Produced by Don Kostuch [Transcriber's Notes] The appearance of the Word format closely approximates the original text, except that sentence fragments are rejoined across page and illustration boundaries. The HTML and TXT formats discard page boundaries but retain the year references in square brackets. Thus [1492-1495] indicate the following text covers this period, until the next such appearance. Where useful comparisons can be made, a few pictures and contemporary maps from Google Earth (TM) have been inserted. Several books on Columbus are available at Gutenberg.org, including "The Life of Columbus" by Arthur Helps. A pound sterling in 1600 is worth about 135 pounds or 235 Dollars US in 2006. Here are some unfamiliar (to me) terms. camlets Rich cloth of Asian origin, made of camel's hair and silk and later made of goat's hair and silk or other combinations. A garment made from this cloth. contumacy Stubborn perverseness or rebelliousness; obstinate resistance to authority. druggets Heavy felted fabric of wool or wool and cotton, used as a floor covering. escheated Reversion of property to the state in the absence of legal heirs or claimants. fee simple An estate of inheritance in land, either absolute and without limitation to any particular class of heirs (fee simple) or limited to a particular class of heirs (fee tail). glebe Plot of land yielding profit to an English parish church or an ecclesiastical office. Pascua Florida Feast of flowers; Easter. quit rent A land tax imposed on freehold or leased land by a landowning authority, freeing the tenant of a holding from other obligations. New Style (dates) Describing dates after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Various nations adopted the Gregorian calendar between 1582 and 1752. Old Style (dates) Describing dates before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. pompion Pumpkin. sedulous Diligent in application or attention; persevering. settle Long wooden bench with a high back, often including storage space beneath the seat. [End Transcriber's Notes.] HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES [Illustration: Portrait of Columbus.] Columbus After a Portrait by Herrer. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE EARLIEST DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE PRESENT TIME BY E. BENJAMIN ANDREWS CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FORMERLY PRESIDENT OF BROWN UNIVERSITY With 650 Illustrations and Maps VOLUME I. NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 1912 COPYRIGHT, 1894, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS [Illustration: Scribner logo.] TO MY WIFE PREFACE Notwithstanding the number of United States histories already in existence, and the excellence of many of them, I venture to think that no apology is needed for bringing forward another. 1. The work now presented to the public is believed to utilize, more than any of its predecessors, the many valuable researches of recent years into the rich archives of this and other nations.