had so iniquitously taken, shedding seas of blood, because " the Span iards had a disease of the heart, which nothing could assuage 'cot™ Con-* but gold."f The God of battles, who bad so signally made quest of the American armies the means of chastising the Spanish Mex- Mexico.) . . ._ ,. ,. 6 , 1 . , , icans, for national cruelties early begun and long continued, again led them to victory. On the night of the 11th of September, Gen. Scott caused 4 hi^terie's. to be erected, from the cannon taken in former victories, four heavy batteries, bearing on Chapultepec. Before night, on the 12th, the outworks of that fortress, skilfully assailed by a can nonade directed by the American engineers, began to give way. CiaruLTE- ®n the 13th was the battle. The officers and men, by whom pec. such an unbroken series of victories had been achieved, were all promptly in the places assigned them, by eight o'clock in the morning. The fortification which they were to storm was a nation's last hope. The roar of the American cannon ceases for a moment. It is the preconcerted signal foi the assault. In an instant the assailants are in rapid motion. The. fortress Gen. Quitman hastens from the south, Gen. Percifer Smith from the southeast, and Gen. Pillow, with Col. Clark, from the wooded slope on the west. The batteries throw shells into tbe fort over the heads of their friends, as they begin the furious attack. The garrison, though they fight with despe ration, are overpowered. Some yield, and others attempt THE CAPITAL TAKEN. 437 to retire. At tbe moment of their retreat, the supporting PAltT """¦ force under Santa Anna, in the rear of Chapultepec, is at- period ;.» tacked and defeated by Gen. Worth, who for this purpose CHAP- xni- bad passed the batteries. Directed by the commander, he ^-*~sr~**s pursues the enemy as he flies to the city, pressing forward to 1847. enter, by a eircuitous road, the San Cosme gate on the north- Battiesof west. Gen. Quitman, in the mean time, follows the flying foe Mexico. to the city, by a route direet from Chapultepec ; he being in- more than structed to make a feint of storming the southwestern or Belen Arn°'7°ieo gate, near to the formidable citadel within, —in order to make a — diversion from the real point of attack at San Cosme. the whole Gen. Scott meantime advanced with Worth into the suburb a™y'.ex" of San Cosme, where opposing batteries were taken ; but he 6,000, k., w., returned at night to Chapultepec, to look with a father's care 0A„e"iors"sec1, to the condition of all, — the living, the wounded, and the dead. sept. 12-14, Worth, as instructed, remained in the suburb until morning. ^ceraT'w But Gen. Quitman, accompanied by Shields and Smith, rested "os—oi os. that night within tbe city ; having changed the feint which the commander ordered, into a real attack, by which they en tered (though with considerable loss) the Belen gate. They bad not yet passed the formidable citadel. A four o'clock on the morning of the 14th, Gen. Scott hav ing returned to San Cosme, the Mexican authorities sent him sept. 14. a deputation, desiring of him terms of capitulation ; their army Mexico h- having fled a little after midnight. Gen. Scott replied, that the American army would come under no terms, but such as J^o^ ^'r(, were self-imposed, and demanded by honor, — by the spirit of hoisted u i the age, and tbe dignity of the American character. Worth and Quitman, as directed, moved cautiously forward, — Worth to the Alameda, and Quitman to the Grand Plaza, where the victorious army reared above the National Palace of Mexico, the stars and stripes of the Republic of America. Three hours before noon, Gen. Scott made his entrance, 10 a. m . with escort of cavalry, and flourish of trumpets — into the en"£anoe. conquered city of the Aztecs ; and as he approached the grand plaza — his towering figure, conspicuous as his fame, loudly and warmly was he cheered, by shouts, which arose from tbe hearts of his companions in arms. The troops for twenty-four hours now suffered from the an- Convicts archy of Mexico, more than her prowess had been able to destroy! inflict. Two thousand convicts, let loose from the prisons, attacked them from the house-tops ; at the same time, enter ing houses and committing robberies. The Mexicans assisting, these felons were quelled by the morning of the 15th. Gen. Scott gave to his army, on the day of their entrance iuto Mexico, memorable orders concerning their discipline and behavior. After directing that companies and regiments be kept together, he says, " Let there be no disorders, no straggling, Scott en no drunkenness. Marauders shall be punished by courts mar- J°ir>s order, rial. All the rules so honorably observed by this glorious and meteV 30 438 col. childs' defence at puebla. part IV. armv in Puebla, must be observed here. The honor of tha period m. army, the honor of our country, call for the best behavior from chap, xiv all. The valiant must, to win the approbation of God and ^-v-'w' their country, be sober, orderly, and merciful; — His noble 1847. brethren in arms, will not be deaf to this hasty appeal from their commander and friend." On the 16th, he called on the army to return public and private thanks to God for victo ry. On the 19th, for the better preservation of order, and sup pression of crime, he proclaimed martial law. Thus protected by the .American army, the citizens of Mexico were more se cure from violence, and from fear of robbery and murder, than they had ever been under their own flag.* CHAPTER XIV. Puebla. — Huamantla. — Atlisco. — Treaty of Peace. — Conclusion. The crisis of the war was past. Mexico, throughout her broad domains, was virtually conquered ; and what followed was but as the dashing of the waves, after the storm is over. We have seen, that when Scott left Puebla, he cut his own line of supplies ; not being in force sufficient to garrison any place between that city and Mexico. At the final entrance of bis troops into that capital, he had only 6,000 men.f If the r See Scott's ai"my had failed to conquer, they had, in sober earnest, reason, dispatches, from their past practises, to consider it probable that their infu- (t see also riated enemy would kill them all. J Bitterly did the Mexicans Sna's ar?~ reaP tne fruit of their former cruelties, by the almost superhu- rangements man energies put forth in fight by the Americans, and the off all tne unvarying success which it pleased the Almighty to give to Americans their arms. The Mexican capital was not conquered by the vista.) American republic, as Carthage and other cities were by the Roman, — to be destroyed, or to become tbe sport of petty ty rants and a lawless soldiery, who in time would turn and become the destroyers of their own country. Nothing was now asked of Mexico, conquered as she was, but to negotiate a treaty of peace, in which America stood ready to be gener- ous. To bring forward a Mexican government, with whom peace could be made, became, at this period, the difficult task of the well-meaning of both belligerent parties. Santa .Anna, after leaving Mexico on the night of the 13th of September, was not heard of for some days. In the mean time, Colonel Childs, commander at Puebla, whose effective force * M'Cullooh quotes from the French traveller, Chevalier, the fact, that in the city of Mexico 900 bodies were annually carried to the House fol the Dead ; the presumption being that they came to their death by violenc* TREATY OP PEACE. 439 amounted to only 247 men, and having 1,800 sick in the p ulT IV- hospitals, had been closely besieged by the enemy, since the period ml lay of the battle of Chapultepec. On the 22d, the besiegers mkt- XIT- were encouraged by the appearance of Santa .Anna, with ^-^'v-**-' some thousands of the remnant of his army. Col. Childs 1847 and his gallant band, though worn with watching, and wasted Santa Anna by fatigue, still refused the summons to surrender, and brave- at Puebla- ly continued their defence. But Santa Anna had heard of the approach of 3,000 recruits under General Lane,f on their march from Vera Cruz, to reinforce Gen. Scott; and he (t Apart leit left Puebla on the 30th, to go to Pinal, where they were daily ocT*, apart expected. Gen. Lane, on his part, heard of the Mexican army, under Major and turning from his direct course, he encountered it at Hua- earlier.) mantla, with Santa Anna at its head ; fought and defeated it, — losing eleven men, among whom was the well-known Capt. Oct. 9. Walker of the Texan rangers. Gen. Lane arrived, October HMex.aioss 12th, at Puebla, and relieved Col. Childs from a distressing iso. siege of forty days. Lane again turned from his course to ' ii. ' seek the enemy ; and at Atlixco, ten leagues from Perote, he 0 t lg defeated a strong guerilla force under the well-known chief, Atlixco. Gen. Rea. By these guerilla parties, of which Atlisco had k. 2i9,'w°3ob been the headquarters, many Americans, found as stragglers, Am- k. i, or in small parties, had been killed. Major Lally, in marching bis command of 1,000 men from Vera Cruz to Jalapa, had lost ^ £t$asa 100 men, having been waylaid by them, with Rea at their Ovejas. head, four times.f In every instance, however, he defeated ente'deiRey them with loss. 15ro Gordo'' Santa Anna, now abandoned by his troops, resigned his of- 19th, at Laa fices on the 18th of October, and soon became a fugitive. The Anlmas-> supreme power passed into the hands of Senor Pena y Pena, by virtue of bis office as president of the Supreme Court. He forthwith sent his circulars, calling on the several states, in pathetic language, to .send deputies to Queretaro, to treat Nor n. for peace. A congress there assembled on the 11th of No- ™*jc°°" vember, which appointed four commissioners, one of whom point foui was Gen. Rincon, to arrange with Mr. Trist the plan of a treaty. com™ssiSQ In the mean time, Mr. Trist had lost the confidence of the American executive, and his powers had been revoked. Nev ertheless, with Gen. Scott's approbation, he presumed in this 1848. emergency, to act. On the 2d of February, the treaty was TheeTreatj signed by Mr. Trist and the Mexican commissioners at the city of Guada- of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and twenty days afterwards it was signed. submitted by the President of the United States to the senate. *e_oie the That body adopted it with alterations. President Polk then senate of appointed two gentlemen, Mr. Sevier of the senate, and Mr. states. Clifford, attorney-general, to proceed with the modified trea ty to Queretaro. There, on laying it before the Mexican con gress, the president eloquently urged its acceptance, and it was ratified by a large majority. On the 21st of February, the beloved and venerated patriot, 30 440 accession of territory. part iv. John Quincy Adams, who, since his presidency, had served his period iii. country in the national legislature, fell from his seat during the chip xiv. debates of the ho_ise of representatives, struck by a. fatal pa- ' ralysis. Congress in both its branches suspended public ac tion ; and its members were waiting as around the couch of a dying father. He expired, in Christian hope and resignation, pkntPjeQ on tne 23d ' saying> " Tnis is tne last of earth." Adams. In March, Gen. Sterling Price moved with a force from March 16. New Mexico to Chihuahua ; and from that city, sixty miles Rozaies. on the road to Durango ; where he conquered, at Santa Cruz known. " de Bozales, a Mexican army, making prisoners the command- Mex. loss, jng. general, Angel Frias, and forty-two other officers. Am. k. & w. Peace was declared to the American army in Mexico, on the .--.011. 20. 29tll of Maj.; bjr Gen_ Butler> wjj0 waS) by. or(jer 0f ^g gov. May 23. ernment, left in command of the army by Gen. Seott, he being damied'by about to return to the United States. °^ MButor ^ie treaty stipulated that all Mexico should be evacuated by the American armies within three months. Prisoners on each side were to be released ; and Mexican captives, made by In dians within the limits of the United States, were to be restored. These limits, as they affect Mexico, are to begin at the mouth of the Rio Grande — thence to proceed along the deepest chan nel of that river to the southern boundary of New Mexico. From thence to the Pacific, theysare to follow the river Gila, and the southern boundary of Upper California. The United , States may, however, use the Colorado, for purposes of navi- RubstrwiPG or a • the Treaty gation, below the entrance of its affluent, the Gila. If it °fiuoeada" sn°uld be found practicable, and judged expedient, to con struct a canal, road, or railway, along the Gila, then both na tions are to unite in its construction and use. The navigation of that river is to be free to both nations ; and interrupted by neither. Mexican citizens within the limits' of the relinquished territories of New Mexico and Upper California, are allowed a year to make their election — whether they will continue Mex ican citizens, and remove their property, (in which case they are to receive every facility,) or whether they will remain and become citizens of the United States. This nation agrees to restrain the incursions of all the Indian tribes within its limits, against the Me.xicans ; and to return all Mexican captives hereafter made by these savages. In. consideration of ter ritory gained, the American government is to pay to Mexico fifteen millions of dollars ; and also to assume her debts to American citizens, to the amount of three millions and a half more. Three millions were paid to Mexico in hand ; congress hav ing the preceding winter placed that sum with the president, in anticipation of such an event ; — the remaining twelve mil- Uons to be paid in instalments. Our government, from respect to the moral feeling of tho nation, which wishes no territory gained by force, thus pays consequences op war. 441 to conquered Mexico the full price of the land acquired from hor ; yet it is none the less true, that these territories were won by the valor of our armies, and, without conquest, would not have been ours. Thus extends from ocean to ocean the full breadth of the grand platform on which stands the Amer ican nation ; and tbe vas numbers of immigrants who come yearly to her shores, will soon people her waste places. Tbe territory of Wisconsin was admitted into the American Union as a state, on the 29th of May, 1848. The Mexican treaty was brought home by Mr. Sevier ; Mr. Clifford remaining in Mexico as American envoy. Pres ident Polk made his proclamation of peace between the two republics, on the 4th of July, 1848 ; — the first day of our sev enty-third national year. The American armies have evacuated Mexico. Distin guished generals, and other officers, have been received by their country with the honors due to those who have so well sustained the national character, — not only for courage, activity, endurance, discipline, and military science, but for the nobler virtues of humanity. The remains of other officers, who died in the service of their country, have been brought home, to be honored in death, and to find their last repose among their friends. And the soldiers, too — they who fought so bravely for their native land, — the^ have returned. Regiments that went forth full and fresh, have returned, smitten and scathed. Many is the desolate hearth, to which the son, the husband, the father, shall' return no more. No kindred eye shall weep at his grave. He is buried with the undistinguishable dead, who fell in the foreign battle-field, or died in the hos pital. Thirty thousand American lives, it is calculated, have been sacrificed in this war ; and three hundred millions of money expended.* And we know that the sacrifice of Mexican life and property has been still greater. The num ber of Mexican soldiers who fell in battle greatly exceeded that of the American ; — and who can tell how many of their women and children were killed in the bombardment of their cities ? Let the value of money be estimated by the good it maybe made to do, and we shall then see the magnitude of the evils which, in a pecuniary way, war inflicts. Ireland was visited with famine in the winter of 1846-7, from the failure of crops, especially that of the potato. The benevolent contributed money and food to her relief, and the government sent a public ship to carry the provisions contributed.f The heart of affec tionate Ireland overflowed with gratitude; and England and Scotland, themselves sufferers in a less degree from the same cause, felt and praised our liberality. The 'money which it cost us was about half a million of dollars ; whereas, we pai i three hundred millions to kill and distress the Mexicans. PART IV PERIOD III. CHAP. XIV. 1848. July 4. Peace pro claimed. (* This is m. cording to th« estimate of Mr. Ewing, Secretary of the Interior, and compre hends bounty lands, "wid ows' pen sions, &c&d (t March 2& Sailed from Boston, tho eloop-of-war Jamestown, CaptainForbes. She anchor ed at Cor k, April -&) 442 COUNCIL OP PEACE. PART IV. whereas, we paid three hundred millions to kill and distress -the Mexicans. period in. Tjjg (;ime t0 ac(; for fjjg prevention of war, as of incendiary, chap. xiv. jg w]len none is raging; and those, to move first in the cause V~"TY „' of peace, should be nations and men, of undoubted courage Time, and and ability in war. The Mexican contest has placed our Re- persons to public, for the present time, eminently in that position. No vers*! peace", country has at any period shown braver soldiers, or better officers. Why, then, should not our government send a spe cial envoy, to negotiate with Great Britain and other Chris- Council of tiatl powers, the immediate formation of a Council of Peace. Peace ? PERIOD IV. FROM THE TREATY I 1§4§ -j OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO T O THE PASSAGE OF THE tlg50. -j COMPROMISE MEASURES. CHAPTER I. Introduction:— American California.— Capt. Wilkes' Exploring Expedition.— Cap!. Fremont's Explorations. Whatever future events may occur, the treaty which, by PART IV quieting America in the possession of Texas, and giving to her New Mexico and Upper California, has added to her area, a P™T.IT' portion so extensive and peculiar, must ever constitute one of , the most important epochs of her history. Oregon. — In the valley of the Wallah-wallah, the worthy Presbyterian missionary, Dr. Whitman, with his wife and 12 others, were barbarously murdered by the Cayuse Indians. The settlers mustered a force, fought, and overpowered the savages. The people then, petitioned Congress for protection and a territorial government. The protracted congressional debates which followed their petition, embraced the ominous slavery question. Finally, the day before the session closed, the territorial bill was passed, with a clause forbidding slavery ; this having been consented to by some southern members, and sanctioned by the presi- 184§. dent, on the ground that Oregon lies wholly north of latitude A»s- 13* 36° 30' ; that being the line of the Missouri compromise. °Hgk%rf New Territories — Their First Settlement, &c. — In New Mexico the first settlement was made at Santa Fe, in 1594. 1594, by a Spanish colony from Mexico, sent out by the ^rnstl sfeJ?,e" viceroy of the king of Spain, the Count de Monterey, under Mexico. " the valiant " Don Juan de Onate, of Zacatecas. American California was called by the Mexicans New or Upper California, in distinction from the peninsula, which was named Old or Lower California. It was discovered in 1579. 1579 by Sir Francis Drake. Having doubled Cape Horn, U^St8 he coasted the Pacific shore of the continent to lat. 48°, for covers New the purpose of discovering a passage to the Atlantic. He there went ashore, and calling the country New Albion, took possession of it in the name of his sovereign, Elizabeth of England. But the English lost the right imparted by dis covery, as they sent out no colonies. The Spanish under Cortez* had discovered Old California. * McCulloch, in his Geographical Dictionary, and after him several others, erroneously state that California was in part discovered by 444 the fravciscan missions. PART IV. TERIOD IV. CHAP. Z. 1769. First settle ment. Missions and presidios. The priests supreme. He went in person, in 1536, and explored the Gulf, aooui 1603, was sent, by order of Philip III. of Spain, Sebastian Viscaino, to find suitable harbors for an asylum to the Span ish East India ships. He discovered and took possession of the harbors of San Diego and Monterey, giving, on his re turn, a glowing description of the beauty and fertility of the country. Many attempts of the Spaniards to colonize it proved ineffectual, on account of the hostility of the natives, whom the emigrants provoked by ill usage. From that time forward, however, the Spaniards frequented the coast, on ac count of its valuable pearl fishery. The first permanent settlement in New California was a Franciscan mission at San Diego, established in 1769. Wearied with fruitless attempts and expenses, the Spanish king had given to the priests of the Franciscan order leave to occupy the country, for the object of converting the natives to Christianity. They selected the most fertile lands, and founded twenty-one missions, each occupying about fifteen miles square. The buildings were all contained in an en closure made of adobe, or sun-dried brick. To the principal missions was attached a presidio, where was a quadrangular fort of adobe. In this was stationed a company of soldiers, to protect the missions from the natives, and to aid in bringing their feeble and disorderly tribes into subjection to the priests. The result was, that about half the Indians became nominal Christians, and, at the same time, menial laborers for the missions. The order of things was not favorable to the increase of population. The missions were made up of monks and nuns ; and to these were added the soldiers of the presidios, not al lowed by the priests to bring their wives to the country. No money was in circulation ; and as for property, the padre of the mission controlled every thing with absolute sway. No wonder then, that, notwithstanding the healthiness of the country, a blight, like a death-shade, settled over the face of society. A few individuals, however, disregarding the pro hibition of the priests, had taken their families into the Cabrillo, a Spanish navigator. It was Hernando Cortez to whom tha discovery of California, as taken in its whole extent, is to be attributed. He had received a special commission from the king of Spain to make discoveries. He first sent out Grijalva, who discovered the peninsula, in 1534. He then went in person, and in 1536 explored the Gulf on both sides, to the mouth of the Colorado. He then returned to Mexico, leaving Ulloa to prosecute his discoveries. A pilot by the name of Cas tillo accompanied the expedition, who, on his return, made a map, lay ing down Old California as a peninsula, though afterwards it was, for many years, supposed to be an island. Perhaps Drake believed, that beyond this island he should find a strait through which he might pass to the Atlantic. But this hope shows clearly that the coast beyond waa then undiscovered, and, consequently, that Drake was the first European discoverer of New California. explorations. 445 country, and a small number of towns had thus sprung up ; PART IV. the largest of which were Ciudad de Los Angeles, San Diego, PEEIOD iv. and San Francisco, neither of which contained, in 1840,athou- Chap.i. sand inhabitants. Indeed, within that period, the whole num ber of white inhabitants in New California was estimated at only 5000 ; of mestizoes, ormixed, 2000 ; of natives, 15,000 ; making, in the whole of this fertile Pacific valley, only California ib 22,000 souls. Hides constituted the chief article of export. e3ti2m^d at This country, during the Spanish rule, constituted a part of the viceroyalty of Mexico, or New Spain. When Mexico became a federal republic, not finding California sufficiently populous to form a state, she established over it a territorial government. The Californians, like the Mexicans, sometimes bad their revolutions, and declared themselves independent ; but they ever returned to their allegiance ; and till the open ing of the war between the republics of America and Mexico, they were governed as a territory of the latter. Los An- L(J^J5j,B geles was the seat of the territorial government ; and a contains isou member of the eminent family of Pico was at its head. Gen. mhabltants- Castro, the military chief, made Monterey his residence. A few years' since, the country between the Rocky Mount ains and the Pacific was as little known as the centre of 1803-5. Africa. In the years 1803, 4, and 5, Lewis and Clarke, sent LSfc™d out by President Jefferson, explored the Missouri to its sources, crossed the Rocky Mountains in latitude 47°, then struck upon the head waters of the Columbia, and followed its course to the Pacific Qcean. Settlements succeeded these 1792. discoveries and that of Capt. Grey, already mentioned. Grey's dis- The purchase of Louisiana, from France in 1803, carried tbe mmT*- American dominion from the Mississippi to the heights of the * g®j*,"** Rocky Mountains. All the country beyond those mountains, tendstothe and south of Oregon, was, before tbe late war, in possession heiB1ocky'he of Mexico; and in 1840, its place on the map of the world Mountains. was a blank. The American government, in 1838, sent out, chiefly for the benefit of trade and commerce, a naval Exploring Expedi- 1841. tion, under Capt. Charles Wilkes, to coast our continent to c^"5^^ tbe south and west, and explore the islands of the Pacific, enterethe Capt. Wilkes was directed " to make surveys and examina- 5?%,,^,^ tions of the coast of Oregon and the Columbia River, and afterwards along the coast of California, with special refer- (gan primciB- ence to the bay of San Francisco." After executing this jjj (£wti^ order in August and September, 1841, he pronounced the inhabitants; harbor of San Francisco to be " one of the finest, if not the ^ifffi very best in the world." The town, then called Yerba Buena, 47{^.a™ be says, consisted of one large frame building, occupied by '25,000. ' the Hudson Bay Company ; the store of an American mer- ^^^ chant, a billiaid-room, and a bar ; a cabin of a ship, occupied nuUon.) as a dwelling ; besides out-houses, few and far between. (f^^Sai The most prominent man in the region was Capt. Sutter, a 24,005.) 446 JOHN C. FREMONT. PART IV Swiss by birth, and once a lieutenant in the Swiss guards o period iv Charles X. of France ; but immigrating from Missouri to chap. i. ' California. Having obtained from Mexico a grant of land s^-^-^., thirty leagues square, he located his residence within it, and near the confluence of the American river with the Sacra mento. Here he built a fort ; and, at the junction of the rivers, laid out a town, which he called New Helvetia, but which bas since received the name of Sacramento City. (inthe Capt. Wilkes reported well of the soil and productiveness of "tais^s.." 'he country ; and he made the American executive acquainted American wjth the degree of force needed to cope with the people, by the scale.) relating a recent military contest, in which the scale was turned by the valor of twenty-five American hunters. 1842. In 1842, JohnC. Fremont, then a lieutenant of topographical Fremont's engineers, being ordered on an exploring tour, left in June, sxptoration. Wlth a party of about 20, the mouth of the Kansas, — travelled along its fertile valley — struck off upon the sterile banks of f.eaves the the Platte — followed its South Fork to St. Vrain's Fort ; — "Tippies010 thence northerly to Fort Laramie, on the North Fork of the same stream. Following up, from this point, the North Fork, and then its affluent, the Sweet Water river, he was con ducted, by a gentle ascent, to that wonderful gateway in the August nth. Rocky Mountains, the South Pass. He had found, on 'soCthepslhe k's l°nely way> a few straggling emigrants bound to Oregon, but not one to California. Having explored the vicinity of the South Pass, his orders were executed, and he returned. In his report, he states the astonishing fact, that " from the ' wus Ms°n mouth of the Kansas to the Green River valley" (west of the Kuide.) Rocky Mountains), " there is no such thing as a mountaiu road on the line of communication." I 8-8.1 '^^e next year — aSam under the auspices of the govern- second tour, ment, and with a party of 39 — he set out earlier in the season, March 17. with special orders to examine and report upon the country L.G3VG8 LllS mouth of the between the Rocky Mountains, and the line of Capt. Wilkes' Kansas, explorations on the Pacific coast. He now crossed the Rocky Mountains further south, and where they were 8000 September 6. feet in height. He then examined, and laid open, by his re- Late" port, the region of the Salt Lake ; having reached that re- lgth markable expanse of brine, by following its beautiful affluent, At Fort Hail, the Bear river. A'th°eVDaiies, Fremont, now brevet-captain, was, September 19, at Fort on Columbia Hall, on his way to Oregon. Here he met a Mr. Chiles, the Eiver. omv emigrant he had yet seen bound to California. Having, Leaves Van- in the manner dictated by his orders, explored Oregon, he couver. turned south, and began his route to California, by travers- AtHamath m§' *n wmter. 'he terrible and dangerous snows of the Sierra Lake. Nevada. From this seemingly interminable way, the lost 1844. and famished wanderers, emerged upon the waters of the AtJpyraniid Sacramento; andthey followed to Sutter's Fort its affluent, the Lake. American Fork, ignorant of the golden treasures beneath CALIFORNIA IN REQUEST. 447 their feet, soon to set in motion a rapidly concentrating popu lation from every corner of the world. After their wants had been kindly supplied by Capt. Sutter, the party travelled south, and beheld and enjoyed the vernal beauties of the flowery valley of the San Joaquin. Then, turning the southern extremity of the Sierra Nevada, they next passed the arid wastes of the great Desert Basin. They had discovered and named, on their way, new rivers and mountain passes ; and they had laid open regions which had heretofore, except to the hunter and the savage, been but the hidden re cesses of nature. They had explored California, and made known an overland route. PART IV. PERIOD IV. CHAP. II. CHAPTER II. Train of Events by which California became a part of the American Republic. We have already seen ^hat Mr. Polk came into the Presi dency with a war upon his hands : certainly, if he chose to pursue it ; and possibly, if he did not. He doubtless intended, in case of a war, so to conduct it that it should redound to the honor and advantage of his country ; — being early determined to obtain, as a guerdon, California and New Mexico. But in the mean time, a project was on foot to place Cali fornia beyond the reach of the American government, and under the protection of the British. This was, in part, to be effected through the agency of Macnamara, an Irish priest, who, before the beginning of the war, visited the city of Mexico, to obtain grants of some of the best ports and most fertile lands of California. He told the Mexican government that they should lose no time, or otherwise, " within a year, California would become a part of the American nation, be inundated by cruel invaders, and their Catholic institutions the prey of Methodist wolves." The Mexicans were thus wrought on, by their hatred to the Americans, and their love of the Catholic religion, to agree to give, for the occupancy of 10,000 Irish Catholics, who were, of course, British sub jects, the fertile valley of the San Joaquin. Accordingly, grants were made out, which also included the bay of San Francisco, and the stations of Monterey and Santa Barbara. Another part of tbe plan was to have been carried out by citizens of California, under British agents. They were first to declare themselves independent of Mexico, and then re quest the protection of Great Britain, — their action to be sus tained by the presence of aBritish naval force. Mr. Polk doubt less knew this plot from Mr. Larkin, the sagacious American consul.* Capt. Fremont was sent overland, early in the spring * Mr. Larkin received for his services, as confidential agent in Cali fornia, $6,107. See " Letter of Mr. Clayton tr the President of the United 1844. Mr. Polk's position on coming to the Presidency. 1844 to 1846. The Macna mara project topreventtha American occupation oi California. (Brought be fore the Sen ate by Col. Benton, in 1848. See also speech of Mr. Dix.) Plans of Brit ish aganta. 448 THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE. PART IV. of 1845, to California, ostensibly for scientific exploration, " with 63 men, — composed of the famous and noble hunter and PERIOD IV. .,_.._,' r , , ..... , ¦ i ¦ „ guide, Kit Carson, and others like him, — ready, with sinews of steel, to do or to dare ; — furnished with artillery, — having 200 horses, and armed with Colt's six-shooting revolvers.* If Mr. Polk's object was to counterwork the plot of the British, his measures and agents were well chosen, and his plana completely successful. f The Americans were beforehand with them in getting up a Californian revolution ; and also with an ample naval force upon the coast. But while we attribute much to the worldly wisdom of the President,! and to the ability of his agents ; we yet trace a higher wisdom, and a mightier power, in the agency which brought about the sudden up-springing of a great commercial state upon the Pacific, possessing the elements of a pure Chris tianity, and a free government ; and in union with that nation which the needy and oppressed of other lands have, for the (Theflratraii- last half century, made their common asylum: — and all this road for gen- occurring as soon in time, as the invention of locomotion by "between"5 steam, and the magnetic telegraph, could enable the central Manchester national will, as by a system of political muscles and nerves, and Liver- . ',-'/. . r r , . - ' pool, 1830. instantaneously to send its mandates forth to every part of the graphVi844. body politic, and rapidly to receive in return whatever it it was in- may require. Coincidences of independent events point us V|?f. b.7 to the hand of Providence On the 16th of July, 1846, there M183S) 'n sa^ed int0 the harbor of Monterey one of the finest ships of the British navy, the Collingwood, of 80 guns, commanded by Admiral Sir George Seymour. To his astonishment, he saw the American flag waving over land and sea. In the harbor, besides the Savannah, the flag-ship of Commodore Sloat, was States, on the occasion of a request of the House of Representatives (Dec. 81, 1849), that the President would furnish certain information concerning California. * Improvements in the means of destruction, as the course of history shows us, tend, by increasing the risk of the combatants, to diminish war. Our age and country has produced a great improvement in fire arms — the six-shooting revolver, invented (1836) by Samuel Colt, of Hartford, in Connecticut. The reports made by Senators Rusk and Shields to the TJ. S. Senate, in 1849 and 1851, show that the superiority manifested by the American over the Mexican troop's, during the late war, was owing, not unfrequently, to the fact, that the Americans were, .in greater or less numbers, armed with this weapon, by means of which, Ingthfa note ^ 1S s*ated that one dragoon, in the onset, can do the work of six, an ind they were no longer permitted to learn to read. Free occurred* negroes, not being under control of the whites, were, in rection in some instances, wholly excluded by the state authorities. In *^™P; South Carolina and Louisiana, they were, if brought as cooks, _whtoh b_ &c, taken and confined in prison, until the departure of the vessels by which they Were introduced. whites were maasrared.) PERIOD V\ . 4,i* JOHN C. CALHOUN. PAAT IV Some of the southern men, at the head of whom was the eminent John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, believed that it was the will and intent of the non-slaveholding states to abol ish slavery, whenever their power should enable them, — re- , eardless of the rights or interests of the south. They therefore Opimom of b # o it, 11 j i_ t the ultra dis- thought, that since the north already overbalanced the south thr'°s"uthf ln power, that the south should immediately secede from the Union, and form a southern confederacy ; in which event, Mr. Calhoun would doubtless be its president. But, happily, the southern men who held these ultra views, were, com pared with the whole, but a small minority. Tbe larger por tion, among whom was Senator Berrien, of Georgia, as yet only feared, what the others believed, concerning the unjust intentions of the great body of their brethren at the north ; v. but they were careful to make it known, that if, hereafter, majority of they had occasion to believe as did the party of Mr. Calhoun, menof'th!. tttey would join them in the same course of action. All were South. united in taking a stand on certain tests, whether the north would or would not do them constitutional justice : the one party in good faith, as friends of the Union ; the other, in (+ Honest search of pretexts to dissolve it. One of the principal testsf louth'wiudo concerned the admission of slaves into the newly acquired weiitocon- territories. These, they said, had been conquered by their ^htetestwiu Wood, and bought with their treasure, in a full equal degree notgotupfor with those of the north, and they claimed the equal right to epo-!e for go thither, and carry their property (meaning their slaves) : and Wdh terminepT being determined to maintain this ground, they would not regard toask-(see as satisfactory the logic, that a man cannot be, like a manu- ciosuresof factured chattel, property by natural ownership ; but only when, senator and under such circumstances, as the law of the land directs. amendment" Mr. Calhoun and his party were mistaken in supposing tutloE.-'viz'1" t^lat t^e maj°rity of northern citizens approved the action of to lead the the disunionists, or had any design to take from the people ol Wmiioud)13" tne soutb, rights which the constitution guarantied ; but all conscientiously believed, that slavery is an evil, and many held that it is a sin. Hence, while they would not interfere with it as now existing, they yet regarded it as their duty to prevent the extension of its area. Free soil, they said, 1§4§. ough1 t0 remain freo. — The free-soil principle was used for August 9. " political capital" at a convention held at Buffalo, by a sec- ^ntio-p0™" tion °f tfie democratic party. On this test, they proposed Mr. Buffalo. Van Buren as a candidate for the presidency, against Lewis Cass, of Michigan, who had been nominated at Baltimore by the regular party convention. It was owing to this division of the democratic party, that Gen. Taylor, the whig candi date, prevailed. In a congressional debate preceding his in auguration, the same principle was introduced by Mr. Wil- a®*8, mot, of Pennsylvania, and hence called "the Wilmot pro- "vviimot viso." It was approved in the House of Representatives, buJ proviso." rejecte(i m the Senate. CONVENTION OP SOUTHERN MEMBERS OP CONGRESS. 455 The southern delegation in congress from the fifteen slave- PART IV holding states met, on the 22d of December, in the senate chamber, to concert measures for the preservation of their common rights ; which they regarded as menaced by the Wilmot proviso, and also by a proposition introduced into the House, by Mr. Giddings, of Ohio, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. In an address prepared for the occa sion by Mr. Calhoun, he stated to the meeting his view of the grievances of the south, and the aggressions of the north, — MrCalh . , complaining- of the action of states as well as that of indi- address to the vidmals, especially in regard to fugitive slaves ; and he main- je^uSo. tained that these aggressions, if suffered to remain unchecked, would soon end in informal emancipation ; or otherwise, the ' same object would, if the north acquired the power, be at tained by an amendment of the constitution. He finally ex horted the southern members to union among themselves — perhaps the north might pause — otherwise the south should be prepared to defend" ber rights, without looking to the consequences. Mr. Calhoun and his friends were disappointed, that this anti-national address was not at once, and unanimously 1849. adopted. The meeting was adjourned to the 22d of January ; Adjourned when Mr. Berrien offered, as a substitute, an address, which, .,., "feting. . -^Mr Berrien 9 while ii was southern, was yet national in its tone. Although addressre- Mr. Calhoun's was adopted by a majority, yet the failure of v<^esI^ absolute unanimity was grievous to those, who had v»« lgbt Caihoun'sM. themselves into a determination to push on their project of disunion to its final consummation. .The London correspondent of the National Intelligencer, May 15, 1851, says — " Let ters from Berlin assert that Austria, Prussia, and Russia are prepared to act as one man at the approaching diet at Frankfort ; and that the great question there settled will be, What are the. most effectual measures of extinguishing civil liberty all over the world ?" Who doubts that from the establishment of the Holy Alliance in 18 .5, that has been the great question ? And who can doubt that the Republic of America, looked to by all, as the very embodiment of civil liberty, comes in for a first share of their consultation, and of their action, secret though it may be 1 To discover what that ac tion is, should be the study of the American statesman ; to counteract it, the aim of all Americans. We have endeavored to lay open what we believe to have been one mode of its secret action. We believe there are others, which may be made equally apparent.) CHAPTEE IV. 1850. Census esti- California.— Unexampled Wealth and Increase.— Establishment of Civil Government, mate of popur — Exemplary Political Demeanor. 200000. iii i j • r i i (t From 1849 We have marked the gradual rise oi colonies and states, toisso, ar- where hundreds of years were required to gain a population "^e^ by' equal to that which California, in three years from the dis- the prairies, r 1 i j j J i 33,762.) covery oi her gold, possessed.? . (Duties ma We have seen that so nicely were parties balanced, in re- month at San gard to the slavery question, that no governments were $176,000. granted, in the congress of 1848-9, to the newly acquired Gg£ %g* territories. All that could be obtained for California was a $97,000,000.; 456 v CALIFORNIA LOYAL TO THE UNION. PART IV. law, by which her revenue was to be collected and placed in the coffers of the republic. Happily, the exemplary political chap, iv conduct of California, under these trying circumstances, re- -_^^v_v_/ lieved the anxious forebodings of American patriots, that she, elated with her unprecedented increase of numbers, her fame, and her gold, might take Oregon for an ally, and set up for herself. To prevent any such disaster, a paternal care was exercised, both by Mr. Polk and Gen. Taylor. Mr. Voor- hies was sent by the former to California, and ably instructed 184§ ^y Secretary Buchanan ; and the latter, when only a month Oct. 7. in office, sent Thomas Butler King, with a letter of instruc- tar^Bm-SST t'on ,rom Mr. Clayton, giving the Californians the timely as an's lettevto surance, that " whatever can be done to afford the people of the Territories the benefits of civil government, and the pro- a^h?" tecti°n tbat is due them, will be anxiously considered and at- DatePofSeo- tempted by the executive." Mr. King was also charged to ton'sletterto suggest t0 them the expediency of forming a government for T. B. King, themselves, thereafter to be submitted to congress. These sagacious counsels tended to keep the leading poli ticians of California true to the Union. Indeed, they loved their native land, and confided in her ultimate justice. But while waiting for future protection, the exciting present was upon them. There, were the gathered and the gathering 'thousands, attracted from every land by the sovereign power 1848. of gold; and government, in addition to that exercised by Masonnowa ^en. Mason, the military commandant, the citizens found it brevet Brisa-, necessary to exercise among themselves. At first it was in- Sn^the formal ; and he who was found guilty of high crimes, was existence of pUt to death, with little ceremony or delay.* Gen. Riley, the iissumcsacivii hero of Contreras, who succeeded Gen. Mason as military powers.) governor, issued his proclamation August 1st, 1849, estab- 1849. lishing a species of judiciary, at the head of which was placed Kik'ysuc- Peter H. Burnet. Subsequently, he issued another procla- cceds Mason, mation, inviting the citizens to choose delegates to form a a kind of constitution for a state government. Delegates were accord- J.uticiary ingly chosen ; who met at Monterey, September 1st, 1849, est.! LS c ' and there formed an unexceptionable state" constitution. o Slavery had, in the mean time, been decided against, by a At shm'tei-ey, special convention holden at San Francisco ; and it was ac- deiwiiteB cordingly excluded by the constitution.! m'-el to form rri, ° •* . -^ , . ' ,_, , a state gov- 1 he people proceeded to the choice of state officers ; and ¦ eTo the leSislature convened at San Jose, December 20th, 1849. Dee. 20. . fim Leijisla-' * Very recently (1851) we hear that confederacies of gamblers and rob- lure moot. b?rs naY6 80 overawed the authorities of San Francisco and other Califor nian cities, that the_ vilest criminals have escaped justice ; and the people by a Vigilance Committee, have again taken the law into their own hands. We regret the necessity of a practice so dangerous. Yet when rampant vice is trampling on law, if men whose mothers have put the ten command ments into their hearts and lives, boldly rally, put down crime, and hav ing elevated law, quietly restore to it the powers which they took — not for ambition, but for these holy purposes — must histo»7 condemn them ? No I PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE. 457 Peter H. Burnet, who was elected chief magistrate, addressed PART IV. to the senate and assembly a message of extraordinary inter- „ „TI • T „ i i ¦ ° , . , ¦ J i PERIOD IV. est. " How rapid, he exclaims — " how astonishing have been the changes in California ! Twenty months ago, inhabited , _^_". by a sparse population — a pastoral people, deriving a mere « „ . ,* subsistence from their flocks and herds, and a scanty cultiva- Gov. Burnet's tion of the soil ; — now, — the inexhaustible gold mines discov- eloquent ered, — our ports are filled with shipping from every clime ; our beautiful bays and placid rivers are navigated by steam ; and commercial cities bave sprung up as if by encbantment. . . . . Now we are here assembled for the sublime task of organizing a new state. But should our constitution con- flict with the constitution of our common country, that must for older prevail. That great instrument, which now governs more stme3- than twenty millions of people, and links in one common des tiny thirty states, demands our purest affections, and our first and highest duty. . . . We would leave our people to (Gov. Burnet suffer on, rather than violate one single principle of that great aom ami fundamental law of the land." Gov. Burnet reasoned, how- boldness to ever, that, since the Californians only assumed to regulate to the people such internal- affairs as were not within the purview of the H^'ather general government, there could be no such violation ; and than indebt- the members accordingly proceeded to legislative action. The choice of senators to congress fell upon John C. Fre- (Edward Gil- mont and William M. Gwin. The constitution of California, ""h"^.^ ' and her petition for admittance into the Union as a state, were first repre- - sentativcs.) S8SO. carried by them to Washington. The president transmitted these documents to congress, with a message, expressing the Feb'l'w." hope that their petition would be granted. President The clause prohibiting slavery, especially as the boundary to Congress carried the new state south of the line of the Missouri com- *° c°? 8^'* . .. _ 1 UOll'OI '.-.ill- promise, was, in congress, as a torch applied to explosives. fornia. Some southern members declared that its adoption by congress would be cause of immediate secession. Other subjects of appalling difficulty pressed upon congress ; all, however, im plicated in the one absorbing topic of slavery. Texas claimed that her territory extended to the Rio Grande ; but the New Mexicans in, and around Santa Fe, east of the Rio Grande, had never submitted, and were utterly averse to her rule. i§49. In January, 1849, her legislature passed laws, dividing the Jan. disputed region into counties. To organize in these counties laws to assert a Texan government^ Gov. Bell, the executive, sent an agent, her P°wer Major Neighbours, to Santa Fe, who warned Colonel Monroe, Mexico. the United States military commandant, against all " inter- j§5o. ference." Colonel Monroe, finding the New Mexicans en- April is. raged, and being instructed from Washington, called a con- boam-satesai£ vention, which, after the example of California, framed a „toK- ' . .' iii .n i ¦ The Texan state constitution ; and while 1 exas was making prepara- and United tions to seize this territory by force, the petition of New ^£$fi^ Mexico to be admitted as a state into the Union was in- ttu^ere. 458 DANGEE TO THE UNION. PART IV. FEKIOD IV. CHAP. IV. 185®. Jan. 16. Sen. Foote introduces a bill for tbe governmentofDeseret — i. e., Utah. Fugitive slave bill in troduced by Sen. Butler, Jan. 23 ((• 1851. May. We have it on the au thority of Sen. Foote, that a consti tution was . prepared by Sir. Calhoun, for '* The United States —South." (1851. H'ay 30. Mr. Webster, in a speech yt Albany, Bays this waa Hie most uni^erous purl of the slavery agita tion.) troduced into congress. These affairs were in progress for several months ; but all the difficulties of the dispute were from the first of the session before congress. The south maintained the claim of Texas, since, if it pre vailed, the disputed territory would go to increase the area of slavery ; and, for the same reason, the north opposed it.* While New Mexico was petitioning congress for a govern ment, another remarkable people were at tbeir doors with the same request. These were the enterprising Mormons, who had found a resting-place on the borders of the Salt Lake, where, collecting their scattered bands, and sending out their leaders to return with proselytes — they had now a flourishing settlement, numbering some thousands.f The question was not whether these countries should have governments, to which all agreed — but, shall slavery be recognized, or shall it be prohibited ? Another test question was in a bill, introduced by Senator Butler of South Carolina, for anew law,§toenab!e the masters of fugitive slaves to recover them from oilier states. In requiring this, the south were entirely unanimous : and were joined by conservative politicians of the north. " To us in Alabama," said Senator Clemens, .' this law has no pecuniary value. But there are other lights in which we view it. If a plain provision of the constitution can be nulli fied at will, we have no security that other provisions muy not meet a similar fate ; bringing a state of things, compared with which revolution, with all its admitted horrors, would be trilling indeed. Convince me that this law cannot be exe cuted, and you convince me that this government is and oughl to be at an end." The hostile feeling between the north and the south was now at its culminating point, and Washington the focus of its baleful rays. Members of congress from Florida and other slaveholding states were ' sending addresses to their con stituents of an exciting character ; enjoining them to choose delegates to a convention which had been appointed to be holden in Nashville, on the second day of the following June. This was the fruit of Mr. Calhoun's address. The ultraists gloried in believing that arrangements would be made at Nashville for dividing the Union, and forming a southern confederacy.f Never, since the formation of this * Gen. Taylor had, previous to his death, ordered 800 men to proceed to Santa Fe, to defend the New Mexicans from the Texans. The New Mexican ju4ge, Hughson, had told Mftjor Neighbours that he would imprison any one who attempted, in Santa F6, to execute the laws of Texas. § Such a law, based on the provision of the constitution, was passed with great unajnimity in 1793, and of course with the sanction of Washington ; but it had become difficult of execution in some of the states, and impossible in others. The new law provided, by the creation in each state of a U. S. commissioner, for taking from the state courts the cases of escaped slaves. DANGER NOBLY MET. happy government, had the American patriot seen an nour so dark. " Great fears," said Senator Mangum, of North Caro lina, " have been entertained by the best and wisest men as to the possibility of preserving the integrity of the Union, and many of them have passed sleepless nights. I have passed mine." Sleepless nights were passed in every part of the country ; and fervent prayers arose, that the God of the fathers would not desert the children. 459 PART IV PERIOD IV. CHAP. V. CHAPTEE V. Congressional Eloquence of the First Session of the Thirty-first Congress. The first session of the thirty-first congress was the long est, the most stormy, and the most important in its results, of any since the organization of the government ; and in it, by the strife and power of words, were settled more important issues, than those on any American battle-field,since the revolution. The senate took the lead. Never had that body presented more talent. The first of its great men and orators, who, touched with the feeling of the country's danger, shook off all party and sectional trammels, and stood up for the Union, was Henry Clay. He was now venerable in years ; but his intellect retained its soundness, and his heart its deep well-spring of patriotic feeling. His voice, his eye, his grace of action and gift of words, which had made him regarded as the first orator who speaks the English tongue, were yet pre served, that he might succor, andperhaps save, his country, in this her hour of peril. Second only to him in eloquence, and first, as an expounder of the constitution and the great princi ples of national law, was Daniel Webster. These two ranked as whigs. Of the statesmen and orators of the democratic party, there was first the fearless patriot, Thomas H. Benton, who had longer than any other senator been sus tained in that high elevation. He was the stern denouncer of disunion; and had been the prophet of the coming storm. An other was Lewis Cass, of Michigan, the late democratic candi date for the presidency. He knew no party when the Union was in danger. Senator Bell, of Tennessee, as a sound and eloquent proposer and defender of plans for the good of his country, ranked with Mr. Clay. Senator Foote, of Mis sissippi, may well be mentioned in the same connection ; for although charged with having compromited the dignity of the highest legislative body of the continent, yet he was more than forgiven, because he loved his country much. But our limits oblige us to do injustice, by omitting distinguished patriots and orators, of both parties, and both houses of the national legis lature. Remarkablepreservation of the power* of Mr. Clay (Mr. Benton had five elec tions — was in the senate thirty years.) (t He drew a pistol on the floor of Ihe senate cham ber, upon Mr. Benton, who approDched him iu a threatening manner.) 460 misunderstandings. PART IV. Congress presented a melancholy spectacle at their as- sembling. The house not being able to make choice of the PERIOD IV " " proper officers, was long a scene of confusion. In both de- CHAP. v. 1 r- i,c • 1.1 partments, the members from opposite sections met each other with deep feelings of hostility.* The northern men came in structed by their constituents to stand for the Wilmot proviso ; and the southern, at all hazards, for the tests, and against the free-soil principle. The south had judged of the whole north too much by a few knavish, itinerating traders ; and if the north had been to them injurious, they had been to the north insolent and provoking. The men of the north and south do°iph once misunderstood each other ; the latter by ascribing to the C1>llert ™e" °f former not only the occasional violation of the constitution, "dough- but the settled purpose to violate it, and ruin them by an un- faces;" that just interference in their guarantied privileges. The men oi moulded at the north, unconscious of any such design, believed its verbal ''south'16 manifestation and that of an intent to sever the Union, to be but tricks of the south to frighten them, and thus to keep that Biitiei'sgreat lea-d in national affairs, of which the south had heretofore en- BKLecl? a,uhe joyed more than an equal share. ' They cannot,' it was Secession said, ' be in earnest. They could not exist out of the Union. fcy™!™' Other nations (meaning, of course, the English) are more op- uot publish- posed to slavery than the north ; and if all countries opposed, epage *a's and none defended, what would the south do in case of in to proof, con- surrection T' Not considering, that as England had changed deuce that her opinion for reasons, she could do the same again ; and at- rotheiisis temPt t0 sustain the institutions of such statesf as, destroying reaiitw.) the American constitution, and dividing the Union, should call on her for aid. Be this as it may, the north was mistaken. The south was fixed in deadly determination to dissolve the Union, unless the northern agitators should cease to bring * The writer being at the time in "Washington, speaks from observa tion. Even ladies from the south would not at first converse on slavery, with ladies from the north. When their confidence was obtained, they testified to having seen papers, in which their slaves were incited* to ^"virtuous' crimes of 8ucn a nature, that we ceased to -wonder that the women of abolitionists, the south were more bitter than the men. buibyioieign j- Mr. Calhoun, and men of his stamp, would doubtless have spurned inTdom-stlc suctl a corresi;oniience> and sucn a dependence. He never, as his friend, . traitors.) ex-Gov. Hamilton, assures us, contemplated the separate secession of South Carolina. But since his death, this has been contemplated ; and a diplomatic correspondence has been already carried on between an agent of Great. Britain applying to Charleston instead of Washington for reliel concerning the South Carolina law, to confine in jail free negroes brought to their ports, until the departure of the vessels in which they came. "We do not learn that any thing in this respect was effected ; and we do not know that there was any tampering with discontented spirits. But if one state should be arrayed against thirty, and that is the attitude into which ultra disuuionists are now endeavoring to force South Caro lina, — one of two things is clear — either that these disunionists are mad- utterly insane-^or that they expect help from some quarter other than openly appears. But Great Britain would not be likely to attempt for a single Southern state, what she might perhaps do for a Southern con federacy. IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES JUDICIARY-. 461 danger to their firesides; and full assurance be given them that they were not to be made the victims of northern con scientiousness. Some regarding the die as already cast, were how only seeking the means of disunion.. The two first northern senators who broke in upon this sullen gloom of uncharitableness and discontent, were Dick inson, of New York, and Phelps, of Vermont. The former, in the course of his speech, solemnly assured his southern brethren that the north, as a body, regarded the guarantees of the constitution as sacred. " Sir," said he, " take a small number out of the northern and also out of the southern sec tions of the Union, or silence their clamor, and this accursed agitation would be settled in less than a week. . . The con stitution throws its broad asgis over the whole of this mighty republic. Its people bow before it with more than eastern devotion. — They will adhere to this Union ; and although the northern people are opposed to the institution of slavery, the great mass of them have no intention or disposition to trench upon constitutional rights. And this they will prove to the south, should the occasion arise, even though they should sell their lives in her defence." In the speech of Senator Phelps, on the 23d of January, logical argument was complacently mingled with an original vein of wit. Without taking serious ground against the southern threat of secession, he showed that the time had not yet come. li The supreme judiciary of tbe nation were, he justly maintained, the proper court to try constitutional questions ; and unless the south, before proceeding to action, appealed to that tribunal, she would put herself in the wrong. In so important a matter, she should not be in too much haste, but take the proper steps, and bide her time. As to what had been offensively said at the north, this was a land of free speech ; and what was to be done with people, who believed themselves charged with a mission, not only to amend the constitution framed by the* wisdom of our fathers, but also to assist ike Almighty in the correction of sundry mistakes which they had discovered in his works 1" The brows of the southern senators unbent, and they cordi ally greeted the orator when the speech was ended ; and an observer remarked, " He has thrown the first bucket of water which has reached the fire." I On the 25th of January, Mr. Clay offered his memorable plan of compromise. On the 5th of February, amidst such a crowd of both sexes as the senate-chamber had never before witnessed, he came forward to speak in their defence. In the preamble of his eight resolutions, he stated the reason of their introduction to be, that it was " for the peace, harmony, and concord of the Union to settle, and adjust amicably, all exciting questions of controversy between them, arising out of the institution of slavery, upon a fair, equitable, and just basis." The compromise was substantially the same as that PART IV. 1850. Jan. 17. Mr. Dickin son's speech, Jan. 23. Speech of Mr. Phelpi Jan. 25. Mr. Clay's compromise resolutions* 462 MR. CLAY S GREAT SPEECH. PART IV. PERIOD IV. CHAP. V, 1§50. Feb. 5. Mr. Clay's freat speech Mr. Clay's view of the dangerous poailion of the country. Of Ihe conse quences of disunion. Mwh 7. Mr. Web ster's great speech. Mf. Webster on secession. which passed after months of debate, and is hereafter to be explained. Mr. Clay opened his speech by the affecting declaration, that never, on any former occasion, had he risen with feelings of such deep solicitude. He had witnessed many periods of great anxiety, of peril, and of danger to the country; but never before had he risen " to address an assembly, so op pressed, so appalled, so anxious." He looked to God to give him the strength and the ability to perform the work before him. He attributed the danger of tbe country to the unprin cipled selfishness of party men. They catigbt at every pass ing and floating plank, and thus brought into consequence pernicious agitators. At the moment when the White House was on fire, instead of uniting to extinguish the flames, they were contending about who should be its next occupant ! While a dreadful crevasse menaced inundation, they were contesting the profits of the estate, which was threatened with total submersion! . All now is uproar, confusion, and menace to this Union. . . The speaker, after imploring senators to listen to reason, explained, with clearness, his plan of settling the several difficulties, which arose from slavery He denounced secession. None had a right to secede. He belonged to the Union. Within the Union he took his stand, and there he meant to stand and die, — rfighting, if necessary ; but no power on earth should force him out of the Union. At the close, he dwelt on the ruin which would spring from the dissolution of the Union. War would be inevitable ; and such a war, — so furious, so bloody, so implacable, so extermi nating, — could not be found upon the pages of history. He en treated members to pause on the brink of the precipice, before they took the fearful leap into the yawning abyss. But if that direful event, the dissolution of the Union, were to hap pen, he implored of heaven, that he might not survive to be hold it. The words of this beloved patriot thrilled, not only through the halls of the capitol, but to the farthest limits of the re public. To similar effect was the eloquence of Daniel Webster. " Mr. President," he said, " I hear with pain, and anguish. and distress, the word secession falling from the lips of the eminent and patriotic. Secession! Peaceable secession! The dismemberment of this vast country without convulsion! The breaking up of the fountains of the great deep, without ruffling the surface ! Peaceable secession ! what would be the result 1 What would become of the army, the navy, and the public lands 1 Where is the line to be drawn ' What states are to be associated? What is to remain American ? Where am I to be f . . . Where is the flag to remain ? Is the eagle still to tower ? or is be to cower to shrink, and fall to the ground ?" THE "OMNIBUS BILL." 463 In the tempest, it is the lightning, not the thunder, which. partUv. kills ; but as, peal by peal, the dangerous element explode^ period iv. the atmosphere becomes cleared. Thus the impassioned elo- 0HAP- T- quence and fiery declamation of the capitol, gave wholesome ' vent to dangerous feeling, and inspired a healthier tone of public sentiment ; which, beginning at Washington, spread throughout the Union. Mr. Clay had ably defended bis plan of compromise. Sena tor Bell, of Kentucky, introduced and advocated another. Senator Foote, of Mississippi, made a motion, which was finally carried, for the appointment of a committee of the , ,.. ,„ Senate, to be composed of six members from the North, six Committee from the South, and a thirteenth to be chosen by the first "appointed" twelve ; to whom should be referred the different plans for compromise; — with directions, however, that the committee report, according to their own judgment, a plan of settlement for tbe different branches of the slavery question. Of this honored committee, Mr. Clay was chairman, by choice of the Senate ; and he made their report to that body, on the 8th of May. Four months of jarring debate ensued ; much of which referred to the point, whether the several pro- M g posed laws should be voted for separately, or in one " Omnibus Mr. ciay Bill." Senator Benton urged the former course, on account "^nibus of its fairness, and especially in behalf of suffering yet dutiful Bill." California ; while Mr. Clay maintained the latter ; urging that if the different parts of the bill were presented together, both parties would concede some things, for the sake of gaining others. In the mean time the Nashville convention, which, had it assembled in January, might have led to civil war and national Nashviiie destruction,* met harmlessly on the 2d of June ; partaking of Co^eeenttioD the country's calmer mood and renewed devotion to the Union. Judge Sharkie, of Mississippi, was made president of the con vention. In bis initiatory address, he said, that its members bad met, " because the Constitution, which gave equal rights judge' to the South, had been violated." It was a slander of enemies, Sha^ss ad" that they had met to dissolve the Union. He hoped that " the Union would be the last thing to perish amidst the wreck of matter." Pending the debates on the compromise measures, the nation was called to deep and sincere mourning for the loss of Defthyof the her beloved chief magistrate. Gen. Taylor expired at the President presidential mansion on the 9th of July, and Millard Fill more, of New York, immediately succeeded him in the pres- In<> ^|r|j|°° idency. Mr. King, of Alabama, was chosen president of the more. * Mr. Calhoun had, before his death, prepared a constitution for the TJ. S. South, which he advised should be adopted at the Nashville Convention. " The Southern members conferred together, spoke together, and, at one time, would have been prepared to sink or swim in a common peril." — See Senator Mutler'e Speech at the Charleston. Convention, May, 1851. 464 PASSAGE OF THE COMPEOMISE. PAftT iv. Senate.* The cabinet of Gen. Taylor resigned. Mr. Fillmore period iv. appointed able successors, — Mr. Webster filling the department ^_^ ' J_^ of state, ^a£(f In the early part of September, the measures reported by (t And was the committee of thirteen passed — separately ; but they had Vice^p°of keen considered together, and were agreed to, as mutual con- the u. s.) cessions and compromises for the sake of the Union. 'By them, Sept. i. 1st, California, excluding slavery, was admitted as a State. 2d, compromise tbe Great Basin east of California, containing the Mormon set- measures. tlement, was erected, without mention of slavery, into a Terri- / Ftah. a tory, by the Indian name Utah. 3d, New Mexico was also (estimated J ,J . , . /., • m • /-, population, erected, without mention ol slavery, into a lemtory ; Congress 25,000). giving Texas, for the relinquishment of her claims, ten millions (estimated0 of dollars ; — Texas to pay with the money former debts, for Pomii»'*on. which the United States were bound, not legally, but in honor. (A fugitive 4t^> a 'aw was Passe(^' abolishing, not slavery, but the slave- slave law trade, in the District of Columbia ; and 5th, the fugitive-slave wn9Ps^t>utm ^aw was Passed ; whose object is, the more effectually to being found, secure the prompt delivery of persons bound to service or d?fflouit of labor in one State, and escaping into another. The compro- execution, it mise measures proved, for a time, the quieting of the fearful had become r ¦ -1 ° obsolete.) Storm. NOTE. This note and the succeeding foot-notes, which are also written in 1864, are added to bring forward facts, of which the Bebellion has manifested the importance. The annexation of Texas with its consequent, the Mexican war, were produced by the agency of Mr. Calhoun (see page 402) during the last days of his Secretaryship of State under Feb. 28 John Tyler. When afterwards Mr. Calhoun, then being a 1845. member of the Senate, was charged with having done this for (+ The the object of increasing the area of slavery, be said, "yes" — w.riitev an<^ ^e added, that he rejoiced in having done it.' being in*' While thus the South was already preparing against the day the gallery of contending cn the slavery question with the North, an Anti- of the slavery party had arisen at the North, of whom a portion were Chamber at so hostile to slavery, that they preferred the destruction of the the time.) American constitution, and the downfall of the Eepublic, to its continuance. They found ready assistance from the Anti- slavery organizations in England, led on by the political belief, publicly avowed since the rebellion, that " the safety of Europe requires the (division of America." The succeeding pages of this history will show the effects of this state of opinion. But it is proper to state here some events producing it, whose full GEOEGE THOMPSON. 405 importance to tbe nation's history was not apprehended as part IV. they were passing. _ _ period "iv? The first prominent British agitator in New England was oh»p. v. , William Loyd Garrison, who established at Boston a paper, ¦ — — v called the Liberator. But it was not till George Thompson, invited by the American Anti-slavery Society, came over from the British or mother society, that those effects began to be produced which have at length culminated in civil war. The object of Thompson's mission was thus set forth in the " Minutes of the British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society," by whom he was sent "to lecture in the principal cities and towns in the Free States, upon the guilt of slavery, and duty ' of its immediate abolition ;" — the work to be carried on with the co-operation of Anti-slavery societies, which he was to assist in forming, in the Northern States. He was "to seek. access to influential persons of the various religious denomina tions, especially the ministers of the Cospel" The ostensible object of the agitators was the benefit of the negroes; but, if pity for the negro had inspired them, would they not have gone South and lectured the masters, instead of going North to those who had, legally, no power over slavery ? And would they not have united with the true friends of the blacks in promoting their nationality in Liberia, instead of becoming, as they did, the furious opposers of colonization ? Arriving in New York, September 20th, 1 834, Thompson 1834. proceeded on his lecturing tour through the Northern States, Sept. ti". giving an almost incredible number of lectures, speeches, ad- Thompson dresses, — p^— > came the subjects of persecution." Patriots at the North had seen with alarm, that a new ele ment had entered the public mind, menacing the safety of our beloved Union ; and they, in some cases, helped the agitators, by an unwise degree of violence, which enabled them to raise the cry of persecution. Thompson himself was mobbed in Boston, and fled to England. His exertions in America were followed by a seat in the British parliament. That British statecraft cares nothing about the sin of slavery, the rebellion has proved to tbe bitter disappointment of North ern abolitionists. The sympathy of their statesmen has, from tbe first, been with that party whose object is to divide the Union ; and the scheme, which they laid, and which George Thompson was sent to carry out, was devised in much worldly wisdom, and an accurate knowledge of human nature. That the races of men differ, through a series of grades, from the poor African Bushman to the majestic Caucasian, is an indubitable truth ; and future ages will be astonished to leal-n that a dogma, implying the equality of races, was so conscien tiously received at the North, as to become tbe initiatory step in an attempt to destroy the best government ever enjoyed by man. But when this step had been taken by a small portion of the North, if the South had met the emergence with the sagacity which guided the foreign scheme to divide the Re public, this desolating civil war would not have occurred. PERIOD V. THE PASSAGE OP THE J- 1 §50 -j COMPROMISE MEASURES TO THE BEGINNING OE [ 1§60. -j THE GREAT REBELLION. CHAPTER I. Sketch of the Condition of the Aborigines. — Degree of Civilization. — Diversities of Character, Wars, &c. That the Indians are, and must be considered, subordinate part iv. to the whites, is a question of fact, now so entirely settled, that PEBI0DV" the officers of government are no longer embarrassed by it ; chap. i. but they regard the aborigines as the wards of the nation, of ^— - -y— — ' whom, they, as the representatives, are bound by law to act as the guardians.* The Indians were here before the white men The Ameri- came, and they were then the lords of the forest ; and now, cJjnef°TfJ™" although the moralist cannot believe that the great Father of guardian of all intended, that territory capable of supporting millions by inu*ns. cultivating the soil, should continue in the possession of a few hundreds who desire but to hunt the wild animals on its sur face — yet, as we have taken their hunting-grounds, it remains for us, especially, since we are now a great and wealthy nation, to provide homes for them, and give them the means of be coming civilized and living by agriculture. The care of the Indians is now confided to the Secretary of . ] 85§. the Interior, whose office, containing the Indian Bureau, is at Washington, and specially presided over by a commissioner, to whom are made the reports of the superintendents of the eight grand divisions, or Indian superintendencies, into which the whole country west of the Mississippi is divided ; and also of the three Indian agencies, which remain east of that river. The * Our government has another race, the negroes in America, who also require a system of guardianship at their hands. By the events of the ."S pending war, and the ^resident's proclamation of freedom, thousands of ABO*. them at the South are now becoming free ; and many are homeless and without the ability to provide for, or protect themselves. The able-bodied are taken as soldiers, while the helpless; the aged, the women and the little children, are collected in camps, scantily fed and clothed ; and they are dying by thousands along the southern Mississippi. If, because it is writ ten in the Declaration of Independence, " all men are bom free and equal," our government should feel a delicacy about assuming superiority over the Indian tribes, and leave them to perish, as they eventually must without our guardian care, may not disastrous results be more surely expected from neglect of the other race, which, though more amiable, is shown to be leu powerful, by the fact, that, when the two are thrown together, the Indian prevails over the negro, and enslaves him ? 46« INDIAN POLICY. PART IV. PERIOD V. CHAP. L United States domain as obtained by Indian treaties. TWee errors id Indian policy. Present policy of the Impedi menta to suocess. Differences among the^ndians. superintendents receive the reports of the several agents, each within his own locality, — about fifty in the whole. The entire number of Indians now in the United States is computed at 350,000 ; the number of distinct tribes at one hundred and seventy-five. Several tribes are, however, sometimes compre hended under one generic name, as the Sioux, the Apaches, (fee. In all our earlier history, the right of the Indian tribes to the use of the lands which they dwelt on, was acknowledged ; and, except in cases of territory gained by conquest, as in the Pequot and King Philip's wars, the lands of the Indians were obtained by treaties, which were made with their chiefs. In this way, by 393 separate treaties, made with 44 tribes, the United States have obtained from the Indians a domain of 581 millions of acres, for which they have paid 50 millions of dollars. For this land the federal treasury has already received an amount of money which exceeds the entire cost of the acqui sition by 100 millions of dollars. Many treaty stipulations o. annuities in money, or in other articles, are, however, yearly to be paid. The whole expenses of the Indian Bureau were, in 1858, about five millions of dollars. The United States government has become convinced, that for the time past it has committed three capital errors in its Indian policy ; — first, in the removal of the tribes from place to place as the white population advanced ; second, in the assign ment of too great an extent of country to be held by each in com mon ; and third, in having paid large sums of money as annuities. The present policy of the government is to oblige the Indians to settle, — giving them'only such reservations as they can culti vate — and instead of giving the land to the whole tribe, dividing it among the several families ; that thus they may gain the knowledge of private property in land, and each learn that his own efforts will redound to bis own individual benefit. And in lieu of money annuities, the government is now furnishing them with facilities for learning agriculture, and with tbe means of beginning it — such as stock-animals, and agricultural imple ments. Mechanics' shops are made for the manufacture of wood and iron — and especially are schools established ; the government now believing, that, if they would civilize the In dians, they must begin with the young ; ,nay, they must culti vate the minds of the future mothers of the race, and to this effect, they must raise the condition of their women, from that of mere drudges to minister to the indolence of the men. Intemperance, and other vices, are introduced among them by unprincipled white traders, who, contrary to law, carry them whiskey, which is to them disease and death. The number Oi the aborigines is, on the whole, diminishing. The Indians within our borders differ in natural character as well as i?i degrees of civilization. They also differ in their feel ings of dependence on our government ; many of them having become convinced that they have no way to escape exter- DIVERSITIES OP INDIAN CHARACTER. 469 mination, but to obey the behests of their " Great Father " at PART IV. Washington, for so they call the President of the United perioo v. States, and to order themselves according to the advice of the chap. i. agent which he sends them, whom they call " Father." Some ¦ — — v anxiously seek to be instructed. " What do you want ." said Col. Wright to the Flat-Heads and Nez-Perces of the north. " Peace, ploughs, and schools," was the noble reply of their chief. Of the three Indian agencies east of the Mississippi, one is in Indian New York, embracing tbe remains of the Six Nations, who have ^f^York six reservations, — with- churches, schools, and farms ; — one is at 0f Macinac, over a part of the Ottawas, Chippewas, andvPota- Macinac. watomies ; and one at Green Bay, which, besides some of the Of same tribes, has charge of the Menomenees, and also of re- Greetl Bay- moved portions of the Six Nations, and the Stockbridges. Some of these Indians are intemperate and vicious. These tribes are, however, becoming generally settled on their reservations ; and the government has provided them B^eS T^j schools for their children, and teachers in agriculture : and others.) some of the most devoted of Indian missionaries have been among them. There are yet some of tbe aborigines, who, never having left their mountains, are unsubmissive, — because they are not convinced of the power of the nation. Such are the Navajoes of New Mexico. They have villages iu the fastnesses of their mountains, and live by sallying forth to the plains and robbing the inhabitants. We have seen how Col. Doniphan, as ordered character by Gen. Kearney, in 1846, sought them in their mountain and actions homes, collected their chiefs, and made a treaty of peace with °* '?le them at Bear Springs. But, although the chief Sandoval, and four hundred of his men were true to their engagement, yet the main body of the nation paid no regard to the treaty ; but went on robbing and murdering as before. For successive years military attempts were made against them ; but with such inad equate forces, that though the Navajoes were annoyed, yet they were not subdued. Tbe common method was to close a cam paign with a new treaty ; at which the savages only laughed, dashed away for the plains, and began their depredations before the return of the party, with which the treaty was made. The first check which they received was in 1852, by the build- 1S.52. ing of Fort Defiance. Since then, able officers have beeu sent Fort against them, and advantages gained ; but they are not yet j^-"06 subdued. They are hated by the neighboring Indians for their faithlessness and rapacity. " The Apache," says Superintendent Bailey, " is the most The rascally Indian on the continent, — treacherous, blood-thirsty, Apache and thievish. He is the depopulator of the fields of Cbihua- *f^ ^Pa hua and Sonora." By the treaty of 1848, the United States bound themselves to protect the Mexican inhabitants of this border, and heavy demands have been made upon the treasury 4*70 INDIANS WEONGED AND EEVENGEFUL. PaRT IV. for their depredations, and those of the Comanches, a fierce and PF.tioD v. warlike tribe, found west of the Indian territory. In the chap. i. mining State of California, the Diggers, an inferior tribe of the >— — ., Apaches, were found by those who came thither to endure 18 48. hardship and gain fortune. Said a Californian miner, " When t0 we saw them prowling around, we shot them down as we would (The ' w°lves" This was perhaps the origin of the horrible idea of Country attempting the extermination of the Indians, which seems in being con- some measure to have prevailed in those regions.* Settlers the subject crowded into Oregon and took possession of the lands of the of Slavery, Indians, before agents had been sent to make treaties with them, ofthefndi- anc^ ^us PrePare tueir way . and there were then 42,000 in ans were Oregon and Washington ; and some of them, as the Walla- neglected.) Wallas, the Klamaths and tbe Umquas near Rogue river, in Oregon,— and tbe Yakimas, Spokanes, and others in Washing ton, have since shown themselves among the most subtle and warlike of the American aborigines. Nothing else but the massacres and Indian wars which occurred, could have been Mai H exPected from such a state of things. Battles have been fought and'the with various success. The war with the Yakimas was begun Yakimas. by the bad treatment of some of their squaws by the miners. forceToT Major Haller, in' 1855, going to meet them, found himself con- Indiahs fronted by a force many times larger than his own, and he, 1,500. considered himself fortunate in escaping with a small loss. 1§5§. The same Indians, united with others, in 1858, surrounded Col. Step- Col. Steptoe — having many times his force — and obliged him Unequal- to flee- The Nez-Perces and Flat-Heads succored the flying ity of force. Americans and saved them from total destruction. At length, 1858 on tlle lst of ^ept"' 1858' Co1" WriSnt> witn 300 men> met 500 Sept. i, Indians at the Four Lakes in Washington ; and without loss Col. defeated them, killing seventeen of their number, fea'ts them" ^n 1853, Gov. Stevens, of Washington, saw and made treaties with several of the tribes. In many cases, however, the stipu- Treaties lations of these treaties were not met on the part of the gov- violated. eminent. But agents — though an unsufficient number — are now among the Indians, on the Pacific ; and into the reserva tions, which have here been set apart, they are being gathered, and there instructed. Some of The Nez Perces, the Pend D'Oreilles,- and the Flat-Heads, the best of have always been friendly to the whites, and are now anxious Indians, to learn the arts of civilization. The undoubted policy of the government is to make the most of these good dispositions, ° Says Gen. Wool, in a communication to the National Intelligencer. " To show how determined the people of Oregon are to exterminate the Indians, it is only necessary to represent their conduct towards 400 Indians waiting on the military reserve at Fort Lane, to be conducted to the Coast Range reservations. Meetings were held, where the resolve was made, that if it was attempted to conduct these Indians to the Coast reserve-, they would kill not inly them but all who might accom pany them." THE TRIBES MOST CIVILIZED. 471 wherever they find them, and regard them as favoring breezes PART IV. in their difficult and yet uncertain task of Indian civilization, period v. In Arizona, south of the Gila, dwell the united tribes of the 0Hap. i. Pimas and Maricopas, who are already partially civilized, — liv- ._ ~^r—' ing in villages and subsisting mostly by agriculture. In 1846 they favored the Americans, — refusing to obey the Mexican Tto pimas authorities in cutting off Col. Cooke's command ; and they and then received promises of agricultural aid. But they have Maricopas. been grieved to find themselves overlooked by the American government They are a brave people ; and by maintaining a constant conflict with tlie Apaches, they give security to emi grants, and other travellers, taking the route by the Gila. The PT^? Pueblos and Moquis of New Mexico are peaceable and par- ^nd°S tially civilized, — unique in their customs, and retaining usages Moquis. which they held before the Spanish invasion. Tbe progress of civilization among tbe aborigines has no Civiliza- where been so marked as with the Mobilian races. It began ''S^vl' j!je before their removal by tbe government from the Gulf States ; the Indian and their settlement in the Indian territory, west of Arkansas, territory. has accelerated it. The Cherokees are the most numerous and civilized tribe of Indians in America.. The celebrated John Boss is their chief. Their capital is Talequah. The Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks are also settled — dwell in (t The houses, practise agriculture and the mechanic arts, and have , 5ll^?e. churches, common schools, and higher seminaries.! Some of for the the tribes in the Indikn Territory have parts of the Scriptures two sexes in their own language, and also, a few other books. But in stoppea for their schools the English language is taught. They are not want permitted to sell their reservations to tbe whites, and we hope of funds.) they may not be ; but that one place, in the whole wide conti nent which belonged to their fathers, may still be theirs. In Kansas were settled a number of tribes, as the Dela- Indians of wares,* Shawnees, &c, in the same manner as in the Indian KansaB- Territory ; but having been permitted to sell their lands, the , consequence is that the whites overreach and dispossess them. "^g Thus the presumption, that the Indian is the white man's Cherokees equal and can cope with him, would soon be utter ruin to the an^ race. The Cherokees have twenty schools, numbering 1100 - When in 1832, a portion of the Delawares resided at Green Bay, one of their chiefs, accompanied by two others, went to the banks of the Delaware Eiver, where, as the Lenni Lenape, the tribe held the highest rank, and kept open the council fire of the "Grandfather's Lodge." They came to Newark to ask of the Legislature of New Jersey that something should be given them as due in the case of a certain con tract. They were kindly received ; and although not legally entitled to recover any thing, yet the Legislature sent to the nation by the chief two thousand dollars as a memorial of their kindness and com passion. " With this sum the aged representative of a once numerous and warlike, but now wasted people, returned to his distant home with a grateful and gladdened heart." See in tbe New York Observer of Dec. 18, 1856, an article, "The Delaware Chief;" by Dr. William Alexander. 472 INDIAN MAGNIFICENCE. PART IV. pupils. The Creeks have in successful operation two manual- period v. labor boarding-schools, with eighty scholars in each ; one un- chap. x. der the Methodists, and one under the Presbyterian Board of v^ — ¦ Foreign Missions. Christianity has, it appears, many sincere converts among the Indians of the Territory, particularly 1850. among ^he Creeks; and if it prevails, with tbe righteousness, Aug. 7. temperance, and brotherly kindness which it inculcates, they Treaty may become a permanent people, and be eventually admitted, Creeks as they desire, as a State into the Federal Union. The Creeks by which have lately been instrumental in bringing to dwell beside them engage to a kindred tribe, the Seminoles, from Florida ; the government remove * giving them by treaty $200,000 on condition of their perform- the ing this service. emino es. rr-Q gn(j ^g best type 0f ^he Indian, who yet lives by bunt ing and fishing, we must seek north of the Upper Platte, from the Mississippi to the base of the Eocky Mountains. The The Sioux, whole southern part of this large space, is occupied by various Daeotahs. tribes of the great Sioux nation, who have developed higher moral traits, than belong to other savages. The Assiniboins Tliev arc are sometimes regarded as belonging- to the Sioux. The the mc-t Yanctonnais are their most powerful tribe. Unlike other In- of"ivncivil- dians, when they are dissatisfied with the government (as they ized In- have been recently, for obtaining from one of their tribes lands dians. which they maintain belong to the nation at large), they stand upon their dignity, and refuse to receive any presents. The (jThe*fan" Sioux, the Crows, and also the Blackfeet," a large and powerful but the ' tribe to the north, are regarded as containing the finest speci- tribe is ai- mens of Indian beauty ; — which they heighten by their dresses "tinctT °^ buckskin, curiously wrought with beads of many colors; and, when worn by a chief, surmounted by a coronet of eagles' feathers, sometimes continuing down the back almost to the feet. — The great want of these Indians is a true and life-giving religion. They have a devout belief in a Supreme , Being, whom they call the " Great Medicine," but of that im mortality, which is brought to light by the gospel, they have never heard. Among them is no civilizing influence — neither missionary nor school.* In 1853 a bunting- village of tbe Conjoux-Sioux was estab lished near Fort Laramie, on the opposite bank of the Upper a On Walpole Island, north of Detroit, the Eev. Mr. Jamieson, a Scotch Episcopalian missionary, with no assistant but his wife, began Success of a mission, twenty years ago, among the untaught Chippewas. He Mr. Jamie- made himself their physician and schoolmaster, and they made him eon atWal- their magistrate. His wife, on one fatal occasion, inoculated 300 for the pole Island small-pox, and thus saved many lives. The grateful people received and followed their teachings, and the whole island has felt the change. A church is built, and there are Bixty-three church-members. last year one of their principal chiefs came forward and made a public pro fession of Christianity, publicly burning his Indian idols. — Agriculture flourishes, and where were wigwams, are now hcuses, and barns, and school-houses, with the church in the midst. HOW THE SIOUX AVAR BEGAN. 473 Platte river. Two of the young braves having visited the fort PART IV. were improperly detained at the ferry. To show their displeas- PKKI0I)~ ure, they discharged their guns, but without actual or intended 0HAP. .. injury. For this act, Lieut. Fleming was dispatched from the .__ -^s fort with a small party, to demand the young men. The jg53. chief told him, and truly, that they were not in the village ; First step but Lieut. Fleming, believing that they were, fired upon the „. m •** Indians, killed three, and took two prisoners. Although the two hundred warriors present permitted him to depart in safety, yet revenge was harbored, especially by the kindred of the three who were shot. But Fleming's bold exploit gave him in the garrison such an enviable reputation, that Lieut. Grat- tan, lately arrived from his graduating honors at West Point, expressed his determination to seek a similar command. In tbe summer of 1854, the same tribe of the Sioux, with another, who were waiting to receive from an expected agent their treaty annuities, were encamped on the Platte, eight 1854. miles below the fort. The united villages numbered eight hun- Tte s™'ax dred lodges. While they deferred bunting, to wait for the Laramie. agent, their provisions failed, and hunger was upon them. At this time, a Mormon emigrant passed, who left behind him a lame cow. An Indian, straying from the camp, shot the ani mal, and his hungry companions soon devoured her. The shoot ing of an animal belonging to an emigrant, was reported at the a fausl17w fort. The venerable " Bear " chief was in the encampment of shot. the Sioux ; and be went himself to make explanations to Lieut. Fleming, the commandant of the fort ; who notwithstanding, Aug. la. insisted that the offending Indian must be given up. The ^e BeaV chief plead for time.— The next morning, the Indian not Varamie. ' having been sent, young Grattan obtained from Lieut. Fleming an order to proceed with a detachment of seventeen men to the Indian camp. Grattan increased the party by volunteers until it amounted in all to thirty-one, — well armed, and carry ing two howitzers. There were 1,500 warriors in the lodges. The offender not appearing at his demand, Lieut. Grattan went into the camp, and there gave his men tbe order to fire, notwithstanding, the old chief cried to his braves not to fire on the whites.* The next moment, he fell mortally wounded. Au_ 19_ The infuriated Indians rushed to revenge his blood, — and, in Massacre of five minutes, Grattan and all his men lay dead upon the field. Grat*an Thus, suddenly, had occurred a fatal event, totally unde- his party. signed, and unlooked for, by either party. The news spread with the rapidity of lightning, " and struck a terror as if a thunderbolt had fallen from a cloudless sky." The country was agitated with false and exaggerated accounts. The Sec retary of War called on congress for four new regiments. ° My authority for this, and other of these particulars, is Major Twiss ; who, residing, immediately after, as Indian agent at Fort Lara mie, took pains to collect and write out the circumstances of this war ; and he has favored me with the use of his manuscript. 474 FIVE NOBLE INDIANS. PAKT IV. AH the Indian traders left their posts and fled. — Immediately Feriod v. after the massacre, the Indians removed from the Platte to cuap. i. tbe head-waters of the White and Cheyenne rivers. The •— — y— — ¦ whole nation of the Sioux were regarded . by tbe govern- (See the ment as participants in the outrage ; and they, knowing that Sec. report ^g army 0f the "United States was to move against them, 1854-5.) believed, that utter extermination awaited their whole race. The kindred of the murdered chief bore among the tribes the dishonor of not having shed white blood in revenge ; the wail of mourning was still heard in the lodges, and would only cease when the manes of the dead were thus appeased. " While we yet live," they said, " let us bravely avenge his death." Then Red Leaf, his oldest brother, with a younger N^fi brother, and others, of their kindred went forth. The first Massacre of white persons they met were a party guarding the mail, and the Mail they killed them all. Party. jn sept,emljer, 1855, Gen. Harney having been ordered on the service, met the Sioux with a powerful force, — fought them Sent %' at ^e ^an(^ Hills, on the North Fork of the Platte, and gained Gen. Har- a complete victory, — killing 86 and wounding 70, with a loss ney defeats 0f five of his own men. kills'ss*' In the mean time, Major Tvviss had been appointed to the wounds' agency of the Upper Platte, at Fort Laramie. After Gen. . 70,- Harney's victory, a part of the tribes of the Sioux appeared killed 5.' friendly. Major Twiss informed the chiefs, that all who made their lodges south of the Platte should be regarded by him as friends. Large villages soon collected, among which were friends of the murderers of the mail party. That five of their number, including Red Leaf, should be given up, was the condition, on which Gen. Harney had promised peace to the whole nation. Major Twiss sent some of these friends to Red Leaf and his party with such a message as soon brought them to the fort. He then wrought upon them, until, with the self-devotion of the six burghers of Calais, they de termined to yield themselves a sacrifice to save their nation. The chief and his party wished first to go and hunt the buffalo, Deed of that their wives and children need not be hungry ; but they heroism of promised to return in ten days. Major Twiss believed them ; Red Leaf ancj within the time they came, mounted and prepared to go to others. Ft. Leavenworth, and there surrender themselves to the officers of justice. They were accompanied by many of their tribe ; and before they bade adieu to their friends, they rode round the camp, gorgeously arrayed, and solemnly chanting their death- song. After their departure^ Major Twiss wrote to the President of the United States, urging that they should not be put to death. The remainder of their history may be known by the following letter from the Indian bureau to the superintendency which included the Sioux. After speaking of tbe voluntary surrender of the five Indians who killed the mail party, the letter adds " The President has been pleased to act in accordance with the LOPEZ LANDS AT CARDENAS. 475 recommendation of Major Twiss, and has pardoned them. The part IV. war department will have them taken back within the limits PEBI0D ^~ of their country, where Major Twiss will receive them at the chap. n. ' hands of the military, and take measures to place them among >— — ,, ¦• their friends," — all of which was done — the five having been 1856. six months absent. They were joyfully received, and peace was Feb i established. "We desire," said one of their aged chiefs, to Letter from Major Twiss, " that our Great Father will send us a man of God pe^y^ftho to teach us how to do good, and also a teacher for our children, . Indian that they may learn to think and act like the white men. We clT'cnm- wish to turn our minds and the minds of our children from tho min£' SuD't- war-path. We are anxious to do right, but how can we know the right path from the wrong, wheu we are not taught ?" CHAPTEE II. Invasion of Cuba. — Evidences of Progress. — The Japan Expedition. — China. On the 16th of December, the National Assembly of the ls-ft Republic of Switzerland, in open session at Berne, ratified, with Dec. 16^ extraordinary tokens of satisfaction, a treaty of amity and com- Swiss treaty nierce, which had been previously negotiated between the two by Mr. Fay. Republics of America and Switzerland. It is now known,* that, to divide the Union, was a foregone conclusion with the ultra Southern leaders; with the intention, oni^""8 however, to stay in it, and operate secretly against it,. with its Southern own resources, until they had put themselves fully on vantage known' in ground. One of their principal objects was to increase the area 1S64- of the South, by adding such foreign possessions as would eventually make the Southern Confederacy a great and power ful nation. Of these they chiefly coveted the island of Cuba; and they united for their own purpose with the Cuban Junta,* The Cuban a band of patriots, whose high object was to free their native Junta land from the Spanish yoke; and who sought sympathy and aid among the Liberals of this country. They found it in sin cerity among some, both north and south ; but most of those who accompanied Lopez, the Cuban general, were in the South ern interest ; and all knew that the act was politically wrong. When it was known that an unlawful armament was prepar ing to sail from New Orleans, President Fillmore forbade it by bis proclamation; but, nevertheless, 600 men, under Lopez, ttZjre' proceeded to sea — pretended emigrants — in vessels clearing for Cuba. Chagres. They made a landing at Cardenas, on the island bandit of Cuba ; but they found, not friends, as they expected, but Cardenas. foes in arms. After a bloody skirmish, and the burning of a few houses, the party re-embarked, intending to land again, * The accomplished Secretary of the Cuban Junta, Miguel T. Tolon, waB the translator of this History into S >anish. He resided for a time in New York. 476 CLAY, WEBSTER, A> D CALHOUN. PART IV. but their men compelled them to go to Key West,f the nearest period v P0,'t 011 the American coast. chap. ii. -^ second attempt on Cuba, received the countenance of , , some men of position and influence at the South. Gen. Quitman, governor-elect of Mississippi, and others at New __,, Orleans, were arrested by the United States authorities, on t May 22. the charge of setting on foot an unlawful expedition. But Arrive at they were not convicted ; and Lopez, with 400 men, again Key west. sa;]e(j from New Orleans. In nine days he debarked at Playtas, on the northwestern coast of Cuba. Taking 300 of Lopez' k's men, he marched 10 miles inland to Las Pozas, leaving sails. 100 with the chivalric Col. Crittenden. As he was conveying to Lopez, stores and ammunition from the ship, he was met Aug. 12. by 500 Cubans, not to be hailed as a liberator, but to be He de- fought as a piratical invader. Crittenden made a gallant de* fence, but he was overpowered, taken prisoner, and shot. . . Lopez, defeated, fled to the mountains, where his party were Crittenden pursued, hunted by dogs, taken, and put to death. Lopez shot.— 26, suffered as a malefactor by the garotte. earottcd ^e Hungarian patriot, Kossuth, having been brought from Turkey in a national vessel, was received in New York with an enthusiasm unknown since the reception of La Fayette. 1851. He pathetically .plead the cause of his " down-trodden Hun- Oct, 15. gary," and collected for her use " material aid," in the several arrives in cities of the United States. But the Government, as such, New York, could not receive tbe condemned fugitive of a nation with whom it was at peace. 1852. During the administration of Mr. Fillmore, Mr. Webster, He departs though known to be a rival aspirant for the next presidency, land was by him steadily maintained as his chief secretary. Du ring this period, Mr. Clay, — his vital energies exhausted by his June 29. last great services to his country, declined, and peacefully ex- Clay dies pired at Washington. He was mourned, by tbe whole nation, "'ngto^' with a filial sorrow- aged 72. At the approach of the presidential election, the nominat ing convention of the Whig party, passing over Mr. Fillmore, and also Mr. Webster, who, since the death of Mr. Clay, had Oct. 21. been tbe political head of the party, gave the nomination to Webster Gen. Scott, believing that his great military services would M ^hiHd nlsure bim the election. Mr. Webster fell into a decline, and Marc i 31,' died. John C. Calhoun, the compeer of Clay and Webster, ih.'!. John had preceded them to an honored grave by only two years. C diSl'at111 Edward Everett, of Boston, was appointed by Mr. Fillmore, to Washing- succeed in the department of state. tou> The Democratic party, in like manner, passed over their real political leaders, and nominated Gen. Feanklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, beloved as a citizen, and known to the public as a member of congress, and an officer in the Mexican War. The method of platforms, or party creeds to be sub scribed by candidates for the presidency, began to prevail, EVIDENCES OF PEOGEESS. 477 In this election those of both parties were required to pledge themselves to the support of the compromise measures, such was the high estimation in which they were held by the nation. Gen. Pierce, and Wm. R. King of Alabama, were chosen Presi dent, and Vice-President. Gen. Pierce was inaugurated, March 4th, 1853 ; but Mr. King was then in the West Indies, vainly seeking relief from a fatal malady.* Gen. Atchison, of Missouri, being chosen president of the Senate, became, ex-officio, Vice- President of the United States. The Secretary of State, during the whole administration of Gen. Pierce, was the able states man, William L. Marcy. An important event in the world's progress, was the " Exhi bition of the Works of Industry of all Nations," opened at Lon don, by Queen Victoria, and held in the immense " Crystal Palace ;'" itself a wonder of art. A similar exhibition whs inaugurated by President Pierce in New York, where a Crystal Palace* was erected, — much less extensive, but equally beauti ful ; and made interesting from the varied productions of art from every nation ; chiefly, however, from our own broad country. This period is distinguished for progress in popular educa tion. States made liberal provision — normal schools were es tablished, and teachers, associating for mutual improvement, met cordially, in county, state, and national associations. In July, 1854, a "World's Educational Convention" met in Lon don, under the auspices of a society, at the head of which was Prince Albert. St. Martin's Hall was assigned as the place of meeting, and there were exhibited the products of the edu cational industry of nations. Martin Koszta, a Hungarian, having resided two years in the United States, had taken the primary steps towards naturaliza tion, and held an American protection ; but, while engaged in business in Smyrna, be was seized by a boat's crew, placed on board an Austrian brig of war, and kept in irons to be sent to the port of Trieste. The American legation at Constantinople and consul at Smyrna, were both vainly seeking his release. The affair coming to the knowledge of Capt. Ingraham, who had arrived in the port with a ship of war, he demanded Koszta ; and bringing his guns to bear upon the brig, threat- ' ened its destruction if he was not surrendered at a given hour. The Austrian authorities yielded up Koszta. Congress voted Capt. Ingraham a sword. At no period of American history had the republic occupied so commanding a position, in regard to foreign nations, as that which followed1 the brilliant successes, the military fame, and the large accession of territory gained in the Mexican war. The compromise measures had apparently quieted for the time the deadly strife between the North and the South; and a second, though brief period of domestic " good feeling" was . enjoyed by the nation at large. PART IV. PERIOD V. CHAP. 11. (t April 13. W. E. King Vice-Presi dent of the U.S. Died in Selma, Alabama.) 1851. May 1. "World's Fair. (t Mf.de of glass and iron.) 1853. a July. American Crystal Palaoe ooened. 1855. July. "World's Educational Convention at London. 1853. July. Captain Ingraham obliges tbe Austrians to liberate Mar tin Koszta High foreign position and domestic peaca 478 AMERICA RESPECTED ABROAD. PART IV. Congress, on the 3d of March, 1851, passed a law, diminish- peeiod v ^n§ *ne postage of ordinary letters to all parts of the Union, chap. n. except the Pacific coast, to three cents, and to that region, to *— - -r~~- ' twelve and a half cents each. This not only gave business 1851. facilities, but social happiness, to a people whose families are Ttoe°cents °ften scattered from ocean to ocean. Never before has a postage; human government done so much, and required so little. Yet hlff cents to parties were then existing within its precincts, who were the Pacific plotting its overthrow ; notwithstanding its operations, abroad as well as at home, were wisely pursuing the public good. The Japan Expemtion should be made a prominent feature in American history. It opened to the brotherhood of nations ofthe'japaii an empire of thirty millions of inhabitants ; it gave to America Expedition. a consideration, not only in that empire, but in China, as late events have proved ; and it has shown, to every part of our confederacy, the advantage of belonging to a great and power ful nation. " We have seen," said the Japanese Commissioner to Commodore Perry, " the map of your country." !'-•«»- ^e wealthy Japan Islands were first brought to European 'Marco Polo notice by the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo." They were publishes early visited by the Portuguese, who abused the confidence of Di8 travels the people, and unhappily wrought in their minds such a l - x t batred of Christianity, that they put to death all Christian Portusuese converts ; and, for two centuries, allowed no foreigners in their visit .Japan, country, but such as would show their contempt for Christian ity by trampling on the Cross.1' If foreign vessels were 'ttrntran™ stranded upon their shores, the crews were detained prisoners iinion the and not allowed to mingle with their people. In this way, hldl null sixteen Americans, the crew of a shipwrecked vessel, had been ^"wTmo detained and imprisoned for seventeen months. Capt. Glynn, with an American ship-of-war, sailed into the harbor of Yeddo, 18-16. an(* demanded these sailors. After making some show of his Capt Glynn force, and refusing to accept a denial, he gained his point and in japan. br0Ughf; home the prisoners. After the Pacific coast was added to the American Repub lic, the important object of obtaining for it tbe trade of the 1851. opposite shores of the ocean, led to using the power and 't'iiie d-ipa' resources of the nation in fitting out the Japan Expedition. were Commodore Perry, brother to the hero of Lake Erie, had given ouehanna, much study to the history and character of the Japanese ; and, PotvpfatSn' ^e Columbus, be was inspired with a passion to make a great Alleghany,' attempt. The president, Mr. Fillmore, — his first secretary, Mr. Van.Xpp, Webster, and his second, Mr. Everett, all gave the scheme their Macedonian, earnest support; and a noble armament'1' was prepared, con- Plymouth, sisting of four war steamers, one seventy-four gun ship, four Supply, sloops of war, and three armed store-ships. Commodore Perry and South'- sailed from Norfolk, May 24, 1852, and made tbe Southern ampton. ports 0f China on his way ; thus gaining important informa tion, and inspiring the Chinese with a high idea of the power and dignity of his nation. FIRMNESS WITH COURTESY. 470 From China the squadron visited the islands of Lew Chew, PAKT IV. a dependency of Japan ; and here Commodore Perry made a PERI0D v. successful experiment of a system of tactics, which, from a CHAP. n. knowledge of human nature, and a right appreciation of a . _, ^ ¦ proud, ceremonious, and exclusive people, he had prepared to adopt. He overawed them by the show of bis naval strength, J^?f* and excited their admiration by tbe elegance of his appoint- Com. Perry ments and evolutions. The people, who came in crowds, were in Hong made to know, — courteously but certainly, — that every point IvonS- which he made, he should carry. And so, with form and ceremony, disregarding their politely expressed prohibitions, he Jjf ^ 4* did whatever be pleased, and went wherever he chose ; even to Cora. Perry making a visit to the royal abode. He entertained their arrives at officers sumptuously on board his ship, and parted with them the* great on tbe best of terms. Lew Chew. The squadron on reaching Japan, where its arrival was not unexpected, proceeded up the Bay of Yeddo ; and, in gallant trim and thoroughly prepared for action, cast anchor in the harbor of Uraga. Hundreds of guard-boats came around the squadron, as had been customary with other foreign vessels (thus putting them under a species of arrest), the people ex- 4^?' pecting to come on board to gratify their curiosity and receive Com.JPer'ry refreshments. But the Americans were not to be thus un- arrives at ceremoniously treated ; and their approaches were repelled by 5 y?idc swords and cutlasses flashing in their faces, but not wounding them. Next came a boat alongside the flag-ship in which was an officer. But he was only the vice-governor of Uraga, and tbe high commander of the American squadron, who came to bring a letter from the President of the great Eepublic of .America to the Emperor of Japan, would not confer with any one below his own rank. The governor himself soon came ; and be was courteously received on board the flag-ship, and sumptuously entertained. But Commodore Perry could only deliver bis letter to the emperor in person, or to one of his highest officers of state. Couriers passed and repassed to the emperor's court at Yeddo, and the Prince of Idzu was ap pointed, who wished to come for the letter on board the flag ship ; but that would not be duly respectful to the President of the United States. It could only be delivered on land, and i§53. near the capital. Then a temporary building was erected at July 17. Uraga; and on the appointed day, the ships which moved Com. Perry with steam (a novel sight to tbe Japanese), approached and tbe pre3i- anchored near. Then appeared Commodore Perry with great dent's let- pomp, attended by five hundred officers and men, the two p^"*! boxes of rosewood and gold, containing the president's letter, idzu. and the treaty-making credentials of the commodore, carried by negroes richly dressed, all passing through the floating draperieB arranged on each side, — while thousands of eager eyes were gazing with admiration. The Prince of Idzu received tbe letters to be taken to the emperor. All was done in form Kanagawa. 1859. 480 A GREAT SUCCESS. PAET IV. and in silence. The commodore and his officers were then period v feasted by the governor of Uraga. In the letters which the Theo- ses of settling new territories. It was usually from the nearer Dwight, states, and by free laborers. The Emigrant Aid Society fur- Pres. of the nished, first and last, 1300 emigrants." All the bona-fide set-1^^!^'' tiers, including those who came as friends to slavery, as well the author as the opposite party, were indignant at " the invasion" of the that they 30th of March ; and greatly excited by tbe subsequent pro- 3 Ooo.) ceedings of the usurping legislature. Their first measure, in augurating a series of measures, — which became revolutionary belting of as regarded the territorial legislature, — was to hold a meeting in free-state Lawrence, and adopt a memorial to congress ; setting forth, £|tw1reern'0gt that notwithstanding they were entitled, both by general (Removal right, and by special law, to self-government, and in this confi- of Reeder dence had left their homes, yet this right was now wrested ar^mndA from them, — they were outraged and subjugated, — and they to him the called for relief on congress, and on all their fellow-citizens of same dRy-) 0 Nov. 29. Reeder before taking the census ordered an election of delegates to congress. Whitfield was chosen, mostly by illegal votes. 484 THE TOPEKA CONSTITUTION. PART IV. every state. By the people assembled at Lawrence, it was re- perkjd v s0'ived to nominate Reeder, now removed from office, for their chap. in. delegate in congress ;f and finally they made formal arrange- . , ments for a meeting of delegates from all the actual settlers to assemble at Big Springs. 1855. A large meeting, at Big Springs," denounced the legisla- (+ Oct. a, ture, and declared they would never submit to its enact- eferted!aS nients, but " all other means failing, resist them to a blooiiy is- Whitfictld sue." They made formal arrangements that all the bona-fide w _ elt'[<'.ed settlers should be invited to choose delegates to a convention pro-slavery at Topeka. There they organized a provisional government,11 Par'y, and placed James H. Lane as first on its executive committee ; "'-' and they resolved that a convention should be called to form a •Sept. 5, 6. state constitution. The committee accordingly issued their %g ^ mandate, and members were elected. The convention met at Revolu-' Topeka,0 and formed a constitution, which was, on the 15th of tionary December, approved by the people ; and was placed in the 'settlers as nands of Reeder to carry to the House of Representatives, respects with their petition to be admitted as a state. the legisla- These proceedings enraged tbe pro-slavery party. They lue' met at Leavenworth'1 and denounced them as revolutionary, — ' SJr^vn 19 took the style of the " law and order" party, — made arrange- First Tope- ments for stopping and turning back eastern emigrants on the ka Con ven- Mississippi river, organized a committee in Leavenworth to see the revolu- tna,t 1101le opposed to slavery either remained there, or passed tionary into the territory to settle. -Arrangements were here made moasm-o of to bring a force against Lawrence, which they rightly consid- ianal Gov- ered as the head-quarters of the opposers of slavery. emment. To serve as an excuse for this predetermined foray, Sheriff 1S55 J°nes of Douglas county wrote to Gov. Shannon, the succes- « Oct. 23. or of Reeder, that Lawrence was in rebellion ; and be called on Conven- him to send all "law-abiding citizens" to bis aid in executing a le- atTolieka §a^ process in which he had been forcibly resisted.* Shannon awl form a sent out his mandate, and about two thousand men appeared, Constitu- having armed themselves by forcibly breaking open the United States Arsenal at Liberty. By their leaders they were en- J r^Sl1* caEQped on the Wakerusa river, six miles from Lawrence. But very meet- Robinson and the other principal men there, were careful ing in Leaven worth, e One Branson, a free-state man, had taken from the street the • Nov 27 k°dy °f his friend and boarder, young Dow, who had been shot by Jones ' Coleman, a pro-slavery man, in a dispute about a land-claim. Two makes a supposed accomplices in the murder swore the peace against Branson ; requisition ans house given up, but rifles, as private property, were withheld. The stood on printing presses of the " Kansas Republican," and the " Herald ^': £r_f8' of Freedom," with the Emigrant Aid Hotel were next de- Robinson stroyed. The latter, and the house of Gov. Robinson were had made burned. Stores and private dwellings were entered by the 'ofhospf- inilitary, and Lawrence was " sacked." tality.) The Emigrant Aid Hotel was a high building, and Robin son's house stood on an elevation half a mile from the city. Their flames shone far over the country, and the sight seemed to madden the already excited people ; and the more prudent could no longer restrain thenij, " We will make war on those who make war on us," was the language of such men as John Brown, who was the first and most noted of the leaders of the free-state guerilla bands, who began at this time to organize for aggression, as well as defence. A party having willingly joined him, he took, at Potawatomie Creek, five pro-slavery men, three named Doyle — a father and his two sons — with May 26. two others. After a mock trial, they were shot. The leaders ^^hree at Lawrence censured and disowned these proceedings. Their Doyles policy, which was enjoined by their eastern friends who were ""jf two aiding them and in whose judgment they confided, was "to keep themselves right on the record," and patiently endure ; though it might be harder than to resist. . , M After tbe sacking of Lawrence, the southern military were june jujy. quartered on the Kansans, occupying four fortified camps, in In Titus' different parts of the territory; the prinoipal of which had, for inland its central point, the fortified hohse of Major Titus,f near Le- the other compton.* These troops had among them the refuse of the prisoners r r ° were kept.) ° In an address of the delegates assembled at Topeka, March 10, L857, they say : " Like a swarm of Egyptian locusts, this force canied desolation where they went." There were among the officers, who came on with this southern army, those, who, seeing the state of things, immediately returned ; and in some instances, they published in southern papers their disap probation. Many of the soldiers on enlisting had supposed they were to become emigrants. After the horrors of the summer of 1856, most of them ceased to bear arms, and either returned to +he south, or settled in the territory. 488 "BLEEDING KANSAS." PART IV. 1856. June 6. Ossawato- mie sacked. Battle of Ossawato mie. Brown vic torious. Emigrants abused ; (begin to go by Iowa and Ne braska.) August. Vigilance Committee in Leaven worth. May 25. WilliamPhillips tarred and feathered. Sept. 1. He is shot at Leaven worth, by Captain Emory, on Bloody Monday. south, and they were now let loose on the peaceable free-state settlers, in such deeds of robbery, arson, rapine, and murder, as those who sent them to establish slavery little dreamed of. Thus the poor settlers were placed between two fires. While the guerilla bands, under Brown and others, were seeking to expel or destroy their armed opponents, they regarding it as no robbery to take horses or money from the pro-slavery set tlers ; — men were coming from Missouri, under Capt. Pate, Gen. Reed, and others, to aid the southerners, and to take Brown's party, who considered tbe property of the free-state settlers as forfeited by the rules of war. These hostile parties often met and fought ; and their skirmishes (in which, though num bers were killed, it is wonderful, how little blood was shed), are in the annals of Kansas dignified as battles.* In the most bloody of these, that of Ossawatomie, John Brown was the hero. Two of his sons had been taken ; one had been killed, and the other tortured to insanity, and Ossawatomie, near which he lived, had been sacked, with shocking and disgusting cir cumstances of robbery, rapine, and murder. With a mounted band of thirty, Brown is said to have attacked three hundred, under Pate and Reed ; and after killing a number equal to his own, and taking as many prisoners, to have escaped unhurt. At length, the free-state combatants broke up the fortified camps. But, meanwhile, indescribable were tbe sufferings of tbe peaceful settlers, especially tbe women. They were left alone, or with their helpless infants in their solitary homes, their husbands being in the war, — while, on both sides, robbers, murderers, ravishers, and house-burners were abroad, — unre strained by law. During this period, emigrants, coming up the Missouri river to Kansas, were forcibly turned back ; their property, es pecially their arms, taken from them, and their families dis tressed. Many of them were persuaded to settle down in Missouri, and their influence has since been felt. In Leaven worth a " vigilance committee," with violence and abuse, turned out of the city all who assumed independence of opinion on the slavery question. For this cause they murdered in his own house, William Phillips, a young lawyer, — who had before, for the same offence, committed in Weston, been tarred, feath ered, rode on a rail, and sold at a sham auction by a negro.§ * " One remarkable feature," says Dr. Gihon, " in all these Kansas battles is, that though fought by persons enraged and infuriated, the loss was quite insignificant. Those who suffered death, were mur dered." § This indignity was practised upon several free-state men. The Rev. Pardee Butler was twice tarred and feathered, and once set adrift on the Missouri river, on a small Taft, because he was not "sound on the goose,"— the common slang-phrase to denote a man's devotion to the slavery cause. Several printing presses were demol ished. LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE. 189 Though many affected at this time to turn " The shrieks of PART IV. bleeding Kansas" into a jest, — yet lecturers, among whom was PERI0D v_ Reeder, resounded them throughout the free states ; and men, 0HAP_ 1T_ money, and " Sharp's rifles," were on the way to Kansas ; not . . through Missouri, but by Chicago, through Iowa and Ne braska. President Pierce, blaming the Kansans, as rebels to 18*6. lawful government, had ordered the military, under the com mand of Col. Sumner at Fort Leavenworth to interpose ; and be had marched onto their battle-grounds, and partially put a July 4. stop to their raids. When the free-state legislature met at To- T,J°P]etar6 peka, be, with a company of United States dragoons, forci- forcibly bly dispersed them. dispersed. Lawrence had rallied, and had sent a military force of 300 mounted men, under Lane, to Lecompton, — to demand Robin- July 9. son and bis fellow-prisoners. The marshal assured him, that Tjecompton he was just about discharging them on bail, — which being demands done, they returned to their homes. Gov. Shannon had E<_jnt.|0en resigned, and the worthy Gov. Geary, was appointed to other pris- succeed him. Travelling with his secretary, Dr. Gihon, up oners. the Missouri, he met Shannon, who was fleeing for bis life. Says Dr. Gihon,f "his description of the country was fright- <(t See ful and horrible." " A destructive civil war was raging, mur- and7 der ran rampant ; and the roads were everywhere strown Kansas," with the bodies of slaughtered men." ^Giho11 N Gov. Geary, in passing through Missouri, saw, under drill, a secretary company of ignorant young volunteers, who had enlisted, as of Gov. they told him, to go into Kansas "to extinguish the abolition- ^eary.) ists." At Leavenworth, while he condemned the outrages against free-state men, he, at tbe same time, showed his im partial justice, by sending out a detachment of United States The in- troops, who took prisoners thirty mounted men of that party, g£,_!J °f engaged in an unlawful expedition against Hickory Point. p0int. Passing onwards to Lecompton, he saw the ravages of war, in j, 1Q the blackened ruins of burned houses, and in fields laid waste ; (f shot be- and be chanced to witness the dying struggles of poor Buf- cause he fum,f exclaiming, " Oh, it was a foul murder !" — and he re- "J^g up solved that he would bring tbe murderer to justice. his horse Geary was sent to settle differences and make peace. The *° *dj^T influence of public opinion, on the approaching presidential election demanded it. The United States' forces, now about to be transferred to the command of Gen. Percifer F. Smith, were to be used at bis discretion. Arrived at Lecompton, he Sept. IL issued his proclamation, commanding all military organizations Geary's in the territory to disband. Lane immediately disbanded his tmiTat'Le'- forces, and went east to burry on the approaching emigrants, compton. Meantime 2,700 men, mostly from Missouri, bad collected, with five pieces of artillery, and encamped within four gept 14i miles of Lawrence. The inhabitants fearing instant destruc- Geary at tion, appealed to the governor. He came to their relief with Lawrence. 300 United States dragoons ; and found men, with women, and 34 4P0 GOV. GEAEY ILL-TEEATED. PART IV. some children, armed, and preparing to resist. Gov. Geary, period vT after taking them under his protection, proceeded to the camp ; chap. v. and conferring with Atchison, and the other leaders, persuad- . ^,^-p^- ed them to disband their troops, and return to their homes.* CHAPTEK V. Geary's troubles. — Presidential election. — Walker's Governorship. 1856. Oct. 10. 240 emi grants ar rested. Oct. 14. They are dismissed by Gov. Geary. 1857. Jan. 12. Lecompton Legislature assembled. Attempt to assassinate Gov. Geary (see Dr. Gihon's book). (t A great meeting at Lecompton to sympa thize with Geary.) August. Woodson,by procla mation, calls to gether nearly three thou sand men. Exultant at his success, Gov. Geary proclaimed that peace was restored to Kansas. But applying himself to organize a legislature and a judicial tribunal, under which the inhabitants of the territory could live in peace, with any prospect of equal justice, he found he had undertaken what he could not ac complish. Meanwhile, one of the parties of emigrants advancing under the lead of Gen. Pomeroy, through Iowa, was arrested on en tering Kansas, by Marshal Donaldson, — having with him a de tachment of United States troops under Col. Cooke. They were conducted as prisoners to Lecompton ; and although the quantity of arms which they brought with them was suspicious, yet they satisfied Gov. Geary, that they came as bonu-fide set tlers ; and he sent them in peace to their several destinations. The legislature called together by the governor, assembled at Lecompton, January 12. Gov. Geary sent them a long mes sage, hoping to prevail on them to abolish their despotic laws, and enact such as were good and impartial. But before they organized, they held a meeting in which they resolved to pay no regard to his recommendations, — and if he vetoed any bill to pass it by a two-thirds vote. On the floor of the house the most shocking and profane abuse was heaped upon him ; and on occasion of his visiting the legislature, an attempt was even made upon his life. This outrage produced a reaction, and the pro-slavery set tlers united with the others in publicly denouncing it. The prisoners taken at Hickory Point were left unguarded and might have departed ; but they voluntarily remained to guard, they said, the life of Geary. All the free-state men had such confidence in him, that they would then have submitted to the usurped government, had he been allowed to administer it. They told him their troubles, and be tried to help them. No a The pro-slavery leaders, after getting rid of Shannon, had made use of his secretary, Woodson, to call together this considerable force ; believing, that they must make a great effort before Geary came, whose character they understood, or give up Kansas ; for they knew that already a large majority of the voters were free-state men. Had their intentions been carried out, what but a bloody civil war, involv ing the whole country, could have res-Jted ? PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 491 murder of a free-state man, they said,* bad ever been punished PART IV. by law. The murderer of Buffum, Geary had discovered, but PEK10_y7 be could not have him apprehended, until he sent, at bis own 0HAPi v. expense, Major Titus with a military party. Hay, the mur- . _, . - derer, was then indicted ; but was dismissed on nominal bail by Judge Lecompte. A second time the same process was en- „ , acted. Gov. Geary sent long accounts of these affairs to murrlered Washington ; but artful counter-statements were also for- Buffum, warded by Lecompte and others. Secretary Marcy sent them sue*^pe ° to Geary — coolly remarking, that he desired to call his attention to the discrepancies between those statements and his own, of jjaroy's which he expected an explanation. Thus did artful misrepre- letter to sentations avail to poison the minds of the authorities at Wash- Geary. ington against their own chosen officers.* Lecompte was sus tained in office. Geary tendered his resignation, to take effect Geary ,,„,„,•' & resigns. on the 4th of March. On that day, James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was inaugu- .. „,-_ rated President of the United States, and John C. Brecken- March I. ridge of Kentucky, Vice-president. Inaugura- There had been three candidates in the field. Each party jj^hanan had met in convention, and each had adopted a party creed, and Breck- called a platform, to which their several candidates had sub- enridge. scribed. Under the Philadelphia platform John C. Fremont received the vote of the Republican party ; but he lost the i§56. election, because conservative men of the north — who were yet June 18. the friends of Kansas — would do nothing to endanger the Republican Union, — which they feared might be the consequence of the meet at offence which this platform gave to the south. The American Phlladel- party had for its motto " Americans must rule America." They p feared the influence which the priesthood of the Catholic church had over a large portion of the foreign-born population, which c^ven- they believed was felt in elections. Chiefly in order to com- tion of the bat it, they formed a secret society called the " Know Noth- American ings."§ This society constituted the nucleus of the American at phiia- party, by which Mr. Fillmore was sele.cted as candidate. Tbe delphia. Cincinnati platform, besides the general doctrines of the demo cratic party, acknowledged the right of the actual residents of any territory, " acting through a legally and freely expressed will of the majority," to make their own laws. Mr. Buchanan, lone- known, and well beloved by his compatriots, agreeing to May 22- .1 • i ,e li-j-u i • -x Democratic this platform, was elected by a large -majority. Convention ; meet at Cincinnati. * The Ostend Manifesto-, was a writing, signed at Ostend in Belgium, by the three American ministers—Mr. Buehanan at London, Mr. Mason at -, Qeii_ Paris, and Mr. Slidell at Madrid. To the latter, since known as the most subtle and crafty of the Southern leaders, this measure is universally ascribed. Its import was, " Cuba is necessary to the United States." Spain considered it an affront. Mr. Buchanan, in signing it, is regarded as having pledged himself to uphold the Southern policy, in case ofbeing, by Southern interest, made President of the United States. But at that time he was doubtless ignorant, that, to upheld the Southern policy, was to conspire against the Union. 1864. 492 THE DRED SCOTT DECISION. PART IV. On the day succeeding the inauguration, a majority of the Supreme Court of the United States gave important decisions growing out of the case of a negro, Dred Scott, claiming of his master his freedom. It was held by a majority of the court that even a free negro, whose ancestors were brought to this country and sold as slaves (as were those of Dred Scott), was not a " citizen" of the United States within the meaning of the constitution, — and therefore, not entitled to sue in the United States Courts. They decided, as Mr. Calhoun had formerly taught, that the territories, acquired by the United States, were for the common benefit of all its citizens ; and all were equally entitled to go and make their homes there, carrying with them whatever was allowed by the constitution to be their property ; and that this included their slaves. These decisions were, gen erally, received at the north, as is expressed by the following resolution of the legislature of the state of New York. "The Supreme Court of the United States has by identifying itself -with a sectional and aggressive party, impaired the confidence and respect of the people."* The first care of the new president was to make a judicious selection of a governor and secretary for Kansas ; and Robert J. Walker and Frederick P. Stanton, both men of distinction, and southerners, were prevailed upon to accept these offices. Stanton preceded Walker by six weeks. He was, when he went into the territory, as he says, " a real border ruffian,"f regarding the territorial legislature as a legal power, and all those who opposed it, as rebels and enemies to the public peace. His first official duty, however, led him to understand its char acter, by the unfair arrangements which it had made in pre paring for the election of members to form a new constitution. these were No one could vote unless his name was found on a registry of suclTas had v°ters made expressly for the occasion ; and to obtain this the fewest registry, a new census had been taken by their officers. To nhabi- apportion the districts for the election of the sixty members who were to form the convention, was Stanton's first official duty ; and here he learned, to his astonishment, that, the cen sus-takers had passed over just one-half the counties,! and in the registry of voters they had, in the other half, omitted many amves. 0f ^g free.state party. This party, thus situated, refused to go into the election ; although assured by Gov. Walker, E?e«-onof w'30 ^ad ^en arrived, that the constitution, when formed, members should be submitted to the people. The result of this election to the showed a small vote, — as it was given by a minority of all the Constitu- v°ters, — -but it was in favor of the pro-slavery party ; which tion. was, therefore, the maker of the Lecompton constitution. The scene now changes, and the people of Kansas, for the first time obtain their right of self-government. Mr. Buchanan PERIOD V. 1857. March 5. The Dred Scott Decision. Robert J. Walker and F. P. Stanton governor and secre tary of Kansas. April 15. Stanton arrives in Kansas. (t A name which Mis- sourians engaged ii: this con test, as sumed.) (tOf course tants.) Last of M.iv. Wall, or * The course of Kansas has now shown that the Dred Scott decision is not of so great practical moment as had been supposed. FEATJD AND FOLLY. 493 had given stringent orders that the polls should be guarded PART IV. from violence ; and to this end had placed 2,000 United States pb'Kiod v. troops under the command of Gov. Walker. He assured the 0HJ^. v. -people that if they would vote in the election which was to . _, , . take place (by decree of the first legislature, on the 9th of Octo ber) for a new legislature, that the polls should be protected. _ „-„ The free-state men, believing him, voted, and carried the elec- Oct. 9." tion. But they came near to losing it by a stupendous fraud Election of committed under a new and crafty set of leaders, of whom Legislature the surveyor-general, John Calhoun, was at the head.* He theFree- was made president of the convention for forming the Con- Stateparty. stitution, which assembled on the 5th of September, — but, un derstanding that the free-state men would vote in the October Sept. 5- election, they adjourned till the 7th of November, when they Convention again assembled and completed the constitution. It was to be assemble. submitted to the people on the 21st of December, — when they y6^8™^ were to vote in the words, " for the constitution with slavery," or " for the constitution without slavery :" but a schedule was y, „, appended, not to be voted on, making hereditary slavery per- The people manent, and providing, that the constitution should not be t0 v°te altered till 1864, and then only by a two-thirds vote. tion anl" To the . president, Mr. Calhoun, the returns of this voting way. were to be made, as also of another election, that of members to a state legislature, to be held under it, on the 4th of January, t By law 1858,f the day that the free-state legislature (thus to be super- "g^taial seded) was by law to meet. The free-state people were fiercely legislature. indignant. Gov. Walker had left the territory on a visit to Washington, and they persuaded Secretary Stanton to ante- Deo. 19. date the meeting of their legislature to the 19th of December. Meeting The first day of their session, they remonstrated to congress Free-State against the Lecompton constitution, declaring it a usurpation legislature to which they would never submit ; and they appointed the g^t,,^ succeeding 4th of January § to take a vote of the people, They sit whether they would or would not accept it. forty days. * They found, that, as the apportionment had been made, if a pro- i ass slavery majority could be obtained in the southeastern districts, the jan 4 * whole legislature would be controlled. From the precinct of Oxford, Importance where were 43 voters, and from McGee county, where no poll was 0f this opened, returns were sent to Stanton — from Oxford, containing 1,600 date in the , » votes, and from McGee county, 1,200. The leaders had given Walker annals of and Stanton to understand, that their offices depended on their accept- Kansas. ance of these fraudulent votes. These gentlemen found, however, that the fraud was too enormous ; and, after visiting the places, they threw out the votes, on the ground, not of the fraud, but of informality in the returns. The returns of these "bogus voters," it is said, were made out at Westport, Mo. , where the names were copied at hap-hazard from an old Cincinnati directory. When Stanton received them, in a great roll of papers pasted together lawyer-fashion, he unrolled it upon the floor of his office, and it stretched^to the length of 40 feet. § The date, the 4th of January, 1858, is apt to make confusion in the history of Kansas, because it occurs in several independent con nections. 494 THE FOUETH OF JANUARY, '58. 1857. Dee. 21. Vote, Con stitution withoutslavery. PART IV. On the 21st of December, the vote had been taken, "Con stitution with slavery," or without, and Calhoun reported 6,226 votes for " Constitution with slavery." These votes on being afterwards examined, by a committee of investigation, which this legislature appointed, 2,^00 of them were shown to be fraudulent.* The vote of the people, as cast on the Lecomp ton constitution, by the law of the free-state legislature, was the largest ever polled in Kansas, there being a majority of 9,512 against the constitution.! The Lecompton constitution was now by Mr. Calhoun car ried to Washington. He placed it — no doubt with his own ver- 1. It was the day when the second chosen legislature were to have met by decree of the first. 2. It was the day when by decree of the second or free-state legis lature, the Lecompton constitution was fairly submitted to an election. of the people, and the votes returned to their own officers. 3. It was the day when, by decree of the Lecompton constitution, the people voted (the returns being made to Calhoun) for members of a state legislature under the Lecompton constitution. A mistake occurs in the president's special message of February 2d, from the great discrepancy between the large majority given by the free-state voters against the Lecompton constitution and the small ma jority that day given by the same voters for members of a legislature which would exist in case that constitution was accepted by congress. The reason of this was, that the free-state party had a heated dispute and disagreement among themselves, as to the expediency of voting in that election ; and their regular convention {believing that it would give an argument in congress in favor of an instrument which they all hated) decided against going into the election at all ; but a large num ber, strongly disagreeing, " bolted," and they voted (but under protest, against the constitution) and elected, by a small majority, men under whom they might have rallied in case congress had forced upon them the Lecompton constitution. Robinson and the editors of the ' ' Law rence Republican, " were among these bolters — thereby showing that they -were willing to risk their popularity, to preserve peace in the Union. Calhoun, who received these votes, it was said, kept them "in his breeches pocket," but the investigations of the committee of the free-state legislature brought to light the truth of the case. 51 While this committee were pursuing their investigations, those votes which had been returned to Calhoun were missing. A secret Fraud of witness had seen men start out at midnight from his office to his the " Dela- wood-pile, and there conceal a wooden box. He made a drawing of ware Cross- the spot, and placed it in the hands of Capt. Walker, the sheriff— who, ing," and soon after, demanded the votes at the office, on a warrant. " They discovery are not here," he was told. "Search the office." " I shall not search of the can- the office, but the wood-pile," said the sheriff; and there he soon ¦lie-box. unearthed the candle-box, containing the missing votes. Thus was this fraud, which was chiefly that of the ' ' Delaware Crossing," brought to light. § The vote polled was 11,300 against the constitution, and 1,788 for it. But whoever supposes that all who were against that constitution were against slavery, will commit an error. They were rather against violence, and fraud, and usurpation ; and none were more so than were some of the few slaveholders in the territory. We have now [Jan., 1860] returns of the last election of members of the Kansas legisla ture, and we find there are in the council 4 pro-slavery to 9 free-state men, and in the house 15 pro-slavery to 24 free-state members ; show ing a majority, but a less proportion of free-state men. LECOMPTON CONSTITUTION REJECTED. 495 sion of affairs — in the hands of the president, who, impressed PART IV. with the belief that its adoption by congress would quiet Kan- TbkjodvT sas, and restore harmony to the nation, sent it to the House of 0HAP, v- Representatives, with a special commendatory message. In ¦ ,_ the Senate, Mr. Toombs of Georgia, in behalf of a committee of fifteen, spoke in its defence; Mr. Seward of New York, op- ,fi(.s posed him, taking tbe extreme ground against slavery ; while Fet, %' Mr. Bell of Tennessee, and Mr. Crittenden of Kentucky, took a Special niddle conservative ground — showing that the question was message. not now, whether slavery shall prevail in Kansas, but, whether American citizens shall have their rights. Congress having made several attempts to agree on some plan of settlement, finally adopted the " English bill." By this, *rj!Je4- the people of Kansas were to vote whether certain government « English lands which might be used for schools and other public uses, El1-'' So would be acceptable to themselves : to which, if they agreed, j£s author it was to be understood that they were in favor of the Lecomp- a member ton constitution ; and in that case, they would immediately ot'theH.R. become a state : but if they voted against accepting the lands, it would be a rejection of the constitution ; and they were not Tte^an. again to apply to congress till they had a number of inhabit- sans reject ants (93,423) sufficient to entitle them to one representative the Le- in congress. On the 9th of August, by tbe large majority of constitu- 11,300 to 1,788, the people of Kansas rejected tbe Lecompton tion. constitution. While the English bill was pending, Capt. Hamilton, who with two of his brothers came from the south in 1855, be lieved that the free-state people might yet be intimidated, if blood were actually shed. , He raised an armed band who rode at noonday into the small town of Trading Post, and seized twelve of the unsuspecting people : one, an old man, one, a youth found behind the counter, and one, a minister of jg5gt the Gospel. They then took them about three miles to a ra- May 19. vine near a small stream, called the Marais des Cygnes, and Massacre ranging them in a line, Hamilton gave the word, fire, when Marais des they all fell — five dead. One showing signs of life, Hamilton Cygnes. stooped down and shot him in the ear. Some, by feigning death, saved their lives.* The people aroused, and under the brave old partisan leader, James Montgomery (a cousin of him who fell at Quebec), they pursued the murderers with M 29 200 men. But failing to overtake them, 'they sought in law- Conven- less ways, to right existing wrongs, — especially at Marmaton tion at j ti * a .ii Raysville and I1 ort ocott. during Gov. Denver, who had succeeded Walker, visited the region ; Gov. and persuading Montgomery to lay down his arms, restored ^^'"^ quiet to the country. Gov. Medary has succeeded Denver, southeast . of Kansas! s For the names of the persons killed at the massacre of the Marak des Cygnet, and other minute particulars, see "Kansas in 1858" by Wm. H. Tomlinson. 496 AMERICA TAKES A LEADING PART. PART IV. The Kansans have recently formed at Wyandotte a constitu- period v. tion to be offered for acceptance to congress. They have "hap. vi. elected under it a legislature, and again chosen Bobinson gov- v___ _, ernor. 1855. April 14. Notice of the Ameri can govern ment to Denmark. 1857. March 1±. Treaty for tho aboli tion of the sound dues perfected. 1850. First Grinnell Expedition under De Haven. t One of the ships furnished to Lieut. De Haven. CHAPTEE VI. The Sound Dues. — Dr. Kane's Arctic Expeditions. — Walker, the Filibuster. — Mormon War. — The Revulsion. — Paraguay. — England and America. Having continued unbroken, the chain of the interior history of the Republic, during the years in which it turned upon that of Kansas, we now give our attention to such other matters of the last decade, as lie within our province to record. The " Sound Dues " were a premium claimed by Denmark from the ships of every nation, passing her islands to enter the Baltic sea. By the treaty of 1826, America had agreed to pay this tribute ; but with the reserved right of abrogating the treaty after ten years, on a year's previous notice being given. Mr. Marcy, the American Secretary, gave this notice to the Danish government on the 14th of April, 1855, — with his exceptions to the Sound Dues, as an exaction, unreasonable, and behind the spirit of the age. Other nations united in the remonstrance, thus set on foot by the American government ; and the affair was settled, by tbe final abolition of the Sound Dues, and the substitution of a specific sum of money. Thus this grand highway is now free to all nations. In 1845, the British navigator, Sir John Franklin, left England on a voyage of exploration to the Arctic regions, from which he did not return. His wife, Lady Jane Franklin,* made moving appeals, that he should be sought for, both to Britain and America, — which were favorably received in both. And not only governments, but generous individuals, interest ed themselves in the search. Mr. Henry Grinnell, a wealthy merchant of New York, sent out for this purpose two ships under Lieut. De Haven. He returned without effecting the object. One of his party, Dr. Elisha Kane of Philadelphia, was inspired with tbe wish to continue the search ; and also to explore, in regard to an open polar sea, of which he surmised the existence. Dr. Kane was encouraged by Mr. Grinnell, who furnished his vessel — the Advance ;f by the American banker, George Peabody, residing in London, who gave the necessary funds for an ordinary outfit ; and by the Geographical and other American Societies, which provided scientific instruments ; and, lastly, by the American government, — which furnished the s This noble woman came to America, in 1846, and spent several days in examining the regulations, and learning the studies and modes of teaching in the Female Seminary at Troy. DE. KANE'S AECTIC EXPEDITION. 497 majority of the seventeen men who went with Dr. Kane in the PART IV. Advance. Sailing along the coast of Greenland into high fEBT;or;~ northern seas, they encountered a terrific storm in latitude 0HAP TI' 18°, in which they lost their cables and anchors. They found, __"._ on the western coast of Greenland, a sheltered spot, which ^53. they called Bensselaer Harbor ; and there they placed their May so. vessel, and there still are her remains. They fitted up ' her Dr- ?ane cabins for their home, not only for one winter, but for two. , salls'. Their bold explorations — travelling in various directions with ASstorm°' dog-trains — extending their observations north two degrees Sept. beyond the eightieth, and the indications they there found of They de an open polar sea— their sufferings and adventures among the t^™£ barbarous Esquimaux — all these, recorded by the pen and Rensselaer pencil of Dr. Kane, have made this one of tbe most famous Harbor. voyages on record. During four months in each winter they saw not tbe sun. On the 20th of May, 1855, they bade adieu to tbe Advance ; and, with sledges and light boats, commenced their perilous journey homeward. At God-haven, on the 1855. coast of Greenland, they were found, and from thence brought 0c> n: home by Lieut. Hartstein : who, with two vessels, bad been New York. sent, fbr that object, by Mr. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy. In 1853, the ultra Southern leaders, intent on enlarging Southern territory, encouraged William Walker, an ambitious and unprincipled demagogue of San Francisco, to set on foot an expedition, which sailed, on the 17th of October, 1853, with fifty-three men from that port. The object was to pre- 1853. vail on the people of Old California and Sonora to declare w'n?7- independence, and then raise the American flag. Believing sajis. they would willingly join him, he landed on the western shore of the Gulf of California, at La Paz. He took prisoner the Oct. 28. acting governor and his successor, killed six men in a skirmish, At La Paz. and then removed his head-quarters to San Lucas, from whence nov, g, be proclaimed tbe independence of Lower California. Send- At San ing an account of his success to San Francisco, and receiving Luoa3- reinforcements from thence, he then, at Ensenada, proclaimed (t Walker freedom to Sonora.f Ifonora ) But Walker found, wherever he went, that the inhabitants were loyal to the Mexican government, and hostile to him ; his men were frequently killed in skirmishes, his supplies were -„., cut off, and at length the miserable remnant of his party were February. relieved, and taken to San Francisco by a vessel dispatched Walker from thence to Ensenada by Gen. Wool ; whom the govern- ™cstcrs de ment had sent to California, with directions to put a stop to lieved by violations of tbe neutrality laws.* Sen- Wool. ° This he had effected, , by the prompt and energetic measures of ,?"' ^ :'vtCu-_ arresting, at San Francisco, Walker's second in command, about to go jnvasionU to him with men and munitions ; and also the French and Mexican consuls, who, with the French Count de Roussel Bourbon, were plot ting to relieve Walker by sending 3000 men, under the Count, to take joint possession of Sonora. 498 WALKEE THE FILIBUSTEE. PART IV. PERIOD V. CHAP. VI. 1854.May 17. Walker leaves San Francisco. (t It is be lieved that as many as 2,000 lives were here sacrificed.) 1853. Brigham Young niade Governor of Utah. Mormon ism. But although Walker had showed himself reckless of the lives and sufferings of his fellow-men, yet there were those who admired his daring enterprise, and were still willing to join him in another filibustering expedition. This was undertaken against the government of Nicaragua ; where a rebellion was in progress, headed by a man named Chamorro. By him Walker was commissioned as a general^ and instructed to offer untold quantities of land to those who would follow him to that country, as emigrants. With this object, sixty-five men sailed with him from San Francisco. Arrived at Nicaragua, Walker so artfully played his game, that he raised himself above both the contending parties, formed a new constitution, and caused himself to be elected president. This apparent success being reported in the United States, sent to bis standard hundreds of his deluded countrymen.t But a strong party were fighting against him ; and Costa Eica, the adjoining state, becoming alarmed, sent an army to their aid. The struggle was long and desperate ; but it ended in the overthrow of Walker, and the miserable death of most of his followers — many of whom perished by the effects of the torrid climate, quickened by intemperance. The poor remains of Walker's army were rescued in part by American govern ment vessels, and in part by two British men-of-war. Of the three thousand supposed to have followed him, but about six hundred,* and they maimed and sickly, returned to their country. The governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, on the 11th of May, 1858, made an appeal to the great Powers of Europe to protect them against lawless invasions from the United States. • After Utah was made a territory, President Fillmore unfortunately appointed Brigham Young governor ; thus ap parently adding the sanction of the general government to his already despotic powers, as "prophet, seer, and revela- tor of tbe Mormon church." Such of the judges and other officers appointed, as were not Mormons, soon found that neither the laws of the land, nor the usages of civilized society, could be there maintained. The whole community were bound to their chief, either as accomplices in crime, or as fanatical dupes, believing that bis will and word were those of God. The Danites, a secret military organization, were his avenging spirits,— ready to take off, by poison or otherwise, any man whom his spies should report as about to escape,§ or any * June 28, 1857, Commodore Paulding brought to New York, in the Wabash, 121 of Walker's men ; August 3, the frigate Roanoke brought 204 ; and, August 18, the steamer Tennessee, 275 — making in all 600. Commodore Paulding took Walker from Nicaragua, for which that government officially returned him their thanks. § " The Parish family," says Horace Greeley, " undertook to return to the States. They were warned that they would be killed if they ' persisted. They did persist, and were killed. Of course nobody will ever be convicted of their murder." THE MOEMON WAR. 499 woman who should dare refuse to marry or join a harem, at PART iV. his dictation. These secret murders no Mormon may or will period' v. disclose. Impannelled as a grand jury, they will not indict ; 0hap. vi. as a petit jury, they will not convict. At length, the whole- ¦^^Y^^- sale murder of an emigrant train of eighty persons, at Moun tain Meadows, charged upon the Indians, but believed (now known) to have been the work of the Mormons, aroused the country. Mr. Buchanan removed Brigham Young, and ap- 1857. pointed Mr. Cumming, of Georgia, his successor ; who, with Brigham other officers, set out for the territory under the escort of a removed. detachment of U. S. troops. When Brigham Young learned these measures, he issued a treasonable proclamation ; openly sept. 18. assuming sovereign powers, and declaring bis purpose of Brigham resisting tbe United States authority by force of arms, — pro- Prociama- claiming martial law, and ordering out all his troops. Congress tion. empowered the President to send against him an additional and competent force. In the spring of 1858, the troops June. intended for this service were detained on account of the A™y b«- troubles in Kansas, till it was too late before the army of Utah march. began their march across the plains. Gen. Johnson, their able leader, would, however, have had them comfortably fed, as well AI)ec- 14- as sheltered, at Fort Bridger, but that the Mormons burnt and into camp wholly destroyed, on Green River, a provision train of eighty at Ft. wagons. This left the army to diminished rations, and the BndSer- fear of starvation, before supplies could be obtained in the spring. In this condition, one of the officers, Captain Marcy — Nov. 24. well-chosen by the commander — with sixty-five men, heroically Captam ^ undertook one of the most perilous enterprises on record. He gms his crossed, at the dead of winter, the drifted, pathless plains and perilous mountains, from Fort Bridger to the towns of New Mexico — marc " obtained provisions, and, though believed to have perished with his little army, he emerged from the waste of snows, having 1858. in three months marched 1,300 miles, and brought supplies, ^?b™ary- to the great relief of the suffering army. Gen. Garland, in r;vesyand command at New Mexico, had made every exertion to assist relieves tha him, and furnished him on his return with a guard of mounted army rifles. This is another instance, in which American officers and soldiers have done great honor to the nation. Ih April, Mr. Buchanan, wishing to save a bloody conflict, April. sent two commissioners, Messrs. Powell and McCulloch, . to s°ion™s" treat with tbe Mormons. Brigham Young having found that, sunt. in tbe near vicinity of 2,500 U. S. troops, his militia were not to be relied on, negotiated and made fair promises. The army peacefully passed through Salt Lake City, and forty-five miles southwest they encamped in Cedar Valley, built houses of adobe, and called the place Camp Floyd.* But the farce * The army there are so exceedingly dissatisfied with their condi- Major John tion, that, at least, one meritorious officer has resigned. He says that w-sf.£* ps' between 2,000 and 3,000 men are there ; so distant from the seat of Bifg.-Qen. tbe territorial government, that they can afford no protection to the 500 THE "eevuision" op '57. PART IV. — « PKltlOD v. CHAP. VI. 1858. Banks resume payment. of the Mormons voluntarily submitting themselves is almost at an1 end ; the insecurity of life and property, and the degradation of woman continues. Brigham Young, with his Danite guard, is the same lawless tyrant now as before.* In the summer of 1857, occurred one of those sudden and far-spreading seasons of business calamity, which has received the name of '' revulsion." The first great failure was that of the " Life and Trust Company" of Cincinnati, on the 24th of August. The Philadelphia banks suspended specie payment on the 25th of September; those of New York on the 13th of October; and those of Boston the day after. The country banks were, of course, obliged to follow their lead. The courts of New York set an example of leniency to the banks ; decid ing that suspension was not to be regarded as failure, when the accounts of any bank showed that it was not insolvent. This revulsion extended, not only throughout the United States, but to the British Islands, — and, in fact, to all maritime Europe. In June of the following year, the banks began to resume pay ment, and trade has now returned to its usual course; but many a broken merchant will never retrieve his fortunes. Within the last ten years intercommunication with South America has increased. The great rivers Amazon and La Plata, with their tributaries, have been partially laid open to our commerce. There has, however, been a difficulty with the Republic of Paraguay. After Gen. Urquiza had defeated Rosas, the tyrant of the Argentine Confederation, and himself NOTE, 1$64. people, nor aid to any civil officer desirous of doing his duty ; in fact, they can do nothing but disburse the U. S. money, to the upholding of that citadel of abominations, Salt Lake City. If martial law had been proclaimed, he thinks the difficulties might have been settled ; but Mormonism is yet a hard problem to solve. For the sake of suffering female humanity, we hope that laws (not ex post facto) against polygamy will be passed by Congress, and measures taken to enforce them. Brigham Young has proved himself faithless, and could hardly expect to save himself by a second negotiation. - An article is going the rounds of tbe papers (Jan., 1860), contain ing Brigham Young's assertion of the diminution of numbers at Salt Lake. It may be true, but Brigham Young is poor authority. Three years ago, when he wanted to intimidate, he asserted that the Mor mons had become so numerous, that he could send out an army of 10,000; but be tried to raise 1,000, and failed. Now he has again every thing in his own way ; and what he wants is, doubtless, to be let alone ; and he may represent his numbers as small. It is probable, from what is now known, that tbe Mormon war was one of the measures got up by the Southern leaders to aid the evil purposes of the rebellion. Gen. Albert S. Johnson turns out to have been one of the most active of the Southern leaders. After he met Brigham Young, there seems to have been a cordial understanding between the two, each playing into the other's hands ; — Brigham, ap parently submitting to the D. S. authority, kept matters quiet for the time, while the army were, as Gen. Phelps said, upholding him in pursuing his own objects. Gen. Johnson went from Utah to California with the traitorous purpose of bringing California into the rebellion. A GRAND RECEPTION IN PARAGUAY. ' ' 501 had been made its provisional dictator, the waters of the La PART IV. Plata were declared to be opened to the world. The U. S. PEBIOdV government immediately sent thither Commander Page with 0HAP, VI. the steamer Water Witch. At Monte Video he took in the ^—^i, ministers of England and France, and being himself vested with diplomatic powers, the three proceeded together up the 1853. Parana, and each negotiated with Gen. Urquiza a treaty of T™Jfill6S amity and commerce. On returning, Commander Page pub- Urquiza. lished his partial explorations, and the government sent him back in the same vessel to continue them. On reaching The insult Paraguay, the president, .Lopez, refused to ratify the treaty of !|2-tne 1853, but bis people barbarously attacked the Water Witch, -witch. and killed one of her men. An American commissioner, Mr. Fitzpatrick, sent to demand satisfaction, was treated with dis respect. Congress, on the 2d of June, 1858, empowered the 1858. President to employ such a force, as in his judgment would q""° 29's bring tbe offending nation to terms ; and he sent out a squadron resent the of nineteen vessels under Commodore Shubrick. At Monte injuries of Video, the American Commissioner, Mr. Bowlin, came on alaSuay- board the flag-ship Fulton, in which he proceeded up the Parana, leaving the other vessels behind to be called into action if necessary. At the city of Parana, the capital of the Argentine Confederation, Mr. Bowlin was warmly received by the gallant Urquiza, still its dictator. His offer of a formal mediation with the President of Paraguay, Mr. Bowlin de clined, because there were points of honor in dispute ; but Urquiza generously preceded the American squadron to 1859. Assumption, the capital of Paraguay, and used his influence MJan>' 2^'- with Lopez to persuade him to a friendly settlement. Lopez atAssuttip- then prepared to receive the embassy in state ; and as the 'ion- American Commissioner, attended by all the officers of the frigate, was received by the President of Paraguay, — with his high officers in attendance, and in the presence of the Dictator of the Argentine Confederacy, — a novel scene was passing in the heart of South America, which may be hailed as the harbinger of advancing civilization. In three weeks, a satisfactory treaty Feb. 10. of amity and commerce was negotiated, due apologies were Tr?a'y made, and ten thousand dollars given as an indemnity to the Paraguay. family of the slain mariner. Disagreements between England and America have repeated ly occurred within the last ten years, but they have, thus far, had a peaceful termination. The Claytcm-Bulwer treaty, which was negotiated at Washington by the British Minister, Sir Henry Bulwer, and Mr. Clayton, the American Secretary, con cerned Central America; the object of each party being to 1854. keep the other from controlling the transit across the isthmus, SerE'- 9- and to keep it free to all. nations. This treaty — differently Reciprocity understood by the different parties — has proved a fruitful source Treaty of disputes. The Reciprocity treaty respected Canada, and ^g^at was negotiated by Lord Elgin, the governor-general, and ton. 502 QUEEN VICTORIA ON BOARD THE RESOLUTE. PAKT IV. 1855. Mr. Cramp- ton is recalled. 1858. May. Right of search abandoned in the British parliament. 1859. Sept. 6-en. Scott sent to St. Juan. 1858. December The Resolute sent to England. Secretary Marcy. By it, duties formerly paid were on each side remitted, and thus traffic on the border much facilitated. In the summer of 1854, Great Britain, having engaged in war with Russia, opened a recruiting service in Canada, intending to receive volunteers from the United States, and in carrying it on, the British Minister, Mr. Crampton, and two of the British Consuls in the United States, violated national law, and so offended the American government, that the re call of Mr. Crampton was requested by Secretary Marcy, and peacefully obtained by Mr. Buchanan, — then resident minister in London. — And here we record a remarkable act of British magnanimity, which, we hope, shows the improved moral tone of the world. — British vessels having attempted to search American, Secretary Cass made complaint, and wrote to Mr. Dallas, minister at -London, boldly and ably on the subject Parliament voluntarily took up the question, and frankly aban doned, what they acknowledged had been falsely called the British right of search. A dispute had arisen, concerning the ownership of the island of St. Juan, in the straits of Fuca. Gen. Scott was seut thither by Mr. Buchanan, Gen. Harney having, it was feared, en dangered the peace of the country, by excluding the British from a joint occupation of the island, — to which, though it may be found contrary to treaty stipulations, they had been accustomed. Gen. Scott returned after having restored the mutual occupancy, leaving the right to the island to be de cided by the civil powers.* We have seen how America united with England in the search for Sir John Franklin. Another example of national comity occurs in the finding by Americans of the British Arctic discovery ship Resolute which had been abandoned by the crew — her purchase and fitting up by the American govern ment, and their sending her to Great Britain by Lieut. Hart- stein. Tbe Queen, to whom she was delivered, came on board of her; and received from American seamen the homage due to virtue, still more than to rank. The officers received on shore every hospitable attention which the neighboring nobil ity and gentry could bestow upon them. NOTE, 1864. * The policy of Great Britain was at this time to avoid a war with America. Nothing would have, more effectually, put a stop to the progress of the rebellion than for her to have gone to war with the entire American nation. As soon as she could find a pretext — which the affair of the Trent afforded — for making war with the North when ner own people could be brought to join the South, she eagerly seized it. But our Executive wisely took it from her, by sending over Mason and Slidell ; and soon after, by his Emancipation Proclamation, he effectually put himself in sympathy with British emancipationists , who, after that, would not willingly fight President Lincoln to uphold slavery. GOLD IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 503 CHAPTEE VII. Territorial extension. — Routes of travel to the Pacific. —Cause, of the PART Diminution of Foreign Immigration. — Riots. — Disasters by sea -ind land. Benefactions. — Mount Vernon Association. period v. CHAP. VII. In the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a mistake was made _^, in describing the southern boundary of the ceded territory, — in consequence of the incorrectness of the map appended to the ig4g. treaty, after which the description was made. From this arose Feb. 2. the long dispute concerning the Mesilla Valley, and the sub- Tp"eat? of sequent treaty made in Mexico by the American envoy Mr. inpe h;. Gadsden ; by which the government quieted its title to the dalgo. valley, and obtained another small territory south of the river p ??{r Gila; both amounting to 160,000 acres, and dearly paid for purchase by ten millions of dollars.* The territory is Called Arizona, and made. is for the present appended to New Mexico. The valuable manure called guano, when first known, could i ssg. be found only on islands belonging to Peru*. That govern- August. ment was exacting, and disagreements arose ; when congress, J-^w by in August, 1856, passed a law, by which American navigators no islands" were directed, if they found any a unclaimed islands, rocks, or are keys containing guano," to take possession of them. Several seoursd- were found, and possession taken in the name of the United States. California has continued her unprecedented increase, and 1858-9. now contains, it is said, 700,000 inhabitants. Gold mines have G°t1pf£a.la recently been discovered at Pike's Peak, on the Rocky Moun- Peak. tains, west of Kansas, and a considerable population has thus 1858. been attracted thither. Oregon and Minnesota were admitted Qreeon to the Union as states in May, 1858. Washington was made and Min- a territory in 1853. The Union now, 1860, numbers thirty- nesota ad- three states, and five incorporated territories, exclusive of the "st.atesp1'' District of Columbia. One ol the most prominent objects of the present decade, has been the establishment of routes of travel, to connect together the eastern and western parts of the republic. The Gadsden g0..tnei.n purchase was made, because it afforded an eligible route for a Pacific R. Southern Pacific railroad, to begin in Texas and pass south of B- t0 Pa* s th^Gila. _ the Gila. Another and more northern Pacific railroad is needed ; and several routes have been surveyed by order of Congress. The important step, in the world's commercial progress, of carrying a railroad across the Isthmus of Darien, was accom plished in 1854, — by a company of New York merchants, of * The Southern leaders, when they could obtain advantages by impov.er- jq-ote ishing the Treasury of the Union, made a double stroke of policy. The jj- ISM. Gadsden purchase cost half as much as California and New Mexico, CHAP. VII. 504 PACIFIC ROUTES OF TRAVEL. PART IV. whom Mr. Aspinwall was chief; the right of way having pre- period v viously been secured by the government, in a treaty with New Grenada. On the 22d of January, 1858, the road was opened , from Aspinwall to Panama ; and the rude inhabitants of the 1858. Isthmus forests, saw for the first time the fire and steam of the Jan. 22. wonderful self-moving engine, with its train of travelling and The first mercantile apartments. Another American Company, by stip- the Isth- ulationf with Mexico, have made a good stage-road through mus. (It is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ; but of more immediate import- Cel6atated atice' ^as keen the opening of an overland mail route," by Panama.) which regular weekly communication is kept up between St. „ Louis and San Francisco. The telegraph wires to accompany Dec. 2u! ^ are already laid along a considerable part of tbe way. f'Slooand The years from 1850 to 1860, have been generally attended Garay" by health. New Orleans has, however, been afflicted more or less during tbe summers with yellow fever;* and Norfolk, in ia-„ Virginia, was, in the summer of 1855, almost depopulated by ¦> First maii that desolating scourge. from Sept. Within the decade, foreign emigration has greatly dimin- 18 t0(l0ct- ished. In 1850, the number of foreign emigrants was 350,000, *([nis5s whereas for the years 1858 and 1859, it has not been over Now Or- 80,000. This diminution is partly owing to an improved state 's.186 ancf °^ things for the laborer in Ireland ; and partly, no doubt, to other 'years that loss of character which America has sustained in Europe an average by the civil war in Kansas, and other disorders as reported by 1,500.) European journalists, who have inferred that the government Arrival of is in a state of anarchy. In this connection, it is well to in- foreign quire what, besides the Kansas war, occurred within the time e-mlfo?Qts to give occasion of slander to the country's enemies. What- 78,499, in ever they suppose menaces the stability oi the Union will be 1859, grst noticed. And under this head we name the laws which some of the northern states have made, nullifying the fugitive- slave law ; the aid and countenance given by individuals in Three- these states to escaped slaves, and the occasional riotous pro- fourths of ceedings of mobs to deliver those arrested, from the power of the crimes the civil authority. On the other hand, infractions of law have U 's ' have Deen committed by the South, in the severity with which of late Northern persons have been treated, who have been suspected been by 0f holding insurrectionary intercourse with the slaves ; and there have been men at the South who have held unlawful commerce with the importers of slaves from Africa. — Growing out of the disagreement between the North and the South, unhappy disorders have occurred in Congress. In the Senate, 1856. on the 2d of May, 1856, Senator Sumner of Massachusetts M»fs"ckS was assau'ted in bis seat, and severely wounded by Preston S. assaults Brooks, a member of the House of Representatives, in retalia- Senator tion for an attack made in Mr. Sumner's speech, the day before, SUisIseat.n uPon n's aSe<^ an<* venerable relative, Senator Butler, of South Carolina. Threatening language, especially from Southern members, had become common, and deadly was tbe war LAWLESS PROCEEDINGS. 505 of words, of which the halls of Congress had now become tbe arena.* In April, 1856, tbe Quarantine buildings, on Staten Island, - were burnt in the night; the sick were carried out, laid on the grass, and otherwise exposed. Gov. King, of New York, pro claimed the transaction to be a lawless outrage ; and called out the militia to guard the remaining property. " Vigilance Committees" had been in existence in St. »&%q Francisco some four or five years, and they had taken sev- May 14* eral prisoners from the hands of the law and hung them. Vigilance On tbe 4th of May, 1856, they,— then amounting to 3,000 CoXnganee men from among the most respectable inhabitants of San Fran- Francisco cisco, — believing that the courts of justice were either over- hang two awed or bribed, took from the jail two men, the murderers of James King and Gen. Richardson, and after assuming to try them, they bung them on the day of King's funeral. This committee were too strong, and had too much cause for their measures, to be put down or punished, although the gov ernor resisted their action, and appealed to the President of the United States for aid. This shows the importance, if we would avoid anarchy, to maintain an independent and able judiciary. Baltimore, the capital of Maryland, was infested, till recently, (t Now, with organized bands,f committing occasional murders, and un- t?60! these lawfully interfering to control elections by force and fraud. A put down set of these ruffians, calling themselves " Plug Uglies," went to and order Washington on the first of June, 1857, to control, by force, an restored0 election there. They overpowered the police, — when, at the re quest of the mayor, the marines were ordered out. Five of the *,pp?- invaders were killed, and seventeen wounded, before they could marines be quelled. In New York, in Louisville, and in other places, return the there have been occasional riots ; but when we look over this thePlua- broad country, and behold its numbers of happy families, and Uglies, reflect that nowhere else has mankind ever enjoyed so much kill "'."Pi* liberty and prosperity with so great a degree of security, we are led to btess our Almighty Preserver that so great a degree * The ultra Southern leaders, remaining fixed in their traitorous N0TE purpose to break up the Union, notwithstanding the pathetic elo- 1864 quence of a noble band of patriots (of whom were John J. Crittenden and John A. Gilmer) were no doubt designedly insolent to Northern , members ; hoping thereby to provoke such retaliation as should give them a shadow of excuse for their treason against the best of govern ments. Slavery, which the ablest of their early statesmen had con demned, they now affected to discover was a choice blessing which they had a special mission to maintain and extend ; and after pushing it, by the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise, through the terri tories, they now inflicted the outrage on the conscientious abolitionists of the North, as to declare that the Dred Scot decision had established it over the whole Union. Said Senator Toombs, of Georgia, ' ' I shall yet read the roll-call of my slaves under Bunker Hill monument." 506 DISASTERS BY LAND AND SEA. PART IV. of peace and safety has been enjoyed. If every life lost by the period v violence of wicked men during the last decade could be num- chap. vii." bered, and compared with a list of the deaths caused by the ¦ _ explosion of lamps, where the dangerous substance called cam- phene is used, we should probably find the deaths in the two I860, cases very nearly equal. If we compare the number of deaths thatfthe by violence to those by railroad accidents, we shall find the deaths by latter many times greater ; if with those lost by accidents at Kent's du-~ sea' we s^a^ ^nc* *^e number of lives lost by violence, small ring the in comparison. last year Of the many railroad accidentsf during the last ten years, the l 0oo.) most fatal, and — in regard to the timeless fate of several chil dren of a Sunday-school excursion — the most affecting, occurred Railroad a short distance out of Philadelphia, on the N. Pennsylvania losses, Railroad. Sixty were killed and seventy-eight wounded. — On 1856, the New York and New Haven Railroad, at Norwalk, the I nl v 7 ¦ near fhila- drawbridge being left open, the train of cars was precipitated delphia. into the stream beneath. Forty-five were killed and fifty ^ Sg- wounded. — By an accident on the Susquehanna Railroad, near Baltimore, on the 1st of November, 1853, thirty were killed, .„-„ and more wounded. — On the 29th of August, 1855, near Bur- May 6." bngton, in New Jersey, a disaster occurred by a private car- At Nor- riage crossing the track, as the train, — its action just reversed, K 45 was S0'11,? rapidly backwards. The collision destroyed twenty- W. so. three lives, and wounded and maimed more than double the number. About the same amount of loss was suffered soon after by an accident on the Pacific Railroad, in Missouri. Of the numerous cases of the loss of life and property by sea, one of the most disastrous occurred on the 25th of January, Jan 25* 1854. The steamer San Francisco had sailed from New Loss of tiie York with seven hundred persons on board, a part of whom • San Fran- Were United States soldiers. She foundered at sea, and two perished, hundred and forty lives were lost. The remainder were saved by three small vessels. Four U. S. officers, among whom was Col. John M.Washington, perished. — The April following, the . , ,. ship Powhatan, from Havre to New York, having on board The Pow- three hundred and eleven emigrants, went ashore in a gale, on hatan. 811 the dangerous coast of Long Island, and every soul was lost. lives lost. rpjle .. Collins" line of American steamers, plying between New York and Liverpool, were celebrated throughout the world for The Arc- the elegance, — even to superfluity, with which these "floating tie. 822 palaces" were finished and furnished. One of them, the Arctic, perished. Qapt. Luce, on her way to New York, when near Cape Race, came in collision (the fog being dense), with the French screw- 1856. steamer Vesta. The bows of the Arctic stove in, and she went Pacific lost down with three hundred and twenty-two of her crew and pas- at sea. sengers. — On the 26th of January, 1856, the Pacific, another Pe400hed °^ t'iese spk^id steamers, left Liverpool having on board four hundred persons. She was lost at sea, and none escaped to tell where she foundered. — The Central America, Capt. Hern- THE PURCHASE OP WASHINGTON'S HOME. 50Y den, on her way from Aspinwall to New York, with five hun dred and seventy-nine persons on board, after touching at Havana, was destroyed by a terrific storm. After a part of her passengers bad been washed overboard, a small American brig, the Marine, appeared. The gallant Hernden, with great exertion, sent aboard her, all she could take, — preferring the women and children ; and himself went down with the remain der of his passengers, in the wreck of his own ship. On the 26th of Oct., 185.3, occurred a storm, in which Dernier 'Island, S. of Louisiana, was submerged, and 143 persons perished. A part of the Christian denominations of tbe country have unhappily divided on the question of slavery. Those which have not, are the Episcopalian, the Old-school Presbyterian, and tbe Roman Catholic. But there has been formed, within the last six years, " The Young Men's Christian Association," extending throughout the whole confederacy. Their annual meeting, in 1859, was held in Troy, N. Y. ; that in 1860 in New Orleans. Instances of individual bberality employed in public bene factions, have, in this country, been numerous. None within the last decade have exceeded those of George Peabody, the enterprising and wealthy American banker, of London. He bas given half a million of dollars to the city of Baltimore, to found and endow a literary and scientific institution of the highest order. He is, however, less known by the present generation, for this benefaction, noble as it is, than for the princely hospitality, with which, for a series of years, he enter tained hundreds of American visitors in London. To make his compatriots honorable and happy, seemed the object of bis benevolent life ; and in nothing has his country received more from him, than in the high character which this American gentleman has so long conspicuously maintained, in the great capital of the mercantile world. When, in 185V, it was feared that the revulsion would shake his house, the Bank of England was ready to sustain him with a million of dollars ; but its aid was not needed. Nothing more truly patriotic occurs in the history of this period, than the purchase of Washington's Home, by " The Mount Vernon Association," a society of American women, of which Miss Pamela Cunningham, of Georgia, is the head, and understood to be tbe prime mover. This society, thus be ginning at the south, has found a warm co-operation at the north, — not from the women only, but from, at least one hon ored man : Edward Everett, by his lectures and writings, made for this express purpose, has raised the sum of sixty-nine thousand dollars, which be has given to aid in paying the two hundred thousand, for which the estate was by the- Associa tion purchased of John A. Washington, the proprietor of Mount Vernon. PART TV. 1857. Sept. 6. The Cen tral Amer ica. Per ished, 425. 1859. August. Y. M. C. Union meet in Troy. 1860. In N. Orleans. 1857. February. Mr. Pea body gave to 25 trus tees, for Baltimore, $300,000; subse quently, $200,000. ,1858. Mount Vernon bought of J. Wash ington. 508 JOHN BROWN AT HARPER'S FERRY. CHAPTER VIII. PART IV. PERIOn v. CHAP. VIII. 1859. Oct. 16. Alarm at Harper's Ferry. Oct. 17. Monday, one o'clock A. M., Mr. G. telegraphs from Baltimore.' Harper's Ferry. On Sunday night, the 16th of October, 1859, the inhabit ants of tbe village of Harper's Ferry were alarmed, by learning that their bridge over the Potomac, was in the possession of armed men, who had stopped the train of cars coming in from the west, — but, after a parley, had permitted them to go on, giving them notice,- that no more trains from either direction would be allowed to pass.- A negro, one of the employees of the train, who, on the bridge, had left it to reconnoitre, was shot ; as also a negro-porter in the town, who refused to yield himself to their direction. The people soon found that their un known foes had possession of the arsenal, and held — thereimpris- oned — some of its officers whom they had surprised and taken ;* together with some of the neighboring planters (among whom was Col. Lewis Washington), who were, by armed men, taken from their beds. Horses, carriages, and wagons were seized — the wagons to carry arms. All the negroes who could any where be found, were pressed into their service ; except the one already mentioned, who, refusing to obey them, was killed. The inhabitants, imprisoned in their houses, were excited to the highest pitch. Whence were these murderous invaders, — what their object or their numbers, none knew. But from their bold and successful measures, they judged there must be sev eral hundreds — the report of their numbers as sent forth, varying from two to seven hundred. But relief was approaching. For though the insurgents had cut the adjacent telegraph wires, the people had found means to send out to the neighborhood, where they were sound, — and the governor of Virginia at Rich mond, was notified. The western train had gone on to Balti more, and they had telegraphed in advance. At one o-'clock on Monday morning, Mr. Garritt, tbe able director of the rail road, telegraphed to the Secretary of War, at Washington, and the President of the United States himself replied, that orders bad gone . on to Old Point Comfort, and several com panies from thence would soon be on the way. The Baltimore Volunteers, under Gen. Stuart, were ready for the train which left th'-t city in the afternoon; and they found at the Relay House, where the Washington train met them, a company of marines, sent forward by the Secretary of War ; — and the two proceeded together. Col* Lee was soon to follow, charged with the chief command. — In the mean time, by the. governor's orders, the militia throughout the state were rising. Those in * The circumstances attending the capture of the arsenal do not seem to have excited much attention. An arsenal is a dangerous neighbor, if slightly guarded. A DARING INVASION QUELLED. 509 teers.) the neighborhood of Harper's Ferry were first at the scene of PART IV. action. From more distant parts, as the alarm spread, aid was ' offered.f Gen. Wool, chief commander of the U. S. army, in , the absence of Gen. Scott, was on his way from Troy, when telegraphed, that his services would not be needed. 1859. On Monday evening, the neighboring militia took the bridge, t (Schenec- The insurgents fought desperately to defend it, but were de- -Nrtad^rink feated. Nine on both sides were killed, and two prisoners of ottered hei the rioters were taken. The militia then entered the town and volun- relieved the inhabitants from their fears ; and were there to receive the marines and Baltimore volunteers who arrived about midnight. The Martinsburgh militia had, in the mean time, stormed the workshop of the arsenal, and set free the workmen, who, as they came on Monday morning to their daily labor, were seized and there confined. It was now known, by the prisoners taken, that the leader of this astounding invasion, was John Brown, the hero of Ossawatomie. It was proven too, that his object was to raise the negroes, and set them against the masters, — that his present party was small, number ing only seventeen white men, and five negroes ; but he had arms, including those in the arsenal, sufficient for arming thou sands more ; and it seemed obvious, that he must be expecting aid, or he would not have yentured upon measures so bold and daring. Not a single negro was found willing tojoin him. Brown had now retreated to the engine-bouse, the strongest building of the arsenal, and there, with his prisoners and the remains of his party, he stood like a stag at bay. At seven o'clock on Tuesday morning, Col. Lee sent him a summons to surrender ; but he demanded such terms as could not be granted. The soldiers bad brought artillery ; but to cannonade the building, would be to endanger the lives of Col. Washing ton and other of their friends. The hundreds of troops who had arrived, were stationed around, so that no prisoner should escape, and none be maltreated by tbe infuriated crowd. The marines were then ordered to the attack, — Capt. Russel leading gine-house them on. They rushed to the large double doors of the En- at^^7 gine-house, striking them with huge sledge-hammers; but rines. they resisted the blows. Then twenty men brought a heavy ladder, which, after raising, they let fall against the door. At the second stroke a part of it fell. The marines rushed through the breach. A brisk firing — and a momentary death-scuffle, and the strife was ended. John Brown, bleeding from nine wounds, was brought forth and laid upon the grass, with five of his followers beside him, — two of whom were his sons. One t (Of this was dying, the other had been killed the day before. These, q^ ^-e with two prisoners taken, and a party of three,f who had es- highest in caped to Pennsylvania, were all which now remained of a ter- ofB®™niel rific foe, whose invasion had brought and was bringing together waa the' a force, more than sufficient to have crushed it, had each man leader.) been a thousand. Oct. 18. Tuesday. The En- 510 AN IMAGINARY EMPIRE. PART IV. The party kept by Brown as hostages were unhurt. Col, period- v" Washington was not more rejoiced at recovering his personal chap. vm. liberty, than in the restoration of two precious relics, which • , attested his connection with the Father of our country ; one was a curious antique sword presented to him by Frederic the Great, and the other, a pair of pistols presented by La Fayette. The wounds of Brown, though supposed mortal, being care- 1859, m]]v tended, healed by degrees. When he was first asked reply to what was the time of his conceiving this project, — he replied, the first " While in Kansas, after my property was destroyed, one of asTelThim my sons killed, and my happiness destroyed by the slave party after his ' in Kansas, I determined to be revenged. I was also, moved in capture, this matter by a hope to benefit the negroes." His actual fol lowers were mostly of his former soldiers, already subjugated to his iron will, and believing in bis ultimate success; and besides, they assert that they served him for pay. Gov. Wise arrived in season to secure the prisoners for trial. The military then proceeded to search the neighbor hood for concealed arms and papers. Brown had hired a farm in the vicinity, six months before ; and under the assumed name of Smith, he had caused to be brought thither, as miners' Brown's tools, 200 rifles, 200 revolvers, and 1000 pikes. On the prem- provisional ises, besides these arms, were found important papers, — by S°™" which it appeared, that Brown was acting as commander-in- chief of a "provisional government," the plan of which had been concocted, not in any American state, but in that part of the British province of Canada, inhabited by runaway negroes, Spected g°ing thither by the so-called, underground railroad. For empire, as the nation or state, which was to be thus provisionally gov- shown erned, there was found a printed constitution made at Chat constitu- ham, the negro capital. Where the country lay which was to tion. form the ground-plot of this new empire, is not expressly stated in the constitution ; but that speaks of a " conquered territory" — of an " enemy" from whom great spoils were to be taken — the property, which had been earned by the members of the organization, but soon to be wrested from those who wrongfully held it. These circumstances point unmistakably to Brown's expectations of overcoming the territory of the slaveholders, and there setting up his empire of freed slaves. ",.„ S Brown, after he was taken, said that he only meant to set the sense iu , ' . j t was true slaves at liberty ; it was not his wish or intention to kill the that Brown owners. In what sense he meant this, is thus explained in the tend to thirty-second article of his constitution. " No person after kill. having surrendered himself or herself a prisoner, and who shall properly demean himself or herself as such, to any officer or private connected with this organization" (probably mean ing their own slaves then to become their masters) " no person afterwards shall be put to death," &c. Valuable lives had been lost among the inhabitants. All was yet indignation and ex citement, when these disclosures added fuel to the §re. AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY. 51 1 * At Charlestown, in November, John Brown was tried, con- part IV. victed of murder and treason, — and condemned to be executed ' rEltI0D Y on the 2d of December. Five thousand soldiers, on that day, chap, m surrounded the gallows, forming two squares ; between ,the — - y— — - inner and outer of which were thousands of spectators, who 1859. could see the brave old criminal mount to tbe scaffold with November. unflinching steps, — but were too distant to hear his words. TJ0hnof This was the only circumstance in his treatment, of which he Brown at complained. He had played a deep game. If he had snc- charles- ceeded he would now have been at the head of an empire, — °wn' he commander-in-chief of so large an army, that to be its Deo- ?¦ accomplished general, be had felt that he required a British o*Brown. officer to teach him military tactics.1 And of the prospective treasure of this empire, he, as appears by the constitution, was pirbeshad to have had the control. He had lost the game, — and with a been fortitude worthy of a better cause, he paid the forfeit. Of the ?ivil1? nim remainder of Brown's party, two white- men and two negroes 'military1 were executed, at the same place, a fortnight later. tactics.) There is yet an unsolved mystery in this transaction, which Dec lg we hope the committee of investigation appointed by the U. S. Cook, Cop- Senate, of which Senator Mason, of Virginia, is at the head, Ric> Oope- will bring to light. It is not only to be shown whence came "(jreel" the considerable sums of money, but whence came the able 111111,; at combinations of mind, by which a man so deficient in compre hensiveness of intellect, as to believe in the possible ultimate success of such a mad scheme, 'took such judicious measures, as (Whence to effect so much. What mind concocted the plan which John "money1? Brown's remarkable prowess carried out, at the melancholy whence the sacrifice — which he ought to have foreseen — of himself his ,d ^?p calou'j sons, and all his foUowers ? And what was actually accom- for wl'at ? plished by this raid ? To set the country in a flame of discord. We are To make the South believe that the North had engaged in a c™hatent diabolical plan for their destruction, and that they had no neitherwas safety but in severing all connection with the Union.* furnished J ° by men of ; the north- * When the time shall come— as we hope it will ere long — that this ern a dreadful war shall he fought out, it may make the North forgiving to consider what cause the South had to believe that the North wished, note, and would seek to bring upon them the horrors threatened to them by May > the John Browil raid. 1864. But it would doubtless make both sides more moderate and forgiving to believe, as we think there is cause, that we have been brought to this direful family quarrel by the machinations of foreign politicians, seeking to divide our great and powerful country for their own pur poses. There is reason to believe that John Brown's money to support his little army (which, Mr. Mason reported to the Senate, was not from the North), came from British sources. An Assistant post-master- (t Oen. S. general* said, "I know it." A Cunard steamer was announced by the ?u \ papers of the day to have brought over $12,000 for abolition purposes ; au or'' which there is reason to believe was collected for John Brown, though it came too late to serve him. Richard Realf was sent by him to Eng land for money — but on arriving with it, he was not in season. He Charles town. 512 JOHN BROWN. PERIOD V. OIIAP. vni. PART IV. But by whatever enemy this " infernal machine" of Harper's Ferry was made, we believe that the same Almighty Power, who overruled the oppressions of man — first to the settlement, the^i to the independence of this country — will ovennle its terrific explosion for the good of the nation. We already see — written in the future — that it will form, the crisis of that fearful agitation which has so long threatened our dearest interests — the destruction of what is, to the patriot's heart, next to his God — his country. Without the preservation of the Union, the American has no country ; with it, the noblest the sun shines on. Though the sea heaves from the recent storm, and the waves run highest after it is over, yet it '¦ rocks itself to rest." Our nationality will never be lost by disunion, while Wash ington, in the majesty of his peerless fame, yet lives in our hearts. It augurs well for the fortunes of the Republic, that though her sons are too often disobedient to his injunctions, yet, not one has yet been found, disloyal to his memory. His birth-day is our national festival, — and his mansion is made, by the united daughters of the nation, a common home for the children of the Father of our great country — the undissevered Eepublic of America. went South, and he is accused by Redpath of treachery in depriving Brown's survivors of the money, and keeping it for himself John Brown being in England -in 1849 (and he must then have been a poor man), he was in 1850 the possessor of so fine a herd of Devonshire cattle, that, sending them to an agricultural fair in Essex county, N. V., the greatest surprise at their beautiful appearance was excited ; and the universal inquiry was made, whose they were, and whence they came. The Report of the County Society for 1850, says : "The appearance upon the grounds of a number of very choice and beautiful Devons from the herd of Mr. John Brown, residing in one oi our most remqte and secluded towns (North Elba), attracted great attention, and added much to the interest of the fair. The admiration they excited has already resulted in the introduction of several choice animals into this region." PART V. PERIOD I. OF THE GREAT RE BELLION. PROM 1860 _i CIVIL WAR J- TO PRESENT TIME. CHAPTEE I. Presidential Nominations. — Character of Abraham Lincoln. — His great Debate with Stephen A. Douglas. The National Democratic Convention, for the nomination PART V. of President and Vice-President, met at Charleston, South Carolina. The party-vote for successor to Mr. Buchanan had chap. i. been pledged to Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois ; but the ¦ Southern leaders had, meantime, become determined, at all events, to break up the Union, and to that end. they divided the Democratic party, by their refusal to nominate Mr. Douglas. The Northern Democrats, hoping to reunite the party and save the Union, adjourned the Convention, to meet at Balti more on the 18th of June. They accordingly met tjiere, when the Northern members nominated Stephen A. Douglas, but the Southern seceded from the Convention, and nominated John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky. In the mean time, national men sought to save the Union by nominating, in union Convention at Baltimore, John Bell, of Tennessee, as Presi- Convention, dent, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, as Vice-President. They obtained a respectable vote, but not large enough to elect them. The Southern leaders did not wish the election of Union men. On Mr. Calhoun's death, no one man was great enough to be the Leader of Southern Secession ; but there were several, of whom William L. Yancey, of Georgia, K. Barnwell Bhett, of South Carolina, and John Slidell, of Louisiana, were among tbe most prominent. They rather desired and favored the 'a. Kncoin election of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, the nominee of a nt°Qyat!.d new party caUed the Eepublican, which met in convention at Chicago on the 16th of May. They believed that if a " Yankee President," with whom might be associated the John Brown raid, should be chosen, they could then unite the Southern people against him, and against the North. 33 514 CHARACTER OP ABEAHAM LINCOLN. PART V. Nothing, up to 1858, had so brought the large and central period i State of Illinois into general notice, as its becoming the arena chap. i. of a remarkable war of words between its two most eminent -— — ., citizens, Stephen A. Douglas, already famous as a disputant and as the author of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and Abraham Lincoln, destined to become more prominent in American His tory than any other man has hitherto been, save Washington. 1809. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, in 1809, of poor A. Lincoln but honest parents. His father removed in 1817 to Indiana. Kentucky. The lad accompanied him, and, young as he was, aided in IS 17. building the log cabin which sheltered the family ; and after- ei™diana. wards, on their removal to Illinois, by helping to split the rails 8 S.J©, which fenced the farm, he obtained the title of "Rail-Splitter," Kininrt8. to which, though meant as opprobrious, he regarded as honor able. When President of the United States he carried a cane manufactured from one of those rails, by which his honest and faithful industry had aided his indigent parents. His mother bad early taught him to read the Bible, and imbued his mind with its holy morality. She also taught him to write, and to communicate his thoughts by writing. Every thing was done that the poverty of the family allowed, to assist him in gain ing from common schools an imperfect education. Among his few books were two biographies of Washington, and one of Henry Clay. At the age of nineteen, he was intrusted with the care of a flat-boat, in which he made a voyage to He chooaes New Orleans. He boldly chose the law as his profession, hisfprrfes- though with very imperfect means of learning its principles; Bion. but in the beginning of his practice he had a case in which he proved the innocence of a widow's son, who would otherwise have been condemned and imprisoned. By this he gained friends and reputation. Following the examples of Washing ton and Henry Clay, he ever took great interest in the politi cal movements of his country, and be was put forward to various offices of trust, first, in the State, and then to a seat in 1858. the House of Representatives in Congress; and he was, at the batebe^ns ^me 0I" his great dispute with Douglas, a rival candidate with at Chicago, him for a seat in the United States Senate. His innate sense of right, which he never weakened or de based, either as a lawyer or a politician, by speaking in favor of what he knew to be wrong, was his guide in making politi cal as well as other distinctions-; so that in debate his mind How Lin- was never distracted by being divided against itself. The ° eloquent, whole man went one way. His illustrations were always at hand, from a ready memory stored with abundant facts, which were often amusing, as seen through bis love of the ludicrous. Hence his great success when the State became the arena of his remarkable dispute with Douglas, who was already famous as a speaker. The party of which Mr. Lincoln was, as we deem, the founder, were not what had been called Abolitionists, though HIS DEBATE WITH STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. 515 agreeing, with them in the belief that in slavery was moral PART V. wrong. Mr. Douglas, courting the people, had said respecting ¦PElRlaD' -, affairs in Kansas, that so the people had their way — a doctrine ohap. l called " popular sovereignty" — he cared not whether slavery ¦ f— — ' was up or down. Mr. Lincoln condemned this on the ground 1858. that there is moral wrong in slavery, and therefore no man Gr,e"t ^J-,*'8 .... .-ii,! »i -, „ — 1st. at Clii- " may logically say that anybody has a right to do wrong;' engo; 2ix1' of the " Confederate States of America." They took for their , .constitution the American, making a few alterations, mostly 1861. respecting the right of property in slaves. They made the Feb. 4 term of their elected President six years ; and immediately meet "at proceeded to choose as Provisional President, Jefferson Davis, Montgom'ry 0f Mississippi ; and as Vice-President, Alexander H. Stephens, and adopt a - „ . rr ' ' r ' constitution ot (jeorgia. ionai govern- General Houston, the patriot of San Jacinto, was governor ment. of Texas, and he would gladly have stemmed the torrent of Pre'siden™ Secession there, but a little delay was all he could obtain. A Feb. l. convention of the people, on the 1st of February, annulled the Secedes, ordinance of annexation, and afterwards joined the Southern Treason, of Confederacy. General Twiggs, placed in command by Secre- TwS! *ary Floyd, surrendered to tbe State authorities all the mu nitions of war, which, with other United States property, amounted to $1,300,000. For this, President Buchanan, on Feb. is. the 3d of March, denounced him as a traitor, and had his name stricken from the roll of the army. In Congress, the result of the action of the committee of thirteen was, in substance, the restoration of the Missouri Compromise, called afterwards Crittenden's Compromise. This failed. But while Congress, by their action, baffled all the efforts of Crittenden and other patriots, Virginia awoke to a sense of the emergency of the crisis, and her State Legislature Jan. 19. adopted, on the 19th of January, resolutions expressing the seeks to conviction that unless the unhappy controversy, which was avert war. dividing the country, shall be adjusted, a permanent dissolu tion of the Union is inevitable, and inviting all the States to unite with Virginia in appointing delegates to meet and unite in an earnest effort for peace. Thus was originated the Peace Feb. 4. Convention which met at Washington on the 4th of February. Mention"" -^-fter three weeks of fruitless labor, they recommended an amendment of Mr. Crittenden's Compromise, and though adopted and urged by that patriot himself, Congress never acted upon it. Mr. Lincoln, in journeying from Illinois to Washington, having cause to apprehend danger in Baltimore, passed through March 4. ^ the city privately. His inauguration passed off quietly. Mr. inauguration Buchanan having, with his wonted courtesy, made arrange ments for his reception at the Presidential mansion, rode with him, on tho morning of tbe 4th of March, to the Capitol, Mr Lincoln's w'aere> a^er taking the oath, Mr. Lincoln delivered an address inaugural, which was listened to with intense interest. Indeed, no in augural heretofore delivered by any President of the United States will be read by the future student of our history with so much feeling as this. It was evident that his great heart was filled with love to his whole country, and he hoped against hope that he could yet make his erring countrymen love and trust him. MR. LINCOLN'S INAUGURAL — HIS CABINET. 519 Speaking, as it were, face to face with his country, he im- PART V. mediately struck upon the great cause of disunion, and pro- posed healing measures. He showed that in the Constitution, 0HAP, ln. ' its provisions being conscientiously carried out, the-South have - tbe ieinedy.for the evils of which they complain ; and that he, as he had declared in his public speeches, and now had sworn it, honestly purposed, without any mental reservation, to con form to, and abide by, all those acts of the Constitution which stand unrepealed ; and he suggests the making of several new laws in Congress to the intent of honestly carrying out pro visions of the Constitution which have heretofore been evaded. In.doing this, says Mr. Lincoln, "there need be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none, unless it is forced upon the national authority." But he further says: "The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and collect the duties and imposts." He finally exhorts those minded to secede, to take time for reflection. " We are not," he says, " enemies, but friends, we must not be enemies ;" and he concludes by referring to our common memories of kindred battle-fields and patriot graves. In the formation of his cabinet, Mr. Lincoln chose the able 1861. senator from New York, William H. Seward, as Secretary of Mj£b1?°°(jn's State ; Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, of the Treasury ; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, of War; Gideon Welles, of Con necticut, of the Navy ; Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, of the In terior ; Edward Bates, of Missouri, Attorney-General ; and Montgomery Blair, of Maryland, Postmaster-General. That Mr. Lincoln was not, as he said in his inaugural, an enemy of the South, but a friend, he mauifested by inviting to become a member of his Cabinet John A. Gilmer, of North Carolina, a member of the House of Representatives, whose speeches had been read and admired throughout the North. CHAPTEK III. War begins by the attack on Fort Sumter. — The President calls for 75,000 men. — Uprising of the North. — The South considers the call a Declara tion of War.— Extra Session of Congress. South Carolina had, on the 14th of January, declared in her Legislature that any attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter would be regarded as a declaration of war. April 11th, Gov ernor Pickens, in a note to Major Robert Anderson, command ing Fort Sumter, ordered him to deliver up the fort. Anderson answered that he had no power to comply. On tbe 13th of March, Messrs. John Forsyth, of Alabama, 520 THE ATTACK; ON EORT SUMTER. PART V. and Crawford, of Georgia, sent a communication to Mr. Seward, ' informing him that they were in Washington as commissioners ohap. in. ' from a government composed of seven States which had with- ¦ drawn from the American Union, and that they desired to enter 1861. into negotiations for the adjustment of all questions growing March is. out of this separation. Two days later, Mr. Seward wrote ers from the them an informal note (which was not delivered until April states'1' *"-a)' m wbich he says, he frankly confesses that he understands the events which have recently occurred differently, seeing in them not a rightful and accomplished revolution, and an inde pendent nation, but rather an unjustifiable and unconstitutional Their corre- aggression upon the rights of the Federal Government, which Bpi-th M°e Wac^ been benignly exercised for the benefit of the whole Seward.' American people. He is, therefore, obliged to state to them that he is not at liberty, having consulted with the President, to acknowledge them as diplomatic agents, or hold other cor respondence with them. This affair must have extinguished whatever hope Mr. Lin coln had felt that his inaugural would produce its proper effects ; and there came thunders of the war-cloud, heard in claims of the Confederates, that the forts in their harbors must be surrendered to them. The navy-yards at Brooklyn received orders to have vessels in readiness to send supplies to the be leaguered Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor. Supplies were sent by the Star of the West, but did not arrive in season, the vessel having retreated from the harbor after being fired upon. These were, in reality, the first hostile shots from the South on the national flag, though the attack on Fort Sumter is regarded as the beginning of the war. Ft Sumter The attack was cbnducted by Gen. G. T. Beauregard, favor- AvSui a^'y known in connection with the Mexican war, now appointed to the chief command of the Confederate forces. The assault was opened at four o'clock of April 12th, when was fired the first gun of the terrible civil war which ensued. The fort was Surrendered surrendered on the afternoon of the 13th, after Anderson and April 13. his brave band of seventy men had fought for thirty-four hours, exposed to death by shot, shell, and conflagration. Major Anderson reports, that he "marched out on the 14th with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting our flag with fifty guns." The men carried away the flag they had defended. That same day and hour, four years afterwards, that memorable flag was re stored, and again waved over the shattered remains of Fort Sumter. April 15. The lightning of the telegraph flashed over the country that PresLincoin x^ fla„. was dishonored, the life of the nation threatened. Mr. calls lor . o • -i • ie -, -, 75,000 troops Lincoln, breasting himselt to the terrible emergency, imme diately issued a proclamation, in which he called for 75,000 troops, and convened Congress to meet on the 4th of July. Scarcely can history find a parallel to the grand simultaneous BLOCKADE OF SOUTHERN PORTS. 521 uprising of the North. The Governors were prompt in fur- PART V. nishing each the quota of men required of the State by the Secretary of War ; but the Border States, Kentucky, Tennes- 0HAP, ln. ' see, Virginia, and Missouri, returned negative answers to his ^_v^_; call, and Missouri an insulting one. The President's procla mation was considered generally by tbe South as a declaration of war. Virginia hesitated to take the fearful step of Secession. 1§61. South Carolina, followed by the Cotton States, had acted with- °™ened°.!t out consulting her. Her Governor, Mr. Letcher, had, however, Richmond. assembled a convention of the people, who were in secret ses sion when the President's proclamation reached them, and they immediately passed Secession laws. In Arkansas and North Carolina were influential Union men, but President Lin coln's proclamation was regarded as in Virginia, and they se ceded. Kentucky never seceded. She attempted a neutral position, maintaining the " no-coercion" policy, and vainly de clared that from neither side should troops pass through her territory for hostile purposes. It had been believed by the Confederacy that if the " no-coercion" policy was defeated, the Border States would go with the South — and hence they had dared the fearful test at Sumter. In Missouri, a convention was called by Secessionists, but a majority of the people were found inflexibly true to the Union. On tbe 19th of April, President Lincoln proclaimed the April 19. blockade of all the Southern ports. It was difficult to enforce s°portern this measure by guarding these ports with an adequate naval blockaded. force, since at the beginning of the war tbe small number of warlike ships belonging to the United States had been scat tered afar. The great demand for cotton, of which the South was the world's producer, would make foreign manufacturing nations run great risks to obtain it. This fact had much in fluence on the Southern mind in producing the war, for the North had more men and more money, yet the South believed that their cause would be espoused by European powers, especially by England. After Virginia seceded, the Confederate Government at July 20. Montgomery immediately voted to adjourn to Richmond, ^de Sat of which they did on the 20th of July. But before this date the uon.ed- military and other operations centred there. Washington, the nation's capital, was threatened — the South were eager to obtain, and the North to defend it. Civil war being now inaugurated, the Confederates pro- Great loss at ceeded at once to seize all Union possessions within their bor- an°d Norfolk. ders, or to destroy them. The arsenal at Harper's Ferry, with its arms and machine-shop, were hastily burned by a small force under Lieutenant Jones. A heavy blow was struck at Portsmouth, near Norfolk, by the destruction of the large navy-yard, and eight large ships of war, all either burned or sunk. A great quantity of ammunition was taken at old Fort 522 ACTIVITY NORTH AND SOUTH. PART V. PEKIOD I. CHAP. III. Of the South to the Con federacy. War in Missouri. May 10. Riot in Baltimore. Lives lost. Norfolk ; the whole loss of the United States amounting to several millions of dollars. All was activity at the North; — State Legislatures assem bling and offering men and money ; city corporations, banks, and wealthy individuals offering their funds to the Govern ment, and giving encouragement to enlist, by pledging to vol unteers large bounties, with support to their families during their absence. Not less did the South manifest their devotion to their cause. Families gave up their sons. Moneyed men and banks pledged their funds, and finally lost them. The great religious denominations divided from their companions in the North ; and one of the bishops of the Protestant Epis copal Church, Leonidas Polk, of Tennessee, educated at West Point, became a general in the Southern army. Robert E. Lee, so distinguished in the Mexican war, reluctantly obliged to choose, clung to Virginia. After a time he succeeded Beau regard as commander-in-chief of the Confederate armies. A Missouri convention had met and adjourned, without se ceding, but they appointed delegates to a Border State Con vention. Their governor, Claiborne Jackson, called on the militia to assemble in camp near St. Louis, to form a State guard. In the mean time, five regiments of volunteers were being raised for the Union ; and one was already formed by Colonel Frank P. Blair. The Federal arsenal at St. Louis was garrisoned by a Union force of several hundred regulars, com manded by Captain Nathaniel Lyon. He, with Colonel Blair, at the head of 6,000 Unionists, surprised the State guard at Camp Jackson, near St. Louis, and captured valuable munitions of war which had been received from Baton Rouge. The news of the affair preceding the Unionists, they were assaulted on their entrance into St. Louis, and in self-defeuce fired, and killed twenty-two persons. Captain Lyon was soon after made brigadier-general of the brigade of Missouri volunteers. Gov ernor Jackson issued a call for 50,000 State militia. Maryland was the State most anxiously watched on both sides. The State sovereignty party imagined that if Maryland would join them, she could recall her grant of the District of Columbia, and then the national capital would be theirs ; at any rate, she would be interposed between the North and Washington. Maryland hung in suspense, when, on the morn ing of the 19th of April, regiments from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania arrived at Baltimore in the cars, en route for Washington. A mob filled the streets, insulting the troops with shouts for the Confederacy, placing impediments in the way of the cars, throwing stones, and at length firing upon them. Not till then did the officers allow the soldiers, who were now formed outside the pars, to fire upon the crowd. In tbe terrific mUee that ensued, nine of the citizens of Baltimore were killed, and many wounded. Several of the soldiers were wounded, and two, who were citizens of Massachusetts, lost UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OP NEW YORK CITY. 523 their lives.* Governor Hicks and Mayor Brown, with the PART V. city police, had vainly sought to quell the riot. The troops PBBIor) z had, before night, made their passage through tbe city ; but to chap. m. hinder others from attempting the same, the authorities caused ¦ ,-— — - the railroads from the North to be made impassable by the 1861. destruction of bridges, &c. All mafl communications were suspended, and for six days there were none between the North and Washington. The moving of the soldiers, however, mostly Massachusetts troops, conducted by General B. F. Butler, went on through Annap olis. But as the commander-in-chief, General Scott, could not be appealed to for orders, General Wool, commanding the Northern Department, patriotically assumed the responsibility, and co-operating with an able defence committee in the City of New York, made -arrangements with the governors of nine States for the forwarding of soldiers, and furnishing them with arms, munitions of war, &c, from the arsenals ; by which means the capital was furnished with defenders and fortifica tions. The western counties of Virginia remained faithful to the west Va. Union. At Clarksburg, Kingwood, and in other places, mass ^"mtet- meetings were held, and delegates appointed, who assembled ing. n at Wheeling on the 13th May. Thirty-five counties were here conventum represented, and the movement resulted in the formation of at wheeling. tbe new State of West Virginia, the sanction of Congress being afterwards obtained. A proclamation from the government of Great Britain was May 15. issued, in the name of Queen Victoria, on the 15th of May, Q"0e..ta P™-C" commanding her subjects to observe strict neutrality in the claims nea- American war. The subject was treated, not as if a friendly power had been so unfortunate as to have a part of its sub jects in rebellion, but as if the North and South were equal belligerents. It was not until the 13th of May that there was open com munication through Baltimore to Washington. Massachusetts troops, under the command of General Butler, took military possession of Baltimore on that day. In the mean time, the -ipni 39t*j- Legislature of Maryland, called in extra session by Governor votJsfor Hicks, voted not to secede. no^'o„MS' The death of Colonel Ellsworth, commander of a favorite regiment of New York, called, from their peculiar costume, the Zouaves, caused at this time much excitement at the North. Observing, as he was marching through Alexandria, a secession flag flying from the roof of a hotel, Ellsworth sprang up the coi^nli Bi'is- stairway, tore down the flag, and was descending with it, when worth killed. * The Baltimore City Guard, raised to defend the city against riots, was soon collected. Major C. E. Phelps called on them to protect the United States troops. Their Colonel coming up, commanded them to oppose. Major Phelps declared it to be treason; bat not prevailing, he imme diately resigned. 524 BATTLE OP RICH MOUNTAIN. PARTV. Jackson, the proprietor of the hotel (though instantly after pebiod i snot by one 0I" t'le Zouaves), shot to the heart the young and chap. m. gallant Ellsworth. — -^, — — - General Butler, after remaining a few weeks at Baltimore, 1861. was placed in command of the department of Virginia, with his headquarters at Fortress Monroe. From thence, he sent a force, under Colonel Pierce, of Massachusetts, to dfslodge the Confederates at Little and Big Bethel, marching on Little Bethel in two separate divisions. As they neared the point of junction, each mistook the other for the enemy aud fired; June 10. a mistake which caused the death of two men. The Confed- Bethei1'" Bi» erates ^e" back to Big Bethel. Colonel Pierce was ignorant Bethel. ° of the strength of their position and the ability of their com mander (Colonel Magruder, late of the United States army), and he was unsuccessful in his attack, losing 100 men. This disastrous affair is particularly remembered at the North from the high character of two of the young officers killed — Theo dore Winthrop and Lieutenant Greble. George B. McClellan was a successful student of the art of war, not only at West Point, but in foreign lands, he having Maj. Gen. studied fortification at the great siege of Sebastopol, and written 6eoieu'anM°" an approved treatise on the Crimean campaign. He had been appointed major-general, and assigned to command of the department whose headquarters was Cincinnati. He issued to the men of Western Virginia a stirring address ; and volun teers from thence, with others from Ohio, gathered for Park- ersburg, to open the obstructed railway of which that place was the terminus. A confederate force held Grafton on the June 2d. same railroad. These, retreating fifteen miles southward to Phiiiippi. phillippi, were surprised on the morning of June 2d ; and, prevail. Kel- after a short resistance, abandoned their camp and munitions iy woun e . tQ x^& assaj]aDtSi one 0f whom, Colonel Kelly, was severely wounded. A Confederate force, under General Garnett, of several thousands, was strongly posted at Laurel Hill, near Beverly, while a smaller force, under Colonel Pegram, was Battle of intrenched on Rich Mountain. These forces General McClel- EiCto.°Un' lan> aided by tbe able officer Colonel W. S. Rosecrans, defeated and dispersed. General Garnett was killed. General McClel lan reported that, with the loss of thirteen killed and forty wounded, he had taken one thousand prisoners, while his ene my's loss in killed and wounded was two hundred. His move ments in Western Virginia inspired so much confidence in his military skill, that, on the resignation of General Scott, he was appointed to succeed him. July 4th. Congress convened in extra session, according to the Presi- convenedUn dent's proclamation, on the 4th of July. In his Message he extra session informed them that, within the seceded States, all the United States property within their borders, movable arid stationary had been seized, except of the former class three forts, on the coast of Florida, and of the latter that belonging to the Post- ON TO RICHMOND. 525 office department. Mr. Lincoln thus briefly recounted the PART V. past history of the rebellion. He especially regretted the period i. course of Virginia, to which State their capital had now been ohap. iv. transferred ; but, he said, " since she had allowed this giant ' r — — ' insurrection to make its nest within her borders, this govern- 1861. ment has no choice left, but to deal with it where she finds it." CHAPTER IV. Battle of Manassas, or Ball Ran. — Affairs in Missouri. — Battle of Wilson's Creek and death of Lyon. — Fremont. — Mulligan's Surrender at Lexing ton. — Meeting of Congress, Dec, 1861. The troops collected in the vicinity of Washington had sur rounded the city with fortifications. Security was felt, and the cry '• On to Richmond" began. General Scott had allowed himself to be misguided by it, and unwisely to sanction an onward movement, the command of which he gave to General Irwin McDowell, and which resulted in the disastrous battle of Manassas, or Boll Run. This was the name of a small affluent of the Ocoquan river. On this, thirty-seven miles from Alexandria, and near the important point of Manassas Junction (so called from the meeting of railroads), the Confederates, an ticipating the movement, had been for some time preparing their battle-ground. They had so arranged their army, that when the Union force should appear, they might be lured to a certain fortified position on the stream. General Joseph E.Johnston, who had commanded a force of June 14th. several thousands at Harper's Ferry, after burning the bridge ^^^ across the Potomac, removed his troops to Winchester, where the bridge at was the able officer General Thomas J. Jackson, with his bri gade, and a corps of cavalry. General Scott bad, in the mean time, sent General Patterson, with an ample force, to keep General Johnston from leaving the valley of Virginia ; but having Manassas in view, Johnston, after amusing Patterson ' with a skirmish at "Falling Waters," eluded him, and escaped with his force through a gap in the mountain, in time to turn the fortunes of the day at Manassas. General McDowell moved from Washington on the 16th of July. On the 18th, the army passed through Centreville, their enemy luring them on as he quietly retired before them. A conflict in advance of the final battle, however, occurred, in which the losses of the combatants were 83 Union and 68 Confederate. General Beauregard, who commanded the Con federates, wished to delay the final action, to give the necessary time for Johnston to join him from the valley, and General Harper's Ferry. July 16. General McDowell begins his march. 526 BATTLE OF BULL RUN. PART V. McDowell was obliged to defer the battle one day to receive IZZ^TT provisions. On tbe morning of the 21st, the attack, which was PERIOD I. x , O > i ,. . i chap. iv. to have been made at six o clock, was delayed for two or three ? hours. 1861. Johnston had, meanwhile, arrived with a part of his force. His encounter with Colonel Ambrose Burnside was tbe open- .Tniy 21st ing of the fight. It was at first a hotly-contested field, and B^HEuif. sucn as did no discredit on either side to American valor and military skill. The advantage at first was on the side of the Unionists. Sherman, since so well known, was here distin guished. But while flushed with well-grounded hopes of vic tory, the Unionists were suddenly assaulted with a fresh body of nearly 3,000 troops arrived by tbe railroad from the West, under General E. K. Smith, with cavalry under Jackson. The How Gen. Confederate General Bee called to him, " General, they are tains "the * beating us back." Then, turning to his men he -exclaimed, sobriquet « Look, there is Jackson, standing like a stone wall." The Jackson! troops rallied, and though Bee was killed, the day was won for the Confederates. The Unionists could not, by the utmost efforts of their officers, be rallied, and their retreat became at length a panic-stricken rout. Darkest day The day when the telegraph sent throughout the North e war. ^ unexpected news of this defeat, is yet known as ''dark Monday ;" the darkest day of the war. A pursuit was not ordered, though President Davis himself was, at the close of the battle, on the ground. Jackson said : " Give me ten thou sand men aud I will take Washington ;" and probably he could then have done so ; for he possessed a genius for war pet-haps greater than any other developed by the American conflict. The intense mortification of the North was heightened by their extravagant expectations. When McDowell moved from Washington, a motley crowd followed him to witness and enjoy the victory — carrying wine and other good cheer. Women were there ; and at least one member of Congress, Mr. Ely, of Rochester, N. Y., who was captured. Newspaper reporters went along to see, that they might describe the bat tle. Among the rest was Dr. Russell, of the London Times, who sounded from that great paper the disgrace of the North, in satirical tones, throughout Europe. Etfect But the effect was wholesome to the North. The South wbtoCth°eme were not aDSWerably exalted. They had unwisely encouraged North, in themselves such a contempt for the Unionists, that to sav they believed one Southerner a match for two " Yankees" (as they called all Northerners), would not express half the trutn; as it was common to hear of their saying that " one Southerner could whip five Yankees." The battle of Manassas put an end to this extravagance, and convinced them that they bad made enemies (as we use the term, the enemy) of men who could fight ; and neither party longer regarded the war as a light BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, MO. 527 and transient affair, but as one of lasting and terrible signifi- PART V. eance. ' On the 13th of August, Gen. Butler superseded by Gen. ohap.iv. ' Wool at Fortress Monroe, was associated with Commodore ^— -y— . _> Stringham in an expedition which resulted in the capture of 1861. Fort Hatteras, aud the opening of Hatteras Inlet, on the coast Aus- la of North Carolina. Ft.a&attera8. In Missouri, Gov. Claiborne Jackson was determined to force the State out of the Union. Gen. Sterling Price of that State, who had proved his ability in the Mexican war, was now in command of the Confederate forces there, while Gen. Lyon commanded the Union troops. Marchings and watchings in the hot season, with frequent skirmishes not without blood shed, were the necessities of civil war to the invaders, — and devastated homes to the invaded. On Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Gen. Lyon attacked Aug. 10. the camp of the Confederates ; and after the fighting of a ter- ^a"s^n?8f rible day, in which he was thrice wounded, he was at length Creek. killed. John C. Fremont, created major-general, was now placed in G6n. Fre- command of tbe department. In Lexington, a pleasant lo.-a- (."a"1™""., tion of 6,000 inhabitants, situated on a bluff on the south bank of the Missouri, was Col. Mulligan, with 2,780 Union soldiers. He had taken post on a hill near the village, surmounted by a large college, which he made his headquarters and hospital. Having informed Fremont of his exposed condition, his amnni nition almost exhausted, be awaited a siege in the expectation of re-enforcements. Gen. Price attacked him with a greatly superior force on the 29th of August. On the 17th of Sep tember he was cut off from the river and deprived of his supply of water; and on the 21st, he was forced, though not without f^^ a severe conflict, to surrender. surrenders. Gen. Fremont, with his accomplished wife, the daughter of the late Col. Benton — his headquarters being at her home, St. Gen- Fr«- Louis — was, by the unrepublican display of a Fremont body- st. Louis. guard, unconsciously giving offence. He had displeased, also, President Lincoln, by exceeding his powers in proclaiming emancipation to the slaves of rebels. Just as he received Col. Mulligan's appeal for aid, a pressing order from Washington required him to send thither 5,000 troops. He made great exertions to meet the demands upon him, but failed in the case of Mulligan ; a failure traceable to the superior generalship of Price, who seized all the water-craft on the Missouri, by which a considerable force from Kansas was prevented from crossing the river. When Fremont learned tbe disaster of Col. Mulligan, appre hending that Price would overrun the State, he put himself at Sept. so. the head of his carefully-drilled army to meet or pursue him. mov™west Moving first westward, through Jefferson City to Tipton, he there turned southwardly to pursue Price, who had gone to 528 DEATH OF GEN. BAKER, OF CALIFORNIA. PART V. Nesho, where was a small remainder of the Missouri Legisla- ture, who, with Gov. Jackson, there went through the farce of chap. iv. passing an ordinance of secession. Fremont, pursuing Price, ¦ _. T - had advanced to Springfield, where, on the 2d of November, 1861. an order from Washington reached him relieving him of his Nov. 2. command, which, as directed, he turned over to Gen. Hunter. byHunter. He made to the troops an affectionate farewell, exhorting them to be faithful to his successor as they had been to him. Five days after, Gen. Hunter withdrew the army to Rolla. Oct 21. Ball's Bluff, an eminence on the upper Potomac opposite T,B1t,tt,4,atff Harrison's Island, became known as the scene of a disastrous Un. k., 150; conflict. About 2,000 of the Union army under command of pr 600 *-'0^' ^- Baker, of California, were employed by Gen. Stone, of Massachusetts, in connection with other forces, to reconnoitre and learn the position of the Confederates under Gen. Evans, extending along the Virginia side of the Potomac. By a skil fully concealed and superior force, Evans furiously assaulted Baker's command, which bravely stood firm till their gallant commander fell. They were then forced in wild disorder to the stream, where no adequate means had been provided for them to cross. One crazy scow was soon filled and swamped, and the men, with others, were shot as they were swimming to the further shore. Seeing escape was hopeless, 500 gave themselves up as prisoners. Oct. si. Lieut.-Gen. Scott, on account of lameness and other infirmi- Gen. Scott tJeS) requested, in a note to the Secretary of War, to be re- Mccieiian lieved of his high command and now onerous duties. With succeeds. evely demonstration of respect from the President and a special Cabinet council, his request was complied with. Gen. G. B. McClellan was thereupon appointed to succeed him as com mander-in-chief of the armies of the United States. Nov. 6. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, now in command at Cairo, made a Belmont, demonstration on Belmont, in Missouri, a landing-place on the Con. loss, Mississippi River, opposite to Columbus, Ky., and the head- UnTon, ' quarters of the Secession force opposed to Cairo. In Belmont, t & w., 500. which was connected by a ferry with Columbus, was a camp, which Grant took with its 'munitions; having at the time drawn off the attention of the Confederates by a feigned attack on Columbus, which he had ordered from Paducah. Before Grant had withdrawn his men, however, superior forces under Gen. Polk and Gen. Pillow attacked them ; and though in the desperate fighting which ensued, their valor won them honor, they could not claim the victory. Nov. 8. Captain Wilkes, in the U. S. steamer " San Jacinto," learn- ThaeffTi^ent ing that the two Confederate envoys, James M. Mason, for Wilkes, England, and John Slidell, for France, were on board the M6iideiLnd British mail-steamer " Trent," boarded her at sea, and with a show of force took from her Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and brought them to the United States. This unauthorized act of Capt. Wilkes came near involving the country in a war with CAPTURE OF HILTON HEAD. 529 England; but Mr. Lincoln disavowed his participation, and PARTY. sent the envoys to England. period i. An important expedition left Hampton Roads on the 29th chap. v. of October, under Com. Dupont, with a fleet of sixty ships ' — — ¦ -. ¦ bearing a land-force of 10,000, under the command of Gen. T. 1861. W. Sherman. Their destination was Port Royal and Hilton Head, on the coast of South Carolina. On the 7th of Novem- Nov. 7. ber they attacked the two new forts, Walker and Beauregard, ^"tRoyaf commanding the entrance of Port Royal ; and here the ships taken. by skilful firing and manoeuvring, in four hours performed an extraordinary feat, proving that moving water-craft can defeat aud silence stationary forts. On landing, 43 heavy cannon were seized, but the garrison escaped. The adjoining sea- islands, so fruitful in the best of cotton, were thus commanded by the Unionists, who encouraged the negroes to remain and cultivate them. Beaufort was soon after occupied. At the assembling of Congress early in December, the Deo. reports of the Secretaries showed that the government had in convenes. service 682,000 soldiers, and 22,000 seamen and marines. These had mostly been raised by voluntary enlistment, excited by large bounties and high pay ; but the expense was appall- The ing. A popular loan system was ingeniously devised by the "Green able Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase. The entire force of the Confederates at this time was esti mated at 350,000. Their funds were raised by loans from en thusiastic friends, and by Confederate bills representing money and at first answering its purpose ; but like the Continental money of the Revolution, continually diminishing in value. On the 22d of February, 1862, at Richmond, Jefferson 1862. Davis was inaugurated President, and Alexander H. Stephens Davis and Vice-President, of the Southern Confederacy, they having been Stephens in- elected by the people of the several Confederate States. On Richmond. the 1st of April the Confederate Congress passed the conserip- April l. tion law, compelling every able-bodied man to serve in the authoring army when drafted. drafting. CHAPTEK V. Affairs in Kentucky. — Mill Springs.-r-Forts .He»ry and Donelson taken. — Burnside's expedition cakes Roanoke Island. — Andrew Johnson. — Bat tle of Pea Ridge. — Merrimac and Monitor. — Capture of Island No. 10. — Opening of the Mississippi to Memphis. — Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. In January of this year, Col. John A. Garfield, of Ohio, with Jan. 9. a brigade, attacked Col. Humphrey Marshall, near Preston- prestonburg. burg, killed 60 men, and forced him with his troops to retire Con- k-> m- from Eastern Kentucky. 530 FORTS MOHENRT AND DONELSON. PART V. Gen. George H. Thomas encountered, near Mill Springs, in period i Southeastern Kentucky, the Confederate generals Zollikoffer chap. v. ' and Crittenden, and gained a victory ; for which he received y • the thanks of the President, — communicated by Edwin P. Stan- 1862. ton, now Secretary of War, in place of Simon Cameron, re- Mm Springs, signed. In this battle Gen. Zollikoffer was killed. Con. k„ 190; On the 2d of February, Gen. Grant sailed from Cairo with UnWk.3S; Com. Foote commanding a fleet of gunboats and transports. w., i«. Entering the Tennessee river at Paducah, they proceeded to Feb. 6. Fort Henry, near the southern border of Kentucky, which, taken!17 after a short but earnest resistance, was evacuated and taken. The expedition proceeded as far as Florence, at the foot of the, muscle-shoals, in Alabama. This unexpected appearance of the old Union flag was hailed by the loyalists, not unfrequently, with tears of joy. Twelve miles east, on the Cumberland River, lay the formidable fortress of Fort Donelson, garrisoned by 15,000 men, which Grant was resolved to attack. The gun boats were to co-operate on their return from Florence. Grant meantime marched across the country, and afthe head of 15,000 troops proceeded to invest the stronghold. Unfortu- Fort boiiei- nately a brave but premature attack was made on the works son invested, jjy a portion of the army under Gen. Lewis Wallace. On the arrival of the gunboats, Foote at once ran his iron-clad afmpVoote steamers close to the batteries, from which, however, they re- arrives at eeived so deadly a fire, that his flag-ship and ten others were ''"'disabled. He withdrew with the loss of 54 men killed and wounded. The attack by water having failed, Grant besieged the fort, hoping the further co-operation of the boats. Gen. Floyd, commander of the garrison, attempted now to retreat 2d battle to Nashville ; but was attacked by Grant's army, and after a Conhipre23i • bloody battle, with severe loss on both sides, Fort Donelson w„ loot; was surrendered. Floyd and Pillow having fled with a brigade pr'' ' ' up the river, the formalities of surrender were enacted by Gen. Buckner, the third in command. Nashville was now open to the Unionists, and was occupied by them within a week. March 3. Columbus, after the fall of the forts, was abandoned by the Sandoned Confederates, after first moving what they could of their guns bythe and munitions further down the river to Island No. 10, a few Confederates mileg aboye N(jw Ma(jri(L Qn the gd of March) ft body of Union cavalry entered Columbus and hoisted the national flag. Jan. 12. On the 12th of January, there sailed from Hampton Roads, SpediHon under Com. Goldsborough, a fleet of 100 vessels of all classes, against bearing land forces under Gen. Burnside : they were destined Roanoke. tQ tafee jjoanoke is]aT,rl, on the coast of North Carolina. This spot, lying between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, com manded their seashore, and had been strongly fortified with two new forts bearing 43 guns and garrisoned by 3,000 men. The invaders made their entrance into the inner waters at Hatteras Inlet, the same as in the former expedition ; but a PEA RIDGE. MONITOR AND MERRIMAC. 531 storm of terrible length and violence delayed them, and it was PART v. not until the 3d of February that the attack on the forts could ^RI0D t be begun. Colonel Shaw, their commandant, resisted bravely chap. v. till the evening of the 5th, when he surrendered. A small ^-^s fleet of gunboats under Com. Lynch had aided the forts, but 1862. now withdrew to Elizabeth City, to which place the Union Feb. s. ^ vessels pursued them : they were all destroyed but two, which un.'a"&w.| escaped up the Dismal Swamp Canal. In the attack on Fort ™'- Blanchard, Col. Russell, of Connecticut, was killed; and on 'soi; the Confederate side, Capt. O. J. Wise, son of the ex-governor Pr- 3'000- of Virginia, lost his life. Half the coast of North Carolina was now commanded by the Unionists. On the 3d of March, the fleet of Com. Duppnt, on the coast March 8. of Florida, came so unexpectedly upon the garrison of Fort ^j^"'",0 Clinch, in the port of Fernandino, that they fled, leaving to Com. Du Dupont their strong works uninjured and their guns in place. pc,n ' Ex-senator Yulee was on a railroad-train going from the city along the coast, when, as one of the vessels of the fleet fired into the cars, he left them and fled to the woods. A large portion of the State of Tennessee having now been recovered to the Union, President Lincoln nominated Andrew Johnson, U. S. senator from Tennessee, military governor of March 6. that State, with tbe rank of brigadier-general of volunteers ; ^p",^" and on the 5th of March, the Senate confirmed the nomina- mil. gov. of tion. On the 12th, he arrived in Nashville; and the next u^^uiar evening, in reply to a serenade, made a most loyal address to measures. 'the people. Not long after, when the Union officers wished to abandon Nashville, Gov. Johnson prevented them by his spir ited remonstrances. In Missouri, after Fremont and Hunter had retired, Gen, Halleck, who succeeded in command, had by judicious military operations driven Price across the State line into Arkansas. General Curtiss co-operated — while Price was joined by Gens. Van Dorn and McCulloch, the former in command of a Con- March 7. federate force said now to be 30,000 strong. Here the bloody P^f^d°fe battle of Pea Bidge occurred, lasting two days. On the first Un. k., 212'; day the Confederates had the advantage ; but on the second, <£;;, lo;9 the valor and conduct of the German Gen. Sigel turned the sup. greater. fortunes of the field. The Confederates were defeated, and two generals, McCulloch and Mcintosh, were killed. On the same day as the battle of Pea Ridge, occurred the wonderful affair of the ram Merrimac. In no particular did the American war attract attention throughout the civilized world, more than in the changes in naval warfare brought about by the- iron-coating of vessels, making them impenetrable to shot. The Confederates had thus iron-plated tbe sides, and made roof-like the top of the old U. S. steam-frigate Merrimac, and had fastened to the bow an immense iron prong. 532 ISLAND NO. 10. MEMPHIS. PART V. Its destructive powers were appreciated. The Union Navy ' Department, as well as several patriotic individuals, encouraged Mr. Ericsson, a Swede, in a plan which he had invented, of a - steam water-craft to meet this ram Merrimac. 1862. On the morning of March 8, it was seen advancing upon March 8. the Union fleet in Hampton Roads. Regardless of tenific Merrimac broadsides, the ram steered directly up to the frigate Cum- ana Monitor, berland, struck her with the iron prong, and beat a large hole in her side. She iank, and half her crew were lost. The Merrimac next sought the frigate Congress, which struck her colors, and at night was burned. Another frigate, the Minne sota, had run aground ; — and the Merrimac rested. Amazement and dread sat on every countenance : was the whole navy to be thus destroyed ? The next morning — so had Providence ordered — the little Ericsson battery, called a Monitor, appeared, commanded by Lieutenant Worden. She seemed like a small raft, with a re volving turret, in which were two enormous guns. As the Merrimac approached to assault the Minnesota, this little craft closed with her in a deadly conflict which lasted several hours. The Merrimac was finally obliged to succumb, and drew off totally disabled, never again to renew the conflict. In abandoning Columbus, the Confederates had made a stand at Island No. 10, in the Mississippi River, four miles above New Madrid. To take this island, General Pope was sent by General Halleck with a land force, to co-operate with Commodore Foote with a fleet of gunboats, prepared at Cairo . for this purpose. A memorable event occurred in the capture of this island ; this was the cutting of a channel twelve miles long, through a part of which Colonel Bissel, of the engineer corps, had to employ his men in sawing off large trees four feet under water. Through this channel a part of the .army of General Pope were moved to New Madrid, and thus the island, invested from above and below, was besieged for three weeks. Commodore Foote then determined, despite a hostile fleet, on running the gunboats past the forts on the island. Esjfloit of The iron-clad steamer Carondelet, Captain Walke, was selected, Cap*W-.ike. and in a thunder-storm on the night of the 5th of April she accomplished the perilous success. The remainder of the fleet followed on the succeeding night, and debarked a land Capture of force. The Confederates at once, and without a conflict, evac- isi^aNo.iouated the is}and_ Generai W_ D McCall surrendered 5,000 soldiers, a great quantity of ammunition, tents, horses, mnii.ndeS tne manner in which the Union officers were treated, espe cially by the women, and of the way in which Butler avenged them, would be a commentary on the text, " Where hatred is, there is confusion and every evil work." The results of the expedition were the opening of the Mis sissippi to Natchez, the capture of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and the occupation of a large part of the State of Louisiana. Gen. Pope's The troops operating in Northern Virginia under Generals caNorthernQ McDowell, Fremont, and Banks, were all combined in one army Va. under Major-General Pope. He took the field July 14, his forces being stationed at Culpepper and Fredericksburg. The withdrawal of General McClellan's army from the Peninsula had left General Lee at liberty to direct all his force against General Pope. By the 1st of August, the Confederates were in motion, marching northward, — intending to invade Mary land, and capture Washington and Baltimore. The plan was to fall upon and crush General Pope before any part of Gen- Aug."9. eral McClellan's army could be brought to his support. The 1 Mountain. m'st conflict occurred at Cedar Mountain, where General Banks met and repulsed the advance of General Lee. General Pope, I however, being unable to check the superior force brought against him, retired behind the Rapidan. Here he was at tacked, but maintained his position, and compelled General Lee to move higher up, and seek a pass through the Bull Run mountains. In the mean time, Stuart's cavalry got into Pope's rear, and captured several trains, and made many prisoners. Before General Lee could strike General Pope, a part of Aug. so. McClellan's army had arrived, and .a severe battle was fought Battieof on tne plains of Manassas, and another at Chantilly, in both of Manassas, which General Pope was defeated. In the latter the Union BaSieoV Generals Stevens and Kearney were killed. The army was Chantilly. drawn info the defences at Washington. General Pope's LEES INVASION OP MARYLAND. 541 this campaign were estimated at from 15,000 to PART V. PERIOD I. OHAP VI. losses in 20,000. The way was now open to General Lee either to attack Washington or invade Maryland. He chose the latter, and crossed the Potomac near Point of Rocks. He advanced as far as Frederic, where, on the 8th, he issued an address to the people, inviting them to join his standard. When General McClellan arrived in Washington he was within General Pope's department, and without a command. By direction of the President he was ordered to assume com mand of all the troops for the defence of the capital. He took measures immediately to check General Lee. By the 9th of September, his army was within sixteen miles of Frederic, and so posted as to command all the lower fords of the Potomac. As soon as Lee heard of the approach of McClellan he with drew from Frederic, and took a strong position at South' Moun tain. At the same time he dispatched Stonewall Jackson with 25,000 men to capture Harper's Ferry, and afterwards to re join him. General McClellan overtook Lee at South Mountain, and at s^t- **• once assaulted his position. The battle raged all the afternoon, Mountain. when the Confederates were driven from their ground, and re treated to a position behind Antietam Creek. The Federal army occupied the battle-ground. The Federal forces at Harper's Ferry numbered 13,000, com manded by Colonel Miles. The place was not fortified, and was not, perhaps, defensible. Sept 15. Harper's Perry sur- Colonel Miles surrendered, with- rendered to out any effort at defence or escape. The consequences were jaSn. disastrous. If he had held the place even for a day or two he would have prevented the junction of Jackson and Lee at Antietam. General McClellan pushed on his troops in pursuit of Lee, Sept. it. and attacked him at Antietam. The battle began early, in the Antfeto. morning, and raged all day. Attack and defence were obsti nate on both sides ; the ground was alternately lost and won, and nightfall left both armies on the field of battle, apparently ready to resume the contest in the morning. General McClel lan being tbe attacking party, and having won some points of - the Confederate position, had the advantage. But he did not deem it prudent to renew the attack the next day, and during sept. 18. the night General Lee abandoned the field, recrossed the Poto-^ylJ™^ mac, and gave up all hopes of remaining in Maryland. The Confederate loss in this campaign is supposed to have reached 30,,000. The Union losses, including the disgraceful surrender at Harper's Ferry, must have been much la.rger. General McClellan, after tbe battle of Antietam, lay en camped on the north bank of the Potomac, in the vicinity of Sharpsburgb and Harper's Ferry* until September 26, when the cavalry under Pleasanton, with General Burnside's corps, crossed into Virginia. While so encamped the Confederate i Sept 26. Pursuit of Lee. 542 FREDERICKSBURG. PART V. General Stuart again appeared at Chambersburgh with 1,800 cavalry, and making the entire circuit of McClellan's army, re- ohap. vl ' entered Virginia at Conrad's Ferry, six miles below the mouth ¦ Y — of the Monocacy. He burned government storehouses and 1862. machine-shops, and carried off 1,000 horses. All attempts to stnart's raid, intercept him failed. The delay of McClellan dissatisfied the Government. The army was in good condition and good spirits, and was steadily advancing and pressing the Confed- Oct. t. erates before it. On the 7th, General McClellan was ordered McClellan t0 turn over jjjs command to General Burnside, and await removed. „,,.,-,, -.x T ' further orders at Trenton, N. J. General Burnside did not seek the command. He had re fused it twice, and expressed the opinion which many held, that McClellan ought to be retained. He accepted only under Gen^Bur . peremptory orders from his superiors. He took command No- sides'ucceedB vember 10, and moved the army rapidly towards Fredericks burg. He had hofed to cross and occupy the heights around the city before General Lee could reach them. The pontoons, by which he expected to cross the river, did not leave Alexan dria until two days after he had arrived at Falmouth, nor until Lee had occupied the heights of Fredericksburg. . During the 11th and 12th, General Burnside threw bridges over the river, and his army crossed and occupied the city. The next day was spent in disposing his forces for an attack upon Lee's position, which extended in a semicircle from Point Nov. is. Royal to a point six miles above the city, and consisted of Fre'dericiL two rows 0I" batteries, one a mile in rear of the other, and burg. both overlooking the city. On the morning of the 13th, General Burnside ordered the assault. His left wing was commanded by General Franklin, who endeavored to take a battery, but was repulsed. He then attempted to turn the right of Lee's position, and gained nearly a mile, which was the only success of the day. General Sumner on the right, and General Hooker in the centre, made three attempts to scale the heights, but so deadly was the storm of shot and shell that they did not reach the first line of the Confederate position. The Federal dead and wounded lay where they fell, and could not be brought off. General Burnside ordered his army to recross the river on the night of the 15th, which was done without molestation from Lee. It was a bloody and fruitless battle, if battle it can be called, when one army, se cure in its intrenchments, deliberately shoots down another, kUii?881-oas' 'e(* out *nt° ^ °Pen ^e^ helpless and shelterless. '9,105; m.,'' The Confederate loss was very small, while, the Union loss '2.0T8. was 1^38 killed, 9,105 wounded, and 2,078 missing, a total of 12,321. o^^Poker General Burnside retained command until January 26, 1863, Succeeds when, at his own request, he was relieved, and General Joseph Burnside. Hooker was appointed to succeed him. BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH. 543 OHAPTEE VII. Buell's campaign in Kentucky. — Battle of Perryville.— Rosecrans' cam paign in Tennessee. — Battle of Stone River. — Battles of Iuka and Corinth. — Indian War. — State elections. — Congress meets. — President's message. — Suspension of Habeas Corpus.— Great Britain and Confed erate cruisers. — Foreign relations. — Secretary of Interior. After the battle of Shiloh, General Beauregard retired to PART V. his strong position at Corinth. General Halleck prepared to attack him by regular siege approaches. The Confederates P^,°^tt1' did not wait for an assault, but keeping up a show of strength ,p__-s-^_^ in front, quietly withdrew, with nearly all their material, into j§g.$, Alabama and Georgia. General Halleck returned to St. Louis, Confederates leaving General Buell in command. The war was transferred Cork.th. to Middle Tennessee and Kentucky, and the Federal army was rapidly marched there, to meet the advances of General Kirby Kirby Smith Smith and General Bragg from Chattanooga, northward, a°*T^gs threatening Nashville and Louisville. Smith drove before him Kentucky. small detachments of . Unionists through Cumberland Gap. Sharp encounters occurred between the cavalry of the two armies, but Bragg's march could not be checked. Buell fell back from Murfreesborough and from Nashville, reaching g . 25 Louisville September 25. Buell advised the evacuation of Bueii at Nashville, but the military governor, Andrew Johnson, remon- LouisviUe- strated so strongly against it, that it was decided to hold it. Bragg, detaching a force to attempt Nashville, pushed on to- sept. it. wards Louisville, occupying Mumfordsville September 17. Gen.Thomas While Buell was collecting his troops at Louisville, an order supersede came from Washington that Major-General George H. Thomas decline"' should supersede Buell, but by his advice General Buell was retained, with General Thomas as second in command. Generals Price and Van Dorn having crossed the Mississippi at the head of a large force, too late to join Beauregard, ad- Sept. 19. vanced against Corinth, Miss., where General Rosecrans was stationed. A sharp battle was fought at Iuka, September 19. General Price attempted to storm the Federal works without success. During the night he withdrew. Joining Van Dorn, their united forces fell upon Corinth October 4 ; after a fierce Oct 4. conflict of three hours, the Confederates were repulsed. In Conntb- the two battles Rosecrans lost 2,600 men. He captured 2,268 soldiers, 3,000 stand of small arms, and many guns. He esti mated tbe Confederate loss at 8,800 men. On the 1st of October, Buell resumed operations, moving Oct. i. one division of his army towards Frankfort, and the other J^nLa. three towards Bardstown. On the morning of the 8th, the Confederates were found strongly posted at Perrysville, and a 544 PERRVSVILLE. STONE RIVER. PART V. brisk engagement occurred, the contest being for possession of a commanding position, covering some pools of water,, for which chap. vn. the Federal army had been suffering three days. During the •^r^-^^- day Bragg made a furious onset on the Federal lines, aud at 1862. first gained a decided advantage, but re-enforcements coming up, Oct. 8. the Confederates were repulsed, and driven back through the " er y T1 ' town to their first position. Darkness terminated the conflict. Union loss Oury tw0 divisions of the Federal army had been engaged. k., 916; w.', The arrival of a third induced General Bragg to retreat, which ' 46D™'' be did during the night, in good order. Among the Union killed were Generals Terrell and Jackson. The Confederate loss is not known. Oct 2T. General Buell pursued Bragg as .far as Bowling Green and Rosecrans Glasgow, Kentucky, where he remained until the 27th, when 8UIBueii.eS he was superseded by General William S. Rosecrans. Bragg had concentrated his army at Murfreesboro, having iu his ad vance captured an immense booty, consisting of cattle, cloth ing, bacon, grain, and arms, which he took safely off in his retreat. Rosecrans reached Nashville November 7, and re mained there until December 26, the time being actively spent in repairing the railroad to Louisville, and in bringing forward supplies. Bragg having sent a large cavalry force into Ten nessee, and another into Kentucky, the occasion was seized to attack him. The movement began December 26, and by the 30th, the army was concentrated in the vicinity of Stone River. gtDeciv1- McCook commanded the right wing, Thomas the centre, and or ' Crittenden the left. The plan was to turn the Confederate Murfreesb'ro j^ght, but Bragg began the fight by an early and furious on slaught upon the right of Rosecrans. The Union forces were driven from their position, and were only saved from defeat by the strenuous exertions of their general, who rallied them late in the day, and forming a new line, repulsed the Confederates. The next day was spent in feeling each other's lines. On the morning of January 2, Bragg opened a heavy fire of artillery upon Rosecrans' centre. It was soon silenced by a return fire, and for a time the combat ceased. Rosecrans pushed a divis ion across Stone River, taking a strong position. About three o'clock p. m. the Confederates fell upon it, and drove it back, pursuing closely. But a terrible fire of artillery, followed by a charge of infantry, drove them in disorder across the river. Darkness and a chill winter rain closed the day, and prevented pursuit. The rain fell all the next day. On the night of the 3d, General Bragg evacuated Murfreesboro, and General Rose crans entered it on the 5th. Rosecrans had 43,400 men, of Union loss, whom he lost 1,533 killed, 7,245 wounded, and 2,800 missing, 7 245 w.' a tota,l 0I" H.5?8- Bragg's army was estimated at 62,490, and 2|800 m! his total loss at 14,560. Coi4£60.o3S' An Indian massacre in Minnesota added to the horrors of the civil war. The first disturbance, August 17, was by four drunken Indians near Red Wood, who, after an altercation INDIAN MASSACRE. 545 with each other, killed several white men. The next day, be- PART V. tween 250 and 300 Indians, led by their chief, Little Crow, PEKI0D r attacked the agency at Little Medicine, and slaughtered all the chap. vii. ' whites. They then spread themselves throughout all the west- - era part of the State and into Dakota, burning and plundering isolated and defenceless farm-houses, murdering men, women, and children, thus renewing all the atrocities that marked the Indian wars of our early history. Colonel Schley held them in check, until at length General Pope was sent with a suffi- Sept. 22. cient force, and in a sharp battle at Wood Lake utterly de- Indians e feated them. Five hundred were taken prisoners, tried by defeated. court-martial, and sentenced to be hung. By the President's order only thirty-eight were hung, and the rest, after a long imprisonment, were set at liberty. It is estimated that from 20,000 to 30,000 persons were driven from their homes, and that 500 lost their lives. Thousands of women and children were made dependent upon charity for their support. In rais ing the means, the excellent Bishop Whipple was very active. In the State elections in the fall of 1862 the Republican state party was generally successful, electing a majority of the Representatives in Congress. The opposition charged the Ad ministration with incapacity in the conduct of the war, with a violation of law and constitution in the arrest of persons sus pected of treason, and with prosecuting the war for the abo lition of slavery. In New York, Horatio Seymour, the Demo cratic candidate for governor, was elected, but the Republicans secured a majority in both branches of the Legislature. Congress met December 1, 1862. The President's Message Dec. 1. dwelt chiefly upon his favorite scheme of colonizing the ne- Message.'3 grbes in some other country. He laments the apparent un- Colonization willingness of the negroes to emigrate. He says that applica- R1 s' tion to the Central and South American States to permit colonies to be established within their limits had been rejected. The only States that would consent to receive them were Li beria and Hayti. ' He proposed an amendment to the Consti- Compensated tution, by which the States that should abolish slavery on or epra0pCoS>ed. " before the year 1900, should receive compensation. The earnestness with which this scheme is urged upon Congress and the country shows equally his dislike of slavery and his desire to do justice to slave-owners. But, alas, the Southern States were too zealously engaged for disunion and independ ence to listen to his appeals, while Congress and the North thought it too late to make the offer. The question was now left to the arbitrament of the sword. It was only three months after this Message was sent to Congress that Mr. Lincoln pro claimed freedom to all the slaves within the military lines of the Confederacy. Congress legalized the acts of all persons who had made Arrests arrests and imprisonments by authority of the President, in- legalized. demnifying him and them for all loss and damage, and mak- 546 HABEAS CORPUS. CONFEDERATE CRUISERS. PART V. PERIOD I, CHAP. TH. 1862. Suspension of Habeas Corpus. Gt Britain & Confed. cruisers. Foreign relations. Secretary of Interior. ing void all prosecutions and proceedings relating thereto. As the President had deemed it necessary, on several occasions, to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and as the Constitution was silent upon the point in dispute (the proper power to exer cise the right of suspension), Congress also passed an act au thorizing the President to suspend the writ, " at such times, and in such places, and with regard to such persons as in his judgment the public safety may require." In pursuance of this act he suspended the writ September 15, 1863, "tbe sus pension to continue throughout the duration of the rebellion." A few cruisers, sailing undet the Confederate flag during the war, inflicted great damage upon commerce. Every facility was afforded in Great Britain, and in her colonial ports,' for building, victualling, arming, equipping, %,nd repairing these vessels. The Oreto was built in Liverpool, sailed to Nassau August, 1862, was there detained awhile, and then delivered to Captain Maffit, arid subsequently appeared as the Florida, sailing from Mobile. The Alabama, built at Birkenhead, sailed from the Mersey June 29, 1861, under Captain Semmes. The Shenandoah, built at Glasgow in 1863, sailed from Liver pool to Madeira, and there received her crew and armament from the British brig Laurel, and started on a cruise to the Arctic Ocean to destroy American whaling-vessels. The Brit ish Government either could not, or would not, prevent these violations of neutrality. Our Government gave England notice that indemnity would be claimed for the damage done by such vessels. The Emperor Napoleon, in 1862, proposed to Great Britain and to Russia to unite with him in a joint effort at mediation between the United States and the Confederates. Those powers declining, he undertook it alone. He proposed that the two parties should appoint commissioners to deliberate upon and discuss the matters in difference, and endeavor to come to a peaceable solution. The President's reply respectfully de clined the emperor's good offices, and informed him that the Confederate States could, at any time, terminate the war by laying down their arms, and resuming their old relations in the Union. In January, 1863, John P. Usher was appointed Secretary of the Interior, to succeed Caleb B. Smith, appointed Judge of the United States District Court of Indiana. SURRENDER OP HOLLY SPRINGS. 547 CHAPTEE VIII. The Vicksburg Campaign.— Grierson's Raid. — Surrender of Vicksburg 1 and Port Hudson. — Opening of the Mississippi. — Hooker's Campaign. — Battle of Chancellorsville. — Lee invades Maryland and Pennsylvania. — Battle of Gettysburg. — Lee retreats to Virginia. — Morgan's Raid into Indiana and Ohio. — Naval Operations. — Attack on Charleston and Fort Sumter by Iron-clads. — Capture of the Florida, Nashville, and Atlanta. The operations of 1862 had given to the Union possession paRTV. of the whole valley of the Mississippi from Cairo to Memphis, and from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. The Confederates still held Vicksburg and Port Hudson, with the intermediate country. The campaign against Vicksburg began in November. i§62 General Giant was maturing his plans for a movement, and to had already given orders for the forces at Memphis and Helena, Q~n ^f^n ih Arkansas, under General Sherman, and those at Cairo, under vicksburg PERIOD I. CHAP. VIII. General McClernand, to descend the river to Vicksburg ; while fro™PN?v', he himself intended to March against the Confederates in the j'f62; |g3 State of Mississippi, to the north and east. But the cowardly surrender of Holly Springs, his base of supplies, by Colonel Murphy, to General Van Dorn, with all the army stores of Dec. 20. food, clothing, ammunition, &c, to the value of ten millions of surrender of dollars, compelled General Grant to fall back, and suspend the ^"^L land movement. General Sherman, mean time, moved down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Yazoo River, and prepared to attack the defences of Vicksburg and the important post of Haines' Bluff, in its vicinity. The assault was made ; but-the ^J^f*' strength of the positions, the desperate defence of the Con- assault on federates, and the failure of General Grant to co-operate, in- BalaffS duced General Sherman to suspend his attack, and withdraw his forces to Milbken's Bend, twelve miles up tbe Mississippi River. While remaining here, an expedition was sent up the Arkansas River, under Gen. McClernand, which captured Ar- Arkansas kan'sas Post, taking about 5,000 prisoners. Other small places w?*h tooo on the White River were also taken. men- During January, Grant moved his army from Memphis down to Young's Point, on the west bank of the river, a few Feb. 2. miles north of Vicksburg. The whole of February and March Youn^'pt. were spent in preparing means to get below Vicksburg with tbe army. On the night of April 16th,. he attempted to run April 16. the gunboats and transports past the batteries of Vicksburg, J^yS and march the army by land. This perilous undertaking was bo.rg. successfully accomplished. One transport was struck, set on fire, and abandoned by the crew. Six more followed, one of which was sunk; but the others went through with slight in jury. A part of the army had already reached .-the bank uf tbe river, and were taken on board the transports down to 548 VICKSBURG. PART V. Grand Gulf, which was shelled by the gunboats, but proved pepiod t0° stron.3 t° De captured by them. The troops were again chap. vm. lauded, and marched to a point below ; while the gunboats and - — --^ transports ran the batteries of Grand Gulf, and the troops 1863. crossed the river below, at Bruiusburg. The next day the GrM^Guif arnl3' moved down to Port Gibson, and, defeating tbe Confed- evacuoted erate troops that opposed them, Grand Gulf was evacuated, Confederates and possession taken by Commodore Porter. When General Grant, in the prosecution of his original plan, May 19. at length moved east and north from the river, he took only sura hisforl- five days' provisions. By the 19th of May, he had fought five ginai plan, battles and one skirmish, and had occupied Jackson, the cap ital of Mississippi, driving General Joseph Johnston into the interior, and General Pemberton, with about 30,000 men, into Vicksburg. While he was closing in and around Vicksburg, Commodore Porter ascended the Yazoo River ; and, just as the advance of Sherman's army made its appearance at Sny- Haffies'Bmff der's Bluff, Commodore Porter captured Haines' Bluff, just taken by below Vicksburg. whose fourteen forts, with all their armament, fell into his hands ; and the place was made thereafter the base of supplies for Grant's army. General assaults were twice made upon Vicksburg, but with out success, Grant not having troops enough completely to in vest it ; but, drawing re-enforcements from the army of the Ohio, General Grant was thus enabled to complete the invest ment, and he then commenced a regular siege. After the 26th of May, firing was continued night and day. A hat was once held above a port-hole, and in two minUtes was pierced with July 4th. fifteen balls by the Union sharpshooters. For 'the first five pjinamKi-EB ciayS 0f tne sjeg^ (jjg garrison had full rations ; but each per- VicteBiraa. son was afterwards reduced to 14^ ounces of food daily. It was on the 4th of July, the nation's birthday, that the im portant event of Pemberton's final surrender occurred. The indomitable courage and perseverance shown by Grant had its influence upon the whole warj not merely in the opening of the Mississippi, but as it manifested to America and to the world that the Union had in this officer a master toS'k.'fc'w.* mincl> witn a genius for war ; and this manifestation was made 10,600. ' after the Confederates had lost Stonewall Jackson. Tow, 47,006. Grant reported that, during tbe campaign, the Confederates kU"ii34Uw had Iost 3,?'000 in prisoners, and 10,000 killed and wounded. 7,095; mils- His own loss was 1,234 killed, 7,095 wounded, 557 missing. Totfi. s8S86. The amount of property destroyed cannot be estimated at less * than fifty millions of dollars ! Basins7- ^n 0I'der to aid General Grant, by destroying the communi- Grierson's cations of General Johnston with the East, an important expe- Mayraid' He dition had been organized at Memphis, which, under General BSSiT-R *t Grierson, marched southward through the heart of Mississippi. 600iniie™fnln his course he destroyed the Memphis and New Orleans is days. Railroad, with many bridges, and property to a great amount. NEW ORLEANS. CHANCELLOKSVILLE. 549 General Grierson's march terminated at Baton Rouge, 800 PART V. miles in thirteen days. period i. The Louisiana campaign of General Banks may be con- chap, vjn.' sidered a part of the Vicksburg campaign, both having in ¦ view the same object, the opening of the Mississippi River. General Banks had superseded General Butler at New Orleans, and was instructed to capture Port Hudson. His forces con sisted of 25,000 men, and a fleet of gunboats under Commo dore Farragut, all of which were for a time concentrated at Baton Rouge. Before attacking General Gardiner at Port Hudson, General Banks thought best to take possession of all that part of Louisiana lying west and north of New Orleans, as far as Alexandria. This was accomplished with the main part of his force, during the month of April ; and, on the 6th of May, Alexandria was occupied by Commodore Porter. 1863. Preparations were now made to invest Port Hudson, and Gen. Yav 6i'': Banks crossed five miles above that place, at Bayou Sara, occupied.** effecting a junction the next day with that portion of the troops which he had left at Baton Rouge, with orders to march up the east bank of the river to Port Hudson, that place being May 21. thus completely invested. General Banks made, with consid- Poft Hud- erable loss, two unsuccessful assaults upon the Confederate works. After this, the siege was prosecuted vigorously until Jul 8 July 7th. The news of the surrender of Vicksburg being then Port Hud- received, the next day General Gardiner formally surrendered surrenders. Port Hudson, with 6,233 prisoners. The Mississippi was now open from its source to its mouth, TheMitsis- and the Confederacy practically cut in twain. B,ppl open- After the repulse of Burnside, Gen. Lee remained at Freder icksburg, while Gen. Hooker occupied the opposite bank of the j^^'s river at Falmouth. Late in April, Gen. Hooker crossed the campaign. Rappahannock by Kelly's ford, 25 miles above Fredericks burg, and by the 30th had reaebed Chancellorsville, a few miles southwest of that place. Before moving his army, he stoneman's bad sent a strong cavalry force under Gen. Stoneman to cut the railroad in Lee's rear, so as to prevent his receiving re- enforcements from Richmond. Stoneman rode within a few miles of Richmond, destroyed ma,ny miles of railroad, much government property, arrived at Gloucester Point in safety, and embarked for Washington. When news of this success reached Hooker, the bloody battle of Chancellorsville had been *]£«.«* f" lost and won. On the 2d of May, the left wing of Lee's army, Chanceiiors- led by Stonewall Jackson, made a powerful attack upon Hooker's right, and after heroic deeds of valor on both 6ides, victory rested with the Confederates. Stonewall Jackson, to Death of whose skill in ordering the battle this success was owing, fell jackson. mortally wounded ; and so universally was he respected and Un1i1OQ0'0>ss' admired, that tbe news of his death sent a thrill through both Ooii. loss armies, and throughout the nation. The Union loss was unknowa 11,000, among them Gen. Whipple. The loss of the Confed- 550 GETTYSBURG. PART V. erates is unknown. Ou the night of the 5th, Hooker recrossed : the Rappahannock in a heavy rain-storm. PcaAP°viii.' Gen. Lee was encouraged by his victory to make another -^—..^^ invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania. His army numbered 1363. more than 100,000. He advanced by the Shenandoah valley, June isth. surprised and captured Winchester and Martinsburg, with their Maryland? stores, and his march to Chambersburg was unchecked by any Hiooaooo7 serious opposition. Gen. Hooker, however, had early divined Lee's purpose, and Hooker had -prepared for it by sending his sick, his wounded, and his Ranis'0" military stores to Washington. His army had been weakened Washington, by the return home of volunteers whose term of enlistment had expired, and he could expect no re-enforcements from the East. Yet Hooker had so disposed his retreating army as to deter Lee from an attack, and also to cover Washington. When 0 Lee had reached Chambersburg, Hooker was at and near Frederic, Md. Lee's march had been rapid, and Hooker had Ge™ii "d ¦"£ePt Pace W^ *"m- "^n order of President Lincoln, made at supersedes the request of Gen. Hooker; now placed Gen. George G. Meade Hooker. at ^e jjea'e Charleston, S. C. For this purpose,, a fleet of nine by the iron iron-clads had been collected under the command of Com- clfld8, modore Dupont. The harbor of Charleston was defended by no less than fourteen batteries and forts, mounting formidable » guns, all arranged so as to bear upon some part of the chan nel. The channel was also protected by torpedoes and other sub-marine obstacles, and rows of piles. At noon, April 7tb, the vessels crossed the bar, the Weehawken taking the lead. At 2.50 p.m., the guns of Fort Moultrie opened upon the Wee hawken. By four o'clock the nine vessels were all ranged on the northeast front of Fort Sumter, at distances varying from 550 to 800 yards. In the mean time, the several forts poured upon the fleet the concentrated fire of 300 guns. The iron clads could oppose to this fire but 16 guns. It was said that, during the climax of the fire, 160 shots were counted in a single minute, and some of the officers described the projec- NAVAL OPERATIONS. 553 tiles as striking their vessels sometimes as rapidly as the tick- PARTV. ing of a clock. Such projectiles must have been small shot; for during the contest, the Passaic was struck 35 times, the 0'HAP. IX.' Nahant, 36 times, the Patapsco 47 times, the Nantucket 51, .^ _^___* the Montauk 14, and the Catskill 20 times. The Keokuk was 1§(J3. struck 40 times, and 19 shots pierced at and below the water- line. She sank the next morning. The nine ships had been able to fire but 139 shots against Fort Sumter. The fleet withdrew, all the vessels injured slightly about the turrets. The casualties were one killed and twenty-five wounded. The attack was not renewed. The result would justify the conclu sion that iron-clad vessels are not capable of reducing forts and land batteries. In June, Commodore Dupont sent the Weehawken and Nahant to Warsaw Sound to look after the Atlanta and other Confederate ships which were meditating an attack on the blockading fleet. About four o'clock of the 17th, the Atlanta came steaming down the Wilmingt9n River, at whose mouth the iron-clads lay. The Weehawken and Nahant steamed up the bar to meet her. The Atlanta fired the first shot, and ^™lt}^ missed. The Weehawken reserved her fire until within 300 taken. yards distance, and then discharged he.r fifteen-inch gun. As she neared, she fired three more guns. Each shot took effect. The first and third decided the contest. The battle lasted but fifteen minutes. Two iron-clads were lost during the year. The Monitor, ^-J0^- whose victory over the Merrimac had astonished the world, Monitor. went down at sea the night of December 30th, 1862. The ' Weehawken, whose capture of the Atlanta redeemed the iron- Dec- M863. clads from the disgrace of the Charleston disaster, sank at her eln^ en moorings December 6th, 1863, during a northeasterly gale. The number of vessels captured by the several squadrons Vessels from the commencement of the war up to November 1st, "K^.'7 1863, was 1,045. The value of the prizes sent to admiralty courts for adjudication was estimated by Secretary Welles at $13,000,000. CHAPTEE IX. Rosecrans drives Bragg.— Chickamauga.— Thomas saves the army.— General Grant assumes command.— Hooker scales Lookout Mountain.— Battle of Chattanooga.— Defeat of -fjragg.— Knoxville relieved.— West Virginia.— Enrolment and draft.— Mobs in New York and other places. — Congress meets.— President's message.— Amnesty and reconstruction. —Arbitrary arrests.— Case of Vnllandigham.— State elections. Thb winter of 1863 was spent by the opposing armies in March and Tennessee in recruiting, and preparing for the summer cam- Balds. 554 GEN. THOMAS SAVES THE ARMY. PART V. paign. The only military operations were mutual raids to period i interrupt each other's communications, cut off and destroy ohap. ii. trains and supplies. ¦ , ¦ From January to June the Union army, under General Rose- 1863. crans, lay at Murfreesboro. Supplies were brought forward, Jan. to June an(j a ]arge fortified depot was established. A cavalry force Rosecrans at was also organized and equipped. Bragg's army, meantime, urrees or oceUpje fortifying himself in Chattanooga. This important re sult was obtained without any severe battle, and with but few slight skirmishes, in which Rosecrans lost 85 killed, 462 wounded, and 13 missing., He captured 1,634 prisoners. Railroad The next object was to capture Chattanooga, which com- repaired. manc[eci the route towards Atlanta and Georgia. The rail roads between the Tennessee River and Nashville were first repaired, and were in condition for use July 25, when Sheri dan's division occupied Stevenson and Bridgeport. Betweeii Sept. 4. the 16th and 29th of August, the army had crossed tbe Ten- EA?abamSa.in nessee Mountains, and by the 4th of September, had passed the Tennesse River. Passing the Sand Mountains and Look out Mountain, on the 18th September, the army was concen trated near Crawfish Springs, in the valley of the Chickamauga. Meanwhile, Bragg had retreated to La Fayette, Georgia, where, being reinforced by Longstreet's division from Virginia, he again moved towards Chattanooga. Sept. 19. On the morning of the 19th began the battle of Chicka- Chicka- mauga, by an attack led by General Thomas upon Bragg's right. The battle became general along the whole line, and First day. lasted a" day, without material advantage to either side, dark ness closing the contest. The next morning Bragg renewed Second day ^e ^&nt ^ an overwhelming assault upon the Union centre, ' commanded by Davis and Sheridan, piercing the line, and cut- Defeat of *'nS tne army in twain. The right wing was driven in con- Eosecrans. fusion from the field, and retreated to Chattanooga, General Rosecrans being carried along with the fugitives. The left ^aratS"8 willS' uncler General Thomas, maintained its ground, repulsed army, every assault, held its position until night, and then withdrew in good order to Rossville. Remaining there all the next day, General Thomas, at night, marched to Chattanooga. His tk.,1i?68iT' ski'l and conduct saved the army. On the night of Septein- m" 5 ms' ber 30' ^ra8S dispatched Wheeler's cavalry across the Ten- Confed. loss, nessee River, above Chattanooga, with directions to cut Rose- \v"ulu- crall"i' communications. Wheeler was closely followed by in'., 2,'oos.' Generals McCook and Mitchell, who defeated him in two ac- GEN. HOOKER SCALES LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. 555 tions, and drove him out of Tennessee before he could do any damage to the railroads. After the battle of Chickamauga, the three departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee were combined, and named the Military Division of the Mississippi, General Grant assuming the command. The Army of the Cumberland was at Chattanooga ; the Army of the Ohio, under General Burnside, was at Knoxville; General W. T. Sherman, with Blair's division of the Army of the Mississippi, was on his march from Memphis to re-enforce Rosecrans ; and Hooker's corps,, from the Army of the Potomac, was on the way to Chattanooga. General Thomas, who had succeeded General Rosecrans in the Command of the Army of the Cumberland, ordered Hooker to occupy Bridgeport. General Grant, arriv ing at Chattanooga October 23, approved and executed the plans of General Thomas. Bragg's army was strongly posted on the heights around and below Chattanooga, and unless he could be dislodged, that place was untenable. A series of movements, planned by General Thomas, wrested from Bragg the positions that com manded the river, and opened it as a channel of supplies, which bad previously been brought in wagons sixty miles across tbe mountains. Early in November, and while Grant was concentrating his forces, Bragg weakened his army by detaching Longstreet to attack Burnside at Knoxville. November 16, General Sherman reached Bridgeport, and November 23, crossing the river, fortified himself on Missionary Ridge. Grant now ordered tbe attack upon Bragg's position. It was begun by General Thomas, who drove the Confederates from their front line, interposing one of his corps between them and the river. The same morning Hooker scaled the western slope of Lookout Mountain, drove the Confederates from their rifle-pits, capturing many prisoners, with small loss. The next mornino- be took possession of the top of the mountain, and swept across Lookout valley to Rossville. His march was for hours among the clouds that enveloped the mountains, hiding the army from view, their course being indicated by the report and echoes of their guus. At the same time General Sherman assailed Bragg's right, gaining and holding a line close to his rifle-pits. General Thomas also assaulted Bragg's centre, his troops nimbly climbing the steep sides of Missionary Ridge, carrying the summit, and dashing irresistibly through and over the Confederate works. Bragg, believing the heights impreg nable, delayed his own retreat until the Unionists were close upon him, and in his haste he could not save his personal ef fects. By midnight his army was in full retreat, leaving on the field thousands of small arms, and a large part of his ar tillery. General Grant, without delay, ordered Sherman, with a PART v. PERIOD I. OHAP. IX. Gen.Thomas supersedesRosecrans. Opening of Tennessee River. Longstreet sent to Knoxville. Nov. 23. Chatta nooga. Hooker scales Lookout Mountain. Defeat of 556 RIOTS IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE DRAFT. PART V. strong body of men, to the relief of Burnside, now sorely ~ pressed by Longstreet. The city had been furiously assailed by the best division of Lee's army of Northern Virginia, and -had been gallantly and successfully defended. The approach of Sherman caused Longstreet to raise the siege, and retreat towards Virginia. Sherman's advance entered Knoxville on the night of December 3, and he arrived on the 16th. Re maining a few days to advise with Burnside about the pursuit of Longstreet, and leaving Granger's corps at Knoxville, with the rest of his division he returned by slow marches to Chat tanooga. Union loss General Grant's loss in the campaign was 757 killed, 4,529 k., 757;' wounded, and 330 missing. He captured 239 officers, 5,903 w ' privates, 40 guns, and 7,000 small arms. The Confederate loss is not known, but it must have been at least equal to Grant's. West Congress admitted the new State of West Virginia by an Virginia, act passed and approved December 31, 1862, but it was not till the April following that the President issued his proclama tion, declaring West Virginia one of the United States. Enrolment I™ March, 1863, Congress passed an act requiring an en- and Draft rolment of all the able-bodied male citizens of the United States. The whole country was divided into districts, for each of which a provost-marshal was appointed, subordinate to a provost- marsbal-general at Washington. The enrolment was rapidly completed, amidst some excitement and dissatisfaction. The result showed that the number of men, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, liable to military duty, and not in the army, was 3,113,305. The draft was ordered to be made in July. One-fifth of the number enrolled was assumed as the quota of each district. As the day approached for tbe drawing to begin, threats were publicly made of forcible opposition. In many of the large cities combinations to resist were secretly formed. The draft, however, was made, and in most places without opposition. But in New York city, on the second day, the office of one of July 13. the provost-marshals was assailed and demolished by a mob. RloUn New A fearful ^ Mowed) whioh raged for four days_ Many houses and stores were sacked and burned. The fury of the mob was directed against prominent Union men, soldiers, and citizens, many of whom were brutally murdered. Armories, gun-stores, and rifle-factories were plundered. The negroes were especially the objects of the fiendish hate and assault of the mob. They were knocked down, robbed, and killed, with out pity. The Colored Orphan Asylum was entered, its in mates thrust into the streets, and the building fired. Property valued at three or four millions of dollars was destroyed. Gov ernor Seymour visited the city, and by public speech and pri vate influence strove to save the city from violence. But reason and persuasion failed. Martial law was proclaimed, and the MR. LINCOLN ATTEMPTS RECONCILIATION. 557 1863. Dec. 1. Congress meets. President's United States troops, under the direction of General Wool, PART V. aided by the admirable police of the city, finally suppressed the riot. It is said that more than a thousand lives were lost. A similar riot occurred in the city of Troy. In Boston, Ports mouth, and other places, the mob spirit was promptly quelled. This, and subsequent drafts, were completed without a recur rence of violence. The Thirty-ninth Congress met December 1, 1863. The President's Message was mainly confined to the ordinary topics of foreign relations, finance, and war. Alluding to the still unsettled question of slavery, he expresses his resolution to abide by the Emancipation Proclamation. The effect of it had been favorable abroad and at home. He suggested a plan for restoring the rebellious States to their former relations to the Union, by which he would retain " the name of the State, its boundaries, its constitution, and general code of laws, as existing before the rebellion." He also- promised not to object to any provision concerning the freedmen which should "recognize their permanent freedom, provide for their educa tion, and not be inconsistent, as a temporary arrangement, with their condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class." Accompanying the Message was a proclamation of amnesty Amnesty. to all persons who would withdraw from the rebellion, and take an oath henceforth to obey the Constitution and laws, and support all proclamations relating to slaves. He excepted from the benefit of the amnesty six classes of persons, namely : 1. " Civil or diplomatic officers, or agents of the so-called Confederate government;" 2. "All who have left judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion;" 3. " Military or naval officers under the rebel government, above the rank of colonel in the army, or of lieutenant in the navy ;" 4. "All who left seats in the United States Congress to aid the rebellion;" 5. "All who resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States, and afterwards aided the rebellion ;" 6. " All who had treated colored persons found in the service of the United States otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war." During the war, the administration, from time to time, through its marshals, and by military force, bad arrested many * persons without due process of law. Such persons were held in prison, without being brought to trial, without being ad mitted to bail, and without specific charges ¦ against them. Such arrests were contrary to the instincts and prejudices of a free people. The opposition justly complained of them, and the people would have abandoned the administration but for the confidence reposed in tbe integrity, unselfish zeal, and jus tice of Mr. Lincoln. They would not believe that he would depart from the ordinary course without good and sufficient reasons. It was well known that Confederate emissaries and spies were continually passing between Canada and Richmond. Arbitrary arrests. 558 INEFFECTUAL OPPOSITION TO MR. LINCOEiN. PERIOD I, CHAP. X. 1863. Vallandlj bam. PART V. Men in the North and West were in correspondence with Confederates. Advertisements in the New York and Rich mond papers served as ciphers to communicate news. The opponents of the administration did not always keep within the limits of the law. In Ohio, on the first of May, C. L. Vallandigham made a speech, in which he denounced an order, No. 38, issued by General Burnside, avowed his intention to disobey it, and called on the people to resist it, and defeat its execution. The habeas corpus having been suspended, and martial law proclaimed in Burnside's department, the General caused Mr. Vallandigham to be arrested for his speech, and tried by a military commission. He was convicted, and sentenced to close confinement. He applied to the United States District/Court for a habeas corpus, which was refused. The President, thereupon commuted his punishment into ban ishment within the rebel lines, forbidding him to return until the close of the war. Mr. Vallandigham was carried into Tennessee, and turned over to the care of General Bragg. He escaped during the year on one of the blockade-runners, and went to Canada. In 1864 he returned to the United States, and no further effort was made to punish him. The State elections in the fall of this year were warmly contested. The opposition denounced arbitrary and military arrests, the suspension of the habeas corpus, and the draft ; complained of the Emancipation Proclamation, and of the length and expense of the war, and everywhere made the arrest and exile of Vallandigham a principal ground of attack. In Ohio he was nominated as the Democratic candidate for governor, but the majority against him was nearly one hun dred thousand. Every State, except New Jersey, sustained the administration. State elections. CHAPTER X. Strength of the Confederate and Union armies. — Sherman's march to Me ridian. — Operations in Tennessee and Florida.— Red River expedi tion. — Raids into Kentucky. — Raid against Richmond. — Grant made Lieut.-General. — Sherman assigned to Department of Mississippi.— Death of Chief Justice Taney. — Incendiary fires in New York. — Raid from Canada upon St. Albans. Thb close of the year 1863 left the Federal government in possession of the Mississippi River, and also of all the impor tant ports on the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico, except Confederate Wilmington, Charleston, and Mobile. The Confederacy still aMfiw. had two large armies under two able commanders. Lee in U 70onoooCe' Virginia and North Carolina at the head of 150,000, and Johnston in Georgia at the head of 60,000. The United gen. Sherman's movements, gen. banks' failure. 559 States had, probably, twice that number in the field, besides PART V. those in forts and garrisons. ~ The clash of arms ceased during the beginning of winter. CHAP. X. The lull was broken by expeditions preparatory to the final • struggle. Gen. Sherman, Feb. 3, marched from Vicksburg, 1864. with 30,000 men, to Meridian; reaching the place on the GfBebg^r. J 5th. Here he expected to be joined by a cavalry force of man's march 7.000, under Gen. W. F. Smith, who set out from Memphis i0 Mf>rlaiM1> on the 1 1th. But Gen. Smith was met and checked by supe rior forces under Forrest, and fell back to Memphis. Gen. Sherman occupied Meridian for a week, and then returned, ^x'^' Feb. 26, to Vicksburg, having destroyed 200 miles of railroad, vicksbnrg, with cars and connections, 67 bridges, thousands of bales of XamafTto cotton, and millions of bushels of corn. This destruction of tbe Confed- communications and property crippled the Confederates, and erates' had a damaging effect upon all their operations for the year. Gen. Johnston sent a force from DaltOn to oppose the march of Sherman, supposing his object to be Mobile. To counteract this movement, Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Palmer to advance Feb. 22. towards Dalton and threaten an attack upon Johnston. The threatens army moved forward within two miles of Dalton, but after Dalton. some slight skirmishes, withdrew to Ringgold. Gen. Schofield, who had superseded Gen. Burnside in East Tennessee, moved against Gen. Longstreet, who had wintered there. Longstreet retreated into Virginia, rejoining Lee. An expedition designed to occupy Florida, consisting of F b 6 twenty steamers and eight schooners, with 5,000 men under Expedition Gen. Gillmore, sailed from Hilton Head. The army began its to Florida. march immediately under General Seymour, and by the 15th, after slight skirmishing, reached Baldwin. Continuing the march, on the 20th they encountered Gen. Finnegan, at Olus- ofustea tee ; and after suffering a disastrous defeat, returned to Jack- Unionists ' ¦„ & defeated. sonville. A formidable expedition for the capture of Shreveport, on the Red River, and the occupation of Western Louisiana, was Banks' Red organized under Gen. Banks, at New Orleans. A large fleet EiTdeitj03^pe" under Rear- Admiral Porter, consisting of three monitors, seven iron-clads, and ten other vessels, was collected at the mouth of Red River. March 12, the expedition began the ascent of the river. On the 14th, Fort De Russy was captured. The Con federate forces under Gen. Dick Taylor were defeated in two encounters, on the 21st, at Henderson HiU, and the 28th, at Cane River. On the morning of April 6, the whole army, which had been concentrated at Alexandria and Grand Ecore, moved from the latter place and engaged the Confederates at Pleasant Hill, driving them from tbe field. On the morning of the 8th, the advance of Gen. Banks, consisting of about A g 8,000 men, reached Sabine Cross Roads ; while Gen. Franklin, Sabine Cross with the 19th corps, was in camp, nine miles in the rear, and Ko'lds• Gen. Smith, with half of the 16th and 17th corps, was twenty HiU. 560 CRUEL MASSACRE OF NEGROES AT FORT PILLOW. PART V. miles in the rear. Gen. Dick Taylor fell with his whole force period uPon ^en" -Banks, and before Gen. Franklin could come to his chap. x. aid, defeated him, with a loss of 2,000 men and the whole of - his transportation train. Banks retreated during the night to Pleasant Hill, followed by Taylor, and a second battle ensued, in which the Confederates were driven from the field. But Banks' victory was barren, and his losses so great, that, the next morning, leaving his dead unburied, he began his retreat towards Alexandria, where he arrived April 27. Here he was detained until May 14. The water in the river was so low that the gunboats could not descend the falls, until Lieut.-Col. Bailey suggested the construction of wing-dams on each side of the river, leaving a channel fifty feet wide in the middle. His suggestion was carried into effect under his own superin tendence : the fleet passed safely over the falls, and reached the mouth of Red River, May 16. The army returned to New Orleans, and the fleet' to its station on the Mississippi. The expedition was a disastrous failure, with the loss of 3,000 men, 20 pieces of artillery, 1,200 horses and mules, and immense quantities of army stores. Gen. Steele left his station at Little Rock, Ark., March 23d, to co-operate with Gen. Banks. He reached Arkadelphia the 28th. April 16, he was joined by Gen. Thayer, who had marched from Fort Smith. After several severe skirmishes, in which he was successful, he occupied Camden, where he re- retreat?0 mained until the 26th. In the meantime, having heard of the defeat and retreat of Gen. Banks, he retraced his steps, reach ing Little Rock, May 2d. A ril ig April 19, a Confederate force under Gen. Hoke, aided by Plymouth, the ram Albemarle, attacked Plymouth, N. C, commanded by N'tnred!P Gen. H. W. Wessels, carried the place by assault, and captured the entire garrison and armament. The gunboat Smithfield was sunk, and the Miami disabled. m h 24 During the months of March and April, the Confederate Forrest Gen. Forrest entered Kentucky, captured Union City and its Kentucky garrison, and March 24, attacked Paducah, but was repulsed ' by Col. Hicks. April 13. On the morning of April 13, Forrest attacked Fort Pillow, ForTpiiiow Tenn., garrisoned by a detachment of Tennessee cavalry and by the first regiment of Alabama colored troops, under Major Booth. The garrison refused to surrender, and fought bravely until 3 o'clock in the afternoon ; when, the fort being carried by assault, the men threw down their arms, but being of the negro race, they were massacred without mercy. May. The guerilla, John Morgan, entered Kentucky, through John Mor- Pound Gap, in the latter part of May, with two or three thou- fntoKy. sand men. After his capture in Ohio, he had escaped from prison. He attacked Cynthiana June 11th, and captured the garrison. On the 12th, he was met by Gen. Burbridge, routed with loss, and driven out of the State. This dreaded raider GRANT PLACED AT THE HEAD OF THE UNION FORCES. 561 was subsequently killed at Greeneville, Tenn., while attempting PART V. to escape in the night, from a house surrounded by Union PBRIor) x troops under Gen. Gillem. 0HAP. x. ' The army of the Potomac had lain on the north side of the ^— v— Rapidan, from December, 1863, until May, 1864. The army 1864. of Gen. Lee was encamped on the south side of the same river. The first important movement in the spring was the expedi tion under Gen. Kilpatrick, who left Stevensburg Feb. 28, with FeD.2s. about 8,000 men, and crossed the Rapidan at Germania and Kilpatrick's Ely's Ford, about sixty miles from Richmond. He struck the s£? Virginia Central Railroad at Frederickshall, and tore it up for several miles. He then detached Col. Dahlgren towards the James River Canal, and moved himself to Ashland. Tbe de tachment under Col. Dahlgren was misled by a negro guide, and failing to rejoin Kilpatrick at Ashland, was defeated in a skirmish with Lieut.-Col. Pollard. Col. Dahlgren was killed, c^f^u. and sixty of his men captured. Kilpatrick went within six greii killed. miles of Richmond. Unable to approach nearer, he moved down the peninsula, effecting a junction with Gen. Butler at Tunstall's Station, on the York River Railroad. Congress, Feb. 29, passed an act reviving the grade of Lieu tenant-General. The President approved the act, and imme diately sent to the Senate the name of Ulysses S. Grant, whose oSmade nomination was confirmed March 3. Gen. Grant coming to Liout-Gen. Washington, his commission was presented to him by Presi dent Lincoln, in the presence of the Cabinet and other distin guished persons. His first order, assuming command of the armies of the United States, was issued from his headquarters at Nashville. By direction of the President, he assigned the military division of the Mississippi, composed of the Depart- man kssign'a ments of the Ohio, the Tennessee, the Cumberland, and the ^y'dlv'SVo-i Arkansas, to Major-Gen. W. T. Sherman ; and the army of of the Miss. the Tennessee to Major-Gen. J. B. McPherson. Oct. 1 2, died Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the United Oct. 12. States. Dec. 6, Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, was appointed to EogerB! fill the vacancy. William Pitt Fessenden, Senator from Maine, p™,?7- succeeded Mr. Chase as Secretary of tbe Treasury. his successor Nov. 25, in the night, a number of fires were set in the city of New York, simultaneously, in different places. They were Nov. 25. clearly the work of incendiaries. The police subsequently at-- nTe"^/"7 rested Robert Kennedy, in the cars, near Detroit. He was New Tork> tried and convicted of setting fire to Barnum's Museum, Love- joy's Hotel, Tammany Hall, and the New England House. He said he had five accomplices, who each set fire to their boarding-houses. They all staid in the city the next day, and then escaped to Canada. He further stated that he and his accomplices were hired to burn the city of New York by Con federate agents in Canada. The reason assigned in justifica tion of the crime was the desolation of the Shenandoah Val ley by Gen. Sheridan. 562 RAID UPON ST. ALBANS. ARMIES OF THE POTOMAC. PARTV. October 19, a raid from Canada upon St. Albans, Vt., was ~~~ made by a party, twenty or thirty in number, claiming to be chap, xl ' in the Confederate service. They robbed the St. Alban's Bank ^— ^^_, of fifty thousand dollars, stole horses enough to mount the 1864. partyi bred upon unarmed citizens, and set fire to a hotel. October 19. Some of them were arrested in Canada, und brought to trial, st Albans, but were discharged unpunished. The Canadian government has, however, refunded a part of the money. This wals the only successful raid, among many planned by Confederates in Canada, aided and encouraged by sympathizing friends. CHAPTER XI. Grant Commander-in-Chief. — Campaign from the Rapidan to the James. — Battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor. — Sherman's Campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. March 19. We have seen that General Grant, whose labors had hitherto cSefOTm- ^een d°ne m *ne West, left Nashville a fortnight after being mand. made Commander-in-chief, and established his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac. PLSeeHand0f Between the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, and the Meade, close of the year, General Meade had followed Lee, until the latter took post on a strong line south of the Rapidan, a few miles east of Gordonsville. The campaign had been one of manoeuvres, by which each had sought to gain some position where he could fight bis antagonist at a disadvantage. At one time Meade crossed the Rapidan, near a small stream, Mine Eun. called Mine Run, and drew up his troops in order of battle. prospect of ^ne s°ldiers, who knew the strength of Lee's position, con- death, scious of the desperate and hopeless task before them, calmly prepared for death. Each one wrote on a slip of paper his • name, his company, regiment, and residence, and pinned it to his clothes, so that his dead body might be recognized by bis friends. Meade did not put them to the test. He re crossed the Rapidan to his camp, and thus the two armies confronted each other all winter. Both were strongly re- enforced and improved in drill and discipline. Longstreet was recalled by Lee from East Tennessee, and bis corps was en camped near Gordonsville. Lee also summoned to his aid all the troops that could be spared from the Carolinas. On the Union side the army of the Potomac was increased to nearly 100,000, and Burnside's corps, transferred from East Tennessee, was held in reserve. Meade's army was composed of three corps, the Second, Fifth, and Sixth, commanded respectively by Generals Han- PERIOD I. 0HAP. XI. BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 563 cock, Warren, and Sedgwick. General Sheridan commanded PART V. the cavalry ; General H. J. Hunt was chief of artillery ; Major — Duane, chief engineer ; and General Ingalls, quartermaster. Although Grant had supreme direction, all orders were issued by Meade. 1864. As co-operative movements, General Butler, with 30,000 ^o^™0" mon, was at Fortress Monroe, ready to threaten Richmond by "armies. the James River; and General Sigel, with 17,000 men, was in West Virginia — one column in the Shenandoah Valley, and another, under General Crook, in the Valley of the Kanawha. The Army of the Potomac moved on the night of the 3d of May a May. The right column, under Warren and Sedgwick, crossed ^"se^the at Germania Ford, and the left, under Hancock, at Ely's Ford, Rapidaa. six miles below. During the 4th, the army crossed the river, and at night encamped on the battle-field of Chancel lorsville. General Lee did not oppose the crossing. His right was turned. His force, consisting of three corps, extended from Somerville Ford to Gordonsville, — Longstreet's corps near the latter place, Hill's in the vicinity of Orange Court-house, and Ewell's to the right and along the Rapidan. On the morning of the 5th General Meade put his forces in motion, intending to place himself between the Confederate army and Gordons ville. But General Lee, to foil this plan, marched his army rapidly to the east, on the Orange and Frederick plank-road and turnpike, and assailed Meade in the Wilderness. The May 5 and 6. country so called is a region where mining operations had been Battle" ofthe carried on, and the original forest having been cleared away, wilderi*ess the land was rocky and uneven, overspread with a thick growth of low scraggy pines and scrub-oaks. Cavalry could not pene trate it, and artillery conld not be dragged over it. It was just such a field as that on which Braddock had been lured to destruction. It was a battle of musketry only, and only Indian tactics prevailed. The battle began about noon, and continued until night. The next morning it was renewed, and raged all day, with alternate advance and retreat. Night closed the terrific strife without substantial advantage to either side. The dark recesses of the Wilderness were strewn with the dead ot both armies. The next morning neither was disposed to attack. Lee expected, by his sudden and fierce onset,in a place where cavalry and artillery were useless, and his sharpshooters were at home, to drive Grant back over the Rapidan. Grant hoped to destroy Lee's army by the weight of his superior masses. Both failed. The civil war here presented the melancholy spectacle of union loss, 15,000 Union and 8,000 Confederate dead. The Union Gen- co^00,^ eral Wadsworth was killed, and Generals Seymour and Shaler 8,060. ' taken prisoners. The Confederate General Longstreet was badly wounded, and disabled for the rest of the campaign. 564 SPOTTSYLVANIA. SHERIDAN'S OPERATIONS. PART V. - — f PERIOD I. CHAP. XI. 1864. June 7. Spottsyl vania C. H. Jane 12. Hancockcaptures 4,000 prison ers and 20 guns. May 9. Sheridan's P.aid. May 11. Yellpw Tav ern, Con federates lose their great cavalry commander,Gen. Stuart. May 14. Haxall's. May 25. General Grant, on the 7th, directed his army to move to Spottsylvania Court-house, and turn Lee's right. General Meade set the army early in motion, hoping to plant it be tween Lee and Richmond. The Confederate general was first on the ground, and intrenched. For twelve days tbe armies faced each other, Lee acting on the defensive. All attempts to break through his lines failed. One was attended with partial success. General Hancock, before daylight, carried the first line of Lee's works in the centre, taking 4,000 pris oners and twenty guns. The ground thus gained was held, although General Lee, in his endeavor to recapture it, kept up tbe contest until midnight, a continuous battle of twenty hours. It was the fiercest and bloodiest struggle of the cam paign. General Grant afterwards made repeated attempts to find a weak point in Lee's lines, but they were impregnable. Here General Sheridan was detached with his three divi sions of cavalry, numbering 12,000 men, with thirty-two pieces of field artillery, under Generals Gregg, Merritt, and Wilson, besides those left with the army for picket and orderly duty, upon an expedition to the Confederate rear. The raid wasd&- signed to cut Lee's communications, by destroying in part the railroads between him and Richmond, to threaten, and, if prac ticable, seize that city, and to open communications with the Army of the James. Gen. Sheridan succeeded in burning Beaver Dam and Ashland Stations, with an immense accumulation of supplies, and in tearing up more than twenty miles of rail road. Near Beaver Dam he overtook and recaptured nearly 400 Union prisoners, including Colonels Phelps* and Tally. He proceeded towards Richmond, met and defeated the Con federate cavalry at Yellow Tavern, eight miles north of the city, in a sharp combat, which resulted in the death of Gen eral J. E. B. Stuart, their most famous cavalry commander. Sheridan pushed on, carried the first line of the defences of Richmond, again encountered the Confederate cavalry, re-en forced by the Home Guards and other infantry, strongly in trenched, and after foiling a desperate effort to entrap his command, succeeded by hard fighting in forcing the passage at Meadow Bridge, and withdrawing to the north side of the Chickahominy. Thence proceeding through Mechanicsville, he again met and defeated the Confederates, and then pushed on to Haxall's Landing, on the James River, where he com municated with General Butler at Bermuda Hundred. Here he embarked his force on transports, and rejoined the Army of the Potomac. On the same day that Meade crossed the Rapidan, General Butler embarked his troops on board of transports at Fortress * Colonel Charles E. Phelps of Baltimore, being left in command of a division, fell while leading a charge, for which he was afterwards breveted a brigadier-general. COLD HARBOR. CROSSING THE .TAMES RIVER. 565 Monroe, and sailed up the James River, convoyed by a fleet PART V. of gunboats. The next day he effected a landing at City ~ * — Point and Fort Powhatan, but disembarked his main body at onAP. xi. ' Bermuda Hundred, a neck of land lying between the Appo- - mattox and James rivers, ten miles north of Petersburg, and twenty miles south of Richmond. General Beauregard quickly drew all available forces from the South, foiled Butler's at tempts upon Petersburg and Richmond, attacked him on the 16th, and drove him within his lines between the forks of the two rivers, and, intrenching in his front, covered the railroad and both cities. General Beauregard then reinforced Lee, who also was now joined by the troops under Breckinridge, from Tennessee. General Sigel, advancing up the Shenandoah, was defeated May 15. at New Market, May 15, when he was superseded by General Sigaet New™ Hunter who, in his turn defeated the Confederates at Pied- Market. mont. Hunter marched to Lynchburg, but finding the place too strongly defended, he turned back by a route through West Virginia, bringing his command safely through. The twelve days' conflict at Spottsylvania was ended by May 21. another turning movement, which began by the march of to the North Hancoek's corps towards Richmond. The point aimed at was Anna- the line of the North Anna River. The two armies were soon in motion, and moving on parallel lines, the whole object of Lee being to interpose himself continually between Grant and Richmond. Grant crossed the North Anna River, but Lee still was able to intrench himself in an unassailable position, and again Grant, by a flank movement, reached Cold Harbor, Qrlntlt once more to be confronted by Lee, in a position in advance Cold Har-bor. of the Chickahominy, covering the Virginia Central, and the Fredericksburg and Richmond railroads. An attack was Jr"ne 1- made at five p. m. on Lee's lines by the Sixth Corps, and the troops under General William F. Smith, just arrived from General Butler's arm}-. The attack was successful, aud the ground gained held against repeated assaults. An attack was made along the whole line, and within twenty minutes, June 3. more than ten thousand men fell before they could reach the Confederate lines. Some hours later General Meade ordered I a second advance, and the men unanimously refused to obey. General Grant, June 14, transferred his army south of the June 14. James River. He then ordered General Butler to send Gen- tJSLTtSe eral Smith, during the night, against Petersburg. The move- James. ment was not prompt, and General Smith, instead of marching into Petersburg, which was then undefended, rested over-night. The next morning it was too late. All that could be done was to carry the outer works. A good position was gained, and the army proceeded to envelop Petersburg, towards the Southside Railroad, as far as possible, without attacking forti fications. As early as the 7th June, General Sheridan had been sent 566 SIEGE OF PETERSBURG. PART V. on a raid towards Gordonsville, there to' effect a junction, if possible, with General Hunter, and destroy the Virginia Cen- "PTTT?TOT^ T ^ chap. xi. tral Railroad. General Sheridan reached Trevilian Station, .__^__^ where he encountered and defeated a body of cavalry, aud de- 18S4, stroyed about twelve miles of railroad. Hearing nothing of June i% General Hunter, he turned back, and on tbe 25,th crossed the raw™ ™or- James River at Powhatan, and rejoined the army. donsviiie. Between the 22d and 30th June, Generals Wilson and Kautz June 22. made a cavalry raid against the railroads south of Richmond. fon"&°Kautz" General Wilson reached Burkesville Station, and destroyed twenty-five miles of the Danville Railroad. The Southside road and the Weldon road were both damaged. The expe dition then returned, but with the loss of its artillery. July so. For some weeks in July the Ninth Army Corps had been SPaminf °f engaged in digging a mine under one of the Confederate forts. Before springing the mine, a demonstration was made on the north side of the James River against the New Market road, to induce the sending of troops away from the Petersburg de fences. On the morning of the 30th, between four and five o'clock, the mine was sprung, blowing up a battery and most of a regiment. The advance of the assaulting column, formed of the Ninth Corps, took possession of the crater made by the explosion. Not being properly supported, they were driven back with great slaughter. The failure to take the fort, the capture of which was certain to compel the evacuation of Petersburg, was a bitter disappointment to General Grant and the nation. August is. The occupation of the Weldon Railroad, the completion of a railroad from City Point to the Weldon Railroad, facilitating Sept 12. the transit of troops, arms, and supplies through the Union lines, the capture of Fort Harrison, north of the James River, Sept 29. aQd a futile attempt to extend the Federal lines to the South- side Railroad, were the most important events in the siege October27. of Petersburg and Richmond until the final-grand advance. Here we break the current of our narrative, and turn our attention to the movements of General Sherman. It was on the 14th of March that General Sherman took command of the Department of the Mississippi. He had Sherman's three armies, encamped in and around Chattanooga — the Army "aSlf1 of the Cumberland, General Thomas commanding, 60,773 Atlanta, men ; the Army of the Tennessee, General McPherson com manding, 24,465 men ; and the Army of the Ohio, General Organization Schofield commanding, 13,559 men. The whole was com- of his army. posed of 88,188 infantry, 6,149 cavalry, and 4,460 artillery, or, 98,797 men, and 254 guns. To supply this army there was but a single line of railroad from Louisville, Kentucky, through Nashville to Chattanooga. By the first of May the depots at Nashville aud Chattanooga were well filled with sup plies of provisions and military stores, and every thing in readiness for an onward march. Sherman's Atlanta campaign. 567 The Confederates lay in and about Dalton, thirty-eight miles PART V. south of Chattanooga. Their force was estimated at 50,000 ! ; infantry, and 10,000 cavalry, mostly veterans, under the com- CSAP. XL ' rnand of General Joseph E. Johnston, an able general, second . __ - only, and by some deemed superior, to General Lee in military i§64. skill and capacity. What he lacked in numbers was made up Confederate in the rugged and defensible character -of the country. His army' position at Dalton was well fortified, and the hundred miles to Atlanta was the most impracticable region over which an aggressive march was ever undertaken. General Sherman began his movement May 6. He found May 6. the position of Johnston at Buzzard's Roost too strong to be begins us assaulted. General McPherson was sent through Snake Gap ltmh- . to turn it, while Generals Thomas and Schofield threatened it in front and on the north. The movement was successful. General Johnston, finding his retreat likely to be cut off, fell back to his fortified position at Resaca. Here he was attacked, and a heavy battle ensued May 15. During the night John- Eesaca.' ston retreated. His rear-guard was overtaken and attacked at Adairsville. Severe skirmishing ensued. He continued his retreat until the 19th, when he crossed the Etowah River. While these operations were going on, General Jefferson C. Davis' division of Thomas' army was sent to Rome, which, de^™eed with its forts and artillery, its valuable mills and foundries, was captured and destroyed. After resting a few days, General Sherman put his army in motion for Dallas, with a view to turn the diflicultf pass of Alatoona. On the 25th, General ^ ^ Hooker had a severe battle with a part of Hood's and Hardee's New Hope corps, driving them back to New Hope Church. Of several Churoh- encounters, at and near Dallas, the most important was a desperate assault upon McPherson, which met with a bloody repulse. On the 4th of June, Johnston retreated to the strong po- june4. sitions of Pine, Kenesaw, and Lost mountains. For several Jo(J°^ntore" days there was incessant skirmishing. In the mean time, the Kenesaw. Federal army was re-enforced by General Blair, with two di visions of the Seventeenth Army Corps ; and the Confederate army by the Georgia militia and accessions of cavalry. On the 14th, the warrior-bishop, Leonidas Polk, was killed by a junei4. cannon-shot while standing with Johnston and, Hardee on f^^- Pine Mountain. On the 28th, Generals Thomas and McPher son made a determined assault on Johnston's works, but were repulsed with terrible slaughter. Defeated in his direct attack, General Sherman again moved bis army by the right, and turned Johnston's position, compelling him to abandon Kene- juiy 8. saw, and retreat, July 3, across the Chattahoochee. , Both J^trare- armies rested in comparative quiet, the time being occupied by the Chatta- General Sherman in manoeuvres and movements for the pur- hoochee- pose of crossing the Chattahoochee and turning Johnston's position, which had been carefully chosen, and strongly forti- 568 CAPTURE OF ATLANTA. PART V. PERIOD I. ouap. si. August Cavalry raids. Wheeler's raid into E. Tennessee Sept. 2. Atlanta taken. r Forrest threatens Sherman's communica tions. June 10. Defeats Sturgis. fied, as the last defence of Atlanta. On the 17th, General Sherman had crossed the Chattahoochee, and by the 20th had forced Johnston into his intrenchments in front of Atlanta, and here General Johnston was, by order of President Davis, super seded in command by General J. B. Hood. General Hood immediately assumed the offensive, and made, during the latter part of July, several desperate assaults upon General Sherman's lines. The most determined attack was on July 22, during which the brave and accomplished General McPherson was killed. Hood was defeated in every attempt, and bis army suffered losses which could not be repaired. The Confederate loss in this battle, the bloodiest in the campaign, was about 12,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners, while that of the Federals was '3,722. General Logan succeeded General Mc Pherson in command, until superseded by Major-General Howard. During the month of August General Sherman partially in vested Atlanta. In the mean time three expeditions, under Generals McCook, Garrard, and Stoneman, were made to cut the railroads south of Atlanta. The first was successful, the others failed. General Rousseau had previously made a suc cessful raid upon the Atlanta and Montgomery railroad, and its branches near Opelika. About the same time, also, the Confederate General Wheeler left Atlanta with a large force of cavalry, intending to cut General Sherman's communica tions in the rear. He crossed the railroad near Dalton, passed into East Tennessee, and then went to Mofeinnville, Murfrees boro, and Franklin, and finally into Alabama. The damage done by him was repaired in a few days. General Sherman becoming convinced that he could not completely invest Atlanta, decided to move round Hood's left flank upon the Montgomery and Macon Railroad, and thus draw hjm from his fortifications. Hood was compelled to abandon Atlanta, and being defeated at Rough and Ready, at Jonesboro, and Lovejoy's, he retreated south. On the 2d, General Slocum entered the city, and General Sherman, de sisting from the pursuit of Hood, returned and encamped around it on the 8th. While General Sherman was marching and fighting his way towards Atlanta, the single line of railroad from Nashville, by which alone he could receive supplies, had to be guarded the whole distance. The Confederate General Forrest, in Northern Mississippi, was meditating an attack upon it, to cut off Sher man's retreat, should he meet with a serious reverse. General Sherman, therefore, directed General Washburne to send Gen eral Sturgis, with the forces in West Tennessee, to operate against Forrest. On the morning of the 10th of June, General Sturgis met Forrest near Guntown, Mississippi, was badly beaten, and retreated in utter confusion, hotly pursued, to Memphis. But the conflict defeated Forrest's designs against Sherman. PERIOD I. OHAP. XII. HOOD GOES TO ALABAMA. WILMINGTON. 569 In July, General A. J. Smith, with the troops from the Army part V. of the Tennessee, that had done such good service in the dis astrous Red River expedition, arrived at Memphis. He was directed to take the offensive against Forrest. He obeyed .__^^^ promptly, met Forrest at Tupelo, defeated and dispersed his i$G4. force after a three days' fight, and returned to Memphis with July 14 small 1 nos A. J. Smith sman loss. dcfeat8 During the months of September and October the two op- Forrest. posing armies manoeuvred in Northern and Western Georgia Hood with- and Alabama ; Hood striving to get possession of some point draws to in the line of railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga, and Sherman trying to bring him to a decisive action. Hood avoided a battle, and by the middle of October passed west into Alabama. This movement bad been foreshadowed in a speech made by President Davis at Macon, Georgia, who was impressed with the belief that General Hood, with an army that had been driven from Dalton to Atlanta, and that could not face Sherman in Georgia, was able to invade Tennessee and Kentucky. So soon as it was certain that Hood was going Sherman into Tennessee, General Sherman sent the Fourth Corps and 'l^^™" Twenty-third Corps back to Chattanooga to report to General look after Thomas at Nashville, whom he had placed in command of all 00 the troops of his military division, except the four army corps and the cavalry division, with which he intended to move through Georgia. CHAPTER XII. Blockade and capture of Wilmington.— Farragut in Mobile Bay.— The Kearsarge and Alabama.— Presidential election. Wilmington, North Carolina, was the only seaport on the Blockade of coast that the United States fleet had been unable to blockade Wilmington, with any degree of success. The entrance to the city is by Cape Fear River, whose outlet is such that the navy could not effectually close it against blockade-runners, which were daily passino- in and out with supplies from abroad, and exports of cotton°and other products. The number of vessels that ran tbe blockade in fifteen months, from October 1st, 1863, to De cember 31st, 1864, was 397. English capitalists had invested in the trade more than sixty millions of dollars. Fifty cruisers stationed on the coast could not guard the entrance, although they made sixty-five captures of steamers, whose value was more than thirteen millions of dollars. In the summer of 1864, it was determined to make an effort to capture the town. Its main defences were Fort Caswell, situated on the north end of Oak Island, on the south side of 570 FORT FISHER. Sails Nov. 14. Butler's Powder- Boat PART V. the river ; and Fort Johnson, near Smith ville, on the mainland ; ~ and Fort Fisher, on the southern point of the mainland, on the chap, m.' south side of the river, commanding both the channel of the — v river and that of New Inlet. It was a strong fort and 1864. garrisoned by 2,300 men. The naval part of the expedition Expedition was assembled in Hampton Roads, and was ready to sail early Fisher." in the Fall. It consisted of the iron-clads Ironsides, Monadnock, Canonicus and Mahopac; the frigates Minnesota, Colorado, Wabash ; and several gunboats and vessels of smaller size, and a fleet of transports. The expedition got off' on the 13th : the troops on board numbered 6,500. It was intended by General Grant that General Weitzel should command them. But General Butler, through whom, as the superior officer, the instructions to Weitzel were given, put the instructions in his pocket, and went himself. General Grant did not dream that Butler would take command, and thought that if he went, it would be merely to see the explosion of a boat laden with powder, which he had prepared at great expense and delay, as if fan cying that the mud walls of Fort Fisher would fall at the noise, as the walls of Jericho did at the sound of Gideon's trumpets. The fleet arrived off New Inlet on the 15th, but a storm delayed the attack until the 24th. The powder-boat was exploded the same morning, with so little effect that the Con federates did not know the object of it until they were informed by tbe Northern newspapers. At one o'clock the bombard ment began, and in one hour and fifteen minutes the fort ceased to fire in return. The fire was kept up for five hours. The fleet suffered no injury except by the explosion of its own guns, by which about forty men were killed. The next day the bombardment was renewed, and a landing of part of the force was made ; but General Weitzel, after a survey of the work, reported that it would be " butchery to order an assault." This opinion coincided with that of General Butler, who ordered the troops to re-embark and return to Fortress Monroe. Rear-Admiral Porter, who commanded the fleet, did not agree with General Butler, and so wrote to the Navy Department. He remained off New Inlet two days, and then went to Beaufort, and waited in the confident expectation that General Grant would order a second attack. Accordingly, on the 30th December, General Grant wrote to Admiral Porter to hold on, and he would send a force, and make another attempt to take the place. The same troops were ordered back, with the addition of a brigade of 1,500 men, and General A. H. Terry was selected for the command. The expedition sailed January 6, and arrived at Beaufort on the 8th. Here it was detained by rough weather until the 12th. The next day the troops were all landed. The fleet opened fire upon the fort and kept it up continuously for two davs. Bombard ment. Expedition a failure. 1865. Jan. 6. Gen. Terry leads a new expedition. FARRAGUT IN MOBILE BAT. 571 The assault was made, at 3 p. m. January 15, by the army PART V. on the land face, and by a body of sailors and marines on the ' northeast bastion. The latter failed, but the army was more ^in1' successful. By 5 o'clock, nine traverses, being half the land v.__-p.^_, front, were carried by band-to-hand fighting. By 9 o'clock i860. two more were carried, and an hour later the occupation of Jan- ls- the fort was complete. The garrison retreated to Federal ^Fiihw!"'' Point, where, their retreat being cut off, they surrendered unconditionally, to the number of 2,083 ; the rest were killed and wounded. The Union loss, of both army and fleet, was about 900. The fall of Fort Fisher was followed by that of Fort Caswell, and the forts at Smith's Island, Smithville, p and Reeve's Point, and the city of Wilmington. The Con federate gunboats Tallahassee and Chickamauga were also de stroyed. The city of Mobile was defended by three forts at the i§64. entrance of Mobile Bay, forts Morgan and Gaines, on opposite Expedition sides of the channel, the latter on Dauphin Island, and the t0 Bay.1'" former at the end of a long sandy reach of the mainland. These forts kept the blockading fleet out of the bay. Admiral Farragut, who commanded the Gulf Squadron, reconnoitred the approaches to the bay early in the year, and offered, with the assistance of two or three iron-clads and a few thousand soldiers, to gain full possession of the bay. In the latter part of July four monitors were added to his squadron, and General Granger was prepared to co-operate with the troops. On the evening of August 4, the monitors and wooden vessels were all assembled off the bar of Mobile Bay, and the next morning, Aug. 5. before six o'clock, the whole fleet moved up the bay. The attacked wooden ships had each an iron-clad lashed to the side next to Fort Morgan, for the double purpose of protection, and that if either should be disabled her partner might tow her along. The four monitors also moved between the ships and the fort, at the distance of about two hundred yards from the latter. Admiral Farragut, lashed to the topmast of his flag-ship, Farragut the Hartford, led the attack, and opened such a terrible and ^topmast. e continuous fire upon the fort, that the gunners were driven from their guns, and all the fleet passed the forts with very little damage, except to the monitor Tecumseh, which .was struck by a torpedo, staving a hole in her side, when she filled iron-clad and sank, carrying down her brave commander, T. A. M. Craven, TesunkSeh and all her crew but four officers and 17 men. Soon after eight o'clock a desperate battle began with the Confederate fleet, consisting of the Selma, Morgan, and Gaines, and the iron-clad ram Tennessee, the most formidable ship ever constructed by the Confederates, and commanded by Admiral Buchanan, who had formerly commanded the Merrimac. After a contest of two hours with the whole Federal fleet, the ram surrendered. The Tennes- Admiral Buchanan lost a leg, and twelve of his crew were 8ee,j^en" killed and wounded. Two hundred and eighty prisoners were 572 REARS AGE AND ALABAMA. PART V. PERIOD I. CHAP. XIL The Alaba ma sunk. Presidential Election. taken. Admiral Farragut lost 52 killed and 1.70 wounded, besides those drowned in the Tecumseh. The forts were immediately invested. Gaines surrendered oh the 7th, and Morgan on the 23d. Fort Powell was blown up and abandoned. The number of prisoners captured was 1,464. Henceforth Mobile Bay was closed to external commerce. Early in June the Alabama, Captain Semmes, after a suc cessful cruise in the Southern Atlantic and Indian oceans against American merchantmen, returned, and put into the harbor of Cherbourg. The United States steamer Kearsarge, Captain John A. Winslow, lying then at Flushing, immediately sailed for Cherbourg, to watch the Alabama. Captain Semmes repaired and refitted his ship, and twenty minutes past 10 o'clock Sunday morning, June 19, sailed out of the harbor to fight the Kearsarge. He was accompanied by the French iron- plad Couronne, and an English yacht, the Deer-hound, owned by a Mr. Lancaster. The two vessels were nearly equal in size and armament, the Alabama being larger by 120 tons, and having 8 guns, to the Kearsarge's 7. The latter had the more powerful engines. The crew of the Kearsarge was 22 officers and 140 men. It is not known what number of men the Alabama had. This naval combat was not between two American ships. The Alabama was a British ship, built in England, her arma ment and all her outfit English. Her crew were nearly all British sailors, her second-lieutenant, Armstrong, being a relative of the inventor of the Armstrong gun. There was nothing American about her, except her name, and her captaiu, and a part of her officers. Before leaving Cherbourg, her guns were manned by artillerists transferred from the British practice-ship Excellent. After a short engagement the Alabama was sunk. The crew jumped into the sea. The Kearsarge picked up 69, of whom 17 were wounded. Twelve were taken to France by two pilot-boats. The Deer-hound picked up 42, including Captain Semmes, and took them to England. How many were killed and wounded cannot be known. The conduct of Captain Semmes, who, after striking his flag, threw his sword into the sea, and allowed himself to be carried off to England has been severely censured in the United States. The constitution and laws required a new election of Pres ident in 1864. It could not be postponed. Could it be peaceably held in the midst of war ? Could the canvass for the rival candidates be conducted without riot and bloodshed amid the clash of arms? The statesmen of the old world asked these questions. But the people of the United States, with no more than the ordinary agitation of the political elements, went through the canvass and- elected a President and Vice-President. The friends of Mr. Lincoln proposed him as a candidate for re-election. The name of Mr. Chase was PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 573 also put forward by his admirers in the Republican party. A PART V. dissatisfied faction of the same party rallied round the can- PERIor) j didate of 1856, General Fremont. In the Democratic party ohap. m' the names of Horatio Seymour, of New York, and General , — — - Geo. B. McClellan were most prominent. 1864- The first convention was held at Cleveland, Ohio, May 31st. MaV] 81st, It was composed of abolitionists, radicals, and men of the Cleveland republican party who for any cause disliked Mr. Lincoln and his administration. They nominated John 0. Fremont for President, and John Cochrane of New-York for Vice-President. In his letter of acceptance General Fremont betrayed a per sonal hostility against Mr. Lincoln, and intimated that he would not stand against any other candidate. This was a fatal mistake. The people distrust and reject always, the man who thrusts forward his personal grievances in a contest where national issues are to be decided. The Republican Convention met at Baltimore, June 7th. BJ"?e7- Mr. Lincoln was nominated for re-election, and Andrew John- convention. son, of Tennessee, for Vice-President. The Democratic Convention was held at Chicago, August Aug. 29. 29th. General Geo. B. McClellan was named for President, convention. and Geo. H. Pendleton for Vice-President. The Republican Convention passed a series of resolutions, Republican fully and broadly sustaining Mr. Lincoln in all his measures ; pIatform- in favor of the prosecution of the war ; against any compromise with rebels, and any offer of peace, except upon unconditional submission to the authority of the United States; against slavery, and in favor of emancipation ; approving foreign immigration ; for a Pacific railroad ; in favor of taxation to sustain the national credit, and pay the national debt; in favor of the Monroe doctrine, and thanking the soldiers and sailors for their patriotism and valor. The resolutions passed by the Democratic Convention, declared the fidelity of the party to the Constitution and Union ; alleged the war to have been a failure, and demanded a cessation of hostilities and immediate efforts to bring about a peace. They condemned all the measures and acts of Mr. Lincoln and his administration, but extended to the soldiers of our army, and the seamen of our navy, the sympathy of the Democratic party. The Republican platform was decided m its approval of Mr. Lincoln and his acts, and emphatic in its avowal of his princi ples and measures. On the contrary, the Democratic platform was but an in- Democratic dictment of Mr. Lincoln; a disapproval of the war; not a pla*fo™. declaration of principles and measures, but a bill of complaint, a string of invectives. The Convention was composed in the character. main of loyal men, but a large minority was outspoken in its sympathy with the Confederates. The equivocal character of the resolutions is due to the attempt to mix hostile elements. 574 THE CANVASS AND ELECTION. PART V. The party did not approve the platform, and General McClel- Ian, in his letter accepting the nomination, ignored it also, chap. xn. ' and in its stead interposed bis own loyal and patriotic senti- -__^^_, ments. 1864. The Chicago Convention was held at so late a day, that the General canvass was limited to two months. It mainly resolved itself McClellan. into a personal contest about the' relative merits of the two candidates. In favor of General McClellan, it was urged that political jealousy had- refused him the proper support of the government in his peninsular campaign, and that his removal from the chief command had been the great cause of military failures, and the prolongation of tbe war. Against him, it was urged that bis dilatoriness and inaction had even outwearied the inexhaustible patience! and good-will of Mr. Lincoln, and that he had shown himself ambitious of political, quite as much Mr. Lincoln. as military reputation. In favor of Mr. Lincoln it was urged, over and above his claims upon his own party friends, that it would be dangerous to transfer the Government to new and untried hands at such a crisis ; and that as his election had been considered the occasion of secession and war, it was due to him to aontinue him in office until peace and union were restored. Against Mr. Lincoln; his opponents raised a long array of charges of tyranny and usurpation ; of invading State rights ; of putting the civil under the military power ; of arbitrarily and unlawfully arresting and imprisoning peaceful citizens ; of suppressing liberty of speech and the press ; and even the in tegrity of his private life and the sanctity of his domestic hearth were not spared. But he had borne himself so clear in his high office, that the shafts of ridicule and detraction glanced harmless from his armor of honesty and truth. In spite of some errors and some shortcomings — if he had done some things amiss, and had failed to do sometimes what ought to have been done — it was plain that he was above all vindictive and selfish motives; it was seen that he shrank from no labor or responsibility : his heart was always right, and the great heart of the people throbbed in sympathy with his. state The State elections in Vermont, Maine, Indiana, Pennsylva- ciections. nja> Qjj;0) an(j Maryland, showed an increase of the Republican vote, and foreshadowed the result of the presidential contest, which occurred Tuesday, November 8th, in all the States. New Jersey, Delaware, and Kentucky cast their votes for General McClellan — 21 electoral votes ; the rest were for Mr. Lncoln, 212 votes, the new State of Nevada losing, by absence, • with him, having crossed the mountains of Tennessee into 1865. North Carolina, destroying railroads, bridges, depots of sup- Desperate pHes, and capturing Salisbury. Lee. Lee saw the painful necessity of abandoning Richmond and Lee'auaoUs un-i'ting 'with the Southern army under Johnston. He could, Fort stead- at the head of the combined forces, maintain the contest for "repahea.18 some time, and negotiate for favorable terms of peace. His best line of retreat was along the south bank of the Appomat tox to Burkesville, and thence to Danville. Before he could set out, it was necessary to weaken Grant's line on the left, near Hatcher's Run. This could be done most effectually by an assault upon some point near and east of Petersburg. In pursuit of this plan, on the morning of March 25, Fort Stead man was surprised by a night attack, and taken, but could not be held. A counter-assault not only drove the Confederates out of the fort, but gained for the Union troops the strongly intrenched picket-line, within a few steps from the Confederate works. The attack upon Fort Steadman cost Lee 2,500 men killed and wounded, and 1,900 men taken prisoners. The Union loss was less than 2,000. March 2T. Gen. Grant, prior to this affair, had issued orders for a gen- G ^ gnfjns eral movement of the whole army. He had been apprehen- campaign. sive for weeks, every night when he retired to rest, that before he should awake next morning Lee would be gone. Gen. Ord, at the head of four divisions of the Army of the James, moved out to Hatcher's Run. Other divisions, under Warren, Humphreys, Wright, and Parke, followed the next day ; while Sheridan, with his cavalry, held the extreme left of the line at Dinwiddie Court-house. A heavy rain for two days delayed the attack. Lee had divined the object of his antagonist, and marshalled all his available forces to resist the shock upon his March 31. right. The contest opened with a fierce attack by Lee upon Battle of Wnrrpr, Petersburg, vvarren. The battle raged furiously all the morning, but Warren held his ground, and finally drove Lee back to his lines on the White Oak road. Foiled here, Lee turned his attention to Sheridan, who, by a bold push, had gained Five Forks, about RICHMOND EVACUATED. 581 eight miles north of Dinwiddie. Two divisions of infantry, PART V. under Pickett and Bushrod Johnson, forced Sheridan's cavalry PBRIor; x back towards Dinwiddie. He dismounted his men, and de- ohap. xiv.' ployed them as infantry, and so maintained his ground till ^— -, ' night. McKenzie's cavalry and the whole Fifth Corps were, l§65. during the night, ordered to join Sheridan. In the morning, he took the offensive, hurled the Confederates back to Five Forks, assaulted and carried the main works, and captured about 5,000 prisoners. This decided the day. But Gen. Grant, fearing that Lee would abandon his lines and fall upon Sheridan with all his force, ordered a general bombardment of April 1. Petersburg, which was continued until four o'clock in the ^^tarf" morning, when an assault was made on the outer works. It Petersburg. was successful at all points. Gen. Wright, with the Sixth Corps, pierced completely through, and reached the Appomat tox River, thus separating Lee's right wing from his centre and left. The broken columns were pursued by Gen. Miles to Sutherland Station, and made prisoners or dispersed. The Union troops now closed around Petersburg. Lee still tena ciously held his inner works, and even made two desperate attempts to retake some of the lost ground ; in oneof which — the last blow struck by the Army of Northern Virginia — fell Gen. A. P. Hillr who bad borne a distinguished part in all its campaigns. Richmond was no longer tenable, and there was but one line of retreat for Lee, by the Appomattox westward to Burkes ville and the Danville line. The Fifth Corps of the Union Army was encamped at Sutherland Station, on the Southside Railroad, two miles west of Petersburg ; and Sheridan's cav alry had bivouacked at Ford's, ten miles further west. At ten o'clock in tbe forenoon of Sunday, Lee telegraphed April 2. to Jefferson Davis that he must evacuate Richmond. The E0vfaS™ message found him in church, from which his sudden with- m°nd. drawal made known the fatal tidings to the people. During the day, President Davis and all the State officers, with the papers and coin belonging to the Confederate government, de parted on a train for Danville. During the night, the troops were quietly withdrawn from Petersburg and Richmond and all the fortified lines, and before morning were sixteen miles on their way westward. When the rear-guard crossed the James to leave Richmond, Gen. Ewell gave the foolish and cruel order to set fire to the warehouses containing the government to bacco ; and soon all the business portion of the city was wrapped in flames. By the light of the blazing buildings and the sound of exploding shells, Gen. Weitzel was informed of the event and in the gray dawn of Monday morning, forty Richmond troopers entered Richmond and planted their colors on the ocw£|tezde,.by capitol. , But Gen. Grant did not enter the deserted city. Knowing that the strength of the Confederate government was concen- 582 PURSUIT OF LEE. PART V. trated in Lee's army, he bent all his energies to the pursuit.- period i r^° cut °^ ^ee' k^ striking the Richmond and Danville rail- ohap. xw. ' road before he could reach Burkesville, was his first object. 'For this purpose, Sheridan pushed on with all speed, followed by the Fifth and Sixth Corps, along the Southside railroad. Before Lee left Richmond, he had sent orders to Danville to tranship stores and rations for his army to Amelia Court-house. When he arrived at that place, April 4th, he learned that the train had passed on to Richmond, leaving bis army without provisions. He also learned, before be was ready to move, that Gen. Sheridan had already reached Jettersville, seven . miles west. He then turned towards Lynchburg. But Gen. ' Ord, who had occupied Burkesville on the 6th, sent forward a small force, under Gen. Read, to Farmville, where this gallant officer met and attacked the bead of Lee's column, and by tbe sacrifice of his own life and the loss of most of his heroic band, detained Lee until Gen. Ord came up with his whole army. Gen. Sheridan and the Sixth and Second Corps were crowding upon Lee's rear, and the same day Ewell's Corps and nearly the whole wagon-train of the army were captured near Deatonsville. The next day, the 7th, Lee crossed the Appo mattox near Farmville, and ordered the bridges to be burned behind him. So vigorous, however, was the pursuit, that Gen. Humphreys was in time to save the wagon-bridge, and all but four spans of the railroad-bridge. The Union troops crossed immediately. But during the night Lee marched towards Appomattox Court-house, hoping to reach Appomattox Station, on the Lynchburg Railroad. It was bis only hope of escape. April 7. In the mean time, Gen. Grant had, on the 7th, demanded, mons'Leet'o m a letter to ' Gen. Lee, the surrender of his army. Lee surrender, courteously asked what terms would be granted. Grant re plied that the only conditions would be that the men and officers should be disqualified from ever again taking up arms against the United States. Lee declined to surrender, but proposed to meet Grant, to confer upon the restoration of April 9. peace. To this suggestion Grant replied that he had no authority to treat on the subject of peace. Grant's last letter was dated the 9th, and before it reached Lee the time for parley had gone by. Sheridan, by a rapid march of -thirty miles on the 8th, had reached Appomattox Station in the evening, just as Lee's vanguard arrived. Four trains of cars from Lynchburg, with supplies for Lee's army, were approach ing. Sheridan threw a force in rear of the trains, captured them, and then attacking the vanguard, drove it back to Ap pomattox Court-house. Lee could now escape only by break ing through Sheridan's lines. This he attempted in the morning. He ordered his remnant of an army — eight or ten thousand men — in battle array, to cut their way through at all hazards. The attack was begun with zeal and impetuosity, SURRENDER OF LEE AND JOHNSTON. 583 and the Federal cavalry gave way ; but, just at this moment, PART V. Gen. Sheridan, who had been to Appomattox Station, to hurry pBBI0D x up the Army of the James, came upon the field. He directed 0hap. xiv. his troopers to fall back gradually, resisting slightly, to give ¦— -^~^ time for the infantry to come up and form into line. No 1865. sooner did the Confederates see the line of advancing bayo- AP"'- nets than they began to give ground. Sheridan then gave the order to mount, and placing his cavalry on the left flank, was about to charge on the trains and the unarmed and con fused mass, when a white flag emerged from the Confederate lines, bearing a letter from Lee to Grant, requesting a suspen sion of hostilities and an interview. In an old farm-house the two generals met, and on a plain A .. 9 deal table drew up the form of agreement by which the Army Lee 6urren- of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. The terms of surrender were liberal. Nothing was exacted to humiliate the discomfited foe. Three days afterwards, the Confederates marched to a designated place, near Appomattox Court-bouse, stacked their arms, and laid down their accoutre ments. The number of armed men was 8,000, and the un armed about 20,000. Paroles were then accepted, and the men dispersed to their several homes. The Union troops slowly retraced their steps to Richmond. Having put his army in camp at Goldsboro, Gen. Sherman March 27. made a flying visit to City Point, where he had an interview c^pofnt. with Gen. Grant, who disclosed his plans, and directed Sher man to return to Goldsboro, and move against Raleigh as soon as April l<0th. The stirring news of Grant's success reached him while still at Goldsboro. He immediately set his columns in motion, occupied Raleigh April 13, and the next day en tered into correspondence with Gen. Johnston, which resulted in a suspension of hostilities, and a memorandum, or basis for peace, subject to tbe approval of the President The agree ment did not arrive at Washington until President Lincoln was succeeded by Mr. Johnson, who disapproved it, and dis patched Gen. Grant with instructions to Gen. Sherman to ter minate the truce, and commence operations against Johnston. The Confederate general made no further resistance ; but ao-reed to surrender on the same terms accorded to Gen. Lee. April u The Confederate troops grounded their arms, accepted paroles, J° ^a™. and dispersed to their homes, while Sherman's soldiers con tinued their march through Richmond to Washington, where, after a grand review, they were honorably dismissed to their several States. The Confederates, after the capture of the forts at the March20. mouth of Mobile Bay, still held the city of Mobile. _ On the addition 20th of March, Gen. Canby moved against the city. The Mobile. troops collected at the forts sailed up the bay. A force under Mai.-Gen. Steele marched from Pensacola. Spanish Fort was occupied by the combined forces on the 8th of April, and 584 CLOSING ACTS OF THE "WAR. PART V. Fort Blakely carried by assault on the 9th. Two days later, the city was evacuated, and on the 12th Gen. Canby took TKRIOD i. ? ' J chap. xiv. possession. The last wasteful raid of the war was that of Gen. Wilson, who, with 12,500 mounted men, marched from Chickasaw, Alabama, to Macon, Georgia. On the first of April, he en countered Gen. Forrest at Ebenezer Church, and defeated him. On the 2d, he took by assault the fortified city of Selma, destroyed the armory, arsenal, naval foundry, machine April l to 20. sb0pSj vast qUantities of stores, and captured 3,000 prisoners. On the 4th, he destroyed Tallahassee. On the 14th, he reached Montgomery. On the 16th, he captured Columbus and West Point, destroying and taking an immense amount of property. On the 20th, he took possession of Macon, Georgia, with sixty field-guns, 1,200 militia, and five generals, surrendered by Gen. Howell Cobb. On tbe 4th of May, Gen. May 4. Dick Taylor surrendered to Gen. Canby all the remaining Dick Taylor Confederate forces east of the Mississippi. May 26. ' An army sufficient to overcome Gen. Kirby Smith in Texas Surrenders'1 was organized, and immediately put in motion for Texas, Texas, with Gen. Sheridan placed iu command. Gen. Smith, not waiting for an attack, surrendered all the Confederate troops in Texas to Gen. Canby on the 26th of May ; but exhibited the bad faith of first disbanding most of his army, and per mitting an indiscriminate plunder of public property. This was the closing act of the war. Pursuit and When the Confederate President left Richmond, April 2d, capture of ]je werlt to Danville, Virginia, and there, on the 5th, issued a Jen. Davis. , . . , • , , . . r> -t proclamation, in which there is a mingled tone of confidence and defiance, based upon his expectation that Gen. Lee would escape from Grant, and unite his army with that of Gen. Johnston. But the surrender of both those generals dashed his hopes to the ground. With a small body of cavalry as an escort, he attempted to thread his way through the Federal lines, reach the coast of Florida, and escape on some vessel. He got as far as Irwinsville, Georgia, when he was overtaken by a squadron of the 4th Michigan cavalry, and captured, May n. May 11th, with his family. He was removed to Fortress Captured. j£onroe) where ne js stju kept a prisoner. INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 585 PERIOD I. CHAP. XV. CHAPTER XV. Inauguration of President Liuooln. — His last official acts. — Visits City Point and Richmond.— His last speech.— His triumph .—His character. —His assassination aud death.— Funeral and burial.— The assassin and his death.— Assault upon Mr. Seward.— Trial and execution of the con spirators. — Andrew Johnson, President. On the 4th of March, 1865, Mr. Lincoln was sworn into PARTV office for a second term before Chief-Justice Chase. His inau gural address was pervaded by a deep religious feeling. He took a hopeful view of the future, but ventured upon no prom- _ . ises or predictions. The fate of the nation is in the hands of l§65. God, who governs the world according to His own purposes. March *¦ The address concludes as follows : " With malice towards none, InaTMr.ion with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us Lino,jln- to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in ; to bind up the nation's wounds ; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan ; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." He retained in office all the His CaDinot members of his cabinet, as follows : Secretary of State, Wil liam H. Seward ; Secretary of the Treasnry, Hugh McCulloch ; Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton ; Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles; Postmaster-General, William Dennison ; Sec retary of the Interior, J. P. Usher ; Attorney-General, James Speed. On the 8th of March, he rescinded an order which required Canada pass- passports from all persons entering the United States from port. order l r j. ct rGScinQ6Q. Canada. This order had been issued December 17, 1864, in consequence of the gathering of many Confederates in Canada, their threatened raids into the country, and the facility with which spies and hostile persons could cross the frontiers, travel from place to place, avoid detection, and escape apprehension. In the progress of the war large numbers of soldiers had de- Deserters serted, and subjected themselves to court-martial and the penalty of death. Mr. Lincoln, iu compliance with an act of Congress, also issued a proclamation giving them sixty days in which to return, otherwise they would be considered as having forfeited their rights of citizenship, and be forever incapable of exercising any rights of citizenship. He knew that General Grant was intending to move against March 27. Richmond, and went to City Point to be present at what both "p^t ^ thought would be the final and suceessful struggle. From Richmond. City Point, April 2d, he telegraphed to Mr. Stanton the pro gress of the attack. He went into Rishmond the day after its warned to return. 586 LAST OFFICIAL ACT. PARTV. occupation by the Union troops. He there had an interview with Judge Campbell, who urged him to permit the assem- chap. xv. ' bling of the Virginia Legislature. On the 6th day of April, v_^_^ he wrote to General Weitzel, directing him to permit them to 1S65. meet, and sit until they might attempt some act hostile to the United States. He subsequently recalled his permission. April n. The President returned to Washington, and on the evening HiicspeePcUhb'01' tne Hth of April the Presidential mansion and all the other public buildings in Washington were illuminated in honor of the surrender of General Lee and his army. To the people who assembled to congratulate him, be made the last address that fell from his lips, in which he briefly discussed the sub ject of the restoration of the States to the Union. He dwelt principally upon the State government in Louisiana in 1863, and defended his conduct. But he said that he was not in separably wedded to any plan. He added, " So great pecu liarities pertain, to each State, and such important and sudden changes occur in the same State ; and, withal, so new and un precedented is the whole case, that an exclusive and inflexible plan would surely become a new entanglement." He did not think it wise to discuss the question whether the seceded States, so called, were in or out of the Union. He thought it a pernicious abstraction. He said : " We all agree that the seceded States, so called, are out of their political relation with the Union, and that the sole object of the government, civil and military, in regard to those States, is again to get them into that proper practical relation. I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding, or even considering, whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it. Finding themselves safely at home, it would be utterly immaterial whether they had ever been abroad." Southern Believing the war to be substantially ended, proclamation Pbytpro°iae-d was made closing all the Southern ports, and claiming to exer- mation. cise over them the same authority as over other ports of the United States, and declaring that ships of war belonging to foreign nations would receive in ports of the United States the same treatment which was given iu their ports to cruisers of the United States. Recruiting Orders were issued to stop recruiting for the army and navy, stopped. t0 ma^g no more contracts for supplies, and no more purchases of war material. The triumph Mr. Lincoln naturally felt the elation which follows success. Lin'o-n ^ was aPParent in his gait. in nis face> in his talk- The events of the last month lifted a burden from his mind, and inspired him with new life. The cares and perplexities, the labors and responsibilities of office had borne heavily upon him. That his election had been made the occasion of secession and re bellion ; that his whole term of four years had been one of civil war ; that thousands of his fellow-citizens had fallen in ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT. 587 the fratricidal contest, had sorely afflicted his generous and PART V. placable spirit. His tall form, that had bent slightly before the storm, was now again erect. The sadness that had settled ™°°Tr upon his countenance was dispersed by the sunrise of peace. ^—^~^, If he had pushed the war resolutely and sternly, if he had Jg65. refused to listen to any proposition that looked to a broken Union and disrupted territory, it was from a conviction of duty, and with a determination to transmit to his successor the * constitution unimpaired, and the country undiminished. His triumph was certain, and his ambition satisfied. The war had not embittered his feelings. He loved his friends, and did not hate his enemies. He did not speak of crime and punish ment; his thoughts dwelt upon reconciliation and forgiveness. It was his intention to temper justice with mercy, and to spend his second term in healing the wounds that had been given and received during the first. His life had been threatened in anonymous letters. He had His trustful been often warned to beware of assassination ; but he could chm-act"..?. never be persuaded to harbor the suspicions, nor take the pre cautions of a tyrant. His house was unguarded, his person was unattended, and he went from place to place, to public offices and private houses, to the church, to the theatre, like any citizen. He showed neither fear nor distrust. He was accessible and affable to all. And yet this good man, whose heart at the time was going April 14 out in mercy and kindness to his enemies, was the victim of a foul conspiracy. The conspirators only waited for the place and occasion. Mr. Lincoln, oppressed with the cares of state, had occasionally sought relief in recreation in the theatre. He had been invited, and consented to attend Ford's theatre on the evening of the 14th of April. While he was seated in a private box, with his family and friends around him, absorbed in the mimic representation of the stage, the assassin stealthily entered the box, fastened the door with a board previously pre pared for the purpose, so that he could not be followed, and with a Derringer pistol shot his unconscious victim behind the ear, the ball penetrating the brain. Mr. Lincoln's head fell back upon the chair, and his body remained motionless. He was removed to a house near by, and attended by surgeons. The wound was mortal. He did not speak after it, but sank April is. gradually until twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock in the D'eAai.T'22 morning, when'he expired. The body was embalmed, and lay in state in the Green Room ApriI 19. of the Presidential mansion, inclosed in a splendid coffin, and The funeral. within a grand catafalque, until the 19th of April. The funeral was observed on that day, and it was set apart through out the country as a day of mourning. The body was removed -to the Rotunda of the Capitol, and for two days lay in state, and was visited by more than twenty-five thousand people. The next day it was placed on the car prepared for it, and His assassi nation. 588 ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF MR. SEWARD. PART V. PERIOD I. CHAP. XV. General grief and mourning. May 4. His burial. Foreign sympathy and condolence. The assassin. His escape. Attempt to assassinate Sec. Seward. borne to Springfield, Illinois, by the same route over which Mr. Lincoln came on his way to Washington to enter upon his office. Everywhere on the route the funeral cortege was received with demonstrations of respect and grief. The engines and cars on all the railroads were hung with crape ; churches were draped in mourning ; the buildings on all the principal streets in every village and city were festooned in black ; nearly all citizens of both sexes wore some funereal emblem. Everywhere the national flag waved at half-mast. Wherever the corthge stopped, thousands thronged to obtain a last look at the face of the dead. The nation was profoundly grieved. No man, whether monarch, statesman, martyr, or public benefactor, was ever more widely or sincerely mourned, and by none was his death more deeply lamented and regretted than by those who bad stood towards him for four years in the attitude of ene mies. The funeral train arrived in Springfield, Illinois, on the 3d of May. The oorbse was carried to the State House, and placed in the Hall of Representatives. The people came into the city from every direction, and more than seventy-five thou sand persons passed into the hall, gazed a moment at the fa miliar features, and went weeping away. The next morning the coffin was finally closed at ten o'clock, and the body, fol lowed by the procession, under the charge of Major-General Hooker, was carried to Oak Ridge Cemetery, and deposited in the tomb. The assassination of President Lincoln called forth letters of grief and condolence from all foreign countries. Queen Vic toria wrote a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Lincoln. The ruler of every nation of Europe expressed his horror at the deed. China, Japan, and Siam sent words of condolence. Nor was the grief of Europe expressed alone in the courtly verbiage of diplomacy. The people were stirred and afflicted. They re garded Mr. Lincoln as the representative of their class. They had studied his character, and watched his career. His suc cess had claimed their admiration, and his wisdom and good ness had won their love. His life would be an ever-living denial of the rights of legitimacy, and the divinity of kings. The assassin of Mr. Lincoln was John Wilkes Booth. He was recognized by Laura Keene, the actress, before leaping from the box to the stage. He stood a moment, waved h^s pistol, cried, " Sic semper tyrannis ;" then leaping to the stage, be fell, rose and cried, " The South is avenged," and instantly running behind the scenes, escaped through a rear door into the street, where a horse stood ready to bear him from the place of his crime. One of his accomplices had entered the house of Mr. Seward, and stabbed him in the face and neck as he lay helpless upon a sick bed, and had also fractured the skull of his son F. A. Seward, who attempted to arrest the ANDREW JOHNSON PRESIDENT. 589 Conviction of bis accomplices. flight of the assassin. Another assassin had endeavored to PART V. find his way to the room of the Vice-President, and others had tried to reach the persons of General Grant and Secretary 0HAP. ITj ' Stanton. Mr. Seward and his son were not fatally wounded. Pursuit was at once made for the conspirators. Booth, who had concealed himself for a few days among friends in Mai-y-. land, was overtaken in Virginia, and shot while resisting arrest. Eight of them were tried and convicted. Harrold, Payne, Atzerot, and Mrs. Surratt were hung ; Arnold, Mudd, and Mc Laughlin imprisoned for life, and Spangler for six years. The accession of the Vice-President, Andrew Johnson, to the Presidency, and the order and regularity with which the military and civil affairs of the country moved on, is not so much due to the strength of the government as to the intelli gence of the people. The political education of the people, and the training of a century of self-government, have imbued them with a spirit of organization strong and unerring as in stinct. Mr. Lincoln aptly and grandly said, on the field of Gettysburg, it was the duty of those present highly to resolve " that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth." It should be under stood that the United States government exists by and for the people, and not the people by and for the government. The time has not come to write the history of the political and civil events which have occurred since the death of Mr. Lincoln. We can only express the hope that the unhappy dissensions that postpone the full restoration of the seceded States to their rightful places in the constellation of the Union may be amicably settled; and be succeeded by a long and un interrupted reign of peace. OHAPTEE XVI. United States Finances.— Confederate Finances.— Slavery.— Peace Nego tiations. When Mr. Lincoln entered upon his administration, the i§61. country was in debt $64,'769,703.08. The revenues were M^oh*. drawn chiefly from two sources, the customs and the sale ot Finances. public lands. No direct taxes were levied by the general government. „ The political events of 1860, and the threatened secession ot the Southern States, had created a distrust of the public credit, so great that small loans of from five to twenty-five millions could not be effected except at a discount of from six to twelve per cent. PERIOD I. CHAP. XVI. 590 NATIONAL BANK LAW. PARTV. When hostilities commenced, the Treasury was empty. When the War and Navy Departments were asking for more than two hundred millions of dollars, the Secretary of the Treasury could not borrow five millions for sixty days, to pay 1861. current expenses, without pledging six per cent notes as col lateral security. Congress assembled, pursuant to a call of the President, July 4, 1861, and immediately authorized two loans, each for one hundred millions of dollars, and the issue of treasury notes for seventy millions. Not more than eighty millions had been sold by December, 1861, when Congress again assembled. A direct tax of twenty millions of dollars was imposed, and assumed by the States. The expenses of the war were rapidly increasing. Dec. 30. The banks suspended specie payments. It was necessary Suspension either to use their paper, or to issue demand notes. Congress of specie . . x r . & payments by authorized by various acts the issue ot three hundred millions the banks. 0f demand, notes, "greenbacks." Another loan was authorized of five hundred millions, redeemable after five, and payable after twenty years, with interest payable in specie. This is popularly known as the "Five-Twenty" loan. The "green backs" were subsequently increased to four hundred and fifty millions. On the first of July 1862, the public debt was §514,211,371.92. During the years 1863 and 1864, Congress authorized the issue of bonds and treasury notes to the amount of nearly two thousand millions of dollars. The demands of the war were imperious and could not be refused. The public debt rose to $1,098,793,181.37, July 1, 1863, was the next year swollen to $1,795,033,569, and in another year, August 31, 1865, to $2,757,689,571, its highest amount. 1862. -A- general excise law was passed to provide internal revenue Juiyi. to support the government, and to pay the interest on the EpSsedW Public debt. This tax for the year ending June 30, 1863, yielded $37,640,787.95,— for the next year, $10,9,741,134.10 — and for the year ending June 30, 1865, $209,464,215.25. The duties on imports of foreign goods have been also largely increased by several acts, and the receipts from customs have been correspondingly enlarged. The government finances were further strengthened by the Feb. 25.' National Bank Law. Its principal features are a circulation National of notes having a common impression, and authenticated by a passed, common authority, the redemption of these notes by the asso ciations to which they may be debvered for issue, and the security of such redemption by the pledge of United States stocks, and an adequate provision of specie. The notes are made receivable for all public dues, except import duties, and payable for all public debts, except interest on loans. The old United States Bank was a single corporation with its branches iu the several States. It had a controlling influence over the monetary affairs of the country, and to some extent over NATIONAL AND CONFEDERATE FINANCES. 591 political affairs. The national banks are each independent of PART V. the other, and are only responsible to the government for the period i redemption of their circulation. Like any other human insti- ohap. svl' tution, they may be badly managed, may fail, may defraud ^— -f— ¦ depositors and creditors, but the holders of their notes can lose 1863. nothing while the national credit is sound. These banks have purchased and deposited for security of their circulation about three hundred millions of dollars in the bonds of the United States. The statesmen of Europe, those who were friendly, and those who were unfriendly, told us that we could not pay the Gloomy expenses of this war, for money could not be borrowed of the uSraited. European capitalists. But the United States have borrowed more than two thousand millions of dollars, and all of their own citizens. We were further told tfiat the enormous ex penditures of the war, its withdrawal of so many men from the works of industry, its waste of life and property, the changes it would necessitate in the manufacturing and mercantile pursuits of the people, the total suspension of some kinds of business, and the stimulated growth of others, would end in a financial revulsion and collapse, which, like a tornado, would prostrate the strongest commercial houses, and cause wide spread desolation and ruin. The apprehensions and prophecies of evil have proved false and unfounded. The suspension of specie payments by the banks produced no panic, and the business of the country has thus far gone on steadily and prosperously, while gold and silver have utterly disappeared from' circulation. The premium on gold, and its rise and fall, have been not Rise and fall the least singular effects of the war. January 1, 1862, gold "'Jf6^'00 was at par; January 1, 1863, at 35 per cent premium ; January 1, 1864, at 52 percent; January 1, 1865, at 59 per cent; and January 1, 1866, at 48 per cent. Its fluctuations, in the mean time, were more rapid and greater than those of a ther mometer. It rose slowly in 1862, and until July,. 1863, when the victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg cooled it down to 23 per cent above par, from which point it rose gradually till July 11, 1864, when it reached its highest point, 1.85 above par. From that date its tendencies have been downward, although it has generally fluctuated between 25 and 55. The prices of all other commodities have risen in the markets of the country, and have varied with the rise and fall of gold, though not to the same extent. The tendency of prices is downwards, though it is not probable that they will soon fall to the level upon which they stood before the war. At the opening of the war the Confederates were well sup- confederate plied with arms and military stores for a small army and a fin^es. short war. The leading politicians, the wisest commercial men, indeed every body, looked for a short war. The seces- 592 CONFEDERATE LOANS. PART V. Debts. Impress ment law. Cotton loan. Foreign loan. Price of gold. Counterfeit ing. sion ordinances were passed and the attack upon Sumter was made, on the promise and expectation that the North would not fight for the Union. The Confederate authorities, there fore, for the first year levied no taxes. Money was raised by loans, and paper issued for currency. Tbe banks suspended specie payments soon after secession, and specie at once disap peared. The loans absorbed, the first year, all the capital in the States, which consisted of the capital of the banks, the property of merchants thrown out of business, and the funds of charitable institutions. There were no great capitalists in the country. The wealth of the people was in lands and negroes, and the productions of the States were chiefly cotton, rice, tobacco, and sugar, the profits from which had been annually re-invested in more land and negroes. Such sources were soon exhausted! The planters were unwilling to sell their land and negroes to invest in Confederate bonds, and if they had been willing could not have found purchasers. In August 1863, the funded debt was $292,915,620, and the unfunded debt $701,447,519. It was estimated that the ex penditures up to July 1, 1864, would be $475,498,493. If the last sum be doubled to include the whole year, the Confed erate debt would amount to $1,427,448,778." During the war the Confederate currency was sold for six cents on a dollar. The consequences were serious. The land became worth three or four times its former value. All other property rose to five, ten, and a hundred times the former prices. The people refused at length to sell any thing to the government except at the highest prices. Congress passed an act authorizing the government to seize and impress all prod uce necessary for the army, and to take every thing from tbe farmer which was not needed to support his family. This law was enforced by government agents, aided by the military. For this produce the agents paid at the rate fixed by tbe State Commissioners. A scheme to aid the government had been the purchase, on government account, of cotton, and its shipment to England. In August, 1863, the cotton thus bought amounted to 500,000 bales. In spite of the blockade, much of this cotton reached Nassau and Havana, and supplied money to pay for arms and goods, which also ran the blockade into Charleston, Wilming ton, and other ports. A foreign loan of $10,000,000 was also negotiated ih England and France, secured by a pledge of 250,000 bales of cotton. The premium, on gold in 1861 did not vary much from that in the United States, but in January, 1863, it had risen to $2.10, and in January, 1864, to $20, and in January, 1865, to $50. In addition to these financial difficulties, the Confederate bonds and notes had been extensively counterfeited, and the genuine could hardly be distinguished "from the false. GENERAL ORDERS REGARDING SLAVES AND SLAVERY. 593 The downfall of the Confederacy carried with it all its PART V. financial obligations, its notes became worthless, and thousands " who had invested their all in its bonds were reduced to S°m beggary. The debt thus annihilated cannot be accurately ^— -v— stated, but must have been nearly two thousand millions of 1863. dollars. As slavery had been the pretence, if not the cause, of se- Biaviet. cession and the war, so it continued to be the subject of political contention. The administration was accused of prose cuting the war for the sole purpose of destroying slavery, and not of saving the Union. The extremists of one party clam ored against slavery, and censured Mr. Lincoln for not attack ing it directly, as the sole object of the war ; the extremists of the other party talked and acted as if they thought slavery was all that was worth saving for the South. The Confederate authorities, both civil and military, while generally claiming separation and liberty as their only object, appealed both to the fears and the resentments of their people, by accusing the . national government of a desire to rob them of their rights and their property, and especially to free their slaves. The government, by proclamations and through its military McCieiian'n officers, endeavored to set this matter right before the world. order' Gen. McClellan, at the very outset, promised protection to the southern people in all their rights, and forbade fugitive slaves to enter his lines. General Garfield, in Kentucky, just before Garfleids the battle of Mill Springs, exhorted the people to return to order- their allegiance, and promised them full protection of person and property. After that battle, the Secretary of War, by Secretary of direction of the President, issued an order, in which it was Wara order' stated that the sole purpose of the war was to " destroy a re bellious enemy." Gen. Halleck, commanding the Department Halleck'e of Missouri, in a general order to his own army, told them or er' that they were in arms " to restore and^not to violate the Con stitution and laws;" and added: "It does not belong to the military to decide upon the relation of master and slave. Such questions must be settled by the civil courts. No fugitive slave will, therefore, be admitted within our lines or camps, except when specially ordered by the general commanding." Bumside'a Gen. Burnside, in North Carolina, denounced as false and slan- ordor' derous the attempt of the Confederate leaders to impose on the credulity of their people by telling them of " our desire to destroy their freedom, demolish their property, and liberate their slaves;" and declared that the government asked only that its authority might be recognized, and that " in no way or manner did it desire to interfere with their laws, constitu tionally established, their institutions of any kind whatever, their property of any sort, or their usages in any respect." Gen. Curtis, in Arkansas, issued a similar proclamation. Curtis's The President annulled an order of Gen. Fremont in Mis- order- souri, confiscating the property and liberating the slaves of 594 EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. PART V. persons who had taken up arms against tbe country. In May, per 1862, he revoked an order of Gen. Hunter, abolishing slavery chap, xvi.' in his department, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Mr. *__ t • Lincoln, in his proclamation, said that this was not a question 1861. for military commanders to decide, and reserved it for his own September, decision. Mr. Lincoln's language on this subject, in a letter Pri_>pi ilt'iit o o -i ¦ • annuls Pre- dated August 22, 1862, in tbe most clear and explicit terms m°der°r" sets forth his views: "My paramount object is to save the 1862. Union, and not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I May. could save the Union "without freeing any slave, I would do it. Hunter's If I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it ; and '"'tta™"" if I could do it by freeing some and letting others alone, I Letter of would also do that." Mr. Lincoln's candor and sincerity for- D' bid us to doubt his honesty and good faith. He adhered to this policy until he believed the fate of the nation hung upon a different one. Sept. 11. As the war progressed, he became satisfied that slavery was tion of mini- a substantial support to the Confederates ; that its abolition ing by Mr. would weaken' their power, would strengthen the administra tion at the North, and would also have a good effect in Europe. by withdrawing foreign sympathy from the Confederates and winning it for the government, and thus preventing the inter vention of France and England in the. war. Accordingly, he issued a proclamation, giving notice that unless tbe seceded States should be represented in Congress by the first of Janu ary following, on that day " all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then and thenceforward and forever free." He also called attention to two acts, of Congress, which forbid all military and naval officers to return fugitive slaves, and declare free all 1863. slaves escaped from rebels. On the 1st of January, 1863, he Emancfpa- issued a proclamation, declaring free all slaves in the States «on procia- of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana (except those parishes in pos- ma 10n- session of the United States), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (except West Virginia and the counties under the authority of the United States at that time). He concludes in these solemn words : " And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God." Its reception This act produced great excitement throughout the Con- 'eracyand" federacy. It became known to the negroes, and led them to Europe. see]j every opportunity to escape, and disposed them to render all possible aid to the Union arms. Its effect in Europe was to stop every effort at intervention. At the North, the oppo sition generally regarded it as a nullity, while the anti-slavery men looked upon it as pledging the government to the final destruction of slavery. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ABOLISHING SLAVERY. 595 Several acts had already passed foreboding the extinction of PART V. slavery. In December, 1861, a law was passed declaring that *— neither" slavery nor involuntary servitude should be permitted oh^Sti' to exist in the Territories of the United States. In March, 1 862, p__^^__. slavery was abolished in the District of Columbia, by an act slavery granting compensation to the owners of slaves, and appropri- "boiished in ating money to be used by the President in colonizing such of and^Disfr.ct the emancipated slaves as might wish to leave the country. of Columbia. These various acts and proclamations were followed by the Negroes en- enlistment and organization of negroes for the army ; and be-llste^ in th0 fore the close of the war, more than one hundred thousand rmy' negro soldiers were in the field. Enlisted slaves became free, and the loyal owners were compensated. Schemes for compensated emancipation, and for colonization, proposed as measures of peace and conciliation, all failed. It was found impossible to reconcile conflicting opinions and in terests and unite upon any feasible plan. In June, 1864, the Fugitive Slave Law, that had been the Fugitive theme of such bitter controversy and the cause of such politi- ^"^ated.™" cal agitation, was repealed. As slavery still legally existed in Kentucky and Delaware, and in parts of other States excepted from the operation of the President's proclamation of emancipation, although it had been abolished by the States of Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia, it was thought wise to set at rest all dispute and doubt upon the subject by amending the Constitution. A resolution, proposing to submit to the action of the sev- slavery aboi- eral States an amendment of the Constitution, prohibiting the (fonsUttJ existence of slavery within the States and Territories of the tionai United States, passed the Senate, April 8, 1864, by a vote of a™™***"- thirty-eight to six. It went to the House, where it was brought to a vote June 15th, and was rejected by ninety-four votes in its favor to sixty-five against it, two-thirds being necessary. A motion to reconsider was made, and the matter went over to the next ' session. The question was again brought up and debated at great length, and the resolution was finally passed December 31, by a vote of one hundred and nineteen yeas to fifty-six nays. On the 18th December, 1865, the Secretary of State officially announced that twenty-seven States, being three-fourths of the thirty-six States in the Union, had ratified the amendment, and that it had become a part of the Constitution. As the end of war must be peace, there was always, during 1862. the war, much talk about an armistice and a cessation of hos- Nf^°"asj™1' tilies, and several attempts were made to begin _ negotiations for peace. Fernando Wood, in a letter to Mr. Lincoln, dated December 8 1862, said that he was advised that the Southern States would send representatives to tbe next Congress, pro vided a full and general amnesty were granted. The President replied that he had doubts about the correctness of the infor- 596 Greeley's peace negotiations. PART V. mation, but that he understood that the proposition was equiv- alent to a submission to the authority of the United States, in chap, xvl which case the amnesty would not be withheld. In 1863, July 3, Mr. A. H. Stephens came down from Rich mond to Newport News, and endeavored to enter into discus sion with the government about an exchange of prisoners. The Secretary of War declined to 'permit him to come to Wash ington, and would not bold any intercourse with him. It was generally thought that be had some authority to treat for peace. 1864. In July, 1864, Colonel James F. Jacques and James R. Gil- Jn'y- more went to Richmond by request of General Grant, and by "Giiinore!1 permission of General Lee, ostensibly to meet Colonel Ould, commissioner for the exchange of prisoners. While in Rich mond they had an interview with President Davis, and con versed with him on 'the subject of peace. Mr. Davis gave them distinctly to understand that the dispute between the two governments could not be settled, and the only issue must be independence or extermination. Horace At the same time, G. N. Sanders, C. C. Clay, jr., James Sreeiey'a p_ Holcombe, and Jacob Thompson, appeared at Niagara ' Falls, Canada, and, through W. C. Jewett, addressed Horace Greeiey. Mr. Jewett represented that these gentlemen were empowered from Richmond to treat for peace. Mr. Greeley wrote to Mr. Lincoln, desiring and urging him to send some one to confer with those gentlemen. Mr. Lincoln requested Mr. Greeley to go. On his arrival at Niagara Falls Mr. Greeley was informed by them that they were not accredited to the President from Richmond as the bearers of propositions for peace, but that they were in the confidential employment of their government, and if allowed to go to Washington they had no doubt that they would be invested with full powers to treat for peace, or that other gentlemen would be named for that purpose. They desired permission to go to Washington. The President having consented to let Mr. Greeley confer with them, on the sole ground that they were accredited agents from Richmond, and learning that he had been deceived on this point, addressed a note " To whom it might concern," promising a safe-conduct to Washington, and liberal terms on all other substantial and collateral matters to the bearer of " any proposition which embraces the restoration of peace, the integrity of the whole Union, and the abandonment of slavery, and which comes by and with the authority that can control the armies now at war with the United States." Greeley's As these gentlemen had no authority to act for the Con- "eSfans!ion federate government, and had not pretended- to have, they wanted to go to Washington for some purpose not known, and used Mr. Greeley as an agent to bring them in communication with Mr. Lincoln, The whole affair illustrates the prudence* caution, and sound judgment of Mr. Lincoln. FENIANISM. 597 CHAPTER, XVII. PART v. Rewards for Arrest of Jeff. Davis and others.— Orders and, Proclamations. Conflicting Policy of President and of Congress.— Proposed Constitutional PERIOD I Amendment.— Reconstruction Law.— Russian America.— Electro-Magnetic „„.„ „.,,., Telegraph. chap. xvii. One of the first acts of Mr. Johnson, after his accession to 1865. the presidency, was the offer of large rewards for the arrest of Rewards' of- Jefferson Davis, Clement C. Clay, Jacob Thompson, George j^dIvL N. Saunders, Beverly Tucker, and William C. Cleary, on a and others. charge of having incited and procured the murder of Mr. Lin coln. Mr. Davis and Mr. Clay have been arrested. Mr. Clay has been released on bail. Mr. Davis, after remaining two years in Fortress Monroe, was indicted for treason, and ar- ^f6X" raigned before U. S. District Judge J. C. Underwood, at " &y Richmond, Va., and then released on bail. He has since re sided in Canada. The other persons were abroad when the rewards were offered, and have ever since remained in exile. President Johnson issued an order for restoring the author- 1865. ity of the Union and the re-establisment of government in the orders "foi- State of Virginia. He subsequently issued similar orders ap- provisional plicable to all the States lately in " rebellion," appointing °0f states. provisional governors, and authorizing the assembling of con ventions to adopt constitutions suited to the new state of things. The several States proceeded under these orders to re organize their governments, and resume their position in the Union, and their relations with the central administration. Among other things, they all assented to the proposed amend ment of the Constitution abolishing slavery ; and all repu diated the debt incurred in the war against the United States. A series of orders was also issued rescinding the blockade, restoring commercial intercourse, withdrawing martial law, annulling the suppression of the Habeas Corpus, granting a general amnesty, with fourteen specific exceptions ; and finally, ^6®- April 2, 1866, a proclamation declared the insurrection "at insurrection an end." "at an end." In the spring an organization of Irishmen, under the name Fenian in- of " Fenians," whose avowed object was to free Ireland from vcanada.f British rule, assembled in armed bands at various points on the line between the United States and Canada, threatening to invade Canada. A considerable body crossed the Niagara River near Buffalo, and after a severe skirmish with the Canadian volunteers, were dispersed and made prisoners. President Johnson issued a proclamation against the inva sion of friendly territory, and by his directions Gen. Meade 098 THE PRESIDENT OPPOSES mH> blessings of bberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ARTICLE I. SECTION I. ' All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress Lejnsi-,; of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and nouse of powers representatives. SECTION II. I. The house of representatives shall be composed of members, chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the , electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for elec tors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. II. No person shall be a representative, who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a Eligibinty il citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 'e^v|™ta' inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. III. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among '..he several states which may be included within this Union, accord- Manner and ing to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding ratio of to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to servi- 599 600 CONSTITUTION. tude for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the United ~ .„., States, and within every subsequent term often years, in such man- ppp re se n r >i • a tion and tax- ner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives ation. shall not exceed dne for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative : and, until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Planta tions one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Penn sylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. IV. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, Vacancies, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. Speaker and V. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker, and impeach- 0tner officers ; and shall have the sole power of impeachment. ments. r r SECTION III. Senators ^' T*18 senate 0I" tne United States shall be composed of two two from senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six each state, years : and each senator shall have one vote. II. Immediately after they shall be assembled, in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be menif fora vacate<^ at tne expiration of the second year ; of the second class, at choice of the expiration of the fourth year ; and of the third class, at the one-third expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every "v year00" second year ; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive there of may make temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. III. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United office. States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. Presiding 1^- The vice-president of the United States shall be president ot oflicnr. the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. V. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a presi dent pro tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the office of president of the United States. VI. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. P. wei of When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath, or affirmation. penVhrnenis, When the president of the United States is tried, the chief-justice and shall preside : and no person shall be convicted without the con currence of two-thirds of the memhers present. VII. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further nenaltv t*lan t0 remova' ^Tom omcei anti disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States but the CONSTITUTION. 601 Party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indict ment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law. SECTION IV. I. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legisla- .Elections. ture thereof; but the congress may, at any time by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. 11. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and M . , such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they con^lfss* shall, by law, appoint a different day. SECTION v. 1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall con stitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. II. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of Rules, two-thirds, expel a member. III. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time pubbsh the same, excepting such pajts as may, in their judgment, require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journals. IV. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to men?™ any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. Their or ganization. SECTION VI. I. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases except trea- Corapens* ¦on, felony, and breach of peace, be privileged from arrest during t\°" and their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same ; and for any speech or de bate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place. II. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority _. of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emolu- officel* ments whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no person, holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office 602 CONSTITUTION SECTION VII. Origin of bais; their course in becominglaws. Approval and veto powers. I. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of representatives ; but the senate may propose or concur with amend ments, as on other bills. II. Every bill which shall have passed the house of represer fa- tives and the senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the president of the United States ; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such re consideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two- thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases tho votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days, (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the congress, by their adjourn ment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. III. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence o. the senate and house of representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States ; and before the same shall take effect, shall be ap proved by him ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill. Of the du ties and power of congress. SECTION VIII. The congress shall have power — I. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises ; to pay the debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. II. To borrow money on the credit of the United States. III. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes. IV. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States, V. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin and fix the standard of weights and measures. VI. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States. VII. To establish post-offices and post-roads. VIII. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. CONSTITUTION. gfj3 IX. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court. X. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the nigh seas, and offenses against the law of nations. XI. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land, or water. XII. To raise and support armies ; but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years. XIII. To provide and maintain a navy. XIV. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces. XV. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions. XVI. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the mi litia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of tbe United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to the discipline prescribed by congress. XVII. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district, (not exceeding ten miles square,) as may, by ces sion of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings : — and XV Hi. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department, or office thereof. SECTION IX. I. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited Persona) by the congress, prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not ex ceeding ten dollars for each person. II. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus- Right of pended, unless when in cases of rebeDion or invasion the public ta ' safety may require it. III. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed. Attainder. IV. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in . proportion to the census, or enumeration, herein before directed to apl "* be taken. V. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No preference shaU be given, by any regulation of commerce or Commercia revenue, to the ports of one state over those of another : nor shall »?«"»• vessels, bound to or from one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. VI. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in conse- quence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and 60-1 CONSTITUTION. account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. VII. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; Interdiction and n0 person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall. of titles, withollt the consent of congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. section x. I. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation , Conserva- grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of credit ; ers vested in ma^e any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; the Union, pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. II. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely ne cessary for executing its inspection laws : and the net produce of all Further de- duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports and exports, shall fined. be for the use of the treasury of the United States, and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of congress. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war, in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. ARTICLE II. SECTION I. I. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United The chief States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four magistrate, years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows : II. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature _, thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number The manner - . . , . . . . . . , . •f his elcc- °' senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in tion the congress ; but no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. III. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ¦j the i peo- Dan0t for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabit ant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list ot all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat ot government of the United States, directed to the president of the senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the ny tho house senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and of rejresen- the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest Tes' number of votes shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more thai? CONSTITUTION. 605 one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the house of representatives shall immediately choose, by ballot, one of them for president : and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest on the list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem bers from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall, be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of anj Qf th« the president, the person having the greatest number of votes of the vice-presi- electors, shall be the vice-president. But if there should remain two dent' or more who have equal votes, the senate shall choose from them by ballot, the vice-president. IV. The congress may determine the time of choosing the elec tors, and the day on which they shall give their votes : which day shall be the same throughout the United States. V. No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall Reauire- be eligible to the office of president, neither shall any person be eligi- ment for of ble to that office, who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five fiee' years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. VI. In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the Proviso in congress may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resig- case °f deati nation, or inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what officer shall then act as president, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be elected. VII. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished Comoensa during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive, within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any of them. Vm. Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath, or affirmation : " I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute liie office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my oatJjCgI ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Unitec States." SECTION II. ( I. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States ; he Klis duties, may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the du ties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant re prieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. tion, and oath of of 606 CONSTITUTION. II. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur ; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other publio in making ministers, and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other treaties, officers of tbe United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law. But the congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior offi cers as they think proper in the president alone, in the courts of law. or in the heads of departments. III. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that cies ^d"" may happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of their next session. section m. He shall, from time to time, give to the congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of them, ana congres's. in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall -think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com mission all the officers of the United States. section iv. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the United Removal States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con viction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. ARTICLE III. SECTION I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one su preme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may, from ar^ancf' tmle to i^cae' ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme method of and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and investiture, shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. section II. I. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and Their pow- treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all •"¦ cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party ; to controversies between CONSTITUTION. 607 two or more states, between a state and citizens of another state, between citizens of different states, between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects. II. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other publio ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme Rules of pro- court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases before men- ceau^• tioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the congress shall make. HI. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury ; and such trials shall be held in the state where the said crime shall have been committed ; but when not committed within my state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may, by law, have directed. section in. 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid Mature „f and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the treason, and testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. H. The congress shall have power to declare the punishment , of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of ished blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted . ARTICLE IV. SECTION I. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the con- Guaranty oi gress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such state rl£hts' acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof SECTION II. I. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges , „« and immunities of citizens in the several states. zation. II. A person, charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, gtate ^ shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from which sition, he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having the juris diction of the crime. III. No person, held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law, or and snrren regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but de* shall be delivered up on c'.aim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 608 CONSTITUTION. SECTION III. I. New states may be admitted by the congress into this Union New states but n0 new state sna^ ^e f°rnle shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the TOnstitution, application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of this consti tution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress : Pro vided, that no amendment, which may be made prior to the year one with provi- thousand eight hundred and eight, shall, in any manner, affect the sos" first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suf- • frages in the senate. ARTICLE VI. Recognition I- ^.11 debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the ef antece- adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United ilea claims gtates under this constitution, as under the confederatidn. II. This Constitution and the laws of the United States, which Br shall be made in pursuance thereof; and 'all treaties made, or vemment which shall be made, under the authority of tbe United States, shall consoli- be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every state shall e ' be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any stato to the contrary notwithstanding. III. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and tho «nd obliga members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and ju- tion of its dicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, officers. shan oe bound by oath, or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; CONSTITUTION. 609 and no religious test shall ever be required, as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. ARTICLE VII. The ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be suf- Conrtito. ficient for the establishment of this Constitution, between the states " tion. so ratifying the same. Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thou sand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Indpendence qf of the United States of America, the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names. The Constitution, although formed in 1787, was not adopted until 1788, and did not commence its operations until 1789. The number Time of of delegates chosen to this convention was sixty-five, of whom ten adoption. did not attend, and sixteen refused to sign the Constitution. The following thirty-nine signed the Constitution : — New Hampshire. — John Langdon, Nicholas Gelman. Massachusetts. — Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King. Connecticut. — William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. New York. — Alexander Hamilton. New Jersey. — William Livingston, David Brearley, William Pat terson, Jonathan Dayton. , Pennsylvania. — Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Mor- , . f . ris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersol], James gra Wilson, Gouverneur Morris. Delaware. — George Read, Gunning Bedford, jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom. Maryland. — James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll. Virginia. — John Blair, James Madison, jr. North Carolina. — William Blount, Richard D.obbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson. South Carolina. — John Rutledge, Charles C. Pinkney, Charles Pinkney, Pierce Butler. Georgia. — William Few, Abraham Baldwin. GEORGE WASHINGTON, PrcsnUxi WILLLAJM JACKSON, Secretary. 610 CONSTITUTION. AMENDMENTS To the Constitution of the United States, ratified according to the Pro* visions of the Fifth Article of the foregoing Constitution. [Congress, at their first session under the Constitution, held in the city of New York, in 1789, proposed to the legislatures of the several States twelve amendments, ten of which only were adopted. They are the first ten of the following amendments ; and they were ratified by three-fourths, the constitutional number, of the. States, on the 15th of December, 1791. The eleventh amendment was proposed at the first session of the third Con gress, and was declared in a message from the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, to have been adopted by the constitutional number of States. The twelfth amendment, which was proposed at the first session of the eighth Congress, was adopted by the constitutional number of States in the year 1804, according to a public notice by the Secretary of State, dated the 25th of September, 1804.] ARTICLE I. Religious Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, Ri htsf'f tii or Pr°hibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom ot press ; and speech, or of the press ; or the rights of the people peaceably to as- petition. semble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. ARTICLE II. A we]l regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free rhe militia, state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be in fringed. ARTICLE III. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house with out the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. ARTICLE IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, pa- Search war- Pers> an(l effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shal1 rants and not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, seizures. SUpported by oath, or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. ARTICLE V. oMsrancHu- ^° Pel'son snall be ne^ t0 answer f°r a capital, or otherwise infa- ries. mous crime, unless on a presentm«nt or indictiftent of a grand jury. CONSTITUTION 611 except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war, or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a Judicial witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, safeguard*. without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. ARTICLE VI. 8 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a Trial by speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district iuly> wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the wit nesses against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit nesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. ARTICLE VII. • In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall ex ceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and re^^<* ^ no fact, tried by jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of c he United States, than according to the rules of the common law. and wit nesfles, . common law ARTICLE VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, Bail. nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. ARTICLE IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not Line De be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. stitutional ARTICLE X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, and state nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respect- rights drawn ively, or to the reople. ARTICLE XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to Limitation extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against of judicial one of the United States, by citizens of another state, or by citizens power. or subjects of any foreign state. ARTICLE XII. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall AtmTinfIrt name, in their ballots, the person voted for as president, and, in Sect. IV.'' distinct ballots, the person voted for as vice-president ; and they respecting shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of electlons 612 CONSTITUTION. all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the pre sident of the senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if such a num ber be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have such a majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But, in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of represen tatives shall not choose a president, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next follow ing, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in the case of the death, or other constitutional disability of the president. The person having the greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president — a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, ana a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person, constitutionally ineligible to the office of president, shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. NATIONAL HYMN. BY EMMA WILLARD. God save America ! God grant our standard may, Where'er it wave, Follow tbe just and right, Foremost be in the fight, — And glorious still in might Our own to save. Chorus. — Father Almighty, Humbly of thee we crave. Save Thou America, Our Country save ! God keep America — Of nations great and free Man's noblest friend ; Still, with tbe ocean bound Our continent aijound, Each state in place be found, Till time shall end. Chorus — Father Almighty, &c. God bless America — As in our father's day, So evermore ! God grant all discords cease, Kind brotherhoods increase, And truth and love breathe peace, From shore to shore ! Chokus. — Father Almighty, &c. * 0" Washington ! to thee Our country's Father, we Hallow this day ; Our gratitude we prove Singing the song you love, 0 join us from above ! God save America ! Chokus. — Father Almighty, &c. * Stanza to be added on Washington's Birthday. BjroirHffl.