Part 3
_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.
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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.]