An Enquiry into the Truth of the Tradition, Concerning the Discovery of America Part 5

What the Doctor hath said, after Lord Lyttelton, concerning the Literature and Naval skill of the ancient Britons, hath been already animadverted upon. To add more on those particulars, is unnecessary.

If we could find no Word, among the Americans, similar to the ancient British, in sound and sense, but Pengwyn, I should no more depend upon that circ.u.mstance than Mr. Pennant doth; but that is not the case: for many such words were found among the Natives of the New World, and in the West Indian Islands, which are neither obscure nor fanciful; for they had not only a strong resemblance in found, but convey the same Idea precisely, in both Languages.

As to traces of Christianity, Hornius hath enumerated many that were found there by the Spaniards; such as the Cross, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, 35 days Fast, and the Trinity.[vv]

[Footnote vv: Hornius. ubi supra. p. 128, 178, Peter Martyr. Decade 3d. ch. 5. p. 58. C. and de Insulis nuper inventis. p. 71. C.]

It is true, that these Customs may have been introduced by other Nations; by the Chinese, j.a.panese, &c. as Hornius hath observed: but this does not concern my subject, which is only to examine which of the _European_ Nations first visited America. As no Nation in Europe, but the ancient Britons, hath ever pretended, or does pretend to have discovered America before, the Spaniards in 1492, I am inclined to believe that some of these Christian ordinances and superst.i.tions were introduced by the Britons.

The s.p.a.ce of time between the landing of Prince Madog, and Columbus, above 300 Years, was sufficiently long to disseminate such Notions and practices through a very great part of America.

In short, the account given by Llwyd and Powel hath all the marks of strict Truth. If it be an Invention without any Foundation, it is a very singular one, the like to which is hardly to be met with. All imaginary Heroes and Conquerors, are adorned with every Virtue; whereas Madog is represented as possessed of no Virtue, but prudence and Courage.

Having thus made some Animadversions on Lord Lyttelton's, and Dr.

Robertson's Objections to Prince Madog's Adventures, and endeavoured to shew, that they do not absolutely overthrow the Truth of the Fact, I only observe farther here, that these eminent Writers have entirely omitted to take Notice of Mr. Jones's Narrative, and Mr.

Lloyd's Letter, which they had, or ought to have seen, before they wrote upon the Subject.

That the Welsh Tribes above mentioned are not better known to the Europeans at this Time, is owing to what I have already observed. They dwell far to the West of the English provinces. They may have been driven thither by more powerful Tribes of Indians, or by Europeans, and may now be reduced to an inconsiderable number, comparatively, by intestine quarrels or foreign Enemies. However, they seem to have been numerous when Mr. Jones was among them, and about 20 or 25 Years ago, when Messrs. Beatty and Stewart were among them.

If Missionaries from different Nations, with cultivated understandings, and enlarged Minds, acquainted in some measure, at least, with the Languages of Europe, Asia, and Africa, were sent to the Western Inland parts of North America, they might be able, to a very considerable degree of probability, if not of certainty, from their Language, Customs, and Manners, to trace the Origin of many Tribes on that vast Continent.[ww]

[Footnote ww: A Society of public spirited Gentlemen have lately employed persons to explore the interior parts of Africa. It were to be wished, that they, or others would extend their plan, and carry on the like design, in the interior parts of America.]

No Credit can be given to those who are called Traders in the Country; for as their chief pursuits are profit, they can make but few discoveries. The Origin and Manners of Nations are not the objects which they have in View. Instead of conciliating the friends.h.i.+p and affections of these unhappy, uncivilized and savage people, they very often shamefully over-reach them, and impose upon them in Business; and when they are detected and chastised for their fraudulent Practices, they bitterly complain of ill treatment, though it often is much better than they deserve.

My design, in the above Extracts and Observations, I presume, hath been answered, which was to shew that the Spaniards have not an unquestionable right to the Continent of America, as the first Discoverers among the Europeans; for it appears from well attested and numerous Relations, Facts and Circ.u.mstances, that the Ancient Britons landed on the American Sh.o.r.es about 300 Years before either, Behaim, Columbus or Americus Vespucius.

But after all, what is it that gives a people right to a Country?

This question is very easily answered. If Voyagers, by chance, fall in with a Continent, or Island, uninhabited and uncultivated, they have a right of possession by the Law of Nature, and or reason; because no human Being is injured or deprived of his right. But if they find any Inhabitants there, they can have no right. The Man who robs us on the High Way, or who breaks open, and plunders our Houses, hath as good a right to what he takes from us, as Conquerors to a Country, which they may be able to subdue by Force of Arms.

The right obtained by Conquest if admitted, will justify every Kind and every degree of oppression, even the slavery of our poor African Brethren. This principle will justify a Nation in wresting whole Countries out of the Hands of a cultivated, well ordered and peaceable people. In short, this Principle will justify the greatest Inhumanity, Cruelty, and Barbarity.

Nations engaged in open Way may, perhaps, be justified in invading and subduing their Enemies' Territories, because it may be the happy means of hastening a Peace, and put an end to the shedding of human Blood. But, on such Occasions, the innocent Inhabitants should not be wantonly injured; because the quarrel, is not between private Individuals, but between their Governors, in which their real Interests are seldom consulted. Very few necessary Wars have ever disturbed the peace of the World: they generally are the consequence of Ambition, Pride, and Vanity.

To invade and wantonly destroy, or plunder, the Lands or the Houses of a quiet, inoffensive and peaceable people; to carry away or destroy their property, without any provocation on their part, only because they are not able to resist, are acts in themselves highly wicked and diabolical.

How Madog and his Colony behaved, when they landed, to the original Inhabitants of the Country, does not appear; not in a hostile, but in an amicable and affectionate manner, as may be supposed; for his memory was held in high esteem by the Mexicans when Cortez arrived there. He was the Hero whose praises they celebrated in various places. How the Spaniards behaved is well known. One Author says that Cortez, and his Army slew four millions of Mexicans and two Emperors, Montezuma, and Guatimozin, the latter in the most cruel manner.

But if two millions, or even _one_, were destroyed, it was a carnage that will reflect the highest disgrace upon the infernal Perpetrators for ever.

Private Persons are often chargeable with fraudulent Practices, in their dealings with the unsuspicious Natives of America. There is no doubt but that the English, as well as other Nations, are often guilt. But public Bodies, as well as Individuals, are chargeable with unjust and dishonest proceedings, not only with the Indians, but with one another.

The Bay of Honduras, and the parts of the adjoining Continent, in which the English have a right, "to load and carry away Logwood,"

by the 17th article of the Peace in 1762, and by the 6th article of the Peace in 1783, we are told are already dangerous to the British Traders. The Conduct of the Spaniards in this matter, is not only unjustifiable, but shameful among enlightened Nations, and ought to be represented, in its true Light, to the World. If the Accounts we have are not exaggerated, their Conduct, if not altered, ought to be resented and chastised. We should not tamely give up the Sovereignty of the Seas, to any people on Earth, when Justice and Humanity require us to claim and defend it.

Spanish Pride is become a proverb: however, it requires no inspiration to foretel, that in the course of not many Years, the Spanish Power in America will be much reduced.[xx] The Independence of the late British Colonies in that Country, will, I fear, make them ambitious; will lead them to enlarge their Territories; the consequence, most probably, will be, a great Extent of Dominion, and another conquest of Mexico. This indeed, in no long time, must naturally take place, if these Colonies firmly adhere to the principles of their Union.

This may be expected for the following reasons.

[Footnote xx: The Close of the 18th Century seems teeming with great Events. The separation of the American Colonies from great Britain, hath roused the attention of Europe. Religious and Civil Liberty are hitherto claimed and successfully maintained in France.

In the Austrian Netherlands, and in other Countries, the principles of Liberty seem to prevail, and though checked for the present, cannot fail of becoming triumphant in the End. It, possibly, may have been the design of the Spanish Court, in the present fermented state of Europe, to lead the people's attention to a foreign War, lest they should persue the measures taken in France. May the Divine Blessing accompany every attempt made to establish Truth, Viriue, and Liberty, all over the World!]

The American Forces are at Hand, ready to undertake Expeditions, and to accomplish any purpose, before the Spaniards, at so many thousands of miles distance, can be apprized of their Designs; and long before they possibly can send sufficient Reinforcements.

Another Reason is, that the Native Spanish Indians, being in the most abject Slavery to the Prince and the Priests, will naturally and heartly join the late British Colonies, and a.s.sist them in subduing the Spaniards, in order to emanc.i.p.ate themselves from bondage, and to regain their long lost Liberties.

The British Colonies have set the example, when they thought themselves aggrieved. The Tyranny, Oppression and Extortion of the Spaniards in the higher Ranks, will dispose the Native Descendants of the original Inhabitants, and doubtless, many of the Native Spaniards, in the lower Ranks, to imitate their Example.

The Spanish Military Forces in the Country cannot defeat a general confederacy of the Indians and others; when strengthened by an Army from the a.s.sociated American Colonies.

But this prospect, as far as it regards the independent States, I cannot reflect upon with any pleasure, rather, with Pain; because I am convinced, that it will not be of any advantage, but rather injurious to them to enlarge their Territories. It will lead their attention to the Gold Mines of Mexico, and cause them to neglect their own more fruitful Mines at home; Commerce and Industry, the nearest and most certain Way to Honour, Opulence, and Happiness.

This Conduct, at least chiefly, reduced the Spaniards to their present comparative insignifancy, among the Nations of Europe; and should this be the conduct of the united States, they may expect the total Destruction of their Religion, Laws, and Liberties.

May they seriously reflect upon the Conduct of the Athenians and Carthaginians, in ancient Times; and upon the Conduct of the Venetians, Genoese, and, especially, Holland, (a District less in dimensions, than New Jersey, the least of their Colonies by above 2000 square Miles) in later Times, and they will be soon convinced that Commerce is the shortest and surest Way to Wealth and Power!

I have above cited a pa.s.sage from the ancient Universal History, in which the Writer appears inclined to believe the reality of Prince Madog's Voyages. But the Author of the History of America, Modern Part, Vol. 38, p. 5. treats them with contempt. "To recite, says he, the fabulous story of Madog, a Welsh Prince, and the Tale related by William of Newbury, of two green Children, who were found in a Field, in the Reign of King Stephen, would afford the judicious Reader as little Amus.e.m.e.nt as Instruction."

This voluminous Work, upon the whole, seems well executed, but like all others of great Length, is very unequal; because written by persons of different Abilities and Opinions. Gentlemen of great eminence in the literary World, and of unimpeached Integrity were engaged; and others, though of acknowledged Abilities, yet, to say the least, of very suspicious Characters, were employed. Among the latter, Psalmanazar, who, if he was a Spanish Jesuit, as has been said, and wrote this article, might be induced by the Amor Patriae, to ascribe to his Countrymen the honour of having, first discoved America. The Author of the above paragraph, whoever he was, affected to look upon the Tradition concerning Madog, and the Tale of the two green Children, as equally ill founded, and unworthy of credit. Whereas in Truth, the one is plainly an idle monkish Tale, the other a simple Narrative of an Event. One is a Fact supported by numerous authorities, the other evidently is one of those prodigies, pretended miracles, and priestly Inventions, which are to be found in most Authors who wrote during the dark ages of Popery.

We have above seen, that one has been favourably thought of by several Writers, at home and abroad, and is confirmed by circ.u.mstances and memorials in America: the other I have not seen mentioned by any Writer, but by William of Newbury, and by a few who have cited him.[yy]

[Footnote yy: That the ancient Britons were descended from the Trojans was a.s.serted by several Writers before Jefferey of Monmouth, who wrote about the Year 1152. It is alluded to by Taliessyn, who flourished about the middle of the 6th Century. A Welsh Author, already mentioned, Mr. Theophilus Evans, says, that the first Writer, who questioned the Fact, was William of Newbury, in welsh called, Gwilym bach, about the Year 1192, on this occasion. When Jefferey ab Arthur, (of Monmouth, who was Bishop of St. Asaph) died; William an English-man applied to David ab Owen to succeed him, and was refused. The refusal so mortified him, that he immediately set about composing his Book, in which he abused Jefferey, and the whole Welsh Nation. There is great reason to believe that resentment, upon some account, guided the Pen of William.

See Drych y prif Oesoedd, and the Preface to Jefferey's History.]

It is true that in this Century, and about the close of the last, if not near the beginning of it, many Welsh people settled in America.[zz] But it is as true, that long before the earliest of these periods, there were whole Tribes in the inland parts of that Country, who spoke Welsh, and who consequently, must have been descended from some Colony or Colonies, who had settled there long before the Year, 1660.

[Footnote zz: See a performance ent.i.tled, Hanes y Bedyddwyr ymhlith y Cymru. "The History of the Welsh Baptists," by Joshua Thomas.

Carmarthen. 1778.]

Mr. Jones says that they were numerous, in 1660, and Messrs. Beatty and Stewart, intimate the same, in 1766, and 1768. It cannot be thought that there Tribes are descended from emigrants in the present or last Century. Their Numbers, Customs, Manners, and Traditions, prove that they have been settled there for many Ages. Besides, the difference between the European and American Welsh, in Mr.

Jones's time, shews that the two people had then been long asunder; for it was greater than could take place, within 60, indeed, within 100 Years.

For these reasons I am strongly of opinion, that several American Tribes are descended from Prince Madog's Colony.

From the earliest account we have of the ancient Britons they seem to have been the best informed, formed, and most enlightened of all the northern Nations in Europe. The speech of Caractacus, addressed to the Emperor Claudius, and preserved by Tacitus, is a proof that good natural Sense and Literature, such as it was in that Age, in some measure, flourished in Britain.[aaa]

[Footnote aaa: Tacitus annal. Lib. XII. This Author lived in the reign of Claudius. Caractacus, in Welsh, Caradoc, appeared before the Emperor in 52. His address to Claudius made a great impression upon all the audience, so that his Fetters were immediately taken off. It is possible that Tacitus was himself one of the Audience.

As the Romans had been in Britain then about 100 Years, Caractacus might understand and perhaps speak some Latin, yet he could hardly have spoken so correctly and elegantly as is represented by Tacitus.

The Language, doubtless, was Tacitus's, but the Sentiments were those of Caractacus. The stile, indeed, is that of Tacitus. Rapin's History of England. Vol. I. p. 44. 8vo. Edit. Giraldus Descriptio Cambriae, Chap. XII. and note, and Rowland's Mona antiqua restaurata, pa.s.sim.]

We have also in Caesar several pa.s.sages favourable to British Learning: I see no reason, therefore, why British Writers should be treated with contempt.

The Scotch writers, especially of late years, have strained every nerve to establish the reputation of their ancient Authors. Oman and Fingal are ostentatiously held out, as instances of superior merit and excellence; but the poor Britons are treated with disdain, as having no merit for imagination, or original Composition.

Taliessyn, a Welsh Bard, who, as already observed, flourished about the middle of the 6th Century, and who by way of eminence was called Pen Beirdd y Gorllewin, "Head of the Western Bards;" some of whose works are come down to us; particularly, an Ode, in Welsh, translated into Latin sapphic Verre, by David Jones, Vicar of Llanfair Duffryn Clwyd, Denbighs.h.i.+re, in 1580.[bbb] Owen Cyfeiliog, and Gwalchmai, in the 12th Century; and many others, at different periods, of distinguished merit, have appeared in Wales. Some of whom have plainly alluded to Madog's Adventures. For the Names, Times, and the Works of these Bards, I refer to Mr. Evans's Specimens of the ancient Welsh Bards, 1764. To Sir Thomas Herbert's Travels and to Mr. Warrington's History of Wales, p. 307. Edit. 1788.

[Footnote bbb: Owen's Remains, ubi supra, p. i23, &c.--A Gentleman, well versed in British Antiquities, and Welsh Poetry, to whom these papers were communicated, says, that there are 30 or 40 pieces of Talessyn's now in being, but is doubtful whether the above Ode be Taliessyn's or not.]