and, in 1634, he brought over two hundred people of the same religion, and made the first settlement in Maryland. 11. Carolina first began to be permanently settled in 1680. In 1729, it was divided into North and South Carolina. The first settlement in Georgia was made in 1733. The principal founder was General James Oglethorpe, who came from England with one hundred and sixteen settlers, and began to build the city of Savannah. Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and the other western states, are of still more recent date. 12. The United States carry on a vast trade with Great Britain, and most other parts of the world. The northern, or New England states, export timber to Europe, and flour and salt provisions to the West Indies, and send many ships to the southern whale fishery; and the southern states produce the greater part of the cotton and tobacco which is brought to Europe. QUESTIONS. 1. Boundaries of the United States? Extent ? Population?- -2. How large a portion is settled? What of the government? 3. Climate? Soil? Productions? -4. When was Virginia settled? -5. When was New England?- -6. Connecticut? Providence? -7. When and where was the first settlement in New York? What was the city of New York first called? What of the province of New York?-8. Who settled New Jersey, and Delaware ?- -9. When and by whom was Pennsylvania settled? How did William Penn treat the Indians? What was the consequence of his treaty with them?- -10. Who granted Maryland to Lord Baltimore? When did he settle Maryland?11. When was Carolina settled? When divided? First settlement in Georgia? The western states?—12. The commerce of the United States? CHAPTER CLVIII. AMERICA continued.- The 1. THE reader has now learnt, how the whole of the sea-coast, between New Brunswick and Florida, became covered with colonies, which were all under the government of Great Britain. 2. At the end of the war in 1763, England being much in debt, the ministers thought that the Americans ought to contribute to the revenue; for this purpose, in 1765, the British parliament passed what was called the Stamp Act. The Americans, however, made so strong an opposition to the Stamp Act, that it was repealed; but a tax was soon afterwards laid on tea, and soldiers were sent to America to compel the people to obey the new laws. 3. In the year 1770, a quarrel took place between the soldiers and the inhabitants of Boston, when three of the latter were killed, and five wounded; but instead of being affrighted by this bloodshed, the people grew more determined in their resistance. 4. In the year 1773, some ships were sent from London to the colonies, laden with cargoes of tea, and three of the ships arrived in the harbour of Boston. One night, a number of persons went on board, in the disguise of Indians, and threw all the tea overboard. 5. When tidings of this event were carried to England, the ministry saw that they must resort to force; they therefore sent over large bodies of troops to keep the people in subjection. A war then ensued between the British and the Americans, and on the fourth of July, 1776, the American congress declared the United States a free and independent republic. 6. The Americans were immediately joined by the French and Spaniards, and afterwards by the Dutch; many battles were fought, and England withstood the attacks of all these powers for some years. At last, in 1783, a peace was concluded by which the independence of the Americans was acknowledged. QUESTIONS. 2. When was it proposed to tax the Americans? -3. What happened at Boston in 1770 ?the cargoes of tea? -5. What followed ? terminated? -4. What became of -6. How was the war CHAPTER CLIX. AMERICA continued.Affairs of the United States since the Revolution. 1. WHEN the war was over, the people of the United States found it necessary to adopt a constitutional form of government. The present Federal Constitution was prepared by some of the wisest men in the country, and came into operation in 1789. 2. The illustrious Washington was the first president. He came into office in 1789, and was re-elected at the end of four years, and died in 1799. In 1797, John Adams was chosen to succeed him, and became the second president of the United States. 3. The next president was Thomas Jefferson. He served during two terms of office, and was succeeded by James Madison, in 1809. The most remarkable event of Jefferson's administration, was the purchase of Louisiana from France, in the year 1803. This immense territory included the country between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains. 4. In the course of the war against Buonaparte disputes arose between England and the United States, who at length, in June, 1812, declared war against Great Britain, and soon after despatched a large army to invade Canada; but the Americans were speedily expelled by the Canadians. 5. In return, the English government sent General Ross, with a small army, who landed in Chesapeake Bay, in August, 1814, and having defeated a very superior force, captured Washington, the capital, where he burnt all the public buildings, and destroyed a vast quantity of warlike stores; and then re-embarked without loss. 6. The British army now proceeded to Jamaica for reinforcements, and then, in November, 1814, sailed to attack New Orleans, a very important post, being the most commercial town in the Southern States. The fleet arrived early in December, and landed the troops. They, however, found the place strongly fortified, and defended by thirty thousand men, while their own number was barely eight thousand. General Sir Edward Pakenham made a desperate attempt to storm the fortifications, on January 8, 1815; but being killed in the action, the design was abandoned. Shortly after peace was concluded. 6. In 1817, President Madison retired from office, and was succeeded by James Munroe. During the eight years of his administration, the country was quiet and prosperous. John Quincy Adams became president in 1825. He was the son of John Adams, the second president. 7. The next president was General Andrew Jackson. He was inaugurated in 1829, and began his second term of office in 1833. He was succeeded by Martin Van Buren, in 1837. QUESTIONS. 1. When was the constitution of government formed? 2. Who was the first president? When did he come into office? When was John Adams chosen ?- -3. What did Jefferson purchase of the French? In what year? How large a country was it? When was Madison made president ?- -4. War with Great Britain ?- -5. Capture of Washington? Attack on New Orleans?- -6. What happened in 1817? In 1825 ?- -7. When did Jackson become president? When was Martin Van Buren made president? House of Assembly, at Washington, in the United States. CHAPTER CLX. AMERICA continued. -About South America. El Dorado, and the Fountain of Youth. Remains of an ancient Pyramid in Mexico. 1. IMMEDIATELY after the return of Columbus, both the King of Spain and the King of Portugal applied to the pope for his grant of the lands, for every country possessed by heathens was supposed to be in his gift. 2. Alexander the Sixth was pope at that time. He very generously bestowed one half of the new world on the King of Spain, and the other half on the King of Portugal. These kings then sent out ships and men, who conquered immense territories, and reduced the inhabitants to slavery. 3. The Spaniards first took possession of the West Indies; they built the city of Havannah, on the island of Cuba, and the Spanish governor had his residence there. Other nations afterwards made settlements in these islands. 4. The great object of all who went to America, at this period, was to get gold and silver. The most wonderful stories were told about the abundance of these metals in some parts of the western continent. |