The Life of George Washington, Vol. 1 | Page 6

act concerning duties.... Ferment in America.... The tea thrown into
the sea at Boston.... Measures of Parliament.... General enthusiasm in
America.... A general congress proposed.... General Gage arrives....
Troops stationed on Boston neck.... New counsellors and judges....
Obliged to resign.... Boston neck fortified.... Military stores seized by
General Gage.... Preparations for defence.... King's speech....
Proceedings of Parliament.... Battle of Lexington.... Massachusetts
raises men.... Meeting of Congress.... Proceedings of that body....
Transactions in Virginia.... Provincial congress of South Carolina....
Battle of Breed's hill.

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I.

Commission of Cabot.... His voyage to America.... Views of discovery
relinquished by Henry VII.... Resumed by Elizabeth.... Letters patent to
Sir Humphry Gilbert.... His voyages and death.... Patent to Sir Walter
Raleigh.... Voyage of Sir Richard Grenville.... Colonists carried back to
England by Drake.... Grenville arrives with other colonists.... They are
left on Roanoke Island.... Are destroyed by the Indians.... Arrival of
John White.... He returns to England for succour.... Raleigh assigns his
patent.... Patent to Sir Thomas Gates and others.... Code of laws for the
proposed colony drawn up by the King.
The United States of America extend, on the Atlantic, from the bay of
Passamaquoddi in the 45th, to Cape Florida in the 25th, degree of north
latitude; and thence, on the gulf of Mexico, including the small
adjacent islands to the mouth of the Sabine, in the 17th degree of west
longitude from Washington. From the mouth of the Sabine to the
Rocky mountains, they are separated from Spanish America by a line
which pursues an irregular north-western direction to the 42d degree of
north latitude, whence it proceeds west, to the Pacific. On the north
they are bounded by the British provinces; from which, between the
Lake of the Woods and the Rocky, or Stony mountains, they are
separated by the 49th parallel of north latitude. Their northern boundary,
west of these mountains, has not yet been adjusted.
The extent of this vast Republic, in consequence of its recent
acquisition of almost unexplored territory, has not yet been accurately
ascertained; but may be stated at two millions of square miles.
Its population, which began on the Atlantic, and is travelling rapidly
westward, amounted in 1820, according to the census of that year, to
nine millions six hundred and fifty-four thousand four hundred and
fifteen persons. The enumerations which have been made under the
authority of government, show an augmentation of numbers at the rate
of about thirty-four per centum[2] in ten years; and it is probable, that
for many years to come, this ratio will not be materially changed.
[Footnote 2: The general estimate in the United States is, that their
population doubles in twenty-five years.]

Public sentiment, to which the policy of the government conforms, is
opposed to a large military establishment; and the distance of the
United States from the great powers of the world, protects them from
the danger to which this policy might otherwise expose them.
The navy has become an object of great interest to the nation, and may
be expected to grow with its resources. In April 1816, Congress passed
an act appropriating one million of dollars annually, to its gradual
increase; and authorising the construction of nine ships, to rate not less
than seventy-four guns each, and of twelve, to rate not less than
forty-four guns each.
The execution of this act is in rapid progress. Inconsiderable as the
navy now is, with respect to the number and force of its ships, it is
deemed inferior to none in existence for the bravery and skill of its
officers and men. When we take into view the extensive sea coast of
the United States, the magnificent lakes, or inland seas, which form a
considerable part of their northern frontier, the abundance of their
materials for ship building, and the genius of their population for
maritime enterprise, it is not easy to resist the conviction that this
bulwark of defence will, at no very distant period, attain a size and
strength sufficient to ensure the safety of the nation and the respect of
the world.
The net revenue of the United States amounted, in the year 1822, to
considerably more than twenty millions of dollars; and, unless a course
of legislation unfavourable to its augmentation be adopted, must grow
with their population.
In arts, in arms, and in power, they have advanced, and are advancing,
with unexampled rapidity.
The history of their progress, from the first feeble settlements made by
Europeans on a savage coast, to their present state of greatness; while it
has just claims to the attention of the curious of all nations, may be
expected deeply to interest every American.
[Sidenote: Commission of Cabot.]

Soon after the return of Columbus from that memorable voyage which
opened the vast regions of the west to civilized man,