CHAPTER XIV. 



A GLANCE AT THE CONSTTTUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC. 



IT will be both interesting and useful to the emigrant, 

 to have at hand a simple abstract of some of the leading 

 facts concerning the government of the country, which he 

 intends to make his home. We will, therefore, devote a 

 chapter or two to this end. 



The New World was discovered by Christopher Colum- 

 bus, in 1492. The inhabitants were a race of people to 

 whom the name of Indians was given. The origin of 

 tnese people is uncertain. Some suppose that they came 

 from Asia ; that they crossed the narrow straits which 

 separat? Asia from America, called Beh rings Straits. 

 However this may be, the Indian race was in possession 

 of the New World. 



Spain took possession of much of the southern territory, 

 such as the West-India Islands, Mexico, Peru, and other 

 regions. France soon took possession of the country on 

 Ine St.. Lawrence river ; and England, of many valua- 

 ble parts of the country now included within the United 

 States. 



This territory, which had been taken from the Indian 

 race, soon began to be colonized. In 1607, a band of 

 English emigrants took possession of that large tract of 

 country, which lies between what is now called North 

 Carolina and New Brunswick ; a pretty fair slice to be- 

 gin with, it must be admitted. This tract was afterward 

 divided into smaller districts, and settled by English emi- 

 grants. 



