rale Library 39002001926162 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of Estate of W. P. Tuttle GREAT AND MEfl THE PROPHECY OF OUR NATIONAL GREATNESS. ."I see Freedoms established reign; cities andmen. Numerous as sands upon Hie ocean shore, And empires rising where the sua descends! The Ohio soon shall glide feymany a town Of Note! and where the Mississippi's stream, By forests shaded, now runs sweeping- on, Nations shalt grow,and states, not less in fame Than Greece and Rome of oldMWe,too,shall boast OurScipios, Sotons,Catos,__sa£es, chiefs, That in the lapse of time yet dormant tie , Waiting' the joyous hour of life and light." Thitip Freneau. theAmericanPoet in!775. ITS FULFILMENT. D/if fttliimir eftttfo amrinf rwtatcne io it.) uwihii, w/iicli hmmerelhailtiiivtiledcirert/ fen utnra, t>ut in the increase <¦)"/'/.> pefiulation, which ij euen men valuable than gold and •iiltwi lm.> Ixrn .u\ timet mere Hian ifimlUri/ain, /line liim>.iiiwi-e tliciii. In.itriti, ten time.) men Hum yiwiix,andiideah)itdlvgweuxuliuiiditdmillwii.iatdie endoftlietvin^in/; tmd.lieijondit fiii-iuitiniii-iii' bejjriildfiewtT.initdc/n/ntleuni/iit.) timlvr/'alcnw,/nita/v;>oiiirea, in it.) m/inci ti<:> andinin /yifu/r/unrtiebw/iatSdaivr/otetltmifit/o predict. ' ' Drvm €>rimtti> t. cridcul, from mounln/nlo mountain, Jrr>rir.~ltlatitic to'lhciftc'.jfminan tlml-hartnimlJlli/in<> to the (/(Men Sate, ihejulure ofl/uiiffiimtwunlru^fm/ifpriidaice^ wi) etornj'uJIire fMlriglitwidjuwe, Mull guide il, Jlu/tllielwyo//dthe/ialmyali-,irllnitmu tongue mnexfweM.'f) (L)wGen1eiitiicd. 4iiiiit'erJt/iy cfriielkckiralioi) ofSnde/wtdence will find u m THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, Political, ]V£ilitary, ]VTecTianical, Social, Scientific and Commercial: EMBRACING ALSO DELINEATIONS OE ALL THE GREAT HISTORIC CHARACTERS CELEBRATED IN THE ANNALS OF THE REPUBLIC ; Men of Heroism, Statesmanship, Genius, Oratory, Adven ture and Philanthropy. "With. .A.d.ditions to the Present '1'iixie. By Ft. M. DEVENS, Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Author ofAppleton's Commercial and Business Cyclopedia, Lives of Washington, Napoleon, and Wellington, Src, Src. Splendidly Illustrated with Several Hundred Plates, Portraits, and other Embellishments, PUBLISHED BY C. A. NICHOLS & CO., SPRINGFIELD, MASS. HUGH HERON, CHICAGO, ILL. 1882. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 , by C. A. NICHOLS te Co. In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. SPRTNGPIELD PRINTING CO., ELECTBOTYPERS, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. "Columbia, great Republic! thou art blest, While Empires drop, and Monarchs Bink to rest." GLORY OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY. BRAND and impressive, beyond all that is yet written in tho I Volume of Human History, will be that transcendent Chapter, which shall unfold, in philosophic narrative, the birth and onward march, in greatness and power, of the Republic of the United States, — the completion of its First Century of mighty national development in Political Liberty and Free Civilization, and the momentous relations of that development to the interest, progress, and destiny of mankind. A task so stately and magnificent might fitly engage the pen of a Bancroft, a Motley, or other historiographer of kindred fame ; for, surely, no power of mental grasp or of historic portrayal inferior to theirs, could adequately set forth the resplendent advances and triumphs of Human Illumination — wide streaming, wondrous, beneficent, energizing, — on this western continent, and under the inspiration ;_ 8 DEDICATION. liberal institutions, during the Century of the American Republic ; a country which, when it first clothed itself with the pre rogatives of sovereignty, numbered but thirteen feeble States, with three million inhabitants, occupying the small familiar strip of territory lined on one side by the Atlantic ocean, and on the other by the Alleghany ridge, but whose vast out lying boundaries are now watered also by the great Pacific, the gulf of California, and the Arctic ocean, — comprising, in fact, a continental chain of zones, sweeping, in hemispheric magnitude, from the moun tain crests of eternal snows to the region of perpetual flowers ; — its census of popu lation, too, with similar strides of amazing augmentation, rolling up a free, intelli gent, and powerful citizenship of forty round millions ! Never before has the world witnessed so superlative an illustration of the capac ity of man for self government ; never before has the Glory of Man, in his unre- pressed enthusiasm and unfettered activi ties, been confirmed by achievements so splendid and enduring. Sharing, in full measure, the patriotic pride of a birthright and nationality so exalted, and of associations so illustrious, — the conscious sentiment of every American bosom, — I dedicate this work to my enlight ened Fellow Countrymen in the nearly two-score fraternal com monwealths op our glorious union, — E Pluribus Unum I "All for each, AND EACH FOR ALL." Our common interest in these marvel ous recitals of the nation's Wonderfully varied Life during the Centennial Era, now just completed, is without distinction of party, section, on calling ; and our con gratulatory lot it is, under the gracious blessing of Heaven, to boast of a career more renowned, diversified in character, and more boundless in its results to the human race, than that of the most com manding Empires of the Past, of what ever name or period. These memorials of that unparalleled and majestic drama possess, too, — many of them, — an historical significance which is not limited to the past, nor to the gener ation whose fortune it is to rehearse them at this dividing threshold, between their occurrence and their commemoration ; — their influence will reach forward to the setting of the sun of time! Vain Predictions of the Enemies of Free Government. Contemplating, with but the briefest survey, the data exhibiting our prodigious national growth, scarcely can it be realized, at the present day, that, even after the lapse of successive decades from the na tion's birth, there were prophets of evil omen across the water, the devotees of monarchical rule and the enemies of free in stitutions, who oracularly predicted that the American Republic was but a tran sient experiment — a mere political will-o'- the-wisp — an aerial edifice, which a few rough storms would shatter and dissipate ; that it would, indeed, prove like Jonah's gourd, which grew up in a night, and per ished in a day ! Statesmen of no less sagacity than Rus sell, Macaulay, Brougham, and, still later, even that astute philosopher, Mr. Carlyle, heralded with blind and self-conceited as sumption, the downfall of our nation, — the same nation, of whose geographical mag nitude already attained during its tenth decade, one of the most prominent of American Statesmen could declare, that, were all the countries conquered by Roman DEDICATION. arms, or reduced to subjection by Roman power, arrayed contiguously, in compact form, and placed in the center of the United States, one of our swift railroad trains, with its palace cars, containing more of elegance and luxury of travel than the most sybaritic of the Roman emper ors ever dreamed of, must run at the rate of twenty-five miles the hour, continu ously, for more than two days, from either exterior boundary of our jurisdiction, to reach the outward limits of the Roman empire, when thus placed, even when she claimed to be mistress of the world. But, though the vauntings of evil proph ecy, the assaults of envy and ridicule, the tirades of a hostile press, and the machina tions of kings and cabinets, have ever and anon swept across the Atlantic, and sought to weaken the stability and humiliate the name of our glorious Republic, it still stands, confronting and challenging the tribunal of the world, in the majesty of those eternal principles embodied in its Declaration of Independence, — in the strength of its dignity as the commanding arbiter of its own affairs, and of the des tiny oi the Western hemisphere as well, — in the prowess of its fleets and armies, — in the incalculable wealth of its natural resources, — in the splendor of its world wide commerce, its gigantic material en terprises, its vast industries, its affluence in the whole range of art, science, and lit erature, — and in the still growing ascend ancy of all those moral, social, educa tional, and political forces, which shall carry it onward and dominant, with ever- increasing .power, "while Empires drop and Monarchs sink to rest." Well, then, may every true American, standing on this Centennial outpost, and seeing the gorgeous ensigns of the repub lic studded with naught but stars of ever- brightening light and luster, proudly ex claim, "There stands the Past — All hail the Hereafter ! Ring out the Old — Ring in the New ! " Scope of this Volume: Wonders and Prodigies, Men and Events. Leaving to the task of the general his torian, the discussion of those grave themes of constitutional and legislative polity, the triumphs and failures of diplomacy, and the complex details of civic and military administration, which make up the politi cal life of a State and give to a government its distinguishing consideration and status in the family of nations, it is proposed in this volume, — as meeting what is be lieved will be the almost universal prefer ence of the People, — to present, rather, a panoramic view of those wonders and prod igies, both of men and events, which pe culiarly reflect the patriotism, taste and genius, the exploits, tragedies and achieve ments, of the Centurv, in their most promi nent and emphasized examples; — those red-letter days, scenes and sensations, which exhibit, in distinctive portraiture, the glory of our arms, the triumphs of in vention, the marvelous phenomena of the heavens above and the earth beneath, the enthusiasm of reform, the valorous adven tures of voyage and travel, the contests of the forum, the horrors of calamity and crime, the startling play of the human will and passions, the gala days of national re joicing, etc., etc., in all the rich and ex citing phases of one hundred changeful years. An eminent writer, in one of the most influential of the foreign Reviews, re marks : "If the sense of wonder in civilized man has not been wholly destroyed, we can not doubt that this age in which we 10 DEDICATION. live will be looked back upon by our chil dren's children as more replete with won ders than any which the world's history has hitherto recorded." How forcible the truth of this observa tion is, in respect to the one hundred years of our own history, the characterizations spread out in the following pages will at test. The calendar of that ' century has been multitudinous with wonders — social, moral, political, physical, scientific, — so vast, so dazzling, as to render familiar to us, as matters of common interest and daily thought, results and facts, greater and intrinsically more strange, than any that past ages afford, and eclipsing any that pertain to distant countries. The superior value, therefore, of this volume, for the great mass of readers, as compared with works of simple chronologi cal summary with the usual comments and discussions, is seen in the more diverse range — the wider scope — of attractive sub jects here collected, and which are adapted to meet so fully the average taste and need. Thus, the pages of no history, cast in the customary mould of that order of literature, could be expected to contain more than a passing allusion, if so much, to thepecujiarly readable matter which com prises one-third, at least, of the topics here treated, and, without which, the work would fail in its most piquant element. History Illustrating Itself by Ex ample. Adopting the words " great " and " mem orable," according to the liberal definition of lexicologists, and guided by the familiar injunction of Cicero, " Choose with dis cretion out of the plenty before you," the plan of this work is, in a special and per spicuous sense, that of history illustrating itself by example. It says to all, Look on this picture-— and on this. Suffice it to say, on this point, that every event chosen for these pages is, in addition to its own intrinsic interest, such as illustrates and brings into striking relief the prevailing spirit or excitement of the period marked by its occurrence, — photo graphs of each recurring marvel, as the canvas of national life was unrolled, — be ginning with the world-renowned transac tion in the Hall of Independence, July 4, 1776, and ending with the Centennial com memoration, July 4, 1876, of that august scene, under circumstances the most grand and imposing that ever related to any peo ple under the sun. Popular Interest of the Subjects here Treated. The popular and permanent fame of these celebrated events, which thus distin guish a century confessedly the most won derful of any in the ages of the world, and pertaining to a country whose career has been unequaled by that of any of the na tions of Christendom, may well be said to constitute a quality in this volume, com pared with which the ordinary terms ap plicable to books designed for wide-spread circulation would be but tame. The char acter of this work is, rather, in the fullest sense, romantic, stimulating, instructive, — adapted, in the highest degree, to enlist the rapt emotions and curiosity of every American reader, so long as the republic shall endure. Here, also, are presented to view, in addition to the long and thrilling role of subsequent events, those grand Time-marks in our earlier history, to which the out-stretched forefinger of a century points, as most memorable and engrossing. They were rehearsed by the fathers to the children ; and the children of the present, and those of future genera tions, will peruse the varied story with eager and absorbing attention. DEDICATION. 11 For that large number, too, who though now in advancing years are familiar with many of these events only through verbal repetition, or from scanty and fragmentary sources, this ample detail, through the printed page, of whatever is most famous in the past of their native land, will surely be invaluable. Exclusion of All Dry Topics and Details. As already remarked, incidentally, the treatment of those topics which involve tedious documentary array, those, too, which are more properly within the scope of scientific speculation, or political theo rizing, or legal disquisition, — such, for in stance, as the shifting conflicts of party, our international complications, and those profound problems of public policy which have agitated the country since its very foundation, — has not been attempted here, excepting in those special features which admit of attractive narrative and the em bodying of genial anecdote and pleasing memorabilia. A host of ready pens will not be wanting, to elaborate, in well-woven thread of continuity, the copious facts and proceedings relating, respectively, to the political, military, religious, benevolent, commercial and industrial growth of the republic, during the wondrous cycle just completed ; and it is safe to assume, there fore, in this regard, that the interests of no class or profession will suffer from the lack of a competent representative in the circle of authorship. The Universal Heart Touched by these Scenes and Events. It will readily be conjectured that, to " choose with discretion " from the multi farious materials which the preparation of such a work involved, -~ discriminating aptly among their number and variety, — was no indifferent task. The utmost pains-taking has been put forth by the editor, to perform this duty in such a manner as to omit nothing, the absence of which would impair the com pleteness of the work, by making it in any measure less than it should be — a mirror reflecting the great and striking occur rences of an Era to which has been di rected, from first to last, the wondering gaze of people of every clime. Especially may they be described as those at which the American citizen, taking a retrospect of the annals that flow through the period thus marked, involuntarily finds himself filled, alternately, with astonishment — pride- — horror — 'delight. In a word, the contents of these pages, as will be seen by a glance at the Topi cal or Classified List, comprise those events which called forth the greatest in terest, curiosity, admiration, or terror, on the part of the public; — those black and white keys, whose changeful notes, oft- times of weal,ofttimes of woe, touched, as did no others) the universal heart ! Different Tastes and Preferences Consulted. That the number of subjects pertinent for such a work might be somewhat ex tended, soon became apparent. Thus, of the many battles in the five great wars, — the revolutionary struggle, the war of 1812, the Mexican campaign, the conflict for the Union, and the wars with the In dians,— a description will be found of the fifteen most decisive, together with ac counts of some others of controlling im portance; to portray all, however, of ac knowledged moment, would have been to devote a whole volume, at least, to that specialty alone. Particularly does this 12 DEDICATION. remark apply to that vast and prolonged drama of the war for the Union ; — it was absolutely impossible, and it would also have been equally unprofitable, to present more than a few of those teeming events, such, for instance, as marked its inaugura tion, and those which, during its progress, distinctly foreshadowed or were immedi ately identified with the final result. The same statement holds true, rela tively, with reference to great political measures, crimes, disasters, reforms, and the wide field of discoveries and inven tions. Of these latter, numbering in the Patent Office at Washington scores of thousands, the " New American Cyclopae dia" gives place, in its masterly table of Chronology, to barely half a dozen exam ples ; more than this number, however, are here described, linked with the fascinating story of their extraordinary origin and in troduction, and their amazing revolution ary influence. Without pursuing this train of explana tion farther, it may be observed that, in prosecuting the contemplated plan of this volume, it was found that, though the grand object in view would be amply and satisfactorily attained by restricting the topical contents to the original one hun dred, there were yet certain notable occur rences which, though by no means " great," in the pre-eminent meaning of that word, possessed, nevertheless, so largely the char acter of being novel and exhilarating, and partook so peculiarly of the " bloom, effer vescence, and gush" of the times, that their presentation would add most agree ably to the variety, readableness, and eclat of the text. It was finally determined, therefore, that a limited number of this collateral or secondary class should be included, — pop ular side-light scenes, or episodes, in the varying tableaux, — such as the account of the sea serpent, the musical tour of Jenny Lind, the chess triumphs of Morphy, Rarey's feats of horse-taming, etc., etc., — but not by subtracting from the full roll of the One Hundred events which were selected, from the first, as legitimately illustrating the broad National Epoch, and which so distinctly fulfill the name and design of this work. Great Historic Actors as well as Deeds Described. It will hardly be necessary to remark at much length upon what, in the nature of the case, is so obvious, namely, that not alone the great Events distinguishing the past, but also the Actors, w.th whose lives those events are so intimately identified, are here delineated in the most striking crises of their career ; so that no sphere or phase of public concern, however diverse, which aroused world-wide attention, is without its personal portraitures in these pages. Washington, and his immortal compatriots of " the times that tried men's souls," and, following them, all the chief historic characters whose deeds loom up so conspicuously, and whose fame for good or ill, success or disaster, is national, — men of heroism, statesmanship, oratory, genius, adventure, philanthropy, crime, — have here their appropriate place. Character and Extent of Labor In volved. The matter of these volumes is of such a nature as necessarily to render mere rhetorical platitudes quite out of place; and the too common plan of presenting rivulets of fact in meadows of verbiage, would be at utter variance with the object and value of our prescribed space. Res, non verba! It has consequently been a DEDICATION. 13 paramount aim with the editor, while strictly avoiding that degree of condensa tion which would result in arid outlines, or bare skeletons, to — first, avoid micro scopic details, and, second, to fuse the vital facts and racy incidents of each subject in such a manner as would body it forth to the reader in judicious fullness and com plete unity. That no reasonable desire in this respect has been left unsatisfied, it is sufficient to say, that, to each great event is devoted a number of pages equal to that usually given to articles, descriptive or narrative, in the various first-class maga zines of widest circulation. Manifestly, too, it could form no part of such a work as this to create, or to adorn by the mere artifice of words, but rather, with simple fidelity, to rehearse and per petuate. Sources of information, wher ever available, embracing the well nigh endless files of American newspapers, and in particular the issues of the metropoli tan press ; the immense range of periodi cal literature traversing the whole period of one hundred years ; voluminous masses of judicial and legislative documents ; the personal narratives of those who were foremost participants in the scenes de picted ; innumerable incidents and data communicated by eye-witnesses ; the teem ing libraries, public and private, of our principal cities ; — the whole store-house, in fact, of history in every department, has been industriously explored, and its contents, diligently examined and sum marized, made tributary to the interest of these pages. No event or transaction has in any case been selected, or excluded, because of any bias, political or religious, on the part of the editor; but, alike in respect to the events themselves and their dramatis per sonal, the variety here presented, as well as the authorities and sources of informa tion cited, will abundantly evince the en tire impartiality practiced. Nor was it deemed desirable to augment the bulk of the work by indulging in diffuse com ments, or philosophical reflections, on the events set forth, however fruitful and tempting the opportunity. The "plain unvarnished tale " is allowed to stand by itself, teaching its own lesson, and sug gesting its own commentary. The difficulty of attaining unchallenged accuracy in all the minutiae of each event — as, for example, the diverse combina tions and maneuvers incident to pro longed battles, — as well as other transact tions involving great and many-sided detail, need but to be mentioned in order to be appreciated. The various and pro tracted controversies growing out of the statements contained in the volumes of our foremost national historian, Mr. Ban croft, are fresh in the minds of all who are familiar with current literature and affairs, and furnish a case in point ; and if any ad ditional evidence were requisite to show the difficulties of even the most conscien tious narrator, the experience of Sir Wal ter Raleigh will at least be taken as suf ficiently suggestive. It is well known that his "History of the World" was composed while he was a political prisoner in the Tower of London. Only a portion of the work, however, was published, owing to the following circumstance : — One afternoon, looking through his win dow into one of the courts of the Tower, Sir Walter saw two men quarrel, when the one actually murdered the other. Shortly after this occurred, two gentlemen, friends of Sir Walter, came into his room, and, remarking upon the tragedy, disagreed materially in their statements. Sir Wal ter, who, like them, had witnessed the 14 DEDICATION. whole affair, declared that neither was ac curate, and gave his own version of the matter. Thus, three eye-witnesses disa greeing about an act so recently com mitted, Raleigh, in a rage, took up the volumes of manuscript which lay near, and belonging to his " History of the World," and threw them on a large fire that was in the room, exclaiming, that " it was not for him to write the history of the world, if he could not verify or relate what he saw a quarter of an hour be fore." It remains to be added here, in terms of warm and grateful appreciation, that much of the irksomeness inseparable from labor of this character, has been relieved by the aid afforded us, so cheerfully, by corre spondents in different parts of the coun try, — authors, statesmen, military and other officials, — and without whose friend ly co-operation, insuperable difficulty would have been experienced by the editor, at more than one stage in the progress of his task. The valuable assistance thus rendered is hereby gratefully acknowledged, with a deep sense of personal obligation. Superb Attractiveness of the Illus trations. Of the numerous and elegant pictorial adornments of these pages, much might be said. This attractive as well as essen tial feature, namely, the full and graphic illustration, by views and portraits, of each event and its chief actors, together with the signatures of the latter, was de termined on simultaneously with the first conception of the book itself; and the re sult — a complete Picture Gallery of the National Century, — will be found in keep ing with the selectest attainments of taste and genius in this direction, and worthy of the vivid transactions thus delineated. They have been furnished by the most eminent artists, and at a lavish cost, — the number, variety, and beauty of the plates being far in advance of those of any other work of the same compass ever before pub lished in America, and equaled by few or none issued abroad. That nothing should be deficient in this feature, the plan pursued was, to obtain, if possible, accurate representations of every scene to be described, fresh and contem porary with its occurrence, and, where no facility was afforded for this, to resort to the best skill capable of realizing the end desired. They comprise copies of some of the masterpieces of Trumbull, Copley, Healy, and others of that renowned school, and portraits, sketches, designs, vignettes, etc., by the most gifted leaders of art in America. It is but simple justice, also, to remark here, that for the completeness character izing this wide field of embellishment, our warmest thanks are due, in repeated in stances, to the generosity of courteous correspondents, — authors, artists, publish ers and others, — for portraits and auto graphs so rare that, but for the kind favor thus extended, access to some of the most valued engravings here given would have been well nigh impracticable. Nor would it be possible, in this connection, to over state the credit belonging to the unrivaled illustrated journals of our great cities, whose prompt and profuse photographs of current events and memorable objects and personages, in all parts of the world, dur ing the last quarter of a century, leave nothing unprovided in that line for the future historian. In a vast majority of instances, indeed, those journals are the only sources from which life-like picto rial descriptions of American history, and DEDICATION. 15 that of other nations as well, can be drawn. Timely Appearance of the Work. Without egotism or boastfulness, it may be claimed for this work, in conclusion, that, original and unique in plan, rich in its varied and ample contents, and unsur passed in abundant ornamentation, its ap pearance at the close of the Grand Na tional Era was peculiarly called for ; — it being confidently believed that, under the stimulus of the universal celebration of the Great Commemorative Anniversary, throughout all the borders of the land, and on a scale of magnificence becoming the most powerful, happy, and prosperous nation on the face of the globe, public at tention would naturally be directed to the desirableness of just such a Memorial of that eventful centenary period which the Day of Jubilee— July Fourth, 1876,— rounds out to full-orbed completeness. R. M. DEVENS. A' / ¦ / Birth of the New Republic. — 1776. Declaration of American Independence and National Sovereignty, July Fourth, 1776. — The Gauntlet of Defiance thrown at the Feet of the British Empire by Her Youngest Colonies. — Vast Disparity, in Power and Resources, between the Contestants. — The whole World Looks on Astonished. — Seven Years' Bloody and Desolating War. — The American Cause Tri umphant. — Grandest Modern Event. — America Resists Unjust Taxation. — Haughty Obsti nacy of King George. — Burning Eloquence of Patrick Henry. — His Summons, " We Must Fight." — Washington Endorses this Sentiment. — Determination of the People. — War Prefer red to Submission. — Momentous Action by Congress. — Separation from England Decreed.— Effect of the Act in America. — Its Reception in England. — Excitement of the King and Court. — Lord Chatham, America's Advocate. — His Passionate Change of Views. — Scorching Speech against the Colonies. — He is Struck Dead while Speaking. — Magnanimity of Burke and Fox. — Recognition from France Secured. — Her Timely Aid in the Struggle. — Victories over the British Armies.— England Gives Up the Contest. — World-wide Welcome to the New Nation 65 2 18 CONTENTS. II. Capitulation of General Burgoyne. — 1777. First Royal Army Ever Surrendered to Americans.— Utter Failure of England's Grand Scheme to " Subdue the Rebellious Colonies."— European Sympathy for the Struggling Infant Na tion. — Alliance between France and the United States. — Brilliant and Effective Combination of French and American Forces. — Gloomy Prospect for America in 1777. — Britain's Honor Intrusted to Burgoyne. — His Magnificent Army. — Rebels to be Sternly Dealt With. — San guine Expectations of Success. — Savages Leagued with the Invaders. — Their Murder of Miss McCrea. — Burgoyne's Triumphant Progress. — Fall of Ticonderoga. — American Victor ies at Bennington, etc. — Gates's Army in Fine Spirits. — General Fraser Shot Dead. — The " King's Regulars " Desperate.— General Clinton Fails to Aid Them. — All Hope Abandoned. — Burgoyne Lays Down his Arms. — His Meeting with Gates. — Trophies of this Victory. — How Washington Got the News. — Unbounded Joy of Americans. — Crushing Blow to British Pride. — Effect upon Other Nations 72 III. Fiest American Naval Victory. — 1779. John Paul Jones, Commanding the Bon Homme Richard, Fights and Captures King George's Powerful Ship-of-war, the Serapis, in British Waters. — Crowds of Spectators Line the En glish Coast. — The Most Sanguinary Battle Ever Fought between Single Ships. — Jones is Hailed as " The Washington of the Seas." — World-wide Interest of this Combat. — Commo dore Jones's Early Career. — Offers his Services to Congress. — Appointed a Naval Lieutenant. — Joins the Continental Fleet. — The First to Hoist its Ensign.- — Style and Motto of the Flag. — Sails from France on a Cruise. — Terror Created by His Movements. — Characteristic Anec dotes. — Two British Frigates in Sight. — Jones Ready for Bloody Work.— The Ships Muzzle to Muzzle. — Superiority of the Serapis. — A Most Deadly Contest. — Both Vessels on Fire. — Jones Attacked by Another Foe. — One of His Vessels Treacherous. — Remarkable Scenes. — Britain's Flag Struck to America. — An Act without Precedent. — Sinking of the Victorious Vessel 81 IV. The Wonderful Dark Day. — 1780. The Northern States wrapt in a Dense Black Atmosphere for Fifteen Hours. — The Day of Judgment Supposed to have Come. — Cessation of Labor. — Religious Devotions Resorted to. — The Herds Retire to their Stalls, the Fowls to their Roosts, and the Birds Sing Their Even ing Songs at Noonday. — Science at Loss to Account for the Mysterious Phenomenon. — One of Nature's Marvels. — Redness of the Sun and Moon. — Approach of a Thick Vapor. — Loud Peals of Thunder.— Sudden and Strange Darkness. — Alarm of the Inhabitants. — End of the World Looked For.— Dismay of the Brute Creation.— An Intensely Deep Gloom. — Difficulty in Attending to Business.— Lights Burning in the Houses. — Vast Extent of the Occurrence. —Condition of the Barometer.— Change in the Color of Objects.— Quick Motion of the Clouds.— Birds Suffocate and Die.— The Sun's Disc Seen in Some Places.— Oily Deposit on the Waters.— Impenetrable Darkness at Night. — Incidents and Anecdotes. — Ignorant Whims and Conjectures. — An Unsolved Mystery. 89 V. Treason of Major-General Benedict Arnold. — 1780. Darkest Page in American Revolutionary History.— Plot to Deliver West Point, the Gibraltar of America, Over to the British.— Movements of the Guilty Parties.— Discovery and Frus tration of the Crime.— Major Andre, the British Spy, is Captured, and Swings from a Gib bet.— Escape of Arnold to the Enemy.— Is Spurned and Isolated in England. — Arnold's Unquestioned Bravery.— Commended by General Washington.— Infamous Personal Transac tions.— Reprimanded by His Chief.— Determines on Revenge.— Correspondence with the Foe. —Ingratiates Washington's Favor Again.— Obtains Command of West Point Midnight Conference with Andre. — Andre Seized whilo Returning.— Astounding Evidence Against CONTENTS. 19 Him. — Attempts to Bribe His Captors. — Carried to American Head-Quarters. — Arnold Ap prised of the Event. — A Hurried Farewell to His Wife. — Quick Pursuit of the Traitor.— He Reaches a British Man-of-War.— Washington's Exclamation at the News. — His Call on Mrs. Arnold. — Andre's Trial and Conviction. — Arnold's Reward for His Crime. — His Unlamented Death. 97 VI. Cornwallis Surrenders His Splendid Army to General Washington. — 1781. Final Catastrophe to British Arms in America. — Consternation and Despair in the Cabinet of King George. — Their Vaunted Wager of Battle Returns to Them with the Loss of Their Fairest Possession. — Washington's Countrymen Everywhere Hail and Extol Him as Their Deliverer. — Last Act in the Military Drama. — Cornwallis Halts at Yorktown.— Makes it His Defensive Post. — Decoy Letter Sent by Washington. — The British Strongly Fortified. — American and French Forces United.- — Their Advance on the Enemy. — Furious Bombard ment. — Redoubts Stormed by Lafayette. — Both Sides Confident of Triumph. — British Efforts to Retreat. — Cornwallis Prefers Death to Defeat. — Reckless Bravery of Washington. — Ardor and Exultation of His Troops. — Cornwallis Fails of Re-enforcements. — He Asks a Cessation of Hostilities. — Forced to Yield the Struggle. — Universal Rejoicing of Americans. — Morti fication of the English. — Eloquence of Burke, Fox, and Pitt.— They Demand that the War Cease. — The Voice of Parliament. — Commemorative Action by Congress 104 VII. Adieu to the Army by Washington. — 1783. Affecting Interviews and Parting Words between the Great Chieftain and His Comrades-in- Arms. — Solemn Farewell Audience with Congress. — In Its Presence He Voluntarily Divests Himself of His Supreme Authority, Returns His Victorious Sword, and Becomes a Private Citizen. — History of the Election of a Military Leader — America's Destiny' in His Hands. — Appointment of George Washington.— The Army at Cambridge, Mass. — He Immediately Takes Command. — Is Enthusiastically Greeted.— Leads Its Fortunes Seven Years.— Record of His Generalship.— Ends the War in Triumph.— Scheme to Make Him King— Indig nantly Rebukes the Proposal.— Last Review of His Troops.— His Strong Attachment for Them.— Intention to Leave Public Life.— Congress Informed of this Fact.— Embarkation from New York.— Homage Paid Him Everywhere.— Arrival at Annapolis.— Proceeds to the Halls of Congress.— Impressive Ceremonial There. — Rare Event in Human History. . 112 VIII. Appointment of the First Minister Plenipotentiary, from the New Republic to the English Court. — 1785. John Adams, America's Sturdiest Patriot, and the Foremost Enemy of British Tyranny, Fills this High Office.— Interview between Him and King George, His Late Sovereign.— Their Addresses, Temper, Personal Bearing, and Humorous Conversation.— The Two Men Rightly Matched against Each Other.— Old Animosities Unhealed.— Mutual Charges of False Deal ing.— Settlement Demanded by the United States.— What Adams's Mission Involved.— Dis memberment of the British Realm.— Loss of the Fairest Possession.— Bitter Pill for the King.— His Obstinacy Forced to Yield.— Humiliation of the Proud Monarch.— All Europe Watches the Event.— Mr. Adams Presented at Court.— Patriot and King Face to Face.— Official Address by the Minister.— Reply of King George.— His Visible Agitation.— Adams's Presence of Mind— Pays His Homage to the Queen.— Her Majesty's Response.— Civilities by the Royal Family.— Results of this Embassy.— Pitiable Position of George the Third.— Fatal Error of Great Britain IX. First Organized Rebellion in the United States.— 1786. Daniel Shays, at the Head of an Armed and Desperate Force, Boldly Defies the State and Fed eral Laws in Massachusetts.— " Taxation and Tyranny" the Alleged Grievances.— Alarming 20 CONTENTS. Disaffection throughout all New England. — Bad Leaders and Furious Mobs. — Rout of the Insurgents, by General Lincoln, in the Dead of Winter.— Patriotic Old Massachusetts in a Ferment.— Causes of Public Discontent.— Total Exhaustion of Credit.— Prostration of Trade. — Ruinous Debts, Heavy Taxation.— Weakness of the Government. — An Excited Populace. —Turbulence and Lawlessness.— All Authority Spurned.— A Bloody Conflict Invited. — Courts of Justice Broken Up.— Indignation of Washington. — Heroism on the Bench. — The National Forces Augmented. — Fears of a General Civil War. — Unscrupulousness of Shays. — Intention to Seize the Capital. — Governor Bowdoin's Defenses. — General Lincoln in Com mand. — Active Movement of His Troops. — A Terrible Snow- Storm. — Hardships of Shays's Army. — Federal Bayonets Triumphant 125 X. Formation and Adoption of the Federal Constitution. — 1787. The United States no Longer a People without a Government. — Establishment of the Repub lic on a Permanent Foundation of Unity, Organic Law and National Polity. — Dignity, Learning, and Eloquence of the Delegates. — Sublime Scene on Signing the Instrument. — Extraordinary Character of the Whole Transaction.— State of Things After the War. — Financial Embarrassment. — Despondency of the People. — Grave Crisis in Public Affairs. — A Grand Movement Initiated. — Plan of Government to be Framed. — All the States in Con vention. — Washington Chosen to Preside. — Statesmen and Sages in Council. — The Old Com pact Abrogated. — New Basis of Union Proposed. — Various Schemes Discussed. — Jealousy of the Smaller States. — Angry Debates, Sectional Threats. — Bad Prospects of the Convention. — Its Dissolution Imminent.— Franklin's Impressive Appeal. — Compromise and Conciliation. — Final System Agreed Upon. — Patriotism Rules all Hearts. — Ratification by the States. — National Joy at the Decision 132 XI. First Election and Inauguration of a President of the United States. — 1789. Washington, " First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen," the Nation's Spontaneous, Unanimous Choice. — His Triumphal Progress from Home, and Sol emn Induction into Office. — Jubilee throughout the Republic, over the August Event. — Auspicious Commencement of the National Executive Government. — Requirements of the Constitution. — A President to be Chosen. — Four Years the Term of Service. — All Eyes Fixed Upon Washington. — His Reluctance to Accept. — Reasons Given for this Course. — Urgent Appeals to Him. — The Result of the Election. — One Voice and One Mind. — He Bows to the People's Will. — Joy Produced by His Decision. — Departs at Once from Mount Vernon. — Farewell Visits to His Mother. — Inauguration Appointed for March Fourth. — Postponement to April Thirtieth. — Order of Ceremonies. — New Spectacle in the Western World. — Distinguished Celebrities Present. — Washington's Elegant Appearance. — Dignity when Taking the Oath. — Reverentially Kisses the Bible. — Curious Customs Initiated. . 139 XII. Greatest Defeat and Victory of American Arms in the Indian Wars. — 1791. Headlong Flight and Destruction of St. Clair's Army, in 1791, before the Trained Warriors of " Little Turtle." — This Mortifying Disaster Retrieved by Wayne's Overwhelming Tri umph in 1794.— Final and Crushing Blow Dealt by Jackson, in 1814. — The Question of Power between the Two Races Forever Settled in Favor of the Whites. — Old Feuds between the Races. — Harmer's Expedition to the North-west. — Powerless in Ambush Warfare. — Repeated and Bloody Reverses. — St. Clair put in Command. — Warning Words of Washing ton. — Sudden Attack by the Miamis. — Terrible Slaughter of the Whites. — Overthrow of the Whole Campaign. — Washington's Reception of the News. — His Appalling Wrath. — Sketch of St. Clair's Conqueror. — His Fame at Home and Abroad. — General Wayne Sent to the Field. — Unsuccessfully Proffers Peace. — Instantly Prepares for Battle. — Great Army of Indian Warriors. — Their Sagacious Choice of Position. — Desperate Fury of the Conflict Wayne's Prowess Irresistible. — Death Knell of the Savages. — Their Confederacy Shat tered 146 CONTENTS. 21 XIII. Whitney's Extraordinary Cotton-Gin Invention.— 1793. Amazing Impetus Given to the Culture, Uses and Consumption of Cotton.— Revolution in the Industrial Prospects and Political Power of the South.— How Cotton Became "King."— Its Relation to the Great Themes and Events in American History.— Ingratitude to Whitney.— His Brilliant Change of Fortune in Another Sphere.— Whitney's Obscure Circumstances.— His Early Mechanical Genius.— Determined to Get an Education.— Goes to the South as a Teacher.— Change of Pursuits.— Befriended by General Greene's Widow.— Amateur Invent ive Efforts. —Low State of Southern Industry. — Objection to Cotton-Raising. — Mrs. Greene's Apt Suggestion.— Whitney's Characteristic Resolve.— Secret and Persevering Toil. —Exciting Rumors as to His Purpose.— Great Expectations Entertained.— Triumphant Suc cess.— Enthusiasm of the Cotton-Growers.— His Machine Stolen from Him.— Infringements upon His Patent.— Law-Suits, but no Redress for Him.— His Pathetic Letter to Fulton.— He Invents a Valuable Firearm.— Southern Strides in' Wealth 153 XIV. The Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. — 1794. Violent Resistance to the United States Excise Laws. — Monster Meetings and Inflammatory Appeals.— Officials and Loyal Citizens Whipped, Branded, Tarred, and Feathered.— Intense Excitement in all the States.— Washington Declares that the Union is in Peril and Heads an Army to Meet the Crisis.— Precipitate Flight of the Armed Rebels.— Congressional Tax on Spirits.— Cry of " Tyranny ! " from Distillers.— Western Pennsylvania in a Blaze.— Extent of Her Whiskey Interests.— Ambitious Politicians at Work. — A Revolt Incited by Them. — Bradford the Chief Desperado.— Reign of Terror Inaugurated.— Tax-Collectors Roughly Handled.— The Incendiary's Torch.—" Tom the Tinker's " Ruffianism.— Fury of the Fac- tionists. — Firm Courage of Loyal Men. — Perplexity of the United States Government. — Presidential Proclamation. — Law and Order to be Maintained. — Troops Summoned into Service. — Prompt and Patriotic Response. — The Olive Branch vs. the Sword. — Bradford Scorns Conciliation. — Washington's Mind Made Up. — Prevents the Effusion of Blood. 160 XV. Founding and Establishment of the National Capital. — 1799. Bitter Sectional Contest in Deciding the Location. — First " Compromise " in Congress between the North and the South. — Final Removal of the Government and its Archives to Washing ton. — Official Observance of the Event. — Magnificent Site and Plan of the City. — Splendor of its Public Buildings. — Congress First Sits in Philadelphia. — Need of a Permanent Capi tal. — National Dignity Involved.— Violent Agitation of the Subject. — Philadelphia and New York Proposed. — They are Objected to by the South. — Northern Disunion Threats. — Schemes of Conciliation. — How the Question was Settled. — Sweetening Two Bitter Pills. — Jefferson's Graphic Account. — General Washington's Preference. — His Site on the Potomac Adopted.— Some Rather Personal Anecdotes. — Work of Laying Out the City. — Its Original Aspect and Condition. — Early Trials of the President's Wife. — Construction of the Capitol. — Its Corner-Stone Laid by Washington. — Congress in its New Halls. — Growth of the Me tropolis. — The New Corner-Stone of 1851 167 XVI. Death of George Washington. — 1799. His Sudden and Brief Illness, Last Hours, and Dying Words.— Fortitude and Serenity through all His Sufferings. — He Calmly Announces His Approaching Dissolution Without a Mur mur. — The Whole World Does Honor, by Eulogy and Lamentations, to His Exalted Worth and Immortal Fame. — He Anticipated an Early Death.— His Invariably Good Health. — Exposure in a Snow-Storm.— Takes a Fatal Cold.— Last Letter Written by His Hand.— Reads the Papers in the Evening. — Characteristic Reply to His Wife.— Passes a Restless Night. — Alarming Condition the Next Day. — Medical Treatment of no Avail. — Calls for His Two Wills, Burns One.— Affecting Scene at His Bedside.— Last Words, '"Tis Well!"— 22 CONTENTS. Only One Day's Sickness. — Acute Laryngitis His Disease. — Burial in the Old Family Vault. — Tidings of His Death. — Tributes from Peoples and Kings. — A Man Without a Parallel. — Last Page in His Journal. — Re-entombment in 1837. — Appearance of His Remains. . 174 XVII. Punishment and Complete Degradation of the Barbary States by the Young Republic. — 1803. Tribute Exacted of all the Nations of Christendom, by the Piratical Powers. — The Thunder of American Cannon before Their Cities. — Ignominious Submission of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. — Their Audacious Corsairs Vanquished and Driven in Terror from the Seas. — A Boon to the Civilized World. — Barbary a Nation of Freebooters. — All Commerce at their Mercy. — The United States Unknown to Them. — Its Flag Descried on the Ocean. — Fresh Plunder Anticipated.— Seizure of American Ships. — Retaliation by the Yankees. — Tripoli's Flag Struck at Last. — Treaty between the Belligerents. — New Exactions by the Algerines. — Retribution in Store for Them. — A United States Frigate in the Pirate Haunts. — Grounding of the Philadelphia. — Her Triumphant Capture by the Enemy. — Their Boisterous Exulta tion. — Decatur Burns Her During the Night. — Fierce Rage of the Turks.- — Bombardment of Tripoli. — How " Christian Dogs" were Viewed. — Peace Sued for by the Despots. — Their Duplicity and Treachery.— America's " Tribute " is Powder and Balls 182 XVIII. Fatal Duel between Mr. Burr and General Alexander Hamilton. — 1804. Fall of Hamilton at First Fire. — His Death in Thirty Hours. — Profound Sensation and Solemn Obsequies in all Parts of the Land.— Mourned as One of the Founders of the Republic- Indictment of the Assassin for the Crime of Murder. — Hamilton's Brilliant Public Life.— Washington's Right-hand Man.— Champion of the Federalists.— Burr's Career in the Revo lution. — His Notorious Debauchery. — Finally Dismissed by Washington. — Becomes Vice- President in 1800.— Deadly Personal Hatreds.— Criticisms on Burr by His Opponents.— Challenge Sent to Hamilton. — Pacific Explanations Spurned. — Forced to Meet Burr. — Makes His Will in Anticipation.— Sings at a Banquet the Day Before. — Arrival of the Fatal Hour. —Hamilton's Mortal Wound.— What He Said of the Event.— Conversation before Dying— Partakes of the Communion. — His Testimony against Dueling. — Heartless Conduct of Burr. — A Fugitive and an Outlaw 189 XIX. Total Solar Eclipse at Mid-Day. — 1806. The Darkness of Night Falls upon the Earth.— Stars and Planets in Full Radiance.— Magnifi cent Spectacle of the Glittering Corona around the Moon and the Brilliant Rosy Protuber ances Flaming from the Sun.— Splendor of the Returning Night.— Similar Eclipse in 1869. — Millions of Faces Turned Upward.— The Phenomenon Viewed with Curiosity, Wonder, and Absorbed Delight.— Remarkably Fine Weather.— Serene and Cloudless Heavens.— Busi ness Pursuits Abandoned.— The Moon Crossing the Sun.— Distinctness of the Lunar Orb— Grand, Dark, Majestic, Mighty.— Total Obscurity Some Five Minutes.— Appearance of Nature.— Sensations Produced in the Mind.— Involuntary Exclamations.— Effect on Birds and Animals. — Triumphs of Astronomical Science.— Exquisitely Constructed Instruments. —Revelations of the Spectroscope.— Great Thermometrical Changes.— Spots on the Sun Ex amined.— Openings in the Moon.— Peculiar Color of that Body.— Its Dark and Dismal Shadows.— Search for New Stars— Meteors 'mid Earth and Moon.— Climax of the Impres sive Scene _ jog XX. Conspiracy and Trial of Aaron Burr.— 1806. Lawless Scheme of Conquest and Dominion at the South-west.— A New Empire Contemplated, with Burr as Sovereign.— Seizure of His Flotilla and Dispersion of His Men when Ready to Embark, by the Federal Forces. — Capture and Arraignment of Burr for High Treason.— CONTENTS. 23 Reckless Character of Burr. — His Unscrupulous Ambitions.— Enlists Blennerhassett in His Plans. — Their Expedition Arranged.— Mexico the Ultimate Point. — Discovery of the Whole Plot. — Its Complete Frustration.— Burr Flees in Disguise. — Scene at His Arrest. — Attempt to Escape. — The Iron-Hearted Man in Tears.— His Social Fascination.— Preparations for the Trial. — Its Legal and Forensic Interest. — Acquittal on Technical Grounds. — Shunned as a Man of Infamy. — Devotion of His Daughter Theodosia. — Lifelong and Unalterable Love. — Her Mysterious Fate.— Burr's Anguish and Agony. — A Moral Wreck and Warning. . 204 XXL Fulton's Triumphant Application of Steam to Navigation. — 1807. First Steam-boat Voyage on American Waters under His Direction. — Astonishment Produced by the Exhibition.— Great Era in National Development. — The World at Large Indebted to American Ingenuity and Enterprise for this Mighty Revolutionary Agent in Human Prog ress and Power. — The Whole Scale of Civilization Enlarged. — Fulton's Early Mechanisms. — His Inventive Projects Abroad. — Steam Propulsion the End Sought. — Various Experi ments and Trials. — Livingston's Valued Co-operation. — Studying the Principle Involved. — Its Discovery at Last. — Legislative Encouragement Asked. — Public Ridicule of the Scheme. — Construction of a Steam-boat. — The " Queer-Looking Craft." — Incidents at the Launch. — Undaunted Confidence of Fulton. — Sailing of the " New-Fangled Craft." — Demonstrations Along the Route. — Complete Success of the Trip. — First Passage Money. — That Bottle of Wine. — Opposition Lines, and Racing. — First Steam-boat at the West. — Amazing Subse quent Increase. — Fulton's Checkered Fortunes 212 xxn. Extensive and Calamitous Earthquake at the West. — 1811. Its Convulsive Force Felt All Over the Valley of the Mississippi and to the Atlantic Coast. — The Earth Suddenly Bursts Open and a Vast Region of Country is Sunk and Lost. — Awful Chasms and Upheavals.— Ruin and Desolation Brought upon the Inhabitants.— Humboldt's Interesting Opinion of the Western Earthquake. — Its Central Point of Violence. — Terrible Consternation Produced. — The Ground Swellings and Crackings. — Great Agitation of the Waters.— Houses Buried, Boats Wrecked.— Giant Forests Crushed.— Purple Tinge of the Atmosphere.— Thunder, Lightning, Flood, etc.— A Mighty Struggle.— Hills and Islands Dis appear.— Burial Grounds Engulfed.— Nature's Secrets Unbosomed.— Lakes Drained, New Ones Formed. — Present Aspect of the Country. — Account of the More Recent Earthquakes in California, Their Characteristics and Destructiveness— Most Serious in San Francisco- Lives and Property Lost.— Women and Children Panic-Struck.— Direction of the Shocks- Indications of Their Approach.— Effect in the Harbor and Bay. 218 XXIII. Capture of the British Frigate Guerriere by the United States Frigate Con stitution. — 1812. Captain Dacres's Insolent Challenge to the American Navy— Captain Hull's Eager Accept ance—His Unrivaled Tactics and Maneuvers— A Short, Terrific, Decisive Contest— Yankee Valor on the Ocean a Fixed Fact, Sternly Respected— The Constitution Becomes the Favor ite Ship of the Nation and is Popularly Called " Old Ironsides."— Cruise of the Constitution. —Hull, the " Sea King," in Command— A Sail! The Enemy's Squadron 1— Chased Three Days b'y Them— Rowing and Warping in a Calm— Most Wonderful Escape on Record— Another Frigate in Sight, the Guerriere— Her Signals of Defiance— Yankee Eagerness for Action— The Two Frigates Afoul— Yard-Arm to Yard- Arm Encounter— Fire of the Con stitution Reserved— Final and Deadly Broadsides— Fearless Conduct of Her Crew— British Colors Hauled Down.— Sinking of the Shattered Wreck— Armament and Power of the Ships— An Almost Equal Match— Anecdotes of the Two Commanders— Honors to the Brave Victors.— Future Annals of the Constitution— Her Varied and Noble Career. . 225 24 CONTENTS. XXIV. America and England Matched Against Each Other in Squadron Combat. — 1813. Lake Erie the Scene of the Encounter.— Sixteen Vessels Engaged.— The British, under Captain Barclay, one of Lord Nelson's Veteran Officers, and with a Superior Force, are Thoroughly Beaten by the Americans, under Commodore Oliver H. Perry. — Every British Vessel Cap tured. — General Harrison Completes the Victorious Work on Land. — Building of the Fleet on the Lake.— Great Difficulties to be Overcome. — Commodore Perry the Master Spirit. — Completion and Sailing of the Fleet. — Challenge to the Enemy. — Line of Battle Formed— Perry's Blue Union-Jack.— Its Motto, " Don't Give Up the Ship ! "—Wild Enthusiasm of His Men. — Flagship Lawrence in the Van. — Meets the Whole Opposing Fleet. — Badly Crippled in a Two Hours' Fight. — Huzzas of the Enemy. — The Day Supposed to be Theirs. — Indomi table Resolution of Perry. — He Puts Off in an Open Boat. — Reaches the Niagara with His Flag. — Again Battles with the Foe. — Severe and Deadly Conflict. — American Prowess Invin cible.— Barclay Strikes His Colors. — Perry only Twenty-seven Years Old 234 XXV. Conquest and Burning of Washington, by the British. — 1814. Precipitate Flight of the President of the United States, and His Cabinet.— The Capitals of Europe Protected from Fire and Devastation by Their Conquerors. — Contrast of British War fare in America. — The Capitol, Presidential Mansion, etc., Sacked and Fired. — National In dignation Aroused by these Barbarities. — Veterans from Europe's Battle-Fields Execute these Deeds. — Orders to " Lay Waste " the American Coast. — Operations at the South. — Washington the Prize in View. — Inefficiency of its Defense. — Winder and Barney in Com mand. — The Idea of an Attack Scouted. — Onward March of the Invaders. — Fearful Excite ment in the City.— High Officials in Camp. — The Armies at Bladensburg. — Winder De feated, Barney Taken. — Ross's Progress Unopposed. — Complete Master of the City. — A Rush for the Spoils. — British Soldiers in the White House. — They Eat the President's Dinner. — Cockburn's Bold Infamy. — Retreat of the Vandal Foe. — Their March upon Baltimore. — Ross Shot Dead in the Fight 242 XXVI. McDonough's Naval Victory on Lake Champlain. — 1814. The Projected British Invasion of the Northern States, by Land and Water, Frustrated by an Overwhelming Blow on their Favorite Element. — Most Unexpected and Mortifying Result to the Enemy's Pride. — Not One of the Seventeen British Ensigns Visible Two Hours After the Opening of the Action by Downie. — McDonough's Laconic Message. — British Advance on New York. — Grand Scheme of Conquest. — Picked Men Employed.— Great Land and Naval Force. — Their Fleet on Lake Champlain. — Downie, a Brave Officer, Commands. — Flushed Confidence of Victory.— Pleasure Parties to " See the Fight." — Pluck of Commo dore McDonough— His Prayer on the Eve of Battle. — Strange and Beautiful Omen. — Its Inspiriting Effect on the Men.— McDonough Sights the First Gun.— The Flagships in Close Grapple.— Their Aspect Like a Sheet of Fire.— Tremendous Cannonade.— The Two Fleets in Full Action. — Desperate Situation of Both.— McDonough's Extraordinary Resort. — Downie Completely Circumvented— At the Mercy of the Americans. — No English Flag on the Lakes 250 XXVII. General Jackson's Terrible Rout and Slaughter of the British Army, at New Orleans. — 1815. His Consummate Generalship in the Order and Conduct of this Campaign.— The War with England Terminated by a Sudden and Splendid Victory to the American Arms.— Jackson is Hailed as One of the Greatest of Modern Warriors, and as the Deliverer and Second Savior of His Country.— National Military Prestige Gained by this Decisive Battle.— British Inva sion of Louisiana.— Preparations to Resist Them.— Jackson Hastens to New Orleans. His Presence Inspires Confidence. — Martial Law Proclaimed. — Progress of the British Forces. CONTENTS. 25 They Rendezvous at Ship Island. — Pirates and Indians for Allies. — Capture of the United States Flotilla. — Arrival of Veterans from England. — Desperate Attempts at Storming. — Both Armies Face Each Other. — The Day of Action, January Eighth.— General Pakenham Leads the Charge.— His Motto, " Booty and Beauty." — Fire and Death Open Upon Them. — They Are Mown Down Like Grass. — Pakenham Falls at the Onset. — Panic and Precipitate Retreat. — America's Motto, " Victory or Death." — The Result at Home and Abroad. — Start ling and Impressive Effect 257 XXVIII. The Ever-Memorable September Gale. — 1815. Its Violence and Destructiveness without a Parallel Since the Settlement of the Country. — Terror Excited by its Sudden and Tumultuous Force. — Unprecedented Phenomena of Tem pest, Deluge and Flood. — One Hour of Indescribable Havoc on the Land and Sea. — Premon itory Indications. — Heavy North-east Rains. — Sudden and Violent Changes of Wind. — Its Rapidity and Force Indescribable. — Demolition of Hundreds of Buildings. — Orchards and Forests Instantly Uprooted. — Raging and Foaming of the Sea. — Its Spray Drives like a Snow-Storm over the Land. — Tremendous Rise in the Tides. — Irresistible Impetuosity of the Flood. — Several Feet of Water in the Streets. — Innumerable Fragments Fill the Air. — Flight for Safety to the Fields. — The whole Coast Swarms with Wrecks. — Perils, Escapes, Fatali ties. — Peculiar Meteorological Facts. — Bright Skies in the Midst of the Tempest. — Suffo cating Current of Hot Air. — Sea Fowls in the Depths of the Interior. — Effect upon Lands, Crops, and Wells. — All New England Desolated. — Comparison with Other Gales. . . 264 XXIX. Visit of Lafayette to America, as the Guest of the Republic. — 1824. His Tour of Five Thousand Miles through the Twenty-four States. — A National Ovation on the Grandest Scale. — Cities, States, Legislatures and Governors, Vie in Their Demonstrations of Respect. — The Venerable Patriot Enters the Tomb and Stands beside the Remains of his Great Departed Friend, Washington.— Noble Qualities of the Marquis. — A Favorite of Louis XVI.— Hears of the Battle of Bunker Hill. — Pleads the Cause of the Americans— Resolves to Join their Army. — Freely Consecrates his Vast Wealth.— Equips a Vessel and Embarks. — Introduced to General Washington. — Admiration of Him by the Chieftain.— One of Washington's Military Family.— A Major-General in His Nineteenth Year.— Heroic Fi delity During the War. — Subsequent Vicissitudes in France.— America's Heart-felt Sym pathy.— He Leaves Havre for New York. — Enthusiasm Excited by his Presence. — Incidents, Interviews, Fetes.— Greetings with Old Comrades.— Memories, Joys and Tears.— Departs in the United States Ship Lafayette.— His Death in 1834— National Grief 272 XXX. Duel between Henry Clay, Secretary of State, and John Randolph, United States Senator from Virginia. — 1826. Randolph's Bitter Insult to Clay on the Floor of the Senate.— Accuses him of Falsifying an Official Document.— The Puritan and " Blackleg " Taunt— Clay Challenges the Senator to Mortal Combat.— Words and Acts of these Two Foremost Men of their Times, on the "Field of Honor."— Result of the Hostile Meeting— Fame of these Party Leaders.— Ancient Politi cal Antagonists— Origin of the Present Dispute— Randolph's Gift of Sarcasm— Applies it Severely to Clay— Clay Demands Satisfaction— Reconciliation Refused— Bladensburg the Dueling Ground— Pistols the Weapons Chosen— Colonel Benton a Mutual Friend— Inci dents the Night Before— Randolph's Secret Resolve.— Going to the Field of Blood— View of this Shrine of " Chivalry."— Salutations of the Combatants.— Solemn Interest of the Scene— Distance Ten Paces— A Harmless Exchange of Shots— Clay Calls it "Child's Play!"— Another Fire. — No Injury.— " Honor " Satisfied. — Pleasant Talk with Each Other. -' - 282 26 CONTENTS. XXXI. Fiftieth Anniversary and Celebration of the Independence of the Republic— 1826. Sudden and Simultaneous Death of Ex-Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, its Two Most Illustrious Founders. — The Day of Resounding Joy and Jubilee Changed to One of Profound National Sorrow.— No Historical Parallel to Such a Remarkable Coincidence. — World-Renowned Career of these Statesmen. — Extraordinary Preparations for the Day. — Adams and Jefferson then Alive. — Sires and Patriarchs of the Nation. — Their Names House hold Words. — Invited to Share in the Festivities. — They Hail the Glorious Morn. — Great Rejoicings ; Death's Summons. — Jefferson's Distinguishing Honor. — Adams's Patriotic Lus ter. — Their Imperishable Deeds. — Calm Yet High Enthusiasm. — Hostile Leaders in Af ter- Life. — Racy and Piquant Anecdote. — Crisis Point in Adams's Fortunes. — His Last Toast for His Country, — " Independence Forever." — Two Sages in Old Age. — Serenity, Wisdom, Dignity. — Former Friendship Revived. — Letters of Mutual Attachment. — European Admir ation Excited. — Reverence to Their Colossal Fame • 291 XXXII. The " Great Debate " between Webster and Hayne, in Congress. — 1830. Vital Constitutional Issues Discussed. — Unsurpassed Power and Splendor of Senatorial Elo quence. — Webster's Speech Acknowledged to be the Grandest Forensic Achievement in the Whole Range of Modern Parliamentary Efforts. — Golden Age of American Oratory. — Un precedented Interest and Excitement Produced in the Public Mind. — No American Debate Comparable with This. — Known as " The Battle of the Giants." — Inflamed Feeling at the South. — Hayne's Brilliant Championship. — His Speech Against the North. — Profound Im pression Created. — Its Dash, Assurance, Severity. — Bitter and Sweeping Charges. — His Op ponents Wonder-Struck. — Webster has the Floor to Reply. — An Ever-Memorable Day. — Intense Anxiety to Hear Him.— Magnificent Personal Appearance. — His Exordium; All Hearts Enchained. — Immense Intellectual Range— Copious and Crushing Logic. — Accumu lative Grandeur of Thought.— Thrilling Apostrophe to the Union.— The Serious, Comic, Pathetic, etc. — Hayne's Argument Demolished.— Reception Accorded the Speech. — Rival Orators ; Pleasant Courtesies 297 XXXIH. Rise and Progress of the Mormons, or "Latter-Day Saints," under Joseph Smith, the "Prophet of the Lord." — 1830. His Assumed Discovery of the Golden Plates of a New Bible.— Apostles Sent Forth and Con verts Obtained in All Parts of the World.— Founding and Destruction of Nauvoo, the '• City of Zion."— Smith's Character.— Removal to Utah, the " Promised Land." — Smith the " Mo hammed of the West."— His Origin and Repute.— Pretended Supernatural Interviews.— Revelations of Divine Records— Finds . and Translates Them— Secret History of this Transaction— Pronounced to be a Fraud.— Teachings of the Mormon Bible.— Smith Claims to be Inspired.— Announced as a Second Savior.— Organization of the First Church- Strange Title Adopted— Smith's Great Personal Influence.— Rapid Increase of the Sect- Settlement at the West— Violent Opposition to Them— Outrages, Assassinations, Riots- Polygamy » Divinely " Authorized— Smith in Jail as a Criminal— Is Shot Dead by a Furi ous Mob— Brigham Young His Successor.— The " New Jerusalem." 306 XXXIV. Career, Capture, and Execution of Gibbs, the Most Noted Pirate of the Cen- TURY. — 1831. His Bold, Enterprising, Desperate, and Successful War, for Many Years, Against the Com merce of All Nations— Terror Inspired by His Name as the Scourge of the Ocean and the Enemy of Mankind— Scores of Vessels Taken, Plundered and Destroyed— Their Crews and Passengers, Male and Female, Instantly Butchered— Gibbs Bom in Rhode Island — CONTENTS. 27 Joins' the Privateer Maria. — Captures Her in a Mutiny. — Hoists the Black Flag. — Gibbs Chosen Leader. — Rendezvous at Cape Antonio. — Booty Sold in Havana. — No Lives Spared. — One Beautiful Girl Excepted.— Atrocious Use Made of Her.— The Maria Chased All Day. — Her Final Abandonment. — A New Craft : Rich Prizes. — Fight with a United States Frigate. — Gibbs Overmatched and Flees. — Fatal Voyage in the Vineyard. — Lands at South ampton, L. I. — His Infamy Brought to Light. — Arrested with His Treasure. — Confession of ' His Guilt. — Black Record of Crime and Blood.— Close of His Ill-Starred Life. . . . 314 XXXV. Nullification Outbreak in South Carolina, under the Lead of Calhoun, McDuffie, Hayne, and Others. — 1832. State Sovereignty, instead of the Federal Government, Claimed by Them to be Supreme. — The Wrath of President Jackson Aroused. — His Stern and Heroic Will Upholds the Na tional Authority and Saves the Union from Anarchy and from the Perils of Dismember ment. — Momentous Nature of this Contest. — The Tariff a Rock of Offense. — Action in the " Palmetto " State. — Anti-National and Defiant. — Pacific Proposals Scouted. — A Political Dinner in Washington. — Jackson's and Calhoun's Toasts. — Plan of the Conspirators. — A Bomb-shell in Their Camp. — Convention of Agitators in Columbia.— Nullification Ordinance Passed. — " Old Hickory " Bold and Resolute. — His Peremptory Proclamation. — South Caro lina's Counter-Blast. — United States Troops Sent to Charleston. — Presidential Idea of Com promising. — Clay's Conciliation Scheme. — The Leading Nullifiers in Danger. — Jackson Threatens to Hang Them. — They are Roused from Bed at Midnight. — Two Alternatives Presented. — Swallowing a Bitter Pill 320 XXXVI. Sublime Meteoric Shower all over the United States.— 1833. The Most Grand and Brilliant Celestial Phenomenon Ever Beheld and Recorded by Man. — The Whole Firmament of the Universe in Fiery Commotion for Several Hours.— Amazing Veloc ity, Size, and Profusion of the Falling Bodies.— Their Intense Heat, Vivid Colors, and Strange, Glowing Beauty.— Unequaled in Every Respect.— Cloudless Serenity of the Sky— The People Wonder-Struck— Admiration Among the Intelligent.— Alarm Among the Ignor ant.— Conflagration of the World Feared.— Impromptu Prayer-Meetings.— Prodigious Star Shower at Boston.— Myriads of Blood-Red Fire-balls.— The Display at Niagara Falls— Blaz ing Heavens, Roaring Cataracts.— Some of the Meteors Explode— Trains of Light in their Track.— Radiant Prismatic Hues.— Substance Composing these Bodies.— Dissipated by Bursting.— One Great Central Source.— Velocity, Four Miles a Second— Novel Shapes and Motions.— Hotter than the Hottest Furnace— Possible Result to the Earth— Half a Conti nent in Presumed Jeopardy 329 xxxvn. Attempted Assassination of President Jackson, at the United States Capitol in Washington, by Richard Lawrence. — 1835. Failure of the Pistols to Discharge— The President Rushes Furiously upon His Assailant, and is Restrained from Executing Summary Vengeance only by His Friends.— Political Hostil ity Supposed, at first, to have Instigated the Act— Lawrence Proves to be a Lunatic, without Accomplices— His History and Trial— Funeral of a Member of Congress— Great Concourse at the Capitol— President Jackson and Cabinet Present— Lawrence Enters during the Ser mon—Moves to the Eastern Portico— President Jackson Leaves with Secretary Woodbury. —Their Carriage at the Portico Steps— Approach to Lawrence's Position— He Levels a Pistol at Jackson— Explosion of the Percussion Cap— A Second Pistol Snapped— Jackson Raises His Cane Fiercely. -Lion-like Energy of the Old Hero— Is with Difficulty Kept Back. -Lawrence Stunned and Secured— His Perfect Calmness through All— The Crowd Wish to Kill Him— Fine Appearance of the Assassin— Frank Avowal of His Motives— Insane Idea Possessing Him— Claims to be a King— Is Confined in a Mad-house 337 28 CONTENTS. XXXVIII. Morse's Invention of the Electric Telegraph. — 1835. Realization of the Highest Ideal of a Mechanical Miracle.— Principle, Structure, and Operation of the Machine— Net- Work of Lines Established Over the Four Continents.— The Inventor's Experiments, Labors, Discouragements, and Triumphs.— " Orders of Glory," Gifts, and Other Honors, Bestowed upon Him by Crowned Heads.— Casual Origin of the Invention— Mr. Morse's European Voyage in 1832.— Recent French Experiments then Discussed.— Im portant Question and Answer— Two Great Existing Facts— The Electric Spark Transmis- sive— Easy Control of the Current.— Theory Applied to Practice.— Completion of a Crude Model— Private Exhibition in 1835— Simplicity of the Instrument— The Invention Made Public in 1837— Wonder and Incredulity— Appeal to Congress for Pecuniary Aid.— Merci less Ridicule Ensues.— Scene in the Committee-Room.— A Machine at the Capitol.— Perfect in Its Operation.— Success of Morse's Appeal.— His Joy at the Decision.— Putting Up the Wires to Baltimore.— First Message Through 3*5 XXXIX. Tremendous Fire in New York City. — 1835. Its Destructiveness Unparalleled, up to this Period, in the Western World.— Resistless Devas tation for Sixteen Hours in Midwinter.— A Pall of Ruin and Desolation over the Richest Business Locality in America.— Nearly Seven Hundred Warehouses, Filled with Costly Mer chandise, and the Commerce of Every Clime, Laid in Ashes. — Loss Upwards of Eighteen Millions.— Peculiar Seat of this Fire.— The Money Center of America.— Breaking Out in the Evening.— Fury of the North Wind.— The Flames Spread Violently.— Bitter and Intense Cold. — Freezing of the Engine Water. — All the Elements Hostile. — Human Endeavors Pow erless. — Acres on Fire at Midnight. — Sweeps from Point to Point. — Mingled Horror and Sublimity. — Efforts to Save the Exchange. — Fate of that. Splendid Pile. — Fall of its Magnifi cent Dome. — Numberless Reverses of Fortune. — Rich Men Made Penniless. — A Singular Exception. — Swarms of Bold Robbers. — Military Protection Required. — Discovery of a Diabolical Crime. — Supposed Cause of the Fire 353 XL. Struggle for the Right of Petition in Congress. — 1836. John Quincy Adams, the " Old Man Eloquent," Carries on a Contest of Eleven Days, Single- Handed, in its Defense in the House of Representatives. — Passage of the " Gag Rule." — Ex pulsion and Assassination Threatened. — His Unquailing Courage. — A Spectacle Unwitnessed before in the Halls of Legislation. — Triumph of His Master Mind. — The Right of Petition a Constitutional One. — Indiscriminate and Unrestricted. — Anti- Slavery Petitions. Mr. Adams Their Champion. — An Unpopular Position. — He Defies Every Menace. — His Bold and In trepid Conduct. — The North and South at Variance. — Monster Petitions Pour In. — A Me morial from Slaves. — Wild Tumult in the House.— Cries of "Expel the Old Scoundrel!" — Proposal to Censure and Disgrace Him.— Mr. Adams Unmoved Amidst the Tempest. — Elo quence and Indomitableness. — A Petition to Dissolve the Union. — Increased Exasperation. — Violent and Denunciatory Debate. — Sublime Bearing of Mr. Adams. — Vindicated and Victorious at Last. — What He Lived to See. — Honor from His Opponents 362 XLI. Passage of Benton's Famous " Expunging Resolution," in the U. S. Senate, after a Three Years Parliamentary Struggle. — 1837. Vindication of President Jackson against the Condemnatory Sentence Passed by that Body in 1834, for His Removal of the Government Deposites. — Strong Black Lines are Drawn Around Said Sentence, by the Secretary, in the Presence of the Senate and of a Vast and Tumultu ous Crowd, at Midnight. — Opposition to the United States Bank. — Jackson's Message against It. — Public Opinion Divided. — Congress Grants a Charter. — Presidential Veto of this Bill. — Jackson Denounces the Bank. — Declares it to be Corrupt. — Orders the United States Funds Removed. — Secretary Duane Declines to Act. — Taney Succeeds Him and Obeys. — Fierce CONTENTS. 29 Conflict in Congress.— Weeks of Stormy Debate.— Proposed Censure of Jackson— Resolu tion to this Effect Passed.— Benton's Motion to Expunge.— He Follows it up Unceasingly— His Consummate Tact.— Approach of the Decisive Hour.— Excited Crowds Pour In.— Triumph of the Master Spirit.— Execution of the Resolve.— Strange and Impressive Scene. . . 373 XLH. Magnificent Aurora Borealis Encompassing the Whole Firmament to its Far thest Bounds. — 1837. A "Vast Canopy of Gorgeous Crimson Flames Encircles the Earth. — Arches of Resplendent Auroral Glories Span the Hemisphere. — Innumerable Scarlet Columns of Dazzling Beauty Rise from the Horizon to the Zenith. — The Face of Nature Everywhere Appears, to an As tonished World, as if Dyed in Blood. — Uncommon Extent and Sublimity.— Remarkable Duration and Aspects. — Intensely Luminous Character. — Universal Outburst of Luster. — Preceded by a Fall of Snow.— First Signs of the Phenomenon.— Exquisite Rosy Illumina tion. — The Snow Appears Deep Red. — A Fiery Vermilion Tinge to Nature. — Alarm Pro duced by the Scene. — Great Moving Pillar of Light. — Vivid Streamers in All Directions— Pure White and Brilliant Colors.— Contrast of the Glowing Tints.— Wide Fields of Rainbow Hues. — Radiant Beauty Heaven Wide. — Superlative Pageant of Splendor. — Perfection of the Stellar Form. — Millions of Wondering Observers. — Visible Nearly the Whole Night. — Ac counts from Different Points. — Europe's Share in the Display 379 XLIII. Exploring Expedition to the South Pole, under Command of Captain Charles Wilkes, United States Navy. — 1838. First Naval Enterprise of the Kind Ever Undertaken by the American Navy. — The Squadron Sails Ninety Thousand Miles in Four years. — Extent and Importance of the Investigations. — Discovery of the Great Antarctic Continent. — Other Geographical, Nautical, and Scientific Results. — Selection of Officers and Vessels. — A Scientific Corps Organized. — Route Pre scribed ; Seas and Lands. — Enthusiastic Departure. — Arrival at Terra del Fuego. — Observa tions at Cape Horn. — Excursion to the Cordilleras. — Ascent of a Lofty Peak. — Desolation and Silence — New Islands Discovered. — An Observatory Established. — The Samoan Group Examined. — Descent into an Extinct Volcano. — New South Wales Visited. — Extreme South ward Cruise. — View of the Ice-Bound Continent. — A Landing Effected. — Account of this Achievement. — Experiences at Feejee. — On the Summit of Mauna-Loa. — Homeward-Bound Tracks. — Safe Arrival 386 XLIV. Breaking Out of the Temperance Reformation. — 1840. Origin, Rapid Spread, Influence and Wonderf ul History of the Movement. — Enthusiasm At tending the " Washingtonian " Era. — Its Pioneers Rise from the Gutter to the Rostrum, and Sway Multitudes by Their Eloquence.— Father Mathew's Visit.— His 600,000 Converts.— Ca reer of Hawkins, Mitchell, Gough, Dow, and Others.— First Temperance Society in the United States.— Singular Terms of Membership.— Social Customs in Former Times.— Unre strained Use of Spirits.— Growing Desire for Reform.— Influential Men Enlisted.— Meetings, Societies, Agitation. — A Congressional Organization. — Origin of " Tee-Totalism." — Deacon Giles's Distillery.— " My Mother's Gold Ring."— Rise of " Washingtonianism."— Six Re formed Drunkards.— Cold Water Armies, Processions, etc.— Music, Banners, and Badges— The Country All Ablaze.— An "Apostle of Temperance."— Administering the Pledge.— Con flict Concerning Measures.— Anecdotes of Washington.— General Taylor's Whiskey Jug— Farragut's Substitute for Grog 393 XLV. Fremont's Heroic Expedition of Discovery to the Untracked Region of the North-west, Oregon, California, Etc. — 1842. His Exploration of the Sierra Nevada, and of that Wonderful Gateway in the Rocky Mount ains, the South Pass.— Plants the American Flag on the Highest Peak of that Lofty Range. 30 CONTENTS. —He Enriches Every Branch of Natural Science, and Illustrates a Remote and Boundless Country before Entirely Unknown.— Fremont a Pioneer of Empire— National Objects of this Tour.— Enchanting Record of Adventures.— Surveys and Researches.— Humboldt's Tribute of Admiration— Wild Grandeur of the Route— Scenes in this Vast Domain— The Rocky Mountains ; First Glimpse— Formation of the South Pass.—" Kit Carson," the Intrepid Guide.— At the Topmost Peak, 14,000 Feet.— Startling Boldness of the View- Overpowering Quiet and Solitude.— Evidences of Awful Convulsions.— Unfurling the Flag of the Union— Appearance of Great Salt Lake.— Eternal Snows of the Sierra Nevada.— In the San Joaquin Valley.— An Immense Circuit of Travel.— Fremont, the Modern Path- Finder.— Honors from his Countrymen.— A King's Gift and Regards 402 XLVI. Rebellion in Rhode Island under Thomas W. Dorr. — 1842. Dissatisfaction With the Old Restricted Charter Granted by King Charles.— Popular Suffrage and Equal Political Privileges Demanded.— Resistance of the Party in Power to these Movements.— The Contestants Arm and Take the Field. — Defeat of the Agitators and Flight of Dorr.— Ultimate Prevalence of Their Principles.— A Charter Two Hundred Years Old- Its Monarchical Provisions. — Suffrage for Property Holders. — Denied to all Others. — An Ex clusive Legislature. — Reformed Measures Demanded. — A People's Convention Called. — They Form a Constitution. — Proclaimed the Supreme Law. — Legislature Chosen under It- Thomas W. Dorr Elected Governor.— Is Treated as a Traitor.— Claims to be the People's Man.— Governor King's Military Activity. — Dorr Heads a Large Force. — Tries to Seize the Reins of Power. — Is Routed ; Quits the State. — Returns Again to the Conflict. — Entrenches at Chepachet ; Retreats. — Tried for Treason and Imprisoned. — Pardoned and Restored. — Something About " Barn-Burning," or the Anti-Rent Insurrection in New York. . . . 408 XL VII. Mutiny on Board the United States Brig-of-War Somers, Captain A. S. Mac kenzie. — 1842. Deep-Laid Plot to Seize the Vessel, Commit Wholesale Murder of Her Men, Raise the Black Flag, and Convert Her into a Pirate. — All Prizes to be Plundered. Burnt, Their Crews Butchered, and Women and Girls Ravished. — Midshipman Spencer, Son of a United States Cabinet Officer, the Ringleader. — The Chief Conspirators Hung at the Yard- Arm. — First Mutiny in the United States Navy. — Spencer's Hold Upon His Comrades. — Death the Pen alty of Disclosure.— Confidence Fortunately Misplaced. — A Man of Honor Tampered With. — Captain Mackenzie Informed of the Plot. — Treats it as Wild and Improbable. — Confronts and Questions Spencer. — Orders Him to be Ironed. — Plan Found in His Razor Case. — Alarming Disaffection of the Crew. — None of the Officers Implicated. — Close Investigation of the Case. — Spencer, Cromwell, and Small, to Die. — Their Fate Announced to Them. — Spencer's Account of His Life. — They Meet on Their Way to be Hung. — Treatment of Each Other. — Spencer Begs to Give the Last Signal. — Closing Scene of the Tragedy. — All Hands Cheer the Ship. — Raising the Banner of the Cross 415 XL VIII. Sudden Appearance of a Great and Fiery Comet in the Skies at Noonday. 1843. It Sweeps Through the Heavens, for Several Weeks, with a Luminous Train 108,000,000 Miles in Length. — Almost Grazes the Sun, and, after Whirling Around that Orb with Pro digious Velocity, Approaches the Earth with a Fearful Momentum. — Its Mysterious Disappear ance in the Unknown Realms and Depths of Space. — Most Notable of all Comets. First Visible in the Day-time. — Its Conspicuous Aspect. — Strange and Chreatening Motion.' Goes Twice Around the Sun. — Their Supposed Contact. — Becomes Red in Passing. Recedes Straight to the Earth. — Watched with Deep Concern. — The Magnetic Needle Agitated. Wide Fears of a Collision. — Its Probable Result.— Indian Terror and Prediction. Triumphs of Astronomy. — Diameter of the Comet's Head. — Measurement of Its Tail. Stars Seen Through the Train. — Appearance in the Equator. — Like a Stream of Molten Fire. Beauti ful Ocean Reflection. — Double Sweep of the Tail. — Other Cometary Phenomena. . . 424 CONTENTS. 31 XLIX. Expected Destruction of the World. — 1843. Miller's Exciting Prediction of the Second Advent of Christ.— The Speedy Fulfillment of the Latter-Day Bible Prophecies Boldly Declared.— Zealous Promulgation of His Views.— Scores of Thousands of Converts. — Public Feeling Intensely Wrought Upon. — Preparations by Many for the Coming Event.— The Passing of the Time. — Miller's Apology and Defense.— — His Deism in Early Life. — Studies History and Scripture. — Is Struck by the Prophecies- Reads Daniel and John, Critically. — Calculates Their Time. — "About 1843," the Consumma tion. — Basis of these Conclusions. — Reluctantly Begins to Lecture. — Interesting Incident His Labors and Enthusiasm. — -Three Thousand Lectures in Ten Years. — Secret of his Great Success. — Approach of the Final Day. — Cessation of Secular Pursuits. — Encamping in the Fields, in Grave-yards and on Roofs. — Some Curious Extravagances. — Rebuked by Miller. — Repeated Disappointments. — Misinterpretation of Texts. — Miller as a Man and Preacher. — His Calm and Happy Death 431 Awful Explosion of Commodore Stockton's Great Gun, the "Peacemaker," on Board the United States Steamship Princeton. — 1844. The Secretaries of State and of the Navy, and Other Eminent Persons, Instantly Killed. — Miraculous Escape of the President. — Sudden Transition from the Height of Human Enjoy ment to the Extreme of Woe. — Stockton's High Enthusiasm. — His Vast and Beautiful Ship. — Her Model and Armament. — Styled the Pride of the Navy. — Invitations for a Grand Gala Day. — President Tyler Attends. — Countless Dignitaries on Board. — Array of Female Beauty. — Music, Toasts, Wit and Wine. — Firing of the Monster Gun. — Its Perfect Success. — " One more Shot I " by Request. — A Stunning and Murderous Blast. — Bursting of the Gun, — Death All Around. — Frightful Shrieks and Groans. — Scattering of Mangled Remains. — Agony of Woman's Heart. — Standing-Place of the President : Absent Just One Moment. — The Dead in Union Flags. — Funeral at the White House 439 LI. Two Hundred Years of Free Popular Education. — 1844. An Experiment in Behalf of the Highest Civilization.— Condition of the Country Previous to such Efforts. — Early Scenes and Customs. — Public Law Invoked and Applied — Impulse Given to the Work. — Progress and Results. — America in the Van. — Most Enlightened and Success ful System in the World.— Female Education.— Colleges, Universities, etc.— A Very Modern Idea.— No National System of Education. — Undertaken by the Individual States. — Effect of Wise Legislation.— State Vieing with State.— School-houses in " ye olden time."— The East and the West. — Wonderful Changes in Public Opinion. — Some Strange Contrasts. — Archi tectural Splendor of the Present Day.— Ingenious Helps and Appliances.— Congressional Grants in Aid of the Cause.— Government Bureau at Washington.— Grand Aim and Scope. —Standard of Female Instruction Raised— Principles and Methods.— The Higher Institu tions of Learning.— Ideas and Plans at the Start.— Founding of Harvard, Yale, etc.— Then and Now— Nearly 400 Colleges in the U. S— Some 8,000,000 Common School Pupils, . 448 Ln. Discovery of the Inhalation of Ether as a Preventive of Pain.— 1846. Performance of Surgical Operations Involving the Intensest Torture, During the Happy Un consciousness of the Patient.— Account of the First Capital Demonstration before a Crowded and Breathless Assembly— Its Signal Success— Thrill of Enthusiastic Joy— Most Benefi cent Boon Ever Conferred by Science upon the Human Race.— Instinctive Dread of Pain- Fruitless Search Hitherto for a Preventive— Terror of the Probe and Knife— Heroes Quail before Them— Case of the Bluff Old Admiral— Discovery of the Long-Sought Secret— Sul phuric Ether the Prize— Bliss During Amputation— Honor Due to America— A ^ Whole World Elated— Medical Men Exultant— Curious Religious Objections— Test-Case in Sur gery—Startling and Romantic Interest— Value in Public Hospitals— War'a Sufferings 32 CONTENTS. Ameliorated. —Various Effects While Inhaling. — Amusing and Extraordinary Cases. — " Thocht the Deil Had a Grip o' Her ! "—Odd Talk of an Innocent Damsel.— Old Folks Wanting to Dance. — Awards to the Discoverers 456 LIII. Invention of that Wondrous Piece of Mechanism, the Sewing Machine. — 1846. Romantic Genius and Perseverance Displayed in Its Production. — Toils of the Inventor in His Garret. — World-Wide Introduction of the Device. — Upwards of One Thousand Patents Taken Out in the United States. — The Industrial Interests of the Country Affected to the Amount of $500,000,000 Annually.— The Humble Inventor Becomes a Millionaire. — The Main Principle Involved. — Comparison With Hand Sewing. — How it was Suggested. — Lis tening to Some Advantage.— History of Mr. Howe's Efforts. — Ingenuity, Struggles, Triumphs. — Value of a Friend in Need. — A Machine at Last. — Its Parts, Capabilities, etc. — Reception by the Public. — Doubt Succeeded by Admiration. — Great Popularity and Demand. — Weari some Litigation With Rivals. — Interesting Question of Priority. — Decided in Howe's Favor. — He Rises to Affluence.— Improvements by Others. — Unique and Useful Devices. — Number of Machines Produced. — Time and Labor Saved. — Effect Upon Prices. — New Avenues of Labor Opened 464 LIV. Spiritual Knockings and Table-Tippings. — 1847. Familiar Intercourse Claimed to be Opened between Human and Disembodied Beings. — Al leged Revelations from the Unseen World. — Singular and Humble Origin, in a Secluded New York Village, of this Great Modern Wonder. — Its Development Among all Nations in all Lands. — Astonishing and Inexplicable Character of the Manifestations. — First Rappings in Hydesville, New York. — Time, Manner, Circumstances. — Murdered Man's Spirit. — How the Mystery Was Solved. — Rappings, the Spirit Language. — Its Interpretation Discovered. — Two Young Girls the " Mediums." — Their Harassed Experience. — Public Efforts to Sift the Matter. — No Clue to any Deception. — The Family go to Rochester. — Knockings Accompany Them. — New Forms of " Manifestations." — Many Mediums Spring Up. — Things Strauge and Startling.— Universal Wonder Excited. — Theories of Explanation. — Investigations and Reports. — Views of Agassiz, Herschel, etc. — Press and Pulpit Discussions. — Different Opin ions as to the Tendency of the Phenomena. — Thirty Years' History. 472 LV. Voyage of the United States Ship Jamestown with a Cargo of Food for the Starving in Ireland. — 1847. Famine, Pestilence, Woe and Death Sweep Frightfully Over that Land. — Appeal to the Sympa thy of Nations. — The Tale of Horror Borne Across the Atlantic. — Spontaneous Generosity of America. — A Ship of War Converted into a Ship of Peace, and Laden with Free Gifts for the Suffering. — Total Failure of the Potato Crop. — A Universal Scourge. — Disease Added to Destitution. — Ghastly Scenes on Every Side. — Multitudes Perish in the Streets. — Parliament Grants $50,000,000.— The Message of Humanity. — America's Ready Bounties. — Use of the Jamestown Granted.— Food Substituted for Guns. — Interesting Bill of Lading.— Departure from Boston.— Enthusiastically Cheered. — Only Fifteen Days' Passage.— Going up the Har bor of Cork. — Throngs of Famished Spectators. — Tumultuous Greetings on Arrival. — Public Welcomes and Honors. — A Tour of Inspection.— Indescribable Horrors. — Distribution of the Cargo. — The Mission a Great Success 479 LVI. General Scott in the Halls of the Montezumas, as the Conqueror of Mex ico.— 1847. General Taylor's Unbroken Series of Victorious Battles from Palo Alto to Buena Vista. Flight of Santa Anna in the Dead of Midnight.— The Stars and Stripes Float Triumphantly from the Towers of the National Palace. — First Foreign Capital Ever Occupied by the CONTENTS. 33 United States Army— Peace on the Invaders' Own Terms— Original Irritation between the Two Powers— Disputed Points of Boundary— Mexico Refuses to Yield— General Taylor sent to the Rio Grande— A Speedy Collision— Declaration of War by Congress— Santa Anna Leads the Mexicans— Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma— Raging Fight at Monterey ; Its Fall— Santa Anna's War-like Summons— It is Treated with Contempt— His Awful Defeat at Buena Vista.— Doniphan's March of Five Thousand Miles— Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, etc— Scott's Order, " On to Mexico ! "—Huzzas and a Quick-Step.— Terrific Storming of Chapultepec— Scott Holds the Key to Mexico— The Last Obstacle Overcome.— Grand Entrance of the Victors.— Territorial Gain to the United States aq-7 LVH. Expedition to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, by Lieut. W. F. Lynch.— 1847. The Sacred River Successfully Circumnavigated and Surveyed.— Twenty Days and Nights upon the " Sea of Death."— It is Explored, and Sounded, and its Mysteries Solved.— Strange Phenomena and Unrelieved Desolation of the Locality.— Important Results to Science— Zeal in Geographical Research.— Interest in the Holy Land.— American Inquiry Aroused. — Equipment of Lynch's Expedition.— On its Way to the Orient.— Anchoring Under Mount Carmel.— Passage Down the Jordan.— It is Traced to its Source.— Wild and Impressive Scenery.— Rose-Colored Clouds of Judea.— Configuration of the Dead Sea.— Dense, Buoyant, Briny Waters.— Smarting of the Hands and Face.— Salt, Ashes, and Sulphureous Vapors, etc. — Tradition Among the Arabs. — Sad Fate of Former Explorers.— Temperature of this Sea. — Submerged Plains at its Bottom. — Sheeted with Phosphorescent Foam. — Topography, Width and Depth.—" Apples of Sodom " Described.— The Pillar of Salt, Lot's Wife. . 494 LVIII. Discovery of Gold at Sutter's Mill, California. — 1848. Widely-Extended and Inexhaustible Deposits of the Precious Metal. — The News Spreads Like Wild-Fire to the Four Quarters of the Globe — Overwhelming Tide of Emigration from all Countries. — Nucleus of a Great Empire on the Pacific. — California Becomes the El Dorado of the World and the Golden Commonwealth of the American Union. — First Practical Dis- covery of Gold. — On John A. Sutter's Land. — Found by J. W. Marshall. — Simple Accident That Led to It. — Marshall's Wild Excitement. — Shows Sutter the Golden Grains. — A Dra matic Interview. — The Discovery Kept Secret. — How it was Disclosed. — A Real Wonder of the Age. — Trials of the Early Emigrants. — Their Bones Whiten the Soil. — All Professions at the Mines. — Impetus Given to Commerce. — Life Among the Diggers. — Disordered State of Society. — Crimes, Outrages, Conflagrations. — Scarcity : Fabulous Prices. — Mining by Machinery. — Order and Stability Reached. — Population in 1857, 600,000. — Gold in Ten Years, $600,000,000 500 LIX. Astor Place Opera-House Riots, New York. — 1849. Terrible Culmination of the Feud between Macready, the English Star Actor, and Forrest, the Great American Tragedian. — Macready Commences to Perform, but is Violently Driven from the Stage. — A Mob of 20,000 Men Surrounds the Theater, and Thunders at its Doors. — Attempt to Fire and Destroy the House. — Charge of the Military. — Lamentable Loss of Life. — Fame of these Great Actors. — Their Former Mutual Friendship. — Macready's Tour in this Country. — Forrest Performs in Europe. — Professional Jealousies Aroused. — Open Rupture at Last. — Macready Again in America. — Engages to Play in New York. — Opposi tion to Him There. — Appears on the Stage, May Eighth. — Fierce Tumult in the House- Groans, Hisses, Insults. — He Stands Undismayed. — Flight of the Audience.— Re-appearance, May Tenth. — The House Filled to the Dome. — Riotous Yells and Cries. — " Down with the British Hog! "—Heroic Demeanor on the Stage.— Threats of the Raging Mob.— Its Bloody Dispersion. — Macready Leaves the Country 508 34 CONTENTS. LX. Awful Visitations of the "Angel of Death." — 1849. Yellow Fever and Cholera Epidemics at Different Periods.— Frightful Mortality and Panic in 1849.— Business Abandoned, Churches Closed, Streets Barricaded, Cities Deserted.— Proc lamation by the President of the United States.— The Virtues, Passions, and Vices of Hu man Nature Strikingly Illustrated. — Tens of Thousands Swept at Once from the Face of the Earth.— Various Eras of American Epidemics.— Wide and Ghastly Ravages.— Self-Preserva tion the First Law.— Social Intercourse Suspended.— Ties of Affection Sundered.— Parents Forsake Children.— Husbands Flee from Wives.— Rich Men Buried like Paupers.— Money and Rank Unavailing.— Rumble of the Dead-Carts.— Activity in the Grave-yards.— They Look as if Plowed Up.— Women in Childbirth Helpless.— Their Screams for Succor. — Care of a Lunatic Patient. — The Tender Passion Still Alive.— Courageous Marriages. — Death in the Bridal Chamber.— Anecdotes of the Clergy.— Crime, Filth, and Disease.— Quacks and Nostrums Rife.— The Celebrated " Thieves' Vinegar." 515 LXI. Murder of Dr. George Parkman, a Noted Millionaire of Boston, by Prof. John W. Webster, of Harvard College. — 1849. High Social Position of the Parties. — Instantaneous Outburst of Surprise, Alarm, and Terror, in the Community, on the Discovery of the Deed. — Remarkable Chain of Circumstances Leading to the Murderer's Detection. — Solemn and Exciting Trial. — Account of the Mortal Blow and Disposal of the Remains. — Parkman's Wealth and Fame. — Mysterious Disappear ance, November Twenty-third. — Appointment with Professor Webster that Day. — Their Un happy Pecuniary Relations. — Search for the Missing Millionaire. — Webster's Call on Park- man's Brother. — Explains the Interview of November Twenty-third. — No Trace of Parkman After that Date. — The Medical College Explored. — Scene in Webster's Rooms. — The Tea- Chest, Vault, and Furnace. — Human Remains Found There. — Identified as Doctor Park- man's. — Arrest of Webster at Night.— Attempt at Suicide on the Spot. — Behavior in Court. — His Atrocious Guilt Proved. — Rendering the Verdict. — He Boldly Addresses the Jury. — Asserts his Entire Innocence. — Final Confession of the Crime. — Hung Near the Spot of his Birth. — The Similar and Tragical Case of John C. Colt, Murderer of Samuel Adams 523 LXIL The United States Grinnell Expeditions of 1850 and 1853, to the Arctic Seas.— 1850. Search for Sir John Franklin, the Lost Navigator. — Traces of His Melancholy and Mysterious Fate. — Dr. Kane's Discovery of an Open Polar Sea, Three Thousand Square Miles in Area. — The " Great Glacier," a Lofty and Dazzling Ice-Wall of Boundless Dimensions. — The " Stars and Stripes " Carried Farther North than Any Other Flag. — Origin of this Undertaking- Franklin's Bold Enterprise. — No Tidings of Him for Years. — Vessels Sent in Search.— Lady Franklin's Warm Appeal.— Mr. Grinnell's Noble Response. — Fits Out DeHaven's Expedi tion. — Sailing of the Advance and Rescue. — Franklin's AVinter Quarters Found. — DeHaven Imbedded in Ice. — Eighty Days Polar Darkness.— Fruitless Efforts ; Return Home. — Renewed Search by Dr. Kane. — At the Extreme Solitary North.— Its Terror and Sublimity.— Mer cury and Whiskey Freeze Solid. — No Sunlight for Five Months.— A Vast Crystal Bridge. — It Connects Two Continents. — Kane Ice-Bound ; Awful Perils. — One Thousand Three Hun dred Miles Traveled in Sledges. — Final Escape ; Arrival Home. — Dr. Hayes's Heroic Ad ventures 533 LXIII. Brilliant Musical Tour of Jenny Lind, the " Swedish Nightingale."— 1850. This Queen of Song Comes under the Auspices of Mr. Barnum. — Twenty Thousand Persons Welcome Her Arrival. — Transcendent Beauty and Power of Her Voice. — A Whole Continent Enraptured with Her Enchanting Melodies.— Pleasant Exhilaration of Feeling Throughout CONTENTS. 35 the Land by the Presence of the Fair Nightingale.— Honors from Webster, Clay, and Other Dignitaries— Her Praises Fill the Wide World— The Vocal Prodigy of the Age— An Opera, the " Daughter of the Regiment."— Barnum's Happy Conception.— Proposes to Her this American Tour.— His Generous Terms Accepted.— She Reaches New York.— Sunny and Joy ous Outburst.— A Real " Jenny-Lind " Era.— First Concert at Castle Garden.— Tempest of Acclamation.— Encores, Showers of Bouquets— Public Expectation Exceeded— Jenny's Com plete Triumph.— All the Receipts Given to Charity. — Equal Enthusiasm Everywhere.— Beau tiful Incidents. — She is a Guest at the White House.— Henry Clay at Her Concert.— Web ster and the Nightingale.— A Scene " Not Down on the Bills."— Ninety-five Concerts Yield $700,000 541 LXIV. Reign of the Vigilance Committee in California. — 1851. Revolution in the Administration of Justice. — Powerlessness and Indifference of the Regular Authorities.— Robbery, Arson, and Murder, Alarmingly Prevalent.— The Committee's Secret Chamber of Judgment. — Sudden Seizure and Trial of Noted Criminals.— Solemn Tolling of the Signal Bell. — Swift and Terrible Executions. — Renovation of Society.— Swarming of Desperate Felons. — England's Penal Colonies Emptied.— Organized Society of " Hounds." — A Band of Cut-throats. — Society at Their Mercy. — Harvests Reaped by Them. — Corrupt Courts and Officers. — The Vigilance Committee Formed.— Prompt, Resolute, Powerful.— The Criminals Taken Unawares. — Instant Summons to Death. — A Gallows at Midnight.-— Ex traordinary Horrors. — Confessions by the Victims. — Astounding Revelations. — Magistrates Implicated. — Warnings by the Committee. — A Double Execution. — Thousands of Spectators. —Wild Shouts of Approval. — The Lawless Classes Terrified.— The Results of the Move ment , 550 LXV. Victorious Race of the Yacht " America," in the Great International Regatta. — 1851. She Distances, by Nearly Eight Miles, the Whole Fleet of Swift and Splendid Competitors, and Wins " the Cup of all Nations." — Grandest and Most Exciting Spectacle of the Kind Ever Known. — Queen Victoria Witnesses the Match. — Universal Astonishment at the Result. — Admiration Excited by the " America's " Beautiful Model and Ingenious Rig. — Scenes at the " World's Exhibition " at London. — Grand Finale Yet to Come Off. — Championship of the Sea. — England Sensitive on this Point. — Her Motto, " Rule Britannia ! " — George Steers Builds the America. — Commodore Stevens Takes Her to England. — His Challenge to all Countries. — An International Prize Race. — Eighteen Yachts Entered. — The Scene on Wave and Shore. — All Sails Set : The Signal. — Every Eye on " the Yankee."- — Her Leisurely Move ments. — Allows Herself to be Distanced. — Her Quality Soon Shown. — No "Bellying" of Canvas. — Amazing Increase of Speed. — All Rivals Passed, One by One. — They Return in Despair. — Great Odds for the America. — Is Visited by Queen Victoria 558 LXVI. Frightful Catastrophe in a New York Five-Story Public School-House Contain ing Eighteen Hundred Pupils. — 1851. Panic Caused by a Call for " Water." — Furious Rush of the Little Ones Throughout the Vast Building, to Escape the Supposed Fire. — The Stair Railing Breaks, and They are Precipitated to the Bottom, in Helpless Agony. — Nearly Fifty Children, in Their Beauty and Innocence Suffocated to Death. — Hundreds of Families in Mourning. — Slight Source of all this Horror. — Sudden Illness of a Teacher. — Cries of " Help ! " for Her. — Heard in the Other Rooms. — Fatal Misapprehension. — Instant and Awful Fright. — Vain Attempts to Escape. — They all Pour Forth at Once. — The Street-Door Locked !— Bewildered Crowds. — Their Headlong Descent. — A Pile of Bodies Fourteen Feet Square. — Their Sighs and Writhings. — Arrival of the Firemen. — Entrance Effected by Them.— Thousands Waiting Outside. — Indescribable Excitement. — Anguish of Parents. — Rescuing the Sufferers. — Scenes Among the Little Ones. — Sweet and Tender Devotion. — Burial of the Innocents 567 36 CONTENTS. LXVII. Appearance of the Marine Monster Known as the Sea-Serpent, along the At lantic Coast. — 1851. Statements of Numerous Eye-Witnesses, as to Its Form, Size, Color, and Movements— Esti mated Length, One Hundred Feet.— Its Body Cylindrical in Shape, and of the Diameter of a Large Cask— Effect of Shot upon the Animal— Astonishing Rapidity of Its Course- Observers Struck with Wonder and Awe at Such a Sight— The Monarch of the Deep- Opinions of Scientific Men.— Existence of the Animal Proved— Evidence on this Point. —Reliability of the Witnesses.— Their Various Descriptions.— Concurrence of Testimony- No Similar Sea Animal— Seen in Different Localities.— Observed from Sea and Shore- Frequents New England.— Nearer Views Obtained of Him.— Clear Weather, Smooth Seas. —Drawings Made on the Spot.— His Gigantic Dimensions— Linnsean Society's Report- Supposed to be the " Leviathan."— His Steady and Onward Pace.— A Mile in Three Min utes.— Attitude of the Body.— Elevation of the Head.— Dark Brown the Chief Color. . 575 LXVIII. Reception of Governor Kossuth, the Great Hungarian Exile, as the Invited Guest of the Nation. — 1851. Splendid Military Pageant in New York, on His Arrival.— Welcomed and Banqueted by Presi dent Fillmore.— Received with Distinguished Official Honors on the Floor of Congress- He Eloquently Pleads His Country's Cause in All Parts of the Land.— Processions, Congratu latory Addresses, Acclamations, Etc.— A True-Hearted Patriot.— What Hungary Fought For.— Austrian Despotism Resisted. — Independence Demanded. — Kossuth the Leading Champion. — Armies in the Field.— Successes and Reverses. — Russia's Sword for Austria. — Kossuth's Flight to Turkey. — Long an Exile There. — America Interposes for Him. — Offers a Conveyance to the United States.— The Nation's Courtesy Accepted. — Frigate Mississippi Sent. — Kossuth and Suite on Board. — His Landing at New York. — Magnificent Preparations for Him.— Invited to Washington. — Speech before Congress. — An Unprecedented Distinc tion. — His Untiring Labors. — Greatest Orator of the Day 583 LXIX. Naval Expedition to Japan, under Commodore M. C. Perry. — 1852. Negotiations to be Opened for Unsealing the Ports of that Empire to America. — Letter of Friendship from the President of the United States to the Emperor. — Distinguished Favor Shown the Representatives of the Great Republic. — Ceremonies, Entertainments, and Diplo matic Conferences. — Treaty of Peace, Amity, and Commercial Intercourse Concluded. — Former Japanese Isolation Policy. — Exclusive Privileges to the Dutch. — Effects of this Re striction. — European Efforts to Change It. — Mission of Commodore Biddle. — Seeks the Release of United States Sailors. — Ordered to Depart Forthwith. — Firm Conduct of Captain Glynn. — Contempt for Japanese Etiquette. — Champagne as a Mediator. — Commodore Perry's Fine Fleet. — The Letter in a Golden Box. — Its Presentation to the Emperor. — Commissioners Meet Commodore Perry. — Their Attire, Manners, Etc. — The Conference in Session. — Friend liness of the Japanese. — Civilities and Festivals. — Reception on the Flag-Ship. — Substance of the Treaty. — A Talk with the Emperor. — More Privileges Extended 592 LXX. Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, in New York. — 1853. Construction of the Crystal Palace, a Colossal Building of Glass and Iron. — Four Acres of Surface Covered with the Treasures of Art, Science and Mechanism, from Every Land. — Inauguration of the Enterprise by President Pierce. — Five Thousand Contributors. — Splen dor of the Palace of Industry by Day ; Its Gorgeous Illumination at Night. — Eclat of the Great London Fair. — Emulation Stimulated Abroad. — An American Exhibition Proposed. Popularity of the Idea. — Plan for a Building Accepted. — Its Style, Size, and Decorations. — Admirable Adaptation of the Structure. — Superiority to the London Palace. — Rapid Prog ress of the Enterprise. — Interest of Foreign Countries Enlisted Programme of Manage- CONTENTS. 37 ment. — Brilliant Ceremony at the Opening. — Celebrities Present : Speeches Made. — Grand Hallelujah Chorus Sung — Constant Tide of Visitors.— Beauty, Utility, Amusement. — At tractions from Abroad. — Contributions by Monarchs. — Victoria's Beautiful Offering. — The Grand Industries of Civilization. — Lesson Taught by Such a Display. — Luster Reflected on America 600 LXXI. Loss of the Splendid Collins Steamship Arctic, of New York, by Collision with the Iron Steamer Vesta. — 1854. Occurrence of the Disaster in Mid-Ocean, at Noonday, in a Dense Fog. — Sinking of the Noble Ship Stern Foremost. — Hundreds of Souls Engulfed in a Watery Grave. — Experiences Crowded Into that Awful Hour. — The Wail of Agony and Despair from the Fated Throng. — Her Non- Arrival ; Painful Suspense. — The Dreadful News at Last. — Shock to the Public Mind. — Strong Build of the Arctic. — Prestige of the Collins Line. — A Casualty Undreamed Of. — Surging Crowd in Wall Street. — Names of Lost and Saved Read. — Hope, Joy, Grief, Anguish. — The Sad Tale on all Lips. — Captain Luce in the Hour of Woe. — Manliness of His First Order. — Ship Deserted by the Crew. — " Every Man for Himself." — A Raft Con structed, but in Vain. — Courage of the Women. — Not One of their Sex Saved. — Instances of Cool Bravery. — An Engineer's Heroic Fidelity. — £30,000 for a Chance in a Boat. — Pleas ure Tourists on Board. — All of Mr. Collins's Family Lost 608 LXXII. Assault on the Hon. Charles Sumner, by Hon. Preston S. Brooks. — 1856. Twenty Sudden and Terrible Blows, with a Solid Gutta Percha Cane, Dealt upon Mr. Sum ner's Bare Head. — He Staggers and Falls, Senseless, Gashed, and Bleeding. — Sumner's Great Kansas Speech for Free Soil and Free Labor. — Speech by Senator Butler, of South Carolina. — Mr. Sumner's Scorching Reply. — South Carolinians Offended. — An Assault Determined On. — Mr. Brooks Their Champion. — Two Days' Watch for His Victim.— Finds Him Alone at His Desk.— Approaches Unobserved.— A Quick and Deadly Blow. — Mr. Sumner is Instantly Stunned.— His Ineffectual Defense.— Brooks's Accomplices at Hand.— Their Advantage over Sumner.— Storm of Public Indignation.— Action Taken by Congress.— Reign of Terror at the Capital. — Mr. Sumner's Three Years' Illness.— Recovery. — Illustrious Career.— Death of Brooks and His Allies. — Time's Retributions 616 Lxxin. Foundering of the Steamer Central America, in a Gale, off Cape Hatteras. — 1857. More than Four Hundred Lives Lost, and Two Million Dollars in Treasure.— Fury and Terror of the Tempest. — The Staunch and Noble Vessel Springs a Leak. — Successive Great and Terrible Waves Break Over and Drag Her Under, in the Night.— The Tale of Peril, Suffer ing, Despair, Parting, and Death. — Unparalleled Nature of this Disaster. — Hundreds of Homes Desolated.— Gloom of the Public Mind.— The Financial Panic Aggravated.— Rise of the Fatal Gale. — Hard Labor of the Steamer.— A Leak Caused by the Strain. — Incessant Working at the Pumps.— Four Anxious Days.— Approach of the Brig Marine.— Women and Children Rescued.— Perils of the Life-Boat.— Terrible Height of the Sea.— Harrowing Ex periences.— The Two Little Babes.— Gradual Filling of the Ship.— Three Plunges, and She Sinks.— Captain Herndon on the Wheel-House— His Sad but Heroic End.— A Night on the Waves.— Dead and Living Float Together.— Narratives of the Survivors 626 LXXIV. Terrible Crisis in the Business and Financial World.— 1857. Known as "the Great Panic."— A Sudden, Universal Crash, in the Height of Prosperity- Caused by Wild Speculations and Enormous Debt— Suspension of Banks all Over the Coun try—Failure of the Oldest and Wealthiest Houses— Fortunes Swept Away in a Day— Pros tration of Every Branch of Industry— Prolonged Embarrassment, Distrust, and Suffering.— 38 CONTENTS. The Panic of 1837 in Comparison. — Extravagance and High Prices. — Chimerical Railroad Schemes. — Mania for Land Investments. — Reckless Stock Gambling. — Western Paper Cities. — Fabulous Prices for " Lots."— Money Absorbed in this Way. — Bursting of the Bubble— The First Great Blow.— A Bomb in Money Circles.— Wide-Spread Shock and Terror. —Fierce Crowds at the Banks.— A Run Upon Them for Specie.— They " Go to the Wall."— Savings Bank Excitement.— Rare Doings at the Counters. — Wit, Mirth, Despair, and Ruin. —Forty Thousand Persons in Wall Street.— Factories, Foundries, etc., Stopped.— Business Credit Destroyed— Root of the Whole Difficulty 635 LXXV. The " Great Awakening " in the Religious World, and the Popular Movement (in 1875-6) under Messrs. Moody and Sankey. — 1857. Like a Mighty Rushing Wind, it Sweeps from the Atlantic to the Pacific. — Crowded Prayer- Meetings Held Daily in Every City and Town, from the Granite Hills of the North to the Rolling Prairies of the West and the Golden Slopes of California. — Large Accessions, from all Classes, to the Churches of Every Name and Denomination.— The "American Pentecost." — Early American Revivals. — Dr. Franklin and Mr. Whitefield. — The Revival of 1857 Spon taneous. — No Leaders or Organizers. — Its Immediate Cause. — Universal Ruin of Commerce. — Anxiety for Higher Interests. — All Days of the Week Alike. — Business Men in the Work. — Telegraphing Religious Tidings. — New York a Center of Influence. — Fulton Street Prayer- Meeting. — Scenes in Burton's Theater. — New Themes and Actors. — Countless Requests for Prayers. — A Wonderful Book. — Striking Moral Results. — Men of Violence Reformed. — Crime and Suicide Prevented. — Infidels, Gamblers, Pugilists. — Jessie Fremont's Gold Ring. —"Awful " Gardner's Case 644 LXXVI. Unrivaled Performances by Paul Morphy, the American Chess Champion. — 1858. His Extreme Youth, Marvelous Gifts and Genius, and Astonishing Trumphs. — The Most Renowned Players in America and Europe Vanquished by Him. — His Wonderful Victories in Blindfold Games with the Veteran Masters of Chess. — Morphy's Bust Crowned with Laurel in Paris. — Honors and Testimonials at Home. — Morphy's Personal History.— Early Aptness for Chess. — Skill When Twelve Years Old. — Introduction to the Public. — At the National Chess Congress. — Great Champions There. — Morphy Takes the First Prize. — Wins Eighty-One out of Eighty-Four Games. — Professional Visit Abroad. — Challenges the Chess Celebrities. — His Boyish Appearance. — Modesty and Great Memory. — Aspect When at Play. — His Brilliant Combinations. — Feats Performed in Paris. — Long and Profound Games. — Great Match Against Eight. — Unparalleled Spectacle. — Victor Over Every Rival. — Without a Peer in the World. — Banquets to Him in Europe. — America Proud of Her Son. . . 657 LXXVII. Burning of the Steamship Austria, on Her Way from Hamburg to New York.— 1858. She Takes Fire on the Eleventh Day, from Combustion of the Hot Tar Used in Fumigation.— Three Decks Instantly in a Blaze.— Inability to Stop the Engines.— The Ship Continues on Her Course in Furious Flames.— Torture and Death in Every Form.— Nearly Five Hundred Men Women, and Children Lost— A Hot Chain in the Bucket of Tar.— Sudden and Singular Ig nition—Rapid Headway of the Flames— They Leap up the Shrouds— Powerlessness of the Officers.— The Captain Panic-Stricken— Frantic Conduct of Passengers.— Swamping of the Boats.— Children Trodden Under Foot.— Writhing in the Heat.— Shrieks and Cries.— Being Roasted Alive.— Only One Boat Afloat.— Jumping into the Waves.— Last Embrace of Lovers. — Adieus of Husbands and Wives.— Seven Brothers and Sisters. — Struggles of the Firemen. —A Living Wall of Fire.— Fate of the Women.— Father and Son.—" A Sail ! "—Rescue of a Few 664 CONTENTS. 39 LXXVIII. Political Debate Between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, in Illi nois. — 1858. Cause of this Remarkable Oratorical Contest.— Intense Interest in All Parts of the Land-The Heart of every American Citizen Enlisted in the Momentous Issue Involved.— Eminent Character of the Combatants.— Their Extraordinary Ability and Eloquence Universally Ac knowledged.— The Discussions Attended by Friends and Foes.— Victory, Defeat, Life and Death. — Condition of the New Territories.— Form of Constitution to be Decided.— Domestic Institutions: Slavery. — Mr. Douglas Advocates "Popular Sovereignty."— " Prohibition " Urged by Mr. Lincoln.— National Importance of the Question.— The Public Mind Divided. Joint Debates Proposed.— Agreement between the two Leaders.— Personal Appearance and Style.— Plans, Places, Scenes.— Theories and Arguments Advanced.— Skill aud Adroitness of the Disputants.— Immense Concourses.— Result Impartially Stated.— Mr. Douglas Re-elected Senator. — Mr. Lincoln Nominated for President. — His Election to that Office. — Douglas' Magnanimity.— The Olive Branch.— Shoulder to Shoulder as Unionists.— Sudden Decease of the Great Senator 672 LXXIX. Thirty Thousand Miles of Railway in Thirty Years, and Eighty Thousand in Half a Century. — 1859. Curious Chronicles Relating to the Introduction of Improved Means of Transit. — The Old and the New. — Development and Progress. — Numerous and Important Advantages. — Great Sav ing of Time and Expense. — Initiatory Undertakings in the United States. — First American Railway with Steam as the Locomotive Power. — Small Beginnings : Great Results. — Amaz ing Growth and Expansion in all Directions — Social and Business Changes. — Infancy of Mechanism in this Line. — Pioneer Coach and Locomotive. — Successive Steps of Advance ment. — Usual Channels of Trade Abandoned. — Power of Capital Demonstrated. — Distant Sections and Interests Equalized. — Stimulus to Industry. — Vast Constructive Works Involved. — U. S. Enterprise not Behindhand. " Breaking the Ground." — Less than 20 Miles in 1829. — Some 30,000 Miles in 1859. — Constant and Rapid Increase. — Inventive Genius Displayed. — " Improvements " by the Thousands. — Steel Rails Substituted for Iron.- — Luxury on Wheels. — Palace and Sleeping Cars. — Tremendous Speed Attained. — American and Foreign Lines. — Railways 16,000 Feet Above the Sea 679 LXXX. Petroleum Excitement in Pennsylvania. — 1859. Discoveries of Prodigious Quantities of Illuminating Oil in the Depths of the Earth. — Boring of Innumerable Wells. — Fabulous Prices Paid For Lands.— Poor Farmers Become Million aires—The Supply of Oil Exceeds the Wants of the Whole Country.— Immense Exporta- tions of the Article.— Vast Source of National Wealth and Industry.— Revolution in Artifi cial Light. — Ancient Knowledge of this Oil. — Floating on Ponds and Creeks.— Its Collection and Use. — Native Sources: Origin. — Locality of the Springs. — Great Value of the Oil.— First Attempt at Boring.— Plans For Sinking Wells.— Their Exhaustless Yield.— Intense Excitement Prevails. — Eager Crowds at the Oil Region. — Buying and Leasing Lands. — En terprise of the Pioneers. — Sudden Fortunes Made. — Other Side of the Picture. — Towns and Cities Built. — Fire : Awful Scenes and Losses.- Bringing the Oil into Market.— Its Cheap ness and Excellence. — Universal Introduction.— Valuable for Various Purposes. ... 687 LXXXI. Fatal Duel between Hon. D. C. Broderick, and Hon. D. S. Terry.— 1859. Scene of the Meeting near San Francisco.— Details of the Barbarous Encounter.— Broderick Falls Mortally Wounded, by His Adversary.— He Expires in Two Days— Flight of Terry- Society Shocked at the Event.— Parallel Case of Messrs. Graves and Cilley— Politics and Dueling in America.— Broderick's Alleged Offense— Terry's Challenge Accepted.— Terms of the Duel.— Choice of Seconds and Arms— Aspect of the Two Men— Serious Bearing of 40 CONTENTS. Broderick. — Terry's Fearlessness. — Marking the Distance. — Its Murderous Shortness. — The Duelists Placed. — Their Persons Examined. — "Gentlemen, are you Ready?" — The Word Given. — Both Parties Fire. — Broderick Shot in the Breast. — Last Sufferings and End. — Sorrow of the Community. — His Body Lies in State. — A Similar Deed of Horror. — Con gressional Tragedy in 1838. — Its Deadly Character 696 lxxxh. John Brown's Capture of Harper's Ferry, Va. — 1859. Seizure and Occupation of the United States Armory. — A Bold Scheme to Free the Slaves. — Attacked by the Militia, He Retreats to the Engine House and Makes it His Fortress. — The Building is Surrounded by Federal Troops and Forced by a Battering Ram. — Brown, Refusing to Surrender, is Overpowered aud Made Prisoner. — His Genuine Heroism on the Scaffold. — A Long Cherished Plan. — Conference Held in Canada. — Programme of Opera tions. — Harper's Ferry the Strategic Point. — First Active Movement at Night. — Only Twenty-two Men in Force. — The Town in Brown's Possession. — Strange Scenes at Day break. — Indescribable Consternation. — Fighting and Bloodshed. — News of the Attack Sent Off. — Military Companies Pour in. — Marines Sent from Washington. — No Mercy Shown the Insurgents. — Brown is Terribly Wounded. — His Indomitable Fortitude. — Tried for Treason and Murder. — Conviction: Speech in Court. — Admiration of Him by His Foes. — Walks Fearless to the Gallows. — Mounts the Fatal Platform. — " I am Ready at any Time ! " . 704 LXXXIH. Fall of the Great Pemberton Mills in Lawrence, Mass. — 1860. Nearly One Thousand Persons Buried in the Ruins. — Multitudes, Male and Female, in Youth and Beauty, Brought in a Moment to Agony and Death. — Bursting Forth of a Sweeping Conflagration. — Commingling of Horrible Sights and Sounds. — Hair-Breadth Escapes. — Three Fair and Beautiful Corpses Tight Together. — The Calamity Instantaneous. — Sensa tions of the Occupants. — Two Acres of Ruins. — Flames Suddenly Belch Forth. — Thrilling Cries : Woeful Scenes. — Efforts to Rescue the Wounded. — Many Left to Their Fate. — Thou sands of Excited Visitors. — Sympathy and Relief. — A Room Stored with the Dead. — Won derful Escape of a Young Woman. — Astonishing Presence of Mind. — Female Heroism and Devotion. — Tender Girls Struggling in the Ruins.— Despair and Suicide. — Ladies Work the Fire Engines. — Harrowing and Piteous Appeals. — Cool Pluck of an Irishman. — Reading the List of Victims. — Touching Request of a Dying Girl. — Endurance and Resignation. — Ac count of the Avondale Colliery Disaster 712 LXXXIV. Grand Embassy From the Empire of Japan, with a Treaty of Peace and Com merce, to the United States Government. — 1860. First Ambassadors Ever Sent from that Ancient Country to a Foreign Land. — Their Official Reception by President Buchanan, and Tour of Observation to the Chief Cities. — Public In terest Excited by this Extraordinary Mission. — Their Oriental Costume, Manners, Ceremo. nies, Etc. — Japanese Distinction Shown to Americans Character of the Embassy. — Headed by Eminent Princes.— Numerous and Brilliant Suite.— Arrival at Washington. — Procession to the Hotel.— Most Curious Spectacle.— How the Treaty was Carried.— Ceremonies at the White House. — Salutations and Speeches. — Impressive International Scene. — Japanese Diplomacy— Delivering the Tycoon's Letter.— Personal Appearance of the Ambassadors- President Buchanan's Opinion.— Humors and Drolleries.— " Tommy," the Ladies' Pet- Gallantry to Miss Lane.— The Embassy at the Navy Yard.— Astonishment Expressed by Them.— Adieu to the President. — America's Message to the Emperor 721 LXXXV. Arrival and Exhibition, in New York, of the Iron Steamship Great Eastern.— 1860. The Largest and Most Extraordinary Vessel Ever Constructed.— Burden, 20,000 Tons ; Length, Six Hundred and Eighty Feet.— Tens of Thousands of Visitors from all Parts of the Union! CONTENTS. 41 -Admiration of Her Majestic Proportions, Ease of Movement, and Her Splendid and Power, ful Machinery. —Matchless Triumph of Human Genius and Skill. — » Wonders of the World," So Called— Modern Achievements Pre-eminent— Marvels of Steam Application- First Crossing of the Atlantic— Voyage of the Savannah in 1818— Curiosity and Wonder Excited— Visited by Crowned Heads— Most Peculiar Reminiscences— Building the Great Western— First Regular Ocean Steamer— Her Complete Success— Growth of Ocean Steam Transit— Conception of the Great Eastern— Her Nautical Peculiarities— Architectural Perfection— Superb Appointments Throughout— Working Power, Eight Thousand Horses- Ship's Weight, 12,000 Tons— Rated for Four Thousand Passengers— Appearance in New York Harbor.— Salutes, Escorts, Etc.— Greeted by Dense Throngs 729 LXXXVI. General Walker's Fillibustering Expeditions to Sonora, Nicaragua, and Hon duras. — 1860. Character, Method, and Object of His Schemes.— His Movements Marked by Bloodshed and Bold Usurpation of Authority.— Retreat, Capture, and Court-Martial at Truxillo— Cool Res ignation to His Death-Sentence.— Solemn March to the Place of Execution.— Is Shot, and Instantly Expires. —Walker's "Star of Destiny."— Short-Sighted Calculations.— Daring Qualities of the Man. — Bitter Luck in Sonora. — Starvation : Inglorious Flight. — Nicaragua the Land of Promise. — Contempt of Neutrality Laws.— United States Officials Outwitted.— Champagne vs. Handcuffs. — Battles at Rivas and Virgin Bay.— Splendid Successes of Walker.— Styles Himself " The Regenerator."— Treaty between Generals Walker and Cor ral. — Corral Charged with Treason, and Shot.— Combination Against Walker.— His Escape to the United States. — New but Abortive Attempts on Nicaragua. — Turns Up Next at Trux illo. — Is Defeated by the Honduras Troops. — His Doom Announced to Him. — Dying Declara tions. — A Volley ; Three Cheers ; the End 737 LXXXVII. Tour of His Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Through the United States. — 1860. Friendly Letters between President Buchanan and Queen Victoria on the Subject. — The Prince's First Entrance Into American Waters. — Unbounded Hospitalities Extended Him. — Hunting Excursions, Military Reviews, Balls, Illuminations, Etc. — Splendid Banquet at the White House. — England's Appreciation of these Honors to Her Future King. — Heir to the British Throne. — Arrival at Detroit, Chicago, Etc. — Enthusiastic Crowds Greet Him. — His Way Completely Blocked Up. — On a Hunt : Fine Sportsman. — Receptions at Various Cities. — Locomotive Ride to Washington. — Guest of President Buchanan. — Courtesies and Ceremonials. — Visit to Mount Vernon. — At the Tomb of Washington. — Unparalleled His torical Scene. — He Plants a Tree at the Grave. — Rare Scenes in Philadelphia. — New York and Boston Festivities. — Present from Trinity Church, New York. — Greatest Balls Ever Known. — He Meets a Bunker Hill Veteran. — Impressions of America. — Incidents, Anecdotes, Interviews. — His Looks, Manners, Dress, Etc. — Brilliant Farewell at Portland. . . . 745 LXXXVHI. Bombardment and Reduction of Fort Sumter. — 1861. Inauguration of Civil War in the United States.— First Military Act in the Long and Bloody Struggle to Dismember the Union. — Organization of the Southern Confederacy. — President Lincoln's Proclamation for 75,000 Volunteers. — Spontaneous Uprising of the Loyal People. — Calling the Battle-Roll of the Republic. — Supreme Crisis in the Fate of the Nation. — Northern and Southern Variances. — Slavery the Cause of Contention. — Culmination of the Antagonism. — Disunion Banner of the South. — Secession of Several States. — War Wager Boldly Staked. — Vain Efforts at Reconciliation. — Federal Property Seized at the South. — Batteries Erected at Charleston. — Fort Sumter Closely Besieged. — Beauregard Demands its Surrender. — Major Anderson's Flat Refusal. — Weakness of His Garrison. — Attempts to Re- 42 CONTENTS. enforce It.— Prevented by Confederate Batteries. — All Eyes Riveted on the Fort.— Opening of the Attack, April Fourteenth.— Incessant and Tremendous Fire.— Terms of Evacuation Accepted.— Southern Rejoicings.— The Great Military Outlook.— Washington the National Key 753 LXXXIX. Astonishing Feats of Horse-Taming Performed by Mr. John S. Rarey. — 1861. The Most Savage and Furious Animals Made Tractable as Lambs. — The Ferocious and Far- Famed " Cruiser " Lies Docile at His Master's Feet.— Acclamations of Wonder and Admira tion by Crowded Audiences. — Brilliant Honors from Monarchs and Courts Abroad. — Philos- ¦s-.j of Mr. Rarey's Method and Success. — Mr. Rarey Personally. — Boyhood Fondness for Horses. — Aptness in Training Them. — Discovers an Improved Method. — Its Perfect Success. — Wild Prairie Horses Subdued. — Determines to Exhibit Abroad. — His Skill Challenged in London. — "Cruiser" to be the Great Test. — Rage and Fury of the Animal. — Plunging, Rearing, Yelling, Biting. — Rarey's Complete Triumph. — Monarchs and Princes Present. — Their Surprise and Delight. — Victoria's Rapturous Applause. — Exhibitions in the United States. — Terrible Cases Dealt With. — Rarey Always Conqueror. — His Calm, Fine, Firm Voice. — Cool, Quiet, Quick Movements. — Magnetism of His Presence. — Details of the Sys tem 761 XC. Battle at Bull Run, Va., between the Federal and Confederate Armies. — 1861. First Important Engagement in the Great Civil War. — Severe Fighting for Many Hours. — Most Disastrous Defeat of the Federal Troops. — Their Uncontrollable Panic and Headlong Flight. — The South Jubilant. — Gloom and Humiliation of the Loyal States. — Three Mouths Since Sumter Fell. — Armies Massed at Washington and Richmond. — Threats Against the Federal Capital. — Irritation and Impatience of the North. — " On to Richmond ! " the Union War-Cry. — March of McDowell's Army. — Plan of the Movement. — Rousing the Southern Forces. — Their Unexpected Strength. — Uncertain Fate of the Day. — Re-enforcements for the Confederates. — Davis's Arrival on the Ground. — He Exclaims, " Onward, My Brave Com rades ' " — Their Wild Enthusiasm. — A Lost Battle for the Union. — Complete Demoralization. — Three Miles of Scattered Troops. — Arms, Stores, etc., Flung Away. — Distressing Sights and Sounds. — Thanksgiving Appointed by Davis. — Te Deums Sung in the Southern Churches. — Lessons Taught by this Battle 769 XCI. Extraordinary Combat between the Iron-Clads Merrimac and Monitor, in Hampton Roads. — 1862. Sudden Appearance of the Merrimac Among the Federal Frigates. — Their Swift and Terrible Destruction by Her Steel Prow.— Unexpected Arrival of the " Little Monitor " at the Scene of Action.— She Engages and Disables the Monster Craft in a Four Hours Fight.— Total Revolution in Naval Warfare the World Over by this Remarkable Contest. — How the Mer rimac Changed Hands.— Burned and Sunk at Norfolk, Va.— Her Hull Raised by the Confed erates. — She is Iron Roofed and Plated.— Proof Against Shot and Shell. — A Powerful Steel Beak in Her Prow. — Most Formidable Vessel Afloat. — In Command of Commodore Buchanan. — Departs from Norfolk, March Eighth.— Pierces and Sinks the Cumberland. — Next Attacks the Congress. — The Noble Frigate Destroyed. — Fight Begun with the Minnesota. — Suspended at Nightfall. — Trip of the Monitor from New York. — Her New and Singular Build. Lieu tenant Worden Hears of the Battles. — Resolves to Grapple with the Monster The Two Together Next Day. — A Scene Never to be Forgotten. — Worden Turns the Tide of Fortune. — Repulse aud Retreat of the Merrimac -773 CONTENTS. 43 XCII. Battle of Antietam, Maryland. — 1862. Bloodiest Day That America Ever Saw.— Nearly One Hundred Thousand Men on Each Side. —General McClellan Declares on the Field that it is " the Battle of the War."— Four Miles and Fourteen Hours of Fighting and Slaughter.— The Shock and " Glory " of War on a Colossal Scale. — Obstinate Bravery of the Contending Foes. — Some of the Regiments Almost Annihilated.— The Union Troops Hold the Disputed Ground.— Lee's Great Military Object. — His Troops Enter Maryland. — Frowning Masses of Soldiery. — Surrender of Harper's Ferry. — McClellan's Army in Motion.— He Attacks the Enemy in Position. — Hooker Leads the Advance. — He is Shot and Disabled.— Death of General Mansfield.— Other Union Generals Wounded. — Reno's Untimely End. — Rain of Shot and Shell. — Various Fortunes of the Day. — Close and Stern Ordeal. — Feat of Burnside's Corps. — Their Struggle for the Hill. — A Fear ful Crisis with General Burnside. — He Asks for Re-enforcements.— McClellan's Memorable Reply. — Driving the Enemy en masse. — Forty of Their Colors Taken. — The After-Scene of Horror 787 XCIII. Proclamation of Emancipation, as a War Measure, by President Lincoln. — 1863. More than Three Millions, in Bondage at the South, Declared Forever Free. — Most Important American State Paper Since July Fourth, 1776. — Pronounced, by the President, " the Great Event of the Nineteenth Century." — The Whole System of Slavery Finally Swept from the Republic, by Victories in the Field and by Constitutional Amendments. — Mr. Lincoln's Views on Slavery. — Opposed to all Unconstitutional Acts. — His Orders to Union Generals. — Prohibits the Arming of Negroes. — Alarming Progress of Events. — The Great Exigency at Last. — Slavery versus the Union. — Solemn and Urgent Alternative. — Emancipation Under the War-Power. — Preparation of the Great Document. — Its Submission to the Cabinet.— Opin ions and Discussions. — Singular Reason for Delay. — Mr. Lincoln's Vow to God. — Waiting for a Union Triumph.— Decided by the Battle of Antietam.— Final Adoption of the Measure. —Mr. Carpenter's Admirable Narrative.— Public Reception of the Proclamation. — Promulga tion at the South. — Scenes of Joy Among the Freedmen. — Enfranchisement Added to Free dom 796 ' XCIV. Campaign against Vicksburg, "The Gibraltar of the Mississippi," by the Union Forces. — 1863. The Genius, Valor, and Resources of Both Armies Tasked to Their Utmost.— Final Capitular tion of the City by General Pemberton, After a Prolonged and Brilliant Siege.— Heaviest Blow Yet Dealt the Secession Cause.— General McPherson Receives the Formal Surrender— 37,000 Prisoners, Fifteen Generals, Arms and Munitions for 60,000 Men, the Trophies— Geo graphical Importance of Vicksburg— Its Commanding Fortifications.— Farragut's Naval Siege Powerless.— Sherman's Attack Repulsed.— Grant Assumes Active Command.— Vigor ous Operations Undertaken.— His Series of Victorious Battles— Futile Attempt to Storm Vicksburg.— Hours of Terrific Cannonading.— A Systematic Siege Begun— Thorough In vestment at all Points— Federal Sapping and Mining— They Mine and Blow up Fort Hill- Awful Spectacle of Blood and Ruin— Deadly Struggle for a Foothold— Success of the Forty- fifth Illinois.— Their Colors Surmount the Work— Pemberton Sends a Flag of Truce— His Interview with Grant— Grant's Terms : " Unconditional Surrender."— The Victors Enter the City, July Fourth.— Curious Reminiscences 80G xcv. Three Days' Battle between the Concentrated Armies of Generals Meade and Lee, at Gettysburg, Pa. — 1863. Overwhelming Invasion of Pennsylvania by the Confederate Forces.— The Union Army Drives Them with Great Slaughter Across the Potomac— Unsuccessful Attempt to Transfer the Seat of War from Virginia to Northern Soil. — One of the Most Decisive and Important 44 CONTENTS. Federal Victories in the Great American Civil Conflict. — Lee's Army Impatient to go North. — Order of March at Last. — Consternation in the Border States. — Call for One Hundred Thousand More Men.— Advance of Meade's Army.— Face to Face With the Foe. — Engagement between the Vanguards. — Terrific Artillery Contests. — Movements and Counter Movements. — Severe Reverses on Both Sides.— Carnage at Cemetery Hill. — Longstreet's Furious Onset. — Most Destructive Cannonade. — Gettysburg a Vast Hospital. — Crawford's Grand Charge. — Standing by the Batteries ! — Hand-to-Hand Conflict.— Following the Battle-Flag. — Deadly and Impetuous Fighting. — Forty-one Confederate Standards Taken. — Unbounded Joy of the Victors. — President Lincoln's Announcement 815 XCVI. Oratorical Championship of America's Cause in England, by Rev. H. W. Beecher— 1863. His Olympian Speeches, in Defiance of British Sentiment, in the Great Cities of the Kingdom. — His Eloquence Rises to the Very Crown of the Occasion.- — Superb Exhibition of Forensic Power in Liverpool. — He Wrestles, Single-Handed and Triumphantly, for Three Hours, with a Vast and Tumultuous Mob in that City. — Reception at Exeter Hall, London. — Mr. Beech- er's Tour Undertaken for His Health. — Reaches England, Homeward Bound. — Civil Conflict Raging in America. — Mr. Beecher Urged to Speak on United States Affairs. — Opening Speech in Manchester. — Great Audience of Seven Thousand. — Attempts to Silence Him. — Powerlessness of the Opposition. — Splendid Qualities as an Orator. — Discussions in Glasgow and Edinburgh. — Battle Waged by Mr. Beecher in Liverpool— Violent Efforts to Gag Him. — A Maddened Sea of Insult. — Taunts, Curses, Hisses, Fury. — Stampings, Hootings. Yell- ings. — Beecher's Pluck, and Good Humor.— He Triumphs Over the Wild Tempest. — A Spec tacle Never Before Witnessed. — Grand Closing Scene in the British Capital. — Vast and Excited Assembly. — He Carries the House by Storm. — Plaudits and Congratulations. . 825 XCVH. Erection and Inauguration of the Great Organ in the Boston Music Hall. — 1863. Most Majestic and Perfect Instrument of the Kind in America.— Almost without an Equal in the Whole World.— Height, Sixty Feet ; Width, Forty-eight Feet ; Depth, Twenty-four Feet; Weight, Seventy Tons; Cost, $60,000.— Its Vast and Enchanting Harmonies and Wondrous Frame of Architectural Beauty.— The Masterpiece of Musical Art. — Origin of the Enterprise.— Dr. Upham's "Grand Conception.— Full Powers Conferred Upon Him.— His Seven Years' Labor and Care.— America and Europe Explored. — A Colossal Instrument Decided On.— Object and Influence of Such.— Contract for Its Construction in Germany— Unrivaled Mechanism of the Work.— Completed, and Shipped for Boston.— Three Months' Tempestuous Voyage.— Enshrinement of the Organ in a Case.— Its Towers, Domes, and Sculptures.— Wind Pipes, Thirty-two Feet Long.— Eighty-nine Full Registers.— Total Num ber of Pipes, Five Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy-four— Capacity of the Organ, Six Thousand Voices.— Ease with which It is Performed.— Marvelous Lights and Shades of Tone. —First Exposition to the Public— Enthusiasm and Joy on the Occasion.— Music, Poetry, Art, Beauty gga XCVIII. Combat between the Alabama, Captain Semmes, and the Kearsarge, Captain Winslow, off Cherbourg.— 1864. The Alabama is Surk after an Hour's Engagement, in Sight of the Two Great Maritime Pow ers of Europe— Semmes Throws His Sword Away, Jumps Overboard, and Escapes— Rela tive Equality, in Size and Armament, of the Two Vessels. — The Previous Destructive Career of the Alabama Against Northern Commerce.— Causeless Raid on Marine Property. —Fault in the Law of Nations.— British Origin of the Alabama.— Her Unmistakable Char acter.— Peculiar Model and Equipment.— Adapted to Destroy, Fight, or Run.— Adroit Ship ment of Stores and Guns.— Ready for a Start.— All Hands Mustered Aft.— Semmes Reads Aloud His Commission— Cheers for Davis, Semmes, Etc.— Salute Fired : Hoisting the Flag. CONTENTS. 45 — A Long Cruise : Terrible Ravages. — Puts in, at Cherbourg, France.— The United States Ship Kearsarge on His Track. — Semmes Boldly Offers to Fight. — Preliminary Maneuvers of the Ships. — Seven Circles Round Each Other. — Semmes's Rapid and Furious Fire. — Supe rior Gunnery of the Kearsarge. — Its Fatal Effect on the Alabama. — Incidents of this Renowned Fight ¦ 840 XCIX. Admiral Farragut's Achievements at New Orleans in 1862, and at Mobile Bay in 1864 ; and Admiral Porter's Crowning Victory in 1865, at Fort Fisher. — 1864. His Astonishing Feat of Rowing Past the Confederate Batteries. — Fierce and Sanguinary Con test between the Admiral's Flag-ship, the Hartford, and Admiral Buchanan's Monster Ram, the Tennessee. — The Latter Proves Herself, for a Time, a Match for the Whole Union Fleet. — Farragut's Overwhelming Victory. — Farragut Pressed to Join the South. — His Unswerv ing Fidelity to the Old Flag. — High Trust. Committed to Him. — Sailing of His Great Fleet. — Bold and Successful Plan of Battle. — Admiral Porter's Splendid Services. — Ports Jackson and St. Philip Wrecked. — New Orleans Again Under the United States Flag. — Another Theater of Naval Operations. — Forts, Rams, Iron-Clads, Etc., to Fight. — Powerful Build of the Tennessee. — Makes for Her Antagonist at Full Speed. — Intended Running Down of the Hartford. — Farragut's Masterly Maneuvers. — Unexpected Feature in His Tactics. — Deadly Contact of the Various Craft.— Tremendous Cannonades. — The " Glory" and Horrors of War.— Stubborn Bravery of the Great Ram.— Crippled at Last: The White Flag.— The Stars and Stripes on Her Staff. — Buchanan Yields His Sword 848 C. Grand March of the Union Army, under General Sherman, Through the Heart of the South. — 1864. Generals and Armies Baffled, and States and Cities Conquered, Without a Serious Disaster to the Victors. — Display of Military Genius Unsurpassed in Any Age or Country.— The Southern Confederacy Virtually Crushed Within the Coils of this Wide-Sweeping, Bold, and Resist less Movement.— The Great Closing Act in the Campaign.— Sherman's Qualities as a Com mander.— His Great Military Success.— His Own Story.— A Brilliant Campaign Planned— Brave and Confident Troops.— Atlanta, Ga., the First Great Prize.— Destroys that City: Starts for the Coast.— Kilpatrick Leads the Cavalry.— Thomas Defends the Border States.— Success ful Feints Made by Sherman— Subsists His Men on the Enemy's Country.— Immense Sweep of the Onward Columns— Savannah's Doom Sealed— Fall of Fort McAllister— Christmas Gift to the President.— Advance Into South Carolina.— The Stars and Stripes in Her Cap ital.— All Opposition Powerless.— North Carolina's Turn Next.— Swamps, Hills, Quagmires, Storms, Floods.— Battles Fought : Onward to Raleigh.— Johnston's Whole Army Bagged- Sherman Described Personally 857 CI. Fall of Richmond, Va., the Confederate Capital. — 1865. The Entrenched City Closely Encompassed for Months by General Grant's Brave Legions and Walls of Steel.— Flight of Jefferson Davis, and Surrender of General Lee's Army.— Overthrow of the Four Years' Gigantic Rebellion— The iEgis and Starry Ensigns of the Republic Everywhere Dominant— Transports of Joy Fill the Land— A Nation's Laurels Crown the Head of the Conqueror of Peace.— Memorable Day in Human Affairs— Momentous Issues Involved.— Heavy Cost of this Triumph— Without It, a Lost Republic— Unequaled Valor Displayed— Sherman's Grand Conceptions— Sheridan's Splendid Generalship— Onward March of Events.— Strategy, Battles, Victories— Lee's Lines Fatally Broken— Approach of the Final Crisis— Richmond Evacuated by Night— Retreat of Lee : Vigorous Pursuit— His Hopeless Resistance to Grant— Their Correspondence and Interview— The Two Great Generals Face to Face— What Was Said and Done— Announcing the Result— Parting of Lee with His Soldiers— President Lincoln's Visit to Richmond— Raising the United States Flag at Fort Sumter.— Davis a Prisoner in Fortress Monroe 866 46 gONTENTS. en. Assassination of President Lincoln, at Ford's Theater, Washington, by J. Wilkes Booth. — 1865. Conspiracy to Murder, Simultaneously, all the Cljief Officers of the Government. — The Most Exalted and Beloved of Mortal Rulers Falls a Victim.— A Universal Wail of Anguish and Lamentation Poured Forth from the National Heart. — Darkest Page in the History of the Country.— Funeral Cortege Through Fifteen States.— Tragical Fate of the Conspirators- Object of this Most Infamous of Crimes.— Singular Time of Its Perpetration.— Virtual End of the Great Civil War.— Dawn of Peace : Universal Joy.— President Lincoln's Happy Frame of Mind.— How He Passed His Last Day. — Conversations on the Evening of April Four teenth. — Makes an Engagement for the Morrow. — Last Time He Signed His Name. — Re luctantly Goes to the Theater.— Arrives Late : Immense Audience. — Plans and Movements of the Assassin.— The Fatal Shot : a Tragedy of Horrors.— Removal of the President to a Pri vate House. — Speechless and Unconscious to the End. — Death-Bed Scenes and Incidents— The Nation Stunned at the Appalling News. — Its Reception at the South, and by General Lee. — A Continent in Tears and Mourning. — Most Imposing Obsequies Ever Known. — Booth's Swift and Bloody End. — Trial of His Male and Female Accomplices. . . . 876 CHI. Successful Laying of the Telegraph Cable Across the Atlantic Ocean. — 1866. The Old World and the New United by Instantaneous Communication. — Pronounced the Grandest of Human Enterprises.— Ten Years of Difficulty and Failure in the Mighty Task. — The Name of Its Indomitable Projector Crowned with Immortal Honor. — Illustrations of the Power and Wonders of this New-Born Agent of Civilization. — Ocean Telegraphs Early Predicted. — First Attempt in 1857. — Breaking of the Wire. — Fresh but Abortive Trials in 1858 and 1865. — Great Preparations for 1866. — Exquisite Construction of the Cable. — A Wealthy and Powerful Company. — Cyrus W. Field, Its Master-Spirit. — Employment of the Great Eastern. — Laying the Shore-End at Valentia. — Rejoicing of the Inhabitants. — Voyage of the Fleet to America. — Incidents and Accidents. — Intense Solicitude, Day and Night. — A Joyous Morning! July Twenty-seventh. — Perfect Success from End to End. — First News Dispatch, Peace in Europe. — Messages between the President and Queen. — Compliments to Mr. Field. — His Interview with Lord Clarendon. — John Bright's Sparkling Tribute. — Moral Uses of the Cable 888 CIV. Completion of the Pacific Railroad. — 1869. Spikes of the Richest Gold and a Hammer of Pure Silver Used in Laying the Last Rail. — The Blows of the Sledge Telegraphed to all the Great Cities.— The Wide Continent Spanned with Iron from the Farthest East to the Golden Gate.— Junction of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. — Seven Days from New York to San Francisco. — Greatest Railroad Route on the Face of the Earth.— "Manifest Destiny" of the United States.— A Pacific Highway Agitated For Years. — Its National Importance and Necessity. — Charters and Government Aid at Last. — The " Union " and " Central " Companies. — National Difficulties to be Overcome. — Feats of Engineering Involved.— Triumphs of Science in this Respect. — Mountains Tunneled. Riv ers Bridged.— Gulfs Spanned, Depths Fathomed. — Vastness and Progress of the Work.— A Force of Twenty-five Thousand Men and Six Thousand Teams. — First Train at the Top of the Sierras. — Pushing the Line to Completion. — Approach of the Two Grand Divisions. Union at Promontory Point, Utah.— Exultation Over the Victory. — Historic Scene in the Heart of America. — Offerings of Gold, Silver, Iron, and Laurel. — Telegram to President Grant. — Celebrations in the Principal Cities. — Easy Journey Around the World. . . . 896 CONTENTS. 47 CV. National Peace Jubilee and Musical Festival For Five Days, in Boston, in Honor of the Restoration of the Union of the States. — 1869. Ten Thousand Singers, an Orchestra of One Thousand Instruments, and Tens of Thousands of Spectators, in the Coliseum, an Immense Building Erected for the Occasion. — Attendance of President Grant. — Sublime and Inspiring Harmonies. — Most Majestic Musical Demonstra tion of Modern Times. — Origin of the Jubilee. — P. S. Gilmore : His Zeal and Enthusiasm. — All Discouragements Overcome. — Magnificent Programme. — Splendor of the Coliseum. — It Covers Nearly Four Acres. — Inauguration Ceremonies. — View of the Audience. — Scene of Surpassing Enchantment. — Beauty of the Decorations. — Overtures, Choruses, Anthems, Etc. — Parepa-Rosa, Phillipps, Ole Bull. — Their Professional Triumphs. — Zerrahn, Tourjee, Eich- berg. — The Famous " Anvil " Chorus. — Chiming the City Bells. — Novel Commingling of Artillery with Music. — Tremendous Ovation to Grant. — Half a Million People in the City. — Testimonial to Mr. Gilmore. — Last Day : Concert by 10,000 Children. — Triumphant Success of the Jubilee 904 CVI. Burning of the City of Chicago, III., the Commercial Metropolis of the North west.— 1871. Most Destructive Conflagration in the History of Civilized Nations. — A Thirty Hours' Tornado of Fire in all Directions. — Vast Billows of Inextinguishable Flame. — Upwards of Two Thou sand Acres, or Seventy-three Miles of Streets, with 17,450 Buildings, Destroyed : Loss, $200,000,000.— Ignoble Origin of the Fire.— Fatal Mistake of a Policeman.— Combustibles all Around. — A Strong Gale Prevailing. — Frightful Rapidity of the Flames. — Destruction of the Water- Works. — Stores and Warehouses Swept Away. — Palaces and Hovels a Common Prey. — Engines Sent from Seven States. — The Midnight Scene. — Terror Indescribable. — Flight for Life. — Burning of the Bridges. — Hopelessness, Desperation, Death. — Churches, Hotels, Theaters, in Ashes. — Fate of the Newspapers, Banks, etc. — Explosion of the Gas- Works. — Tombs and Graves Consumed. — Most Ghastly Spectacle. — Nearly 100,000 Persons Homeless. — The Wail for Help. — A World's Sympathies Poured Forth 913 cvn. Terrible Fire in the Business Heart of Boston. — 1872. It Rages Fiercely, Night and Day, and Consumes the Widest and Most Magnificent Area of Solid Granite Warehouses on the Continent. — Some Sixty-five Acres of these Massive and Apparently Indestructible Commercial Palaces Crumble Like Chalk in the Intense Heat. — The Great Financial and Commercial Center of New England Destroyed.— Surprising Char acter of this Fire.— Comparison with that of Chicago. — No Gale: Moderate Weather- Strange Rapidity of the Flames.— They Spread in all Directions. — Triumphant Sweep from Block to Block. — Thoroughness of the Destruction. — Iron and Stone No Barriers. — Difficulties of the Situation. — Great Height of the Stores. — Narrowness of the Streets.- -Trinity Church in Ruins.— Blowing up with Gunpowder. — Grand and Terrible Scenes. — Narrow Escape of the " Old South."— State Street and its Treasures Reached.— Victory at Last by the Firemen. —Peril, Bravery, Death.— A Whole City in Darkness.— Some Eight Hundred Buildings Burned.— Trades that Specially Suffered.— Loss About $85,000,000 920 cvrn. The National Grange Movement. — 1872. Popular Organizations in the Interests of Labor. — Changes Sought in the Relations between Producers and Consumers. — General Declaration of Principles and Aims. — A System of Uni versal Co-operation Proposed. — Results to be Realized by Such Combinations. — Patrons of Husbandry and Sovereigns of Industry. — Initiative Proceedings in 1867. — First Grange Founded in Washington, D. C. — Agriculture the Grand Basis. — Mutual Protection and Advancement. Small Encouragement at the Beginning. — Immense Growth in Five Years. 48 CONTENTS. —Activity in the West and South.— Social and Moral Aspects.— Plan of Business Action- Partisan Prejudices Disavowed.— No Political Tests Involved.— Opinions of Eminent Leaders Cited.— Views of Foreign Publicists.— Vital Point in the New System.— Commercial and Financial Theories.— Grain and Cotton Products.— Alleged Errors in Trade Customs.— Indi vidual vs. Associated Efforts.—' Middlemen ' a Disadvantage.— Substitute for Their Interven tion. — The Case Hlustrated. — Difficulties and Remedies 927 CIX. Consecration of the First Cardinal in the United States. — 1875. The Venerable Archbishop McCloskey, of New York, Selected by the Roman Pontiff, for this Great Office.— He becomes a Prince in the Church. — The Highest Ecclesiastical Appointment in the Catholic Hierarchy. — Reasons given for this Step. — Solemn Investiture, in the Cathe dral, by Clerical Dignitaries from All Parts of the Country. — An Unparalleled Scene. — Illus trious Nature of this Office. — Special Envoy sent from Rome. — Announcing the Event to the Archbishop.— Time of Public Recognition Assigned. — A Mighty Stream of Humanity. — Decorations of the Church. — Procession of Priests. — Incensing the Altars. — Sacred Vessels and Vestments. — Insignia Peculiar to this Rank. — The Scarlet Cap. — Profoundly Impressive Service. — Unprecedented on this Continent. — Imposing the Berretta. — Intoning and Chanting. — Official Letter from the Pope. — Use of the Latin Language. — Inspiring Strains of Music. — Incidents attending the Ceremonial. — Pontifical Benediction by the Cardinal. — Retirement of the Celebrants. — Dispersion of the Vast Throng 934 CX. "Miracles of Science," or Four New Wonders of the World. — 1876. The Electric Light, or Brilliant and Abundant Illumination by Means of Electricity. — The Telephone, or Instantaneous Articulate Communication between Distant Points. — The Pho nograph, or Talking Machine, Reproducing and Preserving Human Utterances, whether of Speech or Song, in all their characteristics. — The Microphone, or Prodigious Magnifier of Sound, however Slight or Remote. — Splendor of the Electric Rays. — Former Inventions in this Line. — Prof. Farmer's Early Success. — Edison's Improved Device. — Its Special Charac teristics. — Sanguine Expectations Entertained. — Interest Excited by the Telephone. — Enco miums from English Sources. — Principles of Construction and Use, Simplicity and Service- ableness. — Tens of Thousands in Operation. — How the Phonograph was Developed. — Other Inventions Fairly Eclipsed. — Its Appearance, Form, Outcome. — Words and Tones Recorded. — Astonishment and Delight. — Its Five Chief Features. — Marvels of the Microphone. — A Touch or Tick Audible for Miles. — Arrangement of the Apparatus. — Curious Feats Accom plished. — Explanation of this property 945 CXI. Centennial Commemoration of the Birth of the Republic. — 1876. Year of Jubilee, Festival, and Pageant, throughout the Land. — Prosperity, Power, and Renown of the Nation. — A Union of Nearly Forty Great Commonwealths and Forty Million People- Anticipations of the Coming Anniversary.— Legislation by Congress for its Patriotic Obser vance.— A Grand Exposition of the Century's Growth and Progress, the Principal Feature Decided Upon.— Vast Work of Preparation.— The Whole World at Peace, and All Countries and Climes in Sympathy with the Republic and its Auspicious Era.— Ushering in the Year's Ceremonials.— Every City, Town, and Village, Covered with Gay Streamers and Waving Flags.— Pomp, Parade, and Universal Fraternization.— Wondrous Microcosm of Civilization Concentrated at Philadelphia.— The Culminating Art and Skill of Sixty Centuries of Human Advancement, and the Products of Every Quarter of the Globe, Displayed in Their Richest Illustrations.— An Unprecedented Scene : President and Emperor Receiving the Salutations of the American People.— Oratory, Music, Poetry, Bells, Illuminations, Cannon, Regattas, Banners, Hallelujahs, and Huzzas.— The Beauty, Utility, and Magnificence of the Orient and Occident, in Boundless Combinations.— The " Glorious Fourth," All Over the Land.— Con gratulatory Letter from the Emperor of Germany 948 I. MOMENTOUS POLITICAL EVENTS OF ABSORBING INTEREST. 1"~6. — Declaration of American Independence. Birth of the Nation. 1785. — First Minister From the United States to England. John Adams and Old King George Face to Face. 1786. — Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts. Armed Defiance of State and Federal Laws. 1787. — Formation and Adoption of the Federal Constitution. The United States no longer an Unorganized Nation. 1789. — Election and Inauguration of a President of the United States. Unanimous Choice of George Washington. 1794. — The Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. Resistance to the United States Excise Tax. 1799. — Founding of Washington City, The National Capital. Establishment of the Government in that City. 1806. — Conspiracy and Trial of Aaron Burr. His Scheme of Conquest and Empire. 1826. — Fiftieth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A Jubilee throughout the Land. 1826. — Death of Ex-Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, On the Fourth of July, the Nation's Half-Centenary. 50 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 1830. — The "Great Debate" between Senators Webster and Hayne. Known as "the Battle of the Giants." 1832. — Nullification Outbreak in South Carolina, under Calhoun, McDuf- fie, and Others. The Wrath of President Jackson Aroused. 1836. — Struggle for the Right of Petition in Congress. John Quincy Adams's Eleven Bays' Dramatie Conflict, Single-Handed. 1837. — Passage of the Famous Expunging Resolution, in the United States Senate. Memorable Parliamentary Scene at Midnight. 1842. — Rebellion in Rhode Island, under Thomas W. Dorr. Popular Suffrage and Political Equality Demanded. 1844. — Anti-Rent -or " Barn-Burning " Agitation in New York. Terrible Violence by Persons Disguised as Indians. 1851. — Reign of the Vigilance Committee in California. Sudden Seizure and Punishment of Criminals. L852. — Expedition to Japan, under Commodore Perry. The Ports of that Empire Unsealed to America. 1858. — Political Debate between Lincoln and Douglas. One of the Most Remarkable Oratorical Contests. 1859. — John Brown at Harper's Ferry. A Bold Scheme to Free the Slaves. 1860. — Grand Embassy from the Empire of Japan. First Ambassadors Ever Sent From that Country. 1863. — Championship of America's Cause in England, by Henry Ward Beecher. He Wrestles, Victoriously, ivith Vast and Tumultuous Mobs. 1863. — Proclamation of Emancipation. Pronounced, by President Lincoln, " the Great Event of the Nineteenth Century." 1870.— Enfranchisement, by Constitutional Amendment, of the Colored Race. Equality of All Men before the Law. 1872. — The Grange Movement at the West. Popular Organizations in the Interests of Labor. 1876.— One Hundredth Birthday of the American Republic. Universal Jubilee throughout the Land. TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 51 n. BATTLES, SIEGES, INSURRECTIONS, AND OTHER MILITARY OCCURRENCES. 1777. — Capitulation of General Burgoyne to General Gates. First Royal Army Ever Surrendered to Americans. L780. — Treason of Benedict Arnold. Plot to Deliver West Point to the British. 1781. — Surrender of Lord Cornwallis to General Washington. Final Catastrophe to British Arms in America. 1783. — Adieu to the Army by General Washington. Resigns his Great Corn-mission and Returns his Sword to Congress. 1786. — First Organized Rebellion in the United States. Led by Daniel Shays, of Massachusetts. 1791. — Greatest Battles with the Indians. St. Clair's Defeat : Wayne's Victory. 1794. — Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. Subdued by General Henry Lee. 1803. — Chastisement of the Barbary Powers. Humiliation of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. 1806. — Burr's Military Expedition to the South-West. His Schemes of Conquest and Empire. 1813. — Harrison's Victory at the Battle of the Thames. Death of Tecumseh. 1814. — Conquest and Burning of Washington, by the British. Flight of President Madison. 1815. — Jackson's Terrible Rout of the British at New Orleans. Sudden and Decisive Close of the War. 1842. — Rebellion in Rhode Island, under Thomas W. Dorr. The Two Great Political Parties Arm and Take the Field. 1847. — General Taylor's Victorious Campaign in Mexico. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Buena Vista, Etc. 1847. — General Scott in the Halls of the Montezumas. First Foreign Capital Ever Occupied by a United States Army. 52 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 1859. — John Brown's Seizure of Harper's Ferry. His Capture, Trial, and Execution. 1861. — Bombardment and Reduction of Fort Sumter. Inauguration of the Great Civil War in the United States. 1861. — Disastrous Defeat of the Union Army, at Bull Run, Va. First Important Engagement in the War of the Rebellion. 1862. — Battle of Antietam, Md. Bloodiest Day Ever Known in America. 1863. — Surrender of Vicksburg, " the Gibraltar of the Mississippi." 37,000 Prisoners, 15 Generals, and Arms for 60,000 Men, the Trophies. 1863. — Three Days' Battle at Gettysburg, Pa. A Decisive Union Victory, of Supreme Importance. 1864. — Sherman's March Through the Heart of the South. Display of Military Genius Unsurpassed in any Age. 1865. — Fall of Richmond, and Surrender of General Lee to General Grant. Overthrow of ihe Four Years' Gigantic Rebellion. 1865. — Re-possession of Fort Sumter. The Old Flag Raised Again on its Battlements. III. BRILLIANT NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS AND HEROIC EXPLOITS. 1779. — Capture of the Ship-of-War Serapis, by John Paul Jones. First American Naval Victory. 1804. — Bombardment of Tripoli. The Proud Corsair Flag Strikes to the Stars and St^es. 1812. — Fight between the Frigates Constitution and Guerriere. The British Colors Struck to " Old Ironsides." 1812. — Wonderful Escape of the Frigate Constitution from a British Fleet. Splendid Naval Tactics of the Americans. 1813. — Perry's Victory on Lake Erie. First Squadron Fight between England and America. TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 53 1814. — McDonough's Victory on Lake Champlain. Seventeen British Ensigns Disappear in Two H&urs. 1862. — Extraordinary Combat between the Merrimac and Monitor. Total Revolution in Naval Warfare. 1864. — Engagement between the Kearsarge and Alabama. Sinking of the Alabama after a Brilliant Contest of One Hour. 1864. — Heroic Achievements of Admirals Farragut and Porter. New Orleans and Mobile the Scenes of their Exploits. 1865. — Brilliant Capture of Fort Fisher, N. O, by Admiral Porter and General Terry. Pronounced, by Gen. Grant, one of the Great Successes that Ended the War. IV. SUPERB ACHIEVEMENTS OF ORATORY. 1830. — The Great Debate between Webster and Hayne, in the United States Senate. Known as " The Battle of The Giants." 1836.— Struggle for the Right of Petition in Congress. John Quincy Adams's Dramatic Contest, Single-Handed, for Eleven Days. 1858 — Political Debate between Lincoln and Douglas. One of the Most Remarkable Oratorical Contests. 1863.— Championship of America's Cause in England, by Henry Ward Beecher. He Wrestles, Victoriously, with Vast and Tumultuous Mobs. CELEBRATED CRIMINAL CASES AND TRIALS, TRAGEDIES, MUTI NIES, DUELS, CONSPIRACIES, Etc. 1780. — Treason of Benedict Arnold. Darkest Deed of Infamy during the Revolutionary War. 1804.— Fatal Duel between Vice-President Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton Falls, Mortally Wounded. 1806.— Aaron Burr's Trial for High Treason. August Judicial Scene. 54 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 1826. — Duel between Henry Clay and John Randolph. Two Shots, and a Reconciliation. 1831.— Capture and Execution of Gibbs, the Noted Pirate. Known as " the Scourge of the Ocean" and the Enemy of Mankind. 1835— Attempt to Assassinate President Jackson in the United States Capitol. The Perpetrator, Richard Lawrence, Proves to be a Lunatic. 1838.— Barbarous Duel between Hons. W. J. Graves and Jonathan Cil^ ley, Members of Congress. Cilley Slain at the Third Firing. 1841.— Cold-Blooded Murder of Samuel Adams by John C. Colt, in New York. One of the Most Celebrated of Modern Crimes. 1842. — Mutiny on Board the United States Brig-of-War Somers. Hanging of Spencer and Other Ringleaders from the Yard-arm. 1849. — Astor Place Opera-House Riots, New York. Feud between the Two Great Tragedians, Forrest and Macready. 1849. — Murder of Dr. George Parkman, a Boston Millionaire, by Prof. J. W. Webster, of Harvard College. Intense Interest in this Case, in both Hemispheres. 1851. — Reign of the Vigilance Committee in California. Swift and Terrible Dealings with Criminals. 1856. — Assault on Hon. Charles Sumner, in the United States Senate Chamber, by P. S. Brooks. Twenty Hard and Rapid Blows on the Senator's Bare Head. 1859. — Fatal Duel between Hon. D. C. Broderick, United States Senator from California, and Chief Justice Terry. Broderick Mortally Wounded ; His Speedy Death. 1860. — Walker's Fillibustering Expeditions. His Retreat, Capture and Execution. 1865. — Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States^ The Most Exalted and Beloved of Mortal Rulers. 1865. — Trial of the Assassination Conspirators. Their Swift and Awful Doom. TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 55 VI. WONDERFUL PHENOMENA OF THE EARTH, OCEAN, AND HEAVENS. 1780. — Mysterious Dark Day in the Northern States. The End of the World Supposed to be at Hand. 1806. — Greatest Total Solar Eclipse Ever Known. Five Minutes Total Obscuration at Noonday. 1811. — Desolating Earthquake at the West. All Over the Mississippi to the Atlantic Coast. 1815. — The Ever-Memorable September Gale. Unparalleled Since the Settlement of the Country. 1833. — Sublime Meteoric Shower all Over the United States. The Whole Firmament in Fiery Commotion for Several Hours. 1837. — Magnificent Aurora Borealis Covering the Whole Heavens. Visible All Night to Millions of Observers. 1843. — Appearance of a Fiery Comet at Mid-Day. It Sweeps through the Sky, in Plain Sight, for Several Weeks. 1851. — Visit of the Marine Monster, Called the Sea-Serpent, along the Atlantic Coast. Accounts Given by Eye- Witnesses. 1868. — Disastrous Earthquakes in California. Lives Lost and Property Destroyed, in '65 and '68. 1869. — Total Eclipse of the Sun. Most Interesting and Important Observations of the Phenomenon Ever Made. VII. EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS, SCIENTIFIC EX PEDITIONS, AND THE SPLENDID TRIUMPHS OF MECHANICAL GENIUS. 1793. — Whitney's Great Cotton-Gin Invention. Revolution in the Prospects and Power of the South. 1807. — Fulton's Application of Steam to Navigation. First Steam-boat Voyage on American Waters. 56 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 1835. — Morse's Invention of the Electric Telegraph. The Scientific Miracle of the Age. 1838. — Exploring Expedition to the South Seas, under Commodore Wilkes. Discovery of the Great Antarctic Continent. 1842. — Fremont's Exploration of the Far North-West. Plants the American Flag on the Highest Peak of the Rocky Mountains. 1846. — Discovery of Painless Surgery by the Inhalation of Ether. Most Beneficent Boon to Humanity Ever Conferred by Science. 1846. — Invention of that Wondrous Mechanism, the Sewing Machine. Romantic Genius and Perseverance of the Inventor. 1847. — Expedition to the Jordan and Dead Sea, under Lieutenant Lynch. The " Sea of Death" Explored, Sounded, and its Mysteries Solved. 1848. — Discovery of Gold at Sutter's Mill, California. California Becomes the El Dorado of the World. 1850. — Grinnell Expeditions to the Arctic Seas. Doctor Kane Discovers an Open Polar Sea. 1851. — Victory of the Yacht America, in the International Race at Cowes. She Wins " The Cup of all Nations." 1852. — Expedition to Japan, under Commodore Perry. Opening of that Empire to American Intercourse. 1853. — Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, in New York. Splendid Display of the Arts and Treasures of Civilization. 1859. — Thirty Thousand Miles of Railway in Thirty Years, and 80,000 in Half a Century. Widespread Social and Business Revolution Produced. 1859. — Petroleum Excitement in Pennsylvania. Discovery of Vast Quantities of Illuminating Oil in the Depths of the Earth. 1860. — Exhibition, in New York, of the Mammoth Steamship Great Eastern. Largest Vessel Ever Built. 1863. — Inauguration of the Great Organ in Boston. Most Majestic and Perfect Instrument in America. TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 57 1866. — Successful Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable. The Grandest of Human Enterprises. 1869. — Completion and opening of the Pacific Railroad. Junction of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. 1876. — The "Miracles of Science," or Four New Wonders of the World. The Electric Light — the Telephone — the Phonograph — the Microphone. VIII. REMARKABLE REFORMS, DELUSIONS, AND EXCITEMENTS, IN THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS WORLD, Etc. 1830. — Founding of the Mormon Church by Joseph Smith. Origin, Character, and Progress. 1840. — " Washingtonian " or Temperance Reformation. Career of Hawkins, Mitchell, Gough, and Others. 1843. — Expected Destruction of the World. Rev. William Miller's Second Advent Predictions. 1844. — Two Hundred Years of Free Popular Education. Most Enlightened and Successful System in the World. 1847. — The Phenomena of "Spiritual Manifestations." Singular and Humble Origin, and World-wide Development. 1847. Voyage of the United States Ship-of-War Jamestown, with Food for Ireland. First War Vessel Ever Sent on Such a Mission of Mercy. 1849. Visit of Father Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance. His 600,000 American Converts to Total Abstinence. 1857. The "Great Awakening" in the Religious World. Knoivn as the American Pentecost. 58 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 1863. — Proclamation of Emancipation to the Slaves. Millions of Slaves Declared to be Forever Free. 1875-6. — The Popular Revival Movement under Messrs. Moody and Sankey. Great Success of these Earnest and Devoted Evangelists. 1875. — Consecration of the First Cardinal in the United States. Archbishop McCloskey becomes a Prince in the Church. IX. POPULAR OVATIONS, NATIONAL JUBILEES, PAGEANTS, FEATS, Etc. 1824. — Farewell Visit of Lafayette to America. The Invited Guest of a Grateful Republic. 1826. — Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence. Sudden Death of Ex-Presidents Adams and Jefferson, on the Day of the Jubilee. 1849. — Tour of Father Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance. A Joyous Welcome Extended Him, Throughout the Land. 1850. — Brilliant Musical Tour of Jenny Lind. A Whole Continent Enchanted ivith Her Melodies. 1851. — Reception of Gov. Kossuth, of Hungary. Enthusiastic and Multiplied Ovations. 1858. — Morphy's Marvelous Chess Triumphs. Vanquishes the Most Renowned Players in Europe and America. 1860. — Grand Embassy from the Empire of Japan. Curious and Extraordinary Tour to the Great Cities. 1860. — Arrival and Tour of the Prince of Wales, England's Future King. Received with Magnificent Honors and Hospitalities, as the Nation's Guest. 1861.— Rarey's Astonishing Feats of Horse-Taming. Wonder and Admiration from Crowded Audiences. 1863. — Inauguration of the Colossal Organ in Boston. The Masterpiece of Modern Musical Art. 1869. — National Peace Jubilee and Musical Festival. Ten Thousand Singers, and an Orchestra of One Thousand Players. 1871. — Journey over the Land, of the Duke Alexis, of Russia. Son of the Emperor Alexander. TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. 59 1874. — Visit of King Kalakaua, of the Sandwich Islands. First Instance of a Reigning Crowned Head entering the United States. 1876. — One Hundredth Birthday of the American Republic. Universal Jubilee Throughout the Land. X. APPALLING PUBLIC CALAMITIES, DISASTERS, PANICS, Etc. 1799. — Death of George Washington, the Father of his Country, and America's Most Illustrious Citizen. The Whole World Does Honor, by Eulogy and Lamentations, to His Exalted Worth and Immortal Fame. 1811. — Desolating Earthquake at the West. All Along the Valley of the Mississippi. 1815. — The Ever-Memorable September Gale. Unparalleled Since the Settlement of the Country. 1835. — Tremendous Fire in New York, in the Richest Locality in America. 700 Richly Filled Warehouses laid in Ashes, in the Dead of Winter. 1844. — Explosion on Board the United States Steamer Princeton. The Secretaries of State and the Navy Instantly Killed. 1849. — Astor-Place Opera-House Riots, New York. A Mob of 20,000 Men : Lamentable Loss of Life. 1849. — Awful Visitations of the "Angel of Death." Yellow Fever and Cholera Scourges, at Different Periods. 1851. Frightful Panic in a N. Y. School of Eighteen Hundred Pupils. Scores of Children Suffocated to Death. 1854. Loss of the Splendid Collins Steamship Arctic. Collision with Steamer Vesta, in Mid-Ocean, at Noonday, in a Dense Fog. 1857. Foundering of the Steamer Central America. More than 400 Lives Lost, and $2,000,000 in Treasure. 1857.— Terrible Crisis in the Business and Financial World. Knoivn as " the Great Panic." 1858. Burning of the Steamship Austria. Nearly 500 Lives Lost. 60 TOPICAL OR CLASSIFIED LIST. I860. — Fall of the Pemberton Mills, in Lawrence, Mass. Nearly 1,000 Persons Buried in the Ruins. 1865. — Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. Darkest Page in the History of the Nation. 1868. — Disastrous Earthquake in California. Severe and Repeated Shocks Over a Wide Extent. 1869. — Avondale Colliery Disaster, in Pennsylvania. More than 100 Suffocated in the Mines. 1871. — Burning of Chicago, III., the Commercial Metropolis of the North west. 73 Miles of Streets, with 17,450 Buildings, Destroyed. 1872 -Terrible Fire in the Business Heart of Boston. The Great Financial and Mercantile Center of New England Consumed. no. 1. SUBJECT. Gilt asd Colored Illustrated Page. 2. Signing the Declaration of Independ ence (Frontispiece). 3. Glory of the American Century, 4. The Opened Pages, 5. The Record of Time, 6. Symbolical Head-piece, 7. Genius of Art, 8. Ringing of the Bell, July 4th, 1776, 9. Hall of Independence, Philadelphia, 1776, 10. Gates's Head-quarters, 11. General Burgoyne; Portrait and Autograph, 12. General Gates ; Portrait and Autograph, 13. Capitulation of Bup.goyne's Army, - 14. Hoisting First Naval Flag, - 15. John Paul Jones; Portrait and Autograph, - 16. First American Natal Victory, 17. Wonderful Dark Day, May 19, 1780, - 18. Traveling during the Dark Day, - 19. Change of Scene after the Dark Day, 20. Price of Arnold's Treason, 21. Capture of Andre, 22. Benedict Arnold ; Portrait and Autograph, 23. West Point in 1780, 24. General Arnold's Head-quarters, 25. The House where Cornwallis Surrendered, 26. Cornwallis's Surrender, 27. Cornwallis ; Portrait and Autograph, 28. Washington's Sword, - - - 29. The Washington Elm, Cambridge, Mass., 30. Washington's Resignation, 31. Amity between England and America, 32. George the Third ; Portrait and Autograph, 33. First Minister to England,— Reception of John Adams, - 34. John Adams ; Portrait and Autograph, - 100 57. 101 58. 102 59. 104 60. 106 110 61. 112 62. 114 63. 115 64. 119 65. 120 66. 122 67. 123 68. NO 35. 38. 37.3S. 39.40. 41.-12.43.44.45. 46.47. 48. 49. 50.51.52. 53.54. 55. SUBJECT. Scene in Shays's Rebellion, Shays' s Forces in Massachusetts, Daniel Shays ; Portrait and Autograph, General Lincoln ; Portrait and Autograph, Enrolling the Constitution, Convention at Philadelphia, 1787, - Franklin Pleading for Pacification, - Washington's Inauguration Bible, First Inauguration of a President, Presidential Mansion, 1789, Presidential Mansion, 1876, Treating with the Indians, - Wayne's Defeat of the Indians, Anthony Wayne ; Portrait and Autograph, General St. Clair; Portrait and Autograph, "Little Turtle"; Portrait, Results of the Cotton-Gin, Eli Whitney's Cotton-Gin, 1793, Eli Whitney ; Portrait and Autograph, Causes of the Whiskey Insurrection in Penn sylvania, 160 Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania, 161 David Bradford ; Portrait, - 164 General Henry Lee ; Portrait, - 166 Washington, D. C, in 1876, 171 National Capitol in 1876, 172 Symbolic Statue of America, Surmounting the U. S. Capitol, 172 Martha Washington ; Portrait and Autograph, 175 Death of Washington, December 14, 1799, 177 George Washington, as Colonel, 178 George Washington, General U. S. A., 179 George Washington, President of the United States ; Portrait and Autograph, 179 Tomb of Washington, 180 U. S. Tribute to Barbary, 182 Commodore Dale ; Portrait and Autograph, - 183 PAGE 125 127 128130132134 136 139141143143 - 146 148 150 151 152153 155157 62 ILLUSTEATIONS. NO. SUBJECT. PA 69. Commodore Preble ; Portrait and Autograph, 70. Commodore Bainbridge ; Portrait and Auto graph, 71. Burning of the Philadelphia, 72. Commodore Decatur ; Portrait and Auto graph, 73. Bombardment of Tripoli, 74. Monument to Alexander Hamilton, 75. Alexander Hamilton ; Portrait and Autograph, 76. Aaron Burr; Portrait and Autograph, 77. Scene of the Burr and Hamilton Duel, Weehawken, 78. Total Solar Eclipse, in 1806, 79. Progress of the Solar Eclipse, - 80. Total Eclipse, in 1869, - 81. Eclipse, as seen in Brazil, 82. Burr's Flight, 83. Breaking up of Burr's Expedition, 84. Burr and His Deluded Followers, 85. Theodosia ; Portrait and Autograph, 86. First Steam boat on the Hudson, 87. Robert Fulton ; Portrait and Autograph, 88. Fulton's First Steam boat, 89. After the Earthquake, 90. Scene of the Great Earthquake in the West, 91. Earthquake Scene in San Francisco, 92. Captain Hull; Portrait, 93. Action between the Frigates Consti tution and Guerriere, 94. Perry's Flag on Lake Erie, 95. Commodore Perry ; Portrait and Autograph, - 96. Battle of Lake Erie,— Perry's Victory, 97. General Harrison ; Portrait and Autograph, - 98. A Cloud on the National Escutcheon, 99. General Winder; Portrait and Autograph, 100. President Madison; Portrait, - 101. Capture and Burning of Washington by the British, in 1814, - 102. Jack's Offering to his Country, 103. Commodore McDonough; Portrait, 104. McDonough's Victory on Lake Cham plain, 105. American Defenses at New Orleans, 106. Andrew Jackson ; Portrait and Autograph, 107. Battle of New Orleans,— Jackson's Terrific Slaughter of the British, 108. Destruction by the Great Gale and Flood, 109. The Ever-Memorable Gale, September 23, 1815, 110. Horrors of the Whirlwind throughout New England, - 111. The Landing of Lafayette at New York, 112. Lafayette ; Portrait and Autograph, 113. Sword of Honor Presented to Lafayette, 114. Lafayette's Residence, 115. Lafayette's Birthplace, - 116. Lafayette's Tomb, 117. Preliminaries of the Code of Honor, 118. Henry Clay ; Portrait and Autograph, 119. John Randolph ; Portrait and Autograph, 120. Doeling-Ground at Bladensburg, 121. The Jefferson Mansion at Monticello, 122. Thomas Jefferson ; Portrait and Autograph, - 294 123. The Adams Mansion at Quincy, 124. The Victor's Wreath, 125. Robert Y. Hayne ; Portrait, 126. Daniel Webster; Portrait, 127. Webster's Reply to Hayne, 128. Joseph Smith; Portrait and Autograph, 129. Brigham Young; Portrait and Autograph, 130. Mormon Temple, 131. Salt Lake City, the Mormon Zion, .GE. NO. 184 132. 184 133. 185 134. 186 135. 187 130. 189 137. 190 138. 190 139. 140. 193 141. 197 198 142. 199 143. 202 204 144. 208 145. 208 146. 210 147. 212 118. 213 215 149. 218 150. 220 223 151. 227 152. 153. 230 154. 234 236 155. 238 100. 241 157. 242 158. 244 159. 246 160. 247 250 161. 251 162. 254 163. 257 164. 260 165. 100. 262 167. 264 168. 266 169. 170. 269 272 171. 274 172. 276 173. 277 174. 279 281 175. 282 176. 284 177. 286 178. 288 292 179. 294 180. 206 297 181. 299 182. 301 304 183. 308 310 184. 312 185. 313 186. subject. page. Appeal of a Beautiiul Girl to Gibbs to Spare her Life, - - 314 Pirate Gibbs; Portrait, 316 Gibbs Butchering the Crew of one of his Prizes, - - 318 Favorite State Emblem, S. C, - - 320 Old State-House at Columbia, - - 322 George McDume ; Portrait and Autograph, - 324 J. C. Calhoun ; Portrait and Autograph, 326 Meteoric Shower at Boston, 329 Meteoric Shower, as been at Niagara Falls, 331 Remarkable Meteoric Display on the Missis sippi, 334 The Preservation, - 337 Attempted Assassination of President Jackson, 339 Richard Lawrence ; Portrait, 341 Hanging the Telegraph Wire, - 345 The Original Telegraphic Instrument, 347 Professor Morse; Portrait and Autograph, - 349 Orders of Glory Conferred on Professor Morse, - ¦ 351 View of Wall Street during the Fire, 355 The Great Conflagration, as Viewed from coenties slip, - 357 Ruins of the Merchants' Exchange, - 360 Monster Petition to Congress, - - - 362 John Quincy Adams ; Portrait and Autograph, 364 John Quincy Adams Defending the Right of Petition in Congress, 368 Safe place for the Key to the Public Funds, 373 Thomas H. Benton ; Portrait and Autograph, 375377 379 Fac Simile Copy of Expunging Resolution, Singular Form of Aurora] Arch, Magnificent Aurora Borealis of No vember 13 and 14, 1837, View of the Aurora Borealis in its Early Stages, Captain Wilkes; Portrait and Autograph, View of the Antarctic Continent Dis covered by Com. Wilkes, U. S. N. Wilkes's Paity Dealing with the Savages, - Effect of the Temperance Reformation, - Signing the Pledge, Distinguished Temperance Advocates, Exploring the North-west, Planting American Flag on the Rocky Moun tains, by Fremont, John C Fremont; Portrait and Autograph, Fremont on his Great Exploring Tour to the Far West and Rocky Mountains, - Charter vs. Constitution, - Thomas W. Dorr; Portrait and Autograph, Governor King ; Portrait and Autograph, Final Dispersion of Governor Dorr and his Forces, - The Black Flag, - Captain McKenzie; Portrait, and Autograph, Philip Spencer; Portrait and Autograph, Hanging of Ringleaders from the Yard-arm, View of the Comet when Nearest the Earth, - 427 Appearance of the Comet in full Splendor, Telescopic View of the Comet, - The Great Day Prophesied by the Second Ad- ventists, - Symbolical Illustrations of the Sec ond Advent Prophecies, William Miller; Portrait and Autograph, Stockton's Great Gun, the " Peacemaker," President Tyler; Portrait and. Autograph, - 381 384 390392 393 396 399402404 405 406408410 412413415417419421 428430431 4113 437 439 440 ILLUSTRATIONS. 63 wo. subject. pa 187. Secretary Gilmer; Portrait and Autograph, - 188. Explosion of the Great Gun on Board the United States Steamship Princeton, - 189. Secretary Upshur; Portrait and Autograph, - 190. Commodore Stockton ; Portrait and Auto graph, ~ 191. School House as it Was, 192. Yale College in 1784, - 193. Old King's College, - - ... 194. First Harvard College, - 195. Western College, - - - 196. Normal School, New York, .... 197. Yale College, - - 198. Harvard College, - 199. Relieving Pain by the Use of Ether, 200. The Three Claimants of the Discovery of Painless Surgery, by Ether, 201. Monument Erected in Honor of the Discovery of Ether, 202. The Inventor Toiling in His Garret, 203. Elias Howe, Jr. ; Portrait and Autograph, 204. The Old and New: Sewing by Hand and Machine, ... 205. Houseinwhich Spiritual Rappings Originated, 206. The Misses Fox; Portraits 207. D. D. Home; Portrait, ... 208. Cora L. V. Hatch; Portrait, 209. Spiritual Autograph of Lord Bacon, 210. A. J. Davis; Portrait, 211. Judge Edmonds; Portrait, - 212. Spiritual Autograph of Swedenborg, 213. Scene of Misery during the Famine, 214. Corn for the Land of Want and Woe, 215. Arrival of the Jamestown at Cork, - 216. The Storming of Chapultepec, 217. President Polk; Portrait and Autograph, 218. General Taylor; Portrait and Autograph, 219. Santa Anna; Portrait and Autograph. - 220. General Scott; Portrait and Autograph, 221. General Scott's Grand Entrance into the Mexican Capital, 222. Lieutenant Lynch; Portrait and Autograph, 223. Valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea, 224. Right Bank of the Dead Sea, - 225. Mining Operations in California, 226. Sutter's Mill, where Gold was First Discovered in 1848, - 227. John A. Sutter; Portrait, - 228. James W. Marshall; Portrait, ... 229. Forrest, as Spartacus, - 230. Edwin Forrest; Portrait and Autograph, 231. W. C. Macready; Portrait and Autograph, 232. Astor Place Opera-House Riots, - 233. Struck with the Cholera, - 234. Monument to the Victims of Cholera, 235. Horrors of the Great Epidemic, 236. Professor Webster's Murder Appliances, 237. Doctor Parkman; Portrait and Autograph, 238. Professor Webster; Portrait and Autograph, 239. Professor Webster's Cell in Prison, - 240. Henry Grinnell; Portrait and Autograph, 241. The Advance and Rescue, 242. Doctor Kane; Portrait and Autograph, - 243. View of the Arctic Regions, ... 244. Jenny Lind; Portrait and Autograph, - 245. P. T. Barnum; Portrait and Autograph, 246. Jenny Lind's Appearance at Castle Garden, - 547 247. Double Execution in San Francisco, 248. Seal of the California Vigilance Committee, 249. Executions by the Vigilance Commit tee, in San Francisco, - - - 250. George Steers: Portrait, ----- GE. NO. 442 251. 443 252. 444 253. 446 254. 448 449 255. 449 256. 449 450 257. 451 453 258. 454 259. 456 260. 458 261. 262. 402 404 263. 406 264. 265. 468 472 474 266. 475 267. 477 477 477 268. 477 269. 477 270. 479 271. 482 272. 484 273. 487 274. 488 489 275. 490 276. 491 277. 492 278. 496 279. 497 2S0. 498 500 281. 282. 502 283. 503 605 284. 508 285. 510 286. 511 513 287. 515 288. 517 519 289 523 290. 025 291. 527 292. 529 293 534 294. 536 295 638 296 539 297 543 298 545 299 547 300 550 301 552 302 303 555 304 560 SUBJECT. PAGE. Yacht America; J. C Stevens, Commo dore, ... . . 562 " Cup of All Nations," Won by the America, 564 School-House on Greenwich Avenue, New York, the Scene of the Awful Panic, 569 Frightful Catastrophe in a Public School- House, New York, - - - 571 Monster Sea-Serpent at Full Length, - 575 Appearance of the Huge Sea-Serpent along TnE Atlantic Coast, - - - 579 United States Steamer Mississippi, Convey ing Kossuth, - ... 583 Governor Kossuth; Portrait and Autograph, 5S5 Grand Military Reception of Gov ernor Kossuth in New York, - 588 Treaty of Peace, Amity, etc., - - - - 592 Commodore Perry; Portrait and Autograph, 594 Naval Expedition to Japan, under Com modore M. C Perry, - - 597 Interior of the World's Fair, New York, 600 Theodore Sedgwick; Portrait and Autograph, 602 Crystal Palace of New York, for the Exhibition of the Industries of All Nations, - - - - 604 Steamship Arctic, - - - - 608 Loss of the Collins Steamship Arctic, by Collision at Noonday in Mid- ocean, - 612 Liberty for Kansas, - - - 616 Senator Butler; Portrait and Autograph., 618 Senator Sumner; Portrait and. Autograph, 620 Assault on Senator Sumner, by P. S. Brooks, 622 Preston S. Brooks; Portrait, 623 Captain Herndon on the Wheel-house, - - 626 Foundering of the Steamer Central America, - 628 Victims of the Central America, - 630 Run on a Bank, 635 Excitement in Business Circles during the Great Panic, 637 Effects of the Hard Times, - - 639 Book of Requests for Prayers, - 644 Group of Eminent Revival Preachers, dur ing the National Century, - 641 Dwight L. Moody; Portrait, - - 652 Ira D. Sankey; Portrait, - - 652 Revival Meeting in Brooklyn, Con ducted by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, 654 Morphy's World-Beuowned Triumphs, - - 657 Paul Morphy; Portrait and Autograph, 654 Paul Morphy, Playing Eight Games of Chess Without Seeing the Boards, 661 Escape from the Burning Steamer, 664 Burning of the Steamship, Austria, with Five Hundred Souls on Board, - 666 Last View of the Unfortunate Steamer, - 66S State Capital of Illinois, - - 672 Debate between Lincoln and Douglas, - 673 S. A. Douglas; Portrait and Autograph, - 677 Travelers Dependence in Former Times, - 679 Locomotive Rocket, 1829, - - 680 Locomotive of To-day, ----- 681 Original Steam Car, - - - - - 682 Modern Railway Car, ----- 683 Petroleum Wells, - ... 687 Petroleum Wells in Pennsylvania, - - - 689 Process of Boring for Petroleum, - - 690 Burning of one of the Great Oil Wells, 693 The Spot where Broderick Fell, - - 696 D. C. Broderick; Portrait, - - 698 The Body of Senator Broderick Lying in State, San Francisco, ... 700 64 ILLUSTRATIONS. NO. 305.306. 307. 310. 311. 312. 313.314.315. 316.317. 318.319.320. 321. 324.325. 326.327 329. 330.331. 332. 333.334.335. 337.338.339.340. 341. 342.343. 344.345. 340. 347. 348.349. 350.351.352. 353.354. 3.55.356.357.358.359. 360.361. 362. SUBJECT. PAGE. Capture of John Brown, ... - 704 John Brown; Portrait and Autograph, - - 706 Harper's Ferry and the Arsenal Taken by Brown, The Rescue, Ruins of Pemberton Mills, " Lizzie " Amidst the Awful Ruins, Japanese Box Containing the Treaty, President Buchanan's Reception of the Grand Embassy from Japan, Ambassadors Simmi Boojsen Nokami and Mooragaki Awajsi Nokami, - The Great Eastern, - Arrival of the Steamship Great East ern, at New York, - Execution of General Walker, General Walker; Portrait and Autograph, Landing of General Walker's Fili bustering Expedition at Truxillo, - The Prince of Wales at Washington's Tomb, Prince of Wales; Portrait and Autograph, Grand Ball Given to the Prince of Wales, in Boston, - Flag of Fort Sumter, After the Bombard ment, Major Anderson; Portrait and Autograph, General Beauregard ; Portrait and Auto graph, Interior of Fort Sumter after the Bombardment, - " Cruiser," Untamed, John S. Rarey; Portrait, - Mr. Rarey Exhibiting his Celebrated Method of Taming Horses, Monument on the Bull Run Battle-field, General McDowell; Portrait and Autograph, General Johnston; Portrait and Autograph, - Battle of Bull run, Interior of the Tower of the Monitor, Commodore Franklin Buchanan ; Portrait and Autograph, 780 Naval Combat between the Merrimac and Monitor, 783 Lieutenant Worden; Portrait and Autograph, 785 Burying the Dead at Antietam, 787 General McClellan; Portrait and Autograph, 789 General Burnside; Portrait, - - 790 Battle of Antietam, - - 791 General ''Stonewall" Jackson; Portrait, 792 General Hooker; Portrait and Autograph, 793 Pen used in Signing the Proclamation, - - 796 Secretary Seward; Portrait, - - 797 Secretary Stanton; Portrait, - - 798 President Lincoln; Portrait and Autograph, - 799 Proclamation of Emancipation, - 801 Operations at Vicksburg, - - 806 General Pemberton; Portrait, 808 Siege of Vicksburg, by General Grant, - 809 General McPherson; Portrait, 811 Interview between Generals Grant and Pemberton, - - 812 Meade's Head-quarters, .... 815 General Meade; Portrait and Autograph, - 817 Battle of Gettysburg, - 819 General Longstreet; Portrait and Autograph, 821 Soldiers' Monument at Gettysburg, 823 Rev. H. W. Beecher Defending the American Union, in Exeter Hall, London, - 827 Mr. Beecher's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., - 831 Statue of Beethoven, in Boston, 833 The Great Organ in Boston Music Hall, 835 Genius of A rt and Music, - 837 708 712 714 719721 727 729733737 739741745747750753755 7597C1763 700 708771 773775778 NO.363.304.305.300.367.368.369.370.371.372. 373. 374. 375. 370.377.378.379.3S0.381.382. 383. 384. 3S5.386.387.388.3S9.390.391.392. 394.305. 390.397. 398.399.400.401. 402. 403.404.405.400.407.408. 409.410. 411. 412.413. 414.415. 410.417.418. 410.420. 846848850850850 850 *53 857859 876877 SUBJECT. PAGE. Merchant Vessel Burned by the Alabama, 840 Captain Semmes; Portrait and Autograph, - 842 Captain Winslow; Portrait and Autograph, - 844 Naval Contest between the Kear sarge and Alabama, Farragut's Flag-Ship, " Hartford," Admiral Farragut; Portrait, - Admiral Porter; Portrait, Admiral Foote ; Portrait, Admiral Dupont; Portrait, Union Naval Victory in Mobile Bay", Head-quarters, Atlanta, Ga., General Sherman ; Portrait and Autograph, - Sherman's Great March through the Heart of the South, General Grant Stating Terms of Surrender, Richmond, the Confederate Capital, entered by/ the union army, Lincoln's Early Home, Ford's Theater at Washington, The Assassination of President Lin coln, - House where Lincoln Died, J. Wilkes Booth; Portrait and Autograph Lincoln's Residence at Springfield, 111., Sergeant Boston Corbett; Portrait, Burial Place of Lincoln, - Section of the Atlantic Cable, - - - Cyrus W. Field; Portrait and Autograph, Arrival of the Great Eastern at Heart's Con tent, with the Atlantic Cable, Mountain Scene on the Pacific Railroad, Completion of the Pacific Railroad, P. S. Gilmore; Portrait and Autograph, National Peace Jubilee and Musical Festival at Boston, Mr. Ogden's House Untouched in the Midst of the Great Fire, - Burning of Chicago, October 8 and 9, 1871, Trinity Church, Boston, Destroyed, Terrible Fire in the Business Heart of Boston, Nov. 9 and 10, 1872, Emblematic Head piece, - Symbols of the Co-operative Labor Organiza tions, Spirit of the Grange Movement, - The Great Cathedral, N. Y., Archbishop McCloskey the First American Cardinal, , - Consecrational of the Cardinal, Electric Lamp, - Electric Light at Sea, Thos. A. Edison; Autograph, Phonograph, - - . House in which Jefferson AVrote the Declara tion of Independence, - Opening of the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, - - - The Corliss Engine, - - - Exhibition Buildings in Philadelphia, Independence Hall, July 4, 1876, Union Square, New York, July 4, 1876, Reading the Original Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1876, Entrance of the N. Y. 7th Regiment, - State Avenue, Nat'l Centennial Exhibition, - Woman's Pavilion, Nat'l Centenn'l Exhibit'n, The Tunisian Tent, Nat'l Centenn'l Exhibit'n. All Hail to the Hereafter ! - Flag of the German Empire, ... Emperor William; Portrait and Autograph, - - 881 883 885 894896000906 913 917 920923927 929931934935937940942943944 950951953954956 961962 963965966£166 BIRTH OF THE NEW REPUBLIC— 1776. Declaration of American Independence and National Sovereignty, July Fourth, 1776— The Gauntlet of Defiance thrown at the Feet of the British Empire by Her Youngest Colonies. — Vast Disparity, in Power and Resources, between the Contestants. — The whole World looks on Astonished — Seven Years' Bloody and Desolating War. — The American Cause Triumphant. — Grandest Modern Event. America Resists Unjust Taxation. — Haughty Obstinacy of King George. — Burning Eloquence of Pat rick Henry. — His Summons, " We Must Fight." — Washington Endorses this Sentiment. — Determina tion of the People. — War Preferred to Submission — Momentous Action by Congress. — Separation from England Decreed. — Effect of the Act in America. — Its Reception in England. — Excitement of the King and Court. — Lord Chatham, America's Advocate. — His Passionate Change of Views — Scorch ing Speech againstthe Colonies. — He is Struck Dead while Speaking. — Magnanimity of Burke and Fox. — Recognition from France Secured — Her Timely Aid in the Struggle. — Victories over the British Armies. — England Gives Up the Contest. — World-wide Welcome to the New Nation. " It will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acta of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to De solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, gameB, sports, guns, bells, bon fires, und illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forth, forevermore."— Job"* Adams. NE HUNDRED YEARS ago, namely, on the Fourth of July, 1776, there was born in the western world a New Nation, — the Re public of the United States. Defiance to tyrants was emblazoned in empyreal light upon her brow, and Freedom and Justice were the frontlets between her eyes. Mon archs, crowned with kingly dia dems, stood awed at the august manifesto, and at the solemn ar raignment of King George before the judgment of mankind, and parliaments and cabinets started in dismay to their feet ; but the People, as they descried the eagle of Liberty spreading her wings, and soaring proudly aloft, breath ed freer and took stronger heart, as the clear ring of her voice sounded through the air, declar ing, with grandly rounded enun ciation, that " all men are created equal." Refusing to pay the tribute of taxation arbitrarily imposed upon, them at the point of the bayonet by the British crown,— if HINGING OF THE BELL, JULY 4, 1776. 66 OUR FIRST CENTURY.— 1776-1876. failing, too, to move the king and his min isters from their career of haughty and reckless obstinacy, — the thirteen American colonies found themselves reduced to the alternative of abject submission to their so-called royal masters, or of armed resist ance. Already there had flashed through out the country the electric words of Pat rick Henry, " We must fight ! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us. I repeat it, sir, we must fight ! " And as the blood of patriot hearts had now flowed freely and bravely at Concord, and Lexington, and Bunker Hill, Washington declared, in words of solemn emphasis and characteristic brevity, " Nothing short of Independence, it ap pears to me, can possibly do." He also warmly approved and commended Paine's pamphlet, " Common Sense," written to this end. The sons of liberty shouted their responsive acclaim to this manly summons from the great American soldier — Wash ington — and, like the sound of many wa ters, the spirit of national independence which thus possessed the people came upon the continental congress, then in session in the state-house at Philadelphia, Pennsyl vania. It was in this temple of freedom, where in was sitting as noble and august a legis lative body as the world ever saw, that Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolu tion, on the 7th of June, 1776, declaring, " That the United Colonies are and ought to be free and independent States, and that their political connection with Great Brit ain is and ought to be dissolved." Upon this resolution there sprang up at once an earnest and powerful debate. It was op posed, principally, on the ground that it was premature. Some of the best and strongest advocates of colonial rights spoke and voted against the motion, which at last was adopted only by a vote of seven States in its favor to six against. Some of the delegates had not received definite instruc tions from their constituents, and others had been requested to vote against it. Its further consideration was accordingly post poned until there was a prospect of greater unanimity. On the eleventh of June, therefore, a committee was appointed to draft a formal Declaration ; this commit tee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. On the twenty-eighth of June, the com mittee made their report, and presented the Declaration which they had drawn up. The first or original draft was penned by Mr. Jefferson, chairman of the committee. On the second of July, congress proceeded to the serious consideration of this mo mentous paper ; the discussion, as to the tone and statements characterizing the document, and the propriety of adopting at that time a measure so decisive, lasted for nearly three days, and was extremely earnest. It was so powerfully opposed by some of the members, that Jefferson com pared the opposition to " the ceaseless ac tion of gravity, weighing upon us by night and by day." Its supporters, however, were the leading minds, and urged its adoption with masterly eloquence and abil- ' ity. John Adams, Jefferson asserts, was " the colossus in that debate," and " fought fearlessly for every word of it." The bond which was formed between those two great men on this occasion seems never to have been completely severed, both of them finally expiring, with a sort of poetic jus tice, on the fiftieth anniversary of the act which constituted their chief glory. Well and truly did the mighty patriot Adams characterize this event as the most memorable epoch in the history of Amer ica. " I am apt to believe," said he, " that it will be celebrated by succeeding genera tions, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illumina tions, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forth forever- more ! " The result has equaled the great patriot's wishes. Tradition gives a dra matic effect to its announcement. It was known, throughout the city, that the great GREAT AND MEMORABLE EVENTS. 67 event was to be determined that day, by the last formal acts ; but the closed doors of congress excluded the populace from witnessing the august assembly or its pro ceedings, though thousands of anxious citizens had gathered around the building, eager to hear the words of national des tiny soon to be officially proclaimed. From the hour when congress came together in the forenoon, all business was suspended throughout the city, and the old bellman steadily remained at his post in the steeple, prepared to sound forth to the waiting multitudes the expected glad tidings. He had even stationed a boy at the door of the hall below, to give immediate signal of the turn of events. This bell, manufactured felt such a professional pride, the electri fied old patriot rung forth such a joyous peal as was never heard before, nor ceased to hurl it backward and forward, till every voice joined in its notes of gladness and triumph. The roar of cannon, and illu minations from every house and hill-top, added to these demonstrations of uni versal rejoicing. And this was the type of that exultation which everywhere manifested itself, as the news spread with lightning rapidity from city to city and from State to State. Every American patriot regarded the declaration by congress as the noble performance of an act which had become inevitable ; and the paper itself as the complete vindica- HALL OF INDEPENDENCE, PHILADELPHIA, 1776. in England, bore upon its ample curve the now prophetic inscription, "Proclaim lib erty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Hours passed on, and fear began to take the place of hope in many a heart ; even the venerable and always cheerful bellman was overheard in his despondent soliloquy, " They will never do it! they will never do it!" Finally, at about two o'clock in the afternoon, the door of the mysterious hall swung open, and a voice exclaimed, " Passed ! — it has passed ! " The word was caught up by ten thousand glad mouths, and the watch-boy now clapped his hands and shouted, " Ring ! Ring ! " Seizing the iron tongue of the bell in which he had long tion of America before the bar of public opinion throughout the world. When it was read by the magistrates and other functionaries, in the cities and towns of the whole nation, it was greeted with shouts, bonfires, and processions. It was read to the troops, drawn up under arms, and to the congregations in churches by ministers from the pulpit. Washington hailed the declaration with joy. It is true, it was but a formal recognition of a state of things which had long existed, but it put an end to all those temporizing hopes of reconciliation which had clogged the military action of the country. On the ninth of July, therefore, Washington caused it to be read at six o'clock in the 68 OUR FIRST CENTURY.— 1776-1876. evening, at the head of each brigade of the army. " The general hopes," said he in his orders, "that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier, to act with fidelity and courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his country depend, under God, solely on the success of our arms ; and that he is now in the service of a State, possessed of sufficient power to re ward his merit, and advance him to the highest honors of a free country." The troops listened to the reading of this with eager attention, and at its close broke forth in tumultuous applause. The excitable populace of New York were not content with the ringing of bells and the other usual manifestations of public joy. There was a leaden eques trian statue of George the Third in the Bowling Green, in front of the fort. Around this kingly effigy the excited mul titude, surging hither and thither, unit edly gathered, and pulling it down to the ground, broke it into fragments, which fragments were afterwards conveniently molded into bullets and made to do service against his majesty's troops. Some of the soldiers and officers of the American army having joined in this proceeding, Wash ington censured it, as having much the appearance of a riot and a want of disci pline, and the army was ordered to abstain, in the future, from all irregularities of the kind. In Boston, that citadel of radical insub ordination to "his majesty," the public joy knew no bounds, and even the British prisoners were courteously summoned to witness the spirit with which a brave peo ple, determined to be free, dared to defy the British throne. On the seventeenth of July the British officers on parole re ceived each a card from the governor, re questing the honor of said officer's attend ance at a specified hour on the morrow, in the town hall. As rumors were pretty well afloat, however, touching the decided step that had been taken at Philadelphia, the officers were not without a suspicion as to the purport of the meeting, and hesi tated for a while as to the consistency of giving the sanction of their presence to a proceeding which they could not but re gard as traitorous. Curiosity, however, got the better of these scruples, and it was resolved, after a brief consultation, that the invitation ought to be accepted. On entering the hall, the king's officers found it occupied by ' rebellious ' function aries, military, civil, and ecclesiastical, and among whom the same good humor and excitement prevailed as among the throng out of doors. The British officials were received with great frankness and cordi ality, and were allotted such stations as enabled them to witness the whole cere mony. Exactly as the clock struck one, Colonel Crafts, who occupied the chair, rose, and, silence being obtained, read aloud the declaration, which announced to the world that the tie of allegiance which had so long held Britain and her North American colonies together, was forever separated. This being finished, the gen tlemen stood up, and each, repeating the words as they were spoken by an officer, swore to uphold, at the sacrifice of life, the rights of his country. Meanwhile, the town clerk read from a balcony the solemn declaration to the collected multitude ; at the close of which, a shout began in the hall and passed like an electric spark to the streets, which now rang with loud huz zas, the slow and measured boom of can non, and the rattle of musketry. The batteries on Fort Hill, Dorchester Neck, the castle, Na.ntasket, and Long Island, each saluted with thirteen guns, the artil lery in the town fired thirteen rounds, and the infantry scattered into thirteen divis ions, poured forth thirteen volleys, — all corresponding to the number of states which formed the Union. There was also a municipal banquet, at which speeches were made and toasts drank ; and in the evening a brilliant illumination of the houses. In Virginia, the proclamation of inde pendence was greeted with that same ardor of enthusiasm which for so many years had characterized the people of that GREAT AND MEMORABLE EVENTS. ancient commonwealth, in the course of political freedom. In South Carolina, too, the declaration was read to the assembled multitudes, amid the greatest rejoicings, public addresses, military and civic proces sions, bands of music, firing of cannon, and kindred demonstrations of popular favor. In all the colonies, indeed, the declaration was hailed as the passing away of the old world and the birth of the new. But the declaration, though it thus solemnly inaugurated a new nation and made the colonies, for the time, the theater of patriotic jubilee, involved startling per ils and imposed momentous duties ; for it was a defiant challenge to combat thrown by a mere province in the face of the most colossal power in all Christendom. This important paper commences with stating that, " When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to as sume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal stations to which the laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, en title them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should de clare the causes which impel them to the separation." The causes are then stated, and a long enumeration of the oppressions complained of by America is closed by saying that " a prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." History may be searched in vain for words so bold and scathing, used by a colony against a powerful sovereign. The fruitless appeals which had been made to the people of Great Britain are also recounted, but " they too," concludes this declaration, "have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends." Then comes the portentous conclusion — "We, therefore, the representatives of 69 the United States of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Su preme Judge for the rectitude of our inten tions, do, in the name, and by the author ity of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as free and independ ent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things, which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutu ally pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." In the whole country, however, between New England and the Potomac, which was now to become the great theater of action, although a vast majority was in favor of independence, there existed an influential number, who not only refused to act with their countrymen, but were ready to give information and aid to the enemy. Most of these tories were wealthy and haughty, and rendered themselves ex tremely unpopular. Laws passed by the new State authorities had subjected these persons to fines and imprisonments, and their property to confiscation. They en dured many outrages, and were treated to " tarrings and featherings " innumerable, by the more violent among the angry pop ulace. To prevent these outrages, con gress gave the supervision of tories to committees of inspection. Many of these obnoxious families finally left the country, and in course of time the tory element was eradicated or completely silenced. Scarcely less interesting and important is the character of the reception which this remarkable document met on its ar rival in England. Of the noble band of American patriots who had been chosen to deliberate and act for the best good of the 70 OUR FIRST CENTURY— 1776-1876. oppressed colonies, and who, preceding the final act of the declaration of independ ence, had sent forth the most magnani mous appeals to Britain's sense of justice, — of these men and their works, there had gone forth one of the grandest eulogies from the elder Pitt (Lord Chatham), the greatest of Britain's statesmen, who, in his place in parliament, dared to say — • "I must declare and avow that in all my reading and study — and it has been my favorite study; I have read Thucydi- des, and have studied and admired the master states of the world — that, for so lidity of reasoning, for force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of circumstances, no nation or body of men can stand in preference to Ihe general congress of Philadelphia." But when, a few years after, it was pro posed, by the British prime minister, to conciliate the exasperated colonies by treat ing them as a people possessing certain independent rights and powers, Pitt showed the exalted estimation in which he held the rebellious colonies as part of the British realm, by opposing such a course, in a speech of almost dramatic power and effect, and from which, owing to the exhaustion it produced in his own shattered system, the great peer and ora tor almost immediately died. In France, the declaration of independ ence by the American colonies was greeted with secret satisfaction by the court and rulers, and aroused to universal gladness the popular heart. Reviewing the scene and its actors, one of the most brilliant and popular orators of that intrepid nation was led to say : " With what grandeur, with what enthusiasm, should I not speak of those generous men who erected this grand edifice by their patience, their wis dom, and their courage ! Hancock, Frank lin, the two Adamses, were the greatest actors in this affecting scene ; but they were not the only ones. Posterity shall know them all. Their honored names shall be transmitted to it by a happier pen than mine. Brass and marble shall show them to remotest ages. In behold ing them, shall the friend of freedom feel his heart palpitate with joy — feel his eyes float in delicious tears. Under the bust of one of them has been written, ' He wrested thunder from heaven and the scepter from tyrants.' Of the last words of this eulogy shall all of them partake." Still more preg nant were the words of the great Mira- beau, as, citing the grand principles of the American Declaration, from his place in the National Assembly, "I ask," he said, " if the powers who have formed alliances with the States have dared to read that manifesto, or to interrogate their con sciences after the perusal ? I ask whether there be at this day one government in Europe — the Helvetic and Batavian con federations and the British isles excepted — which, judged after the principles of the Declaration of Congress on the fourth ol July, 1776, is not divested of its rights ! " For more than a year, commissioners from congress, at the head of whom was Dr. Franklin, resided at the court of France, urging upon that government to acknowledge the independence of the United States. But the success of the American struggle was regarded, as yet, too doubtful, for that country to embroil herself in a war with Great Britain. But that great event, the capture of the British army at Saratoga, seemed to increase the probability that the American arms would finally triumph, and decided France to espouse her cause. The aid which France now brought to the Americans was of great importance. It is even doubtful whether the colonies, without her contri butions of money, navy, and troops, would have been able to resist Britain with final success ; at least, the struggle must have been greatly prolonged. To this inter vention, however, France was inclined, be her own hostility to England, whom she delighted to see humbled, especially by a people struggling for independence. Fi nally, after the surrender of Cornwallis to General Washington, the French court pressed upon congress the propriety of ap pointing commissioners for negotiating peace with Great Britain. In accordance GREAT AND MEMORABLE EVENTS. 71 with this advice, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, were appointed. The commissioners met Messrs. Fitzherbert and Oswald, on the part of Great Britain, at Paris, and provi sional articles of peace between the two countries were there signed, November thirtieth, 1782 ; the definitive treaty being signed on the third of September, 1783. Holland acknowledged the independence of the United States in 1782 ; Sweden, in February, 1783 ; Denmark, in the same month ; Spain, in March ; Russia, in July. And thus, the Republic of the United States of America became an inde pendent power among the nations of the earth. It was not unknown to the wise arid venerable enactors of the Declaration, that their signatures to such an instrument would be regarded in England as an act of treason, rendering them liable to the halter or the block. In the full apprecia tion of all this, every man of them placed his name upon the immortal parchment. The only signature which indicates a trembling hand, is that of Stephen Hop kins, but this was owing to a nervous affection; for, so resolute was he in con gress, that, when some of the members suggested a hope of reconciliation, Mr. Hopkins replied, that " the time had come when the strongest arm and the longest sword must decide the contest, and those members who were not prepared for action had better go home." The boldest signa ture is that of John Hancock, he whom the British had excepted in their offers of pardon, as one "whose offenses are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration but that of condign punish ment." The number who signed the Dec laration was fifty-six ; and the average length of their lives was about sixty-five years. Carpenters'Hall — or Independence Hall — in Philadelphia, where these tre mendous scenes transpired, is still one of the places which every American looks upon with patriotic pride; for within that temple was born a Nation, in whose des tiny were wrapped the interests of Liberty and Civilization to the end of time. II. CAPITULATION OF GENERAL BTJRGrOYNE.— 1777. First Royal Army Ever Surrendered to Americans. — Utter Failure of England's Grand Scheme to *• Subdue the Rebellious Colonies." — European Sympathy for the Struggling Infant Nation. — Alliance Between France and the United States. — Brilliant and Effective Combination of French and Ameri can Forces — Gloomy Prospect for America in 1777. — Britain's Honor Intrusted to Burgoyne. — His Magnificent Army. — Rebels to be Sternly Dealt With. — Sanguine Expectations of Success. — Savages Leagued with the Invaders. — Their Murder of Miss McCrea. — Burgoyne's Triumphant Progress. — Fall of Ticonderoga. — American Victories at Bennington, Etc. — Gates's Army in Fine Spirits. — General Fraser Shot Dead. — The " King's Regulars " Desperate. — General Clinton Fails to Aid Them — All Hope Abandoned. — Burgoyne Lays Down his Arms — His Meeting with Gates. — Trophies of This Victory. — How Washington Got the News. — Unbounded Joy of Americans. — Crushing Blow to British Pride. — Effect upon Other Nations. "I have but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my direction— and they amount to thousands— to overtake the hardened enemie. of Great Britain." — Bubgotme's Proclamation. N the panels of that vast and superb rotunda which forms the center of the I federal capitol at Washington, are four I magnificent paintings by John Trumbull, I which illustrate the first four great events I in the history of the United States, namely, the Declaration of American In dependence, the Surrender of Burgoyne, the Surrender of Cornwallis, and the Res- I ignation of Washington as commander- | in-chief of the army. The design of this Gates's Head-Quarters. volume being to portray the scenes and incidents relating to each of those leading occurrences, of perpetual interest, in the rev olutionary period, — as well as those that illustrate the remaining years which constitute the nation's first century, — the account which here follows will be descriptive of that triumphant achievement of revolutionary valor, the reduction of Burgoyne and his forces in 1777 ; it being the first royal army that ever capitulated to the Americans. It was also a fitting close to a year which had been marked by the arrival of Lafayette, favor from the French government, the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Ben nington, the latter won by General Stark, and the occupation of Philadelphia by Gen eral Howe. The campaign of 1777 opened under gloomy auspices, and promised to the American cause little else than disasters. The army of Washington was totally inadequate in numbers, discipline, and equipment, to cope with the enemy, with any prospect of suc cess. The genius of liberty was inclosed between two fires, and once more a fatal crisis seemed approaching ; for, not only was General Howe preparing to embark with twenty GREAT AND MEMORABLE EVENTS. 73 thousand veteran troops for the Delaware, whence he was to move on Philadelphia, but Burgoyne was approaching with about half that number, backed by hordes of sav ages from the north. Burgoyne had long been one of the pet generals in the British army, and to him was specially intrusted the prestige of British arms and honor in the conflict with America. He was the inheritor of great wealth, through his father-in-law, the Earl of Derby ; he served in Portugal with much credit, as brigadier- general, in 1762 ; for some time he was a conspicuous member of parliament ; and in 1775 he was appointed to a command in America, " to subdue the rebellious colo nies." He witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1776 he returned to England, and had a long conference with George III. on colonial affairs. In 1777 he was appointed to lead the army which was to penetrate from Canada into the United States and crush to atoms the revolution ary forces ; — with what success, the fol lowing narrative will show : Having arrived in Quebec with his com mission in May, 1777, this ambitious gen eral, inspired by the distinguished confi dence placed in his genius and ability by the English ministry, immediately dis played great activity in making those preparations which were necessary to the success of an enterprise which was to de cide the fate of America. The regular force placed at his disposal, consisting of British and German troops, amounted to upwards of seven thousand men, exclusive of a corps of artillery numbering about five hundred. To these was added a de tachment of seven hundred rangers, under Colonel St. Leger, destined to make an incursion into the country of the Mohawks, and to seize Fort Stanwix. According to the plan of operations decided upon by Burgoyne, his principal army was to be joined by two thousand Canadians, in cluding hatchet-men, and other workmen whose services were necessary to render the route practicable. A sufficient number of seamen had likewise been assembled, for manning the transports. Besides the Canadians that were to be immediately attached to the army, many others were called upon to scour the woods in the frontiers, and to occupy the intermediate parts between the army which advanced towards the Hudson and that which re mained for the protection of Canada; the latter amounted, including the highland emigrants, to upwards of three thousand men. They were furnished by the san guine ministry with an unusual variety and abundance of provisions, military stores, and other conveniences, amongst which was included a large quantity of uniforms, destined for the loyalists, who, it was not doubted, would after victory flock from all quarters to the royal camp. A great number of cruel and intractable savages were also gathered together to swell the force and prowess of this invad ing host. Burgoyne had taken pains to be seconded by many brave and able offi cers, among whom was Major-General Phillips, the brigadier-generals Fraser, Powel, Hamilton, and Specht, with the Brunswick major-general, Baron Riedesel. The whole army shared enthusiastically in the ardor and hopes of its chiefs, and not a doubt was entertained of an ap proaching triumph, and the thorough con quest and humiliation of America. The most base feature in Burgoyne's plan of the campaign was his employment of hordes of wild and inhuman savages, whose only weapons were the tomahawk and scalping- knife. But bitterly did he rue his course in this respect, for the deeds enacted by those hell-hounds of cruelty served, more than any thing else, to exasperate the American patriots, and to incite them to determined resistance and triumph. The murder of that lovely young woman, Miss McCrea, at Fort Edward, and the bloody massacre in the beautiful valley of Wyom ing, were the legitimate fruits of such a policy as that of Burgoyne. The first movement of Burgoyne was to encamp near the little river Roquet, on the western bank of Lake Champlain, a short distance north of Crown Point. Here he made addresses to the Indians to 74 OUR FIRST CENTURY.— 1776-1876. stimulate their ardor but repress their ferocious propensities, and sent proclama tions into the country to intimidate the people. He next made a short stop at Crown Point, and then proceeded to invest Ticonderoga. The right wing took the western bank of the lake, the left advanced upon the eastern, and the center was em barked upon the lake itself. Unfortunately, the American army, des tined to oppose the progress of the royal troops and to defend Ticonderoga, was altogether insufficient. General Schuyler, who commanded the American troops in this quarter, had been disappointed in procuring re-enforcements, and his men numbered only about four thousand. Ti conderoga itself was very strongly fortified on every side, and its defense was in trusted to General St. Clair, with a garri son of three thousand men, one-third of these being raw militia, and all of them poorly equipped. Although General St. Clair put forth every exertion to retard the operations of the advancing enemy, yet in a few days they succeeded in getting pos session of Mount Hope and Mount De fiance, two very important positions, one of which commanded the American lines to a dangerous degree, and the other over looked the entire fort. Ticonderoga be ing thus easily hemmed in on every side, a council of officers concluded to evacuate the fort. They accordingly withdrew on the night of the fifth of July. All was done in good order and profound silence ; and the stores, artillery and provisions, were put on board two hundred bateaux and five armed galleys. They would prob ably have escaped unperceived by the British, had not a house caught fire on Mount Independence, which betrayed by its light all that had taken place. The Americans were immediately pursued, and by the next afternoon their boats were overtaken and attacked at Skenesborough Falls. Two of the American galleys sur rendered, and three were blown up ; and, after setting fire to their works, mills, and bateaux, that portion of the army escaped up Wood Creek to Fort Anne. The van guard of the corps that set out by land, under St. Clair, had arrived at Castleton; the rear had rested at Hubbardston, when it was overtaken and attacked by General Fraser, on the morning of the seventh. An obstinate battle ensued, which at length, after Riedesel came up, resulted in the dispersion of the Americans, who left many of their soldiers, together with their brave commander, Colonel Francis, dead an