178 458 DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, SS. L.S. B E IT REMEMBERED, That on the fourth the Independence of the United States of America, Ezra Strong, of the said District, hath deposited in this Office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "A Universal History of the United States of America, embracing the whole period from the earliest discovery down to the present time. In three parts. By a Citizen of the United States." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned."And also to the act, entitled, "An Act supplementary to an act entitled 'An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me. CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. by sưch, yet a free and unreserved scrutiny of facts can alone separate truth from error, and apportion the just and intrinsic degree of merit belonging to any character. Columbus having found the natives peaceable and well disposed, he had no reason to apprehend that any would commence unprovoked hostilities; the cavalry which he took over, whilst it tended to impress those people with the deepest awe and veneration, was fully sufficient for the security of the new colony, if the friendship of the natives had been sincerely meant to be cultivated by a kind, equitable deportment; but to treat them as a free people,was inconsistent to the views which he had of planting a colony. Columbus is celebrated for his humanity and goodness, but should he not rather be considered as a most consummate dissembler; professing moderation whilst he meditated subversion, and like most of the heroes and conquerors whom history records, renouncing every principle of justice and humanity when they stopped the career of his ambition! Ferdinand Columbus, his son and biographer has with great address covered the shame of his father, whilst the admiring world has been little disposed to censure a man, the splendor of whose actions so powerfully fascinates and dazzles. We see him forming a new, and in those days a mighty project; having matured his plan, we see him set himself rigorously about executing it, after being baffled by opposition, rejected by his friends, yet the RULER of the Universe guides his course, and crowns his voyage with valuable discovery. While we admire the lofty qualities of Columbus, and look with wonder at the consequences which have resulted from his discovery, let us emulate his decision, energy and perseverance. Many are the occasions in the present world, on which it will be important to summon these to our aid; and by their means, many useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, would be unattained. But, while we thus press forward in the career of usefulness-while we aim to accomplish for our fellow men all the amount of good in our power, let us moderate our expectations of reward here, by the consideration that Columbus died the victim of ingratitude and disappoint ment. Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested by the story of Columbus. In his first voyage, he contemplated chiefly the discovery of a passage to India.We who live to mark the wonderful events which have flowed from this discovery, within the short space of three centuries, cannot but advert with awe to HIM, who attaches to the actions of a single individual, a train of conse quences so stupendous and unexpected. How lightly soever, then, we may think of our conduct, let us remember that the invisible hand of Providence may be connecting with our smallest actions the most momentous results, to ourselves and others. With respect to Americus Vespucius, it may be observed, that although he deprived Columbus of the merited honor of giving his name to the new world, and gained this distinction for himself-still, his name will ever remain stigmatized as having appropriated that to himself which fairly belonged to another UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. PART FIRST. CHAPTER II. From the settlement of Jamestown to the embarkation of the Plymouth Company. The discovery of America by Columbus, gave a new impulse to that bold spirit of adventure which characterized the hardy age in which he lived. Although severa! men of rank and fortune were concerned in the companies which had been formed in England for colonising America, their funds appear to have been very limited, and their first efforts were extremely feeble. The first expedition for the southern colony consisted of one vessel of 100 tons, and two barks, with 105 men destined to remain in the country. The command of this small fleet was given to Captain Newport, who sailed from the Thames the 19th of December, 1606. At the time his instructions were given, three packages, sealed with the seal of the council, were delivered, one to Captain Newport, one to Captain Bartholomew Gosnald, and the third to Captain John Rat cliffe, containing the names of the council for the colony, They were directed not to open these packages within 24 hours after their arrival on the coast of Virginia, and names of his majesty's council were then to be proc. ed. The council were then to proceed in the cho a president, who should have two votes. To this lar and unaccountable concealment, have been in a degree attributed the dissension which distracted onists on their passage, and which afterwards c bly impeded the progress of their infant settleme port, whose place of destination was Roanoke, took the circuitous route by the West India islands, and had a long passage of four months. ! he reckoning had been out for three days, without perceiving land; and serious propositions were made for returning to England; when they were overtaken by a storm, which fortunately drove them to the mouth of the Chesapeake. On the 26th of April, 1607, they discerned cape Henry, and soon after cape Charles. Impatient to land, a party of about 30 men went on shore at cape Henry, but they were immediately attacked by the natives, who considered them as enemies, and in the skirmish which ensued, several were wounded on both sides. The first employment of the colonists was to explore the adjacent country, with the appearance of which they were greatly delighted, and to select a spot on which their settlement should be made. They proceeded up a large, beautiful river, called by the natives Powhatan, and to which they gave the name of James; on a peninsula on the north side of which they immediately agreed to make the first establishment of their colony.This place, as well as the river, they named after their king, and called it Jamestown; there they debarked on the 13th of May, and the sealed packets being opened, Mr. Wingfield was by the council elected their president; but under frivolous and unjustifiable pretexts, they excluded Smith from taking his seat among them. John Smith, whose courage and talents seem to have excited their envy, and who on the passage had been imprisoned on the improbable and unsupportable charge of intending to murder the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia. The colonists soon found themselves embroiled with the Indians, who attacked them suddenly while at work; but were frightened by the fire from the ship, and in a short time a temporary accommodation with them was ef fected. Although Newport was named of the council, he was ordered to return with the vessel to England, and the time of his departure approached. The accusers of Smith, affecting a degree of humanity which they did not feel, proposed that he should return with Newport, instead of being prosecuted in Virginia; but, with the pride of con |