CONTENTS I.—The Thirteen Original States . . 1 II.—The Northwest Territory ... 28 V.—Texas And New Mexico .... 85 XL—The Philippine Islands .... 208 XII.—Conclusion ....... aao MAPS The Territorial Growth Of The United States Frontispiece FACING PACK The Territory Of The Present United States During The French-Indian Wars . . 8 Proposed Boundaries Of The United States, Canada, And The Spanish Possessions In 1782 16 The Territory Of The Present United States After September 3, 1783 .... 24 Land Claims Of The Thirteen Original States In 1783 32 Original Public Domain, 1787 .... 40 The United States In 1800 .... 48 Western Portion Of The Present United States 88 The Oregon Country 112 Alaska 168 The Hawaiian Islands ..... 184 The West Indies 200 The Philippine Islands .... 208 THE TERRITORIAL GROWTH OF THE UNITED STATES CHAPTER I THE early history of most nations is involved in obscurity. The mythological romance that hangs about the earlier settlements of Greece and Rome hides in profound darkness the origin of those great civilizations. The dawn of English history is surrounded by uncertain traditions that cloud several centuries with the fog and mist of poetic ballads and stories of giants and demigods. But the beginnings of American history are as bright and balmy as a spring morning, with no cloud to obscure the glory of the rising sun. The facts of the emigration from the old countries and of the several settlements are well known and as well authenticated as any chapter in the history of the world. |