141. How was the news of Cornwallis's surrender received?
142. Was all peril to our liberties over? What was the condition of the country? What base offer was made to Washington? How did he pacify the army? When was peace signed? What was the result? What course did Washington take?
143. Tell something of the weakness of the government. What held the colonies together? Cause of Shays's rebellion? What need was felt? How was it met? When was the Constitution adopted? What parties arose? How soon was the Constitution ratified? How many States were necessary? When did the new government go into operation?
147, 148. Limits of this epoch? Its characteristic idea? Who was the first President of the United States? When and where was he inaugurated? Where was the capital? Name its changes. What was the popular feeling toward Washington? Give some account of Washington's life and character.
151. What difficulties beset the government? What departments were established? Name the members of the first Cabinet. What financial measures were adopted? By whose advice?
152. What did Webster say of Hamilton? Give an account of the whisky rebellion. Of the Indian war at the northwest. What difficulty arose with England?
153. How was it settled? How was the treaty received in this country? What treaty was made with Spain? Algiers? What was the popular feeling toward France? Why was Genet recalled? What parties now arose? Who were the leaders of each? Their views? Tell something of Randolph.
154. Who was elected second President? Tell something of Adams's life. What were the alien and sedition laws? Why were they passed?
155. How were they received? How did the French difficulty look during this administration? How was it terminated? What reply did Pinckney make to the base offer of the French Directory? State of party feeling? Who was elected third President? Why was not Adams re-elected? What was the important event of Jefferson's administration? Why?
156. Tell something of Jefferson's life and character. Tell how Hamilton was killed. What became of Burr?
157. Tell something of Fulton's invention. Of the war with Tripoli, Of Lieutenant Decatur's exploit.
158. What difficulty now arose with England and France? What is the American doctrine? Was the impressment of seamen general?
159. What was the issue of the next political campaign? Who was elected fourth President? Views of the federalists? Give an account of Madison's life and character. Of the battle of Tippecanoe. Effect of this Indian war. State how the breach with England widened.
160. Difficulty between the President and Little Belt. When was war declared? How long did the war last? What was the opening event of the war of 1812? Describe the surrender of Detroit.
161. The battle of Queenstown Heights. How did the naval and the land warfare compare? Describe the fight between the Constitution and Guerriere.
162. Between the Frolic and Wasp. How many prizes were captured by privateers? What are privateers?
163. Effect of these victories? Name the battles of 1812 in order. Plan of the campaign of 1813. What did the armies of the centre and north do? What did the British do? What reverse happened to a part of General Harrison's command? Describe this rout. Tell something of Proctor's brutality.
164. Describe the three attacks made by Proctor. In which was he successful? Describe Perry's victory on Lake Erie.
165. What gallant exploit was performed by Perry? What issues depended on this fight? Describe the battle of the Thames. What celebrated Indian was killed? Effect of these victories? Who gained great credit?
166. Describe the battle between the Chesapeake and the Shannon. What were Lawrence's dying words? Who used them in battle? What Indian difficulties occurred? How did General Jackson avenge the massacre of Fort Minims? Story told of Jackson?
167. What ravages were committed by Admiral Cockburn? Why was New England spared? Name the principal battles of 1813 in order. What movement was made by General Brown? What general led the advance?
168. What battles ensued? Describe the battle of Lundy's Lane. What story is told of Colonel Miller? What battle took place in New York State? How did that happen? Describe it.
169. Describe the ravages made by the British on the Atlantic coast. Attack on Washington. On Baltimore. Result of these events. The Hartford Convention. What put an end to these fears? Why was the battle of New Orleans unnecessary?
170. Describe this battle. How did it happen that raw militia defeated English veterans?
171. Results of this war? Effect upon the federalist party? Who was elected fifth President?
172. Was Monroe a popular man? Give some account of his life and character. What was the characteristic of his administration? What was the Missouri Compromise? Cause of it?
173. Give an account of La Fayette's visit. What territory was gained by treaty? What famous doctrine advanced by Monroe? What political changes now took place? What party was arising? Its principles? Principles of the democratic party? Champions of each party? Which party absorbed most of the old federalists? Why? Who was elected sixth President? How?
174. Give some account of the life and character of John Quincy Adams. Of his administration. Was it popular? How was the protective tariff received? Who was elected seventh President?
175. Account of the life and character of Jackson. Contrast him with John Quincy Adams. What principle did he introduce? What was the nullification ordinance? How did Jackson act?
176. How did Clay pacify? What celebrated debate took place? What is said of Calhoun? Of Clay's patriotism? What action did Jackson take concerning the United States bank? Its effect?
177. How did speculation become rife? Give an account of the Black Hawk war. The Seminole war. What is said of Osceola? His fate?
178. Difficulty with France? How was it settled? Who were the Presidential candidates? What were their principles? Who was elected eighth President? Give an account of the life and character of Van Buren. Of the crisis of 1837.
179. Its effect on trade. Of the patriot war. Of Van Buren's Sub-Treasury Bill, Story of the steamer Caroline.
180. What was the northeast boundary question? How was it settled? What was the Ashburton treaty? Who was elected ninth President? Who was his opponent? Give an account of the life and character of Harrison. What was the cause of his sudden death? Who succeeded him?
181. Was Tyler's administration successful? Did he remain true to his party? What course did he take with regard to the United States Bank? Give an account of Dorr's rebellion.
182,183. Of the anti rent difficulties. Of the Mormons. Of the origin and early history of this sect. Of the annexation of Texas. Why was this measure warmly opposed? How was the northwestern boundary question settled?
184. Who were the Presidential candidates? Give an account of Clay. Who was elected eleventh President?
185. Give an account of the life of Polk, What war now broke out? Give an account of Taylor's campaign on the Rio Grande.
186. Describe the capture of Monterey. The battle of Buena Vista.
187. What battles had Taylor fought? By what incident or peculiarity can you recollect each one? Stories told of Taylor? Account of Kearney's expedition.
188. Describe the conquest of California. Who was the hero of this exploit? Give an account of Colonel Doniphan's expedition. Capture of Vera Cruz. Battle of Cerro Gordo.
189. What city now surrendered? Describe the battles before Mexico. The result.
190. When was peace concluded? What did the United States gain by the war? What was the Wilmot proviso? Give an account of the discovery of gold in California.
191. Of the vigilance committees. Of the political parties. Who was elected twelfth President? Give an account of the life and character of Taylor. How long was he President? Who succeeded him? What questions agitated the people?
192. Why were these now awakened? Effect? What course did Clay take? Webster? Give some account of Webster.
193. What was the Compromise of 1850? What did it propose? By what name is it commonly known? Give an account of the fillibusters. Of the political parties. Who was elected fourteenth President?
194. Give an account of the life of Pierce. Of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. What is squatter sovereignty? Tell how the public lands have threatened the peace of the country. How they have enhanced its prosperity.
195. How did the contest arise in Kansas? Its result? Cause of Brook's assault on Sumner? What was the Gadsden purchase? Give an account of the treaty with Japan. What political parties now arose?
196. Who was elected fifteenth President? Give some account of Buchanan's life. Of the Know-Nothing party. Of the Dred Scott decision.
197. How was this regarded at the North and at the South? Why was the Fugitive Slave law obnoxious? What were Personal Liberty bills? Give an account of the John Brown affair. What was the question of the elections? Who were nominated for the Presidency? Who was elected sixteenth President?
198. Give an account of the secession of the South on the election of Lincoln. Give a history of the gradual growth of this movement.
199. When and where was the Confederate government formed? Who were elected President and Vice-President? What action was taken? Condition of the country? Give an account of the condition of affairs at Fort Sumter.
200. Was any attempt made by the United States authorities to relieve it? For what did the nation wait?
No questions are given upon the new States admitted to the Union during this epoch, as each class will naturally commit only that which concerns its own State, and will wish to add to the facts given here those obtained from other sources.
215. Give an account of Lincoln's inauguration. Of his early history. Of the condition of the country.
216. Was war a necessity? What precipitated this issue? When was the first gun of the Civil War fired? Give an account of the capture of Fort Sumter.
217. Effect of this event? What action did the North take? The South? When and where was the first blood shed? What valuable stores were seized? How did the war in Virginia open?
218. How was Fortress Monroe protected from capture? Give an account of the Big Bethel affair. Of the war in Western Virginia. Origin of the term "Contrabands."
219. How did the battle of Bull Run take place? Describe it. By what peculiarity can you recollect it? Its date? How did Jackson receive the name of "Stonewall"?
220. Give an account of the retreat. Its effect. Of the battle at Ball's Bluff. Who now took command of the Union troops?
221. Give an account of the war in Missouri. What battles were fought? What leaders on each side? What Union general who afterward became celebrated? Condition of affairs in the border States?
222. What step did Davis take? Number of vessels in the Union navy? What naval expeditions were made? What places captured? What was the peculiarity of the attack on the Port Royal forts? Describe the Trent affair.
223. Give a general review of the first year of the war. Describe the preservation of Fort Pickens. Situation at the opening of 1862. What was the plan of the campaign?
224. What was the Confederate line of defence at the West? Union plan of attack? Where was the first attack? Describe the capture of Fort Henry.
225. Fort Donelson. Story told of General Grant. Effect of these victories. What was the next movement? Describe the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing.
226. By what peculiarity can you recollect it? How did the battle turn on the second day?
227. How was Corinth captured? Describe the taking of Island No. 10. What were the effects of the Shiloh battle?
228. What line was now held by the Union army? Where were the Confederates located? What movements did they make to break through the Union lines? Describe Bragg's expedition. Was it successful? Cause of the battles of Iuka and Corinth? Result?
229. How was Bragg's second expedition stopped? Describe the battle of Murfreesboro. What was its effect? What coincidence?
230. What was Grant's plan for an expedition against Vicksburg? Was it successful? What event closed the Mississippi campaign? What battle was fought in Missouri? Condition of the State? What massacre occurred in Kansas?
231,232. Describe the capture of New Orleans by Farragut. Burnside's expedition against Roanoke Island. What was the importance of Roanoke Island?
233,234. What places in Florida were captured? Describe the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Its results.
235. Object of the war in the East? What campaign was undertaken? Who was the commanding general? Describe the siege of Yorktown.
236. The battle of Williamsburg. What checked McClellan's advance? What battle ensued? Its result? What was now the expectation of the Union army?
237. How did General Joseph E. Johnston thwart General McClellan's plan? Give an account of Jackson in the Shenandoah. Effect of this movement. Story told of Jackson.
238. Describe the battle of Fair Oaks. How was the Union advance on Richmond checked? Who now took command of the Confederate army? What plan did McClellan form?
239. Describe the seven-days battles. In what way was the retreat conducted? With what battle did it close?
240. Effect of this campaign? Feeling at the North? Why did Lee now march North? Who took command of the Union army before Washington? Describe Lee's campaign against Pope.
241. Its effect. What plan did Lee now adopt? Who assumed command of the army of the Potomac? Describe McClellan's movements in pursuit. On what expedition was Jackson sent?
242. Describe the battle of Antietam. Its effect.
243. The battle of Fredericksburg. Give a review of the second year of the war.
244. What Indian conflict at the West? What was the situation at the beginning of the year 1863? What movement did Grant make against Vicksburg?
245. Describe this campaign. Its result. The effect.
246. The movements of Rosecrans in Tennessee and Georgia. General Morgan's raid.
247-249. The battle of Chickamauga. By what event can you recollect it? Describe the situation at Chattanooga. The battle of Lookout Mountain. Attack on Missionary Ridge. Its effect.
250. The siege of Knoxville. The battle of Chancellorsville.
251. Lee's second invasion of the North.
252-254. The battle of Gettysburg—first day, second day, third day. Its effect. The attack on Charleston. What two contemporaneous events? What was the "swamp angel"? What do you say of the negro troops? Of their charge on Fort Wagner?
255. Give a general review of the third year of the war. State the situation at the beginning of the year 1864. Grant's plan.
256, 257. Describe Johnston's plan of defence. How did Sherman drive him from these positions? Name the battles. Who succeeded Johnston in command? What followed? How did Sherman capture Atlanta? The effect?
258. What prevented Sherman's advance into Georgia? How was he relieved of this difficulty? Where did Hood go? What befell him. in Tennessee? Describe the battle of Nashville. Its effect.
259. Describe Shennan's march to the sea. Its effect. Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond.
260. Describe the battle of the Wilderness. By what peculiarity was it distinguished? Its result? Describe the battle of Spottsylvania Court House.
261. Its result. Describe the battle of Cold Harbor. What famous despatch did Grant send?
262. Describe the attack on Petersburg. The effect of this campaign. The three co-operative expeditions. The mine explosion.
263. The attack on the Weldon Railroad. Why did Lee send Early into the Shenandoah Valley? Describe Early's raid.
264. What Union general was now sent to this region? Describe Sheridan's campaign. His ride from Winchester. His devastation of the country.
265 The effect of his campaign. Describe the Red River expedition. The rescue of Porter's fleet. The massacre at Fort Pillow.
266. The attack on Mobile by Farragut. First expedition against Fort Fisher.
267. The second expedition. Capture of the fort. Effectiveness of the blockade. Blockade runners.
268. Give an account of the Confederate cruisers. Of the battle between the Alabama and the Kearsarge.
269. Of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Of political affairs.
270. Who was elected President? Give a general review of the fourth year of the war.
271. Describe the situation at the opening of the year 1865. Sherman's march through the Carolinas.
272. Its result. What was the situation at Richmond? Describe the attack on Fort Steadman. Why was it made?
273. Its effect? Describe the battle of Five Forks. Its effect. The capture of Petersburg and Richmond.
274. The pursuit of Lee. His surrender.
275, 276. The terms. Its effect. Fate of Davis. The cost of the war. The assassination of Lincoln.
277. What State was added during this epoch?
281. Who became President on the death of Lincoln? Give an account of the life of Johnson. What was the size of the two armies at the close of the war? What did their peaceful discharge prove?
282. What do you mean by "reconstruction"? What was the reconstruction policy of Johnson? What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
283. What was the condition of the public finances? What was the reconstruction policy of Congress? Result of this clashing between Congress and the President? On what conditions were the seceded States finally readmitted to their former position in the Union?
284. Why was Johnson impeached? Its result? What is the Fourteenth Amendment? What Indian war now arose? How was it terminated? Give an account of the French interference in Mexico. How did it end?
285. Give an account of the laying of the Atlantic cable.
286. What territory was added to the United States? Of what value? Give an account of the Fenian excitement in 1866.
287. Of the treaty with China. What State was admitted soon after the close of the Civil War? Who were the Presidential candidates? Who was elected eighteenth President?
288. Give an account of the Pacific Railroad, and its value to the country. What new railroad is building? What is the climate in the far north along the Mississippi Valley and the Pacific coast? Extent of the public lands granted? What is the Fifteenth Amendment?
289-292. What was the population of the United States in 1870? Was the country recovering from the effects of the war? What great fires happened in '71 and '72? What difficulty arose with England? What was the High Commission? Give some account of Santo Domingo, and its application to be annexed to the United States. What difficulty occurred with Cuba? What candidates for the presidency were nominated in 1873? Who was chosen? Give some account of Horace Greeley.
293-295. Describe the contest with the Modoc Indians. What was the Credit Mobilier? What was the cause of the "Panic of '73"? Name the Centennial observances of '75. Describe the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. Give an account of the "Custer Massacre." Who were nominated for the presidency in '77?
296. What was the Joint Electoral Commission? What questions agitated the country at that time?
297,298. Name and describe the principal events of President Hayes's administration.
1. In what battle was Molly Stark the watchword?
2. What battle occurred when both armies were marchingto make a night attack upon each other?
3. What battles have resulted in the destruction orsurrender of an entire army?
4. What general rushed into battle without orders and won it?
5. What trees are celebrated in our history?
6. In what battle did Washington bitterly rebuke the commanding-general, and himself rally the troops to battle?
7. What three ex-Presidents died on the 4th of July?
8. What cities have undergone a siege?
9. Contrast the characters of Washington and Jefferson.
10. By whom and on what occasion were the words used,"Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute"?
11. Give the coincidences in the lives of the threegreat statesmen—Webster, Clay, and Calhoun.
12. After whom ought this continent to have been named?
13. What celebrated philosopher, when a boy, went without meat to buy books?
14. How did a half-witted boy once save a fort from capture?
15. Name the retreats famous in our history.
16. When did a fog save our army?A rain?
17. When did a stone house largely decide a battle?A stone wall?
18. What general was captured through his carelessness,and exchanged for another taken in a similar way?
19. What battles have been decided by an attack in the rear?
20. Who said, "I would rather be right than be President"?
21. When has an unnecessary delay cost a general a victory?
22. Name the events in our history which seem to you providential.
23. What general died at the moment of victory?
24. Name some defeats which had all the effect of victories.
25. Of what general was this said to be always true?
26. When was the Mississippi River the western boundary of theUnited States? The Rocky Mountains?
27. What territory has the United States acquired by purchase?By conquest? By annexation?
28. What Vice-Presidents were afterward elected Presidents?
29. What navigator shortened the voyage across the Atlantic?
30. What tea party is celebrated in our history?
31. Who was President from 1787 (the adoption of the Constitution) to 1789?
32. How many attacks have been made on Quebec?
33. Who said, "I am not worth purchasing, but such as I am the kingof England is not rich enough to buy me"?
34. Which is the longer, the Atlantic Cable or the PacificRailroad?
35. Why were the River St. Lawrence, Florida, St. Augustine, etc.,so named?
36. What naval commander captured his antagonist as his own vesselwas sinking?
37. How many expeditions have been made into Canada?
38. What battle was preceded by prayer?
39. What do the French names in the Mississippi valley indicate?
40. What do the names New York, New England, New Hampshire, Georgia, Carolina, etc., indicate?
41. When has the question of the public lands threatened the Union?
42. Who, in a frail canoe, on a stormy night, visited an Indianwigwam to save the lives of his enemies?
43. In what battle did the Continentals gain the victory by fallingback and then suddenly facing about upon the enemy?
44. How many times has Fort Ticonderoga been captured?
45. Why were Davis's Strait, Baffin's Bay, Hudson River,Frobisher's Strait, etc., so named?
46. What do the names San Salvador, Santa Cruz, Vera Cruz,La Trinidad, etc., indicate?
47. In what battles had the opposing generals formed the same plan?
48. What Presidents died in office?
49. What father and son were Presidents?
50. What administrations have been most popular?
51. Who fired the first gun in the French and Indian war?
52. What battle was fought and gained without a commanding officer?
53. How many rebellions have occurred in our history?
54. Who was called the "Great Pacificator"? Why?
55. What was the "Nullification Act"?
56. How many of our Presidents have been military men?
57. Why did not Webster and Clay become Presidents?
58. Who was "Rough and Ready"?
59. Who was the "Sage of Monticello"?
60. What noted events occurred on April 19th?
61. In whose administration was the largest number of States admitted to the Union?
62. In which administrations were none?
63. By whom and under what circumstances was the expression used,"Give me liberty or give me death"?
64. What general arose from a sick-bed to lead his troops into abattle in which he was killed?
65. What five ex-Presidents died in the decade between1860 and 1870?
66. Where is the "Cradle of Liberty"?
67. What historical memories cluster around Santo Domingo?
68. How long did each of our five great wars last— (1) the French and Indian war; (2) the Revolutionary war; (3) the war of 1812; (4) the Mexican war; and (5) the Civil war?
69. State the cause of each of these wars.
70. Name the prominent generals who acquired celebrity in each.
71. Name the principal battles of each.
72. Name the results of each.
73. What fort was carried by a midnight assault?
74. What general escaped by riding down a steep precipice?
75. Who drafted the Declaration of Independence?
76. Who secured its adoption in the Convention?
77. Name the Presidents in chronological order.
78. How many of our Presidents were Virginians?
79. Who was the "bachelor President"?
80. State to what party each President belonged.
81. How many of our Presidents were poor boys?
82. What were the principles of the whigs? The democrats?
83. What party adopted the views of the old federalists on the United States Bank, etc.?
84. How many Presidents have served two terms?
85. What battle was fought after peace was declared?
86. On what issue was Polk elected President?
87. Contrast John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.
88. On what mountains have battles been fought?
89. Who used the expression, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours"?
90. Whose dying words were, "Don't give up the ship"?
91. When was a general blown up by a magazine, in the moment of victory?
92. What Indian chiefs formed leagues against the whites?
93. What celebrated statesman was killed in a duel?
94. What States were named from mountain ranges?
95. What important contemporaneous events can you name? 96. Was Washington ever wounded in battle?
97. What was meant by saying that "Clay was in the succession"?
98. In what battle did Washington show the most brilliant generalship?
99. What officer lost his life because he neglected to open a note?
100. What army retreated at the moment of victory because the fog was so dense that it did not see how successful it was?
101. How many States were named from their principal rivers?
102. Name some celebrated foreigners who have fought for us.
103. What rendered Valley Forge memorable?
104. How did Harrison gain his popularity? Taylor?
105. Give some account of the United States Bank.
106. In what war was Lincoln a captain and Davis a lieutenant?
107. What colonel, when asked if he could take a battery, replied,"I'll try, sir"?
108. Of what President was it said that "if his soul were turnedinside out, not a spot could be found upon it"?
109. What town and army were surrendered without firing a shot?
110. For how many years was the Revolutionary War carried on mainly at the North? At the South?
111. Who was "Poor Richard"?
112. Who were the "Green Mountain Boys"?
113. What colony was founded as a home for the poor?
114. What persecuted people settled the different colonies?
115. What colonies are named after a king or a queen?
116. What religious toleration was granted in the different colonies?
117. Which colonies early enjoyed the greatest liberty?
118. Which colony took the Bible as its guide?
119. In what battle was the left wing, when separated from the main body by a river, attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy? The right wing?
120. In what battle did both generals mass their strength on the left wing, expecting to crush the enemy's right?
121. How many invasions of the North did Lee make?
122. What victories induced him to attempt each of these invasions?
123. By what battle was each invasion checked?
124. How many invasions of Kentucky did Bragg make?
125. How was each stopped?
126. For how many years have the United States been involved inwar?
127. What object did Penn, Lord Baltimore, and Oglethorpe each havein founding a colony in the new world?
128. What President was impeached?
129. What ex-Vice-President was tried for treason?
130. Name the four prominent battles fought by General Taylor.
131. What noted expressions of General Taylor became favoritemottoes? Of General Grant?
132. What President vetoed the measures of the party which electedhim to office?
133. Of what statesman was it said that "he was in the public service fifty years, and never attempted to deceive his countrymen"?
134. Who is said to have used the words, "A little more grape, Captain Bragg"?
135. From what States have Presidents been elected?
136. Give the number and names from each State.
137. What battle did General Gates win? What battle did he lose?
138. What battles did Washington win? What battles did he lose?
139. What President elect came to Washington in disguise?
140. Give a brief history of the slavery question.
141. When were slaves introduced into this country?
142. Name the generals who commanded the army of the Potomac.
143. Name the principal battles fought byMcClellan—Rosecrans—Bragg—Lee—Hooker—Sheridan—Grant—Sherman—Beauregard—Meade—Pope—Buell—Taylor—Scott—Thomas—Johnston.
111. Describe the "March to the Sea."
145. What two battles were fought in the "Wilderness"?
146. What was the "Missouri Compromise"? The "Compromise of 1850"?
147. What is "squatter sovereignty"? Who was its author?
148. Of whom was it said that "he touched the dead corpse of public credit, and it sprang upon its feet"?
149. What were the "alien and sedition laws"?
150. Who was the "old man eloquent"?
151. When was the first railroad constructed? The first steamboat? The first magnetic telegraph?
152. When was the Erie Canal opened? The Pacific Railroad?
153. What President introduced "rotation in office"?
154. Why, in the Missouri Compromise, was 36 degrees 30 minutes taken as the boundary between the slave and the free States?
155. What "is the Monroe Doctrine"?
156. Who was the inventor of the cotton-gin?
157. What is a "protective tariff"?
158. What is meant by "Reconstruction"?
159. What Presidents were not elected to that office by the people?
160. To what party did Henry Clay belong? J. Q. Adams? ThomasJefferson? John C. Calhoun? Andrew Jackson? Daniel Webster?StephenA. Douglas? Alexander Hamilton? George Washington?
161. What President had not voted for forty years?
162. What two distinguished generals of the same name served in the Confederate army? Name the battles fought by each.
163. What was the "Dred Scott decision"?
164. What was the "Kansas-Nebraska Bill"?
165. Give an account of the principal parties which have arisen since the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
166. Who were the "Silver Greys"? The "Hunkers"? The "Barnburners"? The "Woolly-Heads"? The "Free Soilers"? The "Know-Nothings"? The "Anti-Renters"? The "Unionists"?
167. Give an account of the different attempts to lay the Atlanticcable.
168. Give a history of the difficulty between President Johnson andCongress.
169. What nations settled the different States?
170. How many amendments have been made to the Constitution?
171. What was the "Hartford Convention"?
172. What are "State rights"?
173. What was the Secretary of State formerly called?
174. Tell some stories illustrating the patriotism of the women of the Revolution.
175. Give an account of the Public Lands.
176. What State was admitted to the Union first after the original thirteen?
177. Who are the "Mormons"?
178. For what is Ethan Allen noted?
179. What battles have been fought in Virginia? South Carolina? Louisiana? New York? Massachusetts? New Jersey? Maryland? Pennsylvania? Georgia? Michigan?
180. What was the "Fugitive Slave Law"?
181. Name some unsuccessful candidates for the Presidency.
182. For what is John Brown noted?
183. Who were the "Filibusters"?
184. Give an account of Farragut's most celebrated exploits.
185. Why was "Stonewall" Jackson so called?
186. Give an account of Butler's military career.
187. What was the most prominent event of Jefferson's administration? Jackson's? Monroe's?
188. What treaties are celebrated in our history?
189. What President was once a tailor's apprentice?
190. What was the object of the "American party"?
191. What was the "Gadsden purchase"?
192. Name the various difficulties which have arisen with England.
193. What was the "Wilmot Proviso"?
194. What President followed Washington—Taylor—Jefferson— Lincoln—J. Q. Adams—Pierce?
195. Who was President in 1812—1832—1846—1850—1861?
196. Describe the operations of the Confederate cruisers during theCivil War. Of the "blockade runners."
197. What distinguished generals have been unsuccessful candidatesfor the Presidency? Successful candidates?
198. Why did the French in Canada extend their explorationswestward to the Mississippi rather than southward into New York?
199. What was the "Trent affair"?
200. Name and describe some important naval engagements.
201. In what battle did the defeated general leave his wooden leg?
202. What was the "O grab me Act"?
* * * * *
THE following preamble and specifications, known as the Declaration of Independence, accompanied the resolution of Richard Henry Lee, which was adopted by Congress on the 2d day of July, 1776. This declaration was agreed to on the 4th, and the transaction is thus recorded in the Journal for that day:
"Agreeably to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the Declaration; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported that the committee have agreed to a Declaration, which they desired him to report. The Declaration being read, was agreed to as follows:"
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident—that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
1. He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
2. He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operations till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
3. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the Legislature—a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
4. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
5. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.
6. He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the State remaining, in the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without, and convulsions within.
7. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
8. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
9. He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
10. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
11. He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.
12. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.
13. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
14. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;
15. For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States;
16. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world;
17. For imposing taxes on us without our consent;
18. For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury;
19. For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offences;
20. For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies;
21. For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments;
22. For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
23. He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us.
24. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
25. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
26. He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
27. He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind—enemies in war; in peace, friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved, and that, as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
The foregoing declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed by the following members:
MARYLAND.SAMUEL CHASE,WILLIAM PACA,THOMAS STONE,CHARLES CARROLL, of Carrollton.
WE, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.—Legislative Department.
CLAUSE 1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
CLAUSE 2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
CLAUSE 3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three; Massachusetts, eight; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Delaware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, five; South Carolina, five; and Georgia, three.
[Footnote: PREAMBLE.—Name the six objects of the Constitution. Who "ordained and established" this Constitution? Is the "union" one of states or of people? What branches of government are established under the first three articles of the Constitution?
ARTICLE I.—Section1. What body has the "power of legislation"? (Note.—The "power of legislation" is that of making laws.) Of what does Congress consist?
Section2. Who compose the House of Representatives? Who choose the representatives? What are the necessary qualifications of an elector (or voter) for a representative? How long is the term of a representative? Name the three qualifications necessary for a representative. Is a foreign-born person eligible to the office of representative? How are representatives and direct taxes to be apportioned among the states? How was the representative population of the different states to be determined? What limit is there to the number of representatives? Is every state entitled to representation? How many members were there in the first House of Representatives? How often must the Census be taken? How are vacancies in the House to be filled? Who elect the officers of the House? What body has the sole power of impeachment?]
[Footnote: (Notes.—The first census was taken in 1790; the "ratio of representation" being one representative for 33,000 persons. The census of 1870 gave 1:3,533 persona as the "ratio of representation," The number of representatives is fixed by Congress each decade: at present it is 292. In March of the odd year there is a new House of Representatives. Each organized territory has a delegate who can sit in the House, but not vote. The states are each divided, by its own laws, into congressional districts, as many as Ihe number of representatives to which it is entitled; and the electors in each one of these vote for their representative. The phrase "all other persons" meant "slaves": but this has been amended by the XIVth Amendment. The speaker is always a member of the House; the clerk, sergeant-at-arms, chaplain, etc., are not members. To impeach an officer is to accuse him of official misconduct.)]
CLAUSE 4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
CLAUSE 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
[Footnote: Section 3. Of how many members does the Senate of the United States consist? Who elect the senators? What is a senator's term of office? Explain the classification originally made. What was the object? How are vacancies filled? State the three qualifications necessary for a senator. Who is the president of the Senate? When only can he vote? Who chooses the other officers of the Senate? When can the Senate choose a presidentpro tempore(for the time being)? What "sole power" does the Senate possess? Who presides when the President of the United States is impeached? What number is needed to convict? What penalties can be inflicted in case of conviction? Is a person so convicted liable to a trial-at-law for the same offence?]
CLAUSE 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.
CLAUSE 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year; of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be, chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
CLAUSE 3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
CLAUSE 4. The Vice-President of the United States shall be president of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
CLAUSE 5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a presidentpro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.
CLAUSE 6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief-Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
CLAUSE 7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
[Footnote: Section 4. Who prescribes the "time, place and manner" of electing representatives and senators? What power has Congress over the state regulations? How often, and when, must Congress meet? (Note—Congress has prescribed that senators shall be chosen in the following manner. The Legislature elected last before the end of the senatorial term, on the second Tuesday after its first session, shall choose the next senator. The two branches of the Legislature shall meet separately and voteviva voce. They shall then assemble together, and if they agree on any person, he shall be considered duly elected; if they disagree, the joint meeting shall voteviva vocefrom day to day, at 12 M., until a choice is made.)]
CLAUSE 1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.
CLAUSE 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
[Footnote:Section 5. Who decides upon the "elections, returns and qualifications" of the representatives and of the senators? What number of the members is necessary for a quorum (needed to do business)? What business can a minority transact? What power is given each House of Congress of making and enforcing rules? What is the law with regard to keeping and publishing a journal of the proceedings? When must the yeas and nays be entered on the journal? What restriction is there upon the time and place of adjournment?]
CLAUSE 1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house may provide.
CLAUSE 2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
CLAUSE 3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy, and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.
CLAUSE 4. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
[Footnote:Section 6. Who fixes and pays the salaries of members of Congress? What special privileges are granted to members of Congress? To what offices are members of Congress ineligible? Can a Congressman hold another office at the same time?]
CLAUSE 1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
CLAUSE 2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office.
[Footnote:Section 7. What bills must originate in the House of Representatives? What authority is given the Senate with regard to such bills? Describe the three ways in which a bill may become a law—(1) With the President's concurrence, (2) over his veto (I forbid); and (3) by non-return within ten dayss? What "orders, resolutions and votes" must be submitted to the President? What is the object of this provision? (Notes.—In case a vacancy occurs in the senatorial representation of any state, the governor of the state can appoint a senator to fill the place, who can hold office only until the next session of the Legislature. The method of representation in the Senate gives in that body perfect equality to all the states, Rhode Island having the same power as Virginia. A senator is chosen by the Legislature, a representative by the people; a senator serves for six years, a representative for two. The Senate tries an officer for misconduct, but he must be impeached by the House of Representatives. The salary of a Congressman is now $5,000 per year, and mileage (20 cents per mile for every mile of travel by the usual route in coming and going). The speaker of the House has double a member's salary, and the president of the Senate has a salary of $8,000. One-third of the Senate retire from office every two years. By the term "a Congress" is meant the body of senators and representatives holding office during any one representative term of two years; the Congress which began its term March 4, 1879, is the 46th. Each Congress "ends at noon of the 4th of March next succeeding the beginning of its second regular session." The committees in the House are appointed by the Speaker; those in the Senate by itself. The classification of the Senate makes it a more efficient and conservative body than the House, since in the former there are always two thirds of the number old members, while the House is all new every two years. If the president of the Senate were a senator, it would give extra power to one state, which would be contrary to the plan of that body.)]