7 A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, ON A NEW PLAN; ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITY OF YOUTH. TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Author of a Geography and Atlas, National Preceptor, Easy Reader, Child's Manual, &e. NEW-HAVEN: PUBLISHED BY DURRIE & PECK. 1942. HARVARD ENTERED. According to Act of Congress, in the year 1836, by DURRIE & PECK, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. PREFACE. AMONG the numerous branches taught in our schools, history justly claims a high rank. It is now considered a necessary part of a good education. The man of business in common life, as well as the professional man, finds frequent occasion to refer to past events. Not only the lawyer and the statesman, but every freeman who gives in his vote to influence the great political interests of the nation, ought to be familiar with the more prominent events of his country's history. The history of the United States is replete with interest and instruction. The mind is first fixed upon a vast, unexplored wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and wandering savages. After many years of toil and danger, our noble ancestors are seen laying the foundations of a mighty nation, and establishing those institutions which are at once the pride and the glory of posterity. Their struggles in war against the Indians, and their steady resistance of the selfish policy of the mother country, afford numerous and striking examples of virtue and patriotism. The establishment of a national government, with its constitution and laws, displays the wisdom and integrity of a body of men, whose example is worthy of universal imitation. The rapid progress of the country from a state of poverty and wretchedness to circumstances of affluence and power, develops all the energies of human nature, and affords many valuable lessons to the youthful mind. A conviction that a history of our own country, well adapted to the use of common schools, where the great mass of our population begin to complete their education, would be highly conducive to the best interests of the nation; and that every successful attempt at improvement would meet with corresponding encouragement from my fellow-citizens, has induced me to undertake the following work. I have endeavored to relate the most important events, in the order of time in which they occurred, so as to present unbroken that series of causes and effects, which should be strictly preserved in every work of this kind. I have added a great amount of matter in the |