Treaties of amity between nationsShould be regarded as living fountains,Pure and purifying from their very source;—From whence flow many streams,—in each of whichThe present age (the ancestral of the future),And its many million human atoms,Have a direct property; and foundedIn humanity,—forbearance and faith alone,Can sustain them as blessings to posterity!Tragedy of "Tecumseh."(MS.)
Treaties of amity between nationsShould be regarded as living fountains,Pure and purifying from their very source;—From whence flow many streams,—in each of whichThe present age (the ancestral of the future),And its many million human atoms,Have a direct property; and foundedIn humanity,—forbearance and faith alone,Can sustain them as blessings to posterity!Tragedy of "Tecumseh."(MS.)
Treaties of amity between nationsShould be regarded as living fountains,Pure and purifying from their very source;—From whence flow many streams,—in each of whichThe present age (the ancestral of the future),And its many million human atoms,Have a direct property; and foundedIn humanity,—forbearance and faith alone,Can sustain them as blessings to posterity!
Treaties of amity between nations
Should be regarded as living fountains,
Pure and purifying from their very source;—
From whence flow many streams,—in each of which
The present age (the ancestral of the future),
And its many million human atoms,
Have a direct property; and founded
In humanity,—forbearance and faith alone,
Can sustain them as blessings to posterity!
Tragedy of "Tecumseh."(MS.)
Tragedy of "Tecumseh."(MS.)
THE FLIGHT OF THE TYRIAN FAMILIESATTHE FALL OF TYRUS.&c.THE FIVE ADDITIONAL AND NEWLY-APPLIEDTYRIAN PROPHECIES OF ISAIAHINVESTIGATED AND ESTABLISHED:
(Making, with the Two generally acknowledged,—Seven in all:)
THE LAST, APPLICABLE ONLY TO ANCIENT AMERICA.
That we may be distinctly understood in the numbering of the Sacred Prophecies byIsaiah, having reference to Tyrus, we will briefly review them: and at the same time we repeat, that they are not required to sustain the present History,—they are, however, the seals to the Document.
1st Prophecy.
This we understand to be the same as foretold byEzekielandJeremiah,—viz., the destruction of the oldmetropolis on themainlandby Nebuchadnezzar. This event was accomplished at the end of the thirteen years' siege, 485-472B. C.
2d Prophecy.
This was that the "Daughter of Sidon," as a Nation, should be forgottenseventy years, and then be restored to memory and power. This was fulfilled,—reckoning from the commencement of the Babylonian investment (for she then ceased to be free) to the Dedication of the Second Temple at Jerusalem, in the rebuilding of which the Tyrians again assisted, as in the days of Hiram and Solomon.
3d Prophecy.
The third (and with those that follow now originally applied) had reference to aseconddestruction,—the prediction stated that "the land should be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled." This fearful prediction was consummated by Alexander, in taking the Island-Capital, and by his massacre of the population.
4th Prophecy.
This enumerates the several classes of the inhabitants at Tyrus duringthe last siege, and that all (save the exception in the next Prophecy) should be slain or made captive, found within the walls, but the King,—he is the solitary exception, and that this was fulfilledis proved from classic history, and which we have endeavoured to illustrate in the previous chapter.
5th Prophecy.
This distinctly states that a "remnant" of the nation should be rescued from the Alexandrian destruction. The prediction is comprehended in the following words ofIsaiah:
"In the city is left desolation [i. e.massacre], and the gate is smitten with destruction [i. e.with the storming]. WhenTHUSit shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shallbe as the shaking of an olive-tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done."
These figures of speech from many proofs in Scripture (as previously given, Vol. i., Book ii., ch. v.), mean thata Remnant shall be saved. This was fulfilled,—through the instrumentality of the friendly Sidonians, as already shewn. This is, also, on the authority of acknowledged history,—though Arrian in merely alluding to the fact, has, of course, no reference to any fulfilment of Prophecy, of which it may be presumed that he was entirely ignorant as to its existence,—or if not, he had no belief in its sacred character; but neither of these points destroy the record of the fact of the Sidonians having rescued the "remnant" during the Siege.
6th Prophecy.
This foretels themeansof escape to be employed by the last of the Tyrians,—that it should be bynavigation, not by land;—this is gathered conclusively from the lines immediately following the preceding quotation, wherein the natural thanksgiving upon such an escape is also expressed:—
"They [the remnant] shall lift up their voices, they shall sing aloudfrom theSea!" (i. e.Mediterranean.)
The proof of the fulfilment of this Prophecy is the same as that employed to establish the previous one,—viz., the Sidonian Galleys.
The four predictions (3d, 4th, 5th, 6th) having reference to the Alexandrian Siege of Tyrus, distinctly foretels as follows: viz.—The storming of the capital—the massacre,—the safety of the King,—and of the King only within the walls. While these points were in action,—a remnant,—a nation's gleaning,—should be safely gathered,—that they should be rescued by the means of navigation,—that they should lift their voices in thanksgiving "from the sea,"—which as a mother, upon her bosom was to cherish them in safety! Now all these Prophecies, and their several parts, are proved by authenticated history to have been accomplished;—no sceptic, therefore, in regard to the startling character (perhaps boldness) of this History, can deny to the Author the right to claim and employ aseventhand a last Prophecy byIsaiah, to supportconclusions of Tyrian identity in the Western Hemisphere. This last prediction refers even to the character of the Voyage to be finally taken by the fugitive "remnant,"—the great distance of their flight,—and that when they had reached their destination they should sojourn there.
This conclusive Prophecy will be brought forward in its proper place. The Sidonians and rescued Tyrians now claim attention.
At the moment when the Capital was being desolated by flame and falchion, and when the walls and gates were "smitten with destruction," the Sidonian Galleys received on board the fugitive Families; and from the direct National act of friendship, it must appear apparent that those saved, Men, Women, and Children, were Tyrians only;—yet in the confusion, a few Greeks and Egyptians may have found shelter. This is possible in reference to individuals (but not to families); for Tyrus being in commercial intercourse with the Nile and the Archipelago, may have contained some few inhabitants of Egypt or Greece at the sacking of the City. Amid the noise attendant upon the entrance of the Macedonian Soldiery, and the screams of the affrighted populace, the Sidonian vessels, with their fearful freights escaped unobserved by the invaders; or, if they had been seen by the enemy, they would not have been pursued; for they were Sidonians,—not Tyrians,—that is in outward appearance, as manifested by the colours, or ensigns of their Galleys; and to avoid suspicion, their ships must have been few,—five or six,—sufficient,however, for the conveyance of "a Colony from the East."[15]
Thus escaped, and upon the broad and friendly "Sea," it will readily be imagined that Tyrian prayers and thanksgivings were "lifted up" in purity and sincerity. Upon leaving Tyrus, they rowed towards the open waters of the Mediterranean; but keeping in-shore, and for the approaching nightfall, their prows would be turned toward the West. The first sunset of their flight may have been crimsoned with the tints of Nature,—but towards the East, on the horizon of their once-loved home, arose the red clouds from furious conflagration,—their fallen and flaming dwellings quenched only in the flowing and heated streams of human blood!
As Night struggled for supremacy with expiring Day, the sky and waters were illumined from the raging fire, rising from the funeral pile of an once mighty, but now prostrate nation. The Tyrian "Queen of the Sea," now dressed in her last crimson robe (which like that of Hercules festered her to madness), from herIsland-throne cast her expiring looks upon the Mediterranean,—her faithful, yet conquered champion,—whose bright panoply reflected and increased the grandeur of the Monarch's fall—which, like a Star falling from the purple dome of Night, and its fiery train reflected on the Ocean, and both on the same instant, as in sympathy, expire: so the Sea-girt Queen's—and, like that Star, cast from the Pleiades of Nations—never to be found in her own, but inanotherSphere!
The last of the Tyrian Sons and Daughters, who, from the Sidonian decks now gazed, like wildered maniacs, upon the smouldering ruins of their home and country, and heard in the gathering stillness of the night, the accumulated groans of the Crucified victims, and could perceive in the rising moonlight (now emitting its full-orbed splendour) their naked and writhing bodies, which, reflected like images of ivory in the placid waters of the shore, seemed to double the horrors of the scene;—while some of the Crucified upon the high ruins of the City, had wrenched the nails and cords of their hands from their dire scaffolds, and were plunging headlong, grasping in air, and calling upon their gods to end their torture: yet, even with this maddening scene before them, they felt that the fates of those that had perished by the flame, sword, or Cross, were enviable when compared with theirlivingdesolation! In their moments of misery, they experienced in its full force, the baneful curse cast upon the Children through the Parent's pride and policy! Like Ishmael, Abram's first-born, their hands had been upliftedagainst every Nation; and in return, every hand was raised againstthem. They were now wanderers—not like Hagar,—of a wilderness, where by a Well of Life an Angel of Mercy might appear; but upon an approaching dark and stormy Sea; the harbours and fountains of humanity closed against them, and surrounded on every hand by the demons of despair or death! As they in their "palmy state" had rejoiced upon the Destruction of Jerusalem, sotheirNation's fall became the mirth and triumph to every country; and they, in their turn, reached their summit of grandeur, and from thence descended to desolation!
The Fugitives were now upon the Sea,—but no harbour could receive them: the pilots dare not return and land at Sidon, for the agents and officers of Alexander, and his own King were there, to protect the Treaty, and his interest: to land the Tyrians, therefore, at their parental home, would have involved that nation in a ruin similar, if not equal, to that of Tyrus, the horrors of which had struck a terror to the World! Some Historians of the ancient days have supposed that the Fugitives were taken to Sidon, because,they were nowhere to be found!—but those writers,—and Raleigh within the walls of the Tower,—may be well excused, for they knew not of Temple-ruins, and walls of equal magnitude, being in existence in another Hemisphere.
The next, and only apparent City of refuge was self-protecting Carthage: but the Senate of that Republic had refused to aid the Tyrians even in their day of strength; and Alexander's march upon Jerusalem toresent a supposed offence of the Jews, in rendering assistance to Tyrus, would be another reason, conjoined with the sending of Rhodanus, why Carthage would not receive them. The Tyrians, however, may have been furnished, indirectly, with supplies for a voyage at Carthage,—bought by the Sidonians, the owners of the Galleys; and in this instance no offence could be entertained by the agents of the Macedonian, who were watching his interests in the Republic.
In this terrible dilemma, there was but one Oasis in the watery Desert, and that was the Tyrian's by right of original discovery;this was the group of Islands first landed upon by their Ancestors, in their circumnavigation of the Continent of Africa; and which are designated byJeremiah, as "the Isles which arebeyondthe Sea." To these truly "Fortunate Islands" it was but natural that the Last of the Tyrians would turn their thoughts. Since the Alexandrian Deluge which had overwhelmed their country, in the Sidonian Arks they had floated above the dangers of the flood; but, like the ravens of the Deluge, they had wandered to and fro, hopeless of return: yet their dove of peace, which at first could find "no rest for the sole of her foot," now brought to their "mental sight" an olive-leaf from their Island-Ararat "beyond the Sea!"
With heavy hearts, it may be supposed, that they bade farewell for ever to the Mediterranean. Passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, and coasting along the western shores of Africa, the snow-crowned Peak of the chief Island would rise from the Ocean, like aPharos to illumine and proclaim their path of present safety. The peculiar circumstances causing these lands to be revisited by the Tyrians, would (as before hinted) seem to point directly to the reason of their original and ancient appellation,—viz., TheFortunateIsles (Fortunatæ Insulæ). The name, from its very definition, indicates a place of refuge from foe or wreck, and is, therefore, directly applicable to the Fugitives. Upon thechiefof the Islands, known in modern times as Teneriffe, the Tyrians and Sidonians first landed. We establish this apparent fact, upon the ground that the principal burying-place was here, as proved by the Mummies discovered in the caverns of the Peak, as stated in the Analogies, and the same species being found in Peru. They form a distinct and absolute chain across the Atlantic, uniting the Fortunate Isles with the Western Hemisphere! [Vol. i., Book i., ch. vii., § 4.] The other Islands of the group were inhabited at a later day, and without doubt by the Sido-Tyrian descendants, who became a People known as the Guanches,i. e.Freemen; the name itself (as before stated) points to an escape from Slavery.
After the Tyrians had landed on the Fortunate Isle, the events of the past would soon compel them to give full consideration to the probabilities, and even possibilities of the future. These causes of the hopes and fears of the human family, may have produced the effects of assurance and conviction in their distracted minds, that their escape was known,—the pathway of their retreat had been tracked,—and that the remorselessbloodhound of Macedonia would still pursue them, not only for their lives, but for the lands that had received them. Again:—their new home might be discovered by some of the citizens of Sidon, following in search of their absent countrymen: or if the Sidonians on the Fortunate Isle should return to the Mediterranean, discovery might be conveyed in that manner; and that they would return was apparent, for they had left their families at Sidon. Every point of conclusion would force upon them the necessity of further retreat from still surrounding dangers: and that their next home as a Nation must be founded upon the "gleanings" of their own country, unconnected with the noble Sidonians, except by a companionship. The only means for further retreat were in possession of their present friends,—viz., The Galleys. The Island which they now inhabited, and those surrounding them, belonged to the Tyrians,—a free gift of which by the owners, in exchange for the Galleys of the Sidonians (save one for their own return to Sidon), would naturally occur to the parties, under the peculiar circumstances in which they were now relatively placed. It will readily be admitted that the Sidonians, having hazarded their lives, and even the destruction of their country, in "gleaning" from the carnage at Tyrus, the "remnant" of the People, that they would not hesitate to grant them the means of perfect safety. The Galleys, therefore, may have become the Tyrian property by gift, purchase, or in exchange for the Islands,—and perhaps, the National secret of the Tyrian Dye: either of thepropositions, without the employment of "force," must appear probable, and especially the two latter. We gather the suggestion of the Secret of the "Dye" being one of the "objects" in the "negotiation" from the fact that theShellis in the hands of the Negotiators, represented upon the Altar at Copan,—the City we have placed as having been the first built in Ancient America,—the Sculpture of which identically illustrates this act of Amity!
The Tyrian possession of the vessels being accomplished, it would be natural that the Sidonians would return to their homes, before the departure of the rescued, 1st, From the natural desire to return to their own families; 2dly, To prevent the enemy's suspicion from delay; and 3dly, They would be enabled, thereby, to again serve the Tyrians, by throwing any pursuers off the true track; and to these points may be added, the National Secretiveness of the "Daughter of Sidon," who might wish to conceal her retreat even from her protecting Parent. Whether the Sidonians left first or not, or whether the parties left simultaneously, is of no materiality towards the firm establishing of the truth of this History: but, the apparent facts of the case would force the conclusion, that if they did not lower oars simultaneously, they would leave the Tyrians in possession of the Isles, which they (the Sidonians) would return to at an early period to occupy; and that they did, the ancient sepulchres, and their contents, bear ample testimony, for the Religious customs of Sidonians and Tyrians were identical.
The Sidonians had now placed the last seal upon their bond of friendship. It was deeply impressed upon the mind of the receiver, and could never be forgotten, or razed from the tablet of Tyrian memory! It was truly a subject for the Sculptor's art to perpetuate, not only upon their Temples, but upon the "Chief Altar" in whatever land or country their future fate should cast them. And such we believe to be the subject of the Sculpture upon the Chief Altar of Copan in Ancient America, erected by Gratitude as a Religious Tribute to Friendship; that whenever they should bow in reverence to their visible God, they should remember the parental act, which alone had enabled them to offer praises to their Deity! The Sidonians in their departure for their home upon the Mediterranean, must have received the united blessings of a People, who through their means only, had been rescued from desolation or death, and in the terrible forms of Conflagration or Crucifixion.
The Last of the Tyrian Nation, the remnant of an once powerful People, were about to trust themselves again upon that element which had ever befriended them,—and upon which they had ever moved as the Lords of the domain: but, they had now no merry metropolis to receive them,—no walled citadel whose antiquity would speak to them of "ancient days:" recollections of the past were terrible,—the anticipations of the future were dark and uncertain,—and in the present time only could they view security. To return to any known part of Asia, Africa, or Europe,was impossible,—their only path from the Fortunate Isle was forth upon an untracked Ocean. Their final landing-place might be afar off,—their sojourn for ever;—but Apollo and Astartē, their imaged orbs of Day and Night, were to be the "lanterns to their feet,"—and their skilful knowledge, would shelter them beneath the gorgeous, and star-gemmed mantle of Astronomy!
The reader now may naturally inquire, How does this position and resolution of the Tyrians agree with "aseventhand last Prophecy," alluded to in the commencement of this Chapter as being now newly applied?—and what is that Prophecy byIsaiah?
The answers will be given with firmness, from the conscientious conviction of their truth. Those natural points of debate in the minds of the Tyrians, were the preliminaries to the fulfilment,—and their safe landing and sojourn in the Western Hemisphere, were the actual accomplishment of the Prophecy!
The prediction may have been unknown to this remnant of a Nation,—for it was uttered to the Jewish people, and by one of that great family,—Isaiah,—and nearly 400 years previous to the Alexandrian Siege. The Sacred Prophet distinctly says, [xxiii. 7]—
"Howl, ye inhabitants of the Isle![Tyrus]Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days?"
This sentence by its question is spoken astothe Tyrians;—but the line immediately following, was uttered asofthem, and from the wording, from the very spirit of a pre-knowledge of a future event!—viz.,
"Her own feet shall carry her[Tyrus]afar off to sojourn!"
This Prophetic line (brief as it is) contains four distinct and important parts, yet each as necessary to the whole, as quadruple angles to the perfection of a square: viz.—
"Her own feet | shall carry her | afar off | to sojourn."
1st. "Her own feet,"—is figurative that the means should be Tyrian; viz., Navigation.
2d. "Shall carry her,"i. e.shall convey them,—and that it was to be by Navigation has already been proved,—"they shall cry aloud fromthe Sea"—that is also demonstrated by the Galleys of the Sidonians.
3d. "Afar off"—figurative that the migration should be to some unusual distance, or nameless land.
4th. "To sojourn,"i. e.to reside or remain,—and as no time or duration is affixed to the words, they would seem to express in the language of the Bible—"to sojourn for evermore," or to a time wherein total annihilation should be accomplished,—as it has been by the Spaniards and their descendants.
We will meet at the threshold any objections to the strong and conclusive application to this History, of this remarkable, and hitherto unemployed line of Prophecy.
1st. It cannot belong to thefirstSiege of Tyrus,—viz., by Nebuchadnezzar,—for after that event, the remnant of the then Conquered People left the mainlandMetropolis, andsettled on the Island,—a distance ofless than half a mile; therefore, "afar off to sojourn" could not apply to that invasion.
2dly. Being admitted that the line does not apply to the Babylonian destruction, then as a necessity, it must belong to that by the Macedonian Monarch. The Sidonians upon that occasion rescued the remnant of the Nation, and to have returned to Sidon would also not be "afar off," as the distance from Tyrus is buttwenty-three miles. We apprehend, also, that the reader is convinced that the political reasons for not returning to Sidon are apparent and conclusive.
3dly. The Tyrians, simply by obtaining the Galleys from the friendly Sidonians, had as it were their "own feet,"i. e.navigable means to carry them,—for Tyrus itself hadstood, orwalkedfirmly for centuries, only through and by means of Navigation.
And 4thly. They were not only to journey or migrate to "afar off" distance,—a land as yet notknown by name, and therefore,could notbe specified byIsaiah;—but another condition, or incident is affixed,—viz., that wherever they finally landed, there they were "to sojourn." Now let the most scrutinizing, Argus-eyed antiquary, search every quarter of Europe, Asia, or Africa,—their ancient or their modern histories, or traditions (and we know them well), and where will he find these "afar off" sojourners, contemplated by the ProphetIsaiah? The conclusive answer to such inquiry will be, as from the Tomb of Time, "Thoushalt not find them;"—but, in Ancient America, there they are traceable,—there they are found;—proved to be identical with the Tyrians of Phœnicia,—and the truth of the long-concealed Prophecy, established by Holy-Writ and new-discovered History.
"Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn," is a sentence too positive in its construction to be viewed by any reader as an idle or a careless expression byIsaiah. The solemn occasion upon which it was uttered,—viz., the prediction of a Nation's downfall,—utterly repudiates even the supposition that it, as part of the great Prophecy, should not be strictly fulfilled with the residue; and every other part having been accomplished, it would be sophistry to assume that this particular line should not be:—but such an assumption would not hold, since its fulfilment is absolutely proved in the Southern portion of Ancient America.
THE FIRST MIGRATION ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN,ANDTHE LANDING OF THE TYRIANSUPONTHE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.&c.NOW 2175 YEARS SINCE, AND CONSEQUENTLY 1824 YEARS BEFORETHE RE-DISCOVERY BY COLUMBUS.
———
THE FULFILMENT OF THE SEVENTH AND LAST TYRIANPROPHECY, BY ISAIAH.
"THE MEANS AND APPLIANCES" FOR THE VOYAGE.
In the endeavour to establish the fact contemplated by the title of this chapter, it will be necessary to bring to the memory of the reader some of the material points having reference to the Voyage around the continent of Africa. [Vol. i., Book ii., ch. vi., § 2.] Otherpoints of proof will be given, and for convenience in numerical order.
1st.The Galleys.The larger Galleys were double-masted, and they had not only the large square sails which were exactly suited for running before the wind, from their central and balanced position; but they had also the powerful adjunct of the Rowers, whose services were rendered with or without reference to the assistance of the sails. The extraordinary power of the Rowers is recorded by nearly every ancient Historian, and from Scripture we have the character of their strength and fearlessness, especially of the Tyrians.Ezekielwrites in his description of Tyrus,—
"And thy Rowers have brought thee into great waters."
The fitness or the capacity of the Galleys will not be questioned, when thought is given to the previous expedition around Africa, and especially at the doubling of the Cape of Good Hope, which is far more dangerous than crossing the Atlantic.
2d.The locality of the Fortunate Isles(i. e.Canaries). This is important. These are situated on the North-West coast of Africa, in the Atlantic ocean, andwithinthirty degrees of North latitude, and, consequently, directly under the influence of the celebrated Easterly Wind.
3d.The East-Wind, and its proof of the truth of History.The reader will remember the detailed account given of this constant current of air, in the sixthchapter of this book. [Vol. i., Book ii., ch. vi., § 2.] We may, however, be permitted to repeat, that it blows perpetually from EasttoWest, consequently over and from the Fortunate Islesdirectly towards America,—those Islands being within the degrees over which this orient gale has, and will for ever pass.
The direct opposite land to these Islands, on the American Continent, is Florida, it being, like the Isles, within the thirty degrees North latitude. Now any vessel or Galley to set sail before the wind from Teneriffe (the Isle upon which the Tyrians were), and place the rudder or helm fore and aft (i. e.not obliquely, but central), then the East-Wind would drive that vesseldirectly on to Florida. This fact is not more certain (as the map will prove) than the historical tradition of the Mexican Aborigines is extraordinary in reference to this fact, and to the original Theory forming the basis of this volume.
We stated in the Analogies, and it is now repeated with peculiar force and interest, that the Spanish Historian, Sahagan, who lived on friendly terms with the Aborigines for sixty years, and wrote only fifteen years after the Cortezian Conquest (1520), relates, that on the authority of Montezuma the Emperor, and his People, and the tradition from the remotest times,—handed down from sire to son,—and also from their historical paintings,—that their ancestors, as a colony,first touched at Florida!—that they crossed or coasted the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan, and then finallylanded and settledsomewhere in the Bay of Honduras! Now theCopanriver is a branch of the Montagua, which empties itself into the Bay of Honduras!
The reader will not be more startled at the above historic facts than was the present author at their discovery; for he had already formed in his mind (sanctioned by Prophecy) the Tyrian Æra of this Historybeforehis research brought to light this direct evidence from Sahagan,—whose accuracy of relation is, in this instance, on a level with Herodotus,—for both accounts are proved to be true by that powerful and incorruptible witness—Nature! The shadow of the Tyrians as a necessity changed from left to right in crossing the Equatorial line of the Indian Ocean;—and the East-Wind would compel the Galleys in coming from "the East," and upon sailing due West from Teneriffe, to "touch at Florida." The statement of Sahagan is the more valuable from the fact that it was not given to establish or forward any historic Theory, but like the words of Herodotus given only as a truth,—related by those of whom he was writing. "Somewhere in the bay of Honduras" brings the final place of landing (as stated) near the locality of Copan. We had already, from analyzing the ruins and altar, placed that city in our plan as being thefirstbuilt in Ancient America. It was an additional source of confirmation to our artistical judgment in regard to the arrangement of the architectural data of the Ruins, when the tradition of the Aborigines, as given by Sahagan, was, that theirancestors finally landed "in the Bay of Honduras," and consequently on passing up the Montagua, the Tyrians would approach to the direct locality of Copan!
Taking the statement of the Spaniard, therefore, to be a fact (sustained as it is by nature) in relation to the placefirstlanded on or "touched" by the Aborigines,—viz., Florida,—another strange incident is arrived at,—viz., that Columbus must have followed nearly the identical track of the Tyrians,—for the same East-Wind propelled his vessels, and himself and crew expressed their wonder and astonishment at its continuance; and it is an authenticated fact that he first lauded at St. Salvador (i. e.Cat Island). Now the Fortunate Isles, St. Salvador, and the first point "touched at Florida," are all within thirty degrees North latitude, and nearly on an exact line with each other,—St. Salvador and Florida Point are directly so, and only about 100 leagues from each other. The Tyrians, therefore, passed by this Island and landed on the Continent,—Columbus landed on the Island, and reached the Continent in his third voyage.
4th.The collective means for the Migration.Under this head may be included the "appliances" of both Art and Nature. Their Galleys were of sufficient strength and capacity,—their provisions ample,—derived from Carthage, the Sidonians, and the fruitful Isle of Teneriffe: their skill and courage as Pilots, Mariners, and Rowers unequalled,—the season of the year propitious, and a constantly favourable windand flowing sea (although to them unknown as such) of sufficient power to drive them quickly westward, and compel them to reach the "afar off" land "to sojourn."
5th.The probable time and duration of the Voyage.The remnant of the Tyrian Nation, through the instrumentality of the Sons of Sidon, escaped from their naming Capital, August 20th [332B. C.], and in allowing for time in reaching the Fortunate Isles, and preparing for their departure thence, it will, we think, be acceded that by October of the same year, and the equinoctial gales of the autumn having then passed, opened to them "fair weather ahead,"—they were then prepared to seek another home, however distant. The strong Galleys, with sails and oars, and always before the constant East-Wind and onward wave-current, would accomplish ten miles an hour by day, and during the night, without the Rowers, six miles an hour, and equally dividing the twenty-four hours, would make a run of 192 miles per day. Nautical proofs will shew that in the above calculation the power of the Trade-Winds [i. e.the East-Winds] areunderrated. The distance from Teneriffe to Florida is about 3300 miles, which by the foregone data they would traverse in seventeen and a quarter days. The Voyage may therefore with safety be said to have been accomplished during an entire month, and that, consequently the first landing of a branch of the human family in Ancient America would be in the last month ofAutumn, three hundred and thirty-two years before the Christian Æra.
And 6th.The Fugitive Founders of(what we think may now be justly termed)Tyrian-America,i. e.the Southern moiety of the Continent.
The Female portion of the Fugitives were in all probability (from the peculiar character of the rescue) the Wives, Sisters, and Daughters, of the Tyrian Husbands, Brothers, and Fathers, who escaped with them,—thus forming a "colony,"—and if there were among them any Strangers or Orphans from the general carnage, protection would naturally be given, as to companions and children of misery and misfortune.
The Fugitives being Tyrians, and of the great Sidonian family, which, in the language of Homer, comprehended every thing that was ingenious and accomplished, to the exclusion of their opposites, puts us at once in possession of the distinctintellectualcharacter of those about to seek another land; and where, after 2000 years have passed, Time removes his veil of mystery, and discovers the truth of the Homeric tribute,—while over their Asiatic home of a more ancient day, Oblivion with her Lethean flood, has swept even their epitaph and their tomb away!
As to the number of the Tyrian Fugitives (more or less), it is immaterial to the proof, or denial, of the truth of this historical work,—for nothing is so deceptive, and yet so certain, as the numerical demonstration in regard to population, and of the human beingsthat have lived. For instance,—the reader will scarcely believe, that in tracing back his own family onlytwenty-fivegenerations, there were then livingat that time, sixty-seven millions, one hundred and eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-four of his Ancestors,—and that there had lived,during, andatthat time, one hundred millions, six hundred and sixty-three thousand, three hundred and ninety-six! These apparent incredible results are instantly proved upon the following data of facts and argument; viz., each child must have two parents, each parent had two,—and so onad infinitum,—the result is, therefore, obtained by simply multiplying by two, from each of the first Father and Mother, and then add them together, and each sum total will represent a generation,—the 25th will give the first result,—viz., 67,108,864;—to ascertainallthat have livedduring, and at that period,—the several sums total must be added together, which will prove the second result,—viz., 100,663,396. Therefore,—by the data of this last calculation the 30th generation only, in the ancestral line, has the following result,—3,221,228,672!—(and this but ofoneperson) four times as much as the present population of the Globe, which is estimated at 800,000,000. The great earthly Monarch, Death, has indeed an empire of his own!
The metaphysical, or anti-Biblical reader will find in the above results, a high theme for speculative reasoning:—but in tracing back to the Parents of Eden, or to the Diluvian Æra, in order tosustain, and notdeny, the truth of the Bible, he must remember that,—but, no,—we will not anticipate our own secret for unravelling the above sphinx-like conclusions.
In the next Volume, devoted to the Israel Æra, the subject will be investigated with that due consideration, which every proposition demands; having an apparent tendency to question the truth and authority of Scripture.
THE MEANS EMPLOYED TO CONCEAL THEIR DISCOVERY FROM THE ASIATICS AND EUROPEANS—THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST ALTAR, &c.—THE PROPHECIES.
THE MEANS EMPLOYED TO CONCEAL THEIR DISCOVERY FROM THE ASIATICS AND EUROPEANS—THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST ALTAR, &c.—THE PROPHECIES.
We wish distinctly to be understood that we do not state, or even infer, that in the intended voyage, the Tyrians had any positive pre-knowledge of the existence of a Western Continent,—but this we do believe, that from their knowledge of Astronomy, they may have had the supposition that such might be the case, from the then known globular character of the Earth: and in their desperate situation they must have felt the sentiment of the African Prince, who to his favourite, in reflecting upon the deaths that threatened them, exclaimed in consolation, "Whatever world we are next thrown upon, it cannot beworsethan this!" With the same feeling, in the second month of autumn, following the last summer of their Country's fate, they gathered all on board, lowered sail, and dipped theiroars; they paused only, to cast their straining gaze upon the horizoned Sons of Sidon, now about to be lost for ever from their sight; for the solitary and home-bound bark, with clued-up sail, and propelled by oar alone, (for the Eastern wind would oppose their return,) seemed but a darkened speck upon the distant circle of the Sea. The same wind opposed to the Sidonian's return, now filled the Tyrian sails, and bore their Galleys from that Isle,—an emblem of human life,—where the tints of Spring, Summer, and Autumn ever reign,—and Winter, with his snow-crowned Peak rises above them all! Being borne on Westward by the constant current of Wind and Wave,—and without an effort of their own,—and ignorant of the cause (they experienced only the effects), and yet their speed perceptible from the gradual sinking of the Island-base, they must have felt the same sentiment as subsequently Columbus did, and upon the identicalvia acqua,—that, the Great Guardian of a good cause, must have issued His mandate for their especial advancement and protection!
Upon leaving the Island of the Seasons, the Tyrian Pilots would naturally obey the direction of the friendly breeze, and head their Galleys in accordance with it; and this would be the more pleasing, as in their minds it would appear ominous of their future safety,—for it would direct them daily towards the Setting-Sun,—the visible God of their Religion—and, therefore, as a consequence, in the direct track for the Western Hemisphere.
The Ocean-Titan of the Silver Crown,—Teneriffe,—gradually falling beneath the horizon of the East, would suggest to the "wise men" of the Galleys, to note his bearing with the Stars of Night,—that the astral chart might guide them for a return voyage, should their expedition be prolonged beyond their means of sustenance: for amid all the desolation, misery, and ruin of their country, in which the savage Conqueror revelled during his slaughter-banquet, although he triumphed over the dead, he could not destroy the visionary minds of the living—their knowledge of Astronomy made each rescued Tyrian a Prophet of the deep!God'shandwriting on the wall of Heaven (where the dazzling Stars are His letters) was read correctly by these Ocean-Daniels of Tyrus. That nation was indeed like ancient Babylon, numbered and finished; weighed in the balances and found wanting, and the kingdom divided and given to the Conqueror; for her fate was sealed, and by the Macedonian Signet, whose owner solved the Gordian problem by the Sword alone!
"MENE MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN"
appeared not only to the chief Son of Babylon;—the "Daughter of Sidon" had it branded on her brow; and in vain she wandered through her streets, striking with trembling fingers the loosened chords of her once-loved harp, to remind the passer-by of her former beauties; the diapason of her heart could never more awake an echo,—forGodhad spoken to the Sea Queen—"I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound ofthy harps shall be no more heard!"—but, the Chaldean language of the Skies was not learnt by her Daniels in vain: it had taught them in a former age, to guide their bold prows from Pharaoh's fatal Sea; and coasting around all Afric's burning land, enabled them to pass the Herculean boundary Pillars, and so homeward to the Nile and Tyrus, which after two score Moons received them: and now, when the remorseless Conqueror—not Science—drove their descendants forth upon "great waters" where "theEast-Windcould have broken them in the midst of the Seas,"—that constant gale from the Orient point, created with Time, and will only cease with his decay,—that earth-circling and never-varying gale from East to West,—as if toCOMPELDiscovery of the other Hemisphere, and thence praise the works ofGod!—that onward breeze, which alone wafted the bold Genoese and turned the reported vision to reality;—when the Tyrian Sons were again upon these Seas, but now before that Orient gale;—still the star-tracery on the azure wall of the eternal Dome, and their Apollo daily sinking on his Western couch, and with his last glance, beckoning them, as it were, still to follow on his path,—this knowledge and their Religious adoration, directed them in safety to that Virgin land where the glorious Sun from Creation's dawn, had never beamed upon a human foot-print, until their own had kissed the untouched Floridian Shore! There Flora and her attendant Nymphs in all their peerless beauty, and Nature's own attire, were grouped on every hill; from their coloured lips smilingWelcome breathed forth, her ceaseless incense from every mound and valley, which waft on Zephyr's wings enrapt with health and gladness the approaching Sons and Daughters of a distant Sea, whose wild songs of praise to gorgeous Apollo were borne by their Orient and faithful envoy to the wave-clad Shore:—Echo caught the subduing chorus of the heart, and bore it to her favourite haunts in mountain or in cave,—the human voice now first heard, aroused the reposing animals from glade and glen;—the feathery tribes in all their rainbow tinted plumage, arose high in air,—played their circles, and rested—music breathing—on "the fruit tree-tops," as in the Day of Innocence, to receive their names from the Adams and the Eves, of a new-found Eden in another Hemisphere!
There arrived in joyous gladness, and welcomed by all the gifts of Nature,—like an heir to sudden fortune uncertain where to rest,—the Tyrian left the Shore of Florida and coasted the Gulf of Mexico, and so around the peninsular of Yucatan and into the Bay of Honduras; they thence ascended a River of shelter and safety, and above the rapids of which they selected the site of their first City,—now occupied by the Ruins, Altars, Idols, and Walls of Copan!
After their first sacrifice to Apollo, they would naturally erect a Chief Altar, around which the Tyrian Pilgrims who had come from "afar off to sojourn," might gather in remembrance of the vital act from Sidonian friendship.
As we firmly believe, so we repeat that belief,—thatthe sculpture of the Chief Altar of Copan (as seen at this day) portrays, from the hands of National Gratitude, a Religious tribute to Sidon, who, amid the desolating hurricane, had safely gathered the human "gleanings" from the last field of their ill-fated country; who had lifted up her prostrate "Daughter," and given her renewed strength and power, whereby—
"Her own feetcouldcarry her afar off to Sojourn."
Another Altar (sacred to Apollo) would be erected to that Heavenly Science, the knowledge of which had aided them over their watery track in safety and to freedom. Their children would fail not to cherish the altar-fire of Astronomy; the flame of which has, to the human eye, not only illuminated the Earth, but unfolded the Mechanism of the Heavens! It became the ever-burning lantern totheirfeet, until they could trace in Sculpture the annual glory of that refulgent Orb, which, in their Father-land, had been for a century of ages, the divine emblem of their Religion and their God![16]
In preserving the secret of their discovery (their ancient precept) there was one incident only to be dreaded, and that was the possibility, at a future day, of a portion of the colony becoming disaffected, and thereupon resolving to return to the Fortunate Isles, and so betray them. There was but one way to prevent this, and that was,by the destruction of their Galleys,—andadded to this, the passing of a law, that no others should be built, and for the same reason. If this did take place (as we believe it did) the cause is instantly apparent, why their new-found Continent was for so many centuries unknown to Asiatics or Europeans; and it should be remembered, that the East-Wind, which, like a friend, had wafted them to that Continent, would oppose, as an enemy, any return from whence they came.
Another cause may have led them to destroy their vessels,—viz., a Religious offering to Apollo,—and consequentlyfirewould be the instrument of sacrifice. It would be their first thought, upon a final landing, to present to their deity the most precious offering in their possession; and what had they so inestimable in value as the very means whereby their lives had been rescued?—and having made that sacrifice to Apollo, fanatical zeal may have led them to abhor the future use of means, which, as a grateful offering, had been given to their deity. Thence may be traced the gradual loss of Nautical practice, on an enlarged scale; and the great Continent now possessed by them, would also diminish by degrees the uses of Navigation.
The destruction of a fleet to prevent the return of followers, was actually practised by Cortez, the conqueror of the descendants of these Tyrians, and in the Gulf of Mexico. He may have received from tradition in the country, that such an act had been accomplished by their Aboriginal ancestors: and when he repeated the device, and for a similar purpose, he would, for thesake of his own fame, conceal the secret of his intelligence, and thereby increase his character for dauntless resolution. The Tyrians may have obtained their idea from the act of Alexander of Macedon, who, onlyTHREEyearsanterior to their landing in Ancient America, dismissed his Fleet before the great battle with the Persians at Issus,—that his troops should have no nautical means of returning.
We conclude this Chapter with the following solemn belief, founded upon years of study and reflection: viz.—As truly as a man in Europe or North America, when he gazes upon the Sun's rising, will have his shadow fall from hisleftside,—or if in Southern Africa or South America, and in so looking at the orb of day, that his shadow must fall from hisrightside; so truly do we believe—(and with humility we write, and in hope of Divine pardon, if in error)—that the five additional Prophecies byIsaiahhave been justly (though newly) applied by us to the fate of the Daughter of Sidon; and especially the final one to the Last of the Tyrians, rescued by the Sidonians at the Alexandrian Siege;—and that the entire Fulfilment of the great Prophecy was accomplished by their landing and remaining on the Western Hemisphere.
"Her own feetshallcarry her afar off to sojourn!" And that that event took place three hundred and thirty-two years before the Birth of thatSaviour,—whose Advent was especially foretold by the same Prophet!
REVIEW OF THE TYRIAN ÆRA; OR, THE FIRST EPOCHIN THE PRESENTORIGINAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT AMERICA,ANDTHE EVIDENCES TO SUSTAIN IT.
In summing up a case to the Jury, it is generally understood that both Plaintiff and Defendant have been heard,—and especially that the witnesses have been cross-examined: in assuming, therefore, our present position in regard to the summary of evidence, we have endeavoured throughout this historic cause, not only to be Plaintiff for the History, but have also in many places been Defendant and cross-examined our own points and witnesses, and even ourselves, in order to anticipate and answer demurrers or objections. Whether any apparent objections yet remain, and if so, whether they have been sufficiently overruled by the arguments, is for the Jury (i. e.the Public) to decide; and whether the verdict be in the affirmative for the Plaintiff—or in the negative,—we shall receivethe announcement from the Foreman (i. e.the Press) with perfect acquiescence in his judgment; and while our blood and nature will not permit a cringing of the knee for favour or for flattery,—yet we ask, and expect, from that intellectual Foreman (whose voice is now potential with the Jury) that liberal Justice which he knows so well how to dispense: and especially in a novel case, comprehending so enlarged a field of original argument, reasoning, and resources as the present one.
To establish that the Aborigines of South and Central (i. e.Mexican) America, were from the Last of the Tyrian family in Asia, the following arguments and evidences have been produced: viz.—The separation of the Aborigines of the Western Hemisphere into two distinct races, or people;—and that division justified by absolute contrasts in their moral and physical condition and manners,—in their political and Religious customs and observances;—and in addition to these powerful contrasts, is the fact,—thatNorthAmerica possessesno Architectural stone ruins,—while in the Mexican portion of the Continent, many Cities and Temples have been found.
The great and injurious error of naming the Aborigines—"Indians"—was pointed out,—as well as the Author, and the cause of the misnomer, and its effects. The title of the first Epoch was then given, and the arrangement of the several propositions for establishing its truth.
An elaborate argument was next founded upon the important and interesting question,—"Are the Fine-Artsof sufficient authority, to be received in evidence, for establishing historical records or events?" Having produced an answercon amore,—and especially illustrated the answer, by the resuscitation of the Ruins of Rome, we proceeded in the belief that the argument was conclusive and in the affirmative.
The fact was then established of the discovery of the ancient Ruins in Southern or Central America,—viz., at Mitla, Cholula, Uxmal, Palenque, Quirigua, Ocosingo, Tecpan-Guatimala, Gueguetinango, Quichē, Copan, Chi-chen, Zayi, Kabah, Espita, Ticol, and Labnah,—and these severally upon the high authority of the justly renowned Humboldt,—the Spanish Commissioners Del Rio and Waldeck,—Dupaix and Galindo,—and last, not least, the enterprising American Traveller, Stephens,—and his artist-associate, Catherwood:—and to which list may now be added the name of Norman. Stephens has investigated other Ruins in Yucatan, but they are precisely analogous to that of Uxmal. Reference was then made to the Mexican Paintings preserved in the Vatican, Bologna, and Madrid, and republished in the folio Volumes by Lord Kingsborough.
Extracts followed from the descriptions of the Ruins of Copan, Palenque, and Uxmal, with such commentaries as were required, for illustration of the Architecture and Sculpture, or for detecting errors.
A Critical analysis was then presented of the conclusions arrived at by Stephens, in reference to the Architecture, and of the Nations rejected by him asthe builders. His errors were shewn by his own contradictions; and the basis of his argument being founded upon those errors, the conclusions, as a necessity, fell to the ground; for it was shewn that the only Nation or People that could claim to be the Architects, and having means to reach the Continent, were not so much as mentioned by him, and consequently not investigated. If he had done so, it would instantly have interfered with a favourite conclusion, which he was determined to arrive at; if not by artistical and scientific reasoning, at least by one of the noblesttraitsin the human character,—viz., Love of Country. This was so pardonable in a book merely of "Incidents of Travel," that while it could not deprive honest criticism of exposing the sophistry, it at once, from pure sympathy in the sentiment, withheld the shaft of condemnation.
We then proceeded to prove, upon the direct rules of Art, that the pyramidal ruins forming bases for receiving—and with the peculiar superstructures on them, that they were only traceable as Egypto-Tyrian Architecture—that the Sculpture aided this conclusion, and finally established the Nation to be Tyrian, from recording the celebrated worship of Saturn,—the victim-craving Moloch of Canaan's descendants.
A no less strong than interesting proof, we submit, was brought to the consideration of the reader, in the general identity between Solomon's Temple of Jerusalem,built by Tyrians, and the Temples of Palenque and Copan.
A convincing catalogue of Analogies was then produced, establishing direct identity between the ancient Tyrians and Mexicans; even as to the manner of disposing of the dead, as illustrated in the discovered Mummies of the two Nations: to which proofs were added the historical traditions of the Aborigines as to where they came from,—viz., "the East:"—the place where they first landed,—viz., "first touched at Florida," &c.; and the period of their arrival,—viz., "before the Christian Æra." Mr. Stephens'ssecondvisit to Yucatan was alluded to, and it was shewn that the additional discoveries did not only not oppose this History, but on the contrary actually supported it. In support of their own assertions of having reached the Continent by means of Navigation, it was then stated, upon the authority of the Spanish historian, Sahagun, that they produced to Cortez, Maps and Charts of the Bay of Honduras; and so accurate were they from ancient times, that the Spanish Conqueror was saved from wreck, during a perilous voyage in those Seas, by following their direction.
The remains of an ancient Galley were mentioned as having been found, deeply imbedded in the sands of the eastern, or Atlantic shore, of South America; and this was given upon good authority.
These facts, analogies, and traditions, naturally turned the mind to a Nation, having the "means and appliances" to reach the Western Hemisphere at so early a period as that contemplated by the antiquity of theRuins,—or the ancient days in which the traditions originated; and having already established the builders, from the Architecture and Analogies, to be Tyrian, it was with singular pleasure when we found that the Nautical investigation enabled—it compelled us—to arrive at the same conclusion.
Tyrus, therefore, being as it were the Founder of Ancient America, called for her antecedent history:—commencing with a review of the Phœnician nations generally, we proceeded to give the history of the chief events of Tyrus,—analyzing the romance and spirit of the Tyrian People; unfolding her ill-directed commercial policy and monopoly—tracing her rise and fall to theircauses, and thus removed the wonder created by contemplating the terrible but certaineffects. This we humbly consider is the only true philosophy of History. As we dwelt upon the reign of Hiram the Great with that pleasure arising from delineating the blessings of Peace and the progress of the Arts; so were we elaborate in our description of the Siege and Fall of Tyrus, through the invasion by Alexander of Macedon,—that the horrors and curses of War, and the destruction of civilization, should be the more forcibly estimated by contrast; that Invaders or Conquerors should receive the scorn and curse they deserve, and Patriots and Peace-Makers the praise and blessings they merit, and must receive fromGodand Man! Our history of the Tyrian Nation is indeed but a picture of the past; yet we shall dare hope that it contains nouseless record, but that in each event delineated, may be seen the secret lesson for the present and the future!
In Chapter VI. (Vol. i., Book ii.) was investigated, the first circumnavigation of the African Continent by the Tyrians, and we respectfully submit, that it was established to have been accomplished, and that the Fortunate Isles were discovered during that voyage. The "means" possessed at that time for such an exposition, or any other, were detailed; as also, especially, the causes, effects, and locality of the East-Wind of Scriptural language, and its influences in propelling or opposing vessels to, or from, the Western Continent.
Having identified the builders of the ancient Cities (from the Architecture, Analogies, and Traditions) to have been Tyrians, it followed as a necessity for the commencement of the History of Ancient America that we must establish the year in which those Tyrians landed,—still having regard to the antiquity of the Ruins. That the migration to the Western Hemisphere wasnotundertaken by theNationof Tyrus in its days ofprosperitywas, and is, conclusively established by the fact that the voyagers never returned to announce the accomplishment of the expedition, as they would have done had they been sent by the King or Nation, as in the case of the Voyage around Africa. If it had been a National expedition, and they had under that authority discovered the Western Continent, they must have returned to Tyrus,—for the absence of the fair portion of our race would prevent their remaining,—orif they did remain, arguments in reference to descendants could not be advanced, and therefore an useless hypothesis in regard to the present history. Since then the Tyrians did not reach the Western Continent during the period of their national prosperity,—that fact pointed at once to an æra when decay or desolation had the ascendancy, and this did not exist until their last doom and fall, when fire and sword felled the nation—as an Island-Tree—to the earth,—a few leaves only were rescued by a friendly gale, and thus escaped the conflagration! That last day of Tyrus we distinctly pointed out, and from undisputed history, to have been the 20th of August, 332 years before Christ, which date is not opposed by the character of the Ruins, or the traditions of the Aborigines,—but supported by both.
It was then pointed out that the "remnant" saved by the Sidonians could nowhere land upon the shores of the Mediterranean, from the natural fear of Alexander's continued vengeance; and the "remnant," or their descendants, cannot be traced in Europe, Asia, or Africa,—except upon the Isle of Teneriffe,—as evidenced by the discovery of the Mummies,—the identity between them and those in Peru, we mentioned, formed at once a connecting chain across the Atlantic. The Fortunate Isles discovered by their ancestors were their only refuge immediately after the desolation of their country,—and being there, the fears of pursuit would naturally possess them. With means furnished by the Sidonians, it was submitted that freedom wasassured to them; for, upon leaving the Island of the snow-crowned Peak, their knowledge of Astronomy, and the power of the Rowers would aid their voyage,—but apart from those powerful adjuncts, it was proved that the constant East-Wind would waft them Westward, and with their double-rudders lashed amidships, their Galleys must "touch at Florida," on a direct line from Teneriffe, and within the changes of a moon,—thence the voyage could not be of that duration to compel return from the want of the means of sustenance.
In the translation of the Sculpture of the Chief Altar at Copan, it was shewn that the magic Art hadportrayed the identical act of friendshipleading to the safety of the Tyrians; and their Nation is perfectly illustrated by the accessories upon the Altar,—and having translated the Sculpture, we maintained (in humble submission to the opinion of others) that the definition of the hieroglyphics on the surface of the Altar was also arrived at,—upon the admitted ground of argument that one but illustrated the other.
We have reserved a strong conclusive proof ofthe correctness of the dateassigned for the Migration until this time,—and although not necessary for evidence, yet it will (we believe) not fail to have its due effect upon the critic. We will illustrate this proof in brief chronological order: viz.—
606B. C.] Voyage around the continent of Africa by the Tyrians.585B. C.] Commencement of the first Siege of Tyrus;the mainland capital destroyed in the thirteenth year, and thence became a vassal Nation.515B. C.] Restoration of Tyrus as a Nation, after seventy years of vassalage from the beginning of the above siege, according to Prophecy.484B. C.] Herodotus wrote his History of Egypt; in it he mentions the great expedition around Africa in 606B. C.by the Tyrians; but that voyage only, therefore,down to his time[viz., 484B. C.] the Migration to the Western Hemisphere had not been attempted, and he wrote only 152 years before the Alexandrian Siege.332B. C.] Siege and destruction of Tyrus by the Macedonian. Arrian makes no allusion to any migration to, or knowledge by the Tyrians of, a Western Continent, at any time during the period from Herodotus to the last Siege,—it is, therefore, a fair deduction that none took place, nor was it known to that period,—viz., 332B. C.—but at that Siege, upon the authority of the same author, many fugitive families were rescued (during the storming of the capital) by the Sidonians.
606B. C.] Voyage around the continent of Africa by the Tyrians.
585B. C.] Commencement of the first Siege of Tyrus;the mainland capital destroyed in the thirteenth year, and thence became a vassal Nation.
515B. C.] Restoration of Tyrus as a Nation, after seventy years of vassalage from the beginning of the above siege, according to Prophecy.
484B. C.] Herodotus wrote his History of Egypt; in it he mentions the great expedition around Africa in 606B. C.by the Tyrians; but that voyage only, therefore,down to his time[viz., 484B. C.] the Migration to the Western Hemisphere had not been attempted, and he wrote only 152 years before the Alexandrian Siege.
332B. C.] Siege and destruction of Tyrus by the Macedonian. Arrian makes no allusion to any migration to, or knowledge by the Tyrians of, a Western Continent, at any time during the period from Herodotus to the last Siege,—it is, therefore, a fair deduction that none took place, nor was it known to that period,—viz., 332B. C.—but at that Siege, upon the authority of the same author, many fugitive families were rescued (during the storming of the capital) by the Sidonians.
Down, then, to the period of the Siege of 332B. C., no emigration to, or discovery of, a Western Continent was known or recorded, and yet Tyrians are found to have been upon that distant land,—both points we claim at once to be admitted; and will, therefore, instantly establish that the Tyrians landing in America could be no other than those rescued by the Sidonians,and as a necessity the date is correctly given for commencing the History of Ancient America at 332B. C.To sustain this proposition of additional proof the following brief argument is presented: viz.—Upon the annihilation ofCanaan-Tyrus;—and all its inhabitants found within the walls being either murdered or sent as slaves into Macedonia and other nations,—Alexander repopulated the destroyed Capital with people from the Grecian countries, andspeaking the language of the Greeks; the same was done at Alexandria, and this language was there, and at Grecian-Tyrus, continued to, and after, the time ofThe Saviour; and it had a material effect in advancing Christianity, for Jerusalem being between Tyrus and Alexandria, and the three capitals having that language as the general medium of writing and conversation, the early Doctrines of the Christian Church were rapidly promulgated and promoted. After August 20th, then, [332B. C.] theGreek language only, in compliment to, and by the command of Alexander, was spoken atGreco-Tyrus; therefore (will not the critic anticipate?) as an absolute necessity, admitting of no denial, if theGreek-Tyrians had left Phœnicia, and landed on the Western Continentafterthe year 332B. C.; and it has been shewn that none of the ancient Tyrians reached therebeforethat period—the Greek languagewould be found uponthe Altar of Copan; instead of which,hieroglyphicsare only there; and they,—being translated by analyzing the story of the attendant Sculpture,—atonce unfold the last incident in the Asiatic history of the Tyrian family, descended from Sidon and the House of Canaan!
As the Author, we stated in commencing the above illustration, that this last proof of the correctness of the date, was "a strong conclusive" one,—will it not be regarded by the historic Reader as absolute and conclusive?
If any documents of antiquity could be found,—written in the Phœnician character, and distinctly stating the fact, that the Tyrians did migrate to the Western Continent, and in the year specified, no one would doubtthatevidence; well then, those documents of the olden time have been found, and readable only in the Tyrian language;—they are to be seen at this day, upon the walls and altars in Ancient America,—Architecture and Sculpture were the true Historians,—and Old Time,—the twin-born with Creation,—has been the faithful Keeper of the Archives, and which unfold undeniable Truths of Prophesied Religion!
And finally,—we brought forward for reflection and solemn consideration, five branches of a great and dormant Prophecy;—yet each within itself a Prophecy,—and how truly they have been fulfilled, the previous arguments (we shall dare believe) and the historic facts have illustrated and established. If then these Tyrian Prophecies are admitted to be correctly applied,—and the proof of the last one, being identified as having been fulfilled in Ancient America,—then, asa necessity, the conclusion is,—that the Seal of that Prophet is placed for ever upon thetruthof this branch of the present History.
An additional claim we now with confidence advance, for receiving an acquiescence in the entire Work, and as a necessity, in this portion of it,—viz., That the first Prediction in the Bible concerning the Human Family, together with the Malediction of Noah upon a branch of it,are both proved to have been fulfilled by the Tyrian and Israelitish identity in the Western Hemisphere, and their Conquerors being of the Spanish and Anglo-Saxon race;—therefore, the last words of the Diluvian Patriarch sustain the present summary of our evidence. This interesting discovery will be enlarged upon in the following and concluding chapter, devoted to the refutation of atheistical denials of the Truth of Sacred Prophecy.
In the belief—from the "foregone conclusions"—that the first Epoch of the Western Hemisphere, identifying the Southern division of it as Tyrian-America,—will be received a verdict in the affirmative, we shall proceed with the other branches of our cause,—viz., Israel and Christianity,—with renewed energy, arising from the same firm conviction of their Truth. The commencement of the Annals of Ancient America will, consequently, be dated from the last siege of Canaan-Tyrus by Alexander of Macedon, 332B. C.