countries. As this period embraces the settlement of most of the original states in the union, viz. Massachusetts, including Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New-Hampshire, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, it is therefore characterized as remarkable for settlements.

The THIRD PERIOD will extend from the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689, to the declaration of the war by England against France, called "the French and Indian War," 1756, and is remarkable for the three wars of KING WILLIAM, QUEEN ANNE, and GEORGE II.

Obs. So long as the colonies remained attached to the English crown, they became involved, of course, in the wars of the mother country. Three times during this period, was war proclaimed between England and France; and, as the French had possession of Canada, and were leagued with several powerful tribes of Indians, as often did the colonies become the theatre of their hostile operations. This period is therefore most remarkable for these three

wars.

The FOURTH PERIOD will extend from the Declaration of war by England against France, 1756, to the commencement of hostilities by Great Britain against the American Colonies, in the battle of Lexington, 1775, and is distinguished for the FRENCH and INDIAN WAR.

The FIFTH PERIOD will extend from the Battle of Lexington, 1775, to the disbanding of the American Army at West Point, New-York, 1783, and is distinguished for the WAR OF THE REVO

LUTION.

The SIXTH PERIOD Will extend from the Disbanding of the Army, 1783, to the Inauguration of George Washington, as President of the United States, under the Federal Constitution, 1789, and is distinguished for the FORMATION AND ESTAB LISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

The SEVENTH PERIOD will extend from the Inauguration of President Washington, 1789, to the Inauguration of John Adams, as President of the United States, 1797. This period is distinguished for WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION.

The EIGHTH PERIOD Will extend from the Inauguration of President Adams, 1797, to the Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, as President of the United States, 1801. This period is distinguished for ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

The NINTH PERIOD Will extend from the Inauguration of President Jefferson, 1801, to the Inauguration of James Madison, as President of the United States, 1809. This period is distinguished for JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

The TENTH PERIOD Will extend from the Inauguration of President Madison, 1809, to the Inauguration of James Monroe, as President of the United States, 1817. This period is distinguished for MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION, and the late WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

The ELEVENTH PERIOD will extend from the Inauguration of President Monroe, 1817, to the Inauguration of John Quincy Adams, as President of the United States, 1825. This period is distinguished for MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION.

The TWELFTH PERIOD will extend from the Inauguration of President Adams, 1825, to the Inauguration of Andrew Jackson, as President of the United States, 1829. This period is distinguished for ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

UNITED STATES.

PERIOD I.

DISTINGUISHED FOR DISCOVERIES.

Extending from the Discovery of San Salvador, by Columbus, 1492, to the first permanent Eng lish settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607.

Sec. 1. The honor of first making known to the inhabitants of Europe, the existence of a Western Continent, belongs to Spain, as a nation, and to Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, as an individual.

After the discovery of America by Columbus, other nations laid claim to this honor; and thus attempted to deprive the Genoese navigator, as well as the Spanish nation, of the merit to which they were justly entitled.

The only nations, however, who appear to have had even the semblance for such a claim, were the Welsh and Norwegians.

By the former, it was maintained, that the continent was discovered by Madoc, son of Owen Gwynneth, who, returning to his country, again sailed for the land he had discovered, about the year 1170, taking with him ten ships, and 300 men, for the purpose of founding a colony. Of the fate of this expedition, nothing was ever known. As it is well established, however, that the first voyage of Madoc was not a long one, it is justly inferred, that the land, to which he was leading his colony, could not have been more westerly, than the islands in the Atlantic, situated about half way between the Eastern and Western Continents, now known by the name of the Azores.

The pretensions of the Norwegians were founded upon the discovery of an unknown land, some time in the eleventh century, by one Biron or Biorn, an Icelander. During a

voyage to Iceland, which, with Greenland, had been discovered and settled at an earlier date, Biron was driven southeast by a storm, and fell in with a country, to which, from its abounding with vines, he gave the name of Vineland. In his account of this voyage, the description given of the appearance of the sun, in the country discovered, would seem to indicate, that it lay in latitude about 44°. The fruits found there bore a resemblance to those now found in Newfoundland, or the country about the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Upon these uncertain data, the Norwegians founded their claims to a priority in the discovery of America; but, on Biron's return, his discovery appears to have excited little interest among his countrymen; and to have slept in forgetfulness, until after Columbus had established the existence of a Western World.

Sec. 2. The voyage of Columbus, which led to the foregoing important discovery, and of which Ferdinand and Isabella, the sovereigns of the united thrones of Castile and Arragon, were patrons, was commenced on the 3d of August, 1492; at which time, the Genoese navigator sailed from Palos, an inconsiderable seaport in Spain, with a fleet, consisting of three small vessels, manned by ninety seamen. On the morning of the 12th of October following, he fell in with an island, called by the natives Guanahani; but to which he gave the name of San Salvador. This island, known on English maps by the name of Cat Island, belongs to the great cluster of the Lucayos, or Bahama Islands. During the same voyage, he discovered several other islands, among which were the important ones of Cuba and Hispaniola.

Columbus, whose discovery of the above islands led the way to a know edge of the existence of a Western Conti nent, was born in the city of Genoa, about the year 1435 or 1436. His father was a reputable and meritorious man by occupation, a wool-comber, long resident in the city of Genoa. Columbus was the eldest of four children, having two brothers, Bartholomew and Diego, and one sister.

His early education was limited; but he diligently improved all the advantages, which the means of his father enabled him to enjoy. After spending a short time at the university of Pavia, he returned to his father, whom he assisted in wool-combing.

His enterprising disposition, however, prompted him to more active employment; and, at the age of fourteen years, we find him entering upon a sea-faring life. He first enlisted into the service of a hardy sea captain of the name of Colombo, a distant relation; but, some time after, entered on board the fleet of a nephew to the old Genoese captain just mentioned.

His new commander was a corsair, so terrible for his deeds against the infidels, that the Moorish mothers used to frighten their unruly children with his name. "This bold rover," observes the distinguished biographer of Columbus, "having heard of four Venetian galleys richly laden, on their return voyage from Flanders, intercepted them with his squadron, on the Portuguese coast, between Lisbon and Cape St. Vincent. A desperate engagement took place; the vessels grappled each other, and the crews fought hand to hand, and from ship to ship. The battle lasted from morning until evening, with great carnage on both sides. The vessel on board which Columbus was, was engaged with a huge Venetian galley. They threw hand grenades and other fiery missiles, and the galley was wrapped in flames. The vessels were fastened together by chains and grappling irons, and could not be separated; both were involved in one conflagration, and soon became a mere blazing mass. The crews threw themselves into the sea; Columbus seized an oar, which was floating within reach; and, being an expert swimmer, attained the shore, though two full leagues distant."

He now repaired to Lisbon. He was at this time about 34 years of age; a tall, well formed, vigorous man; enterprising in his disposition, and uncommonly dignified in his manners. Taking up his residence, for a time, at Lisbon, he became acquainted with, and married the daughter of a distinguished navigator, the former governor of Porto Santo, 'an island in the vicinity of Madeira, about 700 miles southwest from Lisbon.

The father of his wife being dead, Columbus resided

Irving's Columbus, to which the author is indebted for the principal facts in this biographical sketch of this extraordinary man.