OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1492 TO 1872. BY SAMUEL ELIOT. BOSTON: KD 33001 HARVARD Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. PREFACE. As I remarked in the preface to the original edition of this book, I have endeavored to observe the proper proportions. The same space is not given to every period or to every transaction. On the contrary, events are narrated at greater or less length, according to their importance a few days occupying as many pages in some parts of the volume as a long series of years in others. By thus making inferior matters subordinate, I trust that I have done more justice than might be anticipated, from the appearance of the book, to the great passages in our history. It is nowhere, however, a book of details. I have confined myself intentionally to outlines-endeavoring to sketch these in such a way as to suggest comprehensive conceptions of the whole, rather than complete views of any single part. In bringing down the history to the present time, I have made a few corrections and omissions in Parts I., II., and III., and almost wholly re-written Part IV. |