ADVERTISEMENT. ix wards of three hundred miles in length, converting the whole of that immense tract into one entire plain. Such is the bare outline of this gentleman's theory which he has fortified by many argu ments that merit the attention of the naturalist and philosopher. The plan of the ensuing volume will be evident from a slight inspection of the table of contents: the first six chapters contain a complete history of the discoveries and settlements made by Columbus, Cortes, Pizarro, and others, under the auspices of the court of Spain. The seventh gives a brief account of the Portuguese settlements in South America. We then come to the discoveries and settlements made by our own countrymen. And it was by accident only that Henry VII. had not an earlier and more considerable share in those naval transactions, by which that age was so eminently distinguished. He had invited Columbus to London to explain to him his project; but Bartholomew his brother, the bearer of the invitation, was, in his voyage, taken by pirates, and detained in their custody, till CaJumbus had obtained the protection of Isabella, and had sailed on the fortunate expedition. Henry was not discouraged by this disappointment, but sent Sebastian Cabot in search of new countries. The result of his voyage was the discovery and afterwards the settlement of the more northerly parts of America, Newfoundland, and that part of the continent which is now erected into the empire of the United States. The rise of these states, and their progressive history to the present times, together with an historical account of the West India dia islands, will be found detailed in the remainder of the volume. Upon the whole we may venture to assure the reader that the history of America in its several parts will not be found less interesting or less important than that of any of the foregoing volumes. Indeed the discovery of this great continent with the neighbouring islands has been attended with almost incalculable advantages to all the nations of Europe, even to such as were not immediately concerned in those naval enterprises. The enlargement of commerce and navigation increased industry and the arts every where, The nobles dissipated their fortunes in expensive pleasures: men of inferior rank, by wealth gained in America, acquired a share of landed property in Europe, and created to themselves a considerable property of a new kind, in stock, credit, and correspondence, In some nations the privileges of the commons were increased by this increase of property; and in all places the condition of the great mass of the people was improved by the trade carried on between the Old and the New World, CONTENTS. CHAP. I. Columbus's Origin: his Application return Home and Death II. State of Hispaniola, Cuba, &c.: sionaries sent out. Las Casas's Conduct and Zeal. Origin of the III. A View of America; and of the Manners and "Customs of the va- Page VIII. History of the Discoveries and Set- The Origin of the American War 204 IX. History of the American War conti- nued to the termination of the X. History of the American War cou- XI. History of the United States of Ame- The Binder is requested to place the Map of North IIISTORY OF AMERICA. CHAP. I. Introduction. Importance of the Discovery of America. Mariner's Compass. The Portuguese the first Adventurers in pursuit of foreign Countries. Birth and Education of Columbus. Enters the Service of Portugal. His Marriage. Conceives Hopes of reaching the East Indies by holding a westerly Course. His Theory on the Subject. His Application to different Courts. His Plans acceded to by the King and Queen of Spain. His Voyage of Discovery. Difficulties. Success. Lands at Guanahani. Sails to Cuba after Gold. To Hispaniola. Leaves a Colony there, and returns to Spain. The Difficulties of his Voyage Home. Astonishment and Joy of Mankind on the Discovery of the New World. His Reception at Court. The Reason of the Name West Indies. His second Voyage. Finds the Colony all destroyed. Builds a Town. His Followers mutiny. Builds the Fort St. Thomas. Sets sail. Discovers Jamaica. His Distresses. Returns to Hispaniola. War with the Indians, Tax imposed on them. Desolation of the Indians. lumbus returns to Spain. His Reception. Third Voyage. Discovers the Island Trinidad. En· tangled in the River Orinoco. Discovers the Continent. Voyage of the Portuguese to the East Co Indie |