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                         THE STORY OF

                       AMERICAN HISTORY

                   _FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS_



                              BY
                      ALBERT F. BLAISDELL

  AUTHOR OF "FIRST STEPS WITH AMERICAN AND BRITISH AUTHORS,"
             "STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY," ETC.




                        BOSTON, U.S.A.
                  GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
                      The Athenaeum Press
                             1902




  COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY
  ALBERT F. BLAISDELL

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED




PREFACE.


Some sort of a first book on American history is now quite generally
used in schools as a preparation for the more intelligent study of a
larger and more formal text-book in the higher grammar grades.

For beginners, a mere compilation of facts is dry and unsatisfactory.
Such books have now given place, for the most part, to those prepared on
a more attractive and judicious plan. The real aim in a first book
should be to interest boys and girls in the history of their country,
and to encourage them to cultivate a taste for further study and
reading.

This book is intended for use in the earlier grammar grades and to be
preliminary to the study of a more advanced work in the higher grades.
The author has also kept in mind the fact that the school life of many
children is brief, and that all their instruction in American history
must come from a text-book of this kind.

The author has not aimed to cover the whole range of our country's
history. Of many noted men and important affairs no mention is made.
Only the leading events of certain periods and the personal achievements
of a few representative "makers of our country" are treated in any
detail. The subject is approached through biographical sketches of a few
of the more illustrious actors in our nation's history. Some prominence
is given to exceptional deeds of valor, details of everyday living in
olden times, dramatic episodes, and personal incident.

The schoolroom test demonstrates the fact that such a treatment of the
subject is more attractive and profitable to children of the lower
grades than the mere recital of minor matters and petty details of
public events.

The author would acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. Homer B. Sprague of
New York City for editorial help in reading and revising the manuscript.
Thanks are also due to Dr. John E. Sanborn of Melrose, Mass., for
editorial assistance.

                                                  A. F. BLAISDELL.

  NOVEMBER, 1900.

NOTE.--The attention of teachers and pupils is especially directed to
the practical usefulness of the subject of "Reference Books and
Supplementary Reading for Successive Periods in American History," as
treated on pages 424-435 in the Appendix.




CONTENTS.


  CHAPTER                                                    PAGE

      I. AMERICA IN THE OLD DAYS                                1

     II. COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA                 10

    III. SIR WALTER RALEIGH AND CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH             31

     IV. THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS                             47

      V. MORE ABOUT THE PILGRIMS                               60

     VI. THE INDIANS AND HOW THEY LIVED                        73

    VII. THE DUTCH IN NEW YORK; THE QUAKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA    88

   VIII. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS                           106

     IX. EVERYDAY LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES                      126

      X. THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION                      139

     XI. LEXINGTON AND CONCORD                                158

    XII. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL                            170

   XIII. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE                      184

    XIV. THE BURGOYNE CAMPAIGN                                198

     XV. WASHINGTON AND THE REVOLUTION                        222

    XVI. THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE SOUTH               250

   XVII. THE STORY OF ARNOLD'S TREASON                        271

  XVIII. JOHN PAUL JONES: OUR FIRST GREAT NAVAL HERO          286

    XIX. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: HIS HIGHLY USEFUL CAREER          296

     XX. EVERYDAY LIFE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO                  311

    XXI. WHAT OUR NAVY DID IN THE WAR OF 1812                 323

   XXII. THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PACIFIC COAST                  339

  XXIII. LINCOLN AND THE WAR FOR THE UNION                    353

   XXIV. MORE ABOUT THE WAR FOR THE UNION                     369

    XXV. OUR NAVY IN THE WAR FOR