[Footnote tt: History of America. Vol. I. p. 373. Edit. 1788.]
What he hath, in general, advanced, is much the same with what
had been said by Lord Lyttelton and others; and therefore, what
I have already said, will serve as a general Answer: but I must
examine some particulars.
He first says, "that the Pretensions of the Welsh to the Discovery
of America, seem not to rest on a foundation much more solid, (than
the Discovery of it by Behaim) because that Powel, on whose Testimony
the authenticity of the Story rests, published his History above
four Centuries from the Date of the Event which he relates." It
is granted that Humphry Llwyd, and Dr. Powel, lived some Centuries
after Madog's Emigration; but Dr. Robertson must also grant that
there are several Events, mentioned in History, now commonly believed,
even by the learned, which have no memorials for as long a Period.
Where shall we find any Evidence for the Originality of Ossian and
Fingal, from the Time in which they are said to have been written,
till their publication, a few Years ago by Mr. Macpherson? Whether
these Poems are of Scots or Irish Origin I know not; but they were
not known to the World till very lately. If Dr. Robertson says that
they always were, and now are known in the Highlands of Scotland;
I say in Answer, so was the Expedition of Madog in the High Lands
of Wales, as appears from the Poems of Sir Meredyth ab Rhy's, and
of other Bards. This, by the Way, is an Evidence in which the Poems
of Ossian and Fingal are deficient. The silence of History for
about 1400 Years is much more unfriendly to the Authenticity of
these Poems, than that of about 400 to the Truth of Madog's Voyages.
Ossian and Fingal are supposed to have flourished about the End of
the 3d Century. The Bards drew their Information, chiefly, from the
Collections preserved in the Abbies of Conway and Strata Florida,
and from the current Traditions of the Country. We have no regular
History of the period in which this Prince emigrated, but this
History of Caradoc, and of Llwyd's, and Dr. Powel's additions. I
think that Dr. Robertson cannot produce better Authority for any
Facts, equal in Antiquity; I am sure none, for Ossian and Fingal.
The Manner in which Dr. Robertson mentions the Verses published,
by Hakluyt and others, is rather observable. "Later Antiquarians,
indeed, appealed to the Testimony of Meredith ab Rhees, a Welsh
Bard, who died in 1477; but he cannot be considered of much more
credit than Powel." This passage implies a severe Reflection on Dr.
Powel. His Evidence is of no weight; it is not worthy of belief;
and, indeed, Sir Meredith ab Rhys, is no better. However I must
beg leave to differ very much, _indeed_, from the Doctor on this
Head, though I much admire him as a Writer and Historian; because
I think their Evidence is not only equal, but much superior to
his, concerning an Event which took place between two and three
hundred Years nearer to their Times than to his.
I should be very sorry to suspect that Dr. Robertson took notice
of Sir Meredyth ab Rhys, only because he could not well avoid it.
However, as if he wanted to destroy his Authority, he speaks of
him with great Indifference, with a formal, _indeed_.
He adds, "But if we admit Powel's Story; (Humphry Llwyd's) it does
not follow that the unknown Country which Madog discovered was any
part of America: it is much more probable that it was Madeira,
or some of the Western Isles." With submission, this is altogether
improbable. It is very little farther from North Wales to some
parts of America, than to the Madeiras; and, upon the whole, it is
more secure to sail in an open Sea, than among Shelves and Shoals
on an unknown Coast.
But not to insist upon this Circumstance; if the Country Madog
discovered was Madeira, or any of the Western Islands, he must
have found them uninhabited, and entirely uncultivated, covered
with Wood, and without any Traces of Human Beings; for as the Doctor
himself says, this was the state of the Madeiras when discovered
by the Portuguese in 1519. The other Western Isles were not, even,
settled, for some Centuries after Madog's Voyages.[uu]
[Footnote uu: Dr. Robertson. ubi supra. Vol. I. p. 64. If the Country
on which Madog landed was uninhabited, how could he have found the
Customs and Manners of the People different from those of Europe?
Where there were no Inhabitants, there could be no Customs.]
What the Doctor hath said, after Lord Lyttelton, concerning the
Literature and Naval skill of the ancient Britons, hath been already
animadverted upon. To add more on those particulars, is unnecessary.
If we could find no Word, among the Americans, similar to the ancient
British, in sound and sense, but Pengwyn, I should no more depend
upon that circumstance than Mr. Pennant doth; but that is not the
case: for many such words were found among the Natives of the New
World, and in the West Indian Islands, which are neither obscure
nor fanciful; for they had not only a strong resemblance in found,
but convey the same Idea precisely, in both Languages.
As to traces of Christianity, Hornius hath enumerated many that
were found there by the Spaniards; such as the Cross, Baptism,
the Lord's Supper, 35 days Fast, and the Trinity.[vv]
[Footnote vv: Hornius. ubi supra. p. 128, 178, Peter Martyr. Decade
3d. ch. 5. p. 58. C. and de Insulis nuper inventis. p. 71. C.]
It is true, that these Customs may have been introduced by other
Nations; by the Chinese, Japanese, &c. as Hornius hath observed:
but this does not concern my subject, which is only to examine
which of the _European_ Nations first visited America. As no Nation
in Europe, but the ancient Britons, hath ever pretended, or does
pretend to have discovered America before, the Spaniards in 1492,
I am inclined to believe that some of these Christian ordinances
and superstitions were introduced by the Britons.
The space of time between the landing of Prince Madog, and Columbus,
above 300 Years, was sufficiently long to disseminate such Notions
and practices through a very great part of America.
In short, the account given by Llwyd and Powel hath all the marks
of strict Truth. If it be an Invention without any Foundation,
it is a very singular one, the like to which is hardly to be met
with. All imaginary Heroes and Conquerors, are adorned with every
Virtue; whereas Madog is represented as possessed of no Virtue,
but prudence and Courage.
Having thus made some Animadversions on Lord Lyttelton's, and Dr.
Robertson's Objections to Prince Madog's Adventures, and endeavoured
to shew, that they do not absolutely overthrow the Truth of the
Fact, I only observe farther here, that these eminent Writers have
entirely omitted to take Notice of Mr. Jones's Narrative, and Mr.
Lloyd's Letter, which they had, or ought to have seen, before they
wrote upon the Subject.
That the Welsh Tribes above mentioned are not better known to the
Europeans at this Time, is owing to what I have already observed. They
dwell far to the West of the English provinces. They may have been
driven thither by more powerful Tribes of Indians, or by Europeans,
and may now be reduced to an inconsiderable number, comparatively,
by intestine quarrels or foreign Enemies. However, they seem to
have been numerous when Mr. Jones was among them, and about 20
or 25 Years ago, when Messrs. Beatty and Stewart were among them.
If Missionaries from different Nations, with cultivated understandings,
and enlarged Minds, acquainted in some measure, at least, with the
Languages of Europe, Asia, and Africa, were sent to the Western
Inland parts of North America, they might be able, to a very
considerable degree of probability, if not of certainty, from their
Language, Customs, and Manners, to trace the Origin of many Tribes
on that vast Continent.[ww]
[Footnote ww: A Society of public spirited Gentlemen have lately
employed persons to explore the interior parts of Africa. It were
to be wished, that they, or others would extend their plan, and
carry on the like design, in the interior parts of America.]
No Credit can be given to those who are called Traders in the Country;
for as their chief pursuits are profit, they can make but few
discoveries. The Origin and Manners of Nations are not the objects
which they have in View. Instead of conciliating the friendship
and affections of these unhappy, uncivilized and savage people,
they very often shamefully over-reach them, and impose upon them
in Business; and when they are detected and chastised for their
fraudulent Practices, they bitterly complain of ill treatment,
though it often is much better than they deserve.
My design, in the above Extracts and Observations, I presume, hath
been answered, which was to shew that the Spaniards have not an
unquestionable right to the Continent of America, as the first
Discoverers among the Europeans; for it appears from well attested
and numerous Relations, Facts and Circumstances, that the Ancient
Britons landed on the American Shores about 300 Years before either,
Behaim, Columbus or Americus Vespucius.
But after all, what is it that gives a people right to a Country?
This question is very easily answered. If Voyagers, by chance,
fall in with a Continent, or Island, uninhabited and uncultivated,
they have a right of possession by the Law of Nature, and or reason;
because no human Being is injured or deprived of his right. But if
they find any Inhabitants there, they can have no right. The Man
who robs us on the High Way, or who breaks open, and plunders our
Houses, hath as good a right to what he takes from us, as Conquerors
to a Country, which they may be able to subdue by Force of Arms.
The right obtained by Conquest if admitted, will justify every
Kind and every degree of oppression, even the slavery of our poor
African Brethren. This principle will justify a Nation in wresting
whole Countries out of the Hands of a cultivated, well ordered
and peaceable people. In short, this Principle will justify the
greatest Inhumanity, Cruelty, and Barbarity.
Nations engaged in open Way may, perhaps, be justified in invading
and subduing their Enemies' Territories, because it may be the
happy means of hastening a Peace, and put an end to the shedding
of human Blood. But, on such Occasions, the innocent Inhabitants
should not be wantonly injured; because the quarrel, is not between
private Individuals, but between their Governors, in which their
real Interests are seldom consulted. Very few necessary Wars have
ever disturbed the peace of the World: they generally are the
consequence of Ambition, Pride, and Vanity.
To invade and wantonly destroy, or plunder, the Lands or the Houses
of a quiet, inoffensive and peaceable people; to carry away or
destroy their property, without any provocation on their part,
only because they are not able to resist, are acts in themselves
highly wicked and diabolical.
How Madog and his Colony behaved, when they landed, to the original
Inhabitants of the Country, does not appear; not in a hostile,
but in an amicable and affectionate manner, as may be supposed;
for his memory was held in high esteem by the Mexicans when Cortez
arrived there. He was the Hero whose praises they celebrated in
various places. How the Spaniards behaved is well known. One Author
says that Cortez, and his Army slew four millions of Mexicans and
two Emperors, Montezuma, and Guatimozin, the latter in the most
cruel manner.
But if two millions, or even _one_, were destroyed, it was a carnage
that will reflect the highest disgrace upon the infernal Perpetrators
for ever.
Private Persons are often chargeable with fraudulent Practices, in
their dealings with the unsuspicious Natives of America. There is
no doubt but that the English, as well as other Nations, are often
guilt. But public Bodies, as well as Individuals, are chargeable
with unjust and dishonest proceedings, not only with the Indians,
but with one another.
The Bay of Honduras, and the parts of the adjoining Continent, in
which the English have a right, "to load and carry away Logwood,"
by the 17th article of the Peace in 1762, and by the 6th article
of the Peace in 1783, we are told are already dangerous to the
British Traders. The Conduct of the Spaniards in this matter, is
not only unjustifiable, but shameful among enlightened Nations,
and ought to be represented, in its true Light, to the World. If
the Accounts we have are not exaggerated, their Conduct, if not
altered, ought to be resented and chastised. We should not tamely
give up the Sovereignty of the Seas, to any people on Earth, when
Justice and Humanity require us to claim and defend it.
Spanish Pride is become a proverb: however, it requires no inspiration
to foretel, that in the course of not many Years, the Spanish Power
in America will be much reduced.[xx] The Independence of the late
British Colonies in that Country, will, I fear, make them ambitious;
will lead them to enlarge their Territories; the consequence, most
probably, will be, a great Extent of Dominion, and another conquest
of Mexico. This indeed, in no long time, must naturally take place,
if these Colonies firmly adhere to the principles of their Union.
This may be expected for the following reasons.
[Footnote xx: The Close of the 18th Century seems teeming with
great Events. The separation of the American Colonies from great
Britain, hath roused the attention of Europe. Religious and Civil
Liberty are hitherto claimed and successfully maintained in France.
In the Austrian Netherlands, and in other Countries, the principles
of Liberty seem to prevail, and though checked for the present,
cannot fail of becoming triumphant in the End. It, possibly, may
have been the design of the Spanish Court, in the present fermented
state of Europe, to lead the people's attention to a foreign War,
lest they should persue the measures taken in France. May the Divine
Blessing accompany every attempt made to establish Truth, Viriue,
and Liberty, all over the World!]
The American Forces are at Hand, ready to undertake Expeditions,
and to accomplish any purpose, before the Spaniards, at so many
thousands of miles distance, can be apprized of their Designs;
and long before they possibly can send sufficient Reinforcements.
Another Reason is, that the Native Spanish Indians, being in the
most abject Slavery to the Prince and the Priests, will naturally and
heartly join the late British Colonies, and assist them in subduing
the Spaniards, in order to emancipate themselves from bondage, and
to regain their long lost Liberties.
The British Colonies have set the example, when they thought themselves
aggrieved. The Tyranny, Oppression and Extortion of the Spaniards
in the higher Ranks, will dispose the Native Descendants of the
original Inhabitants, and doubtless, many of the Native Spaniards,
in the lower Ranks, to imitate their Example.
The Spanish Military Forces in the Country cannot defeat a general
confederacy of the Indians and others; when strengthened by an
Army from the associated American Colonies.
But this prospect, as far as it regards the independent States, I
cannot reflect upon with any pleasure, rather, with Pain; because
I am convinced, that it will not be of any advantage, but rather
injurious to them to enlarge their Territories. It will lead their
attention to the Gold Mines of Mexico, and cause them to neglect
their own more fruitful Mines at home; Commerce and Industry, the
nearest and most certain Way to Honour, Opulence, and Happiness.
This Conduct, at least chiefly, reduced the Spaniards to their
present comparative insignifancy, among the Nations of Europe; and
should this be the conduct of the united States, they may expect
the total Destruction of their Religion, Laws, and Liberties.
May they seriously reflect upon the Conduct of the Athenians and
Carthaginians, in ancient Times; and upon the Conduct of the Venetians,
Genoese, and, especially, Holland, (a District less in dimensions,
than New Jersey, the least of their Colonies by above 2000 square
Miles) in later Times, and they will be soon convinced that Commerce
is the shortest and surest Way to Wealth and Power!
I have above cited a passage from the ancient Universal History,
in which the Writer appears inclined to believe the reality of
Prince Madog's Voyages. But the Author of the History of America,
Modern Part, Vol. 38, p. 5. treats them with contempt. "To recite,
says he, the fabulous story of Madog, a Welsh Prince, and the Tale
related by William of Newbury, of two green Children, who were
found in a Field, in the Reign of King Stephen, would afford the
judicious Reader as little Amusement as Instruction."
This voluminous Work, upon the whole, seems well executed, but
like all others of great Length, is very unequal; because written
by persons of different Abilities and Opinions. Gentlemen of great
eminence in the literary World, and of unimpeached Integrity were
engaged; and others, though of acknowledged Abilities, yet, to say
the least, of very suspicious Characters, were employed. Among
the latter, Psalmanazar, who, if he was a Spanish Jesuit, as has
been said, and wrote this article, might be induced by the Amor
Patriæ, to ascribe to his Countrymen the honour of having, first
discoved America. The Author of the above paragraph, whoever he
was, affected to look upon the Tradition concerning Madog, and
the Tale of the two green Children, as equally ill founded, and
unworthy of credit. Whereas in Truth, the one is plainly an idle
monkish Tale, the other a simple Narrative of an Event. One is a
Fact supported by numerous authorities, the other evidently is one
of those prodigies, pretended miracles, and priestly Inventions,
which are to be found in most Authors who wrote during the dark
ages of Popery.
We have above seen, that one has been favourably thought of by
several Writers, at home and abroad, and is confirmed by circumstances
and memorials in America: the other I have not seen mentioned by
any Writer, but by William of Newbury, and by a few who have cited
him.[yy]
[Footnote yy: That the ancient Britons were descended from the
Trojans was asserted by several Writers before Jefferey of Monmouth,
who wrote about the Year 1152. It is alluded to by Taliessyn, who
flourished about the middle of the 6th Century. A Welsh Author,
already mentioned, Mr. Theophilus Evans, says, that the first Writer,
who questioned the Fact, was William of Newbury, in welsh called,
Gwilym bach, about the Year 1192, on this occasion. When Jefferey
ab Arthur, (of Monmouth, who was Bishop of St. Asaph) died; William
an English-man applied to David ab Owen to succeed him, and was
refused. The refusal so mortified him, that he immediately set
about composing his Book, in which he abused Jefferey, and the whole
Welsh Nation. There is great reason to believe that resentment,
upon some account, guided the Pen of William.