The first attempt to colonize Texas was by the French under La Salle in 1087 ; but this great explorer lost his life in returning towards the Mississippi during tlie same }'ear, and the men who were left to liokl the post established were either killed or driven away. In 1090 a trading-post and a mission were established by the Spanish, and subsequently other settlements were made by the same power. Then in 1735 a French colony was sent into Texas from the Ked River. But neither the French nor the Spanish held possession of the coun- try unmolested. After the Louisiana purchase, difficul- ty arose between Spain and the United States as to the boundar)', the United States claiming the territory west to the Rio Grande, while Spain claimed it east as far as the Sabine. This was finally settled by treaty, in which the United States guaranteed to Spain her territory west of the Sabine. Mexico became independent in 1821, and Texas formed a part of it, being united under one government with Coahuila. But while Coahuila was exclusiveh' Mexican, Texas was settled largelj' by colonists from the United States, generally under grants of land from tlie Mexican government. Thus there ex- isted a natural barrier between the Texans and the Mex- icans, and, after much dissatisfaction with the govern- ment of the latter, the former fought for and gained their independence in 1836. Texas was annexed to the United States in 18-10.
Tennessee was originally a part of North Carolina, and was settled mainly by emigrants from that State. Kentucky belonged to Virginia, and was settled like- wise by Virginians. The other Western States lying east of the Mississippi were included in the Territory north-west of the Ohio. Tlie French under La Salle had explored this region, laid claim to it, and established trading-posts guarded by forts in various,parts of it, but they finallj' relinquished their claim to it. A consid- erable part of this territory was claimed by Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England under their original territorial grants; but these claims were all re- linquished except a part belonging to Connecticut, called the Western Reserve, and a Virginia reservation, now a part of Indiana, each including about 3,700,000 acres. Fmigration extended into this section from the older states, as a rule, on the lines of latitude, although there were many exceptions, and each new settlement par- took of the characteristics of the region from which it was peopled. The first settlement in Ohio was at Ma-
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rietta in 1788, formed by a colony from New England. Jlany localities in Southern Ohio were settled by emi- grants from Virginia, while tlie nortliern section was peo[)led by Ncw-Englandcrs. The oldest, settlements in Indiana were made by the French at Yincennes, Corydon, and other places in that vicinity, in 1702. jMichigan and Illinois, as well as Wisconsin and ISIinne- sota, had numerous settlements which were formed by the Frencit Catholics in the IGtii and 17th centuries. .Subseiiuently these states, especially Michigan, Minne- sota, and Wisconsin, were tilled up largely from the New England States and New York.
Like the rest of the Mississippi valley, Iowa was ex- plored and claimed by the French, but was a part of the Louisiana purchase, and so became the property of the United States government. The first white settlements under the authority of this government were made in 1833-3-1 at Fort Madison, Burlington, and Dubuque. The inhabitants of Iowa have always taken high ground on all questions of civilization, education, and morals.
The Pacific Slope has received its population in recent times. The southern portion extending far towards Texas was formerly a Spanish possession, and there yet remain many Spaniards and Mexicans within those states and territories. The population of California grew up very rapidly after the discovery of gold in 1848. ^Miners, speculators, and adventurers rushed thither from all parts of the country, and formed a very mot- ley crowd. Many of these remained, but by far the larger portion returned to their former homes or wan- dered to other lands. Oregon was included in the Lou- isiana purchase, and began to be settled by emigrants from the States about 1832. In 1834 the missionary colony of Dr. Marcus WMiitman and Rev. Mr. Spalding entered Oregon, and in 1842 the emigration to that re- gion was large.
The settlement of Utah constitutes a remarkable chapter in the history of our country. The Mormons (q. v.), under the leadership of Joseph Smith, made their lirst settlement in Missouri, where they grew to be a body of considerable numbers; but their theories and habits were distasteful to the people of that state, and they were compelled to remove in 1840. They found their way across the Blississippi into Illinois, where they founded the city of Nauvoo. Here they increased to ten thousand in number, but were obliged to leave this place also on account of the dissatisfaction of the peo- ple among whom they lived. In 184(5 they removed beyond the Rocky Mountains to the basin of the Great Salt Lake, and founded Utah Territory. In this terri- tory they have held sway during all the succeeding years, and have lived in defiance of the laws of the United States, with, seemingly, no power to check them. A new ara seems to be dawning. Law - abiding and Christian people are finding homes within the limits of the territory, and a population is fast growing up whose influence will secure the execution of the laws of the land.