A UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA EMBRACING THE WHOLE PERIOD, FROM THE EARLIEST DISCOVERIES, DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME. GIVING A DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN COUNTRY, ITS BOIL IN THREE PARTS. BY C. B. TAYLOR. BUFFALO, N. Y. PUBLISHED BY EZRA STRONG. Stereotyped by James Conner. Apr 23, 1934 Tufts College Library Southern District of New-York, 59. BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the 21st day of July, A. D. 1830, in the 65th year of the Independence of the United States of America, Ezra Strong, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof Le claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "A Universal History of the United States of America; embracing the whole period, from the earliest discoveries, down to the present time. Giving a descrip tion of the Western country, its soil, settlements, increase of population, &c. In Three Parts. By C. B. Taylor." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned" And also to an act, entitled, "An act, supplementary to an act, entitled, an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." FRED. J. BETTS, Clerk of the Southern District of New-York, PREFACE. IN collecting materials for this work, the author has, as may be seen from the copiousness of his table of contents, studied brevity of style. This, from the multiplicity of subjects contained in the volume, he deemed essentially necessary. Another important design of the author has been to exhibit, in a strong point of light, those principles of political and religious freedom, to secure which many of our ancestors sacrificed their homes, their fortunes, and even their lives. We cannot but admire the courage, perseverance, and virtues of our progenitors, when we contemplate the obstacles surmounted by them, the hardships endured, and the unshrinking firmness of purpose which turned a wilderness into fruitful fields, established a government of equal laws, and provided an asylum for the oppressed of all nations. Having learned, at least to some extent, to appreciate the value of those blessings which have descended to the posterity of the pilgrims, the author would now contribute his mite for the benefit of the present and future generations. This work is designed for a family and school book; and is also intended as a substitute for those more voluminous works, that find their way to the few only whose resources are sufficient to procure them. The size of the type on which this volume is printed, has enabled ༢་ the publisher to present to his readers more matter than was originally intended for the work; and to give in a duodecimo form, the quantity of reading commonly found in an octavo volume. Although presented to the public in a condensed form, it will be found to contain the most important events in the general history of this country. The comparative population, wealth, resources, and progressive improvement in the states and territories, have been particularly noticed, and will be found a source of useful information to those who may design to change their present places of abode. One entire chapter of this work is devoted to a view of the western states and territories, giving a description of the face of the country, the soil and productions, situation and extent, rivers, increase of population, settlements, &c. This is designed by the author to convey a useful table of information to all of his readers, but is inserted more particularly for the benefit of those who intend to emigrate. C. B. T. INTRODUCTION. Birth, Education, and early Life of Columbus. His discovery of America, and discoveries by Cabot, Hudson, and others. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, or Columbo, as the name is written in Italian, was born in the city of Genoa, about the year 1435, of poor but reputable and meritorious parentage. He was the son of Domenico Colombo, a wool comber, and Susanna Fontanarossa, his wife; and his ancestors seem to have followed the same trade for several generations in Genoa. Attempts have been made to prove him of illustrious descent, and several noble houses have laid claim to him since his name has become so renowned as to confer rather than receive distinction. It is possible some of them may be in the right, for the feuds in Italy in those ages had broken down and scattered many of the noblest families, and while some branches remained in the lordly heritage of castles and domains, others were confounded with the humblest population of the cities. The fact, however, is not material to his fame; and it is a higher proof of merit to be the object of contention among various noble families, than to be able to substantiate the most illustrious lineage. His son Fernando had a true feeling on the subject. "I am of opinion," says he, " that I should derive less dignity from any nobility of ancestry, than from being the son of such a father." Columbus was the oldest of four children; having two brothers, Bartholomew and Giacomo, or, as his name is translated into Spanish, Diego, and one sister, of whom nothing is known, excepting that she was married to a person in obscure life, called Giacomo Bavarello. |