formidable than that of any other European power. The position of Russia is commanding, and under the auspices of its present emperor, Nicholas, is making rapid progress in civilization, wealth, and

power.

CHAPTER XLV.

Indians of America bringing fruits to Columbus.

HAVING now taken a brief view of foreign governments, let us turn our attention to our own country. In order to understand the political institutions of the United States, we must take a glance at our early history.

In 1492, Columbus discovered the islands of the West Indies, before which time the existence of America was wholly unknown to the people of Europe, Asia, and Africa. These countries being called the Old world, the American continent was called the New world.

The inhabitants of this entire hemisphere were of the copper colored race, to whom the name of Indians was applied. Most of them were in a savage state, though two extensive empires existed, Mexico and Peru, both of which had made considerable progress in the arts of civilization. These had cities, the art of writing by hieroglyphics, a knowledge of working certain metals, and established monarchical governments.

The origin of the American Indians is hidden in mystery. They had themselves no certain records and no traditions which satisfactorily solved this interesting question. It is only by considering that Asia and America are so near together at Bhering's straits, that a rude people might cross in boats; and by remarking the resemblance between the customs of Mexico and Peru, to those of the ancient Persians and Egyptians; that we infer, with a good degree of probability, that the first settlers of America, and the progenitors of the Mexican and Peruvian Indians, came from Asia. The time of their emigration cannot be determined; but as no monument of the event is distinctly traceable in any country, it must have been ages ago. The other tribes of Indians, scattered over the continent, probably emigated also from Asia, at later periods, but still, long since.

The discovery of Columbus having been made under the flag and by the aid of the king of Spain,

that monarch seized upon as much of the new world as he could grasp. The finest of the West India islands, the great and rich empires of Mexico and Peru, and nearly all the rest of South America, with other territories, were taken by Spain.

Other portions of the country were seized by other powers of Europe. France got possession of the country along the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, and England picked here and there upon the Atlantic border of North America, as she could find a prize worthy of her notice.

In this greedy scramble, the first object was gold and silver, which had been found in abundance in Mexico and Peru. But, after these became scarce, other objects were sought by the emigrants: some came for trade, some to cultivate the lands, and some to escape from religious persecution, which was then the great business of kings and priests, both in England and France.

The rights of the European natives to territory in America were founded in discovery. Thus, a ship having been fitted out in England, by command of the king, proceeded to this continent, and discovered the country from Labrador to Virginia. England, therefore, claimed all this territory, because one of her captains thus saw it before any other European.

By this right of discovery, various European powers got possession of the different parts of America; and although we cannot see any very good reason why discovery should confer such rights, still, when followed by occupancy, it has ever been regarded as a valid ground of claim, by civilized countries.

It appears that these European powers did not

consider the Indians as having any other right to the land which they had inherited and possessed for ages, but that of occupation. These people being savages and heathen, were looked upon as children or incompetent persons, over whom civilized and Christian governments had a right to assume guardianship and control.

Perhaps this, in theory, might be vindicated, but the practice of the European nations toward the natives was little less than a system of plunder. The Spaniards generally proceeded at once to conquer the natives of the countries of which they took possession, and thus reduced them to subjection.

The English adopted a system somewhat more just in appearance, though as destructive in its results. They purchased the lands of the natives, but usually made such sharp bargains that the whole inheritance of the tribes was soon bartered away, and they either perished, or sought other lands by emigration to the west.

CHAPTER XLVI.

The establishment of the English Colonies.

THE first settlement within the boundaries of the present United States was made in Virginia, in 1607, by a company of English emigrants. They settled on James' river and built Jamestown.

These persons took possession of the territory by virtue of a charter granted to Sir Thomas Gates and his associates, by James I., king of England, in 1606; for it will be remembered that the king

of England claimed the country by virtue of the discovery of Cabot, more than a century before.

This charter of king James granted to the Virginia company the territory between the thirtyfourth and forty-fifth parallel of latitude, and of course included the whole Atlantic country, from the southern point of North Carolina to New Brunswick. This company was afterwards divided, one taking the southern, and the other the northern portion of this land. Several distinct colonies became established within the limits of this grant to Sir Thomas Gates and his associates.

New York was settled by emigrants from Holland, in 1613. Their chief object was to trade with the natives for furs, and the first settlement was made at Albany. The next year, a small company established themselves on Manhattan island, and founded the now populous city of New York. This settlement of the Dutch was upon territory claimed by the king of England by the prior right of discovery, and of course it was esteemed an aggression. The settlement came into the hands of the English, by cession, in 1644, and after that, they held it as an English colony.

The first settlement in New England was made at Plymouth, in Massachusetts, in 1620, by certain persons called Puritans, who had fled to Holland on account of religious persecution, and having remained there several years, came to America. They were soon followed by others from England, and in the space of a few years, the colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire were established.

Maryland was settled by about two hundred Catholies, in 1634, who also came to escape from