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.
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.
America was Peopled many Ages ago.
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.
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.