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[Illustration: AMERICA]
AMERICA:
BEING THE LATEST, AND MOST
ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
OF THE
NEVV VVORLD;
CONTAINING
The Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages thither.
THE CONQUEST OF THE VAST
EMPIRES
OF
Mexico and Peru,
AND OTHER LARGE
PROVINCES and TERRITORIES,
WITH THE SEVERAL _EUROPEAN_
PLANTATIONS
IN THOSE PARTS.
ALSO
Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples,
Mountains, and Rivers.
Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions.
Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents.
WITH
An _APPENDIX_, containing, besides several other considerable Additions,
a brief Survey of what hath been discover’d of the _Unknown South-Land_
and the _Arctick Region_.
Collected from most Authentick Authors, Augmented with later
Observations, and Adorn’d with Maps and Sculptures, by _JOHN OGILBY_
Esq; His Majesty’s _Cosmographer_, _Geographick Printer_, and Master of
the _Revels_ in the Kingdom of _IRELAND_.
_LONDON_,
Printed by the Author, and are to be had at his House in
_White Fryers, M. DC. LXXI_.
[Illustration]
A Catalogue of the Authors, which are either mention’d, or made use of
in this Volume of _America_.
_Abraham Mellinus_
_Abraham Mylius_
_Adriaen vander Donk_
_Ælian_
_Albertus Magnus_
_Aldrete_
_Ælius Lampridius_
_Alexander Aphrodiensis_
_Alexander ab Alexandro_
_Alexander Guaginus_
_Alonso Garcia_
_Alonso de Ouagli_
_Andræas Cæsariensis_
_Angrin Jonas_
_Antonio de Herrera_
_Apuleius_
_Aristonicus Grammaticus_
_Aristotle_
_Athanasius Kircher_
_Augustinus_
_Augustin de Tarcate_
_Augustus Thuanus_
_Ayton of Armenia_
_Balthazar de Amizquita_
_Barnaba Cabo_
_Bartholomæo de las Casas_
_Benjamin Tudalensis_
_Caspar Barlæus_
_Castaldus_
_Charles Rochfort_
_Christopher Arcisseuski_
_Cicero_
_Claude de Abbeville_
_Clemens Alexandrinus_
_Conradus Gesner_
_Cornelius Nepos_
_Cornelius Witfleet_
_Ctesias_
_Curtius_
_Cyrianus_
_David Ingran_
_David Powel_
_Diodorus Siculus_
_Dionysius Halicarnassæus_
_Dirk Ruiters_
_Dithmar Blefken_
_Duarte Mendez Seraon_
_Egydius Fletcher_
_Emanuel de Moraez_
_Erasmus Stella_
_Erick Roothaer_
_Everhard Reid_
_Eusebius_
_Euthymius Zibagenus_
_Festus Avienus_
_Francisc. Burmannus_
_Francisc. Delapuente_
_Francisc. de Gomara_
_Francisc. Lopes de Gomesa_
_Francisc. Raphelingius_
_Francisc. Soarez_
_Francisc. Tirolmonte_
_Francisc. Xaverius_
_Fullerus_
_Galenus_
_Garcilasso de la Vega_
_Genebrardus_
_Gerardus Joannes Vossius_
_Guido de Brez_
_Guilielm. Piso_
_Guilielm. Postellus_
_Harmannus Moded_
_Henrick Haelbos_
_Henrick Hawks_
_Hernando de Leon_
_Herodotus_
_Hesychius_
_Hieronim. Benzo_
_Hieronim. Cardanus_
_Homer_
_Hugo Grotius_
_Hugo Linschot_
_Jacob Bontius_
_Jacob Panensis_
_Jacob Rabbi_
_Inca Garcilasso_
_Joannes Ardenois_
_Joannes Bertius_
_Joannes Chilton_
_Joannes Gysius_
_Joannes Johnstonus_
_Jean de Laet_
_Joannes de Ledesma_
_Joannes Leonclavius_
_Joannes Lery_
_Joannes Mariana_
_Joannes Nieuwhof_
_Joan. van de Sande_
_Joseph. Acosta_
_Joseph. Anchieta_
_Joseph. Scaliger_
_Isaacus Pontanus_
_Isaac. du Verne_
_Isidorus Mendes Sequera_
_Julius Cæsar_
_Julius Cæsar Scaliger_
_Lactantius_
_Lauren. Ananias_
_Lauren. Bikker_
_Lauren. Guascus Gerascius_
_Lauren. Keymis_
_Levinus Lemmius_
_Lieven Aizma_
_Lopez Vaz_
_Lucan_
_Lucretius_
_Lodowick Leo_
_Lysander_
_Manethon Persa_
_Marcus Zeno_
_Martin del Barco_
_Martin Perez_
_Matthæus van den Broeke_
_Matthiolus_
_Melchior Soiterus_
_Mich. Lithower_
_Michovius_
_Miles Philips_
_Moses_
_Nicolaus Zeno_
_Olympiodorus_
_Paulus Venetus_
_Pedro de Ancieta_
_Pedro Pizarro_
_Pedro Fernandez de Quir_
_Pedro Maria_
_Peter Martyr_
_Pedro Ordonnes de Cevallos_
_Peter van Gendt_
_Philo Judæus_
_Philippus Cluverius_
_Philippus Mornæus_
_Phylarchus_
_Piere Moreau_
_Pinedas_
_Plato_
_Pliny_
_Plutarch_
_Pomponius Mela_
_Proclus_
_Procopius_
_Quarterius_
_Rabbi Simeon_
_Robertus Comtæus_
_Sam. Purchas_
_Sebastiaen Schroten_
_Simplicius_
_Salust_
_Sigismond Baro_
_Strabo_
_Theodosio_
_Theopompus_
_Thevet_
_Tertullian_
_Trigaut_
_Vegetius_
_Virgil_
[Illustration]
THE
CONTENTS
of the several
CHAPTERS and SECTIONS.
The first Book.
America _unknown to the Ancients_ Fol.
1
_Of the Original of the Americans, whence they came, when, how,
and from what People Planted_ 11
_First Discoverers of_ America, _with_ Christopher Colonus _his
Expedition_ 43
Pedro Alphonso Nigno _his Voyage_ 56
_The Voyage of_ Vincent Agnes Pinzon 58
_The Expedition of_ Americus Vesputius 60
_The Expedition of_ Alphonso Fogeda, Diego Nicuesa, Ancisus,
_and_ Roderick Colmenares 65
Peter Arias _his Expedition, and the remarkable Passages of_
Vascus Nunnez 69
_The Expedition of_ Francisco Fernandez, Lupo Caizedo,
Christophero Morantes, Bernardo Igniguez, _and_ Juan Grisalva 76
_The Expedition of_ Ferdinand Magaglian, _commonly call’d_
Magellan 79
Ferdinando Cortez _his Voyage_ 81
Diego Gottierez _his Expedition_ 92
_The Expedition of_ Pedro Alvarado, Francisco _and_ Gonzalvo
Pizarro, _and_ Diego de Almagro 95
_The Expeditions of_ John Stade _and_ Nicholas Durando
Villegagnon 103
_The Expedition of_ John Ribald, Renatus Laudonier, _and_ Gurgie 105
_Four_ English _Expeditions, under the Command of our famous
Sea-Captains_, Martin Forbisher, _Sir_ Francis Drake, Thomas
Candish, _and_ John Smith 108
_A_ Netherland _Expedition, by_ Jaques Mahu _and_ Simon de Cordes 110
_The Expedition of_ Oliver van Noord 113
_The Expedition of_ George van Spilbergen 115
_The Expedition of_ Corneliszoon Schouten _and_ Jacob Le Maire 117
_The Voyage of the_ Nassavian _Fleet, under the Command of_
Jaques le Heremite _and_ Hugo Schapenham 120
Henry Brewer _his Voyage_ 122
The Second Book.
_Of the Bounds of_ America, _and of the Division of the_ Mexican, Fol.
_or Northern part thereof_ 125
Estotiland 126
Terra Laboratoris 128
Canada, _or_ New France 129
Accadia, _or_ Nova Scotia 133
Norumbegua 138
New England 139
New Netherland, _now call’d_ New York 168
_A new Description of_ Mary-Land 183
Virginia 192
_The Relation of Captain_ Smith’_s being taken Prisoner by_
Powhatan, _and his deliverance by his Daughter_ Pocahonta 202
Carolina 205
Florida 213
Jucatan 222
Guatimala 224
Vera Paz 227
Honduras 229
Nicaragua 232
Costarica 235
Veragua ibid.
Guatimala, _properly so call’d_ ibid.
_The Kingdom of_ Mexico, _or_ New Spain 238
Mechoacan 261
Tlascalla 264
Guaxata 268
Panuco 270
Tabasco 273
New Gallicia 281
Guadalajara 284
Xalisco 285
Chiametla ibid.
Couliacan 286
Cinoloa 288
Zacatecas 289
New Biscay 290
New Mexico 291
Cibola, Tontonteac, _and_ Nova Granada 298
Quivira 301
Terra Nova, _or_ New-found Land, _with the Island of_ Assumption 304
_The_ Bermudas, _or_ Summer-Islands 311
Hispaniola 314
Porto Rico, _and_ Monico 327
Cuba 331
Jamaica 337
_The Islands call’d_ The Lucaies 344
_The_ Caribbee-Islands 345
Anegada _and_ Sombrero 362
Las Virgines 363
Anguilla ibid.
Saba 364
St. Crux ibid.
St. Martin 365
St. Bartholomew 367
Barboude 368
Rotonda ibid.
Nevis ibid.
Eustathius 369
Antego 370
Montserrat ibid.
Guadalupe 371
Deseado 372
Marigalante ibid.
Todos Sanctos 373
De Aves ibid.
Dominico 375
Martinico 376
St. Lucia 377
Barbados ibid.
St. Vincent 380
Bekia 381
Granada ibid.
Tabago 382
St. Christophers 383
The Islands Sotavento, and the Isle Trinidado 387
Cubagua 388
California 389
The Third Book.
A Description of Peruana or, Southern America Fol.
393
Castella Aurea, _otherwise call’d_ Terra Firma 394
Panama 395
Darien 399
New Andaluzia 400
St. Martha 403
Rio de la Hacha 405
New Granada 406
Granada 408
Popayana 409
Peru 412
Quito 441
Los Quixos 446
Lima 450
Cusco 456
Los Charcas 462
Collao 466
Chile 471
Chile, _properly so call’d_ 472
Magellanica 473
Paraguay, _or_ Rio de la Plata 475
Rio de la Plata, _properly so call’d_ 476
Tucuman ibid.
La Crux de Sierra 477
Brasile ibid.
St. Vincent 495
Rio de Janeiro 496
De Spirito Santo 497
Porto Seguro 498
Los Isleos 501
Bahia de Todos los Sanctos 502
Pernambuco 505
Parayba 508
Maragnan 511
_The Lordships_ Tamarica, Rio Grande, Siara, _and_ Para 517
_A Relation of the Proceedings of the_ Netherland West-India
_Company in_ Brasile, _to the Year_ 1658 518
_The Journey of_ Rodulphus Baron, _with the Description of the
Customs and Manners of the_ Tapuyans 595
Grave Maurice _his Account of_ Brasile, _so far as it concern’d
the_ West-India _Company_ 600
_The Councellor_ Dussen’s _Relation of so much of_ Brasile _as
concern’d the_ West-India _Company_ 601
_A Description of the Palace_ Freyburgh, _two Bridges, and a
Banquetting-house, all built by_ Grave Maurice 605
Guiana 607
_A Relation of the Journey of_ Francisco Orellana ibid.
Paria, _or_ New Andalusia 620
Cumana 621
Venezuela 624
_The Islands_ Margareta, Cubagua, _and_ Coche 627
_Of the Islands of_ Southern America 628
In the Appendix.
Rio de la Plata Fol.
631
Chili 634
_A View of the_ Chilesian _Language_ 635
Magellanica 649
_The_ Unknown South-Land 653
Terra Borealis, _or_ The Arctick Region 661
_Several Attempts for the discovery of the_ North-West Passage 672
_A brief View of what Places are possess’d at this day in the_
West-Indies, _by the_ English, Spaniards, French, Portuguese,
_and_ Dutch 674
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Novissima et Accuratissima TOTIUS AMERICÆ DESCRIPTIO per
JOHAHEM OGILUIUM Cosmographum Regium]
[Illustration]
AN
ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
OF
AMERICA.
CHAP. I.
America, _unknown to the Antients_.
[Sidenote: Description of the Ocean.]
The Sea, that takes several Denominations from the Countreys which it
washeth, and surrounding the dry Land, cuts out, and shapes so many
winding Bays, Creeks, and Meandring Inlets, seems no where so much
confin’d and penn’d into so narrow a Channel, as the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_: From whence again, soon expatiating, it spreads it self into
two immense, and almost boundless Oceans, that which opens to the North,
gives terminaries to the four Regions of the Earth; that to the South,
onely to _Asia_ and _America_; both which, indeed, are but one continu’d
Sea, extending it self round the Universal Globe.
This watry part of the World, that almost through all Ages lay Fallow,
hath in these later times been Furrow’d by several Expert and Stout
Captains, who now by their Art and Industry, have given a good Account
of, and made clear Discoveries from East to West, where-ever the Sun
rises or sets.
The Northern Bounds under the _Artick-Zone_, have been hitherto so
obstructed with Ice, that the undertakings of such as adventur’d either
to find by the North-East or North-West a Passage to _India_, have been
utterly frustrate. Of the Southern, no such pains hath as yet been taken
in the Discovery, so that for the most part it is yet unknown how far
the Water, either deep or shallow, overspreads the Earth, onely thus
much Experience hath made out, that the _Antartick_ needs lesser Line to
Fathom, than the _Artick-Ocean_.
[Sidenote: The Ancients had little knowledge in Navigation.]
The antient _Greeks_, _Phenicians_, and _Romans_, or whosoever that were
Renown’d by Antiquity, and Listed in the number of their famous
Navigators, were no less Timerous than Ignorant concerning Maritim
Affairs, and are not fit to stand in the least degree of competition
with our later Voyagers.
[Sidenote: Navigation is very ancient.]
Of old, by an inviolable Law, made by Custom, according to _Pliny_,
_Vigetius_ and others, the Sea was lock’d up, from the eleventh of
_October_, to the tenth of _March_, no Ships daring to venture forth,
dreading short Nights, and foul Weather; neither in Summer, did they so
much as once offer, unless driven by Storms, to attempt the _Offin_, or
loose sight of Land; yet there is no question, but that several Nations
in former Ages, made it their business, spending their whole time, and
wearying themselves in the Practical Art of Navigation.
[Sidenote: _Geograph._ lib. 1.]
[Sidenote: _Hist. Nat._ lib. 2. cap. 67.]
[Sidenote: _Ultima Thule_, suppos’d by some to be _Ireland_. _Vide
Georgic._]
[Sidenote: The Voyage of _Hanno_.]
[Sidenote: Of _Eudoxus_, _Strab._ l. 2.]
The Sacred Scripture testifies, That the Kings of _Judea_, _Solomon_,
_Jehosaphat_, _Ozias_, and others, prepar’d several Fleets that Sail’d
through remote Seas, freighting themselves with Gold from _Ophir_, and
other Rarities, which were Imported to supply and enrich the
_Holy-Land_. And _Strabo_ also tells us, That King _Solomon_ being
contemporary with _Homer_, then discover’d _India_. And _Pliny_ relates,
That the _Romans_, in the Reign of _Augustus_, passing the _Straights_
of _Gibraltar_, and sleighting the _Ne plus ultra_, Coasted _Spain_,
_France_, and _Belgium_, leaving not at the Promontory of the
_Cimbrians_ (now call’d _Shager-Riff_) but also ventur’d into the
Northern Ocean, which washes _Norwey_ and _Lapland_: But long before
this, as _Athenæus_ relates, _Phileas Taurominites_, a _Grecian_
Captain, and several others pass’d the _Herculean-Pillars_, penetrating
the Northern Seas as far as _Britain_, and adventuring, made the first
Discovery of _Thule_: And to the Southward the _African_ Coasts without
_Gibraltar_, and beyond _Atlas_, were now and then explor’d by several
expert Captains. But more remarkable is the Voyage of _Hanno_ a
_Carthaginian_, who out-sail’d these, and inspected the Coasts of
_Africa_, as far as the _Gorgades_: And _Eudoxus Cyzicenus_, flying from
King _Lathyrus_, set Sail from the _Arabian_ Gulph, and passing the
_Great-Cape_, came to an Anchor at last in the Mouth of _Gibraltar_,
having discover’d all the Eastern, Southern, and Western parts of
_Africa_.
[Sidenote: Strange Voyage of some _Indians_.]
[Sidenote: Of _Menelaus_.]
Moreover, it deserves special observation, That an antient _Swedish_
King, as _Cornelius Nepos_ relates, sent as a Rarity and great Present
to the _Roman_ Consul _Metellus Celer_, some _Indians_, who loosing
their course, hatter’d up and down with perpetual Storms and stress of
Weather, were at last driven into the Northern Ocean, where they
suffer’d Shipwrack; yet saving themselves, Landed on his Coast:
_Aristonicus Gramaticus_ relates, That _Menelaus_ Sailing from the
_Sack_ of _Troy_, became so great a Voyager, that leaving the
_Straights_, he surrounded _Africa_, and discovering _India_, after
eight years re-measuring the same way he went, return’d with great
Riches in safety to his own Kingdom: Which is consentaneous to _Homer_,
who saith, _Odyss._ l. 4.
——_None must compare
Mansions with_ Jove, _his Seats Celestial are:
But with me any may, who eight years tost
Through Worlds of Miseries from Coast to Coast,
’Mongst unknown Seas, of my Return small hope_,
Cyprus, Phœnicia, Ægypt,[1] Æthiope,
Sidon, Erembos _found, and_ Lybia, _where
Their Lambs are horn’d, their Ews teem thrice a year._
——Ἤτοι ζηνὶ βροτῶν οὐκ ἄντις ἐρίζοι.
Ἀθάνατοι γὰρ τοῦ γε δόμοι καὶ κτήματ ἔασιν.
Ἀνδρῶν δ’ ἤκεν τίς μοί ἐρίζεται ἠὲ, καὶ οὐκὶ
Κτήμασιν; ἦ γὰρ πολλὰ παθὼν, καὶ πόλλ’ ἐπαληθεὶς
Ἠγαγόμην ἐν νηυσὶ, καὶ ὀγδοάτω ἔτει ἦλθον
Κύπρον, φοίνικην τε καὶ ἀιγυπτίους ἐπαληθεὶς,
Ἀιθιοπάς θ’ ἱκόμην, καὶ σιδονίους καὶ ἐρεμβοὺς
Καὶ Λιβύην, ἵνα τ’ ἄρνευ ἄφαρ κεραοὶ τελέθουσι,
Τρὶς γὰρ τίκτει μῆλα τελευφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν.
Footnote 1:
The Commentators on _Homer_ have been very inquisitive to find out
_Menelaus_ Voyage into _Æthiopia_. _Crates_ suppos’d that he pass’d
out at the _Straights_, doubled the Southern _Cape_, and so arriv’d
thither. _Eratosthenes_ conjectures, that in the time of _Homer_ the
_Straights_ Mouth was an Isthmus, and the _Ægyptian_ Isthmus
overflow’d by the Sea, which afforded him a shorter passage. But that
is most probable which _Strabo_ delivers, that he then went to the
borders of _Æthiopia_, when he pass’d up _Ægypt_ to the City of
_Thebes_; the Borders of _Æthiopia_ being not far distant from thence
in _Strabo_’s time, probably very near it in _Homer_’s.
[Sidenote: Remarkable Voyage of an _Indian_ into _Egypt_,]
[Sidenote: Of _Ptolemy_]
[Sidenote: And also of _Cleopatra_.]
That which the _Grecian_ Geographers relate concerning _Ptolomy
Euergetes_, King of _Egypt_, is not to be forgotten, That sending
Pilots, Commission’d to take the Soundings, and settle the Land-marks in
the _Arabian_ Gulph, they found by chance a forsaken Vessel, onely in it
one Man half dead, lying among several other breathless Bodies, of whom,
being refresh’d with convenient Cordials, they enquir’d his Fortune, but
he being unable to give them any present satisfaction, neither
understanding what the other said, they sent him to the Court, where
soon having got a smattering of Greek, he inform’d _Euergetes_, that he
was a Native _Indian_, driven from their course into the place where
they found him by stress of Weather, and that his company were famish’d,
all their Provision spent in their Wandrings from their intended Voyage;
Thus being kindly entertain’d, he also promis’d the King to open his
Passage (if so he pleas’d) into _India_. The King slept not upon this
Intelligence, but immediately prepar’d a Fleet Freighted with such
Commodities as were advis’d; with which setting forth by the Conduct of
this their _Indian_ Pilot, they Anchor’d in their desir’d Port, and
brought the King in return from thence a rich _Cargo_ of Silk, Spices,
costly Drugs, and precious Gems. _Cleopatra_, about sixty years after,
intending not to lose the advantages reap’d by the former discoveries,
equipp’d another and greater Navy; which passing through the Red-Sea,
found the Stern of a Ship, on which was Presented a Horse, whereby some
of the more knowing Sea-men judg’d, that it had been a _Gibraltar_
Vessel, and Sailing about _Africa_, there by sad accident suffer’d a
Wrack. This Stern was afterwards set up, and fix’d as a Memorial in the
Market-place of _Memphis_.
[Sidenote: The _Venetians_ were the first that drove a trade from
_Europe_ to the _East-Indies_.]
[Sidenote: How they went their journeys.]
In these later times, the first that endeavor’d to drive an _European_
Trade in _Africk_, and held Commerce with _India_, was the State of
_Venice_, who Sail’d from thence through the _Adriatick_, into the
_Mediterranean-Sea_: So Steering for _Alexandria_, where unlading their
Goods, from thence they carry’d them over Land, and Shipping again in
the _Arabian_ Gulph, Sail’d directly for _India_. Thus by Land and
Water, were exchang’d several Commodities, and the _Indian_ Growth and
rich Products of the Oriental World plentifully Transported to _Venice_,
and from thence, all _Europe_ had ample Accommodation, until an
_Egyptian Sultan_ suffer’d the Way to be infested by Thieves and
Murdering Robbers, that so they were enforc’d to remove thence, and
Discharge their several Cargoes at _Aleppo_; from whence, on Mules and
Camels, they carry’d their Goods to _Babylon_, so to _Balsarum_, and
then to _Ormus_, where they Re-ship’d thence, directly standing for
_India_.
Thus they enjoy’d the benefit of so great a Trade and Commerce, until
the _Portuguese_ found a Passage by Sea, saving the Expence and trouble
of carrying Goods so far by Land to _India_; Of which here we will a
little inlarge.
[Sidenote: By what means the _Portuguese_ came first to discover the
Coasts of _Africa_ and _India_.]
[Sidenote: Why _Africa_ was no further discover’d.]
_John_, the first King of _Portugal_, who took from the _Moors_, by
force of Arms, _Septa_, an _African_ City, having five Sons; _Henry_ his
fourth behav’d himself so gallantly in the Leaguer of _Septa_, that
after he became Master of the place, this Prince made many bold
Excursions in several Parties against the Enemy, bringing in daily great
store of Booty; so growing rich, he Rigg’d out two new Vessels to make
farther Discoveries along the Coast of _Africa_. Yet this his Expedition
went on but slowly, being much taken off in Building there a new City,
then call’d _Tarzanabala_, and since _Villa Infantis_; but being
Admonish’d by a Dream, and Check’d for his laying thus aside his first
Design of Navigation; he soon after, _Anno 1410._ set forth the Ships
that he intended, which he the more accelerated, being inform’d by some
of his Prisoners Natives, that _Africa_ spread from the Basis of
_Mount-Atlas_, very far towards the South: This Mountain then was the
Terminary of Navigation that way, because thereabouts a long Ridge or
Shelf of Sands thrust its Point under Shallow Waters so far out into the
Ocean, that none durst venture to Sail into the _Offin_, being out of
sight of Land to double this conceal’d _Cape_.
[Sidenote: Who first ventur’d into the _Offin_.]
[Sidenote: _Madera_’s, by whom peopled.]
The first that attempted to find Deep Water, and get round about,
discovering several unknown Coasts, and Uninhabited Isles belonging to
that Region, were _Joannes Gonsalves_, _Tristan Varseus_, and _Ægidius
Annius_; amongst which were the _Madera_’s, and _St. George de Picho_,
which Prince _Henry_ first Planted with _Portuguese_, and others since
with _Netherlanders_. He also obtain’d a Grant from Pope _Martin_ the
Fifth, of all the discover’d Territories East-ward from the _Canaries_,
for ever to be the undoubted Right, and belonging to the Crown of
_Portugal_.
[Sidenote: By whom _Genny_ was discover’d.]
After _Henry_’s Decease, _Anno 1460._ the business of Navigation and
Discoveries of new Countreys, lay neglected, because King _Alphonso_
turmoyl’d in a Civil War, his Crown being at stake, had not leisure to
think or look after uncertain improvements by Sea; yet at last having
quell’d his Enemies, he ventur’d forth some Ships, who Sail’d as far as
the River _Zenaga_, and came to Anchor before the City of _Genny_,
famous since for Trade, which gave its denomination to the Countrey and
Coasts of _Guiny_, where they dealing, Barter’d for Ivory, Gold, Slaves,
and also got so much footing into the Countrey, that they suddenly
rais’d up a Fort, and Man’d it with a strong Garrison, Shipping their
Slaves for _Lisbon_.
_John_ the Second succeeding his Father _Alphonso_, had a great design
upon _Arabia_ and _India_, and if possible, was ambitious to open a
Passage from the _Atlantick_, to the _Oriental-Seas_. But the difficulty
lay in Steering so often from sight of Land, venturing into the Main
Ocean, obstructed by so many dangerous Shoals that lay so far out into
the _Offin_.
[Sidenote: For the Northern Constellations the _Astrolabe_ was in use
long before.]
At that time flourish’d three famous Mathematicians, _Rhoderick_,
_Joseph_, and _Martin Bohemus_, Pupils bred up by _Joannes Monteregius_;
with which the King consulting, perswaded, that they would by their Art
invent some Instrument, that by Southern Constellations, the Pole being
depress’d, the Navigator might know where he was, and in what height; so
guessing what distance they were from this or that Countrey; they
accordingly Club’d Learning, and by their great Study, found out what
since hath prov’d so useful and beneficial to Seamen, the _Astrolabe_;
which help having obtain’d, the Sailers encourag’d, more frequently
ventur’d into remote and unknown Seas.
[Sidenote: Remarkable passage of _Jaques Cano_.]
[Sidenote: Discovery of _Congo_.]
[Sidenote: _John_ the Second, seeks to discover _India_ by water.]
After these, King _John_ of _Portugal_ sent _Jaques Cano_ with a Fleet,
who Sailing, found the River _Zaires_, where he erected a Pillar with an
Inscription, _Latin_ and _Portuguese_, signifying by whom, and in what
Kings Reign these _African_ Coasts were discover’d: Here he also met
some of the Natives, who more civiliz’d than the rest, told him, That
they had a mighty King, who Raigning over them, kept his Court some few
days Journey up in the Countrey, to whom _Cano_ sending his Agents,
detain’d four _Africans_ as Pledges, which he carry’d with their free
consent to _Portugal_, promising to bring them back in fifteen Months,
who before that time having got some smatterings of their Tongue,
inform’d them, that their Native Soyl was call’d _Congo_, whither
returning by the appointed time, they were according to their agreement,
exchang’d for the _Portuguese_, and _Cano_ address’d himself with rich
Presents to their King, whom he found sitting in their manner on an
Ivory Throne, being from the middle upward Naked, his nether parts
cover’d with long Silken Skirts, a Golden Armlet on his left Arm,
athwart his Shoulders hung a Horses Tail, their Badge of Royal Dignity:
_Cano_ humbly laid the Presents down at the Kings feet, amongst which
was a Gilded Flag, or Pennon with a Cross, which Pope _Innocent_ the
Eighth had Consecrated with great Ceremony. After this, many of that
Nation became Christians, and the King himself receiv’d Baptism. But in
short time, by the Instigations of their Diabolical Priests, and others,
Christianity loosing ground, grew out of countenance: Mean while, King
_John_ the Second vigorously Prosecuted the business of Discovery,
sending _Jews_ and _Christians_ by Land from _Alexandria_ and other
parts of _Egypt_ to _India_, and from thence to explore the Coasts on
the Eastern side of _Africa_, to the _Great-Cape_; if so a way might be
found fit for Navigators, having doubled that Point, to Traffick with
the Oriental parts of the World.
[Sidenote: _Vasques de Gama_, his expedition.]
After this Princes Death the Work lay sill a while, but in short time,
King _Emanuel_ his Successor freshly undertook the business once more,
sending _Vasques de Gama_ with four Ships, who passing through many
Dangers with great Difficulties, Anchor’d at last before _Calecut_, and
was the first of the _Europeans_ that found a way to the _East-Indies_.
[Sidenote: _Christopher Columbus_’s.]
[Sidenote: Dividing of the earth.]
But _Christopher Columbus_, five Years before _Gama_’s Expedition to the
East, had been employ’d in Western Discoveries, which prov’d so very
successful, that he found no less than another World; which soon after,
from _Americus Vesputius_, was call’d _America_: So that the Division of
the World by the Antients, (concerning which they had so long err’d, and
were utterly mistaken) was now made manifest by Experience, and
undisputable Demonstration; for formerly the whole World was known by no
other names than _Asia_, _Africa_, and _Europe_, but now, those three
are found to make but one Part of what incircles the Universal Globe;
because in the South lies a second, known no further than by its
Coastings and Superficial Margents; the third part being the New-World,
our _America_.
[Sidenote: A query, if _America_ was known to the Ancients.]
[Sidenote: _Atlantica. Plato in Crisis & Timæo._]
Here it will not seem amiss, having prov’d that _Africa_ was more than
Coasted by the Ancients, to ingage and search with some scrutiny
concerning this _America_; First, Whether at any time ’twas known by the
Ancients? And next, by what People, and when first Inhabited? About the
former, the Learned of these later times Jangle amongst themselves, for
some of them will needs ascribe so much Honor to Antiquity, declining
the Worthy Praise of those that made so wonderful a Discovery, as if
they of old, and many Ages before, had done the same, or at least, that
this New-World to them was not unknown, maintaining this their bold
Assertion from the Authority of what they find, both in Ancient _Greek_,
and _Latin_ Authors: First, especially in the Learned _Plato_, who, as
you know at large, describes a New _Atlantis_, lying beyond the
_Straights_ of _Gibraltar_; whose Coast is surrounded with two vast Seas
that are Sow’d thick with scatter’d Islands. By these Seas they
understand the Atlantick and Southern-Sea, by the many Isles, _Cuba_,
_Hispaniola_, _Jamaica_, _California_, and others, which lie sprinkled
along the Coasts of _America_. But it cannot be made out, that _Plato_
describes ought but a Fancy, his own _Idea_, not a Countrey that ever
was, is, or shall be, though he sets it forth so Accurately, and with
such Judgment, as if he had taken a Survey of the place, and found such
a Land indeed.
[Sidenote: _Diod. Sic._ lib. 6.]
[Sidenote: _Arist. de Mirandis in Natura auditis._]
In like manner, _Diodorus Siculus_ undertakes to prove, That _America_
was known to the Antients; telling a Story, how the _Phenicians_ were
driven by a Storm from the Coasts of _Africa_ West-ward, falling at last
upon a great and altogether unknown Island, which our late Expositors
take for _America_; Must it therefore be so? Surely not, for it is onely
a bare Story, without any Proof or the least Testimony. They endeavor to
make _Aristotle_ bolster up their opinion that he had a knowledge of
this New-World, which with no small pains they pump from these Words:
“Beyond the _Herculean_ Pillars, certain _Carthaginian_ Merchants
penetrated the Atlantick Ocean so far, that at last they found a vast,
yet un-inhabited Island, producing nothing but Herbage, Plants, and
Wild-Beasts, yet interlac’d with many Meandring Rivers, abounding with
several sorts of Fish, lying some days Sail from the Continent; they
Landing, found a Soyl so fertile, and Air so temperate, that there they
setled, and were the first Planters of that Isle. But the
_Carthaginians_ having intelligence thereof, Prohibited all Persons
whatsoever, upon Pain of Death, to go thither, fearing the place being
so much commended, all the People would be ready to flock thither, and
desert their own, and so utterly unfurnish and debilitate their then
growing Common-wealth.”
[Sidenote: _Æneid._ lib. 6.]
But how could the _Carthaginians_ find _America_, without the use of the
Compass? How happen’d it, that they were so taken with the fertility of
this their New-found-Land, when the Adjacent Countreys and Fields about
_Carthage_ are every where Flourishing, and most Luxurious? So that it
may better be suppos’d, that what _Aristotle_ found so long since, may
rather be the _Canary-Isles_, or _Great-Brittain_, than _America_. The
_Greeks_ having then also made some Inspection into the
_Brittish-Isles_. They would also make you believe, that _Virgil_ the
Prince of Latin Poets, had known the New-World in these Verses; _Æneid._
lib. 6.
_There, there’s the Prince, oft promis’d us before,
Divine_ Augustus Cæsar, _who once more
Shall Golden Days bring to th’_ Ausonian _Land,
Kingdoms that once old_ Saturn _did command,
And shall His power to_ India _extend,
Beyond the Annual Circle, and beyond
The Sun’s long Progress, where great_ Atlas _bears,
Laden with Golden Stars, the glittering Sphears;_
Hic vir, hic est, tibi quem promitti sæpius audis,
_Augustus Cæsar_, divûm genus, aurea condet
Sæcula, qui rursus Latio, regnata per arva
Saturno quondam, super & Garamantas & Indos
Proferet imperium. Jacet extra sidera tellus,
Extra anni Solisque vias, ubi cœlifer _Atlas_
Axem humero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum.
[Sidenote: _America_ was not known to the Ancients.]
But what of all this? Who finds in any of these Writings, any Marks of
_America_, or the least Description thereof? Though we cannot deny that
the Antient Sages and Wise Philosophers of former times might easily
make out, and no question did, that the Earth and Sea made the perfect
Figure of a Globe; first from the round Shadow of the Earth that
Ecclipses the Moon; the different Risings and Settings of the Celestial
Luminaries; and the still Variation of the Pole; so that the Earth and
Sea making one Ball, they might easily conjecture, that the South-side
of the Equinoctial might be Inhabited as well as the North: But all this
was more grounded upon Natural Reason and Right Judgement, than any
Experience of theirs, or the least certain knowledge thereof, which
since these later times had the first happiness to obtain; so laying
these Conjectures aside, there have been none more grosly erroneous, and
so utterly mistaken in this Point, than some of the Ancients, and
especially the Fathers of the Church.
[Sidenote: _Lactant._ l. 3. c. 24.]
_Lactantius Firmianus_, and St. _Austin_, who strangely jear’d at as
ridiculous, and not thinking fit for a Serious Answer the Foolish
Opinion of _Antipodes_, or another Habitable World beyond the _Equator_:
At which, _Lactantius_ Drolling, says, _What, Forsooth, here is a fine
Opinion broach’d indeed; an_ Antipodes! _heigh-day! People whose Feet
tread with ours, and walk Foot to Foot with us; their Heads downwards,
and yet drop not into the Sky! There, yes, very likely, the Trees loaden
with Fruit grow downwards, and it Rains, Hails, and Snows upwards; the
Roofs and Spires of Cities, tops of Mountains, point at the Sky beneath
them, and the Rivers revers’d topsi-turvy, ready to flow into the Air
out of their Channels!_
[Sidenote: _Lactant._ error concerning our _Antipodes_.]
[Sidenote: As also St. _Austin. de Civit. Dei_ l. 16. c. 9.]
But these seeming witty Observations of _Lactantius_, though they may
serve for a Jest, yet are not grounded on any serious Reasons; for the
Earth and Sea being Globular, making one Universal Ball; all Materials
whatsoever that belong to this great Body, sink by a natural Propensity
towards its Center; so that where-ever we Travel, our Feet are
downwards, and our Heads upwards, the Sky above, and the Earth beneath;
neither need they fear, that any where the Earth should Moulder and drop
into the Clouds: But St. _Austin_ Reasons better, admitting that the
Earth and Sea make a Universal Globe; yet it no way follows, that
inhabited Countreys should lye opposite to our Northern, nay, altogether
impossible, seeing that side which is our _Antipodes_ is all nothing but
Sea; and should we allow, that there were Land and Water mixt as ours
is, who could prove, that they were Peopled? or how could any get
thither, over such Vast and Immense Seas? or possibly pass the extream
heat of the Torrid Zone, not to be endur’d by any living Creature? And
what then becomes of Sacred Scripture, which says positively, _That all
Men were deriv’d from_ Adam, _and after the Floud, from_ Noah _and his
three Sons_? Therefore the Nations of the _Antipodes_ must be of another
Abstract, there being no possibility (as they suppos’d) of passing from
this World to that: But since the Discovery of the _East_ and
_West-Indies_, Experience, the best Mistress, hath taught, that in the
South are mighty Lands and vast Territories, and that as far as they
have been Penetrated, are found to be full of People, extending their
Dominions from East to West. And though St. _Austin_ deny’d this now
well-known Truth, yet long before his time, _Cicero_, _Pliny_, and
others amongst the _Greeks_ and _Romans_, divided the Earth under five
_Zones_; which _Virgil_ describes thus:
_Five Zones the heav’ns infold, hot Sun-beams beat
Always on one, and burns with raging heat.
The two Extreams to this on each hand lies
Muffled with Storms, fetter’d with cruel Ice.
’Twixt Cold and Heat, two more there are, th’ aboads
Assign’d poor Mortals by th’ Immortal Gods._
Quinque tenent cælum zonæ: quarum una corusco
Semper Sole rubens, & torrida semper ab igni:
Quam circum extremæ dextra, lævaque trahuntur
Cærulea glacie concretæ, atque imbribus atris.
Has inter, mediamque, duæ mortalibus ægris
Munere concessæ divum: via secta per ambas,
Obliquus qua se signorum verteret ordo.
[Sidenote: _Macrob. in Somnio Scipionis._ l. 2. c. 5.]
[Sidenote: _Vide Carpent. Geograph._]
With _Virgil_, _Pliny_, and the Prince of Latin Orators agree, who
saith, “You see, that those that inhabit the Earth dwell in Countreys so
separated one from another, that it is impossible they should have any
Commerce; some of them are our _Antipodes_, walking with their Heads
downwards, some their Feet against our sides, others, as we, with their
Heads upright. You see how the same Earth seems to be Swath’d about with
Rolls, of which, two separated by the other three, are at utmost
distance one from the other, lying equi-distant under the Vertick Points
of Heaven, always cover’d with Snow and Ice; but the middlemost and
greatest is scorch’d by the violent heats of the Sun: Two Tracts are
Habitable, one to the South, our _Antipodes_, the other North, which we
Inhabit.”
[Sidenote: _Pliny_ lib. 2.]
And _Pliny_ also affirms, though against the Vulgar Opinion, this truth,
“That the Earth is round about inhabited, and that people walk Foot to
Foot in most parts thereof; though every one be ready to ask why our
_Antipodes_ drop not into the Sky; which question, our _Antipodes_ may
also ask concerning us.”
But although the Ancients upon these and the like Demonstrations well
understood, that there was a Habitable World towards the South under our
_Horizon_, yet they could not make out or believe, that there was any
possibility to pass thither; And, according as St. _Austin_ conceiv’d,
That the Earth produc’d nothing under either Pole, by reason of
excessive cold, and that the _Equinoxs_ or _Middle-Zone_, was not to be
penetrated, because of the insufferable heat.
[Sidenote: _Macrob. in Somno Scip._ lib. 2.]
And _Macrobius_ saith, “That the _Equinoctial_ Circle, the _Artick_ and
_Antartick Lines_, bind the two Habitable _Zones_, and make Temperate by
the excessive Neighboring Heats and Colds; and these Countreys onely
give Animation, and comfortable Enjoyment to all Living Creatures.”
Moreover, St. _Austin_ in some places seems to clear his own Doubts,
saying, “That People, if they could find a means to Sail those Vast and
Undiscover’d Seas, might make Land, raising new Stars under another
Sky.”
[Sidenote: How beasts came on remote Islands.]
A Learned Father, searching after the Original of all sorts of Beasts
which multiply by Generation, concludes, That they must derive
themselves from those that were sav’d with _Noah_ in the Ark. But how
came they to the Isles? To those adjacent and near the Main Land, they
might easily Swim; to the remoter, they were Transported.
[Sidenote: And chiefly the wild.]
[Sidenote: _Austin_ is contradicted.]
[Sidenote: How men came to new Countreys.]
But this Doubt is not altogether clear’d, for the Domestick and other
Creatures fit for Humane use and Sustenance were thus brought thither:
Yet how comes it to pass, that Voracious and Wild Creatures are also
found there, such as Wolves, Tigers, Lions, and other Beasts of Prey?
This puzzle putting St. _Austin_ to a stand, he had no other means to
get off, but by saying, that by God’s Commands or Permission, the Angels
convey’d them thither; If so, why might not God please to Plant Men
there in like manner, and the rather, the Earth being created for Humane
use? But what needed this, when Men can in Ships Transport themselves,
either of their own accord for curious Inquest, to find new Countreys,
or else enforc’d by stress of Weather, to far remoter, and altogether
unknown Lands: Besides, though the Earth is here and there divided by
large Bays and vast Seas, yet nevertheless, in other places it is all
continu’d Land, or at least parted by some narrow In-let or Sea; so that
there was no difficulty for a crouded Plantation to go over, and so ease
themselves in another Countrey, till then not Inhabited; therefore none
need to question, but that from _Adam_, or nearer, from _Noah_’s three
Sons, _Sem_, _Ham_, and _Japhet_, those, as well as we, were extracted,
that Inhabit this our other World.
[Sidenote: Reasons why _America_ was so long unknown.]
[Sidenote: Who first sail’d on the Ocean.]
[Sidenote: Several opinions of the Antients concerning it.]
[Sidenote: _Brittains_ amongst the first Inventors of Navigation.]
But one question is to be observ’d, How first after the expiration of so
many Ages in these our later times, a New-World was discover’d,
altogether unknown to the Antients, when they in the greatness of their
Parts and Undertaking, Prowess and Prudence, were no ways inferior to
the Modern, and every way as fit for great Designs and grand Exploits?
We need not scruple or make the least doubt, but the Sea hath been
Navigated of old; but the first attempters set forth unexperienc’d, in
as pittiful and ill-contriv’d Vessels. The _Heathens_ ascribe the Art of
Navigation, first to the _Cretans_, who under the Conduct of _Neptune_,
set forth a Navy to explore Foraign Countries. But _Pliny_ long before
gives the Invention of this Art to _Erythra_, King of _Egypt_, who upon
Pieces of Timber, conjoyn’d and brac’d together, crept along the Shores,
and ventur’d to Discover the Isles in the _Red-Sea_. But others give
that honor to the _Trojans_, and _Micians_, when with a Fleet by Sea,
they Invaded _Thrace_: Others, to the _Brittains_, who made little
Vessels of Leather, and were the first that by this Invention found how
to Float upon the Waters: Some plead, that the _Samothracians_ were
first; Others, that _Danæus_ before all, found a way by Sea from _Egypt_
to _Greece_. But without all Contradiction, _Noah_’s Ark was the Pattern
or Sample, that succeeding Ages imitating, built their Ships by; and the
more probable, because his Offspring multiplying so fast, that they were
enforc’d to inlarge their Colonies, by passing Seas, and other broad
Rivers, to settle their Super-numeraries there.
[Sidenote: The first Inventers of several things belonging to Shipping.]
So _Jason_ Invented a Ship, which he call’d _Argos_, which _Sesostris_
King of _Egypt_ took as his Pattern. Next, the _Biremis_, a Galley with
double Banks of Oars, was made by the _Erythreans_; with treble Banks,
by the _Corinthian Amocles_; the addition of the _Quadruple_, the
_Carthaginians_ boast; of the _Quinqueremis Nesichthon_, _Alexander the
Great_, brought them to twelve Banks; _Ptolomy Soter_, to fifteen;
_Demetrius_, _Antigonus_ Son, doubled them to thirty; _Ptolomy
Philadelphus_, to forty; and last of all, _Philopater_ rais’d them to
fifty Banks of Oars. _Hippus_ a _Tirian_, was the first that set Ships
upon the Stocks; the _Rhodians_ a Ketch, and the _Batavians_ a Boat; the
_Copes_ made the first Oar; _Dedalus_ the Mast and Boltsprit; _Piscus_
the Beak; the _Tyrrheans_ the Anchor; _Tiphys_ the Rudder; taking
example from the motion of a Kites Stern; _Icarus_ found Sails, fancy’d
by the Poets for Wings, though some ascribe that honor to his Father
_Dedalus_.
[Sidenote: Why in former Ages no remote Countreys were discover’d.]
_Minos_ was the first that Ingag’d in a Sea-Fight, whereby we may easily
conjecture, that of old none adventur’d far into the _Offin_, or to
remote Countreys, not daring to trust their so sleight contriv’d
Vessels. But these later times have strangely and suddenly improv’d this
growing Art of Navigation, yet pitch’d not to that height at first, as
boldly to adventure, and loose sight of Land.
[Sidenote: The manner of the Antients Sailing.]
[Sidenote: Of the _Romans_.]
[Sidenote: Why _America_ was so lately known.]
The _Tyrians_ first understood how to Steer their Course by the
North-Star, and when dark and foul Weather had Clouded the Sky, that
they could neither see Heaven or Earth, but onely Sea, they directed
their Course by the Wind; and if they doubted the change thereof, they
let some Birds flie, whom they follow’d, supposing that they stood
directly to the nearest Land. But these are but poor helps, and blind
Guides to shew you Land from the middle of the boundless Ocean. It is
certain, that the _Romans_ in the time of _Julius Cæsar_ and _Augustus_,
stretch’d the Bounds of that Empire Eastward to _Euphrates_, the
_Rhyne_, and the _Danube_, and Westward to the _Ocean_ and _Mount
Atlas_, Sailing up and down the _Mediterranean_, with great Fleets,
which stoutly endur’d the violence both of Waves and Weather; but all
this made them not so hardy, as once to think or look after new Worlds.
But after the _Roman_ power decreas’d, by several Eruptions of the
_Goths_, _Vandals_, _Huns_, _Normans_, _Lumbards_, and other Northern
Countreys, which swarm’d with People, that overflow’d all places like a
Deluge, so that _Europe_ was every where puzzel’d and Imbroyl’d, their
whole business consisting in conjoyning Forces to withstand such bold
Invaders, and so vexatious an Enemy.
And farther East, _Asia_ was at the same time little better, still
trembling at the daily Alarms and Incursions of the _Scythians_,
_Persians_, and _Saracens_; and afterwards the _Turks_ growing upon them
more than any of the former, expected no other than a sad Catastrophe,
so that the known World had too much work cut out for them by these
Distractions and Alterations of Government, then to go in Quest of
uncertainties, to find they know not where, another.
[Sidenote: _Hieron. in_ c. 2. _Ephes._]
Here also is added by St. _Jerom_, what an antient Writer saith, _Great
care hath been taken in Computing the Age of this World, and if there be
another which Commenc’d not with ours_, (as _Clemens_ mentions in his
Epistles) _where are scituate those Seas and Lands that make that second
World? Or is a part of that, in which_ Adam _was Created? Or may it not
rather Metaphorically be taken for Worldly Affairs, govern’d by the
Prince of the Air, ruling in the Hearts of the Children of
Disobedience?_
[Sidenote: The Antients opinion of an unknown world.]
But _Pliny_, _Cicero_, and _Virgil_, the best in their kind of Latin
Writers, concur, That there may be a habitable World under our
_Horizon_, in the temperate Southern _Zone_, beyond the extream heat,
and on this side of the _Antartick_ colds.
[Sidenote: _In Comment. super_ Obad. v. 19, 20, 21.]
[Sidenote: _And they of the south shall possess the mount of_ Elau, _and
they of the plain, the_ Philistines: _and they shall possess
the fields of_ Ephraim, _and the fields of_ Samaria, _and_
Benjamin _shall possess_ Gilead. _And the captivity of this
host of the children of_ Israel _shall possess that of the_
Canaanites, _even unto_ Zarephath, _and the captivity of_
Jerusalem, _which is in_ Sepharad, _shall possess the Cities
of the south. And saviors shall come upon mount_ Zion, _to
judge the mount of_ Esau, _and the kingdom shall be the
LORDS_.]
But what signifies all this to the Discovery of _America_, which lies
not onely under the scorching Heats of the _Equinox_, but under the
Frosts and Snows of the _Artick_ and _Antartick-Poles_? Yet less
probable is that which _Lodowick Leo_, an _Augustine_ Frier takes out of
_Obadiah_; as if that Prophet in the three last Verses of his _Prophecy_
should speak of the _Spaniards_, which should not onely discover and
Conquer _America_, but also Convert the Inhabitants to the _Christian
Faith_, because those that are in _Sepharad_, should Inherit and Possess
the Cities of the South, _And Saviours shall arise from the Mountains
of_ Zion, _to judge the Mount and Wealth of_ Esau.
[Sidenote: If _America_ is known in the Scripture.]
But certainly, _Obadiah_ meant no other than the Restauration of the
_Jews_ from the Captivity of _Babylon_, who after their return, should
grow more powerful than ever, and they, led by their _Messias_, obtain
the height of all felicity, who would send his _Evangelists_ and
_Apostles_ to declare Salvation to the utmost Borders of the Earth. It
is true, that the _Rabins_ Expound _Sepharad_ to be _Spain_, and
therefore he concludes, that _Obadiah_ Prophesi’d of the _Spaniard_, and
their Conquests in _America_; so they would prove, that _America_ was
long known before Christ.
[Sidenote: _Solomon_’s Fleet sail’d not to _Peru_.]