American Leaders and Heroes: A preliminary text-book in United States History

[1] The belief that the world was round was by no means new, as learned men before Columbus's day had reached the same conclusion. But only a comparatively small number of people held such a view of the shape of the earth.

[2] The sum sent was 20,000 maravedis of Spanish money.

[3] De Leon discovered this land in the full bloom of an Easter Sunday (1513). In token of the day and the flowers he named it Pascua Florida.

[4] The Huguenots were French Protestants, who were then at war with the Catholics in France.

[5] According to tradition, the Pilgrims, in landing, stepped on a small granite bowlder, since known as Plymouth Rock. The date of landing, December 21, is called Forefathers' Day.

[6] Squanto had been taken to England by some white men in 1614.

[7] Oxford University is composed of a number of colleges. The one Penn attended was Christ Church College.

[8] This war has sometimes been called the Old French War, and sometimes the French and Indian War.

[9] This number is too large. Two millions is nearer the truth.

[10] The other two ships arrived a few days later.

[11] Franklin was one of the three commissioners to make a treaty with England at the close of the Revolution. The two other commissioners were John Adams and John Jay. They were all men of remarkable ability, and their united effort secured a treaty of peace highly favorable to their country. But, as in many other brilliant political achievements in which Franklin took part, his delicate tact was a strong force.

[12] The American battle-ship Oregon was then on her famous trip from San Francisco, by way of Cape Horn, to join Admiral Sampson's fleet.