THE

HISTORY, &c.

CHAPTER I.

Civil History of the North American English Colonies. State of the Aborigines and country, when first discovered. Of the English Settlements; progress; and the political condition of the people.

FOR several centuries after the subversion of the Roman empire, the world was benighted in deep ignorance, and held in bondage. The baleful influence of despotism in Asia, of savage manners in Africa, of canon and feudal law in Europe, had, for ages, kept the mass of mankind, in a state of miserable degradation. When these evils were at their height, the discovery of the art of printing, and the reformation of religion, laid a foundation in Europe, for improving the condition of its inhabitants. About the same time, a new hemisphere was found, which afforded a fair opportunity for trying what might be done for the advancement of human happiness. To it, the poor and the distressed of the old world repaired, in great numbers. In it, many circumstances encouraged, and nothing hindered the establishment of government, on new principles, highly favourable to the rights of man, and the happiness of the people. How far this has been

done, is an interesting subject of inquiry. The investigation of it gives high importance to the history of the New World; particularly of that part of its northern continent, which, being first released from the dominion of Europe, claims the merit of having contributed largely to the melioration of the state of man.

Two hundred years have passed away, since the first permanent settlement of civilized inhabitants was established in that American region now called the United States. To trace their progress from that infantile period, through their colonial state of political existence, and their successful revolutionary struggle for Independence, to their present vigorous manhood, in the thirty-third year of their sovereignty, is well worthy of attention; and is attempted in the following work.

Christopher Columbus,* in 1492, discovered America; but a later navigator, Americus Vespucius, robbed him of

Christopher Columbus, the first discoverer of the New World, was born in Genoa, in the year 1447; and, at the age of fourteen, entered on a seafaring life. He was educated in the sciences of geometry and astronomy, which form the basis of navigation; and was well versed in cosmography, history, and philosophy.

The Portuguese were at this time endeavouring to find a way to India, round Africa. They had been pursuing this object for half a century, without attaining it; and had advanced no farther along the coast of Africa, than just to cross the equator: when Columbus conceived his great design of finding India in the west. He knew, from observing lunar eclipses, that the earth was a sphere; and concluded that it might be travelled over from east to west, or from west to east. Having established his theory, and formed his design, he now began to think of the means of carrying it into execution. Deeming the enterprise too great to be undertaken by any but a sovereign state, he applied to several crowned heads; and finally to Ferdinand, king of Spain. The proposal of Columbus was referred to the consideration of the most learned men in Spain, who rejected it for various reasons; one of which was, that if a ship should sail westward on a globe, she would necessarily go down on the opposite side, and then it would be impossible to return: for, it would be like climbing up hill, which no ship could do with the strongest wind. But, queen Isabella was persuaded to listen to the request of Columbus, and, after he had been twice repulsed, recalled him to court. She offered to pawn her jewels to defray the expense of the equipment, amounting to no more than two thousand five hundred crowns: but, the money was otherwise pro

the honour he so justly merited, of having the country called by his name. In the following year, Pope Alexander the

cured. Thus, after seven years painful solicitation, Columbus obtained the patronage which he thought of the highest importance in executing his plan. He sailed from Palos, in Spain, on the 3d of August, 1492, with three ves. sels, two of which he called caravels, being without decks; having on board, in the whole, ninety men. He himself commanded the largest vessel, called Santa Maria. He left the Canaries on the 6th of September; and when he was about two hundred leagues to the west, the magnetic needle was observed to vary from the pole star. This phenomenon filled the seamen with terror. But his fertile genius, by suggesting a plausible reason, in some degree quelled their apprehensions. After being twenty days at sea, without the sight of land, the sailors became impatient. They insisted upon his return; and some of them talked of throwing their commander into the ocean. All his talents were required to dispel their fears, and stimulate their hopes. At length, when he was almost reduced to the necessity of abandoning the enterprize, at ten o'clock in the night of October 11th, he saw a light, which was supposed to be on shore. Early the next morning, Friday, October 12th, land was distinctly seen, which proved to be Guanaha, one of the Bahama Islands. Thus, in the forty-fifth year of his age, he effected an object which he had been twenty years in projecting and executing. At sun-rise, the boats were manned, and the adventurers rowed towards the shore, with music and martial pomp. The coast was covered with people, who were overwhelmed with astonishment. Columbus went first on shore, and was followed by his men. They, all kneeling down, kissed the ground with tears of joy; and returned thanks for their successful voyage. The island, which is in the twenty-fifth degree of north latitude, and is sometimes called Cat Island, was named by Columbus, San Salvador. Having discovered a number of other islands, and among them Cuba and Hispaniola, he built a fort, and left behind him a colony of thirty-nine men; and sailed for Spain on the 4th of January, 1493. During his passage, when threatened with destruction by a violent storm, he wrote an account of his discoveries on parchment, which he wrapped in a piece of oiled cloth, and enclosed in a cake of wax. This he put into a light cask, which he threw into the sea, with the hope that it might be driven ashore; and thus his discoveries be preserved, although the vessel should sink. But, he was providentially saved from destruction; arrived safe; and was received with the highest tokens of honour by the king and queen, who now made him admiral of Spain.

He sailed on his second voyage to the New World, September 25th, 1493, having a fleet of three ships of war, and fourteen caravels, and about one thousand five hundred people; some of whom were of the first families in Spain. The pope had granted in full right to Ferdinand and Isabella, all the countries from pole to pole, beyond a line drawn one hundred leagues west of the Azores; and their Catholic majesties had confirmed to Columbus his privi

sixth, with a munificence that cost him nothing, granted the whole continent to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. This

leges; making the office of viceroy and governor of the Indies hereditary in his family. He discovered Dominica, Mariagalante, Guadaloupe, Montserrat, Antigua, and other islands, and entered the port where he had left his colony; but not a Spaniard was to be seen: for, the fort was entirely demolished. The men, whom he had left in this place, had seized the provisions of the natives, and their women, and exhibited such rapacity, as to excite the indignation of the Indians; who had, in consequence, burned the fort, and cut them off On the 8th of December, he landed at another part of the same island, near a rock, which afforded a convenient situation for a fort: here he built a town, which he called Isabella, and which was the first town founded by Europeans in the New World. He discovered Jamaica, May 5th, 1494; where he found water, and other refreshments for his men; of which they were in the greatest want. The licentiousness of his men had provoked the natives, who had united against their invaders; and had actually killed a number of Spaniards. He collected his people, and prevented the destruction which threatened them. In the spring of 1495, he carried on a war against the natives; and with two hundred men, twenty horses, and as many dogs, he defeated a large army of Indians. In about a year he reduced the natives to submission.

But, while Columbus was faithfully employing his talents, to promote the interests of his sovereign, his enemies were endeavouring to ruin him. He was a foreigner: and the proud Spaniards could not patiently see him elevated to such honours. The discipline which he maintained was represented as severity, and the punishments which he inflicted as cruelty; and it was sug gested that he was aiming to make himself independent. These whispers excited suspicion in the jealous mind of Ferdinand; and Columbus was reduced to the necessity of returning to the Spanish court, that he might vindicate himself from these false charges. After placing the affairs of the colony in the best possible condition, he sailed from Isabella on the 10th of March, 1496, having with him thirty Indians. He arrived at Cadiz, after a dangerous and tedious voyage, on the 11th of June.

His presence at court, with the influence of the gold and other valuable articles which he carried with him, removed in some degree the suspicions which had been gathering in the mind of the king. But his enemies, though silent, were not idle. They threw such obstructions in his way, that it was near two years before he could again set sail to continue his discoveries.

On the 30th of May, 1498, he sailed from Spain on his third voyage, with six ships. At the Canary Islands he despatched three of his ships with provisions to Hispaniola, and with the other three he kept a course more to the south. He discovered Trinidad, July 31st, and the continent at Terra Firma, August 30th. He found the colony in a state which awakened his most serious apprehensions. Francis Roldan, whom he had left chief justice,

grant was not because the country was uninhabited, but because the nations existing there were infidels, and therefore,

had excited a considerable number of the Spaniards to mutiny. Columbus had not a sufficient force to subdue them, and he dreaded the effects of a civil war, which might put it in the power of the Indians to destroy the whole colony. He had recourse, therefore, to address. By promising pardon to such as should submit; by offering the liberty of return to Spain; and by offering to re-establish Roldan in his office, Columbus dissolved this dangerous combination.

As soon as his affairs would permit, he sent some of his ships to Spain, with a journal of his voyage, a chart of the coast which he had discovered, specimens of the gold and pearls, and an account of the insurrection. Roldan, at the same time, sent home his accusations against Columbus. The suspicions of Ferdinand were revived. It was resolved to send to Hispaniola a judge, who should examine facts upon the spot. Francis de Bovadilla was appointed for this purpose, with full powers to supersede Columbus, if he found him guilty. When he arrived at St. Domingo, all dissensions were composed in the island. But, Bovadilla was determined to treat Columbus as a criminal. He accordingly took possession of his house, seized his ef fects, and assuming the government, ordered him to be arrested in October, 1500, and loaded with irons. Columbus was thus sent home as a prisoner. The captain of the vessel, as soon as he was clear of the island, offered to release him from his fetters. "No," said Columbus; "I wear these irons in consequence of an order from my sovereigns; and their command alone shall set me at liberty." He arrived at Cadiz on the 5th of November, and, on the 17th of December, was set at liberty, by the command of Ferdinand, and invited to court. He vindicated his conduct, and brought the most satisfying proofs of the malevolence of his enemies. But, Ovando was sent governor of Hispaniola; and thus a new proof was given, of the suspicion and injustice of the Spanish king.

Columbus was still intent on discovering a passage to India. He sailed again from Cadiz in the beginning of May, 1502, with four small vessels; the largest of which was only of seventy tons. He arrived off St. Domingo on the 29th of June; and soon after discovered the bay of Honduras. He then proceeded to the cape Gracias a Dios; and thence, along the coast, to the isthmus of Darien; where he hoped, but in vain, to find a passage to the great sea beyond the continent, which he believed would conduct him to India. On the 2nd of November, he found a harbour, which, on account of its beauty, he called Porto Bello. He afterwards met with such violent storms as threatened his leaky vessels with destruction. With the utmost difficulty he reached the island of Jamaica, in 1503, being obliged to run them aground, to prevent them from sinking. His ships were ruined beyond the possibility of being repaired. To convey an account of his situation to Hispaniola, seemed impracticable. But, the fertile genius of Columbus dis