It is a wonderful story that is traced in the pages that follow. A comprehension of the present and of the promise of the future necessitates an understanding of the past. The history of the Greater United States, therefore, is complete, from the first glimpse, in the early morning of October 12, 1492, of San Salvador by Columbus, through the settlement of the colonies, their struggles for existence, the colonial wars, the supreme contest between England and France for mastery in the New World, the long gloom of the Revolution that brought independence, the founding of the Republic, in 1787, the growth and expansion of the nation, the mighty War for the Union that united the divided house and planted it upon a rock, and the later "war for humanity," when the perishing islands, stretching their hands to us in helpless anguish, were gathered under the flag of freedom, there to remain through all time to come. There have been many leaders in this great work. Not the story of the deeds alone, but of those who performed them is told. History, biography, and all that is interesting and profitable to know are here truthfully set forth, for their lesson is one whose value is beyond measurement. In addition to the history of that which was simply the United States, a complete account is given of our new colonial possessions, Hawaii, Porto Rico, the Philippines, the Ladrones, and of Cuba, the child of our adoption. Their geography, their soil, climate, productions, inhabitants, and capabilities are set forth with fullness and accuracy. In conclusion, the publishers confidently claim that "The Greater Republic" is the fullest, most interesting, reliable, and instructive work of the kind ever offered the public. [Illustration: "I AM READY FOR ANY SERVICE THAT I CAN GIVE MY COUNTRY" In 1798 our Government was about to declare war against France. Congress appointed Washington Commander-in-chief of the American Army. The Secretary of War carried the commission in person to Mt. Vernon. The old hero, sitting on his horse in the harvest field, accepted in the above patriotic words.] TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION. The Visits of the Northmen to the New World--The Indians and Mound Builders--Christopher Columbus--His Discovery of America--Amerigo Vespucci--John Cabot--_Spanish Explorers_--Balboa--His Discovery of the Pacific--Magellan--Ponce de Leon--De Narvaez--De Soto--Menendez --_French Explorers_--Verrazzani--Cartier--Ribault--Laudonniere--Champlain --La Salle--_English Explorers_--Sir Hugh Willoughby--Martin Frobisher--Sir Humphrey Gilbert--Sir Walter Raleigh--The Lost Colony--_Dutch Explorer_--Henry Hudson 33 CHAPTER II. SETTLEMENT OF THE THIRTEEN ORIGINAL STATES.