EPOCH II.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGLISH COLONIES.

From 1607-the Founding of Jamestown,

To

1775-the Breaking out of the Revolution.

HIS Epoch traces the early history of the thirteen colonies-Virginia, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Georgia. The Cavaliers land in Virginia, and the Puritans in Massachusetts. Immigration increases and the settlements multiply along the whole coast. The colonies, however, still have little history in common. Each by itself struggles with the wilderness, contends with the Indian, and develops the principles of liberty.

Questions on the Geography of the Second Epoch.-Locate Jamestown. Salem. Charlestown. Boston. Cambridge. Swanzey. Providence. Bristoì. Hadley. Hatfield. Portsmouth. Dover. Hartford. Wethersfield. New Haven. Windsor. Saybrook. New York. Albany. Schenectady. Elizabethtown. Wilmington. Philadelphia. St. Mary's. Edenton. Charleston. Savannah, Haverhill. Deerfield. St. Augustine. Quebec. Louisburg.

Locate Fort Venango. Oswego. Presque Isle. Fort Le Bœuf. Crown Point Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Niagara. Fort du Quesne. Fort William Henry. Fort Edward.

Describe the Ohio River. Monongahela River. French Creek. Chowan River. Ashley River. Cooper River. River St. John. Chickahominy River. Potomac River. James River. Hudson River. Connecticut River. Mohawk River. Delaware River. Kennebec River. Penobscot River. Mystic River. Miami River. St. Lawrence River. Blackstone River.

Locate Manhattan Island. Alleghany Mountains. Cape Breton. Massachusetts Bay. Albemarle Sound. Chesapeake Bay.

VIRGINIA.

The Character of the colonists was poorly adapted to endure the hardships incident to a settlement in a new country. They were mostly gentlemen by birth, unused to labor. They had no families, and came out in search of wealth or adventure, expecting, when rich, to return to England. The climate was unhealthy, and before the first autumn half of their number had perished.

John Smith* alone saved the colony from ruin. First as member of the council, and afterward as president, his services were invaluable. He persuaded the settlers to erect a fort and build log huts for the winter. He made long voyages, carefully exploring Chesapeake Bay, securing the friendship of the Indians, and bringing back boat-loads of supplies. He trained

* Captain John Smith was born to adventure. While yet a boy he left his home in Lincolnshire, England, to engage in Holland wars. After four years' service he built him a lodge of boughs in a forest, where for awhile he hunted, rode, and studied military tactics. Next we hear of him on his way to fight the Turks. Before reaching France he is robbed, and escapes death from want only by begging alms. Embarking for Italy, a fearful storm arises, and he, being a heretic, is deemed the cause, and is thrown overboard. But he is not to die yet. He swims to land Arrived at his destination, three Turks, to " please the ladies," having dared to combat as many Christians, Smith undertakes the job and kills them all. Taken prisoner in battle, he is sold as a slave. He is stripped, head and beard shaved, and an iron ring put on his neck. Killing his master at an opportune moment, he hides the body, arrays himself in its clothing, and mounting a horse, spurs his way to a Russian camp. Arrived in England, he embarks for the new world. The leaders being jealous of him, he lands with the colony as a prisoner, but soon becomes its president. His spirited fortunes do not desert him. Now a certain fish inflicts a dangerous wound. His grave is dug, but he is not ready. He finds an antidote and lives to eat part of the same fish with great relish. Now he is poisoned, but overcomes the dose and severely beats the poisoner. Then his party of fifteen is attacked by Ope chancanough (Op-e-kán-ka-no), brother and successor of Powhatan, with seven hundred warriors. Smith drags the old chief by his long hair into the midst of the Indian braves, who, amazed at such audacity, immediately surrender. He is shock ingly burned on a boat by the explosion of a bag of powder at his side; leaping into the water he barely escapes death by drowning. These and many other wonderful exploits he published in a book after returning to England. Many of them are doubtless imaginary. Even that relating to Pocahontas has been discredited. However, the value of his service to the Virginian colony is unquestioned. Of his last years we know little. He died in London, 1631.

the tender gentlemen till they learned how to swing the axe in the forest. He declared that "he who would not work, might not eat." He taught them that industry and self-reliance are the surest guarantees to fortune.

Smith's Adventures were of the most romantic character. In one of his expeditions up the Chickahominy* he was taken

prisoner by the Indians. With singular coolness he immediately attempted to interest his captors by explaining the use of his pocket compass and the motions of the moon and stars. At last they permitted him to write a letter to Jamestown. When they found that this informed his friends of his misfor

* This was undertaken by the express order of the company, to seek a passage to the Pacific Ocean, and thus to India. Captain Newport, before his return to England, made a trip up the James River for the same purpose, but on reaching the falls concluded that the way to India did not lie in that direction. These attempts, which seem so preposterous to us now, show what inadequate ideas then prevailed con. cerning the size of this continent.

tune, they were filled with astonishment.* They could not understand by what magical art he could make a few marks on paper express his thoughts. They considered him a being of a superior order, and treated him with the utmost respect. He was carried from one tribe to another, and at last brought to the great chief, Powhatán, by whom he was condemned to die. His head was laid on a stone, and the huge war club of the Indian executioner was raised to strike the fatal blow. Suddenly Pocahontas, the young daughter of the chief, who had already become attached to the prisoner, threw herself upon his neck and pleaded for his pardon. The favorite of the tribe was given her desire. Smith was released, and soon sent home with promises of friendship. His little protector was often thereafter to be seen going to Jamestown with baskets of corn for the white men.

A Second Charter was now obtained by the company (1609). This vested the authority in a governor instead of a local council. The colonists were not consulted with regard to the change, nor did the charter guarantee to them any rights.

The "Starving Time."-Unfortunately, Smith was disabled by a severe wound and compelled to return to England. His influence being removed, the settlers became a prey to disease and famine. Some were killed by the Indians. Some, in their despair, seized a boat and became pirates. The winter of 1609-10 was long known as the Starving Time. In six months they were reduced from 490 to 60. At last they determined to flee from the wretched place. "None dropped a tear, for none had enjoyed one day of happiness." The next

* As another evidence of the simplicity of the Indians, it is said that having seized a quantity of gunpowder belonging to the colonists they planted it for seed, expect. ing to reap a full harvest of ammunition for the next contest.

+ His route was over the peninsula, since rendered so famous by McClellan's campaign.

morning, as they slowly moved down with the tide, to their great joy they met their new governor, Lord Delaware, with abundant supplies and a company of emigrants. All returned to the homes they had just deserted, and Jamestown colony was once more rescued from ruin.

The Third Charter.-Up to this time the colony had proved a failure and was publicly ridiculed in London. To quiet the outcry the charter was changed (1612). The conncil in London was abolished, and the stockholders were given power to regulate the affairs of the company themselves.

The Marriage of Pocahontas.-The little Indian girl had now (1613) grown to womanhood. John Rolfe, a young English planter, had won her love and wished to marry her. In the little church at Jamestown, rough almost as an Indian's wigwam, she received Christian baptism, and, in broken English, stammered the marriage vows according to the service of the Church of England.

Three years after, with her husband, she visited London. The childlike simplicity and winning grace of Lady Rebecca, as she was called, attracted universal admiration. She was introduced at court and received every mark of attention. As she was about to return to her native land with her husband and infant son,* she suddenly died.

First Colonial Assembly.-Governor Yeardley (yard'-le) believed that the colonists should have "a hande in the governing of themselves." He accordingly called at Jamestown, June 28, 1619, the first legislative body that ever assembled in America. It consisted of the governor, council, and deputies, or "burgesses," as they were called, chosen from the various plantations, or "boroughs." Its laws had to be ratified by the

* This son became a man of wealth and distinction. Many of the leading families of Virginia have been proud to say that the blood of Pocahontas coursed through their veins.

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