It is true that in this Century, and about the close of the last,
if not near the beginning of it, many Welsh people settled in
America.[zz] But it is as true, that long before the earliest of
these periods, there were whole Tribes in the inland parts of that
Country, who spoke Welsh, and who consequently, must have been
descended from some Colony or Colonies, who had settled there long
before the Year, 1660.
[Footnote zz: See a performance entitled, Hanes y Bedyddwyr ymhlith
y Cymru. "The History of the Welsh Baptists," by Joshua Thomas.
Carmarthen. 1778.]
Mr. Jones says that they were numerous, in 1660, and Messrs. Beatty
and Stewart, intimate the same, in 1766, and 1768. It cannot be
thought that there Tribes are descended from emigrants in the present
or last Century. Their Numbers, Customs, Manners, and Traditions,
prove that they have been settled there for many Ages. Besides,
the difference between the European and American Welsh, in Mr.
Jones's time, shews that the two people had then been long asunder;
for it was greater than could take place, within 60, indeed, within
100 Years.
For these reasons I am strongly of opinion, that several American
Tribes are descended from Prince Madog's Colony.
From the earliest account we have of the ancient Britons they seem
to have been the best informed, formed, and most enlightened of all
the northern Nations in Europe. The speech of Caractacus, addressed
to the Emperor Claudius, and preserved by Tacitus, is a proof that
good natural Sense and Literature, such as it was in that Age,
in some measure, flourished in Britain.[aaa]
[Footnote aaa: Tacitus annal. Lib. XII. This Author lived in the
reign of Claudius. Caractacus, in Welsh, Caradoc, appeared before
the Emperor in 52. His address to Claudius made a great impression
upon all the audience, so that his Fetters were immediately taken
off. It is possible that Tacitus was himself one of the Audience.
As the Romans had been in Britain then about 100 Years, Caractacus
might understand and perhaps speak some Latin, yet he could hardly
have spoken so correctly and elegantly as is represented by Tacitus.
The Language, doubtless, was Tacitus's, but the Sentiments were
those of Caractacus. The stile, indeed, is that of Tacitus. Rapin's
History of England. Vol. I. p. 44. 8vo. Edit. Giraldus Descriptio
Cambriæ, Chap. XII. and note, and Rowland's Mona antiqua restaurata,
passim.]
We have also in Cæsar several passages favourable to British Learning:
I see no reason, therefore, why British Writers should be treated
with contempt.
The Scotch writers, especially of late years, have strained every
nerve to establish the reputation of their ancient Authors. Oman
and Fingal are ostentatiously held out, as instances of superior
merit and excellence; but the poor Britons are treated with disdain,
as having no merit for imagination, or original Composition.
Taliessyn, a Welsh Bard, who, as already observed, flourished about
the middle of the 6th Century, and who by way of eminence was called
Pen Beirdd y Gorllewin, "Head of the Western Bards;" some of whose
works are come down to us; particularly, an Ode, in Welsh, translated
into Latin sapphic Verre, by David Jones, Vicar of Llanfair Duffryn
Clwyd, Denbighshire, in 1580.[bbb] Owen Cyfeiliog, and Gwalchmai,
in the 12th Century; and many others, at different periods, of
distinguished merit, have appeared in Wales. Some of whom have
plainly alluded to Madog's Adventures. For the Names, Times, and
the Works of these Bards, I refer to Mr. Evans's Specimens of the
ancient Welsh Bards, 1764. To Sir Thomas Herbert's Travels and
to Mr. Warrington's History of Wales, p. 307. Edit. 1788.
[Footnote bbb: Owen's Remains, ubi supra, p. i23, &c.--A Gentleman,
well versed in British Antiquities, and Welsh Poetry, to whom these
papers were communicated, says, that there are 30 or 40 pieces of
Talessyn's now in being, but is doubtful whether the above Ode
be Taliessyn's or not.]
I would observe here that though our Northern Country-men affect,
in some degree, to despise the Welsh, as having produced no Man
of Genius, Science, or Renown, which is by no means the Truth,
as appears from what hath been above said; yet it is well known,
that the Stuart, their favourite Family, by the Mother side, is
descended from the ancient Britons.
Fleance, the Son of Banquo, who was murdered by the order of the
Usurper Macbeth, to avoid the like Fate, fled to North Wales, where
he was kindly and hospitably entertained by Prince Gryffydd ab
Llewelyn ab Sitsyllt.[ccc]
[Footnote ccc: Cecil, the Family name of the Marquis of Salisbury,
and of the Earl of Exeter seems to be derived from this ancient
British name, anglicized.]
Ungenerously he debauched his Daughter, Nest, by whom he had a
Son, called Walter. This Son, being upbraided with his illegitimate
Birth, by one of his Companions, slew him, and fled to Scotland,
where in time he became Lord Steward of that Kingdom; and all the
Families of that name in that Country, are descended from that
Bastard.[ddd]
[Footnote ddd: For this ungenerous proceeding, Fleance was put
to Death by Prince Gryffydd, and Nest was put to a menial office;
some say, that of a Scullion. She was afterwards married to Trahaern
ab Caradoc, Prince of North Wales.
Buchanan. Hist. Rer. Scot. p. 193. Dr. Powel's Notes on Giraldus,
Lib. I. Chap. 2. p. 88. Edit. 1588. Warrington's History of Wales,
p. 204, &c. Humphry Llwyd's and Dr. Powel's additions to Caradoc,
p. 91. &c.]
Thus I have, to the best of my Knowledge and judgment, examined the
Truth of the Tradition, concerning Prince Madog ab Owen Gwynedd,
and his Colony's Emigration, about the Year of Christ 1170; and, I
presume, have shewn, contrary to the assertions of Lord Lyttelton
and Dr. Robertson, that there always were, and that there still are
Monuments, Vestiges, and memorials of that Event in America. Having
produced the Evidence, I leave the Reader to draw the conclusion.
* * * * *