PREFATORY NOTE. THIS work is based on a careful study of the highest recognized authorities on the subject. Its purpose is to present in a clear, connected, and forcible manner the important events in the history of our country. The author has had three chief objects in view, - accuracy of statement, simplicity of style, impartiality of treatment. In the preparation of this work his grateful acknowledgments are due to J. Franklin Jameson, Professor of History in Brown University, for his valuable assistance in the revision of the proofsheets. The author also desires to express his thanks for the use of books and papers in the Library of Harvard University, the Library of Congress, and the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and he is especially indebted to the Librarian and the attendants of the Boston Athenæum for the aid they have so courteously rendered him. DAVID H. MONTGOMERY, CONTENTS. I. The Discovery and Naming of America, 1492 to 1521. II. Attempts at Exploring and Colonizing America (the Country, the Natives, Effects of the Discovery of America on Europe), III. Permanent English and French Settlements (the Thirteen Colonies, French Exploration of the West, Wars with the Indians and with the French, Colonial Life), 1607 to 1763. IV. The Revolution; the Constitution, 1763 to 1789.... National Development (Presidents from Wash- 1. The Declaration of Independence (with an Introduction) LIST OF FULL-PAGE AND OF DOUBLE-PAGE MAPS. II. Frobisher's Map of America, 1576 ..... III. North and South America, showing Routes of Columbus, England and Holland,—the Homes of the Pilgrims (double page) MAP VI. The Thirteen English Colonies and the French Explorations ..... and Settlements in North America PAGE 126 154 169 180 182 184 187 333 XVI. Relief Map of the United States.. XVII. General Map of the United States at the Present Time (colored) 356 XIII. Grant's "Unconditional Surrender" Letter XV. Lincoln's Proclamation of Emancipation. THE LEADING FACTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY. ... I. "He [the Most High] gave to thee [Columbus] the keys of those gates of the Ocean which were fast closed with such mighty chains."Dream of Columbus, narrated in his Letter to the King and Queen of Spain, 1503. THE DISCOVERY AND NAMING OF AMERICA. (1492-1521.) COLUMBUS.-CABOT.-AMERIGO VESPUCCI. 1 1. Birth of Columbus; Ideas about the Earth; the "Sea of Darkness."— Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America, was born at Genoa, Italy, about the year 1436.2 At that time the earth was generally supposed to be flat, to be much smaller than it actually is, and to be habitable on its upper side alone. The only countries laid down on the rude and imperfect maps then in use were the continent of Europe,3 part of Asia, a narrow strip of Northern and Eastern Africa; and, finally, a few islands, of which Iceland was the largest.* 1 Amerigo Vespucci (or Americus Vespucius): Italian pronunciation, Ah-maree'go Ves-poot'chee. 2 The exact year of his birth cannot be determined; several excellent authorities favor 1436. 8 See Map No. 1, page 2. 4 Except, of course, Great Britain. |