HISTORY

OF

NORTH AMERICA.

THE following seems the most natural order of arranging the immense mass of important matter which will be embraced in the following Work. First, a clear, but succinct narrative of the different steps by which the Continent of America was discovered, subdued, and colonized-an accurate outline of its Geographical Features-an historical detail of the interesting events, which led to the rapid population of the British Colonies, and to their subsequent separation from the Parent State-a brief but interesting sketch of the arduous contest, which terminated in the raising of these Colonies to the rank and privileges of an Independent State. This will introduce a correct delineation of the Laws, Government, and Constitution of the UNITED STATES, and a Statistical account of the different States, in reference to Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures; also descriptive traits of the Manners, Customs, and Domestic Habits, both of the native tribes, and the citizens of the UNITED STATES; This part of the Work will comprise a View of the State of Emigration to the UNITED STATES from this country, in which each State will be examined, in reference to its suitableness to the different classes of emigrants, as Capitalists, Agriculturists, Manufacturers, and Artizans. To which we shall subjoin a variety of useful hints to those who may be deliberating on the propriety of emigrating to that Country.

There is no event in the history of the world more interesting and extraordinary than the discovery of the American Continent; which with its surrounding seas forms an entire Hemisphere: the effect which this event produced on the general state of the Old World is incalculable; and it cannot but excite won

der and astonishment, that so considerable a portion of the Globe should have remained unknown for so many generations. The surmises that this Continent was known to the Phoenicians, and the Carthaginians, is totally unsupported by any evidence which can be considered as at all satisfactory; and the probability is, that it was totally unknown to the ancient world.

America derives its name from Americus Vespatius, a Florentine, who preferred a groundless claim to the honor of having discovered it; a claim which unfortunately was not disputed, until that Continent had been so long called by his name, as to render it impossible to alter it. This circumstance has deprived Columbus of the honor which was so justly his due; of giving his name to a Continent, so vast as to be called a New World; a species of posthumous injustice, which there is now no probability of ever redressing.

Towards the close of the fourteenth century, the navigation of Europe was scarcely extended beyond the limits of the Mediterranean. The mariner's compass had been, invented and in common use for more than a century; yet, with the help of this sure guide, prompted by the most ardent spirit of discovery, and encouraged by the patronage of princes, the mariners of those days rarely ventured from the sight of land. They acquired great applause by sailing along the coast of Africa, and discovering some of the neighbouring islands; and, after pushing their researches with the greatest industry and perseverance for more than half a century, the Portuguese, who were the most fortunate and enterprising, extended their discoveries southward no farther than the equator.

The rich commodities of the East had for several ages been brought into Europe by the way of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean; and it had now become the object of the Portuguese to find a passage to India, by sailing round the southern extremity of Africa, and then taking an eastern course. This great object engaged the general attention of mankind, and drew into the Portuguese service adventurers from every maritime nation in Europe.

Among the foreigners whom the fame of the discoveries made by the Portuguese had allured into their service, was Christopher Colon, or Columbus, a subject of the republic of Genoa. Neither the time nor place of his birth are known with certainty

but he was descended of an honorable family, though reduced to indigence by various misfortunes. His ancestors having betaken themselves for subsistence to a sea-faring life, Columbus discovered, in his early youth, the peculiar character and talents which mark out a man for that profession. His parents, instead of thwarting this original propensity of his mind, seem to have encouraged and confirmed it, by the education which they gave him. After acquiring some knowledge of the Latin tongue, the, only language in which science was taught at that time, he was instructed in geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and the art of drawing. To these he applied with such ardor and predilection, on account of their connexion with navigation, his favorite object, that he advanced with rapid proficiency in the study of them. Thus qualified, in the year 1461, he went to sea at the age of fourteen, and began his career on that element which conducted him to so much glory. His early voyages were limited principally to those places which had before been discovered, in which nothing very remarkable happened, except that in a sea-fight, off the coast of Portugal, with some Venetian coasters, the vessel on board which he served took fire, together with one of the enemy's, to which it was fast grappled; upon which he threw himself into the sea, laid hold of a floating oar, and by the support of it, and his dexterity in swimming, he reached the shore, though more than six miles distant, and thus preserved a life designed for great undertakings.

Soon after this Columbus went to Lisbon, where he married a daughter of Bartholomew Perestrello, one of the captains employed by prince Henry in his early voyages, and who had discovered and planted the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira. The journals and charts of this experienced navigator, his father-inlaw, fell into his hands, and he, with avidity, availed himself of the valuable information they contained. His impatience to visit the places which Perestrello had seen and described, became irresistible; and he made a voyage to Madeira, and spent several years in trading with that island, the Canaries, the Azores, the settlements in Guinea, and all other places which the Portuguese had discovered on the continent of Africa.

By the experience acquired during such a variety of voyages, Columbus became one of the most skilful navigators of Europe.: But his ambition did not suffer, him to rest satisfied with that

praise. He aimed at something more. A project had been con ceived of finding out a passage by sea to the East Indies. The accomplishment of this became a favorite object with Columbus. The Portuguese sought this route by steering towards the south, in hope of arriving at India, by turning to the east, after they - had sailed round the farther extremity of Africa; which passage was afterwards effected in 1497, by Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese navigator. Columbus contemplated a shorter and more direct passage to the East Indies, by sailing towards the west, across the Atlantic Ocean. The principles and arguments which induced him to adopt this opinion, then considered as chimerical, were highly rational and philosophical. The sphericity and magnitude of the earth, were at that period ascertained with some degree of accuracy. From this it was evident, that the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, formed but a small part of the terraqueous globe. It appeared likewise extremely probable, that the continent on the one side of the globe was balanced by a proportional quantity of land in the other hemisphere. These conclusions concerning the existence of another continent, drawn from the figure and structure of the globe, were confirmed by the observations and conjectures of modern navigators, and from pieces of timber artificially carved, canes of an enormous size, trees torn up by the roots, and the dead bodies of two men with singular features, which had been discovered and taken up, floating before a westerly wind, or driven on the coasts of the Azores. The force of this united evidence, arising from theoretical principles and practical observations, led Columbus to conclude, that by sailing directly towards the west, across the -Atlantic Ocean, new countries, which probably formed a part of the vast continent of India, must infallibly be discovered. As early as the year 1474, he communicated his ingenious theory to Paul, a physician of Florence, eminent for his knowledge of cosmography. He warmly approved of the plan; suggested several facts in confirmation of it, and encouraged Columbus te persevere in an undertaking so laudable, and which must redound so much to the honor of his country, and the benefit of Europe.

Columbus now became impatient to bring to the test of experiment the truth of his system, and to set out upon a voyage of discovery. The first step towards this was to secure the pas

tronage of some of the considerable powers of Europe. With this view he laid his scheme before the senate of Genoa, and, making his native and beloved country the first tender of his service, offered to sail, under the banners of the republic, in quest of new regions which he expected to discover. But they, incapable of forming just ideas of his principles, inconsiderately rejected his proposal as chimerical. He then submitted his plan to the Portuguese, who perfidiously attempted to rob him of the honor of accomplishing it, by privately sending another person to pursue the same track which he had proposed. But the pilot, who was thus basely employed to execute Columbus' plan, had neither the genius nor the fortitude of its author. Contrary winds arose; no land appeared; his courage failed; and he returned to Lisbon, execrating a plan which he had not abilities to execute. On discovering this flagrant treachery, Columbus immediately quitted the kingdom. in disgust, and landed in Spain, towards the close of the year 1484. Here he resolved. to propose it in person to Ferdinand and Isabella, who at that time governed the united kingdoms of Castile and Arragon. He, in the mean time, sent his brother Bartholomew to England, to propose his plan to Henry VII.

After experiencing a series of mortifying disappointments, during eight tedious years, Columbus, in deep anguish, withdrew from court, determined to repair to England as his last resource. At this juncture the affairs of Spain, which had been perplexed in consequence of a war with the Moors, took a favorable turn. Quintanilla and Santangel, two powerful, vigilant, and discerning patrons of Columbus, seized this favorable opportunity to make one more effort in behalf of their friend. They addressed themselves to Isabella, with such forcible arguments as produced the desired effect. They dispelled all Isabella's doubts and fears; she ordered Columbus, who had proceeded on his journey, to be instantly recalled; declared her resolution to employ him on his own terms; and, regretting the low state of her finances, generously offered to pledge her own jewels, in order to raise as much money as might be needed in making preparations for the voyage. Santangel, in a transport of gratitude, kissed the queen's hand; and, in order to save her from having recourse to such, a mortifying expedient for procuring money, engaged to advance, immediate ly, the sum that was requisite.