Class JZ_ Book ' K 'J A 4 - CATECHISM OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES: WITH A tfjjranolngual fable at JLmerirau f tstoru, From its Discovery in 1492 to the year 1854. ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS. DESIGNED TO ACCOMPANY IR^ING'S SERIES OF CATECHISMS. Adapted to the use of /Schools in the United States. By M. J V KERNE Y, Esq. Author of Compendium of Ancient and Modern History, Sfc. tfc. Sfc. "There is nothing that can belter deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature Knowledge is in every eounuy the surest basis of public happiness: and in one in which the measures of government receive ihfir impression bo immediately from the sense of the com.i. unity as in ours, it is proponionably es- sential." | Washington. Third Enlarged and Revived Edition. : BALTIMORE: PUBLISHED BY JOHN MURPHY" & CO. No. 178 MARKET STREET. Sold by Bookseller) generally throughout the United States. 1854. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-four, by J. Murphy & Co., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maryland. En* ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD REVISED EDITION. The peculiar merits of this little History are to be found in the accuracy of its details, and in the adap- tation of its style and arrangement to the capacity of that class of learners for which it was designed. In these particulars it is far superior to any work of the kind now before the public. But the favor with which it has been received, and its extensive circula- tion, are the best comments on its merits. Ten thou- sand copies have been disposed of within two years. These indications of public approbation have in- duced the publishers to spare neither labor nor expense to render the work still more deserving of that liberal patronage which has been already ex- tended to it. The present edition has been carefully revised and considerably enlarged ; and in order to render the work more interesting and attractive, a number of appropriate and instructive engravings haVe been introduced. These improvements will add much to its merits, and render the present far supe- rior to the previous editions. Baltimoke, February 10, 1854. 5 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The following little work is designed for children about to commence the study of History. It has been compiled at the request of the publishers, to be used in connexion with Irving's highly popular series of catechisms. The plan of the work is similar to that adopted by Dr. Irving. The catechetical form of instruction is now admitted by the most experienced teachers to be the best adapted to the nature and capacity of children — a system by which they will acquire a knowledge of a science in less time than by any other. As an introductory work, the following catechism will be found to possess many advantages, particularly for that class of learners for which it is designed. It presents to the minds of the young a clear and con- cise view of the most interesting and important events of the history of their own country. The chronolo- gical table will render them familiar with the dates of the. most important transactions, and serve as an excellent method of exercising their memories. CONTENTS Page. Advertisement to Third Edition 5 Preface to First Edition 6 Introduction 9 Chap. I. Discovery and Antiquities of America 11 II. The Settlement of Virginia 17 III. The Settlement of the New England States. . 20 IY. The Settlement of the Middle and Southern States 24 V. The French War, and Conquest of Canada ... 28 VI. The Causes of the Revolution 32 VIJ. The Revolutionary War 35 VIII. The Revolutionary War — Continued 40 IX. The Revolutionary War — Continued 46 X. The Revolution — Concluded 51 [XI. Adoption of the Constitution of the United States — Difficulties with France, &c 55 XII. The Late War with England 63 XIII. The Late War with England— Concluded . . . 68 XIV. The National Bank, &c 71 XV. War with Mexico— Causes of the War — The Battle of Palo Alto— Battle of Resaca de la Palma — Battle of Monterey — Battle of Buena Vista 77 XVI. War with Mexico, Continued — General Scott — Surrender of Vera Cruz — Battle of Cerro Gordo — Battle of Contreras — Battle of Chu- ibus>t<> Surrender of the city of Mexico.. 84 7 8 CONTENTS. Page. General Questions on the Constitution of the United States 91 General Questions on the Constitutions and Govern- ments of the principal States of the Union 91 Declaration of Independence 112 Table showing the birth-place and age of the Sign- ers of the Declaration of Independence 115 Chronological table of the Presidents and other Prin- cipal officers, since the adoption of the Con- stitution 117 A chronological table of American history from the discovery in 1492 to the year 1853 121 A CATECHISM iisfcrjj d % United States. INTRODUCTION. (). What is History ? A. History is a written narrative of past events. Q. What are the divisions of History? A. History is divided into Ancient and Mo- dern ; which is also subdivided into Civil, Sacred and Profane. Q. What do }'Ou understand by Ancient His- tory? A. Ancient History, is an account of all events, that have taken place from the Creation of the world to the birth of Christ. Q. What is Modern History? A. Modern History embraces an account of all events, from the birth of Christ to the present time. Q. What is Civil History? A. Civil History is an account of the rise, continuance, and fall of empires, kingdoms, and states. 10 INTRODUCTION. Q. What is Sacred History? A. Sacred History is that, which is contained in the Sacred Scriptures. Q. What is Profane History ? A. Profane History is properly the history of fabulous gods, and heroes of antiquity. Q. Which is the most ancient history? A. The most ancient history, is that contained in the Old Testament; which gives an account of the Creation of the world, the fall of our first parents, &c. Q. How many years from the Creation of the world to the birth of Christ? A. It is commonly said to be four thousand and four years. Q. How is Ancient History distinguished ? A. It is distinguished for the rise and fall of the four great Empires : Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome. * Q. For what is Modern History distinguished ? A. Modern History is distinguished for the invention of gunpowder, the discovery of Ame- rica, and the invention of the art of printing. Q. What are the Middle Ages? A. The Middle Ages, embrace a period, which extends from the decline of the Western Em- pire of the Romans, to the fall of the Eastern Empire. Q. How are the Middle Ages distinguished? A. They are distinguished by the rise, and progress of Mahometanism, the Feudal System, Crusades, and Chivalry. Landing" of Columbus. CHAPTER I. Discovery and Antiquities of America. Q. Who discovered America? A. Christopher Columbus. Q. When and where was Columbus born ? A. At Genoa, in Italy ; in the year 1435. Q. How was his youth spent? A. At the age of fourteen, he engaged in a sea-faring life ; and soon became distinguished for his skill in managing boats and vessels upon the water. Q. In what branches of knowledge did he excel? A. He was particularly distinguished for his knowledge of Geometry, Astronomy, Geography and Naval Science. Q. What were the people of Europe at that time endeavoring to find ? 11 12 HISTORY OF A. They were endeavoring to find a passage by water to the East Indies. Q. How did they expect to find a passage by water ? A. By sailing around the southern part of Africa, and then taking an eastern course. Q. "With what country did Columbus suppose this continent was connected? A. With the East Indies. Q. What did he conclude ? A. Columbus, reasoning from the spherical figure of the earth, concluded that the Indies might be reached by sailing directly west from Europe. Q. To whom did he first apply for assistance ? A. He first applied to the government of Genoa, his native country, but his theory was treated as visionary. Q. To whom did he next apply ? A. He next applied to the king of Portugal, who attentively listened to his theory, and then secretly sent a vessel on a voyage of discovery, but the captain, being a man of no experience in naval science, soon returned without having made any discovery. Q. By whom was he finally assisted ? A. By Ferdinand and Isabella, the sovereigns of Spain. Q. Where did he sail from ? A. From the port of Palos, in Spain, with three small vessels, carrying ninety men. Q. Can you relate any particulars of the voyage ? THE UNITED STATES. 13 A. The Spaniards, having lost sight of land, were seized with fear, and entreated Columbus to return to Spain. Q. What did Columbus do? A. He endeavored to calm their fears and silence their murmurs by kindness and promises ; but finding their clamors only increased, he as- sumed a decided tone, and told them that the expedition had been sent out by the order of the Sovereigns of Spain, to find a passage to the Indies, and that he would persevere until he had accomplished the enterprise. Q. Can you relate any other particulars of the voyage? A. Every evening, Columbus and his com- panions, who were Catholics, assembled upon the decks of the vessels, and as the sun disap- peared in the west, they chanted forth that beau- tiful hymn, the Salve Regina, in honor of the i Blessed Virgin. Q. When did he discover America ? A. On the 12th of October, in the year 1492.. Q. What land did he first reach ? A. He first reached one of the Bahama Islands, | k> which he gave the name of Saint Salvadore. Q. How many voyages did Columbus make to America? A. Four ; in the third of which he discovered the Continent, and landed in several places in the northern part of South America. Q. Where and when did Columbus die ? A. He died at Valladolid in Spain, in the year 1506. 14 HISTORY OF Q. Why was the country called America? A. The country was called America from Americus Vespucius, who sailed to the New "World on a voyage of discovery after Columbus had reached the Continent; Americus explored still farther, the new regions, and on his return to Spain published an account of his discovery, and the country in consequence, received from him the name of America, Q. By whom was North America discovered? A. By John Cabot, then in the service of Henry VII, king of England. Q. What part of the Continent did Cabot dis- cover ? A. He discovered the coast of Labrador, and sailed along the southern coast, and took pos- session of the country in the name of his sove- reign. This laid the foundation of the British claim to North America. Q. In what year did this take place ? A. In the year 1496 ; and one year later, he discovered Newfoundland. Q. By whom was the empire of Mexico con- quered ? A. By Hernando Cortez. Q. From what place did Cortez sail ? A. He sailed from Cuba with a few small vessels carrying six hundred men, sixteen horses and a few pieces of cannon. Q. Where did he land? A. He landed on the sight where the present city of Vera Cruz now stands. Q. What did he then do ? TIIE UNITED STATES. 15 A. Having burned his vessels, he commenced his march towards the city of Mexico, and after fighting many battles, he took the city, and finally reduced the whole empire to a Spanish province. Q. By whom was Peru, in South America, discovered and conquered ? A. By Francis Pizarro, about the year 1531. Q. What was the condition of the Peruvians, at the time the empire was discovered ? A. The Peruvians, like the Mexicans, were considerably advanced in civilization ; they un- derstood architecture, agriculture, and the work- ing of the precious metals, and had a regular government and a code of civil and religious laws. Q. What did they worship? A. They worshipped the Sun as the Supreme Deity. Q. Is it probable that any part of America was known before the time of Columbus ? A. It is said that Greenland was visited by the Norwegians, in the year 982, and it is now generally believed, that America at an early period was inhabited by a race of people far more advanced in civilization than the Indians. Q. How do they support this conjecture ? A. By the ruins of many extensive works of art, found in many parts of the country. Q. Where may some of these be found ? A. In Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, and many other ^ - Q. What ruins do you find 16 HISTORY OF A. Near Wheeling, on the Ohio River, is to be seen the ruins of an ancient mound, fifty- feet in circumference, and ninety feet high. This mound is filled with thousands of human skeletons, and was probably situated near some great city, and was the general deposite of the dead for ages. Q What may be found in Pennsylvania ? A. Near Marietta are extensive fortifications, consisting of walls, and mounds of earth, from six to ten feet high, and nearly forty feet broad at the base. On the Susquehanna River, a piece of pottery was found, measuring twelve feet across the top, and thirty-six feet in circum- ference.* Q. What ruins may be seen in Ohio? A. On the banks of the Muskingum River, are the ruins of immense walls, forts, mounds, and wells, many of them built of hewn stone ; and at Paint Creek are to be seen the remains of ancient forts of immense size, covering one hundred and fifteen acres of land. Q. What has been found in New York ? A. In Onondaga County is the site of an ancient burying ground. In one of the graves was found a glass bottle, and an iron hatchet, edged with steel. In Scipio County, a man found several hundred weight of brass, and a quantity of wrought iron, sufficient to shoe his horses for many years. On the Genesee River, a piece of silver was found, on which was en- graved in Arabic letters, the year of our Lord 600. THE UNITED STATES 17 Q. What may be found in Kentucky V A. Lexington, in Kentucky, stands nearly on the site of an ancient town of great extent and magnificence, the ruins of which are still visible. Q. What do these things prove ? A. They prove, that America was at some re- mote period inhabited by a race of people, ac- quainted with many of the mechanical arts, and far advanced in civilization ; and that, by some unknown cause, they disappeared from the coun- try, or sank into a state of barbarism, such as the natives were found when Columbus first vis- ited the country. CHAPTER II. The Settlement of Virginia, Q. When and where did the English com mence their settlement in America ? A. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh sent out a company of adventurers, who landed on an island in Pamlico Sound, and then proceeded to the Isle of Roanoke, where they commenced a settlement. Q. What was the fate of this party "/ A. They were in a short time reduced to the utmost distress by famine, and by hostilities with the natives, and returned again to England. Q. What did Raleigh do in *1585 ? A. In 1585, Raleigh sent out another com- pany of one hundred and fifty men 2 18 . . H98XO&Y OF Q. Where did they land 3 A. This party also landed on the Isle of Ro- anoke, but they were soon reduced to great dis- tress, and returned to England with Sir Francis Drake Q. When was the first permanent settlement made in Virginia? . ,4. The first permanent settlement was made in Virginia in 1607, at Jamestown, under the direction of the London Company. Q. What have you to observe of the first set- tiers? , .4. They were men of dissipated habits, and destitute of industry and economy. They were soon involved in war with the Indians : and in six months after they landed, half their number died of famine and disease. Q. What, distinguished man was among the first settlers ? A. Captain John Smith. Q. What have you to relate of Smith? .1 He was taken prisoner by the Indians, who carried him to Powhatan, their king.^ ^ <■ Q What sentence was. pronounced on Smith.' A. He was condemned to death, and imme- diately led forth to exec l. Q. What happened ;■• they were about to execute him Ul*3 u l Hi A a; mux ... ixl His head was laid upon a stone, and the savages with uplifted clubs were about to kill him- but just al this moment, Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of Powhatan, rushed between the executioners and the prisoner, and by her TUM UMTED STATES. Itf tears and entreaties prevailed on her father to spare the life of Smith. Q. Was her prayer heard ? A. Yes; Smith obtained his liberty, and re* turned in safety to Jamestown. Q. What is related of Pocahontas ? A: Powhatan had secretly planned the de- struction of the Colony, but Pocahontas went to Jamestown on a dark and stormy night, and disclosed to Smith the designs of her father, and thus saved the Colony from destruction. Virginia. 30 HISTORY OF Q. What have you to observe of the reply of the French commander? A. The reply did not give satisfaction, and the Governor of Virginia immediately organized a regiment to support the claims of Great Britain Q. Who was appointed commander of this regiment ? A. Mr. Fry was appointed colonel, and young Washington lieutenant-colonel ; but on the death of Fry, which happened shortly afterwards, the command devolved upon Washington. Q. Where did Washington proceed? A. He marched forward to attack the French at Fort Duquesne, near the place where Pitts- burg now stands. Q. What happened before he reached that place ? A. Before he reached the fort, he was informed that the French had been strongly reinforced. Q. What did he do ? A. He fell back to a fort which he had re- i--«mtly thrown up. Q. What took place there? A. He was there attacked by the French, and made a brave resistance, but he was at last com- pelled to capitulate. Q. What happened in 1754? A. General Braddock arrived in Virginia with authority of commander-in-chief of the English forces in America. Q. What did Braddock do? A. Despising the prudent advice of Washing- ton, he pushed forward to Fort Duquesne. TEE UNITED STATES. 31 Q. What was the consequence? A. Before he reached the fort, he was sud- denly attacked by a body of French and Indians Q. What followed ? A. After making a brave resistance, the Eng- lish were totally defeated. O. What is said of Braddock? .4. He did all that a brave general could do ; but after having three horses shot under him, he fell mortally wounded. Q. What is said of Washington ? A. Washington had two horses shot under him. and four balls passed through his coat, yet he escaped unhurt. Q. How many of the British were killed i* this battle ? Q. About seven hundred ; and out of eighty- five pincers, only twenty-one survived. Q. About the same time, what took place in the eastern colonies? A. General Shirley, of Massachusetts, led an expedition against Canada ; but it was unsuc- cessful : and Oswego was taken by the French. Q. What took place in 1759 ? .1 Niagara was tak -^ by Sir William John- ~m. and Quebec by General Wolfe. Q. What is related of Wolfe? .{. fie received a mortal wound in the mo- ment of victory, and was carried to the rear of the army. When in the agonies of death, he heard the shout : " They fiy, they fly P' " Who fly?" asked the dying hero, and being told _ tliftt 32 HISTORY OF it was the French, he replied : " I die happy ;" and immediately expired. Q. What is related of Montcalm, the French commander ? A. Montcalm also fell mortally wounded ; and being told that he could survive only a few mo- ments, he replied : "So much the better; I shall not then live to see the surrender of Quebec." Q. What took place the following year? A. Canada was reduced to a British province. CHAPTER VI. The Causes of tli£ Revolution. Q. What may be observed of the colonies up to this period? A. Up to this period the colonies expressed a warm attachment for England, and felt proud of their connection with one of the most pow- erful -nations of Europe. Q. What were some of the causes which led to the American Revolution ? A. Shortly after the French war, the British government began to encroach upon the rights of the colonies, and wished to raise a revenue by taxing them without their consent. Q. What was the first act of oppression, passed by the British parliament towards the American colonies? THE UNITED STATES. ,33 A. It was the famous Stamp Act, passed in the year 1765. Q. What was the nature of this act ? A. By this act, the Americans were compelled to use stamped paper for all notes, bonds, and other legal instruments, on which paper a heavy duty was to be paid to the British government. Q. What did the Americans do, when they heard of the passage of this act? A. They shut up the courts of justice, and the people settled their disputes by arbitration ; they then formed an association against import- ing or using British goods. Q. What took place in 1766 ? A. The opposition to the stamp act was so great, that it was repealed in 1766. Q. What was the next act of oppression on the part of the British parliament ? A. In 1767, a duty was laid on tea, glass, pa- per, and several other articles, imported to the colonies. Q. What followed the passage of this act ? A. The flame of opposition increased in Ame- rica to such a degree, that in 1770, the British parliament repealed the duties on all articles, except three pence per pound on tea, Q. In 1773 how did the people of Boston ex- press their opposition to the duty on tea? A. A party of men, disguised as Indians, went on board the ships, during the night, and threw the tea, consisting of 342 chests, into the harbor. 3 34 HISTORY OF Q. When the news of this action reached England, what did the parliament do ? A. An act was passed, by which the port of Boston was closed, and the government trans- ferred to Salem. Q. How did the people of Maryland express their opposition to the duty on tea ? A They assembled in several places, and compelled the persons, who paid the duty, to burn the tea publicly. On one occasion, at Annapolis, they burned not only the tea, but also the vessel in which it was imported. Q. What other tyrannical act was passed about this time ? A. An act was passed by the British parlia- ment, by which, all persons indicted for capital offences, were to be sent to England for trial. Q. When and where did the first Continental Congress meet? A. At Philadelphia, in the year 1774. Q. What agreement was entered into ? A. An agreement was entered into, called the Solemn League and Covenant, by which the members determined to suspend all intercourse with Great Britain until their rights should be restored. Q. Who was the first President of the Conti- nental Congress? A. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia. Q. What was commenced about this time ? A. A regular enlistment of soldiers. THE UNITED STATES. 35- Battle of Bunker Hill. CHAPTER VII. The Revolutionary War. Q. Where was the first battle fought in the Revolution ? A. At Lexington, in the year 1775. Q. What occasioned the battle of Lexington ? A. On the 19th of April, a body of British troops was sent to destroy some military stores collected at Concord; but in passing through Lexington they were met by a small party of Americans who had assembled to oppose their progress. Q. What was the issue of the battle ? A. The Americans were dispersed, and the British troops proceeded to Concord, 36 HISTORY OP Q. What followed this event ? A. The Americans, roused by the report of the muskets, assembled by hundreds, and the British were obliged to retreat to Boston. Q. What happened to them in their retreat ? A. They were attacked by the Americans, and sixty-five of their number killed, and one hundred and eighty wounded. Q. What did Congress do immediately after this event ? A. It voted that thirty thousand men should be raised in the New England colonies. Q. In the mean time what was done ? A. Crown Point and several other forts and magazines in the possession of the English were seized by the Americans. Q. What did the Americans resolve ? A. They resolved, if possible, to drive the British from Boston. Q. For this purpose, what did they do ? A. They directed Colonel Prescott, with a body of one thousand men, to throw up an in- trenchment on Bunker's Hill. Q. What mistake took place? A. Prescott took possession of Breed's Hill, an eminence much nearer Boston. Q. When did Prescott gain possession of the hill? A. He reached the place during the night of the 16th of June, and worked so silently that the English had no intimation of his design until the sun, on the return of day, beamed upon the American works. THE UNITED STATES. 37 Q. What did the British do when they beheld Breed's Hill occupied by the Americans ? A. After firing upon the works from the ships in the harbor, without effect, General Gage sent General Howe and General Pigot, with three thousand men to drive the Americans from the hill. Q. What followed? A. The memorable battle of Bunker's Hill, during which the British troops were twice re- pulsed, with a heavy loss ; but being reinforced, they finally succeeded in carrying the fortifica- tion. Q. How did the Americans fight ? A. They fought with determined bravery ; when all their ammunition was exhausted, they continued the battle with the butt-end of their muskets, and were only driven from their works at the point of the bayonet. Q. What was the loss on both sides ? A The British lost one thousand and fifty- four, in killed and wounded, and the Americans thirty-nine killed and two hundred and twenty- eight wounded. Q. What American officers were engaged in this action ? A. Generals Warren, Putnam, and Starke; the former of whom was killed. Q. During the battle of Bunker's Hill, what town was set on fire ? A. Charlestown ; a few bombs were thrown into it, and the place soon enveloped in flames. 38 HISTORY OF Q. After this battle, who was chosen as Com- mander-in-chief of the American forces ? A George Washington, then in the forty- fourth year of his age. Q. When and where did Washington take command of the army ? A. On the 2d of July, 1775, at Cambridge, near Boston. Q. What was the number of the army at this time ? A. About fourteen thousand men. Q. Who were sent to invade Canada ? A. Generals Schuyler and Montgomery ; but the former being unable to proceed on account of sickness, the whole command devolved on Montgomery. Q. What place did Montgomery capture ? A. Montreal: November 13th, 1775. Q. Who was sent to aid Montgomery ? A. General Arnold. Q. What place did they attempt to take by storm ? A. The city of Quebec. Q. What was the result ? A. The attempt proved unsuccessful and fatal to the heroic Montgomery, who fell in the act of scaling the walls. Q. Of what country was Montgomery a na- tive? A. Of Ireland, which he left in trder to aid the Americans in gaining their liberty. Q. What was the first operation of General Washington ? THE UNITED STATES. 39 A. The expulsion of the British from Boston. Q. How did he effect this ? A. He erected a battery on Dorchester Point, which soon obliged General Howe to abandon the city. Q. When did the British leave Boston ? A. On the 17th of March they embarked for Halifax. Q. By whom was the city of Charleston, the capital of South Carolina, attacked ? A. By Sir Peter Parker, with several British vessels of war. Q. What was the result ? A. After a violent assault, which lasted for ten hours, they were compelled to retire. Q. Who defended the city? A. Colonel Moultrie. Q. On the 7th of June what motion was made in Congress ? A. A motion was made by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, and seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts, declaring the colonies free and independent. Q. When did the Declaration of Indepen- dence take place ? A. On the fourth of July, in the year 1776. Q. Who wrote the Declaration of Indepen- dence ? A. Thomas Jefferson. Q. How many colonies were there at that time? A. Thirteen. Q. What were they declared to be ? 40 HISTORY OF A. They were declared to be Free, Sovereign, and Independent States. Q Where was Congress then assembled ? A. In Philadelphia. Q. Who was then President of the Congress V A. John Hancock. Q. How did the signers pledge themselves to support this declaration ? A. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Q. What was the effect of the Declaration of Independence ? A. By it all connection with Great Britain was for ever dissolved. CHAPTER VIII. The Revolutionary War — continued. Q. When and where was the first battle fought after the Declaration of Independence? A. On the 27th of August, on Long Island. Q. Which party was victorious ? A. The British. Q. Who commanded the Americans? A. General Sullivan. Q. By whom were the British commanded 1 A. Sir Henry Clinton, Percy, and Lord Corn- wallis. Q. Can you tell the loss on both sides ? A. The British lost four hundred, but the THE UNITED STATES. 41 Americans lost about one thousand in killed, wounded and prisoners Q. What incident occurred about this time, that exhibits the noble and independent spirit of General Washington V A. Letters were addressed to him by General Howe, commander of the British ; but as these letters were directed to George Washington, and not to him in his official capacity, Washington refused to receive them. Q. When he was told that they contained grants of pardon, &c, what did he reply ? A. He replied, that the Americans had com- mitted no wrong, and therefore wanted no par- don : they were only contending for their rights and liberties Q. After the battle of Long Island, what did the British do ? A. They took possession of New York, Sep- tember 15th. Q. Where did the Americans retire ? A. They retired to White Plains, where, on the 28th of October, a severe action took place, in which several hundred were killed and wound- ed on both sides ; yet neither party could claim the victory. Q. After this battle where did Washington retire ? A. He retired to Newark ; from thence he passed through New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, and finally crossed the Delaware, being closely pursued by the British under Lord Corn- wallis, 42 HISTORY OF Q. Where was General Lee taken prisoner ? A. At Baskenridge, near New Brunswick. Q. During the winter of this year, what daring enterprise did Washington accomplish ? A. On the 25th of December he recrossed the Delaware, and surprised a large body of Hessian troops at Trenton, and took them pri- soners. . Q. What was the number of the prisoners? A. About one thousand and forty-eight. Q. Who were the Hessians ? A. They were German soldiers, hired by Eng- land to fight against the Americans. Q. What did Washington then do ? A. Taking with him a great quantity of arms and ammunition that fell into his hands, he re- crossed the Delaware the same day. Q. What was Washington's next exploit ? A. On the 3d of January, 1777, he proceeded to Princeton, defeated a party of British, with a loss of three hundred men, and compelled the remainder, about three hundred in number, to surrender themselves as prisoners of war. . Q. In this action who was killed ? 'A. General Mercer, of Virginia. Q. What is said of these achievements? A. They diffused universal joy among the Americans, and inspired them with fresh ardor in the cause of freedom. Q. During this spring, what took place in Connecticut ? A. Governor Tryon was sent by the British to destroy some military stores at Danbury, THE UNITED STATES. 43 Q. t)id he succeed in his design ? A. He destroyed the stores, and partly burnt the town. Q. What happened on his return? A. He was attacked and defeated by the Americans under General Wooster, who unfor- tunately lost his life. Q. What was the object of General Howe ? A. To gain possession of Philadelphia. Q. For this purpose what did he do ? A. He embarked his troops at New York, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, and landing at the head of Elk River, he commenced his march to Philadelphia. Q. When and where was he opposed '( A. On the 11th of September, on the banks df the river Brandy wine, not far from Wilming- ton. Q. What was the result of the battle? A. The Americans, under General Washing- ton, were repulsed. Q. What two distinguished foreigners served under the American banners, in the battle ? A. Lafayette, of France, and Pulaski, of Po- land ; the former of whom was wounded. $. Who was Lafayette ? A. He was a French nobleman, who came to this country to assist the Americans in gaining their independence. Q. Who was Pulaski ? A. He was a native of Poland ; he came to this country in order to assist the countrymen of Washington in maintaining their rights, and 44 HISTORY OP in obtaining their liberties. He was killed in the American cause, at Savannah. Q. When did the British take possession of Philadelphia ? A. On the 26th of September, 1777. Q. What took place on the 4th of October ? A. An attempt was made by General Wash- ington to surprise a detachment of the British at Germantown ; but the attempt was unsuc- cessful. Q. Where had the Americans two forts erected ? A. They had one on Mud Island, below Phi- ladelphia, called Fort Mifflin, and another on the Jersey Shore, called Red Bank. Q. What have you to observe of these forts ? A. They were repeatedly attacked by the British, and finally taken, but not until they were entirely battered down, and all the cannon dismounted. Q. Where did Washington take up his winter quarters ? A. At Valley Forge, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. Q. What have you to observe of the condition of the Americans at Valley Forge ? A. They were destitute of almost every thing, shoes, stockings, blankets, tents, &c, and had nothing but temporary huts to shelter them from the inclemency of the weather. 0. What took place at Bennington ? .4. Colonel Baum, the British commander, was defeated by the Americans under General Starke THE UNITED STATES. 45 Q. When did this engagement take place ? A. On the 16th of August, 1777. Q. Who was the commander-in-chief of the British forces in this quarter ? A. General Burgoyne. Q. Who, at that time, was appointed to the command of the American forces ? A. General Gates. Q. What battle took place on the 19th of September ? A. The battle of Stillwater, on the west side of the Hudson river. Q. What party gained the victory ? A. The battle was indecisive, though the Americans had the advantage. Q. Where did Burgoyne intrench himself? A. At Saratoga. Q. When was the battle of Saratoga fought ? A. On the 7th of October. Q. Who distinguished himself in this battle ? A. Gen. Arnold, who was severely wounded. Q. What took place on the 17th of October, 1777? A. Burgoyne was compelled to surrender him- self and his whole army to General Gates as pri- soners of war. Q. What was the number of troops that sur- rendered to General Gates at Saratoga ? A. About 5,790 men, together with all their arms, ammunition, and military stores. 46 HISTORY OP CHAPTER IX. The Revolutionary War — continued. Q. What took place in the early part of the year 1778 ? A. A treaty of alliance was concluded be- tween France and the United States. Q. Can you name the American commission- ers with whom the treaty was negotiated ? A. Dr. Franklin, Silas Dean, and Arthur Lee. Q. Who was then King of France ? A. Louis the Sixteenth. Q. When the news of this treaty reached England, what was done by the British govern- ment ? A. War was immediately declared against France, and commissioners were sent to Ame- rica to settle the difficulties with the colonies. Q. Were these commissioners successful ? A. No ; their offers were rejected. Q. What took place on the 22d of June, 1778 V A. The British evacuated Philadelphia. Q. What occurred on the 28th of June? A . The battle of Monmouth took place. Q. Can you describe the battle ? A. The battle was conducted for some time with great bravery on both sides; at length General Lee retreated } and threw the American lines into disorder ; but Washington coming up at this moment, order was a^ain restored. The THE UNITED STATES. 47 battle ended with the day ; and during the night the British silently withdrew and continued their march to New York. Q. What have you to observe of Lee ? A. Lee was tried for disobedience of orders, and disrespect to the commander-in-chief, and suspended from the service. He never joined the army again. He died in the fall of 1782 in Philadelphia. Q, What assistance arrived about this time ? A. In July a fleet under the command of Count d'Estaign, sent over by the king of France, arrived on the coast of the United States, bring- ing aid to the Americans. Q. What was done by the fleet ? A. Nothing of any particular importance ; at the close of the season it sailed to the West In- dies, where it remained during the winter. Q. What settlement was destroyed about this time? ,4. The settlement of Wyoming. Q. Where was Wyoming? A. It was situated near the banks of the Sus- quehanna, in the present county of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, Q. Can you describe its destruction? A. It was attacked by a party of tories and Indians ; the men were butchered and the women i nd children locked up in the houses, which were then set on fire, and the unfortunate inmates were consumed in the flames. x. Secretary of War: Edmund Randolph, Atfo • ral ; John Jay. I - f th<_- Unit rst acts of ! Fbey laid the importation of se, and on 1 I - Q. When was the • " ~ - ■[': -4. In I 4 for twenty years. '/. What distinguished man A. Franklin died at Philadelphia, while Governor of Pennsylvania, ge of ars. What may he observed of Franklin '? A. Be was a poor boy. and apprenticed to learn the art of printing, but by applying himself to study during his hours «.f leisure, he arcs eminence in science, and filled many positions of honor and distinction among his coun trym en. Of what was he the discoverer? .4. He was the discoverer of the electrical quality of lightning. Q. What useful invention followed thi? disco- very ".' A. The lightning-rod. Q. What disturbance took p] if this time? A. The inhabitants of the western part of highly incensed by certain 58 HISTORY OF measures of Congress, for raising a revenue by imposing a tax upon distilled spirits. Q. What did the President do ? A. Washington sent a military force into that section of the State, but the difficulty was set- tled without bloodshed. Q. What troubles arose on the north-western frontier ? A. War with the Indians. Q. What was the result of this war ? A. General Hamer was defeated by the In- dians, near Chilicothe, in Ohio ; after this, Gen- eral St. Clair, was sent against them with addi- tional forces, but he also was defeated near the Miami, leaving nearly 600 of his men dead upon the field. Q. What took place in 1794? A. The Indians were finally defeated by Gen- eral Wayne, who succeeded St. Clair, and com- pelled to sign a treaty of peace. Q. In what were the United States involved ? A. They were involved in difficulties, grow- ing out of the convulsion of Europe. Q. What did the French do? A. They put their king to death, then abol ished the regal government, and established a republic on its ruins. Q. What did they look for from America ? A. They expected that the people of the United States would assist them, and sent over to America Mr. Genet, as their agent. Q. What is said of the conduct of Genet ? A. He conducted himself with great haughti- THE UNITED STATES. 59 nesa, and treated the American Republic like a tributary country; bis conduct was disavowed by the French government, and Mr. Fauchet was sent over in his place. Q. What course did Washington determine to pursue, during the distracting wars of Europe ? A. He determined to observe a strict neu- trality. Q. How long was Washington President of the United States? A. He served two terms, or eight years. Q. At the end of his second term, what did he do? A. He declined a re-election, issued a tare- well address to the American people, and re- tired from public life. k Q. Who succeeded him in the office of Presi- dent ? A. John Adams, of Massachusetts. Q. Who was chosen Vice President ? A. Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia. Q. During the administration of Mr. Adams, what is said of France ? A. The French Directory made, with much insolence, certain unreasonable demands of the United States, and assumed a hostile attitude. Q. What did the United States do ? A. They immediately took measures of de- fence ; General Washington was appointed Com- mander-in-chief of the Army, and orders were given for the capture of French "vessels. Q. What followed ? A. Commodore Truxton, commanded the 60 HISTORY oe Constellation, American ship-of-war, captured two French vessels. Q. What was the effect of these measures ? A. The French government was soon induced to make overtures of peace. Q. What happened about this period ? A. The Republic was destined to mourn the death of General Washington. Q. When and where did Washington die ? A. On the 14th of December, 1799, at Mount Vernon, in the 68th year of his age. Q. Of what disease did he die i A. He died of an inflammation of the throat, after an illness of only two days. Q. When and by whom was the city of Wash- ington laid out ? A. In 1791, by the distinguished man whose name it bears ? Q. When was the seat of government re- moved to Washington ? A. In the year 1800. Q. What city had previously been the seat of government ? A. The city of Philadelphia, for the space of ten years. Q. Who succeeded Mr Adams as President of the United States ? A. Thomas Jefferson, in 1801. Q. Who, at the same time, was chosen Vice- President ? A. Aaron Burr. Q. About this time, what new source of vex- ation arose? THE UNITED 8TATE3 61 A. The piracies of the Barbary States. Q. What did Tripoli demand? A. Certain tributes, which the United States refused to pay. 0. What followed ? A. Several vessels belonging to the United States were captured. Q. In 1803, what took place ? A. The American frigate Philadelphia, run aground near Tripoli, and all her officers and men were taken prisoners, and the vessel seized by the Tripolitans. Q. How were the American prisoners treated ? A. The officers were treated as prisoners of war, but the men were treated with the greatest cruelty ; they were chained to loaded carts, and compelled to drag them through the town. Q. Tn 1804 what took place? A. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur sailed into the very harbor of Tripoli, and burnt the frigate Philadelphia. Q. On what terms did the American prisoners obtain their liberty ? A . On the payment of sixty-thousand dollars. Q. From what nation was the territory of Louisiana purchased ? A. From France, in 1803, for the sum of $15,000,000. Q. What took place in the year 1807 ? .4. Aaron Burr was tried for conspiracy. Q. Of what was he accused ? A. He was accused of an attempt, to separate the Southern and Western States from the rest, 62 HISTORY OP and to erect them into a separate government, the capital of which should be New Orleans. Q. What was the result of the trial? A. He was acquitted for want of sufficient evidence. Q. Who had been previously killed in a duel by Burr ? A. Alexander Hamilton, in 1804, at Hoboken, New Jersey. Q. What expedition was undertaken about this time ? A. An expedition was undertaken by Lewis and Clarke to explore the Missouri river ; they ascended that river, crossed the Rocky Moun- tains, reached the head waters of the Columbia, and descended that river to the Pacific ocean. ! ' THE UNITED STATES. 63 Perry's Victory. CHAPTER XII. The Late War with England. Q. What was the principal cause of the late with England A. The practice authorized by the British government of searching American vessels, and taking from them such persons as were thought U) be natives of Great Britain. Q, What have you to observe of this practice ? A. It was subject to great abuse, from the difficulty of distinguishing between British de- serters and American seamen. Moreover, the British officers were not always anxious to make this distinction, and on several occasions it was 64 HISTORY OP believed that American citizens were compelled to serve in the British navj. Q. Was there any other cause * A. Yes ; England blockaded the ports of her enemies, and prevented American vessels from entering ; thus violating the rights of neutral nations. Q. When was war declared ? A. On the 18th of June, in the year 1812. Q. Who was President at this time ? A. James Madison, who succeeded Thomas Jefferson in 1809. Q. What was one of the first operations of the war ? A. The invasion of Canada by General Hull. Q. What was the result ? A. On the 16th of August General Hull dis- gracefully surrendered his whole army into the hands of the British. Q. When Hull returned to the States, what followed ? A. He was immediately tried by a court-mar- tial, found guilty of cowardice, and sentenced to be shot. Q. Was this sentence carried into execution ? A. No ; on account of his age, and the services he had rendered during the Revolution, he was pardoned by the President ; but his name was stricken from the roil of officers. Q. On the 1 9th of August, what took place ? A. The American frigate Constitution, com- manded by Captain Hull, captured the British THE UNITED STATES. 65 frigate Guerriere, after an action of only twenty minutes. Q. What was the loss on both sides ? A. The Guerriere lost fifteen killed and sixty- four wounded, and that of the Constitution was seven killed and seven wounded. Q. On the 25th of October, what naval vic- tory was obtained? A. Commodore Decatur, commanding the American frigate United States, captured the British frigate Macedonian. Q. In this action, what was the loss on both sides ? A. The British lost thirty-six killed, sixty- eight wounded ; the American loss amounted to seven killed and five wounded. Q. What did Captain Jones achieve ? A. Captain Jones, who commanded the Wasp, captured the Frolic, a British sloop-of-war ; but on the same day they were both captured by a British frigate, Q. What took place in December ? A. The Constitution, then under command of Captain Bainbridge, captured the British frigate Java. Q. .What was the first operation of the year 1813? A. A detachment of about 800 men under General Winchester was surprised and defeated by the British and Indians under General Proc- tor at French town. Q. What was the fate of those who surren- dered ? 66 HISTORY OF A. They were nearly all inhumanly massacred by the Indians. Q. What took place in April ? .4. York, the capital of Upper Canada, was taken by the Americans under General Pike. Q. What was the fate of General Pike ? A. He was killed in the moment of victory by the explosion of a magazine. Q. What took place in May ? A. An attack was made on Sackett's Harbor by the British, but they were repulsed by the Americans under General Brown. Q. By whom was the British brig Peacock captured ? .4. By Captain Lawrence, who commanded the Hornet. Q. To what vessel was Lawrence afterwards transferred ? A. To the Chesapeake. Q. By whom was the Chesapeake captured ? A. By Captain Broke, who commanded the British frigate Shannon. Q. What was the fate of Captain Lawrence ? A. He fell mortally wounded in the beginning of the action. Q. What is related of him ? A. When carried below, wounded and bleed- ing 1 , he was asked if the colors should be struck? he replied, " No : they shall wave while I live;" and while he was able to speak he would exclaim, " Don't give up the ship !" Q. What was the most brilliant achievement of tins year ? THE UNITED STATES. 67 A. Perry's victory on Lake Erie. Q. Can you describe the battle ? A. The flag ship of the Americans suffered severely in the beginning of the action, and be- ing in a sinking condition, Perry descended into an open boat, and passing through a shower of balls, transferred his flag to another of his vessels. Q. How long did the battle last ? A. It lasted about three hours. Q. What was the condition of the British fleet? ,4. It was reduced almost to a total wreck. Q. After this victory what took place ? A. General Harrison embarked his forces, landed on the Canada shores, and defeated the British in the battle of the Thames. Q. In this battle who was killed? .4. The celebrated Indian chief, Tecuniseh, by Colonel Johnson. 68 HISTORY OF Bombardment of Fort McHenry. CHAPTER XIII. The Late War with England — concluded. 0. What took place in July, 1814? A. General Brown defeated the British in the battle of Chippewa. Q. Who commanded the British A. General Drummond. Q. On the 25th of the same month what took place ? A. Generals Brown and Scott defeated the British at the battle of Bridgewater. Q. What took place at Plattsburg, on Lake Ohamplain ? A. A brilliant victory was obtained over the British fleet by the American squadron, com- manded by Commodore McDonough. THE UNITED STATES. 69 Q. What was the number of men, and guns, on each fleet? A. The British fleet carried 1,050 men, and 95 guns ; while the American force amounted to only 820 men and 85 guns. Q. What was the result of the battle ? A. The British naval force on the Lake was totally destroyed. Q. While the battle raged on the lake, what took place on land ? A. An attack was made on Plattsburg by the British, under the command of Sir George Pre- vost, but they were repulsed with a heavy loss. Q. What took place on the 24th of August ? .4 The" Americans were defeated at Bladens- burg. Q. Who were the respective commanders? A. General Ross commanded the British, and General Winder was the American commander. Q. Who distinguished himself on the part of the Americans in this battle ? ^4. Commodore Barney, who commanded a small band of marines. Q. After the battle, what took place ? A. The British marched forward and took possession of the city of Washington. Q. What buildings were ordered to be burnt by General Ross? A. The capitol, the treasury, war, and navy offices. Q. What city was next attacked ? A. The city of Baltimore. Q. What took place on the 12th of September? 70 HISTORY OF A. The British landed at North Point, below the city, but were repulsed by the Americans under the command of General Strieker. Q. What was the fate of General Ross ? A. As he advanced at the head of his army, he was killed by an American rifleman. Q. What was done by the British fleet '? A. It bombarded Fort McHenry for about twenty-four hours, without doing any material injury. Q. What became of the British after the death of General Ross? A. They abandoned their attempts on Balti- more ; and embarking on board their fleet, they moved down the bay. Q. Previous to this time, what took place ? A. Overtures of peace were made by the Prince Regent of England. Q. Who were the American commissioners appointed to negotiate a peace ? A. They were Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell, John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, and Albert Gallatin. Q. Where did they meet ? A. They met at Ghent. Q. While negotiations were in progress, what took place in the South ? A. A large British force under General Pack- enham, made an attack upon the city of New Orleans. Q. Who commanded the Americans? A. General Jackson. Q. Of what did Jackson make a breastwork ? THE UNITED STATES. 71 A. Of bales of cotton. 0. When did the battle of New Orleans take T>lace ? ^1 On the 8th of January, 1815. O What was the loss of the British i A. They lost 700 killed, 1,400 wounded, and 500 prisoners. . q O What was the loss of the Americans i A They lost only 7 killed and 6 wounded. Q. What was the fate of Generals Packen- ham and Gibbs? A They were both mortally wounded. Q. When was the treaty of peace concluded t A. On the 24th of December, 1814. CHAPTER XIV. The National Bank, &c, Q When was the National Bank re-chartered? A In the year 1816, for twenty years, with a capital of $35,000,000. Q. Who succeeded Mr. Madison I A Mr. Monroe, of Virginia, in 1817. Q, How long had Mr. Madison been President? A. Eight years. Q. Where did Mr. Madison retire ? A He retired to his residence in .Virginia, where he died in 1836, at the age of 85 years. Q. When and by whom was Decatur killed in a duel ? 72 HISTORY OF A. By Commodore Barron, in 1820. Q. When and by what nation was Florida ceded to the United States ? A. In the year 1820, by Spain. Q. What sum was paid for it ? A. Five millions of dollars. Q. When was a territorial government estab- lished over Florida? A. In the year 1822. Q. What is the difference between States and territories ? A. States elect their own governors, and send representatives to Congress, and territories do not. Q. What ratio is at present established for the representation in Congress ? A. At the rate of one representative for every 93,000 inhabitants. Q. Therefore, how many inhabitants must a territory have before it can become a State ? A. It must have at least 93,000. Q. What was the population of the United States in the year 1820 ? A. About nine millions five hundred thousand. Q. When was the colony of Liberia, in Africa, established ? A. In the year 1820. Q. What is the object of this settlement? A. It is designed as a place for the coloniza- tion of free Africans and emancipated slaves of the United States. Q. What took place in the year 1824? A. The Marquis de Lafayette visited the Uni- ted States. THE UNITED STATES. 73 Q. How was he received ? A. He was received with every demonstration of joy by the people, and Congress voted him two hundred thousand dollars and 25,000 acres of land, as a testimonial of the gratitude of the United States. ^>. Who succeeded Mr. Monroe as President of the United States ? A. John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, in 1825. Q. For what is the 4th of July, 1826, memo- rable ? A. For the death of the two ex-Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Q. What was their respective ages ? .1. Mr. Adams was 91, and Mr. Jefferson 83 years of age. Q. By whom was Mr. Adams succeeded in the office of President ? A. By General Andrew Jackson, in the year 1829. Q. In 1832 what bill passed both houses of Congress ? A. A bill for re-chartering the United States Bank. Q. Was the bill signed by the President ? A. No : Jackson returned it to the House with his objections, and declared that in his opinion the bank was inexpedient and unconstitutional, and therefore he would never sanction it by his approval. Q. What was the consequence ? A. The National Bank, which had existed for 74 HISTORY OF forty-five years, was abolished at the expiration of its charter, in 1836. Q. By whom was General Jackson succeeded in the office of President ? A. By Martin Van Buren, of New York, in 1837. Q. How long had Jackson been President 1 A. Eight years. Q. When and where did General Jackson die ! A. On- the 8th of June, 1845, at his residence near Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of seventy- eight years. Q. By what was the administration of Mr Van Buren disturbed ? A. By the war with the Seminole Indians, in Florida, who had committed the most fearful depredations on the inhabitants. Q. What was the name of their most cele- brated chief? A. Osceola. Q. How was Osceola taken prisoner ? A. He came to the camp of the Americans under a flag of truce, and was detained by order of General Jessup ? Q. Why was the flag of truce not respected ? A. Because Osceola was treacherous, and could not be bound by any treaty. Q. When was the Seminole war terminated ? A. It was terminated in the year 1840. Q. What was the population of the United States in 1840 ? A. It amounted to 17,068,666 inhabitants. THE UNITED STATES. 75 Q. By whom was Martin Van Buren suc- ceeded ? A. Bj General Harrison, in 1841. Q. Who, at the same time, was elected Vice- President ? A. John Tyler, of Virginia. Q. How long had Van Buren been President ? A. Only four years. Q. How long did General Harrison occupy the Presidential office ? A. Only one month. Q. When was he inaugurated? A. On the 4th of March, 1841. Q. When and where did he die ? A. On the 4th of the following April, in the presidential mansion at Washington. Q. On whom did the duties of President de- volve ? A. On the Vice-President, Mr. Tyler, who served out the remainder of the term. Q. In 1842, what important treaty was con- cluded between the United States and Great Britain ? A. A treaty determining the boundary of Maine. Q. By whom was it negotiated ? A. By Daniel Webster, Secretary of the United States, and Lord Ashburton, the British Minister. Q. In 1843, what disturbance occurred in the State of Rhode Island ? A. An attempt was made by the people to 76 HISTORY OF abolish the ancient charter, and to establish a constitution like the other States. Q. Had Rhode Island no constitution previous to this time ? A. No ; she was governed by the charter of Charles II, granted in the year 1663. Q. What was the result? A The constitutional party was unsuccessful, and Thomas W. Dorr, whom they had elected governor, was tried, and condemned to imprison- ment for life. Q. Was this sentence carried into execution ? A. It was ; but Dorr was pardoned after lan- guishing in prison for several months. Q. By whom was Mr. Tyler succeeded in the office of President? A. By James K. Polk, of Tennessee, in 1845. Q. Who was elected Vice-President? A. George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania. THE INIiEi) STATES. 77 Battle of Buena Vista. CHAPTEK XV. WAR WITH MEXICO. €auses of the War — The Battle of Palo Alto — Battle of Resaca de la. Palma — Battle of Mon- terey — Battle of Buena Vista. Q. What was one of the principal causes of the war with Mexico ? A. The admission of the republic of Texas }.nto the Union. Q. What was Texas formerly ? A. Texas was a Mexican province. Q. When did it become independent of Mexico? A. In the year 1836. 78 HISTORY OP Q. What was the chief battle during the wax of Texas with Mexico ? .4. The battle of San Jacinto, in which Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was taken pri- soner. Q. When was Texas admitted into the United States ? A. In the year 1845. Q. How did this act displease Mexico ? A. In the first place, Mexico had never ac- knowledged the independence of Texas ; and secondly, Texas claimed a greater extent of ter- ritory than Mexico was willing to admit. Q. What was the original boundary between the two countries ? A. Mexico held the river Nueces to be the original boundary, but Texas maintained that the Rio Grande, from its source to its mouth, was the correct boundary between the two coun- tries, and consequently claimed the territory between the two rivers. Q. With what boundary did the United States receive Texas into the Union? A. With the Rio Grande as the Western boundary. Q.' What followed as a, consequence on the admission of Texas ? A. It followed that the United States was compelled to settle with Mexico, the difficulty concerning the disputed territory. Q. What orders did General Taylor receive ? A. He was directed by the President to take up some position w<\st of the river Nueces, and THE UNITED STATES. 79 to hold himself in readiness to repel any attempt at invasion by Mexico. Q. When and where was General Taylor born? 4- General Zachary Taylor was born in the year 1790, in Orange county, Virginia. Q. When did he enter the army ? A. He entered the army in the year 1808, as lieutenant; and during the late war he was promoted to the rank of Major, for his brilliant defence of Fort Harrison. Q. Where did he afterwards distinguish him- self? A. In the Indian war, in Florida. Q. When was he promoted to the rank of fcreneral ? A. In the year 1840, and was appointed to the command of the army in the South. Q. When did he receive the rank of Major General ? A. Shortly after the commencement of the Mexican war. Q. Where did General Taylor take up his po- sition V A. He crossed the Colorado river, and took up a position at Point Isabel, where he erected a fort, called Fort Polk. Q What did he do on the 28th of March? A. He advanced towards the Rio Grande, took up a position opposite Matamoras. and erected Fort Brown. Q. In the mean time, who was sent to Mexico, Ss commissioner on the part of the United States? A. Mr. Slidell 80 HISTORY *OF Q. What was the result ? A. The Mexican government would not re- ceive him, and he was compelled to return. Q. On the 24th of April, what took place ? A. General Arista, the commander of the Mexican forces, informed General Taylor that he considered hostilities already commenced. Q. On the 29th of April, of what was General Taylor informed ? A. He was informed that Point Isabel was in danger of being taken by the enemy ; and he immediately set out to its relief. Q. During his absence, what happened? A. Fort Brown was furiously attacked by the Mexicans. Q. On receiving intelligence of this, what did General Taylor do ? A. He immediately commenced his march back to Fort Brown. Q. At Palo Alto, what took place? A. He was met by the Mexicans drawn up in order of battle, and prepared to dispute his pro- gress 1 Q. What followed ? • A. A severe and obstinate battle followed, in which the Mexicans were defeated. Q. When did this battle take place ? . A. On the 8th of May, 1846. Q. What was the loss on both sides ? A. The Mexicans lost over 300 killed and wounded ; the American loss was 9 killed, and 42 wounded. THE UNITED STATES. 81 Q. Among the Americans, what distinguished man was killed ? A. Major Ringgold, the commander of the flying artillery. " Q. When and where was the next battle fought ? A. On the next day, at a place called Resaca de la Palma. Q. What was the issue of this battle '! A.. The Mexicans were again defeated, and fled with precipitation across the river to Mata- moras. Q. By what was this battle distinguished ? A. It was distinguished by the desperate charge of Captain May, who, at the head of his dragoons, rode up to the very mouth of the ene- my's cannon, silenced the batteries, and took General Vega prisoner. Q. What did the Mexicans lose ? A. They lost the whole of their artillery, 2,000 stand of arms, 600 mules, with the private pa- pers of General Arista. Q. What was the loss on both sides ? A. The Mexicans lost 800 in killed and wounded, while the Americans lost 39 killed and 82 wounded. Q. When did General Taylor take possession of the city of Matamoras ? A. On the 18th of May. Q. Where did General Taylor next direct his march ? x A. To Monterey, the capital of New Leon, a city situated about 170 miles fro™ Matamoras, 6 82 HISTORY OP Q. What took place at this city ? A. A severe battle took place, which continued with but little intermission for three days. Q. What was the issue of the battle ? A. The Mexicans were defeated, and the city surrendered to General Taylor. Q. What was the number of the Mexican army I A. It numbered about 10,000 men, wfcile the forces under General Taylor amounted to only 6.000. J Q. What was the loss on both sides ? }• The Americans lost about 267 killed, and 456 wounded ; the Mexicans lost nearly 2,000 killed and wounded. Q. When did this battle take place ? A. It commenced on the 21st and ended on the 23d of September, 1846 Q. Where was the next battle fought ? A. At a place called Buena Vista. Q. Who commanded the Mexicans in this battle ? A. General Santa Anna. Q. What was the number of the forces on each side ? A. The Mexicans amounted to about 20,000 men, while the forces under General Taylor amounted only to 5,000. Q. What was the issue of the battle ? A. The Mexicans were defeated with a loss of nearly 2,000 in killed and wounded. O. What was General Taylor's loss? A. lie lost 267 killed, and 456 wounded. THE UNITED STATES. 83 Q. Can you mention the names of some of our officers who fell ? A. Yes ; among them were Colonels McKee, Harden, Fell, Davis, and Clay. Q. When did this battle take place ? A. It took place on the morning of the 23d of February, 1847. Q. Can you relate any incident of this battle ? A. While the battle raged in all its fury, Mr. Crittenden was sent with some message to the Mexican camp ; while there, General Santa Anna told him if General Taylor would surrender, he would be protected. Crittenden coolly replied, " General Taylor never surrenders" Q. While these things were going on, what other achievements were accomplished ? A. General Kearney, after a march of nearly one thousand miles through the wilderness, en- tered the city of Santa Fe, and took formal pos- session of New Mexico, without opposition. 84 HISTORY 0? Battle of Cerro Gordo. CHATTER XVI WAR WITH MEXICO CONTINUED. General Scott — Surrender of Vera Cruz — Battle of Cerro Gordo — Battle of Contreras — Battle of Churubusco — Surrender of the City of Mexico. Q. In the mean time what took place ? A. In the mean time General Scott was or- dered to take command of the forces of the Uni- ted States in Mexico. Q. When and where was General Scott born ? A. General Winfield Scott was born in th 3 year 1786, near Petersburg, in Virginia. THE UNITED STATES. 85 Q. When did he receive a commission in the army ? A. In the year 1808, he received a captain's commission, and by his bravery and talents he has risen to his present distinguished post of '. '•ommander-in-chief of the United States forces. Q. What was the first operation of General Scott after lie arrived in Mexico ? A. His first operations were directed against the city of Vera Cruz. Q. When and by whom was the city of Vera Cruz founded ? A. It was founded in the year 1519 by Her- nando Cortez, the early conqueror of Mexico. (J. By what celebrated fortress was the city defended ? A. By the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, situ- ated on a small island opposite the city. Q. How did General Scott effect the reduc- tion of the city ? A. He landed his troops below the city and placed his batteries in such a position that the place was soon compelled to surrender. Q. Before commencing operations, what did he do ? A. He sent a summons to the Mexican com- mander to surrender the city, at the same time permitting all the inhabitants who desired it to retire with their property. Q. When did the city surrender V A. On the 27th of March, 1847. Q. After the capture of Vera Cruz, where did General Scott direct his march ? SO III5T0UY ov A. Towards the middle of April, he left Vera Cruz, and directed his march towards the city of Mexico. Q. Where did the Mexicans assemble to op- pose his march ? A. At a place called Cerro Gordo. Q. What followed ? A. A desperate battle followed, in which the Mexicans were again defeated. Q. What was the loss on each side? A. The Mexicans lost 1,200 in killed and wounded ; the loss on the part of our army, amounted to G3 killed, and 368 wounded. Q. How many Mexicans were taken prisoners? A. About 3,000, and among them were 288 officers, and 5 generals. Q. What is related of Santa Anna? A. He escaped from the field of battle, leaving his carriage, and even his wooden leg, in the hands of the enemy. Q. When did this battle take place ? A. On the 17th and 18th of April, 1847. Q. After this battle what did General Scott do? A. Without delay, he marched forward, and took possession of the cities of Jalapa, Perote, and finally that of Puebla. Q. Where is the cities of Jalapa and Perote V A. Jalapa is situated on the road to the city of Mexico, about fifty miles from Vera Cruz : and Perote is situated about sixty miles from the coast, and was defended by a strong fortress. Q. What did the Americans obtain by the surrender of this city? THE UNITED 3TATE3. 87 A. The fortress was abandoned at the ap- proach of the Americans, leaving behind 64 pieces of cannon, 11,065 cannon balls, 14,300 bombs, and 500 muskets. Q. Where is Puebla situated? A. Puebla is situated about sixty miles from the city of Mexico, and one hundred and eighty- six from Vera Cruz. It is a very handsome city, and contains about 80,000 inhabitants. Q. Where did the next battle take place ? A. At a place called Contreras. Q. Where is Contreras ? A. It is a lofty eminence, not far from the city of Mexico. Q. What was the issue of the battle ? A. The Mexicans were defeated with a loss of 700 killed, and 813 taken prisoners. Q. When did this battle take place ? A. On the 20th of August, 1847. Q. What place was next attacked ? A. The fortifications of Churubusco. Q. How was the place defended ? A. It was defended by General Santa Anna, at the head of 25,000 men, strongly intrenched. Q. Describe the battle ? A. The battle, which continued three hours, was furious in the extreme ; at length the scale of victory turned in favor of the Americans. The Mexicans fled, leaving their fortifications in the hands of the enemy. Q. What was the loss on each side ? A. The Mexicans lost 600 in killed and wounded, and 1,100 prisoners; but the Ameri- 88 HISTORY OF can loss amounted to over 1,000 in killed and wounded. Q. When did this battle take place ? A. On the 20th of August, the same day with the battle of Contreras. Q. After the battle, what did G en. Scott do ? A, He proposed an armistice, that the Mexi- can government might treat with our commis- sioner, Mr. Trist. Q. Was the armistice accepted ? A. It was ; but General Scott, finding that the Mexicans were secretly fortifying the city, declared the armistice at an end, after it had continued about 12 days. Q. What followed ? .4. Hostilities were immediately renewed, with redoubled energy on both sides. Q. What was the first place of attack after the renewal of hostilities ? A. A strong fortress called Molino del Key, or the King's Mill. Q. How was it defended ? A. It was defended by ten pieces of artillery, and 10,000 men. Q. What was the number of our forces ? A. About 4,000 men. Q. What was the issue of the battle? A. After a dreadful conflict of three hours, the Mexicans fled, leaving the fortress in the hands of the Americans. Q. What place was next attacked ? .4. The fortress of Chapultepec, which was considered as the key to the city of Mexico. THE UNITED STATES. CV Q. What was the result? A. After a bloody contest of several hours, the fortress was surrendered to the valor of our arms. Q. What followed the taking of this fortress ? A. It was followed by the reduction of the city of Mexico. Q. When did this event take place '( A. On the morning of the 15th of September, 1847. our troops entered the city, and at 7 o'clock, our banner, for the first time, waved in triumph over the Mexican capital. Q. Where is the city of Mexico situated"? .1. The city of Mexico is situated in a beauti- ful valley, about 25:2 miles from Vera Cruz. It stands upon nearly the same ground as that of the ancient city which was conquered by Cortez. Q. What is its present population V .1. It contains about 200,000 inhabitants. Q. When our troops entered the city what became of General Santa Anna? J.. The night previous to its surrender, he escaped, and retired to Guadaloupe. Q. W r hen and where was a treaty of peace concluded ? A. On the 2d of February, 1848> a treaty of peace was signed by the commissioners of both nations, at the city of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. Q. When and where was it ratified ? A. It was ratified by both governments on the 30th of May, 1848, at Queretaro. Q. By this treaty what is the present boun- dary between the two republics ? A. The boivndarv line commences in the Gulf 90 HISTORY 0* of Mexico, three leagues from land, and proceeds thence up the middle of the Rio Grande to the southern boundary of Mexico ; thence to its wes- tern termination ; thence along its western line until it intersects the river Gila ; thence down that river until it empties into the Rio Colorado ; then across the Colorado, following the line of division between Upper and Lower California, to the Pacific ocean. Q. What territory did the United States ac- quire by this treaty ? A. The whole of New Mexico and Upper California. Q. By whom was James K. Polk succeeded in the office of President ? A. By General Zachary Taylor. Q. How long was General Taylor President ? A. He succeeded Mr. Polk on the fourth of March, in 1849, and died on the 9th of July, 1850, having been President one year, four months, and four days. Q. Who then succeeded in the Presidency? A. Millard Fillmore, of New York. Q. When was California admitted into the Union ? A. In 1850, making the number of the States thirty-one. Q. Who succeeded Mr. Fillmore in the office of President ? A. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire. Q. W T ho was elected Vice-President ? A. William R. King, of Alabama, who died shortly after his election. iJENERAL QUESTIONS Constitution of % Initeb states. Q. What is the Constitution of the United States ? A. It is a written instrument containing the general laws that govern the States in the rela- tion they bear to each other. Q. According to the constitution, of what branches does the Congress of the United States consist ? A. In a Senate and House of Representatives. Q. Of what persons is the Senate composed ? A. It is composed of two Senators from each State. Q. In what manner and for what period are they chosen ? A. They are generally chosen by the Legis- lature of their respective States, and serve for a term of six years. Q. How are they divided ? A. They are divided into three classes. Q. How are their seats vacated ? A. The seats of the first class are vacated at the expiration of two years ; the seats of the second class at the expiration of four years ; and 91 92 QUESTIONS ON those of the third class at the expiration of six years, so that one-third are chosen every second year. Q. When vacancies occur in the Senate during the recess of the Legislature of any State, how are they filled ? A. They are filled l>y the Governor of the State where the vacancy occurs. Q. How old must a man be before he can serve as Senator V A. He must have attained the age of thirty- five years. Q. Who is the President of the Senate ? .4. The Vice-President of the United States. Q. Of what persons is the House of Repre- sentatives composed ? A. It is composed of members chosen by the people of the several States, every second year. Q. What are the qualifications necessary for a representative? A. He must be twenty-five years of age, and a citizen of the United States, also an inhabitant of the State in which he is chosen. Q. What number of inhabitants sends one representative to Congress ? A. The number of inhabitants assigned to one member of Congress is at present about 93,000. Q. How is the Speaker of the House of Rep- resentatives chosen ? A. By the majority of the votes of the mem- berg of the House. Q. What compensation do the members of the Senate and House of Representatives receive? THE CONSTITUTION. 93 A. They receive each eight dollars a day while Congress is in session. Q. When and where does Congress meet ? A. Tn the city of Washington, on the first Monday of December, each year. Q. What privileges have the Senators and Representatives ? A. They are privileged from arrest in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and re- turning from the same. Q. Can you mention the chief powers of Con- gress ? A. Congress has power to lay and collect taxes, duties, and imports ; to pay debts, and provide for the defence and welfare of the Union. To borrow money ; to regulate commerce ; to coin money and regulate the value thereof; to establish uniform naturalization laws ; to estab- lish post offices and post roads ; to declare war ; to raise and support armies; to provide and maintain a navy ; and make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution all the powers vested by the constitution in the govern- ment of the United States. Q. Can Congress make any law respecting religion ? A. No ; Congress can make no law respecting religion, or to prohibit the free exercise thereof. Q. In what else is Congress restricted ? A. Congress cannot pass any laws abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press, or to pre- 94 QUESTIONS ON vent the people from assembling peaceably, or to petition the government for a redress of grie- vances. Q. In whom is the executive power vested ? A. In the President of the United States. Q. What are the necessary qualifications of a candidate for the office of President? A. He must be a natural-born citizen, over thirty-five years of age, and fourteen years a resident within the United States. Q. How is the President chosen ? A. The people of the different.. States elect persons called electors, who vote for the Presi- dent and Vice-President. Q. Where, and in what manner do the electors vote? A: They vote in their respective States, then seal and transmit the result to the seat of gov- ernment, directed to the President of the Senate of the United States ; and the person having the highest number of votes for President, is declared President : and the person having the highest number of votes for Vice-President, is declared Vice-President. Q. How often does an election take place for President and Vice-President? A. Every four years, but they may be re-elected. Q. In case of the removal of the President fr >m office, by death or any other cause, on whom shall the duties of the President devolve ? A. On the Vice-President, who becomes Presi- dent, and shall serve out the term the President had to serve. THE CONSTITUTION. 95 Q. In case of the death, or removal from office of both President and Vice-President, on whom would the duties of the office devolve ? A. The Congress would be obliged to declare what officer should act as President, until a President could be elected. Q. What salary does the President receive anuually ? A. Twenty-five thousand dollars. Q. What does the Vice-President receive ? A. Sixteen dollars per day. Q. Before entering on the duties of his office, what oath does the President take ? A. The following : "I do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Q. What are the chief powers invested in the President ? A. The President is commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States ; he has power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States. He has power, with consent of the Senate, to make treaties, to ap- point ambassadors, consuls and other public ministers, judges of the Supreme Court, &c, and to fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate : lie may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses of Congress, and in case of a disagreement between them as to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such tone as he may think proper D6 UESTI0NS ON THE CONSTITUTION. Q. For what offences may the President and Vice-President be removed from office ? A. For treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Q. In what is the judicial po.wer of the United States vested ? A. In one Supreme Court, and such inferior Courts as Congress may think proper to establish. Q. How long do the judges of the United States' Courts hold their offices ? A. For life, or during good behaviour. Q. What is the extent of their powers ? A. Their power extends to all cases in law and equity arising under the Constitution, the laws of the States, and treaties made under their authority. Q. What does the Constitution say concern- ing new States ? A. It provides that new States may be admit- ted into the Union by the consent of Congress. Q. What does the Constitution guarantee to each of the States ? A. It guarantees to each a republican form of government, and to protect each against foreign invasion and domestic violence. Q. How may the Constitution be amended ? A. It may be altered or amended by the votes of two-thirds of both houses, at any session of Congress : or, on the application of the legisla- tures of two-thirds of the several States, Congress would be obliged to call a convention to alter or amend the Constitution. GENERAL QUESTIONS On the Constitutions and Government of the principal States of the Union. MAINE. Q. How is the legislative power of this State divided ? A. It is divided into two branches ; a senate and house of representatives. Q. How are the senators and representatives chosen ? A. They are elected by the qualified voters of the districts into which the State may be, from time to time, divided. Q. What are their qualifications ? A. They must be citizens of the Stato one year, and 25 years of age. Q. In whom is the executive authority placed ? A. In a governor, who is elected by the peo~ pie, and holds his office for one year. Q. What are his qualifications? A. He must be a citizen of the State for one year, and 30 years of age. Q. What is said of the judiciary f A. The judiciary is vested in a supreme court, and such other courts as the legislature may es- tablish? J Q. How. are the judges created ? A. They are appointed by the governor, and hold their office during good behaviour, but not beyond the age of 75 years. 1 97 98 GENERAL QUESTIONS ON THE Q. What is said of the right of suffrage ? A. The right of suffrage is granted to every male citizen of 21 years of age and upwards, who has resided in the State for three years previous to the election. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Q. What is said of the legislature? A. The legislature is divided into two branches, styled the General Court of New Hampshire. Q. What must be the qualifications of repre- sentatives ? A. They must have been inhabitants two years, and have an estate of $333 33J ; one-half of which must be freehold. Q. What are the qualifications of senators? A. Persons eligible to the senate, must have a freehold of $666 66% ; be 30 years of age, and have resided in the State for seven years. Q. What are the qualifications of governor? A. He must have an estate of $1,666 66§ • one-half of which must be freehold ; and a resi- dence in the State of seven years. A council of five is elected by the people to advise and assist the governor. Q. What is said of the judiciary f. A. The judiciary is the same as jn Maine, ex- cept the age of the judges is limited to 70 years. Q. What is said of the right of suffrage ? A. This right is granted to all male . citizens of 21 years of age and upwards, paupers and persons excused from paying taxes, excepted. CONSTITUTIONS OF THE STATES. 99 VERMONT. Q. What is said of the legislature f A. The legislature consists of two branches, styled the General Assembly of Vermont. Q. What are the qualifications of senators and representatives ? A. Two years' residence in the State, and one year in the township which they represent. No property qualification is required. Q. In whom is the executive authority placed? A. In the governor, and a -council of twelve elected by the people. Q. What is said of the judiciary f A. The judiciary consists of a Supreme Court of five judges, and a County Court of three judges for each county. Q. How do they receive their appointment ? A They are elected by the legislature. Q. What may be said of the right of suffrage? A. The right of suffrage is extended to all male citizens of the age of 21 years and upwards, who have resided one year in the State. MASSACHUSETTS. Q. What is the legislature of this State styled? .4. The General Court of Massachusetts. r Richard Stockton, « John Witherspoon, w < Francis Hopkinson. •"» John Hart, . . . . 55 I Abraham Clarke. f Robert Morris, . . < Benjamin Rush, . k Benjamin Franklin e, J John Morton, . . jjj ■{ George Clyiner. » James Smith, . 2 George Taylor, . pj| James Wilson, [ George Ross, . , i Caesar Rodney < George Read, f Thomas McK ean, 1737 1729 1730 1714 1722 1735 1731 1744 1707 1727 1721 1732 1731 1726 1734 1716 1713 1726 1730 1722 1737 1714 1726 1793 I 56 1795 J 65 1785 J 55 1803 1803 1826 1814 1814 1785 1793 1796 1811 1797 71 1821 1778 1803 1798 1781 1794 1791 1780 1794 1733 1806 73 1745 1813 68 1706 1790 84 1724 1777 53 1739 1813 74 1720 1806 86 1716 1781 65 1742 1798 56 1730 1780 50 1730 1783 53 1734 1798 64 1734 1817 83 Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Maine. Ireland. Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Rhode Island. Rhode Island. Massachusetts. Connecticut. Connecticut. Connecticut. New York. New York. England. New York. New Jersey. Scotland. Pennsylvania. New Jersey. New Jersey. England. Pennsylvania. Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Ireland. Ireland. Scotland. Delaware. Delaware. Maryland. Pennsylvania. 116 SIGNERS OF DECLARATION. State and Name. Born Died Age Native of o f Samuel Chase, . > J William Paca, . . % 1 Thomas Stone. . § I Charles Carroll, . f George Wythe, . Richard H. Lee, . Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison Thomas Nelson, . Francis L. Lee, . Carter Braxton, . q ( William Hooper, < Joseph Hewes, . . 55 ( John Pehn, .... as ("Edward Rutledge, * I Thomas Heyward, 1 Thomas Lynch, . ,K [Arthur Middleton, • ( Burton Gvvinnet, . h < Lyman Hall, . . . G> ( George Walton, . 1741 1740 1743 1737 1726 1732 1743 1736 1738 1734 1736 1742 1730 1741 1749 1746 1749 1743 1732 1721 1740 1811 1799 1787 1832 1800 1794 1826 1791 1789 1797 1797 1790 1779 1788 1800 1809 1779 1788 1777 1784 1804 70 Maryland. Maryland. Maryland. Maryland. Virginia. Virginia. Virginia. Virginia. Virginia. Virginia. Virginia. Massachusetts. New Jersey. Virginia. South Carolina. South Carolina. South Carolina. South Carolina. England. Connecticut. Virginia. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE Of the Presidents and other Principal Officers of the United States, since the adoption of the Constitution. PRESIDENTS. George Washington, of Virginia, inaugurated 1789" John Adams, of Massachusetts, 1797 Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, 1801 James Madison, of Virginia, 1809 James Monroe, of Virginia, 1817 John Q . Adams, of Massachusetts, 1825 Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, 1829 Martin Van Buren, of New York, 1837 William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, 1841 John Tyler, of Virginia, 1841 James K. Polk, of Tennessee;, 1845 Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, 1849 Millard Fillmore, of New York. 1850 Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, 1853 VICE-PRESIDENTS. John Adams, of Massachusetts, 1781/ Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia 1797 Aaron Burr, of New York, 1801 George Clinton, of New York 1805 Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, 1812 Daniel D. Tompkins, of New Ydrk, 1817 John C Calhoun, of South Carolina, ] 825 Martin Van Buren, of New York, 1833 Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, 1837 John Tyler, of Virginia, .* 1841 George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, 1845 Millard Fillmore, of New York, 1849 William R. King, of Georgia, 1853 SECRETARIES OF STATE. Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, appointed 1789 Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, 1794 Timothy Pickering, of Virginia, 1795 John Marshall, of Virginia, 1800 James Madison, of Virginia, 1801 Robert Smith, of Maryland 1809 118 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. James Monroe, of Virginia 18U John Q,. Adams, of Massachusetts L81I Henry Clay, of Kentucky, 1825 Martin Van Buren, of New York, 1829 Edward Livingston, of Louisiana, 1831 Louis McLane, of Delaware 1833 John Forsyth, of Georgia, 1834 Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts 1341 Hugh S. Legare, of South Carolina '. 1343 Abel P. Upsher, of Virginia, 1843 John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, 1844 James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, 1845 John M. Clayton, of Delaware, 1849 Daniel Web-ter, of Massachusetts, 1850 William L. Marcy, of New York, 1853 SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY. Alexandor Hamilton, of New York, 1739 Oliver Woleott, of Connecticut, 1795 Samuel Dexter, of Massachusetts, 1800 Albert Gallatin, of Pennsylvania, 1802 George H. Campbell, of Tennessee, 1814 Alexander J. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, 1814 William H. Crawford, of Georgia, 1817 Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania 1826 Samuel D. Ingham, of Pennsylvania, 1829 Louis McLane, of Delaware, 1831 William J. Duane, of Pennsylvania, 1833 R. B. Taney, of Maryland, 1833 Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire, 1834 Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, 1841 Walter Forward, of Pennsylvania, 1841 John C. Spencer, of New York, 1843 Geo. M. Bibb, of Kentucky, 1844 Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, 1845 William M. Meredith, of Pennsylvania, 1849 Thomas Corwin, of Ohio ' 1850 James Guthrie, of Kentucky, 1853 SECRETARIES OF WAR. Henry Knox, of Massachusetts, 1789 Timothy Pickering, of Massachusetts, 1795 James McHenry, of Maryland, 1796 Samuel Dexter, of Massachusetts, 1800 Roger Griswold, of Connecticut, 1801 Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, 1801 William Eustis, of Massachusetts, 1809 John Armstrong, of New York, 1 813 James Monroe, of Virginia, .' 1814 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 119 William H. Crawford, of Georgia, 1815 [saac Shelby, of Kentucky, 1816 John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, 1817 James Barbour, of Virginia, 1825 Peter B. Porter, of New York, 1828 John Eaton, of Tennessee, 1829 HughL. White, of Tennessee, 1851 Lewis Cass, of Michigan, 1831 Joel R. Poinsett, of South Carolina, 1837 John Bell, of Tennessee, 1841 John C. Spencer, of New York, 1841 James M. Porter, of Pennsylvania, 1848 William Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, 1841 William L. Marcy, of ~New York 1845 George W. Crawford, of Georgia, 1849 Charles M. Conrad, of Louisiana, 1850 Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, 1853 SECRETARIES OF THE KAVY. Note.— This Department was established in 1798 — previous to that period it was a branch of the War Department. George Cabot, of Massachusetts, 1798 Benjamin Stoddart, of Maryland, 1799 Robert Smith, of Maryland, 1802 Jacob Crowninshield, of Massachusetts 1805 Paul Hamilton, of North Carolina, 1809 William Jones, of Pennsylvania 1812 Benjamin W. Crowninshield, of Massachusetts 1814 Smith Thompson, of New York. 1818 Samuel L. Southland, of New Jorsey, 1822 John Branch, of North Carolina 1829 Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire 1831 Mahlon Dickerson, of New Jersey, 1834 James K. Paulding, of New York, ia3S George E. Badger, of North Carolina, 1841 Abel P. Upshur, of Virginia, 1841 David Henshaw, of Massaehasetts, 1843 Thomas W. Gilmer, of Virginia, 1844 John Y. Mason, of Virginia, 1844 George Bancroft, of Massachusetts, 1 845 William Ballard Preston, of Virginia, 1849 William A. Graham, of North Carolina, \W>0 James C. Dobbin, of North Carolina, 185* SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR. Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, L849 Thomas M. T. McKennan, of Pennsylvania, 1850 Alexander H. H. Stewart, of Virginia, 1850 Robert McClelland, of Michigan,. 1853 120 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLB POSTMASTERS-GENERAL. Samuel Oswood, of M assachusetts, 178C Timothy Pickering, of Massachusetts, 1794 Joseph Habersham, of Georgia, 1795 Gideon Granger, of Connecticut, 1802 Return J. Meigs, of Ohio, 1814 John McLean, of Ohio, 1823 Wiliiam T. Barry, of Kentucky, 1829 Amos Kendall, of Kentucky, 1835 John M. Niles. of Connecticut, 1840 Francis Granger, of New York, 1841 Charles A. Wickliffe, of Kentucky 1841 Cave Johnson, of Tennessee. 1845 Jacob ( v>l!aiiier, of Vermont, 1849 NT. K. Hall, of New York, 1850 Irunes Campbell, of Pennsylvania, 1853 ATTORNEYS-GENERAL. Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, 1789 William Bradford, of Pennsylvania, 1794 Charles Lee, of Virginia, 1795 Levi Lincoln, of Massachusetts?, 1801 Robert Smith, of Maryland, 1805 John Breckenridge, of Kentucky, 1806 Cajsar A. Rodney, of Delaware, 1807 William Pinkney, of Maryland, 1811 Richard Bush, of Pennsylvania, 1814 William Wirt, of Virginia, 1817 J. McPherson Berrien, of Georgia, 1829 Roger B. Taney, of Maryland 1831 .Benjamin F. Butler, of New York, 1834 Felix Grundy, of Tennessee, 1.838 Henrv D. Gilpin., of Pennsylvania, 1840 John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, 1841 Hugh S. Legate, of South Carolina, 1841 John Nelson, of Maryland 1 845 John Y. Mason, of Virginia, 1845 Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland, 1849 John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, 1850 Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts, 1853 CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE UNITED STATES. John Jay, of New York, 1786. William Cushing, of Massachusetts, 1796 Ohver Ellsworth, of Connecticut 1796 John Jay, of New York, 1800 John Marshall, of Virginia 1801 Roger P. Taney, of Maryland, 183t> A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF AMERICAN HISTORY, From the Discovery in 1492, to the year 1853. 1492 Columbus discovers the New World. 1497 The Cabots discover the Continent of N. America. 1512 Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida. 1539 Ferdinand de Soto begins the conquest of Florida. 1541 Soto discovers the Mississippi river. 1565 St. Augustine, the oldest town in the United States, founded by Pedro Melendez. 1584 Raleigh's first expedition sent to Carolina. 1607 Jamestown, in Virginia, founded; the earliest perma- nent English settlement in North America. 1609 Henrv Hudson discovers the Hudson river. 1613 New York settled by the Dutch. 1620 Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 1623 Portsmouth and Dover settled by Gorges and Mason. Albany settled by the Dutch. 1627 The Swedes settle oh the Delaware. 1631 Windsor, in Connecticut settled. 1633 Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore. 1634 Banishment of Roger Williams from Massachusetts. 1643 Confederation of the New England colonies. 1644 Roger Williams obtains a charter for Rhode Island. 1655 Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New York, con- quers New Sweden. 1664 New York taken from the Dutch by the English. Charles II grants to the Duke of "York a patent for the country from the Delaware to the Connecticut. 1671 Charleston settled. 1673 New York re-conquered by the Dutch. 1674 New York restored to the English. 1675 Commencement of King Philip's war. 1676 Bacon's rebellion in Virginia. 1681 Penn receives a charter for Pennsylvania. 121 122 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLH 1682 Philadelphia founded. 1688 Revolution in England, which gives tlie sovereignty to William and Mary. 1691 Colonel Slougliter appointed governor of New York. 1694 Culture of rice introduced into South Carolina. 1700 Yale College founded. 1701 Penn grants a new charter to Pennsylvania. 1704 First Newspaper published in America, at Boston. 1729 North and South Carolina separated. 1732 George Washington born. 1744 War between France and England. 1754 Commencement of the Old French War. 1755 Defeat of General Braddock. 1756 War formally declared between France and England. 1759 Quebec taken. General Wolfe killed. 1765 Stamp act passed. First Continental Congress meets at New York. 1766 Stamp act repealed. 1773 Tea destroyed in Boston. 1774 Continental Congress assembles at Philadelphia. 1775 April 19 — Battle of Lexington and Concord. June 15 — Washington appointed commander-in-chiet. 17— Battle of Breed's Hill. Dec. 31 — Attack on Quebec defeated. Montgomery killed. 1776 March 17— Boston evacuated by the British. July 4 — Declaration of Independence. Aug. 26 — Americans defeated on Long Island. Oct. 28— Battle of White Plains. Nov. — Retreat of Washington through New Jersey. Dec. 26— Battle of Trenton. 1777 Jan. 2— Battle of Princeton. Arrival of Lafayette. Aug. 16 — Battle of Bennington. Sept. 11 — Battle of Brandy wine. 18 — Congress leaves Philadelphia. 19— Battle of Stillwater. 25 — Philadelphia occupied by the British. Oct. 4 — Battle of Germantown. 12 — Surrender of Burgovne. 22— Battle of Redbank. Nov. 15 — Articles of Confederation of the United States ratified. Dec. 11 — Washington retires to Valley Forge. 1778 Treaty between France and the United States. June 18 — The British evacuate Philadelphia. OV AMERICAN HISTORY. 123 1778 June 28— Battle of Monmouth. 1778 July— Arrival of the French fleet. 1779 July 15— Storming of Stony Point. ' 19— Storming of Paulus Hook. Sept.— Arrival of the French fleet at Savannah. 1780 Mav 12— Charleston capitulates. July 12— British defeated at Williamson s Plantation. Aug. 16— Battle of Camden. Sept.— Arnold's treason at West Point. Oct. 7— Battle of King's Mountain. 1781 Jan. 17— Battle of Cowpens. March 15— Battle of Guilford. 8— Battle of Futaw. Oct. 19— Siege and surrender of Yorktown. 1782 Feb. 27— Gen. Conway makes a motion in the Parlia- ment for discontinuing the American war. Nov. Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain signed. ; 1783 April 19— Cessation of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain proclaimed. Dec. 4— Washington takes. leave of the officers of" the army. Dec. 23— Washington resigns his commission. 1787 May— Convention meets at Philadelphia for framing the Federal Constitution. Sept. 17— Constitution made public. 1788 The new Constitution ratified. 1789 March 4 — Washington's Administration commences. 1790 First Census of the United States taken : population 3,929.320. 1791 The city of Washington laid out, N v— Defeat of General St. Clair. Miami. 1797 John Adams elected President, and Thomas Jerterson Vice-President of the United States. March 4— Commencement of John Adams* Adminis- tration. 1799 Dec. 14— Death of General Washington. 1800 Second Census of the U. States : population 5,30o,485. Nov— Congress first sits at Washington. 1801 March 4— Commencement of Jefferson's Administra- tion. 1807 Dec — Embargo Law passed. Burr's Conspiracv and Trial. 1809 March 4— Commencement of Madam's Administration. 124 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 1809 Embargo Law repealed. 1811 Nov. 7— Battle of Tippecanoe. 1812 June 18— War declared against Great Britain by the United States. July 12 — General Hull invades Canada. Aug. 19 — Guerriere, British frigate, taken by the Con- stitution. Oct. 17 — British ship Frolic captured by American ship Wasp. Oct. 25 — Macedonian frigate taken by the U. States. Dec. 29 — Java, British frigate, taken by the Consti- tution. 1813 Jan. 13 — General Winchester surprised and defeated. March 4 — James Madison inaugurated President. May 27 — Fort George taken by the American troops. 29 — British defeated in an attempt on Sackett's Harbor. June 1 — Chesapeake taken by the Shannon. Sept. 4 — British brig; Boxer taken by the United States brig Enterprize. 10 — British squadron on Lake Erie taken by the Americans. Oct. 5 — British defeated by General Harrison. 1814 Feb. 23— Mission to Gottenburg. Mar. 20 — Frigate Essex taken by two British vessels. April 21 — United States' ship Frolic taken. July 6— Battle of Chippewa. 25— Battle of Bridgewater. Aug. 15— Battle of Fort Erie. 24 — Battle of Bladensburg, Washington taken, the Capitol and other public buildings burned by the British. Sept. 11 — British squadron on Lake Champlain cap- tured by the American squadron under Commodore MeDonough. Defeat of the British at Plattsburg. 24 — Treaty of Peace signed at Ghent. 1815 Jan. 8 — Signal defeat of the British, by Gen. Jackson. Feb. 17 — Treaty of peace ratified. Feb. 20 — War declared against the Algerines. May — Commodore Decatur sails to Algiers. June 1 8 — An Algerine frigate of 44 guns, captured by the Guerriere. Aug. — Treaty of peace with the Dey of Algiers. 1816 April — The National Bank established by Congress with a capital of thirty-five millions. OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 125 1817 March 4— Jame8 Monroe inaugurated President. 1818 War with the Seminole Indians commenced. April — The Seminoles defeated by Gen. Jackson. May 28 — General Jackson takes Pensacola. Nov. — Pensacola restored to the Spaniards. 1820 Population of the United States, 9,625,734. American Colonization Society sent out their first colo- nists to Liberia. 1824 The Marquis de Lafayette visited the United States. 1825 March 4— John Quincy Adams inaugurated. 1826 July 4— The Ex-Presidents John Adams and Thoma* Jefferson died. 1829 March 4 — Andrew Jackson inaugurated President. 1830 Population of the United States, 12,866,020. 1832 The United States visited with the cholera. 1833 Andrew Jackson commences his second term. 1837 Michigan admitted into the Union. March 4 — Van Buren inaugurated. Dec. 31 — Gen. Clinch's battle of the Withlacoochee. 1838 Canadians revolt, and are aided by the Americans. 1841 March 4 — Wrn. H. Harrison inaugurated. April 4 — Death of President Harrison. 1845 March 4 — James K. Polk inaugurated. June 8 — General Jackson dies. Dec. 29 — Texas admitted into the Union. 1846 May 3 — Hostilities commenced between Mexico and the United States. Battle of Palo Alto. 1847 Feb. 23— Battle of Buena Vista. March 26 — Vera Cruz surrenders to General Scott. Sept. 15 — The city of Mexico surrenders. 1848 John Q. Adams dies in the House of Congress. Feb. 2 — A treaty of peace concluded at Guadaloupe Hidalgo, between the United States and Mexico. 1849 March 4 — General Zachary Taylor inaugurated. June 15 — Ex-President Polk died. 1850 March 31— Death of John C. Calhoun. July 9 — Death of President Zachary Taylor. Millard Fillmore becomes President. California admitted into the Union. liation of the United States, 23,267,498. 1853 Franklin Fierce inaugurated. ■ Library of Congress Branch Bindery, 1903 LIBRARY