away what he had in his Knapsack to put on shooes made of linnen
packthred, and to follow him, with his staffe; whereupon_ Montezinus
_leaving his Cloake, and his Sword, and other things which he had about
him, they began the journey, the_ Indian _carrying upon his back three
measures of_ Mayz, _two ropes, one of which was full of knots, to climbe
up the Mountaine, with an hooked fork; the other was so loose, for to
passe over Marshes, and Rivers, with a little Axe, and shooes made of
linnen pack-thred. They being thus accoutred, travelled the whole weeke,
unto the Sabbath Day; on which day they resting, the day after they went
on, till Tuesday, on which day about eight a clock in the morning, they
came to a River as bigge as_ Duerus; _then the_ Indian _said, Here you
shall see your Brethren, and making a signe with the fine linnen of_
Xylus, _which they had about them instead of a Girdle; thereupon on the
other side of the River they saw a great smoke, and immediately after,
such another signe made as they had made before; a little after that,
three men, with a woman, in a little Boat came to them, which being come
neare, the woman went ashore, the rest staying in the Boat; who talking
a good while with the_ Indian, _in a Language which_ Montezinus
_understood not; she returned to the Boat, and told to the three men
what she had learned of the_ Indian; _who alwayes eying him, came
presently out of the Boat, and embraced_ Montezinus, _the woman after
their example doing the like; after which, one of them went back to the
Boat, and when the_ Indian _bowed downe to the feet of the other two,
and of the woman, they embraced him courteously, and talked a good while
with him. After that, the_ Indian _bid_ Montezinus _to be of good
courage, and not to looke that they should come a second time to him,
till he had fully learned the things which were told him at the first
time_.
_Then those two men comming on each side of_ Montezinus, _they spoke in
Hebrew, the 4th. ver. of_ Deut. 6. Semah Israel, adonai Elohenu adonai
ehad; _that is_, Heare O Israel, the Lord our God is one God.
_Then the_ Indian _Interpreter being asked, how it was in_ Spanish,
_they spoke what followes to_ Montezinus, _making a short pause between
every particular_.
1 Our Fathers are _Abraham_, _Isaac_, _Jacob_, and _Israel_, and they
signified these foure by the three fingers lifted up; then they joyned
_Reuben_, adding another finger to the former three.
2 We will bestow severall places on them who have a minde to live with
us.
3 _Joseph_ dwels in the midst of the Sea, they making a signe by two
fingers put together, and then parted them.
4 They said (speaking fast) shortly some of us will goe forth to see,
and to tread under foot; at which word they winked, and stamped with
their feet.
5 One day we shall all of us talke together, they saying, Ba, ba, ba;
and we shall come forth as issuing out of our Mother the earth.
6 A certaine Messenger shall goe forth.
7 _Franciscus_ shall tell you somewhat more of these things, they making
a signe with their finger, that much must not be spoken.
8 Suffer us that we may prepare ourselves; and they turning their hands
and faces every way, thus prayed to God, DO NOT STAY LONG.
9 Send twelve men, they making a signe, that they would have men that
had beards, and who are skilfull in writing.
_The Conference being ended, which lasted a whole day, the same men
returned on Wednesday, and Thursday, and spake the same things againe,
without adding a word; at last_ Montezinus _being weary that they did
not answer what he asked them, nor would suffer him to goe over the
river, he cast himselfe into their Boat; but he being forced out againe,
fell into the River, and was in danger to be drowned, for he could not
swim; but being got out of the water, the rest being angry, said to him;
attempt not to passe the River, nor to enquire after more then we tel
you; which the_ Indian _interpreted to him, the rest declaring the same
things both by signs, and words_.
_You must observe, that all those three dayes the Boat stayed not in the
same place, but when those foure who came went away, other foure came,
who all as with one mouth, repeated all the fore-mentioned nine
particulars, there came and went about three hundred._
_Those men are somewhat scorched by the Sun, some of them weare their
haire long, downe to their knees, other of them shorter, and others of
them much as we commonly cut it. They were comely of body, well
accoutred, having ornaments on their feet, and leggs, and their heads
were compassed about with a linnen cloath._
Montezinus _saith, that when he was about to be gone, on Thursday
evening, they shewed him very much courtesie, and brought him whatever
they thought fit for him in his journey, and they said, that themselves
were well provided with all such things_, (sc. _meats, garments, flocks,
and other things_) _which the_ Spaniards _in_ India _call their owne_.
_The same day, when they came to the place where they had rested, the
night before they came to the River_, Montezinus _said to the_ Indian;
_You remember_ Francis, _that my Brethren told me, that you should tell
me something, therefore I entreat you, that you would not thinke much to
relate it. The_ Indian _answered, I will tell you what I know, only doe
not trouble me, and you shall know the truth, as I have received it from
my fore-fathers; but if you presse me too much, as you seeme to doe, you
will make me tell you lyes; attend therefore I pray, to what I shall
tell you_.
_Thy Brethren are the Sons of_ Israel, _and brought thither by the
providence of God, who for their sake wrought many Miracles, which you
will not beleeve, if I should tell you what I have learned from my
Fathers; we_ Indians _made war upon them in that place, and used them
more hardly then we now are by the_ Spaniards; _then by the instigation
of our Magicians_ (_whom we call_ Mohanes) _we went armed to that place
where you saw your Brethren, with an intent to destroy them; but not one
of all those who went thither, came back againe; whereupon we raised a
great Army, and set upon them, but with the same successe, for againe
none escaped; which hapned also the third time, so that_ India _was
almost bereft of all inhabitants, but old men, and women, the old men
therefore: and the rest who survived, beleeving that the Magicians used
false dealing, consulted to destroy them all, and many of them being
killed those who remained promised to discover somewhat that was not
knowne; upon that they desisted from cruelty, and they declared such
things as follow_:
That the God of those Children of _Israel_ is the true God, that all
that which is engraven upon their stones is true; that about the end of
the World they shall be Lords of the world; that some shall come who
shall bring you much good, and after that they have enriched the earth
with all good things, those Children of _Israel_ going forth out of
their Country, shall subdue the whole World to them, as it was subject
to them formerly; you shall be happy if you make a League with them.
_Then five of the chiefe_ Indians (_whom they call_ Cazici) _who were my
Ancestors, having understood the Prophesie of the Magicians, which they
had learned of the Wise men of the_ Hebrewes, _went thither, and after
much entreaty, obtained their desire, having first made knowne their
minde to that woman, whom you saw to be for an Interpreter_, (_for your
Brethren will have no commerce with our_ Indians) _and whosoever of ours
doth enter the Country of your Brethren, they presently kill him; and
none of your Brethren doe passe into our Country. Now by the help of
that Woman we made this agreement with them._
1 That our five _Cazici_ should come to them, and that alone at every
seventy moneths end.
2 That he to whom secrets should be imparted, should be above the age of
three hundred Moones, or Months.
3 And that such things should be discovered to none in any place where
people are, but only in a Desart, and in the presence of the _Cazici_;
and so (said the _Indian_) we keep that secret among our selves, because
that we promise our selves great favour from them, for the good offices
which we have done to our Brethren, it is not lawfull for us to visite
them, unlesse at the seventy months end: Or if there happens any thing
new, and this fell out but thrice in my time; First, when the
_Spaniards_ came into this Land; also, when Ships came into the
Southerne Sea; and thirdly, when you came, whom they long wished for,
and expected. They did much rejoyce for those three new things, because
that they said, the Prophesies were fulfilled.
_And_ Montezinus _also said, that three other_ Cazici _were sent to him
by_ Franciscus, _to_ Honda, _yet not telling their names, till he had
said, you may speake to them freely, they are my fellowes in my Function
of whom I have told you, the fifth could not come for age, but those
three did heartily embrace him; and_ Montezinus _being asked of what
Nation he was, he answered, an_ Hebrew, _of the Tribe of_ Levi, _and
that God was his God, &c. which when they had heard, they embraced him
againe, and said: Upon a time you shall see us, and shall not know us;
We are all your Brethren, by Gods singular favour; and againe, they both
of them bidding farewell, departed, every one saying, I goe about my
businesse; therefore none but_ Franciscus _being left, who saluting_
Montezinus _as a Brother, then bade him farewell, saying, farewell my
Brother, I have other things to doe, and I goe to visite thy Brethren,
with other_ Hebrew _Cazici. As for the Country, be secure, for we rule
all the_ Indians; _after we have finished a businesse which we have with
the wicked_ Spaniards, _we will bring you out of your bondage, by Gods
help; not doubting, but he who cannot lye, will help us; according to
his Word; endeavour you in the meane while that those men may come_.
[Illustration]
The Hope of ISRAEL.
_SECT. 1._
It is hard to say what is certaine among the so many, and so uncertaine
opinions concerning the originall of the _Indians_ of the new World. If
you aske, what is my opinion upon the relation of _Montezinus_, I must
say, it is scarce possible to know it by any Art, since there is no
demonstration, which can manifest the truth of it; much lesse can you
gather it from Divine, or humane Writings; for the Scriptures doe not
tell what people first inhabited those Countries; neither was there
mention of them by any, til _Christop. Columbus_, _Americus_,
_Vespacius_, _Ferdinandus_, _Cortez_, the Marquesse _Del Valle_, and
_Franciscus Pizarrus_ went thither; and though hitherto I have been of
this minde, that I would speake only of solid, and infallible things,
(as those things are which concerne our Law) and the obscurity of the
matter, making me doubt, whether it would be worth a while for me to
attempt it; yet at last I was content to be perswaded to it, not that I
looke to get credit by it, but that my friends, and all who seeke for
truth, that have put me upon this work, may see how very desirous I am
to please them.
I shall speake somewhat in this Discourse, of the divers opinions which
have been, and shall declare in what Countries it is thought the ten
Tribes are; and I shall close, after that I have brought them into their
owne Country, which I shall prove by good reasons, following the
Revelations of the holy Prophets, who I beleeve cannot be expounded
otherwise, whatever some thinke; yet I intend not to dispute these
things, but according to my custome, shall lay down fairly, and
faithfully, the opinions of the _Jewes_ only.
_SECT. 2._
You must know therefore, that _Alexis Vanegas_ saith, that the first
Colonies of the _West-Indies_ were of the _Carthaginians_, who first of
all inhabited _New-Spaine_, and as they encreased, spread to the Island
_Cuba_; from thence to the continent of _America_; and after that
towards _Panama_, _New-Spaine_, and the Isle of _Peru_. And he grounds
himselfe on that reason, that as the _Carthaginians_ (who of old did
most use the Seas) so those of _Peru_, and the Inhabitants of
_New-Spaine_, did make use of Pictures instead of Letters.
But this opinion doth not satisfie, because they anciently were white
men, bearded, and civill in converse; but contrarily those of _Panama_,
St. _Martha_, and the Isles in _Cuba_, and _Barlovent_, went naked.
Further-more, who can thinke that the language which he saith, they
first spoke, should be so soone changed, that it should be wholly
another; and there is no agreement between the one and the other. The
learned _Arias Montanus_ thinkes, that the _Indians_ of _New-Spaine_,
and _Peru_, are the Off-spring of _Ophir_ the sonne of _Jokton_, the
nephew of _Heber_. And he backes his opinion, by the name _Ophir_, which
by transposition of letters, is the same with _Peru_; and he adds, that
the name _Parvaim_ in the duall number, doth signifie the _Istmus_
between _New-Spaine_ and _Peru_, which first was called _Ophir_, then
_Peru_; and that these Countries are that _Peru_, from whence King
_Solomon_ brought Gold, precious Stones, &c., as in _1 King._ _chap._ 9.
_v._ 10. & _2 Chron._ 9.21. This opinion seems more probable than the
other, and may be backed by another name of the River _Piru_, which
according to _Gomoras_, lyes in the second degree from the Equinoctiall
line, from _Panama_ 222. miles; as also by the name of the Province
_Jucatan_, which may be derived from _Joktan_ the father of _Ophir_. But
besides that this notation is somewhat farre fetcht, it crosses what
_Josephus Acosta_ affirmes in _1. Histor._ of _Jud._ _c._ 13. who saith,
that the name _Peru_ was unknowne to the _Indians_ themselves before
those _Spaniards_ gave that name. Add to this what _Garcillasso de la
Vega_ in the first part of his Commentary on _Peru_, _c._ 4. saith, that
when a certaine _Spanyard, Basco Nunnez de Balboa_, lived in that
Country, and asked a Fisher-man, what was the name of that Province, he
answered _Beru_; (which was the Fisher-mans owne name, he thinking that
was the question) and he farther said, that the name of the River where
he fished, was called _Pelu_. Hence you may see, that _Peru_ is made of
both those words; which also many _Spanyards_ besides him, we have
mentioned, doe testifie. Besides, who can thinke that _Solomon_
neglecting the _East-Indies_, a place so rich, and abounding with all
things, should send a Fleet so farre off as to the _West-Indies_. Also
we read in _1 King._ 9. that _Solomon_ made ships in _Ezion-Geber_ on
the shoare of the red Sea, which also _Jehosaphat_ did, with _Ahaziah_,
as _Ezra_ saith, in _2 Chron._ 20. and it is certaine that those of
those Countries went that ordinary way to _India_. And it will not
follow, that because the holy Scripture sometimes saith, that they went
to _Tarsis_, and sometimes; that they went to _Ophir_, that therefore
both those places are the same; since that _Tarsis_ is not, as some
thinke _Carthage_, or _Tunes_ in _Africa_ for that the Navie of
_Solomon_ did not set sayle from _Joppa_, a port of the Mediterranean,
but from _Ezion-Geber_, a Port of the red Sea, from whence they could
not sayle to _Carthage_, but to the _East-Indies_. The answer of _Isaac
Abarbanel_ to that argument, cannot be admitted, who saith, that an arme
of _Nilus_ did run into the red Sea, and another arme ran into the
Mediterranean, by _Alexandria_ in _Ægypt_; since it was never heard,
that ships of great burden, did swim in those rivers; and would not he
then have built his Navie in the Port of _Alexandria_? It is more true
that _Tarsis_ is the Ocean, or _Indian_ Sea; and because they came into
the Ocean, after that they had sayled over the red Sea, which is but
narrow, therefore the Scripture saith, _They Sayled_ to Tarsis. _Rabbi
Jonathan ben Uziel_ followes this opinion, who in his Paraphrase, for
_Tarsis_, puts (the Sea.) The same saith _Franciscus de Ribera_, in his
Comment. on _Jonah_, and also _Rabbinus Josephus Coen_, in his
_Chronology_; who ascribe the word _Tarsis_, to the _Indian_ Sea;
because that _Ophir_ is the same Country, which of old is called, _The
Golden Chersonesus_; and by _Josephus_, _The Golden Land_; and at this
day _Malacca_; from whence they brought Ivory, for the great number of
Elephants which are there; none of which are in the _West-Indies_, and
_Solomons_ Navie stayed in those Ports of _India_ three yeares, because
they traded with the Inhabitants! I know that learned _Grotius_, and
famous _de Laet_ thinke differently; as also those quoted by them; but I
shall not insist in confuting their opinions because I study brevity. I
doe like of, in part, the opinion of the _Spaniards_ who dwell in the
_Indies_, who by common consent doe affirme that the _Indians_ come of
the ten Tribes. And truly they are not altogether mistaken, because in
my opinion, _they were the first planters of the Indies_; as also other
people of the _East-Indies_ came by that Streight which is between
_India_, and the Kingdome of _Anian_. But that people, according to our
_Montezinus_, made warre upon those Inhabitants the _Israelites_, whom
they forced up unto the mountaines, and the in-land Countries, as
formerly the _Brittaines_ were driven by the _Saxons_ into _Wales_.
_SECT. 3._
The first ground of that opinion is taken from _2 Esdra._ 13. _v._ 40.
&c. (which we quote as ancient, though it be Apocryphall) where it’s
said, that the ten Tribes which _Salmanaster_ carried captive in the
reigne of _Hoseas_, beyond _Euphrates_, determined to goe into Countries
farre remote, in which none dwelt, whereby they might the better observe
their Law. And as they passed over some branches of _Euphrates_, God
wrought Miracles, stopping the course of the Floud, till they had passed
over; and that Country is called _Arsareth_. From whence we may gather,
that the ten Tribes went to _New-Spaine_, and _Peru_, and possessed
those two Kingdoms, till then without Inhabitants. _Genebrardus_,
quoting _Esdras_ concerning that wandring of the ten Tribes, saith, that
_Arsareth_ is _Tartaria_ the greater, and from thence they went to
_Greenland_, for that _America_ is lately found to be on that side
farther from Sea, than it is upon other sides, being almost an Island,
and they might passe from _Greenland_ by the streight of _Davis_ into
the Country _Labrador_, which is now called _India_, being fifty miles
distant from thence, as _Gomoras_ saith in his History. The same
journying of the ten Tribes into _India_, is confirmed by that which _P.
Malvenda_ reports, That _Arsareth_ is that Promontory which is neare to
_Scythia_, or _Tartary_, neare the Sea, called by _Pliny_, _Tabis_,
where _America_ is parted from the Country of _Anian_ by a narrow Sea;
which also on that side parts _China_, or _Tartary_ from _America_; so
that there might be an easie passage for the ten Tribes through
_Arsareth_, or _Tartary_ into the Kingdomes of _Anian_, and _Quivira_;
which in time might plant the new world, and firme land; which in
bignesse equals _Europe_, _Asia_, and _Africa_ put together; _Alonsus
Augustinianus_ counting from the shoare of the North Sea, from the
Country of _Labrador_ 3928 miles, and from _Sur_ 3000. miles; but
_Gomaras_ counts from _India_ by the South, and _Sur_, 9300. miles;
which space is bigge enough for the ten Tribes, that they may there
spread in places hitherto unknowne.
_SECT. 4._
He strengthens this opinion, that in the Isle St. _Michael_, which
belongs to the _Azores_, the _Spaniards_ found Sepulchres under ground,
with very ancient Hebrew letters, which _Genebrardus_ hath Printed, _in
lib._ _1. chro._ _p._ 159. From whence we gather, that in that
inscription there is a mistake of the letter (T.) so that the sense of
it is, _How perfect is God. Sehalbin is dead. Know God._ Unlesse you
will have them to be proper Names, and to signifie him that is dead, and
his Father, in which sense for (M) you must read (B) and then the sense
will be, _Meetabel seal, the Son of Matadel_; such names ending in (el)
are common in Scripture, as _Raphael_, _Immanuel_, and the like. Let it
suffice him who is pleased with neither of those conjectures, that
_Hebrew_ Letters were found there. And though that Island is remote from
the _West-Indies_, yet it might be by accident that they might put in
thither.
_SECT. 5._
That seemes to be to the purpose which _Garcillassos de la Voga_ saith
in his Comment. on _Peru_, _lib._ 3. _c._ 1. _That in_ Tiahuanacu _a
Province of_ Collai, _among other Antiquities, this is worthy of
memory_, (_being scituated at the Lake which the_ Spaniards _call
Chutuytu_) _That among the great buildings which are there, one was to
be seene of a very great pile, which hath a Court 15. fathoms broad; a
wall that compasseth it, 2 furlongs high; on one side of the Court is a
Chamber 45 foot long, and 22 broad; and the Court, the Wall, the
Pavement, the Chamber, the Roofe of it, the entrance, the posts of the 2
gates of the Chamber, and of the entrance, are made only of one stone;
the three sides of the Wall are an ell thick; the_ Indians say, _that
that House is dedicated to the Maker of the World_. I conjecture that
building to be a Synagogue, built by the _Israelites_; for the Authors
who writ about the _Indies_, tell us, that the _Indians_ never use Iron,
or Iron weapons. Also the _Indians_ were Idolaters, and therefore it
could not be that they should build an house to God. _P. Acosta in lib._
6. _Ind. histor._ _c._ 14. mentions such buildings as are in that place;
and he reports that he measured a stone which was 38. foot long, 18 foot
broad, and sixe foot thick. _Petrus Cieza_ in his first part of his
Chronicles of _Peru_, _c._ 87. relates, That in the City _Guamanga_,
which is scituated by the river _Vinaque_, there is a vast building,
which because then it seemed almost ruined by time, it therefore had
lasted many yeares. He asking the neighbouring _Indians_, Who built that
great Pile? He learnt, that it was made by a people (who were bearded,
and white as the _Spaniards_) who came thither a long time before (and
staid some time after) the _Indians_ raigned there; and the _Indians_
said, that they had received it from their Fathers by Tradition. The
same _Cieza_, _cap._ 10. 5. of the Antiquity of _Tiguanac_, saith, that
what the _Indians_ boast to be very ancient, can by no meanes be
compared with that Ancient building, and other things. From all which
you may well gather, that the first Inhabitants of that place were the
_Israelites_ of the ten Tribes, because they were white, and bearded.
_SECT. 6._
To this opinion adde an argument taken from what Logicians call _a
simili_; for he that will compare the Lawes and Customes of the
_Indians_ and _Hebrewes_ together, shall finde them agree in many
things; whence you may easily gather, That the _Indians_ borrowed those
of the _Hebrewes_ (who lived among them) before, or after they went to
the unknowne Mountaines. The _Indians_ of _Jucatan_, and the
_Acuzainitenses_ doe circumcise themselves. The _Totones_ of _New
Spaine_, and _Mexicans_ (as _Roman_ and _Gomaza_ in the generall History
of the _Indians_ testifie) rend their garments, if there happen any
sudden misfortune or the death of any. _Gregorius Gracias in Monarchia
Ingasonum_, an Isle of _Peru_, saith, that _Guainacapacus_ hearing that
his sonne _Atagualpa_ fled for feare of the Army of his enemy, he rent
his garments. The _Mexicans_, and _Totones_, or the _Totonacazenses_
kept continually fire upon their Altars, as God commands in _Leviticus_.
Those of _Peru_ doe the same, in their Temples dedicated to the Sun. The
_Nicaraguazenses_ doe forbid their women who were lately brought a bed,
to enter their Temples, till they are purified. The inhabitants of
_Hispaniola_ thinke those doe sin, who lye with a woman a little after
her childe-birth. And the _Indians_ of _new Spaine_ doe severely punish
Sodomie. Many of the _Indians_ doe bury their dead on the Mountaines;
which also is the _Jewish_ custome; and _Garcias_ saith, the name
_Chanan_ is found in those Countries. You may wonder at this, that the
_Indians_ doe every fifty yeares celebrate a Jubilee, with great pomp,
in _Mexico_, the Metropolis of the whole Province. Also that on the
Sabbath day all are bound to be present in the Temple, to performe their
Sacrifices, and Ceremonies. They also were divorced from their wives, if
they were not honest. The _Indians_ of _Peru_, _New-Spaine_, and
_Guatemala_ did marry the Widdowes of their dead Brethren. May not you
judge from these things, that the _Jewes_ lived in those places, and
that the _Gentiles_ learned such things of them? Adde also to what hath
been said, that the knowledge which the _Indians_ had, of the Creation
of the world, and of the universall Flood, they borrowed from the
_Israelites_.
_SECT. 7._