Book El n8 TZ PkKSKNTKl) HY ^ Born Februarrj 22d, 1732 ; — appointed Commander in Chief of the American Forces, June 15, 1776 ; — Inaugurated first Prosident of the United States at Nev)-York in 1789 ;— '^ed December imh, 1799. UNIVERSAL HISTORY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA EMBRACINQ THE WHOLE PERIOD, EARLIEST DISCOVERIES, THE PRESENT TIME. QITINO A DESCRIPTION OP THE WESTERN COUNTRY, ITS SOlEt, SETTLEMENTS, INCREASE OF POPULATION, *C. nr THK£E PARTS. BY C. B. TAYLOR. NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY EZRA STRONG. Stereotyped by James Conner.' 1838- 5uc^. tf;\ v; t < ::. %- PREFACE. In collecting materials for this work, the autlior has, as may be seen from the copiousness of his table of con- tents, studied brevity of style. This, from the multi- plicity of subjects contained in the volume, he deemed essentially necessary. Another important design of the author has been to exhibit, in a strong point of light, those principles of political and religious freedom, to secure which many of our ancestors sacrificed their homes, their fortunes, and even their hves. We cannot but admire the courage, perseverance, and virtues of our progenitors, when we contemplate the ob- stacles surmounted by them, the hardships endured, and the unshrinking firmness of purpose Avhich turned a wilderness into fruitful fields, established a government of equal laws, and provided an asylum for the oppressed of all nations. Having learned, at least to some extent, to appreciate the value of those blessings which have descended to the posterity of the pilgrims, the author would now con- tribute his mite for the benefit of the present and fului e generations. This Avork is designed for a family and school book ; and is also intended as a substitute for those more volu- minous works, that find tkeir way to the few only whose resources are sufficient to procure them. The size of the type on which this volume is printed, has enabled 4 PREFACE. the publisher to present to his readers more matter than was originally intended for the work ; and to give in a duodecimo form, the quantity of reading commonly found in an octavo volume. Although presented to the pubhc in a condensed form, it will be found to contain the most important events in the general history of this country. The comparative population, wealth, resources, and progressive improvement in the states and territories, have been particularly noticed, and will be found a source of useful information to those who may design to change their present places of abode. One entire chapter of this work is devoted to a view of the western states and territories, giving a description of the face of the country, the soil and productions, situ- ation and extent, rivers, increase of population, settle- ments, «fcc. This is designed by the author to convey a useful table of information to all of his readers, but is inserted more particukirly for the benefit of those who intend to emigrate. C. B. T. INTRODUCTION. Birth, Education, and early Life of Columbus. His dis- covery of America, and discoveries by Cabot, HudsoUy and others. Christopher Columbus, or Columbo, as the name is written in Italian, was born in the city of Genoa, about the year 1435, of poor but reputable and meritorious pa- rentage. He was the son of Donienico Colombo, a wool comber, and Susanna Fontanarossa, his wife ; and his an- cestors seem to have followed the same trade for several generations in Genoa. Attempts have been made to prove him of illustrious descent, and several noble houses have laid claim to him since his name has become so re- nowned as to confer rather than receive distinction. It is possible some of them may be in the right, for the feuds in Italy in those ages had broken down and scat- tered many of the noblest families, and while some branches remained in the lordly heritage of castles and domains, others were confounded with the humblest po- pulation of the cities. The fact, however, is not mate- rial to his fame ; and it is a higher proof of merit to be the object of contention among various noble families, than to be able to substantiate the most illustrious line- age. His son Fernando had a true feeling on the subject. " I am of opinion," says he, " that I should derive less dignity from any nobility of ancestry, than from being the son of such a father." Columbus was the oldest of four children ; having two brothers, Bartholomew and Giacomo, or, as his name is translated into Spanish, Diego, and one sister, of whom nothing is known, excepting that she was married to a person in obscure life, called Giacomo Bavarello. A3 6 INTRODUCTION. While very young, Columbus was taught reading, wri- ting, grammar, and arithmetic, and made sc^me proficien- cy in drawing. He soon evinced a strong passion for geographical knowledge, and an irresistible inclination for the sea ; and in after life, when he looked back upon his career with a solemn and superstitious feeling, he re- garded this early determination of his mind as an impulse from the deity, guiding him to the studies, and inspiring him with the inclinations, proper to fit him for the high decrees he was destined to accomplish. His father, see- ing the bent of his mind, endeavoured to give him an edu- cation suitable for maritime life. He sent him, therefore, to the university of Pavia, where he was instructed in geometry, geography, astronomy, and navigation ; he ac- quired also a familiar knowledge of the Latin tongue, which at that time was the medium of instruction, and the language of the schools. He remained but a short time at Pavia, barely sufficient to give him the rudiments of the necessary sciences ; the thorough acquaintance with them which he displayed in after life, must have been the result of diligent self-schooling, and of casual hours of study, amidst the cares and vicissitudes of a rug ged and wandering life. He was one of those men of strong natural genius, who appeal to form themselves . who, from having to contend at their very outset with privations and impediments, acquire an intrepidity in bra- \ ing, and a facility in vanquishing difiiculties. Such men learn to effect great purposes with small means, supply- ing the deficiency of the latter by the resources of their own energy and invention. This is one of the remarka- ble features in the history of Columbus. In every under- taking, the scantiness and apparent insufficiency of his means enhance the grandeur of his achievements. Shortly after leaving the university, he entered into nautical life, and, according to his own account, began to navigate at fourteen years of age. A complete obscu- rity rests upon this part of his history. It is supposed he made his first voyages with one Colombo, a hardy cap- tain of the seas, who had risen to some distinction by his bravery, and who was a distant connexion family. ^ INTRODUCTION. 7 • The seafaring life in those days was peculiarly full of hazard and enterpi'isc. Even a commercial expedition resembled a warlike cruise, and the maritime merchant had often to fight his way from port to port. Piracy was almost legalized. The frequent feuds between the Ita- lian states ; the cruisings of the Catalonians ; the arma- das fitted out by noblemen, who were petty sovereigns in their own domains ; the roving ships and squadrons of private adventurers ; and the holy wars waged with the Mahometan powers, rendered the narrow seas to which navigation was principally confined, scenes of the most hardy encounters and trying reverses. Such was the rugged school in which Columbus was reared, and such the rugged teacher that first broke him in to naval discipline. There is an interval of several years, during which Ave have but one or two shadowy traces of Columbus, who is supposed to have been principally engaged in the Medi- terranean, and up the Levant, sometimes in voyages of commerce, sometimes in warlike contests between the Italian states, sometimes in pious and predatory expedi- tions against the infidels, during which time he was often under the perilous command of his old fighting relation, the veteran Colombo. Columbus arrived at Lisbon about the year 1470. He v.-as at that time in the full vigour of manhood, and of an engaging presence ; and here it may not be improper to draw liis portrait, according to the minute descriptions given of him by his contemporaries. He was tall, well formed, and m.uscular, and of an elevated and dignified demeanour. His visage was long, and neither full nor meagre ; his complexion fair and freckled, and inclined to ruddy ; his nose aquiline, his cheek bones were rather high, his eyes light gray, and apt to enkindle ; his whole countenance had an air of authority. His hair, in his youthful days, was of a light colour, but care and trouble soon turned it gray, and at thirty years of age it was quite white. He was moderate and simple in diet and uppanj, eloquent in discourse, engaging and affable with strangers, and of an amiableness and suavity in domestic life, that strongly attached his household to his person. 8 INTRODUCTION. His temper was naturally irritable ; but he subdued it by the magnanimity of his spirit, comporting himself with a courteous and gentle gravity, and never indulging in any intemperance of language. Throughout his life, he was noted for a strict attention to the offices of reli- gion. The Sabbath was to him a day of sacred rest, on which he would never sail from a port, unless in a case of extreme necessity. While at Lisbon, he became acquainted with a lady of rank, named Dona Felipa, who resided in the convent. The acquaintance soon ripened into attachment, and end- ed in marriage. When Columbus had once formed his theory, it became fixed in his mind, with singular firmness. He set it down as a fundamental principle, that the earth was a ten-a- queous globe, which might be travelled round from east to west, and that men stood foot to foot when on oppo- site points. This great man, when about forty years of age, formed the idea of reaching the East Indies by sailing westwai-d. His fortune being small, and the attempt requiring ef- fectual patronage, he laid his plan before the senate of Genoa, desirous that his native country should profit if he was successful ; the scheme, however, appearing chi- merical, was rejected. He then repaired to the court of Portugal ; and although the Portuguese were at that time distinguished for their commercial spirit, and John II. who then reigned, was a discerning and enterprising prii 'e, vet the prejudices of the great men in his court, to whoiii the matter was referred, caused Columbus final- ly to fail in his attempt there also. He next applied to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Arragon and Castile, and at the same time sent his brother Bartholo- mew (who followed the same profession, and who was well qualified to fill the immediate place under such a leader) to England, to lay the proposals before Henvy VII. which likewise, very fortunately for the future well being of the country, met with no success. Many were the years which Christopher Columbus spent in ineffec- tual attendance at the Castilian court ; the impoverished state into which the finances of the united kingdom were INTRODUCTION. • 9 reduced by the war with Grenada, repressed every dis- position to attem])t great designs. But the war being at length terminated, the powerful mind of Isabella broke through all obstructions ; she declared herself the pa- troness of Columbus, while her husband, Ferdinand, de- clining to partake as an adventurer, in the voyage, only gave it the sanction of his name. Thus did the superior genius of woman effect the discovery of one half of the globe ! The ships sent out on this important search were only three in number, two of them very small, with ninety men, victualled for a year's voyage. Although the expense of the expedition had long remained the sole obstacle to this undertaking, yet, when every thing was provided, the cost did not amount to more than sixteen thousand five hundred dollars, for which purpose the queen dis- posed of her jewels to raise the amount. Columbus set sail from the port of Palos in the pro- vince of Andalusia, August 3d, 1492: He proceeded to the Canary Islands, and thence directed his course due west, in the latitude of about 28 N. In this course he continued for two months, without falling in with any land, which caused such a spirit of discontent and mutiny to arise, as the superior address and management of the commander became unequal to suppress, although for those qualities he was eminently distinguished. He was at length reduced to the necessity of entering into a so- lemn engagement, to abandon the enterprise and return home, if land was not discovered in three days. P oba- bly he would not have been able to retain his men so long from acts of violence and outrage, in pursuing so untried and dreary a course, had they not been sensible that their safety in returning home, depended very much on his skill as a navigator, in conducting the vessel. About midnight of the llth of October, 1492, the cry wn.s, land, land, which proved to be one of the Bahama islands, which Columbus named San Salvadore ; it was only three deg. .30 min. lat. to the south of the island of Gomora, one of the Canaries, whence he took his depar- ture. This navigator was still so confident in the opinion ■', had formed before he undertook the voyage, that he 10 INTRODUCTION. believed himself then to be on an island which was situa- ted adjacent to the Indies. Proceeding towards the S. he saw three other islands which he named St. Mary, Ferdi- nand, and Isabella. At length he arrived at a very large island, and as he had taken seven of the natives of San Salvadore on board, he learned from them that its name was called Cuba, but he gave it the name of Juanna. He next proceeded to an island which he had called Espa- ilola, in honour of the kingdom by which he was employ- ed, and it still bears the name of Hispaniola. Here he built a fort, and formed a small settlement ; he then returned home, having on board some of the native? whom he had taken from the different islands, on the pas sage. He was overtaken by a storm which had nearl) proved fatal. During the storm, Columbus hastily en- closed in a cake of wax, a short account of his voyage and discovery, which he hoped, should he perish, might fall into the hands of some navigator, or be cast ashore, and thus the knowledge of his discovery be preserved to the world. But the storm abated, and he arrived safe in Spain, March 15th, 1493, having been seven months and eleven days on this most important voyage. On his arrival, letters patent were issued by the king and queen, confirming to Columbus and to his heirs, all the privileges contained in an agreement which had been enacted before his departure. Not only the Spaniards, but the other nations of Europe, seem to have adopted the opinion of Columbus, in con- sidering the countries Avhich he had discovered as a part of India ; whence Ferdinand and Isabella gave them the name " Indies" in the ratification of their former agree ment with Columbus ; even after the error was detected, the name was retained, under the appellation of " West Indies." Nothing could possibly tend more effectually to rouse every active principle of human nature, than the discoveries which Columbus had made ; no time was lost or expense spared, in preparing a fleet of ships, with which this great man should revisit the countries he had made known. Seventeen ships were made ready in six months, and fifteen hundred persons embarked on board of them, INTRODUCTION. 11 among whom were many noble families, who had filled honourable stations. Ferdinand, now desirous of securing the benefits of these discoveries, applied to the Pope to be invested with a right in their newly discovered country, as well as to all future discoveries in that direction ; but as it was necessary that there should be some favour of religion in the business, he founded his plea on a de- sire of converting the savage natives to the Romish faith, which plan had its desired eflect. Columbus sailed from the port of Cadiz, on the 25th of September, 1493. When he arrived at Espaiiola, he had the affliction to find that all the Spaniards whom he had left there, amounting to thirty-six in number, had been put to death by the natives in revenge for the insults and outrage Avhich ihey had -committed. After tracing out the plan of a town in a large plain near a spacious bay, and giving it the name of Isabella, in honour of his patroness, the queen of Castile, and appointed his brother to preside as deputy governor in his absence, Columbus, on the 24th of April, 1494, sailed with one ship and two small barks, to make further discoveries in the seas. In this voyage he was employed five months, and fell in with many small islands on the coast of Cuba, but none of any importance except the island of .Jamaica. « Soon after his return to Hispaniola, he resolved to make war with the Indians, who amounted to 100 'X)0 men ; they having experienced every lawless act of vio- lence from their invaders, were rendered extremely in- veterate, and thirsting for revenge, a disposition wliich appears to have been foreign to their natures. Ha^. ing collected his whole force, he attacked them by niij^ht, while they were assembled on a wide plain, and obtaine returned to Spain in irons. He was set at liberty by the king on his arri- val, but never recovered his authority. After his return from his fourth voyage, finding Isabella, his patroness, dead, he sunk btneath his misfortunes, and died May 20th, 1506, in the seventieth year of his age. In 1497, John Cabot and his son commenced a voyage of discovery, and on the24thof June discovered the island of Newfoundland, which they gave the name of Prima Vesta. Leaving this, they fell in with a small island, which they called St. Johns. The French attempted no disco- veries until 1524. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh, under commission of Queen Elizabeth, arrived in America, en- tered Pamplico Sound, now in North Carolina, and sailed thence to Roanoke ; of this country he took possession, and on his return to England gave so splendid a descrip- ion of it, that Queen Elizabeth bestowed upon it the lame of Virginia, in allusion to her being unmarried. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold discovered some part of New-England. He first touched on its eastern coast, in about 43 degrees of north latitude ; he made some dis- coveries of the adjacent ports, and gave them the name of Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard. In 1603, the French made some small discoveries, and began to settle at Port Royal, on the Bay of Funda. In 1608, Henry Hudson discovered Long Island ; he also discovered and gave name to Hudson River, which retains this name to the present time. * Note. — The birth, parentage, and the early education of Colambus, has been extracted from that valuable work which has recently appeared from the able pen of Washington Irving. UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, FART FIRST. CHAPTER II. Prom the settltment of Jamestoxon to the embarkation of the Plymouth Company. The discovery of America by Columbus, gave a new 'mpulse to that bold spirit of adventure which character- ized the hardy age in which he lived. Although several men of rank and fortune were concerned in the companies which had been formed in England for colonising America, their funds appear to have been very limited, and their first eftbrts were extremely feeble. The first expedition for the southern colony consisted of one vessel of 100 tons, and two barks, with 105 men, destined to remain in the country. The command of this small fleet was given to Captain Newport, who sailed from the Thames the 19th of December, 1606. At the time his instructions were given, three packages, sealed with the seal of the council, were delivered, one to Captain Newport, one to Captain Bartholomew Gosnald, and the third to Captain John Rat- clifl'e, containing the names of the council for the colony. They were directed nbt to open these packages within 24 hours after their arrival on the coast of Virginia, and the names of his majesty's council were then to be proclaim- ed. The council were then to proceed in the choice of a president, who should have two votes. To this singu- lar and unaccountable concealment, have been in a great degree attributed the dissensions which distracted the colo- "i-t^ on their passage, and which afterwards considerably . . i oded the progress of their infant settlement. Newport, 2 14 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF whose place of destination was Roanoke, took the circuit- ous route by the West India islands, and had a long pas- sage of four months. The reckoning had been out for three days, without perceiving land ; and serious proposi- tions were made for returning to England ; when they were overtaken by a storm, which fortunately drove them to the mouth of the Chesapeake. On the 26th of April, 1607, they discerned Cape Henry, and soon after Cape Charles. Impatient to land, a party of about 30 men went on shore at Cape Henry, but they were immediately attacked by the natives, who considered them as enemies, and in the skirmish which ensued, seve- ral were wounded on both sides. The first employment of the colonists, was to explore the adjacent country, with the appearance of which they were greatly delighted, and to select a spot on which their settlement should be made. They proceeded up a large, beautiful river, called by the natives Powhattan, and to which they gave the name of James ; on a peninsula, on the north side of which they immediately agreed to make the first establishment of their colony. This place, as well as the river, they named after their king, and called it -Jamestown ; there they debarked on the 13th of May, and Ihe sealed packets being opened, Mr. Wingfield was, by the council, elected their president ; but under frivolous and unjustifiable pretexts, they excluded Smith from taking his seat among them — John Smith, whose courage and talents seem to have excited their envy, and who on the passage, had been imprisoned on the im- probable and unsupportable charge of intending to mur- der the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia. The colonists soon found themselves embroiled with the Indians, who attacked them suddenly, while at work , but were frightened by the fire from the ship, and in a short time, a temporary accommodation Avith them was ef- fected. Although Newport was named of the council, he was ordered to return with the vessel to England, and the time of his departure approached. The accusers of Smith, affecting a degree of humanity which they did not feel, proposed that he should return with Newport, instead of THE UNITED STATES. 15 being prosecuted in Virginia ; but witli the pride of con ficious innocence, he demanded his trial, and being h*h uoiirably acquitted, took his seat in the council. About 'he 15th of June, Newport sailed for England, leaving be- hind him one bark, and about 100 persons, the only Eng lish then on the continent of America. Thus, about one hundred and ten years after this conti nent had been discovered by Cabot, and 22 years after a colony had been conducted to Roanoke by Sir Richard Grenville, the English possessions in America, designed soon to become a mighty empire, were limited to a penin- sula of a few thousand acres of land, held by a small body of men, who with difficulty maintained themselves against the paltry tribes which surrounded them, and looked in a great measure to the other side of the Atlantic for the bread on which they v/ere to subsist. The stock of pro- visions for the colony had been very improvidentially laid in ; it was entirely inadequate to their wants, and in addi- tion to this original error, it had sustained great damage in the holds of their vessels, during their long passage. On the departure of Newport, (during whose stay they managed to partake of the superfluity of sailors,) they were i-educed to the necessity of subsisting on the distri- butions from the public stores. These were, at the same time, scanty and unwholesome. They did not amount to more per man than a pint of Avorm eaten wheat, and bar- ley boiled in a common kettle. This wretched food in creased the malignity of the diseases generated by a hot, and, at that time, (the country being entirely uncleared and undrained,) a damp climate, among men exposed, from their situation, to all its rigours. Before the month of September, 50 of the company, and among them Bartholo- mew Gosnald, who had originated the expedition, and so much contributed towards its being carried on, were buried. This scene of distress was heightened by internal dis- sension. The president was charged with having embez- zled the best stores of the colony, and of feasting at his private table with beef and bread, then deemed luxuries of the highest order, while famine and death devoured his 'ellow adventurers. No crime, in the public opinion, could have been more atrocious. In addition to this, he ^6 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF was detected in an attempt to escape from them and their calamities, in the bark which had been left by NeAvport The general indignation could no longer be restrained He was deposed, and RatclilTe chosen to succeed hitu Misfortune is not unfrequently the parent of moderation and reflection, and this state of misery produced a systent of conduct toAvards the neighbouring Indians, which, for the moment, disarmed their resentment, and induced them to bring in such supplies as the country at that season afforded, and thereby preserved the remnant of the colony. It produced another effect, not less important. Their sense of imminent and common danger, called forth and com- pelled submission to those talents which were fitted to the exigence, and best calculated to extricate them from the difficulties by which they were surrounded. Captain Smith, who had been imprisoned and expelled from the council by the envy of those who felt and hated his superiority, and who, after evincing his innocence, had with difficulty been admitted to the station assigned, pre- served his health unimpaired, his spirits unbroken, and his judgment unclouded, amidst this general misery and de- jection. In him, by common consent, all actual authority was placed, and he, by his OAvn example, soon gave energy and efficiency to others in the execution of his com- mands. He immediately erected, at Janrxestown, such rude for- tifications as were necessary to resist the sudden attack of the savages, and, with great labour, in which he always took tlie lead, completed the construction of such dwell- ings as could shelter the people from the weather ; con- tributed to restore and preserve their health, while his ac- commodation gave place to all others. In the season of gathering corn, which, with the Indians, is the season of plenty, putting himself at the head of small parties, he pene- trated into the country, and, by presents and caresses to those that were well disposed, and attacking with open force, and defeating those who were hostile, he obtained for his countrymen the most abundant supplies. Wh'^-^ thus actively and usefully employed abroad, he was n^ . permitted to withdraw his attention from the domesiic concerns of the colony. However unfit men may be f Ji Sbttlement of Jamestown, in Virginia. The first per- manent English settlement in North America, commenced by 105 persons, 13th of May, 1607. Seepage 13. LANuiNii OP THE PiLGKiMs at Plymouth, Dec. 22d, 1620. The first settlement in the New-England States, commenced by John Carver, and about twenty others from Plymouth, England. Page 28. THE UNITED STATES. 17 command, there are few examples of their descending willingly from exalted stations once filled by them, and it is not wonderful that the late president saw with displea- sure another placed ubove him. As unworthy minds most readily devise unworthy means, he sought, by intriguing with the factious, and fomenting their discontents, to regain his lost authority; and when their attempts Avere disconcerted, plans were laid, first by Winglield and Kendal, and afterwards by the president himself, in conjunction with Martin, the only remaining member of the council, except Smith, to escape in the bark, and thus abandon the country. The vigilance oi Smith detected all these machinations, and his vigour de feated them. The hope was now indulged of preserving the colony in quiet and plenty, until supplies could be re- ceived from England, with the ships which were expected m tlie spring. This hope was, in a considerable degree, defeated, by an event which "threatened, at first, the most disastrous consequences. In an attempt to explore the head of Chickahominy river, Smith was discovered, and attacked by a numerous body of Indians, and, in endeavouring to make his escape, after a most gallant defence, his attention being directed to the enemy, whom he still fought in retreating, he sunk up to his neck in a swamp, and was obliged to surrender. Still retaining his presence of mind, he showed them a mariner's compass, at which, especially at the playing of the needle, and the impossibility of touching it, although tliey saw it so distinctly, they were greatly astonished ; and he amused them with so many surprising stories of its qualities, as to inspire them with a degree of veneration, which prevented their executing their first design of killing him on the spot. They conducted him in triumph through several towns to the palace of Powhatan, the most potent king in the country. There he was doomed to be put to death by laying his head upon a log, and beating his brains out with clubs. He was led to the place of execution, and his head bowed down for the purpose of ''eath, when Pocahontas, the king's daughter, then about thirteen years of age, whose entreaties for his life had been ineffectual, rushed between 18 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF him and the executioner, and folding his head in her arms, and laying hers upon it, arrested the fatal blow. Her fa- ther was then prevailed on to spare his life, and after a great many savage ceremonies, he was sent back to James- town. On his arrival thither, having been absent seven weeks, he found the colony reduced to 38 persons, most of whom seemed determined to abandon the country, which appeared to them so unfavourable to human life. He was just in time to prevent the execution of this design Alternately employing persuasions, threats, and even vio- lence, he, at length, with much hazard to himself, induced the majority to relinquish the intentions they had formed, and then turning the guns of the fort on the bark, on board of which were the most determined, compelled he£^ to remain, or sink in the river. By judicious regulation of their intercourse with the Indians, among whom Smith was now in high repute, he preserved plenty in the colony until the arrival of two vessels, which had been despatched from England under the command of Captain Newport, with a supply of pro- visions, instruments of husbandry, and with a reinforce- ment of 120 persons ; consisting of many gentlemen, a few labourers, and several refiners, goldsmiths, and jewel- lers. The joy of the colony on receiving this accession of force, and supply of provisions, was extreme. But the influence of Smith disappeared with the danger which had produced it, and an improvident relaxation of discipline, productive of the most pernicious consequences, succeed- ed to it. Among the unwise practices which they tole- rated, an indiscriminate traffic with the natives was per- mitted, in the course of which some obtained for their commodities much better bargains than others, which in- spired those who had been most hardly dealt by, and who thought themselves cheated, with resentment against the English generally, and a consequent thirst for revenge. About this time was found, washed doM'n by a small stream of water, back of Jamestown, a glittering earth, which, by the colonists, was mistaken for gold dust. All that raging thirst for gold which accompanied the first Eu- ropeans who visited the American continent, seemed re- excited by this incident. Mr. Stith, in his history, says, THE UNITED STATES. 19 »^iere was nothing thought of but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. And, notwithstanding Cap- tain Smith's warm and judicious representations, how ab- surd it was to neglect all other things of immediate use and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with gilded dust, yet was he overruled, and her returns were made with a parcel of glittering dirt, which is to be found in various parts of the country, and which they very sanguinely con- cluded to be gold dust. One vessel returned in the spring of 1608, the other the 2d of June, laden, one with dust, the other with cedar. This is the first remittance ever made from America by au English colony. The effects of this fatal delusion, were such as might have been foreseen, and were soon felt. The colony began to suffer the same distress from scarcity of food, which had before brought it to the brink of ruin. The researches of the English settlers had not yet extend ed beyond the countries adjacent to James River. Smilli had formed the bold design of exploring the great bay of Chesapeake, examining the mighty rivers which empty into it, opening an entrance with the nations inhabiting them, and acquiring a knowledge of the state of their cul- tivation and population. This hardy enterprise he undertook, accompanied by Doctor Russell, in an open boat of about three tons bur- then, and with a crew of 13 men. On the 2d of June, he fell down the river, in company with the last of Newport's two vessels, and parted with her at the Capes. Beginning his survey at Cape Charles, he examined wdth immense fatigue and danger, every river, inlet, and bay, on both sides of the Chesapeake, as far as the mouth of the Rap- pahannoc, from whence, their provisions being exhausted, he returned to Jamestown. He reached the place on the 21st July, and found the colony in the utmost confusion and disorder. Those who had arrived last, with Newport, were all sick, and general scarcity prevailed ; an universal discontent with the president, whom they charged with riotously consuming the stores, and unnecessarily fati- guing the people, with building a house of pleasure for himself in the woods. The seasonable arrival of Smith, prevented their fury 20 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF from breaking out in acts of personal violence. Their views were extended, and their spirits revived, by the ac- counts he gave of his discovery. They contented them- selves with deposing their president, and Smith was urged, but refused, to succeed him. Having made, in three days, arrangements for obtain ing regular supplies, and for the government of the colony his firm friend, Mr. Scrivner, was appointed vice presi- dent, and on the 14th of July, he again set out, with 12 men. to complete his discoveries. From this voyage, he returned on the 7th of Septembei He had adventured as far as the River Susquehannah, and visited all the countries on both sides of the river ; he en tcred most of the large creeks, and sailed up many of the great rivers to their falls. When we consider that he sailed above 300 miles in an open boat, when we contemplate the dangers and the hardships he encountered, and the fortitude, courage, and patience, with which he met them ; when we reflect on the useful and important additions M'hich he made to the stock of knowledge respecting America, then possessed by his countrymen, we shall not hesitate to say that few voyages of discovery, undertaken at any time, reflect more honour on those engaged m them, than this does on Cap- tain Smith, It may not be entirely unworthy of remark, that about the bottom of the bay. Smith went with a par- ty of Indians from St. Lawrence, coming to war with those of that neighbourhood; and that he found among Indians on the Susquehannah, hatchets obtained originally from the French in Canada. On the 10th of September, immediately after his return from his expedition, he Avas chosen president by the coun- cil, and accepted the ofiice. Soon after Newport arrived with an additional supply of inhabitants ; among whom were the two first females who had ventured into the country ; but he came without provisions. The distinguished, judicious, and vigorous administration of the president, however, supplied their wants, and restrained the turbulent. Encouraged by hia example, coerced by his authority, a spirit of industry and subordination appeared to be created in the colony, which THE UNITED STATES. 21 was the parent of plenty and peace. In the mean time, the company in England became excessively dissati&fien with their property in America. They had calculated on discovering a passage to the south sea, and mines of the precious metals, which might afford to individuals me same sudden accumulation of wealth which had been ac quired by the Spaniards in the south. In all their hopes they had been grievously disappointed, and had as yet received scarcely any advantage for the heavy expenses they had incurred ; yet hope did not altogether forsake them, and they still indulged in golden dreams of future wealth. On the 23d of May, 1609, a new charter was granted them, some of the first nobility, and gentry of the country, and most of the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants and tradesmen, were now added to the former adventurers, and they were all incorporated, by the name of the Treasurer and Company of Adventurers of the city of London, for the first colony in Virginia. To them was granted, as their property, the lands extending from Cape or Point Comfort along the sea coast, 200 miles northward, and from the same point along the sea coast 200 miles southward. The corporation was authorized to own, under its com- mon seal, particular portions of these lands to subjects or denizens, on such conditions as might promote the inten- tions of the grant. The powers of the president and council in Virginia were abrogated, and a new council in England was established and ordained in the charter, with power to the company to fill all vacancies therein by elec- tion. This council was empowered to appoint and renew all officers for the colony, and to make all ordinances for its government, provided they be not contrary to the laws of England. License was given to transport all persons that were willing, and to export merchandise free from custom to Virginia, for seven years. There was also granted, for twenty-one years, freedom from all subsidies in Virginia, and from all impositions on importations and exportations, from or to any of the king's dominions, except only the five pounds in the hundred due for custom. The company Jli UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF being now enlarged, was enabled to take more efficient measures than heretofore for the settlement of the conn try ; they soon fitted out nine ships with 500 emigrants, and such supplies as were deemed necessary for them- Lord Delawar was constituted governor and captain ge neral for life, and several other high sounding and useless offices were created. The direction of the expedition was again given to Captain Newport, George Somers, and Thomas Gates. Power was severally granted to govern the colony until the arrival of Lord Delawar. With singular indiscretion, the council omitted to esta- blish precedence among these gentlemen, and being totally unable to settle this point between themselves, they agreed to embark on board of the same vessel, and to be companions during the voyage. They were parted from the rest of the fleet in a storm, and driven on Bermudas, having on board 150 men, a considerable portion of the provisions, and the new commission and instructions of the council. The residue of the squadron arrived safe in Virginia. The great part of the new company consisted of unruly sparks packed off by their friends to escape worse desti- nies at home, and the rest chiefly made up of poor gen- tlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes and libertines, footmen, and such others as were more ruinous to the common- wealth, than to help to raise or maintain it. They as- sumed to themselves the power of disposing of the go- vernment, and conferred it sometimes on one, and some- times on another. To-day the old commission must rule, to-morrow the new, and next day neither. So all was anarchy and distraction. The judgment of Smith was suspended but for a short time. He soon determined that his own authority was not legally revoked until the arrival of the new commis- sion, and, therefore, resolved to continue its exercise. He boldly imprisoned the chief promoter of the sedition, and thereby restored for a time regularity and obedience. Having efl*ected this, he detached 100 persons to the falls of James River, under the command of West, and the same number to Nansemond, under the command of Mar- tin. These settlements were conducted with so little THE UNITED STATES. 23 {'udgment, that they soon converted all the neighbouring ndians into enemies, had several parties cut off, and found themselves in need of the support and direction of Smith. These were always afforded, until a melancholy accident deprived the colony of the aid of a man, whose talents had more than once rescued it from that desperate condi- tion into which folly and vice had plunged it. Returning from the company at the falls of James River, his powder bag, while he was asleep in the boat, took fire ; he was wounded so as to be confined to his bed. Being thus wounded, and unable to obtain the aid of a surgeon in the colony, he determined to return to England, for which place he embarked about the begin- ning of October. At his departure the colony consisted of about 500 inhabitants ; they were furnished with 3 ships, 7 boats, 10 weeks' provisions in the public store, 6 mares and a horse, a large stock of hogs and poultry-, with some sheep and goats ; utensils for agriculture, nets for fishing, 100 trained and expert soldiers, well acquaint- ed with the Indians, their language and habitations ; 24 pieces of ordnance, and three hundred muskets, with a sufficient quantity of other arms and ammunition. The present fair prospect was soon blasted. The In- dians understood that the man whose conduct and vigour they had so often experienced, and so much dreaded, no longer remained in the country ; they fell upon them. Captains West and Martin having lost their boats, and nearly half of their men, were driven back to Jamestown ; the stock of provisions was lavishly wasted, and a famine, the most dreadful with which they had ever been afllicted, raged among them. After devouring the skins of their horses, and the Indians they had killed, the survivors fed on those of their companions who had sunk under such accurnulated calamities. This period was long remem- bered by the name of the Starving- Time. In six months the colony was reduced to 60 persons, who were so feeble and dejected that they could not sur- vive ten days longer. In this calamitous state, they were relieved by Thomas Gates, George Somers, and Captain Newport, who arrived from Bermuda 34th of May, 1610. It vma immediately determined to abandon the country ; 24 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and for this purpose the wretched remnant of the colony embarked on board the vessel just arrived from Bermuda, and set sail for England. None dropped a tear, because none had enjoyed one day of happiness. But they met Lord Delawar in the river, with three ships, and a recruit of new settlers and persons from England, who prevailed on them to return, and.on the 10th of June, re-settled them at Jamestown. On the 10th of May, 1611, Sir Thomas Dale, who had been appointed to the government, arrived with fresh supplies of men and provisions, and found the colony re- lapsing into its former state of idleness and penury. It required all the authority of the new governor to maintain public order, and to compel the idle and dissolute to labour. Some conspiracies having been detected, he proclaimed martial law, and instantly executed it, by punishing the most guilty. These severities, which, in the ordinary state of society, would not, and ought not to have been submitted to, were then deemed necessary, and are spoken of as having probably saved the settlement. In the beginning of August, Sir Thomas Gates, who had been appointed to succeed Thomas Dale, arrived with six ships, and a considerable supply of men and provi- sions. The colony being now greatly strengthened, began to extend itself up the James River, and several new set- tlements were made. In March, 1612, a new charter was issued, granting to the treasurer and company all the islands situate in the ocean, within three hundred leagues of the coast of Virginia. It was ordained that four general courts of adventurers ahould be holden annually, for the determination of affairs of importance, and weekly meetings were appointed for the transaction of common business. To promote the settlement, which hadalready cost such considerable sums, license was given to open lotteries in any part of England. These lotteries, which were the first ever drawn in England, brought twenty-nine thou- sand pounds into the treasury of the company. Captain Argal arrived from England with two vessels, and was sent round to the Potomac, for a cargo of corn. Here he understood that Pocahontas, who had saved the life of THE UNITED STATES. 25 Smith, and ever had been steadfast in her attachments to the English, having absented herself from her father's house, now lay concealed. By bribing some of those in whom she had confided, Captain Argal prevailed on her to come on board his ves- sel, where she was detained respectfully, and brought to Jamestown. His motive was, the hope that the posses- sion of Pocahontas would give the English an ascendancy over her father, Powhatan. In this, however, he was disappointed. Powhatan ofi'ered corn and friendship, if they would first restore his daughter, but would come to no terms until reparation was made for what he resented, as an act of unhandsome treachery. During her detention at Jamestown, she made an im- pression on the heart of Mr. Rolfe, a young gentleman of estimation in the colony, who also succeeded in gaining her affections. They were married, with the consent of Powhatan, who ever after continued to be a sincere friend to the English. This led to a treaty with the Chiccaho- minies, a brave and powerful tribe, who submitted to the English, and became their tributaries. In 1613, Sir Tho- mas Dale divided a considerable portion of the lands into lots of three acres each, and granted one of these to each individual in full propriety. Although they were still required to devote a great por- tion of their labour to the public, yet a sudden change was made in the appearance and habits of the colony. Industry advanced with rapid strides, and the colonists were no more fearful of wanting bread, either for them- selves or the emigrants, who came annually from England. Early in the year 1614, Sir Thomas Gates returned to England, leaving the government again with Sir Thomas Dale. In 1615, fifty acres of land were allotted to each individual, which was actually laid off and delivered to the persons having titles to them, who were permitted to ex- ercise over them, in such a manner as was agreeable to themselves, all the rights of ownership. About the same time, tobacco was first cultivated in Virginia. This plant was detested by the king, who used all his "influence to prevent its use. He even wrote a pamphlet afijainst it, which he styled the counter blast. It was dis- 3 26 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF countenanced by the leading members of parliament, and also by the company, who issued edicts against its culti- vation. And, although on a first experiment, it was un- pleasant in its taste, and disagreeable in its effects, it sur- mounted all difficulties, and has, by an unaccountable ca- price, been brought into general use, and become xjne of the most considerable staples of America. In the spring of 1616, Sir Thomas Dale sailed for Eng land, having placed the government in the hands of George Yeardly, his deputy, who after a very lax administration of one year, was succeeded, in May, 1617, by Captain Argal, who had been appointed deputy governor by the company. He was a man of great talents and energy of mind, but selfish, haughty, and tyrannical. He provided with abili- ty for the wants of the colony. Martial law was continu- ed during a season of peace ; and Mr. Brewster, who was tried under this arbitrary system, for contemptuous words spoken against ihe governor, was sentenced to suffer death. A respite of execution was with difficulty obtain- ed, and on an appeal to the council in England, the sen- tence was reversed. While martial law was, according to -Stith, the common law of the land, the deputy govern- or seems to have been the sole legislator. His edicts mark the severity of his rule, but some of them evince an attention to the public safety. He ordered, that merchandise should be sold at the ad- vance price of 25 per cent., and tobacco taken in payment at the rate of three shillings a pound, under the penalty of three year's servitude to the company ; that no person should traffic with the Indians, or teach them the use of fire arms, under pain of death ; that no person should hunt deer or hogs without leave from the governor ; that no person should shoot, unless in his own defence, until a new supply of ammunition arrived, on pain of a yearns personal service ; that no one should go on board the ships without the governor's leave; that every person should go to church on Sundays, under the penalty of slavery during that present Aveek, for the first offence ; a month for the second, and a year for the third. The rigour of thia administration necessarily excited THE UNITED STATES. 27 much discontent, and the complaints of the Virginians at length made their way to the company. Lord Delawar, being now dead, Mr. Yeardly was appointed captain- general, with instructions to examine with attention the wants of the people, and to redress them. The new governor arrived in April, 1619, and soon after, to the inexpressible joy of the inhabitants, declared his intentions to convoke a colonial assembly. This is an important era in the history of Virginia. Heretofore, all legislative authority had been exercised, either by the corporation in England, or by their officers in this coun- try. The people, either personally or by their represen- tatives, had no voice in the government of themselves, and their most important concerns were decided by persons unacquainted with their situation, and always possessing interests different from theirs. This first assembly met at Jamestown on the 19th of June, 1619. The colony was not then divided into coun- ties, and the members were elected by the different bo- roughs, amounting to seven in number. The assembly, composed of the governor, the council, and burgesses, met together in one apartment, and there debated all mat- ters thought conducive to the general welfare. The laws then enacted, which, it is believed, are no longer extant, were transmitted to England for the approbation of the Ireasujer and company, and were said to have been judi- ciously formed. The emigrations from England continued to be very considerable, and were made at great expense to the com- pany ; but as yet few females had ever crossed the Atlan- tic. Men without wives could not contemplate Virginia as a place of permanent residence, and proposed, after amassing some wealth, to return to their native land. To put an end to a mode of thinking in its effects so ruinous to the colony, it was proposed to send out 100 maids as wives for the colony ; 90 young girls were transported in the beginning of the year 1620, and 60 more in the sub- sequent year. They were immediately disposed of to the young planters. The price of a wife was estimated first at one hundred, and afterwards at one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, 38 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF then selling at three shillings per pound ; and a debt so contracted was made of greater dignity than any other. The education of the children was likewise attended to, and several steps were taken towards founding a college, afterwards completely established by William and Mary. About the same time, the company received orders from the king to transport to Virginia 100 idle and dissolute persons, then in the custody of the Knight Marshal. These men, dispersed through the colony, became a useful and acceptable addition of labourers, and were the first con- victs transported to America. CHAPTER in. From ike embarkation of the Plymouth Company to th& close of the Pequot War. We have seen with what slow and difficult steps the first, or southern colony, altliough supported by individu- als of great wealth and influence in the nation, advanced to a firm and secure establishment. Let us now employ our attention in viewing the establishment of the Plymouth Company. King James first granted Letters Patent to this company, in 1606, to possess all the lands in America lying between 34 and 45 degrees of north latitude. They applied for leave to go under the royal sanction, but were refused. At length they obtained permission from the Virginia company to make a settlement near the mouth of Hudson's River. It was resolved that part of the congregation should remove first, and the remaining part, with their pastor, after the new settlement had commenced. This produced a scene at parting not to be described. They took their leave of one another, which proved to be their last leave, frith many of them. They sailed from Holland to South- ampton, in England, where they met the other ships, and their friends who were to accompany them from England, in July, 1620. On the fifth of August they sailed from Southampton, THE UNITED STATES. 29 but, on account of bad weather, and the leakiness of one of their vessels, they were obliged twice to put back. The poorer vessel they were compelled to leave, while as many as could be accommodated, one hundred and one persons of the adventurers, entered on board the other ship, and took their last leave of the land of their fathers on the sixth of September. Called to go out into a place which they should after receive for an inheritance, they obeyed ; and they went out, not knowing whither they went. After a tedious voyage, safely housed in the ark which God in his providence had directed them to prepare, pro- tected by Him who directs the storm, on the tenth of No- vember they arrived at Cape Cod. The Dutch, intend- ing to keep Hudson's River, had bribed the ship master lo carry these adventurers so far northward, that they should not find their intended place of residence. They nad found land, and it was too late in the season to put to sea again ; they were in a good harbour, but on a most barren and inhospitable shore. On their arrival, they stepped upon the strand, and with bended knees, gave thanks to God, who had preserved their number entire, and brought them in safety to these unhallowed shores. Being without the limits of their pa- tent, as to civil government, they were in a state of na- ture. They therefore procured and signed a civil com- pact, by which they severally bound themselves to be obedient to all ordinances made by the body, acknowledg- ing the King of Great Britain to be their lawful sovereign. They say, in the preamble, " Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and couritry, a voyage, to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these presents," «fcc. This instrument was executed on board their ship, on the eleventh of November. Mr. John Carver, a man of distinguished abilities and eminent piety, was chosen their governor. The prospects now before them, were such as to appal any other than our fathers. In a most howling wilder- ness, inhabited by pagan savages and wild beasts, a drea- ry winter approaching, no shelter from the tempest, and S* 30 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF as yet, no place of abode. They had one resting place, and that was all. Their trust was in Him who hath said to' liis chosen, The eternal God is thy refuge, and under- neath are the everlasting arms ; and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, destroy them. After several unsuccessful attempts to iind a convenient place for their residence, a party sent out for discovery, entered the harbour of Plymouth. In a severe storm, on a December night, having, with their little bark, narrowly escaped a shipwreck, they were cast upon an island in the harbour. This was on Friday night. The next day, they" dried their clothes, concluding to remain on this little island till after the Sabbath. This little band, about twen- ty in number, observed the next day as a Sabbath, which was the first Sabbath ever observed in a religious manner on the New-England shore. Having examined the harbour, they returned to the ship, which weighed anchor, and brought their consecrated car- go in safety. Here these pious pilgrims landed on the twenty-second of December, 1620. They called the place Plymouth, the name of the town from which they last sail- ed in England. They now had a country and a home, but they had a better country on high. They had now to contend with the inclement seasons, with innumerable privations, in a constant fear of a savage foe. But God had prepared their way before them. A desolating plague, w^hich prevailed among the natives about three years before, had nearly depopulated those parts of the country. On this account, they received very little molestation from the savages for many years. Had they been carried to Hudson's River, according to their intention, where the savages were numerous, there is much reason to believe the little colony would have been cut off. Infinite wisdom directed their course to their prepared habitation. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, how thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and planted them. The severities of the season, their unwholesome food, and their incessant labours, brought upon this little flock a general and very mortal sickness, so that forty-six of their number died before the opening of the ensuing THE UNITED STATES. 31 spring. Of those who survived, the most had been se- verely sick. Who can contemplate this little band, in an uncultivated wilderness, with no promise of support from tlieir mother country, exposed to the inclement skies of a dreary winter, with scanty supplies of food, utterly un- skilled and destitute of the means for the cultivation of a new country, with no security for future harvests ; sur- rounded with a savage enemy, whose seats and prowess they could not know ; visited with a raging disease, com- mitting, at times, two or three in a day to the grave ; of the living, scarcely enough who had strength to perform the rites of sepulture ; without despondency, firmly de- termined to abide tlie just appointments of Heaven — and not admire a virtue which the religion of the Lord Jesus alone can furnish, and a patriotism to which the canonized heroes of Rome could never attain 1 Had their object been to obtain a property for them- selves, and for their posterity, or to obtain a name among the heroes of enterprise, they had sunk under their suf- ferings. Their souls were strengthened with other pros- pects. They confided in the wisdom of Heaven ; they firmly believed that the Most High would here plant and maintain his church ; that he would make the American wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Buoyed up by faith, strengthened by the promises, ob- stacles vanished before them. They knew God had often led his church into the wildei'ness, but he had never for- saken her. He raised up the righteous man from the east, brought him to a strange country, the Canaanite was then in the land, but he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bmv. On the fifth of April, after their arrival, the Plymouth (.'ompany^ were called to mourn the loss of their excellent governor, and a deacon of the church, Mr. Carver. Mr. Bradford, a gentleman of distinguished worth, was chosen to succeed him, and, excepting four years, he was annu- " ally elected to the office till his death, in 1657. A little before the death of Mr. Carver, the Indian Sach.?m, Mas* sasoit, came into Plymouth in a friendly manner, and en- tered into a treaty of friendship with the colony, v-hich 32 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF he observed inviolably till his death. He was father ol the famous Sachem, King Phihp. After the first desolating sickness, the people of Ply- mouth were, generally, very healthy, and the most of the first planters who survived that epidemic, lived to old age. Their privations, however, and their sufferings, insepara- ble from the circumstances of their situation, were great in the extreme. Their property was, principally, held in . common stock for the support of the whole. And the wants of the few first years, consumed most of their stores. Through fear of the natives, having received some threat- ening intimations from some of the tribes, they Avere ne- cessitated to erect a fort, to empale their whole village, and to keep a constant guard. In their excursions to find a proper place for settlement, while their ship lay at the cape, they found about ten bushels of Indian corn which had been buried, for which they afterwards paid the owners, which helped to pre- serve their lives the first winter, and afford them seed for planting in the ensuing spring. Some friendly Indians taught them the manner of raising their corn, but their crop was very unequal to their necessities. Mr. Hutch- inson is of opinion, that no English grain was raised in the colony previous to the year 1633, when a i'ew eais of rye were produced. The first domestic cattle were brought to the colony in 1624 ; previous to which they had none for milk or labour. The most credible historians afiirm, that these pilgrims subsisted, in repeated instances, for days and weeks toge- ther, without bread, feeding upon the wild nuts of the woods, and shell fish. Their difficulties for clothing were equally great. Some of the ancient writers intimate, that the great mortality in the first winter appears to have been the means, under a wise Providence, of preserving the colony from perishing by famine. The second summer after their arrival, the settlement was threatened with a famine by a severe drought. From the third week in May, to the middle of July, there was no rain. Their corn, for which they had made their utmost exertions, withered under the heat of a scorching sun ; the greater part of it appeared irrecoverably lost. The THE UNITED STATES 33 Indians, seeing their prospects, observed they would soon be subdued by famine, when they should find them an easy prey. A public fast was appointed and observed with great solemnity. The morning, and most of the day, was clear and hot, but, towards evening, the clouds collected, and like the gracious influences of God, the rain descended in moderate, yet copious showers. This revived their expi- ring crop, and produced a plentiful harvest. After which, they observed a day of public thanksgiving, I believe this to be the origin of our annual thanksgivings. This event made an astonishing impression on the minds of the natives, who saw and acknowledged that the God of Christians was great, and good, and a hearer of prayer.* In the autumn of 1621, the plantation received an ac- cession of settlers of about thirty-five, of their friends from Holland. In the year 1625, their venerable and beloved pastor, the Rev. Mr. Robinson, died at Leyden, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was thus prevented from ever seeing his much loved American church. After his death, the most of his congregation came over to Ply- jnouth. The planters who first came to Plymouth were accom- panied by Mr. William Brewster, a ruling elder in the church, who supplied, in a good degree, the absence of their pastor. He was a man of abilities and learning, having been liberally educated at the University of Cam- bridge, and of great piety. Being an able and useful preacher, he served the congregation in that capacity the greater part of the time till his death, about twenty- three years after the first settlement. The congregation, how- ever, enjoyed the labours of other ministers during this period. This little colony continued for many years in harmo- ny, and were, perhaps, a^ eminent as any people which have appeared in modern time, for continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. In 1621, the Virginia company passed an ordinance ♦ See Morton, and others. t 34 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF establishing the constitution of the colony. This pro- vided, that henceforth there should be two supreme coun- cils in Virginia, the one to be called the council of state, to be appointed and displaced by the treasurer and com- pany, and to assist the governor with advice on executive subjects; the other to be denominated the general assem- bly, and to consist of the governor, the council, and two burgesses, to be chosen for the present by the inhabitants of every town. The assembly Avas empowered to consult and determine on matters respecting the public weal. It was declared, that no acts passed by the assembly should be in force until confirmed by the general court in England, and the ratification returned under its seal, and that, on the other hand, no order of the general court should bind the colony until assented to by the assembly. In 1G22, the controversy which had for some time existed be- tween the crown and the company, concerning the im- portation of tobacco, was at length adjusted by amicable agreement. The king had demanded high duties on that article, while he admitted its importation from the dominions of Spain, and had also restrained the company from trans- porting it directly from Virginia to their warehouses in Holland, to which expedient his exactions had driven them. It was now agreed, that they should enjoy the sole right of importing that commodity into the kingdom, for which they should pay a duty of nine pence per pound, in lieu of all charges, and that the whole productions ot the colony should be brought to England. The industry of the colony had now greatly increased. At peace with the Indians, their settlements had extehded not only along the banks of James and York rivers, but to the Rappa- hannoc, and even to the Potowmac. It now became extremely inconvenient to bring all causes to Jamestown before the governor and council. Thus originated the present county courts of Virginia. In this year the cup of prosperity, of which the colony now began to taste, was dashed from their lips, by an event which shook to its foundation, and nearly destroyed the colony. In the year 1618, Powhatan, the most pow- THE UNITED STATES. 35 erful of the Indian kings in Virginia, who, after the mar- riage of his daughter to Mr. Rolfe, had remained faitliful to the EngUsh, departed this Ufe, and was succeeded by Opechancanough, a bold and cunning chief, remarkable for his jealousy and hatred ef the new settlers ; but for a considerable time the general peace remained undisturbed. The Indians were furnished with fire arms, and taught the use of them ; they Avere admitted at all times freely into the habitations of the English, as harmless visitants ; were fed at their tables, and lodged in their chambers. The 22d of March, was designated as the day on which all the English were to be at the same instant attacked. Thus, in one hour, and almost at the same instant, fell 347 men, women, and children. The massacre would haA'e been still greater, had not information been given tlie preceding night, to a Mr. Pace, by an Indian, who disclosed to him the plot. — He immediately carried the intelligence to Jamestown, and the alarm was given to some of the nearest settlemepits, which were thereby saved. As soon as intelligence reached England of these cala mities of the sufferers, relief was ordered. Arms from the tower were delivered to the treasurer and company, and several vessels were immediately despatched with ar- ticles for their relief. While the Virginians were mourn- ing their losses, the Plymouth company began to experi- ence the distress of famine. By the time their planting was finished, 1623, their provisions were so far exhausted, that they had neither bread nor corn, for three or four months. A drought continued from May until some time lu July. Under these afilictions, they appointed a day of fasting and prayer, to humble themselves before God. — But a plentiful harvest sooia followed, which was noticed by a day of thanksgiving. Mr. White, a non-conformist minister at Dorchester, who had prevented some {ew of his countrymen who had settled around the Bay at Massachusetts, from returning to England, by his assurances of procuring them relief and assistance, formed by great exertions an association of several gentlemen, who had imbibed puritamcal opinions, for the purpose of conducting thither a colt^y, and ren- 36 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF dering it an asylum from the persecution of his own per- suasion. In prosecution of their views, a treaty was con- cluded with the council of Plymouth, for the purchase of part of New-England ; and that corporation, in March, 1627, conveyed to Sir Henry Roswell, and others, all that pait of New-England lying three miles to the south of Charles River, and three miles north of Merrimack River, and extending from the Atlantic to the south sea. A small number of planters and servants were soon af- terwards despatched under Endicot, a deep enthusiast, who, in September, 1628, laid the foundation of Salem, the first permanent town in Massachusetts. In the year 1629, soon after the organization of the company, under the sanction of the royal charter, they resolved a second embarkation for their new colony, to support the expenses of which, it was resolved, that every person who should subscribe fifty pounds, should be entitled to two hundred acres of land, as the first dividend. Five ships were provided for the purpose, and bein| laden with cattle and other necessaries, for the supply of the colony, with three hundred persons, men, women, and children, they sailed from the Isle of Wight, in May. and arrived at Salem in June, where they found Endicot, to whom they brought a confirmation of his commissioK as governor. The colony now consisted of three hundred persons, of whom one hundred removed and settled the town of Charlestown ; and the remainder continued at Salem. Mr. Hugginson and Mr. Skelton, distinguished for their learning and piety, both of them, resolved to lend important services in laying the foundation of the Ameri- can Church. These faithful servants of Christ cordiallj engaged in the great design ; they embarked with the se- cond party, and arrived at Salem in 1629. Early in the following year, John Winthrop, who had been appointed governor, and Thomas Dudley, deputy governor, with one thousand five hundred persons, em- barked on board of seventeen vessels, at an expense of upwards of twenty thousand pounds, and arrived at Salem in July, 1630. Dissatisfied with this situation, they explored the country in quest of a better station, and set- THE UNITED STATES. 37 tied in many places around the bay ; and laid the founda» tion of several towns ; among others, of Boston. On the arrival of Gov, Winthrop, in July, who was from that time to his death, the head and father of the co- lony, he found the plantation in a suffering state. In the preceding autumn, the colony contained about three hun- dred inhabitants ; eighty of them died, and a great part of the survivors were in a weak, sickly state. Their supply of corn was not sufficient for more than a fortnight, and their provisions nearly exhausled. Friday, February 6th, Vv\n,s appointed as a day of fasting and prayer ; but on the fifth of February, a sliio arrived with provisions, and a day of thanksgiving was appointed by the governor. The succeeding winter commenced in December, with great severity ; iew of the houses which had been erected were comfortable. Unused to such severities of climate, the people suffered severely from the cold. Many of them died from the cold. On the opening of the spring of 1G31, health Avas generally restored in the settlements ; but the colony Avas greatly impoverished. All the provisions that were brought from England, were purchased at a very high i-ate. By the length of the passage, and the severity of the winter, the greater part of their cattle died. The materials for building, and implements of labour, Avere ob- tained with great difficulty and expense. This year, great •exertions were made for a crop of Indian corn, which Avas their Avhole dependance ; and it pleased God to give them an abundant harvest. In the commencement of all the individual settlements, the planters Avere mindful of their great errand into the Avilderness : and directed their first exertions to the esta blishment of the church of Christ, and the institution of the gospel. The first church after the one at Salem was gathered at Charlestown, August 27th, 1630. Soon after this a church AA-as organized at Dorchester. The next Avas at Boston, one at Roxbury, one at Lynn, and one at WatertOAvn. In less than tAvo years from the organiza- tion of the first church in Salem, there Avere in the colorjf seven churches, Avhich Avere indeed golden candlesiicks In 1633 came over Mr. Haynes, afterAvards the firsf governor of Connecticut, and Mr. Stone, Mr. Bookeff 4 \ 38 UNIVERSAL hirtTORY OF and Mr. Cotton, three of the most eminent lights of the New-England churches. On the 21 st of February, an order was made by the king in council, to stop the ships at that time ready to sail, freighted with passengers and provisions for New- England. But this order seems never to have been strictly executed, as the emigrations still continued, without any sensible diminution. Let me now call the attention of the reader to the set tlement of Connecticut. The first discovery of the coun- try of Connecticut River was made by the enterprising people of Plymouth, in 1633. The Plymouth people de- termined to undertake the enterprise at their own risk. — Preparations were made for erecting a trading house, and establishing a small company upon the river. In the mean time, the master of a vessel from Massa- chusetts, who was trading at New-Netherlands, showed to the Dutch Governor the commission the English had to trade and settle in New-England ; and that the king had granted these parts to his own subjects ; he also desired that the Dutch woidd not build in Connecticut. The Dutch governor requested that the English would not set- tle in Connecticut until the affair should be determined be- tween them. This appears to have been a piece of po licy in the Dutch governor, to keep the Engli.-li back until the Dutch had got a firm footing upon the river. In September, several vessels went into Connecticut River to trade. John Oldham, from Dorchester, with a few men, travelled through Connecticut, to view the coun- try and trade with the Indians. He found that the In- dian hemp grew in great abundance in the meadows, and purchased a quantity of it, which, u])on trial, was found to exceed that which grew in England. William Holmes, of Plymouth, with his company, having prepared the frame of a house, and boards and materials for covering it, imme diately put them on board a vessel, and sailed for Con necticut. When he came into the river, he found that the Dutch had got in before him, and made a light fort, and planted two pieces of cannon at the mouth of the little river since called Hartford. The Dutch forbade Holmes going up THE UNITED STATES. 39 the river — stood by their cannon, and ordered him to strike his colours, or they would fire upon him ; but he was a man of spirit, and assured them that he had a commis- sion from the governor of Plymouth, to go up the river, and go he would. They still threatened, but he pro- ceeded — landed on the west side of the river, and erected his house a little below the mouth of the little river in Windsor. This was the first house erected in Connecticut. It was covered with the utmost despatch, and well fortified. The Sachems, who were original ownei's of the soil, had been driven from this point of the country by the Pe- quots, and were now carried home onboard Holmes' ves- sel. The Dutch, about the same lime, erected a trading house at Hartford. It was with great difficulty that Holmes and his company erected and fortified their house, ind kept it afterwards. The Dutch, before the Plymouth people took possession of the river, had been invited to trade with them at Connecticut ; but when they found that they were preparing for a settlement there, they repented of the invitation, and did all in their power to prevent them. On the 8th of .Tune< the Dutch purchased about twenty acres of land at Hartford, of a Pequod captain. Of this the Dutch took possession ; they protested against Holmes, the builder of the trading house. Some time afterwards, the Dutch governor dispatched a reinforcement from fort Amsterdam to Connecticut, designing to drive Holmes and his company from the river. A band of seventy men assaulted the Plymouth house ; but they found it too well fortified, and gave up their design. In November and December, the small pox raged among the Indians ; two Sachems, with a great part of their Indians, died. When their own people forsook them, the English, who lived near them, went to their wig- wams, and ministered to them. Some families spent al- most their whole time with them. One Englishman buried thirty of their dead in one day. In 1634, at a meeting of the General Court in Sep- tember, the people of Newtown made application for liberty to remove to Connecticut river. Mr. Hoo^rr. 40 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF acting as principal advocate for the people, the court re- fused to give their consent ; and the design was given over. In 1635, permission was granted, on condition that the new settlement should continue subject to the ju- risdiction of Massachusetts. The people of Newtown, Dorchester, and Watertown, now began to prepare for their new habitation. In the course of the season, seve- ral people went to Connecticut river;- some by water, some through the wilderness. The Dorchester men sat down at Windsor, near the Plymouth trading house. They purchased the building and land owned by the Plymouth people. The people from Newtown, of whom but few removed till the follow- ing year, settled at Hartford. The Watertown settlers began the town of Wetherslield. In 1636, about one hundred persons, men, women, and chiklren, led by the Rev. Messrs. Hooker and Stone, together with their horses, cattle, and swine, commenced their journey through the Avilderness to Connecticut River. They travelled about two weeks on foot, during which time they lived upon the milk of their cows. By the 25th of November, Connecticut River was frozen over ; heavy falls of snow succeeded, and the season was very severe. Several small vessels, which had been laden with their furniture and provisions, sailed from Boston, and were wrecked on the coast. By the last of Novem- ber provisions began to fail in the settlements on the river, and death looked them sternly in the face. Thirteen in one company, driven by hunger, attempted their way in this severe season. In passing the river one of their company fell through the ice, and was drowned, the other twelve were kept from perishing by the Indians, and ar- rived in Massachusetts in ten days. Their distress was so great, that by the lirst of Decem- ber a considerable part of the men settlers were obliged to abandon their habitations. As the only peans of pre- serving their lives, about seventy persons, men, women, and children, left their settlements, and went down the river, in hopes of meeting with their provisions. As their expectation failed, they went on board the Rebecca, lying near the mouth of the river. This, but two days THE UNITED STATES. 41 before, was frozen in twenty miles up the river, but was released by the falling of a small rain, and reached Boston in five days. Had it not been for a very quick passage, the people must have perished. The people that kept their situations on the river suf- fered extremely. After all the help they were able to obtain by hunting, and from the Indians, thej^were obliged to subsist on acorns, malt, and grain. The number of cattle that could not be got over before winter, living upon what they found in the woods and meadows, win- tered better than those which were brought over; how- ever, a great number of them perished. Early in the spring, those who went from Connecticut to spend the winter with their friends, began to return to their new habitations. The first court held in Connecticut, was held at New- town, April 26lh, 1636. Towards the last of the year 1635, Mr. Winthrop, son of the Massachusetts governor, the worthy character who afterwards procured the Connecticut charter, arrived at Boston, with a commission from Lords Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and others, to take possession of Connecti- cut Kiver, and build a fort, which they had named Say- brook. In a few days a Dutch vessel appeared off" the harbour, sent to take possession of the entrance of the river, and erect fortifications ; but the English had by this time mounted two cannon, and prevented their landing. Thus, providentially, was this fine tract of country preserved for our venerable ancestors, and their posterity. In September, 1636, Mr. Pynchion, with a part of the people of Roxbury, began the settlement of the toAvn of Springfield; but no sooner had the English begun to trade, and make settlements in Connecticut, than the Pe- quods began to murder, and kill their cattle. In 1634 they murdered Captains Stone and Norton, with their whole crew, consisting of eight men ; they then plunder- ed and sunk the vessel. In November following, the Pequods sent a messenger to Boston, for the purpose of obtaining peace with the English. He made an offer of a great quantity of beaver 4* 43 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF skins, to persuade the governor to enter into a league with them. The governor assured them that the EngUsh were wilUng to make peace, on condition that they would give up the murderers of Captain Stone and his men ; the In- dians assured him that the murderers were all dead but two, and they would give them up to justice ; they offered to give up their right at Connecticut river, if tlie English desired to settle there, and engaged to assist them as far as was in their power, in making settlements ; they also agreed that they would give the English forty beaver, and thirty otter skins. The governor and council entered into a treaty with them on the conditions they proposed, "Whatever their designs were at that time, they soon after- wards became more and more mischievous, hostile and bloody. In 1636, John Oldham was murdered near Block Island. He had with him two boys, and two Narragansel Indians ; these were taken and carried oft. John Gallup, as he was going from Connecticut to Boston, discovered Mr. Oldham's vessel full of Indians, and saw a canoe go from her laden with goods. Suspecting they had murder- ed Mr. Oldham, he hailed them, but received no answer. Gallup was a bold man ; and although he had but one man and two boys with him, he immediately bore down upon her, and fired duck shot so thick among them, that he soon cleared the deck. The Indians all got under the hatches. He then stood off, bore down upon her, with a brisk gale, and nearly overset her, which so frightened the Indians that several jumped overboard, and were drowned ; he then stood of}*, and, running down upon her the second time, raked her fore and aft with his shot, and, running down upon her a third time, he gave her such a shock, that five more jump- ed overboard and were drov/ned. He then boarded her, and took two of the Indians and bound them. Two or three others, armed with swords, in a little room below, could not be driven out. Mr. Oldham's corpse was found on board ; his head split, and the body mangled in a bar- barous manner. Gallup and his men, then, as decently as possible, put the corpse into the sea. After taking her rigging and THE UNITED STATES. 43 goods, which had not been carried off, they were obhged to let her go adrift, and she was lost. The Indians who committed the murder were chiefly Block Islanders and Narragansets. The governor and council of Massachu- setts despatched Captain Endicott, with ninety volunteers, to avenge the murder. The Narraganset Sachems sent home Mr. Oldham's two boys, and made peace with them ; but the other In- dians made no compensation. Captain Endicott was ordered to proceed to Block Island, put the men to the sword, and take possession of the island, but to spare the women and children. They sailed from Boston 25th of August. When they arrived at Block Island, forty or fifty Indians appeared on shore, and opposed his landing. After a short skirmish, the Indians fled to the woods. After the English had spent two days on the islands, burning the Avigwams, destroying the corn, and staving their canoes, they sailed for the Pequot country: when they had arrived in Pequot harbour, Captain Endicott ac- quainted the Pequots witli his design ; in a few hours about three hundred Pequots appeared upon the shore ; but as soon as they were fully informed of his business, they began to withdraw into the woods. He landed his men on both sides of the harbour, burnt their wigwams, destroyed their canoes, killed one or two Indians, and re- turned to Boston. This measure, instead of allaying, seemed to increase their hostility ; several persons were taken near Saybrook foi't, and tortured with savage barbarity. About the be- ginning of October, the enemy concealed themselves in the grass in the meadow, and surprised five of the garri- son at Saybrook, as they were carrying home their hay. One Butterfield was taken and tortured to death, the rest made their escape. Eight or ten days after, Joseph Fil- ley, a master of a small vessel, was taken as he was going down the .Connecticut River. He came to anchor about three miles above the fort, and taking a canoe, and one man with him, went a fowling. No sooner had he discharged his piece, than a large number of Pequots, arising from their concealment, took him, and killed his companion. The Indians used him in 44 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the most barbarous manner, first cutting off his hands and then his feet, thus torturing hira to death. As he did not groan, they pronovmced him a stout man. In March, 1627, Lieutenant Gardiner, who commduded the fort at Saybrook, going out with about twelve men to burn their marshes, was waylaid near a narrow neck ol land ; the enemy rose upon him, killed three of his men, and wounded several. The enemy pursued them in great numbers to the fort, and compassed it on all sides. They challenged the English to come out and fight; they boasted that they could kill the English-men — all ont flies ; mocked the groans of the wounded. But the can- non being loaded with grape shot was fired among them, which caused them to groan in reality. Soon after, the enemy, in a number of canoes, beset a shallop, going down the river, with three men on board ; the men fought bravely, but were overpowered by num- bers, and taken. The Indians ripped them up from the bottom of their bellies to their tliroats, and cleft them dowi» their backs. They then hung them upon trees beside the river, in full view of the English, as they passed up and down, on the river. At a court holden at Hartford, it was decreed that the plantation of Newtown should be named Hartford, and that Watertown should be named Wethersfield, and that Dorchester should be called Windsor. In April, the Indians waylaid the people at Wethers- field, as they were going into the fields to labour, and kill- ed six men and three women ; two maids were taken cap- tive, twenty cows killed, and other damages done to the inhabitants. The court holden at Hartford, May 1st, 1637, resolved to prosecute the war with the Pequots ; that ninety men should be raised ; forty-two from Hartford, thirty from Windsor, and eighteen from Wethersfield. Massachu- setts determined to send two hundred, and Plymouth for- ty men, to assist Connecticut in prosecuting the war. On Wednesday, the lOtli of May, the troops fell down the river, for the fort at Saybrook. They consisted of 90 Englishmen, and about 70 Mohegan and River Indians. They embarked on board a pink, a pinnance, and a shal- THE UNITED STATES. 45 lop. The Indians were commanded by (Jncas, sachem of the Mohegans. The whole was commanded by Captain John Mason, who had been bred a soldier in the old coun- tries. The Rev. Mr. Stone, of Hartford, went their chap- lain. On Monday, the 15th, the troops arrived at Say- brook fort. As the water was low, this little fleet several times ran aground. The Indians, impatient of delays, de- sired to be set on shore, promising to join the English at Saybrook. The captain, therefore, granted their request. On their march they fell in with about forty of the enemy, near the fort, killed seven, and took one prisoner. The prisoner had been a perfidious villian. He had lived in the fort some time before, and could speak Eng- lish well. But after the Pequots commenced hostilities against the English, he became a constant spy upon the garrison, and acquainted Sassacus with every thing he could discover. He had been present at the slaughter of all the English who had been killed at Saybrook. Uncas, and his men, insisted upon executing him ac- cording to the manner of their ancestors ; and the English, in the circumstances in which they then were, did not judge it prudent to interpose. The Indians, kindling a large fire, violently tore him limb from limb. Barbarously cut- ting his flesh in pieces, they handed it round from one to another, eating it, singing and dancing round the fire, in their violent and tumid tuous manner. The bones, and such parts of their captive, as were not consumed in this dreadful repast, were committed to the flames, and burnt to ashes. This success was matter of joy, not only as it was a check upon the enemy, but it was an evidence of the fide- lity of Uncas, and his Indians, of which the English had beeu before in doubt. There were other circumstances, however, which more than counterbalanced this joy. The army lay wind bound until Friday, and Captain Mason and his oilicers were entirely divided in opinion, with respect to the manner of prosecuting their enterprise. The court, by the commission and instructions which it had given, enjoined the landing of the men at Pequot harbour, and i^ :rom thence they should advance upon the enemy. ' ■ e captain was for passing by them, and sailing to the 46 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Narraganset country. He was fixed in this opinion, bi»- cause that, expecting the army at Pequot harbour, thev kept watch upon the river night and day. Their number of men greatly exceeded his. He was informed, at Say- brook, that they had sixteen fire arms, with powder and shot. The harbour was compassed with rocks and thick- ets, affording the enemy every advantage. They were upon the land, and exceedingly light-footed. He was therefore of the opinion, that they would render it very difficult and dangerous to land, and that he might sustain such loss, as would discourage his men, and frustrate the design of the expedition. If they should make good their landing, he Avas sure, that while they directed their march through the country, to the enemy's forts, they would waylay, and attack them with their whole force, at every difficult pass. Besides, if they should find, on trial, that they were not able to de- feat the English, they would run oft' to swamps and fast- nesses, where they could not be found ; and they should not be able to eflect any thing capital against them. He was not without hopes, that, by going to Narraganset, he might surprise them. There was also some prospect that the Nari'agansets would join him in the expedition, and that he might fall in with some part of the troops from Massachusetts. His oflicers and men in general were for attending their instructions, and going at all hazards directly to the forts. The necessity of their affairs at home — the danger of the Indians attacking their families and settlements in their absence, made them wish at once to despatch the business on which they had been sent. They did not re- lish a long march through the wilderness. They also imagined that they might be discovered, even should they determine to march from Narraganset to the attack of the enemy. In this division of opinion, Mr. Stone Avas de- sired by the officers most importunately to pray for them, that their way might be directed, and that, notwithstand- ing the present embarrassment, the enterprise might be crowned with success. Mr. Stone spent most of Thursday night in prayer, and the next morning visiting Captain Mason, assured him. THE UNITED STATES. 47 that he had done as he was desired ; adding, that he wag entirely satisfied with his plan. The council was again called ; and, upon a full view of all the reasons, unani- mously agreed to proceed to Narraganset. It was also determined that twenty men should be sent back to Con- necticut, to strengthen the infant settlements, while the rest of the troops were employed in service against the snemy ; and, that Captain Underhill, with nineteen men, horn the garrison at Saybrook fort, should supply their olaces. On Friday, May 19th, the captain sailed for Narra- ganset bay, and arrived on Saturday at the desired port. On Monday, Captain Mason and Captain Underhill marched with a guard to the plantation of Canonicus, and ac- quainted him with the design of their coming. A mes- senger was immediately dispatched to Miantonimoh, the chief sachem of the Narragansetts, to acquaint him also with the expedition. The next day Miantonimoh met them, with his chief counsellors and warriors, consisting of about 200 men. Captain Mason certified him that the occasion of his coming with armed men into his country, was to avenge the intolerable injuries which the Peqnots, his as well as their enemies, had done the English ; and that he desired a free passage to the Pequot forts. After a solemn con- sultation in the Indian manner, Miantonimoh answered, That he highly approved of the expedition, and that he would send men. He observed, however, that the En- glish were not sufficient in number to fight with the enemy. He said the Pequots were great captains, skilled in war, and rather slighted the English. Captain Mason landed his men, and marched just at night to the plantation of Canonicus, Avhich was ap- pointed to be the place of general rendezvous. That night there arrived an Indian runner in the camp, with a letter from Captain Patrick, who had arrived with his party at Mr. William's plantation in Providence. Captain Pat- rick signified his desire that Captain Mason Avould wait until he could join him. Upon deliberation, it was de- termined not to wait, though a junction was greatly de- sired. The men had already been detained much long«r 48 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF than was agreeable to their wishes. When they had ab- solutely resolved the preceding day to march the next morning, the Indians insisted that they were but in jest; that Englishmen talked much, but would not fight. It was, therefore, feared that any delay avouM have a bad effect upon them. It was also suspected that, if they did not proceed immediately, they should be discovered, as there were a number of squaws who maintained an in- tercourse between the Pequot and Narraganset Indians The army, therefore, consisting of seventy-seven En- glishmen, sixty Mohegan and River Indians, and about two hundred Narragansets, marched on Wednesday morn- ing, and that day reached the eastern Nihantic, about eighteen or twenty miles from the place of rendezvous tlie night before. This was a frontier to the Pequots, and was tlie seat of one of the Narraganset sachems. Here the army halted at the close of the day. But the sachem, and his Indians, conducted themselves in a haughty manner towards the English, and would not suf- fer them to enter within their fort. Captain Mason, there- fore, placed a strong guard round the fort, and as the In- dians would not suffer him to enter it, he determined that none of them sliould come out. Knowing the perfidy of the Indians, and that it was customary among them to suffer the nearest relatives of their greatest enemies to reside with them, he judged it necessary, to prevent their discovering him to the enemy. In the morning a considerable number of Miantoni- moh's men came on and joined the English. This en- couraged many of the Nihanticks also to join them. They soon formed a circle, and made protestations how gal- lantly they would fight, and v/hat numbers tliey would kill. When the army marched, the next morning, the captain had with him nearly five liundred Indians. He marched twelve miles, to the ford in Pawcatuck River. The day was very hot, and the men, through the great lieat, and a scarcity of provision, began to faint. The army, therefore, made a considerable halt, and refreshed themselves. Here the Narraganset Indians began to manifest their dread of the Pequots, and to inquire of Captain Mason, with great anxiety, what were his real THE UNITED STATES. 49 designs. He assured them, that it was his design to at tack the Pequots in their forts. At this they appeared to be panic struck, and filled with amazement. Many of them drew oil", and returned to Narraganset. The army marched on about three miles, and came to Indian corn fields, and the captain, imagining that he drew near the enemy, made a halt : he called his guides and council, and demanded of the Indians how far it was to the forts. They represented, that it was twelve miles to Sassacus's fort, and that both forts were in a manner impregnable. Wequosh, a Pequot captain or petty sa- chem, who had revolted from Sassacus to the NaiTagan- sets, was the principal guide, and he proved faithful. He gave such information respecting the distance of the forts from each other, and the distance which they were then at from the chief sachem's, as detei-mined him and his ofiicers to alter the resolution which they had be- fore adopted, of attacking them both at once, and to make a united attack upon that at Mistic. He found his men so fatigued, in marching through a pathless Avilderness, with their provisions, arms, and ammunition, and so af- fected with the heat, that this resolution appeared to be absolutely necessary. One of Captain Underbill's men became lanie, at the same time, and began to fail. The army, therefore, proceeded directly to Mistic, and, con- tinuing their march, came to a small swamp between two hills, just at the disappearing of the daylight. The officers, supposing that they were now near the fort, pitched their little camp betAveen or near two large rocks in Groton, since called Porter's Rocks. The men were faint and weary, and though the rocks were their pillows, their rest was sweet. The guards and sentinels were considerably advanced, in the front of the army, and heard the enemy singing at the fort, who continued their rejoicings even until midnight. They had seen the vessels pass the harbour some days before, and had con- cluded that the English were afraid, and had not courage to attack them. They were, therefore, rejoicing, singing, dancing, insulting them, and wearying themselves, on this account. The night was serene, and, towards morning, the moon 5 50 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF shone clear. The important crisis was now come, when the very existence of Connecticut, under Providence, was to be determined by the sword in a single action, and to be decided by the good conduct of less than eighty brave men. The Indians who remained were now sorely dismayed, and though, at first, they had led the van, and boasted of great feats, yet were now all fallen back in the rear. About two hours before day the men were roused with all expedition, and briefly commending themselves, and their cause, to God, advanced immediately towards the fort. After a march of about two miles, they came to the foot of a large hill, where a fine country opened before them. The captain, supposing tha^ the fort could not be far distant, sent for the Indians in the rear to come up. Uncas and Wequosh at length appeared. He demand- ed of them where the fort was. They answered, on the top of the hill. He demanded of them, where were the other Indians. They answered, that they were much afraid. — The cap- tain sent to them not to fly, but to surround ihe fort, at any distance they pleased, and see whether Englishmen would fight. The day was nearly 'dawning, and no time Avas to be lost. The men pressed on, in two divisions, Captain Mason to the northeastern, and Captain Underbill to the western entrance. As the object which they had been so long seeking came into view, and while they reflected they were to fight not only for them.selves, but their parents, wives, children, and the whole colony, the martial spirit kindled in their bosoms, and they were wonderfully ani- mated. As Captain Mason advanced within a rod or two of the fort, a dog barked, and an Indian roared out, Owanux ! Owanux ! That is, Englishmen ! Englishmen ! The troops pressed on, and as the Indians were rallying, pour- ed in upon them, through the pallisadoes, a general dis- charge of their musl^ets, and then wheeling 05*10 the prin cipal entrance, entered the fort sword in hand. Notwith- standing the suddenness of the attack, the blaze and thun- der of their arms, the enemy made a manly and desperate resistance. Captain Mason, and his party, drove the In- •-,-.;n^ THE UNITED STATES. 5i dians in the main street towards the west pan of the fort, where some bold men, who had forced their way, met them, and made such slaughter among them, that the street was soon clear of the enemy. ^They secreted them- selves in and behind their wigwams, and taking advan- tage of every covert, maintained an obstinate defence. The Captain, and his men, entered the wigwams, Avhere they were beset Avith many Indians, who took every advan- tage to shoot them, and lay hands upon Xhem, so that it was with great difficulty that they could defend themselves with their swords. After a severe conflict, in which ma- ny of the Indians were slain, some of the English killed, and otiiers sorely wounded, the victory still hung in sus- pense. The Captain, iinding himself much exhausted, and out of breath, as well as his men, by the extraordinary exertions which they had made ; in this critical state of ac- tion, had recourse to a successful expedient. He cries out to his men. We must burn them. He immediately entered a wigwam, took fire, and put it into the mats, with which the wigwams were covered. The fire, instantly kindling, spread with such violence that all the Indian houses were soon wrapped in flames. As the fire increased, the English retired without the fort, and compassed it on every side. Uncas, and his Indians, with such of the Narragansets as yet remained, took cou- rage from the example of the English, and formed another circle in the rear of them. The enemy were now seized with astonishment, and forced by the flames from their lurking places, into open light, became a fair mark for the English soldiers. Some climbed the pallisadoes, and were instantly brought down by the fire of the English muskets. Others, desperately sallying forth from their burning cells, were shot, or cut in pieces with the sword. Such terror fell upon them, that they would run back from the English into the very flames. Great numbers perished in the conflagration. The greatness and violence ofmi^re, the reflection of the light, the flasliing and roar of^fne arms, the shrieks and yellings of the men, women, and children, in the fort, and the shoutings of the Indians without, just at the dawn- ing of the morning, exhibited a grand and awful scene. In 52 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF a little more than an hour, this whole work of destruction was finished. Seventy wigwams were burnt, and five or six hundred Indians perished, either by the sword or in the flames.* A hundred and fifty warriors had been sent on the evening before, who that very morning were to have gone forth against the English. Of these, and all who belonged to the fort, seven only escaped, and seven were made prisoners. It had been previously concluded not to burn the fort, but to destroy the enemy, and take the plunder ; but the captain afterwards found it the only expedient to obtain the victory, and save his men. Thus parents and children, the sannup and squaw, the old man and babe, perished in promiscuous ruin. Though the victory Avas complete, yet the army Avere in great danger and distress. The men had been ex- ceedingly fatigued, by the heat and long marches through rough and difficult places, and by that constant watch and guard which they had been obliged to keep. They had now been greatly exhausted, by the sharpness of the ac- tion, and the exertions which they had been necessitated to make. Their loss Avas very considerable. Tavo men Avere killed, and nearly twenty Avounded. This was more than one quarter of tlie English. Num- bers fainted by reason of fatigue, the heat, and Avant of necessaries. The surgeon, their provisions, and the ar- ticles necessary for the Avounded, Avere on board the A'es- sels Avhich had been ordered to sail from the Narraganset bay the night before, for Pequot harbour; but there Avas no appearance of them in the Sound. They Avere sen- sible that, by the burning of the fort, and the noise of Avar, they had alarmed the country, and therefore Avere in constant expectation of an attack, by a fresh and nu- merous enemy from the other fortress, and from every quarter Avhence the Pequots might be collected. A number of friendly Indians had been Avounded, and they Avere so distra^gd with fear, that it was difficult eA'en to speak Avith theii^Bflfie and interpreter, or to knoAV any thing Avhat they designed. The English Avere in an ene- * Captain Mason, in his history, says; six or seven hundred. From the number of vvig"wams, and the reinforcement, the proha1->'Ht'^ is +bsf hbout S'-X hundi'ed were destroyed. THE UNITED STATES. 53 my's country, and entire strangers to the way in which they must return. The enemy were far more numerous than themselves, and enraged to the highest degree. An- other circumstance rendered their situation still more dangerous ; their provisions and ammunition were nearly expended. Four or five men Avere so wounded that it was necessary to carry them ; and they were also obliged to bear about tAventy fire arms, so that not more than forty men could be spared for action. After an interval of about an hour, while the ofiicers were in consultation what course they should take, their vessels, as though guided by the hand of Providence, to serve the necessities of these brave n*en, came full in view, and, under a fair gale, were steering directly into the hai'bour. This, in the situation of the army at that time, was a most joyful sight. Immediately vipon the discovery of the vessels, about three hundred Indians came on from the other fort. Cap- tain Mason, perceiving their approach, led out a chosen party to engage them, and try their temper. He gave them such a warm reception, as soon checked and put them to a stand. This gave him great encoui-cigement, and he ordered the army to march for Pequot harbour. The enemy, upon this, immediately advanced to the hill where the fort stood ; and viewing the destruction which had been made, stamped, and tore their hair from their heads. After a short pause, and blowing themselves up to the highest transport of passion, they leaped down the hill after the army, in the most violent manner, as though they were about to run over the English. Captain Underbill, who, with a number of the best men, was ordered to defend the rear, soon checked the eagerness of their pursuit, and taught them to keep at more respectful distance. The friendly Indians who ha not deserted, now kept close to the English; and, it was believed, that after the enemy came on, they were afraid to leave them. The enemy pursued the army nearly six miles ; sijmetimes shooting at a distance, from behind the rocks and trees, and, at other times, pressing on more violently, and desperately hazarding themselves in the -- aeti ij»;ld. 5* 54 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF That the English might be enabled to fight, Captain Mason soon hired tlie Indians to carry the wounded men and their arms. The English killed several of the ene- my while they pursued them, but sustained no loss them- selves. When they killed a Pequot, the other Indians would shout, run, and fetch his head. At length the ene- my, finding that they could make no impression upon the army, and that wounds and death attended their attempts, gave over the pursuit. The army then marched to the harbour, with their co- lours flying, and were received on board the vessels, with great mutual joy and congratulation, In about three weeks from the time the men embarked at Hartford, they returned again to their respective habi- tations. Tliey were receiyed with the greatest exultation. As the people had been deeply afi'ected with their danger, and full of anxiety for their friends, while nearly half the effective men in the colony were in service, upon so hazardous an enterprise, so sudden a change, in the great victory obtained, and in the safe return of so many of their children and neighboui's, filled them with exceeding joy and" thankfulness. Every family, and every worshipping assembly, spoke the language of praise and thanksgiving. Several circumstances attending this enterprise were much noticed by the soldiers themselves, and especially by all the pious people. It was considered as very pro- vidential, that the army should march nearly forty miles, and a considerable part of it in the enemy's country, and not be discovered until the moment they were ready to commence the attack. It was judged remarkable, that the vessels should come into the harbour at the very hour in Avhich they were most needed. The life of Captain Mason was very signally preserved. As he entered a wigwam for fire to burn the fort, an In- dian was drawing an arrow to the very head, and would >"»"e killed him instantly ; but Davis, one of his sergeants, cut tne bow-string with his cutlass, and prevented the fatal shot. Lieutenant Bull received an arrow into a hard piece of cheese, which he had in his clothes, and by it was saved harmless. Two soldiers, John Dyer and Tho- mas Stiles, both servants of one man, were shot iu ♦he THE UNITED STATES. 55 knots of their neckcloths, and by them preserved from instant death. Few enterprises have ever been achieved with more personal bravery or good conduct. In few instances have so great a proportion of the effective men of a whole colony, state, or nation, been put to so great and imme- diate danger. In few have a people been so deeply and immediately interested, as the whole colony of Connecti- cut was in this, in that vmconimon crisis. In these re- spects, even the great armaments and battles of Europe, are, comparatively, of little importance. In this, under the divine conduct, by seventy-seven brave men, Connec- ticut was saved, and the most warlike and terrible Indian nation in New-England, defeated and ruined. The body of the Pequots, returning from the pursuit of Captain Mason, repaired to Hassacus, at the royal fortress, and related the doleful story of their misfortunes. They charged them all to his haughtiness and misconduct, and threatened him, and his, with immediate destruction. His friends and chief counsellors interceded for him ; and, at their entreaty, his men spared his life. Then, upon con- sultation, they concluded that they could not, with safety, remain any longer in the country. They were, indeed, so panic struck, that, burning their wigwams, and destroy- ing their fort, they fled and scattered into various parts of the country. Sassacus, Mononotto, and seventy or eighty of their chief counsellors and Avarriors, took their route towards Hudson's river. Just before Captain Mason went out upon the expedi- tion againt the Pequots, the Dutch performed a very neighbour^ office for Connecticut. The two maids, who had been captivated at Wethersfield, had, through the hu- manity and mediation of Mononotto's squaw, been spared from death, and kindly treated. The Dutch governor, receiving intelligence of their circumstances, determined to redeem them at any rate, and despatched a sloop to Pequot harbour for that purpose. Upon its arrival, the Dutch made large oflers for their redemption, but the Pe- quots -would not accept them. Finally, as the Dutch had a number of Pequots on board, whom they had taken, and finding that they could do no better, they offered the Pe- 56 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF quots six of iheir own men for the two maids. These they accepted, and the Dutch deUvered the young women at Saybrook, just before Captain Mason and his party ar- rived. Of them he received i)articular information re- specting the enemy. An Indian runner, despatched by Mr. WilHams, al Providence, soon carried the news of the success of Con- necticut against the Pequots, to the Governor of Massa- chusetts. The governor and his council, judging that the Pequots had received a capital blow, sent forward but a hundred and twenty men. These were commanded by Mr. Stoughton, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Boston, was sent as his chaplain. This party arrived at Pequot harbour the latter part of June. By the assistance of the Narraganset Indians, the party under Captain Stoughton surrounded a large body of Pequots in a swalnp. They took eighty captives. Thirty were men ; the rest were women and children. The men, except two sachems, were killed, but the wo- men and children were saved. The sachems promised to conduct the English to Sassacus, and for that purpose were spared for the present. The court of Connecticut ordered, that forty men should be raised forthwith for the further prosecution of the wai against the Pequots, to be commanded by Captain Mason. The troops from Connecticut made a junction with the party under the command of Captain Stoughton, at Pe- quot. Mr. Ludlow, with other principal gentlemen from Connecticut, went also with the army, to advise with re- spect to the measures to be adopted in the further prose- cution of the war. Upon general consultation, it was con- cluded to pursue the Pequots, who had fled to the west- ward. The army marched immediately, and soon disco- vered the places where the enemy had rendezvoused, at their several removes. As these were not far distant from each other, it appeared that they moved slowly, having their women and children with them. They also were without provisions, and were obliged to dig for clams, and to range the groves for such articles as they aflbrded. The English found some scattering Pequots, as they scoured the countr}', whom they capti\'ated, and from THE UNITED STATES. 57 iV&oirt they obtained intelligence relative to the Pequots wnom they were pursuing. But finding that the sachems, Avhom they had spared, would give them no information, they beheaded them, on their march, at a place called Menunkatuck, since Guilford ; from which circumstance, the spot on which the execution was done, bears the name of Sachem's Head to the present time. In three days, they arrived at New-Haven harbour. The vessels sailed along the shore, while the troops marched by land. At New-Haven, then called Quinnipiack, a great smoke, at a small distance, was discovered in the woods. The officers supposing that they had now discovered the ene- my, ordered the army immediately to advance upon them ; but were soon informed that they were not in that vicinity. The Connecticut Indians had kindled the fires whence the smoke arose. The troops soon embarked on board the vessels. After staying several days at New-Haven, the officers received intelligence from a Pequot, whom they had previously sent to make discovery, that the enemy were at a considerable distance, in a great swamp, to the westward. Upon this information, the army marched with all possible despatch to a great swamp in Fairfield, where were eighty or a hundred Pequot warriors, and nearly two hundred other Indians. The swamp was such a thicket, so deep and boggy, that it was difficult to enter it, or make any movement without sinking in the mire. Lieutenant Davenport, and others, rushing eagerly into it, were sorely wounded, and several were soon so deep in the mud, that they could not get out without assistance. The enemy pressed them so hard, that they were just ready to seize them by tlie hair of their head. A number of brave men were obliged to rescue them sword in hand. Some of the Indians were slain, and the men were drawn out of the mire. The swamp was surrounded, and after a considerable skirmish, the Indians desired a parley. As the officers were not willing to make a promiscuous destruction of men, women, and children, and as the sa- chem and Indians of the vicinity had fled into the swamp, though they liad done the colonies no injury, a parley was granted. Thomas Stanton, a man well acquainted with 58 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the manners and language of the Indians, was sent t& treat with them. He was authorized to ofi'er hfe to all iha, Indians who had shed no English hlood. Upon this ofier, the sachem of the place came out to the English, and one company of old men, women, and children, after another, to the number of about two hundred. ' The sachem of the place, declared for himself and his Indians, that they had never shed the blood of the Eng- lish, nor done them any harm. But the Pequot warriors had too great a spirit to accept of the offer of life, declar- ing, that they would fight it out. They shot their arrows at Stanton, and pressed so hard upon him, that the soldiers were obliged to fly to his rescue. The fight was then re- newed, the soldiers firing upon them whenever an oppor- tunity presented.' But by reason of an unhappy division among the officers, a great part of the enemy escaped. Some were for forcing the swamp immediately, but this was opposed, as too dangerous. Others were for cutting it down, as they had taken many hatchets, with which they Avere of the opinion it might be effected. Some others were for making a pallisado and hedge around it, but nei- ther of these measures could be adopted. As night came on, the English cut through a narrow part of it, by which the circumference was greatly les- sened ; so that the soldiers, at twelve feet distance from each other, were able completely to compass the enemy. In this manner they enclosed and watched them until it was nearly morning. A thick fog arose just before day, and it became exceedingly dark. At this juncture, the Indians took the opportunity to break through the Eng- lish. They made their first attempt upon Captain Pa- trick's quarters, yelling in their hideous manner, and pressing on wijJi violence, but they were several times driven back. As the noise and tumult of war increased, Captain Mason sent a party to assist Captain Patrick. Captain Trask also marched to reinforce him. As the battle greatly increased, the siege broke up. Captain Mason marched to give assistance in the action. Advancing to the turn of the swamp, he found that the enemy were pressing out upon him ; but he gave them so warm a reception, thiat they were soon glad to retire THE UNITED STATES. B9 While he was expecting tlial they would make another attempt upon him, they faced about, and, falling violently on Captain Patrick, broke through his quarters and fled. These were their bravest warriors, sixty or seventy of wiom made their escape. About twenty were killed, and one hundred and ei«hty were taken prisoners. The English also took hatchets, wampum, kettles, trays, and other Indian utensils. The Pequot women and children, who had been capti- vated, were divided among the troops. Some were car- r'ed to Connecticut, and others to the Massachusetts. ' he people of Massachusetts sent a number of the wo- lien and boys to the West-Indies, and sold them for sl«.ves. It was supposed that about seven hundred Pe- quo;s were destroyed. The women who were captivated, reported, that "thirteen sachems had been slain, and that thirteen yet survived. Among the latter were Sassacus and Mononotto, the two chief sachems. These, with about twenty of their best men, fled to the Mohawks. They carried ofi* wampum to the amount of 500 pounds. The Mohawks sifrprised and slew them all, except Mono- notto. They wounded him, but he made his escape. The scalp of Sassacus was sent to Connecticut in the fall, and Mr. Ludlow, and several other gentlemen, going into Massachusetts, in September, carried a lock of it to Bos- ton as a rare sight, and a sure demonstration of the death of their mortal enemy. Among the Pequot captives were the wife and children of Mcnonotto. She was . particularly noticed, by the English, for her great modesty, humanity, and good sense. She made it as her only request, that she might not be injured, either as to her oflispring or personal honour. As a requital of her kindness to the captivated maids, her life, and the lives of her children, were not only spared, but they ^were particularly recommended to the care of Governor Winthrop. He gave charge for their protec- tion and kind treatment. After the swamp fight, the Pequots became so weak and scattered, that the Narragansets and Mohegans con- stantly killed themy and brought in their heads to Wind- sor and Hartford. Those who survived were so hunted 60 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and harrassed, that a number of their chief men repaired to the English, at Hartford, for relief. Thev offered, i* their lives might be spared, that they would 1 r-oorric the servants of the English, and be disposed of at ibeir pka- sure. This was granted, and the court interposed for their protection. Uncas and Miantonimoh, with the Pequcts, by 'he direction of the magistrates of Connecticut, met at Hart- , ford ; and it was demanded by them, how many of tae ' Pequots wei'e yet living? they ansv.ered, about two hun- dred, besides women and children. The magistrates tMn entered into a firm covenant with them, to the follow^Pg effect ; tha4i there should be perpetual peace between Mi' ' antonimoh and Uncas, and their respective Indians; snti that all past injuries should be remitted, and for ever bu- ,. ried ; that if any injuries should be done, in fiture, by one party to the other, that they should not immediately re- venge it, but appeal to the English to do them justice. It was stipulated, that they should submit to their determi- nation, and that if either party should be obstinate, that then they might enforce submission to their decisions. It was further agreed, that neither the Mohegans, nor Nar- ragansets, should conceal nor entertain any of their ene- mies, but deliver up or destroy all such Indians as had murdered any English man or woman. The English then gave the Pcquot Indians to the Nar- ragansets and Mohegans, eighty to Miantonimoh, twenty to Ninnigret, and the other hundred to Uncas, to be re- ceived and treated a? their men. It was also covenanted that the Pequots should never more inhabit their native country, nor be called Pequots, but Narragmsets and Mo- hegans. It Avas also further stipulated, that neither the Narragansets nor Mohegans should possess any part of the Pequot country without the consent of the English. The Pequots were to pay a tribute at Connecticut, annu- ally, of a fathom of wamjiumpeag for every sannup, of half a fathom for every young man, and of a hand for every male papoose. On these conditions the magis- trates, in behalf of the colony, stipulated a firm peace with all the Indians. The conquest of the Pequots struck all the Indians in THE UNITED STATES. 61 New-England with terror ; and they were possessed vvitli such fear of the displeasure and arms of the English, that they had no open war with them for nearly forty years. This happy event gave great joy to the colonies. A day of public thanksgiving was appointed ; and, in all the churches of New-England, devout and animated praises were addressed to Him, Avho giveth his people the vic- tory, and causeth them to dwell safely. The Avar with the Pequots led to the discovery of Quin- napiack, (now New-Haven.) Mr. Eaton, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Davenport, and several others, commenced a settle- ment; and on the 18th of April, 1638, they kept the first sabbath in that place. They assembled under a large spreading oak, and Mr. Davenport preached to them from Matthew vi. 1. On the first of June, about three or four o'clock in the afternoon, was a great earthquake throughout New-Eng- land. The shock was so great, that a number of chim- ney's Avere thrown down ; the earth by turns was unquiet for fifteen days. In addition to the town of New-Haven, several other towns Avere soon commenced, which were included in this colony. In 1639, commenced the towns of Guilford and Milford. Stamford Avas settled in 1641 ; soon after began the toAvn of Branford. Some settlements on Long Island were included in the colony of New-Haven. The colony of NcAV-Hampshire, Avhich noAV holds a distinguished rank among the NeAV-England states, though its settlement began at a very early period, did not be- come a separate colony till many years after that settle- ment commenced. Captain Smith, of Virginia, Avho sailed along the shore of New-England, in 1614, and pub- lished a chart of the coast, Avith some account of the country, discovered the River Piscataqua. He found the river to be large, the harbour capacious and safe, and gave a favourable representation of the place as a site for a new plantation. Gorges and Mason, Iavo members of the council of Ply- mouth, in England, having obtained from the council a grant of that tract of country, attempted the establish- ment of a colony and fishery at the river Piscataqua. In 6 62 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the spring of the year 1623, they sent over a few persons for this purpose, who sat down on the south side of the river, near its mouth , and there lixed a temporary resi- dence. This was the beginning of the excellent and flourishing town of Portsmouth. The same year, two of the company erected a fish-house at the place of the present town of Dover. These settlements, for several years, were small, and scarcely permianent. In 1629, some of the settlers about the Massachusetts Bay, wishing to unite with the settle- ment at Piscataqua, they assembled the chiefs of several Indian tribes at Squamscot falls, now Exeter, and, for a valuable consideration, made a purchase of an extensive tract of land. In the instrument of conveyance, the na- tives express a " desire to have the English come and settle among them, as among their countrymen in Massa- chusetts." After this purchase, the plantation had a mo- derate increase, but no new settlements were made till the year 1638, which was the beginning of the towns of Exe- ter and Hampton. The people at Dover early erected a convenient meet- ing-house, which was afterwards improved as a fortifica- tion. A church was soon organized, of a character simi- lar to the churches in theneio-hbourincr colonics ; and Mr. William Leverich, a worthy and able puritan divine, came from England in 1633, and became their minister. The settlement at Portsmouth, in their infant state, erected a house for divine worship, and enjoyed, successively, the labours of several faithful ministers. The ministry of one of these, Mr. James Parker, was attended with much success. But the town had no settled minister till a num- ber of years after its settlement. The people who made the settlement of Exeter, in 1638, were mostly from Boston. Having been regularly dismissed from the church in that town, they immediately united in a church relation, on the principles of their mother church. As they judged their settlement to be without the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, they formed themselves into a body politic, chose rulers and assistants, who were sworn to the proper execution of their respec- tive offices, and a correspondent oath of obedience was i THE UNITED STATES 63 taken by the people. In this political compact, we have an instance of civil government in its simplest, perhaps, in its purest form. The magistrates, who were few, were vested with legislative, judicial, and executive authority. The settlements at Portsmouth and Dover, for several years, were governed, principally, by agents sent over by the proprietors in England. Having experienced many inconveniences from this mode of government, they, sepa- rately, forming a civil compact, after the example of their neighbours at Exeter, enacted and enforced their own laws. The combination at Dover was similar to the one at Exeter ; at Portsmouth they had a chief magistrate, annually elected, styled a governor. These settlements, for many years, lived peaceably with the natives, and, from their great advantages for fishery, experienced less of the evils of famine than the neighbour- ing colonies. Placed in distinct civil communities, they soon found themselves exposed to a variety of difficulties, and peculiarly defenceless in the event of trouble from an enemy. Their corporations Avere necessarily weak, and exposed to the intrusion of vagrants and outlaws, who would not submit to the steady government which was maintained in the colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth. Had these political combinations been left to the manage- ment of their original framers, and their posterity, they might have exhibited an example of the finest republics on historic record. But the constant influx of emigrants, and of demagogues invited by their weakness, rendered this expectation hopeless. These considerations induced the settlement to desire a union with the colony of Mas- sachusetts. The subject having been for some time in agitation, in the year 1641, the settlements on and near the Piscata- qua, submitted to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, on condition of enjoying equal privileges with the people of that colony, and having a court of justice maintained among themselves. They were cordially accepted by that government, and thus, by a solemn compact, became a part of the colony of Massachusetts. From this time, the settlements advanced in a more rapid progress, and in greater security ; and their civil and ecclesiastical history 04 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF becomes one with the colony of which they now consti- tuted a respectable portion. This union continued till the year 1679, when, by the authority of the King of Great Britain, New-Hampshire was separated from the govern- ment of Massachusetts, and became a royal province. One of the most prominent characters in the early his- tory of New-England, was Roger Williams. He was a nan of considerable ability and learning, active and dili- gent in his pursuits, humane and benevolent in his cha- racter, ever fond of novelty and change. Previous to his coming to America, Mr. Williams was a minister in the church of England. He came to New-England in the year 1631, and resided two years at Plymouth. He there exercised his ministerial functions, occasionally, to good acceptance. During his residence at Plymouth, his conduct was in- offensive, and his character naturally mild, so that he ever after retained the esteem of the people of that colony. In 1633, he removed to Salem, and, on the death of their excellent minister, Mr. Skelton, the church in that town invited Mr. Williams to become their pastor. During his connexion with the churcli at Salem, Mr. Williams incul- cated many opinions which were disapproved by the go- vernment and churches of the colony, which it was thought would prejudice their interests in the view of the mother country, and destroy that system of civil and ecclesiastical polity on which the colony existed. After much faithful and friendly dealing, Mr. Williams being unwilling to renounce or conceal the sentiments which he entertained, in 1635, he was directed by the go- vernment to depart from the jurisdiction of Massachu- setts. He removed with a few followers, and sat down within the Plymouth jurisdiction, in the present town of Rehoboth. The year following, at the desire of Gover- nor Winslow, lest the government of Massachusetts should take umbrage at his remaining within the Plymouth ju- risdiction, he crossed the Pawtucket River, and, with about twenty settlers, laid the foundation of the present opulent and flourishing tov/n of Providence. Th<»6C dissentions were conducted in such a manner, that no personal alienation appears to have taken place THE UNITED STATES. 66 between Mr, Williams and Governor Winthrop ; and a constant interchange of good offices existed between the Providence Plantation and the Massachusetts and Ply- mouth Colonies. In the war with the Pequots in 1637, there Avas a cordial co-operation of all the plantations against the common enemy. Probably no individual of the age made greater and more successful exertions to maintain the peace of the colonies with the natives ; and, living in the vicinity of several powerful tribes, he was vigilant in discovering their designs, and gave the other colonies timely notice of their hostile machinations. Mr. Williams, for some years, established no particular church order, inviting persons of all religious sentiments to unite with his rising plantation. After a few years, he and several of his people renounced the baptism of their infancy, were re-baptized, and united in a church, which was, I believe, the first Baptist church in New-England. On account of diflerences of sentimejit which subse- quently prevailed in the church, in the year 1653, it was divided, and became two churches. Mr. Williams pur- chased the lands of his plantation of the Indian proprie- tors, and no man enjoyed their confidence in a higher de- gree. He was the father of the colony, and, for some time, he appears to have possessed and exercised the prin- cipal powers of government which existed. In some of the first years of the Providence Plantation, the people suffered very sensibly from scarcity. The product of their forests and rivers saved them from perishing by fa- mine. The most of the fathers of New-England expe- rienced the evils of war and famine, in a degree of which their posterity are unable to form any adequate conception. At the time of the banishment of Mrs. Hutchinson from Massachusetts, several people who had favoured her reli gious opinions, and, of course, differed in principle from the prevailing sentiments of the churches, chose to re- move from the colony. One of these was Mr. William Coddington, a gentleman of education and affluence, who had been for several years an assistant, and one of the most worthy magistrates of the Massachusetts govern- ment. In tiie year 1638, Mr. Coddington, with a few others, removed to Narraganset Bay, and commenced the 6* 60 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF settlement of Rhode Island. These planters immediately united in a civil compact, to wliich Mr. Coddington and seventeen others subscribed their names. This infant plantation furnishes an instance of some- thing of the simplicity and natural existence of a patriar- chal government. Mr. Coddinp-ton, a man of great virtue and natural dignity of charactei, possessing the confi- dence of all, was created their magistrate, to whom was delegated the necessary powers of civil government. By the friendly assistance of Mr. Williams, he purchased the island of the Indians ; and, in consequence of its plea- santness and fertility, in a few years it became a flourish- ing settlement. In the year 1644, a Baptist church was formed in Newport, which was afterwards divided into two. A congregational churcii v/as formed in Newport, in 1720; and a second one in 1728. These two churches afterwards enjoyed the ministry of the most eminent American divines of the last century — President Stiles and Dr. Hopkins. These settlements being destitute of any chartered government from the mother country, in 1643 Mr. Wil- liams went to England, and by the assistance of Mr. Vane, who had been governor of Massachusetts, obtained a libe- ral charter of incorporation of Providence and Rhode- Island Plantations. The form of government provided by this incorporation was essentially similar to that esta- blished in the adjacent colonies. Mr. Williams lived to a "Teat age, and was chosen sevex-al times governor of the too' D colony. As early as tlie year 1607, some of the Patentees of the northern colony of Virginia began a settlement at the mouth of the River Sagadahock, nowKennebeck. They laid the plan of an extensive and opulent state. But in consequence of the death of the principal patrons, and the severities endured by the planters, the settlement broke up the following year, and those Avho were living returned to England. The first permanent settlements made with- in the District of Maine, commenced about the year 1630. The oldest towns are Kittery and York. In the year 1635, Sir Ferdinando Gorges obtained from the council of Plymouth a grant of the tract of land lying THE UNITED STATES. 67 between the Rivers Sagadahock and Piscataqua. It is sup- posed that he instituted civil government in the province. Courts Avere held as early as 1636, who appear to have exercised legislative and judicial powers. In 1(339, Gorges obtained from the crown a charter, conveying the amplest powers of jurisdiction. He appointed a governor and council, who administered justice to the people to their general s-atisfaction, for a number of years. After the death of the proprietor, these powers of go- vernment were generally supposed to have expii-ed. The different settlements formed some kind of voluntary com- pacts, and elected their own rulers. But the people, soon perceiving the inconveniences of this state of things, in the year 1052, united with the government of Massachu- setts, and became an integral part of that colony. In the first settlements, churches were early established, who enjoyed the labours of some of the worthiest ministers of their time. In general, their early civil and religious institutions were very similar to those of Massachusetts. No part of New-England has suffered so much from the hostility of the natives, as the District of Maine. Many ferocious tribes of savages were settled on the rivers with which the country abounds, and from t^°. small progress made by the settlements for a long.perrwi, they were un- able to subdue their power, or prevent their predatory in- cursions. From the proximity of that district to Canada, in all the wars between England and France for a century after its first settlement, they were exposed to the hostile incursions of the savages, stimulated by a most artful and unfeeling enemy. Many of their towns have been pillaged and burnt, and many of the people made captives and slain. So late as the war of 1745, many of the towns suf- I'cred severely from savage hostility. The state of Vermont, the youngest of the New-Eng- land States, has advanced in population and wealth more rapidly than either of the others, and holds a respectable rank in their number. The tract of country composing that state, lying between the states of New-Hampshire and New- York, to which both laid an imperfect claim, re- mained long unoccupied. In the year 1724, in the time of a severe Indian war. 68 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the government of Massachusetts erected Fort Dummer within the present town of Brattleborough, and commenced a small settlement near the fort. This was then supposed to be within the limits of Massachusetts ; but, on running the province lines in 1741, it fell v/ithin the state of Ver- mont. In the year 1731, the French from Canada erect- ed the well-built fort at Crown Point, on the west side of Lake Champlain, and, soon after, began a settlement on the eastern side of the lake, opposite to the fort. From the time in which the provincial line between Massachusetts and New-Hampshire was ascertained, till after the peace of 1763, when it became a subject of con- troversy, the territory of Vermont was considered as be- longing to New-Hampshire. The town of Bennington, as it is one of the best, is considered the oldest town in the state. This township was granted to certain proprietors, in the year 1749, by the Governor* of New-Hampshire, and called after his name. Soon after this grant, the set- tlement of that town commenced. In four or five of the follovv^ing years, a few other towns were granted by the government of New-Hampshire, on the western side of Connecticut River. Tl.e war of 1755, put a stop to these grants and settlements, in the pro- gress of the war, the territory of Vermont became the scene of military operations. Tlicse events produced a general acquaintance with many parts of tlie country, and towards the conclusion of the war, extensive grants of townships were made by the New-Hampshire government, and numerous openings were made in the wilderness. From 1764 to the commencement of the American war, the new settlers were harassed with conllicting claims to their territory, maintained by the provinces of New- Hampshire and New-York. Notwithstanding these em- barrassments, the infant settlements gradually increased by emigrations from the several New-England provinces. At the commencement of the war of 1775, the people of Vermont warmly espoused the American cause, and, du- ring its continuance, performed many important services. As the authority of the royal governments became disa- * Benning- Wintworth. THE UNITED STATES. 69 vowed, the people finding themselves wholly destitute of any bonds of civil government, public sentiment naturally adverted to the necessity of some political regulations for the general safety. There having been several conventions of committees of towns, to deliberate on measures to be pursued, in .January, 1777, a convention of delegates from the respec- tive towns, held at Westminster, resolved that the terri- tory now included in that state, should " be considered as a free and independent jurisdiction of state : to be for ever hereafter called, known, and distinguished, by the name of New-Connecticut, alias Vermont." From this period, Vermont became an independent state ; and, in 1791, was admitted a member of the American union. The settlers of Vermont were mostly emigrants from Connecticut, and, for several years after the peace of 1783, their number increased with an unprecedented rapidity. Their civil and religious institutions were generally copied from those existing in Connecticut. A congregational church was early cstal)lished at Bennington, and continued many years under the ministry of the pious and worthy Mr. Dewey. In most of the towns, churches were esta- blished at an early period of their settlement, who have enjoyed the labours of many able and faithful ministers of Christ. The churches and ministers in Vermont have been re- markable for uniforuiity in religious sentiment and prac- tice, conformable to the Calvinistic system, and to the doctrines of the gospel so ably vindicated by several New- England divines of the last century. The late Dr. Job Swit't, wiio has been styled the Apostle of Vermont, not more distinguished for abilities and piety, than for inde- fatigable labours, was an eminent instrumicnt of orga- nizing and establishing the churches and religious institu tions of the state, and was an unshaken pillar of divine truth, in the midst of his labours in the service of his Mas- ter and his fellow men, was suddenly removed to his eter- nal rest. The churches and people of the state have been favoured with many gracious manifestations of the special influences of the Holy Spirit, in reviewing the in- 70 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF terests of vital religion, and bringing many souls into the holy kingdom of the Redeemer. Probably no instance can be found in the history ol men, where all public institutions of a civil, moral, and religious character, are held so entirely vmder the constant control of public sentiment, as in the state of Vermont. It is earnestly hoped, that through the merciful favour ol Heaven, that people maybe long vv^orthy of the possessioi of the many privileges Avhich they now enjoy. RemarJcs upon the Religion of the Colony. It is a very singular fact, that while the English govern- ment, and all the ecclesiastical authority, were using their most vigilant exertions to suppress evangelical religion, and put an effectual stop to the progress of puritanism, and while the New-England colonies were formed for the express purpose of the promotion of these objects, they were suffered to proceed with very little molestation. The company that formed the settlement of Plymouth, having long experienced the severities of ecclesiastical tyranny, were fearful of forming a settlement in any of the dominions of the British king, without a promise that they should not be obstructed in the free exercise of their reli- gion. Frequent and earnest solicitations were made to the royal court for such a permission. But as such a concession would not comport with the maxims of a bigoted prince, and a persecuting prelate, it was never obtained. The adventurers, therefore, com- mitted their case to the protection of God, and they were not disappointed. The succeeding companies, though many important civil privileges were secured to them by patent, could obtain no more than indirect intimations that they might enjoy liberty of conscience in the services of religion. They hoped, indeed, that the God whom they served, would remember their wants, and that the distance of three thousand miles would mitigate the rage of per- secution. The religious order which they established was directly opposed to the sentiments of the government, and was such as they had long laboured to suppress. But through THE UNITED STATES. 71 me inteiference of various causes, in which the hand of t little, were greatly fatigued, and needed refreshment, the general or- dered them to return to the landing place, v. here they ar rived at eight in the iiiorning. Colonel Bradstreet was soon after detached with a strong corps, to take possession of the saw mill, about: two miles from Ticonderoga, which the enemy had aban THE UNITED STATES. 123 doned. Towards the close of the day, the whole army marched to the mill. The general, having received in- formation that the garrison at Ticonderoga consisted of about six thousand men, and that a reinforcement of three thousand moi-e was daily expected, determined to lose no time in attacking their lines. He ordered his en- gineer to reconnoitre the ground and intrenchments of the enemy. It seems that he had not so approached and examined them as to obtain any proper idea of them. He made a favourable report of their weakness, and of the facility ot forcing them without cannon. On this ground- less report, a rash and fatal resolution was taken, to at- tack the lines without bringing up the artillery. The army advanced to the charge with the greatest in- trepidity, and for more than four hours, Avith incredible obstinacy, maintained the attack. But the works Avhere the pi'incipal attack was made, were eight or nine feet high, and impregnable even by field pieces ; and for nearlv an hundred yards from the breast-work, trees were felled so thick, and so wa-ought together, with their limbs pointing outward, that it rendered the approach of the troops, in a great measure, impossible. In this dreadful situation, under the fire of about three thousand of the enemy, these gallant troops were kept, without the least prospect of success, until nearly two thousand were killed and wounded. They were then called off. To this rash and precipitate attack succeeded a retreat equally unad- vised and precipitate. By the evening of the next day, the army had retreated to their former encampment at the south end of Lake George. Nothing could have been more contrary to the opi- nions, or more mortifying to the feelings of the provin- cials, than this Avhole aftliir. They viewed the attack up- on the lines without the artillery as the height of mad- ness. Besides, it was made under every disadvantage to the assailants. The enemy's lines were of great extent, nearly three quarters of a mile. On the right of the common path towards south bay, and especially on the north, they were weak and of little consideration. In both these quarters they might have been approached un- der the cover of a thick wood. 11* 126 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF The army was sufficiently numerous to have attacked the lines in their whole extent at once, or at least in a very great part of them, and to have drawn their atten- tion to various parts of their lines. But, unhappily, the attack was made upon a small part of them where they were far the strongest and most inaccessible. As no at- tacks or feints were made in other parts, the enemy were left to pour their whole fire on a small spot, while the whole army could not approach it. Besides, the general never approached the field, where his presence was in- dispensably necessary, but remained at the mill, where he could see nothing of the action, nor know any thing only by information at a distance of two miles. By rea- son of this, the troops, for hours after they should have been called of}', were pushed on to inevitable slaughter. But especially did the provincials reprobate the reti-eat. They considered themselves as more than a match for the enemy, should their pretended reinforcements arrive. The army, after tliis bloody aflair, consisted of fourteen thousand eflective men. After all the pompous accounts of the numbers of the enemy, they amounted to little more than three thousand. When the general retreated, he had more than four effective men to one, of theirs. He had a fine train of artillery, and there were strong grounds on which he might have encamped Avith the utmost safety. There were eminences which commanded all the works of the enemy, Vt^hence he might have enfi- laded their front, and poured destruction on their whole lines and camp. The provincial officers were, therefore, clearly of the opinion, that there was the fairest prospect of success, notwithstanding their misfortune, could the expedition only be prosecuted Avith energy and prudence. But the general took his own way, without advising with them, and appeared to retreat with the utmost perturbation. The general never had been high in the estimation of the provincials after the loss of Oswego ; but now he sunk into contempt. They generally called him Mrs. Nabbycrombie, importing that petticoats would much belter become him than breeches. To repair, as far as might be, the disaster at Ticonderoga, the general detach- THE UNITED STATES. 127 ed Colonel Bradstreet, with three thousand provincials, on an expedition against Fort Frontenac. With these troops Bradstreet sailed down the Ontario, landed within a mile of the fort, opened his batteries, and, in two days, forced this important fortress to surrender. While these events were taking place in the northern department, General Forbes, who had been appointed to command the expedition to the southward, was advancing with great activity and labour, to the conquest of Fort Du Quesne. About eight thous; nd men had been assigned to this service. In June, the general marched from Phi- ladelphia for the Ohio. An attack, however, was needless, the fort having been deserted by the garrison the evening before the arrival of the army. General Forbes took quiet possession of the place, and repaired the fort, and named it Fort Pitt, in honour to Secretary Pitt. The incredible fatigues of this campaign so broke the constitution of this vigilant and brave commander, that he returned to Philadelphia in a very enfeebled state ; where, after languishing a short tim.e, he died, universally lamented. When General Amherst arrived with his troops at the lakes, the season was so far advanced, and such a body of troops had been drawn off, for the expedition under Colonel Bradstreet, that he judged it unadvisable to make any further attempts against the enemy during that cam- paign. Notwithstanding the defeat at Ticonderoga, the cam- paign closed with great honour and advantage, not only to the colonies, but to the nation in general. In this, the fourth year after the commencement of hostilities, the English had" not only reduced Louisburg, St. Johns, and Frontenac ; but had made themselves the undisturbed possessors of that line tract of country, the contention for which had kindled the flames of war in so general and destructive a manner. Success had attended the British arms, not only in America, but in almost every quarter of the globe. The successes in America, besides many other important advantages, paved the way for that 128 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF series of successful events, which terminated in the entire reduction of Canada. Another favourable occurrence of this year, which had its influence in that great event, was a g^eneral treaty and pacification with all the Indian nations, inhabiting between the Appalachian mountains and the lakes. This was completed at Easton, on the eighth of October. 1759. It was proposed to attack Canada, and it was de- termined, that three powerful armies should enter the country by difierent routes, and commence an attack at the same time. General Amherst, who commanded one division, in his route attacked Ticonderoga. The garri- son soon surrendered, as the principal part of them had retired to Crown Point. General Amherst proceeded against this place, and took possession of it, but the ene- my, before their arrival, fled to Isle aux Noix, in the north- ern part of Lake Champlain. The second party, com- manded by General Prideaux, was destined against Nia- gara, but he was killed by the bursting of a cohorn. Sir William Johnson, on whom the command now rested, successfully put in execution the plans of his lamented predecessor ; and on the twenty-fourth of July, a gene- ral battle took place. The action was warm and bloody, and the carnage was great ; but the conflict was short, which placed Niagara in the hands of the English. An expedition against Quebec was the most daring and important. That place was so well strengthened, that all expeditions against it had failed. It wa.5 commanded by Montcalm, Avho was posted below the town, with a strong force, and the town was covered by an army of 10,000 men. General Wolfe was determined to try his skill in this case. He soon took possession of Point Levi, on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence, and erected bat- teries. By means of these, he destroyed many houses, but made little impression on the fortifications of the town ; he resolved to quit his post. General Wolfe made several attempts to reduce the place, but they all proved unsuccessful. He also at- tempted to destroy the shipping ; this attempt also proved abortive. Stung v/ith chagrin at his own disappointment, General Wolfe determined to ascend a precipice of about THE UNITED STATES. 129 one hundred and seventy-five feet, by which he might gain the heights of Abraham. On the 12th of September, one hour after midnight, General Wolfe, with his army, leaving the ships, embark- ed in boats, and silently dropped down with the current, intending to land a league above Cape Diamond, and thus to gain the heights of Abraham. But, owing to the ra pidity of the current, they fell below their intended place, and disembarked at what is now called Wolfe's cove, a mile, or a mile and a half, above the city. The operation was a most critical one — they had to navigate in silence, down a rapid stream — to hit upon the right place for a landing, which, in the dark, might be easily mistaken — the shore was shelving, and the bank to be ascended was steep and lofty, and scarcely practicable, even without opposition. Doubtless, it was this combination of cir- cumstances which lulled the vigilance of the wary and discerning Montcalm ; he thought such an enterprise ab- solutely impracticable, and therefore had stationed only sentinels and picket guards along this precipitous shore. Indeed, the attempt was in the greatest danger of being defeated by an occurrence, which is very interesting, as marking much more emphatically, than dry official ac- counts can do, the very great delicacy of the transaction. One of the French sentinels, posted along the shore, challenged the English boats in the customary military language of tlie French; " Qui vitV who goes there ! to which a captain of Frazer's regiment, who had served in Holland, and was familiar with the French language and customs, promptly replied, " la France." The next ques- tion was much more embarrassing, for the sentinel de- manded, " a quel regim.ent ?" " to what regiment." The captain, who happened to know the name of one of the • regiments whicli was up the river with Bougainville, promptly rejoined, " de la Reine," " the queen's." The soldier immediately replied, ^^ passe," for he concluded at once, that this was a Frencli convoy of provisions, which, as the English had learned from some deserters, was expected to pass down the river to Quebec. The other sentinels were deceived in a similar manner, hut one, less credulous than the rest, running down to the 130 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF water's edge, called out, " Poiirquoi est ce que vous ne parlez plus haut?" " why don't you speak louder ?" The same captain, Avith perfect self-command, replied, " Tai, toi, nous serons entendues !" " hush, we shall be over- heard and discovered." The sentry, satisfied with this caution, retired. The British boats were on the point of being tired into by the captain of one of their own trans- port ships, who, ignorant of what Avas going on, took them for French ; but General Wolfe, perceiving the commotion on board, rowed along side in person, and pre- vented the tiring, Avhich would have alarmed the town, and frustrated the enterprise. General Wolfe, although greatly reduced by a fever, to which a dysentery was superadded, was, nevertheless, the first man to leap ashore. The rugged precipices, full of projections of rocks, and of trees, and shrubs, growing every where among the clifls, into which the bank was broken, presented a most forbidding appearance, and Ge- neral Wolfe, familiarly speaking to an officer who stood by, said, " I don't believe there is any possiSility of get- ting up, but you must do your endeavour." There was only a narrow path, leading obliquely up the hill ; this had been rendered by the enemy ijnpassable, in consequence of being broken up by cross ditches, and there was, besides, an entrenchment at the top, defended by a captain's guard. This guard was easily dispersed, and the troops then pulled themselves up by taking hold of the boughs and stumps of the trees, and of the projec- tions of the rocks. This precipice (which m^ay be, in different places, from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet high) is still very rude and rugged, but probably much less so tlian in 1759 ; it can now be surmounted, without very great diffi- j culty, by men who are unmolested. j Wolfe staked all upon a very hazardous adventure ; i had he been discovered prematurely, through a spy, a ' deserter, or an alarmed sentry, his army would have heen ' inevitably lost; but, having gained the heights, he formed his troops, and met the enemy in good order. When Montcalm first received information that the English occupied the heights of Abraham, he was greatly THE UNITED STATES. 131 surprised. He saw that a battle was inevitable, and pre- pared to light. The French advanced briskly ; the Eng- lish reserved their fire until the enemy were near, and then gave it with decisive effect. Early in the engage- ment, Wolfe received a slight wound in his wrist, but, binding his handkerchief around it, he continued to en- courage his men. Soon after tliis, he received another in his groin. This he also concealed, and continued to urge on his troops, until a third ball pierced his breast, which obliged him to quit the command, which fell on Monckton. He was soon wounded, and the command devolved upon Towns- hend. At this moment, Montcalm, fighting at the head of his men, was mortally wounded, and General Jenne- zergus, his second in command, also fell. The loss of their commanders caused the French to give way. Wolfe, who was reclining his liead on the arm of an officer, was aroused by the cry of " they fly — they fly !" the hero eagerly asked, " who fly ?" being informed the French were routed, " then," said he, " I die in peace," and ex- pired. This death, sayS Professor Stillman, has furnished a grand and pathetic subject for the painter, the poet, the historian, and, undoubtedly, considered as a mere military glory, it is one of the most sublime that the annals of war afford. In five days after the battle the city surrendered, and received an English garrison. In September, 1760, Montreal fell into the hands of the English, and, soon after, all the French posts in Canada fell into their power. Thus ended a war which had con- tinued six years, which had cost many thousand lives, and much distress. In 1763, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Isle of Cape Breton, and all other islands in the gulf, and near the St. Lawrence, were ceded to the British crown. REMARKS ON PART SECOND. Manners and Customs. — The rapid increase of wealth began to introduce among the colonies the tastes and fashions of the European countries, but their continuance was short among the Americans. 132 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Religion. — The Dutch reformed religion generally pre- vailed in New- York ; during this period, Shakers and Friends arrived in America. During the French and Indian war, infidelity was introduced into the army by the English officers and soldiers who came into this coun- try, and from the army it spread through society gone raUy.— Population, 2,500,000. UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. PART THIRD. CHAPTER VI. A Summary View of the Causes that led to the American Revolution. Although the narroAV and illiberal policy of the British government towards her North American colonies, from their first settlement, was calculated to alienate the affec- tions of the colonies from the parent comitry ; yet from their exposed situation, and habitual loyalty, this unworthy conduct, long persevered in, produced no sensible impres- sion on the Americans ; their loyalty and attachment to the interest of Britain were not in the smallest degree im- paired, down to the period of the peace of Paris, in 1763. Never had they shown so much zeal, or made such great sacrifices in the cause of their country, as during the pre- ceding war ; having lost more than twenty-five thousand men, expended all the revenues they could raise, an-d in- . volved themselves deeply in debt. Almost the whole burdens of the war in America, had fallen on the colonies ; and their exertions were altoge- ther disproportionate to their means, and tended greatly to impoverish and distress them. After eight years' ardu- ous struggles, attended with the greatest sacrifices, the successful termination of the war — the dominion of France in America being relinquished forever — occasioned uni- versal joy throughout the colonies ; they forgot their suf- 13 134 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ferings and distresses, in the fair prospects which tho peace afforded. But these prospects were of short duration ; the peace of Paris formed a new era in the views and conduct of Great Britaio towai'ds her colonies in America. The pos- sessions of France, in America, having been ceded to Britain, and having no longer any fear of her power in this hemisphere, a system of measures was pursued to- wards the colonies, originating in jealousy, and tending to despotism. As soon as the colonies had fought their way to a condition which afforded the prospect of rapidly in- creasing in population and wealth, attempts were made to restrict their commercial and political privileges, and gradually to reduce them to the most wretched state of colonial vassalage. For a century and a half, the colonies had been left to themselves as to taxation ; their own local assemblies had provided the necessary revenues to defray the expenses of their governments ; and the parliament of Great Bi-itain had neither directly nor indirectly ever attempted to de- rive a dollar of revenue from America; although various acts had from time to time been passed, regulating the trade and commerce of the colonies, yet none of these were designed or regarded, either in Britain or America, as revenue laws. But in an inauspicious moment, the British ministry conceived the idea of taxing the colonies, under the pre- tence of providing for their protection, but in reality to relieve the nation from the immense debt, the weight of which hung heavily upon it. This iniquitous scheme, originating with the cabinet, was easily introduced into parliament ; and in March, 1764, as a prelude to the me- morable Stamp Act, the house of commons resolved : " That towards further defraying the necessary expen- ses of protecting the colonies, it may he necessary to charge certain stamp duties upon them ,■" and this resolution was followed by what was commonly called the Sugar Act, passed on the 5th of April, and introduced by the follow- ing truly alarming preamble : — " Whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in America, for de- fraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and secu- I THE UNITED STATES. 135 ring the same ; we, the commons, &c. towards raisiner was so small that they retired and Availed for aid from the neighbouring towns. The Britisl destroyed all the stores that were to be found, and then began their retreat towards Lexington. But the whole country was in arms, and pressed upon their rear. The Americans kept up a continual fire from behind hedges stone Avails, &c. Major Pitcairn, fearing his carcass would be picked from his horse, dismounted, and led his division on foot; but his horse and equipments Avere ta- ken by the provincials. At sunset, the regulars, over- come with fjitigue, secured their retreat over Charlestown neck, and found on Bunker's Hill a place of security ana repose. The loss of the British, in killed, wounded, and taken THE UNITED STATES. 163 prisoners, amounted to 273, while the American loss in lulled, wounded, and missing, was only 88. The batile of Lexington spread like a conQagration, and aroused the hardy sons of the country to a manful resistance. The agriculturalist left his plough in the fur- row, and the mechanic dropped his tools in the shop, and me great mass of the people repaired to Boston M'ith such arras as could be found. Within a few days a large army was collected, under the command of Generals W?Td and i''utnam. This alarmed General Gage for the safety of nis garrison. When the tidings of these eAcnts reached iihe south, the population were aroused to the conteiitwith the same animated zeal which had been displayed at the north, and the alarm spread far and wide throrgh the t.T)untry. On the 28th of April, 1776, the provincial congress of Massachusetts issued the following general circular r. " We conjure you, by all that is dear, by all that is sa- ■d^ed, that you give all possible assistance in forming .an larmy, in defence of the country. Our all is at stake. ~)eath and destruction are the certain consequences of [delay. Every moment is infinitely precious ; an hour post may deluge your country in blood, and entaii petpc- L^eual slavery upon the few of your posterity that survive the carnage. We beg and entreat, as you wiil ansvver it TO your country, to your consciences, and, above all, as } on will answer it to your God, that you will hasten, by a}i possible means, the enlistment of men, to form an army, and send them forward to head quarters, at Cam- bridge, with that expedition, which the vast importance anu instant urgency of the aflairs demand." Tiiis, as might be expected, aroused the energies of the cotiijtry, and inspired the people with the most heroic feelmgs. The call was promptly obeyed, and the sons of libei ly enlisted themselves with the greatest alacrity foi- the defence of their rights. The responsibilities which now rested on the fathers of the revolution were great, and their services important. They nad to embody and discipline new and inexperi- enced troops, bring order out of confusion, and to supply both arms and ammunition, being without funds, and 164 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF almost without authority to resist them. Besides this, t\e army was to be supplied with provisions, in the face of a formidable, Avell disciplined, and well furnished enemy But the zeal and a>bility of the officers were equal to the crisis. Of some it is even recorded, that for a succession of days and nights, they were constantly at the head ol their respective guards, without a change of raiment. At this critical epoch, General Ward directed Colonel Ethan Allen to raise four hundred Green Mountain Boys, on the New-Hampshire grants, since then composing the state now called Vermont. With this force he was to surprise the garrisons of the English on Lake Champlain. The colonel raised two himdred and thirty of the number, with which force he repaired to Castleton, where he met one hundred and seventy-two more, by concert with cer- tain officers of the militia. In this plan. Dean, Wooster, and Parsons, with others in Connecticut, co-operated, and sentinels were posted on the different routes to Ti- conderoga, to intercept intelligence of the intentions of the Americans. About this time, Colonel Benedict Arnold, who had arrived to assist in the enterprise, consented to act in con- cert with Colonel Allen, and no uniiecessary delay pre- vented them from moving forward to the object which they determined to accomplish. Colonel Allen crossed the lake on the 10th of May, with a detachment of only eighty-three men, with which he attacked Fort Ticonderoga early in the morning. With this small number he rushed into the fort while the garrison was asleep. Captain Delaplace was ordered to surrender the garrison instantly, as he would save them from immediate destruction. The captain inquired by what authority, to whom Colonel Allen replied, " In the name of the Great Jehovah, and the continental Con gress." The fort was imr mediately surrendered, and the soldiers paraded without arms. The prisoners consisted of four officers, forty-four privates, with several women and children, who were sent into Connecticut for security. The fruits of this victory were — 120 iron cannon, 50 swivels, more than three tons of balls, two ten inch mor- tars, and a quantity of shells, flints, gun carriages, powder, THE UNITED STATES. 165 flour, pork, &c. with two brass cannon, and many other valuabJes. With tiie remainder of the party. Colonel Seth War- ner, a native of Connecticut, rrossed the lake, and took the fortress of Crown Poin y surprise, with more than one hundred jneces of cannon. Colonel Arnold, Avho had embarked on the lake in a small schooner, captured an English armed vessel, and returned to Ticonderoga with his prize. Thus was a free communication with Canada secured by the command of the lake. While the tide of success thus waited on the American arms in the north. General Gage contemplated an attack upon the American troops at Roxbury, under the com- mand of General Thomas. The number of troops at this place amounted, in all, to but seven hundred militia, and they were nearly destitute of both arms and ammuni- tion. What was \vanting in force, however, was supplied In" stratagem. Tlie Americans were marched round a hill in full view of the enemy, and displayed to such ad- vantage through the day, that the British general was completely hoaxed, and the attack was not made. Rein- lorcements soon arrived, and the place was saved. The success which attended the American arms in their frequent skirmishes with the foraging parties of the British, among the small islands which aboimd in Massa- chusetts Bay, gave tliera confidence and courage to face the English forces with confidence and success in more important undertakings. On the 2.5th of the month, the three British generals, Hi. tve, Clinton, and Burgoyne, arrived at Boston. They Vv'ere able and experienced, and to theiri was committed tlie task of putting down all opposition, and of bringing tlie revolted colonists to a state of absolute and uncondi- tional submission, during the first campaign. Tvv'O days after this, the provincials, under Putnam and Warren, defeated a strong force of the enemy on the islands, and destroyed the vessel, armed and stationed for their defence. The same success attended their arms on the .30th, and the British were greatly distressed by a re- moval of the cattle from the islands, and the communica- tion with Boston was now closed. 166 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF On the part of the continentals, the sufferings Avere severe. The small pox had been communicated from Boston, and raged in the army to an alarming degree. Money was exceedingly scarce ; and the whole force, including officers and soldiers, did not exceed eight thou- sand. Under all their discouragements, and in theii undisciplined state, nothing could keep them together ut the most ardent zeal for the cause of their commor country. A proclamation was issued by General Gage, on the 12th of June, in the king's name, offering a general am- nesty, excluding only John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Those Avho should refuse these gracious offers, or corres- pond with, or aid and assist the refractory, were denounced as rebels, and threatened to be treated as such. Martial law was also declared in the province. The proclamation was very properly considered as a public declaration of war, and the precursor of hostile operations, and the enemy was watched Avith the utmost vio-ilance. Colonel Prescott, with a detachment of one thousand men, was ordered to fortify Bunker's Hill, in Charlestown but as the operation was in the night, he fortified a place which lay contiguous to i'.,, called Breed's Hill, Avhich was nearer to Boston. The boldness of this movement both perplexed and astonished General Gage, who saw that it jeopardized his own safety in Boston. He determined to dislodge them from this position without delay ; and, on the 17th, about noon. He detached a train of artillery, ten companies of grenadiers, and four batta- lions of infantry, for this purpose. On this occasion. Major General Howe, and Brigadier General Pigot, commanded. At Charlestown, a reinforce- ment was added to tlieir numbers, and the force amount- ed to three thousand men. This force formed on the beach, and, marching in battle array, a terrible cannonade was commenced. The first shock of the battle was firmly sustained by Colonel Prescott, aided by Colonel Stark of New-Hampshire, and Captain Norton, of Connecticut. The detachment was soon joined by Generals Putnam, AVarrcn, and Pomeroy, who imparted enthusiasm and energy to the conflict. Charlestown Avas wrappet? *n. flames as the British ad\'anc€d. THE UNITED STATES. 167 In imitation of the heroes on the plains of Abraham, Ihe fire of the Americans was reserved until the English arrived to within seventy yards. A well directed fire of musketry was then opened, which spread destruction in the ranks of the assailants, and kept them in check. The discharge of the musketry was dreadful, and the enemy fled in disorder. The chagrin and mortification of the officers was extreme, and the men were rallied to another charge. They were again repulsed, cut to pieces, and put to the rout. At this crisis, General Clin- ton came up, and, the troops being once more rallied, re- newed the charge, and the carnage became dreadful. The time was a critical one. The powder of the provin- cials was nearly expended, and the cartridge boxes of the dead were searched, that the fire might be continued, when their wings were outflanked by the enemy, and the trenches were exposed to a raking fire from the British artillery. A terrible cannonade was now commenced from the British ships and batteries, and the exertions of the ene- my were redoubled. The troops were pressed on by the swords and bayonets in the rear, and the points of British bayonets were met by clubbed muskets, until numbers prevailed, and the Americans were compelled to retire. The retreat was conducted in good order, and the camp at Cambridge was regained, under a well di- rected fire from the ships and batteries, which raked them severely as they crossed over the neck at Charlestown. Of this battle, it may be said, that in all the records of British valour, not one action occurred, in which they were met by a more dauntless courage, or a more obstinate re- sistance, or in which they obtained a harder victory. In this battle, the Americans lost 139 killed, 278 wound- ed, and 3G missing ; in all 453. Among the killed, were Gen. Warren, Col. Gardner, Lieut. Col. Parker, and Ma- jors Moore and M'Claney, whose loss to the nation was severely felt, and shed a gloom over the country. The British loss, as reported by General Gage, was 226 killed, nineteen of whom were commissioned officers, and seventy officers wounded. Total loss of the British, 1051. 168 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF The result of the American loss in this battle, is said to equal that of Wolfe in the capture of Quebec, but in the loss of officers, it stands as eighteen to thirteen in killed, and as seventy to sixty-six in wounded. From this some estimate can be made of the comparative resistance in the two conflicts. On the 10th of May, the day on which Col. Allen de- manded the surrender of Ticonderoga in the name of the American Congress, that illustrious body assembled in Philadelphia, and commenced its session. The Hon. Peyton Randolph was re-appointed President, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. In June, by a special resolve, the Congress interdicted all intercourse with the enemy, and assumed the style of the Twelve United Colonies, under sanction of which, a day of fasting was appointed for the 30th of July follow- ing. On the 15tli, General Washington, then a member from Virginia, was appointed to the responsible station of Commander in Chief of the American forces. He ac- cepted the trust with great diffidence. In reply to the President, after accepting tlie appointment, he added — ■ " But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the com- mand 1 am honoured with. " As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they v/ill discharge, and that is all I desire." On presenting this special commission to Gen. Wash- ington, a resolution was unanimously adopted, that " they would maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of American liberty." Immediately after this, was the appointment of four Ma- jor Generals, Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philiji Schuy- ler, and Israel Putnam; and eight Brigadier Generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooste/, THE UNITED STATES. 1G9 William Heath, Joseph Spencei*, John Sullivan, and Na- thaniel Greene. On the 2d of Jnly, fifteen days from the date of his commission, Washington arrived at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, accompanied by General Lee, and several other gentlemen. The sentiment felt and expressed throughout the country was, that "under God, Washing- ton must be the saviour of his country." What was their presentiment, is now historically recorded. General Washington entered on the duties of his new oflice, under the most discouraging circumstances. He was, indeed, at the head of 14,000 men, but without dis- cipline, without order, and nearly destitute of military stores, and of most of the conveniences necessary to the well being of an army. New eftbrts and new energies became necessary, and they were applied withefiect. At this time, General Howe commanded the main body of the British army, Avhich was posted on Bunker's Hilh Another division was securely stationed near Roxbury. The fleet covered the reserve and Boston, The main body of the American army was posted at Cambridge, under the guardiansliip of the commander- in-chief. The right rested on Roxbury, under General Ward, and the left was securely posted on Prospect Hill, under General Lee. About 3000 men filled the interme- diate spaces, under the command of General Putnam and others. The American army, thus posted, held a con- trolling power, which left the British in a state of siege, or at least of a land blockade. On the 14th and 22d of June, Congress ordered a bat- talion of riilemen to be raised in Virginia and Pennsylva- nia, and such was the spirit of patriotism in these states, that on the 7th of August, they were raised, accoutred, and embodied with the army, without drawing on the public treasury for a single cent. At this time, the wants of the army were truly embar- rassing, and exposed the Americans to great danger, in the event of an attack, which was anticipated. Among the most important, were the want of ammunition and bayonets. Camp equipage and engineers were in great request, and the disaflection of officers, occasioned by 15 170 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF certain appointments of Congress, were truly distressing. Added to thi«, that many of the troops were to be dis- banded in November, and the longest term of service would close with the year. But the zeal, which was the fruit of a righteous cause, prevailed, and they were ena- bled to conquer their difficulties. Had the enemy known their vulnerable points, the result might have been very difl'erent. The American force had lately been augmented by a re- inforcement of 8000 men ; and the commander-in-chief of course called a council to settle on a plan of operations for the summer campaign. This council determined on a blockade, as the Avant of ammunition precluded the idea of an assault on the town. Of the British force, it had been well ascertained, that since the 19th of April, 2500 of the army had, by various means, been lost, and it was thought that before the recruits should arrive in the spring, the army would be much weakened. About this time, an invitation was sent to New-York, by General Gage, to enlist, as volunteers, the foreign sea- men who might be there. In October, Falmouth, in Massachusetts, was burnt by order of the English govern- ment, which directed that the towns on the sea-coast should be laid waste for the sin of rebellion. But the step v/as as impolitic as it was inhuman. The flames of Fnlmouth, like those of Charlestown, roused the spirit of the colonies afresh, and called forth more union and great- er exertions. Frigates and privateers wei'e fitted for sea, and commissioned against the commerce of the enemy, and two battalions of m^arines were raised for that ser- vice. Cruisers were sent out, to intercept supplies, for the British — a spirit of adventure was raised, and success at- tended it. Captain Manley, of the privateer Lee, took a rich store-ship, laden Avith supplies for the army in Bos- ton, which encouraged the Americans, in proportion as it disheartened and distressed the enemy, for whose use the supplies were much needed. On hearing tidings of the battle at Lexington, the spi- rit of South Carolina awakened to the situation of the nation. Her provincial congress was convened, and the following covenant was passed bj'^ an unanimous resolu- tion : THE UNITED STATES. m '* Thoroughly convinced, that under our present dis- tressed circumstances, we shall be justified before God and man, in resisting force by force : We do unite ouj selves, under every tie of religion and honour, and asso- ciate as a band of brothers, in defence of our injured country, against every foe ; hereby solemnly engaging, that whenever our continental or provincial councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sa- crifice our lives and fortunes to secure her defence and safety. This covenant to continue in force, until a re- conciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional principles ; an event which we most heartily desire. And we will hold those persons criminal to the liberty of these colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this association." The result of this resolution was such as might be ex- pected. Two regiments of infantry, and one of rangers, was raised for common defence, and the language of the day was in imison with that of the other colonies, nearer the seat of danger. Having organized their affairs with a view to the situation of the country, they adjourned. But we must here remark, that South Carolina was not alone in the spirit of resistance. The king's governors were removed from office in the neighbouring colonies, and the people assumed the responsibility of self-govern- ment. Committees of safety were appointed, and means taken to attend to their own business in their own way. The eflbrts of the colonies, generally, were directed to the supplies wanted by the army near Boston. Pov/der was purchased in foreign ports — some was obtained from Bermuda, and about three and a half tons Avas received by General Washington from the British forts on the coasc of Africa. The colonies, also, set about the manu- facture of this article. Intelligence was received at head quarters, that the Ca- nadians had received the addresses from Congress in a favourable manner, and that they would not act against the colonies. An expedition was sent out for Quebec, on the 19th of September, consisting of one thousand men, under Col. Arnold, by way of Kennebec. He arrived at his place of destination on tli* 9th of November, after 172 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF traversing a pathless wilderness, and encountering the greatest hardships and privations. About the same lime, General Montgomery entered Ca- nada by way of Lake Champlain, in company with Gene- ral Schuyler. He laid siege to St. John's, on the 8th of October. Sir Guy Carleton, governor of Canada, with eight hundred men, went to the relief of the place, but the Green Mountain Boys, under Colonel Warner, de- feated him. Chamblce was surprised and taken, with six tons of powder, by Brown and Livingston, which was used to reduce St. John's, which surrendered on the 2d of November, and the garrison was made prisoners. During the siege, Col. Allen invested Montreal, but was defeated, taken prisoner, and sent to England in irons, to be tried for treason. General Montgomery entered Montreal in triumph, on the 12th of November, and but five days afterwards, ele- ven sail of vessels. General Prescott, several other oili- cers, and one hundred and twenty privates, a large supply of flour, beef, butter, &z,c. cannon, small arms, and mi- litary stores, were taken. All of these were useful in the prosecution of the war. In the night, Governor Carleton escaped in a canoe, with muffled paddles, and shaped his course for Quebec, where he arrived in safety. On the first of December, General Montgomery form- ed a junction with Col. Arnold, before Quebec, and ope- rations to carry it by storm were commenced on the fifth. The garrison of this second Gibraltar, consisted of fif- teen hundred men, under command of the governor. Trenches were opened in the depth of a Canadian winter, and the siege was commenced. A council of war was now called, which acceded to the views of the general, and were nearly unanimous in resolving to take the city by assault. Arrangements were made, and on the morning of the 31st, the signal was given for the attack, by a discharge of rockets. The soldiers advanced with firmness, but the rockets had given warning, and the garrison were pre- pared to receive them. The first division, commanded by General Montgomery, attempted to enter the lower town by the margin of the river. The first battery was car- THE UNITED STATES. 173 riod, and the guard dispersed. The discharge of a single gun from the abandoned battery, killed General Montgo- mery, Captains Macpherson and Cheesman, with several others ; and the troops being appalled, retired, and the enterprise was abandoned. The second division was commanded by Colonel Arnold, who entered the lower town, on the opposite side of the city. A solitary tield-piece, mounted on a sled, commanded by Captain Lamb, next entered, and the main body brought up the rear. Colonel Arnold was wounded by a musket ball in the leg, at the head of the brave band, while forcing the first barrier. The bone was fractured, and he retired from the combat. Colonel Morgan now took the command, carried the first barrier by storm, and assaulted the second, Avith a prospect of success, not knowing the fate of General Montgomery. Majors Bigelow and Meigs now came up with about two hundred men. The second barrier was charged, amidst a shower of musketry, and the ban-ier was mount- ed. But to their astonishment, a forest of bristly bayo- nets forbade their entering. On the advance, death was certain, and the danger of a retreat was great. They retired into adjacent buildings, and defended them- selves until overpowered by numbers, when they were compelled to surrender. The general Avas killed, about four hundred men killed and wounded, and, after all their labours and privations, tlie daring enterprise entirely fail- ed. The loss of General Montgomery was severely felt by the nation, and congress voted to erect a monument to his memory, which was accordingly done, and may be seen in St. Paul's Church, New-York. CHAPTER VII. Revolution continued. In October, 1775, Gen. Gage was succeeded by General Howe, in command of the British troops at Boston, which had been blockaded through the winter by the army under ' 15* 174 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF "Washington. Congress being desirous to support the views of the commander-in-chief, resolved, " Tlmt if Ge- neral Washington, and his council of war, shall be ol opinion, that a successful attack may be made upon the troops in Boston, he should make it in any manner he might think expedient, notwithstanding the town, and property in it, might be destroyed." In the reply of the general, he thus speaks : — " It is not in the pages of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the enemy, for six months together, without ammunition, and at the same time to disband one army, and recruit another, Avithin that distance of twenty odd British regiments, is more than probably ever was attempted ; but if we succeed in the latter, as we have done in the former, I shall think it one of the most fortunate events of my whole life." That we may be able to judge of the means at tliis time possessed by Washington, for ofl'ensive operations, it is merely necessary to observe, that his whole force consist- ed of less than nine thousand men, two thousand of A\-hom were utterly destitute of arms. The general pressed congress to raise a regular army for a stipulated time, as a safe project on which the country might securely rely. The propriety of this step was seen by congress, and, on the lirst of March, the army numbered fourteen thousand, and was soon reinforced by six thousand of the militia, amounting, in all, to twenty thousand. His operations now commenced in good earnest. The detachment at Roxbury was ordered to take possession of Dorchestei Heights, while the commander-in-chief was to cover this motion by a bombardment of the town. On the night of the fourth of March this was accomplished, and works thrown up which would secure them from the guns of the enemy. The light of day opened the eyes of the commanding general to the danger of his situation. One of two things must be done, and that immediately. Either the Ameri- can troops must be dislodged, or Boston must be evacu- ated. The English admiral saw that the fleet Avas at the mercy of the provincials, and the general determined to attempt a dislodgement. Three thousand men were de- THE UNITED STATES. 175 laclicd for the service, and Lord Percy, who was to com- mand the expedition, actually embarked for the execution of the project. He was, however, providentially prevent- ed from the attempt, by the roughness of tlie weather. In expectation of this, however, Washington had made pre- parations to attack Boston the moment the British general should commence a hostile step in this quarter. Gen. Howe, finding himself very uny)leasantly situated, «ent a flag of truce to the American head-quarters, noti- fying General Washington of his intention to evacuate Boston, but threatened to destroy the town, in case he should be molested. On the lOlh, at night, the British troops embarked, and the next day sailed for Nantasket Roads, and, in a few days, the whole fleet set sail for Halifax. Immediately after the evacuation of the Eng- lish army, Yvasliington entered the town, and spread joy through the colonies. The joy of the inhabitants was excessive, and the gene- ral was received with every demonstration of gratitude. They were now relieved from the abuses of an insolent soldiery, and from the distresses occasioned by hunger. A resolution Mas passed in congress, expressing the thanks of the nation, and a gold medal was ordered to 1)e struck, Avith an appropriate device, commemorating the event, which should be presented to the commander- in-chief. m the mean time, the royal governors at the south were not idle. Lord Dunmore, of Virginia, endeavoured to counterwork the revolution. But he was compelled by the patriots of that state to relinquish the attempt, and to go on board the fleet for safety. Chagrined at his de- feat, he determined to avenge the aftront, and, on the night of the first of January, 1776, he caused fire to be set to Norfolk, whicli was destroyed. These depredations were continued until they disgusted the most loyal of his party, when he departed v/ith his booty of about one thousand negroes, for Florida and the Bermudas. In North Caro- lina, the governor attempted the same play, but his plot was defeated, and the insurrection was suppressed by the patriotism and intelligence of the people. About the middle of February, the Amerkan navy, 176 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF under Commodore Hopkins, set sail from Cape Henlopen, and soon surprised and dismantled a fort in New-Provi- dence, taking off forty pieces of iron ordnance, and fif- teen brass mortars. The governor, lieutenant governor, and one counsellor, fell into the power of the Commo- dore. In the fore part of March, the fleet captured a British schooner, and, the next day, took a bomb brig, laden with arms and military stores. On the day prece- ding, the fleet engaged a sloop of war carrying 20 guns, but night separated them, and the next day the sloop escaped into Newport. When the intelligence of the two first battles between the British and the colonists reached Great Britain, with the information that General Washington was appointed commander-in-chief, the impressions on the people and the government were very serious. The king and the ministry, however, determined to carry on the war. On the 26th of October the parliament was convened, and the speech of the king evidently supported the unnatural controversy. In both houses the opposition was strong, but the ministry prevailed, and the supplies were granted. Sir Peter Parker, and Earl Cornwallis, sailed from Ports- mouth in December, for Ireland, with the ships Acteon and Thunderbomb, as a convoy for the transports, with four thousand troops, intended for service in the colonies. In this fleet came Colonel Allen, who had been confined in Pendinnis Castle, Cornwall, and treated with much severity. A subscription Vv'as opened for him, and his companions, in Ireland, which was the first humane atten- tion he had received since his imprisonment. About this time, the bargain with the King of England, for 17,000 men to be employed in this war, by the Prince of Hesse Cassel, the Duke of Brunswick, and other German princes, was sanctioned in parliament, by a vote of 242 to 88. In the spring of 1776, two divisions of these mercenaries sailed to America. The estimate for the service against the liberties of America, amounted to 60,000 men. The Cork fleet, under the convoy of Admiral Parker, arrived in Cape Fear River on the 3d of May, where tliey were joined by General Clinton, from the northern Ticonderoga taken hy Hie Americans, May 10, 1776. p. 164. Sergeant Jasper rescuing the American jlag at Clutrkatui June 26th, 1776. P. 177. THE UNITED STATES. 177 4 army. On the 5tli, the offer of pardon, on certain con- ditions, was published by the general, but, finding hisi ellbrls to stem the tide of popular feeling of little avail, the fleet sailed for Charleston, S. C, and anchored off Sullivan's Island about the first of June. The siege of Charleston was openogj by the offer of pardon, as in North Carolina, and with equal effect. The day of pro- clamations and smooth words had come too late. Governor Rutledge had prepared for a vigorous de- fence, and the militia cheerfully rallied around the flag of their country. At this critical moment General Lee ap- peared at the head of some northern regiments, and took the command of Charleston. The enemy crossed the bar on the 26th of June, with a number of ships and fri- gates, and operations were commenced with little delay. The lire from the American fort and batteries, however, was too galling, and the squadron was compelled to with- draw, after the loss of one fifty gun ship, and a damage to others, which rendered them for the present useless. One may form an estimate of the contest, by learning the fact that 70Q0 loose balls were picked up on Sullivan' Island after the battle. The garrison in the fort consisted of about three hun- dred and seventy-five regulars, and a few militia, com- manded by Colonel Movdtrie. The fortification mounted but twenty-six nine pounders, and the British had two ships of fifty guns each, four frigates of twenty-eight guns each, and some smaller vessels. This severe repulse obtained a respite from the cala- mities of war, for more than two years, in the southern states. Of those who deserve an honourable notice in this ac- tion. Sergeant Jasper must not be forgotten. During the heat of the engagement, the flagTslaff' was shot away, and fell into the ditch. The inhabitants of Charleston consi- dered this as a token of submission. When the intrepid sergeant discovered it, he jumped into the ditch, seized the flag, secured it to a sponge-staff, and erected it again in the heat of the action. For this act of bravery, the jt'Cvernor, the next day, presented him a sword. T:r? >-fi- ject of their conference was to concert measures for the reduction of Nevi'-York. In the midst of this conference, an express arrived from West Point, on the Hudson, announcing the traitorous designs of General Arnold. The council was immediately closed ; the parties retired, and General Washington wen* to the relief of West Point. On his arrival, he found th6 fortress dismantled, the cannon dismounted, and that Arnold had fled, and taken refuge on board the British «loop of war Vulture, then lying in the river. Whilst his' excellency was employed in repairing the 220 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF fortress, a prisoner was announced, who proved to be the unfortunate Major Andre, who had volunteered his ser- vices to Sir Henry Chnton, to negotiate the treacherous design. His character was that of a spy ; his fate was death ! Let us pass over this distressing scene. The righteous sacrifice greatly interested the feelings, and touched the sympathy of every American breast. The feelings of General Washington upon this event- ful occasion, may be seen in the following extract from his private correspondence of October 13th : " In no instance since the commencement of the war, has the interposition of Divine Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous, than in the rescue of the fort and garrison at West Point. Andre has met his fate, and with that fortitude that was to have been expected from an accomplished man, and a gallant officer ; hut I am mis- taken if Arnold is not undergoing, at this time, the tor- ments of a mental hell."'' In the month of October, 1780, Sir Henry Clinton de- tached General Arnold on a marauding expedition, into "Virginia, with about 1600 men, and a number of armed vessels ; he laid waste the country upon James River, in several predatory excursions, until his progress was ar- rested by the appearance of the French squadron from Newport. This fleet put an end to the ravages of Ar- nold, by capturing and destroying a very considerable part of his fleet ; and would have caused the destruction of the traitor, had not a British fleet appeared from New- York, for the relief of Arnold, and by a naval engagement oflf the capes of Virginia, with the French fleet, afforded him an opportunity to escape to New- York. The French returned to Newport. On the 18th of December, the Chevalier Charles Louis de Ternay, Knight of St. .John of Jerusalem, late governor of the Isles of France and Bourbon, and commander of the French squadron in the American seas, died in New- port, and was interred in Trinity church-yard the next day, with military honours. The frequent changes in the army, owing to short en listments ; the want of pay, clothing, provisions, &.c had repeatediy distressed the army, and were at last ac Capture of A>.uke, the British. Spy, at Tarrytown, by three MUitiahien, 2lst ofSeptemier, 1780. P. 219 Gi.]s'KuAL Wavnk's Victoky over the Indians, on the banks of the Miami, in 1794. P. 245 H THE UNITED STATES. 821 companied with the revolt of the Pennsylvania line, ex- cepting three regiments. In defiance of all the efforts of General Wayne and all the other officers, they seized on six field pieces, and took up their march for Princeton, January, 1781. Sir Henry Clinton, upon the first intelligence, made some important movements from Staten Island, and sent spies at the same time, to coaintenance and encourage the revolters. A committee from congress visited the mu- tineers at Princeton, with liberal assurances, to persuade them to return to their duty ; but General Washington sent a strong force, and compelled them to return. A general arrangement was soon made to supply the armies, both with foreign and domestic aid and resources. On the 14th of May, information was given to Wash- ington, that Colonel Greene, with his whole detachment, had been cut off by Delancy's troops, near Croton river, about forty miles north o£ New-York. Colonel Greene had been wounded and captured, and was afterwards mur- dered, and Major Flagg was killed in his quarters. About this period. General Washington wrote to the governors of the northern states : " On the calculations I have been able to form in con- cert with the most experienced French and American offi- cers, the operations in view, will require, in addition to the French army, all the continental battalions from New- Hampshire to New-Jersey, to be completed." He after- wards added, " As we cannot count upon their being full, and as a body of militia will also be necessary, I have called upon several states^, to hold certain numbers in readiness, to move within ane week of the time I may require them." These despatches were intercepted, and gave consider able alarm to Sir Henry, who renewed his exertions for the defence of the city. On the 14th of June, a junction was effected before New- York, between General Washington, and a body of fif- teen hundred French troops lately arrived in Boston. On the 21st, General Washington wrote to the French admiral at Newport, as follows : " I hope there will ba no occasion for a movement to the southward, for the 19* 222 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF want of force to act against New- York, as I flattered my- self that the glory of destroying the British squadron at New-York, is reserved for the king's fleet under your command, and that of the land forces, at the same place, for the allied armies." On the evening of the 18th, precisely at eight o'clock, the allied armies commenced a grand movement, and marched from their encampments down to New- York, and at four the next morning, they were drawn up in order of battle, while General Washington and Count Rocham- beau, with all the general oflicers and engineers, recon- noitered the enemy's works throughout their whole line. The next day they renewed their reconnoitering, and, in the afternoon, drew off" their troops and returned to their encampments. These movements, together with the removal of the heavy cannon and mortars, left at Boston in 1776, across the country to North River, and down to the army before New- York; as well as the intercepted correspondence, confirmed Sir Henry Clinton in his fears, and led him to withdraw a very considerable force from Lord Cornwallis, for the defence of New- York. At this eventful moment, Count de Grasse announced his arrival in the Chesapeake bay, with a fleet of twenty- four ships of the line, frigates, &c. The allied comman- ders forwarded assurances that they would put their troops in immediate motion, to co-operate with him. Count de Grasse landed 3,300 troops, under the com- mand of the Marquis de St. Simon, to reinforce the Mar- quis la Fayette. Monsieur de Barras, at the same time, sailed from Newport with the French squadron, to join Count de Grasse. General Washington committed the command of the forces before New-York to General Heath, and put him- self at the head of the allied armies, and by a rapid move- ment, marched to Philadelphia, and thence to the head of the River Elk. Sir Henry Clinton, in the mean time, despatched Ad- miral Graves in quest of Count de Grasse. On the 5th of September, he discovered the French fleet in Lynnhaven THE UNITED STATES. 223 Bay. At sight of the English fleet, Count de Grasse shp- ped his cables, and put to sea, and at 4 o'clock an action commenced. The French were victorious, and regained the bay ; but the English retired to New-York to repair. At this eventful moment, De Barras entered the bay and joined De Grasse, who sent up their transports to convey the allied armies down the bay. The allied com- manders, at the same time, held an interview with the Count de Grasse, on board the Ville de Paris, to settle the plan of operations. The allied armies, amounting to twelve thousand men, formed a junction with the Marquis, while Lord Corn- wallis fortified himself at Yorktown, in Virginia. The militia of Virginia took the field under Governor Nelson, and the movement seemed to portend some important re- sults. On the 27th of September, General W^ashington issued the following orders. " If the enemy should be tempted to meet the army on its march, the general particularly enjoins it upon the troops to place their principal reliance upon the bayonet, that they may prove the vanity of that boast which the British make, of their peculiar prowess in deciding battles with that weapon." The next morning, the whole army encamped about a mile from Yorktown, and lay on their arms through the next night. At the earnest solicitations of the command- er in chief and the marquis. Count de Grasse moved with his fleet up to the mouth of York River, and closely invest- ed Cornwallis. On the 6th of October, the trenches of the allies were opened upon his lordship, at the distance of 600 yards. On the 9th, the American line began to play upon York- town, with twenty-four eighteen and ten inch mortars, which continued through the night. The next morning, the French opened a destructive fire from their batteries, without intermission, for about eight hours ; and on the succeeding night, a terrible fire was kept up from the whole line, without intermission, until morning. The horrors of this scene were greatly heightened by the con- flagration of two British ships, set on fire by the shells of the allies, and consumed in the night. The next morn- 334 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ing, October 11th, the allies opened their second parallel, at the distance of two hundred yards, and another British ship was consumed by their shells. On the 14th, General Washington ordered two batta- I lions to advance to the second parallel, and begin a large battery in the centre, and in advance. The enemy met this movement with an incessant lire from two redoubts, n advance of their works, as well as from their whole line, that continued thi-ough the night. General Washington detached the Marquis La Fayette in the morning, at the head of the American light infan- try, supported by the Baron Viominel, from the line of the French, to advance and storm these redoubts, which had so annoyed them through the night. Lieut. Col. Ha- milton commanded the van of the corps of the Marquis La Fayette. The redoubt was promptly carried by La Fayette, at the point of the bayonet, but the captives were spared. The Marquis sent his aid, Major Barbour, through the whole line of the enemy's fire, to notify the Baron Viominel of his success, and inquire where he was, to which the Baron replied, " I am not in my redoubt, but shall be in five minutes ;" in five minutes his redoubt was carried. General Washington was highly gratified with the suc- cess of this exploit, and commended the officers and sol- diers engaged in it, in the highest terms, in the following general orders : " The Marquis La Fayette's division will mount the trenches to-morrow. The commander in chief congratu- lates the allied army on the success of the enterprise, last evening, against the two important redoubts on the left of the enemy's works. He requests the Baron Viominel, who commanded the French grenadiers, and the Marquis La Fayette, who commanded the American light infantry, to accept his warmest acknowledgments for the excel- lence of their dispositions, and for their own gallant con- duct on the occasion. And he begs them to present his thank's to every individual officer, and to the men of their respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which they advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the admirable firmness with which they f THE UNITED STATES. 225 supported them, under the fire of the enemy, without re- turning a shot. The general reflects, with the highest pleasure, on the confidence which the troops of the two nations must hereafter have in each other ; assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no danger which they will not cheerfully encounter, no difiiculty which they will not bravely overcome." On the morning of the 16th, his lordship detached Lieu- tenant Colonel Abercrombie, at the head of four hundred men, upon a sortie, to destroy two batteries the allies had erected in the night ; the enterprise succeeded, and he spiked the cannon. The French suffered severely in the defence of these works ; but the British gained no per- manent advantage. On the afternoon of the same day, the allies opened their batteries, covered with about one hundred pieces of heavy cannon, and such was their de- structive fire, that the British lines were soon demolished and silenced. Alarmed for his safety, his Ibrdship now began to prepare to retire ; his boats were collected, and a part of his army was embarked across to Gloucester Point, opposite to Yorktown, then under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton ; but a violent storm sud- denly arose, which defeated the plan, and it was with the greatest difficulty that his lordship could recover his boats, and restore the division. His lordship now seeing that all hope of succour or escape was vain, and that there was no alternative, to avoid the tremendous fire of the allies, but submission, requested a parley on the 18th, for twenty-four hours, and that commissioners might be appointed to arrange articles of capitulation. General Washington consented, and commissioners Avere appointed accordingly.* On the 19th the articles were signed, and his lordship, with the whole British army, marched out, prisoners of war The ships were the conquest of France. The same terms were prescribed by the commissioners to Lord Cornwallis, that had been prescribed to General Lincoln at Charles- * The commissioners on the part of the allies were the Viscount de Noailles, and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, whose father had been sent out by congress, as minister to the court of Versailles, and who was captured on his passage by the British, and confined in the tower of London, where he then remained in close confinement. 226 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ton, just eighteen months before ; he was refused the honours of war, and General Lincoln was deputed to re- ceive the sword of his lordship. Thus the mission of the Marquis La Fayette to France, in the winter of 1779 — 1780, was consummated by the fall of the hero of the south, at Yorktown. The noble generosity of the French officers to those of he British, after the capitulation, called forth the follow- ing acknowledgment of his lordship : " The deliberate sensibility of the officers of his most christian majesty towards our situation, their generous and pressing offers of money, both public and private, to any amount, has really gone beyond what I can possibly describe." Lord Cornwallis pressed hard for permission to em- bark the British and German troops to Europe, under suitable engagements, not to serve during the war ; also, that the tories might be protected ; but both were refused. His lordship was, however, indulged with the permission, that the Bonetta sloop of war might pass unsearched ; and many of the most obnoxious tories escaped from the rage of their injured and insulted countrymen. Seven thousand troops under the command of Earl Cornwallis, with 1500 seamen, were the subjects of this convention ; together with one frigate of twenty-four guns, besides transports, (twenty of which had been sunk or otherwise destroyed,) seventy-five brass, and sixty-nine iron ordnance, howitzers and mortars. Also a military chest containing 2,113Z. 6s. sterling, which, trifling as it was, could not fail to be acceptable to the army. His excellency. General Washington, closed this glori- ous scene at Yorktown, by publishing to the army, both officers and soldiers, in general orders, the grateful effu- sions of his heart, and ordered the whole to be assembled in divisions and brigades, to attend to divine service, and render thanks to that God who had given them the victory. Congress received the letter of General Washington on the 24th, announcing the capture of the British army, with the most cordial satisfaction, and immediately re- solved to move in procession at 2 o'clock, to the Luthe» ran church, and return thanks to Almighty God, for THE UNITED STATES. 227 'Owning with success the allied arms of America and •ance. Congress next resolved, that a proclamation be sued for the religious observance of the 13th of De- ;ember, then next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, throughout the United States. Thus joy, gratitude, and praise to God were united, and became universal, and swelled with transports every pa- triotic breast, throughout United America. Congress resolved on the 29th, " That thanks be pre- sented to General Washington, Count de Rochambeau, Count de Grasse, and the officers of the different corps, ind the men under their command, for their services, in the reduction of Lord Cornwallis." They next resolved, " That a marble column be erect- ed at Yorktown, adorned with emblems commemorative of the alliance between the United States and his most 't^hristian Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct account of the surrender of the British army." Congress next resolved, " That two stands of colours be presented to General Washington, and two pieces of ordnance be by him presented to Count de Rochambeau, as trophies of their illustrious victory; and that the Chevalier de la Luzerne, be requested to inform his most Christian Majesty, that it was the wish of Congress that Count de Grasse might be permitted to accept the same testimonials with the Count de Rochambeau. General Rochambeau, with his army, took up his win- ter quarters in Virginia ; but the troops under the com- mand of the Marquis de St. Simon were embarked for the West Indies, and the American troops returned to -their former stations, excepting such cavalry and infantry as were necessary to the service of General Greene ; these were sent forward in November, under the command of General St. Clair, toco-operate in the southern war. The French fleet, under the Count de Grasse, sailed at the same time for the West Indies, and the operations of the season were generally closed. His excellency. General Washington, retired to Phila- delphia, to give repose to his mind, as well as to confer with Congress upon the future exigencies of the nation. One universal expression of gratitude and applause 228 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF burst forth from all parts of the country, to the allied he- roes who fought under Washington, and triumphed over Britain. Ministers at the altar, of all denominations, caught the sacred flame, and the temples of Almighty God resounded with gratitude and praise to his great name throughout United America. This signal and decisive victory over Cornwallis, blasted the hope of the British government as regarded the subjection of the revolted colonies to their former allegiance. During nearly three months after the 12th of December, 1781, motions were frequently made in parliament for closing hostile operations against this country. On the 4th of March, 1782, the commons re- solved, " That the house would consider as enemies to his majesty and to the country, all those who should ad- vise or attempt the further prosecution of ofl'ensive war on the continent of North America." As one earnest of the sincerity of this resolution, the command of the Bri- tish forces was taken from Sir Henry Clinton, and given to Sir Guy Carleton, Avho was directed to advance the wishes of the British government, for an accommodation with the United States. Agreeable to his instructions, Sir Guy proposed a cor- respondence Avith congress, and solicited of the com- mander in chief, a passport for his secretary. This was however refused, as the United States had stipulated not to negotiate without the consent of the French govern- ment. As soon as information of the capture of Cornwallis was received at the French court, the government pro- posed to congress the immediate appointment of com- missioners to treat of peace. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, were according- ly chosen. These were met by Mr. Fitzherbert, and Mr. Oswald, at Paris, on the part of Great Britain. Provi- sional articles were signed on the 30th of November, 1782, and the definitive treaty was concluded in Septem- ber following. On the 18th of April, General Washington announced the cessation of hostilities between the two countries, in the following general orders : THE UNITED STATES. 229 *' The Commander in Chief orders the cessation of hos- iilities, between the United States of America and the King of Great Britain, to be publicly proclaimed to-mor- row at twelve o'clock, at the New Building; and the pro- clamation which will be communicated herewith, be read to-morrow evening, at the head of every regiment and corps of the army : after which, the chaplains, with the several brigades, will render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his overruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations. " The Commander in Chief, far from endeavouring to stifle the feeling of joy in his own bosom, ofi'ers his most cordial congratulations on the occasion, to all the officers of every denomination — to all the troops of the United States in general, and in particular to those gallant and persevering men, who had resolved to defend the rights of their invaded country so long as the war should con- tinue ; for these are the men Avho ought to be considered as the pride and boast of the American army, and who, crowned with well-earned laurels, may soon withdraw from the field of glory, to the more tranquil av alks of civil life. " While the General recollects the almost infinite va- riety of scenes through which we have passed with a mix- ture of pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude — while he contemplates the prospects before us with rapture, — he cannot help wishing that all the brave men, of whatever condition they may be, who have shared in the toils and dangers of efiecting this glorious revolution, of rescuing Kuillions from the hand of oppression, and of laying the foundation of a great empire, might be impressed with a proper idea of tb.e dignified part they have been called to act, under the smiles of Providence, on the stage of hii man aiiairs ; for happy, thrice happy, shall they be pro- nounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, who have performed the meanest ofiice in erecting this stu- pendous fabric of Freedom and Empire, on the broad basis of independency ; who have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and religions. 20 230 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF " The glorious task for which we first flew to arms, beinof thus accomplished, the liberties of our country being fully acknowledged and firmly secured, by the smiles of Heaven on the purity of our cause, and the honest exer- tions of a feeble people, determined to be free, agains-t a powerful nation disposed to oppress them ; and the cha- racter of those who have persevered through every ex*;^ tremity of hardship, suffering; and danger, being immor- talized by the illustrious appellation of the Patriot Army .,% — nothing now remains but for the actors of this mightyj scene to preserve a perfect, unvarying consistency of cha- racter through the very last act ; to close the drama with| applause ; and to retire from the military theatre with the^ same approbation of angels and men, v.hich have crowned:| all their former virtuous actions. " For this purpose, no disorder or licentiousness mustl be tolerated ; every considerate and well disposed sol-i dier must remember it will be absolutely necessary tc wait with patience, till peace shall be declared, or conJ gress shall be enabled to talce proper measures for the^ security of the public stores, &:c. So soon as these ar- rangements shall be made, tlic general is confident there! will be no delay in discharging, with every mark of dis-;[ linction and lionour, all the men enlisted for the war, whaj will then have faithfully performed their engagementsf with the public. The general has already interested him-i self in their behalf, and he thinks he need not repeat the assurances of his disposition to be useful to them on th€ present, and every other proper occasion. In the mean time, he is determined that no military neglects or e? cesses shall go unpunished, while he retains the commaniJ of the army. " The adjutant-general will have such working parties detailed to assist in making the preparation for a genera rejoicing, as the chief engineer, with the army, shall call for, and the quarter-master-general will also furnish sucl materials as he may want. The quarter-roaster-genera will, without delay, procure such a number of discharge^ to be printed as will be suflicient for all the men enlisted for the war ; he will please to apply at head-quarters ioi the form. An extra ration of liquor to be issued to cver\ THE UNITED STATES. 231 iman to-morroxi\ to drink perpetual peace, independence, dnd happiness, to the United States of America.''^ It is not a little remarkable, that these general orders : of the commander-in-chief were read to the army, just eight years from the battle of Lexington. The farewell orders of the general were issued to the army on the 2d of November, from which the following is a selection. " A contemplation of the complete attainment, at a period earlier than could have been expected, of the ob- ject for which we contended, against so formidable a power, cannot but inspire us with astonishment and gra- titude. The disadvantageous circumstances on our part, under which the war was undertaken, can never be for- gotten. The signal interpositions of Providence, in our feeble condition, were such as could scarcely escape the attention of the most unobserving, while the unparalleled perseverance of the armies of the United States, through almost every possible suffering and discouragement, for the space of eignt long years, was little short of a stand- ing miracle." His closing words are, " and being now to conclude these his last public orders, to t-ake his ulti- mate leave, in a snort time, of the military character, and to bid adieu to the armies he has so long had the honour to command, he can only again offer in their behalf his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's favours, both here and hereafter, attend those who, under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others ! With these wishes, and this benediction, the Commander in Chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him will be for ever closed." The army was now disbanded by the proclamation oi congress, of which Dr. Thatcher gives the following sketch, with the parting scene between General Washing- ton and his officers. "Painful, indeed, was the parting scene; no descrip tion can be adequate to the tragic exhibition. Both offi ■ cars and soldiers, long unaccustomed to the affairs of pri- vate life, turned loose on the world to starve, and to be- 232 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF come a prey to vulture speculators. Never can that me- lancholy day be forgotten, when friends, companions for seven long years in joy and in sorrow, were torn asun- der, wdthout the hope of ever meeting again, and with prospects of a miserable subsistence in future. " Among other incidents peculiarly afiecting on this oc- casion, were the lamentations of women and children, arnestly entreating that those with whom they had been connected in the character of husband and father, would not withdraw from them the hand of kindness and pro- tection, and leave them in despair ; but, in several in- stances, the reply was, ' no, we took you as companions during the war, and now we are destitute of the means of support, and you must provide for yourselves.' " Novonber 2bth. — The British army evacuated New York, and the American troops u«der General Knox took possession of the city. Soon after, General Wash- ington, and Governor Clinton, with tlieir suite, made their public entry into the city on liorseback, followed by the lieutenant governor, and the members of council, for the temporary government of the southern district, four abreast. General Knox, and the officers of the army, eight abreast ; citizens on horseback, eight abreast — the speaker of the assembly, and the citizens on foot, eight abreast. The governor gave a public dinner, at which the commander in chief; and other general officers, were- present. The arrangements for the whole business were so well made and executed, that the most admirable tran- quillity succeeded through the day and night. On Mon- day the government gave an elegant entertainment to the French ambassador, the Chevalier de la Luzerne ; Gene- ral Washington, the principal officers of New-York state, and of the army, and upwards of a hundred gentlemen, "were present. Magnificent fireworks, infinitely exceed- ing every thing of the kind before seen in the United States, were exhibited at the Bowling Green in Broad- way, on the evening of Tuesday, in celebration of the definitive treaty of peace. Thev commenced by a dove descending with the olive branch, and setting fire to a marron battery. On Tuesday noon, December 4th, the principal officers THE UxNlTED STATED. iJ33 of the army assembled at Francis' tavern, to take a final leave of their much loved commander in chief. Soon after his excellency entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed. Filling a glass, he turned to them and said, ' With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your for- mer ones have been glorious and honourable.' Having drank, he added, ' I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and take me by the hand.' General Knox being nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Wash- lington, ill tears, gi-asped his hand, embraced and kissed ihim. In the same affectionate manner he took leave of each succeeding oilicer. In every eye was the tear of dig- nified sensibility, and not a word was articulated to inter- rupt the eloquent silence and tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, and walked to White Hall, where a barge waited to convey him to Paulus' Hook. The whole company followed in mute and solemn procession, with dejected countenances, testifying feelings of delicious melancholy, which no language can describe. Having entered the barge, he turned to ine company, and, waving his hat, bade them a silent adieu. They paid him the same affec- tionate compliment, and, after the barge had left them, re- turned in the same solemn manner to the place where they had assembled. The passions of human nature were never more tenderly agitated than in this interesting and distressful scene." Congress was now in session at Annapolis, to whom, on the 23d of December, the commander in chief resign- ed his commission. " The governor^ council, and legis lature of Maryland, several general officers, the Consu. General of France, and numerous citizens of Annapolis were present. Congress were seated, and covered, as re- presentatives of the sovereignty of the union ; the spec- tators were uncovered, and standing. The general was introduced to a chair by the secretary, who, after a decent interval, ordered silence. A short pause ensued, 30* 234 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF when the honourable Thomas Mifflin, the president, m formed the general, that " the United States, in congress | assembled, v/ere prepared to receive his communications.";] On which he rose, with dignity, and delivered this ad dress : " Mr. President — The great events on which my resig nation depended, having at length taken place, I now have the honour of ofl'ering my sincere congratulation to con-^ gress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrende into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claims the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.i " Happy in the confirmation of our independence and- sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States, of becoming a respectable nation, X resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with, diffidence ; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so'j arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by »' confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and the patronage ot Heaven. " The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations, — my gi-atitude for the inter- positions of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increase with every review of the] momentous contest. " While I respect my obligations to the army in gene ral, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to ac knowledge in this place, the peculiar services and distin- guished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to compose my family, should have been more fortunate. Permit me. Sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the services to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of congress. I consider it as an indispen- sable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our country, to the pro- tection of Almighty God, and those who have the super- ijitendence of them to his holy keeping. " Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action ; and bidding an affec- THE UNITED STATES. 235 tionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." When accepting his commission, congress, through their president, expressed in glowing language to Wash- ington, their high sense of his wisdom and energy, in con- i ducting the war to so happy a termination, and invoking the choicest blessings upon his future life. President Mifflin concluded as follows : " We join you in commending the interest of our country to the protec- tion of Almighty God, beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportu- nity afforded them of becoming a happy nation. And our prayers for you, sir, that your days may be happy, and He will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." CHAPTER XHI. Of tlie Confederation. Formation and adoption of the present Constitution of the United States. On the 12th of July, 1777, articles of confederation and perpetual union were drawn up by congress, and ratified by twelve of the states in the December following. This instrument was so imperfect as to be termed by some " a rope of sand." Brittle as it was, however, it carried the people through a perilous war, and what it lacked in ener- gy, was supplied by the spirit of the times. But when the olive branch of peace succeeded to the clarion of war and the din of arms — when private interest took prece dence of public spirit, and intrigue usurped the place of national virtue, the wants of the country called for a more energetic compact, and the cause of reptiblican America required a more eflicient safeguard. To effect this object, a convention was proposed, which held its session in Philadelphia. In this august body Ge- neral Washington' had a seat, and was chosen president. On the 17th of September, 1787, the finishing hand was 236 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF put to the Constitution, which was submitted to the differ ent states, and ratified, at first, but by eleven, North Caro- lina and Rhode Island refusing their assent. The former assented to it in 1789, and the latter in 1790. In 1789, General George Washington was elected first president of the United States. It was with great reluctance that he accepted this of- fice. His feelings, as he said himself, Avere like' those of a culprit, going to the place of execution. But the voice of a whole continent, the pressing recommendation of his particular friends, and the apprehension that he should otherwise be considered as unwilling to hazard his reputation in executing a system which he had as- sisted in forming, determined him to accept the appoint- ment. In Api-il he ]t?ft Mount Vernon to proceed to New-York, and to enter on the duties of his high office. He every where received testimonies of respect and love. At Trenton, the gentler sex rewarded him for his success- ful enterprise, and the protection which he afforded them twelve years before. On the bridge over the creek, which passes through the town, was erected a trimnphal arch, ornamented with laurels and flowers, and supported by thirteen pillars, each encircled with wreaths of ever- green. On the front of the arch Avas inscribed, in large -i gilt letters, THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHER WILL BE THE PRO- TECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS. At this place he was met by a party of matrons, leading j their daughters, who were dressed in white, and who, , with baskets of flowers in their hands, sung, with exqui* site sweetness, the following ode, written for the occa* sion : — Welcome, mi^-hty chief, once more Welcome to this grateful shore ; j Now no mercenary foe u Aims again the fatal blow, •- '« Aims at thee the fatal blow. .ll Virgins fair and matrons grave, Those thy conq'ring arms did saTC, THE UNITED STATES. 237 Build for thee triumphal bowers; Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers, Strew your hero's way with flowers. , At the last line, the flowers were strewed before him. After receiving such proofs of affectionate attachment, he arrived at New-York, and was inaugurated first President [of the United States, on the thirtieth of April. In ma king the necessary arrangements of his household, he publicly announced, that neither visits of business nor of ceremony would be expected on Sunday, as he wished to reserve that day sacredly to himself. In an impressive address to both houses of Congress, he declared, with characteristic modesty, his " incapacity for the mighty and untried cares before him," and offered his " fervent supplications to that Almighty Being whose Iprovidential aid can supply every human defect, that his benediction would consecrate to the liberties and happi- ness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and would enable every instrument, employed in its adminis- tration, to execute, with success, the functions allotted to his charge." At the close of the revolution, the people anticipated independence and peace ; but they were somewhat disap- pointed ; debts, contracted during the war, bore heavily upon the people. To remedy these evils, Congress applied to the states for a grant of the power to regulate commerce, and to collect a revenue from it. New-York alone refused ; but as unanimity was requisite, her single negative defeated the project. In the mean time the distress increased, .and in Massachusetts, where it was the greatest, urged to ; insurrection a portion of the inhabitants. Near the close [of the year 1786, they assembled to the number of two thousand, in the northwestern part of the state ; and i choosing Daniel Shays for their leader, demanded that the collection of debts should be suspended, and that the le- gislature should authorise the emission of paper money j for general circulation. ' Tvi'o bodies of militia, drawn from those parts of the state where disaffection did not prevail, were immediately 238 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF despatched against them, one under the command of Ge' neral Lincoln, and the' other of General Shepherd. They were easily dispersed ; and afterwards abandoning their seditious purposes, accepted the proffered indemnity of the government. It was a question whether the general government should be supported or abandoned, or whether the object of the revolution should be realized or lost. In May, 1787, commissioners were appointed and as sembled at Philadelphia ; George Washington was una nimously elected president. They deliberated with closed doors, and happily it Avas agreed to sacrifice local interest on the altar of public good. An abstract of this constitution, with its several subse quent amendments, follow s : it is extracted from Mr. Web- 'stei''s Elements of Useful Knowledge. Of the Legislature. " The legislative power of the United States is vested in a congress, consisting of two houses or branches, a senate, and a house of representa- tives. The members of the house of representatives are chosen once in two years, by the persons who are qualified to vote for members of the most numerous branches of the legislature, in each state. To be entitled to a seat in this house, a person must have attained to the age of twenty-five years, been a citizen of the United States for seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state in which he is chosen. Of the Senate. " The senate consists of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature for six years. The senate is divided into three classes, the seat of one of which is vacated every second year. If a vacancy hap- pens during the recess of the legislature, the executive of the state makes a temporary appointment of a senator until the next meeting of the legislature. A senator must have attained to the age of thirty years, been a citizen of f the United States nine years, and be an inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen. Of the powers of the txoo Houses. " The house of re- presentatives choose their own speaker, and other officers, and have the exclusive power of impeaching public offi- cers, and originating bills for raising a revenue. The THE UNITED STATES. 239 vice-president of the United States is president of the senate ; but the other officers are chosen by the senate. The senate tries all impeachments; each house determines the validity of the elections and qualifications of its own members, forms its own rules, and keeps a journal of its proceedings. The members are privileged from arrest, while attending on the session, going to, or returning from tlie same, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. Of the powers of Congress. " The congress of the United States have power to make and enforce all laws, which are necessary for the general welfare — as to lay and collect taxes, imposts, and excises ; borrow money, regulate commerce, establish uniform rules of naturaliza- tion, coin money, establish post roads and post offices, promote the arts and sciences, institute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court, define and punish piracy, declare war and make reprisals, raise and support armies, pro- vide a navy, regulate the militia, and to make all laws ne- cessary to carry these powers into effect. Of Restrictions. " No bill of attainder, or retrospec- tive law, shall be passed ; the writ of habeas corpus can- not be suspended except in cases of rebellion or inva- sion ; no direct tax can be laid, except according to a census of the inhabitants ; no duty can be laid on exports ; no money can be drawn from the treasury, unless ap- propriated by law ; no title of nobility can be granted, nor can any public officer, without the consent of con- gress, accept of any present or title from any foreign prince or state. The states are restrained from emitting bills of credit, from making any thing but gold or silver a tender for debts, and from passing any law impairing private contracts. Of the Executive. " The executive power of the Uni ted States is vested in a president, who holds his office for four years. To qualify a man for president, he must have been a citizen at the adoption of the constitution, or must I be a native of the United States ; he must have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident vv ithin the United States. Tlie president and vice-president are chosen by electors designated in such a 2i0 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF manner as the legislature of each state shall direct. The numbers of electors, in each state, is equal to the whole number of senators and representatives. Of the 'powers of the President. " The president of the United States is commander in chief of the army and navy, and of the militia, Avhen in actual service. He grants reprieves and pardons ; nominates, and, with the consent of the senate, appoints ambassadors, judges, and other officers ; and, with the advice and consent of the^ senate, forms treaties, provided two thirds of the senate agree. He fills vacancies in offices which happen during the recess of the senate. He convenes the congress on extraordinary occasions, receives foreign ministers, gives information to Congress of the state of public afi'airs, and, in general, takes care that the laws be faithfully exe- cuted. Of the Judiciary. " The judiciary of the United States consists of one supreme court, and such inferior courts as the Congress shall ordain. The judges are to hold their offices during good behaviour, and their salaries cannot be diminished during their continuance in office. The ju- dicial power of these courts extends to all cases in law and equity, arising under the constitution or laws of the United States, and under treaties ; to cases of public mi- nisters and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty and mari- time jurisdiction ; to controversies between the states, and in which the United States are a party ; between citizens of ditlerent states ; between a state and a citizen of an- other state, and between citizens of the same state claim- ing under grants of diflercnt states ; and to causes between one of the states or an American citizen, and a foreign state or citizen. Of Rights and Irmnunities. " In all criminal trials, except impeachment, the trial by jury is guaranteed to the accused. Treason is restricted to the simple acts of le- vying war against the United States, and adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort ; and no person can be convicted, but by two witnesses to the same act, or by confession in open court. A conviction of treason is not followed by a corruption of blood, to disinherit the heirs of the criminal, nor by a forfeiture of estate, except THE UNITED STATES. 24! during the life of the offender. The citizens of each state are entitled to all privileges and immunities of citi- zens in the several states. Congress may admit nev/ states into the Union ; and the national compact guaran- tees to each state a republican form of government, to- gether with protection from foreign invasion and domes- tic violence. It has already been stated, that in April, 1789, General Washington took the chair as the first president of the United States, Messrs. Jeflerson, Hamilton, and General Knox, appointed secretaries, and Edmund Randolph, at- torney-general. The secretary of the treasury was directed to prepare a plan for the support of public credit, and report the same at their next meeting. After the adjournment of congress, the president made a tour through New-England, where he was received by the inhabitants with an afi'ection bordering on adoration. People of all classes crowded to behold the man whose virtues and talents exalted him, in their view, above the heroes of ancient and modern times ; and to present to him the undissembled homage of their grateful hearts. But to none did his visit give more exquisite pleasure. than to the officers and soldiers of the " patriot army," who had been his companions in suffering and in victory, who were endeared to him by their bravery and fidelity in war, and by the magnanimity with which, in peace, they endured unmerited neglect and poverty. At the next session of congress, which commenced in January, 1790, Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the trea- sury, made his celebrated report upon the public debts contracted during the revolutionary war. Taking an able and enlarged view of the advantages of public cre- dit, he recommended that, not only the debts of the con- tinental congress, but those of the states, arising from their exertions in the common cause, should be funded or assumed by the general government ; and that provi- sion should be made for paying the interest, by imposing taxes on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within the country. Upoii this report, an animated debate took place. Its 31 242 UNIVERSAL fflSTORY OF recommendations were opposed by that party who had seen, or thought they had seen, in the constitution, many features hostile to freedom, and Avho remembered that Mr. Hamihon, when a member of the convention, had proposed that the president and senate should be ap- pointed to hold their offices during good behaviour. They now expressed their fears, that the assumption of these debts would render the government still stronger, by drawing around it a numerous and powerful body of pub- lic creditors, who, in all the contests with the states or the people, would be bound, by the strongest of all ties, that of interest, to support it, whether right or wrong. This party, existing principally in the southern states, and professing an ardent attachment to the equal rights of man, took the name of republican. Mr. Madison proposed, that Avhenever the public se- curities had been transferred, the highest price wnich they had borne in the market should be paid to the pur- chaser, and the residue to the original holder. After an eloquent debate, this proposition was rejected. The party denominated federal, and existing principally in the north- ern states, supported throughout, with great ability and force, of reasoning, the plans of the secretary ; but on tak- ing the vote in the house of representatives, they were rejected by a majority of two. Afterwards this national measure Avas connected, as is too frequently the case in legislative bodies, with one which had excited much local feeling. It was understood that, should the seat of government be fixed for ten years at Philadelphia, and afterwards permanently at a place to be selected on the Potomac, some southern members would withdraw their opposition to the funding system. A law to that effect Avas accordingly enacted. The for- mer discussion Avas then resumed. The plans of the se- cretary were adopted in the senate, and afterAvards in the house, tAVO members representing districts on the Potomac changing their votes. The debt funded amounted to a little more than seventy-five millions of dollars ; upon a part of Avhich three per cent., and upon the remainder six per cent, interest Avas to be paid. The effect of this measure AA^as great and rapid. The THE UNITED STATES. 343 price of the public paper, which had fallen lo twelve or fifteen cents on the dollar, suddenly rose to the sum ex- pressed on the face of it. This difference was gained, in most instances, by purchasers of the securities, who, feel- ing indebted, for this immense accession of wealth, to the plans of the secretary, regarded him with enthusiastic at- tachment. But in others, this wealth, suddenly acquired without merit, excited envy and dissatisfaction. These joined the republican party ; who fancying they were wit- nessing the fulfilment of their prediction, became more active in their opposition. The recommendation of the secretary to impose addi- tional duties, was not acted upon until the next session of congress. Those on distilled spirits were proposed in order to render the burdens of the inhabitants beyond the Allegany mountains, where no other spirits were con- sumed, equal to those of the inhabitants on the sea coast, who consumed most of the articles on which an impost duty was paid. Iji the beginning of year 1791, they were laid as proposed. A national bank, recommended also by the same officer, was in the same year incorporated. Both measures met a violent opposition from the republi- can party. When the new government was first organized, but eleven states had ratified the constitution. Afterwards, North Carolina and Rhode Island, the two dissenting states, adopted it; the former in November, 1789, the latter in May, 1790. In 1791, Vermont adopted it, and applied to congress to be admitted into the union. The territory of this state, situated between New-Hampshire and New-York, was claimed by both, and both had made grants of land within its limits. In 1777, the inhabitants, refusing to submit to either, declared themselves independent. Although not repre- sented in the continental congress, yet, during the war, they embraced the cause of their brethren in the other states, and to them their aid was often rendered, and was always efficient. Agreeably to their request, an act was now passed, constituting Vermont one of the members of the union. An act was also passed, declaring that the district of Kentucky, then a part of Virginia, should be ^4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF admitted into the union on the first day of June, in the succeeding year. In 1791, was completed the first census or enumera- tion of the inhabitants of the United States. They amounted to 3,921,326, of which number 695,655 were slaves. The revenue, according to the report of the secretary of the treasury, amounted to 4,771,000 dollars, the exports to about nineteen, and the imports to about twenty millions. A great improvement in the circum- stances of the people began at this period to be visible. The establiahmeut of a firm and regular government, and confidence in the men whom they had chosen to adminis- ter it, gave an impulse to their exertions, which bore them rapidly forward in the career of prosperity. In 1790, a termination was put to the war, which, for several years, had raged between the Creek Indians and the state of Georgia. Pacific overtures were also made to the hostile tribes inhabiting the banks of the Scioto and the Wabash. These being rejected, an army of 1400 men, commanded by General Harmer, was despatched against them. Two battles were fought near Chilicothe, in Ohio, between successive detachments from this army, and the Indians, in which the latter were victorious. Emboldened by these successes, they made more vigo- rous attacks upon the frontier settlements, which suffered all the distressing calamities of an Indian war. Addi- tional troops were raised, and the command of the whole was given to General St. Clair. With near 2000 men, he marched, in October, into the wilderness. By desertion and detachments, this force was reduced to fourteen hun- dred men. On the third of November they encamped a few miles from the villages on the Miami, intending to remain there until joined by those who were absent. But, before sunrise the next morning, just after the troops were dismissed from the parade, they were attack- ed unexpectedly by the Indians. The new levies, who were in front, rushed back in confusion upon the regu* lars. These, who had been hastily formed, were thrown into disorder. They, however, with great intrepidity, ad- vanced into the midst of the enemy, who retired from covert to covert, keeping always beyond reach, and again THE UNITED STATES. 245 returning as soon as the troops were recalled from pur- suit. In these charges, many brave and experienced offi- cers were killed ; the loss of men was also great, and no permanent impression was made upon the enemy. At length, after a contest of three or four hours, St. Clair, whose ill health disabled him from performing the active duties of commander, determined to withdraw from the field the remnant of his troops. The instant that the directions to retire were given, a disorderly flight commenced. Fortunately for the survivors, the victorious Indians were soon recalled from pursuit to the camp, by their avidity for plunder ; and the vanquished continued their retreat unmolested to the frontier settlements. In this battle, the numbers engaged on both sides were supposed to be equal. Of the whites, the slaughter was almost beyond example. Six hundred and thirty were killed and missing, and two hundred and sixty were ivounded — a loss which proves at once the obstinacy of the defence, and the bravery of the assailants. On re- ceiving information of this disaster, congress, resolving to prosecute the war with increased vigour, made provi- sion for augmenting, by enlistment, the military force of the nation to 5000 men. About the first of August, 1794, General Wayne ad- vanced upon the banks of the Miami, at a distance of about thirty miles from the enemy's fort, where he re- ceived an additional force from Kentucky under the com- mand of General Scott. The general made one more effort to settle a peace with the Indians, by inviting them to meet him in a council ; but failing in this, he marched against them with his whole force down the Miami, until he reached the rapids, when his advanced guard, under Major Price, fell into an Indian ambuscade. A rapid and vigorous charge roused the savages from their coverts, and they were driven more than two miles at the point of the bayonet. Broken and dismayed, they fled without renewing the combat. The general returned to his former station by easy marches, and laid waste the Indian villages and cornfields. By means of this victory over the Miamis, a general '21* »46 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF war with the Six Nations, and all the tribes northwest of the Ohio, was prevented. The Americans had thirty- three killed, viz. 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 3 sergeants, 28 privates. Wounded — 4 captains, 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 3 corporals, 2 musicians, 84 privates. Total, one hundred. We learn, by a deserter from the fort to General Wayne, that a counsel of Indians was held a few days after the defeat, in which the British agents endeavoured to persuade them to risk another action ; but this they re- fused to do, expressing a willingness to bury the bloody hatchet, and return to their homes. Their loss they declared to be 200 killed, besides a large number wounded and missing. The brave and heroic conduct of every officer and pri- vate belonging to the American army, merit the approba- tion of every American citizen. In the autumn of 1792, General Washington was again unanimously elected president of the American republic, and in March, 1793, was inducted into office. Mr. Adams was re-elected vice-president, in opposition to George Clinton, of New-York. In the progress of these elec- tions, but little party feeling was exhibited ; the repose of society was not disturbed, but the citizens raised to posts of the highest honour, those whom their judgments and affisctions designated as the most worthy. Early in April, information was received of the decla- ration of war by France, against England and Holland. The United States were greatly interested for the success of France, which had assisted us during our revolution. The French people, at the same time, regarded the Americans as their brethren, bound to them by the ties of gratitude ; and when the kings of Europe, dreading the establishment of republicanism in her borders, assembled in arms to restore monarchy to France, she looked across the Atlantic for sympathy and assistance. The new go- vernment, recalling the minister whom the king had ap- pointed, despatched the citizen Genet, of ardent temper, and a zealous republican, to supply his place. In April, 1793, he arrived at Cliarleston, in South Carolina, where he was received, by the governor and the citizens, in a THE UNITED STATES. 247 manner expressive of their warm attachment to his coun- try, and their cordial approbation of the change in her institutions. Flattered by his reception, and presuming that the na- tion and the government were actuated by similar feel- ings, he assumed the authority of expediting privateers from that port to cruise against the vessels of nations who were enemies to France, but at peace with the United States, a procedure forbidden by the laws of nations, and derogatory to the government of the country. Notwith- standing this illegal assumption of power, he received, on his journey to Philadelphia, extravagant marks of public attachment; and, on his arrival there, "crowds flocked from every avenue of the city, to meet the republican ambassador of an allied nation." Intoxicated by these continued and increased demonstrations of regard, he per sis ted in forming and executing scliemes of hostility against the enemies of France. Mr. Hammond and the American cabinet disapproved of these proceedings, and laid them before the pre»iildent who appealed to the French government, and they re solved that Genet should be succeeded by Mr. Fauchel and Mr. Monroe Avas sent out to France to succeed Mi Morris. The first day of Jaramry, 1794, Mr. Jefferson, the secretary, resigned, le.d was succeeded by Edmund Randolph. Ever since the peace of 1783, the United States and Great Britain complained of each other as violating the stipulation contained in the treaty. The latter was accu- sed of carryinjgr away negroes, and the former for pre- venting the ]o/i._:sts from regaining possession of their estates, and British subjects from recovering the debts '.ontracte/ Sefore the commencement of hostilities. Mr. John Jay was appointed envoy extraordinary to the court of Great Britain, and succeeded in negotiating a treaty with the court of St. James, in June, 1795. Mr. Hamilton retired from the office of secretary, and was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott, of Connecticut. As the time for a new election of president approached, Washington signified his intention to retire from public life, and published, at the same time, his farewell address 848 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF CHAPTER XIV. Adams's Administration, In February, 1797, John Adams was declared to be elected president for the term of four years, commencing 4th of March, and Mr. Jefferson, vice-president. Wash- ington retired to Mount Vernon, having established his fame as the greatest hero, and most distinguished states- man of the age. He there devoted his time to the culti- vation of an extensive farm, and to the enjoyment, once more, of the svv^eets of private life. March 4th, Mr. Adams entered upon the duties of his office. The numerous tribes of Indians on the western territories, had been taught, by arms and justice, to re- spect the United States, and continue at peace. Trea- ties had been formed with Algiers and Tripoli, so that the Mediterranean was opened to American vessels. The administration of Mr. Adams was met at the threshold, by open indignity on the part of France, in her refusing to accept Mr. Pinckney in exchange for Mr. Monroe. This refusal roused the sensibilities of Mr Adams, and he immediately nominated two others, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Gerry, who were sent out to France to co-operate with Mr. Pinckney, if possible, to settle an accommodation with the directory. To command the armies of the United States, Presi- dent Adams, with the unanimous advice of the senate, ap- pointed George Washington. He consented, but with great reluctance, to accept the office; declaring, however, that he cordially approved the measures of the govern- ment. No opportunity was presented of testing the skill and courage of the American troops. At sea, a desperate ac- tion was fought between the frigate Constellation, of 38 guns, commanded by Commodore Truxton, and the French frigate LTnsurgente, of 40 guns. The latter, al- though of superior force, was captured. The same in- trepid officer, in a subsequent action, compelled another French frigate of 50 guns to strike her colours, but she afterwards eacaped in the night. THE UNITED STATES. S4S The United States, in arms at home, and victorious on the ocean, commanded the respect of their enemy. — The directory made overtures of peace. The president immediately appointed ministers, who, on their arrival at Paris, found the executive authority in the possession of Bonaparte as first consul. They were promptly accredit- ed, and in September, 1800, a treaty was concluded satis- factory to both countries. While this negotiation was in progress, the whole American people were overshadowed with gloom, by the eudden death of the father of his country. On the 14th of December, 1799, after an illness of one day only, Ge- neral Washington expired. Intelligence of this event, as it rapidly spread, produced spontaneous, deep, and unaf- fected grief, suspending ev^ery other thought, and absorb- ing every dilTerent feeling. Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, immediately adjourned. On assembling the next day, the House of Representatives resolved, "• that the speaker's chair should be shrouded in black, and the members wear black during the session ; and that a joint committee should be ap- pointed to devise the most suitable manner of paying ho- nour to the memory of the MAN, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." The senate, on this melancholy occasion, addressed a letter of condolence to the president of the United States. " This event," they observe, " so distressing to all our fellow citizens, must be particularly heavy to you, who have long been associated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, sir, to mingle our tears with yours. On this occasion, it is manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns a father. The Almighty Disposer of hu- man events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to HIM who maketh darkness his pavilion. " With patriotic pride we review the life of our WASHINGTON, and compare him with those of other countries who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Greatness ■a id guilt have too often been allied ; but his fame Is 250 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyer of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendour of victory. " Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God, his glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on earth in his spotless example — his spirit is in heaven. Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic general, the patriotic statesman, and the virtuous sage : let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labours, and of his example, are their inheritance.'''' Agreeably to the report of the committee, and the una- nimous resolves of congress, a funeral procession moved from the legislative hall to the German Lutheran Church, where an oration was delivered by General Lee, a repre- sentative from Virginia. The procession was grand and solemn, the oration impressive and eloquent. Through- out the union similar marks of affliction were exhibited. A whole bereaved people appeared in mourning. In every part of the republic, funeral orations were delivered, and the best talents of the nation were devoted to an expres- sion of the nation's grief. In 1800, congress removed from Philadelphia to a place which had been previously selected ; and public buildings were erected on the Potomac, a few miles above Mount Vernon, to which the name of Washington was given, and congress commenced its session for the first time at this place in November. President Adams' first term was drawing nigh to a close, and the people were to give their votes for the next president. The federalists supported Mr. Adams, and General Pinckney ; the republicans, Mr. Jefferson and Colonel Burr. The strife of the two parties during the time of elec* tioi\pering, was spirited. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr re- ceived a very small majority, and their votes were equal, each having seventy-three. The house of representatives was called to make a decision. After thirty-five trials, Mr. Jefferson was chosen president, and Mr. Burr vice- president. At this period the population amounted to THE UNITED STATES. 2B1 6,819,763, having increased about one million four hun- dred thousand, in ten years. Mr. Jefi'crson entered upon the duty of president March 4th, 1801. Mr. Jefferson took a bold and decided stand, as may be seen by the following extract from his message : " Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or poUtical, — peace, commerce, and honest friendship, with all nations, entangling alli- ances with none ; the support of the state governments in all their rights, as the most competent administration for our domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies ; — the preservation of the ge- neral government in its whole constitutional vigour, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home, and safety abroad: — a jealous care of the right of election by the people, a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lopped by the sword of revolution where peaceable remedies are unprovided : — absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of republics, from Avhich is no appeal but to force, the vital principle, and im- mediate parent of despotisms : — a well-disciplined militia, our best reliance in peace, and for the first moments of war, till regulars may relieve them : — the supremacy of the civil over the military authority : — economy in the public expense, that labour maybe lightly burthened. " The honest payment of our debts, and sacred preser- vation of the public faith : — encouragement of agricul- ture, and of commerce as its hand-maid : — the diffusion of information, and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason : — freedom of religion ; freedom of the press ; and freedom of person, under the protection of the habeas corpus : — and trial by juries impartially se- lected." " These principles," added Mr. Jefferson, " should be the creed of our political faith — and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps, and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety." In 1802, Ohio was admitted as an independent state into the union. It derived its name from the River Ohio, which sweeps the southern border of the state, Louisi- ^Z UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ana was purchased by the United States in April, 1S03 for the snm of fifteen milUons of dollars. The Tripolitan cruisers continued to harass the ves' sels of the United States, and congress determined to act with greater vigour against them. Accordingly, a squad- ron was fitted out, and the command given to Commodore Preble. On arriving before Tripoli, Captain Bainbridge, in the frigate Philadelphia, of 44 guns, was sent into the harbour to reconnoitre. While in eager pursuit of a smalj vessel, he unfortunately advanced so far that the frigate grounded, and all attempts to remove her were in vain The sea around her was immediately covered with Tripo- litan gun-boats, and Captain Bainbridge was compelled to surrender. The officers Avere considered as prisoners of war ; but the crew, according to the custom of Barbara were treated as slaves. At the capture of this frigate, the enemy rejoiced an(} exulted beyond measure. Lieutenant Stephen DecaUir conceived the design of retaking, or destroying her. Commodore Preble, applauding the spirit of the youthful hero, granted him permission to make tlxe attempt. In February, 1804, he sailed from Syracuse, in a small schooner, having on board but seventv-six men, entered undiscovered the harbour of Tripoli, and, advancing boldl)', took a station alongside the frigate. Perceiving the crew in consternation, Decatur spi'ang on board, his men followed, and, with drawn swords, rushed upon the enemy. The decks were soon cleared, some being killed, and others driven into the sea, A heavy cannonade upon the frigate, from the batte- ries on shore, and the corsairs near, was now commenced and several vessels of war were seen approaching. She was set on fire and abandoned, none of the party being killed, and but four wounded. Throughout all the pira- tical states, this brilliant exploit exalted the reputation of the American arms. The president, in reward of his ad- dress and bravery, promoted Lieutenant Decatur to the rank of post-captain in the navy. The Bashaw, who might well be compared to the toad which wished to swell itself to the size of an ox, reposed in fancied security. He cast a malignant glance at the THE UNITED STATES. 253 little squadron in which Decatur was one of the distin- guished leaders. He saw in the bay, spreading before his city, his batteries, and his castles, a noble American fri- gate, (the Philadelphia,) and the pride of the American navy, upon which the " star spangled banner" once tri- umphantly waved, now added to his naval force, manned by a double crew of Tripoli tans, and with the Turkish crescent waving on its mast. He saw its once gallan crew, miserable slaves in his own gloomy dungeons ; and, in anticipation, feasted his cannibal appetite upon all the victims which the American squadron could add to his list of Christian slaves. The American squadron obliged the Bashaw to smell their powder, and taste their lead, so frequently, that he was obliged to offer favourable terms of peace, which were accepted, and the war in the Mediterranean ended. In June, 1804, Colonel Burr challenged Mr. Hamilton to settle some trifling ofi'ence by a duel, in which the lat- ter was killed. This year Mr. Jefferson Avas re-elected president, and George Clinton, vice-president ; and their term of office commenced in March, 1805. This year Michigan be- came a government of the United States, and General Hull was appointed by Mr. Jefferson the first governor. Burr, notwithstanding his brilliant talents, now sunk, for a time, irTto merited obscurity. His future conduct showed, however, that, while unobserved by his fellow- citizens, he had not been idle. In the autumn of 1806, his movements in the western country attracted the no- tice of government. He had purchased and was build- ing boats on the Ohio, and engaging men to descend that river. His declared purpose was to form a settlement on the banks of the Washita, in Louisiana ; but the cha- racter of the man, the nature of his preparations, and the incautious disclosures of his associates, led to the suspi- cion that his true object was either to gain possession of New-Orleans, and erect into a separate government the country watered by the Mississippi and its branches, or to invade, from the territories of the United States, the rich Spanish province of Mexico. From the first moment of suspicion, he was closely 22 254 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF watched by the agents of the government. At Natchez, while on his way to New-Orleans, he was cited to appear before the snpreme court of the Mississippi territory. — But he had so enveloped his projects in secrecy, that suffi- cient evidence to convict him could not be produced, and he was discharged. Hearing, however, that several per- sons, suspected of being his accomplices, had been arrest- ed at New-Orleans and elsewhere, he fled in disguise from Natchez, was apprehended on the Tonibigbec, and con- veyed a prisoner to Richmond. Two indictments were' found against him, one charging him with treason against the United States, the other with preparing and commen- cing an expedition against the dominions of Spain. In August, 1807, he was tried upon those indictments, before John Marshall, ^he chief justice of the United States. Full evidence of his guilt not being exhibited, he^ was acquitted by the jury. The people, however, be- lieved him guilty; and by their desertion and contempt,] he was reduced to a condition of the most abject wretch- edness. The ease with which his plans were defeated,] demonstrated the strength of the government; and hisj fate will ever be an impressive warning to those who, in] a free country, listen to the suggestions of criminal ambi- tion. In June, 1807, an event occurred, which, for a time, I concentrated upon one of the several nations the whole] weight of popular indignation. On the 22d of June, the Chesapeake weighed anchor] and proceeded to sea. She passed the British ships Bel- lona and Melampus, lying in Lynnhaven bay, whose ap- pearance was friendly. There were two other ships that] lay off Cape Henry, one of which, the Leopard, Captain Humphreys, weighed anchor, and in a few hours came] alongside the Chesapeake. A British officer immediately came on board, and de- manded the deserters. To this. Captain Barron replied,] that he did not know oi any being there, and that his duty] forbade him to allow of any muster of his crew, except] by their own omcers. During this Interview, Barron noticed some proceed- j ings of 3 hostile nature on board the adverse ship, but] THE UNITED STATES. 255 he could not be persuaded that any thing but menace was intended by them. After the British officer departed, he gave orders to clear his gun deck, and after some time, he directed the men to their quarters secretly, and with- out beat of drum ; still, however, without any serious ap- prehensions of an attack. Before these orders could be executed, the Leopard commenced a heavy fire. This fire unfortunately was very destructive. In about thirty minutes, the hull, rig- ging, and spars of the Chesapeake were greatly damaged, three men were killed, and sixteen wounded; among the latter was the captain himself. Such was the previous disorder, that during this time, the utmost exertions were insufficient to prepare the ship for action, and the captain thought proper to strike his colours. The British captain refused to accept the surrender of the Chesapeake, but took from her crew, Ware, Martin, and Strachari, the three men formerly demanded as de- serters, and a fourth, John Wilson, claimed as a runaway from a merchant ship. This insolent attack upon a national ship, — this wanton exercise of a claim derogatory to national honour, — aroused the spirit of the republic. The distinctions of party were forgotten ; numerous meetings of the citizens were held, and all concurred in the expression of a determination to support the government of their country in its eflbrts to obtain, whether by negociation or war, satisfaction for this insulting outrage. The president, by proclamation, prohibited all British ships of war from continuing in or entering the harbours of the United States. He sent instructions to the minister at London to demand satisfaction for the insult, and se- curity against future aggression. He summoned congress to meet and decide what further measui-es should be adopt- ed. The British government, promptly disavowing the act of its officer, the hostile feelings which had been ex- cited began to subside ; but delaying to render satisfaction, and refusing to adopt adequate measures to prevent a con- tinuance of aggression, they were not extinguished nor ap- peased. On the 6th of November following, the Emperor Napo- 35tt UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF leon issued his Berlin decree, which declared all the Bri- tish isles in a state of blockade. This decree was in direct violation of the treaty between France and the United States, as well as of the law of nations. On the 7th of January, 1807, the British government met this decree by an order in council, declaring " all vessels coasting from one port to another on the coast of France, or that of her allies, liable to seizure and condem- nation." On the 11th of November, Great Britain repeated her orders in council, by way of retaliation upon the French decrees, " declaring all nations at war with Great Britain, and all ports from which the British flag is excluded, to be under the same restrictions in point of trade and naviga- tion, as if the same were in a state of blockade." To retaliate upon Great Britain for her orders in council, the French emperor issued his Milan decree, declaring "all vessels denationalized, which shall have submitted to a search from a British ship, and every vessel a good prize, which shall sail to or from Great Britain, or any of her colonies or countries occupied by British troops," December 17th, 1807. On the 22d, congress laid an indefinite embargo. Thus balanced, America began to feel more immediately the convulsions of Europe, and to find herself involved in the contest. One grand system of intrigue now pervaded all Christendom, and paved the way for the calamities that followed. Mr. Jefferson, being desirous of confirming the example of Washington, declined a re-election. James Madison was elected president, and George Clinton re-elected vice- president, March, 1809. Great Britain continued to violate the laws of peace She had ships of war stationed before the principal har hours of the United States. American merchantmen were boarded, searched, and many of them sent to British ports as legal prizes. Commodore Rodgers, commanding the frigate Presi- dent, was fired upon by the British sloop of war Little Belt, of 18 guns ; but the President being a superior force, the Little Belt was soon silenced v/ith considerable loss. THE UNITED STATES. 257 Congress, in November, 1811, passed a law to increase the regular army to 35,000 men ; empowered the presi- dent to accept the services of volunteers, and to borrow eleven million dollars. Congress continued to make preparations for war, yet still cherishing the hope, that a change of policy in Eu- rope would render unnecessary an appeal to arms. On the 20ih of May, 1812, the Hornet arrived from London, bringing information that no prospect existed of a favour- able change. On the first of June, the question in con- gress was, whether they should continue to endure their wrongs, or resort to arms. The British government had been told, in plain terms, that if they continued to drag the American seamen from their ships, and rob the vessels of their goods, war would be inevitable. Congress, after sitting a number of days with closed doors, declared war against Great Britain, on the 18th of June, 1812; and, on the following day, war was publicly proclaimed. The president was authorized to receive 50,000 volun- teers, and to call out one hundred thousand militia. Go- vernor Hull, at the head of about two thousand men, was on his march to Detroit, with a view of putting an end to the Indian hostilities, when he received information of the declaration of war. This little army marched to Spring Wells, within a i'ew miles of Detroit, July 5th ; there they had some small skirmishes with the Indians, but soon compelled them to retire, and Hull proceeded, without molestation, to Sandwich. Here he was met by a supe- rior force, under the command of General Brock. Gene- ral Hull hastened back to Detroit. On the 14th, the British took a position opposite to De- troit, and erected batteries. The next day they began a cannonade upon the American fortifications, which was returned with precision and efl^ect. On the 16th, the enemy crossed the river, taking post about three miles above the town, and advanced towards the fort in close columns, twelve deep. The hearts of our soldiers now beat high at their approach, expecting to regain their cre- 23* 258 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF dit. But who can describe the chagrin and mortification which took possession of these troops. At the very moment the destruction of the enemy was certain, orders were given not to fire. The troops were ordered to stack their arms, and, to the astonishment of all, a white flag, in token of submission, was suspended from the walls. Words are wanting to express the feel- ings of the Americans on this occasion ; they considered themselves basely betrayed, in thus surrendering to an inferior force, without firing a gun, when they were firmly convinced the enemy were in their power. General Hull was exchanged for thirty British prison- ers, brought before a court martial, charged with treason, cowardice, and unoflScer-like conduct, was sentenced to death. The sentence was remitted by the president, but his name was ordered to be struck from the rolls of the army. While the nation was overspread with gloom in consequence of this disaster, they were suddenly consoled in the most pleasing manner. A new and glorious era burst upon our country, and upon the Avorkl. At the moment of the declaration of war, a squadron under Commodore Rodgers, had rendezvoused under the order of the government, off Sandy Hook, consisting of the frigates President, Congress, United States, and the brig Hornet. On the 21st of June they put to sea, in pursuit of a British squadron, Avhich had sailed as the convoy of the West India fleet the preceding month. While thus engaged, the British frigate Belvidera was dis- covered, to Avhich they instantly gave chase. The chase was continued from early in the morning until past four in the afternoon, when the President, outsailing the other vessels, had come within gun shot, she opened a fire with her bow guns, intending to cripple the Belvidera, which returned it with her stern-chasers. The firing was kept up for ten minutes, when one of the guns of the President burst, killed and wounded sixteen men, and fractured the leg of the commodore. By this ac- cident, and the explosion of the passing box, the decks were so much shattered, as to render the guns on that side useless. The ship was then put about, and a broadside fired, but without the desired effect, though considerable injury THE UNITED STATES. 259 was done the Belvidera. This vessel, having thrown overboard every thing she could spare, now gained ground. The chase Avas continued until eleven o'clock at night, be- fore it was deemed hopeless. The squadron then con- tinued in pursuit of tlie convoy, which it did not give over until within sight of the British channel ; then stood for the island of Madeira, and thence passing the Azores, stood for Newfoundland, and thence by Cape Sable, ar- rived at Boston the 30th of August, having made prize of several British vessels ; but owing to the haziness of the weather, they were less successful than might have been expected. The frigate Essex went to sea from New-York, on the third of July; the Constitution sailed from the Chesa- peake on the 12th ; the brigs Nautilus and Vixen were at the same time cruising off the coast; the sloop of vvai Wasp was at sea, on her return from France. The Constitution, Captain Hull, had sailed from An- napolis on the 5th of July. On the morning of the 17th, off Egg Harbour, she was chased by a ship of the line, the Africa, and the frigates Shannon, Guei'riere, Belvi- dera, and ^olus. These vessels were approaching ra- pidly, with a fine breeze, while it was nearly a calm about the Constitution. At sunrise the next morning, escape from the enemy was almost hopeless, as they were then within five miles. The Constitution was therefore cleared for action, determined to make a desperate resistance. The enemy still drawing near. Captain Hull resolved to make another effort to escape. Boats were sent ahead, with anchors, for the purpose of warping ; there prevail- ing almost a calm. The others finding the Constitution gaining upon them, i-esorted to the same expedient. The chase continued in this manner for two days, partly sail ing with light breezes, and partly warping, until the 20th, when the squadron was left entirely out of sight. This escape, from so great a dispai-ity of force, was considered as deserving a high rank in naval exploits, and was much admired at the time, as evincing superior nautical skill. The advantage to the British, in this chase, was consider- able, when we reflect that their foremost vessel had the assistance of all the boats of the squadron, for the pur- 260 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF pose of towing. The superiority of Captain Hull was that of seamanship alone. This superiority was some- time afterwards proved in a most remarkable manner; while naval history lasts it will not be forgotten. The Constitution again put to sea, on the second of September. On the nineteenth, a vessel hove in sight, and a chase instantly commenced. It was soon disco'* vered to be the Guerriere, one of the best frigates in the British navy, and which seemed not averse froin the ren- contre, as she backed her maintopsail, waiting for the Con- stitution to come down. This was a most desirable oc- currence to our brave tars, as this frigate had for some time been in search of an American frigate, having given a formal challenge to all our vessels of the same class. She had at one of her mast heads a flag, on which her name was inscribed in large characters, by way of gas- conade, and on another, the words " not the Little Belt," in allusion to the broadsides which the President had gi- ven that vessel before the war. The Guerriere had looked into several of our ports, and aifected to be exceedingly anxious to earn the first laurel from the new enemy. The Constitution being made rea- dy for action, now bore down, her crew giving three cheers. At first it was the intention of Captain Hull to bring her to close ac'Xon immediately; but on coming within gunshot, she gave a broadside and filled away, then wore, giving a broadside on the other tack, but without effect. They now continued Avearing, and manoeuvring on both sides, for three quarters of an hour, the Guer- riere attempting to take a raking position ; but failing in this, she bore up, under her topsail and jib. The Consti- tution perceiving this, made sail to come up with her. Captain Hull, with admirable coolness, received the ene- my's fire, without returning it. The enemy, mistaking this conduct on the part of the American commander, for want of skill, continued to pour out his broadsides, with a view to cripple his antagonist From the Constitution not a gun had been fired. Already had an officer twice come on deck, with information that several of the men had been killed at their guns. The gallant crew, though burning with impatience, silently THE UNITED STATES. 301 awaited the orders of their commander. The moment so long looked for, at last arrived. Sailing Master Ayl- win, having seconded the views of the captain with admi- rable skill, in bringing the vessels exactly to the station intended, orders were given, at five minutes before five, P. M. to fire broadside after broadside in quick succession. The crew instantly discovered the whole plan, and enter- ed into it with all the spirit the circumstance was calcu- lated to inspire. Never was any firing so dreadful. For fifteen minutes the vivid lightning of the Constitution's guns continued one blaze, and their thunder roared with scarce an intermission. The enemy's mizenmast had gone by the board, and he stood exposed to a raking fire, which swept his decks. The Guerriere had now become unmanageable ; her hull, rigging, and sails, dreadfully torn ; when the Constitution attempted to lay her on board. At this moment. Lieute- nant Bush, in attempting to throw his marines on board, Avas killed by a musket ball, and the enemy shot ahead, but could not be brought before the wind. A raking fire now continued for fifteen minutes longer, when his main- mast and foremast went, taking with them every spar, ex- cepting the bowsprit. On seeing this, the firing ceased, and, at twenty-five minutes past five, she surrendered. " In thirty minutes," says Captain Hull, " after we got fairly alongside of the enemy, she surrendered, and had not a spar standing, and her hull, above and below water, so shattered, that a few more broadsides must have carri- ed her down. The Guerriere was so much damaged, as to render it impossible to bring her in ; she was, therefore, set fire to the next day, and blown up. The damage sustained by the Constitution, was comparatively of so little conse- quence, that she actually made ready for action when a vessel appeared in sight the next day. The loss on board the Guerriere Avas fifteen killed, and sixty-three wounded ; on the side of the Constitution seven killed, and seven Avounded. It is pleasing to observe, that even the British commander, on this occasion, bore testimony to the hu- manity and generosity with which he was treated by the t^ictors. The American frigate was somewhat superior 262 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF in force, by a few guns, but this difference bore no com- parison to the disparity of the conflict. The Guerriere was thought to be a match for any vessel of her class, and had been ranked among the largest in the British navy. The Constitution arrived at Boston on the 28th of August, having captured several merchant vessels. On the 7th of September, Commodore Porter, of the Essex, fell in with a fleet of merchantmen, and at night cut out a brig with a hundred and fifty soldiers on board, Avhich was ransomed for 14,000 dollars. On the 13th ot August, the Essex fell in with the Alert, sloop of war, and captured her in eight minutes. On the 8th of October, a squadron, consisting of the President, the United States, Congress, and the Argus, sailed from Boston on a cruise. On the 13th, the United States and Argus parted from the rest in a gale of wind. A few days afterwards, the President and Congress had the good fortune to capture the British packet Swallow, with 200,000 dollars on board ; and, on the 30th of De- cember arrived at Boston, after a very successful cruise. The Argus was not less fortunate : after parting from the squadron, she cruised in every direction, between the continent and the West Indies, and, after being out nine- ty-six days, she returned to New-York with prizes to the amount of two hundred thousand dollars. She made va- rious hairbreadth escapes ; at one time, she was chased by a British squadron for three days, and several times almost surrounded ; she was one moment within pistol shot of a seventy-four, and yet, in the midst of all this peril, she actually captured and manned one of her prizes. The United States, commanded by that distinguished ofiicer. Commodore Decatur, soon after her separation from the squadron, had the good fortune to add another victory to our Naval Chronicle, not less glorious than that of the Constitution. On the 25th of October, off' the West- ern Islands, she fell in with the Macedonian, Capt. Car- den, a frigate of the largest class, carrying 49 guns and 300 men. The Macedonian, being to windward, she had it in her power to choose her distance, and at no time v/ere they nearer than musket-shot ; from this circum- II THE UNITED STATES. 263 stance, and the prevalence of a heavy sea, the action lasted nearly two hours. The superiority of the American gun- nery, in this action, was very remarkable, both for its greater rapidity and effect. From the continued blaze of her guns, the United States was, at one moment, thought by her antagonist to be on fire ; a mistake of very short duration. On board the Macedonian there were 36 killed and 68 wounded. She lost her mainmast, her main-topmast, and main yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The United States sufl'ered so little, that a return to port was not ne- cessary ; she had only five killed, and seven wounded. Among the killed, was Lieutenant Funk, of whom the com- modore spoke in the highest terms. Lieutenant Allen was on this occasion highly applauded. The commodore ar- rived at New-York on the 4th of December, with his prize. Commodore Decatur, already a universal favourite, expe- rienced the same demonstrations of gratitude as were shown to Capt. Hull ; nor was there denied him that new species of praise, which the generous conduct of our he- roic seamen has uniformly drawn forth, the praise of the enemy ; all the private property belonging to the men and olficers on board the Macedonian, was restored to the captured, with the most rigid exactitude ; and their treat- ment was the most polite and humane. An act of generosity and benevolence on the part of our brave tars, of the victorious frigate, deserves to be honourably recorded. The carpenter, who was unfortu- nately killed in the conflict with the Macedonian, had left small children to the care of a worthless mother, the circumstance became known to the brave sea- they instantly made a contribution amongst them- V • , to the amount of eight hundred dollars, and placed afe hands, to be appropriated to the education and raa.ij enance of the unhappy orphans. T/ie feelings of the nation had scarce time to subside, when the welcome news of another victory was received; a vir ory over an enemy most decidedly superior in force, nnd under circumstances the most favourable to him. Tl.) was the capture of the brig Frolick, of 22 guns, by i'r, > loop of war Wasp. Captain Jones had returned from 264 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF France two weeks after the declaration of war, and on the 13th of October again put to sea. On the 16th, he expe- rienced a heavy gale, in which the Wasp lost her jib-boom and two men. On the evening of the following day, the Wasp foun-d herself near five strange sail, and as two of them appeared to be ships of war, it was thought proper to keep at a distance. At day-light on Sunday morning, they were discovered to be six merchant ships, from Honduras to England, undei strong convoy of a brig and two ships, armed with six- teen guns each. The brig, wliich proved to be the Frolic, Capt. Winyates, dropped behind, while the others made sail. The Wasp, being prepared for action, at 32 minutes past 11 o'clock, came down to the windward in handsome style, when the action v.'as begun by the enemy's cannon and musketry. This was returned, and approaching still nearer tlie enemy, brought her to close action. In five minutes the main-topmast of the Wasp Avas shot away, and falling down with the main-topsail yard across the larboard fore and fore-topsail, rendered her head yards unmanasea- ble during the rest of the action. In two minutes more her gaft and mizzen top-gallantmasts were shot away. The sea being exceedingly rough, the muzzles of the Wasp's guns were sometimes under water. The English fired as their vessel rose, so that thei shot was either thrown aAvay, or touched the rigging of the Americans ; the Wasp, on the contrary, fired as she sunk, and every time struck the hull of her antagonist. — The Wasp now sliot ahead, raked her, and then resumed her position. The Frolic's fire had evidently slackened, and the Wasp gradually neared her, until, the last broad- side, they touched her side Avith their rammei's. It \.-as determined to lay her by the board. The jib-boom of the Frolic came in between the main and mizzen-mast rigging of the Wasp, and, after giving a raking fire, which swept the whole deck, they resolved to board. Lieutenant Biddle sprang on the rigging of the enemy's bowsprit, where he was at first someAvhat entangled, and Midshipman Barker, in his impatience to be on board, caught hold of Biddle's coat, and fell liack on the deck, but in a moment sprang up and leaped on the bowsprit. Capture of the Macedonian, October 25, 1812. P. 263. Capture of the Frolick, October 18, 1812. P. 264. THE UNITED STATES. 265 where he found one Lang, and another seaman. His sur- prise can scarcely be imagined, wlien he found no person on deck except three officers, and the seaman at the wheel. The deck was shppery with blood, and presented a scene of havoc and ruin, such as has been seldom witnessed. As he advanced the officers threw down their swords in submission. The colours wei-e still flying, there being no seamen left to pull them down. Lieutenant Biddle leap- ed into the rigging, and hauled them down with his own hands. Thus, in forty-three minutes, complete possession was taken of the Frolic, after one of the most bloody conflicts any where recorded in naval history. The condition of this unfortunate vessel was inexpressibly shocking. The birth deck was crowded with the dead, the dying, and the wounded ; and the masts, which soon after fell, covering the dead, and every thing on deck, leaving her a most melancholy wreck. Captain Jones sent on board his sur- geon, and huinanely exerted himself in their relief, to the utmost of his power. The loss on board the Frolic was thirty killed, and fifty wounded ; on board the Wasp, live killed, and five shghtly wounded. This v/as certainly the most decisive action fought during the war. The Wasp and Frolic were both captured that very day by a British seventy-four, the Poictiers, Captain Beresford. On the 4th of March, 181.3, Mr. Madison entered upon the second term of his office, Mr. George Clinton was elected vice-president, but soon after died, and was suc- ceeded by Elbridge Gerry. So great was the desire of the citizens of the western country to regain possession of the territory of Michigan, that, in order to effect it, General Harrison resolved to undertake a winter campaign. General Winchester, with a portion of the western army, proceeded in advance to Frenchtown, a village on the River Raisin, not far from Detroit. -A British party, stationed in the village, was attacked, routed, and entirely dispersed. The Americans encamped near the field of battle, a part of them being protected by close garden pickets. Al- though near an enemy's post, but little precaution was taken to prevent a surprise. Early in the morning of the 23 266 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 22d of January, they were attacked by a large force of British and Indians, the former commanded by Colonel Proctor, the latter by the Chiefs Roundhead and Splitlog. The troops in the open field were thrown into disorder. General Winchester, and other officers, made an ineffec- tual attempt to rally them. They fled, but, while attempt- ing to escape, were mostly killed by the Indians. The eneral, and Colonel Lewis, were made prisoners. The troops behind the pickets maintained the contest with undaunted bravery. At length Colonel Proctor as- sured General Wincliester, that if the remainder of the Americans Avould immediately surrender, they should be protected from massacre ; but otherwise he would set fire to the village, and would not be responsible for the con- duct of the savages. Intimidated by this threat, General Winchester sent an order to the troops to surrender, which they obeyed. Colonel Proctor, leaving the wounded without a guard, marched back immediatel)^ to Maiden. The Indians accompanied them a few miles, but returned early the next morning. Deeds of horror followed. The wound- ed officers were dragged from the houses, killed and scalp- ed in the streets. The buildings were set on fire. Some who attempted to escape, were forced back into the flames. Others were put to death by the tomahawk, and left shock- ingly mangled in the liighway. The infamy of this butch- ery should not fall upon the perpetrators alone. It must rest equally upon those who instigated them to hostility, by whose side they fought, who were able and were bound by a solemn engagement to restrain tliem. The battle and massacre at Frenchtown, clothed Ken- tucky and Ohio in mourning. Other volunteers, indig- , nant at the treachery and cruelty of their foes, hastened to the aid of Harrison. He marched to the rapids of the Miami, where he erected a fort, which he called Fort Meigs, in honour of the governor of Ohio. On the first of May, it was invested by a large number of Indians, and by a party of British troops from Maiden, the whole com- manded by Colonel Proctor. Five days afterwards, General Clay, at the head of 1200 Kentuckians, made an attempt to raise the siege. Divi- § THE UNITED STATES. 267 ding his force into several parties, and making an impe- tuous onset, he drove the besiegers from their w^orks. His troops, supposing the victory complete, and disre- garding the orders of their commander, dispersed into the woods. The enemy, returning from their flight, ob- tained an easy victory. Of the Americans, two or three hundred escaped into the fort; about three hundred were killed or made pri- soners ; the remainder fled to the nearest settlements. The enemy sustained considerable loss. The fort continued to be defended Avith bravery and skill. The Indians, un- accustomed to sieges, became weary and discontented. On the 8th of May, notwithstanding the entreaties of their chief, Tecumseh, they deserted their allies. On the 9th, the enemy, despairing of success, made a precipitate re- treat. General Harrison, leaving General Clay in com- mand, returned to Ohio for reinforcements ; but in this quarter aclive operations Avere not resumed, until a squad- ron had ^een built and prepared for action on Lake Erie. At Sackett's Harbour, on the northern frontier, a body v i of troops Mad been assembled, under the command of ^/ General Dearborn, and great exertions were made, by Commodore jDhauncey, to build and equip a squadron, on Lake Ontario"* suflicicntly powerful to contend with that of the enemy. By the 25th of April, the naval prepara- tions were so far complej^cl, that the general, and 1700 troops, were conveyed acMss the lake to the attack of York, the capital of •'Uppe? Canada. On the 27lh, an advanced party, led by Brigadier-Ge- neral Pike, V. ho was born in a camp, and bred a soldier from his birth, landed, although opposed at the water's edge by a superior force. After a short but severe con- flict, the enemy were driven to their fortifications. The rest of the troops having landed, the whole party pressed forward, carried the lirst battery by assault, and were mo- ving towards the main works, when ihe enemy's maga- zine blew up, with a tremendous explosion, hurling upon the advancing troops immense quantities of stone and tim- ber. Numbers were killed ; the gallant Pike received a mor- tal wound ; the troops halted for a moment, but recover* 268 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ing from the shock, again pressed forward, and soon gained possession of the town. Of the British troops, one hundred were killed, nearly three hundred Avere wounded, and the same number made prisoners. Of the Americans, three hundred and twenty were killed and wounded, and nearly all of them by the explosion of the magazine. The flag which wav^ed over the fort, was car- ied to the dying Pike ; at his desire it was placed under his head, when, with the smile of triumph on his lips, he expired. The object of the expedition attained, the squadron and troops returned to Sackett's Harbour, whence the wound- ed and prisoners being landed, and other troops taken on board, it sailed to Fort George, at the head of the lake. After a warm engagement, the enemy abandoned, and the Americans entered the fort. The fugitives retired to the heights at the head of Burlington Bay. On their retreat, they were joined by a detachment from Fort Erie and Chippeway. Two brigades, under Generals Chandler and Winder, were despatched in pursuit. On the evening of the 5th of June, they encamped at Stoney Creek, in the vicinity of the enemy, who, considering their situa- tion desperate, turned upon their pursuers, and attacked them in the night. The Amerfcans received them witli coolness ; but such was the darkness, that General Chandler, intending to place Jiimself at the head of his artillery, threw himself into the midst of a British party. A few minutes after- wards, the same mistake was committed by General Win- der. Satisfied with the capture of these oflicers, and a few other prisoners, the enemy made a precipitate retreat. The American troops returned to Fort George. The misfortune was soon followed by another. Lieutenant- Colonel Boerstler, having been sent, with five hundred men, to disperse a body of the enemy collected at the Beaver Dams, was surrounded, and the whole detachment made prisoners. While the greater part of the American army was thus employed in Canada, the British made an attack upon the important post of Sackett's Harbour. On the 27th of May, their squadron appeared before the town. Alarm I Victory of York, U. C. Death of General Pike. P. 268- Capture of the Peacock hij dipt. Lawrence. P. 273. THE UNITED STATES. 269 guns instantly assembled the citizens of the neighbour- hood. General Brown, of the New- York militia, com- manded in chief, his whole force amounting to about one thousand men. By his orders, a slight breast-work was 'hastily thrown up, at the only place where the enemy could land. Behind this he placed the militia, the regulars un- der Colonel Backus forming a second line. On the morning of the 29th, one thousand British troops landed from the squadron. They advanced to- wards the breastwork. The militia, seized with a sudden panic, fled in confusion. Colonel Mills, in a vain attempt to rally them, was mortally wounded. The regulars, af- ter a spirited resistance, were compelled to retire towards the town, but in their retreat they took possession of the heuses on the road. From these coverts they poured so destructive a iire upon the British column, that it halted and fell back. General Brown, by a stratagem, converted this slight check into a precipitate flight. Collecting the panic struck militia, he directed their course along a road, which, while it led from the village, appeared to the British com- mander to lead to the place of landing. Perceiving them marching with great speed, he supposed that their object was to cut ofl* his I'etreat, and re-embarked so hastily as to leave behind most of liis wounded. General Brpwn, in recompense for his services, was appointed a brigadier in the regular army. Meanwhile, upon the sea coast, a distressing and pre- datory war was carried on, by a large detachment from the powerful navy of Great Britain. One squadron, sta- tioned in Delaware bay, captured and burned every mer- chant vessel which cauae within its reach. The inhabit- ants of Lewiston, in the state of Delaware, having refused to sell provisions to the enemy, the village was bombarded, and several attempts were made to land, but they were defeated by the militia. On the fourth of February, a squadron consisting of two ships of the line, three frigates, and other vessels, made its appearance in the Chesapeake, apparently stand- ing for Hampton Roads. The alarm was immediately caught at Norfolk, and the militia called in from the upper 23* 270 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF part of the state. No attempt, however, was made upon tlie town, the enemy contenting himself with destroying the smaller vessels employed in the navigation of the bay, and effectively blockading its waters. About the same time, another squadron under the command of Commo- dore Beresford, appeared in the Delaware, consisting of the Poictiers, tlie Belvidera, and some other vessels, which in the same manner destroyed a number of small trading ves- sels, and attempted several times to land some of their men, who were as often repulsed by the militia, hastily collected. On the 10th of April, Sir John Beresford made a de- mand on the people of the village of Lewiston, for a supply of provisions, which was spiritedly refused by Co- lonel Davis, conmianding at that place. Captain Byron, of the Belvidera, was ordered to move near the village and bombard it, until the demand should be complied with. This was obeyed, but without eticct ; after a cannonade of twenty hours, they were unable to make any impression on the place. Their fire had been returned from some batteries, hastily thrown up on the bank, v ith considera- ble effect. On the 10th of May, the same squadron sent out their barges in the neighbourhood of Lewiston, to procure water. Major George Hunter was detached by Colonel Davis, with one hundred and fifty men, to oppose their landing, whicli the major did with so much gallantry, that he compelled them to hasten to their shipping. The squadron soon after returned to Bermuda, where sir J. Borlace Warren, who commanded on this station, was engaged in fitting out a more considerable armament, for the attack of our sea coast during the summer. Soon after the departure of the squadron, the Spartan, and some other frigates, entered the Delaware. One of their vessels, the Martin, was discovered on the twenty- ninth of July, slightly grounded on the outer edge oi Crow's Shoals. A detachment of the gun-boat flotilla immediately moved, and, anchoring in a line about three quarters of a mile from the sloop, opened a destructive fire upon her. The Juuon frigate soon after came off to her relief; a cannonade was kept up during an hour, be- tween the gunboats and these two vessels, in Avhich the latter suffered great injury. Finding it impossible to THE UNITED STATES. 271 drive off this musqueto fleet, they manned their launches, tenders, and cutters, to cut oil' the gun-boats at the ex- tremity of the Hne. No. 121, commanded by Sailing Master Head, was unfortunately taken, after a desperate resistance against eight times her number. The British soon after made sail, the Martin having been extricated from her situation. Scenes of a difierent kind Avere, in the meanwhile, act- ing in the Chesapeake. The squadron, which returned in Februaiy, still continued to carry on a predatory war along the shores and inlets. It was here that one Cock- burn, by some means an admiral in the service of the king of England, exhibited the first of those exploits, for which he afterwards became so highly celebrated, and of which he may justly claim to be the originator. At first they were directed against the detached farm houses, and seats of private gentlemen, unprepared for, and incapa- ble of defence ; these were robbed, and the owners treat- ed in the rudest manner. The cattle which could not be carried away, were doomed to wanton destruction ; the slaves were armed against their owners, and persuaded to follow the example of their new friends, to attack their master's defenceless families, and to engage in pillaging them. It was impossible to station a force at each farm house, to repel these miserable and disgraceful incursions ; yet, in several instances, Cockburn and his ruflians were bravely repelled by a collection of the neighbours, with- out authority, and under no leader. The spirited citizens of Maryland formed bodies of cavalry, which were sta- tioned at intervals along the shore, to be drawn out at a moment's warning, for the purpose of repelling the sud- den inroads of the enemy. Cockburn took possession of several islands in the bay, particularly Sharp's, Tilgh- man's, and Poplar islands, whence he could seize the op- portunity of making a descent upon the neighbouring shores, when the inhabitants happened to be off their guard. Encouraged by his success against the farmers, and his rapacity increasing by the booty which he had already obtained, Cockburn now resolved to undertake something 272 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF of a more bold and adventurous character, in which his thirst for plunder, and his love of mischief, might be gra- tified in a higher degree. He, therefore, directed his attention to the unprotected villages and hamlets along the bay, carefully avoiding the larger towns, the plunder- ing of which might be attended with some danger. The first of these exploits was against the village of French- town, containing six dwelling houses, two large store- houses, and several stables. It was important, however, as a place of deposite on the line of packets and stages from Philadelphia to the city of Baltimore, and Cockburn rightly conjectured, that here there might be private pro- perty to a considerable amount. He accordingly set out on this expedition, from his ship, the Marlborough, in barges, with five hundred marines ; a suflicient number to have carried the town on their backs. Some show of resistance was made by a small party of inilitia collected from Elkton, but which moved off" as the admiral approached. The storehouses were destroyed, together with the goods they were unable to carry off", to an immense amount. Amongst other objects of wanton destruction, was an elegant drop-curtain, in- tended for the theatres of the cities before mentioned. The brand was applied to some of the private dwelling houses, and to several vessels lying at the wharf; after achieving this glorious victory, the admiral, fearing the approach of the militia, hastily retired to his ship. The next exploit of the admiral Avas of still greater importance. The town of Havre de Grace is situated on the Susquehannah, about two miles from the head o. the bay, and is a neat village, containing twenty or thirty houses. An attack on this place was the next objecf which entered into the plan of the admiral's operations Accordingly, on the third of May, before day-light, his approach was announced by a few cannon shot, and the firing of rockets. The inhabitants, roused from their sleep, leaped up in the greatest consternation, and the more courageous repaired to the beach, where a few small pieces of artillery had been planted on a kind of battery for the purpose of defence against the smaller watering or plundering parties of the enemy. J THE UNITED STATES. 273 After firing a few shots, with the exception of an old citizen of the place, of the name of O'Neill, they all fled on the approach of the bai-ges, abandoning the village to the mercy of Cockburn. O'Neill alone continued to fight, loading a piece of artillery, and firing it himself, until by recoiling it ran over his thigh, and wounded him severely. He then armed himself with a musket, and limping away, still kept up a retreating fight with the ad- vancing column of the British, who had by this time land- ed and formed ; after which he moved oil" to join his five or six comrades, Avhom he attempted in vain to rally. The ocean, in the mean time, had been the theatre of sanguinary conflicts, in Avliich the victors gained untar- nished laurels. Captain Lawrence, in the sloop of war Hornet, discovering, in tlie neutral port of San Salvador, a British sloop of war of superior force, challenged her commander to meet him at sea. The challenge being declined. Captain I turn. Throw- ing themselves with promptitude upon her deck, they succeeded in the execution of their orders ; and, at forty minutes past four the flag of the enemy's ship came down. She was almost cut to pieces, and half her crew was killed and wounded. The loss of the Wasp was five killed, and twenty-one wounded ; among the latter. Mid- shipmen Langdon and Toscan, both of whom expired some days after. The Reindeer having been found alto- gether unmanageable, was blown up, and Captain Blakeley steered for L'Orient, to provide for the wounded of both crews. After leaving L'Orient, and capturing two valuable Bri- tish merchantmen, Captain Blakeley fell in with a fleet of ten sail, under convoy of the Armada sevent)r-four, and a bomb ship. He stood for them, and succeeded in cutting out of the squadron a brig laden with brass and iron can- non, and military stores, from Gibraltar; after taking out the prisoners, and setting her on fire, he endeavoured to cut out another, but was chased off by the seventy-four. In the evening, at half past six, he descried two vessels, one on his starboard, and one on his larboard bow, and hauled for that which was farthest to windward. At seven she was discovered to be a brig of war, and at twenty-nine minutes past nine she was under the lee bow of the Wasp. An action soon after commenced, which 334 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF lasted until ten o'clock, when Captain Blakeley, supposing his antagonist to be silenced, ceased firing, and demanded if he had surrendered. No answer being returned, he commenced firing, and the enemy returned broadside for broadside for twelve minutes, when, perceiving that the two last were not returned, he hailed again, and was informed that she was sinking, and that her commander had struck. Before the Wasp's boat could be lowered, a second brig of war was discovered : the crew were instantly sent to their quartei's, and the Wasp was standing to for the approach of the stranger, when two other brigs appeared; he now made sail, and endeavoured to draw the first one after him, but without effect. The name of the prize has since been ascertained to have been the Avon, Captain Arbuthiiot, of the same force as the Reindeer. She simk immediately after the last man had been taken out of her. She had eight killed, and thirty-one wounded, including her captain, and several other officers. The Wasp soon repaired her damage, and continued on her cruise. On the twenty-first of September, she captured, off the Madeiras, her thirteenth prize, the Bri- tish brig Atalanta, of eight guns, and the only one she sent into port. The return of this vessel, after her brilliant cruise, was for along time fondly looked for by our coun- try ; but all hope has at last vanished of ever seeing hei again. There is but little doubt that the brave comman der, and the gallant crew, have found a common grave in the waste of ocean ; but they will always live in the fond gratitv^de and recollection of their country. The loss of the frigate President was severely felt a\ the time, of which the following is an unvarnished tale. The blockade of Commodore Decatur's squadron, at New-London, having been continued until after the sea- son had passed in which there existed any prospect of escape, the ships were ordered up the river, and dispersed, while the commodore, with his crew, were transferred to the President, then at New-York. A cruise was contem- plated, in conjunction with the Peacock, the Hornet, and the Tom BoAvline store ship. The commodore, thinking it more safe to venture out singly, appointed a place of rendezvous, and ordered the other vessels to follov/. !•» THE UNITED STATES. 335 consequence of the negligence of the pilot, the President struck upon the bar, and remained there thumping for two hours, by which her ballast was deranged, and her trim for sailing entirely lost. The course of the wind pre- vented from returning into port; he put to sea, trusting to the excellence of his vessel. At daylight he fell in with a British squadron, consisting of the Endymion, Tenedos and Pomone frigates, and the Majestic razee. In spite of every exertion they gained upon him ; the foremost, the Endymion, got close under his quarters and com- menced firing. The commodore determined to bear up and engage her, with the intention of carrying her by boarding, and afterwards escaping in her, and abandon- ing his own ship. In this he was prevented by the ma- noeuvering of the enemy, who protracted the engagement for two hours, until the rest of the squadron were fast gaining upon them. He now assailed the Endymion, and in a short time completely silenced her, leaving her a wreck. The Pre- sident was also considerably damaged, having lost twenty- five men, killed and wounded ; among the former. Lieu- tenant Babit and Hamilton, and acting Lieutenant Howell ; among the latter, the commodore himself, and midship- man Dale, who afterwards died. On the approach of the squadron, the gallant commodore, unwilling to sacrifice the lives of his men in a useless contest, on receiving the fire of the nearest frigate, surrendered. On this occasion we cannot pass in silence the dishonourable conduct of the British officers of the navy, where such ought least to have been expected. The generous and heroic character of Decatur is ac- knowledged wherever the American flag is known, and requires no testimony in its support, for the British them selves have often declared their admiration of this chival- rous officer. The commodore was taken on board the Endymion, for the purpose of acting the miserable farce of surrendering his sword to the officer of a frigate of equal size, but which would have fallen into the hands of the commodore, but for the approach of the squadron. De- catur indignantly refused to give up his sword to any one but the commander of the squadron. Another arti 336 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF fice was actually resorted to, in order to satisfy the good peop*le of England that the President was a se- venty-four in disguise : she was lightened, laid in dock, along side of an old seventy-four, diminished to appear- ance by being deeply laden. Thus, it seems, a British frigate had captured an American seventy-four. The naval superiority of Great Britain was therefore no longer doubted. The following account of several naval victories seems almost incredible, but they are too well authenticated to leave a doubt on the mind of those who are Avilling to credit on the best of human testimony. Not the least among the exploits of our naval heroes, was the capture of two of the enemy's ships of war by the Constitution, Captain Stewart. Having sailed on a cruise, he discovered two ships, one of which bore up for the Constitution, but soon after changed her course, to join her consort. The Constitution gave chase to both, and at six P. M. ranged ahead of the sternmost, brought her on the quarter, her consort on the bow, and opened a broadside, which was immediately returned. An exchange of broad- sides continued until both ships were enveloped in smoke, upon the clearing avvay of which, the Constitution tinding herself abreast of the headmost ship, Captain Stewart or- dered both sides to be manned, backed topsails, and drop- ped into his first position. The ship on the bow backed sails also. The Constitu- tion's broadsides were then fired from the larboard batte- ry, and in a few moments the ship on the bow, perceiving her error in getting sternboard, filled avv^ay with the in- tention of tacking athwart the bows of the Constitution, while the other fell off entirely unmanageable. The Con- stitution then filled away in pursuit of the former, and coming within a hundred yards, gave her several raking broadsides, and so crippled her that no further apprehen>- sions were entertained of her ability to escape ; the cap- tain therefore returned to the first which immediately struck. Possession v»'as then taken of her ty 1* ^ aitena-nt Hofl'man, and proved to be the frigafc!"* CJvaoe Captain Gordon Falcon, of thirty-four guns. Captain Stewart then steered in piL«i-suit ui ii.e other THE UNITED STATES. 337 vessel, and after a short resistance, in which she suffered considerably, she struck, with five feet water in her hold. She proved to be the sloop of war Levant, of eighteen Ihirty-tvvo pound carronades. The loss onboard the two ships amounted to about eighty in killed and wounded ; on board the Constitution there were four killed and ele- ven wounded ; but the ship received a very trifling injury. On the tenth of March, Captain Stewart entered the har- bour of Port Pray a with his prizes, and on the eleventh, a British squadron of two sixty gun ships and a frigate appeared off the entrance of the harbour ; Captain Stew^- art, having no faith in his security in this neutral port, made sail with his prize, the Cyane, and though closely pursued, had the good fortune to escape into the United States. The Levant was recaptured in a Portuguese port, in contempt of the neutral state. These are acts of injustice in which no nation can ever prosper. The Peacock, Hornet, and Tom Bowline, left New- York a few days after the President, without having re- ceived information of her capture. On the 23d of Janu- ary, 1815, the Hornet parted company, and directed her course to Tristan d'Acuna, the place of rendezvou-s. On the 23d of March, she descried the Biitish brig Penguin, Captain Dickinson, of eighteen guns and a twelve pound carronade, to the eastward and southward of the island. Captain Biddle hove to, while the Penguin bore down ; at forty minutes past one, the British vessel commenced the engagement. The firing v/as hotly kept up for fifteen minutes, the Penguin gradually nearing the Hornet with the intention to board, her captain having given orders for this purpose, but was killed by a grape shot ; her lieu- tenant then bore her up, and running her bowsprit be- tween the main and mizzen rigging of the Hornet, gave orders to board. His men, howevei', perceiving the crew of the Hornet ready to receive them, refused to follow him. At this moment, the heavy swell of the sea lifted the Hornet alicad, and the enemy's bowsprit carried away her mizzen shrouds and spanker boom, and the Penguin hung upon tlie Hornet's quarter, with the loss of her fore- mast and bowsprit. Her commander then called out that he had surrendered ; and Captain Biddle ordered his men 29 838 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF to cease firing. At this moment an officer of llie Ilornel called to Captain Biddle, that a man was taking aim at him in the enemy's shrouds ; he had scarcely changed his po- sition, when a musket ball struck him in the neck, and M'ounded him severely. Two marines immediately level- led their pieces at the wretch, and killed him before he brought his gun from his shoulder. The Penguin had, by that time, got clear of the Hornet, and the latter wore round to give the enemy a fresh broadside, when they cried out a second time that they had surrendered. It was with great difficulty that Captain Biddle could re- strain his crew, who were exasperated at the conduct of the enemy. In twenty-two minutes after the commencement of the action, she was taken possession of by Lieutenant Mayo, of the Hornet. The Penguin was so much injured, that Captain Biddle determined on taking out her crew and scuttling her ; and afterwards sent off his prisoners by the Tom Bowline, which by this time had joined him with the Peacock. The enemy lost fourteen in killed, and twenty-eight wounded ; tlie Hornet, one killed and eleven \vounded ; among the latter, her Lieutenant, Conner, dan- gerously. Captain Biddle, being compelled to part from the Pea- cock by the appearance of a British ship of the line, after being closely pursued for several days, ejected his escape into St. Salvador, wliere the news of peace soon after ar- rived. The capture of the Cyane, the Levant, and the Penguin, took place before the expiration of the time li- mited by the second article of the treaty of peace. The exploits of the privateers continued to rival those of our national vessels. In one instance tlie enemy was compelled to pay dearly for his disregard of the sanctua- ry of a neutral port. The privateer Armstrong lay at anchor in the hai-bour of Fayal, when a British squadron, consisting of the Carnation, the Plantagenet, and tlie Rota, hove in siglit. Captain Reid, of the privateer, dis- covering, by the light of the moon, that the enemy had put out hii barges, and was preparing to attack him, cleared for action, and moved near the shore. Four boats, filled with men, approached, and making no answer '^>. THE UNITED STATES. 339 on beino; hailed, a fire was opeiied upon them, which was returned, but they soon called out for quarters, and were permitted to haul off. They then prepared for a more formidable attack ; the privateer was now anchored within a cable's length of the shore, and within pistol shot of the castle. The next day they sent a fleet of boats, supported by the Carnation, which stood before the harbour, to prevent the escape of the privateer. At midnight the boats ap- proached a second time, to the number of twelve or four- teen, manned with several hundred men. They were suffered to approach along side of the privateer; and, without waiting an attack, they were assailed with such astonishing fury, that, in forty minutes, scarcely a man of them was left alive. During these attacks the shores were lined with the inhabitants, who, from the brightness of the moon, had a full view of the scene. The gover- nor, with the first people of the place, stood by and saw the whole afl'air. After the second attack, the governor sent a note to the commander of the Plantagenet, Cap- tain Lloyd, requesting him to desist, but was answered, that he determined to have the privateer at the risk of knocking down the town. The American consul having communicated this infor- mation to Captain Reid, he ordered his crew to save their effects as fast as possible, and to carry the dead and wounded on shore. At daylight the Carnation stood close to the Armstrong, and commenced a heavy fire ; but being considerably cut up by the privateer, she hauled off to re- pair. Captain Reid now thinking it useless to protract the contest, on her re-appearance, scuttled his vessel, and escaped to shore. The British loss amounted to the astonishing number of one hundred and twenty killed, and one hundred and thirty wounded ; that of the Ameri- cans was only two killed and seven wounded. Several houses in the town w^ere destroyed, and some of the in- habitants wounded. Before closing this chapter, it may not be improper to make a few remarks on war generally. In its most civi- lized modes of destruction, it is, indeed, a dreadful scourge. The distress which it occasions is incalculable 340 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and immeasvirable ; and we may venture a declaration, that all the benefit ever derived from the practice of mu- tual destruction, can never balance the evils, even could they be realized. That the mode of savage warfare is more dreadful than that of the more civilized, is undoubted ; but the inference is not, therefore, in favour of hostilities in any degree. That the loss of blood, and treasure, and moral feeling, are more than a fair equivalent for any supposed benefits in expectation, is evident to every reflecting mind, even without bringing into the account the dreadful inroads which it makes in the domestic circle. But, if we add to this the violence which it does to the principles of the Christian religion, who shall fathom it ? CHAPTER XV. Operations of tlie Ariny on the Frontiers. General Brown, and his ofHcers, were employed in dis- ciplining the troops, and collecting forces, destined to dis- lodge the British from the American posts which they still occupied. In the beginning of July, the American forces amounted to but two brigades of regulars, and one of New^-York volunteers, under Generals Porter and Swift, with a few Indians. In the meantime, the force of the enemy, under Gene- ral Drummond, had been greatly increased, by the addi- tion of a number of veteran regiments, which, since the pacification of Europe, Great Britain had been enabled to send to this country. The first attack was on Fort Erie, which was garrisoned by one hundred and seventy men, which was taken by surprise. The second attempt was upon Major General Riall, who occupied an entrenched camp at Chippewa. This led to the first regular pitched battle during the war, and victory declared for the Americans, and the British were compelled to retire into the camp. The events of the war now began to thicken, and na THE UNITED STATES. 341 character assumed the most, sanguinary aspect. The vic- tory already obtained by the Americans over men supe- rior in numbers and discipline, enraged General Drum- mond to madness. But the enemy was obliged to fall back to Queenstown, and finally took post at Burlington Heights. The flush of victory on one side, and the pride of military glory on the other, led to deeds of intrepid daring unexampled in the former progress of the- war. Skirmishing was constant and severe, and every move- ment seemed to be of a decisive character. In these ren- contres, the loss on both sides, especially of officers, was very great. A specimen of the obstinate perseverance of the Ame- rican troops, was exhibited near the cataracts of Niagara, which has few parallels. The enemy occupied an emi- nence well fortilicd, and defended by thrice the number of men mustered by the Americans, while the latter sus- tained the unequal conflict more than an hour, when orders were given to advancer and charge the cnemy^s heights, and break the British line. But the order was countermanded. The British now pressed forward on the ninth, Mhich, with wonderful firmness, withstood the attack of their overwhelming numbers ; but reduced at length to nearly one half, and being compelled, at every moment, to repel fresh charges of the British, Colonel Leavenworth de- spatched a messenger to General Scott, to communicate its condition. The general rode up in person, roused the flagging spirits of his brave men with the pleasing intelli- gence that reinforcements Avere expected every moment, and besought them to hold their ground. Lieutenant Riddle, already well knoAvn as a reconnoi- tering officer, was the first to come to the assistance of his fellow soldiers, having been drawn to the place by the sound of the cannon while out with a scouting party. The same circumstance induced General Brown to pro- ceed rapidly to the scene of action, giving orders to Ge- neral Ripley to follow with the second brigade. On his way he was met by Major Jones, and, from his informa- tion, he was induced to order up General Porter, with the Tolunteers together with the artillery. 29* 343 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF So far, the Americans had repelled every attack with tne most unyielding courage, but the situation of the bri- gade was very critical. The desperate efforts of the troops led General Riall to overrate the numbers to which he was opposed, and he sent to General Drummond for reinforcements. About this time an awful pause ensued between the two armies; for a time no sound broke upon the stillness of the night, but the groans of the wounded, mingling with the distant din of the cataract of Niagara. The shattered regiments were consolidated into one brigade, and placed as a reserve under Colonel Brady, who, though severely wounded, refused to quit the field. The silence was once more interrupted by the arrival of General Ripley's bri- gade. Major Hindman's artillery, and General Porter's volunteers, and, at the same time, of General Drummond, with reinforcements. In the meantime, that accomplished young officer, Major Jessup, who had been ordered, in the early part of the action, to take post on the right, had succeeded, during the engagement, after encountering great difficulty, in turning the left flank of the enemy. At the present mo- ment, taking advantage of the darkness of the night, and the incaution of the enemy, he threw his regiment in the rear of their reserve, and, surprising one detachment after another, made prisoners of so many of their officers and men, that his progress was greatly impeded. Tlie laws of war would have justified him in putting them to death; " but the laurel, in his opinion, was most glorious when entwined by the hand of mercy ;" he, therefore, spared them, under circumstances where they certainly would not have spared him. One of his officers. Captain Ketchum, had the good fortune to make prisoner of General Riall, and of the aid of General Drummond ; the latter a most fortunate cir- cumstance, as it prevented the concentration of the Bri- tish force, contemplated by that officer, before the Ameri- cans were prepared for his reception. After disposing of his prisoners. Major Jessup felt his way to the place where the hottest fire was kept up on the brigade to which he belonged, and drew up his regiment behind a fence on THE UNITED STATES. 343 the side of the Queenstown road, but in the rear of a party of British infantry, drawn up on the opposite side of the same road ; he suddenly gave them a destructive fire, on which they broke and lied. " The major," saj^s General Brown, " showed himself to his own army in a blaze of fire." He was ordered to form on the right of the second brigade. The following instance of generalship, by which thi sanguinary contest was decided, is of so daring a nature, and so completely developes the American character, that it will be inserted entire. General Ripley's -brigade had by this time been formed for action, when orders were given for it to advance to the support of General Scott, against whom a fire was now directed, which he could not long withstand. General Ripley, with the quick discernment which characterizes the real commander, seeing that too much time would be lost before he could make his way through the skirt of the Avoods in the darkness of tjb|e night, decided at once, upon his own responsibility, to adopt the only measure from which he saw a hope ; and which being made known to the commander in chief, he instantly sanctioned. The enemy's. artillery occupied a hill, which was the key to the whole position, and it would be in vain to hope for victory, while they were permitted to retain it. Addressing himself to C(donel Miller, he inquired, whether he could storm the batteries at the head of the twenty-first, while he would himself support him with the younger regiment, the twenty-third. To this the wary but intrepid veteran replied, in an unaflected phrase, I WILL TRY, Sir ; — words, which were afterwards given as the motto of his regiment. The twenty-third was formed in close column, unde its commandei-. Major M'Farland, and the first regiment, under Colonel Nicholas, was left to keep the enemy in check. The two regiments moved on to one of the most perilous charges ever attempted ; the whole of the artil- lery opened upon them as they advanced, supported by a powerful line of infantry. The twenty-first advanced steadily to its purpose ; the twenty-third faltered on re- ceiving the deadly fire of the enemy, but was soon rallied 344 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF by the personal exertions of General Ripley. When within a hundred yards of the summit, they received an- other dreadful discharge, by which Major M'Farland was killed, and the command devolved on Major Brooks. To the amazement of the British, the intrepid Miller firmly advanced, until within a few paces of their line, when he impetuously charged upon the artillery, which, after a short but desperate resistance, yielded their whole bat- tery, and the American line was in a moment formed in the rear, upon the ground previously occupied by the Bri- tish infantry. During the charge. General Riall was taken prisoner, and the efl'ect may easily be imagined. But this brilliant exploit seemed to spur on the enemy to redoubled exer- tions. Being reinforced, the British marched with quick step on the Americans, who reserved their fire until it could become deadly. The whole British division came within twenty paces of the lines, when the well directed fire from our troops p\it them into confusion. But they rallied to the attack, and the conflict became tremendous. But the €nemy yielded, and retired down the hill. The contest was, however, soon renewed by the British, with the same results. Disheartened by these repeated defeats, the British were on the point of yielding the contest, when they received fi-esh reinforcements from fort Niagara, Avhich revived their spirits, and induced tTiera to make another and still more desperate struggle. After taking an hour to refresh themselves, and recovering from their fatigue, they ad- vanced with a new and more extended line, and v.'ith con- fident hopes of being able to overpower the Americans, who thus far had been denied both refreshment and re- pose. Our countrymen had stood to their arms during all this time, their canteens exhausted, and many almost fainting with thirst ; and, from the long interval, they had begun to cherish hopes that the enemy had yielded. In this they were disappointed ; but on discovering the approach of the British, their courageous spirit retiu'ned, and they resolved never to yield the glorious trophies of their vic- tory, until they could contend no longer. Bait/e of backers Harbour, May 29, 1813. P. 269. Batl/e of Bridgcwater, July 25, 1813. P. 345. THE UNITED STATES. 345 The British delivered their fire at the same distance as on the last onset, which was returned by the Americans with the same deadly eflect; but they did not fall back with the same precipitation; a fresh line supplied the place of the first, and the whole steadily advanced. A conflict, dreadful beyond description, ensued ; the twenty-first, under its brave leader, firmly withstood the shock. The right and left repeatedly fell back, but were again rallied by the general, by Colonels Miller, Nicholas, and Jessup. At length the two lines closed with each other on the very summit of the hill, which they contested with terrific violence at the point of the bayonet. Such was the obstinacy of the contest, that many bat- talions, on both sides, were forced back, and the contend- mg parties became mingled with each other. Nothing could exceed the desperation of the conflict at the point where the cannon was stationed. The enemy having forced himself into the very midst of Major Hindman's artillery, this officer was compelled to spike two of his pieces, and was warmly engaged across the carriages and guns. General Ripley now pressing upon the enemy's flanks, compelled them to give way, and the centre soon following the example, the whole British line fled a third time, and no exertions of their officers could restrain them, until they placed themselves out of the reach of the mus- ketry and artillery. The British being now completely beaten, retired beyond the borders of the field, leaving their dead and wounded. The loss on this occasion was in proportion to the ob- stinacy of the conflict, the whole being seventeen hundred and twenty-nine; of which the British amounted to twenty- seven more than the Americans. The intention of the American commander was to re- new the action in the morning, but finding that he had but fifteen hundred men fit for duty, and that the British were drawn up inconsiderable force, General Ripley determin- ed not to commence an attack. He then retreated to Erie, and extended its defences. Having been reinforced by a thousand men, the enemy appeared before Fort Erie on the 3d of August, and commenced with regular approaches. By the 7th, the defences were sufllicient to keep the enemy r 346 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF at bay. Until the 14th, the cannonade was incessant, and the enemy gained ground, but in skirmishes, the Ameri cans were generally victorious. General Gaines now commanded at Erie, and Colonel Drummond was preparing to assail him. At half-past two in the morning, the attack was commenced by three co- lumns. On the second attempt, the British gained the pa- apet, and the enemy received the orders of Colonel Drum- mond, to " give no quarter /" The order was faithfully executed, and a terrible strife ensued. Colonel Drum- mond was shot in the breast, but the enemy still main- tained their position ; but they were finally defeated. The British loss in this assault was two hundred and twenty-two killed, including fourteen officers of distinction; one hundred and seventy-four wounded, and one hundred and eighty-six prisoners. The Americans lost seventeen killed, fifty-six wounded, and ten prisoners. Nothing further of particular importance transpired, until the seventeenth of September, when General Brown, observing that the enemy had just completed a battery, which could open a most destructive fire, the neyt day planned a sortie, which has been considered a military chef d'ceuvre. The British force consisted of three bri- gades, of one thousand five hundred men each, one of which was stationed at the works in front of Fort Erie, the other two occupied a camp two miles in the rear. — The design of General Brown was to "storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade on duty, before those in reserve could be brought up." A road had previously been opened by Lieutenants Riddle and Frazer, in a circuitous course through the W'^ods, within pistol shot of the flank of the line of batteries, and with such secrecy as to have escaped the notice of the enemy. At two o'clock, the troops were drawn up in readiness to make the sortie. The division commanded by General Porter, was composed of riflemen and Indians under Colonel Gibson, and two columns, one on the right, com- manded by Colonel Wood, the left commanded by Gene- ral Davis, of the New-York militia ; this was to proceed through the woods, by the road which had been opened, THE UNITED STATES. 347 while the right division of the troops, in the ravine already mentioned, was to be stationed between the fort and the enemy's works, under General Miller, with orders not to advance until General Porter should have engaged their flank. The command of General Porter advanced with so much celerity and caution, that when they rushed upon the enemy's flank they gave the first intimation of their a])proach. A severe conflict for a moment ensued, in which those gallant officers, Colonel Gibson, and Colonel Wood, fell at the head of their columns, and the com- mand devolved on Lieutenant Colonel M'Donald, and Ma- jor Brooks. In thirty minutes possession was taken of both batteries in this quarter, together with a block-house in the rear, and the garrison made prisoners. Three twenty-four pounders were rendered useless, and their magazine blown up by Lieutenant Riddle, mIio narrowly escaped the effects of the explosion. At this moment the division of General Miller came up; General Brown having heard the firing had ordered it to advance. In conjunction with Colonel Gibson's co- lumn, he pierced between the second and third line of batteries, and, after a severe contest, cai-ried the first of these. In this assault General Davis fell, at the head of his volunteers. The whole of these batteries, and the two block houses, being in the possession of the Ameri- cans, General Miller's division inclined to the more formi- dable batteries toward the lake shore. At this moment they were joined by the reserve under General Ripley. Here the resistance was more obstinate, the work being exceedingly intricate, from the successive lines of en- trenchments, contrived with studied complexity ; a con- stant use of the bayonet was the only mode of assailing them ; the enemy had, also, by this time, received consi- derable reinforcements. General Miller continued to advance, although suflering severe loss in some of his valuable officers : Colonel Aspinwall was badly wounded, and Major Trimble dangerously. The twenty-first, under Lieutenant Colonel Upham, forming a part of the reserve, and part of the seventeenth, uniting with the corps of General Miller, clnrged rapidly upon the remaining bat* 348 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF tery, which was instantly abandoned by the British infan- try and artillery. General Ripley now ordered a line to be formed, for the protection of the detachments engaged in destroying the batteries, and was engaged in making arrangements for following up, against the rear of General Drummond, tlie success which had so far transcended expectation, when he receiv^ed a wound in the neck, and fell by the side of Major Brooks ; he was immediately transported to the fort. The objects of the sortie having been com- pletely effected. General Miller called in his detachments, and retired in good order, with the prisoners, and the trophies of this signal exploit. The American loss in this affair was five hundred and eleven, that of the enemy upwards of a thousand, besides their cannon. On the eighteenth of October, a detachment of nine hundred Americans was ordered to destroy some stores at Lyon's Creek, which they effected, after encountering a party of twelve hundred. The object was effected, after the loss of sixty-seven killed, wounded and missing. During the season several expeditions were planned, but to little purpose. Major Croghan commanded one destined to regain Michilimackinack, but the main object was unsuccessfid. He effected a landing, but his force was too feeble, and the plan was given up as hopeless. He merely destroyed the establishments at St. Mary's and St. Joseph. General M'Arthur made an incursion into Canada, dispersing some detachments, destroying their stores, and taking one hundred and fifty prisoners, returned without loss. In the spring of 1814, Commodore Barney took the command of a small flotilla of gunboats to protect the inlets, and small rivers, that fall into Chesapeake Bay. About the 1st of June the enemy entered the Chesapeake Bay, and renewed their ravages with greater severity than they had done tlie past year. Sharp and frequent rencounters took place upon the Avater, and upon the land ; but the enemy succeeded in laying waste the coun- try, and carrying off the negroes, through the months of June and July. About the middle of August, the British entered the THE UNITED STATES. 349 Chesapeake with a fleet of about sixty sail, including transports, under Admiral Cockburn, and landed about six thousand men at Benedict, on the Patuxent, under the command of General Ross. (to the 22d, General Ross reached the Wood-yard, (so called) twelve miles from Washington, where Commodore Barney caused a large flotilla of gunboats to be destroyed, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. On the 23d, GlTneral Ross reached Bladensburgh, six miles from Washington, where he dispersed the militia, after a short resistance, and advanced to the city. Com- modore Barney had assembled a small force in defence of the capital, with several eighteen pounders, and made a stand ; but he was soon overpowered by numbers, wound- ed and taken prisoner, and the capital fell into the hands of the enemy. The navy yard was destroyed. By order of General Ross, the capitol, the president's house, and executive offices, were burnt. The enemy re- tired on the night of the 25th, by rapid marches, regained their ships, and embarked. The American ladies, always conspicuous in the history of America, for their patriotic conduct in times of diffi- culty and danger, never appeared so lovely in their zeal for their country. The first object of attack, it was rightly conjectured, Avould be Baltimore. The cities of Philadelphia and New-York waited the result with as much anxiety, as if their fate depended upon its successful issue. In this they perhaps had reason ; for should Baltimore fall, during the panic which succeeded the capture of Washington, and before the other cities would have time to place them- selves in an attitude of defence, they could make but a feeble resistance. After the first moment of despondency, occasioned by the capture of Washington, had subsided in Baltimore, and it was discovered that the place would not be assailed immediately, the inhabitants set about making prepara- tions for defence. Under the direction of General Smith, a ditch was opened, and a breastwork thrown up by the inhabitants, on the high ground to the north-east, (to effect which every class of people united,) so as completely to 30 350 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF protect the town in the only quarter in which it was ac cessible by land forces. In a few days, a considerable number of militia arrived from Pennsylvania and Virginia ; and the spirits of^ie inhabitants were greatly animated by the arrival of thd% naval veteran, Commodore Rogers, with his marines, who took possession of the heavy batteries on the hill. A brigade of Virginia volunteers, together Avith the regulars, was assigned to General Wintffc*, and the city brigade to General Striker ; the whole under command of Major-General Smith ; the two latter, distinguished revolutionary officers. General Striker had served from the commencement to the conclusion of that war, and shared in many important battles. The approach to the city by water, was defended by FortM'Henry, commanded by Major Armistead, with about sixty artillerists, under Captain Evans, and two companies of sea fencibles, under Captains Bunbury and Addison ; of these, thirty-five were on the sick list. As this number was insufficient to man the batteries, Major Armistead was furnished with two companies of volunteer artillery, under Captain Berry and Lieutenant Pennington, and a company under Judge Nicholson, (chief justice of Baltimore county,) which had tendered its services. Besides these, there was a detachment of Commodore Barney's flotilla, under Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart and Major Lane, consisting of detachments from the twelfth, fourteenth, and thirty-sixth regiments of the United States troops, which were encamped under the walls of the fort. The total amounted to about one thou- sand men. Two batteries on the right of Fort M'Henry, upon the Patapsco, to prevent the enemy from landing during the night, in the rear of the town, were manned, the one by Lieutenant Newcomb, with a detachment of sailors ; the other, by Lieutenant Webster, of the flotilla ; the former was called Fort Covington, the latter, the City Battery. It was equally important to the safety of the city, that in the event of an attack by land and naval forces, both should be repelled ; for in case Fort M'Henry was silenced by the shipping, there would be nothing to prevent the THE UNITED STATES. 351 destruction of the town ; and if the land forces of the enemy were successful, the fort could no longer be of any avail, and would even be untenable. To the defence of Fort M'Henry, and to the repulse of the British from the lines, the inhabitants looked for safety. Independently of the devastating orders of Cochrane, and the recent scenes at Washington and Alexandria, this city was a se- lected object of the vengeance of the enemy, in conse- quence of her active and patriotic exertions during the war. No one can imagine to himself a just picture of the *ata of anxious feeling, among fifty thousand people of all ages and sexes, for the approaching crisis, which would detmnine the safety or destruction of their city. And evfflP in case of successful resistance, the most •jttinful incertitude hung over the fate of those who were to risk their lives in its defence ; not strangers or merce- nai'ies, but their bosom friends, their brothers, their sons and husbands : every one, even old men and boys, who cou^wield a musket, were found in the ranks. TW committee of safety, composed of those advanced in life, and the most influential citizens, (among whom was the respectable Colonel Howard, a hero of the revo- lution,) took a large share in the preparations to meet the approaching danger. The British army having re-embarked on board the fleet in the Patuxent, Admiral Cochrane moved down the river, and proceeded up the Chesapeake ; and, on the morning of the eleventh of September, appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco, about fourteen miles from the city of Baltimore, with a fleet of ships of war, and transports, amounting to fifty sail. On the next day, the land forces, to th« number of at least six thousand men, the veterans of Wellington, de- barked at NorthPoint, and, under the command of Gene- ral Ross, took up their march for the city. General Strieker claimed, for the city brigade under his command, the honour of being the first to meet the invader, and was accordingly detached by General Smith, in anticipation of the landing of the British troops. On the eleventh General Strieker proceeded on the road to North Point, at the head of three thousand and two hun- X 358 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OV dred effective men, consisting of the fifth regiment, und6r Lieutenant Colonel Sterett, five hundred and fifty strong; six hundred and twenty of the sixth, under Lieutenant ■ Colonel M'Donald ; five hundred of the twenty-seventh, under Lieutenant Colonel Long ; five hundred and fifty of the thirty-ninth, under Lieutenant Colonel Fowler ; seven hundred of the fifty-first, under Lieutenant Colonel Amey ; one hundred and fifty riflemen, under Captain Dyer ; one hundred and fifty cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel Biays ; and the Union Artillery, of seveiUy-five men, and six four pounders, under Captain Moj^tgomery, (attorney general of the state.) A light corps of riflemen and musketry, under Major Randal, taken imm General Stanbury's brigade, and the Pennsylvania volunteers- were detached to the mouth of Bear Creek, with or^rs to co-operate with General Strieker, and to check any landing which might be efl'ected in that quarter. At six o'clock, P. M. General Strieker reached the meeting-house, near the head of Bear Creek, seve|toiiles from the city. Here the brigade halted, with the excep- . tion of the cavalry, who were pushed forward to Gor- such's farm, three miles in advance, and the riflemen, who took post near the blacksmith's shop, two miles in advance of the encampment. The next morning, (the twelfth,) at seven o'clock, in- formation was received from the videttes, that the enemy were debarking troops under cover of their gun vessels, which lay off" tlie bluff* at North Point, within the mouth of the Patapsco River. The baggage was immediately ordered back under a strong ^uard, and General Strieker moved forward the fifth and twenty-seventh regiments, and the artillery, to the head of Long Log Lane, resting the fifth with its right on the head of a branch of Bear Creek, its left on the main road, while the twenty-seventh was posted on the opposite side of the road, in a line with the fifth. The artillery was posted at the head of the lane, in the interval between these two regiments. The thirty-ninth was drawn up three hundred yards in the rear of the twenty-seventh, and the fifty-first the same distance in the rear of the fifth ; the sixth regiment was THE UNITED STATES. 353 drawn up as a reserve, within sight, half a mile in the iTar of the second line. Thus judiciously posted, the general determined to wait an attack, having given orders that the two regiments composing the front line, should receive the enemy, and, if necessary, fall back through the fifty-first and thirty- ninth, and form on the right of the sixth, posted in re- serve. The general now learned, that the British were moving rapidly up the main road ; and at the moment when he expected their approach to be announced by the riflemen, stationed in the low thick pine and furs, in advance, great- ly to his chagrin, he discovered this corps falling back upon the main position, having listened to a groundless rumour, that the enemy were landing on Back river, to cut them off. This part of the general's plan having been frustrated, he placed the riflemen on the right of his front line, by this means better securing that flank. The vi- dettes soon after bringing information that a party of the enemy were, in a careless reanner, carousing at Gprsuch's farm, several of the oflicers oflered their services to dis- lodge him. Captains Lcvering's and Howard's compa- nies, from the fifth, about one hundred and fifty in num- ber, under Major Heath, of that regiment; Captain Ais- quith's, and a few other riflemen, in all about seventy; a small piece of artillery, under Lieutenant Stiles, and the cavalry, were puslied Ibrwai-d, to chastise the insolence of the enemy's advance, and to evince a wish on the part of the American army to engage. The detachment had scarcely proceeded half a mile, when they came in contact with the main body of the enemy; a sharp skirmish ensued, in which Major Heath's horse was shot under him, and several of the Americans killed and wounded, but not unrevenged, for in this affair the enemy lost their commander in chief, General Ross. This officer had imprudently proceeded too fiir, for the purpose of reconnoitering, when he was killed by one of the company of Captain Howard, who was in the advance. After the death of Ross, the command devolved on Colonel Brook, who continued to push forward, notwith- standing this occurrence. The American detachment fell 30* 354 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF' back; and the general conceiving the two companies of Howard and Levering to be too much fatigued to share m the approaching conflict, they were ordered to form on the reserve, not without a request on their part to be per- mitted to share in the perils of their townsmen. At half past two o'clock, the enemy commenced throw- ing rockets, which did no injury ; and immediately Cap- tain Montgomeiy's artillery opened their fire upon them, which was returned by a six pounder and howitzer upon the left and centre. The fire was brisk for some minutes, when the general ordered it to cease on his side, with a view of bringing the enemy into close canister distance. Perceiving that the efforts of the British Avere chiefly directed against the left flank, the general brought up the thirty-ninth into line on the left of the twenty-seventh, and detached two pieces of artillery on the left of the thirty-ninth ; and still more completely to protect this flank, which was all important. Colonel Amey, of the fif- ty-first, was ordered to form his regiment at right angles M'ith the line, resting his right on the left of the thirty- ninth. The movement was badly executed, and created some confusion in that quarter, but was soon rectified with the assistance of the general's aids and Major Stevenson, and the brigade majors, Calhoun and Frailey. The enemy's right column now displayed, and advanced upon the twenty-seventh and thirty-ninth. Unfortunately, at this juncture, the fifty-first, from some sudden panic, after ffivinff a random fire, broke and retreated in such confusion as rendered it impossible to rally it, and occa- sioned the sam.e disorder in the second battalion of the ■ thirty-ninth. The fire by this time became general, from right to left ; the artillery poured an incessant and destructive stream upon the enemy's left column, which endeavoured to shelter itself behind a log house, but this was instantly in a blaze ; Captain Sad tier having taken the precaution to fire it, as soon as it was abandoned by him and his yagers. About ten minutes past three, the British line came on with a rapid discharge of musketry, which was well re- turned by the fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the first bat- talion of the tliirty-ninth, who maintained their ground i THE UNITED STATED 355 in spite of the example set by the intended support on the left. The whole of the general's force with this diminution, scarcely amounted to fourteen hundred, to which was opposed the whole of the enemy. The fire was inces- sant, until about twenty-five minutes before four o'clock, during which time General Strieker gallantly contended against four times his numbers ; but finding that the une- qual contest could be maintained no longer, and that the enemy was about to outflank him, in consequence of the flight of the fifty-first, he was compelled to retire upon his reserve, which he effected in good order. Here he formed his brigade, but the enemy not thinking it advi- sable to pursue, he fell back, and took post on the left of the line, half a mile in advance of the intrenchments, where he was joined by General Winder, who had been stationed on the west side of the city, but was now or- dered with the Virginia brigade, and Captain Bird's Uni- ted States dragoons, to take post on the left of General Strieker- The conduct of the Baltimore brigade, with the excep- tion of the fifty-first, and the second battalion of the thirty- ninth, who were seized with the panic to which raw troops are so much subject, deserved the highest praise. Vete- rans could not have done more. Their loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to one hundred and sixty-three, (amongst wliom were some of the most respectable citi- zens of Baltimore,) about an eighth of the force engaged. Adjutant James Lowry Donaldson, of the twenty-seventh, (an eminent lawyer,) was killed in the hottest of the fight. Major Heath and Major Moore, and a number of other officers, were wounded. The loss of the British was nearly double that of the Americans, according to their own acknowledgment, and probably much greater. This unexpected resistance had a happy eflect upon the enemy; in their official statements, they computed the American force at six thousand, a great proportion of regulars, and estimated our loss at one thousand, from which we may infer their opinion o the manner in which they were received. In the mean time ihe naval attack had already com- 366 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF menced from five bomb vessels, at the distance of two miles ; when finding themselves sufficiently near, they anchored, and kept up an incessant bombardment, while they were at such a distance as to be out of the reach of the guns of the fort. The situation, although painfully inactive, was highly perilous ; yet every man stood to his post without shrinking. One of the twenty-four pound- ers, on the south-west bastion, under Captain Nicholson, was dismounted, and killed his second lieutenant and wounded several of his men. The enemy now approach- ed somewhat nearer, so as to be within striking distance A tremendous fire was instantly opened from the fort, which compelled him precipitately to gain his former po- sition. The bombardment was kept up during the whole day and night. The city, thus assailed on both sides, awaited the result v/ith death-like silence, and yet no eye was closed in sleep. Suddenly, about midnight, a tremendous cannonade was heard in the direction of the fort, and the affrighted popu- lation believed that all was over. Their fears were soon quieted, by the information that some barges of the ene- my, the number not known, had attempted to land, but were compelled to draw ofl' with all possible hasle, after great slaughter, by Lieutenants Newcomb and Webster, who commanded the city battery and Fort Covington. By the next morning the bombardment ceased, after up- wards of fifteen hundred shells had been thrown ; a large portion of which burst over the fort, and scattered their fragments amongst its defenders ; a great number fell within the works, and materially injured two of the pub- lic buildings, and two slightly. The enemy, not willing to abide such rough handling, retreated under cover of a dark and stormy night, and in the morning General Winder was detached in pursuit, but the time which had elapsed was sufficient for embar- kation, and the rear could not be cut ofl'. The next day the fleet descended the bay, to the great joy of the inha bitants of Baltimore. We shall now return with our readers to the opef-ations on the northern frontier. About the first of September, Sir George Frevost led his army to Flattsburgh, while THE UNITED STATES. 357 the fleet proceeded up the lake on his left, to make a simultaneous attack by land and water. Before this, lit- tle of consequence liad transpired in this quarter. The peace in Europe permitted the English govern- ment to transport large bodies of troops, and they had already sent on a considerable army to Canada. Four- teen thousand of these were organized under Sir George, md the remainder were sent to oppose General Brown on the Niagara. To oppose this overwhelming force, General Macomb had but iifteen hundred regulars, including new recruits and invalids. Tlie works were in no state of defence, and the stores and ordnance were in great disorder. The British force took possession of Champlain on the third of September, and, from the proclamations and impress- ments of wagons and teams in this vicinity, it was soon discovered that their object Avas an attack on Plattsburgh. Not a minute was to bo lost in placing the Avorks in a gtate of defence ; and in order to create an emulation and zeal among the ofTieors and men, they were divided into detachments, and stationed in the several forts; the gene- ral declaring, iu orders, that each detachment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity. At the same time he called on General Mooers, of tlie New-York militia, and arranged with him plans for calling out the militia en masse. The inhabi- tants of Plattslnirgh lied with their families and effects, excepting a few men, and some boys, who formed them- selves into a company, received rifles, and were exceed- ingly useful. In this extremity General Mooers collected about seven hundred militia, and small detachments were posted so as to watch and harass the enemy. Trees were felled, and every impediment put in the way of their march, and some skirmishes ensued. At daylight, on the sixth, it was ascertained that the enemy were advancing in two columns by each of tlie roads, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village. The column on the Beck- man road approached rapidly ; the militia skirmished a little with its advanced parties, but which, with the excep- tion of « few brave men, soon broke, and fled in the great- 358 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF est disorder. A detachment of two hundred and tin/ men, under Major Wool, had been marched to their sup- port, and to show thein an example of firmness ; but it was found unavailing. Finding that the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile of Plattsburgh, orders were received for Colonel Appling to return from his position at Dead Creek, and fall on the enemy's right flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in time to save his retreat, and to fall in with the head of a column debouching from the woods. He poured a destructive fire from his riflemen, and continued to annoy the column until he formed a junction with Major Wool. Notwithstanding that con- siderable execution was done by the field pieces, the enemy still continued to press forward in column ; con- siderable obstructions Avere, however, thrown in their M'ay by the removal of the bridge, and by the fallen trees ; a galling fire was also kept up from the galleys as they passed the creek. Plattsburgh is on the northeast side of the Saranac, near its entrance into Lake Champlain, directly opposite the American works. The town was of course abandon- ed, and occupied by the British. Attempts were made to take possession of the bridge, but it was resolutely guarded by the Americans. When our troops had passed the bridge, the planks were raised, and used for a breast- work. The enemy, now masters of the village, instead of attempting to carry the American works on the opposite side of the river, which their vast superiority of force might have enabled them to do, contented themselves with erecting works, whence they continued to annoy the Americans, and constantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords. By the eleventh, the fifth" day of the siege, a con- siderable force of New- York and Vermont militia, Avhich had been continually collecting, lined the Saranac, and repelled the attempts of the British to cross, while, at the same time, a considerable body was sent to harass their rear. There was scarcely an intermission to the skir- mishes which took place between them and the militia, who acted, after the first day, with great intrepidity THE UNITED STATES. 359 The American regulars, at the same time, laboured inces- santly to extend and strengthen their works. During this time, a handsome affair was achieved by Captain M'GJassin, who, crossing the river in the night, assailed the British regulars, more than three times his number, stationed at a masked battery, which had been for some days preparing, drove them from their posts, and demo- lished their works. The principal cause of delay, which was fortunate for the Americans, was the momentary expectation of the fleet, which was intended to co-operate. On the morn- ing of the eleventh, at eight o'clock, the look out boat of Commodore M'Donough announced its approach. It consisted of the Confiance, carrying thirty-nine guns, twenty-seven of which were twenty-four pounders ; the brig Linnet, of sixteen guns ; the sloops Chub and Finch, each carrying eleven guns; thirteen galleys, five of which carried two, and the remainder one gun. The commo- dore at this moment lay at anchor in Plattsburgh bay, and intended in that situation to receive the enemy. His fleet consisted of the Saratoga, carrying twenty-six guns, eight of which were long twenty-four pounders ; the Eagle, of twenty guns ; the Ticonderoga, of seventeen, the Preble, seven; and ten galleys, six of which carried two, and the remainder one gun. Besides the advantage which the enemy possessed, in being able to choose their position, their force was much superior. The number of guns in the British fleet amounted to ninety-five, and of men to upwards of a thousand; while that of the Ameri- cans was eighty-six, and the number of men less by two hundred. One of the American vessels had been built with despatch almost incredible. Eighteen days before, the trees of which it was constructed, were actually grow ing on the shores of the lake. The American vessels were moored in line, with five gunboats and gallies on each flank. At nine o'clock, Captain Downie, the British commander, anchored in line, abreast of the American squadron, at about three hundred yards distance, the Confiance opposed to the Saratoga; the Linnet to the Eagle ; the British galleys, and one of the sloops to the Ticonderoga, Preble, and the left divi- 360 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF sion of the American galleys ; the other sloop to the righi division. The importance of the contest which was now impend- ing, will justify us in a particular description. In this situation the whole force on both sides became engaged ; and at the same moment, as if ihis had been the signal, the contest coxnmenced between General Macomb and Sir George Prevost. One of the British sloops wa? soon thrown out of the engagement, by running on a reel of rocks, whence she could not be extricated, while one division of the enemy's galleys was so roughly handled as to be compelled to pull out of the way. But the fate of this interesting day, on which the two rivals for naval superiority were for the second time matched in squad- ron, depended chiefly on the result of the engagement be- tween the two largest ships. The American commodore maintained the unequal con- test for two hours ; but the greater weight of the ene- my's battery seemed to incline the scale of victory, al- though he suffered prodigiously. The chances against the Saratoga were accidentally increased by the comman- der of the Eagle, who not being able to bring his guns lo bear as he wished, cut his cable, and anchored between the Ticonderoga and Saratoga, by which tliis vessel was exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. The guns on the starboard side had, by this time, been either dismounted or become unmanageable ; the situation of the enemy Avas but little better ; to both, the fortune of the day depended on ifce b^ecution of one of the most difficult naval mauoeuvies — io wind their vessel round, and bring a new broadsiae lo near. The Contiance a.s»« vea it iu vain, but the eftbrts of the {Saratoga were successiui; a stern anchor was let go, the bower cable cut, and the ship winded with a fresh broad- ""ide on the frigate, which soon after surrendered. A oroadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered in fifteen minutes after The sloop opposed to the Eagle had struck to Captain Henley sometime be- fore, and drifted cown the line. Three of the galleys were sunk, the others escaped ; all the rest of the fleet fell into the hands of Commodore M'Donough. By the Buffalo, JY. Y. Burned by the British, December SOth, 18K Pa^e 305. Battle of Flattsbu g ' M lo h's Victory, Sept. llth, 1814. Paffe SOI. THE UNITED STATES. 301 time this bloody contest was over, there was scarcely a mast in either squadron capable of bearing a sail, and th« greater part of the vessels in a sinking state. There were fifty round shot in the hull of the Saratoga, and in the Confiance one hundred and five. The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot. The action lasted two hours and twenty minutes. The commander of the Confiance was killed, with forty-nine of his men, and sixty wounded. On board the Saratoga there were twenty-eight killed, and twenty-nine wounded. Of the first was Lieutenant Gamble ; and on board the Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Stanbury, (son of General Stan- bury, of Maryland.) Among the wounded were Lieu- tenant Smith, acting Lieutenant Spencer, and midship- man Baldwin. ,The total loss in the American squadron amounted to fifty-two killed, and fifty-eight wounded. The loss of the enemy was eighty-four killed, one hun- dred and ten wounded, and eight hundred and fifty-six prisoners, which actually exceeded the number of their captors. This engagement, so deeply interesting to the two rival nations, took place in sight of the hostile armies. But they were by no means quiet spectators of the scene ; a hot engagement was kept up during the whole time ; the air was filled with bombs, rockets, sharpnels, and hot balls. Three desperate efforts were made by the British to cross over and storm the American works, in which they were as often repulsed, with considerable loss. An attempt to force the bridge was bravely defeated by a de- tachment of regulars, and Captain Grosvenor's riflemen. They attempted a ford about three miles above, but were so briskly assailed by a body of volunteers and militia posted in a wood, that the greater part of the detachment was cut to pieces. The eflbrts of the enemy naturally relaxed, after wit- nessing the painful sight, so little expected, of the entire capture of their fleet. The firing was, however, kept up until night ; at night the enemy withdrew their artillery, and raised the siege. The plans of Sir George Prevost were completely frustrated, since the Americans had now the command of the lake ; even if he were to possess 31 363 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF himself of the American works, it would not serve him any further design ; in the meantime, he would be exposed to great danger from the hourly augmentation of the American forces. Under the cover of the night, he, therefore, sent off' all his baggage and artillery, for which he found means of transportation ; and, before day the next morning, his whole force precipitately retreated, leaving behind their sick and wounded. Vast quantities of military stores, and munitions of war, Avere abandoned by them, and still greater quantities Avere afterwards found hid in marshes, or buried in the ground. They Avere hotly pursued, a number of stragglers Avere picked up, and upAvards of five hundred deserters came in. Those of the British army and naAy Avho fell, Avere in- terred Avilh the honours of Avar. The humane attention of the Americans to the Avounded, and the politeness and generous attention to the prisoners, Avere acknowledged in grateful terms by Captain Pryng, (Avho succeeded Cap- tain DoAvnie,) in his official despatch to the admiralty Thus Avas this portentous invasion most happily repel- led, and another of our inland seas made glorious by the victories of free Americans. The " star spangled ban- ner" Avaved in triumph on the Avaters of Champlain, as it did on Erie and Ontario. These noble, features in our great empire Avill henceforth be vieAved Avith a very diffe- rent interest from Avhat they heretofore excited. The effect of this victory tended to allay party spirit, and produce unanimity in the national legislature. The great cause of bitter complaint against the administra- tion, French influence, was at an end, and the recent con- duct of Great Britain towards this country, rendered it impossible for any one to say that she Avas not Avantonly pursuing hostilities, Avhen these causes no longer existed. No one could now be the advocate of Britain. But, in addition to other circumstances, the neglect ex- perienced by our ministers in Europe, and the shuffling policy of Great Britain, which procrastinated a final ad- jusimeni of differences, were well understood, and had their proper effect on our citizens. Our sincere desire for peace Avas met by the demand for a surrender of a e. Southern — Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, se- ven. Western — Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, six. District of Columbia, the seat of the general government, a tract of ten miles sc[uare. Territories — Michigan, Northwest, Arkansas, Missouri, Oregon, Florida, six. States, District, and Territories, in all thirty-one. The extent from south to north is 24 degrees, comprehended between 35 and 49 degrees N. lat., and from east to west, 58 degrees 11 n)inutes W. Ion. included between 66 degrees 49 minutes, and 135 degrees. The whole containing two millions of square miles. By the census of 1820, the whole population was nine millions, six liundred and forty-one thousand, seven hun- dred and eighty-four. The District of Columbia, being of small extent, and embracing three populous places, Washington, Alexandria, and Georgetown, contains the most dense population, and averages three hundred and thirty on a square mile. Next in population is Massachu- setts, which has seventy-two on the square mile. Con- necticut fifty-eight, and Rhode Island fifty-three. Dela- ware thirty-four ; New-York thirty ; ]\Iaryland twenty- nine ; New-Hampshire twenty-six ; Vermont and Penn- sylvania twenty-three ; South Carolina twenty; Virginia seventeen; Ohio fifteen; Kentucky and North Carolina THE UNITED STATES. 377 thirteen ; Tennessee eleven ; Georgia six ; Louisiana and Alabama three ; Mississippi two ; Illinois and Missouri one ; Michigan contains one inhabitant to about five square miles ; northwest unknown ; Arkansas, Missouri, and Oregon, contain a million of square miles, and the first more than fourteen thousand inhabitants. Florida has about one inhabitant to three square miles. With a knowledge of the qualities of the soil, healthi- ness of the clime, water privileges and communications, those who wish to emigrate, can determine on the most eligible situation with a tolerable degree of accuracy, ac- cording to the business which they propose to pursue. Another consideration with those who wish to change their place of residence, may sometimes be taken into the account, and this is the prevalence of religious opinion. Taking the whole of the Union collectively, the principal religious denominations are Presbyterians and Congrega- tionalists, who have, together, more than 2500 congrega- tions ; the Baptists, who have more than 2000 congrega- tions ; the Friends, who have more than 500 societies ; and the Episcopalians, who have about 300. The Metho- dists, also, are very numei'ous. The Baptists and Metho- dists are found in all parts of the United States ; the Congregationalists are almost wholly in New-England ; the Presbyterians are scattered over the middle and southern states ; the Friends are most numerous in Penn- sylvania, and the adjoining states, and the Episcopalians in New-York, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia. Ger- man Lutherans, German Calvinists, and Moravians, are also numerous in the middle states. But, besides these, the Unitarians are a fast increasing sect, of which a majority of the Congregational societies in Boston arc known to be, and, more or less, the doc trine is spreading through the United States, though the principal part of the societies are supposed to be in New- England. The Universalists are also numerous in Maine, Massachusetts, New-Hampsliire, and Vermont; and in the western counties of New-York they abound. In New York city and Pliiladelphia, are several churches, and in South Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, and Georgia, they are fast increasing. 32* 378 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Next to relig-ious opinions, the sort of people among whom we purpose to fix a permanent abode, may very properly be considered. Of the United States, the inha- bitants consist of whites, negroes, and Indians. The negroes are generally slaves, and are principally confined to the states south of Pennsylvania, and the River Ohio. All the whites are of European origin ; principally English. TJie New-Englanders, Virginians, and Carolinians, are almost purely English. Next to the English are the Germans, who are very numerous in the middle states, particularly in Pennsylvania. Next to the Germans are the Dutch, who are most numerous in New- York. The Frencli constitute nearly half the population of Louisiana. The Irish and Scotch are found in the middle states, in the back parts of Virginia, and in all the principal cities of the Union. Very little is known about the Indians west of the Mississippi. The four principal tribes on the east of the Mississippi are the Creeks, Choc- taws, Cherokees, and Chickasaws. These tribes live within the cliartered limits of Georgia, Alabama, Missis- sippi, and Tennessee. In a country of such great extent, tbe habits, manners, and general occupations of the people, will, of course, differ matei'ially. The eastern, or New-England states, in the interior portions, have, until lately, devoted their attention principally to agriculture, confined to such arti- cles as are of prime necessity in sustaining life. The cities and towns on the seaboard, have attended to the fisheries and commerce generally. Lately they have been led to manufactures, particularly of cloths and cot- ton, for which their various streams are well adapted. The restrictions on commerce, if continued, will probably direct most of the capital hitherto occupied in foreign commerce, into this channel. The immense forests in some of the states, will, however, occupy numbers in the lumber trade, for years to come. New-England undoubtedly holds the first rank in lite- rature, commerce, enterprise, and wealth, but in grandeur and sublimity, and the natural means of wealth, the west- ern states are more than successful rivals. The plains and mountains, and rivers and forests of the newly settled THE UNITED STATES. 379 parts of the new world, have no parallel in the eastern continent. The following description of the prairies of Louisiana is extracted from Niles' Register, a work not exceeded in this country for the extent and value of its communications. The districts of Attakapas and Oppelousas, which stretch along the Mexican gulph, from the Attchaffallaya to the Sabine, are scarcely known to geographers, though they form a most interesting portion of the republic. The fertility of the soil, the value of its products — the immense natural meadows which cover five eighths of the country, and their peculiar fitness for feeding cattle, are all worthy the attention of the shoals of emigrants who are seeking wealth or liberty, to the west and south. The accounts published by Brackenridge and Darby are most to be re- lied on ; but neither of those writers have been sufficiently explicit, though each enjoyed opportunities of acquiring better information. The following statement may, per- haps, be perused with some interest by such as are pleased to note the rapid march which our country is making to power, and give the reader some idea of the vast resources of Louisiana. About the year 1755, a few French traders commenced a traffic for peltry with the Indians, who inhabited those prairies. They were soon followed by others, who, re- marking the great profits to be realized from stock raising, introduced horned cattle into the country. Their success encouraged others to adventure ; and we find from the census of 1785, that Attakapas and Oppelousas then con- tained 2408 inhabitants. In the year 1801, their popula- tion was rated at 7250, of which 3500 were slaves. Up to the last named epocha, stock raising formed the almost exclusive occupation of the inhabitants. They supplied New-Orleans and the Mississippi coast with beef, at the rate of one cent and a fourth per pound ; but even at this price, many had amassed money enough to purchase slaves and commence farming establishments. The American government, which took place early in 1804, gave new stimulus, and induced the inhabitants to turn their atten- tion more to planting. The soil and climate unitinsr with their exertions and 380 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF • industry, have secured to the first planters of those dis- tricts a most enviable independence. A few years ago they were a horde of shepherds, consequently a hardy and virtuous race. Of lale their plan of life has changed, and their means rapidly increased, without introducing the thousand fictitious wants, which usually travel in the train of wealth. Even now it is no uncommon sight to see a planter of those countries, owning, perhaps, seventy or eighty slaves, clad in the product of his wife's loom, attending to his horseS; oxen, or crop, with more assi- duity and attention, than characterizes a Carolina over- seer: — yet, if a stranger visits him, he will find his table crowded witli the best wines of the world, and no lack of intelligence or any thing else which forms good cheer. Riches here, appear to add only to the comforts of their possessor, without forming the invidious disimc- tions among men which exist in other parts of the worid. The ease v/ith which they are acquired, may be the rea- son of this — but the detached situation of the country ac- counts for it more rationally. Besides the population is as yet quite thinly scattered over an immense territory, and wherever this is the case, we do not usually find so many of those little pi-esuming animals, wearing the shapes of men, which are such great nuisances in thickly inhabit- ed countries. In 1810, Attakapas and Oppelousas, contained 13,774 souls. For two years after the census was taken, there was a great emigration to the country. It \vas stopped early in 1813, by the pressure of the Avar ; but since the peace, it has recommenced. At present, (Sept. 1817,) I feel confident the population would be estimated too low at 20,000. It is the custom for the rich and gay young people of Louisiana and Mississippi, to spend their carnival at New- Orleans. The health enjoyed by the young ladies of the prairies, added to their active and industrious iiabits, gives them bloom and beauty, which cast the belles of other districts into the shade. It is a singular fact, that for thirteen winters past, tlie reigning toast in the Orleans ball rooms, has been almost always from Attakapas or Oppelousas. THE UNITED STATES. 381 The topography of those countries are pretty accu- rately delineated in Darby's map of Louisiana. His book is a very inferior production to his map, and not much to be relied on as useful information. I will here add a few words concerning the soil and its productions ; but as these vary in an extent of country, containing about 300,000 square miles, I will consider the districts sepa- rately. Oppelousas, lying to the northwest of Attakapas, is well calculated for a grazing country. Its prairies are very extensive, and the greater parts of the land second and third rate. The lands of the best quality in this country, are in its southwest corner, consisting of a strip about twenty-six miles long, and eight wide. In this tract are situated many large plantations, which yield immense profits to tlieir proprietors. The northern part of the country, bordering on Rapide disti'ict, is poor land, and the western section, which skirts the gulph and the River Sabine, is little better. Those lands, however, produce tolerable corn, and a coarse luxuriant grass, which can feed cattle enough to supply the home and West India markets. Attakapas is divided into two parishes, St. Mary and St. INIarlin. The Vermillion River rises in Oppelousas, and on entering St. Martin's, becomes a considerable stream. The lands on its banks are high, and generally of the best quality. After a course of ninety miles in this parish, it falls into the bay of the same name, near the 30th degree of north latitude. Between the Vermillion and the Minton, (the western limit of Attakapas,) lies a prairie country, which in soil is nothing lemarkable, but affords excellent pasturage. The Tesche, likewise, rises in Oppelousas, near the source of the Vermillion. Its general course is to the south east, piercing the western sections of St. Mar- tin and St. Mary. It meets the Attchaffallaya at Berwick's Bay, and is navigable for seventy miles from its mouth for the largest boats, and for smaller craft almost to its source. From the line of Oppelousas to Berwick's Bay, a distance of more than ninety miles, there is no soil on its banks which is not first rate. As it approaches the 382 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF sea, however, the land is thought to improve, and the cli- mate certainly becomes more favourable to the culture of sugar. Between the upper part of the Tesche and the Vermillion, in the parish of St. Martin, lies a rich tract of country, principally prairie. It is as yet very partial- ly settled, owing to the scarcity of wood. This cannot form a permanent impediment, as trees, when planted in those meadows, and shielded from the ver- nal burnings of the grass, thrives faster than any soil I have ever seen. Several persons have already tried the experiment, and find four or five years suflicient to grow any supply of firewood they may want. Besides, there is not any part of the rich meadows of Attakapas more than five miles distant from plenty of wood. The climate is, at the same time, so mild, that fuel is little wanted but for the kitchen. The good lands of Oppelousas and St. Martin's are best adapted to the culture of cotton. They sent to New- Orleans last year 6,000 bales of fine cotton ; and if the whole of their rich soil was cultivated, might produce an- nually more than sixty thousand bales. About five thou- sand steers are each year exported from those districts, which sell at home for twelve dollars each. The parish of St. Mary's, being the southern part of the tract of coiuitry under consideration, is well adapted for the culture of sugar. This was doubted, until some of the enterprizing American emigrants tested it, in the last two years, by the most successful experiments. It is found to succeed as well, if not better, than on the Mis- sissippi, and the cane is certainly brought to maturity with less labour. Cotton also succeeds remarkably well, but will soon give way to sugar. In the year 1816, this pa- rish, with a population of about 3,000 souls, sent to mar- ket 2,500 bales of cotton, 900 hogsheads of sugar, and 800 beef cattle, which sold for 350,000 dollars. Some sugar has been cultivated in Oppelousas and St. Martin's, but, owing to mismanagement or the climate, it has not succeeded well. The parish of St. Mary is in no place more than ten miles wide, having the sea on one side, and Lake Plan and the Attchaffallaya on the other, which may have an THE UNITED STATES. 383 influence on the early frosts, and protect the cane crop till it reaches maturity. The Tesche lands lie mostly from ten to fifteen feet above the highest swells produced by the Mississippi floods. Ill the year 1813, and 1815, when there were very great freshets, the lakes between tlie prairies and the Mississippi, and with them the Tesche, rose about eight feet above their common level. But a recurrence of this can scarcely be expected, as the levees on the Great River are rapidly extending, Avhicli will prevent its waters from flowing into the lakes. But even if the levees should be demolished, the prairies are too high ever to be inundated. The Vermillion is never afl'ccted by the Mississippi. The lands on its banks (and, indeed, in every other part of the country except the Tesche) are from 30 to 100 feet above the level of the sea. Sloops o( 100 tons can ascend the Tesche to Nova Iberia, 600 miles from its mouth; though the produce of the country is seldom carried direct to the ocean, the Tesche, and Attchaflallaya communicate with the Missis- sippi by tlie Lafourch and Plaquaminc ; a voyage from any part of those rivers can be easily made to New-Or- leans in nine days. Along the coast of Attakapas are found four islands, viz. Belle Isle, Cole Blanche, Grand Cote, and Petite Ance, which bear no resemblance to the main land, and appear to be remnants of some ancient continent. They rise several hundred feet above the tides, and I would suppose originally belonged to a high diversified coun- try Be this as it may, they have a very fertile soil, and produce the best sugar and cotton of Louisiana. The four islands contain about 7000 superficial acres of good land. There are sugar establishments on all but Belle Isle. There are other islands lying in the AttchaflalJaya, or Berwick's Bay, which have a very good soil, but once in ten or fifteen years have been liable to be overflowed by the heaviest swells of the Mississippi. In Oppelousas about one third of the population is Americans. In St. Martin's one fifth, and in St. Mary's more than a moiety. The rest are principally French. 384 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Lands throughout the whole country are to be haa at a very low rate, though they are rising every day in vulue Good tracts in the parish of St. Mary's, with plenty of wood, may be had for two and three dollars the acre. With a salubrious climate, a rich soil, and industrious population, Attakapas, and Oppelousas, will soon not only be called the richest counties of Louisiana, but outstrip in agriculture any section of the union. Such a coinitry IS worthy of observation, and with the hope that the re- marks I have made may result to the advantage of emi- grants, I submit them to my countrymen. Comparative Estimate of the POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. The northern and eastern sections of the Union are far less favoured by nature for the production of the fruits of the earth, than the southern and western. And hence emigrations are frequent, and the drain of inhabitants great. And yet the fact is evident, that in New-England the population is constantly and rapidly increasing. By comparing the census of 1810 with that of 1820, we per- ceive a very regular progression, and with very few ex- ceptions, an increase equal to tliat which might be ex- pected, ev^en without the loss of emigrants. During the ten years mentioned, in Maine, the most barren state in New-England, the net gain of inhabitants was near 70,000, being an addition of nearly one third of its former num- bers. The increase was in all the counties. In the same time New-Hampshire gained about 30,000, being an increase of more than one ninth of her former numbers, and no loss ,in either of her counties. In Ver- mont, the increase M'as about 18,000, and no loss in any section of the state. In Massachusetts, the gain was 51,000, being an increase of about one eighth. Berkshire county lost two hundred and seventeen, and Duke's county gained but two. In Rhode Island, the gain was much less than might be expected, considering the flourishing state of manufactures, and the encouragement held out to enterprise. The whole increase was but about 6,000, THE UNITED STATES. 386 being one twelfth of her former population. In New- port county, the loss was about five hundred. In Con- necticut, the gain was 14,000, being an increase of about one twentieth of its former numbers. Thus the net in- crease in the New-England states, during ten years, was 183,000. Wc come now to the great state of New-York, which is divided into four large districts, viz. South, Middle, Eastern, and Western. The gain of inhabitants in the South, during ten years, was nearly 39,000, of which New- York city and county received about 27,000. The gain in the Middle district was 37,000. In the Eastern, the increase was 23,000, in which is Washington county, which lost during this time, nearly six thousand. The greatest increment was in the Western district, which nearly doubled in the aggregate, and some of the counties of which, more than tripled their former numbers. St. Lawrence, Courtland, Broome, and Ontario doubled ; and Genesee increased more than fourfold. The whole gain in the state was 413,763, which is an addition to the cen- sus of 1810, of one half, wanting a fraction. The popu- lation of the state may now be fairly estimated at sixteen hundred tliousand. New-Jei'sey exhibits a regular progression, having added to her population but thirty-two thousand, each of the counties having contributed about a fair proportion. The addition is about one seventh in ten years. Pennsylvania exhibits a considerable increase during this period, but the result in the different counties is very unequal. Clear- field, Erie, Jefferson, M'Kean, Tioga, and Warren, have about doubled, and some of them more than tripled their numbers, while Cumberland, Dauphin, and Northampton, have lost thousands, and Northumberland alone, twenty- one thousand, being three thousand more than half it3 former inhabitants. The whole increment to the state during ten years, was 239,307, of which Philadelphia city and county claim nearly twenty-six thousand. Delaware had gained but seventy-five during this time, the whole population in 1820, amounting to less than 73,000. In Maryland, the following counties diminished about thir- teen thousand in ten years, viz. Charles, Montgomery, 33 386 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Harford, Queen Ann, and Dorchester. The whole gain in the state, however, was near twenty-seven thousand, the whole population being more than four hundred and seven thousand. Having now come in course to the District of Columbia, a particular description may be desirable, at least so far as the principal city is^vorthy of note. Washington city, the metropolis of the United States, is pleasantly situated on the north-east bank of the River Potomac, at the point of land formed by the junction of the Eastern branch, 300 miles from the mouth of the river, and three miles below the head of the tide. It is sepa- rated from Georgetown on the N. W. by Rock Creek, and Tyber Creek passes through the middle of the city. Wash- ington is regularly laid out in streets running due north and south, intersected by others at right angles. Besides these streets, which are i'rom 80 to 1 10 feet wide, there are avenues, from 130 to 160 feet broad, which diverge from centres in various parts of the city, crossing the other streets transversely. At the points from which the ave- nues diverge are spacious squares. The ground embraced in the plan of the city is very extensive, but only a small portion of it is yet occupied with buildings. The principal public buildings and establishments are, 1. The Capitol, which is finely situated on an eminence, commanding a view of every part of the city, and a con- siderable portion of the adjacent country. According to the original plan, it is to be composed of a central edifice and two wings. The two wings were in a state of con- siderable forwardness in 1814, when the British army, under General Ross, gained possession of the city, and destroyed them, together with the President's house and other public structures, and an extensive library, which had been purchased for the use of congress. The wings of the capitol are now rebuilt, and the central building has been commenced. The wings are each 100 feet square, and the whole building, when completed, will be a magnificent edifice, presenting a front of 362 feet. 2. The Presidenfs house, situated about a mile and a half west of the capitol, on the avenue leading to Georgetown. It is 170 feet by 85, and two stories high. 3. Four spa- THE UNITED STATES. 387 cious buildings, erected in the vicinity of the president's house, for the accommodation of the heads of the great departments of government. 4. An extensive navy-yard, situated on the eastern branch, which forms a safe and commodious harbour. 5. A fort, which, from the ex- treme southern point of the land on which the city stands, commands the channel'of the Potomac; and, 6. the gene- ral post-office, a brick edifice, about a mile W. N. W. of the capitol. The style of the architecture of the capitol is Corinthian, and that of the president's house Ionic ; and both buildings are constructed of free stone. The capi- tol square is enclosed by a strong and handsome iron rail- ing ; and being planted with trees, and otherwise orna- mented, will afford a delightful walk for the inhabitants and visiters of the city. The amount expended by the Uni- ted States on the public buildings, previously to their de- struction by the British, in August, 1814, was $1,214,29J, and there have been appropriated, towards rebuilding the same, $1,207,788. Besides the buildings and establishments above enume- rated, Washington contains a city hall, a theatre, a col- lege, 4 banks, several manufacturing establishments, and 12 houses for public worship, 3 for Presbyterians, 2 for Episcopalians, 2 for Baptists, 2 for Methodists, 2 for Ca- tholics, and 1 for Friends. There is a bridge about one mile long, over the Potomac, three over the eastern branch, and two over Rock Creek. The population of Washing- ton, in 1800, was 3,210 ; in 1810, 8,208 ; and in 1820, 13,247, of whom 3,741 were blacks. The whole gain in the district, during ten years, was nine thousand. The southern states, except Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, afford but small inducements for the settlement of emigrants. The two former have considerably in- creased, and the latter nearly doubled her numbers in ten years. Tennessee has increased in the same ratio, and Kentucky has gained more than fifteen thousand annually, numbering, at the last census, nearly six hundred thou- sand. But in point of gain in numbers, Ohio takes the lead of all her sister states, having increased, from 1810 to 1820, 3-50,674 ; and, at the last census, was noted down It 518.434. 388 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Having now digressed a little from the track of histo- ry, without entirely losing our way, we shall return to the thread of our work, as connected more particularly with the doings of our government. CHAPTER XVII. President Monroe'' s Administration. Mr. Monroe was sworn into office as President of the United States, on the fourth of March, 1817, and entered on his duties under favourable auspices. On his acces- sion to the presidency, the country was in a prosperous state. War had ceased, and with it much of the asperity o/ political excitement and party bickering. But to re- pair the losses of the war, and to regain the commercial prosperity, which had been nearly annihilated, was not the work of a moment. Much of the commerce to which our attention had been turned, had fallen into other hands, and ship building, excepting for the navy, had been nearly forgotten. Our country was inundated by foi-eign fabrics, and the specie, which had been borrowed at a great pre- mium, was fast leaving the country. But still the inau- gural address of the president was encouraging, and he anticipated a return of our former prosperity. During the summer and autumn of 1817, the president made a tour through the northern and eastern sections ol the Union, where his presence was welcomed with the greatest cordiality, and party feeling seemed merged in national patriotism. But, in this journey, the national interests were a principal object. Large sums had been appropriated by the national legislature for the defence of the sea-coast, the safety of our inland frontier, the in- crease of the navy, and the establishment of national docks, the superintendence of which was committed to the president. That he might discharge his duties with fidelity and judgment, he determined to obtain the neces- sary information by personal observation. From Washington, which he left on the first of June. THE UNITED STATES. 389 he went by land to Boston, passing through the principal cities on his route, amidst the congratulations and bene- dictions of a happy people. From Boston, where he spent several days, he passed through Salem, Newbury- port, and Portsmouth, to Portland, whence his course was directed to Plattsburgh, New-York. This important post occupied his attention several days. His course thence was directed to Detroit, through Ogdensburg and Sack- etts' Harbour. On the 17th of September he arrived at Washington, having travelled three thousand miles in little more than three months. On the first of December congress convened, and the message of the president stated, that our national credit was rising, and that the defences of the country were in a state of forwardness ; that arrangements were made with Great Britain, to reduce the naval force of the two coun- tries on the lakes ; that each country was to retain pos- session of the islands as before the late war, and that our foreign relations were of a pacific character. He also specially recommended the officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army, to the notice of congress, and press- ingly advocated a repeal of the internal duties, as need- less to be continued any longer. Mississippi was admitted into the imion as an indepen- dent state on the eleventh, with the usual formalities. In the course of the same month, an expedition, which had been set on foot against Florida, by foreign adventurers, was checked by the troops of the United States. The actors claimed authority under the colonies of South America, and had formed an establishment at Amelia Island, a Spanish province. The American government, therefore, saw proper to take possession of the island, and break up the haunt of a lawless banditti. Another establishment, similar in its profession and practices, was formed at Galvezton, an island on the Texas coast belonging to the United States. Slaves, in consider- able numbers, were thus smuggled into the country, and importations of goods were made through the same chan- nel, in a clandestine manner. A naval force, with troops, was sent against them, and the island surrendered without loss of blood. 33* 390 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF During this session several important bills passed the ordeal of congress, particularly that for the relief of revo- lutionary officers and soldiers. In April, 1818, Illinois adopted a state constitution, and, in December following, was admitted into the Union. In May, 1818, the president left Washington to view the extensive shores of the Chesapeake Bay, and embark- ing at Annapolis, examined the coast and waters, with a view of ascertaining the propriety of establishing a naval depot in that vicinity; and having accomplished the object of his visit, returned through Virginia to- the seat of go- vernment, which he reached on the 17th of June. He every where experienced the same welcome reception which he met in his tour through the northern states during the preceding year. On the 27th of May, the president and senate ratified the treaty concluded between Mr. Russel and the Swedish government, and the same was ratified by the king of Sweden on the 34th of July following. The Seminole Indians, urged on, as is supposed, by foreign emissaries who resided among them, commenced hostilities, and several murders were committed; but the Indians refused to give up the guilty, alleging that the whites M'ere the original aggressors. In consequence of this refusal. General Gaines was ordered to remove, dis- cretionally, such Indians as were still on the lands ceded by the Creeks to the United States. In the execution of this order, one man and woman was killed, and two women made prisoners. Soon after this the Indians fired on a second detachment, who resisted them, and a skirmish ensued, in which several were killed and wounded. Shortly after this event, Lieutenant Scott, with a de- tachment of forty men, seven women, and some chil- dren, ascending the Appalachicola, with supplies for the garrison at Fort Scott, was attacked, and the whole par- ty killed, excepting six men, who made their escape, and a woman, who was taken prisoner. From this time the war became serious. The Indians, in considerable numbers, were embodied, and an open at- tack was made on Fort Scott, to which General Gaines, THE UNITED STATES. 301 with about six hundred regular soldiers, was for a time '.onfined. Information of this state of things being com- municated to the department of war, General Jackson was ordered, December 20, to take the field, and directed, if he should deem the force with General Gaines, amount- ing to one thousand eight hundred men, insufficient to cope with the enemy, " to call on the executives of the adjacent states, for such an additional militia force as he might deem requisite." On the receipt of this order, General Jackson prepared to comply ; but instead of calling on the executives of the neighbouring states, espe- cially on the governor of Tennessee, who lived near his residence, he addressed a circular to the patriots of West Tennessee, inviting one thousand of them to join his standard. At the sanie time he wrote to the governor of Tennes- see, M'Minn, informing him of the appeal he had made to the men whom he had led to victory on the plains of Tal- ledega. Emuckfau, and Tohopeko, and added, " should the appeal prove inefficacious, I will embrace the earliest opportunity of making the requisition on you for a like number of drafted militia." The call of General Jack- son was promptly obeyed; and the thousand volunteers, officered l)y (he general, or by the volunteers themselves, were ordered to Fort Scott. Before taking up his march, he wrote, January 12th, to the secretary of war, apprising him of the appeal he had made to the Tennesseans, assigning as his reason for such u step, that he deemed the force with General Gaines, one thousand eight hundred, insufficient, and " that the greater portion of tliis number were drafted militia from Cseorgia, who might apply for their discharge at the expi- ration of three months from the time they were muster- ed," about the time he should probably reach Fort Scott. To this communication the secretary replied — " I have the honour to acquaint you of the entire approbation of the president, of all the measures which you have adopt- ed, to terminate the rupture with the Indians." Believing that the Seminoles could not be subdued, un- less they were followed into Florida, General Jackson marched upon St. Marks,, a weak garrison, where a por 392 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF tion of them had taken refuge. Possession of the fon was taken easily, and occupied by Jackson as an Ameri- can post. The main army then marched to Suwaney Ri- ver, where they consumed an Indian village. At this time the court martial was held, at which Alexander Ar- buthnot, and Robert C. Ambrister, were tried and con- demned to death. Two Indian Chiefs were hung without trial. The following is extracted from the doings of the court. " The court, on examination of evidence, and on ma- ture deliberation, find the prisoner, Robert C. Ambrister, guilty of the first and second charges, and do therefore sentence him to sufier death by being shot. Tlie mem- bers, requesting a reconsideration of the vote on this sen- tence, and it being had, they sentence the prisoner to re- ceive fifty stripes on his bare back, and be confined with a ball and chain, to hard labour, for twelve calendar months. The comman-ding general approves the finding and sen- tence of the court, in the case of A. Arbuthnot, and ap- proves the finding and ^7-5^ sentence of the court, in the case of Robert C. Ambrister, and disapproves the recon- sideration of the sentence of the honourable court in this case. "It appears from the evidence and pleading of the pri- soner, that he did lead and command Avithin the tcrrito ry of Spain, (being a subject of Great Britain,) the In dians in war against the United States, those nations be- ing at peace. It is an established principle of the laws of nations, that any individual of a nation, making var against the citizens of any other nation, they being at peace, forfeits his allegiance, and becomes an outlaw and pirate. This is the case of Robert C. Ambrister, clearly shown by the evidence adduced. " The commanding general orders that Brevet Major A. C. D. Fanning, of the corps of artillery, will have, be- tween the hours of eight and nine o'clock, A. M., A. Ar buthnot suspended by the neck with a rope, until he is dead, and Robert C. Ambrister to be shot to death, agree- ably to the sentence of the court." General Jackson soon received information, that the governor of Pensacola favoured the Indians ; on the know- THE UNITED STATES. 303 ledge of wliich, he took up the line of march for the capi- tal, where he arrived at the end of twenty days. The place was taken with hardly a show of resistance. The governor having escaped to Barancas, a fort six miles dis- tant, it Avas invested by the American troops, and taken after a resistance of two days, the troops being transported to Havana. A military government was instituted, of whicli information was given to the secretary of war. — The president, however, soon restored the country to the Spaniards, giving the reasons for its occupation. The singular steps taken by the commanding general in tliis alVair excited considerable sensations in the minds of Americans, and tlie subjects of complaint were brought before congress. A military committee censured his con- duct, but t!ie house did not concur. In January, 1819, a convention between the United States and Great Britain, was sanctioned by the president, and ratified by the prince regent in November following. The first article of this instrument, gave liberty to the citizens of the United States, to take fish on the northern, western, and southern banks of Newfoundland. By the second, the northern boundaries of the United States, from the Lake of the Woods to the Stoney Mountains, were established. The fourth extended the term of tlie convention of 1815, relative to commerce, ten years longer. In February following. East and West Florida, with the adjacent islands, were ceded to the United States by Spain. This treaty settled the boundaries between the two cQuntries. But the ratification of this treaty was de- layed by the king of Spain, under pretence that an ex- pedition against Texas had l)een fitted out by the United States. The necessary explanations were made by the president, and a bill was introduced into congress, to take possession of Florida, but the step was not taken, and in October, the treaty was ratified by the king of Spain. Formal possession was given to the United States in July following. In the spring of 1819, Arkansas was constituted a ter- ritory by an act of the congrt.-s. During the summer, the uresident A-isited the southern section of the United States 394 UNIVERSAL HISTOXY OF with a view to the great interests of the nation. He passed through Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, Nashville, the Cherokee nation, Louisville, Lexington, and thence re- turned to Washington. In December, Alabama was ad- mitted into the union. This territory having long been a bone of contention, we add the following : — After the peace of 1783, Georgia laid claim to this ter- ritory, and exercised jurisdiction over it, until the begin- ning of the present century. In 1795, an act passed the legislature of Georgia, by which twenty-five millions of acres, of its western territory, were sold to companies for five hundred thousand dollars, and the purchase money was paid into the treasury. The purchasers of these lands soon after sold them at advanced prices. The sale of the territory excited a warm opposition in Georgia, and at a subsequent meeting of the legislature, the transaction was impeached on the gi-ound of bribery, corruption, and unconstitutionality. The records respecting the sale were ordered to be burnt, and the five hundred thousand dollars to be refund- ed to the purchasers. Those who had acquired titles of the original purchasers, instituted suits in the federal courts. In 1802, however, Georgia ceded to the United States all her western territory, for one million two hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars. On this event the pur- chasers of the Yazoo land petitioned congress for redress and compensation. After considerable opposition, an act passed for reimbursing them with funded stock, called the Mississippi stock. In the following year, Maine, which had formerly be- longed to Massachusetts, was erected into an indepen- dent state, and joined the federal union. The separa- tion from the parent state was on the most amicable terms. Mr. Monroe having been re-elected president, took the usual oath of office on the 5th of March, 1821, and Mr. Tompkins was again elected vice-president. On the 10th of August, the proclamation of the president announced, that Missouri was admitted into the federal compact as an integral part. Upon the cession of Louisiana to the United States, THE UNITED STATES. 395 the district, which now forms the state of Louisiana, was separated from the territory, and made a distinct go- vernment, by the name of the territory of Orleans. In 1811 the territory of Orleans became a state, by the nami3 of Louisiana. The remaining part of the original pro- vince of Louisiana, extending to the Pacific, was erected into a territorial government, and called Missouri. In 1818 — 19, application was made to congress, by the peo- ple of this territory, to form a state constitution. A bill was accordingly introduced fcr the purpose, a provision of which forbade slavery, or involuntary servitude. The bill, with this provision, passed the house of represen- tatives, but was rejected in the senate, and, in conse- quence of this disagreement, the measure, for the time, failed. In the session of 1819 — 20, the bill was revived, and, after long and animated debates, a compromise was effect- ed, by which slavery was to be tolerated in Missouri, and forbidden in all that part of Louisiana, as ceded by France, lying north of 36° 30' north latitude, except so much as was included within the limits of the state. In the mean tiiTie, the people of Missouri had formed a state constitu- tion. When this constitution was presented to congress in 1820 — 21, a provision in it, which requii-ed the legis- lature to pass laws " to prevent free negroes and mulat- toes froin coming to, and settling in, the state," was strenuously opposed, on the ground that it violated the rights of such persons of that description as w^ere citi- zens of any of the United States. The contest occiipied a great part of the session, and it was finally determined, by a small majority, that Mis- souri should be admitted, upon the fundamental condi- tion, that the contested clause should not be construed to authorize the passage of any laws excluding citizens of other states from enjoying the privileges to which they are entitled by the constitution of the United States. It was also provided, that if the legislature of Missouri should, by a solemn public act, pi-eviously to the fourth Monday of November, 1821, declare the assent of the state to this fundamental condition, the president should issue his pro- clamation, declaring the admission complete On the S96 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 24th of June, 1821, the legislature of Missouri assented to the fundamental condition ; and, on the 10th of Au- gust following, the president's proclamation was issued^ deidaring the admission complete. During the tirst session of the seventeenth congress, ft territorial government was established for Florida. At the opening of the second session, the president informeu congress, that, in June, a convention of navigation and commerce, resting essentially on a basis of reciprocal and equal advantage to the two countries, had been con- cluded between France and the United States; that the prohibition which had been imposed on commerce be- tween the United States and the British colonies, in the West Indies, and on this continent, had been removed, and that the ports of those colonies had been o})enod to the vessels of the United States, by an act of the British parliament. In a second message, a few days subsequently, the pre- sident introduced to the notice of congress, the interest- ing subject of the " multiplied outrages and depredations recently committed on our seamen and commerce, by pirates in the West Indies, and Gulf of Mexico," and re- commended the immediate organization of an etlicient force to suppress them. A bill was accordingly intro- duced, authorizing the president to provide sucli a force, and to despatch it immediately to the protection of our persecuted seamen. Immediately after the passage of the above bill, Com- modore Porter was appointed to this service, and, soon after, hoisting his broad pennant on board the Peacock, stretched his way, with a respectable force, to chastise those miscreants, that regai-d no law, and that feel no mercy. This session closed on the 3d of March, 1823, in which little business of general importance had been transacted. At the opening of the first session of the eighteenth congress, in December, the president spoke in high terms of the prosperous state of the finances, and of our ami- cable relations with foreign nations. In relation to the «fibrt3 of the executive to stop the depredations of the THE UNITED STATES. SOT pirates on the national commerce, the president stated, that in the West Indies, and the Gulf of Mexico, the naval force had been augmented, according to the provi- sions of congress. " This armament," said he, " has been eminently successful in the accomplishment of its object. The piracies by which onr commerce, in the neighbourhood of the Island of Cuba, has been afflicted, have been repressed, and the confidence of the merchants, in a great measure, restored." In allusion to the Greek revolution, the president has the following judicious remarks ; and though his half- prophetic wishes are not yet realized, the prospect that they will soon be is certainly a bright one. " A strong hope has been long entertained, founded on the heroic struggle of the Greeks, that they would succeed in their contest, and resume their equal station among the nations of the earth. It is believed that the whole civilized world takes a deep interest in their welfare. " Although no power has declared in their favour, yet none, according to our information, has taken part against them. Their cause, and their name, have protected them from dangers which might, ere this, have overwhelmed any other people. The ordinary calculations of interest, and of acquisition, with a view to aggrandizement, which mingle so much in the transactions of nations, seem to have had no eflect in regard to them. From the facts which have come to our knowledge, there is good cause to believe that their enemy has lost, for ever, all dominion over them — that Greece will again become an independent nation. That she may obtain that rank, is the object of our most ardent wishes." Speaking of Spain and Portugal, in relation to the at- tempts of the " Holy Alliance" to extend their political system to South America, the executive observed, " but, on this topic, the citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favour of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that side of the Atlan- tic. In the wars of the European powers, in matters re- lating to themselves, we have nevep taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. " It is only when our rightg are invaded, or seriowslr 34 398 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF mehaced, that we resent injuries, or make preparation for our defence. With the movements in this hemisphere, we are, of necessity, more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political system of the allied powers is essentially different, in this respect, from that of America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective g-overnments. And to the de- fence of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of our most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candour, and to the amicable relations existing between the United Slates and those powers, to declare, that we should consider any attempt, on their part, to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety. " With existing colonies, or dependencies of any Eu- ropean power, we have not interfered, and shall not in- terfere* But with the governments who have declared their independence, and maintained it, and whose inde- pendence we have, on great consideration, and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any inter- position for the purpose of oppressing them, or control- ling, in any other manner, their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States. In the war between those new governments and Spain, we de clared our neutralit}^ at the time of their recognition, and to thi« we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur, which, in the judgment of the competent authority of this government, shall make & corresponding change on the part of the United Stales indispensable to their security." To this language, so temperate, just, and independent, every good citizen responded amen. His remarks on the state of the coualry, in the same message, are too valua- ble to be omitted. " If we compare the present condition of our Union, witli its actual state at the close of our revolution, the THE UNITED STATES. 390 [history of the world furnishes no example of a progress n improvement in all the important circumstances which constitute the happiness of a nation, which bears any re- semblance to it. At the first epoch, our population did not exceed three millions. By the last census it amount- ed to about ten millions; and what is more extraordinary, it is almost altogether native, for the emigration from other countries has been inconsiderable. At the first epoch, half the territory within our acknowledged limits, was uninhabited and a wilderness. Since then, new ter- ritory has been acquired, of vast extent, comprising with- in it many rivers, particulai-ly the Mississippi, the naviga- tion of which, to the ocean, was of the highest import- ance to the original states. •' Over this territory our population has expanded in eve- ry direction, and new states have been established, almost equal in number to those which formed the first bond of our union. This expansion of our population, and ac- cession of new states to our union, have had the happiest effect on all its higher interests. That it has eminently augmented our resources, and added to our strength and respectability as a power, is admitted by all. But it is not in these important circumstances only that this happy efl'ect is felt. It is manifest that, by enlarging the basis of ' our system, and increasing the number of states, the sys- tem itself has been greatly strengthened in both, its branches. Consolidation and disunion have thereby been rendered equally impracticable. Each government, con- fiding in its own strength, has less to apprehend from the other; and, iu consequence, each enjoying a greater free- dom of action, is rendered more eflicient for all the pui poses for which it was instituted." The sympathy expressed by the president for the suf- ferings of the Greek.s, called forth a resolution from Mr. Webster, providing for the expenses of an agent to Greece, whenever the executive should deem the ap- pointment proper and expedient. In offering the reso- lution, Mr. Webster stated, it was far from being his wish, in any manner, to commit the house, in this or any of the political contests of Europe; but the President of the United States having, in his message to congress, not 400 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF only expressed a belief that the Greek nation, in its prt sent struggle with its opposers, had the good wishes of the whole civilized world, but also advanced the opinion that the Turkish dominion over that country was lost for- ever ; he thought that if such were the fact, it was im- portant that congress should act upon the subject. The main object in view was to obtain from the house an expression, responsive to the sentiment of the mes- sage, in reference to the sacrifices and sufi'erings of that heroic people — sacrifices and suflerings, which ought to excite the sympathy of every liberal minded man in Eu- rope, as well as in this country. But whatever might be the case with other nations, we certainly ought not to be restrained from expressing, with freedom, what are our vievvs in relation to the Greek cause, so far as may be done without committing ourselves in the contest. And he real- ly did hope that we should show to the world, that there is, at least, one government which does entertain a proper view of that barbarous despotism, which, under the eyes of Europe, has been permitted, by a system of the foul- est atrocity, to attempt to crush an interesting Christian nation. In most of our large towns and literary institutions, meetings were held in reference to this subject, and reso- lutions adopted, expressive of sentiments alike honoura- ble to our citizens as members of a free community, and as friends of humanity. They spoke a language worthy of the cause which called them forth, and such as the cir- cumstances of the age require. They are a proof, too, of the existence and the energy of that principle in the American people, which removes them farther from the supporters of legitimacy than the breadth of the Atlan tic, and is a safer bulwark than its billows. From that tinfle to the present, large contributions have been made in the United States, and forwarded to the proper authorities of that oppressed and ill-fated coun- try. At present, the armies of Russia threaten the capital of Turkey, and little doubt remains of the emancipation of the Greeks. The session of congress closed in May, in 1824 ; the most important bills which passed, being one to abolish THE UNITED STATES. 401 imprisonment for debt, and the otlier establishing a tariff of duties on imports. The latter of these occupied the time of Congress during ten weeks, and at last passed by a majority of five only, tvA'o members being absent. On the 16th of August, the Marquis La Fayette, ac- companied by his son, and M. La Yasseur, his secretary, landed in New-York, where he was welcomed in a man- ner which evinced a sense of national gratitude, never surpassed. From New-Y'ork, La Fayette passed through the country to Boston, constantly receiving the most enthu- siastic congratulations of the people. Not only at every place where he stopped, but as he passed along the road, thousands came to catch a glimpse of him, and bid " Welcome La Fayette." Having visited most of the principal towns in Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, he again returned to New-York. During this tour, it is impossible to convey, in general terms, an adequate idea of the excitement into which the country was thrown. Committees were constantly ar- riving from distant towns at the places where he stopped, to solicit the honour of receiving him, and to know on what day, and at what hour, his arrival might be expected. In some instances, gentlemen residing at a distance from his route, directed the news of his approach to be sent them by expresses. Meantime the general was so oblig- ing as to allow himself to be transported with the utmost rapidity from place to place, often travelling most of the night, so as not to disappoint the anxious expectations of the people. From New-York the general went to Phila- delphia, Baltimore, Washington, &c. constantly receiv- ing from the people the same cordial welcome, and witnessing the same demonstrations of joy wherever he went. But the feelings of the nation demanded that something more should be done for General La Fayette, than could be expressed by acclamation alone. His love of liberty had been the means of depi-iving him of a great propor- tion of his fortune. When, during our revolution, the country was so exhausted as to be ilnable to clothe or feed her little army, La Fayette not only gave all his pay "34* 402 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF to government, but advanced money which never was re- funded : so tliat, in addition to the debt of gratitude, the nation owed him for advancements made during her ne- cessities. It was the exercise of the same leading princi- ple, (the love of liberty,) which occasioned the confis^tion of his estates in France, when the Jacobin faction con- trolled the kingdom. Under every consideration, the nation was bound to show La Fayette and the world, that in the prosperity of his adopted country, his former services were remembered with too much gratitude to be passed over Avithout some permanent mark of national beneficence. The president of the United States, therefore, in his message to congress, at the opening of the last session, recommended, in appropriate terms, the consideration of General La Fayette's eminent services to the country, and requested that the legislative body of the nation would devise some means of making him at least a partial remu- neration. Agi'eeably to this recommendation, congress appointed a committee to deliberate on the subject, and on the 20th of December, " Mr. Hayne, from the commit- tee appointed on so much of the president's message as relates to making provision for the services of General La Fayette, reported the following bill : — " Be it enacted, by the Seriate and House of Representa- tives of the U/iited States, in Congress assembled, That the sum of two hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby granted to Major General La Fayette, in com- pensation for his important services and expenditures during the American Revolution; and that for this pur- pose a stock to that amount be issued in his favour, dated the 4th of July, 1824, bearing an annual interest of six per cent, payable quarter yearly, and redeemable on the 31st of December, 1834. " Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That one complete township of land be, and the same is, hereby granted to the said Major General La Fayette ; and that the presi- dent of the United States be authorized to cause the said township to be located on any of the public lands which remain unsold ; and that patents be issued to General La Fayette for the same." THE UNITED STATES. 403 On the 21st this bill was made the order of the day in the Senate, and the following debate on it, extracted from the journals of congress, will tend to show with how much reason the bill was passed : Senate, Tuesday, December 21 . " The Senate proceeded, as in committee of the whole, to the consideration of the bill making provision for the services and expenditures of General La Fayette. " Mr. Hayne, (of S. C.) in reply to Messrs. Macon and Brown, who objected to the bill, remarked, that the obsei*- vations made by the honourable gentlemen rendered it his duty, though it was done with regret, as he had hoped the bill would pass witliout opposition, as chairman of the committee, to submit th>j principle on which the commit- tee had proceeded in pi>'-eiUing the present bill. He trusted that he should be a'de to satisfy the scruples of the honourable gentlemcMi, and that there would be no necessity for recommitting the bill. '• With regard to the objections made by his friend on his right, (Mr. Macon,) they affected the making any compensation, under any circumstances whatever, to in- dividuals, either for services rendered, or sacrifices made. He understood, he had said it was immaterial whether an individual should have spent his substance in the ser- vice of his country — should have put his hand in his purse, and paid the expenses of the war, still that for such services no compensation could be made. " He could show that this was the fact — that it was pre- cisely the case with regard to General La Fayette. He had expended his fortune in our service, and he should contend it was right, it was necessary — they were called on by duty to themselves, at least to refund the expenses to which he had been subjected. Mr. Hayne proceeded to say, that he held documents in his hand which it be- came his duty to submit to the senate — documents de- rived from the highest authority. The paper held in his hand contained accounts from the proper officers, show- ing the expenses of La Fayette, and pointing out the manner in which his estate had been dissipated in the service of liberty. In the year 1777, he had an annual in- IT 404 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF come of 146,000 francs, equal to 28,700 dollars. This had been almost entirely expended in the services which he had rendered to liberty, in this and the other hemi- sphere. During a period of six years, from the year 1777 to 1783, he had expended, in the American service, 700,000 francs, equal to 140,000 dollars. This document, said Mr, Hayne, is derived from the most authentic sources in France, and is come into my hands from a re- spectable member of this house, without the knowledge or consent of the general and his friends. " The fact to Avhich he called their attention was, that during the six years the general had been engaged in the service, he had expended 140,000 dollars of his fortune ; he was in a state of prosperity, and in the enjoyment of a plentiful fortune in his own countiy, when he resolved to come to this. He purchased a ship, raised, equipped, armed, and clothed a regiment at his own expense, and when he landed on these coasts, he came freighted with the munitions of v.ar, which he distributed gratuitously to our army. " It is on record that he clothed and put shoes on the feet of the naked, suffering soldiers of America, and that during six years he sacrificed 140,000 dollars. He asked for no compensation — he made out no account — he re- ceived no pay — he spent his fortune for this country, and not only gave his services, but hazarded his life in its de- fence, shed his blood in its service, and returned home broken in his fortune. What did government do ? After the war, in 1794, they gave him the full pay of a major general, to which he was entitled twelve or fourteen years before. If any American citizen had done as much, and had brought in an account stating he had expended 140,000 dollars, and made a])plication for compensation, would it not have been granted ? Indeed, if we were to make out an account current of the expenses and sacri- fices of the general, it would far exceed the sum now pro- posed. But he never rendered a claim ; he would have starved ere he would have done it. " I have other documents, said Mr. Hayne, to which I shall briefly refer. There is one fact which shows how alive he M'as to every honourable sentiment. He ha« Landing of General La Fayette at Castle Garden, in New- York, August mth, 1824. Page 40L Col. Daniel Boon, the first settler of Kentucky, exphriixg the country in 1769. Page 459. THE UNITED STATES. 405 made sacrifices that can never be repaid. Congress, in their gratitude, made him a donation of 11,000 acres of land, which, at the value of lands at that time, was not worth more than 11,000 dollars; and, by act, in 1804, they authorized him to locate this land on any spot in the United States that might be vacant ; and his agent ac- cordingly located it in the neighbourhood of New-Orleans. In 1807, congress passed an act confirming the title to the city council of New-Orleans, of all lands within six hun- dred yards of its limits. £j^ " Part of the land belon^^ to General La Fayette was included in this grant, and on the fact being communicated to him in France by his agent, accompanied by legal ad- vice of the validity of his title, he replied, that it was not for him to inquire into the circumstances, but that he, re- ceiving bounty from the government of the United States, could only receive it as they chose to give it, and directed his agent to enter a relinquishment of the land in ques- tion. This land, according to the estimate of gentlemen from Louisiana, is now worth 500,000 dollars. But there is another circumstance to be stated : having located the land, he made a contract with an Irish baronet for the sale of a portion of it, and he afterwards made it his bu- siness to find him out — he relinquished his own right, and, at his own expense, induced him to relinquish every legal claim that he could have upon the United States. This relinquishment was on file in the land office, and Mr. Hayne submitted the documents to the examination of the senate. " These claims appear certainly in a very strong, and, he might say, irresistible shape before the senate. His honourable friend on the right had said, that we treat this gentlemen better than we do our native sons, but it ap- peared that they barely did him justice. Did the gentle- man doubt that this government were in the habit of making remuneration for sacrifices and services — he would refer him to an act passed in 1790, granting com- pensation to Frederick William Baron Steuben, for sacri- fices and services. " Mr. Hayne proceeded to refer to many instances where the government had not only granted pecuniary assist- 406 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ance, but had granted a whole township of land for sacri- fices and services. He was not one of those who were afraid of making precedents — a good precedent can never do evil ; and when nations, as well as individuals, gave way to the noblest feelings of our nature, they best pro- moted the glory of the country, and the welfare of the people ; but the cause of La Fayette could form no prece- dent — it stood alone. " Could this country be born again ? Could it assume a second childhood, and be placed in circumstances similar to those it had formerly been ? If this were possible, if it could be reduced again to equal distress, be struggling for existence, about to perish, without funds, arms, clo- thing, or ammunition, and looking around for help — if, under such cii'cumstances, a foreign nobleman should step forth, and devote his life and fortune to her service, sacrificing every thing, and shedding his blood in her be- half, and while the scale was depressed, throwing himself into the balance, and deciding its fate — surely, such a man would be entitled to the warmest gratitude of the country." After some further debate, the bill was passed, and a committee appointed to wait on La Fayette with a copy of the act. To an address of the committee on the oc- casion of presenting the act, the marquis returned the fol- lowing answer : Gentlemen of the Committee of both Houses of Congress : The immense and unexpected gift, which, in addition to former and considerable bounties, it has pleased con- gress to confer upon me, calls for the warmest acknow- ledgments of an old American soldier, an adopted son of the United States, two titles dearer to my heart than all the treasures in the world. However proud I am of every sort of obligation re- ceived from the people of the United States, and their representatives in congress, the large extent of this bene- faction might have cieated in my mind feelings of hesita- tion, not inconsistent, I hope, with those of the most grate- ful reverence. But the so very kind resolutions of both houses, delivered by you, gentlemen, in terms of equa THE UNITED STATES. 407 kindness, precludes all other sentiments, except those of lively and profound gratitude, of which, in respectfully- accepting the munificent favour, I have the honour to beg you will be the organs. Permit me also, gentlemen, to join a tender of my af- fectionate personal thanks to the expression of the highest respect, with which I have the honour to be your obedien servant, LA FAYETTE, At Washington, La Fayette was received by both houses of Congress with suitable honours. Thence pass- ing to the south, he visited most of the cities in that sec* tion of the country. After visiting various places, in the autumn of 1825, the marquis took passage in the frigate Brandywine, for France, where he arrived in safety, and where he still lives, in the enjoyment of a contented mind, and a clear conscience ; the friend of man and the hero of freedom. The second session of the eighteenth congress, com- menced in December, on which occasion we find in the presidential message : " Our relations with foreign powers are of a friendly character, although certain interesting difierences remain unsettled. Our revenue under the mild system of impost and tonnage, continues to be adequate to all the purposes of government. Our agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and navigation, flourish. Our fortifications are advancing, in the degree authorized by existing appropriations, to maturity, and due progress is made in the augmentation of the navy to the limit pre- scribed by law." He also stated, that the convention of navigation and commerce concluded between the United States and France in 1822, still continued ; — that our commercial in- tercourse willi the British dominions in Europe and the East Indies, resting on the basis of reciprocity, which had been arranged by a convention, in 1815, was confirmed and continued for ten years, by treaty, in 1818; but that the trade with the British colonies in the West Indies, had not as yet been settled to the satisfaction of the executive; that our commerce with Sweden had been placed on a footing of perfect reciprocity, by treaty ; and vrith Ru»- 408 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF sia, the Netherlands, Prussia, and the free Hanseatic ci- ties, the dukedom of Oldenburg and Sardinia, by internal regulations on each side, founded on mutual agreement between the respective governments ; and that the great and extraordinary changes which had happened in Spain and Portugal, within the last two years, had not seriously affected the friendly relations subsisting between them and the United States ; although they had presented ob- stacles to the adjustment of the particular subjects of dis- cussion which have arisen with each. With the remain- ing powers of Europe, with those on the coast of Bar- bary, and with all the new South American states, our relations were moreover stated to be of a friendly charac- ter. The country has ministers plenipotentiary residing with the republics of Colombia and Chili, and have re- ceived ministers of the same rank, from Colombia, Guati- mala, Buenos Ayres, and Mexicb, and a charge d'affaires from the independent government of Brazil. From the view which he then took of our situation, it was manifest that we were in a highly prosperous situa- tion, and that our duty and happiness would consist in handing these blessings down to posterity unimpaired. This session closed constitutionally on the third of March, 1825. The most interesting subjects which oc- cupied its attention during the session, were the occupa- tion of the Oregon on tlie North-west coast, and the sup- pression of piracy. The bill respecting the former, however, was lost in the senate ; being indefinitely laid on the table ; while that respecting piracy passed ; which, however, does little more than to authorize the building of ten additional ships of war. The bill authorizing the occupation of the Oregon, was passed by the house of representatives, but had previously been so amended as to provide only for a military occupation of the mouth of the river. This amendment was adopted for the purpose of avoiding a violation of the treaty with Great Britain, which provides that the boundary line on that frontier shall remain unsettled ten years. The presidency of Mr. Monroe closed with the session, during which the country enjoyed a state of peace and uniform prosperity. He retired from office, enjoying THE UNITED STATES. 409 the respect, affection, and gratitude, of all who are able duly to appreciate the blessings of having a wise ruler. The choice of president, for the succeeding term of four years, not being settled by the electoral vote, de- volved on the House of Representatives. John Quincy Adams was chosen, and took the oath of office on the 4th of March, and John C. Calhoun was chosen vice presi- dent by the electors. The address of Mr. Adams, on his induction into office, was such as might rationally be expected. Speaking of our political creed, he says, it " is, without a dissentmg voice that can be heard, that the will of the people is the source, and the happiness of the people the end, of all le- gitimate government upon earth — That the best security for the beneficence, and the best guarantee against the abuse of power, consists in the freedom, the purity, and the frequency of popular elections. " That the general government of the Union, and the separate governments of these states, are all sovereign- ties of limited powers ; fellow servants of the same mas- ters, uncontrolled within their respective spheres, uncon- trollable by encroachments upon each other. That the firmest security of peace is the preparation, during peace, of the defences of war. That a rigorous economy, and accountability of public expenditure, should guard against the aggravation, and alleviate, when possible, the burden of taxation. That the military should be kept in strict subordination to the civil power. That the freedom of the press and of religious opinion should be inviolate. That the policy of our country is peace, and the ark of our salvation, union, are articles of faith upon which we are all agreed." The following paragraphs we copy entire, as too valua- ble to be omitted, even in a condensed history. " In the compass of thirty years, since this great na- tional covenant was instituted, a body of laws enacted under its authority, and in conformity with its provisions, hatt unfolded its powers, and carried into practical opera- tion its effective energies. Subordinate departments have distributed the executive functions in their various rela- tions, to foreign affairs, to the revenue and expenditures, 35 410 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and to the military force of the Union, by land and sea. A co-ordinate department of the judiciary has expounded the constitution and the laws ; settling, in harmonious co- incidence with the legislative will, numerous weighty questions of construction which the imperfection of hu- man language had rendered unavoidable. , " The year of jubilee, since the first formation of ouf^ union, has just elapsed ; that of the declaration of our in- dependence is at hand. The consummation of both was effected by this constitution. Since that period, a popu- lation of four millions has multiplied to twelve. A terri* tory, bounded by the Mississippi, has been extended from sea to sea. New states have been admitted to the Union, in number nearly equal to those of the first confederation. Treaties of peace, amity, and commerce, have been con- cluded with the principal dominions of the earth. The people of other nations, inhabitants of regions acquired not by conquest, but by compact, have been united with us in the participation of our rights and duties, of our. burdens and blessings. " The forest has fallen by the axe of our woodsmen — the soil has been made to teem by the tillage of our far- mers ; our commerce has whitened every ocean. The dominion of man over physical nature has been extend- ed by the invention of our artists. Liberty and law have marched hand in hand. All the purposes of human as- sociation have been accomplished as effectively as under any other government on the globe, and at a cost little ex- ceeding, in a whole generation, the expenditures of other nations in a single year. " Such is the unexaggerated picture of our condition, under a constitution founded upon the republican princi- ple of equal rights. To admit that this picture has its shades, is but to say that it is still the condition of men upon earth. From evil, physical, moral, and political, it is not our claim to be exempt. We have suffered, some- times by the visitation of Heaven, through disease ; often by the wrongs and injustice of other nations, even to the extremities of war ; and, lastly, by dissentions among ourselves — dissentions, perhaps inseparable from the en- joyment of freedom, but which have more than once ap- THE UNITED STATES. 411 peared to threaten the dissolution of the union, and, with it, the overthrow of all the enjoyments of our present lot, and all our earthly hopes of the future. The causes of these dissentions have been various, founded upon differences of speculation in the theory of republican government ; upon conflicting views of policy, in our re- lations with foreign nations ; upon jealousies of partial and sectional interests, aggravated by prejudices and pre- possessions, vjrhich strangers to each other are ever apt to entertain." On the 31st of May, a treaty of peace, amity, naviga- tion, and commerce, between the United States and Co- lombia, was ratified by the president. The first article establishes a firm and inviolable peace, and perpetual friendship. By the second, no partiality was to be shown to any other nation to which each of the contracting par- ties had not an equal right. By the sixth article, mer- chant vessels, and ships of war, were to be protected in the bays and harbours of both parties, either in stress of weather, or to shield them from the pursuit of pirates, or other enemies. The seventh grants a return of ships and merchandise which may be taken in their respective jurisdictions. By the tenth, both the contracting parties engage, formally, to give their special protection to the persons and property of the other, and to leave open and free to them the tribunals of justice for their judicial re- course, on the same terms as are usual with native citi- zens of either party. By the eleventh, liberty of con- science is mutually guaranteed. By the fourteenth, liberty of commerce and navigation, except contraband of war, in times which would endanger the safety of either contracting party, is freely granted. The treaty was to remain in force twelve years after the exchange of "atifications. Tlie 7th of September was the day appointed for the departure of the nation's guest, General La Fayette, from Washington. On Mr. Adams devolved the task of bid- ding him farewell, in tlie name of the nation to whom he had been a constant friend, and a noble benefactor. How well, and with what dignity and feeling, he executed this tasJi, we need not attempt to describe, and we regret that 412 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF our plan does not permit us to copy the whole address. "We can copy but a brief sketch, which will be found in the followina; selected paragi-aphs. " When the contest of freedom to which you had re- paired as a voluntary champion, had closed, by the com- plete triumph of her cause in this country of your adop- tion, you returned to fulfil the duties of the philanthropist and patriot in the land of your nativity. There, in a consistent and undeviating career of forty years, you have maintained, through every vicissitude of alternate success and disappointment, the same glorious cause to - which the first years of your active life had been de- ,; voted — the improvement of the moral and political con- ' dition of man. 3 " Through that long succession of time, the people of the United States, for whom, and with whom, you had fought the battles of liberty, have been living in full pos- session of its fruits ; one of the happiest among the family of nations. Spreading in population, enlarging in territory, acting and sufl'ering according to \he condition of their nature, and laying the foundations of the great- est, and, we humbly hope, the most beneficent power that ever regulated the concerns of man upon earth. " In that kpse of forty years, the generation of men with whom you co-operated in the conflict of arms, has ^ nearly passed away. Of tlie general officers of the Ame- rican army in that war, you alone survive. Of the sages who guided our councils ; of the warriors who met the foe in the field, or upon the waves, with the exception ot a few, to whom unusual length of days h.as been allotted by heaven, all now sleep with tJieir fatliers. A succeed- ing, and even a third generation, have arisen to take their . places; and their children's children, while rising up to call them blessed, have been taught by them, as v.- ell as admonished by their own constant enjoyment of freedom, to include, in every benison upon their fathers, the name of him who came from afar, with them, and in their cause, to conquer or to fall. "You are now about to return to the country of your birth, of your ancestors, of your posterity. The execu- tive governinei^i of the union, stimulated by the same fi! ■k THE UNITED STATES. 413 lefling which had prompted the congress to the designa- tion of a national ship for your accommodation in coming hither, has destined the first service of a frigate, recently- launched at this metropolis, to the less welcome, but equally distinguished trust of conveying you home. The name of the ship has added one more memorial to distant regions and to future ages, of a stream already memora- ble, at ouee in the story of your sufferings and of our in dependence. " The ship is no*' prepared for your reception, and equipped for sea. From the moment of her departure, the prayers of millions will ascend to heaven that her pas- sage may be prosperous ; and your return to the bosom of your family as propitious to your happiness, as your visit to this scene of your youthful glory has been to that of the American people. " Go, then, our beloved friend — return to the land of brilliant genius, of generous sentiment, of heroic valour; to that beautiful France, the nursing mother of the twelfth Louis, and the fourth Henry ; to the native soil of Bayard and Coligni, of Turcnne and Catinat, of Fenelon and D'Aguesscau. In that illustrious catalogue of names which she claims as of her children, and with honest pride holds up to the admiration of other nations, the name of La Fayette has already for centuries been en- rolled. And it shall henceforth burnish into brighter fame ; for if, in after days, a Frenchman shall be called to indicate the character of his nation by that of one indi- \idual, during the age in which we live, the blood of lofty patriotism shall mantle in his cheek, the fire of conscious virtue shall sparkle in his eye, and he shall pronounce the name of La Fayette. Yet we, too, and our children, in life and after death, shall claim you for our own. You are ours by that iiiore than patriotic self-devotion with which you flew to the aid of our fathers at the crisis of their fate. Ours by that long series of years in which you have cherished us in your regard. Ours by that un- shaken sentiment of gratitude for your services which is a precious portion of our inheritance. Ours by that tie of love stronger than death, M'hich has linked your name, for the endless ages of time, with the name of Washington." 36* 414 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF To this the veteran general replied ; and, after men- tioning his obligations to the American government and people for their munificence and kind reception, he add- ed, " Yet, gratification still higher awaited me ; in the wonders of creation and improvement that have met my enchanted eye, in the unparalleled and self-felt happiness of the people, in their rapid prosperity and insured secu- rity, public and private, in a practice of good order, the appendage of true freedom, and a national good sense, the .final arbiter of all ditficulties, I haVe had proudly to re- cognize a result of the republican principles for which we have fought, and a glorious demonstration to the most timid and prejudiced minds, of the superiority, over de- grading aristocracy or despotism, of popular institutions founded on the plain rights of man, and where the local rights of every section are preserved under a constitu- tional bond of union. The cherishing of that union be- tween the states, as it has been the farewell entreaty of our great paternal Washington, and will ever have the dying prayer of every American patriot, so it has become the sacred pledge of the emancipation of the world, an object in which I am happy to observe that the American people, while they give the animating example of success- ful free institutions, in return for an evil entailed upon them by Europe, and of which a liberal and enlightened sense is every where more and more generally felt, show themselves every day more anxiously interested. " God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. God bless the American people, each of their states, and the federal government. Accept this patriotic farewell of an overflowing heart ; such will be its last throb when it ceases to beat." As the last sentence was pronounced, the general ad- vancing, while the tears poured over his venerable cheeks, again took the president in his arms ; he retired a few paces, but, overcome by his feelings, again returned, and uttering, in broken accents, " God bless you !" fell once more on the neck of Mr. Adams. It was a scene at once solemn and moving, as the sighs and stealing tears of many, who witnessed it, bore testimony. Having reco- vered his self-possession, the general stretched out his THE UNITED STATES. 415 hands, and was, in a moment, surrounded by the greeting of the whole assembly, who pi-essed upon him, each eager to seize, perhaps for the last time, that beloved hand which was opened so freely for our aid, when aid Avas so precious, and which grasped, with firm and undeviating hold, the steel which so bravely helped to achieve our deliverance. The general was attended to the Potomac, by a large military escort, and iliousands of citizens. The Mount Vernon steam boat waited to convey him on board the 6randyv/ine. When the mansion, the groves, and the iomb of Mount Vernon, opened to view, the progress of the little fleet was arrested— it remained motionless on the broad bosom of Potomac's wave — that the last of the ge- nerals might pay his pious homage and filial duty to the tomb of the paternal chief. La Fayette arose — the wonders which he had performed for a man of his age, in successfully accomplishing la- bours enough to have tested his meridian vigour, whose animation rather resembles the spring than the winter of life, now seemed unequal to the task he was about to per- form : To take a last look at the grave of Washington ! He advanced to tiie effort — a silence the most impressive reigned around, till the strains of sweet and plaintive mu- sic completed the grandeur and sacred solemnity of the scene. All hearts beat in unison with the throbbings of ihe veteran's bosom as he looked, and that for the last time, on the sepulchre which contains the ashes of the first of men. He spoke not, but appeared absorbed in the mighty recollections which the place and the occasion inspired. Yet a voice seemed borne on the air. It ap- peared to say to the manes of the illustrious dead, "Wash- ington, thou friend and father of my youth, iinder whose heroic banner I (irst gained renown in the fields of fame, when combatting for the riglits and liberties of man — in whose bosom I was cherished in the earliest, the happiest days of life — whose affections descended with me from the palace to the dungeon — whose arms were opened to receive my child, wlien forlorn and a wanderer from his native land, he souoht in thee a friend and found a father — most truly great and glorious of men, while such an 416 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF humble mound alone contains thy ashes, thy monument is based on a hemisphere, and thy fame will cenotaph thy memory in ages yet unborn. Accept the last duty which filial homage pays to the tomb of Washington in the tear of La Fayette." We make no apology for the insertion of these interest- ing particulars. But we regret sincerely that the whole of the address and reply cannot find room, and if our readers have feeling, they will regret it too. The first session of the nineteenth congress opened at Washington in December, 1825. The message of the Executive, after adverting to the state of peace which had for several years blessed the world, says — During the same period, our intercourse with all those nations has been pacific and friendly — it so continues. Since the close of your last session, no material variation has oc- curred in our relations with any one of them. In the commercial and navigation system of Great Britain, im- portant changes of municipal regulation have recently been sanctioned by acts of parliament, the effect of which, upon the interests of other nations, and particularly upon our;?, has not yet been fully developed. In the recent re- newal of the diplomatic missions on both sides, between tlie two governments, assurances have been given and received, of the continuance and increase of that mutual confidence and cordiality by which the adjustment of many points of difl'erence had already been efi'ected, and which alTords the surest pledge for the ultimate satisfactory adjustment of those which still remain open, or may here- after arise. He then notices the commission for settling the seventh article of the treaty of Ghent, and that respecting the in- demnity for slaves taken off* by the British during the late war, as in a train of amicable adjustment. He also ad- verts to the importance of establishing a national system of bankruptcy, and of improvements in the militia sys- tem. In noticing the pecuniary concerns of the nation, the message says — Among the unequivocal indications of our national prosperity, is the fiourishing state of our finances. The revenues of the present year, from all their principal sources, will exceed the anticipations of the last. THE UNITED STATES. 417 The balance in the treasury, on the first of January- last, was a Uttle short of two millions of dollars, exclu- sive of two millions and a half, being the moiety of the loan of five millions, authorized by the act of 26th May, 1824. The receipts into the treasury, from the 1st of January to the 30th of September, exclusive of the other moiety of the same loan, are estimated at sixteen mil- lions five hundred thousand dollars ; and it is expected that those of the current quarter will exceed five millions of dollars, forming an aggregate of receipts of nearly twenty-two millions, independent of the loan. The ex- penditures of the year will not exceed that sum more than two millions. By those expenditures, nearly eight mil- lions of the principal of the public debt have been dis- charged. More tliau a million and a half has been devoted to the debt of gratitude to the warriors of the revolution ; a nearlv equal sum to the construction of fortifications, and the acquisition of ordnance, and other permanent preparatives of national defence; half a million to the gradual increase of the navy ; an equal sum for purchases of territory from the Indians, and payment of annuities to them : and upwards of a million for objects of internal improvement, authorized by special acts of the last con- gress. If we add to these four millions of dollars for payment of interest upon the public debt, there remains a sum of about seven millions, which has defrayed the whole expense of the administration of government, in its legislative, executive, and judiciary departments, inclu- ding the support of the military and naval establishments, and all the occasional contingencies of a government co- extensive with the union. The amount of duties secured on merchandise import- ed, from the commencement of the year, is about twenty- live millions and a half; and that which will accrue, du- ring the current quarter, is estimated at five millions and a half; from tliese thirty-one millions, deducting the draw- backs, estimated at less than seven millions, a sum ex- ceeding twenty-four millions will constitute the revenue of the year, and will exceed the whole expenditures of the year. The entire amount of public debt remaining 418 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF due on the 1st of January next, will be short of eighty- one millions of dollars. Speaking of our situation as regards the aborigines, he thus speaks : — Our relations with the numerous tribes of aboriginal natives of this country, scattered over its ex- tensive sui'face, and so dependent, even for their exist- ence, upon our power, have been, during the present year, highly interesting. An act of congress, of 25th May, 1824, made an appropriation to defray the expenses of making treaties of trade and friendship with the Indian tribes beyond the Mississippi. An act of 3d March, 1825t authorized treaties to be made with the Indians, for their consent to the making of a road from the frontiers of Missouri to that of New-Mexico. And another act of the same date, provided for defray- ing the expenses of holding treaties with the Sioux, Chip- pewas, Menomenees, Sauks, Foxes, «fec. for the purpose of establishing boundaries and promoting peace between said tribes. The first and the last objects of these acts have been accomplished, and the second is yet in a pro- cess of execution. The treaties which, since the last ses- sion of congress, have been concluded with the several tribes, will be laid before the senate for their considera- tion, conformably to the constitution. They comprise large and valuable acquisitions of territory; and they se- cure an adjustment of boundaries, and give pledges of permanent peace between several tribes which had been long waging bloody wars against each other. On the 12th of February last, a treaty was signed at the Indian Springs, between commissioners appointed on the part of the United States, and certain chiefs and in- dividuals of the Creek nation of Indians, v/hich was re- ceived at the seat of government only a few days before the close of the last session of congress, and of the late administration. The advice and consent of the senate was given to it, on the 3d of March, too late for it to re- ceive the ratification of the then President of the United States; it was ratified on the 7th of March, under the un- suspecting impression that it had been negotiated in good faith, and in the confidence inspired by the recommenda- tion of the senate. The subsequent transactions in rela- THE UNITED STATES. 419 tion to this treaty, will form the subject of a separate message. But our circumscribed limits prevent us from touching, with any thing like justice, on this able state paper. We can only say, that nothing seems to have escaped his ca- pacious mind, of very general and national importance. By the report of the treasurer this session, it appears he had a balance of more than five millions in his hands. During this session a question was agitated relating to the holding of any office under the government of the United States, by a senator or representative to congress. Mr. Benton, from the selected committee, reported — That, having had recourse to the history of the times, in which the constitution was formed, the committee find, that the proposition now referred to them had engaged the deliberations of the federal convention which framed the constitution, and of several of the state conventions which ratified it. In an early stage of the session of the federal conven- tion, it was resolved as follows : " Art. 0, sec. 9. The members of each house (of con- gress) shall be ineligible to, and incapable of holding any office under the authority of the United States, during the time for which they shall respectively be elected ; and the members of the senate shall be ineligible to, and incapa- ble of, holding any such office for one year afterguards. " {Journal of the Federal Convention, page 219.) It further appears from the journal, that this clause in the first draft of the constitution, was adopted with great unanimity, and that afterwards, in the concluding days of the session, it was altered, and its intention defeated, by a majority of a single vote, in the absence of one of the states by which it had been supported. Following the constitution into the state conventions which ratified it, the committee find, that, by the New- York convention, it was recommended, as follows : " That no senator or representative shall, during the lime for which he was elected, be appointed to any office iUkder the authority of the United States." Bv the Virginia convention, as follows : ' n.at the members of the senate and house of repre- 430 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF sentatives shall be ineligible to, and incapable of, hold- ing any civil office under the authority of the United States, during the term for which they shall respectively be elected." By the North Carolina convention the same amendment was recommended, in the same words. In the first session of the first congress, which was held under the constitution, a member of the house of repre- sentatives submitted a similar proposition of amendment ; and, in the third session of the eleventh congress, James Madison being president, a like proposition was again sub- mitted, and being referred to a committee of the house, was reported by them in the following words : " No senator or representative shall be appointed to any civil office, place, or emolument, under the authority of the United States, until the expiration of the presiden- tial term in which such person shall have served as a se- nator or representative." Upon the question to adopt this resolution, the vote stood 71 yeas, 40 nays, wanting but three votes of the constitutional number for the referring it to the decision of the states. Having thus shown, by a reference to the venerable evidence of our early histor)*, that the principle of the amendment now under consideration, has had the support and approbation of the first friends of the constitution, the committee will now declar-e their own opinion in favour of its correctness, and express its belief that the ruling principle in the organization of the federal govern- ment demands its adoption. That ruling principle demands that the three great branches of the federal government, the executive, legis- lative and judiciary, should be separate and distinct from each other, not only in contemplation of law, but in point of fact; and, for this end, that each should not only have its independent organization, but that the individuals ad- ministering each, should be wholly free from the control and influence of the individuals who administered the others. To secure this independence on the part of the presi- dent, and to prevent the executive from starving him into THE UNITED STATES. 421 a compliance with their will, by withholding his necessa- ry support, or seducing him into an acquiescence in their views, by tempting his avarice with an augmented salary, {Fed. No. 77.) it is provided in the constitution, that he shall receive a fixed compensation for his services, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the term for which he was elected. To secure the independence of the legislative depart- ment, and to prevent the executive from influencing its deliberations, by retaining a set of dependants in the se- nate and house of representatives, always ready, like tlie placemen in the British parliament, to support the mea- sures of administration, it was provided, in the same con- stitution, that persons holding offices under the authority of the United States, should be wholly excluded from the floor of congress. The committee believe that this provision for the inde- pendence of the senate and house of representatives, though wise and proper as far as it goes, does not go far enough to accomplish the object it had in view. They admit that the presence of office holders in the legislative department, would be the bane of honest and independent legislation ; and they believe that the presence of office hunters would be equally fatal. The danger to be appre- hended from each, is, in effect, the same. The office holder would support the measures of administration, for the purpose of saving the office which he had in posses- sion ; the office hunter would support the same measures for the purpose of securing the office which he had in ex- j)ectation. By either party, the interest of the country would be sacrificed to the views of the executive ; and the appro- priate means for preventing this mischief, was first to ex elude office holders from seats in congress, and this the constitution has done ; and, secondly, to prevent senators and representatives from taking appointments from the president, under whose administration they had served ; and this it has omitted to do. The omission was too ma- terial to escape the observation of those who were not blind to the defects of the constitution ; and their ani- madversions were too loud and vehement to pass unno- 36 422 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ticed by the great advocates for the ratification of that instrument. The authors of the Federalist, in their No. 55. felt it to be their duty to meet the objection which grew out of this omission. But even these great men, with their superior abilities, and ardent zeal in the best of causes, could do no more than to diminish the quantum of a danger which could not be denied to exist, and to cover, with a brilliant declamation, a part of their be- loved constitution which could not be defended. They said: " Sometimes we are told, that this fund of corruption, (executive appointments,) is to be exhausted by the Presi- dent in subduing the virtue of the senate. Now, the fide- lity of the other house is to be the victim. The impro- bability of such a mercenary and perfidious combination of the several members of the government, standing on as different foundations as its republican principles will well admit, and at the same time accountable to the so- ciety over which they are placed, ought alone to quiet this apprehension. But, fortunately, the constitution has provided a still further safeguard. The members of the congress are rendered ineligible to any civil offices that may be created, or of which the emoluments ma)^ be in- creased, during the term of their election. No offices, therefore, can be dealt out to the existing members, but such as may become vacant by ordinary casualties ; and to suppose that these would be sufficient to purchase the guardians of the people, selected by the people them- selves, is to renounce every rule by which events ought to be calculated, and to substitute an indiscriminate and unbounded jealousy, with which all reasoning must be vain." They doubted the validity of these arguments, and con- cluded the report as follows : Considering all which, the committee have come to the unanimous resolution to sub- mit to the senate a proposition of amendment to the con- stitution of the United States, embracing the principle of this report. Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled, two thirds of both houses concurring, that the follow- THE UNITED STATES. 433 ing amendment to the CQi^stitution of the United States be proposed to the legislatures of the several states ; which, when ratified by three fourths of said legislatures, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of said constitution : No senator or representative shall be appointed to any civil office, place or emolument, under the authority of the United States, until the expiratic-n of the presidential term in which such person shall have served as a senator or a representative. During the session-, and on the fourth of July, just half a century from the time when Adams and Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence, they both departed this life, within a few hours of each other. They had both been presidents of the United Slates, and both vice presi- dents. This is certainly an extraordinary coincidence, and worthy to be perpetuated in the archives of the na- tion. Nor is it a little remarkable, that on this day, after its observance by the national legislature, certain members of congress addressed the legislature on the pe- cuniary embarrassments of Mr. Jefierson, with a view to his relief " The following extracts, we believe, will be ac- ceptable. If I am asked why Jefferson is singled out amid his compatriots — my answer is, he stands pre-eminent alike for his services and his misfortunes. God forbid that I should diminish the just claims of that illustrious band, who, guided by the polarity of their superior genius, and by a courage that was above circumstances,*to whom the blessing of Providence became a pillar of light — by which we were conducted through the wilderness of the land of promise. But as one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the lot of man. It was his good fortune to occupy the front rank among the illustrious. He is one of three survivors, signers of the Declaration of Independence. His associates are comfortable, and need no aid. If it be inquired how it has happened that he has be- come impoverished ? I answer, the delicacy of the subject forbids the inquiry. I may ask, however, what public institution is there in the United States that has not pro- 424 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF fited of his bounty! "What son or daughter of affliction who has asked for aid, that has not received his charity \ "What nation, tongue, or kindred, that has not shared his hospitality? His fame had gone abroad in the earth He was justly esteemed a distinguished benefactor of man- kind. He was resorted to as an oracle, that they mighl hear with their own ears, from his own lips, the sublime and the eternal truths of religious liberty. His doors were open to all. His responses were withheld from none. The sequel was inevitable — a loss of his pro- perty. He disinterestedly sacrificed his independence on the altar of all the virtues. The character of his coun- try was ennobled by the sacrifice. It will be still further ennobled by its being replaced by the generosity of his countrymen. The second session of the nineteenth congress com- menced on the fourth day of December, 1826. The president's message, afier noticing the unfinished and un- touched subjects of his former message, notices the de- cease of Alexander of Russia, our commerce with France, and a ratified treaty with Denmark, says : — " With Prus- sia, Spain, Portugal, and in general all the European powers, between whom and the United States, relations of friendly intercourse have existed, their condition has not materiall)' varied since the last session of congress. I regret not to be able to say the same of our commercial intercourse with the colonial possessions of Great Britain in America. Negotiations of the highest importance to our common interests have been for several years in discussion between the two governments, and on the part of the United States have been invariably pursued in the spirit of candour and conciliation. Interests of great magnitude and delicacy have been adjusted by the conventions of 1815 and 1818. while that of. 1822, mediated by the late Emperor Alex- ander, had promised a satisfactory compromise of claims which the government of the United States, in justice to the rights of a numerous class of their citizens, was bound to sustain. But, with regard to the commercial inter- course between the United States and the British colonies in America, it has been hitherto found impracticable to J THE UNITED STATES. 426 bring the parties to an understanding satisfactory to both. The relative geographical position, and the respective products of nature cultivated by human industry, had constituted the elements of a commercial intercoui-se be- tween the United States and British America, insular and continental, important to the inhabitants of both coun- tries. But it had been interdicted by Great Britain upon a principle heretofore practised by the colonizing nations of Europe, of holding the trade of their colonies, each in exclusive monopoly to herself. After the termination of the late wai", this interdiction had been revived, and the British government declined including this portion of our intercourse with her possessions, in the negotiation of the convention of 1815. The trade was then carried on ex- clusively in British vessels, till the act of congress con- cerning navigation, of 1818, and the supplemental act of 1820, met the interdict by a corresponding measure on the part of the United States. These measures, not of retaliation, but of necessary self-defence, were soon suc- ceeded by an act of parliament, opening certain colonial ports to the vessels of the United States, coming directly from them, and to the importation from them of certain articles of our produce, burdened with heavy duties, and excluding some of the most valuable articles of our ex- ports. The United States opened their ports to British vessels from the colonies, upon terms as exactly corresponding with those of the act of parliament, as in the relative condition of the parties could be made. And a negotia- tion was commenced by mutual consent, with the hope, on our part, that a reciprocal spirit of accommotlation, and a common sentiment of the importance of the trade to the interests of the inhabitants of the two countries between Avhom it must be carried on, would ultimately bring the parties to a compromise, with which both might be satisfied. With this view the government of the Uni- ted States had determined to sacrifice something of that entire reciprocity, which, in all commercial arrangements with foreign powers, they are entitled to demand, and to acquiesce in some inequalities disadvantageous to our- 36* 426 tJNlVERSAL HIS1K)RY OF selves, rather than to forego the benefit of a final and permanent adjustment of this interest, to the satisfaction of Great Britain herself. The negotiation, repeatedly suspended by accidental circumstances, was, however, by mutual agreement, and express assent, considered as pending, and to be speedily resumed. In the mean time, another act of parliament, so doubtful and ambiguous in its import, as to have been misunderstood by the officers in the colonies Avho were to carry it into execution, opens again certain colonial ports, upon new conditions and terms, with a threat to close them against any nation which may not accept those terms as prescribed by the British government. This act passed in July, 1825, not communicated to the government of the United States, not understood by the British officers of the customs in the colonies where it was to be enforced, was, nevertheless, submitted to the consideration of congress at their last session. With the knowledge that a negotiation upon the subject had long been in progress, and pledges given of its resumption at an early day, it was deemed expedient to await the result of that negotiation, rather than to subscribe implicitly to terms, the import of which was not clear, and which the British authorities themselves, in this hemisphere, were not prepared to explain. He closes the subject of British difficulties, by trusting that the misunderstanding noticed would not have an un- propitious effect on other subjects connected with our mutual relations. He then alludes to the Panama mission, and presses the opinion that we ought to be there represented. Of our fiscal concerns, and the contemplated reduction of the public debt, he speaks in favourable terms. Of the military and naval departments he speaks in a favour- able manner, and extols the management of the post office department. The conclusion is as follows : In closing this communication, I trust it will not be deemed inappropriate to the occasion and purposes upon which we are here assembled, to indulge a momentary re- trospect, combining, in a single glance, the period of our THE UNITED STATES. 427 origin as a national confederation with that of our present existence, at the precise interval of half a century from each other. Since your last meeting at this place, the fiftieth anniversary of the day when our independence M-as declared, has been celebrated throughout our land, and on that day, Avhen every heart was bounding with joy, and every voice was tuned to gratulation, amid the bless- ings of freedom and independence, which the sires of a former age had handed down to their children, two of the principal actors in that solemn scene, the hand that penned the ever memorable declaration, and the voice that sustained it in debate, were, by the summons, at the distance of seven hundred miles from each other, called before the Judge of all, to account for their deeds done upon earth. They departed, cheered by the benedictions of their country, to whom they left tlie inheritance of their fame, and the memory of their bright example. If we turn our thoughts to the condition of their country, in the contrast of the first and last day of that century, how re- splendent and sublime is the transition from gloom to glory! Then glancing through the same lapse of time, in the condition of the individuals, we see the first day marked with the fulness and vigour of youth, in the pledge of their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honour, to ihe cause of freedom and of mankind. And on the last, extended on the bed of death, with but sense and sensibi- lity left to breathe a last aspiration to Heaven, of bless- ing upon their country; may we not humbly hope that to them too, it was a pledge of transition from gloom to glory ; and that while their mortal vestments were sink- ing into the clod of the valley, their emancipated spirits were ascending to the bosom of their God ! During the session, a number of interesting report? were made from the ditl'erent departments, and a number of valuable documents presented. The famous treaty with M'Intosh, and other Creek chiefs, was put under examination, and condemned. This treaty, it may be recollected, was made by M'In- tosh in a clandestine manner, for which he subsequently suffered deatflP. Circumstances and clear testimony were 428 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF adduced, to show that this was the state of the treaty ; and it was no longer considered obligatory on either the United States or the Creek nation. To show the spirit of hostility manifested by the executive of Georgia, no- thing more is necessary than to copy the two following orders. It is only necessary to state, that Georgia had long coveted the Creek lands, and by collusion with some chiefs, determined to possess them even at the point of the bayonet, and the destruction of the aborigines. We rejoice that the general government stopped the torrent of usurpation, and exhibited the features of firmness, jus- tice, and generosity. Executive Department, Geo. Milledgeville^ Feb. 17, 1827. Ordered, That the attorney and solicitors general of this state, in every instance of complaint made of the arrest of any surveyor engaged in the survey of the late acquired territory, by any civil process under the autho- rity of the government of the United States, do take all necessary and legal measures to effect the liberation of the person so arrested, and to bring to justice, either by indictment or otherwise, the officers or parties concerned in such an arrest, as offenders against the laws, and viola- tors of the peace and personal security of the public offi- cers and citizens of this state. That they give profes- sional advice and assistance in their defence against any prosecution or action which may be instituted against them as officers in the service of the state, and that they prompt ly make known to this department their acts and doings in the premises. It is moreover enjoined on the civil ma- gistrates of this state, having competent jurisdiction of the same, to be acting and assisting in inquiring into the cause of every such arrest or detention as aforesaid, that the person may be discharged forthwith, if illegally or un- justly detained, and in affording such redress to the ag grieved or injured party, as by law he may be entitled to receive. By the governor, E. H. PIERCE, Sec'ry. I THE UNITED STATES. 430 Head quarters, Milledgeville, 17 th Feb. 1827. ORDERS. The major generals commanding the 6th and 7th divi- sions, will immediately issue orders to hold in readiness the several regiments and battalions within their respect- ive commands, to repel any hostile invasion of the territory of this state. Depots of arms and ammunition central to each division will be established in due time, t By the commander in chief, John W. A. Sandford, Aid-de-Camp. This congress closed its session on the third of March, and the twentieth congress opened its sittings on the third of December, 1827. On the fourth, the message of the president was re- ceived and read in both houses. After giving a general, but concise and elevating view of our situation as a peo- ple, he thus speaks of our foreign concerns : — Our rela- tions of friendship with the other nations of the earth, political and commercial, have been preserved unimpaired, and the opportunities to improve them have been culti- vated with anxious and unremitting attention. A nego- tiation upon subjects of high and delicate interest, with the oovernment of Great Britain, has terminated in the adjustment of some of the questions at issue upon satisfac- tory terms, and the postponement of others for future dis- kCussion and agreement. The purposes of the convention concluded at St. Pe- tersburg, on the 12th day of July, 1822, under the media- tion of the late Emperor Alexander, have been carried into effect by a subsequent convention, concluded at Lon- don on the iSth of November, 1826, the ratifications of which were exchanged at that place on the 6th day of February last. A copy of the proclamation issued on Jlhe nineteenth day of March last, publishing this conven- tion, is herewith communicated to congress. The sum of twelve hundred and four thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars, therein stipulated to be paid to the claimants of indemnity under the first article of the treaty of Ghent, has been duly received, and the commission instituted, 430 UNIVERSAL fflSTORY OF conformably to the act of congress of the second of March last, for the distribution of the indemnity to the persons entitled to receive it, are now in session, and approaching the consummation of their labours. This final disposal of one of the most painful topics of collision between the United States and Great Britain, not only affords an occasion of gratulation to ourselves, but has had the happiest effect in promoting a friendly dis- position, and in softening asperities upon other objects of discussion. Nor ought it to pass without the tribute of a frank and cordial acknowledgment of the magnanimity with which an honourable nation, by the reparation of their own wrongs, achieves a triumph more glorious than any field of blood can ever bestow. The conventions of 3d July, 1815, and of 20th Octo- ber, 1818, will expire, by their own limitation, on the 20th October, 1828. These have regulated the direct commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain, upon terms of the most perfect recipro- city ; and they effected a temporary compromise of the respective rights and claims to territory westward of the Rocky Mountains. These arrangements have been con- tinued for an indefinite period of time, after the expira- tion of the above mentioned conventions ; leaving each party the liberty of terminating them, by giving twelve months notice to the other. The radical principle of all commercial intercourse between independent nations, is the mutual interest of both parties. It is the vital spirit of trade itself; nor can it be reconciled to the nature of man, or to the primary laws of human society, that any traffic should long be willingly pursued, of which all the advantages are on one side, and all the burdens on the other. Treaties of commerce have been found, by experience, to be among the most effective instruments for promot- ing peace and harmony between nations whose interests, exclusively considered on either side, are brought into frequent collisions by competition. In framing such trea- ties, it is the duty of each party not simply to urge with unyielding pertinacity that which suits its own interest, but to concede liberally to that which is adapted to the I THE UNITED STATES. 431 interest of the other. To accomplish this, little more is generally required than a simple observance of the rule of reciprocity ; and were it possible for the statesmen of one nation, by stratagem and management, to obtain from the weakness or ignorance of another, an over-reaching treaty, such a compact would prove an incentive to war, rather than a bond of peace. Our conventions with Great Britain are founded upon the principles of recipro- city. The commercial intercourse between the two countries is gi-eater in magnitude and amount, than between any two other nations on the globe. It is, for all purposes of benefit or advantage, to both, as precious, and, in all pro- bability, far more extensive, than if the parties were still constituent parts of one and the same nation. Treaties between such states, regulating the intercourse of peace between them, and adjusting interests of such transcend- ent importance to both, which have been found, in a long experience of years, mutually advantageous, should not be lightly cancelled or discontinued. Two conventions, for continuing in force those above mentioned, have been concluded between the plenipotentiaries of the two go- vernments, on the 6th of August last, and will be forth- with laid before the senate for the exercise of their con- stitutional authority concerning them. He then alludes to the execution of the treaties of 1782, and 1783, respecting the boundary line of the Union, showing that difliculties had arisen respecting their adjust- ment. Commissioners had been appointed by both par- ties, to settle these questions, but the object had not been fully accomplished, and a convention of September, 1826,- was intended for reference to the senate. He then notices a communication Irom tne governor of Maine, touching the difficulties respecting territorial jurisdiction, which had occurred in the vicinity of that state, and concludes the subject by stating that he had ♦aken measures to ob- tain the best information of facts in the case, which should be communicated when received. He also reverts to the difficulties and embarrassments arising from the British colonial regulations, which he states as not yet approx^- mating to a friendly understanding. 432 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF In speaking of France, he states, that our commerce with that people is increasing, while it is a source of re- gret, that our demands on that government for spolia- tions, remain unsettled. With the kingdom of Sweden a new treaty had been concluded, and a minister pleni- potentiary from the Hanseatic towns received. With Russia we are at peace, and the good understanding which subsisted with Alexander, has not been interrupt- ed by the succession of his brother Nicholas to the empire. Of the Greeks he speaks most feelingly, and notices the letter of thanks from the president of that country, which was to be translated, and placed before congress. Alluding to our southern neighbours, he says : " In the American hemisphere the cause of freedom and inde- pendence has continued to prevail ; and if signalized by none of those splendid triumphs which had crowned with glory some of the preceding years, it has only been from the banishment of all external force against wiiich the struggle had been maintained. The shout of victory has "been superseded by the expulsion of the enemy over whom it could have been achieved. Our friendly wishes, and cordial good will, which have constantly followed the southern nations of America in all the vicissitudes oi their war of independence, are succeeded by a solicitude, equally ardent and cordial, that by the wisdom and purity of their institutions, they may secure to themselves the choicest blessings of social order, and the best rewards of virtuous libeiiy. The message then aiiuueii lo our remaining difficulties with Brazil, which he had taKen measures to settle, and finally returns to the inoie grateful subjects of our inter- nal concerns li»u.s : " Turning from the momentous concerns of our union, in its intercourse with foreign nations, to those of the deepest interest in the administration of our internal aifairs, we find the revenues of the present year corres- ponding, as nearly as might be expected, to the anticipa- tions of the last, and presenting an aspect still more fa- vourable in the promise of the next. The balance in the treasury, on the first of January last, was six millions THE UNITED STATES. 433 three hundred and fifty-eight thousand six hundred and eighty-six dollars and eighteen cents. The receipts from that day to the 30th of September last, as near as the re- turns of them yet received can show, amount to sixteen millions eight hundred and eighty-six thousand five hun- dred and eighty-one dollars and thirty- two cents. The receipts of the present quarter, estimated at four mil- lions five hundred and fifteen thousand, added to the above, form an aggregate of twenty-one millions four hun- dred thousand dollars of receipts. The expenditures of the year may perhaps amount to twenty-two millions three hundred thousand dollars, presenting a small ex- cess over the receipts. But of these twenty-two mil- lions, upwards of six have been applied to the discharge of the principal of the public debt ; the whole amount of which, approaching seventy-four millions on the first of January last, will, on the first day of next year, fall short of sixty-seven millions and a half. The balance in the treasury, on the first of January next, it is expected, will exceed five millions four hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, a sum exceeding that of the first of January, 1825, though falling short of that exhibited on the first of Ja- nuary last. " It was foreseen that the revenue of the present year would not equal that of the last, which had itself been less than that of the next preceding year. But the hope has been realized which was entertained, that these defi- ciencies would in no wise interrupt the steady operation of the discharge of the public debt, by the annual ten millions devoted to that object, by the act of 3d March, 1817. " The amount of duties secured on merchandise, im- ported from the commencement of the year, until the 30lh of September last, is twenty-one miliions two hun- dred and twenty-six thousand ; and the probable amount of that which will be secured during the remainder of the year, is five millions seven hundred and seventy-four ihousand dollars ; forming a sum total of twenty-seven millions. With the allowances for drawbacks and con- tingent deficiencies which may occur, though not speci fically foreseen, we may safely estimate the receipts of 37 434 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the ensuing year at twenty-two millions three hundred thousand dollars; a revenue for the next, equal to the ex- penditure of the present year. "The deep solicitude fell by our citizens of all classes throughout the union for the total discharge of the public debt, will apologize for the earnestness with which I deem it my duty to urge this topic upon the consideration of congress — of recommending to them again the observ- ance of the strictest economy in the application of the public funds. The depression upon the receipts of the revenue, which had commenced with the year 1826, con- tinued with increased severity during the two first quar- ters of the present year. The returning tide began to flow with the third quarter, and, so far as we can judge from experience, may be expected to continue through the course of the ensuing year. In the meantime, an al- leviation from the burden of the public debt will, in the three years, have been effected, to the amount of nearly sixteen millions, and the charge of annual interest will have been reduced upwards of one million. " But among the maxims of political economy which the stewards of the public moneys should never sufi'er without urgent necessity, to be transcended, is that of keeping the expenditures of the year within the limits ol its receipts. The appropriations of the two last years, including the yearly ten millions of the sinking fund, have each equalled the promised revenue of the ensuing year. While we foresee with confidence that the public coflers will be repleniehed from the receipts, as fast a.s they will be drained by the expenditures, equal in amount to those of the current year, it should not be forgotten that they could ill suffer the exhaustion of larger disburse- ments." After noticing the meacures taKen with a view to in- ternal improvements, he mentions the report from the post office deparimeni, as very satisfactory and encoura- ging, and closes by recommending the subject of pen- sions to our remainmg revolutionary officers and soldiers, as a debt o( justice, lather than one of gratitude. The report of the treasurer states, that more than six millions and a quarter, by estimation, would be in his THE UNITED STATES. 435 hands on the first of January, and recommends an addi- tion to the tariff of 1824. The article of domestic manu- factures, are estimated at more than seven millions, ex- ported. Other exports at about eighty millions. He states that many articles of home manufacture had be- come cheaper, more abundant, and of superior quality, since the adoption of the tariff, than before, and presses on the country the importance of increasing the tariff, particularly on wool, and woollen goods, fine cotton goods, bar iron and hemp. It is not possible, however, in this condensed sketch, to give an outline of this valua- ble report. Early in the session steps "were taken to ascertain the importance of revising thoroughly the tariff system of 1824. A committee was appointed, clothed with ample powers to investigate the subject. This report was made in P'ebruary, from which we shall give a few extracts. After stating the many obstacles necessary to be over- come, and the labours to which they were subject, the committee proceeds : This labour being performed, the committee at once began their examinations of such wit- nesses, members of the house, and others, as were within iheir reach, and believed to be possessed of valuable and practical information upon any of the subjects before them. The examination of these witnesses was not completed when the arrival of some attending under summonses was announced. An application was then immediately made to the house for leave to sit during the hours of session of the house ; and nearly every day since that leave was granted, has been entirely occupied, to the almost total neglect of other public and private duties, in the laborious examination of witnesses, pursuant to the resolution under which the committee were acting It is but justice here to remark, that the original expectation of the committee, under the resolution offered by them to the house, was to have made an expeditious inquiry into the situation of one or two manufacturing interests, rather to enable them to deter- mine what further protection these interests really re- « wired, than with the expectation, within the limited time which they had allowed to themselves for the purpose of 436 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF being able to collect and report to the house, a body ol evidence upon several important branches of our domes- tic manufactures, so digested and arranged as to be of any essential service to the house, or to the public, as a source of correct information upon these complicated subjects. The amendment, however, which w^as made to the re- solution by the house, so as to give the committee the au- thority " to send for, and examine persons upon oath, in relation to the present condition of our manufactures, and to report the minutes of such examination to this house," it will readily be seen, added greatly to the labour which the committee had proposed for themselves ; as, by that amendment, it was made the duty of the committee, should they think proper to examine witnesses, to take their testimony in detail, and in such order as to render it at least passably intelligible to the house. This additional labour was in no other way exceptionable to the commit- tee, than as it rendered somewhat doubtful their ability to give their report to the house within the time which they had signified that it would be received. But, even under this apprehension, so desirous were the committee of a full developement of the facts, that the amended re- solution met their approbation ; and they entered upon their duties, determined, if possible, to realize the expec- tations of the house, so far, at least, as regarded a report within the time they had indicated. They have examined a little short of thirty witnesses, and the testimony of each, hastily written out by way of question and answer, and annexed to this report, will show what facts have been collected by the examination, as well as the extent of the labour which the committee have performed. The testimony of each witness, after it was taken, had been carefully read over with him, and so corrected as to meet the full assent of the witness to its accuracy. The leading subjects presented to the committee for additional protection, are iron, and several manufactures of it, wool, and its fabrics, hemp, and some of the manu- factures from it, flax, and its manufactures, and domestic distilled spirits from grain, particular descriptions oi glass, and fine and printed cottons. Upon all these sub jects witnesses have been examined, and their testimon3f THE UNITED STATES. 437 heiewith reported, comprises the evidence, upon each subject, which the committee have taken under the reso- lution of the house, and embodies most of the information upon which they have acted in determining the features of the bill which they have agreed upon. The first subject Avhich will be found in the bill, is that of iron, and considering the importance of the ar- ticle, as one of both national and individual necessity, the changes in the present rates of duty are comparatively very light. The next subject in order is that of wool and wool- lens. To these subjects the greater part of the testimony of the witnesses has been directed, and the committee have used every efibrt in their power to obtain precise information as to the facts as they do actually exist in re- lation to the interests both of the wool grower and the manufacturer of wool. The real importance of these sub- jects to those sections of the country where wool is grown, and in M^hich the "inanufactories are located, the feeling which has for some time agitated the public mind through- out the whole country, in relation, on the one side, to the necessity of further protection to them, and on the other side, to the injurious effects which such a measure would have upon the purchasers of woollen fabrics, have all conspired to induce this exertion on the part of tb committee. They have therefore made the examinations of the wit- nesses, upon those subjects, as minute as possible, and, perhaps, in some instances, they may appear tediously so. Indeed, many of the questions put to the witnesses, will afford abundant evidence that the committee had not sufficient practical knowledge upon the subjects before them, to enable them to make a series of interrogations the answers to which would place the testimony taken in the clearest light. And when the members of the house shall have examined the evidence relating to the manufac- ture of woollen goods, the committee cannot doubt they will be entirely convinced that none but a person inti- mately acquainted with the various operations, could have drawn out a series of questions upon the subject, suscepti- ble of clear and intelligible answers. 3V 438 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF The time of the committee did not authorize even an attempt to do this, and, therefore, the examinations, and particularly of some of the witnesses first examined, will appear as they were really taken — the one answer, in many, if not in most instances, suggesting the subsequent question. It will also be found, upon an examination of the testimony, that the manufacture of woollens is hardly susceptible of being reduced within the limits of exact mathematical calculation, so as to enable the committee to arrive, with this kind of certainty, at the amount of duty which will furnish full protection, and at the sa4ne time, will not go beyond that point. Certain positions, however, they believe to be proved by the evidence they have taken, which furnish great assistance in approaching to correct conclusions. From all which the committee could gather on the subject, they think the following positions may be fairly stated : — 1st. That the manufacture of woollen goods in this country, is, at this time, a business labouring under severe depressions, and attended with loss nwjre severe upon the finer qualities. 2d. That these depressions are owing, in a very great degree, to the excessive and irregular importations of foreign woollen goods into our markets : thus causing a fluctuation in, and an uncertainty of price for those goods, more injurious to the American manufacturer than even the depression of price which these importations produce. 3d. That the differences between the prices of wool, of the same quality, in this country and in England, is at the present time about fifty per cent, in favour of the lat- ter country. 4th. That the cost of raw wool in this country is about one half of the cost of the fabric, when prepared for the market, as a general rule applying to most kinds of cloths. 5th. That if the cost of the wool and the cost of the foreign materials used for dying, were the same in both countries, the process of manufacturing the wool into cloth, fitted for the market, can be performed as cheap in this country as it can in England. THE UNITED STATES. 439 6th. That the present duty on woollen goods does not lurnish the desired protection, and that no reasonable duty can be eflectual, unless it be a specific square yard, instead of an ad valorem duty. Takinff, then, these positions as granted, the committee proposed to lay the following duties : — 1st. Upoti all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall not exceed fifty cents per square yard, a specific duty of sixteen cents upon every square yard. 2d. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed fifty cents per square yard, and shall not exceed $1 per square yard, a specific duty of 40 cents upon every square yard. 3d, Upon manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed $1 per square yard, and shall not exceed $2,50 per square yard, a spe- cific duty of $1 upon every square yard. 4th. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed $2,50 per square yard, and shall not exceed $4 per square yard, shall be deemed to have cost $4 per square yard, and at such va- luation shall be charged with, and pay a duty of 40 per centum, ad valorem. 5th. Upon all manufactures of wool, &c. the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall ex- ceed $4 per square yard, shall be charged with, and pay a duty of 45 per centum, ad valorem. The attention of the committee was next turned to hemp and flax, and certain manufactures from them. After showing that our country can raise and manufacture from these articles to advantage, and that, in some points, they form an important item in the products of this country, they propose to lay a duty of $10 the ton on raw hemp, and $9 the ton on flax, and would make the rate oi duty progressive, until it should arrive at $60 the ton on each. 440 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF On foreign distilled spirits, the committee proposed an additional duty of ten cents, and on foreign molasses, an increase of five cents the gallon. The great importance of a national system, is so evi- dent, that few doubt the propriety of a tariff for the pro- tection of domestic manufactures. This Avas the all ab- sorbing business of the last session, and the measure has been effected Whether all the details are unexceptiona- ble, is left for practice to determine. If faults should be discovered, they can be remedied by the legislature. If it should have an unequal bearing on different sections of the Union, the difficulty may be obviated ; or, if not, the only evils which will remain are those which are insepa- rable from all general systems. All that can be required, is the greatest good of the whole as a nation. That opposition should be manifested to any great na- tional change is not surprising; it would rather surprise if this were not the case. No such change can be made, without effecting individual interest. But where the great, the permanent interests, and permanent prosperity of the country are at stake, both wisdom and duty dictate that the minor interests should give way. The balance of trade has been long enough against us. Commercial difficulties, and scarcity of money, substantiate the fact conclusively. To retrace our steps, and take an inde- pendent stand, was our only safe alternative, and we re- joice that this course has been pursued, because we are fully persuaded that the step will ultimately result in good. Remarks upon Part Third. The Mississippi, the Missouri, the Ohio, no longer flows through a wilderness ; large three masted ships sail up them, and more than two hundred steam-boats enliven their banks. Thus the United States cherish within their bosom, un- der the protection of liberty, an image and a memorial ol most of the celebrated places of ancient and modern Eu- rope — like that garden in the Campagna of Rome, in which Adrian had models of the different monuments of his empire erected. THE UNITED STATES. 441 It should be observed, that there is scarcely a county but has a town, village, or hamlet, called Washington : touching unanimity of the gratitude of a nation ! Thirty high roads meet at Washington, as the Roman roads met at ancient Rome, and, diverging from that point, run to the circumference of the United States. The whole forming an interior circulation of roads of 25,747 miles. From the points to which these roads tend, it is obvious that they traverse tracts formerly wild, but now cultivated and inhabited. On a great number of these roads you may travel, post, or public stage coaches, carry you from place to place at a moderate price. You may now take the diligence for the Ohio, or the Falls of Niagara, as in former time you engaged an Indian guide or interpreter. Cross roads branch off from the principal roads, and are equally provided with the means of conveyance. These means are almost always of two kinds, for as there are every where lakes and rivers, you may travel either in row boats, sail boats, or steam vessels. Vessels of the latter class make regular trips from Bos- ton and New- York to New-Orleans ; they are likewise established on the lakes of Canada, the Ontario, the Erie, the Michigan, the Champlain ; on those lakes, where, thirty years ago, scarcely the canoes of the savages were to be seen, and where ships of the line now engage one another. The steam vessels of the United States are not only subservient to the wants of commerce, and of travellers, but are also employed for the defence of the country ; some of them, of immense size, placed at the mouth of rivers, armed with cannon, and boiling water, resemble at one and the same time, modern citadels and fortresses of the middle ages. To the twenty-five thousand seven hundred and forty- seven miles of general roads, must be added the extent of four hundred and nineteen district roads, and of fifty- eight thousand one hundred and thirty-seven miles of -water-ways. The canals increase the number of the lat- ter : the Middlesex canal joins the harbour at Boston with the Merrimack ; the Champlain canal forms a communica- 442 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF tion between that lake and the Canadian seas ; the famoug Erie or New- York canal, now unites Lake Erie and the Atlantic; the Santee, Chesapeake, and Albemarle canals, were constructed by the states of Carolina and Virginia ; and as broad rivers, running in different directions, ap- proach towards their sources, nothing was easier than to connect them together. Five roads to the Pacific Ocean are already known ; one only of these roads passes through the Spanish territory. A law of congress, passed in the session of 1824 — 5, directs the establishment of a military post at Oregon. The Americans, who have a settlement on the Columbia, can thus penetrate to the great ocean by a zone of land nearly six degrees in breadth, between English, Russian, and Spanish America. There are, nevertheless, natural limits to colonization. The forests to the north and west of the Missouri, are bounded by immense steppes, where not a tree is to be seen, and which seem to be unsusceptible of culture, though grass grows abundantly upon them. This ver- dant Arabia affords a passage to the colonists who repair in caravans to the Rocky Mountains, and New-Mexico ; it separates the United States of the Atlantic, from the United States of the South Sea, like those deserts, which, in the old world, are interposed between fertile regions. An American has offered to construct, at his own expense, a solid high road from St. Louis, on the Mississippi, to the mouth of the Columbia, if congress will grant him a tract ten miles in depth, on either side of the road. This gigantic proposal has not been accepted. In the year 1789, there were only seventy-five post offices in the United States ; there are now upwards of seven thousand. From 1790 to 1795, these offices in- creased from seventy-five to four hundred and fifty-three; in 1800 their number was nine hundred and three ; in 1805 they amounted to fifteen hundred and fifty-eight; in 1810 to two thousand three hundred ; in 1817 to three thousand three hundred and fifty-nine ; in 1820 to four thousand and thirty; in 1830 to nearly eight thousand. Letters and packets are conveyed by mail coaches, which travel about one hundred and fifty thousand milea a day, and by couriers, on horseback and on foot. THE UNITED STATES. 443 Offices for the sale of public lands are opened in the states of Ohio and Indiana, in the territory of Michigan, Missouri, and Arkansas, and in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. It is computed that one hun- dred and fifty millions of acres of land fit for cultivation, exclusively of the soil of vast forests, yet remain to be dis- posed of. These hundred and fifty millions of acres are estimated to be worth fifteen hundred millions of dollars, at the average rate of ten dollars per acre, and reckoning the dollars at no more than three francs — a very low cal- culation in every respect. We find twenty-five military posts in the northern states, and twenty-two in the southern. In 1790, the population of the United States was 3,929,326 souls; in 1800, it was 5,305,666; in 1810, 7,239,300 ; in 1820, 9,609,827. This last number includ- ed 1,581,436 slaves. The population of the United States has increased every ten years, from 1790 to 1820, at the rate of thirty-five per cent. Eight years have already elapsed of the ten, which will be completed in 1830, when, it is presumed, the popu- lation of the United States VN^ill be little short of 12,875,000 souls : and the state of Ohio will have 850,000 inhabitants, and that of Kentucky 750,000. If the population were to go on doubling every twenty- five years, the United States would have, in 1855, a popu- lation of 25,750,000 souls ; and in twenty-five years more, that is to say, in 1880, that population would exceed 50,000,000. In 1821, the value of native and foreign productions exported from the United States amounted to the sum of 64,974,382 dollars. In the same year the public revenue was 14,264,000 dollars : the excess of the receipts be- yond the expenditure was 3,334,826 dollars. In the same year, also, the national debt was reduced to 89,204,235 dollars. The army has sometimes been raised to one hundred chousand men : and the navy of the United States is com- posed of eleven sail of the line, nine frigates, and fifty other ships of various sizes. It is superfluous to say any thing concerning the con- 444 IIMVERSAL HISTORY OF stitutions of the different states ; it is sufficient to know that they are all free. There is no predominant religion, but every citizen is expected to conform to some mode of Christian worship. The catholic religion is making considerable progress in the western states. Supposing, which I believe to be the case, that the statistical summaries published by the United States an exaggerated by the national vanity, still there will be left a total of prosperity well worthy of our highest admi- ration. To complete this astonishing picture, we must figure tfi ourselves cities like Boston, New-York, Philadelphia, Bal- timore Savannah, New-Orleans, lighted at night, filled with horses and carriages, offering all the gratifications of luxury, brought to their ports by thousands of ships ; wt must figure to ourselves the lakes of Canada, formerly so solitary, now covered with frigates, brigs, cutters, boats, steam vessels, intermixed with the canoes of the Indians, as the large ships and galleys are with pinks, sloops, and caiques, in the waters of the Bosphorus. Churches and houses, embellished with columns of Grecian architecture, rise from amidst these forests, and on the banks of these rivers, the ancient ornaments of the wilderness. Add to these, spacious colleges, observatories, erected for science in the abode of savage ignorance ; all religions, all opi- nions, dwelling together in peace, labouring in concert for the melioration of the human race, and the develope- ment of the human understanding. Such are the prodi- gies of liberty. The Abbe Raynal offered a prize for a solution of the question : " What influence will the discovery of the New World have upon the Old World." Writers lost themselves in calculations relative to the exportation and importation of the precious metals, the depopulation of Spain, the increase of commerce, the improvement of the navy : nobody, as far as I know, sought the influence of the discovery of America upon Europe, in the establishment of the American republics. They figured to themselves the old monarchies continu- ing in much the same state a? thev then were, society sta- THE UNITED STATES. 446 twnary, the human mind neither advancing nor retrogra- ding ; they had not the least idea of the revolution which, in tlie space of twenty years, has taken place in opinions. The most valuable of the treasures which America con- tains within her bosom is liberty; every nation is called to work this inexhaustible mine. The discovery of the representative republic by the United States, is one of the greatest political events that ever occurred. This event proves, as I have elsewhere observed, that there are two practicable kinds of liberty ; tlie one belonging to the infancy of nations, the oflspring of manners and virtue, the liberty of the first Greeks and of the first Romans, and the liberty of the savages of America ; the other, born in the old age of nations, the offspring of knowledge and reason, the liberty of the United Stales, which has super- seded the liberty of the Indian. Happy country, which, in less than three centuries, has passed from one liberty to the other, almost without effort, and by means of a con test which lasted only eight years ! Will America preserve this last kind of liberty ? Will there not be a division of tlie United States? May we not already perceive the germs of these divisions? Has not a representative of Virginia already supported the thesis of the ancient Greek and Roman liberty, with the systems of slavery, against a deputy of Massachusetts, who advocated the cause of modern liberty without slaves, such as Christianity has made it? Will not the western slates, extending themselves far- ther and farther, and being too remote from the Atlantic slates, be desirous of having a government to themselves ? Lastly, are the Americans a perfect people ? have they not their vices like other men? are they morally superior to the English, from whom they derive their origin? Will not the tide of foreign emigration, incessantly pour- ing upon them from all parts of Europe, eventually de- stroy the homogeneousness of their race ? Will not the mercantile spirit gain ascendency? Is not self-interest beginning to be a predominant national defect among them ? We are also obliged to confess with pain, that the es- tablishment of the rep',!])lirs of Mexico, Colombia, Peru, 38 446 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF Chili, and Buenos Ayres, is pregnant v.'ith danger to the United States. While the latter had about them nothing but the colonies of a transatlantic kingdom, war was not probable. May not rivalships now spring up between the old rer publics of North America, and the new republics of Span- ish America? Will not the latter interdict alliance with European powers? If both sides should have recourse to arms — if the military spirit should take possession of the United States, a great captain might arise ; glory loves crowns ; soldiers are but brilliant forgers of chains, and liberty is not sure of preserving its patrimony under the guardianship of victory. Let what will happen, liberty v,'ill never be entirely banished from America ; and here it is right to specify one of the great advantages possessed by liberty, the ofl'spring of manners. Liberty, the offspring of nianners, perishes when its principle deteriorates, and it is in the nature of manners to deteriorate Avilh time. Liberty, the offspring of manners, begins before des- potism, in the days of poverty and obscurity : it is lost in despotism, and in ages of glory and luxury. Liberty, the offspring of knowledge, shines after ages of oppression and corruption ; it advances with the prin- ciple which preserves and renews it, the knowledge of which it is the effect, instead of becoming feeble with time, like the manners which gave birth to the tirst liberty — knowledge, I say, grows stronger on the contrary with time; thus, it forsakes not the liberty which it has pro- duced ; constantly about that liberty, it is at once its ge- nerative virtue and its inexhaustible source. To conclude — the United States have one safeguard more; their population does not occupy an eighteenth part of their territory. America still dwells in the wil- derness ; for a long time to come, her deserts will be her manners, and knowledge her liberty. Religion. — The consequences resulting from the en- joyment of religious liberty have been highly favourable. Free discussion has enlightened the ignorant, disarmed superstition of its dreadful powers, and consigned to THE UNITED STATES. 447 oblivion many erroneous and fantastic creeds. Religious oppression, and the vindictive feelings it arouses, are hardly known. Catholics and Protestants live together in harmony ; and Protestants who disagree, employ, in defending their own doctrines, and in "Hissailing those of their antagonists, the weapons only of reason and eloquence. In the New-England states, the independents, or con- gregationalists, constitute the most numerous denomina- tion ; in the middle states, the Presbyterians ; and, in the southern, the Methodists. Baptists, Episcopalians, and Roman Catholics, are found in all the states ; but, in Ma- ryland and Louisiana, the Catholics are more numerous dian elsewhere. Each of these sects has one or more seminaries of learning, in which its peculiar doctrines are taught, and young men are educated for the ministry. Many other sects exist, but reason, less tolerant than the laws, is gradually diminishing the number. Agriculture in 1820. — The number of persons en- gaged in agriculture was 3,870,646. The value of all its products exported during the year ending the 30th of Sep- tember, 1823, was 37,646,000 dollars. The principal articles were, cotton to the value of 20,44.5,000 dollars ; flour to the value of 4,962,000 dollars; tobacco to the value of 4,852,000 dollars; and rice to the value of 1,821,000 dollars. The value of provisions of all kinds exported, was 13,460,000 dollars, and it has, in many years, been greater. A people able to spare such an amount of the necessaries of life, can never be in danger of suffering from want. Commerce. — The state of the world, for several years subsequent to the commencement of the French revolu- tion, offered great encouragement to the commercial en- terprise of the country. While almost every other power was engaged in war, the United States were neutral ; their vessels navigated the ocean in safety, and were em- Eloyed to carry, from port to port, the commodities of the elligerent nations. In fifteen years, beginning with 1793, these favourable circumstances increased the amount of American tonnage from 491,000 to 1,242,000 tons, and 0" 448 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the revenue arising from commerce, from 4,399,000 to 16,363,000 dollars. In 1820, the number of persons engaged in commerce was 72,493. In 1823, the whole amount of exports was 74,799,000 dollars ; the amount of imports was 77,579,000 dollars, the balance in favour of the United States being about three millions of dollars. As the im- ports, however, are always undervalued at the custom house, the additional wealth, which, in that year, accrued to the nation from commerce, was undoubtedly greater. In otheryears, the commerce of the country hasflourish- ed more. In 1807, the exports amounted to 108,343,000 dollars, and the imports to 138,574,000 dollars. The principal causes of the decline which has taken place, have been, the i-estoration of peace in Europe, and the increase of the product of domestic manufactures. The former has permitted all other nations to become our competitors ; the latter has rendered it unnecessary to resort to Europe for most of the conveniences, and many of the luxuries of life. The depression will not long continue. The independence of the South American republics, has opened a wide field for the enterprise of our merchants, and given a brighter hue to their future prospects. Debt, Revenue, and Expenditures. — When, in 1790, the public debt was first funded, it amounted to about 75,000,000 of dollars. In 1803, by the purchase of Louisiana, it was augmented to about 85,500,000. In the eight years which followed, a large amount was paid, leaving due, in 1812, but little more than 45,000,000. To defray the expenses of the war, which was declared in that year, more than 80,000,000 of new debt was con- tracted. A large portion has since been paid, and, on thej first day of January, 1823, the amount of it was| 90,865,877 dollars. The present revenue of the republic is dei-ived princi- pally from commerce, and from the sale of public lands. In 1822, there accrued from the former source, the sum of 20,500,775 dollars ; from the latter source, 1,803,581 ; and from other sources, 839,084. The amount, however LI THE UNITED STATES. 449 which was actually received, during the year, was but 20,232,427. iThe expenditures during the same year, were as fol- lows : Civil, diplomatic, and miscellaneous, 1,967,996; 1 for the pay and support of the army, the construction of |, forts, the supply of arms, the payment of pensions, and \ the various expenses of the Indian department, 5,635,188 ; : for the support and increase of the navy, 2,224,458 ; for ' the payment of the inter^t, and for the redemption of that « portion of the principal of the debt which became due I within the year, 7,848,949; amounting in the whole to ( 17,676,591, and leaving an excess of revenue over expen- diture of 2,555,836 dollars. Great Britain may be taken as a favourable example of the European governments. The people of that king- dom pay, annually, for the support of their sovereign and his relatives, nearly two and a half millions of dollars, while the compensation of the president of the United States is but twenty-five thousand. In the salaries of ihe subordinate officers of government, the disproportion is not so great, but is generally, nevertheless, as four or five to one. The military peace establishment of Great Britain costs annually thirty-four millions of dollars ; that of the United States but little more than five millions. The naval es- tablishmei.v of the former costs twenty-two millions ; that of the latter less than two and a half millions. British subjects pay in taxes, raised exclusively for national purposes, at the rate of fifteen dollars yearly for each individual ; the citizens of the United States pay, in na- tional and state taxes, at the rate of but two dollars. And as the whole population of Great Britain and Ireland is included in the estimate, the individual wealth of the sub- jects of the united kingdom, and of the citizens of the American republic, may on an average, be considered nearly equal. On the fourth of March, A. D. 1829, Andrew Jackson took the oath of office as president of the United States, for the term of four years, and John C. Calhoun vice president — our country being in a very prosperous and flourishing state, the national debt being greatly decreased, 36* 450 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and things in general wore a very pleasing appearance. The nation is tranquil, and remains unmoved. The con- stitution and laws of our country do not rest on the point of mercenary bayonets, and freedom of sentiment makes up the moral power which is, at once, the envy and won- der of the world. The following h- the Inaugural Address of General An- drew Jackson, on being sworn into the ofUce of President of the United States. Fellow Citizens : About to undertake the arduous duties that I have been appointed to perform, by the choice of a free people, I avail myself of this customary and solemn occasion, to express the gratitude which their confidence inspires, and to acknowledge the ac- countability which my situation enjoins. While the magnitude of their interests convinces me that no thanks can be adequate to the honour they have conferred, it ad- monishes me that the best return I can make, is the zeal- ous dedication of my humble abilities to their service and their good. As the instrument of the Federal Constitution, it will devolve on me, for a stated period, to execute the laws of the United States ; to superintend their foreign and their confederate relations ; to manage their revenue ; to com- mand their forces ; and, by communications to the legisla- ture, to watch over and promote their interests generally. And the principles of action by which I shall endeavour to accomplish this circle of duties, it is now proper for me briefly to explain. In administering the laws of congress, I shall keep steadily in view the limitations as well as the extent of the executive power, trusting thereby to discharge the functions of my office without transcending its authority. With foreign nations it will be my study to preserve peace, and to cultivate friendship on fair and honourable terms ; and in the adjustment of any difference that may exist or arise, to exhibit the forbearance becoming a pow- erful nation, rather than the sensibility belonging to a gal- lant people. In such measures as 1 may be called on to pursue, in THE UNITED STATES. 451 regard to the rights of the separate states, I hope to be animated by a proper respect for those sovereign mem- bers of our Union ; taking care not to confound the pow- ers they have reserved to themselves, with those they have i', granted to the confederacy. I The management of the public revenue, that searching i operation in 3II goverimients, is among the most delicate I and important trusts in ours ; and it will, of course, de- mand no inconsideriible share of my official solicitude. Under every aspect in which it can be considered, it would appear that advantage must result from the observance of a strict and faithful economy. This I shall aim at the more anxiously, both because it will facilitate the extin- guishment of the national debt, the unnecessary duration of which is incompatible with real independence ; and because it will counteract the tendency to public and pi'i- vate profligacy, which a profuse expenditure of money by the government, is but too apt to engender. Power- ! ful auxiliaries to the attainment of this desirable end, are to be found in the regulations provided by the wisdom of congress, for the specific appropriation of public money, and the prompt accountability of public officers. With regard to a proper selection of the subjects of impost, with a view to revenue, it would seem to me that the spirit of equity, caution, and compromise, in which the constitution was formed, requires that the great inte- rests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, should be equally favoured ; and that, perhaps, the only excep- tion to this rule, should consist in the peculiar encourage- ment of any products of either of them that may be found essential to our national indi^pendence. Internal improvement, and the diffusion of knowledge, so far as they can be promoted by the constitutional acts of the federal government, are of high importance. Considering standing armies as dangeroxis to free go- vernments, in time of peace, I shall not seek to enlarge our present establishment, nor disregard that salutary les- son of political experience, which teaches that the mili- tary should be held subordinate to the civil power. The gradual increase of our navy, whose ffag has displayed, in distant climes, our skill in navigation, and our fame in 452 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF ^> arms ; the preservation of our forts, arsenals, and dock- yards, and the introduction of progressive improvements in the discipline and science of both branches of our mi- litary service, are so plainly prescribed by prudence, that I should be excused for omitting their mention, sooner than for enlarging on their importance. But the bulwark of our defence is the national militia, which, in the pre- sent state of our intelligence and population, must render us invincible. As long as our goA'crnment is adminis- tered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will — as long as it secures to us the rights of person and of properly, liberty of conscience, and of the pi-ess, it will be worth defending; and so long as it is worth de- fending, a patriotic militia will cover it with an impene- trable cpgis. Partial injuries, and occasional mortifica- tions we may be subjected to, but a million of armed freemen, possessed of the means of war, can never be conquered by a foreign foe. To any just system, there- fore, calculated to strengthen this natural safeguard of the country, I shall cheerfully lend all the aid in my power. It will be my sincere and constant desire to observe towards the Indian tribes within our limits a just and libe- ral policy ; and to give that humane and considerate at- tention to their rights and their wants, which are consist- ent with the habits of our government, and the feelings of our people. The recent demonstration of public sentiment inscribes, on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform ; which will require particularly the correction of those abuses that have brought the patronage of the Federal government into conflict with the freedom of elections, and the counterac- tion of those causes which have disturbed the rightful course of appointment, and have placed or continued power in unfaithful or incompetent hands. In the performance of a task thus generally delineated, I shall endeavour to select men whose diligence and talents will ensure, in their respective stations, able and faithful co-opei'ation ; depending, for the advancement of the public service, more on the integrity of the public offi- cers, than on their numbers THE UNITED STATES. 453 A diffidence, perhaps too just, in my own qualifications, will teach me to look with reverence to the examples of public virtue left by my illustrious predecessors, and with veneration to the lights that flow from the mind that founded, and the mind that reformed our system. The same diffidence induces me to hope for instruction and aid from the co-ordinate branches of the government, and for the indulgence and support of my fellow citizens generally. And a firm reliance on the goodness of that Power whose Providence mercifully protected our na- tional infancy, and has since upheld our liberties in various vicissitudes, encourages me to offer up my ardent supplications, that he will continue to make our beloved icountry the object of his divine care, and gracious bene- diction. Washington, 4th March, 1829. General Andrew Jackson — Sir : We, a few of the surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution, now convened at this place, most respectfully solicit the honour of forming your escort to the capitol, where you are about to be inaugu- rated as president of the United States. Former events, and our advanced ages, preclude the Idea that this is designed to be a military pageant ; no, sir, it is far otherwise ; having fought in the defence of the sacred rights of man, and for the liberty, sovereignty, and independence of these United States, now happily bound together, as we fondly hope, by an indissoluble chain, we feel desirous to avail ourselves of the opportunity of being present when the guardianship of these invaluable bene- fits shall be deposited in your hands. The valour, the judgment, the independence of mind, the prudence, the firmness, and the true patriotism of our great commander, Washington, led us triumphantly through the revolutionary war, and the nation through the first periods of the federal constitution ; and we have entire confidence that the exercise of the same transcen- dent virtues, will, under God, preserve inviolate our liberties, independence, and union, during your adminis- tration — and it is our most ardent prayer that they may be perpetual — may your days be long and happy — may 454 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF increasing honours multiply on your head — and, like your first predecessor, may you add a civic monument to your martial glory ; and, like his, may they be imperishable. We have the honour to be, with the highest respect, your most obedient servants, William Polk, chairman — John Nicholas, Aaron Ogden, Abraham Broom, Robert Boiling, Elnathan Sears, Robert Kaene, J. Woodsides, Philip Stewart, Armistead Long, Jno. M. Taylor, John Browne Cutting, Caleb Stark, William Gamble, Jacob Gideon, sen. To this address the president made the following reply : Respected friends — Your affectionate address awakens sentiments and recollections which I feel with sincerity, and cherish with pride. To have around my person, at the moment of undertaking the most solemn of all duties to my country, the companions of the immortal Wash- ington, will afford me satisfaction, and grateful encou- ragement. That, by my best exertions, I shall be able to exhibit more than an imitation of his patriotic labours, a sense of my own imperfection, and the reverence I en- tertain for his virtues, forbid me to hope. To you, respected friends, the survivors of that heroic band, who followed him so long, and so valiantly, in the path of glory, I offer my sincere thanks, and to heaven my prayers, that your remaining years may be as happy as your toils and your lives have been illustrious. ANDREW JACKSON. The following shows the rank which the persons above named held at the close of the revolutionary war. William Polk, colonel, North Carolina ; John Nicholas, lieutenant colonel, Virginia ; Aaron Ogden, captain, New- Jersey; Robert Boiling, captain, Virginia; William Gam- ble, major, New-Jersey ; Philip Stewart, lieutenant, Virgi- nia; Caleb Stark, lieutenant, and D. C. N. Hampshire; Jno. M. Taylor, lieut. colonel, Penn. ; Abraham Broom, lieut., Maryland ; Elnathan Sears, lieut., New-York ; Absolom Baker, private, S. Carolina ; Jacob Gideon, private, Vir- ginia ; Armistead Long, private, Virginia cavalry. THE UNITED STATES. 456 In the House of Representatives of the U. S. on Feb. 21, the following Report was made : The committee on roads and canals, to Avhich was re- ferred the memorial of the Baltimore and Ohio rail road company, Report, That this company was incorporated by an act of the legislature of Maryland, in February, 1827, which has since been confirmed by the states of Virginia and Penn- sylvania, through which it is supposed the road will pass rn its progress to the Ohio river. The company was or- ganized in April, 1827. — The capital stock of the com- pany consists of four millions of dollars, three of which have been subscribed by private individuals, and the fourth by the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. On this stock there has been paid, by instalments, seven and a half per centum, and a further call of 2 1-2 per cen- tum, payable on the 10th of March next, has been in a great measure anticipated. The execution of the work was commenced on the 4th of July last, and has progressed with unusual spirit and activity. The graduation and bridging of twenty-five miles of the most expensive and difficult part of the route is under active operation, and is in a successful train of execution. An improved rail road car of recent inven- tion, has been put in operation on the temporary rail- ways constructed for the removal of earth for the gradu- ation of the road, which promises the most important and beneficial results in the diminution of the power necessary for the transportation of heavy burdens on rail roads. The highest estimate made of the cost of this work has been $20,000 per mile, and the experience of the com- j)any, we are assured, proves that it cannot exceed and will most probably fall short of this sum. The distance from the city of Baltimore to the River Ohio may vary from 300 to 350 miles, so that the whole cost of executing this magnificent enterprise will not perhaps exceed seven mil- lions of dollars. The comiuittee believe that this work, if successfully executed, Avill greatly promote the interests of the union, and will be of national importance in reference to our great military and commercial operations, and as a mean:? 456 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF for the safe and speedy transmission of the mail. Indi* viduals who have acquired their estates by industry and prudence, have invested millions in the stock of this com- pany. Associated with the venerable name of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, are found the names of many gen- j tlemen of wealth, high character, and great enterprise. It can hardly be thought necessary for the committee to enter into a long argument or statistical detail of facts, to prove the advantages which will be derived from the suc- cessful completion of this work. When we advert to the various agricultural productions of the great sections of our country to be connected by this road, — to their ex- haustless minej? of iron and coal, — their forests and quar- ries, and to the amount of foreign and domestic merchan- dise necessary for their supply, no doubt can be enter- tained but that the interest of the nation requires that the facilities of transportation between them, should be in- creased by every practicable means. When corporations and individuals go before us in the execution of works, truly national in their character and objects, this government will not withhold its aid when we thus most effectually promote the diffusion of intelli- gence, secure the rapid movement and concentration of troops and military stores in war, extend the commerce of the states, and give permanency to the union. We should be urged to aid in that and similar works, when assured of their practicability from the consideration that the ter- ritory which will soon contain more than half the states in the union is separated from the seat of the national go- vernment, by a I'ough and mountainous region, over which we have not constructed even a road on which we can with any reasonable safety and expedition transmit the mail, or convey to our Atlantic cities the rich and various productions of the west. The committee have witnessed with reo-ret the le^al controversy which unfortunately exists between the rail road company, and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal com^ pany, and which they believe might easily be settled to the mutual interest of the parties, by the cultivation of a proper spirit, and a disposition to promote, by the mosl efficient ineans, the great interests of the country, inde THE UJ^ITED STATES. 45t pendent of local jealousies and competition. In the fa- vourable views entertained of the proposed rail-road, the committee have not lost sight of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, of which congress has expressed its decided appro- bation by various acts, and for the construction of which a liberal appropriation has been made ; nor in any aid by which they propose to quicken the energies of the asso- ciation, would they in any manner compromit the inte- rests of the other. It has been suggested, that the right acquired by the Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, to construct a rail-road from Cumberland, across the moun- tains to the west, precludes the rail-road company from constructing a similar work, Under their subsequent char- ter, between the same points. While the committee do not, at this time, feel themselves called upon to express any opinion upon this question, it is, perhaps, not to be regretted, that the delay induced by other causes will afford ample opportunities for such surveys and examina tions to be made, as shall demonstrate the practicability or inexpediency of these works in a manner satisfactory to the respective companies, and thus conduce to the best interests of the public ; and should the result of such ex- aminations, and the experience which time will bring with it, prove unfavourable to the plans and objects of either con>pany, an additional incentive to those already men- tioned, will be presented for an union of interests and operations between all parties, by which will be attained, with still greater certainty, the great object — a communi- cation between the eastern and navigable waters. In examining the charter of the rail-road company, the committee are aware, that tlie provision prohibiting any other company or person from travelling upon, or using any of the roads of the company without its license, seems to render it obnoxious to the charge of a close monopoly ; but they have considered, that in the trans- portation of all property on the railway, wagons of a particular and uniform construction only must be used, each having a proper adaptation to the rail, and that this consideration, with others which might be given, may re- quire such a provision in the charter — the committee see no cause of alarm from this restriction. The interests o 39 468 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the company will, at all times, be best promoted by con* suiting that of the public. Time and experience will dis- close the methods by which the great and paramount in- terests of the community can be most effectually sub- served, an-d there can be no doubt but that the patriotic views which prompted this undertaking, will lead to the adoption of such regulations as shall prove best calcu- ated to secure a safe, cheap, and speedy communication. When the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and the Balti- more and Ohio rail-road, shall both have been completed to the point of their junction below Harper's Ferry, the relative advantages of each will be fully demonstrated- and no doubt is entertained by the committee, but tha* their interests m^ay be harmonized. The common object of both, by which the great interests of the nation are to be advanced, is to open the best practicable communica- tion between the Chesapeake Bay and the great valley o) the Mississippi. The hope is entertained, that these com- panies Avill co-operate in effecting, by their united means this great enterprise, in which the prosperity of the whole nation is so deeply involved. If experience shall justify the opinion, that the rail-road will furnish greater practi- cal advantages than the canal, the committee would cheer- fully recommend a liberal appropriation to the stock o* the company, but as the completion of a part of the work before the next session, will, it is hoped, realize in its advantages the wishes and expectations of the company, the committee defer reporting a bill, or substituting any proposition on the subject, at this late period of the ses- sion. They are the more readily reconciled to this delay, (the result of necessity,) from the circumstance that this enterprising association, proceeding, as they appear to have done, with a caution proportioned to the magnitude of the undertaking, have sent scientific and practical en gineers to examine the most important works of this de scription in England, the result of whose observations will enable the company to prosecute the work under more favourable auspices, and will also furnish important data for the information of congress, whenever they may be required to legislate on this interesting subject. '"^■'m THE UNITED STATES. 459 CHAPTER XVHI. A Review of the Progress of the Western States, from their formation and adoption into the Union as Inde- pendent States, doion to the present time. KENTUCKY. This state first claims our attention ; it is bounded north by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio ; east by Virginia ; south by Tennessee, and west by Mississippi. It ex- tends from lat. 36° 30' to 39° 10' north, and from long. 81° 50' to 89° 20' Avest. Length on the southern line 300 miles ; extent 39,000 square miles, or 24,960,000 acres. Kentucky was adopted into the Union, and held an in- dependent station among her sister states, in 1792. Col. Daniel Boone, with some of his friends, explored these parts in 1769 ; he continued in the vicinity of Kentucky until 1771, when he returned. But in 1773, he, with his family, together with five other families, and forty men, left Powell's valley, so called, and after many accidents and detentions, reached Kentucky River, in March, 1775, where they immediately commenced a settlement. In 1778, 1779, and 1780, a large number of persons emi- grated to this territory ; but their distresses were so great, occasioned by cruel treatment from the savages, and scar- city of provision, that they were on the point of abandon- ing the enterprise. But Gen. Clark soon after subdued the Indians, and laid waste their villages, which gave security to the settlers, and the settlement continued to advance. Rivers. — The river Ohio washes the northwestern side of Kentucky. Its principal branches, which water this fertile tract of country, are the Sandy, Licking, Ken- tucky, Salt, Green, and Cumberland rivers. These again branch in various directions, int» rivulets of differ- ent magnitudes, fertilizing the country in all its parts. Kentucky River is very crooked, and after running a course of more than 200 miles, empties into the Ohio. Salt River rises at four different places, near each other. The windings of this river are very curious ; the four 460 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF branches, after a circuitous course round a fine tract of land, unite ; and, after running about 15 miles, empty into the Ohio, 20 miles below the falls. Its general course is westward, its length 90 miles, and at its mouth is 80 yards wide. Green and Cumberland Rivers are of considerable note ; and all the above rivers are navigable for boats almost to their sources. The banks of the ri- vers are generally high, and composed of limestone. Limestone is very abundant in this state, and commonly lies about six feet below the surface, except in valleys, where the soil is much thinner. Springs. — There are several salt springs in this state, from which large quantities of salt is manufactured. There are numerous mounds and ancient fortifications ; also many caves ; a very large one, near Green river, has been explored to the distance of 10 miles. Large quantities of saltpetre are manufactured from the earth which is gathered at the bottom of these caves. Face of the Country, Soil and Productions. — A tract of land, about 20 miles wide, along the Ohio, is hilly, and broken ; it is interspersed with many fertile spots. The rest of the country is agreeably uneven, gently ascend- ing and descending. The soil on these agreeable as- cents, (for they cannot be called hills,) is suflficiently deep, as is evident from the size of the trees ; the soil is of a darkish complexion. In many places there are appearances of potter's clay, and coal in abundance. The land east of Nolin Creek, a branch of Green River, is, in general, of an inferior quality ; but the banks of Green River afford many desi- rable situations. Towards the head waters of Kentucky River, which interlocks with the waters of Cumberland' and Sandy Rivers, the country is broken and mountainous. Elkhorne River, a branch of the Kentucky, from the southward, waters a country fine beyond description The country east and south of this, including that situa- ted at the head waters of Licking River, in the vici- nity of Hickman's and Jessamine Creeks, and the re markable bend in Kentucky River, may be called an ex- tensive garden. The soil is deep and black, and the THE UNITED STATES. 461 timber Jarge. On this fertile tract, and on the Licking and head waters of Salt River, are the places on which most of the early settlements were made. Dick's River runs through a great body of first rate land, and affords many mill seats. Near the head of ^alt River the land is good, but low and unhealthy. The country is generally well timbered ; of the natural growth, we may reckon the sugar, the coffee tree resem- bling the black oak, the hackberry, and the cucumber tree. Such is the variety and beauty of the flowering shrubs and plants which grow spontaneously in this country, that in the proper season, the wilderness ap- pears in full blossom. The accounts of the fertility of the soil have, in some instances, exceeded belief, and probably have been ex- aggerated. That some parts, particularly the high grounds, are remarkably good, all agree ; large quantities of wheat and corn are raised, and more or less of rye, barley, oats, flax, hemp, and abundance of all kinds of vegetables, but very little is done with cotton ; tobacco is brought to per- fection. Swamps are rare in Kentucky ; and, of course, the reptiles which they produce, such as snakes, frogs, &c., not numerous. The Climate is healthy and delightful ; some few pla- ces, in the neighbourhood of ponds and low grounds, excepted. The inhabitants do not experience the ex- tremes of heat or cold. The winter season is generally mild, and of short duration ; snow seldom falls, and lies but a short time. The Chief Towns, are Frankfort, Lexington, and Lou- isville. Frankfort is the capital of the state, and seat of justice for Franklin county ; it is regularly laid out on the east side of Kentucky river, sixty miles above its confluence with the Ohio, 27 miles west-northwest of Lexington, 51 east of Louisville, and 102 south-southwest of Cincinnati. It contains a slate house, 86 by 54 feet ; a court-house ; a penitentiary, containing from 80 to 130 convicts; a jail, academy, market house, and several printing offices, ma- nufactories, &c. The site of the town is a semicircular alluvial plain, from 150 to 200 feet lower than the table lands in its rear. The river here is about 80 yards wide, 39* 462 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF and after heavy rains frequently rises 60 feet. Opposite ^ Frankfort, and connected with it, is South Frankfort, which is rapidly increasing. Steam-boats of 300 tons burthen come up the river as far as this place, when the water is high. Most of the foreign goods consumed in Kentucky, are landed here and at Louisville. Lexington is the capital of Fayette county ; it is situ- ated in a beautiful valley, on Town Fork, a small stream which falls into the south branch of Elkhorne River, 25 miles east-southeast of Frankfort; it is regularly laid out, and contains a court-house and other public buildings. The growth of this town has been exceedingly rapid. In 1797, it contained only about 50 houses ; it is now a large and beautiful town, covered with stately and elegant buildings, and, in point of wealth and refine- ment, is surpassed by few places in the western country. The country around Lexington is much admired for the beauty of its scenery, and is adorned with many hand- some country seats. Louisville is pleasantly situated on an elevated and beautiful plain, on the south bank of the Ohio, imme- diately above the rapids, 120 miles below Cincinnati. It contains very handsome public buildings, and large ma- nufacturing establishments are employed in this place. The business of this town has increased astonishingly within a few years ; a large number of steam boats are employed in its commerce. A stranger travelling through the state of Kentucky will meet with frank and cordial hospitality. The people are high minded, and possess a noble character. They are in a condition in life, which is, perhaps, best calcu- lated to develope high mindedness and self-respect. We may find in this state, among the lower classes, igno- rant, abandoned, and savage men ; but we discover the same in every portion of the Union. Mostly, however, they are courageous, generous, and frank. The peculiar circumstances they were placed under in the last war, show that they only want incitement to display all that is noble in a people. Curiosities. — The banks, or rather precipices, of Ken- tucky and Dick's River are to be reckoned among the na» THE UNITED STATES. 403 tural curiosities of this country. Here the astonished eye beholds three or four hundred feet of solid perpendicular rock, in some parts of limestone, and in others of a fine white marble, curiously checked, with strata of astonishing regularity. Caves have been discovered in this country of several miles in length, as before mentioned. Copperas and alum are among the minerals of Kentucky. Near Lex- ington, are found curious sepulchres full of human skele- tons. It has been asserted, that a man in or near Lex- ington, having dug five or six feet below the surface of the ground, came to a large flat stone, under which was a well of common depth, regularly and artificially stoned. TENNESSEE. Tennessee is bounded north by Kentucky, east by North Carolina, south by Georgia, Alabama, and Missis- sippi, and west by the Mississippi River, which separates it from Arkansas Territory; it contains about 40,000 dquare miles, or 25,600,000 acres. Face of the Country. — The Cumberland mountains consist of stupendous piles of craggy rocks, running from northeast to southwest, through the centre of the state, which divides it into east and west Tennessee. It con- tains much fertile soil, particularly on the banks of its rivers. The principal productions are cotton, flax, hemp, Indian corn, wheat, and tobacco. Climate. — The climate is healthy ; the season of vege- tation generally commences six or seven weeks sooner than in New-Hampshire, Maine, or Vermont, and con- tinues much longer ; snow seldom falls or lies long ; Cumberland River has been frozen over but a few times since the state has been settled. Tennessee was formed into a territorial government in 1790, and was admitted into the union as an independent state in 1796. The progress of Tennessee has been remarkably prosperous ; she furnished a full share of those heroes who fought under General Jackson (now President Jackson) at the victory of New-Orleans, January, 1815 ; they are a brave, hardy, and industrious set of people. The principal 464 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF rivers are the Obian, Chickasaw, Forked, Deer, and Wolf rivers. The Cumberland River rises in Kentucky, and after making a circular line in this state, passes again into the state from which it arose. It is navigable for ves- sels of thirty or forty tons burthen to Nashville. During some part of the season, and when the river is high in time of freshet, it will float vessels of 400 tons. Population, in 1790, was 35,691 ; in 1800, 105,602 ; in 1810, 261,727 ; and in 1820, 422,813. The most nume- rous denominations of Christians are Presbyterians, Me- thodists, and Baptists. OHIO. The state of Ohio is bounded north by Michigan Ter ritory and Lake Erie, east by Pennsylvania, southeast by Kentucky, and west by Indiana, It extends from 38° 30' to 42° north lat., and from 80° 32' to 85° 50' west Icmg. ; and contains 39,000 square miles, or 25,000,000 acres. Rivers. — The Ohio is the principal river which washes the southern line of the state. The principal tributaries of the Ohio, are the Muskingum, Hockhocking, Scioto, the Great and Little Miami. The MusJcingum, rises in Portage county, near the northeast corner of the state, runs in a southerly direction, passes by Coshocton and Zanesville, and discharges itself into the Ohio at Ma- rietta. After a course of 200 miles above Coshocton, it bears the name of Tuscarawa River. The navigation is obstructed by falls at Zanesville ; but this obstruction affords many good mill seats. Above Zanesville, the river is navigable for large boats to Coshocton, and for small boats nearly to its source. The Hockhocking River rises in Fairfield county, runs in a southeasterly direc- tion, and discharges itself into the Ohio, at Troy, 25 miles from Marietta. After a course of 80 miles, through a rough part of the country, this river is navigable for 70 miles, and affords some of the finest mill seats. The Scioto rises in Hardin county, runs in a south- easterly direction, passes by Columbus, Circleville, and Chilicothe, and discharges itself into the Ohio, at Ports- mouth, after a course of 170 miles ; for 130 miles it is £•' ' - '-^^-Wff ^^n B wKKS^f^ ^1 U" ^--^ ^ — '^ sy^^s! s ^7^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^ Iga^^^^^^^^m :^^^^ s ^^ ' 'fl^H'^' ^1 ■Hlil ~ l^fHii ^B BS- 11; ^^SiPH ii^fl - ffllHIl !> cm • ii^^ H HlBMBIIillltBlliiilP^^oMIIWBlEffll i^^—jj^^ggasj^Mjia ^^g3|^ *^;:^^^ss^ ^^^ ai^S^^ ^ Settlement of Marietta, the first town of importance settled in the state of Ohio, April 178a Page 467. Father Hennepin, a Catholic Missionary from Canada, sail- ing down the Mississippi, in 1680. The first European rcho passed down this ricer : settlement of St, Louis, Missouri. Page 475—478. THE UNITED STATES. 405 navigable. The Little Miami, rises in Madison county, runs in a southeasterly direction, and falls into the Ohio, seven miles above Cincinnati, after a course of 70 miles. This is one of the best mill streams in the state ; nearly 40 mills are already erected upon it. The Great Miami rises in Hardin county, runs in a southeastern direction, passes through Shelby, Miami, Montgomery, Butler, and Hamilton counties, falls into the Ohio River, exactly at the southwest corner of the state, after a course of more than 100 miles. It is difficult to navigate this stream, on account of the rapidity of the current; this river also has a large number of mill seats. The principal rivers which fall into Lake Erie, are the Mauniee, Sandusky, and Cuyahoga. The Maumee is formed by the confluence of St. Joseph's and St. Mary's Rivers, at Fort Wayne, in the northeastern part of In- diana. It runs in a northeasterly direction, and falls into Maumee Bay at the western extremity of Lake Erie- The Sandusky River rises in Crawford county, runs at first in a westerly, afterwards in a northerly direction, and discharges itself into Sandusky Bay, after a course of more than 80 miles. It is navigable nearly to its source, and, in one part of its course, approaches within four miles of the navigable waters of the Scioto. The Cuyahoga River rises in Geauga county, in the north- eastern part of the state, and discharges itself into the lake at Cleveland, after a circuitous course of more than CO miles. Face of the Country. — That part of the land border- ing on the lake, and some way into the interior, is ge- nerally level, and in some places marshy. About one quarter, or one third of the state, bordering on the Ohio River, is generally hilly and broken, but cannot consist- ently be called mountainous. But, immediately on the banks of the Ohio, and its tributaries, are numerous tracts of interval land of most excellent quality. On both sides of the Scioto, and also of the Great and Little Miami Rivers, is found extensive bodies of rich and level land. The whole of the land in this state may be considered good, and has generally proved satisfactory to emigrants. In many places are extensive prairies, particularly near 466 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the head waters of the Muskingum and Scioto, and be- tween the Scioto and the sources of the two Miami rivers. Some of these prairies are low and marshy, and yield spon- taneously a large quantity of coarse grass from two to five feet high ; others are elevated, and are called barrens, not, however, on account of their sterility, for they are often fertile. The high land which divides the waters of the Ohio River from those of Lake Erie, is the most marshy tract in the state ; the driest land lies along the margin of the rivers. Productions. — Wheat is the principal production. A large abundance of corn is, however, raised, and not un- frequently from 70 to 100 bushels is produced from an acre. Other kinds of grain, and Iruits of various sorts, are also cultivated. Coal is found in abundance along the Ohio, in the eastern part of the state. Salt springs have been discovered and wrought in many places. Climate. — The climate of Ohio is considered warmer in the same parallels than that of the Atlantic states. The difference has been estimated by Mr. Jefferson to be the same as three degrees of latitude. Observations, how- ever, which have been made at Cincinnati, for a series of years, prove that the difference is not more than one de- gree. The winters are generally mild ; some parts, parti- cularly the low marshy land, is subject to fevers and agues, but the state generally may be called healthy. The sum- mers are warm, and generally pretty regular, although, sometimes, subject to tornadoes ; one of a very destruc- tive nature visited these parts in the month of March, , 1830 ; its vengeance seemed to be directed towards Ur- ■ bana, a flourishing little village, situated about 43 miles ! west by north of Columbus. One house for public wor- • ship, and several private dwellings, were entirely demo-- lished, and others, to the number of between sixty and l| seventy, were more or less injured ; several lives were lost, and a number of individuals badly bruised. The enter- prising inhabitants of the place immediately lent a help ing hand, and, in a great measure, restored the property of the sufferers. * Canals. — A grant from congress, passed in 1825, to build a canal entirely across the state, and also one along ; ii THE UNITED STATES. 467 the valley of the Great Miami, from Cincinnati to Day- ton, extending 66 miles. The latter is completed, and in successful operation ; and it is now in contemplation to extend the Miami canal from Dayton to Lake Erie. The other, which passes under the title of the Ohio Grand Canal, commences at Cleveland, on Lake Erie, and ex- tends in a southerly direction up the Cuyahoga River; con- tinuing in the same direction, it strikes the Scioto River, just within the limits of Picaway county ; it then fol- lows the valley of the Scioto to the Ohio River, at Ports ■ mouth ; the length is about 300 miles ; it probably will be completed as far as Licking Summit early in the fall of 1830, and the whole in the course of 1832. The Roads are, in some part of the season, very bad ; generally near the close of winter, and beginning of spring ; few, if any stages, continue their routes at these limes. The national road is making great progress in this state ; it is completed as far as Zanesville ; it is ex- Dected to pass through Columbus, the capital of the state; thence west through Springfield, the capital of Clark county ; thence in a westerly direction through the state of Indiana to the banks of the Mississippi. Settlement. — The first settlement of any note was begun at Marietta ; the town was laid out by the Ohio company, and a settlement commenced early in the spring of 1788. Tins town is handsomely laid out on the western banks of the Ohio, and near the mouth of the Muskingum ; the place has continued to increase, and contained, in 1830, 2036 inhabitants. Soon after this. Fort "Washington was built, and, in the year 1789, Cincinnati was begun about seven miles below the mouth of the Little Miami. This place has of late increased most as- tonishingly; it contained, in 1827, about 25,000, and in 1830, 29,000 inhabitants. It contains a large proportion of manufactures, and very handsome public buildings, and holds the first rank of any place in the state. The pro- gress of the state was considerably checked by the In- dian wars ; but General Wayne so completely defeated the aboriginal inhabitants in 1794, that it has not been disturbed since. It was admitted into the Union in 1802 ; since that time, the population of this state has been iii» 468. UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF creased by emigration from oilier parts of the Union, and Europe, beyond the most sanguine expectations. Strangers are surprised, in travelling through it, to find some as handsome and well laid out cities as are in the eastern states ; and yet, in this place, fourteen years ago, there was nothing but a dreary wilderness. Many of the inhabitants, some not more than of middle age, can tell you the first house erected in the place where they live, which now contains perhaps from three to fifteen thousand inhabitants. This state was merely a forest forty years ago, yet it now ranks among the first in the Union. Although the inhabitants are made up of emi- grants from almost every part of the United States, and most of the countries of Europe, they uuite harmonious- ly in the improvement of the country ; yet they have not resided long enough together to form a fixed and uniform character. The majority of emigrants have been farmers Ml the eastern states ; they are generally industrious, tem- perate, and frugal, and possess much intelligence and enterprise. The Presbyterians and Methodists are the most numerous of any Christian denomination in this state. There are some £e\v Shakers, and a few societies of Friends. Government. — The legislative power is vested in a ge- neral assembly, consisting of a senate and house of rep- resentatives. The representatives are chosen for one year, and their number cannot be less than thirty-six, nor more than seventy-iwo. The senators are chosen for two years, and their number must not be more than one j| half, nor less than one third of the representatives. The executive power is vested in a governor, who is chosen by the people for two years. Commerce. — The principal exports from this state are hoises, cattle, swine, whiskey, and flour. Large herds of swine are driven in autumn to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other eastern markets ; besides, numbers are slaugh- tered for the use of navigators, and large supplies are sent to Detroit. The markets f«r the northern and interior part, are New- York ana Montreal ; but the southern por- tion of the state sends its produce down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New-Orleans. THE UNITED STATES. 469 Population. — The population of this state in 1791, was 3,000; in 1800, 42,156; in 1810, 230,760, and in 1820, 581,434 ; it will probably contain, at the return of the next census, at least 800,000, and the number has been estimated by some at 1,000,000. The rapid progress, since 1791, will justify us in saying it has surpassed any other state in the same period. Antiquities. — The monuments of the ancient popula- tion of Ohio, consist of fortifications, and mounds or embanivments, of various forms and dimensions. Amongst them all, there is not a single edifice, nor any ruins, which prove the existence, in former ages, of a building com- posed of durable materials ; no fragment of a column, no brick, nor a single hewn stone, large enough to have been incorporated into a wall, has been discovered. Many ancient fortifications are found, generally in the val- leys of streams, and on the most elevated plains. There have been many and various conjectures concerning the time when these monuments wei-e erected, the people by whom the}' were built, and the design of their erection. Those which we call forts, are generally in the strongest military position of the country, and were, perhaps, with- out exception, designed for defence in time of war. The mounds, no doubt, were burying places, as human bones have been frequently discovered in them. The Chief Towns are Cincinnati, Chilicothe, Zanes- ville, Columbus, Steubenville, Marietta, Cleveland, and Dayton, besides a large number of rapidly increasing vil- lages. Cincinnati is the largest, but Columbus is the capi- tal of the state. Columbus is regularly laid out, on a plea- sant rising ground, on the east side of Scioto River, just below the confluence of the Whetstone. The growth of this place has been very rapid. In 1812, the lots were first sold, with the trees standing thereon. It now con- tains a handsome state house, a building for public offi ■ ces, penitentiary, bank, market house, four printing offices ftiid about 2,000 inhabitants. 40 470 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF INDIANA. The state of Indiana is bounded north by the state of Illinois, Lake Michigan, and Michigan Territory ; east by the state of Ohio ; south by Kentucky ; and west by Illinois. It extends from 37° 45' to 41° 50' north lat., and from 85° 42' to 87° 49' west long., f.nd is estimated to con- tain 36,000 square miles. Rivers. — The Ohio River forms the southern boun dary of the state, from the mouth of the Great Miami to that of the Wabash. The Wabash rises in the north- eastern part of the state, flows in a southwest direction, and falls into the Ohio River, 30 miles above the mouth of Cumberland River, after a coui-se of 500 miles, the last 250 of which forms the boundary between Indiana and Illinois. It is navigable for keel boats 400 miles, to Cuitanon, where there are rapids. Above the rapids, small boats can ascend nearly to its source. The current is gentle above Vincennes ; below the town there are seve- ral rapids, but none of sufficient magnitude to prevent boats from descending. Its principal tributaries are the White River and Tippecanoe. The White River rises in the eastern part of the state, runs in a southwesterly direction, through nearly the whole breadth of the state, parallel with the Ohio River, and at the distance of from 40 to 60 miles, empties itself into the Wabash, 16 miles below Vincennes. The Tippecanoe Kiver rises m the northern part of the state, runs in a southerly direction, and joins the Wabash, 140 miles above Vincennes. The banks of this river are celebrated for a severe battle, fought in Novem- ber, 1811, between the United States' troops and the In- dians, in which the former were victorious. White Wa- ter rises in this state, runs in a southeasterly direction, receives a number of tributaries, and falls into the Mia- mi, in Ohio, five miles above the junction of that with the Ohio River. It is a beautiful transparent stream, and abounds with fine seats for mills, many of which are al- ready erected upon it ; it can easily be made navigable to Brookville, 20 miles from its mouth. St. Mary''s River rises in the state of Ohio, near the sources of the Miami, THE UNITED STATES. 471 runs in a direction west of north, for 70 miles, and joins the St. Joseph's River, at Fort Wayne, from whence it is called the Maumee. It is navigable for boats nearly to its source, from which there is only a short portage to Loramie's Creek, a branch of the Miami. Face of the Country. — A ridge of hills commences near the mouth of the Wabash, and runs in a northeasterly di- rection, nearly parallel Avith the Ohio, at no great dis- tance, pfoducing a broken and uneven country. North of these hills lies a considerable tract of wilderness. Bor- dering on all the principal streams, except the Ohio, there are strips of cotton and prairie land, of a rich soil, and from three to six miles in width. The prairie on the Wabash is the finest land in the state. Remote from the rivers, the country is broken and the soil light. Between the Wabash and Lake Michigan, the land is level, and in- terspersed with woodlands, prairies, lakes, and swamps. The principal productions are wheat, Indian corn, oats, rye, flax, hemp, potatoes and tobacco. In the southeast- ern part of the state, near Vevay, on the Ohio, the vine is cultivated with success. On the banks of the Wabash, in the upper part of its course, the best kind of coal is found in inexhaustible quantities ; and near the sources of several of the navigable rivers, there are salt springs, from which an abundance of salt may be procured. Near Coryden, in the southern part of the state, is a large cave, abounding with Epsom salts and saltpetre. The north part of the state, called the St. Joseph's country, is fer- tile and excellent land. A large number of emigrants flocked thither from Ohio and the eastern states, in the years 1828, 1829, and 1830. The emigration to the whole of this state has been very great, particularly during the last two years. Government. — In 1763, this territory was ceded by li" ranee to England. By the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, the United States obtained several grants of land within this territory ; and in subsequent years, still more extensive tracts. During the wars which began in 1812, [this territory was the source of many Indian depreda- Itions, and of many unusually severe battles between the fhostile savages and the troops of the United States. In 473 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF diana formed a part of the Northwest Territory, until the year 1801, when it was set off as a separate district, and granted the usual privileges. In 1816, it was admitted into the Union as an independent state. The legislative power is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives. The representa- tives are chosen annually, and the senators for three years. The executive power is vested in a governor, who is cho- sen by the people for three years. The judiciary power is vested in a supreme court, and such inferior courts as the general assembly may, from time to time, direct and establish. The judges of the supreme court are appoint- ed by the governor, with the advice of the senate. The judges of the inferior courts are chosen partly by the peo- ple in their res])ective counties, and partly by the gene- ral assembly. The justices of the peace are elected by the people, in their respective towns, and hold their of- fice for five years. The judges of all the courts hold their office for seven years, unless impeached for bad conduct. Chief Towns, — Indianapolis, the capital of the state, is handsomely situated on the east bank of White River. It was laid out in 1821, and contained over forty dwell- ings within six months. Vincennes, a large town, situ- ated on the east bank of the Wabash, 100 miles from its junction v/ith the Ohio in a direct line, and nearly 200 by the course of the river. This town was first settled by the French, of rather a low class ; soon after, large numbers of emigrants went thither from diflerent parts of the United States, which greatly improved the society. The population in 1810, was 883 ; in 1820, it contained nearly three hundred dwellings, and the number has con- tinued to increase since that period. The population of this state, in 1819, was 68,784, and in 1820, 147,178, having considerably more than doubled in five years. The Indian title to a large tract of excellent land, was purchased by the United States some years since, and the number of emigrants are, in consequence, rapidly increas ing THE UNITED STATES. 473 ILLINOIS. The state of Illinois is bounded north by the Northwest Territory, east by Indiana and Lake Michigan, west by the Mississippi River, which divides it from the state of Missouri and Missouri Territory. Rivers.- — This state is well provided with navigable rivers. It is bounded on three sides by the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash ; its northeast corner also touches upon Lake Michigan. The Illinois River, which rises in the northeast part of the state, runs in a southwest direc- tion about 400 miles, and falls into the Mississippi, eigh- teen miles above the mouth of the Missouri. It has a gentle current, and is navigable nearly to its source. The Illinois has several tributaries, which are navigable about 100 miles. The Kaskaskia River rises in the eastern part of the state, runs 160 miles in a southwesterly direction, and falls into the Mississippi, eighty-four miles below the Illinois ; one hundred and thirty miles of this river is na- vigable. Besides these, it has a large number of streams of ordinary size, viz. Rocky River, Aubase, Saline River, Little Wabash, and the Chicago ; many of these are na- vigable for boats for a considerable distance, and afford many mill sites, which are of great benefit to the country. Face of the Country. — The land may be called flat, although there are many parts which has a gentle rise and descent. Extensive prairies are found to cover a con- siderable portion of this state. On the banks of the prin- cipal rivers may be found land of the first quality, bear- ing a heavy growth of timber. It varies in width from 50 rods to three miles. There are many thousands of acres of newly formed land at the mouths of the principal rivers ; but it is very unhealthy, being subject to annual inunda- tion. There are dry prairies near the rivers bordering on the bottoms, but they are elevated about 70 or 80 feet. No prairies east of the Mississippi are more exten- sive than those in this state ; it has been estimated at 1,200,000 acres ; the soil is not inferior to the river bot- toms. Some prairies of a difterent nature are found re- mote from the rivers, but near their sources ; die soil is wet, abounding with swamps and ponds, and covered with 40* 4T4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF coarse grass. The timbered land is moderately hilly, well watered, and of a rich soil. Corn is at present the sta- ple production. Wheat does well, except on the bottoms, where the soil is too rich ; this, however, is a fault, if it can be called so, whicli time will overcome. Tobacco grows to perfection ; flax, hemp, oats, common and sweet potatoes, do very well in this state. Several millions oi acres of excellent land belong to the United States, part of which has been awarded to the soldiers who served in the last war. Government. — This state was first settled by the French, as early as 1780. No English settlement was commenced for a considerable time. After Colonel Clark subdued the Indians in these parts, the settlers felt more secure, and their numbers increased. It constituted a part of the Northwest Territory until 1800, when it was set off as a separate territory. It was admitted into the union, with all the privileges of her sister states, in 1818. The convention which formed the constitution of the state, was required to provide, by ordinance, which is irrevocable without the consent of congress, that all lands sold by the United States, shall be exempted from every species of taxation for five years from the day of sale : also, that the county lands, granted for military services during the late war, shall, if they continue to be held by the patentees, or their heirs, remain exempt from taxes for three years from the date of the patents ; and that the lands belong- ing to citizens of the United States, residing without the state, shall never be taxed higher than lands belonging to persons residing within the state. Similar provisions are required of all new states, as the condition on which they receive their grants of land and money for the support of schools and roads. It is usually required that all na- vigable waters shall be common highways, and for ever free of toll or duty to all citizens of the United States. Population. — The population has increased very ra- pidly within a few years. The first settlements were principally confined to the banks of the Mississippi, and other principal rivers. The population, in 1810, was 12,282; in 1818, 35,220, and in 1820, 55,512, having in- creased nearly five to one in ten years ; large numbers THE UNITED STATES. i^g emigrated to this state in 1829 and 1830, particularly along the banks of the Mississippi. Vandalia, the seat of government, is on the right bank of Kaskaskia River, 120 miles from its mouth. It contained, in 1830, 160 houses, scattered over an exten- sive plain. This place was settled by the French from Lower Canada, and a considerable part of the inhabitants are of French origin. Minerals. — Copper and lead are found in some parts of the state. Coal has been discovered on the banks of Aubase River; on the Illinois, 260 miles from its mouth, and in several places near Kaskaskia and Edwardsville ; salt is manufactured to a considerable extent, sufficient to supply this state, and Indiana. MISSOURI. This state is bounded north by Missouri Territory, south by Arkansas Territory, east by Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee, and west by Missouri Territory. Rivers. — The Mississippi washes the eastern line of the state. The Missouri crosses the western boundary, runs in an eastern direction through the heart of the state, and discharges itself into the Mississippi 18 miles below the mouth of the Illinois, and 193 above that of the Ohio. The principal tributaries of the Mississippi are the Salt River, Missouri, and Merrimack. The principal tributaries of the Missouri are the Gasconade, Osage, and Grana. The Gasconade River enters the Missouri after a northerly course of 200 miles, about 100 miles from its confluence with the Mississippi. The current is rapid, and afibrds many good mill seats ; boats and rafts may descend with ease, but the ascent is accomplished with great labour. The Osage River rises in Missouri, runs in an east and northeast direction, and enters the Mis- souri 133 miles from its confluence with the Mississippi. The Grand River rises in Missouri Territory, and, after running in a southeasterly direction, joins the Missouri 100 miles above the mouth of the Osage. In 1663, the French commenced some small settle* ments in this state, and in 1664, St. Louis was began by 476 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF them. It was ceded to the United States in 1803. Very little progress was made previous to the cession ; but soon after this, numerous settlements, that had been com- menced by the French, began to flourish, and to be thickly- peopled. The people made application to congress, in 1818, to form a state constitution ; the bill passed the house of representatives, but was refused by the senate ; the bill was again renewed the next session ; it was the subject of considerable debate, and was finally cairied by a small majority on the following conditions : That they should not be authorized to pass any laws excluding any citizen of the state from enjoying the privileges to which they are entitled by the constitution of the United States. On the 34th of June, 1824, the legislature of Missouri assented to the fundamental conditions, and, on the 10th of August following, the president declared its admission into the Union as an independent state. Face of the Country. — The lands on the banks of the rivers are mostly level, but as you recede from them, towards the interior, the country rises, sometimes gra- dually and sometimes abruptly, into elevated barrens, flinty ridges, and rocky cliffs. Some portion of the state is unfit for cultivation, but is rich in mineral treasures. The highest land is in a ridge which commences on the banks of the Merrimack, and extends in a southwest di- rection to the banks of the White River, in Arkansas Ter- ritory, a distance of 400 miles ; this occasionally rises into mountainous peaks. Soil. — The soil is either very rich or very poor ; it is either bottom land or clifi', either prairie or barren ; there is very little of an intermediate quality. The lands im- mediately upon the banks of the rivers are generally rich, producing corn, wheat, oats, flax, hemp, and tobacco, in great abundance. The lands bordering on the Missouri, are very rich. They consist of a stratum of black allu- vial soil, of unknown depth, partaking largely of the pro- perties of marl, and covered with a heavy growth of forest trees. Osage River affords, in its whole length, large bodies of the choicest prairie land, interspersed with wood land, and occasionally with hills. Its banks have also abundance of coal. The lands bordering on Salt River THE UNITED STATES. 4T7 aje notecl for their fertility ; and the settlements on its banks are rapidly progressing. Some very good land is found near the St. Francis River. Climate. — The state of Missouri enjoys a climate of remarkable serenity and temperate warmth. It is ex- empt from the warm summers of the south, and the chill- ing blasts of the north; it has a medium of climate, which is calculated to favour the pursuits of agriculture, com- merce, and navigation. A clear blue sky is characteristic ol the country, and an atmosphere of unusual dryness exempts the inhabitants from those pulmonary com- plaints Avhich are so frequent in some of the Atlantic states. The climate is favourable for the production of corn, wheat, rye, oats, flax, and hemp ; the lands on the banks of the Missouri are famed for vigorous crops. Tobacco is found to succeed as well as in Virginia or Kentwcky. The soil and climate are also adapted to the growth of sweet potatoes, and fruit trees of various kinds. The luxuriant growth of grass in the woods afford am- ple range for horses and cattle, and they are constantly kept fat. There is, perhaps, no country in the world, where cattle, hogs, and other stock, can be raised with so little trouble as in some parts of this state. Minerals. — The most remarkable features in this state are the lead mines ; these are probably the most extensive on the globe ; they extend about 70 miles in length and 40 in width. They comprise a large portion of Wash- ington, Genevieve, Jefferson, and Madison counties, co- vering about 3000 square miles. The ore is of the best and purest kind ; more than a thousand men are em- ployed in the mines. Antiquities. — Several skeletons were discovered, in 1818, on the banks of the Merrimack River, which indicate a stature unusually small, and are supposed by many to be an extinct race of human beings, of dwarfish origin, who inhabited this country at a former period. None of the graves exceed four feet in length ; the teeth of the ske- leton indicates that they had arrived to the age of ma- turity. Commerce. — The exports are lead, shot, whiskey, flour, corn, hemp, flax, tow cloth, and furs ; large droves of 478 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF -•» horses are annually taken to Kentucky and other states ; commerce is chiefly carried on with the cities of New- York, Philadelphia, and New-Orleans. Population. — The population of this state in 1810, was 2O5657 ; in 1820, exclusive of Indians, 66,586 ; a large proportion annually emigrate from New-York, Ten- nessee, Kentucky, and New-England. The population has continued to increase very rapidly within a few years. Large numbers flocked to St. Louis in 1829 and 1830. St. Louis is very handsomely laid out on the west side of the Mississippi, 18 miles below the mouth of the Missouri, and 200 above the mouth of the Ohio ; it is well situated for commerce, and bids fair to become a place of considerable importance. The course of emigra- tion has been, and still is, through the Mississippi River to this state. The principal settlements have heretofore been made on the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Emigrants are now extending back from the ri- vers, and, no doubt, will soon cultivate the whole of this rich and fertile country. MICHIGAN TERRITORY. This territory is bounded north by Lake Superior, east by Lakes Huron, St. Clair, and Erie, south by Ohio and In- diana, and west by the Northwest Territory. The part of the territory to which the Indian title has been extinguish- ed, is a tract in the southern portion, along the banks of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Huron. Lake Michigan lies wholly within this territory. It is 260 miles long, and 800 in circumference, containing about 16,200 square miles. This lake is navigable for ships of any burthen. Green Bay extends in a southwest direction 90 miles, and is about 20 wide ; it is navigable for vessels of 200 tons. Lake Huron lies partly in this territory and partly in Upper Canada. On its northwest side it receives the wa- ters of Lake Superior through the River St. Mary's, and is connected with Lake Michigan by the straits of Michili- mackinack. It discharges itself at its southern extremity, through St. Clair River, into Lake St. Clair. Rivers. — St. Mary's River, or strait, which connects THE UNITED STATES. 479 Lake Superior with Lake Huron, is about 80 miles long. The fall, or Saut de St. Marie, is near the head of the strait, fifteen miles from Lake Superior ; the river here descends twenty-two feet and ten inches, in 900 yards, and cannot be ascended with large vessels ; canoes and other small craft are towed up, with considerable dif- ficulty. Large quantities of white fish are taken at the foot of these rapids ; they are so numerous that 500 have been taken in two hours by one person. The principal rivers which discharge themselves from the eastern shore of the territory, are Saganaw, Huron, and Raisin. The Saganaw is a large and deep stream, which falls into Sa- ganaw Bay, at its southern extremity. The Huron River discharges itself into Lake St. Clair, twenty miles north of Detroit, after an easterly course of 60 miles. Nume- rous rivers fall into Lake Michigan, on its eastern shore ; the most noted of which is the St. Joseph, which rises in Indiana, near the source of the Maumee, and running in a northwestern direction, falls into the lake near its southern extremity. Grand River rises near the sources of the Saganaw and the Raisin, and runs in a westerly di- rection, until it falls into the lake, about 60 miles north of the St. Joseph's.; it is navigable for boats nearly to its source. Face of the Country. — A ridge of high land divides the waters flowing into Lake Michigan, from those which fall into Lake Huron, St. Clair, and Erie. The country along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and extending into the interior as far as the dividing ridge, consists oi sand hills, sometimes covered with a few stinted trees, and scanty vegetation, but generally bare, and thrown by the wind into a thousand fantastic shapes. The whole of this tract has been gained from the lake, and the land is still continually making encroachments, every storm throwing up new quantities of alluvial. The east- ern part of the state consists of lands ceded by the Indians, but never has, until recently, been brought into notice. It is now ascertained to be a fertile region, well fitted for wheat and fruit of all kinds, generally level, and watered by fine rivers, most of which present facilities for the transportation of produce from the interior. Since the 480 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF lands were offered for sale by the United States' govern- ment, in 1818, emigrants have flocked to this territory in great numbers ; and, perhaps, in no country north of the cotton and sugar climate, could the farmer find a bet* ter field for enterprise, or a surer prospect of reward. The lands on Saganaw river and bay, which were ceded by the Indians, in 1819, are represented to be of excel lent quality, and beautifully situated. Climate. — The climate is healthful, and milder than m the Atlantic states in the same latitude. In the east- ern parts it resembles that of the western part of New- York and Pennsylvania ; towards the southern boundary It increases in mildness, but upon the coast of Lake Hu- ron and St. Clair it is more severe. No part of the coun- try is better supplied with fish and other wild game ; the trout of Michilimackinack have a superior rehsh ; they weigh from 10 to 70 pounds each, and are taken at all sea- sons of the year. White fish are caught in abundance m the straits of St. Mary, the River Detroit, and Lake St Clair. Sturgeon are commonly caught in all the lakes The beaver frequent the rivers running into Lake Michi- gan. Bears, wolves, elk, deer, and foxes, are also found in the forests. The territory, when first discovered by the whites, was inhabited by a tribe of Indians called Hurons. This tribe was dispersed by the Six Nations, and the French began small settlements about the year 1670 ; they built a fort at Detroit and Michilimackinack, for the protection ot the fur trade. In 1763 the territory was ceded to Great Britain, and by the latter to the United States, in 1783. No improvement or settlement of any account was com- menced, until 1787. It was detached from the Northwest Territory in 1805, and erected into a territorial govern- ment, and General Hull appointed first governor. During the late war, Detroit and Michilimackinack fell into the hands of the British, but were restored on the return of peace. Commerce. — The territory is finely situated for com- merce, being almost surrounded by navigable waters, which will soon be connected with the Mississippi on one side by canals, and is already connected with the Atlantic THE UNITED STATES. 481 Ocean on the other. The vessels which navigate the lakes are from 10 to 100 tons burthen. The merchants supply themselves mostly from New-York. Goods are trans- ported throuirh the Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence to Detroit by steamboat, or other lake conveyance. The navigation has greatly increased on Lake Erie within a few years ; six steamboats navigate this lake ; they formed a daily line, in the spring of 1830, from Buffalo to Detroit. Large numbers of emigrants passed Buffalo N. Y., on their way to this territory, in the spring of 1830. Many were leaving the states of Ohio, Pennsyl- vania, and other parts of the Union, for the St. Joseph's country, so called, more particularly than for any other section of this territory. Population. — The population, exclusive of Indians, in 1810, was 4702, and in 1820, 8896, none of whom were slaves. The population has very greatly increased since the last census was taken. The settlements are principally in the southeast part, on Lake Erie; the River Detroit, Lake St. Clair, and the runs whicli fall into them, particularly the Maumee, Raisin, and Huron. Detroit, the capital of the territory, is regularly laid out on the west bank of Detroit River, nine miles from Lake St. Clair. It is finely situated for commerce, and was first settled by ihe French from Canada. CHAPTER XIX. pTesident Jacksoii's Adviimstration. Congress assembled December, 1829. The president's Qiessage was communicated to both houses on the eighth. We make a few extracts from the same. "It affords me pleasure to tender my friendly greetings to you, on the occasion of your assembling at the seat of government to enter upon the important duties to which you have been called by the voice of our countrymen. The task devolves on me, under a provision of the consti- tution, to present to vou, as the federal legislature of 41 482 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF twenty-four sovereign states, and twelve millions of happy people, a view of your affairs, and to propose such mea- sures as, in the discharge of my official functions, have suggested themselves as necessary to promote the objects of our Union. "In communicating with you for the first time, it is, to me, a source of unfeigned satisfaction, calling for mutual gratulation, and devout thanks to a benign Providence, that we are at peace with all mankind, and that our coun- try exhibits the most cheering evidence of general wel- fare, and progressive improvement. Turning our eyes to other nations, our great desire is to see our brethren of the human race secured in the blessings enjoyed by our- selves, and advancing in knowledge, in freedom, and in social happiness. " Our foreign relations, although in their general charac- ter pacific and friendly, present subjects of difl'erence be- tween us and other powers, of deep interest, as well to the country at large, as to many of our citizens. To effect an adjustment of these shall continue to be the ob- ject of my earnest endeavours ; and, notwithstanding the difficulties of the task, I do not allow myself to apprehend unfavourable results. Blessed as our country is with every thing that constitutes national strength, she is fully adequate to the maintenance of all her interests. In dis- charging the responsible trust confided to the executive in this respect, it is my settled purpose to ask nothing that is not clearly right, and to submit to nothing that is wrong, and I flatter myself that, supported by the other branches of the government, and by the intelligence and patriotism of the people, we sliall be able, under the protection of Providence, to cause all our just rights to be respected. "Of the unsettled matters between the United States and other powers, the most prominent are those which have, for years, been the subject of negociation with England, France, and Spain. The late periods at which our minis- ters to those governments left the United States, render it impossible, at this early day, to inform you of what has been done on the subjects with which they have been re- spectively charged. Relying upon the justice of our views in relation to the points committed to negociation, and the THE UNITED STATES. 483 reciprocal good feeling which characterizes our intei course with those nations, we have the best reason lo hope for a satisfactory adjustment of existing differences. " With Great Britain, alike distinguished in peace and war, we may look forward to years of peaceful, honour- able, and elevated competition. Every thing in the condi- tion and history of the two nations is calculated to inspire sentiments of mutual respect, and to carry conviction to the minds of both, that it is their policy to preserve the most cordial relations. Such are my own views, and it is not to be doubted that such are also the prevailing senti- ments of our constituents. Although neither time nor opportunity has been afforded for a full developement of the policy which the present cabinet of Great Britain de- signs to pursue towards this country, I indulge the hope that it will be of a just and pacific character; and if this anticipation be realized, we may look with confidence to a speedy and acceptable adjustment of our affairs. " With other European powers our intercourse is on the most friendly footing. In Russia, placed by her terri- torial limits, extensive population, and great power, high in the rank of nations, the United States have always found a stedfast friend. Although her recent invasion of Turkey awakened a lively sympathy for those who were exposed to the desolations of war, we cannot but antici- pate that the result will prove favourable to the cause of civilization, and to the progress of human happiness. The treaty of peace between these powers having been ratified, we cannot be insensible to the great benefit to be derived to the commerce of the United States, from un- locking the navigation of the Black Sea — a free passage into which is secured to all merchant vessels bound to ports of Russia, under a flag at peace with the Porte. This advantage, enjoyed upon conditions by most of the powers of Europe, has hitherto been withheld from us. During the past summer, an antecedent, but unsuccessful attempt to obtain it, was renewed, under circumstances M'hich promised the most favourable results. Although these results have fortunately been thus in part attained, farther facilities to the enjoyment of this new field for the enterprise of our citizens, are, in my opinion, sufficiently desirable to ensure to them our most zealous attention. 484 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF " Our trade with Russia, although of secondary impor- tance, 'has been gradually increasing, and is now so ex- tended as to deserve the fostering care of the government. A negotiation, commenced, and nearly completed with that power, by the late administration, has been consum- mated by a treaty of amity, navigation, and commerce, which will be laid before the senate. " Measures have been taken to place our commercial relations with Peru upon a better footing than that upon which they have hitherto rested, and if met by a proper disposition on the part of that government, important be- nefits may be secured to both countries." In relation to the amendment of the constitution, re- specting the election of president and vice-president, he thus speaks : " I would therefore recommend such an amendment of the constitution as may remove all intermediate agency in the election of president and vice-president. The mode may be so regulated as to preserve to each state its present relative weight in the election ; and a failure in the first attempt may be provided for, by confining the second to a choice between the two highest candidates. In connexion with such an amendment, it would seem ad- visable to limit the service of the chief magistrate to a single term, of either four or six years. If, however, it should not be adopted, it is worthy a consideration whe- ther a provision disqualifying for office the representatives in congress, on whom such an election may have de- volved, would not be proper. " While members of congress can be constitutionally appointed to offices of trust and profit, it will be the prac- tice, even under the most conscientious adherence to duty, to select them fur such stations as they are believed to be better qualified to fill than other citizens ; but the purity of our government would doubtless be promoted by their exclusion from all appointments in the gift of the presi- dent in whose election they may have been officially con- cerned. The nature of the judicial office, and the neces- sity of securing in the cabinet, and in diplomatic stations of the highest rank, the best talents and political expe- rience, should, perhaps, except these from the exclusion. THE UNITED STATES. 4S5 • There are, perhaps, few men who can, for any great length of time, enjoy office and power, without being more or less under the influence of feelings unfavourable to a faithful discharge of their public duties. Their in- tegrity may be proof against improper considerations im- mediately addressed to themselves, but they are apt to ac- quire a habit of looking with indifference upon the pub- lic interests, and of tolerating conduct from which an un- practised man would revolt. Oflice is considered as a species of property ; and government, rather as a means of promoting individual interests, than as an instrument created solely for the service of the people. Corruption in some, and in others a perversion of correct feelings and principles, divert government from its legitimate ends, and make it an engine for the support of the few at the expense of the many. The duties of all public officers are, or, at least, admit of being made so plain and simple, that m.en of intelligence may readily qualify themselves for their performance; and I cannot but believe that more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is gene- rally to be gained by their experience. I submit, therefore, to your consideration, whether the efficiency of the govern- ment would not be promoted, and official industry and in- tegrity better secured, by a general extension of the law which limits appointments to four years. " In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people, no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another. Offices were not established to give support to particular men at the pub- lic expense. No individual wrong is therefore done by removal, since neither appointment to, nor continuance m office, is matter of right. The incumbent became an officer with a view to public benefits ; when these require his removal, they are not to be sacrificed to private inte- rests. It is the people, and they alone, who have a right to complain, when a bad officer is substituted for a good one. He who is removed has the same means of obtain- ing a living that are enjoyed by the millions who never held oflice. The proposed limitation would destroy the idea of property, now so generally connected with official station ; and although individual distress may be some- 41* 486 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF times produced, it would, by promoting that rotation which constitutes a leading principle in the republican creed, give healthful action to the system. " No very considerable change has occurred during the recess of congress, in the condition of either our agri- culture, commerce, or manufactures. The operation of the tariif has not proved so injurious to the two former, nor as beneficial to the latter, as was anticipated. Impor- tations of foreign goods have not been sensibly dimi- nished ; while domestic competition, under an illusive ex- citement, has increased the production much beyond the demand for home consumption. The consequences have been, low prices, temporary embarrassments, and partial loss. That such of our manufacturing establishments as are based upon capital, and are prudently managed, will survive the shock, and be ultimately profitable, there is no good reason to doubt. " To regulate its conduct, so as to promote equally the prosperity of these three cardinal interests, is one of the most difficult tasks of government; and it may be regret- ted that the complicated restrictions which now embar- rass the intercourse of nations, could not, by common consent, be abolished, and commerce allowed to flow in those channels, to which individual enterprise, always its surest guide, might direct. But we must ever expect selfish legislation in other nations, and are therefore com- pelled to adapt our own to their regulations, in the man- ner best calculated to avoid serious injury, and to harmo- nize the conflicting interests of our agriculture, our com- merce, and our manufactures. Under these impressions, I invite your attention to the existing tarifl", believing that some of its provisions require modification. " The general rule to be applied in graduating the duties upon articles of foreign growth or manufacture, is that which will place our own in fair competition with those of other countries ; and the inducements to advance even a step beyond this point, are controlling in regard to those articles which are of primary necessity in time of war. When we reflect upon the difficulty and delicacy of this operation, it is important that it should never be attempt- ed but with the utmost caution. Frequent legislation, in THE UNITED STATES. 487 .^^jiregard to any branch of industry, affecting its value, and hy which its capital may be transferred to new channels, must always be productive of hazardous speculation and loss. " In deliberating, therefore, on these interesting sub- jects, local feelings and prejudices should be merged in the patriotic determination to promote the great interests of die whole. All attempts to connect them with the par- ty conflicts of the day, are necessarily injurious, and should be discountenanced. Our action upon them should be under the control of higher and purer motives. Le- prislation, subjected to such influences, can never be just, and will not long i-etain the sanction of a people, whose active patriotism is not bounded by sectional limits, nor insensible to that sj)irit of concession and forbearance, whicli gave life to our political compact, and still sustains it. Discarding all calculations of political ascendancy, the north, the south, the east, and the west, should unite in diminishing any burthen, of which either may justly complain. "The agricultural interest of our country is so essen- tially connected with every other, and so superior in im- portance to them all, that it is scarcely necessary to in- vite to it your particular attention. It is principally as manufactures and commerce tend to increase the value of agricultural productions, and to extend their appli- cation to the wants and comfort of society, that they de- serve the fostering care of government. " Looking forward to the period, not far distant, when a sinking fund will no longer be required, the duties on those articles of importation which cannot come in com- petition with our own productions, are the first that should engage the attention of congress in the modification of the tariff. Of these, tea and coffee are the most promi- nent; they enter largely into the consumption of the country, and have become articles of necessity to all classes. A reduction, therefore, of the existing duties, will be felt as a common benefit ; but, like all other legis- lation connected with commerce, to be efhcacious, and not injurious, it should be gradual and certain. " The public prosperity is evinced in the increased re- 4S8 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF venue arising from the sales of public lands, and in the steady maintenance of that produced by imposts and ton- nage, notwithstanding the additional duties imposed by the act of 19th of May, 1828, and the unusual importation in the early part of that year. The balance in the treasury on the 1st of January, 1829, was five millions nine hundred and seventy-two thousand four hundred and thirty-five dollars and eighty-one cents. The receipts of the current year are estimated at twenty four millions six hundred and two thousand two hundred and thirty dollars ; and the expenditures for the same time at twenty-six millions one hundred and sixty-four thousand five hundred and ninety-five dollars ; leaving a balance in tlie treasury on the 1st of January next, of four millions four hundred and ten thousand and seventy dol- lars and eighty-one cents. "There wall have been paid, on account of the public debt, during the present year, the sum of twelve millions four hundred and i^ve thousand and five dollars and eighty cents ; reducing the whole debt of the government, on the 1st of January next, to forty-eight millions five hundred and sixty-five thousand four himdred and. six dollars and fifty cents, including seven millions of five per cent, stock, subscribed to the bank of the United States. — The pay- ment on account of the public debt, made on the first of ; July last, was eight millions seven hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and sixty-two dollars and eighty- seven cents'. It was apprehended that the sudden with- drawal of so large a sum from the banks in which it was deposited, at a time of unusual pressure in the money market, might cause much injury to the interest depend- ant on bank accommodations. But this evil was wholly averted by an early anticipation of it at the treasury, aided by the judicious arrangements of the bank of the United States. "This state of the finances exhibits the resources of the nation in an aspect highly flattering to its industry, and [ auspicious of the ability of the government, in a very shoi't time, to extinguish the public debt. When this shall be done, our population will be relieved from a considerable portion of its present burthens ; — and will find, not only | ? THE UNITED STATES. 489 ,iew motives to patriotic affection, but additional means ibr the display of individual enterprise. The fiscal power of the states will also be increased, and may be more extensively exerted in favour of education and other pub- || lie objects ; while ample means will remain in the federal I government to promote the general weal, in all the modes permitted to its authority. " After the extinction of the public debt, it is not probable that any adjustment of the tariff, upon principles satisfac- l tory to the people of the Union, will, until a remote pe- ' riod, if ever, leave the government without a considerable ' surplus in the treasury, beyond what may be required for I its current service. As then the period approaches when the application of the revenue to the payment of debt will cease, the disposition of the surplus will present a subject for the serious deliberation of congress ; and it may be ; fortunate for the country that it is yet to be decided. Con- 1 sidered in connexion with the difficulties which have here- tofore attended appropriations for purposes of internal i improvement, and with those which this experience tell I us will certainly arise, whenever power over such subjects 1 may be exercised by the general government, it is hoped , thai it may lead to the adoption of some plan which will ■ reconcile the diversified interests of the states, and 1 strengthen the bonds which unite them. Every member 1 of tlie Union, in peace and in war, will be benefitted by llie improvement of inland navigation and the construction ot' highways in the several states. — Let us then endeavour ^ U) attain this benefit in a mode which will be satisfactory to all. ThaJiitherto adopted has, by many of our fellow • citizens, been deprecated as an infraction of the constitu- ; tion, while by others, it has been viewed as inexpedient. I All feel that it has been employed at the expense of har- 1 mony in legislative councils. "The condition, and ulterior destiny of the Indian tribes " ilhin the limits of some of our states, have become ob- i :ts of much interest and importance. It has long been . .1 e policy of government to introduce among them the e ails of civilization, in the hope of gradually reclaiming t them from a wandering life. This policy has, however, been couplcvl with another, wholly incompatible with its 490 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF success. Professing a desire to civilize and settle them, we have, at the same time, lost no opportunity to pur- chase their lands, and thrust them farther into the wilder- ness. By this means they have not only been kept in a wandering state, but been led to look upon us as unjust, and indifferent to their fate. Thus, though lavish in its expenditures upon the subject, government has constantly defeated its own policy ; and the Indians, in general, re- ceding farther to the west, have retained their savage habits. A portion, however, of the southern tribes hav ing mingled much with the whites, and made some pro gress in the arts of civilized life, have lately attempted to erect an independent government within the limits of Georgia and Alabama. These states, claiming to be the only sovereigns within their territories, extend their laws over the Indians, which induced the latter to call upon the United States for protection. "Under these circumstances, the question presented was, whether the general government had a right to sustain those people in their pretensions ? The constitution de- clares, that ' no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state,' without the consent of its legislature. If the general government is not permitted to tolerate the erection of a confederate state within the territory of one of the members of this Union, against her consent, much less could it allow 9 foreign and independent government to establish itself there. Georgia became a member of the confederacy which eventuated in our federal union, as a soverei state, always asserting her claim to certain limits ; which, having been originally defined in her colonial charter, and subsequently recognised in the treaty of peace, sht has ever since continued to enjoy, except as they have been circumscribed by her own voluntary transfer of a portion of her territory to the United Stares, in the arti- cles of cession of 1802. Alabama was admitted into thcl Union on the same footing with tlie original states, wit boundaries which were prescribed by congress. Therei is no constitutional, conventional, or legal provision,! which allows them less power over the Indians within their border, than is possessed by Maine or New-York.1 i ii } lo i THE UNITED STATES. 491 Would the people of Maine permit the Penobscot tribe , to erect an independent government within their state? and, unless they did, would it not be the duty of the gene- ral government to support them in resisting such a mea- sure ? Would the people of New-York permit each rem- ■ nant of the Six Nations within her borders, to declare ' itself an independent people, under the protection of the United States? Could the Indians establish a separate : republic on each of their reservations in Ohio ? And if ■ they were so disposed, would it be the duty of this go- I vernmcnt to protect them in the attempt ? If the princi- ' pie involved in the obvious answer to these questions be ' abandoned, it will follow, that the objects of this govern- ' ment are reversed, and that it has become a part of its r duty to aid in destroying the states which it was establish- ed to protect. "Actuated by this view of the subject, I informed the In- dians inhabiting parts of Georgia and Alabama that their ; attempt to establish an independent government would j not be countenanced by the Execvitive of the United States, ' and advised them to emigrate beyond the Mississippi, or submit to the laws of those states. " Our conduct towards these pecjde is deeply interesting to our national character. — Their present condition, con- trasted with what they once Averc, makes a most power- ful appeal to our sympathies. Our ancestors found them the uncontrolled possessors of these vast regions. By persuasion and force, they have been made to retire from river to river, and from mountain to mountain, until some ' of the tribes have become extinct, and others have left but ' remnants to preserve, for a while, their once terrible names. Surrounded by the whites, with their arts of ci- vilization, which, by destroying the resources of the sa- vage, doom him to weakness and decay, the fate of the Mohegan, the Narragansett, and the Delaware, is fast over- taking the Choctaw, the Cherokee, and the Creek. That this fate surely awaits them, if they remain within the limits of the states, does not admit of a doubt. — Humanity and national honour demand that every eflbrt should be made to avert so great a calamity. It is too late to in- quire whether it was iust in the United States to include 492 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF them and their territory within the bounds of new states wliose limits they could control. That step cannot he retraced. A state cannot be dismembered by congress, or restricted in the exercise of her constitutional power. But the people of these states, and of every state, actuated by feelings of justice and regard for our national honour, submit to you the interesting question, whether something cannot be done, consistently with the rights of the states, to preserve this much injured race? " As a means for effecting this end, I suggest for yoin Consideration, the propriety of setting apart an ample dis- trict west of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any state or territory, now formed, to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes, as long as they shall occupy it : eacli tribe having a distinct control over the portion designated for its use. — There they may be secured in the enjoyment of governments of their own choice, subject to no other con- trol from the United States, than such as may be neces- sary to preserve peace on the frontier, antl between the several tribes. There the benevolent may endeavour to teach them the arts of civilization; and by promoting union and harmony among them, to raise up an interest- ing commonwealth, destined to perpetuate the race, and to attest the humanity and justice of this government. " This emigration should be voluntary ; for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, and seek a home in a distant land. But they should be distinctly informed, that if they re- main within the limits of the states, they must be subject to their laws. In return for their obedience, as individuals, they will, without doubt, be protected in the enjoyment of those possessions which they have improved by their industry. But it seems to me visionary to suppose, that, in this state of things, claims can be allowed on tracts of country on which they have neither dwelt nor made im- provements, merely because they have seen them from the mountain, or passed them in the chase. Submitting to the laws of the states, and receiving, like other citizens, protection in their persons and property, they will, ere long, become merged in the mass of our population." " I cannot close this communication without bringing THE UNITED STATES. 493 : to your view the just claim of the representatives ofCom- ' Tnodore Decatur, his officers and crew, arising from the I recapture of the frigate Philadelphia, under the heavy f batteries of Tripoli. Although sensible, as a general rule, I of the impropriety of executive interference under a go- i vernment like ours, where every individual enjoys the ; fight of directly petitioning congress, yet viewing this case as one of very peculiar character, I deem it my duty to recommend it to your favourable consideration. Be- I sides the justice of this claim, as corresponding to those which have been since recognized and satisfied, it is the ■ fruit of a deed of patriotic and chivalrous daring, which ; infused life and confidence into our infant navy, and con- tributed, as much as any exploit in its history, to elevate I our national character ; public gratitude, therefore, stamps 1 her seal upon it ; and the meed should not be withheld ^ which may hereafter operate as a stimulus to our gallant t tars. " I now commend you, fellow citizens, to the guidance of ; Almighty God, with a full reliance on his merciful provi- i dence for the maintenance of our free institutions, and ■ with an earnest supplication, that, whatever errors it may ' be my lot to commit, in discharging the arduous duties which have devolved on me, I will find a remedy in the ; harmony and wisdom of your counsels." In the house of representatives, March 18th, 1830, the committee on lands for education, report as follows : The title of the United States to public lands is de- rived from four sources : first, treaties with foreign pow- ers ; second, cession from individual states to the United States, on the recommendation of congress under the old confederation; third, compact with Georgia; fourth, trea- ty with the Indian tribe?. Soon after the declaration of i independence, an important question was agitated, in re- » ference to that portion of the United States then wild and unappropriated, called the western country. Some few : of the states claimed it as their own separate property Others denied the existence of such rights, and contend- ed, that the vacant lands of the west, that might fall from the crown by the united efforts of the people, ought to be regarded as the common property of all the states. 43 494 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF They were then considered as a great fund, out of which the debt of the revolution would be principally paid; and it was declared to be unjust, that certain states should engross the whole, " to replace, in a short tivie, their ex- penditures" while the others contributed equally to the acquisition of this property ; and the prosecution of the war '''"would he left to sink under the pressure of an enor- mous debt" Influenced by a sense of common justice, and in pursuance of the resolution of the old congress, passed in 1780, the states of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New-York, whose claims comprehend the whole territory northwest of the Ohio River, after making some few reservations, ceded the same to the United States. In 1787, South Carolina conveyed to the United States all her interest beyond her present bounda- ries. Since the adoption of the present constitution, North Carolina, in 1790, ceded to the United States all that ter- ritory beyond the Allegany mountains, M'hich now forms the state of Tennessee ; subject, however, to so many extensive claims previously derived from that state, that the government has realized no benefit from the sales. All the cessions conveyed to the Ignited States the right of soil, as well as jurisdiction, to the territory granted, and declared, in terms similar to the laiijjuaffe made use of in the cession of Virginia, whose title assumed to cover the whole northwestern territory, that the lands so ceded shall be considered a common fund for the use and benefit of such of the United States as have become, or shall be- come, members of the confederation, or federal alliance of said states, Virginia inclusive, according to their re- spective proportion in the general charge and expendi- tures, and shall be faithfully and bona fide disposed of for" that purpose, and no other. The domains thus vested in the United States, was upon no contingency or event to revert back to the state making the cession, or to be- come the separate property of individual states. It was expressly made a common fund, and a trust and authority was reposed in congress. OF THE UNITED STATES. 495 As fast as the population would admit, new states have Tbeen created upon the public domain, both within and out of the northwestern territory, with all the political rights of the original states : and, upon their admission into the Union, they have agreed, by- express compact, that the legislature should never interfere with the pri- mary disposal of the soil, nor with any regulations Con- gress might find necessary for securing the title in such soil to the bona fide purchasers. In exercise of the trust and authority to dispose of the public domain, Congress has directed extensive surveys to be made into townships, sections, and sub-divisions of the most convenient form, exceeding at this time 150 millions of acres. The whole quantity that has been sold to the first of January, 1830, amounts to 22,500,000 acres, for which the sum of 37,145,876 dollars has been received and paid toward the redemption of the public debt. Besides this appropriation, which is for the common benefit of every state, Congress has granted one entire section of land, equal to 640 acres, in each township, of six miles square, in all the states upon the national terri- tory, amounting, in the whole, to upwards of 5,000,000 acres', to be enjoyed by the inhabitants of such towns for- ever for the use of schools. It has also granted to the same states, the salt springs, and one twentieth part of the money arising from the sale of lands, for the con- struction of roads and canals. In addition to these gene- , ral grants, extensive donations have been made by par- ticular acts of Congress, for colleges, academies, numer- ous individuals, canals, the improvement of navigable 1 rivers, and for other objects of local as well as national concerns. Gratuities of the public lands were formerly i made with much caution, and with a sparing hand. Of ! late, however, a greater liberality has been manifested, : and in the years 1827 and 1828, the donations for internal ■ improvement alone exceeded the amount of sales. Al- though most of those grants may be for the advancement of useful or national objects, yet, from the nature of the appropriations, they will often be partial in their opera- tions, and confer privileges upon some sections of the country, not equally imparted to others. If the whole of the puolic domains should be disposed of by special act of 496 UNIVERSAL HISTORY Congress, a great increase of difficult legislation would be incurred, and, with the most patient industry, and purest intention, it would be impossible for Congress to make the apportionments to the different parts of the Union, so as to render equal justice, and give general satisfaction. In regulating the sale of the public land, the price has ever been regarded as a subject of great delicacy and import- ance. Whether it is now too high, or too low, or should be graduated in future, the committee would not under- take to express any opinion. Some sentiments have been advanced, that a liberal policy should induce Congress to reduce the price to a very low rate for the benefit of new states, and even to grant the lands without any considera- tion to all who might be induced to take possession for the purpose of cultivation. The committee are fully ol the opinion that the public domains ought not to be re- garded as a source of great revenue, yet it cannot be given away to individuals, nor even in any partial manner, with- out violating the vested rights of the states, and the trust that is reposed in the general government. The price ought never to be so high as to obstruct emigration, and cramp the vigorous growth of the west, or reduced so low as to encourage speculation, or depress materially the value of land heretofore purchased, or the general agri- cultural interest of the country ; but fixed at a moderate standard, which shall render the acquisition of farms easy to all persons of small means and common industry, and secure the settlement of the new lands as fast as the in- crease of the population will admit. Since the commencement of President Jackson's ad ministration, a treaty has been concluded with Great Britain in relation to the trade between the United States and her West India and North American Colonies, which has settled a question that has for years afforded matter for contention, and almost uninterrupted discussion, and which has been the subject of no less than six negotia tions, in a manner which promises results highly favoura- ble both to this country and to Great Britain. The nego- tiation which brought about this desirable arrangement, was characterized throughout, by the most frank and firiendly spirit on the part of Great Britain, and conclud- OF THE UNITED STATES. 497 ed in a manner strongly indicative of a sincere desire to cultivate the best relations with the United States. Treaties equally advantageous and honourable to this country have also been concluded with the government of France, Denmark, Brazil, and Colombia, by which the claims of American citizens against them have been acknowledged and paid. Some of these claims were of long standing, more especially that preferred against France ; but by the energy and labour of our minister re- sident at that Court, and the magnanimity of the present king, Louis Philip, this claim has been allowed. This event, we trust, will serve to remove those prejudices, which the long deferment of justice to our citizens, had engendered in the bosoms of many, and restore that har- mony and friendship which united the two nations during our Revolution, and for some years subsequent. Treaties of commerce with Colombia and Mexico have been advantageously made. That concluded with the former government lias released our mercliants from an oppressive duty of discrimination which was imposed on our commerce, and has proved of considerable benefit to our commercial interests. On the 7th of April, 1831, the Secretary of War tender- ed his resignation to the President, also the Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of the Navy, handed theirs ; all of which were accepted ; and on the 11th of the same month, tlie Secretary of State tendered his resignation to the President, which was accepted. The President then proceeded to appoint the following gentlemen to till the places of the above vacancies : — Edward Livingston, Secretary of State ; Lewis M'Lane, Secretary of the Treasury ; Lewis Cass, Secretary of War ; Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy ; Roger B. Taney, Attorney General ; Wm. T. Barry, Post Master General. The national debt has been in some degree diminished. Mr. M'Lane, the present Secretary of the Treasury, has given notice for the payment of six millions of dollars on tlie first of January, 1832. ^2* 498 UNIVERSAL HISTORY. NEW CENSUS. 1 AN ABSTRACT of a " careful revision of the enumeration || vf the United States , for the years 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, || and 1830," compiled at the Department of State, agreeably 1 to laiu ; and an abstract from the aggregate rciu rns of the \ several Marshals of the United States of the " Mft.h Census." 1 STATES. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1330. Maine, 96,540 151,719 228,705 298,335 399,468 N. Hampshire, 141,699 183,761 214,360 244,161 269,533 Massachusetts, 378,717 423,245 472,040 523,297 610,014 Rhode Island, 69.110 69,122 77,031 83,059 97,210 Connecticut, 238,141 251002 268,042 275,2<32 297,711 Vermont, 85,416 154,465 216,713 235,764 280,679 New-York, 340,120 586,756 959,049 1,372,812 1,913,508 New-Jersey, 184,139 214,949 245,5.55 277,575 320,779 Pennsylvania, 431,373 602,365 810,091 1,049,458 1,347,672 Delaware, 59,096 64,273 72,674 72,749 76,739 Maryland, 319,728 341,548 .380,546 407,350 446,913 Dist. Columh. 14,098 24,022 33,039 39,588 Virginia, 748,303 880,200 974,622 1,06.5,379 1,211,266 North Carolina, 393,751 478,103 555,500 638,829 738,470 South Carolina, 249.073 345,591 415,115 502,741 581,458 Georgia, 82,548 162,101 252,433 340,987 516,504 Kentucky, 73,077 220,555 406,511 564,317 688,844 Tennessee, 35,791 105,602 281,727 422,813 684.822 Oliio, 45,365 230,760 581,4.34 937,679 Indiana, 4,375 24,520 147,178 341,582 Mississippi, 8,850 40,352 75,448 136,806 Illinois, 12,282 55,211 157,575 Louisiana, 76,556 153,407 215,791 Missouri, 20,845 66,586 140,084 Alabama, 127,901 309,206 Michigan, 4,762 8,896 31,128 Arkansas, 14,273 30,383 Florida, 34,725 3,929,827 5,-305,925 7,239,314 9,638,131 12,856,407 INC REASE PI :R CENT. FROM 1S20 TO 1830. Maine, . . . 33.898 South Carolina, . . . . 15.657 New-Hampshire 10.391 Georgia, . 51.472 Massachusetts, 16.575 Kentucky, . 22.056 Rhode Island, . 17.157 Tennessee . 62.044 Connecticut, . Vermont, . . S.I61 19.005 f I )hio, . 61.998 ndiana, . 132.087 New- York, . . 39.386 Mississippi, . . . . . 81.032 New-Jersey, . 15.563 Illinois, . 185,403 Pennsylvania, 28.416 Louisiana, . 40.665 Delaware, . . 5.487 Missouri, . 110.380 Maryland, . . 9.712 Alabama, , - . . - . 141.574 . 250.031 District of Coluu Virginia, . . ibia, . . 20.639 13.069 Michigan, Arkansas, . 113.273 North Carolina, 15.592 Florida, a Average p er cent. 2.392 OF THE UNITED STATES. 499 CHAPTER XX. Having completed, the History so far as to include the Fifth Census, we shall here introduce a relation of certain adventures achieved by two of the revolutionary heroes. We were unwilling to interrupt the thread ol History by introducing them in chronological order The interest of these anecdotes will ensure them a wel come in any place. Adventures of Sergeant Major Champe. After the capture and conviction of Major Andre as a spy, September 10, 1780, General Washington conceived the project of capturing General Arnold, then in New York, and releasing Andre. He sent for Major Lee to his quarters, to consult with him on the subject, and pro- cure a man for the dangerous enterprise. " I have sent for you," said General Washington, " in the expectation that you have some one in your corps, who is willing to undertake a delicate and hazardous project. Whoever comes forward will confer great obligations upon me personally, and, in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be lost ; he must proceed, if possible, to-night. I intend to seize Arnold, and save Andre." Major Lee named a sergeant major of his corps, by the name of Champe — a native of Virginia, a man full of bone and muscle — with a countenance grave, thought- ful, and taciturn — of tried courage, and inflexible perse- verance. Champe was sent for by Major Lee, and the plan pro- posed. This was, for him to desert — to escape to New York — to appear friendly to the enemy — to watch Arnold, and, upon some fit opportunity, with the assist ance of some one whom Champe could trust, to seize him, and conduct him to a place on the river, appointed, where boats should be in readiness to bear them away. Champe listened to the plan attentively — but, with the spirit of a man of honour and integrity, replied — 500 UNIVERSAL HISTORY ^, •' that it was not danger nor difficulty, that deterred him from immediately accepting the proposal, but the igno- miny of desertion, and the hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy r To these objections, Lee replied, that although he would appear to desert, yet as he obeyed the call of his commander in chief, his departure could not be consid- ered as criminal, and that, if he suffered in reputation, for a time, the matter would one day be explained to his credit. As to the second objection, it was urged, that to bring such a man as Arnold to justice — loaded with guilt as he was — and to save Andre — so young — so accomplished — so beloved — to achieve so much good in the cause of his country — was more than sufficient to balance a wrong, existing only in appearance. The objections of Champs were at length surmounted, and he accepted the service. It was now eleven o'clock at night. With his instructions in his pocket, the ser- geant returned to camp, and, taking his cloak, valise, and orderly book, drew his horse from the picket, and mounted, putting himself upon fortune. Scarcely had half an hour elapsed, before Captain Games, the officer of the day, waited upon Lee, who was vainly attempting to rest, and informed him, that one of the patrol had fallen in with a dragoon, who, being challenged, put spurs to his horse and escaped. Lee, hoping to conceal the flight of Champe, or at least to delay pursuit, complained of fatigue, and told the cap- tain that the patrol had probably mistaken a country- man for a dragoon. Carnes, however, was not thus to be quieted; and he withdrew to assemble his corps. On examination, it was found that Champe was absent. The captain now returned, and acquainted Lee with the discovery, adding, that he had detached a party to pur- sue the deserter, and begged the major's written orders. After making as much delay as practicable, without' exciting suspicion, Lee delivers his orders— in which he directed the party to take Champe if possible. " Bring him alive," said he, " that he may suffer in the presence of the army ; but kill him if he resists, or if he escapes after being taken." ^^^'.^^F^ZnZS.^r^z''^^/^^^^^^ Serjeant Major Champ's Adventure. P. 499 OF THE UNITED STATES. 501 A shower of rain fell soon after Champe's departure, which enabled the pursuing dragoons to take the trail ot his horse, his shoes, in common with those of the horses of the army, being made in a peculiar form, and each having a private mark, which was to be seen in the path. Middleton, the leader of the pursuing party, left the camp a kw minutes past twelve, so that Champe had the start of but little more than an hour — a period by far shorter than had been contemplated. During the night, the dragoons were often delayed in the necessary halts to examine the road ; but, on the coming of morning, the impression of the horses shoes was so apparent, that they pressed on with rapidity. Some miles above Ber- gen, a village three miles north of New York, on the opposite side of the Hudson, on ascending a hill, Champe was descried, not more than half a mile distant. For- tunately, Champe descried his pursuers, at the same moment, and, conjecturing their object, put spurs to his horse, with the hope of escape. By taking a different road, Champe was, for a time, lost sight of — but, on approaching the river, he was again descried. Aware of his danger, he now lashed his valise, containing his clothes and orderly book, to his shoulders, and prepared himself to plunge into the river, if necessary. Swift was his flight, and swift the pursuit. Middleton and his party were within a few hundred yards, when Champe threw himself from his horse and plunged into the river, calling aloud upon some British galleys, at no great distance, for help. A boat was instantly despatched to the sergeant's assistance, and a fire commenced upon the pursuers. Champe was taken on board, and soon after carried to New York, with a letter from the captain of the galley, stating the past scene, all of which he had witnessed. The pursuers having recovered the sergeant's horse and cloak, returned to camp, where they arrived abou three o'clock the next day. On their appearance with the well known horse, the soldiers made the air resound with the acclamations that the scoundrel was killed. The agony of Lee, for a moment, was past description. 502 UNIVERSAL HISTORY lest the faithful, honourable, intrepid Champe had fallen. But the truth soon relieved his fears, and he repaired to Washington to impart to him the success, thus far, of his plan. Soon after the arrival of Champe in New Forlc, he was sent to Sir Henry Clinton, who treated him kindly, but detained him more than an hour in asking him questions, to answer some of which, without exciting suspicion, required all the art the sergeant Avas master of He succeeded, however, and Sir Henry gave liim a couple of guineas, and recommended him to Arnold, who was wishing to procure American recruits. Arnold received him kindly, and proposed to him to join his legion ; Champe, however, expressed his wish to retire from war ; but assured the general, that if he should change his mind, he would enlist. Champe found means to communicate to Lee an account of his adventures ; but, unfortunately, he could not succeed in taking Arnold, as was wished, before the execution of Andre. Ten days before Champe brought his project to a conclusion, Lee received from him his final communication, appointing the third subsequent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, opposite New York, when he hoped to deliver Arnold to the officers. Champe had enlisted into Arnold's legion, from which time he had every opportunity he could wish, to attend to the habits of the general. He discovered that it was his custom to return home about twelve every night, and that, previously to going to bed, he always visited the garden. During this visit, the conspirators were to seize him, and, being prepared with a gag, they were to apply the same instantly. Adjoining the house in which Arnold resided, andin which it was designed to seize and gag him, Champe had taken off several of the pailingsvand replaced them, so that with ease, and without noise, he could readily open his way to the adjoining alley. Into this alley he intended to convey his prisoner, aided by his compa nion, one of two associates, who had been introduced b) the friend to whom Champe had been originally m Ai- OP THE UNITED STATES. 503 known by letter from the commander in chief, and with whose aid and counsel, he had so far conducted the enter- prise. His other associate was with the boat, prepared, at one of the wharves on the Hudson river, to receive the party. Champe and his friend intended to place themselves each under Arnold's shoulder, and thus to bear him through the most unfrequented alleys and streets to the boat, representing- Arnold, in case of being questioned, as a drunken soldier, whom they were conveying to the guard-house. When arrived at the boat, the difficulties would be all surmounted, there being no danger nor obstacle in pass- ing to the Jersey shore. These particulars, as soon as made known to Lee, were communicated to the com- mander in chief, who was highly gratified with the much desired intelligence. He desired Major Lee to meet Champe, and to take care that Arnold should not be hurt. The day arrived, and Lee, with a party of accoutred horses, (one for Arnold, one for the sergeant, and the third for his associate, who was to assist in securing Arnold,) left the camp, never doubting the success of the enterprise, from the tenor of the last received communi- cation. The party reached Hoboken about midnight, where they were concealed in the adjoining wood — Lee, with three dragoons, stationing himself near the shore of the river. — Hour after hour passed, but no boat approached. At length the day broke, and the major retired to his party, and, with his led horses, returned to the camp, when he proceeded to head quarters to inform the gene- ral of the much lamented disappointment, as mortifying as inexplicable. Washington, having perused Champe's plan and communication, had indulged the presumption, that, at length, the object of his keen and constant pursuit was sure of execution, and did not dissemble the joy which such a conviction produced. He was chagrined at the issue, and apprehended that his faithful sergeant must have been detected in the last scene of his tedious and difficult enterprise. 504 UNIVERSAL HISTORY In a few days, Lee received an anonymous letter froifl Champe's patron and friend, informing him, that on the day preceding the night fixed for the execution of the plot, Arnold had removed his quarters to another part of the town, to superintend the embarkation of troops, preparingi as was rumoredy for an expedition to be di- rected by himself; and that the American legion, con- sisting chiefly of American deserters, had been transfer- red from their barracks to one of the transports, it being apprehended that if left on shore, until the expedition was ready, many of them might desert. Thus it happened that John Champe, instead of cross- ing the Hudson that night, was safely deposited on board one of the fleet of transports, from whence he never de- parted, until the troops under Arnold landed in Virginia, Nor was he able to escape from the British army, until after the junction of Lord Cornwallis at Petersburg, when he deserted : and proceeding high up into Vir- ginia, he passed into North Carolina, near the Saura towns, and, keeping in the friendly districts of that State, safely joined the army soon after it had passed the Con- garee, in pursuit of Lord Rawdon. His appearance excited extreme surprise among his former comrades, which was not a little increased, when they saw the cordial reception he met with from the late major, now Lieutenant Col. Lee. His whole story waa soon known to the corps, which re-produced the love and respect of officeis and soldiers, heretofore invaiiably entertained for the sergeant, heightened by universal admiration of his late daring and arduous attempt. Champe was introduced to General Greene, who very cheerfully complied with the promise made by the com- mander in chief, so far as in his power ; and having provided the sergeant with a good horse and money for his journey, sent him to general Washington, who mu- nificently anticipated every desire of the sergeant, and presented him with a discharge from further service, lest he might, in the vicissitudes of war, fall into the hands of the enemy, when, if recognized, he was sure to die on a gibbet. We shall only add, respecting the after life of thi» ^k''^- OF THE UNITED STATES. 505 interesting adventurer, that, Avhen General Washington was called by President Adams, in 1798, to the com- mand of the army, prepared to defend the country against French hostility, he sent to Lieutenant Col. Lee, to inquire for Champe; being determined to bring him into the fiald at the head of a company of infantry. Lee sent to Loudon county, Virginia, where Champe settled after his discharge from the army; when he learned. that the gallant soldier had removed to Kentucky, where he soon after died. General Put7iam^s adveiiture. General Putnam, who had been stationed with a re- spectable force at Reading, in Connecticut, then on a visit to his out-post, at Horse-Neck, was attacked by Governor Tryon, with one thousand five hundred men. Putnam had only a picket of one hundred and fifty men, and two field pieces, without horses or drag ropes. He however placed his cannon on the high ground near the meeting house, and continued to pour in upon the ad- vancing foe, until the enemy's horse appeared upon a charge. The general now hastily ordered his men to retreat to a neighbouring swamp, inaccessible to horse, while he himself put spurs to his steed, and plunged down the precipice at the church. This is so steep as to have artificial stairs, composed of nearly one hundred stone steps, for the accommodation of worshippers ascending to the sanctuary. On the ar rival of the dragoons at the brow of the hill, they paused, thinlcing it too dangerous to follow the steps of the ad- venturous hero. Before any could go round the hill and descend, Putnam had escaped, uninjured by the many balls which were fired at him in his descent ; but one touched him, and that only passed through his hat. He proceeded to Stamford, where, having strengthened his picket with some militia, he boldly faced about and pursued governor Tryon on his return. 43 506 UNIVERSAL HISTORY CHAPTER XXI. Events of 1832 and 1833. Indian War. Battle of ; Wisconsin. Battle on the Mississippi, August 2, 1 832. The recent hostilities commenced by the Sac and Fox Indians, may be traced to causes, which have been for some time in operation, and which left little doubt upon the minds of those acquainted with the savage cha- racter, that they were determined to commit some aggres- sion upon the frontier. The confederated tribes of the Sacs and Foxes have been long distinguished for their daring spirit of adven- ture, and for their restless and reckless disposition. At the commencement of the eighteenth century, one of these tribes made a desperate attempt to seize the post of De- troit ; and during a period of forty years, subsequent to that effort, they caused great trouble and embarrass- ment to the French colonial government, which was only terminated by a most formidable military expedi- , tion, sent by that enterprising people into the then remote *| regions west of Green Bay. ■^gt During the last war with Great Britain, this confed- eracy entered zealously into the contest, and was among the most active and determined of our enemies. After the peace, ttieir communication with the Canadian au- thorities was presserved ; and every year, large parties of the most inliuential chiefs and warriors visited Up- per Canada, and returned laden with presents. That this continued intercourse kept alive feelings of attach- ment to a foreign power, and weakened the proper and necessary influence of the United Slates, is known to every one, who has marked the progress of events and the conduct of the Indians upon the north-western fron- tier. The tribes upon the Upner Mississippi, particu- larly the Sacs and Foxes and the Winnebagoes, confi- dent in their position, and in their natural courage, and totally ignorant of the vast disproportion between their * OF THE UNITED STATES. 507 power and that of the United States, have always been discontented, keeping the frontier in alarm, and contin- ually committing some outrage upon the persons or pro- perty of the inhabitants. All this is the result of impulse, and it is the necessary and almost inevitable conse- quence of institutions, which make war the great object of life. li is net probable, that any Indian, seriously bent upon hostilities, ever stops to calculate the force of the white man, and to estimate the disastrous conse- quences, which we know must be the result. He is impelled onward in his desperate career by passions, which are fostered and encouraged by the whole frame of society ; and he is, very probably, stimulated by the pre- dictions of some fanatical leader, who promises him glo- ry, victory, and scalps. In this state of feeling, and with these incitements to war, the Sacs and Foxes claimed the right of occupying a part of the country upon Rock river, even after it had been sold to the citizens of the United States, and settled by them. In 1829, and in 1830, serious difficulties resulted fi'om their efforts to establish themselves in that section, and frequent collisions with the inhabitants were the consequence. Representations were made to them, and every efibrt, short of actual hostilities, used by the proper officers, to induce them to abandon these unfound- ed pretensions, and to confine themselves to their own country on the west side of the Mississippi river. These efforts were successful with the well disposed portion ot the tribes, but were wholly unavailing with the band known by the name of the "British party." In 1831, their aggressions were so serious, and the attitude they assumed so formidable, that a considerable detachment of the army, and of the militia of Illinois, was called in- to the field, and the disaffected Indians, alarmed by the preparation for their chastisement, agreed to reside and hunt " upon their own lands west of the Mississippi riv- er," and that they would not " rccross this river to the usual place of their residence, nor to any part of their old hunting grounds east of the Mississippi, without the express permission of the President of the United States, or the Governor of the state of Illinois." 508 UNIVERSAL HISTORY This arrangement had scarcely been concluded he- fore a flagrant outrage was committed, by a party of these Indians, upon a band of friendlv Menomonies, al- most under the guns of Fort Crawford. Twenty-five persons were wantonly murdered, and many wounded, while encamped in the village of Prairie du Chien, and resting in fancied security upon our soil, and under our flag. If an act like this had been suffered to pass un- noticed and unpunished, a war between these tribes would have been the consequence, in which our fron- tiers would have been involved, and the character and influence of the government v/ould have been lost in the opinion of the Indians. Apprehensive from the course of events already stated, and from other circumstances, that the disaffected band of Sacs and Foxes would again harass and disturb the settlements upon our borders, and determined that the murderers of the Menomonies should be surrendered or taken, the department ordered General Atkinson, on the 7th of March, 1832, to ascend the Mississippi wim the disposable regular troops at Jefferson Barracks; and to strengthen the frontiers, orders were given for the re- occupatiou of Chicago. The demand for the surrender of the Menomonie murderers was entirely disregarded ; and the " British party" of the Sacs and Foxes recrossed the Mississippi, and, assuming a hostile attitude, established themselves upon Rock river. On the 14th of May, near Dixon's Ferry, on Rock river, a small party of Indians was seen displaying a white flag. It was approached by a company of militia to ascertain its intentions. The Indians receded, for the purpose of drawing the whites into an ambuscade. This induced the commanding oflicer to fall back ; but an- other officer and his company came up, passed the re- treating party, and pursued the enemy. The Indians now showed a superior force, turned and attacked the militia, and repulsed the whites with considerable loss. Fifty-two men were missed. The Indians continued their warfare, and many defenceless families were mas- sacred on the frontier of Illinois. A part}'' of seven or OF THE UNITED STATES. 509 eight, with the Indian agent, St. Vrain, while attempt- ing to effect a passage from Galena to the head quarters of the force under Gen. Atkinson, at Dixon's Ferry, was attacked by a superior force of Indians, and nearly all, including the agent, killed. The whole country was infested by small parties of Indians, who suddenly fell on the unsuspecting whites, whom they murdered. The Steamer Dove, on her downward passage, was attacked by a small party of Indians, just above Rock Island, but no injury was sustained. June 14th. Five American citizens were killed about five miles below Hamilton's Fort. June 16th. A citizen was killed about half a mile from the same place. General Dodge, with 29 of his mounted men, went in immediate pursuit ; and after go- ing about three miles, discovered the murderers — 11 in number — but did not overtake them until they crossed the East Pich-e-ton-e-ka, and entered an almost impene- trable swamp. At the edge of the swamp the men were ordered to dismount and link horses ; four men were left in charge of the horses, and four were posted around the swamp, on high ground, to observe the motion of the enemy ; the remainder, 21, advanced into the swamp, about half a mile; when they received the fire of the Indians, at the distance of about thirty feet, by which three of our men fell, severely wounded. Orders were instantly given to charge ; but, as the Indians lay under the bank of a slough, they were concealed till our party was within si.x or eight feet of them, when the whites immediately fired. The whole hostile party was killed and scalped within one or two minutes, excepting one, who attempted to make his escape by swimming the slough, but was shot down on the opposite bank. — Though few were engaged in this bloody transaction, it , was conducted with much gallantry, and entitles Gen. Dodge and his brave associates to the highest credit. A few such examples will strike terror into the hearts of the Indians. On the same day, a party of Indians was attacked by Capt. Snyder, near Kellogg's Grove, and defeated, with the loss of four ; — one of Capt. Snyder's company wa« 43* 510 UNIVERSAL HISTORY mortally wounded. On his return, he halted near a small stream of water, and was fired upon by a body of Indians, who lay concealed; two of his men were kill- ed, and one mortally wounded. The company was im- mediately formed, and retreated in good order before a superior force of the Indians. June 18lh. — A bloody engagement took place be- tween a small party of Americans, commanded by Capt. Stevenson, and a superior party of the Indians, on Ap- ple creek. Three of our men were lost, and Capt. Ste- venson wounded, though, it is hoped, not dangerously. The precise number of Indians killed is not ascertained, though it is supposed five or six. The combatants came into such close quarters during this engagement, as to be constrained to use the bayonet and butcher's knife. On the 24th of June, a large body of Indians made an attack on the Fort at Buffalo Grove, situated on Rock river, about twelve miles north of Dixon's Ferry, and fifty -five miles from Galena. The fort was defended by about one hundred and fifty militia, who kept the Indians at bay, until their ammunition was nearly expended : in this critical situation, an officer of the fort, who had been wounded in the firing, made his way out, and went in quest of reinforcement of men and arms. He either went to Rock river, where General Atkinson was, and there procured the aid he had gone to seek, or met a detachment, under Colonel Posey, proceeding to the fort ; this latter body marched on, drove off the Indians, and relieved the garrison. — The number of killed and wounded, on either side, was not ascertained. Sixteen Indians were known to have been killed An express, consisting of four persons, sent from Gale- na, was attacked when near the fort on Apple river, twelve miles from Galena, and immediately retreated. One man, Edward Welsh, was wounded by a shot in the thigh, before he reached the fort; another, his name not known, was killed, after gaining cover. One other man was also wounded in the fort. This party of Indians was repulsed by the gartison, consisting of thirty men under the com- mand of Captain Stone, but succeeded in carrying ofT all the horses, cattle, hogs, and two yokes of working OF THE UNITED STATES. 511 steers ; they also destroyed all the moveables that were found in the houses around the fort, but left the buildings uninjured. The following intelligence is extracted from the Gale- nian, dated 4th of July. It is, we believe, the most par- ticular account of the state of Indian war on the north- western frontier. June 27. — Seat of war. — An express reached town to- day from Kellogg's Grove, bringing information that a battle had been fought with the Indians in that neighbour- hood, on Monday morning, by a part of the company of Spies, under the command of Major Dement. The particulars of which are subjoined. On Sunday evening, Major Dement arrived at Kel- logg's Grove, and receiving information early the follow- ing morning that traces of Indians were plainly dis- cernible in that immediate neighbourhood, called for twenty or thirty volimteers to accompany him to recon- noitre the neighbourhood. In a short time they came upon the enemy, whose force was too formidable to be resisted by so small a number ; and being too far advanced to make good his retreat, lost some of his party before the arrival of the remainder of his company, after which a considerable skirmish ensued ; but, owing to the refractory and unmanageable temper of the horses, occasioned by the clash of arms and the Indian yell, it was found impracticable to form a line ; yet, under all these disadvantages, a number of Indians were killed ; the exact number cannot be ascertained, as they were seen to carry several of their dead from the field during the engagement. Mnjor Dement lost five men, and about twenty horses, killed, in the battle. Nine Indians were found on the field. June 29. — More Indian murders. — About noon an express arrived from the Cincinaway Mound, announc- ing the attack on three men who were at work in a corn field about ten miles from this town, and that two of them had fallen. Major Stephenson, who had just returned to Galena, from an excursion in the country, with a few mounted men, immediately put about thirty in readiness to march 512 UNIVERSAL HISTORY in pursuit of the Indians. With a forced march, his detachment soon arrived at the scene of death, where were found the bodies of James Boxley and John Thomp- son, most shockingly mangled. The heart of Thomp- son was taken out, and both were scalped ! A few men were left to bury the dead, while the main body of the company went in pursuit of the Indians. They tracked them to the residence of Mr. Jordan, on the bank of the Mississippi, and found that they had just stolen a canoe, and crossed the river. No signs appeared of more than five Indians, though a large body was probably on the other side. But the company had no means of crossing, and returned to Galena on the following day. This was a very unexpected attack, and from a quarter as little expected. It appears now that attacks are made all around this town, and murders committed nearly in sight of our stockade. June 30. — All the inhabitants north of us, and on the Mississippi, this side of Cassville, have come in to-day, and intend to remain until the war is ended. It is now viewed to be very unsafe to go one mile from this place without a formidable guard. A gentleman who has just arrived, states that he left an army of two brigades on the waters of Apple river, on the night of the 29th. One is to report to General Dodge, who will immediately take command oi them. General Atkinson, we learn, has at length commenced his line of march with about one thousand three hun- dred mounted men, and five hundred regulars. He is moving on the east side of Rock river. July 2. — A detachment of sixty mounted volunteers, composed of Captains Craig and Duncan's companies, left town, by order of Colonel Strode, under command of Major Stevenson, to join the main army, which is now marching to the Indian encampments with a view of a general extermination. Lieutenants Holmes and Grossman, and Mr. Enoch C. March, Q,. M. G. arrived here this afternoon from General Atkinson's head quarters, at the mouth of Syca* OF THE UNITED STATES. 513 more creek, state that between Buflalo Grove and Kel- logg's Grove, and in the latter, they saw three very large fresh Indian trails yesterday and the day before, and several smaller ones. — They do not believe that the trail could have been more than a day or two old, when they saw it. They all lead S. S. W. to N. N. E. in a direc- tion where, we understand, the main body of the Indians are stationed. Such of the mounted volunteers as remain, of Cap- tains Craig and Duncan's companies, have been placed under command of the former, and will contiue to recon- noitre the country around Galena. They have returned this evening, but report no signs of hostility as having met their observation. July 3. — Half the horsemen left under command of Captain Craig, for reconnoitering expeditions, have been ordered to range and scour the countrj'- from Rice's farm, on the mouth of Small Pox creek, to Bowles' fur- nace, and thence to Galena; and the other half to march, lo the mouth of the Cincinaway. thence ranging between It and the Menominee eastwardly, to Vinegar Hill, and thence to Galena. In crossing the country from Dixon's to Galena, several large and recent trails of Indians were disco- vered, proceeding apparently from the Mississippi, near Plum river, and going in the direction of the Four lakes. From accounts given, as we understand, by some enga- gees who lately descended the Missouri, we are almost confirmed in the opinion, that these trails were made by parties of Indians coming from the different tribes on the Missouri. We have no rangers about Plum river to confirm this opinion, but a passenger in the Warrior states, that the banks are much cut up near that place. General Atkin- son has, after ordering the brigades under generals Posey and Alexander, to cross Rock river, and operate on this side in conjunction with General Dodge, marched Avith the regular troops and General Henry's brigade, for the Indian camp; at which place it is expected he certainly will have arrived by yesterday evening; if so, and the Indians remain, the strongest probability exists 514 UNIVERSAL HISTORY of an immediate fight. The troops operatingf on tl./s side of Rock river, are to be subsisted from Galeiia. Two companies of vohinteers, said to be very well ■ equipped, have been ordered on the route to Galena, to I report to Colonel March or Colonel Holmes, and receive ' heir instructions until they get orders from a higher source. Should the Indians stand a fight, no matter if they are vanquished or victorious, (the latter we do not believe they will be,) Galena will, in our opinion, be in more danger than at any former period, as, if they do not proceed directly for Canada, or the Chippewa coun- try, they will undoubtedly separate for the purpose of marauding and distressing the country. Great difficulty exists at head quarters in obtaining correct intelligence from important points in the country, as many expresses have been compelled to return without executing their orders. The campaign has now commenced, and under very fair prospects for success, considering that the front line of operations extends from the Mississippi to Chi- cago, and the difficulties attending the forwarding of provisions, to subsist the army for any long time. Extract of a letter from Brigadier General Atkinson to Colonel J. M. Strode, dated Head Quarters of the Army of the Frontier, Camp, below Sycamore Creek, June 29, 1832. " Heretofore I have not had the means of preventing the enemy from committing acts of hostility in the dis- trict of country between Rock river and Galena. The force now in the field under my command, and the ope- rations now about to be carried into effect, will, I hope, put an end to the war, and restore tranquillity to the country." Official intelligence of the battle with Black Hawk. Despatches were received from thearmy under General Atkinson, dated Blue 3fQunds, July 25, 1832, stating that General Henry, Avith his brigade, accompanied by Gene- ral Dodge, with a battalion of Michigan volunteers, had been detached by General Atkinson, in pursuit of the Sacs and Foxes, under Black Hawk. They succeeded, by forced marches, in coming up with him, on the bank of th« OF THE UNITED STATES. 515 Wisconsin, opposite to the Blue Mounds, on the evening of the 21st of July. An attack was immediately made on the Indians, which resulted in their defeat, with a loss of about forty men killed, on the part of the enemy; and, it is presumed, a much larger number wounded; as the Indians were seen, during the action, bearing a great number of them oft" the field. The loss, on our part, was trifling; amounting to one man killed, and eight wounded. Night coming on, our troops being exceed- ingly fatigued, having marched forty miles that day, no pursuit could be attempted : thus the enemy was saved from entire destruction. Black Hawk passed over to an island in the Wisconsin, to which place he had sent his women. Generals Henry and Dodge remained on the ground the succeeding day and night, and part of the next day, being unable to renew the attack in conse- quence of the entire absence of boats and canoes, or the means of constructing rafts to cross to the island. Gene- rals Henry and Dodge marched to the Blue Mounds on the evening of the 23d for a supply of provisions, where they were joined by Gen. Atkinson, with the regular troops and part of General Alexander's brigade. After a forced march of three days from Cos-co-nong, General Atkinson writes, that he would move with his whole force on the morning of the 25th of July, the date of his despatch, to a point on the Wisconsin, sixteen miles below the Blue Mounds, where he would endeavour to cross the river by rafts or some other means, and if possible overtake the Indians and subdue them, notwithstanding the troops Avere worn down with fatigue and privations. The general states that the enemy must be much crip- pled, and in a suffering condition for the want of subsist- ence. The troops under Generals Henry and Dodge are represented to have behaved with great gallantry, having resisted with firmness a charge from the enemy on horseback, and in turn charged him with great promptness, routing him on every point, to which is attributable the very small loss on our side. While our men deserve great credit for their gallantry and steadi- ness, the Indians are entitled to no less consideration for the skill and perseverance displayed by them in their 516 UNIVERSAL HISTORY retreat. Appearances indicate the war will soon termi- nate, and peace be restored to the frontiers. It appears that after the first battle of General Dodge with the main body of the Indians on the Wisconsin, the Black Hawk determined to retreat across the Missis- sippi. This was ascertained from a squaw, the sister of Ke-o-kuck, and wife of the Big Lake, whom she sup- posed to have been killed when she was taken prisoner. She says that the Black Hawk had directed all of his band who had not good horses, to descend the Wisconsin in canoes to the Mississippi, and to continue down the Mississippi to the Wa-pese-per-ne-kaw, and to ascend this river, which runs from the west, to its head waters. In the meantime it was his intention to press for the Missis- sippi, a considerable distance above Prairie du Chien, and crossing it about Racoon Creek, to go by Red Cedar, and meet those that had descended at a place of rendez- vous some distance on the west of the Mississippi. She stated that Black Hawk had lost 200 warriors in the different skirmishes, before the battle with Gen, Dodge — that many of those who embarked in canoes had been lost in consequence of bad canoes and sinking — that a considerable number had passed down the Missis- sippi unobserved, through the fogs — and that others of those that embarked on the Wisconsin, and remained behind, applied to the Winnebagoes to com.e with them and surrender to the whites. The fate of that portion of the tribes of the Sacs and Foxes, which directed their flight to the Mississippi, under the orders of the Black Hawk, consisting princi- pally of warriors, will be seen in the following account. This party first encountered the steam boat Warrior about forty miles above Prairie du Chien. The Indians showed two white flags, declared they were Winnebagoes, and endeavoured, by signs and other- wise, to bring about a landing of the boat. About one hundred and fifty showed themselves without arms on the bank, Avhile many others in their rear were observed running back and forth, and preparing their arms for use. In the boat were fifteen soldiers and six volunteers, Messrs. Hempstead, Hough, and Soulard, passengers, OF THE UNITED STATES. 517 besides the crew of the boat — two discharged soldiers from St. Peters had also been taken up on the passage down by the boat. The interpreter, besides being appa- rently much frightened, did not, as since understood, truly state the replies of the Indians. The battle commenced with a discharge from the six pounder, which was instantaneously returned by the Indians from above and below, along the shore, when the boat was anchored. It commenced a few minuses before 4 o'clock, P. M. and ended a little after 6. After the two first fires from the cannon and musketry, the whites were compelled to watch for the smoke of the enemy's guns to give their fire, as the Indians had com- pletely concealed themselves behind the trees and logs, which were found on the place. The United States' officers were Lieutenants Holmes and Kingsbury; the former left this place in the boat with provisions for the army, and the latter was placed on board in charge of the men by Captain Loomis, at Fort Crawford. We understand that the coolness and gal- lantry of all on board, (the interpreter e.xcepted,) reflected credit upon them. It was with difficulty that Captain Throckmorton could call his crew to the management of the boat when needed, so anxious, from highest to lowest, were they to have a hand in the business. The Indians fired very badly — their fire lasted long enough to average thirteen cartridges, and hut one white man was wounded, and only about fifty balls hit the boat. It was ascertained by a prisoner after the battle, that twenty-three or twenty- five were killed, wounded not known. This little fight delayed the Indians in their crossing very considerably, and, but for the want of wood, must have entirely pre- vented it until the coming up of the main army. The boat, on its return next morning, Avas fired into again, and the fire returned until the army was discovered on the land where the Indians had been on the previous night. The Avhole army under General Atkinson, embracing the brigades commanded by Generals Henry, Posey, and Alexander, and a squadron under the command of Gene- ral Dodge, all crossed to the north side of the Wisconsin 44 518 UNIVERSAL HISTORY at Helena on the 28th and 29th ultimo. They took up a line of march in a northerly direction, in order to inter- sect the Indian trail. At the distance of about five miles the great trail was discovered, leading in a direction N. of W. towards the Mississippi, and supposed to be about four days old. General Atkinson seeing the direction of the enemy, knew well that it would require all diligence and expe- dition to overtake thetn before they would cross the Mis- sissippi, and hence commenced from that time a forced march ; leaving all the baggage wagons, and every thing else which was calculated to retard the pursuit. The country through which the enemy's trail led our army, between the Wisconsin blufls and the Kickapoo river, was one continued series of mountains. No sooner had they reached the summit of one high and almost perpendicular hill than they had to descend on the other side equally steep, to the base of another. Nothing but a deep ravine, with muddy banks, separated these moun- tains. The woods, both upon the top of the highest mountains, and at the bottom of the deepest hollows, was of the heaviest growth. The under bushes were chiefly thorn and prickly ash. This is a short description of the route, and shows the difficulties of the pursuit. Notwithstanding all this, our army gained on the enemy daily, as appeared from the enemy's encampments. The tedious march thus continued was endured by our brave troops without a murmur ; and as the Indian signs ap- peared more recent, the officers and men appeared more anxious to proceed. On the fourth night of our march from Helena, and at an encampment of the enemy, was discovered an old Sac Indian by our spies, who informed them that the main body of the enemy had, on that day, gone to the Mississippi, and intended to cross on the next morning, being the 2d of August. The horses being nearly broken down, and the men much exhausted from fatigue. General Atkinson ordered a halt for a few hours, (it being after 8 o'clock,) with a determination to start at 2 o'clock for the Mississippi, about ten miles distant. At the precise hour, the bugles sounded, and in a short time all were ready to march. OF THE UNITED STATES. 519 General Dodge's squadron was honoured by beinp' placed in front, the infahtry followed next, General Hen- ry's brigade next, General Alexander's next, and Gene- ral Posey's formed the rear guard. General Dodge called for, and as soon received, twenty volunteer spies to go ahead of the whole army. In this order the march commenced. They had not, however, gone more than five miles before one of our spies came back, announcing their having come in sight of the enemy's picket guard. He went back, and the intelligence was quickly conveyed to General Atkinson, then to all the commanders of the brigades, and the celerity of the march was instantly increased. In a few minutes more the firing commenced about five hundred yards ahead of the front of the army, between our spies and the Indian picket guard. The Indians were driven by our spies from hill to hill, and kept up a tolerably brisk firing from every situation commanding the ground over which our spies had to march ; but being charged and routed from their hiding places, they sought safety by retreating to the main body on the bank of the river, and joined in one general eflbrt to defend themselves here or die on the ground. Lest some might escape by retreating up or down the river. General Atkinson very judiciously ordered Gene- ral Alexander and General Posey to form the right wing^ of the army, and march down to the river above the Indian encampment on the bank, and then move down. General Henry formed the left Aving, and marched in the main trail of the enemy. The United States' infan- try and General Dodge's squadron of the mining troops marched in the centre. With this order our whole force descended the almost perpendicular bluff, and came into a low valley, heavily imbered, with a large growth of under crush, weeds, and rass. Sloughs, deep ravines, and old logs, were so plentiful, as to afford every facility for the enemy to make a strong defence. General Henry first commenced a heavy fire, which was returned by the enemy. The enemy being routed firom their first hiding places, sought others. General 520 UNIVERSAL HISTORY Dodge's squadron and the United States' troops soon came into action, and with General Henry's men, rushed into the strong defiles of the enemy, and killed all in their vvay, except a few who succeeded in swimming a slough of the Mississippi, one hundred and fifty yards wide. Daring this time, the brigades of Generals Alex- ander and Posey were marching down the river, when they fell in Avith another part of the enemy's army, and killed and routed all that opposed them. The battle lasted upwards of three hours. About fifty of the enemy's women and children were taken prison- ers, and many Avere killed in the battle. When the Indians were driven to the bank of the Mis- sissippi, some hundreds of men, Avomen, and children, plunged into the riv^er, and hoped, by diving, to escape the bullets of our guns ; very few, however, escaped our sharpshooters. The loss on the side of the enemy never can be ex- actly ascertained, but, according to the best computation, they must havelost in killed, upwardsof one hundred and fifty. Our loss in killed and wounded was twenty-seven. Some had crossed the river before our arrival, and we learn by a prisoner, that Black Hawk, v/hile the battle waxed Avarm, had stolen off, and gone up the river on this side. If he did, he took nothing Avilh him ; for his valuables, many of them, together Avith certificates of good character, and of his having fought bravely against the United States during the last war, signed by British officers, Avere found on the battle ground. Further particulars of the battle of the 2d of August: "Head GIuarters 1st. Army Corps, ) North-Western Army. ) " Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, Augwst 9. " Sir : — I informed you on the 5th inst.by a short offi- cial note, of the action on the morning of the 2d inst between the troops under my command and the Sac enemy, on the left bank of the Mississippi, opposite loway river. Having received the reports of the officers commanding brigades and corps, I have the honour of reporting more in detail the events of the day. Adventure of Gen. Putnam. Pa^e 505 General Atkinson's victory aver Black Hawk onjhe banks oj the Mississippi, Aug: 2d, 1832. Pa^e 5Z0. OF THE UNITED STATES. 521 "After having pursued the enemy five days by forced marches, from his passage of the Wisconsin, we found ourselves at dusk, on the evening of the 1st inst. after a march of 25 miles, virithin a few miles of his position. " The troops were ordered to encamp and repose till two o'clock in the morning, and then take up the line of march. The signal to assemble was given at this hour, and at dawn I marched with the regular troops, under Colonel Taylor and General Dodge's battalion, leaving the brigades of generals Posey, Alexander, and Henry, to follow, as they Avere not yet ready to march, their horses having been turned out before the order to march was received by them. After marching about three miles, the advance of Dodge's battalion came up with a small party of the enemy, and killed eight of them, and dispersed the residue. In the mean time, the troops then with me were formed in order of battle — the regulars ia extended order with three companies held in reserve. General Dodge's battalion was formed on the left: the whole advanced to the front, expecting to meet the enemy in a wood before us. General Posey's command soon came up, and was formed on the right of the regulars. Shortly after, Alexander arrived, and was formed on the right of General Posey, a position at the time considered of great importance, as it would intercept the enemy in an attempt to pass up the river. Not finding the enemy posted as I anticipated, I detached Captain Dixon with a few of General Dodge's spies, to the left, to gain infor- mation, and at the same time sent an officer of my staff to hasten the march of General Henry. Soon after, another was despatched with orders to march on the enemy's trail with one of the regiments of his brigade, and to hold the remainder in reserve. Finding the enemy to be in force in that direction, his whole brigade was ordered on that point. The order was promptly executed by the brigade, having in its advance the small body of spies under Captain Dixon, who commenced the action, seconded simultaneously by General Henry. The enemy was driven across several sluices down the river bottom, which was covered with fallen timber, underwood and Wgh grass. 44» 622 UNIVERSAL HISTORY " The regular troops, and General Dodge at the head of his battalion, soon came up and joined in the action, followed by a party of General Posey's troops, when the enemy was driven still further through the bottom to several small willow islands successively, where much execution was done. " The main body of the enemy being in the bottom and adjoining small islands, General Alexander was ordered to move with his brigade to the point of action : but from the distance of his position he came up too late to participate in the combat, except two companies of his brigade that had previously joined the brigade under Brigadier General Henry. " Both the regular and volunteer troops conducted themselves with the greatest zeal, courage, and patriotism, and are entitled to the highest approbation of their coun- try. To Brigadier General Henry, of the Sd brigade of Illinois volunteers. General Dodge of the Michi* gan volunteers, and Colonel Taylor of the United States Infantry, the greatest praise is due for the gallant man- ner in which they brought their respective corps in, and conducted them through the action. They report a like meed of praise to the officers under their respective com- mands. To generals Posey and Alexander every credit IS due for their conduct and exertions in endeavouring to throw their commands into action, from which, by the arrangement of the order of battle they were unfortu- nately precluded, excepting a detachment of each. I cannot omit, without injustice to my stafl^ consisting ol lieutenants Johnson, Anderson, Wheelwright, Drane, Brooks, and Clarke of the army, and Colonel March of the volunteers, to mention the zeal, promptitude, and efficiency, they displayed in the discharge of their duty during the action, and the course of the day. " The enemy sustained a loss of about one hundred and fifty men killed — the precise number could not be ascer- tained, as a large proportion were slain in endeavoring to swim to the islands. Forty women and children were taken prisoners, and seventy horses captured. " The loss on our part, was, — of the United States In- fiintry, five privates killed, and four wounded — General OF THE UNITED STATES. 623 Posey's volunteers, one private wounded — General Alex- ander's, one private wounded — General Henrv's, one lieutenant and five privates wounded — General Dodge's, one captain, one sergeant, and four privates wounded. "The steamer Warrior, b}'- the direction of Captain Loomis, had ascended the river, with a small detach- ment of the 4th United States Infantry, under the com- mand of Lieutenant King.sbury, accompanied by Lieu- tenants Holmes and Torrerce, on the day previous to the battle, to warn the Sioux of the approach of the Sacs : — in returning, near the battle ground, a party of Sacs was discovered, and attacked, when a smart skir- mish ensued;. — the Indian loss is since reported to be twenty-three killed — one now on board the steamboat slightly wounded. Lieutenants Holmes, Kingsbury, and Torrence, as well as Captain Throckmorton, the commander of the boat, Avere conspicuous in the affair. A great advantage was derived from the presence of the steamboat on this occasion, as it retarded the enemy in crossing the river. " I enclose herewith a list of the officers of the volun- teers under Generals Henry and Dodge. A list of the officers of the other volunteer corps will be transmitted as soon as received, which I request may be placed on file in the War Office. "I have the honour to be, &c. " H. ATKINSON, Brig. Gen. U. S. Army. "To Maj. Gen. W. Scott, Commanding N. W. Army." Prairie du Chiex, August 27th, 1832. At 1 1 o'clock to-day. Black Hawk and the Prophet were delivered to General Joseph M. Street, by the one- eyed Deconi and Chaetar, Winnebagoes, belonging to his agency. Many of the officers from the fort were present. It was a monient of much interest. The pris- oners appeared in a full dress of white-tanned deer-skins. Soon after they were seated, the One-eyed Deconi rose up, and said — " My Father — I now stand before you: when we part- ed, I told you I would return soon ; but I could not come any sooner. We have had to go a great distance, (to the 624 UNIVERSAL HlSTOIlY Dalle on the Wisconsin — above the Portage.) You sed we have done what you sent us to do : these are the two that you told us to get — (pointing to Black Hawk and the Prophet.) "j " My Father — We have done what you told us to do. | We always do what you tell us, because we know it is !• for our good. >i " My Father — You told us to get these men, and it { would be the cause of much good to the Winnebagoes. ;/ We have brought them ; but it has been very hard for | us to do so. That one, Mucatamish-ka-kaek-q, (Black 1 Hawk) was a great way off You told us to bring them to you alive : we have done so. If you had told us to bring their heads alone, we would have done so — and it would have been less difficult than what we have done. "My Father — We deliver these men into your hands. We would not deliver them even to our brother, the chief of the Avarriors, but to you ; because we know you, and believe you are our friend. We want you to keep them safe. If they are to be hurt, we do not wish to see it. Wait until we are gone, before it is done. "My Father — Many little birds have been flying about our ears of late, and we thought they whispered to us that there was evil intended for us ; but now we hope these evil birds will let our ears alone. "My Father — We know you are our friend, because you take our part ; and that is the reason we do what you tell us to do. " My Father — You say you love your red children : we think we love you as much, if not more than you love us. We have confidence in you, and you may rely on us. " My Father — We have been promised a great deal if we would take these men — that it would do much good to our people. We now hope to see what will be done for us. " My Father — We have come in haste ; we are tired anc hungry. We now put these men into your hands ; we Ijave done all that you told us to do," General Street said — " My Children — You have done well. I told you to OF THE UNITED STATES. 526 bringf these men to me, and you have done so. I am pleased at what you have done. It is for your good, and for this rta-^on I am pleased. I assured the Great Chief of the 'Varriors, that if these men were in your country, you would find them, an'1 bring them to me — that I believed you would do whc'.'ever I directed you ; and now that yoa have brought thi'm, I can say much for your good. 1 will go down to Pock Island with the prisoners, and I w >h you who have brought these men, especially, to go w.ii-me, with such other chiefs and warriors as you may select. " My Children — The great Chief of the Warriors when he left this place, directed me to deliver these, and all other prisoners, to the chief of the warriors at this place, Colonel Taylor, who is here by me. " My Children — Some of the Winnebagoes, south of the Wisconsin river, have befriended the Saukies, and some of the Indians of my agency have also given them aid. This displeaseth the Great Chief of the Warriors and your Great Father the President, and was calculated to do much harm. " My Children — Your Great Father the President, at Washington, has sent a great war chief from the fal east. General Scott, wnth a fresh army of soldiers. Ha is now at Rock Island. Your Great Father the Presi* dent, has sent him and the governor an.d chief of Illinois to hold a council with the Indians. He has sent a speech to you, and wishes the chief and warriors of the Winnebagoes to go to Rock Island to the council on the 10th of next month. I wish you to be ready in three days, when I will go with you. " My Children — I am well pleased that you have taken the Black Hawk, the Prophet and other prisoners. This will enable me to say much for you to the Great Chief of the Warriors, and to the President your Great Father. My Children. I shall now deliver the two men Black Hawk and the Prophet to the chief of the warriors here ; he will take care of them till we start to Rock Islnnd." Colonel Taylor said : — The great chief of the war- riors told me to take the prisoners when you should bring them, and send them to Rock Island to him. I 626 UNIVERSAL HISTORY will take them and keep them safe, but I will use them well, and send lliem with you and General Street, Avhen you go down to the council, which will be in a few days. Your friend. General Street, advises you to get ready and go down soon, and so do I. I tell you again I will take the prisoners ; I vvill keep them safe, and I will do them no harm. I will deliver them to the great chief of the warriors, and he will do with them and use them in such manner as shall be ordered by your Great Father the President. Chaeton, a Winnebago warrior then said to General Street : — " My Father I am young and do not know how to make speeches. This is the second time I ever spoke to you before people. " My Father — I am no chief; I am no orator ; but I have been allowed to speak to you. "My Father — If I should not speak as well as others still you must listen to me. " My Father — When you made the speech to the chiefs Waugh-Kon-Deconi Carramana, the One Eyed Deconi and others the other day, I was there. I heard you. I thought what you said to them, you also said to me. You said, if these two (pointing to Black Hawk and the Prophet) were taken by us and brought to you, there would never more a black cloud hang over your Winne- bagoes. " My Father — Your words entered into my ear, into my brains, and into my heart. " My Father — I left here that same night, and you know you have not seen me since until now. " My Father — I have been a great way. I have had much trouble; but when I remembered what you said, I knew what you said was right. This made me con- tinue and do what you told me to do. "My Father — Near the Dalle, on the Wisconsin, I took Black Hawk. No one did it but me, — I say this in the ears of all present, and they know it — and I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our Grand Father, and the Earth our Grand Mother, for the truth of what I say» " My Father — I am no chief, but what I have don© i» OF THE UNITED STATES. 527 for the benefit of my nation, and I hope to see the good that has been promised to us. " My Father — That one, Wa-bo-kie-shiek (the Pro- phet) is my relation — if he is to be hurt, I do not wish to see it. "My Father — Soldiers sometimes stick the end of their guns (bayonets) into the backs of Indian prisoners »vhen they are going about in the hands of the guard. I hope this will not be done to these men." Threatened Dissolution of the Union. In closing this History, we must notice with unfeign- ed regret the stand recently taken by the government and people of South Carolina, in opposition to the laws of the general government. The excitement has been great, but the promptitude with which the emergency was met by the President has had its due effect. We insert below, both the Message and the Ordinance. If men may learn lessons of wisdom from the follies of their predecessors, the insertion of these state papers will not be considered either unnecessary or useless. The legislature reassembled at Columbia, November 26th, pursuant to adjournment. On the following day Governor Hamilton made a communication, from which we copy his recommendations for carrying into effect the acts of the convention for nullifying the tariff laws. The governor says : " Fellow citizens: The die has been at last cast, and South Carolina has at length appealed to her ulterior sovereignty as a member of this confederacy, and placed herself upon her reserved rights. The rightful exercise of this power is not a question which we will any longer argue — it is sufficient that she has willed it ; and that the act is done ; nor is its strict compatibility with our con- stitutional obligations to all laws passed by the general government within the authorized grants of power, to be drawn in question, when this interposition is exerted m a case in which the compact has been palpably, delibe* rately, and dangerously violated. That it brings up a 528 UNIVERSAL HISTORY conjunction of deep and momentous interests, is neither to be concealed nor denied. " The measure of legislation which you have to employ at this crisis, is the precise amount of" such enactmenis as may be necessary to render it utterly impossible to collect within our limits the duties imposed by protective tariffs thus nullified. That you will resort to such civil and penal provisions as will accomplish this purpose, without unnecessary rigor on the one hand, or a weak and mistaken leniency on the other, I feel so well assured that I shall refrain from entering into a detail of sug- geitions on a subject on which you are so much better advised than myself; that you should arm every citizen '''ith a civil process, by which he may claim, if he ooses, a restitution of his goods, seized under the ex- sting impost, on giving security to abide the issue of a 'uit at law; and at the same lime define what shall ''on- «titute treason against the state; and by a bill of pains .id penalties, compel obedience, and punish disobedience o your own laws, are points too obvious to require dis- ussion. In one word, you must survey the whole ground. You must look to and provide for all possible contingencies.' In your own limits, your own courts of judicature must not only be supreme, but you must look to the ultimate result of any conflict of jurisdiction and power, between them and the courts of the United States, " There is one contingency in particular, for which you ought to provide, and that is, in case the collectors of the customs in any of the ports of the state u>,der the instruc- tions of the general government, should refuse to grant clearancy to vessels outward bound, that no injury should accrue to our trade, or to those who may be carrying on friendly commercial intercourse with us, the governor should, under such circumstances, be authorized to grant instantly certificates of clearance, under the seal of the state. " From these legislative provisions, let me now pass to the consideration of the consequences, I trust, of a remote and improbable occurrence. " We claim that our remedy is essentially of a pacific OF THE UNITED STATES. 529 character. When we set up this claim, all we mean tc say is, that of right it ought to be, and as far as we are concerned, it shall be so. To the peaceful redress af- forded by our courts, in the restitution which they shall decree, and to the ultimate arbitrement of our sister states in a general convention, assembled on the disputed powers, we look with confidence to an adjustment of this painful controversy. But the final issue may be averse to this hope. " Threats of coercion, we know were once in relation to the probable measures of this state officially promul- gated, and public rumor, to which it is not safe for those in charge of the public authorities to be absolutely deaf, has not diminished the conviction that these dispositions may probably be yet entertained. Nor ought we, in a struggle like this, to rely entirely on the confidence that power will not be used because right may be violated. " We must therefore be prepared for such an alterna- tive. " I Avould, therefore, recommend that our militia sys- tem, and its laws, undergo a thorough revision. That the Executive be authorized to accept for the defence of Charleston and its dependencies, the services of two thousand volunteers, either by companies or files, as they miy volunteer, and that they be formed into four bat- talions of infantry, with one flank company of riflemen attached to each battalion ; one squadron of cavalry, and two battalions, one of field, and the other of heavy artil- lery ; that these corps be organized, in a legionary bri- gade, and that the Executive, from the precincts in which these volunteers are organized, select the officers of the appropriate rank for the several commands. I suggest the e.^cpediency of this brigade being armed and equipped from the public arsenals completely for the field, and that appropriations may be made for supplying all de- ficiences in our munitions of war. " In addition to these volunteer drafts, I deem it safe to recommend that the Executive be authorized also to ac- cept the services of ten thousand volunteers from the other divisions of the state, to be organized and arranged in regiments and brigades, the officers to be selected by 45 530 UNIVERSAL HISTORY the commander in chief, and that this whole force be called the State Guard. "Provision should likewise be made for mounting some of our heavy pieces of ordnance, and a fixed and annual appropriation made for the artillery in Charleston, and in other parts of the state, according to their relative ex- penses. — I have ordered the quarter master general, and the arsenal keeper at Charleston, the latter an expe- rienced officer of artillery, to repair to this place, to attend, in consultation, such committees of your respective bodies, in reference to the condition of their several de- partments. " I would moreover, recommend that the President be requested to direct the removal of the United States' troops now in garrison in the state citadel in Charleston, which they now occupy, at the conjoint instance, and request of the state and city authorities, as the accommo- dations of that post are much wanted for our own arm? and munitions. I would also suggest, that after the cita . del is thus returned to the state, and the public store belonging to the state are deposited there, that the maga zine guard be removed from the Neck, to garrison thi post, and that a daily guard be detached from it to th magazine, and that the guard be augmented to sixty men, and that the appointment of its officers, and genera, disposition and organization, be under the orders and authority of the commander-in-chief I should consider myself, gentlemen, as recreant to my trust, if I did not recommend to you these provisions, or the adoption of those of much wiser import that may suggest themselves to you, and which may be necessary to the public safety and public honour, however impro- bable the contingencj^ of their ever being required. It is not enough that a people may be right in the struggle for their privileges and liberties, but they must have the means of securing their safety by ample resources, for repelling force by force. " I cannot, however, but think, that on a calm and dis- passionate review by Congress, and the functionaries of the General Government, of the true merits of this contro- versy, that the arbitration by a call of a convention of all OF THE UNITED STATES 53i i\e St es, which we sincerely and anxiously seek and desire, will be accorded to us. " To resort to force, is at once to prefer a dissolution of the Union to its preservation. South Carolina has de clared that she admits of no arbiters but her co-states assembled with her in their sovereign capacity — to deny to her this reference, is to admit that our league has no conservative principle, short of an appeal to the sword — to suppose when one of our most prominent ob- jections to the protective system is its unconstitutionality, that tliis and the other vexatious and conflicting questions of constitutional power, which now convulse the whole country, are not susceptible of compromise or adjustment in an assembly of equivalent authority to that which formed the constitution, is to affirm that that spirit of amity and justice, without which the Union would be a revolting and compulsory league, is utterly extinct. " But be this as it may, whatever may be the issue of this unhappy controversy, relying on the intelligence and spirit of a free and gallant people, on the imperishable truth and sacred character of our rights, let us advance with an unfaltering heart and a steady step to the per- formance of our duly to our country. On your delibera- tions I fervently invoke the blessings of Almighty God. J. HAMILTON, Jr." •• Columbia, Nov. 27, 1832." ' An Ordinance to nullify certain acts of the Congress of the United States, purporting to be laws laying duties and imposts on the importation of foreign com- modities. " Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by va- rious acts, purporting to be acts laying duties and imposts on foreigr imports, but in reality intended for the pro- tection of domestic manufactures and the giving of boun- ties to classes and individuals engaged in particular ^employments, at the expense and to the injury and op- pression, of other classes and individuals, and by wholly exempting from taxation certain foreign commodities, such as are not produced or manufactured in the United States, to afford a pretext for imposing higher and exces> 532 UNIVERSAL HISTORY sive duties on articles similar to those intended to b«s protected, hath exceeded its just powers under the con- stitution, which confers on it no authority to afibrd such protection, and hath violated the true meaning and intent of the constitution, which provides for equity in imposing the burdens of taxation upon the several states and portions of the confederacy. And, whereas the said Congress, exceeding its just power to impose taxes and collect revenue, for the purpose of effecting and accom- plishing the specific objects and purposes which the con- stitution of the United States authorizes it to effect and accomplish, hath raised and collected unnecessary reve- nue, for objects unauthorized by the constitution: " We, therefore, the People of the State of South Caro- lina in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the several acts and parts of acts of the Congress of the United States, purporting to be laws for the imposing of duties and im- posts on the importation of foreign commodities, and now- having actual operation and effect within the United States, and more especially an act entitled " an act in alteration of the several acts imposing duties on im- ports," approved on the nineteenth day of May, one thousand eight-hundred and twenty-eight ; and also an act entitled " an act to alter and amend the several acts imposing duties on imports," approved on the fourteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, are unauthorized by the Constitution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent thereof, and are null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers, or citizens ; and all promises, contracts, and ob- ligations, made or entered into, or to be made, or enter- ed into, with purpose to secure the duties imposed by the said acts, and all judicial proceedings which shall be hereafter had in affirmance thereof, are, and shall be held utterly null and void : " And it is further ordained, that it shall be lawful for any of the constituted authorities, whether of this State or the United States, to enforce the payment of duties imposed by the said acts within the limits of this State ; but that it shall be the duty of tho Legislature to adopt OF THE UNITED STATES. 533 «uch measures, and pass such acts, as may be necessary to give full effect to this ordinance, and to prevent the en- forcement, and arrest the operation, of the said acts and parts of acts of the Congress of the United States, within the limits of this State, from and after the first day of February next, and the duty of all other consti- tuted authorities, and of all persons residing or being within the limits of this State, and they are hereby re- quired and enjoined to obey and give effect to this Ordi- nance and such acts and measures of the Legislature, as may be passed or adopted in obedience thereto : " And it is further oi'dained, that in no case of law or equity, decided in the Courts of this State, wherein shall be drawn in question the authority of this Ordinance, or the validity of such act or acts of the Legislature as may be passed, for the purpose of giving effect thereto, or the validity of the aforesaid acts of Congress, imposing du- ties, shall any appeal be taken or allowed to the Supreme Court of the United States, nor shall any copy of the record be permitted or allowed for that purpose; and if any such appeal shall be attempted to be taken, the tJourts of this State shall proceed to execute and enforce their judgments, according to the laws and usages of the State, without reference to such attempted appeal, and the person or persons attempting to take such ap- peal may be dealt with as for a contempt of the Court. " And it is further ordained. That all persons now holding any office of honour, profit, or trust, civil or mil- •tary, under this State (members of the Legislature shall prescribe, take an oath, well and truly to obey, excute, and enforce this Ordinance, and such act or acts of the Legislature as may be passed in pursuance thereof, ac- cording to the true intent and meaning of the same, and on the neglect or omission of any such person or persons so to do this, their office or offices shall be forthwith va- cated, and shall be filled up as if such person or persons were dead, or had resigned, and no person hereafter elected to any office of honour, profit or trust, civil or military (members of the Legislature excepted,) shall, until the Legislature shall otherwise provide and direct, enter on the execution of his office, or be in any respect 43» 534 UNIVERSAL HISTORY. competent to the duties thereof, until he shall, in like manner, have taken a similar oath ; and no jury shall be impannelled in any of the Courts of this State, in any cause in which shall be in question this Ordinance, or any act of the Legislature passed in pursuance thereof, unless he shall first, in addition to the usual oath, have taken an oath that he will well and truly obey, execute, and enforce, this Ordinance, and such act or acts of the Legislature as may be passed to carry the same into operation and effect, according to the true intent and meaning thereof: " And we, the people of South Carolina, to the end, that it may be fully understood by the Government of the United States, and the people of the co-States, that we are determined to maintain this, our ordinance and dec- laration, at every hazard, do further declare, that we will not submit to the application of force, on the part of tho Federal Government, to reduce this State to obedience ; but that we will consider the passage, by Congress, of any act, authorizing the employment of military or naval force against the State of South Carolina, her con- stituted authorities or citizens ; or any act abolishing or closing the ports of this State or any of them, or other- wise obstructing the free ingress and egress of vessels, to and from the said ports ; or any other act on the part of the Federal Government, to coerce the State, shut up her ports, destroy or harass her commerce, or to enforce the acts hereby declared to be null and void, otherwise than through the civil tribunals of the country, as incon sistent with the longer continuance of South Carolina in the Union ; and that the people of this State will thence- forth hold themselves absolved from all further obliga- tion to maintain or preserve their political connexion with the people of the other States, and will forthwith proceed to organize a separate government ; and do all other acts and things, which sovereign and independ' ent States may of right do." THE UNITED STATES. 535 These measures and movements on the part of South Carolina, were promptly met by a proclamation from the president of the United States, setting forth his views of the nature of the federal compact, the powers and duties of the general government under the constitution in rela- tion to the existing difficulties, and the determination of the executive, to exercise those powers to their full ex- tent, in enforcing the laws thus nullified and in maintain- ing the authority thus denied and contemned. Perhaps no document has emanated from the executive department of the government, which has been more generally ap- proved, both in regard to the style in which it was writ- ten, and the doctrines it asserted and maintained, since the farewell address of the first president. There are no speculative opinions advanced, no new theories proposed; it speaks the facts of history in the language of the con- stitution, and in the spirit which we of a later generation may suppose animated its framers. The limits of our volume forbid the insertion of the document entire, and we must therefore be content with giving a brief summary. The proclamation inculcates that the constitution of the United States is founded in compact — that this com- pact derives its obligation from the agreement entered into by the people of each of the states, in their political capacity, with the people of the other states — that the constitution, which is the offspring of this compact, has its sanction in the ratification of the people of the several states, acting in the capacity of separate communities — that the majority of the people of the United States, in the aggregate, have no power to alter the constitution, but that change or amendment can only be proposed in the mode pointed out in the constitution, and can never become obligatory unless ratified by the people of three- fourths of the states through their respective legislatures or state conventions — that inasmuch as the sovereign power of the people in each state has imparted to the constitution of the United States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof, paramount obligation over state legis- lation, or any constitution or form of state government, which may be instituted by the people of such state, and inasmuch as the people of each state have bound them- 536 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF selves by compact with the rest, to abide by this pata- mount authority, until changed according to the pro- visions of the constitution so declared to be paramount, no constitution, law or ordinance of any one state is valid to defeat the constitution and laws of the United States, or to sever the mutual obligations which bind the states together — that in the case of a violation of the constitu- tion of the United States, and the usurpation of powers not granted by it, on the part of the functionaries of ihe general government, the state governments have a right to interpose to arrest the evil, upon the principles which Avere set forth in the Virginia resohuions of 179S, against the alien and sedition laws — and finally that in extreme cases of oppression (every constitutional mode of redress having been sought in vain) the right resides with the people of the several states, to organize resistance against such oppression, confiding in a good cause, the favor of heaven, and the spirit of freemen, to vindicate the right. Such were the doctrines of the proclamation, and the talented, the wise and the patriotic of every name and party came unitedly forward to sustain them. South Carolina had never made the attempt in the obvious and constitutional mode of obtaining the sense of the other states on the construction of the federal compact, and amending it if necessary ; and now she was compelled to shrink before the mighty force of popular opinion. Most happily, the storm passed away gradually as it had arisen — no resistance was actually made to the enforce- ment of the laws they had nullified, and consequently no coercive measures were necessary on the part of the general government, to maintain its authority — the ob- jectionable laws were somewhat modified, and South Carolina, though she has steadfastly adhered to her theories, has rested since apparently satisfied with the compromise. THE UNITED STATES. 537 CHAPTER XXII. President Jackson's Second Term. On the 4th of March, 1S33, Andrew Jackson was a second time inducted into office as president of the United States, and Martin Van Buren, of New York was at the same time declared elected vice president. The contest which had thus resulted, was perhaps the warmest, and in some sections of the country, the most bitter of any since the organization of the government. In his first message to congress in 1829, president Jackson had called the attention of that body to the fact, that the charter of the bank of the United States would soon ex- pire, and the question of the expediency of re-chartering this, or of chartering any other similar institution, began at once to be agitated in and out of congress. The people speedily joined issue for or against the measure, and but a few months elapsed before it became the prin- cipal dividing line between the two great political parties of the country, the administration and its friends in oppo- sition to the bank or any national bank, while the na- tional republican (since whig) party as warmly contended for the expediency and necessity of some institution of the kind. The subject was presented to congress from time to time by both parties, and was discussed in both branches of that body in a multiplied variety of forms, during almost the entire of two sessions, while the country through the medium of the press, was agitated from one extremity to the other. At length, in the spring of 1832, a bill passed both houses of congress re- chartering the bank of the United States, with some new modifications and restrictions, in addition to an alteration of those contained in the old charter. This bill was vetoed by the president." In his message, returning that act," — (we quote the language of a subse- quent executive document,) — " he repeated and enlarged 538 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF upon the principles and- views briefly asserted in his annual messages, declaring the bank to be, in his opinion, both inexpedient and unconstitutional, and announcing to his countrymen, very unequivocally, his firm determina- tion never to sanction, by his approval, the continuance of that institution, or the establishment of any other upon similar principles." The veto message was given to congress and the peo- ple, a few months only before that people were to be called on for an expression of their opinions with refer- ence to the principles and policy of the administration, by their votes for or against the re-election of president Jackson ; and in that message he most clearly intimated his wish that such reference might be had to the bank question in the election, as that in the result might be had a decision of the people upon that question and upon the propriety or impolicy of his course. In the conclud- ing paragraph of that message he said — " I have now done my duty to my country. If sustained by my fellow citizens, I shall be grateful and happy ; if not, I shall find in the motives which impel me, ample grounds for con- tentment and peace." V/hatever may be the opinion of the reader as to the correctness of the opinions or the purity of the motives of the president, all must admit that in the result, he found himself sustained by a very large portion of the American people — a larger majority of the electoral votes having been given for Jackson and Van Buren, than had been given to the successful candi- dates in any contested election which had preceded it. Early in June, the president, accompanied by Mr. Woodbury, secretary of the navy, Mr. Cass, secretary of war, Mr. M'Lean, of the state department, Mr. Donald- son, his private secretary, and other distinguished gentle- men, commenced his tour through the eastern states. He was received and welcomed in every city, town and village through which he passed, with the most marked attention, and in a manner which could not but have been extremely gratifying to himself, and the pomp and pageantry which marked the passage of general La- fayette through the United States in 1S24, was even excelled in some cities on this occasion. A feeling of THE UNITED STATES. 539 enthusiasm seemed to pervade all classes alike — none looked on with coldness or indifference, but on the con- trary there seemed to be one thought and one purpose in the community, to render honor to the man who had filled the highest military and civil offices under the government. He visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, Boston and other places as far east as Concord, N. H., and at each successive stage of his jour- ney, manifestations of respect seemed accumulating as if each were striving to excel the other, in their attentions and display. He had intended to visit Portland and some other places, but ill health occasioned an abrupt termina- tion of his journey, and he arrived at Washington early in July. CHAPTER XXIII. Congressional Sessioi, 1833-4. — National Co7iditio?i and Resources. — The Public Lands, Congress assembled on the day designated by the con- stitution, and the message of the president to that body, afTords a more clear and distinct history of our national affliirs at home and abroad, than we could give in our own language. Of our foreign relations, he says : — " Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home. Seeking nothing that is not right, and determining to submit to nothing that is wrong, but desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all nations, the United States have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which are due to policy so just and so congenial to the character of the American people, and to the spirit of their institutions." On finance, he says — " The receipts into the treasury during the present year will amount to more than thirty- two millions of dollars. The revenue derived from cus- toms, will, it is believed be more than twenty-eight mil- 540 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF lions, and the public lands will yield about three millions. The expenditures within the year for all objects, includ- ing two millions, five hundred seventy-two thousand two hundred and forty dollars on account of the public debt, Avill not amount to twenty-five millions ; and a large balance will remain in the treasury after satisfying all the appropriations chargeable on the revenue for the pre- sent year." After some particulars and remarks on the prospect of the speedy extinguishment of the public debt, the subject of the United States bank and the removal of the de- posites is next treated of, and the matters already given are concisely repeated, in calling the attention of con- gress to the subject. Of our Indian relations, he says — " Our relations with the various Indian tribes have been undisturbed since the termination of the difficulties growing out of the hostile aggressions of the Sacs and Fox Indians. Several treaties have been formed for the relinquishment of terri- tory to the United States, and for the migration of the occupants to the region assigned for their residence west of the Mississippi." **##," That these tribes cannot exist, surrounded by our settlements, and in continual contact with our citizens, is certain. They have neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral habits, nor the desire of improvement, which are essential to any favorable change of their condition. Es- tablished in the midst of another and a superior race, and without appreciating the causes of their inferiority or seeking to control them, they must necessarily yield to the force of circumstances and ere long disappear." The following extracts from the report of the secre- tary of the navy, embody the principal matters of in- terest contained in that document : — " The whole number of naval officers at this time, in- cluding those under warrants as well as commissions, is about one thousand ; and our whole annual expenses, of every kind, for their maintenance, is about eight hundred fifty thousand dollars, or, on an average, about eight hun- dred and fifty dollars for each officer. These expenses have not been increased during the last ten years, except THE UNITED STATES. 541 what has been caused by the addition before mentioned to the numbers of some classes of officers, and the aug- mentation of pay in 1827, to passed midshipmen, in 1828, to surgeons and their assistants, and in 1830, to lieuten- ants. In the mean time, of late years, more useless offi- cers have been placed on half pay, and some large allow- ances reduced. But no further essential reduction in these particulars can, in my opinion, be effected without injury either to individual officers, or to the naval ser- vice. " The whole number of seamen in the navy, including all the different grades, does not vary much from five thousand ; and the annual expenses of their pay, ra- tions, and enlistment, are not far from one million, one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, or, on an average, about two hundred twenty-six dollars for each seaman. These expenses are small, and indicate great popularity in the service when we advert not only to our facility in obtaining good seamen, but to the high rate of wages the past year in merchant vessels, and to the great cost of this class of persons in the navies of some countries, where labor is generally much lower than in the United States. These expenses have not been increased the last ten years, except by augmentation of about one- third in the whole number of seamen, arising chiefly from an increase of our force in commission. The comple- ment of men to each vessel might advantageously, in some respects, be lessened, and the whole expenses on account of them be thus reduced, were it not considered of vital importance in so small a navy to have all our ships afloat as perfect as possible in every particular condu- cive to their efficacy, and to the reputation of the go- vernment. It is expected that a laudable pride will then be felt and encouraged by all connected with the service, on a comparison of the condition of our own ships with those of other nations, and that the moral force of our navy — as a model for a larger one when wanted — as likely to vindicate its country's rights and honor in war, and protect its commerce in peace, will always be much greater with a small number of vessels afloat, built of the best materials and in the best manner, supplied with 46 642 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF the most approved equipments, commanded by well-edu- cated and well-disciplined officers, and navigated by fall crews of hardy and contented seamen, witli the whole ready on any emergency for immediate and efficient ac- tion — than with double the number of vessels half-man- ned, and in other respects defectively provided. Every improvement in our materials, whether timber, cordage or cannon — in our yards, docks or harbors — in our hospi- tals or asylums — will add strength to their moral force, and better prepare us for any future conflict in which the Aaolence or injustice of other nations may involve us. " On a review of the entire personal branch of our naval establishment, it will be seen that its annual cost, not including the marine corps, is about two millions of dollars ; and, of that sum, about one million, nine hun- dred and sixty-four thousand dollars is an annual charge on the public treasury. " On a review of the whole affiiirs of this department, it appears that its expenditures on all naval subjects, the past year, have been somewhat less than four millions of dollars. It Avill be seen how this result compares with former periods, by adverting to the fact, that during the last twenty years, these expenditures, except during five years of that time, have never fallen so low as three millions of dollars ; and except during six years of that time, have never exceeded four millions of dollars. " The whole estimates made the past year, for the gen- eral wants of what is technicallyconsidered the navy, were only three millions, one hundred seventy-six thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six dollars. Those for the year previous were three millions, two hundred twenty-seven thousand, two hundred and eighty-eight dollars. Those for the present year are thiee millions, two hundred ninety-two thousand, two hundred and twenty-four dol- lars. But it is to be remembered that, under the head of naval expenditures, besides what is paid from tlie amoimt voted on the annual naval estimates, it is custom- ary to class what is paid from half a million appropri- ated for a term of years to gradual improvements, al- most two hundred thousand dollars for the marine corps ; the payntient frona the navy pension, hospital, and THE UNITED STATES. 243 privateer pension funds, and several miscellaneous sums voted by congress on motions, resolutions and petitions; and part of which sums, though charged under this head, have little or no concern with our naval establish- ment. On the contrary, some of the expenses connect- ed with the administration of the department, at this place, are included in the general appropriation bills for the support of government, and are not usually classed under the head of naval expenditures." The report of the secretary of war, gives some in- teresting facts in rehition to Indian affairs and the pen- sion fund, which are subjoined : — " In regard to our Indian relations, it is stated that our treaty with the Chickasaws has terminated all difficulties with that tribe, and an exploring party are about com- mencing tlicir journey to select a residence west of the JMississippi. The obligations assumed by the United States, in the treaty with the Choctaws, for the removal of those Indians, have been fulfilled ; about fifteen thou- sand of the tribe have been removed, while a party of from fifteen hundred to three thousand have changed their usual residence in Alabama, and have declined accompany- ing the other Indians in their emigration. The result of the last instructions to ascertain the wishes of the Creeks in Alabama, in regard to a removal, has not been received. The Sacs and Foxes have removed to the region assign- ed to them, and the Winnebagoes have retired across the Mississippi, to their lands north of the Ouisconsin. Treaties have been formed with the Pottawatamies, Chippewas and Ottnwas, claiming the district on the west side of lake Michigan, south of Green bay, and north of Chicago, for its cession to the United States, and with the Pottawatamies of the peninsula of Michi- gan, for the relinquishment of their reservation south of Grand river. With the exception of the Miamies, in the state of Indiana, of a band of Wyandotts at Upper Sandusky, in Ohio, and of scattered portions of the Ot- tawas and Chippewas in the peninsula of Michigan, north of Grand river, and of Saganaw bay, probably not exceeding altogether five thousand individuals, the coun- 644 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF try north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, includ- ing the states of Oliio, Indiana and Illinois, and the ter- ritory of Michigan, as far as the Fox and Ouisconsin rivers, has been cleared of the embarrassments of Indian relations. The Cherokees occupying portions of land in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee, and probably not exceeding eleven thousand, are the only Indians, south of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, with whom an arrangement has not been made, either for emigration, or for a change of political relation. The commissioners west of the Mississippi, having formed treaties with the Creeks, the Cherokees, the Senecas and Shawanees, the Quapas and the Seminoles of Florida, will now turn their attention to forming a practical plan for regulating the intercourse of the vari- ous tribes with one another, and with the United States, and for the establishment of some general principles, by Avhich their own internal government can be safely ad- ministered by themselves, and a general superintending authority exercised by the United States, so far as it may be considered neces?»ary. There have been presented for allowance under the pension act of June 6th, 1S32, thirty thousand six hundred and sixty claims. The whole of these have been examin- ed, and either admitted, rejected, or returned to theparties for supplementary action. Twenty-three thousand four hundred and thirty-eight certificates have been issued ; one thousand one hundred and eleven claims have been rejected ; three thousand returned cases are in the otfice, awaiting or undergoing re-examination; thirteen hun- dredand fifty-one of which are incomplete in their proofs, are suspended until these are furnished, and lour thou- sand four hundred and twenty-five are in the hands of the parties for additional evidence, or authentication, or in transitu between them and the office.' A summary, showing the condition of the national finances, has already been quoted from the president's message. The following statistics from the report of the secretary of the treasury, will, however, be inter- esting. THE UNITED STATES. 545 The receipts into the treasury, from all sources, during the year 1831, were $28,526,820 82 The expenditures of llie same year, including payments on account of the public debt, were 30,038,446 12 The balance in the treasury on 1st January, 1832, was . 4,502,914 45 The receipts, from all sources, during the year 1332, were 31,865,561 16 Vii5.— Customs 23,465,237 21 Lands 2,623,381 10 Dividends on bank slock 490,000 00 Sales of stocks in the hank of the United States .... 169,00000 Incidental reccij-ls 117,942 89 Making with the balance an aggregate of 36,368,475 61 The expenditurus of tlie same year were 34,356,698 06 Viz. — Civil list, foreiarn intercourse, and miscellaneous, 4,577,141 43 Military services, including fortilications, ordnance, In- dian affairs, pensions, arming the militia, and internal improvements 7,982,877 03 Naval service, including the si:raduiil improvement of the navy ". 3,956,370 29 Public debt 17,840,309 29 Leaving a halance in the treasury on the 1st of January, 1S33, of ." $2,011,777 55 "The value of the exports of the year ending on the 30th of September last, is estimated at 890,663,403, of which 870,642,030, were of domestic, and 820,021,373 of foreign ttrticles, showing an increase in tlie exports of domestic produce of 87,504,560 over the exports of the same character for the year ending 30th September, 1832, and a diminution in foreign articles of 84,018,100. The value of imports for the year ending on the 30th Sep- tember last, is estimated at 8109,000,000, being greater by the sum of $8,000,000, than the imports of the year ending 30lh September, 1882. Of the imports for the year ending 30th September last, it is estimated that $34,000,000, were in articles free from duty." Tlie ratio of representation having been changed at the previous sessions, we here insert a table which will show the representation in congress, in each state of the union, from the organization of the government up to the present time, with the several ratios of representa- tion, as also the number of electors to be chosen in 1836, 46=»<= 646 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 1787 '9S '03 '13 '23 '33 '36 O O Q O O O • O O Q Q O O C o_ o^ o^ o_ c>_ ^ S o n -U- ^'- 4£> 4t -itf 4£- •Af' •^ 4t0 !»►" The treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Belgium, brought to your notice in my last annual message, as sanctioned by the senate, but the ratifications of which had not been exchanged, ow- ing to a delay in its reception at Brussels, and a subse- quent absence of the Belgian minister of foreign affairs, has been, after mature deliberation, finally disavowed by that government as inconsistent with the powers and in- structions given to the minister who negotiated it. This disavowal was entirely unexpected, as the liberal princi- ples embodied in the convention, and which form the groundwork of the objections to it, were perfectly satis- factory to the Belgian representative, and were suppos- ed to be not only within the powers granted, but ex- pressly conformable to the instructions given to him. An offer, not yet accepted, has been made by Belgium to renew negotiations for a treaty less liberal in its provi- sions, on questions of general maritime law. Our newly established relations with the sublime porte promise to be useful to our commerce and satis- factory in every respect to this government. Our inter- course with the Barbary powers continues without im- portant change, except that the present political state of Algiers has induced me to terminate the residence there of a salaried consul, and to substitute an ordinary con- sulate, to remain so long as the place continues in the possession of France. Our first treaty with one of these powers — the emperor of Morocco — was formed in 1786, and was limited to fifty years. That period has almost expired. I shall take measures to renew it with the greater satisfaction, as its stipulations are just and liber- al, and have been, with mutual fidelity and reciprocal advantage, scrupulously fulfilled." .^••^•^•^^^'^•^'^-^^ /? ^7^ -T^ w "vv" '«• "TV- "A- -75* nV" From the Argentine republic, from which a minister was expected to this government, nothing further has THE UNITED STATES. 553 been heard. Occasion has been taken, in the departure of a new consul to Buenos Ayres, to remind that govern- ment, that its long-delayed minister, whose appointment had been made known to us, had not arrived. "It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you that this pacific and highly gratifying picture of our foreign relations, does not include those with France at this time. It is not possible that any government and people could be more sincerely desirous of conciliating a just and friendly intercourse with another nation, than are those of the United States with their ancient ally and friend. This disposition is founded as well on the most grateful and honorable recollections associated Avith our struggle for independence, as upon a well-grounded conviction that it is consonant with the true policy of both. The people of the United States could not, therefore, see without the deepest regret, even a temporary interrup- tion of the friendly relations between the two coun- tries — a regret which would, I am sure, be greatly ag- gravated if there should turn out to be any reasonable ground for attributing such a result to any act of omis- sion or commission on our part. I derive, therefore, the highest satisfaction from being able to assure you that the whole course of this government has been character- ised by a spirit so conciliatory and forbearing as to make it impossible that our justice and moderation should be questioned, whatever may be the consequences of a lon- ger perseverance on the part of the French government in her omission to satisfy the conceded claims of our citi- zens. "The history of the accumulated and unprovoked ag- gressions upon our commerce, committed by authority of the existintr governments of France, between the years 1800 and 1817, has been rendered too painfully familiar to Americans to make its repetition either necessary or desirable. It will be sufficient here to remark, that there has, for many years, been scarcely a single administra- tion of the French government by whom the justice and legality of the claims of our citizens to indemnification, were not, to a very considerable extent, admitted; and 47 554 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF yet, near a quarter of a century has been wasted in in- effectual negotiations to secure it. "Deeply sensible of the injurious effects resulting from this state of things upon the interest and character of both nations, I regarded it as among my first duties to cause one more effort t ) be made to satisfy France, that a just and liberal settlement of our claims was as well due to her own honor as to their incontestible validity. The negotiation for this purpose was commenced with the late government of France, and was prosecuted with such success, as to leave no reasonable ground to doubt that a settlement of a character quite as liberal as that which was subsequently made, would have been efiected, had not the revolution, by which the negotiation was cut off, taken place. The discussions were resumed with the present government, and the result showed that we were not wrong in supposing, that an event by which the two governments were made to approach each other so much nearer in their political principles, and by which the motives for the most liberal and friendly intercourse were so greatly multiplied, could exercise no other than a salutary influence upon the negotiation. " After the most deliberate and thorough examination of the whole subject, a treaty between the two govern- ments was concluded and signed at Paris, on the 4th of July, 1831, by which it was stipulated that ' the French government, in order to liberate itself from all the re- clamations preferred against it by the citizens of the United States for unlawi^ul seizures, captiires, sequestra- tions, confiscations, or destruction of their vessels, car- goes, or other property, engages to pay a sum of twenty- five millions of francs to the U-nited States, who shall distribute it among those entitled, in the manner and ac- cording to the rule it shall determine ;' and it was also stipulated on the part of the French government, that this twenty-five millions of francs should ' be paid at Paris in six annual instalments of four millions one hun- dred and sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty-six francs and sixty-six centimes each, into the hands of such person or persons as shall be authorized by the go- vernment of the United States to receive it.' The first THE UNITED STATES. 655 instalment to be paid ' at the expiration of one year next following the exchange of the ratifications of this con- vention, and the others at successive intervals of a year, one after another, till the wliole shall be paid. To the annount of each instalment shall be added interest at four per centum thereupon, as upon the other instalments then remaining- unpaid, the said interest to be computed from the day of the exchange of the present convention.' " It was also stipulated on the part of the United States, for the purpose of being completely liberated from all the reclamations presented by France on behalf of its citizens, that the sum of one million five hundred thou- sand francs should be paid to the government of France, in six annual instalments, to be deducted out of the an- nual sums which France had agreed to pay, interest thereupon being in like manner computed from the day of the exchange of the ratifications. In addition to this stipulation, important advantages were secured to France, by the folhnving article, viz. ' The wines of France, from and after the exchange of the ratifications of the present convention, shall be admitted to consumption in the states of the union, at duties which shall not exceed the following rates by the eallon, (such as is used at present for wines in the United States) to wit : six cents for red wines in casks ; ten cents for white wines in casks; and twenty-two cents for wine of all sorts in bot- tles. The proportion existing between the duties on French wines thus reduced, and the general rates of the tariff which went into operation the 1st January, 1S29, shall be maintained in case the government of the United States should think proper to diminish those general rates in a new tarifl'. ^ 'In consideration of this stipulation, which shall be binding on the United States for ten years, the French government abandons the reclamations which it had formed in relation to the eighth article of the treaty of cession of Louisiana. It engages, moreover, to establish on the long staple cotton of the United States, which, after the exchange of the ratifications of the present con- vention, shall be brought directly thence to France by the vessels of the United States or French vessels, the same duties as on short staple cottons.' 656 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF " This treaty was duly ratified in the manner prescribed by the constitutions of both countries, and the ratification was exchanged at the city of Washington, on the 2d of February, 1S32. On account of its commercial stipula- tions it was in five days thereafter laid before the con- gress of the United States, which proceeded to enact such laws favorable to the commerce of France as were necessary to carry it into full execution, and France has from that period to the present, been in the unrestricted enjoyment of the valuable privileges that were thus se- cured to her. The faith of the French nation having been thus solemnly pledged through its constitutional organ, for the liquidation and ultimate payment of the long-deferred claims of our citizens, as also for the ad- justment of other points of great and reciprocal benefits to both countries, and the United States having with a fidelity and promptitude by which their conduct will, I trust, be ahvaj^s characterised, done every thing that was necessary to carry the treaty into full and fair efTect on their part, counted with the most perfect confidence on equal fidelity and promptitude on part of the French government. " In this reasonable expectation we have been, I regret to inform you, wholly disappointed. No legislative pro- vision has been made by France for the execution of the treaty either as it respects the indemnity to be paid, or the commercial benefits to be secured to the United States, and the relations between the United States and that power in consequence thereof are placed in a situa- tion threatening to interrupt the good understanding which has so long and so happily existed between the two nations. 41 " Not only has the French government been thus vi^ant- ing in the performance of the stipulations it has solemnly entered into with the United States, but its omissions have been marked by circumstances which would seem to leave us without satisfactory evidences, that such per- formance will certainly take place at a future period. Advice of the exchange of ratifications reached Paris prior to the Sth of April, 1832. The French chambers were then sitting and continued in session until the 21st THE UNITED STATES. 657 of that month, and although one instalment of the in- demnity was payable on the 2d Febuary, 1833, one year after the exclmnge of ratihoalions, no application was made to the chambers for tbe required appropriation, and in consequence of no appropriation having then been made, the draft of the United States government for that instalment was dishonored by the minister of finance, and the United States thereby involved in much controversy. The next session of the chambers com- menced on the ]9th November, 1832, and continued un- til the 25th April, 1833. " Notwithstanding the omission to pay the first instal- ment had been made the subject of earnest remonstrance on our part, the treaty with the United States and a bill making the necessary appropriations to execute it were not laid before the chamber of deputies until the 6th of April, nearly six months after its meeting, and only nineteen days before the close of the session. The bill was read and referred to a committee, but there was no farther action upon it. The next session of the chambers commenced on the 26th o( April, 1833, and continued until the 26th of June following. A new bill was introduced on the 11th of June, but nothing impor- tant was done in relation to it during the session. In the month of April, 1834, nearly three years after the signature of the treaty, the final action of the French chambers upon the bill to carry the treaty into effect was obtained, and resulted in a refusal of the necessary appropriations." *** # * ### " The refusal to vote the appropriation, the news of which was received from our minister in Paris, about the 15th day of JMay last, might have been considered the final determination of the French government not to execute the stipulations of the treaty, and w'ould have justified an immediate communication of the facts to congress, with a recommendation of such ultimate meas- ures as the interest and honor of the United States might seem to require. But with the news of the refusal of the chambers to make the appropriation were conveyed the regrets of the king, and declaration that a national 47* UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF vessel should be forthwith sent out with instructions to the French minister to give the most ample explanation of the past, and the strongest assurances of the future. After a long passage the promised despatch vessel ar- rived. The pledges given by the French minister upon receipt of his instructions, were, that as soon after the election of the new members as the charter would per- mit, the legislative chambers of France should be called together, and the proposition for an appropriation laid before them ; that all the constitutional powers of the king and his cabinet should be exerted to accomplish the object, and that the result should be made known early enough to be communicated to congress at the commencement of the present session. Relying on these pledges and not doubting that the acknowledged justice of our claims, the promised exertions of the king and his cabinet, and above all, that sacred regard for the national faith and honor for which the French char- acter has been so distinguished, would secure an early execution of the treaty in all its parts, I did not deem it necessary to call the attention of congress to the subject at the last session. "I regret to say that the pledges made through the minister of France have not been redeemed. The new chambers met on the 31st July last, and although the subject of fulfilling treaties was alluded to in the speech from the throne, no attempt was made by the king or his cabinet to procure an appropriation to carry it into exe- cution. The reasons given for this omission, although they might be considered sufficient in an ordinary case, are not consistent with the expectations founded upon the assurances given here, for there is no constitutional obstacle to entering into legislative business at the first meeting of the chambers. The point, however, might have been overlooked, had not the chambers, instead of being called to meet at so early a day, that the result of their deliberations might be communicated to me, before the meeting of congress, been prorogued to the 29th of the present month — a period so late that their decision can scarcely be made known to the present congress prior to its dissolution. To avoid this delay, our min- THE UNITED STATES. 569 ister in Paris, in virtue of the assurances given by the French minister in the United States, strongly urged the convocation of the chambers at an earlier day, but without success. It is proper to remark, however, that this refusal has been accompanied with the most positive assurances on the part of the executive government of France, of their intention to press the appropriation at the ensuing session of the chambers. " The executive branch of this government has, as matters stand, exhausted all the authority upon the sub- ject with which it is invested and which it had any reason to believe could be beneficially employed. " The idea of acquiescing in the refusal to execute the treaty will not, I am confident, be for a moment enter- tained by any branch of this government, and further negotiation is equally out of the question. " If it shall be the pleasure of congress to await the fur- ther action of the French chambers, no further considera- tion of the subject will, at this session, probably be requir- red at your hands. But if, from the original delay in asking for an appropriation, from the refusal of the cham- bers to grant it when asked, from the omission to bring the subject before the chambers at their last session, from the fact that, including the session, there have been five dif- ferent occasions when the appropriation might have been made, and from the delay in convoking the chambers until some weeks after the meeting of congress, it was well known that a communication of the whole subject to congress at the last session was prevented by assur- ances that it should be disposed of before its present meeting, you should feel yourselves constrained to doubt whether it be the intention of the French government, in all its branches, to carry the treaty into effect, and think that such measures as the occasion may be deemed to called for, should be now adopted ; the important ques- tion arises what those measures shall be. " Our institutions are essentially pacific. Peace and friendly intercourse with all nations, are as much the de- sire of our government as they are the interests of our people. But these objects are not to be permanently se- cured by surrendering the rights of our citizens, or 560 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF permitting solemn treaties for their indemnity in cases of iiagrant Avrong, to be abrogated or set aside." In relation to the financial condition of the country, the president says : — " According to the estimate of the treasury depart- ment, the revenue accruing from all sources during the present year, will amount to twenty millions, six hundred and twenty-four thousand seven hundred and seventeen dollars, which with the balance remaining in the treasury on the first of January last, of eleven millions, seven hundred and two thousand nine hundred and five dol- lars, produces an aggregate of thirty-two millions, three hundred and twenty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty-three dollars. The total expenditure duiing the year for all objects, including the public debt, is esti- mated at twenty-five millions, five hundred and ninety- one thousand three hundred and ninety dollars, which will leave a balance in the treasury on the first of Janu- ary, 1835, of six millions, seven hundred and thirty-six thousand two hundred and thirty-two dollars. In this balance, however, will be included about one million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of what was hereto- fore reported by the department as not effective. " Of former appropriations it is estimated that there will remain unexpended at the close of the year, eight millions, two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars, and that of this sum there will not be required more than five millions, one hundred and forty-one thou- sand nine hundred and sixty-four dollars, to accomplish the objects of all the current appropriations. Thus it appears that after satisfying all those appropriations, and after discharging the last item of our public debt, which will be done on the first of January next, there will remain unexpended in the treasury an effective bal- ance of about four hundred and forty thousand dollars. That such should be the aspect of our finances is highly flattering to the industry and enterprise of our popula- tion, and auspicious of the wealth and prosperity which await the future cultivation of their growing resources. It is not deemed prudent, however, to recommend any change for the present in our impost rates, the effect of THE UNITED STATES. 561 the gradual reduction now in progress in many of them, not being sufficiently tested to guide us in determining the precise amount of revenue which they will produce. " Free from public debts, at peace with all the world, and with no complicated interests to consult in our in- tercourse with foreign powers, the present may be hailed as that epoch in our history the most favorable for the settlement of those principles in our domestic policy, which shall be best calculated to give stability to our republic, and secure the blessings of freedom to our citi- zens. Among these principles,from our past experience, it cannot be doubted, that simplicity in the character of the federal government and a rigid economy in its ad- ministration should be regarded as fundamental and sacred. " All must be sensible that the existence of the public debt, by rendering taxation necessary for its extin- guishment, has increased the difficulties which are in- separable from every exercise of the taxing power ; and that it was, in this respect, a remote agent in producing those disturbing questions Avhich grew out of the discus- sions relating to the tariff. If such has been the ten- dency of a debt incurred in the acquisition and mainte- nance of our national rights and liberties, the obligations of which all portions of the union cheerfully acknow- ledged, it must be obvious, that whatever is calculated to increase the burdens of government without necessity, must be fatal to all our hopes of preserving its true char- acter. While we are felicitating ourselves, therefore, upon the extinguishment of the national debt and the prosperous state of our finances, let us not be tempted to depart from those sound maxims of public policy, which enjoin a just adaptation of the revenue to the ex- penditures that are consistent with a rigid economy, and an entire abstinence from all topics of legislation that are not clearly within the constitutional powers of the government and suggested by the wants of the country. Properly regarded, under such a policy, every diminu- tion of the public burdens arising from taxation, gives to individual enterprise increased power and furnishes to all the members of our happy confederacy new mo- 662 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF tives for patriotic affection and support. But above all, its most important effect will be found in its influence upon the character of the government, by confining its action to those objects which will be sure to secure to it the attachment and support of our fellow citizens." From the report of the secretary of the treasury it appears that the lialance in the treasury on the 1st of January, A. D. 1S33, was, . 2,011,777 55 In adilition to this halance, the receipts during the year 1833, were, from all sources 33,943,426 25 Viz., from customs 329,032,503 91 Lands 3,967,(jS2 55 Dividends on hank stock 474, 9S5 00 Sales of hank stock 135,300 00 Incidental iiems 397,949 73 These ma le, with the ahove l)alance, an ag;jregale of . 35,960,303 80 The expenditures during A. D. 1833, were 24,257,293 40 Viz., on the civil list, foreign intercourse, and miscellane- ous subjects 5,716,245 93 Military service, including fortifications, ordnance, Indi- an atfairs, pensions, arming militia and internal im- ports r 13,096,152 43 Naval service, including gradual improve- ment 3,901,356 75 Public debt 1,543,543 33 Thus a balance was left in the treasury, on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1S34, amounting to Sll,702,905 31 Of the public debt, the report continues — " All the four and a half per cents, outstanding at the commence- ment of the present year, have been redeemed, except the sum of 8443 25. Money sufficient to meet the whole balance was placed in the United States bank and its branches, as commissioners of loans, in May last, and that portion not yet paid to the Holders of the debt still remains in these depositories. A part of the five per cent, stock, created in March, A. D. 1821, amounting to 84,712,080 29, was all of the 123 millions of debt exist- ing in A. D. 1816, and of the subsequent additions to it which was left to be redeemed. It did not become payable till the 1st of January, 1835, but as there was sufficient money in the treasury for the purpose, and it having been considered beneficial to the public to save as far as practicable all the accruing interest, early in July last, agents were employed b}' this department to purchase at par, if possible, the whole of the remaining debt. Between that time and the 30th ult., the depart- THE UNITED STATES. 663 ment had succeeded in redeeming about 8491,258 35 of it, and additional purchases are constantly making. In October last, the undersigned gave notice that the whole of this debt unredeemed after the 1st of January next would cease to bear interest and would be promptly paid after that date, on application to the commission- ers of loans in the several states. Under authority from the commissioners of the sinking fund, this department has since placed and made arrangements to place, sea- sonably, in those offices ample funds for the above pur- pose. " Thus, before the close of the year the whole will either be paid, or money provided to pay it, and the United States will present that happy, and probably in modern times, unprecedented spectacle of a people sub- stantially free from the smallest portion of a public debt." We subjoin also, some extracts from the report of the secretary of the navy, showing the condition of that im- portant branch of national defence. " All the services required of our naval force have been promptly performed ; our commerce has been pro- tected in the remote as well as in the neighboring seas ; our national character has been sustained at home and abroad, while a large portion of our naval officers, sea- men and marines, have been kept in active service, under a strict discipline, calculated to fit them for all the du- ties which may be required of them, whether in defend- ing our property on the ocean from pirates or open ene- mies, our shores from hostile aggression or our flag from insult." ■Jt" •Ti' •75* TV- ■TV' "T^ "Jv* TV* 'JV' " Our naval force consists of six ships of the line and seven frigates now building, for the completion of which, additional appropriations to the amount of $1,527,640 will be required ; of five ships of the line, two frigates, and six sloops of war in ordinary, requiring repairs which will cost 81,362,000, in addition to the materials on hand for that purpose ; and of one ship of the line, four frigates, eight sloops of war, and six schooners in commission ; — in all, twelve ships of the line, thirteen frigates, fourteen sloops of war and six schooners. Be- 564 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF sides which, the frames of ships procured or under con- tract, for the gradual increase of the navy, and other materials on hand or under contract for that purposCi will afford the means of bringing into the service as soon as it can probably be required, an additional force of five ships of the line, eleven frigates, seven sloops of war and two schooners, the building of which may be imme- diately commenced on launching our vessels now upon the stocks." •it' -^ :^ ^ ^ ^ :Sfe 'ff •7^ -75* '?> •/«• TV- TT " Our naval force, consisting of commissioned and warrant officers, petty officers, seamen, ordinary sea- men, landsmen and boys, amounts to 6,072; and our ma- rine corps, under its new organization, will consist of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, musi- cians and privates, to the number of 1,283 ; making a total of 7,355." The report of the secretary of war, embracing a sketch of Indian affairs, and other matters of general and per- manent interest, we e^itract from more largely. He says : — " Since my last annual report, no military movement of any importance, v.'ith the exception of the expedition of the regiment of dragoons, has been rendered neces- sary. The reports and information which have reached the department respecting the situation of the army, are highly gratifying. In its discipline, its moral char- acter, and the general performance of its duties, the go- vernment of the country have every reason to be satis- fied with its condition and prospects. As a safeguard for the frontiers, as a school of practical instruction, as a depository of military information, and as the means of preparing and providing in peace for the exigences of war, the present military establishment has fully an- swered the objects of its organization and support. And it is but an act of justice to state, that in all the essen- tial requisites of capacity and conduct, the officers of the American army do honor to themselves and their country. " It is known to you that some of the western tribes of Indians roaming through the extensive prairies west (^ THE UNITED STATES. 565 of Arkansas and Missouri, particularly the Camanches and Kiawas, have for some years interrupted the peace of that quarter by predatory attacks upon our citizens, and upon the indigenous and emigrant Indians whom we are under obligations to protect. Their war parties have annoyed our citizens in their intercourse with the Mexican states, and have rendered the communication difficult and hazardous. It became necessary to put a stop to this state of things either by amicable representa- tions or by force. Those remote tribes have little know- ledge of the strength of the United States or of their own relative weakness, and it was hoped, that the display of a respectable military force, for the first time in their coun- try, would satisfy them that farther hostilities would lead to their destruction. The dragoons, being peculiarly adapted to this service, were ordered to penetrate into that region and to endeavor by peaceable remonstrances, to establish permanent tranquillity, and if these should fail, to repel any hostile demonstrations which might be made. Fortunately, the efforts to introduce amicable relations were successful, and the object of the expedition was obtained without a single act of hostility. Colonel Dodge, who led the expedition, and his whole com- mand, appear to have performed their duties in the most satisfactory manner, and they encountered with firmness the privations incident to the harassing service upon wiiich they were ordered. It is to be regretted that the prevalence of sickness prevented the whole regiment from joining in this duty, as the same zeal for the pub- lic interest pervaded the whole. That sickness deprived the country of some valuable lives, and among others of brigadier-general Leavenworth. Impelled by his anxiety to forward the views of the government, he ex- posed himself, while yet weak, to the hardships of a bor- der campaign, and sunk under the malady which these induced. His high personal character, his services dur- ing the late war, and his exemplary official conduct since, are too well known to you to require from me anything more than this brief allusion to his worth and fate." * * * # :^ # # " The commissioner of Indian affairs has exhibited in 48 566 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF detail the transactions in the important branch of the public service confided to his superintendence. It is only necessary that I should advert to the more promi- nent subjects which have received, or which require the action of the government, " The commission for the adjustment of unsettled re- lations with the Indians, west of the Mississippi, termi- nated, by the provisions of the act instituting it, in July last. Important benefits have resulted from the labors of the commissioners in the adjustment of difficult ques- tions connected with the Indians of that region, and in the treaty arrangements which have been entered into by them. The country assigned for the permanent res- idence of the eastern Indians, has been so apportioned among them, that little difficulty is anticipated from conflicting claims, or from doubtful boundaries. And both in quality and extent, there can be no doubt but that the region allotted to them will be amply sufficient for their comfortable subsistence during an indefinite period of time. " An important council has been held at fort Gibson, by colonel Dodge and by major Armstrong, the superin- tendent of Indian affairs, with the chiefs of several of the tribes of that quarter, including some of the wander- ing bands, whose predatory operations have heretofore kept the frontier in alarm. At this council, the situa- tion of the Indians was fully discussed, and amicable re- lations established. It is to be hoped that the feelings with which they separated may be permanent, and their intercourse hereafter uninterrupted. " The united tribe of Pottawatamies, Ottowas, and Chippewas, possessing the country in the vicinity of Chicago, have conditionally acceded to the alteration proposed in the boundaries of the tract assigned for them west of the Mississippi, by the treaty concluded in 1833. Should their proposition be accepted, an exten- sive and valuable region will be opened for settlement, and they will be removed to a district whose climate is suitable to their habits, and whose other ad v^antages can- not fail to offer them strong inducements for moral and physical improvement. THE UNITED STATES. 567 " An arrangement has been made with the Miamies for the cession of a part of their reservation in the state of Indiana. The tracts held by them there, are far more extensive than they require, and as they appear to be not yet prepared for removal, this relinquishment, with- out injury to them, will relieve the state, in some measure, from the embarrassment caused by such large reservations as they possess, embracing a most valuable part of the country and interrupting the settlements and communication. " Instructions were given immediately after the last session of congress, for purchasing from the Wyandots in Ohio, if they were disposed to sell, the reservation secured to them in that state, and for their removal to the West. The commissioner, governor Lucas, conduct- ed the negotiation with great fairness and propriety, fully explaining to the Indians their own position, the wishes of the government and the course of circum- stances urging their removal. The matter is not yet terminated, the Indians having requested time for fur- ther consideration. " The necessary appropriations will be asked for the removal of the Seminoles, agreeably to the treaty formed with them ; and arrangements have been made for the emigration of the Creeks, as fast as they are prepared for a change of residence. There has not yet been suffi- cient time to ascertain the result of these measures. " I am not able to submit to you any naore favorable views of the condition of the Cherokees than were em- braced in my last annual report. While every dictate of prudence, and in fact of self-preservation, urges their removal, unhappy councils and internal divisions pre- vent the adoption of that course. Where they are, they are declining and must decline ; while that portion of the tribe which is established in the West, is realizing the benefits which were expected to result from a change of position. The system of removal, however, by en- rolment is going on, and during this season, about one thousand persons have passed to the West." We have already mentioned the death of general La- fayette, in the commencement of this chapter, and we 568 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF cannot better close it, than by giving a brief sketch of his eventful life. His name is identified with almost every event of our national history, and associated with that of Washington, will go down to successive genera- tions, as a champion of freedom — the friend of the op- pressed — the benefactor of his race, Lifayette, Gilbert Motier, (formerly marquis de,) was born at Chavagnac, near Brioude, in Auvergne, Sep- tember, 6, 1757, was educated in the college of Louis le Grand, in Paris, placed at court as an officer in one of the guards of honor, and at the age of seventeen, was married to the grand-daughter of the duke of Noailles. It was under these circumstances, that the young marquis de Lafayette entered upon a career so little to be expect- ed of a youth of vast fortune, of high rank, of powerful connections, at the most brilliant and fascinating court in the world. He left France secretly for America, in 1777, and arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, April 25, being then nineteen years old. The state of this country, it is well known, was at that time most gloomy ; a feeble army, without clothing or arms, was with diffi- culty kept together before a victorious enemy ; the gov- ernment was without resources or credit, and the Ameri- can agents in Paris were actually obliged to confess that they could not furnish the young nobleman with a con- veyance. " Then," said he, " I will fit out a vessel my- self;" and he did so. The sensation produced in this country, by his arrival, was very great : it encouraged the almost disheartened people to hope for succor and sympathy from one of the most powerful nations in Europe. Immediately on his arrival, Lafayette received the offer of a command in the continental army, but de- clined it, raised and equipped a body of men at his own expense, and then entered the service as a volunteer, without pay. He lived in the family of the commander- in-chief, and won his full affection and confidence. * He was appointed major-general in July, and in Septem- ber, was wounded at Brandywine. He was employed in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, in 1778, and after receiv- ing the thanks of the country for his important services, embarked at Boston, in January, 1779, for France, where THE UNITED STATES. 669 it was thought that he could assist the cause more effect- ually for a time. The treaty concluded between France and America, about tlie same period, was by his personal exertions made effective in our favor, and he returned to America with the intelligence that a French force would soon be sent to this country. Immediately on his arrival, he entered the service and received the command of a body of infantry of about two thousand men, which he clothed and equipped, in part, at his own expense. His forced march to Virginia, in December, 1780, raising two thousand guineas at Baltimore, on his own credit, to supply the wants of his troops; his rescue of Richmond ; his long trial of generalship with Cornwallis, who boasted that " the boy could not escape him ;" the seige of York- town, and the storming of the redoubt, are proofs of his devotion to the cause of American independence. De- sirous of serving that cause at home, he again returned to France for that purpose. Congress, which had already acknowledged his merits on former occasions, now passed new resolutions, Nov. 23, 17S1, in which, besides the usual marks of approba- tion, they desire the American ministers to confer with him in their negotiations. In France, a brilliant reputa- tion had preceded him, and he was received with the highest marks of public admiration. Still he urged upon his government the necessity of negotiating with a pow- erful force in America, and succeeded in obtaining orders to this effect. On his arrival in Cadiz, he found forty- nine ships, with twenty thousand men, ready to follow him to America, had not peace rendered it unnecessary. A letter from him communicated the first intelligence of that event to congress. The importance of his services in France may be seen by consulting his letters in the correspondence of the American revolution. (Boston, 1S31.) He received pressing invitations, however, to revisit the country. Washington, in particular, urged it strongly ; and, for the third time, Lafayette landed in the United States, August 4, 1784. After passing a few days at Mount Vernon, he visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, &c., and was every where received with the greatest enthusiasm and delight. Previous to 48* 670 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF his return to France, congress appointed a deputation — consisting of one member from each state, " to take leave of him on behalf of the country, and assure him that the United States regard him with particular afiection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity." After his return, he was engaged in endeavoring to mitigate the condition of the protestants in France, and to effect the abolition of slavery. In the assembly of the notables, in 1787, he proposed the suppression of letters de cachet, and of the state prisons, the emancipation of the protestants, and the convocation of the representatives of the nation. When asked by the count d'Artois, since Charles X, if he demanded the states-general — " Yes," was his replj^ " and something better." Being elected a member of the states-general, which took the name of national assembly, (17S9,) he proposed a declaration of rights, and the decree providing for the responsibility of the officers of the crown. Two days after the attack on the Rastile, he was appointed (July, 15) commander-in- chief of the national guards of Paris. The court and national assembly were still at Versailles, and the popu- lation of Paris, irritated at this, had already adopted, in sign of opposition, a blue and red cockade (being the colors of the city of Paris.) July 26, Lafayette added to this cockade the white of the royal arms, declaring at the same time that the tri-color should go round the world. On the march of the populace to Versailles, (October 5 and 6,) the national guards claimed to be led thither. Lafayette refused to comply with their demand, until, having received colors in the afternoon, he set off, and arrived at ten o'clock, after having been on horse- back from before daylight. He requested that the interior posts of the chateau might be committed to him ; but this request was refused and the outer posts only were en- trusted to the national guards. This was the night on which the assassins murdered two of the queen's guards, and were proceeding to further acts of violence, when Lafayette, at the head of the national troops, put an end to the disorder, and saved the lives of the royal family. In the morning, he accompanied them to Paris. THE UNITED STATES. 671 On the establishment of the Jacobin club at Paris, he organized, with Bailly, then mayor of Paris, the opposing club of Feuillians. January 20, 1790, he supported the motion for the abolition of titles of nobility, from which period he renounced his own and has never since resum- ed it. The constitution of a representative monarchy, which was the object of his wishes, was now proposed, and July 13, 1790, was appointed for its acceptance by the king and the nation, and in the name of four mil- iions of national guards, Lafayette swore fidelity to the constitution. Declining the dangerous power of constable of France, or generalissimo of the national guards of the kingdom, after having organized the na- tional militia, and defended the king from popular vio- lence, he resigned all command and retired to his estates. The first coalition against France, (1792,) soon called him from his retirement. Being appointed one of the three major-generals in the command of the French ar- mies, he established discipline, and defeated the enemy at Phillippeville, Maubeuge and Florrennes, when his i career of success was interrupted by the domestic factions of his country. Lafayette openly denounced the terrible Jacobins, in his letter of June 16, in which he declared that the enemies of the revolution, under the mask of popular leaders, were endeavoring to stifle liberty under the excesses of licentiousness. June 20, he appeared at the bar of the assembly to vindicate his conduct, and de- mand the punishment of the guilty authors of the vio- lence. But the Mountain had already overthrown the constitution, and nothing could be effected. Lafayette then offered to conduct the king and his family to Com- peigne. This prolTer being declined, he returned to the army, which he endeavored to rally round the constitu- tion. June 30, he was burnt in effigy at the Palais-Koyal, and August 5, was accused of treason before the assem- bly. Still he declared himself openly against the pro- > ceedings of August 10, but finding himself unsupported f, by his soldiers, he determined to leave the country and take refuge in some neutral ground. Some persons have charged general Lafayette witji a want of firmness at this period, but it is without a fiill < 572 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF understanding of the situation of things. Conscious that a price was set on his head at home, knowing that his troops would not support him against the principles which were triumphing in the clubs and the assembly, and sensible that, even if he were able to protract the contest with the victorious faction, the frontiers would be exposed to the invasion of the emigrants and their foreign allies, with whom he would have felt it treason against the nation to have negotiated, he had no alterna- tive. Having been captured by an Austrian patrol, he was delivered to the Prussians, by whom he was again transferred to Austria. He was carried with great se- crecy to Olmutz, where he was subjected to every priva- tion and suffering, and cut off' from all communication | with his friends, who were not even able to discover the place of his confinement until late in 1794. An unsuc- cessful attempt was made to deliver him from prison by Dr. Bollman, a German, and Mr. Huger, (now colonel Huger, of Charleston, S. C.) His wife and daughters, however, succeeded in obtaining admission to him and remained with him nearly two years, till his release. Washington had written directly to the emperor of Aus- tria on his behalf without effect ; but after the memora- ble campaign of Bonaparte in Italy, the French govern- ment required that the prisoners at 01m\Uz should be re- leased, which was done August 25, 1797, after a nego- tiation that lasted three months. Refusing to take any part in the revolutions of the 18th Fructidor, or of the ISth Brumaire, he returned to his estate at La Grange, and declining the dignity of senator offered him by Bonaparte, he gave his vote against the consulate for life, and taking no further part in pub- lic affairs, devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. On the restoration of the Bourbons, in 1814, he perceived that their principles of government were not such as France required, and he did not therefore leave his re- tirement. The 20th of March, 1815, again saw Napole- on on the imperial throne, and endeavoring to conciliate the nation by the profession of liberal principles. La- fayette refused, though urged, through the mediation of Joseph, to see him, protested against the acte additionnel THE UNITED STATES. 573 of April 22, declined the peerage offered him by the em- peror, but accepted the place of representative, to which the votes of his fellow-citizens called him. He first met Napoleon at the opening of the chambers : the emperor received him with great marks of kindness, to which, however, he did not respond ; but, although he would take no part in the projects of Napoleon, he gave his vote for all necessary supplies, on the ground that France was invaded, and tiiat it was the duty of all Frenchmen to defend their country. June 21, Napoleon returned from Waterloo, and it was understood that it was deter- mined to dissolve the house of representatives and estab- lish a dictatorship. Two of his counsellors informed Lafayette, that in two hours the representative body would cease to exist. Immediately on the opening of the session, he ascended the tribune and addressed the house as follows : " When, for the first time, after an interval of many years, I raise a voice which all the friends of liberty will still recognize, it is to speak of the danger of the country, which you only can save. This, then, is the moment for us to rally round the old tri-colored standard, the standard of 'S9, of liberty, of equality, of public order, which we have now to defend against for- eign violence and usurpation." He then moved that the house declare itself in permanent session, and all attempts to dissolve it high treason ; that whoever should make such an attempt, should be considered a traitor to the country, &c. In the evening. Napoleon sent Lucien to the house, to make one more effort in his favor. Lucien, in a strain of impassioned eloquence, conjured the house not to compromise the honor of the French nation by inconstancy to the emperor. At these w^ords, Lafayette rose in his place and addressing himself directly to the orator, exclaimed, " Who dares accuse the French nation of inconstancy to the emperor? Through the sands of Egypt and the wastes of Russia, over fifty fields of battle, tbis nation has followed him devotedly; and it is for this that we now mourn the blood of three millions of Frenchmen." This appeal had such an effect on the assembly, that Lucien resumed his seat without finishing his discourse. 574 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF A deputation of five members from each house was then appointed to deliberate in committee with the council of ministers. Of this deputation, general La- fayette was a member, and he moved that a committee should be sent to the emperor to demand his abdication. The arch-chancellor refused to put the motion ; but the emperor sent in his abdication the next morning (June 22.) A provisional government was formed, and Lafiiy- ette was sent to demand a suspension of hostilities of the armies, which was refused. On his return, he found Paris in possession of the enemy; and in a few days after, (July 8,) the doors of the representatives chamber was closed and guarded by Prussian troops. Lafayette conducted a number of the members to the house of Lanjuinais, the president, where they drew up a protest against this act of violence and quietly separated. Lafayette now retired once more to I^a Grange, where he remained till 1818, when he was chosen member of the chamber of deputies. Here he continued to support his constitutional principles, by opposing the laws of excep- tions, the establishment of the censorship of the press, the suspension of personal liberty, &c., and by advocat- ing the cause of public instruction, the organization of a national militia and the inviolability of the charter. In June, 1824, he landed at New York, on a visit to the United States, upon the invitation of the president, and was received in every part of the country, with the warmest expressions of delight and enthusiasm. He was proclaimed, by the popular voice, " the guest of the nation," and his presence everywhere the signal for fes- tivals and rejoicings. He passed through the twenty- four states of the union in a sort of triumphal proces- sion, in which all parties joined to forget their dissen- sions, in which the veterans of the war renewed their youth, and the young were carried back to the doings and sufferings of their fathers. Having celebrated, at Bunker Hill, the anniversary of the first conflict of the revolution, and at Yorktown, that of its closing scene, in which he himself had borne so conspicuous a part, and taken leave of the four ex-presidents* of the United States, he received the farewell of the presidents in the name of THE UNITED STATES. 575 the nation, and sailed from the capital in a frigate nam- ed, in compliment to him, the Brandywine, September 7, 1825, and arrived at Havre, where the citizens, having peaceably assembled to make some demonstrations of their respect for his character, were dispersed by the gendarmerie. In December following, the congress of the United States made him a grant of S200,000, and a township of land, " in consideration of his important services and expenditures during the American revolu- tion." The grant of money was in the shape of stock, bearing interest at six per cent., and redeemable Decem- ber 31, 1834. In August, 1827, he attended the obse- quies of Manuel, over whose body he pronounced a eu- logy. In November, 1827, the chamber of deputies was dissolved. Lafayette was again returned a member by the new elections. Shortly before the revolution of 1830, he travelled to Lyons, &c., and was enthusiastically re- ceived — a striking contrast to the conduct of the minis- ters towards him, and an alarming symptom to the des- potic government. During the revolution of July, 1830, he was appointed general-in-chief of the national guards of Paris, and, though not personally engaged in the fight, his activity and name were of the greatest service. To the Americans, Lafayette, the intimate friend of Washington, had appeared in his last visit, almost like a great historical character returning from beyond the grave. In the eyes of the French, he is a man of the early days of their revolution — a man, moreover, who has never changed side or principle. His undeviating con- sistency is acknowledged by all, even by those who do not allow him the possession of first rate talents. When the national guards were established throughout France, after the termination of the struggle, he was appointed their commander-in-chief, and his activity in this post was admirable. August 17, he was made marshal of France. His influence with the government seems to have been for some time great, but whether his princi- ples were too decidedly republican to please the new au- thorities, (a few days after the adoption of the new char- ter, he declared himself against hereditary peerage, and repeatedly called himself a pupil of the American school,) 676 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF or whether he was considered as the rallying point of the republican party, or whatever may have been the reason, he sent in his resignation in December, 1S30, which was accepted, and count Lobau appointed chief of the national guards of Paris. Lafayette declared from the tribune, that he had acted thus in consequence of the distrust which the power accompanying his situation seemed to excite in some people. On the same occasion, he also expressed his disapprobation of the new law of election. Shortly before his resignation he exerted himself most praiseworthily to maintain order during the trial of the ex-ministers. A more striking evidence of the profound veneration of the American people for the character of Lafayette, and of their grief for his death, could not have been af- forded, than was exhibited in the imposing funeral rites spontaneously solemnized in honor of the illustrious dead. His obsequies were attended by the most numer- ous procession ever witnessed in New York. Of the vast number of citizens who joined in this tribute of respect and gratitude, some estimate may be formed from the fact that the procession was between two and three miles in length. The streets through which it passed were paved with human beings, of all ages, sexes", and conditions, every porch, window and housetop was thronged, and not a tree, or post, or perch, however pre- carious, that did not support some adventurous specta- tor of the saddening spectacle. The crape-covered ban- ners, the inverted arms, the muffled drums and the slow and solemn notes of the funeral music, accorded well with the feelings of the immense concourse, which seem- ed to be animated by one sentiment of sorrow. The proceedings were properly terminated by an oration, de- livered by James TalJmadge, in Castle garden, to an au- dience as numerous as the limits of that spacious place could possibly contain. The virtue, the heroism, the no- ble ardor of patroism, the disinterested love of human kind, the purity of principle, and consistency of life, that dis- tinguished the illustrious Lafayette — his generous sacri- fices for this country, his companionship with Wash- ington, and the early laurels which he won in our wax THE UNITED STATES. 677 for independence — these are themes of eulogium on which the orator could not expatiate without liindling into eloquence. CHAPTER XXV. The First Session of the Twenty-fourth Congress. — Presi- dent's Message. — Foreign Relations. — Finances of the Nation, 1834-5. — Situation of the Army and Navy. The twenty-fourth congress assembled at Washington on the 7th of December, 1S35, and the annual message of the president on that occasion is unusually long and interesting. No material change had taken place in the aspect of foreign affairs, except that our national relations with France had assumed an aspect decidedly more hos- tile ; and we feel warranted in extracting at length from the message on a subject of such importance as this was at that time considered, when for the first time in twenty years, the United States seemed about to be involved in a war with one of the most powerful nations of the earth. " Since the last session of congress," — says the mes- sage — " the validity of our claims upon France as liqui- dated by the treaty of 1S31, has been acknowledged by both branches of her legislature, and the money has been appropriated for their discharge; but the payment is, I regret to inform you, still withheld. " A brief recapitulation of the most important incidents in this protracted controversy, will show how utterly untenable are the grounds upon which this course is attempted to be justified. " On entering upon the duties of my station, I found the United States an unsuccessful applicant to the jus- tice of France, for the satisfaction of claims, the validity of which was never questionable, and has now been most solemnly admitted by France herself. The antiquity of these claims, their high justice, and the aggravating cir- 49 578 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF cumstances out of which they arose, are too familiar to the American people to require description. It is suffi- cient to say, that for a period of ten years and upwards, our commerce was, with but little interruption, the sub- ject of constant aggressions on the part of France — ag- gressions, the ordinary features of which were condemna- tions of vessels and cargoes under arbitrary decrees, adopted in contravention, as well of the laws of nations, as of treaty stipulations ; burnings on the bigh seas ; and seizures and confiscations, under special imperial rescripts, in the ports of other nations occupied by the armies, or under the control of France. Such, it is now conceded, is the character of the wrongs we suffered — wrongs, in many cases so flagrant, that even their authors never de- nied our right to reparation. Of the extent of these in- juries, some conception may be formed from the fact, that after the burning of a large amount at sea, and the necessary deterioration, in other cases, by long detention, the American property so seized and sacrificed at forced sales, excluding what was adjudged to privateers, before or without condemnation, brought into the French treas- ury upwards of twenty-four millions of francs, besides large custom-house duties. "The subject had already been an affair of twenty years' uninterrupted negotiation, except for a short time when France was overwhelmed by the military power of united Europe. During this period, while other nations were extorting from her payment of their claims at the point of the bayonet, the United States intermitted their demand for justice, out of res))ect for the oppressed condi- tion of a gallant people, to whom they fell under obliga- tions for fraternal assistance in their own days of suflering and of peril. The bad effects of these protracted and una- vailing discussions, as well upon our relations with France as upon our national character, were obvious ; and the line of duty was to my mind equally so. This was either to insist upon the adjustment of our claims within a reasonable period or to abandon them altogether. "I could not doubt, that by this course, the interests and honor of both countries would be best consulted. Instructions were therefore given in this spirit to the THE UNITED STATES. 679 lTiinis1.er who was sent out once more to demand repara- tion. Upon the meeting of congress in December, 1S29, I felt it my duty to speak of these chiims, and the delays of France, in terms calculated to call the serious atten- tion of both countries to the subject. The then French minister took exception to the message, on the ground of its containing a menace, under which it was not agree- able to the French government to negotiate. The Ame- rican minister, of his own accord, refuted the construction which was attempted to be put upon the message, and at tbe same time called to the recollection of the French ministry, that the president's message was a communica- tion addressed, not to foreign governments, but to the congress of the United States, in which it was enjoined upon him by the constitution, to lay before that body information of the state of the union, comprehending its foreicrn as well as its domestic relations; and that if, in the discharge of this dutj^'.he felt it incumbent upon him to summon the attention of congress, in due time, to what might be the possible consequences of existing diffi- culties Avith any foreign government, he might fairly be supposed to do so, under a sense of what was due from him, in a frank communication with another branch of his own government, and not from any intention of hold- ing a menace over a foreign power. The views taken by him received my approbation, the French government was satisfied, and the negotiation was continued. It ter- minated in the treaty of July 4, 1831, recognizing the justice of our claims in part and promising payment to the amount of twenty-five millions of francs in six annual instalments. " The ratifications of this treaty were exchanged at Washington, on the 2d of February, 1S32, and in five days thereafter it was laid before congress, who immedi- ately passed the acts necessary, on our part, to secure to France the commercial advantages conceded to her in the compact. The treaty had previously been solemnly ratified by the king of the French, in terms which are certainly not mere matters of form, and of which the translation is as follows : ' We, approving the above con- vention in all and each of the dispositions which are con- 680 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF tained in it, do declare, by ourselves, as well as by our heirs and successors, that it is accepted, approved, ratified and confirmed ; and by these presents, signed by our hand, Ave do accept, approve, ratify and confirm it ; prom- ising, on the faith and word of a king, to observe it, and to cause it to be observed inviolably, without ever con- travening it, or suffering it to be contravened, directly or indirectly, for any cause, or under any pretence what- soever.' " Official information of the exchange of ratifications in the United States reached Paris whilst the chambers were in session. The extraordinary, and to us injurious, delays of the French government, in their action upon the subject of its fiilfiUment, have been heretofore stated to congress, and I have no disposition to enlarge upon them here. It is sufficient to observe that the then pend- ing session was allowed to expire without even an elTort to obtain the necessary appropriations ; that the two succeeding ones were also sufTered to pass away without any thing like a serious attempt to obtain a decision upon the subject ; and that it was not until the fourth session, almost three years after the conclusion of the treaty, and more than two years after the exchange of ratification, that the bill for the execution of the treaty was pressed to a vote and rejected. " In the mean time, the government of the United States, having full confidence that a treaty entered into and solemnly ratified by the French king, would be exe- cuted in good faith, and not doubting that provision would be made for the payment of the first instalment, which was to become due on the 2d day of February, 1S33, ne- gotiated a d^-aft for the amount throuo-h the bank of the United States. When this draft was presented by the holder, with the credentials required by the treaty to au- thorize him to receive the money, the government of France allowed it to be protested. In addition to the injury in the non-payment of the money by France, con- formably to her engafjement, the United States were ex- posed to a heavy claim on the part of the bank, under pretence of damages, in satisfaction of which that institu- tion seized upon, and still retains, an equal amount of the THE UNITED STATES. 681 public moneys. Congress was in session when the de- cision of the chambers reuched Washington, and an im- mediate coinmunication of this apparently final decision of France not to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty, was the course naturally to be expected from the president. The deep tone of dissatisfaction which pervaded the pub- lic mind, and the correspondent excitement produced iu congress by only a general knowledge of the result, ren- dered it laare than probable, that a resort to immediate measures of redress would be the consequence of calling the attention of that body to the subject. Sincerely de- sirous of preserving the pacific I'elations which had so long existed between the two countries, 1 was anxious to avoid this course if I could be satisfied that by doing so, neither the interest nor the honor of my country would be comproniitled. Without the fullest assurances upon that point, I could not hope^to acquit myself of the re- sponsibility to be incurred, in sufiering congress to ad- journ without laying the subject before them. Those received by nie were believed to be of that character. " That the feelings produced in the United States by the news of the rejection of the appropriation, would be such as I have described them to have been, was foreseen by the French government, and prompt measures were taken by it to prevent the consequences. The king, in person, expressed through our minister at Paris, his pro- found regret at the decision of the chambers, and prom- ised to send, forthwith, a national ship, with despatches to his minister here, authorizing him to give such assur- ances as would satisfy the government and the people of the United States that the treaty would yet be faithfully executed by France. The national ship arrived, and the minister received his instructions. Claiming to act under the authority derived from them, he gave to this govern- ment, in the name of his, the most solenm assurances, that as soon after the new elections as the charter would permit, the French chambers would be convened, and the attempt to procure the necessary appropriations renewed ; that all the constitutional powers of the king and his ministers should be put in requisition to accomplish the object ; and he was understood, and so expressly informed 49* 6S2 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF by this government at the time, to engage, that the question should be pressed to a decision at a period suffi- ciently early to permit information of the result to be communicated to congress at the commencement of their next session. Relying upon these assurances, I incurred the responsibility, great as I regarded it to be, of sufTering congress to separate without communicating with them upon the subject. " The expectations justly founded upon the promises thus solemnly made to this government by that of France, were not realized. The French chambers met on the 81st of July, 1834, soon after the election ; and although our minister in Paris urged the French ministry to bring the subject before them, they declined doing so. He next insisted that the chambers, if prorogued without acting on the subject, should be re-assembled at a period so early that their action on the treaty might be known in Washington prior to the meeting of congress. This reasonable request was not only declined, but the cham- bers v/ere prorogued to the 29th of December, a day so late that their decision, however urgently pressed, could not, in all probability, be obtained in time to reach Washington before the necessary adjournment of congress by the constitution. The reasons given by the ministry for refusing to convoke the chambers at an earlier period, were afterwards shown not to be insuperable, by their actual convocation on the 1st of December, under a spe- cial call, for domestic purposes — which fact however, did not become known to this government until after the commencement of the last session of congress. " Thus disappointed in our just expectations, it became my imperative duty to consult with congress in regard to the expediency of a resort to retaliatory measures, in case the stipulations of the treaty should not be speedily complied with, and to recommend such as, in my judg- ment, the occasion called for. To this end, an unreserved communication of the case, in all its aspects, became indispensable. To have shrunk, in making it, from say- ing all that was necessary to its correct understanding, and that the truth would justify, for fear of giving oflTence to others, would have been unworthy of us. To have THE UNITED STATES. 683 gone, on the other hand, a single step farther, for the pur- pose of wounding the pride of a governnient and people with whom we had so many motives for cultivating rela- tions of amity and reciprocal advantage, would have been unwise and improper. Admonished by the past of the difficulty of making even the simplest statement of our wrongs, without disturbing the sensibilities of those who had, by their position, become responsible for their re- dress, and earnestly desirous of preventing further obsta- cles from that source, I went out of my way to preclude a construction of the message, by which the recommenda- tion that was made to congress might be regarded as a menace to France, in not only disavowing such a design, but in declaring that her pride and her power were too well known to expect any thing from her fears. The nnessage did not reach Paris until more than a month after the chambers had been in session ; and such was the insensibility of the ministry to our rightful claims and just expectations, that our minister had been inform- ed that the matter, when introduced, would not be pressed as a cabinet measure. " Although the message was not officially commu- nicated to tlie French government, and notwithstanding the declaration to the contrary which it contained, the French ministry decided to consider the conditional re- commendation of reprisals, a menace and an insult, which the honor of the nation made it incumbent on them to resent. The measures resorted to by them to evince their sense of the supposed indignity, were the immedi- ate recall of their minister at Washington, the offer of passports to the American minister at Paris, and a public notice to the legislative chambers that all diplomatic intercourse with the United States had been suspended. " Having in this manner vindicated the dignity of France, they next proceeded to illustrate her justice. To this end, a bill was immediately introduced into the chamber of deputies, proposing to make the appropria- tions necessary to carry into effect the treaty. As this bill subsequently passed into a law, the provisions of which now constitute the main subject of difficulty be- tween the two nations, it becomes my duty, in order to 684 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF place the subject before you in a clear light, to trace the history of its passage, and to refer, with some particularity, to the proceedings and discussions in regard to it. The minister of finance, in his opening speech, alluded to the measures which had been adopted to resent the supposed indignity, and recommended the execution of the treaty, as a measure required by tlie honor and justice of France. He, as the organ of the ministry, declared the message, so long as it had not received the sanction of conoress, a mere expression of the personal opinion of the presi- dent, for which neither the government, nor people of the United States, were responsible, and tliat an engage- ment had been entered into, for the fulfihiient of whicii the honor of France was pledged. Entertaining these views, the single condition wliich the French ministry proposed to annex to the payment of the money was, that it should not be made until it was ascertained that the government of the United States had done nothing to injure the interests of France ; or, in other words, that no steps had been autliorized by congress of a hostile character towards France. " What the disposition or action of congress might be, was then unknown to the French cabinet. But on the 14th of January, the senate resolved that it was, at that time, inexpedient to adopt any legislative measures in reoard to the slate of affiiirs between the United States and France, and no action on the subject had occurred in the house of representatives. These facts were known in Paris prior to the 2Sth of March, 1S35, when the com- mittee, to whom the bill of indemnification had been re- ferred, reported it to the chamber of deputies. That committee substantially I'e-echoed the sentiments of the ministrjs declared that congress had set aside the proposition of the president, and recommended the pas- sage of the bill, without any other restriction than that originally proposed. Thus was it known to the French ministry and chambers, that if the position assumed by them, and which had been so frequently and solemnly announced as the only one compatible with the honor of France, was maintained, and the bill passed as originally proposed, the money would be paid, and there would be an end of this unfortunate controversy. THE UNITED STATES. 683 " But this cheering prospect was soon destroyed by an amendment introduced into the bill at the moment of its passage, providing that the money should not be paid until the French government had received satisfactory explanations of the president's message, on the 2d De- cember, 1834 ; and what is still more extraordinary, the president of the council of ministers adopted this amend- ment, and consented to its incorporation in the bill. Tn regard to a supposed insult, which had been formally re- sented by the recall of their minister, and the ofi'er of passports to ours, they now, for the first time, proposed to ask explanations. Sentiments and propositions, which they had declared could not justly be imputed to the government or people of the United States, are set up as obstacles to the performance of an act of conceded justice to that government and people. They had de- clared that the honor of France required the fulfilment of the engagement into Avhich the king had entered, un- less congress adopted the recommendations of the mes- sage. They ascertained that congress did not adopt them, and yet that fulfilment is refused, unless they first obtain from the president explanations of an opinion characterized by themselves as personal and inoperative. *' The conception that it was my intention to menace or insult the government of France, is as unfounded, as the attempt to extort from the fears of that nation what her sense of justice may deny, would he vain and ridicu- lous. But the constitution of the United States imposes on the president the duty of laying before congress the condition of the country, in its foreign and domestic re- lations, and of recommending such measures as may, in his opinion, be required by its interests. From the per- formance of this duty he cannot be deterred by the fear of wounding the sensibilities of the people or govern- ment of whom it may become necessary to speak ; and the American people are incapable of submitting to an interference, by any government on earth, however pow- erful, with the free performance of the domestic duties which the constitution has imposed on their public func- tionaries. The discussions which intervene between the several departments of our government belong to our- 586 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF selves; and for any thing said in them, our public ser- vants are only responsible to their own constituents and to each other. If, in the course of tlieir consultations, facts are erroneously stated, or unjust deductions are made, they require no other inducement to correct them, however informed of their error, than their love of jus- tice, and what is due to their own character; but they can never submit to be interrogated upon the subject, as a matter of right, by a foreign power. When our discus- sions terminate in acts, our responsibility to foreign powers commences, not as individuals, but as a nation. The principle which calls in question the president for the language of his message, would equally justify a foreign power in demanding explanation of the language used in the report of a committee, or by a member in debate. " This is not the first time that the government of France has taken exception to the messages of Ameri- can presidents. President Washington, and the first president Adams, in the performance of their duties to the American people, fell under the animadversion of the French directory. The objection taken by the ministry of Charles X., and removed by the explanations made by our minister on the spot, has already been adverted to. When it was understood that the ministry of the present king took exception to my message of last year, putting a construction upon it which was disavowed on its face, our late minister at Paris, in answer to the note which first announced a dissatisfaction with the language used in the message, made a communication to the French government under date of the 29th of January, 1S35, calculated to remove all impressions which an unrea- sonable susceptibility had created. He repeated, and called the attention of the French government to, the disavowal contained in the message itself, of any inten- tion to intimidate by menace ; he truly declared that it contained, and was intended to contain, no charge of ill faith against the king of the French, and properly distin- guished between the right to complain, in unexceptiona- ble terms, of the omission to execute an agreement, and an accusation of bad motives in withholding such execu- THE UNITED STATES. 687 tion, and demonstrated, that the necessary use of that right ought not to be considered as an offensive imputa- tion. Although this communication was made without instructions, and entirely on the minister's own responsi- bility, yet it was afterwards made the act of this govern- ment by my full approbation, and that approbation was officially made known on the tiSth of April, Ifi-SS, to the French government. It however failed to have any effect. The law, after this friendly explanation, passed With the obnoxious amendment, supported by the king's ministers, and was finally approved by the king. " The people of the United States are justly attached to a pacific system in their intercourse with foreign na- tions. It is proper, therefore, that they should know whether their government has adhered to it. In the present instance, it has been carried to the utmost extent that was consistent with a becoming self-respect. The note of the 29th January, to which I have before alluded, was not the only one which our minister took upon him- self the responsibility of presenting, on the same subject and in the same spirit. "Finding that it was intended to make the payment of a just debt dependent on the performance of a condi- tion which he knew could never be complied with, he thought it a duty to make another attempt to convince tlie French government, that whilst self-respect and re- gard to the dignity of other nations would always prevent us from using any language that ought to give offence, yet we could never admit a right in any foreign govern- ment to ask explanation of, or to interfere in any man- ner in, tiie communications which one branch of our pub- lic councils made with another ; that in the present case, no such language had been used, and that this had in a former note been fully and voluntarily stated, before it was contempla; -1 to make the explanation a condition ; and that there might be no misapprehension, he stated the terms used in that note, and he officially informed them that it had been approved by the president ; and that, therefore, every explanation which could reasona- bly be asked, or honorably be given, had been already made ; that the contemplated measure had been antici- 588 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF pated by a voluntary and friendly declaration, and was therefore not only useless, but might be deemed offensive and certainly would not be complied with, if annexed as a condition. " When this latter communication, to which I specially invite the attention of congress, was laid before me, I entertained the hope that the means it was obviously intended to afford, of an honorable and speedy adjust- ment of the difficulties between the two nations, would have been accepted ; and I therefore did-not hesitate to give it my sanction and full approbation. This was due to the minister who had made himself responsible for the act ; and it was published to the people of the United States, and is now laid before their representatives, to show how far their executive has gone in its endeavors to restore a good understanding between the two coun- tries. It would have been at any time communicated to the government of France, had it been officially re- quested. " The French government having received all the ex- planation which honor and principle permitted, and which could in reason be asked, it was hoped it would no longer hesitate to pay the instalments now due. The agent authorized to receive the money was instructed to inform the French minister of his readiness to do so. In reply to this notice, he was told that the money could not then be paid, because the formalities required by the act of the chambers had not been arranged. " Not having received any official conmiunication of the intentions of the French government, and anxious to bring, as far as practicable, this unpleasant affair to a close before the meeting of congress, that you might have the whole subject before you, 1 caused our charge d' affaires at Paris to be instructed toask for the final de- termination of the French government; and in the event of their refusal to pay the instalments now due without further explanations, to return to the United States. " The result of this last application has not yet reach- ed us, but is daily expected. That it may be favorable is my sincere wish. France having now, through all the branches of her government, acknowledged the va- THE UNITED STATES. 689 lidity of our claims, and the obligation of the treaty of 1831, and there really existing no adequate cause for fur- ther delay, will, at length, it may be hoped, adopt the course which the interests of both nations, not less than the principles of justice, so imperiously require. The treaty being once executed on her part, little will remain to disturb the friendly relations of the two countries; nothing, indeed, which will not yield to the suggestions of a pacific and enlightened policy, and to the influence of that mutual good will and of those generous recollec- tions, which we may confidently expect will then be re- vived in all their ancient force. In any event, however, the principle involved in the new aspect which has been given to the controversy is so vitally important to the independent administration of the government, that it can neither be surrendered nor compromited, without national degradation. I hope it is unnecessary for me to say, that such a sacrifice will not be made through any agency of mine. The honor of my country shall never be stained by an apology from me, for the state- ment of truth and the performance of duty ; nor can I give any explanation of my official acts, except such as is due to integrity and justice, and consistent with the principles on which our institutions have been framed. This determination will, I am confident, be approved by my constituents. I have, indeed, studied their character to but little purpose, if the sum of twenty-five millions of francs will have the weight of a feather, in the esti- mation of what appertains to their national independence ; and if, unhappily, a different impression should at any time obtain in any quarter, they will, I am sure, rally round the government of their choice with alacrity and unanimity, and silence forever the degrading imputa- tion." In relation to the subject of finance, it appears from the report of the secretary of the treasury that The balance in the treasury on the 1st of January, 1 334 was $11,702,905 31 In addition to this balance, the receipts from all sources, during the year 1834, were 21,791,935 5S 50 5d0 UNIVERSAL HrSTORY OF Viz.— From customs $16,214,957 15 Lands 4,.sri7,600 69 Dividends on hank stock, &c 234,349 50 Sales of bank stock 352,300 00 Incidental items 132,728 21 These, with the above balance, make an aggregate of. . 33,494,840 86 The expenditures during 1834, on all objects, were . . . 24,601,982 44 Viz. — Civil list, foreign intercourse, and miscellaneous subjects 84,404,728 95 Military service, including fortifications, ordnance, Indian affairs, pensions, arming militia, and internal improve- ment 10,061,427 88 Naval service, including gradual improvement .... 3,956,26042 Public debt 6,176,565 19 This being an excess of expenditures over the receipts of S2,810,L'46 89, a balance was left in the treasury on the 1st of January, 1335, amounting to $8,892,853 42 In the annual report from the secretary of war, he says — " The general positions of the army remain the same now as at the time of my last report. Some movements, however, have taken place, which it is proper should be specially brought before you. "Fourteen companies have been placed under the com- mand of general Clinch, in Florida, with a view to im- ' pose a proper restraint upon the Seminole Indians, who have occasionally evinced an unquiet spirit, and to en- sure the execution of the treaty stipulations providing for the removal of these Indians. As soon as this takes place, these troops will assume their proper positions. "The regiment of dragoons has been usefully em- ployed in penetrating into the Indian country, in exhib- iting to the Indians a force well calculated to check or to punish any hostilities they may commit, and in adding to our geographical knowledge of those remote regions. Colonel Kearney, with one detachment, marched through the country between the Des Moines and the Mississippi rivers. Colonel Dodge, with another, made an excursion south of the Missouri towards the Eocky mountains; and major Mason, with a third, joined by a detachment of infantry, was employed in duties connected with the assemblage of a body of Indians, at the Cross Timbers, near the great Western Prairie, for the purpose of estab- lishing permanent specific relations between the remote THE UNITED STATES. 691 wandering band's and the United States and the more agricultural Indians, who have migrated, under the pub- lic faith, to that region, or who seemed disposed to im- prove their condition by more settled habits. The duties committed to these troops have been well performed." The reports of the secretary of the navy, and of the post master general, furnish many interesting details rel- ative to their several departments, but our limits forbid any extracts. It is however necessary to remark, that their reports were acceptable and gratifying to the people. CHAPTER XXVI. Difficulty loith the French Government. — Interruption of Diplomatic Intercourse. — Prospect of War. — Adjustment of Diffictdties. — Siirplus Revenue. An immense sensation was produced, from one extrem- ity of the country to the other, by the hostile aspect of affairs with France, disclosed in the annual message of the president, and this excitement was considerably in- creased by the information conveyed in a subsequent message to both houses of congress from the president. This document is so concise, that an equally full and in- teresting detail could not be given in a less space, for which reason the message is given entire. To the Senate and House of Representatives. Gentlemen : In my message at the opening of your session, I informed you that our charge d' affaires at Paris had been instructed to ask for the final determination of the French government, in relation to the payment of the indemnification, secured by the treaty of the 4th of July, 1S31, and that when advices on the result should be re- ceived, it would be made the subject of a special commu- nication. 692 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF In execution of this design, I nov/ transmit to you the papers numbered from 1 to 13, inclusive, containing, among other things, the correspondence on this subject between our charge d' affaires and tlie French minister of foreign affairs, from which it will be seen, that France requires, as a condition precedent to the execution of a treaty unconditionally ratified, and to the payment of a debt acknowledged by all the branches of her govern- ment to be due, that certain explanations shall be made, of which she dictates the terms. These terms are such as that government has already been officially informed cannot be complied with ; and, if persisted in, they must be considered as a deliberate refusal on the part of France to fulfil engagements binding by the laws of nations, and held sacred by the whole civilized world. The nature of the act which France requires from this government, is clearly set forth in the letter of the French minister, marked No. 4. " We will pay the money," says he, " when the government of the United States is ready, on its part, to declare to us, by addressing its claims to us officially, in writing, that it regrets the misunderstanding which has arisen between the two countries ; that this misunderstanding is founded on a mistake; that it never entered into its intention to call in question the good faith of the French government, nor to take a menacing attitude towards France;" and he adds, " if the govern- ment of the United States does not give this assurance, we shall be obliged to think that this misunderstanding is not the result of an error." In the letter marked No. 6, the French minister also remarks, that " the government of the United States knows, that upon itself depends henceforward the execution of the treaty of July 4, 1831." Obliged, by the precise language thus used by the French minister, to view it as a peremptory refusal to execute the treaty, except on terms incompatible with the honor and independence of the United States, and persuaded, that, on considering the correspondence now submitted to you, you can regard it in no other light, it becomes my duty to call your attention to such meas- ures as the exigency of the case demands, if the claim of interfering in the communications between the different THE UNITED STATES. 693- branches of our government shall be persisted in. This pretension is rendered the more unreasonable by the fact, that the substance of the required explanation has been repeatedly and voluntarily sfiven before it was in- sisted on as a condition — a condition the more humiliat- ing, because it is demanded as the equivalent of a pecu- niary consideration. Does France desire only a declara- tion that we had no intention to obtain our rights by an address to her fears rather than to her justice ? She has already had it, frankly and explicitly given by our min- ister accredited to her government, liis act ratified by me, and my confirmation of it officially communicated by him, in his letter to the French minister of foreign affairs, of the 25th of April, 1S35, and repeated by my published approval of that letter after the passage of the bill of in- demnification. Does France want a degrading, servile repetition of this act, in terms which she shall dictate, and which will involve an acknowledgeirient of her as- sumed right to interfere in our domestic councils ? She will never obtain it. The spirit of the American people, the dignity of the legislature, and the firm resolve of our executive government, forbid it. As the answer of the French minister to our charge d' affaires at Paris contains an allusion to a letter ad- dressed by him to the representative of France at this place, it now becomes proper to lay before you the cor- respondence had between that functionary and the sec- retary of state relative to that letter, and to accompany the same with such explanations as will enable you to understand the course of the executive in regard to it. Recurring to the historical statement made at the com- mencement of your session, of the origin and progress of our difficulties with France, it will be recollected that, on the return of our minister to the United States, I caused my official approval of the explanations he had given, to the French minister of foreign affiiirs to be made public. As the French government had noticed the message without its being officially communicated, it was not doubted that, if they were disposed to pay the money due to us, they would notice any public explana- tion of the government of the United States in the same 60* 594 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF way. But, contrary to these well founded expectations, the French ministry did not take this fair opportunity to relieve themselves from their unfortunate position, and to do justice of the United States. Whilst, however, the government of the United States was awaiting the movements of the French government, in perfect confidence that the difficulty was at an end, the secretary of state received a call from the French charge d' affaires in Washington, who desired to read to him a letter he had received from the French minister of foreign afl'airs. He was asked whether he was instruct- ed or directed to make any official communication, and replied that he was only authorized to read the letter, and furnish a copy if requested. The substance of its contents, it is presumed, may be gathered from No?. 4 and 6 herewith transmitted. It was an attempt to make known to the government of the United States, privately, in what manner it could make explanations, apparently voluntary, but really dictated by France, acceptable to her, and thus obtain payment of the twenty-five millions of francs. No exception was taken to this mode of com- munication, which is too often used to prepare the way for official intercourse, but the suggestions made in it were, in their substance, wholly inadmissable. Not being in the shape of an official communication to the govern- ment, it did not admit of reply or official notice, nor could it safely be made the basis of an action by the ex- ecutive or the legislature ; and the secretary of state did not think proper to ask a copy, because he could have no use for it. Copies of papers, marked Nos. 9, 10, and 11, show an attempt on the part of the French charge d' af- faires, many weeks afterwards, to place a copy of this paper among the archives of this government, which for obvious reasons was not allowed to be done ; but the as- surance given was repeated, that any official communi- cation which he might be authorized to make in the ac- customed form, would receive a prompt and just consid- eration. The indiscretion of this attempt was made more manifest by the subsequent avowal of the French, charge d' affaires, that the object was to bring this letter before congress and the American people. If foreign THE UNITED STATES. 595 agents, on a subject of disagreement between their gov- ernment and this, wish to prefer an appeal to the Ameri- can people, they will hereafter, it is hoped, better appre- ciate their own rights, and the respect due to others, than to attempt to use the executive as the passive organ of their cominnnications. It is due to the character of our institutions that the diplomatic intercourse of this government should be conducted with the utmost direct- ness and simplicity, and that in all cases of importance, the communications received or made by the executive, should assume the accustomed official form. It is only by msisting on this form, that foreign powers can be held to full responsibility ; that their communications can be officially replied to ; or that the advice or interference of the legislature can, with propriety, be invited by the president. This course is also best calculated, on the one hand, to shield that officer from unjust suspicions, and, on the other, to subject this portion of his acts to public scrutiny ; and if occasion should require it, to con- stitutional animadversion. It was the more necessary to adhere to these principles in the instance in question, inasmuch as, in addition to other important interests, it very intimately concerned the national honor; a matter, in my judgment, much too sacred to be made the subject of private and unofficial negotiation. It will be perceived that this letter of the French min- ister of foreign afiairs was read to the secretary of state on the 11th of September last. This was the first au- thentic indication of the specific views of the French government, received by the government of the United States after the passage of the bill of indemnification. Inasmuch as the letter had been written before the official notice of my approval of Mr. Livingston's last explana- tion and remonstrance could have reached Paris, just ground of hope was left, as has been before stated, that the French government on receiving this information, in the same manner the alleged oflending message had reached them, would desist from their extraordinary de- mand, and pay the money at once. To give them an opportunity to do so, and, at all events, to elicit their final determination, and the ground they intended to oc- 696 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF cupy, the instructions were given to our charge d' affaires which Avere adverted to at tiie commencement of the pre- sent session of congress. The result, as you have seen, is a demand of an official written expression of regrets, and a direct explanation addressed to France, with a dis- tinct intimation that this is a sine qua non. Mr. Barton having, in pursuance of his instructions, returned to the United States, and the charge d'affaires of France having been recalled, all diplomatic intercourse between the two countries is suspended ; a state of things originating in an unreasonable susccptibiiity on the part of the French government, and rendered necessary on our part by their refusal to perform engagements con- tained in a treaty, from the faithful performance of which by us they are to this day enjoying many important commercial advantages. It is time that this unequal position of affairs should cease, and that legislative action should be brought to sustain executive exertion in such measures as tiie case requires. While France persists in her refusal to com- ply with the terms of a treaty, the object of which was, by removing all causes of mutual complaint, to renew ancient feelings of friendship, and to unite the two na- tions in the bonds of amity, and of a mutually beneficial commerce, she cannot justly complain if we adopt such peaceful remedies as the law of nations and the circum- stances of the case may authorize and demand. Of the nature of these remedies, I have heretofore had occasion to speak, and, in reference to a particular contingency, to express my conviction that reprisals would be best adapted to the emergency then contemplated. Since that period, France, by all the departments of her gov- ernment, has acknowledged the validity of our claims, and the obligations of the treaty, and has appropriated the moneys which are necessary to its execution ; and though payment is withheld on grounds vitally important to our existence as an independent nation, it is not to be believed that she can have determined permanently to retain a position so utterly indefensible. In the altered state of the question in controversy, and under all exist- ing circumstances, it appears to me, that until such a I THE UNITED STATES. 597 determination shall have become evident, it will be proper and sufficient to retaliate her present refusal to comply with h.er engagements, by prohibiting the introduction of French products and the entry of French vessels into our ports. Between this and the interdiction of all com- mercial intercourse, or of other remedies, you, as the representatives of the people, must determine. I recommend the former, in the present posture of our afi'airs, as being tlie least injurious to our commerce, and as attended with ihe least difficulty of returning to the usual stale of friendly intercourse, if the government of France shall render us the justice that is due, and also, as a proper preliminary step to stronger measures, should their adoption be rendered necessary by subsequent events. The return of our charge d' aflaires is attended with public notices of naval preparations on the part of France, destined for our seas. Of the cause and intent of these armaments, I have no authentic information, nor any other means of judging, except such as are common to yourselves and to the public ; but whatever may be their object, we are not at liberty to regard them as uncon- nected with the measures which hostile movements on the part of France may compel us to pursue. They at least deserve to be met by adequate preparations on our part, and I therefore strongly urge large and speedy ap- propriations for tlie increase of the navy, and the com- pletion of our coast defences. If this array of military force be really designed to affect the action of the government and people of the United States, on the questions now pending between the two nations, then indeed would it be dishonorable to pause a moment on the alternative which such a state of affairs would present to us. Come what may, the ex- planation which France demands can never be accorded ; and no armament, however powerful and imposing, at a distance, or on our coast, will, I trust, deter us from dis- charging the high duties we owe to our constituents, to our national character, and to the world. The house of representatives, at the close of the last session of congress, unanimously resolved, that the treaty 698 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF of the 4th of July, 1831, should be maintained, and its execution insisted on by the United States. It is due to the welfare of the human race, not less than to our own interests and honor, that this resolution should, at all hazards, be adhered to. If, after so siirual an example as that given by the American people, during their long protracted difficulties with France, of forbearance under accumulated wrongs, and of generous confidence in her ultimate return to justice, she shall now be permitted to withhold from us the tardy and imperfect indemnification, which, after years of remonstrance and discussion, had nt length been solemnly agreed on by the treaty of 1S31, and to set at nought the obligation it imposes, the United States will not be the only sufferers. The efforts of hu- manity and religion, to substitute the appeals of justice and the arbitrament of reason, for the coercive measures usually resorted to by injured nations, will receive little encouragement from such an issue. By the selection and enforcement of such lawful and expedient measures as may be necessary to prevent a result so injurious to ourselves, and so fatal to the hopes of the philanthro- pist, we shall therefore not only preserve the pecuniary interests of our citizens, the independence of our govern- ment, and the honor of our country, but do much, it may be hoped, to vindicate the faith of treaties, and to pro- mote the general interests of peace, civilization, and im- provement. ANDKEW JACKSON. Washington, Jan. 15, 1836. The information thus communicated to congress and the people, as has already been said, created a great sen- sation. It was indeed a ti.me and an occasion to excite universal interest; and though, as is always to be ex- pected, a considerable diversity of opinion existed among the people, on the probability of a war, in relation to the expediency and propriety of adopting the measures re- commended by the president, yet there was a general agreement that something should be done. The parti- sans of the president, as was to be expected, were united in favor of the measures he had recommended, and many i THE UNITED STATES. 699 of the leading members of the opposition, Avith a feeling alike honorable to their patriotism and liberality, united with them ; all agreed that our claims on France should be insisted on, and that any aggression should be met with firmness and unity on the part of the American people, even to the last extremity. The subject occupied almost exclusively the attention of congress for several weeks. Nunierous schemes and arrangements for national defence were considered and discussed, and for a time war seemed almost inevitable. Happily, however, a resort to hostile measures was avoid- ed ; and even the offered mediation of the English govern- ment to adjust and arrange the difficulties, was by subse- quent evetits rendered unnecessary. Immediately on the receipt of the message of January 15th, the French, king declared himself satisfied with its explanations, ar- rangements were promptly made for the payment of the indemnity, diplomatic intercourse was renewed, and sat- isfactory and honorable relations between the two coun- tries were again established. The session of congress was protracted till July, and the disposition to be nnide of the surplus revenue had an important part in their deliberations. The president in his annual message, at the opening of the session, said — " The condition of the public finances was never more flatterinof than at the present period. " Since my last annual communication, all the remains of the public debt have been redeemed, or money has been placed in deposit for this purpose, whenever the creditors choose to receive it. All the other pecuniary engagements of the government have been honorably and promptly fulfilled, and there will be a balance in the treasury, at the close of the present year, of about nine- teen millions of dollars. It is believed, that after meet- ing all outstanding and unexpended appropriations, there will remain near eleven millions to be applied to any new objects which congress may designate, or to the more rapid execution of the works already in progress. In aid of these objects, and to satisfy the current expen- diture of the ensuing year, it is estimated that there will be received, from various sources, twenty millions more in 1836." 600 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF A prospective surplus of so large an amount was in- deed a matter of great moment, and there was but one opinion in relation to the imperative necessity of dispos- ing of it in some way, so that it might not be unemploy- ed in the treasury, or be in any measure withdrawn from the actual business capital of the country. The contin- gency of a war with France would have made it neces- sary that it should be appropriated for purposes of na- tional defence, but this contingency was removed by the restoration of harmony between the two countries. At a late period of ihe session, a bill was passed by both houses and became a law, directing that the surplus funds of the United States, after a reservation of five millions, should be deposited with the several states in amounts according to their respective representation. This sur- plus amounted to S37 ,468,859 97, and was to be depos- ited with the states in four instalments, the last of which was to be made on the 1st of October, 1837. Subsequent events, however, prevented the completion of this ar- rangement. CHAPTER XXVII. EveMs of 1836. — Meeting of Congress. — Foreign Rela- tions. — Finances. — Surplus Revemie. — India?t Difficicl- ties, — Termination of Jackson's Administration. Congress assembled on the 5th of December, and the annual communication of the president gives a concise view of the subject of foreign relations and the national finances. From this document we make following ex- tract : " I cannot avoid congratulating you and my country, particularly, on the success of the efforts made during my administration, by the executive and legislature, in conformity with the sincere, constant and earnest desire of the people, to maintain peace, and to establish cordial relations with all foreign powers. Our gratitude is due THE UNITED STATES. 601 to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and I invite you to unite with me in ofTering to Hiin fervent supplication that his providential care may ever be extended to those who follow us, enabling them to avoid the dangers and the horrors of war, consistently with a just and indis- pensable regard to the rights and honor of our country. But, although the present state of our foreign afl'airs, standing, without important change, as they did when you separated in July last, is flattering in the extreme, I regret to say that many questions of an interesting char- acter at issue with other powers are yet unadjusted. Amongst the more prominent of these is that of the northeastern boundary. With an undiminished confi- dence in the sincere desire of his Britannic majesty's government to adjust that question, I am not yet in pos- session of the precise grounds upon which it proposes a satisfactory adjustment. " With France our diplomatic relations have been re- sumed, and under circumstances which attest the dispo- sition of both governments to preserve a mutually bene- ficial intercourse, and foster those amicable feelings which are so strongly required by the true interests of the two countries. With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Na- ples, Sweden, and Denmark, the best understanding ex- ists ; and our commercial intercourse is gradually ex- panding itself with them. It is encouraged in all these countries except Naples by their mutually advantageous and liberal treaty stipulations with us. " The claims of our citizens on Portugal are admitted to be just, but provisions for the payment of them have been unfortunately delayed by frequent political changes in that kingdom. " The blessings of peace have not been secured by Spain. Our connections with that country are on the best footing, with the exception of the burden still im- posed upon our commerce with her possessions out of Europe. " The claims of American citizens for losses sustained at the bombardment of Antwerp have been presented to the governments of Holland and Belgium, and will be pressed in due season to settlement. 51 602 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF "With Brazil, and all our neighbors of this continent, Ave continue to maintain the relations of amity and Con- cord, extending our commerce with them as far as the resources of the people and the policy of the govern- ments will permit. The just and long-standing claims of our citizens upon some of them are yet sources of dis- satisfaction and complaint. No danger is apprehended, however, that they will not be peaceably, although tardi- ly, acknowledged and paid by all, unless the irritating effect of her struggle with Texas should unfortunately make our immediate neighbor, Mexico, an exception. " It is already known to you, by the correspondence between the two governments communicated at your last session, that our conduct in relation to that struggle is regulated by the same principles that governed us in the dispute between Spain and Mexico herself, and I trust that it will be found, on the most severe scrutiny, that our acts have strictly corresponded with our pro- fessions. That the inhabitants of the United States should feel strong prepossessions for the one party is not surprising. But this circumstance should, of itself, teach us great caution, lest it lead us into the great error of suffering public policy to be regulated by partialiiy or prejudice; and there are considerations connected with tlie possible result of this contest between the two p;ir- ties, of so much delicacy and importance to the United States, that our character requires that we should nei- ther anticipate events, nor attempt to control them. The- known desire of the Tcxians to become a part of our system, although its gratification depends upon the reconcilement of various and conflicting interests, neces- sarily a work of time, and uncertain in itself, is calcu- lated to expose our conduct to misconstruction in the eyes of the world. There are already those who, indif- ferent to principle themselves, and prone to suspect the want of it in others, charge us with ambitious designs and insidious policy. You will perceive, by the accom- panyins: documents, that the extraordinary mission from Mexico has been terininated, on the sole ground that the obligations of this government to itself and to Mexico, under treaty stipulations, have compelled me to trust a THE UNITED STATES. 603 discretionary authority to a high officer of our army, to advance into territory chiimed as part of Texas, if neces- sary to protect our own or the neighboring frontier from Indian depredation. In the opinion of the Mexican func- tionary wlio has just left us, the honor of his country will be wounded by American soldiers entering, with the most amicable avowed purposes, upon ground from which the followers of his government have been expelled, and over which there is at present no certainty of a serious effort on its part being made to re-establish its dominion. The departure of this minister was the more singular, as he was apprised that the sufficiency of the causes as- signed for the advance of our troops by the commanding general had been seriously doubted by me; and that there was every reason to suppose that the troops of the United States — their commander having had time to as- certain the truth or falsehood of the information upon which they had been marched to Nacogdoches — would be either there in perfect accordance with the principles admitted to be just in his conference with the secretary of state, by the Mexican minister himself, or were already withdrawn in consequence of the impressive warnings their commanding officer had received from the depart- ment of war. It is hoped and believed that his govern- ment will take a more dispassionate and just view of this subject, and not be disposed to construe a measure of justifiable precaution, made necessary by its known inability, in execution of the stipulations of our treaty, to act upon the frontier, into an encroachment upon its rights, or a stain upon its honor. ^ " In the mean time, the ancient cotpplaints of injustice, made on behalf of our citizens, jire disregarded, and new causes of dissatisfaction have arisen, souif of them of a character requiring prompt rcmoristraTice, and ample and immediate redress. 1 trust, however, by temperijig firmness with courtesy, and acting with great forbear- ance upon every incident that has occurred, or that may happen, to do and to obtain justice, and thus avoid the necessity of again bringing this subject to the view of congress. " It is my duty to remind you, that no provision has 604 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF been made to execute our treaty with Mexico for tracing the boundary line between the two countries. Whatever may be the prospect of Mexico being soon able to exe- cute the treaty on its part, it is proper that we should be, in anticipation, prepared at all times to perform our obligations, without regard to the probable condition of those with whom we have contracted them. " The result of the confidential inquiries made into the condition and prospects of the newly declared Texian government will be communicated to you in the course of the session. " Commercial treaties, promising great advantages to our enterprising merchants and navigators, have been formed with the distant governments of Muscat and Si- am. The ratifications have been exchanged, but have not reached the department of state : copies of the trea- ties will be submitted to you, if received before, or pub- lished, if arriving after, the close of the present session of congress. " Nothing has occurred to interrupt the good under- standing that has long existed with the Barbary powers, nor to check the good will which is gradually growing up in our intercourse with the dominions of the govern- ment of the distinguished chief of the Ottoman empire. " InformaJ-ion has been received at the department of state, that a treaty with the emperor of Morocco has just been negotiated, which, I hope, will be received in time to be laid before the senate previous to the close of the session. ^ " You will perceift^e, {Vi)m the report of the secretary of the treasury, that ihe 'financial means of the country continue to k&ep'^a?e^'1th its improvement in all other respects. Th<(!j;eceipts into the treasury during the pre- sent year will amount to about 847,691,898; those from customs being estimated at $22,523,151 ; those from lands at about $24,000,000, and the residue from miscel- laneous sources. The expenditures for all objects during the year are estimated not to exceed $32,000,000, which will leave a balance in the treasury for public purposes, on the first day of January next, of about $41,723,959. This sum, with the exception of five millions, will be THE UNITED STATES. 605 transferred to the several states, in accordance with the provisions of the act reguiating the deposits of the public money." Tl)e report of the secretary of war and the accompa- nying documents give a full view of the diversified and important operations of that department, of which the president gives the following summary. " The military movements rendered necessary by the aggressions of the hostile portions of the Seminole and Creek tribes of Indians, and by other circumstances, have required the active employment of nearly our whole reg- ular force, including the marine corps, and of large bodies of militia and volunteers. With all these events, so far as they were known at the seat of government before the termination of your last session, you are already ac- quainted ; and it is therefore only needful in this place to I ly before you a brief summary of what has since oc- curred. The war with the Seminoles, during the sum- mer, was on our part chiefly confined to the protection of our frontier settlements from the incursions of the en- ' emy ; and as a necessary and important means for the accomplisnment of that end, to the maintenance of the posts previously established, in the course of this duty, several actions took place, in which the bravery and dis- cipline of both officers and men were conspicuously dis- played, and which I have deemed it proper to notice, in respect to the former, by granting of brevet rank for gal- lant services in the field. But as the force of the Indi- ans was not so far weakened by these partial successes as to lead them to submit, and as their savage inroads were frequently repeated, early measures were taken for placing at the disposal of governor Call, who, as com- mander-in-chief of the territorial militia, had been tem- porarily invested with the command, an ample force, for the purpose of resuming the offensive operations, in the most efficient manner, so soon as the season should per- mit. Major-general Jessup was also directed, on the con- clusion of his duties in the Creek country, to repair to Florida and assume the. command. " The result of the first movement made by the forces under the direction of governor Call, in October last, as 61* 606 THE UNITED STATES. detailed in the accompanying papers, excited much sur- prise and disappointment. A full explanation has been required of the causes which led to the failure of that movement, but has not yet been received. In the mean time, as it was agreed that the health of governor Call, who was understood to have suffered much from sickness, would not be adequate to the crisis, and as major-general Jessup was known to have reached Florida, that officer was directed to assume the command, and to prosecute all needful operations with the utmost promptitude and vigor. From the force at his disposal, and the disposi- tions he has made and is instructed to make, and from the very efficient measures which it is since ascertained have been taken by governor Call, there is reason to hope that they will soon be enabled to reduce the enemy to subjection. In the mean time, as you will perceive from the report of the secretary, there is urgent necessity for further appropriations to suppress their hostilities. " Happy for the interests of humanity, the hostilities with the Creeks were brought to a close soon after your adjournment, Avithout that effiision of blood which at one time was apprehended as inevitable. The uncondi- tional submission of the hostile party was followed by their speedy removal to the country assigned them west of the Mississippi. The inquiry as to alleged frauds in the purchase of the reservations of these Indians, and the cause of their hostilities, requested by the resolution of the house of representatives of the 1st July last to be made by the president, is now going on, through the agency of commissioners appointed for that purpose. Their report may be expected during the present session. " The difficulties apprehended in the Cherokee country have been prevented, and the peace and safety of that region and vicinity effectually secured, by the timely measures taken by the war department, and still con- tinued." On the 4th of March, 1837, Martin Van Buren, of New- York, entered upon the duties of the office as president, and Richard M. Johnson as vice-president, for the en- suing term of four years. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Birth, education, and early life of Columbus — ^Discoveries by Co- lumbus, and others, A CHAPTER n. From the Settlement of Jamestown, to the Embarcation oftht Plymouth Company. aA Voyage of Captain Newport, ..... 13 Attack of the Natives, . . . . . .14 Captain Smith tried and acquitted, .... 15 Return of Captain Newport to England, . . . . ib. Distresses of the Colonists, ..... ib. Their dissensions, . . . . . . ib. Captain Ratcliff made President, ...» 16 Fortifications erected at Jamestown, . . . . ib. A conspiracy detected in the Colony, ... 17 The Indians capture Captain Smith, . . . . ib, Smith Uberated by Pocahontas, . . . . ib. More settlers and provisions arrive, . . . • .^® Delusion respecting gold dust, . . . . ib. First remittance to England, . . . . .19 Exploring party visits the Susquehannah, . . . ib. First females arrive in the country, . . . .20 New charter, and mcrease of settlers, , • . 21 Disputes respecting precedtncy, . , . . .22 Distresses by famine — reheved, .... 23 Sir T. Dale arrives with men and provisions, . . .24 Another new charter issued, ..... ib. Lotteries first granted in England, for the benefit of the eettlements, ib. Mr. Rolfe marries Pocahontas, . . . . .25 Land allotted to individuals, ..... ib. Edicts against raising Tobacco, . . . . . ib. Martial law declared, ...... 26 Tyranny of the Deputy Governor, . . . . ib. Sabbath laws, and penalty for breach thereof— punishment by slavery, ib. First colonial assembly convened, .... 27 Females transported, and sold for wives, their pricey . . ib. First convicts transported, ..... 28 CHAPTER in. From the Embarcation of the Plymouth Company^ to the dote qf the Pequot War. King's Letters Patent — boundaries, . . . .28 Settlers embark at Southampton, . . . > ib. Colonists land at Cape Cod, . . . . . 29 Sabbath first observ^ in New-England, . . .30 Qwat mortality in Plymouth colony, ' . . . > ib, "^-d u B CONTENTS. Governor Carver dies, Mr. Bnnlford siucoeJs, Evils threatened l\y Indians ami famine, Pulilic Fast, and Thanksgiving apjioinled, Virginia Company form a coaslitulioii, Massacre in Virgiiiia, .... Great diought in Plymouth, Chariest own settled, .... Fifteet) liundred people arrive at Salem, John Witithrop made Governor, Churches established, Arrival of rviessrs. Haynes, Stone, and Hooker, Connectieut river (iiseovered, . . Diinculty with the Dutch at Hartford, . Ravages of the Smallpox, . . Connectticut settled — sutierings, First Court holden in Connecticut, Charter of Connecticut obtained, Indian murd('rs, .... Captain Stone, and John Oldham, murdered, . Reprisals on the Indians, . . . Indian ambuscade at Say brook. Enterprise under Captain Mason, Attack on a Pequot ibrt, . . . The fort and wigwams burnt, The Dutch restore two captive maids taken by the saved by means of a squaw, Battle with the Indians at Fairfield, The triple alliance at Hartford, Thanksgivinij, on account of Peace, New- Haven discovered, . . . Earthquake in New- England, . . Increase of settlements in Connecticut, Portsmouth and Exeter settled, Now- Hampshire separated from Massachusetts, Rhode Island purchased of the Indians, First permanent settlement in Maine, Venm>nt declared an independent state. Remarks on the religion of the colony, . CluaktTs made their tirst appearance, First Baptist Church in America, . . Manners and custcms, . . Puhibiting the use of tonacco, Agriculture and commerce, . • Arts and manufactures, . • < Printing first introduced, • . • Education and p'';;u]5;jCJ3, • • • PART II. Pcquoti s, and 5G.' CI i\h ib." n-: G4 no ib. 60 70 71 ib. ib. ib. 12 ib. ib. ih. CHAPTER IV. Discovery and Progress of the Middlo and Southern States. Hudson's voyage and discoveries, . , , . W S» Thomas Dale and the Dutch. . . . . »• CONTENTS. ]u Grant of the Dutch "West India Company, . , 74 Settlement of New-Jersey by the Danes, . . ■ . t, ib. Emigration of Swedes and Finns, . . • . lb. Delaware settled by Swedes and Finns, ... ib. Maryland settled by Roman Catholics, . . 75 William Clayborr.c excites rebcUicn, . . . . ib. Grant of New-Orleans to Sir R. Heath, ..75 Indigent subjects transported to Georgia, . . .lb. First house built in Savannah, . . . . i ■ ib. History of all the colonies combined, . . . . ib. Charter of Connecticut read to the freemen, . . . ib. Difficulty in collecting taxes, . . . . * 7'^ New- York submits to Colonel Nichols, . . , ib. Demand of Sir Edmund Andross, . . . • ?® Determined resistance of Captain T. Bull, . . . ib. Commencement of PhiUp's war, . . . . . ib. Defence of a house in Brookfield, .... 80 Attacks of Indians on several towns, . . . .81 Indian fort taken and destroyed, with many of the men, •women, and children, ...... 83 Death of King Philip, , . . . . " . 84 Peace concluded with the Indians, . . . . ib. Form of Government by William Penn, . . . .85 .^r E. Andross demands the Connecticut Charter, which is hidden, 86 i^rainiical proceedings of Andross, .... 87 W ar between France and England, . . ' . ,90 Massacre at Schenectady, ..... ib, Casco, in Maine, destroyed. . . . . .91 An expedition fitted out against Canada, . . . ib. J^arrative of Sir William Phipps, . . . . ib. Henry Sloughter appointed Governor of New- York, . . ib. Leisler and Melborne executed, . . . . . ib. Colonel Fletcher succeeds Governor Sloughter, , , ib. Governor Fletcher demands the submission of the Connecticut mi- litia to his connnand, . . . . . ib. A treaty between Great Britain and France, . . 93 The surprise of Dover, . . . . . . ib. Heroic act of Mr. Dustan, ..... 94 Distressing situation of Mrs. Dustan, and other captives, . . 96 The Earl of Bellamont appointed Governor, . . . ib. War with the French, Indians, and Spaniards, . . ib. Deerfield surprised, and the people killed and made prisoners, . 97 Mr. Williams, and other prisoners, redeemed, . . . ib. Expedition against Canada, . . , , , ib. Nine transports lost, ...... 98 Samuel Street appointed Governor, . . . . ib. Indian War in South Carolina, . . , ib. Peace between France and England, . . . . ib. Wilham Burnet appointed Governor, ... 99 Forts and trading houses built on Lake Ontario, . . ib, Indian War — Peace restored, .... 100 Settlement of Georgia, .... . ih. CONTENTS. Disturbance among the Negroes in South Carolina, War again broke ont between England and France, Louisburg taken by the English, Peace restored in 1748, .... CHAPTER V. F'rcnch and Indian War. Causes which led to this war, Washington's expedition, Braddock's defeat, Lord Loudon arrives as Comniander-in-cliief, Loss of Oswego, General Amherst arrives in America, Generals Amherst and Wolfe capture St. John's and Louisbur^ An attack upon Ticonderoga, . Fort Frontenac taken, . . . Fort Du duesnc taken by General Forbes, Expedition against Canada, Quebec taken hy General Wolfe, Close of the French and Indian war, ib. 101 ib. 103 104 105 loa 111 112 131 123 124 127 ib. 128 131 ib. PART ISI. CHAPTER VI. Causes which led to the American Revolution, Several cargoes of tea destroyed in Boston harbour, Battle of Lexington, ..... Ticonderoga taken by the Americans, .... Battle of Bunker's Hill, . . Washington apiwinted Commander-in-chief of the American forces, Falmouth, in iNlassachusetts, burnt by the English, An attempt to storiu Ciucbec, .... y0 lob *wff n 163 ' Ibi 167 16S 170 172 CHAPTER VH. American Hcvchition. continiisd. Boston evacuated by the British, Admiral Parker attempts the siege of Charleston, Declaration of Independence, CHAPTER Vni. American Rcvclution cordir^'JXd, New-York taken by the Eriiisli, Danbury destroyed, CHAPTER IX. Evacuation of Canada Carleton's battle, Battle at Bennington, Battle of Sarat(!ga — Capture of Burgoyne, Battle of Brandy wine, . ' . . Capture of Philadelphia, Philadelphia evacuated by the English, Battle at Monmouth, .175 177 .179 183 185 186 190 192 194 ib. 195 ib. CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. Operations of the Revolution. Expedition of Captain Ferguson, Expedition of Colonel Cainjibcll, . Georgia occupied by the English, Geneml movements at the South, . . Storming of Stoney Point, Naval excursion of John Paul Joncb, Proceedings at tlie Soiillij British government organized at South Caralin^j, . Movements of General Gates, 201 21)9 'J ' 1 ,212 21f> CHAPTER XI. Treason of Amohl — Ati/ire taken. Count De Grasse's arrival with 3,3(,)0 troops, . . . ■'}-2'^ Battle at Yorktown — fall of Cortiwallis, . . -PA Cessation of hostilities, ..... -.'►ift Washington's farewell orders, . . i JO Evacuation of New- York ... ■J?'3 Parting scene between Wasnmgton and his officers, . 2j!{ Washington resigiis his commission to Congfess, . . 93A CHAPTER XIII. Ojttie conieaeration, formation, and adoption, of the presci '- stitution of the United States, .... 235 General George Washington elected first President, . ib. Washington's journey from Mount Vernon to New- York, . 2o'f> President's tour through New-England, . . . 241 The first census completed in 1791, ... 244 A treaty with the Creek Indians, .... ib. War with the Northwestern Inxlians, .... ib General St. Clair's military operations, . . . ib. vieneral Wayne's victory, ..... 215 General Washington re-elected President, 1792, . . 2^16 Declaration of AVar by France, against England and HoUan.', . ib. '^"ocee^lings of Coiijjress, . . . . ,247 CHAPTER XIV. John Adams elected President, 1797, . . . •■ '^ Difficulties with France, . . . . . ib. Death of General Washington — doings of the nation, . . Ml) Mr. Jefferson chosen President, and Mr. Ban- Vice Pre^iJ^r*. S.^ Ohio admitted into the Union in ly03, 251 Tripolitan war, .... ij]^ Peace with Tripoli, . . . -'33 Mr. JeflTerson re-elected President, Mr. Clin . :co i resiu';:.:, ib. Mr. Burr's proceedings, and trial, . . . • il>. Difficulties on the ocean, . . - S?I*4 James Madison elected President, Mr. Clintoari-ciectAlVl"' ' ( sident, 1809 .... "'-**^ ?56 War declared against Great Britain, . ' 357 >>. COWTENTS. Detroit t.auen, Nov:-! .■: A ,.-it; .'-aj-broo, n re-elected President, and Greorge Clinton . 1813, .... on the sea coast, ... Porter's cruise, - . - he "West, - - - - . tory, - - _ - ■ Chauncey's cruise, •n's talien, and the garrison murdered, - he Indians at the west, • itacked, and the shipping destroyed, The Bril)!./i attempt landing at Stonington, CHAPUTSR XV. , ' of the army on the frontier, i of the capitol, 1 attack Baltimore — death of General Ross, ' < ! ^h's victory, - - onvention, . . - I ^^ war renewed, ... : ckson takes Pensacola, 7ictory, .... . Great Britain, •w of the United States, ■ » , . ■ e Western States, f'i laat* t .' the population, . . - CHAPTER XVI. ! indent Monroe's Administration, ;V{ rvissijjfii admitted into the Union, "Win- -with the Seminole Indians, .A'V -,: idmitted into the Union, M> Vi'.n-oe re-elected President, T n ;, . (' . :i landing at New-York — his tour, Mcy Adams elected President, - A departure for Franre, . Congress, ... Ik-^i' ■ Adams and Jefferson, F' • v.nhM'Intosh, . . - pon Part Third, ... losen President, f ■ and Ohio Rail Road, CHAPTER XVn. . j i'Lview of the progress of the Western States, CHAPTER XVHL Sffi'irwo'fc A-dministration, Vice Pre- 258 ib. -265 269 -275 282 -287 , 301 -309 312 -325 327 340 349 353 361 363 ib. 365 373 ■375 ib. 379 384 -388 389 -390 393 ■ 394 401" -409 416 >419 423 •427 440 • 449 455 ■459 481 IdV. f vr