Transcriber’s Note:

The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

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.

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

THE
CONTENTS
of the several
CHAPTERS and SECTIONS.

AN
ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
OF
AMERICA.

CHAP. I.
America, unknown to the Antients.

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.

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.

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.

Geograph. lib. 1.

Hist. Nat. lib. 2. cap. 67.

Ultima Thule, suppos’d by some to be Ireland. Vide Georgic.

The Voyage of Hanno.

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.

Strange Voyage of some Indians.

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.

[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.

Remarkable Voyage of an Indian into Egypt,

Of Ptolemy

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.

The Venetians were the first that drove a trade from Europe to the East-Indies.

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.

By what means the Portuguese came first to discover the Coasts of Africa and India.

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.

Who first ventur’d into the Offin.

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.

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.

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.

Remarkable passage of Jaques Cano.

Discovery of Congo.

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.

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.

Christopher Columbus’s.

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.

A query, if America was known to the Ancients.

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.

Diod. Sic. lib. 6.

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.”

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.

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.

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!

Lactant. error concerning our Antipodes.

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:

Macrob. in Somnio Scipionis. l. 2. c. 5.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

And chiefly the wild.

Austin is contradicted.

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.

Reasons why America was so long unknown.

Who first sail’d on the Ocean.

Several opinions of the Antients concerning it.

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.

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.

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.

The manner of the Antients Sailing.

Of the Romans.

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.

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?

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.

In Comment. super Obad. v. 19, 20, 21.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Load-stone, by whom found.

Strange operations of the Loadstone.

De subtilitate l. 7.

Variance of the Compass.

Genebrad. Chron.

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.

CHAP. II.
Of the Original of the Americans, whence they came, when, how, and from what People Planted.

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.

Voyage l. 1. c. 8.

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.

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.

America was Peopled many Ages ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plin. l. 5. c. 22.

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.

The Peruvians opinion concerning antient Sea-Voyages.

Acosta. Histor. Nat. l. 2 c. 12.

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.

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.

How wild Beasts came in America, and the Isles.

In vita Heliogabali.

Lib. 2. cap. 17.

Strange Hunting.

Strange accident of two Leopards.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Acosta, l. 1. c. 25.

Strange Opinion of the Americans concerning the Flood.

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.

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?

Peruvians Opinion.

And also the Mexicans, of their Original.

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.

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.

Herodot. lib. 1 .

Salust in Igurtha.

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.”

Testimonies that the Americans are deriv’d from the Phenicians.

First Testimony.

Is contradicted.

Lib. 3. Geogr.

Flemmish Islands.

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.”

Salt-Islands how long known.

Joan. Mariana de Reb. Hispan. lib. 1. cap. 20.

Very remarkable Voyage of Hanno the Carthaginian, along the Coast of Africa to the Salt-Islands.

Strange Vision.

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.

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.

Hanno’s Return.

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.

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.

Lib. 6. cap. 7.

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.”

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?

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.

Lib. 1. cap. 4.

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.”

Lib. 3. cap. 18.

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.

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.

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.

The Known World formerly full of Witches.

De Nat. Dæmon. l. 3.

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.

Devil-worship formerly us’d in all the World, and now by the Americans.

Lev. 17. 6.

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.”

De abstinent. Animal. l. 2.

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.”

Men and Children used for Sacrifices by the Phenicians and other People.

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.

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.

Rer. Persic. l. 1.