=The Leading Facts.= _1._ Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts.
_2._ As a boy he was very much interested in tools, and worked in
his father's shop with all kinds of mechanical contrivances. _3._
He earned his way through college doing carpenter work. _4._ After
graduation he set out to teach in Savannah. _5._ He failed to
get the situation, and went to visit a friend who had taken much
interest in him. _6._ The South needed a machine to separate the
cotton fiber from the seed. _7._ Whitney set to work to make one,
at the suggestion of his friend, Mrs. Greene. _8._ The cotton gin
revolutionized the South. _9._ It made cotton raising the chief
industry, and brought thousands of slaves into the country.
_10._ Thomas Jefferson, born in Virginia, loved books; while in
college he met Patrick Henry. _11._ Went to the Burgesses and
planned the committees of correspondence. _12._ Jefferson was sent
to the Congress of 1776 and wrote the Declaration of Independence.
_13._ After the war Jefferson was sent as Minister to France.
_14._ Washington chose him as Secretary of State, and he founded
the Democratic-Republican party. _15._ Jefferson was popular as
president. _16._ He cut down expenses, and with his savings in
running the government purchased Louisiana.
_17._ The Columbia River was discovered by Gray. _18._ The way to
the Oregon country was made known by Lewis and Clark. _19._ The
Indians received them with kindness along the route. _20._ They
followed the Columbia until they reached the Pacific; Clark made a
map of the region they had gone through. _21._ As a reward, Lewis
was appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory and Clark of the
Missouri Territory. _22._ Fur traders and missionaries soon found
their way to the Oregon country.
_23._ Perry went to serve against the pirates, was eager to fight
the English when war broke out, and was appointed commandant at
Lake Erie. _24._ Perry built a fleet and won a famous victory over
the English. _25._ A gold medal was struck in his honor by Congress.
_26._ Andrew Jackson was born of poor parents; learned from the
woods more than from books. _27._ Jackson was captured by the
British. _28._ His mother died nursing American soldiers. _29._
He studied law, went over the mountains to Nashville, and was
elected to Congress. _30._ He also served as United States senator.
_31._ Jackson defeated the Indians, captured Pensacola, and won
a brilliant victory at New Orleans. _32._ Jackson was elected
president and was opposed in his policy by Clay, Webster, and
Calhoun. _33._ Threatened South Carolina over nullification. _34._
Died at the Hermitage in 1845.
=Study Questions.= _1._ What did Whitney like to do as a boy?
_2._ How did he help himself through college? _3._ Why did he
go to Savannah? _4._ Whom did he meet on the way? _5._ Describe
how cotton was then separated from the seed. _6._ Describe the
action of the machine made by Whitney. _7._ What was the effect
of his invention? _8._ How did the value of cotton shipped out of
the country compare with other goods? _9._ What effect did the
invention have on negro slavery in the South?
_10._ Name some things boys did on a Virginia plantation in
Jefferson's time. _11._ Name some of Virginia's great men whom
Jefferson knew. _12._ Explain how the committees of correspondence
worked. _13._ Who were the men appointed to make a Declaration of
Independence? _14._ Why did Jefferson write the Declaration? _15._
Why did French people like Jefferson? _16._ Picture Jefferson's
return home. _17._ How was Jefferson fitted for Secretary of State?
_18._ What were the people then disputing about, and who were their
leaders? _19._ Why did Jefferson want the government to be plain
and simple? _20._ Who wanted it different? _21._ Tell the story of
the buying of Louisiana. _22._ Why did Americans think the buying a
great event? _23._ Why did Jefferson not become president a third
time? _24._ What can you tell of the friendship of John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson? _25._ Describe the trip of Lewis and Clark up the
Missouri River. _26._ How did the Indians on the way receive them?
_27._ How did they return home? _28._ What offices were given Lewis
and Clark?
_29._ What important command was given to Perry? _30._ Tell what he
did when his ships were ready for the "Battle of Lake Erie." _31._
Picture the battle. _32._ What honors were given to Perry?
_33._ Where was Andrew Jackson born? _34._ Name some other boys who
learned more from the woods than from books. _35._ Mention some
early experiences Jackson had with the British soldiers. _36._
What other experiences did he have in the war? _37._ What led
him to go to Nashville? _38._ Explain how Jackson outwitted the
Indians. _39._ What did he do as a young lawyer? _40._ Tell the
story of Jackson's first call to arms. _41._ Give a full account
of Jackson's second call to arms. _42._ Imagine yourself one of
Jackson's soldiers, and tell what you saw and heard at the battle
of New Orleans. _43._ Give an account of Jackson's fight against
the United States Bank. _44._ Who was Thomas H. Benton, and why
did he defend President Jackson? _45._ What action did South
Carolina take in 1832, and what did the president do? _46._ Where
did Jackson live after his last term as president?
=Suggested Readings.= ELI WHITNEY: Brooks, _The Story of Cotton_,
90-99; Southworth, _Builders of Our Country_, Vol. II, 108-116;
Shillig, _The Four Wonders_, 1-32.
JEFFERSON: Wright, _Children's Stories of American Progress_,
55-85; Cooke, _Stories of the Old Dominion_, 180-192; Hart, _How
Our Grandfathers Lived_, 317-320; Butterworth, _In the Days of
Jefferson_, 32-168, 175-206, 216-264.
PERRY: Beebe, _Four American Naval Heroes_, 71-130; Wright,
_Children's Stories of American Progress_, 130-144; Hart, _How
Our Grandfathers Lived_, 241-242, 248-249; Glascock, _Stories of
Columbia_, 172-174.
JACKSON: Brooks, _Century Book of Famous Americans_, 162-172;
Blaisdell and Ball, _Hero Stories from American History_, 185-198;
Hart, _How Our Grandfathers Lived_, 284-291; Barton, _Four American
Patriots_, 133-192; Frost, _Old Hickory_.