American historian, born near Little Falls, NJ, on the 26th of November 1790. For a time he was foreman of a printing-office in Bloomingdale, NJ, and in 1812 was president of the New York Typographical Society. In 1815 he removed to Washington, DC. Here he was engaged in the publishing business, and from 1823 to 1830 edited and published The National Journal, and several special government documents. In 1833 he was authorized by Congress to compile a vast work, to be called the American Archives: A Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, covering a period from the discovery of America to the final ratification of the constitution of the United States. About one fourth of Mr. Force’s work was completed when it was discontinued by Secretary Marcy. His collection of material was sold to Congress for $100,000. He published other works of historical importance. These include Tracts and Other Papers Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement and Progress of the Colonies in North America (1836–46).
