Part 1

GREAT EVENTS

IN

THE HISTORY

OF

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA;

FROM THE ALLEGED

DISCOVERY OF THE CONTINENT,

BY THE NORTHMEN, IN THE TENTH CENTURY,

TO

THE PRESENT TIME;

WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EMINENT MEN CONNECTED WITH AMERICAN HISTORY.

BY CHARLES A. GOODRICH,

AUTHOR OF "UNITED STATES' HISTORY," "LIVES OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE," &c., &c.

ILLUSTRATED WITH UPWARDS OF TWO HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS,

CHIEFLY FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS, BY EMINENT ARTISTS.

HARTFORD: PUBLISHED BY HOUSE & BROWN

1851.

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1849, BY CHARLES A. GOODRICH, IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF CONNECTICUT.

FOUNDRY OF S. ANDRUS AND SON, HARTFORD.

PRESS OF WALTER S. WILLIAMS, HARTFORD.

PREFACE.

The plan of the following work, whatever may be thought of its execution, will commend itself, it is believed, to the taste and judgment of the public. It proceeds upon the principle of _selection_, being chiefly confined to the _Great Events_ of American History, and which are treated of as _distinct subjects_. In these respects, the work differs from other historical works on the same subject.

The advantages of a work thus constructed, are too obvious to need specification. Yet, it may be remarked, that great events in history are like great objects in nature and art. It is the bolder features of a country--the more costly and imposing edifices of the city--the higher and more elaborate achievements of art--upon which we delight to dwell. In like manner, great events attract our attention and interest our minds, because of their relations--because of the higher qualities of mind which, perhaps, gave them birth, and the striking and lasting changes which grow out of them. They serve as landmarks in our drift down the stream of time. We date from them. We refer to them. We measure between them. We compare them one with another--their causes, progress, influences; and, in so doing, our knowledge of men and things is advanced--our false opinions are corrected--our topics for interesting and profitable speculation and reflection greatly multiplied. A thorough perusal of a work thus constructed will secure, it is believed, a more competent and permanent knowledge of the history of a country, than some half-dozen readings of that history, written on the ordinary plan.

The principle of selection will render the work the more valuable to certain classes of persons--to those who, desirous of a competent knowledge of the history of their country, have but a limited time to devote to the study of it; to the young, whose minds are apt to become wearied and perplexed with the number and details of minor events; and to those who wish to refresh their recollections, without the labor and loss of time incident to the perusal of works constructed on the common plan. Each of these classes will find their interests consulted in the work before them, while the general reader may profitably proceed from the perusal of such a volume to those which describe events and details more minutely.

In regard to what constitute the 'Great Events of American History,' there may be some diversity of opinion. As to _his_ selection, the author has not the vanity to suppose that it is the best that could be made. The journey has been a long one; and surely, it were not strange, if some events had been magnified into an undue importance; while those of perhaps even higher consideration were neglected, either for want of a better judgment, or for want of more serious reflection.

In the progress of the work, the author has endeavored to do justice to the original settlers of the United States, and their immediate descendants, by bringing into view their constant sense of their dependence upon God. It will be seen that our forefathers were men who feared God--who sought his blessing in all their great enterprises; and when success crowned those enterprises, that they were ready to acknowledge His good hand which had been with them. In seasons of darkness, they fasted and prayed: in seasons of prosperity, they rejoiced and gave thanks.

In these respects, our ancestors did, indeed, only their duty; but, it may well be urged upon the rising generation, which will soon take the management of the affairs of this already-mighty nation--and which is growing in population, wealth, and importance, every year--to imitate an example so just! so beautiful! so impressive!

The author has briefly to add, that the work was begun some years since; but, until now, he has found no opportunity to complete it; nor should he, even at this date, have had that pleasure, but for the important aid of a highly valued literary friend, long favorably known to the public, Rev. ROYAL ROBBINS, of Berlin, Ct., to whom, in this place, he is happy to make his acknowledgments for valuable portions of the volume.

CONTENTS.

NORTH AMERICA.--UNITED STATES.

PAGE.

INTRODUCTION, 13

I.--EARLY DISCOVERIES.

I. _Northmen._--Claims for the Northmen; Voyages of Biarne, Leif, Thorwald, Thorfinn, Helge, and Finnboge, 19

II. _Columbus._--Birth and Education of Columbus; Unsuccessful application to several European Courts; Patronized by Isabella; Sails from Palos; Early Discontent of his Crew; Expedients by which they are quieted; Discovery of Land; First appearance of the Natives; Cuba and Hispaniola discovered; Columbus sets sail on his Return; Incidents of the Voyage; Marks of consideration bestowed upon him; Second Voyage; Further Discoveries; Complaints against him; Third Voyage; Discovery of the Continent; Persecuted by Enemies; Sent home in Chains; Kindness of Isabella; Fourth Voyage; Return and Death, 26

III. _Sebastian Cabot._--Discovery of the North American Continent by Sebastian Cabot, 45

II.--EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

I. VIRGINIA, OR SOUTHERN COLONY.

Unsuccessful Attempts to settle America; Expeditions of Sir Humphrey Gilbert; Sir Walter Raleigh; Sir Richard Grenville; Sir John White; First Permanent Settlement at Jamestown; Colonists early in Want; Dissensions in their Councils; Hostility of the Indians; Capture of Captain Smith; Generous Conduct of Pocahontas; Gloomy Condition of the Colony; Timely arrival of Assistance; Returning Prosperity; Establishment of a Provisional Government; Introduction of Negro Slavery; Cruel Massacre of the Colonists, 48

II. NEW ENGLAND, OR NORTHERN SETTLEMENTS.

Plymouth; Massachusetts; Connecticut; New Haven; New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Maine; Vermont--Character of the Early Settlers, 61

III. MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN SETTLEMENTS.

New York; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; N. Carolina; S. Carolina; Georgia; Pennsylvania, 96

III.--INDIANS: THEIR TRIBES AND WARS.

I. INDIAN TRIBES.

General Division; Tribes in the Central and Southern parts of New England; Tribes in the Northern parts; East of Lake Erie and South of Lake Ontario; Southern Tribes, 104

II. ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS.

Various Speculations on the subject; Opinions of Voltaire, of Rev. Thos. Thorowgood, Dr. Boudinot, Roger Williams, Hubbard, Thos. Morton, John Josselin, Cotton Mather, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Swinton, 109

III. VIRGINIA INDIAN WARS.

Early Troubles of the English with the Indians; Power and Cruelty of Powhatan; his apparent Friendship for the Colonists; Treacherous Conduct; Kindness of Pocahontas; Inhuman Conduct of Lord De la War; Captivity of Pocahontas; Cruel Massacre of the Whites; Opecancanough; Troubles with Totopotomoi; Anecdote of Jack-of-the-feather, 113

IV. PLYMOUTH COLONY AND THE INDIANS.

Early Rencontre at Plymouth; Friendly Intercourse established by means of Samoset; Kindness of Squanto; Intercourse with Massasoit; Contemplated Massacre defeated; Caunbitant; Hobomok, 125

V. ENGLISH AND NARRAGANSETS.

Territory of the Narragansets; Canonicus their Sachem; his mode of Challenging the English to War; Union proposed between the Pequods and Narragansets; how Defeated; Haughty Bearing of Miantonimoh; Accused of a Conspiracy against the English; Accusations repelled; Peace concluded between him and Massachusetts; War between Uncas and Miantonimoh; the latter captured, and delivered to the English; how disposed of; Character of Uncas; Troubles with the Narragansets under Ninigret; Expedition against him; its Issue, 142

VI. PEQUOD WAR.

Territory of the Pequods; their Character; Sassacus; his Hatred of the English; Cruelties practiced towards them; War declared by Connecticut; Expedition of Captain Mason; Surprise and Destruction of the Fort; Further Prosecution of the War; Consequences resulting from it, 153

VII. PHILIP'S WAR.

Causes of Philip's War; Character of Philip; General Spirit of Hostility among the Indians; Outbreak at Swansey; Expedition under General Savage; Expedition under Captain Church; Perilous Situation of this latter party; Timely Arrival of Captain Hutchinson; Second Expedition of Captain Church; Critical Situation of Philip; Effects his Escape; Annoys the Back Settlements of Massachusetts; Treachery of the Nipmucks; Attack on Brookfield; Bloody Affair at Muddy Brook; Attack on Springfield; Attack on Hatfield; Outrages at Northampton; Large Force raised by Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, against the Narragansets; Philip's Fortress at Kingston, Rhode Island; Destruction of it; Lancaster destroyed; other Towns burned; Fatal Affair at Pawtuxet river, Rhode Island; Stratagem of Cape Cod Indians; Attacks on Rehoboth, Chelmsford, Sudbury, &c.; Expedition of Connecticut troops; Conanchet captured; Long Meadow attacked; Hadley; Fortunes of Philip on the wane; Successful Expedition at Connecticut-river Falls; Attack on Hatfield; on Hadley; Remarkable Interposition of a Stranger at Hadley, supposed to be Goffe; Decline of Philip's Power; Pursued by Captain Church; Death of Philip; Disastrous Effects of the War; Philip's Warriors; Annawon; Reflections, 161

VIII. WAR OF WILLIAM III.

Combination of French and Indians against the Americans; Burning of Schenectady; Cause of it; Horrors attending it; Attack upon Salmon Falls and upon Casco; Results of Expeditions fitted out by New York and New England; Reduction of Port Royal; Atrocities which marked the War; Attack on Haverhill, Massachusetts; Heroic Conduct of Mrs. Dustan; Peace, 190

IX. QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.

Principal Scenes of this War in America; Attack upon Deerfield; Captivity and Sufferings of Rev. Mr. Williams; Other Disasters of the War; Peace; Death of Queen Anne; Accession of George I.; Continued Sufferings of the Colonies of Massachusetts and New Hampshire; Peace concluded with the Indians at Boston, 200

X. WAR OF GEORGE II.

War between England and France, 1744; French take Casco; Effect of this Declaration of War upon the Indians; Attack upon the Great Meadows (now Putney); also, upon Ashuelot (now Keene); Expedition against Louisburg; Particulars of it; Surrender of it; Continuance of the War; Various places assaulted; Savage Barbarities following the surrender of Fort Massachusetts; Peace declared, 208

XI. FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

Declaration of War between England and France; Causes of the War; Mode of conducting it; Various Expeditions planned; Nova Scotia taken from the French; General Braddock's Signal Defeat; Failure of Expeditions against Niagara and Fort Frontenac; Expedition against Crown Point; Battle of Lake George; Campaign of 1756; Inefficiency of Lord Loudon; Loss of Fort Oswego; Indian Atrocities in Pennsylvania; Campaign of 1757; Massacre at Fort William Henry; Exploits of Colonel Trye; Captain John Burke and others; Campaign of 1758; Capture of Louisburg; Unsuccessful Expedition against Ticonderoga; Capture of Fort Frontenac; Fort du Quesne taken; Campaign of 1759; Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken; Niagara captured; Siege and Capture of Quebec; Death of Wolfe and Montcalm; Final Surrender of the French Possessions in Canada to the English; Peace of Paris, 214

IV.--REVOLUTION.

I. CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION.

Objects proposed in the Settlement of America; Forms of Government conducive to Independence; Influence of Expenses; Colonies obliged to defend themselves, and to defray the Expenses of their own Wars and those of the Mother-country; British system of Taxation commenced; Writs of Assistance; Stamp Act; Formidable Opposition to it; Non-importation Act; Arrival of British Forces; Boston Massacre; Destruction of the Gaspee; Destruction of Tea; Boston Port Bill; Arrival of General Gage; his Obnoxious Measures; Meeting of Congress; Preparations for War; Obstinacy of the King and Parliament; Crisis arrives; Determination of the Colonists, 238

II. EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION.

I. _Battle of Lexington._--Cause or Occasion of the Battle; British Detachment proceeds towards Concord; Reaches Lexington; First Blood shed; Hancock and Adams; Captain Wheeler and the British Officer; Stores destroyed; the British harassed by the Americans; Retreat from Concord; Effect of this affair upon the Country; Proceedings of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 266

II. _Battle of Bunker's Hill._--American Patriotism; American and British Forces; Fortification of Bunker's Hill; Attacked by British Ships; Asa Pollard, the First Martyr; Preparations of the British; Warren; Prescott's Injunction to his Troops; British repulsed with terrible slaughter; Second Attack; Charlestown set on fire at the same time; Second Repulse; Putnam and Major Small; Death of Colonel Gardiner; Thrilling Incident; Third Advance of the British; Death of Major Pitcairn; Americans in want of Ammunition; Retreat; Death of Warren; Respective Losses; Results of the Battle, 274

III. _Washington, Commander-in-Chief._--Effects of the Battle of Bunker's Hill; Meeting of Congress; Appointment of a Commander-in-Chief proposed; Difficulties in regard to a Selection; Claims of Individuals; Interview between John and Samuel Adams; Speech of the former; Washington Nominated; Unanimously Confirmed; Manifesto of Congress; Public Fast, 291

IV. _Evacuation of Boston._--General Officers appointed; Washington repairs to Cambridge; State of the Army; Great Want of Gunpowder; Sickness in the Camp; Dorchester Heights fortified; Proposal of the British General to attack the American Intrenchments; Alters his plan, and evacuates Boston; Embarkation of the British; Washington enters the city, 299

V. _Independence Declared._--Independence begun to be contemplated; Causes which increased a desire for such an event; Question of a Declaration of Independence enters the Colonial Assemblies; Introduced to Congress by Richard Henry Lee; Debated; State of Parties in respect to it; Measures adopted to secure a favorable vote; Question taken, and Declaration adopted; Signed; the Great Act of the Revolution; its Influence immediately perceptible; Character of the Signers; the Fourth of July, a time-honored and glorious day; How it should be celebrated, 310

VI. _Attack on Sullivan's Island._--Invasion of Southern Colonies proposed; Expedition dispatched; Charleston its first Object; Proceedings of its Citizens; Sullivan's island Fortified; Arrival of General Lee; his Opinion of Fort Moultrie; British Fleet arrives; Preliminary Movements; Fort Moultrie attacked; Remarkable Defence; Action described; Heroic Conduct of Sergeant Jasper; Repulse of the British; Respective Losses; Liberality of Governor Rutledge; Standards presented by Mrs. Elliot; Death of Jasper, 322

VII. _Military Reverses: Loss of New York._--British take possession of Staten Island; Strongly reinforced; State of the American Army; New York and Brooklyn occupied; Battle of Brooklyn; Americans repulsed; Long Island abandoned; Remarkable retreat; Gloomy State of the American Army; Washington retreats to Harlem; Movements of the British; Washington retires to White Plains; Loss of Fort Washington; American Army pursued; Retreats successively to New Brunswick, Princeton, and Trenton; thence to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware; British go into Winter-quarters; Capture of General Lee; Prevalent Spirit of Despondency, 338

VIII. _Returning Prosperity: Battles of Trenton and Princeton._--Reliance of the Patriots upon God for Success; Public Fast recommended by Congress; Offensive Operations decided upon; Battle of Trenton; Washington victorious; Battle of Princeton; British repulsed; American Army at Morristown; British at Brunswick; Prospects brightening, 344

IX. _Occupation of Philadelphia._--Position of the Armies; British remove to New York; Sail for the Chesapeake; Advance towards Philadelphia; American Army also move towards the same place; Meet at Brandywine; Battle; Americans repulsed; British enter Philadelphia; Congress retire to Lancaster; Battle of Germantown; Americans retreat; Ineffectual Attempts to force the British to evacuate Philadelphia, 353

X. _Surrender of Burgoyne._--British Project for securing the command of the Hudson between New York and Albany; Intrusted to Generals Howe and Burgoyne; the latter leaves Canada with a strong Force; Invests and takes Crown Point and Ticonderoga; Affair of Skenesborough; Fort Edward abandoned; Retreat of Americans to Stillwater; Battle of Bennington; General Gates supersedes General Schuyler; Critical position of Burgoyne; he advances upon Saratoga; Battle; Battle of Stillwater; Burgoyne retreats, pursued by Gates; Capitulates; Public Rejoicings, 360

XI. _Progress of the War._--State of affairs in England; Treaty with France; Movements in the British Parliament; Overtures to Congress; Rejection of them; Battle of Monmouth; Disastrous Retreat of General Lee; Fortunate Interposition of Washington; his Rebuke of Lee; Tremendous Battle; Sufferings of the Armies; Renewal of the Contest; Midnight Retreat of the British army; Subsequent Trial and Dismission of General Lee, 378

XII. _Treachery of Arnold._--The Vulture in the Hudson; Midnight Adventure; Benedict Arnold; Repairs to Cambridge; Expedition to Canada; Created a Brigadier-general; Grounds of Complaint; Honorable Conduct in Connecticut; Appointed to the command at Philadelphia; Charges preferred against him; Reprimanded by Washington; Plots against his Country; Correspondence with Sir H. Clinton; Appointed to the command of West Point; Interview with Andre; Capture of Andre; Arrival of Washington; Escape of Arnold; Developments of his Traitorous Intentions; Trial and Condemnation of Andre; Subsequent Incidents in the life of Arnold, 391

XIII. _Concluding Scenes of the Revolution._--Theatre of War changed to the South; Siege of Savannah; Battle of Camden; Battle of Cowpens; Retreat; Subsequent Movements; Battles of Guilford, Kohkirk's Hill, Ninety-Six, and Eutaw Springs; Yorktown; Treaty of Peace; Cessation of Hostilities; Army disbanded; Departure of the British; Final Interview between Washington and his Officers; Resigns his Commission; Retires to Mount Vernon, 415

XIV. _Naval Operations._--State of the Naval Affairs of the Colonies at the commencement of the Revolution; First Naval Engagement; Measures adopted by Congress to provide a Naval Armament; Naval Officers appointed; Vessels built; Flag adopted; Success of American Privateering; Distinguished Naval Officers; Character of Naval Commanders; Particular Engagements:--Randolph and Yarmouth; Raleigh and Druid; Sub-marine Warfare, Le Bon Homme Richard and Serapis; Trumbull and Watt; Alliance, Atalanta, and Trepassey; Congress and Savage, 450

XV. _Eminent Foreigners connected with the Revolution._--George III. King of England; General Burgoyne, Sir Henry Clinton, Colonel Barre, Charles Townshend, Lord Cornwallis, William Pitt, Marquis of Bute, George Grenville, Duke of Grafton, Lord North, Colonel Tarleton, Sir Peter Parker, Sir William Meadows, Sir Guy Carlton, General Gage, Marquis of Rockingham, Edmund Burke, Kosciusko, Pulaski, Baron de Kalb, Baron Steuben, Count Rochambeau, Count D'Estaing, 488

V.--FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

Original Governments of the Colonies; Union between them; Plan proposed by Dr. Franklin; First Congress; Congress of '74; Confederation; Defects of it; Convention of States proposed by Virginia; Commissioners from five States meet at Annapolis; Powers too limited to act; Recommend a General Convention of States; Delegates appointed; Convention meets at Philadelphia; Decides to form a new Constitution; Draft prepared, discussed, and adopted; Speech of Doctor Franklin; Constitution signed; Adopted by the several States; Amendments; States admitted since the adoption; Remarks on the Constitution, 520

VI.--GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT.