Relation of Mancocapacus.
“The Peruvians, being of a subtile Wit, and quick of Apprehension, argue sufficiently that they are not extracted from the more Northern Americans, but rather from the Chineses, which the several Wrecks of Chinese Ships found on these Coasts sufficiently evidence: and no wonder, if curiosity or accident brought the Chineses expert Navigators to this Countrey, separated onely by one Sea from them. To this we may add their Rites of Religion; for both worship the Sun, and call their King the Son of the Sun; they write no Letters but make Characters downwards. Mancocapacus was a Chinese of strange Policy; who being inform’d that his Countrey-men inhabited fruitful Countreys on the other side of the South-Sea, but without Laws or Government, Sail’d over thither, and gather’d the scatter’d Multitudes in a Body, and establish’d an hereditary Kingdom after the Chinese manner, to him and his Successors.”
The Americans are not extracted from China.
To which John de Laet answers thus: “Though the Peruvians exceed the other Americans in Policy, and at the arrival of the Spaniards liv’d in a handsom Order of Government, yet they can no ways be compar’d to the sharp-witted, and noble-spirited Chineses; nay, there are in no Place of Peru found such Artificers as those of China, that bear the praise of all the World; no where such manner of Buildings or Cities, nor the least likeness of the Chinese Curiosities. As concerning the Wrecks found in Peru, I find no credible Author that gives an account thereof: for certainly the Chineses could much easier, and a nearer way have come through the Atlantick Sea to the Coasts of America, lying to the East of Peru, than steer along the vast, and much greater South Sea, and endure the horrible Storms and vast Waves, which the European Ships are scarce able to endure, much less the Chinese Vessels, which are not so good. The Spaniards which Sail yearly from Acupulco to the Philippines are sensible of the great danger which they endure, chiefly by the great gusts of Wind near California. Besides, the Peruvians before the arrival of the Spaniards, were utterly ignorant of great Ships, and the use of Sails. How could they at once have forgotten that Art, which they brought with them thither, Moreover, it is easier to Sail from Peru to China, than from China to Peru, because the Winds under the Equinoctial Line commonly blow Easterly. And it is the greater wonder, that the Chinese Jonks accidentally by Storm should be driven to Peru, because they were never stor’d with Provisions but for a short Voyage, whereas this ask’d nine Moneths. But if any one will suppose, that they purposely directed their Course thither, how came the Chineses to Sail just to Peru, and not to New Spain, which is much closer to China? why were there no Merchandises of the Chineses found in Peru, since they went thither for Trade? how came they to neglect that Navigation they had once found? Nor is their Sun-worship (which was formerly practis’d in most Parts of the World) of any validity to derive them from China? But the contrary is most apparent, for the Peruvians worship for their chief God, Viracocha, that is, God Almighty, or The Creator of all things.
“The Chineses, if Confutius an eye-witness may be credited, are divided into three Sects of Religion: The first follow the Learn’d Trigantius, and acknowledge a King of the Heavens, which must onely be serv’d as the Chineses sole Governor; to which purpose, two Temples are built in the Royal Cities Nankin and Pekin, one Consecrate to Heaven, and the other to the Earth. The second Sect hath the name of Sciequia, and serve the Idol Omyto. The third nam’d Lanzu, imploy themselves in Magick and Exorcisms, Conjuring up, and laying Evil-Spirits, whose horrid representations, when they have stuck upon the Walls, they make an artificial and dreadful noise, as if Hell were broke loose, and the House full of Devils; sometimes also force the Evil-Spirits to enter into Images, from whence they receive no impertinent answers to their questions: Therefore, who will compare this Superstition of the Peruvians worshipping of the Sun, to the Chinese Religion, which do no such things?
Embassy to the Cham, l. 2. c. 2.
“The Peruvians call’d their King, A Lord of the Realm, and not The Son of the Sun, as in China: Though the Mexicans otherwise worship the Sun, and in their manner of adulation, styl’d Hernando Cortez, their Conqueror, Son of the Sun: As to what concerns the manner of writing, it is very well known, that the Chineses words are all Monosyllables, so that they have as many Letters as Words, which they joyn so together, that they reckon eighty thousand, but with ten thousand they are able to express themselves in most matters. These Characters are contain’d in their Halpien or Dictionary. The antient Chineses us’d seventeen several sorts of Characters in their writing, some consisting of Serpents, that by several Wreathes and contortious Windings, signify’d several things; others, of all sorts of agrestick Tools belonging to Husbandry; some Characters of the Feathers of the Bird Fum-hoar; others of Oysters and Worms, or of Roots, of Herbs, or Birds Claws, or of Turtles, or of Herbs and Birds Feathers mingled, or of Planets, and such like; but what manner of Writing or Hieroglyphick of theirs resembles those, who by their own testimony know neither Pen, Paper, Ink, nor any manner of Writing, but reckon the antiquity of time by strung Beads, which was observ’d many ages since among several Nations.”
Original of the Americans very obscure.
What we may believe concerning them.
The Americans are derived from several people.