Part 8
=59. The Carolina and Georgia Planters.= The colonial farms south of Virginia lay mostly in a narrow strip near the sea. Inland were the "pine barrens," a poor, sandy country grown up in pine woods. Inland also were strong and fierce tribes of Indians like the Cherokees and Creeks.
[Sidenote: =Rice becomes an important product=]
The younger colonies could not live by growing tobacco. Virginia was nearer to the English market, and supplied it with most of the tobacco needed. They did raise corn and cattle for their own use. One day a ship captain from the Orient sailed into Charleston with some rice. The story runs that he gave a few handfuls of this to the governor as a curiosity. The wise old governor heard that this rice had been grown in swamps, and he thought of the swamps all along the coast of Carolina and Georgia. He had some of it planted in this wet land, and it grew beyond all hopes. In a few years rice was produced in such quantity that it could be shipped to England, where it was thought the best on the market.
[Sidenote: =Indigo also grown=]
Some one else discovered that the low, wet land would also grow indigo, a plant used for making a brilliant and valuable blue dye. Indigo soon brought the settlers as much money as did the rice.
[Sidenote: =Lumber, tar, and turpentine=]
The great pine woods furnished lumber that was sent to Europe by the boatload. From the sap of the pine trees the colonists also learned to make turpentine and rosin. By heating or distilling the wood itself they produced tar. To this day one of the most striking sights in these states are the great sawmills and the stills, where negroes are making turpentine much as it was made a century and a half ago.
When Georgia was settled Oglethorpe did not permit slaves to be brought in, and the colonists had to do all their own work. But later there were as many slaves in Georgia as in the Carolinas or Virginia.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
=The Leading Facts.= _1._ Peter Stuyvesant was sent out by the Dutch West India Company as Governor of New York. _2._ He ruled the colony in his own way and gave the people very little power. _3._ The council surrendered the colony to the English against the will of Stuyvesant. _4._ New Netherland became the colony of New York. _5._ The Dutch kept up the customs of their native country. _6._ William Penn, son of a great English naval officer, became a Quaker while a student at Oxford. _7._ He founded a colony in America on a tract of land given him in payment of the king's debt to his father. _8._ Penn gave the colonists the right to choose their own rulers and to make their own laws. _9._ He gave a free constitution and made friends with the Indians. _10._ He founded the city of Philadelphia, which grew faster than the other colonial towns. _11._ The Quakers were gentle and friendly to everybody. _12._ All religions were welcomed in the colony. _13._ When a friend of Oglethorpe's died in a debtors' prison, Oglethorpe determined to do something for the unfortunates shut up in jail for debt. _14._ He obtained a charter from the king for some land in Georgia. _15._ In his selection of settlers no lazy men were allowed. _16._ The town was built near the mouth of the Savannah River. _17._ The Savannah colony flourished, and many other settlers came to Georgia. _18._ Oglethorpe built Frederica to keep back the Spaniards. _19._ The colonies south of Virginia thrived on the production of rice, indigo, lumber, tar, and turpentine.
=Study Questions.= _1._ Tell the story of Peter Stuyvesant until the time he became governor. _2._ What reforms did Stuyvesant bring to the colony? _3._ How did he rule? _4._ What part did the nine men play in the government? _5._ What were they called? _6._ Why were the people glad when the English fleet came? _7._ What did William and Mary do for the colony? _8._ Tell what you know about the way the Dutch lived. _9._ Why should the students at Oxford be surprised to hear that William Penn had turned Quaker? _10._ Why did his father drive him from home? _11._ What shows that William Penn did not waste his time in Paris? _12._ Who made peace between Penn and his father? _13._ What was William Penn's noble resolution? _14._ How did Penn come into possession of Pennsylvania? _15._ Prove that Penn was a very generous man. _16._ Why did William Penn call his town the "city of brotherly love"? _17._ Make a picture of the great treaty under the elm. _18._ Tell the story of Oglethorpe. _19._ Why did Charleston lend a helping hand to Oglethorpe's colony? _20._ Where did the settlers of Georgia come from? _21._ What did Oglethorpe build Frederica for? _22._ What did the colonists south of Virginia raise?
=Suggested Readings.= STUYVESANT: Williams, _Stories from Early New York History_, 21-32; Smith and Dutton, _The Colonies_, 189-202.
PENN: Pratt, _Early Colonies_, 158-165; Hart, _Colonial Children_, 144-148, Dixon, _William Penn_, 11-273.
OGLETHORPE: Smith and Dutton, _The Colonies_, 78-89; Pratt, _Early Colonies_, 173-176; Hart, _Source Book_, 71-73; Cooper, _James Oglethorpe_.
ROBERT CAVELIER DE LA SALLE, WHO FOLLOWED THE FATHER OF WATERS TO ITS MOUTH, AND ESTABLISHED NEW FRANCE FROM CANADA TO THE GULF OF MEXICO
LA SALLE PUSHED FORWARD THE WORK BEGUN BY JOLIET AND MARQUETTE
=60. Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.= While Joliet and Marquette were on their long journey, Frontenac was making use of another fur trader, La Salle, and of another missionary, Hennepin. La Salle belonged to a rich French family, and had left home at the age of twenty-three (1666) for the wild life in the American forests.
[Sidenote: =Fort Frontenac built=]
He first built a fort-like post just above Montreal and named it Lachine, because he supposed it was located on the route to China. In 1673 he helped build Fort Frontenac where the Canadian city of Kingston now stands.
La Salle returned home, and the king received him with honor and made him governor of the region around Fort Frontenac. He came back and built a great stone fort. Settlers soon came and built their cabins around the fort, making a little frontier village.
Here the fur trader came each season with his pack, and here the faithful missionary said good-by before plunging into the wilds of the unknown wilderness, perhaps never to return.
[Sidenote: =La Salle not content to get rich only=]
La Salle was growing rich, but he longed to make good his country's right to the richer soil and to the milder climate of the Mississippi Valley. Once more he returned to France, and the king gave him permission to explore the great valley and to build forts along the way.
[Sidenote: =Hennepin and his altar=]
La Salle came back bringing sailors, carpenters, anchors, and cables, for he intended to build a ship on the lakes. But best of all, he brought Tonti, his faithful Italian friend and helper. Hennepin, the missionary, carried an altar so made that he could strap it on his back and set it up for worship wherever he chose.
La Salle had resolved to build his first fort at the mouth of the Niagara River, but the Iroquois permitted him to build only a large storehouse. They were greatly displeased when he set about building a ship above Niagara to sail the Great Lakes to the west, and threatened to burn it.
[Sidenote: =The first ship on the Great Lakes=]
When the new ship, the _Griffin_, was ready to sail, they towed her up the Niagara River and then into Lake Erie. There was great rejoicing over the _Griffin_. Amid the firing of cannon and the singing of songs she spread her sails, the first to whiten the waters of Lake Erie.
[Sidenote: =The visit to Mackinac=]
On they sailed, through sunshine and storm, up Lake Huron until the mission town where Marquette was buried came into view. When the _Griffin_ fired her cannon, all was astir in that town of fur traders, missionaries, and Indians. La Salle's men landed with great show. They marched to the little chapel and knelt before the altar.
[Sidenote: =The "Griffin" sails for the storehouse=]
La Salle then sailed through the straits and to the head of Green Bay, where some of his men, sent out many months before, had collected a great quantity of furs. Laden with these, the _Griffin_ sailed for the storehouse on the Niagara, but La Salle never saw again this first ship of the lakes.
=61. Exploring the Mississippi Valley.= With fourteen men in four large canoes, La Salle set out for the Illinois River. They passed southward along the Wisconsin shore, sometimes living only on parched corn and wild berries, but at other times feasting on the wild game killed by their Indian hunter.
[Sidenote: =The journey by canoe to the Illinois River=]
They passed the spot where Chicago stands, and reached the mouth of the St. Joseph River. Here another fort was built while waiting for the return of Tonti, who had gone to find the _Griffin_. Three months had passed since the ship sailed. Tonti finally came, but brought no word of the ill-fated _Griffin_.
[Sidenote: =They reach Starved Rock=]
Disappointed, but still brave, La Salle with a party of thirty men and fourteen canoes paddled up the St. Joseph River to where South Bend now is. From this point the party, carrying canoes and baggage, made its way over to the headwaters of the Illinois. They were glad to reach the region near the present site of Ottawa, where Marquette had been a few years before. They saw Buffalo Rock and Starved Rock, high bluffs renowned in Indian history.
[Sidenote: =Surprising an Indian camp=]
Just as the little fleet was passing through Peoria Lake, some one saw the smoke of an Indian camp. At once every Frenchman dropped his paddle, seized his gun, and sprang ashore. The Indians ran about in wild excitement, but La Salle talked peace to the chiefs while Hennepin tried to quiet the children.
The Indians told La Salle of fierce warriors farther on who would kill them, and of great monsters ready to eat them. These stories frightened some of La Salle's men and they ran away.
[Sidenote: =The fort of the broken heart=]
La Salle decided to build a fort on the bluff overlooking the river and remain there through the winter (1680). They named it Fort Crèvecœur, meaning that the builders had grieved until their hearts were broken.
La Salle returned to Fort Frontenac. In the meantime he ordered Tonti to fortify Starved Rock, and Hennepin to explore the Illinois and the upper Mississippi rivers.
[Sidenote: =Iroquois destroy villages of the Illinois=]
While La Salle was gone, a great army of fierce Iroquois destroyed the villages of the Illinois Indians, "the children of Count Frontenac."
[Sidenote: =A union of Indian tribes proposed=]
La Salle's heart was indeed full of grief when he returned and saw the awful desolation where once stood the villages of his Indian friends. But worse still, he could not find Tonti. With a sad but brave heart the great leader resolved to bring all the Illinois tribes into a union that should be a match for the Iroquois. He went from tribe to tribe, and night after night he sat around the council fires with the chiefs.
[Sidenote: =La Salle journeys to the mouth of the Mississippi=]
Before he could unite them he heard that Tonti was safe at Mackinac. He hastened to meet his long-lost friend, and there he and Tonti once more planned the exploration of the lower Mississippi. He returned to Fort Frontenac, collected supplies, and was soon crossing the portage between the Chicago and Illinois rivers. On they went, till early in February their canoes floated out upon the bosom of the "Father of Waters" (1682).
Down the river they floated, passing the Missouri, the Ohio, and the Arkansas, where Joliet and Marquette had turned back. With the kindly help of new guides, they passed on until they found the Mississippi branching into three streams. La Salle divided his party, and each took a stream to the Gulf.
[Sidenote: =La Salle takes possession of new country=]
On shore, just above the mouth, a cross was raised and La Salle took possession of all the country he had explored "in the name of Louis the Great, King of France." The company shouted, "Long live the king!" La Salle's first great object had been accomplished.
Then the party began the slow journey up stream. La Salle finally reached Mackinac, and there again began to lay great plans. The first thing he did was to go to Starved Rock and build a fort for the protection of his union of Indian tribes.
[Sidenote: =Builds Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock=]
Starved Rock is a rough cliff which rises one hundred thirty-five feet high, right out of the valley. Its sides are almost perpendicular. La Salle and his men cut away the trees on top and built storehouses, log huts, and a palisade. They named it Fort St. Louis. In the valley below, hundreds of Indians came and built their wigwams that they might be safe from their enemies, the Iroquois. Tonti was put in command of the fort.
[Sidenote: =La Salle misses the mouth of the Mississippi=]
La Salle's next step was to return to France and ask the king to plant a colony of Frenchmen at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The king agreed, and La Salle set sail for the Gulf of Mexico with a fleet of four ships and a colony of more than one hundred fifty persons (1684). But he missed the Mississippi and landed at Matagorda Bay in Texas. The colonists blamed La Salle. He tried in vain to find the Mississippi.
[Sidenote: =La Salle's death=]
Suffering and discontent increased until a party of La Salle's men lay in ambush and shot him, and left his body in the woods. More than a year went by before the faithful Tonti at Starved Rock heard of the sad fate of the great leader.
[Sidenote: =The heroic Tonti=]
The French king refused to send aid to the starving colonists in Texas, but the brave and heroic Tonti, though saddened by the death of La Salle, resolved to rescue them. His rescuing party suffered awful hardships. They deserted Tonti on the lower Mississippi, and he was at last forced to return to Starved Rock.
THE MEN OF NEW FRANCE
[Sidenote: =Men of New France lived as the Indians lived=]
=62. Life of the Trapper, Jesuit Missionary, and Soldier of New France.= For more than a hundred years after the explorations of Joliet and La Salle the French in Canada sent trappers, missionaries, and soldiers into the new territory. The trappers lived on friendly terms with the Indians. They took shelter in the Indian wigwam and sat at the Indian camp fire. Together they searched the forest for game, and paddled up and down the rivers and lakes in the Indian canoes. They joined in the Indian sports, lived as the Indians lived, and often married the Indian maidens.
The lives of the missionaries who went to preach among the Indians were full of self-sacrifice. They had great difficulties to overcome. The Indians were ignorant and hard to teach, but they treated the missionaries with respect and loved them for their kind deeds.
[Sidenote: =Long years of war=]
From the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico the soldiers of New France built many forts. Their chief danger was from the Iroquois Indians, who sided with the English in the long years of war. Many times their settlements were destroyed, their forts burned. But they were courageous and determined. They went on with their work of establishing New France in America, fighting the English and the Indians, until 1759. Then Wolfe captured Quebec and New France became English territory.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
=The Leading Facts.= _1._ La Salle was sent to complete the exploration of the Mississippi. _2._ La Salle made his way to the Gulf of Mexico and later built the fort at Starved Rock. _3._ The French sent trappers, missionaries, and soldiers into New France to strengthen it against the English. _4._ The French trappers lived on intimate terms with the Indians. _5._ With the fall of Quebec, England won New France.
=Study Questions.= _1._ Why was La Salle not satisfied merely to get rich? _2._ Describe the first voyage on the Lakes. _3._ Find on the map the places named, from Mackinac to Fort Crèvecœur. _4._ How did La Salle reach the Mississippi? _5._ Picture Tonti's fort on Starved Rock. _6._ Tell the story of the fate of La Salle. _7._ What Indian tribe sided with the English? _8._ What was the effect of the fall of Quebec?
=Suggested Readings.= LA SALLE: Wright, _Children's Stories in American History_, 316-330; Pratt, _Later Colonial Period_, 1-28.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE FIRST GENERAL AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
THE "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
[Sidenote: =Washington's birthday and birthplace=]
=63. George Washington as a Boy.= When Washington was born, February 22, 1732, in the old colony of Virginia, the early settlements had grown into towns, and planters had prospered. His father's house stood upon a gentle hill slope which ran down to the lazily flowing Potomac. Across the river one could see the wooded Maryland shore, broken with a few great farms and plantations.
[Sidenote: =The mother of Washington=]
Washington's father owned more than one plantation, and had many negro slaves. He was also a partner in some iron mines, and once had been captain of a ship carrying iron ore to London. It was in London that he had fallen in love with Mary Ball, called, on account of her beauty, the "Rose of Epping Forest." She, too, was a Virginian, and she married Augustine Washington, and became the greatly revered mother of George.
[Sidenote: =School in Fredericksburg=]
When George was but three years old his parents moved to the plantation on the Rappahannock. Across the river, in the old town of Fredericksburg, George went to a school taught by the church sexton. Both teachers and schools were scarce in Virginia then because the people lived miles apart on their great plantations.
In Washington's day the plantations were usually located on the rivers or bays. The rivers were the best roadways in those old times. Besides, the planter was glad to have the yearly ship from London stop at his door.
[Sidenote: =The yearly ship from London=]
The coming of the ship brought happy days to the young people, for it often brought furniture for the house and fine clothes for the family. Sometimes, too, it brought back some long-absent son or daughter, or letters from relatives in the old English home. Then there were the stories such as only sailors can tell.
When all the stores of tobacco and grain had been loaded, once more the great ship spread her wings and sailed away. Then many a Virginia boy longed to go on board and sail away, too.
[Sidenote: =Mary Washington=]
George's father died and left him, at the age of eleven, to the care of his mother. Mary Washington was a wise, firm mother, and always held the love and admiration of her children.
[Sidenote: =The eldest son in Virginia=]
According to the custom of those old Virginia days, the eldest son, Lawrence Washington, received the beautiful plantation on the Potomac, which he named Mount Vernon in honor of Admiral Vernon, an English naval officer under whom he had fought in the West Indies.
[Sidenote: =George studied hard and played hard=]
To George fell a smaller plantation on the Rappahannock. He could hardly hope to go to England to study, but went to a school near his birthplace. Here he studied hard, mastering mathematics, and business papers of all sorts. The book into which he copied business letters, deeds, wills, and bills of sale and exchange shows how careful he was and how he mastered everything he undertook.
At school, George was a spirited leader in all outdoor sports. He outran, outjumped, as well as outwrestled all his comrades. He could throw farther than any of them. The story is told that he once threw a stone across the Rappahannock, and that at another time he threw a stone from the valley below to the top of the Natural Bridge, a distance of more than two hundred feet.
[Sidenote: =Playing war=]
Washington was captain when the boys played at war. Every boy among them expected to be a soldier some day. George listened to the stories told by his brother Lawrence, who had been a captain in the West Indies.
[Sidenote: =A horseback rider=]
As a boy George Washington also learned many useful things outside of school. He became a skillful horseback rider, for every Virginia plantation had fine riding horses. People lived so far apart that they had to ride horseback when they visited each other and when they went to church or to town. Whether George rode a wild colt to "break" it, or whether he rode with his neighbors through woods and fields, jumping fences or swimming streams, or in a wild chase after the fox, he always kept his seat.
[Sidenote: =A woodsman=]
Even while a boy Washington was learning the ways of a woodsman. With only a gun and a dog for companions, he made long trips into the deep, dark Virginia forests, where no road or path showed the way. He could cross rivers without bridge or boat, could build a shelter at night, could trap, and shoot, and cook over the fire by the side of which he slept. All this knowledge was soon put to use by Washington.
[Sidenote: =Washington wanted to be a sailor=]
When George was fourteen it was decided that he might "go to sea." No doubt he dreamed of the time when he should be a seaman, or perhaps an officer on one of the king's great war ships. But when all was ready, he gave up his plans to please his mother and went back to school. He now studied surveying, and was soon able to mark off the boundaries of farms and lay out roads.
[Sidenote: =Lord Fairfax=]
George was now more and more at Mount Vernon, where he met many fine people. Among these visitors he admired most an old English nobleman, Lord Fairfax, who had come to spend the rest of his days beyond the Blue Ridge in the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah.
[Sidenote: =A surveyor at sixteen=]
=64. Washington as Surveyor.= Lord Fairfax was pleased with Washington, who was then tall, strong, active, and manly looking, although but sixteen years old. Accordingly, one spring Washington, with a number of companions, started over the mountains to survey the wild lands of Lord Fairfax.
[Sidenote: =Life in the Shenandoah in 1748=]
The trip was full of danger. There were no roads, bridges, or houses after the party reached the mountains; but deep rivers, wild animals, and savage Indians were plentiful. Some nights they slept in rude huts, other nights in tents, but more often under the stars and around the camp fire. One night they saw a party of Indians dance their wild war dance to the music of a rude drum, made by stretching a hide over a pot, and to the noise of a rattle, made by putting shot in a gourd.
[Sidenote: =Work well done=]