The slavery conflict has long been over, and the scars it left are disappearing. Other and momentous problems have arisen for settlement, but there is every reason for confidence that they will be settled at the ballot-box, and without appeal to rebellion, or thought or threat of secession. In the present generation, more than in any preceding, is the injunction of Washington exemplified, that the name of _American_ should always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. This supreme National sentiment overpowering all considerations of local interest and attachment, is the assurance that our country will live forever, that all difficulties, however menacing, will yield to the challenge of popular intelligence and patriotism, and that the glorious record of the past is but the morning ray of our National greatness to come. HENRY MANN. CONTENTS. FIRST PERIOD. THE FOOTHOLD. CHAPTER I. PAGE. A Land Without a History--Origin of the American Indians--Their Semi-civilization--The Spanish Colonial System--The King Was Absolute Master--The Council of the Indies--The Hierarchy--Servitude of the Natives--Gold and Silver Mines--Spanish Wealth and Degeneracy-- Commercial Monopoly--Pernicious Effects of Spain's Colonial Policy --Spaniards Destroy a Huguenot Colony, 21 CHAPTER II. Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh--English Expedition to North Carolina--Failure of Attempts to Settle There--Virginia Dare--The Lost Colony--The Foundation of Jamestown--Captain John Smith--His Life Saved by Pocahontas--Rolfe Marries the Indian Princess--A Key to Early Colonial History--Women Imported to Virginia, 32 CHAPTER III. The French in Canada--Champlain Attacks the Iroquois--Quebec a Military Post--Weak Efforts at Colonization--Fur-traders and Missionaries--The Foundation of New France--The French King Claims from the Upper Lakes to the Sea--Slow Growth of the French Colonies--Mixing With the Savages--The "Coureurs de Bois," 41 CHAPTER IV. Henry Hudson's Discovery--Block Winters on Manhattan Island--The Dutch Take Possession--The Iroquois Friendly--Immigration of the Walloons--Charter of Privileges and Exemptions--Patroons--Manufactures Forbidden--Slave Labor Introduced--New Sweden--New Netherlanders Want a Voice in the Government, 46 CHAPTER V.