II.

CAPITULATION OF GENEral BurgoyNE.-1777.

First Royal Army Ever Surrendered to Americans.-Utter Failure of England's Grand Scheme to “Subdue the Rebellious Colonies."-European Sympathy for the Struggling Infant Nation.-Alliance between France and the United States.--Brilliant and Effective Combinationof French and American Forces.-Gloomy Prospect for America in 1777.—Britain's Honor Intrusted to Burgoyne.-His Magnificent Army.-Rebels to be Sternly Dealt With.—Sanguine Expectations of Success.-Savages Leagued with the Invaders.-Their Murder of Miss McCrea.-Burgoyne's Triumphant Progress.-Fall of Ticonderoga.-American Victories at Bennington, etc.-Gates's Army in Fine Spirits.-General Fraser Shot Dead.—The "King's Regulars" Desperate.-General Clinton Fails to Aid Them.-All Hope Abandoned. -Burgoyne Lays Down his Arms.-His Meeting with Gates.—Trophies of this Victory.How Washington Got the News.-Unbounded Joy of Americans.-Crushing Blow to British Pride.-Effect upon Other Nations.

. 72

III.

FIRST AMERICAN NAVAL VICTORY.-1779.

John Paul Jones, Commanding the Bon Homme Richard, Fights and Captures King George's Powerful Ship-of-war, the Serapis, in British Waters.-Crowds of Spectators Line the English Coast.-The Most Sanguinary Battle Ever Fought between Single Ships.-Jones is Hailed as "The Washington of the Seas."-World-wide Interest of this Combat.-Commodore Jones's Early Career.-Offers his Services to Congress.-Appointed a Naval Lieutenant. -Joins the Continental Fleet.-The First to Hoist its Ensign.-Style and Motto of the Flag. -Sails from France on a Cruise.--Terror Created by His Movements.-Characteristic Anecdotes.—Two British Frigates in Sight.-Jones Ready for Bloody Work.—The Ships Muzzle to Muzzle.--Superiority of the Serapis.-A Most Deadly Contest.-Both Vessels on Fire.Jones Attacked by Another Foe.-One of His Vessels Treacherous.-Remarkable Scenes.— Britain's Flag Struck to America.-An Act without Precedent.-Sinking of the Victorious Vessel. 81

IV.

THE WONDERFUL DARK Day.—1780.

The Northern States wrapt in a Dense Black Atmosphere for Fifteen Hours.-The Day of Judgment Supposed to have Come. Cessation of Labor.-Religious Devotions Resorted to. —The Herds Retire to their Stalls, the Fowls to their Roosts, and the Birds Sing Their Evening Songs at Noonday.-Science at Loss to Account for the Mysterious Phenomenon.—One of Nature's Marvels.-Redness of the Sun and Moon.-Approach of a Thick Vapor.—Loud Peals of Thunder.-Sudden and Strange Darkness.-Alarm of the Inhabitants.-End of the World Looked For.-Dismay of the Brute Creation.-An Intensely Deep Gloom.-Difficulty in Attending to Business.-Lights Burning in the Houses.-Vast Extent of the Occurrence. -Condition of the Barometer.-Change in the Color of Objects.—Quick Motion of the Clouds.—Birds Suffocate and Die.—The Sun's Disc Seen in Some Places.-Oily Deposit on the Waters.—Impenetrable Darkness at Night.-Incidents and Anecdotes.-Ignorant Whims and Conjectures.-An Unsolved Mystery.. 89

V.

TREASON OF MAJOR-GENERAL BENEDICT ARNOLD.-1780. Darkest Page in American Revolutionary History.-Plot to Deliver West Point, the Gibraltar of America, Over to the British.-Movements of the Guilty Parties.-Discovery and Frustration of the Crime.-Major Andre, the British Spy, is Captured, and Swings from a Gibbet.-Escape of Arnold to the Enemy.-Is Spurned and Isolated in England.—Arnold's Unquestioned Bravery.-Commended by General Washington.-Infamous Personal Transactions. Reprimanded by His Chief.-Determines on Revenge.-Correspondence with the Foe. -Ingratiates Washington's Favor Again.-Obtains Command of West Point.-Midnight Conference with Andre.-Andre Seized while Returning.-Astounding Evidence Against

Him. Attempts to Bribe His Captors.-Carried to American Head-Quarters.-Arnold Ap-

prised of the Event.-A Hurried Farewell to His Wife.-Quick Pursuit of the Traitor.-He

Reaches a British Man-of-War.-Washington's Exclamation at the News.-His Call on Mrs.

Arnold.-Andre's Trial and Conviction.-Arnold's Reward for His Crime.-His Unlamented

Death.

. 97

VI.

CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS HIS SPLENDID ARMY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.-1781.

Final Catastrophe to British Arms in America.- Consternation and Despair in the Cabinet of

King George.—Their Vaunted Wager of Battle Returns to Them with the Loss of Their

Fairest Possession.-Washington's Countrymen Everywhere Hail and Extol Him as Their

Deliverer.-Last Act in the Military Drama.—Cornwallis Halts at Yorktown.-Makes it His

Defensive Post.--Decoy Letter Sent by Washington.-The British Strongly Fortified.-

American and French Forces United.-Their Advance on the Enemy.-Furious Bombard-

ment.-Redoubts Stormed by Lafayette.-Both Sides Confident of Triumph.-British Efforts

to Retreat.-Cornwallis Prefers Death to Defeat.-Reckless Bravery of Washington.—Ardor

and Exultation of His Troops.-Cornwallis Fails of Re-enforcements. He Asks a Cessation

of Hostilities. Forced to Yield the Struggle.-Universal Rejoicing of Americans.-Morti-

fication of the English.—Eloquence of Burke, Fox, and Pitt.—They Demand that the War

Cease. The Voice of Parliament.-Commemorative Action by Congress.
104

VII.

ADIEU TO THE ARMY BY WASHINGTON.-1783.

Affecting Interviews and Parting Words between the Great Chieftain and His Comrades-in-

Arms.—Solemn Farewell Audience with Congress.—In Its Presence He Voluntarily Divests

Himself of His Supreme Authority, Returns His Victorious Sword, and Becomes a Private

Citizen.—History of the Election of a Military Leader-America's Destiny in His Hands.

--Appointment of George Washington.-The Army at Cambridge, Mass.-He Immediately

Takes Command.—Is Enthusiastically Greeted.—Leads Its Fortunes Seven Years.-Record

of His Generalship.-Ends the War in Triumph.-Scheme to Make Him King.-Indig-

nantly Rebukes the Proposal.-Last Review of His Troops.-His Strong Attachment for

Them.—Intention to Leave Public Life.-Congress Informed of this Fact.-Embarkation

from New York.-Homage Paid Him Everywhere.-Arrival at Annapolis.-Proceeds to the

Halls of Congress.-Impressive Ceremonial There.-Rare Event in Human History. 112

VIII.

APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY, FROM THE NEW REPUBLIC

TO THE ENGLISH COURT.-1785.

John Adams, America's Sturdiest Patriot, and the Foremost Enemy of British Tyranny, Fills

this High Office.-Interview between Him and King George, His Late Sovereign.---Their

Addresses, Temper, Personal Bearing, and Humorous Conversation.-The Two Men Rightly

Matched against Each Other.-Old Animosities Unhealed.—Mutual Charges of False Deal-

ing.-Settlement Demanded by the United States.—What Adams's Mission Involved.-Dis-

memberment of the British Realm.-Loss of the Fairest Possession.-Bitter Pill for the

King. His Obstinacy Forced to Yield.-Humiliation of the Proud Monarch.-All Europe

Watches the Event.-Mr. Adams Presented at Court.-Patriot and King Face to Face.—

Official Address by the Minister.-Reply of King George. His Visible Agitation.—Adams's

Presence of Mind.-Pays His Homage to the Queen.-Her Majesty's Response.-Civilities

by the Royal Family.-Results of this Embassy.-Pitiable Position of George the Third.—

Fatal Error of Great Britain.
119

IX.

FIRST ORGANIZED REBELLION IN THE UNITED STATES.-1786.

Daniel Shays, at the Head of an Armed and Desperate Force, Boldly Defies the State and Fed-

eral Laws in Massachusetts." Taxation and Tyranny" the Alleged Grievances.-Alarming

Disaffection throughout all New England.-Bad Leaders and Furious Mobs.-Rout of the

Insurgents, by General Lincoln, in the Dead of Winter.-Patriotic Old Massachusetts in a

Ferment.-Causes of Public Discontent.-Total Exhaustion of Credit.-Prostration of Trade.

-Ruinous Debts, Heavy Taxation.-Weakness of the Government.-An Excited Populace.

-Turbulence and Lawlessness.- All Authority Spurned.- A Bloody Conflict Invited.-

Courts of Justice Broken Up.-Indignation of Washington.-Heroism on the Bench.-The

National Forces Augmented.-Fears of a General Civil War.-Unscrupulousness of Shays.

-Intention to Seize the Capital.—Governer Bowdoin's Defenses.-General Lincoln in Com-

mand.-Active Movement of His Troops.-A Terrible Snow-Storm.-Hardships of Shays's

Army.-Federal Bayonets Triumphant.
125

X.

FORMATION AND ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.—1787.

The United States no Longer a People without a Government.-Establishment of the Repub-

lic on a Permanent Foundation of Unity, Organic Law and National Polity.-Dignity,

Learning, and Eloquence of the Delegates.-Sublime Scene on Signing the Instrument.—

Extraordinary Character of the Whole Transaction.-State of Things After the War.-

Financial Embarrassment.-Despondency of the People.-Grave Crisis in Public Affairs.—

A Grand Movement Initiated.-Plan of Government to be Framed.—All the States in Con-

vention.-Washington Chosen to Preside.-Statesmen and Sages in Council.-The Old Com-

pact Abrogated.-New Basis of Union Proposed.—Various Schemes Discussed.-Jealousy of

the Smaller States.-Angry Debates, Sectional Threats.-Bad Prospects of the Convention.—

Its Dissolution Imminent.-Franklin's Impressive Appeal.-Compromise and Conciliation.-

Final System Agreed Upon.-Patriotism Rules all Hearts.—Ratification by the States.-

National Joy at the Decision.

132

XI.

FIRST ELECTION AND INAUGURATION OF A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.-1789.

Washington, "First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen,” the

Nation's Spontaneous, Unanimous Choice.-His Triumphal Progress from Home, and Sol-

emn Induction into Office.-Jubilee throughout the Republic, over the August Event.-

Auspicious Commencement of the National Executive Government.—Requirements of the

Constitution.-A President to be Chosen.-Four Years the Term of Service.-—All Eyes

Fixed Upon Washington.-His Reluctance to Accept.-Reasons Given for this Course.-

Urgent Appeals to Him.--The Result of the Election.-One Voice and One Mind.-He

Bows to the People's Will.-Joy Produced by His Decision.-Departs at Once from Mount

Vernon.—Farewell Visits to His Mother.-Inauguration Appointed for March Fourth.—

Postponement to April Thirtieth.-Order of Ceremonies.-New Spectacle in the Western

World.-Distinguished Celebrities Present.-Washington's Elegant Appearance.-Dignity

when Taking the Oath.-Reverentially Kisses the Bible.-Curious Customs Initiated.

XII.

1 139

GREATEST Defeat and VICTORY OF AMERICAN ARMS IN THE INDIAN WARS.-1791.

Headlong Flight and Destruction of St. Clair's Army, in 1791, before the Trained Warriors

of "Little Turtle."-This Mortifying Disaster Retrieved by Wayne's Overwhelming Tri-

umph in 1794.-Final and Crushing Blow Dealt by Jackson, in 1814.-The Question of

Power between the Two Races Forever Settled in Favor of the Whites.-Old Feuds between

the Races.-Harmer's Expedition to the North-west.-Powerless in Ambush Warfare.-

Repeated and Bloody Reverses.-St. Clair put in Command.-Warning Words of Washing-

ton.-Sudden Attack by the Miamis.-Terrible Slaughter of the Whites.-Overthrow of the

Whole Campaign.-Washington's Reception of the News.-His Appalling Wrath.-Sketch

of St. Clair's Conqueror.-His Fame at Home and Abroad.-General Wayne Sent to the

Field.-Unsuccessfully Proffers Peace.-- Instantly Prepares for Battle.-Great Army of

Indian Warriors.-Their Sagacious Choice of Position.-Desperate Fury of the Conflict.-

Wayne's Prowess Irresistible.-Death Knell of the Savages.-Their Confederacy Shat-

tered.

146

XIII.

WHITNEY'S EXTRAORDINARY COTTON-GIN INVENTION.-1793.

Amazing Impetus Given to the Culture, Uses and Consumption of Cotton.-Revolution in the

Industrial Prospects and Political Power of the South.-How Cotton Became "King.”—Its

Relation to the Great Themes and Events in American History.-Ingratitude to Whitney.-

His Brilliant Change of Fortune in Another Sphere.-Whitney's Obscure Circumstances.-

His Early Mechanical Genius.-Determined to Get an Education.-Goes to the South as a

Teacher.-Change of Pursuits.-Befriended by General Greene's Widow.-Amateur Invent-

ive Efforts. -Low State of Southern Industry. — Objection to Cotton-Raising. — Mrs.

Greene's Apt Suggestion.-Whitney's Characteristic Resolve.-Secret and Persevering Toil.

---Exciting Rumors as to His Purpose.-Great Expectations Entertained.-Triumphant Suc-

cess.- -Enthusiasm of the Cotton-Growers.-His Machine Stolen from Him.-Infringements

upon His Patent.-Law-Suits, but no Redress for Him.-His Pathetic Letter to Fulton.-

He Invents a Valuable Firearm.-Southern Strides in Wealth.

XIV.

153

THE FAMOUS WHISKEY INSURRECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA.-1794.

Violent Resistance to the United States Excise Laws.-Monster Meetings and Inflammatory

Appeals.-Officials and Loyal Citizens Whipped, Branded, Tarred, and Feathered.-Intense

Excitement in all the States.-Washington Declares that the Union is in Peril and Heads an

Army to Meet the Crisis.-Precipitate Flight of the Armed Rebels.-Congressional Tax on

Spirits. Cry of "Tyranny!" from Distillers.-Western Pennsylvania in a Blaze.-Extent of

Her Whiskey Interests.-Ambitious Politicians at Work.--A Revolt Incited by Them.-

Bradford the Chief Desperado.-Reign of Terror Inaugurated.-Tax-Collectors Roughly

Handled.—The Incendiary's Torch.-" Tom the Tinker's" Ruffianism.-Fury of the Fac-

tionists.-Firm Courage of Loyal Men.-Perplexity of the United States Government.-—

Presidential Proclamation.-Law and Order to be Maintained.-Troops Summoned into

Service.-Prompt and Patriotic Response.-The Olive Branch vs. the Sword.-Bradford

Scorns Conciliation.-Washington's Mind Made Up.-Prevents the Effusion of Blood. 160

XV.

FOUNDING AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.-1799.

Bitter Sectional Contest in Deciding the Location.-First "Compromise” in Congress between

the North and the South.-Final Removal of the Government and its Archives to Washing-

ton.—Official Observance of the Event.-Magnificent Site and Plan of the City.—Splendor

of its Public Buildings.—Congress First Sits in Philadelphia.-Need of a Permanent Capi-

tal.-National Dignity Involved.-Violent Agitation of the Subject.-Philadelphia and New

York Proposed.-They are Objected to by the South.-Northern Disunion Threats.-

Schemes of Conciliation.-How the Question was Settled.-Sweetening Two Bitter Pills.-

Jefferson's Graphic Account.-General Washington's Preference.-His Site on the Potomac

Adopted.-Some Rather Personal Anecdotes.-Work of Laying Out the City.-Its Original

Aspect and Condition.-Early Trials of the President's Wife.-Construction of the Capitol.

-Its Corner-Stone Laid by Washington.-Congress in its New Halls.-Growth of the Me-

tropolis.-The New Corner-Stone of 1851.

XVI.

DEATH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.-1799.

167

His Sudden and Brief Illness, Last Hours, and Dying Words.-Fortitude and Serenity through

all His Sufferings.-He Calmly Announces His Approaching Dissolution Without a Mur-

-The Whole World Does Honor, by Eulogy and Lamentations, to His Exalted Worth

and Immortal Fame.-He Anticipated an Early Death.-His Invariably Good Health.-

Exposure in a Snow-Storm.-Takes a Fatal Cold.-Last Letter Written by His Hand.-

Reads the Papers in the Evening.-Characteristic Reply to His Wife.-Passes a Restless

Night.-Alarming Condition the Next Day.-Medical Treatment of no Avail.-Calls for His

Two Wills, Burns One.-Affecting Scene at His Bedside.-Last Words, ""Tis Well! ”—

Only One Day's Sickness.-Acute Laryngitis His Disease.-Burial in the Old Family Vault.

-Tidings of His Death.-Tributes from Peoples and Kings.-A Man Without a Parallel.-

Last Page in His Journal.-Re-entombment in 1837.—Appearance of His Remains.

XVII.

174

PUNISHMENT AND COMPLETE DEGRADATION OF THE BARBARY STATES BY THE YOUNG

REPUBLIC.-1803.

Tribute Exacted of all the Nations of Christendom, by the Piratical Powers.-The Thunder of

American Cannon before Their Cities.-Ignominious Submission of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis,

and Tripoli.—Their Audacious Corsairs Vanquished and Driven in Terror from the Seas.-

A Boon to the Civilized World.-Barbary a Nation of Freebooters.-All Commerce at their

Mercy.-The United States Unknown to Them.-Its Flag Descried on the Ocean.—Fresh

Plunder Anticipated.-Seizure of American Ships.-Retaliation by the Yankees.-Tripoli's

Flag Struck at Last.-Treaty between the Belligerents.-New Exactions by the Algerines.-

Retribution in Store for Them.-A United States Frigate in the Pirate Haunts.-Grounding

of the Philadelphia.-Her Triumphant Capture by the Enemy.-Their Boisterous Exulta-

tion. Decatur Burns Her During the Night.-Fierce Rage of the Turks.-Bombardment of

Tripoli.-How "Christian Dogs" were Viewed.-Peace Sued for by the Despots.—Their

Duplicity and Treachery.—America's "Tribute" is Powder and Balls.

XVIII.

182

FATAL DUEL BETWEEN MR. Burr and GENERAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON.-1804.

Fall of Hamilton at First Fire.-His Death in Thirty Hours.-Profound Sensation and Solemn

Obsequies in all Parts of the Land.-Mourned as One of the Founders of the Republic.-

Indictment of the Assassin for the Crime of Murder.-Hamilton's Brilliant Public Life.—

Washington's Right-hand Man.-Champion of the Federalists.-Burr's Career in the Revo-

lution.-His Notorious Debauchery.— Finally Dismissed by Washington.-Becomes Vice-

President in 1800.-Deadly Personal Hatreds.-Criticisms on Burr by His Opponents.-

Challenge Sent to Hamilton.-Pacific Explanations Spurned.-Forced to Meet Burr.-Makes

His Will in Anticipation.-Sings at a Banquet the Day Before.-Arrival of the Fatal Hour.

-Hamilton's Mortal Wound.—What He Said of the Event.-Conversation before Dying.-

Partakes of the Communion.-His Testimony against Dueling.-Heartless Conduct of

Burr.-A Fugitive and an Outlaw.

189

XIX.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE AT MID-DAY.-1806.

The Darkness of Night Falls upon the Earth.-Stars and Planets in Full Radiance.-Magnifi-

cent Spectacle of the Glittering Corona around the Moon and the Brilliant Rosy Protuber-

ances Flaming from the Sun.-Splendor of the Returning Night. Similar Eclipse in 1869.

-Millions of Faces Turned Upward.-The Phenomenon Viewed with Curiosity, Wonder,

and Absorbed Delight.-Remarkably Fine Weather.-Serene and Cloudless Heavens.—Busi-

ness Pursuits Abandoned.—The Moon Crossing the Sun.-Distinctness of the Lunar Orb.-

Grand, Dark, Majestic, Mighty.-Total Obscurity Some Five Minutes.-Appearance of

Nature.-Sensations Produced in the Mind.-Involuntary Exclamations.-Effect on Birds

and Animals.-Triumphs of Astronomical Science.-Exquisitely Constructed Instruments.

—Revelations of the Spectroscope.-Great Thermometrical Changes.--Spots on the Sun Ex-

amined.-Openings in the Moon.-Peculiar Color of that Body.-Its Dark and Dismal

Shadows. Search for New Stars.-Meteors 'mid Earth and Moon.-Climax of the Impres-

sive Scene.
196

XX.

CONSPIRACY AND TRIAL OF AARON BURR.-1806.

Lawless Scheme of Conquest and Dominion at the South-west.-A New Empire Contemplated,

with Burr as Sovereign.-Seizure of His Flotilla and Dispersion of His Men when Ready

to Embark, by the Federal Forces.-Capture and Arraignment of Burr for High Treason.~