Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-05-07
american Indians. The means BY which

american Indians. The means by which
America received its first inhabitants.
have, since the time Of its discovery by
the Europeans, been the subject Of mum
berless disquisitons. Was to endeavor
10 collect the different opinions and reas-
onings oil the varaious writers that have
taken up the pen in defence Of their con
lectures, the enumeration would much ex-
coed the bounds have prescribed myself.
and obIige me TO be less explicit on points
of greater moment.
From the obscurity in which this dc
bate is enveloped. through the total disuse
Of letters among every nation OF lndians
Of this extensive continent, and the un-
certainty of oral tradition at the distance
of so many ages, fear, that even after
the most minute investigation, we shall
not be able TO settle it with any degree OF
certainty. And this apprehension will re
ceive additional force when il is consider
ed that the diversity Of language which is
apparctIy distinct between most Of the In
dams, tends 10 ascertain that this popula-
ton was not effected from one particular
country, but from several neighborng
ones, and completed at different periods.
Most of the historians or travellers that
have treated on the American Aborigines
disagree in their sentiments relative TO
them. Many ofthe ancients are supposed
TO have known that this quarter OF the
globe not only existed, but also that 1t
was inhabited. Plato in his Timaus has
asserted, that beyond the island which he
calls Atalantis, aud which according to
the description was situated in the western
Ocean. there was great number Of 9th
er islands, and behind those vast Cont.
nent.
Oyedo, celebrated Spanish author Of
a much later date, has made no scruple
TO affirm that the Antilles are the famous
Hesperides 50 often mentioned by the po-
cts which are at length restored BY the
Kings of Spain, the descendants OF King
Hesperus, who lived upwards of three
thousand years ago, and from whom these
islands received their name. f
Two other Spanards, the one. Father
Gregoria, Dominican, the other Father
Joseph DE Acosto, a jesuit, have written
on the origin Of the Americans.
The former who had been employed
in the missions oil Mexico and Peru. en-
deayored 10 prove from the traditions Of
Of The Mexicans, Peruvians, and others
which he received on the spot. and from
the variety Of characters. customs, Ian
guages and religion observable in differ
cot countries OF the new world, that differ
ent nations had contributed 10 the peo
ping Of it. 4.
The latter, Father De Acosta, IN hi
examination IF the means by which TN
first Indians Of America might have iouns
a passage. 10 that continent. d'scred'l
the conclusions Of those who have snppo
posed it to be by sea, because no ancien
author has made mention Of the compass
and concluded. that it must De either y
the north Of Asia aud Europe, which ad
ioin to each other or by those region
that lie 10 the southwark oil the sifaits 9
Magellan. He also rejects the assertion
of such as have advanced that It was PEG
pied by the Hebrews
John DE Laet, Flemish writer, hs
controlled the opinion Of these SPANS
Fathers, and rs manv others who hay
. written on the same subject. The hyPt