Discovery & the First Voyages

Begin This Era

• The Extent and Character of Our CountryVolume I · Chapter I · circa 1030
  The Extent and Character of Our Country — the Form of its Government — its Discovery by Norwegians — Icelandic Navigators — their Attempts to Found a Colony Here — Traditions Respecting Other. Discoveries
• Indian Population at the Beginning of the Sixteenth CenturyVolume I · Chapter II · circa 1539
  Indian Population at the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century — their Language, Religion, Government, Records, Literature, Domestic and Military Habits, and their Physical and Mental Characteristics — the Iroquois Confeder…
• The Indians of the Gulf RegionVolume I · Chapter III · circa 1539
  The Indians of the Gulf Region — their Religious Ceremonies as Sun-Worshippers — their Domestic Habits, Costumes, Dwellings and Productions — their Military Defences and War-Like Operations — their Marriage and Funeral C…
• Columbus at the Convent of De Rabida-Asks Aid of the Sovereigns of SpainVolume I · Chapter IV · circa 1539
  Columbus at the Convent of De Rabida-Asks Aid of the Sovereigns of Spain — the Spanish Monarchy at that Time — Columbus Kept in Suspense-the Council at Salamanca — Delays and Disappointments — Queen Isabella Resolves to …
• Columbus Discovers Cuba and San Domingo-Leaves a Colony on San DomingoVolume I · Chapter V · circa 1539
  Columbus Discovers Cuba and San Domingo-Leaves a Colony on San Domingo — their Conduct There — Columbus Returns to Spain — Unrighteous Ambition of Pinzon Defeated-Columbus Invited to the Court — his Brilliant Reception a…
• Henry the Seventh of England-He Commissions the Cabots to Make DiscoveriesVolume I · Chapter VI · circa 1539
  Henry the Seventh of England-He Commissions the Cabots to Make Discoveries — Voy. Age and Discoveries of Sebastian Cabot — King Henry's Ambitious Designs — Cabot in Spain-Americus Vespuccius — his Pretended First Discove…
• The Spaniards on the Isthmus of DarienVolume I · Chapter VII · circa 1539
  The Spaniards on the Isthmus of Darien — their Cruel Treatment of the Natives — Story of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean, by Vasco Nunez De Balboa — He Takes Possession of It in the Name of the Spanish Monarchs-Tiding…
• De Soto Commissioned to Conquer and Govern FloridaVolume I · Chapter VIII · circa 1539
  De Soto Commissioned to Conquer and Govern Florida — his Experience in the Dominions of a Creek Chief — a Friendly Indian Queen on the Savannah River — De Soto's Treachery — his Kind Reception in the Coosa Country — De S…
• Voyage of VerazzaniVolume I · Chapter IX · circa 1539
  Voyage of Verazzani — He Explores the Coasts from North Carolina to Newfoundland — Kidnaps an Indian Boy — Cartier Discovers the Gulf of St. Lawrence — on a Second Voyage He Discovers the River St. Lawrence and Names Bot…
• The Protestant ReformationVolume I · Chapter X · circa 1563
  The Protestant Reformation — the Huguenots or French Protestants — Coligni and Catharine De Medici — Permission Granted for a French Protestant Settlement in America — a Settlement Planted on the Coast of South Carolina …
• MenendezVolume I · Chapter XI · circa 1575
  Menendez — his Landing on the Coast of Florida — the French on the St. John's Massacred by the Spaniards — Complaints of the Outrage Unheeded by the French Monarch — the Chevalier De Gourges Avenges the Crime by Retaliat…
• Sir Humphrey Gilbert's PatentVolume I · Chapter XII · circa 1587
  Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Patent — Character of Walter Raleigh — Illustration of his Gallantry — a Favorite of Queen Elizabeth — Gilbert at Newfoundland — is Lost at Sea