Part 6

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, yet they can no ways be compar’d to the sharp-witted, and noble-spirited _Chineses_; nay, there are in no Place of _Peru_ found such Artificers as those of _China_, that bear the praise of all the World; no where such manner of Buildings or Cities, nor the least likeness of the _Chinese_ Curiosities. As concerning the Wrecks found in _Peru_, I find no credible Author that gives an account thereof: for certainly the _Chineses_ could much easier, and a nearer way have come through the _Atlantick Sea_ to the Coasts of _America_, lying to the East of _Peru_, than steer along the vast, and much greater _South Sea_, and endure the horrible Storms and vast Waves, which the _European_ Ships are scarce able to endure, much less the _Chinese_ Vessels, which are not so good. The _Spaniards_ which Sail yearly from _Acupulco_ to the _Philippines_ are sensible of the great danger which they endure, chiefly by the great gusts of Wind near _California_. Besides, the _Peruvians_ before the arrival of the _Spaniards_, were utterly ignorant of great Ships, and the use of Sails. How could they at once have forgotten that Art, which they brought with them thither, Moreover, it is easier to Sail from _Peru_ to _China_, than from _China_ to _Peru_, because the Winds under the Equinoctial Line commonly blow Easterly. And it is the greater wonder, that the _Chinese_ Jonks accidentally by Storm should be driven to _Peru_, because they were never stor’d with Provisions but for a short Voyage, whereas this ask’d nine Moneths. But if any one will suppose, that they purposely directed their Course thither, how came the _Chineses_ to Sail just to _Peru_, and not to _New Spain_, which is much closer to _China_? why were there no Merchandises of the _Chineses_ found in _Peru_, since they went thither for Trade? how came they to neglect that Navigation they had once found? Nor is their Sun-worship (which was formerly practis’d in most Parts of the World) of any validity to derive them from _China_? But the contrary is most apparent, for the _Peruvians_ worship for their chief God, _Viracocha_, that is, _God Almighty_, or _The Creator of all things_.

“The _Chineses_, if Confutius an eye-witness may be credited, are divided into three Sects of Religion: The first follow the Learn’d _Trigantius_, and acknowledge a King of the Heavens, which must onely be serv’d as the _Chineses_ sole Governor; to which purpose, two Temples are built in the Royal Cities _Nankin_ and _Pekin_, one Consecrate to Heaven, and the other to the Earth. The second Sect hath the name of _Sciequia_, and serve the Idol _Omyto_. The third nam’d _Lanzu_, imploy themselves in Magick and Exorcisms, Conjuring up, and laying Evil-Spirits, whose horrid representations, when they have stuck upon the Walls, they make an artificial and dreadful noise, as if Hell were broke loose, and the House full of Devils; sometimes also force the Evil-Spirits to enter into Images, from whence they receive no impertinent answers to their questions: Therefore, who will compare this Superstition of the _Peruvians_ worshipping of the Sun, to the _Chinese_ Religion, which do no such things?

[Sidenote: Embassy to the _Cham_, l. 2. c. 2.]

“The _Peruvians_ call’d their King, _A Lord of the Realm_, and not _The Son of the Sun_, as in _China_: Though the _Mexicans_ otherwise worship the Sun, and in their manner of adulation, styl’d _Hernando Cortez_, their Conqueror, _Son of the Sun_: As to what concerns the manner of writing, it is very well known, that the _Chineses_ words are all Monosyllables, so that they have as many Letters as Words, which they joyn so together, that they reckon eighty thousand, but with ten thousand they are able to express themselves in most matters. These Characters are contain’d in their _Halpien_ or Dictionary. The antient _Chineses_ us’d seventeen several sorts of Characters in their writing, some consisting of Serpents, that by several Wreathes and contortious Windings, signify’d several things; others, of all sorts of agrestick Tools belonging to Husbandry; some Characters of the Feathers of the Bird _Fum-hoar_; others of Oysters and Worms, or of Roots, of Herbs, or Birds Claws, or of Turtles, or of Herbs and Birds Feathers mingled, or of Planets, and such like; but what manner of Writing or Hieroglyphick of theirs resembles those, who by their own testimony know neither Pen, Paper, Ink, nor any manner of Writing, but reckon the antiquity of time by strung Beads, which was observ’d many ages since among several Nations.”

[Sidenote: Original of the _Americans_ very obscure.]

[Sidenote: What we may believe concerning them.]

[Sidenote: The _Americans_ are derived from several people.]

Hitherto we have discover’d the several Opinions concerning the Original of the _Americans_, or first Plantation of _America_, from all which, having receiv’d no clear or demonstrative satisfaction, we must open our way to a further scrutiny: But first, we must needs confess, that contradiction is not difficult; but it is something of Work, when we have beaten down a well-fortifi’d Opinion, to set up somewhat in stead thereof, to stand a permanent and undeniable truth, which will be the harder, in regard the Inhabitants of this new World have no old Chronologies concerning their Antiquities, and first settling there; yet if we cannot go so far absolutely to assert, yet some probabilities, grounded (as we suppose) upon better reasons, may give more satisfaction; for none will deny, but that the Generations of Mankind being strangely multiply’d after the Flood, they then living five times our Ages, and Wars not beginning till the known part of the Earth was over-stock’d, justling for Territories, and some thrust quite out, at last found _America_; which spreading it self to a vast extent, and now found almost every where well inhabited, may be guess’d, that it was not onely Planted from the first, but several times replenish’d since by various Nations; Why may not several Planters, and at several times make room for their Colonies, incroaching one upon another, either by force or compact; as the _French_ themselves upon the _Gauls_, the _Normans_ upon them, the _Goths_ among the _Spaniards_, and the _Saxons_ among the _Brittains_, and the _Normans_ again upon them?