Peruvians Opinion.
And also the Mexicans, of their Original.
Lib. 1. cap. 7.
The Americans can give but a little better Account of their first Original; and indeed it is no wonder, because for want of Books they can relate nothing certain, but only what they have Registred in their usual Quipocamagos, which is not above four hundred years old. Acosta asking what Original they judg’d they were of, and from what Countrey and People deriv’d? receiv’d no other Answer, but that America only was their native Countrey, and that they were deriv’d from no other elsewhere. But though the Peruvians are of this Opinion, yet the Mexicans are of another mind, giving the Spaniards a far better Account when first they came thither, wherein we must a little deviate, viz. How they were remov’d from some other place, as Robert Comtæus relates, who with many Learned and seemingly true Arguments affirms, That the Original of the Americans must be sought for either among the Phenicians, Sydonians, Tyrians, or Carthaginians, being indeed all one People. Herodotus saith thus of the Phenicians, “They liv’d formerly, according to their own Relation, along the Shore of the Red-Sea; from whence removing, they planted the Sea-Coast of the Syrians.” Festus Avienus the Latin Poet agrees with this Opinion, where he saith,
On the Phenicians Coasts the Ocean beats,
Who through the Red-Sea Sailing, chang’d their Seats.
They were the first that ventur’d through the Seas,
And freighted Ships with richer Merchandize:
Fair or foul Weather, They without controule!
Sought Foreign Trade, directed by the Pole.