CHAPTER I.

THE

FOOTPRINTS OF TIME:

AND A COMPLETE

ANALYSIS

OF OUR AMERICAN

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT,

WITH A

CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL COLONIES

AND OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CHRONOLOGICAL

ORDER: FACTS AND STATISTICS

FROM OFFICIAL

SOURCES.

BY CHARLES BANCROFT.

R. T. ROOT, PUBLISHER,

BURLINGTON, IOWA.

1875.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874,

BY R. T. ROOT,

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

[Illustration: George Washington

Painted by G. Stuart Engraved by A.B. Walter, Phila.]

PREFACE.

It is the object of this book to supply the means of forming an accurate

idea of the American government. The author has adopted the proposition

that the highest style of government is one “_of_ the people, _by_ the

people, and _for_ the people,” and believes that a constant progress,

commencing in the earliest times, has reached its full development in

the Great Republic. He therefore traces THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME through

all history; notes the gradual unfolding of institutions, the rise and

fall of empires, the causes that produced and destroyed the ancient

republics, and the origin of the forces that give so much more strength

and stability to modern civilization. All this he considers essential to

a correct appreciation of the wonderful events of our age and country.

He then proceeds to a close and clear analysis of the whole structure

of the government. Each general division, with its sub-divisions, is

examined in detail, but successively; so that a definite picture of it,

with all its branches, operations, and relations to other parts, stands

before the mind as a sharply defined whole. The Executive, Legislative,

and Judicial divisions—the dependent parts of each kept in proper

place—come in order, one after the other, before the mind, the structure,

powers and working of each being fully explained.

The book is indeed a compilation, and the matter in large part from

official sources, but collected from an astonishingly large number of

books, all of which are not to be found even in the largest public

libraries; but the labor and merit of gathering so much from all

directions and compressing a library into a form and compass so

convenient, and so well arranged, in so few and well chosen words, has

been great indeed.

All the works heretofore brought before the public proposing to meet this

want have been fragmentary, or have treated at too great length but a

portion of the subject. A complete summary, or Citizens’ Manual, is here

furnished, that includes a sufficiently detailed Analysis of the entire

structure of the government, developing in a clear and comprehensive

manner the organization, powers, relations, and mode of working of

each department, small or large, the principles on which they rest and

the spirit that permeates them all. It lays our history so far under

contribution as to show us the occasion that produced each institution,

the gradual growth of the grand edifice and the causes that controlled

and shaped the whole. In short, it gives us an adequate reason for the

form of our institutions, even so far back as the earlier history of

humanity, when the tendencies that have borne this fruit first began to

appear in human history.

THE PUBLISHER.

INTRODUCTION.

It is our happiness to live in an age whose master-pieces of

accomplishment, in science, industry and commerce, put to shame the

extravagant fictions of Oriental tales and the wonders ascribed to the

gods and heroes of ancient mythology. The changes produced by recent

investigations and discoveries are so vast and so rapid that it is

difficult to follow them or comprehend the power and thoroughness of

the transformations that are taking place in the world around us. The

applications of steam and electricity astonish us by their wide spread

influence on the condition and relations of men; the ease and speed of

movement and intercourse, constantly increasing, are ever putting us in

new and unfamiliar situations. We have hardly accustomed our thoughts

and habits to one before we are hurried on into another. The constantly

clearer and more abundant light shed by science and the press does not

suffice to keep our minds fully up to the progress that goes on in all

departments of life.

It is plain that we have entered on a New Era, the most extraordinary

and momentous the world has ever seen. The old and imperfect is being

cleared away and everything thoroughly reconstructed. The explanation is

that we are now setting up the grand Temple of Civilization, the separate

stones and pillars of which each nation and age was commissioned to hew

and carve, and, so to speak, left in the quarry to await the time when,

all the material being ready, the Master Builder should collect all the

scattered parts and raise the whole edifice at once, to the astonishment

and joy of mankind.

All the institutions and civilizations of the past may be considered

temporary, erected in haste from the materials nearest at hand, not for

permanence, but to serve the present turn while the special task of the

nation or age was being performed. The races and ages nearer the birth

of mankind worked on rougher parts of the edifice, that entered into the

foundations; those grand races, the Greek and the Roman, furnished the

noble outline which the nations of modern Europe perfected while they

supplied what was still lacking for use and adornment.

America was reserved, designedly, for so many ages, to furnish a suitable

and unencumbered location for the central halls and mightiest pillars

of the completed structure. Our fathers cleared the ground and laid

the foundation deep down on the living rock, that is to say, on Human

Rights. That they seldom failed to place stone, pillar and column in just

position the work, as we find it, proves, and we have little to do but to

clear away the rubbish, beautify the grounds, and put the whole to its

proper use.

We begin to see that Time, Thought and Experience have not wrought in

vain, that Progress is not a phantom of the imagination, that the human

race is essentially a Unit, that it has been growing through all the

centuries and is now approaching the prime of its manhood, just ready

to enter on its special career with its grandest work still to do. The

energies of all the races are preparing for unheard of achievements. The

world was never so completely and so wisely busy as now, and America

stands between modern Europe and ancient Asia, receiving from, and

giving to, both. Her institutions are founded on principles so just

and so humane that, when administered with due wisdom and skill, they

will embarrass and restrain the proper activities of men at _no point_.

America stands a _model_ which other nations will carefully copy, in due

time, as they can adapt themselves and change their institutions. It may

not be a _literal_ copy, a servile imitation; but there is little doubt

that our Declaration of Independence will finally enter, in spirit and

potential influence, into the intimate structure of all governments.

It is the Course of Human Progress, and the important elements that were

successively added as each leading phase of civilization appeared, that

is endeavored to be traced in the Historical Review of the First Part of

this book. While following the general march of events chronologically,

we have stopped here and there to take a general survey, in order the

better to understand the significance of detached facts, or to examine a

new influence that enters among the forces moulding the future. Our space

did not allow an exhaustive process; nor was it desirable. We have taken

note of only the more important landmarks of Progress. Too much detail

would confuse the mind by engaging it in an intricate mass of facts. It

is the _thread_ of events, that joins the nations and ages together, or

the _channel_ by which they sent down to our day—from Asia to Europe, and

from Europe to America—each their special contribution to the political

wisdom and the free institutions of America, that we have endeavored to

find.

We hope we have not underrated any people or any time, and that we have

not _overrated_ the value and glory of America. America is yet young. Its

founders, the authors of its Constitution, were unaware of the singular

excellence and nobility of their work. Like all other people, they built

according to their genius and instincts. Time only could show whether

they built for immortality. They feared and trembled over their work; but

Time has set on it his seal of approval. Our people are busy using their

liberties and energies, each for his individual benefit, as is quite

right and proper; since the welfare of individuals makes the prosperity

of the community. But a government left to take care of itself is prone

to do that work only too well. We have done well and wisely in important

crises; but a more intelligent and constant watchfulness over the

ordinary course of public affairs would have been still better.

It is plain that the general mind among us has grown clearer and more

accurate in its judgments as experience has accumulated, for the original

direction toward popular freedom has not changed. Various incongruities

have been laid aside and oversights corrected, the severe strain of

civil war and an unheard of rapidity of growth have not shaken, but

more clearly revealed the strength and unity of the nation. Yet, more

intelligence and more care would have saved us many shocks and made our

success more pronounced and more brilliant. “Knowledge is power,” when

wisely applied; and a more accurate acquaintance with their government

and its history will enable American Citizens to mould it more wisely

still, to correct all defects of administration, and to speedily reach

that minimum of governmental interference with the efforts and interests

of the citizens which shall give them the fullest liberty consistent with

security and surrender the whole round of human life, as completely as

possible, to the beneficent action of natural law.

C. B.

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.

THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME, OR HISTORICAL PROGRESS.

CHAPTER I.

HISTORICAL PROGRESS IN THE OLD WORLD 29

SECTION I. The Dawn of History—Uncertainty of Tradition—Aid

afforded by recent studies—Ethnology, Philology,

etc.—Primitive Home of Mankind—The three great races—The first

Migrations—Commencement of Civilization—China—The Euphrates—The

Hamites in Egypt.

SECTION II. Direction of Pre-historic Growth—Rudeness

of early races—Character of the Primitive Man—Testimony

of language—Imperfection of Turanian Growth—Seen in

China—Superiority of Indo-European races.

SECTION III. Gradual Development—Condition of the first

Men—Establishment of the Family—Patriarchal Authority—The

Growth of Monarchy—Origin of the Priesthood—Development of both

in Chaldea and Egypt—Influence of War and Commerce.

SECTION IV. Ancient Monarchies—Five Monarchies on the Euphrates

and Tigris—The Scythian, the two Hamitic, the Assyrian and the

Medo-Persian Monarchies—Testimony of the ruins—Mysterious and

Singular character of Egypt—Moses and the Jewish State—Tyre and

its Commerce.

SECTION V. The Grecian States—Origin, intelligence and

vigor of the Greek race—Their Mythology and Heroic

History—Their opposition to the dangerous centralizing

tendencies of Monarchy—Greek Republics—Colonization—Sparta

and Athens—Commencement of Authentic History—Foundation of

Rome—Chronological review during the time of the Roman Kings.

SECTION VI. The Roman Republic—Character of the Romans—Greeks

and Romans compared—Roman constancy.

SECTION VII. Greece and Rome—The influence of each on the

future of mankind—Chronological history from B. C. 500 to B. C.

133—The great career of the Roman Republic.

SECTION VIII. Decay of the Republic—Unhappy effects of conquest

and wealth on Roman character—Death of the Gracchi—The Civil

Wars—Marius, Sylla, Crassus, Pompey, Julius Cæsar—The Senate

Suspends the Constitution and ends the Republic—Death of Cæsar.

SECTION IX. The Roman Empire—Impossibility of restoring

the Republic—Triumvirate and wars of Augustus, Antony and

Lepidus—Augustus Emperor of the World.

SECTION X. Influence of Christianity—The Jewish State—Influence

on it of Egypt, Asia and Greece—The New Morality of

Christianity—The persecution it provokes—Its growing influence

on life and manners—Unhappy effect of state patronage.

SECTION XI. The services of Great Men to Mankind—Difficulties

of progress among the Ancients—Assistance rendered by Great

Men—Office of early Poets—Of Legislatures—Philosophers,

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—Orators, Demosthenes and

Cicero—Influence of Great conquerors on progress—Alexander the

Great—Hannibal the unfortunate—Cæsar, the successful—Brutus,

the Patriot—Augustus the Emperor—The elements of greatness in

all men—Jesus Christ the Perfect Man.

SECTION XII. The Christian Era—Chronological history of the

Emperors—The triumph of Christianity and its corruption—The

fall of the Empire.

SECTION XIII. Rise of Modern Nations—Incursions of

Barbarians—Their settlement in Gaul—Spain, Africa,

Italy and Britain—Mahomet and the great success of his

followers—Charlemagne and the Popes—Failure to found a Western

Empire.

SECTION XIV. The Feudal System—Results from the condition of

the Empire and the character of the invaders—Rise and character

of Chivalry—The Crusades.

SECTION XV. The Liberties of the People—Influence of the

Crusades—Revival of Commerce and Learning.

SECTION XVI. The Situation on the Discovery of America.

SECTION XVII. Conclusion—Summary of Progress—The work assigned

to America.

CHAPTER II.

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 148

Geographical ignorance of the Ancients—Columbus and his

Ideas—His difficulty in getting a hearing—Queen Isabella of

Spain—Sets sail for the New World—Why he thought it Asia—Origin

of the name America.

CHAPTER III.

HISTORY FROM 1492 TO 1763 151

Various Discoveries—Sir Humphrey Gilbert fails twice

to establish a Colony—Sir Walter Raleigh—Settlements

in Florida—Jamestown—Landing of the Puritans—Other

Settlements—Liberal character of Colonial Governments—Colonies

resist oppression—Indian Wars—French Wars—Training they give

the Colonies—Capture of Louisburg—Braddock’s Defeat—Colonists

as Soldiers.

CHAPTER IV.

HISTORY—ORIGIN OF THE REVOLUTION 162

British resolve to tax Colonies—Folly of that

measure—Resistance in the Colonies—British repeal the tax,

BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT—Indignation in the Colonies—Taxes

again tried—Soldiers sent to Boston—“Boston Massacre”—Tax

on Tea—Colonies Organize against it—“Boston Tea

Party”—Philadelphia—Boston Port Bill—First Congress—“American

Association”—Battle of Lexington—Second Congress—Siege of

Boston—Bunker Hill—British driven out—Battles in Canada.

CHAPTER V.

FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION 173

History of the various stages of Union among the

States—Adoption of the Articles of Confederation.

CHAPTER VI.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 175

Noble character of this Document—It speaks for all men and all

times—The Declaration.

CHAPTER VII.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 181

Full text of the Articles adopted in 1777, forming the

Constitution for 12 years.

CHAPTER VIII.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783 191

Battle of Long Island—Silent retreat at night—Washington

driven across the Delaware—His success in the Jerseys—Battles

near Philadelphia—Surrender of Burgoyne—Treaty with the

French—French fleet—British evacuate Philadelphia—Washington’s

success again in the Jerseys—Southern War—Defeat of

Gates—Treason of Arnold—Gen. Green and Cornwallis—Lafayette and

Cornwallis—Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown—Review of the

War—Financial Difficulties—Character of the People—Peace at

Last!

CHAPTER IX.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 203

The Constitutional Convention of 1787—Defects of the Articles

of Confederation—Caution of Statesmen and the People—Result of

the Convention—Full text of the Constitution and Amendments.

CHAPTER X.

THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 225

Names of Presidents of the Continental Congress—The various

Seats of Government from 1774 to 1789.

PART SECOND.

THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 226

The Three Branches of the Government—Arrangement of this

Work—Excellence of the Organization—Comparison of the United

States with Mexico—With Ireland—_Why it has prospered_.

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

CHAPTER I.

THE PRESIDENT 229

His place in the Government—He is its active force—Conditions

of birth, age, and residence—How he is elected—His powers and

duties—List of all the Presidents.