1. THE subject of this work is the United States of CHAP. I. America; or, as those States are sometimes called, the Subject. Republic or Nation of America.

What constitutes a nation? First, there must be a country, with the natural divisions of land and water; second, there must be men, women, and children to inhabit that country; and third, those inhabitants must be bound together in one, by living under a common government, which extends its protection over all, and which all are bound to obey.

Its triple division.

2. To every nation there belongs a history: For whenever the inhabitants of any large portion of the earth are united under one government, important public events must there have taken place. The record of these events constitutes the history of that country. Any na3. The events of history should always be record- tion's history. ed, with the circumstances of time and place. To tell when events happened, is to give their chronology; to

1. What is the subject of this work? What three parts compose a nation?-2. What constitutes any nation's history? 3. How should events be recorded? What is it to give their chronology?

14

Connect

ONE NATION.

CH. 1. tell where they happened, their geography. The history of a nation, is therefore inseparably connected with its ed with geography and chronology. Indeed chronology may properly be called the skeleton of history; but geogchron. raphy is the base on which it stands.

its geog.

and

our

4. First, let us inquire, where is the country, of which we desire to know the history? In the vast Where universe, is a system of planets surrounding a sun, hence called the solar system. The third planet from country is. the sun is called the earth. On the earth's surface, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA occupies a northern portion of the smaller of two continents. In extent, it is one of the largest nations of the world.

Its lati

5. In longitude, the Republic of America ranges through sixty degrees, from the Atlantic ocean to the tude and Pacific. In latitude, it reaches from the Cape of Flolongi- rida, in north latitude twenty-five degrees, to British

and Russian America in about fifty. Thus stretching through the greater part of the northern temperate zone, it includes every variety of climate, from the hot unhealthy swamps of Florida, to the cold mountainous mate. regions of northern New England, and the north-western territories.

Its cli

Soil.

6. The soil and productions of our country are as various as its climate. Compared with other countries, it contains a large proportion of arable land; and what is of the utmost consequence to the accommodation Natural of man, it is well watered. On the whole, it may be tages. pronounced, one of the most fertile, healthy, and desirable regions of the earth.

advan

region

A good 7. In observing the United States, there is much to for one convince us, that an Almighty, Overruling Providence, nation. designed from the first, to place here a great, united

3. Their geography? Are chronology and geography connected with history?-4. In regard to the universe where, as as tronomy teaches, are the United States? In regard to the earth's surface, or as regards geography, where is this country? What can you say of its extent?-5. What of its longitude? Of its latitude? Climate?-6. Soil and productions? Its natural advantages generally?-7. Does this region, seem designed for one great nation, or several small ones?

RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT.

people. Although this country, being one nation, is by means of its mighty rivers, well enabled to carry its inland productions to the ocean, and thence to foreign markets; yet, if it were divided, like southern Europe, into different nations, this would not be the case.

15

сн. 1.

evil of

division.

8. For this country is not, like southern Europe, indented with deep bays, gulfs, seas, and channels; whereby many small nations, can each be accommodated with a portion of the sea-board. If our long One nerivers were owned in part by one government, and in cessary part by another, the commerce of the inland nations, would be perpetually hampered, by those who owned the sea-board, and the mouths of the rivers. For they would be likely to insist on being paid for the use of their ports; and this would naturally breed quarrels and blood-shed. This is one reason among many, to show that the American people should continue to be ONE NATION; and, in the words of Washington, "frown indignantly on the first attempt to sever the union."

The Am.

govern

ment

made for

all.

9. The government of this vast nation, which now contains more than seventeen millions of inhabitants, is a FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC. It is federative, because in it there are several separate, independent states, confederated under one head, or general government. It is a republic, because the rulers are chosen by the people. The manner in which they are to be chosen, be understood by and in which they are bound to administer the government, is set forth in the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. This therefore, should be early learned, and thoroughly understood by every American.

ac

Should

all.

It is equi

table and

10. The government of the United States is knowledged by the wise and good of other nations, to should be be the most free, impartial, and righteous government

7. Why is it in regard to commerce better for one than for seve ral? What part of the world admits of several small nations, and why?-8. Mention one among many evils, which would result from dividing this nation into several smaller ones? What is the language of Washington on this subject?-9. How many inhabitants has the United States? What is its form of government ? Why federative? Why a republic? Where can we learn the form of government?-10. What is the character of this govern

ment?

sustained

16

CH. II.

ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS.

of the world; but all agree, that for such a government to be sustained many years, the principles of truth and righteousness, taught in the Holy Scriptures must be practised. The rulers must govern in the fear of God, and the people obey the laws.

CHAPTER II.

The Aborigines.

1. BEFORE the territory of which our history treats, was inhabited by the ancestors of its present inhabiThe red tants, it was occupied by another and a different race. men. The red men were here, when the European settlers came; and either as friends or as enemies, for a time they dwelt contiguous to each other, and their history is blended.

The first
Occu-

2. The aborigines, or natives of the country, were by the Europeans, called Indians. As found by the earliest settlers, they may be considered under three pants. general divisions. First, the DELAWARES or ALGONQUINS; second, the IROQUOIS, and third, the MOBILIANS.

divisions

3. The Delawares, or Algonquins, were formerly called the Lenni Lenape, and the Iroquois the Mengwe. Three They have a tradition that, in ancient times, each came, though in somewhat different directions, from far distant western regions. Happening to meet as they apTradi- proached the Mississippi, they united, and made war upon the Allegewi, a more civilized people, who inhaware and bited the great valley of the Mississippi, and dwelt in Iroquois cities. The Allegewi were defeated and fled down the river. Perhaps the Mobilian tribes were their de

tions of

the Dela

10. What is necessary to its being permanently sustained? CHAPTER II.2. What term is used to distinguish the race found in this country by our ancestors? What three general

divisions of them ?-3. Give an account of the tradition of the two former, respecting the direction from which they anciently came. Where did they unite? What more civilized nation did they find? What happened to this nation?

scendants. Perhaps portions of them went still fur- Cн. п. ther south, and were the builders of those cities, the ruins of which, have lately been found in Central America.

er the principal

wares.

4. The Lenape and Mengwe, says the tradition, soon divided. The former crossed the Alleghany mountains, Del. Rivexplored, and took possession of the sea coast, fixing their chief place of council, or seat of government, on seat of the Delaware river. This river received from a Euro- the Delapean nobleman the name, which it communicated to the Indian confederacy. As this confederacy increased in numbers, various tribes went off from the parent stock. But they still looked up to the Delawares, and gave them, long after, the reverential title of "grandfather."

ty tribes.

5. Of these branches of the Delaware or Algonquin Powhat race, the first who figure in the early history of our ans-thirnation, were the POWHATANS, a confederacy of thirty tribes; so called from their great sachem, Powhatan. His principal residence was on James river, near the site of Richmond. His authority extended throughout the lowlands, and to the falls of the rivers.

eight

6. Farther west, and extending to the mountains, Manahowere two confederacies, with whom the Powhatans acks were at war: the Manahoacks, consisting of eight tribes. tribes on the north, and the Monacans of five, stretching southerly into Carolina. Afterwards the latter Monachanged their name, to that of Tuscaroras, removed cans-five northerly, and joined the Iroquois. The Yamasees were in South Carolina.

7. The Algonquins of New England next find place

3. What conjectures may be formed respecting their descendants?-4. According to the tradition what course did the Lenape take? Where fix their place of council? When they became numerous what became of the various tribes of their descendants? What were their sentiments and language towards the Delawares? Trace out the course of the Delawares on Map I.-5. Which of them are first brought into notice? What the number of tribes? Their principal seat? How far did their limits extend?-6. Give an account of the Manahoacs? Of the Monacans? Tell from Map I, which is the most northerly, the Manahoacs or Monocans. Where were the Catawbas? The Yamasees?

tribes.