America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

In Ps. 136. Voss. Orig. Idol. l. 1. c. 31.

Punick Tongue.

Hebrew.

The seventh King of Edom, Moses reckoneth to be Baal-hanan, which name, by transposing the Syllables, the famous Carthaginian General Hannibal bare. Moreover, it may easily be demonstrated, that the Phenicians Extracted from Heber, have formerly spoke Hebrew, and since Arabick; for they dwelt before their removing, in the Stony-Arabia. St. Jerom saith, the Punick Tongue agrees for the most part with the Hebrew: And St. Austin tells us, that many, nay, most of the Carthaginian words are Hebrew. Elisa, Dido, the first Foundress of Carthage proves this, for Elisa or Elissah, with the Hebrews, denotes A Lamb of my God; and Dido, A Lover. But who can find the least likeness, between the Hebrew or Arabick Tongue with the Americans? Lastly, Since the Phenicians acknowledge Esau for a Father, what then concerns the Americans, the curse of Canaan, since they are no more Extracted from Canaan, than the Phenicians? Thus much concerning the Phenicians.

If the Americans were deriv’d from the Jews, or the ten Tribes of Israel.

Is contradicted.

Some would derive the Americans from the Jews; others, from the ten Tribes of Israel, carry’d into captivity. The ground of which Opinions is, That the Jews and Israelites were scatter’d amongst all Nations; therefore they conclude, that America was also Peopled by them, the rather, because the antient Jews and Americans were of one Complexion, and went a like Habited, both going without Shooes, onely wearing Sandals, and an upper Coat over a shorter Linnen Vest. Both are humble, quick of apprehension, and obliging, yet Valiant: But it is certain, they cannot be like the Jews, because the Americans change their Habit, according as they live in cold or hot Countreys, and go not in the least like one another.

Father Immanuel relates, That he saw a Brasilian, not onely stoutly make his party good against three Portugal Soldiers, but had it not been by meer chance, worsted them.

Lastly, What Ceremonies of Religious Rites are observ’d by the Americans, which are used in Judaism? The Jews indeed have transplanted their Circumcision amongst divers Eastern People, and have they onely forgot the first Ceremony and signal Badge of their Religion in America, which yet not onely they, but those Mahumetans and other Sectaries punctually observe?

Jews distribution.