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Title: The Footprints of Time

Author: Charles Bancroft


Release date: November 20, 2019 [eBook #60744]
Most recently updated: October 17, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME ***

THE
FOOTPRINTS OF TIME:
AND A COMPLETE
ANALYSIS
OF OUR AMERICAN
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT,
WITH A
CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL COLONIES
AND OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CHRONOLOGICAL
ORDER: FACTS AND STATISTICS
FROM OFFICIAL
SOURCES.

By CHARLES BANCROFT.

R. T. ROOT, PUBLISHER,
BURLINGTON, IOWA.
1875.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874,
By R. T. ROOT,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

George Washington

Painted by G. Stuart  Engraved by A.B. Walter, Phila.

PREFACE.

It is the object of this book to supply the means of forming an accurate idea of the American government. The author has adopted the proposition that the highest style of government is one “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” and believes that a constant progress, commencing in the earliest times, has reached its full development in the Great Republic. He therefore traces The Footprints of Time through all history; notes the gradual unfolding of institutions, the rise and fall of empires, the causes that produced and destroyed the ancient republics, and the origin of the forces that give so much more strength and stability to modern civilization. All this he considers essential to a correct appreciation of the wonderful events of our age and country.

He then proceeds to a close and clear analysis of the whole structure of the government. Each general division, with its sub-divisions, is examined in detail, but successively; so that a definite picture of it, with all its branches, operations, and relations to other parts, stands before the mind as a sharply defined whole. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial divisions—the dependent parts of each kept in proper place—come in order, one after the other, before the mind, the structure, powers and working of each being fully explained.

The book is indeed a compilation, and the matter in large part from official sources, but collected from an astonishingly large number of books, all of which are not to be found even in the largest public libraries; but the labor and merit of gathering so much from all directions and compressing a library into a form and compass so convenient, and so well arranged, in so few and well chosen words, has been great indeed.

All the works heretofore brought before the public proposing to meet this want have been fragmentary, or have treated at too great length but a portion of the subject. A complete summary, or Citizens’ Manual, is here furnished, that includes a sufficiently detailed Analysis of the entire structure of the government, developing in a clear and comprehensive manner the organization, powers, relations, and mode of working of each department, small or large, the principles on which they rest and the spirit that permeates them all. It lays our history so far under contribution as to show us the occasion that produced each institution, the gradual growth of the grand edifice and the causes that controlled and shaped the whole. In short, it gives us an adequate reason for the form of our institutions, even so far back as the earlier history of humanity, when the tendencies that have borne this fruit first began to appear in human history.

The Publisher.

INTRODUCTION.

It is our happiness to live in an age whose master-pieces of accomplishment, in science, industry and commerce, put to shame the extravagant fictions of Oriental tales and the wonders ascribed to the gods and heroes of ancient mythology. The changes produced by recent investigations and discoveries are so vast and so rapid that it is difficult to follow them or comprehend the power and thoroughness of the transformations that are taking place in the world around us. The applications of steam and electricity astonish us by their wide spread influence on the condition and relations of men; the ease and speed of movement and intercourse, constantly increasing, are ever putting us in new and unfamiliar situations. We have hardly accustomed our thoughts and habits to one before we are hurried on into another. The constantly clearer and more abundant light shed by science and the press does not suffice to keep our minds fully up to the progress that goes on in all departments of life.

It is plain that we have entered on a New Era, the most extraordinary and momentous the world has ever seen. The old and imperfect is being cleared away and everything thoroughly reconstructed. The explanation is that we are now setting up the grand Temple of Civilization, the separate stones and pillars of which each nation and age was commissioned to hew and carve, and, so to speak, left in the quarry to await the time when, all the material being ready, the Master Builder should collect all the scattered parts and raise the whole edifice at once, to the astonishment and joy of mankind.

All the institutions and civilizations of the past may be considered temporary, erected in haste from the materials nearest at hand, not for permanence, but to serve the present turn while the special task of the nation or age was being performed. The races and ages nearer the birth of mankind worked on rougher parts of the edifice, that entered into the foundations; those grand races, the Greek and the Roman, furnished the noble outline which the nations of modern Europe perfected while they supplied what was still lacking for use and adornment.

America was reserved, designedly, for so many ages, to furnish a suitable and unencumbered location for the central halls and mightiest pillars of the completed structure. Our fathers cleared the ground and laid the foundation deep down on the living rock, that is to say, on Human Rights. That they seldom failed to place stone, pillar and column in just position the work, as we find it, proves, and we have little to do but to clear away the rubbish, beautify the grounds, and put the whole to its proper use.

We begin to see that Time, Thought and Experience have not wrought in vain, that Progress is not a phantom of the imagination, that the human race is essentially a Unit, that it has been growing through all the centuries and is now approaching the prime of its manhood, just ready to enter on its special career with its grandest work still to do. The energies of all the races are preparing for unheard of achievements. The world was never so completely and so wisely busy as now, and America stands between modern Europe and ancient Asia, receiving from, and giving to, both. Her institutions are founded on principles so just and so humane that, when administered with due wisdom and skill, they will embarrass and restrain the proper activities of men at no point. America stands a model which other nations will carefully copy, in due time, as they can adapt themselves and change their institutions. It may not be a literal copy, a servile imitation; but there is little doubt that our Declaration of Independence will finally enter, in spirit and potential influence, into the intimate structure of all governments.

It is the Course of Human Progress, and the important elements that were successively added as each leading phase of civilization appeared, that is endeavored to be traced in the Historical Review of the First Part of this book. While following the general march of events chronologically, we have stopped here and there to take a general survey, in order the better to understand the significance of detached facts, or to examine a new influence that enters among the forces moulding the future. Our space did not allow an exhaustive process; nor was it desirable. We have taken note of only the more important landmarks of Progress. Too much detail would confuse the mind by engaging it in an intricate mass of facts. It is the thread of events, that joins the nations and ages together, or the channel by which they sent down to our day—from Asia to Europe, and from Europe to America—each their special contribution to the political wisdom and the free institutions of America, that we have endeavored to find.

We hope we have not underrated any people or any time, and that we have not overrated the value and glory of America. America is yet young. Its founders, the authors of its Constitution, were unaware of the singular excellence and nobility of their work. Like all other people, they built according to their genius and instincts. Time only could show whether they built for immortality. They feared and trembled over their work; but Time has set on it his seal of approval. Our people are busy using their liberties and energies, each for his individual benefit, as is quite right and proper; since the welfare of individuals makes the prosperity of the community. But a government left to take care of itself is prone to do that work only too well. We have done well and wisely in important crises; but a more intelligent and constant watchfulness over the ordinary course of public affairs would have been still better.

It is plain that the general mind among us has grown clearer and more accurate in its judgments as experience has accumulated, for the original direction toward popular freedom has not changed. Various incongruities have been laid aside and oversights corrected, the severe strain of civil war and an unheard of rapidity of growth have not shaken, but more clearly revealed the strength and unity of the nation. Yet, more intelligence and more care would have saved us many shocks and made our success more pronounced and more brilliant. “Knowledge is power,” when wisely applied; and a more accurate acquaintance with their government and its history will enable American Citizens to mould it more wisely still, to correct all defects of administration, and to speedily reach that minimum of governmental interference with the efforts and interests of the citizens which shall give them the fullest liberty consistent with security and surrender the whole round of human life, as completely as possible, to the beneficent action of natural law.

C. B.

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.
THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME, OR HISTORICAL PROGRESS.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORICAL PROGRESS IN THE OLD WORLD		 29
Section I. The Dawn of History—Uncertainty of Tradition—Aid afforded by recent studies—Ethnology, Philology, etc.—Primitive Home of Mankind—The three great races—The first Migrations—Commencement of Civilization—China—The Euphrates—The Hamites in Egypt.
Section II. Direction of Pre-historic Growth—Rudeness of early races—Character of the Primitive Man—Testimony of language—Imperfection of Turanian Growth—Seen in China—Superiority of Indo-European races.
Section III. Gradual Development—Condition of the first Men—Establishment of the Family—Patriarchal Authority—The Growth of Monarchy—Origin of the Priesthood—Development of both in Chaldea and Egypt—Influence of War and Commerce.
Section IV. Ancient Monarchies—Five Monarchies on the Euphrates and Tigris—The Scythian, the two Hamitic, the Assyrian and the Medo-Persian Monarchies—Testimony of the ruins—Mysterious and Singular character of Egypt—Moses and the Jewish State—Tyre and its Commerce.
Section V. The Grecian States—Origin, intelligence and vigor of the Greek race—Their Mythology and Heroic History—Their opposition to the dangerous centralizing tendencies of Monarchy—Greek Republics—Colonization—Sparta and Athens—Commencement of Authentic History—Foundation of Rome—Chronological review during the time of the Roman Kings.
Section VI. The Roman Republic—Character of the Romans—Greeks and Romans compared—Roman constancy.
Section VII. Greece and Rome—The influence of each on the future of mankind—Chronological history from B. C. 500 to B. C. 133—The great career of the Roman Republic.
Section VIII. Decay of the Republic—Unhappy effects of conquest and wealth on Roman character—Death of the Gracchi—The Civil Wars—Marius, Sylla, Crassus, Pompey, Julius Cæsar—The Senate Suspends the Constitution and ends the Republic—Death of Cæsar.
Section IX. The Roman Empire—Impossibility of restoring the Republic—Triumvirate and wars of Augustus, Antony and Lepidus—Augustus Emperor of the World.
Section X. Influence of Christianity—The Jewish State—Influence on it of Egypt, Asia and Greece—The New Morality of Christianity—The persecution it provokes—Its growing influence on life and manners—Unhappy effect of state patronage.
Section XI. The services of Great Men to Mankind—Difficulties of progress among the Ancients—Assistance rendered by Great Men—Office of early Poets—Of Legislatures—Philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—Orators, Demosthenes and Cicero—Influence of Great conquerors on progress—Alexander the Great—Hannibal the unfortunate—Cæsar, the successful—Brutus, the Patriot—Augustus the Emperor—The elements of greatness in all men—Jesus Christ the Perfect Man.
Section XII. The Christian Era—Chronological history of the Emperors—The triumph of Christianity and its corruption—The fall of the Empire.
Section XIII. Rise of Modern Nations—Incursions of Barbarians—Their settlement in Gaul—Spain, Africa, Italy and Britain—Mahomet and the great success of his followers—Charlemagne and the Popes—Failure to found a Western Empire.
Section XIV. The Feudal System—Results from the condition of the Empire and the character of the invaders—Rise and character of Chivalry—The Crusades.
Section XV. The Liberties of the People—Influence of the Crusades—Revival of Commerce and Learning.
Section XVI. The Situation on the Discovery of America.
Section XVII. Conclusion—Summary of Progress—The work assigned to America.
CHAPTER II.
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA		 148
Geographical ignorance of the Ancients—Columbus and his Ideas—His difficulty in getting a hearing—Queen Isabella of Spain—Sets sail for the New World—Why he thought it Asia—Origin of the name America.
CHAPTER III.
HISTORY FROM 1492 TO 1763		 151
Various Discoveries—Sir Humphrey Gilbert fails twice to establish a Colony—Sir Walter Raleigh—Settlements in Florida—Jamestown—Landing of the Puritans—Other Settlements—Liberal character of Colonial Governments—Colonies resist oppression—Indian Wars—French Wars—Training they give the Colonies—Capture of Louisburg—Braddock’s Defeat—Colonists as Soldiers.
CHAPTER IV.
HISTORY—ORIGIN OF THE REVOLUTION		 162
British resolve to tax Colonies—Folly of that measure—Resistance in the Colonies—British repeal the tax, BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT—Indignation in the Colonies—Taxes again tried—Soldiers sent to Boston—“Boston Massacre”—Tax on Tea—Colonies Organize against it—“Boston Tea Party”—Philadelphia—Boston Port Bill—First Congress—“American Association”—Battle of Lexington—Second Congress—Siege of Boston—Bunker Hill—British driven out—Battles in Canada.
CHAPTER V.
FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION		 173
History of the various stages of Union among the States—Adoption of the Articles of Confederation.
CHAPTER VI.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE		 175
Noble character of this Document—It speaks for all men and all times—The Declaration.
CHAPTER VII.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION		 181
Full text of the Articles adopted in 1777, forming the Constitution for 12 years.
CHAPTER VIII.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783		 191
Battle of Long Island—Silent retreat at night—Washington driven across the Delaware—His success in the Jerseys—Battles near Philadelphia—Surrender of Burgoyne—Treaty with the French—French fleet—British evacuate Philadelphia—Washington’s success again in the Jerseys—Southern War—Defeat of Gates—Treason of Arnold—Gen. Green and Cornwallis—Lafayette and Cornwallis—Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown—Review of the War—Financial Difficulties—Character of the People—Peace at Last!
CHAPTER IX.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES		 203
The Constitutional Convention of 1787—Defects of the Articles of Confederation—Caution of Statesmen and the People—Result of the Convention—Full text of the Constitution and Amendments.
CHAPTER X.
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS		 225
Names of Presidents of the Continental Congress—The various Seats of Government from 1774 to 1789.
PART SECOND.
THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION		 226
The Three Branches of the Government—Arrangement of this Work—Excellence of the Organization—Comparison of the United States with Mexico—With Ireland—Why it has prospered.
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
CHAPTER I.
THE PRESIDENT		 229
His place in the Government—He is its active force—Conditions of birth, age, and residence—How he is elected—His powers and duties—List of all the Presidents.
CHAPTER II.
THE VICE-PRESIDENT		 234
His position mainly honorary—His only duty—When he may become President—List of Vice-Presidents.
CHAPTER III.
THE CABINET		 236
Number and offices of members—Their duties—President’s will supreme—Their means of aiding him—The character and ability required.
CHAPTER IV.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE		 239
Title of chief officer—Conducts our Foreign business—Range of his duties—Qualifications required—Lists of Secretaries of State.
CHAPTER V.
OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS		 243
The dignity of their Official Character—The immunities it confers—Ambassadors—Ministers Plenipotentiary—Ministers-Resident—Charge d’Affaires—Commissioners—The high abilities required in Foreign Ministers.
CHAPTER VI.
TREATIES—EXTRADITION TREATIES		 246
Nature of a Treaty—Its binding power—Has the force of Law—The Russian Treaty in full—What Extradition Treaties are—What classes of criminals they apply to—Countries with which we have Extradition Treaties.
CHAPTER VII.
BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES		 256
Consuls and their duties—Their official character—Their number—Extra powers in Turkey, etc.
CHAPTER VIII.
PASSPORTS		 258
Their character—Their protective power—Who give them.
CHAPTER IX.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY		 260
Its importance—Secretary of the Treasury—Great extent of his department—Its thorough organization—The security of public funds—The various bureaus—List of Secretaries of the Treasury.
CHAPTER X.
THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES		 263
How government income is obtained—Duties—Internal Revenue—Difference of views—Finance a study for the people.
CHAPTER XI.
DUTIES AND TARIFFS		 266
Explanation of terms—Ease of raising revenue from Tariffs—Two kinds of Tariff—What is a Protective Tariff—Tonnage.
CHAPTER XII.
COLLECTION OF DUTIES		 272
Custom Houses—Their number and location—Officers and their duties—Their compensation—Revenue Cutters—Ship’s papers.
CHAPTER XIII.
GOVERNMENT COINAGE		 278
The Mint—Relations to the United States Treasury—Artistic skill—Coins—Assay offices—Their relation to commerce and to individuals.
CHAPTER XIV.
NATIONAL BANKING		 283
Relations of Currency to the Treasury—Government control of Banks and their issues—Security of Currency.
CHAPTER XV.
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES		 286
Great resources of the country—Aggregate wealth of the people—Resources of the general government—Public lands—Mines—National wealth—The National Debt—Reasons for not paying it at once—Table of Statistics—Public Debt for every year—National Securities.
CHAPTER XVI.
WAR DEPARTMENT		 291
Secretary of War—Organization of his department—Various Bureaus—List of Secretaries of War.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE U. S. ARMY		 294
Its history shows great military ability—The peaceful policy of the country.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY		 295
Its object and location—The results secured.
CHAPTER XIX.
DEPOTS OF WAR MATERIAL		 298
Armories and Arsenals—Their uses—Location—Officers.
CHAPTER XX.
ARTICLES OF WAR		 299
Peculiar relations of military forces to civil government—Object of Articles of War—Range and vigor of their provisions.
CHAPTER XXI.
MILITARY HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS		 300
Their object—Their location—Their excellent management—Their success in the Civil War.
CHAPTER XXII.
NAVY DEPARTMENT		 302
Secretary of the Navy—His duties—Various Bureaus—List of Secretaries of the Navy.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE UNITED STATES NAVY		 306
The U. S. a commercial country—Gratifying success of the early navy—The importance of this arm to the country—Its value to us abroad—Number of U. S. vessels of war.
CHAPTER XXIV.
NAVY YARDS		 309
Their location and number—Materials and stores—Workshops and repairs.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NAVAL ACADEMY		 309
Its purposes, location and value.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY		 311
Dependence of Navigation on Astronomical Science—Value of Observatory.
CHAPTER XXVII.
COAST SURVEY		 312
Necessity of this work—Scientific accuracy—Value for commerce and defense.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
LIGHT HOUSES		 314
Why and where they are built—Official Superintendence—Light Money.
CHAPTER XXIX.
LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL		 316
Objects of Privateering—Immorality and injustice of it.
CHAPTER XXX.
NAVY AND MARINE HOSPITALS		 318
The purpose of those institutions—Their means of support—Their location.
CHAPTER XXXI.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR		 319
History of this department—Secretary of the Interior—Bureaus of the department—List of Secretaries.
CHAPTER XXXII.
PUBLIC LANDS		 322
How the government obtained them—What disposition is made of them—Land offices—Sale of Lands—Pre-emption—Bounty Lands—Homesteads—School Lands.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS		 326
Pre-emption Laws—Land Warrants—Soldiers’ Homestead Laws—List of Land Offices.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
PATENTS		 336
Patent office—Commissioner of Patents—Mode of obtaining a Patent.
CHAPTER XXXV.
PENSIONS		 339
The object of Pensions—Pension office—Amount of Pensions—How paid—Pension Laws of various dates.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
INDIAN AFFAIRS		 351
Aboriginal inhabitants—Mode of acquiring their lands—Indian Policy—Reservations—Annuities—Agents—Indian Territory—Condition and number of Indians—Their probable extinction.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CENSUS BUREAU		 355
How the census is taken—Value of census statistics—Tables of Population.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE		 357
The objects of this department—Commissioner of Agriculture—Buildings and grounds—Extent of information collected and circulated—Value of this department.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT		 360
Postmaster General—Various Bureaus—Extent of organization—Its remarkable vigor and success—List of Postmasters General.
CHAPTER XL.
RATES OF POSTAGE		 365
Letters—Papers—Packages—Foreign Rates.
CHAPTER XLI.
REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS		 368
Security of registered letters—Certainty of finding the thief—Description of the whole process—Facts about dead letters.
CHAPTER XLII.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL		 372
Why he is a cabinet officer—Range of his duties.
CHAPTER XLIII.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS		 374
Object of the authors of the Constitution—Why Electors failed to meet their expectation—How they are elected and discharge their duties.
CHAPTER XLIV.
HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON TO GRANT		 377
CHAPTER XLV.
CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS		 390
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
CHAPTER XLVI.
CONGRESS		 400
Careful separation of the different branches of government—Powers and duties of Congress—Organization and powers of the Senate—Of the House of Representatives.
CHAPTER XLVII.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, CONGRESSMEN		 405
Mode of electing Members of House of Representatives—Advantages of the district plan—Number of districts.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY		 407
The objects of the Library—Who may use it—Duties of the Librarian.
CHAPTER XLIX.
COPYRIGHTS		 408
The object of Copyrights—Mode of applying for them—Fees—Full directions from the Librarian of Congress.
CHAPTER L.
PRESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS		 411
Speaker of the House—How he is chosen—President of the Senate—Their duties and powers—List of all the Speakers of the House.
CHAPTER LI.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS OF CONGRESS		 414
Secretary of the Senate—Clerk of the House—Their duties—The Sergeant-at-Arms—The Doorkeeper—The Postmaster.
CHAPTER LII.
CONGRESSIONAL WORK		 415
Mode of doing business in Congress—Organization—Bills—Committees—Reports—Connection of two Houses—President’s signature—Veto—Passing over the veto—Resolutions and their character—Amount of business done—Members of Congress and the People.
CHAPTER LIII.
PUBLIC PRINTING		 418
How it was formerly done—Changes made—People should inform themselves.
CHAPTER LIV.
SIGNAL SERVICE		 420
Origin of Signal Service—Scientific and useful character—Mode of conducting it—School of Instruction—Grades of officers—Their duties—Number of Stations—Smithsonian Institution—Its Origin, Objects and Value.
CHAPTER LV.
REPORTS		 424
Mode of doing Legislative and Executive business—Reports useful to furnish information—To facilitate business.
CHAPTER LVI.
IMPEACHMENTS		 426
Who may be impeached—House of Representatives the Accuser—Senate the Court.
THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT 427
Importance of this Department in our System—Constitution of the Department.
CHAPTER LVII.
THE SUPREME COURT		 428
The high range of its duties—Its original and appellate Jurisdiction—Its Judges—Their term of office—Officers of the Court—List of Supreme and Associate Justices.
CHAPTER LVIII.
CIRCUIT COURTS		 431
Their powers and uses—Circuits—Judges.
CHAPTER LIX.
DISTRICT COURTS		 434
Their jurisdiction—Appointment of Judges—Number of districts—Places of holding.
CHAPTER LX.
ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME JURISDICTION		 436
Confined to naval affairs—Belongs to District Courts.
CHAPTER LXI.
COURT OF CLAIMS		 437
Where it sits—Object to relieve Congress—Advantages to claimants against government.
CHAPTER LXII.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS		 439
Business confided to them—Government lawyers.
CHAPTER LXIII.
UNITED STATES MARSHALS		 440
Where they are employed—Connection with census.
CHAPTER LXIV.
GRAND JURY		 441
Admirable features of Grand Jury—Do not pronounce judgment—Security afforded to reputation.
CHAPTER LXV.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS		 444
General, State, County, and Municipal governments parts of a whole—No conflict—The harmonizing authority in the Supreme Court—How State governments are formed—Their powers—Modeled on the General Government—Various Courts—Subdivisions—Counties—Towns—School districts—Minor divisions indispensable.
CHAPTER LXVI.
INDIVIDUAL STATES		 447
Circumstances of discovery of each—When and where settled—Facts in early history—The part each of the “Old Thirteen” bore in the Revolutionary struggle—The Surface—Climate—Agriculture—Products—Mineral Wealth—Prosperity—Area—Population in 1870—Circuit and District Courts—Number of Representatives in Congress—Ports of entry and delivery—Capital—Time of holding elections—Time of meeting of Legislature—Form of enacting clause—Complete list of United States Senators from each State.
THE STATES. PAGE.
Alabama 497
Arkansas 504
California 515
Colorado 529
Connecticut 473
Delaware 475
Florida 506
Georgia 448
Illinois 495
Indiana 490
Iowa 508
Kansas 522
Kentucky 481
Louisiana 487
Maine 499
Maryland 464
Massachusetts 471
Michigan 502
Minnesota 518
Mississippi 493
Missouri 501
Nebraska 526
New Hampshire 467
New Jersey 469
New York 453
North Carolina 450
Nevada 525
Ohio 485
Oregon 520
Pennsylvania 456
Rhode Island 477
South Carolina 462
Tennessee 483
Texas 511
Vermont 479
Virginia 459
West Virginia 524
Wisconsin 518
CHAPTER LXVII.
MOTTOES AND NAMES OF THE STATES		 531
Mottoes translated—Origin and meaning of name—Familiar name.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
THE NATIONAL DOMAIN		 534
Public domain after the Revolutionary War—Various acquisitions of territory by the General Government—Character of a Territorial government—Organized by Congress—Appointment of officers—Territorial Legislature—When a State may be formed—Constitution to be approved by Congress—Admission may be vetoed by the President.
CHAPTER LXIX.
INDIVIDUAL TERRITORIES		 537
Discovery and early history of each—When organized—Surface—Climate Agricultural and mineral resources—Future prospects and desirableness as a location—Area—Population in 1870.
TERRITORIES. PAGE.
Alaska 547
Arizona 544
Dakotah 543
District of Columbia 549
Idaho 545
Montana 546
New Mexico 537
Washington 540
Wyoming 548
Utah 539
CHAPTER LXX.
THE ANNEXATION POLICY		 550
Causes of increase of national area—A traditional policy—Importance of national unity—The Mexican War—Causes—Annexation of Territory—Excuses urged—We shall never do it again—Superior steadiness of American people—The probable future of annexation.
CHAPTER LXXI.
CENSUS STATISTICS		 556
PART THIRD.
THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT.
The government for the people alone—Early distrust of the masses and its causes—Embodied in the Federal party—Causes of its fall—Absorption of foreigners—Favorable results—Future of the people.
CHAPTER I.
SUFFRAGE AND CITIZENSHIP		 562
Who are citizens—Advance in extent of suffrage—Who are voters—Citizens of States and of United States.
CHAPTER II.
CITIZENS OF FOREIGN BIRTH		 564
Naturalization—Various steps in naturalization—Digest of laws.
CHAPTER III.
ELECTIONS		 567
Who are entitled to vote for State officers—For United States officers—History of general elections—People obtain direct control.
CHAPTER IV.
RATIO OF REPRESENTATION		 569
Changes with each census—Reason for it—Data—Present ratio and number of Members of Congress.
CHAPTER V.
OATHS AND BONDS		 574
Reasons for them—“Iron-clad oaths”—Who give bonds—Amount of bonds required.
CHAPTER VI.
GOVERNMENT PRISONS		 577
Vigor of the government—Mildness in punishment—Why it owns no prisons.
CHAPTER VII.
PROCLAMATIONS		 578
Who make them—Their significance.
CHAPTER VIII.
COMMISSIONERS		 580
Various classes of officers of this name.
CHAPTER IX.
OFFICIAL REGISTER		 581
Officers and salaries—When published—Where obtained.
CHAPTER X.
THE UNITED STATES FLAG		 582
Significance of the Flag—History of its origin—The “Star-Spangled Banner” and Ft. McHenry.
CHAPTER XI.
THE GREAT SEAL		 585
Uses of Seals—How applied—Who keeps the Great Seal—History of the Great Seal—Jefferson, Adams, etc.—Failure of committees to please—Efforts of Secretary of Congress—Adams and the English Baronet—Description of the Seal.
CHAPTER XII.
THE ORIGIN OF LAW		 588
Origin of law in various kinds of government—In the U.S. all law springs from the People—The fundamental law—Legislative acts—Laws by Treaty—Universal law.
CHAPTER XIII.
LAW OF NATIONS		 591
Its origin—Standard authorities on International Law—How it is enforced—General features of Law of Nations—United States and England—A future Supreme Tribunal.
CHAPTER XIV.
RELATION OF U. S. GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION		 594
Does not support religion—Shows respect to the sentiments of all its people—Consequent policy.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPLAINS		 596
Why employed—No sect preferred—Salaries—Where employed.
CHAPTER XVI.
COMPROMISES		 598
Necessity of them from the commencement—Constitutional Compromise—Missouri Compromise of 1820—Mason and Dixon’s Line—Compromises of 1850—Their failure brings on the Civil War.
CHAPTER XVII.
TREASON		 602
Defined by the Constitution—The punishment inflicted.
CHAPTER XVIII.
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE U. S.		 603
Sectional divisions—Their disappearance—Circuit Courts—States—District Courts—Congressional Districts—Counties—Towns—School Districts.
CHAPTER XIX.
HISTORY OF THE U. S. FROM 1783 TO 1812		 606
Prostration of the country after the war—Congress has no effective control of finances—Negligence of the States—Shay’s rebellion in Mass.—Vigorous action of Gen. Lincoln—Virginia urges call of a Constitutional Convention—Meeting and result of the Convention—Last acts and dissolution of Continental Congress—Washington’s first Administration—The rise of parties, Federal and Anti-federal—Washington’s second Administration—Difficulties with England—With France—Country prospers—Adams’ Administration—Naval war with France—Jefferson’s Administrations—Louisiana purchased—Increasing trouble with England—Madison’s Administrations—War declared.
CHAPTER XX.
THE WAR OF 1812		 620
Causes of the war—Disasters in Canada—Successes on the sea—Barbarity of British and Indians—Incompetence of U. S. officers—Second Campaign—Brilliant naval successes—Mortification of the British—Political opposition to the war embarrasses the Government and encourages the enemy—Third Campaign an American success—Gen. Scott in Canada—Defeat of the British at Plattsburg, on Lake Erie; before Baltimore, at New Orleans.
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY FROM 1815 TO 1846		 629
Results of the war highly favorable to the U. S.—Gains respect abroad—Party bitterness subsides—Compromise of 1820—Great prosperity—Florida Purchase—Monroe’s two Administrations—J. Q. Adams’ Administration—Sections divide on the Tariff—Jackson’s two Administrations—Nullification of South Carolina—Jackson’s promptness—Seminole war—Van Buren’s Administration—Financial disasters—Harrison and Tyler—Admission of Texas—Election of Polk.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE MEXICAN WAR—FROM 1848 TO 1860		 638
Causes of the war—Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma—Taking of Monterey—Battle of Buena Vista—Gen. Scott in Mexico—His long succession of victories—Enters the City of Mexico—Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo—Increase of territory—Discovery of gold in California—California applies for admission as a State—Raises the violent opposition of Slave States—Compromises of 1850—Taylor and Fillmore—Pierce’s Administration—Repeal of the Missouri Compromise—Troubles in Kansas—Buchanan’s Administration—Preparation for Secession—Growth of the Republican party.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CIVIL WAR		 645
Real causes of the Civil War—The elections of Nov., 1860—Made the pretext for Secession—South Carolina Secedes—Forts and property of the government seized in the South—Southern States successively Secede—Southern Confederacy formed—Want of energy in the Administration—Inauguration of Lincoln—The Union to be defended.
CHAPTER XXIV.
FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR		 651
Firing on Ft. Sumter—It electrifies the North—Call for troops—General mustering for war—Capture of Harper’s Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard, Fighting in the border States—Experience gained in the general skirmishing—Reluctance to join the great issue—Battle of Bull Run—Washington saved, if the battle is lost—Immense preparations by sea and land—Confederate government in Richmond.
CHAPTER XXV.
SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR		 658
The large armies have acquired much discipline and experience—Movement of McClellan on Richmond—Movement flanking Confederate positions on the upper Mississippi—Severe battles near Richmond—McClellan’s failure—Success in the West—The rising fortunes of Grant at Donnelson, Henry, and Pittsburg Landing—Advance of Lee—Pope’s failure—Battles in Maryland—Lee’s retreat—Bragg’s advance and retreat—Battle of Fredericksburg—General results of the Campaign.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CAMPAIGN OF 1863		 664
Emancipation proclamation—The year remarkable for the large number of engagements and formidable character of the operations—Battle of Chancellorsville and advance of Lee into Penn.—His defeat at Gettysburg and return to Va.—Capture of New Orleans—Taking of Vicksburg—Defeat at Chickamauga retrieved by Grant—General results of the Campaign.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CAMPAIGN OF 1864		 670
Struggle of Grant and Lee in Virginia—Sherman’s “March to the Sea”—“Beginning of the end.”
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN		 675
General discouragement in the South—Capture of Seaboard cities—Re-inauguration of the President—Fall of Petersburg and retreat of Lee—Close of the War—Assassination of Lincoln.
CHAPTER XXIX.
HISTORY FROM 1865 TO 1875		 680
Opposed reconstruction policy of Congress and President Johnson—Financial condition—Patrons of Husbandry—Election and re-election of Gen. Grant.
CHAPTER XXX.
PARLIAMENTARY RULES		 698
CHAPTER XXXI.
STATISTICS OF THE WORLD		 721
SUPPLEMENT.
LEGAL FORMS—By Judge J. C. Power, of the First District of Iowa		 725
Legal form of Will—Statement of Testator—Disposition of Property—Appointment of Executors—Statement of Witnesses—Circumstances of Signature—Necessity of two Witnesses—Articles of Copartnership—Statement of Agreement—Conditions Mutually agreed to—Signature—Agreement to continue Copartnership—Agreement to dissolve Copartnership—Power of Attorney—How signed and acknowledged—Form of Submission to Arbitration—Form of Award of Arbitrators—General Form of Agreement—Agreement for sale of personal property—Agreement for sale of Real Estate—How executed and acknowledged—Form of Lease—Form of Warranty Deed—Form of acknowledgement of execution of Deed—Witnesses to signature—Mortgage Deed—Negotiable Note—Non negotiable Note—Note transferable by delivery—Due bill—Receipt—What statements required in Receipt.