Part 7

Several people may easily Sail over thither, the _Azores_ or the _Canary_ Isles lye so, that they are ready (as if design’d) for Transportation to _America_; from whence _Acosta_ made a Voyage in fifteen days. Also _Pliny_ gives us an account, that these Islands lay uninhabited in his time; yet is it well known, that after _Pliny_’s time, Ruins of Buildings were found there, signifying, they had been formerly Planted; and why might not those ancient Inhabitants Sail thence to the neighboring _America_?

[Sidenote: _Marian. de Reb. Hisp._ l. 1. c. 18.]

_Tercera_ lying half way between _Spain_ and _America_, was frequented by Navigators before the Birth of our Savior; and it seems as easie to Sail from thence to _America_, as from the Main Land of _Spain_ thither: Add this, that necessity forc’d the _Spaniards_ to look about them from other Countreys, for since they lost their Victorious Champion _Baucius Gapetus_, they were every where beaten, being tired out by the _Phenician_ Forces, and that oppression over, suffer’d as much under the _Roman_ Yoke: Wherefore it seems not strange, if a considerable number remov’d from thence, that they might live some where else in quiet; for which purpose they wanted no conveniencies to Rig and set forth stout and sufficient Vessels, able to live in those Seas, having had long experience from the _Phenician_ Voyagers, whose Fleets Sail’d daily to and again in several Expeditions, from _Cadiz_ and _Gibraltar_ towards these Western Countreys: Nay, _Hanno_ himself their first Navigator that way, who gives an account of the _Gorgons_, or the Isles of _Cape Verd_, a good part of the way to _America_.

[Sidenote: _English_ famous Sea-men.]

[Sidenote: _Barat-anac_, or, _Tinland_, the _Phenician_ name, and _Brittania_ the _Greek_ name of _Brittain_.]

And though _Brittain_, _Ireland_, and the _Brittish Orcades_ lay further from _America_, yet something may be said particularly to prove, That many Ages since, Expeditions had been made from thence to the New World; and that the Inhabitants of these our Isles, in former Ages, were peculiarly famous for their skill in Navigation; insomuch, that the _Cretans_ and _Phenicians_ emulous of their skill, and jealous of their danger, made several Attacques and Invasions upon these Isles, which is the more probable, many remarks of the _Phenician_ and _Greek_ Language, remaining in the denominations of the Countrey: Of which, take first this account:

[Sidenote: Old Voyage of _Madok_ to _America_; for which see _Vet. Hist. Brit._]

_Anno 1170._ When _Owen Guyneth_, Prince of _Wales_, having Raign’d long and happily in his setled Dominions, dying, left several Sons, who quarrelling, their elder Brother, as not contented with their shares of the Principality, nor to be under him, having gotten no mean Interests and Claims to the whole by their struglings, so weakned one another, that they open’d a way to the loosing of all.

[Sidenote: _David Powel in Historia Cambriæ._]

Amongst these Brothers, _Madok_, a Prince of a milder disposition, weary of such unnatural Dissentions, threw up his share, better contented to seek new Fortunes abroad; whereupon there were many soon perswaded to venture their lives with him, where ever he would please to Transport: So Rigging a small Fleet, he Sail’d Westward, far beyond _Ireland_, where at last he discover’d an unknown and un-inhabited Countrey, but wondrous pleasant, the Air being temperate, and the Soyl most fertile: Glad of this good success (as the Story says) he returning, spreading the Fame of this his New-Found-Land, which they might exchange for a barren Soyl, hatter’d and harass’d with an endless Civil-War.

No small number flock’d to these Summons, as a most acceptable Undertaking; so that soon after he was able to send forth ten good Ships, Freighted only with Men, Women, and Children, and all other Materials fit for a new Plantation; which not long after Landed in _Acuzamil_, a Countrey in the North of _America_, as _Francis Lopez de Gomara_ believes, because there he onely found some remaining Tracks of Christianity, a People that worshipp’d the Cross, but knew no reason why or wherefore they ador’d that sign of our Redemption. Now, some will say, that this Worship of the Cross is no argument to prove, that the _Brittish_ Christians first Planted in the North of _America_; but what will not time and change of place do, where Transplanted People keep no Records, so they forget not onely Religion, Laws, and Customs, but who they were, and from whence they came, Oblivion first mutilating, and at last swallowing up all; of which, take this one late president.

[Sidenote: Strange occasion of _De la Roche_.]

_Anno 1598._ The Duke _De La Roche_ obtain’d leave of the _French_ King, to transport a Colony of Volunteers to _New France_; in his way he Landed fifty Men on the Island _De Sable_, to rest his Passengers, and that he might the better, and with more ease explore the Countrey, and when resolv’d where to settle, then to fetch them off; who accordingly, as design’d, soon after, returning thither, was met with so violent a Storm, that not being able to Weather the Isle of _Sable_, where he left his People, he lost his whole Expedition, and was driven back to a _French_ Harbor, where no sooner arriv’d, he was so highly charg’d, that he was cast into Prison, when those he had left neglected upon the Isle, were not once so much as thought of; in this interim, they never expecting to hear more of their Captain, liv’d in a wild and miserable condition, feeding upon Fish, and sometimes wild Swine, without Bread, Drink, or Salt.

When the Baron of _Leri_ went with Letters Patents, to be Governor of _Nova Francia_, and by stress of Weather in his Voyage, was forc’d to put in at _Sable_, where he found the remainder of _La Roches_ People, who being from fifty reduced to twelve, having clad themselves in Sea-Wolves Skins, they had not onely lost their former _French_ Civilities, but forgot in a manner their Religion, much of their Language, and what they were, being as if Metamorphos’d into bestial Salvages.

[Sidenote: If some did not come accidentally to _America_.]

And although we have already controverted the improbability of Peopling _America_, either by accident of Storm, or set purpose; yet it may be possible that so it might happen, for as the several vertues of Plants, Herbs, Precious-Stones, and Minerals, though strangely occult, and so altogether unknown, that what could never be found by Art, meer chance hath brought to light, and their wondrous qualities, some casual accident hath made apparent; so strange and remote Countreys never to be found in our Charts, or Maps, nor Registred in any Story, Seamen bound to their intended Harbors, have stumbled on by chance, either Hood-wink’d by blind Mists, or forc’d upon by pertinatious Weather; of which _America_ may be her own witness, for how was _Columbus_ stirr’d up, but by incitations of the Journals of a Sea-Captain, dying in his House, driven on the _American_ Islands by foul Weather.

[Sidenote: _America_ was Peopled presently after the Flood.]

[Sidenote: Giants in _America_.]

[Sidenote: _Conjurati fratres_, _Virg. Georg._]

[Sidenote: The Flood acknowledg’d there.]

Although from the foremention’d places, and after the same manner, _America_ might be furnish’d with Inhabitants; so it also gives us a more certain assurance, that the Planting of _America_ was not onely soon after the Flood, but that they came also thither by Land: And how strangely would it be against the Majesty and Wisdom of Divine Providence, to leave half the Universal Globe, a World fully supply’d with all sorts of Creatures, fit for Food and Service, Plants, Herbs, and the richest Minerals, like a House new built, and well furnish’d, without a Master or any Inhabitant, _viz._ Man, who being of Celestial Extract, should be able to acknowledge and glorifie the Creator, by admiring the Creature in his great Works: Besides, the confus’d Notions and Fables of Giants, Perpetrators of all manner of Crimes, and wallowing in all kind of sensual Debaucheries, are always remembred among the Antiquities of the _Americans_, and that they had some slender hints of antient Truth, not onely of the Giants before the Flood, but of those that soon after the rank fatness of the Earth, produc’d and fed to that pitch of Arrogance, that the covenanting Brethren defi’d God, fortifying themselves to fight him by the advantage of that their long congested Pile, _Babel_, which in a short time was transverted by the _Heathen_ Poets into their _Gigantomachia_, heaping Hills on Hills, like the _American_ Traditions: From which we may conjecture, that they came thither in the time of _Noah_; for why may not any believe, when _Noah_ liv’d three hundred years after he Landed on Mount _Ararat_, that he took care to People the World? And who will make him ignorant of this New World, who living five hundred years before, might not improbably by his own industry and the help of the former long-liv’d _Patriarchs_, been well able to make a general Survey of the Old; and he could better furnish _America_, it being nearer Mount _Ararat_, than supply _Italy_, _Spain_, _Germany_, or any Northern Territories in _Europe_, so that _America_ might be known to the first people after the Flood, nay, inhabited by them, though since that, the knowledge was lost.

_Pliny_ complaining of the Supine negligence, and stupendious sloth which reign’d then and long before as he had observ’d, among all people, and in every place, who were so far from making inquiry after discoveries of Lands for new Plantations, that they lost the old, when they had begun to settle, though under the greatest serenity of Peace; The Sea by that means lying open beyond what any juncture of former times could be proud of.

[Sidenote: _Canary Islands_, by whom discover’d.]

[Sidenote: _Hesperian_ Gardens, what they signifie.]

Yet the _Fortunate_, or _Canary_ Islands were in the first ages after _Noah_, frequented with Vessels, which in later times were altogether neglected, till _Guillaum Betancourt_, a Gentleman of _Picardye_, brought them again to be taken notice of by a fresh Trade. The Fable of the _Hesperian_ Gardens, and the Dragon that kept the Golden Fruit, with constant Vigils, is nothing but an allusion to the Sea, which with Serpentine Embraces, not onely secur’d these scatter’d Isles, but swallow’d up several Adventurers that too hardy made their unhappy approaches for discovery.

Another Allegation for the Planting of _America_ by Land, both whose sides are wash’d on the East and West, by the South and Atlantick Ocean, may be thus probably made out: The Atlantick rowls over with almost Fathomless Waters, three thousand Leagues of Ground; the South-Sea not much less, which well may be, being indeed but one continu’d Sea, encompassing, till meeting there, the Universal Ball; whence springs a more likelyhood, that _America_ might be Planted from the Southern parts, from the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, and _Le-Mayr_.

[Sidenote: _Relatio de Terra Australe._]

[Sidenote: The Description of the unknown South.]

_Peter Fernandes de Quir_ relates, That he and a Commander, _Lodowick Paes le Torres_ saw a part of the South Countrey, and in it innumerable Inhabitants, _Whites_, _Blacks_, _Sallows_, with long, black, curl’d, Woolly, and yellow Hair. They know no Walls or Fortresses for Defence, Laws or Kings, but are divided into Tribes: They use indeed Bows, Arrows, Clubs, and a kind of Spears: Their Houses are cover’d with Palm-Tree-Leaves; their Housholdstuff consists onely of a few Earthen Pots, and such Trinkets; yet they have some little skill in Weaving, and though they go naked, pride themselves in Neck-Laces and Bracelets, made of Mother of Pearl: But these for their Complexions and Constitution of Body, Customs, and manners, are rather deriv’d from the _Americans_, than they from them, and therefore we must seek for their Original from the North; from which are but two ways, one from _Ysland_ and _Groenland_, which _Grotius_ endeavors to prove, but contradicted; the other out of _Tartary_, which certainly was the first Nursery, from whence the _Americans_ were Transplanted.

[Sidenote: Description of _Tartary_.]

_Tartary_ or _Tattary_, so call’d from the River _Tatter_, which runs thorow the Countrey _Mongul_ into the Northern Ocean, covers a great part of the Terrestrial Globe; the lesser _Tartary_ makes out a considerable part of _Europe_; the greater is _Asia_.

This great _Tartary_, which is a thousand Leagues long, and six hundred broad, reckons five chief Provinces, _viz._ the wild _Tartary_, inhabited by Herdsmen; _Sagatai_, of which the Metropolis is _Samarcand_, famous for the mighty _Tamerlane_; next _Turkestan_; then _Kitai_, which the great _Cham_ Commands; and lastly, _Old Tartary_, according to _Andreas Cæsariensis_, the habitation of _Gog_ and _Magog_.

Now we must enquire from what _Tartars_ the _Americans_ are Extracted:

[Sidenote: _Thrian_ l. 67.]

[Sidenote: If the _Israelites_ were _Tartars_.]

_Mornæus_, _Postellus_, _Genebrardus_, _Poterus_, and others are of opinion, That the _Tartars_, which about the year 1228. under the Command of _Zingis Cham_ overspread the Earth like a deluge, were the Successors of the ten Tribes of _Israel_, which were carry’d into captivity to _Assyria_ by _Salmanazar_. The name _Tartary_, or rather _Tattaria_, seems to be some testimony thereof, because it signifies in the _Syrian_ or _Hebrew_ Tongue, _Remnants_ or _Remainders_, as seemingly, because these _Tartarians_ were remainders of the foremention’d Tribes; nay, the Northern _Tartary_ Herdsmen preserve to this day the Names _Dan_, _Zabulon_, and _Naphthali_: Wherefore we need not to admire, why so many _Jews_ are found in _Russia_, _Sarmatia_, and _Liefland_; nay, the nearer to _Tartary_, the more _Jews_ there are.

Circumcision hath a long time been observ’d among them, before _Mahomet_ brought in his new Law; it seems, that _Mahomet_ order’d the Circumcision and other Laws, according to _Moses_, to be observ’d by the Northern people, because that in his time, they began to Rebel, that so they might the better be kept in awe by their new Religion.

[Sidenote: _Pand. Hist. Turcica._]

_Joannes Leonclavius_ relates, That in _Liefland_ near _Riga_, he heard the wilde Natives call’d _Letti_, not without great admiration, go crying along the High-Ways and Fields, with a doleful voice, _Jeru, Jeru, Masco lou_: It is believ’d that they mourn for _Jerusalem_ and _Damascus_; but by their long continuance in the vast Wildernesses, they have forgot their Religion and Laws, and what else might enable to tell us who they were. Several learned Authors question this removal of the _Israelites_ out of _Assyria_ to _Tartary_, though to our Judgement their Arguments are too weak, to take from them of the footing they have gotten there; yet nevertheless, the _Israelites_ are not to be taken for the Planters of _America_, for why else is not _Judaisme_ as well found in _America_ as in _Tartary_. But it is already shewn, that _America_ was inhabited long before the dispersion of the _Israelites_.

[Sidenote: _Americans_ are not deriv’d from _Africa_ nor _Europe_.]

[Sidenote: But _Asia_, and chiefly out of _Tartary_.]

Now to shut up all, it is evident, that the first Planters of _America_ were not _Europeans_ from the dissimilitude of the People, both in their Complexions, Language and Persons; nor _Africans_, because that in all the far-spreading Countrey of _America_, not one _Negro_ is to be found, except a few near the River _Martha_, in the little Territory _Quarequa_, which must by Storm be drove thither from the _Guinny_ Coast: So that _Asia_, the Mother of all People, onely remains to be Implanter of our _America_, whose Western Coast, opposite to _Asia_, is more inhabited than to the East, where it respects _Europe_.

[Sidenote: _Tartary_ is not parted from _America_ by the _Straights_ of _Anian_.]

Moreover, _Armenia_, out of which, by _Noah_’s Progeny, the whole Earth was re-peopled, borders on _Scythia_, now call’d _Tartary_, and _Tartary_ faces _America_, separated onely by the _Straights_ of _Anian_; though some are of opinion, that out of the South into the Frozen Sea, there is no passage thorow these _Straights_, else (as we have already prov’d the contrary) how came all those Voracious and Poysonous Beasts into _America_, if it be clearly separated from _Asia_ by Sea?

It deserves here to be related, what happen’d to _Henry Cornelison Schaep_, and _William Byleveld_, Sailing from _Batavia_ to discover the _Tartarick_ River _Polysange_, but were taken and carry’d Prisoners to the _Japan_ Court at _Jedo_; being Commanded there by Order of the Councel to give an account of a _Japan_ Map or Card, which was laid before them, and contain’d the Provinces of _Japan_, _Amboina_, the _Molucca_ Islands, _Manilha_, the _South-Sea_, _Borneo_, _Celebes_, _Malacca_, _Tartary_, _Formosa_, _Corea_, and the vast and Mountainous Countrey or Desart of _Jesso_, separated from _Japan_ by the _Straights_ of _Sungar_; though toward the North, it joyns to _Japan_ in the Province of _Ochio_; and beginning in forty seven degrees, run North-East towards _America_, but they could not possible find the _Straights_ of _Anian_; but on the contrary, the Promontory of _Tartary_, _viz._ the Province _Kataya_ or _Katui_ lay in the same parallel with the Northern _America_.

[Sidenote: _Ennead_ 9. l. 6. Testimonies that the _Americans_ are _Tartars_.]

Hereto may be added, that _Asia_ hath no Territory any where, which may more easily with numerous Colonies supply _America_ than this part of _Tartary_, as well for the vastness of the Countrey, to which no other can compare, as for the increasing of the Inhabitants: Who doth not admire, that according to _Michalon Lithouwer_, there is scarce a City in _Tartary_ that boasted less than a thousand Temples? and to see _Canguista_ first King of _Tartary_, about the Year 1200. in Arms; and his Successor _Hoccata_ following his Fathers bloody Footsteps, whilst he prepar’d his Sons with three vast Armies? The eldest Son, _Jachis_, March’d Westward with thirty thousand Horse; _Batho_ drew with as great an Army towards the North; _Tagladais_ being the youngest fell into the _Moores_ Countrey above _Egypt_. _Hoccata_ himself March’d victoriously into the North _America_, subdu’d great part of the _Persian_ Kingdom, and beat the _Turks_, led by the General _Goniata_ with a great Army, _Anno 1241._ as _Jacob Planensis_ and _Benedictus Sarmata_, two _Monks_, sent by Pope _Innocent_ to _Hoccata_, witness: The great number of the _Tartars_ or _Scythians_, may appear by the several people, spread far and near over _Tartary_; _Pliny_ reckons some of them, _viz._ _Auchetes_, _Neuri_, _Geloni_, _Thussagetes_, _Budini_, _Basilides_, _Agathyrsi_, _Nomades_, _Anthropophagi_, _Hyperborei_, _Arimphei_, _Cimmerij_, _Cicianthi_, _Georgi_, _Sacores_, and others: What number would the Inhabitants make up that live in _America_, in _Teneneuf_, _Virginia_, _Florida_, _New Spain_, _Guadalaiara_, _Guatemala_, _Terra firma_, _New Granada_, _Peru_, _Chili_, _Rio de la Plata_, _Brasil_, _Guaiana_, _New Andaluzai_?

It will be worth our time, to compare the likeness between the _Scythians_ and Northern _Americans_; both of them are differenc’d with special Marks of a more than ordinary and natural distance between the Eyes, which much alters the whole Air of the Face, and the plumpness and swelling of their Cheeks summits above the Cheek-bone; most of these are of a middle stature, having downy Hair upon their Chin, like the Callow Feathers of an unfledg’d Bird. Lastly, as the _Tartars_, they differ amongst themselves in their Customs, yet in several things they agree one with another, according as they are govern’d by others, and yet other Princes, some powerful, and some weaker, according as every ones power be more or less. The Inhabitants of _Lucaja_ bear so great a respect, and stand so much in awe of their Governor, that if commanded to leap from a Rock, and break their Necks, they instantly obey.

The same is observ’d by the _Tartars_; the first King _Canguista_ Commanded the seven Princes of his Realm to Murder their Sons with their own Hands, which they all readily perform’d.

[Sidenote: Constitutions of the _Tartars_ and _Americans_ agree.]

In _Popaina_ they live to this day like some _Tartars_, without Laws or Law-givers, who change their places by turns, from the great increase of the _Tartars_, the _Americans_ no ways differ.

_Bartholomeus de las Casas_ writ to _Charles the Fifth_, That the _Spaniards_ in few years, onely on the Islands _Cuba_, _Hispaniola_, _Naco_, _Hondures_, in _Venezuela_ and _New Spain_, destroy’d above 2600000. Men, besides the slaughter that was made in _Peru_, _Brasil_, _Rio de la Plata_ and other places, which far exceed the foremention’d numbers.

Polygamy is still in use, both among the _Tartars_ and _Americans_; both acknowledge the Immortality of the Soul, both like _Cannibals_, Eating and Sacrificing Mans flesh. How famous amongst the Antients was the Altar of _Diana_ in _Taurica Chersonesus_, where several Men were daily Sacrificed? How delicate, according to _Sabellicus_, did the _Tartars_ account their Dishes, Sauc’d and serv’d with humane Gore?

[Sidenote: _Geogr._ l. 11 q. 7.]

_Strabo_ relates, That the antient People account it an honourable Death to be chop’d in pieces, and their flesh serv’d up in Commons. Those that die by Age, a natural death, are despis’d like Malefactors, and as a punishment according to their Demerits, left in the open Fields, a prey to Birds and Beasts; some delight in that loathsome gorging themselves with Mens flesh, others on the contrary, not onely detest humane, but all manner of flesh: And just so the _Americans_ are distinguish’d, for although the _Caribes_, _Brasilians_, the Inhabitants of _New Spain_, _New Granada_, _St. Martha_, and others, Sacrifice and eat Men, yet as many abhor and detest that odious Diet and abominable Custom.

_Giles Flesher_ Queen _Elisabeths_ Agent in _Muscow_ relates, That _Anno 1588._ _Kinach Morsey_, Grandson to the Governor of the _Chrim Tartars_, made his entrance there with a Retinue of three hundred Noblemen, and two Ladies, of which one was the Widow of his deceased Brother. The great Prince inform’d of their coming, sent him two slaughter’d Horses, whose sides and Hanches they feasted on, as we on Fallow Deer.

[Sidenote: Devil-worship in _Americ_.]

Most of the _Tartars_ use no manner of Letters or Characters; in the Voyage made into _Persia_, they first learn’d to make Letters; just so it is in _America_; their bemoaning of the dead ends in one Moneth, both by the _Tartars_ and _Americans_; with a Person of Quality, the _Tartars_ bury a live Servant; the same Custom is observ’d by some of the _Americans_; and so much do they agree in a salvage and rude life, that Merchandizing and Mechanicks are little regarded. _Ayson_ the _American_ acknowledges the _Tartars_ for a rude People in their Religion, Habits, and Dwellings, and yet in all these the _Americans_ differ but very little. Lastly, How common is it amongst them to worship the Devil? Along the River _Sagadahoc_, the Inhabitants are every new Moon miserably tormented by an Evil Spirit call’d _Tanto_. In the Temples in _Virginia_ remain yet the horrible Images of the Devils _Oka_ and _Menetto_. Not a House in _Mexico_, but hath a peculiar Chappel, set apart for this their suppos’d holy, but damnable Adoration of the Devil. Others in _Virginia_ believe, That there is a great and supreme Deity, which is Everlasting, and for ever. The _Tartars_ also are of the like perswasion.

[Sidenote: _Tartarian_ Horses.]