As a National analogy may be viewed the Military character and locality of Copan,—this, also, strengthens our belief that this city was the first erected,—for although on the Altars no Sculpture is found representing weapons of war,—and in a Temple to Religion there should not be,—yet this Temple is but the centre, of what may be termed the Citadel of Copan. The entire Ruins (it will be remembered) are traceable for a distance of "over two miles," along the banks of the River,—and on the opposite side, at the distance of a mile, and on an eminence two thousand feet high, (thus overlooking every approach to the city,) is found a ruined Stone Structure, and almost evident from its locality, to have been originally a signal, or watch-tower. The city is, also, built on the banks of the River, and above "the falls," thus forming a natural defence against any approach from the Sea,—while any attempt to reach the Citadel by water from the Source of the River, was frustrated by the erection of a high perpendicular wall ("nearly 100 feet"), forming a river façade of "six hundred and twenty-four feet,"—(nearly the eighth of a mile)—this is based upon an elevated embankment of about "thirty feet,"—and was formerly protected from any flooding of the river, by a water-wall along the whole range of the Citadel-Temple. The great wall is in ruins at the summit, therefore many feet may have fallen down,—thus proving that its entire height with the embankment (as before expressed) must have ranged from one hundred and forty, to one hundred and fifty feet. Now there is nothing in Egypt (as a plumb-wall) to be compared with this,—nor does the Nile of ancient days, possess a perpendicular wall,—and there is no marine Nation of antiquity that can lay the analogous claim to such a wall, equal to Tyrus,—for her Citadel-city in Asia was bordered by the waters of the Tyrian harbour,—and to secure its safety from human invasion, or that of the Sea, the ancient inhabitants of that Island-mart erected perpendicular walls, one hundred and fifty feet in height! Copan then possesses an analogy to the capital of ancient Tyrus,—and as that was the last city left by the Aborigines in Asia, it appears but natural that they should endeavour to imitate it, in building their first city in a foreign land. We submit that this is a strong analogy, and founded upon justifiable reasoning.
The Wreck of an ancient Galley has been found in Mexican America, deeply imbedded in the sands,—now this must have been (upon a minute investigation) the remains of a Phœnician vessel,—for the Greeks and Romans had no galleys on the Atlantic waters, or even the Indian Ocean, until the time of Alexander,—but the Tyrians had,—and, as will be proved (in the next Book of this Volume), nearly one thousand years before the Christian Æra, and again, six centuries before the period of The Advent.
Circumcision was practised in Mexican America from two distinct reasons. 1st. From a supposition that it was conducive to health; and 2dly, from a Religious custom; this last fact will be required for the third volume,—the former only will be here brought forward, for the purpose of proving another analogy. Circumcision was practised by the Egyptians, Ethiopians, Tyrians, Colchians, and Cappadocians, upon the belief that personal safety would be the result; and the custom might, therefore, be viewed as a sacrifice to Hygeia,—the Goddess of Health,—and in this sacrifice many of the females of Egypt did not exempt themselves. The custom, however, was optional,—this is proved by the Egyptian Mummies!—There were no laws to enforce it (except upon the Priests of Egypt), as among the Israelites and Jews, with whom, as an entire people, it was, and is, one of the most sacred customs, established by a Covenant between The Father of the Universe, and the patriarch of Israel. In the division of the Land of Canaan between the Twelve Tribes, by Joshua,—the Tribe of Asher was located on the confines of Sidon and Tyrus.—Joshua re-established the Covenant of Circumcision, after it had been purposely laid aside by MOSES during the "forty years" wandering in the Wilderness. It was, therefore, practised by the immediate neighbours of the Tyrians, and it is apparent to belief, that the custom was received among the Phœnicians owing to their juxtaposition with a Tribe of Israel. The Egyptians received the custom in a similar manner,—viz., during the sojourn of Israel in Egypt. The Tribe of Asher,—and its customs, gradually encroached upon the Idolatry and manners of the Phœnicians,—for we find (upon the authority of Malte Brun) that the members of that Tribe (Asher) were driven back from all the sea-coast to the interior, by the Sidonians and Tyrians;—the custom, however, in an optional character, remained with the Tyrians,—and in that manner it was practised by the Mexican Aborigines.
In viewing the above analogy, it must be evident to the reader,—that in the fact of optional Circumcision (no matter from what motive) another proof is seen of the two distinct races in Ancient America,—for in the North, as stated heretofore, where it is practised, it is only in the form of a Religious rite.
The tradition of the ancient Mexicans as to where they came from, is directly in favour of this work. Upon Cortez asking Montezuma the Second, the origin of the Mexican race,—the Monarch answered,—that many ages ago they came from "The East"—(i. e. from where the Sun rises)—and as he then was speaking in Mexico, "The East" is at once defined to be across the Atlantic Ocean. The coast of Phœnicia was always denominated "The East"—this is absolute on the authority of Holy Writ, and in that definition, Tyrus is distinctly spoken of: viz.—
"All the nations have I destroyed before them: and in the East, I have scattered the people of the provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon." [Esdras ii. 12.]
Sahagun the Spanish historian, who lived nearly sixty years with the Mexicans, and wrote about fifteen years after the Conquest by Cortez (1520) relates, that, from their traditional history, handed down from remote antiquity,—the Aborigines of the Country, first TOUCHED at Florida,—then COASTED along, until they reached the Bay of Honduras,—and they then LANDED.
It will be observed that the terms "touched" "coasted" and "landed" are phrases belonging exclusively to Navigation,—this confirms the reply of Montezuma, that his ancestors originally came FROM the East, for by Navigation only could they come from that quarter,—and as a consequence they sailed towards the West, and across the Atlantic Ocean!
The tradition of having "first touched at Florida," is as remarkable, as the means of Nature whereby it was accomplished, which will be investigated and established in the last pages of this Volume.