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Go 974.1 Ab27hi 1766767
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 6465
189 THE
HISTORY OF MAINE
BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT REVISED THROUGHOUT AND FIVE CHAPTERS OF NEW MATTER ADDED BY EDWARD H. ELWELL LATE EDITOR OF THE PORTLAND TRANSCRIPT
. SECOND EDITION, ILLUSTRATED
PORTLAND, MAINE PUBLISHED BY BROWN THURSTON COMPANY 1802
189
1766767
قطر
EDWARD HENRY ELWELL.
F 843 .02
Abbott, John Stevens Cabot, 1805-1877.
The history of Maine by John S. C. Abbott ... rev. throughout and five chapters of new matter added by Ed- ward H. Elwell ... 2d ed. ... Portland; Brown Thurston company, 1892.
608 p. front. (port.) illus., plates. 24cm. First edition, 1875.
OHILF CARD
HAVE 1.875 Ed. 556p.
1. Maine-Ilist. I. Elwell, Edward Henry. .
1-8844
Library of Congress
F19.A14
(Copyright 1892: 40151)
55412
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COPYRIGHTED 1502 BY BROWN THURSTON COMPANY
55412
BROWN THURSTON COMPANY ELECTROTYPERS AND PRINTERS
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PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.
IT is seventeen years since the History of Maine was published, and more than twelve years it has been out of print, making it highly desirable that the growing inter- ests of the state should be placed before the people.
This edition has been under the careful supervision of Mr. Edward HI. Elwell, than whom no man in the state was better fitted for the task. He had long been editor of the Portland Transcript, and was a critical observer of the topography, material, educational and political condition of Maine. Every page has been carefully scrutinized, corrections and additions made, and five new chapters added upon subjects not treated upon in the first edition.
RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES,
MORALS AND RELIGION, POPULATION, EDUCATION,
POLITICS. The death of Mr. Elwell, shortly after completing this work is a loss and bereavement to every intelligent citi. zen of Maine.
BROWN THURSTON COMPANY. PORTLAND, 1892.
PREFACE.
MAINE is the native state of the writer of this volume. Seventy years ago, in the year 1805, he was born in Brunswick, within sound of the roar of the falls of the Androscoggin.
His childhood was spent in Hallowell, then a small but thriving hamlet upon the banks of the Kennebec. In the halls of Bowdoin he received his collegiate education.
In his maturer years he ever repaired, for recreation, to the paren- tal home, then at Farmington in the beautiful and luxuriant valley of the Sandy River.
In Maine he found the cradle of his infancy. There are the graves of his fathers. Upon its soil he has spent the happiest years of his life. To give a biographical sketch of his native state, of its birth, growth and maturity, has been with him a labor of love.
It is not the object of this history to search out discoveries which have hitherto eluded the scrutiny of antiquarians, or to settle dis- puted questions which have arisen in reference to minute details in early days.
He wishes to give a faithful and graphic record of the wondrous past, -such a record as will be read with interest at every fireside. It is indeed an exciting story he has to tell,-of perilous adventures by sea and land, of struggles against the hardships of the wilder- ness, of terrible conflicts with a savage foe.
In the rich libraries of Portland, Boston and New Haven, the writer has found ample material for his work. He has endeavored to give the reader his authority for every important statement he has made. Where there is irreconcilable discrepancy in the annals of the past, he has endeavored faithfully to give each side.
The history commences with the landing of the Northmen upon our shores about a thousand years ago, and closes with the present grandeur of the State, when our prosperous Republic is about to · celebrate the centennial anniversary of its existence as an indepen- dent nation.
The writer has only to say, in conclusion, that he feels that this is one of the last labors of his long life. He has spared no pains to make this history as accurate as possible ; and he now commends it to the kindly consideration of the sons and daughters of Maine.
FAIRHAVEN, CONN, 1875. JOIN S. C. ABBOTT.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
VOYAGES OF THE NORTHMEN AND OTHER EARLY EXPLORERS. PAGE
Country of the Northmen - Voyages to Iceland and Greenland - Voyage of Thorwald - His Death -Expedition of Thorfinn and Gudrida - Visit to Buzzard's Bay and Narraganset Bay - First Description of New England - A Mystery of History - Voyage of John Cabot - Voyage of his Son Sebas- tian Cabot - French and English Claims - Gaspar Cortereal - Verrazano - Interview with the Indians -- Estevan Gomez -Norumbega - John Rut . 13
CHAPTER II. VOYAGES OF THEVET, PRING, DE MONTS, AND WEYMOUTH.
Journal of Thevet - Pring's Voyage - His Description of Penobscot Bay - De Monts' Patent - His Strange Adventures -Takes Possession in the Name of the King of France - Alarm in England - Weymonth's Expedi- tion - Anchors at Mohegan and Pemagnid - Friendly Intercourse with the Natives - Infamous Conduct of Weymouth - Kidnapping the Natives -- Exploration of the Kennebec - Planting the Cross - Homeward Voyage . 29
CHAPTER III.
THE EXPEDITION OF GOVERNOR GEORGE POPHAM.
Fate of Weymouth's Captives -- Formation of the Plymouth Company - Disastrous Expeditions - Organization of Popham's Colony - First Sight of Land -- Visit of the Indians - The Landing at Pemaquid-Suspicions of the Natives - First Religious Service in Maine - Unavailing Explorations - Ascending the Sagadahock - The Colony located - Search for the Penob- scot -Casco Bay -The Androscoggin - Adventures with the Indians . 45
CHAPTER IV.
THE FAILURE OF POPHAM'S COLONY, AND ITS ATTENDANT RESULTS.
Indian Etiquette - Virtues of the Indians -Scenes in the Colony - Popham's Death - Ruin in the Colony - Atrocious Cruelty - Revenge of the In- dians - The Explosion - Fears of the Indians -The Colony Abandoned - Private Adventures - Infamy of Poutrincourt- The Scenery of Mount Desert - Monhegan in its Glory - Harlow the Kidnapper- Valor of the Indians- Fate of the French Colonies - Adventures of Epenow - His Escape -The Battle on Martha's Vineyard . 63
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS.
PAGE
John Smith's Career - Exploring the Coast - England and France at War - The War of the Natives, and the Plague -Zeal of Gorges - Vines's Expedi- tion - Conflicting Claims - Damariscotta and its Surroundings -Levett's Expedition - Views of Matrimony - Saco - General Lawlessness - Laco- nia Company - Various Trading Posts - Pemaquid -Tact of the French - Bagaduce - Scene in the Kennebec - Testimony of Gov. Bradford 81
CHAPTER VI
PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENTS.
Capture at Machias - The Career of Bagnall -The Two Retaliations - Men- acing Aspect of Affairs -The Twelve Provinces- Ferdinando Gorges Governor of all New England - Expedition of D'Aulney - Energy of Miles Standish - The Administration of William Gorges - Agamenticus -- Population . of Maine - The New Grant to Gorges -The Province of Maine-Thomas Gorges - The Constitution - Religious and Political Prin- ciples - Woman's Rights
. 97
CHAPTER VII.
COLONIAL JEALOUSIES AND ALIENATIONS.
Conflict between La Tour and D'Aulney - Its Strange Result - Attack of Wannerton - Madame La Tour-D'Aulney attacks the Fort at St. John -- Heroic Defence of Madame La Tour - Her Capture and Death -Treason of La Tour -Gov. Godfrey-Purchases of Indian Chiefs - Boundary Dis- putes - Final Settlement - Submission of Godfrey - Ecclesiastical Condi- tion - Sullivan's Testimony - Dutch Settlers - Savage Insolence . . 114
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PROVINCE OF MAINE ANNEXED TO MASSACHUSETTS.
Troubles on the Piscataqua - Career of La Tour - Menaces of War - Meas- ures of Croinwell - Conquest of Nova Scotia - Character of La Tour - Trading Post on the Kennebec - The Oath Administered - Sale of the Right of Traffic - Boundaries of Kennebec Patent - Political Connection between Maine and Massachusetts - Code of Laws -Northern Limits of Massachu- setts - The Articles of Union - Rev. John Wheelwright - Correspondence - Restoration of Charles II. - Petition of Gorges - Duke of York's Charter. 131
CHAPTER IX. --
POLITICAL AGITATIONS.
The Duke of York -The Royal Commissioners - Conflict between the Con- missioners and the General Court - Their Unfriendly Report -Tyranny of Charles II. - Character of George Cleaves - The Petition - Efforts of the Commissioners - Treaty with the Indians - War between France and Eng- land - National Antipathies - Baron Casting - His Character and Career -- French Influence over the Indians - Anarchy - Ambition of the Duke of York - War between England and Holland - Jocelyn's Description . . 149
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X
THE FIRST INDIAN WAR. PAGE
The Indians -Their Manners and Customs - Fondness for Intoxicating Drinks -Scenes in the Wigwam -The Catholic Missionaries - Adventures of Rasle - Indian Intelligence - Population - Philip's War - Commence- ment of Hostilities - Awful Scenes of Blood and Woe -The Truce - Efforts of Mr. Shurte - The War Renewed -The Ambuscades - Folly of the English - Desperation of the Indians 168
CHAPTER XI. THE HORRORS OF WAR.
Dispersion of King Philip's Forces - Falmouth Desolated - Scenes of Hor- ror - Arrowsiek Plundered -Treachery of Major Waldron - Munjoy's Island captured by the Savages- The Indians ask for Peace - Anecdote of Nugg - The English resume the War -Increased Ferocity of the In- dians - The. Mohawks Allies of the English -The Ambuscade at Black Point - Its Fatal Results . 186
CHAPTER XII.
WARS AND WOES CONTINUED.
Ravages of the Indians - The Naval Expedition - Peace proclaimed - Losses by the War -The Purchase of Maine by Massachusetts -The Regime of Mr. Danforth -North Yarmouth incorporated - Baptist Church estab- lished - Menaces of War -Employment of the Mohawks -Sir Edmund Andros -Thomas Dungan - Tyrannical Acts - Attack upon Baron Cas- tine - War Renewed - Fate of Waldron -Expeditions to Quebec and Montreal .
206
CHAPTER XIII.
CAMPAIGNS IN THE WILDERNESS.
Character of Indian Warfare -Expedition of Captain Church - Battle at Falmouth -The Sack of Berwick - The Massacre at Falmouth - Church at Pejepscot- Incidents of the Campaign -Indian Gratitude -The Truce - Deplorable Condition of Maine -The Disaster at York - Heroic Defence of Wells - Church's Third Expedition - New Efforts for Peace . 224
CHAPTER XIV. KING WILLIAM'S WAR. - QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.
Efforts of the French to reduce Fort William Henry - Cruelty of Capt. Chubb - His Fate -Camden Heights - Plunder on the Bay of Fundy -- Major Frost - Fearful Tragedies - Consultations for Peace - Assacoin- buit - Impoverishment of the Province - Cruel Rumors and New Solici- tudes - An Intolerant Act -Gov. Dudley -Speech of Simmo - King William's War - Policy of M. Rivières - Shameful Conduct of English- men -Third Indian War - Siege of Winter Harbor - Arrival of Capt. Southack . 245
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
THE RIVAL CLAIMS OF FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
PAGA
Jocelyn's Visit -The Destruction of Black Point -The Vicissitudes of War- A Naval Expedition - Merciless Ravages - Destruction at Port Royal - The Expedition to Norridgewock - Exchange of Prisoners - Trea- son suspected - Incidents of the Conflict - A Renewed Attack upon Port Royal - Rage of Gov. Dudley - The Third Attack and its Failure - Naval Battle at Winter Harbor -The Conquest of Nova Scotia -The Comninis- sion to Quebec - Exchange of Menaces · . 265
CHAPTER XVI.
BRITISH AND INDIAN DIPLOMACY.
Enthusiasm of the British Government - The Fleet for the Conquest of Canada - Utter Failure of the Enterprise - Daily Perils -The Bridal Party -- Treaty of Utrecht -The Ravages of War -Character of the Younger Castine - State of the Ministry -The Pejepscot Purchase - An- cient Dominions - Rearing the Forts -- The Council at Arrowsic - Gloomy Prospects - Character of Father Rasle . 282
CHAPTER XVII.
THE VICISSITUDES OF WAR.
The War Renewed - Resolve of the British - Westbrook's Attempt on an Indian Village - An Indian Fort -- Expedition to Oldtown - Attempt upon Norridgewock - Beauty of the Village - Savage Depredations -- Father Rasle and his Chapel --- His Letters - Murder of Bomaseen - Slaughter at Norridgewock - Death of Rasle -Tribute to His Memory --- Capt. Lovewell's Achievement - Drake's Narrative . 300
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PROGRESS AND TERMINATION OF LOVEWELL'S WAR.
Encampment at Great Ossipee - Serious Contest - Death of Lovewell -- Of Frye - Fate of the English in Lovewell's War - Government Measures - Native Honor - Indian Distresses - Incorporation of Orono - Heath's Expe- dition - Attack upon Young Castine - The Dummer Treaty - Indian Let- ters -Cost of Indian Wars - Peace concluded . . 319
CHAPTER XIX.
THE DOOM OF THE INDIAN.
French Influence - Gov. Dummer - His Wise Policy - The Trading-Houses - Life at Falmouth - Govs. Burnet and Belcher - Act against Duelling - Encroachments of the English - Conference at Falmouth - Gov. Shirley -- Visit of Whitefield -Council at St. George -The Indians desire Peaco -In- dians refuse to fight their Brethren -The Capture of Louisburg - War Proclaimed against the Indians - Peace -Subsiding Billows - New Claims of the English - Fort at Teconnet . 337
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
THE OLD FRENCH WAR, AND THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION COMMENCED. PAGE
The Upper Kennebec Explored -New Forts Built - War with the Indians Renewed -English Atrocities - War between France and England - Feebleness of the Indians -Incorporation of Towns - Efforts of England to enslave America -The Stamp Act - The Tea Tax - Battle of Lexing- ton - Patriotism of the People of Maine -Scenes in Falmouth - Visit of the British Sloop-of-War-Capture of Capt. Mowatt - His Threats . 354
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION: FALMOUTH IN ASHES.
The British Fleet -- The Doom Announced -The Conference -The Bom- bardment -The Expedition to Quebec -- The Repulse - Frendliness of the Indians-New Towns Incorporated -The British Repulsed at Machias --- Anecdote of John Adams -- Arrival of the French Fleet - The Foe estah- lished at Biguyduce -Terrible Naval Disaster to the Americans - Barbar- ism of the English -Capture of Gen. Wadsworth -His Brave Defence -- His Escape . 377
CHAPTER XXIL
THE WAR OF 1812, AND THE SEPARATION.
Expenses of the War-The Question of Separation -Increase of Towns - Counties Formed - Bowdoin College Chartered - The Farmington Schools - Lewiston - Augusta and its Institutions - Waterville - Gardiner -The War of 1812-Causes of the War-Incidents of the Conflict -Increase of Population and Towns - The Penobscot Valley Ravaged - General Alarm - Scenes in Castine- Peace -The " Ohio Fever" -The Separation - Maine an Independent State . 397
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CHAPTER XXIII.
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
William King- William D. Williamson -- The Maine of Half a Century Ago-A Journey to Boston -Succeeding Governors -The Aroostook War -Origin of the Difficulty - Warlike Measure -Interesting Incidents - The Truce -Final Settlement . 426
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE SCANDINAVIAN DIMIGRATION.
Origin of the Movement-The Plan Adopted -Mission of Mr. Thomas to Sweden - Wise Measures triumphantly Successful -The Voyage of the Immigrants - Their Hospitable Reception -New Sweden -The Primeval Forest - Labors of the Colonists - Their Industry and Prosperity -- Increas- ing Immigration - Interesting Letter from Sweden -Present State of the Colony - Future Prospects . 436
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE PICTURESQUE ATTRACTIONS OF MALYE. PAGE
Portland and Casco Bay - Seashore Resorts- Isles of Shoals-The Beaches -Cape Arundel and Old Orchard - Bath to Rockland, and np the Penob- scot- Mount Desert - Lake Sebago-Mt. Pleasant and the Saco-The Valley of the Androscoggin - Rangeley Lakes and Sandy River - The Kennebec Valley - Mooseliead Lake and the Aroostook . . 446
CHAPTER XXVI.
MAINE IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Military Condition of Maine-Proclamation of the President - Prompt Action - The Greeting in New York - Welcome in Washington -Stove- Pipe Artillery -Testimony of Gen. Sickles-Gen. Hiram G. Berry -The Liquor Shops-The Seventh Maine Complimented - Sufferings of Camp- Life-Colored Regiments -Testimony of Gen. Naglee - Gen. Dow -Toils . of a Campaign -The Sharp-shooters -Lient. Hill -Batteries of Light Artillery - Courage of New Recruits . 468
CHAPTER XXVIL.
MAINE IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, CONTINUED.
Battle of Cedar Mountain -Bivouacking in the Rain -Testimony of Gen. Burnside-Scenes at Port Hudson -Arlington Heights - Campaigning in the South -Patriotism of the Twenty-Seventh Regiment -Toilsome March - Battle at Marianna- Ravages of Sickness-Summary of the Ef- forts of Maine -Major-Gen. O. O. Howard at Gettysburg - Major-Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain at the Surrender of Lee . 483
CHAPTER XXVIIL AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.
Maine, its Location and Size -Mountains - Kataldin -Temperature - Agri- cultural Products - Various Industries -Ship-Building - Railroads -Slate Quarries -Little Bine Quarry - Water-Power - Annual Rain .Fall - Mani- facturing Facilities-The Saco Basin -The Androscoggin -The Kenne- bec-The Penobscot Valley - The St. Croix-The St. John -The Salubri- ous Climate - Prospects of Emigration 499
CHAPTER XXIX. POPULAR EDUCATION.
Normal School in Farmington - Normal School in Castine - Maine Central Institute - Oak Grove Seminary -Commercial College -State College of Agriculture - Winthrop Grammar School - Kittery District School - Intel- lectual, Social, and Physical Advantages of Maine . . 518
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXX. POPULATION.
PAGE.
Homogeneous Character of Early Settlers -German Colony Settled at Waldoboro -The Irish - French Canadians -Swedish Colony - Immigration of Native Element - Growth of Population Since 1790 - Fragments of Aboriginal Tribes 533
CHAPTER XXXI.
MORALS AND RELIGION.
Morals of Early Settlers-Order Introduced by Massachusetts - In- temperance - Washingtonian Movement-Prohibition of Liquor Traffic - Riot in Portland - Repeal of the Law - Re-enacted in 1858 -Sustained by the People - Prohibition put into the Consti- tution -Good Results of the Law - Maine not Settled Through Religious Impulse -- Catholics and Episcopalians Failed to Obtain a Contolling Foothold - Puritan Worship Introduced by Massachu- setts -The Standing Order -Struggles of Other Denominations to Escape from Taxation - All Placed on an Equality by the Consti- tution of 1820 - Religious Denominations in the State
538
CHAPTER XXXII. EDUCATION.
No Public Schools in the Early History of the Province - Introduced by Massachusetts Under Penalty of a Fine - New Interest in Edu- cation after the Revolution - Establishment of Academies by Grants of Land -Establishment of Colleges - The District System - Es- tablisliment of Normal Schools -Schools Graded, and a System of Free High Schools Introduced - Improvement in Schoolhouses - State Supervision of the Public Schools -Compulsory Attendance - Parochial Schools - Small Percentage of Illiteracy in Maine - Newspaper Press - County Papers - Leading Journals -Number of Periodicals Published in the State - Public Libraries .
553
CHAPTER XXXIII.
POLITICAL.
Division of Legislative, Executive and Judicial Powers - Maine Entered the Union as an Anti-Federalist State in 1820 - Became Democratic in 1834 - Republican in 1856-Fusion in 1879 - The "Count Out" - Its Proceedings Condemned by the Supreme Court -Fusionists Elect Governor by Plurality Vote in 1880 - Republi- cans Return to Power in 1882 . 560
CHAPTER XXXIV.
RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES.
Temperature and Climate - Area - Water Power - Forest Products - Fish and Game - Agriculture - Shore and Deep-Sca Fisheries - Shipbuilding - Granite, Slate, Limerock and Ice - Manufactures -Condition of Operatives - Deposits in Savings Banks - Railroad Systems Pleasure Travel - Lake and Seaside Resorts- Reasons Why the People Should be Contented with their Lot
567
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Abbott Family School .. . .. 406 Abbott School, Farmington .. 405 Agricultural College, Orono 526 Battle of Lexington. 370
Blockhouse of Fort Halifax. .. 376
Bowdoin College, Brunswick. .. 402 B. & M. Railroad Bridge, Saco. . 452 Cascade at West Waterville .. 466 City Hall, Portland .. 44S -
Colby University, Waterville ... 415
Custom House, Portland.
449
Dam at Skowhegan
511
Edward H. Elwell,
frontispiece
Falls, Bonny Eagle, Buxton .... 460 Falls, Cobbossee Contee, Gardi-
ner .. 416
Falls, East Machias. 385
Falls, Embden and Solon .513
Falls, Lewiston 410
Falls, Lisbon.
.461
Falls, Livermore. 465
Falls, Madison Bridge.
512
Falls, Oldtown.
323
Falls, Pejepscot, Brunswick
229
Falls, Rumford.
463,464
Falls, Ticonic, Waterville.
.362
Garrison House at York
234
Garrison, Kennebunk.
318
Insane Hospital, Augusta
430
PAGE
Lake Sebago
459
Longfellow Statue, Portland ..
413
Maine Central Institute.
321
Maine Gen'l Hospital, Portland.529
Maine Wesleyan Seminary
554
Normal School, Castine
320
Normal School, Farmington
404
Observatory, Portland
447
Old Orchard Beach.
454
Old Stone Tower, Newport. .. 20
Paper Mills of S. D. Warren & Co., front and rear views .. 508
Portland, view of.
396
Post Office, Augusta
-128
Post Office, Portland
450
Public Library, Portland.
509
Residences of Col. Ebenezer
Webster and Others.
524
Rasle Mon'm't, Norridgewock .. 316
Schoolhouse, Kittery.
525
Schoolhouse, Winthrop.
527
Soldiers National Home.
496
State House, Augusta.
560
The Cliffs, Cape Arundel.
451
" The Willows," Farmington .408 Upper Dam, Ellsworth. .514
Westbrook Seminary.
.522
Whitehead Cliff's
.453
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THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
CHAPTER I.
VOYAGES OF THE NORTHMEN 1 AND OTHER EARLY EXPLORERS.
Country of the Northmen - Voyages to Iceland and Greenland - Voyage of Thorwald -His Death - Expedition of Thorfinn and Gudrida-Visit to Buzzard's Bay and Narraganset Bay - First Description of New England --- A Mystery of History - Voyage of John Cabot - Voyage of his Son, Sebas- tian Cabot - French and English Claims -- Gaspar Cortereal - Verrazano - Strange Interview with the Indians - Estevan Gomez - Norumbega - John Rut.
E VENTS contemplated through the lapse of a thousand years must be dim. In ancient times the region of north- ern Europe, which now comprehends Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, was called Scandinavia. The hardy people who dwelt in that frigid clime were called Northmen. They were a sca- faring people, regarded mainly as pirates. Shores far distant were ravaged by their plundering expeditions.
It is said, that, ten centuries ago, one of these Northmen, Nad- dod, who was called the sea-king, driven by storms, discovered Iceland. It was, ere long, settled by a colony from Denmark. It is said, that, about seventeen years after the discovery of Ice- land, a storm drove another vessel from that island across to Greenland, a distance of but about four hundred miles. This was in the extreme north-eastern portion of the North Ameri-
1 For the following account of the voyages of the Northmen, I am mainly indebted to the celebrated work entitled, "Antiquitates Americana, Hafnie. Copenhagen, 1839. By C. C. Rafn." So far as it is possible to obtain any accu- racy upon this subject, the authority of Mr. Rafn is unquestionable.
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THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
can Continent. Thus, according to this report, the Northmen discovered America more than six hundred years before Colum- bus approached our shores.
About ten years after this, another Northman, by the name of Biarne, seeking Greenland, was driven by fierce gales far to the south. It is surmised, from his vague descriptions, that he must have caught sight of Cape Cod, and that he thence coasted north-easterly, back along the shores of Maine and Nova Scotia, to Greenland.
As the story goes, four years after this, in the year 1000, a man by the name of Leif took another vessel, and set out on an exploring expedition. He touched at dreary, deso- late Newfoundland; leaving the coast of Maine unseen far away on his right, he directed his course south-west, till he reached the head of Cape Cod. Sailing around the Cape, and turning to the west, he entered a large bay, which it is supposed was Narraganset, and landed, probably not far from the present site of Newport in Rhode Island.
They found the climate so mild, the region so delightful, the fruit so abundant, that they decided to spend the winter there. As rich grapes abounded, they named the country Vineland. In the shortest day of winter they recorded that the sun rose at half past seven, and set at half past four. This would quite decisively indicate that they were in the region of southern New England.
In the year 1002 a brother of Leif, by the name of Thor- wald, set out on another exploring tour to these newly dis- covered and attractive realms. Following his brother's track, he reached the same bay in which Leif had wintered, and occupied the same cabins which he had reared. In the spring he sent out the long boat with a party of sailors, to examine the coast west and south. We know nothing of the results of this expedition.
It is inferred, from the accounts which are still quite vague, that Thorwald spent another winter in Narraganset Bay, and that he named the spot Leifsbuder, or Leifshouse. In the spring he set sail in his ship, to follow the coast back to Greenland. Sailing around Cape Cod, which be named Naeset, he turned
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