drive at, That _Solomon_ first finding the use of the Compass, Rigg’d a
Navy at _Ezion-Geber_, which from the _Red-Sea_ had no indirect Course
to the _Straights_ of _Magellan_; from whence he might Lade his Vessels
with the Gold of _Peru_. In whose Description it shall be manifested,
that _Peru_ is not _Ophir_, as some without any shew of Reason or Truth
would make us believe.
[Sidenote: _Solomon_ did not find the Compass.]
But as concerning King _Solomon_’s finding out the use of the _Magnet_,
it is soon said, but not easily proved; for though that Prince exceeded
all Man-kind in Wisdom and Learning, and was perfect in the Operations,
and knew the Occultest Secrets of Nature, understanding what e’re
belong’d to Plants, from the Cedar of _Libanus_, to Hysop, and the
meanest Shrub that grows upon the Wall; yet it nothing makes out, that
he knew the Mystery of the Navigable use of the _Load-Stone_: But
suppose he did know, there is no where any mention of it; and if this
excellent thing, the _Compass_, had been found in _Solomon_’s time, how
came it afterwards so utterly to be lost?
[Sidenote: Load-stone, by whom found.]
[Sidenote: Strange operations of the Loadstone.]
[Sidenote: _De subtilitate_ l. 7.]
[Sidenote: Variance of the Compass.]
[Sidenote: _Genebrad. Chron._]
[Sidenote: When, and by whom the Compass was found.]
_Albertus Magnus_ mistakes, when he ascribes the knowledge of the
_Compass_ to _Aristotle_, of which he himself makes not the least
mention; neither _Galen_, _Alexander Aphrodisiensis_, _Pliny_,
_Lucretius_, nor any of the _Roman_, _Greek_, _Arabian_, or other
Countrey Writers whatsoever. Some give the honor thereof to an _Indian_,
others to a Shepherd in _Mount Ida_, whose Clouted Shooes being full of
Hob-Nails, the Iron sticking fast to the Stones on which he stood, stopt
his motion. And although the Antients found out many Secrets of Nature,
amongst which this of the _Load-Stone_, Attracting Iron, as being its
proper Food; and the three sorts of the _Magnet_, of which some will not
draw Steel, found by _Theamedes_ a _Greek_ Author, and other since, well
known Properties: Yet they never attain’d that knowledge, that the
_Load-Stone_ would ease Pain, and stop the effusion of Blood, though the
edge piercing the Skin, open’d the Vein: as _Hieronimus Cardanus_
experienc’d on himself and others, which he had from _Laurentius
Guascus_, a great Chyrurgeon. Much less, that the Needle of the
_Compass_ being touch’d by the _Load-Stone_ on the Northside of the
_Equinox_, respects the North; but depressing the _Artick_, and raising
the _Antartick_ Pole, it looks as stedfastly towards the South: But far
less dreamt they of its several variations, according to the Coasts that
are nearest; as when you come from the Island _del Cuervo_, the Point
varies more West; but Sailing towards the _Equinox_, it varies Eastward;
by which we may absolutely conclude, that without this use of the
_Load-Stone_, first found by _Flavius Melvius_ a _Neapolitan_, in the
Year 1303. it was altogether impossible to reach _America_. So that
_Joseph de Acosta_ mistakes, who gives the honor of the finding so great
a benefit to Navigation, to some _Mahumetan_ Sea-men which _Vasques de
Gama_ met with near _Mosambique_, who had Sail’d those Seas by the use
thereof; whereas _Gama_’s Expedition was above a hundred years after
_Melfius_, who liv’d in such a juncture of time for Mathematical
Learning, that few Ages boasted the like: For then flourish’d in
_England_, and were Contemporaries, besides others abroad, _Richard
Wallingford_, _Nicolas de Lynna_, _John Halifax_, _Walter Britte_, _John
Duns_, and _John de Lignarys_, all eminent in Astronomical Arts,
belonging to Navigation, and doubtless, no small helps to _Melfius_ in
this his happy Invention.
Lastly, We will relate what hath been held as a seeming Testimony, (that
_America_ was known to the _Europeans_ before the Birth of our Saviour)
by an antique Meddal of the Emperor _Augustus_, digg’d out of the Ground
in _Peru_, and sent to his Holiness at _Rome_, which may well be
reckon’d with the like Cheat contriv’d by _Hermicus Cajadus_, _Anno
1505._ near _Syntra_, a Town in _Portugal_, where three Marbles Ingraven
with antient Characters, concerning a Prophecy of discovering the
_East-Indies_ by the _Portuguese_, in the Reign of King _Emanuel_, were
privately bury’d under Ground, and not long after, by a pretended
accident digg’d out, which made such a bustle amongst the Learned, that
several tired themselves about the explanation of the suppos’d Sibylline
Prediction.
[Illustration]
CHAP. II.
_Of the Original of the_ Americans, _whence they came, when, how, and
from what People Planted_.
[Sidenote: The original of the _Americans_ much disputed on.]
About the Original of the _Americans_, the Learned Dispute so much, that
they find nothing more difficult in Story, than to clear that Point; for
whether inquiry be made after the time, when the _Americans_ first
settled themselves where they now inhabit, or after what manner they
came thither, either by Shipping or by Land; on purpose, or
accidentally; driven by Storm, or else forc’d by a more powerful People,
to remove from their old Plantations, and seek for new? or if any one
should be yet more curious, asking the way that directed them out of
another Countrey to this New World? or else enquire for those People,
from whom the _Americans_ deriv’d themselves? He will find several
Opinions, and the Learned still Jangling.
[Sidenote: Voyage l. 1. c. 8.]
[Sidenote: The time when _America_ was first Peopled.]
The first Doubt is concerning the time: Mr. _Purchas_, where-ever he had
the Hint, endeavors to prove, that _America_ hath been but lately
Planted; for which he thus argues, “That if _Asia_, or _Europe_
furnish’d _America_ with People in _Abraham_’s time, or at least before
the Birth of our Saviour; then it must upon necessity, by the Expiration
of so many Ages, have been much more Populous, then the _Spaniards_
found when first they discover’d it. Besides, the vast Territories yet
unhabited (says he) are sufficient testimonies, that this New World hath
been Planted but scatteringly, and not many Ages since, else the
Countrey would have more abounded with Inhabitants, because the
fertility of the Soyl was able plentifully to maintain Millions more,
then were there when first discover’d: And what Marks are better to know
a new People by, in any Countrey, than a rude Life and unsettled
Government? just like a Family removing to another House, which takes no
short time to settle their Goods and Houshold-stuff in a handsome and
convenient Order.
[Sidenote: The condition of the first World after the Floud.]
“When _Noah_ went out of the Ark on Mount _Ararat_, and not long after,
saw his Seed spread over _Armenia_ and _Assyria_, the new Generation of
People consisted in Shepherds and Husbandmen, that setled themselves
near Lakes and Rivers. Villages, Cities (and much less) whole Kingdoms,
were scarce found on the Face of the Earth, and as little of Trade or
Commerce; Riches, Division of Lands, costly Garments and Furniture for
Houses, were not then in use, but the works of long settlements in happy
Peace. To curb growing-Wickedness, and the Pride of _Libertines_, who
incroach’d upon their weaker Neighbors, Laws were invented, by which
Bridle, the unbroke or wild World grew tamer: And first, the _Assyrians_
were brought to endure the Bit, and answer the Reins of Government; then
_Egypt_, next _Greece_, and after that the _Romans_, who spreading their
Power by Arms and Martial Discipline, first civiliz’d the _Gauls_,
_Spain_, _Brittain_, and lastly _Germany_.
“But because a Countrey or Pastoral Life, knowing no Commerce, but mean
Hovels, and to dwell in Huts, priding in poor and no Habits, despising
all greatness, unlimited by Laws, and all things else, (which the People
observ’d presently after the Flood) is now found among the _Americans_,
who will take them for ought else, but new Comers to that Land, as
themselves acknowledge? For the _Mexicans_ boast, that they are the
eldest there, and that from them, _Peru_, _Chili_, _Chika_, and other
Countreys towards the South, had their Colonies, and yet the oldest
Chronicles of _Mexico_ reckon not above a thousand Years.” Thus far Mr.
_Purchas_.
[Sidenote: _America_ was Peopled many Ages ago.]
[Sidenote: _Purchas_ contradicted.]
But certainly, all this Muster of appearing Reasons, is not able to
vanquish single Truth; For, grant that _America_ was not very Populous
when the _Spaniards_ first arrived there; must this needs prove, that it
was never well inhabited before? Perhaps the Civil Wars, which have been
always destructive to this Nation, have much hindred the increase of
People; and the more, because their Salvage Nature is such, that in
several places they account Man’s Flesh Broil’d a very great Dainty. And
suppose such Prodigal Excess of their Humane Bankets were not us’d in
_America_, as indeed they are, Is it wonder, that such a great part of
the World, not onely exceeding _Europe_ in bigness, but _Asia_ also
should here and there have a Tract of Land uninhabited? These might, by
reason of their Barrenness, be useless, as many such places are found in
the midst of the most Populous and fertile Countreys. But above all
this, it is certain, that _America_ to this day (notwithstanding almost
innumerable thousands of _Indians_ formerly Slain and Massacred by the
_Spaniards_) is so well inhabited, that it may stand in Competition with
either _Asia_ or _Europe_. And how could such vast multitudes Plant the
far-spreading Countrey of _America_, without the help of many Ages?
Moreover, This truth is not without sufficient Testimonies; when any one
looks on the Islands with which _America_ lies incompass’d, he may
suppose they did not willingly go from the Main Continent to the Isles,
but were driven thither by Wars among themselves, or as most times it
happens, because of the vast increase of the Natives, the Countrey must
discharge its burden.
Hereto is added, the several Languages us’d in _America_, as in _Europe_
or any other part of the known World; whereby we may easily guess, that
_America_ was Peopled presently after the Confusion of Tongues at
_Babel_. Furthermore, If the _Americans_ live a Rude Life, go meanly
Habited, be without stately Houses; such Customs are even among us
observ’d by several People; as the _Tartars_, _Numidians_, and others,
which made their Antiquity be call’d in question. He also must needs
have no knowledge of the Arts and Mechanick Sciences us’d by the
_Americans_, who concludes, that they setled but lately in _America_.
One Argument at present will be sufficient to contradict them all; and
in the further Description, the contrary will be more manifest.
[Sidenote: _American_ Gold-Smiths.]
_Hieronimus Benso_ relates, That he stood amaz’d at the Gold and Silver
Smiths in the Territory of _Chito_, who without any Iron Tools, made
Images, and all manner of Vessels: Which work they perform’d thus,
First, they made an Oval Crucible of a good Lock, round about Pasted
with Earth, embody’d with the Powder of Wood Coals; which Crucible being
Bak’d very hard in the Sun, they fill with Pieces of Gold or Silver, and
put in the Fire; about which standing with five, six, or more Pipes made
of Canes, they blow the Fire so long, till the Mettal melts, which
others sitting on the ground, run it into Moulds of black Stone, and so
with little trouble, Cast into what shape they please. Lastly, Though
_Mexico_ can reckon but a thousand years, must it therefore follow, that
the Inhabitants are no older? How many famous places (even among our
selves) have no longer Registers, and if they have, they are commonly
Fabulous, few Nations boasting truly their own Original; which Argument,
not onely contradicts (as we suppose) Mr. _Purchas_, but all others
ascribing the Plantation of _America_ to our later times.
SECT. I.
[Sidenote: After what manner the Inhabitants of _America_ came thither.]
¶ In the next place, let us enquire, how the _Americans_ were
transmitted thither, whether by Sea, or Land? Both which are feasible
two several ways; if they made an Expedition thither, as Discoverers, or
were driven on those Coasts by stress of Weather.
The first is most unlikely, and not seeming possible, for how could they
Steer thorow so vast an Ocean, to Countreys they never heard of, without
the Compass, and other Necessaries for such a Voyage? for when first
discover’d, their want of experience in Shipping for so long a Voyage,
knowing no further than the use of small Boats or _Canoos_, plainly
explode, that they willingly Steer’d from a known World, to an unknown,
with no better accommodation; but some probable reasons may be made out,
to induce us to believe, that they were rather driven thither by Storm.
[Illustration]
But some will say, How liv’d the little Boats, and how indur’d they in
such a continual Tempest, and were not either swallow’d up amidst the
Waves, or starv’d for want of Provision, which their hollow Troughs
could not contain?
The first doubt is the least, for there are Examples enough by which
appear, that oftentimes great Ships Bulging, are over-set or sunk in the
Sea by foul Weather when the Mariners escape in their Cock-Boat; and if
they were but thinly Victual’d for so long a Voyage, questionless, that
little which they had, they spun out, and made it last, while the
impetuous Storm shortned the passage, which fair Weather would have made
much longer.
[Sidenote: _Plin_. l. 5. c. 22.]
[Sidenote: Strange voyage of a _Roman_ Slave.]
_Pliny_ tells us of _Annius Plocquius_, General of the _Red-Sea_, That
one of his Slaves being Enfranchiz’d, Sailing down towards the _Arabian_
Gulf, was carry’d by a violent Tempest from the North, beyond
_Caramania_, and on the fifteenth day came to an Anchor in _Hippuros_, a
Haven of _Taprobane_, which _Ortelius_ judges to be _Sumatra_; but
_Mercator_ and _Cluverius_, on better grounds, _Zeylon_, which is no
less than three thousand _English_ Miles.
In like manner, _Joseph de Acosta_ tells us, That in fifteen days time,
he got with a Northerly Wind from the _Canaries_ to _America_, and his
Voyage had been shorter, durst he have born more Sails, which may partly
clear the former doubts.
[Sidenote: The _Peruvians_ opinion concerning antient Sea-Voyages.]
[Sidenote: _Acosta. Histor_. _Nat._ l. 2 c. 12.]
[Sidenote: Ridiculous opinion of the _Americans_.]
Moreover, the _Peruvians_ themselves give some small Testimony (in their
antient Records) of a few that Landed of old upon their Coasts, which
were (as they say) mighty and cruel Giants, committing much Bloodshed,
Slaughtering the Natives every where; and having subdu’d the whole
Countrey, built stately Edifices, of which remain yet the Ruines of some
Foundations, very Artificial and Costly. They also shew near _Manta_,
and _Puerto Viejo_, many huge Bones, as they believe of Giants, three
times longer and thicker than an ordinary Mans. They also tell us, that
many Ages since, one _Ica_ and _Arica_ Sail’d Westward thither upon Sea
Wolves Skins, blown up like Bladders: But however, without
contradiction, the _Americans_ never knew, much less built any such
Vessels, with which they durst venture to the _Offin_, out of sight of
Land: their _Balsas_, _Periagos_, and _Canoos_, will not all amount to
the Bulk of one of our small Barques; wherefore the Inhabitants of
_Tumbez_, when they descry’d the _Spanish_ Fleet, sent to discover
_Peru_, were amaz’d at the high Masts, spreading Sails, and bigness of
the Ships, judging them first to be Rocks, cast up out of the Sea; but
observing them to approach their Coast, and that they were full of
Bearded-Men, thought the Gods were walking in them; by our Modern Poet,
Mr. _Dryden_ in his _Indian Emperor_, thus Elegantly describ’d.
Guyomar _to_ Montezuma.
_I went in order, Sir, to your Command,
To view the utmost Limits of the Land:
To see that Shore, where no more World is found,
But Foamy Billows, breaking on the ground;
Where, for a while, my Eyes no Object met,
But distant Skies, that in the Ocean set:
And low-hung Clouds that dipt themselves in Rain
To shake their Fleeces on the Earth again.
At last, as far as I could cast my Eyes
Upon the Sea, somewhat, methought did rise
Like Bluish Mists, which still appearing more,
Took dreadful Shapes, and mov’d towards the Shore._
Mont. _What Forms did these new Wonders represent?_
Guy. _More strange than what your Wonder can invent.
The Object I could first distinctly view,
Was tall straight Trees, which on the Waters flew;
Wings on their sides, in stead of Leaves did grow,
Which gather’d all the Breath the Winds could blow:_
_And at their Roots grew floating Palaces,
Whose out-blow’n Bellies cut the yielding Seas._
Mont. _What Divine Monsters, O ye Gods, were these,
That float in Air, and fly upon the Seas!_
_Came they alive or dead upon the Shore?_
Guy. _Alas, they liv’d too sure, I heard them roar._
_All turn’d their sides, and to each other spoke,
I saw their Words break out in Fire and Smoke._
_Sure, ’tis their Voice that Thunders from on high,
Or these, the younger Brothers of the Skie._
_Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty Flight,
No Mortal Courage can support the Fright._
[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ carry Oxen, and Sheep to the _American_ Isles.]
But the resolving these Doubts, starts a harder Question, _viz._ Grant
that the _Americans_ were by Tempest driven thither, How then came the
Beasts thither? It is certain, that those which are beneficial for
humane use, as Dogs for to Hunt, great Cattel, Sheep, for Food, and
other Necessaries, might easily be carry’d thither, for so the
_Spaniards_ brought Cows, Horses, Swine, and other Cattel; and also
Poultery from _Spain_, to the new-discover’d Isles, _Cuba_,
_Hispaniola_, _Jamaica_, _Margaretta_, and _La Dominica_, when at their
arrival, formerly no four-footed Beasts were found there, whose fertile
Soyl hath so multiply’d their increase, that the Doggs running Wilde,
and breeding as fast, do great hurt to the Grazing Herds, which they
onely shoot for their Skins, leaving their Flesh, the best of Meats,
onely to Manure the Ground on which they lie.
The Transporting of tame and profitable Cattel might easily be allow’d
of, but who would load their Ships with Lions, Tygers, Bears, Wolves,
Foxes, and other Serpents and Voracious Beasts? it is certain that some
may be tam’d before they were Ship’d.
[Sidenote: How wild Beasts came in _America_, and the Isles.]
[Sidenote: In _vita Heliogabali_.]
[Sidenote: Lib. 2. cap. 17.]
[Sidenote: Strange Hunting.]
[Sidenote: Strange accident of two Leopards.]
[Sidenote: _Adv. Jovin._ l. 2.]
_Lampridius_ relates, That _Heliogabalus_ the _Roman_ Emperor, took
great pleasure in Domestick Lions, and Leopards, to frighten his Guests
withal; for with the third Course, they were all brought in, and sate
betwixt the Invited, a Man and a Beast. The great _Cham_, as _Paulus
Venetus_ an Eye-witness attests, Rides on Hunting, attended in couples
with tame Leopards. The King of _Camboja_ in like manner is serv’d with
Panthers: _Scaliger_ adds also, That they went not unprovided of a Lamb
or Goat, to give the Panther, lest falling into his natural ferocity,
provok’d by hunger, he should make the Huntsmen his Quarry, if he had no
other Prey. But notwithstanding some wilde Beasts seem to forget their
Voracious Nature, yet there ought great care to be taken in the
Transporting of them, because they oftentimes grow wild again, which
_France_ can witness, where two Leopards, a Male and a Female being
tam’d, presently after the death of King _Francis_, whether negligently
or on purpose, let loose, ran into the Woods, and near _Orleans_
devour’d a great number of People, and Cattel: _Gesner_ saith, That some
Womens bodies were found, who were untouch’d, onely their Breasts eaten
by the Leopards, as if they took them for the daintiest part; which is
not unlike the antient _Jeres_, who according to Saint _Hierom_,
entertain’d their Guests as a most delicious Dish, with Womens Breasts,
and Mens Buttocks Roasted. Besides, the devouring nature of these Wilde
Beasts, what profit could Tygers, Lions, Wolves, Bears, and the like
advantage the Transporter? And how came Serpents, Adders, and other
Reptiles, thither over the Ocean, that with no Art whatsoever can be
made tame? Were the small Vessels just laden with such terrible
Creatures, when against their wills, they were by Storm driven on a new
Coast? By these impossibilities we may easily judge, that the
_Americans_ came thither by Land, and no other way, but how, and upon
what occasion must be our next enquiry.
SECT. II.
[Sidenote: Two reasons wherefore the people remove from their
Countreys.]
¶ Histories generally gives us onely two accounts, Why People remov’d
from one Countrey to another, either not, or thinly inhabited; whether
driven by force, or of their own accord, so to unburthen and give ease
to their too Plethorick Countreys.
[Sidenote: The Flood acknowledg’d by the _Americans_ and other
_Heathens_ but mysteriously.]
Thus the banish’d _Japanners_ forsook their Native Countrey, and setled
themselves in a desolate Soyl, since a flourishing Empire, shining with
Riches, and Crown’d with stately Cities: So the _Batavians_ took
possession of the uninhabited Isle, lying between the _Rhyne_, and the
_Wael_, being driven out of _Hessen_ by Civil-Wars, and preserv’d the
memory of the place, from whence they had their Original on the utmost
Point of the Island, in the Villages of _Cattenwyck_; for the _Hessens_
formerly went by the name of _Catti_; others that remov’d did not onely
fall upon their Neighbors, but made a way by force of Arms, chosing
their Habitations under a temperate Climate, and in a fruitful Soyl.
After which manner the _Franks_ enter’d _Gaul_, and afterwards the
_Normans_ set upon _France_; so that the Conquer’d Countreys, have ever
since from the Conquerors been call’d _France_ and _Normandy_: But
although it cannot punctually be said, how the Inhabitants of _America_
remov’d, yet it is without contradiction, that they first found an empty
Countrey. The Opinions which they have themselves concerning it, are
full of idle Fancies; First, they question their Original from the
Floud, which is so well rooted in the memory of all Nations, that the
blindest and most ignorant know something of it, though deformedly
alter’d and vary’d, tack’d up with additional fabulous Stories, the
truth it self known onely to us, but to all others lost in Oblivion.
Who hath not heard of _Deucalion_’s Flood, how his Wife _Pyrrha_ and he
only escap’d in a little Boat, and (as ’tis Fabl’d) landing on a
Mountain, from thence Peopled the World again, by throwing Stones
backwards over their Heads? Something of this seems to hint the true
Story of _Noah_, his Wife, and Children, from whom the desolated World
was replenish’d.
[Sidenote: _Prometheus_ and _Noah_ are the same.]
The same they relate of _Prometheus_, concerning whom, thus _Diodorus
Siculus_: “They say that the _Nyle_ breaking through his Dams, and
over-flowing his Banks, drown’d all _Egypt_, especially that part where
_Prometheus_ Rul’d, where all the Inhabitants were swallow’d by the
Deluge.” None can imagine but that _Diodorus_ by this makes mention of a
particular Flood, and not the general one in _Noah_’s time; for as the
_Greeks_ ascrib’d all things to their _Heroes_, so the _Egyptians_ in
like manner did the same to _theirs_: Therefore they have of the general
Flood, made a particular one in _Egypt_, though perhaps it never was: So
that what is Fabled of _Prometheus_, is nothing but a Part of the
Universal Deluge; which the Name _Prometheus_ proves, because it
signifies, _Sprung from Heaven_, and is the same with _Noah_, whom they
hold to be the first Father of all Mankind since the Flood, born of, or
regenerated from his Wife _Asia_; and _Asia_ signifies _Earth_, or _The
Mother of all things_; and so espousing _Noah_, being sprung from God,
to _Ararat_, from whence descended the Generations of Mankind, and by
degrees spread over the whole surface of the Earth.
[Sidenote: _Acosta_, l. 1. c. 25.]