Inquiries whether the Constitutions of thePheniciansagree with theAmericans.
Thus far hath been disputed concerning the Original of theAmericans, whose Plantations fromTyreorCarthageby 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 ancientPheniciansliv’d in Tents, and sometimes exchang’d eaten-up Pastures for fresh, which theAmericansto this day observe; by which it might appear, that they are of aPhenicianExtract. But why not as well deriv’d fromNumidia,Tartary, or the ancient Patriarchs, who all liv’d such an unsettl’d wandering Life? Besides, thePhenicianshad 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 tonew Plantations: And moreover, theAmericanscould not so strangely degenerate from their Ancestors, but would have built great Cities like them; of which many were found inPhenicia, but none of Antiquity inAmerica.
As also both their Religions.
As to their Religion, if it agreed with thePhenicians, 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 thePhenicians, 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 ofAsiaorEurope, where were formerly many the like Tamperers, and those that dealt in such Diabolical Sciences? And why not fromSalmantica, where, asLaurentius Ananiasrelates, 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 theAmericans, and so he had with thePhenicians: 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 theAmericans.
Lev. 17. 6.
Idols in Ships.
How famous isZoroaster, and the whole School of the Eastern Magicians? InMoses’s time this Wickedness had already took place: Nor can it be deny’d but that thePhenicianscarry’d their Idols in their Ships, asHerodotustestifies, saying, “The Image ofVulcanmuch resembles thePhenicians Patacoioi, which they plac’d on the Fore-castle of their Ships.”
In like manner, theAmericanswhen 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 theChinesesobserve to this present:Francis Xaveriusrelates, “That he sail’d in aChineseVessel fromGoatoJapan, 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,Porphyriusrelates, “That thePheniciansupon 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 toSaturn.” AndEusebiussaith also out ofPorphyrius, “ThatSaturn, whom thePhenicianscallIsrael, the LearnedVossiusandHugo GrotiusreadIl, orEl(one of the ten Names of God inHebrew) which they also give to the PlanetSaturn, who when he Reign’d inPhenicia, having one only Son born by the NymphAnobret, 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 thePheniciansand other People.
Who forbade the sacrificing of Men.
And although such like cruel Oblations are us’d inAmerica, must it therefore follow, that they are deriv’d from thePhenicians, 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 thePersians,Greeks, andRomans; and yet they were not abhorr’d, though committing Humane Slaughters.
This holy Butchery and Religious Slaughter of Mankind began inRomeinthe EmperorAdrian’s Reign, so continuing till the time ofTertullian,Lactantius, andEusebius. TheGreekswhich inhabited the utmost part ofItaly, employ’d themselves daily in Sacrificing Strangers toSaturn, and sometimes one another. But at last this formal Cruelty became a ridiculous Custom; for theRomansby 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 ofApril, were by theRomanPriests and Vestal Nuns, to be thrown from theMilvianBridge into theTyber.
Lib. de Superstit.
Moreover,Manethonrelates, “That theEgyptiansinHeliopolisus’d to offer three Men at once toJuno; which Custom was observ’d till KingAmasisorder’d, That in stead of Men, they should serve her with Wax Candles.”
Amestris, Queen to the famousXerxes, caus’d twelve Men to be burn’d alive, as an Oblation, to pacifie and obligePlutoto maintain them in their present Grandeur.
Rer. Persic.l. 1.
Procopiusrelates of the People about theArabian Gulph, “That they oftentimes Sacrific’d Men to the Sun.”
Lib. 3. sect. 8 Geogr.
“TheIndians, saithPomponius Mela, kill their nearest Relations and Parents, before they decay by Sickness or Age, and judg’d it fit and most Religious to Feast and Banquet themselves with the Entrails of the slain.”
Lib. 11. Geog.
TheAlbanians, asStraborelates, offer yearly one of their Priests to the Moon.
The sameMelarelates of theTauri, That they us’d to cut the Throats of Strangers, whenever they came near to the Place of their Sacrifice.
Lib. 2. cap. 1.
TheEgyptianIdolTyphon, as you may read inManethon, was daily made red-hot, and living People put in, and broyl’d to death.
Bell. Gall. Comm.
But to pass by several other People guilty of such bloody Idolatry, How did the Altars erected in the Woods inGaulandGermany, forTaran,Hesus,Teutates, andWoden, continually smoke with the Blood of Humane Expiations? Of whichCæsarsaith thus in hisCommentaries; “TheGaulsare a very Devout and Superstitious Nation; and therefore when any were dangerously sick, or likely to be worsted in Battel, they vow’d to feast their Gods that sav’d them with Humane Flesh, and if need were, would make themselves a thankful Sacrifice to those that help’d them off in such an Exigence. Concerning these bloody Rites, they consulted and imploy’d theDruydes, by whose advice they all believ’d that no Victim was so acceptable to theNumens, as pour’d-out Humane Blood, but especially that of Malefactors; which Dainty if they could not procure, their Gods must be treated with the Lives of the Innocent.”
2 Reg. 3. v. 26, 27.
Lastly, the Holy Scripture saith thus,When the King ofMoabsaw that the Battel was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred Men that drew Swords, to break through even to the King ofEdom;but they could not. Then he took his eldest Son, that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a Burnt-offering on the Wall.
These Testimonies are sufficient Witnesses, That the AncientHeathensexpress’d the height of their Devotion, and fury of mad Zeal, in such execrable Rites, as to this day the like is practised by theIndians,Chineses,Japanners, and others: Wherefore it can no ways be a sufficient ground to prove, that theAmericansare deriv’d from thePhenicians, because of their Humane Sacrifices, for that they were usual Customs in all Places.
Third testimony, That theAmericansare deriv’d from thePhenicians, because their Language agrees
Is contradicted.
The third Proof they offer us, is borrow’d from the similitude and likeness of thePhenicianandAmericanLanguages:Comtœussets down some Words,viz.thePhenicianscall’d a Mountain,Abila; Blood,Edom; a Mother,Anech; a Maid,Hellotia; Water,Heni, andJam: With the first agrees theAmericanAnthla; with the second,Holedonch; with the third,Anam; with the fourth,Hellotie; with the fifth,Ame, andJame. But those that will thus corrupt the Words, may as well make the unseemliest Comparisons. It is certain, that thePheniciansand some of theAmericanscall a CupAsur, and Red Wine,Belàsa; But does it therefore follow by this, that the one is extracted from the other? How many Names do signifie all one, amongst People that never had any Conversation together? This proceeds only from meer accident; Or else if some Words of one, sound like the same Words us’d in a remote Countrey, and be of one signification, must they therefore be deriv’d from one another? Then upon necessity theGreeks,Latins, andGermanshad their Original from theHebrews, or theLatinsfrom theGreeks, or theGermansfrom theLatins, or thePersiansfrom theGermans; or, on the contrary, the last owe their Extract to the first. I will as a Testimony, and to give you a Pattern, pick out a few from a greater number.
GreekandHebrewagree
Also theHebrewandLatin.
How little difference is there in many Words between theGreekandHebrew? TheHebrewscall a Church-CongregationSanhedrim, the GreeksΣυνέδριον; the Greeks forI advise, useπείθω, the otherפתה; theHebrewscall Wise-menZophei, the otherΣόφοι: And less difference there is betweenSymphoniahandΣυμφονία,A well-set Lesson; orPsanterinandΨαλτέριον,A Spiritual Hymn: And who also will not find a near resemblance in the consonating of diversLatinandHebrewWords? For there is little difference betwixtMesurahandMensura,a Measure;ShekarandSaccarus,a sweet Moisture;LevyaandLeæna,a Lioness,SabbecaandSambuca,a Chopping-board;PesaandPassus,a Pace.
Likewise theTeutonick, the great Language ofGermany,Britain, theLow-Countreys, and other Northern Nations.
Then starting over theGreekandLatin, theTeutonickswould likewise produce many Words which have the same sound and signification with theHebrew; asChobel,a Cable;EthmolandEtmael,Watching;SothimandSotten,Fools; theHebrewArets, is inDutch,Aerde, or as we inEnglish,Ear’d Lands;PhertandPeert,a Horse;LevyahandLeeuw,a Lion;ShadandSchadea,Damages;KisseandKussen, in our Dialect the very same,Kisse;ShakenandSchenken,a giving, whence we derive ourEnglishSkinker, from serving of Drink;BelandBeeld,an Image; forBelproperly signifiesLord, perhaps because the Images of Heroes or Lords were worshipp’d by them, or else becauseNinusfirst erected an Image for his FatherBelus, orBel, to be worshipp’d.
GreekandLatinTongues agree.
Abrah. Milii, Ling. Belg.c. 5, 6, 7, 11.
It would make a large Volume it self, to reckon up the Consonancies of theHebrew,Greek, andLatin, and their scatterings among all Languages where ever their Empire spread, the one being indeed borrow’d from the other, as all Languages that deal or have any converse together: For not only the Words, with some small Alterations of Letters, signifie the same in both Languages; but also without the least alteration. BothGreeksandLatinsexpressI do, byAgo; the NumberEight, byOcto;an Arm, byBrachiumorBrachion, inEnglish,Branches, andBraces;I eat, byEdo;a Cup, byPhiale;a Curtain, byCortina, orCortine;Merry, byHilaris, orHilaros;a ratling Noise or Sound, byClango;a Camel, byCamelus, orCamelos;a Knee, byGenu, orGonu;a BowlorChalice, byCalix;a Mouse, byMus;Deceit, byDolus, orDolos;a House, byDomus, orDomos;I carry, byFero, orPhero; the PronounI,Ego;a Lion, byLeo, orΛέων;Flax, byLinum, orLinon;a Mother, byMater, orMeter;now, bynunc, ornun;the Night, byNox, orNux;a Rock-stone, byPetra;a Nick-name, byScomma, orSkomma;a Boat, byScapha, orSkaphe;a Treasure, byThesaurus, orThesauros;Father, byPater;I tremble, byTremo;an Hour, byHora;the Evening, byVespera, orHespera; and an innumerable many Words more, that are of one signification in both.
PhenicianandAmericanTongues have no similitude.
Americansmuch divided in Speech and People.
Now if there is not the hundredth part of the resemblance found between theAmericanandPhenicianTongues, as there is between theHebrew,Greek,Latin, andDutch, according to the foremention’d Examples, which notwithstanding cannot be observ’d to be deriv’d from one another, what testimony can there be in five or six Words, which only have a few Letters that do not differ? But suppose that the agreeing of thePhenicianandAmericanTongues could serve for a testimony; that these last People had their Original from the first, then there remains another doubt,viz.To know whatAmericansacknowledge thePheniciansfor their Fathers; because their Countrey is so big, that it may almost stand in competition with all the other three parts of the Known World, being divided by so many Nations, which differ not only in their various Customs, but also in their several Languages, most of them not having the least likeness one with another: Nay, often times the Inhabitants of one Province differ so much in Dialect, that, according toPetrus de Cieca, the one cannot understand the other.
InAmericaone Tongue is not at all like the other.
Decad. 3.
De Laet. Orig. Amer. obs. 5.
John de Laetobserves out ofPeter Martyr, and other Writers concerning theWest-Indies, That there are several Languages and strange Words spoken among the divers Inhabitants ofAmerica; for theHuronescall a HeadSionta; theMexicans,Tzontecontli; the Inhabitants ofNew-Netherland,Anonsi; theBrasilians,Acanga; theJaos,Boppe: the Figures One, Two, Three, and Four, theHuronestell thus,Escate,Teni,Hachin,Dac; theMexicans,Ce,Ome,Yei,Nabuy; theSankikanders,Cotte,Nysse,Nacha,Wyve; theBrasilians,Oyepe,Mocoy,Mocapir,Oirundi; theJaos,Tewyn,Tage,Terrewaw,Tagyne; the Natives ofNew-Netherland,Onsat,Tiggani,Asse,Cayere. Moreover theHuronescall a FatherAystan; theMexicans,Tathli; theCanadensers,Notaovi; inNew-Netherland,Ragina; inBrasile,Tuba: And so it is generally with all other Words, which agree not in the least one with the other; so that every Territory hath not only a several Dialect, but in many Places they use besides two, three, or more distinct Speeches, not relating in the least one to another, in one Province, by which the People inhabiting Towns and Villages are distinguish’d. The Islanders discover’d by theSpaniards, and destroy’d, have left few Words behind them; yetPeter Martyrsets down some of them, which were formerly us’d inHispaniola: They call’d HeavenTures; a House,Boa; Gold,Cauni; a good Man,Tayno. It is worthy of observation, that they pronounce noHin their Language, but what is spoken with a Vowel, and then give it a strong Aspiration, like the warbling gutturalעGhainof theHebrews.
Gen. 9. v. 25, 26, 27.
Gen. 10. v. 15.
Last Testimonies of theAmericansExtract from thePhenicians.
Is contradicted.
Franc. Burman.inGen. 25. 30.
Pheniciansderiv’d fromEsau.
Our last and chiefest Testimony isMoses, who says thus inGenesis,Cursed beCanaan,a Servant of Servants shall he be unto his Brethren. Moreover he said, Blessed be the Lord God ofShem,andCanaanshall be his Servant: God shall inlargeJaphet,and he shall dwell in the Tents ofShem;andCanaanshall be his Servant.And in the next Chapter,CanaanbegatSidon. These Scriptures are explain’d as a Testimony of theAmericansExtract from thePhenicians, which they ground on these following Reasons: ThePheniciansareCanaan’s Successors fromSidon, who gave name to their chief City.Tubalthe Issue ofJaphet, whose Tents God promis’d to enlarge, and thatCanaanshould be his Servant, plantedSpain.ThePhenicians, descendants fromSydon, (say they) PeopledAmerica; theSpaniardssprung fromTubal, ofJaphet, have subjected theAmericans, descended fromSydon, ofCanaan; wherein is fulfill’d that Prophecy ofMoses,ThatCanaanshould be Servant toJaphet; but it seems a great mistake, so to derive thePheniciansfromCanaan, for they are Extracted fromShem,Heber,Abraham, andEsau, sirnam’dEdom, from his saying,Adom, Adom, when he ask’d ofJacob,That Red, That Red, because he knew not how to call the prepared Pottage by its proper Name; AndEdomsetling himself on MountSeir, a part of the StonyArabia, and on the Coast of theRed-Sea, gave denomination to it, because that Sea was much frequented and Navigated by his Successors. TheGreekscall itErythreum, fromErythros, who is the same withEsau, and likewise signifiesRed. Hereto is added, ThatPhænixandErythroshave the same signification in theGreek; So then, theseIdumeanstaking the name ofPhenicians, from the greatPhœnix, spread themselves far and near under mighty Kings, by Navigation in theRed-Sea, and from thence Planted several Coasts and Islands, removing at last toSyria.
Gen. 36. 39.
Com. inJer. l. 4. c. 25.
InPs. 136.Voss. Orig. Idol.l. 1. c. 31.
PunickTongue.
Hebrew.
The seventh King ofEdom,Mosesreckoneth to beBaal-hanan, which name, by transposing the Syllables, the famousCarthaginianGeneralHannibalbare. Moreover, it may easily be demonstrated, that thePheniciansExtracted fromHeber, have formerly spokeHebrew, and sinceArabick; for they dwelt before their removing, in the Stony-Arabia. St.Jeromsaith, thePunickTongue agrees for the most part with theHebrew: And St.Austintells us, that many, nay, most of theCarthaginianwords areHebrew.Elisa,Dido, the first Foundress ofCarthageproves this, forElisaorElissah, with theHebrews, denotesA Lamb of my God; andDido,A Lover. But who can find the least likeness, between theHebreworArabickTongue with theAmericans? Lastly, Since thePheniciansacknowledgeEsaufor a Father, what then concerns theAmericans, the curse ofCanaan, since they are no more Extracted fromCanaan, than thePhenicians? Thus much concerning thePhenicians.
If theAmericanswere deriv’d from theJews, or the ten Tribes ofIsrael.
Is contradicted.
Some would derive theAmericansfrom theJews; others, from the ten Tribes ofIsrael, carry’d into captivity. The ground of which Opinions is, That theJewsandIsraeliteswere scatter’d amongst all Nations; therefore they conclude, thatAmericawas also Peopled by them, the rather, because the antientJewsandAmericanswere of one Complexion, and went a like Habited, both going without Shooes, onely wearing Sandals, and an upper Coat over a shorter Linnen Vest. Both are humble, quick of apprehension, and obliging, yet Valiant: But it is certain, they cannot be like theJews, because theAmericanschange their Habit, according as they live in cold or hot Countreys, and go not in the least like one another.
FatherImmanuelrelates, That he saw aBrasilian, not onely stoutly make his party good against threePortugalSoldiers, but had it not been by meer chance, worsted them.
Lastly, What Ceremonies of Religious Rites are observ’d by theAmericans, which are used inJudaism? TheJewsindeed have transplanted their Circumcision amongst divers Eastern People, and have they onely forgot the first Ceremony and signal Badge of their Religion inAmerica, which yet not onely they, but thoseMahumetansand other Sectaries punctually observe?
Jewsdistribution.
1 Pet. 1. 1.Scaliger in Notes ad N. T.
Joh. 7. 35.
L. de Idolo. vanitate.
This makes evident their scatterings about the Face of the Earth, but will not bring them to reachAmerica. The Sacred Text sets forth a two-fold description of theJews; The one before the Birth of our Saviour, when theyliv’d as strangers inPontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,Asia, andBythinia.Jerusalemwas their Metropolis, although others had their chief residence inBabylon, andAlexandria; for there was anAsiatickand aEuropeandispersion; those ofAsiahadBabylonfor their chief City, and us’d in their Synagogues theChaldeanTranslation of the Bible. TheEuropeanskept their Seat atAlexandria, where they had a Temple like that ofJerusalem; and whilst they employ’d themselves in theGreekVersion of the Holy Scripture, by the seventy two Interpreters, underPtolomeus Philadelphus, they were call’dWandering Greeks: Therefore, certainly theAmericansare not deriv’d from theseJews, and with as little reason from those, which byTitus Vespasian, after the destruction ofJerusalemwere driven into several Countreys, for they were never permitted (that I may borrow the words of St.Cyprian) to set forward one step, though but as Pilgrims, towards their Native Countrey, but strictly forbidden not to assemble or meet together in any considerable number, which would have been necessary, if they intended to Plant a new World.
2 Reg. 17. 5.
4 Esd. 13. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.
A small seeming Testimony is added, being taken out of the fourth Book ofEsdras, that the ten Tribes ofIsraelthat were carry’d away bySalmanassarwith their KingHoseatoNahalah,Habor, the RiverGozan, and the Cities of theMedes, might be acknowledged for the first Planters ofAmerica: Concerning which,Esdrassaith thus,The ten Tribes brought over into another Countrey, consulted that they should forsake the multitude of theHeathens,and travel to a remoter Countrey, where no Generation of Mankind had ever liv’d before, there they would maintain their Laws, which they had not observ’d in their Countrey: Whereupon they went thither thorow the narrow entrances of the RiverEuphrates,for the Almighty stopt the Vains of the River, till they were past over; for thorow the Countrey was a way of a year and halfs Journey: wherefore that Tract of Land is call’dAssareth,then they liv’d there till the last time.
But since these Books ofEsdraswere not Written by a Prophet, either in theHebrewTongue, or allow’d by theJewsto be the Word of God, or any where taken notice of in theNew Testament; wherefore then isAssarethmoreAmericathan any other remoter Countrey?
L. 5. in Ezek. & l. 6. in Jerom.
4 Esd. 6. 49, 50. & 14. 21. & 4. 41.
St.Hierom(who certainly had a peculiar knowledge of the condition of the ten Tribes ofIsrael, because he liv’d inAsia, and held Correspondence with theJews, that he might perfectly learn theHebrewTongue,) relates, “That the ten Tribes (St.Hieromeliv’d about the Year four hundred, under the EmperorTheodosius) underwent great slavery in the Cities ofMedesandPersians; so that this strange Voyage toAssareth, which must have happen’d long before St.Hierom’s time, may be Recorded amongst the other Legends of the Rabbies, concerning theirBehemothandLeviathan, who lock’d up the Souls of those that sleighted their Laws, in Caves under ground, asEsdras.”
Antient condition of thePersians.
Melchior Soiterus de Reb. Turc.
And how little opportunity theIsraeliteshad to remove since his time, may appear by the horrible Destruction that was made for several Ages together inPersiaandMedia; for although thePersiansbecame Masters again of the Realm, Conquer’d byAlexanderthe Great, whilstAlexander’s Successors invaded one another, yet they were continually in War, either against theRomans, or else theIndians, and other Eastern People; nay, theSaracenswrested the Scepter out of their hand, though but for a small time; for soon after, breaking out into Factions amongst themselves,Muchumet Subictigenes,Imbrael’s Son, establish’d his Throne on their Ruines, and incourag’d by such success, Arm’d himself against theIndians, and made use of theTurksassistance, with which he subdu’d theBabylonian Arabians: After which, theTurks, not without greatslaughter see thePersianCrown on their Head, which, immediately totter’d by bloudy Commotions; forTangrolipixbeing King ofPersia, clashing with his BrotherCutlumuses, madePersiaswim in the Blood of a Civil-War, till at lastZengis Chanbrought fromTartaryso great an Army,Anno 1200.that none durst stay to make opposition; for theTurksforsookPersiaafter a Conquest of six Ages, and made their own way for new Quarters intoCarmania,Phrygia, andBithynia, whence they made such incursions on theGreekEmpire, that at last they became sole Masters thereof. Who cannot but easily judge by this, how little opportunity the ten Tribes had, to be assembled together from remote Countreys, and to go long Journeys through untrack’d ways, and full of Enemies, to travel toAmerica?
Mora’s opinion concerning theAmericansExtract.
Immanuel de Moraes, who had gotten peculiar knowledge of theAmericansby his long Conversation with them, judgeth that they are not deriv’d from one People, but from theCarthaginiansandJews, and that at several times, and places, they Landed in this New World; for theCarthaginiansSailing thither, found the Soyl so fertile, that many forsook their Native Countrey to dwell there: Whereupon, it was forbidden upon pain of Death, to send no more thither, lest ifCarthageshould be invaded by a foraign Enemy, it should want People for a Home-defence: From this occasion it happen’d, that those that were already Transported, became rude, and of a Salvage Disposition, and spreading their Families, planted the desolate Countreys in a ranging manner, without acknowledging any Supreme Head or Governor.
Thus being scatter’d up and down, every one invented to himself a new Language, which should neither agree with theCarthaginians, or any other: But this Opinion is before at large contradicted.
Customs and Constitutions of theBrasiliansare several.
Moreover,Moraesendeavors to shew, that theBrasiliansare of aHebrewExtract, because that according to the example of theJews, they might not Marry, but in their own Tribes; they also call their Unkles, Fathers, and their Aunts, Mothers; both mourn for the Dead a Moneth together, and wear long Garments down to their Ankles. But these Arguments seem to us of small consequence, for indeed theBrasiliansdiffer in their Marriages from theJews, for they not onely Marry in their own Tribes, but frequently commix with their Sisters, and Daughters, or other their nearest Relations. Moreover, theJewscall’d them Fathers, from whose Loyns they sprang many Ages before, as well as their Unkles, which theAmericansdo not.
The Mourning for the Dead hath been an old Custom, and is not observ’d by many People, but the time of a Moneth was not setled amongst them, but was observ’d after a more unusual manner, seventy days, as in the Fields ofMoabforMoses, and elsewhere for the PatriarchJacob. Lastly, all people know, that theRomansandPersiansgirt themselves about with long Clothes. Besides, theJewswere strictly bound to observe Circumcision, without which they were not accountedJews, which theBrasiliansuse not, as neither their Language or Letters. How is it possible, that inAmericathey should at once have forgotten their Extract, Laws, Circumcision, Language, and other Ceremonies, when the rest of them observ’d nothing more strictly in all parts of the Earth?
Grotiusis of opinion that theAmericansbelong’d toNorway.
The LearnedHugo Grotius, in his Enquiry after the original of theAmericans, brings them with many Circumstances to belong toPanama, situate opposite to the Northern Parts ofNorway, because something of their Languages agrees, and the Way thither easie and nearest to be found: for first they travell’d fromNorwaytoYsland, over which theNorwegiansRul’d above a thousand years since; so fromYslandthroughFriezlandtoGroenland, and from thence toEstotiland, being a part of the Main Continent ofAmerica.
This Opinion is largely contradicted.
FromFriezlandsome Fishers went thither (as he says) two Centuries before theSpaniardstouch’d that Shore; whichJohn de Laetcontradicts. And indeed what Reasons can be given, Why theAmericansof theStraights, betweenPanamaandNombre de Dios, lying Northerly, should have another original than those that live to the South, seeing the sameStraightsare neither divided by Mountains nor Rivers; and theSpaniardsfound no alteration in the Customs and Languages betwixt them that liv’d above or below theseStraights. And who will believe thatNorway, which was but indifferently peopled, could afford such numerous Colonies as could plant the NorthernAmerica, which far exceeds the South, and chiefly, when the great Islands that lie near the East and West, are added to it? Moreover it is certain, (if the YslanderAngrim Jonasis to be credited) that some Families fled out ofNorwayfrom their enraged King toYslandin the Year 874. which at that time was but meanly inhabited.
Isaac Pontanus de Reb. Danicis.
Forty years before,Lewisthe Just put theYslandersunder the protection of PopeGregorythe fourth, who gave the Government of theYslandChurch toAnsgarArchbishop ofHamburgh. But how comes it that there is not the least spark ofChristianityfound amongst the NorthernAmericans, if they are deriv’d from theYsland Christians? and why did theYslandersremove to colder Countreys thanGroenlandandFriezland, or their own native Soil, and for the most part not inhabited?
ConcerningGroenlandandFriezland, it is known by ourEnglishNavigators, that they are joyn’d together, and both to the NorthernAmerica; but not without vast Bays and Inlets, which betwixtGroenlandandAmericaare obstructed with floating Castles of Ice; so that the Passage is very dangerous. And full as troublesom, if not altogether impossible, would the Journey be by Land, because the Earth lies so thick cover’d with Ice and Snow, especially the Valleys, that no Traveller is able to get through.
The Voyage of twoZeno’s.
Relatio Marc. Zenonis.
Moreover, that whichGrotiussays farther of the Fishers which first discover’dEstotiland, is grounded on the Relation of theVenetianKnights,NicholasandMarcus Zeno, two Brothers.Anno 1380.Nicholas Zenosuffer’d Shipwrack on theFriezlandCoast;Marcusinform’d thereof, steer’d his Course thither; fourteen years they spent before they came toEstotiland: at last they return’d again toFriezland, whereNicholasdied: ButMarcusreturning home publish’d his Journal, wherein he relates, ThatEstotilandis above a thousand Leagues distant fromFriezland, and was discover’d byFriezlandFisher-men that were driven thither by Storm. But he hath set down many things that have little resemblance of truth, according to what is since found by credible Navigators; and therefore we cannot depend onZeno’s Discovery.
TheAmericanTongue is nothing like theNorwegian.
John de Laetaccounts it a great mistake inGrotius, that as a testimony of theAmericansoriginal out ofNorway, he compares their Languages. He reckons up some Places to be Northward ofPanama, which end their words with the syllableLaninstead ofLand, because theSpaniardshave left out the Letter D at the end thereof. It is certain, that in the NorthernAmericalieCimatlan,Coatlan,Guescolan,Artlan,Quaxutatlan,Icatlan,Tapatlan,Cinacatlan,Tenuchitlan,Comitlan,Metzitlan,Guatitlan,Necotitlan,Curcatatlan. Besides, that most of these Names are not of Countreys, but of Towns and Villages, and therefore no ways fitting to have the termination ofLand: and it is well known that manyAmericanwords end withLan, which signifie nothing less than Land: for theMexicanssayPuertatitlan, which signifiesAt the Gate below;Ochachitlantzitlan,Yet lower;Tenoxtitlan, (this City is also call’d from her FounderMexis,Mexico) that is,Rests on a Rock. Moreover, it may not without reason seem strange to any, that the NorthernAmericanshave remembred but three Cities out of all theTeutonickTongue,viz.Lanin steadLand.
Groenlandwhen discovered.
Serm. 3. Antiq. Danic.
ConcerningGroenland, through which theNorwegiansare thought to have travell’d toAmerica,Lysanderwitnesseth, That it was accidentally discover’d by oneEric Rauder,Anno 987, and planted thirteen years after.
Olaus, King ofNorway, plac’d two Bishops over the new Inhabitants, as Substitutes to the Archbishop ofDronthen. For four Ages they Sail’d frequently toGroenland; but since their King was impoverish’d by War, they left off that Trade.
We find not in any Author, that theNorwegianswhich liv’d along the Sea-shore, ever went to seek a Way over the inaccessible Snowy Mountains ofGroenland, to this ourNew World.
Besides,Grotiusstands for theNorwegiansas Planters, upon testimony of theMexicansthemselves, who told theSpaniards, That their Ancestors which planted there came from theNorth, first setling themselves onEstotiland, where to this day there are not improbable proofs by several remarks, that they were aNorwegianColony.
The opinion concerning the CityNorumbegainAmerica.
In theAmericanCityNorumbega, live a People that speak the same Language, and observe the same Customs with theMexicans.
In this by-Corner are found also someAlavards, orLongobards, orLombards, as they say. Now theSpaniardscall thatNew Mexicobecause last discover’d, though indeed the old, cramm’d with People eight hundred years since: for theMexicansofNew Mexicodo not lie so far Northerly, as to the North-west: for thisMexicolies in sight ofCalifornia, which is believ’d to border onTartary, or at least separated from it by a narrow Channel. ButNorumbega(if ever such a Place was) must, according to theWest-IndianRecords, have been situate where a part ofNew Francelies, now planted by theEnglish: between which andNew Mexicolies an almost unmeasurable vast Tract of Land. Mean while here is not the least sign of this CityNorumbegato be found: neither do the Inhabitants dwell in Cities, but live in Tents, or moveable Villages, which change their Names as oft as their Governors. Moreover, theNorwegianscould not get to thisNorumbegaby Land throughYslandandGroenlandtoEstotiland, because of the vast Bays, and greatMidland-Sea, discover’d by theEnglishin their North-western Discoveries; so that leavingEstotiland, it was altogether impossible for them to come toNorumbega.
Chichimecen.
Hereto may be added what theMexicanssay of themselves, who acknowledge, That travelling from theNorth, they did not find an un-inhabited Countrey before them, but were forc’d to make their Way by a long and bloody War with theChichimecen, a salvage People, that knew neither Laws or Religion.
The People also dwelling opposite toCalifornia, differ from the Customs of theMexicans, being divided into several People of contrary Constitutions, and as different Languages.
Customs and Constitutions of theMexicans.
Grotiusscrues up his Arguments from the likeness of theAmericanSpeech and Customs with theNorwegian: for (says he) there is little difference betweenPagodandby-God, orlike God;GuairaandWaeijer, that is,A Fan;IlamaandLam,inEnglish,Lamb;PekoandBeke, aBrookorRivulet. Both Customs and Constitutions have also great resemblance. TheMexicansrelate, that their Predecessors onely follow’d Hunting; that they divided and reckon’d the Time, not by Days, but by Nights, and wash’d their Children as soon as they were born in cold Water.
They are so much inclin’d to Gaming, that they venture their Liberty at it. Every one is satisfi’d with one Wife, except some of the Nobility, which oftentimes have more. They throw up high Banks in several places to damm out the Sea; believe the Immortality of the Soul; every one eats at a peculiar Table; most of them go naked, onely cover theirPudendawith a Cloth; some Sacrifice and eat Mans-flesh: all which, according toTacitus,Pliny,Lucan, and otherRomanWriters, was observ’d by the antientGermans; from whom those that inhabit between theNorwegianMountains were extracted.
These Allegations, to make theNorwegiansto be the Parents of the NorthernAmericans,John de Laetthus contradicts: “It no ways follows that one People take original from the other, because here and there are several words found, that have the same signification and found in divers Countreys; much less when they must either add, change, or diminish several Letters. Moreover, there is no small mistake in the compar’d words: forPagodis not us’d all overAmerica; theEast-Indiansabout the RiverIndus, call their Idol-TemplesPagod, orPagode, the wordGuairais no where us’d inAmerica, but by thePeruvians, and with them not signifying aFan, but a littleOven; neither isIlamaaLamb, (for before the coming of theSpaniardsthither, neither Sheep nor Lambs were ever seen inPeru) but a Wool-bearing Beast, thus describ’d byJoseph de Acosta: