The reader of the succeeding pages may conceive that the author has not taken up each study in the same method, and judged the performances of each so-called "Pilot" by the same rule and standard. In the present instance the writer has considered that such treatment would be highly incongruous, there being almost nothing in common between the various exploits here reviewed, save only those that were incidental and adventitious. Each chapter may seem an independent study, related to that one following only through the general title that covers them all; this, in the author's opinion, is better far than to attempt to emphasize a likeness, or over-color apparent resemblances, until each event may seem a natural sequence from a former. A babe's steps are seldom alike; one is long and inaccurate, another short and sure, with many a misstep and tumble, and the whole a characterless procedure bespeaking only weakness and lack both of confidence and knowledge. Such, in a measure, was the progress of young America in the early days of her national existence. A. B. H. MARIETTA COLLEGE, MARIETTA, OHIO, May 31, 1906. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE INTRODUCTORY: THE BROTHER OF THE SWORD 19 CHAPTER II WASHINGTON: THE PROMOTER OF WESTERN INVESTMENTS 37 CHAPTER III RICHARD HENDERSON: THE FOUNDER OF TRANSYLVANIA 81 CHAPTER IV RUFUS PUTNAM: THE FATHER OF OHIO 103 CHAPTER V DAVID ZEISBERGER: HERO OF "THE MEADOW OF LIGHT" 129 CHAPTER VI GEORGE ROGERS CLARK: FOUNDER OF LOUISVILLE 149 CHAPTER VII HENRY CLAY: PROMOTER OF THE FIRST AMERICAN HIGHWAY 179 CHAPTER VIII MORRIS AND CLINTON: FATHERS OF THE ERIE CANAL 207 CHAPTER IX THOMAS AND MERCER: RIVAL PROMOTERS OF CANAL AND RAILWAY 233 CHAPTER X LEWIS AND CLARK: EXPLORERS OF LOUISIANA 257 CHAPTER XI ASTOR: THE PROMOTER OF ASTORIA 279 CHAPTER XII MARCUS WHITMAN: THE HERO OF OREGON 299 CHAPTER XIII THE CAPTAINS OF "THE AMERICAN SYSTEM" 339 INDEX 363 LIST OF PORTRAITS PAGE ZEISBERGER Preaching to the Indians at Coshocton, Ohio, in 1773 _Frontispiece_ DANIEL BOONE 30 GEORGE WASHINGTON 68 RUFUS PUTNAM, Leader of the Founders of Marietta, Ohio 106 REV. MANASSEH CUTLER, Ohio Pioneer 113 JOHN HECKEWELDER, Missionary to the Indians 142 REV. DAVID JONES, Companion of George Rogers Clark 165