Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

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_.

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_

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

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_.]

And lastly, It signifies as little what _Pineda_ and _Levinus Lemnius_ 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.

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.]