ed ourselves, so far as we conceived it proper, of the state papers, to which we have had access, at the seat of the general government. We have, also, been favored with the perusal of many of the manuscript papers of Arthur Lee and Silas Deane, Esqs., both of whom were American agents and ministers in Europe, at an early period of the revolutionary contest. To the works of Dr. Franklin, we are indebted for much valuable information. During a long life, he was principally engaged in public affairs, and no one had a greater share in the political concerns of his country, than this distinguished philosopher and statesman. From the correspondence of the late vener-able patriot, John Adams, who, as well as Dr. Franklin, was many years a minister in Europe, and from the secret journals of the old congress, we have derived much aid in relation to American transactions abroad. The numerous publications relating to individuals who acted a conspicuous part in the political scenes of this period, not only give the characters of the individuals themselves, but also, furnish many important historical facts. Among these, we would allude to the life of general Washington, by chief justice Marshall, the lives of Mr. Otis, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and Mr. Quincy, and the biographical memoirs of those patriots who affixed their names to the act of independence. Much of the revolutionary history of the United States is only to be found in the private papers of those who were principal actors during that period; and whenever the letters of general Washington, and the papers left by Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Mr. Jefferson, shall be given to the public, great additions will be made to the stock of materials for American history. From numerous individuals, as well as from their libraries, we have obtained many valuable and interesting facts. Among these individuals, we are permitted to mention the names of Mr. Jay, and Mr. King. The share which these gentlemen had in the political affairs of their country, is well known. The former still survives, to see the fruits of his labors, and particularly to see the western country, secured in a great measure by his firm and persevering exertions at the peace of 1783, now inhabited by millions of his fellow citizens. To the scanty information of which the public is now in possession, relative to the proceedings of the congress which met at New York, in October 1765, on the subject of the stamp act, we have made some additions from the papers of the late Dr. William S. Johnson of Connecticut, who was a member of that body. Among these papers, which have been politely furnished us, by his son, the most important is a report on the subject of colonial rights which will be found in our appendix. To the same papers we are indebted for copies of the letters of Charles Garth, Esq., agent for South Carolina, and a member of parliament, giving the most full and perfect account that has fallen within our observation, of the proceedings of the ministry and parliament, in 1766, relative to the celebrated declaratory act, and the repeal of the stamp act. The papers and documents having relation to the history of the United States, during this period, are immensely voluminous, and are to be found not only among the archives of the general government and the various state governments, but in the libraries and closets of hundreds, nay thousands of individuals, throughout this extensive country. Valuable collections of these papers and documents, however, have been made and deposited in the libraries of the universities, historical societies, and other literary institutions of our country. We have had an opportunity of examining some of these collections, particularly those in the libraries of the universities at Cambridge and New Haven, and of the Atheneum and Historical society at Boston; and we take great pleasure, in here acknowledging the politeness and liberality of the superintendents of those several institutions, in affording us every facility in making this examination. The library at Cambridge, by the munificence of individuals highly honorable to themselves and worthy of imitation, has lately been enriched with the valuable collections of books and documents relating to America, made by the late professor Ebeling of Hamburg, and by Mr. Warden at Paris.* These, in addition to the extensive collections made by the managers of the Atheneum, and by the Massachusetts historical society, furnish very ample materials for general American his tory. The formation and establishment of the confederacy of the States during the war of the revolution, and of the present constitution of the United States, are among the most interesting and important events of the period under our review; and we regret that the materials for a more particular account of the proceedings of the august assemblies which formed these two systems of government, are not more ample. Their proceedings, in both instances, it is well known, were directed to be kept secret; and the debates on the various topics presented for deliberation, and which alone would develope the true history of their transactions, * The Ebeling collection was presented by Col. Israel Thorndike, and that of Mr. Warden, by Samuel A. Elliot, Esq., both of Boston. have never been made public, with the exception of the minutes of some part of them, taken by one of the members of the convention in 1787, for his own private use. These minutes, the journals of the old congress relating to the confederacy, and the journals of the general convention, with the representation made to the assembly of Maryland by one of the members of the convention from that State, are the only public documents on the subject, that have fallen within our notice. From these, as well as from the debates in the State conventions, and information derived from individuals, we have given an account, though an imperfect one, of these two important events. In preparing these sketches, we think proper to state, that we have not aimed to present a philosophical history of our country, or attempted a minute delineation of the characters of the numerous actors in the political scenes, during the period to which they relate. Our object has been to give a plain and connected, but faithful and impartial account of the principal political and civil transactions of the United States, during a most interesting period of their history. And with respect to any imperfections, which may and no doubt will be found, in an undertaking somewhat novel, we only ask, of those who have given it their patronage, as well as of the American public in general, the exercise of their usual candor and liberality. NOTE. In transcribing the names of those who signed the declaration of independence, that of George Read was, by mistake, omitted. Origin of the English and French claim to North America-First attempt at settlement by French Protestants-Destroyed by the Spaniards-Sir Hum- phrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh attempt a settlement-Grant to South and North Virginia Companies-French grant to De Monts-First settlement of Virginia, Plymouth, and the other English Colonies-Extent of their grants -North Virginia first called New England in 1614-Grant of New England to the Plymouth Company-New York settled by the Dutch-French discov- Different forms of governments in the Colonies-Puritans settle Plymouth in 1620-Form a government for themselves-Intercourse of the Dutch with the people of Plymouth-Massachusetts second Colony in New England-Obtains a Charter from the King-Government of the Colonies placed in the hands of Commissioners-Their powers and conduct-Surrender of the great Plymouth Charter to the Crown-Reasons for it-People first represented in the General Court in Massachusetts in 1634-Government established in the Colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Haven-Confederacy of the New Eng- land Colonies-Proprietary governments of Maryland, the Carolinas, New Jer- sey and Pennsylvania-Disputes between the Proprietors and Settlers-Peo- ple of South Carolina renounce the Proprietary Government-Proprietors of New Jersey surrender their government to the crown-Royal Governments- Government of Virginia under the London Company and during the civil wars in England-Application of Virginia for a Charter-Government of New York under the Dutch and the Duke of York-People of New York first represented in the Assembly in 1683-Government of Leisler-Conduct of Governors Colonists consider themselves entitled to the rights of Englishmen-Claim the right of representation-Disputes with the crown on this subject-Opinions of eminent lawyers on this question-Declaration of rights by the assembly of New York in 1691-Declarations of the colonies at various times on the right, of taxation-Various acts of Parliament restricting the trade and manufactures of the colonies-The origin and causes of these acts-Their effects in the colo- nies and opinions concerning them-Mode of enforcing them-Board of trade and plantations established-Objects and powers of this board-Rice included among the enumerated commodities in a clandestine manner-Acts of parlia- ment concerning hats and hatters-Manufacture of iron and steel prohibited- Slitting mills, plating forges and furnaces, in the colonies declared common nui- sances-Governors ordered to destroy them-Principles and opinions of Eng- lish writers concerning the trade and manufactures of the colonies, |