Grotius is of opinion that the Americans belong’d to Norway.
The Learned Hugo Grotius, in his Enquiry after the original of the Americans, brings them with many Circumstances to belong to Panama, situate opposite to the Northern Parts of Norway, because something of their Languages agrees, and the Way thither easie and nearest to be found: for first they travell’d from Norway to Ysland, over which the Norwegians Rul’d above a thousand years since; so from Ysland through Friezland to Groenland, and from thence to Estotiland, being a part of the Main Continent of America.
This Opinion is largely contradicted.
From Friezland some Fishers went thither (as he says) two Centuries before the Spaniards touch’d that Shore; which John de Laet contradicts. And indeed what Reasons can be given, Why the Americans of the Straights, between Panama and Nombre de Dios, lying Northerly, should have another original than those that live to the South, seeing the same Straights are neither divided by Mountains nor Rivers; and the Spaniards found no alteration in the Customs and Languages betwixt them that liv’d above or below these Straights. And who will believe that Norway, which was but indifferently peopled, could afford such numerous Colonies as could plant the Northern America, which far exceeds the South, and chiefly, when the great Islands that lie near the East and West, are added to it? Moreover it is certain, (if the Yslander Angrim Jonas is to be credited) that some Families fled out of Norway from their enraged King to Ysland in the Year 874. which at that time was but meanly inhabited.
Isaac Pontanus de Reb. Danicis.
Forty years before, Lewis the Just put the Yslanders under the protection of Pope Gregory the fourth, who gave the Government of the Ysland Church to Ansgar Archbishop of Hamburgh. But how comes it that there is not the least spark of Christianity found amongst the Northern Americans, if they are deriv’d from the Ysland Christians? and why did the Yslanders remove to colder Countreys than Groenland and Friezland, or their own native Soil, and for the most part not inhabited?
Concerning Groenland and Friezland, it is known by our English Navigators, that they are joyn’d together, and both to the Northern America; but not without vast Bays and Inlets, which betwixt Groenland and America are obstructed with floating Castles of Ice; so that the Passage is very dangerous. And full as troublesom, if not altogether impossible, would the Journey be by Land, because the Earth lies so thick cover’d with Ice and Snow, especially the Valleys, that no Traveller is able to get through.
The Voyage of two Zeno’s.
Relatio Marc. Zenonis.
Moreover, that which Grotius says farther of the Fishers which first discover’d Estotiland, is grounded on the Relation of the Venetian Knights, Nicholas and Marcus Zeno, two Brothers. Anno 1380. Nicholas Zeno suffer’d Shipwrack on the Friezland Coast; Marcus inform’d thereof, steer’d his Course thither; fourteen years they spent before they came to Estotiland: at last they return’d again to Friezland, where Nicholas died: But Marcus returning home publish’d his Journal, wherein he relates, That Estotiland is above a thousand Leagues distant from Friezland, and was discover’d by Friezland Fisher-men that were driven thither by Storm. But he hath set down many things that have little resemblance of truth, according to what is since found by credible Navigators; and therefore we cannot depend on Zeno’s Discovery.