The Spaniards pretend not to any discovery prior to those of Columbus,
Americus, and Behaim.
That the Spaniards have no right to that Continent, as first
Discoverers, appears to me, very evident; for when they landed
there, they found among the Inhabitants some traces of European
languages and manners.
From the Testimonies of Travellers and Historians, there are strong
reasons to believe that the Ancient Britons landed on that Continent
nearly 300 years before Behaim or Columbus, so that if a first
discovery gives a right of possession, the whole Continent belongs
to the Ancient Britons. But, in truth, conquest is only oppression
and Inhumanity. If different nations could be brought to live together
in peace, and honestly and amicably carry on Trade, it would be
highly advantageous to the World; but conquest, such as that of
Mexico by Cortez, and of Perun and Chili by Pizarro and Almagro,
in nature and in reason, can give no just right to territory. In
such cases, conquest is only another name for Injustice, Barbarity,
and Murder.
We have, as far as I can now remember, but one instance, upon record,
of an amicable coalition of interests between public bodies; I
mean that of William Penn, the excellent and justly celebrated
Quaker, with the Inhabitants of the Country, now, after his Name
called Pensylvania, a little before the Revolution in 1668. The
peace of that Colony has been less disturbed than that of any other.
The Indians have been very quiet: He deals fairly and openly with
them, and his descendants, as far as I can learn, have always done
the same. The consequence is that though he died in the Fleet Prison,
his posterity now enjoy a Princely Fortune.[c]
[Footnote c: European settlements in America. Vol. II. p. 195.
&c. Edit. 1758. I know not how much they are affected by the late
revolution in America.]
But to enter upon my Subject.
I known not how it comes to pass, but of late years most of our
Historians seem to be over fastidious. They object to, and call
in question many facts which have been credited for Centuries, and
which upon the whole are supported by very respectable authorities.
In reading History, I make in a strict rule to give every Writer a
fair and candid perusal. While I reject old Women's Fables, monkish
Tales, Absurdities, and pretended Miracles, I am disposed to receive
as Truth, that which seems natural, reasonable, and well supported by
evidence. Agreeably to this rule, I shall now consider the accounts
we have of the Discovery of America by the Ancient Britons.
I cannot, in Giraldus, find any thing upon the subject. He flourished
about the time when this supposed discovery was made; that is,
during the reigns of Henry the IId. Richard the 1st. and John Kings
of England.[d]
[Footnote d: Giraldus Cambrensis, or Silvester Giraldus, was of
a Noble Flemish Family, born near Tenby in Pembrokshire, South
Wales, 1145. He was Secretary to King Henry, and Tudor to King
John. He was Arch Deacon of St. David's and of Brecon, which seem to
have been his highest ecclesiastical preferments. He is represented
to have been a busy, meddling and troublesome man, which was the
reason, as it is supposed, why he never rose to higher Dignities
in the Church. He was buried at St. David's about 70 years of age.
Jones's Musical Relicks of the Welsh Bards, and the Life of Giraldus
drawn up by Leland and Bale from his writings, which is prefixed
to his Itinerary.