America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.
John Ogilby
Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
[Illustration: AMERICA]
AMERICA: BEING THE LATEST, AND MOST ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE NEVV VVORLD; CONTAINING The Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages thither. THE CONQUEST OF THE VAST EMPIRES OF Mexico and Peru, AND OTHER LARGE PROVINCES and TERRITORIES, WITH THE SEVERAL _EUROPEAN_ PLANTATIONS IN THOSE PARTS. ALSO Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. WITH An _APPENDIX_, containing, besides several other considerable Additions, a brief Survey of what hath been discover’d of the _Unknown South-Land_ and the _Arctick Region_.
Collected from most Authentick Authors, Augmented with later Observations, and Adorn’d with Maps and Sculptures, by _JOHN OGILBY_ Esq; His Majesty’s _Cosmographer_, _Geographick Printer_, and Master of the _Revels_ in the Kingdom of _IRELAND_.
_LONDON_, Printed by the Author, and are to be had at his House in _White Fryers, M. DC. LXXI_.
[Illustration]
A Catalogue of the Authors, which are either mention’d, or made use of in this Volume of _America_.
_Abraham Mellinus_ _Abraham Mylius_ _Adriaen vander Donk_ _Ælian_ _Albertus Magnus_ _Aldrete_ _Ælius Lampridius_ _Alexander Aphrodiensis_ _Alexander ab Alexandro_ _Alexander Guaginus_ _Alonso Garcia_ _Alonso de Ouagli_ _Andræas Cæsariensis_ _Angrin Jonas_ _Antonio de Herrera_ _Apuleius_ _Aristonicus Grammaticus_ _Aristotle_ _Athanasius Kircher_ _Augustinus_ _Augustin de Tarcate_ _Augustus Thuanus_ _Ayton of Armenia_
_Balthazar de Amizquita_ _Barnaba Cabo_ _Bartholomæo de las Casas_ _Benjamin Tudalensis_
_Caspar Barlæus_ _Castaldus_ _Charles Rochfort_ _Christopher Arcisseuski_ _Cicero_ _Claude de Abbeville_ _Clemens Alexandrinus_ _Conradus Gesner_ _Cornelius Nepos_ _Cornelius Witfleet_ _Ctesias_ _Curtius_ _Cyrianus_
_David Ingran_ _David Powel_ _Diodorus Siculus_ _Dionysius Halicarnassæus_ _Dirk Ruiters_ _Dithmar Blefken_ _Duarte Mendez Seraon_
_Egydius Fletcher_ _Emanuel de Moraez_ _Erasmus Stella_ _Erick Roothaer_ _Everhard Reid_ _Eusebius_ _Euthymius Zibagenus_
_Festus Avienus_ _Francisc. Burmannus_ _Francisc. Delapuente_ _Francisc. de Gomara_ _Francisc. Lopes de Gomesa_ _Francisc. Raphelingius_ _Francisc. Soarez_ _Francisc. Tirolmonte_ _Francisc. Xaverius_ _Fullerus_
_Galenus_ _Garcilasso de la Vega_ _Genebrardus_ _Gerardus Joannes Vossius_ _Guido de Brez_ _Guilielm. Piso_ _Guilielm. Postellus_
_Harmannus Moded_ _Henrick Haelbos_ _Henrick Hawks_ _Hernando de Leon_ _Herodotus_ _Hesychius_ _Hieronim. Benzo_ _Hieronim. Cardanus_ _Homer_ _Hugo Grotius_ _Hugo Linschot_
_Jacob Bontius_ _Jacob Panensis_ _Jacob Rabbi_ _Inca Garcilasso_ _Joannes Ardenois_ _Joannes Bertius_ _Joannes Chilton_ _Joannes Gysius_ _Joannes Johnstonus_ _Jean de Laet_ _Joannes de Ledesma_ _Joannes Leonclavius_ _Joannes Lery_ _Joannes Mariana_ _Joannes Nieuwhof_ _Joan. van de Sande_ _Joseph. Acosta_ _Joseph. Anchieta_ _Joseph. Scaliger_ _Isaacus Pontanus_ _Isaac. du Verne_ _Isidorus Mendes Sequera_ _Julius Cæsar_ _Julius Cæsar Scaliger_
_Lactantius_ _Lauren. Ananias_ _Lauren. Bikker_ _Lauren. Guascus Gerascius_ _Lauren. Keymis_ _Levinus Lemmius_ _Lieven Aizma_ _Lopez Vaz_ _Lucan_ _Lucretius_ _Lodowick Leo_ _Lysander_
_Manethon Persa_ _Marcus Zeno_ _Martin del Barco_ _Martin Perez_ _Matthæus van den Broeke_ _Matthiolus_ _Melchior Soiterus_ _Mich. Lithower_ _Michovius_ _Miles Philips_ _Moses_
_Nicolaus Zeno_
_Olympiodorus_
_Paulus Venetus_ _Pedro de Ancieta_ _Pedro Pizarro_ _Pedro Fernandez de Quir_ _Pedro Maria_ _Peter Martyr_ _Pedro Ordonnes de Cevallos_ _Peter van Gendt_ _Philo Judæus_ _Philippus Cluverius_ _Philippus Mornæus_ _Phylarchus_ _Piere Moreau_ _Pinedas_ _Plato_ _Pliny_ _Plutarch_ _Pomponius Mela_ _Proclus_ _Procopius_
_Quarterius_
_Rabbi Simeon_ _Robertus Comtæus_
_Sam. Purchas_ _Sebastiaen Schroten_ _Simplicius_ _Salust_ _Sigismond Baro_ _Strabo_
_Theodosio_ _Theopompus_ _Thevet_ _Tertullian_ _Trigaut_
_Vegetius_ _Virgil_
[Illustration]
THE CONTENTS of the several CHAPTERS and SECTIONS.
The first Book.
America _unknown to the Ancients_ Fol. 1
_Of the Original of the Americans, whence they came, when, how, and from what People Planted_ 11
_First Discoverers of_ America, _with_ Christopher Colonus _his Expedition_ 43
Pedro Alphonso Nigno _his Voyage_ 56
_The Voyage of_ Vincent Agnes Pinzon 58
_The Expedition of_ Americus Vesputius 60
_The Expedition of_ Alphonso Fogeda, Diego Nicuesa, Ancisus, _and_ Roderick Colmenares 65
Peter Arias _his Expedition, and the remarkable Passages of_ Vascus Nunnez 69
_The Expedition of_ Francisco Fernandez, Lupo Caizedo, Christophero Morantes, Bernardo Igniguez, _and_ Juan Grisalva 76
_The Expedition of_ Ferdinand Magaglian, _commonly call’d_ Magellan 79
Ferdinando Cortez _his Voyage_ 81
Diego Gottierez _his Expedition_ 92
_The Expedition of_ Pedro Alvarado, Francisco _and_ Gonzalvo Pizarro, _and_ Diego de Almagro 95
_The Expeditions of_ John Stade _and_ Nicholas Durando Villegagnon 103
_The Expedition of_ John Ribald, Renatus Laudonier, _and_ Gurgie 105
_Four_ English _Expeditions, under the Command of our famous Sea-Captains_, Martin Forbisher, _Sir_ Francis Drake, Thomas Candish, _and_ John Smith 108
_A_ Netherland _Expedition, by_ Jaques Mahu _and_ Simon de Cordes 110
_The Expedition of_ Oliver van Noord 113
_The Expedition of_ George van Spilbergen 115
_The Expedition of_ Corneliszoon Schouten _and_ Jacob Le Maire 117
_The Voyage of the_ Nassavian _Fleet, under the Command of_ Jaques le Heremite _and_ Hugo Schapenham 120
Henry Brewer _his Voyage_ 122
The Second Book.
_Of the Bounds of_ America, _and of the Division of the_ Mexican, Fol. _or Northern part thereof_ 125
Estotiland 126
Terra Laboratoris 128
Canada, _or_ New France 129
Accadia, _or_ Nova Scotia 133
Norumbegua 138
New England 139
New Netherland, _now call’d_ New York 168
_A new Description of_ Mary-Land 183
Virginia 192
_The Relation of Captain_ Smith’_s being taken Prisoner by_ Powhatan, _and his deliverance by his Daughter_ Pocahonta 202
Carolina 205
Florida 213
Jucatan 222
Guatimala 224
Vera Paz 227
Honduras 229
Nicaragua 232
Costarica 235
Veragua ibid.
Guatimala, _properly so call’d_ ibid.
_The Kingdom of_ Mexico, _or_ New Spain 238
Mechoacan 261
Tlascalla 264
Guaxata 268
Panuco 270
Tabasco 273
New Gallicia 281
Guadalajara 284
Xalisco 285
Chiametla ibid.
Couliacan 286
Cinoloa 288
Zacatecas 289
New Biscay 290
New Mexico 291
Cibola, Tontonteac, _and_ Nova Granada 298
Quivira 301
Terra Nova, _or_ New-found Land, _with the Island of_ Assumption 304
_The_ Bermudas, _or_ Summer-Islands 311
Hispaniola 314
Porto Rico, _and_ Monico 327
Cuba 331
Jamaica 337
_The Islands call’d_ The Lucaies 344
_The_ Caribbee-Islands 345
Anegada _and_ Sombrero 362
Las Virgines 363
Anguilla ibid.
Saba 364
St. Crux ibid.
St. Martin 365
St. Bartholomew 367
Barboude 368
Rotonda ibid.
Nevis ibid.
Eustathius 369
Antego 370
Montserrat ibid.
Guadalupe 371
Deseado 372
Marigalante ibid.
Todos Sanctos 373
De Aves ibid.
Dominico 375
Martinico 376
St. Lucia 377
Barbados ibid.
St. Vincent 380
Bekia 381
Granada ibid.
Tabago 382
St. Christophers 383
The Islands Sotavento, and the Isle Trinidado 387
Cubagua 388
California 389
The Third Book.
A Description of Peruana or, Southern America Fol. 393
Castella Aurea, _otherwise call’d_ Terra Firma 394
Panama 395
Darien 399
New Andaluzia 400
St. Martha 403
Rio de la Hacha 405
New Granada 406
Granada 408
Popayana 409
Peru 412
Quito 441
Los Quixos 446
Lima 450
Cusco 456
Los Charcas 462
Collao 466
Chile 471
Chile, _properly so call’d_ 472
Magellanica 473
Paraguay, _or_ Rio de la Plata 475
Rio de la Plata, _properly so call’d_ 476
Tucuman ibid.
La Crux de Sierra 477
Brasile ibid.
St. Vincent 495
Rio de Janeiro 496
De Spirito Santo 497
Porto Seguro 498
Los Isleos 501
Bahia de Todos los Sanctos 502
Pernambuco 505
Parayba 508
Maragnan 511
_The Lordships_ Tamarica, Rio Grande, Siara, _and_ Para 517
_A Relation of the Proceedings of the_ Netherland West-India _Company in_ Brasile, _to the Year_ 1658 518
_The Journey of_ Rodulphus Baron, _with the Description of the Customs and Manners of the_ Tapuyans 595
Grave Maurice _his Account of_ Brasile, _so far as it concern’d the_ West-India _Company_ 600
_The Councellor_ Dussen’s _Relation of so much of_ Brasile _as concern’d the_ West-India _Company_ 601
_A Description of the Palace_ Freyburgh, _two Bridges, and a Banquetting-house, all built by_ Grave Maurice 605
Guiana 607
_A Relation of the Journey of_ Francisco Orellana ibid.
Paria, _or_ New Andalusia 620
Cumana 621
Venezuela 624
_The Islands_ Margareta, Cubagua, _and_ Coche 627
_Of the Islands of_ Southern America 628
In the Appendix.
Rio de la Plata Fol. 631
Chili 634
_A View of the_ Chilesian _Language_ 635
Magellanica 649
_The_ Unknown South-Land 653
Terra Borealis, _or_ The Arctick Region 661
_Several Attempts for the discovery of the_ North-West Passage 672
_A brief View of what Places are possess’d at this day in the_ West-Indies, _by the_ English, Spaniards, French, Portuguese, _and_ Dutch 674
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Novissima et Accuratissima TOTIUS AMERICÆ DESCRIPTIO per JOHAHEM OGILUIUM Cosmographum Regium]
[Illustration]
An Accurate Description Of America.
CHAP. I. America, _unknown to the Antients_.
[Sidenote: Description of the Ocean.]
The Sea, that takes several Denominations from the Countreys which it washeth, and surrounding the dry Land, cuts out, and shapes so many winding Bays, Creeks, and Meandring Inlets, seems no where so much confin’d and penn’d into so narrow a Channel, as the _Straights_ of _Magellan_: From whence again, soon expatiating, it spreads it self into two immense, and almost boundless Oceans, that which opens to the North, gives terminaries to the four Regions of the Earth; that to the South, onely to _Asia_ and _America_; both which, indeed, are but one continu’d Sea, extending it self round the Universal Globe.
This watry part of the World, that almost through all Ages lay Fallow, hath in these later times been Furrow’d by several Expert and Stout Captains, who now by their Art and Industry, have given a good Account of, and made clear Discoveries from East to West, where-ever the Sun rises or sets.
The Northern Bounds under the _Artick-Zone_, have been hitherto so obstructed with Ice, that the undertakings of such as adventur’d either to find by the North-East or North-West a Passage to _India_, have been utterly frustrate. Of the Southern, no such pains hath as yet been taken in the Discovery, so that for the most part it is yet unknown how far the Water, either deep or shallow, overspreads the Earth, onely thus much Experience hath made out, that the _Antartick_ needs lesser Line to Fathom, than the _Artick-Ocean_.
[Sidenote: The Ancients had little knowledge in Navigation.]
The antient _Greeks_, _Phenicians_, and _Romans_, or whosoever that were Renown’d by Antiquity, and Listed in the number of their famous Navigators, were no less Timerous than Ignorant concerning Maritim Affairs, and are not fit to stand in the least degree of competition with our later Voyagers.
[Sidenote: Navigation is very ancient.]
Of old, by an inviolable Law, made by Custom, according to _Pliny_, _Vigetius_ and others, the Sea was lock’d up, from the eleventh of _October_, to the tenth of _March_, no Ships daring to venture forth, dreading short Nights, and foul Weather; neither in Summer, did they so much as once offer, unless driven by Storms, to attempt the _Offin_, or loose sight of Land; yet there is no question, but that several Nations in former Ages, made it their business, spending their whole time, and wearying themselves in the Practical Art of Navigation.
[Sidenote: _Geograph._ lib. 1.]
[Sidenote: _Hist. Nat._ lib. 2. cap. 67.]
[Sidenote: _Ultima Thule_, suppos’d by some to be _Ireland_. _Vide Georgic._]
[Sidenote: The Voyage of _Hanno_.]
[Sidenote: Of _Eudoxus_, _Strab._ l. 2.]
The Sacred Scripture testifies, That the Kings of _Judea_, _Solomon_, _Jehosaphat_, _Ozias_, and others, prepar’d several Fleets that Sail’d through remote Seas, freighting themselves with Gold from _Ophir_, and other Rarities, which were Imported to supply and enrich the _Holy-Land_. And _Strabo_ also tells us, That King _Solomon_ being contemporary with _Homer_, then discover’d _India_. And _Pliny_ relates, That the _Romans_, in the Reign of _Augustus_, passing the _Straights_ of _Gibraltar_, and sleighting the _Ne plus ultra_, Coasted _Spain_, _France_, and _Belgium_, leaving not at the Promontory of the _Cimbrians_ (now call’d _Shager-Riff_) but also ventur’d into the Northern Ocean, which washes _Norwey_ and _Lapland_: But long before this, as _Athenæus_ relates, _Phileas Taurominites_, a _Grecian_ Captain, and several others pass’d the _Herculean-Pillars_, penetrating the Northern Seas as far as _Britain_, and adventuring, made the first Discovery of _Thule_: And to the Southward the _African_ Coasts without _Gibraltar_, and beyond _Atlas_, were now and then explor’d by several expert Captains. But more remarkable is the Voyage of _Hanno_ a _Carthaginian_, who out-sail’d these, and inspected the Coasts of _Africa_, as far as the _Gorgades_: And _Eudoxus Cyzicenus_, flying from King _Lathyrus_, set Sail from the _Arabian_ Gulph, and passing the _Great-Cape_, came to an Anchor at last in the Mouth of _Gibraltar_, having discover’d all the Eastern, Southern, and Western parts of _Africa_.
[Sidenote: Strange Voyage of some _Indians_.]
[Sidenote: Of _Menelaus_.]
Moreover, it deserves special observation, That an antient _Swedish_ King, as _Cornelius Nepos_ relates, sent as a Rarity and great Present to the _Roman_ Consul _Metellus Celer_, some _Indians_, who loosing their course, hatter’d up and down with perpetual Storms and stress of Weather, were at last driven into the Northern Ocean, where they suffer’d Shipwrack; yet saving themselves, Landed on his Coast: _Aristonicus Gramaticus_ relates, That _Menelaus_ Sailing from the _Sack_ of _Troy_, became so great a Voyager, that leaving the _Straights_, he surrounded _Africa_, and discovering _India_, after eight years re-measuring the same way he went, return’d with great Riches in safety to his own Kingdom: Which is consentaneous to _Homer_, who saith, _Odyss._ l. 4.
——_None must compare Mansions with_ Jove, _his Seats Celestial are: But with me any may, who eight years tost Through Worlds of Miseries from Coast to Coast, ’Mongst unknown Seas, of my Return small hope_, Cyprus, Phœnicia, Ægypt,[1] Æthiope, Sidon, Erembos _found, and_ Lybia, _where Their Lambs are horn’d, their Ews teem thrice a year._
——Ἤτοι ζηνὶ βροτῶν οὐκ ἄντις ἐρίζοι. Ἀθάνατοι γὰρ τοῦ γε δόμοι καὶ κτήματ ἔασιν. Ἀνδρῶν δ’ ἤκεν τίς μοί ἐρίζεται ἠὲ, καὶ οὐκὶ Κτήμασιν; ἦ γὰρ πολλὰ παθὼν, καὶ πόλλ’ ἐπαληθεὶς Ἠγαγόμην ἐν νηυσὶ, καὶ ὀγδοάτω ἔτει ἦλθον Κύπρον, φοίνικην τε καὶ ἀιγυπτίους ἐπαληθεὶς, Ἀιθιοπάς θ’ ἱκόμην, καὶ σιδονίους καὶ ἐρεμβοὺς Καὶ Λιβύην, ἵνα τ’ ἄρνευ ἄφαρ κεραοὶ τελέθουσι, Τρὶς γὰρ τίκτει μῆλα τελευφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν.
Footnote 1:
The Commentators on _Homer_ have been very inquisitive to find out _Menelaus_ Voyage into _Æthiopia_. _Crates_ suppos’d that he pass’d out at the _Straights_, doubled the Southern _Cape_, and so arriv’d thither. _Eratosthenes_ conjectures, that in the time of _Homer_ the _Straights_ Mouth was an Isthmus, and the _Ægyptian_ Isthmus overflow’d by the Sea, which afforded him a shorter passage. But that is most probable which _Strabo_ delivers, that he then went to the borders of _Æthiopia_, when he pass’d up _Ægypt_ to the City of _Thebes_; the Borders of _Æthiopia_ being not far distant from thence in _Strabo_’s time, probably very near it in _Homer_’s.
[Sidenote: Remarkable Voyage of an _Indian_ into _Egypt_,]
[Sidenote: Of _Ptolemy_]
[Sidenote: And also of _Cleopatra_.]
That which the _Grecian_ Geographers relate concerning _Ptolomy Euergetes_, King of _Egypt_, is not to be forgotten, That sending Pilots, Commission’d to take the Soundings, and settle the Land-marks in the _Arabian_ Gulph, they found by chance a forsaken Vessel, onely in it one Man half dead, lying among several other breathless Bodies, of whom, being refresh’d with convenient Cordials, they enquir’d his Fortune, but he being unable to give them any present satisfaction, neither understanding what the other said, they sent him to the Court, where soon having got a smattering of Greek, he inform’d _Euergetes_, that he was a Native _Indian_, driven from their course into the place where they found him by stress of Weather, and that his company were famish’d, all their Provision spent in their Wandrings from their intended Voyage; Thus being kindly entertain’d, he also promis’d the King to open his Passage (if so he pleas’d) into _India_. The King slept not upon this Intelligence, but immediately prepar’d a Fleet Freighted with such Commodities as were advis’d; with which setting forth by the Conduct of this their _Indian_ Pilot, they Anchor’d in their desir’d Port, and brought the King in return from thence a rich _Cargo_ of Silk, Spices, costly Drugs, and precious Gems. _Cleopatra_, about sixty years after, intending not to lose the advantages reap’d by the former discoveries, equipp’d another and greater Navy; which passing through the Red-Sea, found the Stern of a Ship, on which was Presented a Horse, whereby some of the more knowing Sea-men judg’d, that it had been a _Gibraltar_ Vessel, and Sailing about _Africa_, there by sad accident suffer’d a Wrack. This Stern was afterwards set up, and fix’d as a Memorial in the Market-place of _Memphis_.
[Sidenote: The _Venetians_ were the first that drove a trade from _Europe_ to the _East-Indies_.]
[Sidenote: How they went their journeys.]
In these later times, the first that endeavor’d to drive an _European_ Trade in _Africk_, and held Commerce with _India_, was the State of _Venice_, who Sail’d from thence through the _Adriatick_, into the _Mediterranean-Sea_: So Steering for _Alexandria_, where unlading their Goods, from thence they carry’d them over Land, and Shipping again in the _Arabian_ Gulph, Sail’d directly for _India_. Thus by Land and Water, were exchang’d several Commodities, and the _Indian_ Growth and rich Products of the Oriental World plentifully Transported to _Venice_, and from thence, all _Europe_ had ample Accommodation, until an _Egyptian Sultan_ suffer’d the Way to be infested by Thieves and Murdering Robbers, that so they were enforc’d to remove thence, and Discharge their several Cargoes at _Aleppo_; from whence, on Mules and Camels, they carry’d their Goods to _Babylon_, so to _Balsarum_, and then to _Ormus_, where they Re-ship’d thence, directly standing for _India_.
Thus they enjoy’d the benefit of so great a Trade and Commerce, until the _Portuguese_ found a Passage by Sea, saving the Expence and trouble of carrying Goods so far by Land to _India_; Of which here we will a little inlarge.
[Sidenote: By what means the _Portuguese_ came first to discover the Coasts of _Africa_ and _India_.]
[Sidenote: Why _Africa_ was no further discover’d.]
_John_, the first King of _Portugal_, who took from the _Moors_, by force of Arms, _Septa_, an _African_ City, having five Sons; _Henry_ his fourth behav’d himself so gallantly in the Leaguer of _Septa_, that after he became Master of the place, this Prince made many bold Excursions in several Parties against the Enemy, bringing in daily great store of Booty; so growing rich, he Rigg’d out two new Vessels to make farther Discoveries along the Coast of _Africa_. Yet this his Expedition went on but slowly, being much taken off in Building there a new City, then call’d _Tarzanabala_, and since _Villa Infantis_; but being Admonish’d by a Dream, and Check’d for his laying thus aside his first Design of Navigation; he soon after, _Anno 1410._ set forth the Ships that he intended, which he the more accelerated, being inform’d by some of his Prisoners Natives, that _Africa_ spread from the Basis of _Mount-Atlas_, very far towards the South: This Mountain then was the Terminary of Navigation that way, because thereabouts a long Ridge or Shelf of Sands thrust its Point under Shallow Waters so far out into the Ocean, that none durst venture to Sail into the _Offin_, being out of sight of Land to double this conceal’d _Cape_.
[Sidenote: Who first ventur’d into the _Offin_.]
[Sidenote: _Madera_’s, by whom peopled.]
The first that attempted to find Deep Water, and get round about, discovering several unknown Coasts, and Uninhabited Isles belonging to that Region, were _Joannes Gonsalves_, _Tristan Varseus_, and _Ægidius Annius_; amongst which were the _Madera_’s, and _St. George de Picho_, which Prince _Henry_ first Planted with _Portuguese_, and others since with _Netherlanders_. He also obtain’d a Grant from Pope _Martin_ the Fifth, of all the discover’d Territories East-ward from the _Canaries_, for ever to be the undoubted Right, and belonging to the Crown of _Portugal_.
[Sidenote: By whom _Genny_ was discover’d.]
After _Henry_’s Decease, _Anno 1460._ the business of Navigation and Discoveries of new Countreys, lay neglected, because King _Alphonso_ turmoyl’d in a Civil War, his Crown being at stake, had not leisure to think or look after uncertain improvements by Sea; yet at last having quell’d his Enemies, he ventur’d forth some Ships, who Sail’d as far as the River _Zenaga_, and came to Anchor before the City of _Genny_, famous since for Trade, which gave its denomination to the Countrey and Coasts of _Guiny_, where they dealing, Barter’d for Ivory, Gold, Slaves, and also got so much footing into the Countrey, that they suddenly rais’d up a Fort, and Man’d it with a strong Garrison, Shipping their Slaves for _Lisbon_.
_John_ the Second succeeding his Father _Alphonso_, had a great design upon _Arabia_ and _India_, and if possible, was ambitious to open a Passage from the _Atlantick_, to the _Oriental-Seas_. But the difficulty lay in Steering so often from sight of Land, venturing into the Main Ocean, obstructed by so many dangerous Shoals that lay so far out into the _Offin_.
[Sidenote: For the Northern Constellations the _Astrolabe_ was in use long before.]
At that time flourish’d three famous Mathematicians, _Rhoderick_, _Joseph_, and _Martin Bohemus_, Pupils bred up by _Joannes Monteregius_; with which the King consulting, perswaded, that they would by their Art invent some Instrument, that by Southern Constellations, the Pole being depress’d, the Navigator might know where he was, and in what height; so guessing what distance they were from this or that Countrey; they accordingly Club’d Learning, and by their great Study, found out what since hath prov’d so useful and beneficial to Seamen, the _Astrolabe_; which help having obtain’d, the Sailers encourag’d, more frequently ventur’d into remote and unknown Seas.
[Sidenote: Remarkable passage of _Jaques Cano_.]
[Sidenote: Discovery of _Congo_.]
[Sidenote: _John_ the Second, seeks to discover _India_ by water.]
After these, King _John_ of _Portugal_ sent _Jaques Cano_ with a Fleet, who Sailing, found the River _Zaires_, where he erected a Pillar with an Inscription, _Latin_ and _Portuguese_, signifying by whom, and in what Kings Reign these _African_ Coasts were discover’d: Here he also met some of the Natives, who more civiliz’d than the rest, told him, That they had a mighty King, who Raigning over them, kept his Court some few days Journey up in the Countrey, to whom _Cano_ sending his Agents, detain’d four _Africans_ as Pledges, which he carry’d with their free consent to _Portugal_, promising to bring them back in fifteen Months, who before that time having got some smatterings of their Tongue, inform’d them, that their Native Soyl was call’d _Congo_, whither returning by the appointed time, they were according to their agreement, exchang’d for the _Portuguese_, and _Cano_ address’d himself with rich Presents to their King, whom he found sitting in their manner on an Ivory Throne, being from the middle upward Naked, his nether parts cover’d with long Silken Skirts, a Golden Armlet on his left Arm, athwart his Shoulders hung a Horses Tail, their Badge of Royal Dignity: _Cano_ humbly laid the Presents down at the Kings feet, amongst which was a Gilded Flag, or Pennon with a Cross, which Pope _Innocent_ the Eighth had Consecrated with great Ceremony. After this, many of that Nation became Christians, and the King himself receiv’d Baptism. But in short time, by the Instigations of their Diabolical Priests, and others, Christianity loosing ground, grew out of countenance: Mean while, King _John_ the Second vigorously Prosecuted the business of Discovery, sending _Jews_ and _Christians_ by Land from _Alexandria_ and other parts of _Egypt_ to _India_, and from thence to explore the Coasts on the Eastern side of _Africa_, to the _Great-Cape_; if so a way might be found fit for Navigators, having doubled that Point, to Traffick with the Oriental parts of the World.
[Sidenote: _Vasques de Gama_, his expedition.]
After this Princes Death the Work lay sill a while, but in short time, King _Emanuel_ his Successor freshly undertook the business once more, sending _Vasques de Gama_ with four Ships, who passing through many Dangers with great Difficulties, Anchor’d at last before _Calecut_, and was the first of the _Europeans_ that found a way to the _East-Indies_.
[Sidenote: _Christopher Columbus_’s.]
[Sidenote: Dividing of the earth.]
But _Christopher Columbus_, five Years before _Gama_’s Expedition to the East, had been employ’d in Western Discoveries, which prov’d so very successful, that he found no less than another World; which soon after, from _Americus Vesputius_, was call’d _America_: So that the Division of the World by the Antients, (concerning which they had so long err’d, and were utterly mistaken) was now made manifest by Experience, and undisputable Demonstration; for formerly the whole World was known by no other names than _Asia_, _Africa_, and _Europe_, but now, those three are found to make but one Part of what incircles the Universal Globe; because in the South lies a second, known no further than by its Coastings and Superficial Margents; the third part being the New-World, our _America_.
[Sidenote: A query, if _America_ was known to the Ancients.]
[Sidenote: _Atlantica. Plato in Crisis & Timæo._]
Here it will not seem amiss, having prov’d that _Africa_ was more than Coasted by the Ancients, to ingage and search with some scrutiny concerning this _America_; First, Whether at any time ’twas known by the Ancients? And next, by what People, and when first Inhabited? About the former, the Learned of these later times Jangle amongst themselves, for some of them will needs ascribe so much Honor to Antiquity, declining the Worthy Praise of those that made so wonderful a Discovery, as if they of old, and many Ages before, had done the same, or at least, that this New-World to them was not unknown, maintaining this their bold Assertion from the Authority of what they find, both in Ancient _Greek_, and _Latin_ Authors: First, especially in the Learned _Plato_, who, as you know at large, describes a New _Atlantis_, lying beyond the _Straights_ of _Gibraltar_; whose Coast is surrounded with two vast Seas that are Sow’d thick with scatter’d Islands. By these Seas they understand the Atlantick and Southern-Sea, by the many Isles, _Cuba_, _Hispaniola_, _Jamaica_, _California_, and others, which lie sprinkled along the Coasts of _America_. But it cannot be made out, that _Plato_ describes ought but a Fancy, his own _Idea_, not a Countrey that ever was, is, or shall be, though he sets it forth so Accurately, and with such Judgment, as if he had taken a Survey of the place, and found such a Land indeed.
[Sidenote: _Diod. Sic._ lib. 6.]
[Sidenote: _Arist. de Mirandis in Natura auditis._]
In like manner, _Diodorus Siculus_ undertakes to prove, That _America_ was known to the Antients; telling a Story, how the _Phenicians_ were driven by a Storm from the Coasts of _Africa_ West-ward, falling at last upon a great and altogether unknown Island, which our late Expositors take for _America_; Must it therefore be so? Surely not, for it is onely a bare Story, without any Proof or the least Testimony. They endeavor to make _Aristotle_ bolster up their opinion that he had a knowledge of this New-World, which with no small pains they pump from these Words: “Beyond the _Herculean_ Pillars, certain _Carthaginian_ Merchants penetrated the Atlantick Ocean so far, that at last they found a vast, yet un-inhabited Island, producing nothing but Herbage, Plants, and Wild-Beasts, yet interlac’d with many Meandring Rivers, abounding with several sorts of Fish, lying some days Sail from the Continent; they Landing, found a Soyl so fertile, and Air so temperate, that there they setled, and were the first Planters of that Isle. But the _Carthaginians_ having intelligence thereof, Prohibited all Persons whatsoever, upon Pain of Death, to go thither, fearing the place being so much commended, all the People would be ready to flock thither, and desert their own, and so utterly unfurnish and debilitate their then growing Common-wealth.”
[Sidenote: _Æneid._ lib. 6.]
But how could the _Carthaginians_ find _America_, without the use of the Compass? How happen’d it, that they were so taken with the fertility of this their New-found-Land, when the Adjacent Countreys and Fields about _Carthage_ are every where Flourishing, and most Luxurious? So that it may better be suppos’d, that what _Aristotle_ found so long since, may rather be the _Canary-Isles_, or _Great-Brittain_, than _America_. The _Greeks_ having then also made some Inspection into the _Brittish-Isles_. They would also make you believe, that _Virgil_ the Prince of Latin Poets, had known the New-World in these Verses; _Æneid._ lib. 6.
_There, there’s the Prince, oft promis’d us before, Divine_ Augustus Cæsar, _who once more Shall Golden Days bring to th’_ Ausonian _Land, Kingdoms that once old_ Saturn _did command, And shall His power to_ India _extend, Beyond the Annual Circle, and beyond The Sun’s long Progress, where great_ Atlas _bears, Laden with Golden Stars, the glittering Sphears;_
Hic vir, hic est, tibi quem promitti sæpius audis, _Augustus Cæsar_, divûm genus, aurea condet Sæcula, qui rursus Latio, regnata per arva Saturno quondam, super & Garamantas & Indos Proferet imperium. Jacet extra sidera tellus, Extra anni Solisque vias, ubi cœlifer _Atlas_ Axem humero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum.
[Sidenote: _America_ was not known to the Ancients.]
But what of all this? Who finds in any of these Writings, any Marks of _America_, or the least Description thereof? Though we cannot deny that the Antient Sages and Wise Philosophers of former times might easily make out, and no question did, that the Earth and Sea made the perfect Figure of a Globe; first from the round Shadow of the Earth that Ecclipses the Moon; the different Risings and Settings of the Celestial Luminaries; and the still Variation of the Pole; so that the Earth and Sea making one Ball, they might easily conjecture, that the South-side of the Equinoctial might be Inhabited as well as the North: But all this was more grounded upon Natural Reason and Right Judgement, than any Experience of theirs, or the least certain knowledge thereof, which since these later times had the first happiness to obtain; so laying these Conjectures aside, there have been none more grosly erroneous, and so utterly mistaken in this Point, than some of the Ancients, and especially the Fathers of the Church.
[Sidenote: _Lactant._ l. 3. c. 24.]
_Lactantius Firmianus_, and St. _Austin_, who strangely jear’d at as ridiculous, and not thinking fit for a Serious Answer the Foolish Opinion of _Antipodes_, or another Habitable World beyond the _Equator_: At which, _Lactantius_ Drolling, says, _What, Forsooth, here is a fine Opinion broach’d indeed; an_ Antipodes! _heigh-day! People whose Feet tread with ours, and walk Foot to Foot with us; their Heads downwards, and yet drop not into the Sky! There, yes, very likely, the Trees loaden with Fruit grow downwards, and it Rains, Hails, and Snows upwards; the Roofs and Spires of Cities, tops of Mountains, point at the Sky beneath them, and the Rivers revers’d topsi-turvy, ready to flow into the Air out of their Channels!_
[Sidenote: _Lactant._ error concerning our _Antipodes_.]
[Sidenote: As also St. _Austin. de Civit. Dei_ l. 16. c. 9.]
But these seeming witty Observations of _Lactantius_, though they may serve for a Jest, yet are not grounded on any serious Reasons; for the Earth and Sea being Globular, making one Universal Ball; all Materials whatsoever that belong to this great Body, sink by a natural Propensity towards its Center; so that where-ever we Travel, our Feet are downwards, and our Heads upwards, the Sky above, and the Earth beneath; neither need they fear, that any where the Earth should Moulder and drop into the Clouds: But St. _Austin_ Reasons better, admitting that the Earth and Sea make a Universal Globe; yet it no way follows, that inhabited Countreys should lye opposite to our Northern, nay, altogether impossible, seeing that side which is our _Antipodes_ is all nothing but Sea; and should we allow, that there were Land and Water mixt as ours is, who could prove, that they were Peopled? or how could any get thither, over such Vast and Immense Seas? or possibly pass the extream heat of the Torrid Zone, not to be endur’d by any living Creature? And what then becomes of Sacred Scripture, which says positively, _That all Men were deriv’d from_ Adam, _and after the Floud, from_ Noah _and his three Sons_? Therefore the Nations of the _Antipodes_ must be of another Abstract, there being no possibility (as they suppos’d) of passing from this World to that: But since the Discovery of the _East_ and _West-Indies_, Experience, the best Mistress, hath taught, that in the South are mighty Lands and vast Territories, and that as far as they have been Penetrated, are found to be full of People, extending their Dominions from East to West. And though St. _Austin_ deny’d this now well-known Truth, yet long before his time, _Cicero_, _Pliny_, and others amongst the _Greeks_ and _Romans_, divided the Earth under five _Zones_; which _Virgil_ describes thus:
_Five Zones the heav’ns infold, hot Sun-beams beat Always on one, and burns with raging heat. The two Extreams to this on each hand lies Muffled with Storms, fetter’d with cruel Ice. ’Twixt Cold and Heat, two more there are, th’ aboads Assign’d poor Mortals by th’ Immortal Gods._
Quinque tenent cælum zonæ: quarum una corusco Semper Sole rubens, & torrida semper ab igni: Quam circum extremæ dextra, lævaque trahuntur Cærulea glacie concretæ, atque imbribus atris. Has inter, mediamque, duæ mortalibus ægris Munere concessæ divum: via secta per ambas, Obliquus qua se signorum verteret ordo.
[Sidenote: _Macrob. in Somnio Scipionis._ l. 2. c. 5.]
[Sidenote: _Vide Carpent. Geograph._]
With _Virgil_, _Pliny_, and the Prince of Latin Orators agree, who saith, “You see, that those that inhabit the Earth dwell in Countreys so separated one from another, that it is impossible they should have any Commerce; some of them are our _Antipodes_, walking with their Heads downwards, some their Feet against our sides, others, as we, with their Heads upright. You see how the same Earth seems to be Swath’d about with Rolls, of which, two separated by the other three, are at utmost distance one from the other, lying equi-distant under the Vertick Points of Heaven, always cover’d with Snow and Ice; but the middlemost and greatest is scorch’d by the violent heats of the Sun: Two Tracts are Habitable, one to the South, our _Antipodes_, the other North, which we Inhabit.”
[Sidenote: _Pliny_ lib. 2.]
And _Pliny_ also affirms, though against the Vulgar Opinion, this truth, “That the Earth is round about inhabited, and that people walk Foot to Foot in most parts thereof; though every one be ready to ask why our _Antipodes_ drop not into the Sky; which question, our _Antipodes_ may also ask concerning us.”
But although the Ancients upon these and the like Demonstrations well understood, that there was a Habitable World towards the South under our _Horizon_, yet they could not make out or believe, that there was any possibility to pass thither; And, according as St. _Austin_ conceiv’d, That the Earth produc’d nothing under either Pole, by reason of excessive cold, and that the _Equinoxs_ or _Middle-Zone_, was not to be penetrated, because of the insufferable heat.
[Sidenote: _Macrob. in Somno Scip._ lib. 2.]
And _Macrobius_ saith, “That the _Equinoctial_ Circle, the _Artick_ and _Antartick Lines_, bind the two Habitable _Zones_, and make Temperate by the excessive Neighboring Heats and Colds; and these Countreys onely give Animation, and comfortable Enjoyment to all Living Creatures.”
Moreover, St. _Austin_ in some places seems to clear his own Doubts, saying, “That People, if they could find a means to Sail those Vast and Undiscover’d Seas, might make Land, raising new Stars under another Sky.”
[Sidenote: How beasts came on remote Islands.]
A Learned Father, searching after the Original of all sorts of Beasts which multiply by Generation, concludes, That they must derive themselves from those that were sav’d with _Noah_ in the Ark. But how came they to the Isles? To those adjacent and near the Main Land, they might easily Swim; to the remoter, they were Transported.
[Sidenote: And chiefly the wild.]
[Sidenote: _Austin_ is contradicted.]
[Sidenote: How men came to new Countreys.]
But this Doubt is not altogether clear’d, for the Domestick and other Creatures fit for Humane use and Sustenance were thus brought thither: Yet how comes it to pass, that Voracious and Wild Creatures are also found there, such as Wolves, Tigers, Lions, and other Beasts of Prey? This puzzle putting St. _Austin_ to a stand, he had no other means to get off, but by saying, that by God’s Commands or Permission, the Angels convey’d them thither; If so, why might not God please to Plant Men there in like manner, and the rather, the Earth being created for Humane use? But what needed this, when Men can in Ships Transport themselves, either of their own accord for curious Inquest, to find new Countreys, or else enforc’d by stress of Weather, to far remoter, and altogether unknown Lands: Besides, though the Earth is here and there divided by large Bays and vast Seas, yet nevertheless, in other places it is all continu’d Land, or at least parted by some narrow In-let or Sea; so that there was no difficulty for a crouded Plantation to go over, and so ease themselves in another Countrey, till then not Inhabited; therefore none need to question, but that from _Adam_, or nearer, from _Noah_’s three Sons, _Sem_, _Ham_, and _Japhet_, those, as well as we, were extracted, that Inhabit this our other World.
[Sidenote: Reasons why _America_ was so long unknown.]
[Sidenote: Who first sail’d on the Ocean.]
[Sidenote: Several opinions of the Antients concerning it.]
[Sidenote: _Brittains_ amongst the first Inventors of Navigation.]
But one question is to be observ’d, How first after the expiration of so many Ages in these our later times, a New-World was discover’d, altogether unknown to the Antients, when they in the greatness of their Parts and Undertaking, Prowess and Prudence, were no ways inferior to the Modern, and every way as fit for great Designs and grand Exploits? We need not scruple or make the least doubt, but the Sea hath been Navigated of old; but the first attempters set forth unexperienc’d, in as pittiful and ill-contriv’d Vessels. The _Heathens_ ascribe the Art of Navigation, first to the _Cretans_, who under the Conduct of _Neptune_, set forth a Navy to explore Foraign Countries. But _Pliny_ long before gives the Invention of this Art to _Erythra_, King of _Egypt_, who upon Pieces of Timber, conjoyn’d and brac’d together, crept along the Shores, and ventur’d to Discover the Isles in the _Red-Sea_. But others give that honor to the _Trojans_, and _Micians_, when with a Fleet by Sea, they Invaded _Thrace_: Others, to the _Brittains_, who made little Vessels of Leather, and were the first that by this Invention found how to Float upon the Waters: Some plead, that the _Samothracians_ were first; Others, that _Danæus_ before all, found a way by Sea from _Egypt_ to _Greece_. But without all Contradiction, _Noah_’s Ark was the Pattern or Sample, that succeeding Ages imitating, built their Ships by; and the more probable, because his Offspring multiplying so fast, that they were enforc’d to inlarge their Colonies, by passing Seas, and other broad Rivers, to settle their Super-numeraries there.
[Sidenote: The first Inventers of several things belonging to Shipping.]
So _Jason_ Invented a Ship, which he call’d _Argos_, which _Sesostris_ King of _Egypt_ took as his Pattern. Next, the _Biremis_, a Galley with double Banks of Oars, was made by the _Erythreans_; with treble Banks, by the _Corinthian Amocles_; the addition of the _Quadruple_, the _Carthaginians_ boast; of the _Quinqueremis Nesichthon_, _Alexander the Great_, brought them to twelve Banks; _Ptolomy Soter_, to fifteen; _Demetrius_, _Antigonus_ Son, doubled them to thirty; _Ptolomy Philadelphus_, to forty; and last of all, _Philopater_ rais’d them to fifty Banks of Oars. _Hippus_ a _Tirian_, was the first that set Ships upon the Stocks; the _Rhodians_ a Ketch, and the _Batavians_ a Boat; the _Copes_ made the first Oar; _Dedalus_ the Mast and Boltsprit; _Piscus_ the Beak; the _Tyrrheans_ the Anchor; _Tiphys_ the Rudder; taking example from the motion of a Kites Stern; _Icarus_ found Sails, fancy’d by the Poets for Wings, though some ascribe that honor to his Father _Dedalus_.
[Sidenote: Why in former Ages no remote Countreys were discover’d.]
_Minos_ was the first that Ingag’d in a Sea-Fight, whereby we may easily conjecture, that of old none adventur’d far into the _Offin_, or to remote Countreys, not daring to trust their so sleight contriv’d Vessels. But these later times have strangely and suddenly improv’d this growing Art of Navigation, yet pitch’d not to that height at first, as boldly to adventure, and loose sight of Land.
[Sidenote: The manner of the Antients Sailing.]
[Sidenote: Of the _Romans_.]
[Sidenote: Why _America_ was so lately known.]
The _Tyrians_ first understood how to Steer their Course by the North-Star, and when dark and foul Weather had Clouded the Sky, that they could neither see Heaven or Earth, but onely Sea, they directed their Course by the Wind; and if they doubted the change thereof, they let some Birds flie, whom they follow’d, supposing that they stood directly to the nearest Land. But these are but poor helps, and blind Guides to shew you Land from the middle of the boundless Ocean. It is certain, that the _Romans_ in the time of _Julius Cæsar_ and _Augustus_, stretch’d the Bounds of that Empire Eastward to _Euphrates_, the _Rhyne_, and the _Danube_, and Westward to the _Ocean_ and _Mount Atlas_, Sailing up and down the _Mediterranean_, with great Fleets, which stoutly endur’d the violence both of Waves and Weather; but all this made them not so hardy, as once to think or look after new Worlds. But after the _Roman_ power decreas’d, by several Eruptions of the _Goths_, _Vandals_, _Huns_, _Normans_, _Lumbards_, and other Northern Countreys, which swarm’d with People, that overflow’d all places like a Deluge, so that _Europe_ was every where puzzel’d and Imbroyl’d, their whole business consisting in conjoyning Forces to withstand such bold Invaders, and so vexatious an Enemy.
And farther East, _Asia_ was at the same time little better, still trembling at the daily Alarms and Incursions of the _Scythians_, _Persians_, and _Saracens_; and afterwards the _Turks_ growing upon them more than any of the former, expected no other than a sad Catastrophe, so that the known World had too much work cut out for them by these Distractions and Alterations of Government, then to go in Quest of uncertainties, to find they know not where, another.
[Sidenote: _Hieron. in_ c. 2. _Ephes._]
Here also is added by St. _Jerom_, what an antient Writer saith, _Great care hath been taken in Computing the Age of this World, and if there be another which Commenc’d not with ours_, (as _Clemens_ mentions in his Epistles) _where are scituate those Seas and Lands that make that second World? Or is a part of that, in which_ Adam _was Created? Or may it not rather Metaphorically be taken for Worldly Affairs, govern’d by the Prince of the Air, ruling in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience?_
[Sidenote: The Antients opinion of an unknown world.]
But _Pliny_, _Cicero_, and _Virgil_, the best in their kind of Latin Writers, concur, That there may be a habitable World under our _Horizon_, in the temperate Southern _Zone_, beyond the extream heat, and on this side of the _Antartick_ colds.
[Sidenote: _In Comment. super_ Obad. v. 19, 20, 21.]
[Sidenote: _And they of the south shall possess the mount of_ Elau, _and they of the plain, the_ Philistines: _and they shall possess the fields of_ Ephraim, _and the fields of_ Samaria, _and_ Benjamin _shall possess_ Gilead. _And the captivity of this host of the children of_ Israel _shall possess that of the_ Canaanites, _even unto_ Zarephath, _and the captivity of_ Jerusalem, _which is in_ Sepharad, _shall possess the Cities of the south. And saviors shall come upon mount_ Zion, _to judge the mount of_ Esau, _and the kingdom shall be the LORDS_.]
But what signifies all this to the Discovery of _America_, which lies not onely under the scorching Heats of the _Equinox_, but under the Frosts and Snows of the _Artick_ and _Antartick-Poles_? Yet less probable is that which _Lodowick Leo_, an _Augustine_ Frier takes out of _Obadiah_; as if that Prophet in the three last Verses of his _Prophecy_ should speak of the _Spaniards_, which should not onely discover and Conquer _America_, but also Convert the Inhabitants to the _Christian Faith_, because those that are in _Sepharad_, should Inherit and Possess the Cities of the South, _And Saviours shall arise from the Mountains of_ Zion, _to judge the Mount and Wealth of_ Esau.
[Sidenote: If _America_ is known in the Scripture.]
But certainly, _Obadiah_ meant no other than the Restauration of the _Jews_ from the Captivity of _Babylon_, who after their return, should grow more powerful than ever, and they, led by their _Messias_, obtain the height of all felicity, who would send his _Evangelists_ and _Apostles_ to declare Salvation to the utmost Borders of the Earth. It is true, that the _Rabins_ Expound _Sepharad_ to be _Spain_, and therefore he concludes, that _Obadiah_ Prophesi’d of the _Spaniard_, and their Conquests in _America_; so they would prove, that _America_ was long known before Christ.
[Sidenote: _Solomon_’s Fleet sail’d not to _Peru_.]
And lastly, It signifies as little what _Pineda_ and _Levinus Lemnius_ drive at, That _Solomon_ first finding the use of the Compass, Rigg’d a Navy at _Ezion-Geber_, which from the _Red-Sea_ had no indirect Course to the _Straights_ of _Magellan_; from whence he might Lade his Vessels with the Gold of _Peru_. In whose Description it shall be manifested, that _Peru_ is not _Ophir_, as some without any shew of Reason or Truth would make us believe.
[Sidenote: _Solomon_ did not find the Compass.]
But as concerning King _Solomon_’s finding out the use of the _Magnet_, it is soon said, but not easily proved; for though that Prince exceeded all Man-kind in Wisdom and Learning, and was perfect in the Operations, and knew the Occultest Secrets of Nature, understanding what e’re belong’d to Plants, from the Cedar of _Libanus_, to Hysop, and the meanest Shrub that grows upon the Wall; yet it nothing makes out, that he knew the Mystery of the Navigable use of the _Load-Stone_: But suppose he did know, there is no where any mention of it; and if this excellent thing, the _Compass_, had been found in _Solomon_’s time, how came it afterwards so utterly to be lost?
[Sidenote: Load-stone, by whom found.]
[Sidenote: Strange operations of the Loadstone.]
[Sidenote: _De subtilitate_ l. 7.]
[Sidenote: Variance of the Compass.]
[Sidenote: _Genebrad. Chron._]
[Sidenote: When, and by whom the Compass was found.]
_Albertus Magnus_ mistakes, when he ascribes the knowledge of the _Compass_ to _Aristotle_, of which he himself makes not the least mention; neither _Galen_, _Alexander Aphrodisiensis_, _Pliny_, _Lucretius_, nor any of the _Roman_, _Greek_, _Arabian_, or other Countrey Writers whatsoever. Some give the honor thereof to an _Indian_, others to a Shepherd in _Mount Ida_, whose Clouted Shooes being full of Hob-Nails, the Iron sticking fast to the Stones on which he stood, stopt his motion. And although the Antients found out many Secrets of Nature, amongst which this of the _Load-Stone_, Attracting Iron, as being its proper Food; and the three sorts of the _Magnet_, of which some will not draw Steel, found by _Theamedes_ a _Greek_ Author, and other since, well known Properties: Yet they never attain’d that knowledge, that the _Load-Stone_ would ease Pain, and stop the effusion of Blood, though the edge piercing the Skin, open’d the Vein: as _Hieronimus Cardanus_ experienc’d on himself and others, which he had from _Laurentius Guascus_, a great Chyrurgeon. Much less, that the Needle of the _Compass_ being touch’d by the _Load-Stone_ on the Northside of the _Equinox_, respects the North; but depressing the _Artick_, and raising the _Antartick_ Pole, it looks as stedfastly towards the South: But far less dreamt they of its several variations, according to the Coasts that are nearest; as when you come from the Island _del Cuervo_, the Point varies more West; but Sailing towards the _Equinox_, it varies Eastward; by which we may absolutely conclude, that without this use of the _Load-Stone_, first found by _Flavius Melvius_ a _Neapolitan_, in the Year 1303. it was altogether impossible to reach _America_. So that _Joseph de Acosta_ mistakes, who gives the honor of the finding so great a benefit to Navigation, to some _Mahumetan_ Sea-men which _Vasques de Gama_ met with near _Mosambique_, who had Sail’d those Seas by the use thereof; whereas _Gama_’s Expedition was above a hundred years after _Melfius_, who liv’d in such a juncture of time for Mathematical Learning, that few Ages boasted the like: For then flourish’d in _England_, and were Contemporaries, besides others abroad, _Richard Wallingford_, _Nicolas de Lynna_, _John Halifax_, _Walter Britte_, _John Duns_, and _John de Lignarys_, all eminent in Astronomical Arts, belonging to Navigation, and doubtless, no small helps to _Melfius_ in this his happy Invention.
Lastly, We will relate what hath been held as a seeming Testimony, (that _America_ was known to the _Europeans_ before the Birth of our Saviour) by an antique Meddal of the Emperor _Augustus_, digg’d out of the Ground in _Peru_, and sent to his Holiness at _Rome_, which may well be reckon’d with the like Cheat contriv’d by _Hermicus Cajadus_, _Anno 1505._ near _Syntra_, a Town in _Portugal_, where three Marbles Ingraven with antient Characters, concerning a Prophecy of discovering the _East-Indies_ by the _Portuguese_, in the Reign of King _Emanuel_, were privately bury’d under Ground, and not long after, by a pretended accident digg’d out, which made such a bustle amongst the Learned, that several tired themselves about the explanation of the suppos’d Sibylline Prediction.
[Illustration]
CHAP. II. _Of the Original of the_ Americans, _whence they came, when, how, and from what People Planted_.
[Sidenote: The original of the _Americans_ much disputed on.]
About the Original of the _Americans_, the Learned Dispute so much, that they find nothing more difficult in Story, than to clear that Point; for whether inquiry be made after the time, when the _Americans_ first settled themselves where they now inhabit, or after what manner they came thither, either by Shipping or by Land; on purpose, or accidentally; driven by Storm, or else forc’d by a more powerful People, to remove from their old Plantations, and seek for new? or if any one should be yet more curious, asking the way that directed them out of another Countrey to this New World? or else enquire for those People, from whom the _Americans_ deriv’d themselves? He will find several Opinions, and the Learned still Jangling.
[Sidenote: Voyage l. 1. c. 8.]
[Sidenote: The time when _America_ was first Peopled.]
The first Doubt is concerning the time: Mr. _Purchas_, where-ever he had the Hint, endeavors to prove, that _America_ hath been but lately Planted; for which he thus argues, “That if _Asia_, or _Europe_ furnish’d _America_ with People in _Abraham_’s time, or at least before the Birth of our Saviour; then it must upon necessity, by the Expiration of so many Ages, have been much more Populous, then the _Spaniards_ found when first they discover’d it. Besides, the vast Territories yet unhabited (says he) are sufficient testimonies, that this New World hath been Planted but scatteringly, and not many Ages since, else the Countrey would have more abounded with Inhabitants, because the fertility of the Soyl was able plentifully to maintain Millions more, then were there when first discover’d: And what Marks are better to know a new People by, in any Countrey, than a rude Life and unsettled Government? just like a Family removing to another House, which takes no short time to settle their Goods and Houshold-stuff in a handsome and convenient Order.
[Sidenote: The condition of the first World after the Floud.]
“When _Noah_ went out of the Ark on Mount _Ararat_, and not long after, saw his Seed spread over _Armenia_ and _Assyria_, the new Generation of People consisted in Shepherds and Husbandmen, that setled themselves near Lakes and Rivers. Villages, Cities (and much less) whole Kingdoms, were scarce found on the Face of the Earth, and as little of Trade or Commerce; Riches, Division of Lands, costly Garments and Furniture for Houses, were not then in use, but the works of long settlements in happy Peace. To curb growing-Wickedness, and the Pride of _Libertines_, who incroach’d upon their weaker Neighbors, Laws were invented, by which Bridle, the unbroke or wild World grew tamer: And first, the _Assyrians_ were brought to endure the Bit, and answer the Reins of Government; then _Egypt_, next _Greece_, and after that the _Romans_, who spreading their Power by Arms and Martial Discipline, first civiliz’d the _Gauls_, _Spain_, _Brittain_, and lastly _Germany_.
“But because a Countrey or Pastoral Life, knowing no Commerce, but mean Hovels, and to dwell in Huts, priding in poor and no Habits, despising all greatness, unlimited by Laws, and all things else, (which the People observ’d presently after the Flood) is now found among the _Americans_, who will take them for ought else, but new Comers to that Land, as themselves acknowledge? For the _Mexicans_ boast, that they are the eldest there, and that from them, _Peru_, _Chili_, _Chika_, and other Countreys towards the South, had their Colonies, and yet the oldest Chronicles of _Mexico_ reckon not above a thousand Years.” Thus far Mr. _Purchas_.
[Sidenote: _America_ was Peopled many Ages ago.]
[Sidenote: _Purchas_ contradicted.]
But certainly, all this Muster of appearing Reasons, is not able to vanquish single Truth; For, grant that _America_ was not very Populous when the _Spaniards_ first arrived there; must this needs prove, that it was never well inhabited before? Perhaps the Civil Wars, which have been always destructive to this Nation, have much hindred the increase of People; and the more, because their Salvage Nature is such, that in several places they account Man’s Flesh Broil’d a very great Dainty. And suppose such Prodigal Excess of their Humane Bankets were not us’d in _America_, as indeed they are, Is it wonder, that such a great part of the World, not onely exceeding _Europe_ in bigness, but _Asia_ also should here and there have a Tract of Land uninhabited? These might, by reason of their Barrenness, be useless, as many such places are found in the midst of the most Populous and fertile Countreys. But above all this, it is certain, that _America_ to this day (notwithstanding almost innumerable thousands of _Indians_ formerly Slain and Massacred by the _Spaniards_) is so well inhabited, that it may stand in Competition with either _Asia_ or _Europe_. And how could such vast multitudes Plant the far-spreading Countrey of _America_, without the help of many Ages? Moreover, This truth is not without sufficient Testimonies; when any one looks on the Islands with which _America_ lies incompass’d, he may suppose they did not willingly go from the Main Continent to the Isles, but were driven thither by Wars among themselves, or as most times it happens, because of the vast increase of the Natives, the Countrey must discharge its burden.
Hereto is added, the several Languages us’d in _America_, as in _Europe_ or any other part of the known World; whereby we may easily guess, that _America_ was Peopled presently after the Confusion of Tongues at _Babel_. Furthermore, If the _Americans_ live a Rude Life, go meanly Habited, be without stately Houses; such Customs are even among us observ’d by several People; as the _Tartars_, _Numidians_, and others, which made their Antiquity be call’d in question. He also must needs have no knowledge of the Arts and Mechanick Sciences us’d by the _Americans_, who concludes, that they setled but lately in _America_. One Argument at present will be sufficient to contradict them all; and in the further Description, the contrary will be more manifest.
[Sidenote: _American_ Gold-Smiths.]
_Hieronimus Benso_ relates, That he stood amaz’d at the Gold and Silver Smiths in the Territory of _Chito_, who without any Iron Tools, made Images, and all manner of Vessels: Which work they perform’d thus, First, they made an Oval Crucible of a good Lock, round about Pasted with Earth, embody’d with the Powder of Wood Coals; which Crucible being Bak’d very hard in the Sun, they fill with Pieces of Gold or Silver, and put in the Fire; about which standing with five, six, or more Pipes made of Canes, they blow the Fire so long, till the Mettal melts, which others sitting on the ground, run it into Moulds of black Stone, and so with little trouble, Cast into what shape they please. Lastly, Though _Mexico_ can reckon but a thousand years, must it therefore follow, that the Inhabitants are no older? How many famous places (even among our selves) have no longer Registers, and if they have, they are commonly Fabulous, few Nations boasting truly their own Original; which Argument, not onely contradicts (as we suppose) Mr. _Purchas_, but all others ascribing the Plantation of _America_ to our later times.
Sect. I.
[Sidenote: After what manner the Inhabitants of _America_ came thither.]
¶ In the next place, let us enquire, how the _Americans_ were transmitted thither, whether by Sea, or Land? Both which are feasible two several ways; if they made an Expedition thither, as Discoverers, or were driven on those Coasts by stress of Weather.
The first is most unlikely, and not seeming possible, for how could they Steer thorow so vast an Ocean, to Countreys they never heard of, without the Compass, and other Necessaries for such a Voyage? for when first discover’d, their want of experience in Shipping for so long a Voyage, knowing no further than the use of small Boats or _Canoos_, plainly explode, that they willingly Steer’d from a known World, to an unknown, with no better accommodation; but some probable reasons may be made out, to induce us to believe, that they were rather driven thither by Storm.
[Illustration]
But some will say, How liv’d the little Boats, and how indur’d they in such a continual Tempest, and were not either swallow’d up amidst the Waves, or starv’d for want of Provision, which their hollow Troughs could not contain?
The first doubt is the least, for there are Examples enough by which appear, that oftentimes great Ships Bulging, are over-set or sunk in the Sea by foul Weather when the Mariners escape in their Cock-Boat; and if they were but thinly Victual’d for so long a Voyage, questionless, that little which they had, they spun out, and made it last, while the impetuous Storm shortned the passage, which fair Weather would have made much longer.
[Sidenote: _Plin_. l. 5. c. 22.]
[Sidenote: Strange voyage of a _Roman_ Slave.]
_Pliny_ tells us of _Annius Plocquius_, General of the _Red-Sea_, That one of his Slaves being Enfranchiz’d, Sailing down towards the _Arabian_ Gulf, was carry’d by a violent Tempest from the North, beyond _Caramania_, and on the fifteenth day came to an Anchor in _Hippuros_, a Haven of _Taprobane_, which _Ortelius_ judges to be _Sumatra_; but _Mercator_ and _Cluverius_, on better grounds, _Zeylon_, which is no less than three thousand _English_ Miles.
In like manner, _Joseph de Acosta_ tells us, That in fifteen days time, he got with a Northerly Wind from the _Canaries_ to _America_, and his Voyage had been shorter, durst he have born more Sails, which may partly clear the former doubts.
[Sidenote: The _Peruvians_ opinion concerning antient Sea-Voyages.]
[Sidenote: _Acosta. Histor_. _Nat._ l. 2 c. 12.]
[Sidenote: Ridiculous opinion of the _Americans_.]
Moreover, the _Peruvians_ themselves give some small Testimony (in their antient Records) of a few that Landed of old upon their Coasts, which were (as they say) mighty and cruel Giants, committing much Bloodshed, Slaughtering the Natives every where; and having subdu’d the whole Countrey, built stately Edifices, of which remain yet the Ruines of some Foundations, very Artificial and Costly. They also shew near _Manta_, and _Puerto Viejo_, many huge Bones, as they believe of Giants, three times longer and thicker than an ordinary Mans. They also tell us, that many Ages since, one _Ica_ and _Arica_ Sail’d Westward thither upon Sea Wolves Skins, blown up like Bladders: But however, without contradiction, the _Americans_ never knew, much less built any such Vessels, with which they durst venture to the _Offin_, out of sight of Land: their _Balsas_, _Periagos_, and _Canoos_, will not all amount to the Bulk of one of our small Barques; wherefore the Inhabitants of _Tumbez_, when they descry’d the _Spanish_ Fleet, sent to discover _Peru_, were amaz’d at the high Masts, spreading Sails, and bigness of the Ships, judging them first to be Rocks, cast up out of the Sea; but observing them to approach their Coast, and that they were full of Bearded-Men, thought the Gods were walking in them; by our Modern Poet, Mr. _Dryden_ in his _Indian Emperor_, thus Elegantly describ’d.
Guyomar _to_ Montezuma.
_I went in order, Sir, to your Command, To view the utmost Limits of the Land: To see that Shore, where no more World is found, But Foamy Billows, breaking on the ground; Where, for a while, my Eyes no Object met, But distant Skies, that in the Ocean set: And low-hung Clouds that dipt themselves in Rain To shake their Fleeces on the Earth again. At last, as far as I could cast my Eyes Upon the Sea, somewhat, methought did rise Like Bluish Mists, which still appearing more, Took dreadful Shapes, and mov’d towards the Shore._
Mont. _What Forms did these new Wonders represent?_
Guy. _More strange than what your Wonder can invent. The Object I could first distinctly view, Was tall straight Trees, which on the Waters flew; Wings on their sides, in stead of Leaves did grow, Which gather’d all the Breath the Winds could blow:_
_And at their Roots grew floating Palaces, Whose out-blow’n Bellies cut the yielding Seas._
Mont. _What Divine Monsters, O ye Gods, were these, That float in Air, and fly upon the Seas!_
_Came they alive or dead upon the Shore?_
Guy. _Alas, they liv’d too sure, I heard them roar._
_All turn’d their sides, and to each other spoke, I saw their Words break out in Fire and Smoke._
_Sure, ’tis their Voice that Thunders from on high, Or these, the younger Brothers of the Skie._
_Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty Flight, No Mortal Courage can support the Fright._
[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ carry Oxen, and Sheep to the _American_ Isles.]
But the resolving these Doubts, starts a harder Question, _viz._ Grant that the _Americans_ were by Tempest driven thither, How then came the Beasts thither? It is certain, that those which are beneficial for humane use, as Dogs for to Hunt, great Cattel, Sheep, for Food, and other Necessaries, might easily be carry’d thither, for so the _Spaniards_ brought Cows, Horses, Swine, and other Cattel; and also Poultery from _Spain_, to the new-discover’d Isles, _Cuba_, _Hispaniola_, _Jamaica_, _Margaretta_, and _La Dominica_, when at their arrival, formerly no four-footed Beasts were found there, whose fertile Soyl hath so multiply’d their increase, that the Doggs running Wilde, and breeding as fast, do great hurt to the Grazing Herds, which they onely shoot for their Skins, leaving their Flesh, the best of Meats, onely to Manure the Ground on which they lie.
The Transporting of tame and profitable Cattel might easily be allow’d of, but who would load their Ships with Lions, Tygers, Bears, Wolves, Foxes, and other Serpents and Voracious Beasts? it is certain that some may be tam’d before they were Ship’d.
[Sidenote: How wild Beasts came in _America_, and the Isles.]
[Sidenote: In _vita Heliogabali_.]
[Sidenote: Lib. 2. cap. 17.]
[Sidenote: Strange Hunting.]
[Sidenote: Strange accident of two Leopards.]
[Sidenote: _Adv. Jovin._ l. 2.]
_Lampridius_ relates, That _Heliogabalus_ the _Roman_ Emperor, took great pleasure in Domestick Lions, and Leopards, to frighten his Guests withal; for with the third Course, they were all brought in, and sate betwixt the Invited, a Man and a Beast. The great _Cham_, as _Paulus Venetus_ an Eye-witness attests, Rides on Hunting, attended in couples with tame Leopards. The King of _Camboja_ in like manner is serv’d with Panthers: _Scaliger_ adds also, That they went not unprovided of a Lamb or Goat, to give the Panther, lest falling into his natural ferocity, provok’d by hunger, he should make the Huntsmen his Quarry, if he had no other Prey. But notwithstanding some wilde Beasts seem to forget their Voracious Nature, yet there ought great care to be taken in the Transporting of them, because they oftentimes grow wild again, which _France_ can witness, where two Leopards, a Male and a Female being tam’d, presently after the death of King _Francis_, whether negligently or on purpose, let loose, ran into the Woods, and near _Orleans_ devour’d a great number of People, and Cattel: _Gesner_ saith, That some Womens bodies were found, who were untouch’d, onely their Breasts eaten by the Leopards, as if they took them for the daintiest part; which is not unlike the antient _Jeres_, who according to Saint _Hierom_, entertain’d their Guests as a most delicious Dish, with Womens Breasts, and Mens Buttocks Roasted. Besides, the devouring nature of these Wilde Beasts, what profit could Tygers, Lions, Wolves, Bears, and the like advantage the Transporter? And how came Serpents, Adders, and other Reptiles, thither over the Ocean, that with no Art whatsoever can be made tame? Were the small Vessels just laden with such terrible Creatures, when against their wills, they were by Storm driven on a new Coast? By these impossibilities we may easily judge, that the _Americans_ came thither by Land, and no other way, but how, and upon what occasion must be our next enquiry.
Sect. II.
[Sidenote: Two reasons wherefore the people remove from their Countreys.]
¶ Histories generally gives us onely two accounts, Why People remov’d from one Countrey to another, either not, or thinly inhabited; whether driven by force, or of their own accord, so to unburthen and give ease to their too Plethorick Countreys.
[Sidenote: The Flood acknowledg’d by the _Americans_ and other _Heathens_ but mysteriously.]
Thus the banish’d _Japanners_ forsook their Native Countrey, and setled themselves in a desolate Soyl, since a flourishing Empire, shining with Riches, and Crown’d with stately Cities: So the _Batavians_ took possession of the uninhabited Isle, lying between the _Rhyne_, and the _Wael_, being driven out of _Hessen_ by Civil-Wars, and preserv’d the memory of the place, from whence they had their Original on the utmost Point of the Island, in the Villages of _Cattenwyck_; for the _Hessens_ formerly went by the name of _Catti_; others that remov’d did not onely fall upon their Neighbors, but made a way by force of Arms, chosing their Habitations under a temperate Climate, and in a fruitful Soyl. After which manner the _Franks_ enter’d _Gaul_, and afterwards the _Normans_ set upon _France_; so that the Conquer’d Countreys, have ever since from the Conquerors been call’d _France_ and _Normandy_: But although it cannot punctually be said, how the Inhabitants of _America_ remov’d, yet it is without contradiction, that they first found an empty Countrey. The Opinions which they have themselves concerning it, are full of idle Fancies; First, they question their Original from the Floud, which is so well rooted in the memory of all Nations, that the blindest and most ignorant know something of it, though deformedly alter’d and vary’d, tack’d up with additional fabulous Stories, the truth it self known onely to us, but to all others lost in Oblivion.
Who hath not heard of _Deucalion_’s Flood, how his Wife _Pyrrha_ and he only escap’d in a little Boat, and (as ’tis Fabl’d) landing on a Mountain, from thence Peopled the World again, by throwing Stones backwards over their Heads? Something of this seems to hint the true Story of _Noah_, his Wife, and Children, from whom the desolated World was replenish’d.
[Sidenote: _Prometheus_ and _Noah_ are the same.]
The same they relate of _Prometheus_, concerning whom, thus _Diodorus Siculus_: “They say that the _Nyle_ breaking through his Dams, and over-flowing his Banks, drown’d all _Egypt_, especially that part where _Prometheus_ Rul’d, where all the Inhabitants were swallow’d by the Deluge.” None can imagine but that _Diodorus_ by this makes mention of a particular Flood, and not the general one in _Noah_’s time; for as the _Greeks_ ascrib’d all things to their _Heroes_, so the _Egyptians_ in like manner did the same to _theirs_: Therefore they have of the general Flood, made a particular one in _Egypt_, though perhaps it never was: So that what is Fabled of _Prometheus_, is nothing but a Part of the Universal Deluge; which the Name _Prometheus_ proves, because it signifies, _Sprung from Heaven_, and is the same with _Noah_, whom they hold to be the first Father of all Mankind since the Flood, born of, or regenerated from his Wife _Asia_; and _Asia_ signifies _Earth_, or _The Mother of all things_; and so espousing _Noah_, being sprung from God, to _Ararat_, from whence descended the Generations of Mankind, and by degrees spread over the whole surface of the Earth.
[Sidenote: _Acosta_, l. 1. c. 25.]
[Sidenote: Strange Opinion of the _Americans_ concerning the Flood.]
[Sidenote: Original of the _American_ Kings, and their Custom.]
The _Chineses_, _East-Indians_, _Japanners_, and other People of _Asia_ and _Africa_, have also some knowledge of a very ancient Flood; but hood-wink’t under many idle Fancies, not unlike that which the _Americans_ relate, from whom several Learned Persons find no obscure Confessions of the Deluge, which thus mystically they have wrapp’d up, That one _Viracocha_ came out of the great Lake _Titicaca_, and setled his Residence upon _Tiaguanaco_, where yet remain the Ruines of ancient Walls, built after a wonderful manner: At length removing from _Tiaguanaco_ to _Cusco_, he began to multiply the Generation of Mankind. They shew in the foremention’d Lake a small Island, under which, the _Americans_ say, the Sun sav’d himself from the Flood; wherefore in ancient Times they superstitiously observ’d that place, heightning their Bloody Sacrifices with Humane Slaughter. Others relate, That six Persons leap’d through a Hole out of a Window, from whence all Men were since Extracted; and from that new Increase, the place (after the Inhabitants of the Old World were all drown’d) got the Denomination of _Pacari Tampo_; and therefore they hold the _Tampo_’s to be the most ancient Families: From hence _Mangocapam_ deriv’d, being the Primogenitor of the _Ynca_’s or Kings; from whom sprung two Generations, _Hanon Cuzco_, and _Urim Cuzco_. They tell us also, That their _Ynca_’s, when they make War upon any People, say that the occasion, as they pretend, was, because all Territories are Tributary to them justly, from whom they were deriv’d and restor’d, being the first Planters of the New World; and withal, That the true Religion was declar’d to them from Heaven.
[Sidenote: _Americans_ Flood is taken out of the Scripture.]
This Relation, though mix’d with Fables, shews (but very darkly) that they have some knowledge of the Flood: For who are those six else that leap’d out of a Window to replenish the Generations of Mankind, but _Shem_, _Ham_, and _Japhet_, with their Wives?
[Sidenote: _Peruvians_ Opinion.]
[Sidenote: And also the _Mexicans_, of their Original.]
[Sidenote: Lib. 1. cap. 7.]
The _Americans_ can give but a little better Account of their first Original; and indeed it is no wonder, because for want of Books they can relate nothing certain, but only what they have Registred in their usual _Quipocamagos_, which is not above four hundred years old. _Acosta_ asking what Original they judg’d they were of, and from what Countrey and People deriv’d? receiv’d no other Answer, but that _America_ only was their native Countrey, and that they were deriv’d from no other elsewhere. But though the _Peruvians_ are of this Opinion, yet the _Mexicans_ are of another mind, giving the _Spaniards_ a far better Account when first they came thither, wherein we must a little deviate, _viz._ How they were remov’d from some other place, as _Robert Comtæus_ relates, who with many Learned and seemingly true Arguments affirms, That the Original of the _Americans_ must be sought for either among the _Phenicians_, _Sydonians_, _Tyrians_, or _Carthaginians_, being indeed all one People. _Herodotus_ saith thus of the _Phenicians_, “They liv’d formerly, according to their own Relation, along the Shore of the _Red-Sea_; from whence removing, they planted the Sea-Coast of the _Syrians_.” _Festus Avienus_ the _Latin_ Poet agrees with this Opinion, where he saith,
_On the_ Phenicians _Coasts the Ocean beats_, _Who through the_ Red-Sea _Sailing, chang’d their Seats. They were the first that ventur’d through the Seas, And freighted Ships with richer Merchandize: Fair or foul Weather, They without controule! Sought Foreign Trade, directed by the Pole_.
[Sidenote: Original and Habitations of the _Phenicians_, of whom, according to several Learned, the _Americans_ are extracted.]
_Aristotle_ from a _Greek_ Word calls them _Phenicians_, from their being red or bloody with the Slaughter of all Strangers that Landed on their Coast; but rather, and so indeed they are call’d _Phenicians_, or _Erythreans_, from _Esau_, or _Edom_, from whom they are deriv’d; for these two Words, or Denominations, signifie in _Greek, Red_; the two last, the like in _Hebrew_. _Phenix_ himself first planted all the Countrey lying between the River _Eleutherus_, and the _Egyptian_ City _Pelusium_; and afterwards _Damiata_, wash’d by the _Mediterrane_: But since, these Boundaries are alter’d, on the North, by _Judea_; Westward, by the _Mediterrane_; Southerly, by _Egypt_; and towards the East, by the Desart _Arabia_.
The chiefest Cities are _Ptolemais_, otherwise call’d _Acon_, _Sidon_, _Arad_, _Great Cana_, _Sarepta_, _Biblis_, _Bothris_, _Berithus_, and their Princess _Tyre_, formerly scituate in an Isle, but since joyn’d to the Main-Land by _Alexander the Great_.
[Sidenote: _Herodot._ lib. 1 .]
[Sidenote: _Salust_ in _Igurtha_.]
[Sidenote: Wonderful Power of the _Phenicians_.]
None can disown, but that the _Phenicians_ have every where been Admirals of the Sea; so that they were formidable to the greatest Princes. When the _Persian_ King _Cambyses_ came with a vast Army against the _Carthaginians_, he was forc’d to give over his Design, because the _Phenicians_ refus’d to help him with their Fleet, being allied to, and the City founded by them: But they not only built _Carthage_, which strove with _Rome_ to be the Empress of the World, but also the famous Cities _Leptis_, _Utica_, _Hippo_, and _Adrumetum_ in _Africa_, with _Cadiz_ and _Tartessus_ in _Spain_; nay, they sent Plantations of People into the Heart of _Iberia_ and _Lybia_. It will not be amiss to add _Q. Curtius_ his Relation, who tells us, “Where-ever the _Phenicians_ came with their Fleets, Landing their Men, they subdu’d whole Countreys, and by that means spread their Colonies over the known World; _Carthage_ in _Africa_, _Thebes_ in _Boetia_, and _Cadiz_ near the _Western Ocean_.” _Aristotle_ relates, “That they made such rich Returns of their Merchandize, and chiefly of their Oyl, in _Spain_, that their Anchors, Pins, and all Iron Materials belonging to a Ship, in stead of that Metal, were Silver.”
[Sidenote: Testimonies that the _Americans_ are deriv’d from the _Phenicians_.]
[Sidenote: First Testimony.]
[Sidenote: Is contradicted.]
[Sidenote: _Lib. 3. Geogr._]
[Sidenote: _Flemmish Islands._]
[Sidenote: _Lib. 17._]
But to return to our Discourse, and disprove the former Testimony, That the _Phenicians_ found _America_. The formention’d _Comtæus_ saith thus; “None can justly doubt, but that since the _Phenicians_ took the Command of the Sea from the _Rhodians_, they more and more increas’d their Fleets, and growing experter in Navigation, passing the _Gibraltar_ Northward, became Masters of _Cadiz_, and still prepar’d new Fleets, which searching beyond _Atlas_ Southward, discover’d the Coasts of _Africa_, and the adjacent Isles, driving a great Trade to the _Canaries_, and to those which lay scatter’d along _Cape de Verd_, formerly call’d the _Gorgades_. This way of Trade also was not unknown to the _Greeks_, _Iberians_, and other People; but after the _Phenicians_ assum’d it wholly to themselves, without any respect or difference of Countreys, they sunk all whomsoever they could catch.” _Curtius_ further adds, saying, “I believe that the _Phenicians_, sailing into the Main Ocean, have discover’d unknown Countreys.” And which are those? Not the _Gorgades_, or _Canary Isles_; for those were sufficiently known before; but a Main Land, far beyond. But though the _Phenicians_ were most expert, yet not skilful enough to make out such Discoveries. They indeed were the first that before any other sail’d out of the Mid-land Sea; nay, they ventur’d a good way into the main Ocean, beyond the _Straights of Gibraltar_, or the _Herculean Pillars_: But how far? Not to the _Gorgades_, above half way betwixt _Spain_ and _America_; but to the _Cassiterides_, or _Flemish Islands_, which to the number of nine lie in sight of _Spain_. _Strabo_ affirms this Truth, saying, “The _Cassiterides_ are ten, lying in order close by one another: One remains uninhabited; on the rest live a swarthy People.” This way the _Phenicians_ sail’d first, when they were in quest for Trade, from _Cadiz_. And though he reckons ten, there are indeed but nine, _viz._ _St. Michael_, _St. Mary_, _St. George_, _Tercera_, _de Pico_, or _Tenariff_, so call’d from the Mountain which vomits Fire, _Fayal_, _Las Flores_, _Del Cuervo_, and _Gratiosa_. Moreover, the same _Strabo_ relates, “That the _Carthaginians_ did not throw over-board the Traders on the remote _Gorgades_, but those especially that came from _Sardinia_ or _Cadiz_.”
[Sidenote: _Salt-Islands_ how long known.]
[Sidenote: _Joan. Mariana de Reb. Hispan._ lib. 1. cap. 20.]
[Sidenote: Very remarkable Voyage of _Hanno_ the _Carthaginian_, along the Coast of _Africa_ to the _Salt-Islands_.]
[Sidenote: Strange Vision.]
[Sidenote: The Ancients believ’d Baboons to be Men.]
Mean while, we cannot deny, but that the _Gorgades_ that lye before _Cape de Verd_ were frequented by the _Carthaginians_, long before the Birth of our Savior; but with so much admiration, that _Hanno_ their Captain in that Expedition was listed amongst the number of their Heroes, hapning thus: The _Carthaginians_ sailing for _Cadiz_, to assist the _Phenicians_ against the _Spaniards_, made that the Seat of War, which soon drew on a greater Design; for _Hamilco_ and _Hanno_ being impowr’d by the Senate at _Carthage_, manag’d the War in _Spain_. Both of them were ambitious to discover new Countreys. _Hamilco_ sail’d along the Coast of _Spain_ and _Gaule_, reaching to _Batavia_. _Hanno_ steer’d Southerly, carrying thirty thousand Men of all Trades in his Fleet, purposing to build a new City in some place or other, and got beyond the Promontory _Ampelusium_, now call’d _Cabo Spatil_; the River _Ziloa_, which washeth the City _Arzilla_; and the Stream _Lix_, now _Lusso_, where the Poets place the Gardens of the _Hesperides_, in the custody of a waking Dragon: From thence proceeding on his Voyage, he came to an Anchor in the Mouth of the River _Subur_, at this day call’d _Subu_; and afterwards before the City _Sala_, now call’d _Salle_, at that time made very dangerous by the voracious Beasts in the neighboring Woods: At last the Fleet reach’d the Foot of the lesser _Atlas_, which ends at the Point _Chaunaria_, by the Modern Navigators call’d _Cabo Non_, because it was judg’d, that none could scape with Life, that durst adventure to steer beyond _Chaunaria_; yet _Hanno_ sail’d between _Palma_, one of the _Canary-Islands_, and the Promontory _Bojadoris_, towards the pointed Coast call’d then _Cornu Hesperium_, but now _Cape Verd_, in the River _Asama_, by _Castaldus_ call’d _Omirabi_: Here he found horrible Croccodiles, and _Hippopotami_ or Sea-Horses. _Atsama_ is held to flow from the same Fountain whence the _Nyle_ hath its Original. In this Latitude _Hanno_ descried those Islands which he call’d _Gorgones_ (from the three deform’d Sisters _Medusa_, _Sthenio_, and _Euryale_, whose Heads were Periwig’d with curl’d Serpents) because they found as illfavor’d Women on these Islands, which at this day the _Hollanders_ call the _Salt-Islands_; amongst which, the chiefest is _St. Jago_, a Colony of _The Portuguese_; but the Mountains opposite to the _Gorgones_, on the main Coast of _Africa_, rising aloft with spiring tops near the River _Masitholus_, _Hanno_ call’d the _Chariots of the Gods_, now nam’d _Sierra Liona_, lying in eight Degrees Northern Latitude. When _Hanno_ and his Armado, either provok’d by an undaunted Courage, or covetous of fame, if they proceeded in their so wonderful Adventure, went forward, where they reported, that they saw Rivers of Fire falling into the Ocean, the Countrey all about burning, and the tops of the Mountains dazleing their Eyes with continual Flashes of Lightning, intermix’d with terrible Thunder; adding further, That the Natives all the Summer shelter’d themselves from the excessive Heat, in Caves under Ground; and coming forth in the night, run abroad with lighted Torches over their Ground, so gathering in their Harvest, and Officiating all other Affairs of Husbandry: Yet _Hanno_ no ways daunted at such strange Sights, sail’d from _Sierra Liona_ Southerly to the _Æquinox_, where he discover’d an Island not far from the _African_ Coast, inhabited by a rough and hairy People, to take some of whom, he us’d all possible means, yet could not; onely two Women, being incompass’d by Soldiers, were taken, and carried aboard; but being very salvage, and barbarously wild, could not be tamed, or brought to any Complacency; so they kill’d them, and carried their stuff’d-up Skins to _Carthage_, where they were a long time gaz’d upon with great admiration.
[Sidenote: The Island _St. Thomas_.]
This Island which _Hanno_ then found, can be no other but that which we call _St. Thomas_, and hath a very unhealthy Air for Strangers, but else very fruitful, and abounding with Sugar-Canes; and the hairy People which he makes mention of, were _Babeons_, or _Baboons_, which _Africa_ in this place breeds large, to the amazement of the Beholders, in great abundance; because those deform’d Monsters, more than any other Beast whatsoever, represent Humane shape.
[Sidenote: _Hanno_’s Return.]
[Sidenote: Is for his Voyage plac’d amongst the Gods.]
Here _Hanno_ stopp’d his Voyage, being hindred from going further for want of Provision. Five years he spent in this Expedition, before he Anchor’d again at _Cadiz_, from whence not long after he steer’d to his Native Countrey _Carthage_, where he was receiv’d with no less Wonder than State, insomuch that none before or after him ever gain’d greater Honor, seeming to oblige his Countrey with the hopes of future Profits from these new discover’d Regions: Nay, he receiv’d a Name, and was plac’d amongst their Gods in the Temples, which he being ambitious of, promoted after a strange manner, teaching several Birds to cry, _The great God Hanno_; which when they could speak perfect, they were let fly in the Air, where to the admiration of all People, they every where repeated their well-taught Lesson.
This the most remarkable Voyage which hapned in the time of the Ancients, considering they wanted several Mathematical Instruments belonging to Navigation, and especially the use of the Compass; and also considering the length of the Voyage to _Sierra Liona_, whither never any durst venture before: Nay, in so many Ages after _Hanno_, the famousest Navigators which were set out by the King of _Portugal_, fear’d a long time to cut their Passage through the _Æquinoctial-Line_; however in long Process of time, divers Experiments were made, which have now so much improv’d the Art of Navigation.
[Sidenote: Testimony that _America_ was not known to the Ancients.]
_Hanno_’s Voyage was four hundred years before the Birth of our Savior; therefore if none have been further than _Hanno_, until the time the _Portuguese_ sail’d beyond _Cape de Bona Esperanza_, how could _America_ be discover’d by Sea? How did they steer from the _Salt-Islands_, or _St. Thomas_, out of sight of Land, through the Main Ocean, to an unknown World? _Hanno_ himself, who was the stoutest of all Ancient Navigators, not only crept along the _African_ Coast, which made him spend so much time; but not daring to cross over those wide spreading Bays he found, left not his hold of the Shore, and measur’d and search’d every winding Inlet and Creek: And if he found a New World, why was it not known? The more, because his Ambition carry’d him on to get a Name and Reputation by such Naval Discoveries. And how true the Relation of this Expedition is, _Pliny_ tells us, saying, The Journal-Books were then to be seen which _Hanno_ writ in that his _African_ Expedition: Though many of the _Greeks_, and also of our Moderns, following _Hanno_, have found several things contrary to his Observations, wherein he makes mention of several Cities built by him, which none ever since heard of, or any have seen, neither is there the least Marks of their Ruines to be found.
This large Relation serves for nothing else, but to shew that they seek in vain herein to give the Honor of the Discovery of _America_ to the Ancients; And as little do those Testimonies signifie that are taken out of _Diodorus Siculus_, _Pliny_, _Pomponius Mela_, and _Ælian_. It will be worth our time to hear every one of them particularly.
[Sidenote: _Lib. 6. cap. 7._]
[Sidenote: Second Testimony, that the _Americans_ are deriv’d from the _Phenicians_.]
First, _Diodorus_ saith, “Beyond _Lybia_, in the Ocean, lies a very great Island, several days sailing in Circumference, having a very fruitful Soil, and pleasant Meadows, distinguish’d by Hills, and moistned by Navigable Rivers, unknown in Ancient Times, because it seems to be separated from the other World, and was thus found: The _Phenicians_ sailing along the _Lybian_ Coast, were several days and nights toss’d with perpetual Tempests, and at last driven to the foremention’d Island, where Anchoring, and observing the pleasant Scituation thereof, made it known to their Magistrates.”
[Sidenote: _Is contradicted._]
But how comes this nameless Island to be _America_? What Man would take that for an Island, which far exceeds the main Continent of _Asia_? And have the _Phenicians_ ascrib’d the finding of this New World to any? Whence then proceeds such great silence amongst all the Ancient Writers of a whole World, who otherwise us’d to give Denominations to the least remote Village, or Mountain, or River?
[Sidenote: _Lib. 5. cap. 1._ Description of _Atlas_.]
_Pliny_ speaks after the same manner, saying, “The Writers make mention, that _Atlas_ rises out of the middle of the Sands, with a Shrubby and Bushy top towards the Sky, on the Shore of the Ocean to which he gives his Denomination; That it is full of Woods, and water’d by several Fountains on that side towards _Africa_, by which means it bears all manner of Fruit. In the Day-time none of the Inhabitants appear, all things being in silence, as in the middle of a Desart; the Approacher is struck with sudden amazement. And besides its excessive high Crown, reaching above the Clouds, and neighboring, as they say, the Circle of the Moon, appears in the Night as if it were all in a Flame, resounding far and near with Pipes, Trumpets, and Cymbals; and the Journey up thither, very long and dangerous.”
I cannot understand that _Pliny_ can mean _America_ by this, because himself, in the first Division of his Fifth Book, makes his beginning with the Description of _Africa_: And as to what further concerns the strange Relation and danger thereof, is a little before related in _Hanno_’s Voyage; and it is but a slight Argument to prove it _America_, because it seems to resound with those sorts of Instruments which the _Americans_ were observ’d to use when discover’d.
[Sidenote: _Lib. 1. cap. 4._]
[Sidenote: Strange Men.]
_Pomponius Mela_ being the third, hath no greater Arguments than the former. “We hear (says he) that utmost People towards the West, being the _Atlanticans_, are rather half Beasts than Men, cloven-footed, without Heads, their Faces upon their Breasts, and naked, with one great Foot, like Satyrs or Goblins, which range up and down, without any Artificial Shelters or Houses.”
[Sidenote: _Lib. 3. cap. 18._]
[Sidenote: Discourse between _Midas_ and _Silenus_ concerning the Unknown World.]
Lastly, _Ælian_ seems to say something, when he sets down the Discourse between _Midas_ and _Silenus_, out of _Theopompus_, where _Silenus_ relates, “That _Europe_, _Asia_, and _Lybia_ are Islands; and that a vast Countrey lyes beyond this his tripple-divided World, mighty Populous, and abounding with all other Living Creatures, as big again as ours, and living twice as long: That they are wondrous rich; their Religions, Laws, and Customs, founded upon another Morality and Reason, quite different from ours. They boast especially of two great Cities, _Machimus_ and _Eusebes_; the Inhabitants of the first maintaining themselves by driving altogether a Trade of War, mustering up, and filling their numerous Regiments with several valiant Nations. The Listed Citizens amount in their Muster-Rolls, all bred to Soldiery, to two Millions, of whom few but scorn either dying bravely by Wounds receiv’d With Flint-edg’d Laths, and Staves, in stead of Spears, pointed with Stones, not knowing the use of Iron or Steel, but so over-stock’d with Gold and Silver, that they account it a Drug of less Value than our basest Metal. Some Years since they march’d into our World, a hundred thousand strong, as far as the _Hyperborean_ Mountains, where being inform’d, that all the Nations of our World, compar’d with them, liv’d in a poor and despicable condition; as not thinking them worth their Conquest, they return’d. But the second City _Eusebes_, deals altogether in Peace, and its Citizens are not rapacious, but exercise Justice, so much affecting Morality and Divine Worship, that they conquer Heaven by their Piety and Meekness, and the Gods themselves are pleas’d to descend, and advise with them concerning their Celestial Affairs.”
Who observes not this to be a Poetical Relation, shewing how much better the Acquirements of Peace are, than those of War; the one conquering only Men, the other, the Gods? Nor can more be taken out of _Ælian_’s Discourse, but that the Ancients believ’d there was another Habitable World to be our _Antipodes_.
[Sidenote: Inquiries whether the Constitutions of the _Phenicians_ agree with the _Americans_.]
Thus far hath been disputed concerning the Original of the _Americans_, whose Plantations from _Tyre_ or _Carthage_ by Sea, are found altogether invalid: Yet we will search a little further, to see whether the People Analogize, either in their Religion, Policy, Oeconomy, or Customs.
It is certain, that the ancient _Phenicians_ liv’d in Tents, and sometimes exchang’d eaten-up Pastures for fresh, which the _Americans_ to this day observe; by which it might appear, that they are of a _Phenician_ Extract. But why not as well deriv’d from _Numidia_, _Tartary_, or the ancient Patriarchs, who all liv’d such an unsettl’d wandering Life? Besides, the _Phenicians_ had a long time given over Pastoral Business, for Maritime Affairs of greater consequence, not only Merchandizing through all the World, but sending great Colonies in Ships to new Plantations: And moreover, the _Americans_ could not so strangely degenerate from their Ancestors, but would have built great Cities like them; of which many were found in _Phenicia_, but none of Antiquity in _America_.
[Sidenote: As also both their Religions.]
As to their Religion, if it agreed with the _Phenicians_, it was the same that all the World profess’d at that time, and therefore may as well be extracted from any other, as them: ’Tis true, we find them inclin’d to Sorcery, and dealing with Evil Spirits, as the _Phenicians_, in which they were not only guilty, but all other Nations at that time.
[Sidenote: The Known World formerly full of Witches.]
[Sidenote: _De Nat. Dæmon._ l. 3.]
[Sidenote: _Lucan._ lib. 6.]
Nay, why not as well transported out of _Asia_ or _Europe_, where were formerly many the like Tamperers, and those that dealt in such Diabolical Sciences? And why not from _Salmantica_, where, as _Laurentius Ananias_ relates, Magick-Arts were publickly taught, and they commenc’d Doctors, and took their Degrees according to their Learning? The Devil also hath publick Worship amongst the _Americans_, and so he had with the _Phenicians_: yet not only they, but the whole World had dedicated Temples to him. Here began Humane and Infernal Sacrifices, supposing that Evil Spirits were delighted, and so feasted with the Steam of Humane Offerings, whose sweetness made them milder, and so intoxicating, lull’d them into less mischief.
[Sidenote: Devil-worship formerly us’d in all the World, and now by the _Americans_.]
[Sidenote: _Lev. 17. 6._]
[Sidenote: Idols in Ships.]
How famous is _Zoroaster_, and the whole School of the Eastern Magicians? In _Moses_’s time this Wickedness had already took place: Nor can it be deny’d but that the _Phenicians_ carry’d their Idols in their Ships, as _Herodotus_ testifies, saying, “The Image of _Vulcan_ much resembles the _Phenicians Patacoioi_, which they plac’d on the Fore-castle of their Ships.”
In like manner, the _Americans_ when they go to Sea, carry their Idols with them; and the Ships took Name from the Image, which was either painted or carv’d on the Stern, or plac’d elsewhere upon the Deck.
The same Custom the _Chineses_ observe to this present: _Francis Xaverius_ relates, “That he sail’d in a _Chinese_ Vessel from _Goa_ to _Japan_, which bore an Idol in its Stern, before which the Master lighted Candles, perfum’d it with Aloe-wood, and offer’d Birds and other Food, inquiring of it the Event of his Voyage. Sometimes he judg’d from the Statues immovable Looks, that it would fall out successfully; and other times, not.”
[Sidenote: _De abstinent. Animal._ l. 2.]
[Sidenote: _Prepar. Evang._ lib. 1.]
Lastly, _Porphyrius_ relates, “That the _Phenicians_ upon any great Exigency, as War, excessive Heat, or Mortal Distempers, by order selected one of the most comely and beautiful of their Children, to be offer’d up to _Saturn_.” And _Eusebius_ saith also out of _Porphyrius_, “That _Saturn_, whom the _Phenicians_ call _Israel_, the Learned _Vossius_ and _Hugo Grotius_ read _Il_, or _El_ (one of the ten Names of God in _Hebrew_) which they also give to the Planet _Saturn_, who when he Reign’d in _Phenicia_, having one only Son born by the Nymph _Anobret_, and was in danger to lose his Kingdom, being worsted in an unlucky War, he dress’d him in Royal Robes, and placing him on an Altar built for that purpose, sacrific’d him with his own Hands.”
[Sidenote: Men and Children used for Sacrifices by the _Phenicians_ and other People.]
[Sidenote: Who forbade the sacrificing of Men.]
And although such like cruel Oblations are us’d in _America_, must it therefore follow, that they are deriv’d from the _Phenicians_, when several other People are guilty of the same? Nay, there is scarce one Countrey, which hath not at some time or other perform’d such inhumane Acts, seeming to them Zeal in their Religion; for the most eminent of the Heathens scrupled not at it, which certainly are held to be the _Persians_, _Greeks_, and _Romans_; and yet they were not abhorr’d, though committing Humane Slaughters.
This holy Butchery and Religious Slaughter of Mankind began in _Rome_ in the Emperor _Adrian_’s Reign, so continuing till the time of _Tertullian_, _Lactantius_, and _Eusebius_. The _Greeks_ which inhabited the utmost part of _Italy_, employ’d themselves daily in Sacrificing Strangers to _Saturn_, and sometimes one another. But at last this formal Cruelty became a ridiculous Custom; for the _Romans_ by severe Edicts strictly forbad all such Humane Offerings: Yet that they might retain some memory of their former Sacrifices, they order’d thirty Images to be made of Rushes, which every year on the fifteenth of _April_, were by the _Roman_ Priests and Vestal Nuns, to be thrown from the _Milvian_ Bridge into the _Tyber_.
[Sidenote: _Lib. de Superstit._]
Moreover, _Manethon_ relates, “That the _Egyptians_ in _Heliopolis_ us’d to offer three Men at once to _Juno_; which Custom was observ’d till King _Amasis_ order’d, That in stead of Men, they should serve her with Wax Candles.”
_Amestris_, Queen to the famous _Xerxes_, caus’d twelve Men to be burn’d alive, as an Oblation, to pacifie and oblige _Pluto_ to maintain them in their present Grandeur.
[Sidenote: _Rer. Persic._ l. 1.]
_Procopius_ relates of the People about the _Arabian Gulph_, “That they oftentimes Sacrific’d Men to the Sun.”
[Sidenote: _Lib. 3. sect. 8 Geogr._]
“The _Indians_, saith _Pomponius Mela_, kill their nearest Relations and Parents, before they decay by Sickness or Age, and judg’d it fit and most Religious to Feast and Banquet themselves with the Entrails of the slain.”
[Sidenote: _Lib. 11. Geog._]
The _Albanians_, as _Strabo_ relates, offer yearly one of their Priests to the Moon.
The same _Mela_ relates of the _Tauri_, That they us’d to cut the Throats of Strangers, whenever they came near to the Place of their Sacrifice.
[Sidenote: _Lib. 2. cap. 1_.]
The _Egyptian_ Idol _Typhon_, as you may read in _Manethon_, was daily made red-hot, and living People put in, and broyl’d to death.
[Sidenote: _Bell. Gall. Comm._]
But to pass by several other People guilty of such bloody Idolatry, How did the Altars erected in the Woods in _Gaul_ and _Germany_, for _Taran_, _Hesus_, _Teutates_, and _Woden_, continually smoke with the Blood of Humane Expiations? Of which _Cæsar_ saith thus in his _Commentaries_; “The _Gauls_ are a very Devout and Superstitious Nation; and therefore when any were dangerously sick, or likely to be worsted in Battel, they vow’d to feast their Gods that sav’d them with Humane Flesh, and if need were, would make themselves a thankful Sacrifice to those that help’d them off in such an Exigence. Concerning these bloody Rites, they consulted and imploy’d the _Druydes_, by whose advice they all believ’d that no Victim was so acceptable to the _Numens_, as pour’d-out Humane Blood, but especially that of Malefactors; which Dainty if they could not procure, their Gods must be treated with the Lives of the Innocent.”
[Sidenote: _2 Reg. 3. v. 26, 27._]
Lastly, the Holy Scripture saith thus, _When the King of_ Moab _saw that the Battel was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred Men that drew Swords, to break through even to the King of_ Edom; _but they could not. Then he took his eldest Son, that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a Burnt-offering on the Wall._
These Testimonies are sufficient Witnesses, That the Ancient _Heathens_ express’d the height of their Devotion, and fury of mad Zeal, in such execrable Rites, as to this day the like is practised by the _Indians_, _Chineses_, _Japanners_, and others: Wherefore it can no ways be a sufficient ground to prove, that the _Americans_ are deriv’d from the _Phenicians_, because of their Humane Sacrifices, for that they were usual Customs in all Places.
[Sidenote: Third testimony, That the _Americans_ are deriv’d from the _Phenicians_, because their Language agrees]
[Sidenote: Is contradicted.]
The third Proof they offer us, is borrow’d from the similitude and likeness of the _Phenician_ and _American_ Languages: _Comtœus_ sets down some Words, _viz._ the _Phenicians_ call’d a Mountain, _Abila_; Blood, _Edom_; a Mother, _Anech_; a Maid, _Hellotia_; Water, _Heni_, and _Jam_: With the first agrees the _American_ _Anthla_; with the second, _Holedonch_; with the third, _Anam_; with the fourth, _Hellotie_; with the fifth, _Ame_, and _Jame_. But those that will thus corrupt the Words, may as well make the unseemliest Comparisons. It is certain, that the _Phenicians_ and some of the _Americans_ call a Cup _Asur_, and Red Wine, _Belàsa_; But does it therefore follow by this, that the one is extracted from the other? How many Names do signifie all one, amongst People that never had any Conversation together? This proceeds only from meer accident; Or else if some Words of one, sound like the same Words us’d in a remote Countrey, and be of one signification, must they therefore be deriv’d from one another? Then upon necessity the _Greeks_, _Latins_, and _Germans_ had their Original from the _Hebrews_, or the _Latins_ from the _Greeks_, or the _Germans_ from the _Latins_, or the _Persians_ from the _Germans_; or, on the contrary, the last owe their Extract to the first. I will as a Testimony, and to give you a Pattern, pick out a few from a greater number.
[Sidenote: _Greek_ and _Hebrew_ agree]
[Sidenote: Also the _Hebrew_ and _Latin_.]
How little difference is there in many Words between the _Greek_ and _Hebrew_? The _Hebrews_ call a Church-Congregation _Sanhedrim_, the Greeks Συνέδριον; the Greeks for _I advise_, use πείθω, the other פתה; the _Hebrews_ call Wise-men _Zophei_, the other Σόφοι: And less difference there is between _Symphoniah_ and Συμφονία, _A well-set Lesson_; or _Psanterin_ and Ψαλτέριον, _A Spiritual Hymn_: And who also will not find a near resemblance in the consonating of divers _Latin_ and _Hebrew_ Words? For there is little difference betwixt _Mesurah_ and _Mensura_, _a Measure_; _Shekar_ and _Saccarus_, _a sweet Moisture_; _Levya_ and _Leæna_, _a Lioness_, _Sabbeca_ and _Sambuca_, _a Chopping-board_; _Pesa_ and _Passus_, _a Pace_.
[Sidenote: Likewise the _Teutonick_, the great Language of _Germany_, _Britain_, the _Low-Countreys_, and other Northern Nations.]
Then starting over the _Greek_ and _Latin_, the _Teutonicks_ would likewise produce many Words which have the same sound and signification with the _Hebrew_; as _Chobel_, _a Cable_; _Ethmol_ and _Etmael_, _Watching_; _Sothim_ and _Sotten_, _Fools_; the _Hebrew_ _Arets_, is in _Dutch_, _Aerde_, or as we in _English_, _Ear’d Lands_; _Phert_ and _Peert_, _a Horse_; _Levyah_ and _Leeuw_, _a Lion_; _Shad_ and _Schadea_, _Damages_; _Kisse_ and _Kussen_, in our Dialect the very same, _Kisse_; _Shaken_ and _Schenken_, _a giving_, whence we derive our _English_ _Skinker_, from serving of Drink; _Bel_ and _Beeld_, _an Image_; for _Bel_ properly signifies _Lord_, perhaps because the Images of Heroes or Lords were worshipp’d by them, or else because _Ninus_ first erected an Image for his Father _Belus_, or _Bel_, to be worshipp’d.
[Sidenote: _Greek_ and _Latin_ Tongues agree.]
[Sidenote: _Abrah. Milii, Ling. Belg._ c. 5, 6, 7, 11.]
It would make a large Volume it self, to reckon up the Consonancies of the _Hebrew_, _Greek_, and _Latin_, and their scatterings among all Languages where ever their Empire spread, the one being indeed borrow’d from the other, as all Languages that deal or have any converse together: For not only the Words, with some small Alterations of Letters, signifie the same in both Languages; but also without the least alteration. Both _Greeks_ and _Latins_ express _I do_, by _Ago_; the Number _Eight_, by _Octo_; _an Arm_, by _Brachium_ or _Brachion_, in _English_, _Branches_, and _Braces_; _I eat_, by _Edo_; _a Cup_, by _Phiale_; _a Curtain_, by _Cortina_, or _Cortine_; _Merry_, by _Hilaris_, or _Hilaros_; _a ratling Noise or Sound_, by _Clango_; _a Camel_, by _Camelus_, or _Camelos_; _a Knee_, by _Genu_, or _Gonu_; _a Bowl_ or _Chalice_, by _Calix_; _a Mouse_, by _Mus_; _Deceit_, by _Dolus_, or _Dolos_; _a House_, by _Domus_, or _Domos_; _I carry_, by _Fero_, or _Phero_; the Pronoun _I_, _Ego_; _a Lion_, by _Leo_, or Λέων; _Flax_, by _Linum_, or _Linon_; _a Mother_, by _Mater_, or _Meter_; _now_, by _nunc_, or _nun_; _the Night_, by _Nox_, or _Nux_; _a Rock-stone_, by _Petra_; _a Nick-name_, by _Scomma_, or _Skomma_; _a Boat_, by _Scapha_, or _Skaphe_; _a Treasure_, by _Thesaurus_, or _Thesauros_; _Father_, by _Pater_; _I tremble_, by _Tremo_; _an Hour_, by _Hora_; _the Evening_, by _Vespera_, or _Hespera_; and an innumerable many Words more, that are of one signification in both.
[Sidenote: _Phenician_ and _American_ Tongues have no similitude.]
[Sidenote: _Americans_ much divided in Speech and People.]
Now if there is not the hundredth part of the resemblance found between the _American_ and _Phenician_ Tongues, as there is between the _Hebrew_, _Greek_, _Latin_, and _Dutch_, according to the foremention’d Examples, which notwithstanding cannot be observ’d to be deriv’d from one another, what testimony can there be in five or six Words, which only have a few Letters that do not differ? But suppose that the agreeing of the _Phenician_ and _American_ Tongues could serve for a testimony; that these last People had their Original from the first, then there remains another doubt, _viz._ To know what _Americans_ acknowledge the _Phenicians_ for their Fathers; because their Countrey is so big, that it may almost stand in competition with all the other three parts of the Known World, being divided by so many Nations, which differ not only in their various Customs, but also in their several Languages, most of them not having the least likeness one with another: Nay, often times the Inhabitants of one Province differ so much in Dialect, that, according to _Petrus de Cieca_, the one cannot understand the other.
[Sidenote: In _America_ one Tongue is not at all like the other.]
[Sidenote: _Decad. 3._]
[Sidenote: _De Laet. Orig. Amer. obs. 5._]
_John de Laet_ observes out of _Peter Martyr_, and other Writers concerning the _West-Indies_, That there are several Languages and strange Words spoken among the divers Inhabitants of _America_; for the _Hurones_ call a Head _Sionta_; the _Mexicans_, _Tzontecontli_; the Inhabitants of _New-Netherland_, _Anonsi_; the _Brasilians_, _Acanga_; the _Jaos_, _Boppe_: the Figures One, Two, Three, and Four, the _Hurones_ tell thus, _Escate_, _Teni_, _Hachin_, _Dac_; the _Mexicans_, _Ce_, _Ome_, _Yei_, _Nabuy_; the _Sankikanders_, _Cotte_, _Nysse_, _Nacha_, _Wyve_; the _Brasilians_, _Oyepe_, _Mocoy_, _Mocapir_, _Oirundi_; the _Jaos_, _Tewyn_, _Tage_, _Terrewaw_, _Tagyne_; the Natives of _New-Netherland_, _Onsat_, _Tiggani_, _Asse_, _Cayere_. Moreover the _Hurones_ call a Father _Aystan_; the _Mexicans_, _Tathli_; the _Canadensers_, _Notaovi_; in _New-Netherland_, _Ragina_; in _Brasile_, _Tuba_: And so it is generally with all other Words, which agree not in the least one with the other; so that every Territory hath not only a several Dialect, but in many Places they use besides two, three, or more distinct Speeches, not relating in the least one to another, in one Province, by which the People inhabiting Towns and Villages are distinguish’d. The Islanders discover’d by the _Spaniards_, and destroy’d, have left few Words behind them; yet _Peter Martyr_ sets down some of them, which were formerly us’d in _Hispaniola_: They call’d Heaven _Tures_; a House, _Boa_; Gold, _Cauni_; a good Man, _Tayno_. It is worthy of observation, that they pronounce no _H_ in their Language, but what is spoken with a Vowel, and then give it a strong Aspiration, like the warbling guttural ע _Ghain_ of the _Hebrews_.
[Sidenote: _Gen. 9. v. 25, 26, 27._]
[Sidenote: _Gen. 10. v. 15._]
[Sidenote: Last Testimonies of the _Americans_ Extract from the _Phenicians_.]
[Sidenote: Is contradicted.]
[Sidenote: _Franc. Burman._ _in_ Gen. 25. 30.]
[Sidenote: _Phenicians_ deriv’d from _Esau_.]
Our last and chiefest Testimony is _Moses_, who says thus in _Genesis_, _Cursed be_ Canaan, _a Servant of Servants shall he be unto his Brethren. Moreover he said, Blessed be the Lord God of_ Shem, _and_ Canaan _shall be his Servant: God shall inlarge_ Japhet, _and he shall dwell in the Tents of_ Shem; _and_ Canaan _shall be his Servant._ And in the next Chapter, _Canaan_ begat _Sidon_. These Scriptures are explain’d as a Testimony of the _Americans_ Extract from the _Phenicians_, which they ground on these following Reasons: The _Phenicians_ are _Canaan_’s Successors from _Sidon_, who gave name to their chief City. _Tubal_ the Issue of _Japhet_, whose Tents God promis’d to enlarge, and that _Canaan_ should be his Servant, planted _Spain_. The _Phenicians_, descendants from _Sydon_, (say they) Peopled _America_; the _Spaniards_ sprung from _Tubal_, of _Japhet_, have subjected the _Americans_, descended from _Sydon_, of _Canaan_; wherein is fulfill’d that Prophecy of _Moses_, _That_ Canaan _should be Servant to_ Japhet; but it seems a great mistake, so to derive the _Phenicians_ from _Canaan_, for they are Extracted from _Shem_, _Heber_, _Abraham_, and _Esau_, sirnam’d _Edom_, from his saying, _Adom, Adom_, when he ask’d of _Jacob_, _That Red, That Red_, because he knew not how to call the prepared Pottage by its proper Name; And _Edom_ setling himself on Mount _Seir_, a part of the Stony _Arabia_, and on the Coast of the _Red-Sea_, gave denomination to it, because that Sea was much frequented and Navigated by his Successors. The _Greeks_ call it _Erythreum_, from _Erythros_, who is the same with _Esau_, and likewise signifies _Red_. Hereto is added, That _Phænix_ and _Erythros_ have the same signification in the _Greek_; So then, these _Idumeans_ taking the name of _Phenicians_, from the great _Phœnix_, spread themselves far and near under mighty Kings, by Navigation in the _Red-Sea_, and from thence Planted several Coasts and Islands, removing at last to _Syria_.
[Sidenote: Gen. 36. 39.]
[Sidenote: _Com. in_ Jer. l. 4. c. 25.]
[Sidenote: _In_ Ps. 136. _Voss. Orig. Idol._ l. 1. c. 31.]
[Sidenote: _Punick_ Tongue.]
[Sidenote: _Hebrew._]
The seventh King of _Edom_, _Moses_ reckoneth to be _Baal-hanan_, which name, by transposing the Syllables, the famous _Carthaginian_ General _Hannibal_ bare. Moreover, it may easily be demonstrated, that the _Phenicians_ Extracted from _Heber_, have formerly spoke _Hebrew_, and since _Arabick_; for they dwelt before their removing, in the Stony-_Arabia_. St. _Jerom_ saith, the _Punick_ Tongue agrees for the most part with the _Hebrew_: And St. _Austin_ tells us, that many, nay, most of the _Carthaginian_ words are _Hebrew_. _Elisa_, _Dido_, the first Foundress of _Carthage_ proves this, for _Elisa_ or _Elissah_, with the _Hebrews_, denotes _A Lamb of my God_; and _Dido_, _A Lover_. But who can find the least likeness, between the _Hebrew_ or _Arabick_ Tongue with the _Americans_? Lastly, Since the _Phenicians_ acknowledge _Esau_ for a Father, what then concerns the _Americans_, the curse of _Canaan_, since they are no more Extracted from _Canaan_, than the _Phenicians_? Thus much concerning the _Phenicians_.
[Sidenote: If the _Americans_ were deriv’d from the _Jews_, or the ten Tribes of _Israel_.]
[Sidenote: Is contradicted.]
Some would derive the _Americans_ from the _Jews_; others, from the ten Tribes of _Israel_, carry’d into captivity. The ground of which Opinions is, That the _Jews_ and _Israelites_ were scatter’d amongst all Nations; therefore they conclude, that _America_ was also Peopled by them, the rather, because the antient _Jews_ and _Americans_ were of one Complexion, and went a like Habited, both going without Shooes, onely wearing Sandals, and an upper Coat over a shorter Linnen Vest. Both are humble, quick of apprehension, and obliging, yet Valiant: But it is certain, they cannot be like the _Jews_, because the _Americans_ change their Habit, according as they live in cold or hot Countreys, and go not in the least like one another.
Father _Immanuel_ relates, That he saw a _Brasilian_, not onely stoutly make his party good against three _Portugal_ Soldiers, but had it not been by meer chance, worsted them.
Lastly, What Ceremonies of Religious Rites are observ’d by the _Americans_, which are used in _Judaism_? The _Jews_ indeed have transplanted their Circumcision amongst divers Eastern People, and have they onely forgot the first Ceremony and signal Badge of their Religion in _America_, which yet not onely they, but those _Mahumetans_ and other Sectaries punctually observe?
[Sidenote: _Jews_ distribution.]
[Sidenote: 1 Pet. 1. 1. _Scaliger in Notes ad N. T._]
[Sidenote: Joh. 7. 35.]
[Sidenote: _L. de Idolo. vanitate._]
This makes evident their scatterings about the Face of the Earth, but will not bring them to reach _America_. The Sacred Text sets forth a two-fold description of the _Jews_; The one before the Birth of our Saviour, when they liv’d as strangers in _Pontus_, _Galatia_, _Cappadocia_, _Asia_, and _Bythinia_. _Jerusalem_ was their Metropolis, although others had their chief residence in _Babylon_, and _Alexandria_; for there was an _Asiatick_ and a _European_ dispersion; those of _Asia_ had _Babylon_ for their chief City, and us’d in their Synagogues the _Chaldean_ Translation of the Bible. The _Europeans_ kept their Seat at _Alexandria_, where they had a Temple like that of _Jerusalem_; and whilst they employ’d themselves in the _Greek_ Version of the Holy Scripture, by the seventy two Interpreters, under _Ptolomeus Philadelphus_, they were call’d _Wandering Greeks_: Therefore, certainly the _Americans_ are not deriv’d from these _Jews_, and with as little reason from those, which by _Titus Vespasian_, after the destruction of _Jerusalem_ were driven into several Countreys, for they were never permitted (that I may borrow the words of St. _Cyprian_) to set forward one step, though but as Pilgrims, towards their Native Countrey, but strictly forbidden not to assemble or meet together in any considerable number, which would have been necessary, if they intended to Plant a new World.
[Sidenote: 2 Reg. 17. 5.]
[Sidenote: 4 Esd. 13. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.]
A small seeming Testimony is added, being taken out of the fourth Book of _Esdras_, that the ten Tribes of _Israel_ that were carry’d away by _Salmanassar_ with their King _Hosea_ to _Nahalah_, _Habor_, the River _Gozan_, and the Cities of the _Medes_, might be acknowledged for the first Planters of _America_: Concerning which, _Esdras_ saith thus, _The ten Tribes brought over into another Countrey, consulted that they should forsake the multitude of the_ Heathens, _and travel to a remoter Countrey, where no Generation of Mankind had ever liv’d before, there they would maintain their Laws, which they had not observ’d in their Countrey: Whereupon they went thither thorow the narrow entrances of the River_ Euphrates, _for the Almighty stopt the Vains of the River, till they were past over; for thorow the Countrey was a way of a year and halfs Journey: wherefore that Tract of Land is call’d_ Assareth, _then they liv’d there till the last time._
But since these Books of _Esdras_ were not Written by a Prophet, either in the _Hebrew_ Tongue, or allow’d by the _Jews_ to be the Word of God, or any where taken notice of in the _New Testament_; wherefore then is _Assareth_ more _America_ than any other remoter Countrey?
[Sidenote: _L. 5. in Ezek. & l. 6. in Jerom._]
[Sidenote: 4 Esd. 6. 49, 50. & 14. 21. & 4. 41.]
St. _Hierom_ (who certainly had a peculiar knowledge of the condition of the ten Tribes of _Israel_, because he liv’d in _Asia_, and held Correspondence with the _Jews_, that he might perfectly learn the _Hebrew_ Tongue,) relates, “That the ten Tribes (St. _Hierome_ liv’d about the Year four hundred, under the Emperor _Theodosius_) underwent great slavery in the Cities of _Medes_ and _Persians_; so that this strange Voyage to _Assareth_, which must have happen’d long before St. _Hierom_’s time, may be Recorded amongst the other Legends of the Rabbies, concerning their _Behemoth_ and _Leviathan_, who lock’d up the Souls of those that sleighted their Laws, in Caves under ground, as _Esdras_.”
[Sidenote: Antient condition of the _Persians_.]
[Sidenote: _Melchior Soiterus de Reb. Turc._]
And how little opportunity the _Israelites_ had to remove since his time, may appear by the horrible Destruction that was made for several Ages together in _Persia_ and _Media_; for although the _Persians_ became Masters again of the Realm, Conquer’d by _Alexander_ the Great, whilst _Alexander_’s Successors invaded one another, yet they were continually in War, either against the _Romans_, or else the _Indians_, and other Eastern People; nay, the _Saracens_ wrested the Scepter out of their hand, though but for a small time; for soon after, breaking out into Factions amongst themselves, _Muchumet Subictigenes_, _Imbrael_’s Son, establish’d his Throne on their Ruines, and incourag’d by such success, Arm’d himself against the _Indians_, and made use of the _Turks_ assistance, with which he subdu’d the _Babylonian Arabians_: After which, the _Turks_, not without great slaughter see the _Persian_ Crown on their Head, which, immediately totter’d by bloudy Commotions; for _Tangrolipix_ being King of _Persia_, clashing with his Brother _Cutlumuses_, made _Persia_ swim in the Blood of a Civil-War, till at last _Zengis Chan_ brought from _Tartary_ so great an Army, _Anno 1200._ that none durst stay to make opposition; for the _Turks_ forsook _Persia_ after a Conquest of six Ages, and made their own way for new Quarters into _Carmania_, _Phrygia_, and _Bithynia_, whence they made such incursions on the _Greek_ Empire, that at last they became sole Masters thereof. Who cannot but easily judge by this, how little opportunity the ten Tribes had, to be assembled together from remote Countreys, and to go long Journeys through untrack’d ways, and full of Enemies, to travel to _America_?
[Sidenote: _Mora_’s opinion concerning the _Americans_ Extract.]
_Immanuel de Moraes_, who had gotten peculiar knowledge of the _Americans_ by his long Conversation with them, judgeth that they are not deriv’d from one People, but from the _Carthaginians_ and _Jews_, and that at several times, and places, they Landed in this New World; for the _Carthaginians_ Sailing thither, found the Soyl so fertile, that many forsook their Native Countrey to dwell there: Whereupon, it was forbidden upon pain of Death, to send no more thither, lest if _Carthage_ should be invaded by a foraign Enemy, it should want People for a Home-defence: From this occasion it happen’d, that those that were already Transported, became rude, and of a Salvage Disposition, and spreading their Families, planted the desolate Countreys in a ranging manner, without acknowledging any Supreme Head or Governor.
Thus being scatter’d up and down, every one invented to himself a new Language, which should neither agree with the _Carthaginians_, or any other: But this Opinion is before at large contradicted.
[Sidenote: Customs and Constitutions of the _Brasilians_ are several.]
Moreover, _Moraes_ endeavors to shew, that the _Brasilians_ are of a _Hebrew_ Extract, because that according to the example of the _Jews_, they might not Marry, but in their own Tribes; they also call their Unkles, Fathers, and their Aunts, Mothers; both mourn for the Dead a Moneth together, and wear long Garments down to their Ankles. But these Arguments seem to us of small consequence, for indeed the _Brasilians_ differ in their Marriages from the _Jews_, for they not onely Marry in their own Tribes, but frequently commix with their Sisters, and Daughters, or other their nearest Relations. Moreover, the _Jews_ call’d them Fathers, from whose Loyns they sprang many Ages before, as well as their Unkles, which the _Americans_ do not.
The Mourning for the Dead hath been an old Custom, and is not observ’d by many People, but the time of a Moneth was not setled amongst them, but was observ’d after a more unusual manner, seventy days, as in the Fields of _Moab_ for _Moses_, and elsewhere for the Patriarch _Jacob_. Lastly, all people know, that the _Romans_ and _Persians_ girt themselves about with long Clothes. Besides, the _Jews_ were strictly bound to observe Circumcision, without which they were not accounted _Jews_, which the _Brasilians_ use not, as neither their Language or Letters. How is it possible, that in _America_ they should at once have forgotten their Extract, Laws, Circumcision, Language, and other Ceremonies, when the rest of them observ’d nothing more strictly in all parts of the Earth?
[Sidenote: _Grotius_ is of opinion that the _Americans_ belong’d to _Norway_.]
The Learned _Hugo Grotius_, in his Enquiry after the original of the _Americans_, brings them with many Circumstances to belong to _Panama_, situate opposite to the Northern Parts of _Norway_, because something of their Languages agrees, and the Way thither easie and nearest to be found: for first they travell’d from _Norway_ to _Ysland_, over which the _Norwegians_ Rul’d above a thousand years since; so from _Ysland_ through _Friezland_ to _Groenland_, and from thence to _Estotiland_, being a part of the Main Continent of _America_.
[Sidenote: This Opinion is largely contradicted.]
From _Friezland_ some Fishers went thither (as he says) two Centuries before the _Spaniards_ touch’d that Shore; which _John de Laet_ contradicts. And indeed what Reasons can be given, Why the _Americans_ of the _Straights_, between _Panama_ and _Nombre de Dios_, lying Northerly, should have another original than those that live to the South, seeing the same _Straights_ are neither divided by Mountains nor Rivers; and the _Spaniards_ found no alteration in the Customs and Languages betwixt them that liv’d above or below these _Straights_. And who will believe that _Norway_, which was but indifferently peopled, could afford such numerous Colonies as could plant the Northern _America_, which far exceeds the South, and chiefly, when the great Islands that lie near the East and West, are added to it? Moreover it is certain, (if the Yslander _Angrim Jonas_ is to be credited) that some Families fled out of _Norway_ from their enraged King to _Ysland_ in the Year 874. which at that time was but meanly inhabited.
[Sidenote: _Isaac Pontanus de Reb. Danicis._]
Forty years before, _Lewis_ the Just put the _Yslanders_ under the protection of Pope _Gregory_ the fourth, who gave the Government of the _Ysland_ Church to _Ansgar_ Archbishop of _Hamburgh_. But how comes it that there is not the least spark of _Christianity_ found amongst the Northern _Americans_, if they are deriv’d from the _Ysland Christians_? and why did the _Yslanders_ remove to colder Countreys than _Groenland_ and _Friezland_, or their own native Soil, and for the most part not inhabited?
Concerning _Groenland_ and _Friezland_, it is known by our _English_ Navigators, that they are joyn’d together, and both to the Northern _America_; but not without vast Bays and Inlets, which betwixt _Groenland_ and _America_ are obstructed with floating Castles of Ice; so that the Passage is very dangerous. And full as troublesom, if not altogether impossible, would the Journey be by Land, because the Earth lies so thick cover’d with Ice and Snow, especially the Valleys, that no Traveller is able to get through.
[Sidenote: The Voyage of two _Zeno_’s.]
[Sidenote: _Relatio Marc. Zenonis._]
Moreover, that which _Grotius_ says farther of the Fishers which first discover’d _Estotiland_, is grounded on the Relation of the _Venetian_ Knights, _Nicholas_ and _Marcus Zeno_, two Brothers. _Anno 1380._ _Nicholas Zeno_ suffer’d Shipwrack on the _Friezland_ Coast; _Marcus_ inform’d thereof, steer’d his Course thither; fourteen years they spent before they came to _Estotiland_: at last they return’d again to _Friezland_, where _Nicholas_ died: But _Marcus_ returning home publish’d his Journal, wherein he relates, That _Estotiland_ is above a thousand Leagues distant from _Friezland_, and was discover’d by _Friezland_ Fisher-men that were driven thither by Storm. But he hath set down many things that have little resemblance of truth, according to what is since found by credible Navigators; and therefore we cannot depend on _Zeno_’s Discovery.
[Sidenote: The _American_ Tongue is nothing like the _Norwegian_.]
_John de Laet_ accounts it a great mistake in _Grotius_, that as a testimony of the _Americans_ original out of _Norway_, he compares their Languages. He reckons up some Places to be Northward of _Panama_, which end their words with the syllable _Lan_ instead of _Land_, because the _Spaniards_ have left out the Letter D at the end thereof. It is certain, that in the Northern _America_ lie _Cimatlan_, _Coatlan_, _Guescolan_, _Artlan_, _Quaxutatlan_, _Icatlan_, _Tapatlan_, _Cinacatlan_, _Tenuchitlan_, _Comitlan_, _Metzitlan_, _Guatitlan_, _Necotitlan_, _Curcatatlan_. Besides, that most of these Names are not of Countreys, but of Towns and Villages, and therefore no ways fitting to have the termination of _Land_: and it is well known that many _American_ words end with _Lan_, which signifie nothing less than Land: for the _Mexicans_ say _Puertatitlan_, which signifies _At the Gate below_; _Ochachitlantzitlan_, _Yet lower_; _Tenoxtitlan_, (this City is also call’d from her Founder _Mexis_, _Mexico_) that is, _Rests on a Rock_. Moreover, it may not without reason seem strange to any, that the Northern _Americans_ have remembred but three Cities out of all the _Teutonick_ Tongue, _viz._ _Lan_ in stead _Land_.
[Sidenote: _Groenland_ when discovered.]
[Sidenote: _Serm. 3. Antiq. Danic._]
Concerning _Groenland_, through which the _Norwegians_ are thought to have travell’d to _America_, _Lysander_ witnesseth, That it was accidentally discover’d by one _Eric Rauder_, _Anno 987_, and planted thirteen years after.
_Olaus_, King of _Norway_, plac’d two Bishops over the new Inhabitants, as Substitutes to the Archbishop of _Dronthen_. For four Ages they Sail’d frequently to _Groenland_; but since their King was impoverish’d by War, they left off that Trade.
We find not in any Author, that the _Norwegians_ which liv’d along the Sea-shore, ever went to seek a Way over the inaccessible Snowy Mountains of _Groenland_, to this our _New World_.
Besides, _Grotius_ stands for the _Norwegians_ as Planters, upon testimony of the _Mexicans_ themselves, who told the _Spaniards_, That their Ancestors which planted there came from the _North_, first setling themselves on _Estotiland_, where to this day there are not improbable proofs by several remarks, that they were a _Norwegian_ Colony.
[Sidenote: The opinion concerning the City _Norumbega_ in _America_.]
In the _American_ City _Norumbega_, live a People that speak the same Language, and observe the same Customs with the _Mexicans_.
In this by-Corner are found also some _Alavards_, or _Longobards_, or _Lombards_, as they say. Now the _Spaniards_ call that _New Mexico_ because last discover’d, though indeed the old, cramm’d with People eight hundred years since: for the _Mexicans_ of _New Mexico_ do not lie so far Northerly, as to the North-west: for this _Mexico_ lies in sight of _California_, which is believ’d to border on _Tartary_, or at least separated from it by a narrow Channel. But _Norumbega_ (if ever such a Place was) must, according to the _West-Indian_ Records, have been situate where a part of _New France_ lies, now planted by the _English_: between which and _New Mexico_ lies an almost unmeasurable vast Tract of Land. Mean while here is not the least sign of this City _Norumbega_ to be found: neither do the Inhabitants dwell in Cities, but live in Tents, or moveable Villages, which change their Names as oft as their Governors. Moreover, the _Norwegians_ could not get to this _Norumbega_ by Land through _Ysland_ and _Groenland_ to _Estotiland_, because of the vast Bays, and great _Midland-Sea_, discover’d by the _English_ in their North-western Discoveries; so that leaving _Estotiland_, it was altogether impossible for them to come to _Norumbega_.
[Sidenote: _Chichimecen._]
Hereto may be added what the _Mexicans_ say of themselves, who acknowledge, That travelling from the _North_, they did not find an un-inhabited Countrey before them, but were forc’d to make their Way by a long and bloody War with the _Chichimecen_, a salvage People, that knew neither Laws or Religion.
The People also dwelling opposite to _California_, differ from the Customs of the _Mexicans_, being divided into several People of contrary Constitutions, and as different Languages.
[Sidenote: Customs and Constitutions of the _Mexicans_.]
_Grotius_ scrues up his Arguments from the likeness of the _American_ Speech and Customs with the _Norwegian_: for (says he) there is little difference between _Pagod_ and _by-God_, or _like God_; _Guaira_ and _Waeijer_, that is, _A Fan_; _Ilama_ and _Lam_, in _English_, _Lamb_; _Peko_ and _Beke_, a _Brook_ or _Rivulet_. Both Customs and Constitutions have also great resemblance. The _Mexicans_ relate, that their Predecessors onely follow’d Hunting; that they divided and reckon’d the Time, not by Days, but by Nights, and wash’d their Children as soon as they were born in cold Water.
[Illustration]
They are so much inclin’d to Gaming, that they venture their Liberty at it. Every one is satisfi’d with one Wife, except some of the Nobility, which oftentimes have more. They throw up high Banks in several places to damm out the Sea; believe the Immortality of the Soul; every one eats at a peculiar Table; most of them go naked, onely cover their _Pudenda_ with a Cloth; some Sacrifice and eat Mans-flesh: all which, according to _Tacitus_, _Pliny_, _Lucan_, and other _Roman_ Writers, was observ’d by the antient _Germans_; from whom those that inhabit between the _Norwegian_ Mountains were extracted.
These Allegations, to make the _Norwegians_ to be the Parents of the Northern _Americans_, _John de Laet_ thus contradicts: “It no ways follows that one People take original from the other, because here and there are several words found, that have the same signification and found in divers Countreys; much less when they must either add, change, or diminish several Letters. Moreover, there is no small mistake in the compar’d words: for _Pagod_ is not us’d all over _America_; the _East-Indians_ about the River _Indus_, call their Idol-Temples _Pagod_, or _Pagode_, the word _Guaira_ is no where us’d in _America_, but by the _Peruvians_, and with them not signifying a _Fan_, but a little _Oven_; neither is _Ilama_ a _Lamb_, (for before the coming of the _Spaniards_ thither, neither Sheep nor Lambs were ever seen in _Peru_) but a Wool-bearing Beast, thus describ’d by _Joseph de Acosta_:
[Sidenote: A description of the strange Beast _Ilama_ in _Peru_.]
“_Ilama_ (says he) a four-footed Creature, furnishes its Master with Meat and Clothing, and supplies the office of a Beast for Burthens, and at no charge for Hay nor Provender, well satisfi’d with what he finds in the Ways or Mountains. But the _Ilama_’s are of two sorts, either woolly, or shorthair’d: the first go by the Name _Pacos_, the other _Moromoro_, being not much less than a Calf, with a long Neck like a Camel, but of several colours; for some are white, some black, and others speckled, having an odd Look, especially when they are ty’d, and stand still without any motion, staring with goggle-eyes on their Owners: Sometimes in a moody humor, upon a sudden taking a freak, they run up to the top of almost inaccessible Mountains, where both the frantick Beast and his Burthen are lost. The _Pacos_ sometimes likewise takes sudden Pets, and fustian Fits, often doing the forward _Supersalt_, tumbling over and over with their Goods, and will not be rais’d, their moodiness continuing, with beating, nay though they cut them to pieces: but the best way is to sit down by them, and wait some hours till their humor being spent they rise again of their own accords. These Beasts are much inclin’d to a Disease call’d _Carashe_ or the _Mange_, of which they generally die: and because the Disease is very catching, they straight bury the infected alive, so the better to preserve the rest.”
_Grotius_ also mistakes, when he compares the _Mexican Peke_ with the _Dutch Beke_; for though many _Mexican_ Places, Mountains, and Rivers, terminate in _Peke_, yet it signifies not a _Brook_ or _Rivulet_, for that they call _Atlauhtli_.
[Sidenote: _De Orig. Gentium Americ._]
_John de Laet_ tells also, That with great diligence he found a _Mexican_ Dictionary, Printed by the _Spaniards_ in _Mexico_, to find if there were any words in it which agreed with any of those _European_ Languages that he understood, but found not one.
It is the same case with the Customs and Constitutions between the _Norwegians_ and Northern _Americans_: for what concerns Hunting, how many People have formerly liv’d by it? The antient _Germans_, and to this day the _Tartars_ make it their whole business, excelling in that Art all other Nations. Besides, that the more serious sort of the _Mexicans_ many Ages since scorn’d to derive themselves from a Hunting Ancestry, but affirm that they found the _Chichimecen_ in those Countreys, who were great _Venators_.
[Sidenote: Customs of the _Americans._]
[Sidenote: Their Clothing.]
The accounting of Time by the Nights, extracted from the _Hebrews_, is observ’d by divers Eastern People: and although the _Germans_ dipt and wash’d their children in cold Rivers, or Brooks, so soon as they were born, yet the _Mexicans_ never did it, but the Mother lays the Child on the fourth day after its Birth, in an open place of the House, in the middle whereof stands a Pot full of Water cover’d with Broom, in which they wash the Infant. Neither are the _Americans_ so much addicted to the Vice of Gaming as other Nations, so that _Grotius_ taxeth them too severely as to that point: as on the contrary, he too much clears them of Polygamy, whereas the _Mexicans_ Marry as many Wives as they please, or are able to maintain. Father _Martyn Perez_ relates the same of the _Cinaloans_, and other _Americans_; as also _Quarterius_ of the Natives in _Nova Francia_, which lie nearest to _Norway_. And what need the _Americans_ have the _Germans_ their Teachers, to make Dams and Banks against Floods, since Nature and Necessity it self instructs it? and where are any People so ignorant, as to ascribe the same event to Men and Beasts after death? ’Tis true, their manner of eating in _America_ is several, because the People do not much converse together: but they did not go naked; for the _Spaniards_ found them not onely neatly Habited, but had a proper Name for every thing they wore. The _Virginians_ us’d long Shirts; the _Floridans_ Skins of wild Beasts; and towards the North they cover’d themselves from Head to Foot in hairy and undress’d Hydes. The sacrificing of Men was in former Ages spreading far and near over the World, and how far it was practis’d here, hath been already declar’d at large. Lastly, all the _Americans_ are not guilty of eating of Man’s-flesh, but that salvageness is confin’d to the Southern _America_.
Thus much we have said, to prove that the _Norwegians_ had no hand in planting the Northern _America_, we shall now proceed to enquire who planted the Southern Parts, from the _Straights_ between _Panama_ and _Nombre de Dios_, to the _Straights_ of _Magellan_.
The _Peruvians_, possessing a large Tract of Land along the Coast of the _South-Sea_, _Grotius_ would thus derive from _China_:
[Sidenote: Relation of _Mancocapacus_.]
“The _Peruvians_, being of a subtile Wit, and quick of Apprehension, argue sufficiently that they are not extracted from the more Northern _Americans_, but rather from the _Chineses_, which the several Wrecks of _Chinese_ Ships found on these Coasts sufficiently evidence: and no wonder, if curiosity or accident brought the _Chineses_ expert Navigators to this Countrey, separated onely by one Sea from them. To this we may add their Rites of Religion; for both worship the Sun, and call their King the Son of the Sun; they write no Letters but make Characters downwards. _Mancocapacus_ was a _Chinese_ of strange Policy; who being inform’d that his Countrey-men inhabited fruitful Countreys on the other side of the _South-Sea_, but without Laws or Government, Sail’d over thither, and gather’d the scatter’d Multitudes in a Body, and establish’d an hereditary Kingdom after the _Chinese_ manner, to him and his Successors.”
[Sidenote: The _Americans_ are not extracted from _China_.]
To which _John de Laet_ answers thus: “Though the _Peruvians_ exceed the other _Americans_ in Policy, and at the arrival of the _Spaniards_ liv’d in a handsom Order of Government, ye
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