Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-04
AMERIC.


Indian Derivation Claimed.
Chicago Evening Journal.l
Amerrique, sometimes spelt Amerique,
and Americ, is the aboriginal name of a
mountain range in Central Nicaragua
1t is the Indian name tor the middle
point of the vast chain OF mountains
which extends from Terra del Fuego on
the south to Mackenzie river on the north,
from pole to pole, the longest range on
the globe. A writer in the Atlantic
Monthly for March is of the opinion that
the name oil the continent was derived
from this origin, rather than from the
name of the great Italian navigator to
whom history and tradition have attribu-
ted it's derivation. Some Of his reasons
are silly, but the new light which the pa
per throws upon an important chapter Of
history is worthy Of some attention.
The Italian referred to bore the name
Of Albericus Vespucius. 1t was often in
early days blunderingly written Amerigo,
and OF late years it has been further cor
rupted into Americus. If the continent
had been named in honor of Vespucius,
it would probably have been designated
Vespucia, as Columbia is o deriyative
from Columbus. 1t is very unusual in
naming a country after an individual
(other than a sovereignty to make use Of
the Christian name We recall no Chris
topher in geography. But even if the
initial name had been selected, the name
would have been Alberica or AMERICA.
In his fourth aud last voyage to the
new world, Columbus coasted south,
searching always for gold. Frsm bis
letter to the King of Spain, we know that
be touched at Nicsrauga, aHd in reply Ia
the Inquiry for the precious metal, was
directed to the mountains of the inte-
rior. He does not state the name given
TO that mountain range by the natives
little dreaming of its historic destiny, }
but the description leaves no doubt Of
the identity. And as the Indians of the
mountains, the Carcas and the Ramas
who cling to the old language aud ways
now call the mountain Americ, it is rea
souably certain that their ancestors die
the same. Where did your gold come
from2" q Spaniard would ask, and hC
told in reply from Amerique" Nov
gold was the one thing sought in the new
world, originally, and consequently
America was the I'll Dorado Of the Span
iard's search. Columbus had giver
names of his own to the countries dis.
covered, and sometimes the origina
names would be used and sometimes
not. Gradually the area of discovered
land widened, and the European names
Of islands we're narrowed down, just Al
Virginia once stood for the entire Eng
liSh provinces south of Maryland, stretch
ing westward indefinitely. So Cuba anC
the West Indies became quite restricted
by a similar process OF national develop
ment.
To the similarity between Americ anC
Amerigus, aided by the blunder of {
backwoods printer, is due the linking o
the continental and the individual names
In 1905, Hylacomylus, teacher, book
seller and printer, of Saint Die, in tn,
Yosges, published what he called al
Introduction to Cosmograpby" Fain
rumor had reached his mountain hom,
Of a wonderful land of gold, Amerique
BE had never seen much literature upcI
the subject, perhaps nothing except wha
pertvined to the voyage Of Americu
Vespusius, whom he doubtless supposed
to be the original discoverer and il
honor Of whom, as he naturally, but mis-
takenly supposed that remote land 0
gold was named. Vespucius died il
1912, and it is regarded as certain tha
he never had heard or conceived of wha
Humboldt calls "the dangerous glor,
that was preparing for him at Saint Die.
We hope this theory plausible if IN
demonstrative, will be shown to have
solid basis Of fact. The old world treated
the people of the new world with sucl
unparalleled atrocity, especially tn,
more civilized nations Of Central ant
South America, that the primitive civil
zation was almost obliterated, and tn,
people themselves driven to the inacces
sible mountains or reduced to slavery
If the continent received at its baptism
an Indian name, it will be little com
pensation, although slight IL the theor,
OF The Atlantic is correct,'then the name
when rightly understood, would not b,
suggestive Of one of the enterprisinl
voyagers who won renown by crossing
the Atlantic ocean nearly four centuries
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