The History of Ancient America, Anterior to the Time of Columbus / Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and Israelites; and the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere By The Apostle St. Thomas

by George Jones

REVIEW OF THE TYRIAN ÆRA; OR, THE FIRST EPOCH
IN THE PRESENT
ORIGINAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT AMERICA,
AND
THE EVIDENCES TO SUSTAIN IT.

In summing up a case to the Jury, it is generally understood that both Plaintiff and Defendant have been heard,—and especially that the witnesses have been cross-examined: in assuming, therefore, our present position in regard to the summary of evidence, we have endeavoured throughout this historic cause, not only to be Plaintiff for the History, but have also in many places been Defendant and cross-examined our own points and witnesses, and even ourselves, in order to anticipate and answer demurrers or objections. Whether any apparent objections yet remain, and if so, whether they have been sufficiently overruled by the arguments, is for the Jury (i. e. the Public) to decide; and whether the verdict be in the affirmative for the Plaintiff—or in the negative,—we shall receive the announcement from the Foreman (i. e. the Press) with perfect acquiescence in his judgment; and while our blood and nature will not permit a cringing of the knee for favour or for flattery,—yet we ask, and expect, from that intellectual Foreman (whose voice is now potential with the Jury) that liberal Justice which he knows so well how to dispense: and especially in a novel case, comprehending so enlarged a field of original argument, reasoning, and resources as the present one.

To establish that the Aborigines of South and Central (i. e. Mexican) America, were from the Last of the Tyrian family in Asia, the following arguments and evidences have been produced: viz.—The separation of the Aborigines of the Western Hemisphere into two distinct races, or people;—and that division justified by absolute contrasts in their moral and physical condition and manners,—in their political and Religious customs and observances;—and in addition to these powerful contrasts, is the fact,—that North America possesses no Architectural stone ruins,—while in the Mexican portion of the Continent, many Cities and Temples have been found.

The great and injurious error of naming the Aborigines—"Indians"—was pointed out,—as well as the Author, and the cause of the misnomer, and its effects. The title of the first Epoch was then given, and the arrangement of the several propositions for establishing its truth.

An elaborate argument was next founded upon the important and interesting question,—"Are the Fine-Arts of sufficient authority, to be received in evidence, for establishing historical records or events?" Having produced an answer con amore,—and especially illustrated the answer, by the resuscitation of the Ruins of Rome, we proceeded in the belief that the argument was conclusive and in the affirmative.

The fact was then established of the discovery of the ancient Ruins in Southern or Central America,—viz., at Mitla, Cholula, Uxmal, Palenque, Quirigua, Ocosingo, Tecpan-Guatimala, Gueguetinango, Quichē, Copan, Chi-chen, Zayi, Kabah, Espita, Ticol, and Labnah,—and these severally upon the high authority of the justly renowned Humboldt,—the Spanish Commissioners Del Rio and Waldeck,—Dupaix and Galindo,—and last, not least, the enterprising American Traveller, Stephens,—and his artist-associate, Catherwood:—and to which list may now be added the name of Norman. Stephens has investigated other Ruins in Yucatan, but they are precisely analogous to that of Uxmal. Reference was then made to the Mexican Paintings preserved in the Vatican, Bologna, and Madrid, and republished in the folio Volumes by Lord Kingsborough.

Extracts followed from the descriptions of the Ruins of Copan, Palenque, and Uxmal, with such commentaries as were required, for illustration of the Architecture and Sculpture, or for detecting errors.

A Critical analysis was then presented of the conclusions arrived at by Stephens, in reference to the Architecture, and of the Nations rejected by him as the builders. His errors were shewn by his own contradictions; and the basis of his argument being founded upon those errors, the conclusions, as a necessity, fell to the ground; for it was shewn that the only Nation or People that could claim to be the Architects, and having means to reach the Continent, were not so much as mentioned by him, and consequently not investigated. If he had done so, it would instantly have interfered with a favourite conclusion, which he was determined to arrive at; if not by artistical and scientific reasoning, at least by one of the noblest traits in the human character,—viz., Love of Country. This was so pardonable in a book merely of "Incidents of Travel," that while it could not deprive honest criticism of exposing the sophistry, it at once, from pure sympathy in the sentiment, withheld the shaft of condemnation.

We then proceeded to prove, upon the direct rules of Art, that the pyramidal ruins forming bases for receiving—and with the peculiar superstructures on them, that they were only traceable as Egypto-Tyrian Architecture—that the Sculpture aided this conclusion, and finally established the Nation to be Tyrian, from recording the celebrated worship of Saturn,—the victim-craving Moloch of Canaan's descendants.

A no less strong than interesting proof, we submit, was brought to the consideration of the reader, in the general identity between Solomon's Temple of Jerusalem, built by Tyrians, and the Temples of Palenque and Copan.