PREFATORY NOTE. THIS work follows the same general lines as the author's "Leading Facts of American History." It differs, however, from the more elementary manual in many important respects. It is much fuller in its treatment of political and constitutional history, and of the chief events bearing on the development of the nation. It quotes original documents, authorities, and standard writers on the points of greatest interest to the student and the teacher, the object being to let the history of our country speak for itself. As a help to further research, note numbers have been inserted throughout the book referring to upwards of two thousand works of acknowledged merit cited in the Appendix. The author is particularly indebted to the Trustees and the Librarian of the Boston Athenæum for the privilege of making use of the admirable collection of books under their charge. |