Chapter I: Preface

Some sort of a first book on American history is now quite generally used in schools as a preparation for the more intelligent study of a larger and more formal text-book in the higher grammar grades.

For beginners, a mere compilation of facts is dry and unsatisfactory. Such books have now given place, for the most part, to those prepared on a more attractive and judicious plan. The real aim in a first book should be to interest boys and girls in the history of their country, and to encourage them to cultivate a taste for further study and reading.

This book is intended for use in the earlier grammar grades and to be preliminary to the study of a more advanced work in the higher grades. The author has also kept in mind the fact that the school life of many children is brief, and that all their instruction in American history must come from a text-book of this kind.

The author has not aimed to cover the whole range of our country's history. Of many noted men and important affairs no mention is made. Only the leading events of certain periods and the personal achievements of a few representative "makers of our country" are treated in any detail. The subject is approached through biographical sketches of a few of the more illustrious actors in our nation's history. Some prominence is given to exceptional deeds of valor, details of everyday living in olden times, dramatic episodes, and personal incident.

The schoolroom test demonstrates the fact that such a treatment of the subject is more attractive and profitable to children of the lower grades than the mere recital of minor matters and petty details of public events.

The author would acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. Homer B. Sprague of New York City for editorial help in reading and revising the manuscript. Thanks are also due to Dr. John E. Sanborn of Melrose, Mass., for editorial assistance.

A. F. BLAISDELL.

NOVEMBER, 1900.

NOTE.--The attention of teachers and pupils is especially directed to the practical usefulness of the subject of "Reference Books and Supplementary Reading for Successive Periods in American History," as treated on pages 424-435 in the Appendix.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. AMERICA IN THE OLD DAYS 1

II. COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 10

III. SIR WALTER RALEIGH AND CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH 31

IV. THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS 47

V. MORE ABOUT THE PILGRIMS 60

VI. THE INDIANS AND HOW THEY LIVED 73

VII. THE DUTCH IN NEW YORK; THE QUAKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA 88

VIII. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 106

IX. EVERYDAY LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES 126

X. THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION 139

XI. LEXINGTON AND CONCORD 158

XII. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL 170

XIII. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 184

XIV. THE BURGOYNE CAMPAIGN 198

XV. WASHINGTON AND THE REVOLUTION 222

XVI. THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE SOUTH 250

XVII. THE STORY OF ARNOLD'S TREASON 271

XVIII. JOHN PAUL JONES: OUR FIRST GREAT NAVAL HERO 286

XIX. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: HIS HIGHLY USEFUL CAREER 296

XX. EVERYDAY LIFE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO 311

XXI. WHAT OUR NAVY DID IN THE WAR OF 1812 323

XXII. THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PACIFIC COAST 339

XXIII. LINCOLN AND THE WAR FOR THE UNION 353

XXIV. MORE ABOUT THE WAR FOR THE UNION 369

XXV. OUR NAVY IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION 387

XXVI. THE WAR WITH SPAIN IN 1898 406

APPENDIX. Books for Reference and Collateral Reading in
the Study of American History 424

INDEX 436

THE STORY OF AMERICAN HISTORY