THE EXPEDITION, &c.
As in the delineation of this celebrated Voyage, the East-Wind will be
alluded to; the reader will bear in mind its locality upon the diurnal
hemisphere,--viz.: extending to 30 degrees North and South of the
Equator. Now, in consulting the Map, it will be found that 30 degrees
North passes directly through Suez, at the extreme North-East point of
the Red Sea. From this place then (Suez), it is probable that the
Tyrians hoisted sail and plied their oars. They therefore commenced
the Voyage under the minor influence of this Easterly Wind.
609 B. C.] They begun their Voyage, therefore, by leaving Suez; and
sailing along the shores of the Red Sea, and through the Straits of
Babelmandeb, they doubled Cape Guardatoy, passing between that point
and the Island of Socatra. This Isle (subsequently hallowed by the
foot of ST. THOMAS) was probably seen by the Tyrians ages before,
during the various voyages of their ancestors to India and Ceylon. The
present adventurers, however, had now entered a new track, and hugging
the Eastern shore of Africa, coasted past the lands of Adel and Ajan,
and so to the Equator of the Indian Ocean. Having crossed the
equinoctial line, they reached the first river of importance, the
Zebe; and near to _Melinda_, they must have observed the "incident" of
Nature, and have had every feeling of awe and superstition aroused at
the sight. Herodotus was so much surprised when he first heard of it,
that it caused the only doubt in his mind concerning the Voyage: but
it was seen by the Tyrians, and is visible at this day, and has been
from Creation's dawn, and will be for ever! This will be explained as
we proceed. Following the coast of Zanzibar, they passed through the
Channel of Mozambique, the now inner passage to India from America and
Europe. Leaving the Island of Madagascar on the left, they reached
Port Natal. At this point is the termination of 30 degrees South
latitude on the _Indian_ Ocean; having sailed in all from Suez, 60
degrees of latitude. Now during this part of the Expedition, the
East-Wind had blown them _towards the land_, and so favoured their
enterprise, which was commenced for the purpose of _coasting_ the
African Continent, and consequently they would use every endeavour to
keep the land in sight,--to Port Natal, Nature had befriended them.
Continuing on 10 degrees of Southern latitude, they reached the Cape
of Good Hope. Here the constant wind, which had accompanied them as a
friendly convoy from Suez to Natal, now deserted them, and the fierce
currents of air rushed as enemies from every quarter to oppose their
further progress; and terrible indeed must have been the passing of
that stormy Cape to mariners for the first time; they had no previous
report of the dangers, but had to meet the foe, as it were, in
ambush,--they had no North-Star or Compass to guide them,--their
astro-beacons upon the Mediterranean had been the _Ursa_
Constellations; but even those, perhaps, were now obscured by their
locality, or by the rising and gathering storm-clouds.
608 B. C.] Having doubled the Cape of Good Hope (probably at the end
of the first year) and sailing northward along the western coast of
Africa 10 degrees towards the Equator, brought them to the minor river
of Namquois,--at this point is the thirty degrees of South latitude on
the _Atlantic_ ocean, and the commencement of the East-Wind blowing
_from_ Africa, and with much greater force than from the Indian Ocean
_towards_ Africa, and for the reason previously stated, viz., that
both the Sun and the hot sands of the Desert join their united powers
in producing the fierce air-currents,--and consequently this strong
wind thus blowing from Africa, has a direct tendency to drift vessels
from the coasting of the shores into the broad Atlantic,--and in the
present case of the Tyrians, they would have to struggle continually
against the power of this East-Wind to keep in sight of land; it was
accomplished only by the skill and strength of the Rowers, and this
was especially required when they reached the Equator at the Gulf of
Guinea,--for here without doubt they encountered the terrific effects
of the Equinoctial hurricanes;--all their skill and courage were now
demanded,--their Rowers had reached the broad and raging waters of
untracked seas,--here their fleet may have sundered, and many a galley
have been dismasted, or "broken," and so foundered. We believe that
this was the case at this point of their Voyage, for in the words of
the Prophet EZEKIEL, who (as will be proved) was speaking of this
Expedition by the Tyrians, and of the peculiar Wind causing these
disasters,--not spoken as a Prophecy, but as a cause accomplishing the
disasters:--
"Thy Rowers _have_ brought thee (Tyrus) into _great waters_: the
_East-wind_ HATH _broken thee in the midst of the Seas_!"
If at this period they had had _sails_ only, they would have been cast
abroad upon the Atlantic Ocean, and so have been driven to
America;--but we will not avail ourselves of a _possibility_, when we
are possessed of a _probability_ and _truth_ as to the cause and means
of their reaching the Western Hemisphere, which the subsequent pages
will, (we believe) prove and establish. In this voyage their object
was apparent, and upon losing masts and sails, still the power of the
Rowers would accomplish that object,--viz., of coasting the African
shores, and consequently prevent the drifting of a Galley to America.
Their determination was to reach that home where their king and
countrymen were waiting with open arms to receive the adventurous
"spirits of the vasty deep,"--Egypt, also, was waiting to give her
welcome, and to announce the victory of Science. We are anxious to
destroy even any apparent possibility (however remote) of their
reaching the Western Hemisphere during this voyage. We desire this
History to rest upon the more lasting basis of strong and apparent
truth and probability,--but, even if a Galley had drifted across the
Atlantic, an absolute _cause_ exists against even the _possibility_ of
their _populating_ America at this time. Of this hereafter,--if the
ingenious reader has not already guessed the reason.
Having escaped from the hurricanes of the Equator, and having "crossed
the line," the, to them, phenomenon of Nature again appeared, but in a
different aspect, exciting again their fears and alarm,--yet mingled
with recovering joy, for it appeared the same as when they, at Tyrus,
gazed upon the rising Sun, and knelt in prayer to the Apollo of their
ancestors! We will not anticipate this "phenomenon," although the
ingenuity of the reader may--we retain it for our final proof that
this Expedition was accomplished.
Having passed the Equator they followed the Gold and Ivory
coasts,--doubled the Capes Palmas and Verd,--passing between the
latter and the Island of the same name,--doubled Capes Blanco and
Barbas,--and having reached nearly thirty degrees of North latitude
they must have seen with some astonishment a snow-crowned peak, rising
like a sparkling Pharos of the Ocean. They could not (within the scope
of probability) have passed between it and the Continent and not have
seen it, as they must have been several days in reaching the base of
so elevated a land-beacon; and having witnessed so conspicuous an
object they would not pass without landing. The ocean and
silver-crested giant attracting the attention of the Tyrians, was the
now renowned Peak of Teneriffe, upon the Island of the name; and
forming the principal of a group of thirteen, now called the Canaries,
but known in ancient geography as the Fortunate Isles. They are all
within the thirty degrees of North latitude, and consequently within
the influence of the East-Wind. This fact is of importance, and will
again be brought forward,--we mention this to impress the fact upon
the mind of the reader.
The Tyrians in all probability landed at Teneriffe,--"replenished,"
refitted, and repaired all damages, for a continuation of the
voyage;--of its remaining distance as yet they could have no
intelligence. They were, however, within ten degrees of the Herculean
Gates of that Sea, which their fellow-countrymen claimed to be their
own! As the entire expedition occupied three years in its
accomplishment they probably landed at the Isle of Teneriffe in about
two and a half years from the time of their leaving Suez. [606-1/2 B.
C.]
It appears certain that none of the Tyrians would leave the Galleys
for the purpose of becoming the Aborigines of the Island at this
time,--for they knew not of the future dangers of the voyage,
therefore "all hands" were required. Again,--the peculiar character of
the Expedition would not permit it,--and having been so long from
their native land, together with the pride of receiving the National
applause attendant upon their Nautical triumph,--would be against any
supposition that the Tyrians would remain from choice, or as exiles
and outcasts. This slight review of the apparent impossibility of any
of the voyagers remaining upon the Islands after the departure of the
Galleys, is required in order to establish in the future pages, when
the Phœnicians did land and dwell there, and so account for the
ancient Mummies found at this day in the rocky caverns of
Teneriffe;--and of which, allusion and comparisons have been made, in
investigating the Tyrian and Mexican analogies. [Vol. i., Book i., ch.
vii., § 4.] We considered it established, therefore, that no settled
residence would take place at any period of this Expedition: and apart
from all other reasons, there is one that would render it absolutely
impossible,--viz., They had not with them that lovely portion of
Nature, without which life itself is but a desert Isle or a
desolation,--viz., _Woman_! This fact, also, produced an
incontrovertible argument against even the _possibility_ (as before
hinted) that the foundations of the Aboriginal family were laid in
Ancient America during any period of this Expedition. This part of the
argument must appear to every reader as irrefragable. The custom of
not permitting the Wives to accompany the mariners, and especially on
a Voyage of Discovery, is practised even at this day. This arises not
only from physical reasons, but from mental causes;--for in the hour
of storm or wreck, the courage of the mariner would be divided from
his duty, remembering that his affections were in danger; and in
contemplating the proverbial solicitude and devotion of Woman, for the
safety of her husband or her child, he would be compelled to turn from
the general rescue, to aid her resolution, and selfishly (though
naturally) confront danger for themselves alone.
By thus proving the impossibility of Ancient America having been
founded during this Expedition, and for the above reason,--we bring
down upon ourselves the responsibility of proving, that when the
Western Continent was first reached, _Women were the associates of the
Voyage_! We bring this proposition forward for the purpose of proving
to the reader, that it is not intended to establish this Romance of
Time (_i. e._ Truth) upon idle or visionary grounds.
The group of Islands now left by the Tyrians were of a character, from
their locality and natural produce, (and especially that one
possessing the snow-crowned Peak,) not to be forgotten by the
voyagers in relating "the dangers they had passed."
They now coasted along the shores of Morocco and Fez, and entering the
Straits of Gibraltar, passed the Pillars of Hercules, and floated on
the waters of their native Sea,--thus proving for the first time that
the boundary Columns of Alcides had been erected in vain;--and also,
that human ingenuity and perseverance will conquer, and bear down all
the barriers erected by Superstition as the landmarks of human
Intellect!
In their triumphant passage along the shores of the Mediterranean,
Carthage would not be passed unvisited by the descendants of the same
race, who had followed the fortunes of a Tyrian Princess, when driven
from her own land by treachery and cruelty. Leaving the Republic of
Carthage, (in which commercial storehouse they must have seen the
germs of a future rival,) with what pride and joy must they have
reached the Delta of the Nile?--and beyond those feelings, when Tyrus
was seen from the round-top of a galley-mast,--or when from their
native shore they received the united voice of a gladdened nation?
Three years of danger and unyielding courage, upon an extended field
of Science, preserved the fame of Egypt's King, and gave new and
brilliant glory to the Tyrians and their Sovereign.
Pharaoh-Necho had achieved his wish by the circumnavigation of the
Continent, of which Egypt was the Capital, and this being the only
object of the Egyptian, all discoveries of Islands, as forming no part
of the African Continent, would therefore be claimed by the Tyrians
as their own. The Fortunate Isles (_i. e._ Canaries) for
instance,--and consequently Ithobalus and his successors, would be the
rightful "Kings of those Islands" discovered during this voyage, and
situated "beyond the Sea,"--and to be reached by passing through the
Gates of Gades,--_i. e._ Straits of Gibraltar.
Even if Pharaoh had claimed the Isles discovered, it would have been
useless, for he had no navy (if opposed by Tyrus) to support that
claim. It is not probable that he would attempt it,--but even the
supposition is set at rest, for the King of Babylon conquered
Pharaoh-Necho and Egypt, only _seven years_ after this voyage, for
compelling him to raise the first Siege of Jerusalem. Pharaoh was
receiving his annual tribute from the Jews: Nebuchadnezzar, therefore,
instantly left Judæa and turned his warfare upon the Egyptians,
[599 B. C.] captured all the treasure of the Nile, and returned
triumphant to the Euphrates.
This Section will be concluded by producing the authority of Scripture
(with the incident of Nature) to support the statement of Herodotus:
and although the Prophets will be quoted, in this instance Prophecy
itself has no bearing upon the subject,--their words upon this direct
investigation only refer to that _which had taken place_, and
consequently only of past record, and not for predictions of a future.
This was the case with JEREMIAH and EZEKIEL, but,--_not with_
ISAIAH,--and upon this fact do we rest the Scriptural record of the
successful accomplishment of this Voyage. Our argument is as
follows,--viz., In the Prophecy by ISAIAH already quoted [Book ii.,
ch. v.] there is no allusion whatever to this Expedition, and for the
reason,--that ISAIAH wrote of the doom of Tyrus 106 years _before_ the
period of this Voyage,--consequently the absence of all notice by this
Sacred writer (the subject not being prophetical) proves at least that
the naval enterprise was undertaken _after_ the time in which he
prophecied the downfall of the Tyrian Nation:--Following out this
train of reasoning, any Prophet, therefore, who came _after_ the
Expedition, and in speaking, or writing, of Tyrus, _should allude to
it_ as having taken place,--for it would form another item in the
gathered glory of Sidon's Daughter, and would be included in that long
list of pride about to be cancelled by the Babylonian Conquest. The
reader will find that the later Prophets _did_ allude to this Voyage,
and, also, to the cluster of Isles of which Teneriffe is the
principal.
The first of these is JEREMIAH, who prophesied the destruction of
several offending Nations, in the first year of the reign of the King
of Babylon, and the fourth of Jehoiakim, Monarch of Judæa,--this was
in the beginning of the year 606 B. C. Now supposing that the Voyagers
left Suez in the commencement of the year 609 B. C. and occupying
three years in the enterprise,--would bring the defined period to the
end of 607 B. C.--consequently JEREMIAH wrote his words _only a few
Months_ after the triumphant issue, and discovery of "the Isles beyond
the Sea,"--the account of which would speed through Judæa and the
surrounding nations, as it had through Egypt and Tyrus. It is a
remarkable circumstance, that in tracing back the history of this
Voyage nearly 2500 years, that it should be found to have been alluded
to only a few months,--perhaps weeks--after its accomplishment, and in
the sacred page of Scripture: and it is still more singular, that
writers upon this subject of record by Herodotus, should have passed
it unheeded; as, also, the allusion by EZEKIEL.
The Prophecy by JEREMIAH concerning Judæa, as well as of Tyrus, will
be quoted in order to shew the character of the approaching
destruction. The last lines contain the allusion mentioned, having
reference to the discovery of the Fortunate Isles.
"For thus said the Lord GOD of Israel unto me,--Take the wine cup of
this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee,
to drink it: and they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because
of the sword that I will send among them. To wit,--Jerusalem and the
Cities of Judæa and the Kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to
make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse: as
it is at this day. _And all the Kings of Tyrus_, and all the Kings of
Sidon,--and _the Kings of the Isles which are_ BEYOND _the Sea_."
[xxv.]
Now "_the Sea_" mentioned, means (as it does throughout the Bible) the
_Mediterranean_, and especially when Tyrus is written of,--several
proofs of this are found in the Book of EZEKIEL.
"It (Tyrus) shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of
_the Sea_."
"Then all the princes of _the Sea_ shall come down from their
thrones," &c.
"How art thou destroyed, that was inhabited of sea-faring men,--the
renowned City,--which was strong in _the Sea_," &c.
"Now shall the Isles tremble in the day of thy fall: yea, the Isles
that are _in_ [not "beyond"] _the Sea_, shall be troubled at thy
_departure_."
When Pharaoh's fatal Sea is spoken of, it is called by its name in
full,--_i. e. The Red Sea_:--the Asphaltine Sea covering the
crime-smitten Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, is called _the Dead
Sea_,--and so of others,--but "_the Sea_" defines it to be the
Mediterranean.
The Islands referred to by JEREMIAH are stated to be "_beyond the
Sea_"--_i. e._ Isles beyond the mouth of the Mediterranean, reached by
passing through the Straits of Gibraltar; and the language, therefore,
alludes distinctly to the Fortunate Isles discovered by the Tyrians
during the voyage. "The Kings of Tyrus" were, also, by right of
discovery the actual "Kings of the Isles which are beyond the Sea."
That these are the Islands referred to, may be gathered from the fact,
that the last quotation from EZEKIEL proves that the Isles of the
Mediterranean are spoken of as being "_in_ the Sea," in direct
contradistinction to those "_beyond_ the Sea." The same defined
locality is found in ISAIAH.
"Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires [Hebrew, "valleys"] even
the name of the LORD GOD of Israel, in the Isles _of the Sea_." [xxiv.
15.]
The Prophet here refers to Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, and Sardinia, for
these are "Isles OF" or "IN" the Mediterranean,--while the Fortunatæ
Insulæ are those denominated "_beyond_" the same Sea,--Britain and
Hibernia were not yet discovered by the Tyrians;--and the only Islands
at this time known to them "_beyond_" the _Mare Internum_, were those
discovered during this celebrated Expedition;--truly so, for being
alluded to by the Sacred writers, proves the importance attached to it
in the days of Prophecy. The Islands discovered, and claimed by the
Tyrians, were additional causes for their fatal pride,--and are,
therefore, the only part of the enlarging Kingdom referred to by
JEREMIAH,--from the apparent fact, that the terrible prediction in
alluding to a recent geographical discovery, would attract the instant
attention, and arouse the fears of the Judæans as well as the Tyrians.
EZEKIEL uttered his celebrated Prophecy concerning Tyrus 588 B. C.,
consequently only _eighteen_ years after the Voyage. He should,
therefore, allude to it, if our previous argument is founded upon just
grounds in reference to ISAIAH'S _not_ writing of it.
EZEKIEL in issuing his malediction against Tyrus, its King, Prince,
and People, gathers in his catalogue of their united powers all that
had made them great, and unrivalled among the nations of the earth. He
commences by stating their knowledge of Shipbuilding and
Navigation,--then the various Kingdoms receiving their Commercial
commodities, and the riches given in return,--progressing in his
description in apparent chronological order,--for this singular fact
is arrived at,--viz., that the last verse referring to the deeds of
the Tyrians, covers distinctly this very Voyage,--and which took place
only 18 years before the Prophecy, and was, therefore, probably their
last great action, before they were besieged and conquered by the King
of Babylon; and which event was only three years after the prediction
of EZEKIEL,--who, in alluding to the last effort for fame by the
Tyrians, and causing additional pride of heart, says--
"_Thy_ ROWERS _have brought thee_ (Tyrus) _into_ GREAT _waters_ [_i.
e._ the Atlantic]--_the_ EAST-WIND _hath broken thee in the midst of
the_ SEAS." [xxvii.]
The word "Sea" in the singular number, and without any pre-nomen as
_Dead Sea_, &c., has already been shewn, and from the same writer, to
have direct reference to the Mediterranean. In the above quotation he
evidently means larger, and collective bodies of "great waters,"--_i.
e. Seas_,--(plural).--Again,--In the same chapter he writes:
"And thou wast replenished [at the Insulæ?] and made very glorious in
the midst of the _Seas_."
He even seems to define the boundary of Tyrus in the Atlantic, for
_Islands_ are distinctly alluded to.
"Thy _borders_ are in the _midst of the Seas_."
And as a distinct contrast of locality; he says of the Capital of the
Mediterranean,--
"What City is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the
_Sea_."
The Capital, at this time, was partly on the Island, but principally
on the mainland. It is submitted that both JEREMIAH and EZEKIEL
alluded to this Voyage and its discoveries.
We have reserved a positive, a conclusive proof, of the accomplishment
of the Expedition until this time, that it might remove all doubts
upon the subject. It, also, brings direct evidence against the
supposition that in reaching Ophir (the locality of which is not yet
defined) the Tyrian ships of SOLOMON could have passed around the Cape
of Good Hope,--for if they had,--leagues before they reached there,
they would have observed the same (to them) strange "incident" of
Nature, and consequently have recorded it.
Herodotus in writing of this Voyage (and which he firmly believed) had
his doubts upon one point only,--viz., the strange reports of the
Pilots and Mariners upon their return to Tyrus, which were,--that
during the Voyage their SHADOWS (as they looked at the Sun's rising)
fell upon, or from their _right_-hand,--they (the Shadows) having
consequently _changed_ from the _left_ hand, as they remembered them
to fall at Phœnicia and the Mediterranean;--and a greater wonder
still,--that their Shadows changed back again, as they continued their
voyage, from right to left!
The Greek Historian viewed this report with astonishment and
disbelief; and without doubt, it was originally regarded and laughed
at as a mariner's story by both Tyrians and Egyptians,--for it was
not likely, in their Theory of the Solar System, (this was before
Pythagoras,) that any of the Ancients could be convinced that the Sun
would alter its course or nature, so as to meet the result reported by
the home-returned mariners, but which was given by them as an attested
fact. The Ancients [606 B. C.] believed that the Earth was a Globe,
because they believed that the Sun daily travelled _around_ it,--but
of the revolving character of the Earth, or of its measurement, they
had no conception. Even Herodotus, therefore, looked upon the
shadow-report as
"The baseless fabric of a vision,"
and regarded it not only with incredulity, but as an entire fiction of
the Tyrian voyagers.
But modern Science proves the absolute _truth_ of the Tyrian
report,--viz., _their Shadows changing from left to right_, &c.; and
this, as a necessity, was occasioned by _their having crossed the line
of the Equator_!
If the story of the Pilots and Mariners _had not_ been given to their
countrymen upon their return, it would at this day be a strong
presumptive proof that the Expedition was _not_ accomplished; but
having rendered the "incident" of Nature upon their arrival, it is a
conclusive and undeniable proof that the Voyage was successfully
completed, and during the time mentioned by Herodotus. Having sailed
from the Red Sea, _and crossed the line of the Equator_, and looking
East, their Shadows must have changed from left to right, and be
perceptible at, or near, Melinda; and having doubled the Cape of Good
Hope, and passed the Equator of the Atlantic, their Shadows would
again change from right to left, near the Gulf of Guinea, and appear
the same as when sailing upon the Mediterranean.
The statements of Herodotus concerning the "shifting of the shadows,"
and the manner of "extracting the brain" previous to Embalming; and
with the foregone proofs of their accuracy both from science and
ocular demonstration, are without their parallels for supporting the
authenticity of an Ancient Historian--and truly may he be called the
_Father_ of History--for Nations were his children, and justly he
wrote of them. Time has become his executor, and renders him ample
justice in return for his valuable legacy to posterity!
We have been anxious to establish the accomplishment of this
celebrated Voyage, the first mentioned having reference to the
circumnavigation of a Continent;--but, more especially have we been
solicitous to prove that _the Fortunate Isles were known to the
Tyrians during this Expedition_;--for those Islands form an important
feature in the great event to follow. In the endeavour to confirm
these propositions, we have pursued a path of research and reasoning,
we believe, untrodden, or attempted by any writer upon the subject.
The Greek Historian is supported by his own accuracy of character and
delineation,--and he is directly confirmed by Holy-Writ. JEREMIAH
wrote of it only a few months after the Expedition. EZEKIEL 18 years
subsequently, and Herodotus 122 years after the enterprise. The later
(and jealous) Romans only are silent:--_they do not deny it_,--which
they would naturally have done, if they would not also have been
liable to have been contradicted.
We now submit the subject to the reader's opinion, upon a review of
the evidence, facts, and reasoning upon the entire proposition; and
shall proceed with the History of Tyrus and the Migration, in the
belief that the decision is in the affirmative;--and that consequently
_the Fortunate Isles_ (_i. e._ the Canaries) are admitted to have been
discovered, and claimed, by the Tyrians during this first great Voyage
around the Continent of Africa, and between the years 609-606 before
the Christian Æra; and that from the _natural_ reason stated,--viz.,
the absence of Woman--the Founding of Ancient America could not have
taken place at that time.