AMERICAN HISTORY STUDIES. EDITOR'S PREFACE. ERY little space will be given this year to narrative text, or to method. Copious extracts will be made from the sources. The aim will be to choose the extracts in such a way that they may to a great extent tell their own story. In the ten numbers of the MONTHLY it is intended to illustrate ten phases of American history by calling in contemporaries to speak for themselves. Of course these extracts are expected to do little else than whet the appetite for more. It is hoped that the spirit of original research may be intensified in this way to such an extent that the reader may wish to go to the more extended compilations of sources. Professor Hart's new work, "American History as Told by Contemporaries," in four volumes, will meet the want of many. Many extracts may be found in the MONTHLY which could not have been laid before its readers had not this compilation been available. Niles' "Documents Illustrative of the American Revolution" is also a valuable and convenient collection of sources bearing on the American Revolution. Professor Woodburn's revision of Johnston's “American Orations" has increased the usefulness of that valuable work. It now consists of four volumes of the best speeches on all political topics made by American statesmen. The reader of these articles will thus recognize that they contain only an insignificant fraction of the available material, but it is hoped that these papers may throw light on a few of the many great questions in the development of the life and thought of the American people. May we not at least hope that those who cannot have access to the more elaborate works, or those whose time is too limited to use them, may find something to aid them in these briefer extracts? To get the greatest value from this work the writer believes that definite, systematic work is necessary. On the whole, the plan outlined in the September and October numbers of the JOURNAL of last year is believed to be a desirable one. Questions will accompany each paper this year. They will aim to direct the thought to the most important points in the extracts, and to bring out the hidden meanings. The new 'reader may perhaps understand the method from a few explanatory sentences. In the first place, a written answer should be prepared for every question, accompanied by the page reference to the proof for the answer. Then an outline should be prepared arranging in proper and logical order the knowledge which has been accumulated in answering the questions. This second step is followed by the third, which consists in writing a paper following the "outline" and based on the answers to the questions for the "material" or matter which it contains. In brief, we first gather our "material," then make an "outline," and finally write our "narrative" history. It is believed that those who will conscientiously fol low this plan will by the end of the year have gained much in power, in knowledge of method, and in general culture and information. More or less explanatory matter will be introduced into the extracts, but in all cases it will be inclosed in brackets [ ]. The editor will, however, in general leave the rary writers to tell their own story. it seemed necessary to argue for the contempoLast year use of the sources. In Nebraska at least the acceptance of the principle is now so nearly universal that it would be like carrying a feather bed downstairs at a fire to elaborate further on the subject. The only question now is to make the sources available to the teachers and students of the state. Time will determine the success of this experiment. Teachers who wish credit in the University of Nebraska may secure it by keeping a note-book, and at the end of the year submitting it for inspection. The note-book should also show the time given to the work from day to day. The amount of credit will, of course, vary with the quantity and quality of work done, THE FOUNDING OF THE COLONIES. The planting of the colonies may be said in general to extend from 1600 to 1700 By the latter date they were firmly established and the lines of their movement well determined. The social, religious, political, educational, and industrial life must all be considered in our study. Also the purposes of colonization and the char acter of the emigrants, as well as the Indians, are factors in our study. Selections, therefore, have been made to illustrate each of these prob lems. 1. Reasons for colonization. Then shall her Majesties dominions be enlarged, her highnesse ancient titles justly confirmed, all odious idlenesse from this our Realm utterly banished, divers decayed towns repaired, and many poor and needy persons relieved, and estates of such as now live in want shall be embettred, the ignorant and barbarous idolaters taught to know Christ, the innocent defended from their bloodie tyrannicle neighbors, the diabolicale custome of sacrificing humane creatures abolished. .-1582. Sir Geo. Peckham in Hakluyt; Voyages, etc. ayming at the glory of God, the propagation of the gospell of Christ, the conversion of the Indians, and the enlargment of the King's Majesty's dominions in America. -Hart, I, p. 190. 2. The emigrants: Class, laws concerning. 1582.-Sir Geo. Peckham proposed to get rid of a great number of men which do now live idely at home, and are burthnous, chargeable, and to the common annoy of the whole state. -Hakluyt. 1637. No persons being Subsidy Men [liable for taxes] or of the value of Subsidy Men shall emigrant.-Proclamation, Chas. I. such a course that You are to take vagrants and others who remain here noxious and unprofitable, may be soe transplanted to the generall advantage of the publique as well as the particular commoditie of our Forraine Plantacons.-1660. Instructions for the Councill for Forraigne Plantacons. From Documents relating to New York History. And probably many vagrants agreed with Charles II., for, in 1679, two bright Dutch travelers tell us of a "Godless Emigrant Ship" bound for New York. In fine it was a Babel. I have never in my life heard of such a disorderly ship. It was confusion without end. I have never been in a ship where there was so much vermin, which was communicated to us. There were some bunks and clothes as full as if they had been sown. But must forbear.-Long Island Hist. Society, Memoirs. On the other side, hear Rev. Francis Higginson, 1629: short The passage was through God's blessing and speedy-6 weeks and 3 days, healthful to our passengers, being freed from the great contagion of the scurvie and other maledictions, which in other passages had taken away the lives of many; and withal, a pious and Christianlike passage; for I suppose passengers will seldom find a company of more religious, honest and kynd seamen than we had. We constantly served God morning and evening by reading and expounding a chapter, singing, and prayer. And the Sabbath was solemnly kept by adding |